[Event "Tashkent FIDE GP"]
[Site "Toshkent UZB"]
[Date "2014.10.21"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2844"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2014.10.20"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[Beauty "6944693686820"]
[EventCountry "UZB"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 {In Saint Louis Maxime tried to surprise Fabiano with the Caro-Kann. This did not work very well and he quickly sank into the home analyzes of Caruana. In this game the Frenchman returns to his beloved Najdorf.} 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3 {The English Attack is Fabiano's main weapon.} 8...Be7 9.Qd2 O-O 10.O-O-O Nbd7 11.g4 b5 12.Rg1 {Caruana deviates from a game that he played the last year. Against Gelfand he tried the main line:} ( 12.g5 b4 13.Ne2 Ne8 14.f4 a5 15.f5 a4 16.fxe6 {Here instead of the most common 16.Nbd4, he chose the second most popular move:} 16...axb3 17.cxb3 fxe6 18.Bh3 Rxa2 19.Bxe6+ Kh8 20.Ng3 Nc7 21.Bc4 Qa8 22.Rhf1 Rxf1 23.Rxf1 Ra1+ 24.Kc2 Rxf1 25.Bxf1 d5 {and produced a novelty-} 26.h4 {which was correctly met by Gelfand with} 26...d4 $1 {and Black went on to win this game, Caruana,F (2774) -Gelfand,B (2755) Moscow 2013} ) 12...Nb6 {A reasonable move with the idea Nb6-c4.} ( {The point behind the move 12.Rg1 becomes clear in the line} 12...b4 13.Nd5 {and Black has to part with his light-squared bishop as} 13...Nxd5 $2 ( 13...Bxd5 14.exd5 a5 15.g5 Nh5 16.Kb1 a4 17.Nc1 ) 14.exd5 {leaves no way out of the black piece-the pawn is still on g4.} ) 13.Na5 {The knight is heading for the c6 square.} 13...Rc8 ( 13...Qc7 {is the other interesting move when White can, for instance, sacrifice a pawn with:} 14.g5 Nh5 15.Nd5 $5 Bxd5 16.exd5 Nxd5 17.Qxd5 Qxa5 18.Kb1 Qc7 19.Rg4 {Jakovenko,D (2723)-Givon,A (2449) Yerevan 2014 The total control of the light squares and the misplaced knight compensate White for the sacrificed pawn with interest.} ) 14.g5 Nh5 15.Kb1 Qc7 {Not yet a novelty but a very rare move.} ( 15...Nf4 {was tested in Anand, V (2783)-Topalov,V (2793) Stavanger 2013} ) ( {As Kr. Szabo indicates-} 15...b4 {is too early, as after:} 16.Nd5 $1 Nxd5 17.exd5 Qxa5 18.dxe6 fxe6 19.Bh3 {Black cannot protect the e6 P.} 19...Kf7 $2 20.g6+ $1 hxg6 21.Qg2 {and White wins.} ) ( {And:} 15...g6 {was a tried by Karjakin} ) 16.Nd5 {Technically speaking, this most obvious move turns out to be a novelty according to my Megabase. However, we have already seen the idea above in the game Jakovenko-Givon.} ( 16.h4 $2 {is quite unfortunate at the moment as:} 16...d5 $1 17.Nxd5 Nxd5 ( 17...Bxd5 $1 18.exd5 Nxd5 {was basically winning for Black as the knight is untouchable-} 19.Qxd5 $2 Rfd8 ) 18.exd5 Bxd5 19.Qf2 Bxa2+ 20.Kxa2 Qxa5+ 21.Kb1 {1/2 (21) Damjanovic,V (2320)-Arsovic,G (2330) Belgrade 1993} ) ( {While the natural:} 16.Qf2 $2 {is also a mistake-} 16...Na4 17.Nxa4 Qxa5 18.Nc3 Qb4 ( {as Black could have won on the spot with:} 18...Rxc3 $1 19.bxc3 Bxa2+ 20.Kb2 b4 21.cxb4 Qxb4+ 22.Kxa2 Rb8 {with mating attack.} ) 19.Bb6 {1/2 (19) Chesterkine,V-Elistratov,S Vung Tau 2008} ) 16...Nxd5 17.exd5 Bxd5 {Maxime has no choice but to accept the challenge.} ( 17...Bd7 18.Bd3 g6 19.Be4 {leads to a very pleasant position for White without any risk.} ) 18.Qxd5 Qxa5 19.Bd3 g6 20.c4 $6 {This looks dubious as it allows too many open files for the black pieces. Jakovenko treated the position is a more tranquil way. He placed the rook on g4, then slowly improved the bishop with c2-c3, Bd3-c2-b3. I suspect that this was the correct plan.} ( 20.Rg4 Qc7 21.c3 {White can always meet the move:} 21...Nf4 {with-} 22.Bxf4 exf4 23.h4 ) 20...Nf4 $1 {Diagram [#] Very strong! Black returns the pawn but gets the INITIATIVE. This is the key word whenever you play with opposite-colored bishops. The opposite castlings would not hurt neither!} ( {In case of:} 20...Rb8 21.cxb5 axb5 22.Rc1 {Black will keep the extra pawn but his opponent will have all the remaining joy-files, diagonals, light squares...} ) 21.Bxf4 exf4 22.cxb5 {Consistent, or else Black can try something radical, like:} ( 22.h4 Rc5 23.Qe4 Rb8 $5 24.Qxe7 bxc4 {with strong attack, for example:} 25.Be4 c3 26.Rg2 cxb2 27.Qxd6 Rc1+ 28.Rxc1 bxc1=Q+ 29.Kxc1 Qe1+ 30.Kc2 Rc8+ 31.Bc6 Qe8 ) 22...axb5 23.Qxb5 ( {Naturally not} 23.Bxb5 $2 Rc5 ) 23...Qa7 $1 {Remember, activity! The endgame is clearly better for White as he can bravely push the pawns:} ( 23...Qxb5 24.Bxb5 Rc5 25.a4 Rxg5 26.Rxg5 Bxg5 27.a5 ) 24.Be4 {Fabiano decided to get some control of the a and b files.} ( {The line:} 24.h4 Rb8 25.Qa6 Qf2 26.b3 Ra8 {demostrates his point.} ) 24...Rc7 25.Bd5 Qf2 {This wins a pawn.} ( 25...Rb8 {was not bad neither. After:} 26.Qd3 Bf8 {the bishop will be very happy on the long diagonal.} ) 26.Qb3 ( {Black's previous move created an additional threat:} 26.h3 Bxg5 $1 {and the back rank is weak} 27.Rxg5 $4 Qc2+ 28.Ka1 Qxd1# ) 26...Qxh2 27.a4 Qf2 28.Rc1 {Caruana decided to take care of the active rook.} ( {Alas, with the queens on the board the pawns are not moving easily-} 28.a5 $6 Qa7 29.Qb6 Rb8 $1 30.Qxa7 Rxa7 ) 28...Ra7 $1 {with the idea Qf2-d4.} 29.Qb4 {White stops it, but Maxime regroups in a different way.} ( {I suspect that Fabiano did not like the fact that the black bishop is getting active after-} 29.Qb5 Bd8 $5 ( 29...Qd4 30.a5 $1 ) ) 29...Qe3 {with the obvious threat Qe3-d3+} 30.Rcd1 ( {Now:} 30.Qb5 $5 {was much more tempting, for example:} 30...Qe5 31.Rce1 Qf5+ 32.Be4 Qxb5 33.axb5 Rb8 34.Bc6 {and this endgame should be OK for White.} ) 30...Qe5 {and the not-so-obvious attack against the g5 pawn. Black is mounting the pressure.} 31.Qb5 {A tricky way to defend the pawn.} 31...Kg7 ( {The pawn is not yet tasty-} 31...Bxg5 $4 32.Rxg5 Qxg5 33.Bxf7+ ) 32.Bc6 Rc8 33.Rg2 $2 {Diagram [#] Caruana blunders. Up to this moment he defended flawlessly and could have continued doing this with:} ( 33.Rde1 Qd4 34.Rd1 Qf2 35.Rdf1 Qd2 36.Rd1 {Black is still better, but most likely not winning.} ) 33...d5 {A nice tactical shot that swaps off the excellent g5 pawn for the backward d6 one.} 34.Bxd5 ( 34.Rxd5 {is no better-} 34...Qe1+ 35.Ka2 ( 35.Kc2 $2 Rac7 ) 35...Qe6 36.Rc2 Bxg5 ) ( {However, I suspect that the best practical chance was to enter the endgame with the rooks on the board. The active rooks!} 34.Qxd5 $5 Qxd5 35.Bxd5 Rxa4 36.Bb3 Ra5 {Now the pawn on g5 inevitably falls, but after:} 37.Rd7 Re5 38.Rg1 Rf8 39.Rc1 Bxg5 40.Rcc7 Rf5 {White might have some practical chances thanks to his active pieces.} ) 34...Rc5 35.Qb3 Bxg5 ( 35...Rd7 $5 36.Be4 Rxd1+ 37.Qxd1 Bxg5 ) 36.Bc4 Bf6 37.Re2 Qf5+ ( {Probably:} 37...Qg5 {is more precise and then Black can push the h pawn.} ) 38.Re4 {Black could have now simply advanced the h pawn, but he chose a different way.} ( 38.Bd3 Qg5 ) 38...Re5 39.Re1 Rxe4 40.Rxe4 Re7 {MVL calculated that the endgame is won for him.} 41.Bd3 Rxe4 42.Bxe4 Qd7 43.Qb5 Qxb5 44.axb5 Bd4 {The best square for the bishop. From here it both stops the b pawn and helps the king's side passers.} 45.Kc2 h5 46.b6 ( {Nothing changes:} 46.Kd3 Be3 $1 ( {Black should not be greedy-} 46...Bxb2 $2 47.b6 Be5 48.Ke2 h4 49.Kf1 h3 50.b7 f5 51.Bd3 Kh6 52.Kg1 Kg5 53.Kh2 Kh4 54.Bc2 ) 47.Ke2 h4 48.Kf1 h3 49.Bc6 f5 50.Bd7 Kh6 {with the idea Kh6-g5-h4-g3 and h3-h2.} ) 46...Bxb6 47.Kd1 f5 48.Bc6 g5 ( {The plan from above is also possible-} 48...h4 49.Ke2 h3 50.Kf1 Kf6 ) 49.Bd7 Kf6 50.Ke2 g4 51.Kf1 Kg5 {The advance of the h pawn decides. A very convincing win by the French GM against the world's number two! The main lesson from the game: Whenever you have an opposite-colored bishops on the board, do always prefer the initiative to the material!} 0-1

[Event "Tashkent FIDE GP"]
[Site "Toshkent UZB"]
[Date "2014.10.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2014.10.20"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7972935702536"]
[EventCountry "UZB"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {An invitation to a Berlin Defense.} 4.d3 {Rejected. Black is doing too well here these days.} 4...Bc5 5.Nbd2 {A rather fresh line. According to my Megabase there are only 31 games played so far, but the quality of the players who tried it as White is very high: Carlsen, Aronian, Giri, Adams...} 5...d6 6.O-O ( {One of the ideas of the early knight sortie is to maneuver in Steinitz style with} 6.Nf1 {However in that case the simple} 6...Ng4 {diverts the white knight from the g3 square and Black is very solid.} 7.Ne3 O-O 8.O-O Nxe3 9.Bxe3 Bxe3 10.fxe3 Be6 {Inarkiev,E (2669)-Ponomariov,R (2733) Astrakhan 2010} ) 6...Bd7 {The most natural move turns out to be a novelty. Kasimdzhanov does not want to allow the doubling of the pawns on c6 and completes the development. This move cannot be bad.} 7.c3 O-O 8.Nc4 $5 {A typical idea for the Italian game. These two are cousins though. In the Italian positions the white light-squared bishop is placed on b3.} 8...h6 {Useful prophylaxys.} ( {The position of the bishop on b5 gives an additional idea to White:} 8...a6 9.Bxc6 Bxc6 10.Na5 {This will regain the bishop pair and double the black pawns, as} 10...Qd7 11.Bg5 {looks awkward for Black.} ) 9.b4 Bb6 10.a4 {White wins the bishop pair but the second player is not quite afraid of this. At least for the moment.} 10...a5 $5 {This is a central attack against the d4 square!} ( {The other way to play the position is} 10...a6 11.Nxb6 cxb6 12.Bc4 Ne7 ) 11.Nxb6 cxb6 12.bxa5 $1 {It seems quite counter-intuitive for Vachier- Lagrave to undouble the black pawns and to spoil his own structure.} ( {However, the natural} 12.Bd2 {will be answered by} 12...axb4 13.cxb4 Bg4 $1 {with the idea Nc6-d4} 14.Bc3 d5 $1 {with active play in the center.} ( 14...Rc8 $5 ) 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.Bxe5 dxe4 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.dxe4 Rfd8 19.Qb3 ( 19.Qe2 $6 Rd4 $1 ) 19...c5 ) 12...Nxa5 ( {Or else Black is not going to conduct the freeing central advance.} 12...bxa5 13.Bc4 ) 13.h3 d5 $1 {Sooner or later Rustam has to play this. It seems as the moment was right.} ( {He could have also tried it after} 13...Re8 14.Re1 ( {but in this line White can stop d5 for good with} 14.c4 {next he can play for the f2-f4 advance.} ) 14...Bc6 15.Qc2 d5 16.exd5 Qxd5 ) 14.exd5 Bxb5 $6 {Only this move is inaccuracy. Black could have equalized with} ( 14...Nxd5 {True, in some of the lines the pawn on e5 is taken with a tempo, but it seems as Black is doing OK everywhere} 15.Bxd7 ( 15.Bd2 f6 ) 15...Qxd7 16.c4 ( 16.Nxe5 Qf5 17.d4 Nxc3 ) 16...Nf6 17.Qe2 ( {Not} 17.Nxe5 $2 Qd4 ) ( {Nor} 17.Bb2 e4 18.Bxf6 $6 exf3 ) 17...e4 18.dxe4 Qe6 {with full compensation for the sacrificed pawn.} ) 15.axb5 Qxd5 16.c4 Qe6 {This forces matters.} ( 16...Qd6 $2 {loses the exchange:} 17.Ba3 ) ( {But probably} 16...Qd8 {intending to meet} 17.Bb2 {with} 17...e4 {made sense. From d8 the queen can be also moved to c7 to defend the e5 pawn.} ) 17.Bb2 e4 18.Re1 Rad8 ( {Nothing changes} 18...Rfd8 19.Bxf6 Qxf6 20.Rxe4 Rxd3 21.Qxd3 Qxa1+ 22.Kh2 Qf6 23.Rd4 {- see the line below.} ) 19.Bxf6 Qxf6 20.Rxe4 {It is quite obvious that Kasimdzhanov calculated the whole line with the intention to regain the pawn now with Rd8xd3. Then when the position appeared on the board, he backed up.} 20...Nb3 $2 {Now Black will be a clear pawn down.} ( {The other evil seems more bearable:} 20...Rxd3 21.Qxd3 Qxa1+ 22.Kh2 Qf6 {The knight on a5 is excluded from the game and temporarily White has an extra piece on the kingside. He can then start improving slowly his position there.} 23.Rd4 ( {Or also} 23.g3 $5 {(this might be actually better)} 23...Rd8 24.Qe3 {next White can prepare kingside attack with Kh2-g2, Re4-f4 and Nf3-e5. The pawns can get rolling too.} ) 23...Re8 24.g3 {Next, like the line from above, White prepares the kingside attack with his extra knight. But is this lethal for Black? It's hard to say, I would bet a 50-50 chance for survival and loss. Especially if Black can trade the queens with} 24...Qg6 $1 25.Qxg6 fxg6 {Now the knight gets the b3 square and every chance to escape.} 26.Kg2 Kf7 ( {Not yet} 26...Nb3 27.Rd6 ) 27.Nd2 g5 {and since the knight on d2 has to take care of the one on a5 things should be more or less OK for Black. In any case this would have given more chances for the defender.} ) 21.Ra3 Nc5 22.Re3 Ne6 23.Qa1 Qe7 ( {The blockade is useless:} 23...Qxa1+ 24.Rxa1 Nd4 25.Nxd4 Rxd4 26.Kf1 {and then Kf1-e2 will set free the white rooks.} ) 24.d4 Qf6 25.Re4 $6 ( {Better was} 25.d5 Qxa1+ 26.Rxa1 Nc5 27.Rae1 {as Black does not have any hint of counterplay.} 27...Rd7 28.g4 Rc8 $2 29.Re8+ Rxe8 30.Rxe8+ Kh7 31.Ne5 ) 25...Rd6 26.d5 Qxa1+ 27.Rxa1 Nc5 28.Re3 ( 28.Re7 $5 Rd7 29.Rae1 ) 28...Rc8 29.Nd2 Rd7 30.Kf1 Kf8 {The last curious moment of the game. Rustam managed to build a strong blockade in the center. Therefore Maxime offered a knight swap:} 31.Ne4 Rdc7 {which was rejected.} ( 31...Nxe4 32.Rxe4 f5 33.Rf4 Rf7 {with the idea Kf8-e7-d6-c5 would have put stronger resistance instead.} ) 32.Nd6 Rd8 33.Rae1 g6 34.Re8+ Rxe8 35.Rxe8+ Kg7 36.Ke2 {The center decided the outcome of the game. Vachier-Lagrave was brave enough to spoil his pawn structure and Kasimdzhanov needed a bit more energy to keep the balance. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave rules the tournament after the initial rounds.} 1-0

[Event "Tashkent FIDE GP"]
[Site "Toshkent UZB"]
[Date "2014.10.23"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Black "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[ECO "C10"]
[EventDate "2014.10.20"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Beauty "8180570523145"]
[EventCountry "UZB"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e6 {Baadur Jobava came to Tashkent immediately after the Unive tournament in Netherlands. He replaced the Iranian GM Ghaem Maghami as the Tehran GP withdrew from hosting one of the events at the very last moment. The Iranian capital was replaced by the Georgian one as a host city and this certainly added flavor to the current Grand Prix. Jobava is an extremely original player.} 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bd7 5.Nf3 Bc6 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.O-O Ngf6 8.Ng3 g6 {A very original idea of the Swedish GM Hillarp Persson. It should not come as a surprise for Kasimdzhanov as his opponent had already used it twice this year.} ( 8...Be7 {is the common choice for the second player. Later he will capture on f3 and build a solid wall with the move c7-c6. That position will be solid, but passive though and it is not to everyone's liking.} ) 9.c4 {White starts an immediate atatck in the center.} ( {Probably the calmer development offers more:} 9.b3 Bg7 10.Ba3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 c6 12.c4 {with some advantage for White in Solak,D (2632)-Jobava,B (2713) Troms&amp;oslash; 2014} ) ( {The stem game saw} 9.Qe2 Bg7 10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Qd5 12.f4 Ng4 13.h3 Qd4+ 14.Kh1 h5 15.c3 {1/2 (15) Hellers,F (2652)-Hillarp Persson,T (2562) Sweden 2001} ) 9...Bg7 10.d5 {The point. White opens up the center and spoils the castling of the black king.} 10...exd5 11.Re1+ Kf8 12.cxd5 {This move is a novelty. Jobava have previously faced:} ( 12.Nd4 Kg8 13.Qc2 Nf8 14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.Qa4 {White has a pair of bishops and light-square compensation for the pawn in Karjakin,S (2772)-Jobava,B (2706) Loo 2014} ) 12...Bxd5 ( {Better than} 12...Nxd5 13.Bg5 Bf6 14.Bh6+ Bg7 15.Qd2 {and the black pieces are stuck.} ) 13.Qc2 $5 {An interesting decision. Rustam is not afraid to spoil his pawn structure in return for the mighty black bishop.} 13...c6 $1 ( {In case of} 13...Bxf3 14.gxf3 c6 {White can start advancing the pawn on the kingside.} 15.f4 Kg8 16.f5 ) 14.Ng5 {Kasimdzhanov revealed at the press conference that he thought at first that his position is easier to play but somewhere around this point he understood that it might be the other way round. Indeed, Black simply wants to finish the development, hide the king on h7 after h7-h6 and Kf8-g8-h7 and then convert the extra pawn.} 14...Kg8 {Sooner or later Jobava has to play this. It makes no sense to target the knight on g5 which does not attack anything anyway.} ( 14...h6 15.Nh3 {only pushes it to a better position, for example} 15...Kg8 16.Nf4 {and White is ready to sacrifice on g6.} 16...h5 17.Bxg6 $5 fxg6 18.Nxg6 Rh7 {with a pleasant to choice for White to force a draw with} 19.Ne7+ ( {or continue the attack} 19.Nf5 $5 ) 19...Kh8 ( 19...Kf7 $2 {loses to} 20.Qg6+ Kf8 21.Nxd5 cxd5 22.Nf5 {with the dual threat of Nf5xg7 and Re1-e7.} ) 20.Ng6+ ) 15.Bf4 ( 15.Bd2 {was also an idea but Black was afraid of} 15...Ng4 $5 16.h3 Nxf2 $1 17.Kxf2 Bd4+ 18.Kf1 Qf6+ {with a powerful attack.} ) 15...Nf8 16.Rad1 Qa5 {Black wisely finishes the development first. The rook is coming to d8 and this reinforces the center.} ( {Jobava did not like} 16...h6 17.N5e4 Ne6 18.Be5 Nxe4 19.Bxe4 Bxe5 20.Bxd5 cxd5 21.Rxe5 ) 17.a3 $6 {Only here did White commit a mistake. The b3 square is very important in some lines.} ( {Correct was} 17.N3e4 $1 {This knight is the only white piece that can do better and it makes sense to trade it. White also needed some air for his pieces to prove the compensation. After} 17...Nxe4 ( {Jobava also considered the sudden retreat} 17...Ne8 {but then White is just better after taking the bishop} 18.Nc3 $1 h6 19.Nxd5 ) 18.Bxe4 {Which leaves the move} 18...Rd8 {when White can force a draw with} ( 18...Bxe4 $2 {is a mistake which leaves all the open files for White} 19.Qxe4 Qf5 20.Qf3 ( {and even the endgame is better for White} 20.Qxf5 gxf5 21.Re7 ) ) ( 18...h6 $6 {allows White to convert development advantage into something tangible} 19.Bxd5 cxd5 20.Nf3 ) 19.Bc7 $5 Qxc7 20.Bxd5 Bf6 21.Bxf7+ Kg7 22.Ne6+ Nxe6 23.Bxe6 ) ( {Also} 17.b3 Rd8 18.Be5 {was better than the move in the game.} ) 17...Rd8 18.Bd2 ( 18.Re7 Rd7 {is good for Black.} ) ( {But} 18.N3e4 $5 {was still possible} 18...Nxe4 19.Nxe4 ( 19.Bxe4 {is weaker this time as Black has enough central control} 19...h6 ) 19...Ne6 20.Bg3 ) 18...Qb6 $1 ( {Jobava does not allow the bishop a chance to occupy the long diagonal.} 18...Qc7 19.Bc3 h6 20.N5e4 {is good for White.} ) 19.Be3 ( {White loses the exchange after} 19.Bc3 Bb3 {and this is where we see why a2-a3 was inaccurate!} ) 19...Qc7 ( {Rustam mentioned the pretty tactic} 19...Qb3 20.Bxg6 $1 ) 20.h3 ( {Unfortunately for White} 20.Bd4 Ne6 $1 21.Nxe6 Bxe6 22.Bc3 Nd5 {does not bring the desired effect on the long diagonal as the black knight controls the c3 square.} ) 20...h6 21.N5e4 Ne6 22.Nxf6+ Bxf6 23.Be4 Kg7 {Jobava managed to consolidate his position and can now start converting his extra pawn.} 24.Bxa7 $2 {A tactical oversight which eases Black's task. Rustam thought that he forces a draw but missed a very strong intermediate move.} ( {Both} 24.b4 ) ( {or} 24.Rd2 {would have prolonged the game.} ) 24...b6 25.Bxd5 ( {The endgames after} 25.Rxd5 cxd5 26.Qxc7 Nxc7 {are hopeless for White} 27.Bxb6 Rd7 ( {or also} 27...dxe4 28.Bxc7 Rd7 29.Ba5 Bxb2 ) 28.Bxc7 Rxc7 29.Bxd5 Bxb2 ) 25...Nd4 $1 ( {A draw is achieved after} 25...Rxd5 26.Rxd5 cxd5 27.Qxc7 Nxc7 28.Bxb6 ) 26.Qa4 ( 26.Rxd4 Bxd4 27.Bb3 Qxg3 ) 26...Rxd5 27.Qa6 Qd7 $3 {This is what the Uzbek GM missed! The threat Nd4-f3+ forces a win for Black.} ( {Kasimdzhanov calculated the beautiful lines} 27...Ra8 28.Bxb6 Qb8 ( {and the sweet draw after} 28...Qxg3 29.Qxa8 Nf3+ 30.Kf1 Nh2+ ) 29.Bc7 $1 {where White escapes with a draw.} ) 28.Rxd4 {The alternatives lose more material:} ( 28.Bxb6 Nf3+ ) ( 28.Kh1 Ra8 ) 28...Bxd4 29.Bxb6 c5 30.Ba5 Bxb2 31.Qc4 Bd4 32.Bc3 Ra8 33.Re3 Rxa3 ( {White resigned due to the line} 33...Rxa3 34.Bxd4+ Rxd4 35.Qxc5 Rxe3 36.fxe3 Rd1+ 37.Kh2 Qd6 {White started an early attack of the enemy king which stayed in the center a bit longer than usual. This was worth the central pawn but then Kasimdzhanov missed to open more room for his active pieces. Whenever you have development advantage do try to open as many files and diagonals as you can.} ) 0-1

[Event "Tashkent FIDE GP"]
[Site "Toshkent UZB"]
[Date "2014.10.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "D31"]
[EventDate "2014.10.20"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Beauty "6461241439288"]
[EventCountry "UZB"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 {Invention of Tigran Petrosian. He used this move to avoid Botvinnik's plan with Ng1-e2, followed by f2-f3 and e3-e4 with strong central play. The sixth world champion used this plan to defeat Paul Keres in 1952. After 3...Be7 Black usually expects 4.Nf3.} 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bf4 {However White can also vary his play.} 5...c6 6.e3 Bf5 {If White does not like the b1-d3 diagonal, Black will gladly occupy it.} 7.g4 {The most dangerous plan.} ( {The swap of the light-squared bishops is clearly favorable for Black as he has most of his pawns on light squares.} 7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 ) 7...Be6 {This position was tested three times in the Botvinnik-Petrosian match. White tried both 8.h2-h3 and 8.Bf1-h3. Mamedyarov chooses a third option.} 8.h4 ( {After} 8.h3 $5 {White's plan is to play Bd3, Qc2, Nge2, 0-0-0.} ) 8...Nd7 9.h5 Nh6 10.Be2 Nb6 11.Nh3 g5 12.hxg6 hxg6 13.Be5 {A very sharp and unexpected move.} ( {It is funny that Nakamura used this line himself to defeat Levon Aronian three years ago. In this game he made a novelty} 13.Bg3 Qd7 ( {which none else dared to repeat that far as after} 13...Nxg4 $3 14.Bxg4 Qd7 {Black is actually better (suggested by Romain Edouard).} ) 14.Nf4 O-O-O 15.Nxe6 {Nakamura,H (2753)-Aronian,L (2807) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011} ) ( 13.f3 Bh4+ {followed by ...g5 and ...f5 is usually played.} ) 13...f6 {Forced.} ( {Bad is} 13...Rh7 14.Nf4 Nd7 15.Nxe6 fxe6 16.Bg3 ) 14.Nf4 $1 {The point behind Mamedyarov's previous move.} 14...fxe5 15.Nxg6 Rg8 $6 {Taken by surprise Nakamura decided to sacrifice a pawn.} ( 15...Rh7 {will be the critical test for the whole line.} ) 16.Nxe7 Qxe7 17.Rxh6 e4 ( {Black needs to close the center.} 17...exd4 $6 18.Qxd4 {will add positional advantage to the extra pawn.} ) 18.a4 {Shakhriyar got tempted by a queenside attack.} ( {The critical point of the battle. White missed the nice regrouping} 18.Kd2 $1 O-O-O 19.Qg1 $1 {The queen is coming quickly in the game.} 19...Rg7 20.Qg3 Rdg8 21.Qe5 {with powerful centralization and clear edge for White.} ) 18...Nd7 {The knight is moving to a better square.} 19.Qb3 ( {Black is also gradually equalizing in case of} 19.a5 Nf6 ( {Not} 19...O-O-O $2 20.a6 b6 21.Qa4 ) 20.a6 b6 21.Qa4 Bd7 22.O-O-O O-O-O ( {It is too early to regain the pawn} 22...Nxg4 $2 23.Bxg4 Rxg4 24.Rh8+ ) 23.Rg1 Rg5 {and after some further preparation the pawn on g4 will disappear.} ) 19...Nf6 20.Rc1 $5 {The best practical chance.} 20...Bxg4 {Once again Hikaru is very precise.} ( 20...O-O-O $6 21.a5 Nxg4 22.Bxg4 Rxg4 23.Ne2 $5 ( {or} 23.a6 b6 24.Qa4 Qe8 25.Ne2 {will be definitely more pleasant for White to play.} ) ) 21.Rxf6 $1 {This is what the previous play was all about.} 21...Qxf6 22.Qxb7 Rd8 23.Qxa7 {For the exchange White has two pawns and some initiative. The problem is that his king is not perfectly safe neither.} 23...Rf8 24.Nd1 Bxe2 25.Kxe2 Qd6 {Nakamura takes measures against the white pawns.} 26.Rc5 Rb8 27.Qa5 Kd7 28.Qc3 Ra8 29.a5 Rfb8 30.b4 Rb5 {Now that the pawns are stopped it is time for some trades.} 31.Rxb5 cxb5 32.Qc5 Rc8 $1 {Once that the black pieces get freedom it is only White who needs to be careful.} ( {There is no need to allow another defended passer.} 32...Qxc5 $6 33.dxc5 ) 33.Qxb5+ Ke6 34.a6 $1 {Mamedyarov forces a draw.} ( 34.Qb7 $2 {is playing with fire} 34...Rc2+ 35.Kf1 Qh2 36.Qa6+ Ke7 37.Ke1 Qc7 {with the idea Rc2-c1 and Qc7-c3 leads to powerful attack for Black.} ) 34...Ra8 ( 34...Rc2+ 35.Ke1 Qh2 36.Qe8+ {will force perpetual check.} ) ( {As will} 34...Ra8 35.a7 Rxa7 36.Qe8+ ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tashkent FIDE GP"]
[Site "Toshkent UZB"]
[Date "2014.10.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[ECO "A46"]
[EventDate "2014.10.20"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8114136688717"]
[EventCountry "UZB"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 c5 4.Nc3 {The choice of the opening was quite a shock for me. It is not often that we see this position in a top grandmaster game. I would not be surprised to see it in the game of FM Stuart Fancy of Papua New Guinea whom I coached at the last two Olympiads, or in a game of my former teammate FM Bonno Pel. They both love to start their games with 1.Nb1-c3.} 4...cxd4 {There are plenty of continuations for both the sides that might leave to different openings.} ( {For instance} 4...d5 5.e4 dxe4 6.Nxe4 Nbd7 {will lead to the Rubinstein French and has been tested already.} ) 5.Qxd4 ( {Now White could have chosen a Sicilian approach with} 5.Nxd4 Be7 6.e4 d6 {with a Scheveningen type of postion in Koneru,H (2600)-Hou,Y (2591) Antakya 2010} ) 5...Nc6 6.Qh4 Bb4 ( {Another Sicilian position appeared after} 6...h6 7.e4 Rg8 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.O-O-O a6 {in Gurgenidze,B (2461)-Kapengut,A (2455) Moscow 1981} ) ( {Most of the people prefer the solid} 6...Be7 {I also have the feeling that this was more in the spirit of the solid Karjakin.} ) 7.e4 ( 7.O-O-O Bxc3 8.bxc3 h6 9.Nd2 Qe7 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Qxf6 gxf6 12.Ne4 f5 13.Nd6+ Ke7 ) 7...Bxc3+ {This is what the bishop came for on b4.} ( {One predecessor saw} 7...d6 8.Bd3 e5 9.O-O Bxc3 10.bxc3 {Ornstein,A (2440)-Schneider,L (2425) Uppsala 1985} ) 8.bxc3 h6 9.Bd3 ( {The endgame is good for Black:} 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.Qxf6 gxf6 ) ( 9.Be2 Rf8 10.Be3 Qa5 11.O-O d6 12.Rfd1 d5 {Aakenson,J (2300)-Vaca,E (2187) LADAC email 2006} ) 9...d6 {Black's plan is to build dark-squared blockade.} 10.Rd1 {Andreikin brings the rook into action and prepares various disovered attacks.} 10...Rg8 $1 {A very sensible choice by Karjakin, called "a standard plan" by Andreikin. I suspect that the memories of his last game were too fresh to allow the following play:} ( 10...O-O 11.Bxh6 $5 {Two days ago Sergey lost thanks to the same sacrifice to Jobava (with reversed colors!)} 11...gxh6 12.e5 {with the idea} ( 12.Qxh6 {also interesting is} 12...Ng4 ( 12...e5 13.Ng5 ) 13.Qh5 Nce5 ) 12...dxe5 13.Qxh6 $1 {This is much better than} ( 13.Bh7+ Nxh7 14.Rxd8 Rxd8 15.Qxh6 e4 ) 13...Qe7 14.Ng5 {(the threat is 15.Bh7+ Kh8 16.Be4+ Kg8 17. Rd3! and checkmate)} 14...e4 15.Bxe4 Ne5 16.Bh7+ Kh8 17.f3 {this deprives the black knights of the g4 square and the attack is unstoppable.} ) 11.Be3 e5 {The outcome of the opening is an approximately level game. White has the bishop pair, but Black has developed his pieces in accordance to Capablanca's principle - on the different color of the bishop that he has.} ( {In fact, Karjakin could have equalized completely with the move:} 11...g5 $5 12.Qxh6 ( {The queen has no retreat square} 12.Qg3 $4 g4 13.Nd2 Nh5 ) ( {It is doubtful that the rook and the pawns are better than the light pieces in the line} 12.Nxg5 hxg5 13.Bxg5 Rxg5 14.Qxg5 Bd7 ) 12...Rg6 13.Qh8+ Rg8 ) 12.Bb5 Qc7 {Probably the first inaccuracy in the game. Black could have played more aggressively with} ( 12...Qa5 13.Bxc6+ bxc6 14.O-O ( 14.Rxd6 $2 {is bad to} 14...Qxc3+ 15.Rd2 Ba6 $1 ) 14...Ba6 ( {Not} 14...Qxc3 15.Rxd6 ) 15.Rfe1 Rd8 {Black is solid in the center and Andreikin has to prove that his queen is doing something on the kingside.} ) 13.Nd2 Be6 14.f3 {To bring the queen in the game after Qh4-f2.} 14...Qa5 ( {One more way to equalize is} 14...O-O-O $5 15.O-O ( {The pawn is untouchable} 15.Bxc6 Qxc6 16.Bxa7 $2 b6 ) 15...d5 ) ( {Andreikin liked White after} 14...O-O-O 15.Qf2 d5 ( 15...b6 $5 16.c4 Na5 ) 16.Bxa7 d4 $6 ( {better is} 16...Nxa7 17.Qxa7 dxe4 18.O-O ) 17.Bxc6 bxc6 18.Bxd4 $1 exd4 19.cxd4 Qa5 20.c3 ) 15.c4 Ke7 $6 {It is true that sometimes Black can leave the king in the center in the Sicilian, but probably this is not the case here. White will be always threatening to open the king with c4-c5.} ( {White has ample compensation for the pawn in case of} 15...Qxa2 16.O-O Qxc2 17.c5 dxc5 18.Rc1 Qa2 19.Ra1 Qb2 20.Rfb1 Qc3 21.Qf2 ) ( {But} 15...a6 16.Bxc6+ bxc6 {was to be preferred.} ) ( 15...Rc8 {was also OK.} ) 16.O-O g5 $2 {This is too much. Now Dmitry will have a chance to attack both flanks. He will do it flawlessly!} 17.Qf2 Rgd8 {The c4-c5 breaks are already in the air:} ( 17...Nh5 18.Nb3 Qc7 19.c5 ) ( {Or even worse for Black} 17...a6 18.Nb3 Qc7 19.Bb6 Qc8 20.Bxc6 Qxc6 21.Na5 Qc8 22.c5 ) 18.h4 $1 {All of a sudden, the strike is coming from the other side. But this is something that the bishops enjoys: playing on two flanks.} 18...Nh7 19.hxg5 hxg5 20.g4 $1 {Consistent play on the flank. Andreikin prepares the next maneuver.} ( 20.a4 $5 {with the idea c4-c5 was also very good.} ) 20...f6 21.Kg2 Nf8 {If the knight could fly Black would have sealed the file with Nf8-g6-h4. Alas, he is one tempo down.} 22.Rh1 Bf7 ( {Karjakin suggested} 22...Nb4 {at the press conference but Andreikin immediately refuted that with} 23.Bxg5 $1 fxg5 24.Qe3 ) ( {No human being will think about the pawn on a2 in this situation:} 22...Qxa2 23.c5 d5 24.exd5 Bxd5 25.c4 Be6 26.Ra1 Qc2 27.Ba4 Qg6 28.Ne4 {with total control for White.} ) ( {After} 22...Ng6 {the follow up might be} 23.Rh7+ Bf7 24.Nb3 Qxa2 25.Qd2 {with too many threats. The main ones are Qd2-c3 and Rd1-a1 to trap the queen, and the instant blow Be3xg5.} ) 23.Nf1 $1 {The bishop had covered the king, but released the f5 square. This is where the knight is heading for!} 23...Bg6 24.Bd2 Qb6 25.Ne3 {Or maybe for the d5 square?} 25...Kf7 26.Qe1 $1 {Grand play! The queen is moving away from the trade, supports the bishop on d2 and is ready to attack on both flanks.} 26...Ne6 27.Nf5 Qc7 ( {The utility of the white queen becomes obvious in the line} 27...Ncd4 28.Nxd4 Nxd4 29.Ba5 $1 Nxc2 30.Qd2 Ne3+ 31.Kg3 Qc5 32.Rde1 b6 ( 32...Nxc4 33.Bxc4+ Qxc4 34.Bxd8 Rxd8 35.Rc1 Qe6 36.Rc7+ Rd7 37.Qa5 ) 33.Bb4 Nxc4 34.Bxc5 Nxd2 35.Bb4 Nxe4+ 36.fxe4 {and White is close to winning but I suspect this was Sergey's best bet.} ) 28.c5 $1 {The beginning of the end. Black's position quickly detoriates on the open diagonals.} 28...dxc5 29.Bc4 b5 ( {One of the threats for White is to trade on e6 and bring the queen on c4:} 29...Rh8 30.Bxe6+ Kxe6 31.Qe2 Rxh1 32.Qc4+ Kd7 33.Qd5+ Kc8 34.Qe6+ Kb8 35.Rxh1 ) 30.Bd5 {This move only demonstrates how helpless Black is.} ( {White could have won more forcefully with} 30.Bxe6+ Kxe6 31.Rh6 Rg8 32.Ba5 $1 Qxa5 ( 32...Nxa5 33.Rd6+ Kf7 34.Qd2 Rad8 35.Qd5+ {and mate in three.} ) 33.Rd6+ Kf7 34.Qh1 $3 {with the unstoppable Rh6-h7! or Rh6xg6!} 34...Qb6 35.Rxg6 Rxg6 36.Qh7+ Kf8 37.Qxg6 {and mate.} ) 30...Rac8 31.Rh6 Nd4 32.Ba5 $1 {A beautiful finish!} 32...Nxc2 ( {Andreikin would not be interested in the exchange in case of} 32...Qd7 {but in the king:} 33.Qh1 Rf8 34.Rxg6 Kxg6 35.Qh5# ) 33.Qh1 Qxa5 34.Rh7+ ( {It is mate in three:} 34.Rh7+ Bxh7 35.Qxh7+ Kf8 36.Qe7+ Kg8 37.Qg7# {The moral of the game: if you have the advantage of the bishop pair, try to attack on the color of the bishop that the opponent does not have!} ) 1-0

[Event "Tashkent FIDE GP"]
[Site "Toshkent UZB"]
[Date "2014.10.28"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2844"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[ECO "E35"]
[EventDate "2014.10.20"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8041789406729"]
[EventCountry "UZB"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bxf6 {Caruana explained at the press conference that he could not remember the theory after the principled 7.Bh4 move and decided to play it simple. A quick look in the Megabase reveals that 7.Bxf6 is played more often.} 7...Qxf6 8.e3 ( {As the bishop is going to capture on c3 anyway White decided to skip the a2-a3 move. One important example of this approach is the following game} 8.a3 Bxc3+ 9.Qxc3 O-O 10.e3 Bf5 11.Nf3 Nd7 12.Be2 Rfc8 13.O-O c5 {Radjabov,T (2793)-Grischuk,A (2764) London 2013} ) 8...O-O 9.a3 Bf5 {The trade of the light-squared bishop is very good for Black.} 10.Bd3 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Bxd3 {Simple play.} ( {Both the players saw that in the line} 11...Qg6 $2 12.Bxf5 $1 Qxg2 13.f3 Qxh1 14.O-O-O {the black queen will be trapped. For instance} 14...g6 15.Qf2 gxf5 16.Ne2 Qxd1+ 17.Kxd1 {and White is winning as the black king is too exposed.} ) ( {Caruana also mentioned the interesting} 11...Bg6 {move with good play for Black.} ) 12.Qxd3 {The outcome of the opening is just fine for the second player. Gelfand managed to trade three light pieces and has plenty of space for the remaining ones.} 12...c5 {A logical novelty. Boris plays on the flank where he is stronger.} ( {Also good is the immediate} 12...Nd7 13.Nf3 c5 ) ( {Previously Black preferred not to advance the pawns on the queenside} 12...Qg5 13.g3 Qg4 14.Ne2 Nd7 {Jaracz,P (2502)-Jakubowski,K (2532) Czechia 2013} ) 13.Ne2 {The knight looks more flexible on e2 and might attack the d5 pawn in the future from f4.} ( {In case of} 13.dxc5 Rc8 14.Ne2 Rxc5 {both sides will have weak pawns and the black knight can occupy the excellent outposts on e4 and c4.} 15.Nd4 Nd7 {followed by Nd7-e5-c4.} ) 13...Nd7 14.O-O Qc6 {A flexible move. Gelfand keeps all his options on the c file.} ( {If} 14...c4 15.Qc2 b5 16.a4 {and White has some pressure on the queen's wing.} ) 15.a4 Rfc8 ( {Fabiano also mentioned the move} 15...c4 {in the press conference. Since Black had traded three sets of light pieces this is indeed a very good idea. The attack with e3-e4 is not going to be that effective for the first player and Black can hope to advance on the queen's flank.} ) 16.Rfb1 Rc7 {Both the sides maneuver and do all the useful moves.} 17.a5 Rac8 18.h3 Nf6 19.Ng3 Qe6 $6 {This leads to some trouble for Black.} ( {It was easier not to allow the knight to f5 with the simple} 19...g6 ) 20.dxc5 {"It went from completely unclear to me slightly pressing." (Caruana)} 20...Ne4 ( {At the press conference the players briefly discussed the line} 20...Qe7 21.Qd4 ( {However} 21.a6 bxa6 22.Rxa6 Qxc5 23.Rb3 {gives White a pull in this line.} ) 21...Rxc5 22.Nf5 Qe6 23.g4 $5 {This was Fabiano's intention, but then Boris can react with the sharp} 23...Rc4 $5 24.Qxa7 Nxg4 25.hxg4 Rxg4+ 26.Ng3 h5 {with plenty of joy and an attack. The least he can do here I suppose is perpetual.} ) 21.Nxe4 dxe4 22.Qd6 Qf5 23.Ra4 Rxc5 $1 {Simple and strong.} ( {Black has still some problems in case of} 23...Rd7 24.g4 Rxd6 25.gxf5 Rxc5 26.Rxb7 Rxf5 27.Rxe4 {although Black should survive after} 27...Ra6 28.Re8+ Kh7 29.Ree7 ( 29.e4 $5 {to spoil Black's regrouping seems interesting.} ) 29...Raf6 30.f4 Rxa5 ( 30...a6 ) 31.Rxa7 Raf5 32.Kg2 g5 $1 ) 24.Rxb7 {The critical moment of the game. Gelfand needed to chose how to force the draw. He made the wrong choice.} 24...Rxa5 $2 {A blunder.} ( {Correct was} 24...Rxc3 25.Qf4 Qxf4 26.exf4 {which was called "unpleasant" by Gelfand, but with active play he can force a draw} 26...Rc1+ ( {They both saw} 26...R3c7 27.Rxc7 Rxc7 28.Rxe4 Rc5 29.Re5 {although this should also be holdable for Black.} ) 27.Kh2 R8c2 $1 {Activity above all! The two rooks on the second rank guarantee the half point.} 28.Rxe4 ( 28.Kg3 Rf1 29.Rxa7 Rfxf2 ) 28...Rxf2 29.Re8+ Kh7 30.Rxf7 Rcc2 ) 25.Rxa5 Qxa5 26.Rxf7 $1 {This was missed by Gelfand who looked very frustrated after the game.} 26...Qxc3 ( 26...Kxf7 27.Qd7+ Kg6 28.Qxc8 {leaves Black no chances as his king is exposed and the c pawn runs fast.} ) 27.Rxa7 Kh8 ( {One more nice line was given by the two players} 27...Rf8 28.Ra8 $1 {and Black cannot win the pawn back} 28...Qe1+ ( {Or else Black loses another pawn} 28...Rxa8 29.Qd5+ Kf8 30.Qxa8+ Kf7 31.Qxe4 ) 29.Kh2 Qxf2 30.Rxf8+ Qxf8 31.Qxf8+ Kxf8 32.Kg3 g5 33.Kg4 {as the pawn endgame is easily won for White.} ) 28.Rf7 {An extra pawn and active pieces leave no chances to Black.} 28...Re8 29.g4 $1 {With the threat Rf7-f8 to win the e4 pawn.} ( {Caruana avoids the line} 29.Rf8+ Rxf8 30.Qxf8+ Kh7 31.Qf5+ Kh8 32.Qxe4 Qe1+ 33.Kh2 Qxf2 {where Black will survive.} ) 29...Kh7 30.Qd7 Rb8 31.Qf5+ Kg8 32.Ra7 Qb2 ( {The pawn cannot be saved.} 32...Qc4 33.Rxg7+ ) 33.Qxe4 Rf8 34.Qd5+ Kh7 35.Rf7 {Not the kind of play we are expecting from the world's number two but Caruana took his chance and brought the point back home.} 1-0

[Event "Tashkent FIDE GP"]
[Site "Toshkent UZB"]
[Date "2014.10.31"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "A04"]
[EventDate "2014.10.20"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7908108535822"]
[EventCountry "UZB"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.Nf3 {In this game Mamedyarov surprised his opponent with the Dutch defense. One should be looking forward to those surprises at a top level. Especially after the free days!} 1...f5 {"It is the second time in my life that I play 1...f5. I just wanted to play chess." Mamedyarov} 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.b4 d6 5.d4 Bg7 6.Bb2 {However, it seems as something went wrong with Shakh's preparation as after the game he called his next move a mistake.} 6...e5 $6 7.dxe5 Nfd7 8.Bg2 dxe5 ( {Probably the lesser evil for the second player is} 8...Nc6 9.Qb3 Ndxe5 10.Nxe5 dxe5 {Kovalyov,A (2599)-Mastrovasilis,A (2539) Leros 2010} ) 9.O-O Qe7 10.e4 {A powerful novelty which Jakovenko found over the board.} ( {Black hoped he will have time to play e5-e4 himself, for example} 10.Nc3 c6 11.b5 e4 {Gagliardi,V (2034)-Fister,B (2235) ICCF email 2008} ) 10...O-O ( {Black suggested the following line at the press conference as advantageous for White} 10...f4 11.gxf4 ( 11.Ba3 $1 {also looks fine as} 11...O-O 12.b5 Nc5 13.Qd5+ {loses a piece for Black.} ) 11...exf4 12.Bxg7 Qxg7 13.e5 ) ( 10...Qxb4 $2 {would be horrible and will give a chance to Shakh to become part of the miniature textbooks} 11.Ba3 Qxc4 12.exf5 {and if Black is still greedy the game might rapidly finish} 12...gxf5 13.Ng5 $1 Nf6 ( {There is also the fancy line} 13...h5 14.Bd5 Qa6 15.Bf7+ Kd8 16.Ne6+ ) 14.Re1 {with decisive attack in the center, say} 14...e4 15.Nd2 Qa6 16.Ndxe4 $1 fxe4 17.Bxe4 ) 11.b5 $1 {Energetic play! Jakovenko will tie up the black pieces before they wake up from the slumber. "Big problems here for Black." (Mamedyarov)} 11...Nc5 12.Nc3 Be6 13.Nd5 Qd6 14.Ng5 {"It is very bad", repeated Mamedyarov, shaking his head.} 14...Nbd7 15.Ba3 Bf7 {A critical moment.} ( {Black wanted to play} 15...Rae8 {but did not like the lines after} 16.exf5 gxf5 {is even worse} ( 16...Bxf5 17.g4 $1 Bd3 ( 17...Be6 18.Ne4 $1 {curiously traps the queen in the middle of the board.} ) 18.Qxd3 Nxd3 19.Bxd6 cxd6 {with big advantage for White as he wins at least a pawn after} 20.Ne4 Re6 21.Rad1 Nb2 22.Nc7 ) 17.Qh5 h6 18.Nxe6 Rxe6 ( 18...Qxe6 19.Nxc7 ) 19.Rad1 ) 16.Qc2 {A good move with the idea Ra1-d1, but it gives some time to Black to catch his breath up.} ( 16.exf5 $1 {would have increased White's advantage. The timely capture on f5 is a common theme in both the KID and the Dutch. It is curious to know what the former European champion Jakovenko missed in this line. White is most likely winning after} 16...gxf5 17.Ne3 $1 {Mamedyarov} 17...Qxd1 18.Raxd1 {with the threats Ne3xf5, Bg2xb7, Ng5-e6, Bg2-d5 and maybe five more that I am missing.} 18...e4 19.Nxf5 Bxc4 20.Nxg7 Bxf1 21.Rxf1 Kxg7 22.Nxe4 b6 ( 22...Nxe4 23.Bxf8+ ) 23.Nxc5 Nxc5 24.Bxa8 Rxa8 25.Bxc5 bxc5 26.Rc1 ) 16...c6 17.Nb4 a5 {Now the games follows a forced line.} 18.Rad1 ( {The computer suggests} 18.Na6 $5 bxa6 19.Rad1 Qf6 20.bxc6 Qxc6 ( 20...Qxg5 21.cxd7 Qe7 22.exf5 ) 21.exf5 e4 22.Nxe4 Nxe4 23.Bxe4 Qc7 24.Bd6 Qa7 25.Bxf8 Rxf8 26.fxg6 hxg6 27.Bxg6 {and if this was played during the game I suggest that we replace the human players with computers for the next cycle.} ) 18...Qf6 19.Nd3 Qxg5 ( {Clearly worse is} 19...Nxd3 20.Rxd3 Qxg5 21.Rxd7 ) 20.Nxc5 Nxc5 21.Bxc5 {Black managed to trade the knights but his position remains unpleasant. White can push for the win without any risk. Unfortunately for the Russian player, he got into time trouble.} 21...Rfd8 $5 {Lures the bishop on the less active b6 square.} ( {After} 21...Rfc8 22.Rd7 $1 cxb5 23.Be7 Qh5 24.c5 {White's clearly better due to the miscoordinated black pieces.} ) 22.Bb6 Rdc8 23.exf5 $6 {Seven moves ago this was winning, now it lets the advantage slip away. Chess that is...} ( 23.Rd7 $1 {suggested by Shakhriyar was best. He also showed the principled line} 23...cxb5 24.c5 $1 Be8 {this is what he wanted to play but Black is not doing great at all} ( 24...f4 25.Rxb7 Bc4 26.Rd1 Rab8 27.Rxb8 Rxb8 28.a4 $1 {wins for White.} ) ( {As does also} 24...Bc4 25.exf5 Bxf1 26.Kxf1 {and Black is helpless.} ) 25.Rxb7 Bc6 {Here Mamedyarov was not sure about the line} 26.Qb3+ ( {But instead} 26.exf5 $1 Bxg2 27.Kxg2 Qxf5 28.Qb3+ Kh8 29.Qd5 {is huge advatage for White} ) 26...Kh8 27.Rf7 ) 23...Qxf5 24.Be4 {Surprisingly the most natural move is inaccuracy. It is interesting to see how differently the two players were evaluating the position. Jakovenko thoought that he might be already worse, while Mamedyarov stated that after his next move he is OK.} ( 24.Qxf5 gxf5 25.bxc6 bxc6 26.Rc1 Ra6 27.Bc5 Bf8 {with chances for a draw was suggested at the press conference.} ) ( 24.Rd2 $5 {was still leaving White somewhat better} 24...Qxc2 25.Rxc2 ) 24...Qe6 25.bxc6 bxc6 26.c5 {In the time trouble Jakovenko tries to force a draw, but this is very hard task against the mischievous Mamedyarov.} ( 26.Rc1 {was safer} 26...Bh6 27.Be3 Bxe3 28.fxe3 ) 26...Qxa2 27.Qxa2 Bxa2 28.Rd6 Bc4 29.Rb1 $2 {This is the actual mistake!} ( 29.Ra1 Bb5 30.Rxa5 Rxa5 31.Bxa5 Bf8 32.Re6 {was sugegsted by Mamedyarov at the press conference and he added that the rook is not trapped after} ( {White can also defend with} 32.Rd2 Bxc5 33.Bc3 Re8 34.Bc2 ) 32...Kf7 33.Rxe5 Bg7 ( {In this line the Azeri GM missed the geometrical motif} 33...Ra8 $1 {when the white bishop will have to stand on the same diagonal with the bishop sooner or later} 34.Bd2 ( 34.Bb4 Ra4 35.Bc3 Rc4 36.Bb2 Bg7 ) ( 34.Bc3 Bg7 ) ( 34.Be1 Ra1 35.Bf3 Bg7 36.Re3 Bd4 37.Re4 Bc3 ) 34...Bg7 35.Rg5 Bh6 {still, it is hard to say if Black can win this after the counter trick} 36.Rxg6 $5 Bxd2 37.Rd6 Bb4 38.Bxc6 Ra1+ 39.Kg2 Bf1+ 40.Kf3 Bxc5 41.Bd5+ ) 34.Rg5 {but if we continue the line with the move} 34...Be2 {we shall see that White's problems are still there. The rook is not feeling comfortable at all, pour some zeitnot to that and you know how it feels.} ) 29...a4 {Now the a passer is obviously much stronger than the c one.} 30.Rxc6 a3 31.Rxc8+ ( 31.Rd6 {was suggested by Shakh as a last chance for his opponent ("I don't know how to play after that"), but Black should win that too:} 31...a2 32.Ra1 Ra4 $1 {with the idea to clear the diagonal for the dark-squared bishop.} ) 31...Rxc8 32.c6 a2 33.Ra1 Bf8 34.c7 Bd6 35.Bb7 Bxc7 $1 {The last finesse.} ( {Jakovenko was hoping for} 35...Rxc7 36.Bxc7 Bxc7 37.Be4 {followed by Be4-b1! and chances for a draw.} ) 36.Bxc8 Bxb6 {White loses the rook and resigned. Jakovenko got a big advantage out of the opening. He missed to increase it by opening the position and then let it all slip away in the time trouble.} 0-1

[Event "World Chess Championship 2014"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[ECO "D85"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "5705079720984"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 {The long awaited match has started! Anand choses a move which is not his favorite but one which gives more winning chances in the past years. Remember, the Berlin?} 1...Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 {The last time Carlsen played the Gruenfeld was in 2013. This opening should not come as a surprise for Anand though. The Gruenfeld has a reputation of a very solid and forced opening for good reason. Anand had played it himself in matches and Gelfand had even prepared it as a surprise weapon against Vishy in their match in 2012. "The Hammer" in Carlsen's camp is a vivid fan of the defense as well.} 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bd2 {A curious choice. According to Megabase both players have pleasant memories in this line, scoring 2/2 each.} ( {Their last game in the Gruenfeld saw} 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Be3 c5 8.Qd2 cxd4 9.cxd4 Nc6 10.Rd1 {Anand,V (2811)-Carlsen,M (2826) Moscow 2011} ) 5...Bg7 6.e4 Nxc3 ( {Previously Carlsen had only tried} 6...Nb6 7.Be3 O-O 8.h3 ( {Wang Yue tried against Carlsen} 8.Bb5 Be6 9.Nge2 {to which the future World Champion reacted with the novelty} ( {Magnus also faced} 9.Nf3 Bc4 10.b3 Bxb5 11.Nxb5 Qd7 {Zimmerman,Y (2320)-Carlsen,M (2385) Salzburg 2003} ) 9...c6 {and later won, Wang,Y (2752)-Carlsen,M (2813) Medias 2010} ) 8...e5 9.Nf3 exd4 10.Bxd4 Bxd4 11.Qxd4 {Anand,V (2788)-Svidler,P (2754) Moscow 2009} ) 7.Bxc3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6 ( {Deviating from} 8...c5 9.d5 Bxc3 10.bxc3 e6 11.d6 {Anand,V (2783)-Hammer,J (2608) Stavanger 2013} ) 9.Nf3 Bg4 {Carlsen spent 16 minutes on this move.} 10.d5 Bxf3 11.Bxg7 {Vishy reveals his first novelty in the match. He is trying to prove that Ne5 is vulnerable.} ( {Previously only} 11.gxf3 {had been tested} 11...Ne5 12.Be2 c6 13.f4 Nd7 14.Bxg7 ( 14.dxc6 $5 Bxc3 15.Qxc3 Rc8 ) 14...Kxg7 15.dxc6 bxc6 16.Rc1 Nf6 {This game was definitely familiar to the world champion as Black was his second some time ago: Moiseenko,A (2707)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2714) Yaroslavl 2014} ) 11...Kxg7 12.gxf3 Ne5 13.O-O-O {White is stronger in the center and thus he intends to attack on the kingside. On Twitter Teimour Radjabov suggested that Anand might have mixed up his moves in the opening here. At the press conference the Indian said: "I cannot really get into details but... no, I didn't mix up my moves!"} 13...c6 {Magnus, who had spent 48 minutes on the clock after this move, reacts logically to the novelty. He opens files on the queenside for an attack and bothers Vishy in the center.} ( {I doubt we will ever see a blunder like} 13...Nxf3 $4 14.Qc3+ {in a WCC match.} ) 14.Qc3 f6 15.Bh3 {This takes control of the c8 square which would be quite tempting for a black rook. "I thought this idea was nice. I didn't really expect that," said Carlsen afterward.} ( {Winning a pawn is too risky:} 15.f4 Nf7 16.dxc6 ( 16.Bh3 {would most likely transpose to the game} 16...cxd5 17.exd5 ) 16...Qc7 17.cxb7 Qxb7 18.Qe3 Rab8 19.b3 a5 {as Black will have lovely attack on the queenside.} ) 15...cxd5 {The world champion prefers to spoil the opponent's pawn structure rather than his own.} ( 15...Qb6 16.f4 Nf7 17.dxc6 bxc6 {and the black pawns are quite vulnerable as well.} ) 16.exd5 {The challenger pins his hopes on activity.} ( {Safer from strategical point of view was} 16.f4 Nf7 17.Rxd5 Qb6 18.Qe3 {although Black is fine after} 18...Qa6 {for example.} ) ( {White will have problems with his pawns after} 16.Rxd5 Qb6 ) 16...Nf7 {Nimzowitsch would be delighted to see the d5 criminal in prison.} 17.f4 Qd6 ( {Black connects the rooks and activates the queen. One would expect the knight to occupy this outpost. However, White's initiative will be unchallanged in that case:} 17...Nd6 18.Kb1 a5 19.Rhg1 a4 20.f5 {and Black cannot advance the g pawn} 20...g5 21.Rxg5+ ( {Or also} 21.f4 ) ) 18.Qd4 Rad8 19.Be6 {I have the feeling that this was the first inaccuracy by White in the game. The bishop on e6 blocks the e7 pawn and stops it from going forward, but at the same time blocks the white rooks from attacking it.} ( 19.Rhe1 $5 {looks preferable:} 19...e5 20.fxe5 Nxe5 21.Re3 {followed by f2-f4 with a slight pull for White.} ( 21.f4 $2 Nf3 ) ) ( 19.Qxa7 $2 {is bad} 19...Ra8 20.Qd4 Rxa2 ) 19...Qb6 {Magnus untangles his pieces.} 20.Qd2 {Vishy wisely prefers to play with the queens on the board. His pawn structure is indeed quite a mess and he might easily get into trouble once Black consolidates.} ( 20.Qxb6 axb6 21.Kb1 Nd6 22.Rc1 f5 23.Rc7 Kf6 {looks easier for Black.} ) 20...Rd6 21.Rhe1 Nd8 {The bishop is too strong and needs to go west. Magnus starts to create some problems for his opponent.} 22.f5 ( {Better than} 22.Bh3 e6 $1 23.Bg2 exd5 24.Bxd5 $2 Qc5+ 25.Kb1 Nc6 {where White loses material on the pin.} ) 22...Nxe6 23.Rxe6 Qc7+ ( 23...Rxe6 24.fxe6 Qd6 25.Kb1 Rc8 26.h4 {looks OK for White.} ) 24.Kb1 ( {The rook endgame favors Black:} 24.Qc2 Qxc2+ 25.Kxc2 Rc8+ 26.Kb3 Kf7 ) 24...Rc8 {The threat is Rd6xd5 and if White captures the rook, Qc7-c2-c1 and mate.} 25.Rde1 Rxe6 26.Rxe6 Rd8 27.Qe3 $1 {Activity above all. This is the key in positions with heavy pieces on the board.} 27...Rd7 28.d6 {Anand decides to get rid of the weakness at once. However, he could have saved some unpleasant minutes to himself had he played the active} ( 28.fxg6 $1 hxg6 29.h4 $1 {Next, White is going to disclose the opponent's king and secure at least a draw:} 29...Qd8 30.d6 exd6 31.h5 $1 gxh5 32.Re8 Qc7 ( {Black has to be careful} 32...Qb6 $4 33.Qg3+ Kh7 34.Rg8 {will lead to mate.} ) 33.Qg3+ {and with such active pieces White can never lose and if needed he can force perpetual, for example} 33...Kh6 34.Rh8+ Rh7 35.Qe3+ Kg7 36.Re8 Qc4 37.Re7+ Kh8 38.Re8+ ) 28...exd6 29.Qd4 Rf7 30.fxg6 hxg6 31.Rxd6 a6 {Seemingly a dead draw but just like in the previous match Carlsen manages to create a lot of trouble for his opponent.} 32.a3 Qa5 33.f4 Qh5 34.Qd2 ( {There is no need to sacrifice a pawn yet:} 34.Ka2 Qxh2 35.Rd8 Qe2 36.Qd5 Qe7 ) 34...Qc5 35.Rd5 Qc4 36.Rd7 {This should be OK, but active play was still better:} ( 36.h4 $1 Qe4+ 37.Ka2 Qh1 38.h5 $1 gxh5 39.Qd3 {and the exposed king deprives Black of any winning chances.} 39...Qh4 ( 39...h4 $2 40.Rh5 f5 ( 40...Qg2 41.Rxh4 ) 41.Qd8 {and Black is getting checkmated.} ) 40.Qe4 Qg4 41.Rd2 Kh6 42.Rg2 Re7 43.Qxe7 Qxg2 44.Qxf6+ Qg6 45.Qh8+ Qh7 46.Qf6+ ) 36...Qc6 37.Rd6 {Once more hesitation. After saying A Anand could have gone for the B:} ( 37.Rxf7+ Kxf7 38.Qd3 {with a holdable endgame as} 38...Qh1+ {does not win a pawn:} 39.Ka2 Qxh2 40.Qd7+ Kf8 41.Qc8+ Kg7 42.Qxb7+ ) 37...Qe4+ 38.Ka2 Re7 39.Qc1 ( {It is too late for} 39.h4 Qc4+ 40.Ka1 Re2 ) 39...a5 $1 {A very strong practical resource! The pawn on a4 will create a lot of tactical possibilities for Black.} 40.Qf1 $2 {One more mistake and Vishy gets close to a disaster.} ( 40.Qc8 $1 {was still a neat draw after} 40...a4 41.Rd8 Qe6+ ( 41...Kf7 42.Rf8+ Kg7 43.Rg8+ Kf7 ( 43...Kh7 $4 44.Rh8+ Kg7 45.Qf8# ) ) 42.Qxe6 Rxe6 43.Rd7+ Kh6 44.Rxb7 Re4 45.b4 ( 45.Rb4 f5 $1 ) 45...axb3+ 46.Kxb3 Rxf4 ) 40...a4 41.Rd1 Qc2 {Now the threat is Re7-e2 to completely paralize White.} 42.Rd4 {Diagram [#]} 42...Re2 $6 {Magnus lets Vishy off the hook.} ( {Critical was} 42...Re3 $1 {with the threat Re3xa3! and mate on the next move. White has three defenses} 43.Rd7+ {leads to a difficult queen endgame:} ( 43.Rb4 $6 {loses to} 43...Rb3 44.Rxb3 axb3+ 45.Ka1 Qxh2 ) ( 43.Qd1 {leads to a difficult rook endgame:} 43...Qb3+ ( 43...Qxd1 44.Rxd1 ) 44.Ka1 Qxd1+ 45.Rxd1 Kh6 ) 43...Kh6 44.Rxb7 Rb3 45.Rxb3 axb3+ 46.Ka1 Qxh2 47.Qd1 Qxf4 48.Qh1+ Kg5 49.Qd5+ f5 50.Qxb3 {Only further analysis will prove if Black was winning here or not, but whatever the conclusion is, one thing is certain: this would be a nightmare to defend in a practical game.} ) 43.Rb4 $1 {Now Anand confidently saves the game.} 43...b5 44.Qh1 ( 44.Rxb5 $4 Qc4+ ) 44...Re7 45.Qd5 $1 Re1 46.Qd7+ Kh6 ( 46...Kg8 47.Qd8+ Kf7 48.Qd7+ Re7 49.Qxb5 ) 47.Qh3+ Kg7 48.Qd7+ {A very interesting start of the match. Vishy showed willingness to risk and play for a win and Magnus showed strong nerves and great positional maneuvering.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World Chess Championship 2014"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8041386740232"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 {Once people tended to say that this move demonstrates the determination of the first player.} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {Nowadays some people long for the old days. It did not take long to see the Berlin in the match.} 4.d3 {Magnus decides to try and squeeze something out of the Anti-Berlin.} 4...Bc5 5.O-O d6 6.Re1 ( {Adams tried the trade on c6 recently:} 6.Be3 Bb6 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.h3 O-O 9.Re1 h6 10.Nbd2 {Adams,M (2743)-Ponomariov,R (2723) Dortmund 2014} ) ( {Looking ahead into the game, we should say that there is another adherent of the approach that the world champion. Gata Kamsky is the man in question, although he prefers to develop the bishop to e3 whenever he captures on c6.} 6.Bxc6+ bxc6 7.h3 O-O 8.Nc3 Bb6 9.Re1 {Kamsky,G (2723)-Ponomariov,R (2718) Moscow 2008} ) 6...O-O 7.Bxc6 {The fact that Carlsen inserted the rook move before trading shows that he has something original on his mind.} 7...bxc6 8.h3 Re8 9.Nbd2 {The actual novelty.} ( {Previously only} 9.Be3 {had been tried. White won that game too - is this the refutation of the Berlin?!} 9...Bb6 10.Nbd2 {Moritz,A (1237)-Kyas,P (1506) Willingen 2006} ) 9...Nd7 {One idea is to conduct d6-d5. Another- to bring the knight to e6 from where it will control both d4 and f4 squares.} ( {Also interesting is} 9...h6 10.Nc4 Nh7 {intending f7-f5} ( {or} 10...Be6 $5 ) ) 10.Nc4 Bb6 ( {The central aproach is tactically justified:} 10...d5 11.exd5 cxd5 12.Ncxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Bxf2+ 14.Kxf2 Rxe5 15.Rxe5 Qf6+ 16.Qf3 Qxe5 {but this would have led to the typical Carlsen position after} 17.Qf4 Qe7 18.Be3 {with a slight edge and without much counterplay for the opponent.} ) ( {Anand also disliked} 10...Nf8 11.c3 Ne6 12.d4 exd4 13.cxd4 Bb6 14.Be3 {which seems a bit better for White as well.} ) 11.a4 $1 {A typical Scotch idea.} ( {Magnus wants to trade the bishop but does not want to allow} 11.Nxb6 axb6 {which will reinforce black's dark-squared control.} ) 11...a5 12.Nxb6 {Carlsen didn't see anything better.} 12...cxb6 ( {"Very sound but even} 12...Nxb6 {was not too bad here." (Carlsen)} ) 13.d4 {White managed to get something out of the opening. Still, it should not be much.} 13...Qc7 {One of the natural moves that remain unnoticed without thorough analysis. I would not call it a mistake but since White's initiative grew after it with alarming speed this moment is worth mentioning!} ( {Probably Vishy had to clarify the situation in the center with} 13...c5 $5 14.dxe5 ( 14.c3 cxd4 15.cxd4 Bb7 16.Ra3 d5 ) 14...Nxe5 {with the idea to meet} 15.Ra3 {with} 15...Ba6 ) 14.Ra3 $1 {The rook is looking for a career in the center or on the kingside.} 14...Nf8 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.Nh4 ( {There is nothing to hope for on the open file at the moment:} 16.Rd3 Ba6 17.Rd2 Rad8 ) 16...Rd8 17.Qh5 ( 17.Rd3 Ba6 ) 17...f6 {Anand is carefully defending. He brings fresh forces on the flank - first the queen, then centralizing the bishop.} ( 17...Ng6 {may transpose to the game:} 18.Nf5 f6 19.Rg3 Be6 ) 18.Nf5 Be6 $6 ( {The players thought that after} 18...Qf7 19.Qe2 Ne6 20.Rg3 Kh8 {Black should be alright.} ) 19.Rg3 {Carlsen also did everything that he could to create threats. Now the defense is quite unpleasant for the Indian GM.} 19...Ng6 ( {Vishy could have also defended with} 19...Rd7 20.Bh6 g6 21.Qh4 Qd8 22.Qg4 Kh8 23.h4 Raa7 ( {Not} 23...gxf5 $2 24.exf5 Qe7 25.fxe6 Nxe6 26.Qf5 ) 24.h5 g5 {although Black's situation remains unpleasant.} ) 20.h4 {White already had a choice of interesting continuations} ( 20.Bh6 $5 {would have most likely transposed to the previous note because if} 20...gxh6 ( 20...Rd7 21.h4 {transposes to the line above} ) 21.Rxg6+ $1 hxg6 22.Qxg6+ Kf8 ( 22...Kh8 $2 23.Qxf6+ Kh7 24.Qxh6+ Kg8 25.Qxe6+ ) 23.Qxf6+ Qf7 ( 23...Bf7 24.f4 $3 exf4 25.e5 {is mate in 8 if you ask your engine...} ) 24.Qxh6+ Ke8 {(Carlsen thought this would only lead to a perpetual)} ( 24...Kg8 25.Re3 ) 25.Qh8+ Kd7 26.Rd1+ Kc7 27.Qxe5+ Kb7 28.Rxd8 Rxd8 29.Nd6+ Rxd6 30.Qxd6 {the four pawns should be definitely stronger than the bishop.} ) 20...Bxf5 {A critical moment of the game! The knight was definitely annoying but after this trade Vishy gives the keys of the castle to Magnus.} ( {The inhuman defense} 20...Rd7 21.Qg4 ( {However, White can play better} 21.Bh6 $1 {with the point} 21...gxh6 22.Qxh6 {that leads to unstoppable the h4-h5 and a powerful attack.} ) 21...Nf4 22.Bxf4 exf4 23.Rf3 Re8 {is suggested by the engines} 24.Rxf4 Qe5 25.c3 g6 26.h5 Kf7 27.hxg6+ hxg6 28.Nh6+ Kg7 29.Nf5+ Kf7 ) ( {One more inhuman defense is the line} 20...Kh8 {I have no idea what marks to put on that one...} 21.Rxg6 ( {Most likely Carlsen would prefer} 21.Qf3 Bxf5 22.exf5 ( 22.Qxf5 ) 22...Ne7 {but this would be more favorable version of the game continuation for Black.} ) 21...Qf7 22.Bh6 {Still no idea...} 22...gxh6 23.Rxh6 Qxh5 24.Rxh5 Rd2 25.Ne3 {White is a pawn up but plays without the rook on h5.} ) 21.exf5 Nf4 ( {White is also better after} 21...Nf8 22.Be3 c5 23.Qg4 Kh8 24.h5 Qf7 ( 24...h6 $2 25.Bxh6 ) 25.h6 g5 26.Qe2 {but was probably preferable to the game continuation.} ( 26.fxg6 Nxg6 27.f4 ( 27.Qf5 ) ) ) 22.Bxf4 exf4 23.Rc3 {The difference in the activity of the heavy pieces spells trouble to the Challenger.} 23...c5 24.Re6 $1 ( {Magnus wisely refuses to win the pawn in return for activity with} 24.Rc4 Qf7 25.Qxf7+ Kxf7 26.Rxf4 Rd2 27.Re6 Rb8 28.Rc6 Rb7 ( {There is no time for} 28...Rxc2 29.Rc7+ Kf8 ( 29...Kg8 30.Rg4 ) 30.Rg4 ) 29.Rc4 Rd5 ( 29...Re7 30.Rxb6 Re1+ 31.Kh2 Rxf2 32.Rxc5 ) 30.g4 h5 31.f3 {White has good winning chances but the game continuation was even stronger!} ) 24...Rab8 25.Rc4 Qd7 26.Kh2 $1 ( {Once again discarding} 26.Rxf4 Qd1+ 27.Qxd1 Rxd1+ 28.Kh2 Rd2 29.h5 h6 ) 26...Rf8 ( 26...Re8 27.Rce4 Rxe6 28.fxe6 Qe7 29.Qf5 ) 27.Rce4 Rb7 28.Qe2 $1 {The Alekhine doubling of the heavy pieces in action.} ( {It was also possible to grab the pawn:} 28.Rxf4 Qd2 29.Qf3 ) 28...b5 {Missed by Carlsen.} 29.b3 ( 29.Re7 Qd6 ) 29...bxa4 ( {Anand will be happy to get rid of the queenside pawn but after} 29...c4 30.axb5 cxb3 31.b6 b2 32.Qc4 $1 {White wins due to the line} 32...b1=Q 33.Re8+ Qf7 34.Rxf8+ Kxf8 35.Qc8+ Qe8 36.Qxe8# ) 30.bxa4 {Once more no rush. It might have been horrible to be in Anand's shows this game.} ( 30.Re7 Qd5 31.Rxb7 Qxb7 32.Rxa4 ) 30...Rb4 ( 30...h6 31.c3 $1 {preventing Rb4 would not have changed the situation. White will start the harvest soon.} ) 31.Re7 Qd6 $1 {The best defense.} ( {In case of} 31...Rxe4 32.Qxe4 Qc8 {White would have taken the more valuable pawns first:} 33.Ra7 Re8 34.Qd5+ Kh8 35.Rxa5 ) 32.Qf3 Rxe4 33.Qxe4 f3+ 34.g3 h5 $4 {This loses instantly. Vishy blunders under the constant pressure.} ( {After} 34...Qd2 35.Qxf3 Qxc2 36.Ra7 Re8 37.Rxa5 {Magnus would still need to show good technique to deserve the full point.} ) 35.Qb7 {One of those typical Magnus games where one wonders where his opponent made a mistake! The new plan chosen by the world champion proved more venomous than expected. But it was the super neat play of Carlsen that won the game!} 1-0

[Event "World Chess Championship 2014"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "B41"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7834423005703"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 {Anand does not mind repeating the opening from game four.} 3.d4 {Carlsen does. He came fully equipped for the game, determined to get something out of the white color.} 3...cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 {Anand is determined to play the Kan/Paulsen line. On account of this choice his former second S. Ganguly rhetorically asked: "When was the last time that the Kan/Paulsen was played on this level?" My bet would be the Petrosian-Spassky match in 1969... [It was Spassky-Fischer, game 21, 1972 - PD.]} 5.c4 {Another opening surprise! This match has plenty of psychological fight. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2004. Vishy, on his turn, had never faced it. At least with the black pieces.} ( 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Qe2 d6 {was the course of the game Bobras,P (2518)-Anand,V (2775) Germany 2014} ) 5...Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 {Time for Magnus to experience something new! His two games ten years back saw both} ( {the sharp} 6...Qc7 7.a3 Nxe4 8.Nxe4 Qe5 9.Bd3 Qxd4 10.O-O {Carlsen,M (2385)-Trygstad,K (2330) Fredrikstad 2003} ) ( {and the positional} 6...d6 7.g3 Qc7 8.Be3 b6 9.Bg2 Bb7 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Rc1 {Carlsen,M (2484)-Werle,J (2407) Wijk aan Zee 2004} ) 7.Qd3 $5 {The second main move in the position. There was a burst of popularity of this line in 2005. Even Anand had tried it as White.} ( 7.Bd3 {remains the main move.} ) 7...Nc6 {I personally do not like this move. I wonder why Anand deviated from the principled central push} ( 7...d5 $5 8.exd5 exd5 9.Be2 O-O 10.O-O Nc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 {especially if he remembered that he got nothing against Svidler as White after} 12.Bg5 Bxc3 13.bxc3 Be6 14.Rfd1 h6 15.Bh4 dxc4 16.Qg3 Qb8 17.Bxf6 Qxg3 18.hxg3 gxf6 19.Rd4 Rfd8 20.Rf4 {1/2 (20) Anand,V (2786)-Svidler,P (2735) Monte Carlo 2005} ) 8.Nxc6 dxc6 9.Qxd8+ ( {Also interesting is} 9.e5 Qxd3 10.Bxd3 Nd7 11.f4 {as in Kovacevic,A (2576)-Miezis,N (2533) Nova Gorica 2010} ) 9...Kxd8 10.e5 {The engame is extremely pleasant for White.} 10...Nd7 ( {In case of} 10...Ne4 11.a3 $1 {is very strong, for example} 11...Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 {and if} 12...Nxc3 13.a4 Ne4 14.Be3 {Black will have problems with both his knight and the dark squares.} ) 11.Bf4 Bxc3+ {A sad necessity. Anand will now suffer on the dark squares.} ( {Black can hardly preserve the bishop} 11...Ke7 12.O-O-O Ba5 13.Ne4 {as the knight will be super strong on d6.} ) ( {Also in case of} 11...Kc7 12.O-O-O {White threatens Nc3-e4-d6 which will force the trade of the bishop anyway.} ) 12.bxc3 Kc7 {The king is safer on c7 rather than e7. There are no checks along the h4-d8 diagonal and it can also support a future pawn on b6.} 13.h4 $1 {However, the problem is the kingside now. With this move the world champion grabs space on this part of the board and creates possible targets on the f7 and g7 squares. Since White has more space on the kingside, he can also lift both his rooks for the attack and the plan seems pretty scary.} 13...b6 ( {Black would be happy to block the h-pawn, but this will weaken further the dark squares, for example} 13...h5 14.Rh3 b6 15.Be2 Bb7 16.Rd1 Rad8 {with the idea to trade the rooks along the open file} 17.Rg3 g6 18.Bg5 Rde8 19.Rgd3 Nc5 20.Rd6 {and Black is paralized.} ) 14.h5 h6 {Or else h5-h6 and domination on the dark squares as in the previous line.} 15.O-O-O Bb7 16.Rd3 $1 {Simple and effective.} ( {White could have started with} 16.Rh4 {as well. I suspect Magnus disliked} 16...Nc5 17.Rg4 Rag8 {the knight on c5 looks great and prevents the rook from shifting along the third rank.} ) 16...c5 17.Rg3 Rag8 ( 17...Rhg8 18.Bd3 {already loses a pawn due to the threat Bd3-h7.} ) 18.Bd3 {Completely controlling the kingside. The threat Rh1-h4-g4xg7 is very hard to meet.} 18...Nf8 ( {The king can also try to help, but the position arising after} 18...Kd8 19.Rh4 Ke7 20.Rhg4 Kf8 {is frankly speaking, ugly. After} 21.Bc2 {Black is in a sort of a zugzwang. The threat is Bc2-a4 and then the rook will penetrate along the d file. If} 21...Bc6 {then} 22.Rd3 {and Rd3-d6.} ) 19.Be3 $1 {"I'm pretty happy with the position I got out of the opening. He doesn't have to play 19...g6 but anyway he can go something like .. .Bc7-e8 but it's really not very nice." (Carlsen)} ( {The hasty} 19.Rh4 $2 {will blow the advantage away after} 19...g5 $1 20.hxg6 Nxg6 {Where White will have nothing better than a draw with} 21.Bxg6 ( {As} 21.Rhg4 $2 {simply loses} 21...h5 22.Rg5 Nxf4 23.Rxg8 Rxg8 24.Rxg8 Nxd3+ ) 21...Rxg6 22.Rxg6 fxg6 23.Rxh6 Rxh6 24.Bxh6 Bxg2 ) 19...g6 {The only chance. Vishy naturally does not want to wait and see the rooks breaking his position.} 20.hxg6 Nxg6 21.Rh5 {There is no rush. Magnus achieved what he wanted. The pawn on h6 is doomed.} ( 21.Bxh6 $2 Nxe5 ) ( 21.Rxh6 $6 {leads only to a draw as the bishop on d3 is hanging in the line} 21...Nxe5 22.Bf4 Rxg3 23.Bxe5+ Kd7 24.Rxh8 Rxd3 ) 21...Bc6 22.Bc2 {One more move of respect. Both to the knight and the bishop.} 22...Kb7 23.Rg4 {White is obviously better, but Magnus struggles to find a plan. The main problem is that if he ever pushes the f-pawn there are problems along the g-file.} ( 23.f4 $2 Ne7 24.Rxg8 Rxg8 25.Rxh6 Rxg2 ) ( {However, the immediate} 23.Kd2 {was a way to improve, for example} 23...a5 24.Ke2 Ne7 25.Rxg8 Rxg8 26.g3 Rg4 27.Bd3 {and White wins the pawn on h6.} ) 23...a5 24.Bd1 Rd8 25.Bc2 {"I think I should be much better but I struggled to find a good plan since I need to play f3 and regroup the rook but that's not so easy since he'll be attacking my g2 pawn." (Carlsen)} 25...Rdg8 {First Magnus repeated the moves and then with...} 26.Kd2 $4 {he committed the blunder of the match so far! This loses at least a pawn and Magnus saw it at the moment he played it.} ( {The problem with} 26.Kd1 Nf8 27.Rf4 Be8 {is that White has no time to consolidate the advantage due to the lose position of his pieces} 28.Rh2 ( 28.g3 $2 f5 $1 ) 28...Ng6 {and Black is holding.} ) 26...a4 $4 {Returning the favor! This was probably the critical moment of the match.} ( {Vishy could have won a pawn with} 26...Nxe5 $1 27.Rxg8 Nxc4+ 28.Kd3 Nb2+ 29.Ke2 Rxg8 {with excellent winning chances for Black. "I was just extremely lucky." (Carlsen) "The thing is, when you're not expecting a gift, sometimes you just don't take it." (Anand)} ) 27.Ke2 a3 {The pawn on a2 is fixed and Anand is hoping that the a3 pawn will once become a queen. For instance after Bc6-a4-b3!} 28.f3 Rd8 {Takes control of the open file and prepares the following maneuver.} 29.Ke1 {Magnus steps away from a possible check on d3.} ( {Vishy would find counterplay after} 29.Bxg6 fxg6 30.Rxg6 Ba4 $1 31.Rxe6 ( 31.Rh1 Bc2 ) 31...Bc2 {This is where the Rd8 is needed.} 32.Re7+ Ka6 33.Rh1 Bd3+ 34.Kf2 Bxc4 {but after all this is an extra pawn, White can play further for the win.} ) 29...Rd7 30.Bc1 Ra8 {The threat is Ba4 to trade the good bishop and check on d1 is it retreats.} 31.Ke2 Ba4 ( {At the press conference the players agreed that Black should be OK after} 31...Ne7 {but I am not so sure about it:} 32.Rg7 Ba4 33.Bxa4 Rxa4 34.Rxf7 Rxc4 35.Bd2 {looks winning for White.} ) 32.Be4+ Bc6 $2 {This loses.} ( {It seems as they both didn't have faith in Black's counter-chances after} 32...Ka7 33.Bxa8 Kxa8 34.Bxa3 Rd1 35.Rxh6 Ra1 36.Ke3 Nxe5 ( 36...Rxa2 37.Bc1 Nxe5 38.Rg7 Nxc4+ 39.Kf4 ) 37.Rg7 Nxc4+ 38.Kf4 Nd6 39.Ke5 Rd1 {when the bishop is paralized on a3. But perhaps Black can survive this.} ) 33.Bxg6 fxg6 34.Rxg6 Ba4 35.Rxe6 Rd1 ( 35...Bb3 36.axb3 a2 37.Bb2 ) 36.Bxa3 Ra1 {It seems as the bishop is trapped, but...} 37.Ke3 Bc2 ( 37...Rxa2 38.Bc1 ) 38.Re7+ {A heartbreaker!} 1-0

[Event "World Chess Championship 2014"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "243"]
[Beauty "2886486466054"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors.} 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.h3 Ke8 10.Nc3 h5 11.Bf4 Be7 12.Rad1 Be6 {Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black.} 13.Ng5 Rh6 {Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop.} ( 13...Bxg5 14.Bxg5 h4 15.Rd2 Rh5 16.f4 {will leave the rook on h5 offside and the king in trouble along the d file.} ) 14.g3 ( 14.Rfe1 Bb4 15.g4 hxg4 16.hxg4 Ne7 17.Nxe6 Rxe6 18.Kg2 Bxc3 19.bxc3 Rd8 20.Rxd8+ Kxd8 21.Rh1 Nd5 22.Rh8+ Kd7 23.Bg3 g5 {was played the round before in Radjabov,T (2726)-Andreikin,D (2722) Tashkent UZB 2014} ) 14...Bxg5 {Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced} 15.Bxg5 Rg6 16.h4 {The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw} ( 16.Bf4 Nh4 17.Kh1 Nf3 18.Kg2 Nh4+ 19.Kh1 Nf3 20.Kg2 {1/2 (20) Grischuk,A (2747) -Anand,V (2817) Monte Carlo 2011} ) 16...f6 17.exf6 gxf6 18.Bf4 Nxh4 19.f3 {The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure.} 19...Rd8 {Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet.} 20.Kf2 Rxd1 21.Nxd1 Nf5 22.Rh1 {This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer.} 22...Bxa2 {Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn.} ( {Passive defense is highly inappropriate} 22...Ng7 23.Ne3 Kd7 24.Ng2 {as the rook on g6 will suffer.} ) 23.Rxh5 Be6 24.g4 ( {Or else Black will trade the rooks and there will be nothing to play for} 24.Bxc7 Rh6 25.Rxh6 Nxh6 26.g4 {&amp;frac12;-&amp;frac12; Alekseev,E (2675) -Grachev,B (2672) Kocaeli 2014} ) 24...Nd6 25.Rh7 Nf7 {The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went} ( 25...f5 $6 {The evaluations are from Anish Giri} 26.g5 $6 ( {Giri underestimated how unpleasant} 26.Rxc7 $1 Nb5 27.gxf5 Bxf5 28.Rxb7 Bxc2 29.Ne3 {is for Black, despite the limited number of pawns.} ) 26...Nf7 27.Rh5 {and even here White is somewhat better but Black defended well to deserve the draw in Giri,A (2768)-Radjabov,T (2726) Tashkent 2014} ) 26.Ne3 {This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material.} ( 26.Bxc7 {is again nothing} 26...Rh6 ( 26...f5 {is also good} ) 27.Rxh6 Nxh6 ) 26...Kd8 {If you do not want it, I will keep it.} 27.Nf5 {The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot.} 27...c5 28.Ng3 $1 Ne5 $1 {I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it} ( 28...b6 29.Nh5 a5 {These two moves are not necessary but it makes good sense to advance the pawns where you are stronger. Now very strong is} 30.Bg3 $1 {and if} ( {Rather than the forced line} 30.Bxc7+ Kxc7 31.Nf4 Rh6 32.Nxe6+ Kd6 33.Rxf7 Kxe6 34.Rb7 Rh2+ 35.Ke3 Rxc2 36.Rxb6+ ) 30...Kd7 31.f4 $1 {is a large advantage for White in the complications} 31...Rh6 ( 31...Bxg4 32.Rxf7+ Ke8 33.Rh7 {wins a piece for White} ) ( 31...Rxg4 {loses the exchange} 32.Nxf6+ Ke7 33.Nxg4 Bxg4 ) 32.f5 Rxh7 33.Nxf6+ Ke7 34.Nxh7 {and the two kingside pawns are far more dangerous than all the black queenside ones.} ) 29.Rh8+ ( {I suspect that Anand would have also sacrificed a piece in case of} 29.Bxe5 fxe5 30.Rh5 Bxg4 31.fxg4 Rxg4 ) 29...Rg8 ( {The pawns might get dangerous if left on the board} 29...Kd7 30.Ne4 Kc6 31.Bxe5 fxe5 32.Rh5 Kd5 33.Nc3+ Kd6 34.Ke3 b6 35.Nb5+ ) 30.Bxe5 fxe5 31.Rh5 Bxg4 $1 {The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only.} 32.fxg4 Rxg4 33.Rxe5 b6 34.Ne4 Rh4 35.Ke2 Rh6 36.b3 Kd7 37.Kd2 Kc6 {Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R.} 38.Nc3 a6 39.Re4 Rh2+ 40.Kc1 Rh1+ 41.Kb2 Rh6 42.Nd1 Rg6 43.Ne3 Rh6 44.Re7 Rh2 45.Re6+ Kb7 46.Kc3 Rh4 47.Kb2 Rh2 48.Nd5 Rd2 49.Nf6 Rf2 {Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces.} 50.Kc3 Rf4 51.Ne4 Rh4 52.Nf2 Rh2 53.Rf6 Rh7 54.Nd3 Rh3 55.Kd2 Rh2+ 56.Rf2 Rh4 57.c4 {Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one.} 57...Rh3 58.Kc2 Rh7 59.Nb2 Rh5 60.Re2 Rg5 61.Nd1 b5 62.Nc3 c6 63.Ne4 Rh5 64.Nf6 Rg5 65.Re7+ Kb6 {Vishy is not afraid of ghosts.} 66.Nd7+ Ka5 ( {Naturally not} 66...Kc7 $4 67.Nxc5+ Kd6 68.Ne4+ ) 67.Re4 Rg2+ 68.Kc1 Rg1+ 69.Kd2 Rg2+ 70.Ke1 ( {Or else all the pawns will disappear.} 70.Re2 Rxe2+ 71.Kxe2 Kb4 ) 70...bxc4 {Well calculated.} 71.Rxc4 Rg3 72.Nxc5 Kb5 {with the threat Rg3xb3.} 73.Rc2 a5 74.Kf2 Rh3 75.Rc1 Kb4 76.Ke2 Rc3 {The last pawn disappears. Many players would have call it a day now, but not Carlsen. For two reasons. First of all, he is Magnus and this is something you cannot escape from. The second one has more to do with the match strategy. In every single situation the stronger side pushes as much as he likes for the pure joy of it. And- to exhaust the opponent. The match history knows many game in which a player who had defended long game with the black pieces is so exhausted in the next game that does not even try to win but chooses to make a short draw instead and get some rest. However, I doubt that this will be the case tomorrow as Anand desperately needs a win to keep his chances alive.} ( {Not} 76...Rh5 77.Rc4+ ) 77.Nd3+ Kxb3 78.Ra1 Kc4 79.Nf2 Kb5 80.Rb1+ Kc4 81.Ne4 Ra3 82.Nd2+ Kd5 83.Rh1 a4 84.Rh5+ Kd4 85.Rh4+ Kc5 86.Kd1 Kb5 87.Kc2 Rg3 88.Ne4 Rg2+ 89.Kd3 a3 90.Nc3+ Kb6 91.Ra4 a2 {Black does not need the pawns to make the draw.} 92.Nxa2 Rg3+ 93.Kc2 Rg2+ 94.Kb3 Rg3+ 95.Nc3 Rh3 96.Rb4+ Kc7 97.Rg4 Rh7 98.Kc4 Rf7 99.Rg5 Kb6 100.Na4+ Kc7 101.Kc5 Kd7 102.Kb6 Rf1 103.Nc5+ Ke7 104.Kxc6 {Kasparov once won this endgame to Judit Polgar (back in 1996). Still, it is extremely unprobable that anything like that happens in a WCC match.} 104...Rd1 105.Rg6 Kf7 106.Rh6 Rg1 107.Kd5 Rg5+ 108.Kd4 Rg6 109.Rh1 Rg2 110.Ne4 Ra2 111.Rf1+ Ke7 112.Nc3 Rh2 113.Nd5+ Kd6 114.Rf6+ Kd7 115.Nf4 Rh1 {The rook stands as far away of the white king as possible. Anytime it approaches he will start checking it and if the knight covers the check Black will just keep it pinned. This is the defensive method in brief.} 116.Rg6 Rd1+ 117.Nd3 Ke7 118.Ra6 Kd7 119.Ke4 Ke7 120.Rc6 Kd7 121.Rc1 Rxc1 122.Nxc1 {A marathon battle! Carlsen tried everything he could to crack the defense that Anand skilfully had built but in vain.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World Chess Championship 2014"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.18"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "6116301864970"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 {The world champion tries again the QGD, which means that he had probably repaired the line after the disastrous third game.} 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 {Anand stays true to the line that brought him a win in game three of the match.} ( 5.Bg5 {is considered less dangerous for the second player with the move 3.Ng1-f3 inserted as it deprives White of some additional possibilities, namely the Botvinnik plan with Ng1-e2, f2-f3 and e3-e4, and the plan with 0-0-0. Nevertheless, Anand was not shy using it in a couple of blitz games this year, against Kasimdzhanov and Harikrishna, which he duly won.} ) 5...O-O 6.e3 c5 {Nope, we shall not see the repair today, but the main line instead. The last time Magnus played this was back in 2009.} ( {The topical} 6...Nbd7 {is what the third game saw} 7.c5 c6 8.Bd3 b6 9.b4 a5 10.a3 Ba6 11.Bxa6 Rxa6 12.b5 cxb5 13.c6 Qc8 14.c7 {when the pawn on c7 proved very dangerous, Anand,V-Carlsen,M Wch Sochi 2014} ) 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.a3 Nc6 9.Qc2 {Vishy chooses the most complex line where plenty of pieces stay on the board. The other principled line is} ( 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.Bd3 Bb6 12.O-O Bg4 {as in Ivanchuk,V (2779) -Carlsen,M (2776) Nice 2009.} ) 9...Re8 {This should have been a big surprise for Vishy! Both the players have a game each in the main line after} ( 9...Qa5 {and now} 10.Rd1 {which is calmer} ( {Or} 10.O-O-O {which I suspect is what Anand was heading to} 10...Be7 11.g4 dxc4 12.Bxc4 e5 13.g5 {with lively, double-edged game and plenty of possibilities for both sides, for example} 13...exf4 14.gxf6 Bxf6 15.Nd5 Ne7 16.Nxf6+ gxf6 17.Rhg1+ Kh8 18.e4 {Anand,V (2752)-Kramnik,V (2809) Leon 2002} ) 10...Be7 11.Be2 dxc4 {all of this was tested in the game Kramnik-Carlsen, Dortmund 2009.} ) 10.Bg5 {The bishop moves away from the possible e6-e5 attack and puts pressure on the central pawn. The following curious game demonstrates some of the tactical possibilities behind the move Rf8-e8.} ( 10.Rd1 e5 11.Bg5 d4 12.Nd5 Be7 13.Nxe7+ $2 ( 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Bd3 $5 ) 13...Qxe7 14.Be2 $2 d3 {Pinter, J-Hurme,H Helsinki 35/(507) 1983 Inf 35 [RR]} ) ( {White can also try to play against the IQP with} 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Be2 Be6 ( {Although Black might try to solve the problem immediately with the forced} 11...d4 12.Rd1 Bg4 13.O-O Qe7 14.Na4 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 dxe3 16.Nxc5 e2 17.Qxe2 Qxe2 18.Bxe2 Rxe2 {which looks worth studying.} ) 12.O-O Rc8 13.Rfd1 h6 {Svane,R (2440)-Zvjaginsev, V (2655) Legnica 2013} ) 10...Be7 11.Rd1 Qa5 12.Bd3 {The actual novelty. One game saw} ( 12.Be2 Ne4 13.cxd5 Nxc3 14.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 15.bxc3 exd5 16.Bxe7 Nxe7 ) 12...h6 13.Bh4 ( 13.Bxf6 {yields White no advantage after} 13...Bxf6 14.cxd5 exd5 15.O-O Bxc3 16.Qxc3 Qxc3 17.bxc3 Be6 ) 13...dxc4 14.Bxc4 a6 {Black's plan is very natural and straightforward. He needs to develop the bishop, thus the b pawn advance is coming next.} 15.O-O b5 16.Ba2 {White's best bet is to create a battery.} ( {Vishy also mentioned the move} 16.Bd3 {although there should not be any advantage for White after} 16...Bb7 17.Bg3 Rac8 {the position is too symmetrical.} ) 16...Bb7 17.Bb1 {It looks very unpleasant for Magnus, but the world champion defended in a cool manner} 17...Rad8 18.Bxf6 ( {There is another way to get rid of the key kingside defender} 18.Ne4 {However, there too White will miss one tempo to be successful in the attack} 18...Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Bxh4 20.Qh7+ Kf8 21.Nxh4 Rxd1 22.Rxd1 Rd8 {when the g7 pawn is untouchable due to the bank rank weakness} 23.Rxd8+ ( 23.Rc1 $2 Qd2 {is good for Black only.} ) 23...Qxd8 24.Qh8+ Ke7 25.Qxg7 $4 Qd1# ) 18...Bxf6 19.Ne4 ( {Both the players investigated} 19.Qh7+ Kf8 20.Ne4 Rxd1 21.Rxd1 Rd8 {and agreed that there is nothing there for White} 22.Rxd8+ Qxd8 23.Qh8+ ( 23.Bc2 $2 Bxb2 ) 23...Ke7 24.Qxd8+ Nxd8 25.Nxf6 Kxf6 ) 19...Be7 {Another cool move. If White could only move away the knight from the board somehow...} 20.Nc5 {This is the maximum White can get out of the position.} ( 20.Ng3 {is too slow and Black can organize counter-play after} 20...g6 21.h4 Rc8 {Anand} ( {Or also} 21...Rxd1 22.Rxd1 Rc8 {in either case Black is doing fine.} ) ) 20...Bxc5 21.Qxc5 b4 {"Unfortunately he has this move," said Anand at the press conference, "when White's advantage is only symbolic and there is nothing I can do."} 22.Rc1 bxa3 23.bxa3 Qxc5 24.Rxc5 Ne7 {The rooks will now disappear from the board. The game is heading towards the logical outcome.} 25.Rfc1 Rc8 26.Bd3 ( {The rook swap is unavoidable} 26.Rc7 Rxc7 27.Rxc7 Rc8 28.Rxb7 $4 Rc1+ 29.Ne1 Rxe1# ) 26...Red8 27.Rxc8 Rxc8 28.Rxc8+ Nxc8 29.Nd2 {Vishy tried a bit more but he could not make use of the white color today.} 29...Nb6 30.Nb3 Nd7 31.Na5 Bc8 32.Kf1 Kf8 33.Ke1 Ke7 34.Kd2 Kd6 35.Kc3 Ne5 36.Be2 Kc5 37.f4 Nc6 38.Nxc6 Kxc6 39.Kd4 f6 40.e4 Kd6 41.e5+ {Magnus' approach in the opening solved the problem of the black color today. Vishy tried everything he could but there was not much play for him as both the players agreed after the game. Carlsen leads 4.5-3.5 before the final four games of the match.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World Chess Championship 2014"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.20"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[Beauty "6597606637576"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {The Berlin rules.} 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.h3 Ke8 10.Nc3 h5 11.Ne2 {Carlsen decided to check what has Anand prepared here.} 11...b6 12.Rd1 Ba6 13.Nf4 Bb7 {A novelty. Vishy came very well prepared for the match. The bishop belongs to the long diagonal.} ( {Previously only} 13...Rd8 {had been seen} 14.Bd2 Nd4 15.Nxd4 Rxd4 16.a4 $1 {and Whitye proved that the rook is needed on a8.} 16...Bc8 17.a5 a6 18.Be3 Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1 b5 20.Nd3 {Dominguez Perez,L (2726)-Ponomariov,R (2741) Leon 2012} ) 14.e6 {The key theme in the Berlin and the most straightforward continuation.} ( {Probably White could try} 14.c4 {with the idea to meet} 14...c5 {with} ( {However here Black can play} 14...Rd8 {and in comparison to the game Dominguez-Ponomariov he will enjoy some additional ideas} 15.Bd2 c5 {now d5 is under control} 16.Bc3 Bxf3 17.Rxd8+ Kxd8 18.gxf3 {and if anyone is better here it is not White.} ) 15.Nd5 ) 14...Bd6 $1 {Blocks the d file, defends the c7 pawn, attacks the f4 knight and developes a pices. How multifunctional a move could be?} 15.exf7+ Kxf7 16.Ng5+ Kf6 17.Ne4+ {Magnus has no advantage at all and decides to call it a day.} 17...Kf7 18.Ng5+ Kf6 19.Ne4+ Kf7 20.Ng5+ {Melik was right so far. Yesterday at the TV show he predicted two draws, while I expected big fight today. I wonder if this short game is due to fatigue in Carlsen or due to the super-prep by Anand. Whichever the case, Magnus is one game closer to defending the title and Vishy gets an extra white color to spoil his plans.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World Chess Championship 2014"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.21"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[ECO "D97"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "6601767390217"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{Game 10 Analysis By GM Dejan Bojkov} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 {Carlsen switches to the Gruenfeld. It should have been difficult for Anand to prepare for each game. The thing is that Carlsen does not choose the same opening despite its positive outcome. The QGD served him well in the last game, while the Gruenfeld was not that good in game one, but nevertheless he switches back to it. Thus Anand has to work more, in different directions and to spend more energy in the pre-game preparation.} 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 {The Russian system was chosen by Anand. This is not only respect to the organizers of the match but his main weapon against the Gruenfeld.} 5...dxc4 6.Qxc4 O-O 7.e4 Na6 {Curiously, Magnus had only two games in this line, back in 2003 and 2005. In the latter he chose the same move.} ( {Also possible is} 7...a6 {which was played against Anand by a former second of Carlsen} 8.Be2 b5 9.Qb3 Nc6 10.e5 Be6 11.Qd1 Nd5 {with solid position for Black in Anand,V (2811)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2730) Moscow 2011} ) 8.Be2 {The main move.} ( {The only previous game of Magnus in the line saw the offbeat} 8.Bg5 c5 9.d5 e6 10.O-O-O Qa5 11.Qb5 Qxb5 12.Bxb5 Nc7 13.Be2 exd5 14.exd5 Rd8 15.d6 Nce8 16.Bb5 {Azmaiparashvili,Z (2658)-Carlsen,M (2570) Khanty-Mansiysk 2005} ) 8...c5 9.d5 ( {White is not ready for the open game} 9.dxc5 {yields him nothing after} 9...Be6 10.Qb5 Rc8 ) 9...e6 10.O-O exd5 11.exd5 Re8 {The second most common but quite natural move. Vishy had faced the main move twice against Garry-Almighty} ( 11...Bf5 12.Rd1 Qb6 13.Qh4 ( 13.d6 Rad8 14.Na4 Qc6 $5 {Anand,V (2781)-Kasparov,G (2812) Frankfurt 1999} ) 13...Bc2 14.Rd2 Bf5 15.Rd1 Bc2 16.Rd2 {1/2 (16) Anand,V (2781) -Kasparov,G (2812) Frankfurt 1999} ) 12.Bg5 {It is useful to provoke a weakness on the kingside.} 12...h6 13.Be3 Bf5 14.Rad1 {All of this have already been seen. Here Magnus came up with a logical novelty} 14...Ne4 {Which however is not surprising at all for any Gruenfeld/KID player. The road for the two black bishops is opened and they can start exerting pressure on the queenside.} ( {Previously only} 14...Qb6 {was checked and here beside the move} 15.b3 {White has plenty of interesting options to work in his laboratory} ( 15.Nh4 $5 ) ( 15.Qb5 $5 ) ( 15.Rd2 $5 ) 15...Rad8 16.Rd2 Ng4 17.Bf4 Qa5 18.Rc1 {All of this was played by one of Anand's seconds} 18...g5 ( {Black missed a good shot} 18...b5 $1 19.Qxb5 ( 19.Nxb5 $2 Re4 ) 19...Bxc3 20.Qxa5 Bxa5 21.Bxa6 Bxd2 ) 19.Bg3 Bxc3 20.Qxc3 Qxc3 21.Rxc3 {with doubled-edged endgame in Wojtaszek,R (2713)-Ponomariov,R (2729) Poikovsky 2012 Obviously the Polish GM provided Anand with some additional know-how.} ) 15.Nxe4 {The first moment where the challenger could have gone for the sharp} ( 15.d6 $5 Nxc3 ( 15...Bxc3 $6 {looks too risky} 16.bxc3 Nxd6 $2 17.Qf4 {White has grand attack on the dark squares.} ) 16.bxc3 Qb6 {Only the further analyzes will prove if the d6 pawn is a weakness or an asset to the first player.} ) 15...Bxe4 ( {Worse is} 15...Rxe4 {as the rook is vulnerable there} 16.Qc1 Kh7 17.Bd3 ) 16.Qc1 {The second moment of the game where Vishy could have played sharper. Why endgame?!} ( {I strongly believe that the right treatment of the position was to keep the queens on the board. A central passer is good in the middlegame and not in the endgame. It separates the flanks into two independent parts and can help the kingside attack. In the endgame the central pawn is easily attacked by the king and is in most cases a weakness.} 16.d6 $5 {with the obvious idea} 16...Bxb2 $2 ( 16...Bc6 {should be better although White has a lot to play for, for example} 17.Qc1 $5 {The knight on a6 is misplaced and the kingside is under pressure.} 17...Re6 18.Bxa6 bxa6 19.Qxc5 Bxf3 20.gxf3 {and White is better as} 20...Bxb2 {fails to} 21.d7 {Notice how difficult it is not for Black to block the pawn!} ) 17.Bxh6 ) 16...Qf6 17.Bxh6 Qxb2 {"I was a little overoptimistic. I thought that without the queens on the board I am immediately fine." Carlsen. He indeed hs to solve some problems but as he demonstrated in the later, the endgame is much easier to hold than the middlegame.} ( 17...Bxd5 {is also possible although White is little better after} 18.Rxd5 Rxe2 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Rd7 Re7 21.Rxe7 Qxe7 22.Re1 Qf6 23.Re4 {thanks to the misplaced Na6.} ) 18.Qxb2 ( {Or} 18.Bxg7 Qxc1 19.Rxc1 Kxg7 20.Bxa6 bxa6 21.Rxc5 Red8 22.Rd1 Rab8 {as Magnus intended to play.} ) 18...Bxb2 19.Ng5 {"I underestimated this move," Carlsen. And I suspect that this is the position that tempted Anand to swap off the queens. Now he wins the bishop pair.} ( 19.d6 {is also interesting.} ) ( {However} 19.Bxa6 $2 {is simply wrong as the c pawn supported by the bishop pair will be good only for Black} 19...bxa6 20.d6 c4 ) ( {another tempting continuation is suggested by Anand} 19.Bb5 {although this should not be much after} 19...Red8 ) 19...Bd4 $1 {"This was very precise"- Anand. The pawn on d6 had been excluded from the main forces and is now doomed. Vishy tries everything he can to generate threats with his bishops.} ( {Black has no time to save the bishop} 19...Bf5 20.Bb5 Red8 21.d6 Bd4 22.Bc4 Rxd6 23.Nxf7 Rd7 24.Nd6+ Kh7 25.Nxf5 gxf5 26.Bf4 ) ( {Neither} 19...Bc2 $2 {is good due to} 20.Rd2 Nb4 21.d6 ) 20.Nxe4 Rxe4 21.Bf3 Re7 22.d6 ( {While watching the game I anticipated the line} 22.Bf4 Rd7 23.d6 Nb4 24.Rd2 {which basically transposes into the game. Then after} 24...Re8 {Black intends to surround the pawn with Re8-e6, Nb4-c6 and Bd4-e5. Sometimes the kingside pawns also help. Exemplary line goes like this} 25.Rc1 Nc6 ( 25...Re6 {also makes sense} ) 26.Bxc6 bxc6 27.Kf1 f6 ( 27...Re6 28.Re2 Rxe2 29.Kxe2 f6 ) 28.h4 ( 28.Re2 Rxe2 29.Kxe2 g5 30.Bg3 f5 ) 28...Kf7 29.g3 Rg8 30.Re2 g5 31.hxg5 fxg5 {and the d6 pawn will disappear.} ) 22...Rd7 23.Bf4 Nb4 {Finally the knight enters the game.} 24.Rd2 {The last critical moment of the game.} ( {Anand mentioned at the press conference the move} 24.Rfe1 $5 {although he did not provide any further lines. This is a pawn sacrifice and very risky decision but looks tempting! After} 24...Nxa2 25.Re7 $1 Rxe7 ( 25...Rad8 26.Bd5 $1 Nc3 27.Bxf7+ Kg7 28.Rde1 Bf6 29.Rxd7 Rxd7 30.Be6 ) 26.dxe7 Re8 27.Re1 Nb4 {The knights hold both the critical c6 and d5 square and seems fine after f7-f6 and Kg8-f7 finally neutralizing the pawn.} 28.Bxb7 f6 ) 24...Re8 25.Rc1 Re6 {Getting into the d6 pawn business.} 26.h4 Be5 27.Bxe5 Rxe5 28.Bxb7 {Forces the draw. Obviously Anand could not do anything more} ( 28.Bg4 {is met with} 28...f5 29.Be2 Kf8 30.g3 b6 31.Bf3 Re6 32.a3 Na6 33.Be2 Nb8 34.Rcd1 a6 {intending both b6-b5 and c5-c4 as well as Nb8-c6-d4} ( 34...Nc6 $2 35.Bb5 ) 35.a4 Nc6 36.Bxa6 Nd4 37.Rxd4 ( 37.Bc8 Nf3+ 38.Kg2 Nxd2 39.Bxd7 Rxd6 ) 37...cxd4 38.Bc8 Rexd6 39.Bxd7 Rxd7 ) 28...Rxb7 29.d7 Nc6 30.d8=Q+ Nxd8 31.Rxd8+ Kg7 32.Rd2 {The resources are exhausted, the peace treaty signed. Carlsen leads 5. 5-4.5 and need one more point to defend the title.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World Chess Championship 2014"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.23"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7358352726594"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.h3 Bd7 ( {Anand deviates first today. In the previous games of the match he played} 9...Ke8 ) 10.Nc3 h6 11.b3 ( 11.Bf4 {is another way of developing the bishop, when} 11...b6 ( 11...Kc8 {is more common} ) 12.a4 a5 13.Rad1 Kc8 14.b3 Bb4 15.Ne4 Be6 {was equal in Shirov-Almasi, Polanica Zdroj 2000} ) 11...Kc8 {This is Kramnik's choice; he used this development in the match against Kasparov.} 12.Bb2 c5 {And this is quite new. In most of the cases Black does not like to allow the white knight on d5 this early.} ( 12...b6 {remains the main plan and this is definitely influenced by the match Kasparov- Kramnik. One of the first games in this line was played in this direction. A more recent example saw} 13.Rad1 Ne7 ( 13...Be6 14.g4 Ne7 15.Nd4 ) ) ( 12...Ne7 13.Nd4 ( 13.Rad1 c5 14.Ne2 Ng6 ) 13...c5 14.Nde2 Bf5 $1 {which forces the white rook to defend the pawn passively as in Shirov-Volokitin, Dagomys 2009} ) 13.Rad1 b6 14.Rfe1 {The knight could go to d5 at once.} ( 14.Nd5 Bc6 15.c4 Kb7 16.g4 Ne7 17.Nh4 Bxd5 18.cxd5 Rd8 19.d6 cxd6 20.Rxd6 Nc6 21.Rxd8 Nxd8 22.f4 {Mista-Deszczynski, Wysowa 2003} ) ( 14.Nd5 a5 15.Nd2 Ne7 16.Ne3 Nf5 17.Nd5 Ne7 18.Ne3 Nf5 {1/2 Kokarev-Leko, Loo 2014} ) 14...Be6 15.Nd5 g5 16.c4 ( {The logical novelty. Carlsen overprotects the knight in the center. In the only predecessor White could not equalize after} 16.Nh2 Kb7 17.f4 $2 Nd4 ( 17...c4 $1 ) 18.Bxd4 cxd4 19.Nf6 gxf4 {Zhidkov-Vitoshinski hidkov-Vitoshinskiy, Dubna 2001} ) 16...Kb7 17.Kh2 a5 {The threat is to open up the a-file for the rook. This should be prevented.} 18.a4 Ne7 {But now the pawns on the queenside are somewhat vulnerable. Black can attack them in the future with Be6-f5-c2.} 19.g4 Ng6 20.Kg3 Be7 ( 20...Bg7 {at once is less precise as White can go for} 21.h4 {However, Black has an interesting counter-blow} 21...h5 $5 {with a possible line} 22.Nxg5 hxg4 23.Rh1 Rh6 24.Nxe6 fxe6 25.Nf6 Rah8 26.h5 Nxe5 27.Bxe5 Bxf6 28.Rde1 {and White retains pressure.} ) 21.Nd2 {The opposite-colored bishop endgame favors Black.} ( 21.Nxe7 Nxe7 22.Nd2 Ng6 {as the white bishop is blocked and if its counterpart comes out any time all the queenside pawns will be in danger.} ) 21...Rhd8 22.Ne4 Bf8 $1 {Now with h3-h4 out of the question the bishop can return to the long diagonal.} 23.Nef6 {Both the white knights occupied some nice squares, but what is coming next? It is hard to say for White, but Vishy has a very nice blow in his disposal.} 23...b5 $1 {Typical, but nice! The queenside is discovered.} 24.Bc3 $1 {The correct decision that keeps control of the situation. The alternatives are clearly inferior for Magnus:} ( 24.cxb5 $2 c6 25.bxc6+ Kxc6 26.Ne3 Bxb3 {sees the white pawns disappear.} ) ( {while} 24.axb5 $6 {is also good for Black only} 24...a4 25.bxa4 Rxa4 26.Rc1 Nf4 27.Rc2 Bxd5 28.Nxd5 ( 28.cxd5 Be7 29.Bc1 Nd3 30.Re3 Rd4 31.Bb2 Nxb2 32.Rxb2 Bxf6 33.exf6 Rd6 ) ) 24...bxa4 25.bxa4 Kc6 {Now Anand gets counterplay on the open b-file and his position seems preferable.} 26.Kf3 Rdb8 {The first critical moment of the game. This move is logical but two other moves deserved serious attention.} ( 26...Bg7 {was suggested by Anand himself and he assesed it as equal.} ) ( 26...Be7 $5 {On the other hand might be already bettter for Black! For example} 27.Ke4 ( 27.Nxe7+ $2 {is once again just bad} 27...Nxe7 28.Rxd8 Rxd8 ) 27...Bxf6 $1 {Once the knights disappears the knight versus bishop in a blocked position will be definitely favorable for the Indian GM!} 28.exf6 Bxd5+ 29.cxd5+ Kd6 ) 27.Ke4 {The second critical moment of the game and the match. Anand went all in with his next move} 27...Rb4 {I do not know how to comment it and what marks to put here. Let me quote Vishy then: "It was a bad bluff and I got punished" - Anand.} ( {A good alternative would have been} 27...Rb3 28.Rb1 Rab8 29.Rxb3 Rxb3 {when the game should most likely end in a draw after something like} 30.Ra1 ( 30.Bxa5 {is worse as} 30...Ra3 ( 30...Rxh3 ) 31.Bxc7 Rxa4 32.Rc1 Bg7 33.Bd6 Bxf6 34.Nxf6 Nf4 {leaves White's position rather lose.} ( 34...Bxc4 {is also good.} ) ) 30...Bg7 {Now a forced line goes} 31.Bxa5 Rxh3 32.f3 Rh2 33.Bc3 ( 33.Bxc7 $4 {loses a piece due to} 33...Bxf6 ) 33...Re2+ 34.Kd3 Rh2 35.a5 ( 35.Ke4 ) 35...Bxf6 36.exf6 Bxd5 37.cxd5+ Kxd5 38.Bd2 ( 38.a6 $4 Nf4+ 39.Ke3 Re2# ) 38...Ne5+ 39.Kc3 Rh3 40.a6 Rxf3+ 41.Kc2 Nd7 42.a7 Nb6 43.a8=Q+ Nxa8 44.Rxa8 Rxf6 ) 28.Bxb4 cxb4 29.Nh5 {Now Magnus converters the advantage with an iron grip! The idea is to open up the game after f2-f4.} 29...Kb7 {Or else the king might be under a pin here} ( 29...Rb8 30.f4 gxf4 31.Ndxf4 Nxf4 32.Nxf4 b3 ( 32...Bxc4 $2 33.Rc1 ) 33.Nxe6 fxe6 34.Rb1 Rb4 35.Kd3 ) 30.f4 $1 gxf4 31.Nhxf4 Nxf4 32.Nxf4 Bxc4 33.Rd7 Ra6 ( 33...Kc6 34.Rd2 Kb7 35.Rc1 Bb3 36.Rd7 ) 34.Nd5 Rc6 35.Rxf7 Bc5 36.Rxc7+ $1 {The most exact follow up - all the pieces disappear.} 36...Rxc7 37.Nxc7 Kc6 ( 37...Kxc7 38.Rc1 Bb3 39.Rxc5+ Kb6 40.Rb5+ Ka6 41.Kd4 Bxa4 42.Rb8 ) 38.Nb5 Bxb5 39.axb5+ Kxb5 40.e6 b3 41.Kd3 Be7 42.h4 a4 43.g5 hxg5 44.hxg5 a3 ( 44...Bxg5 45.Re5+ ) 45.Kc3 {And this is where Vishy shook Magnus's hand resigning the match! Congratulations to the new-old champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway and his worthy opponent Vishy Anand of India! Many thanks to both the players for the unforgettable match!} 1-0

[Event "FIDE Grand Prix Tashkent 2014-15"]
[Site "Toshkent"]
[Date "2014.11.02"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "A70"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "6258862087258"]
[EventCountry "UZB"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov.] For the first and last time in this tournament we are going to break the tradition and analyze a draw game instead of a decisive one.} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 {In the decisive round Mamedyarov pays a tribute to his great compatriot Vugar Gashimov. The Benoni took key part in Vugar's opening repertoire and it is quite likely the two Azeri super-GMs have studied the opening together.} ( {Still, the choice of the opening should have been a surprise for Baadur, as I have found only one game in the database - where Shakhriyar chose the Snake Benoni} 5...Bd6 ) 6.e4 ( {Rather surprisingly, the Benoni is also a rare guest in Jobava's games. He had tried here the rare lines after} 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bg5 ( {and also} 7.Qa4+ ) ) 6...g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.h3 {This time the sharp modern line was chosen by Jobava.} 8...O-O 9.Bd3 b5 10.Nxb5 Nxe4 $5 {Many sources consider this option tempting, but inferior. This evaluation might be reconsidered after the game.} ( {Vugar Gashimov preferred instead the main line} 10...Re8 11.O-O Nxe4 12.Re1 a6 13.Na3 Nf6 14.Rxe8+ Nxe8 {Karjakin,S (2721)-Gashimov,V (2730) Baku 2009} ) 11.Bxe4 Re8 12.Ng5 Qa5+ 13.Nc3 Ba6 {Black sacrificed a whole piece but managed to keep the opponent's king in the center. The white pieces are rather lose as well and various threats, like the simple pawn pushes h7-h6 and f7-f5 are in the air.} 14.Bd2 Nd7 $1 {Development above all!} ( {Bad are} 14...h6 15.Ne6 $1 fxe6 16.dxe6 Rxe6 17.Qg4 ) ( {and} 14...f5 15.Ne6 fxe4 16.Nxe4 ) 15.Qc2 Rab8 $1 {Once again Shakh neglects material in favor of pure energy.} ( {A tempting alternative is} 15...Ne5 16.O-O-O f5 17.f4 Nc4 18.Bd3 Nxb2 $1 19.Kxb2 {in conjunction with the computer blow} 19...Re3 {The key idea of the line is} ( {Instead} 19...Bxd3 20.Qxd3 {left Black with no counterplay in Murali Krishnan,B (2412)-Turov, M (2624) Mumbai 2010} ) 20.Bxe3 Rb8+ 21.Kc1 Qa3+ 22.Kd2 Rb2 ) ( {Once again regaining the piece seems insufficient:} 15...f5 16.Ne6 fxe4 17.Nxe4 Qb6 18.Bc3 Bh6 19.Bd2 Ne5 20.Bxh6 Qb4+ 21.Bd2 {1-0 (21) Ulibin,M (2523)-Munoz Pantoja,M (2459) Montcada 2013} ) 16.O-O-O Ne5 {This whole line was mentioned in a recent book on the Benoni by GM Petrov. The evaluation is a clear plus for White on the account of the game below.} 17.Rhe1 {The most natural move is a novelty. "I understood that Shakhriyar is very well prepared and decided to play safe."- Jobava} ( {The only predecessor saw} 17.Na4 Qd8 18.Rde1 f5 19.f4 fxe4 20.fxe5 Bd3 21.Qd1 Bxe5 {and even though White managed to win later it is quite obvious that Black has at least clear compensation for the piece, Bern,I (2590)-Olafsson,H (2545) Sweden 1994} ) 17...Rec8 $1 {The idea is to meet the threat Nc3-a4 with the next move.} ( {The main problem for Black now is that he cannot play actively with the knight} 17...Nc4 18.Bd3 Rxe1 19.Rxe1 Rxb2 20.Re8+ Bf8 21.Qxb2 ( 21.Qa4 $1 {looks also very strong.} ) 21...Nxb2 22.Bxa6 {and the players agreed that White has too much material for the queen.} ) 18.Na4 Rb4 $1 {"I was chocked when you played this as I thought I was winning," said Baadur to his opponent at the press conference. "Yes, but after..."} 19.f4 {"The only move" - Shakh.} 19...Nc4 20.Bf5 $1 {..."I remembered something- my analysis", said Shakh. "Now White is either winning, or losing."} ( {One of the lines where White is losing arises after the natural capture} 20.Bxb4 $2 cxb4 21.Bd3 b3 $1 22.axb3 Bxb2+ $1 23.Nxb2 Qa1+ 24.Qb1 Na3+ ) 20...Rcb8 {This time this is an only move for Black.} ( {Bad is} 20...gxf5 21.Qxf5 Qxa4 22.Qxf7+ Kh8 23.Bc3 {as it is White who is mating.} ) ( {And also} 20...Nxd2 21.Bxc8 {wins simply for White.} ) 21.Bxb4 Qxb4 22.a3 ( 22.Qb3 $5 gxf5 ( 22...Bb5 23.Qxb4 cxb4 24.Bc2 ) 23.Qxb4 ( 23.Re7 Bb5 24.Nc3 Nxb2 25.Qxb4 cxb4 26.Nxb5 Nxd1 27.Nxd6 Bf8 28.Rxa7 Bxd6 29.Kxd1 Bxf4 30.Nxf7 ) 23...cxb4 {followed by Ba6-b5. "I did not like this as the bishop on g7 is very strong"- Jobava.} 24.Re7 Bb5 25.Rxa7 Bxa4 26.Rxa4 Nxb2 27.Ra6 ( 27.Ra7 ) ) 22...Nxa3 $1 {Missed by Jobava.} ( {White was hoping for} 22...Qa5 {although it seems as the players were seeing ghosts in the post mortem:} 23.Bd3 $2 ( {Probably White should go for the wild complications after} 23.b3 Nxa3 24.Qd2 Qb5 25.Qe3 gxf5 26.Nxf7 Qxa4 $5 27.Nh6+ ( 27.bxa4 Rb1+ 28.Kd2 Rb2+ 29.Kc1 Rc2# ) 27...Bxh6 28.Qg3+ Kf7 29.Re7+ Kxe7 30.Qh4+ Kd7 31.bxa4 {when nothing is clear as usual in this game.} ) 23...Nxb2 24.Nxb2 Qxa3 ( {None of them mentioned the simple move} 24...Bxb2+ {after which it is Black who is winning:} 25.Qxb2 Rxb2 26.Kxb2 Bxd3 27.Re8+ {or else the rook on e1 is hanging} 27...Kg7 28.Rxd3 Qb5+ $1 ) 25.Bxa6 Bc3 26.Rd3 {and even in this line White is not winning, say} 26...Qa1+ 27.Qb1 Bxb2+ 28.Kc2 Qa4+ 29.Kd2 Bc3+ 30.Kxc3 Rxb1 31.Rxb1 Qxa6 {and the active queen is capable of miracles when the opponent's king is not safe.} ) 23.bxa3 Qxa3+ ( {Better than} 23...Qxf4+ 24.Rd2 ( 24.Qd2 $2 Qxa4 ) 24...Qxg5 25.Bd3 c4 26.Bxc4 Rc8 ( 26...Qg3 $5 {is still unclear!} ) 27.Bxa6 Rxc2+ 28.Kxc2 {with the idea} 28...Qh4 $2 29.Re8+ ) 24.Kd2 Qg3 $1 {"Once that I found this move I thought it is great for me. I have no rook, no knight, but that is OK!" - Mamedyarov.} 25.Rb1 $1 {Baadur trades the active black rook and saves the game.} ( 25.Re4 gxf5 ) 25...Qxf4+ 26.Kd1 Rxb1+ 27.Qxb1 Qd4+ 28.Kc1 Qf4+ 29.Kd1 gxf5 {Shakh tries his last chance for a win.} ( {The Azeri GM did not like the endgame after} 29...Qxa4+ 30.Qc2 Qd4+ 31.Qd2 Qxd2+ $6 ( {Here too Black can force a draw if he likes} 31...Qa1+ 32.Qc1 Qd4+ ) 32.Kxd2 gxf5 33.Re8+ Bf8 34.Nxh7 ) 30.Re8+ Bf8 31.Nxc5 $1 {Once more a very precise decision.} ( {The position remains equal after} 31.Rxf8+ Kxf8 32.Ne6+ fxe6 33.Qb8+ Kg7 34.Qxa7+ Kf6 35.Qxa6 Qd4+ 36.Ke1 Qxd5 37.Nc3 {but it is definitely much easier to play here as Black!} ) 31...Qd4+ 32.Kc1 Qxc5+ 33.Qc2 Qg1+ 34.Qd1 Qc5+ 35.Qc2 Qg1+ 36.Qd1 Qxg2 {The last try.} 37.Qh5 ( 37.Nxh7 Kxh7 38.Rxf8 Qxh3 39.Rxf7+ Kg6 {would be once more easier to play as Black, albeit drawish.} ) 37...Qg1+ {Due to the mating threats Black is forced to give the perpetual. One of those draws we would be happy to see more often!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World Youth U-16 Chess Olympiad 2014"]
[Site "Gyor"]
[Date "2014.12.14"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Karthikeyan, Murali"]
[Black "Nikitenko, Mihail"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2497"]
[BlackElo "2379"]
[ECO "B84"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8251705935434"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Belarus"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "BLR"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov] For Murali Karthekeyan Gyor will remain a special place in his memory. Thanks to his strong and consistent play he managed to overstep the 2500+ rating mark and became India's next grandmaster!} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.a4 e6 7.Be2 b6 {A risky line in the Scheveningen is chosen by Nikitenko. Black wants to complete the development on the queenside first which is a very common idea in the Sicilian, but this delays the development.} ( 7...Be7 {remains the most reliable option for Black.} ) 8.Bf3 {Already creating the threat e4-e5.} 8...Nfd7 ( {Black usually tries to solve the problem of the long diagonal by removing the rook} 8...Ra7 {Still, White can try to make use of the rook maneuvers, for example} 9.Be3 Rc7 10.a5 b5 11.O-O Be7 12.Ndxb5 $5 axb5 13.Nxb5 Ba6 14.Nxc7+ Qxc7 15.Re1 {Petrik,T (2512)-Bokros,A (2439) Banska Stiavnica 2013} ) 9.O-O ( {The immediate} 9.e5 {is less accurate as after} 9...d5 {the pawn on e5 hangs.} ) 9...Bb7 10.e5 $1 {White will be very happy to open up the game for his better mobilized pieces.} 10...d5 $1 {Forced as the preliminary trade of the bishops will allow} ( 10...Bxf3 11.Qxf3 d5 12.Nxd5 $1 exd5 13.Qxd5 Ra7 14.e6 $1 {with powerful attack.} ) 11.Bg4 {Diagram [#] A powerful novelty that might put the whole line into the archive! Karthikeyan will sacrifice the bishop on the most vulnerable square in Black's camp- the e6 one. No matter what Black plays!} ( {The timid} 11.Re1 Be7 12.Bf4 Nf8 13.Bg3 Ng6 14.Bg4 Nc6 {allowed Black a chance to regroup nicely in Moroz,A (2410)-Agrest,E (2485) Katowice 1992} ) 11...Nxe5 ( {Equally bad is} 11...Nc6 12.Bxe6 $1 fxe6 13.Nxe6 Qc8 14.Nxd5 {when Black should not survive.} ) 12.Bxe6 $1 {Following the opening concept and Morphy's advice: "When better in development, open files!"} 12...Bc5 {Nikitenko did not dare to accept the sacrifice.} ( {Indeed, after} 12...fxe6 {White has a pleasant choice of attacking continuations} 13.f4 ( {Or} 13.Qh5+ Ng6 14.Nxe6 Qh4 15.Qf5 Qf6 16.Qh3 Kf7 17.Re1 ) 13...Ng6 14.Nxe6 Qc8 15.f5 {in both cases with a super powerful attack. The knight on e6 is a monster which prevents the black king from castling on either side.} ) 13.Bxd5 $1 {Murali insists on sacrificing the bishop!} ( {Basically, there was no need of this as} 13.Re1 O-O 14.Bh3 {is already slightly better for White, but the move in the game is more enterprising. And strong!} ) 13...Bxd5 14.Nf5 Be6 {The bishop hopes to block the e file.} ( 14...Bb7 15.Nxg7+ Ke7 16.Qh5 {is also great for White.} ) 15.Nxg7+ Ke7 16.Qh5 {The point of Murali's play. In return for his piece he has two pawns, two open files for the rooks and plenty of diagonals for his pieces.} 16...f6 ( {Or} 16...Nbc6 17.Ne4 f6 18.Nxe6 Kxe6 19.Nxc5+ bxc5 20.f4 {when the central files are wide opened.} ) 17.Rd1 Nbd7 18.Nf5+ $1 {Well calculated. The king is dragged out.} ( {Also good is} 18.Nxe6 Kxe6 {with the remarkable idea} 19.b4 Bxb4 20.f4 Bxc3 21.Ba3 Bxa1 22.f5# ) 18...Bxf5 19.Nd5+ Kd6 ( {There is no way back as} 19...Kf8 20.Bh6+ Kg8 21.Qxf5 {threatens quick mate after Qf5-e6.} ) 20.Qxf5 {A very cool move. Black is helpless.} 20...Kc6 21.b4 Bd6 22.Qe4 $1 {Loads the gun on the long diagonal.} 22...f5 23.Ne7+ Kc7 24.Nxf5 Be7 25.Bf4 {The triumph of Murali's grand attacking strategy. Mihail loses plenty of material on the pins.} 25...Bf6 26.Rd6 Re8 27.Rad1 Ra7 28.Rxd7+ {A great attacking game in the spirit of Morphy and Anderssen. "When in lead of the development, open files!"} ( 28.Rxd7+ Qxd7 29.Rxd7+ Kxd7 30.Qd5+ Kc8 31.Nd6+ ) 1-0

[Event "World Youth U-16 Chess Olympiad 2014"]
[Site "Gyor"]
[Date "2014.12.16"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Vogel, Roven"]
[Black "Khomeriki, Nino"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2401"]
[BlackElo "2141"]
[ECO "A15"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[Beauty "8247679388199"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[WhiteTeam "Germany"]
[BlackTeam "Georgia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GEO"]

{The game that I chose for you is between the teams of Georgia and Germany. The latter is the rating favourite and the player with the white pieces has an advantage of more than 250 Elo points. According to the regulations all the teams should consist of four boys and one girl. Not all of them however stick to this rule. Unfortunately, there are some teams which simply state they have one but she either does not play, or even did not travel with the team... Hopefully this situation will change for good in the next Olympiad because girls are capable of playing great games. Take Nino Khomeriki as an example!} 
1.b3 {Vogel plays the opening in an original way. A quick look at his games revealed that he uses pretty much every opening.} 1...e5 2.Bb2 d6 3.c4 {Now the game transposes into the English opening, or if we put it in another way, the Reversed Sicilian.} 3...Nf6 4.e3 g6 5.d3 Bg7 6.Nf3 O-O 7.Be2 Nbd7 {And this is the reversed King's Indian Attack...} ( {Another interesting plan for Black is} 7...Nc6 8.O-O Ng4 9.Nfd2 f5 10.Bxg4 fxg4 11.Ne4 Qh4 {with active play on the kingside in Delgado Ramirez,N (2619)-Flores,D (2608) Buenos Aires 2010} ) 8.O-O Nh5 {A novelty as early as on move eight. Khomeriki prepares a kingside attack.} ( {Usually Black authomatically replies with} 8...Re8 {with the idea to put the knight from d7 to f8 and then prepare either the central advance d6-d5 or the kingside attack.} ) 9.Nfd2 {The knight steps back from the possible e5-e4 advance and hits the knight.} ( {For example} 9.Nbd2 $2 e4 $1 10.Bxg7 exf3 11.Bxf8 fxe2 12.Qxe2 Nxf8 {and Black wins material.} ) ( {Both} 9.Qc2 ) ( {and} 9.Nc3 {were also possible.} ) 9...Qg5 10.Ne4 {White decided to punish his opponent for her risky play.} ( {But maybe} 10.Nc3 $5 {was more stable} 10...f5 11.Bxh5 gxh5 12.f4 Qh6 13.Nf3 ( 13.Nd5 c6 ) ) 10...Qh4 11.g3 Qe7 $1 {Black sacrifices a pawn for the attack. There was no way back} ( 11...Qh3 $4 12.Bg4 {loses the black queen.} ) 12.Bxh5 gxh5 13.Qxh5 f5 14.Nec3 Nc5 15.Qe2 f4 $1 {In return for the pawn Khomeriki gained some time which she uses it for a quick kingside attack. Having the two bishops is not bad at all either.} 16.exf4 ( {Or else the pawn will advance even further:} 16.Nd2 f3 17.Nxf3 ( 17.Qd1 Nxd3 ) 17...Bg4 ) 16...Bh3 ( {Consistent but perhaps} 16...Qf7 $1 {was more precise. Then if White dares to capture once more} 17.fxe5 Bh3 18.Rd1 ( 18.Re1 Nxd3 $1 ) 18...Bxe5 {will lead to a strong attack for Black. Please, note that} 19.d4 {loses to} 19...Rae8 20.dxe5 Rxe5 {when Qf3-f3-g2 mate is unstoppable.} ) 17.Nd2 ( 17.Re1 {might transpose to the above-mentioned line after} 17...Qf7 ) ( {But} 17.d4 $1 {was a better defense:} 17...Bxf1 18.Kxf1 Ne6 19.Nd5 Qd7 20.dxe5 dxe5 21.Bxe5 {with unclear play.} ) 17...Qd7 $1 {Very good understanding by the Georgian girl! The bishop on h3 is more important in the attack than the rook on f1 and she keeps it.} ( 17...Qf7 {was also good.} ) 18.Nde4 {It is difficult to give good advice to Vogel. He is logically trying to shut the e file.} 18...exf4 19.Nd5 $2 ( {The light-squared bishop can show its teeth in case of} 19.Rfe1 Bg4 $5 20.f3 ( 20.Qf1 Nxe4 21.dxe4 fxg3 22.hxg3 Bf3 $1 ) 20...Nxe4 21.Nxe4 Bxf3 22.Qxf3 Bxb2 {but maybe this was the lesser evil for White.} ) 19...Bxf1 {Now that she has full control of the light squares, Khomeriki takes the rook.} 20.Rxf1 f3 $1 21.Qd2 Nxe4 ( {[} 21...Qh3 {fails to} 22.Ne7+ $1 Kh8 23.Bxg7+ Kxg7 24.Qb2+ Kh6 25.Qd2+ {with a perpetual! - PD]} ) 22.dxe4 Bxb2 23.Qxb2 Qh3 24.Ne3 Rae8 {with the threat to shift the rook along the sixth rank to h6. White is helpless.} 25.Kh1 ( 25.Rd1 Re6 26.Rd5 Rh6 27.Rg5+ Kf7 28.Qg7+ Ke8 ) 25...Re6 26.Qd2 Rh6 27.Qd5+ Kh8 28.Qd4+ Rff6 {The checks are over, so White resigned. Wonderful understanding of the attacking ideas by Nino Khomeriki!} 0-1

[Event "World Youth U-16 Chess Olympiad 2014"]
[Site "Gyor"]
[Date "2014.12.21"]
[Round "10.3"]
[White "Sevgi, Volkan"]
[Black "Aravindh, Chithambaram VR"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2091"]
[BlackElo "2476"]
[ECO "B22"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Beauty "8251437511689"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[WhiteTeam "Turkey"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "TUR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov and Peter Doggers]} 
1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 e6 8.O-O Be7 9.a3 O-O 10.Qe2 a5 ( 10...Qb6 ) ( 10...Bd7 11.Nbd2 Qc7 12.Qe4 Rad8 13.Re1 Bc8 14.b4 dxe5 15.dxe5 f5 16.Qc2 b5 17.Bxd5 Rxd5 18.Nb3 Bd8 {Looshnikov,N (2480)-Potkin,V (2621) Vladivostok 2014} ) 11.Qe4 a4 12.Bd3 ( 12.Re1 Na5 13.Bd3 f5 14.exf6 Nxf6 15.Qh4 Nb3 16.Bg5 Nxa1 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Qxh7+ Kf7 19.Nc3 Nb3 20.Qh5+ Ke7 21.Nd5+ Kd7 22.Bb5# ) 12...f5 13.exf6 Nxf6 14.Qe2 ( {Predecessor:} 14.Qh4 Ra5 15.Nc3 Rh5 16.Qg3 e5 17.dxe5 Ng4 18.Bc4+ Kh8 19.e6 Nce5 20.Nxe5 Nxe5 21.Be2 Bh4 22.Qe3 Rhf5 {Van Mil,J (2395)-Nieuwenhuis,P (2370) Eindhoven 1986} ) 14...e5 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.Bg5 $2 ( 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Qxe5 Qxd3 ( 17...Bd6 ) 18.Qxe7 Re8 19.Qc5 b6 20.Qc3 ( 20.Qxb6 $2 Ba6 ) 20...Qg6 {followed by Bb7 looks more comfortable for Black but} 21.Qg3 {might just keep the balance.} ) ( 16.Bc4+ Kh8 17.Nxe5 $2 {fails to} 17...Nxe5 18.Qxe5 Ng4 19.Qd5 Qc7 20.g3 Ra5 $1 {with a winning attack.} ) ( 16.Nc3 {or} ) ( 16.Rd1 {should be OK for White.} ) 16...e4 $1 {Immediately decisive.} 17.Bc4+ ( 17.Bxe4 Nxe4 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Re1 Rf4 ) 17...Kh8 18.Nfd2 Nd4 19.Qd1 Bg4 20.f3 ( 20.Qc1 b5 ) 20...exf3 21.gxf3 ( 21.Nxf3 Nxf3+ 22.gxf3 Qxd1 23.Rxd1 Bxf3 ) 21...Nxf3+ 22.Nxf3 Qxd1 23.Rxd1 Bxf3 24.Re1 Bc5+ 25.Be3 Rae8 26.Bxc5 ( 26.Kf2 Ng4+ ) 26...Rxe1+ 27.Kf2 Rxb1 28.Rxb1 Ne4+ 29.Ke3 Nxc5 30.Rf1 Nd7 31.Be6 ( 31.Rxf3 Rxf3+ 32.Kxf3 Ne5+ ) 31...Bc6 0-1

[Event "6th London Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2014.12.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "C90"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[Beauty "5707558613011"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov] After days filled with rapid and blitz action the London Chess Classic treats us with the main dish. We decided to annotate the only decive game for you.} 
1.e4 {Michael Adams is one of the few top players who sticks to this aggressive move mainly.} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 {Good news. Fabiano Caruana prefers play with more pieces on the board. This decision might be influenced by the fact that Adams was revealed as Carlsen's secret weapon in Sochi, where there were plenty of Berlins. Decisive Berlins actually.} 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.d3 {The Anti-Marshall is another good sign for the viewers. Both sides keep their options wide open, even though there is no immediate central clash.} 8...d6 9.c3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.Nbd2 Nc6 12.Nf1 h6 {A small subtlety. Fabiano excludes the option Bc1-g5xf6 after which the white knight from f1 will go to d5 in great comfort (Nf1-e3-d5) . Then White will get a chance to dominate on the light squares, although I know a lot of people who have no fear for this.} 13.Ne3 ( {A more common way is to develop the knight to g3. Here is one recent example:} 13.h3 Re8 14.Ng3 Be6 15.Bb3 Bf8 16.d4 cxd4 17.cxd4 Bxb3 18.axb3 d5 {with counterplay, Vallejo Pons,F (2698)-Zhang,Z (2611) Tromso 2014} ) 13...Re8 {Black's plan is to regroup with Be7-f8, and eventually to fianchettoe it later after g7-g6. The main idea is to carry out the freeing central blow d6-d5.} 14.a4 Be6 15.h3 Bf8 16.Nh2 {The idea is to once more weaken the control on the d5 square with Nh2-g4. Mickey can also go for the kingside attack with Qd1-f3 and Ne3-f5.} 16...b4 {Fabiano comes out with a novelty first. I have the feeling though that the principled move remains d6-d5, for example} ( 16...d5 17.axb5 ( 17.exd5 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 Qxd5 ) 17...axb5 18.Rxa8 Qxa8 19.exd5 Nxd5 20.Neg4 ( 20.Nxd5 {might be better} 20...Bxd5 21.Ng4 {and Black cannot easily expand in the center} 21...f5 {because of} 22.Ne3 Be6 23.d4 $1 ) 20...Nf4 21.Nf3 Ng6 {Spraggett,K (2568)-Sargissian,G (2671) Linares 2013} ) 17.Bb3 {Very logical. Adams takes care of the light squares.} 17...Rb8 18.Bc4 ( {Naturally not} 18.Bxe6 fxe6 {which will support the weak d5- and f5-squares and kill all the white play.} ) 18...bxc3 {Fabiano also plays logically and opens the b-file for his rook. Next comes an excellent resource.} 19.bxc3 d5 $1 {The same old central approach. This time it is tactically supported by the lose position of the c3 pawn.} ( {Weak is} 19...a5 $2 20.Bb5 {when Black will suffer on the light squares till the end of the game.} ) 20.Bxa6 ( {A curious line runs after} 20.exd5 Nxd5 21.Nxd5 Bxd5 22.Bxa6 Qa5 23.Bb5 ( {best as} 23.Bc4 $6 {leads to clear edge for Black after} 23...Bxc4 24.dxc4 Qxc3 ) 23...Rxb5 24.c4 Rbb8 25.cxd5 Nb4 {This was White's best choice.} ) 20...Qa5 21.c4 ( 21.exd5 Nxd5 22.Nxd5 Bxd5 {will transpose to the line from above} ) ( {Adams suspected that he should have preferred} 21.Bb5 Rxb5 22.axb5 Qxa1 23.bxc6 Qxc3 {but this favors Black who has the bishop pair.} ) 21...Qxa6 {Safe and strong.} ( {Another possibility was} 21...d4 22.Bb5 Rxb5 ( 22...dxe3 {is good for White after} 23.Bxc6 exf2+ 24.Kxf2 Red8 25.Bd5 ) 23.cxb5 dxe3 24.bxc6 exf2+ 25.Kxf2 c4 {with a mess.} ) 22.exd5 Bxd5 23.cxd5 Nb4 {The outcome of the central break is positive for Fabiano. He shattered Mickey's central control and now enjoys clear play against White's d-pawns.} 24.Ra3 Nfxd5 25.Neg4 f6 26.Nf1 $1 {White reroutes his pieces to their optimal squares.} 26...Rbd8 {So does Black. The idea is to pile upagainst the d-pawn and capture it in the end.} ( 26...Red8 {might be more accurate.} ) 27.Ng3 c4 {Caruana decided that the time had come to cash in the advantage. However, in hindsight this might not be the most optimal way. He could have been more cautious with} ( 27...Kh8 {when a similar attack would not lead to the same} 28.Nf5 ( 28.Qf3 $2 Nc2 ) 28...Ne7 29.Ngxh6 gxh6 30.Nxh6 Bxh6 31.Bxh6 Qe6 {as White lacks the mighty knight.} 32.Qh5 Qf5 33.Qf7 Qg6 ) 28.Nxh6+ $1 {Superb! Adams needs no second invitation! For the sacrificed piece he will get two pawns and constant threats against the weak black king.} ( 28.dxc4 Qxc4 29.Qb3 Qxb3 30.Rxb3 Ra8 ) 28...gxh6 29.Qg4+ Kh8 ( {Worse is} 29...Kf7 30.dxc4 Ne7 31.Qh5+ Ng6 32.Nf5 {with the threat Ra3-g3} 32...Nd3 33.Rxd3 $1 Rxd3 34.Nh4 f5 35.Qxf5+ Qf6 36.Qxd3 Qxh4 37.Be3 {with a clear advantage.} ) ( {But} 29...Kh7 $1 {was probably better as in the line} 30.dxc4 Ne7 31.Qh5 {the king defends the pawn on h6 and Fabiano will have one tempo to bring the defenders closer:} 31...Qe6 32.Ne4 Ng8 {with an unclear position.} ) 30.dxc4 Ne7 31.Qh5 Ng8 32.Nf5 ( {Adams also had the nice} 32.Bxh6 $1 {after which White wins a third pawn and continues the attack:} 32...Bxh6 33.Nf5 Kh7 $2 ( {Best is} 33...Qe6 $1 34.Nxh6 Rd7 35.Nf7+ Kg7 36.Rg3+ Kf8 37.Nh8 {although White is clearly better here as well.} ) 34.Rg3 {with the threats Rg3-g7+ and Nf5xh6 both followed by Qh5-g6.} 34...Qa7 ( 34...Rd7 35.Nxh6 Nxh6 36.Qg6+ Kh8 37.Qxe8+ ) 35.Nxh6 Nxh6 36.Qg6+ Kh8 37.Qxh6+ Qh7 38.Qxf6+ Qg7 39.Qxg7# ) 32...Qb7 33.Rg3 ( 33.Nh4 $5 {is another way to attack.} ) 33...Qh7 34.Nh4 {Ah! This slows down the attack. Mickey was winning with the beautiful line} ( 34.Re4 $1 Nc6 ( 34...Na2 35.Reg4 Nxc1 36.Rxg8+ Qxg8 37.Rxg8+ Kxg8 38.Qg6+ Kh8 39.Nxh6 Bxh6 40.Qxh6+ Kg8 41.Qxc1 ) 35.Reg4 Nce7 36.Nd6 $3 Rxd6 37.Qxe8 Rd1+ 38.Kh2 h5 39.Rxg8+ Nxg8 40.Qxf8 Rxc1 41.Rxg8+ Qxg8 42.Qh6+ {Needless to say, I am using my computer to find all of these moves.} ) 34...Ne7 {Now Fabiano stabilizes the situation although it remains very delicate for both sides. Black always risks to blunder some material or get checkmated, while White needs to skilfully mount pressure or else he might end up losing slowly.} 35.Ba3 Nbc6 36.Kh2 Bg7 37.Bxe7 Nxe7 38.Rd1 {Both the players are maneuvering skillfully. Instead of the last move, White could have traded some pawns with} ( 38.f4 {which both opens up the position even further and prepares successful defense in the endgame in case something goes wrong.} ) 38...Qg8 39.Rb1 Rb8 40.Rd1 Red8 {Black rejects the repetition of moves.} 41.c5 Rxd1 42.Qxd1 Rb4 $2 {Without the rooks on the board Black's position becomes more vulnerable. He has too many squares to defend and this way the pawns become stronger.} ( {Instead of the move in the game} 42...Qc8 43.a5 f5 {was the a choice} ) ( {while Adams suggested} 42...Rd8 ) 43.Qd7 Rxh4 44.Qxe7 Rd4 ( 44...Rc4 45.a5 {is still difficult for Black.} ) ( 44...Rxa4 $2 {would be a blunder after} 45.Rxg7 Qxg7 46.Qe8+ ) ( {At the press conference commentators Danny King and Lawrence Trent showed the beautiful} 44...Qf8 $2 45.Rxg7 $1 Qxg7 46.Qxg7+ Kxg7 47.g4 $1 {and wins!} ) 45.c6 Qf8 46.Qb7 Rb4 47.Qd7 Rd4 48.Qb7 Rb4 49.Rc3 $1 {It is Mickey's turn to turn the repetition offer down! He risks nothing indeed.} 49...f5 ( {Bad is} 49...Rxb7 50.cxb7 Qb4 51.Rc8+ Kh7 52.b8=Q ) 50.Qd7 Rd4 51.Qe6 Rd6 $1 {Fabiano could not find a satisfactory defense against the pawn promoting plan and sacrifices the piece back for the c-passer.} ( {If} 51...Rd8 52.c7 Rc8 53.a5 {there is seemingly no defense against the march of the a-pawn all the way to a8 which will release the other one.} ) 52.Qxd6 $1 Qxd6 53.c7 e4+ 54.g3 Bxc3 55.c8=Q+ Kh7 56.Qxc3 f4 $1 {The best defense again. Black's only chance is the perpetual check.} 57.gxf4 Qxf4+ 58.Qg3 Qd2 59.Qc7+ $1 {Alas, this defense does not work to the iron grip by Adams. He wins a second pawn by force.} 59...Kg6 60.Qb6+ Kh7 ( 60...Kh5 61.Qe3 $1 ) 61.Qb7+ $1 Kh8 62.Qa8+ $1 Kg7 63.Qxe4 Kf6 ( 63...Qxf2+ 64.Qg2+ {was the point of the previous checks. Now White wins.} ) 64.Qf3+ Kg6 65.Kg2 Qa2 66.Qe4+ Kf6 67.Qf4+ Kg6 68.Qd6+ Kg7 69.Qe5+ Kh7 70.a5 Qg8+ 71.Kh2 Qf7 72.Qe4+ Kg7 73.a6 {An excellent start for Adams who proved once again his perfect understanding of the Ruy Lopez!} 1-0

[Event "6th London Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2014.12.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7218900511752"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Bb4+ 5.Nd2 ( 5.Bd2 {is the more conventional choice but Anish prepared something interesting for the game.} ) 5...O-O 6.Nf3 dxc4 7.Qc2 {A tricky opening line.} ( {Caruana had tested the castling twice. His game with Gelfand saw} 7.O-O b5 8.a4 c6 9.b3 c3 10.Nb1 Bb7 11.Qc2 bxa4 12.Rxa4 c5 13.Nxc3 a5 {with approximately equal chances, Caruana,F (2697)-Gelfand,B (2739) Amsterdam 2010} ) 7...c5 {Anish thought that Mickey was not too familiar with the line. According to my Megabase, this is the third main move.} ( {The main move is} 7...Nc6 {One recent game saw} 8.Qxc4 Qd5 9.O-O Bxd2 10.Qxd5 exd5 11.Bxd2 Re8 12.e3 Bf5 13.Rfc1 Be4 {and Black held the ballance in Belov,V (2625) -Tomashevsky,E (2708) Irkutsk 2010} ) ( {The idea of White's early queen sortie is revealed in the line} 7...b5 8.a4 $1 c6 ( 8...bxa4 9.O-O {is very nice for White who enjoys clear play against the black weak pawns.} ) 9.axb5 cxb5 $2 ( {Black can avaoid the immediate disater but his position will not be enviable after} 9...Qd5 10.b6 Ba6 11.bxa7 Bxd2+ 12.Bxd2 Rxa7 13.O-O {Roiz,M (2579)-Gaprindashvili,V (2415) Warsaw 2005} ) 10.Ng5 {White wins at least the exchange as} 10...Nd5 11.Qxh7# {does not look great for the second player... Giri revealed that a lot of grandmasters have fallen for this idea only to realize in the process the Nf3-g5! resource.} ) 8.dxc5 c3 {It is useful to break the opponent's pawn chain whenever possible.} 9.bxc3 Bxc5 10.O-O Qc7 ( {More natural seems to be the development of the knight} 10...Nc6 {This was played three times by Sergey Tiviakov. Giri mentioned the idea} 11.Ng5 ( {Rather than} 11.Ne4 Be7 12.Rd1 Qa5 13.Nd4 Nxd4 14.cxd4 Bd7 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.Bxb7 Rab8 17.Be4 Ba4 18.Qd2 Qd8 19.Ba3 Re8 20.Bc2 Bxc2 21.Qxc2 Bxd4 {1/2 (21) Riazantsev,A (2621)-Tiviakov,S (2663) Sochi 2007} ) 11...h6 12.Nde4 Nxe4 13.Nxe4 Be7 14.Rd1 Qc7 {although the impression is that Black should be able to gradually equalize. If he did not already.} ) 11.Ne4 {A logical novelty. White clears the road for his pieces.} ( {The only previous game saw the interesting pawn sacrifice} 11.Nc4 $5 {which Tiviakov decided not to accept:} 11...Nbd7 ( 11...Bxf2+ 12.Rxf2 Qxc4 13.Ba3 Re8 14.Ng5 {would lead to sharp, lively play instead.} ) 12.Qb3 e5 13.a4 Rb8 14.Bg5 Re8 15.a5 Bf8 16.Na3 a6 17.Nc4 b5 18.axb6 Nxb6 19.Nxb6 Rxb6 {Kaidanov,G (2540) -Tiviakov,S (2520) Torcy 1991} ) 11...Nxe4 12.Qxe4 Nd7 13.Bf4 {White's lead in the development gives him the advantage.} 13...Bd6 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.Rfd1 Qc7 ( 15...Qc5 {can be answered} 16.Rab1 {when the pawn on c3 is untouchable} ( 16.Qb4 {is not bad either.} ) 16...Qxc3 17.Rbc1 Qa5 18.Rxc8 Raxc8 19.Rxd7 ) 16.Qb4 {Black's main problem is his bishop on c8. If it can come out and reach c6, everything will be fine. But since the white bishop dominates on the long diagonal and the half-open b-file is in White's hands, this is not easy to achieve. That is what Catalan is all about!} 16...Nf6 ( 16...Nc5 17.Nd4 Bd7 18.Nb3 Nxb3 19.axb3 Bc6 20.Qc5 {is a line given by Giri where he believed he wins a pawn. If we go a bit deeper} 20...Qb6 21.Qxb6 axb6 22.Rxa8 Rxa8 23.Bxc6 bxc6 24.Rd6 Rc8 25.f4 {we see that the rook endgame is very unpleasant for Black. The active rook makes the big difference. Still, in hindsight this was probably Black's best chance.} ) 17.Nd4 {Opens the g2-monster and threatens Nd4-b5-d6.} 17...a6 18.Nb3 a5 $6 {An important moment. Adams lures the queen to c5 in order to win a tempo with b7-b6 move and free the bishop. That appears a bit slow though.} ( {Giri was afraid of the typical pawn sacrifice} 18...Nd5 $5 19.Bxd5 exd5 20.Rxd5 Be6 21.Rc5 Qe7 ( 21...Qd7 $5 ) 22.Nd4 Bh3 {For the pawn Black has some play on the light squares and a good bishop. Still, White should be better.} ) 19.Qc5 Qb8 ( {Black loses a pawn in the endgame:} 19...Qxc5 20.Nxc5 Rb8 21.Rab1 b6 22.Rd6 b5 23.a4 b4 24.cxb4 axb4 25.Rd4 ) 20.Rab1 {This increases the pressure along the b file. Mickey will have to sacrifice a pawn to free his position sooner or later. However, Anish missed some counterplay by his opponent.} ( 20.Rd6 $5 {not to allow b7-b6 was also good, for example} 20...Nd7 21.Qa3 Ne5 22.Nd2 Qc7 23.Rb1 {and White dominates.} ) 20...b6 21.Qd6 Nd5 $1 {Or else Black is completely paralized.} ( 21...Qxd6 22.Rxd6 Ra6 ( 22...Rb8 23.Nxa5 ) 23.Nd4 e5 24.Nb5 ) 22.Qxb8 Rxb8 23.Bxd5 exd5 24.Nxa5 {Capturing the more important pawn.} ( 24.Rxd5 Be6 25.Rd2 Rfc8 26.Rc1 b5 27.Nxa5 b4 28.c4 Ra8 29.Nb3 Rxc4 30.Rxc4 Bxc4 {gives excellent drawing chances to Black.} ) 24...Bf5 $1 {Initially missed by Giri when he played Ra1-b1.} 25.Nc6 Bxb1 26.Nxb8 Bxa2 27.Nd7 Re8 28.Nxb6 Rxe2 {Mickey can be happy with his defense so far. He managed to trade a lot of pawns and activate his pieces. Anish tries his best chance} 29.c4 $1 ( {The rook endgame after} 29.Nxd5 Bxd5 30.Rxd5 g6 {should be a draw with precise defense. The most dangerous passer on the queenside in these situations is a pawn on the b-file.} ) 29...Kf8 30.Rxd5 $1 {Giri admitted at the press conference that the position should be objectively a draw "of course" and started producing devilish tricks.} ( {Black holds after} 30.cxd5 Ke7 ( 30...Rb2 31.d6 Ke8 32.d7+ Kd8 33.Rd6 Rc2 {followed by Ba2-e6 and Rc2-c7 is equal as well.} ) 31.d6+ Kd8 32.Rc1 Be6 33.d7 ( 33.Ra1 Ba2 $1 ) 33...Bxd7 34.Rd1 Re7 ) 30...Bb1 ( {The move in the game intended to meet the natural} 30...Re6 {with the nice regrouping} 31.Rb5 $1 Rc6 32.Nd5 {threatening a back-rank mate.} 32...Rc8 33.Rb4 g6 ( {One more trick is seen after} 33...Bxc4 $2 34.Nb6 ) ( 33...Rxc4 34.Rb8+ Rc8 35.Rxc8# ) 34.Ne3 {The pawn is well defended and more importantly, the black bishop is out of the game for very long time, if not for ever.} ) 31.Rd8+ $1 {One more important intermediate check. Anish did not want to allow the bishop a chance to seize the long diagonal.} ( 31.Kf1 Rb2 32.c5 Be4 {and Black will have plenty of counterplay.} ) 31...Ke7 32.Rd1 Bc2 $6 ( {Now} 32...Be4 33.Kf1 Rb2 34.Nc8+ {looks awkward for Black. In the arising time trouble Adams did not dare to go for this line and this was probably a mistake. After} ( 34.Re1 Rxb6 35.Rxe4+ Kd6 {is very close to a draw} ) 34...Kf6 35.Rc1 Ra2 36.c5 Bc6 {Black should be able to hold.} ) 33.Nc8+ {One more nasty intermediate check.} 33...Kf6 ( {White's idea is revealed by the line} 33...Ke8 34.Rd4 Re1+ 35.Kg2 Be4+ $2 36.Rxe4+ Rxe4 37.Nd6+ ) 34.Rd6+ Kg5 ( {The central sqaure is not advisible due to the tricky knight again} 34...Ke5 $2 35.Kf1 Re4 36.f4+ Kf5 37.Rd2 {with the dual threat of a knight fork and the bishop.} ) 35.Kf1 Re8 36.Rd5+ ( 36.Nb6 $5 ) 36...Kf6 37.Nd6 Ra8 38.Ke2 {Giri has made a lot of progress. He centralized his pieces, activated his king and deprived the black pieces from their best squares. It is somewhat unusual to see the bishop dominated by the knight on such an empty board.} 38...Ra1 {A blunder in time trouble.} ( {Both king moves were preferable:} 38...Ke6 39.Nb5 Ke7 ) ( {or} 38...Ke7 39.Ke3 {but in either case it is not certain if Black can survive.} ) 39.Ne8+ $1 {White wins a second pawn and the game.} 39...Kg6 ( 39...Ke7 40.Nxg7 ) 40.Rd6+ f6 41.Rd7 Kh6 42.Nxg7 Ra2 43.Ke3 Ra5 ( {Anish also mentioned the last chance for Black} 43...Ra3+ 44.Kf4 Rc3 {but here too White wins after} 45.Rc7 Bd3 46.Ne6 Rxc4+ ( 46...Bxc4 47.Nf8 ) 47.Rxc4 Bxc4 48.Kf5 ) 44.Re7 Rc5 45.Kd4 Re5 46.Rxe5 fxe5+ 47.Kc3 {A fine win by Giri who used the little details to turn a small advantage into a win!} 1-0

[Event "6th London Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2014.12.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[ECO "C52"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "6393595703304"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 {Wow! The Evans Gambit at the highest possible level! Hikaru supoprts his reputation of a trouble-maker. Some years back he tried the King's Gambit, and now the Evans one. "It is an English opening", Hikaru explained later, "and much better than the King's Gambit." Since the opening is named after the Welsh sea Captain William Davies Evans, the hosts felt quite enthusiastic about it and Nigel Short even joked that Nakamura had already deserved his next year's invitation with this choice.} 4...Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 {On the other hand, Hikaru's opening choice should not be a complete surprive if we recall the player who revived the gambit. Garry Kasparov that is, yes! The following crushing game was played 19 years ago, and the victim was... Anand.} ( 5...Be7 6.d4 Na5 7.Be2 $5 exd4 8.Qxd4 Nf6 $6 ( 8...d6 $5 9.Qxg7 Bf6 10.Qg3 Qe7 ) 9.e5 Nc6 10.Qh4 Nd5 11.Qg3 g6 ( 11...O-O $6 12.Bh6 g6 13.h4 ) 12.O-O Nb6 ( 12...d6 13.Rd1 ) 13.c4 d6 14.Rd1 Nd7 15.Bh6 $1 {and Garry went on to win in a mere 25 moves, Kasparov,G (2805)-Anand,V (2715) Riga 1995. We should not forget that Nakamura worked with Kasparov some years back. Vishy on his turn mentioned at the press conference that he had looked at the Evans recently.} ) 6.d4 d6 7.Qb3 Qd7 8.dxe5 Bb6 9.a4 {"This got me slightly off-line" - Vishy. Indeed, this is quite a rare move and the majority of the games continued instead} ( 9.Nbd2 {One recent example saw} 9...dxe5 10.Ba3 Na5 11.Qb4 c5 12.Qb2 Nxc4 13.Nxc4 Qe6 14.Nfxe5 Nf6 15.Qb5+ Nd7 16.Rd1 a6 17.Qb3 Bc7 18.Nd6+ Bxd6 19.Qxe6+ fxe6 20.Nxd7 Bxd7 21.Rxd6 {with pressure for White in Najer,E (2664)-Melkumyan,H (2649) Germany 2012 but Black has plenty of scope for improvement.} ) 9...Na5 {The light-squared bishop is a beast and should be traded at once!} 10.Qa2 Nxc4 11.Qxc4 Ne7 ( {Please note that the pawn is untouchable} 11...dxe5 12.a5 {and this is one of the ideas behind the a2-a4 push.} ) 12.exd6 ( {If} 12.O-O {then} 12...d5 {is possible and the players agreed there is no problem at all for Black.} ) 12...cxd6 13.O-O ( {There is a predecessor:} 13.a5 Bc7 ( 13...Bc5 $5 {can transpose to the game} ) 14.O-O O-O 15.Rd1 Nc6 16.Be3 Re8 17.Qd5 {with some pressure for White in Spiegel,W (2363)-Koegeler,A (2242) corr. 2010} ) 13...O-O {Vishy decided to make sensible and solid moves first and not take unnecessary risk.} ( {Black cannot easily clarify the situation in the center as he risks to get stuck with the king in the middle:} 13...d5 14.exd5 Qxd5 15.Qe2 Be6 16.Rd1 Qa5 17.Ba3 ) 14.Qd3 Ng6 ( {There was a second route for the knight:} 14...Nc6 {and from here the knight will stop all the a4-a5 ideas. Black is comfortable after} 15.Na3 {(Nakamura)} 15...Ne5 16.Nxe5 dxe5 17.Qxd7 Bxd7 18.Nc4 Bc7 19.Ba3 Rfc8 {The players briefly discussed this position and I tend to agree with Anand who was optimistic about Black's chances. He has the bishop pair and a better pawn structure and it is Nakamura who needs to prove equality.} ) 15.a5 Bc5 16.Be3 {White wants to attack the d6-pawn and needs the bishops off the board.} 16...Re8 {Vishy plays in a very classical way and prepares the d6-d5 advance.} ( 16...Qe7 17.Nbd2 Ne5 {looks OK for Black as well.} ) 17.Nbd2 Bxe3 18.Qxe3 d5 19.Rfe1 dxe4 20.Nxe4 {The weak isolated pawn disappeared but White has the initiative. He threatens now Ne4-f6!} 20...Qe7 ( {There is a second defensive way} 20...Re7 21.Qd4 Qxd4 22.Nxd4 Be6 {when Black solves the problem of the bishop development.} ) 21.Nd6 Qxe3 22.fxe3 Rd8 {The white pawns are a mess but since Black did not finish his development there are various problems along the open d- and half-open b-file.} ( {Hikaru thought that} 22...Re6 {is the easier equalizer:} 23.Rad1 Ne5 24.Nb5 Nxf3+ 25.gxf3 Rg6+ 26.Kf2 Bh3 ) 23.Red1 Rb8 24.Rd4 ( {In case of} 24.c4 {Anand intended} 24...b6 25.a6 Ne7 $1 {with the idea Ne7-c6. The knight defends the a7 pawn and further intends Nc6-a5 to win the a6 one.} 26.Ne5 f6 ) 24...Be6 {The bishop is out and it is time for White to take care of the balance.} 25.c4 b6 26.axb6 axb6 27.Ra7 h6 28.h3 Ra8 29.Rb7 Rdb8 30.Rc7 {Nakamura keeps the active rook on the board.} 30...Ra5 $1 31.Kh2 Rc5 32.Ra7 Kf8 33.g4 Ra5 {Vishy forces the draw.} ( {He could have tried to play a bit further with} 33...Ne7 $5 {Indeed, he is not risking at all thanks to his better pawn structure. At least until Hikaru starts shooting tactics} 34.Rf4 {"I would have played for tricks" - Nakamura.} 34...Nc8 35.Nd4 {Looks very scary for Black, but he has at least two good replies} ( {Instead} 35.Nxc8 {forces a draw} 35...Rbxc8 36.Rb7 Rxc4 37.Rxb6 ) 35...Bxc4 $1 {(Anand)} ( 35...Nxd6 $2 36.Nxe6+ Kg8 37.Nxc5 ) ( 35...Nxa7 36.Nxe6+ Ke7 37.Nxc5 Kxd6 ) 36.Nxc4 Nxa7 37.Ne6+ Kg8 38.Nxc5 bxc5 {and Black wins a pawn.} ) 34.Rc7 {Nakamura cannot avoid the repetition.} ( 34.Rxa5 bxa5 ) 34...Rc5 35.Ra7 ( 35.Rxc5 bxc5 36.Rd3 Rd8 ) 35...Ra5 36.Rc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "6th London Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7697789358602"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 {After the fascinating Evans Gambit Hikaru switches to the semi-closed openings. Which does not mean that he is up for a lenghty maneuvering battle...} 1...Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Qc2 {The words with which Hikaru described his game in the opening are fun to listen to: "Well, I do not know, it was interesting, I kind of just played something..."} ( {The usual continuation is} 5.Nc3 h6 6.Bh4 O-O 7.e3 Ne4 {and this was played by Nakamura himself with the black pieces recently:} 8.Bxe7 Qxe7 9.Rc1 c6 10.Bd3 Nxc3 11.Rxc3 dxc4 12.Rxc4 Nd7 13.O-O e5 {Aronian,L (2801)-Nakamura,H (2786) Antalya 2013} ) 5...h6 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.e3 c5 {Adams felt tempted to use the absence of the white knight on c3 and strike in the center at once. As it turns out, this attempt is premature and the American GM has done his homework well.} ( {Instead} 7...O-O {would have transposed into the usual QGD} 8.Nc3 b6 {and also} ( 8...c5 ) ( {or} 8...c6 {are normal continuations} ) 9.O-O-O $5 Bb7 10.cxd5 exd5 {with interesting play.} ) 8.cxd5 cxd4 9.Bb5+ {The forced play is favorable for the first player who is slightly better developed.} 9...Bd7 10.dxe6 $1 {A nice temporary piece sacrifice, which was part of Nakamura's preparation.} ( 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.dxe6 Qxe6 12.O-O Nc6 13.exd4 O-O $1 {is nothing for White.} ) 10...Qa5+ ( {The bishop on b5 is defended tactically:} 10...Bxb5 11.exf7+ Kd7 {or else White regains the piece at once} ( 11...Ke7 12.Qc5+ ) ( 11...Kf8 12.Qc5+ ) ( 11...Kxf7 12.Qb3+ ) 12.Qf5+ Kc6 13.a4 Ba6 14.b4 {and White will regain the material and will have strong attack fro free.} 14...dxe3 15.b5+ Kb6 16.Ra3 exf2+ 17.Kxf2 ) 11.Nbd2 Qxb5 ( {Hikaru revealed at the press conference that he mainly checked the line} 11...Bxb5 12.Qc8+ Qd8 ( 12...Bd8 13.exf7+ Kxf7 14.Qxb7+ Bc7 15.Nxd4 $1 {loses heavily material for Black.} ) ( {Nigel Short was very excited to play in "immortal style"} 12...Ke7 13.Qxh8 ( 13.Qxb7+ Kxe6 {is unclear, to say at least...} ) 13...Nd7 14.Qxa8 Nc5 15.Qc8 Nd3+ 16.Kf1 Nf4+ 17.Nc4 {"And that's the end of the excitement." - Short} ) 13.Qxb7 O-O 14.Qxb5 {The key move pointed out by Hikaru. Indeed, the rook is poisoned} ( 14.Qxa8 $2 dxe3 15.fxe3 Qd3 16.exf7+ Kh8 17.Kf2 Qe2+ 18.Kg3 Bc6 19.Qxa7 Be5+ 20.Kh3 Bd7+ 21.g4 Rxf7 {with a decisive attack for Black:} 22.Nxe5 Bxg4+ 23.Nxg4 Rxa7 ) ) 12.exd7+ Nxd7 13.Qe4+ Kf8 14.Nxd4 Qxb2 15.Rb1 Qxa2 16.Qxb7 {All these moves were more or less forced. Now a curious situation arises where it becomes evident that Black will sooner or later lose his a-pawn and there will be an endgame four versus three on the kingside. Whether this will be a win for White or a draw will depend on the remaining pieces and the pawn structure. For example, very good for White will be a pure knight endgame which a theoretical win. Very good for Black will be a single rook endgame which is usually a draw. A critical moment has arisen and Mickey has to make a tough choice.} 16...Rd8 ( 16...Rb8 $1 {suggested by Hikaru was better. After} 17.Qxd7 Rxb1+ 18.Nxb1 Qxb1+ 19.Ke2 Qb2+ ( {Black cannot win the rook due to a cunning checkmate:} 19...Qxh1 $4 20.Qc8+ Ke7 21.Nf5# ) 20.Kf3 g6 21.Qxa7 Bxd4 22.Qxd4 {Black will achieve one of the good combinations of pieces when the game should be objectively a draw.} 22...Qb7+ 23.Kg3 Kg8 24.Ra1 Kh7 25.Ra7 Qb8+ {"should be a draw" - Nakamura, Short.} ) 17.Qb4+ ( {Initially Nakamura wanted to play} 17.Nc6 {but then he thought he is losing after} 17...Nc5 $1 18.Qb4 Kg8 19.O-O Na6 {"I completely missed this move." (Hikaru)} 20.Qg4 h5 {A closer look at the position reveals that it is a draw:} 21.Qh3 Rxd2 22.Qc8+ Kh7 23.Qf5+ Kg8 ( {Black cannot avoid the repetition with} 23...Kh6 $4 24.Rb5 ) 24.Qc8+ ) 17...Kg8 18.O-O {Now logically the endgame in question appears on the board.} 18...a5 19.Qc3 Qd5 20.Qc7 Nf8 21.Rb5 Qd7 22.Qxd7 Rxd7 23.N2f3 Bxd4 24.Nxd4 Ne6 {This weakens the pawn structure but the knight is a trouble-maker and should be traded.} ( {The pawn can never be saved:} 24...Ra7 25.Ra1 a4 26.Rb4 a3 27.Rb3 a2 28.Rb2 ) 25.Nxe6 fxe6 26.Rxa5 Kf7 27.g4 $1 {White's plan is to advance the h pawn to h5, bring the king to g3, eventually attack the e6-pawn with both rooks (on a6 and e5 for example) and then push f2-f4 and g4-g5. Nakamura thought that he had decent winning chances with all rooks still on the board and considered the position a draw with a single pair of rooks.} 27...Rc8 {It should be noted though that Vishy Anand's classical knowledge and excellent memory gave us a good example to study and understand the arising endgame. He mentioned the game Karpov-Hort, Waddinxveen 1979 (analysed deeply by Jan Timman in one of his books) where the 12th world champion managed to win a similar endgame with only one pair of rooks!} ( {From the comment above, Nakamura suggested the idea} 27...Rhd8 28.h4 ( {and he thought he needs to keep the two rooks alive with the passive} 28.Raa1 ) 28...Rd1 29.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 30.Kg2 ) 28.Rb1 Rc2 ( {Or else White improves the position as above} 28...Rdc7 29.Kg2 Rd7 30.h4 Rdc7 31.h5 Rd7 32.Kg3 Rdc7 33.Rbb5 Rd7 34.f4 ) 29.Ra8 Rc4 30.h3 h5 $2 {A blunder. Passive defense was more stubborn.} 31.gxh5 Rh4 32.Rh8 Kf6 ( {Alas, the pawn is untouchable:} 32...Rxh3 $2 33.Kg2 Rh4 34.f4 {"The rook is inboxed" - Nakamura.} 34...Rd5 35.Rb7+ Kf6 36.Rf8# ) 33.Kh2 $1 {Diagram [#] The g file decides the battle.} 33...Rd5 34.Rf8+ Ke7 35.Rf3 Rf5 ( {Black loses a second pawn after} 35...Rhxh5 36.Rb7+ Rd7 37.Rxd7+ Kxd7 38.Rf7+ ) 36.Rxf5 exf5 37.Rg1 Kf6 38.Rg6+ Kf7 39.Rg5 Kf6 ( 39...f4 40.Rf5+ Ke6 41.Rxf4 ) 40.f4 {The rook is lost, so Adams resigned. A very nice example of a nice opening preparation leading to an advantage that lasted till the endgame!} 1-0

[Event "6th London Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2014.12.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7904082001927"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {I can almost hear the sigh of disbelief from Anand's admirers when the Berlin appeared on the board. It has the reputation of a very solid and drawish opening but like I mentioned this many times already, it is also played for a win at the highest level.} 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.h3 Ke8 {Vishy had tried many sublines in the Berlin and today he opted for the "modern" positioning of the king.} 10.Nc3 h5 11.Rd1 {I read somewhere that Mickey was the secret Anti-Berlin weapon for Magnus Carlsen in the WCC in Sochi this year.} ( {Adams deviates from a game that was played less than a month ago:} 11.Ne2 b6 12.Rd1 Ba6 13.Nf4 Bb7 {This was an excellent novelty which solved Black's problems at once.} 14.e6 Bd6 15.exf7+ Kxf7 16.Ng5+ Kf6 17.Ne4+ Kf7 18.Ng5+ Kf6 19.Ne4+ Kf7 20.Ng5+ {1/2 (20) Carlsen,M (2863)-Anand,V (2792) Sochi 2014} ) 11...Be7 12.g3 b6 13.a4 Bb7 {Curiously, it is once again Anand who produces a novelty and once again it is the Bb7 move!} ( {Previously} 13...a5 {had been played by a great expert of the Berlin Ending:} 14.Bf4 Rg8 15.Ng5 Bb7 16.Rd3 Ba6 17.Rd2 Rd8 18.Rad1 Bc8 19.Kh2 Rxd2 20.Rxd2 Bd8 {Efimenko,Z (2689)-Bacrot,E (2705) Germany 2012} ) 14.a5 ( {The generally desirable trade of the dark-squared bishops allows a fine square for the black king:} 14.Bg5 Bxg5 15.Nxg5 Ke7 ) 14...c5 {Vishy believes that the pawn thrust is not dangerous and that the long diagonal is of a greater importance.} 15.Nd5 Bd8 ( {The curious pawn sacrifice} 15...Rd8 16.Nxc7+ Kf8 17.Rxd8+ Bxd8 {where the two white knights are hanging is not that appealing once that Black spots the line} 18.axb6 axb6 19.Ne1 Bxc7 20.Ra7 $1 ) 16.Bg5 ( {However Mickey could have tried} 16.c4 $5 {at once with his knight controlling the d4 square.} ) ( {Nothing gives} 16.axb6 axb6 17.Rxa8 Bxa8 ) 16...Rf8 $1 {"This move was very important and I still have that counterplay along the diagonal if he takes the pawn." - Anand} ( {The former world champion was also considering} 16...Bxd5 17.Rxd5 Bxg5 18.Nxg5 Ke7 {but he was not sure that the pawn sacrifice will be sound after} 19.Rad1 ( {However, there was also the typical central strike} 19.e6 $1 fxe6 20.Re1 {with the tactical point} 20...Kf6 21.Rxe6+ Kxg5 22.f4# ) 19...Rhd8 ( 19...Nd4 20.c3 $1 {wins for White} ) 20.Rxd8 Rxd8 21.Rxd8 Kxd8 22.Nxf7+ Ke7 {Sometimes this is enough for equality stated Anand, but maybe not here, for instance} 23.Ng5 Nd4 24.c3 Ne2+ 25.Kf1 Nc1 26.a6 $1 ( 26.axb6 cxb6 $1 ) 26...Nd3 27.f4 Nxb2 ( {Or} 27...h4 28.Ke2 c4 29.gxh4 Nxf4+ 30.Ke3 Nd3 31.Nf3 Nxb2 32.Nd4 ) 28.Ke2 ) 17.c4 {Vishy did not like this move as it weakens the d4 square. This is an excellent outpost for the black knight.} ( {If White wants equality he could go for} 17.Bxd8 {but Adams was still hoping for something more.} 17...Bxd5 18.Rxd5 Rxd8 19.Rxd8+ Kxd8 20.axb6 axb6 21.Ra8+ Ke7 ) 17...Bxd5 18.Rxd5 ( {Nobody mentioned the other capture} 18.cxd5 $5 {but my feeling is that it was good for White thanks to this little tactics} 18...Bxg5 19.axb6 $1 {and if Black keeps the bishop} 19...Be7 ( 19...cxb6 {might be better but now Black will not be able to undermine the white pawn center with c7-c6 like in the game.} 20.Nxg5 Nd4 21.Kg2 ( 21.f4 $5 ) 21...f6 22.exf6 gxf6 23.Re1+ Kd7 24.Ne6 ) 20.bxc7 {he is definitely in trouble. Just look at the white pawn mass in the center!} ) 18...Bxg5 19.Nxg5 Ke7 {Now Black equalizes and starts thinking of something more.} 20.Kg2 ( {This time} 20.Rad1 {does not work because of} 20...Nd4 $1 {as there is no c2-c3 resource.} ) 20...Nd4 21.Rd1 ( {One nice little trick was pointed out by Vishy:} 21.b4 $2 Ne6 $1 {wins a pawn for Black.} ) 21...Rad8 {The knight on d4 holds Black's position together until he trades a pair of rooks. Once that the penetration on the seventh rank is out of the question, Black can start attacking the overexposed pawn(s) on e5 and possibly d5.} ( {Another idea was} 21...c6 22.Rd6 f6 23.Ne4 fxe5 24.Rg6 {"I did not see Black getting anywhere." - Anand} ) 22.Nf3 ( {If} 22.Rxd8 Rxd8 23.axb6 axb6 24.Ne4 {Black can go for the e5 pawn at once:} 24...Ke6 25.Ng5+ Kf5 26.Nxf7 Rf8 ) 22...c6 ( {Vishy was also considering the move} 22...Rxd5 {with the idea to attack the white pawns later, but saw a nice idea for Mickey:} 23.cxd5 Nxf3 ( 23...Nb3 24.axb6 axb6 25.d6+ ( 25.Nh4 ) 25...Kd7 26.Ng5 Nd4 27.dxc7 Kxc7 28.Ra1 ) 24.Kxf3 f6 25.e6 Rd8 26.Ke4 {with the idea of a fast f2-f4-f5, when the undermining move} 26...c6 $2 {fails to} 27.dxc6 $1 Rxd1 28.c7 {and White wins.} ) 23.Rxd8 Rxd8 24.Ng5 ( {The players both agreed that White was holding after} 24.axb6 axb6 25.Rd3 Nxf3 26.Rxd8 Nh4+ 27.gxh4 Kxd8 28.f4 g6 29.Kf3 Ke7 30.b3 Ke6 31.Ke4 b5 32.Kd3 Kf5 33.Ke3 ) 24...b5 ( {The play along the b-file is not fast enough:} 24...bxa5 25.Ne4 Rb8 26.Nxc5 Ne6 {(Anand) and here strong is} 27.Rd7+ $1 Ke8 28.Rb7 ) 25.cxb5 cxb5 {Black has achieved a lot. He has a very strong knight in the center, an active king and a pawn majority on the queenside. It is not pleasant for Adams at all but it was hard to believe that his position will collapse that soon.} 26.Ne4 Nc6 $1 {A nice winning try.} 27.Rxd8 Kxd8 28.e6 $2 {A mistake. Mickey did not trust his kingside pawns and this lost the game for him.} ( {Also dubious is} 28.a6 $6 Nxe5 29.Nxc5 Kc7 ) ( {However} 28.f4 $1 {was strong when White has enough counterplay:} 28...Nxa5 ( {Or} 28...c4 29.Nd6 a6 30.Nxf7+ Kd7 31.Kf3 Nxa5 32.Nd6 ) 29.Nxc5 Kc7 30.e6 $1 {The key move!} 30...fxe6 ( 30...f6 $4 31.e7 ) 31.Nxe6+ Kd6 32.Nxg7 Nc4 33.Nf5+ Kd5 34.Kf3 Nxb2 35.Ne3+ Kd4 ( 35...Ke6 36.Ke4 ) 36.g4 hxg4+ 37.hxg4 {and it should be a draw after say} 37...Nc4 38.Nxc4 Kxc4 39.g5 Kd5 40.g6 Ke6 41.f5+ Kf6 42.Ke4 a5 43.Kd4 b4 ) 28...fxe6 29.Nxc5 Ke7 {It is the activity of the kings that decides.} 30.Nb3 Kd6 31.Kf3 Kd5 32.Kf4 Kc4 33.Nc1 ( {Anand had already seen the win after the more resilent} 33.Nd2+ Kd3 34.Nf3 ( 34.Ne4 e5+ 35.Kf5 g6+ ) 34...b4 ( {Rather than} 34...Nxa5 35.Ne5+ Kc2 36.b4 Nc4 37.Nc6 ) ) 33...Nxa5 34.Kg5 Nb3 35.Ne2 b4 $1 36.Kxh5 a5 {The rook pawns are most unpleasant for the knights and this one is unstoppable! This was the only win for the black pieces at the LCC and it gave the best tiebreak to Vishy Anand who won the tournament!} 0-1

[Event "6th CC Match 2014"]
[Site "London ENG"]
[Date "2014.12.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C"]
[Black "Edouard, Romain"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2661"]
[BlackElo "2659"]
[ECO "A22"]
[EventDate "2014.12.10"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6463409885783"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.c4 {Gawain usually opens with the e-pawn but lately his opening repertoire has evolved and he is playing pretty much everything.} 1...e5 {Romain prefers the reversed Sicilian approach.} 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2 Nb6 6.e3 {A fashionable line with very limitted theory so far. As Gawain is an Accelerated Dragon player this should not come as a surprise for Romain. Moreover, they both have played this line.} 6...Nc6 7.Nge2 Be7 {Black can also develop the other bishop first.} ( 7...Bf5 8.d4 $5 {is considered dangerous for Black.} ) ( {However both} 7...Bg4 ) ( {and} 7...Be6 {are reasonable alternatives.} ) 8.O-O O-O 9.f4 {This is how White usually attacks the center in the Accelerated Dragon.} 9...f6 10.f5 {Closes the center and grabs space on the kingside. These conditions are both needed for a promising flank attack.} ( {White could also proceed with the central play} 10.d4 exd4 11.exd4 Bg4 12.h3 Bh5 13.d5 Bc5+ 14.Kh2 Nd4 15.Qd3 {as in Edouard,R (2664)-Bacrot,E (2705) Villandry 2012} ) 10...a5 11.b3 {A logical novelty. Gawain completes the development before the kingside diversion.} ( {The only predecessor saw} 11.g4 a4 12.d4 {but I suspect that White did not like his bishop here at all and he is improving upon his own play: Jones,G (2648)-Collins,S (2469) Bunratty 2014} ) 11...Bd7 ( 11...a4 $5 {deserves attention.} ) 12.d4 Qc8 {Since White intends to play g3-g4 anyway it made sense to regroup the pieces at once} ( 12...Be8 13.g4 Bf7 ) 13.g4 Rd8 14.Qe1 {The queen is heading to the h4 square. Then the rook will be shifted along the third rank and White will attack on the h-file. All of this is possible thanks to the space advantage.} 14...Be8 15.Ne4 $1 {A nice move which defends the d4 pawn and brings a piece in the attack.} 15...Nd5 $1 {Blocks the long diagonal for good.} ( 15...exd4 {will be answered by} 16.exd4 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 Rxd4 18.Bb2 Rd7 19.g5 {with a strong attack thanks to the central knight. One line goes} 19...fxg5 20.f6 gxf6 21.Nxf6+ Bxf6 22.Rxf6 {and the threats along the a1-h8 diagonal are deadly.} ) 16.Qg3 ( 16.Qh4 {is not that appealing anymore:} 16...exd4 17.Nxd4 Nxd4 18.exd4 a4 $1 ) 16...exd4 17.exd4 {It is better to keep more pieces on the board as White has more space. Next, both sides maneuver.} 17...Qd7 18.Bb2 Kh8 19.a3 Bf7 20.Rad1 Bd6 $6 ( {Edouard should have centralized his troops instead:} 20...Re8 $5 21.N2c3 Rad8 {The center is always a priority in these positions.} ) 21.Qh4 $1 {Gawain grabs the chance to activate the queen.} 21...Qe7 ( {The tactical justification of White's previous move is} 21...Ne3 $2 22.Nxf6 $1 gxf6 23.Qxf6+ Kg8 24.Qg5+ ) 22.Rd3 {Brave and consistent, typical for Gawain! He is not to sacrifice a pawn or two (and I have seen him sacrificing more than that) for the attack.} 22...Bxa3 $6 {Brave and principled as well! Romain challanges the attack and believes in his defensive resources. Objectively speaking though, it is wrong as a key defender leaves the kingside.} ( {I would be tempted to defend my king with} 22...Bg8 ) 23.Bxa3 Qxa3 24.g5 Qe7 25.Nf4 ( {There was another strong move:} 25.Rh3 $1 Bg8 26.gxf6 gxf6 ( 26...Nxf6 27.Nf4 $1 ) 27.N4c3 $1 Nxc3 28.Nf4 $3 Ne2+ 29.Nxe2 Qf7 ( 29...Qxe2 30.Qxf6# ) 30.Bxc6 bxc6 31.Nf4 Rxd4 32.Ng6+ Qxg6+ 33.fxg6 Rxh4 34.Rxh4 ) 25...Nxf4 26.Rxf4 Nxd4 {One more pawn taken and Romain steps on the edge of the abyss.} ( 26...Bg8 $1 {was mandatory:} 27.gxf6 gxf6 28.Qxf6+ ( 28.Nxf6 Rd6 29.Nxg8 Qxh4 30.Rxh4 Rxg8 ) 28...Qxf6 29.Nxf6 {with approximate equality.} ) 27.gxf6 gxf6 28.Nxf6 Ne2+ 29.Kf1 ( {The other retreat was stronger:} 29.Kf2 $1 Bg8 30.Re3 Qc5 31.Nh5 Rf8 32.Qg4 Rf7 33.Qxe2 {and White is winning.} ) 29...Bc4 $5 {An extremely flashy move which deserved him the exclaim. The remaining part of the sign is for the objective value of the move.} ( {This was the last moment to protect the king:} 29...Bg8 $1 30.Rxd8 Rxd8 31.Re4 Qc5 32.Rxe2 Qxf5+ 33.Qf2 Rd1+ 34.Re1 Rxe1+ 35.Kxe1 Qb1+ 36.Ke2 Qb2+ {White keeps the extra piece but since plenty of pawns have disappeared the position should be equal.} 37.Ke3 ( 37.Ke1 Qc1+ 38.Ke2 Qb2+ ) 37...Qxb3+ ( {or even} 37...Qxf2+ 38.Kxf2 Bxb3 ) ) 30.Rxd8+ $1 {Gawain finds the only move. The position is super-complicated.} ( {Naturally White should not play} 30.bxc4 $2 Nxf4 ) ( {The other capture is stronger but enough for a draw only:} 30.Rxc4 Rxd3 31.Re4 Qg7 32.Nxh7 Qa1+ ( 32...Qxh7 $2 33.Qf6+ Qg7 34.Rh4+ Kg8 35.Qe6+ Qf7 36.Rh8+ Kxh8 37.Qxf7 Nf4 38.Qf6+ Kg8 39.Qg5+ ) 33.Kf2 Qg1+ 34.Kxe2 Qd1+ 35.Kf2 Rd2+ 36.Kg3 Rd3+ {with perpetual} 37.Kf2 ( {White has no resource to play for more than a draw} 37.Kf4 $4 Qd2+ 38.Ke5 Rd5+ 39.Ke6 Ra6+ 40.Kf7 Rd7+ 41.Re7 Rxe7+ 42.Qxe7 Qxg2 ) 37...Rd2+ ) 30...Rxd8 31.Rxc4 Rd1+ 32.Kf2 Rd2 33.Qxh7+ {A good practical decision.} ( 33.Be4 {is a move for the computers only.} ) 33...Qxh7 34.Nxh7 Nf4+ 35.Ke3 Rxg2 36.Nf6 {Edouard regained the piece but since his pieces are quite misplaced he is still in trouble. At first Gawain wins a pawn by force.} 36...Kg7 {The only move as after} ( 36...Ne2 37.Rxc7 Rxh2 38.Ng4 Rg2 39.Ne5 {the f-pawn will decide Black's destiny.} ) 37.Ne8+ Kf7 38.Nxc7 Nh5 39.Nd5 b5 40.Rc7+ Kf8 {The extra pawn and the more active pieces should be normally enough for White to win. However, due to the limitted material left on the board Black can still put up strong resistance.} 41.Rc5 b4 42.Rxa5 Rxh2 43.Ra8+ Kg7 44.Ra7+ Kh6 45.Kd4 Kg5 46.Rf7 Rc2 47.Rf8 $1 {White correctly defends the f-pawn which he would have lost in case of} ( 47.Nxb4 Rd2+ 48.Kc3 Rd1 49.Nd3 Nf6 {when a draw is the most likely result.} ) 47...Rc1 48.f6 Rf1 49.Kc5 Rf5 ( {Normally Black should try to trade the knights but the rook endgame after} 49...Nf4 50.Rg8+ Kh4 51.Nxf4 Rxf4 52.Rb8 Kg5 53.Rxb4 Rf5+ 54.Kb6 Rxf6+ 55.Ka5 {seems lost for Black.} ) 50.Kc4 Nf4 51.Rg8+ $1 {A useful intermediate check that drives the king away from the b-pawn.} 51...Kh6 52.Nxf4 {A slight slip before the end.} ( {Gawain misses an instant win with} 52.Ne3 $1 Ra5 ( 52...Rxf6 53.Ng4+ ) 53.f7 Ne6 54.f8=Q+ ) 52...Rxf4+ 53.Kc5 Kh7 54.Rg7+ Kh6 55.Rb7 {The black king is too far away from the pawn and Black has not time for frontal defense. The game was over after} 55...Kg6 ( 55...Rxf6 56.Rb6 $1 ) 56.f7 Kg5 57.Rxb4 Rxf7 58.Re4 Kf5 59.Re8 {An epic battle!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.01.13"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[ECO "E90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7632827981914"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:51:23"]
[BlackClock "0:55:11"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.h3 {An interesting opening choice by Radjabov. According to my Megabase, he had never played the Bagirov line. At least, with White...} 6...e5 ( {I believe that the line} 6...Na6 {is a viable option too. Ding Liren have tried it as well, but has a better percentage with the line that he chose in the game.} ) 7.d5 Nh5 8.g3 f5 {The latest trend in the line. Two more moves are of an interest} ( 8...a5 {which was tried by both Ding Liren and Radjabov} 9.Nh2 Na6 10.Be2 Nf6 11.Ng4 Nd7 12.Nh6+ Kh8 13.h4 Ndc5 14.g4 f5 15.h5 fxe4 16.hxg6 Qf6 {Aronian,L (2797)-Radjabov,T (2734) Beijing 2014} ) ( {And} 8...Qe8 9.Be2 Na6 10.Nh2 Nf6 11.Ng4 Nd7 12.Nh6+ Kh8 13.h4 {Wang,H (2735)-Radjabov,T (2713) Beijing 2013} ) 9.exf5 gxf5 10.Ng5 {As you could see from the previous examples, Radjabov has good experience in this line, but with Black. He had possibly prepared something special for this game.} ( 10.Nh4 {is another interesting move which scores well for White.} ) 10...Qe8 11.Be2 ( {Ding Liren had faced} 11.Bg2 e4 12.O-O Na6 13.Re1 {and here he had gone wild against his compatriot with} 13...Nc5 ( 13...Qg6 $5 {looks safer} ) 14.Nb5 Qg6 15.Nxc7 f4 {Wang,Y (2245)-Ding,L (2718) China 2013} ) 11...Nf6 12.Be3 Na6 13.Qd2 Bd7 14.O-O-O h6 {Ding must have been well prepared for the game as he is the first one to come with a novelty.} ( {The only predecessor came from China:} 14...Nc5 15.g4 b6 16.Rdg1 Kh8 17.Bd1 $1 h6 18.Ne6 $1 Bxe6 19.dxe6 f4 20.Bxc5 dxc5 {and here instead of} 21.Bf3 ( {White could have played} 21.g5 hxg5 22.Bg4 {with strong play on the light squares} ) 21...Rd8 22.Qe2 Qxe6 {which allowed Black time to defend in Le,T (2318)-Ju,W (2500) China 2010} ) 15.Nf3 Nc5 16.Nh4 ( {The computer likes} 16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.Kb1 {but I doubt that a real KID player will give his dark-squared bishop like that, even when playing as White!} 17...e4 {Black has good play on the long diagonal.} ) 16...Nce4 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Qc2 {Despite all the maneuvers with the knights, Black's position remains shaky. The positional threat of g3-g4 which will win all the light squares for White is hard to meet.} 18...Ng5 {Ding tries to clue the king's flank at first.} 19.Bd3 $5 {White lures the pawn to e4. Then, if he gets the time, his g3-g4 break will prove deadly.} ( {Radjabov could have opted for the tempting pawn sacrifice} 19.g4 $5 f4 20.Bd2 e4 21.Nf5 $1 {with the idea} 21...Bxf5 22.gxf5 Rxf5 23.Bg4 Rf8 24.h4 {and strong pressure on the light squares.} ) 19...e4 20.Be2 Rc8 ( {Or else b7-b5 will be ineffective} 20...Rb8 21.Kb1 b5 22.c5 ) 21.Kb1 c5 {with the idea to fix the pawn on c4 and prepare b7-b5.} 22.dxc6 $1 Rxc6 {The first critical moment of the game. Radjabov chose the solid} 23.Qd2 ( {Instead} 23.Ng2 $1 {seemed stronger with the idea to bring the knight on d5 and secure himself of a queenside attack} 23...Be6 ( 23...b5 24.c5 $1 ) 24.Nf4 Bf7 25.Nd5 ) ( {And the immediate} 23.c5 {deserved serious attention with the idea} 23...dxc5 24.Bb5 Rc7 25.Rxd7 Rxd7 26.Bxd7 ( 26.g4 $5 ) 26...Qxd7 27.Bxc5 {in both cases with advantage for White.} ) 23...Be6 $1 {The Chinese GM seizes his chance. By sacrificing a pawn he wins time to start the attack. Who is faster now, that is the question!} 24.Bxg5 hxg5 25.Qxg5 Ra6 $1 ( {Naturally, not} 25...Bxc4 $2 26.Bxc4+ Rxc4 27.Nxf5 ) 26.Rd2 {Teimour decided not to push any pawn, but perhaps} ( 26.a3 {was better.} ) 26...b5 {Ding believes in his lucky start. He could have forced a draw with the spectacular} ( 26...Qa4 27.b3 ( {Or} 27.a3 Qb3 28.Qe7 Rf6 {when a draw is also most likely result after say} 29.g4 Rxa3 30.Nxf5 Bxf5 31.gxf5 Qa2+ 32.Kc1 Qa1+ 33.Kc2 Qxh1 34.bxa3 ) 27...Qxb3+ $1 28.axb3 Ra1+ 29.Kc2 Ra2+ ) 27.Rc1 ( {The pawn is poisoned:} 27.cxb5 $2 Bxa2+ 28.Ka1 Bc4+ 29.bxa6 Qa4+ 30.Kb1 Ba2+ 31.Ka1 ( 31.Kc1 Rc8+ ) 31...Bb3+ 32.Kb1 Qa2+ 33.Kc1 Qa1# ) ( {But} 27.g4 {was strong, with the idea} 27...bxc4 $2 ( {Therefore, Black should settle for} 27...Qd8 28.Qxd8 Rxd8 29.Nxf5 bxc4 {with compensation for a pawn.} ) 28.gxf5 c3 29.fxe6 cxd2 30.Rg1 ) 27...Qf7 28.Ng6 {A step in the wrong direction.} ( 28.b3 {also gives Black plenty of play after} 28...bxc4 29.Bxc4 Bxc4 30.Rxc4 Kh7 ( 30...d5 $2 31.Rc5 ) 31.Ng2 d5 32.Rc5 d4 33.Nf4 d3 {when Black is definitely having more fun.} ) ( {But} 28.g4 $1 {was still possible with sharp and double edged play.} ) 28...Bf6 29.Qh6 $2 {And that is the actual blunder. After the correct} ( 29.Qh5 Rb8 {can be answered} 30.Nf4 $1 {swapping the queens.} ) 29...Rb8 30.Nf4 Bxc4 31.Rxc4 $1 {The best practical chance.} ( 31.Bxc4 bxc4 32.Nd5 Bxb2 33.Rxb2 Rxb2+ 34.Kxb2 Qxd5 35.Qg6+ Kf8 36.Qf6+ Ke8 37.Ka1 Ra3 {should be a win for Black.} ) 31...bxc4 32.Nd5 Bg7 $1 {Ding is alert!} ( {White's idea is revealed in the line} 32...Bxb2 $4 33.Ne7+ $1 Qxe7 34.Bxc4+ ) 33.Qg5 c3 34.Bc4 {This looks very scary for Black but the Chinese GM had calculated everything very well.} 34...cxd2 $1 35.Nf6+ Kf8 36.Nh7+ ( {No time for} 36.Bxf7 d1=Q+ ) 36...Ke8 37.Bxf7+ Kxf7 38.Qxf5+ Kg8 {As a result of the complications Black won material and is close to winning. Radjabov's next move makes things easier for Ding.} 39.Kc2 ( 39.Qe6+ {was more resilent, although} 39...Kxh7 40.Qxe4+ Kg8 41.Qe6+ Kh8 42.Kc2 Rxb2+ 43.Kd1 Rb8 {should win for Black} ) 39...Rxb2+ 40.Kd1 Rb1+ {A very strong flank atack by Ding who correctly estimated that the time is more valuable than the material in this game!} ( {White resigned due to the line} 40...Rb1+ 41.Kxd2 Rxa2+ 42.Ke3 Re1+ 43.Kf4 Rxf2+ ) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.01.15"]
[Round "5.6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7218095195718"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:54:10"]
[BlackClock "0:50:55"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 {The Ragozin line should not have been a surprise for either of the players as they have already tested it twice in Stavanger last year.} 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bxf6 ( {In both their previous games Carlsen chose} 7.Bh4 {when the blitz saw} 7...g5 ( {While in the classical game the Norwegian uncorked a very interesting novelty after} 7...Nbd7 8.e3 g5 9.Bg3 Ne4 10.Nd2 Nxg3 11.fxg3 {Carlsen,M (2881)-Aronian,L (2815) Stavanger 2014} ) 8.Bg3 Ne4 9.Nd2 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Bxc3 11.Rc1 Bb2 12.Rxc7 Na6 13.Rc2 Bxd4 {with compensation for the sacrificed pawn, Carlsen,M (2881)-Aronian,L (2815) Flor &amp; Fjaere 2014} ) 7...Qxf6 8.Qa4+ Nc6 9.e3 O-O 10.Be2 Be6 11.O-O a6 12.Rfc1 Bd6 13.Qd1 {A typical Carlsbad pawn structure has arisen where the plans of both sides are crystal clear. White will conduct the minority attack on the queenside and Black should try and checkmate on the opposite wing.} 13...Ne7 14.a3 ( {White can start maneuvering with the knight at once with} 14.Na4 b6 15.b4 g5 16.Nb2 Ng6 17.Nd3 {but if you have noticed Black already has some play on the kingside, which proved enough to hold the balance after} 17...a5 18.b5 Rfe8 19.Rc3 h5 {in the game Roiz,M (2668)-Tomashevsky,E (2710) Saratov 2011} ) 14...Rfd8 15.b4 Nc8 {The novelty. Black often likes to transfer the knight to c4 in the Carlsbad. By doing this, he blocks the half-open c-file thus protecting the c-pawn itself. If White trades on c4, Black will have a well defended passer on that square.} ( {Black can also proceed with kingside play instead:} 15...Bf5 16.Na4 a5 17.b5 g5 {as Tomashevsky did in the game above, Pogorelov,R (2459)-Garcia Vicente,N (2214) Balaguer 2008} ) 16.Na4 b6 $6 {Levon stopped half-way.} ( {He probably disliked the position after} 16...b5 17.Nc5 Nb6 18.a4 ( {In case of} 18.Nb7 Rdb8 19.Nxd6 cxd6 {the doubled pawn on d6 will cover the vital e5 and c5 points.} ) 18...Nxa4 19.Nxa4 bxa4 20.Rxa4 Rab8 21.Ne1 Bxb4 22.Nd3 {Indeed, there is a strategical risk that Black loses the c-pawn and the game and it is yet hard to asses if this will happen in the next 10-20 moves. But then, what was the move 15...Nc8 for?!} ) 17.Nb2 $1 Ne7 18.Nd3 {White is some tempoes ahead in comparison to Roiz-Tomashevsky and as Carlsen explained in the press conference Black's attempts to create counterplay will create too many weaknesses in his camp. The white knight is optimally placed on d3 both threatening to occupy the e5 square and supporting the b-pawn advance.} 18...Ng6 19.a4 {With the threat of a4-a5 that will also fix a weakness on c7 but will as well make the a6-pawn a target. Levon chooses the lesser evil.} 19...a5 20.b5 {But now the c7-pawn is a permanent pain. This position is very unpleasant for Black. The bishop pair is not particulary strong, on the contrary-in the semi closed positions it is much better to have knights. The pawn on c7 clues the bishop on the d6 square, thus turning the d5 pawn into a weakness.} 20...Re8 21.Rc3 Bf5 22.Rac1 Rad8 ( {Magnus suggested the more subtle} 22...Re7 23.Nd2 Rae8 {which would have saved Black some tempi.} ) 23.Nd2 {Magnus wants to play g2-g3 to kill all the black play on the kingside and bring the bishop to f3.} ( {The immediate} 23.g3 {has a tactical flaw:} 23...Bg4 {and if} 24.Nd2 $2 Bxe2 25.Qxe2 Qxd4 $1 {wins a pawn for the second player (Carlsen).} ) 23...Rd7 ( {The opposite-colored bishops will not bring Black any relief. After} 23...Bxd3 24.Bxd3 Nf8 {or else While will chop this knight off the board.} 25.g3 {Whihte will mount pressure by bringing the bishop on the long diagonal, the rook to c6 and the knight eventually to c3.} ) 24.g3 ( 24.Bg4 {was already interesting.} ) 24...Nf8 25.Bg4 $1 {The trades are favorable for White, who will get an easier access to the d5 pawn.} 25...Nh7 26.Bxf5 Qxf5 27.Qf3 Qg5 ( {In the endgame after} 27...Qxf3 28.Nxf3 {White can put the rook on c6, one of the knights on c3 and the other on f4. Any time Black swaps off the bishop, the c7-pawn will be lost.} ) 28.h4 Qe7 29.Rc6 {Magnus calmly improves his position.} ( {The capture is no good yet:} 29.Qxd5 Ba3 ) 29...Nf6 30.Nf4 g6 $6 {Levon tries to bail out with tactics but as often happens this makes things even worse. Still, it is very hard to suggest something constructive for Black.} 31.h5 $1 ( {As Carlsen pointed out at the press conference, the pawn is not yet yummie} 31.Nxd5 $6 Nxd5 32.Qxd5 Ba3 33.Rxg6+ Kh7 34.Rxh6+ $6 ( {Better is} 34.Rxc7 Rxd5 35.Rxe7 Bxe7 36.Rxb6 {with absolutely crazy position.} ) 34...Kxh6 35.Rc6+ Rd6 ) 31...Kg7 ( {In case of} 31...g5 32.Nxd5 $1 {things work well for White!} 32...Nxd5 33.Qxd5 {The main line runs} 33...Ba3 ( {Or} 33...Bxg3 34.Qf3 ( {There is no need to allow any tactics} 34.Qf5 Bxf2+ 35.Qxf2 Qxe3 36.Qxe3 Rxe3 {although White should be better here as well.} ) 34...Bd6 35.Nc4 {with a strategically won position for White.} ) 34.Qf5 Bxc1 35.Rxh6 $1 {and White checkmates (Carlsen)} 35...Qd8 ( 35...Ba3 36.Qh7+ Kf8 37.Qh8# ) ( 35...Qb4 36.Qxg5+ Kf8 37.Rh8# ) ( 35...f6 36.Qg6+ Qg7 37.Qxe8+ ) 36.Qh7+ Kf8 37.Qh8+ Ke7 38.Qe5+ Kf8 39.Rh8# ) ( 31...Bxf4 {does not help neither due to} 32.Qxf4 Nxh5 33.Qxh6 {with Nd2-f3-e5 to follow (Carlsen)} ) 32.hxg6 fxg6 33.Nxd5 Nxd5 34.Qxd5 Bxg3 ( {Once more tactics helps strategy in the line} 34...Ba3 35.Qxd7 $1 Qxd7 36.Rxc7 {(Carlsen)} ) 35.Qg2 Bd6 36.Nc4 {The knight got access to the c4 square. Next, Magnus will trade it for the bishop and one of the pawns on c7 or b6 will fall and with it Black's position.} 36...Rf8 {This makes things easier for White.} 37.Ne5 $1 Bxe5 38.Qxg6+ Kh8 39.Qxh6+ Kg8 40.dxe5 Qxe5 41.Rg6+ Kf7 42.Rc4 Qa1+ 43.Kg2 Rh8 44.Rf4+ Ke8 45.Re6+ Re7 46.Rxe7+ Kxe7 47.Re4+ {Some of Aronian's decisions in this game are hard to explain but Carlsen's play to prove him wrong was perfect.} ( {Levon resigned due to the lines} 47.Re4+ Kd8 ( 47...Kd7 48.Rd4+ Qxd4 49.Qc6+ ) 48.Rd4+ Qxd4 49.Qg5+ ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.01.16"]
[Round "6.4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2820"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[ECO "B31"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7698326239315"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:02"]
[BlackClock "0:20:17"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 {The games between the actual number one and two in the world are always epic battles. Fabiano Caruana is one of the most unpleasant opponents for the current world champion and his outstanding performance at the Sinquefield Cup in September established him as Magnus Carlsen's main rival at the moment. Quite understandably, the world champion would use every single opportunity to prove who is the boss in his kingdom.} 1...c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {Fabiano decided not to continue the theoretical dispute from their last game, an Accelarated Dragon:} ( 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.f3 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 O-O 10.Qd2 {Caruana,F (2801)-Carlsen,M (2877) Saint Louis 2014} ) 3...g6 {Surprise! The last time Carlsen played this was back in 2005. The two big C's have tested another move in their personal encounter} ( 3...Nf6 4.Nc3 e5 5.O-O d6 6.d3 Be7 7.Bg5 O-O 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 {Caruana,F (2774)-Carlsen,M (2864) Moscow 2013} ) 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 Nf6 7.Nc3 b6 {A slightly unusual move order. In most of the cases Black starts his typical regrouping with the one of the following moves} ( 7...e5 {not fearing} 8.Nxe5 Nxe4 ) ( {or} 7...Nd7 ) 8.Be3 {One of the reasons why Black avoids the early b7-b6 move is that White can go for the active} ( 8.Bf4 Nd7 9.Qd2 {Then when Black plays} 9...h6 {he might have trouble castling short at least for the time being. I wonder how Carlsen would have answered this. Possibly} ( {Now} 9...e5 {would be answered} 10.Bh6 ) 10.a3 ( 10.O-O {is another move} ) 10...e5 11.Be3 Qe7 {with the idea Nd7-f8-e6 as in Chadaev,N (2574)-Alekseev,E (2691) Irkutsk 2010 Indeed, in this game Bc1-f4 did not prove dangerous at all for Black.} ) 8...e5 {Hmmm. Is this really happening?} 9.O-O {Yes, it is, and it seems as Caruana missed his moment! If in the previous line the capture on e5 was innocuous, now with the extra moves Bc1-e3 and b7-b6 it has much more venom:} ( 9.Nxe5 $1 {by the way tried by Macieja roughly twenty years ago} 9...Nxe4 10.Qf3 {Alternatively} 10...Bxe5 ( 10...f5 {can be met with} 11.Bf4 ( {And} 11.O-O-O {deserves attention as well} 11...Nxc3 12.Qxc6+ Bd7 13.Nxd7 Rc8 14.Qe6+ Qe7 15.Qxe7+ Kxe7 16.bxc3 Kxd7 17.Kd2 {with a solid extra pawn for White} ) 11...Qe7 12.Nxc6 ( 12.dxe4 {might be even better} 12...Bxe5 13.O-O-O ) 12...Qe6 13.dxe4 Qxc6 14.Nd5 {with an advantage for White in Macieja,B (2430)-Pyda,Z (2305) Polanica Zdroj 1996} ) 11.Qxe4 f6 12.f4 ( {Or} 12.Bf4 O-O 13.Bxe5 Re8 14.O-O-O Rxe5 15.Qxc6 ) 12...Bf5 13.Qxc6+ Bd7 14.Qd5 {also wins a pawn for White. Did they both miss this opportunity, or is there something deep that I do not see?} ) 9...O-O 10.a3 Qe7 {Now we are back to a more conventional position. White's chances are connected with the b2-b4 and f2-f4 advances, while Black is trying to establish a knight on d4 after say Rf8-e8 followed by Nf6-d7-f8-e6-d4. If the latter happens he will have an undisputable advantage, therefore White needs to hurry.} 11.Qb1 ( {A novelty in comparison to the game of my former teammate Valentin Fougerit, who lost a tempo with his queen:} 11.Qe2 $6 Nh5 12.Rfb1 Nf4 13.Qd2 Ne6 {and Black was better, Fougerit,V (2233)-Desbonnes,S (2332) France 2009} ) 11...Nh5 12.b4 f5 $5 {Carlsen chooses a risky strategy and is ready to sacrifice his queen's flank.} ( 12...Nf4 $5 {seems more solid when after} 13.bxc5 bxc5 14.Qb3 Ne6 15.Qc4 Re8 $5 {Black seems to have good play. For example} ( {Better than the immediate} 15...Nd4 16.Bxd4 cxd4 17.Qxc6 Be6 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.Qxd5 Rac8 ) 16.Na4 Nd4 17.Bxd4 cxd4 {with the idea} 18.Qxc6 Bd7 19.Qa6 Rec8 {with obvious compensation for the pawn.} ) 13.bxc5 {Caruana also chooses a risky strategy and allows the f5-f4 advance!} ( {It is generally desirable to trade the pawns first} 13.exf5 cxb4 ( 13...e4 $2 {does not even create a threat} 14.dxe4 Bxc3 15.Qb3+ ) 14.axb4 Bxf5 15.Ng5 Nf4 16.Nge4 {but this position seems easier for Black to play.} ) 13...f4 14.Bd2 bxc5 15.Qb3+ ( {The other way of attacking the pawn allows the set up with Rb8-b5 after} 15.Na4 Be6 ( {But not} 15...c4 16.Bb4 $1 ) 16.Qb2 Rab8 ( {Here} 16...Rac8 {would be too slow} 17.Qc3 g5 18.Qxc5 Qf6 19.Bc3 {and Black's positon falls apart.} ) 17.Qc3 Rb5 {and it is difficult to make progress as White, for example} ( 17...c4 $5 ) 18.Rab1 Bf6 {and if} 19.Rxb5 $2 cxb5 20.Nxc5 $2 Rc8 {traps the knight.} ) 15...Be6 16.Qa4 {The plans of both sides are clear. Fabiano will win the weak pawns on the queenside sooner or later, Magnus will open up the white king on the other wing. The question is who is faster.} 16...Rac8 ( 16...Qd7 {looks more frightening with the idea} 17.Ng5 ( {However, White can react with} 17.Kh2 $1 {which stops the sacrifice on h3 and now Black can no longer advance on the kingside.} ) 17...f3 $1 18.Nxf3 Rxf3 $1 19.gxf3 Rf8 {and very strong attack.} ) 17.Qa5 g5 ( {The tempting} 17...c4 {weakens the diagonal and White can play} 18.Na4 $1 {which stops} 18...g5 ( {Alternatively} 18...c5 {allows} 19.Rab1 ( 19.Bc3 ) 19...g5 20.Qa6 g4 21.Rb7 {with initiative} ) 19.Bb4 $1 ) 18.Na4 g4 19.hxg4 ( {Or} 19.Qxc5 Qf6 20.hxg4 Bxg4 {which transposes into the game} ) 19...Bxg4 20.Qxc5 Qf6 {The culmination of the battle. Fabiano won a pawn but has to stop the ferocious attack of the world champion.} 21.Nh2 $6 {And the way that he does it is not the most precise one.} ( {Better was} 21.Rfe1 Qg6 ( 21...Bxf3 22.gxf3 ) 22.Kf1 {with the idea Kf1-e2 saveguarding the king. Then White can continue his play on the queenside and this seems advantageous for him!} ) 21...f3 $1 {Magnus takes his chance.} 22.Nxg4 Qg6 23.Qe7 $1 {The only move. White gets checkmated after} ( 23.Ne3 $2 Nf4 24.g3 {The alternatives are no better} ( 24.Rfe1 Nxg2 25.Nf1 Nf4+ 26.Ng3 Qg4 $1 ) ( 24.Rfb1 Ne2+ 25.Kf1 Qh5 26.gxf3 Nd4 ) 24...Ne2+ 25.Kh2 Qh5# ) 23...fxg2 $1 ( {White is OK after} 23...Qxg4 24.Qg5 Qxg5 25.Bxg5 ) 24.Rfb1 Qxg4 25.Qg5 $1 {Once more an only move as otherwise the black queen will mate.} 25...Qe2 26.Qe3 ( {A small demonstration of Black's attacking potential is the line} 26.Be3 Nf4 27.Bxf4 Rxf4 28.Qg3 Qh5 {and wins.} ) 26...Qg4 27.Qg5 ( {White cannot avoid repetition} 27.Nc5 $4 Nf4 $1 ) 27...Qxg5 $1 {But Black can!} 28.Bxg5 Nf4 29.Bxf4 $2 {It seems as White's trouble should be left behind with the queen swap, but Carlsen finds strong attacking resources in the endgame too.} ( {The most resilent defense was} 29.Kh2 h6 30.Bh4 h5 31.Rg1 Bf6 32.Bg3 Kf7 {although Black is calling the shots here as well.} ) 29...exf4 30.Kxg2 {There is no other way. After} ( 30.Ra2 $2 f3 {Black threatens to shift a rook on the h file.} ) ( 30.c3 $2 {is bad due} 30...f3 31.d4 Rf4 32.Kh2 Rxe4 ) 30...f3+ 31.Kf1 ( {According to the computer the most resilent defense is} 31.Kh3 {but I doubt that Caruana would have saved the game after} 31...Bxa1 32.Rxa1 ) ( 31.Kg3 {is worse in comparison to Kg2-h3 due to} 31...Bxa1 32.Rxa1 Rc7 $1 ) 31...Rf4 $3 {A grand champion's move! Instead of trading the bishop for the useless rook, Magnus creates decisve attack in the endgame.} ( 31...Bxa1 32.Rxa1 h5 33.Ke1 {was what Fabiano was hoping for with serious chances for survival.} ) 32.c3 ( {Or} 32.Ke1 Rd8 33.Ra2 Rh4 34.Kd2 ( {Checkmate is inevitable after} 34.Rb7 Bh6 $1 ) 34...Rxe4 {and Black wins} ) 32...Rd8 33.d4 Bh6 ( 33...Rxe4 {should also do.} ) 34.Ke1 Rxe4+ 35.Kd1 c5 $1 {It's over. Black wins material and the game.} 36.Kc2 cxd4 37.Kd3 Re2 38.c4 Rxf2 39.Rd1 Re2 {A nice game by the world champion who risked but did not stop attacking until the very end!} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.01.17"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2667"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[Beauty "5365487902229"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:10:36"]
[BlackClock "0:01:17"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.c4 {White is playing the Sicilian Defense reversed.} 1...c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nc7 7.O-O e5 {And Black does the Maroczy Bind on his turn.} 8.a3 {Since White has an extra tempo, he can afford more things. Concretely to attack the center with the move b2-b4!} 8...Be7 ( {A modern way to prevent the b2-b4 advance is} 8...Rb8 {a move we discussed not long time ago with Alex Yermolinsky at one of the Chess.com/TV shows. The idea is that after} 9.b4 cxb4 10.axb4 Bxb4 {(a line the Serbian GM Bogosavljevic once fell for) Whie cannot win the pawn back with the typical trick} 11.Nxe5 $2 Nxe5 12.Qa4+ Nc6 13.Bxc6+ bxc6 {as the bishop on b4 is defended.} ) 9.b4 O-O {KingLoek's concept is very simple and effective. Finish the development and let White prove that he can actually challenge the black center.} ( 9...cxb4 10.axb4 Bxb4 $2 {makes no sense now due to} 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Qa4+ Nc6 13.Bxc6+ bxc6 14.Qxb4 {with a large advantage for White.} ) 10.Rb1 ( {White can try} 10.bxc5 Bxc5 11.Bb2 {which frees the center a bit, but allows time to Black to regroup conveniently with} 11...Re8 12.Rc1 Bf8 {and level the game, Kramnik,V (2781)-Timofeev,A (2665) Moscow 2011} ) 10...cxb4 {This simple move is a novelty. Black had only tested} ( 10...Bf5 {previously, obviously not willing to give up the central control. After} 11.d3 c4 12.e4 {was tried by White} ( {However, the immediate} 12.b5 Na5 13.Qa4 Ne6 14.Nd5 $5 {might be stronger as pointed by the engines, with the idea} 14...Qxd5 15.Nh4 e4 16.dxc4 Qc5 17.Nxf5 Qxf5 18.Qxa5 {with a solid extra pawn for White.} ) 12...Be6 13.b5 Na5 14.d4 {with the initiative for White in the game Lalic,B (2500)-Izeta Txabarri,F (2340) Palma de Mallorca 1989} ) 11.axb4 b5 {The point. Van Wely blocks the b4 pawn and slowly builds his play around it. This is a typical idea for the Hedgehog.} 12.Bb2 ( {The tricks favor Black:} 12.Nxe5 $2 Nxe5 13.Bxa8 Nxa8 ) ( 12.d4 $2 exd4 13.Nxd4 Qxd4 14.Bxc6 $2 Qxc3 {and wins} ) 12...Bf5 13.Rc1 {The threat is Nc3xb5.} 13...Rc8 {Overprotects the knight on c6 and lets the rook stay clear of the bishop on g2. Black has comfortably equalized.} 14.d3 Qd7 15.Nb1 {A crafty idea.} ( {The more active} 15.Ne4 {bocks the white bishop and after} 15...Ne6 16.Nc5 Nxc5 17.bxc5 Qe6 {the black pawns on the queenside are obviously more mobile than the white ones in the center.} ) 15...Na6 $1 {Loek is alert.} ( {The natural defense} 15...f6 $2 {suddenly loses to} 16.Rxc6 $1 Qxc6 17.Nd4 Qd7 18.Bc6 $1 {and if} 18...Qd6 19.Nxf5 Qxc6 20.Nxe7+ ) 16.Bxe5 ( {The line} 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Bxe5 Nxb4 18.Nc3 {leaves the white bishop exposed on e5.} ) ( {Most likely Ding should have opted for} 16.Nc3 Naxb4 17.Nxb5 Rb8 {with approximate equality.} ) ( {or} 16.Na3 ) 16...Naxb4 17.Bb2 Rfd8 {A peculiar position. It seems as White's central superiority should count more than Black's one on the queenside. However, since Van Wely has strong pressure along the half-open d-file, Ding has no time to start pushing the pawns.} 18.Nc3 ( 18.e4 $2 {creates a weakness on d3.} 18...Bg6 ) ( {While} 18.d4 $2 {comically self-traps the white rook after} 18...Na2 ) 18...a6 {Over the next moves Black confidently outplays his opponent.} 19.Ra1 Bh3 20.Bxh3 Qxh3 21.Qd2 Qf5 {The threat is Nb4xd3.} 22.Kg2 ( {Say} 22.Rab1 $2 Nxd3 23.exd3 Qxf3 ) 22...a5 23.Ne4 Nd5 ( 23...a4 {looks also very nice for Black.} ) 24.Rfc1 a4 25.Kg1 h6 {Logical play has given Black a large advantage. Ding further weakens his position with the next move.} 26.h4 $6 Bb4 27.Qd1 Bf8 {King Loek misses a good chance.} ( {Strong was} 27...Qd7 {with the threat f7-f5-f4! If} 28.Nc5 Qa7 29.Ne4 a3 {is strong} ( {Or again} 29...f5 {In either case White is in trouble.} ) ) 28.Rcb1 Nb6 ( 28...Qd7 $1 ) 29.Bc1 Nc4 30.Nc3 Bb4 31.Na2 Be7 32.Nc3 Bb4 33.Na2 Be7 34.Nc3 Nb4 {Van Wely does not find a concrete plan but continues to play for a win.} 35.Kg2 ( 35.Bf4 {was better although Black is much better here as well.} ) 35...Na5 {One more miss for Black.} ( {After} 35...Ne5 $1 36.Nxe5 Qxe5 {the white knight on c3 is trapped!} 37.Ne4 ( 37.Na2 Nxa2 38.Rxa2 Qd5+ ) ( 37.Bd2 Rxc3 38.Bxc3 Qxc3 ) 37...Qxe4+ 38.dxe4 Rxd1 {Black wins.} ) 36.Bd2 Nb3 37.Rxb3 axb3 38.Rb1 {Black has won the exchange and is very close to the win.} 38...Nc6 {The third and last clear miss. The combo} ( 38...Nxd3 $1 39.exd3 Rxc3 40.Bxc3 Rxd3 41.Bd2 Rxf3 {would have wrapped the game up.} ) 39.e4 Qh5 ( 39...Qc5 {was better} ) 40.Nd5 {Ding managed to stabilize the situation and Loek looks for a way to retain the initiative.} 40...Rxd5 41.exd5 Qxd5 42.Qxb3 Qxb3 43.Rxb3 b4 {Black is still better thanks to the outside passed pawn.} 44.Kf1 f6 45.Rb1 Kf7 {Brings the king into the game.} 46.Ra1 Rb8 47.Be3 b3 48.Nd2 b2 ( {A more logical follow up was} 48...Ke6 49.Rb1 Na5 50.Ke2 Kd5 ) 49.Rb1 f5 50.Nc4 Bf6 51.Bc5 Bc3 ( {The last winning attempt was connected with the computer idea} 51...Ra8 $5 {Very strong with the idea} 52.Nxb2 Rb8 53.d4 Rb3 $3 {when White has nothing to move.} 54.Kg2 ( 54.Ke2 Nxd4+ 55.Kd2 Nb5 56.Kc2 Rc3+ 57.Kd2 Rxc5 ) 54...Nb8 $1 {Try finding this over the board!} 55.Kh3 Na6 56.Bd6 Nb4 57.Bc5 Nd3 58.Nxd3 Rxb1 {when Black's chances for a win are quite resonable.} ) 52.Ke2 Nb4 53.d4 Ke6 $4 {Hallucination. Van Wely forgot that his king is not yet there.} ( 53...Nd5 54.Kd3 Ke6 {would be equal.} ) 54.Bxb4 Bxb4 ( {Alas,} 54...Rxb4 55.Kd3 {traps the bishop as} 55...Be1 56.Rxe1+ {is taken with a check.} ) 55.Rxb2 {The tables have turned and it is White who has the advantage. A frustrated Van Wely loses without much fight.} 55...g5 56.h5 g4 57.Kd3 Bd6 58.Re2+ Kd7 59.Ne3 Rf8 60.Ra2 f4 ( 60...Ke6 61.Nc4 Bb8 ( 61...Rb8 62.Ra6 ) 62.Ra6+ ) 61.Nxg4 fxg3 62.fxg3 Bxg3 63.Nxh6 Rf4 64.Rg2 Bf2 65.Rg4 Rf3+ 66.Ke2 Rf8 67.Re4 Kd6 68.Ng4 Bg1 69.Kd3 Rf3+ 70.Kc4 Ra3 71.h6 Ra4+ 72.Kc3 Ra3+ 73.Kb4 Rh3 74.Kc4 Rh4 75.d5 Be3 $2 76.Nf6 Rh3 ( 76...Rxe4+ 77.Nxe4+ Kd7 78.h7 ) 77.Re6+ Kc7 78.d6+ Kb7 79.d7 {Van Wely outplayed his strong opponent but was imprecise in the detail when converting the advantage. The stubborness of the Chinese star Ding Liren was rewarded by a full point and he is now half point short of the leaders.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.01.18"]
[Round "8.7"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6462046733834"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:07"]
[BlackClock "0:03:23"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 {The main idea of this line, which was also played by Bobby Fischer, is to achieve an improved version of the Fianchetto line with an extra tempo for White (g2-g4 in one go instead of g2-g3 first).} 6...e5 7.Nde2 b5 {Not the most common reaction for Black. But since Wojtaszek is one of the leading specialist in the Najdorf this move is definitely worth a try!} ( {Both the developing moves} 7...Be7 ) ( {and} 7...Be6 ) ( {or the restricting} 7...h5 {are more popular than the text move.} ) 8.Bg5 {Radjabov chooses a rare, but very logical line in return. The d5 square is a magnet for the white pieces.} ( {The main move is} 8.g4 Bb7 9.Bg2 Nbd7 ( 9...h6 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.Qd2 {Mamedyarov,S (2728)-Sadvakasov,D (2596) Astana 2006} ) 10.a4 b4 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Qa5 {Inarkiev,E (2682)-Adly,A (2594) Dubai 2014} ) 8...Nbd7 9.Nd5 {White is willing to trade pretty much every single light piece except for the black dark-squared bishop.} 9...Bb7 10.Nec3 Rc8 {A cunning idea.} ( {White is slightly better after} 10...Be7 11.Bxf6 Nxf6 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 13.a4 b4 14.Nd5 {when both the positions with a knight versus a dark-squared bishop or pure opposite colored bishops are favourable for him.} ) 11.Nxf6+ ( {Radek's idea becomes clear in the line} 11.a4 b4 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 13.Nxf6+ Qxf6 14.Nd5 Qg6 $1 {which looks awkward for the first player.} ) 11...Nxf6 12.a4 $1 {It makes sense to create some weaknesses before occupying the d5 square.} 12...b4 13.Nd5 Be7 $1 {Black sacrifices a pawn. The alternatives are not appealing:} ( 13...Bxd5 $6 {leads to the above-mentioned opposite-colored bishops position which White would love to have:} 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Qxd5 Rxc2 16.Qa8+ Qd8 17.Qxa6 Be7 18.Bb5+ Kf8 19.O-O ) ( 13...a5 $2 {is simply bad due to} 14.Bb5+ Bc6 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.O-O {with strategically won position for White- superior minor piece, better pawn structure, bad king, etc...} ) 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nxb4 {Radjabov accepts the challenge.} ( {The line} 15.b3 O-O 16.Bc4 a5 17.O-O Bg5 {leads to equality.} ) 15...O-O ( {Naturally, not} 15...Bxe4 16.Bxa6 Rc5 17.Bb5+ ) 16.c3 {I need to bitterly disappoint you. All of this has been played before and the pawn sacrifice is not original. This strong move in the game though is a novelty.} ( {An important improvement. White reacted poorly in an earlier game:} 16.Bd3 $6 Qb6 17.Qd2 a5 18.Na2 Qxb2 ( 18...d5 $1 {was even better} ) 19.O-O Qd4 20.Qxa5 Bxe4 {and Black had the advantage in Milovanovic, R (2399)-Sadvakasov,D (2605) Minneapolis 2005} ) 16...Bxe4 17.Bxa6 Rc5 {There is no time to consume the g-pawn:} ( 17...Bxg2 $2 18.Rg1 Bxh3 19.Qf3 $1 Be6 20.Bxc8 Bxc8 {would normally be a nice exchange sacrifice if it wasn't for the loose position of the bishop on f6:} 21.Nc6 Bb7 22.Rg3 $1 {the queen is now hanging and Black has to part with his bishop pair} ( 22.Nxd8 $2 Bxf3 ) 22...Bxc6 23.Qxc6 {and White is much better.} ) 18.O-O Ba8 {As a result of the opening battle White won a pawn but Black has distinct compensation for it - a hefty bishop pair and central majority.} ( 18...Qa8 {was another way to search for compensation:} 19.Qg4 Be7 ) 19.Re1 {Now both players skillfully maneuver. Wojtaszek tries to advance his pawns in the center and on the kingside while Radjabov carefully prevents this plan.} 19...d5 20.Bf1 ( {Also interesting is} 20.Bb5 e4 21.Nc2 Be5 22.Nd4 ) 20...e4 21.Nc2 Be5 22.Nd4 Bb8 {One idea is to create a battery, another to advance the f-pawn.} 23.g3 $1 ( {Or else Black may advance the f-pawn:} 23.Qd2 f5 24.Ne6 $4 Qd6 ) 23...Qb6 24.Qe2 $1 {Once more excellent prophylaxis!} ( {White should never allow the f7-f5 advance, as then f5-f4 will immediately follow and the white position will fall appart on the dark squares.} 24.Qd2 f5 ) 24...Rcc8 {The consequences of the direct assault are of a paramount importance for the evaluation of the position.} ( {After the critical} 24...f5 {White has} 25.Qa6 Qxb2 {and the fantastic resource} 26.Red1 $3 ( {But not the tempting} 26.Ne6 Bxg3 $1 27.fxg3 Rc6 28.Qb5 Qxb5 29.axb5 Rxe6 ) ( 26.Qxa8 Bxg3 27.Qxf8+ Kxf8 28.fxg3 Rxc3 {if anyone is better here, it is Black} ) 26...f4 {The other tries do not work neither} ( 26...e3 27.Qe6+ Kh8 28.Qxe3 f4 29.Qe7 ) ( 26...Qxc3 $2 27.Rac1 Qxc1 28.Rxc1 Rxc1 29.Qxa8 ) ( 26...Rxc3 27.Qxa8 ) 27.Rab1 Qxc3 28.Rb3 Qa5 29.Ne6 {in all these lines White has the upper hand.} ) 25.a5 Qg6 26.Qg4 $1 Qh6 27.h4 $1 {Very well played. Radjabov will soon trade the queens.} 27...Kh8 28.Qg5 Qd6 29.Nf5 Qe5 30.f4 $1 h6 31.Qxh6+ gxh6 32.fxe5 Bxe5 33.Be2 {As a result of his excellent strategy, Teimour managed to trade the queens and took away one of Black's trumps - the possible kingside attack. However, converting the advantage is far from easy.} 33...Rb8 34.Ra2 ( 34.Reb1 Bc6 ) 34...Kh7 35.Rd1 ( 35.a6 $1 {was more precise} 35...Rg8 36.a7 Rb7 37.Kf2 {with excellent winning chances.} ) 35...Rb3 ( {Black couls also sacrifice a second pawn:} 35...d4 36.cxd4 Bd5 37.Raa1 Bf6 ) 36.Kf2 Rfb8 37.Rd2 Kg6 $1 38.Ne7+ Kf6 39.Nxd5+ Bxd5 40.Rxd5 Rxb2 41.Rxb2 Rxb2 42.Ke3 {It was Wojtaszek's turn to defend and he did it very well, as usual. The Polish GM is one of the best defenders in the world.} ( 42.c4 Rb3 43.g4 Ra3 {is most likely a draw.} ) 42...Bxg3 ( 42...Bxc3 43.a6 ) 43.a6 Bh2 $2 {But this is wrong. Black could have drawn with} ( 43...Rc2 $1 44.Bb5 ( 44.Bc4 Rxc3+ ) 44...Rxc3+ 45.Kxe4 Ra3 {in this case the white bishop will not reach the a2-f7 diagonal. All Black will need is to trade the rooks and sacrifice the bishop for the a pawn.} ) 44.Bc4 $1 {Suddenly, Radjabov creates an attack which is usually unstoppable in opposite-colored bishop endgames!} 44...Rc2 45.Kxe4 Rxc3 46.Rf5+ Kg7 47.Rxf7+ Kg6 48.Bd5 Bg1 49.Rf1 Bc5 50.Ke5 Ra3 51.Rf6+ Kh5 52.Rf4 Kg6 ( {The pawn is poisoned:} 52...Rxa6 53.Bf7+ Rg6 54.Kf5 Be3 55.Bxg6# ) 53.Rg4+ Kh7 ( 53...Kh5 $4 54.Kf5 {is instant mate.} ) 54.Be4+ Kh8 55.Rg6 h5 56.Rc6 Bf8 57.Kf6 {Total domination! The light squares are undefendable.} 57...Kg8 58.Bd5+ Kh7 59.Kf7 {A game with plenty of content in which both players skillfully defended when needed. Wojtaszek committed only one mistake in the endgame and this was enough for Radjabov to create deadly attack. Never underestimate the opposite-colored bishops!} ( 59.Kf7 Ra5 ( 59...Bb4 60.Be4+ Kh8 61.Rh6# ) 60.Be4+ Kh8 61.Rc8 ( 61.Kxf8 Rxa6 $1 62.Rxa6 ) ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.01.21"]
[Round "10.4"]
[White "Saric, Ivan"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2666"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[ECO "B48"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7149778394168"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:37:34"]
[BlackClock "1:13:44"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.Qf3 {Not a very commong choice in the Taimanov. White wants to castle long as quickly as possible and to place the queen as agressively as he can on the other side where he will attack. The normal developing moves are} ( 7.Bd3 {and} ) ( 7.Be2 ) 7...Ne5 8.Qg3 h5 {Anish played this already against Karjakin and described it then with the words "the worst possible line", but then he repeated it anyway against Radjabov in this tournament! "Not as bad as it looks," said Carlsen about the pawn push.} 9.f4 ( 9.f3 b5 10.O-O-O d6 11.f4 Ng4 12.e5 dxe5 ( {it was pointed out by some sources that} 12...Nxe3 13.Qxe3 d5 {might be better} ) 13.fxe5 Nxe3 14.Qxe3 Bd7 {was Karjakin-Giri, Tashent GP 2014} ) 9...h4 {This was what the previous move was all about. Now White will have to place the queen on a less active square.} 10.Qh3 ( 10.Qf2 $6 Ng4 ) 10...Nc4 11.Bxc4 Qxc4 {Some years back Giri would have be stripped of his GM title and possibly sent to jail for violating all the opening rules. He has not developed any piece yet, beside the queen and advanced the pawns on the kingside where he is about to get checkmated. Nowadays, this is considered normal. Black has a lot of hidden trumps up his sleeve, namely the powerful bishop pair and the fluid pawn structure. One more thing of a great importance is that there are no pawn clashes yet and this means that the black king will be safe in the center. At least for a while.} 12.O-O-O b5 {No, he does not develop yet, but watches carefully for the white maneuvers.} 13.f5 {Ivan decided to open some files.} ( 13.e5 {would be met with} 13...Bb7 {that stops the Nc3-e4 jump.} ) 13...Bb7 ( 13...b4 {would be a bit too much and White can start attacking the weakened dark squares after} 14.Na4 Qc7 15.Nb3 ) 14.Rhf1 ( {Black remains remarkably solid after} 14.fxe6 dxe6 15.e5 Rc8 {and he has all the time in the world to bring his knight to g6 or f5 after Ng8-e7. It is true that White have opened a file in this line but there is nothing to attack there yet and his queen is somewhat misplaced.} ) 14...e5 {This logically closes the center, but allows direct play against the d5-square.} ( {Giri deviates from his game with Radjabov which went} 14...Rc8 15.fxe6 ( 15.Nf3 $5 Qc7 16.Ng5 {and Ng5xf7 is in the air, for example} 16...e5 $2 17.Nxf7 $3 Kxf7 18.f6 $1 {This is the moment that White cherishes and it ought to be over soon:} 18...Nxf6 19.Rxd7+ Qxd7 20.Qxd7+ ) 15...dxe6 16.Rxf7 Kxf7 17.b3 Ba3+ 18.Kb1 Qxc3 19.Qxe6+ Kf8 20.Rf1+ Nf6 21.Rxf6+ gxf6 22.Qxf6+ Kg8 23.Qg6+ Kf8 24.Qf6+ Kg8 25.Qg6+ Kf8 26.Qf6+ {&frac12;-&frac12; Radjabov,T (2734)-Giri,A (2784) Wijk aan Zee NED 2015} ) 15.Nb3 ( {Once again} 15.Nf3 $5 {was interesting but less convincing due to} 15...d6 16.Ng5 b4 17.Nd5 Bxd5 {and White cannot capture with a piece on d5, which means that his whole strategy is wrong.} ) 15...Qc7 16.Bg5 $5 {Nice regroupment. Not only the pawn on h4 is in danger, but the bishop is ready to swap off the black knight and secure the d5 point for the knight.} 16...Rc8 17.Rf2 $5 {Protects the c2-pawn and prepares Nc3-d5. White looks better now; he managed to turn the threats of a tactical blitzkrieg into strategical concessions in the black camp.} ( {However, I have the feeling that he should have stuck to the initial plan of opening the game and checkmating the king after} 17.f6 $5 ) 17...Be7 $1 {In a difficult situation Giri is amazingly resourceful.} 18.Bxe7 Kxe7 $3 {Anish defends greatly. As he does not intend to castle into the attack ever, it makes little sense to capture with the knight as it will be very badly placed afterwards} ( 18...Nxe7 19.Rfd2 Bc6 20.a3 {and Black has nothing better than} 20...Ng8 {to which} 21.g4 $1 {with the idea} 21...Nf6 22.Qe3 {and g4-g5 gives large edge to White.} ) 19.Rfd2 Nf6 {Now the knight is optimally placed for both attack and defense.} 20.a3 Rh6 $1 {One more important move in Black's plan. Black is out of danger.} 21.Qe3 ( {Black's position is solid after} 21.g4 hxg3 22.Qxg3 Kf8 23.Rg1 Rh7 {but this was superior version of what White had later in the game.} ) 21...Kf8 22.Kb1 Kg8 {Funny it might seem but Giri castled at last.} 23.Rg1 {Ivan prepares the second wave of the attack.} ( {It was tempting to regroup the knight as well after} 23.Nc1 Bc6 24.Nd3 {but} 24...a5 $1 {comes just in time.} ) 23...Ng4 24.Qf3 Qb6 25.Re1 Nf6 {And Anish is actively opposing it.} 26.g4 hxg3 27.Qxg3 ( {In the race for the d5-square Black seems faster:} 27.hxg3 a5 28.g4 b4 29.Na4 Qc6 30.Nac5 a4 {with complications which seem likely to favor the second player.} ) 27...d6 28.Rg2 Rh7 {Anish survived the attack and can start thinking of activity himself. The risky strategy succeeded!} 29.Qg5 $6 {The beginning of a wrong idea.} ( 29.Qd3 {was better.} ) 29...Kf8 30.Qd2 $6 Rxc3 $1 {Typical and strong. This is not even an exchange sacrifice!} 31.Qxc3 Nxe4 32.Qd3 $2 {This makes things worse.} ( 32.Qb4 $1 {was mandatory when in the line} 32...Nc3+ 33.bxc3 Bxg2 {White can win a central pawn back} 34.Rxe5 Rxh2 35.Re2 {with chances of survival, say} 35...Rh1+ 36.Kb2 Bd5 37.Qf4 {The threat Qf4-g5 is annoying, to say at least.} ) 32...Nc3+ 33.Qxc3 Bxg2 34.Qc8+ Ke7 35.Qg8 Qf2 $1 {A cold shower. The attack is over before it began.} ( {Ivan was obviously hoping for something like} 35...Rxh2 36.Qxg7 Bh3 37.Rxe5+ dxe5 38.Qxe5+ Kf8 39.Qxh2 Bxf5 {when White is definitely not worse.} ) 36.Rd1 ( 36.Rxe5+ dxe5 37.Qxh7 Kf6 {is hopeless for White who cannot co-ordinate his pieces.} ) 36...Be4 $1 {One more subtle move.} 37.Rd2 ( {Ivan probably missed that in the line} 37.Qxh7 {Black is not forced to capture on c2 with the queen, but can play} 37...Bxc2+ $1 ( {Rather than} 37...Qxc2+ 38.Ka2 Qxd1 39.Qh4+ {that wins a piece for White.} ) 38.Kc1 Bxf5 {and wins.} ) 37...Qg1+ 38.Ka2 Bxf5 {Giri stabilized the situation and went on to convert the extra pawns.} 39.Qb8 Rh6 40.Rd5 Bd7 41.Qb7 Qg4 42.Na5 {The last chace for some tricks but...} 42...Kf6 $1 {This brave king won the game.} ( 42...Rxh2 43.Qc7 Rxc2 $1 44.Qxc2 Qe6 45.Qb3 Qxd5 $1 46.Qxd5 Be6 {wins as well, but why to complicate things?!} ) 43.b3 ( 43.Rxd6+ Be6+ 44.Nb3 Rxh2 {is equally hopeless.} ) 43...Rxh2 44.Rxd6+ Be6 45.Kb2 Qf4 46.Nc6 Rh1 47.Qe7+ Kf5 {An excellent game by Anish who risked greatly but achieved an important win!} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.01.23"]
[Round "11.6"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2667"]
[ECO "B09"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6874095166985"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:43:17"]
[BlackClock "0:23:42"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 {The Pirc is a rare guest at top level. Since Kramnik is missing in Wijk, one should normally expect it from Ivanchuk here, but it is Van Wely who gives it a try for the second time.} 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 {The Austrian attack remains White's most aggressive choice.} 4...Bg7 5.Bd3 e5 {Not the most common move, but one that was recently tested at the top level.} ( {Black usually} 5...O-O {for example} 6.Nf3 Na6 ( 6...Nc6 {seems like a good alternative} 7.e5 dxe5 8.fxe5 Nh5 9.Be3 Bg4 10.Be2 f6 11.exf6 exf6 12.O-O Re8 {with playable position for Black in Karjakin,S (2777)-Jones,G (2664) Bilbao 2014} ) 7.O-O c5 8.d5 Rb8 9.a4 {when the position resembles the Benoni with the white pawn shy of getting to c4, Polgar,J (2705)-Carlsen,M (2848) Mexico City 2012} ) ( 5...Nc6 ) 6.dxe5 dxe5 7.Nf3 exf4 8.Bxf4 O-O 9.Qd2 Nc6 10.O-O-O Ng4 {Loek is trying to take control of the e5 square.} ( {A novelty in comparison to} 10...Be6 11.h3 Nd7 12.Bg5 ( 12.Bb5 $5 ) 12...Bf6 13.h4 h5 14.Qf4 Bxg5 15.hxg5 $1 {with strong pressure for White in Karjakin,S (2776)-Wang,H (2752) Beijing 2013} ) 11.Nd5 {You win something, you lose something. The d5-square is no longer protected by the knight on f6. White's central control secures him an edge.} 11...Nce5 {The other move seems more natural} ( 11...Nge5 {but is has its drawbacks as well. In particular in the line} 12.Bg5 ( 12.Qe3 $5 ) 12...Qd6 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 $2 {is not good due to} 14.Be7 ) 12.h3 {Anish is now fighting for the e5-square. He wants it all and now obviously.} 12...Nxf3 ( {Perhaps the pawn sacrifice is interesting after} 12...c6 13.hxg4 Nxd3+ 14.Qxd3 cxd5 15.g5 Bg4 16.exd5 Re8 ) 13.gxf3 Ne5 14.Be2 Be6 15.Bg5 {White lures the pawn to the f6 square to imprison the bishop. At least for a while. Anish has taken down one of the knights. Now} ( 15.Qc3 $1 {to get rid of the second one made a lot of sense. After} 15...Nc6 16.Qe3 {seems as a fine regroupment as now} 16...Ne5 17.Bg5 {is way more effective as in the game. In particular} 17...f6 {is hardly a move anymore...} 18.Nxf6+ ) 15...f6 ( {Or else} 15...Qd7 16.f4 ) 16.Be3 c6 {Naturally, Black does not tolerate the knight in the center.} 17.f4 $1 {An important idea. Giri plays extremely energetically to hold the initiative.} ( 17.Nc3 Qa5 {would be great for Black.} ) 17...Nf7 18.f5 $1 gxf5 {Forced as the endgame is very bad for Black:} ( 18...Bxd5 19.exd5 Qxd5 ( 19...cxd5 20.Bf3 ) 20.Qxd5 cxd5 21.Bf3 Rfe8 ( 21...Bh6 22.Bxh6 Nxh6 23.Bxd5+ ) 22.Bf4 {the bishops rule, not King Loek.} ) 19.Nf4 $1 {Completeting the idea. The knight is optimally placed on f4 and the black pawns on f5 and f6 limit the scope of the black pieces.} 19...Qxd2+ 20.Bxd2 ( {But not} 20.Rxd2 $2 Bh6 $1 ) 20...Rae8 {Alas, Black is losing one of the bishops.} ( 20...Bc8 {would be even worse for him:} 21.Rhg1 Kh8 22.Bb4 Re8 23.Nh5 Bf8 24.Bc3 ) 21.Rhg1 $5 {This is tempting, but White had solid alternative instead that would have given him the advantage without any risk} ( 21.Nh5 $5 Kh8 22.Nxg7 Kxg7 23.Rhg1+ Kh8 24.Bh5 {with the threat Bd2-c3} 24...Rd8 ( {Or else Black loses the exchange} 24...fxe4 25.Bc3 Ne5 26.Bxe8 Rxe8 27.Rdf1 ) 25.exf5 Bxf5 26.Rdf1 {The two bishops will soon shatter Black's defense.} ) 21...Kh8 22.Rxg7 $5 {This was Anish's point but now Loek could have defended. The amazing prophilaxys} ( 22.Kb1 $3 {would have kept White in control as now Bg7-h6 is no longer a defenseive resourse. Some lines:} 22...Bh6 ( {White wins the exchange after} 22...fxe4 23.Nxe6 Rxe6 24.Bb4 Rfe8 25.Bc4 ) 23.Nxe6 Rxe6 24.Bb4 Rb8 25.Bc3 Ne5 26.exf5 {with a clear advantage for White.} ) 22...Kxg7 23.Nh5+ Kg6 $6 ( {Correct was} 23...Kh8 $1 {But Van Wely saw ghosts in the line} 24.Nxf6 ( {Now in the line} 24.Bc3 Ne5 25.Nxf6 Rxf6 26.Bxe5 Kg7 27.Rg1+ Kf7 28.Bh5+ Rg6 29.Rf1 {White wins a pawn but Black should survive the opposite-colored bishop endgame after} 29...Kg8 30.exf5 Rf8 31.Bxg6 hxg6 32.f6 ) 24...Rd8 25.Bc3 Rxd1+ 26.Bxd1 Rd8 27.exf5 {it is extremely unpleasant for a human being to play with the constant discovered threat in the air, but the cool} 27...Bc8 $1 {is a defense.} ( {Rather than} 27...Bxf5 $2 28.Nd5+ Kg8 29.Ne7+ {when White wins} ) ) 24.Rg1+ {The king is in danger, White wins the knight.} 24...Ng5 25.Nf4+ Kg7 26.h4 h6 27.Bh5 ( 27.Bc3 $5 ) 27...Bf7 28.exf5 Bxh5 29.Nxh5+ Kf7 30.hxg5 fxg5 $6 {This gives White another trump. Better was} ( 30...hxg5 31.Bc3 {with the idea} 31...Re3 32.Bxf6 ( 32.Rd1 $1 {instead will keep White's chances higher.} ) 32...Rh3 33.Rxg5 Rxh5 34.Rxh5 Kxf6 ) 31.Ng3 ( 31.Bb4 $1 {is more subtle.} 31...Rg8 32.Bc3 ) 31...Rd8 32.Rh1 {In the endgame a rook and a pawn are usually as good as the two light pieces, and sometimes even better. However, this is not the case in the actual position as the rooks are lacking open files and the black pawns on the kingside are weaknesses rather than passers. Giri converts his advantage with an iron hand.} 32...Rd4 ( {The pawn cannot be saved} 32...Rh8 33.Bc3 Rh7 34.Ne4 ) 33.Rxh6 Rfd8 34.Rh7+ {A useful intermediate check to worsen the position of the king.} ( 34.Rh2 Rg4 ) 34...Kg8 35.Rh2 Rg4 36.Ne2 Rd5 37.Rf2 Kf7 38.b3 {White stabilized the situation.} 38...b5 ( 38...Kf6 39.Bc3+ Kf7 40.Kb2 ) 39.b4 {Fixes the pawns in order to attack them later with pieces.} 39...c5 40.a3 cxb4 41.axb4 a5 $1 {Loek correctly tries to trade as many pawns as possible.} 42.Nc3 Re5 43.bxa5 b4 44.Na2 Rxa5 45.Nxb4 Rg1+ ( {Perhaps Black saw that in the line} 45...Rb5 46.c3 Kf6 47.Kc2 {he cannot capture the pawn due to the trick} 47...Rxf5 $2 ( {But instead} 47...Rg3 $1 {would have given him great drawing chances.} ) 48.Nd5+ $1 Ke5 49.Rxf5+ Kxf5 50.Ne3+ ) 46.Kb2 g4 47.Nd3 Rb5+ 48.Kc3 g3 49.Rf3 Rb7 ( {More stubborn was} 49...g2 50.Rg3 Rxf5 51.Be3 Ra1 52.Rxg2 ) 50.Bf4 g2 51.Rg3 Re7 $2 {A blunder.} ( {The game would have continued after} 51...Kf6 52.Be3 Rc7+ 53.Kd2 ) 52.Ne5+ {A very creative and interesting game in which Anish Giri sacrificed first a pawn and then an exchange to prove his advantage.} ( 52.Ne5+ {with the rook as} 52...Ke8 53.Rg8# {is a nice checkmate.} ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.01.24"]
[Round "12.5"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "221"]
[Beauty "4059520046089"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:35"]
[BlackClock "0:02:25"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.Nf3 {For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan.} 4...d4 {And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players.} 5.O-O c5 6.e3 Nc6 7.exd4 cxd4 8.d3 Bd6 9.Na3 ( {Another plan is} 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Nbd2 Qe7 12.a3 {Le,Q (2712)-Moiseenko,A (2711) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013} ) 9...e5 {Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual.} 10.c5 {Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural} ( 10.Re1 {had been seen. One recent example went} 10...O-O 11.c5 Bxc5 12.Nxe5 Nxe5 13.Rxe5 Bxa3 ( 13...Bg4 $1 {was better, for example} 14.Qb3 Bd6 ( 14...b6 $5 {with the idea} 15.Bxa8 $2 Qxa8 {and mating attack on the light squares looks great as well.} ) 15.Re1 Qa5 {with equality.} ) 14.bxa3 Be6 {Lorparizangeneh,S (2340)-Antal,T (2292) Gyor 2014} ) 10...Bxc5 {This is more or less forced.} ( {In case of} 10...Bc7 {White has plenty of interesting options. Say} 11.b4 Nxb4 12.Nxe5 Bxe5 13.Re1 Nd7 14.Nc4 {which regains the piece and leaves the pressure.} ) 11.Nc4 {White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop.} 11...Nd7 ( 11...e4 $1 {seemed like a safer choice for Wesley. For example} 12.dxe4 ( 12.Ng5 e3 13.fxe3 O-O $1 ) 12...O-O 13.e5 Ne4 {to control the d6 square and Black's position seems fine.} ( 13...Nd5 14.Nd6 $5 ) ) ( {On the other hand} 11...Bg4 {gives White plenty of play for the pawn after} 12.Qb3 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 Qc7 14.Re1 Nd7 15.Bd2 O-O 16.Rac1 ) 12.Re1 O-O {Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn} ( 12...f6 13.Nh4 O-O $2 ( 13...g6 {is better but still unpleasant after} 14.f4 ( {or} 14.Bh6 ) ) 14.Bd5+ Kh8 15.Ng6+ $1 hxg6 16.Qg4 {and Black is helpless.} ) 13.Nfxe5 Ncxe5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Rxe5 {The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them.} 15...Qb6 {Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside.} ( 15...Bd6 {loses the pawn at once after} 16.Rd5 Qb6 17.Qa4 ) 16.a4 {Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6.} 16...a5 {Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook.} 17.Qc2 {Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried} ( 17.Qh5 $5 {instead. For example} 17...Bb4 ( 17...g6 18.Qf3 ) 18.Be4 g6 19.Qh6 {with the threat Re5-h5} 19...Qf6 20.Rh5 {and Black is forced to defend with the awkward} 20...Qh8 ( {as} 20...Qg7 {makes things worse after} 21.Qxg7+ Kxg7 22.Bh6+ Kg8 23.Bxf8 gxh5 24.Bxb4 axb4 25.a5 {with clear edge for White.} ) ) 17...Bb4 18.Rb5 Qe6 19.Bf4 $1 {White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn.} ( {Naturally not} 19.Bxb7 $2 Qe1+ 20.Kg2 Bxb7+ 21.Rxb7 Rae8 {with strong attack for Black.} ) 19...Bd7 $5 {Wesley defends creatively.} 20.Bd5 {To kick away the queen from the e-file.} ( {In case of} 20.Rxb7 Rac8 {Black will have nice pressure along the c- and e-files in return for the pawn.} 21.Qd1 Rfe8 ( 21...Bc6 22.Bxc6 Qxc6 23.Rb5 Qc2 ) ) 20...Qf6 21.Rxb7 Rac8 22.Qd1 Be6 ( {Perhaps} 22...Bc6 {is a bit more subtle:} 23.Rb6 Qd8 24.Rxc6 Qxd5 25.Rxc8 Rxc8 26.Rc1 Re8 {when the strong black pieces make it difficult for White to convert the extra pawn.} ) 23.Rb6 Rfe8 24.Bxe6 Rxe6 25.Rc1 {An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness.} 25...Rce8 ( 25...Rxc1 $6 26.Rb8+ Bf8 27.Qxc1 {is very good for White.} ) 26.Rxe6 Qxe6 27.Bd2 Bxd2 28.Qxd2 {Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual...} 28...Qf5 ( 28...h5 29.Qxa5 h4 {was one way to make use of plan three. The arising positions are quite complex, for example} 30.Qh5 h3 31.Qd1 Rb8 32.Rb1 Qc6 33.Qf1 Qxa4 34.Qxh3 Qc2 35.Qf1 g6 $1 ( {Better than} 35...Rxb2 36.Rc1 Qe2 37.Qxe2 Rxe2 38.Rc4 ) 36.b4 Kg7 37.b5 Qa4 38.b6 Qa6 39.Rb4 Rxb6 40.Rxd4 Qa2 {White should be winning but the tactical problems remain.} ) 29.Rc4 Qd5 30.b4 ( 30.Qc1 {was correct} ) 30...axb4 {Wesley missed his chance. Strong was} ( 30...h5 $3 {when he is just in time to create an attack (Plan 3). For example} 31.b5 ( {Whie is one move short in the line} 31.h4 Qf3 32.Rxd4 ( 32.Rc2 axb4 33.Qxb4 $4 Qd1+ ) 32...Re2 33.Rf4 Rxd2 34.Rxf3 axb4 {with equality (Plan 1)} ) 31...h4 32.Qd1 ( 32.gxh4 {will open too many squares in front of the white king and this will force White to give up the pawn after} 32...Re6 33.Rc8+ ( 33.h5 $2 Qxh5 ) 33...Kh7 34.Rc6 Rxc6 35.bxc6 Qxc6 36.Qxa5 Qg6+ 37.Qg5 Qxd3 {and this is a draw.} ) 32...h3 {mating threat!} 33.f3 {This is an only move as if} ( 33.Qf1 $4 Re1 $1 34.Qxe1 Qg2# ) 33...g5 {and with the weak king and two heavy black pieces around White cannot win.} ) 31.Qxb4 h5 32.Rxd4 Qf3 33.Re4 {Now Giri is in time to take control of the position.} 33...Rd8 ( 33...Rc8 34.Qe1 ) 34.Re3 Qd1+ 35.Kg2 Rxd3 36.Rxd3 Qxd3 {The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8.} 37.h4 $1 {Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance.} 37...g5 $1 {Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him.} 38.Qb8+ ( {In time trouble White has not time to calculate the consequences of} 38.hxg5 Qd5+ 39.Kh2 Qxg5 40.a5 h4 $1 ) 38...Kg7 39.Qe5+ f6 40.Qe3 Qc4 41.hxg5 Qd5+ 42.Qf3 Qxg5 43.Qb7+ Kh6 44.Qa8 Kg7 ( {No time for} 44...h4 45.Qh8+ Kg6 46.Qg8+ ) 45.Qa7+ $6 {The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details.} ( 45.a5 $1 {at once was possible and this was the road to the win} 45...h4 46.Qb7+ Kf8 ( 46...Kh6 47.Qf3 hxg3 48.Qe3 $1 ) 47.a6 hxg3 48.Qb8+ Ke7 ( 48...Kf7 49.Qb3+ Kf8 50.Qa3+ Kf7 51.Qa2+ Kf8 52.fxg3 ) 49.Qxg3 Qd5+ 50.Qf3 Qg5+ 51.Kh1 Qh6+ 52.Kg1 Qg6+ 53.Qg3 Qb1+ 54.Kh2 Qh7+ 55.Qh3 {checks are over, White wins.} ) 45...Kg6 46.Qa8 {Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock.} 46...Qf5 $1 {Wesley deviates from the line above.} ( 46...Kg7 {would be answered} 47.a5 ) 47.Qf3 Qe5 {Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check!} 48.Kh2 Kf7 49.Qb3+ Kg7 50.Qb4 Qc7 51.Qe4 Qc5 52.Kg2 Qg5 53.Qe7+ Kg6 54.Qe8+ Kg7 55.Qd7+ Kh6 56.Qd6 Kg6 57.Qd3+ Kg7 58.Qe4 Qc5 59.Qb7+ Kg6 60.Qb1+ Kg7 61.Qe4 Qg5 62.Qe7+ Kg6 63.Qe8+ Kg7 64.Qb5 Qg4 65.Qb7+ Kg6 66.Qb1+ Kg7 67.a5 {At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one!} 67...h4 68.Qd3 $1 ( 68.a6 h3+ 69.Kh2 Qe2 70.Qb7+ Kg6 71.Kxh3 Qf1+ 72.Kh2 Qxf2+ ) 68...Qc8 69.a6 Qc6+ 70.Kh2 Qb6 ( 70...h3 71.Kxh3 Qh1+ 72.Kg4 ) 71.Kg2 {White misses a direct win} ( 71.Kg1 $3 h3 72.Qd7+ Kg6 ( 72...Kf8 73.Qc8+ Ke7 74.Qb7+ ) 73.a7 h2+ 74.Kg2 h1=Q+ 75.Kxh1 Qxf2 76.Qe8+ Kg7 77.a8=Q ) 71...h3+ $1 {Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point.} 72.Kxh3 Qxf2 73.Qc4 Kg6 74.Qf4 Qg1 75.Qe4+ f5 76.Qg2 Qa1 77.Qc6+ Kg5 78.Kg2 Qa2+ 79.Kf3 Qa3+ 80.Ke2 Qa2+ 81.Kd3 Qb3+ ( 81...Qa3+ $1 ) 82.Qc3 Qd5+ 83.Qd4 Qb5+ 84.Qc4 Qb1+ 85.Kd2 Qb2+ 86.Ke3 Qa3+ ( 86...Qb6+ $1 {was beter and Black is most likely surviving.} ) 87.Kf2 Qa5 88.Qf4+ Kg6 89.Qd6+ {The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated.} 89...Kh5 90.Ke3 ( 90.Qe6 $1 ) 90...Qa4 ( 90...Kg4 $1 ) 91.Kd2 Qb3 92.Qd3 {Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control.} 92...Qa2+ 93.Ke3 Kg5 94.Kf3 Qa1 95.Qd8+ Kh5 96.Qe8+ Kg5 97.Qe7+ Kg6 98.Qe6+ Kg5 99.Qe3+ Kf6 100.a7 {One more step...} 100...Qf1+ 101.Qf2 Qh1+ 102.Ke2 $1 Qe4+ 103.Qe3 Qc4+ ( 103...Qg2+ 104.Kd3 Qd5+ 105.Qd4+ ) 104.Ke1 Qb4+ 105.Kf1 {The king escapes from the checks, White wins.} 105...Qb1+ 106.Kg2 Qb7+ 107.Kh2 Kf7 108.Qa3 Qa8 109.Qb3+ Kg7 110.Qb8 Qf3 111.a8=Q {The first loss for Wesley So since April. It took more that a hundred moves to grind him down. Anish Giri wins a third in a row to take clear second before the final round of the event.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.01.25"]
[Round "13.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2820"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7973073850377"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:08"]
[BlackClock "0:34:33"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 {Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf.} 6.h3 {Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after} ( 6.f3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3 Be7 9.Qd2 O-O 10.O-O-O Nbd7 11.g4 b5 12.Rg1 {Caruana,F (2844)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2757) Tashkent 2014} ) 6...e5 7.Nde2 h5 {Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example).} 8.g3 ( {A very original idea was introduced recently:} 8.Ng1 $5 b5 9.Nf3 Bb7 10.Ng5 {and White was trying to prove that h7-h5 had somewhat weakened the kingside in Nepomniachtchi,I (2714)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2758) Beijing 2014 Still, the loss of so many tempos in the opening can hardly be great.} ) 8...Be6 9.Bg2 Nbd7 10.a4 Be7 11.O-O Rc8 12.Be3 Nb6 {A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn.} ( {All of this had been seen already and Black was always reacting with} 12...O-O {for example} 13.a5 Re8 14.Qd2 Rc7 15.f4 Bc4 16.Rfd1 Qc8 {with a long maneuvering game in Riccio,E (2477)-Kotlyanskiy,E (2565) corr. 2010} ) 13.b3 {But allows the main idea} ( 13.a5 Nc4 {which would be very good for Black.} ) 13...d5 $1 14.Bxb6 {Practically forced.} ( {Both} 14.a5 d4 $1 ) ( {and} 14.exd5 Nbxd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Bd2 O-O {are excellent for Black.} ) 14...Qxb6 15.Nxd5 {Perhaps the other capture} ( 15.exd5 {is a better version for White as Black now has more difficulties when attacking on the kingside (too many pieces on the f-file). Still, Vachier-Lagrave will have rich compensation after} 15...Bf5 16.a5 Qd6 ) 15...Nxd5 16.exd5 Bd7 $1 {The optimal square for the bishop.} ( 16...Bf5 {looks more active but the bishop will stay on the road of his own f-pawn.} 17.c4 ) 17.c4 Qd6 ( {Black does not show his intentions yet. Another option was} 17...h4 18.g4 f5 19.gxf5 Bxf5 20.Nc3 Bc5 21.Ne4 ) 18.a5 {The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After} ( 18.h4 {Black can start the attack with} 18...g5 $1 19.hxg5 Bxg5 20.Nc3 f5 21.Re1 Kf7 ) 18...f5 19.Qd3 ( {Once again} 19.h4 {is dangerous for White only:} 19...g5 20.hxg5 Bxg5 21.f4 Bf6 22.fxe5 Bxe5 ) 19...h4 $1 {This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade.} 20.g4 {This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with} ( 20.Rab1 {but then Black might consider even entering an endgame sometimes} 20...e4 21.Qd2 hxg3 22.fxg3 O-O {Even} ( 22...Qb4 {is good for Black} 23.Qxb4 Bxb4 24.Ra1 Bc5+ 25.Kh2 Ke7 {foolowed by g7-g5.} ) 23.Rfc1 Qb4 24.Qxb4 Bxb4 25.Ra1 g5 ) 20...O-O ( {Maxime dismisses the pawn regain} 20...fxg4 21.Nc3 $1 gxh3 22.Bxh3 {Indeed the blockade on the light squares will be favorable for White.} ) 21.Nc3 $6 {But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was} ( 21.gxf5 {to fight for the e4 square} 21...Bxf5 22.Qd2 Qg6 ( 22...e4 {can be now answered} 23.Nd4 $1 Bd8 24.Nxf5 Rxf5 25.Bxe4 Bc7 26.f4 ) 23.Kh1 {Black still has plenty of compensation but nothing decisive yet} 23...Be4 24.f3 ( {But not} 24.Bxe4 $6 Qxe4+ 25.Kh2 Rf3 ) ) 21...e4 $1 22.Qe3 Bd8 $1 {Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts.} 23.Bxe4 {Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse} ( 23.Rfe1 Bc7 24.gxf5 Qh2+ 25.Kf1 Bf4 26.Qxe4 Bxf5 27.Qe7 Bxh3 {already wins the white queen.} ) ( 23.f4 exf3 24.Rxf3 Bc7 25.g5 ( 25.gxf5 Qh2+ 26.Kf1 Bxf5 {is decisive attack on the open files and diagonals.} ) 25...Rfe8 26.Qf2 Qh2+ 27.Kf1 Bd6 {followd by Bd6-c5 is also grim for White.} ) 23...fxe4 24.Nxe4 Qf4 25.Qxf4 Rxf4 26.f3 Be7 {In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black.} 27.Kf2 Rcf8 28.Ke3 $6 {Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache.} ( {Correct was to stay still with} 28.Kg2 ) 28...Be8 {Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6.} 29.c5 {It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway.} ( 29.Rad1 {does not help neither} 29...Bb4 ( 29...Bg6 30.d6 ) 30.Ng5 Bd7 31.Ne6 Bxe6 32.dxe6 R4f6 ) ( {After} 29.d6 Bd8 {the light-squared bishop will pop up on c6.} ) 29...Bb5 30.b4 $1 {The last chance. In the line} ( 30.Rf2 Rxe4+ $1 {Black wins by force:} 31.Kxe4 Bxc5 32.Rd2 Re8+ 33.Kf5 ( 33.Kf4 Be3+ 34.Kf5 Bd7+ 35.Kg6 Re5 36.f4 Be8# ) 33...Bd7+ 34.Kg5 Be3+ ( 34...Be7+ ) ) 30...Rxe4+ $1 {Maxime is alert!} ( {Things are not clear in the line} 30...Bxf1 31.Rxf1 Bd8 32.Rf2 {due to the blocked character of the position.} ) 31.Kxe4 Re8 $1 {A nice ambush which wraps up the game.} 32.Kf4 ( {Or} 32.Rfe1 Bxc5+ 33.Kf4 Rf8+ 34.Kg5 Bxb4 35.Re4 Bc3 36.Ra3 Bf6+ 37.Kg6 Be8+ ) 32...g5+ 33.Kf5 Kf7 $1 {Once again ignoring the rook and concentrating on the king. Checkmate is near.} 34.Rfe1 {Now it is proper mate, or else it would be a prosaic win:} ( 34.Rad1 Bd7+ 35.Ke4 Bxc5+ 36.Kd3 Bb5+ ) 34...Bd3+ 35.Re4 Bf6 {A beautiful finish of a nice positional game. Mate is inevitable. This was not Fabiano's best tournament, but Maxime had a fantastic performance with shared second place, just half point away from the winner. This game in particular was a positional masterpiece!} ( 35...Bf6 36.Re1 Re5# ) 0-1

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic 2015"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.02.03"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2865"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[Beauty "6186497738250"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteClock "0:37:54"]
[BlackClock "0:28:40"]

1.c4 e5 {The reversed Sicilian that is.} 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4 {The reversed Rossolimo line.} 5.Nd5 ( 5.Bg2 {is considered the main line but the move in the game scores better for White, at least by percentage.} ) 5...Bc5 6.Bg2 d6 7.O-O O-O 8.d3 ( {Adams has experience in this line. A couple years ago he drew comfortably against the current number three in the world after} 8.e3 a6 9.d3 Ba7 10.Nxf6+ Qxf6 11.Bd2 Qg6 {Grischuk,A (2785)-Adams,M (2752) Warsaw 2013} ) 8...Nxd5 9.cxd5 Nd4 {Mickey trades the second knight, thus freeing his position a bit.} ( 9...Ne7 {is the other option.} ) 10.Nxd4 exd4 {The idea is to create counter play against the backward pawn on e2.} ( {The other capture is also possible} 10...Bxd4 11.e3 Bb6 {Next both the sides are trying to grab space on the kingside with f2-f4-f5 for White and f7-f5-f4 for Black!} 12.Kh1 Bd7 13.Bd2 Qe8 14.a4 a5 15.f4 f5 16.Re1 Qf7 {and approximate equality in Grachev,B (2705)-Mchedlishvili,M (2626) Tashkent 2012} ) 11.Bd2 {Magnus wants to expand on the queenside, but Black is alert.} 11...a5 12.e4 {Naturally, the World Champion does not want to wait and see the black heavy pieces piled towards his pawn.} 12...dxe3 13.fxe3 Qg5 14.Rf4 {A novelty, technically speaking. All of this has been seen previously with White continuing} ( 14.d4 {first and only after} 14...Bb6 15.Rf4 {After} 15...Bd7 16.Qc2 a4 17.Raf1 Qe7 {Black seemed very stable in Kiselev,V (2505)-Garakov,M (2412) Lugansk 2007} ) 14...Bd7 ( {Perhaps it made sense for Black to avoid the game continuation with} 14...a4 $5 15.Qc2 Bd7 {which would most likely transpose into the previously played game after} 16.d4 Bb6 ) 15.a4 $1 {Diagram [#] In fact this is the actual novelty in comparison to the game Kiselev-Garakov from above. Magnus' idea is to fix the pawn on a5 and attack the queenside later with b2-b4.} 15...Rae8 ( {Looking into the future it made sense for Adams to keep the queenside rook where it was to anticipate White's play there} 15...Rfe8 $5 ) 16.d4 Bb6 17.Qb3 $1 ( {The immediate} 17.b4 {does not give much after} 17...Ra8 ( 17...axb4 18.a5 ) 18.Qb3 Qe7 19.bxa5 ( 19.Qc4 $2 axb4 20.Qxb4 Ba5 ) 19...Bxa5 20.Bxa5 Rxa5 {as White does not have time to win the pawn} 21.Qxb7 Qxe3+ ) 17...Qd8 18.Qc4 {The point behind Carlsen's maneuver. The queen is optimally placed and actively supports the queenside attack.} 18...Re7 ( {The queen is not as good a defender as the rook} 18...Qa8 19.b4 axb4 20.a5 Bxa5 21.Bxb4 b6 22.Qxc7 {is advantageous for White.} ) 19.b4 axb4 ( {White also has a pull after} 19...Qa8 20.Qc3 axb4 21.Qxb4 ) 20.a5 Ba7 21.Qxb4 {The opening strategy of the World Champion succeeded. The advanced pawns on a5 and d5 squeeze the black forces and White has annoying pressure on the queenside. Mickey tries to free himself at once.} 21...c5 $1 ( 21...Bc8 22.Rc1 {looks grim for Black.} ) 22.dxc6 Bxc6 23.Qb3 Bxg2 24.Kxg2 Qd7 {The situation had changed. The doubled d pawn is gone and the black b and d pawns were separated, thus they became clear targets. On the other hand, the white bishop is seemingly not the greatest piece ever, but so is his counterpart. White keeps pressure thanks to the fact that his heavy pieces are more active and exert pressure. They are actively assisted by the "poor" bishop that effectively shuts both the a and e semi-open files for Black.} ( 24...d5 $4 {is positionally sound but tactically wrong} 25.Bb4 ) 25.Raf1 Rc8 26.Rf5 {This prevents d6-d5 and prepares rook transfer along the fifth rank.} 26...h6 {Adams did not feel the danger. Correct was} ( 26...g6 27.Rb5 ( 27.Rf6 d5 ) 27...h5 {which would have stopped White's activity on the kingside. The pawn weaknesses on b7 and d6 are very close to each other and can be defended relatively easily.} ) 27.R1f2 Bb8 28.Bb4 Qc6+ 29.R2f3 {The queen swap will lead to a draw after} ( 29.Qd5 Qxd5+ 30.Rxd5 Rxe3 31.Bxd6 Rd8 32.Bf4 Rxd5 33.Bxe3 Rxa5 34.Rb2 b5 35.Kf3 ) 29...Rcc7 30.Be1 Qe8 {It was not too late to go for} ( 30...g6 $1 31.Rd5 h5 ) 31.g4 $1 {Diagram [#] Now the bishop can be actively used on the h4-d8 diagonal. Magnus also intends to further advance the pawns on the kingside and open the game there. Thus, he will create one more weakness- the black king and thanks to the extra space he can be much more effective in maneuvering on both sides of the board.} 31...Re4 32.h3 Rce7 33.Bf2 R4e6 $2 {A blunder. However, White was making progress after both} ( 33...Rc7 34.Rb5 Ree7 35.Rb6 Red7 36.Qd5 ) ( {Perhaps,} 33...Ba7 {was the lesser evil} 34.Rb5 Qc8 35.Qd5 {Although White is better here as well.} ) 34.Rb5 Bc7 {The pawn cannot be saved} ( 34...Qc8 35.a6 ) ( 34...Qc6 $4 35.d5 ) 35.Rxb7 Qa8 {Adams decided that this is the lesser evil in comparison to the absolute pin after} ( 35...Bxa5 36.Rb8 Bd8 37.Bh4 Rd7 38.Qb5 f6 39.Qd5 ) 36.Rb5 {Diagram [#] The long grinding was effective as usual with Magnus. He won a pawn and now starts converting it.} 36...Re8 37.Qd5 Qxd5 38.Rxd5 Rb8 39.Bg3 g6 40.h4 Ra8 41.Be1 Re4 42.g5 h5 {A strange decision. The defender should trade pawns as a rule} ( 42...hxg5 43.hxg5 ) 43.Rb5 Ra7 44.Kf1 Re8 45.Ke2 Rea8 46.Rf6 Ra6 ( 46...Bxa5 47.Rxa5 Rxa5 48.Bxa5 Rxa5 49.Rxd6 {leads to the same.} ) 47.Bb4 {Magnus correctly evaluated the rook endgame as won.} 47...Bxa5 48.Rxa5 Rxa5 49.Bxa5 Rxa5 50.Rxd6 Kf8 51.Rf6 Ra3 52.Kf3 Ke7 53.Ke4 Ra5 ( {Or} 53...Ke8 54.Rf4 ( {Worse is} 54.d5 Ra4+ 55.Ke5 Rxh4 ) 54...Ke7 55.d5 Kd6 56.Rf6+ $1 Ke7 57.Rb6 Ra4+ 58.Ke5 Rxh4 59.d6+ Kd7 60.Rb7+ Ke8 61.Re7+ Kf8 62.Kf6 ) 54.Rf4 $1 {The rook defends the fourth rank and enables the further reinforcement of the position with d4-d5 and Ke4-e5. The game is decided.} 54...Rb5 55.d5 Rb3 56.Kd4 Ra3 57.e4 Rb3 58.Ke5 Rd3 59.Rf1 $1 Rh3 60.Ra1 Rxh4 61.d6+ Kd7 62.Ra7+ Ke8 63.Ra8+ Kd7 64.Rf8 {A nice positional win for the World Champion who takes the sole lead.} 1-0

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic 2015"]
[Site "Baden - Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[ECO "B06"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Beauty "6322997175318"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

{A couple of years ago Arkadij revealed that his favourite player ever was Magnus Carlsen. "I do not see how to beat him", added he with a smile. The last two games between these two proved that things have changed. At least for the second statement.} 
1.e4 g6 {Carlsen did not use the Pirc since 2012 and with a good reason as his results are not great here. It seems as he was ready to risk more than usual in this game.} 2.d4 Bg7 ( {The exotic} 2...Nf6 3.e5 Nh5 4.Be2 {did not lead anywhere in Adams,M (2728)-Carlsen,M (2826) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010} ) 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.a4 Nf6 6.h3 O-O 7.g4 ( {A quieter plan is} 7.Nf3 e5 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.Qxd8 Rxd8 10.Bc4 Nc6 11.O-O {although this did not provide anything significant to White, Jakovenko,D (2729) -Kempinski,R (2610) Plovdiv 2012} ) 7...e5 ( {The great Pirc specialist Zurab Azmaiparashvili prefers the move} 7...c5 {here and this might be the better choice.} ) 8.d5 c6 9.Nge2 {A logical novelty. White wants to bring the knight on g3 as quick as possible to kill any counterplay related with the f7-f5 advance.} ( {Previously only} 9.Bg2 Qa5 10.Ne2 cxd5 11.exd5 Nbd7 {was seen in Nikolova,A (2341)-Tonel,G (2036) Rijeka 2014} ) 9...cxd5 10.exd5 Bxg4 {An unexpected move to say at least... "I was of course quite shocked when he played this but maybe it is not such a bad practical chance as I was already threatening Ne2-g3". (Naiditsch)} ( {After} 10...Nbd7 11.Ng3 {"followed by g4-g5 and Ng3-e4 White has clear positional advantage. Of course, one should be desperate to sacrifice on g4". (Naiditsch)} ) 11.hxg4 Nxg4 12.Qd2 {Not the best move according to the winner.} ( {Arkadij spend a lot of time calculating the following line} 12.Bd2 Qb6 13.Ne4 f5 14.N2c3 h5 15.a5 Qa7 16.Bh3 ( 16.Qe2 {might be more subtle with the idea} 16...fxe4 17.Nxe4 Qd4 18.f3 Nf6 19.Bc3 Qxd5 20.Rd1 Qc6 21.Rxd6 Qc7 22.Qc4+ Qxc4 23.Bxc4+ Kh8 24.Bd3 {where White is completely dominating.} ) 16...fxe4 17.Nxe4 Qd4 ( 17...Nxf2 $4 18.Be6+ Kh7 19.Rxh5+ gxh5 20.Qxh5+ Bh6 21.Qxh6# ) 18.Qe2 {"White's advantage is massive as he is checkmating" (Naiditsch) .} ) 12...Nd7 13.Ne4 {White is slowing dow the opponent's pawns in the center.} ( 13.O-O-O {is also possible but for understandable reasons White does not feel like doing it anytime soon.} ) 13...f5 14.Bg5 Qb6 15.Bh3 Ndf6 16.Nxf6+ Nxf6 17.Nc3 {With the idea to castle long.} ( {Naiditsch considered less promising the continuation} 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.c3 Rac8 ) ( 17.O-O-O {at once is not clear after} 17...Ne4 18.Be3 Nxd2 19.Bxb6 Nc4 20.Be3 b5 {when the black pawns look scary.} ) ( {I have the feeling though that the white king is best placed on the kingside} 17.Bg2 $5 Qxb2 18.O-O Rac8 19.Rfc1 Rc7 20.Rab1 Qa3 21.Qa5 {should be better for White.} ) 17...Qxb2 18.Rb1 Qa3 19.Rxb7 ( {Objectively better was} 19.Rb3 Qc5 20.O-O {with slight advantage for White.} ) 19...Rf7 {Magnus was afraid of the line} ( 19...Rab8 20.Rxg7+ $5 ( {Instead} 20.Rxb8 Rxb8 21.Bg2 Rc8 {should be still little better for White.} ) 20...Kxg7 21.Bxf5 gxf5 22.Bxf6+ Kxf6 {which looks indeed horrifying for a human being. The poor king lacks any defence and is attacked by both teh queen and the rook. Still, the cold-blooded machine finds no more than a draw after both} 23.Rxh7 ( {Or} 23.Qh6+ Ke7 24.Qe6+ Kd8 25.Rxh7 Qxc3+ 26.Kf1 Qc4+ 27.Kg2 Qg4+ 28.Kh2 Qf4+ ) 23...f4 24.Qd3 Qc1+ 25.Ke2 Rf7 26.Rxf7+ Kxf7 27.Qf5+ Kg8 28.Qg6+ ) 20.Rb3 Qc5 21.Qe3 $1 {The king will be safe without the queens on the board.} 21...Qc7 22.Qb6 e4 23.Qc6 $5 {Naiditsch lures the rook on c8.} 23...Rc8 {The only move as after} ( 23...Qxc6 24.dxc6 Rc8 25.Bxf6 Bxf6 26.Nd5 Rxc6 {White has the nice trick} 27.Bxf5 $1 gxf5 28.Rg1+ Kf8 ( 28...Rg7 29.Nxf6+ ) 29.Rb8+ Bd8 30.Rxd8# ) 24.O-O {Arkadij calculated that he wins the pawn back. The trick} ( 24.Bxf6 Bxf6 25.Nxe4 $4 {fails to} 25...Qa5+ ) 24...Qxc6 25.dxc6 Rxc6 {"Endgame should be close to winning for White" (Naiditsch)} 26.Rfb1 h6 27.Bxf6 $1 {White is happy to have the rook on f7. Another tempting continuation was} ( 27.Rb8+ Kh7 28.Bxf6 Bxf6 29.Nd5 {with the idea} 29...Rxc2 $4 ( {But Black can defend after} 29...Be5 ) 30.Nxf6+ Rxf6 31.R1b7+ Rf7 32.Rxf7# ) 27...Bxf6 {Diagram [#]} 28.Nxe4 $1 {The point behind White's previous play! White regains the pawn and destroys the black pawn chain.} 28...Be5 ( 28...fxe4 {is hopeless after} 29.Be6 Kg7 30.Bxf7 Kxf7 31.Rb6 {as White wins both d6 and a6 pawns.} ) 29.Nd2 Rxc2 30.Nf3 Ra2 31.Bg2 {A slip for which Arkadij was furous about. He could have won with} ( 31.Nxe5 $1 dxe5 32.Rb4 $1 ( {Rather than the suggested by many commentators} 32.Rb6 {which he also calculated but felt correctly shouldn't be a clear win after} 32...Rxa4 33.Rxg6+ Kh7 34.Rbb6 Rh4 35.Kg2 Rh5 $1 {White has only one gold pawn left and is anything but sure of winning} 36.Rbf6 Rxf6 37.Rxf6 Kg7 38.Rxf5 ( 38.Rxa6 {gives some practical chances but hardly a win.} ) 38...Rxf5 39.Bxf5 Kf6 {followed by Kf6-g5-f4 (Naiditsch)} ) 32...a5 33.Rc4 {Next the bishop comes to f1, White slowly improves and takes the a pawn and the game home.} ) 31...Bf6 32.Nh2 Kg7 {Now the game starts again. White is still better but has to maneuver a lot to prove that.} 33.Bd5 Re7 34.Rb4 Rd2 35.Bc4 a5 36.Rb7 Rd4 37.Rxe7+ Bxe7 38.Bb5 h5 39.Nf3 Rf4 40.Kg2 h4 ( {Perhaps} 40...Bf6 41.Rd1 Rg4+ 42.Kf1 Rf4 43.Rd3 g5 {was a better defense.} ) 41.Rd1 {Intending to swap off the rooks after Rd1-d4.} 41...Rg4+ 42.Kf1 h3 43.Rd3 $1 {A nice regroupment. The white king goes to the h file to deal with the Black's complex of a dangerous passer and rook behind it. The knight is set free for greater deeds.} 43...Bf6 44.Nh2 Rh4 45.Kg1 Bd4 46.Rf3 Kf6 47.Nf1 Be5 $6 ( {A much more resilent defense is} 47...Ke5 48.Nd2 d5 {trying to keep the knight blocked. For example} ( {Not} 48...g5 $2 49.Bd7 ) 49.Rg3 Kf6 50.Nf3 $2 Bxf2+ $1 51.Kxf2 h2 52.Nxh2 ( 52.Nxh4 h1=Q 53.Rxg6+ Kf7 54.Rh6 Qh2+ ) 52...Rxh2+ 53.Ke3 Rh4 {with a draw. Naturally, White can improve his play in this line, but he will still have to work very hard to win (if this is even possible).} ) 48.Ne3 Kg5 49.Kh1 Kf6 $6 {The last chance for the World Champion was the line} ( 49...Rf4 50.Rxf4 ( 50.Rg3+ Kh4 51.Rxg6 Rxf2 52.Rh6+ Kg3 53.Nf1+ Kg4 ) 50...Kxf4 51.Nc4 Bc3 52.Nxd6 Kf3 53.Be8 Bb4 {when it is not yet certain if this is a win for White.} ) 50.Nc4 g5 51.Nxa5 g4 52.Rd3 f4 53.Nc4 Rh7 54.Nxe5 $1 {Without the bishop on the board Black cannot stop the white passer. The game is essentially over although some accuracy is still needed.} 54...dxe5 55.a5 Rc7 56.Ra3 $1 {The last subtle move. Rook behind the pawn promotes it automatically. It also kills the black counter-chances related with his strong pawns. Worse is} ( 56.Rd1 Rc5 57.Rb1 g3 58.fxg3 fxg3 59.a6 Rc2 60.Ra1 Rh2+ 61.Kg1 Rg2+ 62.Kf1 Rf2+ 63.Ke1 $4 ( 63.Kg1 ) 63...e4 $1 {(Gustafsson) when it is Black who wins!} 64.Bc6 e3 65.a7 g2 ) 56...Rc1+ 57.Kh2 Rc2 58.a6 Rxf2+ 59.Kh1 g3 60.a7 Rd2 61.Ra1 {Arkadij Naiditsch won his second game in a row against the World Champion Magnus Carlsen and can be proud with the game that he had played!} 1-0

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic 2015"]
[Site "Baden - Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.06"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[ECO "A90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7906250521162"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.d4 {The game between the world champion of now and his predecessor is always a great show.} 1...f5 {This was not quite a shock as Magnus had played like that previously. His former coach S. Agdestein is a great aficionado of the Dutch as well.} 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.c4 c6 {But that is a surprise! The Stonewall have never been seen in Magnus' games before.} 5.Nf3 {It was generally considered that the best position for this knight is on h3. After} ( 5.Nh3 {White intends to develop his knights in Petrosian's favourite way- the one from h3 goes to f4 and d3, the one from b1- to d2 and f3. Then they both have excellent view of the e5 spot. Petrosian claimed that this set up paid his flat in Moscow... Leaving the nice sense of humour of the ninth world champion aside I can only add that Black had found interesting ways to fight against this set up, for example} 5...d6 6.O-O Be7 7.b3 e5 {Zhou,J (2625)-Wang,Y (2702) Xinghua 2012} ) 5...d5 6.O-O Bd6 7.b3 Qe7 {To stop Bc1-a3 with favourable trade of the dark-squared bishops.} 8.Ne5 {Vishy takes control of the strong outpost at once.} ( {Another move is} 8.Bb2 {Then a game of Salo Flohr saw the idea that Vishy performed in the game} 8...O-O 9.Qc2 Bd7 10.Ne5 Na6 11.Nxd7 $1 {It seems weird to trade the excellent knight for the bad bishop but the latter is an important defender of the light squares. After} 11...Qxd7 12.Nd2 g5 13.Nf3 Qg7 14.Qc1 g4 15.Ne5 Nb8 16.Ba3 Bxa3 17.Qxa3 {White is ready to break the barricades on the light squares, Flohr,S-Goldberg,G Moscow 1949} ) ( {White can insist on swapping the bishops off with} 8.a4 O-O 9.Ba3 Bxa3 10.Nxa3 {Although now his knight is somewhat displaced (too far away from the e5 square that is!)} 10...b6 11.Qc1 Bb7 12.Nc2 a5 {1/2-1/2 (43) Vachier Lagrave,M (2745)-Radjabov,T (2713) Beijing 2013} ) 8...O-O 9.Nd2 a5 {Black grabs space on both flanks. This move is usually an active defense, although the little pawn might have deeper thoughts.} 10.Bb2 Nbd7 11.Qc2 a4 12.Ndf3 Ne4 13.e3 {A solid move, which is also a novelty.} ( {Previously only} 13.bxa4 {had been seen. Looks ugly, but White wants to exert pressure along the b file} 13...Bxe5 14.dxe5 ( 14.Nxe5 $5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 {might be better} ) 14...Nb6 $1 15.cxd5 exd5 16.Rab1 Nc4 {Black had an excellent position in Goganov,A (2550)-Sandipan,C (2590) Moscow 2013} ) 13...a3 ( {A solid reply for Black is mentioned by Magnus} 13...Nxe5 14.Nxe5 Bd7 {with an OK position for the second player.} ) 14.Bc3 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bd7 {Black finishes the development. Magnus disliked} ( 15...Bxe5 16.dxe5 b5 ( 16...b6 {might be better} ) 17.cxb5 cxb5 {because of the strong} 18.Rfc1 Ba6 ( 18...Nxc3 19.Qxc3 Bd7 {is a risk-free edge for White.} ) 19.Be1 Rfc8 20.Qd3 {and Black cannot play b5-b4} 20...b4 21.Rxc8+ {(Carlsen)} ) 16.Nxd7 {Flohr's idea from above. The bishop could become dangerous after Bd7-e8-h5.} 16...Qxd7 17.c5 Bc7 {Magnus confidently levelled the game.} 18.b4 {White's plan is clear. Ra1-b1, b4-b5, open the queenside, penetrate on the seventh...} ( {Or} 18.Be1 e5 19.f3 Ng5 {with approximate equality.} ) 18...h5 {In terurn Black shows activity on the other wing.} 19.Be1 {Vishy plays for the win but this allows the freeing central advance! In case of} ( 19.f3 {Black will need to trade the kngiht for the bishop} 19...Nxc3 20.Qxc3 h4 21.f4 g5 {"This should be sufficient counterplay." (Carlsen) The presence of the light-squared bishops should be an indicator of a likely draw.} ) 19...e5 $1 {The threat is e5xd4 followed by f5-f4.} 20.dxe5 Bxe5 21.Rd1 {Now the knight on e4 is hanging.} 21...Qe6 ( 21...h4 22.Bxe4 fxe4 23.Qxe4 ) 22.f3 {The knight is unbearable and White also wants to open up the game for the bishops.} 22...Nf6 23.Bh3 g6 24.e4 $1 dxe4 25.fxe4 {All of this was pretty logical and forced. Magnus had to make a decision- to play calm and solid moves or to go for a risky line. He chose the latter!} 25...Bb2 $5 ( {Black is doing fine after} 25...Ng4 26.exf5 Rxf5 27.Rxf5 gxf5 ) ( {Naturally,} 25...Nxe4 $4 {is not great} 26.Qxe4 ) 26.exf5 Qxa2 {"I might have overestimated my position" said Magnus at the press conference. Indeed, the position of his king is scary, but if he manages to trade the queens, his pawn will get promoted. The analyzes showed that with correct play by both sides the game should have ended in a draw.} 27.Bf2 ( {Carlsen saw that the lines with the pawn capture are always good for him} 27.Kh1 Rad8 28.fxg6 $4 ( 28.Rxd8 Rxd8 29.fxg6 $2 Qd5+ 30.Bg2 Qd3 ) 28...Rxd1 29.Qxd1 Qd5+ {In both cases he trades the queens and promotes a new one!} ) 27...g5 28.Rfe1 $1 {Correctly centralizing his troops. Anand needs to attack the enemy king to survive.} 28...Qf7 29.Re6 {Now White threatens to shift the bishop from h3 to c4. Magnus has to force matters.} ( 29.Bf1 $2 {does not work yet due to} 29...Nd5 {and the f5 pawn falls.} ) 29...Ng4 {Opens further the king, but as Carlsen said at the press conference he could not find anything decisive for White after thorough calculation.} ( 29...Rad8 $5 {was another interesting idea, but the world champion obviously does not want to move the rook away from the a file. After} 30.Rxd8 Rxd8 31.Bf1 Nd5 32.Rg6+ Kf8 33.Bc4 Nxb4 $5 34.Qb3 Nd5 {the game remains unclear.} ) 30.Bxg4 hxg4 31.Rg6+ Kh7 {The culmination of the battle.} 32.Rd7 $4 {Anand blunders. Correct was} ( 32.Re6 {For example} 32...Qxf5 {leads to another perpetual} ( 32...Bf6 33.Rxf6 $1 {This leaves to perpetual} ( 33.Qa2 $5 {(Carlsen)} ) 33...Qxf6 34.Rd7+ Rf7 ( 34...Kg8 35.Bd4 a2 {is bad due to} 36.Qc4+ Kh8 37.Bxf6+ Rxf6 38.Rd1 a1=Q 39.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 40.Kg2 {where White should win.} ) 35.Bd4 Qxd4+ 36.Rxd4 a2 37.Rd1 a1=Q 38.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 39.Kg2 Re1 ) ( 32...Rae8 $2 33.Rdd6 ) 33.Rd7+ Kg8 34.Rg6+ Kh8 35.Rh6+ ( {The spectacular} 35.Qxb2+ axb2 36.Bd4+ {fails to} 36...Rf6 {as mentioned by Carlsen.} ) ) 32...Qxd7 33.f6 Qd1+ $1 {The neatest road to the win. The black king easily escapes the checks and the little a pawn loudly presents itself to the world!} 34.Qxd1 Kxg6 35.Qd3+ Kh6 36.h4 gxh3 {Carlsen is back into the contest for the tournament win.} 0-1

[Event "3rd GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "Baden - Baden GER"]
[Date "2015.02.07"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8109703563274"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 d5 4.d4 Bb4 {The Ragozin line. We are skipping the opening phase as all of these moves were played three weeks ago by Levon with the back pieces in his game with Magnus Carlsen in Wijk aan Zee.} 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Qa4+ Nc6 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.e3 O-O 10.Be2 a6 11.O-O Be6 12.Rfc1 Bd6 13.a3 {Levon came well prepared for the game. White immediately starts the minority attack. This move is not as common as} ( 13.Qd1 {which was Carlsen's choise in Tata. Then after} 13...Ne7 14.a3 Rfd8 15.b4 Nc8 {was Levon's novelty from Wijk an Zee. It did not work with Magnus, but Anand obviously trusts this position and belives he can develop his pieces better than in the abovementioned game. There are also early improvements for Black in the position.} 16.Na4 {We will have to wait and see what Anand had in mind when choosing this line. Was it an improvement earlier, or the one I suggested in this position Now} 16...b6 $6 {led to problems for Black in Carlsen,M (2862) -Aronian,L (2797) Tata Steel Masters 2015} ( 16...b5 $5 17.Nc5 Nb6 18.a4 ( {In case of} 18.Nb7 Rdb8 19.Nxd6 cxd6 {the doubled pawn on d6 will cover the vital e5 and c5 points.} ) 18...Nxa4 19.Nxa4 bxa4 20.Rxa4 Rab8 21.Ne1 Bxb4 22.Nd3 ) ) 13...Ne7 {The knight belongs on the kingside as Black will attack there. Vishy also prepares his next move.} 14.b4 c6 {This somewhat slows the attack, but White can regroup.} 15.Qb3 g5 ( {A game by another Grenke Classic participant saw White successfully conducting the Minority Attack after} 15...h5 16.Na4 h4 17.Nc5 Rab8 18.Qd1 Bc7 19.a4 Bg4 20.Nd2 Bf5 21.b5 axb5 22.axb5 Qd6 23.Nf1 $1 {White is solid on the kingside and is already creating weaknesses on the other side in Bacrot,E (2723)-Grandadam,N (2286) Basel 2011} ) 16.Qb2 {A deep profilactical novelty. White defends... the bishop on e2!} ( {The only predecessor saw} 16.g3 {but this weakens the kingside and after} 16...g4 17.Ne1 h5 18.Qd1 Nf5 19.Ng2 Rae8 20.Na4 Kg7 21.Nc5 Bc8 22.Nd3 Rh8 23.Ndf4 Bxf4 24.Nxf4 h4 {when Black had serious threats on the kingside, Mirzoev,A (2510)-Peralta,F (2590) Navalmoral 2011} ) ( {White idea is revealed after careful study of the most natural move} 16.Na4 {Then Black has this tricky idea in his disposal} 16...g4 $1 17.Nd2 ( 17.Ne1 Bxh2+ $1 18.Kxh2 Qxf2 19.Bd3 Nf5 {looks scary for White, to say at least.} ) 17...a5 $5 {with the idea} ( 17...Bxh2+ $6 {would be too early as the queen is trapped after} 18.Kxh2 Qxf2 19.Nf1 $1 Qxe2 $2 20.Ng3 Qb5 ( 20...Qf2 21.Rf1 ) 21.Rc5 {and White wins.} ) ( 17...h5 {is also interesting for Black.} ) 18.b5 Bxh2+ $1 19.Kxh2 Qxf2 20.Bd3 ( {Now} 20.Nf1 {does not work due to} 20...Qxe2 21.Ng3 Qxb5 ) 20...cxb5 21.Bxb5 Nf5 {with strong attack for the piece.} ) 16...Qg7 ( {Vishy regroups as} 16...g4 17.Nd2 Bxh2+ 18.Kxh2 Qxf2 19.Nf1 {is no longer appealing for Black.} ) ( {Another possibility is} 16...h5 {but then} 17.Na4 Rae8 ( 17...Ng6 18.Nc5 ) 18.Nc5 Bc8 19.Ne5 {looks a bit better for White.} ) ( {Perhaps the immediate} 16...Rae8 $5 {is most accurate. First Black will secure the queenside} 17.Na4 Ng6 18.Nc5 Bc8 {and only then Black will decide which pawn he wants to advance first.} ) 17.Na4 Rae8 18.Nc5 Bc8 19.g3 ( {In case of} 19.a4 {Black gets counterplay with} 19...f5 20.b5 axb5 21.axb5 f4 {but this was preferable to what happened in the game.} ) 19...Nf5 {Not a bad move, but the straightforward atacks looks even better:} ( 19...f5 20.Bf1 f4 21.exf4 gxf4 22.Bg2 h5 {and Black looks faster.} ) 20.Bd3 Qf6 {With the threat Nf5xe3, hence the next move for White.} 21.Rf1 h5 22.Rac1 h4 {Vishy has played logically and strong and his attack is growing fast. He now intends to open up the h-file and checkmate with his heavy pieces.} 23.Qd2 ( {Perhaps White should have defended with} 23.Ne1 {in order to recaptureon g3 with the f-pawn} 23...hxg3 24.fxg3 ) 23...Nh6 $2 {So far Black has played logically and strong and he's achieved an extremely promising position. Now Anand chose a tempting but tactically wrong idea. After the consistent} ( 23...hxg3 24.hxg3 Kg7 {Black has a tremendous attack. For example} 25.Kg2 Rh8 26.Rh1 Nxe3+ $3 27.fxe3 Bh3+ $1 28.Rxh3 ( 28.Kf2 g4 ) 28...Rxh3 29.Kxh3 Qxf3 {and mate along the h-file.} ) 24.e4 $1 {Very strong! Now the tables are turned into White's favor. Once that this pawn jumps to e5 Black can no longer attack the kingside.} 24...Bxc5 {One mistake often lead to another. This makes things easier for White.} ( {Anand probably missed} 24...Qxf3 25.Qxg5+ Kh7 26.e5+ Bf5 ( 26...f5 27.exf6+ Bf5 28.Qg7# ) 27.Bxf5+ Nxf5 {and now the only but sufficient move for White} ( 27...Qxf5 28.Qxf5+ Nxf5 29.exd6 Nxd6 30.Nd7 $1 ) 28.Rc3 $1 {and if} 28...Nxd4 29.Qxh4+ Kg7 30.Qxd4 Bxc5 31.bxc5 {with extra material for Aronian.} ) ( {The most resilent continuation is} 24...Be7 {to defend the pawn although here too White should be better after} 25.Ne5 ( 25.e5 Qxf3 ) 25...dxe4 26.Nxe4 Qg7 27.Nc5 ) 25.e5 $1 Qg7 {Now it is over.} ( {White is clearly better after} 25...Bxb4 26.axb4 Qg7 27.Nxg5 Bf5 {but this was the most stubborn continuation.} ) 26.bxc5 f6 27.exf6 Rxf6 28.Nxg5 {There is nothing left from Black's attack and he is a pawn down. The rest is easy for Aronian.} 28...Bf5 29.Rce1 Rff8 30.Rxe8 Rxe8 31.Nf3 Bxd3 32.Qxd3 Re4 33.Re1 hxg3 34.hxg3 {A painful defeat for Vishy Anand who played consistently and strong until he blundered badly in a very promising position.} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2015.02.20"]
[Round "5.6"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2696"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[ECO "A01"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[Beauty "8248220200995"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:21"]
[BlackClock "0:51:07"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.b3 {The Nimzowitsch-Larsen opening can nowadays be named after Baadur who is commonly using it and keeps on finding fresh ideas.} 1...Nf6 2.Bb2 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.d4 {Georgian's favorite move. It seems illogical to close the bishop that had just occupied the long diagonal, but Jobava has an opinion of his own.} 4...c5 5.e3 cxd4 6.exd4 d5 7.Qd2 Nc6 8.O-O-O ( {One very fresh example of Baadur's saw} 8.f3 h5 {Perhaps this is what inspired Shakh for what he did later in the game.} 9.Bb5 Qd6 10.Nge2 Bh6 11.Qd1 Bf5 {and Black already very comfortable in Jobava,B (2727)-Carlsen,M (2862) Wijk aan Zee 2015} ) 8...Qa5 ( {A novelty upon a game these two played earlier. That game saw} 8...O-O 9.f3 h5 10.Kb1 Bf5 11.a3 Rc8 {with a double-edged position in Jobava,B (2711) -Mamedyarov,S (2764) Beijing 2012} ) 9.f3 h5 10.Kb1 Bf5 11.Bd3 $1 {This enterprising pawn sacrifice is practically forced.} ( {The normal development} 11.Nge2 $2 {is just bad as Black has concrete threats} 11...Nb4 12.Rc1 Nxa2 $1 ) ( {while a waiting move like} 11.a3 {allows all the joy for Black after either} 11...Rc8 ( {Or} 11...a6 ) ) 11...Nxd4 $1 ( {Shakh goes for it! He could have easily kept the balance after} 11...Bxd3 12.Qxd3 e6 {but he decided that the risk is worth it.} ) 12.Nge2 Nxe2 ( {Worse is} 12...Bxd3 13.Nxd4 Ba6 14.Rhe1 {when Black cannot easily evacuate the king from the center. For example} 14...e6 15.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 16.Rxe6+ Kf7 17.Nxd5 Qxd2 18.Re7+ Kf8 19.Rxd2 {and the attack continues in the endgame.} ) 13.Qxe2 Bd7 $1 {Correct decision. Generally, Black would be happy to trade pieces. The problem with the move} ( 13...Bxd3 {however is that it brings the white attackers too quickly:} 14.Rxd3 Rd8 ( 14...e6 $2 15.Nxd5 $1 {is a nice tactical shot.} ) 15.Rhd1 {when Black is once again losing the central pawn} 15...e6 16.Nxd5 Rxd5 17.Rxd5 Nxd5 18.Bxg7 {with a clear advantage for White.} 18...Nc3+ 19.Bxc3 Qxc3 20.Qb5+ Qc6 21.Qxc6+ bxc6 22.Rd6 ) 14.Rhe1 e6 {For the pawn Baadur managed to bring his rooks in the center, but what comes next? One more move and the black king will escape from the dangerous zone and Shakh will start converting the extra pawn.} 15.Bxg6 $5 {! Nope, the king will stay in the center. Jobava follows the classical rule. If the opponent's king is in the center, open files to reach it.} 15...fxg6 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 ( {There is no time to escape} 16...O-O 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.Rxd7 ) 17.Bxg7 Rg8 $5 {Mamedyarov rejects the draw after} ( 17...Nc3+ 18.Bxc3 Qxc3 19.Rxd7 $1 Kxd7 20.Qxe6+ Kc7 21.Qf7+ Kc8 {The king has to stay on the back rank as going up may lead to a big fall down} ( 21...Kc6 $2 22.Re6+ Kc5 23.Qc7+ {and mate after} 23...Kb4 24.Qxb7+ Kc5 25.Qc6+ Kb4 26.a3+ Kxa3 27.Qa4# ) 22.Re8+ Rxe8 23.Qxe8+ Kc7 24.Qxa8 {White regains the piece and is even a piece up, but the presense of their Majesties on the board with the kings wide open will sooner or later lead to a perpetual after} 24...Qe1+ 25.Kb2 Qe5+ 26.c3 Qxh2 27.Qxa7 Qxg2+ ) ( {However, it seems as that the best defense was the subtle} 17...Rh7 $1 18.Qe5 ( 18.Bb2 $5 Nc3+ 19.Bxc3 Qxc3 20.Rd6 O-O-O {brings the king into safety.} ) 18...Kf7 19.c4 ( {The difference with the game continuation becomes apparent after} 19.Rxd5 Qxd5 20.Qf6+ Kg8 $1 ) 19...Rxg7 20.cxd5 Kg8 21.dxe6 Qxe5 22.Rxe5 {and White has two pawns for the piece, but this is not enough here.} ) 18.Qe5 Rxg7 $6 {Tempting! When under attack it makes sense to annihilate as many many active pieces as possible, even if we give back part of the material. This however has a nice refutation.} ( {White's attack is very strong in case of} 18...Kf7 19.Rxd5 Qxd5 20.Qf6+ Ke8 21.Qxg6+ Kd8 22.Qf7 Kc7 23.Re3 ) ( {But} 18...Qc7 {looked like the best defense with the idea} 19.Qxd5 ( 19.Qb2 O-O-O ) 19...Rxg7 20.Rxe6+ $6 ( {Instead} 20.Qd4 $1 Kf8 21.g4 {keeps the game unclear as the king is still vulnerable.} ) 20...Bxe6 21.Qxe6+ Qe7 {and Black holds and wins.} ) 19.Rxd5 $1 {The knight is a very important defender. Now the attack on the open files is furious!} 19...Qb4 20.Rd6 Kf8 ( {Once more there is no time to saveguard the king} 20...O-O-O $2 21.Re4 Qa3 22.Rc4+ Bc6 23.Rxd8+ Kxd8 24.Qxg7 ) 21.Red1 Bc6 $2 {This loses instantly, but objectively speaking Black was already in bad shape.} ( {True, after the most resilent} 21...Be8 22.Rxe6 Bf7 23.Rd7 Kg8 {Baadur had to find the following amazing resource} 24.Rxf7 $3 Kxf7 ( 24...Rxf7 {is easier for White after} 25.Rxg6+ Kf8 26.Rh6 ) 25.Qd5 $3 {Ambush.} 25...Kf8 26.Re4 $3 {A truly remarkable position! The two white heavy pieces dominate the three black. Spirit rules material. White wins the queen at least. For example} 26...Qa3 ( 26...Qc3 27.Rf4+ Ke8 28.Qb5+ Kd8 29.Re4 Rc8 30.Qe8+ Kc7 31.Rc4+ Qxc4 32.Qe5+ ) 27.Rf4+ Ke8 28.Ra4 Qf8 29.Re4+ Re7 30.Qb5+ Kf7 31.Rf4+ ) 22.R1d4 {Not bad, but there was an instant win.} ( {It seems as both players missed the important deflection after} 22.Rd8+ Rxd8 23.Rxd8+ Kf7 ( 23...Be8 24.Qf6+ Rf7 25.Qh8+ ) ( 23...Ke7 24.Rd4 ) 24.a3 $3 {when the queen has to abandon the f4-square Black loses the game:} ( 24.c3 {should also do} ) 24...Qe7 ( {Or mate after} 24...Qxa3 25.Qf4+ Ke7 26.Qf8# ) 25.Qf4+ Qf6 26.Rf8+ $1 Kxf8 27.Qxf6+ {and White wins.} ) 22...Qb5 23.Rd8+ $2 {Lets the win slip away.} ( 23.Qxe6 $1 {keeps a tremendous attack, say} 23...Qg5 24.h4 Qe7 25.Qc4 ) 23...Rxd8 24.Rxd8+ Ke7 25.Qd6+ Kf6 26.Qd4+ Kf7 $4 {The culmination of the battle and the last mistake. Shakh became once more overambitious and blundered checkmate.} ( 26...Ke7 $1 {was mandatory when White can repeat the moves or try} 27.a4 {which should also lead to some perpetual after} 27...Qf5 28.Qd6+ Kf6 29.Rf8+ Rf7 30.Qd8+ Kg7 31.Rg8+ Kh6 32.Rh8+ Kg7 ( {But not} 32...Rh7 33.h4 $3 {when the black king is once again surrounded} 33...Qf7 34.Rg8 $1 Rg7 35.Rf8 {Oh wait, was that the queen?} ) 33.Rg8+ ) 27.Qf4+ Ke7 {An epic battle of two of the most creative players of our time!} ( {And not waiting to see the mate, Shakh resigned.} 27...Ke7 28.Qf8# ) 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2015.02.21"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[ECO "B97"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[Beauty "8248082045495"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:20:04"]
[BlackClock "0:04:11"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 {A small surprise. In his younger days Teimour liked to play very sharply in the opening. However, he did not play the mainline since 2011.} 6...e6 7.f4 Qb6 {The Poisoned Pawn variation has its ups and downs. Of late it seems as the interest towards it is rising again. White waits until the second player gets the deceptive feeling that all is good in this line for him and stops checking the forced lines. And then White strikes! At least this is the way I explain the fashionable trends in the line. :-)} ( {In their previous encounter Alexander chose a different plan:} 7...Qc7 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.f5 Nc6 10.fxe6 fxe6 11.Bc4 Nxd4 12.Qxd4 Rg8 {Radjabov,T (2744)-Grischuk,A (2728) Sochi 2008} ) 8.Qd2 Qxb2 9.Rb1 Qa3 10.e5 ( 10.f5 {is the old main line.} ) 10...h6 11.Bh4 dxe5 12.fxe5 g5 {This particular line dates since the distant...2007 year!} 13.Bg3 ( {Another line was tested by two promising young players:} 13.exf6 gxh4 14.Be2 Nd7 15.O-O Qa5 16.Kh1 Qg5 {Yu,Y (2697) -Robson,R (2628) Las Vegas 2014} ) 13...Nh5 14.Ne4 Nd7 {Black bought some time to develop a piece with his last moves, but created too many weaknesses in his camp.} 15.Rb3 Qxa2 16.Be2 {A very typical picture for the Poisoned Pawn variation has arisen. Black has two extra pawns, but White three extra pieces in the attack! It can hardly be sharper than that. Both sides have to be extremely precise in what they are doing. Grischuk now comes up with a novelty...} 16...Nc5 {...which I personally doubt will attract many followers.} ( {It was mandatory to start with a check:} 16...Qa1+ 17.Bd1 {and only then go for} ( {One point behind the check is that Black does not meet the witty} 17.Kf2 $6 {with the natural capture} 17...Qxh1 $2 ( {but with the cunning} 17...Nxg3 $1 18.Nxg3 ( 18.Rxa1 Nxe4+ ) 18...Qxd4+ $1 19.Qxd4 Bc5 {and White is too many pawns down} ) 18.Nxe6 fxe6 19.Bxh5+ Kd8 20.Qa5+ b6 21.Rxb6 ) 17...Nc5 {This has been tested in three correspondence games, with good results for Black. One example:} 18.Re3 Nxe4 19.Rxe4 Nxg3 20.hxg3 Qa3 21.O-O Bg7 22.Bh5 O-O {and Black seems in a good shape, Hervet,G (2352)-Matei,C (2527) corr. 2009.} ) ( {Black can also investigate the consequences of the move} 16...Nxg3 17.hxg3 Bc5 ) 17.Nc3 $1 {A strong reply. The knight moves away with tempo.} ( 17.Bxh5 $6 Nxe4 ) ( 17.Nxc5 $6 Nxg3 ) 17...Nxb3 {Forced or else Black loses a piece after} ( 17...Qa1+ 18.Rb1 Qa5 19.Bxh5 ) 18.Nxb3 Bb4 ( {Objectively speaking, Black's best try was} 18...Nxg3 19.Nxa2 Nxh1 {but since the knight is trapped after} 20.Kf1 Be7 21.Kg1 O-O {White's chances are much better.} ) 19.Bxh5 Qb2 {The vulnerable position of the queen allows White a decisive attack after} ( 19...Bxc3 20.Qxc3 Qb1+ ( 20...O-O 21.O-O {with the threat Rf1-a1} ) 21.Bd1 Bd7 22.O-O Rc8 23.Qf3 O-O 24.Nd2 $1 {and the knight is heading for the juicy f6 square} 24...Qb6+ 25.Bf2 Qb4 26.Ne4 {Once that this knight goes to f6 it is all over.} ) 20.O-O Qxc3 {Alas, the king is not getting any peace on the kingside either.} ( 20...O-O 21.Qf2 Qxc3 22.Bxf7+ Kh7 23.Qf6 Qxc2 24.h4 $1 Qd3 25.h5 $1 {and White wins.} ) 21.Bxf7+ Ke7 22.Qf2 {The king stays in the middle and the rest is a piece of cake for Radjabov.} 22...Kd7 ( {Or} 22...Rf8 23.Qf6+ Kd7 24.Be1 Qc4 25.Bxb4 Qxb4 26.Bxe6+ Ke8 27.Bf7+ Kd7 28.c3 $1 Qa3 29.Ra1 {and the queen is deflected from the d6 square.} ) 23.Qb6 Rf8 24.Be1 {One mistake in a sharp position proved one too many for Grischuk. It is good to see Radjabov back in sharp battle!} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2015.02.23"]
[Round "8.4"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "182"]
[Beauty "4812376646178"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:33:16"]
[BlackClock "0:03:19"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O {Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years.} 8.a4 {Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines.} 8...Bb7 9.d3 d6 ( {The immediate} 9...b4 {can be met with} 10.Nbd2 {when the knight enjoys the c4 square.} ) 10.Bd2 {A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position.} ( 10.Nbd2 Na5 11.Ba2 c5 12.Nf1 bxa4 {is Caruana,F (2844) -Tomashevsky,E (2701) Baku 2014} ) ( 10.Nc3 {used to be the main line, but Black scored well. One example:} 10...Na5 11.Ba2 b4 12.Ne2 c5 13.Bd2 Rb8 14.Ng3 Bc8 $1 15.h3 Ne8 16.Nh2 Bg5 17.Nf3 Bf6 18.Nh2 g6 19.Ng4 Bg5 {with very nice play for Black in Caruana,F (2492)-Adams,M (2735) Gibraltar 2007} ) 10...b4 {Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong.} 11.c3 Rb8 {A common temporary pawn sacrifice.} ( {Another plan is} 11...a5 12.d4 exd4 13.cxd4 d5 14.e5 Ne4 {as in Ducarmon,Q (2487)-Fedoseev, V (2661) Pune 2014} ) 12.cxb4 Bc8 {Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position.} ( {Previously only} 12...Ba8 {was seen, but the bishop is not as effective as on the other diagonal:} 13.b5 axb5 14.a5 ( 14.axb5 Rxb5 15.Nc3 Rb8 ) 14...Nd4 15.Nxd4 exd4 16.Bf4 {Rogulj,B (2427)-Rogic,D (2505) Austria 2000} ) 13.b5 axb5 14.axb5 Rxb5 15.Ra8 ( {White can hardly hope for an advantage after} 15.Nc3 Rb8 16.h3 ) 15...Rb8 16.Rxb8 Nxb8 17.d4 $1 {MVL occupies some central squares with his knights.} 17...exd4 18.Nxd4 c5 $1 {Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely.} 19.Nf3 ( {Or} 19.Nb5 Qb6 20.N1c3 Nc6 21.Bf4 Nd4 22.Nxd4 ( 22.Bc4 Bd7 23.Nxd6 Bxd6 24.Bxd6 Qxd6 25.e5 Qb6 26.exf6 Qxf6 ) 22...cxd4 23.Nd5 Nxd5 ) 19...Nc6 20.Bc3 ( {In case of} 20.Nc3 Bg4 $1 {creates the nasty Nc6-d4 threat.} ) 20...Be6 21.Nbd2 {This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind.} ( {More precise is} 21.Na3 {at least for the moment stopping} 21...d5 $2 22.Bxf6 Bxf6 23.exd5 ) 21...d5 $1 22.Ng5 Bg4 $1 23.Qc2 {Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations.} ( {Black has plenty of play for the pawn after} 23.f3 d4 24.fxg4 dxc3 25.bxc3 Ne5 26.h3 {but this was preferable to what happened in the game.} ) 23...c4 $1 {Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable.} ( {Most likely MVL spent most of his time calculating the consequences of the sharp continuation} 23...d4 24.e5 ) 24.Nxc4 ( {The bishop is vulnerable after} 24.Ba2 h6 25.exd5 Nb4 26.Bxb4 Bxb4 27.Ngf3 Bxf3 28.gxf3 Qa5 ) ( {Or} 24.Ba4 Nb4 25.Bxb4 Bxb4 26.e5 Ne4 $1 27.Ndxe4 dxe4 {when both the rook and the knight are hanging} 28.Qxe4 Qxg5 ) ( {Alas, there is no time for} 24.e5 $2 cxb3 ) 24...dxc4 25.Bxc4 Nd7 26.Nxf7 $1 {The best practical chance!} ( {The retreat is absolutely hopeless} 26.Nf3 Bxf3 27.gxf3 Nde5 ) 26...Rxf7 27.Bxf7+ Kxf7 28.Bxg7 Kxg7 29.Qxc6 {After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops!} 29...Ne5 30.Qc3 Bf6 31.Qg3 h5 32.h3 ( {Or} 32.f4 h4 33.Qe3 Nd3 {with the threat Bf6-d4.} ) 32...h4 33.Qe3 Be6 {Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns.} 34.b4 Qd3 {True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual.} 35.Kh2 ( {Or} 35.Qf4 Qd4 ) ( {Similar to the game is} 35.f4 Qxe3+ 36.Rxe3 Nc6 37.Kh2 ( 37.e5 Be7 38.g3 Bxb4 39.Rd3 ) 37...Nxb4 38.g3 ) 35...Be7 36.f4 Qxe3 37.Rxe3 Nc4 38.Re2 {At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one...} ( {One of the pawns is lost anyway} 38.Rb3 Nd2 ) ( {But} 38.Rd3 Bxb4 39.g3 {seems more accurate.} ) 38...Bxb4 {One down, more to go.} 39.g3 ( {The passive defense would not help. After} 39.Rf2 Nd2 40.e5 Kg6 {Black will bring the king on f5, the bishop on e3 and chop the pawns off.} ) 39...Nd2 40.gxh4 {This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces!} ( {Naturally, White wants to keep his pawns together, but after} 40.g4 Bd6 41.e5 Bb4 42.f5 Bc4 43.Rf2 Bd5 {Black can suddenly create mating threats with his pieces.} ) 40...Bc4 41.Rg2+ Kh6 42.Kg3 {The king leaves the danger zone} ( 42.e5 Nf1+ 43.Kg1 Bc5+ 44.Kh1 Bd5 ) 42...Bf1 ( {Also good is} 42...Nxe4+ 43.Kf3 Bd5 ) 43.Rh2 Bd3 44.Kg4 ( 44.e5 $2 Nf1+ ) 44...Nxe4 {Two down.} 45.Kf5 ( {Nothing changes} 45.Kf3 Kh5 ) 45...Bd6 46.Rg2 Kh5 47.Rg8 Ng5+ 48.Kf6 Nh7+ 49.Kg7 Bxf4 {Three.} 50.Ra8 ( 50.Rh8 Be5+ {loses on the spot.} ) 50...Be5+ 51.Kf7 Kxh4 {Four.} 52.Ra4+ Kh5 ( 52...Kxh3 53.Ra3 ) 53.h4 Bb2 54.Rf4 Bc3 55.Ke6 Be1 56.Rf3 Bg6 57.Rf1 Bb4 ( 57...Bxh4 {was OK as well.} ) 58.Rf4 Nf8+ 59.Kd5 Be7 60.Rf1 Bc2 61.Rg1 Bb3+ 62.Ke4 Ng6 63.Kf5 Bd8 ( 63...Nxh4+ ) 64.Ke4 Be6 65.Rd1 Be7 66.Ra1 Bc8 67.Ra5+ Kxh4 {Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position.} 68.Ra1 Kg5 69.Rg1+ Bg4 70.Rg2 Bc5 71.Rg3 Nf4 72.Ke5 Bf2 73.Ra3 Bh3 74.Ra5 Bg2 {The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank.} 75.Ra3 Ne2 76.Ra5 ( {Or} 76.Ra2 Bg3+ 77.Ke6 Nd4+ 78.Ke7 Bh3 ) 76...Bg3+ 77.Ke6+ Kg6 78.Ra6 Nd4+ 79.Ke7+ Kg7 80.Ra1 Bh3 81.Rh1 ( {If} 81.Rg1 Nf5+ 82.Ke6 Ne3+ 83.Ke7 Ng2 84.Rh1 Nf4 85.Rg1 Ng6+ {the king will be forced on the eight rank anyway.} ) 81...Bg4 82.Rg1 Ne2 83.Rf1 Bf4 84.Rd1 Nc3 85.Rd3 Ne4 86.Kd8 Nc5 87.Rd5 Ne4 88.Rd3 Ng5 89.Ke7 Nf7 90.Rd4 Bg5+ 91.Ke8 Ne5 {Picturesque domination. The threat Bg4-h5 can be stopped only at the expense of the rook. White resigned and Tomashevsky is getting very close to overall tournament victory!} 0-1

[Event "European Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.03.05"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6807254742059"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:03:41"]
[BlackClock "0:16:04"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.Nf3 {Navara plays pretty much everything and varies his openings on account of the opponent. In this game he choses a tricky opening idea to deal with the Gruenfeld defense.} 1...Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e3 {In search of innovation! This line is quite fresh and fashionable. White is mainly pinning his hopes for an opening advantage with one of the following continuations:} ( 5.g3 ) ( 5.d4 ) ( 5.e4 ) 5...Nxc3 {This was perhaps easy to predict.} ( {Peter Leko's careful aproach led to a completely different game after} 5...e6 6.d4 cxd4 7.exd4 Be7 {with a typical IQP position that arises from the Panov/Nimzo-Indian/Tarrasch openings, Tomashevsky,E (2714)-Leko,P (2731) Sochi 2014. The problem with this approach however is that Nepomniachtchi play neither of these openings, at least with the black pieces. He is an expert of the Panov attack, but as White.} ) 6.bxc3 Qc7 7.Bb2 {A novelty on move seven! It seems illogical to place the bishop on the diagonal which is blocked by the pawn, but this is only temporary. The world champion had tested} ( 7.d4 g6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.a4 Bg7 10.O-O O-O 11.Ba3 b6 {when the position still resembles the Gruenfeld, Carlsen,M (2881)-Giri,A (2752) Stavanger 2014} ) 7...Nd7 ( {If anything, Black is not going to fianchettoe the bishop!} 7...g6 $6 8.c4 {is awkward for the second player.} ) ( {Perhaps Black will try in the future} 7...e5 {with natural development - Bf8-e7, Nb8-c6 and central control.} ) 8.Qb3 e6 ( {Once more the fianchettoe is not appealing:} 8...g6 9.Ng5 e6 10.c4 e5 {when White has the pleasant choice between the aggressive} 11.h4 ( {and} 11.f4 ) ( {or the positional} 11.Be2 {after which the knight on g5 will be rerouted to the d5 square via e4-c3.} ) ) 9.c4 {The opening operation was successful! Navara took his opponent "out of book" and objectively speaking White enjoys some pressure. The bishop on b2 is very nicely placed.} 9...b6 10.a4 {Since the black kingside is frozen, White prepares a "warm" welcome for the black monarch.} 10...Bb7 ( {The careless} 10...e5 $6 11.a5 Bb7 $2 {allows a nice combination:} 12.axb6 axb6 13.Rxa8+ Bxa8 14.Nxe5 $1 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Qxe5 16.Qa4+ {and wins.} ) 11.a5 $1 f6 {Nepomniachtchi tries to close the long diagonal and free his bishop.} ( {Things are not very optimistic for Black after} 11...O-O-O 12.axb6 ( 12.Be2 ) ( 12.Bd3 ) 12...axb6 13.Be2 ) ( 11...e5 $2 {transposes to the above-mentioned line after} 12.axb6 axb6 13.Rxa8+ Bxa8 14.Nxe5 $1 ) 12.Bd3 $1 {Now that the pawn has moved to f6, the black kingside is vulnerable. The Czech grandmaster neatly uses that.} 12...Bd6 $6 {An inaccuracy.} ( {Better was} 12...Be7 $5 {with the idea} 13.Qc2 f5 14.Bxg7 Rg8 15.Bc3 Rxg2 {with slightly better chances for White.} ) 13.Qc2 f5 ( {White is also much better after} 13...Nf8 14.Be4 ) 14.Ng5 $1 {Play on both flanks!} ( {Black was OK after} 14.Bxg7 Rg8 15.Bc3 ( {Not} 15.Qc3 $2 Bxf3 $1 16.gxf3 Kf7 17.Bh6 ( 17.Rg1 Bf8 $1 ) 17...Be5 {when Black is on top.} ) 15...Rxg2 ) 14...Nf8 {The most reasonable defense.} ( {Black's position falls apart after} 14...e5 $2 15.Ne6 ) ( {and} 14...Ke7 {can be met by the simple} 15.f4 {with a large advantage} ( {Or the more entertaining} 15.Nxe6 $5 Kxe6 16.Bxf5+ Kf7 17.Bxh7 ) ) 15.f4 $1 h6 ( {It suddenly becomes clear that the pawn on g2 is poisoned. In the line} 15...Bxg2 16.Rg1 Bc6 ( 16...Qb7 {loses prosaically after} 17.axb6 axb6 18.Rxa8+ Qxa8 19.Bxg7 Rg8 20.Bxf8 ) 17.axb6 axb6 ( 17...Qxb6 18.Bxg7 {is a mess for Black.} ) 18.Rxa8+ Bxa8 {White has the fantastic resource} 19.Nf7 $3 {with an instant win. For example} ( {By the way} 19.Nxe6 $1 Nxe6 20.Bxf5 {would also work.} ) 19...Qxf7 ( 19...Kxf7 20.Rxg7+ ) ( 19...Rg8 20.Nh6 Rh8 21.Bxg7 ) 20.Rxg7 ( {or also} 20.Qa4+ {in either case with a win.} ) ) 16.Nf3 Ng6 {The black king has no peace after neither} ( 16...O-O-O 17.O-O ) ( {nor} 16...Kf7 17.O-O ( 17.Ne5+ ) 17...Nh7 18.Ne5+ ) 17.h4 $1 {Amazing play with the rook pawns! Bent Larsen would be so proud of Navara. Now the black king is not safe anywhere...} 17...O-O-O {Nepomniachtchi decided this is the lesser evil. However...} ( 17...O-O 18.Rh3 $1 {followed by Rh3-g3 and h4-h5. You did not forget about the bishop on b2, did you?} ) 18.axb6 axb6 19.Bxf5 $1 {A well-calculated combination!} 19...Nxf4 ( 19...exf5 20.Qxf5+ ) 20.Be4 $1 ( {But not} 20.exf4 exf5 21.Qxf5+ Kb8 22.Ne5 Bxg2 {when the black bishops come into life.} ) 20...Bxe4 21.Qxe4 Nd3+ $1 {The Russian GM finds the best defense.} 22.Ke2 $1 ( {Definitely not} 22.Qxd3 $4 Bg3+ ) 22...Nxb2 23.Rhb1 $1 {Navara regains the knight while developing!} 23...Rhe8 24.Rxb2 Qb7 25.Qb1 $1 {Once again the best continuation. White's concentration in the attack is enviable!} ( {Both} 25.Qg4 ) ( {and} 25.Qg6 {were tempting but the text is stronger.} ) 25...Bc7 26.Rba2 {White's position is overwhelming. The rooks are about to enter the king's castle.} 26...Bb8 27.Ra8 Rd6 28.R1a7 $5 {A somewhat surprising, but strong idea! The queen will co-operate much better with the knight than the black rooks and the bishop.} ( 28.Qg6 $1 Re7 ( 28...Red8 29.R1a7 Qxa7 30.Rxa7 Bxa7 31.Qxg7 ) 29.Ne5 ) 28...Qxa7 ( {Or} 28...Qc6 29.Qg6 Red8 30.Ke1 $1 {with the unstoppable threat Nf3-e5!} ) 29.Rxa7 Bxa7 30.Ne5 Red8 {Black's defense is extremely difficult.} ( 30...Bb8 31.Qb5 Red8 32.d3 {with the threats Ne5-f7 and Ne5-c6 looks winning for White.} ) 31.d3 Rf8 32.g4 $1 {Once again Navara plays on both flanks and opens operative room for the queen. Grand play!} 32...Bb8 33.Qh1 $1 h5 {The only chance.} ( {Black is completely paralized after} 33...Bc7 34.Qa8+ Bb8 35.h5 ) 34.gxh5 Rf5 35.Ng6 Rf7 ( {Or else the rook will be in trouble in the line} 35...Rxh5 36.Qf3 Rh6 ( 36...Rh7 37.Qf7 Rd8 38.Qxe6+ ) 37.Qf8+ Rd8 38.Qxg7 ) 36.Qe4 Rf6 37.Ne7+ Kc7 ( {One sweet example of Q+N team work is} 37...Kd7 38.Qb7+ Bc7 39.Nc8 $1 Rc6 40.Na7 $3 Rd6 41.Qc8+ Ke7 42.Qxc7+ ) 38.Qh7 Rf7 39.Ng6 {Total domination! The threat h5-h6 cannot be parried!} 39...e5 40.Nxe5 {Now it should have been over. White's plan is to place the knight on d5 after the preliminary e3-e4 if needed. But every epic battle needs at least a pinch of a drama...} 40...Re7 41.Ng6 ( 41.Ng4 {was a win.} ) 41...Red7 42.Nf4 $2 {Here it is! The dramatic blunder.} ( {Instead, the correct} 42.Qg8 Rxd3 43.Nf8 Rd2+ 44.Kf3 Re7 45.Ne6+ Kb7 46.Nxg7 {still wins.} ) 42...Kb7 $2 {The favour is returned.} ( {Black could have saved the game after} 42...g5 {Ouch!} 43.Nd5+ ( {I doubt that the pawns are as good as the rook in the line} 43.Qxd7+ Kxd7 44.hxg5 Ke7 ) 43...Rxd5 44.Qe4 Rxd3 $1 ( 44...R5d6 45.hxg5 {might still be a win for White!} ) 45.hxg5 ( {Perhaps White missed that in the line} 45.Qxd3 $2 Rxd3 46.Kxd3 gxh4 47.h6 Kd7 48.Ke4 Ke6 {Black can stop the pawn?} ) 45...Rd2+ 46.Kf3 Rh2 47.h6 Rf7+ 48.Kg4 Rf1 {and the active rooks should save the game.} ) 43.Qf5 Bc7 44.e4 {Now everything is under control and Navara finishes the game in style.} 44...b5 45.Nd5 bxc4 46.dxc4 Rd8 47.e5 Re8 ( {There is not fortress after} 47...Rxd5 48.cxd5 Rxd5 49.Qe4 Kc6 50.e6 ) 48.Nxc7 Kxc7 49.Qf7+ Kd8 50.Qxe8+ Kxe8 51.exd6 Kd7 52.Kf3 Kxd6 53.Kf4 {What a game!} 1-0

[Event "European Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.03.06"]
[Round "10.3"]
[White "Khismatullin, Denis"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2653"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[ECO "E46"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6598168427558"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:23"]
[BlackClock "0:02:39"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 {The Nimzo-Indian defense is a good sign that a complicated, tough battle is to come.} 4.e3 O-O 5.Ne2 Re8 6.a3 Bf8 7.Ng3 d5 8.Be2 a6 {Eljanov chooses the more complicated continuation.} ( {The capture} 8...dxc4 {leads to a symmetrical play and offers better chances of equality to the second player-} 9.O-O c5 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Bxc4 {Kuzubov,Y (2661)-Kryvoruchko,Y (2706) Lvov 2014} ) 9.O-O c5 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.cxd5 ( {Previously only} 11.b4 {had been played which led to a promising position for White after} 11...Ba7 12.Qc2 dxc4 13.Bxc4 Qc7 14.Bd3 Nbd7 15.Bb2 {El Debs,F (2514)-Henriquez Villagra,C (2466) Praia da Pipa 2014} ) 11...exd5 12.Bf3 {A somewhat strange version of the IQP has arisen. The white knight normally is on f3 in these positions, and the bishop is on e2. The different positions of these pieces have their pros and cons. For instance, a knight on f3 would make it harder for Black to break in the center with d5-d4, but will allow a chance to the black bishop to get to g4. On the other hand the white bishop on f3 is far more active than on e2.} 12...Be6 ( {A natural desire of the isolated pawn is to go forward. However after} 12...d4 13.Nce4 Bb6 14.exd4 Bxd4 15.Bf4 $1 {White will have a big lead in the development and if Black dares to take the pawn with} 15...Bxb2 $6 {he will get smothered after} 16.Ra2 $1 Nxe4 17.Nxe4 Bf6 18.Rd2 Nd7 19.Nd6 {and White completely dominates the position.} ) 13.b4 Bd6 14.Bb2 {The pawn is untouchable due to} ( 14.Nxd5 $2 Bxg3 15.Nxf6+ Qxf6 {when the rook on a1 is hanging.} ) 14...Be5 ( {Eljanov decides to get rid of the bishop as it was indirectly helping the attack against the isolani. This can be seen in the line} 14...Nc6 15.Na4 Rc8 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Bxd5 {when the pawn falls. If we continue the line though, we shall see that Black is OK after} 17...Bxg3 18.hxg3 Red8 19.e4 Ne7 ) 15.Na4 {Trading the dark-squared bishops is good for White, as long as he can block the-d5 pawn. Over the next couple of moves both sides play around the d4 square.} 15...Bxb2 16.Nxb2 Nc6 17.Nd3 Qb6 ( {Black could have also played} 17...d4 $5 18.Bxc6 ( {Or} 18.Nc5 dxe3 19.Qxd8 exf2+ 20.Rxf2 Nxd8 21.Nxb7 Nxb7 22.Bxb7 Ra7 ) 18...bxc6 19.exd4 Qxd4 20.Nc5 {It seems White is better, but} 20...Qxd1 21.Rfxd1 a5 $1 {clarifies the situation. Black is OK.} ) 18.Rc1 a5 $1 {Good strategy by Eljanov. He wants to get rid of the queenside pawns and to open room for his pieces. Black obviously did well in the opening.} 19.Rb1 axb4 20.axb4 Rad8 ( {Another promising continuation is the typical} 20...d4 $1 21.b5 ( 21.e4 Bc4 ) 21...Na5 22.exd4 ( 22.e4 Nc4 ) 22...Qxd4 {If anyone is better here, it ain't White...} ) 21.b5 Na5 22.Ne2 Ne4 23.Ndf4 Nc4 24.Bxe4 $1 {The black knights became too active and Khismatullin hurries to get rid of one of them.} ( 24.Nd4 Nc3 ) 24...dxe4 25.Nd4 Bc8 {The position has changed, but remains approximately equal.} ( {Also possible was} 25...Bd7 {with the idea to prevent} 26.Rc1 $6 Bxb5 27.Rb1 Na3 28.Rb2 ( 28.Rb3 Qd6 $1 ) 28...Qf6 ) 26.Rc1 Ne5 27.Qb3 Qh6 $1 {A crafty little move!} 28.Rc5 $1 {Khismatullin is alert. What can be more natural than occupying the sevent rank?! Nothing, except that after} ( 28.Rc7 $2 {Eljanov had prepared the nasty} 28...Rxd4 $3 29.exd4 Nf3+ $1 {with huge a advantage for Black, e.g.} 30.gxf3 Qxf4 31.Rxc8 Rxc8 32.fxe4 Qxe4 ) 28...b6 29.Rd5 {The rook carefully avoids the mines.} ( {Now one interesting continuation was} 29.Rxe5 $5 Rxe5 30.Nc6 Qd6 31.Nxd8 Qxd8 32.Rd1 {when White is a tad better but the game looks drawish.} ) ( {Just as before} 29.Rc7 $2 {is bad due to} 29...Rxd4 30.exd4 Nf3+ $1 31.gxf3 Qxf4 32.Qc3 exf3 ( 32...Bh3 ) ) 29...Bb7 30.Rxd8 Rxd8 31.Rd1 Qg5 32.Kf1 $1 ( {More good prophylaxis. Worse is} 32.h3 Nf3+ 33.Nxf3 exf3 34.g3 h6 {when the f3-pawn will feel like a bone in White's throat.} ) 32...g6 33.h3 Nd3 34.Nc6 $1 ( {Khismatullin avoids the draw in the line} 34.Nxd3 exd3 35.Nc6 Bxc6 36.bxc6 Qc5 37.Rxd3 Rxd3 38.Qxd3 Qxc6 ) 34...Bxc6 35.bxc6 Qc5 $1 {So does Eljanov!} ( {Black can force a perpetual after} 35...Nxf4 36.Rxd8+ Qxd8 37.exf4 Qd2 38.Qa4 ( {This way of avoIding the draw} 38.Qc4 $4 {is not the brightest ever} 38...Qd1# ) 38...e3 39.fxe3 Qxe3 40.Qc4 b5 $1 41.Qxb5 Qxf4+ 42.Kg1 Qc1+ {with perpetual.} ) 36.Qa4 Kg7 37.Qa1+ Kg8 38.Qa4 {In time trouble Eljanov rejects the repetion with a blunder.} 38...Rd6 $2 39.Qa8+ $2 {That goes unpunished. Instead} ( 39.c7 $1 Qxc7 40.Qe8+ Kg7 41.Qxe4 f5 ( 41...Nxf4 42.Qe5+ ) 42.Ne6+ Kf7 43.Qxf5+ gxf5 44.Nxc7 {would have won a pawn for White.} ) 39...Kg7 40.Qa1+ Kh6 {The strong threat is Qc5-c2 and Khismatullin goes for the extreme...} 41.Nxd3 exd3 42.Qh8 $3 {...thus abandoning his own king. If Eljanov had been crafty earlier, then Khismatullin is devilish at least... Anyway, who would not play here} 42...Qc2 ( {Wrong was} 42...Qxc6 $2 43.Qf8+ Kg5 44.Qxf7 Qc2 $4 45.Qf4+ Kh5 46.g4+ Kh4 47.Qh6# ) ( {but} 42...Rxc6 43.Rxd3 {should be a draw.} ) 43.Qf8+ Kg5 {Now take a deep breath as what follows is magic.} 44.Kg1 $3 {What a move!!! White gives his rook with a check! And...wins!!!} 44...Qxd1+ {There was no way back.} ( 44...Qxc6 45.Qxf7 $1 ) ( 44...Rxc6 45.Qxf7 $1 ) 45.Kh2 Rxc6 ( {Or the prosaic win after} 45...Qc2 46.Qxd6 Qxf2 ( 46...d2 47.Qf4+ Kh5 48.g4+ Kh4 49.Qh6# ) 47.Qxd3 ) 46.Qe7+ {Before working the lines till the end Khismatullin gives a chance to his opponent to lose faster. Eljanov has no choice anyway.} 46...Kh6 {Everything else loses as well:} ( 46...Kh5 47.g4+ Kh6 48.Qf8+ Kg5 49.Qxf7 ) ( 46...Kf5 47.g4+ ) ( 46...Rf6 47.f4+ {wins as well for White.} ) ( 46...f6 {This one is tricky as after} 47.f4+ Kh6 48.Qf8+ Kh5 {White has to avoid one more trick with the spectacular} 49.Qg7 $3 ) ( {while the obvious} 46...f6 47.f4+ Kh6 48.Qf8+ Kh5 49.g4+ $2 {will be only a draw after} 49...Qxg4 $3 {Forced, but nevertheless beautiful and White has to find the draw after} 50.hxg4+ Kxg4 {as} 51.Qd8 $2 {even loses!} ( 51.Qb4 $1 Rc2+ 52.Kg1 Kg3 53.Qe1+ Kf3 54.Qd1+ Kxe3 55.Qe1+ {should draw} ) 51...Rc2+ 52.Kg1 Kg3 ) 47.Qf8+ Kg5 48.Qxf7 $1 {Unbelievable, yet true. Despite the extra rook, super strong passer and the fact that White attacks only with his queen and pawns Black has no defense! The game concluded} 48...Rf6 49.f4+ Kh6 50.Qxf6 Qe2 51.Qf8+ Kh5 52.Qg7 h6 53.Qe5+ Kh4 54.Qf6+ Kh5 55.f5 $1 gxf5 56.Qxf5+ Kh4 57.Qg6 ( {and not waiting to see the mate after} 57.Qg6 d2 58.Qxh6+ Qh5 59.g3# {Eljanov resigned. Hats off to Denis Khismatullin!} ) 1-0

[Event "Battle of the Legends: Kasparov vs. Sho"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.26"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Short, Nigel D"]
[Black "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2678"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[ECO "B91"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6804973038117"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:18"]
[BlackClock "0:00:20"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 {The Najdorf served Garry Kimovich well all those glory years!} 6.g3 {Short on his turn opts for a quiet, maneuvering game.} 6...e5 7.Nb3 Nbd7 8.a4 b6 9.Bg2 Bb7 10.O-O Be7 11.Re1 {Overprotects the e4 square and prepares the maneuver of the knight from b3 to...d5. This knight is often the main problem for White in the positional set-ups and if it was closer to the d5-square the Najdorf would not be an appealing opening at all. But while it moves around Black now can finish the development and create threats of his own.} ( {White can start with the trademark knight maneuver at once:} 11.Nd2 Nc5 12.b4 Ne6 13.Nd5 Rc8 14.c4 O-O 15.a5 b5 16.cxb5 axb5 {Popov,I (2582) - Vachier-Lagrave,M (2718) Puerto Madryn 2009} ) 11...Rc8 12.Nd2 h5 {Kasparov would not be himself if he is not thoroughly prepared. Even for a friendly blitz match! Here comes an important novelty which will be definitely explored in the next tournaments to come.} ( {Most of the predecessors saw the regroupment} 12...Rc5 13.Nf1 Qa8 {which is aimed against the natural Nf1-e3-d5 maneuver. White can nevertheless go for it:} 14.Ne3 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Bxe4 16.f3 ( 16.Bxe4 {deserves attention as well} 16...Qxe4 17.b3 {with the idea Bc1-a3} ) 16...Bg6 17.b4 Rc8 18.c4 {with compensation for the pawn, Sedlak,N (2576)-Brkic,A (2560) Zadar 2009} ) ( 12...O-O {is possible too of course.} ) 13.Nf1 {Short reacts in a cool way and pretends as if nothing had happened.} 13...h4 14.Ne3 g6 {Kasparov developed his troops perfectly and is now waiting for his opponent's move.} ( {The typical exchange sacrifice is already in the air:} 14...Rxc3 15.bxc3 Nxe4 {but it is hardly good at the moment due to} 16.Nd5 $1 ( {Better than} 16.Nf5 {which allows the crazy complications after} 16...Nxf2 $5 17.Kxf2 hxg3+ 18.hxg3 Bxg2 {with the idea} 19.Kxg2 $2 Qa8+ 20.Qf3 Rh2+ {and wins.} ) ) 15.Re2 {White defends the pawn on c2 and is ready to jump finally to d5 with his knight.} ( {The immediate} 15.Ned5 {is possible though as long as White is willing to part with a pawn after} 15...Nxd5 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.Qxd5 $5 ( {The pawn capture on d5 is excellent for the second player. The hole on d5 disappears and the black kingside pawns become mobile} 17.exd5 hxg3 18.hxg3 f5 {and this is at least more pleasant for Black.} ) 17...Rxc2 18.b4 {with compensation for the pawn thanks to the light-square domination.} ) ( {Maybe White's best choice is the semi-waiting} 15.Qe2 $5 {regrouping afterwards with Re1-d1 and Ne(c)3-d5. The Black can use the situation of the queen with} 15...Nc5 $5 {followed by Nc5-e6-d4 with a tempo with complexed game.} ( 15...Rc5 $5 ) ( 15...Kf8 $5 ) ) 15...hxg3 16.hxg3 {Kasparov sank in some thought here although I had no doubts what he was going to play next.} 16...Rxc3 $1 {This is a case of Black using his hand rather than his brain when performing the sac. Kasparov has done it so many times in the past, and he even accused once Movsesian of "lack of chess culture" for allowing the sacrifice. True, the situation there was different as White had castled long.} 17.bxc3 Nxe4 {For the exchange Black has a pawn and strong center, but his next moves are not optimal.} 18.Bb2 Ndf6 ( 18...f5 $1 {to get firm grip in the center was preferrable.} ) 19.c4 Qc8 {Also not optimal. Both} ( 19...Qa8 {and} ) ( 19...Kf8 {were better.} ) 20.Nd5 $1 Nxd5 21.cxd5 {Now Short got rid of one of the strong knights, undoubled his pawns and strengthened his center. He can breathe more freely and his position is easier to play. Although it still remains very tense.} 21...Ng5 {Kasparov wants to keep his attacking knight.} ( 21...Nc3 {instead is leading to a slight advantage for White without counterplay for his opponent after} 22.Bxc3 Qxc3 23.Rb1 ) 22.c4 {A solid move. Other options were} ( 22.Ra3 $5 {and} ) ( 22.Qd3 $5 ) ( {but not the overaggressive} 22.f4 $2 Qc5+ 23.Kf1 Nh3 24.Bxh3 Rxh3 25.Kg2 Rh5 {and Black wins.} ) 22...a5 {As always Kasparov pays attention to the whole board. He rules out the a4-a5 possibility and improves his bishop.} 23.Rc1 ( 23.Qb3 Ba6 24.Rc1 {would transpose to the game.} ) 23...Ba6 24.Qb3 Qg4 25.Rcc2 {Somewhere around here the players went under the five minute mark and started the blitz. This naturally affected their play.} ( 25.Re3 $5 {might be more precise to defend the third rank.} ) 25...Bc8 26.f4 $1 {Short shows teeth as well!} 26...Nh3+ $6 {A natural check which puts the knight on the rim and Kasparov on the verge of defeat.} ( {It would be very difficlut to choose the piece sacrifice even with hours on the clock} 26...Bf5 $1 27.fxg5 Bxc2 28.Qxc2 ( {Or} 28.Rxc2 Qd1+ 29.Kf2 Bxg5 {with a possible perpetual check somewhere along the lines.} ) 28...Qxg3 29.Qc3 Qh2+ 30.Kf1 Bxg5 {Black has three pawns for the piece and the position is anything but clear.} ) 27.Kf1 f6 28.Qf3 Qf5 ( {The endgame with a knight on h3 is not Black's dream} 28...g5 29.fxe5 fxe5 30.Qxg4 Bxg4 31.Red2 ) ( {Or} 28...Qxf3+ 29.Bxf3 {with a clear advantage for White in both cases.} ) 29.Re4 {A solid move in time trouble.} ( {However, if Short had found} 29.Ba3 $1 {things might have not ended that well for Kasparov. The threat Rc2-b2 is hard to parry and as the bishop on e7 needs to protect d6 as well Black would be in trouble.} ) 29...Kf7 ( 29...g5 $5 ) 30.Rce2 Qg4 31.fxe5 ( 31.Ba3 $1 {was still strong.} ) 31...Qxf3+ 32.Bxf3 dxe5 {Short had reached the endgame that he was hoping for but his next move spoiled all his previous efforts.} ( 32...fxe5 33.Bg4 {is better for White.} ) 33.Rh4 $2 {This allows the knight to escape and ruins the pawn structure. Such moves are made by top players only under tremendous time-pressure.} ( 33.Rh2 {instead was much better for White.} ) 33...Rxh4 34.gxh4 Nf4 {Now Black is clearly better thanks to his better pawn structure and above all the lack of open files for the white rook. His position is easier to play too, which means a lot in blitz.} 35.Rd2 Bc5 36.d6 {This loses but one can hardly criticize White for this move.} ( 36.Rh2 Bh3+ 37.Ke1 Bb4+ 38.Kf2 ) 36...Bh3+ 37.Ke1 Bb4 38.Kd1 {And instead of taking the rook Kasparov did} 38...Bd7 $1 {without any hesitation.} ( {He understood that there might be technical issues after} 38...Bxd2 39.Kxd2 Bd7 40.Bd1 Ng2 41.Ba3 Nxh4 42.c5 ) 39.Rh2 Bxa4+ 40.Kc1 Bxd6 {Black is winning.} 41.Kb1 f5 42.Bc1 e4 $2 {A move that could have costed Kasparov the ful point. Now Short gets his last chance to survive.} ( {Both} 42...Nd3 ) ( {and} 42...Bb3 {would have won instead.} ) 43.Bh1 $2 ( {The chance was} 43.Bxe4 $1 fxe4 44.Bxf4 Bxf4 45.Rf2 Ke6 46.Rxf4 Ke5 47.Rg4 Be8 48.Kc2 {with a draw.} ) 43...Nd3 {Now it is all over.} 44.Re2 Bd1 45.Rd2 Bb3 46.Rxd3 exd3 47.Bd5+ Kf6 48.Kb2 a4 49.Kc3 b5 50.Kxd3 Bxc4+ 51.Bxc4 bxc4+ 52.Kxc4 f4 53.Kd4 {After this game an enthusiastic Kasparov won all the reaming four blitz games to win the match with the incredible 8.5-1.5 result. Not too bad for a retired chess player...} 0-1

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.17"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7766374643737"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:31"]
[BlackClock "0:00:05"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O Be7 5.c4 O-O 6.d4 {It seems that the Catalan is an opening specifically designed for Vladimir Kramnik. A small but lasting edge, no counterplay at all for the opponent... this suits his style perfectly fine.} 6...dxc4 7.Ne5 Nc6 8.Bxc6 bxc6 9.Nxc6 Qe8 10.Nxe7+ Qxe7 {Kramnik had tried this line twice at two different Candidates' tournaments.} 11.Na3 {This is what he also did against Anand in Khanty a year ago.} ( {Against the future world champion he tried} 11.Qc2 e5 12.Rd1 Rb8 13.Nc3 h6 14.dxe5 Qxe5 15.Bf4 Qe7 16.Rd4 Be6 17.Rad1 {with slight edge for White, Kramnik,V (2810)-Carlsen,M (2872) London 2013} ) ( {The main move remains} 11.Qa4 ) 11...c5 ( {Marin's recommendation was recently tested by Naroditsky:} 11...Rd8 12.Qc2 Rxd4 13.Nxc4 Qc5 14.b3 Rd8 15.Ba3 Qh5 16.f3 {and although Black managed to win later, the opening seems to favor White. Kjartansson,G (2439)-Naroditsky,D (2601) Saint Louis 2014} ) 12.dxc5 Qxc5 13.Be3 Qc6 {A novelty. It has been though already mentioned by GM Marin as well.} ( {Taken by surprise in Khanty Anand chose} 13...Qh5 14.f3 c3 $1 15.bxc3 Qa5 16.Qc1 Ba6 17.c4 Rac8 {and kept the game equal, Kramnik-Anand, FIDE Candidates', Khanty-Mansiysk 2014. Or perhaps this was a perfect preparation by Black?} ) ( {Nakamura solved the opening problems after} 13...Qb4 14.Qc1 Ba6 15.Bd4 Rfd8 16.Rd1 Rac8 17.Qc3 Qa4 18.Qc2 Qxc2 19.Nxc2 c3 20.Bxc3 Rxd1+ 21.Rxd1 Bxe2 {Aronian,L (2797)-Nakamura,H (2767) Saint Louis 2014} ) 14.Rc1 Bb7 15.f3 Ba6 ( {The counter-attacking attempt fails after} 15...Ng4 16.Bd4 e5 17.Rxc4 Qh6 18.fxg4 ) 16.Nxc4 Bxc4 17.Qd4 {An improvement upon Marin's line that goes} ( 17.b3 Bxb3 ( 17...Bxe2 {might be better} ) 18.Rxc6 Bxd1 19.Rxd1 {with a slight advantage for White (Marin).} ) 17...Rfc8 $6 {This does not seem optimal. Critical is the queen sacrifice after} ( 17...Nd5 $5 18.Rxc4 Qxc4 $1 19.Qxc4 Nxe3 20.Qa6 Nxf1 21.Kxf1 {when White has a queen and a pawn for the two rooks and chances for the advantage, but the rooks seem quite strong as well.} ) 18.b3 Qa6 19.bxc4 Qxa2 20.Kf2 {Now White is a little better. His pieces are more centralized and the bishop is clearly stronger than the knight.} ( 20.Bg5 $5 {at once is also interesting.} ) 20...a5 21.Bg5 ( {This move is definitely part of White's plan but White should have prepared it with} 21.Rfd1 ) 21...e5 $1 {Strong play by Adams who almost equalizes after this.} 22.Qd6 ( {Naturally not} 22.Qxe5 $2 Re8 ) 22...Rd8 23.Qb6 Rab8 $6 {It is somewhat of a relief that even at the top level players tend to chose the wrong rook.} ( {After the correct} 23...Rdb8 $1 {White will lack the nice resource that he used in the game. He will still be somewhat better after} 24.Qe3 ( {Or} 24.Qc6 Rc8 25.Qb5 Rab8 26.Ra1 Rxb5 27.Rxa2 Rxc4 28.Rfa1 ) 24...a4 25.Bxf6 gxf6 26.c5 a3 27.c6 Qb2 28.c7 Rc8 29.Rc4 {but Adams would have decent chances for a draw.} ) 24.Rfd1 $1 {Kramnik immediately seizes the chance to occupy the open file with tempo.} 24...Re8 ( {Alas, the queen is untouchable} 24...Rxb6 25.Rxd8+ Ne8 26.Rxe8# ) 25.Qe3 a4 ( {In the line} 25...Re6 26.Bxf6 Rxf6 27.Qxe5 {Black has no time to play Rf6-e6 as the other one hangs.} ) 26.Bxf6 gxf6 27.Qe4 {Kramnik opened the position of the enemy king and now intends to combine the threats against the king with the advance of the passed c-pawn. Black's defense is extremely difficult.} ( {The computer claims that a better idea is to push at once} 27.c5 {but Kramnik remained true to his style and avoided any counter-play connected with} 27...e4 ) 27...a3 28.Rd7 {The culmination of the game.} 28...Rbd8 $2 {Once again Adams chooses the wrong rook!} ( 28...Red8 {would have been better, keeping both the open files under control. If Black manages to trade a pair of rooks, he would survive.} 29.Rcd1 ( 29.Ra7 Qb2 {and there is no Rc1-b1!} ) 29...Rxd7 30.Rxd7 Qb3 {Compare this position with the one after 30...Qc3 from below.} ) 29.Ra7 $1 Qb2 30.Rb1 {Two rooks in the attack and a queen can paint plenty of checkmate pictures...} 30...f5 {Desperation, but there was no way out.} ( {Like the one after} 30...Qc3 31.Rxf7 $1 Kxf7 32.Rb7+ {and} 32...Kf8 ( 32...Ke6 33.Qc6+ Kf5 34.g4+ Kg6 ( 34...Kg5 35.Rg7+ Kh4 36.Qxf6+ Kh3 37.Qh6# ) 35.Qe4+ ) 33.Qxh7 ) 31.Rxb2 fxe4 32.Rxa3 Rd4 33.Rc2 Rc8 34.c5 exf3 35.Rxf3 {Kramnik won a pawn and all his pieces are ideally placed.} 35...Rc6 36.Rd3 Rxd3 37.exd3 f5 38.d4 $1 {Opens the road for the king. Black resigned after} 38...exd4 39.Ke2 {An excellent start for the former world champion!} 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.18"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[ECO "D94"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8247142514696"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:39:35"]
[BlackClock "0:25:47"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 g6 {Mamedyarov chooses the solid, but somewhat passive Schlechter line of the Slav defense. The arising positions transform into Gruenfeld set-ups.} 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be2 ( {This move is considered more precise than} 6.Bd3 O-O 7.O-O {which allows} 7...Bg4 ) 6...O-O 7.O-O b6 ( {Four years ago Vugar Gashimov won a nice game against the world champion's second after} 7...Nbd7 8.h3 b6 9.b3 Bb7 10.Bb2 c5 11.Qc2 Rc8 12.Rad1 dxc4 13.Bxc4 Bxf3 14.gxf3 cxd4 15.Rxd4 Ne8 16.Rd2 Nd6 {Nielsen,P (2681)-Gashimov,V (2760) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011} ) ( {The guru of the Schlechter line Gata Kamsky prefers to play} 7...a6 {This should mean something.} ) 8.a4 {The idea is either to expand on the queenside or to weaken the b5 point.} ( {Also interesting is} 8.b4 Ne4 9.Bb2 ( {Please note that the capture on e4 leads only to equality after} 9.Nxe4 dxe4 10.Nd2 e5 ) 9...Nxc3 10.Bxc3 Bb7 {Anton Guijarro,D (2607)-Li,C (2711) Germany 2015} ) 8...a5 {Mamedyarov had some doubts about this move.} ( 8...Ba6 {and} ) ( 8...Bf5 {were tested as well previously.} ) 9.cxd5 cxd5 ( {Mamedyarov tries to improve upon a game by Anand that saw:} 9...Nxd5 10.e4 Nb4 11.Be3 Bg4 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 {with long-lasting edge for White, Anand,V (2800) -Wang,Y (2732) Nanjing 2010 - a tournament where Vugar Gashimov also participated.} ) 10.b3 Ne4 $2 {Both players didn't like this move. It is quite common in the Gruenfeld but here it is just bad as Black cannot free himself in the center.} ( {Instead both} 10...Nc6 11.Ba3 Nb4 {or} ) ( 10...Ba6 {and only after} 11.Nb5 Ne4 {are playable for Black.} ) 11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.Nd2 Bb7 {Mamedyarov is forced to get into passive defense.} ( {The point is that the usual freeing move} 12...e5 {(see the note to move eight) can be refuted in two ways. Either with the preliminary} 13.Ba3 $1 ( {Or after the immediate} 13.d5 $1 Qxd5 14.Ba3 Rd8 15.Nxe4 ) 13...Re8 14.Nxe4 exd4 15.Nd6 {In both cases with a large advantage for White.} ) 13.Ba3 f5 14.Rc1 {A clever move. Carlsen does not want to put a piece yet on c4.} 14...Kh8 {In case that Black continues he development with} ( 14...Nd7 {White has} 15.Bb5 Nf6 16.Nc4 {with a bind. One line goes} 16...Nd5 17.Ne5 Rc8 18.Rxc8 Qxc8 19.Bd7 Qa8 20.Be6+ Kh8 21.Nf7+ Kg8 {Quite strangely White does not win material after the many discovered attacks, but this does not change the evaluation of the position as clearly better for White} 22.Nd8+ Kh8 23.Nxb7 Qxb7 24.Qc2 ) 15.Nc4 Nd7 16.d5 $1 Rc8 17.d6 {Carlsen: "Once I get the pawn to d6 then the position is, I think, very unpleasant for Black. He cannot get serious counterplay against the king and I break through on the queenside quickly." Mamedyarov agreed with the world champion: "It was very easy to play for White."} 17...e6 ( {Black loses material after} 17...exd6 18.Nxd6 ( 18.Qxd6 {is also great for him.} ) 18...Rxc1 19.Qxc1 Bd5 20.Rd1 Bxb3 21.Nb7 ) 18.b4 $1 {Strong play by Carlsen. One weakness is not enough to win the game and he opens the road for his pieces while the black ones are busy with the d6 passer.} 18...axb4 19.Bxb4 Bd5 20.a5 bxa5 21.Bxa5 Qe8 22.Qa4 Bc6 23.Qb4 Rb8 24.Nb6 {The white pieces are easily improving themselves. Now the best blockader is challenged.} 24...Ne5 ( {For good or for bad Black had to try} 24...Nxb6 25.Bxb6 Qd7 {It is doubtful that Black can save himself after say} 26.Ba6 {White controls the open c-file and will soon break in, but this was Mamedyarov's best chance.} ) 25.Qc5 Ba8 {This loses on the spot. Once the blockade is gone White wins with a direct attack along the seventh rank.} ( {Some extra control of the seventh rank was needed, although I suspect that both the players had already considered Black's position hopeless after} 25...Rf7 26.Bc3 Nd7 27.Nxd7 Bxd7 28.Bxg7+ Kxg7 29.Qe5+ ) 26.Bc3 {Domination.} 26...Nd7 27.Bxg7+ Kxg7 28.Nxd7 Qxd7 29.Qe5+ {Black resigned due to the checkmate (or queen loss) after} ( 29.Qe5+ Kh6 ( 29...Kg8 30.Rc7 ) 30.Rc7 Qd8 31.Qg7+ Kg5 32.h4+ Kxh4 33.Qh6# {Magnus Carlsen needed only one mistake from his opponent to punish him harshly.} ) 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.19"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[ECO "A90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "6877047950856"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:43:20"]
[BlackClock "1:02:50"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov] This was the third encounter between the former number two and the world champion after the incredible Sinquefield tournament this summer. After the memorable string of seven wins plenty of people hurried to claim that Fabiano Caruana is the main threat to the world champion. Magnus Carlsen is obviously well stimulated by these statements and wants to prove that there is no rivalry at the moment.} 
1.d4 {In the last two games Caruana chose 1.e4 but did not get much out of the opening.} 1...f5 {The Dutch is a recent addition to Carlsen's repertoire which shows his real intentions. No slow, boring positions but a real battle.} 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.c4 c6 {Carlsen also used the Stonewall to defeat his great predecessor in February.} 5.Nf3 ( 5.Nh3 {remains a viable option for White.} 5...d6 6.O-O Be7 7.b3 e5 {Zhou,J (2625)-Wang,Y (2702) Xinghua 2012} ) 5...d5 6.O-O Bd6 7.b3 Qe7 {To stop Bc1-a3 with a favorable trade of the dark-squared bishops.} 8.Bb2 {Caruana decided to play solid.} ( 8.Ne5 {was Anand's choice and after} 8...O-O 9.Nd2 a5 10.Bb2 Nbd7 11.Qc2 a4 12.Ndf3 Ne4 {the Indian came up with a novelty} 13.e3 {which however did not yield White much, Anand,V (2797)-Carlsen,M (2865) Baden-Baden 2015} ) ( {Another solid plan is the bishop trade after} 8.a4 O-O 9.Ba3 Bxa3 10.Nxa3 b6 11.Qc1 Bb7 12.Nc2 a5 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2745) -Radjabov,T (2713) Beijing 2013} ) 8...b6 9.Ne5 Bb7 10.Nd2 O-O 11.Rc1 a5 {The same move as in the game with Anand.} 12.e3 Na6 13.Nb1 ( {Also possible is} 13.Qe2 a4 14.bxa4 Bxe5 15.dxe5 Nd7 16.a5 Nac5 17.Bc3 {when instead of} 17...bxa5 {a possible improvements would be} ( 17...Ba6 $1 ) ( {Or} 17...Na4 $5 ) 18.Nb3 Nxb3 19.axb3 {with an edge for White in So,W (2656)-Reinderman,D (2573) Wijk aan Zee 2010} ) 13...Bxe5 14.dxe5 Ne4 15.Qe2 a4 {Carlsen's novelty. It is funny how similar his ideas are so far in comparison to the game with Anand.} ( {Previously only} 15...Nc7 {has been seen} 16.f3 Ng5 {but this does not look active enough and White is somewhat better after} 17.Nc3 ( {Instead of} 17.h4 Nf7 18.e4 fxe4 19.fxe4 dxc4 20.Qxc4 c5 21.Rfd1 {with a draw, Komarov,D (2575)-Gleizerov,E (2540) Leeuwarden 1995} ) ) 16.Nc3 axb3 17.axb3 Qb4 {Black generated enough counterplay on the queenside.} 18.Nxe4 {This more or less should have forced a draw. The next moves are very logical and push the game towards the logical outcome.} 18...dxe4 ( 18...fxe4 {would weaken the c8-h3 diagonal and will be favourable for White after} 19.Bh3 Nc5 20.Bd4 ) 19.Qc2 Nc5 20.Bc3 Qxb3 21.Qxb3 Nxb3 22.Rb1 Nc5 23.Rxb6 Na4 {The bishop pair is taken off the board and Black has a strong knight versus a relatively passive bishop. This, however, should not be for very long, and White has an active rook as compensation. One problem for Caruana was that he was getting low on time.} 24.Rxb7 Nxc3 25.Re7 Rfe8 26.Rxe8+ ( {An easier draw would have been} 26.Rc7 Rec8 27.Re7 Re8 28.Rc7 {because if the other rook attacks} 28...Rac8 {it will no longer have an open file} 29.Ra7 ) 26...Rxe8 27.Ra1 ( 27.f3 {"was an immediate draw. I was very surprised the way that things happened". (Carlsen)} ) 27...Rd8 28.Bf1 c5 {"I thought that the position was a draw no matter what I play and then I somehow drifted. The next idea was a disaster." (Caruana)} 29.Ra3 ( 29.Ra5 {should draw indeed in the line that both the players showed at the press conference} 29...Rd1 ( {Caruana was more concerned about} 29...Rd2 {but Carlsen did not think he has anything after} 30.Rxc5 Nd1 31.Rc8+ Kf7 32.Rc7+ Kf8 33.Rc8+ Ke7 34.Rc7+ Kd8 35.Rxg7 Nxf2 36.c5 Ng4 37.Bb5 ) 30.Rxc5 Nb1 31.Rc6 ( 31.Rc8+ Kf7 32.Kg2 Nd2 33.Rd8 {was also equal.} ) 31...Nd2 32.Rd6 Rxf1+ 33.Kg2 Rd1 34.c5 Rc1 35.Rxd2 Rxc5 {"I could not see anything better" (Carlsen)} ) 29...Nb1 30.Ra1 Nd2 {Now White is in trouble and the lack of time does not contribute to solving his problems.} 31.Be2 ( {Or else White loses a pawn after} 31.Kg2 Nf3 32.Ra5 Rc8 ) 31...Nf3+ 32.Bxf3 ( 32.Kg2 Nxe5 ) 32...exf3 {The endgame is difficult for White and the world champion plays very neatly.} 33.h3 h5 $1 {It is important to keep the white king in a box.} 34.g4 ( 34.Ra5 Rd1+ 35.Kh2 Rf1 36.Rxc5 Rxf2+ 37.Kh1 ( 37.Kg1 Rg2+ ) 37...Rf1+ 38.Kh2 Rc1 {and the f pawn promotes.} ) 34...fxg4 35.hxg4 h4 $1 {Now the king is trapped forever.} 36.Kh2 ( {There is no way out} 36.g5 Kh7 37.Kh2 Kg6 38.Kh3 Kh5 $1 ) 36...Rd2 37.Kh3 g5 38.e4 Rd4 {Carlsen avoids the rampant rook idea possible after} ( 38...Rxf2 $4 39.Ra8+ Kg7 40.Ra7+ Kg6 41.Rg7+ $1 Kh6 42.Rh7+ Kxh7 {and stalemate.} ) 39.Ra8+ Kf7 40.Ra3 ( {The players also discussed the line after} 40.Ra7+ {but came to the conclusion that Black is winning anyway.} ) 40...Rxc4 41.Rxf3+ Ke7 42.Re3 Rd4 {The rest is a matter of technique for the world champion.} 43.f3 c4 44.Ra3 Rd3 45.Ra7+ Kd8 46.Kg2 c3 47.Ra4 c2 48.Rc4 Rd2+ 49.Kh3 Kd7 50.Rc5 Rf2 51.f4 ( 51.Rc3 Rxf3+ ) 51...Rf3+ 52.Kh2 Rxf4 {A somewhat mysterious win by the world champion.} 0-1

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.20"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Mamedov, Rauf"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2651"]
[ECO "B38"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7633230630422"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "1:04:30"]
[BlackClock "1:00:27"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 {The Accelerated Dragon has a reputation of a solid but passive opening. The main reason for this is White's next move.} 5.c4 {The Maroczy bind.} 5...Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.f3 ( {A game of Mamedov's coach recently went} 7.Be2 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 O-O 10.Qd2 a5 11.O-O a4 12.f3 Qa5 {and transposed into one of the main lines, Van Wely,L (2665)-Khalifman,A (2613) Jurmala 2015} ) 7...Bg7 8.Be3 O-O 9.Be2 Nh5 {With a very rare move Mamedov decides to weaken White's kingside before trading the knights.} ( {It makes sense to trade a pair of knights at once with} 9...Nxd4 {when after} 10.Bxd4 Be6 11.Rc1 Qa5 12.Qd2 Rfc8 13.b3 a6 14.Be3 b5 15.Nd5 {things have developed more or less normally with White enjoying his usual slight space advantage, until Black came up with the spectacular} 15...Nxd5 $1 16.Qxa5 Nxe3 17.Kf2 Bd4 {and White could not prove an advantage in Negi,P (2633)-Istratescu,A (2671) Graz 2014} ) 10.g3 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Be6 {I suspect an over-the-board novelty and a very logical move.} ( {Previously only the immediate} 11...Qa5 12.O-O Bh3 {has been tried in a correspondence game. After} 13.Re1 ( 13.Rf2 ) 13...Qg5 {Black did well in Huzita,S (1865)-Hassim,U (2308) corr. 2011} ) ( {The move} 11...Bh3 {looks suspicious as the bishop can easily can get trapped there, say} 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Qd4+ Nf6 14.g4 ) 12.f4 Nf6 13.O-O Rc8 14.b3 Qa5 $6 {The beginning of Black's problems. The next move should not have been allowed.} ( {Instead} 14...Bh3 15.Rf2 {and only then} 15...Qa5 {is somewhat better for White, but playble for the second player.} ) ( {Normally Black wants to trade the dark-squared bishop but here the straightforward attempt simply loses} 14...Nd7 $4 15.f5 ) 15.f5 $1 {Now White grabs a lot of space and slowly squeezes his opponent.} 15...Bd7 ( {The pawn is poisoned:} 15...gxf5 $2 16.exf5 Bxf5 17.b4 Qxb4 18.Rxf5 {wins a piece for White.} ) 16.a3 e6 {Black has to defend passively as any pawn push creates weaknesses in his camp.} ( {For example} 16...e5 17.b4 Qc7 18.Be3 {with a huge hole on d5.} ) ( {And if} 16...b5 17.b4 Qc7 ( 17...Qd8 18.Nxb5 ) 18.Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 19.Nd5 Qd8 20.Nxf6+ exf6 21.cxb5 {will clear edge for White.} ) 17.b4 Qd8 ( {In case of} 17...Qc7 {White can continue in a similar way as in the game} 18.fxe6 fxe6 19.e5 dxe5 20.Bc5 Rf7 21.Bd6 {with an advantage.} ) 18.fxg6 fxg6 ( {White is also much better after} 18...hxg6 19.e5 dxe5 20.Bxe5 ) 19.e5 $1 {Wesley So modifies the pawn structure into his favor with the last two moves. Now he will have a queenside majority, which is always useful whenever the game approaches the endgame. Mamedov on his turn will have a weak pawn on e6.} 19...dxe5 20.Bxe5 {White wants to further improve his position with Qd1-b3, Ra1-d1(e1), c4-c5. His play is very simple and obvious and Black decided to try his luck in the endgame.} 20...Bc6 21.b5 Ne4 22.Qxd8 Rcxd8 {"I think this was a mistake" said So at the press-conference meaning that this was a crucial moment in the game.} ( {He suggested instead} 22...Rfxd8 {But after} 23.bxc6 ( {White indeed has nothing in case of} 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Nxe4 ( {Or} 24.Na4 Be8 25.Rad1 ) 24...Bxe4 25.Rad1 {(So)} ) 23...Nxc3 {However White has a clear road to the advantage with} 24.cxb7 $1 ( 24.Bxc3 {as this indeed leads White nowhere after} 24...Bxc3 25.cxb7 Bxa1 26.Rxa1 ( 26.bxc8=Q Bd4+ 27.Kg2 Rxc8 {is equal instead.} ) 26...Rc7 27.Rb1 Rb8 28.Bf3 Rxc4 {when only Black can be better.} ) 24...Nxe2+ 25.Kg2 Rb8 ( {Or else Black loses one of the light pieces with} 25...Bxe5 26.bxc8=Q Rxc8 27.Rae1 ) 26.Bxb8 Rxb8 27.Rad1 {This is more precise than} ( 27.Rab1 Nc3 28.Rb3 Na4 {with chances for a draw.} ) 27...Nd4 ( {The back rank is weak after} 27...Rxb7 $2 28.Rd8+ ) 28.Rb1 {A rook and a pawn are usually much better than the two light pieces in the endgame. Especially when the rook is assisted by a pawn on the seventh rank!} ) 23.Rxf8+ Rxf8 24.Bxg7 Kxg7 25.Rc1 Nxc3 26.Rxc3 Bd7 ( {The bishop cannot stay active on the long diagonal due to the pawn loss after} 26...Be4 27.Re3 Bf5 28.g4 ) 27.c5 {White achieved his dream endgame with a well-advanced queenside pawn majority and active pieces. As his king is easily entering the play the game is practically decided.} 27...Rc8 28.a4 Kf6 29.Kf2 Ke5 30.Ke3 Be8 31.Bf3 Rc7 32.Kd3 $1 {Excellent technique! Before advancing the pawns So activates his pieces to the maximum.} 32...g5 33.Kc4 h5 34.a5 g4 35.b6 axb6 36.axb6 Rd7 37.Re3+ Kf6 38.c6 bxc6 39.Bxc6 Rd8 40.Bxe8 Rxe8 41.b7 {Next Re3-b3 will follow and march of the white king to c7. Just like Carlsen in the second round, So needed only one mistake to beat his opponent in a nice positional game to grab the sole lead!} 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.21"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[ECO "A05"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[Beauty "6739877437961"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:15:45"]
[BlackClock "0:41:19"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.Nf3 {Magnus Carlsen managed to get his opponent away from his beloved Gruenfeld early in the opening.} 1...Nf6 2.g3 b5 3.Bg2 {Carlsen took 11 minutes on his third move.} ( {The two players spent a lot of time analyzing some interesting possibilities after} 3.c3 e6 ( 3...Bb7 4.a4 a6 5.e3 Nc6 6.d4 e6 7.b4 Be7 8.Nbd2 Na7 9.Bd3 O-O 10.e4 d6 {Kortschnoj,V (2650)-Karpov,A (2660) Moscow 1973} ) 4.Qb3 {an idea typical for the Sokolsky opening with colors reversed} 4...a6 5.a4 Bb7 6.axb5 Bd5 {"An old trick," said Carlsen} 7.Qc2 ( 7.c4 $2 Bxc4 $1 {this is the point} 8.Qxc4 axb5 ) 7...axb5 8.Rxa8 Bxa8 9.Qb3 Bxf3 10.exf3 c6 {with an about equal position.} ) 3...Bb7 4.Na3 {A fresh and almost new position arose on move four!} 4...a6 ( {The immediate} 4...b4 {was also possible when after} 5.Nc4 a5 6.d3 {"I like my knight on c4." (Carlsen)} ) 5.c4 b4 {"I decided to play b5-b4 as in the QID the knight is not very well placed on c2." (Vachier-Lagrave) "Yeah, but then you have to waste a lot of moves." (Carlsen)} ( 5...e5 {was the other move that the two players analyzed. They had a lot of fun in the arising original lines with Carlsen apologizing at the end for were wasting the time of the journalists!} 6.O-O e4 7.Nd4 ( 7.Nh4 d5 8.cxd5 Qxd5 9.d3 g5 10.Nf3 $5 ) 7...d5 8.d3 ( 8.cxb5 ) 8...c5 9.Nf5 g6 10.Ne3 d4 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.Bxe4 Bg7 {with equality.} ) 6.Nc2 e6 ( {Relevant:} 6...c5 7.O-O e6 8.d4 cxd4 9.Ncxd4 Be7 10.b3 O-O 11.Bb2 d6 12.Qd2 Qb6 13.a3 bxa3 14.Bxa3 Nbd7 15.Qb4 Qc7 16.Rfd1 Rab8 17.Qc3 Rfe8 18.Rab1 Bf8 19.Rbc1 Rbc8 20.Qa1 Ne4 21.Bb4 Ndf6 22.h3 Qb8 23.Ba3 h6 24.e3 d5 25.Bxf8 Rxf8 26.cxd5 Bxd5 27.Qxa6 Rxc1 28.Rxc1 Nxf2 29.Kxf2 Ne4+ 30.Kg1 Qxg3 31.Qe2 Rb8 32.Qe1 Qg6 33.Kh2 Ra8 34.Ra1 Rxa1 35.Qxa1 Qg3+ 36.Kg1 {Efimenko,Z (2648)-Moiseenko,A (2707) Dubai 2014 1-0 (61)} ) 7.d4 a5 ( {The players agreed that White is somewhat better after} 7...Be7 8.a3 bxa3 9.b3 ) 8.O-O Be7 9.d5 Na6 10.Nfd4 Nc5 11.Re1 {Only this is a novelty. White prepares e2-e4.} ( {Another recent game saw} 11.dxe6 fxe6 12.Bxb7 Nxb7 13.Bf4 O-O 14.Nb5 Ne8 15.e4 {with slight edge for White, Neiksans,A (2559)-Kulaots,K (2563) Wroclaw 2014} ) 11...O-O ( {Carlsen was surprised that his opponent allowed the move e2-e4 that easily and suggested instead} 11...Nfe4 12.f3 ( 12.Nb3 Nxb3 13.axb3 Nc5 14.e4 e5 ) 12...Nd6 13.e4 O-O ( 13...Nxc4 ) 14.b3 e5 {with a better version to what had happened in the game later.} ) 12.e4 e5 ( {Maybe} 12...d6 13.dxe6 Nfxe4 {"but this is what I was unhappy about." (Vachier-Lagrave)} 14.Qg4 Nf6 15.Qe2 ) 13.Nf5 d6 14.Bg5 $1 {A wonderful positional sacrifice of a pawn.} ( {The immediate} 14.f4 {is also possible but less appealing to the world champion} 14...Nfd7 15.Nxe7+ Qxe7 16.f5 c6 {"too many loose ends, should be OK for Black." (Carlsen)} ) 14...Nxd5 {Vachier-Lagrave decided to bite the bullet. "So Magnus, you were considering this move?" asked the host, WGM Elmira Mirzoeva. "I am capable of missing it, but not today..." (Carlsen)} ( 14...Bc8 15.Nce3 h6 16.Bh4 {looks terrible for Black (Carlsen)} ) 15.Bh6 $1 {The point of White's sacrifice. In return for the pawn he will ruin the black castle and cement the knight on the wonderful outpost on f5. He will also dominate on the light squares.} 15...gxh6 16.Qg4+ ( 16.cxd5 Kh8 17.Qh5 {also looks fun for White.} ) 16...Bg5 17.cxd5 Kh8 18.h4 $1 {The beginning of a nice regroupment on the light squares that clearifies the situation.} 18...Bf6 19.Nce3 Bc8 20.Qf3 Bg7 21.Bh3 $1 Rg8 22.Bg4 Qf6 23.Bh5 {With the bishop coming out all the white pieces stand nicely. Now he can think of including the rooks into the battle.} 23...Bxf5 24.Nxf5 c6 {"If you do not play this then you will lose at some moment because of the rook coming to f3." (Carlsen). "Even rook on the g-file and g3-g4 I thought. And g4-g5 at some moment" (Vachier-Lagrave).} 25.dxc6 Rac8 26.Qd1 Rxc6 ( 26...Nxe4 {does not work due to} 27.Bg4 $1 ) 27.Qd5 Rgc8 28.Rad1 Bf8 29.Qxf7 ( 29.Bxf7 Na4 {did not appeal to the Norwegian although this also looks close to winning for White.} ) 29...Qxf7 30.Bxf7 {White won the pawn back and kept the dominant position of his pieces. He's got everything - the bread, the butter and the knife.} 30...Na4 31.Re2 Rc1 32.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 33.Kg2 Nc5 34.b3 {"I was very happy to play this move and to stop any counterplay" (Carlsen). "I am playing a bishop and a king down" (Vachier-Lagrave).} 34...Rc3 35.Kh3 Nd7 36.Be6 Nc5 37.Bd5 Nd7 38.Ne3 Nf6 39.Be6 Rc5 40.Nc4 Kg7 ( {Vachier-Lagrave was always looking for counterplay but it never worked. Here for instance} 40...a4 {fails to} 41.bxa4 d5 42.Ne3 ( 42.Nxe5 {should do as well} ) ) 41.f3 $1 {Even in such a great position the world champion does not lose focus!} ( {He rejected his original plan} 41.Kg2 {after seeing the tactical continuation} 41...Nxe4 $1 42.Rxe4 Kf6 43.Bg8 d5 {which would have complicated matters.} ) 41...Ne8 42.Rd2 Nc7 43.Bg4 {It is over, Black's position falls apart.} 43...a4 ( 43...Nb5 44.Nxa5 {drops a pawn.} ) 44.Nxd6 Bxd6 45.Rxd6 a3 46.Bd7 ( {Vachier-Lagrave suggested an alternative win after} 46.Rd7+ Kf8 47.Rxh7 Rc2 48.f4 exf4 49.gxf4 Nb5 50.e5 Rxa2 51.e6 ) 46...Rc2 {The last chance for Black is connected with the sacrifice of the knight.} 47.Bc6 Rxa2 48.Rd7+ Kf6 49.Rxc7 Rc2 50.Rxh7 Kg6 ( 50...Rxc6 51.Rxh6+ ) 51.Rc7 {Now White is waiting for the pawn to come on a2 to play Rc7-a7.} 51...Kf6 52.h5 $1 {Finishing the game in style with checkmate.} 52...Rc1 53.Rh7 a2 54.Bd5 ( {Vachier-Lagrave resigned due to the checkmate} 54.Bd5 a1=Q 55.Rf7+ Kg5 56.Rf5# {What a game by the world champion!} ) 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.23"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[ECO "D03"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[Beauty "6739499690067"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:10"]
[BlackClock "0:09:02"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 {Just like Carlsen the other day, Vladimir Kramnik decides to avoid the Gruenfeld.} 2...g6 3.Bg5 Bg7 4.c3 O-O 5.Nbd2 d5 {This is considered the most reliable move against the Torre Attack.} 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Be2 c5 {The Torre Attack represents in this case the reversed Slav defense, to which Caruana replies with something like a reversed Catalan. My tongue got reversed as well.} 8.O-O b6 9.a4 {A standard reaction to the fianchettoe similar to the one that Carlsen used against the same Caruana in round three.} 9...a6 ( {Alternatively} 9...a5 {weakens the light squares and the pull for White} 10.Bb5 Ba6 11.Bxa6 Rxa6 12.Qe2 {Petrosian,T (2649)-Gopal,G (2522) Golden Sands 2013} ) 10.b4 {White shows aggression on the queen's flank but his plan is deeper than that. Kramnik wants to force his opponent to close that side of the board in order to concentrate his forces in the center and the kingside.} 10...Bb7 11.a5 {A novelty, in the spirit of the above-mentioned plan.} ( {Previously only} 11.bxc5 bxc5 12.Qb3 {has been tried without much success for White:} 12...Bc6 13.Qa3 h6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.dxc5 e5 {with good compensation for the pawn in Bogdanovski,V (2435)-Mista,A (2579) Paracin 2013} ) 11...cxb4 {Now Caruana will have at least one open file to keep his opponent busy .} 12.cxb4 b5 13.Rc1 Ne8 ( {Carlsen already proved in his game with Mamedyarov earlier that the structure arising after} 13...Ne4 14.Nxe4 dxe4 15.Nd2 {favours White.} ) 14.Nb3 Nd6 {Both parties seek and find the optimal squares for their pieces.} 15.Ne1 Nc4 16.Nd3 {It becomes apparent that White has a lot of small advantages in comparison to his opponent. To start with, the space advantage. The little pawn on a5 takes away the b6 square from Nd7 while the white knights are feeling very comfortable. White's bishops are also more active and all of this leads us to the conclusion that Kramnik succeeded with his opening strategy. Now he starts slowly torturing his opponent. The grand plan is to prepare and carry out the e3-e4 advance. Caruana's position lacks any weaknesses, but is passive and it is overall quite unpleasant to play.} 16...Ra7 ( 16...Rc8 {is less precise as after} 17.Nbc5 Nxc5 18.Nxc5 {the pawn on a6 will hang.} ) 17.Bh4 Ba8 18.Bf3 ( {Also interesting is} 18.Re1 {intending Be2-f1, f2-f3 and later e3-e4 but the former world champion prefers a more aggressive set up.} ) 18...Nf6 19.Qe2 Ne8 20.g4 $5 {Intending Bf3-g2, Bh4-g3 (the point behind g2-g4) and further advance of the f- and e-pawns.} 20...Ned6 21.Bg2 Qc8 22.Nbc5 Re8 23.Bg3 Qd8 {Caruana prepared his position as much as he could for the possible assault.} 24.Rcd1 ( {White could have also provoked a weakening with} 24.Be5 $5 {as} 24...Nxe5 25.dxe5 Ne4 26.f4 {is good for him.} ) 24...e6 25.f3 Qe7 26.Kh1 Bh6 {Black does not want to change the pawn structure and play with isolated pawn after} ( 26...e5 $5 {but this definitely interesting.} ) 27.Nf4 {The time trouble is approaching and Kramnik decided that this is a good moment to complete his idea. However, as he later admitted at the press-conference he missed an important tactical detail.} ( {He did not like} 27.Bf2 {due to} 27...f5 {"and Black holds" (Kramnik), but White still has better position without any risk after say} 28.Ne5 fxg4 29.Nxg4 Bg7 30.e4 ) 27...Nb7 28.Ncd3 {Or else Black might take on c5 and put his bishop on c6.} 28...Nd8 $1 {A strong maneuver before the decisive central clash.} 29.e4 Nc6 $1 {The point. Now it is not clear who attacks more.} 30.exd5 ( 30.Qf2 {simply loses a pawn:} 30...Nxb4 ) 30...Nxb4 31.dxe6 {Only here did Kramnik realize that he had missed a strong queen sacrifice.} ( {His original intention was} 31.d6 {but then he saw} 31...Nxd3 $5 ( {Caruana on his turn thought that} 31...Qf6 {is also good for him. Indeed after} 32.Nh5 gxh5 33.Nxb4 Bf4 34.Nd3 Bxd6 35.Be5 Bxe5 36.dxe5 Qg5 {Black seems in good shape.} ) 32.dxe7 Nxf4 {and Black is in complete control.} ) 31...Nxd3 32.Rxd3 {The black pieces came into life and his position is stronger now.} 32...fxe6 ( {Even better was} 32...Qf6 33.Re1 Rae7 {with clear advantage for the second player.} ) 33.Qe1 Qd8 {There are too many weaknesses in White's camp and he tries to compensate with kingside activity.} 34.h4 Rf7 ( {Kramnik suggested a more simple alternative} 34...Bxf4 $1 35.Bxf4 Bd5 36.Qg3 Qxa5 37.h5 Rf7 {with a clear edge for Black.} ) 35.g5 Bg7 36.Bh3 $6 {In time trouble Kramnik errs for the second time.} ( {However, his position is already difficult even after his analysis suggestion} 36.Rd1 Qxa5 37.Qe2 ( 37.Qxa5 Nxa5 38.Ra1 ) ) 36...Rxf4 $1 {A powerful central blow. Caruana opens the archers.} 37.Bxf4 e5 38.Bg3 e4 39.Rd1 Bd5 ( {Not} 39...exf3 $2 40.Be6+ Kh8 41.d5 {which they both saw.} ) 40.Be5 exf3 41.Qf2 ( 41.Kg1 $5 {was suggested by Caruana as a more tenacious alternative, but Black is much better anyway.} ) 41...Qxa5 42.Bg4 Rf8 {For the exchange Black has two pawns and a strong central grip.} 43.Rd3 ( {Instead} 43.Rfe1 {allows "my most typical trick" (Caruana)} 43...Nb2 $1 44.Rd2 Nd3 $1 45.Rxd3 {with the idea} 45...Qxe1+ $1 46.Qxe1 f2+ {and wins.} ) 43...Qb4 $1 {Kramnik spent a lot of time here calculating pretty much everything but could not find salvation. Below are given some of the beautiful lines that the opponents calculated during the game:} ( 43...Bxe5 $6 {may lead to a draw after} 44.dxe5 Nxe5 45.Qd4 Qa2 46.Qxd5+ Qxd5 47.Rxd5 Nxg4 ) ( 43...Be4 $2 {loses to} 44.Be6+ Kh8 45.Bxg7+ Kxg7 46.d5 ) ( 43...Nxe5 44.dxe5 Bc4 $6 {stumbles on} 45.Rxf3 Rxf3 ( 45...Bd5 46.Be6+ $1 ) ( 45...Rd8 46.e6 $1 ) 46.Qxf3 Bxf1 $4 47.Be6+ Kh8 48.Qa8+ {and mate (Kramnik)} ) 44.Bg3 {Some more lines by Kramnik and Caruana:} ( 44.Bxg7 Kxg7 45.Bxf3 {and now the key move is} ( 45.Qg3 Qe7 $1 46.Bxf3 Qe2 $3 {is especially cute.} ) 45...Be4 $3 ( {Rather than} 45...Rxf3 46.Rxf3 Nd2 47.Qe1 $1 ) ) ( 44.Bxf3 {is answered in a similar way:} 44...Rxf3 45.Rxf3 Bxe5 46.Qg2 Ne3 47.Rf8+ Qxf8 48.Rxf8+ Kxf8 ) ( {Black also wins after} 44.Bf6 Bxf6 45.Bxf3 Bxf3+ 46.Rxf3 Bg7 ) 44...h5 $1 45.gxh6 Bxh6 {Now the knight gets a chance to come closer to the kingside with Nc4-e3(d2). The end is getting closer.} 46.Kh2 {Nothing helps:} ( 46.Ra1 Nd2 $1 ) ( 46.Bxf3 {is simlar as above} 46...Rxf3 47.Rxf3 Nd2 48.Qe1 Qf8 ( 48...Qb3 {also wins} ) ) 46...Nd2 $1 47.Ra1 Ne4 {Without the dark-squared bishop White's position falls apart.} 48.Qc2 Nxg3 49.Rxa6 Be4 50.Bxf3 Qe1 51.Qb3+ Kh8 52.Bxe4 Rf2+ 53.Kh3 ( 53.Kxg3 Qg1+ 54.Kh3 Rh2# ) 53...Qf1+ 54.Kg4 Rf4+ {Kramnik resigned before the mate. Overall, Kramnik had the advantage, led the game, but a couple of inaccuracies proved enough for Caruana to show his best qualities: stubborness in defense and iron nerves. This was only Black's second win in the event.} ( 54...Rf4+ 55.Kxg3 Qf2+ 56.Kh3 Rxh4# ) 0-1

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.24"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[ECO "A20"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6946035887683"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:24:04"]
[BlackClock "0:30:18"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.c4 {These days the top players try to mainly surprise their opponents in the opening and to avoid the heavy home preparation. They also try to get some psychological advantage . This approach is quite unpleasant against a player who is not doing well in the opening. Anand chooses the English opening which he only played three times before in classical games - one being against Adams, by the way.} 1...e5 2.g3 ( 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 g6 5.d4 exd4 6.Nxd4 Bg7 7.Bg2 O-O {Anand,V (2775)-Adams,M (2710) London 2012} ) 2...c6 {Adams also replies with a surprise in return. He had used the reversed Alapin in 2008 and for Anand this is already new.} 3.Nf3 ( {That only game of the Englishman went} 3.d4 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Bxd2+ 5.Qxd2 d6 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.Bg2 O-O 8.e3 Nbd7 {Miezis,N (2540)-Adams,M (2735) Liverpool 2008} ) 3...e4 4.Nd4 d5 5.cxd5 Qxd5 6.Nc2 Nf6 7.Nc3 Qh5 8.Ne3 {This position is already very fresh. It was played only once in an over-the-board game. White prepares to pressurize the exposed e4-pawn and opens the road for the queen.} ( {The complications arising after} 8.d3 exd3 9.Qxd3 Na6 10.Bg2 Bh3 $5 11.Bf3 Qg6 12.Bxc6+ bxc6 13.Qxa6 Rd8 {are not everyone's cup of tea, Svidler,P (2753)-Topalov,V (2772) Flor &amp; Fjaere 2014} ) ( 8.h3 {is another move.} ) 8...Bc5 {A solid reaction. In case of} ( 8...Bh3 9.Qb3 $1 b5 10.Qc2 Bxf1 11.Rxf1 Qe5 12.f3 exf3 13.Rxf3 {Black's position has too many loose ends, Berkes,F (2606)-Borisek,J (2508) Heraklio 2007} ) ( 8...Na6 $5 {deserves attention in order to torture the queen anytime it comes to c2.} ) 9.Qc2 Bxe3 ( {Or else Black loses the pawn} 9...O-O 10.Nxe4 ) 10.fxe3 {Anand wants to use the half-open file to possibly lift the rook to f4 and increase the pressure on e4. And for something more...} 10...Qe5 11.Bg2 Bf5 12.O-O O-O 13.b3 {The novelty.} ( {A correspondence game went} 13.b4 Nbd7 14.Bb2 Qe6 15.b5 Rac8 16.Qb3 Rfd8 17.Rac1 Nc5 18.Qxe6 Bxe6 19.Rc2 Bd7 20.bxc6 Bxc6 {and Black managed to solve the problem of the e4 pawn, Littke,H (2254)-Kolek,P (2399), 2011} ) 13...Nbd7 14.Bb2 Qe6 {One more move and Adams will cement his position for good with Bf5-g6. But...} 15.Rxf5 $1 {A nice positional sacrifice of the exchange. White wins the central pawn for it and the bishop pair. It is interesting that both players did not evaluate the position similarly. Adams considered it perfectly OK, while Anand thought it is easier to play as White.} 15...Qxf5 16.Nxe4 Qg6 $1 {The best defense. Else White will point his bishops towards the kingside with} ( 16...Nxe4 17.Bxe4 Qh5 18.Rf1 {followed by Rf4-h4 and attack (Anand).} ) 17.Rf1 Rfe8 18.Bxf6 {Tit for tat. White destroys the pawn structure in front of the enemy king.} 18...Nxf6 19.Nxf6+ gxf6 20.e4 Rad8 21.Rf4 {Anand's plan is to bring the bishop to f5, play d2-d3, bring the rook to h4 and attack the kingside with Qd2-h6.} 21...Qh5 $1 {Adams hurries to escape from the danger zone.} 22.d3 Qe5 23.Bh3 Kg7 24.Kg2 h5 $5 {An interesting pawn sacrifice. Black manages to temporary exclude the rook from the game.} ( {Something solid like} 24...Rh8 {was also possible.} ) 25.Rf5 Qd4 26.Rxh5 Qe3 27.Rh4 ( {One point behind the pawn sacrifice is demonstrated by Anand. The rook cannot come back at once} 27.Rf5 $2 Rxe4 $1 {works well for Black with the idea} 28.dxe4 Rd2 29.Qc4 b5 30.Qc5 Rxe2+ 31.Kh1 Re1+ 32.Bf1 Rxf1+ 33.Kg2 Rf2+ 34.Kh3 Qh6+ {and Black wins.} ) 27...Re5 28.Rf4 {White's chances are connected with the kingside attack and for this reason he should not allow any trades of the heavy pieces.} ( {Another problem is revealed by the line} 28.Bf5 Rh8 $1 29.Rf4 $2 ( {Black would be happy to trade the rooks and kill the attacking potential of his opponent} 29.Rxh8 Kxh8 {when only Black can play for the win.} ) 29...Rc5 30.Qb2 Rc1 {and wins.} ) 28...Rc5 29.Qb2 Rd6 30.Rf1 a5 {Adams placed his pieces in a very good way and now improves the mobile pawns.} 31.Bf5 b5 32.h4 ( {Anand also considered the pawn sacrifice} 32.b4 axb4 33.Rf3 Qd4 34.Qd2 {in order to return to his original idea of kingside attack, but at the end decided that it was too risky.} ) 32...Rd8 $2 {"The decisive blunder" (Anand) "Awful move" (Adams). The English GM missed a nice tactical regroupment. Instead many moves lead to dinamic equality:} ( 32...b4 ) ( 32...a4 $5 {In both case White cannot effectively use his queen in the attack due to the weakness of the b3 and e2 pawns.} ) ( {They also considered} 32...Qd4 {good for Black, but this is questionable as it allows the white queen a kingside sortie} 33.Qd2 Rd8 34.h5 {and White is definitely better.} ) 33.a3 b4 34.axb4 axb4 35.Be6 $1 {The bishop is transferred to the optimal c4 square from where it cements the queenside while attacking the f7 pawn. Black's position immediately becomes bad.} 35...Rc3 ( {The bishop is full of poison:} 35...fxe6 36.Qxf6+ {is mate in seven.} ) ( {Noweven the endgame is lost for Black as Anand explained} 35...Qd4 36.Qxd4 Rxd4 37.Bc4 {followed by g3-g4, Kg2-f3-e3, and later g4-g5 which will win the pawn on f7.} ) 36.Bc4 {White cemented the position and can get rid of the opponent's queen easily. After that his queen comes into the game and the step-by-step attack is unstoppable.} 36...Ra8 37.Rf5 Ra7 38.Rf3 Qc5 ( 38...Qh6 $5 {was more stubborn.} ) 39.Qd2 Qd6 40.Qe3 {The former world champion is not in a hurry.} ( 40.Rf5 {with the threat Rf5-h5 was faster as if} 40...Ra8 41.e5 $1 {destroys the barricades.} ) 40...Ra5 41.Rf2 Rc2 42.g4 Qd7 43.Qg3 Rc5 44.g5 $1 {The decisive break. It is again the Bc4 to blame for Black's misery.} ( 44.e5 {would also do.} ) 44...fxg5 45.Rxf7+ Qxf7 46.Bxf7 Kxf7 47.Qf3+ Kg7 48.h5 {The rest is easy for Anand.} 48...Ra5 49.Kf2 Rb2 50.h6+ Kg6 51.h7 {An inspired and interesting battle!} ( {Black resigned as he loses the rook:} 51.h7 Kxh7 52.Qf7+ Kh6 ( 52...Kh8 ) 53.Qf6+ ) 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.25"]
[Round "8.4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[ECO "C49"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7495523239969"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:43:44"]
[BlackClock "0:50:22"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {Mamedyarov has been very successful in his last six games in the Petroff: 5.5/6! Who dares claiming that the opening can be boring after that?} 3.Nc3 {Surprise! Anand has played the Four Knights back in 1992-96 via a different move order though.. .} 3...Nc6 4.Bb5 Bb4 ( {Ruinstein's recipe is sharper and more forceful. Ivanchuk has used it twice against the Indian:} 4...Nd4 5.Ba4 Bc5 6.Nxe5 O-O 7.Nd3 Bb6 8.e5 Ne8 9.Nd5 d6 {with compensation for the pawn, Anand,V (2715) -Ivanchuk,V (2700) Monte Carlo 1995} ) 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 d6 7.Ne2 $5 ( 7.Bg5 ) 7...Ne7 8.c3 Ba5 9.Ng3 Ng6 {Funnily enough, the position now is similar to some lines of the Ruy Lopez. Yep, the Berlin ones.} ( {Anand said that his second had shown him the following game played earlier this week at the World Teams:} 9...c6 10.Ba4 Ng6 11.d4 Re8 12.Bc2 h6 13.h3 Be6 14.Re1 Bc7 15.Be3 d5 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Nxe4 18.Nxe4 dxe4 19.Bd4 Bd5 20.Bxe4 c5 21.Bxc5 Rxe5 22.Bxd5 Rxd5 23.Bd4 Qd6 24.Qg4 Rg5 25.Qf3 Qh2+ 26.Kf1 Qh1+ 27.Ke2 Qxg2 28.Qxg2 Rxg2 29.Kf3 Rh2 30.Re7 Rxh3+ 31.Kg4 Bd6 32.Rd7 Rd3 33.Rxd6 Re8 34.Rg1 g6 35.Rg3 Rd2 36.Re3 Rf8 37.Re7 {1-0 (37) Wei,Y (2706) -Melkumyan,H (2676) Tsaghkadzor ARM 2015} ) 10.d4 Bb6 11.Re1 c6 12.Bd3 Re8 13.h3 h6 14.Be3 Be6 {Both sides developed their pieces harmoniously and naturally.} 15.Qc2 ( {Also possible is the development of the queen on the c1-h6 diagonal.} 15.Qd2 Qc7 16.Nf5 Bxf5 17.exf5 Nf8 {And now the typical Italian sacrifice with} 18.Bxh6 $2 {does not work because of the cool} 18...N8h7 $1 ( {not because of} 18...gxh6 19.Qxh6 Qe7 20.dxe5 dxe5 21.Nxe5 {and White should be winning} ) 19.g4 e4 20.g5 Nh5 21.Bxe4 gxh6 {with advantage for Black, Adhiban,B (2481)-L'Ami,E (2593) Dieren 2009} ) 15...Qc7 16.a3 {A novelty. White wants to expand on the queenside.} ( {A predecessor saw} 16.c4 exd4 17.Nxd4 Ne5 18.Be2 Ng6 19.Rad1 {1-0 (43) Nguyen,A (2496)-Markus,R (2436) Budapest 2000} ) 16...a5 17.c4 a4 {It is not quite clear why the inserted moves a2-a3 and a5-a4 should favour White. More likely they should favour Mamedyarov.} 18.Red1 {Anand moves the rook away from a possible tempo on a5.} ( {However, the line after} 18.Rad1 exd4 19.Bxd4 Ba5 $6 {leads to favorable complications for White after} 20.Bxf6 $1 Bxe1 21.Nh5 ) 18...exd4 {Because of the annoying threat of c4-c5 Black should do this sooner or later. Now the pawn structure modifies to one which is similar to some lines of the Bogoljubow defense.} 19.Bxd4 ( {Black is OK after} 19.Nxd4 Bd7 20.Ndf5 Bxe3 21.Nxe3 Nf4 ) 19...Ne5 20.Be2 {Mamedyarov more or less solved the opening problems. If Anand has any advantage it is symbolic.} 20...Bc5 ( {Instead, one good away to exploit the hole on b3 was} 20...Bxd4 $5 21.Nxd4 Ned7 {followed by Nd7-c5-b3 with equality.} ( {But not} 21...Nfd7 $2 22.f4 ) ) 21.Rd2 Nfd7 22.Rad1 Red8 $6 {Up to now Mamedyarov defended flawlessly, but this move is a mistake. In a cramped position it is always good to trade some pieces.} ( 22...Nxf3+ {was mandatory when Black is still good after} 23.Bxf3 Red8 ( {Not} 23...Rad8 24.Qxa4 Nb6 25.Qa5 ) ) 23.Nh4 $1 {Now f2-f4-f5 is a constant threat and the knights are eager to get closer to the enmy king with Nh4(g3)-f5.} 23...Bxd4 24.Rxd4 c5 $5 {The only chance for counterplay.} ( {Or else Black loses a pawn after} 24...Nc5 25.Nhf5 Bxf5 26.Nxf5 ) 25.Rxd6 Nc6 {The d4 -square is usually good compensation in these positions, but...} 26.Nhf5 $1 {Powerplay!} 26...Nd4 27.Qd2 ( {Worse is} 27.R6xd4 cxd4 28.Nxd4 Nc5 ) ( {Or} 27.Nxd4 Qxd6 {and White does not have any (good) discovered attack.} ) 27...Ne5 {This was the position that Mamedyarov was heading to. The black knights seem perfect on their outposts, the active rook on d6 will be traded and the compensation is obvious. However, Anand had foreseen something in advance...} ( {Since otherwise Black is down a pawn for nothing} 27...Nf6 28.Rxd8+ Rxd8 29.Nxd4 cxd4 ( 29...Rxd4 30.Qc2 ) 30.Qb4 ) 28.Rd5 $1 {D&eacute;j&agrave; vu! Like yesterday, the former world champion sacrifices the exchange for a pawn and attack and wins!} ( {Instead} 28.Rxd8+ $6 Rxd8 29.Nxd4 $6 cxd4 {would be dream come true for Mamedyarov.} ) 28...Bxd5 29.cxd5 Qb6 ( {The trade of a knight pair multiplies the attacking potential of the first player.} 29...Nxf5 30.Nxf5 Qa5 31.Qe3 Qb6 32.f4 Nd7 33.Qc3 {and Black should not survive.} ) 30.f4 $1 {Anand has a clear plan: advance the pawns in the center as much as possible, disconnect the flanks, checkmate.} ( {The endgame is also great for White} 30.Nxd4 cxd4 31.Qxd4 Qxd4 32.Rxd4 {but why to get here when there is mate instead?} ) 30...Ng6 ( {Or} 30...Nxe2+ 31.Qxe2 c4+ 32.Kh2 Nd3 33.Qg4 {which wins a second pawn for White.} ) 31.Bc4 {Another d&eacute;j&agrave; vu! The Indian GM used the same diagonal to grind down Michael Adams yesterday...} 31...Qa5 32.Qf2 b5 {Black tries his inly chance to distract the opponent.} ( {Nothing can stop the pawns:} 32...Nxf5 33.Nxf5 Re8 34.e5 ) 33.Nxd4 ( {Also good is} 33.Ba2 Nb3 34.Nh5 ) 33...cxd4 34.Ba2 b4 35.Nf5 bxa3 ( {Alas, after} 35...b3 36.Bb1 {the bishop will work again on the other diagonal.} ) 36.bxa3 Qc3 37.e5 {Perhaps the only slip in Anand's phenomenal play.} ( 37.d6 {was more subtle, with transposition into the game after} 37...Rab8 ( 37...Qxa3 $2 38.Qxd4 ) 38.Rd2 ) 37...Rab8 ( {Anotehr transposition is} 37...Qxa3 38.d6 Rab8 39.Rd2 ) 38.Rd2 Qxa3 ( {The computer suggests} 38...d3 {as a good defense, but it is hard to believe that White is not mating after} 39.d6 Qxa3 40.Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 41.Qa7+ Ke6 42.Ne3 {For example} 42...Rb1+ ( 42...Rd7 $2 43.Qxb8 ) 43.Kh2 Qb4 ( 43...Rd7 44.f5+ Kxe5 45.Qxd7 {and wins.} ) 44.Rf2 $1 Qb7 45.Qd4 {and the analysis can go for another twenty moves but I will leave that to you. My feeling says that the attack should be sufficient.} ( {Even better than} 45.f5+ Kd7 46.Qxa4+ Qc6 47.Qa2 Qc5 ( 47...Rb7 48.Qe6# ) 48.e6+ Kxd6 49.Qxb1 Qxe3 50.Rf3 Qe5+ 51.Kh1 {which Black some chances of survival thanks to his passed pawn.} 51...Kc6 52.fxg6 d2 53.Qc2+ Qc5 54.Qa4+ Qb5 55.Rc3+ Kb6 56.Qd1 {White is better, but not necessarily winning.} ) ) 39.Nxd4 {Now everything is under control.} 39...Qc1+ 40.Kh2 Rbc8 $6 {Losing the last hope for counterplay, according to Anand, but Mamedyarov only had seconds left to make this move.} 41.d6 a3 42.Nf5 Rf8 43.d7 {One more jewel in Anand's rich collection of masterpieces! Mamedyarov had had enough of it. After} ( 43.d7 Rcd8 44.Qd4 {the only way to stop the checkmate (e5-e6) is to sacrifice a whole rook with} 44...Qf1 45.e6 Qxf4+ 46.Qxf4 Nxf4 47.e7 ) 1-0

[Event "E Women's World Championship 2015"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.04.03"]
[Round "47.1"]
[White "Muzychuk, Mariya"]
[Black "Pogonina, Natalija"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2526"]
[BlackElo "2456"]
[ECO "C95"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6533719015946"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:06:53"]
[BlackClock "0:01:49"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {A surprise! The king of all openings paid a visit to Sochi. The Ruy Lopez was always an opening of the world championship matches. According to my database, Muzychuk has played a total of five games in the Ruy Lopez. In general she has a preference for the Scotch or the Italian game.} 3...a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Be7 {A counter-surprise in return! Pogonina came very well prepared for the championship, determined to show her best chess at home soil. Previously she had almost exclusively opted for the line with} ( 6...Bb7 {One recent example is from the Olympiad in Tromso:} 7.d3 Be7 8.a3 O-O 9.Nc3 d6 10.Re1 Nb8 $5 11.Ne2 c5 12.Ng3 Nc6 13.Nf5 Bc8 14.Nxe7+ Qxe7 {Gara,T (2321)-Pogonina, N (2479) Tromso 2014} ) 7.Re1 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.h3 Nb8 {The Breyer is a brand new line for both players.} 10.d4 Nbd7 11.a4 {A relatively rare line. Albeit a typical move in the Spanish, here it is not very effective as the black bishop was heading to b7 anyway.} ( 11.Nbd2 {is the most common continuation.} ) 11...Bb7 12.Nbd2 c5 {Pogonina is once again showing good prep and follows the main line.} ( {Also good is} 12...Rb8 13.axb5 axb5 14.d5 c6 15.dxc6 Bxc6 16.Bc2 Qc7 17.Nf1 b4 {Astaneh Lopez,A (2398)-Mamedyarov,S (2729) Istanbul 2012} ) 13.d5 c4 14.Bc2 Nc5 15.Nf1 Re8 16.Ng3 g6 17.Be3 Qc7 {Both players did the mandatory moves. Black did better though and equalized comfortably.} 18.Nd2 ( {Or:} 18.Nh2 h5 19.Nf3 Reb8 20.Qe2 Bc8 21.Ra2 Bd7 22.axb5 axb5 23.Rea1 Rxa2 24.Rxa2 Qc8 25.Qd1 {1/2-1/2 (25) Matlakov,M (2487)-Khruschiov, A (2498) St Petersburg 2009} ) 18...Bf8 19.Qe2 Nfd7 $1 {Pogonina is consistently looking for play on the queenside.} 20.f3 {The actual novelty. All of this has been seen in a total of eleven games and White always continued with} ( 20.Ra3 {with the idea of doubling the rooks before opening the a-file. Black can now force her opponent to make a decision with the move} 20...Nb6 {and after} 21.axb5 axb5 {will be followed by liquidation of the rooks along the a file and possible draw} 22.Rea1 Rxa3 23.Rxa3 Ra8 ( 23...Bc8 {is more fightful} 24.Qd1 Bd7 25.Qa1 Nba4 {Fleischanderl,F (2496)-Mrkvicka,J (2469) corr. 2002} ) ) 20...Nb6 21.a5 {Muzychuk closes the queenside and wants to concentrate on the other wing where she is stonger by definition. The problem with this approach is that the pawn on a5 might be vulnerable later.} 21...Nbd7 22.Nh1 $1 {White needs the g-pawn for the attack. The other advance fails tactically:} ( 22.f4 $2 exf4 23.Bxf4 Bxd5 ) 22...Be7 23.g4 Qd8 $1 {Good understanding of the position. Pogonina fights for the dark squares.} 24.Qf2 Bh4 $6 {Somewhat too sophisticated to my taste.} ( 24...Bg5 {at once in order to swap off the bishops was very comfortable for Black. After} 25.Ng3 Bf4 {is good followed by Qd8-h4.} ( {or also} 25...Bxe3 26.Rxe3 Qh4 ) ) 25.Ng3 Rc8 26.Kg2 {White's game is easier as she basically has only one plan: to carry out the f3-f4 advance.} 26...Nf8 27.Rf1 Bg5 28.f4 exf4 29.Bxf4 {With the disappearence of the pawn pair some important things happened: 1) The f-file is now opened for the white pieces and White can exert pressure on it. 2) The d4-square is available for the white knights. 3) The e5-square is a wonderful outpost for the black knights. 4) The typical knight sacrifice Ng3-f5 gained in strength thanks to the extra space White has. All in all the transformations are favorable for White and Muzychuk's game is much easier. Furthermore, she got an attacking position, her most beloved thing. Did you know that people already name her Miss Tactics in Sochi?} 29...Rc7 {Overprotects f7.} ( {Or} 29...Bxf4 30.Qxf4 Rc7 ( 30...Re7 31.h4 ) 31.Rf2 {followed by Ra1-f1 and Qf4-h6.} ( 31.Qh6 $5 ) ) 30.Bxg5 Qxg5 31.Nf3 Qe7 ( {Perhaps Black should have plunged in with} 31...Qf4 32.Qd4 Nfd7 {as none of the discovered attacks is particularly dangerous. But who can really play with a queen that exposed?} ) 32.Nd4 Qe5 {Pogonina decided to move away from the dangerous Ng3 (d4)-f5 threat. However, the precise calculation of the line} ( 32...Nfd7 $5 {(to bring the knight to e5)} 33.Ngf5 gxf5 34.Nxf5 Qf6 35.Nh6+ {reveals that Black is not forced to get checkmated after} 35...Qxh6 $2 ( {But can choose instead} 35...Kg7 $1 36.Qxf6+ Nxf6 37.Nf5+ Kf8 38.Nxd6 Nfxe4 {and if anyone is better here it is definitely not White!} ) 36.Qxf7+ Kh8 37.Qxe8+ ) ( {On the other hand after} 32...Ncd7 {the sacrifice seem to lead to a very powerful attack after} 33.Ngf5 gxf5 34.Nxf5 Qf6 35.Qd2 $3 Kh8 36.Nh6 Qe7 37.Rxf7 ( 37.Nxf7+ Kg8 38.Nh6+ ) 37...Qd8 {with a nice choice-} 38.Nf5 ( 38.Qf4 ) ( 38.Raf1 ) ) 33.h4 h6 {This weakening might be a bit too much although it is not easy at all to sit and wait while your opponent is improving the position. At this stage of the game both the players had very little time left.} 34.Qd2 Bc8 {Black hardly has any good defense.} ( 34...Kh7 35.h5 $1 {is devastating.} ) ( 34...Kg7 $2 {loses on the spot after} 35.Ngf5+ $1 gxf5 36.Rxf5 $1 Qe7 37.Rh5 ) ( {Perhaps} 34...Qg7 {is the lesser evil which will be similar to the game continuation after} 35.Qf4 ) 35.Nc6 ( {There was nothing wrong with} 35.Qxh6 Bxg4 36.Rf4 Bc8 37.h5 {with a strong attack.} ) 35...Qg7 36.Qf4 Rd7 37.Rf2 Bb7 38.Nd4 Re5 39.Nf3 Re8 40.g5 h5 41.Nd4 {The time trouble is over and Muzychuk continues to mount pressure.} 41...Qe5 42.Qd2 Rc7 43.Raf1 Ree7 44.Rf6 {The queen is in danger, the threat being Nd4-f3 to trap it.} 44...Red7 45.R6f4 b4 {Pogonina decided that the moment for counterplay has come, but Muzychuk's position is rock solid.} 46.Nf3 ( 46.cxb4 Nd3 {was Black's idea, although the complications should nevertheless favor White after} 47.Nge2 Nxf4+ 48.Qxf4 $1 Qxf4 49.Rxf4 Rd8 50.Ba4 $1 {with the intention to shoot the knight on its way to e5.} ) 46...Qg7 ( {Or else Black loses the exchange after} 46...bxc3 47.Nxe5 cxd2 48.Nxd7 Nfxd7 49.Rxf7 ) 47.cxb4 Nd3 48.Rf6 {Muzychuk sacrifices the exchange to keep the situation under control, but there was no need of doing this.} ( {It seems as both players missed that the counterplay can be stopped by the neat} 48.Bxd3 cxd3 49.Ne1 $1 ) 48...Nh7 49.Nd4 Nxf6 50.gxf6 Qf8 51.Ba4 {The culmination of the game.} ( {White is better after} 51.Bxd3 cxd3 52.Qxd3 {although the black rooks will start working now on the c-file.} ) ( {But much stronger was} 51.Nxh5 $1 {with the possible line} 51...gxh5 52.Bxd3 cxd3 53.Rf5 {and wins.} ) 51...Ne5 $2 {Now it is all over. White will have it all: the mating attack and the material advantage.} ( {For good or for bad Pogonina had to keep the exchange and hope for the best after} 51...Rd8 52.Nxh5 $1 Rb8 53.Ng3 {although I doubt that this is survivable.} ) 52.Bxd7 Rxd7 53.Nf3 ( 53.Nxh5 {at once works as well:} 53...gxh5 54.Qg5+ Ng6 55.Qxh5 {followed by Qh5-g4 and h4-h5 but there is no need to sacrifice a piece in this match situation.} ) 53...Ng4 54.Nxh5 $1 {Muzychuk finally made it to her opponent's king.} 54...gxh5 55.Qg5+ Kh8 56.Qxh5+ Nh6 ( 56...Qh6 57.Qxg4 ) 57.Kh2 Qg8 58.Rg1 {Mariya Muzychuk is just a point away from the title!} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2015.05.15"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[ECO "E90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[Beauty "4538211790418"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:03:00"]
[BlackClock "0:11:03"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.h3 {Bagirov's line is Tomashevsky's beloved weapon against the KID.} 6...e5 7.d5 Nh5 8.g3 {Tomashevsky's pet move. He is the guiding force behind the whole line and the creator of the theory here.} ( 8.Nh2 {is considered to be the main line.} ) 8...Qe7 {Quite an unusual move by Grischuk that forced his opponent into some thought. However, I doubt that it will attract any followers.} ( {If you have missed the March issue of The Master's Bulletin, then you missed a lot! GM Abhijeet Gupta annotated extensively the topical theory after} 8...f5 9.exf5 gxf5 10.Nh4 Nf4 ( 10...Nf6 {is the other option.} ) 11.Bd2 Qe7 12.Qc2 Na6 13.a3 Bd7 14.O-O-O {Tomashevsky,E (2716)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2705) Tbilisi GEO 2015} ) ( {The other main move is also covered there} 8...a5 9.Be2 Na6 10.Nh2 Nf6 11.Ng4 {Ipatov,A (2592)-Bacrot,E (2711) Jerusalem ISR 2015} ) 9.Nh2 Na6 {This is a novelty.} ( {The only predecessor saw the illogical} 9...Nf6 10.Bg5 h6 11.Be3 Kh7 {Stromer,A (2272)-Bremond,E (2300) Etang Sale 2001} ) 10.Be3 {Tomashevsky proceeds with development.} ( 10.Be2 Nf6 {looks less convincing.} ) 10...Nc5 11.h4 $1 {White's idea is to gain space on the kingside and to basically kill any counterplay there. A very mean strategy!} ( 11.Be2 {leads White nowhere after} 11...Nf6 12.f3 Nh5 $1 ) 11...a5 12.Be2 Nf6 13.Qc2 c6 14.g4 {This is the position that White was heading for. He is now better on both flanks. In comparison to some lines of the Averbakh system Black did not have time to push the b-pawn, or at least bring his queen on a5.} 14...Na6 ( {If} 14...cxd5 {White can simply recapture} 15.cxd5 ( {but there is an even more decent option} 15.Bxc5 $1 dxc5 16.g5 Ne8 17.Nxd5 {followed by Be2-g4 and total domination.} ) ) ( 14...Bd7 15.g5 Ne8 16.h5 {is also great for White.} ) 15.g5 Ne8 ( 15...Nd7 16.h5 ) 16.h5 Nb4 17.Qd2 cxd5 18.cxd5 Bd7 19.O-O-O {White finished his development and intends to strengthen the position with Kc1-b1, doubling the rooks along the c file and of course, trade of the light-squared bishops via b5 whenever possible.} 19...f5 {Grischuk tries to counter attack.} 20.Kb1 b5 ( 20...f4 21.Bb6 {would leave Black completely paralized.} ) 21.hxg6 {White completely ignores the opponent's provocations on the other wing.} ( {Instead} 21.Bxb5 $2 Bxb5 22.Nxb5 f4 23.Bb6 Qb7 {would drop a piece for White.} ) ( {And} 21.Nxb5 $6 Rb8 22.Nc3 f4 {would work well for Black as well.} ) 21...hxg6 22.f3 Nc7 23.Rc1 {The kingside is stable, it is time to take care of his "own" one.} 23...Nba6 24.Bd3 b4 25.Ne2 Nb5 {Grischuk needed one more more to play Rf8-c8 and things would not be that clear but...} 26.Rc6 $1 {Splendid!} 26...Rfb8 ( {The rook is not delicious} 26...Bxc6 27.dxc6 Nbc7 28.Bc4+ Ne6 {would lead to a completely helpless position for Black, e.g.} 29.Rd1 {(not the only winnning move)} 29...Kh8 ( 29...Rfd8 30.Bb6 ) 30.Qxd6 Qxd6 31.Rxd6 {and White wins.} ) 27.Rhc1 f4 ( 27...Bxc6 28.dxc6 d5 29.exf5 {is again bad for Black.} ) 28.Bf2 Bf8 ( 28...Qxg5 29.Bxb5 Rxb5 30.Rxd6 ) 29.Ng4 {The game is practically over. However, at the stage appears his Majesty, the Time-Trouble.} 29...Qxg5 30.Rh1 Qe7 ( {Please note that the rook is always poisoned due to the weakness of the light squares} 30...Bxc6 31.dxc6 Be7 32.Bc4+ Kg7 33.Qd5 {and in order to save the checkmate Black will have to give up the knight on b5.} ) 31.Bxb5 Rxb5 32.Nxf4 $1 {So far so good. Tomashevsky accurately calculated the win.} 32...Bxg4 ( {The choice is decisive attack for White after} 32...exf4 33.Bd4 Bg7 34.Nh6+ Kf8 ( 34...Bxh6 35.Rxh6 ) 35.Qxf4+ Ke8 36.Bxg7 Qxg7 37.Qxd6 ) 33.Nxg6 Qf6 34.Nxf8 Rxf8 35.Rg1 {With seconds on the clock White plays it safe.} ( {A more spectacular win would have been} 35.Rxd6 Qxd6 36.Qg5+ Kf7 37.Rh7+ Ke8 38.Qxg4 Rb8 39.Qh5+ Kd8 40.Bh4+ Kc8 41.Qg4+ ) 35...Qxf3 36.Qg5+ Kf7 37.Rxg4 Ke8 ( 37...Qxf2 38.Qg7+ Ke8 39.Rc8# ) 38.Qg6+ Qf7 {Two more moves and the time trouble will be over. Almost everything wins for White. Tomashevsky feverishly calculates the capture on d6 but at the last moment looks at the clock and realizes that there are only four seconds left. He grabs the first available piece instead...} 39.Qxf7+ {...which also wins, but not as quickly.} ( 39.Qxd6 {is forced mate in ten instead:} 39...Rb8 ( 39...Qxf2 40.Rc8+ Kf7 41.Rxf8# ) 40.Rxa6 Rc8 41.Qxe5+ Qe7 42.Re6 {etc.} ) 39...Rxf7 40.Be3 $4 {If the previous move had thrown away the mate, this one throws away the win!} ( {One more check would have done the job:} 40.Rg8+ Kd7 41.Rxa6 {as the knight is invincible} 41...Rxf2 42.Ra7+ Rb7 43.Rxb7# ) 40...Nc5 $2 {And Grischuk returns the favour! Needless to say, he was also in time trouble.} ( 40...Rf1+ $1 {would be a draw instead} 41.Rc1 {Best or else Black might get better.} ( 41.Bc1 $2 Rc5 {is very good for Black.} ) ( 41.Kc2 {fails to} 41...b3+ 42.axb3 $2 Nb4+ ) 41...Rxc1+ 42.Bxc1 b3 ) 41.Rg8+ {The time trouble is over, both players have time to take breath and reassess the situation. Tomashevsky is still winning, but miracles are not yet over...} 41...Kd7 42.Ra8 Rb7 43.Bxc5 ( 43.Bg5 $1 {would have been better! The only way to stop the checkmate is} 43...Rf1+ 44.Kc2 Rf2+ 45.Kd1 Ne6 {when White wins a piece and the game after} 46.dxe6+ Kxc6 47.e7 Rxe7 48.Bxe7 Rxb2 49.Rxa5 b3 50.a3 $1 ) 43...dxc5 44.Rxc5 {The wrong pawn!} ( 44.Rxa5 $1 {was still good enough for the full point as} 44...Rf4 45.Rh6 $1 {leaves Black no time to capture the pawn} 45...Rxe4 46.Rh7+ Kc8 47.Ra8+ Rb8 48.Rh8+ ) 44...Rf1+ 45.Rc1 Rxc1+ 46.Kxc1 b3 $1 {Grischuk creates counterplay! We all know that "rook endgames are always drawn."} 47.a3 Rc7+ 48.Kd2 Rc2+ 49.Kd3 Rxb2 50.Rxa5 Rh2 51.Rb5 Rh3+ 52.Kd2 Kd6 $1 {Black activated all his pieces and managed to hold the draw later.} 53.a4 Rh2+ 54.Kc3 Rh3+ 55.Kd2 ( 55.Kb2 Re3 56.Rb4 Kc5 ) 55...Rh2+ 56.Kc3 Rh3+ 57.Kc4 Re3 58.Rb6+ Kc7 59.Rxb3 Rxe4+ 60.Kc5 Rxa4 61.d6+ Kd7 62.Rb7+ Ke6 63.Re7+ Kf5 64.d7 Rd4 65.Kc6 e4 66.Re8 Kf4 67.d8=Q Rxd8 68.Rxd8 e3 69.Kd5 e2 70.Re8 Kf3 71.Kd4 Kf2 72.Kd3 e1=Q 73.Rxe1 Kxe1 74.Kd4 {A delightful conclusion - the top grandmasters are human beings too!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2015.05.16"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitry"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[ECO "C68"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6528752944647"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:21:41"]
[BlackClock "0:07:06"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 {The exchanged line is a rare bird at top GM practice, if we exclude Robert James Fischer. Nowadays only GM Arkadij Naiditsch uses is it every once in a while.} 5.O-O Qf6 {One of the many reasonable replies for the second player.} 6.d4 exd4 7.Bg5 Qd6 8.Nxd4 Bd7 9.Nc3 Be7 ( {Another possibility is} 9...Ne7 10.Be3 c5 11.Nb3 Qxd1 12.Rfxd1 b6 13.a4 O-O-O 14.a5 {with some pressure for White in Naiditsch,A (2710)-Efimenko,Z (2649) Germany 2015} ) 10.Bxe7 Nxe7 11.Nde2 O-O-O ( {The trade of the queens after} 11...Qxd1 {is a draw according to Jakovenko who had already played like that. One example} 12.Rfxd1 Ng6 13.Rd2 O-O-O 14.Rad1 Rhe8 15.f3 {although here Black needed 159 moves to achieve that draw in Rausis,I (2525)-Semcesen,D (2465) Borup 2009} ) 12.Qc1 Bg4 {"I was trying to exchange this bishop for one of the knights but of course, nobody allows this." (Svidler)} ( {Also possible is} 12...Ng6 13.Qe3 Kb8 {which is a bit better for White (Svidler). In comparison to the game the white knight remains on e2.} ) 13.Nf4 Ng6 {I doubt that Svidler knew he had created a novelty. He revealed at the press conference that he had studied these positions with GM Motylev some time ago, but came to the conclusion that White is somewhat better.} ( {One predecessor saw:} 13...Kb8 14.h3 Bc8 15.Rd1 Qf6 16.Rxd8 Rxd8 17.Qe3 g5 {with approximate equality in Silva (2358) -Quattrocchi,G (2379) corr. 2011} ) 14.Nd3 f6 15.Qe3 Kb8 16.f4 Bc8 17.Rad1 Qe7 18.Rde1 {Both the sides made more or less useful moves with White achieving better progress than his opponent.} 18...b6 ( {Svidler also considered} 18...f5 19.exf5 {(this is what Jakovenko intended to play)} ( {Svidler disliked the queen moves} 19.Qf3 ) ( {Or} 19.Qg3 ) 19...Qxe3+ 20.Rxe3 Bxf5 21.g3 b6 {"Once that the bishop gets to f5, Black is OK" (Svidler)} ) 19.Qg3 {"With the huge positional threat f4-f5." (Svidler)} 19...Rd4 {Activity is Black's best bet.} 20.Ne2 ( {Now} 20.f5 {is ineffective as Black will occupy the open file after} 20...Ne5 21.Nxe5 fxe5 ) 20...Ra4 ( {Perhaps} 20...Rc4 {is more accurate (Svidler) who showed the following curious line} 21.b3 ( 21.c3 c5 ) 21...Rxc2 22.f5 Ne5 ( {But he missed} 22...Qxe4 $1 {with advantage for Black.} ) 23.Nd4 Rd8 24.Nxc2 Rxd3 {and compensation for the exchange.} ) 21.c3 $2 {A critical moment of the game. White misses a detail in his calculation. Jakovenko would have been better after} ( 21.f5 Ne5 22.Nxe5 fxe5 23.Nc1 $1 ( 23.Nc3 Rd4 {is OK for Black.} ) 23...Rd4 24.Nd3 Re8 25.b4 $1 {(Jakovenko). For example} 25...Bb7 26.Re3 c5 27.bxc5 Rxe4 28.cxb6 cxb6 29.Rxe4 Bxe4 30.Qe3 {and White wins a pawn.} ) 21...c5 $1 {Svidler reaches the e4 pawn.} ( {Of course not} 21...Rxe4 22.Nd4 $1 ) 22.f5 Rxe4 23.fxg6 {The best practical chance.} ( {The alternative is worse for White} 23.Nec1 Rxe1 24.Rxe1 Ne5 25.Nxe5 fxe5 26.Qxe5 Qg5 {with a clear advantage for Black (Svidler)} ) 23...Rxe2 24.Rxe2 Qxe2 25.Re1 Qg4 26.Qxg4 Bxg4 27.gxh7 Rxh7 28.Nf4 Kc8 {Black won a pawn but since he has a doubled one on the c-file and his pieces are somewhat misplaced the game is not yet over.} 29.h3 ( {Svidler suggested the tricky defense} 29.Re7 Kd8 30.Rf7 Bd7 31.Rf8+ Ke7 ( {After} 31...Be8 32.Nd5 {the threat Nd5xc7 is almost unstoppable.} ) 32.Ng6+ Ke6 ( 32...Kd6 $6 33.Rd8 $1 {and Black is in trouble (Svidler), although it should be a draw after say} 33...Rh5 34.c4 ( {Or} 34.Nf8 Ke7 35.Rxd7+ Kxf8 36.Rxc7 ) 34...a5 35.b3 Kc6 36.Ne7+ Kd6 37.Ng6 ) 33.Rd8 ( 33.Ra8 Bc6 34.Rxa6 ) 33...Bb5 $1 {and Black is still playing for the win.} ) 29...Bd7 30.Kf2 Kd8 31.Ne6+ ( 31.Rd1 {is nicely refuted with} 31...Rh8 32.Ne6+ Kc8 33.Nxg7 Rh7 {when the knight is trapped.} ) 31...Bxe6 32.Rxe6 {The rook endgame is very difficult for White who is deprived of any active counterplay.} 32...Rh5 33.Re2 Kd7 34.Rd2+ Ke6 35.Rd8 ( {Jakovenko was afraid that Svidler might take the open file in case of} 35.Ke3 Rd5 {but the latter was in time trouble and was not 100% convinced that the endgame is won for Black. Indeed after} 36.Rxd5 Kxd5 37.Kf4 Ke6 38.c4 {or} ( 38.h4 c4 39.h5 {White seems to hold. The doubled pawn is not a full pawn when it comes to creating passers.} ) ) 35...c4 36.Ke3 Rb5 37.Rd2 Re5+ {A quick repetition to reach move forty.} 38.Kf3 Ra5 39.a3 Rf5+ 40.Ke3 Re5+ 41.Kf3 Rf5+ 42.Ke3 c6 {Svidler found a good plan to penetrate along the d file.} 43.Re2 b5 44.Rd2 Rd5 45.Re2 Kf5 46.Rf2+ Ke5 ( 46...Kg5 {was cleaner according to Svidler with the idea f6-f5, Rd5-d3+ and further improvement of everything that he has.} ) 47.Kf3 Rd3+ 48.Kg4 Re3 {Next Ke5-e4-d3 is automatic and g7-g6 "a huge threat". White is helpless.} 49.Rf5+ Ke4 50.Rf2 f5+ 51.Rxf5 Re2 52.g3 Rxb2 53.Rg5 Kd3 54.Rxg7 Kxc3 55.Rc7 a5 56.Rxc6 b4 57.axb4 axb4 {Black's passers are way faster.} 0-1

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2015.05.20"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "165"]
[Beauty "5226480272905"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:12:58"]
[BlackClock "0:02:36"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bf4 {"This is a new line and there are very few games in the Megabase, but of course Anish was well prepared. Probably better than me..." (Svidler)} ( {The usual move is} 6.Bg5 {for example} 6...h6 7.Bh4 c5 8.dxc5 Nbd7 9.Qb3 Qa5 10.a3 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Qxc5 {as in Grischuk,A (2794)-Aronian,L (2770) Tsaghkadzor 2015} ) 6...O-O 7.Rc1 {This is a novelty.} ( {Previously only} 7.e3 {has been played.} ) 7...Bf5 8.a3 Ba5 {Svidler suggested a simpler solution to Black's problems:} ( 8...Bxc3+ {with the idea} 9.Rxc3 ( {The Russian GM was planning instead to go for} 9.bxc3 {to which Giri reasonably asked: "Then what was the move Ra1-c1 for?"} ) 9...c6 10.e3 Ne4 11.Rc1 Qa5+ 12.Nd2 g5 13.Bxb8 Raxb8 14.f3 Nxd2 15.Qxd2 Qxd2+ 16.Kxd2 {with approximate equality.} ) 9.e3 c6 {Now a typical Carlsbad pawn structure arises when White wants to carry out the famous minority attack on the queenside.} 10.Be2 Nbd7 11.O-O Re8 12.b4 Bc7 13.Bxc7 Qxc7 {One way or another the dark-squared bishop was traded. (In the usual Carlsbad this is done through the g5 square.) This might seem good for White as technically speaking he has the better bishop left on the board, but in reality Black is happy to swap a pair of pieces. Plus, his bishop on f5 is superbly placed and is by no means worse than the white one.} 14.b5 Qd6 15.Qb3 c5 {An impractical decision. The isolated pawn will be a concern for Black and although he can defend the position his task would be unpleasant. Svidler suggested a better path to equality instead:} ( 15...a6 $1 16.bxc6 bxc6 {and if} 17.Qb4 Qxb4 18.axb4 Reb8 19.Na2 a5 {everything disappears on the queenside and a draw would become inevitable.} ) 16.dxc5 Nxc5 17.Qb4 {Giri believed that with the white pawn on b5 his position would be save enough but then when it came to defending it he realized that things are not that simple. "I have no moves here" was heard multiple times during the press conference by the Dutch grandmaster.} 17...Rac8 18.Rfd1 Be6 19.h3 Red8 ( {The next sugegstion by Svidler was this time refuted by Giri:} 19...Nce4 $2 {with the idea to swap some pieces is a blunder due to} 20.Nxe4 Nxe4 21.Rxc8 ( {Not the immediate} 21.Qxe4 $4 dxe4 22.Rxd6 Rxc1+ ) 21...Rxc8 ( {White also wins a pawn after} 21...Bxc8 22.Qxd6 Nxd6 23.Rxd5 ) 22.Qxe4 $1 {and White wins.} ) 20.Nd4 Qf8 $2 {"Horrible move. From here on I played only horrible moves" Giri.} ( 20...Bd7 {was passive but defendable for Black.} ) 21.b6 $1 {Now White opens the road for his pieces on the queenside and increases his advantage.} 21...axb6 22.Qxb6 Nfd7 23.Qb2 Nf6 24.Bf3 Rd7 25.Qb4 Qd8 26.Nce2 {The knight is brought to a better striking position and Svidler opens the road for his heavy pieces. Giri has the ungrateful task of defending the isolated pawn and the weaknesses on the queenside.} 26...Rdc7 27.Nf4 Bd7 28.Qa5 {A slip that allows Black a chance. Better was} ( 28.Nxd5 $1 {with the idea} 28...Nxd5 29.Bxd5 Nd3 30.Bxf7+ Kh8 31.Rxc7 Nxb4 32.Ne6 $3 {which was suggested by one of the viewers during the press conference.} ) ( {Or Giri's} 28.Nb3 $1 {with a solid extra pawn for White.} ) 28...Ra8 {Now everything is back on track for Svidler. Instead with mischievous smile he showed the chance} ( 28...Ba4 $5 {with the idea} 29.Rxc5 $2 ( {Instead White keeps some edge with} 29.Rf1 Ra8 30.Qb4 ) 29...Bxd1 30.Rxc7 Qxc7 31.Qxc7 Rxc7 32.Bxd1 Rc1 {and Black wins.} ) 29.Qb6 Ra6 30.Qb4 Ra4 31.Qb6 Ra6 32.Qb4 Ra4 33.Qb2 {With his previous moves White lured the rook on a4 to prevent any light pieces from getting there.} 33...Ne6 34.Nxd5 $2 {A huge miss for this level. White wins a pawn but not in the optimal way. A quick win would have been:} ( 34.Nfxe6 $1 {(or the other knight)} 34...fxe6 35.Nxe6 Bxe6 36.Qb6 Rd7 37.Qxe6+ {and next both b7 and d5 pawns will fall on the long run.} ) 34...Rxc1 35.Rxc1 Nxd4 36.exd4 Nxd5 37.Bxd5 b5 {Blundered by Svidler. Now his win is quite questionable.} 38.Bc6 Bxc6 39.Rxc6 h6 40.Qc2 Ra8 41.Qc5 Qf8 $1 {Black will get closer to the draw in case that he trades the queens.} 42.Qxb5 Qxa3 43.Qc4 Qf8 44.d5 {A curious endgame arised in which White's chances for a win are approximately the same as Black's chances for a draw. Alekhine once won a similar endgame to Keres with a couple of differences. The pawns were in fact equal (Black had an additional one on b6) but the white h pawn had reached the fifth rank. This endgame was tested in many games and from the look of them I understood that it is important for the stronger side to bring the pawn on the sixth rank. Then the winning chances increase greatly.} 44...Qe8 45.Qd4 ( {The immediate push will lead to instant draw after} 45.d6 Ra1+ 46.Kh2 Qe5+ 47.f4 Qe3 48.d7 Qg1+ 49.Kg3 Qe1+ 50.Kg4 Qd1+ ) ( {However,} 45.Qc3 Rd8 46.d6 {seemed better with realistic chances for the full point.} ) 45...Rd8 46.Rc7 Qf8 47.Rc3 Qd6 48.Rg3 {One weakness (the passer on d6) will not be enough for a win and Svidler tries to create an attack against the black king.} 48...g6 49.Rd3 Kh7 50.g3 Rd7 51.Kg2 Rd8 52.h4 h5 $1 {The best defensive set-up. Now in order to open the king White will have to exchange a pair of pawns and most likely the queens after. The less pawns, the less trouble!} 53.Kf3 Kg8 54.Qf4 Qa6 55.Qd4 Qd6 56.Kg2 ( 56.g4 {is premature due to} 56...hxg4+ 57.Qxg4 Qh2 ) 56...Rd7 57.g4 hxg4 58.Qxg4 Kg7 59.h5 Re7 ( {Giri wanted to play here} 59...Kh6 {but missed} 60.Qd4 $1 {when White wins. For example} 60...Kxh5 61.Rh3+ Kg5 62.Rg3+ Kf5 63.Rf3+ Kg5 64.Qe3+ Kh5 65.Rh3+ Kg4 66.Rg3+ Kf5 67.Qg5+ {and the heavy pieces mate easily.} ) 60.Qd4+ Qe5 61.hxg6 Qxd4 62.Rxd4 Kxg6 {Black achieved what he wanted to. The rook endgame is objectively a draw, but it still has to be proved. First Svidler improves everything that he has.} 63.Kf3 Kf5 64.Rf4+ Kg5 65.Re4 Rd7 {The first inaccuracy. A much simpler way was to let the rookie freedom} ( 65...Ra7 $1 66.Re5+ Kf6 67.Kf4 Ra4+ 68.Re4 Ra2 {with a draw.} ) 66.Re5+ Kf6 67.Kf4 {Now some problems appear for Black.} 67...Ra7 68.Rf5+ Ke7 69.Kg5 Ra6 70.Re5+ Kd7 $2 {This is the wrong side. Both players agreed at the analyzes that the king had to stay on the f file} ( 70...Kf8 71.Kf5 Ra2 72.f4 Rd2 73.Ke4 Rd1 {White can still torture his opponent and keeps practical chances but objectively it should be holdable.} ) 71.Re2 Rg6+ {Black's problems become obvious in the line} ( 71...Rd6 72.f4 $1 Rxd5+ 73.Kf6 Rd4 74.f5 {when he loses the f pawn and the game. In this line we see why the black king is badly placed on the d file. Not only that the pawn is lost on f7, but the king is on the wrong long "side. " Had it been to the h file Black could survive by giving distant checks with his rook.} ) 72.Kf5 Ra6 73.f4 Ra4 74.Kg5 f6+ ( {Nothing changes} 74...Kd6 75.f5 Kxd5 76.Re7 ) 75.Kf5 Kd6 76.Re4 Ra8 77.Kxf6 Kxd5 78.Re5+ {The black king is cut off the f pawn and the frontal checks do not help as the rook can cover them. the game is over.} 78...Kd4 79.Re6 Rf8+ 80.Kg5 Rg8+ 81.Rg6 Re8 82.f5 Ke5 83.Rg7 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2015.05.21"]
[Round "7.6"]
[White "Dominguez, L."]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7838583753223"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:11"]
[BlackClock "0:06:19"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a4 {Something went wrong with Svidler's prep as he spent about half an hour here only to achieve a position that he wanted to avoid.} 8...b4 9.d4 O-O 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Nbd2 {Dominguez enjoys positions with clear strategical weaknesses and little counterplay by the opponent. Right now the c4-square is a magnet for the white knight.} 11...Bc5 12.Qe2 ( {Svidler has experience in the line} 12.a5 h6 13.h3 Qd6 14.Qe2 Be6 15.Nc4 Qe7 16.Be3 Rab8 17.Red1 ( 17.Bxc5 {might be little better for White instead.} ) 17...Nxe4 {with interesting complications after} 18.Ba4 Ng3 19.fxg3 Bxc4 20.Qxc4 Bxe3+ 21.Kh2 {in Karjakin,S (2770)-Svidler,P (2743) Kazan 2014} ) 12...Qe7 ( {Black would love to bring his knight to f4, but he is not yet ready for this} 12...Nh5 $2 {walks into} 13.Bd5 Nf4 14.Qc4 {and White wins a piece.} ) 13.a5 h6 {An useful profilactical move. However, Boris Spassky proved that the immediate} ( 13...Rd8 {is also possible and this might be the better choice.} 14.Bc4 ( {The point is that} 14.Ng5 $2 {is simply bad because of} 14...Nd4 15.Bxf7+ Qxf7 ) 14...Nd4 15.Nxd4 Bxd4 16.Nb3 {and in comparison to the game here Black can play something more useful now than h7-h6, Ivanovic,B (2485) -Spassky,B (2625) Bugojno 1982} ) 14.h3 Rd8 {Technically speaking a novelty, although as we shall see later a similar position had been seen previously.} ( {Two of the players in Khanty have already discussed the position after} 14...Be6 15.Bc4 Nd4 16.Nxd4 Bxd4 17.Nb3 Rfd8 {although this transposes into the game, Caruana,F (2791)-Tomashevsky,E (2695) Dubai 2014} ) 15.Bc4 Nd4 16.Nxd4 Bxd4 17.Nb3 c5 {A brave decision. The bishop on d4 is in danger but Black figured out that it survives there.} ( 17...Be6 {would have transposed to Caruana-Tomashevsky from above.} ) 18.Nxd4 $1 {Simple and strong. The black pawns get disconnected and the b4 and a6 ones are especially vulnerable. Having the bishop pair feels good too.} ( {Both players saw the lines:} 18.Nd2 Be6 19.Bxa6 ( {If} 19.Bd3 Ne8 $1 {is a strong maneuver suggested by Svidler to prevent the white knight from establishing itself on c4.} 20.Nc4 Nd6 21.Nb6 c4 22.Nxc4 Nxc4 23.Bxc4 Bxc4 24.Qxc4 Rdc8 {with plenty of couterplay along the c-file (Svidler).} ) 19...Nh5 {when the knight is super strong on f4.} ) 18...cxd4 19.Bd2 {White is better on both flanks. On the kingside by default, as we have the Ruy Lopez. On the queenside he prepares to attack the b4 pawn with Ra1-a4 and after the rook on e1 moves away, Qe2-e1.} 19...Qc5 20.b3 {First of all stabilization.} 20...Be6 $1 {Svidler understood that his only chance is to trade the light-squared bishops.} 21.Bd3 {White believes that the pawns have nowhere to go.} ( 21.Bxa6 Qxc2 ( 21...Rdb8 $5 ) 22.Bxb4 Bxb3 {was also possible with advantage for White but Dominguez prefers to keep more pieces on board.} ) 21...Bd7 22.Bxa6 ( 22.Rec1 Rdb8 {would be great for Black as he will be in time to swap off the bishops. And if White captures the a6 pawn here... see the next note!} ) 22...Rdb8 {A crafty little move.} ( {Instead} 22...Bc6 23.Qc4 $1 {"loses instantly" (Svidler).} ) ( {The Russian GM missed} 22...Nxe4 23.Bb7 {when calculating the lines "from far away."} ) 23.Bd3 {Black's devilish trap is revealed after} ( 23.Ra2 $4 Rxa6 $1 24.Qxa6 Bb5 {Ooops.} ) 23...Rxa5 24.Qf3 {Black managed to temporarily defend on the queenside, but a file has been opened and Dominguez can still combine play on both flanks.} 24...Rb6 {Svidler suggested as a better defense the profilactic} ( 24...Kh7 $5 {and indeed this seems better. For example} 25.Qg3 ( {Also good is} 25.Rxa5 Qxa5 26.Qg3 Ra8 27.f4 Nh5 28.Qf3 Nxf4 29.Bxf4 exf4 30.e5+ {followed by Qf3-e4 and initiative.} ) 25...Rba8 26.Rxa5 Rxa5 27.f4 {White still pushes but Black will have less things to worry about once that he had taken control of the a-file.} ) 25.Qg3 Nh5 $2 {Perhaps this is the moment when Svidler went wrong.} ( {The Russian GM was afraid of the line} 25...Ra3 {(a generally desirable move)} 26.Bxh6 Nh5 27.Qg5 {and if} 27...Rxh6 ( {There is also the cold-blooded} 27...Qc7 $5 28.Qxh5 Rxh6 29.Qe2 Qc8 {with the threat Bd7xh3.} 30.Qf1 Rg6 {and nothing is clear yet.} ) 28.Qd8+ Kh7 29.Qxd7 Nf4 {He believed that both} 30.Bc4 {But he missed} ( {And} 30.Qxf7 {should win for White. Some corrections are needed in these lines. First of all Black is doing more than fine here after} 30...Rg6 31.g3 Rf6 32.Qe8 Rf8 $1 33.Qd7 Nxd3 34.cxd3 Qc2 {and quite surprisingly, the f2 pawn cannot be defended.} ) 30...Rg6 31.Qf5 Kh6 $3 ( 31...Kh8 {might also be playable.} ) 32.g4 Qe7 33.Bxf7 Rg5 {Please, do not ask me to explain you what's going on here. The compy claims strong attack for Black.} ) ( {Knowing about Black's concerns in the previous line, GM Shipov suggested the super deep} 25...Bc8 $3 {when after} 26.Bxh6 $2 ( 26.Kh2 ) 26...Nh5 27.Qg5 Rxa1 28.Rxa1 Rxh6 {the bishop is defended.} ) 26.Qh4 Nf6 27.f4 {"Black's position collapses." (Svidler)} 27...Rxa1 28.Rxa1 Bc6 29.fxe5 Qxe5 30.Bf4 {Now the bishops come to life.} 30...Qe8 ( {The last practical chance was also suggested by Svidler. It was} 30...Qe6 $5 {with the idea} 31.e5 ( {Unfortunately for him he saw the refutation} 31.Bc7 $1 Rb7 32.Ra8+ Ne8 33.Bc4 Qd7 34.Bg3 {when Black is completely packed.} ) ( {Dominguez planned to play instead} 31.Ra5 {but here things are not clear after} 31...Bxe4 32.Re5 Qc6 33.Bxe4 ( 33.Rxe4 Nxe4 34.Qd8+ Kh7 ) 33...Nxe4 34.Qd8+ Kh7 ) 31...Qd5 {although objectively White is better here as well after} 32.Bf1 Ne4 33.Bc4 $1 ) 31.e5 Nd5 ( {It is amazing how strong the positional feeling of the super GMs is. They both felt that after} 31...Nd7 32.e6 $1 {White's attack should be decisive. A nice line goes} 32...fxe6 33.Bxh6 $1 ( 33.Ra5 $5 {is also great without any risk.} ) 33...gxh6 34.Qxh6 Nf8 {and now a bit of help by a silicon friend-} 35.Qg5+ ( 35.Ra5 {was their suggestion which should also be suffcient.} ) 35...Kh8 36.Qh4+ $1 Kg8 37.Qg4+ Kh8 ( 37...Kf7 38.Rf1+ Ke7 39.Qg7+ Kd6 40.Rxf8 ) 38.Qxd4+ {and the rook's gone.} ) 32.Bg3 Bb5 {Finally swapping the bishop off, but at the expense of a pawn.} 33.Qxd4 Bxd3 34.cxd3 Qc6 35.Kh2 {The Cuban grandmaster was in time trouble but finished the game neatly.} 35...Rb5 36.Ra7 h5 ( 36...Rc5 37.e6 $1 {wins.} ) 37.Qe4 Rc5 38.e6 {Black resigned due to the lines:} ( 38.e6 Qxe6 ( 38...fxe6 39.Qg6 ) 39.Ra8+ Rc8 40.Qxe6 ) 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2015.05.26"]
[Round "11.5"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2699"]
[ECO "C10"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[Beauty "6118315134472"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:21:34"]
[BlackClock "0:29:09"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 {Jobava switches back to the Rubinstein French.} 4.Nxe4 Bd7 {The Fort Knox Variation.} 5.Nf3 Bc6 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.Qe2 Be7 8.Neg5 {This move is connected with a blunder as Svidler explained at the press-conference. One of the key ideas for White in these setups is to sacrifice the knight on either e6 or f7. Svidler saw that in the line} ( 8.c4 {(to get control of the d5 square)} 8...Ngf6 9.Neg5 h6 10.Nxe6 fxe6 11.Bg6+ Kf8 12.Qxe6 {Black does not have the move Bc6-d5, but has another way to save himself:} 12...Bb4+ {followed by Qd8-e7 and wins.} ) 8...Bxg5 {But while thinking, the Russian GM realized that in the line} ( 8...h6 $1 9.Nxe6 ( {He also desperately considered} 9.Qxe6 hxg5 10.Nxg5 Nh6 11.Bg6 {which however is refuted by the simple} 11...O-O ) ( {Therefore, he should have opted for the sad} 9.Ne4 {and as he mocked himself after the game "I would sit here and explain to you how important is to have the b1-h5 diagonal weakend and how deep my idea is to deliver checkmate later." Svidler is an amazing annotator!} ) ( 9.Nh3 {is horrible after} 9...g5 ) 9...fxe6 10.Bg6+ Kf8 11.Qxe6 {Black for some reason still has the move} 11...Bb4+ {:)} ) 9.Nxg5 h6 ( {Previously only} 9...Ngf6 10.c4 O-O 11.O-O {had been played in Fluvia Poyatos,J (2450)-Lopez Martinez,J (2440) Spain 2004} ) 10.Nf3 ( {Bad is} 10.Qh5 Qe7 11.O-O Ngf6 12.Qh3 O-O-O 13.Nf3 g5 {with a pleasant attack for Black (Svidler).} ) 10...Qf6 11.Ne5 $5 {The only way to fight for the advantage. Black is very comfortable after} ( 11.Be4 Bxe4 12.Qxe4 O-O-O ) 11...Nxe5 ( {White has ample compensation for a pawn after} 11...Bxg2 12.Rg1 Bc6 13.Bd2 ) 12.Qxe5 ( {White did not like} 12.dxe5 Qh4 {with the idea Ng8-e7-f5 and very nice position for Black.} ) 12...O-O-O {Jobava plays for more than equality which he has after} ( 12...Qxe5+ 13.dxe5 Ne7 ) 13.Be3 Qe7 $6 {Again the trade of the queens is objectively best} ( 13...Qxe5 14.dxe5 Ne7 ) 14.O-O-O Nf6 15.f3 {Now the bishop pair provides some advantage to White.} 15...g5 ( {Black cannot equalize with} 15...Nd5 16.Bd2 Nb4 17.Bxb4 Qxb4 18.Qxg7 {(Svidler)} ) 16.c4 b6 17.Bd2 ( {Some more preparation was possible} 17.Rhe1 Nd7 18.Qg3 f5 19.Qf2 f4 20.Bd2 Nc5 21.Bc2 {with advantage for White (Svidler)} ) 17...Nh5 {The problem for Black is that he has to sit and wait while his opponent is preparing the central break d4-d5.} 18.d5 f6 19.Qe2 {White's advantage grew and Jobava tries to muddy the waters with} 19...Ba4 20.b3 Bd7 ( {The piece sacrifice} 20...Qa3+ 21.Kb1 Bxb3 {fails to} 22.Bc1 $1 Bxd1 23.Qxe6+ {(Svidler, Jobava).} ) 21.g4 Ng7 {Now the knight is stranded. Svidler believed that Black should have sacrificed a pawn instead} ( 21...Nf4 22.Bxf4 gxf4 23.dxe6 Bxe6 24.Qe4 Kb8 25.Qxf4 a5 {with chancesto survive.} ) 22.Kb1 ( {Better is} 22.Bc3 Kb8 23.h4 {with pressure on the dark squares. White will very much like to conduct the play on the color of the bishop that the opponent does not have.} ) 22...h5 {Generates useful pressure along the h file.} 23.h3 Qf7 24.Bc3 Kb8 25.Be4 ( 25.Qb2 $5 ) 25...Bc8 26.Rhe1 ( {In case of} 26.Qb2 {White did not like} 26...Ne8 ( 26...e5 27.b4 Bb7 28.Qb3 {followed by c4-c5 is excellent for White.} ) 27.dxe6 Rxd1+ 28.Rxd1 Qxe6 29.Rd8 $6 ( 29.Bd5 {keeps an edge for White instead.} ) 29...hxg4 $1 30.hxg4 $2 Rh1+ {and wins.} ) 26...hxg4 27.hxg4 Bb7 28.dxe6 Bxe4+ 29.Qxe4 Rxd1+ 30.Rxd1 Nxe6 31.Qf5 {Black managed to trade one of the bishops, but his brother still dominates the knight. Badly.} 31...Rh6 ( {Jobava saw the line} 31...Rf8 32.Re1 Ng7 33.Qh7 $1 {followed by f3-f4 and g4-g5!} ) 32.Rd2 Qg6 33.Qxg6 Rxg6 {In order to relieve the pressure Black has to exchange the queens, but now he inevitably loses the pawn on f6.} 34.Rd5 Rh6 35.Rf5 Rh1+ 36.Kb2 Rh2+ 37.Kb1 Rh1+ 38.Kb2 Rh2+ 39.Ka3 a5 ( 39...Rf2 {would be similar to the game} 40.Bxf6 {This is better than} ( 40.Rxf6 Nf4 41.Rf8+ Kb7 42.Bf6 Nd3 43.Bxg5 a5 44.Rd8 Rxf3 ) 40...a5 ) 40.Rxf6 Re2 41.Rf5 Rf2 42.Re5 Nf4 ( {Worse is} 42...Rxf3 43.Bxa5 $1 bxa5 44.Rxe6 Rf4 45.Re5 {where the three connected pawns easily prevail.} ) 43.Rxg5 Rxf3 44.Kb2 ( {In case of} 44.Bd4 Nd3 45.Rg8+ Kb7 46.g5 {Jobava suggested} 46...Rg3 ( 46...c5 $5 {Svidler} ) 47.g6 Rg2 {when Black indeed has a lot of counterplay after} 48.g7 Nb4 {Mate is threatened!} 49.Bb2 {and here instead of the Georgian's sugegstion} 49...Nc2+ ( {Black can do} 49...c6 $1 50.Rf8 b5 {when White has to find the draw} 51.Rf7+ ( 51.cxb5 $2 {loses after} 51...cxb5 52.Rf7+ Kc6 53.Rf6+ Kd7 54.Rf7+ Kd6 55.Rf6+ Ke7 ) ( 51.g8=Q $4 Nc2# ) 51...Ka6 52.cxb5+ cxb5 53.Rc7 ) 50.Ka4 Nd4 ) ( {Svidler also considered the amusing} 44.Bxa5 bxa5 45.Rf5 {but quickly figured it a draw after} 45...Kb7 46.g5 Rg3 47.Rxf4 Rxg5 ) 44...Nd3+ 45.Kc2 Nb4+ 46.Bxb4 axb4 47.Rf5 Rg3 48.g5 {The rook endgame is very unpleasant for Black. The passer on g5 is extremely good. But as we know "all rook endgames are draw," aren't they?} 48...Kc8 $1 {Black cannot hold with the rook only, he needs to bring on all the reserves.} ( 48...Rg2+ 49.Kd3 Rxa2 50.Ke4 Re2+ 51.Kf4 $1 {followed by Re5-e3 wins for White.} ) 49.Kd2 Kd7 50.Ke2 Ke6 51.Rb5 Rg2+ 52.Kf3 Rxa2 53.Rxb4 Ra1 $6 {Up to now Black had defended very well, but this is a serious step in the wrong direction.} ( {Jobava should have activated the rook as soon as possible} 53...Rd2 $1 54.Rb5 Rd4 {with reasonable drawing chances.} ) 54.Rb5 Kf7 55.Ke4 Rd1 $6 {Another inaccurucy. Better was} ( 55...Re1+ 56.Kd5 ( 56.Kd4 Rd1+ 57.Ke5 Re1+ ) 56...Re6 $1 57.Kd4 c5+ 58.Kd5 Ke7 {and Black should hold.} ) 56.b4 Re1+ 57.Kd5 Re6 58.Kd4 {Without the c7-c5 resourse Black is in trouble.} 58...Re1 59.c5 Rd1+ 60.Ke4 Re1+ 61.Kd5 $1 Re6 62.Kd4 $1 {Zugzwang!} 62...Rg6 ( 62...Ke7 63.cxb6 cxb6 64.Re5 ) ( 62...Kg6 63.cxb6 cxb6 64.Re5 Rd6+ 65.Kc4 ) 63.cxb6 cxb6 64.Re5 Rc6 65.Kd5 Rc1 {The b6 pawn drops and the black king can do nothing to stop the b4 one.} ( 65...Rc1 {The official recording says that White played here} 66.Ke4 {but is not likely to be the truth (as it loses b4). Probably the king was placed on e4 at the moment of Black's resignation.} ) 1-0

[Event "KM FIDE GP 2015"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk RUS"]
[Date "2015.05.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[ECO "D00"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "160"]
[Beauty "5296789392959"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[WhiteClock "0:52:37"]
[BlackClock "0:25:26"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4 {Who else but Jobava can opt for the Veresov at a high level?} 3...Bf5 ( {Ah, yeah, there is one more. Mr Rapport that is-} 3...c5 4.e3 cxd4 5.exd4 a6 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Ne5 {with a weird version of the Caro-Kan exchanged line in Rapport,R (2709)-Bu,X (2681) Tsaghkadzor 2015} ) 4.f3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4 h5 7.g5 Nfd7 8.e3 a6 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.cxd3 Nc6 ( {Previously only} 10...c5 {had been tested. One example} 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.d4 Be7 13.Nge2 Nc6 {with approximate equality in Juhasz,B (2145)-Nikolova,A (2333) Budapest 2015} ) 11.g6 {Nakamura considred this a bad move, while Jobava simply shook his head in reply.} ( 11.Nge2 {would be less entertaining and not in Jobava's style.} ) 11...fxg6 12.Bg5 {For the invested pawn White got two excellent outposts on f4 and g5 for his pieces and the half-open g file.} 12...Be7 13.f4 Nf6 {Black also has nice squares for his knights.} 14.Qb3 Qd7 15.Nf3 Ng4 16.Ke2 Bf6 17.Rac1 {Both sides completed their development. White waits for his opponent to castle in order to start an attack on the same wing.} ( {The pawn is poisoned} 17.Qxb7 $2 O-O ( 17...Rb8 18.Qxa6 Rxb2+ {is also very good for Black.} ) 18.Qb3 ( 18.Bxf6 Rfb8 $1 ) 18...Bxg5 19.hxg5 ( 19.Nxg5 Rxf4 $1 {is one nice trick.} 20.exf4 Nxd4+ ) 19...Rab8 20.Qc2 {All of these moves were more or less forced and now} 20...e5 $3 {blows the white position into pieces. Say} 21.Nxe5 ( 21.dxe5 d4 $1 ) ( 21.fxe5 Nxe3 $1 22.Kxe3 Rxf3+ 23.Kxf3 Nxd4+ ) 21...Ngxe5 22.fxe5 ( 22.dxe5 Rxf4 $1 {is a familiar trick.} ) 22...Qg4+ {with decisive attack.} ) 17...b6 18.Rc2 Ne7 19.Rhc1 O-O 20.Qa4 Qd8 ( {On} 20...Qd6 {Jobava planned} 21.Qa3 {as "it is good for White to trade the queens." For example} 21...Qxa3 22.bxa3 Nf5 23.Bxf6 gxf6 24.Nd1 {and White regains the pawn.} ) ( {But} 20...c6 {would be more precise and might lead to positions similar to the game later.} ) 21.Nd1 {The black knight on g4 blocks the g file and White gets rid of it.} 21...Ra7 22.Nf2 Nh6 $1 {This knight has better perspectives than its colleague on f2.} ( 22...Nxf2 23.Kxf2 {will make White's play easier.} ) 23.Rg1 Nf7 24.Qa3 Kh7 25.Nh3 Nd6 26.Ne5 Ndf5 {After this lenghty maneuver we can now see the difference. Compare the knight on f5 with the one on h3.} 27.b4 $2 {"A very bad move" said Jobava. His idea was to close the queenside after Qa3-c1 and a2-a4 and after that to concentrate on attack at the other wing (double the rooks on the g file, etc.)} ( {"I should have played"} 27.Qa4 {continued the Georgian GM "and I think Black is in trouble here." Trouble is a big word but he definitely will have more problems to open the queenside.} ) 27...Qd6 28.Qc3 ( {Instead} 28.Qb2 {was better in order to double the rooks along the c file after} 28...c6 29.Rgc1 {and Black has difficulties in opening of the play on the queenside. "I made two stupid moves in a row." (Jobava)} ) 28...c6 29.Nf3 a5 {Now Nakamura opens the queen's flank and starts troubling the king in the middle.} 30.bxa5 Rxa5 31.Qd2 Ra3 32.Rgc1 Rfa8 33.Nf2 c5 {Powerplay. White is barely holding.} 34.dxc5 bxc5 35.Rxc5 Rxa2 36.R5c2 Rxc2 37.Qxc2 ( {Worse is} 37.Rxc2 Ra1 38.Rc1 Rxc1 39.Qxc1 Ng3+ 40.Ke1 Qb4+ 41.Kd1 Nef5 {and Black wins.} ) 37...Ng3+ 38.Ke1 Qb4+ {Somewhere around here Nakamura became careless and allowed very strong play against his own king. In the endgame!} ( {Jobava suggested another win instead} 38...Rc8 39.Qd2 Rxc1+ 40.Qxc1 Qb4+ 41.Kd1 Nef5 42.Bxf6 gxf6 ) 39.Qd2 Qxd2+ 40.Nxd2 Nef5 41.e4 {The only chance to muddy the waters. If White stays passive, Black will certainly break through with all these active pieces.} 41...Bxg5 42.hxg5 Nd4 43.Nh3 Ra3 ( 43...Ra2 $1 {is another of Jobava's suggestions.} ) 44.f5 exf5 $6 {This is where Nakamura went wrong. Instead} ( 44...dxe4 $1 {would have been a swift finish-} 45.dxe4 ( {Or else the king will come into the battle} 45.fxg6+ Kxg6 46.dxe4 Nge2 ) 45...gxf5 46.exf5 Nge2 47.Rc8 exf5 $1 {with a completely winning position, killing all of White's chances.} ) 45.exd5 Nge2 46.Rc8 {Now the cunning Jobava finds tricks all the time to stay in the game.} 46...Rxd3 47.Nc4 {The best practical chance. The knights goes to checkmate the black king!} ( {The both thought that Black should win after} 47.d6 Nc3 $1 ( {Beware, mating net is created after} 47...Rxh3 48.d7 Rh1+ 49.Kf2 Rh2+ 50.Ke1 Ne6 $2 ( 50...Rh1+ {forces a draw and is Black's best under the circumstances.} ) 51.Nf3 $1 Rg2 52.Ne5 Rxg5 53.Nf7 $1 {and checkmate can be stopped only at the price of a whole rook-} 53...Rg1+ 54.Kxe2 g5 55.Re8 ) 48.Nc4 ( 48.d7 Nc2+ {does not work.} ) 48...Ne4 49.d7 Nc2+ {when White cannot exploit his passer.} ) 47...Rxh3 48.Ne5 Nf3+ ( {Nakamura suggested an improved version of the game} 48...Rc3 49.Ra8 Nf3+ 50.Nxf3 Nf4 {with serious winning chances.} ) 49.Nxf3 Nf4 {The only move again.} ( 49...Rxf3 $2 50.Kxe2 Rb3 51.d6 Rb7 52.Ke3 {is big advantage for White.} ) 50.Kf2 Nxd5 51.Ne5 Rc3 52.Rd8 Ne7 {Black stopped the checkmate, but the battle is not yet over. The only white pawn feels like a thorn in Black's flesh. It creates mating ideas and blocks the black king.} 53.Rd7 {Jobava could have forced the knight endgame with} ( 53.Nd7 Rc8 54.Rxc8 Nxc8 55.Nf8+ Kg8 56.Nxg6 Kf7 57.Nf4 Ne7 {see below.} ) ( 53.Nf7 Rc8 ) 53...Rc2+ {Nakamura spent a lot of time checking the amazing endgame arising after} ( 53...Nc6 54.Rc7 Rc2+ 55.Kg3 Nd4 56.Rxc2 Nxc2 57.Nd7 Ne3 58.Nf8+ Kg8 59.Nxg6 {Even in the post mortem the players could not come to a conclusion. Is this a win, or a draw? The main line runs} 59...Kf7 60.Ne5+ Ke6 61.Ng6 Nd5 62.Kf3 Kd6 63.Kg3 ( 63.Nh4 Ne7 64.Kf4 g6 ) 63...Ne7 64.Nf4 ( 64.Nh4 Ke5 ) 64...g6 65.Kf3 Ke5 66.Ng2 {Maybe our readers will come to a conclusion?} ) 54.Kg3 f4+ {If Black does not want to enter the knight endgame, this is the only way to free his king.} 55.Kxf4 Nf5 56.Rd8 Rf2+ 57.Ke4 Ng3+ 58.Kd3 {The only move. The rook endgame after} ( 58.Ke3 Re2+ 59.Kf4 Re4+ 60.Kxg3 Rxe5 61.Kh4 Re4+ 62.Kh3 Rg4 63.Rd5 Kg8 {is hopeless for White as the enemy king finally joins the battle.} ) 58...h4 {There are still checkmate tricks} ( 58...Rf5 $6 59.Nd7 Rxg5 $2 ( {Black should force a draw} 59...Rd5+ 60.Kc2 Rxd7 61.Rxd7 ) 60.Nf8+ Kh6 61.Ne6 {and just like before, the only way to save checkmate is to sac a whole rook.} ) 59.Rd4 Nf5 60.Rd8 Ng3 ( 60...h3 $4 61.Nf7 {is mate in five.} ) 61.Rd4 Rf5 62.Rxh4+ {The most important pawn disappears, the draw is very, very close.} 62...Nh5 63.Ke4 Rxg5 64.Kd5 Rg1 65.Ke6 Rf1 66.Rh2 Rf6+ 67.Ke7 $2 {Just a step from the draw, Jobava stumbles. Correct was} ( 67.Kd5 $1 Kg8 68.Nxg6 Rxg6 69.Rxh5 Rg4 70.Ke5 {Nakamura believed that he is still winning after} 70...g6 71.Rh1 Kg7 {but this is hardly the truth. White can save the half point with} 72.Rh2 Rc4 73.Rh1 {and any time he black king tries to come out frontal checks will follow. The white rook has enough space to operate.} ) 67...Kg8 68.Nxg6 Rxg6 69.Rxh5 Ra6 $1 {Now the white king remains cut from the pawn and Black wins!} 70.Rf5 ( 70.Rh1 g5 71.Rg1 Rg6 ) 70...g6 71.Rf6 Ra7+ 72.Ke6 Kg7 73.Rf3 Ra5 $1 74.Rf7+ ( {Without the white king bothering him Black can easily push the pawn.} 74.Rf1 g5 75.Rg1 Kg6 76.Rg2 Ra4 {etc.} ) 74...Kh6 75.Rf1 g5 76.Kf6 Ra4 77.Rh1+ Rh4 78.Rg1 Rf4+ 79.Ke5 Kg6 80.Rh1 Ra4 {Jobava resigned as his king is cut and cannot help defend against Black's pawn.} 0-1

[Event "KM FIDE GP 2015"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk RUS"]
[Date "2015.05.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "5433825761310"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:46"]
[BlackClock "0:15:13"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 {Gelfand switches to his beloved Najdorf.} 6.h3 e5 7.Nde2 h5 8.g3 b5 ( {Another interesting line is} 8...Nbd7 9.Bg5 Be7 10.a4 Nc5 11.Bg2 Be6 12.a5 b5 13.axb6 Qxb6 {Caruana,F (2811)-Nakamura,H (2776) Zuerich 2015} ) 9.Nd5 Nbd7 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Nec3 Rc8 12.Bg2 Be7 13.Nxe7 Qxe7 14.O-O Qe6 15.Re1 b4 16.Nd5 {A novelty. In these positions people usually try to keep the d5 square clear for the pieces and do not hurry to trade the knight there as the nice outpost vanishes. This was the reason why Leko played:} ( 16.Na4 {but this did not yield him much after} 16...Rc4 ( 16...O-O $5 ) ( 16...d5 $5 ) 17.f3 h4 18.g4 d5 19.b3 Rd4 {Leko,P (2737)-Mamedyarov,S (2761) Beijing 2013} ) 16...Bxd5 {Now forced play starts.} 17.exd5 Qf5 18.Bd2 ( {Of course not} 18.Bxf6 Nxf6 {which would be horrible for White from positional point of view.} ) 18...Rxc2 19.Rc1 ( 19.Bxb4 $4 Qxf2+ 20.Kh1 Qxg2# ) 19...Rxc1 20.Qxc1 {It seems as White can exploit his better development to reach the black weaknesses on the queenside and/or the king in the middle, but Gelfand is well prepared.} 20...Nc5 21.Bxb4 Nd3 22.Qc6+ Qd7 23.Qa8+ Qd8 24.Qc6+ {As the Israeli GM confessed at the press-conference all of this was home preparation. But here he decided to play for more than a draw and went} 24...Nd7 $4 ( 24...Qd7 {with a draw was mandatory.} ) 25.Re4 {Gelfand missed this simple move. "I had to resign"- said the Israeli GM.} 25...f5 26.Rc4 e4 27.Qxa6 {Jakovenko saw his chance and went for a decisive attack. Somewhere around here both players were low on time.} ( 27.Bxd6 {was also good.} ) 27...Nxb4 28.Qxd6 $1 Nd3 29.Qe6+ Kf8 30.Qxf5+ Kg8 31.Qe6+ ( 31.Rxe4 N3c5 32.Re3 {is another way to play for a win.} ) 31...Kf8 32.Qd6+ Kg8 33.Qe6+ Kf8 34.Qxe4 {For the knight white has four pawns and strong threats. On a high level the game is practically over.} 34...N3e5 35.Qf5+ Kg8 36.d6 Rh6 ( 36...Nxc4 37.Bd5# {is a nice mate.} ) 37.Re4 h4 ( {Perhaps Black should have defended the position after} 37...Rxd6 38.Rxe5 Nxe5 39.Qxe5 ) 38.Rxh4 Rxh4 39.gxh4 Qxh4 40.Bd5+ Kh8 41.Kh1 {The time trouble is over and Jakovenko has time to find the winning plan. He prepares the f2-f4 advanced which will spoil the comfort of the black horses.} 41...Qh6 42.f4 g6 43.Qe6 Qf8 44.Bb3 $1 {"Brilliant idea! Qf8-c8 was a threat and Bb3 is a great prophylaxys." Gelfand.} ( {For example} 44.b4 Qc8 45.fxe5 Qc1+ {with perpetual check.} ) ( {Another profilactical move should also win-} 44.h4 {with the idea} 44...Qc8 45.fxe5 Qc1+ 46.Kh2 Qd2+ 47.Bg2 Qf4+ 48.Kg1 Qd4+ 49.Kh1 {and White escapes from the checks.} ) 44...g5 45.f5 ( 45.fxe5 $4 Qf1+ 46.Kh2 Qf2+ {is another perpetual.} ) 45...Nd3 {In desperation, Gelfand sacrifices a knight hoping for another escape. The stalemate idea this time.} 46.Qxd7 Qa8+ 47.Kg1 ( {The only move, as if} 47.Kh2 $4 Nf4 $1 {it will be White to has to make the draw after} 48.Bd5 Qxd5 49.Qd8+ Kh7 50.Qe7+ Kh6 51.Qf6+ {and perpetual for a change.} ) 47...Nf4 48.Kf2 g4 {The last chance that...} 49.hxg4 $2 {Works! As GM Sergey Rublevsky mentioned at the press-conference both} ( 49.Kg3 Qg2+ 50.Kh4 Qf2+ 51.Kg5 Nxh3+ 52.Kg6 Nf4+ 53.Kf7 ) ( {and} 49.Ke3 Qf3+ 50.Kd4 Qf2+ 51.Kc4 {would ahve won for White.} ) 49...Qg2+ 50.Ke3 Nd5+ $1 {Jakovenko saw the stalemate idea, but being short in time again he could not figure out the correct move order. He espected only queen checks and forgot that Black can get rid of the knight first. With it's disappearance, the black queen falls desperately in love with the white king and starts chasing it for one last hug.} 51.Kd4 ( {Or stalemate after} 51.Bxd5 Qd2+ 52.Kf3 Qf2+ 53.Kxf2 ) ( {And} 51.Kd3 Qg3+ 52.Kd4 Qf4+ 53.Kc5 Qb4+ 54.Kc6 Qb6+ 55.Kxd5 Qc5+ 56.Ke6 Qe5+ 57.Kf7 Qf6+ 58.Ke8 Qf8+ 59.Kxf8 ) 51...Qf2+ 52.Kxd5 Qd4+ 53.Kxd4 {Stalemate! Very unusual for this level!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "KM FIDE GP 2015"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk RUS"]
[Date "2015.05.25"]
[Round "10.6"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[ECO "D46"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[Beauty "6117644044833"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[WhiteClock "0:08:55"]
[BlackClock "0:41:12"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.O-O dxc4 9.Bxc4 a6 {In order to play for a win Karjakin chose a risky opening line.} ( {The main line nowadays is} 9...b5 10.Bd3 Bb7 {trying to save a tempo on a7-a6 move.} ) ( {Naturally} 9...e5 {is also quite playable.} ) 10.Rd1 b5 11.Bd3 Qc7 12.Bd2 c5 {Black needs to free himself of the backward pawn or else it will become a chronical weakness. This, however gives a chance to his opponent to seize the bishop pair.} 13.Ne4 c4 14.Nxd6 Qxd6 15.Be2 Bb7 16.b3 Rfc8 {The black pawn on c4 would be an excellent asset in the endgame. But before the endgame, Caissa invented the middle game where the strong center and the bishop pair are ruling.} ( {A recent game saw Black playing on blockade instead} 16...Bd5 17.Qb2 Rfc8 18.Rac1 Ne4 {Bukavshin,I (2629)-Artemiev,V (2660) Khanty-Mansiysk 2014} ) 17.Qb2 Rab8 18.Rac1 h6 {The novelty by Karjakin.} ( {Previously only} 18...Ne4 {has beeen seen. One short example-} 19.Be1 Nb6 20.Ba5 ( 20.Ne5 $5 ) 20...cxb3 21.axb3 b4 {1/2-1/2 (21) Georgiev, K (2666)-Gustafsson,J (2633) Porto Carras 2011} ) 19.Ne5 $1 {Forces the black pawn on c4 to make a decision.} ( {Jakovenko was not very sure about the consequences of the standard move} 19.Ba5 {He spent a lot of time calculating the line} 19...Ng4 20.h3 Bxf3 21.Bxf3 Qh2+ 22.Kf1 Ngf6 {but did not come to any conclusion.} 23.Qa3 e5 ( {But Black can try} 23...Nd5 $5 24.bxc4 b4 25.Qd3 Nc3 {when White will have to give up the exchange with} 26.Rxc3 bxc3 27.Bxc3 ) 24.Qd6 cxb3 {seems good for White.} ) 19...cxb3 ( {Here} 19...Ne4 {loses a pawn.} 20.bxc4 ) 20.axb3 {Black lost his main trump and is obviously worse. Black's only play is to trade pieces.} 20...Rxc1 21.Rxc1 Nxe5 22.dxe5 Qd5 23.f3 Ng4 $6 {But this is inaccurate. After} ( 23...Nd7 24.Bb4 Rc8 25.Rxc8+ Bxc8 26.Qc3 Bb7 27.Bd6 {White is better, but Jakovenko was not sure how realistic his winning chances are after} 27...f6 28.e4 Qc6 29.Qxc6 Bxc6 30.exf6 gxf6 {True, White can torture his opponent for years here without any risk.} ) 24.Bb4 Rd8 25.Bd6 $1 {An important move which practically forces Black to sacrifice the queen. The major threat is Rc1-c5.} 25...Nxe3 ( {Or else} 25...Rxd6 26.exd6 Nxe3 27.Qc3 Qg5 28.g3 Nd5 29.Qc5 {"This is easily won for White with the pawn on f6." Jakovenko} ) 26.Rc5 Rxd6 27.Rxd5 Rxd5 28.Qc3 {For the queen Black has enough material- rook, knight and a pawn. However, since these three are not well co-ordinated the queen is a clear favourite. Jakovenko's main problem are the many fortresses that may arise if he is not careful enough.} 28...Nf5 29.Kf2 ( {One possible fortress arises after} 29.Qc7 Rd2 30.Qb8+ ( 30.Qxb7 Rxe2 31.Qxa6 Rxe5 {is even easier for Black.} ) 30...Kh7 31.Qxb7 Rxe2 32.Qxf7 Rxe5 {and White can hardly make progress (Jakovenko).} ) 29...Rd7 30.g4 Ne7 31.f4 {The black queenside is defended. White needs to organize attack against the enemy king.} 31...g6 32.h4 Kg7 $6 {Both players considered this bad as the king stands under various discovered check ideas.} ( {However, after} 32...Nd5 33.Qd4 Nf6 34.Qa7 {White aslo makes a lot of progress. For example} 34...Nd5 35.Bf3 Kg7 36.Be4 Kg8 37.f5 {and Black cannot capture the pawn} 37...gxf5 38.gxf5 exf5 39.Bxd5 Rxd5 40.Qxb7 {This definitely ain't fortress, especially after} 40...Rxe5 41.Qb8+ ) 33.Bd3 Nc6 ( {More stubborn is} 33...Kg8 {staying away from the trouble on the long diagonal.} ) 34.Be4 Ne7 35.Bd3 ( 35.Bxb7 Rxb7 {would be anotehr fortress after Nc7-d5.} ) 35...Nc6 36.f5 b4 ( {A simple line that demonstrates why the king is badly placed is} 36...exf5 $2 37.e6+ Rd4 38.e7 $1 ) 37.f6+ $1 {Now Black cannot defend everything.} 37...Kg8 38.Qc1 Nxe5 ( 38...Kh7 39.Qc5 Nxe5 40.Be2 {wins for White.} ( {but not the rushy} 40.Qf8 $4 Nxg4+ 41.Ke2 Nxf6 ) ) 39.Be2 Nd3+ 40.Bxd3 Rxd3 41.Ke2 ( {Not} 41.Qxh6 Rf3+ 42.Ke2 Rxf6 ) 41...Rf3 42.g5 {Safe continuation. Jakovenko was not sure if the position after} ( 42.Qc7 Rxf6 43.Qxb7 e5 {is not a fortress, say} 44.Qxb4 Re6 {(Karjakin), although the same Jakovenko showed the idea} 45.g5 $1 hxg5 46.hxg5 e4 47.Qb8+ Kg7 48.Ke3 {and White should win slowly thanks to the zugzwang and the possible queen sacrifice for the rook on e6.} ) 42...Rc3 43.Qf4 Rc8 44.Qd6 {There were alternative wins:} ( 44.h5 $1 ) ( {Or} 44.gxh6 $1 Kh7 45.h5 Bd5 46.hxg6+ Kxg6 47.Qg3+ {and one of the white pawns promotes after} 47...Kxf6 ( {and} 47...Kxh6 48.Qg7+ Kh5 49.Qxf7+ ) 48.Qg7+ Ke7 49.h7 ) 44...Be4 45.gxh6 g5 46.Qxb4 Bf5 47.hxg5 {The rest is technique for the Russian Grandmaster.} 47...Kh7 48.Qb7 Rc2+ 49.Kd1 Bg6 50.b4 Rc4 51.Qe7 Bh5+ 52.Ke1 Re4+ 53.Kf2 Rg4 ( 53...Re5 54.g6+ $1 ( 54.Kg3 Rxg5+ 55.Kh4 Kg6 ) ( 54.Qf8 Rxg5 ) 54...Kxg6 55.Qf8 ) 54.Qc5 Rf4+ 55.Kg3 Rf5 56.Qe3 Bg6 57.Kh4 Rd5 58.Qb6 Bf5 59.Kg3 Kg6 60.Qa7 Rd3+ 61.Kf4 Rh3 62.Ke5 Rh4 ( 62...Rd3 {was more resilent but lost anyway.} ) 63.Qe7 Rh5 ( {Or:} 63...Re4+ 64.Kd6 Rd4+ 65.Kc6 Rc4+ 66.Kb7 Rh4 67.Qf8 ( 67.Kxa6 {is easier} ) 67...Kxg5 68.Qxf7 Rxh6 69.Qg7+ Rg6 70.Kxa6 $1 {and wins (Rublevsky, Shipov)} ) 64.Qf8 Rxg5 {Karjakin resigned without waiting for h7. Jakovenko joins the leader's pack.} 1-0

[Event "Sparkassen Chess Meeting"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2015.06.28"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[Beauty "5843034575926"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:43"]
[BlackClock "0:30:15"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.Nf3 c5 2.e4 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 {This line has similarities with the Fianchettoe line, but White wants to be trickier than there and win a tempo by advancing his pawn directly to g4.} 6...e5 7.Nde2 b5 8.g4 {This is the what the line is all about. Another idea is} ( 8.Ng3 Bb7 9.Bg5 Nbd7 10.a4 b4 11.Nd5 Bxd5 12.exd5 Be7 13.a5 {as in Harikrishna,P (2729)-Shankland,S (2661) Tsaghkadzor 2015. Normally, if the d5-square is occupied by a white pawn Black is OK. In this particular position though White can play for the advantage as the b4-pawn got separated from the remaining pawns.} ) 8...b4 9.Nd5 Nxd5 10.exd5 h5 {Good preparation by So. Although this move is a novelty it should not have come as a surprise for Caruana. The h7-h5 advance is a very common theme in the Najdorf. Check the recent match Short-Kasparov where the 13th world champion used it successfully.} ( {Two other games saw} 10...Be7 {for example} 11.Bg2 ( 11.Ng3 {might be more subtle.} ) 11...O-O 12.Ng3 a5 13.O-O Na6 14.f4 {with double edged play, Yankelevich,L (2340)-Kvetny,M (2295) Magdeburg 2014} ) 11.gxh5 {Practically forced as} ( 11.Ng3 $2 hxg4 12.hxg4 Rxh1 13.Nxh1 Qh4 {looks grim for White.} ) ( {And} 11.g5 Be7 12.h4 Bg4 {is anything but inspiring for the first player.} ) 11...Rxh5 12.a3 {Caruana destroys the queenside in return and sharpens further the game.} 12...bxa3 13.Rxa3 Nd7 14.Bg2 Nf6 15.O-O {Probably White should have delayed the castling for one more move to see what his opponent is doing first. After all} ( 15.f4 {is a mandatory move for him. Then in case of} 15...Rb8 {like in the game, he can chose} ( {And} 15...Be7 $2 {will be simply wrong due to} 16.Ng3 Rh8 17.fxe5 dxe5 18.d6 $1 {with material gain.} ) 16.Ng3 Rh7 17.Qe2 {and castle later.} ) 15...Rb8 {Moving away the rook from the long diagonal.} 16.f4 Be7 17.c4 Qb6+ {Black underlines the fact that the white king is not particularly safe.} 18.Rf2 {White not only covers the king but prepares the future regroupment Ne2-g3, Bc1-e3 and possibly c4-c5. In this line the rook defends the b2 pawn.} ( {Or else White has to reckon with the possible Nf6-g4 jump.} 18.Kh1 Ng4 $5 ( 18...Kf8 {to castle by hand makes perfect sense too.} ) ) 18...Rh4 {Moving the rook away from the tempo and pressurizing f4 and c4.} ( 18...Kf8 {was possible as well though} 19.Ng3 Rh4 20.Be3 Qb4 {with unclear play.} ) 19.Rc3 {Caruana wants to support his c4-pawn, but the rook is vulnerable here.} ( 19.Qc2 {was a safer option.} ) 19...Bd7 $2 {Misses a tactical blow.} ( 19...Bxh3 $5 {was already possible and good as in the lines} 20.Bxh3 ( 20.Rxh3 Ng4 21.Qf1 ( 21.Rf3 e4 ) 21...Rxh3 22.Bxh3 Nxf2 23.Qxf2 Qxf2+ 24.Kxf2 exf4 ) 20...Ne4 21.Qf1 Nxf2 22.Qxf2 Qxf2+ 23.Kxf2 exf4 24.Nxf4 Bf6 25.Re3+ Kd8 {Black wins a second pawn in addition to the rook and pawn he already has for the two light pieces.} ) 20.b3 $2 {Caruana returns the favor.} ( 20.c5 $1 {was very strong instead} 20...dxc5 {Or else the pawn will advance further to c6.} 21.fxe5 {The white central duo is huge. For example} 21...Ne4 22.Bxe4 Rxe4 23.d6 Bh4 24.Ng3 Rb4 ( 24...Rd4 25.Qh5 ) 25.Qh5 Be6 26.Rd3 {with serious threats against the black king.} ) 20...Bxh3 $1 {Now this is even stronger than a move ago as the b3-pawn drops at once.} 21.Bxh3 {The only move.} ( 21.Rxh3 Rxh3 22.Bxh3 Ne4 23.Qf1 Bh4 {loses material.} ) 21...Ne4 22.Qe1 ( 22.Rf3 Nxf2 23.Rxf2 Rxh3 ) 22...Nxc3 23.Qxc3 Qxb3 24.Qxb3 Rxb3 {As a result of the small combination So won material. Rook and two pawns are usually much better than two light pieces in the endgame. The reasons: more room for the rooks to operate and the higher value of the pawns.} 25.Bc8 e4 ( {White was hoping for the same pawn duo after} 25...a5 26.c5 $1 dxc5 27.fxe5 ) ( {Another reasonable way to play it was} 25...exf4 $5 26.Bxf4 Ra3 {with advantage for Black.} ( 26...a5 27.Nd4 $1 ) ) 26.Bxa6 ( {White could have gone for the more dangerous pawn on e4, but the position after} 26.Bf5 Bd8 ( 26...e3 27.Rf3 ) 27.Kg2 Bb6 28.Rf1 g6 29.Bxe4 Rbh3 {looked too dangerous for him. Perhaps he can survive it after} 30.f5 Rh2+ 31.Kf3 Rxe2 32.Kxe2 Rxe4+ 33.Kd3 {Perhaps not.} ) 26...Bd8 $1 {The last black piece gets activated to the maximum.} 27.c5 $1 {The best defense. White cannot allow the black bishop an access to the a7-g1 diagonal.} ( {For example} 27.Kg2 Bb6 28.Rf1 Rg4+ 29.Kh2 f5 {with decisive attack along the h- and g-files.} ) 27...dxc5 28.Rg2 g6 ( {If} 28...c4 {to open the diagonal again then} 29.Rg3 $1 {is strong.} ) 29.Rg3 {As a rule, the trades favor the side with the rook, but White needed to saveguard his king.} 29...Rxg3+ 30.Nxg3 Rg4 31.Kh2 f5 32.Ne2 ( 32.Bb5+ $5 {deserved attention, to advance the pawn a bit further} 32...Kf7 ( 32...Ke7 33.Kh3 {intends to trap the rook with Bb5-e2.} ) 33.d6 {with good chances for survival.} ) 32...Rh4+ 33.Kg2 Bc7 34.Bc8 $6 {A time-trouble inaccuracy. White needed to activate the other bishop instead:} ( 34.Bb2 $1 {and then put it on e5 after} 34...Ke7 35.Be5 Bd6 {when Black's options are more limitted in comparison to the game. In particular, the black rook lacks the h8-square and cannot easily swing to the queenside.} ) 34...Kd8 35.Be6 Ke7 36.Be3 ( 36.Bb2 Bxf4 ) 36...Bd6 {Now Black has more freedom in comparison to the position with white bishop on e5.} 37.Bf2 Rh8 38.Be1 c4 39.Bc3 Ra8 40.Be5 {We know the saying: "better late then never." But stragely enough, this is not optimal here. White should have opted for passive defense with} ( 40.Kf2 Ra3 ( 40...Ra2 41.Ke1 ) 41.Ke1 {and Ke1-d2.} ) 40...Ra2 41.Kf1 ( 41.Kf2 {loses to} 41...Bxe5 42.fxe5 c3 43.Ke3 Rd2 {followed by Rd2-d1 and c3-c2-c1.} ) 41...Rd2 $1 {The rook manages to get to the optimal d3-square.} 42.Bc3 ( {The white king cannot approach} 42.Ke1 Bb4 $1 ) ( {Black's idea is revealed in the line} 42.Bg8 Rd3 $1 43.Be6 Bxe5 44.fxe5 c3 {and pawns are unstoppable.} ) 42...Rd3 43.Ba5 ( 43.Be5 Bxe5 44.fxe5 c3 {transposes to the line above.} ) 43...Ba3 ( 43...Ra3 $5 {with the idea} 44.Bc3 Rb3 {and Bd6-b4 to break the blockade made sense.} ) 44.Bg8 Bd6 45.Be6 Bc5 46.Ke1 {Finally, the white king made it to the center but at a very high price.} 46...Rb3 47.Kd2 Rb2+ 48.Kd1 Bb4 $1 49.Bxb4+ Rxb4 {The trade of the bishop made White's defense much harder. Now the white king and knight have to stop the black rook and pawns. Should be a mission impossible.} 50.Kc2 Rb3 51.Nc3 e3 52.Bg8 Rb6 53.Ne2 Ra6 54.d6+ ( 54.Nc3 g5 {would be similar to the game.} ( {But Black has an additional choice:} 54...Kd6 $5 ) ) 54...Rxd6 55.Bxc4 Kf6 {Next g6-g5 is coming.} 56.Bd3 {Now the game is essentially over.} ( 56.Nc3 $1 {was White's last chance to get the king in the defense as fast as possible} 56...Rd2+ ( 56...g5 57.Nd5+ Kg7 58.Nxe3 ) 57.Kc1 Rd4 58.Nd5+ Kg7 59.Nxe3 Rxf4 60.Kd2 {is this position defendable is another story.} ) 56...g5 57.fxg5+ Kxg5 58.Ng3 Rc6+ 59.Kd1 f4 60.Nf1 Rb6 61.Nh2 ( 61.Ke2 Rb2+ 62.Ke1 Kg4 {leads to a position similar to the game.} ) 61...Kh4 62.Ke1 Kg3 63.Nf1+ Kf3 64.Nh2+ Kg2 65.Nf1 Re6 {With the threat f4-f3.} 66.Bc4 Re5 67.Ba6 Ra5 68.Bb7+ Kg1 69.Nxe3 Re5 {Fabiano Caruana still experiences great difficulties against the Najdorf.} 0-1

[Event "43rd GM 2015"]
[Site "Dortmund GER"]
[Date "2015.06.30"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Meier, Georg"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2654"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[ECO "A04"]
[EventDate "2015.06.26"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[Beauty "6944848881726"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.Nf3 d6 2.d4 g6 3.e4 Bg7 {The Modern Defense is becoming a more and more fashionable way to fight for the win with the black pieces when a higher-rated player wants to avoid the beaten tracks and take some risk against a lower-rated one. The results though are somewhat questionable.} 4.Be2 Nd7 5.c4 {Meier prefers to steer the game into the KID.} 5...e5 6.Nc3 Ne7 7.h4 h6 8.g4 {An idea by Jeroen Piket, or actually Yuri Averbakh if we're exact. This move can be called an aggressive prophylaxis.} ( {It cardinally prevents the typical kingside play possible after} 8.Be3 f5 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.g3 fxe4 11.Nxe4 Nf5 {as in Akobian,V (2626)-Mamedov,R (2645) Lubbock 2009} ) 8...Nb6 {A new move for an over-the-board game. Caruana forces his opponent to make a decision.} 9.g5 {Which is not bad for White at all. In fact he is very happy to close the kingside and to concentrate on the other wing where he is better by default.} 9...hxg5 {This is the actual novelty.} ( {An email game saw} 9...Bg4 10.dxe5 ( 10.d5 {is in the spirit of the line.} ) 10...Bxf3 11.Bxf3 Bxe5 12.Qd3 h5 13.Be3 Qd7 14.O-O-O Nc6 {with an edge for White in Ruggeri Laderchi,G-Goodman,C SEMI email 2000} ) 10.Bxg5 Bg4 {Black does not want to allow the closure of the center, but the continuation} ( 10...exd4 11.Nxd4 {leaves him no reasonable moves.} ) 11.d5 f6 {In case that Black tries to castle long with} ( 11...Qd7 $6 {he would lose a pawn:} 12.Nxe5 $1 Bxe2 13.Nxd7 Bxd1 14.Nxb6 axb6 15.Kxd1 ) ( {The pawn on c4 is untouchable as well:} 11...Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Nxc4 $2 13.Qa4+ ) 12.Be3 Bh6 {Naturally, this bishop is weaker than the one on e3 and should be traded.} 13.Qd3 Bh5 {Black can also castle long} ( 13...Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Bxe3 15.fxe3 Qd7 {although White will keep a pleasant edge thanks to the pressure on the half-open f- and g-files.} ) 14.O-O-O Kf7 15.Rdg1 Qd7 16.Bxh6 Rxh6 {It seems that Caruana did everything right: he exchanged the bad bishop, put the good bishop on the nice h5-stand, connected the rooks and yet, his position is quite unpleasant. Black lacks any realistic counterplay and the knight on b6 is very poor.} 17.Bf1 $1 {Transferring the bishop to an excellent position.} 17...Rah8 $6 {A serious inaccuracy.} ( {The computer recommends the brave} 17...Bxf3 18.Qxf3 ( 18.Bh3 f5 {transposes} ) 18...Rah8 19.Bh3 ( 19.Qg3 $5 ) 19...f5 {but a human would be terrified to open his king that easily. Still, this was Black's best chance.} ) 18.Bh3 Qd8 19.Ne1 {Now the black bishop remains empty and because of it the rooks suffer. Add to that the knight on b6 and you will understand how Caruana felt at this moment of the game.} ( 19.Nd2 $5 ) 19...c6 20.b3 {Meier is not in a hurry and slowly prepares the queenside assault.} ( 20.Kb1 $5 ) 20...Nd7 21.Qe3 cxd5 22.cxd5 ( {There is absolutely no need to allow any counterplay} 22.exd5 f5 23.Qxa7 Qc7 ) 22...Nc5 23.b4 {Meier goes for the pawn.} ( {White's position is so good that he has a choice on which site to attack:} 23.f4 $5 {for example} 23...Qb6 {(with the threat Nxb3+)} 24.Rg3 Kg7 25.Rf1 {and after some preparation, capture on e5.} ) 23...Nd7 24.Qxa7 Qc7 25.Qe3 ( 25.Be6+ $5 {looked great as well:} 25...Kg7 26.Rg3 Rc8 27.Nc2 ) 25...Nb6 26.Kb1 Kg7 {Around this point both players were very short of time.} ( {Caruana avoided the possible endgame after} 26...Nc4 27.Be6+ Kg7 28.Nb5 Nxe3 {presumably because in the line} ( 28...Qd8 29.Qd3 ) 29.Nxc7 Nd1 30.Rg2 Nc3+ 31.Kb2 {Black cannot win the pawn with} 31...Nxe4 $2 32.f3 {since the knight will be trapped.} ) 27.Nb5 Qd8 28.f3 Rf8 29.Rg2 f5 $1 {A wise, practical decision. It is time to go fishing while it is possible, or else Meier will make it to the time control and will slowly finish the game.} 30.Rc2 {The deadly threat is Nb5-c7, but Rc2-c7 is painful enough.} 30...Na8 31.Qa7 {White wins another pawn. The end is near...} 31...fxe4 32.fxe4 Rf4 33.Bg2 ( {If White had some extra minutes left he would have wrapped up the game with the stylish} 33.Qxb7 Rxe4 34.Nd3 Re3 35.Rc8 $1 ) 33...Bd1 34.Rd2 Bg4 35.Qxb7 Rf7 36.Qa6 {Only few seconds are left on the clock and White avoids any discovered attack. After the cool} ( 36.Nd3 {the game would be soon over as} 36...Nf5 37.Qc6 {leads Black nowhere.} ) 36...Nb6 37.Nd3 Nc4 38.Rc2 {It is hard to put a question mark on this move but it misses a long move backwards. This is happening quite often with experienced players (unexperienced too!). The reason? The brain is looking forward when attacking rather than backward.} ( 38.Rf2 $1 {to trade the active rook was mandatory.} ) 38...Bc8 $1 {All of a sudden, the black pieces co-operate well. The black queen gets into the game along the black squares and nothing is clear anymore.} 39.Qa8 $2 {When it rains, it pours. A very unfortunate square for the queen.} ( 39.Qa4 Ne3 40.Re2 Nxg2 41.Rxg2 Qb6 {is very unclear but way better than in the game as the queen will defend the b5-knight.} ) 39...Ne3 40.Re2 Nxg2 41.Rxg2 Qb6 {The time trouble is over and a devastated Georg Meier cannot adjust to the new situation.} 42.a4 ( 42.Nc3 Ba6 {with the threat Rh6-h8 almost traps the white queen.} ) ( {I can only speculate but it seems as White rejected the line} 42.Qa5 Qe3 43.Rd1 {because of the trick} 43...Rf1 $5 ( 43...Qxe4 {might in fact be better with a possible line} 44.Rgg1 Nf5 {when Black regains both pawns and is more active, but there is still a lot of play.} ) 44.Rxf1 Qxd3+ 45.Kb2 Qxf1 46.Rc2 {but this position is not clear at all.} ) 42...Qe3 $1 {All of a sudden, White loses the knight!} 43.Rd1 ( 43.Kc2 {does not help neither:} 43...Qxe4 44.Rhg1 Bf5 45.Rg3 Qc4+ 46.Kd2 Bxd3 47.Rxd3 Rxh4 ) 43...Rf1 ( {The computer advocates instead} 43...Qxe4 44.Rc2 Qf3 45.Rdd2 e4 46.Ne1 Qg3 {and claims that Black is much better.} ) 44.Rxf1 Qxd3+ 45.Rc2 Qxf1+ 46.Kb2 Qe1 {The culmination of the game.} 47.Qa7 $2 {White blunders for the last time.} ( {After} 47.Nc3 $1 {nothing would be clear at all.} ) 47...Qxb4+ 48.Ka2 Kf6 49.Rf2+ Nf5 50.exf5 Bxf5 51.Qa8 Rxh4 {I suspect that Meier missed from far away that the black king escapes the checks after} ( 51...Rxh4 52.Qd8+ Kg7 53.Qe7+ Kh6 54.Qf8+ Kg5 55.Qe7+ Kg4 56.Rg2+ Kh3 ) 0-1

[Event "Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2015.06.17"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[ECO "A14"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "5432059897864"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:46:51"]
[BlackClock "0:53:05"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.b3 {Despite his convincing blitz win in the Italian game, Giri decides to choose the quiet Reti.} 6...c5 7.Bb2 Nc6 8.e3 b6 9.Nc3 Ba6 {The second main move in the position but one that scores better than its "bigger brother". Black usually chooses} ( 9...Bb7 10.cxd5 Nxd5 ( 10...exd5 {is also possible} ) 11.Nxd5 Qxd5 12.d4 ) 10.Qe2 {This is also the second main line. White usually chooses} ( 10.d3 Rc8 11.Qe2 {for example} 11...Qc7 12.Ne1 ( 12.Rac1 {Paunovic,D (2506)-Sanchez Juncal, B (2206) Mondariz 2006} ) 12...Qd7 13.Nc2 Nb4 14.e4 {with complex play, Eljanov,P (2702)-Roiz,M (2617) Legnica 2013} ) 10...Qd7 {Anand proceeds easily with his development and connects the rooks. We can see the point behind the Ba6 move: White cannot trade on d5 easily and modify the pawn structure in his favor by creating hanging pawns in the black camp later.} 11.Rfd1 Rac8 12.Nb5 {This prepares the d2-d4 advance.} 12...Rfd8 13.Rac1 {But here the Dutch GM prolonged the preparation one move too many. In case of} ( 13.d4 {Anand planned} 13...cxd4 14.exd4 Qe8 {This was a better try for White's advantage though, say after} 15.Ne5 ) 13...dxc4 {Anand seizes his chance to occupy the outpost on d3.} 14.bxc4 Qd3 15.Qxd3 {The novelty.} ( {The only predecessor saw:} 15.Bf1 {which should hardly yield White any advantage:} 15...Qxe2 16.Bxe2 Ne8 ( 16...Bb7 ) 17.Ne5 Nxe5 18.Bxe5 Rd7 ( 18...Bb7 $5 ) 19.a4 Rcd8 20.d3 {McNab, C (2420)-Thomson,C (2260) Edinburgh 1985} ) 15...Rxd3 16.Bf1 ( {At first Giri intended} 16.Ne5 {but then he realized that there is not enough time to kick the rook back from its active position} 16...Nxe5 17.Bxe5 Rcd8 18.Rc2 Bxb5 19.cxb5 Nd5 20.Bf1 Ra3 {and "this is not very good" (Giri).} ) ( {Perhaps White can fight for an advantage with} 16.a4 {as now} 16...Rcd8 $2 {loses material to} ( {Also bad is} 16...Nb4 $6 17.Ne5 ) 17.Ne1 Rxd2 18.Rxd2 Rxd2 19.Bc3 ) 16...Rd7 17.d4 Rcd8 {Black comfortably leveled the chances.} 18.a4 Bb7 $5 {An interesting approach by the Indian GM. Instead of waiting passively he sacrifices the exchange for a pawn and queenside passers.} ( {Both} 18...Ne4 19.d5 Bf6 20.Bxf6 gxf6 $1 21.Nd2 Nxd2 22.Rxd2 Ne5 ) ( {And even simpler} 18...cxd4 19.exd4 Ne4 {with the idea Be7-f6 seemed perfectly comfortable for Black.} ) 19.d5 exd5 ( {Of course not} 19...Nb4 $2 20.Ne5 ) 20.Bh3 dxc4 21.Bxd7 Nxd7 22.Nd6 Ba6 23.Nxc4 f6 $1 {The point behind Anand's sacrifice. He kills the bishop on b2 and intends to slowly advance on the queenside.} 24.Rd2 {Giri self-criticized himself upon that move and suggested instead} ( 24.e4 $5 Bxc4 25.Rxc4 a6 26.Rc2 b5 27.axb5 axb5 {when in comparison to the game he has an extra move e3-e4 and possibility to maneuver with his knight via the d2 square. Indeed, here} 28.Nh4 {looks good for White with the idea} 28...g6 29.Rcd2 Nb6 30.Rxd8+ Nxd8 31.Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 32.Rd6 ) 24...Bxc4 25.Rxc4 a6 26.Rc1 b5 27.axb5 axb5 28.Ba3 {Giri did not like the look of} ( 28.Rcd1 Nb6 29.Rxd8+ Nxd8 30.Nd2 Nc6 {"I am jealous of Black's position," although White can always trade a light piece for the black queenside pawns and force a draw.} ) ( 28.Ra1 $5 ) 28...Kf7 29.Rxd7 $6 {White decides to force a draw but confused the move order.} ( {"The easiest was"} 29.Bxc5 Nxc5 30.Rxd8 Nxd8 31.Rb1 {(Anand)} ) 29...Rxd7 30.Bxc5 Ne5 $1 {Missed by Giri. "Now I have to suffer."} 31.Nxe5+ fxe5 32.Bxe7 Kxe7 {The outside passer provides Black serious winning chances. White's problem is that he can never trade the rooks as the resulting endgames are lost for him.} 33.Kf1 Kd6 34.Ke2 e4 35.Rc8 $1 {An active rook is the mantra of rook endgames.} ( {After} 35.f3 exf3+ 36.Kxf3 b4 37.Ke4 Rb7 38.Kd4 b3 {White should fall into zugzwang soon.} ) 35...Ra7 {A more serious chance would have been} ( 35...Rc7 $5 {Both players analyzed the position in the press conference and came to the conclusion that it should have ended in a draw, but in a far more difficult way than in the game:} 36.Rd8+ ( {Or} 36.Rb8 Kc5 37.Kd2 Kb4 ) 36...Kc5 37.Rd4 b4 38.Rxe4 Rd7 ( {Anand saw the nice line} 38...b3 39.Kd3 b2 40.Rc4+ Kb5 41.Rxc7 b1=Q+ 42.Ke2 {followed by h2-h4 and rook transfer to d4 which will be a fortress.} ) 39.Re8 b3 40.Rb8 Kc4 41.e4 Kc3 42.Rc8+ $1 {To force the king in front of the pawn and win some tempos} 42...Kb2 43.e5 Kb1 {when Black can win the rook, but White will have sufficient counterplay after say} 44.Rb8 b2 45.Ke3 Ra7 46.Ke4 Ka2 47.Kd5 b1=Q 48.Rxb1 Kxb1 49.e6 Kc2 50.Kd6 ) 36.Kd2 Ra2+ 37.Kc3 Rxf2 38.Rb8 Rxh2 ( {The pawn cannot be saved} 38...Kc6 39.Rc8+ Kb6 40.Rb8+ ) 39.Rxb5 Ke6 40.Kd4 Rg2 41.Kxe4 Rxg3 42.Kf4 {The White pieces are maximally activated. He needs to trade any of the black pawns to achieve theoretically draw position.} 42...Rg1 43.Rb6+ Kf7 44.e4 h5 45.Rb7+ Ke6 46.Rb6+ Kd7 47.Kf5 Kc7 48.Rb2 Kd7 49.e5 Rf1+ 50.Kg5 Ke6 51.Kxh5 Kxe5 52.Kg4 g5 53.Kxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2015.06.18"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2876"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[Beauty "4402609929778"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:29:13"]
[BlackClock "0:19:31"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 {A small surprise. Giri usually opts for 2...e6 of late.} 3.Bb5+ {The Moscow line has been used by the world champion before, but it is curious to know what the Dutchman prepared against the main lines?} 3...Nd7 4.c3 Nf6 5.Qe2 a6 6.Ba4 b5 7.Bc2 e6 8.d4 Bb7 9.O-O Be7 10.Re1 ( {Another option is} 10.a4 O-O 11.e5 $5 dxe5 12.dxe5 Bxf3 13.gxf3 Nd5 14.f4 {Svidler,P (2732)-Grischuk,A (2797) Baku 2014} ) 10...O-O 11.Nbd2 cxd4 12.cxd4 Rc8 {A novelty. Giri decided to occupy the open file with his "a" rook. Previously Black had done this only with his f-rook:} ( 12...Qc7 13.Nf1 Rfc8 14.Bd3 b4 15.Ng3 a5 {Indeed, the rook is useful on the a-file, giving Black a chance to trade the light-squared bishop via the a6-square, Rasik,V (2437) -Laznicka,V (2667) Czechia 2015} ) 13.Nf1 {White finishes the development and looks for a good moment to advance his central pawns. This will open the road of his pieces towards the black king.} 13...Re8 14.Ng3 Bf8 15.Be3 ( 15.a4 $5 {is interesting in order to weaken the black queenside pawns and make use of the fact that the rook is not on a8.} ) 15...Rc7 $6 {Giri decides to regroup in a Hedgehog way (Qd8-a8, followed by Re8-c8) but later realizes that this is simply not good.} ( 15...Nb6 {instead would be about equal.} ) 16.Bd3 {A typical Ruy Lopez idea, which prepares the a2-a4 advance.} ( 16.Rad1 Qa8 17.Bc1 Rec8 18.Bd3 {was good for White according to Giri, but there is no reason to move the rook away from the a-file.} ) ( 16.a4 {at once again makes sense:} 16...b4 17.a5 Qa8 18.Rec1 Rec8 ( {The point is that the e4 pawn is untouchable:} 18...Nxe4 $2 19.Bxe4 Rxc1+ 20.Bxc1 ) 19.Bd3 Rxc1+ 20.Bxc1 ) 16...e5 {Now the pawn structure transforms into a Ruy Lopez one, in a very favorable version for White. The black bishop is misplaced on b7.} ( {Giri disliked} 16...Qa8 17.Bd2 {and indeed, what is the queen doing on a8 after} 17...Rec8 18.a4 $1 ) 17.d5 Nc5 18.Bc2 b4 $6 {This makes things worse. Giri wants to activate the bishop with a6-a5 and Bb7-a6 but weakens too many squares in the process.} 19.a3 ( {White also had} 19.Nd2 {with the deep idea} 19...a5 20.Bxc5 $5 {a move that a GM will easily miss as we do not like giving a bishop for a knight. However, it works here as the a5-pawn hangs after} 20...Rxc5 21.Ba4 Re7 22.Nb3 Rc8 23.Nf5 Rec7 24.Nxa5 ) 19...b3 {Now this pawn is doomed. However} ( 19...bxa3 {is even worse due to} 20.b4 $1 Ncd7 21.Bd3 {and next White will win both the pawns along the a-file.} ) 20.Bxc5 Rxc5 21.Bxb3 Qb6 {Instead Giri suggested as an improved version the line} ( 21...Qc7 {in order to prevent the bishop from getting on a better position and to control the c4 pawn. After} 22.Nd2 g6 23.Ngf1 Bh6 24.Ne3 Rc8 {"Black is simply much worse, which means that I am completely lost in the game."(Giri)} ) 22.Bc4 Rec8 23.Bd3 {Carlsen won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique". At first everything goes smoothly for him.} 23...g6 24.Nf1 $1 {Since the knight is limited by the pawn it finds a better working place.} 24...Bh6 25.Ne3 a5 26.b4 $1 {Naturally White does not want to get blocked after} ( 26.Nd2 a4 ) 26...axb4 27.axb4 R5c7 {Giri thought it was better to sacrifice the queen with} ( 27...Rc3 $5 28.Nc4 Qxb4 29.Reb1 ( {Also possible is} 29.Rab1 R8xc4 30.Bxc4 Qxc4 31.Rxb7 ) 29...R3xc4 {Most likely the worl champion would have declined the sacrifice and taken the exchange with} 30.Bxc4 $1 ( {Black has serious drawing chances after} 30.Rxb4 Rxb4 ) 30...Qxc4 31.Qxc4 Rxc4 32.Rxb7 Nxe4 33.g3 Rc1+ 34.Rxc1 Bxc1 {and White should win later.} ) 28.b5 Qc5 29.h3 {There is no need to hurry. Black was hoping for a trick} ( 29.Nc4 $2 Bxd5 $1 30.exd5 e4 31.Bxe4 Qxc4 32.Qxc4 Rxc4 33.Bd3 Rb4 {with serious drawing chances.} ) 29...Nh5 30.Qb2 Qb6 31.Qb4 Bxe3 ( {Black also calculated the desperate} 31...Rc3 32.Nc4 R8xc4 $5 33.Bxc4 Rxf3 34.gxf3 Qd8 {but abandoned it on the account of} 35.f4 $1 ( {Instead} 35.Bf1 Bf4 {keeps a lot of tricks in the position.} ) ) 32.Rxe3 Rc3 33.Rae1 {Overprotecs the rook on e3 and prepares Bd3-f1.} 33...f5 {The last desperate try.} 34.exf5 Nf4 35.Be4 R3c5 36.fxg6 hxg6 {Carlsen won another pawn and weakened the enemy king. The end is close and...miracles start to happen.} 37.Bxg6 {Was this needed? If Carlsen had won, we would have praised him for the stylish finish. Now we can criticise him for the inpractical approach.} ( 37.Nh4 {wins prosaically after} 37...Rxb5 38.Qa4 Rb4 39.Qd7 Qd8 40.Qg4 ) 37...Rxb5 38.Qe4 $2 {Misses the brilliancy. Instead} ( 38.Bf7+ $3 {would have made the Norwegians happy} 38...Kxf7 ( {Or else the checkmate will be for free after} 38...Kf8 39.Qe4 ) 39.Qe4 {The threat is Qe4-h7 followed by Nf3-g5 and checkmate. There is no escape of it as the lines prove:} 39...Kg7 ( 39...Rh8 40.Qf5+ Kg7 ( 40...Ke7 41.Nxe5 $1 {is mate} ( {although} 41.Qxf4 {wins easily as well.} ) ) 41.Ng5 Qc7 42.Ne6+ Nxe6 43.Rg3+ Kh6 44.Qg6# ) ( 39...Nxd5 40.Qh7+ Kf6 41.Nxe5 $1 dxe5 42.Rxe5 {with the unstoppable threat Re5-f5.} ) ( 39...Bxd5 40.Qf5+ Ke7 41.Qxc8 {wins tons of material.} ) ( 39...Ng6 40.Qf5+ Kg7 41.Nh4 $1 Nxh4 42.Rg3+ Kh6 43.Qf6+ Kh7 44.Qxh4# ) 40.Ng5 Kh6 41.Qh7+ Kxg5 42.Rg3+ Kf6 43.Qg7+ Kf5 44.Rg5# ) 38...Rf8 39.Nxe5 $6 {And this misses the remaining advantage.} ( {White is at least up a pawn after} 39.Nh4 Bxd5 40.Qa4 {as} 40...Bxg2 $2 {is bad due to} 41.Bd3 $1 ( {Or even} 41.Rg3 $1 ) ) 39...dxe5 40.Rg3 Rxd5 {White has plenty of discovered checks, the black kingside is a wreck and it is a draw...} 41.Qb1 {Carlsen uses his last chance. Two forced lines lead to instant draw} ( 41.Rb1 Rd1+ 42.Kh2 Rxb1 43.Bf5+ Kh8 44.Qxe5+ Qf6 45.Qc7 Rf7 46.Qb8+ Rf8 ) ( 41.Kh2 Kh8 42.Rb1 Rb5 43.Qxe5+ Rxe5 44.Rxb6 ) 41...Qxb1 42.Bxb1+ Kh8 43.Be4 Rd7 ( {Worse is} 43...Rd2 44.Bxb7 Ne2+ 45.Rxe2 Rxe2 46.f3 Rg8 47.Rxg8+ Kxg8 {followed by h3-h4, Kg1-h2-h3 and g3-g4 (Giri)} ) ( {And} 43...Rd1 44.Rxd1 Bxe4 45.Kh2 Bxg2 46.Rxg2 Nxg2 47.Kxg2 {(Giri) albeit drawish leaves Black suffering.} ) 44.Bxb7 Rxb7 45.Rxe5 {Objectively, the position is equal but it is much easier to play it as White. He risks nothing while Black has to be careful what to trade and how to arrange his forces.} 45...Rh7 46.Re4 Rhf7 47.Kh2 Kh7 48.Rf3 Kg6 49.h4 Nh5 50.Rxf7 Rxf7 51.Re2 Nf4 52.Rd2 Nh5 53.g3 Nf6 54.Kg2 Rd7 55.Ra2 Rd5 56.Ra4 Re5 57.g4 Re4 58.Rxe4 Nxe4 {Giri was happy to swap off the rooks as he felt that this should be a draw. Indeed, the theory of this engame states that it is a draw as long as the passers do not cross the equator of the board. If they (all of them!) reach the fifth rank, then it is a win.} 59.Kf3 Nd6 60.Kf4 Nf7 61.Ke4 Kf6 62.f4 Nd6+ 63.Kd5 Nb5 64.h5 Nc3+ ( {An easier fortress is} 64...Nc7+ 65.Ke4 Ne6 {since none of the white pawns can move:} 66.Ke3 ( 66.f5 Ng5+ {is a nice blockade.} ) ( 66.g5+ Nxg5+ {is an instant draw.} ) 66...Nf8 {and White can make no progress.} ) 65.Kd4 Nb5+ 66.Kc4 Nd6+ 67.Kc5 Ke6 {Giri found a good defensive set up.} ( 67...Nf7 68.Kd5 Nd8 ) 68.Kc6 Nf7 69.Kc7 Nh6 $1 {Now the pawns are blocked and Giri can keep his positive score against the world champion.} 70.g5 Nf7 71.g6 Nh6 72.Kd8 Kf5 73.Ke7 Kxf4 74.Kf8 Kg5 75.g7 Kxh5 76.g8=Q Nxg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2015.06.19"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2798"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6528484512266"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:20:27"]
[BlackClock "0:20:29"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 {Aronian's passion for the Ragozin is not a top secret.} 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.Qa4+ {Topalov is as usual very well prepared for the game and chooses a fashionable line. The Armenian GM was tested in the Carlsbad type of positions that arise after the capture on d5 in Wijk an Zee. By Magnus Carlsen himself.} 7...Nc6 8.e3 O-O 9.Be2 ( {Kramnik chose a different approach that suits his style} 9.Rc1 Qg6 10.Qc2 Qxc2 11.Rxc2 Rd8 12.a3 Bf8 13.Nb5 Rd7 14.Bd3 a6 15.Nc3 Ne7 16.Ke2 Rd8 17.b4 {with somewhat better position for White in Kramnik,V (2783)-Aronian,L (2777) Zuerich 2015} ) 9...dxc4 10.O-O Bd7 11.Bxc4 {The statistics of this line is quite favorable for White.} 11...Bxc3 {Somewhat unexpected. Black parts with the bishop pair and is happy to trade a pair of light pieces. Still, his position looks rather passive. Black had also tried:} ( 11...Qe7 12.Qc2 Rac8 13.a3 Bd6 14.b4 {White looks great for White as} 14...e5 $6 {leads to big advantage after} 15.Nd5 Qd8 16.b5 {Iotov,V (2560)-Kacheishvili,G (2612) Richardson 2012} ) ( {A more common idea is to prepare the freeing e6-e5 advance with} 11...Bd6 {Although White had also proved some advantage here with} 12.Ne4 Qe7 13.Qc2 e5 14.d5 Nd8 15.Nxd6 cxd6 16.Rac1 {Wagner,D (2481)-Landa,K (2640) Germany 2013} ) 12.bxc3 Rfd8 13.Be2 {A novelty which prevents the threat Nc6xd4. For the time being Topalov keeps the queen on a4 not letting the freeing operation that Aronian have used before (Nc6-a5 followed by c7-c5). (See the game below)} ( {Not long ago the Armenian GM had to defend against the immediate} 13.Qa3 {He did well after} 13...Qe7 14.Qb2 Na5 15.Bd3 c5 16.e4 Be8 17.Rad1 cxd4 18.cxd4 Rac8 {Shankland,S (2661)-Aronian,L (2770) Tsaghkadzor 2015} ) ( {Also} 13.Qc2 {had been tested some days ago} 13...Na5 14.Bd3 c5 15.Ne5 Be8 16.f4 {Hansen,C (2621)-Hammer,J (2665) Oslo 2015} ) 13...Be8 {This renews the threat Nc6xd4 and forces the white queen to move.} ( {In case of} 13...Qe7 {White can make an useful move} 14.Rab1 ) ( {Generally speaking Black would be happy to trade more pieces but after} 13...Ne5 14.Qb4 Nxf3+ 15.Bxf3 {the difference between the bishops is too big.} ) 14.Qa3 ( 14.Rab1 $2 {drops a pawn after} 14...Nxd4 ) ( 14.Qc2 $5 {deserves attention.} ) 14...Qe7 {Black is happy to trade queens as the strong white center will not be as dangerous in the endgame.} 15.Qb2 ( 15.Qxe7 Nxe7 16.Rab1 b6 ) 15...Na5 $6 ( {A safer choice seems} 15...b6 {followed by Nc6-a5 after that.} ) 16.Qb4 $1 {Now Topalov offers the trade himself! But in the process he changes the pawn structure in his favor. He opens the "c" file for his rooks and can later attack with his "a" and "b" pawns.} 16...Qxb4 17.cxb4 Nc6 18.Rab1 {Topalov got slight but comfortable advantage from the opening. His plan is Rf1-c1, a2-a4 and b4-b5 in the proper moment.} 18...a5 $1 {Aronian does not want to stay still and opens a file for his rooks.} 19.bxa5 Nxa5 20.Rfc1 Rdc8 21.Ne1 $1 {Nice regroupment. White plans Be2-f3 and Ne1-d3-c5.} 21...Ra7 ( {The black bishop can not get activated with} 21...Bc6 22.Nd3 Bd5 {due to} 23.Nb4 b6 $2 24.Nxd5 exd5 25.Bg4 {and White wins a pawn.} ) 22.Nd3 Nc6 23.Bf3 Nd8 $1 {Nice regroupment by Aronian now. The knight gets back but opens the "a" file for the rook.} 24.Nb4 ( 24.Rb2 ) 24...Ra5 {Black prepares the freeing c7-c5 advance. Another way to defend is} ( 24...c6 25.Rb2 ( 25.d5 exd5 26.Nxd5 Rb8 ) 25...Kf8 {with the idea to bring the king to c7.} ) 25.h4 {Grabs space and opens air for the king.} 25...Kf8 {Black decided to postpone the freeing c7-c5 advance for a while.} ( {The utility of the luft is seen in the line} 25...c5 26.Nd3 ( {Or else Black equalizes at once} 26.Rxc5 Raxc5 27.dxc5 Rxc5 ) 26...Rxa2 ( {White is also somewhat better after} 26...c4 27.Rb6 ( 27.Nc5 b5 ) 27...Rb5 28.Rxb5 Bxb5 29.Nc5 ) 27.Nxc5 {and the black pawn on b7 will soon drop.} ) 26.Rc3 c6 27.Bd1 $1 {Another nice maneuver by the former world champion. Since the long diagonal was blocked, the bishop moves to a better position. From b3 it will pressurize the e6 pawn, but more importantly- will take the sting out of the black rook(s) on the a file. Nevertheless, Aronian is getting closer to the equality with each move.} 27...Ke7 28.Bb3 c5 {Finally, Aronian frees himself a bit, but some problems remain. For instance, he can never enter a pawn (knight) endgame as the distant passer on a2 will win the game. The knight on d8 remains passive too.} ( {Black could have kept defending passively with} 28...f6 ) 29.Nd3 b6 30.dxc5 bxc5 {It made sense to trade a pair of bishops with} ( 30...Bb5 31.Bc4 Bxc4 32.Rxc4 bxc5 33.a4 f6 {White is still slightly better but Black should hold.} ) 31.f3 $1 {Topalov does not want to let his opponent go. He expands in the center, earns space, limits the knight and creates some other trouble.} 31...Rc7 ( 31...f6 $5 ) 32.e4 Nb7 33.Rbc1 Ba4 34.e5 Rc6 {Black plans to swap the bishops on b3, bring the rook on the "b" file and trade the freshly produced "b" pawn for his "c" one at last. This plan is very good, but there is one important detail.} ( {He would be relatively save also with} 34...Bxb3 35.axb3 Ra3 36.Kf2 Rd7 37.Ke3 Rd5 38.f4 ) 35.Kh2 Rb6 36.h5 Bxb3 37.axb3 {The culmination of the game. With patient and careful defense Aronian came very close to equlizing the game. But Topalov kept on posing problems all the time and under the pressure the Armenian GM cracks...} 37...Kd7 $2 {Blows the game away!} ( 37...Rab5 $1 {was best even though Black loses a pawn. After} 38.Nxc5 ( 38.g4 {is an instant draw} 38...Rxb3 39.Nxc5 Nxc5 40.Rxc5 Rb7 ) ( 38.b4 {does not work here due to} 38...cxb4 39.Rc8 $2 ( 39.Nxb4 ) 39...Rd5 $1 {and there is no checkmate as in the game.} ) 38...Nxc5 39.Rxc5 {Black has to find the subtle} 39...Rb7 $1 ( {Instead} 39...Rxc5 {loses a pawn after} 40.Rxc5 Rxb3 41.Rc7+ Ke8 42.Rc8+ Ke7 43.Rg8 $1 {and most likely the game-} 43...Rb5 44.f4 f6 45.Rxg7+ Kf8 46.Rh7 fxe5 47.fxe5 Rxe5 48.g4 ) 40.R1c3 f6 41.exf6+ gxf6 {Black should survive although careful play is still required.} ) 38.b4 $1 {Topalov will rarely miss a tactical shot. It is remarkable that the computer understands the power of the move only once that it is played on the board.} 38...cxb4 39.Rc8 {Checkmate is threatened.} 39...Nd8 40.R1c7+ Ke8 41.Nc5 {The threat Rc7-d7 forces Black to part with the exchange.} 41...Rxc5 42.Rxc5 b3 43.Rc1 {The rest is easy for the Bulgarian GM.} 43...Kd7 44.R8c7+ Ke8 45.Rc8 ( {Better than} 45.R7c3 Rb5 46.f4 f6 {which complicates matters.} ) 45...Kd7 46.R8c3 {White combines the threats against the b3 passer with checkmate motifs.} 46...Ke7 ( {Like this one} 46...Rb5 47.Rd1+ Ke7 48.Rc7+ Ke8 49.Rc8 b2 50.Rcxd8+ Ke7 51.R1d7# ) 47.Rd3 Nb7 48.Rdc3 Nd8 49.f4 f6 50.Rc7+ Ke8 51.Rxg7 fxe5 52.Rcc7 Kf8 53.Rh7 Kg8 54.Rcg7+ Kf8 55.Rd7 Kg8 56.Rxh6 Nf7 {A nice finish is} ( 56...b2 57.Rg6+ Kf8 58.h6 b1=Q 59.h7 {and despite the extra queen Black cannot stop checkmate.} ) 57.Rg6+ Kh8 58.Rf6 {Black resigned. A possible finish would have been} ( 58.Rf6 b2 59.Rfxf7 Kg8 60.h6 b1=Q 61.Rg7+ Kf8 62.Rd8# ) 1-0

[Event "Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2015.06.21"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Hammer, Jon Ludvig"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2798"]
[ECO "D12"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[Beauty "5640386778675"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:15:27"]
[BlackClock "0:09:05"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 {The last time Topalov played like this was back in 2008.} 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 ( 7.Be2 Nbd7 8.g3 Bd6 9.O-O O-O 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qc2 dxc4 12.Bxc4 c5 {Aronian,L (2757)-Topalov,V (2791) Nanjing 2008} ) 7...hxg6 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.Qc2 ( {Another possibility is} 9.Qb3 Rb8 10.g3 Be7 11.Bg2 Nb6 12.cxd5 exd5 13.O-O Nc4 {with a complex game, Inarkiev,E (2664)-Artemiev,V (2671) Sochi 2015} ) 9...a6 {Both sides are making useful moves, not willing to commit themselves in the center. Black does not want to trade on c4 for the time being and White does not want to touch his light-squared bishop yet.} 10.O-O-O Be7 11.Kb1 Qc7 12.h3 Rd8 {The last useful move appears to be a novelty.} ( {Black finally blinked in the only predecessor} 12...dxc4 13.Bxc4 b5 14.Be2 c5 15.Bf3 Rc8 16.d5 exd5 17.Nxd5 Nxd5 18.Bxd5 {with some pressure for White in Ehlvest,J (2594)-Lauk,U (2394) Puhajarve 2011} ) 13.c5 {Hammer closes the center. In comparison to Ehlvest-Lauk from above, the line} ( 13.Bd3 dxc4 14.Bxc4 c5 {is great for Black.} ) 13...e5 {Black carrries out the standard central strike. But perhaps another way to attack the white pawn chain was preferable:} ( 13...b6 $5 {for instance} 14.cxb6 Qxb6 15.Bd3 ( 15.Na4 Qb7 16.Rc1 Rc8 ) 15...Rb8 16.Na4 Qb7 17.Rc1 c5 $1 {with good play for Black.} ) 14.f4 $1 {Hammer reacts energetically in the center.} 14...exd4 {Looking back after the game, Topalov came to the conclusion that this move was the reason for his trouble later. He thought he should have closed the center instead with} ( 14...e4 {but after} 15.Be2 Nf8 16.g4 {White definitely has the better chances.} ) 15.exd4 Nh5 16.Ne2 Nhf6 17.Nc3 Nh5 18.Ne2 Nhf6 19.Ng3 $1 {The Norwegian GM corectly avoids the repetition.} 19...Ng8 {Black wants to pus his pawn to f5 and return with the knight to e4, but this plan is energetically prevented.} ( {Topalov did not like his position after the typical} 19...Nf8 20.Bd3 Ne6 21.Ne2 {"White has a lot of space and can easily advance his kingside pawns." (Topalov)} ) ( {But} 19...b6 {was to be prefered again} 20.cxb6 ( 20.Bxa6 $2 bxc5 ) 20...Qxb6 21.Bd3 O-O 22.f5 Bd6 {with a playble position.} ) 20.Bd3 f5 21.Nxf5 $1 {The black king is still in the middle and Hammer is trying to get to it. However, the preliminary} ( 21.Rhe1 $1 {would have been even better since in the line} 21...Ngf6 22.Nxf5 $1 ( {Not} 22.Re6 Nf8 {and Black is in time.} ) 22...gxf5 23.Bxf5 {Black's defense is more complex.} ) 21...gxf5 22.Bxf5 Ndf6 {Someone surprisingly, the knight on g8 is well placed for the defense.} ( 22...Ngf6 23.Bg6+ Kf8 24.Rhe1 {transposes to the line above.} ) 23.Bg6+ Kf8 24.g4 {For the knight White has two pawns, plenty of open files and a lot of space. But the good thing about the extra material is that you can always give some part of it back.} 24...Ne4 $1 25.g5 Rh4 {Tempting, but Topalov misses an incredible resource [which he had seen - PD].} ( {Correct was another move, suggested by Topalov:} 25...Re8 {with the idea Be7-d8.} ) ( {Also good is} 25...Qd7 26.h4 Qg4 {(Topalov)} ) 26.Bc1 {Now it's Hammer's turn to miss the fantastic resource} ( 26.Be1 $3 Rxf4 27.h4 {with the paradoxal idea to return with the bishop to d2. Then White wil occupy the f-file with his rooks and everything will become clear.} ) 26...Qd7 {Now Black is fine.} 27.Qg2 b6 ( {Also good for Black was} 27...Rb8 28.f5 b6 29.cxb6 Rxb6 30.Ka1 {(Topalov)} ) 28.cxb6 Bd6 29.Bxe4 dxe4 30.d5 ( {Moving the pawns a bit further made more sense} 30.f5 Ne7 31.g6 {with approximate equality.} ) 30...Ne7 31.dxc6 Qxc6 32.Rhe1 Qxb6 33.Qxe4 Bc5 34.Rxd8+ Qxd8 {The only one who can be better now is Black, but with so few pawns on the board the objective evaluation is a draw.} 35.Qc4 Qd4 36.Qxa6 g6 {Black could have also taken the pawn back at once} ( 36...Rxh3 {but he has to watch out for tricks:} 37.Qa8+ Kf7 38.g6+ Kf6 $1 ( 38...Kxg6 $2 39.Qg2+ {wins the rook} ) ( {While} 38...Nxg6 $2 {is mate} 39.Qe8+ Kf6 40.Qe6# ) ) ( 36...Qd7 ) 37.Re5 Qd6 38.Qa8+ Kg7 39.Qf3 Bd4 40.Re2 Qd7 41.Qd3 Nc6 $6 {The last move before the time control is an inaccuracy.} ( {Safer is} 41...Nf5 ) 42.Rh2 {White could have improved the position of his rook instead with} ( 42.Rc2 $1 {when the lesser evil for Black would be to lose time with} 42...Ne7 {Topalov also revealed how tricky the position is} ( 42...Rxh3 $2 {loses to} 43.Qb5 Ne5 44.Qxd7+ Nxd7 45.Rc7 ) ( {and} 42...Nb4 43.Rc7 $1 Qxc7 44.Qxd4+ Kf7 45.Qxb4 Rxh3 {might be a draw, but might not be one...} ) ) 42...Nb4 43.Qc4 ( {Black does not risk anything after} 43.Qe4 Qf5 44.Qxf5 gxf5 ) 43...Rxh3 44.Rd2 Qf5+ 45.Ka1 Bc5 {Now Topalov activates his remaining troops and presses as much as he can.} 46.a3 Nd3 47.Rd1 {With idea to put the bishop on c3 (Topalov).} 47...Nxc1 48.Rxc1 Bf8 49.Qd4+ Kg8 50.Rc7 Qe6 51.Qc4 $1 {Hammer defends flawlessly. The only thing he needs is to trade the last black pawn for all his remaining pawns.} 51...Qxc4 52.Rxc4 Kf7 53.a4 Rb3 54.a5 Rb5 ( {At first Black wanted to trade the rooks with} 54...Rb4 55.Rxb4 Bxb4 {but then realized that he is hardly playing for a win after} 56.a6 Bc5 57.Ka2 Ke6 58.Kb3 {and the only one who should be careful is Black. For instance} 58...Kf5 $2 {loses the game to} ( 58...Kd5 ) 59.Kc4 $1 Be3 60.Kd5 Kxf4 61.b4 Kxg5 62.b5 Kf4 63.Kc6 g5 64.b6 Bxb6 65.Kxb6 g4 66.a7 g3 67.a8=Q ) 55.Ra4 Bg7 56.Ra2 ( 56.Kb1 Rxb2+ 57.Kc1 Rb8 58.a6 Bf8 59.Kc2 ) 56...Bd4 57.Ra4 Bxb2+ 58.Ka2 Bc1 59.a6 Rb2+ 60.Ka1 Rb8 61.Rc4 Be3 ( {Hammer thought that} 61...Ba3 {is more dangerous for him, but here too, White should hold after} 62.Rc7+ Be7 63.a7 Ra8 64.Kb2 {as Black cannot untie his pieces whithout the trade of his last pawn:} 64...Ke6 65.Kb3 Bd6 66.Rg7 Kf5 67.Rf7+ Kg4 68.f5 $1 Kxg5 69.fxg6 ) 62.Rc7+ Kg8 63.Rc6 Bd4+ 64.Ka2 Kf7 65.Rd6 Bc3 66.Rc6 Bh8 67.Ka3 Bd4 68.Ka4 Rf8 ( {Topalov got excited by the line} 68...Rb6 69.a7 Rb1 $1 {but then spotted} 70.Rd6 $1 Bxa7 71.f5 $1 gxf5 72.Rf6+ ) 69.Kb5 Kg7 70.Rc7+ Rf7 71.Rxf7+ Kxf7 {Now it is a draw but...} 72.Kc4 Ba7 73.Kd5 Ke7 ( 73...Bb8 74.Kc6 ) 74.Kc6 $4 {Topalov described this as a "fingerfehler" speculating that his opponent believed he played 73... Ba7-b8 instead. Then this move indeed the best. Instead of the unfortunate move in the game Black is easily sharing the point with either} ( 74.f5 gxf5 75.Ke5 ) ( {or even} 74.Ke5 Bb8+ 75.Kd5 ) 74...Ke6 0-1

[Event "Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2015.06.22"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2876"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[ECO "D56"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "190"]
[Beauty "3711925491718"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "1:03:05"]
[BlackClock "0:46:49"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 {Carlsen deviates from an earlier game of his against the same opponent:} ( 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.e3 O-O 8.Rc1 c6 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.O-O dxc4 11.Bxc4 e5 {Carlsen,M (2823)-Nakamura,H (2753) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011} ) 6...O-O 7.e3 Ne4 {The Lasker Defence has the reputation of a very solid opening for Black.} 8.Bxe7 Qxe7 9.Rc1 c6 10.Qc2 Nxc3 11.Qxc3 dxc4 {It is Nakamura's turn to deviate from a game that he witnessed less than a year ago.} ( {Instead} 11...Nd7 12.Be2 dxc4 13.Qxc4 e5 14.O-O exd4 15.Nxd4 {was a bit better for White in Carlsen,M (2877)-Aronian,L (2805) Saint Louis 2014} ) 12.Bxc4 b6 13.O-O {Nakamura was also well prepared to fight the other attempt for an advantage} ( 13.Ne5 Bb7 14.Be2 Rc8 15.O-O Nd7 16.Nxd7 Qxd7 17.b4 a5 {Huzman,A (2570) -Ravia,M (2330) Israel 1996} ) 13...Nd7 14.Rfd1 Bb7 {Black finishes the development and the freeing c6-c5 advance is inevitable.} 15.h3 c5 16.d5 {Or else the position will get completely symmetrical and dry.} 16...exd5 {Surprisingly, this logical move is a novelty.} ( {Previously only the dubious} 16...e5 {have been played, but after} 17.e4 Qd6 18.Nh4 ( 18.Bb5 $1 {is even stronger with large advantage.} ) 18...g6 19.Qg3 {White was clearly better in Tomic,M (2231)-Ristic,M Belgrade 2007} ) 17.Bxd5 Bxd5 18.Rxd5 Nf6 {Black comfortably equalized in the opening. In perspective his position might be even a bit better thanks to the pawn majority on the queenside. The most likely scenario though is that all the heavy pieces disappear on the c-file and the players shake hands.} 19.Rd3 Rad8 20.Rcd1 Rxd3 21.Qxd3 Rc8 {One idea is to advance the queenside pawns. Another is to shift the rook to d7 via the c7-square.} 22.a4 c4 ( {The immediate} 22...Qe4 {is less good due to} 23.Qxe4 Nxe4 24.Rd7 ) 23.Qc2 Qe4 24.Nd4 c3 {Black has many ways to keep the balance. To complete equlity leads} ( 24...Qxc2 25.Nxc2 c3 26.b3 Kf8 ) 25.Qb3 Qd5 ( 25...cxb2 26.Qxb2 Rc5 ) 26.Qc2 Qe4 27.Qxe4 {Carlsen rejects the repetition although he realizes that he has no advantage at all.} 27...Nxe4 28.b3 Nd2 ( 28...Nc5 29.Kf1 ( 29.Rc1 Na6 ) 29...Na6 30.Nc2 Nc5 {(Seirawan)} ) 29.Rc1 a5 30.Rc2 {Now it is a bit more difficult for Black to hold the balance as his c-went too deep in the opponent's camp. Carlsen wants to march with his king all the way to d3 and chop it.} 30...Nb1 31.Rc1 Nd2 32.Rc2 Nb1 33.Nb5 Kf8 34.f3 Rd8 {Instead, the world champion suggested} ( 34...Nd2 $1 {which forces repetition of moves} 35.Nd4 ( {The problem with the move} 35.Rxc3 Rxc3 36.Nxc3 {is that the black king becomes too active, too fast-} 36...Ke7 37.Nd5+ $6 ( 37.b4 {is still a draw.} ) 37...Kd6 38.Nxb6 Kc5 ) 35...Nb1 ) 35.Nd4 ( {Both players could not calculate properly the knight endgame after} 35.Kf2 $5 Rd2+ 36.Rxd2 cxd2 37.Ke2 Ke7 {The impression is that Black is much worse with the vulnerable d2-pawn.} 38.f4 ( 38.Kd1 Ke6 ) 38...Ke6 39.e4 f6 40.Nc7+ Kd7 41.Nd5 Kc6 42.Ne7+ Kc5 43.e5 fxe5 44.fxe5 Kd4 45.e6 Ke5 46.Nc8 Kxe6 47.Nxb6 {Perhaps, this was Carlsen's only realistic winning chance in this game.} ) 35...Rc8 36.Rc1 Na3 37.Nc2 {Forced, as} ( 37.Kf2 c2 38.Ke2 Rc3 39.Kd2 Nb1+ 40.Ke2 Na3 {is a forced draw (Nakamura)} ) 37...Nxc2 38.Rxc2 Rc5 {The maneuver Kg1-f2-e2-d3 with pawn gain is inevitable, but Black has enough time to swap off the remaining pair of pawns on the queenside, thus reaching a theoretically draw endgame four versus three on the same flank.} 39.Kf2 b5 $1 40.axb5 Rxb5 41.Rxc3 g6 $1 42.f4 h5 $1 {The best set up of the pawns on the kingside. Black is ready to trade them at the moment White starts advancing there.} 43.Rc8+ ( 43.Kf3 Rb4 {followed by a5-a4.} ) 43...Kg7 44.Ra8 Rxb3 45.Rxa5 Rb2+ 46.Kf3 Rb3 47.Ra7 Rc3 48.Re7 Rb3 49.Kg3 Rb2 50.Kf3 Rb3 51.g4 hxg4+ 52.hxg4 Rb1 53.Rd7 Rf1+ 54.Ke4 Rg1 55.g5 Ra1 56.Ke5 Ra3 57.e4 Ra5+ 58.Kd6 Ra6+ 59.Ke5 Ra5+ 60.Rd5 Ra4 61.Rc5 ( 61.f5 gxf5 62.exf5 ) 61...Ra1 62.Rc2 Rf1 63.Rc7 Re1 64.Ra7 Rg1 65.Ra4 Rf1 66.Ra6 Re1 67.Kd4 Rd1+ 68.Ke3 Re1+ 69.Kf3 Rf1+ 70.Kg3 Re1 71.e5 Re3+ 72.Kf2 Rb3 73.Rd6 Ra3 74.Rd8 Rc3 75.Ke2 Ra3 76.Rd3 Ra1 77.Ke3 Re1+ 78.Kd4 Rf1 79.Ke4 Ra1 80.Rd7 Ra4+ 81.Rd4 Ra5 82.Rc4 Kf8 83.Rc8+ Kg7 84.Rc7 Kf8 85.Kd4 Ra4+ 86.Rc4 Ra5 87.Rc8+ Kg7 88.e6 {The last slim chance.} 88...fxe6 89.Rc5 Ra7 ( 89...Rxc5 $4 90.Kxc5 {would really win for White, but no one is buying this.} ) 90.Ke5 Rf7 91.Rc4 Rf5+ 92.Kxe6 Kg8 93.Rc8+ Kg7 94.Rc7+ Kg8 95.Rc8+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2015.06.23"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Hammer, Jon Ludvig"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[ECO "B08"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Beauty "5086315024393"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:41:13"]
[BlackClock "1:12:40"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.Nf3 g6 2.e4 d6 3.d4 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Be3 a6 6.Qd2 b5 7.Bh6 O-O 8.Bd3 {Giri revealed at the press conference that he had studied the book about the Modern Defense by Tiger Hillarp Persson. For this position though he could only remember that the move Nb8-c6 is bad according to the writer...} 8...Bg4 ( {Funnily enough, the statistics are favorable for Black after} 8...Nc6 {one recent example being} 9.Bxg7 Kxg7 10.O-O-O ( 10.O-O $5 ) 10...e5 11.d5 Ne7 12.h3 c6 {Black was OK in the game Leko,P (2731)-Svidler,P (2743) Sochi 2014 and even went on to win later.} ) 9.e5 $1 {If Black manages to play Nb(f) d7 he will be OK, but Hammer is in time to cause terror in Black's camp.} 9...dxe5 10.dxe5 Nh5 {The improvising Giri finds a novelty as early as move ten.} ( {A couple of email games were played after Nf6-d7, but Black would not be happy with his position after} 10...Nfd7 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Qf4 {Here is a complete game} 12...Be6 13.O-O-O c5 14.Be4 Ra7 15.h4 f5 16.Ng5 Bg8 17.Bd5 Qb6 18.Bxg8 Rxg8 19.Nd5 Qa5 20.h5 Qxa2 21.hxg6 {1-0 (21) Seifert,M (1879)-Huerga,J (1989) IECG email 2001} ) 11.Bxg7 ( 11.O-O-O $5 {was good enough for an edge.} ) 11...Nxg7 12.Be4 {Hammer plays it save, but this move throws away the bigger part of the advantage. Instead} ( 12.O-O-O $1 {would be good for White, for example} 12...Bxf3 13.gxf3 b4 {(Giri)} 14.Na4 ( 14.Ne4 Qd5 15.Qxb4 Qxe5 ) 14...Qd4 15.Be4 Qxd2+ 16.Rxd2 Ra7 17.Nc5 {and White's united forces make very good impression.} ) 12...Bxf3 13.Bxf3 Qxd2+ 14.Kxd2 Ra7 15.Rad1 {White is a bit better but the worse is over for Giri.} 15...Nd7 16.Rhe1 Nb6 17.Bc6 {The c-pawn cannot be blocked for long.} ( {White is slightly better after} 17.Nd5 Nxd5 18.Bxd5 c5 19.f4 ) 17...Ne6 18.Kc1 Nd8 19.Be4 c5 20.Nd5 Nxd5 21.Bxd5 Ne6 22.g3 c4 $1 {Black defends skillfully. His idea is to bring the knight to c5 when it will not be any worse than the white bishop.} 23.Bxe6 fxe6 24.f4 {White has the only open file, but as we know from the classics "all rook endgames are drawn."} 24...Kf7 ( 24...h6 {with the idea g6-g5 looks interesting as well.} ) 25.h4 h5 26.Rd4 Rc8 27.Red1 Ke8 28.c3 {Hammer wants to stabilize the situation on the queenside, centralize his king and prepare g3-g4 advance to play for two weaknesses.} 28...a5 29.Kc2 Rb7 30.Re4 b4 $1 {Good play by Black! Once that this pawn goes to b3 it will be more difficult for White to make use of the d-file.} 31.Rdd4 Rbc7 32.Kd2 Rc5 33.Kc2 R5c7 34.a3 ( {Giri was a bit afraid of the line} 34.cxb4 axb4 35.b3 cxb3+ 36.Kxb3 Rc3+ 37.Kxb4 Rxg3 38.a4 {but objectively the position remains equal.} ) 34...b3+ 35.Kd2 Rc5 $1 {Preparing the trade of a pair of rooks. It is also important to keep the black pawn on the a5 square for optimal defense.} 36.Ke3 R8c7 37.Rd2 {With the idea to double the rooks along the d-file, but} 37...Rd5 {is just in time. One rook cannot do much damage to Black neither in the center nor on the kingside.} 38.Red4 Rxd4 39.Rxd4 Rc5 40.a4 Rc8 41.Re4 Kf7 42.Kd4 Kg7 {Black just waits, his position is unbreachable.} 43.Re2 Kf8 44.Rg2 Kg7 45.Rd2 Kf7 46.Ke4 Ke8 47.Rd4 Rc5 48.Kf3 Kf7 49.Ke3 ( {The idea of Black's previous defensive work becomes clear in the line} 49.g4 hxg4+ 50.Kxg4 Rd5 $1 51.Rxc4 ( {The pawn engame is even lost for the first player due to the breakhrough} 51.Rxd5 exd5 52.Kf3 d4 $1 53.cxd4 c3 {in this line we see why the pawn on b3 is great.} ) 51...Rd2 {and in this line we see why it was important to keep the pawn on a5 (Giri).} ) 49...Ke8 50.Ke4 Rc7 51.Kf3 Rc5 52.Ke3 Rc8 53.Re4 Kf7 54.Kd4 Kg7 55.Re3 Kf7 56.Re2 Kf8 57.Rg2 Kg7 58.Ke3 Kf7 59.Rh2 Kf8 60.Kd4 Kf7 61.Rg2 {Threefold repetition.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2015.06.24"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2798"]
[ECO "E11"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[Beauty "6667265640968"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:58:33"]
[BlackClock "0:11:02"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 {Topalov has a lot of experience in the Catalan. He had played it in two matches for the world championship.} 4...Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 O-O 7.O-O c6 8.Qc2 Nbd7 9.Rd1 b6 10.b3 a5 ( {Giri had played this position very recently, but with the black pieces! He did not do so well after} 10...Ba6 11.a4 c5 12.a5 Rc8 13.Qa2 Nb8 14.axb6 axb6 15.Nc3 dxc4 16.Bf4 cxb3 17.Qxb3 Bb7 18.dxc5 {in the game Caruana,F (2802)-Giri,A (2790) Shamkir 2015, in which he miraculously survived.} ) 11.Bc3 Bb7 12.Nbd2 c5 {The central clash frees Black's position. Two pairs of central pawns will soon leave the board, as well as some minor pieces.} 13.Ne5 cxd4 14.Bxd4 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Qc8 {Once again, the Bulgarian GM comes with a novelty.} ( {Previously only} 15...Ng4 16.Bd4 e5 17.h3 exd4 18.hxg4 Rc8 {has been tested, Hungaski,R (2486)-Gajewski,G (2628) Barcelona 2012} ) 16.Rac1 dxc4 17.Bxf6 {Giri is heading for slight advantage without any risk.} ( {Nothing gives} 17.Qxc4 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Qb7+ {as now White cannot block the check with the queen from e4 and the line} 19.Qc6 Qxc6+ 20.Rxc6 Rfd8 {is equal (Giri).} ) ( 17.Nxc4 $5 {was interesting as well, for example} 17...Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Qb7+ 19.f3 Rac8 20.Qb2 {with an edge for White.} ) 17...Bxf6 18.Qxc4 Bxg2 19.Kxg2 {Very soon a famous Catalan endgame will arise in which the knight proves to be superior to the enemy bishop. The other problem for the second player is that he has no control of the open c- and d-files.} 19...Qb7+ 20.Qe4 {The point behind White's previous play. He wants to get the knight active on e4.} 20...Rfb8 {The rook on a8 stands well to support the advance of the queenside pawns.} ( 20...Rab8 21.Qxb7 Rxb7 22.Ne4 ) 21.Rc6 Qd7 22.Rcc1 ( {The pawn is invincible due to the pin along the d-file:} 22.Rxb6 $6 Rd8 $1 {for example} ( 22...h6 23.Rc6 Rc8 ) 23.Rc6 Rac8 24.Rxc8 Qxc8 25.Qc4 Qb7+ 26.Kg1 Be7 {and White cannot free the knight easily.} ) 22...Qb7 23.Qxb7 Rxb7 {This is the endgame in question. The black bishop is rather driftless and cannnot attack anything, while the knight can go pretty much anywhere. On top of this, it seems that the arising positions are not to the liking of Topalov. His two main weapons, creativity and attacking skills, are taken away and he needs to suffer forever to held the game to a draw.} 24.Ne4 Be7 25.Nd6 Rd7 ( {In case of} 25...Bxd6 26.Rxd6 Kf8 {Giri intended to proceed} 27.Rcc6 Rab8 28.e4 {"and after e4-e5 and h2-h4-h5 like he did in his game against Aronian." (Giri)} ) 26.Nc4 Rxd1 ( {In case of} 26...Rb7 {Giri planned} 27.Ne5 {but it seems as Black can defend with both the rooks on the board after} 27...f6 28.Nc6 Bc5 {followed by Kg8-f7.} ) 27.Rxd1 b5 ( {Both player spent time analyzing the endgames after} 27...Rd8 28.Rxd8+ Bxd8 29.Kf3 Kf8 30.Ke4 Ke7 31.a4 f6 32.Kd4 Kd7 33.Nb2 Kc6 34.Kc4 {and came to the conclusion that it is drawish, but with some difficulties still.} ) 28.Ne5 Bf6 29.Nd7 {Giri found an interesting attacking construction.} ( {Worse is} 29.Nd3 Rc8 ) 29...a4 {Topalov is trying to trade all the pawns on the queenside. However, this is where Black missed the interesting resource} ( 29...Rc8 30.Rd6 Rc7 $1 {A very difficult move for a human. The idea is to get rid of the annoying rook with Bf6-e7. A possible line is} ( 30...Rc2 31.Ra6 ) 31.Nxf6+ ( 31.Kf3 Be7 $1 {is the point behind Black's last move.} 32.Rd2 f6 ) 31...gxf6 32.Ra6 Rc2 33.Rxa5 Rxe2 ) 30.Rc1 ( 30.Rd6 $5 ) 30...axb3 31.axb3 Be7 32.Rc7 $1 {The position that Giri had in mind. The knight on d7 is placed superbly, stopping the black king from getting to the center.} 32...Rd8 33.Rb7 ( {Black can defend after} 33.Nc5 Kf8 34.Nd3 g5 35.Rb7 Rd5 {(Giri)} ) 33...Bd6 34.g4 {Since the knight is paralyzing Black's position, White can improve the position of his pawns.} ( 34.Nb6 Rb8 ) 34...h5 $6 {Being low on time Topalov decides to sacrifice a pawn, but this looks dubious. He had to stick to the passive defense} ( 34...h6 {although after} 35.h4 {"things are not that easy" (Topalov), say} 35...b4 36.h5 Rc8 37.Rb6 Be7 38.Ne5 ) 35.gxh5 Kh7 {The king is getting active at last but a pawn is a pawn.} 36.b4 $1 ( 36.e4 Kh6 {allows counterplay.} ) 36...Bxb4 ( {Topalov's last chance was the rook endgame after} 36...Kh6 37.Nc5 Bxc5 38.bxc5 Rd5 {with chances for a draw.} ( 38...Kxh5 39.Rxf7 ) ) 37.Ne5 $1 {Now the key pawn on f7 drops, and with it the black kingside crumbles.} 37...Rd5 ( {No time for} 37...f6 $2 38.Nc6 ) 38.Nxf7 Rxh5 ( 38...Bd2 39.e3 Rxh5 40.Nd8 ) 39.f4 Kg6 40.Ne5+ ( {White did good to avoid the tempting} 40.Ng5 e5 41.Rb6+ Kf5 42.Rxb5 ( {and there is no mate after} 42.Kf3 exf4 43.Rxb5+ Kg6 44.Kg4 Bc3 ) 42...Bd2 {(Giri)} ) 40...Kh7 41.Nf7 Kg6 42.Ne5+ Kh7 43.Nf3 $1 {Wins the e6 pawn and the game.} 43...Rf5 ( {The point is that} 43...Kg6 44.Nd4 e5 {does not save the pawn due to} 45.Rb6+ Kf7 46.Rxb5 Bd6 47.Nf3 {(Giri)} ) 44.Ng5+ Kh6 45.Kf3 ( {No need to rush} 45.Nxe6 Rf6 ) 45...Bd2 46.e3 b4 47.Nxe6 Rh5 ( {Topalov suggested} 47...Bc3 {as a more stubborn defense, but White is winning anyway} 48.Kg4 Rd5 49.Ng5 ) 48.Nxg7 Rxh2 49.Nf5+ Kg6 50.Ne7+ Kf6 51.Nd5+ Ke6 52.Ke4 Rh3 53.Rb6+ Kd7 54.Kd3 Bc1 55.Rxb4 Kd6 56.Kd4 1-0

[Event "Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2015.06.25"]
[Round "9.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[ECO "A25"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7630546272779"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "1:00:34"]
[BlackClock "1:07:22"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 Bc5 4.Bg2 d6 5.e3 a6 {Sooner or later Black will have to saveguard his bishop.} ( {Also possible is} 5...Nf6 6.Nge2 Bf5 7.d4 Bb6 8.h3 O-O 9.O-O h6 10.Kh2 Re8 {Erdos,V (2621)-Wojtaszek,R (2742) Germany 2015} ) 6.Nge2 Ba7 7.a3 h5 {This is why Nakamura kept his knight on g8. He wants to create play along the h-file. This plan is possible because the center is closed.} 8.d4 ( {The problem with the move} 8.h4 {is that Black can use the g4 square for his bishop:} 8...Bg4 9.b3 Nge7 10.Bb2 Rb8 11.Qc2 Qd7 12.d3 O-O {and Black is solid, Mwali,C (2250) -Anton Guijarro,D (2624) Tromso 2014} ) ( 8.h3 ) 8...h4 9.b4 {A novelty by Aronian. He plans to lock the bishop on a7.} ( {In the only predecessor White played rather inconsistently} 9.d5 Nce7 10.e4 $6 {This opens the bishop on a7 for no good reason.} 10...Nf6 11.h3 $6 hxg3 12.fxg3 c6 13.b4 cxd5 14.Nxd5 Nfxd5 15.exd5 Qb6 {and White's position is on the verge of colapse, Felser,M (1913) -Jorczik,J (2333) Schwaebisch Gmuend 2010} ) 9...Nge7 10.c5 Bf5 {The first critical moment of the game, as the players mentioned later.} ( {Nakamura also considered} 10...h3 11.Bf3 d5 12.O-O ( 12.dxe5 Nxe5 {followed by c7-c6 and Ba7-b8 is good for Black.} ) 12...e4 13.Bh1 ( {The American GM was also afraid of the position sacrifice} 13.Nxe4 $5 dxe4 14.Bxe4 {as the Ba7 needs plenty of moves to get into the game.} ) 13...f5 {but he was afraid that he cannot hold the line after} 14.f3 {Indeed} 14...Be6 15.Nf4 Qd7 16.Nxe6 Qxe6 17.Bd2 {followed by Qd1-b3, a3-a4 and b4-b5 looks easy for White.} ) 11.Bb2 ( {Aronian was considering} 11.d5 $5 Nb8 12.f4 dxc5 13.d6 {to which Black can react with an exchange sacrifice:} 13...cxd6 ( 13...Nec6 {is also possible though.} ) 14.Bxb7 Nbc6 {(Nakamura)} ( {Or} 14...Nd7 {In both cases Black will have plenty of play on the light squares for the exchange.} ) ) 11...Qd7 12.Qb3 ( {Once again} 12.d5 {does not yield White anything} 12...Nd8 13.e4 Bh3 14.Bxh3 Qxh3 15.Qa4+ Qd7 {but this was perhaps the best that he had.} ) 12...h3 $1 {It is time to worry the white king before it escapes from the center. If this happens, the locked bishop on a7 might become the key factor in the position.} ( {Better than the preliminary trade} 12...exd4 13.exd4 h3 {when after} 14.Be4 Bxe4 15.Nxe4 Qf5 {White has the important move} 16.f3 {(Nakamura)} ) 13.Bf3 ( {The line} 13.Be4 Bxe4 14.Nxe4 Qf5 {looks good for Black (Nakamura)} ) ( {White cannot evacuate the king from the center} 13.Bxc6 Qxc6 14.O-O-O {because of the strong} 14...Qf3 {(Aronian)} ) 13...exd4 {Dynamic play.} ( 13...d5 14.O-O e4 15.Bh1 ) 14.Nxd4 {Black clears too many lines in case of} ( 14.exd4 dxc5 15.dxc5 $6 Ne5 ) 14...Bg4 15.Bxg4 Qxg4 16.Nxc6 ( {The immediate} 16.Qd1 Qxd1+ 17.Rxd1 {sacrifices a pawn but after} 17...dxc5 18.Nxc6 bxc6 19.bxc5 f6 20.Ne4 {White has compensation. Both Aronian and Nakamura considered this position good for Black on the account of the excellent d5-square for the black knight.} ) 16...Nxc6 17.Qd1 $1 {Aronian correctly seeks the trade of queens.} ( 17.cxd6 O-O-O {looks very dangerous for White with the king in the middle.} ) 17...Qg6 $1 {And Nakamura rejects it.} 18.cxd6 {Now Black's attack is very dangerous. The lesser evil was to chase the black queen with} ( 18.Qb1 $5 Qxb1+ ( 18...Qh5 19.Qe4+ $1 ) 19.Rxb1 dxc5 20.b5 {when White should have enough compensation for the pawn. The excluded bishop feels worse with less pieces on the board.} ) 18...O-O-O 19.Rc1 $2 {"A terrible move." (Aronian)} ( {Close to equal was} 19.Qb1 Qh5 ( 19...f5 {can be answered by} 20.b5 $1 axb5 21.dxc7 ) 20.Qd1 {although I would definitely prefer Black since after} 20...Qe5 {the white king is still not safe.} ) 19...Rxd6 20.Qc2 Qh5 $1 {Now White's weakened light squares are a pain in the neck.} ( {"Somehow I felt} 20...Rd3 {was kind of forced." (Aronian) Indeed, White will be OK after} 21.Ne2 Qe4 22.Rf1 Rhd8 23.Nf4 {as the sacrifice} 23...Bxe3 24.fxe3 Rxe3+ 25.Ne2 {is not decisive.} ) 21.Qe2 Ne5 {Also missed by Aronian. Now the weakness of the white squares decides the game.} 22.Qxh5 {White loses the exchange as} ( 22.O-O Nf3+ 23.Kh1 Rd2 {loses the house.} ) 22...Nd3+ 23.Ke2 {In case of} ( 23.Kf1 Rxh5 24.Rc2 {Black has the nice} 24...Bxe3 $1 25.fxe3 Rf5+ 26.Kg1 ( 26.Ke2 Rf2+ 27.Kd1 Nxb4+ ) 26...Rdf6 {with unstoppable mate.} ) 23...Nxc1+ 24.Rxc1 Rxh5 {The extra exchange wins easily.} 25.g4 Re5 26.Rg1 Re8 27.Rg3 Bd4 $1 28.Na4 ( 28.Rxh3 b5 {dominates the knight.} ( 28...Bf6 {with the ideas Rd6-c6 and Re8-d8 would also do.} ) ) 28...Bxb2 29.Nxb2 Red8 {The rooks enter the second rank and it is all over.} 30.Nc4 Rc6 31.Ne5 Rc2+ 32.Ke1 f6 33.Nf3 Rh8 34.g5 Ra2 35.Nd4 Rxa3 36.Ne6 Ra1+ 37.Ke2 Rh1 38.gxf6 gxf6 39.Nf4 b6 40.Nxh3 Rb1 0-1

[Event "48th International Chess Festival"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2015.07.21"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[ECO "C36"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "6533739980890"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[WhiteClock "0:14:20"]
[BlackClock "0:11:49"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 {No Nimzowitsch-Larsen or Bird today? Rapport goes for the lenghty theoretical lines in the Ruy Lopez?} 1...e5 2.f4 {Ah no! Back to the Bird, but on the second move. The only players who dared to try the King's Gambit on a high level that I remember so far are Nakamura and Short. In fact the American GM used this special weapon to defeat none else but... Adams himself four years ago.} 2...exf4 ( {One of the early games of the Hungarian GM went} 2...d5 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Nxe5 Bd6 5.Bc4 Bxe5 6.fxe5 Qd4 7.Qe2 {Rapport,R (2122)-Karabayir,M (1808) Sibenik 2007} ) 3.Nf3 d5 {The central counter-strike is one of the two main options for Black to fight the gambit. The other one is to be greedy and stick to the pawn. In a recent Rapport had to fight against the immediate} ( 3...Ne7 4.d4 d5 5.Qe2 Ng6 6.h4 h5 7.Nc3 c6 {Rapport,R (2720)-Bacrot,E (2719) Germany 2014} ) 4.exd5 Nf6 5.Be2 {This modest developing move is designed to allow the white pawns more room in the center.} ( {People mainly prefer to develop the bishop more actively with} 5.Bc4 {but to this Black can follow a well beaten track:} 5...Nxd5 6.O-O Be7 7.Nc3 Be6 8.Qe2 Nc6 9.d4 O-O 10.Nxd5 Bxd5 11.Bxd5 Qxd5 12.Bxf4 Bd6 {Carlsen, M (2876)-Aronian,L (2780) Stavanger (blitz) 2015} ) 5...Nxd5 6.c4 Ne7 ( {The only other top game saw} 6...Nf6 7.d4 Bd6 8.c5 Be7 9.Nc3 Be6 10.Bxf4 Nd5 11.Bg3 O-O 12.Qd2 Nd7 13.O-O {Nakamura,H (2775)-Tomashevsky,E (2738) Moscow 2012} ) 7.Nc3 {A novelty. Rapport wants to save a tempo and ruin Black's optimal defensive set-up. This, however, gives an additional option for Adams as well.} ( {All the predecessors so far saw the central occupation} 7.d4 {for example} 7...Ng6 8.Nc3 Be7 9.Nd5 Bd6 10.h4 Ne7 ( 10...c6 $1 ) 11.Nxf4 Nf5 12.g4 {with initiative for White in Tiller,B (2390)-Ferguson,M (2387) Davos 2004} ) 7...Ng6 8.h4 Be7 $5 {This is the extra option Black has. He can attack the white king along the h4-e1 diagonal. However I see no clear way for White to exploit the extra tempo after} ( 8...h5 {Perhaps White wanted to sacrifice another pawn with} 9.O-O $5 ( 9.d4 {transposes into the main lines.} ) 9...Nxh4 10.d4 {with powerful central play.} ) 9.h5 Nh4 10.Nd5 $1 {A nice way to fight the counter-attack that challenges the black active pieces. The knight on h4 is way more annoying than it seems at a glance as these short lines reveal:} ( 10.Kf1 Nf5 $1 ) ( 10.Kf2 Nxf3 11.Bxf3 Qd4+ ) 10...Nc6 $1 {The games of the old masters have taught us how unhealthy opening greedyness can be. Instead} ( 10...Nxg2+ {would win another pawn, but after} 11.Kf2 Nh4 12.Nxe7 ( {Or even} 12.h6 g6 13.d4 ) 12...Nxf3 13.Bxf3 Qd4+ 14.Kg2 Kxe7 15.Re1+ {the black king will remain in the center and there is a realistic chance that the game ends in the textbooks with selected miniatures.} ) 11.d4 {White insists as in the line} ( 11.Nxe7 Nxf3+ 12.Bxf3 Qxe7+ {he is forced to trade queens with} 13.Qe2 ( {Dubious is} 13.Kf2 $6 {due to} 13...Qc5+ $1 ( {or} 13...Be6 $1 ) ) 13...Qxe2+ 14.Kxe2 Be6 {where Black is more than fine.} ) 11...Nxg2+ {Not only for the pawn itself, but to trade the knight on the rim for the one in the center.} 12.Kf1 Ne3+ 13.Nxe3 fxe3 14.d5 {Black lacks one tempo for full happiness, White tries to use the moment as best as possible.} ( {Or else the black pieces will regroup nicely with} 14.Bxe3 Bf6 15.d5 Ne7 ) 14...Nb4 15.a3 Na6 16.Bxe3 O-O {Adams has brought the king into relative safety behind the pawns. However, since White cleared the road for his rooks on the kingside and due to his central control he retains good compensation for the pawn.} 17.Qc2 Bg4 {Adams develops a piece and discourages the white bishop to get on the b1-h7 diagonal. This, however, leaves the other diagonal slightly suffering.} ( {The experienced player will generally avoid weakening moves like} 17...h6 ) ( {But} 17...Bf6 {In case of} 18.h6 ( {White can however continue} 18.Bd3 $5 h6 19.Qg2 ( 19.Kf2 $5 ) 19...Kh8 {with compensation for the pawn. Now even the funny-looking} 20.Ne5 ( 20.Re1 {might be simpler} ) 20...Bxe5 21.Qe4 {leads to heavy complications, favorable for White.} ) 18...g6 {Black will control the long diagonal:} 19.Bd4 $2 Bxd4 20.Nxd4 Qf6+ 21.Nf3 Nc5 {is great for Black.} ) 18.h6 g6 19.Qc3 Bf6 ( {One of my friends suggested here the natural defense} 19...f6 {but again, this is a very difficult move for a human being to make. After all, it weakens the light squares. The game could continue} 20.Rh4 Bd7 21.c5 $1 {The black pieces are stuck, White calmly prepares b2-b4, then Be2-c4 and once that the black king moves to h8 there will be additional trouble on the long diagonal.} ) 20.Bd4 Be7 {Black has to abandon the diagonal as} ( 20...Bxd4 $4 21.Qxd4 {is a disaster.} ) 21.c5 {Rapport plays further. He could have forced a draw with} ( 21.Be3 Bf6 22.Bd4 ) ( {Black cannot be easily mated:} 21.Bh8 $2 f6 ) ( {The pawn} 21.Bxa7 {is too insignificant when we talk about checkmate.} 21...f6 22.Bd4 c6 ) 21...Re8 {Adams prepares a counter-attack despite being low on time.} ( {The central pawn is poisoned:} 21...Qxd5 $2 22.Bf2 f6 23.Bc4 ) 22.c6 {The point behind White's play. It seems as he is winning now, but Black has managed to improve the coordination of his pieces.} ( {White could have also mounted pressure with a move like} 22.Rd1 ) 22...Bf8 $1 {This covers the g7-square and the king, and unleashes the power of the heavy pieces.} 23.cxb7 Rb8 24.Bxa6 Qxd5 {Suddenly the tables have turned and the hunter became hunted.} 25.Kf2 Bxf3 26.Bc4 Re2+ {Adams decides to force a draw. He could have played instead with} ( 26...Qe4 27.Rae1 ( {slightly better than} 27.Bxf7+ Kxf7 28.Qxf3+ Qxf3+ 29.Kxf3 Rxb7 30.Raf1 ) 27...Qf4 28.Bxf7+ Qxf7 29.Qxf3 Rxe1 30.Qxf7+ Kxf7 31.Rxe1 Rxb7 32.b4 {and it is difficult to say if Black's chances for a win are realistic, but on the other hand it is easy to say that he does not risk anything. He definitely had to play on.} ) 27.Bxe2 Bxh1 28.Rxh1 $1 {The only move.} 28...Qxh1 29.Qxc7 Qh4+ {Forces perpetual. The alternatives were} ( 29...Qxb7 $4 {which loses instantly after} 30.Qe5 f6 31.Bc4+ ) ( {or} 29...Rxb7 $6 {which might still be a draw, but Black has to prove it after} 30.Qe5 f6 31.Bc4+ Rf7 32.Qe6 Qb7 33.Qxf6 {Instead White can play on with either} ( 33.b4 ) ( {Or} 33.a4 ) 33...Qe7 34.Bxf7+ Qxf7 35.Qxf7+ Kxf7 36.Bxa7 Bxh6 ) 30.Kf1 Qh1+ 31.Kf2 Qh4+ 32.Kf1 Qh1+ 33.Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "48th International Chess Festival"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2015.07.22"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7904082001932"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[WhiteClock "0:03:34"]
[BlackClock "0:19:16"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ {Adams likes this side line of the Sicilian. He uses it regurlarly and with success and it makes good sense to go for it when facing one of the greatest Najdorf specialists of our time.} 3...Nd7 {Both this and} ( 3...Nc6 {are considered "fighting" lines.} ) ( {while} 3...Bd7 {is the "safe" choice.} ) 4.c3 Nf6 5.Qe2 a6 6.Ba4 e5 7.O-O Be7 8.d4 b5 9.Bc2 O-O 10.Rd1 Qc7 {As a result the game modified into a position typical for the Ruy Lopez. There are some differences: the white queen is on e2 instead of d1 and the white rook is on d1 instead of e1. While the latter might be useful for White as he can pressure along the d file, the former isn't that great as the lack of defense of the bishop on c2 obstructs White's development (the move Nb1-d2 for example loses a pawn). There is one more disadvantage, which Vachier-Lagrave will reveal later. One more difference is the position of the black b8 knight which is typically standing on c6 at this stage.} 11.a4 ( 11.Nbd2 $2 cxd4 ) 11...Rb8 ( {Also possible and good is} 11...Bb7 {although White was a tad better after} 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.axb5 axb5 14.Rxa8 Rxa8 15.Na3 b4 16.Nc4 bxc3 17.bxc3 {Kobalia,M (2623)-Najer,E (2661) Kaliningrad 2015} ) 12.Na3 c4 {Vachier-Lagrave comes with an interesting novelty. He tries to make use of the fact that the white knight is away from the center, somewhat awkwardly placed on the rim.} ( {Previously Black had only opted for the active piece play after} 12...cxd4 13.cxd4 bxa4 14.Bxa4 exd4 15.Nxd4 Nc5 {with approximate equality in Balogh,C (2641)-Babula,V (2585) Austria 2012} ) 13.Bd2 ( {If White ever closes the center} 13.d5 {Black will have a great outpost for his knight} 13...Nc5 ) ( {There is no time to bring the knight back in the center} 13.Bb1 Re8 14.Nc2 d5 $1 ) 13...Re8 {The key point behind Black's plan. He prepares the freeing central advance d6-d5.} 14.axb5 axb5 15.h3 {White needs to keep the central pressure as both commital pawn moves} ( 15.d5 Nc5 ) ( 15.dxe5 dxe5 {are simply better for Black.} ) 15...d5 $1 {Highlighting the vulnerable position of the white queen. Black is at least equal now.} 16.dxe5 ( {The line} 16.exd5 $2 exd4 17.Nxd4 Bxa3 {demonstrates why the queen does not like to face the opponent's rook.} ) ( 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 {would transpose to the game.} ) 16...Nxe5 17.Nxe5 $2 {Adams did not have to allow the black queen that much activity. Black has various dangerous ideas in the line} ( 17.exd5 Ng6 ( 17...Nd3 $5 ) 18.Be3 Nf4 ( 18...Bd6 $5 ) 19.Bxf4 Qxf4 20.Qd2 Qxd2 21.Rxd2 Bc5 {with more than sufficient compensation for the pawn, but that was the only way for White to play.} ) 17...Qxe5 18.f4 Bc5+ $1 {With this important intermediate check Vachier-Lagrave takes full command of the situation.} 19.Be3 Qh5 $1 20.Rd2 {White has to defend passively as both} ( 20.Qxh5 $4 Bxe3+ {and} ) ( 20.g4 $2 Bxe3+ 21.Qxe3 Bxg4 22.hxg4 Qxg4+ 23.Kh2 Nxe4 {lose for him.} ) 20...dxe4 {Black won a pawn and keeps better control in the center.} 21.Re1 Qxe2 22.Rdxe2 Bxe3+ 23.Rxe3 Rb6 {To defend the e4-pawn.} 24.Kf2 ( 24.Bxe4 $2 Rbe6 ) ( {Perhaps White had to try} 24.g4 Bb7 25.Kf2 ) 24...Bf5 $1 {The bishop is ideally placed on f5. Black now intends to stabilize the situation on the kingside and bring the knight to d3.} 25.Rd1 ( {Or} 25.g4 Bxg4 26.hxg4 ( 26.Bxe4 Bd7 ) 26...Nxg4+ 27.Ke2 Nxe3 28.Kxe3 f5 ) 25...h5 26.Kg3 g6 27.Rd4 Kg7 28.Kh4 {The only way to challenge Black's construction, but it's insufficient.} 28...Be6 29.Re2 ( 29.Bxe4 $2 Bf5 ) 29...Rbb8 30.Bd1 ( {Maybe it was worth it to swap off the e4 pawn at last with} 30.Bxe4 Bd5 31.Bf3 Rxe2 32.Bxe2 Bxg2 {although Black still has serious winning chances.} ) 30...Bf5 31.Bc2 Rec8 $1 {Black finds the optimal set-up for his pieces.} 32.Re1 Rc5 $1 33.Bd1 Nd5 {The knight moves. The end is nigh.} 34.g3 ( {Or else Black wins another pawn after} 34.g4 Nxf4 35.Kg3 Nd3 36.Rf1 Be6 37.Rxe4 Nxb2 ) 34...Rh8 35.Nc2 Ne7 $1 {All of a sudden Black threatens mate!} 36.Rd6 ( 36.Ne3 g5+ 37.Kxg5 ( 37.fxg5 Ng6# ) 37...f6+ 38.Kh4 Ng6# ) 36...Be6 {Ne7-f5 can be stopped only with heavy material losses.} 0-1

[Event "48th International Chess Festival"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2015.07.23"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7150046814800"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[WhiteClock "0:35:30"]
[BlackClock "0:37:48"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.h3 {A rare move instead of the conventional 8. f2-f3. Navara however already used this again Wesley So roughly a month ago.} 8...Be7 9.g4 {This is more than rare. Ponomariov had tried it against Vachier-Lagrave, but in a blitz game.} ( {The aforementioned game Navara-So saw} 9.f4 exf4 10.Bxf4 Nc6 11.Qe2 Nd7 12.O-O-O Nce5 13.Kb1 O-O 14.g4 Rc8 {and White did not get anything from the opening. In fact, he had to suffer later for the draw, Navara,D (2751)-So,W (2778) Prague 2015} ) 9...d5 $1 {Of course! Wojtasszek does not wait for his opponent to chase his knight away from the center. What happens is more or less forced.} 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Bg2 Nxe3 12.Qxd8+ Bxd8 13.fxe3 Bh4+ 14.Kf1 Nc6 15.Nc5 Bc4+ {A natural reaction.} ( {Previously only} 15...O-O {was played:} 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Rd1 Bc8 18.e4 Rd8 19.Kg2 Kf8 20.Rxd8+ Bxd8 21.Rd1 {with a slight edge for White in Aharon,O (2341)-Kuzubov,Y (2663) Baku 2014} ) 16.Kg1 O-O-O {The outcome of the opening seems favorable for Black. He has the bishop pair, the better pawn structure and a rook on the open d-file. The only drawback of his position is the vulnerable position of his bishop on c4.} 17.b3 Bg5 {Forced, as} ( 17...Be6 $2 18.Nxe6 fxe6 19.Bxc6 bxc6 20.Ne4 {is strategically horrible for Black.} ) 18.Re1 {In case of} ( 18.Kf2 Rd2+ 19.Kg3 Rxc2 {Black is fine as the following line suggests:} 20.Bxc6 bxc6 21.N5e4 Be6 22.Nxg5 Rxc3 23.Nxe6 fxe6 24.Kf3 Rf8+ 25.Ke4 Rf2 ) 18...Bh4 19.Rb1 Bg5 {Start your computers and you will see the familiar evaluation: 0.00. Perhaps most of the online viewers of the game left it to watch something more interesting. A shame, because without much hesitation Navara showed why many refer to him as a genius. He practically blitzed the following:} 20.Kf2 Bh4+ 21.Kf3 $1 e4+ 22.Kf4 $1 {The king personally leads his army, completely neglecting the opponent's bullets and shells.} ( {To a forced draw leads} 22.N5xe4 Ne5+ 23.Kf4 Ng6+ 24.Kf3 ( {But not} 24.Kf5 $4 Be6# ) 24...Ne5+ ) 22...g5+ 23.Kf5 $1 {I know it is foced but I could not stand the temptation to add an exclamation mark.} 23...Rhe8 24.Rhd1 {It is mandatory to trade one the black rooks. Only then the king will feel safe, and be perfectly placed.} ( 24.bxc4 $2 Rd6 ) 24...Re5+ {Wojtaszek could have forced a draw with} ( 24...Ne7+ 25.Kf6 Nd5+ 26.Nxd5 Bxd5 27.c4 Rd6+ 28.Kf5 Be6+ 29.Nxe6 Rdxe6 30.Rd5 Bf2 31.Rf1 Bxe3 32.Re1 Bf4 33.Rxe4 ) 25.Kf6 Rg8 ( {Surprisingly, it is White who attacks in the line} 25...Rxc5 26.bxc4 Rxc4 27.Rxd8+ Nxd8 28.Nxe4 Rxc2 29.Nd6+ Kc7 30.Be4 Rf2+ 31.Ke7 ) ( {White would be extremely happy to see the rooks off the board:} 25...Rxd1 26.Rxd1 Rxc5 27.bxc4 Rxc4 28.Nxe4 Rxc2 29.Rd2 $1 Rxd2 30.Nxd2 {when the white king will rule the kingside and quickly snatch a pair of pawns.} ) ( {The poor bishop has no chance to escape:} 25...Be6 $2 26.Rxd8+ Kxd8 27.Nxe6+ ) 26.bxc4 {This was the first move where Navara calculated longer than 34 seconds! Finally the bishop is captured. But the white king is still very close to mate, isn't it?} 26...Rg6+ 27.Kxf7 Re7+ 28.Kf8 {Touch-down!} 28...Rf6+ {Once again Black could have forced a draw with} ( 28...Reg7 29.N3xe4 ( {Perhaps Wojtaszek missed that in the line} 29.Rf1 Rg8+ 30.Kf7 Nd8+ 31.Ke7 {it is Black who mates with the help of the lazy bishop} 31...Bg3 $1 ) 29...Rg8+ 30.Kf7 R8g7+ ) 29.Kg8 Rg6+ 30.Kh8 $1 {The amazing king walk has come to an end, at least for now.} 30...Rf6 31.Rf1 {Rejecting the draw again!} 31...Bf2 32.Rxf2 $1 Rxf2 33.Rf1 $1 {It is only now that we can say that the king had made it.} 33...Rxg2 $6 ( {White will also play for a win after} 33...Re8+ 34.Kxh7 Rxg2 35.N3xe4 {but this was Black's best bet.} ) 34.Rf8+ Kc7 {The best practical chance as} ( 34...Nd8 35.Nd5 Re5 36.Na4 {leads to picturesque domination of the white pieces.} ) 35.Nd5+ $6 {Returning the favor.} ( {The computer suggests the amazing} 35.N5xe4 $3 {when the dominant position of the white knights wins the exchange back, for instance} 35...Re6 36.Nd5+ Kd7 37.Nc5+ {Black would be in trouble after other moves as well.} ) 35...Kd6 36.Nxe7 Kxc5 {The black monarch shows that he can also do it, but hey, who are you kidding?} 37.Rf5+ ( {A bit better is} 37.Nxc6 bxc6 38.Re8 {although this should also be close to equal.} ) 37...Kxc4 38.Nxc6 bxc6 39.Rxg5 Rg3 $6 {In time trouble Wojtaszek loses the path.} ( 39...Rxc2 40.Kxh7 Rc3 41.h4 Rxe3 ) 40.h4 h6 41.Rg6 Rxe3 42.Kg7 {This king is tireless.} 42...Rg3 43.Kxh6 e3 44.Kg5 $6 {This gives a chance to Black. One tempo in a super-sharp endgame means the world.} ( 44.g5 $1 {would have won instead in a study-like manner:} 44...Rg4 45.h5 Re4 46.Rxc6+ Kd5 47.Rb6 e2 48.Rb1 e1=Q 49.Rxe1 Rxe1 50.g6 Ke6 51.Kh7 ) 44...Kd5 $2 {Now Navara's creativity will be awarded with a full point.} ( 44...Kc3 $1 {was a study-like draw, for example} 45.Rxc6+ Kd2 46.h5 ( 46.Rd6+ Kxc2 47.Re6 Kd2 ) 46...e2 47.Rd6+ Kxc2 48.Re6 Kd2 49.h6 e1=Q 50.Rxe1 Kxe1 51.h7 Rh3 52.Kg6 Kf2 53.Kg7 Kf3 54.h8=Q ( 54.g5 Kf4 ) 54...Rxh8 55.Kxh8 Kxg4 56.Kg7 Kg5 ) 45.Kf4 Rh3 46.h5 c5 ( {I love the line} 46...e2 47.Rg5+ Kd4 48.Re5 Rf3+ 49.Kxf3 Kxe5 50.Kxe2 {in which the king returns back home!} ) 47.Rg5+ Kd4 48.Re5 {His Majesty, David Navara!} 1-0

[Event "48th International Chess Festival"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2015.07.24"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[ECO "A95"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "5910948757022"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[WhiteClock "0:47:28"]
[BlackClock "0:48:57"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 e6 2.c4 f5 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Be7 {In the Stonewall Black prefers to place the dark-squared bishop more actively, on d6. Rapport has his own opinion.} 5.Nc3 O-O 6.Nf3 d5 {This transposes into the Stonewall.} ( {Most of the people prefer} 6...d6 ) 7.O-O c6 8.Qc2 {A very interesting plan. More usual is} ( 8.b3 {with the idea to trade he dark-squared bishop after a2-a4 and Bc1-a3.} ) 8...Ne4 9.Bf4 Nd7 10.Rad1 $1 {A strong positional move. White overprotects the centre and asks his opponent about his intentions.} ( {The majority of the games in this rare line witnessed the move} 10.Ne5 {but this knight can be traded and Black's defense is relieved.} ) 10...g5 {A quick look at the Megabase reveals that Black failed to solve his problems after other moves as well:} ( 10...Bf6 11.Ne5 Qe7 12.Nxd7 Bxd7 13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.c5 {with the threat Bf4-d6 was already good for White and the careless} 14...e5 {made things worse due to} 15.dxe5 Bxe5 16.Bxe5 Qxe5 17.Bxe4 {Li,C (2728)-Ulibin,M (2502) Cappelle la Grande 2015} ) ( {Black would be happy to solve the problem of the light-squared bishop with} 10...b6 {but things are not as simple after} 11.cxd5 cxd5 ( 11...exd5 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Qxc6 $1 ) 12.Rc1 ( 12.Nb5 $5 {looks also unpleasant for Black.} ) 12...g5 $6 ( 12...Bb7 {is a must.} ) 13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.Bc7 Qe8 15.Ne5 {Abasov,N (2492)-Kuderinov,K (2480) Baku 2013} ) ( {A typical idea happened in the following game} 10...Qe8 11.Ne5 Nd6 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Nxc6 $1 bxc6 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Bxd5+ Kh8 16.Bxa8 {Buhmann,R (2572)-Gheng,J (2335) Leinzell 2011} ) ( {Please, note that moves cannot be transposed} 10...Nd6 11.b3 g5 $2 12.Nxg5 {was never repeated after the game Adamski,J (2450)-Giorgadze,G Tbilisi 1983} ) 11.Be3 Nd6 ( 11...f4 12.Bc1 {only weakens Black's position.} ) 12.b3 Bf6 {A novelty which will hardly attract many followers.} ( {The only game played in this line saw} 12...Nf7 {and a draw was agreed in Nogueras-Jobava, Havana 2005. It will be interesting to see what did Eljanov prepare in that case.} ) ( {Critical is} 12...dxc4 {to which White has rich compensation for the pawn after both} 13.Ne5 ( {and} 13.Na4 cxb3 14.axb3 ) 13...cxb3 14.Qxb3 ) 13.Bc1 $1 {A very strong concept. The bishop moves to a working diagonal.} 13...Rf7 ( {Things look even scarier for Black in case he takes the pawn after} 13...g4 14.Ne1 dxc4 15.e4 ) ( {Or after} 13...dxc4 14.Ba3 cxb3 15.axb3 Nb6 16.e4 {with clear edge for White in both cases.} ) 14.Ba3 Ne4 ( {Black cannot afford to lose control of the center} 14...Nf8 15.Ne5 ) 15.Nxe4 fxe4 16.Ne5 {Power-play typical for the aggressive positional style of Eljanov! White opens as many files and diagonals as possible while the black pieces on c8 and a8 are still sleeping.} ( 16.Ne1 Bg7 17.f3 {was also good though.} ) 16...Nxe5 17.dxe5 Be7 ( {White is not even losing a pawn after} 17...Bxe5 18.Bxe4 ) 18.Bd6 $1 {With the strong threat c4-c5.} 18...Bxd6 ( 18...Bd7 19.c5 {followed by f2-f3 and e2-e4 would be crushing.} ) 19.exd6 Bd7 ( {Once more the capture of the pawn is not appealing at all:} 19...Qxd6 20.Qxe4 Qe7 21.Qe5 ) 20.f3 exf3 21.Bxf3 Qa5 22.c5 {Thanks to his energetic opening play White enjoys a big advantage. He has more space, a super-strong defended passer on d6 and a stronger bishop.} 22...b6 23.Bh5 Rxf1+ 24.Rxf1 Qxc5+ {Rapport is forced to trade queens as} ( 24...bxc5 $4 25.Rf7 {is mate soon.} ) 25.Qxc5 bxc5 26.Rf7 Rd8 ( {Worse is} 26...Be8 $2 27.Rc7 Bxh5 28.d7 ) 27.Re7 {Rapport reached an endgame but this is hardly any consolation for him as the white pieces clearly dominate the board.} 27...e5 28.g4 $1 {Restriction of the bishop.} ( {In case of} 28.Rxe5 $2 Kg7 29.Re7+ Kf6 {the black king comes out and Black is OK:} 30.Rxh7 c4 31.bxc4 dxc4 ) ( {However, White could have started with} 28.Kf2 {as the bishop cannot get active yet:} 28...Bf5 ( 28...Bh3 29.g4 Rxd6 30.Rxe5 {leaves Bh3 almost trapped.} ) 29.Rxe5 Bg6 30.Bxg6 hxg6 31.Re7 Rxd6 32.Rxa7 {with a huge advantage in the rook endgame for White.} ) 28...e4 29.Kf2 a5 $5 {Rapport seeks chances and clears the road for his pawn avalanche.} ( {Black cannot easily activete his pieces:} 29...c4 30.bxc4 dxc4 31.Bf7+ ( {Better than} 31.Ke3 c3 32.Rxe4 Kg7 33.Kd3 Kf6 34.Kxc3 Be6 35.Ra4 Rxd6 36.Rxa7 {although here too, White has a solid extra pawn.} ) 31...Kh8 32.h3 c3 33.Bb3 h5 34.Rxe4 hxg4 35.hxg4 {with clear advantage for White.} ) 30.h3 a4 31.bxa4 {But now this pawn is very strong.} 31...c4 32.a5 c3 33.Ke1 ( {Of course not} 33.Ke3 $4 d4+ ) 33...c5 34.a6 e3 35.Rxe3 ( {Not} 35.a7 $4 c2 ) 35...d4 36.Re7 Bc6 37.a7 Rxd6 38.Re8+ $2 {This wins a pieces, but loses half a point... Up till now Eljanov played flawlessly and completely outplayed his young opponent.} ( {Instead he could have won with} 38.Rc7 $1 {for example} 38...Be4 ( 38...Bh1 39.Bf7+ Kf8 ( 39...Kh8 40.Bc4 Rd8 41.Rxc5 ) 40.Bc4 Rd8 41.Rxh7 ( 41.Rxc5 ) 41...Ra8 42.Bd3 {and Black is helpless.} ) 39.Bf7+ Kf8 40.Bc4 Rd8 41.Bd3 Bxd3 42.exd3 {when the a-pawn queens.} ) 38...Kg7 39.a8=Q Bxa8 40.Rxa8 d3 $1 {It suddenly transpires that the pawns are too dangerous and White has to force a draw. The obvious threat is d3-d2+ followed by c3-c2+ and queen.} 41.Ra7+ ( {Or} 41.exd3 Rxd3 42.Ra7+ {when White also forces a draw since} 42...Kh6 ( 42...Kf6 $2 {will allow a chance to White to stop the pawn after} 43.Rf7+ Ke5 44.Re7+ ( 44.Rf2 ) 44...Kd6 45.Re2 ) ( 42...Kf8 $2 {is bad for the same reason:} 43.Rf7+ Kg8 44.Rf2 ) 43.Ra6+ ) 41...Kh6 42.exd3 Rxd3 43.Ra6+ Kg7 44.Ra7+ Kh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "48th International Chess Festival"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2015.07.25"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Beauty "8045413274634"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:43"]
[BlackClock "0:16:12"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Bg5 {White is trying to avoid the Vienna Game and the Ragozin Defence when choosing this move order. The problem with this approach is that he has to part with the c-pawn.} 4...Bb4+ 5.Nbd2 dxc4 6.Qc2 {White also tries} ( 6.Qa4+ Nc6 7.e3 Bd7 8.Qc2 b5 9.a3 Bxd2+ 10.Nxd2 e5 {with approximate equality in Dubov,D (2632) -Matlakov,M (2695) Jerusalem 2015} ) 6...b5 7.a4 c6 8.Bxf6 ( 8.g3 {was tried by Mamedyarov.} ) 8...gxf6 {Forced as} ( 8...Qxf6 $2 9.axb5 cxb5 $2 10.Qe4 {simply wins for White.} ) 9.g3 Bb7 10.Bg2 Nd7 11.O-O a5 {As a result of the opening battle White managed to weaken the opponent's castling position, at the price of a pawn and the bishop pair. If his initiative is not enough, he will have to suffer in the endgame.} ( {Black had also played} 11...a6 12.b3 cxb3 13.Qxb3 c5 14.axb5 axb5 15.dxc5 Bxc5 16.Rxa8 Qxa8 17.Qxb5 Bc6 18.Qc4 O-O {Postny,E (2598)-Okkes,M (2386)/Hoogeveen 2007} ) 12.b3 cxb3 13.Nxb3 bxa4 14.Rxa4 Ba6 {A good novelty. Wojtaszek does not even want to allow an exchange sacrifice.} ( {Black also did quite well in the predecessing games after} 14...c5 15.Nxc5 Nxc5 16.dxc5 Rc8 17.Rxb4 $5 axb4 18.Qa4+ Bc6 19.Qxb4 O-O {Vovk,Y (2550)-Moiseenko,A (2679) Kiev 2011} ) 15.Ra2 ( {In case of} 15.Qxc6 Bxe2 16.Rc1 O-O {Black is obviously better.} ) 15...Bb5 16.Rfa1 O-O 17.Nc1 {In order to challenge Black's stable queenside construction.} ( {Perhaps Rapport could play a bit more actively with the knight:} 17.e3 a4 ( 17...f5 ) 18.Nc5 Nxc5 19.dxc5 {with an unclear position.} ) 17...Rc8 18.Nd3 Bxd3 $1 {Most likely Rapport expected the line} ( 18...c5 19.Nxb4 cxb4 20.Qb2 Ra8 21.Ne5 fxe5 22.Bxa8 Qxa8 23.Rxa5 Qc6 24.Rc1 Qb6 25.Qxb4 Bxe2 26.Qxb6 Nxb6 27.dxe5 {which should end in a draw, but Wojtaszek plays for more.} ) 19.Qxd3 c5 20.dxc5 ( {Black is also better after} 20.d5 Nb6 21.dxe6 Qxd3 22.exf7+ Rxf7 23.exd3 Rd8 {and can play for the win without any risk.} ) 20...Nxc5 21.Qe3 Kg7 {Black managed to keep the extra pawn and to defend his kingside. Still, it won't be easy to win the game due to the presence of opposite-colored bishops on the board and the permanent weakness of the black king.} 22.h4 {Somewhere here Rapport lost track.} ( 22.Nd4 $5 Qd6 ( 22...Qb6 23.Qf3 f5 ( 23...Rfd8 24.Nc6 ) 24.Qe3 h6 ) 23.Rd1 Qe5 24.Qf3 Rfd8 25.e3 {Black will have very hard time proving that he has an advantage worth enough for the full point.} ) ( {Or also} 22.Rc2 $5 ) 22...Qd6 23.Rc1 Nd7 24.Raa1 Rxc1+ 25.Rxc1 {Without the rook pair the black passed pawn moves forward.} 25...Bc5 26.Qc3 a4 27.Qa1 a3 {The passer forces the white pieces into passive defense and this means that the game is practically over.} 28.Rd1 Qc7 {Black is not in a hurry.} ( {More forcefull was} 28...Qxg3 $1 29.Rxd7 Qxf2+ 30.Kh1 Rb8 {with the idea} 31.Rd1 Rb4 {followed by Rb4xh4!} ) 29.h5 h6 30.Rc1 Qb6 31.e3 Rb8 32.Bf1 Bxe3 $1 {A nice final touch.} 33.Rc2 ( 33.fxe3 Qxe3+ 34.Kg2 Rb2+ {regains the piece with interest.} ) 33...Bc5 34.Rd2 Qb1 0-1

[Event "Sparkassen Chess Meeting"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2015.07.01"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Meier, Georg"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2654"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[Beauty "6735758629431"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:52"]
[BlackClock "0:09:37"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {Kramnik choses a different approach in the battle for the full point. He does not want to burn bridges, like Caruana did yesterday, but remains true to his positional style.} 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 {Meier's favorite line, which he last played in 2012. He also likes to play for a win without much risk.} 6...Be7 ( {Most of Meier's game featured the move} 6...Nxe5 {Here are a couple of them:} 7.Rxe5+ Be7 8.Bf1 O-O 9.Nc3 ( 9.d4 Bf6 10.Re1 Re8 11.c3 Rxe1 12.Qxe1 Nf5 13.Nd2 d5 14.Nf3 Nh4 15.Nxh4 {1/2-1/2 (15) Meier,G (2637) -Naiditsch,A (2698) Belfort 2012} ) 9...c6 10.d4 Ne8 11.d5 $1 {Meier,G (2659) -Onischuk,A (2688) Lubbock 2010} ) 7.Bf1 Nf5 8.Nf3 {White prefers to keep more pieces on the board. In case of} ( 8.c3 Nxe5 9.Rxe5 d6 10.Re1 O-O 11.d4 d5 12.Nd2 c6 {Black's defensive task is easier, Inarkiev,E (2706)-Aronian,L (2770) Sochi 2015} ) 8...d5 9.d4 O-O 10.c3 Bd6 11.Bd3 Nce7 12.Nbd2 c6 13.Nf1 {A completely symmetrical position arose which is a clear sign of equilibrium. If the players like then can bring their heavy pieces along the e-file and then outside the board, shake hands and go watch Wimbledon.} 13...g6 14.h3 $5 {A novelty. White wants to highlight the fact that the black knights and light-squared bishop compete for the same good square on f5.} ( {The only predecessor saw:} 14.Ne3 Nxe3 15.Bxe3 Bf5 16.Bh6 Re8 17.Bg5 Bxd3 18.Qxd3 Qd7 19.Bf6 Qf5 20.Qxf5 Nxf5 21.Rxe8+ Rxe8 22.Re1 Rxe1+ 23.Nxe1 {with dead equality in Kanmazalp,O (2416)-Petkov,V (2566) Cappelle la Grande 2014} ) 14...Kh8 {Preparing future regroupment of the black pieces. Kramnik is a prominent master of strategy and deep prophylactical maneuvers are quite characteristic for his style.} 15.Bd2 f6 16.Qc2 Bd7 17.b3 Rc8 {Both sides finished development. The last move is also prophylaxis against the possible c3-c4 advance (White would be very happy to grab space with c3-c4-c5 on the queenside.) Black also prepares the c6-c5 advance himself.} 18.Re2 ( {After} 18.c4 c5 $1 {is strong when the queen feels uncomfortable.} ) 18...b6 19.g4 {This was the point behind the move h2-h3 but Black has enough space to maneuver. It is a double-edged decision as it opens the long diagonal.} 19...Ng7 20.Rae1 c5 21.dxc5 bxc5 22.Qc1 {In order to make use of the open e-file Meier needs entry squares. Thus, the swap of the dark-squared bishop is his priority. For the time being White does not want to modify the pawn structure as} ( 22.c4 d4 {looks good for the second player only.} ) 22...Bc6 23.Bf4 Ng8 24.Bg3 {It is good to trade the bishops but without concessions.} ( 24.Bxd6 Qxd6 {allows the black queen too much activity.} ) 24...d4 {Kramnik opens the game.} 25.N1h2 Bxg3 26.fxg3 g5 {With the idea Qd8-d6 as} ( 26...Qd6 27.Qf4 {is OK for White.} ) 27.Be4 Bxe4 28.Rxe4 Qd6 29.Kg2 {The time trouble approaches and just like yesterday Kramnik feels that Meier hesitates and opens the game.} 29...f5 30.Re5 $1 {Centralization is almost never wrong.} ( {In comparison} 30.gxf5 Nxf5 31.Nf1 h6 {followed by Rc8-c7-f7 looks awkward for White.} ) 30...h6 31.Qd2 Rcd8 32.Qd3 ( {Also good is} 32.cxd4 cxd4 33.Qd3 f4 34.Nf1 ) 32...f4 33.Nf1 Qc6 34.cxd4 cxd4 {White repelled the aggressive black pieces and now looks better. However, time-trouble comes to haunt Georg Meier again.} ( {The flashy} 34...Rxd4 {is refuted by the no less flashy} 35.Rxc5 $1 ) 35.R1e4 {Instead White could have gained the advantage with} ( 35.R5e4 $1 {with the point that} 35...fxg3 $6 {can be answered} 36.Ne5 $1 Qb6 37.Nxg3 {with clear edge for White thanks to the weak black king and pawn on d4.} ) 35...fxg3 36.Nxg3 Nf6 37.Rxd4 Ne6 {A risky decision.} ( {Instead, Kramnik could continue} 37...Rxd4 38.Qxd4 Ne6 39.Qe3 Nd5 {with full compensation for the pawn. Say} 40.Qe4 Ndf4+ 41.Kh2 Qc1 {when sooner or later one of the sides will deliver perpetual check.} ) 38.Rxe6 {Meier misses golden chance. In the line} ( 38.Rxd8 $1 Nf4+ ( 38...Rxd8 $2 39.Rxe6 $1 {loses at once.} ) 39.Kh2 Nxd3 40.Rxf8+ Kg7 {One can easily stop his calculation as both rooks are hanging (especially with seconds on his clock). However here White had the nice move} 41.Nd4 $1 {That cements everything. After} 41...Qa6 ( 41...Qd7 42.Ne6+ ) 42.Ne6+ Kg6 43.Re2 {Black has to prove equality.} ( {Or} 43.Rf5 ) ) 38...Rxd4 39.Qxd4 {An endgame would be easier to defend.} ( 39.Rxc6 Rxd3 40.Nf5 {as} 40...Kh7 {fails to} 41.Ne5 $1 Rd2+ 42.Kf3 {with the nasty threat Rc6-c7+!} ) 39...Qxe6 40.Qxa7 Rc8 {The time scramble is over and Black has won the exchange. Still, it seems as White is very, very solid.} 41.Nf5 Qe2+ 42.Qf2 Qd3 $1 {Deep understanding of the position. White's main problem is the king's safety. If the queens disappear, like the computer suggests} ( 42...Qxf2+ 43.Kxf2 Rc2+ 44.Ke1 {Better than} ( 44.Ke3 $6 Kh7 45.a4 Rc3+ ) 44...Kh7 45.a4 Ne4 46.N5d4 {White's defensive task will become easier. All he needs to do is to swap his fouro pawns for the remaining two black ones.} ) 43.Qd4 $1 {White insists.} 43...Rc2+ 44.Kg1 Rc1+ {Of course not} ( 44...Qxd4+ $6 45.N3xd4 Rxa2 46.Nxh6 Kh7 47.Nhf5 {with h3-h4 coming soon and a draw.} ) 45.Kg2 Qc2+ 46.Kg3 ( {Not} 46.Qf2 $2 Ne4 $1 ) ( {Maybe} 46.Nd2 {is playable for a computer but you would hardly see a human being self-pinning.} ) 46...Qc7+ 47.Kg2 Rc2+ 48.Kg1 Rc6 {The position that Kramnik was heading for. Next he wants to move away the king from the pin and look for a good moment to attack with everything that he has. White's position is more than unpleasant and it is extremely funny to me to see the computer's evaluation 0.00. To find a clear-cut draw is impossible. White does not have active moves and is not sure where to hide king. On top of that a second time trouble phase started.} 49.Kf2 $6 {A step in the wrong direction.} ( {The computer suggests instead} 49.a4 Kh7 50.Kf1 {with the idea to meet} 50...Rc1+ {with} 51.Ke2 Qc2+ 52.Nd2 {Naturally, Black has other ways to play for the win.} ) 49...Kh7 50.Ke2 $2 {And this is a serious mistake. The king is not safe here!} 50...Rc2+ 51.Ke3 {A desperate move.} ( 51.Nd2 Qh2+ 52.Kd1 Rxa2 {covers all the checks.} ) 51...Rxa2 52.Qc4 Qb7 $1 53.Qe6 {The last mistake, although I suspect that Black's position should be won anyway.} 53...Nd5+ 54.Kd4 Qb4+ {And since White loses the queen, he resigned.} ( 54...Qb4+ 55.Kxd5 Qxb3+ 56.Ke5 ( 56.Kd6 Ra6+ ) 56...Re2+ ) 0-1

[Event "Sparkassen Chess Meeting"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2015.07.05"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[Beauty "5568425105930"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:26:58"]
[BlackClock "0:02:17"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {Some years ago when Vladimir Kramnik prepared the Berlin for his historical match with Garry Kasparov there was a popular story in the chess circles. Kramnik's second and guiding light in the line was GM Aleksej Aleksandrov of Belarus. His friends would regularly ask him: "Aleksey, what will happen after Garry tears your Berlin into small pieces? You will be left with no black opening?" To which he would reply "I am not even sure that the move 1.e4 will exist after the match."} 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.h3 Ne7 10.Nc3 Bd7 ( 10...h6 11.Ne4 b6 12.b3 Bd7 13.Bb2 Kc8 14.Rad1 a5 {Caruana,F (2772)-Carlsen,M (2843) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2012} ) ( {While Kramnik previously preferred} 10...Ng6 ) 11.Ng5 {A new move here. So tries to prove that 1.e4 still exists.} ( {In comparison, one of Aleksandrov's games saw} 11.Ne4 Ng6 12.Nfg5 Ke8 13.f4 Nh4 14.Kf2 Be7 15.Be3 h6 16.Nf3 Bf5 {Zhigalko,A (2600)-Aleksandrov,A (2617) Minsk 2010} ) 11...Ke8 12.e6 {The point behind White's play. The typical pawn sacrifice opens the road for the white rooks.} 12...Bxe6 ( {Better than} 12...fxe6 13.Re1 {when White regains the pawn at once.} ) 13.Nxe6 fxe6 14.Re1 Kf7 {For the pawn White has obvious compensation, but it is much more difficult to regain the pawn than it seems at first glance.} 15.Ne4 h6 16.Rd1 e5 {Black develops in an active way.} ( 16...Ke8 $2 {drops the pawn after} 17.Nc5 ) ( {There was another possibility} 16...Nd5 {when} 17.c4 Nf6 18.Nxf6 Kxf6 19.Bd2 {gives compensation for the pawn without much risk for White.} ( 19.Rd7 Bd6 ) ) 17.Rd7 Rc8 18.Bd2 b6 ( {Once more} 18...Ke6 $2 19.Nc5+ {is bad for Black.} ) ( {And} 18...Ke8 19.Rd3 Rd8 20.Rxd8+ Kxd8 {was possible with approximate equality after both} 21.Bc3 ( {Or} 21.Nc5 Kc8 22.Re1 Ng6 23.Nd3 Bd6 24.Bc3 Re8 ) 21...Ng6 22.Rd1+ Kc8 ) 19.Re1 {In the following stage of the game both players find optimal moves. White develops naturally and puts pressure in the center; Black carefully finishes the development of his troops.} 19...Ke6 20.Rd3 c5 21.f4 Nc6 22.Rg3 Re8 {An excellent defensive move.} 23.fxe5 ( {The point of Black's maneuver is revealed in the line} 23.Rg6+ Kd7 24.Rd1 Re6 ) 23...g5 $5 {Kramnik sacrifices a pawn back and takes the initiative. This is better than} ( 23...Nxe5 24.Bc3 ( {Similar is} 24.Nf2 Kd7 25.Bc3 Nc6 26.Rxe8 Kxe8 27.Bxg7 Bxg7 28.Rxg7 ) 24...Kd7 25.Nd2 Nc6 26.Rxe8 Kxe8 27.Bxg7 Bxg7 ( 27...Rg8 28.Re3+ ) 28.Rxg7 Kd8 {and White is better in the arising endgame.} ) 24.h4 Bg7 25.hxg5 Bxe5 26.Rf3 hxg5 27.Bxg5 ( {Simlar to the game is} 27.Nxg5+ Kd7 ) ( {while the computer suggest the curious} 27.Nf6 $5 {to take away the d7 and d5 squares from the black king, and thus win time to stop the Be5-d4 check. The game is about even after} 27...Re7 28.c3 ) 27...Bd4+ 28.Nf2+ Kd5 {Now Black enjoys some pressure although there is nothing concrete yet.} 29.Rd1 Rhg8 {If Black wants, he can force a draw with} ( 29...Ne5 30.Rf5 Rhf8 31.Rxf8 Rxf8 32.c3 Rxf2 33.cxd4 Ng4 34.dxc5+ Kxc5 35.Rd2 ) 30.Bf4 Re2 {Kramnik sacrifices a piece. Instead:} ( 30...Kc4 31.c3 Bxf2+ 32.Kxf2 Ne5 33.Bxe5 Rxe5 {was a draw.} ) 31.c3 Rxb2 32.cxd4 Nxd4 33.Be3 Rxa2 34.Rf4 Ra4 {For the piece Black has three pawns and this is usually more valuable in the endgames. Any of the three can become a queen, something that the knight is obviously not capable of. On the other hand White's forces are very active and the pawns are far from their promotional squares.} 35.Ne4 {The pin is annoying, which means that Black may have to part with one of his pawns.} 35...Kc6 36.Nc3 Ra3 37.Bxd4 cxd4 38.Ne2 d3 {This one went too far from the supporting team and will be soon leave the board.} 39.Rf3 Ra2 40.Nf4 d2 41.Kf2 b5 42.Rc3+ Kb7 43.Nd5 Rg7 44.Rb3 a6 45.Nb4 Ra4 46.Rxd2 {White won one of the pawns but the remaining started moving.} 46...c5 47.Nd5 Rd7 ( {Also good is} 47...Rag4 48.Ne3 Rf7+ 49.Ke2 ( 49.Kg1 Re4 ) 49...Re4 ) 48.Rf3 {So finds a very nice way to activate his pieces.} 48...Re4 ( {In the line} 48...Rd4 49.Rxd4 cxd4 50.Rf5 {the d-pawn gets separated from the remaining pawns. We already know what happens in similar situations.} ) 49.Rf6 $1 {Creating a strong hidden threat.} 49...Ka7 $1 {Which Kramnik avoids.} ( {For example, the natural} 49...c4 50.Rb6+ Ka7 51.Ra2 $1 {will lead to mate.} ) 50.Rd3 $1 {One more great maneuver to improve the second rook and save it from the pin.} 50...c4 ( {The rook is defended in the line} 50...Re5 51.Nb4 Rxd3 52.Nxd3 Rd5 53.Nf4 ) 51.Rh3 $1 Rd4 ( {Thanks to the active rook, the knight is untouchable} 51...Rxd5 $4 52.Rh7+ Kb8 53.Rf8+ ) 52.Nb4 R4d6 53.Rhh6 Rxf6+ 54.Rxf6 {White did great and forced his opponent into defense.} 54...Rd2+ 55.Kf3 {So's play in the endgame is perfect and his opponent starts to experience problems. But Black's resources are not over yet.} 55...a5 ( {One way to defend the position was} 55...Kb7 $5 {with the idea} 56.Nxa6 ( 56.Rxa6 $6 {will still lead to a draw but it will be White who has to find it after} 56...Rb2 57.Nd3 cxd3 58.Rd6 d2 59.Ke2 ) 56...c3 57.Nc5+ Kc7 58.Nb3 c2 ) 56.Ra6+ Kb7 57.Rxa5 {A second pawn disappears from the pawn and nevertheless, Black is still not losing.} 57...Kb6 58.Ra2 Rd7 59.Ra8 Kc5 {It is only after this move that we can say definitely that Black is in trouble. Instead Kramnik should have opted for} ( 59...Rf7+ $1 {in order to force the white king to make a decision. Since it is needed for both kingside support and to help in the fight against the passers the game should stay undecided. For example} 60.Ke3 Rg7 $1 61.Nd5+ ( {Or} 61.Kf2 Rf7+ 62.Kg1 Kc5 {and in comparison to the game the white king is far away.} ) 61...Kc5 62.Nf4 Re7+ 63.Kd2 Rd7+ 64.Kc2 b4 {Now the white king does not help the g-pawn and Black should be able to capture it in return for his two pawns at some moment.} ) 60.Nc2 $1 {White achieved the perfect queenside set-up.} 60...Rc7 61.Rf8 c3 ( 61...b4 62.Rf5+ {drops the pawn at once.} ) 62.Rf5+ Kb6 ( {Or} 62...Kc4 63.Ne3+ Kb3 ( 63...Kb4 $2 64.Nd5+ ) 64.Rxb5+ ) 63.g4 {The black pawns are stopped and the white one is faster.} 63...Ka5 64.g5 Ka4 65.Ke3 Rd7 {Nothing changes} ( 65...Re7+ 66.Kd3 Rd7+ 67.Nd4 c2 68.Rf1 ) ( {nor} 65...Kb3 66.Kd3 ) 66.g6 b4 67.Rf4 Kb3 68.Nxb4 Re7+ 69.Re4 Rg7 {The pawn endgame is lost for one tempo:} ( 69...Rxe4+ 70.Kxe4 Kxb4 71.Kd3 Kb3 72.g7 c2 73.g8=Q+ {check!} ) 70.Rg4 Re7+ 71.Kf3 Rg7 72.Nc6 Rg8 73.g7 c2 74.Nd4+ Kc4 75.Nxc2+ Kd5 76.Rg6 {A great achievement for Wesley So who managed to outplay Vladimir Kramnik on his own territory!} 1-0

[Event "43rd GM 2015"]
[Site "Dortmund GER"]
[Date "2015.07.03"]
[Round "5"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[ECO "E60"]
[EventDate "2015.06.26"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7083474820180"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 {This Anti-Gruenfeld line is extremely popular nowadays.} 3...e6 {A very interesting way to get into another opening.} 4.e4 c5 ( {Another Gruenfeld specialist like to play the original} 4...d5 $5 {One recent example of his saw} 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Nc3 dxe4 7.fxe4 Bb4 8.Bd3 Nxe4 $1 9.Qe2 O-O 10.Bxe4 Re8 {with wild complications in Giri,A (2750)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2766) Biel 2014} ) 5.d5 d6 6.Nc3 {Now the game transposes into the Benoni.} ( {Bogdanovich played instead} 6.Ne2 {against Nepomniachtchi but failed to impress in the opening:} 6...Bg7 7.Nec3 Nh5 8.Be3 exd5 9.cxd5 f5 10.Bb5+ Nd7 11.exf5 gxf5 12.f4 Nf6 $1 13.O-O Ng4 {and Black was happy in Bogdanovich,S (2581)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2714) Moscow 2015} ) 6...Bg7 7.Nge2 exd5 8.cxd5 O-O 9.Ng3 a6 ( {I have the feeling that the immediate} 9...h5 {is more accurate. But that is a matter of taste.} ) 10.a4 h5 11.Be2 {Most commonly White prefers the move 11.Bg5 in this situation.} ( {One recent example in this line goes} 11.Bg5 {It seems unpleasant for Black, but he can easily get rid of the bishop, with tempo:} 11...Qc7 12.Be2 Nh7 13.Be3 h4 14.Nf1 f5 15.exf5 gxf5 16.f4 Nf6 17.Bf2 Re8 18.Bxh4 Ne4 19.Ra3 Qa5 {&frac12;-&frac12; Aronian,L (2770)-Ding,L (2755) Tsaghkadzor 2015} ) 11...Qe8 {Nepomniachtchi played this novelty in a flash. The queen moves away from the possible pin on g5.} ( {Practically all previous games continued} 11...h4 {here, before the knight gets the h1 square! The knight on f1 is somewhat misplaced while from h1 it easily gets to f2 to overprotect the e4-pawn. One example:} 12.Nf1 Nbd7 13.Bg5 h3 14.gxh3 Rb8 15.Ng3 Qb6 {with counterplay for Black in Ivanchuk,V (2733)-Bacrot,E (2730) Cap d'Agde 2013} ) 12.Bf4 $1 {So wants to prove that the queen sortie was premature.} ( {A natural reply would be} 12.O-O h4 13.Nh1 Nh5 14.Nf2 {with a somewhat better position for White.} ) ( {Black's idea is revealed in the line} 12.Bg5 Nh7 13.Bf4 ( 13.Be3 f5 ) 13...h4 14.Nf1 Qe7 {followed by f7-f5 and possibly g6-g5.} ) 12...Qe7 13.Bg5 Qe8 {Black lost a couple of tempos, but he intends to win back one of them with the maneuver Nf6-h7. Creativeness is a good thing, but tempos are tempos.} ( 13...Nbd7 14.Qd2 {is not what Black was hoping for.} ) 14.Qd2 Nbd7 15.Bh6 $6 {Possibly a bit premature. White had good alternatives at his disposal. Both} ( 15.a5 $5 ) ( {and} 15.O-O $5 {lead to a slight advantage to White.} ) 15...Qe5 $1 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Bd3 $6 {So frees the e2-square for the g3-knight and prevents the unpleasant check on d4. Still, this looks rather slow.} ( {In case of} 17.O-O Qd4+ $1 18.Qxd4 cxd4 19.Na2 h4 {Black has no problems whatsoever.} ) ( {Thus I suggest} 17.Nf1 {although as said before the knight is not extremely happy there.} ) 17...Rb8 {Preparing the standard b7-b5 break.} ( 17...h4 18.Nge2 {is also OK for Black.} ) 18.Rd1 ( {Once again White cannot castle due to} 18.O-O Qd4+ 19.Rf2 Ne5 ) 18...Re8 19.Be2 {White admits his mistake.} ( 19.O-O $6 {leads to Black's advantage after} 19...Qd4+ 20.Rf2 Ne5 21.Bc2 Qxd2 22.Rfxd2 Nc4 ( 22...b5 $1 {might be even better.} ) ) 19...h4 20.Nf1 h3 {Nepomniachtchi can be happy with his opening idea. He has equalized at least.} ( {Safer was} 20...Nh5 21.Ne3 Nf4 {not pushing the h-pawn too far.} ) 21.g4 b5 22.axb5 axb5 23.Ng3 b4 ( {Another way to play the position is} 23...c4 $5 24.b4 ( {Or} 24.f4 Qe7 25.g5 Nh7 26.O-O Nc5 27.e5 dxe5 28.d6 Qb7 {with huge complications.} ) 24...cxb3 {with counterplay.} ) 24.Na4 {If anything, White will get some time to finish his development.} 24...Ra8 25.b3 Ba6 {And Black is also happy to trade his light-squared bishop. All in all the position remains balanced.} 26.Bxa6 Rxa6 27.O-O {White castles on move 27! His plan is to attack on the kingside, while Black should look for a way to get counterplay on the other wing.} 27...Rea8 28.f4 Qe7 $6 {The first inaccuracy by Black in this game.} ( {Strong was to get into an endgame and to kill any kingside attack before it even started:} 28...Qd4+ $1 {However in the line} 29.Qxd4 cxd4 30.g5 ( 30.Rxd4 Nxg4 ) 30...Ng4 31.Rxd4 Nc5 32.Nxc5 {Black had to foresee the fantastic resource} ( {Safer is} 32.Rxb4 Nxb3 33.Rxb3 Rxa4 34.Rb2 Ra2 {although here too Black has more than enough for the pawn and does not risk to lose.} ) 32...Ra2 $3 {after which White has no salvation!} 33.Na4 Rg2+ 34.Kh1 Rxh2+ 35.Kg1 Rg2+ 36.Kh1 Rxg3 {with winning position for Black.} ) 29.Qe2 Nh7 30.Rf3 {So nicely regroups his forces and is ready to pick up the h3 pawn.} ( 30.g5 $5 {not to allow the queen to h4 was perhaps better.} ) 30...Qh4 31.Kh1 $3 {A crafty move which White must have foreseen in advance. Black is in trouble and also lacks time on his clock to find the best moves.} 31...c4 $2 {Not the best decision. So is happy to see the g-file opened for his rooks.} ( {The pawn on g4 is poisoned:} 31...Qxg4 32.Nf5+ $1 gxf5 33.Rg3 {and the queen is lost.} ) ( {If Black moves the king out of the check with} 31...Kg8 {White will simply continue his attack with} 32.Rg1 $1 {as} 32...Qxg4 33.Nf5 $1 {is once more crushing for him:} 33...Qh5 34.Qf1 $1 {and White wins.} ) ( 31...Nb6 $1 {was mandatory to open up the a-file as soon as possible, and to find counterplay along it. For example} 32.Nxb6 Rxb6 33.Rg1 Rba6 34.g5 Ra2 35.Qf1 Ra1 ( 35...Rc2 ) 36.Qxa1+ Rxa1 37.Rxa1 Qg4 {with counterplay.} ) 32.Qxc4 Qxg4 33.Qd3 Kf8 ( {It is already too late to open the file:} 33...Nc5 34.Nxc5 ( {But not} 34.Qd4+ $2 Nf6 35.Nxc5 $4 Qxf3+ 36.Kg1 Qg2# ) 34...dxc5 35.Rg1 Ra1 36.Nf1 $1 Qh4 37.e5 {with a huge advantage for White.} ) 34.Rg1 Rxa4 {Desperation, but else White will mount further pressure with} ( 34...Nhf6 35.Qf1 ) 35.bxa4 Nc5 36.Qe3 Rxa4 37.Nf5 $1 {White wins the queen and the game.} 37...gxf5 ( {The black queen is trapped after} 37...Qh5 38.Rxh3 ) ( {whereas the tricky} 37...Ra1 {is met by} 38.Rg3 $1 ( 38.Rxa1 $4 Qg2# ) 38...Rxg1+ 39.Rxg1 Qh5 40.Nxd6 {with a win.} ) 38.Rxg4 fxg4 39.Rf1 Nf6 40.e5 Nfe4 41.f5 $1 {The time control is over and So energetically wraps up the game.} 41...Ra2 ( 41...dxe5 42.Qh6+ Ke7 43.f6+ Kd6 44.Qf8+ Kxd5 45.Qxf7+ ) 42.e6 g3 43.hxg3 Ke8 44.g4 h2 45.Qh3 f6 46.g5 Nxg5 47.Qh8+ Ke7 48.Qg7+ Ke8 49.Qxf6 1-0

[Event "43rd GM 2015"]
[Site "Dortmund GER"]
[Date "2015.07.04"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2015.06.26"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Doggers"]
[PlyCount "165"]
[Beauty "4124510796808"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov and Peter Doggers]} 
1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.b3 c5 5.Bb2 Nc6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Bb5 Bd6 8.d4 {It is curious that so far Vladimir Kramnik follows a game of his great rival Veselin Topalov.} 8...cxd4 ( {Nisipeanu deviates from this game, which went} 8...O-O 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.O-O Bg4 11.Nc3 Rc8 12.Rc1 a6 {was played in the aforementioned game:} 13.Be2 ( {White had the strong shot} 13.Nxd5 $1 Qxd5 14.Qxd5 Nxd5 15.Rxc5 Ncb4 ( 15...axb5 16.Rxd5 ) 16.Rxc8 Rxc8 17.Bc4 {with an extra pawn.} ) 13...Ba7 14.h3 Bh5 15.Nh4 Bg6 16.Nxg6 hxg6 {Topalov,V (2793)-Karjakin,S (2767) Stavanger 2013} ) 9.Nxd4 O-O 10.O-O Qc7 11.h3 {A logical novelty which prevents the possible pin of the knight on f3. In comparison the stem game saw} ( 11.Nf3 $6 Bg4 $1 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Nc3 ( {Or else White loses the exchange} 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Qxf3 Be5 ) 13...Bxh2+ 14.Kh1 Be5 15.Nxd5 Qd6 16.Nf4 Bxf4 17.exf4 Qxf4 18.Bxc6 bxc6 {when Black was on top, Agzamov,G (2485)-Geller,E (2545) Yerevan 1982} ) 11...Bh2+ 12.Kh1 Be5 13.Qc2 Bd7 14.Nf3 $1 {The trade of the dark-squared bishop is a huge achievement for the side which plays against the isolated d5-pawn. This significantly lowers the attacking potential of the black pieces and guarantees the strong d4-outpost for the white pieces.} 14...Bxb2 15.Qxb2 {Kramnik got the type of position he loves most. A slight advantage without any risk. Now the inquisition begins.} 15...Rac8 16.Rc1 {An accurate move. In comparison, the immediate} ( 16.Nc3 $6 {allows counterplay along the c-file after} 16...Ne5 $1 17.Nxe5 ( 17.Bxd7 $2 Nxf3 18.gxf3 Qxd7 19.Kg2 d4 $1 {will see White's position in flames.} ) 17...Qxe5 18.Bxd7 Rxc3 19.Bb5 Rxe3 $1 ( 19...Rfc8 $5 ) ) 16...Qd6 17.Nc3 Ne5 ( {White is also slightly better after} 17...Ne4 18.Bxc6 Bxc6 19.Nd4 ) 18.Be2 Nxf3 19.Bxf3 Qe5 20.Qd2 Be6 ( {It looks as if the-c6 square is better for the bishop:} 20...Bc6 21.Ne2 ( 21.Rd1 Ne4 ) 21...Ne4 22.Bxe4 ( 22.Qe1 Rfe8 ) 22...dxe4 23.Rc3 Rfd8 {with chances for counterplay along the open file. Black can also try to lift a rook along the sixth rank.} ) 21.Nb5 Bd7 22.Qd4 {Kramnik's play against the isolated pawn is a classical exmaple of what to do in these positions. First he trades a pair of light pieces, then the queens, thus completely immobilizing the d-pawn.} ( 22.Nxa7 $4 {self-traps the knight:} 22...Ra8 ) 22...Qxd4 23.Nxd4 a5 ( {Black could have slowed down his opponent's plan with the move} 23...h5 $5 ) 24.g4 $1 {This pawn is more than annoying as it always threatens to kick the black knight away from the isolani.} 24...h6 ( {This is what can happen if Black does not pay respect to the white pawn} 24...Rxc1+ 25.Rxc1 Rc8 26.Rxc8+ Bxc8 27.g5 Ne4 28.Bxe4 dxe4 29.Kh2 {followed by a king march to f4 and e4.} ) 25.Kg2 Rxc1 26.Rxc1 Rc8 27.Rb1 $1 {The signature of a great master. White needs the rook to pressurize the pawn on d5 and voluntarily gives away the open file. Please, note though that there are no entry squares for the black rook there.} 27...Ra8 ( {It made sense to bring the king to the center as soon as possible with} 27...Kf8 $5 ) 28.Ne2 {Bent Larsen once said that the isolated pawns have to be taken, not blocked. This is one of those cases.} 28...g5 {Stops the knight from going to f4, but there is another square.} 29.Nc3 Be6 30.Rd1 Rd8 31.e4 $1 {Reveals the point behind the move 27.Rb1!. The isolated pawn cannot survive.} 31...d4 32.Kg3 ( 32.Nb5 d3 {complicates matters} ) ( {but White can win the pawn with} 32.Rd3 {as well.} ) 32...Rc8 ( {White has to be careful not to fall in a trap after the crafty} 32...Kg7 33.Nb5 ( {The automatic} 33.Rd3 $4 {will lead to a cold shower as} 33...dxc3 34.Rxd8 {is not coming with a check and Black promotes after} 34...c2 ) 33...d3 34.e5 $1 {with a large advantage for White.} ) 33.Nb5 Nd7 34.Nxd4 {White won a pawn and the rest should be "a matter of technique. "Indeed, the former world champion plays flawlessly until a certain point.} 34...Ne5 35.Be2 Rc3+ 36.f3 Kg7 37.Rd2 Kf6 38.Nf5 $1 {It seems illogical to trade the super-knight and to leave the bishop. However, 1) This destroys Black's defensive central set-up. 2) There are no bad bishops as even the worst bishop can always be traded for a knight (Kasparov).} 38...Bxf5 ( 38...Kg6 39.Nd6 ) 39.exf5 Ke7 40.Rd5 Nc6 41.Bb5 b6 42.h4 f6 43.Bxc6 {There you go!} 43...Rxc6 44.hxg5 hxg5 45.a4 Rc3 46.Rb5 Rc6 47.f4 $1 Rc3+ 48.Kf2 gxf4 49.Rxb6 Kf7 {After a fantastic endgame it's time to cash in, but from this point Kramnik seems to be missing a few chances to win.} 50.b4 ( {White could also play} 50.Rb5 Kg7 51.Rxa5 Rxb3 52.Ra8 {with the idea to put the pawn on a7 and then play g4-g5 to create a (winning) f-pawn:} 52...Ra3 53.a5 Kh7 54.a6 Kg7 ( {a bit more complicated is} 54...Kh6 55.a7 Ra2+ 56.Ke1 Ra1+ 57.Kd2 Ra2+ 58.Kd1 Ra1+ 59.Kc2 Kg7 60.Kd2 Ra2+ 61.Ke1 Ra1+ 62.Kf2 Ra2+ 63.Kf3 Ra3+ 64.Kxf4 ) 55.a7 Ra4 56.g5 $1 fxg5 57.f6+ $1 Kf7 {and now the standard trick that White was playing for all along:} 58.Rh8 $1 Rxa7 59.Rh7+ ) 50...Rc2+ 51.Kf3 Rc3+ ( 51...Ra2 52.b5 Rxa4 53.Rb7+ Kf8 54.Ra7 Rb4 55.Rxa5 Kg7 56.Ra7+ Kh6 57.Ra8 $1 Kg7 ( 57...Rxb5 58.Rg8 ) 58.Rb8 {and again White will create a free f-pawn.} ) 52.Kf2 $6 ( {The win is} 52.Kxf4 Ra3 ( 52...Rc4+ 53.Kf3 {Probably Kramnik missed in the line} 53...axb4 ( 53...Rc3+ 54.Ke2 axb4 55.Rxb4 Ra3 56.Kd2 ) 54.a5 Rc3+ 55.Ke4 $1 Ra3 56.a6 b3 {that he does not need to trade the pawns and has the move} 57.Kd3 $1 {with the idea Rb6-b7+ followed by a6-a7 and wins.} ) 53.g5 $1 fxg5+ 54.Kxg5 Rxa4 ( 54...Rg3+ 55.Kh4 Ra3 56.b5 Rxa4+ 57.Kg5 ) 55.Rb7+ Ke8 56.b5 Ra1 57.Ra7 Rb1 58.Rxa5 {is a theoretical win.} ) 52...Rc2+ 53.Ke1 Rc1+ 54.Kd2 f3 55.Ke3 Rc3+ 56.Kf2 axb4 57.Rxb4 Kg7 58.Kg3 $2 {It look like Kramnik only gave away the win with this move.} ( 58.Rb8 $1 Rc4 ( 58...Ra3 59.Ra8 Kf7 60.a5 {can be compared to the note to White's 50th move.} ) 59.a5 Rxg4 60.Kxf3 Ra4 61.Rb5 Kf8 62.Ke3 Ke7 {and now} 63.Rd5 $1 {looks like a winning ending:} 63...Rc4 64.Kd3 Rc1 65.Kd4 Rc6 66.Rb5 Ra6 67.Kc5 ) 58...Ra3 59.Rb7+ Kh6 60.Ra7 f2+ $1 61.Kxf2 Kg5 62.Ke2 Kxg4 63.Ra5 Kf4 64.Kd2 Ke4 65.Kc2 Kd4 66.Ra6 Rc3+ ( 66...Ke5 67.Kb2 Rg3 68.Ra5+ Kd4 ) 67.Kb2 Rc4 68.Ra5 Rb4+ 69.Ka3 Kc4 70.Ra6 Rb3+ 71.Ka2 Rb4 72.Ra8 Kc5 73.Ka3 Rf4 74.Rb8 Rf1 75.Rb5+ Kc4 76.Kb2 Rf2+ 77.Kb1 Kc3 78.a5 Kc4 79.Rb7 Rxf5 80.a6 Ra5 81.a7 Kc5 82.Rf7 Kb6 83.Kc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.08.10"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Khismatullin, Denis"]
[Black "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2642"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7629472537609"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:30:49"]
[BlackClock "0:32:07"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4 {To the reversed Sicilian Black replies with reversed Rossolimo.} 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O e4 7.Ng5 Bxc3 8.bxc3 Re8 9.f3 {This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987.} 9...exf3 10.Nxf3 Qe7 11.e3 Ne5 12.Nd4 {Tomashevsky spent most of his time on this principled move. In another recent top level game White achieved nothing after:} ( 12.Nxe5 Qxe5 13.Rb1 Rb8 14.Rb5 Qe7 15.d3 d6 16.e4 Bg4 $1 {and decided to call it a day after} 17.Bf3 Bh3 18.Bg2 Bg4 19.Bf3 Bh3 20.Bg2 {1/2-1/2 (20) Aronian,L (2780)-Anand,V (2804) Stavanger 2015} ) 12...d6 13.d3 c5 {Better than} ( 13...Bg4 14.Qc2 c5 {to which Tomashevsky was afraid of the positional exchange sacrifice after} 15.Nf5 Bxf5 16.Rxf5 d5 17.cxd5 c4 18.d4 Nd3 19.Bd2 Ne4 20.Re5 $1 ) 14.Nf5 Bxf5 15.Rxf5 d5 {A novelty and the start of superb opening preparation by the former European champion. Previously only:} ( 15...Rab8 {was tried, for example} 16.a4 a6 17.e4 Nfd7 18.Rb1 Qd8 19.d4 {with pressure for White in Maletin,P (2598)-Gabrielian,A (2545) Dombai 2013} ) 16.cxd5 c4 $1 {The point. Black destroys the compact pawn structure of the opponent and intends to fill in the gaps with a couple of nasty knights.} 17.d4 ( {Another possibility is} 17.dxc4 {which is a draw according to Tomashevsky after} 17...Nxc4 18.Qd3 Nxe3 19.d6 Rad8 $1 20.Qxe3 Qxe3+ 21.Bxe3 Rxe3 22.Rd1 b6 ) 17...Nd3 18.Rxf6 {Tempting, but objectively speaking a mistake as now it will be only Black who will play for a win. Surprisingly, Tomashevsky called his opening idea "semi-bluff" in the post-mortem. He revealed what he was afraid of:} ( 18.Bd2 {This is the most obvious move but not many players would play it as after} 18...Ne4 {with the idea Ne4-d6 and f7-f5. Black has a perfect light-squared blockade and the bishop on d2 tends to level itself to a pawn. However, if we continue the line with} 19.Bxe4 Qxe4 20.Qf3 Qxf3 21.Rxf3 Rad8 22.Rb1 $1 {It appears that White is just in time to create threats. Then what might follow is} 22...b6 23.Rb5 Rd6 24.a4 a6 {all of this was on Tomashevsky's board (or rather computer) in the morning preparation and he dismissed the line with the words "with many more interesting things happening afterwards"...} ) 18...Qxf6 19.Qe2 Nxc1 {Black spent about thirty minutes here calculating the many tempting options. He felt that the best move should be} ( 19...Qb6 {with the idea to control the b2 square in some of the lines, as well as to stop the white central pawns from advancing. A logical continuation now would be} 20.e4 f5 21.d6 {After} ( {Not} 21.e5 $2 Rxe5 ) 21...Qxd6 ( 21...fxe4 22.d7 Red8 {looks messy indeed.} ) ( {But Black missed the strong move} 21...Rad8 $1 22.Bd2 fxe4 {with big advantage.} ) 22.e5 {and White has compensation for the exchange.} ) 20.Rxc1 Qg5 21.Re1 Rad8 22.e4 $1 {A good practical decision. White temporarily sacrifices a pawn but grabs space with his central pawns and increases the power of the bishop.} ( {In case of} 22.Qf2 Qe7 {White will have difficulties in moving forward} 23.e4 $6 Rxd5 ) 22...Rxd5 23.e5 Rd7 24.Qxc4 g6 ( {Also tempting was} 24...Qd2 {at first and only after} 25.Rf1 g6 {with similar ideas as in the game.} ) 25.Qe2 $1 ( {Tomashevsky considered only} 25.Rf1 {with the idea to cement the position with Rf1-f4, to which strong is the regroupment} 25...Qe3+ 26.Kh1 Ree7 {Now it is obvious why g7-g6 was useful, Black had secured his king. Next he will play Rd7-c7 and will start picking up the white pawns.} ) 25...Qd8 26.Bh3 {It should be also noted that as usual Khismatullin was in time-trouble.} ( {In case of the natural} 26.d5 {Black would have happily transormed the advantages with} 26...Rxd5 $1 27.Bxd5 Qxd5 {when White has weak king and ugly pawns.} ) ( {Also if} 26.Rf1 Qa5 {Black will start revealing the potential of his position.} ) 26...Rde7 {A safe choice. There is no need to calculate the complications after} ( 26...Rc7 27.e6 Rxc3 28.Qe5 {the move which Black did not like, but it seems as he should win after} ( 28.d5 $5 {might be in fact better as the pawn is untouchable} 28...Qxd5 $4 29.exf7+ ) 28...f6 $1 {for example} 29.Qe4 f5 30.Qe5 Rd3 ) 27.Qf2 ( {Here} 27.e6 {leads White nowhere} 27...fxe6 28.Qe5 Qd5 ) 27...b5 28.Bg4 {In the time trouble Khismatulin tries to play active, but this leads to a quick disaster. Passive defense} ( 28.a3 Qa5 29.Qb2 Rc7 30.Re3 {was called for, although it is questionable if White can survive this. Still, if he manages to swap off the queenside pawns of the opponent he might do well and create a kingside fortress in the possible bishop versus rook endgame.} ) 28...Rc7 29.Qd2 {Makes things easier for Black.} ( {Or} 29.Rf1 Qd5 {and Black will prepare the b5-b4 break soon.} ( 29...Ree7 $5 ) ) 29...b4 $1 {Now the white pawn phalanx collapses and the rooks dominate.} 30.cxb4 Rc4 31.Re4 Qb6 32.Bd7 Re7 ( 32...Qb7 $1 {was faster} 33.Bxe8 Qxe4 ) 33.Ba4 Qxb4 {A wise, practical decision. Once more, Tomashevsky deprives his opponent of any tactical resources, possible after} ( 33...Rxb4 34.Bb3 a5 35.Rh4 Rxe5 ( 35...h5 $1 {though would have won as well.} ) 36.Qh6 Rh5 {Black might be better here, but why to calculate all of these?} ) 34.Qxb4 Rxb4 35.Bb3 a5 36.Kf2 a4 37.Bd5 Rc7 $1 {Not only graps the open file, but prepares a clever trap for the bishop.} ( {Black needs to be careful still} 37...Rd7 $2 {would lead to a draw after} 38.e6 Rxd5 39.e7 ) 38.Ke3 ( {Now} 38.e6 fxe6 39.Rxe6 Kg7 {is a technically won position for Black.} ) 38...Rb5 39.e6 Kf8 $1 40.Ba8 Ra5 {The bishop is imprisoned!} 0-1

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.08.11"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2658"]
[ECO "D20"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[Beauty "8251705928232"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:10:31"]
[BlackClock "0:01:49"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 {"Motylev usually chooses the Slav Defense and I did not expect the QGA. Therefore, I decided to try an off-beat line" - Artemiev} 3.e3 e5 {This is considered to be an equalizer for Black, but a lot of people like to play with the isolated pawn on d4 and go for the initiative. Obviously the young Russian is one of them.} 4.Bxc4 exd4 5.exd4 Bd6 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.O-O O-O 8.h3 {"Since if I allow the black bishop to g4 Black is absolutely fine." - Artemiev.} 8...Nc6 9.Nc3 Bf5 ( {On} 9...h6 {White wanted to play} 10.Qc2 {which creates the threat Bc1-h6 followed by Qc2-g6 (or Qc2-g6 at once.)} ( {Another possibility is} 10.a3 Bf5 11.Re1 a6 12.d5 {as in Jakovenko,D (2741)-Grischuk,A (2764) Moscow 2012} ) ) 10.Bg5 ( {Or else Black will start trading pieces with} 10.a3 Ne4 ) 10...h6 11.Bh4 g5 12.Nxg5 {"The sacrifice was very tempting and I could not withstand it." - Artemiev. It should be added that this was pure improvisation by White.} ( {All seven predecessors saw} 12.Bg3 {and the most famous one continued} 12...Bxg3 13.fxg3 Bg6 14.Ne5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Nh5 16.Kh2 c6 17.e6 {when the former contender made a mistake:} 17...Ng7 $2 18.Qxd8 Rfxd8 19.exf7+ Kf8 20.Rf6 {and quickly lost, Liiva,R (2454)-Huebner,R (2595) Puhajarve 2013} ) 12...hxg5 13.Bxg5 Re8 {Probably the best defense, but it took Motylev a good thirty minutes on the clock.} ( {In case of} 13...Be7 {Artemiev indended to proceed with} 14.Re1 Nh7 15.Bh6 {"with a strong attack," for example} 15...Re8 $2 {loses on the spot due to} 16.Qh5 {and the f7-point is undefendable.} ) ( {For a while Motylev could not understand what is the problem in the line} 13...Kg7 14.Nd5 Be7 15.Nxe7 Nxe7 {but after} 16.Qf3 {White's initiative is worth the sacrificed material. For example} 16...Qxd4 17.Rfe1 Qxc4 18.Rxe7 {with plenty of threats.} ) 14.Qd2 {A surprising decision,and probably not the best. Both players spent most of their time calculating the line:} ( 14.Nd5 Be7 15.Nxf6+ ( {Worse is Motylev's suggestion} 15.Nxe7+ Qxe7 16.Qf3 Nxd4 17.Qf4 Qe4 18.Qxc7 {due to} 18...Ne6 $1 {and Black is better.} ) 15...Bxf6 16.Qh5 Rf8 $1 ( {Better than} 16...Be6 17.d5 Bxg5 18.dxe6 fxe6 19.f4 {when the black king is seriously exposed.} ) 17.Bh6 Qd7 {"I thought this was unclear, and I gave up this line" Artemiev. However, White can regain part of the material} 18.Bxf8 ( {Or even continue the game for the initiative with} 18.Rac1 $5 ) 18...Rxf8 19.Rad1 Kg7 {with unclear play.} ) 14...Nxd4 {Thanks to this little trick Black not only wins a pawn but manages to support the knight in the center and block the d file.} 15.Rad1 ( {It was only here that White realized that on his planned move} 15.Rfe1 Qd7 $1 ( {Black would not go} 15...Be7 $2 {Because of the nice combo} 16.Rxe7 $1 ( {Artemiev planned instead} 16.Rad1 c5 17.Rxe7 Qxe7 18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.Bxe7 Nxe7 20.Qg5+ Bg6 21.Re1 {Soon the h pawn will go forward. "It is easier to play as White, Black's king is badly weakened." Artemiev.} ) 16...Rxe7 17.Qf4 $1 {when White regains plenty of the material after} ( {Of course not} 17.Bxf6 $4 Nf3+ ) 17...Qd6 {(best)} 18.Qxd6 cxd6 19.Bxf6 Nc2 20.Bxe7 Nxa1 21.g4 {with advantage in the endgame.} ) 16.Red1 {was also mentioned in the analyzes but it leads nowhere after} ( {The main idea is that the knight is poisoned} 16.Bxf6 Nf3+ $1 17.gxf3 Bh2+ 18.Kxh2 Qxd2 {But if we proceed with this line we shall see that things are not yet clear after} 19.Rg1+ Kh7 {is the only move to play for the win and then White regains the queen with} ( {Now} 19...Kf8 {would lead to a draw after} 20.Bg7+ Ke7 21.Rae1+ Be6 22.Bf6+ $1 Kf8 23.Bg7+ Ke7 24.Bf6+ {As both} 24...Kd7 $2 ( {and} 24...Kxf6 $2 25.Ne4+ ) 25.Rd1 {lose material for Black.} ) 20.Rg7+ Kh6 21.Bg5+ Qxg5 22.Rxg5 Kxg5 {although in the arising position it is only Black who can play for the win.} ) 16...Nh7 $1 17.Qxd4 Nxg5 ( {Or even} 17...Re1+ {same motif as before. Here is a computer line for you} 18.Rxe1 Bh2+ 19.Kxh2 Qxd4 20.Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 21.Rad1 $1 Qxf2 22.Re2 Qxe2 $1 23.Nxe2 Nxg5 {an try to calculate this...} ) ) ( 15.Qxd4 $4 Bh2+ ) 15...c5 $1 {Now Black stabilizes the situation but nothing is yet over.} 16.b4 ( {Once again Black is doing great after} 16.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 17.Rxe1 Qd7 $1 ) ( {On} 16.Nd5 {Motylev considered} 16...Ne4 $1 {with the forced line} 17.Bxd8 Nxd2 18.Nf6+ Kf8 19.Nxe8 Rxd8 ( 19...Kxe8 ) 20.Nxd6 Rxd6 21.Rxd2 Nf3+ 22.gxf3 Rxd2 {"which leads to a diffcult, probably lost endgame for White" Motylev.} ) 16...b6 17.bxc5 bxc5 18.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 19.Qxe1 {The culmination of the game.} ( {You already remember the trick} 19.Rxe1 Qd7 $1 ) 19...Be6 $2 {The problem with the defense is that one mistake is usually enough to lose the game...} ( {Instead one good way to defend was} 19...Be7 20.Qe5 Bg6 21.Re1 Nc6 22.Qg3 ( 22.Qf4 $2 Nh5 ) 22...Kg7 {where Black should be more than OK after} 23.Qh4 Ng8 $1 ) ( {Another convincing idea was} 19...Qe7 20.Qd2 Ne4 21.Bxe7 Nxd2 22.Bxf7+ {(Artemiev's choice)} 22...Kxf7 23.Bxd6 {But the position after} 23...Rg8 {favours Black. For instance, bad is} 24.Bxc5 $2 Bxh3 25.Bxd4 Rxg2+ 26.Kh1 Nf3 {and it is White who is getting checkmated for a change.} ) 20.Bxe6 fxe6 ( {Or else White regains the piece} 20...Nxe6 21.Bxf6 Qxf6 22.Rxd6 ) 21.Rxd4 $1 {Black's position collapses.} 21...Bh2+ ( {A slightly more stubborn defense was} 21...cxd4 {although here after the forced} 22.Qxe6+ Kg7 23.Nd5 Nxd5 24.Bxd8 Rxd8 25.Qg4+ Kf7 26.Qxd4 {(Motylev) White will slowly win by advancing his kingside pawns.} ) 22.Kxh2 Qxd4 23.Qxe6+ Kg7 24.Ne2 {Black resigned not waiting to see the line} ( 24.Ne2 Qxf2 25.Nf4 Rf8 26.Bxf6+ Rxf6 27.Nh5+ Kg6 28.Qxf6+ Qxf6 29.Nxf6 Kxf6 30.Kg3 ) 1-0

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.08.12"]
[Round "4.6"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Khismatullin, Denis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2642"]
[ECO "B23"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Beauty "8248488668753"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:20:15"]
[BlackClock "0:06:01"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 {Svidler chose a tricky move order to avoid the Najdorf.} 2...a6 3.Nge2 d6 4.g3 g6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 {Now things transpose into the Fianchetto System against the Dragon.} 6...Bg7 7.Bg2 Nf6 8.b3 ( {White did not achieve much after} 8.O-O O-O 9.h3 Nc6 10.Be3 Bd7 11.Nd5 Rc8 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Bb6 Qe8 14.Nc7 Qd8 15.Nd5 Qe8 16.Nc7 Qd8 17.Nd5 {\BD-\BD Motylev,A (2665)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2714) Jerusalem 2015} ) 8...O-O 9.Bb2 Bd7 10.Qd2 Nc6 11.Nde2 b5 12.O-O-O {Svidler explained later that he wanted to make use of the relatively slow play of his opponent on the queenside. White's idea is to jump to d5 with knight number one and use knight number two to occupy the wonderful outpost on c6 once that his brother is traded.} ( {The plan with the long castle has been seen previously in the following game:} 12.a4 b4 13.Nd1 Qc8 14.h3 h5 15.Nf4 e5 16.Ne2 Rd8 17.Ne3 Be6 18.O-O-O {Ivanov,A (2527)-Odeev,H (2461) Bled 2002} ) 12...Ng4 $1 {An important tempo-gainer. Khismatullin wants to attack as fast as possible on the queenside and does not need any distractions in the center.} 13.Rdf1 Qa5 ( {Svidler was already a bit worried about the line with the pawn sacrifice} 13...b4 14.Nd5 Bxb2+ 15.Kxb2 a5 16.h3 Nf6 $5 {Indeed, after} 17.Nxf6+ ( {Instead Svidler thought it is wiser to continue with} 17.Rd1 ) 17...exf6 18.Qxd6 a4 19.Rd1 Qa5 $1 {Black has strong attack. For example} 20.Qxd7 {loses to} ( 20.Rd5 Qa6 ) 20...axb3 21.cxb3 Qxa2+ 22.Kc1 Rfc8 {with quick mate.} ) 14.h3 Nf6 15.Kb1 b4 16.Nd1 $2 {This is already a mistake.} ( {Svidler planned instead} 16.Nd5 {but realized that his opponent has too many tempting options. For example after} 16...Nxd5 {Therefore Svidler switched to the study of the line} 17.exd5 {Now} ( {On} 17.Bxg7 {Strong is} 17...Ne3 {(Svidler)} ( {Khismatullin considered mainly} 17...Kxg7 18.exd5 Na7 {and in case of} 19.a4 {to sacrifice the bishop} 19...Bxa4 20.bxa4 ( {Here both players missed the cunning defense} 20.Qd4+ Kg8 21.Qa1 $1 ) 20...Qxa4 21.Nd4 Nb5 22.Nxb5 axb5 23.Qd4+ Kg8 24.Qb2 {Indeed, Black's attack now is decisive after} 24...Rfc8 ) 18.Bxf8 Nxf1 19.Rxf1 {although this should be equal.} ) 17...Bxb2 ( {and also} 17...Na7 {Black's attack is again very dangerous after} 18.a4 ( 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.c4 ( 19.a4 ) 19...bxc3 20.Qxc3+ Qxc3 21.Nxc3 Nb5 ) 18...Bxa4 19.bxa4 Qxa4 20.f4 ( {They both missed again the resource} 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Qd4+ Kg8 22.Qa1 {although Black should also have an attack here.} ) 20...Nb5 21.Rf3 Rab8 {and most likely decisive.} ) 18.dxc6 Bc3 19.Nxc3 bxc3 20.Qe3 $1 ( 20.Qd4 Rac8 $1 ) 20...Be6 21.Rd1 {would be good for White but Svidler chose the other option.} ) 16...Qc7 ( {Better than} 16...Qc5 {when the queen will be exposed and White can use this with} 17.f4 a5 18.Qe3 Qb5 19.e5 {with unclear play.} ) 17.Ne3 a5 {Black's attack is now obviously faster.} 18.f4 ( 18.g4 a4 19.g5 Ne8 20.Nd5 Qa5 ( {One suggestion by the two GMs had a flow} 20...Qa7 21.Qe3 $2 {is bad due to} 21...axb3 22.Qxa7 bxc2+ {and Black wins a pawn.} ) 21.Nc1 Nc7 {Black is on top.} ) 18...a4 {True to his aggressive style, Khismatullin consistently opens the game.} 19.e5 {Svidler felt that the win of the exchange is his only chance, but this did not work well.} 19...dxe5 20.fxe5 Nxe5 21.Bxa8 Rxa8 22.Rf4 {Svidler called this move an innacuracy. But if we have to be honest, White was already in trouble. In the line:} ( 22.Qxb4 axb3 ( 22...Bc6 $1 {at once is also very good for White.} 23.Rh2 Nf3 24.Rhf2 Rb8 ) 23.axb3 {Black has the strong idea} 23...Bc6 $1 {(Svidler) after which he regains the exchange and continues the attack for free:} ( 23...Qa7 {should be also good for strong attack as on} 24.Nd4 {there is} 24...Qa2+ 25.Kc1 Rc8 {with the fork threat.} 26.Rd1 Bh6 {with total domination of the black pieces.} ) 24.Rh2 Nf3 25.Rhf2 Rb8 {Black is close to winning.} ) 22...axb3 ( {Even better than} 22...Bc6 23.Rd1 axb3 24.axb3 Qa7 {although here too, Black has awesome position.} ) 23.axb3 {This leads to a beautiful finish. The only attempt to defend was connected with the move:} ( 23.cxb3 {although here as well Black has tremendous attack, for example} 23...Bc6 24.Rc1 {And now not} 24...Be4+ ( {Now} 24...Qa5 {is not fully convincing not because of} 25.Bxe5 ( {But because of} 25.a4 $1 {and White somehow holds.} ) 25...Ne4 $1 {(Svidler)} ) ( 24...Qa7 $1 {is strong though with decisive attack after} 25.a4 bxa3 $1 26.Bxe5 Ne4 $3 27.Qd4 Bxe5 28.Qxe5 ( {Or lost endgame in the line} 28.Qxa7 Rxa7 29.Ka2 Bxf4 ) 28...Qxe3 ) 25.Rxe4 Nxe4 26.Qxb4 {when White hopes for survival.} ( 26.Qd5 $2 Qa7 ) ) 23...Qa7 24.Nd4 ( {It was only here that Svidler realized that against the planned defense} 24.Nc1 {Black has the amazing} 24...Ne4 $1 25.Rxe4 Nc4 $3 26.Nxc4 Qa1+ 27.Bxa1 Rxa1# ) 24...Nh5 $1 {Suddenly it is over. White loses loads of material.} 25.Nd5 ( 25.Rf2 Nxg3 26.Rd1 Ne4 ) 25...Bc6 26.Nxc6 {Svidler allows the mate in the spirit of the old masters.} 26...Qa2+ 27.Kc1 Qa1+ $3 28.Bxa1 Rxa1+ 29.Kb2 Nc4# {Once more Denis Khismatullin shows class!} 0-1

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.08.13"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Bukavshin, Ivan"]
[Black "Khairullin, Ildar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2662"]
[ECO "E18"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6460167733775"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:06:47"]
[BlackClock "0:02:18"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 {The old main line of the Queen's Indian Defense.} 8.Bd2 d5 9.cxd5 exd5 10.Bf4 Nd7 11.Rc1 c5 12.dxc5 ( {One plan for White is} 12.Nd2 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Rc8 14.Re1 Re8 15.e4 cxd4 16.cxd4 Rxc1 17.Qxc1 Nf8 18.e5 {was Giri,A (2737)-Fressinet,L (2708) Elancourt 2013} ) ( {while Bukavshin vaguely remembered the game} 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Nd2 f5 ( {but during the game he was afraid of} 13...g5 14.Be3 f5 {as he could not remember the best move in the position.} ) 14.b4 {with approimate equality in Riazantsev,A (2661)-Tomashevsky,E (2708) Moscow 2009} ) 12...Nxc3 13.Rxc3 bxc5 14.Ne1 {"I had the feeling that I have played like this before," said Bukavshin.} 14...Nb6 ( {Indeed, in one of his previous game Bukavshin faced} 14...Nf6 15.Nd3 Qb6 $6 {But this does not seem completely satisfactory for Black after} 16.Be3 $1 Rac8 17.b4 $1 {and White soon won a pawn and the game, Bukavshin,I (2622) -Yanchenko,R (2345) Moscow 2015} ) 15.b3 ( {Previously only} 15.Nd3 {had been seen:} 15...Rc8 ( {However, White was afraid of} 15...c4 $1 16.Ne1 d4 {with plenty of activity for Black, say} 17.Bxb7 dxc3 18.Qc2 cxb2 {and Black is better.} ) 16.Be3 Nc4 {Berczes,D (2324)-Werner,D (2184) Budapest 2003} ) 15...Rc8 {When one of the sides has hanging pawns they are usually looking for a good moment to advance them forward. In this particular case good was} ( 15...d4 $5 16.Bxb7 dxc3 17.Qc2 Bf6 {with equality.} ) 16.Rc2 {White on his turn also tries to provoke one of the pawns forward. Then the remaining one will become backward and possibly weak.} 16...Re8 17.Nd3 Ba6 18.Bh3 Ra8 {The rook has to go back. Bad is} ( 18...Rc6 $2 19.Nb4 {and White wins material.} ) 19.Bg4 {The idea is to defend the pawn on e2 and create the threat Nd3xc5. Another way to do this was} ( 19.Re1 $5 c4 20.Ne5 Bf8 {although Black seems OK here as well.} ) 19...c4 {White managed to provoke this pawn move forward but this does not yield any advantage yet.} 20.Ne5 Bf8 {Better than} ( 20...Bc5 {which might lead to some trouble after} 21.bxc4 $1 ( {Not} 21.b4 $2 Bd6 22.Nc6 Qc7 {when Black wins a pawn after} 23.Bxd6 Qxd6 24.Nd4 Qxb4 ) 21...dxc4 22.Qxd8 Raxd8 23.Nc6 Ra8 24.Bf3 {and the black rooks look uncomfortable.} ) 21.Nf3 ( {White did not like} 21.bxc4 {because of the unexpected reply} 21...g5 $1 22.Nc6 ( 22.Nxf7 {is not fully satisfactory neither} 22...Kxf7 23.Bh5+ Kg8 24.Bxe8 Qxe8 ) 22...Qf6 {when too many thing are hanging.} ) 21...Bc8 22.Bxc8 Rxc8 23.Be3 Bc5 24.Bxc5 Rxc5 25.Qd4 {"The position is equal, maybe White has a bit of pressure." (Bukavshin Indeed, Black has some problems with the knight on b6 which has the potential to become a bad piece. In the following phase of the game both sides maneuver and try to slowly improve their positions.} 25...Qc8 26.Rfc1 Rc6 27.Qd1 Rf6 28.Rd2 h6 29.Rd4 Qa6 30.Rc2 Qa3 31.Rcd2 Rc6 32.Kg2 Rce6 {Khairullin was getting low on time and this had animpact on his play. It was time to force matters with} ( 32...cxb3 33.Qxb3 Rc3 34.Qxa3 Rxa3 {(Bukavshin).} ) 33.e3 Re4 34.Qc2 Qa5 35.Rd1 Qb4 36.Rc1 Qa3 37.Rcd1 Qb4 38.h3 Qa5 39.Nh4 Qc5 40.Nf5 Rxd4 $6 {White made some progress with his last moves and here comes the first real mistake for Black. The swap of rooks is clearly in White's favor as he can now tie the opponent's pieces to the defense of the d-pawn.} 41.Rxd4 Qf8 42.a4 $1 {The knight on b6 and the pawn on d5 start to ache.} 42...g6 43.a5 ( {Also good for White was} 43.Nh4 cxb3 44.Qxb3 Qc5 45.Qd3 ) 43...Nd7 44.Nh4 ( {There is no time to grab the pawn:} 44.Rxd5 $6 Nf6 45.Rd6 Ne4 ) 44...cxb3 45.Qxb3 Nf6 46.Rb4 {Black has too many things to worry about: the isolated pawn, the weak king and possibly the a7 pawn.} 46...Qd6 47.Rb7 Qa6 48.Rb5 Rc8 49.Nf3 {The knight had done its job on the kingside and now goes to its ideal outpost.} 49...Rc1 50.Nd4 Kg7 51.Qb2 Rd1 52.g4 $1 {White starts to attack against the second weakness - the black king.} 52...Kh7 53.Qb3 Rd2 54.Nf3 {This allows an interesting resource for Black.} ( 54.Rb7 {was more precise.} ) 54...Ra2 ( {Khairullin probably calculated for very long the following tactical idea:} 54...Rxf2+ $1 55.Kxf2 Ne4+ 56.Ke2 $1 {White gives back the piece in order to activate his king. This is the only way to play for a win.} ( {It is funny that the king cannot hide on the kingside} 56.Kg2 Qd6 $1 57.Kf1 Qg3 58.Ke2 Qxh3 {with a draw.} ) 56...Qxb5+ 57.Qxb5 Nc3+ 58.Kd3 Nxb5 59.Nd4 Nd6 60.Nc6 a6 61.Kd4 Nb7 62.Kxd5 {White is definitely better, but not necessarily winning as Black can try to swap off the kingside pawns and sacrifice his knight for the a passer.} ) 55.Rb7 {Bukavshin already wants more than a free pawn in the line} ( 55.Rxd5 Nxd5 56.Qxa2 ) 55...Qe2 {It seems as if it is Black who is winning, but White had foreseen the next move in advance.} 56.Nd2 $1 {A strong freeing move. The f file is opened for the rook and it comes just in time to defend the king.} 56...Kg8 {The other moves lose faster:} ( 56...Qxd2 57.Rxf7+ Kg8 58.Rxf6 ) ( 56...Rxd2 57.Rxf7+ Kg8 58.Rxf6 ) 57.Qxa2 Ne4 {Black should have tried his last chance:} ( 57...Nxg4 $1 {when White needs to be still very careful. The narrow road to the win is connected with the line} 58.Rxf7 $1 ( {The capture leads to perpetual} 58.hxg4 Qxg4+ 59.Kf1 Qd1+ 60.Kg2 Qg4+ 61.Kh2 Qh4+ ) 58...Nxe3+ {When White has to find the only cell for the king} ( {Instead} 58...Kxf7 {loses prosaically} 59.Qxd5+ Kg7 ( 59...Ke7 60.Qe4+ Kf7 61.Qf4+ Nf6 62.Ne4 $4 ) 60.Qd7+ Kf8 61.hxg4 ) 59.Kh1 $3 ( 59.Kg3 Nf1+ {will force White to repeat moves as the careless} 60.Kf4 $4 {would even lose} ( 60.Kg2 ) 60...g5+ 61.Kf5 Qxf2+ 62.Ke5 Qxf7 ) 59...Kxf7 60.fxe3 Qe1+ 61.Kg2 Qe2+ 62.Kg3 Qe1+ ( 62...Qxe3+ 63.Nf3 ) 63.Kf3 ( {But not} 63.Kf4 $4 Qf2+ 64.Ke5 Qf6+ 65.Kxd5 Qe6+ {and suddenly Black wins!} ) 63...Qh1+ 64.Ke2 Qg2+ 65.Kd3 {and wins.} ) 58.Rxf7 Nxd2 59.Qxd5 1-0

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.08.13"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Bukavshin, Ivan"]
[Black "Khairullin, Ildar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2662"]
[ECO "E18"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6460167733775"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:06:47"]
[BlackClock "0:02:18"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 {The old main line of the Queen's Indian Defense.} 8.Bd2 d5 9.cxd5 exd5 10.Bf4 Nd7 11.Rc1 c5 12.dxc5 ( {One plan for White is} 12.Nd2 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Rc8 14.Re1 Re8 15.e4 cxd4 16.cxd4 Rxc1 17.Qxc1 Nf8 18.e5 {was Giri,A (2737)-Fressinet,L (2708) Elancourt 2013} ) ( {while Bukavshin vaguely remembered the game} 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Nd2 f5 ( {but during the game he was afraid of} 13...g5 14.Be3 f5 {as he could not remember the best move in the position.} ) 14.b4 {with approimate equality in Riazantsev,A (2661)-Tomashevsky,E (2708) Moscow 2009} ) 12...Nxc3 13.Rxc3 bxc5 14.Ne1 {"I had the feeling that I have played like this before," said Bukavshin.} 14...Nb6 ( {Indeed, in one of his previous game Bukavshin faced} 14...Nf6 15.Nd3 Qb6 $6 {But this does not seem completely satisfactory for Black after} 16.Be3 $1 Rac8 17.b4 $1 {and White soon won a pawn and the game, Bukavshin,I (2622) -Yanchenko,R (2345) Moscow 2015} ) 15.b3 ( {Previously only} 15.Nd3 {had been seen:} 15...Rc8 ( {However, White was afraid of} 15...c4 $1 16.Ne1 d4 {with plenty of activity for Black, say} 17.Bxb7 dxc3 18.Qc2 cxb2 {and Black is better.} ) 16.Be3 Nc4 {Berczes,D (2324)-Werner,D (2184) Budapest 2003} ) 15...Rc8 {When one of the sides has hanging pawns they are usually looking for a good moment to advance them forward. In this particular case good was} ( 15...d4 $5 16.Bxb7 dxc3 17.Qc2 Bf6 {with equality.} ) 16.Rc2 {White on his turn also tries to provoke one of the pawns forward. Then the remaining one will become backward and possibly weak.} 16...Re8 17.Nd3 Ba6 18.Bh3 Ra8 {The rook has to go back. Bad is} ( 18...Rc6 $2 19.Nb4 {and White wins material.} ) 19.Bg4 {The idea is to defend the pawn on e2 and create the threat Nd3xc5. Another way to do this was} ( 19.Re1 $5 c4 20.Ne5 Bf8 {although Black seems OK here as well.} ) 19...c4 {White managed to provoke this pawn move forward but this does not yield any advantage yet.} 20.Ne5 Bf8 {Better than} ( 20...Bc5 {which might lead to some trouble after} 21.bxc4 $1 ( {Not} 21.b4 $2 Bd6 22.Nc6 Qc7 {when Black wins a pawn after} 23.Bxd6 Qxd6 24.Nd4 Qxb4 ) 21...dxc4 22.Qxd8 Raxd8 23.Nc6 Ra8 24.Bf3 {and the black rooks look uncomfortable.} ) 21.Nf3 ( {White did not like} 21.bxc4 {because of the unexpected reply} 21...g5 $1 22.Nc6 ( 22.Nxf7 {is not fully satisfactory neither} 22...Kxf7 23.Bh5+ Kg8 24.Bxe8 Qxe8 ) 22...Qf6 {when too many thing are hanging.} ) 21...Bc8 22.Bxc8 Rxc8 23.Be3 Bc5 24.Bxc5 Rxc5 25.Qd4 {"The position is equal, maybe White has a bit of pressure." (Bukavshin Indeed, Black has some problems with the knight on b6 which has the potential to become a bad piece. In the following phase of the game both sides maneuver and try to slowly improve their positions.} 25...Qc8 26.Rfc1 Rc6 27.Qd1 Rf6 28.Rd2 h6 29.Rd4 Qa6 30.Rc2 Qa3 31.Rcd2 Rc6 32.Kg2 Rce6 {Khairullin was getting low on time and this had animpact on his play. It was time to force matters with} ( 32...cxb3 33.Qxb3 Rc3 34.Qxa3 Rxa3 {(Bukavshin).} ) 33.e3 Re4 34.Qc2 Qa5 35.Rd1 Qb4 36.Rc1 Qa3 37.Rcd1 Qb4 38.h3 Qa5 39.Nh4 Qc5 40.Nf5 Rxd4 $6 {White made some progress with his last moves and here comes the first real mistake for Black. The swap of rooks is clearly in White's favor as he can now tie the opponent's pieces to the defense of the d-pawn.} 41.Rxd4 Qf8 42.a4 $1 {The knight on b6 and the pawn on d5 start to ache.} 42...g6 43.a5 ( {Also good for White was} 43.Nh4 cxb3 44.Qxb3 Qc5 45.Qd3 ) 43...Nd7 44.Nh4 ( {There is no time to grab the pawn:} 44.Rxd5 $6 Nf6 45.Rd6 Ne4 ) 44...cxb3 45.Qxb3 Nf6 46.Rb4 {Black has too many things to worry about: the isolated pawn, the weak king and possibly the a7 pawn.} 46...Qd6 47.Rb7 Qa6 48.Rb5 Rc8 49.Nf3 {The knight had done its job on the kingside and now goes to its ideal outpost.} 49...Rc1 50.Nd4 Kg7 51.Qb2 Rd1 52.g4 $1 {White starts to attack against the second weakness - the black king.} 52...Kh7 53.Qb3 Rd2 54.Nf3 {This allows an interesting resource for Black.} ( 54.Rb7 {was more precise.} ) 54...Ra2 ( {Khairullin probably calculated for very long the following tactical idea:} 54...Rxf2+ $1 55.Kxf2 Ne4+ 56.Ke2 $1 {White gives back the piece in order to activate his king. This is the only way to play for a win.} ( {It is funny that the king cannot hide on the kingside} 56.Kg2 Qd6 $1 57.Kf1 Qg3 58.Ke2 Qxh3 {with a draw.} ) 56...Qxb5+ 57.Qxb5 Nc3+ 58.Kd3 Nxb5 59.Nd4 Nd6 60.Nc6 a6 61.Kd4 Nb7 62.Kxd5 {White is definitely better, but not necessarily winning as Black can try to swap off the kingside pawns and sacrifice his knight for the a passer.} ) 55.Rb7 {Bukavshin already wants more than a free pawn in the line} ( 55.Rxd5 Nxd5 56.Qxa2 ) 55...Qe2 {It seems as if it is Black who is winning, but White had foreseen the next move in advance.} 56.Nd2 $1 {A strong freeing move. The f file is opened for the rook and it comes just in time to defend the king.} 56...Kg8 {The other moves lose faster:} ( 56...Qxd2 57.Rxf7+ Kg8 58.Rxf6 ) ( 56...Rxd2 57.Rxf7+ Kg8 58.Rxf6 ) 57.Qxa2 Ne4 {Black should have tried his last chance:} ( 57...Nxg4 $1 {when White needs to be still very careful. The narrow road to the win is connected with the line} 58.Rxf7 $1 ( {The capture leads to perpetual} 58.hxg4 Qxg4+ 59.Kf1 Qd1+ 60.Kg2 Qg4+ 61.Kh2 Qh4+ ) 58...Nxe3+ {When White has to find the only cell for the king} ( {Instead} 58...Kxf7 {loses prosaically} 59.Qxd5+ Kg7 ( 59...Ke7 60.Qe4+ Kf7 61.Qf4+ Nf6 62.Ne4 $4 ) 60.Qd7+ Kf8 61.hxg4 ) 59.Kh1 $3 ( 59.Kg3 Nf1+ {will force White to repeat moves as the careless} 60.Kf4 $4 {would even lose} ( 60.Kg2 ) 60...g5+ 61.Kf5 Qxf2+ 62.Ke5 Qxf7 ) 59...Kxf7 60.fxe3 Qe1+ 61.Kg2 Qe2+ 62.Kg3 Qe1+ ( 62...Qxe3+ 63.Nf3 ) 63.Kf3 ( {But not} 63.Kf4 $4 Qf2+ 64.Ke5 Qf6+ 65.Kxd5 Qe6+ {and suddenly Black wins!} ) 63...Qh1+ 64.Ke2 Qg2+ 65.Kd3 {and wins.} ) 58.Rxf7 Nxd2 59.Qxd5 1-0

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.08.16"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Khismatullin, Denis"]
[Black "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2642"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[ECO "D70"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[Beauty "6121041440337"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:41"]
[BlackClock "0:24:02"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 g6 5.b4 {White is stronger on the queenside and expands as much as he can there. The problem with this plan is that it neglects the development of the kingside.} ( {A more common plan is} 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be2 O-O 7.O-O {Carlsen,M (2863) -Mamedyarov,S (2756) Shamkir 2015} ) 5...Bg7 6.a4 O-O 7.Nbd2 Ne4 8.Bb2 Bg4 9.Qb3 a5 {"If I stand passive I might get significantly worse" - Dubov. Black is sacrificing a pawn.} ( {In the predecessing games Black was defending with} 9...Nxd2 10.Nxd2 Be6 {Kaenel,H (2364)-Sermier,G (2420) Switzerland 2011} ) 10.b5 Nd7 {The point behind Black's last move. Now White is more or less forced to accept the challenge.} 11.cxd5 ( {Bad is} 11.Bd3 $2 Ndc5 $1 12.dxc5 Nxc5 13.Qc2 Nxd3+ 14.Qxd3 Bxb2 ) ( {The other natural move} 11.Be2 {also has a drawback:} 11...Nxd2 12.Nxd2 Bxe2 ) 11...cxd5 12.Qxd5 Nxd2 13.Nxd2 e5 $1 {The point behind the sacrifice. Black breaks open the center and intends to attack the uncastled white king.} 14.Be2 {Khismatullin understands the danger and rushes to saveguard his king.} ( {The pawn-grabbing} 14.Qxb7 $2 {is suicidal:} 14...exd4 15.Bxd4 Bxd4 16.exd4 Re8+ ) ( {Black's initiative remains strong in the endgame after} 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Qxd8 Rfxd8 ) 14...Be6 15.Qe4 ( {Once more} 15.Qxb7 {looks dubious on the account of} 15...exd4 16.Bxd4 Nc5 $5 ( 16...Bxd4 $1 17.exd4 Nb6 {aint's bad neither.} ) 17.Bxc5 Bxa1 18.Bxf8 Kxf8 19.Qe4 Bc3 {(Dubov)} ) 15...Re8 {Black had plenty of choice how to develop the initiative.} ( {Like in the line above it made sense to open the center at once with} 15...exd4 16.Bxd4 Nc5 17.Bxc5 Bxa1 18.Bxf8 Kxf8 19.Qd3 {with plenty of compensation for the pawn.} ) ( {He could have also asked White if he wants to repeat the moves after} 15...Bf5 {Or not, but when White goes for} 16.Qf3 ( 16.Qd5 Be6 ) 16...exd4 17.Bxd4 Bxd4 18.exd4 Nb6 {Black seems perfectly fine.} ) 16.d5 {This move slightly shocked Dubov, who possibly expected something like} ( 16.Nf3 exd4 17.Nxd4 Nc5 {with intiative.} ) 16...Nf6 ( {From far away Dubov intended to continue} 16...Bf5 {and it is somewhat mysterious why he did not follow his plan. The line} 17.Qc4 Rc8 18.Qa2 Rc2 ( 18...Qh4 $5 {might be better.} ) 19.Bd1 Rxb2 20.Qxb2 e4 21.Qa3 Bxa1 22.Qxa1 Nc5 {is very good for Black.} ) 17.dxe6 $1 {The move that we should expect from Khismatullin - a fearless attacker.} ( {Black has a risk-free advantage after} 17.Qh4 Nxd5 18.Qxd8 Rexd8 ) 17...Nxe4 18.exf7+ Kxf7 19.Bc4+ Re6 {The only move.} ( {In case of} 19...Kf6 20.Nxe4+ Kf5 21.f3 $1 {Black is in trouble. For instance} 21...h5 22.Rd1 Qc7 23.Nd6+ Kf6 24.f4 $1 {Followed by 0-0 leaves him no reasonable moves.} ) ( {The king is not save in the center} 19...Ke7 20.Nxe4 {with the threat Bb2-a3+} ) 20.Nxe4 Rc8 ( {Dubov did not like the line} 20...Qh4 {because of the study-like play} 21.Bd5 $1 Rd8 22.g3 $1 Qh5 23.Bxe6+ Kxe6 24.O-O {and White is better.} ) 21.Bxe6+ ( {Or else Black intended to give back the sacrificed material after} 21.Rd1 Qxd1+ $1 22.Kxd1 Rxc4 23.Ng5+ Kf6 24.Nxe6 Kxe6 {with a clear advantage in the endgame. It should also be noted that Dubov saw the line} 25.Kd2 Rxa4 26.Bc3 $6 Ra2+ 27.Kd3 e4+ ) 21...Kxe6 22.O-O {The smoke is disappearing but the position is hard to assess. White has adequate material for the queen, but the black pieces control the open files. The good old verdict 'unclear' suits best in the situation.} 22...Qd3 23.Ng5+ Kf5 {"A nutter" would Simon Williams say. Indeed, Black could have played safer:} ( 23...Ke7 24.Ba3+ Ke8 25.Ne6 Rc2 $5 26.Nxg7+ Kf7 ) 24.h4 {With the idea to insert the white rook along the third rank after e3-e4+ followed by Ra1-a3-f3.} 24...Qe2 {The queen moves away from the third rank with tempo. It should also be noted that around this point of the game both players were down to two minutes on their clocks.} ( {On} 24...Qb3 {Dubov did not like} 25.Rfb1 ( {However} 25.e4+ {might be even stronger, for example} 25...Kg4 26.Bc1 Kxh4 27.Nxh7 Rc3 28.Bg5+ Kg4 29.Rac1 {and the black king is in danger.} ) ) 25.e4+ Kg4 26.Bc1 {A critical moment of the game.} 26...Rc3 $6 {It looks logical to swap off one of the active white pieces with} ( 26...Bf6 $5 {this however gives an extra option for White} 27.Nxh7 Bxh4 ) ( {Or} 26...Bh6 27.Be3 ( {This time} 27.Nxh7 {is not as good} 27...Bxc1 28.Raxc1 Rxc1 29.Rxc1 Qd2 30.Rc7 Qe1+ 31.Kh2 Qxf2 ) 27...Bxg5 28.Bxg5 Rc3 29.Rac1 Rxc1 30.Rxc1 h6 31.Bxh6 Kxh4 32.Be3 {If anyone is better here it is only White.} ) 27.Be3 $6 ( {Khismatullin missed a golden chance:} 27.Nxh7 $1 {was extremely strong when he could have created a mating net after} 27...Kxh4 28.Bg5+ Kg4 29.Kh2 Kh5 30.Rae1 Qa2 ( 30...Qc2 31.f3 ) ( 30...Qg4 31.f3 ) 31.g4+ ( 31.f3 ) 31...Kxg4 32.Rg1+ Kh5 33.Kg2 Kg4 34.Kf1+ Kh3 35.Rh1+ Kg4 36.Rh4+ Kf3 37.Rh3+ Kg4 38.Rxc3 ) 27...Kxh4 ( {Black cannot play for checkmate himself:} 27...Rxe3 28.fxe3 Kg3 29.Rf3+ ) 28.Nf3+ ( {Also interesting is} 28.g3+ Kg4 29.Rae1 Qc4 30.f3+ {with the idea} 30...Kxg3 ( {But Black is fine after} 30...Kh5 $1 31.g4+ Kh4 32.Nxh7 Kg3 33.Bf2+ Kf4 ) 31.Bf2+ Kf4 32.Bh4 Qc8 33.Re2 {and White wins.} ) 28...Kh5 29.Rad1 Qc2 {Surprisingly, this is also a mistake.} ( 29...Rxe3 30.fxe3 Qxe3+ 31.Rf2 Qxe4 32.Rd7 Bh6 33.Rxh7 Qe3 {would most likely ended in a draw.} ) 30.Rfe1 ( {Dubov saw the move} 30.Rd7 {and intended to defend with} 30...Rc7 {In the time-trouble both players missed the fantastic resource:} 31.Ne1 $3 ( 31.Rc1 $2 Qxc1+ 32.Bxc1 Rxd7 {was the line that Black was hoping for.} ) 31...Qc3 32.g4+ Kxg4 33.Rxc7 Qxc7 34.Kg2 $1 {when all of a sudden the black king is in a mating net. White should win after} 34...Bf6 35.Rh1 Bh4 36.Nf3 g5 37.Nxg5 $1 Qc2 ( 37...Bxg5 38.f3# ) 38.Nf3 Bg3 39.Rxh7 Qxe4 40.Rg7+ Kf5 41.Kxg3 ) ( {Black is defending after} 30.Rd5 g5 $1 {with the tactical idea to take any of the white light pieces at the moment he captures on g5.} 31.Nxg5 ( 31.Bxg5 Rxf3 ) ( 31.Nxe5 Qxe4 32.g4+ Kh4 33.Rd4 Qxe5 34.Kg2 Qxd4 ) 31...Rxe3 ) 30...g5 31.Nh2 Rd3 32.Rc1 Qxa4 33.b6 $2 {Now White's attack slows down and it is the material advantage which matters.} ( {White should have opted for} 33.Rc7 Kg6 34.Rxb7 ) 33...Kg6 34.Nf1 Qxe4 35.Rc7 a4 36.Rec1 a3 37.R1c4 Qd5 38.R4c5 Qd6 39.Rxb7 a2 40.Rc1 e4 41.Ra7 {The time trouble is over and Black has enough time to convert the advantage.} 41...a1=Q ( {But not} 41...Ra3 42.b7 a1=Q 43.Rxa1 Rxa1 44.Rxa1 Bxa1 45.Ba7 Be5 46.b8=Q Qxb8 47.Bxb8 Bxb8 48.Nd2 {when in order to draw White needs to give his knight and two pawns for the e4 and g5 pawns only.} ) 42.Raxa1 Bxa1 43.Rxa1 Rd1 44.Rxd1 Qxd1 45.b7 ( {There is no fortress after} 45.g3 h5 46.Kg2 h4 47.gxh4 gxh4 48.Nh2 Kh5 49.Kh3 Qh1 {zugzwang.} ) 45...Qb1 46.g4 Qxb7 {Now Dubov will neatly demostrate the winning plan. First the king goes all the way to e2.} 47.Kg2 Qd7 48.Nh2 Qd1 49.Ba7 Kf6 50.Bb6 Ke5 51.Ba7 Kd5 52.Bb6 Kc4 53.Ba7 Kd3 54.Bb6 Ke2 55.Bc5 {Then the queen is transferred to the kingside.} 55...Qd7 56.Bb6 Qf7 57.Be3 h6 58.Bb6 h5 59.gxh5 Qxh5 60.Nf1 Qf3+ 61.Kg1 Qh3 62.Ne3 Kf3 63.Bd4 g4 64.Be5 {And last, the decisive break comes.} 64...g3 $1 {White resigned not willing to see} ( 64...g3 65.Bxg3 Qxg3+ 66.fxg3 Kxe3 67.g4 Kd2 ) 0-1

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.08.17"]
[Round "8.6"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Khismatullin, Denis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2658"]
[BlackElo "2642"]
[ECO "B94"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7633230639144"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:31:12"]
[BlackClock "0:32:34"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 Nbd7 {"Alexander is a famous specialist when playing against Najdorf, but today I got lucky and managed to use my round one preparation for Sergey Karjakin." - Khismatullin.} 7.Bc4 h6 8.Bh4 g6 {"A relatively fresh idea that has been seen in correspondence games, but not in top-level over-the-board" - Khismatullin.} ( {Instead} 8...Ne5 9.Bb3 g5 10.Bg3 e6 11.h4 Rg8 12.hxg5 hxg5 13.Nf3 {was the course of Shirov,A (2732)-Ibrahimov,R (2543) Villarrobledo 2009} ) 9.Qe2 Bg7 10.O-O-O ( {It is important that} 10.Bxf7+ {does not work due to} 10...Kxf7 11.Qc4+ d5 {(Khismatullin).} ) 10...O-O 11.f4 Qc7 {Stops e4-e5 and prepares e7-e5.} 12.f5 {"A contraversial decision, but since this was the first choice of the computer I was prepared for it" - Khismatullin.} ( {All predecessors continued} 12.Nf3 {one example goes} 12...Nb6 13.Bb3 Bg4 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Nbd7 16.g4 {with sharp play in Lampert,J (2454)-Cebalo,M (2379) Bad Woerishofen 2015} ) 12...g5 {It seems as this pawn will be a good hook for the White's attack but in reality Black's play is easier.} 13.Bg3 b5 14.Bb3 Bb7 15.h4 g4 {The point behind Black's play and a typical Dragon idea. Black may even sacrifice this pawn later if needed. The most important thing is to keep the files closed.} 16.h5 {Khismatullin did not like this move either and suggested some central play instead with either} ( 16.Rhe1 ) ( {or the prophylactic} 16.Kb1 ) 16...Nc5 17.e5 {Practically forced. After} ( 17.Bd5 $6 b4 $1 {and Black's attack is too strong:} 18.Bxb7 bxc3 19.Bxa8 cxb2+ ) ( {Perhaphs} 17.Nd5 {was better, although it would allow the move} 17...Nxb3+ 18.axb3 Bxd5 19.exd5 {The position is very complex, and I suspect this was White's best bet. In the line} 19...Nxd5 {White should go for the tricky} ( 19...Rac8 $5 ) 20.Ne6 Qa5 21.Rxd5 Qa1+ 22.Kd2 Qxh1 23.Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 24.f6+ $1 exf6 ( 24...Kxf6 $2 25.Be5+ $3 {might end badly for Black.} ) 25.Qxg4+ Kh7 26.Qf5+ Kg7 27.Qg4+ {with perpetual.} ) 17...dxe5 18.Bxe5 Qb6 {The queen prepares the queenside attack and keeps an eye on the other wing.} 19.Rh4 {Motylev decides to sacrifice the exchange in order to reach the black king.} ( {Parting with the dark-squared bishop cannot be good for White:} 19.Bxf6 Qxf6 ( 19...Bxf6 {is also good} 20.Qxg4+ Kh8 ( {The move} 20...Kh7 {is possible as well as the trick} 21.Bxf7 $2 {fails to the in-between check} 21...Bg5+ ) ) 20.Qxg4 Rfd8 {Black controls the board.} ) ( {Black also has very clear play after} 19.Rhe1 Rad8 ) 19...Kh7 20.Rxg4 {The point. White's attack evaporates after} ( 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Rxg4 b4 ( 21...Rad8 $5 ) 22.Na4 Nxa4 23.Bxa4 Rad8 {with clear edge for Black thanks to his awesome bishops.} ) 20...Nxg4 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 ( {A bit more precise was} 21...Nxb3+ {as if White recaptures with the knight} 22.Nxb3 {Black can trade queens} ( 22.axb3 Rg8 $1 {repels the attack and will leave Black winning after} 23.f6 Nxf6 24.Bxh6 Kxh6 25.Qxe7 Rae8 26.Qxf7 Bc8 ) 22...Qe3+ 23.Qxe3 Nxe3 {with winning endgame for Black.} ) 22.Qxg4+ Kh8 23.Qe2 ( 23.Qf4 Qf6 {will create the threat e7-e5 and White will have no time to consolidate (Khismatullin).} ) 23...Nxb3+ 24.Nxb3 Qf6 25.Na5 ( {White cannot afford to grab pawns} 25.Rd7 Bc6 26.Rxe7 {as then Black can swap off rooks with} 26...Rfe8 27.Rxe8+ Rxe8 28.Qf2 Re5 29.g4 Qg5+ {Almost all endgames are easily won for the second player.} ) 25...Qg5+ ( {One more precision was mentioned by Khismatullin} 25...b4 $1 {depriving the knight of the d1 square} 26.Na4 Qg5+ 27.Rd2 Bd5 $1 {which would have transposed to the game.} ) 26.Rd2 b4 27.Na4 ( 27.Nd1 {was White's last chance to try and cement the position by transferring the knight from a5 to e3, although Black should be close to winning here as well.} ) 27...Bd5 $1 {Now the white knights are horrible.} 28.c4 ( {The bishop is untouchable due to the pin:} 28.Qe5+ f6 29.Qxd5 Rad8 ) 28...bxc3 29.Nxc3 Rac8 {Once that the rooks occupy the open files game would be over.} 30.Kd1 Rfd8 31.Ke1 {Once again the bishop is untouchable.} ( 31.Rxd5 Rxd5+ 32.Nxd5 Rc1# ) ( 31.Nxd5 Rxd5 32.Nb3 Qxf5 ) 31...Qh4+ 32.Qf2 Qh1+ 33.Qf1 Qxf1+ {Well calculated by Black. The endgame is won by force.} 34.Kxf1 Bxa2 $1 {Wins the pawn back. The rest was easy for Khismatullin.} 35.Rxd8+ Rxd8 36.Nc6 ( 36.Nxa2 Rd1+ 37.Ke2 Ra1 ) 36...Bc4+ 37.Ke1 Rd3 38.Kf2 Rd2+ 39.Ke3 Rxb2 40.Ne5 Bb3 0-1

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.08.18"]
[Round "9.4"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7563303190562"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:29:02"]
[BlackClock "0:37:58"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 {The forced nature of the Arkhangelsk line makes it preferable option at top level.} 7.c3 d6 8.a4 Rb8 9.d4 Bb6 10.axb5 axb5 11.Na3 O-O 12.Nxb5 Bg4 13.d5 ( {Giri opted instead for a slight and lasting advantage after} 13.Bc2 exd4 14.cxd4 d5 15.e5 Ne4 16.Ra3 f6 17.exf6 Qxf6 18.Nc3 Bxf3 19.gxf3 Nxc3 20.bxc3 Qxf3 21.Qxf3 Rxf3 22.Kg2 {Giri,A (2773) -Nakamura,H (2802) Stavanger 2015} ) 13...Ne7 14.Bc2 Qd7 {"I got a little bit upset that he played like this as I believe that Black equalizes after it" - Karjakin.} 15.c4 Ng6 16.h3 {This practically forces Black to sacrifice a piece.} ( {Worse is} 16.Qd3 Nh5 ) 16...Bxh3 ( 16...Bh5 17.Qd3 {provides no compensation whatsoever for the pawn.} ) 17.gxh3 Qxh3 18.Ng5 Qg3+ 19.Kh1 Qh4+ 20.Kg2 Nf4+ ( {Better than} 20...h6 21.Nh3 Nxe4 22.Qe2 f5 23.Ra3 {with an advantage for White, Karjakin,S (2672)-Radjabov,T (2729) Cap d'Agde 2006} ) 21.Bxf4 exf4 22.Nf3 Qg4+ 23.Kh1 {For the piece Black will get soon a second pawn and will he enjoy attacking possibilities.} 23...Rfe8 24.Ra3 {A very important move in White's set-up without which he would be simply worse.} 24...Nxe4 25.Bxe4 Rxe4 26.Rc3 Ba5 {A somewhat mysterious bishop move.} ( {Perhaps Black should just go into an endgame with} 26...Qh5+ 27.Nh2 Qxd1 28.Rxd1 Bxf2 {where his pawns might become quite dangerous as well.} ) ( 26...Rbe8 $5 {deserves serious attention too. Karjakin considered the position as approximately equal.} ) 27.Rc1 ( {The only predecessor saw:} 27.Rc2 Rbe8 ( {But Karkjakin was afraid of the cunning} 27...Be1 $5 {which separates the white heavy pieces and might be quite annoying. Obviously, the bishop is untouchable} 28.Rxe1 $4 ( 28.Nxe1 $4 Qxd1 ) 28...Rxe1+ 29.Qxe1 Qxf3+ 30.Kg1 Qg4+ 31.Kf1 Qh3+ 32.Kg1 f3 ) 28.Nh2 Qh3 29.Qf3 Qh6 30.b4 {with advantage for White in Lopez Martinez,J (2550)-Bellia,F (2405) San Sebastian 2008} ) 27...Rbe8 28.Nh2 Qh4 29.Nd4 $1 {After this move it becomes evident that Black misses his bishop on the a7-g1 diagonal. The knights cement White's position and provides time to consolidate the position.} 29...h5 ( {There is no counterattack after} 29...Re1 $2 30.Qa4 Qxf2 31.Qxe8+ $1 {(Karjakin)} ) ( {But maybe Svidler should have sent the bishop back to where it belonged} 29...Bb6 30.Nf3 Qe7 31.b4 Re2 ) 30.Qd3 ( {Better than} 30.Qa4 Bb6 {when the trick} 31.Ne6 $2 {does not work due to} 31...Rb8 32.Qc2 f3 $1 33.Ng5 Qxg5 {with mate threat which prevents White from snatching the rook (Karjakin).} ) 30...Qf6 ( {Svidler could have brought the bishop back again with} 30...Bb6 {to which White intended to continue with} 31.Nf3 ( 31.Ne6 $2 f3 $1 ) 31...Qe7 32.b4 {with the advantage. For example} 32...Re2 33.Rc2 Rxc2 34.Qxc2 Qe2 35.Qf5 Bxf2 ( 35...g6 36.Qxf4 Re4 37.Qf6 ) 36.Ng5 Bg3 37.Qxf7+ Kh8 38.Ngf3 ( {A funny line is} 38.Nhf3 Qxf1+ 39.Ng1 Qxg1+ ( 39...Qd1 $4 40.Qxe8# ) ( 39...Qe1 40.Qxh5+ Kg8 41.Qf7+ ) 40.Kxg1 Re1+ 41.Kg2 Re2+ {with study-like perpetual.} ) ) 31.Nc6 Bb6 32.b4 f3 {The last attempt for counter-play which White mercilessly refutes.} 33.Qxf3 Rf4 34.Qc3 ( {But not} 34.Qxh5 $2 Rh4 {when the threat Qf6-f4 will force White to part with his queen.} ) 34...Qxc3 35.Rxc3 Bxf2 36.Rf3 $1 {This trades one of the active rooks and the remaining one is neither capable of creating threats of its own, nor good enough to stop the white passers.} ( 36.c5 {was also playable though} 36...Re2 37.cxd6 cxd6 38.Rf3 Rxf3 39.Nxf3 {(Karjakin)} ) 36...Rxf3 37.Nxf3 Re2 38.Ng5 $1 {The white horses did a good job today.} 38...f6 ( {The knight cannot be trapped after} 38...Bh4 39.Nxf7 Re8 40.Rf4 Bf6 41.Nh6+ {(Karjakin)} ) 39.Ne6 h4 ( {Or} 39...g5 40.Nxc7 g4 41.Ne8 g3 42.Nxf6+ Kf7 43.Nxh5 {and White is just in time (Karjakin).} ) 40.Nxc7 Bg3 ( {Black last chance was} 40...h3 {when if White is not careful things might end in a perpetual. Svidler however saw the following study-like win:} 41.Rxf2 $1 ( {For example} 41.b5 {is only a draw after} 41...Bg3 42.b6 Rh2+ 43.Kg1 Rg2+ 44.Kh1 Rh2+ ) 41...Rxf2 42.b5 Rb2 43.c5 $1 dxc5 44.d6 Rd2 45.Nd5 $1 Kf7 46.b6 Rxd5 47.b7 Rd1+ 48.Kh2 Rb1 49.d7 ) 41.Ne6 Rc2 ( {Now on} 41...h3 {the simplest is} 42.Nf4 Rh2+ 43.Kg1 g5 44.Nxh3 Rxh3 45.Kg2 g4 46.Rxf6 {and Black is completely stuck.} ) 42.b5 ( 42.b5 Kf7 43.b6 Rb2 44.b7 ) 1-0

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.08.20"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Lysyj, Igor"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[ECO "D96"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7013010509376"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:17:56"]
[BlackClock "0:24:31"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 dxc4 6.Qxc4 Be6 {"An obvious idea. Somehow nobody had played like this and I did not seriously analyze it" - Lysyj.} 7.Qa4+ $6 {Now Artemiev's opening play will be pure success and he gets a chance to fight for the bronze medal.} ( {White can also consider grabbing a pawn with} 7.Qb5+ {and I suspect that this is the way that White should fight for the advantage. One example} 7...Bd7 8.Qxb7 Nc6 9.Qb3 O-O {although Black has compensation thanks to his better development, Agdestein,S (2637)-Lei,T (2450) Warsaw 2014} ) 7...Bd7 8.Qc2 ( {In all three predecessors White continued} 8.Qb3 {but had horrible results.} ) ( 8.Qa3 $5 {might be an option although it is evident that White has less than nothing out of the opening.} ) 8...c5 9.d5 ( {Black is at least equal after} 9.dxc5 Na6 10.e4 Nxc5 ) 9...O-O 10.e4 e6 11.Be2 exd5 12.exd5 {Lysyj made an interesting parallel with a line of the English opening, where White has a much better version with his queen on d1 and the black bishop on c8 instead of d7.} 12...Na6 13.Bg5 {From far away Lysyj thought that he could castle but here he realized that} ( 13.O-O {is strongly met with} 13...Nb4 14.Qb3 Nfxd5 $1 15.Nxd5 Be6 ) 13...Bf5 14.Qb3 Nb4 15.O-O h6 ( {Once again Artemiev could have won a pawn after} 15...Nbxd5 16.Nxd5 Qxd5 17.Bc4 Qc6 18.Rfe1 {and although White has some compensation for it, it is hardly sufficient.} ) 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Rac1 {White can be happy for not losing the pawn but it is still his opponent who is calling the shots.} 17...a6 ( {Black has plenty of choice, e.g} 17...Nd3 18.Bxd3 Bxd3 19.Rfe1 c4 {looks tempting.} 20.Qxb7 Rfb8 21.Qc7 Rxb2 {to open up the bishops.} ) 18.Rfd1 b5 19.Ne1 {Lysyj believed his opponent missed this resource. Now the knight on b4 is in danger.} 19...Rfe8 $2 ( {The easiest way to save the knight was} 19...Qe7 20.a3 Bxc3 21.bxc3 Nxd5 22.Qxd5 Qxe2 23.Qxc5 Rfd8 {and Black is better.} ) 20.a3 Bf8 ( {Artemiev suggested after the game} 20...Na2 $5 21.Qxa2 b4 {Indeed, in the complication after} 22.axb4 cxb4 23.Nf3 bxc3 24.bxc3 Be4 {Black has compensation for the pawn.} ) 21.Rd2 $1 {Now the knight remains in trouble and Black has to demonstrate resourcefullness.} ( {But not} 21.axb4 $6 cxb4 22.Bf3 bxc3 23.Qxc3 Qxc3 24.bxc3 Ba3 {with clear edge in the endgame.} ) 21...Nd3 22.Nxd3 c4 23.Qd1 cxd3 24.Bxd3 {Black did everything he could, but lost a pawn in the process.} 24...Bd6 ( {Perhaps Black's best chance was to at least keep the bishop pair on board after} 24...Bd7 ) 25.g3 Re5 26.Bxf5 Qxf5 27.Kg2 {"I understood that the situation of the pawn on b5 will make it much easier for me to convert the extra pawn" - Lysyj. The c6- and c5-squares in particular are of paramount importance for White.} 27...Rae8 28.Qf3 Qd7 29.h4 Qb7 ( 29...h5 $5 ) 30.Re2 $1 {The rook swap makes it easier to White to coordinate his forces as the d5 pawn is no longer a huge target.} 30...Rxe2 31.Nxe2 Be5 32.b4 Rd8 33.Rd1 $1 {The correct set up. The rook is placed behind the passer and next the knight goes to the wonderful outpost on c5.} ( 33.Rc6 Qd7 {complicates matters} 34.Rxa6 Qxd5 35.Qxd5 Rxd5 36.Ra5 Bf6 {as in the R+B versus R+N endgame the latter usually has the advantage over the former combination and in many cases they manage to compensate for the extra pawn.} ) 33...h5 34.Nc1 Rd6 35.Nb3 Rf6 36.Qe4 Bd6 37.Qe8+ Kg7 38.Nc5 {In addition to the extra pawn White has the more active pieces. All of them are optimally placed to help the pawn go forward.} 38...Qa7 39.Ne4 Rf5 40.Qc6 Bc7 41.d6 Bd8 42.d7 a5 43.Rd5 axb4 44.axb4 Qa2 45.Rxf5 gxf5 46.Qc3+ Kg6 47.Nc5 Qd5+ 48.Qf3 Qd6 49.Qa8 Qb6 ( {White wins everything in the line} 49...Bb6 50.Qg8+ Kf6 51.Qg5+ Ke5 52.Qxh5 Bxc5 53.Qh8+ ) 50.Qd5 {Vladislav Artemiev could not make it to the medals but proved that he has a bright future. Now ex-Russian champion Igor Lysyj won his first game in the last round.} 1-0

[Event "2015 US OPEN, DENKER, BARBER, NGIT"]
[Site "Phoenix, Arizona"]
[Date "2015.08.08"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Shabalov, Alexander"]
[Black "Gorovets, Andrey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2600"]
[BlackElo "2617"]
[ECO "A90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[Beauty "6257901573153"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.Nf3 d5 5.O-O Bd6 6.c4 c6 7.Qc2 O-O 8.Nc3 Bd7 ( {The queen on c2 more or less parries the other typical plan with the development of the bishop on b7. If} 8...b6 {then White can immediately make use of the weakening with} 9.cxd5 ( {Or also} 9.Rb1 Bb7 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.Nb5 Nc6 12.Nxd6 Qxd6 13.Bf4 {Rombaldoni,D (2533)-Bruno,F (2437) Perugia 2011} ) 9...cxd5 10.Nb5 Ba6 11.Nxd6 Qxd6 12.Bf4 {with advantage for White.} ) 9.a3 {White is stronger on the queenside and one of his typical plans is to advance the pawns there.} ( {Another idea is} 9.Ne5 Be8 10.Bf4 {as in Bacrot,E (2705) -Bauer,C (2633) Nancy 2013} ) 9...Be8 10.b4 Nbd7 ( {Nobody dared to capture the pawn on c4 yet, presumably due to} 10...dxc4 11.e4 $1 {with strong initiative in the center.} ) 11.b5 {A logical novelty. Shabalov consistently continues with his plan. Instead} ( {Predecessor:} 11.Bb2 {was played before and here besides the move} 11...Rc8 ( {Black has the additional option} 11...dxc4 {Now he can after} 12.e4 fxe4 13.Nxe4 Bg6 14.Nxf6+ Qxf6 15.Qxc4 Nb6 $1 {comes just in time nd the knight will enjoy the d5 outpost for life.} ) 12.Na2 Bb8 13.Nc1 Ne4 {with unclear play in Martinez Alcantara,J (2458)-Alarcon,R (2198) Lima 2015} ) 11...Ne4 {Once more Black has to calculate the principled capture:} ( 11...dxc4 {but once again White has more than enough compensation after} 12.bxc6 bxc6 13.e4 fxe4 14.Nxe4 ( {Or} 14.Ng5 ) ) 12.bxc6 bxc6 13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.Ng5 Qe7 {Shabalov played all the logical moves and got nothing from the opening. Gorovets' position is too solid, this is the Wall after all!} 15.Nh3 ( {Alas, White cannot open the game favorably with} 15.f3 {due to the strong reply} 15...Bg6 $1 16.fxe4 Rxf1+ 17.Kxf1 Qf6+ {and Black is way better.} ) 15...Nf6 ( {Another way to equality was} 15...e5 ) 16.Bd2 Bg6 17.Qa4 Rac8 {Also possible was the immediate clarification in the center} ( 17...c5 18.dxc5 Bxc5 19.cxd5 exd5 20.Bb4 Rfc8 ) 18.Bb4 c5 19.dxc5 Bxc5 20.cxd5 exd5 {Solid, but} ( 20...Nxd5 $1 {was better. In the line} 21.Bxc5 Qxc5 22.e3 Nc3 23.Qb4 Bf5 {The knight on c3 is a monster which prevents both white rooks from entering the battle.} ) 21.Nf4 {Now Shabalov starts pressurizing the weak d5 pawn.} 21...Be8 22.Qa5 g5 $2 {Quite understandably Black wants to get rid of the knight but this leads to further problems.} 23.Bh3 $1 Bd7 $5 {In search of practical chances Gorovets sacrifices he exchange.} ( {Naturally} 23...g4 24.Bg2 {would make White happy.} ) ( {Black's position will collapse after} 23...Rc6 24.Rac1 Bxb4 25.Nxd5 $1 ) 24.Bxd7 Qxd7 25.Bxc5 gxf4 26.gxf4 ( {Shabalov could have taken the exchange. It seems fearsome, but the cold-blooded machine proves that White can defend against the checkmate threats with some in-between checks} 26.Bxf8 Rxf8 ( 26...Qh3 27.gxf4 Ng4 28.Qxd5+ Kxf8 29.Qd6+ Kg7 30.f5 {and the h2 spot is covered.} ) 27.Qd2 Qh3 28.Qxf4 Ng4 29.Qg5+ Kh8 30.Qh4 ) 26...Qh3 {I suspect that both players were low on time at this stage of the game.} ( 26...Rf7 {would have kept the exchange, although White is definitely much better.} ) 27.f3 ( {Once more Shabalov could have transposed to the above mentioned line with} 27.Bxf8 $1 Ng4 ( 27...Rxf8 28.f3 ) 28.Qxd5+ Kxf8 29.Qd6+ Kg7 30.f5 ) 27...Nh5 {Gorovets misses his chance. In sharp double-edged positions even a slight change in the move order can lead to a disaster. The correct move order was} ( 27...Rf7 $1 {first, in order to guarantee the g file for the rook. Then White has to defend with} 28.Kh1 ( {Of course not} 28.Bd4 $2 Rg7+ 29.Kf2 exf3 {with mating attack.} ) 28...Rg7 29.Rf2 exf3 ( 29...Nh5 $5 {also makes sense.} ) 30.exf3 Nh5 {When the human move} 31.Rg1 {will lead to a position in which only Black can fight for the win after} ( {The game can end more or less instantly with perpetual after the cold} 31.Bd4 Ng3+ 32.Kg1 {The king is standing bravely in front of the enemy rook and Black has harly anything better than the perpetual} 32...Ne2+ 33.Kh1 Ng3+ ( 33...Nxd4 $2 34.Qxd5+ Ne6 35.f5 ) ) 31...Ng3+ 32.Rxg3 Rxg3 33.Be3 Rg6 34.Qxd5+ Qe6 {Now the straightforward} 35.Qxe6+ $6 ( {However after some solid move like} 35.Qd3 {White should hold.} ) 35...Rxe6 36.Bxa7 $2 {simply loses to} 36...Rc1+ 37.Kg2 Rg6+ 38.Kh3 Rcg1 {and all of a sudden Black mates.} ) 28.Rf2 Nxf4 ( {It is too late for} 28...Rf7 29.Bd4 ) 29.Kh1 Rf6 30.Be3 $1 {Now the strongest black piece disappers, the attack is over and the weaknesses are discovered.} 30...Qf5 31.Bxf4 Qxf4 32.Qxd5+ Kh8 33.Rg1 {With the threat Rf2-g2.} 33...Rg6 34.Qd4+ Kg8 35.Rfg2 Rc1 36.Rxg6+ ( {Even stronger was} 36.Rxc1 $1 Qxc1+ 37.Rg1 Qxa3 38.Rb1 $1 {in oreder to keep one more heavy piece for the decisive attack.} ) 36...hxg6 37.Qxe4 Qxe4 38.fxe4 Rc6 {As a result of the tactical skirmish Shabalov won a couple of pawns, but the game entered the rook endgame zone where the better side is never certain if it is winning or not. [Shabalov told Chess.com that two extra pawns should "always win" in rook endings - M.K.] Still, the fact that Black has to wait for his opponent to come with a winning plan is a bad sign for him.} 39.Rg3 {At first both sides improve everything they could.} 39...Kf7 40.Kg2 Kf6 41.Rd3 Ke5 42.Kf3 Ra6 ( {Perhaps Black should defended with} 42...Rf6+ $1 43.Ke3 Ra6 ) 43.h4 Ra4 44.Rc3 Ra5 ( 44...Rxe4 $4 45.Rc5+ ) 45.Re3 $1 {Sets free the king.} 45...Ra6 46.Kg4 Ra5 ( {White also makes it to the g6 pawn after} 46...Kd4 47.Kf4 Rf6+ 48.Kg5 Ra6 49.Rd3+ Kxe4 50.Rd8 Rxa3 51.Re8+ Kd4 52.Kxg6 Rg3+ 53.Kf5 Rh3 54.Kg4 Rh2 55.h5 {with a win.} ) 47.Kg5 Ra6 ( {Nothing changes} 47...Kd4+ 48.Kf4 ) 48.Rg3 Kd4 {This move loses a tempo, but Black can no longer save the game anyway} ( 48...Kxe4 49.Kh6 Kf4 ( 49...Kf5 50.Rg5+ Kf4 51.Rxg6 ) 50.Rxg6 Rxa3 51.h5 ) 49.Kh6 Kxe4 50.Rxg6 Rxa3 51.h5 {Shabalov transfered the advantage of the two extra pawns into a well supported passer.} 51...a5 52.Kg7 {White's pieces are optimally placed to support the h passer. The game is esentially over.} 52...Rb3 53.h6 ( 53.Ra6 {would have been a bit faster.} ) 53...Rb7+ 54.Kf6 Kf4 55.Rg8 Rb6+ 56.Kg7 Rb7+ 57.Kg6 Rb6+ 58.Kh5 Rb5+ 59.Kh4 Rb1 60.Rg3 $1 {A nice tall bridge.} 60...Rb7 ( 60...Rh1+ 61.Rh3 ) 61.Rf3+ Ke5 62.Kg5 a4 63.Rh3 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2015"]
[Site "Baku AZE"]
[Date "2015.09.13"]
[Round "1.52"]
[White "Granda Zuniga, Julio E"]
[Black "Fier, Alexandr"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2667"]
[BlackElo "2624"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[Beauty "6258841101863"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]

{The general strategy in a short match of two games is to try and play without any risk whenever possible, especially with the white pieces. Things went very well for the experienced Peruvian GM in this game.} 
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4 {This game follows Khismatullin-Tomashevsky from the Russian Superfinal that we looked at not long ago.} 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O e4 7.Ng5 Bxc3 8.bxc3 Re8 9.f3 {This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987.} 9...exf3 10.Nxf3 Qe7 ( {A couple of weeks ago Anand tried} 10...d5 11.d4 dxc4 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.e4 Bg4 {and held the game to a draw against the future winner of the tournament, Aronian,L (2765)-Anand,V (2816) Saint Louis 2015} ) 11.e3 Ne5 12.d3 ( {Nothing promises} 12.Nxe5 Qxe5 13.Rb1 Rb8 14.Rb5 Qe7 15.d3 d6 16.e4 Bg4 $1 {as seen in another encounter Aronian,L (2780)-Anand,V (2804) Stavanger 2015} ) 12...d6 13.Nd4 c5 {Better than} ( 13...Bg4 14.Qc2 c5 {to which Tomashevsky explained that the positional exchange sacrifice after} 15.Nf5 Bxf5 16.Rxf5 d5 17.cxd5 c4 18.d4 Nd3 19.Bd2 Ne4 20.Re5 $1 {is good for White.} ) 14.Nc2 {Granda Zuniga comes well prepared for the game.} ( {After the usual} 14.Nf5 Bxf5 15.Rxf5 d5 {Tomashevsky uncorked a strong novelty. This was only the start of a superb opening preparation by the former European champion which helped him win the Russian title, Khismatullin,D (2642)-Tomashevsky,E (2747) Chita 2015.} ) 14...Bg4 15.Qd2 d5 {Fier follows Tomashevsky's footprints but this is exactly what Granda wants. Instead} ( 15...Qe6 $5 {will be tested in the future.} ) 16.cxd5 c4 17.Ba3 {The point behind White's knight retreat.} 17...Qd8 {The only move as} ( 17...Qd7 18.d4 Nd3 19.Rxf6 $1 gxf6 20.e4 {followed by Nc2-e3 is awful for Black.} ) 18.dxc4 ( 18.d4 Nd3 19.Rab1 {was another possibility.} ) 18...Nxc4 19.Qd4 Rc8 ( {White is better after} 19...Nxa3 20.Nxa3 Qe7 21.Nc2 ) 20.e4 {White managed to stabilize the situation and keep the extra pawn. His play is easier.} 20...Qb6 21.Rf4 Ne5 {Psychologically it is difficult to retreat pieces, but} ( 21...Bd7 {followed by} 22.Bb4 Ng4 {and Ng4-e5 with blockade might have been the better choice.} ) 22.Ne3 ( {Better than} 22.Qxb6 axb6 23.Bb4 Nd3 {with counterplay for Black. For example} 24.Ne3 Nxf4 25.gxf4 Bd7 26.e5 g5 $1 ) 22...Be2 {This makes things worse as the white knight can take advantage of the f5 square.} ( 22...Bd7 {was still best.} ) 23.d6 ( 23.Nf5 {at once was also very good. In the forced line} 23...Rxc3 24.Ne7+ Kh8 25.Qxb6 axb6 26.Bb2 Nf3+ 27.Bxf3 Rxf3 28.Bxf6 ( {Better than} 28.Rxf3 Bxf3 29.Bxf6 gxf6 30.d6 ) 28...gxf6 29.d6 {White has serious winning chances.} ) 23...Qa6 24.Bb4 Rcd8 25.Rxf6 $1 {This sacrifice is always good! Well sorry, it is not even a sacrifice here.} 25...gxf6 26.Nd5 Kg7 27.Nc7 Qc6 28.Qe3 {Solid and in accordance with the general match strategy: no counterplay at all for the opponent like in the line} ( 28.Nxe8+ Rxe8 29.Qxa7 Bf3 30.Qd4 Bxg2 31.Kxg2 f5 ) 28...a5 $1 {Fier defends very well and takes care of the most dangerous white pawn.} 29.Bxa5 ( 29.Bc5 Bf3 $1 {is OK for Black.} ) 29...Qxd6 30.Nxe8+ Rxe8 31.Bb4 Qa6 32.Bc5 {The tactical squirmish is over. Now the grinding starts.} 32...Qd3 33.Qxd3 Bxd3 34.Rd1 Ra8 35.a3 Bb5 36.Bh3 Bc6 37.Bf5 Nc4 {Misses the excellent chance} ( 37...Nf3+ 38.Kf2 Ng5 $1 39.Re1 Re8 ) 38.Kf2 h6 39.Bb4 b5 40.Bc5 Be8 41.g4 {White made a lot of progress, activated his pieces and now the king.} 41...Bc6 42.Kg3 Re8 43.Kf4 Re5 44.Bb4 Re8 45.h4 Ne5 46.Rd6 Ba8 47.h5 $1 {The signature of the a master. There will be no annoying checks on g6, the black king will be in constant danger (if the black rook leaves the back rank, the white one will occupy it and Bb4-f8 would prove deadly).} 47...Nc4 48.Ra6 Nd2 49.Bc5 ( {Not bad was} 49.Rb6 Nxe4 50.Bd7 Rd8 51.Bxb5 ) 49...Bxe4 ( 49...Nxe4 $2 50.Rxa8 ) 50.Bd4 Bxf5 51.Bxf6+ Kh7 52.Kxf5 {A pair of pawn were traded but the most important achievement for White is that he broke the blockade. His pieces are dominating.} 52...Nc4 53.Kf4 Ne3 54.Rd6 Nc4 55.Rd7 Kg8 56.g5 {The most convincing win. White plays for an attack.} 56...hxg5+ 57.Kxg5 Nxa3 58.Kh6 {With the idea Rd7-d5-g5+} 58...Kf8 59.Kh7 Re6 60.Rd8+ Re8 61.Rxe8+ Kxe8 62.Kg8 {The h-pawn decided the game.} 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.09.11"]
[Round "1.19"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Idani, Pouya"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2569"]
[ECO "D05"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8251726927374"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:28:46"]
[BlackClock "0:17:38"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov] In the first round of the World Cup I would like to pay a tribute to the hosts with a game of their main hope. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov has a dangerous opponent in this game: the former world youth champion Idani Pouya of Iran.} 
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3 Be7 5.b3 b6 6.Bb2 Bb7 7.Nbd2 Nbd7 8.O-O O-O 9.c4 {The position is quite symmetrical but since White is the first one to play he has more options. He may now like to put the queen on e2 (c2), connect the rooks and then decide at which moment to open the center. Pouya decides not to allow this.} 9...Ne4 ( {More normal is} 9...c5 {which generates pressure in the center. For example} 10.Qe2 Ne4 11.Rfd1 Qc7 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Rac1 Bf6 14.Nf1 Rac8 15.Ng3 g6 16.Bb5 {with complex play, where White seems somewhat better, Short,N (2664)-Ganguly,S (2603) Kolkata 2015} ) 10.Rc1 Bd6 ( {Also} 10...Rc8 11.Qe2 a5 12.Rfd1 f5 {has been seen, Danielian,E (2490)-Zhu,C (2461) Sharjah 2014} ) 11.Qc2 f5 {The point behind Black's last move. He wants to create a nice Stonewall position with the dark-squared bishops on the board.} 12.Rfd1 {The mysterious rook move is a novelty. Mamedyarov sees in the future.} ( {Previously only} 12.Ne5 {had been tried} 12...Rf6 ( 12...Nxe5 {is not bad neither} 13.dxe5 Bb4 ) 13.c5 $6 {This drops a pawn.} 13...bxc5 ( 13...Nexc5 14.dxc5 Bxe5 15.Bxe5 Nxe5 ) 14.Bxe4 {and so on, Cordero,D (1984)-De Leon,P (1741) Montevideo 2009} ) 12...Qe7 ( {It is quite understandable that Black does not want to open the files for the white rooks with} 12...c5 {but that was objectively the correct decision.} ) 13.cxd5 exd5 14.Ne5 c5 {Black changes his mind.} ( {Bad was} 14...Ndf6 15.f3 ) ( {However} 14...Rac8 {deserved attention as it creates the threat} 15.f3 ( 15.Ndf3 {is better to which Black would most likely react with} 15...c5 ) 15...Nxd2 16.Qxd2 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Bxe5 ) 15.Nxe4 $1 {The mistery is about to get revealed...} 15...fxe4 16.Bxe4 $3 dxe4 ( {There is no choice} 16...Bxe5 $2 17.Bxh7+ ) 17.Nxd7 Qxd7 ( {Perhaps} 17...Rf5 $1 {was the way to play. The idea is to somehow surround the white knight. True, after} 18.dxc5 ( {Or} 18.Ne5 Raf8 {with good compensation for a pawn.} ) 18...bxc5 {Both} 19.Qc4+ ( {and} 19.Rxd6 Qxd6 20.Nxc5 Rc8 21.Bd4 ) 19...Kh8 20.Rxd6 Qxd6 21.Nxc5 Qd2 22.Qc2 Qxc2 23.Rxc2 {gives more than enough for the exchange but it is doubtful that White's advantage will be sufficient for the whole point.} ) 18.dxc5 {Now the mystery of the rook is fully revealed. It wins something along the d-file.} 18...Bxh2+ {The bishop is doomed anyway. For example} ( 18...bxc5 19.Be5 Rf6 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Qxc5 Bxc5 22.Rxd7 Ba3 23.Rcc7 {and White wins.} ) 19.Kxh2 Qc7+ ( 19...Qg4 {is a bit more active but White is in control after} 20.Kg1 Rac8 21.Qc4+ Kh8 22.Qd4 ) 20.Kg1 {White won a pawn and has more active pieces.} 20...Rac8 21.Qc4+ Rf7 22.cxb6 Qxb6 ( {Or else Black loses another pawn in the endgame:} 22...Qxc4 23.Rxc4 Rxc4 24.bxc4 axb6 25.Rd8+ Rf8 26.Rd6 ) 23.Qa4 Rcf8 ( 23...Rxc1 24.Rxc1 ) 24.Rd7 {Now Mamedyarov decides the game with a direct atack on the seventh and the eight ranks.} 24...Rxd7 25.Qxd7 Rf7 26.Qe8+ Rf8 27.Qa4 {This avoids the possible technical problems in the opposite-colored bishop endgame after} ( 27.Qe5 Qf6 28.Qxf6 gxf6 29.Rc7 Rf7 ) 27...a6 28.Qc4+ Rf7 ( {White would not mind this endgame though} 28...Kh8 29.Qc7 Qxc7 30.Rxc7 ) 29.Rd1 Qc7 30.Qe6 Qe7 {This allows a beautiful finish.} 31.Ba3 $3 ( {Black resigned not willing to see the mate} 31.Ba3 Qxe6 32.Rd8+ Rf8 33.Rxf8# ) 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.09.14"]
[Round "10.25"]
[White "Guseinov, Gadir"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2634"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[ECO "B19"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6944219745349"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:13:58"]
[BlackClock "0:44:32"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 {Navara's great memory gives him the advantage of diversity in the opening.} 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Ne4 {This knight is quite a problematic piece in the Caro-Kann for White and Guseinov hurries to bring in back in the center.} 13...Nxe4 {On the other hand Black is happy to trade some pieces.} 14.Qxe4 Nf6 15.Qd3 {A fighting move.} ( {The main line is considered harmless for Black} 15.Qe2 {due to the maneuver} 15...Qd5 16.c4 Qe4 17.Qxe4 Nxe4 18.Be3 f5 19.Nd2 Nf6 20.Nf3 Bd6 {1/2-1/2 (20) Harikrishna,P (2740)-Berkes,F (2659) Kocaeli 2015} ) 15...c5 {A relatively rare move. The main continuations are} ( 15...O-O ) ( {and} 15...Qd5 ) 16.Kb1 cxd4 17.Nxd4 O-O $2 {What can be more natural than that?! Instead, both} ( 17...Rc8 ) ( {and} 17...Qd5 {would be playable.} ) 18.Bxh6 $5 {Kaboom! Something went wrong with Navara's preparation as this move is not even a novelty! Or maybe he just considered the complications favorable for him? Judging by the speed with which he was banging the moves, it should have been the latter.} 18...gxh6 19.Qg3+ Kh8 20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.Rxd8 Raxd8 22.Qe3 Ng8 23.Qxa7 {Both players are blitzing, Guseinov comes up with a novelty. The stem game saw} ( 23.f4 Rf5 24.g4 Rfd5 25.a3 e5 26.fxe5 {with advantage for White in Kokarev,D (2628)-Gavrilov,A (2456) Moscow 2014} ) 23...Bf6 24.f3 {Finally, both players start thinking. The material balance is weird. A queen and three pawns are fighting a rook, bishop and knight. Techically speaking we have 9+3 vs 5+3+3. White should be up a pawn. Concretely speaking, White should be better thanks to his safe king. However, if Black manages to coordinate his pieces, the evaluation will change as the pieces can easily outnumber the queen in the attack against the white pawns for instance.} 24...Ne7 ( 24...Rf7 $5 {looks more solid.} ) 25.Qe3 {White wins pawn number four but the black rooks occupy the open files.} 25...Bg7 26.Qxe6 Nd5 27.c3 Rfe8 28.Qf5 {Compy criticizes this move and suggests instead} ( 28.Qg6 {presumably to defend the g2-pawn with the queen. However then Black has} 28...Re2 {and if} 29.Rc1 Nf4 $1 {is unpleasant for White to say at least.} ) 28...Re2 {Creates concrete threats.} 29.Rc1 {Or else Black can sacrifice on c3} ( 29.g4 Bxc3 ( 29...b5 ) ( 29...Ne3 {are not bad neither.} ) 30.bxc3 Nxc3+ 31.Kc1 Nxa2+ {with guaranteed draw.} ) 29...Rxg2 {Now Navara rejects the draw, which was possible after} ( 29...Ne3 30.Qb5 Rdd2 31.Qe8+ Kh7 32.Qg6+ ) 30.a3 b5 31.Qf7 Nf6 {The position is very complicated. Navara had other interesting options:} ( 31...b4 $5 {might lead to a forced draw (!) after} 32.axb4 Nxb4 33.Qc7 Bf6 34.Re1 Rgd2 35.cxb4 Rxb2+ 36.Kc1 Ra8 37.Re5 $1 Rg2 38.Kb1 Rd8 39.Re1 Ra8 ( 39...Rb2+ 40.Kc1 Ra8 ) 40.Re5 Rd8 ) ( {While} 31...Ne3 32.Re1 Nc4 33.Re8+ Rxe8 34.Qxe8+ Kh7 35.Qxb5 {is not that great as the endgame after} 35...Rxb2+ 36.Qxb2 Nxb2 37.Kxb2 {is lost for Black. The pawns easily outnumber the bishop.} ) 32.Qb7 Rd5 ( {White is better after} 32...Rdd2 33.Qxb5 Nxh5 34.Re1 ) 33.f4 $1 {Surprisingly, Black has problems with the moves after this. The queen is taking care of everything.} 33...Kh7 34.Re1 {The rook got active and Black decided to give the b5 pawn but to activate the pieces.} 34...Rdd2 35.Qxb5 Nd5 36.Ka1 $1 {Nice prophylaxis as if White carelessly advances the pawn} ( 36.a4 $2 {there is} 36...Rxb2+ 37.Qxb2 Rxb2+ 38.Kxb2 Bxc3+ {and Black wins.} ) 36...Rgf2 ( {Here} 36...Rxb2 $2 {is bad due the counter-attack} 37.Qd3+ Kh8 38.Re8+ Bf8 39.Qxd5 ) 37.Qe8 {Threatens mate in two.} 37...Nxf4 38.Qe4+ Kh8 39.Qa8+ Kh7 40.Qe4+ Kh8 {Guseinov made the control moves just in time to get the needed extra minute to find the right continuation.} 41.Qf5 $1 Rd8 {Once that the active black pieces go back, White gets the time he needs to push his queenside pawns.} 42.Qb5 ( 42.Qf7 $5 {was not bad neither.} ) 42...Rd5 {This makes things easier for White.} ( 42...Kh7 {was more stubborn but White is much better anyway.} ) 43.Re8+ Kh7 44.Qc4 {The threat Qc4-e4+ forces the black king out.} 44...Rxh5 45.Qg8+ Kg6 46.Re7 Rh1+ 47.Ka2 Nh5 48.Qe6+ {And the powerful white pieces finished the job.} 48...Nf6 ( {Or} 48...Kh7 49.Qe4+ ) ( {Hopeless is} 48...Bf6 49.Qg4+ Bg5 50.Qe4+ Kf6 ( 50...Rf5 51.Re6+ ) 51.Qe6# ) 49.Qf7+ Kf5 50.Qxg7 Rhh2 51.Rb7 {An epic, irrational battle.} 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.09.15"]
[Round "11.15"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Laznicka, Viktor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[ECO "B46"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8249826869263"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:15:53"]
[BlackClock "0:06:11"]

{A must win situation for Adams.} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 a6 {And a mini-surprise by Laznicka. Even though this is one of his pet lines, he had not played it since 2013.} 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5 8.O-O Nf6 9.Qf3 Be7 10.Qg3 O-O 11.Bh6 Ne8 12.Bf4 Bh4 13.Qf3 Be7 ( {The trade of one of the atacking white pieces makes sense:} 13...Bg5 $5 14.e5 Bxf4 15.Qxf4 c5 {as in Nepomniachtchi,I (2705)-Andreikin,D (2720) Moscow 2015} ) 14.Na4 {A strong, fundamental novelty. Adams intends to stop the opponent's play in the center and on the queenside, and also start kingside attack.} ( {Previously only the obvious} 14.Rad1 {had been seen. After} 14...Nf6 15.h3 Nd7 16.Qg3 Bh4 17.Qh2 Ra7 18.Na4 Re8 {Black managed to hold in Nepomniachtchi,I (2714)-Grachev,B (2669) Kazan 2014} ) 14...Nf6 15.b3 Qa5 ( {Black cannot win the bishop pair as after} 15...dxe4 16.Bxe4 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 Bb7 18.Rad1 {his queen lacks good squares:} 18...Qc8 ( 18...Qa5 19.Rd7 ) 19.Nb6 ) ( {Perhaps} 15...Bb7 {was better though:} 16.e5 Nd7 17.c4 {At least Black stops the kingside advance for the time being. Next he can try to fianchettoe the dark-squared bishop.} ) 16.e5 $1 {The attack can be successful only with the center closed.} 16...Nd7 17.Qg3 {With the threat Bf4-h6.} 17...Re8 18.h4 c5 19.c4 $1 {Once that the center is blocked White can concentrate his efforts on the kingside.} 19...d4 20.h5 Qc7 21.Rae1 {Overprotects the key e5 square. If needed White can also lift this rook along the fourth rank. It is curious to find out that the computer considers this position equal. For the human eye it is very obvious that White has all the play; it is quite one-sided. He can prepare the attack in many ways: along the fourth rank, along the h-file, or a battery on the b1-h7 diagonal. And if these resources are not enough, he can redeploy the knight from a4 to b2-d3-f4 and h5. At the same time Black does not even have room to maneuver on the kingside.} 21...Bf8 ( {The same computer suggests now as best the defense} 21...Kh8 22.h6 Rg8 {which only shows how bad Black's position is.} ) 22.Bg5 g6 {This makes things easier for White as he now has a clear target. However, waiting should not help neither, for example} ( 22...Bb7 23.f4 Qc6 24.Re2 a5 {and now, say, the battery with} 25.Bc2 {and Qg3-d3. Sooner or later Black will have to weaken his kingside.} ) 23.f4 Bg7 24.Qh4 {Adams simply doubles his pieces on the h file.} 24...Bb7 25.Kf2 $1 Rf8 ( {Nothing changes} 25...Qc6 26.Be4 Qc7 27.Bxb7 Qxb7 28.Rh1 ) ( {If} 25...Nf8 26.Bf6 Bxf6 27.exf6 {and White will find a way to reach the black king via the dark squares or the h file.} ) 26.Rh1 f5 {Desperation.} 27.hxg6 hxg6 28.Qh7+ Kf7 29.Rh6 {A very convincing win for the English top GM.} 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.09.17"]
[Round "19.7"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[ECO "E03"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[Beauty "6598030264867"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:33"]
[BlackClock "0:05:54"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Qa4+ Nbd7 6.Qxc4 c5 7.O-O b6 8.Nc3 Bb7 9.d4 {From the Reti the game transposes into the Catalan.} 9...Rc8 {Eljanov had played this line back in 2004. At the Calvia Olympiad he chose instead} ( 9...a6 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Bg5 O-O 12.Rad1 Qc8 13.Qf4 h6 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 {with approximate equality in Harikrishna,P (2612)-Eljanov,P (2629) Mallorca 2004} ) 10.Qd3 {A novelty. White is usually fighting for the advantage with} ( 10.Bg5 cxd4 11.Qxd4 Bc5 12.Qh4 O-O 13.Rad1 Qe8 14.e4 {as in Andreikin,D (2580)-Vitiugov,N (2617) Plovdiv 2008} ) 10...cxd4 {Simple and good. Black trades a pair of light pieces and finishes the development.} 11.Nxd4 Bxg2 12.Kxg2 Bb4 $5 {An interesting idea. Instead} ( 12...Bc5 13.Ndb5 a6 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 {would have transposed to the game.} ) 13.Ndb5 ( 13.Bd2 O-O {promises nothing at all for White.} ) 13...a6 {After some hesitation Eljanov decided to go to passive defense. He could have gone for complications instead, seemingly favorable for him:} ( 13...O-O $5 {with the idea} 14.Nxa7 ( 14.Bf4 a6 15.Nd6 Rc6 ) ( 14.Rd1 a6 15.Nd6 Rc6 ( 15...Bxc3 16.bxc3 ) 16.Nde4 Qa8 ) 14...Bxc3 15.Nxc8 ( 15.bxc3 Rc5 16.Nb5 Qa8+ 17.f3 Ne5 18.Qb1 Qa4 19.Nd6 Qc6 {is great for Black.} ) 15...Be5 {when the white night is trapped. True, the position after} 16.f4 Bb8 17.Nd6 Nc5 18.Nxf7 Qxd3 19.exd3 Kxf7 20.Be3 {is not clear at all.} ) 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Qe7 {Now White is a bit better, but the symmetrical character of the positions should not allow much to him.} 16.Qd3 b5 17.Bf4 e5 18.Bg5 h6 19.Nd5 Qe6 20.Bxf6 Nxf6 21.Nxf6+ Qxf6 22.Qa3 {Grischuk squeezed the maximum of the position and kept the black king in the middle for the time being. But Black's defensive resources are good enough to keep the balance.} 22...Rc2 23.b3 {White would be happy to try and win the open file, but} ( 23.Rac1 {is strongly met with} 23...Qc6+ {when} 24.Qf3 Rxc1 25.Rxc1 Qxc1 26.Qa8+ Ke7 27.Qxh8 Qxb2 28.Qxg7 {is equal.} ) ( {Perhaps} 23.Rad1 $5 {was more interesting with the tactical idea} 23...Rxe2 $2 ( {However Black can defend with} 23...Qc6+ $1 24.Kg1 Rc5 {followed by 0-0.} ) 24.Qd3 {and White wins a rook.} ) 23...Qc6+ 24.Kg1 Qc5 $1 {Nicely played! With all the heavy pieces on board, king safety is top priority. Eljanov will compensate the pawn with activity.} 25.Qxa6 O-O 26.a4 {Grischuk gives back the pawn but creates a passer immediately as} ( 26.e3 b4 {blocks the white pawns.} ) 26...Rxe2 27.a5 e4 {King safety, remember? The threat is e4-e3, White is forced to trade rooks.} 28.Rae1 Rxe1 29.Rxe1 f5 {The same policy, f5-f4 is coming, the white king will be opened and Black can count on perpetual check (at least).} 30.Qe6+ Kh7 31.Rd1 Rf6 32.Qd5 Qc2 ( 32...Qb4 $5 {might ahve been more subtle, with the idea} 33.Ra1 Qc3 34.Ra2 e3 35.a6 Qe1+ 36.Kg2 e2 37.Rxe2 Qxe2 38.a7 Rf8 39.a8=Q Rxa8 40.Qxa8 ) 33.Rd2 Qc3 34.Ra2 Qe1+ {Eljanov trusts his heavy pieces and believes that the attack should be more important than a new white queen coming on a8.} ( 34...e3 {would tanspose to the above-mentioned line.} ) 35.Kg2 f4 36.a6 {The culmination of the battle. One can be certain that time trouble was involved when it comes to Grischuk.} 36...f3+ 37.Kh3 Rg6 $2 {A blunder!} ( {It was time to force a draw with} 37...e3 $1 38.Qe4+ ( {Or} 38.a7 exf2 39.Rxf2 Qxf2 40.a8=Q Qg2+ 41.Kg4 Rg6+ 42.Kf4 Rf6+ {as if} 43.Ke3 $2 Qe2+ 44.Kd4 f2 {wins for Black.} ) 38...Rg6 39.Qxf3 exf2 40.Rxf2 Rxa6 41.Qf5+ Rg6 ) ( {On the other hand bad was} 37...Qf1+ 38.Kh4 {when the king escapes and White wins after} 38...g5+ ( 38...Rg6 39.a7 Qg2 40.h3 ) 39.Kg4 h5+ 40.Kxg5 ) 38.Kh4 $2 {Grischuk returns the favor!} ( {It seems as Black is checkmating after} 38.a7 Qh1 {but White has} 39.Qf5 Qg2+ 40.Kh4 Qxh2+ 41.Qh3 {and wins!} ) 38...Qb4 {Once more Black was OK after} ( 38...Rg5 39.Qd4 Qb1 {(Go find this move even without the time trouble...)} ) ( {Or} 38...e3 {with similar line as above.} 39.Qxf3 exf2 40.Rxf2 Rxa6 ) 39.Kh3 {With seconds on the clock Grischuk errs last.} ( 39.Qf5 $1 {would have won instead. For example} 39...Qxb3 ( 39...e3+ 40.Kh5 $1 ) 40.Ra1 $1 {Better than} ( 40.Kh5 Qxa2 41.Qxg6+ Kh8 42.Qe8+ Kh7 43.Qxe4+ Kg8 ) 40...Qc3 41.Kh5 Qxa1 42.Qxg6+ Kh8 43.Qe8+ Kh7 44.Qxe4+ Kh8 45.Qb7 {when the white king will escape the checks.} ) 39...Rg5 $1 40.Qf7 Qc5 {Move forty missed a clear-cut win.} ( 40...Qe1 {with the threat Qe1-h1-g2+ and mate on h2.} 41.Kh4 ( 41.a7 {does not help due to} 41...Qh1 42.Qg8+ $1 {The last chance} 42...Kxg8 43.a8=Q+ Kh7 44.Qxe4+ Rg6 45.Qf5 h5 $1 ) 41...Qb1 $3 {What is the idea of this move? To...lure the white pawn to b4!!!} ( 41...Qc1 42.Qe8 Rg6 43.Qe5 {is defendable for White.} ) 42.b4 ( {If the rook moves from the second rank} 42.Ra5 Qg1 {lead to mate} 43.h3 Qxf2 ) 42...Qc1 43.Qe8 Qc4 {with the deadly threat e4-e3+!} ) 41.g4 Qc1 42.a7 h5 $1 {Eljanov's threats are still huge and Grischuk has to part with his queen.} 43.Qxh5+ $1 {The best chance. Or else Black wins after} ( 43.a8=Q Qf1+ 44.Kh4 Rxg4+ 45.Kxh5 Qh3# ) ( 43.Qg8+ Kxg8 44.a8=Q+ Kh7 45.Qxe4+ Kh6 $1 ) 43...Rxh5+ 44.gxh5 Qc8+ 45.Kg3 Qa8 46.Ra6 {Both the black queen and king are arrested and this looks like a fortress.} 46...Kg8 47.b4 Kf8 48.Kf4 Ke7 ( 48...Ke8 49.h6 $1 ) 49.Ke3 {The last mistake. Now the black king comes out and Black wins. Correct was} ( 49.h6 $1 gxh6 50.Rxh6 e3 ( {The plan from the game would not work here} 50...Kd7 51.Ra6 Kc7 52.Ke3 Kb7 53.Ra5 Kc6 54.h4 Kd6 55.h5 ) 51.Rh7+ Kf6 52.Kxe3 {and this seems like a draw, although Black can definitely try to win further.} ) 49...Kd7 50.Kd4 Kc7 51.Ke3 Kb7 52.Ra5 Kb6 53.Ra3 Kc6 54.Ra5 Kd6 55.Kd4 {This leads to mate but otherwise White will sooner or later get into zugzwang and allow the black king in:} ( 55.h4 Ke6 56.Kf4 Kd5 57.Rxb5+ Kd4 58.Ra5 Kc3 ) 55...Qd5+ 56.Ke3 Ke5 {Mate on d3 is coming. Caissa smiled to the brave Eljanov today!} 0-1

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.09.18"]
[Round "20.10"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitry"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[ECO "E90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8041655180835"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:19:12"]
[BlackClock "0:31:05"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Nf3 a6 {Ivanchuk chooses a rare line which Jakovenko had analyzed a long time ago, but he could not remember his preparation.} 7.Bd3 c6 8.O-O b5 ( {Another way for Black to play is} 8...Nfd7 9.Bg5 h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Qd2 Kh7 12.Rac1 e5 {as in Khairullin,I (2642)-Onischuk,V (2563) Khanty-Mansiysk 2012} ) 9.Re1 {Solid play.} 9...Nbd7 ( {The only thing Jakovenko remembered about his prep was that the line} 9...bxc4 10.Bxc4 d5 11.Bd3 {is considered slightly better for White.} ) 10.Bg5 h6 {Jakovenko was a bit afraid of the line} ( 10...bxc4 11.Bxc4 c5 {but the brief after-game analysis revealed that White is better after} 12.e5 cxd4 13.exf6 exf6 14.Nxd4 fxg5 15.Bd5 ( {Or} 15.Nc6 ) ) 11.Be3 bxc4 {A novelty.} ( {A predecessor saw} 11...Nb6 12.b3 Nfd7 13.Rc1 b4 14.Ne2 {when White is very stable and enjoys extra space and a stronger center, Grivas,E (2499)-Sigalas,F (2069) Chania 2000} ) 12.Bxc4 d5 13.Bd3 dxe4 14.Nxe4 {Black freed himself a bit, but the problems with the weak pawn on c6 and the weak c5-square remain. This is probably the great difficulty of the whole line: White does not even have to do anything special to get a better position.} 14...Nd5 ( {On} 14...Bb7 {White was planning} 15.Rc1 {followed by Ne4-c5 with an edge.} ) 15.Bd2 Qb6 16.b4 ( {On} 16.Qa4 {Jakovenko was afraid that Ivanchuk may free himself with} 16...c5 {but the analysis showed that White has} ( 16...a5 {might be better.} ) 17.Qc4 Bb7 18.Nxc5 Nxc5 19.dxc5 {just winning a pawn.} ) 16...Nxb4 {Jakovenko did not analyze this move seriously. After the game he said he has a "special feeling" for the queens.} 17.Rb1 a5 ( {Better than} 17...Nxd3 18.Rxb6 Nxb6 19.Re3 Nf4 20.Nc5 {when White can use the a5 square later.} ) 18.a3 Nxd3 19.Rxb6 Nxb6 20.Re3 ( {At first White wanted to play} 20.Re2 {but he did not like} 20...Nd5 ( 20...Nc4 21.Bxh6 Bxh6 22.Qxd3 Ba6 ) ( 20...Ba6 $5 {was dismissed by White but might not be bad at all after} 21.Bxa5 Nd5 {with counterplay.} ( 21...Nc4 22.Bb4 ) ) 21.Nc3 Nxc3 22.Bxc3 Nf4 {and the black knight lands on d5.} ) 20...Nb2 21.Qc1 N2c4 22.Rc3 Nxd2 23.Qxd2 {For the queen Ivanchuk has enough material - a rook, a bishop and a pawn. However, his pieces are not yet coordinated and he has problems.} 23...Rd8 24.Qe1 ( {Better than} 24.Rxc6 Bb7 25.Rxb6 Bxe4 ) 24...Nd5 25.Rxc6 Bb7 26.Rc5 Nf4 ( {Jakovenko believed Black's best chance is} 26...a4 27.Qb1 Ba6 28.Ne5 Rab8 29.Qc1 {although White dominates with his central pieces.} ) 27.Rc7 Rab8 {A critical moment of the battle. Now Ivanchuk had the very nice tactical idea} ( 27...Rac8 $1 {and if} 28.Rxb7 ( {White can also be tricky with} 28.Rxe7 Rc1 29.Nf6+ $1 {Now the rook covers the e2 square, but Black has decent chances to survive after} 29...Bxf6 30.Qxc1 Nxh3+ 31.gxh3 Bxe7 ) 28...Rc1 29.Qxc1 Ne2+ {leads to a draw.} ) 28.Rxe7 Nd5 29.Rxb7 $1 ( {The forced line} 29.Rxf7 Kxf7 30.Neg5+ hxg5 31.Nxg5+ {leads only to draw after} 31...Kg8 $1 ( 31...Kf8 $2 32.Qe6 {is mate} ) 32.Qe6+ Kh8 33.Qxg6 Nf6 34.Nf7+ Kg8 35.Nh6+ {Jakovenko.} ) 29...Rxb7 30.Qxa5 Rbb8 {One advantage was transformed into another. The queen and the pawn are superior as they have the strong support of the white knights. This allows White a chance to attack on the kingside.} ( {Perhaps Black needed to defend the seventh rank with} 30...Rc7 31.Ne5 ) 31.Ne5 Ra8 32.Qc5 Rac8 ( {Or} 32...Bf8 33.Qc4 Bxa3 ( 33...Rac8 34.Nc5 ) 34.Nf6+ Nxf6 35.Qxf7+ {and White wins (Jakovenko).} ) ( 32...Nf6 {to relief the pressure from the white knights was another try.} ) 33.Qa7 Rc1+ {Once that the rooks get separated, the game is over.} 34.Kh2 Nc7 35.Nc5 ( {Ivanchuk resigned due to the line} 35.Nc5 Bxe5+ 36.dxe5 Rd5 37.Ne4 $1 Rxe5 38.Qb8+ ( {Even better than} 38.Qd4 {(Sutovsky) which also wins.} ) 38...Kg7 ( 38...Kh7 39.Nf6+ Kg7 40.Nd7 ) 39.Qb2 {with decisive attack.} ) 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.09.20"]
[Round "28.8"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[ECO "A16"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7769327424027"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:35"]
[BlackClock "0:00:47"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.h4 Bg7 6.h5 Nc6 7.g3 Bg4 8.h6 Bxc3 9.dxc3 Qd6 10.Bg2 O-O-O 11.Ng5 {A novelty which Ding Liren prepared for the game in the morning. He eye-witnessed the predecessor a couple of months ago:} ( 11.Qa4 Qe6 12.O-O f6 13.Qc4 Bh3 14.Bxh3 Qxh3 15.a4 g5 {and Black was doing fine in Wang,Y (2721) -Wei,Y (2725) Zaozhuang 2015} ) 11...Ne5 12.Qa4 ( {"The computer suggested"} 12.Qxd5 Qxd5 13.Bxd5 Rxd5 14.c4 {"but I did not like"} 14...Rd7 15.b3 f6 16.Bb2 Nc6 17.f3 Nd4 {"and the position seems drawish" - Ding Liren.} ) 12...Nb6 ( {Black's difficulties are demonstrated by the line} 12...Kb8 13.Qe4 f6 14.Bf4 {- Ding Liren} ) ( {"Maybe} 12...f6 13.Nf7 Nxf7 14.Qxg4+ Kb8 15.O-O {which leads to very complicated line, but I think White should be better." - Ding Liren.} ) 13.Qd4 {Only move.} 13...f6 ( 13...Qxd4 14.cxd4 Rxd4 15.b3 {followed by Bc1-b2 is very strong for White (Ding Liren).} ) 14.Bf4 {And Wei Yi sank into a deep thought (about half-an hour).} 14...Qxd4 15.cxd4 Nc6 $5 {A very interesting idea. Overall, Ding Liren felt that he has better chances as his play is not that forced. For instance in the lines:} ( {Black was probably afraid of} 15...Rxd4 16.Bxe5 fxe5 17.Rc1 {when White wants Rh1-h4 or Rc1-c5. If} 17...Bf5 18.Rh4 {anyways. After} 18...Rxh4 19.gxh4 {Black has problems with the knight-} 19...Nd7 $2 ( {And if} 19...Kb8 20.Rc5 Nd7 21.Rb5 b6 22.e4 Bg4 23.f3 Bh5 24.Rd5 {and Ding felt White has better chances.} ) 20.e4 Bg4 21.f3 Bh5 22.Bh3 {(Ding Liren)} ) 16.Nf7 ( 16.Bxc6 $2 fxg5 {wins material for Black.} ) 16...Nxd4 17.Rc1 ( {The other choice was} 17.f3 {but Ding was not that sure about the position arising after} 17...e5 $5 ( {White liked the position after} 17...Nc2+ 18.Kf2 Nxa1 19.fxg4 Nc2 20.Rc1 {with advantage for White.} ) 18.fxg4 ( 18.Nxh8 Rxh8 19.fxg4 {is a better move order.} ) 18...exf4 19.Nxh8 Nc2+ 20.Kf2 fxg3+ 21.Kxg3 Nxa1 22.Nxg6 hxg6 23.Rxa1 ( 23.Be4 $5 {also looks good for White.} ) 23...Rh8 24.g5 fxg5 25.Rh1 Nc4 26.Kg4 {Ding Liren calculated all the way here, but somehow was not that convinced about that line. In the final position White should win, say} 26...Ne3+ 27.Kxg5 Nxg2 28.h7 {and the h7 pawn will cost Black the rook.} ) 17...e5 18.Rh4 ( {White discarded the move} 18.Be3 {due to} 18...Nxe2 19.f3 ( 19.Rb1 $1 {is strong instead when many black pieces are hanging.} ) 19...Nxc1 20.fxg4 Nd3+ {and Black wins.} ) 18...exf4 {"I totally overlooked this"(Ding Liren) He was worried instead about the move} ( 18...Bxe2 {where he could not see anything for White. Indeed, the lines that he showed are quite convincing:} 19.Be3 ( 19.Bh3+ Kb8 20.Be3 Bc4 $1 ) ( 19.Nxh8 Rxh8 ( 19...exf4 20.Rxf4 ) 20.Be3 ( 20.Bh3+ Kb8 21.Be3 Re8 $1 22.Bxd4 exd4 ) 20...Bf3 21.Bh3+ Nf5 ) 19...Bf3 20.Bh3+ Nf5 {in all the lines Black seems OK.} ) 19.Nxd8 ( {Now White saw the line} 19.Rxg4 Nxe2 20.Kxe2 ( {But it seems as they both missed the strong in-between shot} 20.Bxb7+ $1 Kxb7 21.Nxd8+ Rxd8 22.Kxe2 {with big advantage for White.} ) 20...Rhe8+ 21.Kf1 Rd7 {when the knight is trapped.} ) 19...f3 $1 {The only move as if} ( 19...Nxe2 20.Bxb7+ Kxd8 21.Rd1+ {wins material for White.} ) 20.exf3 Nxf3+ ( {The in-between check is a bad idea due to} 20...Re8+ 21.Kf1 Nxf3 22.Rxg4 Nh2+ 23.Kg1 Nxg4 24.Nxb7 {and White is better.} ) 21.Bxf3 Re8+ $1 {Now this is strong. In comparison} ( 21...Bxf3 $6 22.Ne6 Re8 ( 22...c6 {is better although White keeps extra material.} ) 23.Rxc7+ Kb8 24.Rxh7 Rxe6+ 25.Kd2 {simply wins for White.} ) 22.Kd2 $1 {It is important that White has this move as in the line:} ( 22.Kf1 Bxf3 23.Nf7 Re7 24.Nd6+ Kd7 {the white knight is trapped due to the bad position of the king} 25.Nb5 ( 25.Nc4 Be2+ ) 25...Be2+ {(Ding Liren)} ) 22...Bxf3 {Or else White saves the bishop} ( 22...Rxd8+ 23.Ke3 Re8+ 24.Be4 f5 ( 24...Bd7 25.Kd4 ) 25.f3 {with advantage for the first player.} ) 23.Nf7 Bc6 24.b4 {White emerged an exchange up in the complications. He is not worse, but since his knight is in danger he has to play very energetically. Another interesting option was} ( 24.Re1 Kd7 25.Rxe8 Kxe8 26.Nh8 g5 {with unclear position.} ) 24...a6 ( {The knight is saved after} 24...Rf8 25.Nd6+ cxd6 26.b5 ) ( {However} 24...Kd7 $1 {might have ben better, for instance} 25.Rd4+ ( 25.Rf4 $1 {looks stronger instead with the idea} 25...Ke7 26.b5 $1 ) 25...Bd5 26.a4 c6 27.a5 Na8 28.b5 Nc7 29.a6 Nxb5 {(Ding Liren)} ) 25.a4 Nxa4 $6 {This is a mistake which White missed to punish.} 26.Re1 ( {Ding Liren missed in the line} 26.Rf4 $1 Nb6 27.Rxf6 Nd5 28.Rfxc6 ( {The strong} 28.Rxg6 $1 hxg6 29.h7 {which keeps the knight alive and White will enjoy an extra exchange.} ) 28...bxc6 29.Ng5 Nxb4 {with unclear play.} ) 26...Nb6 27.Rg4 $6 {A mistake. The correct way to sacrifice the knight was} ( 27.Rd4 Rf8 28.Re7 Nd5 29.Nd6+ cxd6 30.Rxh7 f5 31.Rg7 Nf6 32.Rxg6 Kd7 33.h7 {(Ding Liren). Indeed White looks fine.} ) 27...Rg8 $1 {A strong move by Wei Yi that stops the rook sacrifice on g6.} 28.Re7 Nd5 29.Nd6+ $1 ( {Or else the knight will be surrounded slowly but surely after} 29.Re1 g5 ) 29...cxd6 30.Rxh7 g5 {White also gave the line} ( 30...f5 31.Rg7 Rxg7 32.hxg7 Ne7 33.Rxg6 Bd5 34.Rxd6 Bg8 {with possible draw (Ding Liren)} ) 31.Re4 Rg6 32.Re6 g4 ( 32...Kd8 33.Rxd6+ Ke8 {might be OK for Black (Ding Liren).} ) 33.Rxd6 {After a long and tensed battle with plenty of tactical nuances Wei Yi goes wrong last.} 33...Nxb4 $2 {Instead both} ( 33...Kb8 ) ( 33...Nb6 {were playable.} ) 34.Rh8+ Kc7 35.Rd4 $1 {The rook joins the kingside battle with decisive effect.} 35...Nd5 ( 35...f5 36.Rxb4 ) 36.h7 Rh6 37.Rxg4 Ne7 38.Rg7 Kd7 39.Rf8 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.09.21"]
[Round "29.8"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "159"]
[Beauty "5362153431075"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:45"]
[BlackClock "0:00:58"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 {The Anti-Marshall is almost a must at top level.} 6...b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a3 O-O 9.Nc3 h6 {Black has plenty of choice in the current situation. Ding Liren had successfully tried:} ( 9...Nb8 10.Ne2 c5 11.Ng3 Nc6 12.c3 Be6 13.Bxe6 fxe6 14.b4 Qd7 {in the fresh game Malakhov,V (2706)-Ding,L (2755) China 2015} ) 10.h3 Re8 11.Bd2 Bf8 {A novelty. Black supports the e5 pawn, opens the e7-square for the knight and prepares the fianchettoe of his dark-squared bishop.} ( {Previously only} 11...Rb8 {has been tested with the usual slight edge for White after} 12.Nd5 Bf8 13.Ne3 Be6 14.Bxe6 Rxe6 15.Nd5 Ne7 16.Nxf6+ Rxf6 17.b4 {Miranda Mesa,E (2416)-Becerra Rivero,J (2546) Merida 2014} ) 12.a4 Rb8 ( {In the spirit of Black's previous move was the following play in the center:} 12...Na5 $5 13.Ba2 b4 14.Ne2 d5 {with counterplay.} ) 13.axb5 axb5 14.Re1 {Wei Yi can be satisfied with the opening. He has a slight but long-lasting advantage thanks to his Spanish bishop and the open a-file.} 14...Be6 15.Nd5 Nd7 {This prepares the following maneuver. The capture} ( 15...Bxd5 16.exd5 Ne7 17.c4 {is less convinicng as Black has a hard time organizing his forces on the kingside.} ) 16.c3 Ne7 {Now Ne7xd5 is a positional threat, thus...} 17.Ne3 $1 Bxb3 18.Qxb3 {Black managed to trade a pair of light pieces but he is not yet equal as his dark-squared bishop can do better.} 18...Ng6 19.g3 Nc5 20.Qc2 Qd7 21.b4 Ne6 22.d4 {Probably a bit premature. White is steadily better if he plays along the a file:} ( 22.Ra7 Ra8 23.Rea1 Qc6 24.Qa2 Rxa7 25.Qxa7 ) 22...exd4 23.cxd4 c5 $1 {Ding Liren is practically sacrificing this pawn but in return gets play along the c- and e-files.} 24.d5 Nd4 ( {Or the Benoni-style play with} 24...Ng5 25.Nxg5 hxg5 26.Kg2 Ne5 {where White is better.} ) 25.Nxd4 cxd4 26.Nf5 {Now the d4-pawn is practically doomed, but Black can organize threats while White is taking care of it.} 26...Ne5 27.Kg2 Rbc8 28.Qb3 d3 29.Ra2 ( 29.Rac1 $5 ) 29...Ra8 {Too slow. The correct way was} ( 29...g6 $1 {and after} 30.Nxh6+ Bxh6 31.Bxh6 f5 $1 {Black gets counterplay on the light squares. For example} 32.Bf4 ( 32.exf5 $6 Qxf5 ) ( 32.f4 $6 Nf7 $1 ) 32...fxe4 33.Rxe4 Qf5 {followed by Rc8-c2. In these lines Black makes good use of the doomed d3 pawn.} ) 30.Rea1 ( 30.Rxa8 Rxa8 31.Bf4 {looks simpler.} ) 30...Rxa2 31.Rxa2 Qc8 $6 {Only this move makes Black's position really suspicious. Correct was} ( 31...Qc7 $1 {as the queen is placed nicely along the seventh rank, ready to attack along both the c- and e-files.} 32.Ne3 ( 32.f3 g6 33.Nd4 Qc4 $1 ) 32...Qe7 33.f4 ( 33.f3 g6 ) ( 33.Nd1 ) 33...Nc4 34.Qxd3 ( 34.Nxc4 $2 Qxe4+ ) 34...Nxd2 35.Rxd2 Qxe4+ 36.Qxe4 Rxe4 ) 32.Ne3 g6 33.Bc3 {Now Wei Yi finally wins the annoying d-pawn.} 33...h5 34.Bxe5 Rxe5 35.Qxd3 Qe8 36.Re2 {Setting a small trap.} 36...Bg7 ( 36...Rxe4 $2 {loses material due to} 37.Ng4 $1 ) 37.Nc2 f5 $1 {The best chance for Ding. He weakens the e4 pawn.} 38.f3 fxe4 39.fxe4 Re7 40.Nd4 {White could have maneuvered further with} ( 40.Ne1 {but since the juicy e6- a-nd c6-squares lay on the road of the black bishop this trade will be more or less forced later.} ) 40...Bxd4 41.Qxd4 Re5 {Wei Yi has won a pawn, but the remaining pieces give good chances for a draw to his opponent in both the possible queen or rook endgames. On top of this the blockade of the extra e-pawn makes White's task rather difficult.} 42.Qd3 Kh7 43.Qc2 Qe7 44.h4 Kg7 45.Qd3 Kh7 46.Kh2 Kg7 47.Qd4 Kh7 48.Re3 {A mini-zugzwang. The king moves seemingly will allow the improvement of the white rook.} 48...g5 {Ding Liren decided to defend actively. This was not forced.} ( {True} 48...Kg7 49.Rc3 $1 {is good for White.} ) ( {But} 48...Kg8 ) ( {And even} 48...Kh6 {were perfectly possible as} 49.Rc3 {does not lead White anywhere after} 49...Rxe4 50.Qh8+ Qh7 ) 49.hxg5 Qxg5 ( 49...Kg6 $1 ) 50.Rf3 Re7 51.Rf4 Qg6 52.Rf6 $1 {White made a lot of progress and now that the blockade is gone his winning chances are much bigger.} 52...Qg5 ( 52...Rxe4 $2 {loses to} 53.Qa7+ ) ( {And} 52...Qxe4 $2 {is refuted by the cute} 53.Rf7+ $1 ) 53.Qf2 Kg7 54.Rxd6 {This forces matters. Around this moment Wei Yi had around three minutes left on the clock and Ding Liren six.} ( 54.Rf5 Qg4 55.Rf4 {followed by Qf2-f3 and Rf4-f5 should win.} ) 54...h4 55.Kh3 {Too sophisticated. White has serious winning chances after} ( 55.gxh4 Qe5+ 56.Qg3+ Qxg3+ 57.Kxg3 Rxe4 ) 55...hxg3 56.Qf5 ( {Or else there will be an instant draw after} 56.Qxg3 Qxg3+ 57.Kxg3 Rxe4 ) 56...Qxf5+ 57.exf5 {Now a rook endgame with limited number of pawns promises Ding a rest day and participation in the next round. Until one moment everything seems fine for him.} 57...Re4 ( 57...Re5 $5 {with the idea} 58.f6+ Kf7 59.Kxg3 Re4 {seems good for Black.} ) 58.Rg6+ Kf7 59.Rxg3 Rxb4 ( 59...Rd4 $1 {demolishing the most dangerous passer was the way to go.} ) 60.Rd3 Rc4 ( {Black misses another draw} 60...Rf4 $1 61.d6 Ke8 62.Rd5 Kd7 63.Kg3 Rc4 ) 61.d6 Rc8 $2 {Why? The rook should be left to work and it is the king's job to take care of the passer!} ( 61...Ke8 $1 {should lead to a draw.} ) 62.Kg4 Kf6 63.Kf4 {Now White wins but it ain't over yet.} 63...b4 64.Ke4 Rb8 65.Kd5 {This allows the black rook to do something. But I suspect that Wei Yi simply calculated faster than the computer that he promotes his pawn into a queen and went for it with his thirty seconds increment.} ( 65.Rb3 $1 {was the clear-cut win:} 65...Rb5 ( 65...Rh8 66.Kd5 ) 66.d7 Ke7 67.Rd3 Kd8 68.f6 Rh5 69.f7 Rh8 70.Ke5 b3 71.Rxb3 Kxd7 72.Kf6 ) 65...b3 66.d7 $1 {The only chance as} ( 66.Rd1 b2 67.Rb1 Rb5+ 68.Kc6 Rb3 {followed by long-distance checks is an instant draw.} ) 66...b2 67.Rb3 Rxb3 68.d8=Q+ Kxf5 {It seems as White should be easily winning but the tablebase claims it is a draw!} 69.Qd7+ Kg5 70.Qe7+ Kg4 71.Qe4+ Kg3 72.Qg6+ Kh4 {My hand is preventing me to give a question mark to this move although it loses the game.} ( {Strong is} 72...Kf3 $1 {when the difference in comparison to the game is that the black king is closer to its rook and can save it from the sad destiny:} 73.Qb1 Kf4 74.Kc4 Rb7 75.Qf1+ Ke5 76.Qe2+ Kd6 ) 73.Qb1 Kg5 74.Kc4 $1 {The rook is lost on the open board.} 74...Rb8 ( 74...Rb6 75.Qg1+ ) ( 74...Rb7 75.Qg1+ Kf5 76.Qc5+ Kf4 77.Qf2+ Ke5 78.Qd4+ Kf5 79.Qd5+ ) 75.Qg1+ Kf5 76.Qc5+ Kg4 77.Qd4+ Kf3 78.Qf6+ Ke4 79.Qe6+ Kf3 80.Qf5+ {If the previous game between the two Chinese top GMs was a thriller, how how about this one?} 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.09.23"]
[Round "37.2"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2814"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6530766212117"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:07:59"]
[BlackClock "0:05:58"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bg5 Bd5 ( 10...h6 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Nc3 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 c6 14.e3 a5 15.h4 Na6 16.Rfd1 Qb6 17.Qe2 Rad8 {Eljanov,P (2723)-Adams,M (2740) Biel 2015} ) 11.Qc2 Be4 12.Qc1 {"A rare, sideline of the Catalan" - Eljanov.} ( 12.Qd1 {is much more popular. Giri-Leko was played in this theme in Baku a couple of rounds earlier.} ) 12...h6 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Rd1 a5 15.Nbd2 Bh7 ( {In the recent predecessor Black chose} 15...Bxf3 {and Eljanov considered this move the critical line.} 16.Bxf3 c6 {but after} 17.Nc4 Nd7 18.Qd2 Be7 19.h4 $1 {White had slight but long lasting advantage without any counterplay for his opponent, Sasikiran,K (2682) -Svetushkin,D (2592) Moscow 2015} ) 16.Nb3 c6 17.Qc3 {White puts pressure on the a5-pawn thus obstructing Black's development.} 17...Be7 ( {White wins a pawn in case of} 17...Nd7 $6 18.Ne5 $1 Qc7 ( {Or alternatively will have large positional advantage after} 18...Bxe5 19.dxe5 Qc7 20.Rd6 ) 19.Nxd7 Qxd7 20.Nxa5 ) ( {Or} 17...Na6 $6 18.Nxa5 ) 18.Nc5 Qc7 19.Ne5 {Now the d7-square is locked for the black knight, but a6 is still available. This is where Nakamura goes.} 19...Na6 {Black wants to put the knight on b4 after which he will be completely fine. Obviously Nakamura was not afraid of what came next.} ( {If Black was afraid of the move in the game he might have chosen the preperatory} 19...Ra7 {To which White has two interesting plans to pressurize} 20.Bf3 $5 ( {Or he may simply push the pawns forward} 20.f4 Na6 21.e4 ) 20...Na6 21.Bh5 {In both cases White is somewhat better.} ) ( {The computer suggestion} 19...Rd8 {leads to stable advantage for White after} 20.Rac1 Bxc5 21.dxc5 ( {Or} 21.Qxc5 ) ) 20.Nxb7 $5 {The only way to create troubles for Black.} 20...Qxb7 21.Bxc6 Qc7 $6 {But this is a mistake. The general rule says that a rook and two pawns are usually better in the endgame when facing the two minor pieces. This is because the rook becomes significantly more active as the game opens; it has more room to maneuver.} ( {I believe Nakamura should have opted for} 21...Qa7 $1 22.Bxa8 Qxa8 {and after} 23.Qxa5 Rb8 {True, White has three pawns and a rook now (practically an extra exchange) but the black pieces control the board after say} 24.Qd2 Be4 {and the white queenside passers do not go anywhere.} ) ( {Or} 21...Qc8 $1 {which would lead to the same.} ) 22.Bxa8 Qxc3 ( {Or else White will take control of the open file} 22...Rxa8 23.Rac1 ) 23.bxc3 Rxa8 24.Nc6 $1 {A good practical decision. Eljanov deprives his opponent of the bishop pair. The less pieces there are on the board, the more dangerous the passers become.} 24...Bd8 25.Nxd8 Rxd8 26.f3 {"Now I have a clear plan to put my king on f2 and then slowly push the pawns. It is a very unpleasant position for Black" - Eljanov.} 26...Rc8 27.Ra3 $1 {At first sight this move seems illogical, but the idea is not only to defend the c3-pawn. White also wants to occupy the b-file and for this reason both white rooks stand better on the second rank, away from the black bishop.} ( {This is better than} 27.Rac1 Bg6 28.e4 Kf8 {when the white pawns cannot go forward fast.} ( 28...Rb8 29.Rb1 ) 29.c4 Ke7 30.c5 f5 $1 ) 27...Bg6 {Please, note that the black rook cannot occupy the b-file easily:} ( 27...Rb8 28.e4 Rb2 29.Raa1 $1 Rb3 30.Rdb1 Rxc3 31.Rb6 Nc7 $4 32.Rb8+ Ne8 33.Rxe8# ) 28.Kf2 Rb8 29.Rd2 f6 {"After this move, strangely enough he offered a draw," said Eljanov, "I am technically winning."} 30.Raa2 $1 {Now we can clearly see the idea behind Ra1-a3. White wins the only open file.} 30...Rb3 ( 30...Rc8 31.Rab2 ) 31.Rab2 Rxc3 32.Rb5 {"I thought it is already over for Black, but he put some pressure on me" - Eljanov.} 32...Bc2 33.Rxa5 Nc7 34.Ra7 f5 35.a5 Kh7 36.Rb7 Rc4 37.Rb6 Ba4 38.a6 Bc6 39.a7 Bd5 40.Ra2 {"I am forced to sacrifice the pawn on d4 as the one on a7 is the most important." - Eljanov} 40...Rxd4 41.Rc2 Na8 42.Ra6 Rd1 43.h4 $1 {"I have a clear plan to play h4-h5 and then to penetrate with the rooks along the seventh rank and attack the black king" - Eljanov.} 43...h5 {But now the g5-square is weakened and the white king can march there.} 44.Ke3 Rg1 45.Kf4 Rg2 46.Rd6 Rg1 47.Rc8 Ra1 48.Kg5 {White wins two pawns by force and the game.} ( {Eljanov demostrated the alternative winning plan after} 48.Rxd5 exd5 ( 48...Nb6 49.a8=Q ) 49.Rxa8 g6 50.Ke5 Ra5 51.e3 Kg7 52.Kd6 Kh7 53.Kc6 {and the threat Kc6-b6 forces the black rook to abandon the d-pawn. After this White simply advances the e pawn into queen.} ) 48...Rxa7 49.Rdd8 g6 50.Rh8+ Kg7 51.Rcg8+ Kf7 52.Rxg6 Ra6 53.Rh7+ Kf8 54.Kxh5 Nb6 55.Kg5 Nc4 56.h5 Nd6 57.Rf6+ Kg8 58.Rd7 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.09.24"]
[Round "38.4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[ECO "D94"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[Beauty "5910411870216"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:10:10"]
[BlackClock "0:01:26"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 {Not many people like to go for the Gruenfeld against Vachier- Lagrave. Or anyone else.} 3...Bg7 4.e3 O-O 5.Be2 b6 6.O-O Bb7 7.Nc3 d5 8.cxd5 Nxd5 {Nope, there is no escape from the Gruenfeld type of positions...} 9.Bd2 ( {Giri obviously built his preparation on the game} 9.Qb3 e6 10.Rd1 Nd7 11.Bd2 c5 12.Rac1 Qe7 13.Nxd5 Bxd5 14.Qa3 {Dubov,D (2629)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2751) Doha 2014} ) 9...c5 10.dxc5 {A novelty that was to be expected.} ( {White go nothing after} 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Bc3 cxd4 12.Bxd4 Bxd4 13.Qxd4 Qxd4 14.Nxd4 Nd7 {Hebert,P (1476)-Kraiouchkine,N (1474) Laval 2004} ) 10...Nxc3 11.Bxc3 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Nd7 {Vachier-Lagrave sacrifices a pawn in a Gruenfeld way. Giri however liked the arising position as in comparison to the usual Gruenfeld Black misses his dark-squared bishop and the pressure along the long diagonal.} ( {The alternative was no better as} 12...bxc5 13.Qa4 {leaves to lasting advantage for White. The c5 pawn is rather vulnerable. Check one of the model games from the match between the two K's. I do not remember exactly which game that was but have memories that Kasparov was awarded for it as the game of the year.} ) 13.cxb6 axb6 14.Qd4 Qc7 15.Rfb1 Ra5 {The plans for both sides are obvious. Black tries to put pressure along the half-open a- and c-files. The problem is that he has mainly to sit and wait. White tries to pick up the b6 pawn and somehow improve his position.} 16.Qb4 e6 17.Qe7 Qd8 18.Qxd8 Rxd8 19.Rd1 Bc6 20.Nd4 Ba4 21.Rdb1 e5 22.Nb3 Ra7 23.Nd2 Rc8 24.c4 Bc6 25.Rb2 Kg7 26.f3 Re8 27.Kf2 e4 {Gives the d4-square for the white knight. Since White wants to maneuver with his knight to c3 via the b1 square, Giri suggested instead the semi-waiting move} ( 27...h5 {and only after} 28.Nb1 e4 ) ( {I am more inclined to think that passive defense is best here:} 27...Rb8 28.Nb1 Nc5 29.Nc3 Ra3 30.Nd5 Bxd5 31.cxd5 {although I am not sure if Black can hold this.} ) 28.Nb3 ( 28.f4 $5 ) 28...exf3 29.gxf3 Ba4 30.Rd1 Re5 31.Rd5 Rxd5 {In time trouble Vachier- Lagrave forces play.} 32.cxd5 Bxb3 33.axb3 Kf6 34.f4 {Probably better was} ( 34.Rd2 Nc5 35.d6 Rd7 36.Bb5 Rd8 37.b4 {to break the blockade.} ) 34...g5 35.Rc2 {Giri did not like the computer suggestion} ( 35.Kg3 gxf4+ 36.Kxf4 Ne5 {with blockade.} ) 35...gxf4 36.exf4 {Sets a trap in which Black almost fails.} 36...Ke7 $1 ( {The trap was} 36...Ra3 37.Rc7 Nc5 38.Bh5 $1 {whne Black loses material with checks} 38...Kf5 39.Rxf7+ Ke4 40.Bf3+ {Giri.} ) 37.Rc6 Nf6 38.Bf3 Rd7 {"I totally missed that" Giri.} 39.Rxb6 Nxd5 40.Bxd5 Rxd5 {"I thought this should be a draw on the spot, but then I remembered Peter Svidler beating me once in a same endgame" Giri.} 41.Kg3 $1 ( {Worse is} 41.b4 Rd3 42.b5 Rb3 {when the white king is cut and it should be a draw.} ) 41...h5 {In a race this pawn will be well placed. Black has plenty of ideas how to achieve a theoretical draw. For instance, to give away his f- and h- pawns for the white b one. Or penetrate with his king on the kingside and then sacrifice the rook at the proper moment for the b-pawn.} 42.Kh4 Rf5 43.Rb4 Rd5 44.Rc4 Kf6 45.b4 Kg6 {The other defensive set up is} ( 45...Rb5 46.Rd4 Kg6 47.Kg3 ) 46.Rc6+ {A subtlety. In the line} ( 46.Rc2 Rd4 47.Rb2 Rxf4+ 48.Kg3 {Black has} 48...Rf6 {as Giri said at the press conference, but later he pointed out to Chess.com that} 49.b5 Rb6 50.Kf4 {probably wins for White, e.g.} 50...Kf6 51.Rb4 {with Zugzwang.} ) 46...f6 47.Rc2 Rb5 ( {Giri expected} 47...Rd4 {when he was debating between} 48.Rb2 {Now the black rook will have to stand passively in front of the b pawn.} ( {And} 48.Rg2+ Kf5 ( {However} 48...Kf7 {is trickier as Black leaves the fifth rank available for his rook} 49.Rb2 Rxf4+ 50.Kxh5 Rf5+ 51.Kg4 Rb5 {with chances of survival.} ) 49.Rb2 Rxf4+ 50.Kxh5 {which might be winning for White.} ) 48...Rxf4+ {Here the Dutch GM showed his calculations} 49.Kg3 ( {Instead White wins with the neat} 49.Kh3 $1 Rd4 50.b5 Rd3+ 51.Kg2 Rd7 52.b6 Rb7 53.Rb5 {followed by Kg2-g2-h4 and zugzwang.} ) 49...Rg4+ 50.Kf3 ( 50.Kh3 $1 {is still best.} ) 50...Kf5 51.b5 Rg7 52.b6 Rb7 53.h4 {when he was not sure if this is a win or not. In fact Black is in time} 53...Ke5 54.Rb5+ Kd6 55.Kf4 Kc6 56.Rb1 Rxb6 57.Rxb6+ Kxb6 58.Kf5 Kc6 59.Kxf6 Kd7 ) 48.Rb2 Kf5 49.Kg3 ( {Nothing gives} 49.Kxh5 Kxf4+ 50.Kg6 f5 51.Kf6 ( 51.h4 Kg4 52.h5 Rb6+ ) 51...Ke3 52.Ke6 f4 53.Kd6 f3 54.Kc6 f2 {Giri.} ) 49...Ke4 50.Rb1 {Zugzwang. On the top of it Vachier was again low on time.} 50...Kd3 ( {On} 50...Ke3 {Giri planned} 51.Re1+ Kd4 52.Re6 {but this draws after} ( {Instead} 52.Kf3 $1 {seemingly wins} 52...f5 53.Kg3 Rxb4 54.Kh4 Rb2 55.Kxh5 Rxh2+ 56.Kg5 Rh8 57.Kxf5 ) 52...Rxb4 53.Kh4 Rb5 54.Rxf6 Ke4 ) ( {After the game Giri noticed that} 50...Ke3 {does draw because of} 51.Re1+ Kd3 $1 52.Kf3 Rxb4 53.Rd1+ Kc2 $1 54.Rd5 $5 ( 54.Rd6 f5 ) 54...Rb3+ 55.Ke4 Rh3 {and with the white rook on d5, Ra2+ is not available.} ) 51.Kf3 Kc2 {"This definitely goes too far." (Giri)} 52.Ra1 Rxb4 53.Ra5 Rb3+ 54.Ke4 h4 ( {Or} 54...Rh3 55.Kf5 ( 55.Ra2+ Kb3 56.Rf2 {is easier.} ) 55...Kb1 ( 55...Kb3 $1 ) ( 55...Rxh2 $4 56.Ra2+ ) 56.Kxf6 Rxh2 57.Kg5 h4 58.Kg4 h3 59.Kg3 {and White wins (Giri).} ) 55.Kf5 {Now the game is decided by the awkward position of the black king.} 55...Kd3 56.Kxf6 Ke4 57.f5 h3 58.Ra4+ Kf3 59.Kg5 Rb5 60.Ra2 Rb4 61.f6 Rg4+ 62.Kf5 Rf4+ 63.Ke6 $1 {The last nuance. In the line} ( 63.Kg6 $2 Rg4+ 64.Kh7 Rf4 65.Kg6 ( 65.Kg7 Rg4+ 66.Kf8 Rg2 67.Ra3+ Kg4 ) 65...Rg4+ 66.Kf7 Rg2 {Black escapes with a draw.} ) 63...Re4+ 64.Kd6 Rd4+ 65.Ke7 Re4+ 66.Kf8 Rb4 67.f7 Rf4 68.Rb2 Ra4 69.Rb6 {One more fine positional game by Giri in Baku.} 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.09.27"]
[Round "46.2"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[ECO "E15"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "154"]
[Beauty "4401959801864"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:39"]
[BlackClock "0:14:04"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.b3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Be7 7.Bg2 c6 8.Bc3 d5 9.Ne5 Nfd7 {This line is quite topical nowadays and considered to be very solid for Black.} 10.Nxd7 Nxd7 11.Nd2 O-O 12.O-O Rc8 13.Re1 c5 14.cxd5 exd5 15.Rc1 ( {Topalov had tried instead} 15.e3 {against Adams when after} 15...Nf6 16.Qb1 Qd7 17.Qb2 cxd4 18.Bxd4 Bd3 19.Rac1 h5 $5 {Black managed to hold his own later, Topalov,V (2772)-Adams,M (2734) Sofia 2007} ) 15...cxd4 16.Bxd4 Nc5 17.Bb2 {A novelty. Instead Lukov tried to pressurize the isolated pawn with the cunning} ( 17.Nf3 Re8 18.Qd2 Bf8 19.Ng5 $5 h6 20.Nh3 {with the idea Nh3-f4, but Black found a very interesting reply to this maneuver} 20...Ne4 21.Qb2 g5 $1 {with counterplay in Lukov,V (2430)-Mateo,R (2385) Rio Gallegos 1986} ) 17...d4 $6 {Karjakin would be happy to trade the isolani and seal the draw, but it seems as he had missed something in his calculations. What follows is more or less forced} 18.Nf3 d3 19.exd3 Nxd3 20.Rxc8 Qxc8 21.Rxe7 Nxb2 {Now this knight is stuck in White's camp and is in danger.} 22.Qd7 ( 22.Qd2 $5 {might be even stronger with the idea to meet} 22...Nd3 23.Rxa7 Rd8 {with the strong} 24.Nd4 $1 Nc1 25.Qf4 {and there is no time for} 25...Rxd4 $2 26.Qxf7+ Kh8 27.Qxg7# ) 22...Qc1+ 23.Re1 Qc8 24.Qxc8 ( {Now} 24.Qd2 {is coming with a loss of a tempo, although White is better after} 24...Nd3 25.Re7 Rd8 26.Qe3 ) 24...Rxc8 {Karjakin managed to get rid of the isolated pawn but some problems remain. White's pieces are more active and the knight on b2 is still misplaced.} 25.Bh3 Rd8 ( {Peter Svidler suggested} 25...Nd3 26.Bxc8 Nxe1 27.Bxa6 Nxf3+ 28.Kg2 Nd4 {followed by bringing the king to d6 and playing ...f6.} ) 26.Ne5 g6 $6 ( {Here} 26...Rd1 27.Rxd1 Nxd1 28.Nc6 Nc3 $1 {would have led to a quick draw.} ) 27.Bf1 Bxf1 28.Kxf1 a5 ( {To free the knight is not as easy as it seems:} 28...Kg7 29.Ke2 f6 30.Nc6 Rd7 31.Rb1 Nd3 32.Rd1 Rc7 33.Rxd3 Rxc6 34.Rd7+ {would win a pawn for White.} ) ( 28...Rd6 $5 {to control the critical c6-square might have been best. For example} 29.Re3 Nd1 30.Re2 Re6 {and Black equalizes.} ) 29.Re3 ( 29.Ke2 $5 {deserved attention} 29...Re8 30.Kd2 Rd8+ 31.Kc2 f6 32.Nc6 Nd3 33.Nxd8 Nxe1+ 34.Kc3 {with chances for White.} ) 29...f6 30.Ng4 Kf7 31.Rc3 h5 ( 31...Nd3 32.Rc7+ ) 32.Ne3 $1 {The presence of knights on the board is always dangerous for the defender. The arising minor endgame might easily be lost for him.} ( 32.Rc7+ Ke6 33.Ne3 Nd1 ) 32...Nd3 33.Rc7+ Ke6 34.Rb7 Nc1 35.Rxb6+ Kf7 {Or else White reaches a knight endgame a pawn up.} ( 35...Rd6 36.Rxd6+ Kxd6 37.Nc4+ Kc5 38.Nxa5 Nxa2 39.Ke2 ) 36.Rb7+ Ke6 37.Rb6+ Kf7 38.a4 Rd3 39.b4 axb4 40.Rxb4 Ra3 {Eljanov won a pawn and has realistic winning chances.} 41.Nc4 ( {The computer recommends instead} 41.Rb7+ Kf8 ( 41...Ke6 42.Rb6+ Kf7 43.Nd5 {is similar but with more active black king.} ) 42.Nd5 Rxa4 43.Nxf6 {but not many humans will trade the outside passer for one on the kingside here. Ater all, if Black manages to trade the knights that would be a theoretical draw. Even the knight endgame should be a draw in most of the cases.} ) 41...Ra1 42.Kg2 Nd3 43.Rb7+ Ke6 44.Rb6+ Ke7 45.a5 Ra4 {Now the black pieces get perfectly coordinated.} 46.Rc6 Ne1+ 47.Kf1 Nf3 48.Rc7+ Ke6 49.Ke2 ( 49.Kg2 Ne1+ 50.Kf1 Nf3 {repeats the position.} ) 49...Nxh2 50.Kd3 Nf3 ( 50...Ng4 $1 {was more subtle with a draw after} 51.f4 Nf2+ 52.Ke3 Nh1 53.Kf3 Ra2 $1 ) 51.Rc6+ Kf5 52.Kc3 g5 53.Rc5+ Ke6 $6 {This move allows incredible, study-like play for White. Obviously Karjakin did not like the line} ( 53...Kg6 54.Kb3 Ra1 55.Na3 Re1 56.a6 {but this was to be preferred to the game continuation.} ) 54.Kb3 ( {Instead} 54.Nb6 Ra2 55.Kb3 Rd2 {to remove the black rook from the a-file was called for. Then White had the incredible resource:} 56.a6 Rd6 57.Nd5 $3 {When Black has to defend very carefully with} ( 57.Nc4 Rxa6 ) ( 57.Rb5 $4 Nd4+ ) 57...Nd4+ ( 57...Rxa6 $4 58.Nc7+ ) ( 57...Rxd5 $4 58.Rxd5 Kxd5 59.a7 ) 58.Kc4 Nc6 59.f4 $1 Na7 60.fxg5 fxg5 61.Nb4 h4 $1 62.Rxg5 hxg3 63.Rxg3 Rd1 {and should most likely survive.} ) 54...Ra1 55.Kb2 Ra4 56.Kb3 Ra1 57.Kb2 Ra4 58.Nb6 Rb4+ 59.Ka3 Rb1 60.Ka2 Rb4 61.Rc6+ Kf5 62.a6 {This is still dangerous for Black but he manages to survive.} 62...Ne5 63.Rxf6+ $1 ( 63.a7 Nxc6 64.a8=Q Rxb6 {should be a draw.} ) 63...Kxf6 64.Nd5+ ( {Once more White can promote to a queen but this will be a fortress only after} 64.a7 Rxb6 65.a8=Q Nf7 ) 64...Ke6 65.Nxb4 Nd7 66.Nd3 Kd6 67.a7 Nb6 {Karjakin calculated everything very well.} 68.Kb3 Kc7 69.Kc3 Kb7 70.Kd4 Kxa7 71.Ke4 Nc4 72.Ne5 Nb2 73.Nf7 h4 74.Nxg5 hxg3 75.fxg3 Kb7 76.g4 Kc8 77.Kf5 Nd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "European Club Cup - Open"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.10.24"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Li, Chao B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[ECO "D94"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8248753133599"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteClock "0:39:09"]
[BlackClock "0:00:51"]

{In this important game both players followed the game Carlsen-Mamedyarov from the Gashimov Memorial, played in Shamkir in April. Carlsen won rather convincingly, but Li Chao obviously had another opinion about the line.} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 g6 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.Be2 {This move is considered more precise than} ( 6.Bd3 O-O 7.O-O {which allows} 7...Bg4 ) 6...O-O 7.O-O b6 8.a4 a5 {Mamedyarov had some doubts about this move after the game against Carlsen.} ( 8...Ba6 {and} ) ( 8...Bf5 {were tested as well previously.} ) 9.cxd5 cxd5 {Some months ago this was a novelty. Mamedyarov tried to improve upon a game by Anand that saw:} ( 9...Nxd5 10.e4 Nb4 11.Be3 Bg4 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 {with a long-lasting edge for White in Anand,V (2800)-Wang,Y (2732) Nanjing 2010} ) 10.b3 Ne4 {I awarded this with a question mark when annotating the game. Both Carlsen and Mamedyarov didn't like the move either.} ( {Instead both} 10...Nc6 11.Ba3 Nb4 ) ( {Or} 10...Ba6 {and only after} 11.Nb5 Ne4 {are playable for Black.} ) 11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.Nd2 Bb7 {More or less forced.} ( {The point is that the usual freeing move} 12...e5 {can be answered} 13.Ba3 $1 ( {Or also} 13.d5 $1 Qxd5 14.Ba3 Rd8 15.Nxe4 ) 13...Re8 14.Nxe4 exd4 15.Nd6 {In both cases with large advantage for White.} ) 13.Ba3 f5 14.Rc1 {A clever move. Carlsen did not want to put a piece yet on c4. Neither did Vachier-Lagrave.} 14...Nd7 {This is where Li Chao deviated from the aforementioned game:} ( 14...Kh8 {In case Black continues his development with} 15.Nc4 Nd7 {White goes} 16.d5 $1 Rc8 17.d6 {Carlsen: "Once I get the pawn to d6 then the position is, I think, very unpleasant for Black. He cannot get serious counterplay against the king and I break through on the queenside quickly." Mamedyarov agreed with the world champion: "It was very easy to play for White."} 17...e6 18.b4 {with big a advantage for White which the world champion duly converted, Carlsen,M (2863)-Mamedyarov,S (2756) Shamkir 2015} ) 15.b4 $1 {The French GM opens more files on the queenside.} ( {In the comments in the news section of Chess.com I suggested the line} 15.Bb5 Nf6 16.Nc4 {with a bind. One line goes} 16...Nd5 17.Ne5 Rc8 18.Rxc8 Qxc8 19.Bd7 Qa8 20.Be6+ Kh8 21.Nf7+ Kg8 {Quite strangely White does not win material after the many discovered attacks, but this does not change the evaluation of the position as clearly better for White} 22.Nd8+ Kh8 23.Nxb7 Qxb7 24.Qc2 ) 15...Nf6 {Or else the knight may not make it to d5. As in the line} ( 15...axb4 16.Qb3+ Kh8 17.Qxb4 {with pressure against the e7 and b6 pawns.} ) 16.bxa5 bxa5 17.Nc4 Nd5 18.Ne5 {Both knights have occupied excellent outposts. Now the question is which one will create real threats.} 18...f4 {To make the d5-knight work.} ( {White is better after} 18...Bxe5 19.dxe5 Ba6 20.Bb5 {but perhaps this was the lesser evil for Black.} ) 19.Qb3 Rb8 20.Bb5 {It is White's turn to create threats with the knight. The d7-square is quite tempting.} 20...Bxe5 {So, Black had to give up the bishop pair but now White dominates the board.} ( 20...f3 21.Nd7 ) 21.dxe5 fxe3 22.fxe3 Rxf1+ 23.Rxf1 Rc8 {This makes things easier for White.} ( 23...Ba8 {was more tenacious, although after} 24.Qa2 {with the idea Qa2-f2 White should be winning.} ) 24.Bc4 Qd7 ( 24...Ba8 25.Bxe7 {wins a couple of pawns for White.} ) 25.e6 $1 Qc6 26.Rc1 {With the simple threat to take on d5.} 26...Nb6 {Loses material.} ( 26...Re8 27.Bb5 Qb6 28.Bc5 ) ( 26...Rb8 {was not losing anything on the spot, but Black cannot untie his pieces after that.} ) 27.Ba6 $1 Bxa6 ( 27...Qxa4 28.Rxc8+ Bxc8 29.Qxa4 Nxa4 30.Bxc8 ) 28.Rxc6 Rxc6 29.Bxe7 Bc4 30.Qc3 Nd5 31.Qxa5 Nc7 32.Qa7 {Li Chao failed to resurrect the line.} 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.10.03"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[ECO "B53"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[Beauty "8246874082862"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[WhiteClock "0:12:32"]
[BlackClock "0:16:45"]

1.e4 c5 {In a must-win situation Krjakin probably did not even consider the Berlin as an option.} 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 {The last time Svidler played this solid was back in 1999 against Garry Kasparov.} 4...a6 5.c4 Nc6 6.Qe3 Nf6 7.h3 g6 8.Nc3 Bg7 9.Be2 Nd7 {Sooner or later this knight will step back to open up the bishop and get to a better position. Black can also start with the castling:} ( {Relevant:} 9...O-O 10.O-O Rb8 11.Rd1 Nd7 12.Rb1 Qb6 13.Qd2 Nde5 {as in Lagarde,M (2540)-Edouard,R (2634) Saint Quentin 2015} ) 10.Rb1 {White carefully finishes the development.} 10...Nde5 11.O-O O-O 12.Rd1 Nxf3+ 13.Bxf3 {Both sides achieved what they wanted- approximate equality. However, we should not forget that Karjakin is in a must-win situation.} 13...f5 {The typical Accelareted Dragon counter-play.} 14.exf5 {And a standard reply which appears to be a novelty. Svidler does not want to allow the f5-f4 advance. In correspondance game another player with the white pieces did:} ( {Predecessor:} 14.Nd5 e6 15.Nf4 e5 16.Ne2 f4 17.Qa3 Qg5 18.Rxd6 Bxh3 {with complications in Szymanski,R (2372)-Chomicki,H (2229) ICCF email 2011. Karjakin definitely would not mind these.} ) 14...Bxf5 15.Be4 Qd7 16.Nd5 Qe6 17.Bxf5 Qxf5 {One more light piece disappeared. At least Black got some activity along the half-open f file.} 18.Bd2 {Of course not} ( 18.Nxe7+ $4 Nxe7 19.Qxe7 Rae8 20.Qxd6 Qxf2+ 21.Kh1 Re1+ 22.Rxe1 Qxe1+ 23.Kh2 Be5+ ) 18...Rae8 19.Bc3 e6 20.Nb6 d5 $1 {The only chance to complicate matters. Black starts an attack through the center while the white knight is away from the main battlefield.} 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 {Third light piece leaves the board...} 22.Qc5 ( {Black is somewhat better in the endgame after} 22.cxd5 $6 exd5 23.Qc5 d4 24.Qxf5 Rxf5 25.Rd2 ) 22...Rf6 {A risky decision, the only real chance to play for a win! If this was an ordinary game Karjakin would have opted for} ( 22...dxc4 23.Qxf5 exf5 24.Nxc4 Re7 ) 23.b4 {With the idea b4-b5. Once again the d5 pawn is poisoned due to} ( 23.cxd5 exd5 24.Nxd5 Re2 25.Qb6 Qxf2+ 26.Qxf2 Rfxf2 {and the rooks rock.} ) 23...Ne5 24.cxd5 Nd3 {This was the position that Karjakin had in mind. He will regain the pawn on f2 and open up the white king. True, in the process his knight might get trapped, but did he have anything to lose?} 25.Qe3 ( {Another way to defend is} 25.Qc7+ $5 {when Black has to choose wisely where to go with the king. The obvious square} 25...Kg8 $2 {is a bad choice because of} ( 25...Kh8 {is better but then the line} 26.Qc3 Nxf2 ( {White has risk-free advantage in the line} 26...Qxf2+ 27.Kh1 e5 28.Qxd3 Qxb6 29.d6 ) 27.Nd7 {is good for White.} ) ( {According to the computer, the best move is} 25...Kh6 {but then White can win a tempo with a timely check against the enemy king as in the line} 26.Qg3 Nf4 27.Qh4+ $1 {(away from the fork on e2)} 27...Kg7 28.dxe6 g5 29.Qg4 ) 26.Nd7 Qxf2+ 27.Kh2 Rf7 28.Rf1 Qxf1 29.Rxf1 Rxf1 30.dxe6 ) 25...Nxf2 {The match situation is not about rational decisions any more! Once again, from objective perspective best was} ( 25...Qxf2+ 26.Qxf2 Nxf2 27.Re1 Nd3 28.Re3 Nf4 {with a draw.} ) 26.Rf1 {The knight is trapped.} 26...Qe4 27.Rbe1 {Svidler plays according to the position. He had probably calculated the line which happened later in the game. A draw could have been achieved by simple means with} ( 27.Qxe4 Nxe4 28.dxe6 Rfxe6 29.Nd5 Nd2 30.Nc7 ) 27...exd5 ( 27...Ref8 28.Qxe4 Nxe4 29.Rxf6 Nxf6 {leaves Black no hint of a chance.} ) 28.Rxf2 $6 {Not yet a mistake but a huge step forward it. White could have won the knight with} ( 28.Qd2 Nxh3+ 29.gxh3 Rxf1+ 30.Rxf1 {when Black has chances for a draw. But only in this game, not in the match...} ) 28...Qh4 {Probably Svidler was hoping for the nice line:} ( 28...Qxe3 29.Rxe3 Rxe3 30.Rxf6 Kxf6 31.Nxd5+ ) 29.Qd2 $4 {Unbelievable! The exhausting matches and the final pressure came too much for Svidler. He blunders the game away.} ( {Instead} 29.Qxe8 Qxf2+ 30.Kh2 Qxb6 {would give some winning chances for Black but should be still a draw with careful play. For example} 31.Re7+ Kh6 32.Rd7 Qxb4 33.Qg8 Qf4+ 34.Kh1 Qe5 35.Rxh7+ Kg5 36.Qd8 {followed by Rh7-d7. Black cannot win with his king that exposed.} ) 29...Rxf2 30.Qc3+ ( 30.Qxf2 Rxe1+ ) 30...d4 {Svidler resigned due to} ( 30...d4 31.Qc7+ Rf7 ) 0-1

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.10.04"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[ECO "D06"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6601767391238"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[WhiteClock "0:12:23"]
[BlackClock "0:15:27"]

1.Nf3 {In the decisive game of the match Karjakin decides to avoid the open games. Wise decision, especially taking into account the fact how well Svidler did there at this tournament. Another argument about Karjakin's opening choice is the fact that he also avoids the Gruenfeld.} 1...d5 2.d4 c5 {Svidler had already played like that, in a rapid game against Nepomniachtchi.} 3.c4 cxd4 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Qxd4 {The above-mentioned game saw:} ( 5.Nxd4 Nxd5 6.e4 Nf6 7.Nc3 e5 8.Ndb5 a6 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.Na3 Be6 {and Black solved his opening problems, Nepomniachtchi,I (2702)-Svidler,P (2740) Nizhnij Novgorod 2013} ) 5...Qxd5 6.Nc3 Qxd4 7.Nxd4 {Curiously, this position was discussed in the match for the world championship between Lasker and Tarrasch, roughly 100 years ago!} 7...Bd7 {The second main move and the beginning of Black's problems. Tarrasch reacted with} ( 7...e5 {but this also allowed the white knight the b5 squre. After} 8.Ndb5 Kd8 9.Be3 Nc6 10.g3 Bd7 11.Rd1 Kc8 12.Bg2 {White had an edge, Lasker,E-Tarrasch,S Berlin 1916} ) ( {The main move is} 7...a6 ) 8.Ndb5 Kd8 {Or} ( 8...Na6 9.Bf4 g6 10.e4 Bg7 11.O-O-O Bc6 12.f3 {with advantage for White, Lindberg,B (2426)-Berkell,P (2249) Sweden 2004} ) 9.Be3 $1 {Support the white knight on b5.} 9...Nc6 ( {Black does not have the move} 9...a6 10.Bb6+ Kc8 11.Nc7 ) 10.f3 {A novelty. The idea is to limit the black knights.} ( {A recent GM game saw Black demolished in mere seventeen moves after} 10.g3 Ng4 11.Bd2 Nb4 ( {However, Black had plenty of improvements along the way, for example here} 11...a6 12.Na3 e5 ) 12.Rc1 Nxa2 13.Nxa2 Bxb5 14.Bg2 e6 15.Ba5+ Ke8 16.Bc7 Bc6 17.Rxc6 {1-0 (17) Grigoriants,S (2606)-Gleizerov,E (2501) Dresden 2015} ) 10...h5 {Stops the positional threat g2-g4.} 11.O-O-O Kc8 12.Bg5 {White can be very happy with the opening. He has betetr development, extra space and on the top of this Black has huge difficulties in bringing his dark-squared bishop out.} 12...g6 {A sad choice but the alternatives were no better:} ( {Bad is} 12...e6 13.e4 Be7 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Rxd6 ) ( {Even worse is the attempt to get rid of the annoying knight:} 12...a6 13.Na4 axb5 14.Nb6+ Kb8 15.Nxa8 Kxa8 16.Bxf6 ) 13.Nd6+ exd6 14.Bxf6 Rg8 15.e4 {One more advantage is added to white's position- the isolated d6 pawn.} 15...Be6 16.Kb1 Kd7 17.Nd5 Bg7 18.Bxg7 Rxg7 19.Bb5 {The pins along the a4-e8 diagonal and the half-open d file make Black's position very difficult. White intends to double his rooks along the d file (or sometimes along the c one too!) The e4-e5 threat is always in the air and the g7 rook is stuck on this ugly square.} 19...Kd8 ( 19...Rd8 20.Rd2 ) ( 19...Bxd5 $2 20.exd5 ) 20.Rd2 Bxd5 21.Rxd5 Kc7 22.Rc1 Re8 23.Rd4 ( {Another idea was} 23.Bd3 {intending to meet} 23...Re5 {with} 24.f4 Re6 25.b4 $1 ) 23...Re5 24.Ba4 {The bishop is clearly superior to the knight and Karjakin wants to keep it on board. The endgame of this game has similarities with the one that the Russian GM won against P. Eljanov at the decisive second rapid game of their tie-break.} ( {The rook endgame promises good drawing chances to Black} 24.Bxc6 bxc6 25.Rdc4 c5 26.f4 Re6 27.e5 g5 28.exd6+ Kxd6 29.Rxc5 gxf4 ) 24...b5 25.Bb3 Rc5 26.Rd5 Rxc1+ 27.Kxc1 a6 {Svidler did the best that he could-traded one of the active white rooks, got rid of the pins, but his position still remains clearly worse.} 28.Rd3 g5 {Black plays for fortress.} ( 28...f5 $1 {to exchange pawns and open files was better, for example} 29.Bd5 ( 29.exf5 gxf5 30.g3 h4 ) 29...Nb4 30.Rc3+ Kd7 31.Bb3 fxe4 32.fxe4 Re7 {with excellent chances for a draw.} ) 29.Kd2 h4 30.Rc3 Kb6 31.Rd3 Kc7 32.Ke3 f6 33.Rc3 Kb6 34.Rd3 {Karjakin does not hurry.} 34...Kc7 35.Rc3 Kb6 36.Bd5 Ne7 37.Kd4 Rh7 38.Be6 $1 {All the white pieces are optimally placed. The bishop took under control important squares (c8 in particular) and opened the road for the white king. It is time to somehow break the black fortress.} 38...Rh8 39.a3 Rd8 {Perhaps Black should have tried to take the open file with} ( 39...Ra8 40.Rc2 Ra7 41.g3 hxg3 42.hxg3 Rc7 ) 40.Rc2 $1 {The idea is to open a second front after Rc2-f2 and f3-f4!} 40...Rh8 41.Rf2 Ng6 $1 {The best defense. Otherwise f3-f4 would be played but now the white king gets in.} 42.Kd5 Rd8 {With the threat Ng6-f4xe6.} 43.Bf5 Nf4+ 44.Kd4 Re8 $2 {This loses. The critical line was} ( 44...d5 $1 45.e5 fxe5+ 46.Kxe5 d4 {It seems as Black will soon lose this pawn and the last hope, but the position somehow holds. For example} 47.Rd2 Kc5 48.Rc2+ Kb6 49.Be4 d3 50.Rd2 Kc5 51.g3 hxg3 52.hxg3 Nh5 53.Bxd3 Nxg3 54.Rc2+ Kb6 {A lot of pawns have been traded and what is best, White does not have time to win the g5 one-} 55.Bg6 Rf8 {and Black should hold this.} ) 45.g3 Ne6+ 46.Bxe6 $1 {Probably Svidler has spent most of his time calculating the line} ( 46.Kd5 hxg3 47.hxg3 Nc5 48.Kxd6 g4 $1 49.Bxg4 ( 49.fxg4 Rxe4 50.b4 Nb7+ 51.Kd7 ) 49...Rxe4 50.fxe4 Nxe4+ 51.Ke6 Nxf2 52.Bf5 Kc5 {and maybe he found a draw there, but Karjakin found a better way.} ( 52...b4 $5 ) ) 46...Rxe6 47.Kd5 {White wins a pawn which together with the active pieces secures him the win.} 47...Re5+ 48.Kxd6 hxg3 49.hxg3 g4 50.fxg4 Rxe4 51.Rf4 $1 {Much better than} ( 51.Rxf6 Rxg4 52.Ke5+ Ka5 53.Rf3 Rg8 54.Kf5 Rf8+ 55.Kg4 Rg8+ 56.Kh3 b4 ) 51...Re3 52.Rxf6 Rxg3 53.Ke5+ Kb7 54.Kf5 Rb3 55.g5 Rxb2 56.g6 Rg2 57.Ke6 {Followed by Ke6-f7 and wins the rook. An important detail is that the white rooks cuts the black king along the sixth rank and Black cannot create a dangerous passer.} 1-0

[Event "Chess Masters"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2015.10.30"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "E61"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "5430851941384"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[WhiteClock "0:37:45"]
[BlackClock "0:29:19"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.e3 {A lot of people try to avoid the Gruenfeld nowadays.} 4...O-O 5.Be2 c5 6.d5 e6 7.Nc3 d6 8.Nd2 Re8 9.O-O Na6 {But Black should not complain too much about the Benoni position that he got.} 10.e4 ( {Svidler got less than nothing after} 10.dxe6 Bxe6 11.e4 Nb4 $1 12.Nb3 Nc6 $1 13.Bf4 Nd4 14.Nxd4 cxd4 15.Nb5 Nxe4 {with advantage for Black in Svidler,P (2751)-Gelfand,B (2753) Jerusalem 2014} ) 10...Nc7 11.a4 {A novelty which is designed to stop the b7-b5 resource after Black trades on d5.} ( {A recent top GM predecessor saw} 11.Re1 Rb8 12.dxe6 Nxe6 {and after} 13.Nb3 {Black used the same d4 square for his knight as Gelfand:} 13...Nd4 $1 14.Bf1 ( 14.Nxd4 cxd4 15.Qxd4 $2 Nxe4 ) 14...Ng4 15.h3 Ne5 {with active piece play for Black in Dreev,A (2670)-Grischuk,A (2777) Loo 2014} ) 11...Na6 {A typical twist. The knight says "Thank you for the b4 outpost!"} 12.f3 {The other way to control e4 is dubious:} ( 12.Bd3 Nb4 13.Bb1 Nh5 14.f4 exd5 15.cxd5 Bd4+ 16.Kh1 Qh4 {and the g3 checky might be annoying.} ) 12...Nb4 13.Rf2 {To regroup the light pieces.} ( 13.Re1 {will be answered with} 13...Nh5 {anyway.} ) 13...Nh5 14.dxe6 {As otherwise Black will attack the center with} ( 14.Nf1 exd5 15.cxd5 f5 ) 14...Bxe6 15.Nb3 {Ding decided to keep firm control over the d4-square, since otherwise Black may win the battle for the dark-squares after} ( 15.Nf1 Bd4 16.Be3 Bxe3 17.Nxe3 Qg5 ) 15...f5 {So can be happy with the outcome of the opening - all his pieces are nicely placed.} 16.Bf1 ( {There is not fork in the line} 16.exf5 Bxf5 17.g4 $2 Bc2 ) 16...Qe7 17.Be3 {The Chinese GM wisely decided not to open any files with} ( 17.exf5 gxf5 {as Black is clearly better prepared for an open fight.} ( 17...Bxf5 $2 {this time is bad due to} 18.g4 {as the rook controls the c2 point.} ) ) 17...f4 18.Bd2 Be5 {So achieved everything that he wanted: he gained space on the kingside, placed all his light pieces on optimal squares and is somewhat better. His plan is to advance the g-pawn and open the kingside. Still, White's position is a tough nut to crack. Especially when Ding skillfully brings his piecs out.} 19.Be1 {This protects the b2-pawn and prepares Nc3-d5.} 19...Nc6 ( 19...Ng3 $5 {can be met with the same} 20.Nd5 ( {But not} 20.hxg3 $4 fxg3 ) ) 20.Nd5 Qg7 21.Bc3 Rad8 22.Nc1 $1 g5 23.Nd3 {The knight was redeployed just in time.} 23...Bxc3 {Or else White can start queenside play with} ( 23...Bd4 24.Bxd4 Nxd4 25.b4 {though Black is still better.} ) 24.bxc3 Bxd5 ( {Maybe it was time for some Nimtzo-Indian with} 24...Na5 {followed by Nh5-f6-f7-e5!?} ) 25.cxd5 Ne5 26.Rb1 {The play along the half-open b-file compensates White for Black's better minor piece.} 26...Re7 27.Nxe5 Qxe5 28.Rb3 Rdd7 29.Qc1 Nf6 30.h3 h5 ( 30...Nh5 $5 {was also interesting, although White should hold after} 31.c4 Ng3 32.Qb2 Qxb2 33.Rfxb2 ) 31.c4 Rg7 32.a5 ( 32.Qb2 $5 ) 32...Rdf7 {So is ready to go forward with g5-g4 and Ding correctly goes for...} 33.Qb2 g4 ( 33...Qxb2 34.Rfxb2 ) 34.Qxe5 dxe5 {Without the queens the attack is no longer that dangerous. White also got a valuable asset: the protected passed d5-pawn.} 35.Kh1 gxf3 36.gxf3 h4 37.Rb5 Rc7 38.Rd2 Nh5 39.Kh2 Ng3 {The knight looks strong but cannot do anything of his own.} 40.Bg2 Rgd7 41.d6 {This forces matters.} 41...Rc6 42.Rd5 b6 43.Rxe5 Rcxd6 44.Rg5+ Rg7 45.axb6 axb6 ( 45...Rxg5 46.bxa7 Ra6 47.Rb8+ Kg7 48.a8=Q Rxa8 49.Rxa8 Ne2 ) 46.Rg4 Rd2 47.Rxb6 ( {Not} 47.Rxf4 $4 Nf1+ 48.Kg1 Ne3 {with a win.} ) 47...Nf1+ 48.Kg1 Rxg4 49.hxg4 Ne3 50.Bh3 Rd1+ {Black forces a draw.} ( {Another way to do it would be} 50...Nxc4 51.Rg6+ Kf7 52.Rg5 Ne3 53.Rxc5 Rd1+ ) 51.Kh2 Rd2+ 52.Kg1 Rd1+ 53.Kh2 Rd2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "8th Grand Slam Masters"]
[Site "Bilbao ESP"]
[Date "2015.10.26"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "E98"]
[EventDate "2015.10.26"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[Beauty "6393595753559"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 {Ding Liren is a firm believer of the KID.} 8.d5 Ne7 9.Ne1 Nd7 10.Be3 f5 11.f3 f4 12.Bf2 g5 13.Rc1 Ng6 14.c5 $5 {Currently, this pawn sacrifice is the best chance for White to gain the advantage. Two games of Hikaru Nakamura showed that the other main move} ( 14.Nb5 {might be playable for Black:} 14...b6 15.b4 a6 16.Nc3 Rf7 17.Nd3 h5 18.c5 bxc5 19.bxc5 Bf8 {and despite the computer claiming a big edge for White, Nakamura went on to win in Kasimdzhanov,R (2684)-Nakamura,H (2783) London 2012} ) 14...Nxc5 15.b4 Na6 16.Nd3 h5 ( {Another KID specialist chose an ultra-solid set up instead:} 16...Rf7 17.Nb5 b6 18.Be1 Bf6 19.Nf2 h5 20.h3 Bb7 21.Rc2 Qd7 22.Qd3 Bd8 {and held the game to a draw in Topalov,V (2813) -Radjabov,T (2757) Nanjing 2009} ) 17.Nb5 b6 18.Be1 {A nice regroupment! For the pawn So managed to arrest the black knight on a6. The half-open file is another valuable asset. Now he optimises the position of his knigth and bishop and takes care of business on the queenside.} 18...Rf7 19.Bd2 Bf6 20.Nf2 {The knight took control of the g4 square, thus releasing the queen. Now White wants to bring it on a4 and move the knight from b5 (presumably on d6) after which he will crack the queenside of the opponent.} 20...Qe8 {A novelty.} ( {Perhaps Ding should have followed the fooprints of a correspondence game where} 20...Rg7 {was played with the idea to create as much kingside pressure as possible.} 21.Qa4 Nh4 22.h3 ( {Black's idea is revealed in the line} 22.Nxd6 cxd6 23.Bxa6 Bxa6 24.Qxa6 g4 {with an effective kingside attack.} ) ( 22.Nc3 Nb8 {is nothing to worry about.} ) 22...Qd7 23.Rc3 Bd8 24.Rfc1 Nb8 25.Qc2 {Black's position ain't a picknick neither, but he can hold, perhaps, Winkler,T (2631)-Cavajda,I (2417) corr. 2007} ) 21.Qa4 Bd8 22.Qa3 g4 ( {It is too late for} 22...Nh4 23.Nxd6 $1 cxd6 24.Bxa6 Bd7 25.Bb7 ( 25.b5 $5 {with a quick assault on the d6 pawn looks good too.} ) 25...Rb8 26.Bc6 {with a big advantage for White.} ) 23.fxg4 hxg4 24.Nc3 $1 {A sudden twist.} ( {This is even better than} 24.Nxd6 cxd6 25.Bxa6 Bxa6 26.Qxa6 Qd7 27.Rc3 Bh4 {when Black has activity to show on the opposite wing.} ) 24...Nxb4 $1 {The best practical chance. In case of} ( 24...Nb8 25.Nxg4 Rg7 26.Nd1 {White repels any attack, equalizes the material and will slowly but surely destroy his opponent on the queenside.} ) 25.Qxb4 f3 26.Bb5 Qe7 27.g3 Rh7 {So won a piece and is seemingly stable on the kingside. But Ding did not reveal the potential of his position yet.} 28.Qc4 $1 {The best defense is counter-attack.} 28...Rh8 {Intending to double the heavy pieces along the half-open file.} ( {The immediate} 28...Nf4 {will be met with} 29.Qc6 $1 ( {But not} 29.gxf4 $2 Rxh2 $3 {after which Black mates:} 30.Kxh2 Qh4+ 31.Kg1 Qg3+ 32.Kh1 Qg2# ) ) 29.Qc6 $1 {With the obvious threat Qe8+ to swap the queens.} ( {Black's resources are demonstrated by the following lines:} 29.Ncd1 Qh7 30.h3 Nf4 $1 31.Bxf4 exf4 32.e5 fxg3 33.e6 gxf2+ 34.Nxf2 g3 35.Qg4+ Qg7 36.Qxg7+ Kxg7 37.Ne4 Bb7 38.e7 Bxd5 39.exd8=Q f2+ 40.Nxf2 gxf2+ 41.Rxf2 Raxd8 42.Rxc7+ Kh6 43.Rxa7 {with a draw...} ) ( {Or:} 29.Ba6 Qh7 30.h3 Nf4 $1 {with wild complications.} ) 29...Qh7 30.h3 ( {Not} 30.h4 Rb8 {and sacrifice (or actually a capture) on h4 by the black bishop.} ) 30...Rb8 {The only move.} ( {The familiar resource} 30...Nf4 {comes a move too short:} 31.Bxf4 exf4 32.Qxa8 fxg3 33.Qxc8 gxf2+ 34.Rxf2 Qxh3 35.Qxd8+ {and White wins.} ) 31.Ncd1 $1 {Brings the knight in the defence and prepares something...} 31...a6 ( {In case of} 31...Nf4 {So was probably planning} 32.gxf4 ( {Better than} 32.Qe8+ Kg7 33.Qxd8 Ne2+ $1 34.Bxe2 Rxd8 {with unclear play.} ) 32...Qh4 {When} 33.Ne3 {leads to perpetual after} ( {Instead White has the fantastic resource} 33.Kh1 $3 {with the idea} 33...Qg3 34.Qe8+ Kg7 35.Qxh8+ $1 Kxh8 36.Rg1 Qh4 37.Kh2 {with large advantage for the first player.} ) 33...Qg3+ 34.Kh1 Rxh3+ 35.Nxh3 Qxh3+ 36.Kg1 Qg3+ ) 32.Qe8+ $1 {The logical end of White's active defense.} ( {Ding Liren was probably expecting} 32.Ba4 Nf4 33.gxf4 Qh4 34.Kh1 g3 35.f5 {wh Black does not even need to hurry and capture the rook with} 35...g2+ ( {But can wait for a move with} 35...Kh7 $3 36.Be3 g2+ 37.Kg1 gxf1=Q+ 38.Kxf1 Rg8 {and anything can happen.} ) 36.Kg1 gxf1=Q+ 37.Kxf1 Kf7 {although even this is very messy.} ) 32...Kg7 33.Qxd8 $3 {Wesley So gives back some of the material but kills the attack.} 33...Rxd8 34.Rxc7+ Bd7 35.Rxd7+ Rxd7 36.Bxd7 gxh3 37.Kh2 {The three light pieces are much better than the queen here as they control too many squares. The white king is safer that its colleague and this defines White's big advantage.} ( 37.Nxh3 {is possible but not necessary.} ) 37...Rb7 ( {Perhaps} 37...Ne7 38.Ne3 Qh5 39.Nfg4 {was more stubborn.} ) 38.Be6 Nf8 39.Bf5 Qh5 40.Ng4 {It might seem somewhat surprising but the white pieces will be perfectly co-ordinated very soon.} ( 40.Ne3 $5 {followed by Bd2-b4 looks good too.} ) 40...Nd7 {The last move in the time trouble makes White's task easier.} ( {Perhaps} 40...Rf7 $5 41.Nde3 a5 {speculating with the exchange sacrifice on f5.} ) 41.Bh6+ Kh8 42.Nde3 Rc7 43.Bxd7 $1 {A simple, human decision.} ( {The computer recommends instead} 43.Be6 Nf6 44.Nxf6 Qxh6 45.Rxf3 ) 43...Rxd7 44.Rxf3 Rf7 45.Rf5 $1 {The point behind White's trade on d7. He gets a powerful passer on the f file.} ( {Much worse was} 45.Rxf7 Qxf7 46.Nf5 b5 ( 46...a5 ) ) 45...Rxf5 {Forced or else White wins the d6 pawn after} ( 45...Qg6 46.Bf8 $1 ) 46.exf5 Qf7 47.Bg5 b5 ( 47...Qc7 48.f6 ) 48.Nh6 {The pawn runs quickly to f8 as all the white pieces support it and defend each other.} 48...Qf8 49.f6 Kh7 50.Nef5 Kg6 51.Bh4 e4 52.f7 e3 53.Be7 e2 {A pity, Ding did not allow another study-like idea to happen on the board:} ( 53...Qxf7 54.Nxf7 e2 55.Ne5+ $1 dxe5 56.Bb4 ( {Or first} 56.Nh4+ {and then Be7-b4.} ) ) 54.Nh4+ Kh7 55.Bxf8 e1=Q 56.Bxd6 {Black quickly ran out of checks and resigned after} 56...Qf2+ 57.Kxh3 Qf1+ 58.Kg4 Qc4+ 59.Bf4 Qe2+ 60.Nf3 {What a clash of young titans!} 1-0

[Event "PokerStars IoM Masters"]
[Site "Douglas ENG"]
[Date "2015.10.09"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Harikrishna, P."]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "C11"]
[EventDate "2015.10.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[Beauty "6598814601255"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 {From a Classical French the game transposes into the Rubinstein variation.} 5.Nxe4 Be7 6.Bxf6 gxf6 {Black breaks his pawns but gets more tactical chances and possibilities to open his bishops later. Alexander Morozevich gave a burst of popularity to this line at the beginning of the century.} ( 6...Bxf6 {remains the main continuation of the line.} ) 7.Nf3 a6 {A useful move that takes away the b5-square from the white bishop. In the line} ( 7...b6 8.Bb5+ {is awkward for Black as he will have to block the long diagonal fro his bishop with} 8...c6 ) 8.Qd2 f5 9.Nc3 b5 {This is another idea behind Black's a7-a6. Harikrishna intends to worry the white king but above all, the white knights.} 10.O-O-O {Now Naiditsch is thinking about the moment at which he will go d4-d5 and demolish his opponent in the center.} 10...b4 11.Ne2 ( {Another move is} 11.Na4 Bb7 12.Qe3 Qd5 13.Nc5 Bc6 14.b3 Bb5 {Muzychuk,A (2540)-Drozdovskij,Y (2607) Neustadt an der Weinstrasse 2009. If you want to study this line with the black pieces, you definitely should look at the games of Y. Drozdovskij!} ) 11...Bb7 12.Kb1 {Moves away the king from the trouble.} ( 12.Nf4 $2 {is untested for a good reason. Black wins after} 12...Bxf3 13.gxf3 Bg5 {with deadly pin.} ) 12...Qd6 {Before developing his knight Black wants to make sure that he has the other pieces on their optimal squares.} ( 12...Nd7 13.Nf4 Nf6 14.Ne5 ) 13.Ne5 Bd5 {A novelty. This bishop is a great piece and Black is reluctant trading it for nothing.} ( {Two predecessors saw} 13...c6 {which looks less logical as the bishop is blocked. After} 14.Nc4 Qc7 15.Qf4 {INstead White may prefer to keep the queens on the board with either} ( 15.Nf4 ) ( 15.Qe3 ) 15...Qxf4 16.Nxf4 Nd7 17.Na5 {White was a tad better in Espinoza Palomino,W (2273) -Lemos,D (2542) Buenos Aires 2011} ) ( {Please note that} 13...Nd7 {is prematuare as White can get rid of the strong black bishop after} 14.Nc4 Qc6 15.Na5 ( 15.Nf4 $5 {with the idea d4-d5 looks also appealing.} ) 15...Qb6 16.Nxb7 Qxb7 17.Nf4 ) 14.Qe1 ( {The computer suggests the odd} 14.Nf4 Bg5 15.h4 Bh6 {but I do not understand who will be willing to self-pin his knight like that.} ) 14...Nd7 {Now that the white knight is deprived of the c4 square Harikrishna is finally developing his own one. The opening was a success for him, the game seems approximately level. However Naiditsch shows his creativity and starts creating serious problems from now on.} 15.Nf4 c6 ( 15...Bb7 $5 ) 16.Bd3 Bf6 17.Nxd5 cxd5 {So, at the end of the day this bishop has been removed from the board. In return though Black got the half-open c-file and better central control.} 18.f4 Qb6 {A nice prophilactical move! The black king is still in the middle and the opening of the central files can be huge issue for Black if he is not careful. For instance, the obvious move} ( 18...Ke7 {to connect the rooks, play Rf8-c8, Ra8-b8 with an attack on the queenside can be met with} 19.Bxf5 $5 exf5 20.Nc4+ Qe6 21.Qxb4+ Kd8 22.Rhe1 Qc6 23.Nd6 {White will win a third pawn very soon and will attack for free.} 23...Rf8 ( 23...Kc7 24.Nxf7 ) 24.Nxf5 ) 19.Be2 $1 {Now} ( 19.Bxf5 {does not work due to} 19...Bxe5 $1 20.dxe5 exf5 21.Rxd5 Qb7 {and White's compensation is unsufficient.} ) 19...h5 {The bishop should not be allowed on h5:} ( 19...Ke7 20.Bh5 Rhf8 21.g4 $1 {is a strong attack for White.} ) 20.Rd3 Rc8 21.Qd2 Be7 {Black should definitely avoid the opposite-colored bishop middlegame after:} ( 21...Nxe5 22.fxe5 Be7 23.Rh3 h4 24.g4 $1 ) 22.Rb3 ( 22.Rh3 {looks more in the spirit of the position} 22...h4 23.g4 {with the idea to free the road for his f pawn.} ) 22...Nf6 23.Rd1 {Naiditsch probably did not like the line} ( 23.Rc1 Ne4 ( 23...a5 24.c4 ) 24.Qd1 Nf2 ( 24...a5 25.c3 ) 25.Qe1 Qxd4 26.Bxa6 Rc7 {when indeed it is not clear why to trade the central pawn for the flank one.} ) 23...a5 24.a4 {A concession but} ( 24.c4 Ne4 25.Qc2 dxc4 {looks good for Black.} ) 24...Ne4 25.Qe1 Bf6 $6 {Gamble! Poker Stars! Harikrishna sacrifices a pawn. Safer (and objectively better) was} ( 25...Qc7 {as now} 26.c3 bxc3 27.Rc1 Bb4 {works good for Black.} ) 26.c3 Qc7 {Now a forced line follows.} 27.cxb4 Qc2+ 28.Ka2 axb4 29.Bd3 ( 29.Rxb4 $2 Nc3+ ) 29...Nc3+ 30.Qxc3 Rxc3 31.Bxc2 Rxc2 32.Rxb4 O-O {Castling on move 32! You do not see this every day.} 33.Nd7 {This bishop is extremely strong. White correctly wants to trade it, but chooses the wrong move order. After the correct} ( 33.Kb3 $1 Rxg2 34.Nd7 Be7 35.Nxf8 Bxb4 36.Kxb4 Kxf8 37.b3 {Naiditch would have had excellent winning chances as the two connected passers are way too fast.} ) 33...Be7 $1 34.Rb7 Ra8 35.Nb6 {Once more a stronger idea would be to rely on his connected passers after} ( 35.Kb3 Rxg2 36.Rb8+ Rxb8+ 37.Nxb8 {with advantage for White.} ) 35...Ra6 36.Rd3 Bd6 37.Rg3+ {This saves the g-pawn, but White misses an important detail.} 37...Kh8 38.Kb3 $2 {This is a blunder, presumably in time trouble. It was not too late for} ( 38.Rc3 Rxg2 39.Rc6 Bxf4 40.Rxf7 {with double-edged position where White is calling the shots.} ) 38...Rc7 $1 {All of a sudden, White has issues with his knight.} 39.Rb8+ ( 39.Rxc7 Rxb6+ ) 39...Kh7 40.Rgg8 Bxf4 41.Rh8+ Kg7 42.Rhg8+ Kf6 43.Rgd8 $2 {Now the knight is gone. The only way to prolong the battle was} ( 43.g3 Be3 {Black is surely much better, maybe even winning, but at least the white knight survives.} ) 43...Rca7 44.Re8 ( 44.Nd7+ Rxd7 45.Rxd7 Bxb8 ) 44...Bxh2 $1 {Since the rook has nowhere to go Black can snack a pawn.} 45.Ka3 Bg1 {Nicely calculated. I guess Hrkrishna wanted to pay respect to this super piece.} ( 45...Bxb8 {wins prosaically as the white pawns go nowhere after} 46.Rxb8 Rc7 47.b4 Rc3+ 48.Kb2 Rg3 49.b5 Ra7 ) 46.Ra8 Bxd4 47.Nd7+ Kg5 48.Rxa7 Rxa7 49.Nb8 Ra8 {The knight did not go anywhere.} 50.b4 Ba7 51.a5 Rxb8 52.Rxb8 Bxb8 53.b5 Bc7 54.b6 Bd8 55.Kb4 d4 56.Kc4 e5 0-1

[Event "PokerStars IoM Masters"]
[Site "Douglas ENG"]
[Date "2015.10.09"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Harikrishna, P."]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "C11"]
[EventDate "2015.10.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[Beauty "6598814601255"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

{Analysis by GM Dejan Bojkov:} 
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 {From a Classical French the game transposes into the Rubinstein variation.} 5.Nxe4 Be7 6.Bxf6 gxf6 {Black breaks his pawns but gets more tactical chances and possibilities to open his bishops later. Alexander Morozevich gave a burst of popularity to this line at the beginning of the century.} ( 6...Bxf6 {remains the main continuation of the line.} ) 7.Nf3 a6 {A useful move that takes away the b5-square from the white bishop. In the line} ( 7...b6 8.Bb5+ {is awkward for Black as he will have to block the long diagonal fro his bishop with} 8...c6 ) 8.Qd2 f5 9.Nc3 b5 {This is another idea behind Black's a7-a6. Harikrishna intends to worry the white king but above all, the white knights.} 10.O-O-O {Now Naiditsch is thinking about the moment at which he will go d4-d5 and demolish his opponent in the center.} 10...b4 11.Ne2 ( {Another move is} 11.Na4 Bb7 12.Qe3 Qd5 13.Nc5 Bc6 14.b3 Bb5 {Muzychuk,A (2540)-Drozdovskij,Y (2607) Neustadt an der Weinstrasse 2009. If you want to study this line with the black pieces, you definitely should look at the games of Y. Drozdovskij!} ) 11...Bb7 12.Kb1 {Moves away the king from the trouble.} ( 12.Nf4 $2 {is untested for a good reason. Black wins after} 12...Bxf3 13.gxf3 Bg5 {with deadly pin.} ) 12...Qd6 {Before developing his knight Black wants to make sure that he has the other pieces on their optimal squares.} ( 12...Nd7 13.Nf4 Nf6 14.Ne5 ) 13.Ne5 Bd5 {A novelty. This bishop is a great piece and Black is reluctant trading it for nothing.} ( {Two predecessors saw} 13...c6 {which looks less logical as the bishop is blocked. After} 14.Nc4 Qc7 15.Qf4 {INstead White may prefer to keep the queens on the board with either} ( 15.Nf4 ) ( 15.Qe3 ) 15...Qxf4 16.Nxf4 Nd7 17.Na5 {White was a tad better in Espinoza Palomino,W (2273) -Lemos,D (2542) Buenos Aires 2011} ) ( {Please note that} 13...Nd7 {is prematuare as White can get rid of the strong black bishop after} 14.Nc4 Qc6 15.Na5 ( 15.Nf4 $5 {with the idea d4-d5 looks also appealing.} ) 15...Qb6 16.Nxb7 Qxb7 17.Nf4 ) 14.Qe1 ( {The computer suggests the odd} 14.Nf4 Bg5 15.h4 Bh6 {but I do not understand who will be willing to self-pin his knight like that.} ) 14...Nd7 {Now that the white knight is deprived of the c4 square Harikrishna is finally developing his own one. The opening was a success for him, the game seems approximately level. However Naiditsch shows his creativity and starts creating serious problems from now on.} 15.Nf4 c6 ( 15...Bb7 $5 ) 16.Bd3 Bf6 17.Nxd5 cxd5 {So, at the end of the day this bishop has been removed from the board. In return though Black got the half-open c-file and better central control.} 18.f4 Qb6 {A nice prophilactical move! The black king is still in the middle and the opening of the central files can be huge issue for Black if he is not careful. For instance, the obvious move} ( 18...Ke7 {to connect the rooks, play Rf8-c8, Ra8-b8 with an attack on the queenside can be met with} 19.Bxf5 $5 exf5 20.Nc4+ Qe6 21.Qxb4+ Kd8 22.Rhe1 Qc6 23.Nd6 {White will win a third pawn very soon and will attack for free.} 23...Rf8 ( 23...Kc7 24.Nxf7 ) 24.Nxf5 ) 19.Be2 $1 {Now} ( 19.Bxf5 {does not work due to} 19...Bxe5 $1 20.dxe5 exf5 21.Rxd5 Qb7 {and White's compensation is unsufficient.} ) 19...h5 {The bishop should not be allowed on h5:} ( 19...Ke7 20.Bh5 Rhf8 21.g4 $1 {is a strong attack for White.} ) 20.Rd3 Rc8 21.Qd2 Be7 {Black should definitely avoid the opposite-colored bishop middlegame after:} ( 21...Nxe5 22.fxe5 Be7 23.Rh3 h4 24.g4 $1 ) 22.Rb3 ( 22.Rh3 {looks more in the spirit of the position} 22...h4 23.g4 {with the idea to free the road for his f pawn.} ) 22...Nf6 23.Rd1 {Naiditsch probably did not like the line} ( 23.Rc1 Ne4 ( 23...a5 24.c4 ) 24.Qd1 Nf2 ( 24...a5 25.c3 ) 25.Qe1 Qxd4 26.Bxa6 Rc7 {when indeed it is not clear why to trade the central pawn for the flank one.} ) 23...a5 24.a4 {A concession but} ( 24.c4 Ne4 25.Qc2 dxc4 {looks good for Black.} ) 24...Ne4 25.Qe1 Bf6 $6 {Gamble! Poker Stars! Harikrishna sacrifices a pawn. Safer (and objectively better) was} ( 25...Qc7 {as now} 26.c3 bxc3 27.Rc1 Bb4 {works good for Black.} ) 26.c3 Qc7 {Now a forced line follows.} 27.cxb4 Qc2+ 28.Ka2 axb4 29.Bd3 ( 29.Rxb4 $2 Nc3+ ) 29...Nc3+ 30.Qxc3 Rxc3 31.Bxc2 Rxc2 32.Rxb4 O-O {Castling on move 32! You do not see this every day.} 33.Nd7 {This bishop is extremely strong. White correctly wants to trade it, but chooses the wrong move order. After the correct} ( 33.Kb3 $1 Rxg2 34.Nd7 Be7 35.Nxf8 Bxb4 36.Kxb4 Kxf8 37.b3 {Naiditch would have had excellent winning chances as the two connected passers are way too fast.} ) 33...Be7 $1 34.Rb7 Ra8 35.Nb6 {Once more a stronger idea would be to rely on his connected passers after} ( 35.Kb3 Rxg2 36.Rb8+ Rxb8+ 37.Nxb8 {with advantage for White.} ) 35...Ra6 36.Rd3 Bd6 37.Rg3+ {This saves the g-pawn, but White misses an important detail.} 37...Kh8 38.Kb3 $2 {This is a blunder, presumably in time trouble. It was not too late for} ( 38.Rc3 Rxg2 39.Rc6 Bxf4 40.Rxf7 {with double-edged position where White is calling the shots.} ) 38...Rc7 $1 {All of a sudden, White has issues with his knight.} 39.Rb8+ ( 39.Rxc7 Rxb6+ ) 39...Kh7 40.Rgg8 Bxf4 41.Rh8+ Kg7 42.Rhg8+ Kf6 43.Rgd8 $2 {Now the knight is gone. The only way to prolong the battle was} ( 43.g3 Be3 {Black is surely much better, maybe even winning, but at least the white knight survives.} ) 43...Rca7 44.Re8 ( 44.Nd7+ Rxd7 45.Rxd7 Bxb8 ) 44...Bxh2 $1 {Since the rook has nowhere to go Black can snack a pawn.} 45.Ka3 Bg1 {Nicely calculated. I guess Hrkrishna wanted to pay respect to this super piece.} ( 45...Bxb8 {wins prosaically as the white pawns go nowhere after} 46.Rxb8 Rc7 47.b4 Rc3+ 48.Kb2 Rg3 49.b5 Ra7 ) 46.Ra8 Bxd4 47.Nd7+ Kg5 48.Rxa7 Rxa7 49.Nb8 Ra8 {The knight did not go anywhere.} 50.b4 Ba7 51.a5 Rxb8 52.Rxb8 Bxb8 53.b5 Bc7 54.b6 Bd8 55.Kb4 d4 56.Kc4 e5 0-1

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.10.01"]
[Round "55.1"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[ECO "C00"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8249021565981"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:22:20"]
[BlackClock "0:02:14"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O Be7 5.d3 O-O ( 5...c5 6.e4 $5 Nc6 7.Qe2 O-O 8.e5 Nd7 9.c4 d4 10.h4 $5 {Svidler, P (2758)-Karjakin,S (2766) Khanty-Mansiysk 2014} ) 6.Nbd2 c5 7.e4 Nc6 8.Re1 b5 9.exd5 ( {The two players have also discussed the positions arising after:} 9.e5 Nd7 10.Nf1 b4 ( 10...Bb7 11.h4 Qc7 12.Bf4 Rfc8 13.Ne3 Qd8 14.Ng4 Bf8 15.c4 Ne7 16.b3 Bc6 {Karjakin,S (2753)-Dominguez Perez,L (2734) Khanty-Mansiysk 2015} ) 11.h4 a5 12.Bf4 a4 13.a3 bxa3 14.bxa3 Ba6 15.Ne3 Rb8 16.c4 dxc4 17.Nxc4 Nb6 {Svidler,P (2756)-Karjakin,S (2772) Loo RUS 2014} ) 9...Nxd5 {A slight surprise.} ( {"Generally, Sergey takes"} 9...exd5 {"which is fine for Black." Obviously Svidler put his efforts in the study of that line.} ) 10.Ne4 ( {"You're supposed to play} 10.a4 b4 11.Nc4 {but then Black simply develops with Qd8-c7, Bc8-b7, Ra8-d8 and I am not sure what is my plan. " - Svidler} ) 10...Bb7 11.c3 ( 11.Bd2 Qc7 12.c4 bxc4 13.dxc4 Ndb4 14.Bc3 Rfd8 15.Qa4 Nd3 16.Red1 Ncb4 {Grossmann,S (1886)-Lindenberg,G (1889) Greifswald 2003} ) ( 11.Bg5 f6 12.Bd2 e5 ) 11...a6 ( {Svidler suggested instead} 11...h6 {to rule out Bc1-g5 and to keep the pawn on f7 thus depriving White of targets. After the possible} 12.d4 cxd4 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.Qxd4 {he explained that without the dark-squared bishops on the board his position would be better, but since it is still alive he would rather prefer to have the black pieces.} ) 12.a4 {Before White does anything he wants to weaken the black queenside.} ( {White considered the curious idea} 12.Bg5 f6 13.Bc1 $5 {Not to obstruct the queen in its support for the d3-d4 break. However, he could not convince himself that he is better in the line} 13...e5 ( {Some preperatory move like} 13...Qd7 {though looks good for Black. He can bring his rooks first to d8 and e8 and play e6-e5 later.} ) 14.d4 cxd4 ( {Another option for Black is} 14...exd4 $5 15.cxd4 c4 {with a good position.} ) 15.cxd4 f5 16.Nc5 Bxc5 17.dxc5 e4 {However, in the final position White has the strong} 18.Ng5 {and if} 18...Qd7 19.f3 $1 {to break open the position for his bishops, with the advantage.} ) 12...b4 {This is not forced at all. A reasonable alternative was} ( 12...h6 {followed by Qd8-c7 with equality.} ) 13.Bg5 f6 14.Bd2 e5 15.Rc1 {For a moment White felt optimistic as he has targets on the queenside.} 15...Rf7 {Svidler suggested as a better defense the move} ( 15...Rc8 $1 {with the idea to take control of the c5-square. The point becomes obvious in the line} 16.d4 ( {Probably Karjakin was afraid of the move} 16.Bh3 {and after} 16...f5 {Or} 17.Neg5 ( 17.Nfg5 {However, if he is careful with} 17...Qd7 $1 {he should be fine. The main thing Black needs to avoid is greediness after} ( 17...fxe4 $2 18.Be6+ Kh8 19.Nxh7 $1 {A typical trick as} 19...Kxh7 20.Qh5# ) ) 17...Qd6 {but in both cases Black holds.} ) 16...cxd4 17.cxd4 Nxd4 18.Nxd4 exd4 {and in comparison to the game c5 is under control.} ) 16.d4 $1 {White got the initiative and what follows was connected to an oversight by Black.} 16...bxc3 17.bxc3 cxd4 18.cxd4 Nxd4 $2 {Svidler did not mention it, but this move might have been the worst mistake Karjakin made today. The fact that these two knights were traded is very favorable for White, who will make excellent use of his fianchettoed bishop.} ( 18...exd4 $1 {instead was more tenacious. White still keeps an edge but he has to play first of all very energetically with} 19.Qb3 Rb8 20.Nfg5 $1 fxg5 21.Nc5 Ncb4 22.Nxb7 Rxb7 23.Bxb4 Rxb4 24.Qxd5 Rb8 25.Qc4 {and then it is not yet clear of the opposite bishop position after} 25...d3 $1 26.Bd5 ( 26.Rcd1 d2 27.Re2 Rb1 28.Rxb1 d1=Q+ 29.Rxd1 Qxd1+ 30.Bf1 Qd6 {is also better for White but maybe holdable.} ) 26...d2 27.Bxf7+ Kh8 28.Qxa6 Bc5 {is actually won for White.} ) 19.Nxd4 exd4 20.Qb3 ( {Karjakin only expected} 20.Nc5 Bxc5 21.Rxc5 Nc3 {with massive liquidations and a draw after} 22.Bxc3 Bxg2 23.Kxg2 dxc3 ) 20...Rb8 $6 {Objectively, a mistake. From far away Karjakin considered this a good move and a good position for him, but White's next reply clarifies the situation.} ( {Better was} 20...Qd7 $1 {although after} 21.Rc4 {White is clearly better. For example} 21...f5 22.Ng5 Bxg5 23.Bxg5 Nf6 $1 {to break the pin at once} 24.Bxb7 Qxb7 25.Qxb7 Rxb7 26.Bxf6 gxf6 27.Rxd4 {Although White keeps winning chances Black has hopes to hold this endgame.} ) 21.Rb1 $1 {This pin is more than annoying.} 21...Qd7 ( 21...Rf8 22.Bf4 $1 {reveals one point behind the pin.} ) 22.Rec1 ( {Worse is the greedy} 22.Ng5 fxg5 23.Bxd5 Bxd5 24.Qxb8+ Rf8 {with huge compensation for a pawn (Svidler).} ) 22...Qe6 {The last mistake according to Svidler, who was afraid of the move} ( 22...h6 {when he could not see a clear win. True, after} 23.Nc5 ( {Or} 23.Rc4 {which would practically lead to the same after} 23...f5 24.Nc5 ( {As} 24.Rxd4 fxe4 25.Bxe4 Bc5 {is good only for Black.} ) 24...Bxc5 25.Rxc5 Nc3 ) 23...Bxc5 24.Rxc5 ( {Once again White should avoid capturing the exchange} 24.Bxd5 $2 Bxd5 25.Qxb8+ Rf8 {with a win for Black actually!} ) 24...Nc3 25.Bxc3 dxc3 {White can take the exchange} 26.Bd5 ( {The quiet} 26.Rxc3 {when Black is completely tied up but it is not that easy to pick up the black bishop as Black is always threatening to move away his rook with a tempo, or sacrifice the exchange:} 26...Kh7 {If White tries to triple his pieces along the b file there is} 27.Qc2+ ( 27.Qb2 Bxg2 ( {Or even the preparatory} 27...Re7 28.Rb3 Bxg2 29.Rxb8 Be4 ( 29...Qh3 $5 {looks good too.} ) ) 28.Qxb8 Be4 {and White still has to prove his win.} ) 27...f5 28.Rcb3 $2 Rc8 ) 26...Bxd5 27.Qxb8+ Rf8 ( 27...Kh7 28.Rd1 ) 28.Qc7 {And Black can still fight} ( 28.Qf4 $1 {is best with decent winning chances.} ) 28...Qe6 {In all these lines White is close to winning but there is still plenty of play going on.} ( {But Karjakin has to avoid Evgeny Miroshnichenko's discovery} 28...Qf5 $2 29.Rb7 $1 ) ) 23.Nc5 Bxc5 24.Rxc5 Rd8 25.Ba5 $1 Rd6 ( {In case of} 25...Rdd7 {Svidler saw the beautiful win after} 26.Re1 Qf5 ( {But he was not so sure about the line} 26...Qd6 {when he had to find an even more stunning win} 27.Bb4 $3 {when Black is doomed, since} 27...Nxb4 28.Re8+ {loses the queen to start with.} ) 27.Qxb7 Rxb7 28.Re8+ Rf8 29.Bxd5+ ) 26.Qc4 {White is completely dominating and Rb1xb7 is a deadly threat. Unstoppable.} 26...Nc3 27.Rxb7 ( {Svidler saw another win} 27.Qxe6 Rxe6 28.Bxc3 Bxg2 29.Rc8+ Rf8 30.Rxf8+ Kxf8 31.Bb4+ Kf7 32.Kxg2 Rb6 33.Rb2 ) 27...Qe1+ 28.Bf1 Ne2+ 29.Qxe2 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2015.10.02"]
[Round "56.1"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[ECO "C95"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7770556335646"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:14:23"]
[BlackClock "0:02:37"]

{[Annotation by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {The Ruy Lopez was the most expected opening in this game. It served Svidler very well so far and Karjakin would not mind the complex, rich positions that he can get.} 3...a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d6 9.h3 Nb8 {Today's choice is the Breyer line. Black reroutes the c6-knight to d7 and opens up the bishop on b7. The other one may go to g7 in order to open the e-file and put more pressure on White's center. This line was a favorite one to the 12th world champion, Anatoly Karpov, in the mid-seventies and the beginning of the eighties.} 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 Re8 13.a4 Bf8 14.Bd3 c6 15.Qc2 ( {Another plan is} 15.Nf1 Qc7 16.Ng3 g6 17.Bg5 {as in Dominguez Perez,L (2732)-Adams,M (2742) Baku 2015} ) 15...Rc8 16.axb5 axb5 17.b4 c5 {"A very new interesting, sharp idea which probably solves Black's problems" Svidler. The Russian GM revealed also that this was an idea of a friend who told him about it in a conversation through Skype. The name(s) of the helper(s) remained a secret.} ( {Previously Black had developed with} 17...Qc7 18.Bb2 Ra8 19.Rad1 Nb6 20.c4 {as in the game Karjakin,S (2767)-Carlsen,M (2868) Stavanger 2013. Svidler also mentioned that he lost a similar position to his opponent before and was aware how strong Karjakin is in these type of positions.} ) 18.bxc5 {The only move to play for the advantage. Both} ( 18.dxc5 dxc5 19.Bxb5 cxb4 ) ( {and} 18.Bxb5 cxb4 {promise White no advantage at all.} ( 18...cxd4 ) ) 18...exd4 19.c6 $5 {A surprise for Svidler, who criticized himself for the following play.} ( {The main line which he analyzed was} 19.Nxd4 {when Black should continue} 19...b4 {and then} 20.c6 {is best and might have transposed to the game. Instead, the obvious} ( 20.cxb4 $6 dxc5 21.bxc5 $2 {loses to} 21...Bxc5 {and White cannot excape with the d4 knight due to the discovered check on f2.} ) ) 19...dxc3 {Black believed this should lead to a forced draw. Otherwise he would have gone back into the main line of his analysis with} ( 19...Bxc6 20.Nxd4 b4 {Let's go a bit further here} 21.Ba6 {Now I suspect that the main line was this:} ( 21.cxb4 {is immediately equal after} 21...Bxe4 22.Qb3 Bxd3 23.Rxe8 Nxe8 24.Qxd3 Qb6 ) 21...bxc3 ( {Although Black may go as well for} 21...Rc7 22.cxb4 Bxe4 ( 22...Bb5 $5 ) 23.Qd1 {The computer claims a slight advantage for White but since many pawns were already traded and the queenside pawns have almost disappeared completely, Black should hold. And Black had definitely analyzed this further.} ) 22.Bxc8 cxd2 23.Bxd2 Bxe4 24.Bxd7 Bxc2 25.Bxe8 Nxe8 ) 20.cxb7 ( {Not} 20.cxd7 cxd2 21.Qxd2 Nxd7 {where White has to hold.} ) 20...cxd2 21.Qxd2 $1 {Clearly better than} ( 21.bxc8=Q dxe1=Q+ 22.Nxe1 Qxc8 23.Bxb5 Qxc2 24.Nxc2 Rxe4 {when everything disappears and the game peters out to a draw.} ) 21...Rb8 22.Bxb5 Qb6 {From far away Svidler was planning} ( 22...Rxb7 23.Bc6 Rb6 24.Nd4 ( {But here he saw the unpleasant resource} 24.Ra8 $1 {and dismissed the line. Actually, after} 24...Qc7 25.Rxe8 Nxe8 26.Ba4 Nef6 {the position will be very similar to the one in the game.} ) 24...Qc7 ) 23.Rb1 Qxb7 24.Bd3 Qa8 25.Rxb8 Rxb8 26.Bb2 {Plenty of material has been traded but Black is not yet quite there. Karjakin has the bishop pair and the pawn on d6 might be a target, thus Svidler has to play energetically.} 26...Qa2 $1 27.Re2 $1 {The best move to keep as many pieces on the board as he can.} ( 27.Bd4 Qxd2 28.Nxd2 g6 {should be a draw.} ) 27...h6 {Svidler wanted to trade off everything after} ( 27...d5 {but was not sure about the line} 28.e5 ( 28.Bxf6 Qxd2 29.Rxd2 Nxf6 30.exd5 {was fine with Black, he knew he can hold this.} ) 28...Ne4 {It seems as Black is fine indeed:} 29.Qc2 Ndc5 30.Bd4 Qxc2 31.Bxc2 Ne6 ) 28.Qc1 {Karjakin regroups and creates a simple threat in the process: Bb2xf6.} 28...Qb3 29.Bc4 Qb7 30.Qd1 {A tough position for both the players. White has a slight edge but no real way to increase it. Black on his turn has no safe path to the draw. On the top of that Svidler was getting low on time.} ( {Nothing gives} 30.Qf4 Qc6 {when the bishop has no good squares:} 31.Ba2 Qa6 $1 {(Svidler) Although this is a draw after} 32.Qe3 Qxa2 33.Bxf6 ) ( {An important resource for him is} 30.Bxf6 Nxf6 31.e5 Qb1 {(Svidler)} ) ( 30.e5 dxe5 31.Nxe5 Nxe5 32.Bxe5 Qb1 ) 30...Re8 {The pressure on the e4-pawn forces White to trade pieces.} 31.Bxf6 Nxf6 32.e5 dxe5 33.Nxe5 Re7 34.Qd4 ( {Karjakin suggested the semi-waiting move} 34.g3 {after the game, but also showed what he did not like:} 34...Nd7 35.Bd5 Qb5 36.Bc6 Qxe5 ( 36...Qc5 {is easier} ) 37.Rxe5 Nxe5 {with a fortress.} ) ( {Low on time and close to his aim Svidler saw ghosts in the lines after} 34.Qd8 Qb4 {is a third way to defend.} ( 34...Qc7 35.Nxf7 $1 {he thought this is winning for White but Black has the cold-blooded} 35...Qxc4 36.Rxe7 Qc1+ 37.Kh2 Qf4+ {with perpetual.} ) ( {And in the beautiful line that he had calculated} 34...Qb1+ 35.Kh2 Qf5 36.Ng6 $1 {White indeed wins after the obvious} 36...Rxe2 ( {But} 36...Re8 $1 {which Svidler also saw (but was not sure about) was a forced draw} 37.Rxe8 Nxe8 38.Qxe8 Qxg6 ) 37.Qxf8+ Kh7 38.Bxf7 {as Black has only one check (Svidler).} ) ) 34...Nd7 35.Nxf7 {Which is OK. A more interesting attempt was} ( 35.Rb2 $5 {when Black has to avoid} 35...Qxb2 $2 ( {And has to defend with} 35...Qc7 {White can still try various things, say} 36.Bxf7+ Rxf7 37.Nxf7 Kxf7 38.Qd5+ Kg6 39.Qe4+ Kf7 40.Rb7 Qd6 41.Qf5+ Ke8 {but Black should hold.} ) 36.Bxf7+ $1 {(Svidler)} ) 35...Rxf7 36.Rb2 Qc6 {The critical position of the game and maybe the match. The game was heading towards a draw which meant that Karjakin would have only one more white game till the end to try and level the score. He tried} 37.Rb5 $4 {which is a tragical mistake!} ( {It was time to force a draw with} 37.Qd5 Qxd5 38.Bxd5 g5 39.Rb7 Ne5 ) 37...Kh8 $1 {All of a sudden, Black wins a piece. With three minutes on the clock Svidler almost went for the drawish line after} ( 37...Nf6 ) 38.Rd5 {Makes things easier, but Black was already winning anyway after} ( 38.Bxf7 Qxb5 ) 38...Nb6 {It is over, Black wins a whole rook.} 0-1

[Event "van Foreest-Timman m 2015"]
[Site "Hoogeveen NED"]
[Date "2015.10.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Timman, Jan H"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2015.10.18"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7700205288994"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 {In the advanced line of the Caro-Kann both sides have reasons to be happy. Black enjoys the fact that unlike the French defense his light-squared bishop is outside the pawn chain. White on the other hand is happy that this same bishop is out and can be hit by the white kingside pawns with tempoes.} 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Ne7 7.Nbd2 h6 8.c3 ( 8.Nb3 {is the common move in the position, but some days before Ponomariov played a game in which he first went for b2-b4 and then placed the knight on b3, thus discouraging Black from castling queenside.} ) 8...Qc7 ( {The aforementioned game went} 8...a6 9.b4 Bh7 10.Nb3 {when Khairulin indeed did not like the idea to castle on the queenside and went} 10...Ng6 11.a4 Be7 12.Bd3 O-O 13.g3 f6 14.exf6 Rxf6 15.Qe2 {with advantage for White, Ponomariov,R (2710) -Khairullin,I (2652) Berlin 2015} ) 9.Re1 ( {Both Caruana and Bok switched to the main line here with} 9.Nb3 {although after} 9...O-O-O ( 9...g5 10.Ne1 O-O-O 11.Nd3 {is perhaps a bit better for White, Caruana,F (2727)-Rombaldoni,D (2533) Perugia 2011} ) 10.Ne1 f6 11.exf6 gxf6 {Black did fine in Bok,B (2590) -Shankland,S (2616) Fagernes 2014} ) ( {I wonder why White did not proceed with} 9.b4 Ng6 ( {Perhaps Van Foreest did not like} 9...a5 $5 ) 10.Nb3 f6 11.Ne1 ( 11.Bd3 $5 ) 11...Ne7 12.exf6 gxf6 13.Bh5+ Kd8 14.Nd3 {with advantage for White in De la Riva Aguado,O (2525)-Roos,D (2410) France 2007} ) 9...c5 10.Nf1 ( {The computer strongly recommends} 10.dxc5 {with an active piece play after} 10...Nc6 11.Nd4 Bg6 12.b4 Ncxe5 13.N2f3 {Maybe some of the Chess.com members will give this idea a try?} ) 10...Nc6 11.Ng3 ( {A novelty, in comparison to the previously seen} 11.a3 c4 12.Be3 b5 13.N3d2 Be7 {with equality in Cemborain Oricain,A-Delgado Montanes,J Pamplona 2000} ) 11...Bg6 12.Be3 Be7 13.a3 c4 {Now we have a true Advanced French where the black bishop somehow made it to g6 from the d7 square (which should favor him), while the white knight went from b1 to g3. The latter should be good for White if he has a chance to quickly advance his f-pawn to f5.} 14.Nd2 O-O-O 15.f4 f5 $1 {This pawn should be stopped permanently as soon as possible.} 16.Rb1 $6 {This looks slow. In the spirit of the position was:} ( 16.b3 cxb3 17.c4 $5 {with complications, say} 17...b2 18.Ra2 dxc4 19.Nxc4 Nb6 20.Rxb2 Nxd4 $5 21.Nd6+ Bxd6 22.exd6 Nxe2+ 23.Qxe2 Qxd6 24.Rd2 {with compensation for the pawns.} ) ( {Another idea is} 16.exf6 Nxf6 17.Bg4 {with unclear game.} ) 16...Nb6 {Now Timman stabilizes the situation and prepares a counter-attack on the kingside.} 17.Ngf1 ( 17.b3 cxb3 18.c4 dxc4 19.Bxc4 Nxc4 20.Nxc4 Kb8 ) 17...Kb8 ( 17...Na5 $5 ) 18.Bf2 Be8 $1 {A nice prophylactical idea. Timman wants to kill any play on the queenside.} ( 18...Bf7 19.Ne3 g5 {is aslo good for Black.} ) 19.Ne3 g5 20.g3 Na5 {The point behind the maneuver Bg6-e8. The bishop will reach the a4-square, as in the French!} 21.Bf3 Ba4 22.Qe2 Rdg8 {Black's advantage is indisputable and the game is rather one-sided.} 23.fxg5 ( 23.Ng2 $4 g4 ) ( {In case of} 23.Kh1 {Black can open files with} 23...g4 24.Bg2 h5 25.Kg1 h4 ) 23...hxg5 24.g4 {This puts more petrol in the fire, but it is hard to give any reasonable advance to White.} 24...f4 25.Nef1 Be8 $1 {THIS bishop again.} 26.Qd1 Bg6 27.Ra1 Bd8 {Now that the queen joins the attack the end is getting closer.} 28.Qc1 Rh6 29.Kh1 Rgh8 30.Bg1 Qh7 31.Re2 Rh3 {With the idea to sacrifice the exchange in many lines.} 32.Bg2 Rh4 33.Bf3 Rh3 34.Bg2 Bd3 35.Rf2 ( {Or else White's position crumbles after} 35.Bxh3 Bxe2 36.Bg2 Bxg4 ) 35...Nb3 $1 {Timman does not forget about his knights. They are coming for the point.} 36.Nxb3 cxb3 37.Qd1 {The exchange is taboo:} ( 37.Bxh3 Qxh3 38.Nd2 Nc4 39.Nxc4 Be4+ {with mate on the light squares.} ) 37...Nc4 38.Qxb3 Ne3 39.Qb4 Nxf1 {White resigned due to the mate:} ( 39...Nxf1 40.Bxf1 Be4+ 41.Bg2 Rxh2+ 42.Bxh2 Qxh2# {A model game by the former World Championship Challenger! But it is quite obvious that Van Foreest does not have the French Advance in his opening repertoire.} ) 0-1

[Event "European Team Championship - Open"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.11.13"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Kveinys, Aloyzas"]
[Black "Ivanisevic, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2510"]
[BlackElo "2662"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8042728936023"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:17"]
[BlackClock "0:00:54"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov] Aloyzas Kveinys is a frequent participant at the famous Reykjavik Open and good friend of the local chess players. At least one of Iceland's best GMs is his student and Lituania's top board feels at home in Reykjavik, as this game shows.} 
1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Bf5 3.Bg5 f6 {Black often plays this move without his bishop on f5, the idea being to trade the white bishop in case it retreats to h4 after the maneuver Ng8-h6-f5.} ( {The alternative} 3...h6 {led to highly interesting position after} 4.Bh4 c6 5.e3 Qb6 6.b3 Qa5+ 7.c3 Bxb1 8.b4 Qa3 9.Rxb1 Qxc3+ 10.Nd2 Qa3 11.Rb3 Qa4 12.Nb1 {in the game Papaioannou,I (2622)-Stevic,H (2607) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010} ) 4.Bf4 ( {The bishop doesn't have much to on h4} 4.Bh4 {and Black can still go for} 4...Nh6 {followed by Bf5-g6 and Nh6-f5.} ) 4...Nc6 5.e3 e6 6.Nh4 {Only six moves were played and the position became extremely unusual and complex. Original too: according to Megabase there were only three games played so far.} 6...Be4 {Another interesting try was} ( 6...g5 $5 {which looks risky as Black loses the right to castle after} 7.Qh5+ Kd7 8.Nxf5 gxf4 9.Qf7+ Nge7 10.Bd3 $5 {but the immediate trade of queens solves all the problems-} 10...Qe8 ( 10...exf5 $4 11.Bxf5+ Kd6 12.Qe6# ) 11.Qxe8+ Rxe8 12.Nxe7 Bxe7 ) 7.f3 Bg6 8.Nxg6 hxg6 9.c4 e5 {A sharp, rich novelty. Ivanisevic fights for the initiative. Previously another logical move was tried:} ( 9...Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.c5 Qd7 12.Bb5 Nge7 {with approximate equality, Rufino Bengoetxea,A-Sion Castro,M (2390) Mondariz 1995} ) 10.cxd5 {The only attempt to get something out of the opening.} ( {Black is fine after} 10.dxe5 fxe5 11.cxd5 exf4 12.dxc6 Qxd1+ 13.Kxd1 O-O-O+ ) 10...Qxd5 ( 10...exf4 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.exf4 {is better for White.} ) 11.Nc3 Bb4 12.dxe5 Qc5 {The point behind Black's play. Ivanisevic is ready to sacrifice a pawn but to keep the white king in the center.} 13.Qd3 $1 {The lines after} ( 13.exf6 Nxf6 ( 13...Bxc3+ 14.bxc3 Qxc3+ 15.Kf2 Rd8 ) 14.Qd3 g5 15.Bxc7 Rc8 16.Bg3 Rd8 17.Qg6+ Kf8 {are too risky for White.} ) 13...g5 14.exf6 ( 14.e6 $1 {was objectively stronger as Black cannot take the piece} 14...gxf4 ( {After the correct} 14...Kf8 15.Bxc7 Rc8 16.Qd7 Qxe3+ 17.Be2 Nge7 {Black has good compensation for the pawn.} ) 15.Qd7+ Kf8 16.Qf7# ) 14...Nxf6 15.Bxc7 Rc8 16.Bg3 Ke7 {Ivanisevic misses golden chance. The incredible} ( 16...Rd8 17.Qg6+ Ke7 $3 18.Qxg7+ ( 18.Qc2 {is objectively better when Black has rich compensation after} 18...Nd5 ( {Or} 18...Ne5 ) ) 18...Ke6 {is a resource that would make any living person proud. The black king laughs at the efforts of the white queen, while without it around it will be the white king that will suffer.} ) 17.Rc1 a6 18.Be2 {Now White is in control.} 18...Rhd8 19.Qc2 Qxe3 20.Bf2 Qe5 21.O-O {Kveinys saveguarded the king and is ready to attack through the center. The extra pawn and bishop pair would not hurt neither.} 21...Nd4 {Black's only chance is connected with kingside attack.} 22.Bxd4 Qxd4+ 23.Kh1 Rh8 {Creating a mating threat.} 24.g3 ( 24.Rfe1 $4 {walks into it} 24...Rxh2+ 25.Kxh2 Rh8+ 26.Kg3 Qh4# ) ( {Worse is} 24.h3 Qf4 25.Qg6 Bd6 {when White needs to find the cute} 26.Qxf6+ $1 ( {But not} 26.Qxg7+ Ke6 $1 ) 26...gxf6 27.Nd5+ Kf7 28.Nxf4 Bxf4 {although due to the opposite-colored bishops this should wnd peacefully.} ) 24...Bd6 25.f4 $1 {A counter-attacking signal. Kveynis needs that tempo to get his queen close.} ( 25.Qg6 $4 {would be answered in another checky-matie-fashion} 25...Rxh2+ 26.Kxh2 Qh4+ 27.Kg2 Qxg3+ 28.Kh1 Qh2# ) 25...gxf4 26.Qg6 Rcg8 27.Rcd1 {Now White has all the fun.} 27...Qb6 {Black's last chance was} ( 27...Qc5 28.Nd5+ Nxd5 29.Qe4+ Kd8 30.Rxd5 Re8 31.Qd3 Rxe2 32.Rxd6+ ( 32.Rxc5 $4 Rhxh2+ 33.Kg1 Reg2# ) 32...Kc7 33.Qxe2 Qxd6 34.Qc4+ Kb8 35.Qxf4 {although the extra pawn should give be sufficient for the full point here as well.} ) 28.Bc4 {Strangely enough, it is the black king that gets in trouble now in the middle of the board.} 28...fxg3 29.Rfe1+ Kd8 30.Qxg3 $1 Qc6+ ( 30...Kc7 31.Re7+ ( {Or first} 31.Rxd6 ) ) 31.Kg1 Qc5+ 32.Re3 {Checks are over, Black loses the bishop and the game.} 32...Kc8 33.Be6+ {Not the hasty} ( 33.Rxd6 Qxc4 ) 33...Kc7 34.Rxd6 $1 {A nice finish of a beautiful game.} 34...Qxd6 35.Nb5+ ( {Ivanisevic resigned due to the checkmate} 35.Nb5+ axb5 36.Rc3+ Kd8 37.Qxd6+ Ke8 38.Rc8# ) 1-0

[Event "Open European Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.11.16"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Saric, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2668"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[ECO "C44"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6531168871432"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:38:47"]
[BlackClock "0:29:55"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 {You did not expect Jobava to play the Ruy Lopez, did you? Ponziani is so much more fun than 20-25 moves of theory...} 3...Nf6 {The main move. According to my Megabase Saric had never played against this opening in official game. But he live-witnessed Carlsen's games against Harikrishna and Hou Yifan in Wijk aan Zee 2013.} 4.d4 Nxe4 ( {Actually, Jobava had a game in Ponziani this year already, but his opponent deviated from the main paths with} 4...d6 5.Bd3 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Re1 Bg4 8.d5 Nb8 9.Nbd2 a5 10.h3 Bh5 11.Nf1 Na6 12.Ng3 Bg6 13.Nh4 {Jobava,B (2683)-Benidze,D (2491) Ureki 2015} ) ( {Carlsen chose} 4...exd4 5.e5 Nd5 {Hou-Carlsen, Wijk an Zee 2013.} ) 5.d5 Ne7 6.Nxe5 Ng6 7.Qe2 Qe7 8.Qxe4 Qxe5 9.Qxe5+ Nxe5 10.Bf4 {This particular line has the reputation of an ultra solid weapon where White can hardly ever lose (or win). Jobava has his own way instead of the conventional development:} ( 10.Be2 Bc5 11.Nd2 d6 12.Nb3 Bb6 13.a4 a6 14.a5 Ba7 15.Nd4 Bxd4 16.cxd4 Nd7 {with slight advantage for White in Lu,S (2606)-Wang,H (2710) Xinghua 2015} ) 10...Bd6 11.Bg3 f5 12.Nd2 O-O 13.f4 {Boom, the novelty! White sacrifices a pawn! Not a move that the computer will suggest.} ( {All the twelve predecessors saw} 13.f3 {when after} 13...b6 14.O-O-O Bb7 15.Nc4 Nxc4 16.Bxc4 f4 17.Bf2 Rae8 {trades are about to happen along the e-file, and a handshake.} ) 13...Ng6 14.O-O-O Bxf4 ( 14...b6 $1 {was probably better. The pawn on f4 has nowhere to go. After} 15.Nc4 Bxf4+ 16.Bxf4 Nxf4 17.d6 {White has compensation for the pawn, but hardly more.} ) ( 14...Nxf4 $2 {is bad due to the simple} 15.Nc4 {when White regains the pawn and keeps pressure for free.} ) 15.d6 $1 {The point behind the sacrifice. Jobava tries to seal the bishop on c8.} 15...cxd6 ( {Another way to defend is} 15...Bxg3 $5 16.hxg3 ( 16.Bc4+ Kh8 17.hxg3 cxd6 18.Nf3 Ne5 19.Bd5 {makes sense as well.} ) 16...cxd6 17.Nf3 Ne5 18.Rxd6 Rf6 19.Rd4 Nxf3 20.gxf3 ( {Black can give back the pawn in case of a need-} 20.Bc4+ d5 21.Bxd5+ Be6 {with approximate equality.} ) 20...d6 {Just like the line above, White has compensation, but hardly advantage.} ) 16.Bxf4 Nxf4 17.g3 Nh5 {The other retreat seemed more natural} ( 17...Ne6 18.Nc4 d5 19.Rxd5 f4 20.Nd6 b6 {although it is not clear how will Black develop his bishop from b7.} ) 18.Nc4 $1 d5 $1 {A freeing attempt.} ( 18...b6 19.Nxd6 Rb8 20.Bc4+ Kh8 21.Rhf1 {is horrendous, while} ) ( 18...Nf6 19.Nxd6 Ne4 20.Bc4+ Kh8 21.Nxe4 fxe4 22.Bd5 {is a solid advantage for White.} ) 19.Nd6 $1 ( {Or else Saric will come out of the trouble} 19.Rxd5 Nf6 $1 ( 19...d6 $5 ) 20.Rd6 b5 ) 19...Nf6 20.Bg2 {Jobava is not interested in the f5-pawn. The blocked queenside is his mantra.} 20...Ne4 21.Rxd5 Nxd6 22.Rxd6 {A very pleasant situation for White. His four pieces are free in their motion and have the fun part beating the black king and rook.} 22...Re8 {If Black trades his last active piece} ( 22...Rf6 23.Rxf6 gxf6 {his position will get critical after either} 24.Rd1 ( 24.Rf1 {is not bad neither.} ) ) 23.Rf1 g6 24.Bd5+ Kh8 {Or else White will win two pawns after} ( 24...Kg7 25.Bxb7 Bxb7 26.Rxd7+ Kh6 27.Rxb7 ) 25.Kd2 a5 26.Rf4 {This prepares the next maneuver and discourages the queenside rook sortie.} 26...Re5 ( 26...Ra6 27.Rxa6 bxa6 28.Ra4 {regains the pawn for White and keeps stable advantage.} ) 27.Rc4 Rb8 28.Rc7 {Now the bishop is out of the picture for good and White is looking for the decisive improvement.} 28...b6 29.c4 {To free the other rook.} 29...Kg7 30.a4 ( {There is absolutely no need to force matters:} 30.Bb7 Rxb7 31.Rxb7 Bxb7 32.Rxd7+ Kh6 33.Rxb7 Re6 {when White is definitely better but Black has chances to survive.} ) ( 30.Bc6 $6 Rc5 ) 30...Kf8 ( 30...Re7 $5 {might have been more stubborn.} ) 31.Rf6+ Ke8 32.Ra7 {Zugzwang # 1! Only the e5-rook can move.} 32...Re7 ( 32...Ke7 33.Rf7+ Kd6 34.Rxh7 ) 33.h4 $1 {Once that the White pieces have been activated to the maximum, the pawns march forward in order to create weaknesses.} 33...Rg7 ( {Or} 33...Re5 34.h5 gxh5 35.Rh6 Re7 36.Rxh5 ) 34.Ke3 Ke7 35.Re6+ Kd8 36.Re5 h6 ( {Otherwise the king may get in} 36...h5 37.Kf4 {followed by Kf4-g5.} ) 37.Kd4 {Zugzwang #2! The white pawn cannot be stopped from breaking the kingside pawn structure.} 37...Rh7 ( 37...g5 38.h5 $1 f4 39.gxf4 gxf4 40.Rf5 ) 38.h5 $1 {The kingside collapses and the white pieces invade the opponent's camp.} 38...Rg7 39.hxg6 Rxg6 40.Re3 {The last move before the additional time made the win a bit complicated. The simplest solution was} ( 40.Rxf5 $1 Rxg3 41.Rf7 {followed by Rf7-h7-h8+ and Ra7-c7xc8.} ) 40...Rg7 41.Rf3 Rg6 42.Rxf5 Rxg3 43.Rf8+ Ke7 44.Rf7+ Kd6 {Or else the game might transpose to the winning line from above with} ( 44...Kd8 45.Rh7 Rh3 46.Rh8+ Ke7 47.Rc7 {trapping the bishop.} ) 45.Rf6+ Ke7 46.Rxh6 {Pawns are even, but four white pieces are still beating two. ..} 46...Rg4+ 47.Ke5 Rg5+ 48.Kf4 Rg1 49.Be4 Re1 50.b3 $1 {The final touch.} ( {The hasty} 50.Ke5 Bb7 $1 {would have ruined a true masterpiece:} 51.Rh7+ Kd8 52.Kd6 Rxe4 53.Rxd7+ Ke8 54.Raxb7 Rxb7 55.Rxb7 Rxc4 56.Rxb6 Rxa4 ) 50...Re2 51.Ke5 {Now White can.} 51...Kf7 ( 51...Bb7 {does not help this time as in the line} 52.Rh7+ Kd8 ( 52...Kf8 53.Rh8+ Ke7 54.Rxb8 Rxe4+ 55.Kf5 Bc6 56.Rxb6 ) 53.Kd6 Rxe4 54.Rxd7+ Ke8 55.Raxb7 {the c4 pawn is defended and White wins.} ) 52.Kd6 $1 Rxe4 53.Kc7 {A wonderful finish of a great game!} 53...Rb7+ 54.Rxb7 Bxb7 55.Kxb7 Re6 56.Rxe6 dxe6 57.Kxb6 e5 58.Kxa5 {The white king is still in the square of the e-pawn.} 1-0

[Event "Open European Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.11.17"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7973472567306"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:03:07"]
[BlackClock "0:22:23"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 Ng4 {Ever since Rashkovsky revived this line it remains a problem for the first player in the English Attack.} 7.Bc1 Nf6 8.Be3 {McShane and Nakamura repeated once more and then agreed to a draw at the Millionaire tournament last month.} 8...Ng4 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 g5 11.Bg3 Bg7 12.h4 {Quite a rare line.} ( {The main move remains} 12.Be2 {One recent example went} 12...h5 13.Bxg4 hxg4 14.Nd5 Nc6 15.Nf5 Bxf5 16.exf5 Bxb2 17.Rb1 Qa5+ {and the impression is that the line is almost exhausted, Jakovenko,D (2759)-Karjakin,S (2753) Chita 2015} ) ( {The French GM has some bitter experience in the second most popular line after} 12.h3 Ne5 13.Be2 Nbc6 14.Nb3 b5 15.a4 {Ivanchuk,V (2715)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2757), 2015} ) 12...Nc6 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Bc4 Qa5 15.Qf3 Ne5 {A novelty in the spirit of Botvinnik! True, he sacrificed a pawn for bishop pair in an endgame against Suetin, Vachier Lagrave does it in the middlegame.} ( {All the seven predecessors saw} 15...Be6 {which solved Black's problems as well. One example:} 16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.Qxg4 Bxc3+ 18.bxc3 Qxc3+ 19.Ke2 Qc4+ 20.Kd2 Qd4+ {and a draw was agreed in Ivanchuk,V (2731)-Dominguez Perez,L (2754) Beijing 2013} ) 16.Bxe5 Qxe5 17.Bxf7+ ( {The position of the white queen on f7 will only help Black build his initiative-} 17.Qxf7+ Kd8 18.O-O-O Rf8 ) 17...Kd8 18.hxg5 {There is no time to castle due to the pin} ( 18.O-O-O Rf8 {when White will lose the bishop sooner or later.} ) 18...Rb8 {For the pawn Black has total domination on the dark squares, diagonals and files for all his pieces.} 19.Bb3 ( {King's safety comes first, but after} 19.O-O-O Qxg5+ 20.Rd2 Rf8 $1 {Black has various ways of developing the initiative:} 21.Qh5 Qxg2 ( {Either the agressive} 21...Be5 22.g3 ( {Or else White loses the exchange} 22.Qxg5 hxg5 23.Rh7 Bf4 ) 22...Bg4 {with similar endgame as in the game.} ) ) ( {Believe it or not, the computer quickly put the 0.00 evaluation. Here is his main line} 19.gxh6 $1 Rxb2 20.hxg7 $3 Rxh1+ 21.Kd2 Qd4+ 22.Qd3 Qxf2+ 23.Ne2 Qxf7 24.Qg3 $1 ( 24.Rxh1 $2 Qxg7 {is clearly better for White.} ) 24...Rxa1 25.g8=Q+ Qxg8 26.Qxg8+ Kc7 27.Qg7 Raxa2 28.Qxe7+ Bd7 29.Nd4 c5 30.Ne6+ Kc6 31.Nd8+ {Yeah, go find this over the board...} ) 19...Rf8 20.Qe3 Qxg5 $1 {So, it is Botvinnik after all who inspired the sacrifice.} ( {The middlegame is better for White} 20...hxg5 21.O-O-O {as his king is safer.} ) 21.Qxg5 hxg5 {Although White is a clear pawn ahead and has seemingly better pawn structure it is only Black who can play for a win. The white bishop and knight are occupied with the defense of the queenside and Black can start advancing his own a- and c-pawns to break the defense there. This is not everything; he can make use of the kingside too.} 22.f3 g4 $1 23.Ke2 a5 $1 24.Na4 {Now Vallejo's pieces will remain passive till the end of the game.} ( {The best resource was} 24.Rad1 Ba6+ 25.Ke3 {intending to meet} 25...Be5 {with} 26.Ne2 $1 Bxb2 27.Nd4 $1 {when Black will have to trade the dark-squared bishop for the knight with approximate equality.} ) 24...Ba6+ 25.c4 ( {Or} 25.Ke3 c5 26.c3 Bb5 {in either case the white king is quite uncomfortable.} ) 25...Rb4 26.Rac1 gxf3+ 27.gxf3 Bd4 28.Rc2 c5 {All the black pieces occupied commanding positions.} 29.Rh2 Rg8 30.Rc1 Bc8 $1 {But some can get even better!} 31.Nc3 Be6 32.Kd3 $6 {This makes things easier for Vachier-Lagrave.} ( {An interesting defense was} 32.Nd5 {with the idea} 32...Bxb2 ( {However, Black can improve with} 32...Bxd5 $1 33.cxd5 a4 34.Bd1 Rxb2+ 35.Rc2 a3 ) 33.Nxb4 Bxc1 34.Nd5 {which should be holdable endgame for White.} ) ( {Perhaps the best defense was} 32.Rd1 Bxc4+ 33.Bxc4 Rxc4 34.Kd3 Rb4 {although Black's advantage is huge here as well.} ) 32...Rg3 33.Ke2 {The pawn is doomed anyway:} ( 33.Rf1 Bh3 34.Rd1 Bg2 ) 33...Bxc4+ 34.Kd2 ( {This time White cannot deprive the opponent of the bishop pair} 34.Bxc4 Rxb2+ $1 ) 34...Rxf3 35.Bxc4 Rxb2+ {Hats off to Maxime-Vachier Lagrave and the whole French team!} ( {Vallejo resigned due to the line} 35...Rxb2+ 36.Rc2 Rxc2+ 37.Kxc2 Rxc3+ ) 0-1

[Event "Open European Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.11.19"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Black "Mchedlishvili, Mikheil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2618"]
[ECO "D16"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8112253709850"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:08"]
[BlackClock "0:00:34"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 e6 6.e3 c5 7.Bxc4 Nc6 8.O-O cxd4 9.exd4 Be7 {From the Slav defense the game transposed into a typical QGA position with an extra tempo for White (in the Queen's Gambit the black pawn is on a6). Evgeny Tomashevsky's knowledge in these positions should be huge thanks to his great coach Yuri Razuvaev.} 10.Qe2 {A typical regroupment. The rook gets on the d-file, ready to be shifted along the third rank for a kingside attack.} ( 10.Bg5 O-O 11.Re1 Bd7 12.Qe2 Rc8 13.Rad1 Nb4 14.Ne5 Nfd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Bxd5 Bxg5 17.Bxb7 Bxa4 18.Ra1 Rc7 {Onischuk,A (2662)-Rublevsky,S (2702) Berlin 2015} ) 10...O-O 11.Rd1 Nb4 12.Bg5 h6 {This move prepares the development of Black's light-squared bishop. A famous mistake is the hasty:} ( 12...Bd7 $2 13.d5 exd5 14.Nxd5 Nbxd5 15.Bxd5 Nxd5 16.Rxd5 Bxg5 17.Nxg5 {with serious advantage for White. A recent example went} 17...h6 18.Qd2 hxg5 19.Rxd7 Qf6 20.Rxb7 {with a solid extra pawn for White in Rodshtein,M (2660)-Duda,J (2591) Jerusalem 2015} ) 13.Bxf6 {White decided to trade the bishop. This is obviously a concession as the first player wants to have as many pieces as possible for a future attack. But at the same time White gets some important squares for his knights.} ( {In case of} 13.Bh4 {Black can already proceed with the development} 13...Bd7 14.Ne5 ( {As the line} 14.d5 exd5 ( 14...Nbxd5 {is also possible.} ) 15.Nxd5 Nbxd5 16.Bxd5 Nxd5 17.Rxd5 Bxh4 {is no longer dangerous for Black.} ) 14...Bc6 15.Bg3 Nbd5 16.a5 Rc8 17.Bb3 a6 18.Rdc1 Bb4 19.Bh4 Qd6 20.Qd1 Bb5 21.Nxb5 axb5 22.Rxc8 Rxc8 23.Qf3 Qc7 24.h3 Ra8 25.Qd1 Bd6 {&Acirc;&frac12;-&Acirc;&frac12; Ivanchuk,V (2748) -Tkachiev,V (2639) France 2010} ) 13...Bxf6 14.Ne4 b6 {The most natural development.} ( 14...Be7 15.Ne5 Nc6 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.a5 {Van Wely,L (2654)-Van Foreest,J (2519) Vlissingen 2015} ) 15.Ne5 Bh4 {In case of the natural} ( 15...Bb7 {White has} 16.Nxf6+ Qxf6 17.Nd7 Qg5 18.f4 {winning the exchange.} ) 16.Ra3 {The other rook also does not mind to get shifted on the kingside.} 16...Bb7 17.Rh3 Bd5 {A novelty. Mchedlishvili is happy to trade a pair of light pieces. I am curious to see what Tomashevsky had prepared against:} ( 17...Nd5 18.Qg4 Bg5 19.Nxg5 Qxg5 20.Qxg5 hxg5 {in Ikonnikov,V (2527)-Van Foreest,J (2514) Dieren 2015 and Black was doing well.} ) 18.Nc3 Bxc4 19.Qxc4 Be7 {Careful defense. The knight is more valuable than the bishop in the line:} ( 19...Nd5 20.Nxd5 exd5 21.Qd3 ) 20.Qe2 Rc8 ( 20...Nd5 {can be met in a similar way:} 21.Qg4 Nxc3 22.bxc3 {with pressure for White on the kingside.} ) 21.Qg4 {A common picture in the isolated pawn positions. Thanks to his extra space White can lift his heavy pieces in front of the pawn chain to attack. However, since Black's pawn structure is almost intact his resources should prove sufficient to hold the attack.} 21...Kh7 22.Rg3 Bf6 ( {The weakening moves are punished at once:} 22...g6 $4 23.Nxf7 ) 23.Ne4 {The threat is to capture on f6 and fork on d7 with the second knight, thus} 23...Rc7 24.h4 {Razuvaev's trademark. The pawn is getting ready to worry the black king anytime he goes g7-g6.} 24...Qe7 {It is somehow strange, but Black lacks good moves. The computer suggestion} ( 24...Nd5 25.Kh2 g6 ( 25...Rc2 $4 26.Nxf6+ ) 26.h5 g5 {is hardly any human player's choice.} ) 25.Kh2 $3 {A deep preparatory move. The king moves away from the possible checks along the first rank and White asks his opponent: "What are you doing next?"} 25...Nd5 $6 {Probably the first real mistake that Mchedlishvili commited in the game. The knight is getting closer to the black king and on a wonderful outpost, but it lets the second white rook join the attack.} ( {The natural} 25...Rfc8 $2 {to trade the rooks with Rc7-c1 is concretely bad due to} 26.Nxf6+ Qxf6 27.Rf3 ) ( {But Black could have been equally prophylactical with} 25...Kh8 $1 ) 26.Nxf6+ Qxf6 27.Rdd3 {This logically follows the plan of the kingside attack. The threat is Rd3-f3! But I like one other idea that reveals the idea behind the deep Kh2 move:} ( 27.Rc1 $1 {which will force the black rook to abandon the open file as} 27...Rxc1 {loses the queen after} ( 27...Rfc8 {also loses due to} 28.Rxc7 Rxc7 29.Rf3 ) 28.Nd7 ) 27...Ne7 28.Rgf3 Nf5 29.g3 Kg8 ( {Nothing changes} 29...Rd8 30.Qe4 Kg8 ( {Black loses the knight in the line} 30...Rd6 31.g4 Qxh4+ 32.Kg2 Kg8 33.Rh3 ) 31.d5 $1 ) 30.Qf4 {The threat is d4-d5 and there is nothing that Black can do to stop it!} 30...Rd8 31.d5 $1 {The most typical IQP break spells trouble for Black.} 31...Rc2 $2 {This hangs material.} ( {Naturally, Black cannot capture the pawn} 31...Rxd5 32.Rxd5 exd5 33.Qxf5 ) ( {The most resilient was} 31...Rcc8 32.dxe6 fxe6 {although here too, White has large advantage after the simple} 33.Qe4 ( {Or he may win a pawn with} 33.g4 g5 34.Qe4 Rxd3 35.Nxd3 Nd6 36.Rxf6 Nxe4 37.Rxe6 ) ) 32.Nxf7 $1 {A small combination a la Capablanca which crowns the great technical job of Tomashevky.} 32...Rf8 ( 32...Qxf7 33.dxe6 {loses everything.} ) ( 32...Kxf7 33.dxe6+ Kxe6 34.Rxd8 ) 33.dxe6 Rc5 ( {Or} 33...Qxe6 34.Qxf5 Qxf5 35.Rxf5 Rxf7 36.Rd8+ ) 34.b4 {A very important win for Russia!} 1-0

[Event "Open European Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.11.20"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2712"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7493375782921"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:22:13"]
[BlackClock "0:28:57"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {The Berlin is not as solid as it used to be on Icelandic soil.} 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.h3 h6 10.Rd1+ Ke8 11.Nc3 Ne7 12.b3 Bf5 13.Nd4 Bh7 14.Nce2 Rd8 15.Bb2 a6 {To prepare the c6-c5 advance. Fressinet definitely knew something about the other game in this line:} ( 15...Nd5 16.c4 Nb4 17.Nf4 Rg8 18.g4 Na6 19.Nf5 {with pressure for White in Caruana,F (2805)-Carlsen,M (2876) Stavanger 2015} ) 16.c4 c5 17.Nf3 Nc6 18.Nf4 Bc2 {That forces the capture on d8 to which Black wants to reinforce the control over the critical e6 square.} ( {Worse is} 18...Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1 Nd8 {Due to} 20.e6 $1 {Anyway!} 20...Nxe6 ( 20...fxe6 21.Be5 ) 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.Be5 ) 19.Rxd8+ Nxd8 20.e6 {The main theme in the Berlin. If this break works, Black can never finish the development and will play without his kingside rook and bishop.} 20...f6 $2 {This pawn should not be allowed to stay there.} ( {For good or for bad Black should have taken the pawn-} 20...Nxe6 21.Re1 ( 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.Re1 Kd7 23.Ne5+ Ke8 {looks OK for the second player.} ) 21...Kd7 ( 21...Rh7 $5 22.Nxe6 fxe6 23.Rxe6+ Kd8 24.Re1 g5 {may also be fine for Black.} ) 22.Ne5+ Ke8 {White can repeat moves if he likes or transpose into the line from above} 23.Nxe6 fxe6 {when Black is fine.} ) 21.Rc1 ( 21.Re1 $5 {made sense too.} ) 21...Bf5 {One more inaccuracy after which Black can hardly save the game.} ( 21...Be4 {was not ideal either due to} 22.Nh4 Rg8 23.Nh5 {with the threat Bb2xf6 when the bishop on e4 is another target.} ) ( 21...Bh7 {seemed best though, moving it away from the white pieces and eventually defending the rook on g8. After} 22.Re1 Nc6 ( {But not} 22...Bd6 23.Nh5 Rg8 24.Bxf6 $1 ) 23.Nh4 ( 23.Nh5 Rg8 {and if} 24.Bxf6 Bg6 25.e7 Bxh5 26.exf8=Q+ Kxf8 27.Be5 Bxf3 28.gxf3 Nxe5 29.Rxe5 ) 23...Bd6 {Or} 24.Nhg6 ( 24.Nh5 Rg8 25.Bxf6 gxf6 26.Nxf6+ Kf8 27.Nxg8 ( 27.Nxh7+ Kg7 ) 27...Kxg8 ) 24...Rg8 ) 22.Re1 Bd6 ( {In case of} 22...Nc6 23.Nh5 {Black has difficulties with the development of the flank as} ( 23.g4 $5 ) 23...Rg8 {runs into} 24.Nh4 ( {Not the hasty} 24.Bxf6 Bg6 $1 ) 24...Bd3 25.Bxf6 $1 gxf6 26.Nxf6+ {and wins.} ) 23.Nh4 Bc2 ( {Without the bishop pair Black's position will be a mess} 23...Bxf4 24.Nxf5 ) 24.Nh5 Rh7 ( {Or} 24...Rg8 25.f4 ) 25.f4 {Grischuk is building a solid pawn chain on the kingside to support the e6 pawn.} 25...Nc6 26.g4 Nd4 27.f5 {On a high level, the game is over. The rook is excluded from the game on h7 and White has decisive advantage on the other side of the board.} 27...a5 28.Kf2 a4 29.bxa4 {To open a file for the rook.} ( 29.Rc1 $1 {was actualy easier. After} 29...axb3 ( 29...Be4 30.Ke3 Bc6 31.Bxd4 cxd4+ 32.Kxd4 {wins without any chances.} ) 30.axb3 Bxb3 31.Bxd4 cxd4 32.Ra1 {The rook gets the open file and intends to mate with Ra1-a8+ and Nh4-g6.} ) 29...Bxa4 30.Re3 {The point behind White's last move. Re3-a3-a8 is on the agenda.} 30...b6 31.Ng6 Kd8 32.Rd3 Kc8 33.Ke3 {In time trouble Grischuk forces matters. Another win was} ( 33.Ra3 Bc6 34.e7 Kb7 35.Re3 Be8 36.Nf8 Rh8 37.Nxg7 ) 33...Bc2 34.Ra3 {If White had more time he might have chosen the line} ( 34.Rd2 Nxf5+ 35.gxf5 Bxf5 36.Rxd6 $1 Bxg6 37.Nf4 cxd6 38.Nxg6 {with picturesque position where the rook on h7 is still in a super-secure prison.} ) 34...Nxe6 35.fxe6 Bxg6 36.Ra8+ Kb7 37.Rg8 {White regains the pawn with interest and the passer on e6 decides the game.} 37...f5 ( {Or} 37...Kc6 38.Nxg7 ) 38.Bxg7 Bxh5 39.gxh5 Kc6 40.a4 Kb7 41.Bf6 Kc6 ( {The rook endgame leave no hopes for Black} 41...Be7 42.Bxe7 Rxe7 43.Rg6 ) 42.Rg7 Rh8 43.Rxc7+ {Fressinet resigned due to the line} ( 43.Rxc7+ Kxc7 44.Bxh8 Kd8 45.Bg7 Ke7 46.Bxh6 Kxe6 47.Bf4 Be7 48.Bc7 {A crucial win for Grischuk and Russia!} ) 1-0

[Event "Open European Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.11.21"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Gajewski, Grzegorz"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2647"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[ECO "A11"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7287619978807"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:02"]
[BlackClock "0:03:19"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.Qc2 {A popular Anti-Slav move order. Another one goes:} ( 5.h3 $5 e6 6.b3 c5 7.Bb2 Nc6 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Rc1 {Kovalenko,I (2700)-Malakhov,V (2694) Berlin 2015} ) 5...e6 6.b3 c5 {Since White did not occupy the center Black has every right to lose a tempo and fight for it.} 7.Bb2 d4 {Looks risky as Black is not yet prepared for the open play and indeed nobody had tested this move before.} ( {All the games so far saw the move} 7...Nc6 {for example} 8.a3 Be7 9.Bd3 b6 10.O-O Bb7 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Ne2 g6 13.Nf4 O-O 14.h4 $5 {with an unclear position, Janssen,R (2520)-Buhmann,R (2603) Germany 2010} ) 8.Ne4 Nc6 9.Nxf6+ Qxf6 10.exd4 {Gajewski wants to take the maximum of the position. Another way to play is:} ( 10.Bd3 e5 11.Be4 Bd6 {although here Blck consolidates the position.} ) 10...cxd4 {Better than} ( 10...Nxd4 11.Nxd4 cxd4 12.Qe4 Bc5 13.Bd3 {with advantage for White.} ( {Or} 13.b4 ) ) 11.Bd3 Bd6 {Catching up with the development. Black would be happy to take the bishop pair with} ( 11...Nb4 {but after} 12.Qb1 Nxd3+ 13.Qxd3 e5 14.O-O Bd6 15.Rfe1 O-O ( 15...Bf5 $2 16.Qxd4 ) 16.c5 {White firmly seizes the initiative.} ) 12.O-O ( 12.Be4 {also makes sense.} ) 12...h6 {Once more} ( 12...Nb4 13.Qb1 Nxd3 14.Qxd3 e5 15.Rfe1 {transposes into the line above.} ) 13.Be4 e5 {Gajewki is at a crossroads: to continue playing for the initiative, or to cash in his lead in development. In the game he choses the latter.} 14.Bxc6+ $6 {This wins a pawn but gives too much compensation for Black in return.} ( {Both} 14.Rfe1 O-O 15.a3 {followed by c4-c5 and b3-b4.} ) ( {Or the immediate} 14.a3 O-O 15.b4 {expanding on the queenside should give some advantage to the first player.} ) 14...bxc6 15.Qe4 O-O 16.Qxc6 Bg4 {In return for the pawn Black has more space, strong center (thus opportunity for a kingside attack) and bishop pair. Eljanov must have been happy of the opening suprise that he had uncorked earlier.} 17.Rfe1 Rac8 18.Qe4 Bf5 19.Qe2 {Forced as} ( 19.Qh4 g5 $1 {works well for Black.} ) 19...Rfe8 20.d3 Bb4 $1 {A nice idea. Eljanov blocks the queenside pawn majority of his opponent and prepares the storm on the opposite wing.} 21.Red1 a5 22.a3 Bc5 ( {Also interesting was} 22...Bc3 23.Bxc3 dxc3 24.Rac1 {with the idea} 24...e4 25.dxe4 Rxe4 26.Qa2 a4 $1 ) 23.Re1 {Back into e-file control. Black is better after} ( 23.Nd2 Rb8 $1 ( {Even better than} 23...Qg6 24.Ne4 Bf8 25.f3 ) 24.Qf3 Qg6 ) 23...Bg4 {Black continues the preparation. The central break was already in the air:} ( 23...e4 $5 24.dxe4 Bxe4 25.Rad1 Qg6 {with initiative on the center and the king's flank.} ) 24.Rab1 ( {The result of the Black queenside operation can be seen in the line} 24.Qe4 Bxf3 25.Qxf3 Qxf3 26.gxf3 Rb8 {and Black wins a pawn.} ) 24...Rb8 25.Bc1 Qd6 {With the obvious intention f7-f5 and e5-e4 (or sometines e5-e4 at once).} ( 25...Qc6 $5 {deserved attention too as if White tries the same idea as in the game} 26.h3 ( 26.Nxe5 Bxe2 27.Nxc6 Bxd3 {is clearly better for Black.} ) 26...Bh5 27.g4 ( 27.Bd2 {is the right move.} ) 27...Bg6 28.Nxe5 ( 28.Nh4 {is still playable.} ) 28...Qc7 29.f4 f6 {Black would simply win a piece.} ) 26.h3 Bh5 27.g4 Bg6 28.Nh4 e4 $1 {Eljanov forces things. He opens the kingside and the center and goes directly for the white king.} ( 28...Bh7 {would lead to risk-free advantage for Black.} ) 29.Nxg6 fxg6 $1 {Black needs every open file!} 30.Bd2 ( {In case of} 30.dxe4 d3 31.e5 Qd4 32.Qe3 $2 {Black has the fantastic resource} ( 32.Qb2 {is better although Black's attack is ovious here as well.} ) 32...Rxe5 $3 {with decisive attack after} 33.Qxe5 Qxf2+ 34.Kh1 Qf3+ 35.Kh2 Bd6 36.Qxd6 Qf2+ 37.Kh1 Qxe1+ 38.Kh2 Rf8 ) 30...e3 31.Bxa5 ( 31.fxe3 dxe3 32.Bxa5 Rf8 {does not help neither.} ) 31...exf2+ 32.Qxf2 Re3 33.Rxe3 dxe3 {The critical moment of the attack. Gajewski chose the obvious defense} 34.Qh2 {This is possibly White's best practical chance. White's intentions are obvious: to trade the queens, but Eljanov have foreseen something ingenious.} ( {In case of} 34.Qf3 {Black has another fantastic resource} 34...Kh7 $3 {to move the king away and to prevent the exchange of queens.} ( 34...Qxd3 $2 35.Qd5+ Qxd5 36.cxd5 e2+ 37.Kg2 {is in fact better for White.} ) ) ( {The blockading} 34.Qe2 {would give White chances for survival after} 34...Qg3+ ( {But} 34...Rf8 $1 35.Be1 Qc6 {is nevertheless a very strong attack for Black.} ) 35.Kh1 Qxh3+ 36.Qh2 Qf3+ 37.Qg2 Qf6 38.Bc7 {with chnaces to survive.} ( {But not the greedy} 38.Qd5+ Kh7 39.Qxc5 Qh4+ 40.Kg2 Qxg4+ 41.Kh1 Qf3+ 42.Kg1 Qf2+ 43.Kh1 Rf8 ) ) 34...e2+ 35.Kh1 {It seems as White is achieving what he wants but...} 35...Qxd3 $3 {A bolt from the blue! Eljanov gives away the rook with check!} 36.Qxb8+ Kh7 {But now White misses his queen on the kingside. And the rook is hanging. And the black pawn is getting promoted. Oh, my!} 37.Rg1 ( {Or} 37.Kg2 Qxb1 38.Qf4 e1=Q {and wins.} ) 37...Bd6 $1 ( {Avoids the temptation} 37...Qxh3+ 38.Qh2 Qf1 39.Qg2 Bxg1 40.Qxg1 Qh3+ 41.Qh2 Qf1+ 42.Qg1 ) 38.Qxd6 Qxd6 {The rest is easy for the queen and the position is too open.} 39.Bb4 ( 39.Be1 Qxa3 ) 39...Qd3 40.Kg2 Qxb3 41.c5 h5 42.gxh5 gxh5 43.Kh2 Qc2 44.Rg2 Qe4 45.Be1 ( 45.Rg1 g5 ) 45...Qf4+ {Gajewski resigned due to the lines:} ( 45...Qf4+ 46.Bg3 ( 46.Rg3 h4 ) ( 46.Kh1 Qf1+ 47.Rg1 Qxh3# ) 46...Qxg3+ ) 0-1

[Event "Open European Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.11.22"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2850"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[ECO "D00"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7835786150408"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:24:24"]
[BlackClock "0:02:04"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 {Carlsen did not have great a tournament in Iceland but remained true to his search of fresh opening lines.} 2...d5 3.e3 c5 4.c3 {A Reversed Slav defense arose on the board.} 4...Nc6 5.Nd2 cxd4 6.exd4 {Now we have typical a Carlsbad pawn structure. Similar positions can easily arise from the excange Caro-Kann after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4.c3.} 6...Bf5 7.Qb3 Qc8 {In case of} ( 7...Qb6 {White will leave his queen where it is} 8.Ngf3 {and enjoy the possible trade after} 8...Qxb3 9.axb3 {as he has the clear plan b3-b4-(b5) and Nd2-b3-c5(a5).} ) 8.Ngf3 e6 9.Nh4 Be4 {Motylev decided not to provoke the f2-f3 move and played solidly against Grischuk in Berlin:} ( 9...Bg6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.h3 Be7 12.Bd3 Bd8 $1 13.Nf3 Bc7 {with approximate equality, Grischuk,A (2774)-Motylev,A (2649) Berlin 2015} ) 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Nf3 Bd6 {This not only finishes the development but also reduces White's attacking material on the kingside. In the Carlsbad the first player is looking for piece attack, as he controls the nice outpost on e5, and can easily shift heavy pieces along the third (fifth) rank.} 12.Bxd6 Nxd6 13.Bd3 Qc7 14.Qc2 {A novelty. The idea is clear: to prevent the immediate castling and to provoke a kingside weakness in Black's camp.} ( {The straightforward} 14.O-O {gave a chance to Black to castle at once} 14...O-O 15.Qc2 g6 ( 15...h6 $5 {looks safer.} ) 16.Rfe1 b5 17.Qd2 Kg7 {with mutual chances in Sandipan,C (2594)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2700) Dubai 2014} ) 14...O-O-O {Wojtaszek decided to avoid any kingside attacks and simply went on the opposite wing.} ( {If} 14...h6 {White can wait for his opponent's castling with an useful move like} 15.Qe2 ) ( {While} 14...g6 {can be answered} 15.h4 $5 O-O-O 16.h5 {and White is using his rook from its initial position.} ) 15.O-O h6 {Quite an unusual situation arose. Instead of a minority attack, Black will attack on the kingside himself, while White will push the pawns against the enemy king as well.} 16.a4 Kb8 ( {The line} 16...g5 17.a5 g4 18.Ne5 Nxe5 19.dxe5 Nc4 20.Bxc4 Qxc4 21.a6 b6 22.Ra4 {is favourable for the first player.} ) 17.Rfe1 ( {Black will reply in the same way after} 17.b4 Rc8 ) 17...Rc8 {The threat Nc6-b4 forces White to retreat temporarily.} 18.Qd1 Rhe8 $1 {Wojtaszek switches to central play. A wise decision that should counter White's agressive intentions on the queenside.} ( 18...g5 19.Ne5 h5 20.Nxc6+ Qxc6 21.a5 g4 22.a6 {looks better for White.} ) 19.Bf1 Re7 ( 19...f6 $5 {followed by e6-e5 is also good.} ) 20.Rc1 Rd8 21.Re2 $1 {A deep maneuver. The rook frees a square for the knight that wants to get on the best square ever, c5.} 21...Ne4 22.b4 Ng5 23.Ne1 {The point behind Carlsen's maneuver. If Black manages to trade the knights, he will be out of danger.} 23...e5 $1 {This is the proper moment to hit the center. All the pieces are either on the first or the second rank.} 24.b5 Na5 25.Rxe5 Rxe5 26.dxe5 Qxe5 {The Polish GM played energetically and almost equalized completely. Now he wants to put pressure on the backward c3 pawn, thus the next move is forced:} ( 26...Nc4 $5 {was an interesting pawn sacrifice} 27.f4 Ne6 {when Black has compensation thanks to the weakened dark squares.} ) 27.c4 Ne6 28.Nf3 Qf4 $2 {But this is wrong. Black needed to try and trade the queens instead with} ( 28...Qd6 29.cxd5 Qxd5 30.Qxd5 $6 ( 30.Qe1 $5 {might still give some hopes for an advantage to the first player.} ) 30...Rxd5 ) 29.cxd5 Rxd5 30.Qxd5 Qxc1 31.g3 {This takes away the f4-square and prepares the development of the bishop. Black's position is very unpleasant to say the least.} ( 31.Qd7 Qf4 {is less precise.} ) 31...Qc5 32.Qd7 Qf8 33.Ne5 {All of a sudden the black pieces are completely helpless. The knights lack coordination and the queen is extremely passive.} 33...Nc5 34.Qd5 {With the major threat Qd5xc5.} 34...Kc7 35.Nxf7 Nxa4 36.Qe5+ Kb6 ( 36...Kc8 37.Bh3# ) 37.Nd6 Nc5 38.Ne8 ( {The threat Qc7 mate can be stopped only with} 38.Ne8 Qf7 {but that loses after} 39.Qd6+ Nc6 40.bxc6 Qxe8 41.c7+ ( {or} 41.cxb7+ ) ) 1-0

[Event "City of Masters"]
[Site "Barcelona"]
[Date "2015.11.08"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Bachmann, Axel"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2601"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[ECO "D73"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8114287941674"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "CAT"]
[WhiteClock "0:06:14"]
[BlackClock "0:02:29"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.d4 Nf6 5.O-O c6 6.c4 dxc4 {Even in one of the most solid lines of the Gruenfeld Defense Morozevich has his own opinion and looks for something rare. Most of the people simply castle here, for example} ( {Relevant:} 6...O-O 7.Qb3 Qb6 8.Nc3 Rd8 9.Na4 Qxb3 10.axb3 Na6 11.Bf4 {as in the recent marathon game (172 moves!) Ding,L (2782)-Giri,A (2798) Bilbao 2015} ) 7.a4 Ne4 8.Qc2 Nd6 {The point of Black's play. While White regains the pawn Black will win one tempo for the development.} 9.Na3 Bf5 10.Qc3 O-O ( {It is too risky to go for an open battle unprepared} 10...b5 11.axb5 cxb5 12.Ng5 $1 ) 11.Nxc4 Re8 {A novelty. The only predecessor saw} ( 11...Na6 12.Nce5 Be4 13.Bh3 Nf5 14.Be3 {Here instead of} 14...c5 {which led to advantage for White after} ( {Black could have chosen} 14...Nc7 $5 ) ( {Or} 14...e6 {with good play.} ) 15.dxc5 Qc7 16.Bxf5 Bxf3 17.Bd4 gxf5 18.Nxf3 Bxd4 19.Nxd4 {Matnadze,A (2428)-Perpinya Rofes,L (2395) Barbera del Valles 2011} ) ( {Nobody had tested yet} 11...c5 $5 {but this looks like a good choice for Black as well.} ) 12.Rd1 {Bachman overprotects the center and finishes the development.} ( 12.Bf4 $5 {was another way to do it.} ) 12...Na6 {So does Morozevich. Worse is} ( 12...c5 13.Qb3 cxd4 14.Nxd4 {with advantage for White.} ) 13.b3 ( 13.Nfe5 {was a bit more cautious.} ) 13...Be4 {One way for full equality now was} ( 13...Nxc4 14.Qxc4 ( {The line} 14.bxc4 e5 {will reveal the idea behind the Re8 move.} ) 14...Be6 15.Qc3 Qb6 ) 14.Ba3 Rc8 $6 {Once more Morozevich postpones the freeing advance. In vain as} ( 14...Nxc4 15.bxc4 c5 {which would lead to a double-edged position.} ) 15.Rac1 {Both sides prepared for the clash.} 15...c5 {It starts! Otherwise Black cannot justify the position of his rook on c8} ( 15...Nxc4 16.Qxc4 Qd5 17.Bh3 ) 16.Nfe5 $1 {Now that the game is opened both queens will become badly exposed. The one on c3 is under the pressure of the black bishop and rook on c8. With this move Bachman not only blocks the long diagonal, but he also frees the f3 square for his strongest piece, thus moving it away from the X-ray of the rook. Once that this plan is accomplished, it will be the black queen only that feels uncomfortable. This whole plan is possible thanks to the extra space that White has.} 16...Bxg2 ( {Or} 16...cxd4 17.Qxd4 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Nxc4 19.Qxd8 Ne3+ 20.fxe3 Rcxd8 ( 20...Rexd8 21.Bxe7 {wins pawn for White.} ) 21.Nc4 {White has large edge due to the horrible position of the black knight.} ) 17.Kxg2 Qc7 18.Qf3 {The point. The queen let the rook free with tempo. Now f7 is under pressure too.} 18...Nf5 {A sad maneuver, but Black has to do something against the threats.} ( 18...cxd4 $4 19.Nxd6 ) ( 18...Nxc4 $4 19.Qxf7+ ) ( 18...Rf8 {is quite passive and it is no wonder that White has huge advantage say after} 19.Ne3 ) 19.e4 Nh6 {The only move as} ( 19...Nd6 $2 20.dxc5 Nxc5 21.Bxc5 Qxc5 22.Nxd6 {loses on the spot.} ) 20.g4 $1 {Excellent play by Bachman. Compare the two pairs of knights and you will know who is the winner.} 20...f6 ( 20...Bxe5 21.dxe5 {with the threat g4-g5 is also hopeless for Black.} ) 21.Nd3 f5 {In the arising mutual time-trouble Morozevich tries complications. This worked in round one, but not today...} ( 21...Nf7 22.dxc5 {is a healthy extra pawn for White.} ) 22.gxf5 Bxd4 ( {Or} 22...gxf5 23.e5 {with both flanks separated by the white pawn Black has no chnaces of survival.} ) 23.Nf4 e5 24.Nd5 Qd8 25.fxg6 Rc6 {Nothing helps:} ( 25...Rf8 26.Qh5 Rxf2+ 27.Kh1 Qf8 28.Qh3 {with the threat Qh3xc8.} ) ( 25...hxg6 26.Nf6+ ) 26.Kh1 Rxg6 27.Rg1 Kg7 ( {Probably} 27...Re6 28.Nce3 {was a bit more stubborn but this should not change the evaluation of the position.} ) 28.Rxg6+ hxg6 29.Rg1 Nc7 30.Bc1 $1 {All pieces take part in the attack. Always pleasant to see!} 30...Nxd5 31.Qh5 Nf7 32.Qxg6+ Kf8 33.Qg7+ Ke7 34.Bg5+ 1-0

[Event "Masters Open"]
[Site "Qatar"]
[Date "2015.12.20"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Batsiashvili, Nino"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2498"]
[ECO "A09"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "5228069924360"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteClock "0:16:35"]
[BlackClock "0:12:17"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 c5 4.c4 d4 5.b4 {The world champion goes for a reversed Benko Gambit.} 5...cxb4 6.a3 b3 ( {Black can naturally accept the gambit with} 6...bxa3 7.Bxa3 Nc6 {For example} 8.d3 g6 9.Nbd2 Bg7 10.Ra2 $5 O-O 11.Qa1 {with compensation for the pawn in Vachier Lagrave,M (2742)-Wojtaszek, R (2698) Germany 2014} ) 7.Qxb3 Nc6 8.O-O e5 9.e3 {The advantage of the extra tempo- White can play more aggressively.} ( {In identical situation the Benko player with the black pieces would chose the more restrained} 9.d3 {approach.} ) 9...Be7 {Careful, solid play. Castle first, think later.} 10.exd4 exd4 11.Bb2 O-O 12.Re1 ( {A novelty, in comparison to} 12.d3 Rb8 13.Nbd2 h6 14.Qc2 Bc5 15.Nb3 {with some advantage for White in Sabia,C (2209) -Ficco,C (2150) Foligno 2010} ) 12...Re8 {Another way to play the position is} ( 12...Rb8 $5 13.d3 {Then Black can try to shift the kingside knight to a better spot with} ( {One of Black's ideas is revealed in the line} 13.Ne5 Be6 ) 13...Nd7 $5 {This seems tactically justified after} 14.Nxd4 Bf6 15.Nf3 Nc5 16.Bxf6 Nxb3 17.Bxd8 Rxd8 18.Ra2 Bf5 ) 13.a4 {With the obvious intention to bring the knight on a3. However, this allows a freeing operation.} ( 13.d3 {might be preferrable with unclear game.} ) 13...Na5 {Batsiashvili forces trades. The preliminary} ( 13...Be6 {looks good for Black too. For example} 14.Na3 ( 14.d3 Bb4 ) 14...h6 {When pawn grabbing} 15.Qxb7 $4 {is illegal due to} 15...Na5 16.Qa6 Bc8 17.Qb5 a6 18.Qe5 Bxa3 ) 14.Qd3 Be6 {Black's organized army makes great impression.} 15.Na3 Bxa3 {A bit hasty. Now Black equalizes, almost...Instead, she could have brought the rook out first:} ( 15...Rc8 $5 {when Black seems to level the game completely in all lines} 16.Qxd4 ( 16.Bxd4 b6 $5 {and only then capture on c4.} ( {But not} 16...Nxc4 $2 17.Rxe6 $1 ) ( {Although} 16...Bxa3 17.Rxa3 Rxc4 18.Bxa7 Qxd3 19.Rxd3 Rxa4 20.Ng5 Nc4 {could be good enough for the draw as well.} ) ) ( 16.Nxd4 Nxc4 17.Nxc4 Bxc4 ) 16...Bxa3 17.Bxa3 Nxc4 ) 16.Bxa3 Bxc4 17.Qxd4 Qxd4 18.Nxd4 Bd5 {The resulting endgame is somewhat for White. Carlsen owes the bishop pair and the more active pieces, while Batsiashvili is a proud owner of the better pawn structure.} 19.Rxe8+ {The world champion prefers to occupy the more distant file from the black king and restricts the Na5 in the process.} ( 19.Nf5 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Nc4 {lets the horse out.} ( 20...Nd5 ) ) 19...Rxe8 20.Rc1 b6 ( {Black's difficulties are illustrated by the line:} 20...Bxg2 21.Kxg2 h6 ( 21...Rd8 $6 22.Be7 $1 ) ( 21...b6 22.Bb4 ) 22.Nf5 {where the black knight should remain on the rim as} 22...Nc6 23.Nd6 Rb8 24.Nxb7 {simply loses a pawn.} ) 21.Bf1 $1 {The best chance is to keep the bishop pair. The alternatives fail to impress:} ( 21.Rc7 Re1+ 22.Bf1 h5 ) ( 21.Bb4 Nb3 22.Nxb3 Bxb3 23.a5 h6 ( 23...Nd5 ) ) 21...Bb7 ( {Perhaps} 21...h6 {is a bit more accurate, with counterattack in case of} 22.Nf5 Nb3 23.Rc7 Re1 ) 22.Nf5 Rd8 23.d4 Nd5 24.Bg2 {One winning attempt is the rook trade after} ( 24.Nd6 Ba8 25.Rc8 $5 Rxc8 26.Nxc8 {Black should hold after} 26...Bc6 ( {Or} 26...a6 27.Bxa6 Bc6 28.Ne7+ ( 28.Bb5 Bxb5 29.axb5 Nb3 30.Bb2 Nd2 {the poor position of the white bishop can hardly offer any winning chances to White.} ) 28...Nxe7 29.Bxe7 Nb3 30.Bd8 Nxd4 31.Bxb6 Nf3+ 32.Kg2 Ne5+ 33.Kf1 Bxa4 ) 27.Bg2 {with the threat Bg2xd5.} 27...Bd7 28.Nxa7 Nc3 29.d5 Nxa4 {and although White can play further it should be a draw.} ) 24...g6 25.Nd6 Ba8 26.h4 {Once more Carlsen could have traded the rooks, in a better version in comparison to the line above:} ( 26.Rc8 $1 Rxc8 27.Nxc8 {White wins a pawn in all the lines} 27...Bb7 ( 27...Nc4 28.Bc1 Kg7 ( 28...a6 29.Bxd5 ) 29.Nxa7 ) ( 27...a6 $4 {loses on the spot due to} 28.Bxd5 Bxd5 29.Ne7+ ) 28.Nxa7 Nc3 29.Bb4 {looks better than} ( 29.Bxb7 Nxb7 ) 29...Nxa4 30.Bxa5 Bxg2 31.Kxg2 ( 31.Bxb6 Bf3 ) 31...bxa5 32.Nc6 f5 33.Nxa5 Kf7 34.Kf3 {If we use Botvinnik's formula for the knight endgames this should be a win for White. Indeed, most of the 4 versus 3 knight endgames are won for the stronger side even if the pawns are on the same flank.} ) 26...h5 27.Re1 {A cunning tactical idea by Carlsen. Alas, it does not work.} ( {This was the last chance for} 27.Rc8 ) 27...Bc6 $1 {Batsiashvili is not afraid! The e5 point cannot be covered} ( 27...f6 $2 28.Ne8 $1 {will leave Black helpless-} 28...Kf7 29.Bxd5+ Bxd5 30.Re7+ ) ( {But perhaps} 27...a6 28.Re5 Nf6 {was playable, say} 29.Bxa8 Rxa8 30.Re7 b5 31.axb5 axb5 32.Nxb5 Nc6 {with good chances to hold.} ) 28.Re5 {It seems as Black felt into the trap but} 28...Nf6 29.Rxa5 Bxg2 30.Rxa7 Bd5 {Revealed one of the good defensive methods when fighting the bishop pair- a pawn sacrifice for opposite colored bishops.} 31.Ra6 Nd7 ( {Black could have alos traded the rooks at once} 31...Ra8 32.Rxa8+ Bxa8 33.Nc4 Nd5 {which should be also holdable.} ) 32.Nb5 $6 {A blunder, which allows Black too much activity. Instead both} ( 32.Kf1 ) ( {Or} 32.Bc1 {would ahve kept the extra pawn. Would that be a win for White is another story.} ) 32...Re8 $1 {Showing no respect to the world champion and intending to mate him in two.} 33.Bb4 Re2 34.Ra7 Nf6 {The active blac pieces force White to play carefully to hold the balance.} 35.Kf1 Rb2 ( 35...Bf3 $5 {might have been more unpleasant for White.} ) 36.Bc3 Rc2 {The preliminary check} ( 36...Bc4+ {was also good-} 37.Ke1 Re2+ 38.Kd1 Rxf2 ) 37.Rc7 Ng4 38.Ke1 Rxf2 39.Rc8+ Kh7 40.Rd8 Bf3 {The time trouble is over and Carlsen plays the only move} 41.Re8 {Even world champions should not disrespect the famous Georgian chess school. The rude checkmate attempt} ( 41.d5 $4 {would be neatly punished after} 41...Re2+ 42.Kf1 Ne3+ 43.Kg1 Rg2+ 44.Kh1 Rxg3+ 45.Kh2 Nf1# ) 41...f6 {Everything is equal and the game is heading towards the logical end.} ( 41...Bd5 ) 42.Re7+ Kg8 43.Re8+ Kh7 44.Re7+ Kg8 45.Bd2 Rg2 46.Bf4 g5 {Trades as many pawns as possible.} ( 46...Kf8 47.Bd6 Kg8 ) 47.hxg5 fxg5 48.Bxg5 Rxg3 49.Nc3 Bc6 50.Kd2 Rg2+ 51.Re2 Nf2 {Nino Batsiashvili demonstares once more perfect calcualtion.} ( 51...Rxe2+ 52.Kxe2 Kf7 {would also do.} ) 52.d5 Bxd5 $1 {A nice finish of an excellent game.} 53.Nxd5 Ne4+ 54.Ke3 Rxe2+ 55.Kxe2 Nxg5 56.Nxb6 Ne6 57.a5 Nc7 {Great play by one of Georgia's best female players!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Masters Open"]
[Site "Qatar"]
[Date "2015.12.21"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2632"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7633272606770"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 {Giri generally prefers the Taimanov Sicilian, but every once in a while he opts for the Najdorf too.} 6.h3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f4 ( {Another plan is} 8.Be3 Be7 9.Qf3 O-O 10.g4 a5 11.O-O-O a4 12.Nc5 a3 {as in the recent masterpiece Khismatullin,D (2654) -Sjugirov,S (2646) Khanty-Mansiysk 2015} ) 8...Be7 {Giri revealed at the press-conference that he was not sure about his memories of the line and mentioned two recent games, important for the line:} ( 8...b5 9.f5 Bc8 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Kb1 Rc8 {Grischuk,A (2785)-Wojtaszek,R (2701) Riga 2013} ) ( {And} 8...Nbd7 9.f5 Bxb3 10.axb3 d5 11.exd5 Bb4 12.Bd2 O-O 13.Qe2 Bxc3 14.bxc3 e4 {Sutovsky,E (2635)-Shirov,A (2712) Poikovsky 2015 Although White won both these games Black did reasonably well out of the opening.} ) 9.f5 Bd7 {A novelty. The bishop is heading for the c6 square.} ( {A Najdorf specialist chose instead} 9...Bc8 {trying to fianchetto the bishop asap and keeping the queenside knight's options open-} 10.Qf3 b5 11.a3 Bb7 12.g4 d5 $1 {and Black was already better in Sutovsky,E (2632)-Wojtaszek, R (2736) Bilbao 2014} ) 10.Be3 b5 {The fight for the d5 square is fierce. Black dismissed the immediate} ( 10...Bc6 11.Qf3 d5 {due to} 12.Nxd5 $1 ( {Giri also calculated the cunning line} 12.exd5 Bxd5 $1 13.Qg3 $6 Ne4 $1 14.Qxe5 Nc6 15.Qxd5 Bh4+ {and all of a sudden Black wins the queen} 16.Ke2 Nxc3+ ) 12...Bxd5 13.O-O-O Nxe4 14.Bc4 $1 {where Black's position falls apart.} ) 11.Qf3 ( {Perhaps Grandelius should have gone for} 11.a3 Bc6 12.Qf3 {which seems more stable.} ) 11...b4 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.exd5 {Now that the d5 outpost disappeared Black should be fine.} 13...Bg5 {In order to trade the "poor bishop". This however leaves the queenside somewhat poorly placed.} ( 13...a5 14.Nd2 {would have been somewhat better for White.} ) ( {But} 13...O-O {looks quite good for him. I suspect that Giri did not want to show where is his king going yet. He often leaves it in the middle in the Taimanov and if you remember his game again Saric in Wijk this year you might find a lot of similarities to the one you are following right now.} ) 14.Bxg5 ( {White has nothing after} 14.Bf2 O-O 15.Bd3 Bb5 ) 14...Qxg5 15.Bd3 Bb5 16.h4 {Grandelius is a very strong attacking player and remains true to his style. Objectively though a better approach would have been the one suggested by the top commentator P.Svidler:} ( 16.Nd2 Nd7 17.Ne4 Qe7 18.O-O {followed by the opening of the queenside with a2-a3} 18...Nf6 19.a3 {Giri believed this should not be too bad for Black but the impression is that he is worse.} ) 16...Qd8 17.g4 Nd7 18.g5 $6 {"A mistake that gives the "h" file to Black." (Giri).} ( 18.O-O-O ) 18...h6 $1 {Or else White's initiative on the kingside might become annoying-} ( 18...Qb6 19.O-O-O a5 20.Nd2 Nc5 21.Bxb5+ Qxb5 22.h5 {and White is ready to open files (Giri).} ) 19.Rg1 {One more timid move. The Dutch GM believed that White should do better if sacrifices a pawn:} ( 19.f6 gxf6 20.g6 fxg6 21.Bxg6+ Ke7 22.O-O-O {intending Rh1-e1 and Nb3-d4-f5 with compensation for a pawn.} ) 19...hxg5 20.hxg5 Bxd3 21.Qxd3 Rh5 $1 {"A strong move that forces the white queen to be misplaced" (Giri). Things are not that simple though...} 22.Qg3 ( {Black is indeed doing great in the endgame after} 22.Qe3 Qb6 {as the white pawns are overstretched.} ) ( {Also in the line} 22.Qd2 a5 $1 {when the knight is deprived of the d2 square.} ) ( {However, there was a third possibility that Giri did not mention:} 22.f6 $1 {with the idea} 22...gxf6 ( {Safer is} 22...g6 23.O-O-O {but then the white queen would not have to leave.} ) 23.g6 $1 {This looks like an improved version of the pawn sacrifice from above.} ) ( {And even} 22.O-O-O $5 {was interesting with the idea to get the file back after} 22...Rxg5 23.Rh1 ) 22...Qc7 23.O-O-O Rc8 {Now Black has almost all his pieces wonderfully placed. Only the knight can do better and once that the "a" pawn starts moving White's position will become critical.} 24.Rd2 a5 25.Kb1 ( {Giri was a bit afraid of the line} 25.f6 g6 26.Qe1 a4 27.Nd4 {but it fail tactically due to} 27...Nb6 28.Nc6 Nxd5 {and Black nets a pawn.} ) 25...a4 26.Nc1 Qc4 $1 {Better than} ( 26...Nb6 27.Qg4 $1 {that forces the black rook back} 27...Nc4 28.Re2 Rh8 {(Giri)} ) 27.Qf3 ( {Here} 27.Qg4 Rh4 28.Qxc4 Rcxc4 {leads to perfect endgame for Black.} ) 27...Rh4 28.f6 g6 {Black controls all the files and does not need to open more.} 29.Rh1 Nc5 {This brings the last piece into the action.} ( {Svidler mentioned} 29...e4 {but it is not better due to} 30.Re1 Ne5 31.Qd1 ) ( 29...Nb6 $5 {deserved attention too.} ) ( {But the preliminary} 29...a3 $1 30.bxa3 Nc5 {with huge attack seems best.} ) 30.Rdh2 Ne4 {The critical moment of the game.} ( {The computer believes} 30...Rxh2 31.Rxh2 Kd8 {was best for Black, but I am not sure I understand a thing here.} ) 31.Qd1 ( {Both players missed that in the line} 31.Qe3 a3 {White does not have to go for} 32.Qa7 {which is indeed winning for Black after Giri's recommendation} ( {But can free himself of the mating threat with} 32.c3 $1 {which takes over the initiative for him. For example} 32...Rxh2 33.Rxh2 {is already losing for Black-} 33...bxc3 34.Rh8+ Kd7 35.Qh3+ ) 32...Kf8 ( 32...Rc7 33.Qa4+ Kd8 34.Rxh4 ( 34.Qa8+ Rc8 35.Qa5+ Ke8 36.Qa7 {returns to the main line where Black can still find the move} 36...Kf8 $1 ) 34...Nd2+ 35.Ka1 axb2+ 36.Kxb2 Qc3# ) ) 31...Rxh2 32.Rxh2 Kd7 $1 ( {Avoiding the cunning trap:} 32...Nxg5 33.Qg1 Nf3 34.Rh8+ Kd7 35.Qa7+ Rc7 36.Qxa4+ {and White wins.} ) 33.Qg1 Qxd5 34.Qa7+ Ke6 $1 {Too many Short followers...} 35.Qg1 {With the innocent threat of a check from g4.} ( {The barce black king will eat all the white kingside pawns after} 35.Qe7+ Kf5 36.Qd7+ Qe6 37.Qxa4 Kxg5 ( {Or} 37...Qc4 {first.} ) ) 35...Kd7 36.Qa7+ Ke6 ( {There was an alternative} 36...Rc7 37.Qxa4+ Ke6 38.Qe8+ Kf5 {with serious advantage for Black.} ) 37.Qg1 Qc4 $1 {Frees the d5 square for the king!} 38.Re2 $2 {This loses. For good or bad Grandelius should have gone for the complications} ( 38.Qg4+ Kd5 39.Qd7 Rc7 ( {Carlsen showed a sense of humor with his suggestion} 39...Kd4 {but it is doubtful he would have used it in his own game} 40.Ne2+ Ke3 41.Qh3+ ) 40.Qxa4 {and here instead of the suggested by Giri} 40...Nxg5 {that leads to a mess after} ( {Black has a safer try} 40...Ke6 $1 {with good winning chances.} ) 41.Rd2+ Ke6 42.Qe8+ Kf5 ( 42...Kxf6 43.Qd8+ Re7 44.Qxd6+ Qe6 ( 44...Re6 $2 45.Qd8+ Re7 46.Rf2+ ) 45.Qxb4 ) 43.Rf2+ Kg4 {Still messy, but objectively much better for Black.} ) 38...b3 $1 39.axb3 {Allows a nice finish of the game.} ( {We already know where is the king heading to after} 39.Qg4+ Kd5 $1 ) ( {Objectively best was} 39.cxb3 axb3 40.a3 Nc5 ) 39...axb3 40.cxb3 Qxe2 $1 {A pretty final strike. White resigned due to the mate:} ( 40...Qxe2 41.Nxe2 Nd2+ 42.Ka2 Ra8+ 43.Qa7 Rxa7# ) 0-1

[Event "Masters Open"]
[Site "Qatar"]
[Date "2015.12.23"]
[Round "4.14"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Vocaturo, Daniele"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2597"]
[ECO "A40"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7838050836490"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteClock "0:09:06"]
[BlackClock "0:01:36"]

1.d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+ {How to name this opening? Advanced Bogo-Indian? Or flexible Bogo-Indian? (One online site calls it the "Kangaroo Defense!" - M.K.)} 3.Bd2 Bxd2+ 4.Qxd2 Nf6 5.Nc3 d5 6.e3 {Wojtaszek wants to develop his knight on e2.} ( {Now} 6.Nf3 {will switch into proper Bogo-Indian and this move was a choice of Mamedyarov and Bacrot amongst others.} ) 6...O-O 7.cxd5 ( {The move} 7.Nf3 {is still possible, for example} 7...Qe7 8.Qc2 c6 9.Bd3 dxc4 10.Bxc4 Nbd7 11.O-O e5 12.Bb3 exd4 13.exd4 {and White was better in Riazantsev,A (2646)-Roiz,M (2600) Berlin 2015} ) 7...exd5 8.Bd3 Nc6 {This was played only once before but seems very, very logical. In the arising Carlsbad pawn structure Black would love to swap off the light-squared bishops. In the usual Carlsbad the black queenside knight is already on d7 and in order to achieve the desired trades the knight has to take the long route via f8-e6-g7 and on the top of this Black has to spend time on Rf8-e8 and g7-g6. Vocaturo is more clever, he creates the positional threat in just two moves.} 9.Nge2 Ne7 10.Qc2 {Stops Bc8-f5.} 10...g6 {A novelty. Black consistently plays for Bc8-f5.} ( {The only predecessor saw} 10...b6 11.b4 c6 12.Rb1 Bd7 13.O-O {with slight but long-lasting advantage for White, Vaisser, A (2555)-Bricard,E (2460) France 1993} ) 11.h3 {Aggressive play. White wants to prove that g7-g6 was not perfect and that the kingside is weak as well.} ( 11.O-O Bf5 {should be fine for Black.} ) 11...Bf5 12.g4 Bxd3 13.Qxd3 {"I thought this position is promising for me" Wojtaszek "but Black's next move is very strong."} 13...Nc8 $1 {The knight is heading for the optimal d6 square and then it will have the pleasant choice between the e4 and c4 beauties.} 14.O-O-O Nd6 15.f3 {If White had now the time to play Ne2-g3 followed by g4-g5 everything would be great, but...} 15...Re8 16.Nf4 {White found nothing better than this move, but it has a flaw.} ( {It transpires that} 16.Ng3 {is too slow due to} 16...b5 $1 17.e4 ( {Worse is} 17.Nxb5 Nc4 $1 ( {Or} 17...Nxb5 18.Qxb5 Rxe3 {in both cases with advantage for Black.} ) ) 17...dxe4 ( 17...b4 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.exd5 Qg5+ {is even stronger.} ) 18.fxe4 b4 {with Black's edge (Wojtaszek)} ) ( {Black is also doing great after} 16.g5 Nh5 17.Nxd5 Qxg5 {(Wojtaszek)} ) 16...c6 17.h4 Nc4 $1 18.e4 Qd6 $1 {A very nice maneuver, missed by the Polish GM.} 19.e5 Qb4 {With the double threat of checkmate in one and Nc4xe5! Wojtaszek thought for a moment that he is lost, but then managed to put himself together and found an excellent resource.} 20.Qe2 $1 ( {White also calculated the line} 20.Qc2 Ne3 21.Qd2 Nxd1 22.Kxd1 Nd7 23.h5 {but came to the conclusion that there is not enough compensation after} 23...c5 ( {Or first} 23...Nb6 ) ) 20...Nxe5 21.a3 {The black queen feels overburdened.} 21...Qc4 22.g5 $1 Nfd7 ( 22...Qxe2 23.Ncxe2 {drops a piece.} ) 23.Qc2 $1 {Suddenly, the black knight is in danger.} ( {Wojtaszek dismissed} 23.Qd2 {due to the pretty resource} 23...Nc5 $1 24.dxc5 Nxf3 ) ( {He also did not like} 23.Qh2 $5 {for the same reason-} 23...Nc5 {but here he missed a simple move for White in the line} ( {However, Black can play for compensation with} 23...b5 $5 24.Kb1 ( 24.dxe5 Nxe5 25.Kb1 a5 ) 24...a5 {and nothing is clear at all.} ) 24.dxe5 ( 24.dxc5 Nxf3 25.Qg3 Re3 {is indeed good for Black (Wojtaszek)} ) 24...d4 25.Qe2 $1 {and White wins a piece.} ) 23...Nxf3 ( {The familiar trick} 23...Nc5 {was still there when Black can save the knight but lose precious time. Wojtaszek planned} 24.Kb1 Ned7 {and now either} 25.Nfxd5 ( {But not} 25.Ncxd5 cxd5 $1 ) ( 25.h5 $1 {with strong attack is also great for White.} ) 25...cxd5 26.dxc5 {with advantage for White.} ) ( {Black can sacrifice the knight for three pawns in the line} 23...Nf8 24.b3 Qa6 25.dxe5 Qxa3+ 26.Qb2 Qxb2+ 27.Kxb2 Rxe5 {but it is clear that White has the better chances.} ) 24.Qf2 $1 {The queen dance is over, the knight is trapped.} 24...Nde5 25.Kb1 ( 25.dxe5 $2 Qxf4+ ) 25...Nxd4 $2 {A time-trouble blunder.} ( {White expected} 25...Rad8 {(to stop the knight sacrifice on d5)} 26.dxe5 Nxe5 ( 26...Qxf4 27.Rd3 {In both cases White has the upper hand but there is plenty of play ahead.} ) ) 26.Rxd4 Qc5 27.Ncxd5 {The correct idea, but in the wrong move order.} ( {Not} 27.h5 Nf3 $1 {(Wojtaszek)} ) ( {However, the preliminary} 27.Rc1 $1 {and only after} 27...Qf8 28.Ncxd5 $1 {was the correct move order.} 28...cxd5 29.Nxd5 ) 27...cxd5 28.Rc1 ( 28.Nxd5 Nf3 $1 {is again good for Black.} ) 28...Qf8 $2 {Now the attack is unstoppable.} ( {Correct was} 28...Qb5 $1 29.a4 ( 29.Nxd5 $2 Nd3 $1 ) 29...Qa6 30.Nxd5 Nd3 31.Nf6+ Kh8 {when nothing is clear. Most likely the players should split the point after something like} 32.Qf3 Nxc1 33.Nxe8 Rxe8 34.Qxf7 Qe2 35.Kxc1 Qe1+ 36.Kc2 Rc8+ 37.Rc4 Qe2+ 38.Kb3 Qd3+ 39.Rc3 Qd1+ 40.Ka2 Qxa4+ 41.Ra3 Qc4+ 42.Qxc4 Rxc4 43.Rxa7 Rxh4 44.Rxb7 Ra4+ 45.Kb3 Ra5 46.Rb8+ ) 29.Nxd5 {Once that the knight occupies f6 outpost, the "h" pawn will rush in and open the file for the heavy pieces.} 29...Rec8 30.Re1 Nc6 31.Rde4 ( 31.Nf6+ Kh8 32.Rd7 ) 31...Rd8 32.Nf6+ Kh8 33.h5 gxh5 34.Rh1 Rd6 35.Rxh5 Rxf6 36.gxf6 ( 36.Qxf6+ Qg7 37.Reh4 ) 36...Qd6 37.Rxh7+ $1 Kxh7 38.Qf5+ {Black resigned as it is mate in three.} ( 38.Qf5+ Kh8 39.Rh4+ Kg8 40.Qg4+ Kf8 41.Rh8# ) 1-0

[Event "Masters Open"]
[Site "Qatar"]
[Date "2015.12.24"]
[Round "5.8"]
[White "Korobov, Anton"]
[Black "Swiercz, Dariusz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[ECO "D70"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7973875239989"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteClock "0:07:01"]
[BlackClock "0:02:29"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 {A popular move order.} 3...d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nb6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Be3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.O-O-O Qd6 10.Nb5 {Mamedyarov introduced this move in the modern practice back in the distant 2004...} ( {White can postpone the jump and go first} 10.Kb1 Rd8 {and only then} 11.Nb5 Qd7 12.d5 a6 13.Nc3 Na5 14.Bd4 {with unclear play in the blitz game Aronian,L (2784) -Volokitin,A (2639) Berlin 2015} ) 10...Qd7 ( {No-one had ever tested the computer move} 10...Qd8 ) 11.f4 Qe6 {The point behind Black's previous move. He needs to counter attack as quick as possible.} 12.Nc3 ( {With his kingside undeveloped White cannot afford the McDuck's approach} 12.Nxc7 $2 Qxa2 13.Nxa8 Na5 $1 {leads to lethal attack for Black.} ) 12...Nc4 13.Qe2 N6a5 ( 13...Nxe3 14.Qxe3 {is also possible and was tested in the game Wang Hao-Svidler, Stavanger 2013.} ) 14.Bf2 {Korobov decided to keep this bishop. Since Black did not take it on the previous move some players believed that he may never take it.} ( {Afresh example is} 14.Nf3 c5 15.e5 cxd4 16.Nxd4 Qb6 17.Nf5 Nxe3 18.Nxe3 Nc6 19.Ned5 Qd8 20.g3 Be6 21.Bg2 {with advantage for White, Karjakin,S (2780)-Giri,A (2720) Wijk aan Zee 2013} ) 14...c5 {A sharp position occurred. Both sides castled in different flanks and in these situations the main question is who is faster. Swiercz tries to open files as early as possible and he has every right to do so. Even the rough, mechanical calculation reveals that he is already ahead in the development. The other logical possibilities are} ( 14...b5 $5 ) ( {And} 14...Rd8 $5 ) 15.Nf3 ( {Bad is} 15.dxc5 $2 Bxc3 16.bxc3 Qf6 {with double attack against c3 and f4.} ) ( 15.d5 {fails to impress neither after} 15...Qb6 ) ( {However, the immediate} 15.e5 {is interesting with the idea to meet} 15...b5 {with} 16.d5 Qf5 17.g3 {The threat is Bf1-h3 when White wants to make use of his knight on g1. But Black may pretend that he did not see it and go for} 17...b4 {when} 18.Bh3 $6 {Bumps into} 18...bxc3 $1 19.Bxf5 $2 cxb2+ 20.Kc2 Bxf5+ 21.Kc3 Rab8 {and Black wins. Such sharp lines are typical for positions with open kings.} ) 15...b5 16.e5 {Building some barricades seems more useful at the moment} ( 16.Kb1 $5 Qa6 17.Qc2 ) 16...Qa6 ( {White would be happy to close the position after} 16...b4 17.Ne4 b3 18.a3 ) 17.Ne4 $2 {It is not that obvious, but White badly needed this knight in the defense of his king. Correct was} ( 17.dxc5 Bf5 ( 17...Bh6 18.g3 Bg4 {is another possibility.} ) 18.Nd4 {with unclear play.} ) 17...Bf5 $1 {A cold shower. Instead of defending, Swiercz brings another piece in the attack.} 18.g4 ( {Probably here Korobov realized that on the planned} 18.Nxc5 {Black has the killer} 18...Nb3+ $3 19.Nxb3 ( 19.axb3 Qa1# ) 19...Qxa2 20.Rd3 Rac8 {and White has to resign.} ) ( {White is clearly worse after both} 18.Kb1 Nc6 ) ( {Or} 18.g3 Nc6 ) 18...Bxg4 19.Nxc5 {Now that the bishop is away from the b1-h7 diagonal it seems as White can do this. But...} 19...Nb3+ $1 {Comes anyway.} 20.Kb1 {There is no choice} ( 20.axb3 Qa1+ 21.Kc2 Qxb2+ 22.Kd3 Bf5+ 23.Ne4 Qxb3# ) ( {Or} 20.Nxb3 Qxa2 {we do not count.} ) 20...Nxc5 21.dxc5 {The smoke had cleared. Black kept all his active pieces and White has no defenders of the queenside, nor development. With natural play Swiercz converts his indisputable advantage.} 21...f6 ( 21...Rad8 {was quite convincing too.} ) 22.Rg1 Bh5 23.Qe4 fxe5 24.Bxc4+ bxc4 25.Rd7 ( {Computer claims White's best chance is the endgame after} 25.Nxe5 Bxd1 26.Rxd1 Rad8 27.Rxd8 Rxd8 28.Qxc4+ Qxc4 29.Nxc4 Kf7 {but Black is obviously winning here as well.} ) 25...Bxf3 26.Qxf3 Qe6 27.Rgd1 ( {Or} 27.Qg4 {when Black has a pleasant choice of winning continuations} 27...Rf5 ( {And} 27...Qxg4 28.Rxg4 exf4 29.Rxe7 Rab8 ) ) 27...e4 $1 28.Qe2 Rfb8 29.R1d4 c3 $1 ( {Even better than} 29...Bxd4 30.Rxd4 c3 31.b3 Rd8 {which also wins.} ) 30.b4 ( {In case of} 30.b3 {Swiercz can enjoy another sac on the b3 square} 30...Rxb3+ $1 31.axb3 Qxb3+ 32.Kc1 ( 32.Ka1 c2 ) 32...Qa3+ 33.Kc2 Qb2+ 34.Kd1 Qb1# ) 30...Bxd4 31.Rxd4 a5 32.b5 c2+ $1 {It is over.} 33.Qxc2 ( 33.Kxc2 Qxa2+ 34.Kd1 Qb1+ 35.Kd2 Rxb5 ) 33...Rxb5+ 34.Kc1 e3 35.Re4 exf2 0-1

[Event "Masters Open"]
[Site "Qatar"]
[Date "2015.12.26"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[Beauty "4884493503045"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteClock "0:05:10"]
[BlackClock "0:01:04"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nde2 h5 {The modern Najdorfplayer will arrely allow and "advanced vesrion" of the fianchettoe line. Although both} ( 7...Be6 8.g4 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Bg2 Bb4 11.O-O Bxc3 12.Nxc3 Nxc3 13.bxc3 {Kamsky,G (2733)-Shankland,S (2512) Saint Louis 2011} ) ( {And} 7...Be7 {are still playable, but it seems as Black is suffering here. One example} 8.g4 O-O 9.Be3 Nbd7 10.Ng3 b5 11.g5 {with advantage for White, Swiercz,D (2629)-Kempinski,R (2647) Poland 2015} ) 8.Bg5 {White on his term tries to prove that h7-h5 was a weakening move.} 8...Be6 9.Bxf6 {And then switches to play for the d5 outpost.} 9...Qxf6 10.Nd5 Qd8 11.Qd3 Nd7 12.O-O-O g6 {Still, Black has two bishops and harmonious development in return for the powerful knight on d5.} 13.Kb1 Nc5 {A novelty in comparison to} ( 13...Rc8 {which was played not long time ago. In a game that both adversaries knew well. One of them played at this same tournament and Ganguly was a long-time second of the former world champion Anand and possibly has worked this line with him some time ago-} 14.Nec3 Rc5 15.Be2 b5 16.a3 Nb6 17.g4 hxg4 18.Nxb6 Qxb6 19.hxg4 Rxh1 20.Rxh1 {and Anand went on to win a modal endgame in Anand,V (2803)-Topalov,V (2803) London 2015} ) 14.Qf3 Bg7 ( {Naturally, anytime Black captures on d5 White will recapture with a piece} 14...Bxd5 15.Rxd5 ) 15.Nec3 b5 16.Be2 Rb8 {Impudently intending to trap the white knight on c3 after b5-b4.} 17.a3 ( {As otherwise White may have problems with his e4 pawn-} 17.Rd2 b4 18.Nd1 Qh4 ) 17...Bd7 $1 {A nice maneuver that prepares both a6-a5 and b5-b4 as well as Nc5-e6-d4.} 18.Qe3 {Ganguly decided to defend vigorously.} ( {Another idea was to swpa the roles of the knights but after} 18.Ne3 Bc6 ( 18...a5 19.Rxd6 ) 19.Ncd5 Ne6 20.Bd3 Nd4 21.Qg3 h4 22.Qh2 {White's pieces are awkwardly placed.} ) ( {Objectively best might be} 18.g4 {with the idea to meet} 18...Ne6 {with} ( {Black can also try} 18...a5 $5 {which may lead to tremendous complications after} 19.gxh5 ( 19.b4 {is still an option for White} 19...Ne6 20.gxh5 Rxh5 21.Qg3 Rh8 22.h4 {with unclear play.} ) 19...Rxh5 20.Qg3 {and now} 20...b4 $1 21.Bxh5 bxc3 22.Bxg6 Rxb2+ 23.Ka1 Qb8 {Threatens mate in two after 24...Rb2-a2+} ( {Not} 23...fxg6 $2 24.Qxg6+ Kf8 25.Qxd6+ Kg8 26.Qxc5 ) 24.Qxc3 Na4 25.Qc4 fxg6 {When everything is unclear and my computer claims 0.00...} 26.Nc7+ Ke7 ( 26...Kd8 27.Rxd6 Qxc7 28.Qg8+ Ke7 29.Rxg6 Bf6 30.Qh7+ Ke6 31.Qg8+ ) 27.Rhg1 ) 19.gxh5 Rxh5 20.Qg3 Rh4 21.Bg4 {which will be much better version that the game continuation for White.} ) 18...a5 {Simple and strong, although} ( 18...Ne6 {was also interesting. True, Black has to sacrifice a pair of pawns in the line} 19.Qa7 a5 20.Qa6 b4 21.axb4 axb4 22.Na2 b3 23.cxb3 O-O ) 19.b4 $5 {This was Ganguly's idea. He believes that his central construction is solid enough to survive any flank attacks.} ( {Safer was} 19.Na2 ) 19...Ne6 20.g3 Nd4 21.Bd3 Be6 {Giri is not afraid of f2-f4, but perhaps it made good sense to avoid that option with the preliminary} ( 21...h4 $5 22.g4 ( 22.f4 hxg3 23.f5 Qh4 {looks good for Black.} ) 22...O-O {with good play for Black.} ) 22.f4 {Obviously White cannot sit and wait until his opponent opens the game on the queenside.} 22...axb4 23.axb4 Ra8 {Once again "Show me what you've got" approach.} ( {Instead} 23...exf4 24.gxf4 Ra8 25.e5 {is a mess.} ) 24.f5 {White is consistently trying to reach the black king.} 24...gxf5 25.exf5 Nxf5 {Better than} ( 25...Bxf5 26.Bxf5 Nxf5 {When White has a choice of attacking options} 27.Qd3 ( {Or} 27.Qf3 Nd4 28.Rxd4 exd4 29.Re1+ Be5 30.Nxb5 ) 27...Nd4 28.Nxb5 {and as the black Rh8 is not joining the game soon, White should be better.} ) 26.Bxf5 Bxf5 27.g4 {The same policy again- no shelter for the black king as in the line:} ( 27.Nxb5 O-O 28.g4 Bh7 {However, it seems as Ganguly forgot that Giri likes to keep his Monarch in the center. Somewhere around the e6-d5-f5 squares...} ) 27...hxg4 28.hxg4 Rxh1 29.Rxh1 Be6 $1 {The pawn is anything but yummy} ( {After} 29...Bxg4 $6 30.Qe4 $1 Be6 {Now best is the preliminary} 31.Rh7 $1 ( {White can reagin the exchange at once with} 31.Nc7+ Qxc7 32.Qxa8+ {but this is less appealing due to the simple} 32...Ke7 33.Nd5+ ( 33.Nxb5 $5 ) 33...Bxd5 34.Qxd5 Qc3 {with e5-e4 coming White will have to force perpetual sooner or later.} ) 31...Bf8 32.Nxb5 Rc8 33.Rh8 {when White is dominating.} ) 30.g5 ( {If} 30.Qe4 Kf8 {stops any Nd5-c7 fork ideas.} ) 30...Kf8 {Giri repelled the attack and is now in command. Still, the vulnerable position of his king and the naughty white knights prevent him of winning smoothly.} 31.Nf6 $1 {White's best chance is to keep this bishop away from his king. The other one is not that dangerous.} 31...Ra6 {Defends the d6 pawn and prepares the doubling of the heavy pieces along the "a" file.} ( 31...Qc7 32.Qd3 ) 32.Qf3 Qc7 ( {Premature is} 32...Qa8 33.Qxa8+ Rxa8 34.Rd1 Ke7 35.Nxb5 ( {Or even} 35.Nfd5+ Kd8 36.Nxb5 ) 35...Bxf6 36.gxf6+ Kxf6 37.Nxd6 {when White should get the draw.} ) 33.Nh7+ Ke8 34.Nf6+ Bxf6 {In mutual time trouble Giri saveguards the king. Aslo possible was} ( 34...Kd8 {with the idea to meet} 35.Rh7 $2 {with} ( {White should better defend with} 35.Qd3 Qa7 36.Kb2 {with good chances of survival.} ) 35...Qa7 $1 {and Black wins.} ) 35.gxf6 {The only move as the counterattack} ( 35.Qxf6 {fails to} 35...Qc4 $1 ( {Even the rook endgame after} 35...Qxc3 36.Rh8+ Kd7 37.Qd8+ Kc6 38.Qc8+ Bxc8 39.Rxc8+ Kd7 40.Rxc3 Ra4 {is won for Black.} ) 36.Rh8+ Kd7 {and if anyone is mated, it not going to be Black.} ) 35...Kd7 {Misses a good chance to increase the advantage after} ( 35...Qc6 $1 {Black should try to get rid of the queens.} 36.Qxc6+ ( 36.Rh8+ Kd7 37.Qd3 Qc4 ) 36...Rxc6 37.Nxb5 Rb6 {and Black is close to winning.} ) 36.Rd1 Qa7 37.Kb2 Bc4 38.Qe4 Kc7 39.Nd5+ Kb8 ( {But not} 39...Bxd5 $2 40.Qxd5 Kc8 41.Rh1 {when White is better.} ) 40.Nc3 Kc7 {Giri repeats the moves for the second time to get the additional time after move fourty.} ( {If} 40...Qf2 41.Rh1 Qxf6 42.Qg4 {creates the threat Qg4-g8+ followed by Rh1-h8 with strong attack. Nothing is clear after} 42...Qd8 43.Qg7 ) ( {However, Black can deviate from the repetition with} 40...Qb7 ) 41.Qf3 {Knowing the latter, Ganguly deviates first. He then tries to get in the opponent's camp with his queen.} 41...Qa8 42.Qe3 Qc6 43.Qg3 Ra8 44.Ra1 $1 {Weakens the eight rank and leads to a favourable pair or pieces.} 44...Rxa1 45.Kxa1 Qb6 46.Qh4 d5 47.Kb2 ( {Tricks do not work} 47.Qxc4+ $2 dxc4 48.Nd5+ Kc6 49.Nxb6 Kxb6 ) 47...Qd6 48.Kc1 {The culmination of the game. Black is up a pawn but the position of his king is insecure. It is quite obvious that he cannot make progress without advancing his pawns.} 48...Qa6 {Now the white queen gets too much activity. Correct was} ( 48...d4 49.Ne4 {and now not} 49...Qxb4 $6 ( {Here strong is} 49...Qc6 $1 50.Qg4 Be6 51.Qe2 Qc4 {with excellent winning chances for Black.} ) 50.Qg3 $1 {when Black loses the important e5 pawn.} ) 49.Qg5 $1 Kd6 50.Qg8 $1 {The queen is ready for the perpetual.} 50...Qa3+ ( {Perhaps Giri intended to go for the f6 pawn and realized only now that} 50...Ke6 51.Qg4+ Kxf6 52.Qh4+ {will force him to abandon the e5 pawn in order to avoid the perpetual.} ) 51.Kd2 Qa7 52.Qe8 Qd7 53.Qg8 Qb7 54.Qe8 Qd7 55.Qg8 e4 {There is practically no choice.} ( 55...Qc7 56.Qe8 e4 57.Nxb5+ Bxb5 58.Qxb5 ) ( 55...d4 56.Ne4+ Kc7 57.Qf8 ) 56.Qg3+ Kc6 57.Qe5 Qc7 58.Qe8+ Kb6 59.Qe7 Qf4+ 60.Kd1 Qf1+ 61.Kd2 Qf4+ 62.Kd1 e3 63.Qd8+ Ka6 {The perpetual is a fact as} ( 63...Qc7 64.Nxd5+ Bxd5 65.Qxd5 {draws as well.} ) 64.Qa8+ Kb6 65.Qd8+ Ka6 {Fundamental battle!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Masters Open"]
[Site "Qatar"]
[Date "2015.12.27"]
[Round "7.7"]
[White "Sjugirov, Sanan"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "A07"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8045547494433"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteClock "0:28:19"]
[BlackClock "0:31:11"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Bg4 {The Reti opening is again popular nowadays and the system with Bg4 remains a very reliable weapon for the second player. Especially of he/she uses the Slav defense against 1.d4.} 3.Bg2 c6 4.O-O e6 5.h3 ( {More common is the continuation} 5.d3 Bd6 6.c4 Ne7 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Nc3 O-O 9.h3 Bh5 10.e4 {as played very recently in Carlsen,M (2850)-Adams,M (2744) London 2015} ) ( 5.d4 {is also an option.} ) 5...Bh5 6.d3 Nd7 7.e4 Bd6 8.exd5 {Quite a venomous plan as we shall see soon.} 8...cxd5 ( 8...exd5 {will be met with} 9.c4 {anyway. After} 9...Ne7 10.Nc3 dxc4 11.dxc4 {White got very nice position in Khairullin,I (2657)-Pashikian,A (2603) Legnica 2013} ) 9.c4 Ne7 {Looks better than} ( 9...Ngf6 {when after} 10.Nc3 {White has the additional threat g3-g4-g5 to win the d5 pawn.} ) 10.Nc3 O-O 11.cxd5 exd5 {Perhaps Black should have traded a pair of knights} ( 11...Nxd5 12.Nxd5 exd5 {although White has pressure with} 13.Qb3 $1 ( {Rather than the preliminary} 13.g4 Bg6 14.Qb3 Nc5 $1 ) 13...Nb6 14.a4 a5 15.Be3 ) 12.g4 {A very unpleasant novelty to meet. The d5 pawn becomes vulnerable.} ( {All five predecessors saw} 12.Re1 {which gave a chance to Black to defend after} 12...Rc8 13.d4 h6 14.Qb3 Nb6 15.Ne5 Nc6 {as in the blitz game Kramnik,V (2769)-Adams,M (2745) London 2014} ) 12...Bg6 13.Nh4 Nb6 {P. Svidler explained in his live commentary that Black's main plan is to try and sacrifice the ill d5 pawn for counterplay on the dark squares. Besides this defense Jakovenko had two other interesting options:} ( 13...d4 {which is generally not desirable as it prolongs the diagonal of the light squared bishop. Play may continue} 14.Nb5 Bc5 {When White has various ways of developing the initiative. There is an interesting pawn sacrifice:} 15.b4 ( {As well as solid mounting of pressure} 15.Qb3 a6 16.Na3 Ra7 17.Bf4 ) ( {And classical approach-} 15.f4 ) 15...Bxb4 16.Rb1 a5 17.Bf4 {In all cases White seems favourite.} ) ( {Probably Blac needed to drag the d4 pawn closer to his camp with} 13...Nc5 $5 14.d4 Ne6 15.f4 Nc6 16.Nxg6 ( 16.f5 $2 Qxh4 ) 16...hxg6 17.Be3 Nc7 {this still looks better for White but Black can try to counter-attack on d4 later.} ) 14.Bg5 {with the obvious intention to grab the pawn after some trades. This move causes confusion in Jakovenko's camp.} ( 14.a4 {at once was also good.} ) 14...Qd7 ( {White is better after} 14...h6 15.Nxg6 fxg6 16.Be3 Bf4 17.Bd4 ) 15.a4 $1 {Now that the queen is no longer protecting the knight on b6 and is taking the d7 square of it this is specifically painful.} 15...Rae8 ( {The bad black knight is concern in the line} 15...a5 16.Be3 Qd8 17.Qb3 ( 17.Nb5 $5 ) 17...Bb4 18.Na2 ) 16.a5 Na8 {Awkward to say at least.} 17.Nxg6 ( {Svidler revealed that Black's idea to sacrifice a pawn would have worked well after} 17.Bxe7 Bxe7 ( 17...Qxe7 {is actually simpler and better} 18.Nxg6 hxg6 19.Nxd5 Qe5 {with counterplay along the dark squares.} ) 18.Nxg6 hxg6 19.Nxd5 Nc7 {and Black will prepare battery on the b8-h2 diagonal.} ) 17...Nxg6 ( 17...hxg6 {was more stubborn.} ) 18.Qa4 $1 {A powerful move. White is not in a hurry to capture the "d" pawn and offers the queen exchange instead. If these two disappear there will be no counterplay along the dark squares and the drawbacks in Black's position will be exposed. The "d" pawn will go west, and yes-the knight on a8 would not be the jewel in the crown. The queen controls the "f4" square and thus kills any counterchances by Black.} 18...Qe6 ( 18...Qxa4 19.Rxa4 {is practically lost for Black.} ) 19.Bd2 {Another cool move that moves the bishop away from the vulnerable g5 square, but which prepares Ra1-e1 as well as the advance of the "f" pawn.} ( {No need to allow any counterplay after} 19.Nxd5 f5 ) 19...Qe5 ( {If} 19...Nc7 20.Rae1 Qc8 {White would finally take the pawn} 21.Nxd5 ) 20.f4 Bc5+ 21.Kh1 Qb8 22.Nxd5 {Sjugirov won the pawn and kept all the positional advantages.} 22...Bd6 23.Qd4 Rd8 24.Bc3 f6 {After some preparation White opens the game.} 25.g5 Ne7 26.gxf6 Nf5 ( 26...gxf6 {is hopeless-} 27.Nxf6+ Kg7 ( 27...Kf7 28.Bd5+ Nxd5 29.Qxd5+ ) 28.Nd7+ ) 27.Qc4 Rf7 ( 27...Ng3+ 28.Kh2 Nxf1+ 29.Rxf1 ) 28.fxg7 Rc8 29.Nf6+ Kxg7 30.Nd7+ Kg8 31.Nxb8 Rxc4 32.dxc4 Ng3+ ( 32...Bxb8 33.Bd5 ) 33.Kg1 Ne2+ 34.Kh2 Nxf4 35.Kh1 {Sanan Sjugirov joins Magnus Carlsen in the lead!} 1-0

[Event "Masters Open"]
[Site "Qatar"]
[Date "2015.12.28"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Sjugirov, Sanan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[Beauty "6669010469463"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteClock "0:12:26"]
[BlackClock "0:10:00"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.Bf4 {Kramnik is playing the London system regularly of lately and scores very well.} 3...c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 cxd4 6.exd4 Bf5 7.c3 {Now the position resembles the Exchange line of the Caro-Kann with the important difference that white's light squared bishop did not have a chance to occupy the b1-h7 diagonal.} 7...e6 8.Qb3 Qc8 9.Nh4 Bg6 ( {I annotated recently a fresh game in the line between two of the participants in Doha. It went:} 9...Be4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Nf3 Bd6 12.Bxd6 Nxd6 13.Bd3 Qc7 {and hereWhite uncorked a novelty} 14.Qc2 {and went on to win later, Carlsen-Wojtaszek, ETCC Reykjavik 2015.} ) 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Bd3 ( 11.h3 Be7 12.Bd3 Bd8 $1 13.Nf3 Bc7 {with approximate equality, Grischuk,A (2774)-Motylev,A (2649) Berlin 2015} ) 11...Nh5 12.Be3 Bd6 13.O-O-O {A novelty and a very aggressive set up. Since White is going to attack on the kingside anyway now Sjugirov needs to think well what to do with his own monarch.} ( {In all the predecessors White played:} 13.g3 {avoiding the bishop swap. One example is} 13...Nf6 14.Qd1 O-O 15.f4 Rb8 16.a4 a6 17.a5 b6 18.axb6 Rxb6 19.Ra2 a5 {with approximate equality and a draw on move 141 in Kamsky,G (2741)-Macieja,B (2614) Achaea 2012} ) 13...a6 $1 {Sjugirov decided to postpone castling for the time being and to create counter-play on the queenside.} ( {White's play is easy after} 13...Bf4 14.g4 Bxe3 15.fxe3 Nf6 16.Rdg1 {followed by g4-g5 and e3-e4 with an edge for White.} ) ( {However, Black could seriously consider the quick queenside castling} 13...Qc7 14.Kb1 O-O-O ) 14.Kb1 b5 15.Qc2 Na5 ( {After} 15...O-O 16.h4 {with the idea g2-g4 and h4-h5 seems dangerous for Black.} ) 16.Nf3 Nc4 17.Bc1 Qc7 {Black had other tempting options:} ( 17...Rb8 $5 {and if the game continuation} 18.Ng5 {then} 18...O-O $5 ) ( {Also good seemed} 17...Qb7 $5 18.Ng5 Nf6 ) ( {However,} 17...Bf4 $6 {should be avoided due to} 18.g4 $1 Bxc1 19.gxh5 Bxb2 20.Bxc4 ) 18.Ng5 $1 {Kramnik underlines the fact that the black king is not completely safe in the center. The sacrifices on e6, f7 and g6 urge Sjugirov to safeguard his most important piece. But on which side to castle?} 18...Nf4 ( {White is better after} 18...O-O-O 19.g3 ( 19.b3 Na5 20.g3 ) ) ( {And faster after} 18...O-O 19.h4 ) ( {White is also very serious about the black king in the line} 18...Nf6 19.Bxg6 $1 fxg6 20.Qxg6+ Kd7 21.Rhe1 {with strong attack.} ) ( {And if} 18...a5 19.Bxg6 $1 {is very strong and leads to devastating attack after} 19...fxg6 20.Qxg6+ Kd7 21.Nxe6 Qb8 22.Rhe1 ) 19.Bf1 {This could be named the natural dominance of the bishops against the knights. Although the horses did everything they could to scare the bishops they are there only temporary and the little peasants- "b" and "g" pawns will help the lords get back to their lands.} 19...O-O-O $2 {Only this move can be named a real mistake. Black castles into it.} ( {Similar is} 19...O-O 20.h4 a5 21.g3 Nh5 22.Be2 Nf6 23.h5 ) ( {But Sjugirov could and should have kept the same policy of not-castling-yet with} 19...Be7 20.Nf3 Nh5 21.g3 {and only now} 21...O-O ) 20.a4 $1 {Black was probably bitterly sorry for pushing these pawns that far.} 20...Qb7 21.axb5 axb5 22.b3 ( {Also good is} 22.g3 Nh5 23.b3 ) 22...Na5 {Or else the "b" pawn will suffer after} ( 22...Na3+ 23.Bxa3 Bxa3 24.Qa2 Bd6 25.g3 Nh5 26.Qa5 ) 23.Qa2 Nc6 24.g3 Nh5 25.Bd3 {To hit where it hurts-on the light squares.} ( {Another set-up was very good as well-} 25.Qe2 Na7 26.Rd2 ) 25...Kb8 26.Qe2 Na7 27.Bd2 {Kramnik's moves are easy and straight to the point. Next he intends to bring the rooks out.} 27...Rc8 28.Kb2 Rc6 ( 28...b4 29.c4 $1 {will be immediately over.} ) 29.Ra1 Rf8 {To free the queen and at least trade a pair of rooks.} ( 29...Nf6 30.Ra2 ) 30.Ra2 Ra6 31.Rxa6 Qxa6 32.Ra1 Qb7 33.b4 $1 {Fixes the weakness. The end is near.} 33...Nf6 34.Ra5 Bc7 35.Bf4 {Concrete solution.} 35...Bxf4 36.gxf4 Qc7 37.Bxb5 Qxf4 38.Nf3 Ne4 ( {Nothing changes} 38...Qc7 39.Ne5 Rc8 40.Qd3 Ne4 41.c4 ) 39.Ne5 Rh8 40.Nc6+ Nxc6 41.Bxc6 {The loss of the "b" pawn weakened decisively the black king.} 41...Nxc3 {The last desperate try.} ( {After the most resilient} 41...Rd8 {White has a bunch of winning options, but I suspect he would have chosen:} 42.b5 ( 42.Kc2 Qxf2 43.Qxf2 Nxf2 44.b5 Kc7 45.Ra7+ Kd6 46.Rxf7 ) ( 42.Qb5+ Kc7 43.Qb7+ Kd6 44.Ra6 Qd2+ 45.Ka3 Qxc3+ 46.Ka4 Qxd4 47.Bxd5+ Ke5 48.Bxe4 ) 42...Qd2+ 43.Qxd2 Nxd2 44.Ra8+ Kc7 45.b6+ Kxb6 46.Rxd8 Kxc6 47.Rf8 ) 42.Kxc3 Rh3+ 43.Kc2 Qxd4 44.Qb5+ Kc7 45.Qb7+ Kd6 46.Qb8+ Ke7 {Or mate after} ( 46...Kxc6 47.Ra6+ Kd7 48.Rd6+ Ke7 49.Qd8# ) 47.Qa7+ {The former world champion leaves no chances at all. The endgame is easily won for White.} 47...Qxa7 48.Rxa7+ Kd6 49.Ba4 Rh4 50.Kb3 Rh3+ 51.Kb2 Rh4 ( 51...Rxh2 52.Rd7+ Ke5 53.Rxf7 ) 52.Rd7+ Ke5 53.Ka3 Kd4 54.Rxf7 Rxh2 55.b5 Kc5 56.Rc7+ {Black resigned due to} ( 56.Rc7+ Kb6 57.Rc6+ Kb7 58.Rxe6 Rxf2 59.Rxg6 ) 1-0

[Event "Masters Open"]
[Site "Qatar"]
[Date "2015.12.29"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "E20"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[Beauty "5498363463206"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:09"]
[BlackClock "0:03:59"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 {The Nimtzo-Indian remains a reliable weapon for Black.} 4.Nf3 c5 5.g3 {The agressive Romanishin line.} 5...cxd4 6.Nxd4 O-O 7.Bg2 d5 8.Nc2 {A relativey rare line. Yu forces the swap of the black bishop.} ( {A famous tabia arises after} 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Qb3 Qa5 10.Bd2 Nc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.O-O Bxc3 13.bxc3 Ba6 14.Rfd1 Qc5 15.c4 {Bukavshin,I (2655) -Jakovenko,D (2759) Chita 2015} ) ( {Both} 8.O-O ) ( {And} 8.Qb3 {are more common too.} ) 8...Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Qc7 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nb4 {A novelty! White gets rid of the isolated pawn. The indifferent development does not promise anything to White:} ( {Predecessor (4):} 11.Bb2 Rd8 12.Qc1 b6 13.O-O Bb7 14.Rd1 Nd7 {Cebalo,M (2520)-Hulak,K (2543) Stari Mikanovci 2008} ) 11...Nxb4 {So decided to avoid Yu's home preparation. He could have accepted the sacrificed pawn} ( 11...Qxc3+ 12.Bd2 Qf6 {to which White can play in two different ways. The more dangerous one seems to be the pawn sacrifice after} 13.Rc1 $5 ( {Not} 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.Bxd5 $6 Rd8 {with pressure along the d file.} ) ( {But White can aslo regain the pawn with} 13.Bxd5 exd5 14.Nxd5 ) 13...Nxb4 14.Bxb4 Rd8 15.Qb3 {White's pieces are dominating, but a pawn is a pawn. Which one is better will be revealed by the future practice.} ) 12.cxb4 Rd8 13.Qb3 Nc6 14.O-O ( {The black knight can be deprived of the d4 square for a while but} 14.e3 e5 15.O-O Be6 16.Qc3 Rac8 {is just equal.} ) 14...Nd4 {This is why So rejected the sacrifice. The centralized knight seems good enough to compensate for the bishop pair.} 15.Qb2 e5 {The more active approach was also good. The line} ( 15...Qc4 16.Be3 Nxe2+ 17.Kh1 {seems dangerous for the black knight on e2, but there is a way out-} 17...Bd7 18.Rfe1 Nc3 19.Rac1 Rac8 {with unclear play.} ) 16.Be3 {White finished the development and wants to make good use of the bishops.} 16...Bg4 $1 {Provokes the f2-f3 advance in order to block the fianchettoe one.} 17.Rac1 Qd7 ( 17...Nxe2+ $4 18.Qxe2 ) 18.f3 Bh3 {Since this bishop is stronger than the one on g2 (at least for the moment) Black could have also gone for} ( 18...Be6 19.Rfd1 a5 {when the bishop is eyeing the a2 pawn.} ) 19.Rfd1 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Qe6 {An excellent square for the queen.} 21.Rc7 $1 {Yu squeezed a lot from his novelty. His active rooks put a lot of pressure on Black's position and his bishop looks better than the knight. However, Wesley So's creativity should not be underestimated.} ( 21.Bxd4 Rxd4 22.Rxd4 exd4 ) 21...b6 22.a4 Nf5 23.Rxd8+ Rxd8 24.Bf2 ( {Perhaps} 24.Bg1 {was a bit more subtle when the Black pawn is not reahcing e3 with a tempo at least.} 24...e4 25.Rxa7 h5 {although Black is still creating dangerous threats.} ) 24...e4 {Black is losing the battle for the queenside but makes good use of the absence of the white rook to create threats of his own on the opposite wing.} 25.Qc2 ( 25.Rxa7 h5 ( 25...e3 26.Be1 h5 ) 26.Qc2 e3 27.Be1 {might transpose to the game.} ) 25...e3 26.Be1 h5 27.Rxa7 {With this move order Yu could have gone for} ( 27.Bc3 $1 h4 28.Qe4 Qg6 29.Qg4 $1 {anytime he trades the queens he should be close to winning.} ) 27...Nd4 28.Qe4 Qc4 {So is threatening mate!} 29.Qxe3 $5 {White sacrifices a piece. The exclam is for the desire to win, the question- for the objective value of the move. Although as we shall see Yu did not cross the boarderline yet.} ( {Objectively the game should ended in a draw after} 29.Qd3 Qxd3 30.exd3 Rc8 31.Re7 Rc2+ 32.Kf1 Nxf3 33.Rxe3 Nxh2+ 34.Kg1 g5 35.a5 bxa5 36.bxa5 g4 37.d4 Nf3+ 38.Kf1 Nh2+ ) 29...Nc2 30.Qe7 Nxe1+ 31.Kf2 Qd4+ $6 {In time trouble So errs. Correct was} ( 31...Rd1 32.Qe8+ Kh7 33.Qe4+ Qxe4 34.fxe4 Nc2 35.a5 ( {Or} 35.Rxf7 Nxb4 36.Rf5 ) 35...Nxb4 36.axb6 Rd6 37.Rxf7 Rxb6 {Is this a win for Black is another question, but at least he had taken away the 1-0 result from the board.} ) 32.Kf1 Nc2 $2 {And this is proper mistake. He should have forced the draw with} ( 32...Rf8 33.Kxe1 Qg1+ 34.Kd2 Qd4+ 35.Kc2 Qc4+ ) 33.Qxf7+ Kh8 34.Qxh5+ Kg8 35.Qf7+ Kh8 36.Qh5+ Kg8 37.Qf7+ Kh8 38.Kg2 Ne3+ 39.Kh3 Kh7 40.Qh5+ Kg8 {Time trouble is over, Yu has four pawns for the knight and great winning chances.} 41.Re7 $1 {A nice move that prepares various threats like Qh5-f7+ followed by Re7-e4 or the advance of the e pawn.} 41...Rf8 $1 {The only defense. Everything else loses fast, say} ( 41...Nc2 $2 42.Qf7+ Kh7 43.e4 ( 43.Re4 Qd7+ ) ) ( 41...Qxb4 $4 42.Qf7+ Kh8 43.Qxg7# ) 42.a5 bxa5 43.bxa5 Nd5 44.Qe5 Qxe5 45.Rxe5 Nb4 {Black survived to the endgame but the value of the pawns grew now. Yu is still close to winning.} 46.Re4 ( 46.Rc5 $5 ) 46...Nd5 47.Rc4 Rf6 48.Rc5 Rf5 ( 48...Ne3 49.g4 ) 49.Rc8+ Kf7 50.a6 Ne3 51.g4 Ra5 52.Rc7+ Kf6 53.Rc6+ {Perhaps White simply had to push the pawn further} ( 53.a7 Ra2 54.Kg3 g5 55.h4 gxh4+ 56.Kxh4 Nd5 57.Rb7 Ne3 58.Kg3 {and once that the white pawns start rolling it should be soon over.} ) 53...Kf7 54.Kg3 g5 55.h4 gxh4+ 56.Kxh4 {Now the pawns come into motion.} 56...Nd5 57.e4 Ne7 58.Rb6 Ng6+ 59.Kg3 Ra3 60.g5 Ne5 61.Rf6+ Ke7 62.Kg2 Nd3 63.Rh6 {In the second time-trouble Yu misses what seems to me is a win-} ( 63.f4 $1 Nc5 64.e5 Nxa6 65.g6 $1 ) 63...Ra5 {So gets one of the pawns back.} 64.a7 Rxg5+ 65.Kf1 Rg8 ( 65...Ra5 $2 {loses to the typical trick} 66.Rh8 Rxa7 67.Rh7+ ) 66.Ke2 Ne5 $2 {It is time for Black to go wrong. He should have held after} ( 66...Nc5 $1 67.Ke3 Ne6 68.e5 Kf7 69.f4 Rg3+ 70.Ke4 Ra3 ) 67.f4 Nd7 68.Ra6 {White's pieces are optimally placed and have room for improvement. The game is practically over.} 68...Ra8 69.Ke3 Nc5 70.Ra1 Nb7 71.e5 Nd8 72.Ra6 Kd7 ( 72...Ne6 73.f5 Nc7 74.Ra5 {followed by a king march to b7 is hopeless.} ) 73.f5 Nc6 74.e6+ Kc7 75.f6 Nb4 76.f7 Kb7 ( 76...Nxa6 77.e7 ) 77.Rd6 ( 77.Rd6 Kxa7 78.e7 ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Challengers"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.17"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Bok, Benjamin"]
[Black "L'Ami, Erwin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2607"]
[BlackElo "2627"]
[ECO "A88"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7835094096938"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:58"]
[BlackClock "0:00:35"]

1.Nf3 {Surprising first move by Bok, who is generally a 1.e4 player.} 1...f5 {A small counter-surprise in return. L'Ami inserted the Leningrad Dutch in his repertoire last year and according to my Megabase has only five games played so far in it.} 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.d4 O-O 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 c6 {The main move, although the Guru of the line Malanuik prefers} ( 7...Qe8 ) 8.b3 ( {White can also try to advance this pawn more aggressively with} 8.Rb1 Na6 9.b4 Ne4 {as in Kramnik,V (2783)-Caruana,F (2811) Zurich 2015} ) ( {While the main line is} 8.d5 e5 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.Qd3 {one recent example-Harikrishna,P (2727) -Mamedyarov,S (2765) Beijing 2014} ) 8...Na6 ( 8...Qc7 {is another line} 9.Ba3 Ne4 {Karjakin,S (2760)-Caruana,F (2811) Zurich 2015} ) 9.Re1 Ne4 10.Bb2 d5 {A novelty. A year earlier at this very place a game from the Masters section saw:} ( 10...Nxc3 11.Bxc3 {When Caruana rerouted his knight towards the center with} 11...Nc5 {Which was met with an even more cunning knight maneuver} 12.Ng5 d5 13.Nh3 Ne4 {with a complex battle ahead, Wojtaszek,R (2744)-Caruana,F (2820) Wijk aan Zee 2015} ) 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.Ne5 {Similar positions may appear in the Fianchettoe line of the Gruenfeld defense. The general difference between both positions is the situation of the knights. While the one on e5 is on a stable outpost its collegue can be chased away with f2-f3. And yes, the other black one is badly placed on the rim as well.} 12...Nb4 {Which is what L'Ami tries to change, but this comes at a certain price.} ( {A more patient way to level the energy of the white knights was connected with} 12...Be6 13.f3 Nxc3 14.Bxc3 Rc8 {followed by Na6-b8-c6(d7).} ) 13.Rc1 Be6 14.a3 Nc6 15.Nxc6 bxc6 {The bad knight was swapped off, but a backward pawn on c6 is the price.} 16.Na4 {Bok decided to keep the knight as he believes that after f2-f3 it will be still superior to the black one.} ( {Also good is} 16.f3 Nxc3 17.Rxc3 {when White will gang up against the "c" pawn after the preliminary e2-e3.} ) 16...f4 $1 {Black's only chance is activity or else the weaknesses will soon tell.} 17.f3 Nd6 $6 {But this retreat spoiled the plan. I have the feeling that L'Ami should have gone for} ( 17...Ng5 18.Rxc6 Nh3+ 19.Bxh3 ( 19.Kf1 {looks riskier} 19...Bd7 20.Rc3 fxg3 21.hxg3 g5 ) 19...Bxh3 20.g4 Rc8 21.Rxc8 Qxc8 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) 18.Nc5 $1 {There is no need to enter complications when you are better strategically.} ( 18.Rxc6 Bd7 19.Rc1 Bxa4 20.bxa4 fxg3 21.hxg3 Nf5 {would be fun for Black instead.} ) 18...Bd7 ( 18...Bc8 {seems more accurate but still not fun.} ) 19.e4 $1 {Powerplay by Bok.} 19...g5 ( {After} 19...fxe3 $6 20.Rxe3 {White will add a backward pawn on e7 and plenty of weak squares along the "e" file to his treasure box.} ) ( {White will have strong center after} 19...fxg3 20.hxg3 ) 20.exd5 cxd5 {White has serious positional advantage and cashes it in with cute tactic:} 21.Re5 $3 {Double attack.} 21...e6 {Best chance is to try and make use of the poor position of the white rook.} ( {The rook is untouchable} 21...Bxe5 22.dxe5 Nf5 23.Qxd5+ ) ( 21...h6 22.Rxd5 ) 22.Nxd7 Qxd7 23.Rxg5 Nf5 24.Qd3 Rab8 ( {Maybe} 24...Qe7 {with the idea} 25.Rh5 ( 25.gxf4 Kh8 ) 25...Qe8 26.g4 Qg6 {was worth a try.} ) 25.Bh3 Kh8 26.Rh5 Qf7 27.Bg4 h6 28.gxf4 {White simply takes everything that he can but this weakens his position a bit.} 28...Ne7 $1 29.Re1 ( {In case of} 29.Rc7 Rfc8 30.Rxa7 {Black has} 30...Qf6 {with the idea Ne7-g6:f4 and it ain't over yet.} ) 29...Ng6 30.Bc1 Nxf4 31.Bxf4 Qxf4 {L'Ami squueezed everything he could from the position but two pawns are still a lot. Still, the arising mutual time-trouble gave him some extra chances.} 32.Kg2 Rbc8 ( {The pawn is poisoned} 32...Qxd4 $2 33.Rxh6+ Kg8 34.Qh7+ Kf7 35.Qg6+ ) ( {Or} 32...Bxd4 $6 33.Rxe6 ) 33.Bxe6 {There was nothing wrong with} ( 33.Rxe6 Qc1 34.Qe3 Rc2+ 35.Kg3 Qxe3 36.Rxe3 Bxd4 37.Re7 {and White is close to winning.} ) 33...Rce8 ( {A trick is always worth a try in lost positions. Here} 33...Rc2+ $1 {The rook is not edible} 34.Qxc2 $4 ( 34.Re2 $1 {is best although Black has serious drawing chances after} 34...Rxe2+ 35.Qxe2 Qf6 $1 {When tactics seem to work in Black's favour} ( {Or even} 35...Qxd4 36.Bxd5 Qf6 ) 36.Bf5 ( {Worse is} 36.Rxd5 Re8 37.Rd6 Qg5+ 38.Kf1 Qf4 ) ( {While} 36.Bxd5 $4 {drops a piece after} 36...Qg6+ ) 36...Qxd4 ) 34...Qxf3+ 35.Kg1 Bxd4+ {due to the mate.} ) 34.Re2 ( 34.Rxd5 {was better.} ) 34...Bxd4 35.Bg4 ( 35.Rxd5 {is still best} 35...Bg7 ) 35...Rd8 $2 {L'Ami gives the open file in the crucial moment of the game and this loses instantly. Instead} ( 35...Rxe2+ 36.Qxe2 Rd8 37.Be6 Bf6 $1 {leads to a position which is definitely not winning for White. For example} 38.Bxd5 ( 38.Rxd5 $2 Rxd5 39.Bxd5 Qg5+ {drops a piece.} ) 38...Bg5 {The white rook is excluded and the threat Rd8-d2 forces White to play} 39.Qb2+ Kh7 40.Be4+ Kg8 41.Qc3 Rd2+ 42.Kf1 Rd1+ 43.Ke2 Rd2+ 44.Ke1 Rd8 {White still has two extra pawns but the insecure position of his king is a primary factor.} ) 36.Re7 Bg7 37.Qg6 {Mate is unstoppable.} 37...Qd2+ ( 37...Rg8 38.Bf5 ) 38.Kh3 ( 38.Kh3 Rg8 39.Bf5 ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.19"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7701950114878"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:54:33"]
[BlackClock "0:38:20"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 {The Advanced line of the Caro-Kann was considered inferior for White up to the 1990s. Nowadays it is the main choice of the top players.} 3...Bf5 {It is all about this bishop - is it better placed outside the pawn chain or not?} 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Bg6 7.Nbd2 Nh6 8.Nb3 Nf5 9.Bd2 ( {Navara had also faced} 9.a4 a6 10.a5 c5 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.Nxc5 Nxc5 13.c3 {Grischuk,A (2774)-Navara,D (2734) Berlin 2015} ) 9...Be7 10.g4 Nh4 {A small surprise. Previously, the Czech GM had only tested} ( 10...Nh6 {for example} 11.Ne1 O-O 12.Ng2 c5 {as in Motylev,A (2649)-Navara,D (2734) Berlin 2015} ) 11.Nxh4 Bxh4 12.f4 {This is what the Advanced line is all about. White has strong center and likes to attack on the kingside. The black bishop (s) helps her getting some extra tempi.} 12...f5 13.c4 {An interesting move that Hou had prepared before, but checked only briefly as "David plays many openings".} ( 13.exf6 {is more common. Caruana had played it in 2011.} ) ( {And} 13.Bd3 {has been seen as well.} ) 13...a5 {A sharp novelty in comparison to} ( 13...Be7 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Rc1 O-O {Mortensen,E (2450)-Rasmussen,K (2466) Denmark 2008} ) 14.a4 {Hou fixes the pawn on a5. To more tactical play will lead:} ( 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Bb5 {When White considered} 15...Be7 ( {While Navara intended to go for} 15...O-O 16.Bxa5 Rxa5 17.Nxa5 Nxe5 {with huge complications.} ) 16.a4 O-O 17.g5 {with some advantage for White after} 17...h6 ( 17...Nb8 18.Rc1 ) 18.h4 ) 14...O-O ( {Black could have transposed to the line from above with} 14...Be7 15.cxd5 cxd5 ( {Weaker is} 15...exd5 16.Qc2 O-O 17.Bd3 {when the f5 square will be cracked.} ) 16.Bb5 {and this was probably the lesser evil for Black.} ) 15.g5 {With the idea Ra1-c1-c3-h3 to trap the bishop (Hou).} 15...h6 ( {In case of} 15...dxc4 16.Bxc4 Re8 {White planned} 17.Rc1 ( {Although} 17.Qf3 {with the idea} 17...Nb6 18.Be2 h6 19.gxh6 gxh6 20.Bxa5 {is equally good.} ) 17...h6 18.gxh6 gxh6 {with advantage for White.} ) 16.gxh6 gxh6 17.Kh1 {White's position is extremely promising. Navara had to open the kingside in order to save the bishop and this only strenghtened Hou's attack.} 17...Kh7 18.cxd5 {Before White starts the atttack she saveguards her center.} ( {The computer suggests the direct approach} 18.c5 b6 19.Rg1 $1 {with the tactical point} 19...bxc5 20.Bh5 Rg8 21.Bxg6+ Rxg6 22.Qh5 Nf8 23.Nxc5 {and White is in total command.} ) 18...cxd5 19.Rc1 b6 {This weakens the c6 square but takes away the c5 one from the white knight.} ( {If Navara had foreseen what is coming next, he would have chosen} 19...Rg8 20.Rc3 Be8 {in order to build some kingside barricades although it is questionable if his position is bulletproof enough.} ) 20.Rc6 Rc8 {This was Black's idea as} ( 20...Bf7 21.Qc2 ( 21.Bb5 $5 {with the idea} 21...Rc8 $2 22.Rd6 {also looks nice for White.} ) 21...Rc8 22.Rc1 {is awful from positional point of view.} ) 21.Rxe6 $3 {How is not afraid to sacrifice the rook! Black would be happy after both} ( 21.Rxc8 Qxc8 ) ( {And} 21.Qc2 Nb8 ( 21...Rxc6 22.Qxc6 Nb8 ) ) 21...Bf7 22.Rd6 Be7 23.Bd3 {So far all moves are forced. White had also considered:} ( 23.Nxa5 bxa5 24.Bxa5 Qxa5 25.Rxd7 {but abandoned this line for} 25...Rc7 ) 23...Bxd6 24.Bxf5+ Kh8 25.Qg4 $1 {Super-precision. If} ( 25.exd6 {then} 25...Rg8 {will significantly slow White's attack.} ) 25...Rc7 ( {In the other principled line} 25...Rg8 26.Qh3 Bf8 27.Bxd7 {Hou charmingly admitted that she missed} 27...Bg6 {Still, her position is so strong that her advantage is indisputable after} 28.Bf5 Rc6 29.Bxg6 Rcxg6 30.f5 Qc8 31.Be3 {(Hou) is also good for big advantage} ( 31.Bf4 {followed by Nb3-d2 and e5-e6 will soon win for White.} ) 31...Qc2 32.Nd2 ) 26.Qh3 $1 {Insted of taking the bishop with a tempo this! Another cool move that weakens the black king further.} ( 26.exd6 Rb7 27.Qh3 {would actually transpose.} ) 26...h5 27.exd6 Ra7 28.Be6 $1 {With the idea f4-f5 in order to insert the dark-squared bishop in the attack.} ( {Not} 28.Bxd7 Qxd7 29.f5 {with the idea Bd2-f4-e5+ and mating attack due to the strong resource} 29...Bg6 $1 {(Hou) when tables will be turned in Black's favour.} ) ( 28.Nc1 Nf6 29.Nd3 Qxd6 30.Ne5 ) 28...Nf6 {A bit more stubborn was} ( 28...Qe8 {Although after} 29.Re1 Nf6 30.d7 $1 Qe7 31.Bf5 Qd6 32.Nc1 {White is winning since} 32...Nxd7 {leads to mate after} 33.Re6 $1 Bxe6 34.Qxh5+ Kg7 35.Qg6+ Kh8 36.Qh7# ) ( {A cute mate will happen after} 28...Bxe6 29.Qxh5+ Kg7 30.Rg1+ Kf6 31.Qg6# ) 29.f5 Qxd6 30.Bf4 Qd8 31.Be5 {Black is completely paralized and the rest is curtains.} 31...Bg8 ( 31...Kh7 32.Rg1 ) 32.Qxh5+ Rh7 33.Qg5 Qe7 34.Nc1 $1 {The last piece joins the action.} 34...Qg7 35.Qxg7+ Rxg7 36.Nd3 Rg4 37.Nf4 {As a desert- a rook trap.} 37...Kh7 38.h3 Rg3 39.Ng6 Rxh3+ 40.Kg2 {A model game by Hou!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.21"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[ECO "E15"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[Beauty "6667802512396"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:55:52"]
[BlackClock "0:42:34"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 {Karjakin repertoire is a solid Nimzo-Queen's Indian openings.} 4.g3 Ba6 5.b3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Be7 7.Nc3 c6 8.e4 d5 9.Bd3 ( {Grischuk's fabulous idea to sacrifice four pawns in a flash:} 9.exd5 exd5 10.Bg2 dxc4 11.O-O cxb3 12.Re1 bxa2 13.Ne5 Bb7 14.d5 cxd5 {did not find followers yet, Grischuk,A (2771)-Fedoseev,V (2659) Baku 2015} ) 9...dxe4 10.Nxe4 Bb7 11.Qe2 Nbd7 {Black is very solid and intends to swap off a pair of knights on e4, free his position a bit and prepare c6-c5 for ultimate levelling of the chances.} 12.O-O-O {But Ding ruins Black's plan for a slow, sleepy game.} ( {Normal play will be} 12.Nxf6+ Nxf6 13.O-O c5 {when Topalov found a way to complicate matters with} 14.d5 exd5 15.Rfe1 dxc4 16.Bxc4 O-O 17.Rad1 Qd7 18.Ng5 {for the pawn White has plenty of play, Topalov, V (2767)-Leko,P (2737) Beijing 2013} ) 12...Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Nf6 14.Bc2 a5 {The king on the queenside requires actions.} 15.Rhe1 b5 {Karjakin tries to create counterplay before castling.} ( {There was nothing wrong with} 15...O-O ) 16.c5 {The only move. It gives a lot of squares to the black pieces (d5 and c3 in particular) but at the same time provides stability on the flank. Bad was} ( 16.cxb5 a4 $1 {when Black opens too many files against the white king.} ) 16...b4 17.g4 Ba6 ( {White is not even sacrificing the pawn after} 17...Nxg4 18.Rg1 ) 18.Qe5 O-O ( {White is not forced to trade queens after} 18...Qd5 $6 19.Qf4 ) 19.g5 Nh5 $1 {Karjakin correctly sacifices a pawn. White's attack is too strong after} ( 19...Nd5 20.Qe4 {To force a weakening move.} 20...g6 21.h4 Bb5 22.h5 {Followed by a timely capture on g6 and doubling of the heavy piecs along the "h" file and mate. Say} 22...Nc3 23.Bxc3 bxc3 24.hxg6 hxg6 25.Qh4 {and it is over.} ) 20.Qe4 g6 21.Qxc6 Ra7 22.Be4 {Prepare the d4-d5 advance. From a hinsight better was the immediate} ( 22.Qb6 Qxb6 ( {White was probably worried about his queen safety in after} 22...Qa8 $5 ) 23.cxb6 Rb7 24.Be3 {White's advantage is clear, for example} 24...Rxb6 ( 24...Bd8 25.Be4 Rxb6 26.d5 exd5 27.Bxd5 Rb8 28.Ne5 {with huge difference in the activity of the pieces.} ) 25.d5 Rd6 26.Bc5 ) ( {If Ding starts to retreat Black will get what he wants-} 22.Qe4 Bb7 23.c6 Ba8 ) 22...Bb7 23.Qb6 $1 {The only move. Queens should leave the board as if} ( 23.Qb5 Bxe4 24.Rxe4 a4 $1 {Black will get strong attack along the "a" and "b" files.} ) 23...Qxb6 24.cxb6 Bxe4 25.Rxe4 ( 25.bxa7 $2 Bxf3 ) 25...Rb7 26.Be3 Rc8+ $2 {It is tempting to put the rook on the open file with a tempo but this might be the losing mistake! It did great where it was as proven by the line} ( 26...Bd8 27.d5 exd5 28.Rxd5 Bxb6 29.Bxb6 Rxb6 30.Rxa5 f6 {and the rook is ready for the harvest on the "f" file. In this line the most probably outcome would be a draw.} ) 27.Kb1 Rxb6 28.d5 $1 Rd6 29.Rd2 Kf8 30.dxe6 Rxe6 31.Rxe6 fxe6 {The result of the forced play is a cheerless endgame for Karjakin. The main problem is not the isolated e6 pawn, but the pair of black queenside pawns which are blocked on the color of their own bishop.} 32.Rc2 $1 {Excellent technique by Ding. The rook is ready for the decisive penetration.} 32...Rd8 ( {Or} 32...Rxc2 33.Kxc2 {followed by a triumphal king march all the way to b5.} ) 33.Nd4 Ng7 ( 33...Kf7 {would lose faster to} 34.Rc7 ) 34.Nc6 Rd1+ 35.Rc1 {Once more White speculates with the threat of a rook swap to win the decisive tempo.} 35...Rd5 36.Nxe7 $1 {Such moves are harder to make than it seems. The knight was clearly superior to the bishop but the latter was Black's best defender. Once that it is gone none can save the queenside pawns.} 36...Kxe7 37.Rc7+ {A small check but once more excellent technique. The king is driven back.} 37...Kf8 38.Rc5 $1 {Wins the "a" pawn.} 38...Ke7 39.Rxd5 exd5 40.Bb6 Kd6 {A better try was} ( 40...Ne6 41.Bxa5 Nxg5 42.Bxb4+ Kd7 43.a4 Nf3 44.h3 Ng1 {when Black regains the pawn. The bishop is still clearly superior to the knight but thanks to the reduced number of pawns left on the board and the light color of the a8 square Black has decent drawing chances.} ) 41.Bxa5 Kc5 42.Bd8 Nf5 {It seems as this is a fortress but with subtle maneuvering Ding breaks in.} 43.Kc2 Nd4+ 44.Kd3 Nf5 45.Bc7 Kc6 46.Bf4 Kc5 47.Be3+ Kb5 48.Ke2 $1 {Intending Ke2-f3-f4-e5.} 48...Nh4 49.Bd2 Nf5 50.Kf3 Nd4+ 51.Kf4 Nc6 {The last stand.} 52.Be3 Ka6 53.Bc5 Kb5 54.Bd6 Ka5 $2 {And it is over in just one move.} ( {After} 54...Kb6 55.Ke3 Kb7 56.f4 Kc8 {White still need to prove his win, which I suspect he can do with either} 57.f5 ( {Or} 57.a3 bxa3 58.Bxa3 ) 57...gxf5 ) 55.Ke3 {Karjaking resigned due to} ( 55.Ke3 Kb5 56.f4 Ka6 57.f5 $1 ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.22"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2798"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[ECO "E01"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[Beauty "6052682668070"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:17:45"]
[BlackClock "0:59:33"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.d4 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Bd6 {A fashionable line.} ( 5...Be7 {is also quite popular} 6.Bg2 c6 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Qc2 O-O 9.Rd1 b6 10.Ne5 Bb7 11.cxd5 cxd5 {as in Radjabov,T (2738)-Gelfand,B (2741) Berlin 2015} ) 6.Bg2 O-O 7.O-O Nbd7 8.b3 dxc4 {A good novelty. In these positions Black is trying to free himself in two ways. First and foremost he trades the c4 pawn and then goes for eitehr e6-e5 or c7(c6)-c5. The former plan was tested so far:} ( {In two games, which saw} 8...c6 9.Nc3 Re8 10.Qc2 dxc4 11.bxc4 e5 {Khairullin,I (2658)-Ovetchkin,R (2529) Ekaterinburg 2013} ) 9.bxc4 c5 {Instead Mamedyarov goes for instant c7-c5 without the usual waste of a move (as in the Slav defenses for example).} 10.e3 Qc7 11.Qc2 cxd4 ( {The knight has nothing to do on b6} 11...Nb6 12.Rc1 ) ( 11...a6 $5 {at once deserved attention as it is a needed move. Black can chose the right moment for the central capture.} ) 12.Nxd4 a6 13.Rc1 Rd8 {In combination with Black's next move a very unfortunate decision. The development of the queenside bishop was priority.} ( {Both} 13...Rb8 $1 14.Nb3 b6 ) ( {And} 13...Nc5 $1 14.Nb3 Rb8 {were comfortably levelling the game.} ) 14.Nb3 Rb8 {Due to the skewer threat it seems as this move is forced.} ( 14...Nc5 $2 15.Ba5 {drops the exchange.} ) ( {However, the immediate} 14...Be5 {was Black's best after which things are not as bad for him} 15.Ba5 ( {Or} 15.c5 Bxa1 16.Ba5 b6 17.Bxa8 bxa5 18.Nxa1 ) 15...b6 16.Bxa8 Bxa1 17.Nxa1 bxa5 {Black is not in a bad shape despite the doubled pawns.} ) 15.c5 Be5 16.Nd4 $1 {Probably Mamedyarov underestimated this retreat. Now the queenside is paralized.} 16...b6 {Pawns are usually not allowed on c6 from good live.} ( {If} 16...Nf8 17.Na3 {White finishes development and will soon start concrete threats} 17...Bd7 ( 17...Ng6 18.Rab1 ) ( 17...Bxd4 18.exd4 Rxd4 19.Qb2 e5 20.Bc3 {loses material for Black.} ) 18.Rab1 Ng6 19.Nc4 $1 Qxc5 20.Ba5 Rdc8 21.Qd2 {and the black pieces look awkward.} ) 17.c6 Nf8 ( 17...Nc5 18.Na3 {does not change much.} ) 18.Nc3 $1 {Giri is not afraid to sacrifice a pawn. Threats like Nc3(d4)-b5 followed by c6-c7 are in the air and Black still does not have much to move.} 18...Ng6 ( {Black will be paralized after} 18...Bxd4 19.exd4 Rxd4 20.Be3 ( {Or} 20.Bg5 $5 ) 20...Rd8 21.Rd1 ) 19.Rab1 Qe7 {Mamedyarov gives up the exchange.} ( {Once again} 19...Bxd4 20.exd4 Rxd4 21.Be3 Rd8 22.Rd1 {is not fun for Black.} ) ( {The threat was} 19...h6 {(nothing move)} 20.Ncb5 $1 axb5 21.Nxb5 Qe7 22.Bb4 Qe8 23.c7 {with complete demolition.} ) 20.c7 $1 Qxc7 21.Nc6 Bb7 22.Nxd8 Bxg2 23.Kxg2 Rxd8 24.Na4 {Giri has too many open files for the rooks thus his material advantage is decisive.} 24...Qb7+ 25.f3 b5 26.Nc5 Qa8 27.Nd3 h5 28.Ba5 {Little by little the white pieces take commanding positions.} 28...Nd5 ( 28...Rd7 29.Qc8+ ) 29.Qe2 Re8 30.e4 Nde7 31.Bc3 {Speculating with threats is one good way to get rid of the active pieces.} 31...Bb8 32.Qb2 f5 {Last chance to muddy the waters.} 33.Qb3 fxe4 ( 33...Nf8 34.Nc5 ) 34.Qxe6+ Kh7 35.Qxe4 Qd5 36.Rb2 {Giri could have exchanged teh queens already, but he correctly understands that this can be done anytime.} ( 36.Qxd5 Nxd5 37.Re1 Rc8 38.Bd2 ) 36...Qf7 37.Re2 h4 38.Qe6 Qxe6 39.Rxe6 Rd8 40.Nf2 Nf5 41.Ne4 Rd5 42.Rxa6 hxg3 43.hxg3 Bxg3 $1 {Out of nothing Mamedyarov created some practical problems.} 44.Rh1+ $1 {But Giri is alert.} ( 44.Nxg3 Nf4+ 45.Kh2 Nxg3 {would not be clear at all.} ) 44...Bh4 45.Bd2 Rd4 46.Bg5 Rb4 47.Rxg6 {A small combination a la Capablanca does the job.} 47...Rb2+ 48.Kh3 Kxg6 49.Bxh4 Rxa2 50.Rg1+ Kf7 51.Bf2 Rb2 52.Kg4 {The rest was easy for the Dutch GM.} 52...g6 53.Bc5 b4 54.Nd6+ Nxd6 55.Bxd6 Ke6 56.Bf8 Kf7 57.Bd6 Ke6 58.Bb8 b3 59.Kf4 Kf7 60.Ke3 Rc2 61.Be5 Rc5 62.f4 Rb5 63.Bb2 Rh5 64.Rg2 Rh1 65.Kf3 Rf1+ 66.Kg4 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.23"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2844"]
[ECO "E08"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Beauty "8044876401694"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:03:33"]
[BlackClock "0:10:36"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Bb4+ {A fashionable Anti-Catalan reply in Wijk.} 5.Bd2 Be7 {In contrast to Mamedyarov yesterday Carlsen drops the bishop back to e7.} 6.Bg2 O-O 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Qc2 Ne4 {Playing in Stonewall fashion.} 9.Bf4 c6 10.Nc3 g5 {It makes sense to chase the bishop away from the active position. Plus, Black wants to advance on the kingside anyway.} ( {The immediate} 10...f5 {is also possible although after} 11.Rad1 b6 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Rc1 {White's position seems preferable, Abasov,N (2492)-Kuderinov,K (2480) Baku 2013} ) 11.Be3 ( 11.Bc1 f5 12.b3 Bf6 13.Bb2 Bg7 ( 13...Qe7 14.e3 Qg7 15.Ne2 Re8 16.Rad1 b6 17.Nd2 Bb7 {Rogers,I (2570)-Papaioannou,I (2400) Agios Nikolaos 1995} ) 14.Rad1 Rf7 15.Nxe4 fxe4 16.Ne1 Nf8 17.f3 exf3 18.Bxf3 Bd7 {Petrosian,T-Botvinnik,M Moscow 1963} ) 11...Nd6 {The world champion uncorks a strong novelty! Previously only the straightforward} ( 11...f5 {had been tested. One short example:} 12.Rad1 Nd6 13.b3 ( 13.c5 Nf7 14.b4 a6 15.a3 Bf6 16.a4 Bg7 17.Nd2 e5 18.dxe5 Ndxe5 {Bernard,C (2335)-Spassky,B (2570) Angers 1990} ) 13...Nf7 {1/2-1/2 (13) Nogueiras Santiago,J (2533) -Jobava,B (2637) Havana 2005} ) 12.b3 {Eljanov sacrifices a pawn for the initiative.} ( {In case of} 12.cxd5 {Black will recapture} 12...exd5 {and the knight on d6 is perfectly placed for the Carlsbad pawn structure.} ) 12...Nf5 {The point of the novelty. Since the pawn on d4 is hanging Black gets a chance to grab a gorgeous bishop.} ( {Instead} 12...dxc4 13.Ne4 {will give a lot of central play for the sacrificed pawn.} ) 13.g4 $5 {A courageous decision!} ( {As mentioned above} 13.Bc1 g4 {wins the pawn on d4.} ) ( {While} 13.Qd3 g4 14.Ne1 Nxe3 15.Qxe3 Bg5 {looks very comfortable Stonewall for the second player.} ) 13...Nxe3 14.fxe3 $5 b5 {Carlsen sacrifices a pawn on his turn!} ( {Black could have also developed kingside initiative with} 14...h5 {and if} 15.gxh5 g4 16.Ne1 Bg5 ) 15.e4 {But Eljanov does not take it and concentrates on central play.} ( {There was nothting wrong with} 15.cxb5 cxb5 16.Nxb5 Ba6 ( 16...Qb6 17.Nc3 Ba6 ) 17.a4 Rc8 {when Black has enough initiative to compensate the pawn.} ) 15...b4 ( {The computer advocates} 15...bxc4 {but this seems wrong after} 16.bxc4 dxc4 17.e5 {The white knight will jump on e4 and the pawns on teh "c" file will soon perish.} ) 16.exd5 $5 {A courageous decision! Both players have sacrificed pawns for initiative that far. Eljanov beats Carlsen on the number of sacrifices now.} ( {Objectively better was} 16.Na4 {to which I suspect Carlsen would have gone for} 16...dxe4 ( 16...Bb7 ) 17.Qxe4 Nf6 {with the idea} 18.Qxc6 ( 18.Qd3 {is correct to sacrifice a pawn again...} ) 18...Rb8 {Black is already much better and if} 19.h3 $2 Bb7 20.Qb5 Nxg4 $1 21.hxg4 Bxf3 22.Qe5 Bf6 {wins for Black.} ) 16...bxc3 17.dxc6 Nb8 18.Qe4 {For the piece Eljanov has two pawns and powerful pawn mass in the center.} ( {Or} 18.Rad1 Nxc6 19.Nxg5 Bxg5 20.Bxc6 {when both} 20...Rb8 ( {and even} 20...Bd7 21.Bxa8 Be3+ 22.Kg2 Qxa8+ {lead to advantage for Black.} ) ) 18...f5 $1 {Black has to play actively if he wants not only to convert his advantage, but even to survive. For example:} ( 18...Na6 19.Ne5 Nc7 $2 20.Nxf7 $1 {and all of a sudden Black is in trouble. Say} 20...Rxf7 $2 21.Rxf7 Kxf7 22.Qxh7+ Ke8 23.Qg6+ Kf8 24.Rf1+ {and it is over.} ) 19.gxf5 exf5 20.Qd5+ {Alas, White has to trade queens.} ( 20.Qe3 Nxc6 ) 20...Qxd5 21.cxd5 Na6 {The problem with the pawn massive is that it does not get anywhere. If the white pawn from e2 was on e5 instead, this would have been a different story. Now Black is clearly better.} 22.Rac1 ( {Or} 22.Ne5 Nc7 23.Nc4 Rd8 24.e4 fxe4 25.Bxe4 Nxd5 ) 22...Nc7 23.Ne5 f4 24.Nc4 Rd8 25.Rxc3 Nxd5 {The most dangerous pawn is gone and White hurries to get some material back.} 26.c7 Nxc7 $1 {The best. Greedyness is as usual punished after} ( 26...Rd7 27.Rcc1 Bb7 28.Ne5 Rd6 29.Rc5 {and White is most likely better.} ) 27.Bxa8 Nxa8 28.e3 Bb4 {Normally a rook and a pawn are at least as good as the two light pieces in the endgame. But not if those are two bishops.} 29.Rc2 Bb7 30.h4 {White is correctly trying to get rid of the pawns.} 30...Be4 31.Rh2 {This makes things easier for Carlsen. Better was} ( 31.Rcf2 Nb6 32.exf4 Nxc4 33.bxc4 gxh4 {although here too, Black should have serious winning chances.} ) 31...Nb6 32.Ne5 {Nothing helps:} ( 32.Nxb6 axb6 33.exf4 g4 $1 ) ( 32.hxg5 Nxc4 33.bxc4 fxe3 ) ( 32.exf4 Bc3 $1 ) 32...fxe3 33.hxg5 Rxd4 34.Ng4 Nd5 {Once that Carlsen wins a game things get scary for everyone.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.24"]
[Round "8.5"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2730"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[ECO "E39"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[Beauty "6667131437577"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "1:07:41"]
[BlackClock "0:05:50"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O 5.Nf3 c5 6.dxc5 Na6 7.g3 ( 7.e3 Nxc5 8.Bd2 b6 9.Be2 Bb7 10.O-O Bxc3 11.Bxc3 Nce4 12.Rfd1 Rc8 {Gajewski,G (2654)-Wojtaszek,R (2734) Berlin 2015} ) 7...Nxc5 8.Bg2 Nce4 9.O-O ( 9.Bd2 Nxd2 10.Nxd2 Qa5 11.Rc1 d5 12.O-O Bxc3 13.Qxc3 Qxc3 14.Rxc3 Bd7 15.cxd5 exd5 16.Rc7 Bc6 {Akobian,V (2612)-Quesada Perez,Y (2639) Arlington 2013} ) 9...Nxc3 10.bxc3 Be7 11.e4 d6 12.e5 dxe5 13.Nxe5 Qc7 14.Qe2 {Navara revealed that he had tried this line with a friend of his in December in a couple of blitz games.} ( {In one of them he committed a mistake} 14.Bf4 $2 {After which Black went for} 14...Nh5 {"and he was immediately better"} ( 14...g5 {instead would have won a piece, but this is a blitz game, remember?} ) ) 14...Nd7 ( {Another plan is} 14...Ne8 15.Bf4 Bd6 16.Rfd1 f6 17.Nd3 Qxc4 18.Qb2 Rb8 19.Be3 {with initiative for the pawn in Dreev,A (2638)-Ivanisevic,I (2662) Kragujevac 2015} ) 15.Bf4 Nxe5 16.Bxe5 Bd6 17.Rfe1 Rb8 ( {"The principled continuation is"} 17...Bxe5 18.Qxe5 Qxc4 {when after say} 19.Red1 {"White has enough compensation for the pawn, but not more" (Navara)} ) 18.Rad1 Bxe5 19.Qxe5 Qxe5 20.Rxe5 b6 21.c5 f6 22.cxb6 axb6 23.Re2 {Navara was surprised to learn at the press conference that he had made a novelty with his last move.} ( {Two games saw instead} 23.Re3 b5 24.f4 Kf7 25.Red3 {one of them very fresh- Basso,P (2466)-Horvath,J (2533) Spoleto 2016} ) ( {Predecessor (2):} 23.Re3 b5 24.f4 Kf7 25.Red3 Re8 26.Bc6 Re7 27.Rd8 Rc7 28.Be8+ Ke7 29.Bh5 g6 30.Rh8 Rd7 31.Rxh7+ Kd8 32.Rdxd7+ Bxd7 33.Rh8+ Kc7 34.Rxb8 Kxb8 35.Bxg6 {1-0 (35) Basso,P (2466)-Horvath,J (2533) Spoleto 2016} ) 23...Kf7 24.f4 {The only try to play for something, but this idea is connected with a blunder. Instead} ( 24.Rb2 e5 25.Rdb1 Bf5 ) ( {And} 24.Rd6 e5 25.Rb2 Be6 26.Rdxb6 Rxb6 27.Rxb6 Bxa2 {lead to equality.} ) 24...e5 25.fxe5 Bg4 26.e6+ Kg6 {Ambitious play by Caruana. If he wanted to draw, the move} ( 26...Bxe6 {would suffice. For example} 27.Rd6 Bc4 ( {But not} 27...Rfe8 $2 {To which Navara gave the study-like idea} 28.Rdxe6 ( 28.Rexe6 $1 {is easier} 28...Rxe6 29.Bd5 Re8 30.Rxb6 ) 28...Rxe6 29.Bd5 Re8 30.g4 h6 31.h4 g6 32.a4 f5 33.g5 {and Black is running out of moves (Navara).} ) ) 27.Be4+ ( {White's original idea was to play} 27.Rdd2 Bxe2 28.Rxe2 {with the idea Bg2-d5 and c3-c4 with compensation, but he realized that he had missed the simple} 28...Rbc8 {after which teh whole plan does not work.} ) 27...f5 ( 27...Kh6 $1 {was stronger when the only one to play for the win will be Caruana. Although Navara believed he should have enough compensation after} 28.Rdd2 Bxe2 29.Rxe2 Rbc8 ( 29...Rfc8 $1 {is stronger though.} ) 30.Bd5 {and White wins the tempo to play c3-c4 due to the threat} 30...Rxc3 $6 31.e7 Re8 32.Bf7 ) 28.e7 ( 28.Rd6 Rf6 ) 28...Bxe2 29.Rd6+ Kg5 {Navara's brilliant idea is seen in the line} ( 29...Rf6 30.Rd8 Bb5 ( 30...Re6 31.Rxb8 Rxe7 32.Rxb6+ {just wins a pawn for White.} ) 31.Bd5 $3 {with complete domination.} ) 30.exf8=R Rxf8 31.Bd5 {White's initial thought was to force a draw with} ( 31.Kf2 fxe4+ 32.Kxe2 {but then he realized he has some chances for the win.} ) 31...Rf6 32.Rd7 Kh6 33.Kf2 ( 33.c4 f4 ) 33...Bb5 34.Rc7 Rd6 {An inaccuracy. The Czech GM believed} ( 34...f4 {to be mandatory in order to activate the black pieces. The position is indeed drawinsh after} 35.g4 Rd6 36.c4 Bd7 ( 36...Rd7 37.Rc8 Kg5 ) ) 35.c4 Be8 36.Rc8 Bd7 {One more inaccuracy after which White's chances get even higher.} ( 36...Ba4 {instead should be enough for counterplay and equality} 37.Ke3 Kg5 38.Kd4 ( 38.Rc7 Rd7 39.Rxd7 Bxd7 ) 38...Rh6 {(Navara)} ) 37.Rd8 Kg6 38.Ke3 Kf6 39.Kd4 {Now that the king is centralized White threatens to break in anytime.} ( 39.Rf8+ {was worse} 39...Ke5 40.Rf7 Be6 ( {Or} 40...Bc6 {(Navara)} ) ) 39...Ke7 40.Rg8 Rg6 41.Ke5 Rg5 ( {One more study line by teh Czech genius-} 41...h5 42.Rh8 Rg5 43.Bf3 Be8 44.Rxe8+ $1 Kxe8 45.Kf4 $1 {and White wins the briliancy price.} ) 42.Rb8 {The first player is obviously dominating but there is no direct way in.} ( {White did not like the line} 42.Rh8 Rh5 43.h4 Rh6 44.Rg8 Rg6 45.h5 Rg5 ( {But not} 45...Rxg3 $2 46.h6 $1 {when White reaches the h7 pawn.} ) 46.Rb8 {with possible draw.} ) 42...Rg6 43.Rh8 Rh6 44.h4 Be6 ( {The other defense was} 44...Rg6 45.Rxh7 Rxg3 46.h5 Kd8 47.Kd6 Be8 {but it is questionable if Black can survive this.} ) 45.Ra8 $1 {No rook endgames!} ( 45.Bxe6 Rxe6+ 46.Kxf5 Rc6 47.Rxh7 Kf7 {(Navara)} ) 45...Bd7 ( {Taking note on the above-mentioned Caruana could have tried his chances in the rook endgame after} 45...Bxd5 46.cxd5 ( {Better than} 46.Ra7+ Bb7 ) 46...Rg6 47.Ra7+ Kd8 48.Ra3 Kd7 ( {And not} 48...Rf6 $2 49.Ra8+ Ke7 50.Ra7+ Kf8 51.d6 {(Navara)} ) ) 46.Rh8 Be6 47.a4 Bd7 48.Ra8 ( {Once more rejecting} 48.Rg8 Rg6 49.h5 Rg5 ( 49...Rxg3 $2 50.h6 ) 50.Rb8 Rxh5 51.Rxb6 f4+ 52.Kxf4 Bxa4 {when Black should hold.} ) 48...Rg6 49.Ra7 Rxg3 {This move loses.} ( 49...Kd8 50.h5 ( 50.c5 bxc5 51.a5 {is another winning attempt.} ) ( 50.a5 bxa5 51.c5 a4 {(Navara)} ) 50...Rh6 51.Bf3 Re6+ {was the best defense and Navara was not sure if he has realistic winning chances.} 52.Kf4 ( 52.Kxf5 Rf6+ 53.Ke4 Bc6+ ) ) 50.a5 $1 {Thanks to the newborn passer White tips the scales in his favor.} ( 50.Bc6 Rd3 ) 50...bxa5 51.c5 Kd8 52.h5 $1 {Secures the d6 square for the king.} 52...f4 53.Kd6 Bc8 54.c6 Rg5 ( {The last microscopic chance was} 54...Rd3 {but White wins after} 55.Rxg7 ( {Navara saw the trap though} 55.c7+ $2 Ke8 56.Ra8 Rxd5+ 57.Kxd5 Kd7 ) ) 55.Bf7 {The combination of the white king, rook, bishop and pawn reminds me of the famous game Alekhine-Teichman, Berlin 1921.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.26"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8246739870797"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:38:08"]
[BlackClock "0:01:40"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 {The Anti-Berlin is getting more and more popular of lately. It seems as White has not much there as well, but at least the queens are still on the board!} 4...Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nbd2 O-O ( {Another plan is} 6...Qe7 7.h3 O-O 8.Nc4 Nd7 9.Qe2 b5 10.Ne3 Nb6 {as in Caruana,F (2787)-Nakamura,H (2793) London 2015} ) 7.Nc4 Nd7 8.Qe2 Re8 9.Bd2 Bd6 10.h4 ( {So far all the games saw} 10.g4 {One fresh example goes} 10...Nf8 11.Ne3 Ne6 12.Nf5 a5 $1 13.h4 a4 14.Ng5 a3 {when the Dutch GM managed to create serious counterplay in Anand,V (2803)-Giri,A (2798) Bilbao 2015} ) 10...c5 {Navara wants to occupy the d4 outpost with comfort.} ( {The knight can come back to} 10...Nf6 {but it will hardly stop the white pawns there.} ) ( {On the other hand} 10...Nf8 {can be met with} 11.h5 {attacking and depriving the black knight of the g6 square and this might be the critical test for Wei's novelty after} 11...Ne6 ) 11.h5 h6 {This is dubious to say at least. In no way should Black have allowed a hook on the kingside. Both} ( {the immediate} 11...Nb8 ) ( {Or} 11...Nf8 12.h6 g6 {were better.} ) 12.O-O-O {The immediate} ( 12.g4 {was also good for White, for example} 12...Nf8 13.g5 hxg5 14.Bxg5 f6 15.Bd2 b5 16.Nxd6 cxd6 17.Rg1 {with attack.} ) 12...Nb8 13.Rdg1 {Wei is not in a hurry.} ( {Once again} 13.g4 {is possible as Black is not willing to capture the pawn} 13...Bxg4 $2 ( 13...f6 14.Nh4 ) 14.Rdg1 Bxf3 ( 14...Qd7 15.Rh4 Bxf3 16.Qxf3 ) 15.Qxf3 {This is not even winning a pawn as the h6 and f7 spots cannot be defended simultaniously.} ) 13...Nc6 14.g4 f6 {Navara was obviously counting on this move to seal the kingside. However...} ( {Or else the kingside will be badly opened.} 14...Nd4 15.Nxd4 cxd4 16.g5 ) 15.g5 $1 {Wei blows the barricades at once!} ( 15.Nh4 {will be the traditional way to play.} ) 15...fxg5 16.Nxg5 Nd4 ( {In case of the immediate} 16...hxg5 17.Bxg5 {White's attack is also very strong. For example} 17...Be7 ( 17...Qd7 18.Bf6 Bf8 19.h6 ) ( {There is no need to transpose into the game after} 17...Nd4 18.Qe3 ) 18.Bxe7 ( 18.Be3 $5 ) 18...Qxe7 19.h6 g5 20.Qh5 g4 ( 20...Kh8 21.Rxg5 ) 21.Ne3 Kh8 22.Nxg4 Bxg4 23.Rxg4 Rg8 24.Rg7 Qf6 {with two pawns for the piece and strong threats.} ) 17.Qd1 hxg5 18.Bxg5 Be7 {It seems as the attack will soon peter out, but Wei had foreseen the amazing} ( {The other move loses quickly} 18...Qd7 19.Bf6 ) 19.Be3 $3 {Human beings have difficulties in seeing backward moves when attacking, but not the Chinese GM. The threat h5-h6 forces Black to go} 19...Bf6 {But} ( 19...Bd6 20.h6 ) 20.h6 {is played anyway and it becomes obvious that the two rooks will have a great party on the open files.} 20...Re7 ( {Black cannot hide behind the pawns as the lines prove} 20...g5 21.Bxg5 $1 ( 21.Qh5 g4 22.f4 ) 21...Bxg5+ 22.f4 exf4 23.Qh5 Ne2+ 24.Kd1 Nxg1 25.Qg6+ Kh8 26.Qg7# ) ( 20...g6 21.Qh5 ) 21.hxg7 Rxg7 22.Qh5 {Now that the black king is opened everything finishes in just a few moves. The black queenside pieces never took part in the battle.} 22...Be6 23.Bh6 {The simplest win.} ( {There was a dual} 23.Qh8+ Kf7 24.Rxg7+ Bxg7 25.Nxe5+ Bxe5 26.Rh7+ Kg6 27.Rh6+ Kf7 28.Qxe5 ) 23...Bf7 24.Bxg7 Bxh5 25.Bxf6+ Kf8 26.Bxd8 Ne2+ 27.Kb1 Nxg1 28.Bxc7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.27"]
[Round "10.5"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Beauty "8249558441545"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:59"]
[BlackClock "0:11:57"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 d5 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 c5 5.c3 {The London system is becoming more and more popular, even at the top level. White is playing the Slav defense with an extra tempo.} 5...Nc6 6.Nbd2 Bd6 7.Bg3 O-O 8.Bd3 b6 9.Ne5 {This is one of the main ideas of the whole line. White wants to attack on the kingside and therefore plays in a Stonewall way.} 9...Bb7 10.f4 {The bishop on g3 is also seemingly well placed, ready to go to h4. It seems as White had won some tempos on the development of that piece, but if we count carefully, we shall see that it is all the same. In teh Stonewall the bishop goes to h4 via d2-e1-h4. Here Karjakin had lost the time while maneuvering Bf4-g3-h4.} 10...Ne7 {A nice defensive maneuver.} 11.Qf3 ( {Funnily, Karjakin has some experience with this line, but as Black:} 11.Qc2 c4 12.Be2 Nf5 13.Bf2 Be7 14.Ng4 Nxg4 15.Bxg4 Nd6 16.f5 exf5 17.Bxf5 Nxf5 18.Qxf5 Qc8 {Andreikin,D (2720) -Karjakin,S (2762) Baku 2015} ) ( 11.Bh4 Ne4 {is good for Black.} ) 11...Nf5 12.Bf2 Be7 13.g4 Nd6 {Petrosian loved to place his knights this same way against the Stinewall and to crack jokes about the awesomeness of the Dutch defense.} 14.g5 Nfe4 15.O-O-O ( {Perhaps it was better to postpone the castling for one more move} 15.Qh3 ) 15...c4 {A novelty in comparison to the email game:} ( {Sodomski,A (2006)-Fedorov,S (2399) ICCF email 2011, which saw} 15...cxd4 16.exd4 b5 17.h4 b4 18.cxb4 a5 {which also looks quite promising for Black.} ) 16.Bc2 ( 16.Bxe4 $6 dxe4 17.Qg2 b5 {followed by Bb7-d5 and advance of the "a" and "b" pawns will lead to a dream position for the second player.} ) 16...b5 {Both sides attack on the opposite flanks and the Big question is- "Who is opening the king first." Since the white pawn chain is somewhat more exposed, Adams does it.} 17.Qh3 b4 18.Nxe4 ( {Naturally, Karjakin does not want to open any files with} 18.cxb4 a5 $1 ( 18...c3 19.bxc3 Qc7 ( 19...Nxc3 20.Qxh7# ) ) 19.b5 c3 20.bxc3 Nxb5 {when Black is definitely happy.} ) 18...dxe4 19.Be1 Bd5 {Adams prepares b4-b3.} ( {The other way to attack is} 19...bxc3 20.Bxc3 ) 20.Rg1 $6 {Which Karjakin ignores.} ( {In case of} 20.cxb4 a5 $1 21.bxa5 {The English GM was probably planning the rich exchange sacrifice} 21...Rxa5 $1 {when} 22.Bxa5 $2 {might lead to quick mate after} ( {But White had definitely more chances defending the position after} 22.a3 {than the one in the game. On a second thought} 22...Nb5 $1 {Looks really scary for White.} ) 22...Qxa5 23.Kb1 ( 23.Rd2 c3 24.bxc3 Qxc3 25.Kd1 Rb8 ) 23...c3 {and the white king has no defenders.} ) 20...b3 21.axb3 ( 21.Bb1 {seems more stubborn although Black's attacking chances are huge after} 21...bxa2 22.Bxa2 a5 ( {Or} 22...Rb8 ) ) 21...cxb3 22.Bb1 f5 $1 {A very nice idea. Adams offers his opponent a choice of two evils. To close the kingside and basically to resign on the other one. Or...} 23.gxf6 Bxf6 {To open the "f" file for the black rook and activate his bishop.} 24.Rg4 Nf5 {With the intention to improve calmly with a7-a5-a4-a3 or Ra8-c8 and Qd8-a5.} 25.Kd2 {White tries to escape but the poor king gets surrounded.} 25...Qa5 26.Ke2 Bxe5 27.dxe5 ( {There is no way back as the "f" file had been opened-} 27.fxe5 Bc4+ 28.Kd2 ( 28.Kf2 Nxd4+ ) 28...Qa1 ) 27...Rad8 28.Kf2 {Or:} ( 28.Bd2 Bc4+ 29.Ke1 Rxd2 $1 {and White's position falls apart.} 30.Kxd2 ( 30.Rxd2 Qa1 31.Rd1 Qxb2 ) 30...Rd8+ 31.Kc1 Rxd1+ 32.Kxd1 Qa1 33.Kc1 Bd3 ) 28...Qa1 {It is over.} 29.Bd2 Bc4 30.Qh5 Qxb2 31.Ke1 Rxd2 $1 ( 31...Rxd2 32.Rxd2 Qc1+ 33.Kf2 Qf1# ) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.29"]
[Round "11.6"]
[White "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "E07"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "6808596955144"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:00"]
[BlackClock "0:32:18"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 O-O 7.O-O c6 8.Bf4 Nbd7 9.Nc3 dxc4 10.e4 {In this line of the Catalan, just like in some lines of the Slav White gets strong center and possibilities for kingside attack in return for the pawn.} 10...Re8 ( {Another treatment of the position is} 10...b5 11.d5 Qb6 12.Be3 Bc5 13.dxc6 Qxc6 14.e5 Nd5 {Matlakov,M (2684)-Grandelius,N (2632) Doha 2015} ) 11.a4 b6 12.Qe2 Ba6 13.Rfd1 {So far Tomahsevsky is simply improving his pieces. He has plenty of pleasant things to do-prepare central break, advance the kingside pawns or go for the c4 one. Ding is under pressure.} 13...Bb4 14.Ne1 Qc8 15.Nc2 Bf8 16.Ne3 {Straight to the pawn...A novelty in comparison to an email game that went} ( 16.e5 Nd5 17.Qh5 f5 18.Ne3 Bb4 19.Ncxd5 cxd5 {Seemingly Black is just a pawn up, but White uncorked his idea} 20.Nxd5 exd5 21.Bxd5+ Kh8 22.Qxf5 Bb7 23.Bxb7 Qxb7 24.Qf7 {with double edged play and initiative that compensates for the piece, Lecroq,M (2604)-Serban,F (2623) ICCF email 2012} ) 16...e5 {Ding uses the moment to relieve his position a bit.} ( {Black cannot keep the extra pawn} 16...b5 17.axb5 cxb5 18.e5 ) 17.dxe5 Nxe5 18.Bxe5 Rxe5 19.f4 {So, it was not the pawn that was that interesting after all. Naturally, Tomashevsky expands in the center.} 19...Re8 20.e5 Qe6 ( {In case of the preliminary} 20...Bc5 21.Kh1 {Black will have to play} 21...Qe6 {nevertheless, as the retreat} ( 21...Nd7 $2 {simply loses to} 22.Bh3 ) ) 21.Kh1 Nd7 22.Nc2 $1 {As a result of his opening novelty the Russian champion got a powerful grip of the center. Ding has to play extremely carefully.} 22...Nc5 ( {The passive defense will not work} 22...Bb7 $6 23.Nd4 Qg6 24.Qxc4 ) 23.Nd4 Qc8 24.Bxc6 Nd3 ( {White will have slight but durable advantage after} 24...Bb7 25.Bxb7 ( 25.Bg2 Bxg2+ 26.Kxg2 ) 25...Qxb7+ 26.Qg2 Qxg2+ 27.Kxg2 ) 25.Qf3 ( 25.Bxa8 $2 {I am pretty sure that Tomashevsky did not even consider} 25...Qxa8+ 26.Nf3 {The fancy} ( 26.Kg1 Bc5 ) 26...g5 $5 ( {Or the solid} 26...f6 $5 {will both do.} ) ) 25...Rb8 26.Rd2 Bb7 27.Rf1 {Up to here White played flawlessly, but this overcatious move lets the advantage slip away. Better was} ( 27.Nd5 Bc5 ( {The tactical justifocation of the move is} 27...Bxc6 28.Nxc6 Qxc6 $2 29.Ne7+ ) 28.Bxb7 Rxb7 29.Nb5 {with advantage. White is ready to undermine the black knight after b2-b3.} ) 27...Rd8 28.Bxb7 Rxb7 29.Nf5 Rc7 ( {Also good was} 29...a6 ) 30.Ne3 {If} ( 30.Nb5 {Black can sacrifice the exchange} 30...Qxf5 31.Nxc7 Rd7 {When the obvious} 32.Nb5 $2 {loses due to the beautiful tactics} ( 32.Nd5 Qe6 33.Nc3 Nxe5 34.Qg2 Rxd2 35.Qxd2 {Instead} 35...Nd3 {gives enough compensation for the exchange to Black, but nothing more.} ) 32...Ne1 $1 33.Qe2 Rxd2 34.Qxd2 Qe4+ 35.Kg1 Bc5+ 36.Rf2 Qg2# ) 30...Qe6 31.Ne4 {Stronger was} ( 31.Ncd5 $1 {with the idea} 31...Rcd7 32.b3 $1 Rxd5 33.Nxd5 Qxd5 ( 33...Rxd5 $2 34.bxc4 {drops the kngiht.} ) 34.Qxd5 Rxd5 35.bxc4 Rd8 36.Rfd1 {White does not win material here, on the contrary-} 36...Nf2+ 37.Kg2 Nxd1 38.Rxd8 Ne3+ 39.Kf3 Nxc4 {But the arising endgame is in his favour-} 40.Ke4 {His two remaining units are too strong.} ) 31...h6 32.Rc2 Rcc8 ( 32...a6 33.b3 b5 34.axb5 axb5 35.bxc4 bxc4 {is a bit better for Black but most likely a draw.} ) 33.Re2 a6 34.g4 Nc5 35.Nc3 Rd3 {Little by little Ding reveals the potential of his position-the open "d" file, the strong light pieces and the queenside majority. To cut the story short-if Black is not getting mated in the middlegame he has fun in the endgame.} 36.Qg2 Rcd8 37.f5 Qxe5 38.Nxc4 Qf6 39.Ne5 R3d6 40.Nf3 {Tomashevsky goes for solid defense but Ding's resources are not over yet.} 40...b5 $1 {A nice winning try.} 41.axb5 axb5 42.Nxb5 Rd1 43.Nc3 ( {Perhaps White needed to go to complete passivity, btu to trade the rooks} 43.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 44.Re1 Rxe1+ 45.Nxe1 Qe5 46.Nf3 Qe3 47.Ng1 Qc1 48.Nd4 Nd3 49.Qf3 {followed by Nd4-e2.} ) 43...Rxf1+ 44.Qxf1 Qc6 {The vulnerable white king is in trouble, therefore the b pawn is of no great importantce.} 45.Re3 {Once more trading pieces would do better} ( 45.Qg2 Nd3 46.Ne1 Qxg2+ 47.Nxg2 Bc5 48.Ne4 Bb6 {and White should survive.} ) 45...Rb8 46.Qg2 Qa6 47.Ne4 Nxe4 48.Rxe4 Rb3 49.Re1 Qb5 50.Nd4 ( 50.Re2 {looks more solid.} ) 50...Qb4 51.Qe4 {Ding made a lot of progress.} ( {Still, keeping the knight closer to his king was a better idea} 51.Nc2 Qb6 52.Qe4 Rxb2 53.Ne3 ) 51...Rxb2 52.f6 $2 {The losing mistake. Instead} ( 52.Nf3 Qc5 53.Rb1 Ra2 {will leave White suffering, but fighting.} ) 52...Qd6 $1 53.Qe5 ( 53.Nf3 Qxf6 {was not White's idea obviously.} ) 53...Rb1 $1 {This is what Tomashevsky had missed. He loses at least a piece and resigned due to:} ( 53...Rb1 54.Kg2 ( 54.Qxd6 Rxe1+ ) ( 54.Rxb1 Qxe5 ) 54...Rxe1 55.Qxe1 Qxd4 ) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.30"]
[Round "12.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2640"]
[ECO "B80"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7908108537922"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:51"]
[BlackClock "0:00:32"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 {Many people state that Caruana has a problem against the Sicilian. But once I read an interview with him in which he stated that he does not care much about this.} 6.f3 e6 7.Be3 b5 8.Qd2 Nbd7 9.g4 h6 10.O-O-O Bb7 11.h4 b4 12.Na4 Qa5 ( 12...d5 13.Bh3 g5 14.Bg2 gxh4 15.Rxh4 dxe4 16.g5 Nd5 17.Rxe4 hxg5 18.Bxg5 Qa5 19.f4 Rh2 20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.Rxe6+ Kf7 22.Qd3 Bg7 23.Qf5+ Kg8 24.Rxd5 Qxa4 25.Re7 {1-0 (25) Kasparov,G (2851)-Van Wely,L (2646) Wijk aan Zee 2000} ) 13.b3 {A tabia of the English Attack that was heavily explored at the end of the past century. Garry Kasparov was the main driving force behind the line back then.} 13...Be7 {A side line that Van Wely chose against... Kasparov in 2000.} ( {The main line is} 13...Nc5 14.a3 {One recent example} 14...Rc8 ( {instead Kasparov liked to sacrifice a pawn with} 14...Nxa4 15.axb4 Qc7 ) 15.Qxb4 Qc7 16.Nxc5 dxc5 17.Qa4+ Nd7 18.Ne2 Bc6 19.Qc4 Ne5 20.Qc3 Nxf3 21.Bf4 e5 22.Qxf3 exf4 23.Qxf4 c4 {with compensation for the pawn in Nakamura,H (2710)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2703) San Sebastian 2009} ) 14.Rh3 {Caruana spent a lot of time on this move, probably trying to recall the theory. The move has a lot of advantages. It moves the rook away from the X-ray of the black bishop, on a defended square, thus preparing g4-g5. The rook may also perform defensive functions along the third rank.} ( 14.Kb1 {was Kasparov's choice instead.} ) 14...Nc5 15.a3 Rc8 16.axb4 {Here comes the novelty! Caruana does not only capture the pawn, but also makes sure that his king is safe. In comparison to the only predecessor which went} ( 16.Qxb4 Qc7 17.Nxc5 dxc5 18.Qa4+ Nd7 19.Ne2 Bc6 20.Qxa6 $6 Ra8 21.Qd3 Rxa3 {with initiative for Black, Krylov,S (2407) -Sammalvuo,T (2438) Mallorca 2004} ) 16...Nxb3+ 17.Nxb3 Qxa4 18.Kb2 {All of these are forced and now that the smoke is cleared some of weaknesses in Black's camp become obvious.} 18...d5 {The only try.} ( {For insteance, a natural castling} 18...O-O $2 {Loses to} 19.Ra1 Qd7 ( 19...Qe8 20.g5 {is equally bad.} ) 20.g5 Nh5 {and besides the kingside attack White can also win loads of material on the other wing-} 21.Nc5 Qc6 22.Nxb7 Qxb7 23.Bxa6 ) 19.Bc5 Qd7 {The passive defense is a proof that something went terribly wrong with Black's position.} ( 19...dxe4 {was at least giving some chances to go fishing in muddy waters. The line:} 20.Bxe7 Kxe7 21.Nc5 Qc6 {While the immediate} ( {Black can never sacrifice the exchange} 21...Rxc5 $2 22.Qd6+ Ke8 23.Qd8# ) 22.Nxb7 {is answered} ( 22.g5 $5 {with the idea} 22...hxg5 ( {lack's best bet is to play a piece down in the line} 22...Rhd8 23.gxf6+ gxf6 24.Qe1 Rxd1 25.Qxd1 exf3 ) 23.hxg5 Nd5 24.Rxh8 Rxh8 25.fxe4 {When the black knight is trapped in the middle of the board-} 25...Nb6 26.Nxb7 Qxb7 27.Qd6+ Ke8 28.Qd8# ) 22...e3 $1 {the key move in Black's defense} ( 22...Qxb7 23.Qd6+ Ke8 24.Bxa6 ) 23.Qd3 Nd5 {with very unclear game.} ) 20.g5 {Also nice was} ( 20.e5 Nh7 21.f4 {This should be the best French defense I have ever seen for White.} ) 20...hxg5 21.hxg5 Rxh3 22.Bxh3 Nh7 23.f4 {Academic, clean play. A more vigorous way was} ( 23.g6 fxg6 24.c4 $1 {and Black's position is on the verge of collapse.} ) 23...Qc7 24.Bxe7 Kxe7 25.Nc5 {White's advantage is indisputable.} 25...a5 ( 25...dxe4 {drops a piece after} 26.Qd7+ ) 26.g6 {The other way to play was} ( 26.exd5 Bxd5 27.Qe3 Rb8 ( 27...axb4 28.Rxd5 ) 28.Rxd5 Rxb4+ 29.Kc1 Qxf4 30.Rd7+ Ke8 31.Qxf4 Rxf4 32.g6 {with excellent winning chances in the endgame.} ) 26...Nf6 $1 {Van Wely is bringing the knight urgently back in the game.} 27.e5 Nd7 28.Nxd7 Qxd7 29.f5 Rc4 {This loses at once. I have my doubts that Black would have survived after the best} ( 29...Qc7 30.f6+ Kf8 31.fxg7+ Kxg7 32.gxf7 Kxf7 {but this was his only chance.} ( {But not} 32...Qxe5+ 33.Kb1 Kxf7 34.Re1 ) ) 30.f6+ $1 {Caruana finally reaches the black king.} 30...gxf6 31.exf6+ Kd6 ( 31...Kxf6 {leads to a beautiful mate after} 32.Rf1+ Kxg6 33.Rg1+ Kh7 ( 33...Kf6 34.Qg5# ) 34.Bf5+ $1 exf5 35.Qh2+ ) 32.Qh2+ Kc6 33.g7 Qd8 ( 33...Rxb4+ 34.Kc1 {does not change anything.} ) 34.Qe5 Bc8 35.b5+ Kb7 36.Rg1 {The pawn is unstoppable.} ( 36.Rxd5 exd5 37.Qe7+ {was somewhat flashier.} ) 36...Qb6 ( 36...Qg8 37.Qd6 {followed by Qd6-f8.} ) 37.g8=Q 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.31"]
[Round "13.5"]
[White "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[ECO "E42"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[Beauty "6256962047498"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:14:04"]
[BlackClock "0:17:04"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 b6 5.Ne2 c5 {With this move order Black mostly chooses to develop the bishop instead} ( 5...Ba6 ) ( {Or} 5...Bb7 ) 6.a3 Ba5 7.Rb1 Na6 8.Ng3 {This is relatively rare. Both} ( 8.Bd2 ) ( 8.g3 {are more common.} ) 8...Bb7 9.f3 O-O 10.Bd3 d5 11.O-O cxd4 ( {Safer looks to get rid of the bishop with} 11...dxc4 12.Bxc4 Bxc3 13.bxc3 Rc8 14.Qe2 Nb8 15.Bb2 Nd5 {as in Hawkins,J (2511)-Adams,M (2752) England 2014} ) 12.Nb5 $1 {Now b2-b4 is a constant threat.} 12...dxc4 13.Bxc4 Rc8 14.Qe2 ( {The only predecessor saw quick draw after:} 14.Bd3 Nc5 15.b4 Nxd3 16.Qxd3 a6 17.Na7 ( {Although White could have played on with} 17.Nxd4 Bxb4 18.axb4 e5 19.Bb2 ) 17...Ra8 18.bxa5 b5 19.Bb2 {1/2-1/2 (19) Feige,M (2421)-Natsidis,C (2227) Germany 2008} ) 14...Bd5 {Carauana's only chance is in the concrete, tactical play. In case of} ( 14...Nc7 15.b4 Nxb5 16.Bxb5 Nd5 17.bxa5 Nc3 18.Qb2 Nxb1 19.Qxb1 bxa5 {the pieces will be superior to the rook and the pawn in the middlegame.} ) 15.Bxd5 Qxd5 16.e4 {Tomashevsky is trying to win a tempo to finally trap the bishop.} ( 16.b4 $2 d3 ) 16...Qa2 ( {Since} 16...d3 17.exd5 dxe2 18.Nxe2 Nxd5 19.b4 {traps the bishop.} ) 17.Bg5 Rc4 {With the idea Qa2-b3.} ( {White will have strong attack after} 17...Rfd8 18.Nxa7 Rc4 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.f4 ) ( {The immediate} 17...Qb3 {is met with} 18.Nxd4 Qc4 {When White has a pleasant choice between an endgame} 19.Qf2 ( {And middlegame} 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.Qe3 b5 21.Rfd1 Bb6 22.Nh5 ) 19...b5 20.Rbc1 Qxd4 21.Qxd4 Bb6 22.Be3 Bxd4 23.Bxd4 {in both cases with clear edge for White.} ) 18.Rbd1 {Renews the threat against the d4 pawn.} ( {Bad is} 18.b4 $2 Rc2 ) ( {However,} 18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.f4 {looked strong as well, when White is clearly on top after} 19...Kh8 20.Nh5 {The main threat is Nb5-d6 followed by Qe2-g4.} 20...Rg8 21.Nxf6 Rg6 22.Nd6 Rc7 23.e5 {when Black is helpless.} ) 18...d3 ( 18...Qb3 19.Nxd4 {is even worse for Black than before.} ) ( {While} 18...e5 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.Nd6 {will leave Black's position in ruins after} 20...Rc6 21.Qxa6 Rxd6 22.Nf5 Rdd8 23.b4 ) 19.Qxd3 {Time to take stocks. It is obvious that Black's strategy failed. His pieces are all over the place, some of them desperately waiting to leave the board. Tomashevsky regained the pawn and consolidated the position, the win is very close.} 19...Rc5 20.Be3 {A save approach but a shame. White could have won in a study manner:} ( 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.b4 {This part is obvious. What is not obvious is what to do after} 21...Rc2 {The answer-} 22.Kh1 $1 Rxg2 {and now} 23.Ne2 $3 Qxe2 ( {Or} 23...Rxe2 24.Rg1+ Kh8 25.Qd6 Rg8 26.Rxg8+ Kxg8 27.Qg3+ Kf8 28.Rd8+ Ke7 29.Qd6# ) 24.Rg1 $1 {with picturesque position.} ) 20...Qxb2 21.Bxc5 Nxc5 22.Qe2 Qxe2 23.Nxe2 {Still, White can hardly complain of his position. The extra exchange is good enough for the win.} 23...a6 24.Nd6 b5 25.Nd4 Bb6 26.Kh1 g5 27.Nc6 {These knights deprive Caruana of any counterplay. Tomashevsky has enough time to prepare and wrap up the game.} 27...Kg7 28.g3 h5 29.Rfe1 Na4 30.Rd3 ( {Premature is} 30.f4 Ng4 ) 30...Nc5 31.Rd2 Nb3 32.Rc2 Nc5 33.Kg2 ( 33.Rec1 Nd3 ) 33...Na4 34.Rd1 {White is almost ready to go for f3-f4. Once again there is no need to rush} ( 34.f4 gxf4 35.gxf4 Bc5 ) 34...g4 35.Rd3 Nc5 36.Rd1 Na4 37.h3 gxf3+ ( 37...Nc5 {should not change anything after} 38.e5 gxf3+ 39.Kxf3 Nd5 ) 38.Kxf3 Nh7 39.e5 Bc5 40.Rd3 f6 41.Kg2 $1 {An important prophylactic.} ( 41.exf6+ $6 Nxf6 42.Kg2 Nd5 $1 {would leave Black off the hook.} ) 41...Bb6 ( {Here} 41...fxe5 {is strongly met with} 42.Ne4 $1 ) 42.exf6+ Nxf6 43.Nd4 {Tomashevsky opened the game for the rooks. It is time to break in.} 43...Bxd4 44.Rxd4 Nd5 45.Re4 Rd8 46.Nb7 Rd7 47.Na5 Rd6 48.Rc6 $1 {The remaining rook will feel much better without any competition.} 48...Rxc6 49.Nxc6 Nc5 ( {Or} 49...Kf6 50.Kf3 Nac3 51.Re5 b4 52.axb4 Nxb4 53.Rc5 Nbd5 54.Ra5 ) 50.Re5 Nd3 51.Rg5+ ( {Avoids the little trap} 51.Rxh5 $2 N3f4+ ) 51...Kh6 ( {Or} 51...Kf7 52.Kf3 Ne1+ 53.Kf2 Nc2 54.Rxh5 Nxa3 55.Rh7+ Kf6 56.Ra7 ) 52.Rg8 Ne3+ 53.Kf3 Nc4 54.Nb4 Nde5+ 55.Ke2 a5 ( 55...Nxa3 56.Nxa6 ) 56.Nc2 Nd7 57.Rc8 {Finally, the white rook reaches the queenside pawns.} 57...Kg6 58.Rc7 Nf6 59.Rc6 ( {But not} 59.a4 Nd5 60.Rc6 Nc3+ ) 59...Kf7 60.a4 Nd5 61.axb5 Ne5 62.Ra6 Nc3+ 63.Kf1 {Side-steps the last trap:} ( 63.Kd2 Nxb5 64.Rxa5 $4 Nc4+ ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess- Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.18"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[ECO "E52"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[Beauty "6190142591504"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteClock "0:18:28"]
[BlackClock "0:28:49"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 b6 5.e3 Bb7 6.Bd3 O-O 7.O-O d5 {The Nimzo-Indian defense had served well the English top GM, but this particular line had rarely occured in his games. Here he deviates from his early predecessor} ( 7...c5 8.Na4 cxd4 9.a3 Bd6 10.exd4 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 Nc6 12.Be3 e5 13.c5 exd4 14.cxd6 dxe3 15.Qxe3 Re8 {as in Arnaudov,P (2471)-Adams,M (2720) Eilat 2012} ) 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Ne5 Nbd7 10.f4 c5 11.Ne2 c4 ( {Black can also capture on d4} 11...cxd4 12.exd4 Be7 13.Be3 Ne4 14.Rc1 Ndf6 {which leads to slightly passive, but defendable position, Lysyj,I (2684)-Efimenko,Z (2641) Bilbao 2014} ) 12.Bf5 {After seven minutes of thought Adams came with a strong novelty} 12...g6 {Caruana sank into deep thought and came up with} ( {Prior to this game Black had only tested} 12...b5 13.b3 ( 13.a4 $5 ) 13...Nb6 14.Rb1 Qd6 15.Ng3 Rfe8 {with unclear game, Gschnitzer,O (2475)-Piskov,Y (2520) Germany 1993} ) 13.Qa4 {This looks dubious to me. White's hopes of an advantage will be most likely connected with the retreat} ( 13.Bc2 ) 13...gxf5 14.Qxb4 Ne4 {As a result we have a situation similar to the game Bok-L'Ami from yesterday. The knight on e4 is the king of the board, while the one on e5 will soon have to step back after f7-f6.} 15.a4 f6 16.Nf3 ( {Black's play is very easy after} 16.Nxd7 Qxd7 {but objectively speaking this might have been stronger than the text move.} ) 16...Nb8 $1 {The second knight is heading towards the d3 or b3 outposts via b4 or a5 squares. The opening was huge success for Adams who firmly took command of the game.} 17.Qe1 Nc6 18.Bd2 Kh8 {The only place where White can show some activity is the king's flank. , but Black can also make good use of the half-open "g" file.} 19.Nh4 Qd7 20.Nc3 Rae8 {Adams wants to keep the e4 square available for his pieces. Another idea was:} ( 20...Nb4 21.Nxe4 Nd3 ( {Rather than} 21...Nc2 22.Qd1 Nxa1 23.Ng3 Nb3 24.Bb4 {when the white light pieces come into life.} ) 22.Nxf6 ( 22.Qe2 fxe4 ) 22...Rxf6 23.Qe2 Re8 {when Black will return the pawn with some advantage} 24.Bc3 Qe6 ) 21.Nxe4 Rxe4 22.Qd1 Rg8 {With the idea Rg8-g4.} 23.Qh5 {Caruana did great under the circumstances and created his own play on the kingside. Still, it should not be sufficient for full equality.} 23...Bc8 24.Rf3 Qe8 25.Qh6 {Places the queen in a very dangerous position.} ( {The endgame deprives White of his attacking chances.} 25.Qxe8 Rgxe8 ) 25...Qf7 {Adams intends Nc6-e7, Rg8-g7(g4) and Ne7-g8 to trap the queen.} 26.b4 $1 {Caruana secures some squares for his dark-squred bishop as otherwise Black can simply play a7-a5 in a certain moment.} ( 26.Rg3 Ne7 27.Nf3 Rg4 {is good for Black.} ) 26...Ne7 ( {Perhaps} 26...cxb3 27.Rh3 ( 27.Rc1 Bd7 ) 27...Bd7 28.Rb1 Ne7 29.Rxb3 Rg7 {was simpler and better.} ) 27.Rh3 Rg4 {Adams had an interesting idea instead:} ( 27...c3 $1 {with the tactical point} 28.Bxc3 $2 ( {Objectively best according to the computer is} 28.Bc1 {where the bishop is obviously badly misplaced.} ) ( {Black is clearly better after} 28.Be1 Rg4 29.Nf3 Bd7 {Prepares the capture on e3.} ( {But not the hasty} 29...Rxe3 $2 30.Ng5 $1 Rxe1+ 31.Rxe1 fxg5 32.Rxc3 {when all of a sudden Black can not adequately meet the threats Rc3-c7 and Re1xe8+.} ) 30.Rc1 ( 30.Bf2 Be8 31.Rg3 Ng8 32.Qh3 Qe7 ) 30...Rxe3 31.Ng5 Rxe1+ 32.Rxe1 fxg5 ) 28...Rg4 29.Nf3 Ng8 30.Qh5 Qxh5 31.Rxh5 Rxe3 {and double attack against the light pieces wins one of them.} ) ( 27...Rg7 {was not bad neither.} ) 28.Nf3 Bd7 29.Kf2 Be8 {Instead Black was clearly better after} ( 29...Ng8 $1 30.Qh5 Qg7 31.Rg3 Nh6 {With the threat, say} 32.b5 Rxg3 33.hxg3 Ng4+ 34.Ke2 c3 $1 {and wins.} ) 30.Rg3 Ng8 31.Qh3 Bd7 ( {Here} 31...Qg7 32.Ng1 Nh6 {is not as effective due to} 33.Ne2 ) 32.b5 {The idea behind the b2-b4 move is revealed. The bishop can finally breath.} 32...Re8 33.Ng1 $1 {A nice regroupment by White. He intends Bd2-b4 as well as Ng1-e2-c3. More importantly- he opened the f3 square for his rook.} 33...a5 ( {If Black tries to reroute his knight to e4 with} 33...Ne7 34.Ne2 Nc8 {then} 35.Bb4 {comes just in time.} ) ( {Similar is} 33...Ra8 34.Ne2 a6 ) 34.bxa6 Ra8 35.Ne2 Rxa6 36.Bb4 Kg7 ( {The black king migth be vulnerable as the following line shows} 36...b5 37.a5 Ne7 38.Rb1 Nc6 39.Be1 b4 40.Bxb4 Nxb4 41.Rxb4 Rxa5 42.Rxg4 fxg4 43.Qh6 ) ( 36...h5 37.Nc3 ) ( {Perhaps it was time to secure half a point with} 36...Rxa4 37.Rxa4 Rxg3 38.Nxg3 Bxa4 39.Qxf5 ) 37.Nc3 h5 38.Kg1 {Opens the road for the kingside rook.} ( 38.Rf3 {at one was more precise.} ) 38...Nh6 $6 {After this the white rook gets back into play and tables are turned into Caruana's favour. There was better idea:} ( 38...Ne7 39.Bxe7 ( 39.Rf3 Nc6 ) 39...Qxe7 {When tactics seem to work for Black} 40.Nxd5 ( 40.Qxh5 $2 Rxg3 41.hxg3 Qxe3+ ) 40...Qe4 41.Nc3 Qc2 42.e4 b5 $1 {and it seems as Black is happier thanks to his more active queen.} ) 39.Rf3 $1 {Now that the rook comes out of the prison it becomes clear that the one on g4 is lost in the translation.} 39...Ra8 40.Rf2 Kh7 41.Qf3 {It was not only the rook that came into the game...} 41...Bc6 42.Rb2 h4 43.Ba3 {Black has too many things to worry about- b6, d5, f5 and h4 pawns are too weak.} 43...Rag8 ( 43...Bxa4 44.Qxd5 ) 44.Kh1 Ba8 45.Rg1 Qe6 46.Rb5 R4g7 47.Bc1 $1 {The bishop looked active on a3, but on e1 it will become and effective piece.} 47...Rg6 48.Bd2 R8g7 49.Rb2 Nf7 50.h3 {The weaknesses can no longer be held.} 50...Rg3 ( 50...Nh6 51.Be1 $1 ) ( 50...Rh6 51.Rgb1 $1 ) 51.Qh5+ Nh6 52.Qxh4 Qg8 53.Be1 R3g6 54.Qh5 ( {White could have taken the pawn at once, but Caruana knows it has nowhere to go} 54.Rxb6 Rxg2 55.Rxg2 Rxg2 56.Bf2 ) 54...Re7 55.Bf2 Reg7 56.Qf3 Qd8 57.Bh4 Qd6 58.Rgb1 {It is amazing how quickly Black's promising position detoriated...} 58...Qa3 59.Be1 Qe7 60.g3 Nf7 61.Rxb6 Rh6 62.Ra6 Qe8 63.Kg2 Qc8 64.Rbb6 1-0

[Event "78th Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee NED"]
[Date "2016.01.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "D24"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7836973137928"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[WhiteClock "0:03:18"]
[BlackClock "0:01:00"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 {Caruana was a bit surprised by this capture. "I do not think he had ever played this way."} 5.e4 Bb4 6.Bxc4 {A topical pawn sacrifice in the Vienna variation. The main line goes} ( 6.Bg5 c5 7.Bxc4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Qa5 {which leads to huge complications, heavily explored by both men and machines. The result of this co-operation- most often a draw.} 10.Bb5+ Nbd7 11.Bxf6 Qxc3+ 12.Kf1 gxf6 13.h4 a6 14.Rh3 Qb4 15.Be2 Ne5 16.Rb1 Qd6 {Giri,A (2773)-Aronian,L (2780) Stavanger 2015} ) 6...Nxe4 7.O-O Nf6 ( {The other aproach for Black is to try and delay 0-0 until he is certain in king's safety. One fresh example went} 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 Bd6 ( 8...Bxc3 {looks too greedy, although Black held confidently after} 9.Rb1 c5 10.dxc5 Qxd1 11.Rxd1 Bf6 12.Bb5+ Bd7 13.Bxd7+ Nxd7 14.Rxb7 Nxc5 15.Rc7 Na6 16.Rb7 Nc5 17.Rc7 Na6 18.Rb7 Nc5 {1/2-1/2 (18) Chandra,A (2495)-Bodek,M (2425) Saint Louis 2015} ) 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.Qe2 Qe7 11.Re1 h6 12.c4 c5 13.d5 e5 14.Nd2 O-O 15.f4 f5 {with excellent prospect for Black in Korobov,A (2709) -Naiditsch,A (2689) Reykjavik 2015} ) 8.Bg5 O-O 9.Qe2 {Funnily, similar position without the c7 pawn will arise in plenty of lines- the QGA, Nimtzo-Indian and Panov attack in the Caro Kann. As a compensation for that pawn White has some extra tempoes though.} 9...h6 ( 9...Be7 {at once is also possible with the idea} 10.Rad1 Nbd7 11.Ne5 Nd5 {(Caruana)} ) 10.Bh4 Be7 11.Rad1 Nbd7 12.Ne5 Nb6 ( {In case of the immediate} 12...Nd5 {Caruana planned} 13.Nxd5 Bxh4 14.Nf4 Nxe5 15.dxe5 {with nice development and attacking possibilities.} ) 13.Bd3 Nfd5 {Just like in the lines where Black plays against the isolated pawns he is happy to trade as many pieces as possible.} 14.Bg3 Bd7 ( {A novelty in comparison to the risky} 14...f5 15.h3 Bd6 16.Rfe1 Qg5 17.Qf3 Nf6 18.Bf4 {with strong pressure for White, Mamedyarov,S (2719)-Kramnik,V (2772) Moscow 2009} ) 15.Ne4 {Slightly provocative move.} ( 15.Qe4 $2 f5 16.Qf3 f4 ) 15...Ba4 $1 {And a provocative answer in return. Eljanov wants to kick the rook away from the "d" file or to provoke the weakening b2-b3 move.} ( {Black cannot win a piece after} 15...f5 $2 16.Nc5 f4 17.Nexd7 ) 16.Rc1 ( 16.b3 Be8 {with the threat f7-f5 and Nd5-c3 is annoying.} ) 16...Nd7 $1 {The knight was doing nothing on b6 plus you remember that the second player wants to trade pieces, do not you?} 17.b3 {At this stage of the game Caruana did not quite like his position.} ( 17.Nc5 Bxc5 18.dxc5 Nxe5 19.Bxe5 Bc6 {is not fully compensating for the pawn (Caruana)} ) 17...Nxe5 18.dxe5 Bc6 19.Rfd1 $6 ( 19.Bb1 $5 {with the idea to build battery on the b1-h7 diagonal seems more dangerous for Black. The ultimate goal is to weaken the black king} 19...Ba3 ( 19...a5 20.Qc2 ) 20.Rcd1 Qe7 21.Qc2 {when either g7-g6 or f7-f5 is forced now.} 21...Nb4 $4 22.Nf6+ gxf6 23.Qh7# ) 19...a5 {The effect of the provocation. Interestingly Caruana considers this a mistake as he is not getting a tempo after his next move.} ( {Instead the American GM suggested the immediate} 19...Qe8 {with the idea to meet} 20.h4 {with} 20...h5 21.Qxh5 ( {However, Caruana missed in his preliminary calculations the pretty sacrifice} 21.Nf6+ $1 gxf6 22.Qxh5 f5 23.Rc4 $3 {with the unstoppable Rc4-g4+ and mate.} ) 21...f5 22.Qxe8 Raxe8 {and Black is good.} ) 20.a4 $1 {Naturally, Caruana does not want to allow any counter-play on the queenside. In the future he wants to swing his rook along the fourth rank for kingside attack with Rc1-c4-(g4) and he is happy that Black has no Bc6-b5 resource.} 20...Qe8 21.h4 ( {In case of} 21.Nf6+ {Eljanov has a pleasant choice of playing on with} 21...Nxf6 ( {Black can accept the draw if he wishes} 21...gxf6 22.Qg4+ Kh8 23.Qh3 Kg7 ) 22.exf6 Bxf6 23.Bxc7 ) 21...Rd8 22.h5 ( 22.Nf6+ Nxf6 23.exf6 Bxf6 24.Bxc7 Rd5 ) 22...Nb4 $1 {Clears the road for the rook and takes away the c2 and d3 squares for the battery.} 23.Bb1 Kh8 {Not a bad move but there was a better one! After great defense Eljanov starts to play over cautiously and this will finally lead him to real problem. The king stepped away from the check on f6 and this is useful, but it was far more useful to regroup with} ( 23...Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Qa8 $1 {followed by Rf8-d8 and b7-b6. Black's position will be clearly better in this case.} ( {Now instead of the suggested move by Caruana} 24...Bd5 {which might lead indeed to a forced draw after} 25.Nf6+ gxf6 26.Qg4+ Kh8 27.Qf4 Kg7 ( {But not} 27...f5 28.Qxh6+ Kg8 29.Rd4 $1 {with the familiar checkmate after Rd4-g4!} ) 28.Qg4+ Kh8 ) ) 24.Bf4 {With the idea to sacrifice on h6.} 24...Rg8 25.Bd2 Rd5 $6 {Innacuracy.} ( {In case of} 25...Rd4 {Caruana planned} 26.Bc3 ( {Not} 26.Bxb4 Rxb4 ) 26...Rxd1+ 27.Rxd1 Nd5 28.Bxa5 f5 29.exf6 gxf6 {with unclear play.} ) ( 25...Qf8 $5 {would be a good follow up of Black's kingside regroupment.} ) 26.Bxb4 axb4 ( {White believed} 26...Rxd1+ {is a bit more accurate} 27.Rxd1 axb4 28.Qd3 g6 ( 28...f5 {is better} ) 29.Qe3 ( 29.Nf6 $5 Bxf6 30.exf6 ) 29...Qf8 {Althogh it seems as he missed the strong move} 30.Nf6 $1 {with clear edge for White.} ) 27.Rxd5 exd5 ( 27...Bxd5 28.Qc2 $1 {is strong for White. For example} 28...Bxe4 29.Qxe4 g6 30.Qxb7 ) 28.Ng3 {"This is positionally very desirable for me" (Caruana)} 28...Bg5 29.Re1 g6 30.Qg4 ( 30.hxg6 fxg6 31.e6 {was unclear.} ) 30...Qe7 {Perhaps Eljanov had to give the pawn back-} ( 30...Qe6 31.Qxb4 ) 31.Qd4 $1 {An excellent spot for the queen.} 31...b6 {The losing move.} ( {White is better after} 31...Rg7 32.e6 $1 ( 32.hxg6 fxg6 33.Ne2 $1 {with the idea f2-f4.} ) 32...fxe6 33.hxg6 {when the black king is not safe enough.} ) ( {But it was not too late for} 31...Qe6 ) 32.e6+ Bf6 ( 32...Kh7 33.Nf5 $1 {is brutal.} ) ( {In case of} 32...Rg7 {White has the fabulous sacrifice which owuld make Mr Afek happy} 33.exf7 $3 Qxe1+ 34.Kh2 Qe7 35.hxg6 Bf6 36.Nf5 Bxd4 37.Nxe7 {and this is perhaps the line that Caruana saw during the game and which he could not remember at the press conference...} ) 33.Qf4 g5 ( 33...Kg7 34.hxg6 fxg6 35.Bxg6 Kxg6 36.Qf5+ Kg7 37.Nh5+ {is another pretty finish.} ) 34.Qf5 Rg7 35.Qc2 Qc5 36.Qxc5 bxc5 37.Nf5 Rg8 ( 37...Bc3 38.Re2 {changes nothing.} 38...Rg8 39.exf7 Rf8 40.Re6 {with lethal threats.} ) 38.exf7 1-0

[Event "Z&uuml;rich Chess Challenge 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.02.13"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Beauty "8246609587721"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteClock "0:28:15"]
[BlackClock "0:23:36"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.Nc3 {One more way to avoid the Berlin- just get into the Four Knights.} 4...Bd6 {A fighting move. Aronian avoids the heavily explored lines after} ( 4...Bb4 ) ( {Or} 4...Nd4 {which both have somewhat drawish reputation.} ) 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 Re8 {One of Black's plans is to transfer the knight to g6 and go for regroupment with c7-c6 and Bd6-c7. The immediate} ( 6...Ne7 {however allows the highly entertaining} 7.Nxe5 Bxe5 8.d4 d6 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Be3 {with advantage for White in Michiels,B (2462) -Stefanova,A (2527) Antwerp 2009} ) 7.a3 h6 8.Bc4 Bc5 9.Be3 Bxe3 ( 9...d6 {looks more solid.} ) 10.fxe3 {Now that the "f" file has been opened White's plan is crystal-clear- Nf3-h4-f5 followed by either Qd1-f3 or sometimes Qd1-e1-g3 and mate on the kingside.} 10...d6 11.Nh4 ( {Also good is} 11.Qe1 Ne7 12.Nh4 c6 13.Qg3 {with kingside attack in Bicho,N-Santos,A Aveiro 2003} ) 11...Be6 {This is Black's best bet but his position remains highly suspicious after Anand's reply.} ( {The only predecessor saw:} 11...Na5 $2 {White could have won with the beautiful} 12.Bxf7+ $3 Kxf7 13.Qh5+ Kg8 ( 13...Kf8 14.Rxf6+ Qxf6 ( 14...gxf6 15.Qxh6+ Kf7 16.Qh7+ Kf8 ( 16...Ke6 17.Nd5 Nc6 18.Nf5 {and Black is helpless.} ) 17.Ng6# ) 15.Rf1 ) 14.Rxf6 $1 gxf6 ( 14...Qxf6 15.Qxe8+ ) 15.Qg6+ Kf8 16.Qh7 Re6 17.Nf5 Ke8 18.Nd5 {and Black cannot parry the threat Nd5xc7+!} ) 12.Nf5 $1 {The knight on f5 is more important than any double pawns on the "c" file. There will be no endgame!} 12...Bxc4 ( {Or} 12...Bxf5 13.Rxf5 {when White proceeds with his kingside attack and the attempt to bring fresh defenders with} 13...Ne7 {fails to} 14.Rxf6 $1 gxf6 15.Qh5 Rf8 16.Qxh6 ) 13.dxc4 Kh7 14.Qf3 {The outcome of the opening battle is a failiure for Aronian. On the top of that he blunders.} 14...Nb8 $2 ( {Black is usually trying to bring a pawn on f6 in these positions. However} 14...Ng8 {will be strongly met with} 15.c5 $1 ( {It is too early for} 15.Nxg7 Kxg7 16.Qxf7+ Kh8 ) 15...dxc5 16.Rad1 {with clear edge for White after} 16...Qg5 17.Rd7 Qg6 18.Rxc7 ( {Or} 18.Nd5 ) ) 15.Nxh6 $1 {A deadly blow! It is highly unusual to see a top GM losing that quickly, albeit in a rapid game.} 15...Kxh6 ( {Or} 15...gxh6 16.Qxf6 Qxf6 17.Rxf6 {with certain loss in the endgame.} ) 16.Qh3+ Kg6 ( {Since} 16...Nh5 {loses to both} 17.g4 ( {And} 17.Rxf7 {is very convincing too.} ) 17...g6 18.gxh5 ) 17.Rf3 Nh5 18.Rf5 $1 {The last touch.} 18...Nf6 ( 18...Rh8 19.Qg4+ Kh6 20.Rxh5# ) 19.Qh4 {Aronian resigned just a move before the mate.} 1-0

[Event "Tradewise Masters"]
[Site "Gibraltar"]
[Date "2016.02.04"]
[Round "10.2"]
[White "Maze, Sebastien"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2591"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[Beauty "7424543036951"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:44"]
[BlackClock "0:18:09"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ {It makes sense to avoid the man in lines of the Najdorf against Vachier-Lagrave.} 3...Nd7 {Black cleary shows his intentions to play for a win.} 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 a6 6.Bxd7+ Bxd7 7.O-O Nf6 8.Nc3 e5 9.Qd3 h6 {Stops Bc1-g5. Players are back into the Najdorf territory.} 10.Nd2 {The knight intends to go to the d5 square. Via c4-e3 for example.} 10...b5 {Which is blocked.} 11.a3 ( {Another possibility is} 11.a4 Rb8 12.Rd1 Be7 13.axb5 axb5 14.Nf1 {But then the white knight is a move too short to reach d5} 14...b4 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.Qxd5 O-O 17.Ne3 Be6 {Anand,V (2816)-Topalov,V (2816) Saint Louis 2015} ) 11...Be7 12.Rd1 Bg4 {Before the bishop lands on e6 Black forces a weakening of the opponent's kingside.} 13.f3 Qb6+ 14.Kh1 Be6 15.Nf1 O-O 16.Ne3 Rac8 {A novelty. Previously only the other rook moved there} ( 16...Rfc8 17.Qe2 Qc6 ( 17...Rc5 $5 ) 18.Bd2 Bd8 19.Be1 Bb6 {which also looked good for Black in Duda,J (2658)-Ponomariov,R (2710) Berlin 2015} ) 17.Qe2 {Black's previous move deprived his opponent from jumping effectively on d5:} ( 17.Ned5 $6 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 {Leaves the c2 pawn hannging which means that White needs to close the nice outpost himself} 19.exd5 {when it is easier for Black to roll his kingside pawns.} 19...f5 ( 19...Bg5 ) ) 17...Rc5 {The same policy of obstructing the Nd5 jump. In case of the neutral} ( 17...Rfd8 18.Ncd5 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Bxd5 20.Rxd5 {White will be better thanks to the d5 outpost.} ) 18.Bd2 {Maze had an interesting idea} ( 18.Nf5 $5 {And if} 18...Bxf5 ( {Instead Black can keep things save with} 18...Qc7 19.Be3 Rc6 20.Nxe7+ Qxe7 21.Rd2 ) 19.Be3 {White will win an exchange. It is not quite certain though that this willlead to advantage after} 19...Be6 20.b4 Qc6 21.bxc5 dxc5 {as Black has a pawn for it and the bishop pair.} ) 18...Rfc8 19.Be1 Qb7 20.Rd2 ( {In case of} 20.Bf2 {White has to count with the typical exchange sacrifice} 20...Rxc3 ( {Although} 20...Nh5 {is simple and good s well.} ) 21.bxc3 Rxc3 ) 20...a5 21.Bf2 ( {Black is already better after} 21.Rad1 b4 22.axb4 axb4 23.Na4 R5c7 ) 21...b4 22.Na4 R5c6 23.Nd5 Bd8 {Vachier tries to keep as many pieces on the board as possible.} ( {An equal position is reached after} 23...Bxd5 24.exd5 Ra6 25.b3 ) 24.b3 bxa3 25.Qd1 Ra6 26.Rxa3 ( {It will be difficult for White to regain the pawn in case of} 26.Nxf6+ Bxf6 27.c4 ( {Even worse is} 27.Rxd6 Rxd6 28.Qxd6 Rxc2 ) 27...Be7 ) 26...Nxd5 27.exd5 Bf5 28.c4 {After a fierce battle the d5 outpost disappeared. This should favour Black who has now easier play on the kingside, but the active white pieces and the isolated "a" pawn do not give a chance to Black to claim more than equality.} 28...Bg5 29.Rda2 e4 {A brave attempt to play for a win. Objectively better was} ( 29...Qb4 30.Be1 Qb7 31.Bf2 ) 30.fxe4 Bxe4 31.Nc3 Bf5 32.Nb5 {Maze misses a good chance.} ( {The preliminary} 32.Qf3 $1 {and only after} 32...Bg6 ( {Or} 32...Bd7 33.Ne4 $1 ) 33.Nb5 {woould have given the advantage to White.} ) ( {The a5 pawn is poisoned} 32.Rxa5 $2 Rxa5 33.Rxa5 Qb4 {drops a piece.} ) 32...Bd7 33.Nc3 ( {Once more} 33.Rxa5 $6 {is bad due to} 33...Bxb5 34.Rxb5 $2 Qxb5 35.cxb5 Rxa2 ) 33...Re8 34.h3 {The refutation of the capture on a5 is less obvious this time:} ( 34.Rxa5 Rxa5 35.Rxa5 Qb4 36.Ra7 Be3 $1 ( 36...Qxc3 37.Rxd7 {is less accurate.} ) 37.Bxe3 Rxe3 {when White has serious problem with his back rank.} 38.Ne2 ( 38.Rxd7 Qxc3 39.Rd8+ Kh7 40.Qb1+ g6 ) 38...Rxb3 ) 34...Qb4 35.Qc2 Be3 {The insecure position of the white king is the key factor.} 36.Nd1 Bc5 ( {Also good was} 36...Bxf2 37.Nxf2 Re3 ) 37.Kh2 {Worse was} ( 37.Bxc5 dxc5 38.Qd2 Re1+ 39.Kh2 Qb8+ 40.g3 Qe5 {and Black completely dominates.} ) 37...Re1 38.Ra4 {Maze tries a tricky solution of his problems but falls into a hidden trap instead.} ( {He should have defended with} 38.Bxe1 Qxe1 39.Nf2 Qe5+ 40.g3 Bxa3 41.Rxa3 Ra8 {which would be still much better for Black though.} ) 38...Bxa4 39.Rxa4 {It seems as Black has too many pieces hanging, but...} 39...Bxf2 $1 {Clarifies the situation.} 40.Rxb4 {The other moves lose at once:} ( 40.Qxf2 Qxb3 ) ( 40.Nxf2 Qb6 ) 40...Bg1+ 41.Kg3 axb4 {The two rooks are clearly superior to the queen due to White's exposed king and passive knight.} 42.Qd2 Re8 43.Qxb4 Rb6 {White resigned due to} ( 43...Rb6 44.Qc3 Reb8 {when the king will have to go to a journey with no return-} 45.Qd2 Rxb3+ 46.Kg4 g6 47.Qxh6 Rd3 48.Qc1 Re8 ) 0-1

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix"]
[Site "Tehran IRI"]
[Date "2016.02.21"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Pogonina, Natalija"]
[Black "Xue, Zhao"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2454"]
[BlackElo "2506"]
[ECO "A87"]
[EventDate "2016.02.10"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7768027175469"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "IRI"]

1.d4 f5 {A clear sign of agressive intentions.} 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nf3 g6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 d6 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.b3 {A solid system in reply. This is one of the favourite lines of R. Kasimdzhanov.} 8...e5 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Ba3 Rf7 11.e4 f4 ( {The Guru of the Leningrad Dutch Malanuik prefers instead} 11...Nc6 12.exf5 Bxf5 13.Re1 Rd8 {with active piece play as compensation for the isolated pawn, Shinkevich,V (2477)-Kovalenko,I (2621) Izhevsk 2013} ) 12.Qc2 Nc6 13.Ng5 ( {A novelty in comarison to} 13.Nd5 Bg4 14.Bb2 Rd8 15.h3 ( 15.Ng5 $5 ) 15...Bxf3 16.Bxf3 Nxd5 17.cxd5 Nd4 {with approximate equality in Revesz,Z-Torma,R (2040) Paks 1998} ) 13...Rd7 14.Nd5 {Black's pieces look awkwardly placed but her next couple of moves clarify the situation.} 14...Nd4 15.Qb2 Nh5 $1 {Since the knight from d5 will leave soon it makes no sense to trade it. Although, objectively not bad is} ( 15...c6 16.Nxf6+ Bxf6 17.Nf3 ) 16.Rad1 c6 17.Nc3 {Now this knight will stand on the road of its own pieces. Black can be happy with the outcome of the opening. Her knight occupied a strong outpost and she has clear perspectives on the kingside.} 17...Rd8 {Even better was} ( 17...b6 $1 {with the idea to support the knight on d4 once it is challenged} 18.Ne2 c5 ) 18.Ne2 fxg3 19.fxg3 Bg4 20.Nxd4 $1 {Now White is back in business.} 20...Bxd1 $2 {This gives a strong initiative to White.} ( 20...exd4 {was the right thing to do.} ) 21.Nde6 Rd7 22.Nc5 {Pogonina starts to hesitate. Strong was} ( 22.Bh3 $1 {A move that creates threats not only against the black rook, but against the black king as well. For example:} 22...h6 23.Nf8 $1 Rdd8 24.Be6+ Kh8 25.Nf7+ {and White wins.} ) 22...Rd4 23.Nce6 {Once more strong was:} ( 23.Bh3 $1 {with an attack which proves decisive. A beautiful line runs:} 23...Bf6 24.Be6+ Kg7 25.Rxf6 $3 {Demolishing the key defender.} 25...Nxf6 ( {Or} 25...Kxf6 26.Qf2+ Kg7 27.Bf7 Qc8 28.Nce6+ Kh8 29.Be7 $1 {and checkmate comes on the dark squares.} ) 26.Bf7 Qc8 27.Nce6+ Kh8 28.Qf2 $1 {and once more Black cannot hold the dark squares.} ( {The prosaic} 28.Nxd4 $1 {is good enough too.} ) ) 23...Bg4 24.Nc7 $6 {One last slip and Zhao is off the hook. Pogonina should have taken care of the active rook} ( 24.Nxd4 $1 exd4 25.Qd2 {with the idea to put a bishop on d6 and then support it with c4-c5 and/or e4-e5. Black's position remains highly suspicious-} 25...h6 ( 25...Rd8 26.Nf7 Rd7 27.Nh6+ Bxh6 28.Qxh6 ) 26.Nf7 Kh7 27.e5 ) 24...Qd8 25.Nge6 Qd7 26.Nxd4 Qxc7 27.Nf3 Rd8 28.Qf2 Nf6 $1 {Attacks the important e4 pawn. Anytime it leaves the board the "Dutch" bishop comes into the play.} 29.Qxa7 Nxe4 30.Qe3 Bxf3 $1 {One more unconventional decision. The bishop was an excellent piece, but the knight was the perfect defender.} 31.Rxf3 {White has to be very careful already.} ( 31.Qxf3 $2 Nd2 ) ( {In case of} 31.Bxf3 {the bishop on g7 might get a chance to show what it is capable of} 31...Nxg3 $1 32.hxg3 e4 {when} 33.Qxe4 $2 {loses to} 33...Qxg3+ 34.Bg2 Bd4+ 35.Kh1 Be5 ) 31...Nd6 {The threat is e5-e4 followed by Nd6xc4 and Bg7-d4 skewering the most precious pieces.} 32.Bxd6 {A step in the wrong direction. Better was} ( 32.Bh3 {intending to meet} 32...e4 {with} 33.Bxd6 Qxd6 34.Qxe4 ) 32...Qxd6 33.Kh1 {This time} ( 33.Bh3 Qe7 ( {Or} 33...Qd4 {is good for Black.} ) ) 33...Qd2 34.Qb6 $2 {This is a decisive mistake in time-trouble. With the queens on the board White has no chances of survival as the "e" pawn cannot be blocked. The only chance was the endgame after} ( 34.Qxd2 Rxd2 35.Bh3 Rxa2 36.Bc8 b6 37.Bb7 {with reasonable chances to draw thanks to the opposite colored bishops.} ) 34...e4 35.Rf2 Qd3 36.Rf1 ( {More resilent would be} 36.Bf1 Qd7 37.Rf4 e3 ) 36...e3 37.Re1 Qd2 38.Bf1 Rf8 {In the final position, we can clearly see why White needed to swap off the queens.} 0-1

[Event "WGP 2016"]
[Site "Tehran IRI"]
[Date "2016.02.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Gunina, Valentina"]
[Black "Dzagnidze, Nana"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2496"]
[BlackElo "2529"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2016.02.10"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7770132709917"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "IRI"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 Bb4 6.Bg5 {The main line of the Vienna variation.} ( {Caruana sacrificed a pawn against Eljanov in Wijk an Zee with} 6.Bxc4 {instead, but later complained that he did not get enough compensation.} ) 6...c5 7.Bxc4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Qa5 10.Bxf6 Qxc3+ 11.Kf1 gxf6 12.Rc1 Qa5 13.h4 {All of this had been played many times before. For the pawn, White gets a development advantage, and the black king feels a bit nervous in the middle of the board. This last move is designed to bring the h1 rook into the game.} 13...Bd7 {Quick development.} ( {Gustafsson chose instead} 13...Ke7 {in a blitz game, but this seems somewhat depressing after} 14.Rh3 Nc6 15.Nxc6+ bxc6 16.Rd3 Rd8 17.Rxd8 Qxd8 18.Qb3 ( 18.Qf3 $5 ) 18...Qd6 19.Rd1 {Sasikiran,K (2654)-Gustafsson,J (2572) playchess.com INT 2004} ) 14.Rh3 Nc6 15.Nb5 {Gunina immediately uses the hole on d6. For an excellent attacking player like her, this might have felt very good.} 15...Ne5 16.Nd6+ Ke7 17.Nxb7 Qb6 {The point behind Dzagnidze's play. There are some issues now with the white knight.} 18.Rb3 {Both players follow the game Dreev-Horvath. Perhaps it made sense for White to defend the knight with the other rook.} ( 18.Rb1 Qc6 19.Be2 {thus not letting a chance to Black to swap off the queens.} ) 18...Ba4 {Now Black trades the queens and is no longer afraid of the insecure position of her king.} 19.Rxb6 Bxd1 20.Rbb1 Rhc8 {The novelty. Dreev got the upper hand after} ( 20...Ba4 21.Ba6 Bd7 22.Nc5 Rab8 23.f4 Nc6 24.Nxd7 $1 Kxd7 25.Bb5 {thanks to this nasty pin, Dreev,A (2495)-Horvath,C (2390) Arnhem 1988} ) 21.Na5 {The point behind Dzagnidze's idea is seen in the line:} ( 21.Nd6 Rcb8 ( {Better than the straightforward} 21...Kxd6 22.Rxd1+ Ke7 23.Rb7+ Kf8 24.Bb3 {which is advantageous for White.} ) 22.Rxb8 Rxb8 23.Rxd1 Rd8 24.Nf5+ exf5 25.Rxd8 Kxd8 26.Bd5 fxe4 ( 26...f4 ) 27.Bxe4 h6 {and although White is still better, Black should hold.} ) 21...Ba4 {Now Black has no problems whatsoever and the next active attempt suddenly leads to problems for White.} 22.Rb7+ $2 Kf8 {The power of the pin is multiplied by the lack of defense for the Rc1. The threat is Rc8-c5 followed by doubling of the rooks when the bishop will drop.} 23.f4 Nd3 24.Rc3 Nc5 $1 {Probably this is the move that Gunina missed. Instead, the obvious} ( 24...Nxf4 {may lead Black to trouble after} 25.Rf3 Nh5 26.g4 Ng7 ( {Black's best chance is} 26...Bc2 27.Rb2 Bd1 28.Be2 Bxe2+ 29.Kxe2 Ng7 30.Rxf6 {which is only slightly better for White.} ) 27.Rxf6 Be8 {and White dominates.} ) 25.Rb2 Nxe4 {Now a more important pawn has been netted and Dzagnidze is in control.} 26.Ra3 Be8 27.Bd3 Rc1+ 28.Ke2 f5 29.Nb3 Rc3 30.Ra5 Nf6 31.Nc5 Rc8 32.Nb7 {Allows one more pin. More resilent was} ( 32.Rc2 Rxc2+ 33.Bxc2 {Although here Black has the spectacular} 33...a6 $1 34.Bd3 Bb5 $1 35.Bxb5 Rxc5 {with another deadly pin.} ) 32...Rb8 ( 32...Bc6 $5 ) 33.Rxa7 Nd5 34.g3 Rc7 ( 34...Ne7 {was good enough to win material as well.} ) 35.Kd2 Ne7 $1 {It is over. The defenders will not hold their positions.} 36.g4 fxg4 37.Be4 f5 38.Bc2 Nc6 0-1

[Event "Chess Challenge 2016"]
[Site "Zürich"]
[Date "2016.02.13"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2798"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[Beauty "7220913773593"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:42"]
[BlackClock "0:06:21"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 a6 7.a4 O-O 8.Re1 h6 ( {A fresh game saw} 8...Ba7 9.Na3 h6 10.Nc2 Re8 11.Be3 Be6 12.Bxe6 Rxe6 13.Bxa7 Rxa7 14.d4 exd4 15.Nfxd4 Nxd4 16.Qxd4 Ra8 {with approximate equality, So,W (2773)-Mamedyarov,S (2747) Wijk aan Zee 2016} ) 9.h3 Be6 10.Bxe6 fxe6 {Funnily, Anand is trying to achieve similar position to the one he had against Aronian the round before with reversed colours!} 11.Be3 Bxe3 {The simplest and strongest move.} ( {The predecessor saw Black getting into some trouble after:} 11...Ba7 12.Bxa7 Rxa7 13.d4 ( 13.b4 $5 ) 13...exd4 14.cxd4 e5 15.Nc3 {Duexmann,M (1060)-Fraenzel,M (1495) Solingen 2005} ) 12.Rxe3 Qd7 ( 12...Nh5 {is premature due to the standard trick} 13.Nxe5 $1 ) ( {But} 12...Qe8 {is perfectly playable.} ) 13.Nbd2 ( {Normally White will be happy to advance in the center, but} 13.d4 {allows} 13...exd4 14.cxd4 d5 15.e5 Ne4 ) 13...Qf7 14.g3 ( 14.b4 $5 {to exapand on the queenside makes sense as well.} ) 14...Nd7 15.Kg2 a5 $1 {Anand can be happy with the opening, he equalized comfortably.} 16.Qc2 Nc5 17.Rf1 Qd7 18.b3 Ne7 ( 18...Rf7 {is more obvious, but Anand's move is more concrete.} ) 19.Nc4 b5 {The point behind Black's play. He gets counterplay against the b3 pawn.} 20.axb5 Qxb5 21.Rb1 Nc6 22.Ncd2 Rab8 23.d4 {Giri is trying to reduce the pressure against the b3 pawn.} 23...Nd7 ( 23...exd4 24.Nxd4 Qb7 25.Nxc6 Qxc6 26.b4 {is somewhat better for White instead.} ) 24.dxe5 Ndxe5 25.Nd4 {Safer was} ( 25.Nxe5 Qxe5 26.f4 Qc5 27.Qd3 Qb5 28.Qxb5 Rxb5 {with approximate equality.} ) 25...Nxd4 26.cxd4 Nc6 27.Qc3 Qb6 {Now the weaknesses are levelling themselves. The black pawns on c7 and a5 do not look too good, but neither do d4 and b3 in White's camp.} 28.Nf3 Nb4 29.Qc4 Rbe8 30.Rc1 Rf7 31.Nd2 $6 {A serious inaccuacy. Correct was:} ( 31.Ne1 $1 {when} 31...Ref8 32.Qxe6 {may lead to a sweet draw after} 32...d5 $1 33.exd5 ( 33.Qxb6 $2 Rxf2+ {is bad for White.} ) 33...Qxe6 34.dxe6 Rxf2+ 35.Kg1 Rf1+ 36.Kh2 R8f2+ 37.Ng2 Rxc1 38.e7 Rf8 39.exf8=Q+ Kxf8 ) 31...Ref8 32.f4 $2 {One innacuracy leads to a serious mistake.} ( {This time} 32.Qxe6 $2 {was bad for White as the knight on d2 is hanging} 32...d5 $1 33.exd5 Qxe6 34.dxe6 Rxf2+ ) ( {However} 32.Rf1 $1 {was correct when the game would have remained approximately even.} ) 32...e5 $1 {Anand immediately spots a tactical possibility and nets a pawn.} 33.Nf3 ( 33.f5 exd4 ) 33...exf4 34.gxf4 d5 $1 {And sacrifices is back for activity. The real problem for Giri is not the pawn, but the horrendous situation of his king.} 35.exd5 Qd6 36.Ne5 Rxf4 37.Kg1 {The pawn on c7 is taboo due to the knight fork} ( 37.Qxc7 Qxc7 38.Rxc7 Nxd5 ) 37...Kh7 ( 37...Nxd5 38.Rg3 {is less clear.} ) 38.Rg3 R8f5 39.Rg4 {Once more the c7 pawn is invincible:} ( 39.Qxc7 Rf1+ 40.Kh2 R5f2+ 41.Rg2 Qf6 ) 39...Qf6 {Anand energetically conducts the attack.} 40.Rxf4 Rxf4 41.Rf1 Qg5+ 42.Kh2 Re4 43.Nf3 ( {Slightly more resilient is} 43.Rg1 {but this should also lose say after} 43...Qf4+ 44.Kh1 Qf5 45.Kh2 Re3 46.Qf1 Qxf1 47.Rxf1 Rxb3 ) 43...Qf4+ 44.Kg2 Re3 45.Qc1 Re2+ 46.Kh1 Qg3 0-1

[Event "5th Zurich CC 2016"]
[Site "Zürich SUI"]
[Date "2016.02.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2016.02.12"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[Beauty "4536693435400"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nbd2 Be6 ( {Karjakin defended differently a couple of weeks ago} 6...O-O 7.Nc4 Nd7 8.Qe2 Re8 9.Bd2 Bd6 10.h4 Nf8 11.h5 Ne6 {Caruana,F (2787)-Karjakin, S (2769) Wijk aan Zee 2016} ) 7.O-O Nd7 8.Nb3 Bb6 9.Ng5 Bxb3 10.axb3 f6 11.Nf3 Nc5 12.Nd2 O-O 13.Nc4 Ne6 14.Kh1 Qd7 15.Qg4 {Nakamura is not shy revealing one of his novelties in Zurich.} ( {White did not achieve much after} 15.g3 a6 16.f4 exf4 17.Nxb6 cxb6 18.gxf4 f5 19.Be3 c5 20.e5 Qd5+ 21.Qf3 Rfd8 {Zhang,X (2364)-Shen,Y (2460) Zhongshan 2015} ) 15...Rad8 16.Be3 Bd4 $1 17.Bxd4 ( 17.Na5 $5 ) 17...Nxd4 18.Qxd7 Rxd7 {After the trade of the queens Kramnik equalizes comfortably.} 19.Rxa7 Nxc2 20.Rxb7 Rxd3 21.h4 Nd4 22.b4 ( 22.Rxc7 Rf7 23.Rc8+ Rf8 ) 22...Ne6 {Now it is even Black who has slight edge.} 23.Rc1 Ra8 24.b5 cxb5 25.Rxb5 Rad8 26.f3 h5 27.Kh2 Nf4 28.Rc5 R8d7 29.Na3 $2 {A blunder which puts Nakamura on the verge of defeat.} ( 29.Ra1 ) 29...Rd2 {Simply wins a pawn. In this disatrous situation Nakamura shows masterly defensive skills.} 30.R1c2 $1 {The only move.} ( {If the other rooks drops back then} 30.R5c2 Nxg2 31.Rxd2 Rxd2 32.Rxc7 Nf4+ $1 {forces the white king on the first rank which is deadly for White} 33.Kg1 ( 33.Kg3 Rg2# ) 33...Rxb2 {White will soon lose the h4 pawn.} ) ( 30.Rg1 {should be another move that needs to be avoided as the extra pawn plus activity will definitely lead to won position for Black. Say} 30...Rxb2 31.Nc4 Re2 32.Ra5 Rd4 33.Rc5 Rc2 ) 30...Nxg2 31.Rxc7 Ne3+ ( 31...Ne1+ {is similar after} 32.Rxd2 Rxd2+ 33.Kg3 ( 33.Kh3 Nxf3 ) 33...Rg2+ 34.Kh3 Rxb2 35.Rc3 Ng2 ) 32.Rxd2 Rxd2+ 33.Kh3 {Once again, the only move. We know that the king cannot afford being cut along the second rank as White will soon lose the h4 pawn and if} ( 33.Kg3 $4 {then mate follows} 33...Nf1+ 34.Kh3 Rh2# ) 33...Rf2 ( 33...Rxb2 {at once is the other idea. Then after} 34.Rc1 {Black indeed wins (see the analysis below.) However, critical is the exchange sacrifice} ( 34.Nc4 $3 Rc2 35.Rxg7+ Kxg7 36.Nxe3 Re2 37.Nf5+ Kg6 38.Kg3 {which looks like a fortress to me. The pawn on h5 demands a defender all the time, thus Kramnik cannot unite the efforts of his pieces to grab the f3 pawn.} ) ) 34.Kg3 Rxb2 35.Rc1 f5 $6 {Amazingly, this let the win slip away. Correct was} ( 35...Rg2+ $1 {which transposes to the winning line from above after} 36.Kh3 Ra2 37.Rc3 ( 37.Nc4 Ng2 38.Rg1 Nf4+ 39.Kg3 Ne2+ ) 37...Ng2 38.Rc8+ Kh7 39.Nc2 Nf4+ 40.Kg3 Ne2+ 41.Kh3 {Then he has to improve the position of the king.} 41...Kg6 42.Rc5 Kf7 43.Rc7+ Ke6 44.Rc4 Kd7 45.Rc5 Kd6 ( 45...Rb2 46.Rc4 Rb3 47.Kg2 Nf4+ 48.Kg3 Rb2 49.Rc5 ) 46.Rc8 {Finally, the pawns should come} 46...g5 47.hxg5 fxg5 48.Rc4 Rb2 49.Rc8 Rb3 50.Kg2 Nf4+ 51.Kg3 g4 52.Ne1 Re3 53.Rd8+ Ke6 54.Rd1 Kf6 55.Kh4 gxf3 56.Kg3 h4+ 57.Kf2 ( 57.Kxh4 Rxe1 ) 57...Rxe4 {finally winning a second pawn and the game.} ) 36.Nc4 $1 {Nakamura knows that the knights are the main danger for him.} ( {But not} 36.exf5 Nxf5+ 37.Kh3 Rb3 {which will win a second pawn for Black.} ) 36...f4+ ( {The rook endgame is a draw} 36...Nxc4 37.Rxc4 f4+ 38.Kh3 Re2 ( 38...Rf2 39.Rc3 ) 39.Rc7 Re3 40.Kg2 ) 37.Kh3 Rf2 {Seems as Kramnik is winning but...} 38.Nxe5 $1 Nf1 39.Rxf1 Rxf1 40.Kg2 $1 {And White is just in time to net the f4 pawn} 40...Ra1 41.Ng6 Ra2+ 42.Kg1 {The king has to move to the back rank but that is only temporary.} ( 42.Kh3 $4 Rf2 {loses for White instead.} ) 42...Ra1+ 43.Kg2 Ra2+ 44.Kg1 Kf7 45.Nxf4 g6 46.Ng2 Kf6 47.Kh2 Ke5 48.Kg3 {The king is out and it is a fortress since the g6 pawn demands defense.} 48...Ra1 49.Nf4 Kd4 50.Kg2 ( 50.Nxg6 $4 Rg1+ ) 50...Ra2+ 51.Kg3 Ra1 52.Kg2 Ra8 53.Kf2 Ra6 54.Ne2+ Ke5 55.Kg3 Rf6 56.Kf2 Rf8 57.Kg3 Rf7 58.Kf2 Ra7 59.Kg3 Ra8 60.Nf4 Rg8 61.Ne2 g5 ( {Nothing changes} 61...Rf8 62.Nc3 Rh8 63.Nd5 {as the knight still reaches the f4 square.} ) 62.hxg5 Rxg5+ 63.Kh4 Rg2 64.Ng3 {There is just one last pawn left to the draw.} 64...Rh2+ 65.Kg5 h4 66.f4+ {Very accurate!} ( 66.Nf5 {should also draw, but why to let the black king in after} 66...h3 67.Kg4 Rd2 68.Kxh3 Kf4 69.Ng3 Kxf3 70.e5 ) 66...Ke6 67.Nf5 h3 68.Kg4 Rh1 69.Ng3 Rh2 70.e5 Rf2 71.Ne4 {Once again the most accurate move although} ( 71.Kxh3 Rxf4 72.Ne2 Ra4 73.Kg3 {is a draw as well.} ) 71...Rg2+ 72.Kxh3 {A draw agreed due to} 72...Rg1 73.Ng3 1/2-1/2

[Event "5th Zurich CC 2016"]
[Site "Zürich SUI"]
[Date "2016.02.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2016.02.12"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7699802619911"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 O-O 6.e3 Nbd7 7.c5 {A very solid line of the QGD arose.} 7...c6 8.h3 b6 9.b4 a5 10.a3 h6 {Interestingly, Aronian was one of the people to play like that as Black. As well as his long-term second Gabriel Sargissian.} 11.Bd3 Ba6 12.O-O {Toplaov tried instead:} ( 12.Bxa6 Rxa6 13.O-O {Against Adams in London some moths ago but did not get much of the opening after} 13...Qc8 14.Rb1 axb4 15.axb4 Qb7 16.Ne1 ( 16.b5 $5 ) 16...Rfa8 {Topalov,V (2803)-Adams,M (2744) London 2015} ) 12...Bxd3 13.Qxd3 Qc8 {A logical novelty. The queen is heading to b7 from where it will support the queenside and let the rooks get connected. This is way better than:} ( 13...Nh7 14.Rfe1 Ng5 15.Ne5 Nxe5 16.Bxe5 Nh7 {as in Misiuk, I (1630)-Petkeviciute,J (1812) Vilnius 2009} ) 14.Rfc1 Qb7 15.Rab1 {Aronian prepares the strong break b4-b5, but by doing so he leaves the "a" file in Nakamura's hands. It was not yet possible:} ( 15.b5 $6 bxc5 ) 15...axb4 16.axb4 Rfc8 ( {In case of} 16...b5 {White might change his mind and start playing for the file with} 17.Ra1 Ra7 18.Qd1 Rfa8 19.Nd2 {followed by Nd2-b3-a5 and doubling of the rooks behind the knight shelter.} ) ( 16...Ra6 $6 {will give White a chance to do what he wants-} 17.b5 cxb5 18.Qxb5 Qa8 19.Ne5 {with significant pressure.} ) ( {However} 16...Ra7 {was possible and if} 17.b5 bxc5 ) 17.Nd2 Bd8 {One more accurate move. Nakamura will trade the bishops and further relieve his position.} 18.Nb3 Bc7 ( 18...b5 {is also a possibility but White may have slight pull after} 19.Ra1 Rxa1 20.Rxa1 Ra8 21.Qb1 ) 19.Bxc7 Qxc7 20.Ra1 ( 20.cxb6 Nxb6 21.Na5 $5 {is other option.} ) 20...Qb7 21.b5 $2 {Aronian confuses the move order. It should be noted that he was already very short on time. Correct was the preliminary} ( 21.Rxa8 Rxa8 {and then} 22.b5 {The difference is that his rook will be standing on c1. Still, the play should be roughly equal after both} 22...cxb5 ( {Or} 22...bxc5 23.dxc5 cxb5 24.Qxb5 Qc7 ) 23.Qxb5 Qc7 ) 21...Rxa1 $1 {Better than} ( 21...bxc5 22.Na5 Qc7 23.Nxc6 c4 24.Qe2 Nb6 25.Qe1 {with slight edge for White which is what Aronian was probably hoping for.} ) 22.Rxa1 ( 22.Nxa1 {drops a pawn anyway} 22...bxc5 ) 22...bxc5 {Simply picks a pawn.} 23.Na5 ( {Since} 23.Nxc5 Nxc5 24.dxc5 Nd7 $1 {will leave c5 exposed.} ) 23...Qa8 24.Nb3 Qb7 25.Na5 Qa8 26.Nb3 Qb8 {Yes, there is no need to repeat moves.} 27.dxc5 {The computer suggest} ( 27.Nxc5 Nxc5 28.dxc5 cxb5 29.Qxb5 Qxb5 30.Nxb5 Rxc5 {but five versus four on the same flank is not a draw, especially with knights on the board.} ) 27...cxb5 28.Qd4 {A similar endgame as above can arise after:} ( 28.Qxb5 Qxb5 29.Nxb5 Nxc5 30.Rc1 Nfd7 {Black has serious winning chances.} ) 28...b4 29.Na4 ( {Or else the pawn on c5 would be lost} 29.Na2 Ne4 30.Nxb4 Ndxc5 {but this was perhaps White's best bet. Now he will lose more.} ) 29...Qb5 30.Qb2 Ne4 31.f3 Nexc5 32.Naxc5 Nxc5 33.Rc1 {The last hope is the pin, but Nakamura had everything under control.} 33...Rc7 34.Qe5 Qb6 ( 34...Na6 35.Rxc7 Qb8 36.Qd6 Nxc7 {is less precise.} ) 35.f4 $2 {This makes things easy for Black. Last dim of home was:} ( 35.Qd4 Na4 36.Rxc7 Qxc7 37.Qxb4 ) 35...Na6 {Now Nakamura is two healthy pawns ahead and has huge advantage on the clock. The game ended very quickly after} 36.Ra1 Rc3 37.Nd4 Nc7 38.Rb1 f6 39.Qh5 Rxe3 0-1

[Event "WCh Women 2016"]
[Site "Lvov UKR"]
[Date "2016.03.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Muzychuk, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "C80"]
[EventDate "2016.03.02"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8247813608995"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]

1.e4 e5 {Already a slight surprise. Muzychuk rarely opts for the open games.} 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {The world champion had tested the Open Ruy Lopez three times in 2015.} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Be3 {And a micro-surprise in return. In seven out of the eight games that Hou had played against this pasrticular line she opted for the main lines after 9. Nb1-d2. In just one she tried 9.Bc1-e3 but it was against none else but Viktor Kortschnoj!} 9...Be7 {The main line. The above-mentioned game continued:} ( 9...Bc5 {This move is considered dubous as White is usually happy to trade the dark-squared bishops. However after} 10.Bxc5 Nxc5 11.Nd4 Nxd4 12.Qxd4 Nb7 13.c3 c5 14.Qf4 Na5 15.Bc2 h6 $1 16.Nd2 Qg5 17.Qxg5 hxg5 {Black successfully solved his opening problems and went on to win later, Hou,Y (2523) -Kortschnoj,V (2610) Paks 2007} ) 10.c3 O-O 11.Nbd2 Qd7 12.Bc2 Nxd2 ( 12...f5 {is more common.} ) 13.Qxd2 Bg4 14.Bf4 {Hou allows the doubling of her pawns but keeps a strong grip in the center. According to my Megabase this is an over-the-board novelty.} ( {Another way to play it is} 14.Qd3 g6 15.Bh6 {although Black did great after} 15...Rfe8 16.Rfe1 Bf5 17.Qd2 Bxc2 18.Qxc2 Nd8 19.Rad1 Ne6 {with excellent position for the second player in Kokarev,D (2638) -Short,N (2664) Kolkata 2015} ) 14...Bxf3 15.gxf3 Rad8 {Only this move is an actual novelty. One correspondence game saw:} ( 15...Nd8 16.Rad1 c6 17.Kh1 f5 18.Rg1 Ne6 {and with this excellent blockading piece on e6 Black can hardly be worse, Nyman,S-Lilloni,L Italy 1972} ) 16.Rfd1 Qe6 {The slightly weird} ( 16...Bh4 {deserved attention, trying to prevent the set-up with Bf4-g3 and the pawn advance to f5.} ) 17.Qe3 {"I started to dislike my position" Muzychuk. Hou Yifan considered it "very complicated."} 17...Rd7 {This move seems as the beginning of Black's actual problems.} ( {Muzychuk did not like} 17...Na5 {due to} 18.b3 c5 19.a4 Nc6 20.axb5 axb5 21.Ra6 {and White is more pleasant. One key point here is that} 21...Ra8 {is strongly met with} 22.Qd3 $1 ) ( {However} 17...Bh4 $5 {was still very interesting.} ) ( {Another interesting idea was} 17...g6 18.Bg3 {and only now} 18...Na5 19.b3 c5 20.a4 Nc6 21.axb5 axb5 22.Ra6 Ra8 {In comparison to the above-mentioned line there is no Qe3-d3 killer here.} ) 18.Bg3 {With the obvious intention f3-f4-f5.} 18...g6 ( {On} 18...Na5 {White is not obliged to go for a slightly better endgame with} 19.f4 ( {But can play for more instead} 19.b3 c5 20.a4 {with advantage for White.} ) 19...f5 20.exf6 ( 20.b3 c5 ) 20...Qxe3 21.fxe3 Bxf6 ) ( {The problem with the immediate} 18...f5 19.exf6 Qxf6 20.Bb3 {is that the d5 pawn is in danger.} ) 19.a4 $1 {Strong play by Hou. The open "a" file will help her kingside attack.} 19...Nd8 ( {Muzychuk did not like} 19...b4 20.f4 ( {Or the immediate} 20.a5 bxc3 21.bxc3 {followed by Bc2-a4 "and nobody knows what is my rook doing on d7" Muzychuk.} ) 20...f5 21.a5 ) 20.axb5 axb5 21.f4 f6 ( 21...f5 22.exf6 {will most likely transpose.} ) ( {he pawn cannot be allowed on f5-} 21...c6 22.f5 gxf5 23.Qf3 {as the light-sqaures in Black's camp will crumble.} ) 22.exf6 Qxf6 {Here an endgame will be impossible since after} ( 22...Qxe3 23.fxe3 Bxf6 24.Bb3 c6 25.e4 {White would win a pawn.} ) 23.Qe2 {There is no need to sacrifice anything:} ( 23.f5 gxf5 24.Be5 Qe6 25.Kh1 Bf6 {although this looks very attractive for White as well.} ) 23...c6 24.Qg4 Rb7 25.f5 {White achieved big advantage and on the top of that the world champion was in serious time trouble.} 25...Bd6 $1 {The best defense is the counter-attack.} ( 25...Kg7 {does not save the pawn due to} 26.fxg6 hxg6 27.Be5 $1 Qxe5 28.Qxg6+ Kh8 29.Qh7# ) 26.Ra6 $1 {This is what the "a" file was opened for. Worse was} ( 26.fxg6 Bxg3 27.Qxg3 hxg6 {when the pawn is invincible} 28.Bxg6 $2 ( 28.Qxg6+ $2 Rg7 ) 28...Rg7 ) 26...Rg7 27.fxg6 Bc5 {The most stubborn defense was} ( 27...Bxg3 28.Qxg3 Qe7 ( {But not} 28...hxg6 $2 29.Rxd5 $1 ) 29.Bd3 hxg6 {when White is clearly better but there will be a lot of fight ahead.} ) 28.Kg2 $1 {Moves out of the pin and prepares the advance of the "f" pawn.} ( 28.Kh1 $1 {was also strong. As long as the king moves away from the check White is doing great.} ) 28...hxg6 {In order to avoid the loss of the pawn in the line} ( 28...Qe7 29.f4 hxg6 30.Bxg6 ) 29.Rxd5 Bxf2 ( {White wins a lot of pawns in the line} 29...cxd5 30.Rxf6 Rxf6 31.Qg5 Be7 32.Qxd5+ ) 30.Bb3 $1 {A pretty ambush. The threat of discovered check forces} 30...Ne6 ( {As} 30...Nf7 {allows} 31.Bxf2 ) 31.Rd6 {But now the knight is under a deadly pin.} 31...Bc5 {The last little trick in the time trouble.} 32.Qxe6+ ( 32.Rxe6 $4 {would be slightly embarrassing} 32...Qf1# ) 1-0

[Event "WCh Women 2016"]
[Site "Lvov UKR"]
[Date "2016.03.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Muzychuk, M."]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2554"]
[BlackElo "2673"]
[ECO "E01"]
[EventDate "2016.03.02"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "6323534038023"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]

1.d4 {Just like in game two Muzychuk shows widen opening preparation. Although she had played 1.d4 before this was not her main choice, but still she wants to indicate that there will be a battle all over the place.} 1...Nf6 {The two ladies have played the Catalan before. The move order in that game was:} ( 1...d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.Qxc4 b5 9.Qc2 Bb7 10.Bd2 Be4 11.Qc1 Bb7 {with relatively short draw on move twenty, Muzychuk,M (2460)-Hou,Y (2578) Mardin 2011} ) 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 ( {Hou has games after} 4.Nf3 Bb4+ ) 4...Bb4+ {Hou also shows excellent preparation. So far she had chosen mainly the} ( 4...Be7 {line.} ) 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Nf3 O-O 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Qc2 c6 9.Rd1 b6 10.Bf4 Ba6 ( {The main move is} 10...Bb7 {which leads to more complicated positions after} 11.Nc3 dxc4 12.Nd2 Nd5 13.Nxc4 Nxf4 14.gxf4 Qc7 15.e3 {Wang,Y (2718)-Harikrishna,P (2753) Huaian 2016} ) 11.cxd5 {The Chinese grandmaster definitely studied in depth the pawn sacrifice after} ( 11.Ne5 Rc8 12.Nc3 Bxc4 13.Nxc4 dxc4 14.e4 b5 {After all, she witnessed this game live some weeks ago, So,W (2773)-Karjakin,S (2769) Wijk aan Zee 2016} ) 11...cxd5 12.Ne5 {The arising position resembles the Exchanged Slav. If Black manages to finish the development without much ado she would be safe. Thus, the next moves look more or less forced:} 12...Rc8 13.Nc6 Bb5 14.Nxe7+ Qxe7 15.Nc3 Nh5 {A typical idea to get rid of the active bishop.} 16.Be3 Nhf6 17.a4 {A novelty. "Now after the game I believe I should not have hurried with this move" said Muzychuk.} ( {Instead she suggested} 17.Qd2 {which had already been played though, without White achieving much after} 17...Ba6 18.Bf4 Nh5 19.Bg5 Nhf6 20.Bf4 Nh5 21.Bg5 Nhf6 {\BD-\BD (21) Wen,Y (2581) -Yu,Y (2667) China 2014. This game was played in China and obviously Hou knew about it which only shows how deep her preparation was.} ) 17...Bc4 {With the intention to block the a4 pawn with a7-a5 after which the manuver Nd7-b8-a6-b4 will look good for Black. That forces the following play:} 18.a5 bxa5 19.Rxa5 Qb4 20.Rda1 ( {Not} 20.Rxa7 $2 Bb3 ) 20...Rb8 21.Rxa7 Qxb2 22.Qxb2 Rxb2 {The pawns on the queenside disappeared and the symmetry works in favor of the knights. Muzychuk's only chance is to profit from the active position of her rooks.} 23.Bf3 ( 23.g4 $5 {at once deserved attention, although after} 23...h6 24.h4 Nb8 {Black is solid enough, say} 25.g5 Ng4 26.gxh6 Nxe3 27.hxg7 Kxg7 28.fxe3 Bxe2 ) 23...h6 {Black makes a useful move that discourages the g3-g4-g5 idea and gives air to the king. Also possible was} ( 23...Rc8 24.Ra8 Rxa8 25.Rxa8+ Rb8 ) 24.h4 {In case of} ( 24.Rc7 Rfb8 25.Raa7 {Black can defend with} 25...g5 ( {Or even better} 25...Rc2 ) ) 24...Rc8 {The most precise move. There is no need to allow both white rooks on the seventh rank:} ( 24...h5 25.Rc7 Rfb8 26.Raa7 Rc2 27.Na4 Rb1+ 28.Kg2 ) 25.Bf4 {This was the last moment to try the g3-g4 idea:} ( 25.g4 $5 Rc2 26.R1a3 Nf8 ( 26...Nb8 {is still possible.} ) 27.g5 hxg5 28.hxg5 N6d7 {White has a bit of a pull, but since the pawns are facing each other the draw will soon become inevitable.} ) 25...Rc2 26.R7a3 h5 {Now that the position is fixed the two bishops are not much useful.} 27.Kg2 Kh7 28.Rc1 Rxc1 29.Bxc1 e5 {Forces further trades and secures the draw.} 30.dxe5 Nxe5 31.Be3 Nxf3 32.Kxf3 Ne4 33.Nxe4 dxe4+ 34.Kxe4 Bxe2 35.Ra5 f6 36.Rc5 Rxc5 {Hou succesfully solved the problem of the "black color" today.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "WCh Women 2016"]
[Site "Lvov UKR"]
[Date "2016.03.06"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Muzychuk, M."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "C83"]
[EventDate "2016.03.02"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[Beauty "6599238279691"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {Muzychuk repeats the Open Ruy Lopez.} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.c3 {Hou on her turn decides to check what her opponent prepared against one of the main lines.} ( {Instead} 9.Be3 {was tested in game two which was quite a success for the Chinese player.} ) 9...Be7 10.Bc2 Bg4 ( 10...O-O {is more common here.} ) 11.h3 Bh5 12.g4 Bg6 13.Nd4 Nxd4 {Muzychuk came well armed for this game. A strong novelty in comparison to the fresh top GM game:} ( 13...Qd7 14.f4 Nxd4 15.cxd4 f5 16.Be3 O-O 17.Nc3 c6 18.Bxe4 dxe4 19.d5 {with advantage for White in Caruana,F (2787)-Wei,Y (2706) Wijk aan Zee 2016. Needless to say, Hou Yifan was on the front rows observing this game. On top of that her compatroit Wei Yi was the victim here and she definitely knew something about the line. Still, Muzychuk seemed better prepared.} ) 14.cxd4 ( {Of course not} 14.Qxd4 $2 Bc5 ) 14...h5 {The black knight is almost rapped in the middle of the board, but the white king is not a happy piece either. Which of those two will be more important?} 15.f3 Ng3 {Everything is pretty forced.} ( {The retreat} 15...Ng5 $2 {is bad for two reasons. Either} 16.Bxg6 ( {Or} 16.Bxg5 Bxg5 17.f4 Bxc2 18.Qxc2 Be7 19.Qc6+ ) 16...fxg6 17.Bxg5 Bxg5 18.f4 {would give huge advantage to White.} ) ( {The immediate sacrifice} 15...hxg4 16.fxe4 {seems less accurate as the white king can eventually hide behind the black pawn. Say} 16...gxh3 17.Nc3 dxe4 18.Kh2 ) 16.Rf2 ( 16.Bxg6 Nxf1 {wins material for Black.} ) 16...hxg4 {Muzychuk thought for 15 minutes here, but then played her next moves very quickly. It's the most forcing continuation, although my computer also likes:} ( 16...Bxc2 17.Qxc2 c5 18.Bf4 h4 19.dxc5 d4 {with a highly complicated position.} ) 17.Bxg6 Rxh3 $1 {Not} ( 17...fxg6 18.Qd3 Kf7 19.fxg4+ {which would have won for White.} ) 18.Qc2 Bc5 $3 {A beautiful discovery. The bishop opens the road for the queen, with tempo.} ( {It seems as White is winning as the obvious capture:} 18...fxg6 $2 19.Qxg6+ {would lose plenty of material for Black after} 19...Kd7 ( {Or} 19...Kf8 20.fxg4+ Kg8 21.Kg2 ) 20.Qxg4+ ) ( {Black could have also trasposed the moves with} 18...Rh1+ 19.Kg2 Bc5 $3 ) ( {The other discoveries would not be as effectiive-} 18...Bb4 $2 19.fxg4 Rh1+ 20.Kg2 {wins for White.} ) 19.Qxc5 $1 {Now the black queen has been opened there is no time for jokes. Hou had to find this only move to secure the draw. Everything else was losing:} ( 19.fxg4 Rh1+ 20.Kg2 Qh4 {with mating attack.} ) ( 19.dxc5 Rh1+ 20.Kg2 Qh4 {is similar, the white king is helpless.} ) ( 19.Bxf7+ Kxf7 20.fxg4+ Kg8 21.Qxc5 Rh1+ 22.Kg2 Qh4 {once more leaves no defenders for the white king which is attacked by a huge amount of black pieces.} ) 19...Rh1+ 20.Kg2 Rh2+ {Muzychuk forces perpetual check. She cannot play for a win as after:} ( 20...Qh4 $2 21.Qc6+ Kf8 22.Qxa8+ Ke7 23.Bg5+ Qxg5 24.fxg4 {the black king is also very exposed.} ) 21.Kg1 {The rook is not edible:} ( 21.Kxh2 $4 Qh4+ 22.Kg2 Qh3+ 23.Kg1 Qh1# ) 21...Rh1+ {Superb preparation by Muzychuk who successfully solved the problem of the black color and will be pressing with the white pieces in the next game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "WCh Women 2016"]
[Site "Lvov UKR"]
[Date "2016.03.08"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Muzychuk, M."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "A11"]
[EventDate "2016.03.02"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Beauty "6529021378566"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]

1.c4 {Time for Hou Yifan to show her hidden weapons.} 1...c6 2.Nf3 {In the only game in which the Chinese GM used the 1.c4 c6 move order, she chose to switch to the Caro Kann with} ( 2.e4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Bb5 {Hou,Y (2673)-Stefanova,A (2517) Beijing 2014} ) ( {A recent game from Muzychuk saw:} 2.Nc3 d5 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 5.b3 Nbd7 6.Bb2 Bd6 7.Qc2 O-O 8.Rg1 Ne5 9.Nxe5 Bxe5 10.g4 d4 {with unclear play Docx,S (2416) -Muzychuk,M (2554) Gibraltar 2016} ) 2...d5 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Qa4 {A relatively rare move that keeps the position fresh.} ( {If White wishes, she can transpose into the Gruenfeld Fianchetto line after} 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.d4 Nf6 7.Nc3 O-O 8.Ne5 {as in Karjakin,S (2762)-Andreikin,D (2720) Baku 2015} ) ( 5.O-O {is the other common choice of the first player.} ) 5...dxc4 6.Qxc4 e5 7.d3 Ne7 8.O-O Na6 {A novelty in comparison to} ( 8...O-O 9.Nc3 Be6 10.Qa4 h6 11.Bd2 Nd7 {Rapport,R (2547)-Tischbierek,R (2454) Germany 2012} ) 9.Bd2 O-O {Winning the exchange in this situation is quite optimistic.} ( 9...e4 $6 10.Qxe4 Bxb2 11.Bc3 Bxa1 12.Bxa1 O-O 13.Bf6 {will leave White's dark-squared bishop dominating the board.} ) 10.Qc1 Nf5 {As a result of the rare opening, a position typical for the Reversed Dragon arose. With her last move, Muzychuk reveals her main plan in the position - to bring the knight to the excellent outpost on d4.} 11.Na3 ( {Perhaps better was the standard} 11.Nc3 {when Black can transfer the second knight towards the d4 point with} 11...Nc5 ) 11...Nd4 {Since White cannot tolerate this knight for very long and can't chase it away with e2-e3 (due to the potential weakness of the d3 pawn) a trade on the d4 square will happen very soon. This will be beneficial for the second player who will get the half-open "e" file for her heavy pieces where she would pressurize the backward pawn on e2. The ultimate goal of all of this would be to force the "e" pawn to advance and leave White with either an isolated "d" pawn or two hanging pawns on the "d" and the "e" files.} 12.Re1 Bg4 13.Nxd4 exd4 {Muzychuk considered her position slightly better while Hou believed that things are not that clear.} 14.Bh6 Re8 ( 14...Bxh6 15.Qxh6 Re8 {gives White extra options, like} 16.Qf4 {with huge complications after} 16...Bxe2 17.Nc4 Bxd3 18.Nd6 Re7 19.Rad1 ) 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Qd2 ( 16.Qf4 {was also interesting here as after} 16...Bxe2 17.Nc4 {White threatens the Nc4-d6 or Nc4-e5 jumps and} 17...Bxd3 $4 {loses due to} 18.Rxe8 Qxe8 19.Qxd4+ ) 16...Qd7 {Muzychuk alos considered} ( 16...Qf6 {but did not like} 17.h3 Be6 {which would block the "e" file.} ) 17.Nc4 f6 {Not a generally desirable move but} ( 17...Re7 18.Qf4 {was not to Black's taste.} ) 18.h4 {Hou found a way to solve the problem of the backward pawn.} ( 18.e4 dxe3 19.Rxe3 Rxe3 20.Nxe3 Be6 {is somewhat better for Black.} ) 18...Re7 ( 18...Rad8 {would have stopped White's idea, but Muzychuk wanted to double the rooks along the half-open file.} ) 19.e4 dxe3 20.Nxe3 {Black provoked the advance of the "e" pawn, but her pieces are not well co-ordinated at the moment.} 20...Be6 ( 20...Rae8 21.Nxg4 Qxg4 22.Rxe7+ Rxe7 23.Re1 ) 21.d4 {White intends to get rid of the isolated pawn with d4-d5 at the proper moment.} 21...Rae8 ( 21...Rd8 22.Rad1 ) 22.b3 Nc7 23.Qb4 Nd5 {Now mass exchanges lead to an obvious draw.} 24.Nxd5 Bxd5 25.Rxe7+ Qxe7 26.Qxe7+ Rxe7 27.Bxd5 cxd5 28.Rc1 Kf7 29.Kf1 Ke6 30.Ke2 Kd6+ 31.Kd3 Rc7 32.Re1 Re7 33.Rc1 Rc7 {Once again, the world champion easily solved her problems as black and will press in the next game as White.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "WCh Women 2016"]
[Site "Lvov UKR"]
[Date "2016.03.09"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Muzychuk, M."]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2554"]
[BlackElo "2673"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2016.03.02"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7767603544593"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 O-O 7.Bg5 {Muzychuk deviates from the opening match game. It saw:} ( 7.h3 h6 8.Re1 a6 9.a4 Ba7 10.Nbd2 Re8 11.Nf1 Be6 12.Bxe6 Rxe6 {and Black managed to comfortably equalize and draw later, Muzychuk,M (2554)-Hou Yifan (2673) Lviv UKR 2016} ) 7...h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Bg3 g4 {A rare move. In fact, there is only one game like this in my Megabase. No wonder. Black is playing really risky chess. If the first player manages to open the game later with f2-f3(f4), Black's position will not be sweet. The main move in the position is:} ( 9...Bg4 10.Nbd2 a6 11.a4 Ba7 12.Re1 Nh5 13.h3 Bc8 14.Nf1 Qf6 {when Black is generally doing fine, Lie,K (2509)-Khairullin,I (2657) Yerevan 2014} ) 10.Nh4 Nh5 ( {Perhaps} 10...d5 $5 {with the idea to take the f5 square from the white knight made sense.} 11.exd5 Nxd5 ) 11.a4 {Secures the a2-g8 diagonal for the bishop with tepmo.} ( {It is not easy to open play on the kingside yet.} 11.Kh1 Qg5 12.f3 $2 gxf3 13.Rxf3 ( 13.Qxf3 $4 Bg4 {actually traps the queen.} ) 13...Bg4 ) 11...a6 12.Na3 {The knight is heading for the e3 square, and this is its fastest route.} ( 12.Nd2 Qg5 13.Re1 Be6 {looks OK for Black.} ) 12...Qg5 13.Nc2 Ba7 14.Ne3 {Muzychuk played confidently and relatively fast in the opening stage of the game.} ( {A novelty in comparison to} 14.d4 Bd7 15.Qd3 Rae8 16.b4 Ne7 17.f3 Ng6 {and Black stood well in Jakovenko,D (2733)-Bok,B (2572) Caleta 2015} ) 14...Ne7 {Hou did not dare to grab the pawn. Indeed, after} ( 14...Bxe3 15.fxe3 Nxg3 16.hxg3 Qxe3+ 17.Kh2 {(Hou) White's pressure along the "f" file together with the nice outpost on f5 give excellent attacking chances to the first player.} ) 15.d4 Qg7 {The computer suggests instead the very concrete line:} ( 15...exd4 16.cxd4 Qg7 {with central pressure to compensate for the lack of pawns in this vital part of the board.} ) 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.Nef5 ( {Muzychuk also considered} 17.Re1 ) ( {Taking into account what happened with the remaining white knight one wishes to play} 17.Nhf5 {However after} 17...Bxf5 18.exf5 Nxg3 19.hxg3 Bxe3 20.fxe3 Qg5 {Black seems in good shape. There are not too many attacking white pieces, and the "f" file has been blocked.} ) 17...Bxf5 18.exf5 Bc5 {Hou sends the bishop to seal the "d" file and defend the central pawn. This move, however, allows White a good opportunity.} ( 18...Rad8 19.Qb3 {just helps White.} ) ( {Another cementing move was} 18...Nc8 19.Re1 Nxg3 20.hxg3 Nd6 ) 19.Re1 {Instead} ( 19.f6 $1 {was strong in order to trade the doubled pawn for the g one and further weaken the black king. After} 19...Qxf6 ( 19...Nxf6 20.Bxe5 {is good for White.} ) 20.Qxg4+ ( {Or} 20.b4 Bd6 21.Qxg4+ Qg5 22.Qe4 {which is definitely nice for White.} ) 20...Qg5 {White should not trade the queens and follow the lines Hou Yifan calculated} 21.Qxg5+ ( {Instead, strong is} 21.Qf3 $1 {and White has good chances for a kingside attack.} ) 21...hxg5 22.Nf3 Nxg3 23.hxg3 e4 24.Nxg5 e3 {which gives her good chances to equalize.} ) 19...Nxg3 20.hxg3 Kh8 21.Qe2 Bd6 22.Qe4 {Muzychuk got better perspectives in the opening but now she went for the wrong idea.} ( 22.f6 Qxf6 23.Qxg4 {would have still been good for White.} ) 22...Rab8 23.Be2 h5 24.Rad1 {Only here did the world champion see that in case of the intended:} ( 24.f3 {Black will play} 24...Ng8 25.fxg4 Nf6 26.Qe3 hxg4 {when Black is fine. "I missed the idea e5-e4 followed by Nf6-h5 here" Muzychuk.} ) 24...Ng8 $1 25.Kh2 {One more inaccuracy allows Black a chance to equalize completely. Better was} ( 25.f6 Nxf6 26.Qe3 {"I believe this position can be played by White" Muzychuk.} ) 25...Qg5 26.Bc4 Nf6 27.Qe3 $6 {And this is fundamentally wrong. Without the queens on the board the black king will be safe while the white knight on h4 might become the "poor piece due to which the whole game is bad."} ( 27.Qe2 e4 28.Kg1 {was somewhat better for Black but playable.} ) 27...Qxe3 28.Rxe3 e4 {"Once that I brought the knight and managed to cut the knight on h4 it became obvious that my position is clearly better" - Hou Yifan.} 29.Re2 Rbd8 {The threat is Bd6xg3+.} 30.Bb3 Rd7 31.f3 {In the coming time-trouble White tries to solve her problems concretely but misses tactics. Instead} ( 31.Bc2 Re8 32.Rde1 Rde7 {would have led to stable advantage for Black. One idea is to put the bishop on c5 and carry out the e4-e3 break. The king may also walk all the way to the g5 square beforehand.} ) 31...Re8 32.Rde1 Rde7 33.Bc2 $2 {Loses by force.} 33...exf3 34.Rxe7 Rxe7 35.Rxe7 f2 $1 36.Rxf7 {Nothing helps.} ( 36.Bd3 Bxe7 {followed by Nf6-d5-e3 that would net black a piece.} ) 36...f1=Q 37.Ng6+ Kg8 38.Rxf6 Bc5 0-1

[Event "WCh Women 2016"]
[Site "Lvov UKR"]
[Date "2016.03.11"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Muzychuk, M."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "C80"]
[EventDate "2016.03.02"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "161"]
[Beauty "4265976271367"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {Not a big surprise anymore...} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 {Hou deviates from game four which gave her nothing out of the opening after} ( 9.c3 Be7 10.Bc2 Bg4 11.h3 Bh5 12.g4 Bg6 13.Nd4 Nxd4 14.cxd4 h5 15.f3 Ng3 16.Rf2 hxg4 17.Bxg6 Rxh3 18.Qc2 Bc5 19.Qxc5 Rh1+ 20.Kg2 Rh2+ 21.Kg1 Rh1+ {1/2-1/2 (21) Hou Yifan (2673)-Muzychuk,M (2554) Lviv UKR 2016} ) 9...Be7 10.c3 Nc5 11.Bc2 d4 12.cxd4 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Qxd4 14.Nf3 Qxd1 15.Rxd1 {The endgame is generally desirable for Black in these pawn structures. If Muzychuk can bring her pawn to c5 she might be even better thanks to her queenside majority.} 15...O-O 16.Be3 ( {Vachier-Lagrave chose instead} 16.Nd4 {against Sethuraman in Gibraltar, but the Indian GM defended successfully after} 16...Rfd8 17.Be3 Bd5 18.Rac1 Ne6 19.Nf5 Bf8 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2785)-Sethuraman,S (2639) Gibraltar 2016} ) 16...Rfd8 17.Rdc1 {So far, however, the pawn on c7 is backward and Hou starts hitting it.} 17...h6 18.Nd4 Bd5 19.Bd1 {White intends Bd1-e2 followed by the doubling of her rooks along the c-file. Tactical shots on b5 are also in the air. But Black has the concrete and strong:} ( 19.f4 Ne6 ( 19...Bf8 $5 ) 20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.Bg6 Rac8 22.Bc5 Kf8 23.Bxe7+ Kxe7 24.Rc5 {Hou,Y (2606)-Koneru,H (2610) Beijing 2012} ) 19...Nd3 $1 20.Rxc7 Bf8 {Muzychuk thought for a long time on this move. At the press conference she admitted that she forgot her preparation. She feared:} ( 20...Bc5 {due to} 21.Rxc5 Nxc5 22.Nf5 Ne4 ( {However,} 22...Nd3 $1 {might be OK for Black as after} 23.Ne7+ Kf8 24.Nxd5 Rxd5 25.Bf3 Rad8 26.Bxd5 Rxd5 {she can regain her pawn with equality.} ) 23.f3 {and this is indeed good for White, say} 23...Ng5 24.Ne7+ Kf8 25.Nxd5 Rxd5 26.f4 Ne4 27.Bf3 f5 28.exf6 Re8 29.fxg7+ Kxg7 {when the bishop pair and the pawns should besuperior to the rook and the knight.} ) 21.e6 {Hou breaks the opponent's pawn structure. The other way to play for the advantage does not yield White much after} ( 21.f4 Nxb2 22.Bg4 ) 21...fxe6 22.Bg4 Re8 23.b3 Bd6 24.Rc2 Ne5 25.Be2 Be4 26.Rd2 Bb4 27.Rdd1 Bd5 {The result of the opening is positive for Black-she achieved equality. The active pieces compensate for the isolated pawn. Still, this should be a bit easier for White to play as teh weakness is a long-term factor. None offers draw though.} 28.Rac1 Rac8 29.h4 {White grabs space on the kingside. The other reasonable option was} ( 29.f4 Nc6 30.Nxc6 Rxc6 31.Rxc6 Bxc6 32.Kf2 {with some chances for a pull.} ) 29...Ba3 30.Rc2 Rxc2 31.Nxc2 Be7 32.h5 Rc8 33.Nd4 Kf7 34.f3 Bf6 35.Kf2 Rc3 {At this stage of the game both ladies were in time trouble.} 36.f4 {Muzychuk did not like the line} ( 36.Bd2 Rc8 37.Be3 Rc3 ( {Or} 37...Ke7 {when draw is more or less inevitable and kept on playing.} ) ) 36...Nd7 37.Bd3 Ke7 38.Bb1 Bh4+ {Black's clock went down to two (!) second now as she almost fell for the trap:} ( 38...Bxg2 $4 39.Kxg2 Rxe3 40.Nc6+ Ke8 41.Bg6+ {and White wins.} ) 39.Ke2 Bf6 40.g4 {Move 40."There were better options than this stupid g2-g4.. ." (Hou)} ( 40.Nf5+ $1 {in particular would lead to an edge for White after the nice regroupment-} 40...Kf8 ( 40...Kf7 41.Bd2 Rc7 42.Ba5 Rc6 43.Ne3 ) 41.Bd2 Rc8 42.Bb4+ Kg8 43.Ne3 ) 40...Bxd4 41.Bxd4 Rh3 {Once more Black deviates from the obvious draw after} ( 41...Bf3+ 42.Kf2 Bxd1 43.Bxc3 Bxg4 44.Bxg7 Bxh5 45.Bxh6 ) 42.Rc1 Bf3+ 43.Kf2 Bxg4 {Muzychuk did not dare to enter the "risky line"} ( 43...Nf6 44.Rc7+ Kd8 45.Rxg7 Nxg4+ 46.Kf1 {although this was Black's best chance to fight for the win had she have found the strong} 46...Rh2 $1 ( {rather than} 46...Rh1+ 47.Bg1 {what she calculated.} ) ) 44.Bxg7 Rxh5 45.Kg3 Bf5 46.Bxf5 Rxf5 47.Bxh6 {Now the game should end in a draw.} 47...Rc5 48.Rf1 {Hou deviates from the minor piece endgame but this leads to some trouble.} ( 48.Rxc5 {was easier, say} 48...Nxc5 49.Kf3 Nd3 50.Ke4 Nc1 51.f5 exf5+ 52.Kxf5 Nxa2 53.Ke5 Kd7 54.Bd2 ) 48...Nf6 49.Bg5 Kf7 50.Bxf6 Kxf6 {Both players were quite nervous and on top of that time-trouble showed its ugly head again.} 51.b4 {Hou is ready to sacrifice a pawn.} 51...Rc4 52.Rf3 Kf5 {The best practical chance as the pawn endgame is an instant draw:} ( 52...Rxb4 53.Ra3 Ra4 54.Rxa4 bxa4 55.a3 Kf5 56.Kf3 a5 57.Ke3 ) 53.Ra3 $1 {In the rook endgame one cannot afford to play passively.} ( 53.a3 $6 {would not even save the pawn after} 53...Ke4 54.Rf1 Rc3+ 55.Kg4 Rxa3 ) 53...Rxf4 54.Rxa6 Rxb4 55.Rb6 Ke5 56.Kf3 {Despite the pawn deficit White comfortably holds the draw.} ( {Only not the hasty} 56.a4 $2 Rb3+ 57.Kf2 bxa4 ) 56...Kd5 57.Ke3 e5 58.Kd2 Rb2+ 59.Kc1 Rb4 60.a3 ( 60.Kd2 ) 60...Kc5 61.Re6 Re4 62.Kc2 Kd4 63.Rd6+ Kc4 64.Rc6+ Kd5 65.Rb6 Rc4+ 66.Kd2 Kc5 67.Rb8 Ra4 68.Rc8+ Kd4 69.Rb8 Ra5 70.Rd8+ Kc4 71.Re8 Kd5 72.Rd8+ Ke4 73.Rb8 Rxa3 74.Rxb5 {The rest is easy.} 74...Kf4 75.Rb8 Kf3 76.Rf8+ Ke4 77.Rb8 Ra2+ 78.Ke1 Kf4 79.Rb3 e4 80.Rc3 e3 81.Rc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "WCh Women 2016"]
[Site "Lvov UKR"]
[Date "2016.03.12"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Muzychuk, Mariya"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2554"]
[BlackElo "2673"]
[ECO "A46"]
[EventDate "2016.03.02"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "5910277655559"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 {In the crucial eighth game Muzychuk switched back to 1.d4 in an attempt to find an advantage from the opening. Or at least to play a long, tense game.} 1...Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 b5 {Hou comes well prepared too. She had never used this system before and had tried instead:} ( 4...Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.a3 Nbd7 7.c4 c6 8.Nbd2 b6 9.e4 Nxe4 10.Nxe4 dxe4 11.Ne5 Qc7 {with a draw later in Mamedyarov,S (2736)-Hou,Y (2671) Baku 2015} ) 5.O-O Bb7 6.a4 ( {Levon Aronian recently came with an original idea:} 6.Bg5 Nbd7 7.e4 dxe4 8.Nfd2 h6 9.Bxf6 Nxf6 10.Qe2 a6 11.Nxe4 Bxe4 12.Bxe4 Nxe4 13.Qxe4 {although it is doubtful if he got any advantage after} 13...Qd5 {Aronian,L (2784)-Dominguez Perez,L (2732) Skopje 2015} ) 6...b4 7.c4 a5 {A novelty. Hou Yifan does not want to give up the center at all. After} ( 7...dxc4 8.Bg5 Nbd7 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.Nxc4 {Black will soon play c7-c5 and get rid of the isolated pawn but the first player may have a little pull thanks to the active position of his pieces, Grigoryan,A (2608)-Pashikian,A (2616) Martuni 2011} ) 8.Bg5 Nbd7 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.Rc1 h6 {Black is carefully swapping off the active white pieces. It is too early to open the position:} ( 10...c5 $6 11.cxd5 Bxd5 12.e4 $1 {is good for White as after} 12...Nxe4 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.dxc5 {Black cannot capture this pawn} 15...Nxc5 $2 {as she will drop a piece after} 16.Qd4 ) 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Qc2 ( {The preliminary capture seems more promising to me} 12.cxd5 $5 Bxd5 ( 12...exd5 13.Qc2 ) 13.e4 Bb7 14.Qc2 {with some advantage for White.} ) 12...c6 {Now the center is stable.} 13.e4 O-O 14.e5 ( 14.Rfe1 $5 {would keep the central pressure instead.} ) 14...Be7 15.c5 {Muzychuk closed the queenside and it looks like this should be excellent for her. Black is very passive. If White can go h2-h4-h5 and fix the kingside the advantage in space will lead to better mobility of her pieces and thus she may open the kingside at the moment she likes. Game would be rather one-sided then, pure pleasure for White. Hou realized the stratigical danger and found:} 15...g5 $1 {This gives enough room for the black pieces to operate and prepare for the kingside clash. From here on the Chinese GM does miracles with her pieces on the limited space she has.} 16.h3 Kg7 17.Rfe1 Rh8 18.Bf1 Qg8 $1 19.Re3 Kf8 {The black king is safe. In case of emergency, it can easily run all the way to c7. White can do the same, shift her king to the queenside, but this would hardly bring any dividents as she does not have enough space advantage on the kingside.} 20.Ne1 $1 {Muzychuk is consistently preparing f2-f4-f5...} 20...h5 $1 {...which Hou is ready to meet aggressively.} 21.Ng2 Ke8 ( {Better than} 21...h4 22.gxh4 gxh4 23.Kh1 ) 22.Kh2 ( 22.Bd3 Nf8 23.f4 Ba6 24.Bxa6 Rxa6 25.f5 {would be similar to the game.} ) 22...Nf8 {One more nice regroupment.} 23.Bd3 Ba6 {An important trade of an excellent attacking piece. Hou's defense is perfect.} 24.f4 Bxd3 25.Qxd3 Qh7 $1 ( 25...Qg6 26.Qe2 {is less precise as the queen stands on the square of the knight.} ) 26.Rf1 {Muzychuk did everything that she could but Black's position proved sound enough to resist.} ( 26.Qe2 Ng6 {with the idea h5-h4 is OK for Black.} ) 26...Qxd3 {Without the queens on the board Black's task is easier.} 27.Rxd3 gxf4 28.Nxf4 Ng6 29.Nb3 Bg5 30.Nxg6 fxg6 {After these trades the situation has clarified. Black still has to be careful but the worse is over.} 31.Rdf3 Ra7 32.Kg2 Rg8 33.Kf2 ( {Maybe it was worth trying the trick} 33.R1f2 {with the idea} 33...Be7 $6 ( {However, Black can defend with} 33...Bd8 34.Kf1 Rag7 ) 34.Rf7 $1 Bxc5 35.Rxa7 Bxa7 36.Rf6 Ke7 37.Nxa5 ) 33...Rf8 34.Kg2 Rxf3 35.Rxf3 Bd8 36.Nc1 g5 37.Nd3 Rg7 38.g4 h4 39.Nc1 Rg8 40.Nb3 Rg7 41.Kf2 Rf7 42.Rxf7 Kxf7 43.Kf3 Ke8 44.Kf2 Kf7 {Muzychuk did everything that she could but the masterly defense by Hou deprived her of any winning chances. Hou Yifan needs a draw after the free day to regain the title.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "WCh Women 2016"]
[Site "Lvov UKR"]
[Date "2016.03.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Muzychuk, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "B59"]
[EventDate "2016.03.02"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7285204059144"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 {In a must-win situation Muzychuk tries the Classical Sicilian. An opening she played last back in 2002.} 6.Be2 {Hou needs a draw to claim the world champion title and this explains most of her decisions in this game. In another game she would mainly try:} ( 6.Bc4 e6 7.Be3 a6 8.Qe2 Qc7 9.O-O-O Na5 10.Bd3 {as in Hou,Y (2629)-Kosteniuk, A (2527) Beijing 2013} ) ( {Or} 6.Bg5 Qb6 7.Nb3 e6 8.Bd3 Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.Qd2 a6 11.Rae1 {like in the game of her countryman Hou,Y (2617)-Yu,Y (2675) Xinghua 2013} ) 6...e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.Be3 Be6 10.f3 Na5 ( {Black can equalize immediately with the central break:} 10...d5 11.exd5 Nxd5 12.Nxd5 Qxd5 13.Qxd5 Bxd5 14.Rfd1 Rfd8 15.c3 {However, the arising position cannot suit Muzychuk's intention to play for a win only. The rooks will soon disappear along the d-file and the game will peter out in a draw like for example in the game Kukov,V (2394)-Enchev,I (2411) Sofia 2012} ) 11.Nxa5 Qxa5 12.Qd2 Rfc8 13.Rfd1 {The rook protects the queen and creates the threat Nc3-d5.} ( {The immediate} 13.Nd5 {is wrong due to} 13...Qxd2 14.Nxe7+ Kf8 15.Bxd2 Rxc2 $1 {and Black wins a pawn.} ) 13...Kf8 {A novelty. The king moves away from the intermediate check.} ( {The other king move has been seen so far:} 13...Kh8 14.Nb5 Qxd2 15.Rxd2 d5 {Harff,W (2232)-De Gleria,F (2402) Duisburg 2006} ) ( {Allowing the trade is not deadly, but is quite unpleasant after} 13...a6 14.Nd5 Qxd2 15.Nxe7+ Kf8 16.Rxd2 Kxe7 17.Rad1 {The bishop pair and the backward pawn on d6 will give White long-lasting edge.} ) 14.a4 a6 15.Nd5 {Hou changes the pawn structure and gets a majority on thw queenside. By doing this she is also happy to trade queens, since with the kingside majority Black generally wants to deliver checkmate on the kingside. The match situation is also good enough to swap off the queens.} 15...Qxd2 ( {The line} 15...Nxd5 16.Qxa5 Nxe3 17.Qd2 Nxd1 18.Rxd1 {gives compensation for the queen to Black, but how to play for a win?!} ) 16.Rxd2 Nxd5 17.exd5 Bd7 18.a5 {An important move in White's plan as otherwise her queenside pawns may end up being blocked after} ( 18.c4 a5 ) 18...Bb5 $1 {As otherwise White will play c2-c4, b2-b4 and prepare c4-c5.} 19.Kf1 f5 ( 19...h6 {followed by Be7-g5 is comfortable equality, but once again, how can Muzychuk play for a win without the bishops on the board?} ) 20.c3 {Hou slowly prepares the advance of the c-pawn.} ( 20.b3 $2 Rc3 ) 20...g5 21.Rc2 h5 ( 21...Kg7 22.c4 Be8 23.b4 Bg6 24.Bb6 f4 25.Rd2 {looks a bit better for White.} ) 22.c4 g4 23.b4 f4 24.Bf2 {It is clear now why White was happy to trade the queens. With queens on the board this could easily be a decisive kingside attack for Black.} 24...Bd7 25.c5 Bf5 {Now or the next move Muzychuk had to capture on f3 and force her opponent to take back with the pawn.} ( 25...gxf3 26.gxf3 ( {Worse is} 26.Bxf3 Bf5 {followed by e5-e4.} ) ) 26.Rc4 Kf7 ( {It was not later for} 26...gxf3 27.gxf3 Kf7 ) 27.Rd1 Rg8 28.g3 $1 {A resource which Black either missed or underestimated.} 28...fxg3 ( {In case of} 28...Bd7 29.fxg4 $1 ( 29.gxf4 gxf3 30.Bxf3 Bb5 {is another way to sacrifice the exchange.} ) 29...f3 30.Bxf3 Bb5 31.Rc1 hxg4 32.Be2 Bxc4 33.Rxc4 {White will get a second pawn for the exchange and serious chances for a win.} ) 29.hxg3 Rac8 ( {Or} 29...gxf3 30.Bxf3 Bg4 31.Bxg4 Rxg4 32.Rxg4 hxg4 33.Ke2 {followed by a capture on d6 in the proper moment, Be3-c5 and king march to e4.} ) 30.fxg4 hxg4 ( 30...Bxg4 {is similar to the aforementioned line after} 31.Bxg4 Rxg4 ( 31...hxg4 32.Ke2 ) 32.Rxg4 hxg4 33.Ke2 {as Black can never take on c5 due to} 33...dxc5 34.d6 ) 31.Kg2 {Hou obtained a big advantage. The queenside majority is looking dangerous and the g4-pawn and the h-file are troubling Black too.} 31...Bd7 32.Rh1 Rg7 {In principle, nothing is changed after} ( 32...Bb5 33.Re4 Bxe2 34.Rxe2 dxc5 ( 34...Rh8 35.Rc1 ) 35.Rh7+ Rg7 36.Rxg7+ Kxg7 37.bxc5 ) 33.cxd6 {A good moment to improve the position.} 33...Bxd6 34.Rxc8 Bxc8 35.Bc5 Bxc5 ( 35...Ke7 36.Rh6 {would force teh bishop swap anyway.} ) 36.bxc5 Bf5 37.Kf2 Rg8 ( 37...Be4 38.Rd1 ) 38.Ke3 Rd8 39.Rf1 $1 {It is always useful to misplace the opponent's pieces.} 39...Kg6 40.Rd1 ( 40.d6 {will leadto the same.} ) 40...Kg5 41.d6 Rh8 42.d7 $1 {Hou converts her advantage like a true champion!} 42...Rd8 43.c6 bxc6 44.Bxa6 c5 {The a-passer is unstopable.} ( 44...Rxd7 45.Rxd7 Bxd7 46.Bb7 ) ( 44...Bxd7 45.Bb7 ) 45.Bb7 c4 46.a6 {Hou Yifan from China is the World Women's Champion again!} 1-0

[Event "U.S. Championship 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.04.16"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[ECO "D40"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "184"]
[Beauty "3781492232712"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteClock "0:06:48"]
[BlackClock "0:07:21"]

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.e3 e6 5.d4 d5 6.a3 a6 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.b4 Bd6 9.Bb2 O-O 10.cxd5 exd5 {A typical picture for the Semi-Tarrasch. The isolated pawn on d5 might be both strenght and weakness.} 11.Be2 Be6 12.O-O Qe7 {Intending both Ra8-c8 and Rf8-d8. And something more.} ( {Another way to play it is the immediate} 12...Rc8 {which gives an additional option of Bd6-b8 followed by battery on the h2-b8 diagonal. This however also leaves more options to White.} 13.Rc1 Qe7 14.Qd3 ( 14.Na4 {is the other idea.} ) 14...Rfd8 15.Rfd1 b5 {Le,Q (2703)-Pelletier,Y (2587) Belfort 2012} ) 13.Rc1 {Intending Nc3-a4-c5. But now Black reveals the other ideabehind his Qd8-e7 maneuver.} 13...a5 {The pawn on a3 was left loose and Caruana makes use of it.} ( 13...Rfd8 14.Na4 Ne4 15.Nd4 Nxd4 16.Qxd4 {led to a typical slightly better position for White in Guimard,C (2410)-Agdamus,J (2200) Santos Lugares 1977} ) 14.Nb5 {So sacrifices a pawn for initiative. A predecessor saw} ( 14.b5 Ne5 ( 14...Nb8 $5 {is another route to d7.} ) 15.Qa4 Ned7 {and White had problems with his queenside, Lee,F-Sergeant,E Scarborough 1909} ) 14...axb4 ( 14...Bb8 15.bxa5 Nxa5 16.Nbd4 {is good for White.} ) 15.Nxd6 Qxd6 16.axb4 Qxb4 17.Bxf6 gxf6 18.Rb1 Qe7 19.Rb5 {As a result White managed to destroy all the black pawns and he may try to profit from this in two ways- attack the weaken kingside or patiently try to harvest all the crop. The problem with the latter is that if he even wins both "b" and "d" pawns (for free) he will have to trade some pieces and there is a very good chance that Black reaches an endgame four versus three on the same flank which is an easy draw. In fact, the presence of double "f" pawns makes the draw easier!} 19...Rfd8 20.Nd4 {Nothing gives:} ( 20.Qb1 d4 21.Rxb7 Qa3 22.Nxd4 Nxd4 23.exd4 Rxd4 ) 20...Kg7 21.Re1 {In the light of the above-mentioned I have the feeling that White should have tried to play for more with} ( 21.Bd3 Nxd4 22.exd4 {although I do not really see a way for White to capture both "b" and "d" pawns for free.} ) 21...Nxd4 22.Qxd4 Bf5 $1 {Now Caruana practically takes away the loss as a possible result from the board. The only one who can play for the win in the endgame is black.} 23.Rxd5 Rxd5 24.Qxd5 Be4 25.Qd1 Qb4 26.Rf1 Ra2 27.Qd7 {There are still problems for White in the line:} ( 27.Bf3 b5 28.Bxe4 Qxe4 29.Qb3 Qa4 30.Qd5 Ra1 ) 27...Bg6 {The position of the black king is secured and the "b" pawn is quite fearsome thanks to the support of all the black pieces.} 28.Bf3 b5 29.h4 $1 {So tries to open the king again to saveguard a draw.} ( 29.Bc6 Rb2 {followed by Rb2-b1 seems bad for White.} ) 29...Rd2 ( 29...Qxh4 30.Qxb5 ) 30.Qh3 h5 31.Qg3 ( {Black still pushing after} 31.g4 hxg4 32.Bxg4 Qc5 ( 32...Be4 ) ( 32...Kh6 ) ) 31...Qd6 {In the coming time trouble Caruana decided to completely secure himself. In the line} ( 31...Qc5 32.Ra1 b4 33.Qb8 b3 $4 34.Ra8 {Black gets under mating attack all of a sudden.} ) 32.Qxd6 Rxd6 33.Rd1 Rb6 {Black's active pieces are his main advantage.} ( 33...Rxd1+ 34.Bxd1 {is a draw.} ) 34.e4 {Since the bishop cannot be blocked, it made sense to bring the white one out first with} ( 34.Bd5 $5 b4 35.Bb3 Rc6 36.Rd4 Rc1+ 37.Kh2 Rb1 38.Bd5 ( {Not} 38.Rxb4 Bc2 ) 38...Rb2 ( {And not} 38...b3 $2 39.Rb4 b2 40.Ba2 ) 39.Kg3 Bf5 ) 34...b4 35.Rd2 f5 36.exf5 Bxf5 37.Bxh5 b3 38.Rb2 Bc2 {The white rook is trapped and Black intends Rb6-a6-a2 trapping it.} 39.Bf3 ( 39.Kf1 $2 {loses to} 39...Ra6 ) ( 39.Be2 Rb4 {will win the pawn easier.} ) 39...Rb5 $1 {A clever way to win the "h" pawn.} ( 39...Ra6 40.Bd5 {gves nothing to Black here.} ) 40.Be2 Rb4 41.Bf3 Rxh4 42.Bd5 Rb4 {Caruana won the pawn back and managed to keep the rook on b2 locked, but the reduced material allows a chance to So to defend.} 43.Kf1 f5 44.Ke2 Kf6 45.f4 $1 {Stops the black king and fixes the pawn on f5 in order to swap it off.} 45...Ke7 ( 45...Rxf4 46.Bxb3 ) 46.Bg8 Kf8 47.Bd5 Kg7 48.Ke3 ( 48.g3 {is also possible.} ) 48...Kg6 49.Bf3 Kf6 50.Bd5 {So is patient and this is good. The hasty} ( 50.g4 $6 {leads to trouble after} 50...fxg4 51.Bxg4 Re4+ 52.Kf3 $2 Ra4 ) 50...Kg6 51.Bf3 Rc4 52.g4 {Now it is good. Although White can also hold after} ( 52.Bd5 Rc3+ 53.Kd4 Rd3+ 54.Ke5 ) 52...Rc3+ 53.Kf2 Bd3 54.Bd1 Bc4 55.Ke1 Rg3 ( 55...fxg4 56.Bxg4 Rg3 57.Bd1 {would be similar to the game.} ) 56.Kf2 Rh3 57.Ke1 Be6 58.Re2 ( 58.gxf5+ Kxf5 59.Kd2 {should be OK too.} ) 58...Bc4 59.Rb2 Kf6 60.Kd2 Rd3+ 61.Kc1 Rc3+ 62.Kd2 Rg3 63.gxf5 Kxf5 64.Kc1 Kxf4 65.Rh2 Ke3 66.Kb2 {Now that the king made it to the "b" pawn the draw is unavoidable.} 66...Kd4 67.Rh4+ Kc5 68.Ka3 Bd5 69.Rh5 Kd4 70.Rxd5+ {Stirring the game into theoretical draw. The white king is where it is needed-in the correct corner.} 70...Kxd5 71.Bxb3+ Kd4 72.Kb2 Rg2+ 73.Ka1 Kc3 74.Ba2 Rg7 75.Bb1 Rb7 76.Ba2 Kc2 77.Bd5 {The only danger for the defender in this endgame is to keep his bishop too close to the enemy king.} ( 77.Bc4 $4 Rb1+ 78.Ka2 Rb4 {loses only because the white bishop cannot give a check to the black king.} ) 77...Re7 ( 77...Rb1+ 78.Ka2 Rb5 79.Be4+ {is the crucial difference in comparison to the previous line.} ) 78.Bg8 Re1+ 79.Ka2 Rh1 80.Bd5 Rh4 81.Bb3+ Kc3 82.Be6 Rf4 83.Bg8 Rf2+ 84.Kb1 Rb2+ 85.Ka1 Kc2 86.Bh7+ Kc1 87.Bg8 Rb1+ 88.Ka2 Rb8 89.Bf7 Rb2+ 90.Ka1 Rb7 91.Bd5 Ra7+ 92.Ba2 Kc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess 2016"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2016.04.21"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2851"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[ECO "B29"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7839389082714"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:22"]
[BlackClock "0:00:30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {It is not every day that you see the Nimzowitsch (or Rubinstein) in a top level game. Grandelius though (together with some young GMs like Ipatov and Rakhmanov) likes it and is not shy of trying it against the world champion.} 3.e5 {The most principled continuation.} ( {In a recent game from the German Bundesliga Grandelius used the line to transpose into the Dragon after} 3.Nc3 d6 ( {And in another recent game he followed the original Nimzowitsch recipe} 3...d5 4.Bb5+ Bd7 5.e5 Bxb5 6.Nxb5 Nfd7 7.e6 fxe6 8.O-O Qb6 {Adams,M (2744)-Grandelius,N (2644) Reykjavik 2015} ) 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 Nc6 {Harikrishna,P (2737)-Grandelius,N (2628) Germany 2015} ) 3...Nd5 4.Nc3 Nxc3 ( 4...e6 {is a known gambit line which might be a bit too much in Norway.} ) 5.dxc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Qb6 {Black uses this move to force a minor concession by his opponent.} 7.Qc1 ( {One concession might be the loss of the long castle opportunity in the line} 7.Rb1 Qc7 8.Bd3 e6 {A demonstration of Black's plan is the following game} 9.Bg3 b6 10.O-O Bb7 11.Qe2 d5 ( 11...d6 ) ( 11...O-O-O ) 12.c4 Nb4 13.cxd5 Bxd5 14.Bb5+ Bc6 {and Black held later in Azarov,S (2595)-Rakhmanov,A (2640) Al Ain 2015} ) ( {Slightly weakening is} 7.b3 h6 8.h4 Qc7 9.Qd2 e6 10.O-O-O a6 11.Kb1 b5 {Wang,H (2729)-Ipatov,A (2613) Dubai 2014} ) 7...f6 {In both alternative scenarios Black had problems finishing the development. Grandelius might have also feared prep, thus the move in the game.} ( 7...h6 {which led to the following tactical battle-} 8.h4 ( 8.Bc4 $5 ) 8...d5 9.exd6 exd6 10.Bc4 Be7 11.Qe3 Qxb2 12.O-O O-O 13.Rfb1 Qa3 14.Bxh6 $5 ( 14.Rb3 Qa5 15.Re1 Qc7 16.Bd5 ) 14...gxh6 15.Rb3 Qa4 16.Bb5 Qg4 17.Bxc6 bxc6 18.Qxe7 Be6 19.Qxd6 Bxb3 20.axb3 {and White was better in Rodshtein,M (2664)-Ipatov,A (2625) Germany 2014} ) ( 7...e6 8.Nd2 {here we see the drawback of the Qd8-b6 move; she has to lose a tempo} 8...Qd8 9.Ne4 d5 10.exd6 e5 11.Qe3 f5 12.Bxe5 Nxe5 13.Ng5 Bxd6 14.f4 O-O 15.fxe5 f4 {was unclear in Oratovsky,M (2522)-Ninov,N (2508) Ascona 2011} ) 8.Bc4 {White is practically sacrificing a piece with this novelty. Carlsen believes in the solid fundament of his position and continues with the development.} ( {The only predecessor saw:} 8.Bg3 fxe5 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.Bxe5 Qe6 11.Qe3 d6 12.Bf4 Qxe3+ 13.Bxe3 Bd7 {which allowed Black a chance to swap off the queens and level the chances, Zude,A (2389) -Gheng,J (2314) Schwaebisch Gmuend 2003} ) 8...g5 9.Bg3 ( {Another way to sacrifice is} 9.exf6 gxf4 10.Qxf4 {for example} 10...Qxb2 11.O-O Qxc3 12.Rae1 {with massive pressure for the piece. Say} 12...e6 ( {White's main idea is revealed in the line} 12...d6 13.Re3 Qxc2 14.fxe7 Bxe7 15.Bd5 {when captures on d6 and later on e7 are unavoidable.} ) 13.Re3 Qxc2 14.f7+ Ke7 ( 14...Kd8 15.Qf6+ ) 15.Nh4 {with a strong attack.} ) 9...g4 10.exf6 {The point of the novelty. As usual engines are skeptical about the attack but change their minds after some deep thought.} 10...gxf3 {There is no way back as} ( 10...exf6 11.Qe3+ Be7 12.Nh4 {leaves Black's position in ruins for free.} ) 11.Qf4 fxg2 {Alternatives do not seem better:} ( 11...Qxb2 $4 12.f7+ Kd8 13.Qc7# ) ( 11...exf6 12.Qxf6 ) ( 11...Kd8 {leaves some extra options to White} 12.O-O-O ( 12.fxe7+ $5 ) 12...fxg2 13.Rhg1 ( {Or} 13.Rhe1 ) ) 12.Rg1 {For the piece White has huge lead in the development, but more importantly plenty of lines and diagonals to use it.} 12...Na5 ( {Like in the previous note} 12...exf6 13.Qxf6 {is immediate resignation.} ) ( {Black cannot lock the position with} 12...e6 13.f7+ Ke7 ( 13...Kd8 14.Qf6+ ) 14.Bh4# ) ( {And} 12...Kd8 {allows} 13.O-O-O ) 13.f7+ $1 {Carlsen's original plan was to go for} ( 13.fxe7 Bxe7 14.Bf7+ Kd8 ( {But he rejected it at the last moment as he could not see more than a draw after} 14...Kf8 15.Be6+ ( 15.Rxg2 Qf6 ) ) 15.O-O-O ) 13...Kd8 14.Bd5 Bh6 {"Born out of desperation," but this loses. Grandelius could not see any defense in case of:} ( 14...d6 15.O-O-O Kc7 16.Rxg2 ( {Or} 16.Bh4 {which Carlsen calculated with the fancy line} 16...e6 ( 16...Bh3 17.Qe3 $1 ) 17.Rxg2 exd5 18.Rg8 Nc4 19.b3 Qa5 20.bxc4 Qxc3 21.Rxh8 Qxh8 22.Bf6 $1 {trapping the queen.} ) 16...Bh3 17.Rgg1 e6 ( {Perhaps Black can try to defend the position after} 17...h5 18.Bh4 Bh6 19.Bg5 Bxg5 20.Qxg5 Qb5 21.Qxe7+ Qd7 22.Qe3 Nc6 {although the computer claims advantage for White after} 23.b4 $1 ) 18.Be4 {(Grandelius) when he could not find a defense against the combined threats of Qf4-f6, Bg3-h4 and Rg1-g8 and the attack against the king. One line to support his thesis} 18...Be7 19.Qh6 Bg4 ( 19...Bf5 20.Bxf5 exf5 21.Qe6 ) 20.f3 Bf5 21.Bxf5 exf5 22.Qe6 {and White wins.} ) 15.Qe5 Rf8 ( 15...Qf6 16.Qc7# ) 16.Bh4 Rxf7 ( {The Swedish GM missed that in the line} 16...Nc6 17.Bxc6 Rxf7 {White has the strong in-between blow} 18.Rxg2 $1 {with a win. All captures lead to mate:} 18...bxc6 ( 18...dxc6 19.Rg8+ Bf8 20.Rxf8+ Rxf8 21.Qxe7# ) ( 18...Qxc6 19.Bxe7+ $1 ) 19.Bxe7+ Rxe7 20.Rg8+ ) 17.Bxf7 {Carlsen managed to win an exchange and kept the attack alive.} 17...Nc6 18.Qg3 {Carlsen wants to continue the attack. In the line:} ( 18.Qh8+ Kc7 19.Rb1 d6 20.Qxh7 {Black is down on material but at least has king into relative safety.} ) 18...Qxb2 19.Rd1 Qxc2 20.Bd5 {Black's b- and d-pawns can't move.} 20...Qf5 21.Rxg2 Bf4 22.Qf3 {Makes good use of the pin.} ( {The endgame was not bad neither.} 22.Qxf4 Qxf4 23.Rg8+ Kc7 24.Bg3 ) 22...Kc7 23.Rg5 Qf8 24.Bg3 {"This was just stupid" said Carlsen and suggested the easy win after} ( 24.Bxc6 $1 bxc6 25.Bg3 e5 26.Rxe5 {instead as} 26...Bd2+ 27.Ke2 {defends the queen.} ) 24...e5 25.Rh5 a5 26.Rxh7 {But White's position is still won and he converted the advantage easily.} 26...Ra6 27.Rf7 Qe8 28.Kf1 ( 28.Bxf4 exf4+ 29.Kf1 ) 28...Bxg3 29.hxg3 Qh8 30.Kg2 Nd8 31.Rf8 Qg7 32.Rh1 Rh6 33.Rxh6 Qxh6 34.Qf6 Qxf6 35.Rxf6 d6 36.Kf3 b5 37.g4 Kd7 38.Rh6 {The bishop on c8 did not make a move at all!} 1-0

[Event "Chess 2016"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2016.04.22"]
[Round "4.5"]
[White "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Black "Harikrishna, P."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "C13"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "5846545218067"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:18:59"]
[BlackClock "0:49:49"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Be7 6.Bxf6 gxf6 {Harikrishna's pet line in the French, once revived by A. Morozevich.} 7.Qd2 {Grandelius chooses his "own" move order. The Indian GM was quite successful in two recent games after:} ( 7.Nf3 a6 8.Qd2 f5 9.Nc3 b5 10.O-O-O b4 ( 10...Qd6 11.Kb1 Nd7 12.Bd3 c5 {Maze,S (2582)-Harikrishna,P (2737) Berlin 2015} ) 11.Ne2 Bb7 12.Kb1 Qd6 {Naiditsch,A (2682)-Harikrishna,P (2737) Douglas 2015} ) 7...b6 ( {Grandelius mentioned an important game at the press-conference:} 7...a6 8.g3 $6 {This intends to make use of the long diagonal but backfires after the spectacular} ( {Most likely White's intention was to avoid Ng1-f3 again with} 8.O-O-O ) 8...Nc6 9.Ne2 e5 $1 10.d5 Nd4 11.Bg2 $6 Bh3 $1 12.O-O ( 12.Bxh3 $2 Nf3+ ) 12...Bxg2 13.Kxg2 Qxd5 {with solid extra pawn fro Black in Landa,K (2626)-Svane,R (2542) Germany 2015} ) 8.O-O-O Bb7 9.Nc3 {The threat is d4-d5, thus the next move.} 9...c6 10.Nf3 Nd7 {Black's plan is simple- Qd8-c7, 0-0-0, f6-f5 and possibly Nd7-f6, and in a good moment c6-c5 to open the bishops. White would be happy to carry out the d4-d5 advance but the clumsy position of the Nc3 prevents him from doing this. Instead Grandelius went for another plan.} 11.Qh6 Qc7 12.Qg7 Rf8 13.Qxh7 {Risky (Grandelius).} 13...f5 14.Bc4 Nf6 ( {Probably White concentrated his preparation on the previously played} 14...Qf4+ 15.Kb1 Nf6 16.Qh3 Ng4 17.Rhf1 O-O-O {Grigoryan,K (2473)-Petrosian,D (2478) Kajaran 2011} ) 15.Qh6 Ng4 16.Qd2 {The queen went back home but feels the discomfort of a rook facing it. Black has compensation for the pawn thanks to the bishop pair and the possibility of queenside assault. His play is much easier as well.} 16...O-O-O 17.h3 Nf6 18.Ne5 {Grandelius called this move a mistake as it enables Black a chance to advance his queenside pawns with tempoes. He recommended instead either} ( 18.Rhe1 ) ( {or} 18.Kb1 ) 18...Kb8 19.Rhe1 ( 19.Bb3 a6 {followed by c6-c5 would be similar.} ) 19...b5 $1 20.Bb3 ( 20.Bf1 b4 21.Na4 c5 {leads to strong central pressure as well.} ) 20...b4 {The most energetic.} ( 20...a5 {is not bad neither.} ) 21.Ne2 c5 22.Qe3 Ne4 {The knight on e5 is danger after c5xd4.} 23.f4 cxd4 {Natural and strong. The computer suggests} ( 23...f6 24.Ng6 c4 25.Ba4 Rf7 26.Nxe7 Rxe7 {but why to trade the knight which might get trapped?} ) 24.Nxd4 Bc5 {The pin is far more dangerous than it seems.} 25.Nef3 ( 25.c3 {drops the knight after} 25...f6 26.Nef3 bxc3 27.bxc3 e5 ) 25...Rg8 $6 {Up to here Harikrishna played perfectly and Grandelius felt he is close to lost. Now the correct thing was to concentrate on the pin and to go for the knight after:} ( 25...Qb6 $1 {For example} 26.Rd3 Rd6 27.Kb1 ( 27.Red1 Ba6 $1 ) ( {If} 27.g4 Rfd8 28.gxf5 exf5 29.c3 bxc3 30.bxc3 Nxc3 31.Rxc3 Rxd4 $1 {wins thanks to another pin after} 32.Nxd4 Bxd4 33.Qg3 Bxc3 34.Qxc3 Rc8 ) 27...Rfd8 28.c3 {It seems as White managed to guard the knight, but} 28...Nxc3+ $1 29.bxc3 Be4 30.Ka1 Bxd3 31.Qxd3 bxc3 {clarifies things. The knight is a goner.} ) ( 25...Rd6 $1 {would also work.} ) 26.g4 $1 {White grabs his chance.} ( 26.Re2 Ba6 $1 ) ( 26.Rg1 Rg3 $1 ) 26...fxg4 27.hxg4 Rxg4 28.Ne5 Rxd4 {Harikrishna missed in his preliminary calculations} ( 28...Rgg8 29.Ndc6+ Bxc6 30.Nxc6+ Qxc6 31.Rxd8+ Rxd8 32.Qxe4 ) 29.Rxd4 Rg3 30.Qxe4 ( 30.Qxg3 $5 {would be another possibility with highly unclear position after} 30...Nxg3 31.Rd7 Qc8 32.Rxf7 Ka8 33.Nd7 Be4 ) 30...Bxe4 31.Rdxe4 {White got away from the pin and has enough activity to compensate for the slight material deficit.} 31...Rg1 {Harikrishna hurries to saveguard his king, but does it an a slightly inappropriate way.} ( {To an instant draw will lead} 31...f6 32.Nd3 Rxd3 33.cxd3 Bf2+ 34.Rc4 Bxe1 35.Rxc7 Kxc7 ) ( {But another save line is} 31...Bd6 {intending} 32.Rc4 Bxe5 33.Rxb4+ Ka8 34.fxe5 Qc5 35.Rbe4 Rg1 {White should be able to build a fortress here, but Black risks nothing.} ) 32.Rxg1 Bxg1 33.Rxb4+ Bb6 34.a4 {With the oppositite-colored bishops on the board White's initiative is more unpleasant than in the line after 31...Bd6 and objectively the game should end in a draw.} 34...Ka8 35.Kb1 Qe7 36.Rc4 Bc7 37.Nd3 Bd6 ( 37...a5 $5 {(Harikrishna. )} ) 38.a5 Kb8 39.Ba4 Qb7 40.Rc6 {This forces a draw. It is hard to find progress for White after} ( 40.b4 Qd5 41.Bb3 ) 40...Bxf4 41.Nc5 Qe7 42.Na6+ ( 42.Bb5 Be3 {leads nowhere.} ) 42...Kb7 ( {Black cannot play for a win neither:} 42...Ka8 $2 43.Rc4 Kb7 44.Nc5+ Ka8 ( 44...Kc8 45.Nxe6+ ) 45.Bc6+ Kb8 46.Na6+ Kc8 47.Rxf4 ) 43.Nc5+ Kb8 44.Na6+ Kb7 45.Nc5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess 2016"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2016.04.24"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "Harikrishna, P."]
[Black "Li, Chao B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[ECO "E60"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7564511163425"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:44"]
[BlackClock "0:53:33"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 {A very popular Anti-Gruenfeld line.} 3...c5 4.d5 d6 {A recent top GM game took a highly exciting course:} ( 4...b5 5.e4 Bg7 6.e5 Ng8 7.f4 d6 8.Nf3 {Aronian,L (2797)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2758) Beijing 2014} ) 5.e4 Bg7 6.Ne2 O-O 7.Nec3 {Some years back the many time Bulgarian champion GM E. Ermenkov was trying to convince me that this is the best set-up against the KID. He even came to the conclusion that the whole defense is dead on the account of this tricky development. The idea is to once and for all solve the problem of this knight (which often finds itself on squares like h1 on its way to the center), then finish the development with Bc1-e3 and Nb1-d2 when all the white pieces will be well placed, and finally smash Black on either side of the board. However, there is an obvious drawback of this whole system: White is behind in development. Even though the position is closed, Li finds a way to exploit this.} 7...e5 8.g4 ( 8.Be3 {was not tested yet.} ) ( 8.Bg5 $5 ) 8...h5 {"A strong idea." (Harikrishna) In a previous game Black found himself suffering after:} ( 8...Ne8 9.h4 f5 10.Be3 ( 10.h5 $5 ) 10...Nd7 11.Nd2 Bf6 12.g5 Be7 13.exf5 gxf5 14.Qc2 {Arencibia Rodriguez,W (2335)-Boudy Bueno,J (2390) Havana 1986} ) 9.h3 Nh7 $1 {The point behind Li Chao's play. He wants to trade the dark-squared bishops.} 10.Be3 ( {Both players came to the conclusion that Black is doing good after} 10.h4 Bf6 11.gxh5 Bxh4+ 12.Kd2 g5 13.Kc2 ) ( 10.gxh5 {is not good on the account of} 10...Qh4+ 11.Kd2 Qxh5 ) 10...h4 {Sticking to his original idea.} ( {Li also considered} 10...f5 11.gxf5 gxf5 12.Qe2 f4 13.Bf2 Bf6 14.h4 Kh8 {followed by the knight transfer from b8 to g6.} ) 11.Qd2 Bf6 12.Rg1 Bg5 13.Bxg5 Qxg5 {Black can be happy with the opening. In fact he thought he is already better. Li managed to trade his "bad" bishop and if he can keep the white one blocked he can be quite optimistic about the future.} ( 13...Nxg5 {was another idea with equality after} 14.Qf2 Kg7 15.Nd2 Rh8 16.f4 exf4 17.Qxf4 f6 {(Harikrishna)} ( {But not the hasty} 17...Qf6 $2 18.Qxf6+ Kxf6 19.Nb5 ) ( {Or} 17...a6 {which prepares Qd8-f6 (Li)} ) ) 14.Nb5 {White wants to make sure he can do something on the kingside.} ( 14.Qxg5 Nxg5 {is indeed pleasant advantage for Black.} ) 14...Qe7 15.g5 a6 ( 15...Nd7 $5 {at once makes sense too.} ) 16.N5c3 Nd7 17.Qg2 {Both players are getting ready for the opening of the kingside.} 17...Kg7 ( 17...f6 18.gxf6 Rxf6 19.Qg4 g5 20.Qxh4 Rxf3 ) 18.Nd2 f6 19.gxf6+ Qxf6 {Black's plan is Rf8-f7,g6-g5 followed by Nd7-f8-g6 after which he will be in full command on the kingside. However, Harikrishna found a strong antidote.} ( {After} 19...Rxf6 20.Qg4 {one of the black kingside pawns will drop.} ) 20.Nd1 $1 {Li Chao missed this idea. Now the knight comes to an excellent position from where it supports the demolition of the blockade.} 20...Rf7 21.Nf2 Ndf8 ( {In case of} 21...g5 22.Nd3 Kh6 {Black did not like} 23.Be2 {with the idea} 23...Ndf8 ( {Or} 23...Qg6 24.f4 $1 exf4 25.Nf3 {and if} 25...Qxe4 $2 26.Nxg5 Qxg2 27.Nxf7+ ) 24.f4 $1 gxf4 ( 24...exf4 25.e5 dxe5 26.Ne4 f3 27.Qf2 $1 {with advantage. Rather than} ( 27.Nxf6 $2 fxg2 28.Nxh7 Nxh7 {which is actually good for Black.} ) ) 25.Qf3 Ng6 26.Qh5+ Kg7 27.Nf3 {and there is no defense (Li Chao).} ) 22.Nd3 b5 {White will break the blockade in case of:} ( 22...g5 23.f4 $1 exf4 24.e5 $1 ( 24.Nf3 Kh6 25.Be2 Ng6 ) 24...dxe5 25.Ne4 {and establish an attacking blockade himself. Indeed this seems unpleasant for the second player, but is everything that bad? After} 25...Qh6 {Black has many pieces ready to challenge the blockade in their turn and this should be good enough to keep the game unclear. For example:} 26.O-O-O ( 26.Ndxc5 g4 $1 27.hxg4 b6 28.Nd3 Ng5 ) ( 26.Nexc5 Bf5 $1 ) 26...f3 ( 26...Bf5 $5 ) 27.Qh2 g4+ 28.Rd2 g3 29.Nxg3 hxg3 30.Rxg3+ Kh8 31.Nxe5 {and it's anyone's game.} ) 23.O-O-O g5 $2 {Only this move can be called a mistake.} ( {Instead Harikrishna's recommendation} 23...bxc4 24.Nxc4 Bd7 25.Ne3 ( 25.f4 exf4 26.e5 dxe5 27.Ncxe5 $6 ( 27.Ndxe5 f3 ) 27...c4 $1 ) 25...g5 {keeps the game approximately even.} ( {Or even} 25...Qxf3 ) ) ( 23...Bd7 {is another option} 24.f4 exf4 25.e5 dxe5 26.Ne4 f3 27.Qh2 ( 27.Qf2 $5 ) 27...Qe7 ( 27...Qf5 $2 28.Nd6 ) 28.d6 {when anything can happen.} ) 24.f4 $1 {This is very strong now. The white pieces get an access to the enemy king.} 24...exf4 25.e5 $1 Qf5 {Sadly, the pawn should be allowed to go to e6 as otherwise Black's position will quickly detoriate after} ( 25...dxe5 26.Ne4 Qh6 ( 26...Qe7 27.d6 ) 27.Nxe5 ) 26.e6 {The pawn separates the flanks and this is the reason why Li Chao cannot hold on the kingside.} 26...f3 ( 26...Re7 27.Qe4 {(Harikrishna)} ( 27.Ne4 ) 27...Kf6 28.Nf2 $1 {would win for White.} ) ( 26...bxc4 27.Nxc4 f3 28.Qd2 ( 28.Qh2 ) 28...Qxd5 29.Qc3+ Rf6 30.Nf4 {(Svidler)} ( {Or the simple} 30.e7 {are two other winning lines.} ) ) ( {PerhapsBlack's last chance was to sacrifice the piece at once with} 26...Nxe6 27.dxe6 Bb7 28.Qf2 Qxe6 {although this should also be won for the Indian GM.} ) 27.Qh2 {Better than} ( 27.Nxf3 Qxf3 28.exf7 Qe3+ 29.Kb1 bxc4 {followed by c4-c3 (Harikrishna)} ( 29...Bxh3 ) ) 27...Bxe6 ( 27...Re7 28.Qxd6 ) 28.dxe6 Qxe6 29.Nf2 Qe3 ( {Maybe} 29...Rd8 30.Bd3 {was a try for Black.} ) 30.Ng4 Qf4 31.Qxf4 Rxf4 32.Nxf3 $1 {A small tactic to get rid of Black's most dangerous pawn. The game is essentially over.} 32...bxc4 ( 32...Rxf3 33.Bg2 ) 33.Ngh2 Ne6 34.Rxd6 Nd4 ( 34...Re8 35.Rxa6 ) 35.Rd7+ Kh8 36.Ne5 Nf8 37.Rf7 Re4 38.Rxg5 Rd8 39.Rxf8+ Rxf8 40.Ng6+ Kg7 41.Nxf8+ Kxf8 42.Rxc5 1-0

[Event "Chess 2016"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2016.04.28"]
[Round "8.5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Harikrishna, P."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "A04"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7217960990218"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:41:27"]
[BlackClock "0:45:17"]

1.Nf3 e6 2.g3 b5 {Bent Larsen loved to play this way. One idea is to grab some space on the queenside and if White develops in KIA way to be ready to attack on the other side as quick as possible.} 3.e3 {Kramnik wants to lure the black pawn on a6. In most of the cases White prefers the straightforward development instead:} ( 3.Bg2 Bb7 4.O-O c5 5.b3 d6 6.c4 b4 7.Bb2 Nd7 8.d4 Ngf6 {with approximate equality in Vitiugov,N (2736)-Bukavshin,I (2648) Sochi 2015} ) 3...a6 4.Bg2 Bb7 5.O-O Nf6 6.b3 c5 7.c4 Be7 8.Nc3 ( {Previously White first developed his bishop} 8.Bb2 O-O 9.Nc3 b4 10.Na4 a5 11.d4 cxd4 12.Nxd4 Bxg2 13.Kxg2 Na6 14.Qf3 {with slight advantage for White in Rukavina,J (2417)-Aleksandrov,A (2636) Budva 2009} ) 8...O-O ( 8...d6 $5 {was interesting as White cannot win the pawn} 9.cxb5 axb5 10.Nxb5 Ba6 ) 9.d4 ( {Here too,} 9.cxb5 $6 axb5 10.Nxb5 {is bad due to} 10...Ba6 {and Black wins the exchange.} ) 9...d5 ( {Harikrishna did not like} 9...Ne4 {due to} 10.Ne2 $5 ( {Although} 10.Bb2 Nxc3 11.Bxc3 d6 12.dxc5 dxc5 13.Qe2 {is little better for White as well.} ) ) ( {On the other hand Kramnik's suggestion} 9...cxd4 10.exd4 Qc8 {when the position is uncler but easier for White to play. For example} ( {On} 10...d5 {the Russian intended} 11.Ne5 ( {Or} 11.c5 ) 11...Qc8 12.c5 {with advantage for White thanks to the defended passer.} ) 11.Bf4 ( {Or simply} 11.Qe2 ) 11...bxc4 12.bxc4 Qxc4 13.Ne5 Qc8 14.Bxb7 Qxb7 15.Rb1 {with compensation for a pawn.} ) ( {On the other hand} 9...b4 {is a recession as} 10.Na4 d6 11.dxc5 dxc5 12.Ne5 {gives White very good chance to occupy the c6 square later- the most palpable point in Black's position.} ) 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 Bxd5 12.dxc5 Bxc5 {As a result a typical Kramnik's type of position arose. The computer quickly rushes to scream out its favourite evaluation 0.00 but the former world champion says "Not so fast!" His recommendation for Black here makes perfect sense:} ( 12...Nd7 $5 {to capture the pawn with the knight and if} 13.b4 ( 13.Bb2 Nxc5 14.Ne5 {looks a bit better for White although Black should be able to hold the c6 square after} 14...Bxg2 15.Kxg2 Qe8 16.Qf3 Rc8 {followed by f7-f6.} ) 13...a5 14.Nd4 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 axb4 16.c6 $6 ( 16.Nc6 $5 Qe8 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.Qd6 Qxd6 19.cxd6 b3 20.a3 b4 21.a4 Nc5 ) 16...Ne5 {Black seems in perfect shape.} ) 13.Qe2 {"It might be equal, but it is easier to play as White. I would mind playing this as Black, but I would rather prefer White." (Kramnik)} 13...Nd7 14.Rd1 Qe7 15.Bb2 {White spend some time analyzing} ( 15.e4 Bb7 16.Bg5 f6 17.Bd2 Rac8 18.a4 {but decided that the move in the game is more dangerous for his opponent.} ) 15...Rac8 16.Rac1 Bb7 $6 {This is dubious.} ( {Both players came to the conclusion that Black is in under pressure after} 16...Rfd8 17.Qc2 {The threat is b3-b4!} 17...Nb6 ( 17...Bb7 {is bad due to the typical trick} 18.Ng5 $1 ) 18.Qc3 f6 19.Qa5 $1 {A very nice maneuver which quickly switches the angle of the attack.} 19...Qb7 20.Rxc5 $1 Bxf3 ( 20...Rxc5 21.e4 ) 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Bxf3 Qxf3 23.Bd4 Qb7 24.Rc1 {Yes, they calculated that deep in this simple looking position!} ) ( {Also bad for Black is} 16...Ba3 17.e4 ) ( {A typical Catalan position will arise after} 16...Nf6 17.Ne5 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Qb7+ 19.Qf3 {when if the white knight lands to the c6 square (and most likely it will!) Black will be constanlty suffering as Botvinnik showed in his famous game against Donner.} ) ( {Maybe the modest} 16...Bb6 {was best, initiating trades along the "c" file.} ) 17.Ng5 $1 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 {With the threats of Qe2-d3 or Ng3xh7 followed by Qe2-d3+.} 18...f5 {It is hard to give Black a good advise.} ( 18...Nb6 {would see the white knight landing on another great square} 19.Ne4 Ba3 20.Rxc8 Rxc8 21.Bxa3 Qxa3 22.Nd6 {with nice advantage for White.} ) ( 18...Nf6 {drops a pawn after} 19.Bxf6 Qxf6 20.Nxh7 ) ( {While} 18...Rfd8 {leads to complete disaster after} 19.Qh5 h6 20.Ne4 Bb6 $1 21.Rxd7 Qxd7 22.Qg4 f5 23.Nf6+ Kh8 24.Qg6 $1 {and mate.} ) 19.e4 h6 {Kramnik anticipated} ( 19...f4 {to whic he had in mind} 20.Qg4 fxg3 21.f3 $1 ( 21.f4 $5 ) ) 20.Nf3 Nf6 {Or} ( 20...fxe4 21.Qxe4 Nf6 22.Bxf6 Qxf6 23.Rd7 {with difficult position for the Indian GM.} ( 23.Re1 ) ) 21.exf5 exf5 22.Qxe7 Bxe7 23.Nd4 $1 {White takes complete command of the game. The pawns on a6 and f5 are targets and all the white pieces dominate. Not too bad for a 0.00 position, is not it?} 23...Rxc1 24.Rxc1 Nd5 25.Ne6 Rf7 26.Rc8+ Kh7 27.Ra8 f4 28.Rxa6 fxg3 {Perhaps Black's last chance was Harikrishna's suggestion to keep the f pawn alive with} ( 28...Bf6 29.Bxf6 ( {Or} 29.Bc1 {which migth be more precise} 29...f3+ 30.Kh3 Nb4 31.Ra8 g5 32.Kg4 Nd3 33.Be3 Kg6 34.Rg8+ Kh7 35.Rf8 Kg6 36.Kxf3 {(Kramnik)} ) 29...Rxf6 30.Nc5 Rxa6 31.Nxa6 fxg3 32.hxg3 b4 33.Kf3 h5 {with chances to escape.} ) 29.hxg3 Bf6 30.Bc1 Re7 31.Rd6 Nc3 32.a3 Kg8 33.Bb2 {And Kramnik converted his extra pawn.} 33...Ra7 34.Rc6 Nd5 35.Bxf6 Nxf6 36.Rc7 Rxa3 37.Rxg7+ Kh8 38.Rg6 Ne4 ( 38...Ng8 39.Nd4 ) 39.Rxh6+ Kg8 40.Rh4 Nd2 41.b4 Nc4 42.Nc7 Ra2 43.Re4 ( 43.Nxb5 Ne3+ 44.Kf3 Nd1 ) 43...Nd6 44.Rd4 Nf5 45.Rd8+ Kf7 46.Nxb5 Rb2 47.Rd3 {Perfect technique by the former world champion!} 1-0

[Event "Chess 2016"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2016.04.29"]
[Round "9.5"]
[White "Li, Chao B"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2790"]
[ECO "D84"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[Beauty "4540875165192"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:20:31"]
[BlackClock "0:24:08"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 {Allowing the Gruenfeld is considered not-a-great idea of recently, but Li Chao is fearless.} 3...d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.e3 O-O 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Nxd5 Qxd5 8.Bxc7 {And this line is considered completely innocuous.} 8...Na6 9.Bxa6 {The endgame is practically forced as} ( 9.Bg3 {is dubious to say at least. After} 9...Bf5 10.a3 Rfc8 11.Nf3 Rc2 12.b4 Qb3 13.Bxa6 Qc3+ {and White was already fighting for his life in Evans,L-Saidy,A New York 1969} ) 9...Qxg2 10.Qf3 Qxf3 11.Nxf3 bxa6 12.Rc1 f6 {For the damaged pawn structure Giri owes a hefty bishop pair.} 13.Rg1 Rf7 ( {Or} 13...Bb7 14.Ke2 Rf7 15.Rgd1 e6 16.Ne1 Rc8 17.Bg3 Rxc1 18.Rxc1 e5 {Lysyj,I (2691)-Rodshtein,M (2654) Sochi 2015} ) 14.b3 {A novelty. Previously White got nothing of the opening after:} ( 14.Ke2 Bd7 15.Rc2 Rc8 ( 15...Bb5+ $5 ) 16.Rc3 Bf8 17.Ba5 Rb8 {Schenk,A (2491)-Ragger,M (2658) Germany 2014} ) 14...Bb7 {Now at least this bishop will not worry White on the a6-f1 diagonal.} 15.Ke2 Bf8 16.Ba5 e6 17.Nd2 Re8 {Giri camply put his pieces on good squares and is ready to open the board for his bishops.} 18.h4 {Black thought} ( 18.Nc4 {to be more precise to try and stop e6-e5 advance. True, Black can still go for} 18...e5 ( {Black can also go} 18...Rd7 {followed by a rook shift to the "h" file.} ) 19.dxe5 fxe5 {with approximately even game.} ) 18...e5 19.h5 {It always makes sense to get rid of an isolated pawn.} 19...exd4 {Simplifies the position.} ( {White gets some initiative after} 19...g5 20.dxe5 Rxe5 21.Bc3 ) 20.hxg6 hxg6 21.Rxg6+ Kh7 22.Rg3 Bh6 23.Nc4 Re6 ( 23...dxe3 {was interesting with the idea} 24.Nd6 ( 24.fxe3 {is correct instead.} ) 24...exf2+ 25.Nxe8 Bxc1 ) 24.Rd1 dxe3 25.Rd6 Re4 ( 25...Rfe7 26.fxe3 Rxd6 27.Nxd6 Bc6 ) 26.fxe3 Rh4 27.Rd8 Bf8 28.Nd2 {Li Chao plays for a win. A draw would be sealed after:} ( 28.Nd6 Bxd6 29.Rxd6 {with the opposite-colored bishops being the harbingers of the peace treaty.} ) 28...Bc6 29.Kd3 Rh5 30.Bc3 Be7 {Now both sides try to squueze something from the stone.} 31.Rc8 Bb5+ 32.Kc2 Bf8 33.a4 ( 33.Rf3 $5 Bg7 34.Rf2 {with the diea Nd2-e4 deserved consideration.} ) 33...Bd7 34.Rd8 Bf5+ 35.Kb2 Rh2 36.Rf3 Be7 37.Rd4 Bg6 38.Rdf4 Bc5 39.b4 ( 39.Rxf6 Rxf6 40.Rxf6 Bxe3 ) 39...Rb7 40.Ka3 Be7 {Giri considered the tricky line:} ( 40...Bd6 41.Rxf6 Rc7 42.e4 Rxc3+ 43.Rxc3 Rxd2 {which does not work due to} 44.Rc6 Rd3+ 45.Ka2 Rd2+ 46.Kb3 ) 41.Nb3 Rc7 42.Bxf6 {An inaccuracy which puts White on the ropes for a while. Still, he did not overstep the boarderline yet.} ( 42.e4 {is just equal.} ) 42...Rcc2 43.Rh4+ Rxh4 44.Bxh4 Bxh4 45.Rh3 Bf7 $1 46.Rxh4+ Kg7 {Suddenly the pin is unavoidable.} 47.Rh1 ( 47.Nd4 $4 Ra2# ) 47...Rc3 48.Rb1 Rxe3 49.a5 {The Chinese GM quickly recovers from the surprise and finds a convincing draw. The passive defense would have also taken half a point, but why to suffer?} 49...Bc4 50.b5 $1 axb5 ( 50...Bxb5 51.Rc1 ) 51.a6 {The pawns should be separated! Wrong is:} ( 51.Kb4 $2 {due to} 51...Bxb3 ( {But not} 51...Rxb3+ 52.Rxb3 Bxb3 53.Kxb5 ) 52.Rxb3 Rxb3+ 53.Kxb3 a6 $1 {and Black wins.} ) 51...Kf6 52.Kb4 Bd3 53.Rc1 {The pin has been broken and the extra pawn is not enough for the win as the material is highly reduced.} 53...Re4+ 54.Kc3 ( 54.Kc5 {is easier.} ) 54...Be2 55.Kb2 Rb4 56.Rc6+ Ke5 57.Kc3 Rh4 ( 57...Rc4+ 58.Rxc4 Bxc4 59.Na5 {since White only need to sacrifice his knight for the "b" pawn.} ) 58.Rc7 b4+ 59.Kb2 Bxa6 60.Na5 Kd5 61.Rxa7 {And after some further "wood-pushing" they agreed the draw.} 61...Bb5 62.Rg7 Ba4 63.Rg2 Rh3 64.Rg5+ Ke6 65.Rg6+ Kf5 66.Rb6 Rh2+ 67.Ka1 Rh4 68.Nc6 b3 69.Na5 Rh1+ 70.Kb2 Rh2+ 71.Kb1 Rh1+ 72.Kb2 Rh2+ 73.Kb1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess 2016"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.27"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7355823554572"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:37:21"]
[BlackClock "0:41:54"]

1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 dxc4 4.Qa4+ Nd7 5.Qxc4 c5 6.Nc3 {Aronian was not happy with this move as he did not want to put this knight on c3 too early (or at all), but he figured out that after:} ( 6.Nf3 {Black would not go for} 6...a6 ( {Eljanov may go} 6...b6 $5 7.Nd4 Ne5 {and he did not like the consequences of the line} 8.Nc6 Nxc4 9.Nxd8 Rb8 10.Nc6 Bb7 11.O-O Ra8 {with equality.} ) 7.Qb3 Rb8 8.d4 cxd4 9.O-O Nc5 10.Qd1 d3 {with an edge for White, Wang,Y (2718) -Barsov,A (2460) Abu Dhabi 2016} ) 6...Ngf6 7.d3 Be7 8.Nf3 b6 {A novelty. Black needs to oppose the Catalan bishop as fast as possible. Instead} ( 8...O-O 9.O-O Nb6 {saw Black suffering after} 10.Qb3 Nfd5 11.Bd2 Bd7 12.a4 a5 13.Ne5 {Guenthner,O (2238)-Martin,S (2257) Germany 2006} ) 9.Ng5 {A somewhat desperate attempt to play for the advantage. Instead the central advance} ( 9.O-O Bb7 10.d4 Rc8 {would lead to comfortable equality for Black.} ( {Or} 10...O-O ) ) 9...Rb8 10.O-O Bb7 11.Bf4 Bxg2 12.Kxg2 Rb7 $1 {A nice regroupment of the black pieces. The queen is ready to torture the white king on the long diagonal. Eljanov's opening strategy was a success.} 13.Nf3 O-O 14.e4 {One idea of the Rb8-b7 move is revealed in the line} ( 14.d4 cxd4 15.Nxd4 Qa8 $1 ) 14...Qa8 15.a4 Rd8 {Black's play is very natural and easy. Nd7-f8-g6 followed by Rb7-d7 comes next.} 16.Nb5 {Aronian does not want to resing himself to the possible draw after:} ( 16.a5 bxa5 ) ( {Or} 16.Rfd1 Nf8 17.d4 cxd4 18.Rxd4 Rxd4 19.Nxd4 Rd7 ) 16...Qc8 {The Armenian GM was hoping to force his opponent into passive defense after} ( 16...Ne8 ) 17.Rac1 Nf8 18.d4 {Since this pawn might become a liability Aronian finally offers the trade. But the missed time can be used by Eljanov to fight for the initiative.} 18...Ng6 19.Bg5 $6 {A blunder! Correct was} ( 19.Be3 a6 20.Nc3 b5 ( 20...Rc7 $5 ) 21.axb5 axb5 22.Qe2 Qc6 {with approximate equality.} ) 19...a6 {Eljanov trusted his opponent's word. He could have won a pawn with} ( 19...Nxe4 $1 20.Bxe7 Nxe7 21.dxc5 ( {White's best chance would be} 21.Rfe1 Nd6 22.Nxd6 Rxd6 23.b4 Rc7 24.dxc5 bxc5 25.Rc2 {although Black can still hang to the pawn and create serious problems after} 25...Rdc6 ) 21...Nxc5 22.b4 Nd3 $1 {The move that White missed!} 23.Qxc8 Nxc8 24.Rfd1 Rbd7 $1 {The move that Black missed!} ) 20.Nc3 b5 21.axb5 axb5 22.Qe2 c4 {Eljanov felt he was a little better here and on the top of that Aronian was low on time. One more pawn sacrifice was rejected for two different reasons. White believed that he has very good compensation after:} ( 22...cxd4 23.Nd5 $5 ( {While Eljanov did not believe he had any edge after} 23.Nxd4 Rxd4 24.Nxb5 Qd7 25.Nxd4 Qxd4 26.Rc8+ Bf8 ) 23...Qd7 ( 23...Qb8 24.Nxe7+ Nxe7 25.Bxf6 gxf6 26.e5 $5 ) 24.Nxe7+ Nxe7 25.Ne5 {One funny line being} 25...Qd6 26.Bxf6 gxf6 27.Ng4 Kg7 28.Nxf6 $5 Kxf6 29.e5+ $1 Qxe5 30.Qf3+ Nf5 31.Qxb7 {and White wins the exchange, although nothing is clear yet after} 31...d3 ) 23.Rfd1 h6 24.Bxf6 Bxf6 25.h4 {Now White's game is very natural and easy and he enjoys some initiative.} 25...Qb8 26.Ra1 Be7 27.h5 Nf8 28.Ne5 Rc8 {Better was to follow Aronian's after-game advise and deal with the rook on the "a" file with} ( 28...Qc7 29.Ra6 Rd6 30.Ra8 Rd8 ) 29.Ra6 Rb6 {Only this is a serious inaccuracy. Better was} ( 29...b4 30.Na4 ( 30.Nc6 Rxc6 31.Rxc6 bxc3 32.bxc3 Rb2 33.Qxc4 {the open position of the white king provides Black good chances of not losing the game.} ) 30...Ra7 {as} 31.Nc6 {is bad due} 31...Rxc6 32.Rxc6 Rxa4 ) 30.Rxb6 Qxb6 31.Qf3 f6 {Eljanov regretted after the game that he did not try} ( 31...Bf6 32.Nxf7 Kxf7 ( 32...Bxd4 33.e5 $1 ( {Or} 33.Nxb5 Bxb2 ( 33...Qxb5 34.Nd6 $1 ) 34.Nfd6 ) ) 33.e5 {In all cases White has annoying initiative.} ) 32.Ng6 Nxg6 {Positional resignation. Black could have tried his last chance:} ( 32...Bb4 {Or} 33.Ne2 {(Eljanov) keeping the super knight on the board.} ( 33.d5 {(Aronian)} 33...Re8 ( 33...Bxc3 $2 34.Ne7+ ) 34.Qg4 ) ) 33.hxg6 b4 34.Ne2 Qd6 {If the queen goes too far mate follows:} ( 34...Qa6 35.d5 e5 36.g4 Bf8 37.g5 $1 fxg5 ( 37...hxg5 38.Qh3 Bc5 39.Rh1 Kf8 40.Qd7 ) 38.Qf7+ Kh8 39.Rh1 {and Rh1xh6 is unstoppable.} ) 35.d5 e5 36.g4 {Brings the knight closer to the black king.} 36...Bf8 ( 36...Qd7 37.g5 $1 {still works for White.} ) 37.Qf5 {White is in no hurry.} ( {Here} 37.g5 {is stopped with} 37...fxg5 38.Qf7+ Kh8 39.Rh1 ( 39.Ng3 $5 ) 39...Qc7 $1 ) 37...Ra8 38.Rc1 ( 38.g5 $5 ) 38...Qa6 39.Ng3 Kh8 40.Qe6 {The time trouble is over and Aronian is completely winning.} 40...Qa2 ( 40...Qxe6 41.dxe6 c3 42.bxc3 b3 43.Rb1 Rb8 44.Nf5 ) 41.Nf5 c3 42.Rh1 Qa7 {Or mate after:} ( 42...cxb2 43.Nxh6 gxh6 44.Qxf6+ Bg7 45.Rxh6+ Kg8 46.Qf7# ) 43.d6 Qb7 44.d7 Qxe4+ 45.f3 {Black resigned due to:} ( 45.f3 Qe2+ 46.Kg3 Qd2 47.Rxh6+ gxh6 48.Qxf6+ Kg8 49.Qf7+ Kh8 50.Qh7# ) 1-0

[Event "4th Chess 2016"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2016.04.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2790"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[ECO "B96"]
[EventDate "2016.04.18"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[Beauty "8249713649713"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 {After the unfortunate "flat" result at the Candidates' Anish Giri is more determined than ever to avoid the second edition of "My 60 Memorable Draws."} 1...c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 {You see what I mean.} 6...e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 {This version of the Poisoned Pawn Variation is not as common as the immediate 7...Qb6, but the position of the white bishop on h4 may favor Black in some of the sharp lines after the capture on b2.} 9.a3 {Saves the pawn just in case.} 9...Be7 ( 9...Qxb2 $4 10.Na4 ) 10.Bf2 {This is an argument against the early h7-h6, but Vachier-Lagrave obviously does not mind this extra possibility.} 10...Qc7 11.Qf3 Nbd7 ( {MVL's latest game in this line went:} 11...b5 12.g4 Nc6 13.O-O-O Bb7 14.h4 d5 15.e5 Ne4 {with a double-edge position in Grischuk,A (2750)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2765) London 2015} ) 12.O-O-O b5 13.g4 g5 {A typical way to stop White's aggression on the kingside. It often comes with a pawn sacrifice.} 14.h4 gxf4 {But here it is White who sacrifices the pawn.} 15.Be2 {I suspect both players spend a lot of time analyzing then lines after:} ( 15.g5 Ne5 16.Qxf4 {one interesting line to investigate being} 16...hxg5 17.hxg5 Rxh1 18.gxf6 $1 ) 15...Rg8 {A novelty by the French GM. Previously Black hurried to occupy the e5 outpost with} ( 15...Ne5 16.Qxf4 Nexg4 17.Bxg4 e5 18.Nd5 ( {Perhaps Giri had prepared something related to the enterprising queen sacrifice in this case-} 18.Qxf6 $5 Bxf6 19.Nd5 Qd8 20.Nc6 ) 18...Nxd5 19.Qf3 Bxg4 20.Qxg4 Nf6 21.Qf3 {with advantage for White in Nekhaev,A (2535)-Yamaliev,V (2477) corr. 2013} ) ( {Vachier-Lagrave also considered the immediate} 15...d5 {but dismissed it due to} 16.exd5 Ne5 ( 16...Bb7 17.dxe6 Bxf3 18.exd7+ Qxd7 19.Bxf3 {is great for White (Giri)} ) 17.Ndxb5 axb5 18.Nxb5 Qb8 19.Qc3 Nxd5 ( 19...Ne4 {should be analyzed as well.} ) 20.Rxd5 $1 {and White wins (Vachier-Lagrave.)} ) ( {Both players disliked} 15...h5 {for different reasons.} 16.g5 Ng4 {Vachier-Lagrave did not like it due to} 17.Qxf4 ( {Giri wanted to attack with} 17.g6 Nde5 18.gxf7+ Nxf7 ) 17...e5 18.Nd5 $1 {This is indeed bad for Black, for example} 18...Qb8 19.Qg3 exd4 20.Bxg4 hxg4 21.Bxd4 {followed by h4-h5 and powerful attack on the kingside.} ) 16.Rdg1 $6 {This appears to be wrong on the account of Black's next move. In the post-mortem players agreed that the critical move is:} ( 16.g5 Ne5 ( 16...hxg5 17.hxg5 Ne5 {is another option which may transpose to the line below.} ) 17.Qxf4 {and now bad is} 17...Nfg4 {due to} ( {MVL intended} 17...hxg5 18.hxg5 Nfd7 ) 18.gxh6 {Another suggestion by the French GM was the queen sacrifice after} ( 18.Bxg4 hxg5 19.hxg5 Bxg5 20.Qxg5 Rxg5 21.Rh8+ {which Giri also explored but could not find a win after} 21...Kd7 {White has a draw though (if he wishes) with} ( 21...Ke7 {on the hand loses to} 22.Bh4 ) 22.Bxe6+ fxe6 23.Rh7+ Kd8 24.Rh8+ ) 18...Nxf2 19.h7 Rh8 {Noone suggested the simple} 20.Qxf2 ( 20.Rhg1 Ng6 ( {However, there is an amazing resource for Black after} 20...Nxd1 21.Rg8+ Kd7 22.Rxh8 Nxc3 23.bxc3 Qxc3 {and although White can promote to a queen with} 24.Rd8+ Bxd8 25.h8=Q {He is losing after} 25...Qa1+ 26.Kd2 Qxd4+ 27.Ke1 Nf3+ ) 21.Qxf2 {looks good for White.} ) ( 20.Rdg1 Rxh7 21.Rg8+ Kd7 22.Qxf2 Bb7 {is very unclear.} ) ) 16...d5 $3 {This move shocked not only Giri, but all commentators unarmed with silicon chips. It is very unusual for this situation and as the Dutchman put it looks crazy with the king in the middle. The position is very complex and both sides are not shy of option, for example:} ( 16...h5 17.g5 Ng4 18.Qxf4 e5 19.Nd5 {which looks good for White.} ) ( {Or} 16...Ne5 17.Qxf4 Nexg4 18.Bxg4 e5 {and now} 19.Qxf6 $3 Bxf6 20.Nd5 Qd8 21.Bxc8 Rxg1+ 22.Rxg1 Rxc8 23.Rg8+ Kd7 24.Rxd8+ Bxd8 25.Nf5 {leads to clear advanatge for White in the endgame.} ) 17.exd5 {Black's play is very easy and straightforward after} ( 17.g5 Ne5 18.Qh3 hxg5 ( 18...Nxe4 ) 19.Rxg5 Rxg5 20.hxg5 Nxe4 ) 17...Ne5 {A cold shower.} ( {Giri was hoping for} 17...Bb7 18.dxe6 $1 Bxf3 19.exd7+ Qxd7 20.Bxf3 {with compensation for the queen.} ) 18.Qh3 {Bad is} ( 18.d6 Nxf3 19.dxc7 Nxg1 ) 18...exd5 {As a result White's attack on the kingside was stopped for good while the black king feels safe in the middle of the board.} 19.Re1 {Discouraged, Giri puts little resistance.} ( 19.Nf5 Bxf5 20.gxf5 Rxg1+ ( 20...O-O-O ) 21.Rxg1 O-O-O {was very good for Black as Be7-c5 will follow next.} ( {Or even the immediate} 21...Bc5 22.Nxd5 Nxd5 23.Bxc5 O-O-O ) ) ( 19.Qg2 {looks timid} 19...Bxg4 ( 19...Bb7 ) ) 19...Kf8 $1 {Black avoids the unnecessary complications after} ( 19...h5 20.Ndxb5 ( 20.Bxb5+ axb5 21.Ndxb5 Qb8 ) 20...axb5 21.Nxb5 ) 20.Nf5 {There is hardly a defense as both} ( 20.Bf3 Nxf3 21.Qxf3 Bxg4 ) ( 20.Qf1 Bxa3 $1 {are great for Black.} ) 20...Bxf5 21.gxf5 Bc5 $1 {Without the dark-squared bishop White's position collapses very fast as d5-d4 followed by Nf6-d5-e3 is unstoppable.} 22.Qf1 ( 22.Bxc5+ Qxc5 23.Qf1 d4 ) 22...d4 23.Nb1 Ne4 ( 23...Nd5 {was not bad neither.} ) 24.Bf3 Nxf2 25.Bxa8 ( 25.Qxf2 d3 26.Qf1 Be3+ 27.Nd2 Qxc2# ) 25...Ned3+ $1 {Quite a finish!} 26.Kd2 ( 26.cxd3 Bxa3+ 27.Kd2 Bb4+ 28.Ke2 ( 28.Nc3 dxc3+ ) 28...f3+ 29.Kxf3 Qg3+ 30.Ke2 Qe3# ) 26...Nxe1 27.Qxf2 ( 27.Qxe1 d3 $1 ) 27...d3 $1 28.Qxe1 Be3+ {White resigned due to} ( 28...Be3+ 29.Kxd3 Qc4# ) 0-1

[Event "17th European Individual Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.05.22"]
[Round "10.4"]
[White "Kovalenko, Igor"]
[Black "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2644"]
[BlackElo "2692"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8042057846822"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:09:18"]
[BlackClock "0:00:57"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nb6 7.O-O Be7 8.Rb1 a5 {The main move, as in case of} ( 8...O-O 9.b4 {White may take a hefty central pawn in return for his flank one.} 9...e4 10.Nxe4 Bf5 11.Qc2 Bxb4 12.a3 {as in Nakamura,H (2816)-Sevian,S (2556) Las Vegas 2015} ) 9.d3 O-O 10.Be3 a4 {A novelty. So far Black had mainly the natural developing move:} ( 10...Be6 {When the game usually continues} 11.Rc1 Kh8 12.a3 f5 13.Bxb6 {Pretty much White's only plan.} 13...cxb6 14.Nd2 {With the idea to place the knights on c4 and b5, but after} 14...Rc8 15.Nb5 Bc5 16.Nc4 Qe7 {Black is very solid, Wang,H (2717)-Tomashevsky,E (2728) Huaian 2016} ) 11.Qd2 {Kovalenko proceeds with the development. A more determined approach is} ( 11.d4 {to which Black can sacrifice a pawn with} 11...Nc4 12.d5 Nxe3 13.fxe3 Na5 14.Nxe5 Qd6 $5 ( {Or} 14...Bf6 15.Nf3 a3 {in both cases with ample compensation for a pawn.} ) ) ( {In case of} 11.Rc1 {Black can try to prevent White's set-up from the line from above with} 11...Ra5 12.Bxb6 cxb6 13.Nd2 b5 ) ( {Fressinet's idea has tactical justification...} 11.Bxb6 cxb6 12.Nxa4 {does not win a pawn due to} 12...b5 13.Nc3 b4 14.Na4 ( 14.Ne4 Rxa2 ) 14...e4 $1 {and if} 15.dxe4 $2 Qxd1 16.Rfxd1 Rxa4 {drops the knight.} ) 11...Be6 {Another way to play it is:} ( 11...f6 12.Rfd1 Nd4 {to prevent d3-d4.} ) 12.Ng5 Bxg5 {Black is often ready to swap off this bishop as he can oppose the fianchettoed one with his second bishop on d5, thus taking out the sting of the bishop pair.} 13.Bxg5 Qd7 14.Rfc1 f6 15.Be3 Nd5 16.Bxd5 Bxd5 17.Nxd5 Qxd5 {As a result Black more or less equalized.} 18.b4 ( {Worse is} 18.a3 f5 {when f5-f4 is a serious threat.} ) 18...axb3 19.Rxb3 {The only way to fight for something. In return for the isolated "a" pawn White has pressure along the half-open "b" and "c" files.} ( {Or} 19.axb3 Ra5 20.b4 Ra2 ) 19...b6 20.Qc2 {Another equal line goes} ( 20.Rbc3 Rxa2 21.Qd1 Nd4 22.Bxd4 exd4 23.Rxc7 Re8 ) 20...Na5 21.Rb4 Rf7 22.d4 Nb7 $6 {Too passive.} ( {Black is a tad worse after} 22...exd4 23.Rxd4 Qe5 24.Rcd1 Re8 {but should be solid enough to hold.} ) ( 22...e4 23.a4 {followed by Rb4-b5 looks annoying.} ) ( {The most solid continuation was} 22...Re8 23.dxe5 Qxe5 {when the forcing line} 24.Bf4 Qxe2 25.Qxe2 Rxe2 26.Bxc7 Rxa2 27.Bxb6 h6 {leaves the black knight precariously placed on a5, but since all the queenside pawns disappeared the game should end in a draw.} ) 23.a4 c5 $2 {This is a bit too much. In the line:} ( 23...Re8 24.dxe5 Qxe5 ( 24...fxe5 25.Rc4 c5 ) 25.Bf4 {is much stronger now as Black cannot win the "a" pawn after} 25...Qxe2 26.Qxe2 Rxe2 27.Bxc7 ) ( {But I wonder why Fressinet did not continue with the centralization of the knight} 23...Nd6 24.dxe5 fxe5 {White is a little better, but the play will go on and on.} ) 24.dxc5 bxc5 {Perhaps the French GM missed that in the line} ( 24...Nxc5 25.Rxb6 Nxa4 26.Rb4 Qd7 27.Ra1 {his knight would be trapped?} ) 25.Rb6 Rc7 26.Rcb1 {Now White dominates. All his pieces are superior to the black ones.} ( 26.Rd1 Qf7 27.Rdb1 {was also very good for White.} ) 26...Rd7 {Since} ( 26...Nd6 27.Rd1 Qe4 28.Qb3+ {seems favourable for White.} ) 27.h4 $1 {Excellent technique by Kovalenko who seeks more weaknesses on the kingside.} 27...Nd8 ( {Nothing changes} 27...c4 28.h5 h6 29.Qg6 ) 28.h5 h6 29.Qg6 {With the dual threat of capturing on h6 and f6.} 29...Qf7 30.Rb8 {The attack promises more than the pawn plus after} ( 30.Rxf6 Qxg6 31.Rxg6 Rxa4 ( 31...Kf7 32.Rb5 ) 32.Bxh6 {although White should win this too.} ) 30...Rxa4 {Or} ( 30...Rxb8 31.Rxb8 Qxg6 32.hxg6 {when Black is helpless.} ) 31.R1b7 $1 {This pretty move wraps up the game.} 31...Ra1+ ( {It is the pin that brings down Black in all the lines} 31...Qxg6 32.hxg6 Rd1+ ( 32...Rxb7 33.Rxd8# ) 33.Kg2 Rg4 34.Bxc5 Rxg6 35.Be7 ) 32.Kh2 Qxg6 33.hxg6 Rad1 34.Rxd7 Rxd7 35.Bxc5 1-0

[Event "17th European Individual Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.05.23"]
[Round "11.3"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2661"]
[BlackElo "2722"]
[ECO "A18"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6597069767173"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "1:10:57"]
[BlackClock "0:17:47"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.dxc3 {The always-creative Jobava finds a way to surprise the always-well-prepared Wojtaszek.} ( {The main line is} 6.bxc3 Qxf6 7.d4 {when} 7...Nc6 8.Nf3 e5 9.Bg5 Qg6 10.d5 Nb8 11.h4 {is quite topical these days, Nakamura,H (2787)-Caruana, F (2795) Saint Louis 2016} ) 6...Qxd1+ {Simple and good. Black experienced some problems after} ( 6...Qxf6 7.Nf3 h6 8.Be3 Nc6 9.Be2 ( 9.Bd3 $5 ) 9...Bd6 10.Qc1 Qe7 11.b4 {Ungureanu,E (2325)-Markus,R (2270) Budapest 1998} ) 7.Kxd1 gxf6 {Theoretically speaking, Black's pawn structure should be better as his three pawns can easily stop White's four on the queenside. However, this is only in theory as there are still pices on the board.} 8.g3 Bd7 {The "Catalan" bishop should be tamed.} ( {The pseudo-active} 8...Bc5 {just helps White} 9.b4 Bxf2 $2 10.Nh3 Bb6 11.c5 {and the bishop's trapped.} ) 9.Bg2 Bc6 10.Bf3 {A novelty. Jobava invites Wojtaszek to trade first and develop his knight.} ( {Both predecessor gave nothing to White after:} 10.Bxc6+ Nxc6 11.Nf3 Bc5 12.Ke2 a5 13.Be3 Bxe3 14.Kxe3 Ke7 15.b3 Rad8 16.Rhd1 h5 17.a3 Ne5 18.Nxe5 {1/2-1/2 (18) Van der Auweraert,E (1976)-Lentjes,N (1946) Haarlem 2012} ) 10...Bxf3+ {Once more the simplest.} ( {Still bad is} 10...Bc5 11.b4 Bxf2 $2 ( {Although} 11...Bxf3+ 12.Nxf3 Be7 {is tricky, with the idea to block the white pawns after a7-a5.} ) 12.Bxc6+ Nxc6 13.Nh3 ) 11.Nxf3 Nc6 12.Ke2 Ne5 {The beginning of Black's problems. The e5 pawn becomes a liability. Safer was} ( 12...f5 13.Be3 Bg7 14.Rhd1 Rd8 {visually the black bishop is biting the granite, but in reality it is preventing the white pawns from going forward.} ) ( {While} 12...O-O-O 13.Be3 Be7 14.b4 {seems more pleasant for White.} ) 13.Nxe5 fxe5 14.f3 h5 15.Be3 c5 ( {White is better after} 15...f5 16.Rad1 Rd8 ( 16...Be7 ) 17.Rxd8+ Kxd8 18.Rd1+ Kc8 19.Bg5 Bg7 20.c5 ) 16.h3 f6 ( 16...f5 17.g4 {is similar.} ) 17.g4 {White generates useful pressure on the kingside.} 17...Be7 {Black cannot afford to open the "h" file.} ( 17...hxg4 18.hxg4 Rxh1 19.Rxh1 Kf7 20.Rh7+ Bg7 21.Bxc5 {with clear edge for the first player.} ) 18.Rag1 Kf7 {Another way to defend is} ( 18...b6 19.g5 f5 ( 19...fxg5 20.Bxg5 ) 20.f4 Bd6 ( {Or} 20...e4 21.Rd1 ) ) 19.g5 fxg5 {Unnecessary. Why not} ( 19...f5 {Then if} 20.g6+ ( {While} 20.h4 Kg6 {will block the position, maybe for good.} ) 20...Kg7 21.Rd1 Rhd8 22.Rhg1 b6 {the g6 pawn will suffer.} ) 20.Bxg5 Rhg8 21.Be3 {But not the rook endgame} ( 21.Bxe7 Kxe7 ) 21...Rad8 22.a4 a5 $2 {Places a pawn on the color of his bishop. Capablanca would have been very angry! White's position becomes more and more pleasant with every move and Wojtaszek loses the path. The bishop endgame after} ( 22...Rxg1 23.Rxg1 Rg8 24.Rxg8 Kxg8 25.Kd3 Kg7 26.Ke4 Bd6 27.Bf2 Kf7 28.Bg3 Kf6 29.a5 a6 30.Bh4+ Kf7 {seemed holdable as White has no way in and the two weaknesses on e5 and c5 can be defended simultaniously by the black bishop.} ) 23.Bf2 b6 24.Rxg8 Kxg8 {With the additional weaknesses on a5 and b6 Black can no longer hold the bishop endgame} ( 24...Rxg8 25.Rd1 Rd8 26.Rxd8 Bxd8 27.Kd3 Bf6 ( 27...Bc7 28.Ke4 Bd6 29.Bg3 Kf6 30.Bh4+ Kf7 31.Bd8 {and the pawns drop.} ) 28.b4 $1 {when White reaches b6 at the end.} ) 25.Rg1+ Kf7 26.Be3 {Knowing that his opponent cannot trade rooks Jobava makes a good use of the open file.} 26...Rd7 27.Bh6 Kf6 28.Rg7 Rc7 29.Rg8 {Jobava keeps maneuvering. White's winning chances are quite serious in the rook endgame after} ( 29.h4 Rd7 30.Ke3 Rc7 31.Ke4 Rd7 32.b3 Rb7 ( 32...Rc7 33.f4 exf4 34.Bxf4 Kxg7 35.Bxc7 {is just as bad as before for Black.} ) 33.Rg2 Rd7 34.Bg5+ Kf7 35.Bxe7 Rxe7 36.Rd2 $1 {I doubt that Black can hold this.} ) 29...Kf5 30.Be3 Bf6 31.Rf8 Rc6 32.Rf7 {The same policy again. The Georgian GM does not want to allow any activity to his opponent. In the line} ( 32.h4 $5 Kg6 33.Bg5 Bxg5 34.Rg8+ Kf5 35.Rxg5+ Kf4 36.Rxh5 e4 37.fxe4 Kxe4 {White wins a pawn but Black retains good drawing chances thanks to his active king.} ) 32...Kg6 33.Rd7 Bg5 {It is time for Wojtaszek to show some activity.} ( 33...Kf5 $5 {was good as well.} ) 34.Bf2 Kf5 35.Kd3 h4 36.Be3 Bf4 $2 {The long anticipated improvement of this bishop is fake. It was the rook that should have been taken care of! After} ( 36...Bf6 37.Bd2 Rc8 $1 {Black should hold since the greedy} 38.Rb7 ( 38.Rf7 Rg8 ) 38...Rg8 39.Rxb6 Rg3 {may turn tables in Black's favour.} ) 37.Rd8 ( 37.Rf7+ Kg6 {is too early.} ) 37...Rc7 {Black cannot avoid the rook endgame.} ( 37...Bxe3 38.Kxe3 {is similar to the game.} ) 38.Rf8+ Kg5 39.Bxf4+ exf4 40.Ke4 {With both his pieces clearly superior Jobava is winning.} 40...Rd7 41.Ke5 $1 {But not} ( 41.Rg8+ Kf6 42.Kxf4 Rd2 ) 41...Rd2 42.Rg8+ Kh6 43.Kf6 Kh7 44.Rg7+ Kh8 ( 44...Kh6 45.Rg4 $1 ) 45.Rg4 Kh7 {Alas, there is no time to grab pawns due to} ( 45...Rxb2 $4 46.Kf7 {and checkmate next.} ) 46.Rxh4+ Kg8 47.Rg4+ Kh7 ( {Or} 47...Kf8 48.Kxe6 Rxb2 49.Rxf4+ ) 48.Rh4+ Kg8 49.Kxe6 Rxb2 50.Rxf4 {White won two pawns and kept his pieces more active. The rest is easy.} 50...Rb3 51.Ke7 Rxc3 52.Rg4+ Kh7 53.f4 Rxh3 54.f5 Re3+ 55.Kf8 Kh6 ( 55...Rf3 56.Rh4# ) 56.f6 Kh5 57.Rg1 1-0

[Event "17th European Individual Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.05.23"]
[Round "11.19"]
[White "Demchenko, Anton"]
[Black "Howell, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2589"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[Beauty "8250095317566"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:43:52"]
[BlackClock "0:14:57"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 a6 6.O-O Ba7 7.Bg5 {A relatively rare move. As a rule White does not want to commit the bishop to the g5 square before he castles. However, Demchenko already has good experience with this line. More common continuations are:} ( 7.Bb3 h6 8.Nbd2 d6 9.Re1 O-O 10.h3 {as in Giri,A (2778)-So,W (2767) Bilbao 2015} ) ( {Or} 7.Nbd2 {which the favourite move of the Armenian GM Andriasian. One of his recent games went} 7...O-O 8.h3 d6 9.Bb3 Re8 10.Re1 h6 11.Nf1 Be6 12.Bc2 d5 {and by coincidence it was played at the previous EICC against the fresh European champion, Andriasian,Z (2612)-Inarkiev,E (2675) Jerusalem 2015} ) 7...h6 8.Bh4 d6 ( {The immediate} 8...g5 {is also possible and will most likely transpose to the game after} 9.Bg3 d6 ) 9.Nbd2 g5 {This is the main reason why White prefers to delay the development of the bishop. It might get out of the game for long on g3 and even under tempos in case Black starts pushing his kingside pawns.} ( {One idea behind White's set up is revealed by Demchenko himself. It is quite tempting to get rid of the light-squared bishop with:} 9...Na5 {but after} 10.Bd5 $1 c6 {White has} 11.Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 12.b4 b5 13.bxa5 Qxa5 14.d4 {with strong central pressure, Demchenko,A (2589) -Malakhov,V (2702) St Petersburg 2015} ) 10.Bg3 O-O {Howell decided to castle short after all.} ( {White did not mind repeating his trademark} 10...Na5 11.Bd5 O-O 12.b4 c6 13.Bxf7+ Rxf7 14.bxa5 Qxa5 15.d4 {in Demchenko,A (2596)-Venkatesh,M (2443) Chennai 2016} ) ( {Black would be happy to castle long. However after} 10...Qe7 {he has to deal with the central break} 11.d4 {which opens his king, Pflug,M (2270)-Jedinger,A (2170) Austria 2010} ) ( {Also, in case of} 10...Bg4 {White can prepare warm meeting to the black king on the queenside} 11.b4 Qe7 12.a4 ) 11.a4 {Secures the position of the bishop on the a2-f7 diagonal. This is a novelty in comparison to} ( 11.b4 Bg4 12.Re1 Nh5 13.Kh1 Nf4 14.Nf1 Ne7 {with free game for Black, Nemeth,L-Toth,A (2180) Paks 1995} ) 11...g4 {A highly challenging move. And risky. Howell badly needed to win.} 12.Bh4 $1 {This sacrifice happens usually after the white knight captures on g5. Here White gets only a pawn for the piece and a long-lasting, positional attack.} ( {Perhaps Black expected only the calm} 12.Nh4 ) 12...Kg7 {Howell invites his opponent to think twice before sacrificing.} ( {After} 12...gxf3 13.Qxf3 Kg7 {White can play in a similar way to the game with} 14.Kh1 ( {In case of the immediate} 14.g4 {Black can give the piece back with} 14...Bxg4 15.Bxf6+ Qxf6 16.Qxg4+ Qg5 ) ( {Please note that White can force a draw anytime he likes with} 14.Qg3+ Kh7 15.Qf3 ) 14...Rg8 15.g4 {although Black has some extra options now, like} 15...Bxg4 16.Bxf6+ Qxf6 17.Qxg4+ Kh8 {with unclear play.} ) 13.Kh1 $1 {White insists.} 13...gxf3 14.Qxf3 Nb8 {The knight rushes to defend his brother.} ( {I have the feeling that} 14...Rg8 {was the better defense with the familiar idea} 15.g4 ( 15.Rg1 h5 ) 15...Bxg4 16.Bxf6+ Qxf6 17.Qxg4+ Kh8 ) 15.g4 $1 Nbd7 ( {Now} 15...Bxg4 {does not help due to} 16.Rg1 ) ( 15...Rg8 {remains an option, but this time White has a clear path to the advantage with} 16.Rg1 $1 ( 16.g5 $5 ) 16...Nbd7 17.g5 hxg5 18.Rxg5+ Kf8 19.Rxg8+ {The difference in both set-ups is that White can bring on the reserves much faster.} 19...Kxg8 20.Rg1+ Kf8 21.Qf5 $1 {Black is completely tied up and cannot prevent the white knight from entering the battle after} 21...c6 22.Nf3 {with decisive attack.} ) 16.Rg1 {Demchenko is ready to break open the king's castle.} 16...Rh8 {The only move as} ( 16...Rg8 {loses by force after} 17.g5 hxg5 18.Rxg5+ Kh7 19.Rh5+ Kg7 20.Rg1+ Kf8 21.Rxg8+ Kxg8 22.Qg3+ Kf8 23.Rh8+ ) 17.Nf1 $1 {What an excellent resource! White underlines the fact that his pieces have the needed time to get to their optimal positions.} ( 17.g5 hxg5 18.Bxg5 Kf8 {is also great compensation for the piece, but why release the pressure when your opponent has nothing to do?} ) 17...Qe8 $2 {Loses. Black's position seems suspicious after} ( 17...Kf8 $1 {but this was Black's only chance. For example} 18.Ng3 Rg8 19.Nh5 {Now best is to give some material back with} 19...Rg5 ( {Rather than} 19...Rg6 20.g5 hxg5 21.Rxg5 ) 20.Bxg5 hxg5 21.Qf5 ) 18.g5 Ng8 ( {Or} 18...hxg5 19.Bxg5 {with unstoppable Bg5xf6+ since} 19...Nh5 20.Be7+ Kh6 21.Bxf7 {is even worse.} ) 19.gxh6+ {And White flooded through the open files.} 19...Kf8 ( 19...Kxh6 20.Bg5+ Kg7 21.Bh6+ Kxh6 22.Qh3# ) 20.Qg3 Ngf6 21.Qg7+ Ke7 22.Rg6 $1 Rg8 23.Bxf6+ Nxf6 24.Qxf6+ Kd7 25.Bxf7 1-0

[Event "Ding Liren vs Wesley So"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.05.07"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7837375791698"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteClock "0:19:10"]
[BlackClock "0:05:04"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.g3 {This "Catalan Gambit" is very popular nowadays.} 5...dxc4 ( 5...Nbd7 {is a possibility, although if White insists on sacrificing the c4 pawn Black will have to capture it sooner or later. In fact the move order of the game Giri-Ivanchuk (see below) was this} 6.Bg2 dxc4 7.a4 Bb4 8.O-O ) 6.Bg2 b5 ( {Black's other choice is} 6...Nbd7 7.O-O ( 7.a4 Bb4 8.O-O O-O 9.Qc2 Qe7 10.a5 {Giri,A (2784)-Ivanchuk,V (2715) Wijk aan Zee 2015} ) 7...b5 8.e4 Bb7 9.e5 Nd5 10.Ng5 h6 {when a famous and important game saw} 11.Nxe6 {Kramnik,V (2783)-Anand,V (2791) Shamkir 2015} ) 7.Ne5 a6 {The most solid approach. The aggressive} ( 7...Nd5 8.a4 Bb4 {was basically dismissed after the theoretically important game Eljanov-Akopian, Eu Cup 2009. One fresh prove of this assessment:} 9.O-O O-O 10.axb5 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Nxc3 12.Qc2 Nxb5 13.e3 {Del Rio de Angelis,S (2484)-Beikert,G (2432) Llucmajor 2013. Black will lose all his pawns on the queenside.} ) 8.O-O Bb7 9.b3 ( {In a very recent game from the U.S. Championship which So witnessed live White got very little from the opening after} 9.a4 Be7 10.axb5 axb5 11.Rxa8 Bxa8 12.Nxb5 cxb5 13.Bxa8 O-O 14.Bg2 Qc7 {Kamsky,G (2678)-Robson,R (2663) Saint Louis 2016} ) 9...b4 ( {Giri captured instead} 9...cxb3 {against Kramnik in Doha 2014 which was evaluated as "modest but solid" by GM Stohl.} ) 10.Ne4 {Centralization. On the other hand one of the main architects of this whole line GM Gleizerov prefers to keep the knights on the board:} ( 10.Na4 {e.g.} 10...c3 11.Nc4 a5 12.a3 Ba6 13.axb4 axb4 14.Nc5 Bxc5 15.dxc5 O-O ( 15...Qxd1 16.Rxd1 O-O 17.Bf4 {Gleizerov,E (2546)-Solodovnichenko,Y (2543) Koge 2013} ) 16.Bf4 Nd5 17.Bd6 {with pressure in both cases, Gleizerov,E (2531)-Bruno,F (2413) Sibenik 2014} ) 10...Nxe4 11.Bxe4 c3 12.a3 a5 13.axb4 axb4 14.Bf4 {All of these are more or less forced as White needs to create counterplay before his opponent consolidates his position.} 14...Nd7 $1 {So correctly speeds up with development. Greed could well be a deadly sin in chess as Mr. Rowson would say:} ( 14...Rxa1 $6 15.Qxa1 Qxd4 $2 16.Rd1 $1 Qxe4 17.Qa7 {and White wins.} ) ( 14...Be7 {is not great either for the same reason:} 15.Rxa8 Bxa8 16.Qa1 Bb7 17.Qa7 {and the queen crashes in.} ) 15.Bxc6 Bxc6 16.Nxc6 Qc8 17.Rxa8 {A novelty. All of this has been seen an year ago when after} ( 17.Na5 Be7 18.d5 O-O 19.e4 exd5 20.exd5 Bc5 {White regained the pawn but was left possitionally suffering in Baron,T (2524)-Shirov,A (2702) Riga 2015} ) 17...Qxa8 18.d5 {Ding deflected the queen from the d-file and tries to attack in the middle.} 18...Bc5 {The only move.} ( 18...exd5 {is like an open invitation for the wolf in the pen.} 19.Qxd5 Be7 20.Qe4 ) ( 18...Nf6 {is bad as well due to} 19.e4 $1 Nxe4 20.Qd3 {followed by Qd3-b5 or Qd3-c4 and Rf1-e1 when the black king would hardly make it to the kingside.} ) 19.Qd3 O-O {Once again the only move. Black cannot castle after} ( 19...Qc8 20.Be3 $1 {since} 20...O-O 21.Bxc5 Nxc5 22.Qb5 {drops at least a piece.} ) 20.dxe6 Qxc6 21.exd7 Rd8 22.Rd1 Bb6 {So sacrificed a pawn but has good compensation thanks to the defended passer on c3. Black's ideas include an attack against the lonely b3 pawn and some back rank checkmate ideas.} 23.e4 h6 24.h4 {Ding sequres himself against the possible g7-g5 nastystness. Plan "A" for Black is seen in the line:} ( 24.e5 Qe6 {when White has difficulties with the defense of the b3 pawn} 25.Qd6 ( 25.Qd5 $2 {even loses to} 25...c2 26.Rd3 Qf5 $1 {with the unstoppable threat of Qf5xf4!} 27.Kg2 Qxf4 ( {Or even} 27...g5 $1 ) ) 25...Qxb3 26.Re1 Qe6 ) 24...Qe6 25.Qd5 Qg4 $1 {An ambitious move. The queen is ready to help the c-passer and to attack the white king. Safer was:} ( 25...c2 26.Rc1 ( {Or} 26.Rd3 Qf6 ) 26...Qxd5 27.exd5 Rxd7 28.Rxc2 Rxd5 29.Rc6 Bc5 {when White is a tad better but it should be a draw.} ) 26.Kg2 $1 {Ding is alert. The careless} ( 26.Rd3 Qe2 $1 {would give the win to Black.} ) 26...c2 ( {Now} 26...Qe2 {is answered} 27.Rf1 ) 27.Rc1 Qe2 $2 {So got overambitious, or simply missed something. The logical result of this interesting battle would have been a draw after the forced:} ( 27...Rxd7 28.Qb5 Qe6 29.Qxb4 Rd4 30.Qc3 Qxe4+ 31.Qf3 ( {but not} 31.Kh2 $4 Rd1 {when plan "B" works nicely for Black.} ) 31...Qxf3+ 32.Kxf3 Rd3+ 33.Ke2 Rxb3 34.Rxc2 ) 28.Rf1 Bc7 29.e5 $1 {The only move White, but sufficient!} ( 29.Bxc7 $2 {would have lost to} 29...Qxf1+ 30.Kxf1 c1=Q+ 31.Kg2 Qxc7 ) ( {While the retreat} 29.Be3 {will be met with the beautiful strike} 29...Bxg3 $1 {and since} 30.Kxg3 Qxf1 {is bad it is Black who is on top.} ) 29...Qg4 30.Rc1 Rxd7 31.Qa8+ Rd8 32.Qc6 {But now that the c-pawn is no longer defended it is getting an easy prey for the black pieces.} 32...g5 {Desperation.} ( {Instead} 32...Bb8 33.Rxc2 {is a solid extra pawn for White and technically won position.} ) 33.e6 $1 {Ding is very precise with his calculation as usual.} ( 33.hxg5 hxg5 34.Be3 Bxe5 ) 33...gxf4 ( 33...Bxf4 34.e7 $1 {was White's point.} ) 34.Qxc7 f3+ ( {Or} 34...Rf8 35.e7 f3+ 36.Kh2 Re8 37.Qd8 Qc8 38.Qxc8 Rxc8 39.Rxc2 ) 35.Kh2 Rd2 36.Rxc2 Rxc2 37.exf7+ Kg7 38.Qxc2 {So resigned as he loses a second pawn after} ( 38.Qxc2 Kxf7 39.Qh7+ ) 1-0

[Event "Russian Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.05.04"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[ECO "D41"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8248484699146"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:13:03"]
[BlackClock "0:20:27"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 Nxd5 {A tricky move order to reach the improved Tarrasch defense.} 5.Nf3 {Svidler tried the main line against his old rival at the Candidates:} ( 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 c5 {and then the cunning} 7.a3 $5 {prevented Black from his main idea to trade pieces with Bf8-b4, Svidler, P (2747)-Kramnik,V (2810) London 2013} ) 5...c5 6.g3 {The fianchettoe is a rare bird aginst the Improved Tarrasch. One of the reasons might be the fact that Black is happy to swap off some pieces in the following forced sequence. Another reason might be that the bishop on g2 can be easily neutralized. The main line is:} ( 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Bb4+ 9.Bd2 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 {which was tried by Kramnik many times with both colors, for instance} 10...O-O 11.Bc4 Nd7 12.O-O b6 {Kramnik,V (2783)-Naiditsch,A (2722) Dortmund 2015} ) ( 6.e3 {is White's second most common choice, which often leads to IQP positions which can arise from the Caro-Kann, QGA or the Nimzo-Indian defense. Kramnik's recipe in that case is} 6...cxd4 7.exd4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Qc7 9.Qc2 Nd7 10.Bd3 b6 11.O-O Bb7 {at least at blitz: Riazantsev,A (2646)-Kramnik,V (2777) Berlin 2015} ) 6...Nxc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Bb4+ 9.Bd2 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 b6 ( {The bishop can occupy the long diagonal via a different route:} 10...Bd7 {Some examples:} 11.e4 $5 {Slightly odd, but people play it.} ( 11.Bg2 Bc6 12.O-O O-O ( 12...Nd7 13.Rfe1 Nf6 14.Qf4 ( 14.Ne5 $5 ) 14...Be4 15.Rac1 O-O 16.g4 Qb8 17.Qxb8 Raxb8 {Grandelius,N (2581)-Roiz,M (2592) Stockholm 2015} ) 13.Qf4 Nd7 14.e4 Qa5 15.Rfe1 Rad8 16.Qe3 Rfe8 17.h4 Qa4 18.Rad1 Nb6 {1/2-1/2 (18) Tomashevsky,E (2695)-Khismatullin,D (2649) Moscow 2011} ) 11...Nc6 12.Bd3 Qa5 {It is generally useful for Black to trade queens in this pawn structure.} 13.Rb1 b6 14.Qxa5 Nxa5 15.Kd2 Ke7 16.Rhc1 f6 {with approximate equality in L'Ami,E (2614)-Socko,B (2617) Germany 2016} ) 11.Bg2 Bb7 12.O-O O-O 13.a4 {Intending to get rid of the isolated pawn and to present one to his opponent.} 13...Nc6 14.Ne5 Rc8 ( 14...Na5 $5 {makes sense as well, but Kramnik is not afraid of the following move.} ) 15.a5 b5 {A novelty. Black wants to keep both his queenside pawns on the board. In case of} ( 15...Nxe5 {which has been tested so far White has} 16.Bxb7 Rc7 17.axb6 axb6 ( 17...Rxb7 $6 18.bxa7 ) 18.Bg2 {with advantage for White, Brglez,F-Preo,N Canada 1981 The thing is that in this pawn structure White has very good chances in winning the isolated b-pawn which will lead in most cases to technically won positions.} ) ( 15...Nxa5 16.Bxb7 Nxb7 17.Rxa7 {would be similar.} ) 16.Qb2 {Black is also doing fine after} ( 16.a6 Ba8 17.Rfd1 Qd6 {Rather than} ( 17...Nxe5 18.dxe5 Qxd2 19.Rxd2 {with some problems in the endgame due to the possible target on a7.} ) ) 16...a6 {Now instead of an isolated queenside pawn Kramnik has a proud defended passer.} 17.Nd3 {Svidler could have also taken care of his own pawn majority with:} ( 17.Rfd1 Ba8 18.Nxc6 Bxc6 19.e4 {with approximate equality.} ) 17...Ba8 {The bishop steps back on a safe square and this immediately creates a double threat against the white pawns.} ( 17...Nxd4 {looks tempting until one discovers} 18.Bxb7 Rc2 19.Qa3 Nxe2+ 20.Kg2 Rc3 21.Qa2 Qxd3 22.Rfd1 Qc4 23.Qxc4 Rxc4 24.Bxa6 {and the a-passer supported by the bishop and the rook is more valuable than the extra back pawn.} ) 18.Bxc6 {Always a risky decision with the long diagonal looming!} ( 18.e3 Nxa5 {simply drops a pawn.} ) 18...Rxc6 $1 {Better than} ( 18...Bxc6 19.Nc5 Ra8 20.e4 {when White dominates.} ) 19.Nb4 Rc4 {Kramnik goes for a pawn sacrifice in attempt to use the diagonal. He would be fine as well after:} ( 19...Rd6 {With the idea to meet} 20.e3 {with} ( 20.Rfd1 Bb7 ) 20...e5 ( 20...Qg5 $5 {is also good} ) 21.dxe5 Rd2 22.Qc3 Qd7 {when Black strong initiative on the light squares.} ) 20.Nxa6 {Svidler correctly goes for a forcing line.} ( 20.e3 {is grim after} 20...Qd6 21.Nd3 Rfc8 {since the knight can never get a nice outpost-} 22.Nc5 $2 e5 $1 ) 20...Qd5 {A save approach.} ( 20...Qd6 21.Qxb5 Qxd4 22.Rfe1 Rfc8 {is unclear instead. The knight is trapped, but the "a" passer is strong.} ) 21.f3 Rxd4 22.Nc7 Qc5 23.Kh1 $6 {A step in the wrong direction. Svidler might have mixed his preliminary calculations.} ( 23.Nxa8 $4 {is a bit too hasty} 23...Rd2+ ) ( {but} 23.Kg2 {was correct and after} 23...Bc6 ( 23...Rc4 ) 24.Rfc1 Rc4 25.a6 ( 25.Na6 Qd6 26.Rxc4 bxc4 27.Nb4 ) ) 23...Bc6 24.Rfc1 {White could have still forced a draw with:} ( 24.a6 Rd7 25.Rfc1 Qb6 {The knight is trapped but the passer saves the day.} 26.Nxb5 Bxb5 ( 26...Qxb5 27.Qxb5 Bxb5 28.a7 Rdd8 ) 27.a7 Rxa7 ( 27...Rdd8 $2 28.Rcb1 ) 28.Rxa7 Qxa7 29.Qxb5 ) 24...Rc4 25.Na6 $2 {This is horrible. If in the line from above this move led to some slight advantage for White, here it simply loses.} ( 25.a6 {was the way to play, although with the king on h1 Black has some additional options. Like} 25...g5 $5 ) 25...Qf2 $1 {Kramnik does not need a second invite.} 26.Qe5 ( {Alas, there is no time for} 26.Rxc4 Bxf3+ $1 ) 26...Bd5 {The horse deserted his king and the black pieces win with direct attack.} 27.Nc7 f6 ( 27...Rxc1+ 28.Rxc1 Bc4 ) 28.Qd6 Rxc7 {Or:} ( 28...Rxc1+ 29.Rxc1 Bxf3+ 30.exf3 Qxf3+ 31.Kg1 Qe3+ ) 29.Qxc7 Qxe2 30.Ra3 {Svidler resigned not wishing to see:} ( 30.Ra3 b4 ) ( 30.Rf1 {would not save the game neither after} 30...Bxf3+ 31.Rxf3 Qxf3+ 32.Kg1 Qe3+ 33.Kg2 Qe4+ {the backward staircase forces the white king out} 34.Kh3 ( 34.Kg1 Qd4+ ) 34...g5 ) 0-1

[Event "Russian Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.05.05"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Sjugirov, Sanan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2674"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8246471434249"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "1:05:10"]
[BlackClock "0:15:20"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {It is always a challenge to find something against the Petroff defense. But for this game the former European champion had prepared something special.} 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.c4 {One of the favorite lines of the Armenian GM S. Movsesian.} 5...Be7 ( 5...Nc6 {True, Movsesian prefers to trade the knight on e4 with} 6.Nc3 Nxc3 7.dxc3 Bf5 8.Be2 Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.Be3 {as in Movsesian,S (2718)-Fridman,D (2649) Warsaw 2009} ) 6.d4 O-O 7.Bd3 Ng5 {Quite a logical decision- to swap off a pair of knights. Alternatively} ( 7...d5 {was tested, for example} 8.O-O c6 9.Re1 Bf5 10.Qc2 Nd7 11.Nc3 Ndf6 {Palac,M (2561)-Vajic,G (2379) Sarajevo 2015} ) ( {Or} 7...Nf6 {which seems a bit timid after} 8.h3 Re8 9.O-O Nbd7 10.Nc3 {with pleasant advantage in space in Hovhannisyan,R (2620)-Atabayev,M (2460) Kazan 2013} ) 8.Nc3 Bg4 $2 {I have the feeling we are not going to see this move soon. Neither later...} ( {An alternative is} 8...Nc6 9.Be3 ( {Perhaps Black was afraid of} 9.Nxg5 Bxg5 10.Qh5 ( 10.O-O {should be a bit better for White as well.} ) 10...h6 11.Bxg5 Qxg5 12.Qxg5 hxg5 13.Nb5 ) 9...Bg4 10.Nd5 Re8 11.h4 {with a mess in Azarov,S (2616)-Putka,V (2323) Warsaw 2013} ) ( {There is a good reason to follow the experts in the opening lines. Check out how one of them comfortably held the position} 8...Nxf3+ 9.Qxf3 Nc6 10.Be3 Bf6 11.O-O g6 12.Qf4 Bg7 13.Rad1 Ne7 14.Qh4 Bf5 15.Bh6 Bxd3 {1/2-1/2 (15) Kuczynski,R (2510) -Rozentalis,E (2600) Germany 1995} ) 9.Bxg5 {A novelty and the refutation of the line!} ( {White was not successful prior to this game} 9.Be2 Nxf3+ 10.Bxf3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 Nc6 12.Be3 Bg5 {Tseshkovsky,V (2560)-Makarichev,S (2500) Minsk 1979} ) 9...Bxg5 {Now comes a shocker.} 10.Bxh7+ $1 {Played almost instantly. A typical sacrifice with a pinch of salt.} 10...Kxh7 11.h4 $3 {The point. It is extremely easy to miss this move in anyone's preparation.} ( 11.Nxg5+ Qxg5 {would not have been a refutation.} ) 11...Bd2+ $5 {A clever reply in difficult situation.} ( {White's idea is unleashed in the line:} 11...Bh6 12.Ng5+ Bxg5 ( 12...Qxg5 {is better with clear advantage for White after} 13.hxg5 Bxd1 14.Rxd1 ) 13.hxg5+ {with a check!} ) ( {Even worse for Black is} 11...Bf4 12.Ng5+ ) ( {The intermediate check changes nothing, but was probably Black's best chance} 11...Re8+ 12.Kf1 Bh6 13.Ng5+ Qxg5 14.hxg5 Bxd1 15.Rxd1 Nd7 {Now he is not losing a pawn at least. True, his position remains poor after} 16.gxh6 gxh6 17.Nd5 ) 12.Qxd2 Re8+ ( 12...Bxf3 13.Qd3+ {would be similar.} ) 13.Kf1 Bxf3 14.Qd3+ Kg8 15.Qxf3 {Nepomniachtchi came out of the opening (or rather home prep) a solid pawn up. Next he comfortably converts the advantage.} 15...Nd7 16.Rd1 {There are other promising moves, like} ( 16.g3 {or} ) ( 16.h5 ) 16...Qf6 17.Qxf6 Nxf6 18.f3 d5 {The only chance to get some counterplay.} 19.c5 b6 20.cxb6 axb6 21.Kf2 b5 22.a3 ( {Not} 22.Nxb5 Reb8 $1 ) 22...b4 23.axb4 Rab8 {Since otherwise White may protect this pawn} ( 23...c6 24.Ra1 Rab8 25.Ra4 ) 24.b5 c6 25.Rhe1 {A very cool way to convert the pawn. Instead} ( 25.bxc6 Rxb2+ 26.Kg3 Rc8 {would have made things really difficult for White.} ) 25...cxb5 26.Rxe8+ Rxe8 27.Rc1 {Once again avoiding} ( 27.Nxb5 Rb8 ) 27...Ra8 {White's last move created a threat which Sjugirov missed. He couldn't have saved the game though even after the most resilent} ( 27...b4 28.Ne2 ) 28.Nxb5 Ra4 ( 28...Rb8 29.Rc5 {was the point.} ) 29.Rc8+ Kh7 30.g4 Rb4 31.Nd6 Rxd4 32.Kg3 $1 {The final tough which avoids the trap:} ( 32.Nxf7 $2 Nxg4+ 33.fxg4 Rf4+ {with serious chances for a draw in the rook endgame.} ) 1-0

[Event "Russian Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.05.07"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[ECO "B81"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7835765186088"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:30:27"]
[BlackClock "0:01:06"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 {Nepomniachtchi and Grischuk had already discussed this line in a rapid game.} 6...e6 {That game went:} ( 6...Nc6 7.g4 Qb6 8.Nb3 e6 9.g5 Nd7 10.h4 Qc7 11.f4 b5 12.Bg2 Bb7 {eventually ended in a draw, Nepomniachtchi,I (2730)-Grischuk,A (2792) Dubai 2014} ) 7.g4 Be7 {The classical approach to the flank attack should be a central strike with} ( 7...d5 {which is quite playable, although after} 8.Bg2 Nxe4 9.Nxe4 dxe4 10.Bxe4 {White gets a good version of the French Rubinstein pawn structure with his light-squared bishop working nicely on the long diagonal. One example:} 10...Nd7 11.c3 Qc7 12.Qe2 Be7 13.Be3 Nf6 14.Bg2 {and White looks very comforable, Ponomariov,R (2714)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2758) Beijing 2014} ) 8.g5 Nfd7 9.Be3 b5 10.a3 Bb7 11.h4 {With Grischuk's approach the game has a distinct Sicilian flavor. Soon both kings will castle in opposite directions and the same old question "who is faster?" will dominate the conversation.} 11...Nc6 ( {Black deviates from a recent top game:} 11...O-O 12.Qd2 Nb6 13.h5 N8d7 14.g6 {as in Karjakin,S (2760)-Topalov,V (2780) Moscow 2016.} ) 12.Qd2 Rc8 {As usual Black is not in a huge hurry to castle.} 13.Nxc6 Rxc6 14.O-O-O O-O {Now he does.} 15.Kb1 Ne5 16.Rh3 {A common maneuver which prevents the trouble along the long diagonal and protects the knight on c3 from the exchange sacrifice. And at the same time it's a brand new concept, at least for me. As far as I know in similar situations White likes to keep his dark-squared bishop on the board. The main reason is that this bishop can be very handy for the attack once that it occupies the long diagonal. So far seven correspondence games saw the move} ( 16.f4 {with good results for the first player, e.g.} 16...Nc4 17.Bxc4 Rxc4 18.Bd4 {e.g. Yamaliev,V (2438)-Marez,S (2444) corr. 2012} ) 16...Nc4 17.Qe1 Nxe3 {Grischuk hurries to get rid of the mighty bishop. Perhaps it made sense to seek some counterplay first with} ( 17...f6 18.Rg3 Nxe3 19.Qxe3 fxg5 20.hxg5 ) 18.Rxe3 Qc8 19.f4 {We can appreciate Nepomniachtchi's idea now. The rook on e3 stabilizes White's position and provides him enough time to advance his pawns on the kingside. At the same time the black pawns are quite static.} 19...Bd8 20.f5 Ba5 {Black seeks counterplay with the pin, but...} 21.b4 $1 {Keeps things under control. This looks better than} ( 21.Bh3 Bxc3 22.bxc3 e5 23.f6 {which is the computer's suggestion.} ) 21...Bb6 22.Red3 exf5 ( {Or} 22...Rc4 23.fxe6 fxe6 24.Bh3 Re8 25.Qd2 {when Black finds it hard to make moves. If} 25...Bxe4 26.Nxe4 Rxe4 27.Rxd6 {leaves White dominating.} ) 23.exf5 Re8 {The greedy} ( 23...Qxf5 $2 {loses after} 24.Nd5 ) 24.Qd2 Rc4 {Once again} ( 24...Qxf5 $2 {is plain wrong to another fork} 25.Bh3 Qe5 26.Bd7 ) 25.g6 {A logical continuation of the attack. White had a pleasant choice though:} ( 25.h5 $5 {with the idea} 25...Qxf5 26.Rxd6 Rc6 27.Re1 $1 {Then the problems of the weak back rank force Black to retreat} 27...Qc8 {which will lead to a pleasant endgame for White after} 28.Rxe8+ Qxe8 29.Bg2 Rxd6 30.Qxd6 Bxg2 31.Qxb6 ) 25...hxg6 {The same problems of the back rank become obvious after:} ( 25...fxg6 26.fxg6 h6 27.Bh3 Qc7 28.Re1 $1 Rxe1+ 29.Qxe1 {When} 29...Qd8 {fails to} 30.Rxd6 $1 Qxd6 31.Qe8+ Qf8 32.Be6+ {and mate.} ) 26.fxg6 fxg6 27.Nd5 $1 {Nepomniachtchi looks for an attack with opposite-colored bishops.} 27...Bxd5 ( {It is hard to tolerate this knight, but maybe Grischuk should have tried} 27...Ba7 28.Bh3 Qd8 29.Qg2 {although White is clearly better here as well.} ) 28.Rxd5 Rxh4 $2 {Grischuk's best chance was the rook endgame after} ( 28...Be3 $5 29.Bxc4 Bxd2 30.Rc5+ bxc4 31.Rxc8 Rxc8 32.Rxd2 {with good practical chances to survive.} ) 29.Rxd6 Be3 30.Qd5+ Kh8 31.Bd3 {The dominating position of all the white pieces and the deadly threats on both the back rank and the h-file make Black's survival impossible. On top of that Grischuk was typically low on time. This however did not prevent him of finding an amazing resource:} 31...Bd4 $1 {Everything else is very grim:} ( 31...Qc3 32.Rh1 Rxh1+ 33.Qxh1+ Bh6 34.Ka2 $1 ) ( 31...Bf4 32.Rxg6 ) 32.Rh1 {After some four minutes of reflection White falls into it.} ( 32.Bxg6 $1 {was winning as we shall see a bit later.} ) 32...Qh3 $1 33.Rd1 $1 {Admitting the mistake. If} ( 33.Rxh3 {Black has a cute escape} 33...Re1+ 34.Ka2 Ra1+ 35.Kb3 Rb1+ {with perpetual.} ) 33...Qg3 ( {Grischuk knows that Nepomniachtchi will not repeat the moves after} 33...Qc8 {and tries another tactical idea.} ) ( {Objectively best was} 33...Qg4 34.Rf1 {although it is hard to believe that Black can survive this.} ) 34.Bxg6 $1 {Well calculated!} 34...Qc3 ( 34...Qxa3 35.Qxd4 Rxd4 36.R6xd4 {would be similar to what happened in the game.} ) 35.Qxd4 $3 {The point behind White's combination. The two rooks and the bishop are good enough to handle the situation. In comparison} ( 35.Rxd4 Re1+ 36.Rd1 Rxd1+ 37.Qxd1 {would walk into Grischuk's second devilish trap} 37...Rxb4+ $1 38.axb4 Qxb4+ 39.Kc1 Qa3+ 40.Kd2 Qxd6+ 41.Bd3 Qb4+ {and it is highly doubtful that White can win this.} ) 35...Rxd4 36.R6xd4 {The back-rank checkmate idea forces...} 36...Rf8 {...but then the trouble comes from aside:} ( 36...Qc8 37.Bxe8 Qxe8 38.Rd8 ) 37.Rh4+ Kg8 38.Rdh1 {Ironically, the rook which saved the king from the back-rank mate is blocking its way out.} 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.05.26"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Safarli, Eltaj"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2664"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "5982126110769"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:45:33"]
[BlackClock "0:57:01"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 dxc4 4.Bg2 a6 {A solid move which is designed to fight the "Catalan" bishop ong2 as early as possible.} ( {Black can naturally play this later} 4...Nf6 5.O-O a6 6.Qc2 Be7 {but then White will have the extra option} 7.Ne5 $5 c5 8.a4 Nd5 9.Qxc4 Nd7 10.Nxd7 Bxd7 11.Bxd5 exd5 12.Qxd5 Be6 13.Qxd8+ Rxd8 14.d3 c4 15.dxc4 Bxc4 {although Black has certainly compensation for a pawn in Li,C (2751)-Lenic,L (2611) Gibraltar 2016} ) 5.Qc2 Bd6 {Now Nf3-e5 is stopped for good.} 6.Qxc4 ( {On} 6.Na3 {Black can boldly defend the pawn with} 6...b5 7.Ne5 Ra7 ) 6...Nf6 ( 6...b5 {is premature to} 7.Qg4 ) 7.O-O ( 7.d4 {will lead to Catalan type of position, good for Black after} 7...b5 8.Qc2 Bb7 ) 7...b5 8.Qb3 Bb7 9.a4 Nbd7 {A good novelty by Eljanov.} ( {Chandra chose the immediate} 9...c5 {against Nakamura which is less precise since after} 10.d3 Bd5 11.Qc2 Nbd7 {White can develop the his queenside knight better} 12.Nc3 {Nakamura,H (2787)-Chandra,A (2477) Saint Louis 2016} ) 10.axb5 ( {Now} 10.Nc3 {can be met with} 10...b4 {When Black is very serious about capturing on c3, for example} 11.a5 $2 bxc3 12.Qxb7 Rb8 13.Qxa6 cxb2 ) 10...Bd5 {Thanks to this standrt trick Black takes the pawn back.} 11.Qc2 ( 11.Qa4 $4 axb5 ) ( {Or} 11.Qd3 Nc5 {can't keep the pawn neither.} ) 11...axb5 12.Rxa8 Qxa8 13.Na3 {A poor square for the knight, but} ( 13.Nc3 Bc6 {yields White nothing as well.} ) 13...Qb7 14.d3 c5 {The outcome of the opening is excellent for Black. His piecse are well developed and co-ordinated.} 15.Bg5 ( {Maybe} 15.e4 Bc6 16.Nd2 {would have been a better choice.} ) 15...O-O 16.Rc1 Rc8 17.Nb1 {Safarli admits his mistake, but the lost tempoes are not for free.} 17...h6 18.Bxf6 {Black adds the bishop pair to his asset box (besides the space advantage.)} ( {Perhaps} 18.Bd2 c4 19.dxc4 Rxc4 20.Qd1 Rxc1 21.Bxc1 b4 {was safer for White although he still has to solve problems as his pieces look cramped.} ) 18...Nxf6 19.Nc3 ( {Forks are never on the agenda} 19.e4 Bc6 20.e5 $2 Bxe5 ) 19...Bc6 20.Qb3 Be7 $1 {The beginning of a nice maneuver. The knight will then go to e8-d6-f5 and d4, while the bishop wants to reign on the long diagonal. The other choice was} ( 20...Ra8 {also with advantage for Black.} ) 21.Ra1 Ne8 22.Ne1 Bxg2 23.Nxg2 Nd6 24.Ne3 Bg5 25.Nf1 ( 25.Ncd1 $5 {is more solid, albeit passive.} ) 25...b4 26.Nb1 $6 ( {Better was} 26.Nd1 c4 27.dxc4 Nxc4 {although White suffers here as well.} ) 26...c4 27.dxc4 Nxc4 28.e3 {A blunder, but White's position was awful anyway.} ( 28.h4 Bf6 ) 28...Nxe3 $3 {After outplaying his opponent positionally, Eljanov goes for the decisive tactcs.} 29.fxe3 ( 29.Nxe3 Rc1+ 30.Nf1 Qb5 {loses on the spot.} ) 29...Rc1 30.Kf2 Qh1 $6 {But for some reason the Ukrainian GM slips when the win was so close. Strong was} ( 30...Qe4 $1 {with the double threat of Qe4-f5+ and Rc1xb1. White is helpless, say} 31.Ra5 ( 31.Ke2 Qg2+ ) ( 31.g4 Bh4+ 32.Ng3 Rc2+ ) 31...Qxb1 ) 31.Qd3 f5 $6 {One more click and it is Safarli who can fight for the win. Better was} ( 31...e5 $1 {With the threat e5-e4 followed by Qh1-f3+. Then an only move is} 32.e4 ( 32.Ra7 {reveals Black's idea} 32...e4 $1 33.Qe2 Rxf1+ $1 34.Qxf1 Qf3+ 35.Ke1 Qxe3+ ) 32...Be7 $1 33.Ra5 Bc5+ 34.Rxc5 Rxc5 35.Nbd2 {with unclear position.} ) 32.h4 {Even better was} ( 32.Qa6 $1 {with the double threat of a pawn capture and queen trade and if} 32...Kh7 33.Nbd2 {frees the rook from the pin.} ) 32...Be7 33.Ra5 f4 $1 {If White consolidates he will be simply up a piece.} 34.exf4 ( 34.Nbd2 {looks too risky not only in the time-trouble after} 34...fxg3+ 35.Nxg3 Qh2+ 36.Kf3 Rc8 ) 34...Qc6 {Better than} ( 34...Bc5+ 35.Rxc5 Rxc5 36.Nbd2 ) 35.Re5 Bc5+ 36.Rxc5 Qxc5+ 37.Ne3 b3 $1 {Another energetic move.} 38.Nd2 {The utility of the b3 pawn is demonstrated by the line:} ( 38.Nc3 Qxc3 $3 39.bxc3 b2 {and White is forced to give perpetual to avoid the worst-} 40.Qd8+ Kh7 41.Qd3+ ) 38...Rc2 39.Kf3 {The computer suggests instead} ( 39.Qd8+ Kh7 40.Ke2 Rxb2 41.Qd3+ Kg8 42.Nd1 Qh5+ ( 42...Ra2 43.Qxb3 ) 43.Ke1 {although it is highly doubtful if White can ever win this even without the b3 pawn.} ) 39...Rxb2 40.Qd8+ {And Safarli forces a draw} 40...Kh7 ( 40...Qf8 41.Qxf8+ ( 41.Qd4 $5 ) 41...Kxf8 42.Ke2 Ra2 43.Kd3 b2 44.Nb1 ) 41.Qd3+ Kh8 42.Qd8+ Kh7 43.Qd3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Shamkir Chess 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.05.27"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2790"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[ECO "A36"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[Beauty "5984005135440"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:23:06"]
[BlackClock "0:49:30"]

1.g3 c5 2.Bg2 Nc6 3.c4 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 {The symetrical English opening has a drawish reputation. But which solid opening does not?} 5.a3 d6 6.Rb1 a5 7.d3 e5 8.e4 h5 {A very sound idea. Karjakin intends to swap off he dark-squared bishop via h6. Giri's choice was probably influenced by his own poor experience. In Wijk he had the Black pieces in the following game:} ( 8...Nge7 9.Nge2 O-O 10.O-O Bd7 11.Bd2 h6 12.Nb5 Be6 13.Nec3 b6 14.Nd5 {So,W (2773)-Giri,A (2798) Wijk aan Zee 2016} ) 9.h4 {A novelty. White got nothing after:} ( 9.Nb5 Bh6 10.h4 Bxc1 11.Qxc1 {Tesar,P (1984)-Kelecevic, N (2341) Triesen 2009} ) 9...Bh6 10.Bh3 Bxc1 11.Rxc1 {Karjakin equalized confidently in the opening.} 11...Nf6 {A slight inaccuracy. Black wants to control the g4 square, but it will be easier now for White to carry out the f2-f4 attack. Safer was} ( 11...Nge7 12.Bxc8 Rxc8 13.Nf3 ( 13.Nge2 O-O 14.O-O f5 ) 13...f6 14.Nd5 O-O ) 12.Bxc8 Rxc8 13.Nge2 O-O 14.O-O Qd7 ( 14...Nd4 $5 {looked OK as well.} ) ( {There is no need to lose control of the central square} 14...Ng4 15.Nd5 ) ( {Or} 14...Ne8 15.f4 ) 15.Kg2 Kg7 16.f3 {Giri slowly prepares the opning of the kingside. He intends to double the rooks along the "f" file and to open it.} 16...Nd4 17.Rf2 b6 18.a4 $1 {Blocks the queenside. White clearly understands that he has the better chances on the other wing.} 18...Rb8 19.b3 Rb7 {The art of doing nothing... But, it made sense to play more actively with} ( 19...Ng8 20.Nxd4 cxd4 21.Nd5 f5 ) 20.Rb1 Rbb8 21.Qd2 Rbe8 22.Qb2 Qb7 23.Rbf1 Ng8 24.Nd5 ( {Similar is} 24.Nxd4 exd4 ( 24...cxd4 25.Nd5 Ne7 26.Nxe7 Qxe7 27.f4 ) 25.Nd5 Ne7 ) 24...Ne7 25.Nxd4 exd4 {The only move, but White gets something tangible at last - A pawn majority on the kingside.} ( {Not} 25...Nxd5 26.Nf5+ $1 ) ( 25...cxd4 26.Nxe7 Rxe7 27.f4 {is clearly better for White as the further advance of the "f" pawn is unstoppable.} ) 26.Nf4 Qd7 27.Re2 Nc6 28.Qd2 Nb4 29.Rfe1 {Prepares e4-e5 in a good moment.} 29...Re5 30.Nh3 Re7 31.f4 f6 32.Qd1 {Giri keeps the tension} ( 32.f5 $5 {was already quite interesting} 32...gxf5 33.Nf4 {But with the queen on d1 it would be even more fun!} ) 32...Rh8 33.Kh2 {Here} ( 33.f5 {leads White nowehere} 33...gxf5 34.exf5 Re5 ) 33...Qg4 34.Kg2 Rhe8 $2 {A blunder.} ( 34...Qd7 {would have forced Giri to look for something concrete.} ) 35.f5 $1 {All of a sudden the queen is trapped. Nh3-f2 is the obvious threat.} 35...gxf5 36.Nf2 {Forces the queen to step under a tempo.} 36...Qg6 37.exf5 Rxe2 {The alternative was the loss of a key pawn in front of the king} ( 37...Qf7 38.Rxe7 Rxe7 39.Rxe7 Qxe7 40.Qxh5 ) 38.fxg6 Rxe1 39.Qxh5 Rh8 40.Qf3 {Normally, the queen should be weaker than the rooks. But here they had to separate themselves in an attempt to defend the king. This determines White's decisive advantage.} 40...Re3 {If the king gets open} ( 40...Kxg6 {everything ends very quick} 41.Qg4+ Kf7 42.Ne4 Nxd3 43.Nxd6+ Ke7 44.Nf5+ {Even better than} ( 44.Qg7+ {which should also win though} ) 44...Kd8 ( 44...Kf7 45.Qg7+ ) 45.Qf3 {with the double threat on Nd3 and the Rh8.} ) 41.Qg4 Re5 42.Qd7+ $1 {Forces the king to discover itself.} 42...Kxg6 43.Ne4 Nxd3 44.Qg4+ ( {But not} 44.Nxd6 $2 Re2+ 45.Kh3 Nf2+ 46.Kg2 Nd3+ {with perpetual.} ) 44...Kh6 {Black cannot save the exchange} ( 44...Kf7 45.Nxd6+ Ke7 46.Qg7+ ) 45.Nxd6 Rf8 46.Nf5+ Rxf5 47.Qxf5 Ne5 48.Qe6 d3 {Karjakin's last chance is connected with his passer. If he manages to force the white queen into passive defense, he may survive.} 49.Qxb6 Rf7 ( 49...d2 50.Qd6 {drops the pawn.} ) 50.Qxa5 Rd7 51.Qd2+ Kg7 {Black succeeded with his plan, but lost a couple of important pawns in the process.} 52.a5 Nc6 53.a6 Kf7 ( {Or} 53...Nb4 54.Qf4 Kf7 55.Qf5 Rd8 56.Qxc5 d2 57.Qh5+ Kg7 58.a7 ) 54.h5 Nb4 55.h6 {One more pawn advances and exposes the king again.} 55...Kg6 {The utility of Giri's previous move is seen in the line:} ( 55...Nxa6 56.h7 Kg7 57.Qd1 {and the rook on d7 is a goner.} ( {Even better than} 57.Qh6+ Kxh6 58.h8=Q+ Kg6 59.Qe8+ Rf7 60.Qe4+ ) 57...Kxh7 58.Qh5+ Kg7 59.Qg4+ ) 56.Qf4 Rd4 57.h7 $1 {Well calculated.} ( 57.Qc1 Nxa6 {would not win.} ) 57...Rxf4 58.h8=Q d2 {Nothing helps.} ( 58...Rd4 59.a7 d2 60.a8=Q d1=Q 61.Qag8+ Kf5 62.Qhh7+ Ke5 63.Qe7+ Kf5 64.Qee6# ) 59.Qe8+ Kh6 60.Qh8+ Kg6 61.Qe8+ Kh6 62.Qe2 {Simpler than} ( 62.gxf4 d1=Q 63.Qh8+ Kg6 64.Qg8+ Kf5 65.a7 {when Black has too many checks.} ) 62...Rd4 63.a7 d1=Q 64.Qxd1 Rxd1 65.a8=Q Rd2+ 66.Kf3 Rd3+ 67.Kf4 Rxb3 68.Ke4 {This move was probably not played and I guess that Karjakin resigned without making a move. White is easily winning after:} ( 68.Kf5 Kg7 69.Qb7+ Kf8 70.Kxf6 ) 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.05.28"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[ECO "C83"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8045547490316"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:44:35"]
[BlackClock "0:02:24"]

1.e4 e5 {Surprise, surprise. But not a big one, Hou had done a lot of work prior to her World championship match in Ukraine this year.} 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {The Ruy Lopez happens in her games for the first time though.} 3...a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {It should be noted though that the Open Ruy Lopez was the main weapon of Hou's opponent in the match, Maria Muzychuk.} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 {Caruana deviates from his latest game in the line. Against Wei Yi he went for} ( 9.c3 Be7 10.Bc2 Bg4 11.h3 Bh5 12.g4 Bg6 13.Nd4 Qd7 14.f4 Nxd4 15.cxd4 f5 16.Be3 O-O 17.Nc3 c6 {and won a nice game after} 18.Bxe4 dxe4 19.d5 {Caruana,F (2787)-Wei,Y (2706) Wijk aan Zee 2016} ) 9...Nc5 10.c3 Be7 11.Bc2 d4 {Black's main option that stops the maneuver Nd2-b3-d4.} 12.Nb3 {The endgame is not particularly dangerous for Black. One fresh game to prove this was:} ( 12.Nxd4 Nxd4 13.cxd4 Qxd4 14.Nf3 Qxd1 15.Rxd1 O-O 16.Be3 Rfd8 {So,W (2775)-Ding,L (2778) Shanghai 2016} ) 12...d3 ( 12...dxc3 {would not be the good kind of endgame for Black after...} 13.Nxc5 Bxc5 ( 13...Qxd1 14.Rxd1 Bxc5 15.Be4 ) 14.Be4 {Dosov,N (2326)-Meteleno,E (2145) Astana 2012} ) 13.Bb1 Nxb3 14.axb3 Bf5 15.Re1 O-O 16.Be3 Qd5 {All of this had been seen already in Caruana's play.} 17.Bd4 {That game went} ( 17.b4 Qd7 18.h3 Rfd8 19.g4 Be6 20.Bf4 h5 21.Re3 Bxg4 22.Qxd3 Qxd3 23.Bxd3 {with advantage for White in Caruana,F (2808)-Mamedyarov,S (2736) Baku 2015. Obviously Hou prepared something there and Caruana decided to be the first one to deviate.} ) 17...Rfd8 18.h4 {A nice novelty. Caruana makes a useful move and asks his opponent to do something. The previous tries did not yield White much:} ( {The straightforward attempt to win the d3 pawn with} 18.Re3 {led to dynamic equality after the forcing sequence} 18...Nxd4 19.cxd4 c5 20.Bxd3 cxd4 21.Re2 Qe6 22.Rd2 Bxd3 23.Rxd3 Bc5 24.Qd2 Rd5 25.h3 h6 26.Qf4 Re8 27.Qd2 Ba7 $1 28.Rd1 Bb8 29.Re1 Bxe5 30.Nxe5 Rxe5 31.Rxe5 Qxe5 32.Rxd4 Qe1+ 33.Kh2 Qxd2 34.Rxd2 {and later a draw in Wei,Y (2706)-So,W (2773) Wijk aan Zee 2016} ) ( {One key line runs} 18.Bxd3 Bxd3 19.Qxd3 Qxb3 20.e6 fxe6 21.Qe4 Qc4 22.Qxe6+ Qxe6 23.Rxe6 Bd6 {when Black has nothing to complain about once the queens leave the board, Abdumalik,Z (2379)-Koneru,H (2581) Chengdu 2015} ) ( {It should be also noted that the immediate} 18.b4 {is met with} 18...Bxb4 19.Bxd3 Bxd3 20.Qxd3 Nxd4 21.Nxd4 c5 ) 18...Bg6 $6 {Hou found nothing more useful than moving the bishop away from the vulnerable f5 square. This, however, weakens the control of the vital e6 point. The other options were:} ( 18...Nxd4 19.Nxd4 Be4 {which is dubious for two reasons. Either} 20.b4 {When Black cannot win a pawn with} ( {Or the preliminary} 20.e6 $5 fxe6 21.b4 ) 20...Bxg2 $4 21.Qxd3 g6 22.Qg3 {as the bishop is trapped.} ) ( {Perhaps Black's best chance is} 18...Bc5 ) ( {Or the forcing line} 18...Bg4 19.Qxd3 g6 20.b4 Bxf3 21.Ba2 Nxb4 22.cxb4 Qxd4 23.Qxf3 {although White has the more active bishop in opposite colored bishop attack and this should be betetr for him.} ) 19.b4 d2 ( {The bishop on f5 is missing in the line} 19...Bxb4 20.Ba2 Qd7 21.e6 ) ( {Also bad is the other forcing move} 19...Nxd4 20.Nxd4 Bxb4 21.Ba2 Qb7 22.h5 ( 22.e6 ) 22...Be4 23.Qg4 Rxd4 24.h6 {Even better than} ( 24.cxd4 Bxe1 25.Rxe1 Bd5 26.h6 g6 27.Bxd5 Qxd5 28.Qg5 ) 24...g6 25.Qf4 ) ( {One more proof that the bishop was needed on f5 is seen in the line} 19...Bf8 20.Ba2 Qd7 21.e6 ) 20.Qxd2 Bxb1 21.Raxb1 Bxb4 ( 21...a5 22.bxa5 Nxa5 {is just a solid pawn up for White.} ) 22.Qf4 {White's chances are tied to a kingside attack.} ( 22.cxb4 {would blow all hopes for the advantage after} 22...Nxd4 23.Qxd4 Qxd4 24.Nxd4 Rxd4 ) 22...Be7 {Black's position is difficult as well after} ( 22...Nxd4 23.Nxd4 Bc5 24.Nf5 $1 ( {The knight is an important attacker and should be preserved} 24.Rbd1 Bxd4 ) 24...Qd2 25.Qf3 {As well as the queen!} 25...Qd5 26.Qg3 g6 27.h5 {Here we see the utility of the h2-h4! novelty. Still, Black's position is not that easy to crack.} ) 23.e6 $1 {Caruana opens the road for his rooks and adds more manpower to the attack.} 23...fxe6 24.Qg4 Nxd4 ( 24...Bf8 {looks more stubborn, for example} 25.Rxe6 Nxd4 26.Nxd4 c5 ) 25.Nxd4 Bf6 26.Nxe6 Rd7 {The only move as} ( 26...Rdc8 27.Nxg7 {loses on the spot.} ) 27.Re3 {Adding more pieces to the attack is a must.} ( 27.h5 $5 ) 27...h5 {This makes things easier for White although it is highly doubtful that Black can survive after} ( 27...g6 28.Rbe1 ) 28.Qg6 {With the idea to double the rooks on the e file and then move the knight from e6. The squares c7, g7, f4 and g5 are very appropriate for the task.} 28...Rf7 ( {In the line} 28...Bxh4 29.Rbe1 Re7 30.g3 Bf6 {The knight moves} 31.Nxc7 $1 {and it is soon over-} 31...Rxe3 32.Rxe3 Qd1+ 33.Kh2 Rf8 34.Ne6 Ra8 35.Nxg7 $1 ) 29.Rbe1 Rc8 30.Nf4 {White decided that the h5 pawn is more important.} ( 30.Nxc7 {would have won as well.} ) 30...Qd7 31.Qxh5 {Threatening Nf4-g6 and mate on h8.} 31...Re7 32.Nd5 Rf7 ( 32...Rxe3 33.Nxf6+ gxf6 34.Rxe3 ) 33.Rd1 Qc6 34.Nf4 Rd7 35.Re8+ 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.05.29"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Harikrishna, P."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2790"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "D41"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8247947832353"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:38:54"]
[BlackClock "0:25:22"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 {The Semi-Tarrasch defense has the advantage that it avoids the isolated pawn on d5. The line is a favorite of Harikrishna.} 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Bb4+ 9.Bd2 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 O-O 11.Rc1 {On the other hand, this opening has a drawback too: it allows White very strong center and more space.} 11...b6 {The main line. Black decided not to test his opponent's analyzes.} ( {Harikrishna had also played} 11...Nc6 {recently, with easy equality after} 12.Be2 ( {But White had more problems after} 12.Bb5 Bd7 13.O-O Ne7 14.Bd3 {and maybe this was the line that the Indian GM was afraid of, Dominguez Perez,L (2732)-Harikrishna,P (2753) Huaian 2016} ) 12...Qb6 13.O-O Rd8 14.d5 exd5 15.exd5 Be6 16.d6 Ne7 17.Rb1 Qxd6 18.Qxd6 Rxd6 19.Rxb7 Ng6 {and draw on move 26 in Ding,L (2766) -Harikrishna,P (2753) Huaian 2016} ) 12.Bd3 Bb7 13.O-O h6 14.Qe3 Nc6 15.h4 {White wants to save a tempo on the rook move and create threats against the enemy king as soon as possible.} ( {Last year's edition of the Gashimov Memorial saw the following game:} 15.Rfd1 Rc8 16.h4 Ne7 17.h5 Qd6 18.d5 Rxc1 19.Rxc1 Rc8 {with equalityin Mamedyarov,S (2756) -Kramnik,V (2783) Shamkir 2015. Much for the pleasure of the local audience though, Mamedyarov managed to win later.} ) 15...Rc8 16.h5 {This blocks the g7 pawn and prepares a battery on the b1-h7 diagonal.} 16...Qe7 ( {Maybe Black will try to trade the rooks at once in the future with} 16...Nb4 17.Bb1 Rxc1 18.Rxc1 Qe7 ) 17.Bb1 Rfd8 {This innocent-looking move creates a devilish trap.} ( 17...Na5 18.Qd3 Rxc1 19.Rxc1 Rc8 20.Rxc8+ Bxc8 21.e5 ) ( 17...e5 18.d5 Na5 19.Bd3 {is also better for White.} ) 18.d5 $1 {A typical pawn sacrifice which Polugaevsky used to defeat none else but Mikhail Tal. But why not save the pawn with the immediate} ( 18.e5 $2 {The answer is} 18...Nxd4 $1 19.Nxd4 Rxc1 20.Rxc1 Rxd4 21.Qxd4 Qg5 {and the dual threat of checkmate and the hanging rook on c1 will leave Black a solid pawn ahead.} ) ( {On the other hand} 18.Qd3 {yield White nothing due to the complex} 18...Qf6 ( {Or the simple} 18...Nb4 ) 19.e5 Qf4 {when the g7-pawn is poisoned:} 20.Qh7+ Kf8 21.Qh8+ Ke7 22.Qxg7 Nxd4 {since Black will go for a decisive counter-attack.} ) ( 18.Rfd1 Nb8 $1 {Giri/Hari} ) 18...exd5 19.e5 {With the threat Qe3-d3.} 19...Ba6 ( 19...d4 20.Qe4 g6 21.hxg6 f6 {was mentioned by Hari but} 22.g7 Qxg7 23.exf6 {is just winning. (Ljubojevic)} ) 20.Rfe1 {For the pawn White has plenty of fruitful ideas: Qe3-f4-f5, or Qe3-f4, Nf3-h4-f5 and rook lifts along the third rank are some of those. For example if} 20...Qd7 ( 20...Na5 {to trade rooks, then} 21.Rxc8 Rxc8 22.Qf4 {and Qf4-f5 with a large advantage for White.} ) ( 20...Kf8 21.Qf4 $1 ) 21.Qf4 ( 21.Qa3 $5 {Giri} 21...Bc4 22.Qb2 Qe6 23.Qc2 g6 {Hari} 24.hxg6 fxg6 25.Qd2 $1 Kg7 26.Nh4 Ne7 27.Rc3 d4 28.Rh3 g5 29.Nf3 d3 30.Nxg5 $1 hxg5 31.Qxg5+ Kf8 32.Rh8+ Ng8 33.Re4 d2 34.Rf4+ Ke8 35.Bg6+ Kd7 36.Rd4+ Kc6 37.Rxd8 Rxd8 38.Qxd8 Qxg6 39.Qxd2 {7 Stockfish} ) 21...Ne7 {Harikrishna covered the f5-square but allowed the d4 outpost for the white knight.} 22.Nd4 Rxc1 23.Qxc1 ( {Better than} 23.Rxc1 Rc8 {The white rook is needed on the e-file for the e5-e6 advance.} ) 23...Qa4 {Black's position was very difficult but this idea loses.} ( {Best was} 23...Qc8 {when both} 24.Qb2 ( {Or} 24.Qd1 {with the threat e5-e6 give White strong attack.} ) ) ( {The other possibility was} 23...Rc8 24.Qa3 Bc4 25.e6 fxe6 26.Rxe6 {although White has serious initiative here as well.} ) 24.e6 $1 {Giri sacrifices a piece and wins.} 24...Qxd4 ( {After} 24...fxe6 {White has a pleasant choice between and} 25.Qe3 ( 25.Qc7 Qd7 ( 25...Rd7 26.Qe5 ) 26.Qc2 ) 25...Re8 26.Nxe6 {winning in both cases.} ) ( 24...f6 {doesn't help either due to} 25.Qc7 ) ( {[The best move was} 24...Rf8 {when} 25.Qe3 {is still good for White. - PD]} ) 25.exf7+ Kxf7 26.Qc7 Re8 ( {Or} 26...Rf8 27.Qxe7+ Kg8 28.Bh7+ $1 ) 27.Bg6+ {Harikrishna resigned not wishing to see his king mated after} ( 27.Bg6+ Kf8 ( 27...Kf6 28.Qd6+ Kg5 29.Re5+ ) 28.Rxe7 Rxe7 29.Qd8+ ) 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.05.30"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[ECO "B31"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7975485835824"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:54"]
[BlackClock "0:00:30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {The Rossolimo remains the pet line of Caruana against the 2...Nc6 approach - especially against someone who plays the Sveshnikov/Kalashnikov lines well, like Radjabov.} 3...g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 Nf6 7.Nc3 {The most flexible move which keeps the option on castling either side. Caruana also tried:} ( 7.O-O Nd7 8.Nc3 e5 9.Be3 Qe7 10.Qd2 h6 11.Ne2 Nf8 12.Nh2 Ne6 {but that was back in 2005, Caruana,F (2219)-Valet,R (2082) Budapest 2005} ) 7...O-O {According to my Megabase, Caruana faces this move for the first time. Radjabov had played it twice, but with poor results.} ( {Black can be flexible with the castling as Nakamura proved at the U.S. Championship last year:} 7...Nd7 8.Be3 b6 9.Qd2 h6 10.O-O e5 11.Nh2 g5 12.Ne2 Nf8 13.Ng3 Ng6 {with unclear play, Caruana,F (2787)-Nakamura,H (2793) Saint Louis 2015. But, you can be certain that Caruana did his homework here as well.} ) 8.Bf4 {It makes sense to take away the e7-e5 resource.} 8...b6 {In a blitz game against Grischuk, Radjabov went for} ( 8...Nh5 9.Be3 b6 10.g4 Nf6 11.Qd2 {In comparison to the 8.Be3 b6 line White has an extra tempo g2-g4 which is extremely valuable with opposite castling, Grischuk,A (2763) -Radjabov,T (2788) Astana 2012} ) 9.Qd2 Re8 10.O-O-O a5 11.Ne5 {Once again Caruana unleashes a novelty in Shamkir. The idea is to block Black's main resource- e7-e5.} ( {A predecessor saw:} 11.g4 a4 12.Be5 b5 13.g5 Nh5 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Ne2 e5 {when Black seems very stable on the kingside, Dolzhikova,K (2351)-Aslanian,L (2183) Nikolaev 2008} ) ( {None tried yet} 11.Bh6 {to which Black can react with} 11...e5 ) 11...b5 $5 {Active play.} ( 11...Bb7 {is possible but passive.} ) 12.Qe3 {This drags the enemy queen to a vulnerable square. Radjabov would not mind seeing his pawn disappear after} ( 12.Nxc6 Qb6 13.Ne5 a4 {the tempoes and the diagonals that he had won in return would compensate him with interest.} ) 12...Qb6 13.Bh6 Bh8 {Safer than:} ( 13...Bxh6 14.Qxh6 a4 {when Black has to anticipate the sacrifice of the knight:} 15.Nxf7 {with the idea} 15...Kxf7 $2 16.e5 Nd5 17.Qxh7+ Ke6 ( 17...Kf8 18.Ne4 {followed by Ne4-g5 and mate.} ) 18.Nxd5 {and White wins.} ) 14.f4 a4 15.Rhf1 {Both sides consistently improve on "their" flanks.} 15...e6 {Somewhat slow.} ( {It made sense to get rid of the active knight with} 15...Nd7 16.Nxd7 Bxd7 17.e5 f5 {with unclear play.} ) ( {Also interesting was} 15...b4 {but after} 16.Nc4 $1 Qb8 17.Ne2 {Black's offense slows-} 17...b3 18.cxb3 axb3 19.a3 ) 16.g4 a3 {Not sure what Radjabov missed, but} ( 16...b4 {was still playable.} ) 17.b4 $1 Nd7 18.Nxd7 Bxd7 19.e5 {Black will be soon down a pawn with inactive pieces as compensation.} 19...f5 20.Ne2 {Caruana correctly pins his hopes on the middlegame. After} ( {After} 20.Qxc5 Qxc5 21.bxc5 b4 22.Ne2 Ra5 {Black gets counterplay, as} 23.d4 Bc8 {followed by Ba6-c4-d5 revives the bishop.} ) 20...Bg7 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.h4 {Consistent strategy.} 22...fxg4 23.h5 gxh5 {Or else the files will be opened in White's favor:} ( 23...Qa7 24.hxg6 cxb4 25.Qg3 hxg6 26.Qh4 $1 Qe3+ 27.Kb1 Rf8 28.Rh1 {and White crashes in.} ) 24.Ng3 Kh8 {Black cannot hold the kingside pawns with} ( 24...h4 {due to} 25.Nh5+ Kh8 26.Nf6 {This is the square that White sacrificed all the pawns for.} 26...Re7 27.Rh1 h3 28.Rdg1 {and Black is helpless.} ) 25.Nxh5 Re7 26.Nf6 {Once again the knight reaches the key f6 square. I dare to say Caruana would not sell the steed for a million bucks.} 26...Be8 27.f5 {White is determined to help the knight.} ( 27.Rh1 {was also good of course.} ) 27...exf5 28.Rxf5 Qc7 29.Rg5 Rg7 {The best defense.} ( {Still, it is a pity that Radjabov did not enter the extremely beautiful line} 29...Bg6 30.Rxg6 hxg6 31.Qh6+ Rh7 32.Rh1 $3 ) ( {Less pretty is} 29...Bf7 30.Nxh7 $1 ) ( {Prosaically loses} 29...Bd7 30.Qxc5 ( {Although White can try the flashy} 30.e6 Rxe6 ( 30...Bxe6 31.Re1 ) 31.Rh1 ) ) 30.Rh1 Bg6 31.Rxg4 ( 31.bxc5 {was safer.} ) 31...Qf7 ( {Or} 31...cxb4 32.e6 ) 32.Kb1 cxb4 {White should also win after} ( 32...c4 33.d4 Ra4 34.Qd2 Bf5 ) 33.Qd4 Bf5 {It seems as Black managed to catch his breath, however...} 34.e6 $3 {Caruana finds a study in the middlegame!} 34...Rxg4 ( {The alternative is mate after} 34...Bxe6 35.Rxh7+ Rxh7 36.Nxh7+ Kxh7 37.Qe4+ Kh6 38.Qe3+ ) 35.exf7 Rxd4 36.Ne8 $1 {Up a rook and a pawn Radjabov resigns in the endgame!} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.06.08"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "B05"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7766529802788"]
[WhiteClock "0:08:49"]
[BlackClock "0:36:50"]

1.e4 Nf6 {There is nothing like a "surprise" opening when you face Rapport, but this one indeed, he had never played.} 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.Be2 e6 6.O-O ( {In game 2 Navara went} 6.c4 Nb6 7.exd6 cxd6 8.Nc3 Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.h3 Bh5 11.b3 Nc6 {Navara,D (2735)-Rapport,R (2731) Prague 2016} ) 6...Be7 7.h3 {It is generally considered that the inclusion of 7.h3 Bh5 moves favors White.} 7...Bh5 8.c4 Nb6 9.Nc3 O-O 10.Be3 d5 {The main. Instead} ( 10...Nc6 {allows} 11.exd6 cxd6 12.d5 $1 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 Ne5 14.dxe6 fxe6 15.Bg4 {with large advantage for White Smeets,J (2609)-Tjiam,D (2386) Netherlands 2012} ) 11.cxd5 {An agressive approach. Calmer is} ( 11.c5 {which allows the doubling of the pawns with} 11...Bxf3 12.gxf3 Nc8 13.f4 Nc6 {and this position is considered favourable for White thanks to the advantage in space that he has, Motylev,A (2676)-Appel,R (2535) Germany 2014} ) 11...exd5 {Or} ( 11...Nxd5 12.Qb3 Nb6 13.a4 {with advantage for White, Zhigalko,A (2570)-Leontiev,A (2315) Voronezh 2011} ) 12.Ne1 {A typical idea. The knight is re-routed to the d3 square and in the process opens the road for the f2 pawn. White's pawn formation promises him good chances for a kingside attack.} 12...Bxe2 13.Qxe2 c6 ( {Black had also tried to fight the enemy center at once with} 13...f6 14.Rd1 Qd7 15.exf6 Bxf6 16.Nd3 c6 {Ruch,E (2472)-Vlasveld,W (2508) corr. 2014} ) 14.Nd3 ( 14.f4 {will be automatically answered with} 14...f5 $1 {since the white pawn should not be allowed to f5 as the attack will become irresistable. A game of an Alekhine specialist saw} 15.Nf3 Na6 16.Kh2 Nc7 17.Rf2 Ne6 {and Black achieved his optimal set-up, Wittmann,W (2370)-Velicka,P (2375) Brno 1991} ) 14...Na6 {Technically speaking, a novelty, but this has already been played as we have seen in Velicka's game from above. Previously:} ( 14...a5 {has been tested only, which is less precise due to} 15.f4 f5 16.Nc5 {Lumley, W (2395)-Vlasveld,W (2471) corr. 2008} ) 15.Rae1 Nc7 16.Nf4 {Navara decides to bring the knight closer before advancing the f-pawn. The alternative was:} ( 16.f4 f5 17.exf6 Bxf6 18.Ne5 {followed by f4-f5, g2-g4 and so on.} ( {Or the preliminary} 18.b3 ) ) 16...Qd7 17.Nh5 Rae8 {Rapport is getting ready for f7-f6 or f7-f5.} 18.Qf3 {It is a pity that Navara did not go for the positional piece sacrifice after:} ( 18.f4 $5 g6 $6 ( 18...f5 $1 {should still be Black's best reaction.} ) 19.f5 gxh5 20.Qxh5 f6 ( 20...Kh8 21.f6 $1 ) 21.e6 {with step-by step kingside attack. Is it enough for the advantage? I have no idea...} ) 18...Kh8 19.Ne2 ( {Or} 19.Qg3 Ne6 20.f4 g6 21.f5 gxh5 22.fxe6 fxe6 {and Black is OK.} ) ( {But maybe} 19.b3 {was better, not letting the black knight on c4.} ) 19...Nc4 20.Bc1 f6 $1 {In the best possible moment. The white pieces are obstructing each other and Rapport comfortably levels the chances.} 21.Qg3 {Perhaps Navara had to settle to an equal position after} ( 21.exf6 Bxf6 22.Nxf6 Rxf6 23.Qd3 Ne6 ) 21...Bb4 22.exf6 {The only move, as} ( 22.Rd1 fxe5 23.b3 Nd6 24.dxe5 Ne4 {is horrible for White.} ) 22...g6 23.Bh6 $2 {White blunders. After:} ( 23.Ng7 Rc8 ( {Worse is} 23...Bxe1 24.Nxe8 Nxe8 25.Rxe1 Nxf6 26.f3 {followed by Ne2-f4-d3-e5 and White has the upper hand.} ) 24.Bg5 Bxe1 25.Rxe1 Ne8 {the game will remain apprximately even despite the material imbalance.} ( {Or} 25...Nd6 ) ) 23...Bxe1 24.Bxf8 $6 {This loses a piece. Maybe Navara should have tried} ( 24.Rxe1 Rf7 25.Bg7+ Kg8 26.Nhf4 Nd6 {True, the black knights defend all the dark squares from the light ones that they occupy and he is better. But there will be plenty of play left.} ) 24...Rxf8 25.Rxe1 gxh5 {If the knight was not on e2 White would hd won with Re1-e7, but it is there.} 26.Nf4 Rxf6 27.Nxh5 Rg6 {Very accurate. Wrong was:} ( 27...Re6 28.Rxe6 Nxe6 29.b3 $1 {and all of a sudden White is back in the game, say} 29...Nb6 ( 29...Qe8 {is better, but still unclear.} ) 30.Qe5+ Ng7 31.Nxg7 Qxg7 32.Qb8+ {and White has guaranteed perpetual, or he might play on after capturng the queenside pawns.} ) 28.Qh4 Re6 {And with accurate play Rapport converted the extra piece and took home the trophy.} 29.Rxe6 Qxe6 30.Nf4 Qf7 31.Qd8+ Ne8 32.Nd3 h6 33.b3 Nd6 34.Ne5 Qc7 35.Qh4 Qg7 36.Qd8 Kh7 37.f4 Qf6 38.Qd7+ Ng7 0-1

[Event "Shamkir Chess 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.06.02"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Safarli, Eltaj"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2664"]
[ECO "E20"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7426535348264"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "1:15:47"]
[BlackClock "0:39:23"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.g3 d5 5.Bg2 O-O 6.a3 {A fresh line in comparison to the standard} ( 6.Nf3 ) 6...Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 c5 {"I am not sure about this move. I analyzed this and I think it is easier to play as White." Mamedyarov.} ( {Black's major alternative is to accept the sacrificed pawn with} 7...dxc4 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.O-O Na5 10.Bg5 c6 11.e4 h6 12.Bh4 {as in Ivanchuk, V (2710)-Fressinet,L (2700) Huaian 2016} ) 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Nf3 cxd4 {A novelty, but "I think this is a bad move as it gives me time" - Mamedyarov. There are other continuations, for example:} ( {Predecessors have seen so far:} 9...Bf5 {wh obviously Mamedyarov spent a lot of time analyzing this line} 10.O-O ( 10.dxc5 $5 ) 10...Qc8 {Now} 11.Bg5 $5 {seems to give White some edge} ( 11.Bf4 c4 12.Nd2 Bh3 {Colls Gelaberto,E (2164)-Naroditsky, D (2622) Benasque 2015} ) ( {Or also} 11.dxc5 ) ) ( {White believed that best for his opponent is} 9...Re8 10.O-O Qe7 ) ( {On} 9...Ne4 {Mamedyarov intended} 10.Qc2 ) 10.Nxd4 Nc6 11.O-O Ne4 12.c4 $1 {" I missed this move" - Safarli.} 12...Re8 {White has big advantage as the tactical line:} ( 12...Nc3 13.Nxc6 Qe8 14.Qd2 Nxe2+ 15.Kh1 Nxc1 16.Nd4 {leaves Black a knight down.} ) 13.Bb2 {Simple and strong.} ( {White also considered} 13.Be3 $5 {but was not sure about the complications after} 13...Nc3 14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.Qd3 d4 16.Bxc6 Bg4 ( 16...Bd7 {might be better with the idea} 17.Bxa8 $2 Qxa8 18.Rfc1 Bh3 19.f3 Rxe3 ) 17.Bxe8 ) 13...Na5 ( {On} 13...Qb6 {strong is} 14.cxd5 Qxb2 15.dxc6 bxc6 16.Qd3 {Mamedyarov.} ) 14.cxd5 Nc4 15.Rb1 ( {Also good was} 15.Qb3 Nxb2 16.Qxb2 Qxd5 17.Rfd1 {with a large advantage for White.} ) 15...Nxb2 ( 15...Ned2 {does not work on the account of} 16.Rc1 Nxf1 17.Rxc4 {and the knight is trapped.} ) ( {And if the other knight jumps} 15...Ncd2 {simply} 16.Bxe4 ) 16.Rxb2 Qxd5 17.Qd3 {Mamedyarov goes for a forcing line.} ( {He disliked} 17.Rb5 Qd6 18.Qd3 a6 19.Rb4 Nc5 {with some chances for a draw.} ) 17...Bd7 18.Rfb1 Rab8 {This loses material but it is extremely difficult to give Black good advice.} ( {The point of White's idea was that in case of the natural move} 18...b6 {he has} 19.Nb5 $1 Qxd3 20.exd3 Bxb5 21.Bxe4 {winning the exchange.} ) ( {He also calculated} 18...Rad8 19.Rxb7 Bc8 20.R7b4 a5 21.Ra4 Qd7 22.Qc2 {and saw no danger for White's rook getting trapped.} ) ( {Safarli discarded} 18...Bc6 {because of the rook endgame after} 19.Nxc6 bxc6 20.Bxe4 Qxe4 21.Qxe4 Rxe4 22.Rb8+ Re8 23.Rxa8 Rxa8 24.Rb7 {which he believed is lost for Black.} ) 19.Rb5 $1 Bxb5 20.Rxb5 Nxf2 21.Kxf2 Qd6 ( {Or} 21...Qd7 22.Rd5 {followedby Nd4-f5 and a typical kingside attack. If you have two pieces against a rook in the middlegame, then you should attack the king.} ) 22.Bxb7 Rbd8 {Mamedyarov has won two minor pieces for a rook and is clearly winning.} 23.e3 {Even better was} ( 23.Bd5 a6 {and now not Ljubojevic's recommendation} 24.Nf5 ( {But} 24.Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 25.Qb3+ Re6 ( 25...Kf8 26.Rf5+ Ke7 27.Qf7# ) 26.Rb7+ Kf6 27.Qf3+ Ke5 28.Nxe6 Kxe6 ( 28...Qxe6 29.Qc3+ ) 29.Qf7+ {and White wins.} ) 24...Qf6 25.Rb7 Re5 26.e4 g6 27.Rxf7 {which Mamedyarov saw, and which was the main reason for him not to chose this line due to the tricky refutation} 27...Rdxd5 $1 28.Qxd5 Qb6+ ) 23...Re5 24.a4 h5 25.h4 Rde8 26.e4 Qf6+ 27.Kg2 Rxb5 28.axb5 g6 29.Bd5 Re7 30.Qd2 ( 30.Qe3 $5 {should be winning too.} ) 30...a6 31.bxa6 {Only here does Mamedyarov go wrong. Without the queenside pawns Black's surviving chances increase greatly.} ( 31.Nc6 $1 {suggested by Safarli would have won after} 31...Rd7 32.Nb8 $1 ( {But not} 32.e5 Qe6 $1 {(Mamedyarov)} ) ) 31...Qxa6 32.Nc6 ( 32.Qf4 {would have been a better try.} ) ( 32.Qf2 Qb6 ) 32...Rc7 33.Nd8 {Mamedyarov lost the path once that the queenside pawns were traded.} ( 33.Ne5 Kg7 ) ( {For some reason White was afraid of the possible fortresses after} 33.Qf2 Qxc6 34.Bxc6 Rxc6 {although he admitted he should be winning here.} ) 33...Qa4 34.Qh6 ( {From far away White thought he is winning after} 34.Bxf7+ Rxf7 35.Qd5 {but saw the refutation just in time} 35...Qc2+ 36.Kh3 Qc8+ ) ( 34.Qd3 Kg7 35.Nxf7 {seems winning for White but there is the fantastic resource} 35...Rxf7 36.Qc3+ Rf6 37.Qc7+ Kh6 38.Qd8 Rf7 $3 39.Qg5+ ( 39.Bxf7 Qxe4+ 40.Kf2 Qf5+ ) 39...Kg7 40.Qe5+ Kh7 41.Bxf7 Qc2+ 42.Kh3 Qd1 43.Bxg6+ Kxg6 44.Qf5+ Kh6 {and despite the two extra pawn, this might be a draw.} ) 34...Rc2+ ( {White intended to repeat moves after} 34...Qa6 35.Qd2 Qa4 36.Qg5 Qa6 ) ( {However, at this very moment Safarli missed a study-like draw with} 34...Qc2+ $1 35.Kh3 Qd1 $3 36.Qxg6+ Kf8 37.Qd6+ Kg7 38.e5 Qg4+ 39.Kh2 Rc2+ 40.Bg2 Rxg2+ 41.Kxg2 Qe2+ {with perpetual.} ) 35.Kh3 Qd7+ 36.Ne6 fxe6 37.Qxg6+ Kf8 {Now White is back in control. It is unclear though if he is winning after} ( 37...Kh8 38.Qxh5+ Kg7 39.Qg4+ Kf7 ) 38.Bxe6 Qg7 39.Qxh5 Rc3 40.Qg4 Qxg4+ {Without the queens the pawns are unstoppable. The last chance was} ( 40...Qf6 41.Qg8+ Ke7 42.Bf5 ) 41.Kxg4 Kg7 42.Kf4 Rc1 43.Kg5 Re1 44.Bf5 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.06.02"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[Beauty "6396280047706"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:20:17"]
[BlackClock "0:00:26"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 {The London System attracted one more strong GM. According to my Megabase, this is only the second time that Eljanov plays it.} 3...e6 ( {His previous game went:} 3...Bf5 4.e3 e6 5.Bd3 Ne4 6.Nbd2 Bd6 7.Bxe4 dxe4 8.Ne5 {Eljanov,P (2765)-Li,C (2755) Stavanger 2016} ) 4.e3 c5 5.c3 Nc6 6.Nbd2 Bd6 7.Bg3 O-O 8.Bb5 {A rare move. White normally develops the bishop on the b1-h7 diagonal:} ( 8.Bd3 b6 9.e4 Be7 10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Bxe4 Qxd1+ 14.Rxd1 Rb8 {with a slight pull for White in Kamsky, G (2678)-Nakamura,H (2787) Saint Louis 2016} ) 8...a5 {This has never been played before. A common approach is} ( 8...Ne7 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.Bd3 b6 {Kramnik, V (2801)-Nakamura,H (2787) Zuerich 2016} ) ( {while Eljanov tried as Black} 8...Qe7 9.O-O Bxg3 10.hxg3 Bd7 11.Bxc6 Bxc6 12.Ne5 Rac8 {Kayumov,S (2505)-Eljanov,P (2723) Dubai 2014} ) 9.a4 {This stops Black's plan Nc6-a7 followed by b7-b5 and a queenside attack.} 9...Ne7 10.Qe2 Nf5 11.Bd3 Be7 {Naturally, Hou does not want to open a file against her king with} ( 11...Nxg3 12.hxg3 {when g3-g4-g5 comes automatically.} ) 12.Be5 {But Eljanov finds another way to advance his pawns.} 12...b6 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.g4 Nd6 15.h4 Be7 16.g5 Bb7 ( {Perhaps} 16...Nf5 $5 {to block the diagonal was better.} ) 17.Ne5 Qe8 $1 {Prophylaxis.} 18.Rg1 {Eljanov improves his position.} ( {The immediate} 18.Bxh7+ {is wrong due to} 18...Kxh7 19.Qh5+ Kg8 20.g6 fxg6 21.Nxg6 Rf5 ) ( {Hou's idea is seen in the line} 18.Qh5 {to weaken the kingside} 18...f5 $1 ) 18...f5 {Black has to watch out for the sacrifice on h7 already.} ( 18...c4 {In comparison to before} 19.Bxh7+ Kxh7 20.Qh5+ Kg8 21.g6 fxg6 22.Nxg6 Rf5 $2 {leads to mate with the white rook on g1} ( {Nothing is clear though after} 22...Nf7 ) ( {Or} 22...Bf6 ) 23.Qh8+ Kf7 24.Ne5+ Kf6 25.Qxg7# ) 19.gxf6 Bxf6 20.Qg4 {White is happy to open files on the kingside, but he still has a major problem to solve: where to hide his own king? We can now fully appreaciate the value of Hou's novelty.} 20...Ba6 21.Bc2 Ra7 22.Ndf3 Bxe5 {An inaccuracy. After the preliminary} ( 22...cxd4 23.exd4 Bxe5 24.Nxe5 Nc4 {Black is very solid.} ) 23.dxe5 $1 Nf5 24.Ng5 h6 {Black plays in a very classical way and tries to counter the flank attack with a central strike. But she comes a move short.} ( 24...b5 $5 {deserved attention first when a possible line runs} 25.axb5 ( {However, here too White has} 25.e4 dxe4 26.Nxe4 {with advantage.} ) 25...Qxb5 26.Nxe6 Qxb2 27.Kd2 d4 28.exd4 cxd4 29.cxd4 Rc8 30.Qxf5 Qc3+ 31.Kd1 Qxa1+ 32.Bb1 g6 33.Rxg6+ hxg6 34.Qxg6+ Kh8 35.Qh6+ ) ( 24...d4 {would be answered} 25.e4 {as well.} ) 25.Nh3 d4 26.e4 $1 {The knight is trapped.} 26...d3 27.Bb3 ( 27.exf5 $2 dxc2 28.f6 Bd3 $1 ) 27...c4 28.Bd1 Qb8 29.exf5 Qxe5+ 30.Kd2 Rxf5 31.f4 ( {Instead} 31.Qg3 {would have saved White a lot of nerves as Black cannot escape the endgame} 31...Qf6 $2 32.Qb8+ ) 31...Qf6 32.Bf3 Bb7 33.Bxb7 Rxb7 34.Qf3 Rf7 35.h5 Qh4 36.Rg4 Qxh5 37.Rag1 {One more chance was missed in time trouble:} ( 37.Qa8+ {would have discoordinated the black pieces} 37...Kh7 ( 37...Rf8 38.Qg2 ) 38.Qg2 {The threat is Nh3-g5+} 38...Re7 39.Rg1 Qf7 40.Qe4 {and White should win.} ) 37...Rd5 38.Nf2 Qf5 39.Ne4 Rdd7 40.Qe3 b5 {The time trouble is over and Eljanov found a way to convert his advantage:} 41.Nc5 Rde7 42.Qe5 {Back to the endgame idea.} 42...bxa4 ( 42...Qxe5 43.fxe5 Rf2+ 44.Kc1 {was a better version of the endgame for Black although it is doubtful she can save it anyway.} ) 43.Ke3 Kh7 44.Rh4 Qxe5+ 45.fxe5 Rf5 46.Rxc4 Rxe5+ 47.Ne4 g5 48.Rxa4 Kg6 49.Kxd3 Rf7 50.Nd2 h5 51.Re4 Rxe4 52.Nxe4 g4 53.c4 Rf3+ 54.Kd4 Kf5 55.Ng3+ Rxg3 ( {Or} 55...Kg5 56.c5 ) 56.Rxg3 h4 57.Rg1 g3 58.Ke3 Kg4 59.Rd1 e5 60.c5 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.06.03"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[ECO "B33"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[Beauty "6464080970249"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:09"]
[BlackClock "0:59:39"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 {The Sveshnikov came back into popularity after the Anand-Gelfand match. The Israeli GM adopted the opening to fully neutralize Anand's white color.} 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 9.Nd5 Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c4 {A solid positional line.} 11...b4 12.Nc2 O-O 13.h4 {Caruana deviates from a game that he played in the same tournament a year ago.} ( {After} 13.g3 Bg5 14.Bg2 Qa5 15.O-O Qc5 16.b3 a5 17.Kh1 a4 {Black did well in Caruana,F (2808)-Mamedov,R (2657) Baku 2015} ) 13...a5 14.g3 Be6 15.Bh3 {White is generally happy to swap off the light-squared bishops. Ideally, without trading on e6.} 15...Rb8 16.Qd3 ( 16.Kf1 {with the idea to meet 16...Qd7 with 17.Kg2 can be answered by} 16...b3 ) 16...Qd7 17.Nxf6+ gxf6 18.Bf5 {A novelty.} ( {Black started an interesting plan after} 18.Bg2 f5 19.Rd1 Rbd8 20.Qe3 f4 21.gxf4 f5 {So,W (2577)-Pascua,H (2174) Manila 2008} ) ( 18.Bxe6 {would be wrong because of} 18...fxe6 ) 18...Qb7 $1 {"A strong move" - Caruana. The queen moves away from the pin and creates X-ray threats along the major diagonal.} 19.Ne3 ( {Now} 19.Qxd6 $4 {would be a losing blunder} 19...Rfd8 20.Qc5 Bxf5 21.exf5 Nd4 ) ( {Caruana considered} 19.O-O {but came to the conclusion that it is drawish after} 19...b3 $1 20.Bxe6 ( {Or} 20.axb3 Qxb3 21.Qxd6 Bxf5 22.exf5 Qxc2 23.Qxc6 Qxf5 ) 20...bxc2 21.Bd5 Nb4 ) ( {Also equal is} 19.Bxe6 fxe6 20.O-O ( {But again not} 20.Qxd6 $2 Nd4 21.Nxd4 Qxe4+ 22.Kd2 Rbd8 ) ) 19...Nd4 20.O-O b3 $1 {This same idea, which creates counter-attacking possibilities for Black on the queenside.} 21.a3 ( {Too unclear is} 21.Nd5 Bxd5 22.exd5 bxa2 23.Bxh7+ Kg7 24.Rxa2 {Caruana.} ) 21...Kh8 22.Rac1 Rbc8 23.Rfe1 $5 {The positional sacrifice of an exchange...} 23...Rc5 {...which Mamedyarov does not accept. The blockading knight is indeed not worse than the rook in the line} ( 23...Nf3+ 24.Kg2 Nxe1+ 25.Rxe1 ) 24.Qd1 Bxf5 25.Nxf5 Nxf5 26.exf5 Rd8 27.Qh5 Kg7 28.Rc3 ( {Maybe it was time to force a draw with} 28.Qg4+ Kf8 29.Qh5 ) ( {or at least risk with} 28.g4 Qf3 29.Rc3 Qf4 30.g5 {which both players considered good for Black after either} 30...Qxf5 ( {or} 30...fxg5 ) ) 28...h6 {"Black is better" - Mamedyarov.} 29.Ree3 ( {White did not like} 29.a4 d5 {but this was possibly best.} ) 29...a4 {This keeps Black's most important pawn secure.} 30.Qe2 d5 $1 {White's position is very difficult. The powerful pawn on b3 provides Black better chances in any endgame. His king is also safer.} 31.Qf3 ( {Or} 31.cxd5 Rcxd5 32.Qg4+ Kh7 33.Qe4 Rd1+ 34.Kg2 Qa7 ) 31...Rdc8 32.cxd5 {Ljubojevic and Mamedyarov claimed that White could have made a draw with either:} ( 32.Rcd3 Rxc4 33.Rxd5 Rc2 {but here Black is definitely on top.} ) ( {or} 32.Red3 Rxc4 33.Rxc4 Rxc4 34.Qxd5 {This though loses by force after} 34...Qxd5 35.Rxd5 Rc2 36.Ra5 Rxb2 37.Rxa4 Rc2 38.Rb4 b2 39.Kg2 e4 $1 {and e4-e3-e2 is an unstoppable threat.} ) 32...Rxc3 33.Rxc3 Rxc3 34.Qxc3 Qxd5 35.Qb4 ( {Caruana had another idea for the defense, which also fails:} 35.h5 Qd1+ 36.Kg2 Qc2 37.Qb4 e4 $1 ( 37...Qxb2 38.Qg4+ Kh7 39.Qc4 ) 38.Qxa4 ( 38.Qd4 e3 39.Qxe3 Qxb2 ) 38...e3 39.Qg4+ Kh7 ) 35...h5 {Black misses a clear win:} ( 35...e4 36.Qxa4 ( 36.g4 Qd1+ ) 36...Qd1+ 37.Kg2 Qc2 ) 36.Qxa4 Qd3 ( {It was not too late for:} 36...e4 $1 ) 37.g4 $1 {Caruana grabs his chance and opens up the black king for a perpetual.} 37...Qb1+ 38.Kg2 Qxb2 39.gxh5 Qc2 40.Qg4+ ( {With his last move before the time control Caruana misses a draw. It should be noted that it was extremely difficult to find without the time deficit.} 40.Qb4 b2 ( {Or} 40...e4 41.h6+ Kxh6 42.Qf8+ Kh5 43.Qxf7+ Kg4 44.Qxf6 ) 41.h6+ Kxh6 ( 41...Kh7 42.Qf8 Qe4+ 43.f3 ) 42.Qf8+ Kh5 43.Kg3 Qc3+ 44.f3 Qe1+ 45.Kg2 Qxh4 46.Qxf7+ Kg5 47.Qg8+ Kxf5 48.Qc8+ Kf4 49.Qc4+ Kg5 ( {The last trick is} 49...e4 $1 50.Qc7+ $1 ( {Not} 50.Qxe4+ Kg5 51.Qd5+ Kh6 ) ) 50.Qg8+ {with perpetual.} ) 40...Kh7 41.h6 {This definitely loses. The last chance was:} ( 41.Qa4 $3 {(Ljubojevic, Tiviakov) when White may still survive:} 41...e4 ( 41...Qc3 42.Qd7 ( 42.Qa7 $5 ) 42...Qc4 43.Qb7 e4 44.a4 e3 45.fxe3 Qe2+ ( 45...Kg7 46.Kg3 ) 46.Kg3 Qxe3+ 47.Kg2 Qe2+ 48.Kh3 Qd3+ 49.Kg2 {Black is still much better, but objectively it should be a draw.} ) 42.Qe8 Qc4 43.Qf8 ( 43.h6 e3 44.Qf8 Qg4+ 45.Kf1 Qg8 46.Qb4 ) ) 41...Kxh6 42.Qg8 Qxf5 43.Qf8+ ( 43.Qh8+ Qh7 ) 43...Kh5 44.f3 Kxh4 ( 44...Qc2+ 45.Kg3 Qg6+ 46.Kh3 {complicates things.} ) 45.Qb4+ Qf4 46.Qxb3 Qd2+ 47.Kf1 Kg3 48.f4+ ( 48.Qxf7 $4 Qd1# ) 48...Kxf4 49.a4 ( {On} 49.Qxf7 f5 ( {Best is} 49...Qc1+ $1 50.Ke2 Qc2+ 51.Kf1 f5 {and wins.} ) 50.Qb3 e4 51.a4 ) 49...f5 50.Qb5 Qd1+ 51.Kf2 Qc2+ 52.Kf1 f6 $1 {A subtle move that coordinates the black forces.} 53.Qb4+ e4 54.Qb5 Kg3 55.Qe2 Qxe2+ 56.Kxe2 f4 57.a5 f3+ 58.Kf1 e3 0-1

[Event "Shamkir Chess 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.06.04"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2790"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6806986297863"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:46:32"]
[BlackClock "0:11:17"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 d5 5.O-O O-O {The Fianchetto Gruenfeld has a very solid reputation.} 6.c3 {But Mamedyarov is ready to play Gruenfeld earlier than his opponent.} 6...Nbd7 7.Bf4 b6 ( {Another possibility is} 7...c5 8.dxc5 Nxc5 9.Qc1 b6 10.h3 Bb7 11.Nbd2 Rc8 12.Nb3 e6 {as in Wen,Y (2614)-Wei, Y (2700) Xinghua 2016} ) 8.a4 c5 {Now it is indeed a reversed Gruenfeld. And a novelty.} ( {The predecessor ended quite quickly:} 8...Ne4 9.Ng5 Ndf6 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Nd2 Nxd2 {1/2-1/2 Benko,P (2425)-Tolnai,T (2500) Hungary 1993} ) 9.Nbd2 Bb7 10.a5 bxa5 {This is perfectly playable. Other possibilities are} ( 10...Qc8 11.b4 $5 ( 11.Qa4 ) ) ( 10...Bc6 ) 11.Nb3 Qb6 $6 {Oops. It seems that Giri forgot to trade on d4 first. Correct was} ( 11...cxd4 12.cxd4 Qb6 13.Rxa5 Rfc8 {with equality. The chance that the a- and b-pawns disappear simultaneously in the future is very high.} ) 12.dxc5 $1 Nxc5 13.Be3 ( {Safer was} 13.Nxc5 Qxc5 14.Qa4 Ne4 15.Qxa5 {with a similar situation as in the game.} ) 13...Qxb3 14.Bxc5 Qxd1 {This leads to a difficult endgame. The pawn on a7 is practically doomed. For good or for bad, Giri had to bite the bullet with} ( 14...Qxb2 {when} 15.Bxe7 ( 15.Rb1 {guarantees a draw, but hardly more after} 15...Qxc3 16.Rc1 Qb2 17.Rb1 ) 15...Rfb8 16.Rb1 Qa2 $1 ( {Or} 16...Qxc3 17.Bd6 Ne4 18.Bxb8 Rxb8 {with compensation for the exchange.} ) 17.Nd4 Ne4 {when nothing is clear.} ) 15.Rfxd1 Rfe8 16.Rxa5 a6 17.Ne5 {Now Mamedyarov is in control. All he needs to do is to double the rooks on the a-file and put the bishop on the f1-a6 diagonal to win the weak pawn. In the process though, he is careful not to allow any counterplay in the center.} 17...Rad8 18.Bb6 Rb8 19.Ba7 Rbd8 20.Bb6 Rb8 21.Bd4 e6 22.e3 Red8 23.Bb6 Rdc8 24.Ba7 Ra8 25.Bd4 Rc7 26.Rda1 Nd7 27.Nxd7 Rxd7 28.Bf1 {There are other ways to take the pawn:} ( 28.f4 Rd6 29.Bf1 ) ( 28.Bxg7 Kxg7 29.Bf1 Rd6 ) 28...e5 $1 {Giri tries to trade as many pawns as possible to reach a rook endgame with chances for a draw.} ( 28...Rb8 {would have saved the pawn for a while but after White defends the b2-pawn (with, say, a king march all the way to c1) it would have nowhere to go.} ) 29.Bc5 d4 ( {Another way to reach the endgame is} 29...Bf8 30.Bxf8 Kxf8 31.Bxa6 Bxa6 32.Rxa6 Rxa6 33.Rxa6 d4 34.cxd4 exd4 35.exd4 Rxd4 ) 30.cxd4 exd4 31.Bxa6 Rxa6 32.Rxa6 Bxa6 33.Rxa6 f5 $6 {A serious inaccuracy. The defender's optimal defensive set-up on the kingside is pawns on f7, g6, h5 and the king going to g7-f6-(e6). The rook should be behind the b-passer, ready to attack the kingside pawns. This pawn formation is giving Black a chance to create a passed pawn on the kingside quickly, which is his main resource. Therefore} ( 33...h5 $1 {was the right thing to do, when} 34.Ra8+ Kh7 35.Bxd4 Bxd4 36.exd4 Rxd4 {followed by Kh7-g7-f6 would have led to the desired set up.} ) ( {There is no time for queening:} 33...d3 $4 34.Ra8+ ) 34.exd4 Bxd4 35.b4 $1 {The b-passer is considered the most dangerous one for the defender in these endgames, but Mamedyarov had figured that with the black pawn on f5 it might be better for him to support his queenside passer as quick as possible.} 35...Bxc5 36.bxc5 Rd1+ 37.Kg2 Rc1 38.Rc6 Kf7 {The consequences of the mistake on move 33. There is no time to cut the white king with} ( 38...Rc3 {due to the counter-cut} 39.Rc7 {Then when the pawn comes to c6 Black will not be able to capture any pawns since White will play Rc7-d7, c6-c7 followed by Rd7-d8+ and promotes.} ) 39.Kf3 g5 40.Ke3 Rc3+ {The rook is best placed on the second rank, hitting the kingside pawns. Then why did not Giri play} ( 40...Rc2 {The answer to this quiz comes from Mamedyarov's move 35. His king is too close to the c-file. After} 41.Rc7+ Kf6 42.c6 h6 43.Kd3 Rxf2 44.Rf7+ $1 Kxf7 45.c7 {White queens.} ) 41.Kd4 Rf3 42.Ke5 Rxf2 43.Rf6+ Ke8 {This loses. Giri was obviously afraid that Mamedyarov can capture on h7 with check. Still, Black's best chance was:} ( 43...Ke7 44.Rh6 {looks stronger with possible line} ( {In case of} 44.Rxf5 Rxh2 45.Kd5 {Black should hold after} 45...g4 46.Kc6 Rg2 47.Re5+ Kd8 ( 47...Kf6 48.Re3 h5 49.Rd3 ) 48.Rd5+ Ke8 ) 44...f4 ( {In the line} 44...Kd7 45.Rxh7+ Kc6 46.Rh5 Kxc5 47.Rxg5 Rxh2 48.Rxf5 Rg2 49.Rf3 Kc6 50.Kf5 Kd6 51.g4 Ke7 52.Kg5 Ke6 53.Kh5 {White is just in time to win.} ) 45.Rxh7+ Kd8 46.gxf4 gxf4 47.Rh5 f3 48.Kf4 {I am not sure what is the evaluation of the position, it is too complex.} ) 44.Rxf5 $1 {Much stronger than} ( 44.Rh6 f4 45.gxf4 gxf4 46.Rxh7 ( 46.c6 Kd8 ) 46...f3 {which might indeed be a draw.} ) 44...Rxh2 45.Kd6 Rd2+ ( {There is not time for} 45...g4 46.c6 ) 46.Kc7 Rd7+ ( {Or} 46...Rd3 47.Rxg5 ) 47.Kb6 g4 48.Re5+ ( {White could have promoted to a queen with} 48.c6 Rd2 49.Re5+ Kd8 50.c7+ Kd7 51.Re7+ {but Mamedyarov prefers to avoid any fortress ideas.} ) 48...Kd8 49.Rg5 Rd3 50.Rg8+ Ke7 51.Rxg4 Rb3+ 52.Kc7 Kf6 53.c6 1-0

[Event "Russia-match"]
[Site "Chiva"]
[Date "2016.06.13"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Lu, Shanglei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2719"]
[BlackElo "2614"]
[ECO "B81"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7632425328708"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[WhiteClock "1:14:23"]
[BlackClock "0:32:19"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 {Nepomniachtchi used his pet line against Grischuk recently, in an excellent game which was annotated for the Chess.com readers.} 6...e6 7.g4 Nfd7 ( {One very fresh example continued} 7...Be7 8.Bg2 Nfd7 9.Be3 Nc6 10.Qe2 O-O 11.O-O-O Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Qc7 {with typical double-edged Sicilian position in Caruana,F (2795)-Kasparov, G (2812) Saint Louis 2016} ) ( 7...d5 {is another concept.} ) 8.Be3 b5 9.a3 Bb7 10.g5 {Let us quickly fast-forward to Lu's improvement.} 10...Nc6 11.h4 Be7 12.Qd2 O-O 13.O-O-O Rc8 14.Nxc6 Rxc6 15.Kb1 Ne5 16.Rh3 {Roughly a month ago this was a novelty. It is a useful maneuver which prevents the trouble along the long diagonal and protects the knight on c3 from the exchange sacrifice. Nepomniachtchti did not mind trading his dark-squared bishop for the black knight in the aforementioned game with Grischuk and this was very impressive. A few correspondence games saw instead:} ( 16.f4 Nc4 17.Bxc4 Rxc4 18.Bd4 {with good results for the first player, e.g. Yamaliev,V (2438)-Marez,S (2444) corr. 2012} ) 16...Nc4 17.Qe1 Qa5 {Lu's novelty creates the concrete threat of capturing on a3.} ( {Grischuk took the bishop} 17...Nxe3 18.Rxe3 Qc8 19.f4 {and although at some moment his position looked very stable, he lost the game nevertheless, Nepomniachtchi,I (2703)-Grischuk,A (2752) Sochi 2016} ) ( 17...f6 18.Rg3 Nxe3 19.Qxe3 fxg5 20.hxg5 ) 18.Bxc4 {This time White trades the light squared-bishop.} 18...Rxc4 19.Nd5 {It is important to deprive Black of the bishop pair.} 19...Qd8 20.Bb6 Qd7 21.Nxe7+ Qxe7 22.Re3 {As a result of the opening clash a complex middlegame arose. White's bishop seem more active and this is the primary factor in positions with heavy pieces and opposite-colored bishops on the board.} ( {After} 22.f3 {the white rook may remain stuck on the kingside.} ) 22...Qd7 23.Ba5 ( {More accurate is} 23.b3 Rc6 24.Ba5 {depriving Black of his next move.} ) 23...Qc6 24.f3 Rc8 {The pawn is poisoned:} ( {After} 24...Rxc2 25.Bc3 Rg2 ( 25...Rh2 $2 {loses to} 26.Qg3 ) 26.Qh1 Qc5 27.Qxg2 Qxe3 28.Rxd6 {White regains the pawn and preserves more active pieces.} ) 25.Bc3 Qc5 26.Rdd3 ( {A tempting alternative was} 26.Red3 d5 27.exd5 Bxd5 28.Qe5 Qf8 29.h5 {with a promising kingside attack.} ) 26...d5 {Lu desperately tries to activate his bishop.} 27.exd5 {And he succeeds. Trickier was} ( 27.Bb4 Qc6 {and only now} ( {Perhaps Nepomniachtchi did not like the exchange sacrifice} 27...Rxb4 28.Qxb4 Qxc2+ 29.Ka2 Qc4+ 30.Qxc4 bxc4 31.Rd1 {although White's chances seem realistic, especially if he manages to transfer his king to c3.} ) 28.exd5 {to force Black recapture with the pawn. After} 28...exd5 29.Re7 {is strong since} 29...Rxc2 $2 {once again loses to} 30.Bc3 ) 27...Bxd5 28.h5 a5 {Now situation becomes double-edged.} 29.b3 Rf4 30.Qd2 {White's best bet for the edge was the counter-intuitive} ( 30.Be5 Qxc2+ 31.Ka1 Rxf3 ( 31...Rf5 $2 {loses to} 32.Rc3 ) 32.Rxf3 Bxf3 33.Rxf3 Rd8 34.Rf1 Qxb3 {and for the piece Black has three pawns, and yes, White's king does not seem right. But the bishop is extremely potent, working well on both flanks, say} 35.Bb2 b4 36.h6 bxa3 37.Bxg7 {with advantage for White.} ) 30...Rh4 31.h6 b4 {Even better was:} ( 31...Qxa3 32.Bxg7 a4 33.Bb2 Qd6 34.Qe1 Rh5 35.Bf6 axb3 36.cxb3 Qf4 {when it is unclear which king is more exposed.} ) 32.Bb2 Rh1+ 33.Bc1 bxa3 $2 {Lu blunders at the moment in which he was close to safety. Both} ( 33...a4 $5 {with the idea} 34.axb4 Qd6 35.Re1 Rxe1 36.Qxe1 axb3 37.cxb3 Qh2 {with compensation for the pawn and possible endgame after} 38.Rc3 Ra8 39.Qd2 Qxd2 40.Bxd2 {which Black should hold,} ) ( {or the preliminary} 33...Qd6 $5 {and then a5-a4 would have kept Black in the game.} ) 34.Rc3 {All of a sudden, Black's back rank is desperately weak.} 34...Qf8 35.Rxc8 Qxc8 36.Rc3 Qf8 37.Rc7 {Prepares the deadly doubling along the c file. Also good was} ( 37.Qd4 {with the idea} 37...a2+ 38.Kxa2 Rxc1 39.Rc8 $1 ) 37...a4 {The last hope is in tactics.} ( 37...Rf1 38.Qc3 Rxf3 39.Be3 {loses without any chances.} ) 38.Qc3 axb3 39.cxb3 {But not the hasty} ( 39.Rc8 $4 a2+ 40.Kb2 a1=Q+ $1 41.Kxa1 Rxc1+ 42.Kb2 Rxc2+ {which wins for Black.} ) 39...Bb7 40.Rxb7 a2+ 41.Ka1 $1 {The final touch which avoids the last devilish trap:} ( 41.Kb2 a1=Q+ $1 42.Kxa1 Rxc1+ 43.Qxc1 Qa8+ {when the game goes on and on.} ) 1-0

[Event "Memorial | Elite"]
[Site "Varadero"]
[Date "2016.06.10"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Almasi, Zoltan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2688"]
[ECO "D03"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8249293949525"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "MAR"]
[WhiteClock "0:31:15"]
[BlackClock "0:02:47"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 {To prepare against Ivanchuk is the most difficult task in the world - and most ungrateful. His incredible memory allows him to play everything. Yes, you guessed right. He had never played the Torre attack before.} 3...h6 4.Bh4 c5 5.c3 d5 6.e3 Nc6 7.Nbd2 cxd4 ( {Another plan is} 7...Qb6 8.Rb1 Be7 9.Bd3 Nh5 10.Bxe7 Nxe7 11.O-O {as in Andreikin, D (2716) -Karjakin,S (2772) Tromsoe 2013} ) 8.exd4 {Now position resembles a Queen's Gambit Declined with reversed colors, Carlsbad pawn structure.} 8...Be7 9.Bd3 O-O 10.Qe2 {White prepares his usual kingside attack.} 10...Nh5 {And Almasi makes a logical move intending to trade a pair of light pieces and somewhat reduce White's attacking potential. This move turns out to be a novelty.} ( {Previously Black only played} 10...Re8 {for example} 11.O-O-O b5 $5 12.Bxb5 Qb6 13.Ne5 {as in Indjic,D (2281)-Milanovic,S (2178) Novi Sad 2015} ) 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Qe3 {The Hungarian GM swapped a pair of minor pieces, but since his bishop on c8 is passive Ivanchuk can be happy with his opening. Next he has a choice of kingside attacks: a pure piece attack, or, which is even better here thanks to the h6 hook, a pawn and piece attack.} 12...Rb8 {Almasi prepares the usual minority attack, but the rook is tactically vulnerable on b8. Simpler and better was} ( 12...Nf6 {although White should be better here as well.} ) 13.O-O Qf6 ( {Why the rook is vulnerable on b8 is seen in these lines} 13...b5 14.Ne5 Nxe5 {Or} ( 14...Bb7 15.Nb3 ) ( 14...Bd7 15.Nb3 {followed by Nb3-c5 with advantage for White in either case.} ) 15.Qxe5 {with a double attack.} ) 14.g3 Bd7 {Once again there is no time for} ( 14...b5 {due to the knight on the rim:} 15.Qe2 b4 ( 15...g6 16.Bxb5 ) 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Qg5 18.f4 {which drops.} ) 15.Ne5 Qe7 ( {Worse is} 15...Nxe5 16.dxe5 Qg5 ( 16...Qe7 17.g4 {traps the knight} ) 17.f4 {with a large advantage for White.} ) 16.f4 Nf6 17.Rae1 Rfc8 {With simple and logical moves Ivanchuk brought all his pieces to the kingside.} 18.g4 $1 {And he decides to start the attack without any preparation. Both} ( 18.Re2 {with the idea Re2-g2 and the advance of the g-pawn} ) ( {and} 18.Kh1 {intending Rf1-g1 and again the advance of the g-pawn were perfectly possible, but Ivanchuk correctly decided that he can go for direct attack.} ) 18...Nxe5 19.fxe5 Nxg4 {At least to suffer for something. The retreat looks rather grim:} ( 19...Nh7 20.Re2 Rf8 21.Rg2 {with a huge attack and equal material.} ) 20.Qg3 {Better than} ( 20.Qh3 f5 21.exf6 Nxf6 ) 20...h5 {Now} ( 20...f5 {does not work due to} 21.h3 ) 21.Re2 f5 {This opens further files for the white pieces, but it is impossible to offer Black good advise. Worse are both} ( 21...Kh8 22.Rg2 Rg8 23.Qf3 Rbf8 24.h3 Nh6 25.Qxh5 ) ( {and} 21...b5 22.h3 ( {even better than} 22.Rg2 b4 23.h3 bxc3 24.bxc3 {which wins a piece.} ) 22...Nh6 23.Rg2 Qf8 ( 23...g6 24.Bxg6 $1 ) 24.Rf6 $1 {A nice attacking touch!} 24...Nf5 25.Qg5 {and Black is helpless.} ) 22.exf6 Nxf6 23.Ref2 {The brutal threat Rf3xf6 wins the game.} 23...Ng4 ( {The king cannot escape} 23...Kf8 24.Qg6 Be8 25.Rxf6+ $1 ) ( {nor can be the knight defended} 23...Rf8 24.Rxf6 Rxf6 25.Qxb8+ ) 24.Rf7 $1 {A powerful finish.} 24...Qg5 ( {The line} 24...Qxf7 25.Bh7+ Kf8 26.Qd6+ Ke8 27.Bg6 $1 Qxg6 28.Rf8# {is aesthetically pleasing.} ) ( {After the queen retreat the simplest win is} 24...Qe8 25.h3 ) 25.Rxd7 Rf8 26.h4 {Once more powerplay instead of the prosaic} ( 26.h3 ) 26...Qxd2 27.Rxg7+ $1 {Finding the mate is a piece of cake for Ivanchuk.} 27...Kh8 ( 27...Kxg7 28.Qc7+ Kh6 29.Qh7# ) 28.Rxg4 ( 28.Rh7+ {is mate as well.} ) 28...hxg4 ( {Or} 28...Rxf1+ 29.Bxf1 hxg4 30.Qxb8+ ) 29.Qe5+ Kg8 30.Qxe6+ Kh8 31.Qe5+ Kg8 32.Qxd5+ ( {Almasi resigned before the mate} 32.Qxd5+ Kh8 33.Qh5+ Kg7 34.Qh7# ) 1-0

[Event "Memorial | Elite"]
[Site "Varadero"]
[Date "2016.06.17"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Kryvoruchko, Yuriy"]
[Black "Almasi, Zoltan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2688"]
[ECO "C45"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8247813603344"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "MAR"]
[WhiteClock "0:14:17"]
[BlackClock "0:00:36"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 {Kasparov revived the Scotch in his last match with Karpov. Ever since, it appears in a good share of open games. It also avoids the Berlin.} 3...exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.c4 Ba6 {Karpov's preferred choice, although he also tried} ( 8...Nb6 {which is the other main option.} ) 9.Nd2 Nb4 {Two other moves are more popular:} ( 9...g6 10.Nf3 Nb6 11.b3 Bg7 12.Bb2 O-O 13.O-O-O Bb7 {as in Nepomniachtchi,I (2714)-Grischuk,A (2810) Beijing 2014} ) ( {Or} 9...O-O-O 10.b3 f6 11.Bb2 fxe5 12.O-O-O Nf6 13.Qxe5 Qxe5 14.Bxe5 {Yu,Y (2688) -Stefansson,H (2496) Reykjavik 2013} ) 10.Nf3 c5 11.g3 ( {White can also chase the knight away with} 11.a3 Nc6 12.Bd2 h6 13.Bc3 Qe6 14.O-O-O {Muzychuk,A (2598)-Kosteniuk,A (2457) Kazan 2012} ) 11...Qe6 12.a3 Nc6 13.Bd2 {Kryvoruchko completes his development.} ( {A novelty in comparison to} 13.b3 g6 ( 13...Rb8 $1 ) 14.h4 Bg7 15.Bh3 f5 16.Bb2 ( 16.exf6 Qxe2+ 17.Kxe2 Bxf6 18.Rb1 ) 16...Rb8 $1 {with advantage for Black, Olyschlaeger,R (1962)-Richter, C (2396) Germany 2011} ) ( 13.Bg2 $2 Rb8 {should be avoided by White.} ) 13...O-O-O 14.O-O-O g6 {This mounts pressure on the white central pawn. Two other moves deserve attention too:} ( 14...Nd4 ) ( {and} 14...Re8 ) 15.Bg5 {White tries to make use of the hole on f6.} 15...Be7 ( 15...Re8 16.Bf6 Rg8 17.h4 {with the threat Bf1-h3 looks awkward for Black.} ) 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Qe3 Rhe8 {Perhaps Black needed to attack the center with} ( 17...f6 18.Bh3 ( 18.Rd5 Bb7 {is less convincing here.} ) 18...fxe5 19.Rhe1 Rhe8 20.Rd5 e4 21.Nd2 Kb8 22.Rxc5 Ne5 {with unclear play.} ) 18.Rd5 d6 {This weakens the king. Here} ( 18...f6 {might be answered} 19.Bh3 $5 ( 19.Rxc5 {is perfectly playable as well.} ) 19...Bb7 20.Rhd1 Nxe5 21.Nxe5 Bxd5 22.Rxd5 fxe5 23.Rxc5 {with a strong initiative for the exchange.} ) 19.Bh3+ Kb8 20.Qb3+ Bb7 21.Re1 Qf8 22.Bg2 $1 {White is loading the gun along the long diagonal. He is ready to sacrifice the exchange in return for the powerful defender on b7.} 22...Na5 {Almasi goes for the rook. White's idea is demonstrated by the line} ( 22...f6 23.Nd4 $1 Nxd4 ( 23...cxd4 24.Rb5 ) ( 23...Na5 24.Nc6+ $1 Nxc6 25.Rxc5 Kc8 26.Rxc6 fxe5 27.Rxc7+ Kxc7 28.Qxb7# ) 24.Rxd4 ) ( 22...dxe5 {is obviously wrong after the simple} 23.Nxe5 ) ( {However, taking into account what happened in the game, it was better to pay serious attention to the queenside and get rid of the pins at once with} 22...Ka8 {when nothing is clear.} ) 23.Qa4 Bxd5 24.cxd5 Nb7 25.Bf1 $3 {Kryvoruchko was obviously heading for this position. The knight is not a great defender like the bishop and White simply mounts pressure against it.} 25...dxe5 ( 25...Ka8 {would be similar after} 26.Ba6 Rb8 27.Qc6 Re7 28.Re3 {since on} 28...Qe8 {White has} 29.exd6 $1 Rxe3 30.d7 $1 Re1+ 31.Kd2 {and wins.} ) 26.Bb5 $1 {Not} ( 26.Ba6 Qd6 ) 26...e4 ( {In case of} 26...Ka8 27.Bc6 $1 {Black will not survive the pressure neither} ( {White is also better after} 27.Bxe8 Qxe8 28.Qxe8 Rxe8 29.Rxe5 {but who actually cares for the rook when the bishop is so cool?!} ) 27...Rb8 28.Qb5 ( {Or} 28.Re3 ) ) 27.Bc6 Ka8 28.Re3 ( 28.Qb5 Rb8 29.Re3 {would also do.} ) 28...exf3 29.Qb5 {Almasi resigned due to:} ( 29.Qb5 Rb8 {but} 30.Bxb7+ $1 ( {not} 30.Rb3 $4 Re1+ 31.Kd2 ( 31.Kc2 Qc8 ) 31...Qh6+ $1 32.Kxe1 Qc1# ) 30...Rxb7 31.Rxe8+ ) 1-0

[Event "9th Masters"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2016.07.13"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[ECO "B91"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[Beauty "7012247142444"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[WhiteClock "0:49:07"]
[BlackClock "0:42:38"]

1.e4 c5 2.Ne2 {Carlsen used this Anti-Najdorf line back in 2010.} 2...d6 3.Nbc3 a6 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nf6 {Now a Fianchettoed Dragon appears.} 8.O-O O-O 9.b3 Nc6 ( {Black can also start with} 9...Bg4 10.Qd2 Nc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bb2 Qa5 13.h3 Be6 14.Rad1 {with approximate equality in Landa,K (2596)-Shneider,A (2532) Cappelle-la-Grande 2007} ) 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Bb2 Qa5 {Technically speaking this is a novelty, but as we have seen from the game&#10;Landa-Shneider from above, this is not a new idea. Kovchan preferred instead:} ( 11...Nd7 12.Qd2 a5 13.Na4 Bxb2 14.Nxb2 f6 {although White seems a tad better here to me, Hansen,M (2165)-Kovchan,A (2571) Copenhagen 2010} ) 12.Na4 Bg4 13.Qe1 {In the case of:} ( 13.Qd3 {Nakamura would have probably played} 13...Qh5 {again. Although} ( 13...Nd7 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 {should be also playable, as in&#10;the aforementioned game by Kovchan.} ) ) 13...Qh5 {A very risky decision. Although one can easily understand why Nakamura did not choose the worse endgame after} ( 13...Qxe1 14.Rfxe1 Nd7 {against Carlsen.} ) 14.f3 {An ambitious approach. Carlsen wants to exclude the black queen from the play.} ( {Simpler was} 14.e5 $1 dxe5 ( {Black loses a pawn in the line} 14...Nd7 15.exd6 exd6 ( 15...Bxb2 16.dxe7 ) 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Qc3+ ( {But not} 17.Bxc6 Rac8 18.Bxd7 Bxd7 {when Black has plenty of play on the light squares, or equality after} 19.Qd1 Qxd1 20.Rfxd1 Bxa4 21.bxa4 Rxc2 ) 17...Qe5 18.Qxe5+ Nxe5 19.f4 ) 15.Qxe5 Qxe5 16.Bxe5 Nd5 17.Rfe1 ) 14...Bh3 15.g4 Qh6 16.Rd1 {Now Bb2-c1 is a deadly threat, thus} ( 16.Bc1 g5 17.Bxh3 Qxh3 18.Bxg5 {would be met with} 18...Nxg4 $1 19.fxg4 Bxa1 20.Qxa1 Qxg4+ 21.Kh1 Qxe4+ {when Black is on top.} ) 16...g5 {is forced. However after} 17.Bc1 {Black's position seems very suspicious. Still, Carlsen might have done better had he played:} ( 17.Qe3 {instead, a move that prevents Black's activity in the line} 17...Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Qg6 19.Nb6 $1 {The key move that keeps an eye on the d5 square.} 19...Rad8 {And now} ( {Not} 19...Rab8 $2 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Nd7 ) 20.Bc3 {After} ( 20.c4 $2 Nxg4 {drops a pawn instead.} ) ( 20.Ba1 {is also possible though.} ) 20...d5 {White has a choice between} 21.e5 ( {And} 21.Bxf6 Bxf6 22.exd5 cxd5 23.Nxd5 Qxc2+ 24.Rd2 Qg6 25.Rff2 ) 21...Nd7 22.Nxd7 Rxd7 {with advantage for the first player in either line.} ) 17...Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Qg6 19.h4 {It was not too late to prevent the central break with} ( 19.Qe3 h6 20.Nb6 Rab8 21.Nc4 {with the idea} 21...d5 $2 22.Ne5 ) 19...gxh4 20.Qxh4 d5 $1 {Nakamura seizes his chance.} 21.g5 $6 {Carlsen continues to play for domination, but his forces do not seem active enough. Instead:} ( 21.exd5 cxd5 ( {Or} 21...Qxc2+ 22.Rd2 Qg6 23.dxc6 Rac8 ) 22.c3 Rac8 {would have left the worst behind for Black.} ) 21...dxe4 22.f4 e6 $1 {Missed by Carlsen.&#10;Perhaps White was hoping for an attack in the lines:} ( 22...h6 23.f5 hxg5 24.Bxg5 Qh7 25.Qxh7+ Kxh7 26.Rh1+ ( 26.Nb6 Rad8 27.Rh1+ Kg8 28.Rdg1 {is also good for White.} ) 26...Kg8 27.Bxf6 Bxf6 ( 27...exf6 {looks ugly, self-trapping the bishop.} ) 28.Nb6 Rad8 29.Nd7 Rfe8 30.Kf2 {and Black can hardly survive here.} ) 23.c4 {Takes away the d5 square from Black. That is&#10;important in the line} ( 23.Kf2 Nd5 24.c4 Nb4 ) 23...Rfd8 {Simple and good. Clearly worse was} ( 23...h6 24.Nc5 hxg5 25.fxg5 Nh7 26.Qxe4 {with an edge for White.} ) 24.Rde1 ( {Now} 24.Nc5 {is met with} 24...Bf8 ) 24...Ne8 {Black's&#10;queen survived. Black has won a pawn and has some juicy outposts for the knight.} 25.Nc5 {Active play is doomed to failure.} ( 25.f5 exf5 26.Qh3 Nd6 27.c5 Nb5 28.Rxf5 Rd3 ) 25...Nd6 26.Qf2 f5 27.Bb2 Nf7 {Also good was} ( 27...Bxb2 28.Qxb2 Nf7 29.Qf6 Qxf6 30.gxf6 Nh6 31.Nxe6 Rd6 {with a clear edge in the endgame.} ) 28.Bxg7 Kxg7 29.Qg3 ( {More resilent seemed} 29.Re3 {with the idea to double&#10;the heavy pieces along the h-file.} ) 29...Rd6 30.Rd1 Rad8 31.Rxd6 Rxd6 {In addition to the extra pawn, Nakamura has added open files for his heavy pieces. The decisive&#10;counter-attack is just around the corner.} 32.Qc3+ Kg8 33.Rf2 Qh5 34.Qh3 Qd1 35.Qe3 e5 36.Qg3 ( {Or} 36.fxe5 Nxe5 37.Rxf5 $2 Qg4+ ) 36...Rg6 37.Kh2 exf4 38.Qxf4 Qh5+ 39.Kg1 Qd1+ 40.Kh2 Qh5+ 41.Kg1 Nxg5 42.Qb8+ Kg7 43.Qe5+ Kh6 44.Qf4 Qd1+ 45.Kh2 ( 45.Rf1 Qd4+ ) 45...Qd4 {The long diagonal is secured;&#10;the king may run away from the pin.} 46.b4 Kg7 47.Qc7+ Kh8 48.Qc8+ Rg8 49.Qxf5 Nf3+ 50.Kh3 Qd6 0-1

[Event "9th Masters"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2016.07.14"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2696"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[ECO "B06"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[Beauty "6394669453860"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[WhiteClock "0:31:52"]
[BlackClock "0:37:23"]

1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 ( 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Be3 O-O 6.Qd2 {was a normal Pirc in Wei,Y (2607)-Bryant,J (2410) Santa Clara 2014} ) 4...a6 5.f4 ( 5.a4 Nf6 6.h3 O-O 7.g4 {and eventually Naiditsch defeated the world champion in a game that was annotated for the Chess.com members, Naiditsch,A (2706)-Carlsen,M (2865) Baden-Baden 2015} ) 5...b5 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.e5 Bb7 8.Bd3 c5 ( {Another option is} 8...e6 9.O-O Nh6 10.Ne4 Nb6 11.Bf2 Qd7 {Frolyanov, D (2566)-Fedoseev,V (2674) Kaliningrad 2015} ) 9.Be4 Bxe4 ( 9...Qc8 10.Bxb7 Qxb7 11.dxc5 dxe5 12.Qd5 $1 {should be avoided by Black as Grischuk proved against Bacrot in 2002.} ) 10.Nxe4 Nh6 11.dxc5 dxe5 ( 11...Ng4 12.Bg1 dxe5 13.h3 Nh6 14.c6 Nf6 15.Qxd8+ Rxd8 16.c7 Rc8 17.Nxf6+ exf6 18.Bb6 {The little extra move h2-h3 makes a big difference. White can exclude the opponent's knight from the game with g2-g4 later, Smeets,J (2662)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2715) Wijk aan Zee 2011} ) 12.c6 ( {Black did reasonably well in the only otb game after} 12.Qe2 Qc7 13.fxe5 Nxe5 14.O-O-O Nf5 15.Bf2 ( 15.Bf4 $5 ) 15...O-O 16.c3 Ng4 {Erdogdu,M (2419) -Yilmazyerli,M (2450) Kocaeli 2015} ) 12...Nf6 13.Qxd8+ Rxd8 14.Nxf6+ exf6 15.c7 Rc8 16.Bb6 Kd7 17.Ba5 Nf5 18.O-O-O+ Kc6 19.Rd8 {An obvious move and a novelty. It seems decisive almost, but Black can coordinate his pieces and snack the pawn.} ( {Previously only} 19.fxe5 {was played and Black was very comfortable after} 19...fxe5 20.Rhe1 f6 ( 20...e4 21.Rxe4 Nd6 ) 21.g4 Nd6 22.g5 Rhe8 23.gxf6 Bxf6 24.b3 e4 25.Nd4+ Kb7 {Li,Z (2349)-Cheng,B (2440) Melbourne 2013} ) 19...Nd6 20.fxe5 ( {Worse was} 20.Rd1 Nc4 21.Rxh8 Bxh8 22.Rd8 Kb7 {and Black will emerge a pawn ahead.} ) 20...fxe5 21.Rd1 {Once again, best.} ( {After} 21.b3 Nb7 22.Rxh8 Bxh8 23.Bc3 f6 $1 {Black is in control.} ) 21...Nc4 22.Bc3 {After the inaccuracy on move 19 Wei finds all the best moves. The alternatives are clearly inferior for White:} ( 22.Rxc8 Rxc8 23.Rd8 Kb7 ) ( 22.Rxh8 Bxh8 23.Rd8 Kb7 24.Bc3 f6 ) 22...Rxc7 ( {Maybe} 22...b4 23.Bxb4 e4 24.Nd4+ Kxc7 {was better?!} ) 23.b3 ( {Clearly bad was} 23.Rxh8 Bxh8 24.b3 Ne3 25.Rd2 f6 {which would have lost ingloriously.} ) 23...Ne3 24.Bxe5 $1 {White sacrifices the exchange.} ( {Wei obviously saw the witty resource} 24.R1d6+ Kb7 25.R8d7 Kc8 $1 ( 25...Nxg2 26.Rxc7+ Kxc7 27.Rxa6 {is equal.} ) 26.Rxc7+ Kxc7 27.Rxa6 Rc8 $3 {with an ambush that secures Black the advantage. The next move is Kc7-b7 no matter what.} 28.Bxe5+ Kb7 $1 ) 24...Nxd1 {Carlsen accept the challenge.} ( {There would be a draw in case of} 24...Rxd8 25.Rxd8 Bxe5 26.Nxe5+ Kb7 27.Rd2 ) 25.Rd6+ Kb7 26.Bxg7 Rg8 27.Bd4 Nc3 28.Rb6+ Kc8 ( 28...Ka8 29.Rxa6+ ) 29.Be5 {All of this was very forced.} ( {There was also the study idea} 29.Rxa6 Re8 30.Ra8+ Kd7 31.Ne5+ Ke7 32.Rxe8+ Kxe8 33.Bxc3 Rxc3 {and now} 34.Nc4 {to trap the rook after} 34...bxc4 ( {But it does not work due to the cold} 34...b4 $1 {and Black preserves the exchange.} ) 35.Kd2 cxb3 36.Kxc3 bxa2 37.Kb2 ) 29...Rd8 $1 {Carlsen spins a mating net...} 30.Kb2 ( {...which would work in case of} 30.Bxc7 Kxc7 31.Rxa6 Rd1+ 32.Kb2 b4 $1 ) 30...Nd5 {The world champion noticed the limited mobility of the white rook and rejected the draw, possible after} ( 30...Nd1+ 31.Kc1 Nc3 32.Kb2 ) 31.Bxc7 Kxc7 32.Rxa6 Kb7 33.Ra3 ( {Best as} 33.Ra5 Kb6 34.Ra3 Ne3 {only helps Black.} ) 33...Ne3 34.c4 $1 {It is not about the pawns!} ( 34.g3 {would allow the second that Black misses to spin the net-} 34...Nd1+ 35.Kc1 Nc3 36.Kb2 ( 36.b4 Rd1+ 37.Kb2 Na4+ 38.Kb3 Rb1# ) 36...b4 37.Ra5 Rd1 {and wins.} ) 34...bxc4 35.Ne5 $5 {Only this can be named a mistake. But I still want to award the move with an exclamation mark as Wei's idea to activate the pieces to the maximum and force a draw was brilliant. He missed a detail though. Instead} ( 35.b4 Nxg2 ( 35...Nd5 36.Ra5 f6 37.Rb5+ Ka6 38.Ra5+ Kb6 39.a4 ) 36.Rc3 {would have most likely led to a draw.} ) 35...Rd2+ 36.Kc3 Rc2+ 37.Kd4 {Better than} ( 37.Kb4 Nd5+ 38.Kc5 c3 39.Kxd5 Rd2+ {which wins easily for Black.} ) 37...Nf5+ 38.Kd5 c3 39.Kc5 {The critical point of the game. Who is faster- the raging white pieces, or the mighty black pawn.} 39...Nd6 $3 {The knight??} ( {But why not} 39...Rd2 {Here Wei's idea is revealed. Strong is} 40.Nc6 $1 {when White would either force a perpetual, or even mate! Check these lines:} 40...c2 $2 ( 40...Ng7 $1 {Best.} 41.Ra7+ Kc8 42.Re7 $1 {Prepares the Nimzowitsch draw mechanism.} ( 42.Kb6 Ne6 {does not work here.} ) 42...c2 ( {Or a draw after} 42...Rxa2 43.Kb6 Ne6 44.Na7+ {since the sacrifice does not work-} 44...Rxa7 $2 45.Rxa7 c2 46.Ra1 ) 43.Na7+ Kd8 44.Nc6+ ) 41.Ra7+ Kc8 42.Kb6 c1=Q 43.Rc7# $1 ) 40.Nc6 {The only move, but the bird excapes.} ( 40.Kxd6 $2 Rd2+ 41.Kc5 c2 {promotes instead.} ) 40...Ne4+ {One of the two little slips in Carlsen's impeccable play today.} ( 40...Kc7 $1 {would have won instead neatly. It is not easy to calculate everything on move 40 even if you have plenty of time:} 41.Nb4 ( 41.Ra7+ Nb7+ 42.Kb5 Rxg2 ) 41...Rd2 42.Ra6 c2 43.Rc6+ Kb7 $1 ( 43...Kd7 44.Kb6 {White is better!} ) 44.Rb6+ Ka8 ( 44...Ka7 $4 45.Nc6+ Ka8 46.Rb8# ) 45.Ra6+ Kb8 46.Nxc2 Nb7+ {with a solid piece ahead. This is even better than} ( 46...Ne4+ 47.Kc4 Rxc2+ 48.Kd3 ) ) 41.Kb5 {Now Wei comes back in the game and coordinates his pieces.} 41...Kc7 42.Ra7+ Kd6 43.Ra4 {The computer suggest} ( 43.Nb4 Rxg2 44.Rxf7 Rxh2 45.a4 c2 46.Nxc2 Rxc2 47.Rxh7 {as a more stubborn defense.} ) 43...f5 44.Kb6 Rxg2 45.Rd4+ Ke6 46.a4 Ra2 $6 {The second little slip. Little, as it did not change the outcome. This avoids the hasty:} ( 46...c2 $2 47.Rc4 Rxh2 48.Nd4+ ) ( 46...Rb2 $1 {though would have won.} ) 47.a5 Rb2 {Black is better but is his advantage good enough to win? The other attempt seems to lead nowhere:} ( 47...Ra3 48.b4 Nd2 49.Rh4 Kf6 50.Nd4 h5 51.a6 ) 48.Kc7 {Wei, still playing for a win, errs last.} ( {Strong was} 48.b4 $1 {with the idea} 48...Rd2 ( {Black can probably still play for a win with} 48...Nd6 ) 49.a6 Nd6 {and now a choice of endgames:} 50.a7 ( {Or} 50.Rxd6+ Rxd6 51.a7 Rxc6+ 52.Kxc6 c2 53.a8=Q c1=Q+ 54.Kb5 ) 50...Nc8+ 51.Kb7 Nxa7 52.Kxa7 Rxd4 53.Nxd4+ Kd5 54.Ne2 $1 {Not} ( 54.Nc2 Kc4 55.Ka6 Kb3 56.b5 Kxc2 57.b6 Kd3 58.b7 c2 59.b8=Q c1=Q {which wins for Black.} ) 54...Kc4 55.Nxc3 Kxb4 {Black keeps on playing for the win in either of the games. But is he winning instead? I do not know.} ( 55...Kxc3 56.b5 f4 57.b6 f3 58.b7 f2 59.b8=Q f1=Q 60.Qc7+ {is equal instead.} ) ) 48...Nc5 49.Rc4 {And with a further wave of his magic wand Carlsen won.} ( {Or prose after} 49.b4 Na6+ 50.Kc8 c2 51.Rc4 Kd5 52.Rc3 f4 ) 49...Na6+ $1 50.Kb6 Rxb3+ 51.Kxa6 Kd5 52.Rb4 $1 {Way to go! Even in the most desperate situation Wei finds a chance.} 52...c2 $1 ( 52...Rxb4 53.Nxb4+ Kc4 54.Nc2 f4 55.Kb6 Kb3 56.Nd4+ Kc4 57.Nc2 {was the idea.} ) 53.Ne7+ Kc5 54.Rxb3 c1=Q 55.Rb6 Qc4+ 56.Kb7 Qe4+ 57.Nc6 Qd5 58.Kc7 Qd6+ 59.Kb7 Qd7+ 60.Kb8 f4 {I was wrong two days ago. Kasparyan would have loved this one even better!} 0-1

[Event "9th Masters"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2016.07.16"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[Beauty "8247276744231"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[WhiteClock "0:20:45"]
[BlackClock "0:08:00"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 {Carlsen generally does not like to enter the Berlin endgames.} 4...Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Qe2 ( {Carlsen recently defeated Kramnik in Paris with} 6.h3 Nd7 7.Be3 O-O 8.Qd2 Re8 9.Nc3 a5 10.Bxc5 Nxc5 11.O-O-O f6 12.Qe3 Qe7 13.d4 exd4 14.Nxd4 Bd7 15.Rhe1 ) 6...Qe7 7.Nbd2 Bg4 8.h3 {It is useful to ask the bishop to choose a diagonal.} 8...Bh5 ( {Nobody has ever tried} 8...Bd7 {as the bishop stands on the place of the knight and} 9.Nc4 {is awkward for Black.} ) 9.a3 {Play on both flanks. Both the b- and g-pawns are on standby, ready to go forward at the moment the black king castles.} ( {Previous game did not bring White much after} 9.Nc4 Nd7 10.g4 Bg6 11.Be3 O-O-O 12.O-O-O Rhe8 13.Bxc5 Qxc5 14.Qe3 f6 15.Qxc5 Nxc5 16.a3 Ne6 {thanks to the control of the d4 and f4 squares Black is very comfortable, Mendoza,R (2390)-Bruzon Batista,L (2620) Santo Domingo 2007} ) 9...Nd7 {This move is part of So's plan and he needs to do it sooner or later. The knight is heading to e6. It also frees the f-pawn, which will go to f6 and then the light-squared bishop will have the f7 square. Castling either side makes things easier for White.} ( 9...O-O 10.g4 Bg6 11.Nc4 Nd7 12.h4 ) ( 9...O-O-O 10.b4 ( 10.Nc4 Nd7 ) 10...Bd4 11.Rb1 Nd7 12.g4 Bg6 13.Nxd4 exd4 14.f4 ( 14.Bb2 {with advantage for the first player in either line.} ) ) 10.b4 Bd6 ( {The pseudo-active} 10...Bd4 {will give White a chance to exchange the bishop and open the road for his f-pawn. For example} 11.Rb1 Nb6 ( 11...O-O-O 12.g4 Bg6 13.Nxd4 exd4 14.f4 ( 14.Bb2 $5 ) ) 12.g4 Bg6 13.Nxd4 exd4 14.f4 {and White is better.} ) 11.Nc4 f6 12.Ne3 {The knight makes it to the f5 square.} ( 12.Bb2 Nf8 {is good for Black.} ) 12...a5 {So tries to generate counterplay before his opponent finish the development. The problem is that he is underdeveloped as well.} ( 12...Bg6 13.Nh4 {cannot stop the knight from reaching f5.} ) ( {Perhaps he needed to proceed with his plan with} 12...Nf8 13.Nf5 Qd7 14.g4 ( 14.Nxd6+ Qxd6 ) 14...Bg6 15.Kf1 Ne6 16.Be3 a5 17.Kg2 O-O {and once White determines the position of his king, it is safer to castle on that side.} ) 13.Nf5 Qf8 $2 {This one is slightly mysterious to me.} ( {Why not the simple} 13...Qf7 {when after} 14.Rb1 ( {In the line} 14.bxa5 Rxa5 15.O-O {Black has an extra tempo.} ( 15.Bd2 {But please note that Black should not get greedy} 15...Ra4 16.O-O Bxa3 $4 17.Bc1 ) ) 14...axb4 15.axb4 O-O 16.O-O {the game is approximately equal.} ) 14.bxa5 Rxa5 15.O-O Qf7 ( {Perhaps Black needed to castle by hand on the queenside with} 15...Kd8 {followed by Kd8-c8.} ) 16.a4 {The tempo that Black has lost is vital. He did not have the time to castle and Carlsen manages to open the position.} 16...Nc5 ( {White achieves what he wants after} 16...b5 17.Qe1 $1 Rxa4 18.Rxa4 bxa4 19.N3h4 {and the black king must stay in the middle as} 19...O-O 20.Bh6 $1 ) ( {Please note that Black cannot castle} 16...O-O $2 17.Bh6 $1 {is a familiar trick.} ) 17.Qe1 b6 {Black realizes the danger and tries to keep the position closed. In comparison:} ( 17...Rxa4 $2 {loses on the spot due to} 18.Rxa4 Nxa4 19.Qa5 ) ( {White is much better after} 17...Ra8 {When he has a choice between} 18.Nd2 {with the idea} ( {Or} 18.N3h4 Ne6 19.Rb1 {and Black has some weaknesses (Carlsen)} ) 18...O-O 19.Nc4 {And if Black defends or retreats the bishop} 19...Rad8 ( 19...Be7 20.Bh6 $1 ) 20.Bh6 $1 ) 18.Nd2 Rxa4 {Or} ( 18...Ra6 19.Nc4 {when White is about to open the game with f2-f4 and Black still cannot castle} 19...O-O 20.Bh6 ) 19.Nc4 $1 {The decisive reinforcement.} 19...Bf8 {Instead:} ( 19...Rxa1 20.Ncxd6+ cxd6 21.Nxd6+ {drops the queen.} ) ( 19...Be7 {might be most resilient, although White's attack is huge after both} 20.Be3 ( {Or} 20.Rxa4 Nxa4 21.f4 exf4 22.Bxf4 Bc5+ 23.Kh1 Bg6 ) 20...Kd7 ) ( 19...Qd7 20.Ba3 $1 {is hopeless for Black.} ) ( 19...Kd7 $2 {loses on the spot after} 20.Nfxd6 cxd6 21.Nxb6+ ) 20.Be3 Kd7 {There is no way to bring the rook out of h8:} ( 20...Rxa1 21.Qxa1 Qd7 22.Bxc5 Bxc5 ( 22...bxc5 23.Rb1 ) 23.Qa8+ ) 21.Qc3 {The rest is a piece of cake for the world champion.} 21...Nxe4 {The last chance. White's threat is seen in the line:} ( 21...Be7 22.Nxb6+ cxb6 23.Bxc5 Rxa1 24.Rxa1 bxc5 25.Ra7+ ) 22.Nxb6+ $1 ( {Not} 22.dxe4 Qxc4 ) 22...cxb6 23.dxe4 Qc4 ( 23...Rxa1 24.Rxa1 {leaves Black no defenders.} ) 24.Qd2+ Kc7 25.g4 Bg6 26.Rfd1 ( {Black resigned due to} 26.Rfd1 Ba3 27.Qd7+ Kb8 28.Rxa3 Rxa3 29.Qd6+ ) 1-0

[Event "9th Masters"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2016.07.19"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2696"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7627996135429"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[WhiteClock "1:11:00"]
[BlackClock "1:06:54"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {Giri has played the Sicilian more often, but the Berlin is a temptation one can hardly resist on a high level.} 4.O-O ( {The Dutchman latest game here went} 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Nbd2 Ne7 8.d4 exd4 9.cxd4 Bb6 {Caruana,F (2794)-Giri, A (2793) Moscow 2016} ) 4...Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.h3 h5 {Already a new move order for Wei according to Megabase. He faced previously:} ( 9...Ke8 {(twice). This can also transpose to the game, while one recent example saw:} 10.Nc3 h6 11.Rd1 Ne7 12.Bf4 Ng6 13.Bg3 Bc5 14.e6 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2789)-Aronian,L (2792) Paris 2016} ) ( {And} 9...Bd7 10.Rd1 Be7 11.g4 Nh4 12.Nxh4 Bxh4 13.Nd2 Kc8 14.Nf3 Be7 15.Rd3 {as in Wei,Y (2718)-Ding,L (2757) Xinghua 2015} ) 10.Nc3 Be7 11.Bf4 Be6 12.Rad1+ ( {Instead} 12.Ng5 Ke8 {would have transposed to another game of Wei after} 13.Rad1 Rh6 14.Rfe1 Bb4 15.g4 hxg4 16.hxg4 Ne7 17.Nxe6 Rxe6 18.Kg2 {which ended in a draw later, Wei,Y (2718) -Wang,H (2710) Xinghua 2015} ) 12...Kc8 13.Ng5 Bxg5 14.Bxg5 {The opposite-colored bishops are generally considered good for Black in the Berlin.} 14...b6 ( 14...h4 $5 {to prevent White's next move was another idea.} ) 15.g4 hxg4 16.hxg4 Nh4 17.Bxh4 Rxh4 18.f3 {The kingside majority moved forward but at a price. Black has control of the open h-file, and therefore Wei is more or less forced to trade the rooks.} 18...Kb7 19.Kg2 Rah8 ( {[The move} 19...a5 {was suggested by Wei Yi. The players agreed that if Black wants to play it safe, he should trade one pair of rooks but not all. However, at this point Giri didn't realize he's the one defending here. - PD]} ) 20.Rh1 Rxh1 21.Rxh1 Rxh1 22.Kxh1 {But isn't it White actually heading to this endgame? He has a good knight, a solid pawn majority... All he needs is to bring his king to g3 and start rolling his pawns, right? The problem is that it is Black to move, and he has enough time to organize queenside play.} 22...c5 $6 {There was a faster was to activate the king:} ( {The somewhat counter-intuitive and ugly} 22...b5 $1 {with the threat b5-b4 and to grab the pawn was allowing strong counter play after} 23.a3 Kb6 24.Kg2 ( 24.Ne4 Bd5 {will also give a chance to the black king to get to c5.} ) 24...Kc5 25.Kg3 Kd4 $1 {Activity of the pieces is priority in the endgames.} 26.f4 Ke3 {and if} 27.f5 Bd7 {with the threats Ke3-d2 or Ke3-d4.} ) ( {Worse was} 22...a5 23.Kg2 b5 24.a3 Kb6 25.Kg3 Kc5 ( {Or} 25...c5 26.f4 b4 27.Ne4 ) 26.f4 b4 27.axb4+ axb4 28.Nd1 {and due to the threat f4-f5 and Kg3-f4 White has the advantage.} ) 23.Kg2 Kc6 24.a4 a6 25.Kg3 b5 26.axb5+ axb5 27.f4 b4 28.Ne4 {Now the position is similar to the one in subline 22...a5 and Giri has to be very careful to achieve a draw.} 28...Ba2 29.Nd2 {Probably even better was:} ( 29.Kf3 Bb1 30.c4 bxc3 31.Nxc3 {followed by f4-f5.} ) 29...Kd5 30.c3 bxc3 31.bxc3 g5 $2 {Black blunders.} ( {Instead} 31...c4 $1 {would have held after} 32.Kf3 ( {Or} 32.Kf2 Bb3 33.Ke3 Bd1 ) 32...Bb3 33.Ke3 Bd1 34.Nf3 ( {Black has nothing to worry about if the pawns are blocked} 34.g5 Bc2 35.Nf3 g6 ) 34...Kc5 35.Ng5 Bxg4 36.Nxf7 Kd5 {and this should be a draw.} ) 32.Kf3 $2 ( {Wei misses the win.} 32.c4+ $1 {was the right move order to achieve the position in the game:} 32...Kd4 ( {since} 32...Bxc4 {is punished by} 33.Nxc4 Kxc4 34.e6 $1 {and the g-pawn promotes.} ) ( 32...Ke6 33.Kf3 {and White wins.} ) 33.e6 gxf4+ {and now} 34.Kh4 $1 ( {or} 34.Kh3 ) ( {but not} 34.Kxf4 fxe6 35.g5 e5+ 36.Kf5 e4 37.g6 e3 38.Nf3+ Kxc4 39.Ke4 e2 40.g7 Kc3 {which is a draw.} ) 34...fxe6 35.g5 Ke3 36.g6 Kxd2 37.g7 Bxc4 38.g8=Q Bd5 39.Qg5 {should win.} ) 32...Ke6 $2 ( {Giri errs last. He could have saved the game with} 32...c4 33.Ne4 ( 33.Ke3 Bb3 ) 33...gxf4 34.Kxf4 Bb1 35.Nf6+ Ke6 36.Ne8 Kd7 37.Ng7 Ke7 ) 33.c4 $1 {This time Wei grabs his chance.} 33...gxf4 34.Kxf4 {The bishop is trapped and on the kingside White is up a pawn. The rest is a matter of technique.} 34...f6 {Or:} ( 34...Ke7 35.Kf5 ) ( 34...c6 35.Ke4 Ke7 36.Kf5 Ke8 37.Kf6 Kf8 38.e6 ) 35.exf6 Kxf6 36.g5+ Kg6 37.Kg4 Kh7 38.Kh5 c6 39.g6+ Kg7 40.Kg5 Kg8 41.Kh6 ( {Black resigned due to} 41.Kh6 Kh8 42.Ne4 Bxc4 43.Nf6 Bd5 44.g7# ) 1-0

[Event "9th Masters"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2016.07.20"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2696"]
[ECO "D76"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[Beauty "5086986121735"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[WhiteClock "0:31:25"]
[BlackClock "0:13:41"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.O-O Nf6 5.c4 O-O 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.d4 Nb6 8.Nc3 Nc6 9.d5 Na5 10.e4 c6 11.Bf4 {As usual, the world champion has an&#10;opinion of his own. The main theoretical path goes:} ( 11.Bg5 {first and only after} 11...h6 12.Bf4 cxd5 13.exd5 Nac4 14.Qe2 {when White tries to make use of&#10;the h7-h6 advance. Black should also use this advance, by the way, as the main move for him now is} 14...g5 ) 11...Nac4 12.Qe2 cxd5 13.exd5 Bg4 ( {Black can also develop the bishop&#10;on f5.} 13...Bf5 14.Rac1 Rc8 15.Nh4 ( {Black was fine after} 15.b3 Nd6 16.Ne5 Nd7 17.Rfe1 Re8 ( 17...g5 $5 ) 18.h4 Qa5 {Valsecchi,A (2435)-Cheparinov,I (2706) Skopje 2013} ) 15...Bd7 16.b3 Nd6 17.Be5 {Now instead of} 17...Bh6 ( {Black had} 17...Rxc3 $5 18.Rxc3 Bb5 {with counter-play.} ) 18.Rcd1 Re8 19.Rfe1 {with some advantage for White in Khismatullin,D (2673)-Duzhakov,I (2420)&#10;Moscow 2015} ) 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 Nd6 ( {The captures on b2 usually do not&#10;work due to simple recaptures such as} 15...Nxb2 16.Qxb2 Na4 17.Nxa4 Bxb2 18.Nxb2 {when the pieces clearly outweigh the queen and the pawn.} ) 16.Rfe1 Re8 17.Rac1 {&#34;I think I had a very comfortable advantage out of the opening. I mean&#10;Black is solid, but not very active. I think my play could certainly have been&#10;improved upon. I lost the thread at some point.&#34; (Carlsen) Indeed, the knight&#10;on d6 is gorgeous, but it is too far away from the white camp, and Black can&#10;hardly do any harm to his opponent. At the same time, Carlsen can seize space&#10;on both flanks. On top of that, slow grinding is his favorite method.} 17...a6 18.b3 Rc8 19.Qd2 Nd7 {Rerouting the knight to a better position.} 20.Na4 {Carlsen plays around the knight.} ( {In a previous game, White tried to&#10;deal with the blockader at once:} 20.Ne4 Nxe4 ( {However, Black can defend better&#10;with} 20...Rxc1 21.Rxc1 Be5 ) 21.Bxe4 Qb6 22.Bg2 Rxc1 23.Rxc1 Be5 24.Be3 {with advantage for White in Matveeva,S (2454)-Huang,Q (2380) Ergun 2006} ) 20...Rxc1 21.Qxc1 ( 21.Rxc1 Be5 {is easier for Black.} ) 21...Bd4 ( {Further trades are desirable in general, but concretely inconvenient:} 21...Qc8 22.Qxc8 Nxc8 23.b4 {followed by Na4-c5 will give a clear edge to White.} ) ( {Waybe Wei&#10;could have tried to relieve his position a bit with} 21...Nb5 22.Qd2 Nb6 {swapping off a pair of knights as} 23.Nc5 $2 Bc3 {loses material.} ) 22.Qd2 Bg7 23.h4 {Carlsen didn't like h3-h4 and believed that Bg2 still gives an&#10;edge. Indeed} ( 23.Bg2 h5 ( {Here} 23...Nb5 {is bad since after} 24.d6 Nxd6 25.Bxd6 exd6 26.Rxe8+ Qxe8 27.Bxb7 {Black has too many weaknesses.} ) 24.Nb2 {followed by Nb2-c4 or Nb2-d3 looks better for White.} ) ( 23.Nb2 {at once is less accurate due to} 23...Nb5 ) 23...h5 {Best, as otherwise White will play h4-h5&#10;and attack on the open h-file.} 24.Nb2 ( {It was not too late to go for} 24.Bg2 {but Carlsen was probably worried about the counterplay after} 24...Nb5 25.d6 Nxd6 26.Bxd6 exd6 27.Rxe8+ Qxe8 28.Bxb7 Nf6 29.Qxd6 ( {However, instead of the&#10;capture on d6, there is} 29.Bxa6 Qc6 ( 29...Ng4 30.Be2 Qe4 31.Bxg4 hxg4 32.Qxd6 Qb1+ 33.Kg2 Qe4+ 34.Kh2 Qc2 35.Qf4 ) 30.Be2 Ne4 31.Qd1 d5 {and&#10;although Black has compensation for the pawn, it is still an extra one!} ) 29...Qe1+ 30.Kg2 Ng4 $1 {and this is the reason why he criticized his h3-h4 move. Indeed, White has no more than a draw here after say} 31.Qb8+ Bf8 32.Qf4 Bh6 33.Qf3 Be3 $1 34.fxe3 Qd2+ 35.Kg1 Qe1+ {with perpetual, or White can &#34;play&#10;for a loss&#34; in the case of} 36.Qf1 Qxg3+ 37.Qg2 Qe1+ 38.Qf1 Qxe3+ ) 24...Nb5 $1 {&#34;I had seen this, but I didn't see anything else.&#34; (Carlsen)} 25.Re3 Nd4 {Thanks to this extra tempo, Wei gets enough time to free himself in the center.} 26.Bg2 e5 27.dxe6 Nxe6 28.Nc4 ( {Or equality after} 28.Rd3 Nxf4 29.Qxf4 ( 29.Rxd7 Ne2+ 30.Kh2 Qf6 ) 29...Re1+ 30.Kh2 Qe7 ) 28...Nxf4 29.Rxe8+ Qxe8 30.Qxf4 b5 ( 30...Qe1+ 31.Bf1 b5 ) 31.Ne3 Qe5 {Black traded almost&#10;everything, and the draw is within his reach.} 32.Qxe5 Bxe5 {An accuracy which creates some headaches for the Chinese GM.} ( 32...Nxe5 {"would have been completely equal." (Carlsen) For example} 33.Bb7 ( 33.b4 Nd3 34.Nc2 Bc3 35.Bb7 Bxb4 36.Bxa6 Bc5 ) 33...a5 34.Ba6 b4 ) 33.b4 $1 {Now the&#10;pawns are fixed on light squares, and Wei has to be careful.} 33...Bd6 34.Bb7 Nb8 35.Nd5 Kf8 36.Kg2 Ke8 37.f3 ( {Perhaps} 37.Kf3 f5 38.Ke2 {gave more&#10;chances to White.} ) 37...f5 38.Kf2 Kd7 39.Nf4 Kc7 40.Bd5 Bxf4 41.gxf4 Kd6 42.Bf7 Nc6 43.a3 {Or} ( 43.Bxg6 Nxb4 44.a3 Nc2 45.Bxf5 Nxa3 46.Bg6 b4 47.Bxh5 b3 48.Ke3 b2 49.Bg6 b1=Q 50.Bxb1 Nxb1 51.Kd4 ) 43...Ne7 44.Ke1 ( 44.Ke3 Nd5+ {is an instant draw as White needs to trade the bishop} 45.Bxd5 Kxd5 46.Kd3 Ke6 47.Kd4 Kd6 48.Ke3 Kd5 49.Kd3 ) 44...Kd7 45.Kd1 Kd6 46.Kd2 Kd7 47.Kd3 Kd6 48.Kc2 ( {No zugzwang after} 48.Kd4 Nc6+ 49.Kc3 Ne7 ) 48...Kd7 49.Kb3 Kd6 50.a4 Nc6 {It seemed as if Black ran out of moves, but the&#10;knight can start to counter-attack.} ( {There was an alternative defense:} 50...Kc6 51.Be8+ Kd6 52.axb5 axb5 53.Bxb5 Nd5 ) 51.axb5 axb5 52.Kc3 ( {Or} 52.Bxg6 Nd4+ 53.Kc3 Nxf3 54.Bxf5 Nxh4 55.Be4 Ke6 ) 52...Ne7 53.Kd2 Nd5 {The most forceful continuation.} 54.Bxg6 ( 54.Bxd5 Kxd5 55.Kd3 ) 54...Nxb4 55.Bxh5 Nd5 56.Be8 Nxf4 57.Bxb5 {Now all Black needs is to trade his&#10;knight for the &#34;f&#34; pawn, and he does it duly.} 57...Ke5 58.Bf1 Ng6 59.h5 Nh4 60.Ke2 Nxf3 {Followed by Ke5-f6-g7-h8 and the well-known fortress. There was&#10;never a win for White. &#34;After the time control, it's just drawn because I can&#10;never put him in zugzwang.&#34; (Carlsen)} 1/2-1/2

[Event "9th Masters"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2016.07.21"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6598814599689"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[WhiteClock "0:29:11"]
[BlackClock "0:16:57"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.Re1 {More common moves are:} ( 6.c3 {although Black hasn't experienced particular problems lately after} 6...d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Nbd2 Nb6 9.Bb5 Bd6 {Carlsen,M (2855)-Aronian,L (2792) Leuven 2016} ) ( {Or} 6.Bg5 {which is not considered especially dangerous for Black once that the first player had castled short:} 6...h6 7.Bh4 d6 8.c3 {as in Fedorchuk,S (2656)-Gunnarsson,A (2441) Reykjavik 2013} ) 6...Ng4 ( {So was probably expecting} 6...d6 {which Giri played very recently against Anand:} 7.c3 Bb6 8.Bb3 Ne7 9.Nbd2 c6 10.Nf1 Ng6 {Anand,V (2770) -Giri,A (2782) Leuven 2016} ) 7.Re2 Kh8 {"Quite an original idea 7...Kh8 by Giri", tweeted IM Robert Ris. And added: "Is he ready to meet 8.h3 with 8... f5!?"} ( {Another way to play it is} 7...Nd4 8.Nxd4 Bxd4 {as in a couple of games of the Uzbek GM Anton Filippov.} ) 8.h3 {So spent about twelve minutes on this move.} 8...f5 {It turns out Robert Ris was right!} 9.Nc3 {Only to bang out this novelty in a flash.} ( 9.hxg4 $2 {is simply bad due to} 9...fxg4 10.Ng5 Qf6 11.Qf1 Nd4 {with large advantage for Black after} 12.Nf7+ Rxf7 13.Bxf7 Nxe2+ 14.Qxe2 Qxf7 ) ( 9.c3 fxe4 ( 9...Nxf2 10.Rxf2 ) 10.dxe4 Rxf3 11.hxg4 ( 11.gxf3 Nf6 ) 11...Rg3 12.g5 d6 13.b4 Bb6 14.Rc2 Rg4 {Jandourek,L (2192) -Londyn,R (2380) Czech Republic 2015} ) 9...Nf6 {So far Giri was practically blitzing and after 17 minutes of thought So decided to go for a very solid continuation.} 10.Be3 Bxe3 11.fxe3 ( {Of course not} 11.Rxe3 d6 {with the clear intention of a kingside attack after f5-f4.} ) 11...fxe4 12.dxe4 ( {Forced, as} 12.Nxe4 d5 13.Nxf6 dxc4 {is clearly better for Black.} ) 12...d6 {This not only finishes the development but it also creates the positional threat of Nc6-a5 to trade the white bishop.} 13.a3 Qe8 14.Qd3 {Giri can be proud of his opening prep. His position lacks any weaknesses and he has a clear plan of kingside play.} 14...Nd8 {Solid, but instead better seemed} ( 14...Qg6 15.Kh1 {and only now} 15...Nd8 {with the idea Nd8-e6-g5.} ( {Or even better, the computer resource} 15...Qh6 $1 {aiming for g7-g5-g4!} ) ) 15.Rf2 Be6 16.Raf1 {Now it is equal but somewhat easier for White to play as he has some nice squares on d5 and f5 for his knights.} 16...a6 17.Nd2 $1 {Moving the knight to d5.} ( {In the line} 17.Nh4 b5 18.Bxe6 Nxe6 19.Nd5 {There is} ( 19.Nf5 {is a possibility but the knight can not do any harm to Black from here - it lacks supporters.} ) 19...Nc5 20.Qe2 Ncxe4 {with equality at the end of the line:} 21.Nxc7 Qc6 22.Nxa8 Nxf2 23.Qxf2 Qxa8 ) 17...b5 18.Bxe6 Nxe6 19.Nd5 Nd7 ( {Now} 19...Nc5 {will be answered by} 20.Qc3 ) 20.Rxf8+ Ndxf8 21.c4 {The knight on d5 is unbearable and this forces...} 21...c6 {...but now both pawns on c6 and d6 are vulnerable.} 22.Nc3 Qe7 23.b4 Nd7 24.Nb3 Nf6 ( 24...Nb6 25.Na5 {limits Black's options.} ) 25.Na5 Qc7 26.Rc1 {So mounted a lot of pressure on the queenside pawns and now threatens to capture twice on b5. Black's resources are not yet over.} 26...Qd7 ( {One interesting idea was} 26...Nc5 27.Qc2 Qb6 28.bxc5 ( 28.Kh2 Rd8 ) 28...Qxa5 29.cxd6 Rd8 {with unclear consequences.} ) 27.cxb5 axb5 28.a4 bxa4 {Inaccurate.} ( {Giri should have inserted} 28...Ng5 $1 {first:} 29.axb5 ( {In case of} 29.Kh2 bxa4 30.Nxa4 {the simple} 30...Rf8 {is a much better version of the game thanks to the extra Ne6-g5 move.} ( {But also interesting is the computer suggestion} 30...Ng4+ 31.hxg4 Qxg4 32.Qf1 Qh4+ 33.Kg1 Qg3 34.Rc2 Nxe4 35.Qf3 Qe1+ 36.Kh2 Nf6 {with a total mess.} ) ) 29...Nxh3+ 30.gxh3 Qxh3 {and here White cannot avoid the perpetual:} 31.Rc2 ( 31.Ne2 $4 {Well, he can avoid it but by losing quickly:} 31...Ng4 {and mate in two.} ) 31...Qg3+ 32.Rg2 Qe1+ 33.Kh2 Qh4+ ) 29.Nxa4 Rf8 30.Nb6 Qf7 {Now White wins a pawn.} 31.Nxc6 {The wrong one! Correct was} ( 31.Nbc4 $1 {and after} 31...Ng5 ( {If} 31...Ng4 {with the idea} 32.hxg4 $4 ( {White gets instead a close to decisive advantage with} 32.Rf1 $1 ) 32...Qf2+ 33.Kh2 Rf6 ) 32.Nxd6 Qg6 33.Kh2 Nfxe4 34.Nxe4 Nxe4 {The super-nice move} 35.Kg1 $3 {stops all counterplay and leaves the pawn on c6 helpless. The other moves are not good:} ( 35.Rxc6 $2 {even loses to} 35...Qg3+ 36.Kg1 Qe1+ 37.Kh2 Nd2 ) ( {While} 35.Nxc6 $6 {leads to a strong attack for Black after} 35...Qg3+ 36.Kg1 Ng5 ) ) 31...Ng5 32.Rf1 Qc7 $1 {The best defense. The super-duper silent move is once again a top perfomer after} ( 32...Qg6 33.Kh2 Ngxe4 34.Kg1 $1 {with advantage for White.} ) 33.Qb5 Ngxe4 $2 {This is wrong though. Black should have pinned the b6 knight to keep him away from the game with:} ( 33...Qb7 $1 {and only then go for the e4 pawn:} 34.Kh2 Ngxe4 35.Na5 Qc7 36.Nd5 Qc2 {and Black should not be worse.} ) 34.Nd5 Qd7 35.Nxf6 gxf6 $1 {The best chance, Giri looks for kingside counterplay.} ( 35...Rxf6 $4 36.Qb8+ {is mate.} ) ( 35...Nxf6 36.Qa6 {leaves Black no adequate defense against the b-pawn advance.} ) 36.Qd5 $1 {So is alert. Black's idea would have worked after} ( 36.Qa6 Rg8 $1 37.Kh2 d5 ( {Or the immediate} 37...Qg7 ) 38.b5 Qg7 39.g4 Qg5 {when Black's attack is worth more than the passer on b5.} ) 36...Nc3 37.Qc4 Na4 38.b5 Nb6 39.Qd3 {Once that the knight was forced to leave the center things are not good for him.} 39...Rg8 ( {He cannot move the central pawns either:} 39...d5 40.Nxe5 ) 40.e4 {This means that one white pawn stops three black ones in the center and that So is strategically winning.} 40...Qe6 41.Rd1 Nd7 42.Kh2 {Entering an endgame where the outside passer is a huge asset.} ( 42.Qxd6 Qxh3 {is less clear.} ) 42...Nc5 43.Qxd6 Qxd6 44.Rxd6 Nxe4 45.Re6 Nc5 ( {Or} 45...Kg7 46.Re7+ Kg6 47.b6 ) 46.Rxf6 e4 ( {Black's pawn is not going anywhere after} 46...Re8 47.Rf5 ) 47.Rf5 Nb7 48.Re5 Nd6 49.Nd4 Rb8 50.g4 {Intending Kg3-f4 followed by Nd4-f5 to win a second pawn.} 50...Kg8 51.Kg3 Kf7 52.Nf5 $1 {Well calculated.} 52...Kf6 ( 52...Nxb5 53.Rxb5 Rxb5 54.Nd6+ {drops material.} ) 53.Kf4 Nxb5 54.g5+ Kg6 55.Re7 Rh8 ( 55...Rg8 56.Nh4+ Kh5 57.Rxh7# ) 56.Kg4 $1 h5+ 57.Kf4 {Mate is inevitable.} 1-0

[Event "9th Masters"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2016.07.21"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6598814599689"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[WhiteClock "0:29:11"]
[BlackClock "0:16:57"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.Re1 {More common moves are:} ( 6.c3 {although Black hasn't experienced particular problems lately after} 6...d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Nbd2 Nb6 9.Bb5 Bd6 {Carlsen,M (2855)-Aronian,L (2792) Leuven 2016} ) ( {Or} 6.Bg5 {which is not considered especially dangerous for Black once that the first player had castled short:} 6...h6 7.Bh4 d6 8.c3 {as in Fedorchuk,S (2656)-Gunnarsson,A (2441) Reykjavik 2013} ) 6...Ng4 ( {So was probably expecting} 6...d6 {which Giri played very recently against Anand:} 7.c3 Bb6 8.Bb3 Ne7 9.Nbd2 c6 10.Nf1 Ng6 {Anand,V (2770) -Giri,A (2782) Leuven 2016} ) 7.Re2 Kh8 {"Quite an original idea 7...Kh8 by Giri", tweeted IM Robert Ris. And added: "Is he ready to meet 8.h3 with 8... f5!?"} ( {Another way to play it is} 7...Nd4 8.Nxd4 Bxd4 {as in a couple of games of the Uzbek GM Anton Filippov.} ) 8.h3 {So spent about twelve minutes on this move.} 8...f5 {It turns out Robert Ris was right!} 9.Nc3 {Only to bang out this novelty in a flash.} ( 9.hxg4 $2 {is simply bad due to} 9...fxg4 10.Ng5 Qf6 11.Qf1 Nd4 {with large advantage for Black after} 12.Nf7+ Rxf7 13.Bxf7 Nxe2+ 14.Qxe2 Qxf7 ) ( 9.c3 fxe4 ( 9...Nxf2 10.Rxf2 ) 10.dxe4 Rxf3 11.hxg4 ( 11.gxf3 Nf6 ) 11...Rg3 12.g5 d6 13.b4 Bb6 14.Rc2 Rg4 {Jandourek,L (2192) -Londyn,R (2380) Czech Republic 2015} ) 9...Nf6 {So far Giri was practically blitzing and after 17 minutes of thought So decided to go for a very solid continuation.} 10.Be3 Bxe3 11.fxe3 ( {Of course not} 11.Rxe3 d6 {with the clear intention of a kingside attack after f5-f4.} ) 11...fxe4 12.dxe4 ( {Forced, as} 12.Nxe4 d5 13.Nxf6 dxc4 {is clearly better for Black.} ) 12...d6 {This not only finishes the development but it also creates the positional threat of Nc6-a5 to trade the white bishop.} 13.a3 Qe8 14.Qd3 {Giri can be proud of his opening prep. His position lacks any weaknesses and he has a clear plan of kingside play.} 14...Nd8 {Solid, but instead better seemed} ( 14...Qg6 15.Kh1 {and only now} 15...Nd8 {with the idea Nd8-e6-g5.} ( {Or even better, the computer resource} 15...Qh6 $1 {aiming for g7-g5-g4!} ) ) 15.Rf2 Be6 16.Raf1 {Now it is equal but somewhat easier for White to play as he has some nice squares on d5 and f5 for his knights.} 16...a6 17.Nd2 $1 {Moving the knight to d5.} ( {In the line} 17.Nh4 b5 18.Bxe6 Nxe6 19.Nd5 {There is} ( 19.Nf5 {is a possibility but the knight can not do any harm to Black from here - it lacks supporters.} ) 19...Nc5 20.Qe2 Ncxe4 {with equality at the end of the line:} 21.Nxc7 Qc6 22.Nxa8 Nxf2 23.Qxf2 Qxa8 ) 17...b5 18.Bxe6 Nxe6 19.Nd5 Nd7 ( {Now} 19...Nc5 {will be answered by} 20.Qc3 ) 20.Rxf8+ Ndxf8 21.c4 {The knight on d5 is unbearable and this forces...} 21...c6 {...but now both pawns on c6 and d6 are vulnerable.} 22.Nc3 Qe7 23.b4 Nd7 24.Nb3 Nf6 ( 24...Nb6 25.Na5 {limits Black's options.} ) 25.Na5 Qc7 26.Rc1 {So mounted a lot of pressure on the queenside pawns and now threatens to capture twice on b5. Black's resources are not yet over.} 26...Qd7 ( {One interesting idea was} 26...Nc5 27.Qc2 Qb6 28.bxc5 ( 28.Kh2 Rd8 ) 28...Qxa5 29.cxd6 Rd8 {with unclear consequences.} ) 27.cxb5 axb5 28.a4 bxa4 {Inaccurate.} ( {Giri should have inserted} 28...Ng5 $1 {first:} 29.axb5 ( {In case of} 29.Kh2 bxa4 30.Nxa4 {the simple} 30...Rf8 {is a much better version of the game thanks to the extra Ne6-g5 move.} ( {But also interesting is the computer suggestion} 30...Ng4+ 31.hxg4 Qxg4 32.Qf1 Qh4+ 33.Kg1 Qg3 34.Rc2 Nxe4 35.Qf3 Qe1+ 36.Kh2 Nf6 {with a total mess.} ) ) 29...Nxh3+ 30.gxh3 Qxh3 {and here White cannot avoid the perpetual:} 31.Rc2 ( 31.Ne2 $4 {Well, he can avoid it but by losing quickly:} 31...Ng4 {and mate in two.} ) 31...Qg3+ 32.Rg2 Qe1+ 33.Kh2 Qh4+ ) 29.Nxa4 Rf8 30.Nb6 Qf7 {Now White wins a pawn.} 31.Nxc6 {The wrong one! Correct was} ( 31.Nbc4 $1 {and after} 31...Ng5 ( {If} 31...Ng4 {with the idea} 32.hxg4 $4 ( {White gets instead a close to decisive advantage with} 32.Rf1 $1 ) 32...Qf2+ 33.Kh2 Rf6 ) 32.Nxd6 Qg6 33.Kh2 Nfxe4 34.Nxe4 Nxe4 {The super-nice move} 35.Kg1 $3 {stops all counterplay and leaves the pawn on c6 helpless. The other moves are not good:} ( 35.Rxc6 $2 {even loses to} 35...Qg3+ 36.Kg1 Qe1+ 37.Kh2 Nd2 ) ( {While} 35.Nxc6 $6 {leads to a strong attack for Black after} 35...Qg3+ 36.Kg1 Ng5 ) ) 31...Ng5 32.Rf1 Qc7 $1 {The best defense. The super-duper silent move is once again a top perfomer after} ( 32...Qg6 33.Kh2 Ngxe4 34.Kg1 $1 {with advantage for White.} ) 33.Qb5 Ngxe4 $2 {This is wrong though. Black should have pinned the b6 knight to keep him away from the game with:} ( 33...Qb7 $1 {and only then go for the e4 pawn:} 34.Kh2 Ngxe4 35.Na5 Qc7 36.Nd5 Qc2 {and Black should not be worse.} ) 34.Nd5 Qd7 35.Nxf6 gxf6 $1 {The best chance, Giri looks for kingside counterplay.} ( 35...Rxf6 $4 36.Qb8+ {is mate.} ) ( 35...Nxf6 36.Qa6 {leaves Black no adequate defense against the b-pawn advance.} ) 36.Qd5 $1 {So is alert. Black's idea would have worked after} ( 36.Qa6 Rg8 $1 37.Kh2 d5 ( {Or the immediate} 37...Qg7 ) 38.b5 Qg7 39.g4 Qg5 {when Black's attack is worth more than the passer on b5.} ) 36...Nc3 37.Qc4 Na4 38.b5 Nb6 39.Qd3 {Once that the knight was forced to leave the center things are not good for him.} 39...Rg8 ( {He cannot move the central pawns either:} 39...d5 40.Nxe5 ) 40.e4 {This means that one white pawn stops three black ones in the center and that So is strategically winning.} 40...Qe6 41.Rd1 Nd7 42.Kh2 {Entering an endgame where the outside passer is a huge asset.} ( 42.Qxd6 Qxh3 {is less clear.} ) 42...Nc5 43.Qxd6 Qxd6 44.Rxd6 Nxe4 45.Re6 Nc5 ( {Or} 45...Kg7 46.Re7+ Kg6 47.b6 ) 46.Rxf6 e4 ( {Black's pawn is not going anywhere after} 46...Re8 47.Rf5 ) 47.Rf5 Nb7 48.Re5 Nd6 49.Nd4 Rb8 50.g4 {Intending Kg3-f4 followed by Nd4-f5 to win a second pawn.} 50...Kg8 51.Kg3 Kf7 52.Nf5 $1 {Well calculated.} 52...Kf6 ( 52...Nxb5 53.Rxb5 Rxb5 54.Nd6+ {drops material.} ) 53.Kf4 Nxb5 54.g5+ Kg6 55.Re7 Rh8 ( 55...Rg8 56.Nh4+ Kh5 57.Rxh7# ) 56.Kg4 $1 h5+ 57.Kf4 {Mate is inevitable.} 1-0

[Event "9th Masters"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2016.07.22"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7357702624290"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[WhiteClock "0:56:24"]
[BlackClock "0:38:34"]

1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 {Let's skip the opening today. Both players just played&#10;chess.} 2...Bf5 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3 Bxd3 5.Qxd3 c6 6.Nd2 Nf6 7.Ngf3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.h3 Nbd7 10.a4 {Carlsen grabs space on the queenside and does not want to initiate any pawn clashes. The immediate} ( 10.c4 {led to a quick release of the&#10;central pressure and eventually a draw after} 10...c5 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Bg3 cxd4 13.Nxd4 Nc5 {in Jugelt,T (2436)-Kopylov,M (2410) Bargteheide 2016} ) 10...c5 11.a5 ( {Play in the center with} 11.b3 {is also possible. In the following&#10;game, Black found a good way to build barricades after} 11...Rc8 12.c4 cxd4 13.exd4 Bb4 14.Rfc1 Nb8 15.c5 Nc6 16.Ne5 a5 {when the queenside was sealed. Brus,H&#10;(1478)-Alvarez Camino,J (1438) corr. 2011} ) 11...c4 {Giri reacts energetically and equalizes completely.} 12.Qe2 b5 13.axb6 axb6 14.Ne5 {In case of} ( 14.b3 $6 {Black can put the white knight into prison after} 14...c3 ( 14...b5 {is good as well.} ) 15.Rxa8 Qxa8 16.Nb1 Qa5 ) 14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 {Petrosian liked to close the center in similar positions from the Torre attack. He&#10;followed with a piece attack against the enemy king. In most of the cases,&#10;he still had his light-squared bishop on the board, while here it seems as if&#10;White's resources are not that great.} ( 15.Bxe5 Nd7 ) 15...Nd7 16.Qg4 Re8 {Giri wants to end the kingside expansion once and for all. But the devil&#10;might not be as black as he is painted after:} ( 16...Qc7 17.Nf3 Rfb8 18.h4 b5 19.h5 Bf8 20.h6 g6 {and Black is very solid; the bishop is covering the dark squares.} ) 17.h4 f5 18.Qh3 ( 18.exf6 Bxf6 {is OK for Black.} ) 18...Rxa1 ( {In case of} 18...Nc5 19.Nf3 {White will have time to prepare the second wave of the attack with} 19...Qd7 20.Nd4 b5 21.g4 ) ( {The pawn is not edible:} 18...Bxh4 $2 19.Rxa8 Qxa8 20.Qxh4 ) 19.Rxa1 c3 $5 {Opening the road for the&#10;queen. How to defend in a situation like this is a question of taste. The&#10;passive, greedy approach was possible too:} ( 19...Bxh4 20.Nf3 Be7 21.Nd4 Bc5 {is perfectly playable when White has compensation after} ( {Or} 21...Nf8 22.Ra7 Qc8 23.g4 ) 22.Qh5 ( 22.Ra7 b5 23.Rb7 Qc8 ) ( 22.g4 ) ) 20.bxc3 Qc7 21.c4 Nxe5 $2 {A blunder.} ( 21...dxc4 {seemed perfectly fine after} 22.Nf3 Nc5 23.Nd4 Qd7 {when White has a bit of a pressur,e but without any clear weaknesses&#10;and with the b-pawn walking, Black should be OK.} ) ( {The capture with the queen on c4 seems less precise though:} 21...Bb4 22.Nf3 Qxc4 23.Ra7 Qc8 ( 23...Qc6 $6 24.Nd4 ) 24.Nd4 ) 22.Qg3 Bd6 {On the other side, the bishop will&#10;not be good enough to rescue the knight:} ( 22...Bf6 23.Kh1 $1 {prepares the deadly Nd2-f3, putting more pressure onto the pinned piece.} ) 23.cxd5 ( {Both players missed} 23.c5 $1 bxc5 24.Ra6 {&#34;Oops&#34; was heard at the&#10;post-mortem when the players were shown this!} 24...Qb7 ( 24...Rd8 25.Rxd6 Qxd6 26.Bxe5 {should be close to winning as well.} ) 25.Rxd6 Nf7 26.Nf3 Nxd6 27.Bxd6 {is huge for White because Black cannot go} 27...Qb1+ 28.Kh2 Qxc2 29.Be5 Re7 30.Qg5 Rd7 31.Bxg7 $1 Rxg7 32.Qd8+ Kf7 33.Ne5# ) 23...exd5 24.Nb3 ( {The computer suggestion} 24.Nf3 {will regain the material but would hardly lead to anything significant after} 24...Nxf3+ 25.Qxf3 Bxf4 26.Qxd5+ Kh8 27.exf4 Qxf4 28.g3 Qe4 29.Qxe4 fxe4 {when Black should hold, say} 30.Rb1 Re6 ( {or even} 30...e3 ) ) 24...Qxc2 25.Nd4 Qc8 {In the arising time trouble, the Dutchman&#10;sensibly keeps the queen close to his king.} ( 25...Qd3 26.h5 ) 26.h5 Qd7 27.Rb1 Bc7 {The endgame that arises after} ( 27...Nc4 28.Bxd6 Qxd6 29.Qxd6 Nxd6 30.Rxb6 {is far more unpleasant for Black than it seems.} ) 28.f3 {Remarkably, Black has very few useful moves, while White can improve the situation further. The most obvious thing is to occupy the open a-file and get into the opponent's seventh rank.} 28...Qf7 ( 28...Kh8 29.Ra1 {would be similar to the game.} ) ( 28...Re7 {with the idea to free himself with Ne5-c4 is a move short after} 29.Ra1 Nc4 30.Ra7 ) 29.Ra1 Bd6 30.Ra6 Qxh5 {Giri sacrifices some material to clarify the situation.} ( {There was a study-like draw after} 30...Qb7 $1 {with the idea} 31.Nxf5 Nxf3+ $3 32.gxf3 Bxf4 33.exf4 ( {Funnily} 33.Qxf4 {also leads to a draw after} 33...Qxa6 34.Nh6+ gxh6 35.Qg4+ Kf7 36.Qf5+ Ke7 37.Qe5+ Kd7 38.Qxd5+ Kc8 39.Qc6+ ) 33...Rf8 {and Black regains the piece, for example} 34.Qg5 ( {Or} 34.Nh6+ Kh8 ) 34...Rxf5 35.Qxf5 Qxa6 {and a draw.} ) 31.Rxb6 Nc4 ( 31...Bc7 $2 {loses to} 32.Rb7 ) 32.Rxd6 Nxd6 33.Bxd6 Rxe3 {The rook and two pawns would do great without the queens on the board, but with&#10;them it is very difficult to defend. The light pieces and the queen can create&#10;all sorts of attacking schemes.} 34.Be5 {Carlsen plays for the attack. Presumably,&#10;he discarded} ( 34.Qf4 {due to the endgame arising after} 34...Qh6 ) ( {Black should also hold after} 34.Bb4 Qg6 35.Qf4 Re8 36.Nxf5 Qb6+ 37.Kh2 Qf6 38.Ne7+ Kf7 ) 34...Qg6 35.Qf4 Re1+ 36.Kf2 Ra1 37.Qd2 ( {At first, Carlsen thought he was&#10;winning immediately but here he saw} 37.Nxf5 $2 Ra2+ 38.Ke1 Qe6 ) 37...Ra8 $2 {&#34;Someone who is in bad shape, at some point he will blunder something, given that the opponent puts pressure the whole game.&#34; - Giri.} ( 37...Qa6 {would have most likely held thanks to the same old idea of trading queens:} 38.Kg3 ( {White can keep on playing with} 38.Ne2 Qb6+ 39.Bd4 Qa5 {although Black should be able to hold.} ) 38...Ra2 39.Qg5 Qg6 $1 {and once the queens are off the&#10;board, it should be a draw.} ) 38.Nxf5 $1 {Simple and effective.} 38...Qe6 ( 38...Qxf5 {would drop the rook after} 39.Qxd5+ ) ( {while the endgame after} 38...Re8 39.Qxd5+ Qe6 40.Qxe6+ Rxe6 41.Bxg7 {is not the one that Giri wishes for.} ) 39.Qg5 {And what Black feared has happened. The attack is unstoppable.} ( 39.Qxd5 $2 {should be avoided for concrete reasons} 39...Qxd5 40.Ne7+ Kf7 41.Nxd5 Ra5 ) 39...g6 ( 39...Qg6 40.Ne7+ ) ( 39...Qf7 40.Nh6+ ) 40.Nh6+ Kf8 41.Ng4 Ke8 42.Nf6+ Kf7 43.Nxh7 Ra4 44.Qd8 Ra2+ {The last little trick.} ( 44...Qxe5 {would have lost the queen, not the rook in the line} 45.Qf8+ Ke6 46.Qe8+ Kd6 47.Qb8+ Ke6 48.Nf8+ Kf6 49.Nd7+ ) 45.Kg1 {The only square, but good enough for resignation.} ( {Instead} 45.Kf1 $2 {would only be a draw after} 45...Qa6+ 46.Kg1 Rxg2+ 47.Kxg2 Qe2+ 48.Kg3 Qxe5+ ) 1-0

[Event "Women's E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Cheng Du"]
[Date "2016.07.??"]
[Round "7.5"]
[White "Harika, Dronavalli"]
[Black "Koneru, Humpy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[Beauty "5636876143113"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.h3 {Harika tries to avoid the fashionable line:} ( {Relevant:} 6.c3 d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Nbd2 Nb6 9.Bb5 Bd6 {as in Carlsen,M (2855)-Aronian,L (2792) Leuven 2016} ) 6...Re8 ( {Here} 6...d5 {will be met with} 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 {When the obvious} 8...Re8 {seems wrong either due to the obvious} 9.Ng5 ( {Or the less obvious, but more dangerous} 9.d4 $1 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 Bxd4 11.Bxd5 Qxd5 12.c3 {and White wins a piece.} ) 9...Be6 10.c3 Nf4 11.Nxe6 Nxe6 {with advantage for White, Karthikeyan,M (2435)-Monnisha,G (2070) Golden Sands 2013} ) 7.a4 h6 8.Re1 a6 9.c3 d6 10.Nbd2 Be6 11.Bxe6 Rxe6 12.b4 Ba7 13.Qc2 {The evaluation of&#10;these positions lies somwhere between equal and slightly better for White. Harika&#10;avoids a previous game:} ( 13.Nf1 d5 14.Qc2 dxe4 15.dxe4 Qd7 16.Be3 Bxe3 17.Nxe3 Ne7 18.c4 {although White also seems preferable here, Van Foreest,J (2557)-Swinkels,R (2485) Maastricht 2016} ) 13...Re8 {Koneru chooses a&#10;different plan, but it seems it was safer to stick with Swinkels's plan&#10;from above with} ( 13...d5 14.Nf1 dxe4 ( {But not} 14...d4 15.b5 $1 {and Black lacks the resource Ba7xf2+ after the trade on b4.} ) ( 14...Qd7 ) 15.dxe4 Qd7 {with transposition to the above-mentioned game.} ) 14.Nf1 b5 $6 {Too optimistic. This pawn will soon become a target. It was not too late for} ( 14...d5 15.Ng3 dxe4 16.dxe4 Qd7 ) 15.Ng3 {Another way to exploit b7-b5 was} ( 15.Be3 $5 Bxe3 16.Nxe3 Ne7 17.Ra3 {and then White will double (triple) her pieces along the "a" file before opening it.} ) 15...Ne7 {Here} ( 15...d5 {is not as convincing as before as White can start targeting the b5 pawn after} 16.Nf5 dxe4 17.dxe4 Qd7 18.Qe2 ) 16.d4 Nd7 17.Be3 Ng6 18.Nf5 ( 18.Ra2 $5 {to double the rooks was once again good.} ) 18...Ne7 19.Ng3 Ng6 20.Nf5 Ne7 21.dxe5 {Harika definitely wants to proceed with this game. She does not risk anything.} 21...Bxe3 ( {In case of} 21...Nxf5 22.exf5 Bxe3 23.Rxe3 Nxe5 24.Nxe5 Rxe5 ( 24...dxe5 25.Qe2 {is similar.} ) 25.Rxe5 dxe5 26.Qe2 {White's more active heavy pieces determine the evaluation of the position in her favor.} ) 22.Nxe3 Nxe5 {Forced as} ( 22...dxe5 $2 {drops material after} 23.Red1 Qc8 24.axb5 axb5 25.Rxa8 Qxa8 26.Rxd7 ) 23.Nxe5 dxe5 24.Red1 Qc8 25.c4 $1 {This is it! The b5 pawn is the culprit for all the trouble.} 25...bxa4 {Every move looks bad. After:} ( 25...c6 26.Rd6 Qc7 27.Rad1 {White has firm control of&#10;the open file and still threatens to take on b5.} ) ( 25...bxc4 26.Qxc4 {would be similar.} ) 26.Qxa4 {To the active heavy pieces, Harika has added the&#10;advantage of the better pawn structure. The pawns on a6 and c7 are very weak,&#10;but White still needs to be careful not to trade them for her own queenside&#10;pawns.} 26...Qb7 27.Nd5 {Safe choice.} ( {Another plan was} 27.Rd7 Qxe4 28.Rxc7 ) 27...c6 {Or} ( 27...Nxd5 28.cxd5 Reb8 29.Rdc1 {when both Black pawns will disappear soon, in return for the b4 one only.} ) 28.Nxe7+ Qxe7 29.c5 $1 {Fixes the weakness on c6 and creates an outpost for the white rooks on d6. The&#10;weaknesses do not give Koneru any chance to fight for the open file.} 29...Qb7 30.Rd6 Rec8 31.Qa5 {With the threat 32.Qa5-b6.} 31...Rab8 32.Ra4 {There is no need to rush:} ( 32.Qxa6 $2 Qxa6 33.Rxa6 Rxb4 34.Rdxc6 Rxc6 35.Rxc6 Rxe4 {would let the advantage slip away.} ) 32...Qb5 ( 32...h5 $5 {deserved&#10;attention. The idea is to bring that pawn to h4 and then, if a chance occurs, to&#10;sac the queenside pawns to get into the enemy camp with the queen and&#10;produce perpetual (say on the squares c1-f4).} ) 33.Qxb5 {Now White can trade.} 33...Rxb5 ( {Or else both black pawns will drop} 33...axb5 34.Ra6 ) 34.f3 a5 35.bxa5 Rxc5 36.a6 Kf8 37.Rd7 $1 {Excellent technique! The seventh rank is of paramount importance. Wrong was:} ( 37.a7 Ke7 38.Rd3 Ra8 {and Black might survive after Rc5-b5-b7, followed by king march to b6.} ) 37...Ke8 38.Rb7 Rb5 39.h4 {It does not hurt to gain some space on the kingside. There was&#10; an alternative winning plan to activate the king and eventually liquidate into a&#10;won endgame. Here is how it works:} ( 39.Ra2 g6 40.Kf2 h5 41.Ke3 h4 42.Kd3 Ra8 43.Rxb5 cxb5 44.Kc3 Kd7 45.Kb4 Kc6 46.a7 Kb6 47.Ra5 Rxa7 48.Rxa7 Kxa7 49.Kxb5 {and White wins.} ) 39...g6 ( {Please note that Black can never play} 39...Rxb7 40.axb7 Rb8 41.Ra8 ) 40.Kh2 h5 41.Ra2 Kf8 42.Kg3 Kg7 43.Rd7 {Now that the black king is away, Harika changes her set-up.} 43...c5 ( 43...Ra8 44.a7 {changes nothing.} ) 44.a7 Ra8 45.Rc7 Rb4 46.Kf2 c4 47.Ke2 Rb3 48.Rd2 {The rooks belong on the seventh rank!} ( 48.Rxc4 Rb7 49.Rca4 {was still&#10;winning, but was way more complicated.} ) 48...Ra3 49.Rdd7 Rf8 50.Rxc4 {Now it&#10;is over.} 50...Ra2+ 51.Ke3 Ra3+ ( {Perhaps Koneru should have tried her last&#10;chance: a devilish trick after} 51...Rxg2 52.Ra4 Ra8 {And if:} 53.Rb7 {with the idea Rb7-b8 the win is lost! Black has:} ( 53.Ra5 {is still winning though.} ) 53...Rc2 ( 53...Rc8 $1 54.a8=Q $4 ( {Or perpetual after} 54.Ra3 Rcc2 55.a8=Q Rge2+ 56.Kd3 Red2+ ) 54...Rc3# ) 54.Rb8 ) 52.Kd2 Ra2+ 53.Rc2 Ra6 54.Kc1 g5 55.hxg5 Kg6 56.Rb7 Ra8 57.Rcc7 Kxg5 58.Rxf7 Kh4 {The point is not only to attack with the king, Black is hoping for stalemate.} 59.Kb1 ( 59.Rg7 {was possible as stalemate tricks do not work thanks to the&#10;in-between checks} 59...R8xa7 60.g3+ $1 ( {But not} 60.Rxa7 Ra1+ 61.Rxa1 {Stalemate!} ) ) 59...Kg3 60.Rg7+ {White is carefully converting the advantage.} 60...Kf2 61.Kb2 h4 62.Kb3 h3 63.gxh3 Kxf3 64.h4 Kxe4 65.h5 Kd3 66.Rgd7+ Ke3 67.Kb4 e4 68.Kb5 Rh6 {The last trick was} ( 68...Ra1 69.h6 Kf4 70.h7 e3 {when White wins after} 71.Rf7+ ( 71.Rb8 $2 Rb1+ ( 71...Rxb8+ 72.axb8=Q+ ) 72.Kc4 Raxb8 73.axb8=Q+ Rxb8 ) 71...Ke4 72.Rbe7+ Kd3 73.Rg7 ) 69.Rh7 Re6 70.Rb8 Rxa7 71.Rxa7 Re5+ 72.Kc4 Rxh5 73.Ra3+ Kf4 74.Rf8+ 1-0

[Event "Sparkassen Chess Meeting"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2016.07.09"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2798"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[Beauty "7494315301385"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:40:27"]
[BlackClock "0:46:41"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 {The two super-GMs have a long history in the Sicilian. After the second Sinquefield Cup in 2014 when Vachier-Lagrave chose the Caro-Kann (this was one of Caruana's seven straight wins) the Frenchman stuck to his beloved Najdorf and was very, very successful.} 6.f3 {In their last two encounters, Caruana opted for:} ( 6.h3 e5 7.Nde2 h5 8.g3 Be6 9.Bg2 {and} 9...b5 ( 9...Nbd7 10.a4 Be7 {which later was spectacularly won by the French GM, Caruana,F (2820) Vachier Lagrave,M (2757) Wijk aan Zee 2015. That's more precise than} ( 10...Rc8 11.Be3 Nb6 12.Bg5 $1 {remember this cute double-bishop move!} 12...Be7 13.b3 {which was the course of his game with Judit Polgar. I certainly was not satisfied with the outcome of the opening as now my Nb6 is out of place and d5 is not happening. (MVL)} 13...d5 $6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.exd5 Bf5 16.Be4 {and White was clearly better.} ) ) 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Be3 Be7 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.exd5 Bf5 {did not yield White much and was played in a game which eventually ended in a draw, Caruana,F (2805)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2723) Stavanger 2015} ) 6...e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3 Be7 9.Qd2 O-O 10.O-O-O Nbd7 11.g4 b5 12.h4 {Their latest duel in the English attack saw} ( 12.Rg1 Nb6 ( 12...b4 13.Nd5 Bxd5 14.exd5 a5 15.g5 Nh5 16.Kb1 a4 17.Nc1 {with an edge for White.} ) 13.Na5 {and the second player prevailed later in Caruana,F (2844)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2757) Tashkent 2014.} ) 12...Nb6 13.Qf2 ( {Black was fine after} 13.g5 Nh5 14.Na5 Rc8 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Bd7 17.Rg1 g6 {Chacon,P (2537)-Dothan,Y (2589) corr. 2007} ) 13...Rb8 {All in all the history of their last games suggests that Caruana was very well-prepared for the game, and he indeed uncorks a novelty now:} 14.g5 ( {In all four previous games White tried to exploit the pin on the d-file. One example is} 14.Nc5 Bc8 15.h5 Qc7 16.g5 Ne8 17.Nb3 b4 18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.exd5 {which was unclear in Schon,E (2115)-Stojic,D (2219) Manly Sydney 2009.} ) 14...Nfd7 {One idea behind White's move is that} ( 14...Nh5 {can be answered by} 15.Nc5 {and if Black keeps the bishop with} 15...Bc8 16.Nd3 {creates a double threat against the e5 pawn and multi-trades on b6 followed by Nc3-d5 in the line} 16...Qc7 17.Bxb6 Qxb6 18.Qxb6 Rxb6 19.Nd5 Rb7 20.N3b4 {when White has a bind.} ) 15.f4 {White modifies the pawn structure and pressurizes on d6, but MVL defends well.} 15...exf4 16.Bxf4 Rc8 $5 ( 16...Qc7 {would most likely be similar to the game after} 17.Nd5 Nxd5 18.exd5 Bg4 19.Be2 Bxe2 20.Qxe2 Rfe8 21.Qf2 Rbc8 ) 17.Nd5 ( {Black has ample compensation for the pawn after} 17.Bxd6 Bxd6 18.Rxd6 Qc7 19.Rd1 Ne5 ) ( {However} 17.Nd4 {with the idea to put the knight on deserved serious attention.} ) 17...Nxd5 18.exd5 Bg4 19.Be2 Bxe2 20.Qxe2 Re8 21.Qf3 {The alternatives were} ( 21.Qh2 Qc7 22.Kb1 ( 22.h5 Bf8 ) 22...Bf8 {although it is not easy to see a good follow-up on the kingside for White.} ) ( {Obviously White did not want to trade queens; therefore, he rejected} 21.Qf2 Qb6 ) 21...Qc7 22.Nd4 ( {Or} 22.Rh2 Ne5 ( 22...Nb6 ) ) 22...Nb6 ( {The immediate} 22...Qc4 {is an empty blow after} 23.Kb1 ) 23.Rhe1 {White tries to divert the opponent's active pieces from the queenside.} ( 23.Rhf1 {would strongly be met by} 23...Qc4 {when Black wins a pawn.} ) 23...Bf8 {Vachier-Lagrave goes for a forced line.} ( 23...Qc4 $5 {looked safer though.} ) 24.Rxe8 Rxe8 25.Nf5 Qc4 {It is not good to allow the pawn to h6:} ( 25...g6 26.Nh6+ Bxh6 27.gxh6 Rc8 28.c3 b4 29.Bd2 {when the huge threat of a white queen coming on the long diagonal is always a nightmare for Black.} ) 26.b3 Qb4 27.c3 Rc8 28.Rd3 Nxd5 {This was Black's idea, but it seems as if MVL underestimated the strong} 29.Bd2 $1 {when the knight is obviously poisoned:} ( 29.Rxd5 $2 Rxc3+ ) ( 29.Qxd5 $2 Qxf4+ ) 29...Nb6 30.Kb1 {The queen needs to retreat.} 30...Qc5 31.Be3 Qc7 {The only move; since} ( 31...Qc6 {loses the pawn at once to} 32.Qxc6 Rxc6 33.Nd4 Rc8 34.Nxb5 {with a comfortable edge for White.} ) 32.Qf4 {It should be noted that both players were in time trouble. Here best was} ( 32.Bf4 {with domination. For example:} 32...Rd8 33.h5 a5 34.Bg3 ( 34.h6 g6 35.Nd4 ) 34...a4 35.h6 $1 g6 36.Nxd6 Bxd6 $4 37.Qf6 {The line is not forced but illustrates White's possibilities.} ) 32...Re8 $1 {Vachier-Lagrave seizes his chance and activates the rook. Now Caruana could (should?) have forced a draw with} 33.h5 ( 33.Nxd6 Rxe3 ( {But not} 33...Bxd6 34.Qxd6 Qxd6 35.Rxd6 Nc8 36.Rc6 ) 34.Qxe3 Bxd6 35.Qe8+ Bf8 36.Rd8 Qc5 37.b4 Qf5+ 38.Kc1 Qf1+ 39.Kc2 Qf5+ {with a perpetual.} ( {And not} 39...Qf2+ $2 40.Kb3 {when checks are over and White wins.} ) ) 33...Re6 {Now Black both kept the pawn and activated the rook. Next, he wants to bring his knight into the center.} 34.Kc2 {Or:} ( 34.Kb2 Nd7 35.Rd2 Ne5 {rerouting the knight while covering the d6 pawn.} ) 34...Qc6 ( 34...Nd7 $5 {with the advantage was better.} ) 35.Bxb6 {Caruana cracks under the pressure. After} ( {With} 35.Qg4 {White creates the threat Nf5-h6+ and has serious chances to survive, e.g.} 35...Nd5 36.Nd4 Qc5 37.Nxe6 Nxe3+ 38.Rxe3 Qxe3 39.Nxf8 Kxf8 40.Qc8+ Ke7 41.Qb7+ Ke6 42.Qc8+ Ke5 43.Qe8+ Kf4 44.Qxf7+ Kg4 45.Qxg7 Qe2+ {with a perpetual.} ) 35...Qxb6 36.Rf3 Qb7 $1 {The correct spot for the queen.} ( {Weaker was} 36...Qc7 37.h6 g6 38.Ne3 {with the threat Ne3-d5.} ) 37.Ne3 ( {Nothing changes after} 37.h6 g6 38.Ne3 Re4 ) 37...Re4 38.Qg3 {Or else Black will take the pawn with tempo} ( 38.Qf5 Re5 39.Qf4 Rxg5 ) 38...Re5 39.Qf4 {With this last but one move before the time-control, Caruana blunders a pawn. The last chance was} ( 39.g6 hxg6 40.hxg6 fxg6 {and although White is two pawns down, the insecure position of the Black king gives him hope to survive.} ) 39...Rxg5 40.h6 gxh6 41.Rf2 Qd7 42.Nf5 Qe6 {There is no attack and white is three pawns down.} 0-1

[Event "Sparkassen Chess Meeting"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2016.07.10"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Najer, Evgeniy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[ECO "D18"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7353118230023"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[WhiteClock "1:21:14"]
[BlackClock "0:24:05"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 c6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O O-O 9.Nh4 Nbd7 10.h3 Bg6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 {This line of the Slav defense is considered to be extremely solid for Black. However, since White controls the center and has the bishop pair, he does not mind fighting for the win without too much risk.} 12.Qb3 Qb6 13.Rd1 Rad8 {Another treatment of the variation is:} ( 13...a5 14.Bd2 e5 15.d5 Nc5 16.Qa2 Rad8 17.dxc6 bxc6 {as in Ipatov, A (2630)-Brunello,S (2615) Warsaw 2013} ) 14.Bd2 Ba5 {A novelty. Najer wants to swap off the queens as soon as possible and relieve the pressure. Previously, Black always played:} ( 14...a5 {which clamps the queenside and leads to a long maneuvering battle. In the following game, King Loek advanced everything that he had on the kingside after} 15.Be1 Qc7 16.Qc2 Nb6 17.Bb3 Qe7 18.Rac1 Rd7 19.Qe2 Ra8 20.g4 Nbd5 21.f4 {and eventually White won in Van Wely,L (2643)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2690) Germany 2000} ) 15.Rac1 {White is also a bit better after:} ( 15.Qxb6 Nxb6 16.Be2 ) 15...c5 {Black proceeds with his relieving strategy. Maybe the other central break was more precise:} ( 15...e5 $5 16.d5 Qxb3 17.Bxb3 Nc5 18.Bc4 cxd5 19.Nxd5 Bxd2 20.Rxd2 Nxd5 21.Rxd5 ( {Not} 21.Bxd5 $2 Nb3 $1 ) 21...Nxa4 22.b3 Nb2 23.Rxe5 Nxc4 24.Rxc4 Rd7 {with a better version of the endgame in comparison to the game.} ) 16.d5 {Ponomariov does not mind a slight advantage. After all, even in his younger years, the experts were always comparing his style to the one of Anatoly Karpov.} 16...Bxc3 17.Bxc3 Qxb3 18.Bxb3 Nxd5 19.Bxd5 exd5 20.Rxd5 Nb6 21.Rxc5 Nxa4 22.Rc7 Nxc3 23.R1xc3 {The counter-intuitive} ( 23.bxc3 $5 {deserved serious attention as well, for example} 23...Rb8 24.Rb1 a5 25.Rcxb7 Rxb7 26.Rxb7 Ra8 27.Kf1 {and Black cannot trade easily the last pair of queenside pawns.} ) 23...Rd1+ 24.Kh2 Rd2 25.Rxb7 Rxf2 26.Kg3 {Finally, the forcing play is over and Ponomariov enjoys the better game. His rooks are more active and this is of primary importance in rook endgames. Furthermore, the fact that there are two pairs of rooks still on the board provides some additional chances to White (mating threats), but Najer can pin his hopes on the limited material.} 26...Rf6 {Perhaps Black should have gone for the passive defense with} ( 26...Rd2 27.b4 a6 28.Rcc7 {Please note that Black cannot trade a pair of rooks after} ( 28.Ra7 Rb2 $1 ) ( 28.Rc6 Re8 $1 ) 28...Rdd8 ( {And now} 28...Rd6 $1 {with the idea of Rd6-f6 and releasing the second rook.} ) 29.h4 Rb8 {because of the tactical shot} 30.Rxf7 $1 ) 27.Rxa7 Rb8 28.h4 $1 {Rooks provide tactical chances, remember. This is better than the passive defense of the pawn:} ( 28.b3 Rfb6 29.Rcc7 Rf6 ( 29...Rxb3 30.Rxf7 Rxe3+ 31.Kf2 Re6 32.Rxg7+ Kh8 ) 30.Rab7 Re8 31.Rc3 Re5 {when the black rooks are active and his hopes for the draw are alive and kicking.} ) 28...Kh7 ( {Of course not} 28...Rxb2 $4 29.Rc8+ Kh7 30.Raa8 {and mate.} ) ( {But} 28...Re6 {might have been more resilent.} ) 29.Rcc7 {Ponomariov goes for the one-rook endgame.} 29...Rxb2 ( 29...Rf8 30.e4 {is a worse version for Black.} ) 30.Rxf7 Rxf7 31.Rxf7 g5 32.hxg5 Rb5 33.e4 {The pawn cannot be defended:} ( 33.Kf4 Kg6 34.Rd7 Rf5+ 35.Ke4 Rxg5 ) 33...Kg6 ( 33...Rxg5+ 34.Kf3 Kg6 {would lead to the same.} ) 34.Ra7 Rxg5+ 35.Kf3 Rb5 36.Kf4 Rb6 $1 {The best defense. The white rook cannot be left active:} ( 36...Rb2 37.Ra6+ Kf7 38.g4 Rf2+ 39.Kg5 Re2 40.Ra7+ Kf8 41.Kg6 Rxe4 42.Ra8+ Ke7 43.g5 Re5 44.Rg8 {and White wins.} ) 37.Ra2 Kf6 {But this loses. Now Ponomariov gets a chance to break in. Black should have waited with:} ( 37...Rc6 38.g4 ( {or} 38.Ke5 Rb6 39.Kd5 Rb5+ ) 38...Rb6 {Then after} 39.Ra4 {White intends to destroy the opponent's defensive set-up with e4-e5 and Ra4-d4-d6, but Black has:} 39...Rf6+ $1 40.Ke5 Rf8 {and this frontal defense seems to save him. One sample line:} 41.Kd5 ( 41.Kd6 Rf4 ) 41...Rd8+ 42.Ke6 Re8+ 43.Kd6 Kf7 44.Ra7+ Kf6 45.g5+ Kxg5 46.e5 Kf5 47.Rf7+ Ke4 48.e6 g5 49.e7 g4 50.Rf8 Rxe7 51.Kxe7 g3 {and draw.} ) 38.e5+ Ke6 {The king cannot go back:} ( 38...Kg6 39.Ra4 Re6 40.g4 Rc6 41.Rd4 {and White seizes the sixth rank.} ) 39.Ra7 {Seventh is even better. White calculated everything correctly.} 39...Rb4+ 40.Kg5 $1 {The e5 pawn is no longer needed as the black king cannot coordinate his efforts with the rook.} 40...Rb5 ( {Or} 40...Kxe5 41.Re7+ Kd6 42.Rxg7 ) 41.g4 Kxe5 42.Rxg7 Ke4+ 43.Kh6 Kf4 44.g5 Kg4 45.Ra7 1-0

[Event "Sparkassen Chess Meeting"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2016.07.12"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Buhmann, Rainer"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2653"]
[ECO "C11"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[Beauty "5777804817498"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:37:57"]
[BlackClock "0:48:29"]

1.e4 {Kramnik played a couple of open games in Stavanger, and later he ventured 1.e4 in some blitz and rapid games. Is this a sign that he is working hard to get back to the throne?} 1...e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Be7 {GM Prusikin called this "the German line" as two young players, M. Bluebaum and R. Svane, use it regularly.} 7.Be3 b6 {The main idea is to trade the light-squared bishops as soon as possible.} ( {Instead Buhman tried} 7...O-O {in May and was successful after} 8.a3 b6 9.g3 Nc6 10.Qd2 Bb7 11.h4 Rc8 12.Bh3 cxd4 13.Nxd4 Bc5 14.Nxc6 Bxc6 15.Bd4 Bb7 16.Ne2 Ba6 {Nomin Erdene,D (2448)-Buhmann,R (2651) Wunsiedel 2016} ) 8.Qd2 O-O 9.h4 {Black's plan worked well in the following recent super-GM game:} ( 9.Nd1 a5 10.c3 a4 11.Bd3 Ba6 12.O-O Nc6 13.Bxa6 Rxa6 14.f5 b5 15.fxe6 fxe6 16.Qe2 Qb6 {and later Harikrishna defated Giri as Black in Stavanger 2016.} ) 9...Nc6 10.Bb5 Qc7 {Buhmann is well prepared in his pet French defense.} ( {One predecessor:} 10...Nxd4 11.Nxd4 cxd4 12.Bxd4 Nc5 13.O-O-O Bd7 14.Be2 b5 15.f5 exf5 16.Nxd5 Be6 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.Kb1 {and White prevailed later in Paravyan,D (2511)-Lugovskoy,M (2502) Loo 2016} ) 11.O-O-O a6 12.Bd3 {Provoking the obvious c5-c4...} 12...f5 {...a trick for which Black does not fall! Bad was} ( 12...c4 $2 13.Bxh7+ Kxh7 14.Ng5+ Kg8 15.Qe2 g6 16.Qg4 $1 {with a decisive attack.} ) 13.g4 {There is no time for positional play; it is all about checkmate.} ( {After} 13.exf6 $6 Nxf6 14.Kb1 c4 15.Be2 b5 {White has a nice e5-outpost, and Black a fast moving attack. Guess who is happier?} ) 13...c4 {Now Buhmann wants to close the flank.} ( {Instead} 13...fxg4 $2 {will open one file too many, and White will win after} 14.Ng5 Bxg5 15.hxg5 g6 16.Qh2 {and besides mate, Bd3xg6 is also a threat.} ) 14.gxf5 $1 {Of course.} ( {Kramnik is too big to allow the closing of the position after} 14.Be2 b5 ) 14...cxd3 15.fxe6 Ndb8 {The best defense.} ( {Both} 15...dxc2 {which gives time to White to bring a rook into the attack} 16.Rdg1 Ndb8 17.Qg2 ) ( {and} 15...Ndxe5 16.Nxe5 dxc2 17.Rdg1 {allow White to attack for free. In fact, in this line he can even win material after} 17...Bxe6 18.Qg2 Bd6 19.Nxd5 ) 16.Nxd5 Qd8 {Once again, best. The queen is needed for kingside protection.} ( {Although} 16...Qb7 17.Ng5 Bxg5 18.hxg5 Bxe6 19.Nxb6 $5 Qxb6 20.d5 {is not completely clear.} ) 17.Nxe7+ Nxe7 {A picturesque position. Almost all the black pieces are backed up on the eight rank, completely scared of the white pawn. The exception is the brave knight which is ready to block the pawns from either side.} ( {Please note that in case of} 17...Qxe7 18.Qxd3 Bxe6 19.d5 Bf5 20.Qb3 Na5 21.Qxb6 {there will be no blockade.} ) 18.Ng5 h6 {It is not about pawns.} ( {After} 18...dxc2 19.Qxc2 g6 20.d5 $1 {White breaks the blockade and destroys the defense:} 20...Nxd5 21.e7 Qxe7 22.Rxd5 Bb7 23.Qd3 ) 19.Qxd3 $1 {Kramnik sacrifices another piece!} ( {In the computer-suggested line} 19.Nf7 Qd5 20.f5 Nxf5 21.Nxh6+ Nxh6 22.e7 Re8 23.Bxh6 Rxe7 24.Qxd3 Be6 {I do not see how White can break the blockade, while the blockading pieces are ready to show teeth.} ) 19...hxg5 20.hxg5 Bxe6 21.Qh7+ Kf7 22.d5 Bf5 $1 {Did I mention that Buhmann was down to a minute on his clock? Yes, this is an only move. Both captures lose:} ( 22...Bxd5 23.e6+ $1 Kxe6 ( 23...Ke8 24.Qxg7 {followed by Rh1-h8 is deadly.} ) 24.Qxg7 Nbc6 25.Rh6+ Kd7 26.Rxd5+ ) ( 22...Nxd5 23.f5 $1 {with the threat of Qh7-g6-e6 mate.} 23...Qd7 24.fxe6+ Qxe6 25.Rhf1+ Ke8 26.Rxf8+ Kxf8 27.Rf1+ Ke8 28.Qh8+ Kd7 29.Qxg7+ Kc6 30.c4 Nxe3 31.Rf6 {In both case,s White wins on the freshly open files.} ) 23.e6+ {White wins a fifth pawn for the piece. Technically speaking, he will only be down a pawn.} ( {The chip screams for} 23.Qh5+ {However, the position arising after} 23...Bg6 ( {when indeed after} 23...Ng6 24.e6+ Ke7 25.Qh7 Rg8 26.Bxb6 $1 Qc8 ( 26...Qxb6 27.d6+ Kxe6 28.Qxg8+ ) 27.Rd2 {White might be better.} ) 24.Qe2 ( 24.e6+ Ke8 25.Qe2 Qd6 {is advantage for Black.} ) 24...Nxd5 25.Qf3 Ke6 26.c4 Nb4 27.Rd6+ Qxd6 28.exd6 N8c6 {is anything but clear.} ) 23...Ke8 24.Qxg7 Qc7 $1 {The only move once again. The mate threat on c2 gives Black a chance to get rid of White's most monstrous pawn.} ( 24...Qd6 {loses to} 25.Rh8 Rxh8 ( 25...Ng6 26.Qf7+ $1 ) 26.Qxh8+ ) 25.Rh2 ( {Or} 25.Rd2 Nxd5 ) 25...Nxd5 26.Qxf8+ $3 {I'm not sure how to annotate this. Incredible,&#10;unbelievable? Too lame. A Kasparyan move? This one sounds appropriate. I will&#10;award two exclamation marks even though it does not win the game - for&#10;the sheer beauty of the move.} ( {Objectively speaking} 26.Bd4 {was better when after} 26...Nc6 ( {White's idea is demonstrated in the line} 26...Qxg7 27.Bxg7 Ne3 28.Bxf8 Nxd1 29.Rh8 ) 27.Bf6 Qxg7 28.Bxg7 Nde7 29.Bxf8 Kxf8 30.Rh8+ Ng8 31.Rd7 Bxe6 32.Rd6 Nd8 33.Rxb6 {the game will most likely end in a draw.} ) 26...Kxf8 27.Rxd5 Bh7 {Nobody wants to allow a back-rank check with a few seconds on the clock. One little miscalculation, and you're mated.} ( {However, there was a case for} 27...Bg6 $1 {when} 28.Rh8+ {only helps Black to get a decisive counter-attack after} ( {However, I suspect that Kramnik wanted to play} 28.b3 $1 {and after the more or less forcing} 28...Qc3 29.Bd4 Qe1+ 30.Kb2 Qxe6 31.Re5 Qd7 32.Rh8+ Kf7 33.Bxb6 Qb7 34.f5 Qxb6 35.fxg6+ Qxg6 36.Ree8 {it seems as if Black, who has a queen and a knight for the rook and three pawns is not winning...} ) 28...Ke7 29.f5 Qg3 30.Bxb6 Qf4+ 31.Rd2 Qf1+ 32.Rd1 Qxf5 {and Black wins.} ) 28.b3 $1 {Super cool! The idea is c2-c4, free the rook, and checkmate with it.} ( {Bad was the straightforward} 28.g6 Bxg6 29.Rg5 Bh7 30.Rgh5 Ra7 {and Black wins.} ) 28...Ke8 ( 28...Qc3 29.Bd4 Qf3 ( 29...Qe1+ {helps White only after} 30.Kb2 Qe4 31.Rd8+ Ke7 32.Bf6+ Kxe6 33.Re8+ ) 30.Rd8+ Ke7 31.Bf6+ Kxe6 32.Rxh7 {and in comparison to the above-mentioned line, White has a bishop in addition to the rook and is better!} ) ( 28...Kg8 {sends the king to the wrong side of the board:} 29.g6 Bxg6 30.Rg2 Kh7 31.f5 Bh5 32.f6 Bg6 33.Rdg5 {an White wins.} ) ( {Perhaps the best try for Black is} 28...Ra7 29.g6 Bxg6 30.Rh8+ Ke7 ( 30...Kg7 $4 31.Bd4+ ) 31.c4 Kxe6 {It seems over right? However, chess is inexhaustible, and White has further resources:} 32.f5+ Bxf5 33.Rh6+ Ke7 34.Bg5+ Kf7 35.Rxf5+ Kg7 36.Bd2 {Believe it or not (or better analyze it with your super-powerful computers and let the readers know) but this might again be a draw. Here is the proof:} 36...Qd7 37.Rd5 Qe7 38.Rdh5 Qa3+ 39.Kb1 Rf7 40.Rh7+ Kf8 ( 40...Kf6 $2 41.Bc3+ Ke7 42.Re5+ Kf8 43.Rh8+ Kg7 44.Rg5# ) 41.Bc1 Qb4 ( 41...Rf1 $2 42.Rf5+ $1 ) 42.Rh8+ Ke7 43.Rxb8 ) 29.g6 {Forcing the draw.} ( {[A bold move suggested by the engines is} 29.Kb2 $5 {(to prevent any Qc3) but this should lead to a draw as well. - PD]} ) 29...Bxg6 30.Rh8+ Ke7 31.f5 Bxf5 32.Rxf5 Qc3 ( 32...Kxe6 33.Rff8 ) 33.Bg5+ Kxe6 34.Rf6+ Qxf6 {Or else White may change his mind.} ( 34...Ke5 35.Re8+ Kd5 36.Rd8+ Ke5 37.Kb1 $1 ) 35.Bxf6 Kxf6 36.Rh6+ Ke5 37.Rxb6 Kd5 {Buhmann emerged a piece ahead, but since his only pawn faces three white ones, victory is not a possibility.} 38.Kb2 Nc6 39.a3 Kc5 40.Rb7 Rg8 41.Rh7 Rg2 42.Rh5+ Kd6 43.Kc3 Rg3+ 44.Kb2 Rg2 45.Kc3 Rg3+ 46.Kb2 Rg2 {So, did anyone miss a win? You decide for yourselves, but to me it seemed as if it was balanced from the beginning :)} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sparkassen Chess Meeting"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2016.07.13"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Buhmann, Rainer"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2798"]
[BlackElo "2653"]
[ECO "C95"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8040715650056"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:44:23"]
[BlackClock "0:00:31"]

1.e4 e5 {After the nerve-wracking game yesterday, Buhmann wants some&#10;tranquility. Who can blame him?} 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 {Surprise!&#10;Buhmann almost always plays the Berlin instead. Presumably, that is not because he is&#10;German.} 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.h3 Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7 {The Breyer which was very popular in the 1970s is still fashionable.} 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 {Vachier-Lagrave has a good score in this line, winning two&#10;with five draws.} 12...Re8 13.Nf1 Bf8 14.Bg5 {The French GM&#10;played this particular line back in 2011.} 14...h6 15.Bh4 g6 {Played after almost half an hour of deep thought. Black has other possibilities as well:} ( {Relevant:} 15...Qc8 16.N3d2 g6 17.dxe5 Rxe5 18.f4 Re8 {and Black seemed fine in Sutovsky,E (2635) -Svidler,P (2727) Skopje 2015} ) ( {Or} 15...Qb8 16.N3d2 exd4 17.cxd4 Qa7 18.d5 c6 19.dxc6 Bxc6 20.Rc1 Rac8 {which also gave Black a lot of piece play, although Vachier Lagrave proved victorious at the end, Vachier Lagrave,M (2731) -Renet,O (2497) Mulhouse 2011} ) ( {Finally, the slightly curious way to fight White's dark-squared bishop with} 15...Be7 16.Bg3 Bf8 17.dxe5 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 dxe5 19.Qf3 {which was a bit better in Vachier Lagrave,M (2721)-Beliavsky,A (2632) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010} ) 16.a4 Bg7 17.d5 Qb8 18.Ne3 {A novelty. The knight is ready to fight for the d5 square as Black will have to sooner or later free his position with c7-c6.} ( {The predecessor saw White achieve less than nothing after:} 18.axb5 axb5 19.Rxa8 Bxa8 20.Bxf6 Nxf6 21.Ng3 c6 {Tsyplakov,N-Chepurnoy,L Russia 1991} ) 18...c6 19.dxc6 Bxc6 20.axb5 axb5 21.Rxa8 Bxa8 {Now the position resembles some lines of the Najdorf, with the&#10;slight difference that his dark-squared bishop is fianchettoed. More important&#10;is that the second player has good control of the d5-square and thus has&#10;approximately equal chances.} 22.Nd2 b4 {Or else White can fix that pawn after:} ( 22...Bc6 23.b4 Nh5 24.Nb3 ) 23.c4 Nc5 24.Bxf6 {Vachier-Lagrave trades&#10;two of the defenders of the d5 square. Still, his bishop remains passive and,&#10;Buhmann can be completely satisfied with his position.} 24...Bxf6 25.Nb3 Rc8 26.Nxc5 Rxc5 27.Qd3 Ra5 ( 27...Bg5 {to swap off the knight on e3 would be easier.} ) 28.Bb3 Bg5 29.Rd1 Qb6 {This is not bad but allows White a chance to free his bishop.} ( {Instead the immediate} 29...Bxe3 30.fxe3 ( {Or} 30.Qxe3 Kg7 31.Qd3 Qb6 32.Qxd6 Qxd6 33.Rxd6 Bxe4 ) 30...Kg7 {with the idea} 31.Qxd6 Qxd6 32.Rxd6 Bxe4 {was OK for Black.} ) 30.c5 $1 {An excellent practical&#10;chance. The bishop is coming to life now. So does the knight.} 30...Qxc5 {Not the only choice.} ( {In the line:} 30...Rxc5 $1 {Probably best objectively.} 31.Nc4 Qa6 32.Nxd6 Qxd3 33.Bxf7+ {White wins a pawn, but Black has plenty of&#10;compensation after} 33...Kf8 {thanks to the bishop pair and the active pieces. For example:} 34.Rxd3 Rc1+ 35.Kh2 Rc2 36.Bxg6 Rxf2 37.b3 Bf4+ 38.Kg1 Rc2 {and it is difficult to make progress as White.} ) ( {Obviously bad is} 30...dxc5 $4 31.Nc4 ) 31.Nc4 Ra7 {This is too passive. If Buhmann had more time and energy he would have probably found} ( 31...Bxe4 $1 {The pretty line:} 32.Qxe4 $5 ( 32.Qe2 $1 {Best.} 32...Qb5 $1 33.Re1 {However,} ( {Or a draw after} 33.Qxe4 d5 34.Qxe5 dxc4 35.Qxb5 Rxb5 36.Bxc4 Rb7 ) 33...Bd5 {leads to a position with two pawns for the exchange after} ( 33...Ra7 $2 34.Qxe4 d5 35.Nd6 $1 {wins for White.} ( {Rather than} 35.Qxe5 $2 Re7 {which leads to the opposite result.} ) ) ( {Or} 33...Ra8 34.Qxe4 d5 35.Qxe5 {and White keeps the extra piece.} ) ( {Finally} 33...Ra6 {loses to} 34.Qxe4 d5 35.Qg4 {with a skewer on the f1-a6 diagonal.} ( {Again not} 35.Qxe5 $2 Re6 ) ( {Although possible and winning for White is} 35.Qe2 ) ) 34.Nxa5 Qxa5 35.Bxd5 Qxd5 36.Rd1 Qc6 {which Black should hold.} ) 32...d5 33.Rxd5 Qxd5 34.Qxg6+ fxg6 35.Nxa5 Qxb3 36.Nxb3 Kf7 {should lead to a draw.} ) 32.Nxd6 Kg7 {Once that Spanish bishop comes to life, the f7-pawn&#10;is doomed:} ( 32...Rd7 33.Qf3 Bf4 34.Nxf7 Rxf7 35.g3 {with material gains.} ) 33.Qf3 Qc6 {Makes things easier for White. Buhmann should have tried:} ( 33...f5 {although here too, White's advantage is decisive after} 34.Qg3 Bxe4 35.h4 Be7 36.Ne8+ Kh7 37.Bg8+ $1 Kh8 {And now either the computer-win with} 38.Ba2 $3 ( {Or the human one with} 38.Qxg6 Bxh4 39.Qxh6+ Kxg8 40.Qxh4 ) 38...Kh7 39.Qb3 ) 34.Bxf7 Re7 35.Ba2 {A pawn down and facing the deadly threat&#10;Qf3-b3-g8 mate, Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Sparkassen Chess Meeting"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2016.07.15"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Najer, Evgeniy"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2687"]
[BlackElo "2798"]
[ECO "B97"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7906653126710"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:57"]
[BlackClock "0:55:20"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 {Najer has a&#10;reputation for opening erudition. The choice of this line should not have&#10;come as a surprise for Black.} 6...e6 7.f4 h6 {This line became popular after&#10;Pal Benko used it in a couple of games in 1956. Nowadays it is the pet line of&#10;the French top GM. Vachier-Lagrave has done a lot to increase its&#10;development.} 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.Qd2 {In Stavanger, Giri tried:} ( 9.a3 {to save the pawn. This game was annotated for the readers of the chess.com news&#10;section.} 9...Be7 ( 9...Qxb2 $4 10.Na4 ) 10.Bf2 {Then went for} 10...Qc7 11.Qf3 Nbd7 ( {Vachier also tested} 11...b5 12.g4 Nc6 13.O-O-O Bb7 14.h4 d5 15.e5 Ne4 {with double-edge position in Grischuk,A (2750)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2765) London 2015} ) 12.O-O-O b5 13.g4 g5 {and later Black won in the game Giri,A (2790) -Vachier Lagrave,M (2788) Stavanger NOR 2016} ) 9...Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qa3 11.e5 {The other pawn advance was also tested against the French GM:} ( 11.f5 Be7 12.fxe6 fxe6 13.Bc4 Nxe4 14.Nxe4 Bxh4+ 15.g3 Bg5 16.Nxg5 hxg5 17.O-O Qc5 {and Black held the position in Ortiz Suarez,I (2577)-Vachier-Lagrave,M (2744)&#10;Baku AZE 2015} ) ( {Against another Najdorf expert Najer chose:} 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Be2 Nc6 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.O-O {and this is probably where Vachier Lagrave&#10;had concentrated his preparation. Najer,E (2641)-Wojtaszek,R (2711) Czechia&#10;2014} ) 11...dxe5 12.fxe5 Nfd7 {The other main possibility is:} ( 12...g5 {For example} 13.exf6 gxh4 14.Be2 Qa5 15.O-O Nd7 16.Rbd1 h3 17.g3 Bb4 18.Qe3 Bxc3 $2 19.Nxe6 $1 {with a powerful attack for White in Wei,Y (2734)&#10;-Areshchenko,A (2661) Baku 2015} ) 13.Ne4 Qxa2 14.Rd1 Qd5 15.Qe3 Qxe5 {It is very common for White to sacrifice three pawns for a development&#10;advantage in this line. A piece or two to open the black king may also be offered...} 16.Be2 Bc5 17.Bg3 Qd5 {Not new, but relatively unexplored. There are only five game in my&#10;Megabase.) Black usually plays:} ( 17...Bxd4 18.Rxd4 Qa5+ 19.Rd2 O-O {and tries to defend this. Yu,Y (2664)-Wei,Y (2625) Xinghua 2014} ) 18.c4 {The queen seems very vulnerable on d5, but it is not easy to exploit that. One&#10;other way is:} ( 18.Bf3 {is interesting as well. The only played game is&#10;especially interesting.} 18...O-O 19.Qc3 ( {The main idea is} 19.Nf6+ Nxf6 20.Bxd5 exd5 21.O-O Nc6 {when Black has enough material for the queen and&#10;seeks the initiative.} ) 19...e5 20.Nb3 Bd4 21.Nxd4 exd4 22.Rxd4 Qe6 23.Rd6 Qe7 24.Rd2 Nf6 25.Bd6 Nxe4 26.Bxe7 Nxc3 27.Bxf8 Nc6 28.Bxc6 bxc6 29.Rd8 {and White went on to win. Eryomenko,V (2512)-Malimonenko,V (2222) Azov 2010} ) 18...Bxd4 19.Rxd4 Qa5+ 20.Rd2 O-O 21.Bd6 f5 {Black sacrifices back some of the extra material to cement the position.} ( 21...Rd8 {was obviously analyzed by both players.} ) 22.Bxf8 Nxf8 23.Nd6 Nbd7 24.g4 fxg4 {Yes, this is&#10;the first new move. In the Najdorf, a lot of the novelties happen around&#10;move thirty...} ( {Here is the predecessor:} 24...Qe5 25.Qxe5 Nxe5 26.gxf5 exf5 27.O-O g6 28.Rb1 Be6 29.c5 a5 30.Ra1 a4 31.Ra3 {1/2-1/2 (31) Yu,Y (2667)-Wei,Y (2629) China 2014} ) 25.Bxg4 Qa1+ $1 {Vachier-Lagrave lures one of the white&#10;pieces back.} ( 25...Qe5 26.Ke2 {will give White a chance to double &#10;rooks quickly on the &#34;d&#34; file.} ) 26.Rd1 {The other possibility is} ( 26.Bd1 Qe5 27.Qxe5 ( 27.Ke2 $5 ) 27...Nxe5 28.O-O {when Black has a vast choice.} 28...a5 ( 28...Bd7 ) ( 28...b6 ) ( 28...Rb8 ) ) 26...Qe5 27.Rd3 $2 {A blunder!} ( 27.Ke2 {was called for. There is a complex endgame after both:} 27...Qxe3+ ( 27...b5 {This practically forces a draw after} 28.Nxc8 Qxe3+ ( 28...Rxc8 29.Rxd7 {will&#10;transpose.} ) 29.Kxe3 Rxc8 30.Rxd7 Nxd7 31.Bxe6+ Kf8 32.Bxd7 Rxc4 {All Black&#10;needs to do is trade the rooks. Even if White gives up all his four pawns for&#10;nothing, it will be a fortress.} ) 28.Kxe3 Ne5 {Black should be fine with&#10;three pawns for the exchange. White is good too.} ) 27...Nc5 $1 {An abrupt finish. The rook is overworked. It cannot leave the d3 square.} 28.O-O ( 28.Qxe5 Nxd3+ {loses it.} ) ( 28.Rc3 {drops the knight to} 28...Qxd6 ) 28...Nxd3 29.Qxd3 Bd7 30.Nxb7 Rb8 ( 30...Bc6 {should also do.} ) 31.Bf3 Qc7 32.Nd6 Qc5+ {Two extra pawns leave White no chances.} 33.Rf2 a5 34.Nb7 Qb4 35.Qe4 Nh7 36.c5 Ng5 {Not the best tournament for Najer so far.} ( 36...Qxe4 37.Bxe4 Ng5 38.Bg2 Rxb7 ) ( {White resigned due to} 36...Ng5 37.Qxb4 Nxf3+ 38.Rxf3 axb4 ) 0-1

[Event "Sparkassen Chess Meeting"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2016.07.16"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Buhmann, Rainer"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2653"]
[ECO "A09"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8248484695048"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:52:15"]
[BlackClock "0:00:48"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c5 {Curiously, this position is already new for both players, at least according to Megabase. Buhmann has usually chosen the solid Slav set-ups with 2...c6 either immediately or after 2...Nf6. Caruana previously faced:} ( 2...Nf6 3.Bg2 c5 4.O-O Nc6 5.d4 e6 6.c4 Be7 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.Nbd2 {in Caruana,F (2791)-Agdestein,S (2628) Flor & Fjaere 2014} ) 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.O-O e5 5.c4 d4 6.d3 Nf6 7.e3 Bd6 {Now a reversed Benoni will appear on the board. More solid is the symmetrical set-up after} ( 7...Be7 8.exd4 exd4 9.Bf4 O-O 10.Re1 h6 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.Bxe5 Bd6 {as in Bukavshin,I (2522)-Korobov,A (2702) Moscow 2013} ) 8.exd4 cxd4 9.Bg5 $1 {The advantages of the extra tempo. Black did not have time to play h7-h6, and this extra possibility is available. The swap of this bishop for a knight is usually desirable in the Benoni.} 9...h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Nbd2 Bc7 12.Qa4 {Simply gaining space on the queenside.} ( 12.b4 $6 Nxb4 13.Qa4+ Nc6 {does not work here as the queen protects the knight from f6.} ) 12...O-O 13.b4 Bf5 14.Qb3 {Caruana can be happy with the opening. His play on the queenside is straightforward and simple, while Buhmann has difficulties with the play on the opposite wing.} 14...Rab8 ( {Previously only} 14...Bg4 {had been tried, one example is} 15.a3 Rab8 16.Ne4 Qe7 17.Rfe1 {with a slight advantage for White in Koehler,J (2086) -Oliynyk,V (2167) LSS email 2013} ) 15.Rfe1 a6 {Better was to refrain from any queenside pawn pushes. He could have tried instead:} ( 15...Bg4 16.a3 Rfe8 17.Rac1 Qd8 {followed by f7-f6 or even f7-f5 in the proper moment.} ) 16.Rac1 Rfd8 17.a3 ( {On} 17.c5 {with the idea to put the knight on c4. Black has a good regrouping in} 17...Be6 18.Qb2 Bd5 ) ( 17.b5 {is a bit early due to} 17...Ne7 ) 17...Qe7 18.b5 {Now it is time.} 18...Na5 19.Qb4 Qf6 {Forced, but after this White mounts further pressure.} ( 19...Qxb4 $4 20.axb4 ) 20.Ne4 Bxe4 $2 {This practically gives away the keys to the fortress. Black's position is quite passive and difficult after the queen retreats as well. Those options were to be preferred} ( 20...Qb6 21.a4 ) ( 20...Qe6 21.a4 ( 21.Nc5 Qf6 {With an advantage for White in both cases.} ) ) 21.Rxe4 {Awkwardly, the threat Nf3xe5 is unstoppable.} 21...axb5 ( 21...Re8 22.Rce1 ) ( 21...Qe6 22.Nxe5 ) 22.cxb5 Qb6 {One more threat has been addded to Black's troubles:} ( 22...Rbc8 23.Rxc7 Rxc7 24.Qxa5 ) 23.Nxe5 {Caruana won a pawn and kept more active pieces. The rest is routine for him.} 23...Bd6 24.Qb2 Rbc8 25.a4 Rxc1+ 26.Qxc1 Qc5 27.Qxc5 Bxc5 28.h4 h5 29.Bf3 g6 30.Rf4 {Black resigned as he cannot hold the f7 pawn.} ( 30.Rf4 Rf8 ( 30...Bd6 31.Nxf7 ) 31.Nd7 ) 1-0

[Event "Sparkassen Chess Meeting"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2016.07.17"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Najer, Evgeniy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[ECO "A24"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7701950108688"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:55:32"]
[BlackClock "0:00:38"]

1.c4 e5 2.d3 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.g3 d6 5.Bg2 Nf6 6.e4 {The Botvinnik-English has a very solid reputation.} 6...c6 ( {There is also the symmetrical continuation:} 6...O-O 7.Nge2 c5 8.a3 Nc6 9.Rb1 Nd4 10.b4 b6 {Grischuk,A (2771) -Mamedov,R (2660) Moscow 2010} ) 7.Nge2 a6 8.O-O b5 {A very similar position to the Fianchetto KID has arisen. The main difference is that the white central pawn is on d3 instead of d4. This gives the center extra stability which White can use for a novelty.} 9.f4 {Although this is the most common idea in the Botvinnik set-up.} ( {The alternatives led White nowhere:} 9.cxb5 axb5 10.b4 O-O 11.a4 Be6 12.Bd2 d5 ( 12...bxa4 13.Nxa4 Na6 ) 13.exd5 Nxd5 {Serper,G (2540)-Sokolov,I (2665) New York 1996} ) 9...Qb6+ {For a moment, the white king is a bit loose and Najer tries to make use of that.} 10.Kh1 Ng4 11.Qe1 Nd7 12.h3 h5 13.b4 ( {The knight is obviously invincible} 13.hxg4 hxg4+ ) 13...Ne3 {This obvious move has a drawback. Black could have tried instead:} ( 13...h4 $5 14.gxh4 ( 14.hxg4 $2 hxg3+ {is still bad for White.} ) 14...Bf6 15.Qg3 bxc4 16.Qxg4 cxd3 17.Na4 ( {Worse is} 17.Ng3 Rxh4 18.Qf3 Qxb4 ) 17...Qxb4 18.Nec3 {with messy, double-edged play.} ) 14.Bxe3 Qxe3 15.d4 $1 {An important detail. The black queen is in danger.} ( 15.Rd1 h4 {would be good for Black who has wonderful play on the dark-squares.} ) 15...Qd3 {There is no time to capture eeither of the pawns:} ( 15...exd4 $2 16.Rf3 ) ( 15...exf4 $2 16.Rf3 ) 16.fxe5 dxe5 17.cxb5 {Kramnik could have even sacrificed that pawn with:} ( 17.d5 Qxc4 18.dxc6 Qxc6 19.Nd5 Qd6 20.Rc1 O-O {It seems as if Black has escaped but a second wave comes.} 21.Rc6 $1 Qb8 ( 21...Qxc6 $4 22.Ne7+ ) 22.Ne7+ Kh7 {Now both} 23.Qd2 $5 ( {Or} 23.Rxc8 Rxc8 24.Nxc8 Qxc8 25.Rxf7 {promises White a serious initiative.} ) ) 17...axb5 18.d5 Bb7 19.Rd1 Qc4 20.dxc6 Bxc6 21.Nd5 Bxd5 22.Rxd5 Nb6 {Pawn grabbing with a king in the middle is a sin.} ( 22...Qxa2 $2 23.Nc3 Qc4 24.Rxd7 $1 Kxd7 25.Nd5 ) ( 22...Rxa2 $2 23.Nc3 Ra8 24.Rf3 {followed by Bg2-f1 is very good for White.} ( 24.Nxb5 ) ) 23.Rc5 Qe6 {But now the pawn was edible:} ( 23...Qxa2 24.Nc3 Qb2 25.Rxb5 {with some advantage for White.} ) 24.Nc3 O-O 25.Rxb5 {As a result of the forced play Kramnik has won a pawn, but Najer has managed to castle.} 25...Rfc8 26.a4 $1 {This is a strong play for the initiative by the former worldd champion.} ( 26.Nd5 {istead is equal after} 26...Nxd5 27.exd5 Qd7 ) ( {White could have kept the extra pawn though with} 26.Rf3 Rc4 {Black's defense resources are not exhausted.} ) 26...Nxa4 27.Nd5 Rab8 {A mistake. The rook should not have been given a chance to reach the seventh rank. Correct was:} ( 27...Qd7 $1 28.Ra5 Rxa5 29.bxa5 {White is still much better, but Black can be happy to have swapped off an important attacking piece.} ) 28.Ra5 Nb6 {Otherwise the knight will be trapped after} ( 28...Nb2 29.Ra7 Rf8 30.Qe2 ) 29.Ra7 Rf8 30.Ra6 $1 {The pin is more than unpleasant.} 30...Rfd8 31.Qf2 Rd6 32.b5 {Also good was:} ( 32.Ra7 Rd7 ( 32...Nd7 33.b5 Rxb5 34.Nc7 ) 33.Rxd7 Nxd7 34.Qa7 {but Kramnik correctly figured out that the pinned knight is the major problem for Black.} ) 32...Rb7 {The knight is not moving:} ( 32...Nxd5 33.exd5 Qe7 34.Rxd6 Qxd6 35.Qxf7+ ) 33.Qc2 Kh7 {This loses.} ( {Once more bad line is:} 33...Nxd5 34.exd5 Qd7 35.Rxd6 Qxd6 36.Qc8+ ) ( {The last chance was:} 33...Qd7 34.Qc5 Qd8 $1 {when White still needs to work to prove his advantage.} ) 34.Qc5 {Black is practically in zugzwang!} 34...Kg8 {Kramnik has improved almost all of his pieces but one of them can do better. In situations like this, you have to identify the lazy guy and bring it into the battle. Thus:} ( 34...Bf8 {Then White will simply take it with} 35.Rxb6 Rbxb6 36.Nxb6 Rxb6 37.Qxf8 ) 35.Kh2 $1 {No, this is not the lazy person.} 35...Kh7 36.h4 Kg8 37.Bh3 {This one is! Once the bishop is inserted into the action, Black can no longer hold.} 37...Rxd5 ( {Or} 37...f5 38.Nxb6 Rdxb6 39.exf5 ) 38.exd5 Qxd5 39.Qc6 Qd2+ 40.Bg2 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.12.13"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8178867640912"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:06"]
[BlackClock "0:04:29"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 {The Anti-Berlin is extremely popular nowadays.} 4...Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nbd2 Be6 7.O-O ( {Another idea that White is exploring recently is:} 7.Nb3 Bb6 8.Bd2 Nd7 9.Na5 Bxa5 10.Bxa5 c5 11.Bc3 Bg4 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Qe7 14.Qg3 {Caruana,F (2823)-Anand,V (2779) Saint Louis 2016} ) 7...Bd6 {This has already occurred in Carlsen, M (2843)-Aronian, L (2816)/Bilbao ESP 2012.} ( {The main line is still} 7...Nd7 {One important example is the final round win of Yu Yangyi against Vladimir Kramnik at the Qatar Masters 2014.} ) 8.d4 Nd7 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Bxe5 11.f4 Bd4+ {Up till now the opponents were following the game Nakamura,H (2787)-Aronian,L (2792) from Zuerich 2016 which saw:} ( 11...Qd4+ 12.Kh1 Bd6 13.Qe2 O-O-O 14.f5 Bd7 {and White eventually won.} ) 12.Kh1 f6 13.c3 {Adams kicks away the bishop as early as possible.} ( {Two previous games saw} 13.f5 Bf7 14.Qg4 Qe7 15.c3 h5 16.Qe2 {but then the bishop was nicely allocated into the center after} 16...Be5 {Brkic,A (2605)-Hovhannisyan,R (2586) Porto Carras 2011} ) 13...Bb6 14.f5 Bf7 15.e5 $1 {A brilliant idea! Nimzowitsch would have loved the way that Adams freed the central outpost for the knight. All the white pieces quickly enter the battle and Topalov is under tremendous pressure.} 15...fxe5 16.Qg4 Qd3 $5 {Taken by surprise Topalov plays in the most ambitious way.} ( {The obvious} 16...O-O {was naturally walking into Adams's preparation. White has a strong attack after} 17.Ne4 {with the obvious threath Bc1-h6 to start with. The prophylactical} 17...Kh8 {will be met with} ( {In case of} 17...Bd5 18.Bg5 Qd7 19.Ng3 {White has strong kingside attack and additional cenral resources line Ra1-d1 and c3-c4.} ) ( {The computer is offering a spoiler} 17...h5 {but a human being can hardly trust such an approach. After} 18.Qe2 Qd5 19.b3 ( {Or} 19.Bg5 {Black's position seems suspicious, to say the least.} ) ) 18.Bg5 Qc8 19.Qh4 {White wants to put something on f6 and there is no way Blck can stop it.} 19...Bd5 20.f6 ) ( {The other castling} 16...Qd7 17.Nf3 O-O-O 18.Nxe5 Qe8 19.Bf4 {leads to a clear edge for White.} ) 17.Qxg7 Rg8 18.Qxe5+ Kd7 {This was Black's idea. He needs just one tempo to castle "by hand" and take over the initiative. But Adams plays very neatly.} 19.Qe4 Qa6 {The same aggressive strategy. However now the queen is getting excluded from the board.} ( {The endgame after} 19...Qd5 20.c4 $1 ( {The simple-hearted} 20.Qxd5+ $2 {leads to Black's advantage} 20...Bxd5 21.Nf3 Raf8 {The bishops are too strong.} ) 20...Qxe4 21.Nxe4 Bxc4 22.Nf6+ Ke7 23.Nxg8+ Rxg8 24.Rf3 Bd5 25.Rg3 Kf6 26.Rxg8 Bxg8 27.Bd2 Kxf5 {might have been Back's best choice, but still...} ) ( 19...Qxe4 20.Nxe4 Bd5 21.Nf6+ Ke7 22.Nxd5+ $1 cxd5 23.Bf4 {is good for White.} ) 20.f6 Rae8 ( {Or} 20...Raf8 21.c4 $1 ) 21.Qf5+ Kd8 22.c4 $1 {Shuts off the queen and takes away the d5 square from the bishop.} 22...Qa5 ( 22...Bxc4 23.Nxc4 Qxc4 24.f7 {is impossible.} ) 23.Qh3 Qb4 {A tricky move according to Adams.} 24.Qxh7 {Up to now the English GM played flawlessly and here he could have finished it off with style after:} ( 24.Nb3 {All White needs is to occupy the "d" file and it is almost mate.} 24...Be6 25.Qd3+ Qd6 ( {No time for} 25...Kc8 26.f7 ) 26.Qc2 Qb4 ( {Another fork awaits Black after} 26...Kc8 27.c5 ) ( 26...Qf8 27.c5 Bxb3 28.Qxb3 Bxc5 29.Qxb7 {and Black's position collapses.} ) 27.Bd2 Qf8 28.Rae1 {White brings all his pieces out and it is game over.} ) 24...Qf8 25.b3 {White is still much better. On the top of it Topalov was very low on time.} 25...Bd4 26.Qd3 Qd6 27.Ne4 Qd7 {The last chance was:} ( 27...Rxe4 28.Qxe4 Bxa1 29.Bf4 Rg4 30.Bxd6 Rxe4 31.Be7+ Ke8 32.Rxa1 b5 {and despite the two pawn deficit Black can still hope in the opposite colored bishop endgame.} ) 28.Rd1 Kc8 29.Qxd4 Qg4 {The last desperate attempt.} ( {White should win after} 29...Qxd4 30.Rxd4 c5 31.Rd2 Rxe4 32.Bb2 ) 30.Bg5 Rxe4 31.Qxa7 Bd5 32.Qa8+ Kd7 33.Rxd5+ $1 ( {Avoiding the trap} 33.Qxg8 $4 Re1+ 34.Rxe1 Qxg2# ) 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "D77"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8249290003988"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[WhiteClock "0:12:33"]
[BlackClock "0:19:04"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.d4 Nf6 5.O-O O-O 6.c4 c5 7.dxc5 ( 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.e4 Nf6 9.e5 Nfd7 10.e6 fxe6 11.Nc3 Nc6 12.Be3 Rxf3 13.d5 Rxe3 {0-1 (32) Ghaem Maghami,E (2596)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2705) Berlin 2015} ) 7...dxc4 8.Na3 c3 9.Nb5 ( 9.Nd4 Nfd7 10.bxc3 Nxc5 11.Bg5 Nba6 12.Rb1 {Kramnik,V (2812)-Giri,A (2782) Leuven 2016 &frac12;-&frac12;} ) 9...cxb2 ( 9...Ne4 10.Qxd8 Rxd8 11.Nc7 cxb2 12.Bxb2 Bxb2 13.Rad1 Rf8 14.Nxa8 Na6 15.Nd4 Nexc5 16.Nb5 Bg4 17.f3 Bd7 18.Nac7 Nxc7 19.Nxc7 e6 20.Rb1 Bd4+ 21.Kh1 a6 ) 10.Bxb2 Bd7 ( {Predecessor (2):} 10...Na6 11.Rc1 Bd7 12.Nfd4 e5 13.c6 $1 {Llanes Luno,P (2240)-Gimeno Oteo,M (2155) Aragon 1998} ) 11.Qb3 Bc6 12.Rfd1 Qc8 13.Rac1 Nbd7 14.Nbd4 Bd5 ( 14...Re8 15.Nxc6 bxc6 16.Qa4 ) 15.Qa3 Re8 16.c6 Nb6 ( 16...bxc6 17.Nxc6 Qb7 ( 17...Bxc6 18.Nd4 ) 18.Nfe5 Bxg2 19.Kxg2 Nxe5 20.Bxe5 Ng4 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.f3 ) 17.c7 Nc4 18.Qb4 Nxb2 19.Qxb2 b6 20.Qa3 e6 ( 20...Qb7 21.Bh3 e6 22.Ng5 h6 23.e4 Nxe4 ( 23...hxg5 24.exd5 Nxd5 25.Bg2 ) 24.Nxe4 Bxe4 25.Nb5 Bf8 26.Nd6 Bd5 27.Rxd5 exd5 28.Nxb7 Bxa3 29.c8=Q ) 21.Nb5 Bf8 22.Qb2 Bg7 23.Qd2 Qd7 24.a4 Ne4 25.Qf4 a6 26.Qxe4 axb5 27.Qd3 f5 28.Ng5 ( 28.Ng5 Rac8 29.Nxe6 Bxe6 30.Qxd7 Bxd7 31.Rxd7 bxa4 32.Bb7 Bf6 33.Rc6 ( 33.Bxc8 Rxc8 ) ) 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8178423056416"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[WhiteClock "0:12:11"]
[BlackClock "0:22:24"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f4 ( {More common is} 8.Be3 Be7 9.f4 Nc6 10.f5 Bxb3 11.axb3 Nb4 12.g3 d5 {with equality in Mamedov,R (2655)-Karjakin,S (2779) Shamkir 2016} ) 8...Nbd7 9.g4 Rc8 {Previously:} ( 9...b5 {has been tested, and Black did well after} 10.Bg2 ( {However one wonders what would he have played in case of} 10.f5 $1 Bxb3 11.axb3 b4 12.Nd5 $1 {with the idea of} 12...Nxe4 13.Qf3 Qh4+ 14.Ke2 Ng3+ 15.Kd1 Nxh1 16.Nc7+ {and White has a decisive attack.} ) 10...Nb6 11.g5 Nfd7 12.f5 Bc4 13.Na5 Rc8 14.Qd2 b4 {Khismatullin,D (2714)-Duda,J (2563) Yerevan 2014} ) 10.f5 Bxb3 {The alternative is not good:} ( 10...Bc4 $6 11.Bxc4 Rxc4 12.Qe2 {followed by g4-g5, and White establishes firm control over the vital d5-square.} ) 11.axb3 d5 {Many strong GMs considered the typical exchange sacrifice:} ( 11...Rxc3 {critical. It indeed is, and the position after} 12.bxc3 Nxe4 13.h4 Qb6 14.Qf3 d5 {is obviously in Anand's preparation file.} ) 12.exd5 Bb4 13.Bg2 Qb6 14.Bd2 e4 15.Qe2 O-O 16.O-O-O {White is better as his opponent will need time to take the pawn on d5.} 16...Nc5 17.Kb1 Rfd8 ( 17...Bxc3 18.Bxc3 {is premature as the d5-pawn is not hanging.} ) 18.Rhe1 {Brings the rook into the game and targets the e4-pawn.} ( 18.g5 Bxc3 19.Bxc3 Nxd5 ) 18...a5 $1 {Strong counter-play by Vachier.} 19.Qf2 {Perhaps objectively better was the brave} ( 19.Nxe4 $5 Ncxe4 20.Bxe4 Re8 21.Qd3 Bxd2 22.Rxd2 {It is not clear how Black can make use of the pin on the e-file.} ) 19...Qc7 20.Bf4 {Anand did not like the folowing sharp line:} ( 20.g5 Nxd5 21.Nxe4 Nd3 $1 22.cxd3 Qc2+ 23.Ka1 Qxb3 24.Rc1 Bxd2 25.Qxd2 Nb4 26.Nc3 a4 {with the idea a4-a3 when the white king is too exposed.} ( 26...Rxd3 {can be met with} 27.Qe2 {when} 27...g6 {does not help due to} 28.Qe8+ Rxe8 29.Rxe8+ Kg7 30.f6# ) ) 20...Qb6 21.Be5 {Another way to sacrifice the exchange was:} ( 21.Nxe4 Bxe1 22.Nxf6+ Qxf6 23.Rxe1 ) 21...a4 22.bxa4 Bxc3 23.Bxc3 Nxd5 24.Rxd5 {The only move: After} ( 24.Bd4 Qb4 $1 {Black takes over the initiative.} ) 24...Rxd5 25.Bxe4 Rd6 26.a5 Qb5 ( 26...Qd8 27.Bf3 {is a clear edge for White as well.} ) 27.Qe2 $1 {After the queen swap, a bishop and two pawns are clearly better than a rook in the endgame.} 27...Qxe2 28.Rxe2 Rd1+ {A blunder. The French GM tries to avoid the gloomy endgame after:} ( 28...Nxe4 29.Rxe4 Rdc6 30.Ka2 Rc4 31.Re7 R4c7 32.Rxc7 Rxc7 33.Kb3 {when if White can put the bishop on d4 and the pawn on c3, he is technically winning (Vachier). But the move in the game leads to a quick disaster.} ) 29.Ka2 Re8 30.Bf3 Rxe2 31.Bxe2 Rc1 32.Bf3 Rxc2 33.Bxb7 $1 {Black resigned, not waiting to see the line:} ( 33.Bxb7 Nxb7 34.a6 Re2 35.axb7 Re8 36.Be5 ) 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.11"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7490825620515"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[WhiteClock "1:04:41"]
[BlackClock "1:01:34"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 Bb4 7.e3 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Bg3 Ne4 10.Nd2 Nxg3 11.hxg3 c6 12.a3 {Nakamura deviates from an earlier game by Anand:} ( {Relevant:} 12.Qc2 Kf8 13.Bd3 Kg7 14.O-O-O Nf6 15.Nf3 Ng4 16.Kb1 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Qe7 18.Rhe1 f5 19.Re2 Rf8 20.Qb2 a5 21.Ne1 b5 22.Bc2 b4 23.cxb4 axb4 24.Bb3 Nf6 25.Rc2 Ne4 26.Nd3 Nc3+ 27.Rxc3 bxc3 28.Qxc3 Ba6 29.Qc5 Bxd3+ 30.Rxd3 Qxc5 31.dxc5 Ra5 32.Rc3 f4 33.gxf4 gxf4 34.exf4 Rxf4 35.f3 Kf6 36.g3 Rf5 37.f4 Rh5 38.a4 Rh2 39.Bc2 h5 40.Kc1 Ra8 41.Re3 Ra5 {Carlsen,M (2855)-Anand,V (2770) Leuven 2016 1/2-1/2} ) 12...Ba5 13.Bd3 Kf8 14.Qc2 Nf6 15.O-O-O Kg7 {Previously this move was played only after the preliminary} ( 15...Ng4 16.Rdf1 Kg7 17.Kb1 Bb6 18.Nb3 a5 19.Nd1 Qe7 20.Nd2 Nf6 21.Nc3 Bd7 22.Na4 Bc7 23.Nc5 Bc8 24.Re1 b6 25.Na4 Bd7 26.f4 Rae8 27.Ka1 Ng4 28.Nf3 Nxe3 29.Qf2 gxf4 30.gxf4 Ng4 31.Qg3 Qd8 32.Ne5 h5 33.Bc2 Rh6 34.Qc3 Qc8 35.f5 Bxf5 36.Bxf5 Qxf5 37.Rhf1 Rxe5 38.Rxf5 Rxf5 39.Re8 Rf2 40.Qh3 Bf4 41.Ka2 Bc1 {1/2-1/2 (41) Dothan,Y (2603)-Ravnik, I (2441) ICCF email 2012} ) 16.Kb1 Be6 17.Nb3 Bb6 18.f4 Bg4 19.Rde1 Qd6 {The position should be around equal, but it is much easier to play it as White. Black is deprived of any active counterplay, and Nakamura can try to open the center and reach the black king.} 20.Rhf1 ( 20.Nd2 $5 {with the idea to send the knight to e5 was another promising plan.} ) 20...Rae8 21.Nc5 Re7 {The pawn is poisoned:} ( 21...Bxc5 22.dxc5 Qxc5 $6 23.fxg5 hxg5 $2 24.Rxf6 Kxf6 25.Ne4+ ) 22.Qd2 $6 {A blunder. White saw that after:} ( 22.Qc1 Bxc5 23.dxc5 Qxc5 24.fxg5 {There is the defense} 24...Ne4 ( 24...hxg5 $1 25.Rxf6 d4 $1 26.exd4 Rxe1 27.Qxe1 Qxd4 28.Qe4 Rd8 $3 ) 25.Bxe4 dxe4 26.Rf4 Qxg5 {when Black is fine.} ) ( {Nakamura did not find anything convincing in the lines after:} 22.fxg5 hxg5 23.e4 dxe4 ( 23...Qxg3 $5 ) 24.N3xe4 Nxe4 25.Rxe4 ( {Black is good in case of} 25.Nxe4 Qxd4 26.Nxg5 Rxe1+ 27.Rxe1 Qc5 $1 ) 25...Rxe4 26.Nxe4 Qxd4 27.Nxg5 Bh5 $1 ) 22...Rhe8 $6 {A blunder in return. After} ( 22...Bxc5 $1 23.dxc5 Qxc5 24.fxg5 Ne4 {is not that convincing due to} ( {But Anand could have taken the pawn} 24...hxg5 $1 {as there is no capture on f6.} ) 25.Bxe4 dxe4 26.Rf4 Qxg5 27.Qd4+ {with a strong initiative for White.} ) 23.fxg5 hxg5 24.e4 Nxe4 25.N5xe4 $6 {A second blunder. Correct was} ( 25.N3xe4 {when in the line} 25...dxe4 26.Rxe4 Bh5 27.Qxg5+ Qg6 28.Qxe7 $1 Rxe7 29.Rxe7 {The bishop on d3 is defended, and White has a serious edge.} ) 25...dxe4 26.Rxe4 Rxe4 $6 {Anands errs in return for the second time! Very untypical for the former world champion. After} ( 26...Bh5 $1 {the game would be still unclear since} 27.Qxg5+ Qg6 28.Qxe7 $2 {does not work anymore ...} 28...Rxe7 29.Rxe7 Qxd3+ ) 27.Nxe4 Qg6 28.Nf6 {White wins material and with neat and energetic play converts it into a win.} 28...Qxf6 29.Rxf6 Kxf6 30.Qc3 $1 Bd7 31.d5+ Re5 32.Be4 $1 g4 ( 32...cxd5 33.Bxd5 ) 33.dxc6 bxc6 34.Bxc6 Bxc6 35.Qxc6+ Kg5 36.Qd7 Re3 37.Qxf7 Rxg3 38.Qd5+ Kh4 39.a4 $1 Bf2 40.Qd8+ Kh5 41.Qe8+ Kg5 42.Qe5+ Kg6 43.Qf4 {Black resigned because of the forks.} ( 43.Qf4 Rxg2 ( 43...Be1 44.Qe4+ ) 44.Qe4+ ) 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.12"]
[Round "4.5"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "6808680799305"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[WhiteClock "0:38:17"]
[BlackClock "0:17:27"]

1.e4 c6 {An interesting opening choice by Nakamura, who doesn't play this often. According to my Megabase Topalov's latest Caro-Kann was back in 2013.} 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 {And the former world champion had never faced this particular move. Neither had Nakamura played it before. So far he had always reacted with} ( 3...Bf5 ) 4.dxc5 ( 4.c4 $5 {is an interesting move as well.} ) 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.c3 {The second main choice.} ( {The main line is} 6.Bb5 ) 6...e6 7.b4 a6 {Black takes the sting out of the b4-b5 advance and rules out the possible pin with Bf1-b5.} ( {Fridman came recently with another idea:} 7...g6 8.Bb5 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Bg7 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 {with an approximately equal position in Fedoseev,V (2670) -Fridman,D (2620) Liepaja 2016} ) ( 7...Nxe5 $4 8.Qa4+ Nc6 9.b5 {is a famous trap.} ) 8.Nbd2 Nxe5 {Best as otherwise Black may not be able to regain the pawn:} ( 8...Nge7 $6 9.Qa4 Bxf3 10.Nxf3 Qb8 11.Be2 {with clear edge for White in Berkes,F (2680)-Zelcic,R (2539) Zadar 2010} ) 9.Qa4+ {The alternative is:} ( 9.h3 Nxf3+ 10.Nxf3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 g6 12.Be2 Bg7 13.O-O Ne7 14.Bg5 O-O 15.Rad1 Qc7 16.c4 d4 {with equality, Fedorchuk,S (2660)-Lupulescu,C (2634) Legnica 2013} ) 9...Nd7 {Nakamura wants to keep the queens on the board.} ( {So far only} 9...Qd7 {has been seen. Black should be OK after} 10.Qxd7+ Nxd7 11.Bb2 Bxf3 ( 11...Be7 $5 ) 12.Nxf3 Be7 13.Be2 Bf6 14.O-O Ne7 {Nevednichy,V (2554)-Zelcic,R (2548) Tromsoe 2014} ) 10.Ne5 Nf6 ( 10...Bh5 11.g4 Bg6 12.h4 ) 11.c4 $6 {Topalov wants to speed up his development, but at the moment he is the one who is a bit behind. And Nakamura knows that.} ( {Safer was} 11.Nxg4 Nxg4 12.Be2 Nf6 13.Bb2 {with hopes to exploit the bishop pair in the future.} ) 11...a5 $1 12.Nb3 ( {Obviously} 12.Nxd7 Qxd7 13.Qxd7+ Kxd7 {cannot suffice White whose queenside position is crumbling.} ) 12...axb4 13.Qb5 Be7 14.c6 {True to his style White is looking for complications.} ( {Or} 14.cxd5 O-O $1 {when the lead in the development is priority.} ) 14...bxc6 15.Nxc6 Qc7 16.f3 {White is sensibly avoiding:} ( 16.Nxe7 Rb8 $1 {Not} ( 16...Qe5+ 17.Be3 Qc3+ ( 17...Kxe7 18.Qxb4+ ) 18.Bd2 ) 17.Qa5 Qe5+ 18.Be3 ( 18.Kd2 $4 Qc3# ) 18...Kxe7 {with powerful centralization of the black pieces.} ) 16...Bf5 {Solid, whilst:} ( 16...dxc4 17.Qxc4 Rc8 18.Nxe7 Qxc4 19.Bxc4 Rxc4 20.Na5 Rc5 21.Nac6 {leads to completely irrational position.} ) 17.Nxe7 Rb8 18.Nxf5 $1 {Topalov sacrifices the queen! This might not be to the computer's liking, but which human would prefer the position after} ( 18.Qa5 Qe5+ 19.Kf2 Kxe7 {when Black is up a central pawn and on top of that has the more active pieces?!} ) 18...Rxb5 19.Nxg7+ Ke7 {Nakamura neglects the knight and goes for an attack himself. After} ( 19...Kf8 {White can try either:} 20.Bh6 ( {Or} 20.Nxe6+ fxe6 21.cxb5 {when at least material wise the position is balanced.} ) 20...Qe5+ 21.Kf2 ( 21.Be2 dxc4 $1 {and there are no decisive discovered checks.} ) 21...Qb2+ 22.Be2 dxc4 {Perhaps both players came up to this point in their preliminary calculations and continued with} 23.Rhb1 Qe5 ( {However} 23...Ne4+ $1 {would have been very strong instead and now no matter if White captures or not on e4 the queen goes back to f6.} 24.fxe4 Qf6+ ) 24.Bxc4 {when it is indeed not yet clear.} ) 20.cxb5 Nc5 $6 {Objectively better was:} ( 20...Qe5+ $1 21.Kd1 Nc5 {Not letting the white bishop on b2. After} 22.Rb1 Nce4 $1 23.fxe4 Nxe4 {Black's atatck is huge. For example:} 24.Bb2 ( 24.Rb2 {might be best but I doubt that anyone would like to be in White's shoes after} 24...Nc3+ 25.Kd2 Qxg7 ) 24...Nf2+ 25.Kd2 Qf4+ 26.Ke1 Nxh1 {and Black should win.} ) 21.Bb2 Nxb3 22.axb3 Qf4 {Or:} ( 22...Rg8 23.Bd4 Qf4 24.Bc5+ Kd7 25.Ra7+ Kc8 26.Kd1 {when anything is possible.} ( 26.Ra8+ Kb7 27.Ra7+ Kb8 ) ) 23.Be2 $6 {Topalov returns the favor. The rook should not have been allowed on the open file.} ( {The knight cannot escape:} 23.Nh5 Qe3+ $1 24.Be2 ( {Or mate after} 24.Kd1 Qxb3+ 25.Kc1 Rc8+ ) 24...Nxh5 25.Bxh8 Nf4 26.Ra2 Nd3+ {and mate on the next move.} ) ( 23.Ra7+ $1 {was mandatory when after} 23...Nd7 ( 23...Kf8 24.Nxe6+ fxe6 25.b6 Qe3+ 26.Kd1 Qxb3+ 27.Kc1 Qe3+ 28.Kb1 Qxb6 29.Ra8+ Kg7 30.Rxh8 Kxh8 31.Bxf6+ Kg8 ) 24.Nf5+ exf5 25.Rxd7+ Kxd7 26.Bxh8 Qe3+ 27.Kd1 ( 27.Be2 $2 d4 ) 27...Qxb3+ 28.Kd2 {Black has perpetual check, but hardly more.} ) 23...Rc8 24.Rd1 Qg5 25.b6 $2 {This is already serious mistake. The king had to escape:} ( 25.O-O Qxg7 26.Bd4 Rc2 27.Rf2 {when anything is possible.} ) 25...Rc2 ( 25...Qxg7 {was not bad neither.} ) 26.Bxf6+ {There is not time for pawn promotions:} ( 26.b7 $2 Qe3 {mate is there.} ) 26...Qxf6 $1 {Better than:} ( 26...Kxf6 27.b7 Qe3 ( 27...Rxe2+ 28.Kxe2 Qe5+ 29.Kf2 Kxg7 ) 28.Nh5+ Ke7 29.Ng3 Qb6 30.Rd2 ) 27.Nh5 ( {Once again the pawn is not going anywhere} 27.b7 Qc3+ 28.Kf2 Qc5+ 29.Kf1 Qa7 ) 27...Qc3+ 28.Kf1 ( 28.Kf2 {changes nothing after} 28...Qc5+ 29.Ke1 Qxb6 ) 28...Qe3 {Topalov saved the knight but his king remained stuck in the middle of the board. Because of that the rook on h1 suffers and the deal is definitely not a good one.} 29.Re1 Qxb6 {Played very quickly. Nakamura missed an instant win with:} ( 29...d4 $1 30.b7 d3 31.b8=Q dxe2+ 32.Rxe2 Qxe2+ 33.Kg1 Qxg2# ) 30.Nf4 ( 30.g3 Qe3 31.Nf4 {would transpose into the game.} ) 30...Qe3 {Black is still clearly on top and does not let his opponent slip away.} 31.g3 ( {The knight cannot go anywhere} 31.Nd3 Rxe2 32.Rxe2 Qxd3 ) 31...Qxb3 ( 31...Kf8 $1 {at once with the idea to push e6-e5 at once was even stronger-} 32.Kg2 e5 ) 32.Kg2 Kf8 {Prophylaxis against:} ( 32...e5 33.Kh3 {when the knight is invinsible} 33...exf4 $4 ( {Instead} 33...Rd2 {keeps solid edge for Black.} ) 34.Bc4+ ) 33.Kh3 Qb2 34.Rb1 ( 34.Bd3 Rd2 35.Re2 e5 {does not look appealing at all neither.} ) 34...Qf6 35.Rhe1 e5 ( 35...Qf5+ 36.Kg2 e5 {was good as well.} ) 36.Nxd5 Qe6+ 37.Kg2 Qxd5 38.Rxb4 Qd2 39.Rb8+ Kg7 40.Kf1 {Topalov's hopes are pinned with fortresses. But the pawns are too "hairy" and they would never be locked.} 40...Qh6 41.Kg2 e4 $1 {Opens the road for the queen which is impeccable in similar situation.} 42.Rb3 ( 42.fxe4 Qe3 {wins material by force after} ( 42...Qh5 43.Kf1 Qxh2 {should be enough for the win too.} ) 43.Kf1 Qxe4 44.Kf2 Qd4+ 45.Kf1 Qf6+ 46.Kg1 Qe6 ( 46...Qe5 47.Rb5 ) 47.Kf2 Qh6 48.h4 Qf6+ 49.Kg2 Qe5 ) 42...Qe6 43.Re3 exf3+ 44.Kxf3 Qh3 45.Rd1 Qh5+ 46.Kf2 Qxh2+ {It is not only the pawn, but the white king which is deprived of any defenders.} 47.Kf3 Rc6 48.Rd4 Rg6 49.g4 Rf6+ 50.Ke4 Qh1+ 51.Kd3 Qb1+ 52.Kd2 Qb2+ 53.Kd3 Rc6 0-1

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.15"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[ECO "B96"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8250363791907"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[WhiteClock "0:20:08"]
[BlackClock "0:12:58"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 {" I decided to go for this to surprise him, as I do not normally play like that. But I have done some work in the line before the tournament." - Caruana.} 6...e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 {A fashionable version of the Poisoned Pawn Variation. It is not as common as the immediate 7...Qb6, but the position of the white bishop on h4 may favor Black in some of the sharp lines after the capture on b2.} 9.a3 {This saves the pawn just in case.} 9...Be7 ( 9...Qxb2 $4 10.Na4 ) 10.Bf2 {This is an argument against the early h7-h6, but Black can also be happy from the fact that the white bishop has left the h4-d8 diagonal.} 10...Qc7 11.Qf3 Nbd7 ( {Another top game in the same city went} 11...b5 12.g4 Nc6 13.O-O-O Bb7 14.h4 d5 15.e5 Ne4 {with a double-edged position in Grischuk,A (2750)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2765) London 2015.} ) 12.O-O-O b5 13.g4 g5 {A typical way to stop White's aggression on the kingside. Black is ready to sacrifice a pawn for the e5 outpost.} 14.h4 gxf4 {Instead it is White who sacrifices the pawn.} 15.Be2 ( {Nobody had yet tried:} 15.g5 Ne5 16.Qxf4 ) 15...b4 {A novelty by Nakamura. But he is not yet aware how prepared his opponent is...} ( {A novelty in comparison to another top GM game which I annotated for the Chess.com members in April. That game saw} 15...Rg8 {to which White reacted badly with} 16.Rdg1 $6 {and eventually lost after} 16...d5 {Giri,A (2790)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2788) Stavanger 2016} ) ( {In the analysis of that game I mentioned the queen sacrifice idea after} 15...Ne5 16.Qxf4 Nexg4 17.Bxg4 e5 18.Qxf6 ( {But here there is no need to sacrifice the queen. The simple} 18.Nd5 $1 Nxd5 19.Qf3 Bxg4 20.Qxg4 Nf6 21.Qf3 {gave advantage for White Nekhaev,A (2535)-Yamaliev, V (2477) corr. 2013} ) 18...Bxf6 19.Nd5 Qd8 20.Nc6 {although Vachier-Lagrave prolonged the line with the move} 20...Bxg4 {and the verdict "wouldn't be as smart as it looks".} ) 16.axb4 Ne5 17.Qxf4 Nexg4 18.Bxg4 e5 {Now comes the shocker.} 19.Qxf6 $3 {Brilliant. The queen sacrifice is not something unusual in the Sicilian and Nakamura was obviously expecting it. However it seems as he did not dig deep into the position and Caruana quickly proved his advantage.} ( {Nakamura's idea is revealed in the line:} 19.Nd5 Nxd5 20.Qf3 Nxb4 {which leads to far better version for Black of the email game from above.} ) 19...Bxf6 20.Nd5 Qd8 21.Nf5 $1 {Found by Caruana's second Rustam Kasimdzhanov. For the queen White has only two horses. But these are special breed, 10 million bucks each.} ( 21.Nc6 {is the first choice of the engine.} ) 21...Rb8 {Nakamura seeks counterplay.} ( {"The computer does not understand that Black is lost. This is one of the saddest positions that I have seen for Black." - Caruana} 21...Bxf5 22.Bxf5 {leaves Black without any counterplay. White will soon start advancing his pawns on the queenside.} ) 22.Nxf6+ Qxf6 23.Rxd6 {Not bad, but instead Caruana was winning with the magical} ( 23.Nxd6+ Kf8 24.Bf5 $3 {when the white pieces dominate the field. It is quite amazing to see how helpless the queen is against the minors after} 24...Bxf5 ( 24...Bb7 25.Bc5 $1 ) 25.Nxf5 Rd8 26.Rxd8+ Qxd8 27.Rd1 Qf6 28.Bc5+ Ke8 ( 28...Kg8 29.Rd6 {traps the queen as well.} ) 29.Rd6 Qg6 30.Bb6 $1 {This keeps the black pawn on f7 and is even better than} ( 30.Rxg6 fxg6 31.Ne3 {where by the way, White should also win.} ) ) 23...Be6 24.Rhd1 O-O {Black managed to castle at least, but the main problem remains: all his pieces are passive.} 25.h5 Qg5+ {Since Bf2-h4 to force the queen on the horrific h8 was a threat Nakamura goes for a forcing line. Caruana have carefully calculated the possible counter play after:} ( 25...Rxb4 26.Bh4 Qxh4 27.Nxh4 Bxg4 28.Rg1 Rxe4 29.Nf5 Kh7 30.Rxh6+ Kg8 31.Rxa6 {and White wins.} ) 26.Be3 Qf6 27.Nxh6+ Kh8 28.Bf5 {A solid decision.} ( {Caruana discarded the line} 28.Nxf7+ Qxf7 29.Rxe6 Rbd8 {because of} 30.Rh6+ ( {He intuitively did not want to trade a pair of rooks in order to keep his attacking potential, but the simple} 30.Rxd8 $1 {wins on the spot after} 30...Rxd8 31.Bf5 {Intending Be3-g5 and eventually Re6-h6+ followed by Bg5-f6 as an idea. The bishops are dominating the board and the queen cannot even find an operating file or diagonal.} ) 30...Kg7 31.Rg1 Qf1+ $1 32.Bd1+ ( 32.Rxf1 Rxf1+ 33.Bd1 Rdxd1# ) 32...Qxg1 33.Bxg1 Rf1 $1 {when Black takes over the initiative.} ( {Or even} 33...Kxh6 ) ) 28...Qe7 $2 {In search for tactical chances Black blunders. Caruana expected:} ( 28...Rfe8 {to which he wanted to continue with} 29.b3 {followed by Kc1-b1 and slowly mount pressure. He considered his position strategically won.} ( {White disliked} 29.Rg1 Rxb4 30.Bg5 {since he could not see anything decisive after} 30...Qg7 ) ) 29.b5 {Kills all the tactical chances. White saw the other winning line:} ( 29.Nxf7+ Rxf7 30.Rxe6 Qxb4 31.Rh6+ Kg8 32.Rg1+ Rg7 33.Be6+ Kf8 {and now} 34.Bc5+ $1 ( {But not} 34.Rh8+ Ke7 35.Rxg7+ Kd6 {and because of the mating threat on e1 Black is in the game (Caruana)} ) 34...Qxc5 35.Rh8+ Ke7 36.Rxg7+ Kd6 ( 36...Kxe6 37.Rh6# ) 37.Rxb8 {Caruana saw this far but thought that there was perpetual after Qc5-g1+ Only in the post mortem he realized that the white rook on g7 is defending that square.} ) 29...Qe8 30.Nxf7+ Rxf7 31.Rxe6 Qxb5 32.Rh6+ {And since the black queen is not longer threatening checkmate on e1 Black resigned. A possible follow up would have been:} ( 32.Rh6+ Kg8 33.Rg1+ Rg7 34.Be6+ Kf8 35.Rh8+ Ke7 36.Rxg7+ Kd6 ( 36...Kxe6 37.Rh6# ) 37.Rxb8 {and White is completely winning.} ) 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.16"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[ECO "B96"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7907190004304"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[WhiteClock "0:23:56"]
[BlackClock "0:10:49"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 {Life is funny. Yesterday Nakamura lost in this line as Black; today he is checking out his opponent's prep there. "I borrowed this line from Maxime, but after my loss yesterday in which I practically made no move I was not sure how should Black defend."} 9.a3 Be7 10.Bf2 Qc7 11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.O-O-O b5 13.g4 Bb7 {A relatively rare move, although very normal for the Najdorf.} ( {Vachier-Lagrave is deviating from both his game with Giri and Caruana-Nakamura from yesterday. Those saw:} 13...g5 14.h4 gxf4 15.Be2 Rg8 ( 15...b4 {was played yesterday in the American battle.} ) 16.Rdg1 {Giri,A (2790)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2788) Stavanger 2016} ) 14.Bg2 Rc8 ( 14...g5 15.h4 gxf4 16.g5 Ne5 17.Qxf4 Nh5 18.Qd2 hxg5 19.hxg5 O-O-O 20.Kb1 Nc4 {was the course of the rapid game Naiditsch,A (2702)-Guliyev,N (2545) Le Port Marly 2012} ) ( {The immediate} 14...O-O-O {is also a possibility although White should be better once that he advances the kingside pawns.} ) 15.Kb1 g5 {Black needs to secure some central squares for his pieces.} ( {It is obvious Black can never castle "into it"} 15...O-O 16.h4 $1 {as the hook on h6 will make it incredibly easy for White to open files and checkmate.} ) 16.Qh3 ( {Naturally not} 16.fxg5 hxg5 {followed by Nd7-e5 and Black will have his dream Najdorf.} ) 16...Nc5 {Only this is a novelty. Some email games saw:} ( 16...Nh7 {to which besides the move} 17.e5 ( {White may also try} 17.f5 $5 {which definitely looks interesting.} ) 17...Bxg2 18.Qxg2 gxf4 19.exd6 Bxd6 20.Rhe1 {with a mess in Marez,S (2444)-Szymanski,R (2439) corr. 2012} ) ( 16...gxf4 {is always met with} 17.g5 ) 17.Rhe1 {Since Black is not castling, White will try to open the game in the center.} 17...h5 {This works well for White, but it is not obvious what to do. The capture on g5 is an obvious threat. If:} ( {After} 17...gxf4 18.g5 Nfd7 {White is going to soften the e6 pawn with} 19.g6 $1 fxg6 20.Nxe6 Nxe6 21.Qxe6 Ne5 22.Bd4 {with strong attack for White.} ) 18.Nf5 $1 {Not only fun and risk free (Nakamura) but very typical and strong. Vachier-Lagrave's king is getting exposed and the power of the white rooks on the central files-is unleashed.} ( 18.fxg5 {would allow the black knight a chance to go to the e5 square.} 18...Nxg4 ) 18...Ncxe4 ( {If Black accepts the sacrifice} 18...exf5 19.exf5 Bxg2 20.Qxg2 {the problems come from the open e-file and the shaky posiiton of the f6 knight. Once that it is removed, Nc3-d5 follows and this is a killer. For example:} 20...gxf4 21.g5 Rg8 22.Bd4 Kd8 23.Qd2 Rxg5 24.Bxf6 Bxf6 25.Nd5 {and wins.} ) 19.Bxe4 Nxe4 ( {Instead} 19...Bxe4 20.Nxe7 Kxe7 21.fxg5 {drops a piece.} ) 20.Bd4 {An important attacking-defensive move.} ( 20.Nxe4 $2 Bxe4 21.Rxe4 $2 Qxc2+ ) 20...Rg8 21.Nxe7 $1 {The bishop seems to be a bad piece but it is the key defender. Once that it goes away, the force of White's attack would be multiplied by the opposite-colored bishops.} 21...Kxe7 22.gxh5 gxf4 ( {One line that demonstrates the OCB attack runs} 22...Nxc3+ 23.Bxc3 gxf4 24.h6 e5 25.h7 Rh8 26.Bb4 $5 Qxc2+ 27.Ka1 Rcd8 28.Rxe5+ {and this is basically it.} ) 23.Qh4+ Kf8 24.Ka1 $5 {A clever move that side-steps the check after Qc7xc2+.} ( {White wanted to capture on f4, but disliked} 24.Qxf4 e5 25.Qh6+ Ke7 26.Qh7 ( {Instead White should go for the familiar OCB attack with} 26.Nxe4 Bxe4 27.Bc3 {with a clear advantage.} ) 26...Nf6 {"and it is not so clear anymore" (Nakamura)} ) ( {Nakamura missed that he could have transposed the moves:} 24.h6 $1 e5 25.h7 Rh8 26.Ka1 $1 {is the most convincing win} 26...exd4 ( 26...Nxc3 27.Qh6+ Ke7 28.Bxc3 {with the threat Bc3-b4.} 28...a5 29.Bxa5 $1 ) 27.Nxe4 {Black is helpless.} ) 24...b4 {This makes things easier for White.} ( 24...Qe7 25.Qxf4 ( {"No, no, I do not take the piece with"} 25.Qxe7+ Kxe7 26.Nxe4 Bxe4 27.Rxe4 {"as after"} 27...e5 {"he has all those pawns in the center and I might be the one in some trouble" Nakamura.} ) 25...Qg5 26.Rxe4 Qxf4 27.Rxf4 e5 28.Rff1 {"at the very least Black is going to suffer for very long time" Nakamura.} ) 25.Nxe4 $1 {White wins; he had calculated everything till the end. MVL's idea was:} ( 25.axb4 e5 26.Nxe4 Bxe4 27.Rxe4 Qxc2 28.Ree1 Qa4+ 29.Kb1 Qc2+ {with perpetual.} ) 25...Bxe4 26.Rxe4 Qxc2 ( {Or} 26...e5 27.h6 exd4 28.h7 Rh8 29.Qh6# ) 27.Ree1 bxa3 28.Qxf4 ( {Of course not:} 28.bxa3 $4 Rg2 {when Black is checkmating.} ) 28...axb2+ 29.Bxb2 Rg5 {Black is threatening mate, but it is White to check first.} 30.Qxd6+ Kg8 ( {There is checkmate on the other side:} 30...Ke8 31.Rxe6+ fxe6 32.Qxe6+ Kf8 33.Qf6+ Ke8 34.Re1+ ) 31.Rg1 Qa4+ 32.Ba3 {The most convincing. Nakamura also knew that he is winning after:} ( 32.Qa3 Qxa3+ 33.Bxa3 Rxg1 34.Rxg1+ Kh7 35.Bc1 ) 32...Rxg1 33.Rxg1+ Kh7 34.Qd3+ Kh6 ( 34...f5 35.Qd6 Qe8 36.Qf4 Qxh5 37.Bb2 {would be soon mate too. Say} 37...Rg8 38.Qc7+ Kh6 39.Bg7+ Kh7 40.Bf8+ ) 35.Rg6+ $1 {A nice little move to force the black king uncover itself.} 35...Kxh5 ( 35...fxg6 36.Qxg6# ) 36.Rg1 f5 37.Qf3+ {It is either mate or queen gain.} 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.17"]
[Round "8.4"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Beauty "8042057841184"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[WhiteClock "0:20:13"]
[BlackClock "0:07:34"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 O-O 6.e3 c5 {This line of the Queen's Gambit Declined was heavily explored in the 1978 Karpov-Korchnoi match in Baguio city. Nowadays it is played by practically all of the top players.} 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.a3 ( 8.Qc2 {at once is the other main move.} ) 8...Nc6 9.Qc2 Re8 {A move that Anand had to face in his second match against Carlsen in Sochi, 2014.} ( 9...Qa5 {remains the main line, for example} 10.Rd1 Re8 11.Nd2 e5 12.Bg5 Nd4 13.Qa4 Qxa4 14.Nxa4 Nc2+ 15.Ke2 Nd4+ 16.Ke1 Nc2+ 17.Ke2 Nd4+ 18.Ke1 Nc2+ {1/2-1/2 Karjakin,S (2773)-Nakamura,H (2787) Bilbao 2016} ) 10.O-O-O ( {The aforementioned game went} 10.Bg5 Be7 11.Rd1 Qa5 12.Bd3 h6 13.Bh4 dxc4 14.Bxc4 a6 {and Black was close to equality, Anand,V (2792)-Carlsen,M (2863) Sochi 2014} ) 10...e5 11.Bg5 d4 12.Nd5 {All of this was blitzed out until Anand uncorked the strong novelty} 12...b5 {"An improvement which my second brought to my attention. There are seven, eight moves that we have analyzed here, and all of them are playable." (Anand)} ( {Prior to this game, Black was sacrificing a pawn for the initiative with:} 12...Be7 13.Nxe7+ Qxe7 14.exd4 Nxd4 15.Nxd4 exd4 16.Rxd4 Qe5 {Lalith,B (2569)-Thejkumar,M (2452) Jalgaon 2013} ) 13.Bxf6 $2 {This looks a bit premature. Why release the pressure when there are no concrete threats on the kingside?} ( {Perhaps White could try} 13.cxb5 Na5 ( 13...Qxd5 14.Bc4 {the next time this position occurs on the board. But he has to be heavily prepared for the arising complications.} ) ) 13...gxf6 14.cxb5 Na5 $1 15.exd4 ( {Obviously not} 15.Qxc5 $4 Nb3+ ) ( 15.b4 Qxd5 16.bxc5 Nb3+ {leaves the white king badly exposed.} ) 15...exd4 16.Nb4 {This is pretty much the only move as otherwise Black clears the c-file for his heavy pieces amazingly fast:} ( 16.Nf4 Bd6 17.Nd3 Be6 {and Black has strong threats.} ) ( 16.Ne3 $5 Be6 17.Nc4 Rc8 {looks unpleasant as well.} ) 16...Bxb4 17.axb4 Be6 $1 {The opening was a huge success for Black. He opened files on the queenside and has an obvious attack.} 18.Nxd4 {There is hardly a better choice:} ( 18.bxa5 Rc8 {drops the queen.} ) ( 18.Kb1 Qd5 19.Qa4 Nb3 {leads to problems on the queenside.} ) 18...Rc8 19.Nc6 Nxc6 20.bxc6 Qb6 21.Qa4 ( {White cannot stitch the position on the queenside with} 21.b5 {due to} 21...a6 ) ( 21.Kb1 {was relatively best and after} 21...Rxc6 22.Qa4 {would transpose into the game.} ) 21...Rxc6+ {A slip. The engines discovered the clever} ( 21...Bg4 $1 {to lure the pawn to} 22.f3 {after which, the e3-square is weakened, and Black wins after} 22...Bf5 23.Bd3 Qe3+ ) 22.Kb1 Rd8 23.Rxd8+ Qxd8 24.Be2 {Somewhere around here Topalov started to defend "exceptionally well." - Anand.} 24...Bf5+ 25.Ka2 Rc2 ( 25...Qd6 $1 {was better and only after} 26.Ka1 ( 26.Rd1 Qe6+ ) 26...Rc2 ) 26.Rd1 Qb6 {At first, Anand wanted to put the queen on c7, and he spent a lot of time calculating the mind-boggling line:} ( 26...Qc7 27.Qe8+ Kg7 28.Rd8 Be6+ 29.Ka3 Qc3+ 30.Ka4 ( 30.bxc3 Ra2# ) 30...Qb3+ 31.Ka5 Rxe2 32.Qh8+ Kh6 33.Qxf6+ Kh5 34.Rd4 {This is where he gave up calculating, but the computer prolonged the line with} 34...Re4 $1 {although nothing is yet clear after} 35.f4 $3 {when both kings are under fire.} ( 35.Rxe4 Qa2+ $1 {Much better than} ( 35...Qd5+ $6 36.b5 Qxe4 37.f3 ) 36.Kb5 Qd5+ {and Black wins.} ) ) 27.Bg4 $1 Qe6+ ( 27...Bxg4 28.Qxc2 Bxd1 29.Qxd1 Qxb4 ) 28.Ka3 ( 28.Ka1 Qe5 {does not look healthy for White.} ) 28...Qe5 29.Qb3 Bg6 30.Bf3 ( {Perhaps Topalov was already calculating the line} 30.h4 {to trouble the black bishop.} 30...Rxf2 31.Rd5 Qf4 32.Bf3 {This was the reason he went for h2-h4 on the next move.} ) 30...Rxf2 31.h4 {But this does not transpose to the line from above. Black has a much stronger move. Instead Topalov should have opted for either} ( 31.Rd5 ) ( {or the move that he suggested himself} 31.Rc1 {In both cases, White's position remains worrisome but full of life.} ) 31...Bc2 $1 32.Rd8+ Kg7 33.Qc3 $2 {This loses on the spot. White would be still in the game after} ( 33.Qc4 Qe3+ 34.Ka2 Qc1 35.Qg4+ Bg6 36.Qd4 Qb1+ ( 36...Bb1+ ) 37.Kb3 Bc2+ {although it is obvious who is on the attack.} ) 33...Qb5 34.Qc6 Rxf3+ $1 {The move that White missed.} ( 34...Rxf3+ 35.gxf3 ( 35.Qxf3 Qa4# ) 35...Qxc6 ) 0-1

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.18"]
[Round "9.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "A37"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "6804704600081"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[WhiteClock "0:33:27"]
[BlackClock "0:19:41"]

1.c4 g6 2.Nc3 c5 3.g3 {It might sound strange to try and win against the clearly out-of-form Topalov in a slow English opening, but this way of playing is proven to be the most difficult for someone who has a bad tournament. The longer you apply the pressure, the better the chance is that this player collapses under pressure.} 3...Bg7 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.O-O e6 7.e3 Nge7 8.d4 O-O 9.Re1 {Quite a rare move.} ( {Instead} 9.d5 {is also possible and} 9...Na5 10.Nd2 exd5 11.cxd5 b5 $5 {was the course of the game Grandelius,N (2649)-Li,C (2755) Stavanger 2016} ) ( 9.dxc5 {is definitely a move too.} ) ( {And} 9.b3 {is sort of a main line.} ) 9...a6 {A logical novelty. Black starts his play on the queenside.} ( {In all the games so far, Black continued with} 9...Re8 10.b3 Rb8 11.Bb2 cxd4 12.exd4 d5 {with complex play in Grischuk,A (2783)-Dominguez Perez,L (2754) Beijing 2013} ) 10.Bd2 Rb8 11.Rc1 b6 {Obviously, Black disliked the obvious:} ( 11...b5 {The reason might be the line:} 12.dxc5 dxc5 13.Ne4 Bxb2 14.cxb5 $1 Bxc1 ( 14...Rxb5 15.Rxc5 ) 15.Nf6+ Kg7 16.Qxc1 Kxf6 17.bxc6 Kg7 18.Qxc5 {with a fantastic position for White.} ) 12.Ne2 {Aronian stopped the queenside play, but since his knight no longer has access to the center, Topalov can start central play.} 12...e5 13.Bc3 h6 {A useful move that takes away the g5-square from the white knight.} ( 13...b5 $5 ) 14.d5 {Aronian plays against the black knight.} 14...Nb4 ( {In bad or good shape, Topalov is Topalov. No one would really expect a gloomy retreat like} 14...Na7 ) 15.Ra1 {With the obvious threat, 16.a3 to trap the knight.} ( {Trading the bishop for a knight is never a good idea} 15.Bxb4 cxb4 ) 15...b5 $5 {The point behind the previous move. Black sacrifices a piece for two-three pawns.} ( 15...a5 16.a3 Na6 17.Nd2 {would work well for White. The knight on a6 is badly misplaced.} ) 16.a3 bxc4 17.axb4 cxb4 18.Bd2 Nxd5 19.Qc1 {Now if Black consolidates, he will be the clear favorite. Therefore Aronian hurries to create some damage to the pawns.} 19...c3 $1 {This should have been foreseen in advance.} ( 19...Qc7 {does not work due to} 20.Nxe5 $1 Nxe3 21.Bxe3 dxe5 22.Bxh6 {with a clear edge for White.} ) 20.bxc3 b3 21.Qb1 ( 21.Qb2 $5 {might have been a tad more precise.} ) 21...Nf6 {Intending 22...Bc8-f5.} 22.Qb2 ( 22.e4 $5 {can be met with another pawn sacrifice:} 22...Be6 23.Rxa6 b2 {when the b2 passer is more than annoying.} ) 22...Qc7 23.c4 $1 {Aronian gets operating room for his pieces.} ( {Black was ready to sacrifice another pawn after} 23.Ra3 Be6 24.Rxa6 Nd7 $1 {with the idea Nd7-c5-d3 (or a4)!} ) 23...Qxc4 24.Nc3 {Now Bg2-f1 and Re1-c1 are always ideas here.} 24...Be6 25.Rec1 Nd7 {The queen is not even blinking an eye...} 26.e4 ( {Since in case of the immediate} 26.Bf1 Qg4 {the queen is nicely shifted to the kingside.} ) 26...Nc5 27.Bf1 Qb4 28.Be3 Rfc8 29.Nd2 a5 {Both sides are consistently shifting their pieces to the queenside where is the actual battleground. And since the black pawns are becoming very dangerous, Aronian needs to swap off some pieces.} 30.Bxc5 Rxc5 31.Ra4 Qb7 32.Bc4 Qc6 {But in the process, Topalov gets a lot of activity.} 33.Bd5 Bxd5 34.exd5 Qd7 ( 34...Qc7 {to keep the pin was more to the point.} ) 35.Ra3 a4 {It should be added that Black was very low on time at this stage of the game.} 36.Nxa4 Rxd5 37.Nxb3 e4 38.Qa2 Qf5 39.Re1 Rdb5 40.Rc1 d5 {Time trouble is over, it is time to take stock. Although Black lost a pawn, he is hardly losing anything. A bishop is almost always better than a knight in the endgame. There are very few pawns left, and they are on the same flank. In the worst possible scenario, Topalov can hope to trade them all and get into one of the many theoretical draws where the knights are involved. Speaking about the knights, they are kind of lost on the queenside at the moment.} 41.Nac5 d4 42.Ra7 d3 {Once again, the black pawns are becoming extremely dangerous.} 43.Rc7 h5 {An excellent move from every angle. From an attacking point of view, it weakens the kingside or brings a "nail" into the h3-square. From a defensive point of view: trade pawns.} 44.Qa4 h4 45.Qxe4 {Aronian had enough of these pawns and decided to force a draw. A correct decision, but after...} 45...Qxe4 46.Nxe4 Rxb3 47.gxh4 $4 {the Armenian GM badly errs. Correct was} ( 47.Rd7 {to take care of the passer at once. After} 47...h3 48.Rd1 Bh6 {he should take the pawn carefully with} 49.Nc5 ( {White cannot capture the pawn at once due to the back-rank mate} 49.R7xd3 $4 Rxd3 50.Rxd3 Rb1+ ) 49...Rb1 50.Rxd3 {when the point should be split.} ) 47...Bh6 48.Rf1 {This sets a small trap, but Black does not need to fall into it. The intermediate check does not help:} ( 48.Rc8+ Rxc8 49.Rxc8+ Kg7 50.Rd8 Rb1+ 51.Kg2 d2 52.Nxd2 ( {Or} 52.Rxd2 Bxd2 53.Nxd2 Rb2 {when Black should also win. The typical plan is to bring the king to e2 for instance and sacrifice the exchange back in the proper moment.} ) 52...Rd1 {and the knight is lost to the pin.} ) ( {Here} 48.Rd1 {is already slow due to} 48...Rb1 49.Rxb1 Rxb1+ 50.Kg2 d2 {and Black wins.} ) 48...R3b4 {Aronian's trap is revealed in the line:} ( 48...Rb1 49.Rd7 Rxf1+ 50.Kxf1 Rb1+ 51.Kg2 d2 52.Nxd2 Rd1 53.Ne4 Rxd7 54.Nf6+ Kg7 55.Nxd7 ) 49.f3 ( {Or:} 49.Ng5 Rxh4 50.Nxf7 Bf4 51.Rd7 Rh7 $1 52.Rxd3 Rxf7 ) 49...Rb2 {Black is winning, the d2-passer is too strong.} 50.Nf6+ Kg7 51.Ng4 d2 52.Rd7 ( 52.Nxh6 Kxh6 53.Rd7 Re8 {followed by Re8-e1 would be similar to the game.} ) 52...Re8 53.Nf2 Re1 {With the unstoppable threat Rb2-b1!} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Challengers"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.14"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Ragger, Markus"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2697"]
[BlackElo "2667"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7632291105854"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteClock "0:51:32"]
[BlackClock "0:56:07"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 a6 6.h3 {Surprise! According to my Megabase, Ragger have never played like this before.} ( 6.Be3 {is his usual choice.} ) 6...e5 7.Nde2 b5 {Xiong also deviates from his usual choice.} ( {He played} 7...h5 {twice, the more recent example continued} 8.Bg5 Be6 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.Nd5 Qd8 11.Nec3 g6 12.Bc4 Bh6 {Kritz,L (2583)-Xiong,J (2473) Richardson 2015} ) 8.Ng3 {Solid, whereas} ( 8.Nd5 {leads to very exciting variations and was tested by the Najdorf-specialist Vachier-Lagrave.} ) 8...Qc7 9.Bd3 {The alternative was:} ( 9.a4 b4 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.Qxd5 Nc6 12.Be3 Be6 13.Qd2 g6 {when Black was more or less OK in Fedoseev,V (2673)-Kokarev,D (2634) Khanty-Mansiysk 2016} ) 9...Be6 {From here on the players will be out of the book. A predecessor saw Black doing quite well after:} ( 9...g6 10.O-O Bg7 11.Bg5 Nbd7 12.Re1 O-O 13.Nf1 b4 14.Nb1 Bb7 15.Nbd2 d5 $1 {Motylev,A (2663)-Sarana,A (2457) Tallinn 2016} ) 10.O-O Nbd7 11.f4 Be7 12.Qf3 {Black is not afraid of:} ( 12.f5 Bc4 {yet. Say} 13.a3 O-O 14.Qf3 a5 {looks good for him.} ) 12...O-O {The most reliable way against White's kingside expansion is:} ( 12...exf4 13.Bxf4 Ne5 ) 13.Kh1 {An useful prophylactic move. Ragger feels that his opponent is not going to capture on f4. The immediate:} ( 13.f5 {would not bring to the desired effect as Black has counterplay with} 13...Bc4 14.a3 ( 14.Bg5 b4 15.Nd1 Bb5 $5 16.Ne3 Bc6 {to cover d5 is an idea.} ) 14...a5 15.Bg5 b4 {and the white knight does not reach the d5-square.} ) 13...Qc6 {Once again simpler and stronger was:} ( 13...exf4 14.Bxf4 Ne5 ) 14.f5 Bc4 15.Bg5 Rac8 $6 {That allows a strong sacrifice.} ( {Better was} 15...b4 16.Nd1 Bxd3 17.cxd3 h6 18.Bxf6 Nxf6 19.Ne3 Qc5 {hitting the knight on e3 and preventing the idea Ng3-h5 that would secure the d5-outpost for White forever. Although White should be better here as well.} ) 16.Nh5 b4 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 {Or:} ( 17...Bxf6 18.Bxc4 bxc3 19.Bd5 {with a clear edge for White thanks to the opposite-color bishops.} ) 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.Bxc4 $1 {The point. The pawn on c2 is irrelevant when it comes for the d5-outpost. Albeit typical, this idea is very pretty.} ( {The timid} 19.Ne2 d5 $1 {would be great for Black.} ) 19...Qxc4 20.Nd5 Qxc2 21.b3 $5 {Very cool move. The compensation for the pawn is more than obvious. The bishop on f6 hardly deserves it's name. neither is the pawn on d6 "extra." White could have won the pawn back with:} ( 21.Rf2 Qc5 22.Nxf6+ gxf6 23.Qg4+ Kh8 24.Qh4 Rg8 25.Qxf6+ Rg7 {but that allows some counterplay on the half-open "g" file. The black king will be safer too.} ) 21...a5 ( 21...Bd8 22.Nxb4 {would leave Black suffering for nothing.} ) 22.Qe3 $1 {Domination. Each of the white pieces is better than the opposite ones.} 22...Kh8 ( 22...Qc5 {would not stop the attack-} 23.Nxf6+ gxf6 24.Qh6 ) ( 22...Bd8 $4 {drops a rook to} 23.Rac1 ) 23.Rac1 {A neat move. Compare to} ( 23.Nxf6 Rc3 24.Qg5 gxf6 25.Qxf6+ Kg8 {when the black rook defends him from attacks along the third rank. It also threatens Rc3-g3.} ) 23...Qxa2 24.Nxf6 Rxc1 {Or:} ( 24...gxf6 25.Qh6 Kg8 26.Rf3 Rxc1+ 27.Qxc1 {when Black has to sacrifice his queen to avoid the worst.} ) 25.Rxc1 gxf6 26.Qh6 Kg8 27.Qxf6 {A slip in a won position. White would have finished a perfect game after:} ( 27.Rf1 $1 Qxb3 28.Qxf6 Qg3 29.Rf3 Qg7 30.Qh4 Kh8 31.Rg3 {winning the queen and the game.} ) 27...Qd2 28.Rf1 Re8 {Xiong returns the favor.} ( {Believe it or not, but White has no win after:} 28...h5 $3 29.Rf3 Kh7 {when the black queen is just in time to first defend the king} 30.Rg3 Qh6 31.Qe7 {And then force perpetual with:} 31...a4 32.bxa4 b3 33.Rxb3 Qc1+ 34.Kh2 Qf4+ {The queen is everywhere!} ) 29.Rf3 {Now the atatck is irresistable.} 29...a4 30.Rg3+ Kf8 31.Qg7+ Ke7 32.f6+ Kd8 ( {Or:} 32...Ke6 33.Qg4+ Kxf6 34.Qd7 Rf8 35.bxa4 b3 36.Rf3+ Kg7 37.Qe7 {when White should also win.} ) 33.Qxf7 a3 34.Qa7 Qc1+ 35.Kh2 Qf4 36.Qb8+ Kd7 37.Qb5+ Kd8 38.Qxb4 h5 {There was no way out:} ( 38...Qxf6 39.Qb8+ Kd7 ( 39...Ke7 40.Qc7+ Ke6 ( 40...Kf8 41.Qxh7 ) 41.Rg7 ) 40.Rg7+ $1 Qxg7 41.Qb7+ Ke6 42.Qxg7 Ra8 43.Qb7 {and White wins.} ) 39.Qxd6+ Kc8 40.Qc6+ Kd8 41.f7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.15"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2840"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7427072197153"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:34:56"]
[BlackClock "0:55:09"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.a3 {This appears to the the most popular line in Wijk so far.} 6...e5 7.Nf5 {" I checked it (this move) yesterday." Carlsen.} ( {Karjakin chose a different way yesterday:} 7.Nf3 Be7 ( 7...b5 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 10.a4 b4 11.Nd5 {Harikrishna,P (2763) -Giri, A (2790) Stavanger 2016} ) 8.Bc4 Be6 9.Ba2 O-O 10.O-O b5 11.Re1 Re8 12.Bg5 {Karjakin,S (2785)-Giri,A (2773) Tata Steel Masters 2017} ) 7...d5 {The most principled line. The dangers of the capture on f5 are demonstrated by this short game:} ( 7...Bxf5 8.exf5 d5 9.Bg5 d4 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Nd5 Qc6 12.c4 dxc3 13.Rc1 Bc5 $2 14.Rxc3 a5 15.Bb5 {1-0 (15) Schou Moldt,T (2210) -Skrabakova,K (2000) Teplice 2012} ) 8.Bg5 d4 ( 8...dxe4 {is bad due to} 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.Rd1+ Kc7 11.Nxg7 ( {Or} 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Nd5+ ) 11...Bxg7 12.Bxf6 {in both cases with advantage for White.} ) 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 {A novelty by Wojtaszek. Three previous games saw instead:} ( 9...gxf6 {For example:} 10.Ne2 Nc6 11.Neg3 Ne7 12.Nxe7 ( 12.Bd3 $5 ) 12...Bxe7 13.Be2 Qa5+ 14.b4 Qc7 15.O-O {Ramesh,R (2491)-Arun Prasad,S (2384) Hyderabad 2006} ) 10.Nd5 Qd8 {Perhaps Black will try next time:} ( 10...Qc6 $5 {when} 11.Qg4 g6 12.Qg3 Nd7 13.Nxd4 {does not seem dangerous because of} 13...exd4 14.Nc7+ Kd8 15.Nxa8 b5 ) 11.Qg4 $1 {"I think he missed this stuff." Carlsen.} 11...Bxf5 {The main point of the line is that:} ( 11...g6 {is bad due to} 12.Qg3 {When} 12...gxf5 $2 ( {While} 12...Nc6 {Allows the cute} 13.Nxd4 $1 exd4 ( 13...Nxd4 14.Qxe5+ ) 14.Nc7+ {and White wins material. This line should be investigated further since the white knight might get trapped on a8, but I am pretty sure that the world champion had done his homework.} ) 13.Qxe5+ {drops the rook on h8.} ) 12.Qxf5 Bd6 13.h4 $1 {An important move. Carlsen intends to shift his rook on the third rank for kingside attack. The h-pawn will also do a good job going forward.} 13...Nc6 14.Bc4 b5 15.Bb3 Ne7 {Wojtaszek cannot tolerate the white knight for sure.} 16.Qg4 O-O 17.Rh3 Nxd5 18.Bxd5 {A typical Najdorf position arose, one of the tough ones for Black. This one may be called the second worse for Black. In our GOTD from yesterday, we saw the worst one: good knight versus bad bishop. The opposite-color bishops with heavy pieces on the board is quite scary too. The main problem is the f7 square. Black always has to defend it passively. But that is not all. White can also attack on the h-file, the a-file and even on the c-file later. To cut the long story short: The one who has the better bishop has the long-term pressure.} 18...Ra7 19.Rg3 Qf6 ( {Or} 19...g6 20.h5 {with the threat to take twice on g6.} ) 20.a4 {The a-file. The white rook on a1 is the only piece which can do better at the moment.} ( {Carlsen avoids} 20.O-O-O Qf4+ ) 20...Bb4+ 21.Kf1 bxa4 22.Rxa4 a5 {Depriving the rook from access to the c-file:} ( 22...Bd6 23.Rc4 ) 23.Ra1 Rc7 24.Bb3 Ra8 25.Kg1 Bf8 26.Qh5 {White provokes another weakening. The threat is Rg3-f3.} 26...g6 ( {Black can hardly avoid this. If} 26...Raa7 27.Rf3 Qd6 28.Ra4 {The rook will make it to c4 anyway.} ) 27.Qg4 $6 {This seems imprecise. Better was the preliminary} ( 27.Rf3 Qd6 ( {Perhaps Carlsen disliked the endgame after} 27...gxh5 28.Rxf6 ) 28.Qg5 {with a clear advantage.} ) 27...Ra6 $6 {"Quite a poor move." Carlsen.} ( {Wojtaszek should have taken the queens from the board instead with} 27...Qf4 $1 28.Qxf4 exf4 29.Rd3 Bg7 {with good chances to survive in the endgame.} ) ( {The computer suggests instead} 27...a4 28.Rxa4 Rxa4 29.Bxa4 Bh6 {with the idea} 30.Bb3 Qf4 31.Qxf4 Bxf4 32.Rf3 Bc1 ) 28.h5 Qf4 {The king cannot hide easily:} ( 28...Kh8 29.Rh3 ) ( {Or} 28...Bg7 29.hxg6 hxg6 30.Rf3 Qd8 31.Ra4 {with a clear edge.} ) 29.Qe2 $1 {That is the difference in comparison to the immediate Qf6-f4. The queens remain on the board, and with them, White's attack is significantly stronger.} ( 29.Qxf4 exf4 30.Rg5 Rc5 {would have kept Black into the game.} ) 29...Qf6 30.Qb5 {Black's position is ready to collapse.} ( {Also good was:} 30.Rf3 Qc6 31.Bd5 Qb6 32.Ra4 ) 30...Qc6 {Drops a pawn. Black's best chance was:} ( 30...Rc5 31.hxg6 $5 {with the idea} ( {Or} 31.Qd7 Qe7 32.hxg6 hxg6 33.Qg4 ) ( {Carlsen could also repeat the moves with} 31.Qe2 {and come back to the Ra1-a4-c4 idea.} ) 31...Rxb5 $4 ( 31...hxg6 32.Qd7 Qe7 33.Qg4 {White keeps a large advantage, but the win needs to be proved.} ) 32.gxf7+ Kh8 33.Rg8# ) 31.Qxe5 Re7 ( {Perhaps Wojtaszek missed the mate in the line:} 31...Bd6 32.hxg6 $1 Bxe5 33.gxf7+ Kf8 34.Rg8+ Ke7 35.f8=Q+ Kd7 36.Qd8# ) 32.Qf4 a4 ( {The pawn cannot be regained:} 32...Qxe4 33.Bxf7+ ) 33.Bd5 Qc7 {Basically, resignation. However, Black should not survive after} ( 33...Qxc2 34.Rf3 Qc7 {either. For example} 35.Qd2 Bg7 36.Rc1 Qb8 37.Rc4 {with the idea Qd2-c2.} ) 34.Qd2 Qb6 35.Ra2 Rc7 36.Rf3 Qb4 37.Qe2 Rb6 38.hxg6 hxg6 39.g3 {In case of need, White can also attack on the h-file.} 39...Kg7 40.Kg2 Rd7 41.Qd1 Rf6 {Allows the final small combination.} 42.Rxf6 Kxf6 43.c3 $1 dxc3 44.Rxa4 {Black resigned due to:} ( 44.Rxa4 Qxb2 45.Qd4+ Ke7 ( {Or} 45...Kg5 46.Qh8 {and mate in seven.} ( 46.Qe5+ {should also do.} ) ) 46.Qe5+ Kd8 47.Ra8+ ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.16"]
[Round "3.6"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[ECO "E18"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7152194320986"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:50:48"]
[BlackClock "0:47:30"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 b6 3.d4 Bb7 4.c4 e6 {Rapport may play a ton of things but the QID is not (or at least according to the Megabase was not) one of those. But he obviously spotted that So has no games in this line either. Thus technically speaking they are both out of book. Which did not prevent them from following the main theory.} 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Bd2 Bf6 9.Rc1 Nxd2 10.Qxd2 d6 11.d5 e5 12.e4 Nd7 13.h4 {The kingside expansion limits the black bishops and opens the road for the white one. As long as there are plenty of pawns on the board White is save. However, if the game is opened the bishops might have the final word.} 13...a5 {Black on his term secures some nice squares and space on the queenside.} 14.Bh3 Nc5 15.Kg2 Bc8 {Technically speaking this bishop should be better than the white one, but not in this situation. It is biting the granite on the long diagonal while the white one is a celebrity on the neighbouring one.} 16.Rh1 {So is the first to leave the beaten track.} ( {At the Olympiad a very important game saw} 16.Bxc8 Qxc8 17.Qe2 Be7 18.Nd2 Nd7 {Tomashevsky,E (2731)-Ponomariov,R (2709) Baku 2016. Perhaps both Rapport and So had a close look at it while it was played.} ) 16...Bxh3+ 17.Rxh3 Qd7 {Now the position resembles the KID. White seems a bit better, but Black can prepare counterplay on the kingside with f7-f5 in the foreseeable future.} 18.Nh2 ( 18.Ne1 $5 {with the idea to jump to d3 and get rid of the black knight makes sense.} ) 18...h5 $1 {This fixes the pawn on h4. It also stops} ( 18...g6 19.h5 ) 19.f3 $6 {"A bad move," said So. "It prevents my queen from attacking the h-pawn and it also weakens the dark squares".} ( {Perhaps the knight should have retreated to the f3 square although Black's play is very straightforward here:} 19.Nf3 g6 {followed by Bf6-g7 and f7-f5.} ) 19...g6 20.g4 {It seems dangerous for Black but the cool} 20...Kh7 {reveals that the opening of the game is in Black's favor.} 21.Rh1 ( {For example} 21.gxh5 $2 gxh5 22.Nf1 Rg8+ 23.Ng3 Bg7 $1 {followed by Bg7-h6-f4 with strong pressure for Black.} ) 21...Rg8 22.Qd1 ( {Naturally White avoids the fixation of the pawn structure as after} 22.g5 Bg7 {Black will play Ra8-f8, f7-f6 and open the game at the best moment. In this case the pawn on f3 will become backwards and weak, as well as the remaining white pawn on the kingside (no matter if it is on g5 or even worse, h4.)} ) 22...Bg7 23.Nf1 {It seems as White is making progress. The knight will jump to g3, then there will be a trade on h5 and then the white knight will get to the excellent f5 outpost. However after} 23...Bh6 {it turns out that things are not that simple.} 24.Kf2 ( 24.Ng3 Bf4 {will come just in time when the knight will never make it to f5. For example:} ( 24...Be3 $5 ) 25.Kf1 Qe7 26.gxh5 Bxg3 $1 27.Rxg3 ( 27.hxg6+ $2 Rxg6 ) 27...gxh5 {and Black is better as the h4 is a target contrary to the one on h5.} ) ( 24.gxh5 $2 f5 $1 {is even worse for White who gets under a heavy attack.} 25.hxg6+ Rxg6+ 26.Rg3 Rag8 27.exf5 Qxf5 28.Qb1 Qxb1 29.Nxb1 Bf4 30.Rxg6 Rxg6+ 31.Kf2 Nd3+ {with a clear edge for Black.} ) 24...Bc1 $1 {One for the money! "I missed that move," said So. The bishop reveals some hidden problems for White. It is not only the kingside that is under pressure.} ( {Here too} 24...Bf4 {is OK for Black but the move in the game is stronger.} ) 25.Ng3 $5 {So sacrificed the ill pawn.} ( 25.Qxc1 $4 {is definitely not a move that we would see at this level...} ) ( {Neither is} 25.b3 $6 Bb2 {when the bishop will soon land on the excellent d4 square.} ) ( {White's main problem is that the obvious threat cannot be stopped easily, if at all:} 25.Qc2 $2 Bxb2 {is not exactly a defense.} ) 25...Bxb2 26.Nb5 Bc1 $1 {Two for the show!} 27.gxh5 Bf4 28.Nc3 f5 $1 {Rapport continues his powerplay. The g-file is opened for the rook and it seems as So's position will collapse in any moment.} 29.hxg6+ Rxg6 30.Nxf5 Rag8 31.Kf1 b5 $1 {Three to get ready... The knight is deflected and the rooks are ready to go.} ( 31...Rg2 32.Ne2 $1 {gives White defensive chances.} ) 32.cxb5 ( {Or} 32.Nxb5 Rg2 33.Nc3 Rd2 34.Qc1 Nd3 {and Black gets through.} ) 32...Rg2 33.Qb1 Qf7 $2 {And when everything seemed ready the cat did not go... A tragic moment for Rapport. The obvious:} ( 33...Rd2 $1 {would have won a brilliant game. For example:} 34.Rg1 Rxg1+ 35.Kxg1 Qe8 36.Kf1 Nd3 37.Ne2 Nb2 $1 {and White is helpless.} ) 34.Ne2 {Now So cements the position and if there is no mate he is better strategically!} 34...Qg6 $2 {The blunders never walk alone. After realizing what he had done, a frustrated Rapport tries to escape with tactics, but this one does not work! The most incredible thing is that he still had a remarkable, unhuman resorce:} ( 34...c6 $3 {which would have at least saved the game. The lines are very complicated:} 35.dxc6 $4 {actually loses to} ( 35.bxc6 $2 {is no go due to} 35...Qa7 $1 {and once again the queen enters the battle with decisive effect.} ) ( {Therefore White should probably force draw with something like:} 35.b6 cxd5 36.b7 Nxb7 ( {But not} 36...Qxb7 37.Qxb7+ Nxb7 38.Ne7 {with an advantage for White in the endgame.} ) 37.Nxf4 exf4 38.exd5 Kh8 39.Qa1+ Kh7 40.Qb1 ) 35...Qc4 36.Qd1 Nd3 {when Black reaches the white king.} ) 35.Ne7 Rf2+ $5 {The idea! Alas, it is flashy but not efficient.} 36.Kxf2 Qg2+ 37.Ke1 Rg3 $5 {And the point.} 38.Rxg3 $1 {A cold shower for Black.} ( {"If"} 38.Nxf4 Rxh3 $1 {"and Black might be even winning," said So. Indeed, after} 39.Rf1 ( 39.Nxg2 Rxh1+ 40.Ke2 Rxb1 {is even easier for Black.} ) 39...Qxf1+ $1 40.Kxf1 Rh1+ 41.Kg2 Rxb1 {Black is up an exchange and has all the winning chances.} ) 38...Qxh1+ 39.Rg1 Qxf3 40.Nxf4 $1 {The trade of the dangerous black pieces seals Black's fate.} 40...Qe3+ 41.Ne2 Nd3+ 42.Qxd3 $1 {So should have foreseen this in advance, as} ( 42.Kd1 Nf2+ 43.Kc2 Qxe2+ 44.Kb3 Qe3+ {leads to perpetual only. Perhaps this is the line which Rapport was hoping for.} ) 42...Qxd3 43.Ng8 {Now it is white who has decisive attack. The knight on e2 is a fantastic defender.} 43...Qf3 44.h5 Kh8 45.Rg6 Qh1+ 46.Kd2 Qxe4 ( 46...Qxh5 47.Rh6+ ) 47.Nf6 Qb4+ 48.Ke3 {Checkmate is inevitable and Rapport resigns...} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.17"]
[Round "4.5"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2653"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[ECO "E12"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[Beauty "6598143525896"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:35:42"]
[BlackClock "0:03:58"]

1.d4 {Adhiban generally prefers the open games, but for today he chose the queen pawn advance.} 1...Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.a3 {The Petrosian system of the QID.} 4...Bb7 5.Nc3 d5 {So far the Indian GM had only two games against:} ( 5...g6 6.Qc2 d5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Bg5 Bg7 {Adhiban,B (2689)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2658) Atlantic City 2016} ) 6.Qc2 {Strangely, this is already a new position for both players. Eljanov had previously faced} ( 6.cxd5 {also in two games.} 6...Nxd5 {Please not that the game Thorfinnsson-Volke, Kallithea 2008 mentioned below saw this move order:} 7.Bd2 Be7 8.Qc2 O-O 9.Rd1 c5 {which transposed into our game.} ) 6...c5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.dxc5 {This is only seemingly calm continuation. Sharper looks} ( 8.e4 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Nd7 ( {Another possibility is} 9...Nc6 10.Bd3 Rc8 11.Qe2 cxd4 12.cxd4 {as in Kryakvin,D (2573)-Savchenko, B (2616) Olginka 2011 Now something normal like} 12...Be7 ( {Or} 12...Bd6 {should be playable for Black.} ) ) 10.Bd3 Qc7 $1 {The sign given by Kasparov with the obvious intention to take on d4 and swap off the queens.} ) 8...Be7 $5 {Technically speaking, a novelty! Although the game transposed later into another one this pawn sacrifice has not been seen previously. Eljanov avoids:} ( 8...Bxc5 9.Bg5 Qc8 10.Rc1 {", when White holds the initiative (an example: Kasparov-van der Wiel, Amsterdam 1988)."- Kasparov.} ) 9.Bd2 {Adhiban decided not to accept the gift. The position after:} ( 9.cxb6 axb6 ( 9...Nxc3 {might be another try} 10.Qxc3 O-O 11.bxa7 ) 10.Bd2 O-O 11.e3 Nd7 {needs further tournament practice.} ) 9...O-O 10.Rd1 ( 10.cxb6 axb6 11.Rd1 Qc7 {with compensation for the pawn was still possible.} ) 10...bxc5 {The other capture is actually possible as well as after:} ( 10...Bxc5 11.Nxd5 Bxd5 ( 11...exd5 12.e3 ) 12.e4 {Black has the intermediate} 12...Qc8 $1 {with the idea:} ( {Rather than:} 12...Bb7 $6 13.b4 Be7 ( 13...Bd6 14.Bf4 ) 14.Bg5 Qe8 15.Qc7 {when Black is in big trouble.} ) 13.exd5 $4 Bxf2+ ) 11.e4 Nxc3 12.Bxc3 Qb6 {At the end of the day White managed to spoil the opponent's pawn structure and seems a bit better. Tournament practice had shown though that Black can hold these positions quite often.} 13.Ne5 Rd8 {Just this move is completely new. White got some advantage after} ( 13...Bf6 14.Nc4 Bxc3+ 15.Qxc3 {Thorfinnsson,B (2383)-Volke,K (2454) Kallithea 2008} ) 14.Rxd8+ Qxd8 15.Bb5 {Adhiban disrups the normal development of the black pieces, although} ( 15.Bc4 Nc6 16.Nxc6 Bxc6 17.O-O {was slightly better for him as well.} ) 15...a6 16.Ba4 Qc7 17.O-O Nc6 18.Nxc6 Bxc6 19.Rd1 ( {Trading more will make it easier for Black to hold:} 19.Bxc6 Qxc6 20.Rd1 c4 ) 19...Bb5 20.Bb3 h5 {A difficult move to explain. Perhaps Eljanov was worried about the queen appearing on g4?! Or he simply wanted to have the h5-h4 resource in the future?} ( 20...Rd8 {looks more conventional.} ) 21.g3 {Perhaps White should have tried to make use of the slight weakening on the kingside with:} ( 21.a4 Bc6 22.Qe2 $5 g6 23.Qe3 ) ( 21.Ba2 ) 21...Qb7 22.Ba2 Bc6 23.Bb1 Qb5 24.Qd2 ( {The battery is not particularly frightening} 24.e5 g6 {as White needs to close one bishop in order to open another.} ) 24...Rd8 {Finally, the rooks are traded. The game is heading to a draw, but no-one likes to make it yet.} 25.Qe1 h4 26.Rxd8+ Bxd8 27.Qd1 ( 27.Qd2 {to prevent the trade of the dark-squared bishop seemed better.} ) 27...Ba5 28.Bxa5 Qxa5 29.gxh4 c4 {Now it is completely equal, but...} 30.Qe2 $6 {...Adhiban makes an inaccuracy which Eljanov uses very well.} ( 30.Qc1 Qh5 31.h3 Qxh4 32.Qxc4 Qxh3 33.Qxc6 Qg4+ {with perpetual would be one way to finish the game peacefully.} ) 30...c3 $1 {This was Black's idea in general - to get rid of the isolated pawn. But here it comes with a bonus.} 31.bxc3 ( {I suspect that the Indian GM missed the little tactic} 31.Qe1 $4 c2 $1 {when Black wins.} ) 31...Qxa3 {Now Eljanov has a distant passer.} 32.Kg2 a5 33.Qc4 Qa4 $1 {The one who has a distant passer should try to trade everything and get into a pawn endgame (ideally).} 34.Qxa4 {I suspect that this is also inaccurate and that White had more chance of surviving after} ( 34.Qd4 Qxd4 35.cxd4 Ba4 36.Ba2 Bd1 37.Kf1 Bf3 38.d5 exd5 39.Bxd5 {although Black still has huge advantage.} ) 34...Bxa4 35.Ba2 {This stops the threat} ( 35.f4 Bb3 {followed by a5-a4-a3-a2.} ) 35...Bc2 36.Kf3 {Once again the only move as the king has to get into the square of the black pawn asap.} ( 36.h5 $2 a4 37.Kf3 Bb3 ) 36...e5 $1 {This fixes the e4-pawn on a light square and takes away the d4 one from the white king.} 37.Ke3 a4 38.Bd5 a3 39.Ba2 ( 39.Kd2 {drops the pawn at once} 39...Bxe4 40.Bxe4 $2 a2 ) 39...Kf8 {Black needs to activate the king in order to win. The other route neglects White's passer and leads only to a draw:} ( 39...Kh7 40.c4 Kg8 41.c5 Kf8 42.Kd2 Bxe4 43.Kc3 ) 40.f3 {Or else the e4 pawn will be always liability.} ( 40.c4 Ke7 41.Kd2 Bxe4 ) 40...Ke7 41.Kd2 Ba4 42.Kc1 {The distant passer had deflected the white pieces on the queenside. It is time to open second front.} ( {Or} 42.c4 Kd6 43.Kc3 ( 43.c5+ Kxc5 44.Bxf7 Kd4 ) 43...Kc5 {and Black wins.} ) 42...f5 $1 {The king needs in. Instead:} ( 42...f6 43.Bd5 Kd6 44.Kb1 Bd1 45.Ka2 Bxf3 46.Kxa3 {would be most likely a draw.} ) 43.exf5 ( {Or} 43.Kd2 f4 $1 {Fixes another weakness on f3.} 44.Kc1 Bb5 45.Kd2 ( 45.c4 Be8 46.c5 Bh5 {wins the pawn.} ) 45...Kd6 46.Bd5 Kc5 47.Ba2 Bc4 {White is helpless.} ) 43...Bc6 $1 {Once again, excellent technique. Black creates a passer as quick as he can. The alternative:} ( 43...Kf6 44.Bd5 Kxf5 45.Kb1 Kf4 46.Ka2 Bd1 47.Kxa3 Bxf3 48.Bxf3 Kxf3 49.c4 e4 50.c5 e3 51.c6 e2 52.c7 e1=Q 53.c8=Q {would have led to a draw.} ) 44.Kd2 {Similar was:} ( 44.Kb1 Bxf3 {and White cannot stop both the pawns.} ) 44...Bxf3 45.c4 Kf6 {Many roads lead to Rome.} ( 45...Kd6 $5 ) ( 45...Bg4 46.Kc3 Bxf5 47.Kb4 e4 48.Bb1 e3 ) 46.Ke3 {There is no time to take care of the a3 passer:} ( 46.Kc3 Bc6 47.Kb4 e4 ) 46...Bc6 47.Bb3 ( 47.c5 Kxf5 {is hopeless too.} ) 47...Kxf5 48.h3 Ke6 {The rest is easy, White cannot stop both the passers. They are too far away from each other.} 49.Ba2 Kd6 50.Kd3 Kc5 51.Kc3 e4 52.Bb3 Be8 53.Bd1 e3 54.Be2 Bf7 55.Kb3 {Allows pretty finish.} ( 55.h5 {would have lost to:} 55...a2 56.Kb2 Bxc4 57.Bg4 e2 ) 55...Bxc4+ 56.Bxc4 a2 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.19"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Harikrishna, P."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7149509938183"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:43:49"]
[BlackClock "0:45:42"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 {Something strange happened in this game. While trying to outsmart each other in the opening, both players soon got out of the book.} 2...g6 {"He surprised me by copying my fianchettoe first of all." - So} 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.c4 c5 5.Nc3 d5 ( {Both} 5...O-O 6.d4 d5 7.dxc5 dxc4 8.Qxd8 Rxd8 9.Ne5 {as in Gelfand,B (2743)-Li,C (2746) Moscow 2016} ) ( {and} 5...Nc6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 O-O 8.O-O Qa5 9.Nb3 {as in Aronian,L (2812)-Anand,V (2773) Zuerich 2014 are more common choices for Black.} ) 6.d4 {"I am not sure if this is a good move, but I decided to try it since Black did not castle yet." So. According to my Megabase just five over-the-board games saw this move so far.} 6...cxd4 ( 6...dxc4 7.Qa4+ {is good for White.} ) 7.Nxd4 dxc4 ( {Both players spent a lot of time calculating the line} 7...e5 8.Qa4+ Bd7 {This is indeed the critical continuation and most likely will be explored in the future.} ( 8...Nbd7 9.Ndb5 O-O 10.Nxd5 Nxd5 11.cxd5 a6 12.Nc3 b5 {is simply an extra pawn for White.} ) 9.Ndb5 O-O ( {There is no enough for the material in the line} 9...d4 10.Bxb7 dxc3 11.Bxa8 O-O ) 10.cxd5 a6 11.Qa3 {and came to the conclusion the Black cannot trap the opponent's queen after} 11...axb5 $6 ( {However, they both missed the excellent intermediate move} 11...Nc6 $1 {when} 12.dxc6 axb5 13.c7 Qxc7 14.Qb4 Bc6 {is excellent for Black.} ) 12.Qxa8 b4 13.Nd1 Qb6 14.Be3 {(So.)} ) 8.Qa4+ {To force the black knight to step to d7.} ( {Instead} 8.O-O O-O 9.Ndb5 Nc6 {is very comfortable for Black.} ) 8...Nbd7 ( {Weaker is} 8...Bd7 9.Qxc4 Qb6 10.O-O ( 10.Be3 $1 {is even better.} ) 10...O-O 11.Be3 {(So.)} ) 9.O-O O-O 10.Rd1 {"I think White is slightly better here." - So} 10...Nb6 11.Qa3 {"A very strong move." - So. Both} ( 11.Qa5 Nbd5 ) ( {and} 11.Qb4 Nbd5 {will allow equalization after} ) 11...Qd6 12.Qxd6 exd6 13.a4 {With the clear intention to advance the pawn on the way to a6.} 13...a6 {Harikrishna started to spend loads of time on his moves.} ( {White also calculated} 13...Be6 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.Rxd6 Rad8 16.Rxe6 Kf7 17.Re3 Nbd5 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.Rf3+ Ke8 20.Rxf8+ Kxf8 {when Black does not have enough for the pawn.} ) 14.Bf4 d5 ( {I suspect that both players will be surprised to learn that all of this has already been seen in a top GM game. It went instead:} 14...Ne8 15.Rac1 a5 16.Ndb5 Bd7 17.Bxd6 Nxd6 18.Rxd6 {but Black was also in quite a bad shape there too, Kramnik,V (2783)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2720) Dortmund 2015} ) 15.a5 Nbd7 16.Rac1 {"I decided not to take the pawn back but to hinder his development." - So} ( {Wesley also considered the pawn grab with:} 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Bxd5 Ne5 18.Bxe5 Bxe5 19.Bxc4 Bg4 {but then decided that it is not worth it. The black pieces are coming into the game, and the white pawn on a5 is loose.} ) 16...Rd8 ( 16...Nc5 $2 17.Bd6 ) 17.Bc7 Re8 18.Bd6 ( 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.Bxd5 Ne5 {with an edge was good enough.} ) 18...Ne5 ( 18...Nf8 {was another possibility as after} 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Bxd5 Rd8 {"my pieces are a bit stuck." - So} ) 19.Bxd5 {A very concrete decision. White concedes the bishop pair in return for a super-knight.} 19...Nxd5 ( {On} 19...Rd8 {White was planning} 20.Bxb7 Bxb7 21.Bxe5 {winning a pawn.} ) 20.Nxd5 Bg4 $1 {The best chance. Black needs to untangle his pieces.} 21.Rd2 ( {So was afraid of the line:} 21.Nc7 Nd3 $5 {when} 22.Rxc4 {is indeed bad to} ( {However} 22.exd3 $1 {does not just equalize as the American GM thought, but would have kept the big advantage in the forced line:} 22...Bxd1 23.Rxd1 Bxd4 24.dxc4 Bxb2 25.Rb1 Bc3 26.Nxe8 Rxe8 27.Rxb7 Bxa5 28.c5 {although Black may survive here.} ) 22...Nxb2 23.Nxe8 Rxe8 ) ( 21.f3 {on the other hand is indeed bad due to} 21...Nd3 $1 {and Black gets over the initiative.} ) 21...Red8 ( {Another exchange sacrifice seemed better:} 21...Rad8 $5 22.Nc7 Rf8 23.Bxf8 Bxf8 24.f3 Bh3 {and thanks to the threat Bf8-b4 Black has some chances of survival.} ) ( 21...c3 {is less appealing though to} 22.Rxc3 Nc6 23.Nxc6 Bxc3 ( 23...bxc6 24.Nc7 ) 24.Nce7+ {when White wins.} ) 22.Nb6 {Now So wins the exchange and in the opponent's time trouble things happen quickly.} 22...Rxd6 23.Nxa8 Nc6 24.Nf3 Rxd2 25.Nxd2 Bxb2 26.Rxc4 Bxe2 27.Re4 {"I thought he has very good drawing chances." - So} 27...Bd3 28.Re3 Nb4 $2 {Both players thought that this move is a mistake. For a good reason. Without the bishop pair Black loses.} ( {Stronger was} 28...Bf5 29.Rb3 Bf6 ( 29...Bc1 ) 30.Rxb7 Nxa5 31.Rb6 Bc3 {when nothing is yet decided.} ) 29.Nb6 {With a positional trap.} 29...Bd4 ( {Or} 29...Bc1 {when the trap closes} 30.Nbc4 {and the c1 bishop is trapped.} 30...Bxc4 31.Re8+ {with a win for White.} ) 30.Re7 Nc6 {Now in order to win the a-pawn Black needs to give up the bishop pair.} 31.Rxb7 Nxa5 32.Rd7 Nc6 33.Nb3 Bf5 {This gives up a piece. But both players believed that Black is lost anyway after:} ( 33...Bxb6 34.Rxd3 Nb4 35.Rd6 ) 34.Rxd4 Nxd4 35.Nxd4 Bd3 {The rest is technique and So's is perfect.} 36.Kg2 Kf8 37.Kf3 Ke7 38.Ke3 Bf1 39.Nf3 Kd6 40.Kd4 f6 41.Nd2 Be2 42.Nd5 f5 43.Nc3 Bh5 44.Nc4+ Ke6 45.f4 Kd7 46.Kc5 h6 47.Nd5 Ke6 48.Nc7+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.20"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[ECO "B91"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8178041371655"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:20:01"]
[BlackClock "0:33:39"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 {"Last time I played Ian I chose something forced in the Gruenfeld. Today I wanted something calmer with more pieces on the board." Giri} 6...e5 7.Nde2 Be7 8.Bg2 Nbd7 {"I spotted that he has a liking for the development of this knight on d7." Giri.} ( {A game that Giri mentioned later in his blitz live appearence went:} 8...O-O 9.O-O b5 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.Qxd5 Ra7 12.Be3 Rb7 13.Qd3 Nd7 14.Nc3 Nf6 $6 15.Bg5 Be6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Nd5 Bg5 18.h4 Bh6 19.c3 {with a difficult position for Black. The opposite-colored bishop middlegame is bad for him, so is the position with knight versus a dark-squared bishop. And as a whole his dark-squared bishop is "empty."} 19...a5 20.a3 Qc8 21.b4 axb4 22.axb4 Qc6 23.Rfd1 g6 24.Ra3 Kg7 25.Qf3 f5 26.exf5 Bxf5 27.Qe2 Qc4 28.Qxc4 bxc4 29.Ra6 Rbf7 30.Rda1 Bc8 31.Ra7 Bb7 32.b5 Bd2 33.b6 Kh6 34.Rd1 Rxf2 35.Rxb7 Kh5 36.Nf4+ R8xf4 37.gxf4 Be3 38.Kh1 exf4 39.Rf1 Rb2 40.Rxh7+ Kg4 41.b7 d5 42.Rg7 d4 43.Rxg6+ Kxh4 44.Rf3 {1-0 (44) Adams,M (2745)-Bok,B (2594) Douglas 2016} ) 9.a4 b6 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.Qxd5 Rb8 12.Nc3 O-O 13.O-O Bb7 ( {If Black want to insert his knight into the battle, this is a good moment} 13...Nf6 14.Qd3 h6 15.Nd1 b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.Ne3 Qb6 18.Bd2 {although White still looks somewhat better, Balogh,C (2657)-Areshchenko,A (2672) Mamaia 2015} ) 14.Qd1 {Giri also mentioned the possibility of a queenside fianchettoe after:} ( 14.Qd2 Rc8 ( {Or} 14...Nf6 15.b3 b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.Ba3 {with the clear intention to put a bishop on b4.} ) 15.b3 {I suspect he did not like this option because of:} 15...Nf6 16.Ba3 Qc7 {when Black seems fine.} ) 14...Rc8 {The most natural move.} ( 14...Bc6 {with the idea b6-b5 is another plan (Giri.)} ) ( {while} 14...Nf6 15.Bg5 {might lead to positions from the above-mentioned game Adams-Bok.} ) 15.Re1 {A logical novelty. White overprotects e4 and may play Re1-e2 in the future to saveguard the c2 pawn and prepare Nc3-d5. If the knight jumps succeeds, he needs to capture on d5 always with a piece.} ( {Another possiblity is:} 15.Qe2 Nf6 16.Bg5 Rc5 17.Rfd1 h6 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.h4 {as in Ivanov,A (2537)-Najer,E (2602) Moscow 2004} ) 15...h6 {Once again:} ( 15...Nf6 16.Bg5 h6 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Re2 {will lead to a positionally favorable situation for White.} ) 16.Bh3 {A crafty move!} ( {Giri was not sure if his bishop is well placed after} 16.Be3 Nf6 ) ( {In the line} 16.Re2 Nf6 17.Qd3 Qc7 18.Bh3 {Black has} 18...Rcd8 {with the threat d6-d5. Thus, the Dutch GM decided to place the bishop on the h3-c8 diagonal at once.} ) 16...Rc6 $2 {Which Nepomniachtchi failed to appreciate!} ( {The utility of teh bishop is evident in case of} 16...Bc6 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.Qxd5 Rxc2 19.Qd3 Qc7 $4 {simply drops a piece after} ( {Instead} 19...Rc7 20.Qxa6 {is clearly better for White.} ) 20.Bxd7 {(Giri.)} ) ( {While in case of} 16...Rc4 {Giri intended:} 17.Qe2 ( 17.Bxh6 gxh6 18.Qg4+ Bg5 19.Qxd7 Qxd7 20.Bxd7 Bd2 {is less appealing this time.} ) 17...b5 18.axb5 axb5 19.Ra7 {with strong queenside pressure. But this was Black's best chance.} ) 17.Bxh6 $1 {Snatches a pawn, but it is not yet over.} 17...gxh6 18.Qg4+ Bg5 19.Qxd7 Qxd7 20.Bxd7 Rc7 21.Bf5 Bd2 22.Red1 Bxc3 23.bxc3 {"He got lucky that he has this. Now both pawn structures are very weak, and there is a good chance that the queenside pawns diasappear and some four versus three pawns on the kingside draw happens. " Giri.} 23...Rd8 ( 23...Rc6 {with the idea to swap off the bishops at once was the other idea.} 24.Bd7 ( 24.Rd3 Bc8 ) 24...Rxc3 25.Rxd6 Bxe4 ) 24.Rab1 Rc6 25.f4 $1 {A strong tactical resource which causes more problem to Black.} 25...exf4 26.e5 Bc8 $1 {The best defense.} ( {The straightforward} 26...fxg3 27.Be4 gxh2+ 28.Kxh2 Rc7 ( 28...d5 29.Bxd5 {wins the exchange} 29...Rc7 30.Bxf7+ ) 29.exd6 Rcd7 {is indeed a lost endgame after} ( {But Black has chances to survive after} 29...Rxd6 $1 30.Rxd6 Bxe4 31.Rbxb6 Rxc3 ) 30.Bxb7 Rxb7 31.c4 Rc8 32.c5 $1 {(Giri.)} ) ( 26...Rc5 {was another option when} 27.gxf4 b5 28.axb5 axb5 {When a lot of moves secure White nice advantage, but he is not yet there} 29.c4 ( {Or} 29.Bd3 {(Giri.)} ) ( {And also} 29.Rb4 ) 29...Rxc4 30.Rxd6 ) 27.Be4 Rxc3 {One more important subtlety is:} ( 27...Rc4 28.Rb4 Rxb4 29.cxb4 Re8 30.Rxd6 Rxe5 31.Bd3 {when Black loses the queenside (Giri.)} ) 28.Rxd6 Rxd6 {Better than:} ( 28...Rf8 29.gxf4 Rc4 30.Re1 {when White is most likely winning thanks to the domination.} ) 29.exd6 Rc4 {Not yet losing but perhaps:} ( 29...fxg3 {was the way to play it. Both the opponents obviously came to the position after} 30.Rxb6 gxh2+ 31.Kxh2 Kf8 32.Rc6 ( {Giri disliked} 32.Bc6 {due to the many checks which force the white king to step on the "d" file} 32...Rxc2+ 33.Kg3 Rc3+ 34.Kf4 Rc4+ 35.Ke3 Rc3+ 36.Kd4 {when} 36...Rc1 {does not allow a chance to White to push the pawn} 37.d7 $2 ( {Or} 37.Rb8 $2 Rxc6 38.d7 Rd6+ ) 37...Bxd7 38.Bxd7 Rd1+ ) 32...Rxc6 33.Bxc6 Be6 34.a5 {Now it seems as the active king should do the job but Black can aslo bring his one into the action with} 34...f6 35.Kg3 Kf7 36.Kf4 h5 37.Bf3 Ke8 38.Bxh5+ Kd7 39.Be2 Kxd6 40.Bxa6 Kc5 {When Black should hold. This is only an examplary line, but it comes to show that Black resources are not yet over.} ) 30.Bd3 Rc6 ( {It is also unclear if Black can survive after} 30...Rxa4 31.Rxb6 Kg7 ) 31.Rd1 Kf8 $2 {After this second blunder Giri finishes the game nicely.} ( 31...fxg3 32.Bxa6 gxh2+ 33.Kh1 Rxc2 34.d7 Bxd7 35.Rxd7 {looks like a win for White but there is still a ton of technical work to do.} ) ( {The best defense was:} 31...Bd7 32.Bxa6 Rxc2 33.gxf4 ( {And now} 33.Bb5 $1 {keeps the extra pawn and good winning chances after} 33...Bxb5 34.axb5 Rc8 35.gxf4 Kf8 {but it might well be a draw too.} ) 33...Kf8 {with good chances for successful defense.} ) 32.Bxa6 $1 {White ins the bishop and the game.} 32...fxg3 ( 32...Bxa6 33.d7 ) 33.hxg3 ( 33.hxg3 Bd7 ( 33...Be6 34.d7 ) 34.Bb5 ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.21"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[ECO "B94"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6805375695400"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "1:43:44"]
[BlackClock "0:15:57"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 Nbd7 7.Bc4 Qb6 8.O-O ( {The alternative is} 8.Bb3 e6 9.Qd2 Be7 10.O-O-O Nc5 11.Rhe1 h6 12.Bh4 O-O {as in Dominguez Perez,L (2739)-Wojtaszek,R (2749) Doha 2016} ) 8...Qc5 9.Bd5 e6 10.Re1 Be7 ( {In one game Black dared to accept the sacrificed piece and even survived after} 10...exd5 11.exd5+ Kd8 12.Ne4 Qb6 13.a4 h6 14.a5 Qc7 15.Qh5 {but it is highly not recommened to get into this without hours of silicon efforts, Ulanowski,K (2141)-Mucha,P (2102) Karpacz 2015} ) 11.Be3 Qa5 12.Bxe6 {The sacrifice on e6 is the key theme in the Sozin attack. This is why the bishop gets on the a2-g8 diagonal. Either to use it positionally after f2-f4-f5, or brutally like this.} 12...fxe6 13.Nxe6 {Obviously surprised with the line Van Wely sank into deep thought. After fifty minutes he came up with a novelty:} 13...Nc5 {Which most likely will not become fashionable.} ( {The only move seen so far is:} 13...Kf7 {when after} 14.Ng5+ Ke8 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Ne5 17.Bf4 {White seems to have serious initiative as in Adhiban,B (2610)-Swiercz,D (2617) Biel 2014} ) 14.b4 $1 {Very energetic! Wei opens the game in his favor.} ( 14.Nxg7+ $5 {looks also great with the idea} 14...Kf7 15.Nd5 Nxd5 ( 15...Kxg7 16.Nxe7 {leaves Black struggling on the dark squares.} ) 16.Qh5+ $1 {and Black cannot survive the attack after} 16...Kxg7 17.Bh6+ Kf6 18.exd5 ) 14...Qxb4 15.Nc7+ Kd8 16.N3d5 $1 ( {In case of} 16.Nxa8 Qxc3 17.Bd4 Qc4 18.Nb6 Qb5 19.Rb1 Qc6 20.e5 {White wins material but loses part of the initiative. This is still better for him, but the game continuation looks much stronger.} ) 16...Nxd5 ( 16...Qa5 17.Nxa8 {is hopeless.} ) 17.Nxd5 Qa3 {Van Wely wants to protect the d6 pawn. The lines after the other reatreat are more than convincing:} ( 17...Qa5 18.e5 Be6 ( 18...Bd7 19.Nxe7 Kxe7 20.Qxd6+ ) 19.exd6 Bxd6 20.Bxc5 Qxc5 21.Rxe6 {in both cases White crashes through the d-file.} ) 18.Nb6 {Not bad, but:} ( 18.e5 $1 {was still best. In the line:} 18...Ne6 19.exd6 Qxd6 20.Bb6+ Ke8 {White has the pretty shot} ( 20...Kd7 21.Qg4 {followed by Ra1-d1 leaves Black completely tied up.} ) 21.Nc7+ $1 {which wins the game.} ) 18...Rb8 19.Nc4 Qb4 20.Nxd6 {The point behind Wei's play. He still opens the king. But Van Wely has a trick in his sleeve.} 20...Nd3 $1 {The only chance.} ( 20...Kc7 21.Bf4 Ne6 22.Ne8+ Kb6 23.Rb1 {would lose the queen.} ) ( {While} 20...Bxd6 21.Qxd6+ Ke8 22.Bxc5 {does need comment.} ) 21.Qxd3 {After some thought White chooses the most practical decision.} 21...Qxd6 ( 21...Bxd6 22.a3 {would lose the bishop anyway. But with some extras.} ) 22.Qxd6+ Bxd6 23.Rad1 Kc7 24.Rxd6 $1 Kxd6 25.Bf4+ Ke6 26.Bxb8 Bd7 {Van Wely made it to an endgame. Still, two pawns down is not exactly the kind of play one is looking for. Black's last chance is the presence of the opposite-colored bishops on the board.} 27.Ba7 Rc8 28.Rc1 Rc4 29.f3 Ra4 30.Ra1 Rc4 {Short in time Black decided to repeat the position but this is inaccurate. Much more resilient was:} ( 30...g5 $1 {Intending to trade the kingside pawns. They are priority as in the possible pure opposite-colored bishop endgame Black does not need any of them.} ) 31.c3 b5 ( 31...Rxc3 32.Bd4 Rc7 33.Bxg7 {makes it easier for White as his pawn avalanche may never be blocked.} ) 32.a3 a5 {One more inaccuracy.} ( 32...g5 $5 {was possible.} ) 33.Bb6 Ra4 ( 33...a4 34.Bd4 {would secure the white pawns and set the rook free which is basically the end of Black's hopes.} ) 34.Bd4 g6 35.Kf2 g5 {At last, but it is too late.} ( 35...b4 36.cxb4 axb4 37.axb4 Rxb4 38.Ra6+ {is technically won for White.} ) 36.Ke3 Bc6 37.Kd2 {Intending to free the rook after Kd2-c2-b2.} 37...h5 ( {On} 37...g4 38.Ke3 {will leave the h-pawn alive.} ) 38.Kc2 b4 39.cxb4 axb4 40.axb4 Rxb4 41.Kc3 Ra4 42.Rxa4 Bxa4 {This particular endgame is not a draw.} 43.g3 h4 44.f4 ( {On} 44.gxh4 {Black can try} 44...Bd1 45.hxg5 Bxf3 46.Kd3 {although this should not help neither.} ) 44...gxf4 {Alas, Black cannot trade both the pawns and bring the bishop in front of the remaining e-and f-pair:} ( 44...hxg3 45.f5+ $1 ) 45.gxf4 h3 46.Kd2 Kd6 47.Ke3 {With the h-pawns still on the board Black cannot sacrifice the bishop for the e- and f-passers and Wei simply advances them into queens.} 47...Bc2 48.f5 Kc6 49.Kf4 Bd3 50.Bb2 Bc2 51.e5 Kd5 52.Kg5 Bd3 53.e6 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.22"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2840"]
[ECO "A12"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8178825747466"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:18:51"]
[BlackClock "0:12:28"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.b3 Bf5 3.Bb2 e6 4.d3 h6 5.Nbd2 Nf6 6.c4 c6 7.g3 Be7 8.Bg2 {Against the world champion, Rapport decided to play solidly. No King's Gambit, but the Reti!} 8...O-O 9.O-O Nbd7 10.a3 a5 11.Qb1 {Not a very common idea.} ( {The typical Reti maneuver was also possible:} 11.Ra2 Bh7 12.Qa1 Nc5 13.Bc3 b5 14.Ne5 Qb6 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.Bd4 {followed by the doubling of the white rooks on the open c-file as in Melkumyan,H (2640)-Tabatabaei,M (2481) Warsaw 2016.} ) ( {However Reti was regrouping with:} 11.Rc1 {and this remains one of the main continuations nowadays too.} 11...Bh7 12.Rc2 Bd6 13.Qa1 {and Richard already has a game like that: Rapport,R (2654)-Svetushkin,D (2588) Calvi 2013.} ) 11...Bh7 {Generally a useful move. Carlsen sidesteps the possible attack of the white knight from d4.} 12.b4 {The point behind White's previous move.} 12...axb4 13.axb4 Qb6 ( {After} 13...dxc4 $5 14.Nxc4 Nd5 {White will have to sacrifice a pawn, but that was probably part of White's preparation:} 15.Rxa8 Qxa8 16.Bd4 Nxb4 ( 16...Bxb4 $2 17.e4 ) 17.Qb2 Nf6 18.Ra1 Qd8 19.Bc3 c5 20.Ra5 {with compensation.} ) 14.Bc3 Rxa1 {In a previous game, White got some advantage after:} ( 14...Ra6 15.Rxa6 ( 15.c5 $5 {might have been even better with a pull after} 15...Qa7 16.Qb2 Ra8 17.Rxa6 Qxa6 18.Nb3 ) 15...Qxa6 16.Qb3 dxc4 17.dxc4 {Lputian,S (2590)-Adelman,C (2220) Long Beach 1994} ) 15.Qxa1 Bxb4 16.Bxb4 Qxb4 17.Rb1 Qd6 18.Rxb7 {Almost all the queenside pawns disappeared, and the game is heading to a draw. Black's only problem might be the bishop on h7, but Carlsen takes measures to bring it into life.} 18...e5 19.d4 $5 ( {Or} 19.cxd5 cxd5 20.Nf1 Bf5 {with complete equality.} ) 19...exd4 ( 19...e4 {will leave the black bishop misplaced and allow White some edge after} 20.Ne5 ) 20.Nxd4 c5 21.N4b3 d4 {Carlsen is looking for trouble and will get it. This move is still OK though. Rapport is right. The simple} ( 21...dxc4 22.Nxc4 Qe6 {would have soon ended the game peacefully.} ) 22.Bh3 d3 $2 {This, however, is not right. The line:} ( 22...Rb8 23.Rxb8+ Qxb8 24.Qa5 Qc8 25.Qb5 {looks very passive for Black, but he can defend with} 25...Bg6 $1 {to stop any back-rank mates. And if} 26.Nxc5 Qxc5 27.Bxd7 Qe7 {regains the pawn with equality.} ) ( {Perhaps the simplest way to keep the balance was:} 22...Bc2 $5 23.Qa7 Rd8 ) 23.e3 $1 {Now besides the queenside problems, Black needs to deal with the advance of White's e- and f-pawns.} 23...Ne5 24.Bg2 Rc8 ( {Perhaps Carlsen should have tried something like} 24...Ned7 25.Qa7 Rc8 26.Bh3 Rd8 27.Rc7 Bg6 28.Bxd7 Nxd7 29.Nxc5 Nxc5 30.Rxc5 {although I do not trust much in his draw chances.} ) 25.f4 {The pawns will cost Black a piece at least.} 25...Neg4 26.e4 Re8 ( {Or} 26...Nd7 27.Qa7 Rd8 28.Bf3 h5 29.Rc7 {when Black is completely helpless.} ) 27.e5 Nxe5 28.fxe5 Rxe5 29.Rb6 $1 {Very neat. The queen is getting misplaced, or Black loses a pawn.} ( {Perhaps the world champion hoped to survive the endgame after} 29.Qa7 Bf5 30.Qb8+ Qxb8 31.Rxb8+ Kh7 ) 29...Qe7 ( {Or} 29...Qxb6 30.Qxe5 Nd7 31.Qe8+ Nf8 32.Qc6 {when both c5 and d3 will be gone soon.} ) ( 29...Qc7 30.Rc6 Qb8 31.Rxc5 {wins a pawn.} ) 30.Rb8+ Ne8 31.Bc6 $1 {A beautiful way to win the game.} 31...Re1+ 32.Qxe1 Qxe1+ 33.Nf1 {The queen will be regained. Carlsen resigned!} ( 33.Nf1 d2 34.Nxd2 ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.24"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2840"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[ECO "B81"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6460033472010"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "1:12:31"]
[BlackClock "0:04:43"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.g4 {The Keres Attack is considered to be the most dangerous weapon for White against the Scheveningen Sicilian. For a good reason.} 6...h6 7.Bg2 Nc6 8.h3 g5 ( {The other way of playing it is} 8...Nxd4 9.Qxd4 e5 10.Qd3 Be6 11.f4 Rc8 {Bacrot,E (2719) -Kempinski,R (2620) Germany 2015} ) 9.Nxc6 {A novelty, which should not surprise. The thing is that this maneuver is very typical for the Fianchettoe line against the Scheveningen.} ( {So far White had only tried here:} 9.Be3 Ne5 10.Qe2 Bd7 11.O-O-O {with sharp, double-edged play, Forster,R (2463)-Atlas,V (2475) Switzerland 2002} ) 9...bxc6 10.e5 {The point behind the capture. White trades the d6 pawn and leaves both black pawns on a7 and c6 isolated.} 10...Nd5 {The exchange sacrifice was very interesting:} ( 10...dxe5 $5 {when} 11.Bxc6+ ( {I suspect that Carlsen would have gone for the endgame instead} 11.Qxd8+ Kxd8 12.Bxc6 Rb8 ) 11...Bd7 12.Bxa8 Qxa8 {gives Black the bishop pair and play on the light squares against the white king.} ) 11.exd6 Qxd6 ( {Or} 11...Bxd6 12.Ne4 Bf4 ( 12...Be7 13.c4 {would be similar to the game.} ) 13.c4 Bxc1 14.Qxc1 Qa5+ 15.Nc3 $1 {with advantage for White.} ) 12.O-O Ba6 ( {Obviously not} 12...Nxc3 13.Qxd6 Bxd6 14.Bxc6+ {and White wins the exchange in an endgame.} ) 13.Re1 {Carlsen challenges the knight.} 13...Be7 ( {However now} 13...Nxc3 $5 {was interesting, with the idea to sacrifice a pawn and stall White's natural development in the line:} 14.Qxd6 Bxd6 15.Bxc6+ Ke7 16.Bxa8 Ne2+ 17.Rxe2 Bxe2 18.Be4 Be5 19.Be3 ( 19.c3 Rb8 ) 19...Bxb2 20.Rb1 Be5 21.Bxa7 Rc8 {It is not too clear if the compensation will be enough though.} ) ( {The more active development is not possible:} 13...Bg7 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Qxd5 ) 14.Ne4 Qc7 15.c4 $1 {A strong move. Once that the knight is replaced from the excellent central square White's advantage becomes obvious.} 15...Nb4 ( 15...Bxc4 $2 {drops a piece to} 16.Qd4 ) 16.b3 ( 16.Be3 $5 {might have been stronger with the idea Be3-c5. White should not worry the line:} 16...Rd8 17.Qb3 Rd3 18.Nc3 {as now the black knight is trapped after say} 18...O-O 19.a3 ) 16...Rd8 ( {Or} 16...O-O 17.Bb2 Rad8 18.Qf3 Nd3 19.Nf6+ {with a clear edge for White.} ) 17.Qf3 Nd3 18.Rd1 Nxc1 19.Raxc1 Qf4 {Van Wely decided that this is the lesser evil. His king could have been in serious danger after:} ( 19...O-O 20.Nf6+ Kh8 21.Rxd8 ( 21.Qc3 e5 ) 21...Rxd8 22.Nh5 ) 20.Rxd8+ Bxd8 21.Qxf4 gxf4 22.Nc5 Bc8 23.Bxc6+ {Carlsen won a pawn and starts converting his advantage in his typical style.} 23...Ke7 24.Bf3 Bb6 25.Nd3 Rd8 ( {Or} 25...Bc7 26.Nb4 ( 26.b4 $5 ) 26...Bd7 27.c5 ) 26.Nb4 ( {Of course not:} 26.Nxf4 Rd2 27.c5 Bc7 28.Ne2 Rxa2 {when the black pieces come into life.} ) 26...Bd7 27.c5 Ba5 28.Rc4 Rc8 29.c6 Bxb4 {Forced.} ( 29...Be8 30.Rxf4 ) 30.Rxb4 Bxc6 31.Bxc6 Rxc6 32.Rxf4 {The rook endgame offers some drawing chances to Van Wely. It seems as he did not make the best use of them.} 32...a5 ( {One plan was to force the pawns closer:} 32...Ra6 33.a4 ( {But there is the strong:} 33.Ra4 $1 Rxa4 34.bxa4 {and since the black king cannot go to the queenside because of the break with h4-h5, (f2-f4) and g4-g5 White should be winning.} ) 33...Rb6 34.b4 a6 {and then attack them from behind with Rb6-c6-c2-a2.} ) 33.Kg2 Rc5 34.h4 Rd5 ( {Maybe:} 34...h5 35.g5 ( 35.f3 $2 Rc2+ ) 35...Kf8 {followed by Kf8-g7-g6 was a better idea. Then the rook can harrass the white queenside pawns and the black king will be ready for counterplay against the h4 pawn.} ) 35.Kf3 f6 36.Ke3 {With the idea Re4-d4 followed by Ke3-d3.} 36...h5 37.f3 $1 {This time it is different; the pawn can be defended.} 37...hxg4 {Makes things easier for White. Passive defense was better.} 38.fxg4 Rd1 39.Ra4 Re1+ ( 39...Rd5 40.h5 {would be similar.} ) 40.Kf3 Re5 41.Rc4 Rd5 42.h5 Rd2 43.Ra4 ( 43.Rc7+ Kd6 44.Ra7 Rxa2 45.h6 Rh2 46.h7 {was already an idea for White, but he wants to do it in a better version.} ) 43...Rd5 44.Ke3 {Carlsen wants to win a tempo.} 44...Rg5 ( {Or} 44...Rc5 45.Rc4 Rd5 ( 45...Rg5 46.Kf4 ) 46.Rc7+ ( 46.h6 ) 46...Kd6 47.Ra7 {and in comparison to the line from above White is even two tempoes ahead.} ) 45.Rc4 Kd6 46.Kf4 Rd5 47.Rc8 {The rook is getting in and the h-passer decides the game.} 47...Rd4+ 48.Kg3 Kd7 49.Ra8 Rd3+ 50.Kg2 Rd2+ 51.Kf3 Rd3+ ( {Since} 51...Rxa2 52.h6 Rh2 53.h7 Rxh7 54.Ra7+ {drops the rook.} ) 52.Ke4 Rh3 53.Rxa5 e5 54.Kf5 Rf3+ 55.Kg6 e4 56.h6 e3 57.h7 Rh3 ( {The alternative was mate after} 57...e2 58.h8=Q e1=Q 59.Rd5+ Kc6 60.Qa8+ ) 58.Ra7+ Kd6 59.Ra8 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.25"]
[Round "10.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[ECO "E18"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8249155792419"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "1:11:58"]
[BlackClock "0:16:46"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Bd2 Bf6 9.Be1 {"A rare move." Aronian anticipated the QID and prepared the line before the game.} ( 9.Rc1 Nxd2 10.Qxd2 d6 11.Rfd1 Nd7 12.b4 a5 13.b5 g6 14.e3 Bg7 15.Ne1 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 f5 {Cheparinov,I (2689)-Vitiugov,N (2726) Doha 2016} ) 9...Re8 {A novelty and "not a good move" (Aronian).} ( {So far all the games went} 9...d6 {one example being:} 10.Qc2 Nxc3 11.Bxc3 c6 12.e4 Nd7 13.e5 {as in Gunina,V (2518)-Bologan,V (2654) Almaty 2016} ) ( {Perhaps} 9...d5 {mentioned by Aronian is playable.} ) ( {The direct} 9...Nxc3 10.Bxc3 d6 11.Qc2 {seems better for White.} ) 10.Qc2 d5 ( {Or} 10...Nxc3 11.Bxc3 d6 12.e4 {with a better position for White. But this might have been Black's best. (Aronian.)} ) 11.Nxe4 ( {White also considered} 11.Rd1 Nxc3 12.Bxc3 c6 13.e4 Nd7 {but then he thought that his opponent will have better chance to defend this than the position in the game.} ) 11...dxe4 12.Nd2 {Now the position opens favorably for the first player. Aronian was right not to go for} ( 12.Ne5 Bxe5 13.Bxe4 ( 13.dxe5 Qd4 ) 13...Bxe4 14.Qxe4 Qxd4 15.Qxa8 Qxb2 16.Rd1 Qxe2 {when the position is quite unclear.} ) 12...Bxd4 13.Rd1 Qc8 ( {Aronian: "Knowing Richard's entertaining style I also expected} 13...f5 {when} 14.Nxe4 fxe4 15.Bxe4 Nc6 16.e3 {is very good for White" (Aronian)} 16...Rb8 17.exd4 ( {Even better is:} 17.Bxh7+ $1 Kh8 18.Be4 {since the bishop has nowhere to go.} ) 17...Nxd4 18.Qd3 {and White has the better minor piece and better pawn structure.} ) 14.Nxe4 Bc5 15.Ng5 $1 {White plays on psychology. "I know that my opponent likes to attack. It should be very unpleasant for him to defend!"} ( {Instead} 15.Nxc5 bxc5 16.Bxb7 Qxb7 17.Bc3 {would be a solid positional advantage for White but also a very long game.} ) 15...f5 ( {Or} 15...g6 16.Bxb7 Qxb7 17.Bc3 {when White's attack goes smoothly.} ) 16.Bxb7 Qxb7 17.Bc3 Bf8 ( {Aronian expected:} 17...Qc6 {and considered the piece sacrifice after} 18.e4 h6 19.exf5 exf5 ( 19...hxg5 20.f6 $1 {is similar to the game with very dangerous attack for White.} ) 20.Qxf5 ( {There is no need to sacrifice as} 20.Nh3 $5 {is stable edge for White.} ) 20...hxg5 21.Qxg5 ) 18.e4 h6 19.exf5 $1 {The point of White's play. His pawns will clear the road for the heavy pieces. Please note that Rapport misses his queenside in the game.} 19...hxg5 {This makes life easier for the Armenian grandmaster. Aronian's lines after the game need some additional variations:} ( 19...exf5 20.Rfe1 ( 20.Nh3 $5 {is once again a safe alternative with an edge for White.} ) 20...Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 hxg5 22.Qxf5 Qc6 23.Bxg7 ( {Here} 23.Qxg5 $1 {is best with the deadly threat} 23...Nd7 24.Re7 $1 ) 23...Bxg7 24.Re7 Qf6 25.Qd5+ Kh7 26.Re8 ( {Or} 26.Re6 $5 Qf7 27.Qe4+ Kg8 28.Re7 Qf6 29.Re8+ Kf7 30.Rc8 {when White is once again picking up the rook on a8. (And is still uncertain if he wins this or not.)} ) 26...Nc6 27.Rxa8 {"White is going to trade the queens soon and has a pleasant edge in the endgame".} ) 20.f6 {"I just have too many threats." (Aronian)} 20...c5 ( {Or} 20...c6 {when White would continue in the same way:} 21.f4 g4 22.fxg7 Bc5+ 23.Kh1 ) 21.f4 $1 {Opens the road for the rook.} 21...g4 22.f5 gxf6 ( {The annoying pawns cannot be stopped:} 22...e5 23.fxg7 Bxg7 24.f6 ) 23.fxe6 Qh7 {Nothing helps:} ( 23...Bg7 24.Bxf6 Bxf6 25.Rxf6 ) 24.Qg2 Na6 25.Rd7 Qh5 ( 25...Be7 26.Bxf6 ) 26.Rxf6 Rad8 27.Rxf8+ Kxf8 {Trying to avoid the sea-saw after:} ( 27...Rxf8 28.Rg7+ ) 28.Qf1+ {But he is forced to, therefore Rapport resigns.} ( 28.Qf1+ Kg8 29.Rg7+ Kh8 30.Rg5+ Rd4 31.Qf6+ Kh7 32.Qg7# ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.27"]
[Round "11.6"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8247813604899"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:25:52"]
[BlackClock "0:13:48"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.Bxc6 {Wei said that he had prepared this line before the game.} ( {The main line goes} 6.O-O {when a fashionable choice is the central break with} 6...d5 7.exd5 Qxd5 8.Bc4 Qd8 9.Nbd2 {when we are in Italian territory rather than Spanish, Caruana,F (2823) -So,W (2794) London 2016} ) 6...bxc6 7.Nxe5 d5 8.d4 Bb6 {Right around here, Karjakin started to use a fair amount of his time. For these two moves, he spent more than half an hour while Wei was still practically blitzing.} 9.O-O dxe4 {This leads to a very sharp position.} ( {Wei believed that the critical line runs} 9...Nxe4 10.Nd2 ( {Another game between So and Caruana, but with reversed colors went instead:} 10.Nxc6 Qf6 11.Nb4 Be6 12.Nd2 c5 13.dxc5 Bxc5 14.Nxe4 dxe4 15.Nd5 Qe5 16.Be3 Bxe3 17.Nxe3 f5 {which seems like fair compensation for a pawn, So,W (2773)-Caruana,F (2795) Saint Louis 2016} ) 10...c5 {with an approximately equal position.} ) 10.Bg5 c5 11.Nd2 cxd4 {This novelty, played after more than twenty minutes of thought, seems wrong. Karjakin either was caught unprepared or (more likely) forgot his line.} ( {So far three games were played in the line} 11...Bb7 {One example:} 12.dxc5 ( {Wei mentioned the line} 12.Ng4 cxd4 13.Nxf6+ gxf6 14.Bh6 Kh8 {with ample compensation for the exchange thanks to the bishop pair and the solid center.} ( {Or perhaps the more accurate} 14...f5 ) ) 12...Bxc5 13.Nb3 Bb6 14.c4 Qd6 15.Qxd6 cxd6 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Ng4 {with a complex endgame in Balogh,C (2601) -Naiditsch,A (2684) Aix les Bains 2011} ) ( 11...Bf5 {might be another playbale option for Black.} ) 12.Nxe4 dxc3 13.Qf3 $1 {The queen creates huge threats with the pinning pieces.} ( {White naturally avoids} 13.Nxc3 Bb7 {when Black is doing fine.} ) 13...Bb7 ( {Or else Black loses his queen after} 13...cxb2 14.Nxf6+ gxf6 15.Bxf6 ) 14.Bxf6 $1 {A strong move.} ( {Weaker was} 14.Nxf6+ Qxf6 $1 {(Wei)} ( {Although I do not see anything wrong with Black's position after} 14...gxf6 15.Qxb7 fxg5 16.Rad1 Qe7 ) ) 14...Bxe4 ( {The alternative was the mating attack after} 14...gxf6 15.Nxf6+ Kg7 ( 15...Kh8 16.Qf5 ) 16.Nh5+ Kh6 17.Qf5 Qg5 18.Ng4+ Kxh5 19.Nf6+ Kh4 20.Qh3# ) 15.Qxe4 Qxf6 ( {Karjakin needs to part with the exchange in order to avoid the horrible position after} 15...gxf6 16.Nc6 Qd7 17.Rad1 Rae8 18.Qf3 Qe6 19.Qxc3 {and Black's king is desperately weak, and his pawn structure is kind of scary.} ) 16.Nd7 Qg6 ( {An important nuance is} 16...Qd4 17.Qxd4 Bxd4 18.Rad1 $1 {(Wei) trading the c-passer, rather than} ( 18.Nxf8 $2 cxb2 19.Rad1 Rd8 $1 {when Black is the one in the driver's seat. This is what Karjakin had missed, as he tweeted later in the day.} ) ) 17.Qxg6 hxg6 18.Nxf8 cxb2 19.Rab1 Kxf8 20.Rfd1 $1 {There is no need to let the black rook out. Wei will in fact build his play against that piece.} ( 20.Rxb2 Rd8 ) 20...Ke7 {This makes things easier for White.} ( 20...c5 21.Rxb2 Rc8 22.Kf1 {followed by a march of the white king to the c4-square would not have helped either.} ) ( {But Karjakin was obliged to activate the rook with} 20...Re8 21.Rxb2 Re4 22.Kf1 Ra4 23.Re2 Bd4 {White still has huge advantage, but it is not yet a win.} ) 21.Rxb2 {Since Black cannot trade rooks, the only way to bring the king out is via the h-file.} ( {Therefore Seirawan suggested the prophylactical move} 21.h4 {but Wei did not want to trade pawns with:} 21...Kf6 22.Rxb2 Rh8 23.g3 g5 ) 21...g5 ( {Alas, the rook cannot go out:} 21...Rh8 22.g3 Rh5 23.Re2+ Kf6 24.Rd3 Rb5 25.Rf3+ {and Black has to return to f5 and swap rooks if he wants to save the f7-pawn.} ) 22.Rbd2 ( {The immediate} 22.Re2+ Kf6 23.Rd7 {was also good.} ) 22...Rh8 23.g3 Rh5 {This seems quite strange, but} ( {the rook will be once again prevented from getting into the game after} 23...Rh6 24.Rd7+ Kf6 ( 24...Ke8 25.Rd8+ ( {Or even} 25.R7d5 f6 ( 25...Rf6 26.Re1+ ) ) 25...Ke7 26.R1d7+ ) 25.Kg2 {and it will be similar to the game.} ) 24.Kg2 Kf6 {Whenever the pawn moves forward,} ( 24...g4 {it becomes a liability, and White will soon start proving that} 25.Re1+ Kf6 26.Re4 Rg5 ( 26...Rf5 27.Rxg4 ) 27.Rc4 ) 25.h3 Rh6 26.Rd8 {After taming the black rook, Wei takes care of his own ones.} 26...Ke7 27.R1d7+ Ke6 28.Rd2 Rf6 ( {Or} 28...Ke7 29.Rg8 g6 30.Rdd8 Kf6 31.Rge8 Rh7 32.Rd3 Kg7 33.Rf3 {when Re8-e7 is unstoppable.} ) 29.Rg8 Rg6 30.Re8+ Kf6 ( {Nothing changes} 30...Kf5 31.Rd5+ Kf6 32.Rd7 ) 31.Rd7 {Karjakin resigned as the f7-pawn will drop.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.28"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2840"]
[ECO "A90"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[Beauty "6393729913863"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:19:04"]
[BlackClock "0:59:17"]

1.d4 e6 2.c4 f5 {In a desperate need for a win, Carlsen goes for the complex Dutch.} 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 d5 {The Stonewall one.} 5.Nf3 Bd6 6.Nc3 c6 7.Bf4 Bxf4 8.gxf4 O-O 9.e3 Bd7 ( {Another way is:} 9...Nbd7 10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.fxe5 Ne4 12.Bxe4 fxe4 13.Qg4 Qe7 {as in Hayrapetyan,H (2467)-Shahinyan,D (2457) Yerevan 2015} ) 10.Qb3 Qc7 11.O-O Be8 12.Rfc1 Qe7 13.Qa3 {Eljanov came very well prepared for the game and uncorked a strong novelty. Similar idea was seen in the game Anand-Topalov from their WCC in Sofia. White spoils his pawn structure but in return receives the half-open b-file from where puts strong pressure on the opponent's position.} ( {If we have to be honest, the Ukranian GM simply improved on the idea of Ulybin:} 13.Ne5 Nbd7 14.Qa3 $5 {Ulybin,M (2580)-Shumiakina,T (2365) Dubai 2000} ) 13...Qxa3 14.bxa3 Nbd7 15.Rab1 Rb8 {In case of} ( 15...b6 16.cxd5 {The pressure on the half-open b and c-files will become very strong} 16...cxd5 ( 16...exd5 17.Ne2 Rc8 18.Ne5 ) 17.Nb5 {in both cases with clear edge for White.} ) 16.a4 a5 {Carlsen hurries to block these fellows.} ( 16...Ne4 17.a5 {will be followed by a5-a6 and then the second Bro will go forward.} ) 17.Rb2 Ne4 ( {Black cannot trade the pawns} 17...dxc4 18.Nd2 Nd5 19.Nxc4 ) 18.Nxe4 dxe4 {Carlsen looks for a way to free his pieces a bit.} ( {In case of} 18...fxe4 19.Nd2 {The knight will be heading for the queenside, with advantage for White as} ( 19.Ng5 Rf6 {is less appealing here.} ) 19...c5 {fails to} 20.Bh3 Rf6 21.cxd5 exd5 22.dxc5 ) 19.Ng5 $1 {Very concrete and strong.} ( 19.Nd2 c5 {was Black's idea.} ) 19...Rf6 ( 19...Bf7 {would not change anything. White is better after} 20.Rcb1 ( 20.f3 $5 exf3 21.Bxf3 Rfc8 22.Rcb1 Rc7 ) 20...b6 21.f3 exf3 22.Nxf3 ( {Or} 22.Bxf3 ) ) 20.f3 {The point behind the previous move. The bishop enters the game and Black's position becomes critical.} 20...h6 ( 20...exf3 21.Nxf3 ) 21.Nh3 exf3 22.Bxf3 Rf7 23.Nf2 {The knight had done its job and wants back to the center. Eljanov had done a great job and clearly outplayed his mighty opponent.} ( {There was nothing wrong with} 23.Rcb1 $5 ) 23...c5 $1 {In a difficult situation, the world champion shows his character. Carlsen clearly knows that a couple of more improving moves will make his position undefendable.} ( {The tricky} 23...Rc8 $5 {to move the rook away the rook from the pin does not solve the problems due to} 24.Rxb7 Ne5 25.Rxf7 Nxf3+ 26.Kg2 Nh4+ 27.Kg3 Kxf7 28.Kxh4 {witha solid extra pawn for White.} ) ( {Neither does} 23...Nf6 $6 24.Nd3 {and both Nd3-c5 and Nd3-e5 threats look bad for the second player.} ) 24.Nd3 cxd4 25.exd4 Nf6 26.Nc5 {That is better than} ( 26.c5 Rc7 ( 26...Bxa4 27.c6 $1 ) ) 26...Ne4 $1 {Once again best chance. The pawns cannot be saved anyway:} ( 26...Re7 27.Rb6 ) 27.Nxe6 {The best reply in return. After} ( 27.Bxe4 fxe4 28.Nxe6 Bd7 ( 28...Bxa4 29.Nc5 Bd7 {is also possible.} ) 29.Nc5 Bg4 {the black pieces come into life.} ) 27...Bxa4 28.d5 ( 28.Bxe4 $5 {looks interesting after} 28...fxe4 29.Nc5 Bd7 30.Kf2 Rxf4+ ( 30...g5 $5 31.Nxd7 Rxd7 32.fxg5 Rxd4 33.Ke3 ) 31.Ke3 $1 ) 28...Bd7 29.Bxe4 ( {Eljanov wants it all. Taking into account the arising time trouble though it might have been wiser to choose:} 29.Re1 Bxe6 30.dxe6 Re7 31.Bxe4 fxe4 32.Rxe4 {when the risk to lose is zero. (Still, the chances for a draw for Black are very high.)} ) 29...fxe4 30.Nc5 Bg4 {The bishop is finally a piece again. The game becomes extremely sharp now.} 31.Re1 ( 31.Nxe4 Rxf4 32.Nd6 Rbf8 {would be similar to the game.} ) 31...Rc8 {Carlsen captures his chance. In the time trouble, he goes for an attack with his remaining pieces.} ( {He is safe already asthis line demonstrates-} 31...Rxf4 {would be a draw after} 32.Rxe4 Rbf8 33.Rxf4 Rxf4 34.Nxb7 Bh3 35.Rb1 Rxc4 ) 32.Nxe4 {Black's threats are serious. Check this out:} ( 32.Nxb7 Rb8 33.Reb1 Rxf4 34.c5 $2 ( 34.h3 $1 {might be still equal after say} 34...Bxh3 35.c5 Rbf8 36.d6 R8f5 37.Kh1 Rg5 38.Rg1 Rd5 39.c6 e3 40.d7 Bxd7 41.cxd7 Rxd7 42.Nxa5 ) 34...Bh3 $1 35.d6 Rbf8 {and all of a sudden White is mated on the back rank.} ) 32...Rxf4 33.Nd6 Rcf8 34.Rb3 {The same mate lurkes in the line:} ( 34.Nxb7 Bh3 {with one addition-} 35.Rbb1 Rg4+ 36.Kh1 Bg2+ 37.Kg1 Bxd5# ) 34...R8f6 35.Ne4 {Eljanov tries to keep his pieces closer to the king.} ( {The computer does not care and defends after} 35.Nxb7 Rxc4 ( 35...Rg6 36.Rg3 ) 36.Nxa5 Rc5 37.Nc6 ) 35...Rg6 36.Rg3 b6 37.d6 {It was about time to force draw with something like} ( 37.c5 bxc5 38.Nxc5 h5 39.Nd3 Rd4 40.Ne5 {but the time deficit takes its toll.} ) 37...Kh7 38.Nf2 $2 {Only this can be named a mistake.} ( {Believe it or not, this position is some sort of a mutual zugzwang. Therefore, a semi-waiting move like} 38.h4 $5 {would have still saved the day after} 38...Bc8 39.Rxg6 Kxg6 40.Nc3 Rxc4 41.Nd5 ) 38...Rxc4 {Now Carlsen wins a pawn and surprisingly easily after-the game.} 39.Nxg4 Rgxg4 40.Rxg4 Rxg4+ 41.Kf2 Rd4 42.Re6 Kg8 43.Ke3 Rd1 ( 43...Rd5 {simply invites the king to a better position.} 44.Ke4 Rd2 {After} 45.Kf5 {the united efforts of the rook, king and pawn will secure White enough counter-play} 45...a4 46.Re8+ Kf7 47.Re7+ Kf8 48.Ke6 Re2+ 49.Kd7 Rxh2 50.Re8+ Kf7 51.Re7+ Kf6 52.Ke8 Rxa2 53.d7 Rd2 54.Rf7+ ) 44.d7 Rxd7 45.Rxb6 Rd5 {At a glance, it seems as Eljanov should hold this. All he need to do is to trade one of his pawns (preferably the a-one.) But he never gets a chance.} 46.Rb2 ( {If} 46.a4 {with the threat Ra4-b5!, then} 46...Rh5 47.Rb5 ( 47.Rb2 Rh3+ 48.Ke4 Rh4+ {would win a second pawn.} ) 47...Rh3+ 48.Kf2 Rxh2+ 49.Kg3 Ra2 {The two connected passers whould win.} ) 46...Kh7 47.Ke4 ( {White would be happy to trade pawns, but it does not work:} 47.h4 Rh5 48.Rh2 g5 ) 47...Rh5 48.Kf4 Rh4+ 49.Kg3 g5 50.Rb7+ ( {In case of the passive defense:} 50.Rb6 Ra4 51.Rb2 {The winning plan is typical. First, improve everything as much as possible:} 51...Kg6 52.h3 Ra3+ 53.Kh2 Kh5 54.Rc2 a4 55.Rd2 {Then take the rook out} 55...Rc3 {followed by a4-a3 and Rc3-c1-b1-b2.} ) 50...Kg6 51.Rb6+ Kh5 52.h3 Ra4 53.Rc6 {Eljanov knows that the passive defense does not help (see the line from above.)} 53...Ra3+ 54.Kg2 Rxa2+ 55.Kg3 a4 56.Ra6 a3 57.Kf3 Rb2 58.Kg3 ( {Or} 58.Rxa3 Kh4 ) 58...a2 59.Kf3 a1=Q 60.Rxa1 Kh4 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.01.29"]
[Round "13.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2840"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "5430180854815"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:26:27"]
[BlackClock "0:31:38"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {In a must-win situation Carlsen decided to avoid the Berlin Wall.} 3...Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.Bg5 d6 7.Nbd2 ( {The other continuation is:} 7.O-O h6 8.Bh4 Re8 9.Nbd2 Be6 10.Re1 {as in Cheparinov,I (2688)-Melkumyan,H (2640) Izmir 2016} ) 7...h6 8.Bh4 g5 {All of this has been played before but here Carlsen uncorked:} 9.Nxg5 ( {Instead of the calm:} 9.Bg3 Ne7 10.Nf1 Ng6 {when Black does not have any problems as a rule, Nemeth,H (1685)-Gergely,A (1829) Miskolc 2010} ) 9...hxg5 10.Bxg5 {The sacrifice is purely positional. Carlsen gets two pawns for a piece and mounting pressure.} 10...Kg7 ( 10...Be6 {at once is also a possibility.} ) 11.Qf3 Be6 ( {A standard idea to get rid of the pin in similar situations of the Ruy lopez is to bring the rook out with:} 11...Rh8 12.h4 Rh6 {But in this case White will have material advantage after} 13.Bxh6+ Kxh6 14.b4 ( 14.Bxf7 {at once is also good.} ) 14...Bb6 15.a4 ) 12.b4 Bb6 13.Bd5 {The dominant position of the bishop secures a third pawn.} ( 13.a4 a5 14.b5 Nb8 {would be less precise.} ) 13...a5 ( {Here} 13...Rh8 $5 {is more interesting, for example} 14.a4 a5 15.b5 Nb8 16.Bxb7 Ra7 17.Bd5 Nbd7 ) ( {However} 13...Bxd5 $2 {to save the pawn is wrong. After} 14.exd5 Nb8 15.Ne4 Nbd7 16.Qf5 {the pin is irreversible.} ) 14.b5 Nb8 15.Bxb7 Ra7 16.Bd5 Nbd7 17.Nc4 {Material is equal, but Karjakin can be also satisfied with his position after:} 17...Bxd5 18.exd5 Qe8 {Black broke the pin and if the coming knight on f5 does not mate him might be even better.} 19.Ne3 Rg8 ( {Worse was:} 19...e4 20.Qg3 Nh5 21.Nf5+ Kh7 ( 21...Kg6 22.Qg4 ) 22.Qh3 ) 20.O-O Nh7 21.Nf5+ Kh8 {The king is safe. Funnily, it is Black who wants to attack on the "g" file now.} 22.Bh4 Ra8 23.Rae1 f6 24.Re4 $5 {A clever idea. The immediate:} ( 24.d4 {would have been answered with} 24...Qg6 $5 25.Ne7 Qg4 26.Nxg8 Qxf3 27.gxf3 Rxg8+ 28.Kh1 f5 {When if anyone is better that is not White.} ) ( {From the above-mentioned line we can try another cunning idea:} 24.Kh1 $5 {With the idea to prepare for the play on the open line after} 24...Qg6 25.Ne7 Qg4 26.Nxg8 Qxf3 27.gxf3 Rxg8 28.Rg1 Nhf8 {Although here too it should be approximately equal.} ) 24...Nc5 25.Re3 ( 25.Rg4 Rxg4 26.Qxg4 Qf7 {is good for Black.} ) 25...Nd7 26.d4 Qg6 $5 {Karjakin decided to get rid of the queens. His defensive skills are already legendary.} ( {After} 26...Ndf8 $5 27.Qe4 Ng6 28.Rh3 {White can still try a kingside attack.} ) 27.Ne7 Qg4 28.Nxg8 Rxg8 {Now we see why Carlsen did Re1-e4-e3. His pawns will not get doubled after the queen swap:} ( 28...Qxf3 29.Rxf3 ) 29.Qxg4 Rxg4 30.g3 exd4 {I suspect that Black did not like the line:} ( 30...Nhf8 31.dxe5 Bxe3 ( 31...fxe5 $1 {is OK for him though.} ) 32.e6 $1 Bc5 33.Re1 Rg8 34.e7 Ng6 35.e8=Q Rxe8 36.Rxe8+ Kg7 37.Ra8 {when White might be indeed better.} ) 31.cxd4 Bxd4 32.Re8+ Rg8 33.Re7 ( 33.Ree1 Ne5 ) 33...Rg7 34.Re4 {Carlsen still pushes for a win but with the isolated bishop on h4 this is hardly possible.} 34...Ne5 35.Kg2 {Not:} ( 35.Rxd4 $4 Nf3+ ) 35...Bb6 36.f4 Ng6 37.Kh3 ( {More precise would have been:} 37.Re8+ $5 Rg8 38.Rxg8+ Kxg8 39.Kh3 ) 37...Kg8 $1 {The king takes care of himself and completely locks the bishop on h4.} 38.Rfe1 Kf7 39.Re6 Rg8 40.R1e4 {One more inaccuracy and Carlsen gets into a bit of a trouble. Correct was some semi-waiting move like:} ( 40.a4 {with the idea to meet} 40...Rh8 {with} 41.Kg4 $1 ) 40...f5 41.Re2 Rh8 {Suddenly, there are threats against the white king.} 42.a4 ( {His Majesty does not want to leave the soldiers} 42.Kg2 Nxh4+ 43.gxh4 ) 42...Kg7 $1 {With the theat to bring the knight out. A curious position arises after:} ( 42...Nxh4 43.Re7+ Kg6 ( 43...Kg8 $2 44.Kxh4 $1 Nf6+ 45.Kg5 ) 44.gxh4 Nf6 45.R2e6 {both sides cannot improve their situation.} ) 43.Rxg6+ $1 {Carlsen always feels the critical moment. One more delay and it would have been over for him. For example:} ( 43.Re1 $2 Nf6 $1 {and as there is no} 44.Rxf6 ( 44.R1e2 Nxd5 ) 44...Nxh4 {White's position falls appart.} ) 43...Kxg6 44.Re6+ Kf7 ( {Maybe} 44...Kh5 45.Kg2 Nf8 {would have given Black winning chances.} ) 45.Re7+ Kg8 {Now White holds easily.} ( 45...Kg6 46.Re6+ ) 46.Kg2 Nf8 47.Bg5 Rh7 ( {Or} 47...Ng6 48.Rd7 Rh7 49.Rd8+ Nf8 50.Re8 ) 48.Re8 Kf7 49.Rd8 Kg8 50.Re8 Rf7 51.Bh6 Rf6 {Karjakin decided to force a draw.} 52.Bg5 Rf7 53.Bh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sharjah E Grand Prix"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2017.02.18"]
[Round "1.9"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Hammer, Jon Ludvig"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2628"]
[ECO "A20"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "6118738759694"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:42:46"]
[BlackClock "0:01:30"]

1.c4 e5 2.d3 {The English opening is essentially a reversed Sicilian and both players quickly reach a position from the Moscow line with an extra tempo for White.} 2...Bb4+ 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.Nf3 Bd6 ( {Giri tried instead} 4...Nc6 5.a3 Bxd2+ 6.Qxd2 d5 {against Topalov and achieved an OK position after} 7.cxd5 Qxd5 8.e4 Qd6 {Topalov,V (2761)-Giri,A (2769) Saint Louis 2016} ) 5.a3 O-O 6.e3 ( {Grischuk rejected} 6.Ne4 Nxe4 7.dxe4 {"It might be good when playing it as Black, but not here". White's plan involves further maneuvering of the knight via d2-b1-c3 all the way to d5 but Black's resources are sufficient to keep the balance.} ) 6...Re8 7.Qc2 {Grischuk made another comparison to the Sicilian. In the line:} ( 7.b4 c5 8.g4 Nxg4 9.Ne4 Bf8 10.bxc5 {White has an extra tempo in comparison to the Reversed Sicilian. However, the extra e2-e3 move that he made is depriving him of the Bc1-g5 move after the black knight returns to f6. Black is indeed doing fine after say} 10...d5 ) 7...Bf8 8.b4 d6 {Hammer explained that he decided at first not to force b4-b5, but then he changed his mind on the next move. But if he wanted to do it, the right time was now:} ( 8...a5 9.b5 d6 10.Bb2 b6 11.Be2 Bb7 12.O-O Nbd7 {"Black's play is very easy." Grischuk.} ) 9.Bb2 a5 10.Be2 {Now White simply keeps the pressure on the queenside.} 10...Na6 11.Qb3 Bf5 12.O-O h6 13.Bc3 c6 14.Qb2 {Black has to reckon with the c4-c5 threat.} 14...Nd7 15.Nb3 a4 16.Nbd2 {Grischuk spent a lot of time on the risky:} ( 16.Na5 Qc7 17.d4 {After} 17...e4 ( {However, the Russian's sense of danger did not let him down as} 17...exd4 {is indeed better. Then after} 18.exd4 ( 18.Nxd4 Be4 {followed by Na6-b8 and b7-b6 leaves the knight dangerously exposed.} ) 18...b6 {works for Black since} 19.Nxc6 Qxc6 20.b5 Qe4 {comes with a tempo.} ) 18.Nd2 {He liked his position as Black cannot win the knight with} 18...b6 {due to} 19.Nxc6 Qxc6 20.b5 ) 16...Nc7 17.Rfe1 Bh7 18.Rad1 b6 {All normal by now. Both sides are getting ready for the coming pawn clashes and transformations. The only problem was that both players had left a few seconds on their clocks (plus increment) for the most interesting part of the game. And mind you, nothing is traded yet!} 19.Ne4 f5 {Hammer revealed himself as an Aerosmith fan with: "This is either going to be brilliant or horrendous, but we are living on the edge."} ( {Grischuk liked the light-squared initiative that he would get in case of} 19...d5 20.Ng3 f6 21.Nh4 ) ( {Some move like} 19...Rc8 {would be calmer.} ) 20.Ng3 c5 {More risky time-trouble play.} 21.Nd2 ( 21.b5 $5 {is another way to play the position when after} 21...Ne6 22.Nd2 {the light-squared white bishop will be shown on the f3 square.} ) 21...Rb8 22.Bh5 ( 22.Bf3 {at once was OK too. White should be slightly better here.} ) 22...Re7 23.Bf3 b5 {And the melee started.} 24.Qc2 ( 24.Bc6 $5 ) 24...Kh8 25.Bc6 {Not sure how to change the pawn structure Grischuk goes for the most clear-cut continuation and wins a pawn.} ( 25.Rb1 $5 {to keep the pressure was another option (unbearable with that little time on the clock though).} ) 25...Rb6 ( 25...bxc4 26.Nxc4 {would only make things worse for Black.} ) 26.cxb5 Nxb5 27.Bxb5 Rxb5 28.Qxa4 Rb8 29.Qc6 {Once again White rejects the kamikaze feeling to throw the knight in the opponent's camp with} ( 29.e4 f4 30.Nf5 {as both} 30...Re8 ( {Or} 30...Nb6 31.Qa5 Rc7 {will leave the horsie precariously placed.} ) ) 29...Re8 30.Nc4 {Grischuk believed he is close to winning until Hammer uncorked} ( {Later the Russian suggested} 30.Qf3 Qf6 31.Nc4 {but this should be very good for Black after} 31...e4 $5 32.Bxf6 exf3 33.Ba1 cxb4 34.axb4 d5 ) 30...Qc8 31.Qf3 ( 31.Qxc8 Rexc8 {"gives Black good drawing chances" Grischuk.} ) 31...d5 $3 {"Fantastic!" Grischuk.} 32.Qxd5 ( {Everyone would be scared by the look of the black pawns after} 32.Na5 Nf6 ) 32...Nf6 33.Qf3 ( 33.Qf7 {would drop the queen after both} 33...Rb7 ( 33...Re7 ) ) 33...e4 {The point behind the sacrifices. The knight on c4 is deprived of any support.} 34.dxe4 {Instead both:} ( 34.Qf4 Nd5 {lose material for White.} ) ( {Ditto for} 34.Qe2 exd3 35.Qxd3 f4 ) 34...cxb4 35.Bxf6 Qxc4 36.Ba1 ( {Both player tackled the piece sacrifice in the post-mortem but came to the conclusion taht it is not worthy for White:} 36.Nxf5 gxf6 37.Nd6 Bxd6 38.Qxf6+ Kg8 39.Qxd6 b3 40.Qg3+ Kh8 41.Rd7 {Due to the constant resource} 41...Qc3 $1 ) 36...fxe4 37.Qf4 {In case of} ( 37.Qg4 b3 $1 {is strong. Rather than:} ( 37...bxa3 38.Rd7 $1 ) 38.Bb2 Qc2 39.Rb1 {Chances are approximately equal.} ) 37...bxa3 {Hammer wants to take out all the queenside pawns. Once again} ( 37...b3 38.Rc1 Qe6 39.Bb2 {is double-edged.} ) 38.Qxh6 Kg8 39.Qf4 Rb7 40.Rc1 Qe6 41.Ne2 {They decided this was enough action for round one and called it a day. After} ( 41.Ne2 a2 42.Bd4 Reb8 43.Nc3 {the only one to play for the win would be Black.} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sharjah E Grand Prix"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2017.02.19"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2692"]
[BlackElo "2796"]
[ECO "A01"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[Beauty "6739877432335"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:41:36"]
[BlackClock "1:04:06"]

1.b3 {Rapport's addiction to this move was not a suprise for Vachier-Lagrave.} 1...d5 2.Bb2 Bg4 3.h3 Bh5 4.d3 Nd7 ( {Another plan is} 4...Nc6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Bg2 e5 {with a sort of reversed Modern Defense as in Laznicka,V (2666)-Navara,D (2726) Prague 2016} ) 5.g4 Bg6 6.f4 e6 7.Nf3 h5 {An important move. White should be deprived of his kingside fun.} 8.g5 ( {White cannot keep the pawns in line} 8.Bg2 hxg4 9.hxg4 Rxh1+ 10.Bxh1 Nh6 {and g4-g5 will be forced under less favorable circumstances.} ) 8...Ne7 {A logical move. There is an excellent outpost for the knight, why not to take it?} ( {Black did less good in the only predecessor} 8...h4 9.Nbd2 Bd6 10.e3 f6 11.Rg1 {Blatny,P (2483) -Kurmann,O (2296) Kusadasi 2006} ) 9.Nh4 Nf5 10.Nxf5 Bxf5 {Vachier-Lagrave mentione in his brief talk with Peter Doggers that he already has good play. Indeed, he is well developed and in the future may try to exploit the weaknesses on Rapport's kingside.} 11.Bg2 e5 {No need to prepare this thematic advance.} 12.Qd2 {Greediness is a sin when you are underdeveloped.} ( 12.fxe5 {would be punished with:} 12...Qxg5 13.Bxd5 c6 14.Bf3 Bb4+ 15.c3 ( 15.Nd2 Qg3+ {followed by Bf5xh3 is no good neither.} ) 15...Bc5 16.d4 Nxe5 $1 17.dxc5 Qg3+ 18.Kf1 Nxf3 19.exf3 O-O {White has no moves. Ra8-d8 and Rf8-e8 will soon mate him.} ( {Or the more straightforward} 19...Bxh3+ 20.Rxh3 Qxh3+ 21.Kg1 Rh6 {with a decisive attack.} ) ) 12...exf4 13.Qxf4 Be6 14.Nd2 ( {In case of} 14.h4 Bd6 15.Qf2 {Black can try to exploit the weakness of the g4 square after} 15...Ne5 {Still, I believe that this was much better than what happened in the game.} ) 14...Bd6 15.Qh4 {The weaknesses on the kingside starts to itch. Not too badly, but still.} ( 15.Qe3 O-O ) 15...Ne5 16.Nf3 ( {Perhaps} 16.O-O-O {is slightly trickier. The point being that in the line} 16...Ng6 ( 16...c6 ) 17.Qa4+ Bd7 ( {The other point is that} 17...c6 18.Bxg7 ) 18.Qd4 $5 {the bishop on b2 is immune to the threat Bd6-e5. Another point is that} 18...c5 $2 19.Qxg7 ( 19.Qe3+ $5 ) 19...d4 20.Bd5 $1 {is not impressive at all.} ) 16...Ng6 17.Qa4+ ( {If} 17.Qf2 O-O {and Black is doing great.} ) 17...Bd7 18.Qd4 c5 19.Qe3+ ( {In case of} 19.Qxg7 d4 {the white queen is trapped. It is not very obvious how Black can take it, but he can at least always repeat moves with Bd6-f8-e7.} ) 19...Kf8 $1 {Vachier- Lagrave had obviously planned this move before playing c7-c5. The fact that the rook on h8 is staying out of the play for a while is a minor concession in comparison to the problems of the white king. It cannot stay in the center for ever, the e-file will spell trouble for it. It cannot castle long:} 20.O-O {Thus this is the only option. But you rememeber that the kingside pawns were advanced too far, too early.} ( 20.O-O-O $4 Bf4 ) 20...Qc7 {Black is clearly better. He has a strong center and a safer king.} 21.Qd2 Re8 {The threat is to transfer the bishop on e3.} 22.e3 Kg8 {The king is moving to the safe square on h7. This is not only cautious, but needed:} ( 22...Qc8 23.Qf2 $1 {will emphasize the weakness of the black king.} ) 23.d4 Qc8 $1 {Now this is good. The itch became pain. Rapport cannot hold the kingside.} 24.h4 ( {The computer's suggestion} 24.dxc5 Bxc5 25.Rae1 Bxh3 26.Qc3 Bf8 27.Qxc8 Bxc8 28.Nd4 {can hardly be found by a human being. And it is hardly any stronger.} ) 24...Bh3 25.Ne5 {Qc8-g4 is a deadly threat, so Rapport parts with a pawn.} ( {After} 25.Bxh3 Qxh3 26.Qg2 {Black has a choice of snatching a pawn with} 26...Qxg2+ ( {Or playing for an attack after} 26...Qd7 ) 27.Kxg2 Rxe3 ) 25...Bxe5 26.dxe5 Bxg2 {A slight inaccuracy. Vachier-Lagrave could have taken two instead of one with:} ( 26...Qg4 $1 27.Kh2 Bxg2 28.Qxg2 Qxh4+ 29.Kg1 Nxe5 ) 27.Qxg2 Qg4 {The other way to play it was with the queens on:} ( 27...Nxh4 28.Qf2 Qg4+ 29.Kh2 Kh7 {As} 30.Qxf7 $4 Qg2# ) 28.Rad1 Nxh4 {Now a lenghty forced line follows:} 29.Qxg4 hxg4 30.Rxd5 Nf3+ 31.Kg2 Rh2+ 32.Kg3 Rxc2 33.Rf2 Rxf2 34.Kxf2 Nxg5 35.Kg3 ( 35.Rxc5 $4 Ne4+ ) 35...Ne6 {As a result the French GM is a solid pawn ahead in the endgame.} 36.Rd7 ( 36.Kxg4 Rd8 ) 36...Rd8 {Black decided to activate his rook at once.} ( 36...Rb8 37.Kxg4 Kf8 {was also possible though.} ) 37.Rxb7 Rd2 38.Ba3 Rxa2 39.Rxa7 {Black cannot use the pin as Ba3xc5 is a threat now.} 39...Re2 40.Bc1 ( {Or} 40.Kxg4 Rxe3 41.Rb7 c4 $1 ) 40...Rc2 ( {Another plan is} 40...Re1 41.Bd2 Rg1+ 42.Kh2 Rd1 43.Ra2 Kh7 ) 41.Ra1 Rc3 42.Kxg4 ( {White cannot save the b3 pawn:} 42.Rb1 Nd4 ) 42...Rxb3 43.Kf5 Rd3 {The rest is technical for Vachier-Lagrave.} 44.Ra8+ Kh7 45.Ra7 Rd1 46.Rxf7 ( 46.Bb2 Rf1+ 47.Kg4 Kg6 ) 46...Nd8 47.Rc7 Rf1+ {An important zwisngschenzug to make things easier. Although} ( 47...Rxc1 48.e6 Rf1+ 49.Ke5 Kg6 50.e7 Nf7+ 51.Ke6 Rf6+ {is good enough.} ) 48.Ke4 Rxc1 {Black could have also kept the piece like this:} ( 48...Ne6 49.Rc6 Ng5+ 50.Kd3 Rxc1 51.e6 Rd1+ 52.Ke2 Rd8 {and wins.} ) 49.Rc8 Nf7 50.Rc6 Nh6 51.e6 Ng8 52.Rc7 Nf6+ 53.Ke5 Kg6 54.e7 Re1 0-1

[Event "Sharjah E Grand Prix"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2017.02.20"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "5571377896991"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:55:07"]
[BlackClock "0:23:16"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 {Mamedyarov is not a big fan of the Berlin.} 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 {It is funny how things change. Some thirty years back this move would be considered completely innocuous. Now, with lines like the Marshall Gambit deeply explored by the machines, this is more or less the only way to play the game...} 6...b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a3 O-O 9.Nc3 Na5 ( {The latest WCC match saw the following plan in action:} 9...Nb8 10.Ne2 c5 11.Ng3 Nc6 12.c3 Rb8 13.h3 a5 14.a4 b4 {Karjakin,S (2772)-Carlsen,M (2853) New York 2016} ) 10.Ba2 Be6 11.b4 Bxa2 12.Rxa2 Nc6 13.Bg5 Nd7 14.Be3 Nf6 15.Bg5 Nd7 16.Be3 Nf6 17.Qb1 d5 {Black usually equalizes after this central strike.} 18.exd5 ( {An attempt to improve upon the game that went} 18.Bg5 d4 19.Bxf6 dxc3 20.Bxe5 Nxe5 21.Nxe5 Qd6 {with compensation for the pawn, Caruana,F (2794) -Aronian,L (2786) Moscow 2016} ) 18...Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Qxd5 20.c4 {Vachier-Lagrave regretted this decision later. Instead he suggested:} ( 20.Rc1 Rad8 21.c4 Qxd3 {(Mamedyarov)} 22.Qxd3 Rxd3 23.cxb5 axb5 24.Kf1 {with equality.} ) 20...bxc4 21.dxc4 Qe6 {Now a position with different side majorities arises. White would be happy to trade as many pieces as possible (starting with the queens) and then capitalize on the outside passer on the queenside. But, before the endgame the chess Gods have created the middlegame where the central advantage means better kingside attacking prospects. In order to prevent the obvious f7-f5 followed by e5-e4 attack Vachier-Lagrave plunges into the deep.} 22.Qe4 Rad8 ( 22...f5 23.Qd5 $1 ) 23.g4 $5 {Still, not completely justified.} 23...h5 {Another plan was:} ( 23...g6 24.g5 h6 25.h4 hxg5 26.hxg5 Kg7 {followed by Rf8-h8. This also looks dangerous for White.} ) 24.g5 {White confessed that at first he wanted to play:} ( 24.h3 hxg4 25.hxg4 {but then saw the line:} 25...f5 26.gxf5 Rxf5 27.Nh2 Nd4 28.Rd2 Nf3+ $1 29.Nxf3 Qg6+ 30.Bg5 Rxd2 {and gave up the idea for good.} ) 24...Qg4+ {Black did not want to swap queens, but then he saw a beautiful resource for his opponent:} ( {"You got lucky that in the line:"} 24...f5 25.gxf6 Rxf6 26.Kh1 ( {Instead Vachier-Lagrave intended to play:} 26.Rd2 Rdf8 27.Ng5 Rg6 28.h4 {hoping to hold the kingside.} ) 26...Qh3 {"You have the move"} 27.Qh7+ $3 {Mamedyarov.} ) 25.Qxg4 hxg4 26.Nh4 {The knight is ugly on the rim, we all know that, but at least White is no longer mated.} 26...g6 ( 26...Nd4 27.Bxd4 exd4 28.f4 {is about equal (MVL.)} ) 27.Kh1 {Going for the pawn.} 27...e4 28.Rg1 Ne5 29.Bf4 Nxc4 30.Rxg4 $6 {"I played too fast" MVL. Indeed:} ( 30.Bxc7 Rd5 31.Rxg4 Bxg5 32.Rxe4 Nd2 33.Rg4 Rc8 34.Bg3 {was the easier way to equalize and get out of the trouble.} ) 30...c5 31.bxc5 Bxc5 32.Rc2 Rd4 33.Rg3 Re8 $1 {A beautiful "mysterious rook move" that White missed.} 34.Kg2 {Mamedyarov's idea is revealed in the line:} ( 34.Rgc3 Bd6 35.Rxc4 Rxc4 36.Rxc4 Bxf4 {where the black e4 pawn is defended. And if:} 37.Nf3 $4 exf3 38.Rxf4 Re1# ) 34...Bf8 ( 34...a5 35.Rgc3 Bd6 36.Bg3 ) 35.Rgc3 {It is time for Vachier-Lagrave to come up with something clever.} ( 35.a4 Bb4 {looks too grim for White.} ) 35...Nxa3 36.Ra2 Rd3 37.Rc6 a5 38.Nxg6 $1 {There goes the ugy knight off. And it is replaced by two super pawns.} 38...fxg6 39.Rxg6+ Kh7 ( 39...Bg7 $5 {was naturally an option, although White is in the game after} 40.h4 Rf8 41.Bd6 ) 40.Rc6 Bb4 41.h4 Nb5 {Funnily now it is this knight which was on the rim and is suffering. Mamedyarov is trying to bring it into the game but this gives time for the white pawns to reach the sixth rank.} 42.h5 Nc3 {In case of the central:} ( 42...Nd4 {both players had different ideas. Mamedyarov was afraid of:} 43.Rc7+ ( {While the French GM intended to play:} 43.Rh6+ Kg7 44.Rg6+ Kf7 45.Rf6+ Ke7 46.h6 ) 43...Kg8 ( {Worse is} 43...Kh8 44.g6 Nf3 ) 44.h6 Nf3 45.g6 {In both cases White's chances are reasonable enough to keep the balance.} ) 43.Rc2 Nd5 44.g6+ Kg8 45.Bg5 $1 {This bishop is ready to support the pawns at any cost.} 45...Rf3 ( {For example:} 45...Ne7 46.h6 $3 {with the idea:} ( 46.Re6 Rd5 {probably wins for Black (Mamedyarov). But there is a forcing draw after} 47.Bxe7 Rxe7 48.Rc8+ Kg7 49.h6+ Kxh6 50.Rh8+ Kg7 51.Rh7+ Kf8 52.Rh8+ ) 46...Nxc6 47.Bf6 {and in order to stop the pawns Black has to go for:} 47...Rd7 48.Rxc6 Ra8 49.h7+ Rxh7 50.gxh7+ Kxh7 51.Kg3 ) ( {Another try is} 45...e3 46.Rc8 Rxc8 47.Rxc8+ Kg7 48.fxe3 Nxe3+ 49.Kf3 {although White should be OK here too.} ) ( {And} 45...Bc3 46.h6 {does not help much.} ) 46.h6 Nf4+ ( {Another beautiful drawish line was shown by the players:} 46...Rf5 47.Bc1 e3 48.Rc8 Rxf2+ 49.Kg1 {let me prolong it a bit} 49...Rf1+ 50.Kxf1 e2+ 51.Rxe2 Rxc8 52.Bb2 Rf8+ 53.Kg1 Bc3 54.Bxc3 Nxc3 55.Re7 {with perpetual on the seventh rank.} ) 47.Bxf4 Rxf4 48.Rc8 Rxc8 {Forced as:} ( 48...Rff8 {would even lose after} 49.R2c7 $3 Rxc8 50.h7+ Kh8 51.g7+ Kxh7 52.gxf8=N+ $1 ) 49.Rxc8+ Rf8 50.Rc7 Rf6 {Black cannot avoid the draw.} ( 50...Ra8 51.Rg7+ Kf8 52.Rf7+ ) 51.Rc8+ {A spectacular point split!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sharjah E Grand Prix"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2017.02.21"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7491270218789"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "1:10:56"]
[BlackClock "0:47:36"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 Be7 8.Bd3 Nbd7 9.Nge2 ( {In Wijk an Zee, less than a month ago Adams defended successfully the position after:} 9.Qc2 Nh5 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.O-O-O Nb6 12.h3 Be6 {Tomashevsky,E (2728) -Adams,M (2744) Wijk aan Zee 2016} ) 9...Nh5 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.Qd2 {A very rare move which Mamedyarov obviously prepared for this game. Adams said later that he did not like the position that he got out of the opening.} 11...Nb6 12.f3 {The point. White wants to prepare e3-e4 as quick as possible. Botvinnik liked to play this way some time ago.} ( {In the only predecessor the prominent Swedish GM postponed this for a move:} 12.O-O O-O 13.f3 Be6 14.b3 Rac8 15.Rac1 c5 16.dxc5 Rxc5 17.Nd4 {and also got the better play, Hillarp Persson,T (2521)-Merriman,J (2253) London 2015} ) 12...Bd7 13.O-O O-O 14.g4 {Also part of the plan. The knight will go to g3, Ra1-e1 and then all the white pieces will be optimally placed for the central advance.} ( {The immediate} 14.e4 {was less accurate due to} 14...dxe4 15.fxe4 c5 $1 ) 14...Nf6 15.Ng3 Ne8 {With the idea to jump all the way to c4 and torture the white pieces. The road of the f-pawn has been freed as well.} ( {However, taking into an account how strong White's initiative was after the programmed e3-e4 advance, perhaps Black shoud have tried to attack the center at once:} 15...c5 $5 16.Rae1 cxd4 17.exd4 Qb4 18.Kh1 {White looks better here as well but at least the center has been fixed. Adams may try to swap off all the rooks along the e-file and hold.} ) 16.Rae1 Nd6 17.e4 {"Very principled move or else f7-f5 is coming." (Mamedyarov)} ( {Say} 17.b3 f5 18.gxf5 Nxf5 19.Nxf5 Bxf5 {with equality.} ) 17...dxe4 18.fxe4 Ndc4 {The immediate capture is less precise:} ( 18...Bxg4 19.e5 Ndc4 20.Qg2 $1 {with plenty of threats. For example:} 20...Rad8 $2 21.Qe4 f5 22.Nxf5 {and White regained the pawn and kept the attack.} ) 19.Qc1 {Instead:} ( 19.Bxc4 Nxc4 20.Qe2 Qb4 {is comfortable for Black.} ) 19...Bxg4 20.b3 {For the sacrificed pawn White has a serious initiative. Mamedyarov mentioned another idea at the press conference:} ( 20.Rf4 $5 {In order to deprive Black of he Ra8-d8 idea. Then after} 20...Bd7 21.b3 Nd6 22.Kh1 {White can mount pressure along the half-open f- and g-files.} ) 20...Rad8 $1 {Adams is ready to scarifice a piece! The knight retreats look worse:} ( 20...Nd6 21.e5 $1 ) ( {Or} 20...Na3 21.Rf4 Be6 22.Nf5 Bxf5 23.exf5 Qg5+ 24.Kh1 {in both cases with serious attack for White.} ) 21.Nf5 {Once again:} ( 21.Rf4 {is an interesting alternative. Then in case of:} 21...Rxd4 $2 ( {The Azeri GM was afraid of the line:} 21...Ne5 22.dxe5 Rxd3 23.Rxg4 Qc5+ 24.Kh1 Qxc3 {but in the post-mortem he realized that} 25.Rxg7+ $1 {still works and leads to mate after} 25...Kxg7 26.Nf5+ ) ( {However, there is the strong idea:} 21...Be6 $1 22.bxc4 Rxd4 {Black will soon net third pawn for the piece, plus he managed to stabilize the situation on the kingside.} ) 22.Rxg4 {White wins thanks to the tactical idea:} 22...Rxd3 23.Rxg7+ $1 {(Mamedyarov)} ) 21...Bxf5 {Sacking the piece with:} ( 21...Qg5 22.Qxg5 hxg5 23.Bxc4 {looks less appealing.} ) 22.exf5 Qf6 {Adams decided to keep the queens. I believe this is correct as there are a lot of perpetual checks on the cards thanks to her Majesty. The computers suggests instead the endgame after:} ( 22...Qa3 23.Bxc4 Nxc4 24.bxc4 Qxc1 25.Rxc1 Rxd4 26.c5 ) 23.Bxc4 Nxc4 24.bxc4 Qxd4+ 25.Kh1 Rfe8 {The smoke has cleared. Almost. For the piece Adams netted two pawns, weakened the white king and all the white pawns.} 26.f6 $1 {The only chance to play for something. The black king needs to be endangered too.} 26...Rxe1 27.Qxe1 Qxc4 28.fxg7 Rd6 $1 {"I missed this strong move. It should be a draw after this." - Mamedyarov} 29.Rg1 Rg6 30.Qe5 ( {Perhaps} 30.Rf1 $5 Kxg7 31.Qe5+ Kh7 32.Rf3 {to keep some attacking potential was better.} ) 30...Qe6 {Mamedyarov gave the following tricky line:} ( 30...Rg5 $5 {with the idea to force perpetual after} 31.Rxg5 ( {The Azeri GM believed that Black would lose after} 31.Ne4 Rxe5 $4 ( {However, there is a flaw in this line-} 31...Rxg1+ $1 32.Kxg1 Qxa2 33.Nf6+ Kxg7 {essentially draws. Believe it or not, there is no checkmate!} ) 32.Nf6# ) 31...Qf1+ 32.Rg1 Qf3+ ) ( {Mamedyarov also believed that White is better in the endgame after} 30...Rxg1+ 31.Kxg1 Qg4+ 32.Kf2 Qxg7 33.Qxg7+ Kxg7 34.Kf3 {although it is highly questionable if this is winning.} ) 31.Qb8+ Kxg7 32.Qxa7 Qc4 33.Qe3 b5 {Adams is ready to trade the last white queenside pawn.} 34.a3 c5 35.Ne4 $1 {A good practical chance in the opponent's time-trouble.} 35...f5 $2 {Adams succumbed to the pressure. The best chance was to proceed with his plan:} ( 35...b4 $1 {when} 36.a4 {is risky and most likely not winning after} ( 36.axb4 cxb4 37.Rxg6+ fxg6 38.Qa7+ Qf7 39.Qd4+ Kh7 {should be a draw as well (Mamedyarov)} ) 36...Qd5 37.a5 ( {Best is} 37.Rxg6+ fxg6 38.Kg1 {with some winning chances for White still.} ) 37...f5 {with possible perpetual check somewhere along the lines after:} ( 37...b3 ) 38.a6 fxe4 39.a7 b3 40.Rxg6+ Kxg6 41.Qg3+ Kf5 42.Qh3+ Kg6 43.Qg3+ ) 36.Rxg6+ Kxg6 37.Nxc5 {Now White just wins.} 37...Qd5+ 38.Kg1 Qd1+ 39.Kg2 Qd5+ 40.Kh3 Qd1 41.Qe8+ Kf6 ( {Or} 41...Kg7 42.Ne6+ Kf6 43.Qd8+ {trading the queens.} ) 42.Nd7+ Kg5 43.Qg8+ {Adams resigned due to the lines:} ( 43.Qg8+ Kf4 ( 43...Kh5 44.Nf6# ) 44.Qg3+ Ke4 45.Nf6+ Kd4 46.Qd6+ ) 1-0

[Event "Sharjah E Grand Prix"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2017.02.24"]
[Round "6.7"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Riazantsev, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2692"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[ECO "E20"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[Beauty "5430449280521"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:04:01"]
[BlackClock "0:00:21"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.g3 Nc6 {"I do not know that line too well." (Rapport)} 5.Bg2 O-O 6.Nf3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 b6 ( {The other way to play it is to go for the weak c4 pawn at once with:} 7...Na5 8.Qa4 b6 9.Ne5 Rb8 10.O-O $6 d6 11.Nc6 Qe8 {as in Moiseenko,A (2648)-Filippov,A (2582) Almaty 2016} ) 8.Ne5 {White needs to create threats as quick as possible.} 8...Bb7 9.Bg5 Na5 10.Bxb7 Nxb7 11.Qa4 {A novelty. Previously, White tried to make use of the pin with:} ( 11.Ng4 d5 ( {However, Rapport did not like the consequences of the line:} 11...Nd6 12.Nxf6+ gxf6 13.Bh6 Re8 14.e4 Kh8 15.Qd3 e5 $1 16.f3 f5 $5 ) 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.cxd5 f5 14.Ne3 {with some advantage for White, Ribic,K (2315)-Brkic,M (2083) Tuzla 2010} ) 11...Nd6 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Nd3 {White also managed to spoil the pawn structure of his opponent. But Riazantsev can be satisfied as he managed to trade some pieces and now will be the first to probe the enemy weaknesses.} 13...c5 $5 14.dxc5 bxc5 ( {Rapport suggested instead:} 14...Ne4 {with the idea to meet:} 15.c6 {with} 15...Nxc3 ( {He believed that} 15...dxc6 16.f3 {should be a bit better for White.} ) 16.Qa3 Ne4 17.f3 Nc5 {with approximate equality.} ) 15.O-O Qc7 16.Rfd1 Ne4 17.Qa3 {Not only defending, but relocating the queen to a better position.} 17...Rfc8 18.Qc1 Kg7 $1 {The best way to meet the opponent's attack. "Now anytime White gives a check with his knight on h5 there will be the strong Kg7-g6 defense." (Rapport) A line which demostrates this, runs} ( 18...Qa5 19.Qh6 Nxc3 20.Nf4 {and White mates. (Rapport)} ) 19.Rb1 Rab8 20.Rb3 ( {Rapport disliked the endgame after:} 20.Rxb8 Rxb8 21.f3 Nd6 22.Nf4 Nxc4 ( {While Riazantsev intended to play:} 22...Ne8 23.Nh5+ Kf8 24.Qh6+ Ke7 {when his king is safe and he can look for queenside counterplay.} ) 23.Nh5+ Kg6 24.Qf4 Qxf4 25.Nxf4+ Kg7 26.Rxd7 {although White seems a bit better here thanks to his more active rook.} ) 20...a5 21.Ra3 ( {Maybe White could have tried:} 21.f3 Nd6 22.Nf2 {intending Nf2-g4.} ) 21...h6 $1 {Once more taking care of his weak kingside squares. Black prepares f6-f5 to cover almost everything there.} 22.f3 Ng5 23.Nf4 f5 24.Qd2 {If the kingside does not work Rapport wants to try through the center.} 24...Rb7 ( 24...Rd8 25.Qd6 {is definitely weaker for Black.} ) 25.Rb3 Rcb8 {Riazantsev sacrifices a pawn. Both players came to the conclusion that Black's chances for a draw are significant after:} ( 25...Rxb3 26.axb3 Rd8 27.Qd6 Qxd6 28.Rxd6 Kf8 {Now they annalyzed:} 29.Ra6 ( {And} 29.Rb6 Ke7 30.Rb5 Ra8 31.Rxc5 a4 {in both cases Black should hold.} ) ( {However, there is a third option:} 29.Nd3 $5 Ke7 30.Ra6 d6 31.Rxa5 {which looks like a solid advantage for White.} ) 29...Rb8 30.Rxa5 Rxb3 31.Rxc5 {and Black should survive.} ) 26.Qxd7 $1 ( {At first White wanted to go for} 26.h4 $2 {but then he saw the tactics:} 26...Nh3+ $1 ) 26...Qxd7 27.Rxd7 Rxd7 28.Rxb8 Rd2 {White's extra pawn is doubled and not seemingly much. It is his activity and the possible play against the black king which makes Riazantsev's defense very tough.} 29.Kf2 ( {Better than:} 29.h4 e5 $1 30.Nh5+ Kg6 31.g4 fxg4 32.fxg4 Ne4 {(Rapport)} ) 29...Rxa2 30.h4 Nh7 {Now:} ( 30...e5 31.Nh5+ Kg6 32.g4 fxg4 33.fxg4 Ne4+ 34.Ke3 {is just winning for White. (Rapport)} ) 31.Nd3 Ra3 32.Rb7 {Perhaps:} ( 32.Rb5 Rxc3 33.Rxa5 Rxc4 34.Ne5 {was more precise (Rapport)} ) 32...Kg8 33.Rb5 Rxc3 34.Rxc5 a4 35.Ke3 a3 ( 35...Nf6 $5 ) 36.Kd4 Rc2 37.Nf4 Nf6 {Riazantsev is correct by pointing the better defense:} ( 37...Nf8 $1 38.Ra5 {But now he suggested:} 38...Ng6 ( {Instead Black should find:} 38...Nd7 $1 39.Rxa3 Nb6 $1 {fighting the main enemy-the queenside passer which should lead to a draw.} ) 39.Nxg6 fxg6 40.Rxa3 Rxe2 41.Ra7 {which is highly doubtful if it will be draw.} ) 38.Ra5 Ra2 39.Kc3 ( {Rapport disliked} 39.Ke5 Ne8 ( 39...Nd7+ {was Black's intention.} ) ) 39...Ra1 40.Kb3 Rg1 41.Rxa3 e5 42.Nd3 {Seemingly better than:} ( 42.Nd5 Nxd5 43.Ra8+ Kg7 44.cxd5 Re1 {with chances for a draw.} ) 42...e4 {Riazantsev is trying to trade as many pawns as possible.} 43.Ne5 Rxg3 44.Ra8+ Kg7 45.Ra7 exf3 ( {After} 45...Kg8 46.c5 exf3 47.Nxf3 $1 {is strong and wins (Rapport)} ( {Rather than} 47.exf3 Ng4 48.c6 Nxe5 49.c7 Rxf3+ ) ) 46.exf3 Ng4 {The last chance to catch the c5 passer, but now the game enters highly favourable rook endgame for White.Or, to be more precise-won endgame.} 47.Rxf7+ Kg8 48.Rxf5 Nxe5 49.Rxe5 Rxf3+ 50.Kb4 Rf4 51.h5 ( {None of the players mentioned the simple:} 51.Kb5 Rxh4 52.c5 {which wins fast for White. Everything that he had to fight for would be achieved in this line- in particular, the black pawn is fixed on the h6 square.} ) 51...Kf7 52.Kb5 ( 52.Ra5 Rh4 $1 {should be holdable for Black. (Rapport)} ) 52...Kf6 53.Rd5 Ke6 54.Kc5 Ke7 55.Rd4 {Otherwise there is no progress.} 55...Rf5+ 56.Kb6 Rxh5 57.c5 Rh1 58.c6 {It is obvious that Black will have to sacrifice his rook for this pawn sooner or later. The question is if he can survive the arising rook versus pawn endgame. If he wants to have chances he needs to support the pawn on at least the fifth rank. Otherwise the king is cut along the fifth and the pawn cannot move.} 58...Ke6 ( {After} 58...Rb1+ 59.Ka7 ( 59.Kc7 h5 60.Rd5 h4 61.Rh5 Rb4 62.Kc8 ) 59...Rc1 60.Kb7 Kf6 61.Rd5 {wins for White.} ) 59.Rc4 $1 {The rook is ideally placed to support the pawn. The rest is relatively easy.} ( {Thet both thought it will be a draw after:} 59.c7 Rb1+ 60.Ka7 Rc1 61.Kb7 Kf5 {But here is the strong:} 62.Kb6 $1 {with the threat Rd4-d5+c5 and the bridge idea allows White a win.} ) 59...Rb1+ 60.Ka7 Ra1+ 61.Kb8 Rb1+ 62.Kc8 h5 ( {Or} 62...Kf5 63.c7 Rg1 64.Rc5+ Kg4 65.Kb7 {and the pawn promotes.} ) 63.c7 Ke7 64.Rh4 Rb5 65.Rh1 Ke6 66.Re1+ Kf6 67.Rc1 Ke7 68.Rc4 {Rapport repeated the position once and then found the winning idea.} 68...Rb1 ( 68...Ke8 69.Re4+ Kf7 70.Kd7 {wins as well.} ) 69.Rc5 h4 70.Rh5 Rb4 ( 70...Rh1 71.Rb5 {followed by Kc8-b7 and wins.} ) 71.Rh6 {The pawn is tamed, while the white pawn is still very costly for Black.} 71...Ke8 72.Rh7 Rc4 73.Kb7 Rb4+ 74.Kc6 Rc4+ 75.Kd6 Kf8 76.Kd5 Rc1 77.c8=Q+ Rxc8 78.Rh8+ 1-0

[Event "Sharjah E Grand Prix"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2017.02.26"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "B14"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[Beauty "6395474762248"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:04:39"]
[BlackClock "1:07:19"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.e3 Nc6 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Bd3 cxd4 8.exd4 Bb4 ( 8...Be7 {is better with a normal position (Mamedyarov).} ) 9.O-O O-O 10.Bc2 {"Shakhriyar mixed something in the opening and after this move I think it is very unpleasant for Black." (Grischuk)} 10...Bd7 ( {A novelty. The former world champion suffered a painful defeat after} 10...Nf6 11.Re1 h6 12.Qd3 Bd6 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 f5 15.Qe2 Nb4 16.Bb3 Nd5 17.Bd2 Bd7 18.Ne5 Rf6 19.Qf3 Bc6 20.Nxc6 bxc6 21.Rac1 Rc8 22.Rc2 Qb6 23.Rxe6 $1 {1-0 Ivanchuk,V (2747)-Anand,V (2779) Doha 2016} ) 11.a3 Bxc3 ( {Or} 11...Be7 12.Qd3 g6 13.Bh6 {with a nice initiative for White.} ) 12.Qd3 {Perhaps} ( 12.bxc3 {was more precise with the idea:} 12...b5 ( 12...Nxc3 $4 13.Qd3 {loses on the spot.} ) 13.a4 b4 14.Qd3 f5 15.c4 {with a clear advantage for White.} ) 12...f5 13.bxc3 b5 {The only way. Mamedyarov hopes to keep the position blocked.} 14.a4 a6 15.Re1 ( 15.axb5 axb5 16.Rxa8 Qxa8 17.Bd2 {is slightly better for White.} ) 15...Qc7 16.Ng5 {"I started to play very badly, just like in a bullet game. Attack, but then after the opponent defend, I had no idea what to do..." (Grischuk)} ( {White would have kept a nice advantage instead after} 16.Bb3 Na5 17.Bxd5 exd5 18.Ba3 Rfe8 19.axb5 axb5 20.Bc5 ) 16...Qd6 17.Qd2 {Grischuk intended to go for:} ( 17.Ba3 {at first with pressure after} 17...b4 18.cxb4 Ncxb4 ( {But he disliked the complications after} 18...Nf4 {Although, there is nothing to worry about after} 19.Qd2 Qxd4 20.Rad1 Qxd2 21.Rxd2 {The two bishops and the outside passer determines White's serious edge.} ) 19.Qd2 ) 17...h6 {Another way to play for equality was:} ( 17...b4 18.c4 Nc3 19.Nf3 ) 18.Nf3 Rfc8 19.Ba3 Qf4 20.Qxf4 {This lets the advantage slip away. Better was:} ( 20.Qd3 $1 {when White is still on top after both:} 20...Na5 ( {Or} 20...Nxc3 21.axb5 Nxb5 22.Bc5 {followed by Bc2-b3 with strong pressure.} ) 21.Bc5 Nb7 22.Ne5 Nxc5 23.dxc5 Be8 24.c6 $1 ) 20...Nxf4 21.Bc5 Na5 ( 21...g5 $5 ) ( 21...Nd5 $5 ) 22.Ne5 Be8 {Mamedyarov managed to get into an endgame where the isolated pair of white pawns on c3 and d4 is less dangerous. There is still work to do in order to equalize in full, but he is getting closer.} 23.g3 Nd5 24.Ra3 bxa4 25.c4 ( 25.Bxa4 Bxa4 26.Rxa4 Nc6 ) 25...Nf6 26.Bxa4 Bxa4 27.Rxa4 Nc6 28.Nd3 Ne4 {Black plays for a win. He thought he does not risk anything in time trouble.} ( {Mamedyarov thought that} 28...Rd8 {is an instant draw. For example:} 29.Nf4 ( {Or} 29.Rxe6 Nxd4 30.Bxd4 Rxd4 31.Nf4 Ne4 ) 29...Nxd4 30.Bxd4 Rxd4 31.Nxe6 Rd2 {The queenside pawns will soon disappear and this should indeed be a draw.} ) 29.Bb6 Rcb8 ( 29...a5 $5 ) 30.c5 Kf7 {The line:} ( 30...Nc3 31.Rc4 Nb5 32.Rxe6 Ncxd4 ( 32...Nbxd4 33.Rd6 ) 33.Re7 {is unpleasant for Black (Grischuk)} ( 33.Re3 $5 {is even more precise.} ) ) 31.Rea1 {Missed by Mamedyarov. He thought that White should play:} ( 31.Ne5+ Nxe5 32.dxe5 Nc3 {followed by Nc3-d5 when Black is doing fine and indeed plays without any risk.} ) 31...Nc3 32.Rxa6 Rxa6 33.Rxa6 Ne2+ 34.Kg2 Nexd4 35.Bc7 Rc8 {Forced, as:} ( 35...Rb1 36.Ne5+ Nxe5 37.Bxe5 {deprived Black of the blockading Nc6 resource (Grischuk)} ) 36.Bd6 g5 {The endgame is unpleasant for Black. White has more active pieces and a distant passed pawn. Still, since most of the pawns are facing each other Black has reasonable drawing chances.} 37.f4 gxf4 ( {Grischuk believed that Black can defend better with} 37...g4 38.Kf2 Ke8 39.Ke3 ) ( {While Mamedyrov thought that} 37...Ke8 {at once was more precise. In both cases White does not have a chance to penetrate with his king on the kingside.} ) 38.gxf4 Ke8 39.Rb6 ( 39.Kf2 {leads White nowhere after} 39...Kd7 40.Ke3 Nc2+ 41.Kd2 N2d4 {(Grischuk)} ) 39...Ra8 ( {The computer suggests the weird regroupment} 39...Na5 40.Ne5 Ndc6 ) 40.Ne5 {The blockade should be broken at any rate.} 40...Ra2+ 41.Kg3 Ra3+ 42.Kg2 {The only chance as:} ( 42.Kf2 Ra2+ 43.Ke3 Ra3+ 44.Kd2 Nxe5 45.Bxe5 Nb3+ {is just equal (Grischuk). This line should be prolonged a bit} 46.Kc3 Nxc5+ 47.Kb4 Nd7 48.Rxe6+ Kf7 {and indeed it is a draw.} ) 42...Ra2+ 43.Kg3 {Now the game enters rook endgame by force.} 43...Ra3+ 44.Kh4 Nxe5 45.Bxe5 Nf3+ 46.Kh5 Nxe5 47.fxe5 ( {Not:} 47.Rxe6+ $4 Kf7 48.Rxe5 Rh3# {(Grischuk)} ) 47...Kd7 {Both white pieces are more active and this makes the endgame extremely difficult for Mamedyarov to survive.} 48.Kg6 f4 ( {Mamedyarov mentioned} 48...Rd3 49.Kf7 f4 50.Rxe6 Rd5 {as a possibler defense, but it seems unlikely that Black can survive after} 51.Re7+ Kc6 52.Ke6 ) ( {However, it seems as} 48...Re3 $1 {would have saved Black. For example:} 49.Kf6 ( 49.Rd6+ Ke7 ) 49...f4 50.Rxe6 f3 51.Rd6+ Kc7 52.Rd1 f2 53.Rf1 Rf3+ 54.Kg7 Kc6 55.e6 Kxc5 56.e7 Re3 57.Rxf2 Rxe7+ {and it should be a draw.} ) 49.Rd6+ {The passer should be traded to kill any counterplay!} ( {Grischuk spotted the above-mentioned idea and avoided it:} 49.Kf7 f3 50.Rxe6 Re3 ) 49...Ke7 50.c6 f3 51.Rd7+ $1 {Mamedyarov was hoping for the study draw after:} ( 51.c7 Rc3 52.Rd3 $1 f2 53.Rxc3 f1=Q 54.c8=Q Qf7+ 55.Kxh6 Qg6+ $3 56.Kxg6 {Stalemate!} ) 51...Ke8 52.Rf7 Rc3 53.c7 h5 ( {Or} 53...f2 54.Rxf2 Rxc7 55.h4 ) 54.Rxf3 Rxc7 55.Rh3 {The lack of space prevents Mamedyarov from saving his pawns.} 55...Kd7 56.Rxh5 Rc4 ( 56...Kc6 57.h4 Kd5 58.Rg5 ) 57.Rh7+ Kc6 58.Kf6 Kd5 59.Rd7+ Ke4 60.Rd1 Rc2 ( 60...Rc2 {Black resigned due to} 61.Kxe6 Rxh2 62.Kd6 ) 1-0

[Event "Sharjah E Grand Prix"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2017.02.27"]
[Round "9.5"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7427072209457"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:42:03"]
[BlackClock "1:00:03"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.d4 dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bf4 {A topical line of the Catalan arose.} 10...Bd6 11.Qc1 {Ding revealed that he played this line twice in China. One game he won, and one he lost.} 11...a5 {A change of heart.} ( {A month earlier Aronian was successful with} 11...Bxf4 12.Qxf4 Qd6 13.Qc1 Bd5 14.Nc3 Nc6 15.e3 Nb4 {Eljanov,P (2755)-Aronian,L (2780) Wijk aan Zee 2017} ) 12.Nc3 ( {Giri played} 12.Bd2 {against Kramnik in Stvanger 2014 in order to prevent the maneuver Nb8-a6-b4, as Ding mentioned afterward. His 13th move was probably inspired by it.} ) 12...Na6 13.Bd2 {The actual novelty. White was usually chosing the seemingly more active:} ( 13.Bg5 h6 14.Bh4 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 c6 {as in Cuenca Jimenez,J (2529)-Kuzubov,Y (2629) Monzon 2016} ) 13...Nb4 14.Qb1 {The point behind White's preparation. He wants to play e3-e4.} 14...Bxf3 {More or less forced, according to Ding.} ( {On} 14...Re8 {White intended to play} 15.e4 e5 16.dxe5 Bxe5 17.Nxe5 Rxe5 {with slightly better position for White.} ) 15.Bxf3 c6 16.Rd1 {The preparation of the Chinese GM ended here. He believed his position is more comfortable, albeit close to equal. The two bishops may reveal their energy in the future, especially if the position gets opened.} 16...Qe7 ( 16...Qb6 $5 ) 17.Ne4 {Ding wanted to get rid of the "bad" knight.} ( {Since} 17.e4 {is always met with} 17...e5 ) 17...Nxe4 18.Qxe4 Rfd8 {The Chinese GM explained that in case that Black manages to swap off his bishop he would be fine. However, in the line:} ( 18...Nd5 19.Qc2 Bb4 {White has} 20.Bc3 {when the trade will improve White's pawn structure and will open the b-file for his heavy pieces.} ) 19.Bc3 Rd7 20.Rd2 {Now both sides prepare themselves for the opening of the game. White has two plans: to carry out the central break with d4-d5 or/and attack on the kingside thanks to his extra space. Black, on his turn, is waiting for a good moment to ease the center with breaks like c6-c5 and/or e6-e5 followed by the trade of all the rooks along the d-file.} 20...Qd8 21.Rad1 Be7 {"Somewhere around here I started to play carelessly," explained the Armenian GM. He offered instead:} ( 21...g6 {followed by Bd6-g7 and h7-h5 to prepare for the kingside assault.} ) 22.h4 Rb8 23.e3 Nd5 24.Qc2 Qc7 25.Kg2 g6 {Without the possibility h7-h5 this looks a bit weakening. The passive defense} ( 25...Rbd8 {seems perfectly playable.} ) 26.h5 Bf8 27.e4 ( 27.Rh1 $5 {to switch to a kingside attack deserved attention too.} ) 27...Nb4 {Aronian suggested instead:} ( 27...Nxc3 28.bxc3 b5 ( 28...e5 29.Bg4 {is awkward for the second player.} ) 29.e5 b4 30.cxb4 {When White is "a little better." The problem with Black's position is that he is always worse, no matter what happens and the price of his mistake is higher.} ) 28.Qb3 c5 $2 {Wrong timing. Beter was to prepare this:} ( 28...Rbd8 {Both players analyzed this briefly post mortem and came to the familiar conclusion: White is slightly better.} 29.e5 Bg7 30.Be4 c5 31.f4 c4 32.Qa3 Nd5 ) 29.dxc5 Rxd2 30.Rxd2 Qxc5 31.Rd7 {Aronian underestimated the unpleasantness of this move.} 31...b5 32.axb5 Qxb5 33.Qd1 {With the obvious threat of Qd1-d4 and mate on the long diagonal.} 33...Nc6 ( {A slightly weird defensive idea was} 33...Na2 $5 34.Bf6 Nb4 {in order to disturb the order in which the White pieces are arranged on the long diagonal.} ) 34.Be2 ( {Black has better defensive chances after} 34.Bg4 Rb7 ) ( {However Aronian suggest the cunning idea:} 34.Rc7 Rd8 35.Qh1 $1 {A nice shift to the kingside!} 35...Bg7 36.Bxg7 Kxg7 {Here instead of his suggestion:} 37.Qh4 ( {White can win with either:} 37.Qc1 $1 ) ( {Or} 37.h6+ ) ) 34...Qb6 {Both players saw the cute:} ( 34...Qc5 35.hxg6 hxg6 36.Rc7 Bd6 37.Bf6 $3 Bxc7 38.Qh1 ) 35.Bc4 Rb7 36.b3 {Another dangerous resource is:} ( 36.Qd2 Rxd7 37.Qxd7 {When} 37...gxh5 {will light a fire after} ( 37...Nb4 $5 {might be more stubborn.} ) 38.Qxe6 $3 Qxf2+ $3 ( 38...fxe6 39.Bxe6# ) 39.Kxf2 Bc5+ 40.Kf3 fxe6 41.Bxe6+ {I suspect that White is very close to winning here.} ) 36...Qa7 37.Rd6 $1 {A nice way to keep the active rook. Or at least to replace it for a nice defender.} 37...Bxd6 {"Of course I should not have played this stupid move." (Aronian)} ( 37...Rc7 {is much better for White, but not yet winning.} ) 38.Qxd6 Qb6 39.Qf4 {The bishops are more useful in the attack than the rook and the knight in the defense.} 39...Kf8 ( {On} 39...Nd4 {the fastest win is} 40.Qf6 ( 40.Qe5 Rd7 ) 40...Rd7 41.Bd5 $1 {(Aronian)} ) 40.Bxe6 Nb4 41.Qf6 Nd3 ( {Since} 41...Qxe6 {drops the queen to} 42.Qd8+ Qe8 43.Bg7+ ) 42.Bd4 $1 {White is completely dominating.} 42...Qd6 43.Be3 {"A very nice idea!" (Aronian)} 43...Ne1+ 44.Kf1 ( {But not} 44.Kh1 Qd3 {(Aronian, Ding) Although White is still winning here after} 45.Kh2 {with the idea} 45...Qf1 46.Qd8+ Kg7 47.h6# ) ( 44.Kf1 {Aronian resigned as White has more than one way of winning after:} 44...Qd1 45.Qh8+ Ke7 46.Bc5+ ( {Or even faster} 46.Bg5+ Kxe6 47.Qf6+ Kd7 48.Qd8+ {(Aronian, Ding)} ) 46...Kxe6 47.Qe8+ Kf6 48.Bd4+ Qxd4 ( 48...Kg5 49.Qe5+ Kh6 50.Be3+ ) 49.Qh8+ {(Aronian)} ) 1-0

[Event "Sharjah Grand Prix 2017"]
[Site "Sharjah"]
[Date "2017.02.22"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Hammer, Jon Ludvig"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2628"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7284532975111"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteClock "0:29:25"]
[BlackClock "0:50:56"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {The quiet Italian, which is never as slow as it seems.} 3...Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 a6 6.c3 d6 7.a4 O-O 8.Re1 Kh8 {"I do not know this move so well." (Adams) Probably because it is a novelty, although the idea is common. Black usually wants to prepare f7-f5 after h7-h6, Nf6-h7 (g8) and then f7-f5.} ( {Instead} 8...Ba7 {was chosen against Hammer's buddy Carlsen in a recent match-} 9.h3 Ne7 10.d4 Ng6 11.Nbd2 c6 12.Bf1 a5 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Qc2 Be6 {with approximate equality, Carlsen,M (2853)-Karjakin,S (2772) New York 2016} ) 9.h3 h6 10.Na3 ( {Adams did not want to put the knight in the center with} 10.Nbd2 {as it would deprive him of the d3-d4 option.} ) 10...Bxa3 {Both players investigated:} ( 10...Na5 11.b4 Nxc4 12.bxc5 {when White seems to be better after both:} 12...Nxa3 ( 12...Na5 {Thisseems like the better choice as White does not have too much pressure on d6 at the end of the line.} 13.cxd6 cxd6 14.Be3 ) 13.Bxa3 Re8 14.cxd6 cxd6 15.d4 $1 ) 11.Rxa3 Be6 {For some strange reason Hammer decided that he is not sure f7-f5 is his move.} ( 11...Nh7 {was still keeping him on route for playing f7-f5, although White can strike first in the center with} 12.d4 {and if} 12...f5 13.Bd5 fxe4 14.Bxe4 {looks promising for White.} ) 12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.d4 {"Now White is a little better." (Adams)} 13...Qe8 ( {On} 13...exd4 14.cxd4 d5 15.exd5 exd5 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Ne4 18.f3 {looks good for White.} ) ( {Hammer later suggested} 13...a5 {to avoid the queenside bind. To this Adams intended to swing the rook to b5 after} 14.Rb3 ) ( {Finally, a critical idea might be} 13...Nd7 {when} 14.Qb3 {can be met with the nice exchange sacrifice} ( {In case that White wants to avoid the melee he can go for} 14.a5 {preserving some sligh edge.} ) 14...Rxf3 15.gxf3 exd4 16.f4 Nc5 {with a mess.} ) 14.dxe5 Nxe5 ( 14...dxe5 15.b4 {makes no sense as Black is cramped. He needs to trade pieces.} ) 15.Nxe5 dxe5 16.a5 {Now that the queenside is fixed Adams has a good choice of objects to attack. The rook on a3 is also looking great.} 16...Rd8 17.Qe2 ( {Another option was:} 17.Qa4 Qf7 ( {But it seems as Adams was reluctant to take the queens off the board too early.} 17...Qxa4 18.Rxa4 Rf7 19.Be3 ) 18.Be3 {White is better, but Black can try some desperate kingside counter-attack.} ) 17...Qc6 ( {Adams suggested as good chance} 17...Nh5 {instead. But it was not clear what did he see for Hammer in case of:} 18.Rb3 {Now in case of} 18...Qg6 {White can just grab the pawn} ( 18...Rb8 19.Qc4 {does not seem appealing at all.} ) 19.Rxb7 ) 18.Rb3 Rd7 {Tricks do not help:} ( 18...Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Qxe4 20.Rxe4 Rd1+ 21.Kh2 Rxc1 22.Re2 {is a rather gloomy rook ending to play as Black. White will soon recover the pawn and will have two super-active rooks to torture the opponent's position.} ) 19.Rb4 $1 Rfd8 20.Be3 Kg8 21.Qc4 {Some simple logical moves proved White's advantage. Now Hammer tries to be active:} 21...Rd1 ( {But I think it was better for him to keep both the rooks on the board after} 21...Qxc4 22.Rxc4 Kf7 {With all the rooks present the white king will find it harder to get active.} ) 22.Rxd1 ( 22.Kf1 Qd7 {with the threat Rxe1+ followed by Qd7-d1 mate is not needed.} ) 22...Rxd1+ 23.Kh2 Qxc4 24.Rxc4 c6 ( {Adams felt that Black's last chance was teh rook endgame after:} 24...Ne8 $1 25.Rb4 ( 25.Rc5 Kf7 26.Rxe5 Nd6 {and the white rook is awkward (Adams). Although it can get out with} 27.Rc5 c6 28.f3 {and White has good winning chances.} ) 25...Nd6 26.Bc5 Ra1 27.Bxd6 cxd6 28.Rxb7 Rxa5 29.Rb6 d5 $1 {Indeed, it is so. For example} ( {Rather than} 29...Rb5 30.Rxd6 Rxb2 31.f3 ) 30.b4 Ra3 31.Rxe6 dxe4 32.Rxe5 Rxc3 33.Rxe4 Kf7 {and if the queenside pawns disappear it is a draw.} ) 25.Rb4 Rd7 26.Kg3 {Now White has all the advantages- more active pieces and king, better minor piece, better pawn structure.} 26...Kf7 27.Kf3 g5 $6 {There is no need to make things easier for your opponent when you are ina bad shape. This move allows White a chance to create a second weakness. If Hammer's defense was close to impossible beforehand, now it becoms really impossible.} ( 27...Ne8 28.Ba7 Nd6 {should have been preferred, although it is not clear if Black can survive anyway.} ) 28.Ba7 Ng8 29.h4 $1 {There comes the second weakness. It is either the h6 or g5 black pawn.} 29...gxh4 ( {Or} 29...Kg6 30.Bb8 Kf6 31.h5 $1 {Fixing the weakness on h6.} ( 31.hxg5+ $5 ) 31...Ne7 32.Ba7 Nc8 33.Bc5 {with the idea to attack the weakness after Bc5-f8.} ) 30.Kg4 Ne7 31.Be3 Ng8 32.Kxh4 Ke8 {Now White's plan is obvious: bring the king on h5, and something's gotta give.} 33.Rb3 Rg7 34.g4 Rf7 35.c4 Rd7 36.Ba7 {Pawn e5 is also a target, remember?} 36...Nf6 37.f3 Rf7 38.Bb8 Nd7 39.Bd6 Kd8 40.Kh5 Rf6 41.Rd3 {Hammer is running out of moves. The rest is easy.} 41...Ke8 ( 41...Kc8 42.Be7 ) 42.Bb4 c5 ( 42...Nb8 43.Bd2 ) 43.Bd2 Rf7 44.Bxh6 Nf6+ 45.Kg6 Ng8 46.Bg5 1-0

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.15"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2817"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7699802629680"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[WhiteClock "0:58:00"]
[BlackClock "0:01:12"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 {It seems as people are trying to avoid the Berlin endgame this days. Except for Vachier-Lagrave:} ( 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.h3 Be7 10.Nc3 Nh4 11.Nxh4 Bxh4 12.Be3 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2796)-Adams,M (2751) Gibraltar 2017} ) 5...Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 O-O 8.d4 Nf5 9.Nf3 d5 {The arising position is reminiscent of the Petroff defense, an opening which people were trying to avoid badly not long time ago too.} 10.c3 Bd6 11.Nbd2 ( {Or} 11.Bd3 Re8 12.Rxe8+ Qxe8 13.Qc2 Nce7 14.Nbd2 f6 15.Nf1 g6 {as in Shankland,S (2666)-So,W (2822) Saint Louis 2017} ) 11...Nce7 {A move Peter Leko had his doubts about.} ( 11...Re8 ) 12.Qc2 c6 13.Bd3 {The position is symmetrical and White cannot hope for plenty. One difference in comparison to the genuine Petroff defense is the position of the knight on f5. It obstructs the normal development of the light-squared bishop, while White does not have these problems.} 13...g6 {Not only overprotects the knight, but prepares the maneuver Nf5-g7 followed by Bc8-f5 that would solve the problem of the bishop.} 14.Nf1 {The knight is just in time to prevent the bishop swap.} 14...f6 $146 {Caruana is asking Hou: "What is your useful move?"} ( 14...Ng7 {against Topalov, when the former world champion managed to create problems after} 15.Ng3 f6 16.Bh6 Re8 17.Nh4 Bxg3 18.hxg3 Nef5 19.Qd2 g5 20.Rxe8+ Qxe8 21.Re1 Qd8 22.Nxf5 Nxf5 23.Bxf5 Bxf5 24.Qe2 {Topalov,V (2760)-Nakamura,H (2779) Saint Louis 2016} ) 15.h3 {Leko liked this move.} 15...Rf7 ( {The immediate} 15...Ng7 {makes sense too, as Black is not afraid of} 16.c4 ( 16.Ng3 {would be the most likely move when} 16...Re8 {is close to equal.} ) 16...dxc4 17.Bxc4+ Kh8 18.Bh6 Bf5 ) 16.Bd2 Bd7 {Some regroupment of teh kingside was still there, although White has ways to create little problems all the time:} ( 16...Ng7 17.Ng3 ( 17.Ne3 Nef5 ) 17...Nef5 ) 17.Re2 c5 $6 {Now instead of a Petroff, we have a French with an isolated d-pawn. The great Viktor Kortschnoi liked to play these positions but he was one of the very few people on earth. The isolated pawn seems more a liability here than an asset and Hou can be happy with her position. Caruana could have tried instead:} ( 17...b6 18.Rae1 {and only then} 18...c5 19.dxc5 bxc5 {with hanging pawns, rather than an isolani. He can get counterplay along the b-file now, and the pawns themselves are helping each other.} ) ( {Naturally, the patient defense with} 17...Ng7 {was still on the cards with passive, but defendable position.} ) 18.dxc5 Bxc5 19.Bf4 {White's plan is clear. Trade everything and get the pawn in the endgame. But how is Black going to attack in this situation?!} 19...Rc8 20.Rae1 g5 {This is how. However, the white pieces are better prepared and Hou plays the subtle...} 21.Ng3 ( {This is better than:} 21.Ne3 {when Black has the tricky} 21...Nd4 22.Nxd4 gxf4 23.Nef5 {although White seems to have the edge here as well.} ) 21...Nxg3 {Now the trick is not as great:} ( 21...Nd4 22.cxd4 Bxd4 23.Qb3 gxf4 24.Nxd4 fxg3 25.fxg3 $16 {with clear edge for White.} ) 22.Bxg3 {Hou traded a pair of pieces and is ready to seize the weak squares in the enemy camp. Her plan includes ideas like Qc2-d2, Bd3-c2(b1) and then Nf3-d4-e6. Caruana desperately seeks for counter-play, but things get worse with every active move that he makes.} 22...a5 23.Qd2 a4 24.b4 $1 {Improves the position even further as teh bishop cannot retreat.} 24...axb3 ( 24...Bb6 25.Bd6 $1 {will allow the white rooks a chance to seize the seventh rank.} ) 25.axb3 Ng6 26.h4 $1 {Another energetic blow! The black weaknesses are exposed.} 26...gxh4 ( {Or} 26...g4 27.Nd4 Bxd4 28.cxd4 {with complete domination.} ) 27.Nxh4 Nxh4 28.Bxh4 {One mor elight piece was traded. And three more isolates pawns added. Add to that a weak black king. Hou is strategically winning} 28...Qf8 29.Qf4 Bd6 30.Qd4 Rd8 ( {The queen cannot be challenged from the outstanding position} 30...Be5 31.Rxe5 $1 {willlead to a distater on the dark squares.} ) 31.Re3 {White is preparing the decisive attack.} ( {Not} 31.Qxd5 $2 Bg4 {when Black picks up an exchange.} ) 31...Bc8 {After} ( 31...Bc5 32.Rg3+ Kh8 {White can finally grab the pawn} 33.Qxd5 ) 32.b4 Kg7 {Once more} ( 32...Be5 {will be answered with the exchange sacrifice} 33.Rxe5 fxe5 34.Rxe5 Re8 35.Rxd5 {quickly picking two pawns for the exchange with decisive threats against the enemy king.} ) 33.Bb5 Bc7 34.Re8 {White could have won the exchange with} ( 34.Be8 {but she prefers the direct attack instead.} ) 34...Qd6 35.Bg3 Qb6 36.Qd3 {The threat is to trade on c7, d8 and check on g3 with the queen. Caruana is helpless and resigned after:} 36...Bd7 37.Bxd7 Rdxd7 38.Qf5 Bxg3 39.Qg4+ Kh6 40.Qh3+ {Mate is inevitable.} 1-0

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.16"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2838"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[Beauty "4673905919578"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[WhiteClock "0:26:38"]
[BlackClock "0:37:12"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O {Aronian is a famous Marshall specialist.} 8.a4 {And Carlsen does not want to test his knowledge. Some time ago Tal would say that this move is giving up any hopes of advantage. Nowadays the top players will argue that it gives a a chance for them to play some moves of their own.} 8...b4 9.d3 Bc5 10.c3 ( {Aronian had also faced} 10.Be3 Bxe3 11.Rxe3 d6 12.Nbd2 Na5 13.Ba2 c5 {with an approximately equal game in Yu,Y (2729)-Aronian,L (2785) Doha 2016} ) 10...bxc3 11.bxc3 Rb8 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bh4 g5 $146 {All of these moves were played quickly, including this novelty. An email game saw instead:} ( 13...Be7 14.Nbd2 d6 15.d4 exd4 16.cxd4 Nh5 17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.Qe2 {with slight edge for White in Barata,A (2200) -Parkes Navea,R (2038) ICCF email 2007} ) 14.Bg3 {The sacrifice does not work:} ( 14.Nxg5 hxg5 15.Bxg5 {due to the pretty refutation} 15...Rxb3 $1 16.Qxb3 Bxf2+ 17.Kxf2 Ng4+ ) 14...Nh5 15.Nbd2 Nxg3 16.hxg3 Qf6 {Black can be happy with the outcome of the opening. He traded the strong dark-squared bishop of the opponent, while keeping his one on commanding position.} 17.Nc4 d6 18.Ne3 Be6 19.Bxe6 {A dubious decision. Carlsen obviously wanted to avoid the position with opposite-colored bishops on the board, but now he is risking a lot.} ( {After} 19.Nd5 Bxd5 ( 19...Qg7 $5 ) 20.Bxd5 Ne7 {the positon would be even.} ) 19...fxe6 20.Qc2 h5 {Black's position is very pleasant. He simply wants to advance his kingside pawns and discover as many files as he can. The bishop on c5 is doing a great job into the attack.} 21.Rab1 Rxb1 {Why!? This rook would be a great piece to attack with. After the correct:} ( 21...Rbe8 $1 22.a5 Re7 {followed by Re7-g7 (f7, h7) this rook will mate, while the white one will sadly look at the empty b-file!} ( 22...g4 23.Nh4 ) ) 22.Rxb1 h4 23.gxh4 gxh4 24.Rb7 h3 {This also appears to be inaccuracy. Aronian could have attacked with} ( 24...Qg7 $1 {instead, not fearing} 25.Nxh4 $2 Bxe3 26.fxe3 Na5 ( 26...Qg3 {at once might be even stronger with the idea} 27.Rxc7 $2 Qe1+ ) 27.Rb1 Qg3 {and the knight is trapped on the rim.} ) 25.Rxc7 {Carlsen simply took the pawn. The black one on g2 will shield him against the black heavy pieces. But what about the f-file?} 25...hxg2 26.Qe2 $1 {This is what it is all about. The knight could not move due to:} ( 26.Nh2 $4 Bxe3 27.fxe3 Qf1+ ) 26...Ne7 ( {In the line} 26...Qxf3 27.Qxf3 Rxf3 {White will not capture the knight at once:} 28.Rxc6 ( {But would first play} 28.Kxg2 $1 Rxe3 29.fxe3 Na5 30.Rc8+ ( 30.Kf3 $5 ) 30...Kf7 31.Ra8 {with good winning chances.} ) 28...Bxe3 29.fxe3 d5 ( 29...Rxe3 30.Rxd6 ) 30.Kxg2 Rxe3 {which will be equal.} ) 27.Ne1 {Now he can move.} 27...Rb8 ( 27...Bxe3 28.Qxe3 $16 ) 28.Qg4+ {Surprisingly, it is Carlsen who attacks on the kingside. Had the second black rook been on g7...} ( 28.Qf3 $5 {was also very good for White.} ) 28...Ng6 ( 28...Kf8 $1 {is the better defense.} ) 29.Nf3 Rb2 {Now the world champion finds a very strong continuation:} 30.d4 exd4 31.e5 $1 {Both the white knights get perfect jobs while the black pieces stall.} 31...dxe5 32.Nc4 Rb1+ 33.Kxg2 e4 ( {The endgame after} 33...Qf5 34.Qxf5 exf5 35.Rxc5 {is hopeless for Black.} ) 34.Qxe4 {Carlsen thought this is safer and simplier, but it leads only to a draw.} ( {Carlsen had seen the right continuation} 34.Nfe5 $1 e3 ( 34...dxc3 35.Rxc5 ) ( 34...Qf5 35.Qxg6+ Qxg6+ 36.Nxg6 dxc3 37.Ne3 ) 35.Rf7 Qxf7 36.Nxf7 Kxf7 {and thought that White should play now} 37.Qh5 {and here he calculated the beautiful line:} ( {In fact after} 37.Qf3+ $1 Kg7 38.Qe4 {he is just winning.} ) 37...Kg7 38.Qxc5 e2 39.Qxd4+ e5 40.Nxe5 Rg1+ 41.Kh3 Rh1+ 42.Kg2 Rg1+ {that leads to a draw.} ) 34...Nf4+ 35.Kg3 Ne2+ {This shot is what White missed!} 36.Kg4 ( {The knight capture leads to perpetual after} 36.Qxe2 Qg6+ 37.Kh2 ( {As the attempt to deviate with} 37.Kh3 $4 Rh1+ 38.Nh2 Qh6+ {would be disastrous for White.} ) 37...Qh5+ $11 ) 36...Qf5+ 37.Qxf5 exf5+ 38.Kxf5 dxc3 39.Rxc5 c2 40.Rc8+ Kg7 {The c-pawn survived and saves Aronian. There are still some nasty little traps that he had to avoid.} 41.Rc7+ Kg8 ( {Avoids the temptation to go "active" with the king} 41...Kh6 $4 42.Nce5 c1=Q 43.Ng4+ Kh5 44.Rh7+ Qh6 45.Rxh6# ) 42.Kf6 Rg1 {A pretty move. There was also the dull:} ( 42...Rb8 43.Rg7+ Kf8 {which would not be that pleasant of a defense since White still has plenty of attacking resources. For example:} 44.Nfe5 ( 44.Ng5 Nf4 45.Nh7+ Ke8 46.Rg8+ Kd7 47.Rxb8 {when Black needs to avoid one last trap:} 47...c1=Q ( 47...Nd5+ $1 $11 {first is a draw though.} ) 48.Nb6+ Kd6 49.Rd8+ Kc7 50.Rc8+ {and wins.} ) 44...Nf4 $1 {And now it is time for White to force the draw with:} ( 44...c1=Q $4 45.Ng6+ Ke8 46.Rg8+ Kd7 47.Nge5+ Kc7 48.Rg7+ Kd8 49.Rd7+ Ke8 50.Nd6+ Kf8 51.Ng6+ Kg8 52.Rg7# ) 45.Ng6+ ( 45.Nd7+ Ke8 46.Kf5 c1=Q 47.Nf6+ Kf8 48.Rg8+ Kf7 49.Ne5+ Ke7 50.Rxb8 $11 ) 45...Nxg6 46.Nd6 $3 c1=Q 47.Rf7+ Kg8 48.Rg7+ Kf8 ( 48...Kh8 $4 49.Nf7# ) 49.Rf7+ $11 ) ( 42...c1=Q {should also lead ultimately to a draw after} 43.Rc8+ Kh7 44.Ng5+ Qxg5+ ( 44...Kh6 $4 45.Rh8# ) 45.Kxg5 {but hey, do you know anyone wishing to defend this against Carlsen?} ) 43.Nxg1 ( {The players saw} 43.Ng5 Rxg5 44.Ne3 c1=Q 45.Rxc1 Nxc1 46.Kxg5 {and evaluated it as a draw.} 46...Nd3 47.f4 a5 ) 43...c1=Q 44.Nxe2 Qh6+ {Aronian regains the knight with checks and the arising imbalanced position is equal.} 45.Ke7 Qh7+ 46.Kd6 Qd3+ 47.Kc5 Qxe2 48.Kb6 Qxf2+ 49.Kxa6 Kf8 50.a5 {Carlsen tried to push here for another twenty moves but in vain.} 50...Ke8 51.Nb6 Qf5 52.Rd7 Qc5 53.Rh7 Qe5 54.Rd7 Qc5 55.Rd5 Qc6 56.Rh5 Qc3 57.Kb7 Qg7+ 58.Ka6 Kd8 59.Rd5+ Kc7 $1 {Nice defense!} 60.Rd7+ Kb8 $1 ( 60...Qxd7 $4 {is lost of course after} 61.Nxd7 Kxd7 62.Kb7 ) 61.Rd8+ ( {Or} 61.Rxg7 {Stalemate!} ) 61...Kc7 62.Rc8+ Kd6 63.Nc4+ Kd7 64.Rc5 Qg1 65.Kb6 Qb1+ 66.Ka7 Qb4 67.Nb6+ Kd6 68.Rh5 Kc6 69.Rh6+ Kb5 70.Rh5+ Kc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.17"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Meier, Georg"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2817"]
[BlackElo "2630"]
[ECO "C10"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8044876400168"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:58"]
[BlackClock "0:00:36"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 {Meier's opening repertoire is quite narrow, albeit solid. This allows some in-depth preparations like the one that we are about to see.} 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Be3 Bd6 {The last game between these two players in the Rubinstein French took somewhat different course:} ( 7...Nd5 8.Bd2 c5 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.c4 Nb6 12.Rc1 {and at the end White prevailed, Caruana,F (2757)-Meier,G (2640) Baden-Baden 2013} ) 8.Bd3 O-O 9.Qe2 b6 10.O-O-O Bb7 11.Kb1 c5 12.Bg5 {To provoke h7-h6 makes sense. In the pawn races which are about to start soon every hook counts.} 12...h6 {All of this was executed fast and Caruana uncorked a novelty:} 13.Bh4 $146 {"Less direct, but Black still needs to solve the problem with the development of he pieces" - Caruana. One has to be from another planet not to expect Meier to be unprepared after:} ( 13.h4 {A move which the German GM faced a few months ago.} 13...cxd4 14.Nxd4 Be7 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Qxe6+ Kh8 18.Qf5 g6 19.Qxg6 Qc7 20.Qxh6+ Kg8 21.Qg6+ Kh8 22.Bf5 Bc8 23.Qh5+ Kg8 24.Rd7 {1-0 (24) Kulaots,K (2564)-Meier,G (2648) Sweden 2017} ) 13...Rc8 14.c3 {Both Caruana and Meier believed that this is actually the new move.} 14...Be7 15.Bg3 {"It is important that this moves stops Qd8-c7" (Caruana).} 15...cxd4 ( {Caruana only mentioned that} 15...Bxf3 16.gxf3 cxd4 {allows White many dangerous possibilities and it was obvious that this was still part of his preparation.} ) 16.Nxd4 Rc5 {The best defense. Meier lifts a rook to defend the fifth rank and prepares to double along the c-file.} ( {None of the player did not even bother to mention the suicidal} 16...Bxg2 {which self-opens the guns against the Black king. The punishment could be:} 17.Rhg1 Bd5 18.Bf4 Kh8 19.Bxh6 $1 gxh6 20.Qe3 Ng8 21.Rxg8+ $1 Kxg8 22.Qxh6 f5 23.Rg1+ Kf7 24.Qg6# ) 17.Rhe1 {An useful central move, although both} ( 17.f3 {and} ) ( 17.f4 {deserve further investigation.} ) 17...Qc8 18.Be5 $1 {Caruana wants to get the kingside pawns in a clash as quick as possible. This clever move wins a tempo.} 18...Nd7 {A good decision. The problem was that Black spent tons of time on it.} 19.Bf4 ( {Meier used the time to calculate the lines after:} 19.f4 Nxe5 20.fxe5 Bd8 21.Bc2 Bc7 22.Qd3 g6 23.Qg3 Qb8 $1 24.Nxe6 ( 24.Bxg6 Bxe5 {followed by Be5-g7 is solid for Black.} ) 24...Bxe5 25.Qh3 ( {There is a slight glitch in Black's calculations. In the line:} 25.Qd3 Rd5 26.Qxd5 Bxd5 27.Nxf8 Bxa2+ 28.Kxa2 Kxf8 29.g3 {White should be better thanks to the active rooks.} ) 25...Bc8 $1 {and this indeed might end in a draw after some further fireworks:} 26.Qxh6 Bxe6 27.Bxg6 fxg6 28.Qxg6+ Bg7 29.Qxe6+ Kh8 30.Qh3+ {Needless to say, Caruana calculated none of it...} ) 19...Nf6 {There seems to be nothing better.} 20.h4 ( {The other option was:} 20.g4 Nd5 ( 20...Rd8 21.Be5 Nd7 22.Bg3 {and Black still has problems to solve.} ) 21.Bd2 Bg5 22.h4 Bxd2 23.Qxd2 {Now Black seems to be close to equality after} 23...Qb8 $1 {with the idea} ( {Rather than} 23...Rd8 24.g5 Rxc3 25.gxh6 {(Caruana) which is indeed painful for Black.} ) 24.g5 hxg5 25.hxg5 Qf4 ) 20...Rd8 {White could not see a straightforward way to improve his position and tried} 21.Be5 {Which suddenly gave the desired effect.} 21...h5 {"I could not spend more time calculating this stuff" (Meier). "Positionally motivated, but still too risky. " (Caruana). The things that the German GM did not have the time to calculate might have exploded after:} ( 21...Nd7 22.Bxg7 {The move that they both calculated.} ( {Later Caruana admitted that he would have simply repeated the position once had Meier have played Nf6-d7 and then would look for something else.} 22.Bf4 ) 22...Kxg7 23.Nxe6+ ( {Caruana spent some time calculating the line} 23.Qg4+ Kf8 24.Qf4 ( {There is a draw after} 24.Nxe6+ fxe6 25.Qxe6 Ne5 26.Qxh6+ Kf7 ( {But not} 26...Ke8 $2 27.Rxe5 $1 Rxe5 28.Bg6# ) 27.Qh5+ Kf8 28.Qh6+ $11 ) 24...Bf6 25.Rxe6 fxe6 26.Qxh6+ Ke7 27.Qh7+ Kd6 {but found nothing for White.} ) 23...fxe6 24.Qxe6 ( {White can still transpose to the above-mentioned draw with:} 24.Qg4+ Kf8 25.Qxe6 Ne5 $1 26.Qxh6+ Kf7 27.Qh5+ $11 ) 24...Bf6 25.Qg4+ Kf8 26.Bh7 Ne5 $1 {when Black repels the attack with extra material.} ( {When Black would not fall for} 26...Bg7 27.Qe6 Nf6 28.Qe7# {(Caruana)} ) ) 22.f3 {Heading for the h5 pawn.} 22...Bd6 ( {Perhaps} 22...Nd7 $5 {was sill best although} 23.f4 {is a much better version for White to what we have seen from above.} ) 23.Bxf6 gxf6 24.Qe3 Kg7 ( {After} 24...Bf8 {both} 25.f4 ( {and especially} 25.g4 {seem strong for White.} ) ) 25.f4 Rg8 ( 25...Qc7 26.g3 {might have been Black's best defense (Caruana)} ) 26.Bc2 {Now White calmly prepares the sacrifice on e6.} 26...Bb8 27.Bb3 f5 ( 27...e5 {seems horrible after} 28.fxe5 Rxe5 29.Qg3+ Kf8 30.Qf4 {due to the leaky pawn structure.} ) 28.Nxe6+ {There he goes! On the top of the objective problems Meier was in severe time-trouble.} ( 28.Bxe6 $5 {would have also won material after} 28...Be4+ ( {Or} 28...fxe6 29.Nxe6+ Kg6 30.Nxc5 bxc5 31.Qe7 Be4+ 32.Rxe4 fxe4 33.Rd7 {with powerful attack.} ) 29.Qxe4 fxe4 30.Bxc8 Rcxc8 31.Rxe4 Kf6 {The good bishop compensates Black a bit, but two pawns are two pawns!} ) 28...fxe6 29.Qd4+ Kh7 ( {Or:} 29...e5 30.Qd7+ Kh8 31.Qf7 {and wins.} ) 30.Rxe6 {This also wins, although} ( 30.Bxe6 $1 {was more precise with complete domination after} 30...Qf8 31.Bxg8+ Kxg8 32.Qd7 Rc7 33.Qe6+ Rf7 34.Rd7 Be4+ 35.Ka1 ) 30...Be4+ 31.Ka1 ( {There is no need to calculate} 31.Rxe4 fxe4 32.Qxe4+ ) 31...Rg7 ( {After} 31...Rc7 {with the idea} 32.Qf6 ( {Caruana intended} 32.Rxe4 fxe4 33.Qxe4+ Kh8 34.Rd5 {with decisive attack.} ( 34.Rd6 {is actually the move when Black is indeed hopeless. For example} 34...Rh7 35.Qd4+ Rhg7 ( 35...Rgg7 36.Rd8+ Qxd8 37.Qxd8+ Rg8 38.Qxg8# ) 36.Rh6# ) ) 32...Qf8 $1 ) ( 31...Qf8 32.Rf6 ) 32.Qf6 Bxf4 33.Rd8 Qa6 34.Ree8 {The simplest. There was a forced mate too:} ( 34.Rh8+ Kxh8 35.Re8+ Kh7 36.Bg8+ Kh8 37.Bf7+ Kh7 38.Bg6+ ) 34...Qf1+ 35.Bd1 {Meier's opening survived, but he had to spend too much time in various moments of the game and this proved decisive at the end.} 1-0

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.19"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[Beauty "5983694757388"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[WhiteClock "1:18:54"]
[BlackClock "0:20:12"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 {I was wrong. Even Vachier-Lagrave avoids the Berlin endgame nowadays...} 4...Bc5 5.c3 d5 6.Nbd2 ( {Another popular line runs:} 6.exd5 Qxd5 7.Bc4 Qd6 8.b4 {For example} 8...Bb6 9.a4 e4 10.dxe4 Qxd1+ 11.Kxd1 Nxe4 12.Kc2 Nd6 13.Re1+ Ne7 14.Bb3 Bf5+ 15.Kb2 {as in Caruana,F (2817)-Xiong,J (2674) Saint Louis 2017} ) 6...dxe4 7.dxe4 O-O 8.O-O a5 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.Nxe5 Ba6 11.Re1 Re8 $146 {A novelty.} ( {MVL knew that the main line was} 11...Qd6 12.Ng4 Nxg4 13.Qxg4 Rae8 {and one email game ended in a draw here after} 14.Qg3 f5 15.Qxd6 cxd6 16.Nb3 Rxe4 17.Rxe4 fxe4 18.Nxc5 dxc5 19.Be3 Rb8 20.b3 c4 21.h4 Kf7 22.Kh2 Ke6 23.Kg3 Kf5 24.h5 {1/2-1/2 (24) Savio,G-Arbis,F (2131) ICCF email 2013} ) 12.Nxc6 {Now an endgame emerges by force.} 12...Qd6 13.Nd4 Bxd4 14.cxd4 Qxd4 15.Nb3 Qxd1 16.Rxd1 a4 {The pawn sacrifice deserved attention:} ( 16...Nxe4 17.Nxa5 Be2 18.Re1 Bb5 {with the idea} 19.Nb3 ( {But White can improve upon his play with} 19.b4 $5 Nc3 20.Rxe8+ Rxe8 21.Be3 {with the knights still on the board White should have decent winning chances.} ) 19...Nc5 20.Rxe8+ Rxe8 21.Be3 Nxb3 22.axb3 {and the opposite-colored bishop endgame should be a draw. But in any case Black cannot enter any of these lines without proper preparation.} ) 17.Nc5 Nxe4 18.Nxa6 Rxa6 19.Be3 {The endgame is favorable for White. The bishop is superior to the knight in play on both flanks, and White has the better pawn structure. But since there are only five pawns left for each side Black's chances to hold are very high. Vachier-Lagrave starts torturing his opponent in a not-very-gentleman's way.} 19...h5 20.Rac1 c6 21.Kf1 Nf6 22.Bc5 Nd5 {That is the good thing about the knights. They feel wonderful on central outposts. You also noticed that neither the knight, nor the pawn on c6 can be attacked by the enemy bishop.} 23.Rc4 Nc7 ( 23...f6 24.Rdd4 Rb8 {seems more natural, although it will most likely lead to the same thing later.} ) 24.a3 Rb8 25.Rd2 Nd5 26.Ke1 {The king goes to the queenside to defend the b2 pawn and set free the second rook.} 26...f6 27.Kd1 Kf7 28.Kc2 Rb5 29.Kb1 g6 30.Ka2 Ke6 {Hou also improved everything as much as possible.} 31.f3 Rb8 32.Re4+ Kf7 33.Rdd4 Rba8 34.Rc4 {White achieved a lot. His rooks are way more active than their counterparts. The only problem is that there is no proper usage of the bishop yet. Vachier-Lagrave figured he needs it on d2, but could not find a way to bring it there without trading the rooks.} 34...Ra5 35.Bf2 ( {In the line} 35.Bb4 Nxb4+ 36.axb4 ( 36.Rxb4 R5a7 {should be holdable for Black.} ) 36...R5a6 37.b5 cxb5 38.Rc7+ Kf8 39.Ree7 {Black should hold (Vachier-Lagrave).} ) 35...R5a6 36.Bc5 ( {If} 36.Be1 Re8 {and Black will relief her position by swapping off a pair of rooks. Of course} 37.Rxa4 $2 Rxa4 38.Rxa4 Rxe1 {is not good for White.} ) 36...Ra5 37.g3 R5a6 38.h4 $1 {Classy! It is time to create a second weakness on the opposite wing.} 38...Ra5 39.Bf2 R5a6 ( 39...Re8 $2 40.Rxc6 ) 40.Kb1 Rb8 41.Ka2 Rba8 42.g4 hxg4 $6 ( {I have the feeling that it was better not to allow a passer on the kingside and opt for} 42...Re8 {at once. After} 43.Rxe8 ( {Or} 43.Bc5 Rxe4 44.Rxe4 hxg4 45.fxg4 f5 {trading a bunch of pawns.} ) 43...Kxe8 44.gxh5 gxh5 {Black still has to suffer but it should be easier to hold than in the game.} ) 43.fxg4 Re8 $1 {The best chance.} ( {Here} 43...f5 {does not look convincing due to} 44.gxf5 gxf5 45.Re5 Kf6 46.Bd4 $1 ) 44.Rxe8 ( {Vachier-Lagrave quoted the line} 44.Rxa4 Rxa4 45.Rxa4 Re2 46.Ra7+ Ke6 47.Bc5 Rc2 48.Bf8 Rc4 {Instead both} ( 48...f5 $5 49.h5 gxh5 50.gxh5 f4 51.h6 f3 ) ( {And} 48...Rh2 $5 {seem quite convincing.} ) 49.h5 gxh5 50.gxh5 Rh4 51.h6 f5 {"and White does not have good control."} ) 44...Kxe8 45.h5 ( 45.b3 $5 {at once made sense too.} ) 45...Kf7 46.Be1 gxh5 47.gxh5 f5 {Hou defended great. All she needs now is to trade the last two dangerous pawns on b2 and h5; then she can draw even down a bishop with the corner pawn.} 48.Bd2 Nf6 49.Rc5 ( {Or} 49.Rf4 Ke6 50.Rh4 Ra7 ) 49...Ne4 $1 {Now after the forcing} ( {White believed he is technically winning after} 49...Nd5 50.Bg5 ) 50.Rxf5+ Ke6 51.Ra5 Rxa5 52.Bxa5 Kf6 {White realized that it might be a draw and tried the devilish} ( {Not} 52...Kf5 53.Bd8 {when the king cannot attack the pawn from in front.} ) 53.b3 $1 ( 53.Bb4 c5 {is equal} ) ( {The other winning attempt would be} 53.Kb1 Kg5 54.Kc2 Kxh5 55.Kd3 Nd6 $1 ( {Vachier-Lagrave also thought it will be a draw after} 55...Nc5+ 56.Kc4 Nb7 57.Kb4 Kg6 58.Kxa4 Kf7 59.Bb6 Ke7 60.Kb4 Kd7 61.a4 Nd6 {but things does not seem as easy here.} ) 56.Kc3 Kg6 57.Kb4 Kf5 58.Kc5 Ke6 59.Kxc6 Nc4 60.Bc3 Ke7 61.Kb5 Nxb2 62.Bxb2 Kd7 {with a text-book draw.} ) 53...Kg5 {Hou was very low on time and could not find the draw.} ( {The correct move was} 53...Nc5 $3 {with the idea:} 54.Bd8+ Kg7 55.Bg5 Nxb3 56.Kb2 Nc5 {Black is ready to sacrifice the knight for the pawns. For example:} 57.Kc2 {Here the most convincing is} ( 57.Be3 Ne4 58.Kc2 c5 59.Kd3 Nd6 60.Bxc5 Nb5 {when both White pawns will disapper.} ) 57...Ne6 ( 57...Ne4 58.Bf4 ) 58.Bc1 ( 58.Be3 Nc7 $1 {followed by Nc7-b5xa3 in the proper moment.} ) 58...Nd4+ 59.Kd3 Nb5 60.Kc4 Nxa3+ 61.Bxa3 Kh6 {draws} ) 54.Bb4 $3 {Now the knight is restricted and White wins.} 54...Kxh5 ( {Or} 54...axb3+ 55.Kxb3 c5 56.Be1 {and the knight is too far away from the critical squares.} 56...Kxh5 57.a4 Kg6 58.a5 Nd6 59.a6 Nb5 60.Kc4 Na7 61.Kxc5 {and White wins.} ) 55.bxa4 Nf6 56.a5 Nd5 57.a6 Nc7 58.a7 Kg6 59.Ba5 Na8 {Once more the knight is trapped.} 60.Kb3 Kf7 61.Kc4 Ke7 62.Kc5 Kd7 63.Bb6 {Zugzwang.} 63...Kc8 64.Kxc6 Nc7 $1 {Last chance. Alas, it does not work.} 65.Bg1 ( 65.Bxc7 {is stalemate!} ) 65...Na8 66.Bh2 Nc7 67.Kb6 Na8+ 68.Ka6 {Another zugzwang and Hou resigned.} 1-0

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.21"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7560350400520"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:17"]
[BlackClock "0:47:39"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Qc2 dxc4 6.e4 c5 7.Bxc4 ( 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.Bxc4 Qc7 9.O-O a6 10.Bb3 b5 11.Qe2 b4 12.Na4 Bb7 13.e5 {Topalov,V (2760)-Anand,V (2779) Saint Louis 2016} ) 7...a6 {A typical comment for Aronian was: "I actually did not remember so much about this a6 move." And then he quickly throws a novelty on the board...} 8.d5 $146 {White sacs a pawn but makes sure that the opponent will not be fast with the development.} ( {Previously Black did not experience any problems after} 8.Be2 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Qc7 10.a4 b6 {Juarez Flores,R (2207)-Perunovic,M (2575) Mallorca 2004} ) 8...Nb6 9.Be2 exd5 10.e5 Ne4 {Hou decided to give the pawn back and speed up the development.} ( {Aronian believed that Black's best might be the seemingly timid} 10...Ng8 {with the idea Ng8-e7-c6. White can then try} 11.a4 {hoping for} 11...a5 ( {But instead Black can proceed with the development} 11...Ne7 {as} 12.a5 {would be met with} 12...Bf5 13.Qb3 Nc4 {with an unclear position.} ) 12.Nb5 {when Black's plan is spoiled.} ) ( {White liked the position after} 10...Ng4 11.O-O ) 11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.Qxe4 Qd5 {With the queenside majority, Black is happy to swap off the queens.} 13.Qf4 ( 13.Qc2 $5 g6 14.b3 Bf5 15.Qc3 {"might have been more precise." (Aronian)} ) ( 13.Qxd5 $6 Nxd5 {is maybe even a bit better for Black.} ) 13...Be7 ( {Perhaps Hou should have tried long castling after} 13...h6 $5 14.O-O Be6 15.Rd1 Qc6 16.Qg3 Nd5 {Next 0-0, then the knight can be brought to f5 to torture the white queen.} ) 14.O-O O-O 15.Rd1 {Now White seems a bit better. His center is stronger, and this is very important into the middlegame.} 15...Qe6 16.Ng5 Qf5 {"I blundered this move." (Aronian)} ( {"For some weird reason, I was only considering:"} 16...Qg6 17.Bd3 Rd8 18.Qf3 {"and White wins." (Aronian)} 18...Bg4 19.Bxg6 Rxd1+ 20.Qxd1 Bxd1 21.Bxf7+ ( {Or} 21.Bxh7+ {in both cases with a clear extra pawn.} ) ) 17.Bf3 {"I could not find anything better than this. The endgame seems drawish, but there are some practical problems that Black needs to solve. It is also very easy to play it as White." (Aronian)} ( 17.Qg3 $5 {was not that bad actually as after} 17...h6 18.Nh3 {The knight can be nicely rerouted to the f4-square.} 18...Kh8 19.Nf4 {White seems like having more fun now.} ) ( {White disliked the immediate} 17.Ne4 Qxf4 18.Bxf4 Be6 {although here too Black has problems to solve after} 19.Be3 ) 17...Qxf4 18.Bxf4 Nc4 19.b3 Bxg5 ( {Instead} 19...Nxe5 20.Bxe5 Bxg5 21.Bd6 Re8 22.Bxc5 {is clearly better for White thanks to his active bishops.} ) 20.Bxg5 Nxe5 21.Be4 Re8 22.f3 {A pawn is well compensated in the endgame by the bishop pair. With the board wide open, the bishops rule the game. On top of that, Hou has a problem with her queenside.} 22...h6 {A tricky move.} ( 22...f6 {looks more solid though} 23.Be3 ( 23.Bf4 ) ) ( {Aronian did not mention this, but it was obvious that he was considering the line} 22...Rb8 23.Be7 $1 Bf5 $5 24.Bd6 Bxe4 25.Bxb8 Bxf3 26.Bxe5 Bxd1 27.Rxd1 {where White wins thanks to the back-rank motifs.} ) 23.Bh4 {Hou's idea is seen in the line} ( 23.Be3 Nd7 $1 {with the threat Nd7-f6!} ) 23...c4 ( {Here Leko's suggestion} 23...Rb8 $5 {was more effective. Without the back-rank mates, Black has good chances to survive after} 24.Be7 Bf5 25.Bd6 Bxe4 26.Bxb8 Bxf3 27.Re1 Rxb8 28.Rxe5 Bc6 29.Rxc5 {"This looks close to a draw." (Aronian)} ) 24.bxc4 Nxc4 25.Rac1 Be6 ( {Up to here, Hou defended excellently and had she played} 25...Ne3 $5 26.Rd2 {and now not, as suggested by Aronian,} 26...Nf5 ( {But} 26...f5 $1 {to kick the bishop away from the long diagonal, she would have most likely survived. For example} 27.Bb1 ( {Or} 27.Bd3 Be6 28.Bf2 f4 {with a draw as a most probably outcome.} ) 27...Be6 28.Rd6 b5 {followed by Ne3-c4 and Black is rock-solid.} ) 27.Bf2 Be6 28.Bxb7 Rad8 29.Rxd8 Rxd8 30.a4 {when Black suffers.} ) 26.Bxb7 Ra7 27.Be4 a5 {The last chance according to White was:} ( 27...f5 28.Bxf5 ( 28.Bc6 {might be actually better although Black gets "control" after} 28...Rc8 29.Ba4 Rac7 {(Aronian)} ) 28...Bxf5 29.Rxc4 {Aronian believed that this is won. But this might be because he has 5/6...} ) 28.Rd4 {"Now it should be won" said the Armenian GM. Indeed, the bishops and rooks can attack easily on both flanks.} 28...Ne5 ( {But maybe Hou could have tried to build a rock-solid fortress after} 28...Rc7 ) 29.Bg3 f6 30.a3 Rd7 31.Bxe5 $1 {You know that one of the main advantages of the bishops is that you can always trade them.} 31...fxe5 32.Rxd7 Bxd7 33.Rc7 {White wins a pawn and the game.} 33...Bb5 ( 33...Re7 34.Bf5 ) 34.Rc5 Rb8 35.Rxe5 a4 36.h4 Kf7 37.Rc5 Be8 38.Bc2 Rb2 39.Rc4 Ra2 40.Bxa4 Ra1+ ( 40...Rxa3 41.Rf4+ ) 41.Kh2 Bxa4 42.Rxa4 1-0

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.22"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2817"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Beauty "5087049087532"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[WhiteClock "0:17:36"]
[BlackClock "0:51:17"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.O-O O-O 6.a4 {The modern theory of the Giuoco Pianissimo is full of Aronian's games. Check this one for instance:} ( 6.h3 d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 Be6 9.c3 Bb6 10.Bb3 f6 11.d4 Bf7 {played not long time ago, Karjakin,S (2785)-Aronian,L (2780) Wijk aan Zee 2017} ) 6...a5 7.Bg5 $146 {Nevertheless, it is Caruana who makes a novelty first.} ( {One of the eight predecessors saw:} 7.c3 d5 8.exd5 Nxd5 9.Nbd2 Nb6 10.Bb5 Bd6 {quite a recent game too, Nepomniachtchi,I (2767)-Aronian,L (2785) Doha 2016} ) 7...h6 8.Bh4 Be7 $1 {This is the reason why Bc1-g5 is not as effective as White wishes it to be. The pin is broken and the bishop has very little to do on the h4-d8 diagonal.} 9.Bg3 d6 10.h3 Nd7 11.Nc3 Nb6 12.Bb3 Kh8 13.d4 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 exd4 15.Qxd4 Bf6 {An equalizer.} ( {Both players spent some time analyzing the consequences of the logical advance:} 15...f5 {Aronian disliked that in the line} 16.e5 ( {While Caruana thought that he is OK after} 16.Qe3 fxe4 17.Qxe4 c6 18.Rfe1 ) 16...c5 ( 16...d5 17.Nxd5 f4 18.Bh2 ( {Black actually missed in preliminary calculations the tricky} 18.Nxe7 Qxd4 19.Ng6+ Kh7 20.Nxf8+ {with big advantage for White.} ) ) 17.Qd2 dxe5 ( 17...c4 18.exd6 ) 18.Qxd8 Bxd8 19.Bxe5 c4 20.Ba2 {White has just one bad piece which he can easily free with b2-b3.} ) 16.e5 ( {After} 16.Qd3 {both} 16...Be6 {(Aronian)} ( {and} 16...Nd7 {(Caruana) are playable.} ) ) 16...dxe5 17.Qxd8 Rxd8 18.Rfe1 Be6 19.Bxe6 fxe6 20.Ne4 {Now Caruana rejected the obvious:} ( 20.Bxe5 Bxe5 21.Rxe5 Rd2 {since it will be a draw and decided that he can keep on pressing.} ) 20...Kg8 {Aronian was unimpressed and thought he is simply up a pawn.} 21.Nc5 Rd5 22.Nxe6 {"This came as a pleasant surprise" (Aronian). "Just horrible." (Caruana)} ( {As usual the objective truth is somewhere in the middle. After} 22.Nd3 Nd7 23.f3 Rd8 24.Bf2 {the posiiton is balanced. White has compensation for a pawn thanks to the pressure on the half-open e-file and the more active pieces. Do not tell this to Levon, he is still frustrated though...} ) 22...Rc8 23.b3 c5 {The knight is trapped on e6. "Next time I should try not to blunder my pieces that early." (Caruana)} 24.c4 Rd6 25.Nxg7 Kxg7 {Black is simply up a piece. But the sixth part of "Die Hard" was on the German cinemas today. Fabiano Caruana had to replace Bruce Willis for it.} 26.Bxe5 Rd3 ( 26...Re6 {"You have to play professionally instead of like an excited puppy!" (Aronian). The trade of the rook pair would have made things simplier for Black.} 27.Bxf6+ Kxf6 28.Rxe6+ Kxe6 ) 27.Bxf6+ Kxf6 28.Re4 Rc7 {Aronian should have been aware. After all he was the one who praised Caruana's resourcefulness yesterday!} ( 28...Rcd8 {"simply wins as you trade rooks." (Caruana)} ) ( {So does} 28...Rxb3 29.Rae1 Rc6 ) 29.Rae1 {Now Caruana finds some clever tricks to stay in he game.} 29...Rxb3 30.Rf4+ Kg7 31.Re6 Nxa4 32.Rg4+ Kf8 {Avoids the possible skewers along the seventh rank, or the ideas of perpetual after:} ( 32...Kh7 33.Rh4 Kg7 34.Rhxh6 {although Black can win here as well after say} 34...Nc3 35.Rhg6+ Kf8 36.Rgf6+ Rf7 ) 33.Rxh6 Rf7 34.Rh8+ Ke7 35.h4 {"And I thought this was like a desperate try." (Aronian) "Yeah, it was." (Caruana)} 35...Nc3 36.h5 a4 37.h6 a3 38.h7 a2 {Now comes:} ( 38...Rxh7 39.Rxh7+ Kf6 {"I was in time trouble and could not see any defense," said the American GM. Actually, White has} 40.Rh6+ Kf5 ( 40...Kf7 41.Rf4+ Kg7 42.Rff6 {with perpetual on g6 and h6.} ) 41.Rg8 a2 42.Ra8 Rb1+ 43.Kh2 a1=Q 44.Rxa1 Rxa1 45.Rh5+ {and it is not a win yet!} ) 39.Re8+ $3 Kxe8 40.h8=Q+ Kd7 41.Kh2 a1=Q 42.Rg8 {Black won also a rook. But his practical problems rose and after 50 minutes of thought Aronian could not find the win.} 42...Qa5 ( 42...Qe1 $1 {was winning. There was a mutual case of blindness as they both thought that} 43.Rd8+ {would be a draw but the queen on e1 is in fact playing an important defensive role in the line} ( {The most stubborn defense objectively is} 43.Qh3+ Qe6 44.Rd8+ Kxd8 45.Qxe6 Rh7+ 46.Kg3 Nd5+ 47.f3 Rg7+ 48.Kh4 Ne7 {but in comparison to the game the difference is huge as the white king is in danger. Black should win after some technical hard work.} ) 43...Kc7 44.Rc8+ Kd6 45.Qd8+ ( 45.Rd8+ Rd7 ) 45...Rd7 46.Qf6+ Qe6 $1 ) ( {They both saw as well that} 42...Ne2 {is perpetual. Say} 43.Rd8+ Kc7 44.Rc8+ Kd7 ( 44...Kb6 45.Qd8+ Rc7 $10 ( 45...Ka6 46.Ra8# ) 46.Qxc7+ Ka7 47.Qb8+ $10 ) 45.Qe8+ ( 45.Rd8+ ) 45...Kd6 46.Rd8+ Kc7 47.Rc8+ Kb6 48.Qd8+ Rc7 49.Qxc7+ Ka7 50.Qb8+ Kb6 51.Qc7+ $10 ) 43.Qh3+ Kc7 44.Qg3+ {Missed by Aronian. He loses his queen by force. Good that he had won the tournament already, otherwise I cannot even imagine what his frustration would have been. "I got actually lucky that I am not checkmated..." (Aronian)} ( 44.Rc8+ {"Even"} 44...Kb6 45.Qe6+ Ka7 46.Qxf7 Na4 47.Qf8 {"is not a win for Back" (Aronian)} ) 44...Kd7 45.Qd3+ Ke7 46.Qe3+ Kd6 ( {Surely not} 46...Kd7 $4 47.Qe8+ Kd6 48.Qxf7 {when Black is getting checkmated.} ) 47.Rg6+ Kc7 48.Qe5+ Kc8 ( 48...Kd8 $4 49.Qd6+ Kc8 50.Rg8+ {is mate as well.} ) 49.Rg8+ Qd8 50.Qxc5+ Rc7 51.Rxd8+ Kxd8 52.Qf8+ Kd7 53.g4 Rb2 54.Qf3 ( {The both agreed that White could have even tried to play for a win after} 54.Kh3 Nd1 55.f4 {although this seems like an exaggeration.} 55...Nf2+ 56.Kh4 Re2 57.Qf7+ Kd8 58.Qd5+ Rd7 {Black is well co-ordinated and should not lose.} ) 54...Ke8 55.Qxc3 Rxf2+ 56.Kg3 Rff7 {And it will ended peacefully.} 57.g5 Rg7 58.Kg4 Kf8 59.Qf6+ Kg8 60.g6 Rxg6+ 61.Qxg6+ {They agreed to a draw due to the line:} ( 61.Qxg6+ Rg7 62.Qxg7+ Kxg7 63.Kf5 Kf7 64.Ke5 Ke7 65.Kd5 Kd7 66.Kc5 Kc7 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.23"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7697005026832"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:03"]
[BlackClock "0:01:34"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 a6 5.cxd5 exd5 {A trendy version of the QGD.} 6.Bf4 {This move is considered less dangerous than 6.Bg5.} ( {Van Wely chose to develop the bishop on g5 instead:} 6.Bg5 Be6 7.e3 Nbd7 8.Bd3 h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3 Nh5 11.Be5 {with a complex game in Van Wely,L (2695) -Andreikin,D (2736) Wijk aan Zee 2017} ) 6...Bd6 7.Bg3 ( 7.Bxd6 Qxd6 8.Qc2 Bg4 9.Ne5 Be6 $10 {Svidler,P (2745)-Fedoseev,V (2665) Novosibirsk 2016} ) 7...O-O 8.e3 Bf5 9.Qb3 Bxg3 10.hxg3 ( 10.Qxb7 $2 Bxf2+ ) 10...Nc6 11.Be2 $146 {A novelty by Karjakin. It does not dramatically change the situation though. The Carlsbad pawn structure has clear plans for both sides. Black attacks with pieces on the kingside. White does the minority attack on the opposite wing.} ( {The only predecessor is a recent game by Adams as well:} 11.Nh4 Bg4 12.Bd3 Re8 13.O-O Rb8 14.Rac1 Ne7 15.Qc2 c6 16.Rfe1 Qd6 17.a3 Ng6 18.Nf3 Ne7 19.Ne5 g6 20.Nxg4 Nxg4 21.Be2 Nf6 22.g4 Kg7 23.g5 Nfg8 24.Qd2 f5 25.Na4 h6 26.gxh6+ Nxh6 27.Nc5 Rh8 28.g3 Nf7 29.Kg2 Ng5 30.Rh1 Ne4 31.Nxe4 fxe4 32.Bg4 {1/2-1/2 (32) Anton Guijarro,D (2650)-Adams,M (2751) Caleta 2017} ) ( {The pawn is poisoned.} 11.Qxb7 $2 Qd6 12.Qb3 Rfb8 13.Qa3 Nb4 {gives Black a huge attack practically for nothing.} ) 11...Qd6 12.O-O Ne7 13.Ne5 h5 {A slight difference in comparison to the usual Carlsbad approach. Adams can try and make use of the doubled pawns on the g-file to open some files against the enemy king.} 14.Rfc1 Ng4 15.Na4 b6 {Not} ( 15...Nxe5 16.dxe5 Qxe5 17.Qxb7 {with an edge for White.} ) 16.Qc3 Rfc8 ( {Ljubojevic sugegsted} 16...Ra7 {instead to give the kingside pieces some freedom as they don't need to tend to c7. Adams looked puzzled when he heard about the idea though.} ) 17.Nd3 {White would be happy to fix the pawn on c7 and try to get it later but} ( 17.Nc6 $2 {fails to do the job due to} 17...Qxc6 18.Qxc6 Nxc6 19.Rxc6 Bd7 ) 17...Bd7 18.b3 Ng6 ( 18...Bxa4 $6 {would make White happy as he can use the half-open b- and c-files to apply queenside pressure.} 19.bxa4 a5 20.Rab1 ) 19.Qb4 ( {The other way to play the position was suggested by Adams:} 19.Rc2 h4 20.Bxg4 Bxg4 21.gxh4 Nxh4 22.Qc6 {After} 22...Qd8 {the position remains balanced. Thus the conclusion: White did not get much out of the opening.} ) 19...Qf6 {Definitely not} ( 19...Qxb4 $2 20.Nxb4 {when Black drops a pawn.} ) 20.Nc3 Qf5 21.a4 a5 22.Qa3 {"My queen is very misplaced here." (Karjakin)} 22...Nf6 {Also interesting was:} ( 22...h4 23.gxh4 Nxh4 24.Nf4 Nf6 {with the idea g7-g5, followed by Kg8-g7 and placing rooks on the h-file.} ) 23.Ra2 Qg5 24.Ne1 c5 {"I was very surprised by this move." (Karjakin) He expected instead:} ( 24...h4 25.Nf3 Qh6 26.gxh4 Nxh4 27.Nxh4 Qxh4 ) 25.Nf3 Qh6 {The real problem for the Russian GM was that he was getting very low on time. In Shamkir, the time control is different than the modern ones. The players do not have increment for every move that they make.} 26.dxc5 Rxc5 27.Nb5 ( {Perhaps White should have thought about splitting the point with} 27.b4 axb4 28.Qxb4 Rac8 29.a5 bxa5 30.Rxa5 ) 27...Rac8 28.Rxc5 Rxc5 29.b4 axb4 30.Qxb4 Ne4 31.Bf1 {Karjakin spent valuable time calculating the complex line:} ( 31.Nbd4 Rc1+ 32.Bf1 h4 33.gxh4 Nxh4 34.Nxh4 Qxh4 {Now after} 35.Qxb6 {Black can sacrifice the exchange with} 35...Rxf1+ {and this indeed seems scary, especially in the time-trouble. Objectively though it should lead to a draw after} ( {Perhaps Karjakin was also afraid of} 35...Nc3 $5 {with the idea} 36.Rb2 ( {The pretty} 36.Nf3 $3 {though would have saved White. For example} 36...Qh5 37.Qd8+ Kh7 38.Rc2 $1 Rxc2 39.Bd3+ Bf5 40.Bxf5+ Qxf5 41.Qh4+ Kg6 42.g4 Qe4 ( 42...Qxf3 $2 43.Qh5+ Kf6 44.g5+ {loses for Black.} ) 43.Qg5+ Kh7 44.Qh4+ $11 {But try to find this with your clock ticking and your last seconds flying away...} ) 36...Rxf1+ 37.Kxf1 Qh1# ) 36.Kxf1 Qh1+ 37.Ke2 Bg4+ 38.f3 Qxg2+ 39.Kd3 ( {The other move is also a draw} 39.Ke1 Qg1+ ( {Or} 39...Qxa2 40.Qd8+ Kh7 41.Qh4+ Kg8 42.Qd8+ ) 40.Ke2 Qg2+ ) 39...Qxa2 40.Qd8+ Kh7 41.Qh4+ Kg8 ( {Black cannot avoid the perpetual} 41...Kg6 $2 42.Qxg4+ Ng5 43.f4 {as he will lose.} ) 42.Qd8+ ) ( {Therefore, for practical reasons, White should have opted for} 31.Ra1 $5 h4 32.gxh4 Bxb5 $11 ) 31...h4 {A nasty move order. Karjakin expected:} ( 31...Bxb5 32.axb5 h4 33.g4 ) 32.gxh4 Bxb5 ( 32...Nxh4 33.Nxh4 Qxh4 {would also leave White with some problems to solve.} ) 33.axb5 Nxh4 34.Nxh4 Qxh4 35.Qd4 Rc1 {Pins and open king in time-trouble?! Deadly combination!} 36.Qe5 Qd8 {Adams is very practical in the time-trouble. He leaves his opponent no forcing moves while at the same time is ready to shift the queen for an attack along the c-file.} 37.Qf5 ( 37.Ra1 $1 {to get rid of the pin was mandatory.} ) ( {Or even} 37.f3 {to chase the annoying knight away.} ) 37...g6 38.Qe5 Qc8 ( 38...Nc3 $5 39.Rd2 Qc8 ) 39.g3 {With just a few seconds on the clock, Karjakin blunders.} ( 39.Ra1 {was still probably defendable after} 39...Rxa1 ( {Or} 39...Nd2 40.Qb2 ( 40.Rxc1 Qxc1 41.Qe8+ Kg7 ( 41...Kh7 42.Qxf7+ Kh6 43.Qf8+ Kh7 ) 42.Qe5+ ) ) 40.Qxa1 Qc2 41.Qe1 {although the queen and the knight would definitely torture White for many moves.} ) 39...Rxf1+ {What's worse, Karjakin could not make the time control and lost on time. After} ( 39...Rxf1+ 40.Kxf1 Qc4+ 41.Re2 Nd2+ 42.Kg2 ( 42.Ke1 Nf3+ ) 42...Qxe2 43.Qe8+ Kg7 44.Qe5+ Kh7 45.Qf4 Qf1+ 46.Kh2 Qc4 47.Qxf7+ Kh6 48.Kh3 $1 {it is not yet a win for Black, and the game goes on.} ( 48.Qf8+ Kh5 $1 ) ) 0-1

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.24"]
[Round "4.5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Harikrishna, P."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7563726849100"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:51:01"]
[BlackClock "0:58:13"]

1.e4 {As a rule, Kramnik prefers the closed openings, but for today he made an exception.} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a3 O-O 9.Nc3 Nb8 {Playing in a Breyer fashion.} ( {Another plan starts with} 9...Na5 10.Ba2 Be6 11.b4 Bxa2 12.Rxa2 Nc6 13.Bg5 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2796) -Mamedyarov,S (2766) Sharjah 2017} ) 10.Ne2 Nbd7 11.c3 Bb7 $146 {A logical novelty. The knight moved back from c6 to d7 to open this bishop.} ( {Previously} 11...Nb6 {has been tested, for example} 12.Ng3 c5 13.d4 Qc7 14.Re1 a5 {as in Kobalia,M (2646)-Kovalev,V (2562) Gjakova 2016} ) 12.Ng3 c5 13.Re1 Rc8 14.Nf5 {Kramnik goes for a concrete idea. He believed that the direct central push} ( 14.d4 c4 15.Bc2 {gave him a favourable version of the Breyer, although Harikrishna also liked his position and suggested} 15...a5 ) 14...c4 {Black uses the chance to destroy the opponent's center.} 15.dxc4 ( 15.Bc2 cxd3 16.Bxd3 Nc5 {is very comfortable for Black.} ) 15...Bxe4 16.Nxe7+ ( {Kramnik also mentioned the interesting exchange sacrifice} 16.Rxe4 $5 Nxe4 17.cxb5 axb5 ) 16...Qxe7 17.cxb5 axb5 18.Bg5 $6 {An inaccuracy. In his preliminary calculations White intended to go for:} ( 18.Nh4 {with the idea to launch a dangerous attack after} 18...h6 ( {However Harikrishna spotted a better defense} 18...Nc5 19.Ba2 Nd3 {and if} 20.Rxe4 {In the hope for} 20...Nxe4 ( {Black has} 20...Nxf2 $1 21.Nf5 Qd7 {(Harikrishna) where Black seems fine.} ) 21.Nf5 Qf6 22.Qxd3 Qxf5 23.f3 Ng3 24.Qd1 {(Kramnik) Here the black knight is trapped. White has an edge.} ) 19.Rxe4 Nxe4 20.Nf5 Qf6 21.Qg4 {Nothing is clear here at all, for example:} 21...Nxf2 22.Kxf2 g6 23.Bxh6 Rfe8 24.Kg1 Qxf5 25.Qe2 {with compensation for the exchange.} ) 18...Nc5 19.Ba2 {Only here did Kramnik realize that in the line:} ( 19.Nh4 {Black has the strong reply} 19...h6 $1 ( {Black is not forced to capture on b3 as White thought} 19...Nxb3 20.Qxb3 {with unclear play.} ) 20.Rxe4 hxg5 {All the white pieces are hanging and Black repels the attack after} 21.Ng6 Qb7 22.Re3 Nxb3 23.Qxb3 Rfd8 24.Rh3 Nh7 ) 19...h6 20.Bh4 g5 21.Bg3 {Perhaps from practical perspective it was better to sacrifice a piece with:} ( 21.Nxg5 hxg5 22.Bxg5 Bg6 ( 22...d5 23.Re3 ) 23.Qf3 Kg7 {Black should be better, but the position remains very complex.} ) 21...Bh7 {Now both the white bishop and knight remain misplaced on the kingside. Kramnik clearly understand the danger of the passive defense and comes up with a very original idea.} 22.Qe2 Kg7 23.Rad1 Nfe4 {Harikrishna is ready to push the pawn all the way to f4 and lock the white bishop for good. However...} 24.Rd5 {The normal continuation will not bring White relief:} ( 24.Nd2 Nxg3 25.hxg3 Nd3 {which wins a pawn for Black. (Harikrishna)} ) ( {Or} 24.Nd4 exd4 25.cxd4 Ne6 {which does not work. (Kramnik)} ) 24...f5 25.Rxe5 $5 {?!!? Probably this is correct assesment of the move. While objectively Black should have the advantage here as well, the game becomes extremely unbalanced and anything may happen. Excellent practical idea!} 25...dxe5 26.Bxe5+ Nf6 ( {Kramnik was more worried about the strange-looking} 26...Rf6 27.Qxb5 g4 28.Bxf6+ Qxf6 29.Nd4 Kh8 {Black is better, but the material is at least equal.} ) ( 26...Kg6 $5 {also made sense and after} 27.Qxb5 Bg8 {Black should repel the opponent's initiative.} ) 27.Qxb5 {For the rook, White has three pawns and strong pieces. Especially annoying is the pin on the long diagonal.} 27...Ne4 28.Bd4 Rfd8 ( {White was afraid of the concrete play after} 28...Rb8 29.Qe2 Qb7 30.b4 {although here too nothing is is clear yet.} ) 29.h3 {Amazing! Kramnik is down in material but instead of any forcing moves, he makes prophylaxis!} 29...Rb8 30.Qe2 Bg8 $6 {The bishop was performing important defensive tasks on h7, Harikrishna should not have moved it from there. The Indian GM was considering the exchnage sacrifices after:} ( 30...Rxd4 $5 31.Nxd4 Qd6 {with approximate equality.} ) ( {Or} 30...Qb7 31.b4 Rxd4 32.Nxd4 Kh8 {In both cases though White would be happy to level the material.} ) ( {Objectively best was the centralization:} 30...Re8 31.b4 Qd6 {followed by g5-g4.} ) 31.Bb1 Qb7 32.b4 Re8 33.c4 {Not allowing the blockade after} ( 33.Qb2 Bc4 ) 33...Qc6 {Harikrishna was very low on time and could not find the precise continuation. Correct was:} ( 33...Qa6 34.Qb2 Bxc4 35.Ne5 Be6 36.g4 {and although the position is full of tricks and traps, the objective evaluation is in favour of Black.} ) ( 33...Nc3 {on the other hand would be wrong combination due to} 34.Bxf6+ Kxf6 35.Qb2 Qxf3 $2 ( 35...Rxe1+ 36.Nxe1 Qc7 37.Qxc3+ Qe5 {keeps Black in the game.} ) 36.gxf3 Rxe1+ 37.Kg2 Rxb1 38.Qxc3+ Kg6 39.Qd3 {and White picks up one of the rooks.} ) 34.Qb2 Rbd8 35.c5 {The pawns go into motion. Believe it or not, White is no longer worse!} 35...Qe6 36.b5 Kf8 {Harikrishna completely loses control in the time-trouble.} ( 36...Qb3 37.Qa1 $1 {would be better for White but still playable.} ) 37.c6 {Now neither is the black king safe, nor are the pawns stopped.} 37...g4 38.hxg4 fxg4 39.Bxe4 gxf3 ( {Maybe Black missed that he is checkmated in the line} 39...Nxe4 40.Rxe4 Qxe4 41.Bg7+ Ke7 42.Qf6# ) 40.Bxf6 Rd6 41.Bg7+ Kf7 42.Be5 {What a huge turn of the events!} 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.25"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8251303269459"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:15:59"]
[BlackClock "0:03:08"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.a3 ( {Another way to play the line goes} 5.Qg4 Nc6 6.Nf3 Nge7 7.Bb5 Ng6 8.Be3 Bd7 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2796) -Fontaine,R (2549) chess.com INT 2017} ) 5...Bxc5 6.Nf3 Ne7 {From a Caro-Kann we have now a position which is typical for the French defense.} 7.Bd3 Ng6 8.O-O Nc6 9.b4 Bb6 10.Bb2 Nf4 {Ljubojevic criticized Topalov for making too many moves with the same knight in the opening. This knight is taking an important attacking piece though and the time investment is worth it.} 11.c4 {Karkjakin naturally wants to use the lead in the development and opens the game.} 11...Nxd3 12.Qxd3 dxc4 13.Qxc4 Ne7 $146 {A novelty. The knight rushes in to cover the kingside. Four previous games saw White pressurizing there after:} ( 13...O-O 14.Nc3 Ne7 15.Rad1 Nd5 16.Qg4 f5 17.exf6 Nxf6 18.Qh4 {the example we follow is Istratescu,A (2654)-Grachev,B (2688) Basel 2013} ) 14.Nc3 Bd7 15.Qg4 Bc6 {Topalov's plan was to postpone or avoid castling at all. In the line:} ( 15...O-O 16.Rfd1 Qc7 17.Rac1 {White's superior centrel is helping him create many threats.} ) 16.Rad1 ( {Black is good after} 16.Rfd1 Qc7 17.Rac1 Rd8 {The sooner he starts trading pieces along the open files, the better.} ) ( 16.Qxg7 $2 {would be wrong as} 16...Rg8 17.Qf6 Ng6 ( {Or} 17...Nf5 {would both give Black strong attack on the half-open "g" file.} ) ) 16...Qc7 17.Ng5 {The knight creates threats and steps away from the possible trade after} ( 17.b5 Bxf3 18.Qxf3 ) 17...Qxe5 $6 {Very risky to say at least. It seems as Topalov's sense of danger let him down today.The king is in the center and Black opens the "e" file?!} ( {Topalov thought that} 17...Rd8 {is better. Indeed after} 18.b5 Rxd1 19.Rxd1 Bd5 20.Nxd5 Nxd5 {Black manages to stabilize the situation. As I mentioned beforehand, the sooner the trades the better.} ) 18.b5 $1 {Both players were calculating the immediate piece sacrifice after:} ( 18.Nce4 Qxb2 19.Nd6+ ( {None mentioned the in-between} 19.Rd2 {when Black can even sacrifice the queen with} 19...Qxd2 ( 19...Qe5 {is possible as well.} ) 20.Nxd2 O-O {Black seems fine here.} ) 19...Kf8 20.Ngxf7 {"I have many move here" (Topalov)} 20...Rg8 {is the only thing Black needs to avoid as after} ( {One idea that he mentioned was} 20...Kg8 {in order to meet} 21.Qxe6 {with} 21...Qf6 ) ( {Another good defense was} 20...Qf6 21.Nxh8 Kg8 {trapping the knight.} ) ( {Also good seems to be} 20...Nf5 21.Nxh8 ( 21.Ng5 Nxd6 22.Rxd6 {now Black can play solidly} 22...Re8 ( {Or even better the bold computer suggestion} 22...h5 $1 23.Nxe6+ Ke7 ) ) 21...Nxd6 22.Rxd6 Kg8 {with equality.} ) 21.Ng5 $1 {the black king is in serious trouble.} ) 18...h5 {The bishop cannot retreat. Neither} ( 18...Bd7 $2 19.Rxd7 $1 Kxd7 20.Nxf7 ) ( {Nor} 18...Bd5 19.Nxd5 Qxb2 20.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 21.Qxe6 Qxa3 22.Rfe1 {are good for Black. In both cases his position collapses.} ) 19.Qh4 Bxb5 {This loses.} ( {On} 19...Nf5 {both} 20.Qb4 ( 20.Qc4 Nd6 21.Rxd6 Qxd6 22.bxc6 Qxc6 ) ( {And the immediate} 20.Qa4 $5 Bd7 21.Rxd7 Kxd7 22.Nxf7 {are awful for Black.} ) 20...Bc5 21.Qa4 $1 {the light-squared bishop is trapped.} 21...Bxg2 22.Kxg2 {and White should convert the extra piece.} ) ( {The last chance was} 19...Ng6 {Although} 20.Qb4 {is still very awkward for the second player. For example:} ( {Better than} 20.Qg3 Qxg3 21.hxg3 Bd7 22.Nxf7 O-O $1 {(Topalov) where Black indeed holds.} ) 20...a5 ( 20...Bxg2 21.Nce4 $1 {is a nice blow (Karjakin)} ) ( 20...Bc5 21.Qb3 Qxg5 22.bxc6 {also leaves Black few chances for survival.} ) 21.Qb3 Bc7 ( 21...Qxg5 22.bxc6 ) 22.g3 Qxg5 23.bxc6 O-O {Finally Black castles but the strong passer on b7 makes his life almost unbearable.} 24.cxb7 ) ( 19...f6 {loses to} 20.bxc6 fxg5 21.cxb7 $1 {(Topalov)} ) 20.Rfe1 Qf5 ( {Or} 20...Qf6 21.Nxb5 Qxb2 22.Nd6+ Kf8 23.Ndxf7 Nf5 24.Qf4 {and Black cannot survive the massive attack.} ) 21.Nxb5 ( {Topalov was hoping for} 21.Nge4 O-O 22.Nd6 Qc2 ) 21...Qxb5 22.Bxg7 $1 Nf5 {For a moment it seems that Black outsmarted his opponent, but...} 23.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 ( 23...Nxh4 24.Nc7# {is a very beautiful mate.} ) 24.Rxe6+ Kf7 25.Qf6+ Kg8 26.Bxh8 {Karjakin not only won material but has decisive threats.} 26...Bxf2+ 27.Kh1 {Even easier than} ( 27.Kxf2 Rf8 28.Rd8 ) 27...Qa4 28.Red6 Rf8 29.Qg6+ Kxh8 30.Rd7 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.27"]
[Round "6.4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[ECO "D40"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[Beauty "6185960866312"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:21:05"]
[BlackClock "0:48:50"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.e3 e6 5.d4 d5 6.a3 a6 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.b4 Ba7 9.Bb2 O-O 10.h3 {So deviates from an earlier game of his:} ( 10.Qc2 Bd7 11.Rd1 Rc8 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Be2 d4 14.exd4 Bg4 15.d5 Ne7 {where he got nothing from the opening, So,W (2770)-Caruana,F (2804) Leuven 2016} ) 10...h6 11.Rc1 Re8 $146 {A solid choice and a novelty. An email game saw:} ( 11...d4 12.exd4 Bxd4 13.Bd3 e5 14.Nxd4 Nxd4 15.O-O Re8 16.Ne2 {with slightly better position for White, Martys,M (2239)-Zacharov,O (2208) LSS email 2008} ) 12.Bd3 dxc4 13.Bxc4 Qxd1+ 14.Rxd1 b5 15.Bd3 Bb7 {The magical pieces, the queens are gone, the position is symmetrical which might be a good occassion for some players to bury the hatchet and get an extra free day.} 16.Ke2 Kf8 17.Rhg1 {The only chance to create some play is to grab space on the kingside.} 17...Rad8 18.Bb1 Ne7 ( {If Karjakin wanted to draw he could have started with the trades at once with} 18...Rxd1 19.Rxd1 ( 19.Nxd1 Rd8 ) 19...Rd8 ) 19.Nd2 Bb6 20.g4 Ned5 21.Nxd5 Nxd5 22.Nb3 f6 {Unnecessary weakening. Why not} ( 22...Rc8 $5 {threatening Nd5-c3? The position remains equal.} ) 23.Bg6 Re7 24.Rc1 Red7 25.Rgd1 {Karjakin's problem was not with the position, but in the fact that he was getting very low on time.} 25...Ne7 26.Rxd7 Rxd7 27.Bb1 Rc7 $6 {And in the approaching time-trouble he starts to err.} ( {Both players agreed that the correct continuation was} 27...Bd5 28.Nc5 {and now to give up the bishop pair with} 28...Bxc5 ( {Not} 28...Ra7 29.Bd4 {with the threat Nc5xe6!} ) 29.Rxc5 Bc4+ 30.Ke1 {in order to block the enemy one with} 30...e5 $1 {White has the bishop pair but his dark-squared bishop was limited.} ) ( 27...e5 {at once is also possible and would most likely transpose into the same line after} 28.Nc5 Bxc5 29.Rxc5 Bd5 ) ( {Another defense was} 27...Kf7 28.Nc5 Bxc5 29.Rxc5 Ng6 30.f4 Nh4 {followed by g7-g5 (So)} ) 28.Rxc7 Bxc7 29.Nc5 Bc8 30.Ba2 {Now there is a nasty pressure on both e6 and a6 pawns but this should still he holdable.} 30...Nd5 ( {The defensive set-up after} 30...Kf7 31.f4 Nc6 32.f5 Nd8 {should hold in my opinion.} ) ( 30...e5 {here is not as convincing as after} 31.Ne6+ Bxe6 32.Bxe6 {Black loses the light-squared bishop and it is very a important piece to defend the queenside pawns.} ) 31.f4 Bd6 32.Bd4 Kf7 ( {The position after} 32...Bxc5 33.Bxc5+ Kf7 34.Kd3 {is very difficult for Black. So will open the road for his bishops thanks to the kingside pawns.} ) 33.Kd3 Ne7 $2 {One more mistake. The correct decision was:} ( 33...Bxc5 34.Bxc5 Ne7 35.f5 Nc6 {with the key idea} 36.Bd6 ( {After} 36.Ke4 Ne5 {White is better but Black may hold.} ) 36...Ne5+ 37.Kd4 Nc4 $1 {The opposite colored bishops always provide good drawing chances and every chess player should know this idea when fighting the bishop pair.} ) ( {Instead} 33...Bc7 34.f5 {seems horrible for Black.} ) ( {But perhaps} 33...Ke7 34.Ne4 {may not be that bad.} ) 34.Ne4 Bc7 35.f5 $1 {Now White wins a pawn.} 35...Nc6 36.fxe6+ Bxe6 37.Bxe6+ Kxe6 38.Nc5+ Ke7 ( {Similar was} 38...Kd5 39.e4+ Kd6 40.Nxa6 Bd8 ) 39.Nxa6 Bd6 40.Bc5 $1 {Takes away bishops from the board. The knight endgame follows a famous "Botvinnik rule." The patriarch explained as follows "You imagine that the knights are taken off the board. The one who wins the pawn endgame should win the knight endgame too."} 40...Ne5+ 41.Ke4 Nc4 42.Kd5 Bxc5 43.Kxc5 Nxa3 44.Nc7 Kd7 {Desperation. Karjakin's last chance was in the line:} ( 44...Nc2 45.Nxb5 {Better than} ( 45.Nd5+ Ke6 ) 45...Nxe3 46.Nd6 Nd1 47.Nf5+ Kf7 {The outside passer should win for White but he has to be careful not to part with it too soon. For example:} 48.b5 $2 {would lead only to a draw after} ( {However, the accurate} 48.Nd4 $1 Nc3 49.Kc4 {should win the game for White.} ) 48...Nc3 49.b6 Na4+ 50.Kb5 Nxb6 51.Kxb6 Kg6 52.Kc6 h5 53.Kd5 hxg4 54.hxg4 Kg5 55.Ne3 f5 56.gxf5 g6 $11 ) ( {Even} 44...Nc4 45.e4 Kd7 46.Nxb5 {would have been more stubborn.} ) 45.Nxb5 Nc2 46.Nd4 Nxe3 47.Nf5 {Now Black gets far worse version of the above-mentioned line.} 47...Nd1 48.Kb6 ( 48.Nxg7 {was simple enough.} ) 48...g6 49.Nxh6 Ne3 50.b5 f5 51.Ka6 fxg4 ( {Or} 51...f4 52.Nf7 ) 52.hxg4 Nd5 53.b6 Kc6 54.b7 {The pawn reaches the seventh rank and it is over.} 54...Nc7+ 55.Ka7 Nb5+ 56.Ka8 Nc7+ 57.Kb8 Nb5 58.Ka8 Nc7+ 59.Kb8 Nb5 60.Nf7 Kb6 61.g5 Ka6 62.Nd8 Kb6 63.Kc8 Nd6+ 64.Kd7 {Black resigned since he can wi the b-pawn, but the K+P ending is lost.} 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.28"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[ECO "A07"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "6048790355977"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "1:03:37"]
[BlackClock "1:02:40"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Bg4 3.Bg2 c6 4.O-O Nd7 5.h3 Bh5 ( {Very often Black captures on f3 here, but giving up the bishop pair too early as a concession} 5...Bxf3 6.Bxf3 Ngf6 7.d3 e5 8.e4 dxe4 9.dxe4 Bc5 10.Nd2 O-O 11.a4 a5 12.Qe2 {White has the bishops and the better prospects, as in Ding,L (2759)-Yu,Y (2750) Shenzhen 2017} ) 6.d4 e6 7.c4 Be7 8.Nc3 $146 ( {The only predecessor saw} 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Nc3 Ngf6 10.Nh4 O-O 11.f4 Ne4 12.Nf5 Nxc3 13.bxc3 {with some advantage for White in Vachier-Lagrave,M (2785)-Gunina,V (2496) Gibraltar 2016} ) 8...dxc4 {In hindsight Wesley So named this idea dubious. Eljanov agreed with him: "Yes, but you should play very carefully."} 9.b3 cxb3 10.Qxb3 Ngf6 {Taken by surprise, So took the most practical decision. He returned the pawn but made sure that he will castle and finish the development.} ( {After the natural} 10...Qb6 11.Qc4 ( {Eljanov actually planned to go for} 11.Qc2 Ngf6 12.Rb1 Qa6 {and now either} 13.Qb3 ( {or} 13.e4 ) ) 11...Ngf6 12.Rb1 Qc7 13.Bf4 Qc8 14.Qb3 b6 15.Rfc1 {White has strong compensation for a pawn thanks to the half-open "b" and "c" files and the solid center.} ) ( 10...Nb6 11.a4 {is even less appealing for Black.} ) 11.Qxb7 O-O {"I think this was excellent preparation by Pavel." (So) "No, I did not analyze the move 11...0-0." (Eljanov).} 12.Bf4 Qa5 ( {Black cannot get rid of the weak pawn with} 12...c5 13.Rfd1 Qc8 14.Qb2 ( 14.Ne5 $1 ) ) 13.g4 {"I missed this strong idea." (So)} ( {So thought that he equalized and expected something like} 13.Qb3 ) 13...Bg6 14.g5 {Now White forces the black knight on the rim.} 14...Nh5 ( 14...Nd5 $2 {loses to} 15.Nxd5 Qxd5 16.Ne5 ) 15.Bd2 ( 15.Qxd7 {does not win material:} 15...Nxf4 16.Qxe7 Qxc3 ) 15...Rfd8 16.Qxc6 {This continues the forcing play.} ( {Perhaps} 16.Rfc1 $5 {was also an idea although after} 16...Rac8 {there is nothing concrete in sight.} ) 16...Rac8 17.Qb5 Qxb5 18.Nxb5 a6 19.Na7 {"I underestimated this move." (So) "Brilliant move!" (Ljubojevic).} ( {Black anticipated} 19.Nc3 Ba3 20.Rad1 Bc2 21.Rde1 Nb6 22.Nb1 {when he could not see how is he getting the pawn back. Still, his compensation is obvious: the black pieces are too active.} ) 19...Rc7 ( 19...Rc2 20.Rfc1 {simply wins for White as the knight escapes via c6.} ) 20.Ba5 Rxa7 21.Bxd8 Bxd8 22.Rfc1 {As a result of the forcing play White achieved an endgame with a rook and a pawn versus two light pieces. While normally this imbalance is considered equal, everything depends on the remaining pieces on the board. The minor pieces feel better in the middlegame, while the rook is much happier in the endgame. Take into account the fact that White will quickly occupy both the open files. Black should try to avoid the trade of the rooks if possible. Add to that the misplaced knight on h5 and you will understand why both the elite GMs considered this position clearly in favor of White.} 22...Kf8 ( 22...f6 $2 23.Rc8 ) 23.e3 Be4 {An inaccuracy. Better was to try and bring the knight out with either:} ( 23...f6 ) ( {or} 23...h6 ) 24.Rc8 Ke7 25.Nd2 Bxg2 26.Kxg2 f6 {Another inaccuracy.} ( {In the line} 26...g6 27.Ne4 Ng7 28.Nf6 Nf5 29.Nxh7 {White wins a second pawn (Eljanov)} ) ( {Best was to get rid of the h-pawn at once with} 26...h6 27.h4 hxg5 28.hxg5 g6 29.Ne4 f5 ( {Or even} 29...Ng7 ) 30.gxf6+ Nhxf6 {"Maybe I can hold this." (So)} ) 27.h4 g6 28.Ne4 f5 29.Nc5 Nxc5 30.dxc5 {White added a passer to his assets.} 30...Rc7 31.Ra8 $1 ( {At the press conference Eljanov regretted that he did not go for} 31.Rxc7+ Bxc7 32.Rd1 Ng7 33.c6 Bd6 34.Rb1 Ne8 ( {Worse is} 34...Bc7 35.Rb7 Kd6 36.Ra7 a5 37.Ra8 {and the white rook makes it to the kingside pawns.} ) 35.Rb7+ Nc7 36.Rb8 {with the idea of reaching the h-pawn after Rb8-h8. Still, after the simple} 36...Be5 {White has a lot of technical work to do in order to break the opponent's fortress.} ) 31...Rxc5 ( 31...Rc6 32.Rd1 {loses for Black.} ) 32.Rd1 {Only this is a mistake. The rook was wonderfully placed on a1.} ( {After} 32.Rxa6 f4 33.a4 {it can give support to the passer and Black will most likely not survive. For example:} 33...fxe3 34.fxe3 {There was a new quip from the legendary Ljubojevic at this moment: "Maybe it is winning but it is unclear..."} 34...Ng7 35.Ra7+ Bc7 36.a5 Nf5 37.a6 Nxe3+ 38.Kf3 Nd5 39.Rb7 Rc3+ 40.Ke2 {(So, Eljanov)} ) 32...Bc7 33.Rh8 $6 {This is not even a threat!} 33...Be5 34.Rhd8 ( 34.Rxh7+ $2 Bg7 {traps the white rook.} ) 34...Rc7 35.Ra8 f4 {The worst is over for Black.} 36.e4 Rc3 37.f3 Ng3 38.Rxa6 Rc2+ 39.Kh3 Rc3 40.Kg2 Rc2+ 41.Kh3 Rc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.29"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "D90"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8250632197708"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:17:33"]
[BlackClock "0:05:49"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Qb3 Nb6 6.d4 Bg7 7.e4 Bg4 8.Bb5+ c6 9.Ng5 O-O 10.Be2 Bxe2 11.Nxe2 Na6 12.Qh3 h6 13.Nf3 h5 14.Rg1 Nb4 ( {Another way of playing the position for Black was used by Volokitin:} 14...e5 15.g4 exd4 16.gxh5 Qd7 17.Qh4 d3 18.Nf4 {but Black's position looks extremely dangerous at this point in Jakovenko,D (2704)-Volokitin,A (2649) Doha 2016} ) ( {Wojtaszek believed that there is a forced draw in this line after:} 14...Nd7 $1 {The only move. (Wojtaszek)} 15.e5 Nb4 16.g4 Nc2+ 17.Kf1 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Bxe5 19.gxh5 Qc8 20.Rg4 Qf5 21.dxe5 {and after some further computer moves it all ends in adraw-} 21...Rad8 22.hxg6 fxg6 23.Nf4 Rd1+ 24.Ke2 Re1+ 25.Kd2 Rd8+ 26.Kc3 Nxa1 27.Rxg6+ Qxg6 28.Nxg6 Rxc1+ 29.Kb4 Rd4+ 30.Ka3 Nc2+ 31.Kb3 Na1+ {Please, have mercy and do not ask me why...} ) 15.g4 Qd7 16.Qh4 $1 {According to Wojtaszek, this was another brilliant idea by Grzegorz Gajewski. Both Polish GMs worked and/or are still working with Vishy Anand and are famous for their quality opening preparation. Wojtaszek said at the press conference that this was pretty much everything that he remembered, with some bits of information later, and he was not sure that what he was doing was correct.} 16...Nc2+ $146 ( {In the only predecessor Black got crushed after:} 16...hxg4 17.Rxg4 Rfd8 18.Kf1 e5 19.Bd2 ( 19.Bh6 $1 ) 19...Nd3 20.b3 exd4 21.Ng5 c5 22.Nf4 Ne5 23.Qh7+ Kf8 24.Nfe6+ $1 fxe6 25.Rf4+ Ke7 26.Qxg7+ Kd6 27.Rf7 Qb5+ 28.Kg1 {1-0 (28) Lupulescu,C (2634)-Nedilko,V (2396) Legnica 2013} ) ( {Both players thought that White's attack is too fast after} 16...Nd3+ 17.Kf1 Nxc1 18.Rxc1 Bf6 19.Qh3 {followed by e4-e5 and Ne2-f4.} ) ( 16...Bf6 {hsould be analyzed as well.} ) 17.Kf1 Nxd4 {White praised this move and confessed that he had difficulties finding the refutation over the board.} ( {Wojtaszek believed that he wins in the line:} 17...Nxa1 18.gxh5 Bf6 19.Bg5 Kg7 20.Bxf6+ exf6 21.Nf4 {with capture on g6 to follow. This might not be completely true as Black has:} ( {However, the Polish GM is right and there is a win after} 21.h6+ $1 Kh7 22.Qxf6 Rg8 23.Ng5+ Kxh6 {and now plenty of moves lead to the aim:} 24.Rg3 ( 24.Nf4 ) ( 24.Nxf7+ ) ) 21...g5 $1 22.Nxg5 Rg8 $1 {when there is nothing decisive in sight.} ) ( {It is funny to see how the computer changes his evaluation from completely won for Black after} 17...Bf6 {To equal when White finds} 18.Bg5 {and then a bit further to much better for White} 18...Bxg5 19.Qxg5 Nxa1 20.Qh6 {only to realize at the end that White's attack is indeed winning.} ) 18.Nexd4 ( {Worse is the other capture:} 18.Nfxd4 Bxd4 19.gxh5 Bf6 20.Bg5 {as the black knight can mess the things up after} 20...Nc4 21.Bxf6 Nd2+ 22.Kg2 exf6 ) 18...Bxd4 19.gxh5 {Now almost all the white pieces are into the attack and Mamedyarov has very few defenders on the kingside.} 19...Bf6 20.Bg5 Bxb2 {White expected:} ( 20...Qe6 21.Rg3 ( 21.hxg6 {looks simplier, with an extra pawn in the endgame after} 21...fxg6 22.Bxf6 Qxf6 23.Qh6 Kf7 24.Ne5+ $1 Ke8 ( 24...Qxe5 25.Qxg6# ) 25.Qxg6+ Qxg6 26.Nxg6 ) 21...Nc4 22.Kg2 {with strong attack.} ) 21.Re1 Qd3+ {Forces the king in front of the rook, but this success is only temporary.} 22.Kg2 f6 {Mamedyarov is very cunning even when under horrific attack.} 23.Bh6 ( 23.hxg6 $2 {seems winning, but in fact this will reveal Black's trap-} 23...Qxf3+ $1 24.Kf1 ( 24.Kxf3 fxg5+ ) 24...Qxf2+ $3 {and Black will both take back the material and repel the attack.} ) ( {In case of} 23.Re3 fxg5 24.Nxg5 Qd6 25.hxg6 {Mamedyarov intended to defend not with} 25...Qxg6 ( {But with} 25...Rf4 {However, White should win here as well after} 26.Qh3 $1 ) 26.Kh1 {with decisive atatck for White.} ) 23...g5 24.Nxg5 $1 {Of course! White needs the open files.} 24...Rf7 ( {The most stubborn defense was:} 24...Kh8 25.Bxf8 ( {Not} 25.Bg7+ {a move that White also considered, due to} 25...Kxg7 26.Kh1 Kh8 $1 {and there is no follow up.} ) 25...Rxf8 26.Qh3 Qxh3+ 27.Nxh3 e5 28.Kf3 {the endgame should be won for White.} ) 25.Nxf7 Kxf7 26.Re3 {Now White attacks with extra material. What can be better than that!} 26...Qc2 27.Rg3 Bd4 28.Rg7+ Ke6 29.Qg4+ ( 29.Qf4 {with the threat Qf4-f5+ was faster. For example:} 29...Qb2 30.Qf5+ Kd6 31.Rd1 {and there is no defence against Bh6-f4+ or Bh6-e3.} ) 29...Kd6 30.Be3 Bxe3 31.Qg3+ {Mamedyarov did not see any point going on. While Wojtaszek said at the press-conference that he was not quite sure how is he winning! A possible line would have been:} ( 31.Qg3+ Ke6 32.Qxe3 Nc4 33.Qf3 Ne5 34.Qh3+ Kd6 35.Qe3 Ke6 36.h6 {when the "h" pawn should decide the outcome of the game.} ) 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.04.30"]
[Round "9.4"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[Beauty "6187747650104"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:10:59"]
[BlackClock "0:10:12"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 {The Catalan against Kramnik sounds like a very challenging idea!} 4...Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 {Of lately White chooses this move in order to extricate something from the opening.} ( 8.Qxc4 {remains the main line though. True, by a very low margin.} ) 8...Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bf4 Nbd7 11.Nc3 Bd6 12.e3 $146 {A novelty. Eljanov wants to trade the bishop on f4 and use the e5 stronghold in the future.} ( {Gelfand chose instead} 12.Bd2 Ne4 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.Ng5 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 Nf6 {with approximate equality in Gelfand,B (2741)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2704) Berlin 2015} ) 12...Nb6 13.Qb3 Bxf4 14.gxf4 a5 15.Ne5 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 {Both sides can be happy with the opening outcome. White has more space and strong center. Black managed to trade all the bishops and relief the space deficit. He also has some nice outposts for his knights and we can summarize - the position is about equal.} 16...Nbd5 17.Rg1 Rc8 18.Rac1 Nb4 19.Qc4 {Lengthy maneuvering follows. Eljanov wants to use the central control to create kingside threats, while Kramnik patiently prepares the opening of the game on the opposite wing.} 19...g6 20.Rgd1 c6 21.Qe2 Qe7 22.Nc4 Qc7 23.Qf3 Nbd5 24.h4 {From hindsight White might have regretted this later.} ( {Safer was:} 24.Ne5 ) 24...Rfd8 25.b3 Nxc3 26.Rxc3 Qe7 27.Ne5 Kg7 28.Kh3 c5 {Perhaps a tad too early. Better looked the preliminary:} ( 28...Qb4 29.Rdc1 Nd5 30.Rd3 f6 31.Nc4 b5 32.Nd2 {and then} 32...c5 ) 29.Rdc1 b6 30.dxc5 Rxc5 ( 30...Nd5 $5 ) 31.Rxc5 bxc5 32.Nc6 Qb7 33.Kg2 $1 {Eljanov was low on time and decided to play it safe. This move also secures the important "a" pawn. After} ( 33.Rxc5 Rd2 {Black has his own threats in return for the pawn. Possible lines run:} 34.Rb5 ( 34.h5 {is a move that the computer consistently insists on. Then after} 34...Nxh5 35.Rxa5 {Black can sacrifice an exchange with} 35...Rxf2 36.Qxf2 Qxc6 {and due to the exposed white king the position remains unclear.} ) ( 34.Rxa5 $6 {should be avoided as} 34...Qxb3 35.Ra7 Qb1 {permits a chance to the queen to get into the enemy camp.} ) 34...Qc8 35.Rb8 Qc7 36.Ra8 {Yes, the compuer says it is 0.00 here...} ) 33...Rd5 ( 33...Ra8 $2 34.Ne5 {would be clear edge for White.} ) 34.Nxa5 Qb4 35.Nc4 Qxb3 36.a5 {White added a very strong outside passed pawn to his advantages. Together with the powerful knight on c4 this will guarantee him a won endgame anytime the queens are gone. However, there is the problem with the kingside (remember the move h2-h4?) and Kramnik builds his play against the white king.} 36...Qa2 37.Kf1 Rh5 38.Qe2 Qb3 ( {Objectively better was:} 38...Qa4 {when the game can logically peter out into a draw. Check this line:} 39.Qb2 Rxh4 40.Qb7 Qa2 41.Ne5 Rh2 42.Qxf7+ Kh6 43.Qf8+ Kh5 44.Nd3 Rh1+ 45.Kg2 Rxc1 46.Nxc1 Qd5+ 47.f3 Qd2+ 48.Kh3 Qxc1 49.Qxf6 Qh1+ 50.Kg3 Qg1+ $11 ) 39.Qc2 {In the time-trouble it was too difficult to let a check on d3, but...} ( 39.Qb2 $1 {was strong when after} 39...Qd3+ 40.Kg1 Rxh4 41.f3 $1 {The white pawns and queen on the second rank somehow magically keep everything under control. Say:} 41...Qf5 42.a6 Qh5 43.Qg2 Ng4 $5 44.Ra1 $1 Rh2 45.fxg4 Rxg2+ 46.Kxg2 Qxg4+ 47.Kf2 Qh4+ 48.Ke2 {and I do not see how can Black stop the "a" pawn.} ) 39...Qb7 40.Qb2 Qa8 41.Ke2 Rxh4 42.Rb1 {Tme-trouble is over but the position remains hyper-irrational. The problem for Eljanov is that he needs to defend his king. The problem for Kramnik is that he needs to be very resourceful into the attack. No wonder they soon ended in another time pressure.} 42...Qg2 43.Ne5 {Solid. But better was:} ( 43.a6 $1 Rh3 {and now} 44.Rf1 $1 {seems like an excellent winning try. After} ( 44.Ne5 {would most likely need to a perpetual in the lines after} 44...c4 $1 {An important resource.} 45.Qd4 ( 45.a7 Rxe3+ $1 46.Kxe3 Qe4+ 47.Kd2 Qd5+ {Now there is no Ne5-d3 block. The white king cannot escape the checks.} 48.Ke1 Qh1+ 49.Ke2 Qe4+ 50.Kd2 Qd5+ 51.Kc3 Ne4+ 52.Kb4 Qc5+ 53.Ka4 Qxa7+ ) 45...c3 $1 {Black also makes use of teh paser and the position remains dynamically balanced after} 46.Rb7 c2 47.Rxf7+ Kh6 48.Rc7 Ng4 ) ( {The instant} 44.a7 {would also lead to a very exciting perpetual after} 44...Qf3+ 45.Kd3 Qd5+ 46.Kc3 Qd4+ $1 47.Kb3 Qd3+ 48.Ka2 Qxc4+ 49.Ka1 Qe4 50.Qb8 Qa4+ 51.Kb2 Rf3 52.Rf1 ( 52.a8=Q $4 Rxf2+ 53.Kc1 Qc2# ) 52...Rxf4 $3 53.a8=Q ( 53.exf4 Qd4+ 54.Ka3 Qd3+ 55.Ka4 ( 55.Qb3 Qxf1 56.a8=Q Qa1+ 57.Qa2 Qc3+ 58.Qb3 Qa1+ ) 55...Qa6+ {the king cannot escape the checks.} ) 53...Rb4+ 54.Kc1 Rc4+ 55.Kd2 Qc2+ 56.Ke1 Qc1+ 57.Ke2 Qc2+ 58.Kf3 Qf5+ 59.Ke2 ( 59.Kg2 $2 Rg4+ 60.Qg3 Rxg3+ 61.fxg3 Qe5 {is a win for Black.} ) 59...Rc2+ 60.Ke1 Rc1+ 61.Ke2 {and a draw.} ) 44...e5 45.Qxe5 Rh5 46.Qa1 Qg4+ 47.Ke1 {the white king is defended while the passer is almost a queen. Kramnik needs to use all his resourcefulness to save the game.} ) 43...c4 44.Qd4 $2 {Eljanov cracks under the pressure. It was time to take the draw with:} ( 44.Nd7 Rxf4 45.exf4 Qe4+ 46.Kf1 Qh1+ {and the same old perpetual.} ) 44...c3 $1 {Who would have believed that the "c" pawn would be more dangerous than the "a" one at the beginning?!} 45.a6 ( 45.Qxc3 Ne4 $1 ) 45...c2 46.Rc1 Rh1 47.Rxc2 {This definitely loses. But one can easily understand why White did not want to play the position after:} ( 47.Qa1 Rxc1 48.Qxc1 Qa8 49.Qxc2 Qxa6+ ) 47...Qf1+ 48.Kd2 Qd1+ 49.Kc3 Qa1+ 50.Kb3 Qxa6 {Black is up a pawn and attacking with his more active heavy pieces. The game is practically over.} 51.Nc4 Rb1+ 52.Nb2 Ra1 53.Rc5 Ra3+ 54.Kb4 ( 54.Kc2 Qe2+ 55.Qd2 Qxd2+ 56.Kxd2 Ne4+ ) 54...Ra2 55.Qc3 Qb6+ 56.Rb5 Qd6+ 57.Rc5 Ra8 ( {The advance of the "h" passer would also do.} 57...h5 ) 58.Nd3 Rb8+ 59.Ka4 Qa6+ 60.Ra5 Qb7 61.Nc5 Qb1 62.Ka3 Kg8 63.Nb3 Nd5 0-1

[Event "Korchnoi Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Zürich"]
[Date "2017.04.13"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[ECO "B46"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "5636918101038"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:31"]
[BlackClock "0:04:18"]

1.e4 {When Mike asked me today to "show the 10,000 ways Nepo could have won" I got very excited. I anticipated viciously the moment in which I can expose a Super GM and make him a mere mortal, but...} 1...c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Qc7 8.Bf4 ( {Another way to play it is:} 8.Qe2 Rb8 9.f4 d5 10.exd6 Bxd6 {when Black seems fine as in Kobalia,M (2651) -Rublevsky,S (2695) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013} ) 8...f5 9.g4 {White attacks the king that stayed in the center, and will be happy if it castles short too.} 9...Ne7 10.gxf5 Nxf5 11.Bd3 Be7 $146 {A novelty. Another guru of the line played instead} ( 11...Rb8 12.Qf3 Rxb2 13.O-O Be7 14.Bxf5 exf5 15.Rad1 O-O {and Black got a wonderful position in Safarli,E (2471)-Laznicka,V (2594) Pardubice 2007} ) 12.Bxf5 exf5 13.Rg1 O-O 14.Qh5 {The most natural continuation. Two other queen moves deserve serious attention too.} ( 14.Qd2 $5 ) ( 14.Qd3 $5 ) 14...d5 {Svidler also plays in a very classical way, but it seems that Nepomniachtchi should be happier. His attack is running faster and this is what matters in these positions.} 15.O-O-O Kh8 {Believe it or not, but this prophylaxis makes things worse for Black. The computer suggests instead} ( 15...Bc5 {and claims that White is slightly better. I believe that it will change its mind if we guide it a bit. White looks way better.} ) 16.Rd3 {Both rooks are joining the queen. The black king seems desperately week.} 16...Be6 {The bishop hurries to help.} 17.Rdg3 {A clever idea to lure the black rook to f7 thus cutting the bishop away from the g8 square. This is the only moment where I found (sorry, the engine found) a clear win for White. Check this out:} ( 17.Rh3 Bg8 ( 17...h6 {would be easier} 18.Qxh6+ gxh6 19.Rxh6# ) 18.Ne2 $1 {So far nothing exceptional, all the white pieces join the party that the black king initiated. Now Black should make a move, let's say} ( {Not} 18.Bh6 $2 gxh6 19.Qxh6 Rf7 {when Black has everything defended.} ) 18...Rae8 {When the thunder strikes} 19.Bh6 $3 gxh6 20.Qxh6 Bd8 ( 20...Rf7 21.Nf4 {still leaves Svidler no defense against Nf4-g6 mate.} ) 21.Nf4 {and Nepomniachtchi can claim it "You've been Thunderstruck!"} ) 17...Rf7 18.Rh3 {The point behind the previous move.} ( 18.Ne2 $1 {OK, this was still winning. My bad.} ) 18...g5 {The only move.} ( 18...h6 $2 19.Bxh6 {would be mate.} ) 19.Bxg5 f4 20.Bxf4 {White sacrifices the exchange.} ( {Another computer line goes} 20.Qg6 Qxe5 21.Rh6 Rg7 22.Bxe7 Rxe7 ( 22...Rxg6 23.Rgxg6 ) 23.Rg5 Qe1+ 24.Nd1 Rf8 {White is better, but there is a lot of play ahead. As long as the second player is not checkmated he can play on and on.} ) ( {A calmer continuation was} 20.Bxe7 Qxe7 21.Rh4 Bf5 {when Black has compensation for a pawn.Next he will start advancing the central pawns.} ) ( {And} 20.Rh4 Qxe5 {is not clear at all.} ) 20...Raf8 21.Ne2 Bxh3 22.Qxh3 {It seems as White is winning nevertheless. He wants to put his queen on g3, push the e-pawn and checkmate on g7, g8 or along the long diagonal.} 22...Qc8 $1 {But Svidler is a defensive giant today.} ( {Instead} 22...Rxf4 $2 23.Nxf4 Rxf4 24.Qg3 {would had won for White.} ) 23.e6 ( {Or} 23.Qe3 Qe6 ) 23...Rxf4 24.Qg3 ( {The important point behind Svidler's queen move is seen in the line:} 24.Nxf4 Rxf4 25.Qg3 Qf8 ) 24...Rg8 25.Qxf4 Rxg1+ 26.Nxg1 Qxe6 27.Nf3 {It all ended in an endgame where White is up a pawn, but Black has serious drawing chances. Svidler has the right bishop on the board with all the pawns placed on light squares. The main problem for Nepo is that he does not have great outposts for the knight.} 27...Bd6 28.Qe3 Qf6 ( 28...Qxe3+ 29.fxe3 Kg7 30.Kd2 {might be also holdable. The bishop is often much bigger than the knight in these situation.} ) 29.Kb1 Kg7 30.a3 {The next moves are very logical. Both players are improving their positions bit by bit.} 30...a5 31.h3 h5 32.Qd3 ( 32.h4 $5 {might have been better.} ) 32...Bc5 33.Qe2 Kh6 34.h4 {The knight finally gets a great outpost, but will never reach it as both white pawns will be discovered.} 34...Qf5 35.Qa6 Qxf3 36.Qxc6+ Kg7 37.Qxc5 Qh1+ 38.Ka2 Qxh4 {The queen endgame is famous for drawing tendencies. A passed pawn can easily compensate for many extra pawns.} 39.Qxd5 Qg4 40.c4 h4 41.c5 Kf6 $3 {Another great move by Svidler. The passer is stopped. The obvious line was:} ( 41...h3 42.c6 h2 43.c7 h1=Q 44.Qxh1 Qc4+ 45.Kb1 Qxc7 46.Qd5 {when White should win.} ) 42.Qd8+ ( {Or} 42.c6 $4 Qe6 {when Black wins!} ) 42...Kf7 43.Qc7+ Kf6 44.Qd8+ Kf7 45.Qd3 Qe6+ 46.Kb1 Qe1+ 47.Ka2 Qe6+ 48.Ka1 ( {White would have to give perpetual anyway after} 48.b3 a4 $1 {since} 49.c6 $4 {once again loses to} ( 49.Qh7+ $11 {is a draw instead.} ) 49...Qxb3+ 50.Qxb3+ axb3+ 51.Kxb3 Ke7 ) 48...Qe1+ 49.Ka2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Korchnoi Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Zürich"]
[Date "2017.04.14"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Pelletier, Yannick"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2541"]
[ECO "C11"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7769058974749"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[WhiteClock "0:04:24"]
[BlackClock "0:00:31"]

1.e4 e6 {One can immediately sense the influence of Viktor Kortschnoi in the Swiss chess.The French defense is Palletier's main weapon which served him well for many years.} 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Be7 {A fashionable line.} ( {The main line remains} 6...Nc6 {with more than fifteen thousand games played so far. One recent example went} 7.Be3 Be7 8.Qd2 O-O 9.a3 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Nb8 {as in Svidler,P (2748)-Short,N (2675) Caleta 2017} ) 7.Be3 b6 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bb5 Ndb8 {Pelletier is regrouping his troups in inticipation of the trade on c6. Another way to play it is:} ( 9...Qc7 10.f5 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 {Zhigalko,A (2584)-Lupulescu,C (2609) Calimanesti Caciulata 2016} ) ( {The dangers that Black is facing are well illustrated by the following game:} 9...Bb7 10.O-O-O a6 11.Bxc6 Bxc6 12.f5 b5 13.fxe6 fxe6 14.Ne2 c4 15.Ng5 Nf8 16.Rhf1 Bxg5 17.Bxg5 Qd7 18.Qc3 h6 19.Qh3 Rh7 20.Qf3 Rh8 21.Qh3 Rh7 22.Qf3 Rh8 23.Qh5+ g6 24.Qh3 {1-0 (24) Bok,B (2614)-Kjartansson,G (2457) Gjakova 2016} ) 10.Qf2 $146 {A novelty. Anand paciently prepares the kingside attack. The queen overprotects d4 and lets the white knight step back to the e2 square.} ( {So far White tried to attack only with the bull's} 10.f5 a6 11.Bxc6+ Nxc6 12.O-O cxd4 13.Nxd4 Nxe5 14.fxe6 fxe6 15.Qe2 {with compensation for a pawn in Lobanov,S (2432) -Tabatabaei,M (2493) Khanty-Mansiysk 2016} ) 10...c4 {This seems to be good for White. He is happy to have the center closed as he can start the kingside attack at once. In case of} ( 10...cxd4 $5 11.Nxd4 Bd7 12.Nf3 {The black pieces seem clumsy but he can play} 12...O-O {followed by f7-f6.} ) 11.Ne2 a6 12.Bxc6+ Nxc6 13.c3 b5 14.g4 h5 {As otherwise the knight will go too close to the black king:} ( 14...b4 15.Ng3 ) 15.gxh5 Rxh5 16.h4 Rh8 {More accurate seems the immediate:} ( 16...b4 $1 {The rook on h5 may choose another square to retreat. On:} 17.Ng3 {Black can just grab the pawn} ( 17.f5 $5 {deserves serious consideration when} 17...Rxf5 ( {However after} 17...exf5 18.Nf4 Rh6 {the rook is better placed on the sixth rank than on the eight.} ) 18.Ng3 {traps the rook. Still} 18...Qa5 19.Nxf5 exf5 {is not clear at all.} ) ( {Also, in case of} 17.Qg2 Bf8 18.f5 exf5 19.Nf4 Rh6 {Black's defensive resources seem higher as in the game. The rook in standing really well on h6.} ) 17...Bxh4 ( {Although} 17...Rh8 {might be even better when f4-f5 is not as dangerous as in the game.} ) ) 17.Qg2 Bf8 18.f5 $1 {Opens the road for the light pieces.} 18...exf5 19.Bg5 Qc7 {Perhaps} ( 19...Qa5 $5 20.Nf4 ( {Or} 20.h5 b4 21.h6 bxc3 22.bxc3 Rb8 23.Kf2 Be6 ) 20...b4 {was more active, keeping White busy in the center.} ) 20.h5 {Now Anand's play is very easy and straightforward. The knights have distinct edge over the bishops in the closed position.} 20...Be6 21.h6 ( 21.Nf4 $5 ) 21...Kd7 ( 21...gxh6 $2 {drops material after} 22.Bf6 Rh7 23.Qg8 ) 22.h7 $1 {The pawn on h7 is extremely poweful. His plan is to put the knights on f4 and g5, capture with the knight from g5 to e6 and win at least the exchange with Nf4-g6.} 22...Re8 23.Bd2 Kc8 24.a4 {Even better than:} ( 24.Nf4 Kb8 25.Ng5 Nd8 26.O-O-O ) 24...b4 25.Nf4 Qd7 {It is difficult to give Black good advice. In case of:} ( 25...Na5 26.Ng5 {The play can continue:} 26...Nb3 27.Rd1 g6 ( 27...Kb7 28.Ngxe6 fxe6 29.Ng6 Be7 30.Ke2 Bd8 31.Nxh8 Rxh8 32.Qg6 ) 28.Ngxe6 fxe6 29.Qxg6 {White seems to win here as well.} ) 26.Ng5 g6 27.Kf1 {Anand avoids any tricks, such as:} ( 27.Ngxe6 Rxe6 ( 27...fxe6 28.Qxg6 {is not something to be afraid of} ) 28.Nxd5 Nxe5 $1 ) 27...b3 28.Re1 Nd8 29.Re2 Qb7 {The time had come to collect the harvest.} 30.Ngxe6 Nxe6 ( 30...fxe6 {would not help neither due to} 31.Qxg6 {followed by either Rd2-h2, queen retreat and Nf4-g6 or by a bishop transfer to f6.} ) 31.Nxd5 {Without this pawn Black cannot survive.} 31...Be7 ( 31...Rd8 32.Ne3 Qxg2+ 33.Rxg2 {c4 pawn will drops soon, then b3, etc.} ) 32.Nxe7+ Rxe7 33.d5 Nf8 34.Bh6 Re8 ( 34...Nxh7 35.Bg7 ) 35.Bxf8 Rexf8 36.Rh4 Kd8 {There is nowhere to hide.} 37.Rd2 Re8 38.e6 Re7 ( 38...fxe6 39.dxe6+ Kc8 40.Rxc4+ Kb8 41.Rb4 ) 39.Qg5 1-0

[Event "Korchnoi Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Zürich"]
[Date "2017.04.15"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[ECO "B92"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7903549068809"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[WhiteClock "0:32:47"]
[BlackClock "0:03:33"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.Qd3 Be6 10.Bd2 {A clever move which Nepomniachtchi had already used this year.} ( {The most common continuation is} 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.Nd5 Bxd5 12.exd5 Nc5 13.Nxc5 dxc5 14.c4 {as for example in Rodshtein,M (2682)-Mareco,S (2582) Caleta 2014. But the Russian GM figured that the bishop is not that well placed on the e3 square.} ) ( {Another option is} 10.f4 ) 10...Nbd7 {It will be interesting to see what did White prepare in the line that Grischuk chose against him:} ( 10...a5 11.a4 Na6 12.Nd5 Bxd5 13.exd5 b6 14.Rfd1 Nc7 15.Bf3 Nd7 16.Bg4 Nf6 17.Bf3 Nd7 18.Bg4 Nf6 19.Bf3 {1/2-1/2 (19) Nepomniachtchi,I (2749)-Grischuk,A (2742) Sharjah 2017} ) 11.Nd5 Bxd5 12.exd5 Nc5 13.Nxc5 dxc5 14.c4 Qc7 $146 {A novelty. In case of} ( 14...Bd6 {White would develope in similar way to the game-} 15.Rae1 Ne8 16.Qh3 g6 17.Bc3 Ng7 18.Bd3 {with advantage for White, Oleksienko,M (2543)-Amonatov,F (2626) Voronezh 2010} ) 15.Rae1 Bd6 {At a glance Gelfand's position seems perfectly fine. He intends to drop the knight back and then advance the f7 pawn. The white passer on d5 is securely blocked while the back kingside pawns look more fluid. But this impression is deceptive.} 16.Qh3 $1 {This is major difference in comparison to the 10.Be3 line. The bishop on d2 is not obstructing the queen and is ready to help in the coming attack on the long diagonal.} 16...Rfe8 ( {If} 16...e4 17.f4 {and the bishops are ready to take control of the game after Bd2-c3 and Be2-d1-c2.} ) ( {While} 16...Nd7 17.Bd3 g6 {can be met even with a move like} 18.g4 $5 ) ( {I suspect that the lesser evil for Black was the possible endgame after} 16...Qd7 $5 ) 17.Bc3 {White's plan is very straightforward. Bishops on the long diagonals, rooks on the "e" and "f" files, f2-f4, break open the position and mate the king!} 17...g6 ( {Or} 17...Rab8 18.f4 b5 19.Bd3 ) 18.Bd3 Nh5 {Once more Gelfand decided not to search for queenside play with:} ( 18...b5 19.f4 e4 20.Bc2 Nh5 21.f5 {White is better here too.} ) 19.g3 Re7 20.Re2 {Nepomniachtchi keeps on mounting pressure. In the short time control this is an extremely fruitful approach. The immediate opening of the position leads White nowhere after} ( 20.f4 exf4 21.g4 Rxe1 22.Rxe1 Ng7 23.Qh6 Bf8 ) 20...Rf8 {Prepares f7-f5 as:} ( 20...f5 $2 {fails to} 21.Bxf5 ) 21.Rfe1 f5 22.f3 Nf6 {Now it seemd as White cannot make any progress as both the pawn advances are ineffective.} ( 22...e4 $2 23.fxe4 f4 24.e5 $1 {wins for White.} ) 23.Qh4 $1 {The queen is transferred on a working position. The attack on the light squares with:} ( 23.g4 {would be met with} 23...e4 $1 24.fxe4 fxg4 {with perfect blockade on the dark square after Nf6-d7.} ) ( 23.f4 {is not particularly impressive neither after} 23...Nd7 ) 23...Nd7 24.Qg5 Ref7 ( 24...b5 $5 25.b3 b4 {to block the queenside probably made some sense.} ) 25.Qd2 Qd8 26.Kh1 Re8 27.a4 h5 $2 {Only this move can be claimed a definite mistake. the light squares will no longer be recovered. Black needed to stay tight and do nothing.} ( 27...Qc7 28.a5 Qd8 29.Bc2 {although then White can start play on the queenside too after Bc2-a4 followed by b2-b4 later.} ) 28.a5 {That is only possible thanks to the queen! Instead} ( 28.g4 $1 {was already working, with the idea} 28...hxg4 29.fxg4 e4 30.gxf5 $1 gxf5 31.Qh6 {and Black is getting checkmated.} ) 28...Kh7 29.Bc2 b5 {A desperate attempt to stop Bc2-a4 after which the e5 pawn would suffer. But the danger comes from the other side.} 30.axb6 Nxb6 31.Qd3 Qb8 32.g4 $1 {Blows the position appart.} 32...Nd7 ( {The choice there is not:} 32...hxg4 33.fxg4 e4 34.Qh3+ {is mate.} ) ( {While} 32...e4 33.fxe4 fxg4 34.e5 {is a disaster.} ) 33.gxf5 gxf5 34.f4 {The queen returns to h3.} 34...e4 35.Qh3 Kh6 36.Rg2 Bxf4 37.Bd1 {Mate is inevitable. The white queen was absolutely gorgeous today!} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2017.05.18"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[ECO "B97"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8042347244583"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 {"Ian surprised me with this one." (Nakamura)} 8.a3 {"So I decided to just play chess." (Nakamura)} ( {The American GM meant that he wanted to avoid the heavy competition of the machines that happens in the Poisoned Pawn variation after} 8.Qd2 Qxb2 9.Rb1 Qa3 ) 8...Nc6 9.Nb3 Be7 10.Qd2 ( {White can also develop the queen in a more Najdorf-way with} 10.Qf3 {although it might be a subject of tempo-gainers for Black after} 10...Qc7 11.O-O-O h6 12.Bh4 g5 13.e5 ( {Black's major idea was} 13.fxg5 Ne5 ) 13...gxh4 14.exf6 Bxf6 15.Ne4 Be7 16.Qc3 Rg8 17.Nf6+ Bxf6 18.Qxf6 Qe7 19.Qxh6 Bd7 {all of this happened in Yu,Y (2652)-Zhao,J (2580) Xinghua Jiangsu 2011} ) 10...O-O 11.O-O-O Rd8 {Now a position typical for the Classical line arises. White tries to attack on the kingside, Black wants to strike in the center as quickly as possible.} 12.Bd3 h6 $146 {A novelty.} ( {Only} 12...Bd7 {has been tested before, although it looks a bit slow for Black after} 13.Kb1 Rac8 14.Qe1 Qc7 15.g4 {Sjugirov,S (2444) -Stella,A (2120) Herceg Novi 2006} ) ( {Nakamura expected} 12...d5 {to which} 13.exd5 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Rxd5 15.Bxe7 Nxe7 16.Qb4 {looks slightly better for White.} ) 13.h4 Bd7 ( {Nepomniachtchi believed he should be OK after} 13...Ng4 14.Bxe7 Nxe7 15.Rde1 Bd7 {At some moments h6-h5 to block the kingside is an option. If} 16.Be2 Ne3 {looks good with the idea} 17.Bf3 Nc4 {and the knight is successfully re-deployed for queenside work.} ) ( {The greedy} 13...hxg5 $2 {is almost never a good idea for Black as the mates on the h-file are for real. Say} 14.hxg5 Ng4 15.Rh4 Nf2 16.Rf1 Nxd3+ 17.Qxd3 e5 18.Rfh1 {and mate.} ) 14.Qe2 Kf8 {Black provokes the central push.} ( 14...Rac8 {is another way to play the position when after} 15.e5 ( 15.Kb1 $5 ) 15...dxe5 16.fxe5 Nxe5 17.Qxe5 hxg5 18.hxg5 Ng4 {White's attack seems strong but Black can trade the queens after} 19.Bh7+ Kf8 20.Qf4 Qe3+ {with approximate equality.} ) 15.e5 ( {Nepomniachtchi was afraid of} 15.Kb1 {when} 15...hxg5 ( {On} 15...Ng8 {White attacks for free with} 16.Bxe7+ Ngxe7 17.g4 ) 16.hxg5 Ng8 {wins a piece but does not stop the step-by-step attack after} 17.Rh8 {The idea is Qe2-h5-h7 and if} 17...Bxg5 18.fxg5 Ne5 19.Qh5 {looks dangerous for Black.} ( {Or} 19.Rf1 ) ) 15...dxe5 16.fxe5 hxg5 17.exf6 Bxf6 18.hxg5 Bxg5+ ( {In retrospect Black regretted that he did not capture the knight:} 18...Bxc3 19.bxc3 Ke7 {However, a closer look into the position reveals some problems for the second player after} 20.Rh7 Rg8 21.Bc4 Na5 22.g6 Nxc4 ( {Or} 22...fxg6 23.Nxa5 Qxa5 24.Rxd7+ $1 ) 23.gxf7 {and the black king is not save enough.} ) 19.Kb1 Qe3 ( {In case of} 19...Bh6 20.Rxh6 $1 {is strong with White's domination after} ( {Avoiding} 20.Rdf1 Qe3 $1 ) 20...gxh6 21.Rf1 Qc7 22.Qh5 Be8 23.Qxh6+ Ke7 24.Nc5 ) 20.Qh5 Bh6 {It seems as Nepomniachtchi did well. He is a pawn up and has the bishop pair. However, since both the e- and f-file have been opened his king is not feeling comfortable enough.} 21.Rhf1 Be8 22.Rde1 Qg5 23.Qh3 Ne5 {Black believed this to be a mistake. It is funny how differently both players evaluated the position. Nepomniachtchi thought he should be saving this, while Nakamura did not see a defense for his opponent.} ( {On} 23...Rxd3 {White intended} 24.cxd3 ( 24.Qxd3 {is not bad at all neither.} ) 24...Kg8 25.Ne4 Qg6 26.Rf3 {with decisive attack.} ) ( {If} 23...Rac8 24.Ne4 {is also close to won for the attacker. Two lines to prove this:} 24...Qe5 ( {If} 24...Qd5 25.Nf6 $1 gxf6 26.Qxh6+ Ke7 27.Qxf6+ Kd7 28.Be4 ) 25.Nec5 ) ( 23...Kg8 {makes things easier for White after} 24.Ne4 Qg6 25.Nf6+ ) 24.Nc5 {With the clear intention to capture on e6 with the knight. The problem is that Black cannot stop it.} 24...Kg8 {The best defense.} ( {Nakamura had seen the win after} 24...Bd7 25.Nxe6+ Bxe6 26.Qxe6 Re8 27.Qb3 $1 Kg8 28.Rxe5 $1 Qxe5 ( 28...Rxe5 29.Qxf7+ Kh8 30.Qf8+ Rxf8 31.Rxf8# ) 29.Qxf7+ Kh8 30.Qg6 ) ( {Also} 24...Ke7 25.Bf5 exf5 26.Rxf5 Qd2 27.Rexe5+ Kf8 28.Ne6+ Kg8 29.Nxd8 Qc1+ 30.Ka2 Rxd8 {looks gloomy for Black (Nepomniachtchi, Nakamura)} ) 25.Nxe6 fxe6 26.Qxe6+ Nf7 $2 {Now it is lost for Black.} ( {Nepomniachtchi's last chance was to play the endgame after} 26...Bf7 27.Qxe5 Qxe5 28.Rxe5 Re8 {In the Sicilian it is not unusual for Black to save endgames down a pawn thanks to the bishop pair (or a strong bishop). Say} 29.Rxe8+ Rxe8 30.Bh7+ Kxh7 31.Rxf7 b5 32.Ra7 Re6 {and the g2-pawn might be hurt soon.} ) 27.Bg6 {Not bad, but there was an even stronger move.} ( 27.Ne4 $1 {going for the king would have wrapped the game up quicker:} 27...Qe5 ( 27...Qd5 28.Qg6 {is easier for White.} ) 28.Qg6 {the threat is Ne4-f6+ and there is nothing Black can do about it.} 28...Rxd3 ( 28...Rac8 29.Nf6+ ) 29.cxd3 Bg5 30.Nc5 Qxc5 31.Rxe8+ Rxe8 32.Qxf7+ Kh7 33.Qh5+ Kg8 34.Qxe8+ {White wins.} ) 27...Kh8 28.Bxf7 Bxf7 29.Qxf7 Qxg2 30.Rg1 Qd2 ( {Black is mated if the queen moves too far away from the kingside:} 30...Qc6 31.Re6 Qd7 32.Rxh6+ gxh6 33.Qf6+ Kh7 34.Qg6+ Kh8 35.Qxh6+ Qh7 36.Qf6+ ) 31.Rd1 Qf4 ( {Or} 31...Qe3 32.Nd5 Qe5 33.Rge1 ( 33.Rde1 $1 {is stronger} 33...Qxd5 34.Re8+ Rxe8 35.Qxd5 ) 33...Qd6 34.Re6 Rf8 35.Qg6 Qh2 36.Re7 {and White will reach the opponent's king one way or another.} ) 32.Qxb7 Rdb8 33.Qe4 Qf8 ( {The endgame after} 33...Qxe4 34.Nxe4 Bf4 35.Rd7 Be5 36.c3 {should be won for White.} ) 34.Rg6 Ra7 $2 {A blunder.} 35.Qd4 {Black resigned due to the double threat.} 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2017.05.21"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[ECO "E11"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7972419798049"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Nf3 O-O 7.O-O Nbd7 8.a4 ( {Similar positions to the one that we shall see later in the game can arise after} 8.Qc2 Ne4 9.Bf4 c6 10.Nc3 g5 11.Bc1 f5 12.b3 b6 13.Bb2 Bb7 {as in So,W (2822)-Nakamura,H (2793) Saint Louis 2017} ) 8...a5 9.Qc2 c6 10.Na3 Ne4 {Apparently, the Chinese GM was very well prepared to meet this line as Gelfand had used it earlier in the tournament.} ( {That game went} 10...Bd6 11.Ne1 Qe7 12.Nd3 e5 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.Bxd5 $1 cxd5 15.Nb5 e4 16.Nf4 Nf6 17.Rfc1 {and White tortured his opponent for very long time, Gelfand,B (2724) -Tomashevsky,E (2696) Moscow 2017} ) 11.Bf4 $146 {A novelty. White lures the black pawn to g5 but this seems useful for Black.} ( {Previously White always developed the bishop to e3 at once} 11.Be3 f5 12.Ne1 g5 {You see what we are talking about...} 13.f3 Nd6 14.Nd3 Qe8 15.c5 {with a slight advantage for White in Hertneck,G (2572)-Bareev,E (2719) Germany 2002} ) 11...g5 $1 {"Critical move" (Ding)} 12.Be3 f5 {Now the position resembles the Stonewall Dutch with the white knight peculiarly placed on a3. Since Black is usually attacking on the kingside the inclusion of the g7-g5 move should be positive for him.} 13.Rad1 Bf6 ( {Black wants to fianchettoe the light-squared bishop but it does not work immediately:} 13...b6 $2 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Qc6 {and Black is in trouble (Ding)} ) ( {In case of} 13...Bd6 14.Nb1 Qe7 15.Nc3 {the pawn on g5 is hanging and if} 15...g4 16.Ne1 {followed by Ne1-d3 and Be3-f4 (Ding). This will give White clear domination on the dark squares.} ) 14.Nb1 {The knight is useless on a3 and White sends it back into the game.} ( {But maybe} 14.Ne1 $5 {was more needed now following Hertneck's plan from above} 14...Qe7 ( 14...b6 $2 {is still not good} 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.Qc6 ) 15.f3 Nd6 16.c5 Nf7 17.f4 {with a roughly equal, but stable position.} ) 14...Qe7 15.Nc3 b6 {"Black is fine here." (Ding) "Black is very good." (Gelfand)} 16.Ne5 {After a long thought White decided to open the position.} ( {Gelfand disliked} 16.cxd5 cxd5 {as he lost a lot of tempoes for maneuvers with his queenside knight.} ) ( {Ding on the other hand suggested the curious line that he had investigated during Gelfand's thinking:} 16.Nxe4 fxe4 17.Nd2 ( 17.Ne1 {might also be an idea with f2-f3 to follow.} ) 17...Ba6 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.Nb1 Rac8 20.Nc3 Nb8 21.Qb3 Qb4 22.Qxb4 axb4 23.Nb5 Rc2 24.Rd2 b3 {with unclear position.} ) 16...Nxe5 17.dxe5 Bxe5 18.Bxb6 ( {The sacrifice} 18.Nxe4 fxe4 19.cxd5 cxd5 20.Bxe4 {does not work due to} 20...dxe4 21.Qxe4 Bb8 $1 22.Qxa8 Bb7 23.Bc5 Qf7 {when the white queen is trapped.} ) ( {Both players spent a lot of time calculating the line} 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.Bxb6 Rb8 20.Bd4 ( 20.Bxa5 $2 Qc5 {drops a piece for White.} ) ( 20.Nxe4 Rxb6 {is clearly better for Black.} ) 20...Bxd4 21.Rxd4 Qc5 {"I was not quite happy with this position." (Gelfand)} ) 18...Qb4 $1 ( {This is better than} 18...Rb8 19.Bxa5 Qc5 {as White can save the bishop here with} 20.Nxe4 fxe4 $6 21.b4 {(Ding)} ) 19.Nxe4 ( {Or} 19.Bd4 Bxd4 20.Rxd4 e5 ( 20...Qc5 {is an important finesse according to Gelfand.} ) 21.Na2 Qc5 22.Rdd1 {When Black seems fine (Ding)} ) 19...fxe4 20.cxd5 {The culmination of the battle. Unhappy with his position the Israeli GM goes for a piece sacrifice.} ( {Gelfand was unhappy with the position after} 20.Be3 Qxb2 21.Qxb2 Bxb2 22.Bxg5 Ba6 23.cxd5 cxd5 {which his opponent considered slightly better for Black. Gelfand disliked his bishop on g2. It was Mikhail Botvinnik who first realized that a fianchettoed bishop on g2 might be worse than the seemingly horrible black bishop on a6. He won a model game against his great rival Paul Keres on this theme.} ) ( {White comes short for just a move in the line:} 20.Bd4 Bxd4 21.Rxd4 Rb8 22.Qc1 h6 23.h4 Qxb2 {(Ding)} ) 20...Qxb6 21.Qxe4 Qxb2 22.dxc6 ( {In case of} 22.f4 gxf4 23.gxf4 Bf6 24.dxe6 Ra7 {Black retains coordination and keeps the extra piece.} ) ( {The Chinese GM had accurately calculated the forcing line after} 22.dxe6 Bxe6 23.f4 Bb3 24.fxe5 ( {Black also keeps his extra piece in the line} 24.Rd7 Bg7 25.Rb1 Qc3 26.Rd3 Qc5+ {(Ding)} ) 24...Bxd1 25.Rxd1 {is simly good for Black (Ding)} ) 22...Bc7 {"Black's play is very easy: move the queen back and Ra8-b8. " (Ding)} 23.Rd7 $5 {A practical chance, but Ding is merciless.} ( {Moves like} 23.h4 gxh4 24.Qxh4 Qf6 {"are only weakening my king in his favor" (Gelfand)} ) 23...Bxd7 24.cxd7 Qf6 25.Bh3 ( {Or} 25.Qc4 Ra7 26.Qc5 Bb8 27.Rd1 Rd8 28.Qb6 Rc7 29.Bh3 Kf7 {and Black consolidates (Gelfand, Ding)} ) 25...Rab8 {White does not have enough for the rook.} ( {But not} 25...Ra6 $2 26.Qb7 ) 26.Qxe6+ {Desperation.} ( {Or} 26.Bxe6+ Kg7 27.Bd5 Rb4 ) 26...Qxe6 27.Bxe6+ Kg7 28.Rc1 Kf6 29.Bg4 Bd8 30.Rc6+ Kg7 31.Bh5 Rb2 32.Rc8 Rd2 33.Be8 Bb6 34.Rb8 Rf6 ( 34...Rxd7 35.Rxb6 Rxe8 ) 35.e3 g4 {Congrats to Ding for his wonderful achievement!} 0-1

[Event "E Grand Prix 2017"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2017.05.13"]
[Round "2.9"]
[White "Hammer, Jon Ludvig"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2621"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[ECO "B07"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[Beauty "7427076131877"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 {The opening choice of Nepomniachtchi indicates his ambitions to fight for more than a draw. He is indeed taking more risks with the Pirc, but it is definitely not easier to win with the Berlin at all...} 4.Be3 c6 5.Qd2 b5 6.e5 {I am not a huge fan of this move. The dark-squared bishop is White's most important piece and he should not have given it that easily.} ( {More common is} 6.f3 Qc7 7.g4 h5 8.g5 Nfd7 {and now say} 9.d5 a6 10.dxc6 Nxc6 11.Nd5 Qb7 12.a4 {as in Bortnyk,O (2565) -Onischuk,V (2628) Gjakova 2016} ) ( {[Another standard reaction is} 6.Bd3 {so that after ...b4 the knight on c3 can hop to e2. - PD]} ) 6...Ng4 7.exd6 ( {It is very unlikely for anyone to enter the complications after} 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 dxe5 {without proper preparation.} ) 7...Nxe3 8.Qxe3 ( 8.dxe7 $2 Nxc2+ ) 8...Qxd6 9.O-O-O {Consistent, but risky. Since Hammer parted with the bishop pair it made sense to try and make use of some other advantages in his positionl} ( {One is the lead in the development. He can use it to force some structural commitments by Black after} 9.a4 Bg7 10.Nf3 b4 {White can use some permanent outposts for his knights with} 11.Ne4 Qc7 12.Bc4 {The square play (meaning c5 and e5 spots) would have compensated White for losing the bishop pair.} ) 9...Bg7 $146 {A logical novelty. The bishop belongs on the long diagonal. :-)} ( {Black's position also looked quite healthy in the only predecessor:} 9...h5 10.Ne4 Qe6 11.Kb1 Bh6 12.Qe1 O-O 13.h3 Qd5 {in Gress, A (1987)-Vijayakumar,P Heusweiler 2007} ) 10.g3 Nd7 11.Bg2 Nb6 {Black can be very happy with the opening outcome. The bishop is gorgeous on g7, from where it attacks the center, possibly the queenside and defends the kingside. The b6-knight is great too and the light-squared bishops has good perspectives as well.} 12.Qf3 {Hammer is playing concretely and this makes sense as the long-term advantages are not in his favor.} 12...Bd7 ( {There was also the curious computer suggestion} 12...Qd8 {with the idea to use the open file after} 13.Qxc6+ $6 ( {White though is not force to grab the pawn and can go for} 13.Nge2 ) 13...Bd7 14.Qf3 Rc8 ) 13.Ne4 Qc7 14.Nc5 Rc8 15.h4 Na4 16.Nxd7 $1 {Correct.} ( 16.Nxa4 {would open the cage for the beasts (pardon, the bishops) after} 16...bxa4 17.Qa3 c5 ) 16...Qxd7 17.h5 O-O 18.hxg6 {Slightly inaccurate. It made sense to keep the pawn where it is to have a choice to move it or not to move it.} ( 18.Ne2 Rfd8 ( 18...Qd6 19.Qb3 ) 19.c3 a5 ( 19...b4 ) 20.h6 Bh8 21.Qe4 b4 22.Qc2 Nb6 23.c4 ) 18...hxg6 19.Ne2 Qd6 20.c3 $6 {This attempt to block the bishop on the long diagonal is plain wrong as the pawns cannot hold everything.} ( 20.Qb3 {was mandatory to slow Black down. After} 20...Rfd8 21.Kb1 c5 {Black is better, but White can play on.} ) 20...b4 21.c4 ( 21.cxb4 Qxb4 ) 21...c5 $1 {Now White's position crumbles on the dark squares.} 22.b3 ( {Worse is} 22.dxc5 Qxc5 23.b3 Qe5 24.Nd4 Nc3 25.Rd2 Qa5 {when White is helpless.} ) 22...Nc3 {Strong move! One more defender of the dark squares is taken away and the black bishop rules the board.} ( {There is no need to sacrifice anything. After} 22...cxd4 23.bxa4 Rxc4+ 24.Kd2 {Black has compensation for a piece, but nothing concrete.} ) 23.Nxc3 bxc3 24.Qxc3 {This is the lesser evil. Both alternatives lose by force:} ( 24.d5 Qa6 25.Kb1 c2+ $1 ) ( {And} 24.dxc5 Qxc5 25.Kb1 Qa3 26.Qe2 {and once again a nice strike:} 26...Rxc4 $1 27.bxc4 c2+ $1 28.Kxc2 Qc3+ 29.Kb1 Rb8+ {to mate the white king.} ) 24...Bxd4 {The opposite-colored bishops are indeed harbingers of the draw in the pure OCB endings. However, in the middlegame they are spelling trouble for the defender. It is very instructive how Nepomniachtchi slowly builds up a decisive attack in the coming moves.} 25.Qd2 Qa6 26.Kb1 {Hoping for a counter-attack with Qd2-h6.} 26...Rb8 {Not only activating the rook but also stopping the counter-threats.} 27.g4 $5 {Hammer defends as teneciously as he can.} ( {Since} 27.Qh6 Rxb3+ $1 {leads to a forced mate after} 28.axb3 Qa1+ 29.Kc2 Qc3+ 30.Kb1 Qb2# ) ( {Play would be similar to the game continuation after} 27.Qd3 Bg7 28.Rd2 Qf6 ( 28...Qa5 ) ) 27...Bg7 {Black does not mind the bollocks.} ( 27...Qxc4 {wins a pawn but trades the queens after} 28.Qd3 Qxd3+ 29.Rxd3 ) 28.g5 $1 {Best is to give the pawn anyway.} ( {If} 28.Qd3 Qf6 29.Rd2 e6 $1 {with the unstoppable threat of Rf8-d8 wins for Black.} ) 28...Qxc4 29.Bd5 Qg4 {Black has everything: extra material, better pieces, attack. The rest is a piece of cake for him.} 30.Rhe1 ( {Or} 30.f4 Rfd8 31.Qd3 c4 $1 32.Qxc4 e6 ) 30...e6 31.Be4 c4 32.Qe3 cxb3 33.axb3 Rb4 34.Rd3 Rfb8 35.f3 Qg2 36.Re2 Qh1+ ( {Nepomniachtchi is not even interested in winning a second pawn after} 36...Rxb3+ 37.Rxb3 Rxb3+ 38.Qxb3 Qxe2 39.Qb8+ Kh7 {since} 40.Qxa7 {is mate} 40...Qb2# {But why to trade the rooks which are checkmating?} ) 37.Re1 Qh2 38.Re2 Qe5 39.Ra2 a5 40.Kc2 a4 {White's position is leaking all over the place and Hammer decided to end he suffering after} 41.Rxa4 ( {The alternative was no better} 41.bxa4 Qh2+ 42.Rd2 Qh1 43.Rd1 Rb2+ 44.Rxb2 Rxb2+ 45.Kc1 Qg2 {and White has nothing to move.} ) 41...Rxa4 42.bxa4 Qa1 43.Rd2 Qb1# 0-1

[Event "E Grand Prix 2017"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2017.05.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[ECO "A18"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[Beauty "6671199914551"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 {The Flohr-Mikenas system.} 3...d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 Qxf6 7.d4 e5 8.Nf3 exd4 9.Bg5 Qe6+ 10.Be2 Be7 11.cxd4 Bxg5 12.Nxg5 Qg6 ( {Harikrishna decided to avoid the move} 12...Qf6 13.Qd2 O-O 14.O-O Nc6 15.d5 Nd4 16.Ne4 Nxe2+ 17.Qxe2 Qg6 18.Rfe1 {which led to a position which even Kramnik could not hold, Aronian,L (2807)-Kramnik,V (2791) Moscow 2011} ) 13.f4 O-O 14.O-O Nc6 15.Rb1 $146 {A novelty, which Nepomniachtchi considered interesting. The rook could be quite useful along the half-open file. It prevents the black bishop from going out and various rook lifts along the third or the fifth file are on the agenda.} ( {The main theory runs} 15.d5 Ne7 16.Qd2 Qb6+ 17.Kh1 Nf5 {as in Grachev,B (2669)-Wojtaszek,R (2721) Lublin 2011} ) 15...h6 ( 15...b6 $5 ) 16.Nf3 Qd6 17.d5 Ne7 ( {This is better than} 17...Na5 18.Qd4 b6 19.c5 {with some advantage for White.} ) 18.Nd4 {With the clear intention to destroy the kingside with f4-f5-f6.} 18...c6 19.f5 ( {White has nothing after} 19.dxc6 Nxc6 20.Nxc6 Qxc6 ) 19...Qf6 {The first critical moment of the game.} ( {Harikrishna disliked the positions after f5-f6:} 19...cxd5 20.f6 $1 Nc6 ( 20...gxf6 21.c5 Qxc5 22.Kh1 {For the pawns White huge initiative on the kingside.} ) 21.fxg7 Re8 22.Bh5 {Rightly so, as White is close to winning here.} ) 20.Ne6 $1 {The point behind White's play. Nepomniachtchi needs to make use of the space and his active pieces somehow because if Black consolidates he may have the long-term trumps in his favor (better bishop and eventually a weak isolated pawn on d5.)} 20...fxe6 21.fxe6 Qe5 {Practically best.} ( 21...Qg5 22.Rxf8+ Kxf8 23.Qf1+ Qf6 {might transpose to the same.} ) ( {The human eye hardly even considers the self-pin after} 21...Nf5 22.Bd3 Qe5 {although the computer states it should be OK for Black.} ) 22.Rxf8+ Kxf8 23.Qf1+ Qf6 $6 {Objectively, a mistake.} ( {Correct was} 23...Kg8 $1 {when I could not find anything more than a draw for White. For example:} 24.Qf7+ Kh8 ( 24...Kh7 {gives the additional resource} 25.Bd3+ {although this might be irrelevant.} ) 25.Qxe7 Qxe2 {Now anytime that White wants he can force perpetual with:} 26.Qf8+ Kh7 27.Qf5+ ( {But there are some winning tries. One is:} 27.Rf1 {Then} 27...cxd5 {is precise} ( {Not} 27...Bxe6 $2 28.Qxa8 ) 28.e7 {Now the key resource is} ( {White also has to be careful as} 28.cxd5 $2 Bxe6 29.Qxa8 Bxd5 {allows all the fun to his opponent.} ) 28...Bh3 $1 {when White cannot avoid the perpetual after} 29.gxh3 Qe3+ 30.Rf2 Qe1+ 31.Kg2 Qe4+ 32.Rf3 Qe2+ 33.Kg3 Qe1+ {and draw.} ) ( {The other winning attempt is the immediate pawn push} 27.e7 {when again} 27...Bh3 $1 {is very strong with a possible draw after} 28.gxh3 Qe3+ 29.Kg2 Qe4+ 30.Kf2 Qxb1 31.Qxa8 Qb2+ 32.Ke1 Qe5+ {but then we would not talk about this game most likely.} ) 27...Kh8 28.Qf8+ Kh7 ) 24.d6 $1 {Black's position became critical. The pawns are running fast and Nepomniachtchi has excellent piece coordination.} 24...b6 ( {Harikrishna admitted that in the line:} 24...Bxe6 25.dxe7+ Kxe7 {be missed the simple} 26.Rxb7+ ( 26.Qxf6+ gxf6 27.Rxb7+ Kd6 {is what the Indian GM saw from afar.} ) 26...Kf8 27.Qxf6+ gxf6 28.Rc7 {Then he did not want to test if} 28...Rb8 29.Rxc6 Rb6 30.Rxb6 axb6 31.Kf2 Ke7 32.Ke3 Kd6 33.Kd4 {will be a fortress or not (most likely not.)} ) ( {After} 24...Ng6 25.Bg4 Kg8 26.Qxf6 gxf6 {White can play for the win with either} 27.d7 ( {Or even} 27.c5 Ne5 28.Bf5 b6 29.cxb6 axb6 30.Rxb6 Kf8 ) 27...Bxd7 28.exd7 b6 29.c5 bxc5 30.Rb7 {in both cases with serious advantage for the first player.} ) 25.Bg4 $1 {Very strong.} ( 25.d7 Bb7 26.Qd1 Nf5 27.Bg4 Ke7 {is what Black was hoping for.} ) 25...Ng6 ( {Black also considered} 25...Ng8 $1 {but here} 26.c5 bxc5 27.Qc4 {is winning for the first player.} ) 26.Re1 {Critical moment two. Nepomniachtchi misses a win.} ( 26.d7 $1 {was very strong when the blockade from the above-mentioned line after} 26...Bb7 ( 26...Bxd7 27.exd7 Ne5 28.Qe2 {is a prosaic win for White.} ) 27.Qd3 Ke7 {is no longer working due to the beautiful tactic after:} ( {Or} 27...Ne5 28.Qd6+ Kg8 29.Rf1 {and White wins.} ) 28.Rf1 Nf4 29.Qe4 Rf8 30.Rxf4 $3 Qxf4 ( 30...Qa1+ 31.Kf2 {and the king escapes the checks.} ) 31.d8=Q+ $1 {The point.} 31...Kxd8 32.e7+ $1 Ke8 ( {Or} 32...Kc7 33.Qxf4+ Rxf4 34.e8=Q ) 33.exf8=Q+ {and White would have taken the brilliancy price.} ) ( {Harikrishna was afraid of} 26.Rb3 Qxf1+ ( {Worse is} 26...Nf4 27.e7+ Ke8 28.Rf3 $1 ( {The better move order in comparison to} 28.Qxf4 Qxf4 ( 28...Bxg4 $1 {spoils White's win.} ) 29.Bh5+ Kd7 30.e8=Q+ Kxd6 31.Re3 $1 ) 28...g5 29.Rxf4 $1 {and wins.} ) ( 26...Kg8 27.Qxf6 gxf6 28.Rg3 {also looks scary for Black.} ) 27.Kxf1 {with the idea} 27...Ne5 28.e7+ $1 {The correct move order} ( {Weaker is} 28.Rf3+ {with the idea} 28...Nxf3 $2 ( 28...Kg8 $1 {is a spoiler though.} ) 29.e7+ Kf7 30.Bh5+ g6 31.Bxg6+ Kxg6 32.e8=Q+ ) 28...Ke8 29.Rf3 $1 {and White wins.} ) 26...Bxe6 27.Bxe6 ( {Or} 27.Rxe6 Qxf1+ 28.Kxf1 Kf7 29.d7 Rd8 30.Rxc6 Ne5 31.Rc8 Ke7 {with equality (Harikrishna)} ) 27...Rd8 28.g3 $2 {This lets the win slip away.} ( {Nepomniachtchi saw the strong} 28.c5 $1 {but did not play it! Black's defensive task is still very difficult. For example:} 28...bxc5 29.g3 ( 29.Qc4 Qd4+ 30.Qxd4 cxd4 31.Rf1+ Ke8 32.Bf7+ Kd7 33.Bxg6 Kxd6 {and White should convert the extra piece.} ) 29...Rxd6 30.Qe2 Qc3 {as in the game now loses to} 31.Bc4 $1 ) 28...Rxd6 29.Qe2 Qc3 $1 {The only move. This leads us to critical moment number 3.} 30.Kh1 $2 {Nepomniachtchi felt that he is losing control of the situation but the tournament situation urged him to risk.} ( {Objectively, White needed to force a draw with} 30.Qf2+ Qf6 ( 30...Ke7 31.Qf7+ Kd8 32.Qg8+ Ke7 {is also a draw.} ) 31.Qe2 Qc3 ) ( {After} 30.Bd5 Ne5 31.Bg2 Re6 {Black consolidates (Harikrishna)} ) ( {Equality is achieved also after} 30.Bf5 Kg8 31.Qe8+ Kh7 {(Harikrishna)} ) 30...Rd2 31.Rf1+ ( {It is late for} 31.Qf1+ Qf6 ) 31...Ke7 32.Qe4 Ne5 33.Bh3 Kd6 34.Qf5 Kc5 $1 {Harikrishna was very low on time but instinctively knew where his king is safer.} ( 34...Kc7 $2 {"Or else this bishop mates me"} 35.Qc8+ Kd6 36.Qf8+ Kc7 37.Qxg7+ ) 35.Bg2 Qd4 ( 35...Kb4 $1 {would be more accurate.} ) 36.Qf8+ ( {In time trouble Nepomniachtchi misses a chance to retain the balance with} 36.Rf4 $1 Qa1+ 37.Bf1 Kd6 ( 37...Kb4 $6 38.c5+ Kxc5 39.Qf8+ Rd6 40.Qxg7 ) 38.Qf8+ Kc7 39.Qxg7+ Rd7 40.Qxh6 ) 36...Qd6 37.Qf4 Qd4 38.Qf8+ Qd6 39.Qf4 Re2 ( 39...Nxc4 {is good too.} ) 40.Qc1 Qd3 {The time trouble is over and Black converts the extra pawn.} 41.Qf4 g5 42.Qf8+ Qd6 43.Qf5 Qd2 44.Bxc6 $1 {Playing for tricks.} 44...Rxh2+ $1 ( 44...Kxc6 $2 45.Qc8+ Kd6 46.Rf6+ Ke7 47.Qe6+ Kd8 48.Rf8+ Kc7 49.Qc8+ Kd6 50.Rd8+ {would have won for White instead.} ) 45.Kg1 Re2 46.Bb7 ( {Or} 46.Bf3 Re1 47.Qf8+ Qd6 $1 48.Qxd6+ Kxd6 49.Rxe1 Nxf3+ {(Harikrishna)} ) 46...Qe3+ 47.Kh1 Re1 {The simplest.} ( 47...Rxa2 48.Qf8+ Kd4 {wins as well.} ) 48.Qf8+ Kd4 49.Qd6+ Kc3 50.Qa3+ Kc2 51.Qxe3 Rxe3 52.Rf2+ Kc3 53.Kg2 Nxc4 54.g4 Rd3 55.Rf6 Ne3+ 0-1

[Event "Grand Prix 2017"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2017.05.16"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Salem, Saleh"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[ECO "B10"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7972801478662"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[WhiteClock "0:44:24"]
[BlackClock "0:07:51"]

1.e4 c6 {Vachier-Lagrave admitted at the press conference that he did not expect the Caro Kann. Nevertheless, he was lucky enough to catch Salem in his home preparation.} 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 ( 3...Bg4 {in order to trade the bishop and build a wall on the light squares is other major concept.} ) 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Qe2 Nxe4 ( {There are at least three games in which Black continued to develop as if nothing had happened} 5...Nbd7 $4 6.Nd6# {The most famous one being Keres-Arlamowski, Przepiorka Memorial 1950} ) 6.Qxe4 Qd5 7.Qh4 ( {Instead} 7.Qe3 {ws tested in a recent tournament when Black seemed fine after} 7...Bf5 8.b3 e6 9.c4 Qe4 10.Bb2 Na6 11.Be2 Nb4 {Li,R (2577)-Howell,D (2667) Saint Louis 2017} ) 7...Qe6+ ( {Another trap in the position is revealed after} 7...Bf5 8.Bc4 Qe4+ $2 9.Qxe4 Bxe4 10.Bxf7+ $1 {and White won a apwn and the game in Leventic,I (2499)-Marjanovic,D (2101) Osijek 2007} ) 8.Be2 Qg4 9.Qg3 Qxg3 10.hxg3 {Ultimately, Black got what he wanted: the queen exchange. But this did not relief his position. As Vachier-Lagrave explained he has very pleasant position thnaks to the plan of queenside fianchettoe, advance of the g-pawn and the doubling of the heavy pieces along the h-file.} 10...Bf5 $6 {On top of the other problems Salem plays inaccurately. Black does not threaten to capture on c2. "I played this move without getting deep into the position" admitted the UAE GM later.} ( 10...g6 $5 {(Vachier-Lagrave) looks like the most reasonable option for Black. If anything, he can disturb the opponent's comfort. After the possible} 11.d4 Bg7 12.c3 Nd7 {Black's position is way more comfortable than what happened later in the game.} ) ( 10...Nd7 11.g4 Nb6 12.Ne5 g6 13.b3 Bg7 14.Bb2 {was slightly better for White in Areshchenko,A (2710)-Lenderman,A (2614) St Petersburg 2012} ) ( 10...c5 {only helps White after} 11.d4 e6 12.Be3 Nd7 13.O-O-O {as he will soon add queenside majority to his advantages, Bacrot,E (2691)-Kreisl,R (2448) Novi Sad 2016} ) 11.b3 a5 $146 {Another hasty move which happens to be a novelty. It looks active but the reality is that the opening of the a-file would favour White.} ( {The only predecessor saw} 11...Nd7 12.Bb2 e6 13.O-O-O h6 14.Nh4 Bh7 15.g4 {Howell, D (2657)-Svane,R (2560) chess.com INT 2017} ) ( 11...Bxc2 $2 {self-traps the bishop after} 12.d3 ) 12.Bb2 h6 13.O-O-O a4 14.Nd4 {White achieved perfect harmony wth his pieces.} 14...Bc8 ( {After} 14...Bh7 15.Bh5 {" I could not see a defense against the Nd4-e6 threat." (Salem)} ) 15.Rde1 axb3 16.axb3 {White is better all over the board. He can try and open the h-file or take the a-file for his other rook. Black's pieces lack co-ordination and good squares.} 16...Nd7 17.Nf5 Nf6 18.g4 Be6 {The poor bishop cannot find a spot of its own.} ( 18...e6 19.g5 $1 {would be bad for Black.} ) ( {Also} 18...Rg8 19.Bc4 e6 20.Nxh6 {looks miserable for Black.} ) ( {Perhaps the odd looking regroupment} 18...Kd8 19.f4 Ne8 {should have been tried, although it is still unlikely for Black to stay on the board.} ) 19.f4 Rg8 20.Ne3 g6 21.f5 gxf5 22.gxf5 Bd7 23.Bf3 Kd8 24.Bd4 Bg7 25.Kb2 {Going for the a-file.} 25...Ne8 {The other options do not help neither:} ( 25...c5 {to trade pieces does not achieve much after} 26.Bc3 ( {Not} 26.Bxc5 $2 Ne4+ ) 26...Bc6 27.Bxc6 bxc6 28.Nc4 {followed by Nc4-e5 (Salem)} ) ( {Neither does} 25...h5 26.c3 {when a possible line runs} ( 26.Bxh5 $4 Nxh5 ) 26...Ng4 27.Bxg7 Rxg7 28.Bxg4 hxg4 29.Rh8+ Be8 30.f6 exf6 31.Nf5 {and White wins.} ) 26.Bxg7 Nxg7 27.f6 ( 27.g4 $5 {to keep the knight in prison was great as well. If} 27...h5 28.gxh5 Nxf5 29.h6 {gives White strong passer.} ) 27...exf6 28.Rxh6 Ne8 29.d4 {Now White practilly up a pawn as the doubled ones on the f-file are as good as the white pawn on g2.} 29...Kc7 30.d5 Rg5 31.Rd1 Ra6 32.b4 Nd6 $5 {Since otherwise the White pawns will be advanced even further.} 33.Rxf6 cxd5 {Played with a wrong idea.} ( {The last chance was the endgame after} 33...c5 34.bxc5 Nc4+ 35.Nxc4 Rxf6 36.Nb6 Rxb6+ ( {Worse is} 36...Bb5 37.d6+ Kd8 38.Ra1 Ba6 39.Rh1 {with a decisive advantage for White.} ) 37.cxb6+ Kxb6 {White is up a pawn, but there are not some many of those left.} ) 34.Rxd5 Rxd5 ( 34...Rg8 {would be the best under the circumstances but still bad after say} 35.Rf4 ) 35.Bxd5 {The best square for the bishop and the knight stays well on e3. But is not White losing the exchange?} ( 35.Nxd5+ Kd8 {and Black keeps fighting.} ) 35...Nc4+ $2 36.Bxc4 {Ooops. He is not} ( 36.Bxc4 Rxf6 37.Nd5+ ) 1-0

[Event "Moscow Grand Prix 2017"]
[Site "Moscow RUS"]
[Date "2017.05.12"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2017.05.12"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[Beauty "6394401007655"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 Nxd5 {A tricky move order.} ( {Most of the people choose the other capture instead:} 4...exd5 {which leads to the famous Carlsbad pawn structure. One recent example runs} 5.Bg5 c6 6.Qc2 h6 7.Bh4 Be7 8.e3 O-O 9.Bd3 Re8 10.Nge2 Nh5 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 {with approximate equality, Nepomniachtchi,I (2751)-Kramnik,V (2811) Zurich 2017} ) 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 c5 {Now the game transposes into the Improved Tarrasch variation.} 7.Rb1 {Nepomniachtchi has already played like this. The idea is to put pressure on b7 and to prevent Black from trading the bishops with Bf8-b4+.} ( {However, the majority of the players almost inevitably follow the main line after} 7.Nf3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Bb4+ 9.Bd2 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 {for example} 10...O-O 11.Bc4 Nd7 12.O-O b6 13.a4 Bb7 14.Rfe1 Nf6 15.Bd3 h6 16.a5 bxa5 17.Rxa5 Qc7 {as in the very fresh game Radjabov,T (2710)-Karjakin,S (2783) Shamkir 2017} ) 7...Be7 ( {White does not mind repeating the line} 7...cxd4 8.cxd4 Nc6 9.Bb5 a6 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 11.Nf3 c5 12.O-O Be7 13.Qc2 cxd4 14.Rd1 O-O 15.Rxd4 {with central pressure in Nepomniachtchi,I (2717)-Bacrot,E (2714) Biel 2013} ) 8.Bb5+ ( 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Bd3 {to try and keep more pieces on the board also makes sense although Black is harmoniously developed after} 9...b6 ) 8...Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Nxd7 $1 $146 {A novelty which should not come as a huge surpise.} ( {In the previous Grand Prix both players eye-witnessed the following game} 9...Qxd7 10.d5 exd5 11.exd5 O-O 12.Nf3 Bf6 13.O-O {and they both knew that Vallejo had to suffer to deserve one of his nine draws, Aronian,L (2785)-Vallejo Pons,F (2709) Sharjah 2017} ) 10.Rxb7 {Nepomniachtchi goes for it. Hou Yifan called this a blunder.} ( {White cannot count on any advantage after} 10.Nf3 cxd4 11.cxd4 Qa5+ 12.Bd2 Qa6 ) 10...cxd4 ( {Not} 10...Nb6 11.Bf4 cxd4 12.Qxd4 ) 11.cxd4 Nb6 {The rook is trapped and White's lag in development makes it difficult to save it.} 12.Qd2 ( {One line that supports the above-mentioned runs:} 12.Bf4 Bd6 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Qc2 O-O 15.Rc7 Rac8 16.Rxc8 Rxc8 17.Qb1 Na4 {when White might not even have the time to castle...} ) ( 12.Qc2 Rc8 ( 12...Bb4+ $5 {might be actually even stronger.} ) 13.Qb2 O-O {also looks great for Black.} ) 12...Qc8 {Hou also goes for it.} ( {Since in the line} 12...O-O 13.Ne2 Bd6 14.e5 Bc7 15.Qc2 Rc8 16.Qe4 {Black would not have the time to pick the rook up.} ) 13.Rxe7+ Kxe7 14.Nf3 ( {One would expect} 14.Ba3+ {instead but after} 14...Ke8 15.Qb4 Qd7 16.Ne2 f6 {followed by Ke8-f7 Black would also castle by hand.} ) 14...f6 15.O-O Kf7 {Summing up the opening outcome: Hou won material, and Nepomniachtchi has a strong center and safer king as compensation. Still, the many open files make Black's life easier. Her difficulties are temporary, while the assets are long-term ones.} 16.e5 f5 17.g4 $5 {Nepomniachtchi is in a hurry to create counterplay. In doing so though he also weakens his kingside.} 17...Rd8 ( {White would be happy to see} 17...fxg4 18.Qf4+ Kg8 19.Ng5 Qf8 20.Qxg4 Qf5 21.Qxf5 exf5 22.e6 ) 18.Qg5 ( {White cannot push the passers too carelessly:} 18.gxf5 exf5 19.Re1 Kg8 20.e6 Re8 21.d5 Qc4 ) 18...Kg8 19.Qh5 ( {Form a hindsight, it was better to go for} 19.gxf5 exf5 20.Nh4 Rf8 21.Ba3 Rf7 22.Bd6 ) 19...Rf8 20.Ba3 {Everything seems very logical, but here comes a shocker:} 20...Qc6 $1 {Very nice! Hou is ready to give back the material in return for the initiative. Now the kingside weaknesses and the poor placement of the white pieces become the key factors of the position.} ( {The play remains complex after} 20...Rf7 21.Ng5 ) ( {or} 20...g6 21.Qh4 Rf7 22.Ng5 Rg7 23.Bc5 ) 21.Ng5 {This makes things easier for Black.} ( {Hou would have a dangerous initiative after} 21.Bxf8 Rxf8 22.Nh4 ( {Surprisingly} 22.Ng5 h6 23.Nh3 Qf3 {traps the white knight after} 24.Qg6 Qxg4+ 25.Qxg4 fxg4 ) 22...f4 23.g5 f3 24.Qg4 Nd5 25.Nxf3 Nf4 26.Nd2 Qc2 {as well. All the black pieces are very strong and once that the a-pawn drops it will be extremely difficult for White to defend. But this was his best chance.} ) 21...h6 22.Rc1 ( {We have already seen the beautiful line} 22.Nh3 Qf3 23.Bxf8 Rxf8 24.Qg6 Qxg4+ 25.Qxg4 fxg4 {when the knight is trapped.} ) 22...Qd7 23.Bxf8 Rxf8 24.Nh3 {Alas, the knight needs to go on the rim.} ( {If} 24.Nf3 Nd5 25.Qh4 Nf4 26.Rc2 fxg4 27.Qxg4 h5 28.Qg3 Qb5 {Black is completely winning due to the back-rank mating threats and the knight forks.} ) 24...Qxd4 25.gxf5 Qxe5 {The smoke has cleared. Hou managed to keep extra material, but added the initiative to it.} 26.Qg6 Rf6 {Since it is Black who is attacking now the Chinese GM keeps the rooks on the board.} ( {Even better than} 26...Qxf5 27.Qxf5 Rxf5 28.Kg2 ) 27.Qg4 Rxf5 28.Qg3 Qd4 29.Re1 Rf6 30.Qg2 Nd5 {Next Black simply improves everything that she has.} ( 30...Qc3 31.Rf1 Kh7 {was faster} ) ( {If} 30...Kh7 31.Qe4+ {trades the queens.} ) 31.Kh1 Qd3 32.Rg1 Qf3 33.Rb1 ( {The last chance was} 33.Qxf3 Rxf3 34.Rg3 {but this only shows how gloomy White position is.} ) 33...Qf5 34.Rg1 Rf7 35.Re1 Rf6 {Steadily avoiding any time-trouble lapsuses.} 36.Rg1 Qf3 37.Rb1 Qh5 38.Rg1 Rf7 39.Re1 Qf5 40.Qg3 Rc7 41.Ng1 Nf4 42.Rd1 Kh7 43.Qf3 Rc2 44.a3 e5 45.Re1 Qg6 46.h3 Nd3 {Very practical!} ( {Black avoids any rook endgames, even if they are two pawns ahead for her} 46...Rc3 47.Qe4 Qxe4+ 48.Rxe4 Nxh3 49.Nxh3 Rxh3+ 50.Kg2 Rxa3 {as she knows very well how tricky these endgames might be.} ) 47.Rf1 Rc3 {Now Nd3-f4 is a strong threat. Hou finally wins a second pawn.} 48.Qg4 Qxg4 49.hxg4 Rxa3 50.Nf3 Ra4 51.g5 h5 52.Kg2 Rg4+ 53.Kh2 a5 54.Ra1 a4 55.Ra2 e4 56.Nd4 Rxg5 57.Rxa4 Nxf2 58.Ra7 Ng4+ 59.Kh3 Re5 60.Nc6 Rd5 0-1

[Event "Moscow Grand Prix 2017"]
[Site "Moscow RUS"]
[Date "2017.05.14"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[ECO "E52"]
[EventDate "2017.05.12"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8251034834981"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 b6 5.e3 Bb7 6.Bd3 O-O 7.O-O d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.a3 Bd6 10.b4 Nbd7 ( {Another game of Mamedyarov saw} 10...a6 {A move that Black usually plays anyway and a move that Adams played one move later. Then after} 11.Qb3 Qe7 12.Ra2 Nbd7 13.Re2 b5 14.Nd2 Ne4 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Qxd5 Nc3 17.Qc6 Nxe2+ 18.Bxe2 {with compensation for the exchange in Mamedyarov,S (2736)-Karjakin,S (2762) Baku 2015} ) 11.Qb3 a6 12.a4 {This is also a move that White plays sooner or later. It makes sense though to do it immediately as the dark-squared bishop may hop directly to a3. White is happy to trade these of bishops as the one on d6 is clearly superior to the one on c1.} ( {Another participant of the Grand Prix in Moscow played against:} 12.Bb2 {recently. After} 12...b5 13.a4 c6 14.Rfe1 Re8 15.a5 Ne4 16.Rad1 f5 {Black's position seemed perfectly fine, Le,Q (2718)-Vallejo Pons,F (2711) Almaty 2016} ) 12...Qe7 13.Rb1 ( 13.b5 {is comfortable for Black after} 13...axb5 14.Nxb5 c5 15.Ba3 Ba6 ) ( {If} 13.Ba3 c6 14.b5 {then Black has the standart reaction} 14...axb5 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.axb5 c5 {with equality.} ) 13...c6 {Now Adams is ready to meet the minority attack with b4-b5 with axb5 and c6-c5.} 14.a5 {This is the other way to play the position. Anatoly Karpov successfully used this idea to defeat Boris Spassky during their match in 1974. The queenside is blocked thus White can open the center with e3-e4.} 14...Rfb8 {The idea is to create counter play along the "b" file. Maybe Black should have defended with:} ( 14...b5 15.Nd2 h6 16.e4 dxe4 17.Ndxe4 Nxe4 18.Nxe4 Nf6 19.Re1 ( 19.Nc5 Rad8 ) 19...Bc8 {as in Giorgadze,G (2610)-Wintzer,J (2351) Sanxenxo 2007} ) 15.axb6 ( 15.Na4 $5 {to put the knight on c5 was interesting as well.} ) 15...Bc8 {Consistent, but dubious.} ( {Black could have used the rook into the defense after} 15...Nxb6 16.e4 dxe4 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Re1 Re8 19.Bxe4 g6 {White is better here as well, but Black may hold.} ) 16.Qc2 $146 {A novelty by Mamedyarov. We know that he wants to open up the center and the queen is perfectly placed for that.} ( {White also got a much better position in a correspondence game:} 16.e4 Nxe4 17.Re1 Ndf6 18.Na4 Bf5 19.Qc2 Bxb4 20.Re2 {Kalchev,J (2498) -MacKintosh,I (2469) corr. 2005} ) 16...Nxb6 17.e4 dxe4 18.Nxe4 {The center is opened and Black has very few defenders left on the kingside.} 18...Nxe4 ( {If} 18...Nbd5 19.Re1 Qc7 20.Nxf6+ Nxf6 21.Bg5 {and Black cannot avoid the doubling of the pawns on the f-file:} 21...Be7 22.Bxf6 Bxf6 $4 23.Re8# ) ( {The pawn capture} 18...Bxb4 {does not help at all after} 19.Nxf6+ ( 19.Ne5 {is also great.} ) 19...gxf6 20.Bxh7+ ) 19.Bxe4 h6 $6 {Another inaccuracy.} ( 19...g6 {looks more resilent although Mamedyarov retains clear edge after} 20.Re1 Qc7 21.Bh6 $1 {Playing for the attack.} ( {But not} 21.Qxc6 Qxc6 22.Bxc6 Bb7 {which gives Black decent survival chances.} ) ) 20.Re1 Qc7 ( {In case of} 20...Qd8 21.Bxc6 Bb7 {White can win the queen} 22.Re8+ Qxe8 23.Bxe8 Rxe8 24.Ne5 {and even though some chances for a fortress exist White should be able to convert the advantage.} ) ( {Probably best was} 20...Qf8 {although after} 21.Ne5 Bxe5 22.dxe5 Bd7 23.Be3 {White is clearly better thanks to his excellent pawn structure and bishop pair.} ) 21.Bh7+ Kf8 22.Ne5 {It is so easy to bring all the pieces into the attack for White!} 22...Nd5 {This loses on the spot, but there was no defense anyway.} ( {Or} 22...Bb7 23.Rb3 $1 {with the threats of Ne5xf7 and Rb3-f3 and Black is helpless. Say} 23...Bxe5 24.dxe5 Re8 25.e6 $1 Rxe6 26.Rxe6 fxe6 27.Rf3+ Ke7 28.Qc5+ ) 23.Nxf7 $1 {A neat blow to wrap up the game.} 23...Qxf7 ( 23...Kxf7 24.Qg6+ Kf8 25.Re8# ) 24.Bg6 Bf5 ( {Everything drops after} 24...Qd7 25.Re8+ Qxe8 26.Bxe8 Kxe8 27.Qxc6+ ) 25.Bxf5 Nxb4 ( {The choice was constant pain after} 25...Re8 26.Bd2 Rxe1+ 27.Rxe1 Re8 ) 26.Qe4 {There is no defense against the combined attack on the light squares and the open e- and f-files.} 26...Nd5 ( 26...Re8 27.Be6 ) 27.Be6 Qf6 ( 27...Re8 28.Rb3 $1 ) 28.Rxb8+ Rxb8 29.Qh7 g5 30.Qg8+ {Adams resigned before the discovered check.} ( 30.Qg8+ Ke7 31.Bh3+ ) 1-0

[Event "Altibox Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2017.06.10"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[ECO "D45"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8042728945697"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:08:51"]
[BlackClock "0:04:22"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 a6 {Carlsen challenges Aronian in the Chebanenko Slav, a line which the Armenian GM knows very well and scores excellently in. In fact, according to Megabase he had won all his white games so far!} 6.b3 {Aronian's pet line, although he had tried} ( 6.c5 {as well:} 6...Nbd7 7.b4 b6 8.Bb2 a5 9.a3 Be7 10.Bd3 O-O 11.O-O Qc7 12.Qe2 {Aronian,L (2754)-Akopian,V (2696) Nalchik 2009} ) 6...Bb4 7.Bd2 Nbd7 ( {White also faced previously} 7...O-O 8.Bd3 Bd6 9.e4 dxe4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 Nd7 12.c5 {with some advantage for White in Aronian,L (2768)-Inarkiev,E (2675) Jermuk 2009} ) 8.Bd3 O-O 9.O-O Qe7 ( 9...Bd6 {remains the main continuation when after} 10.Rc1 h6 11.Qc2 {Carlsen won a nice rapid game in Doha} ( {However Aronian might have tested him in the line} 11.Ne2 b6 12.Ng3 {as in Aronian,L (2786) -Jakovenko,D (2736) Moscow 2009} ) 11...Re8 12.h3 Qe7 13.c5 Bc7 14.e4 e5 15.Rfe1 Qd8 16.exd5 cxd5 17.dxe5 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Rxe5 19.Rxe5 Bxe5 20.Na4 Be6 21.Qd1 Ne4 22.Be3 Qh4 23.c6 bxc6 24.Rxc6 d4 25.Qc2 dxe3 26.Bxe4 Rd8 27.Rxa6 Qxe4 {0-1 (27) Flores,D (2579)-Carlsen,M (2840) Doha 2016} ) 10.Bc2 $146 ( {Deviating from} 10.Re1 a5 11.Ne2 b6 12.Ng3 Bb7 13.Qc1 Rac8 14.Bxb4 axb4 15.a4 c5 {where Black was very comfortable in Matlakov,M (2691)-Andreikin,D (2736) Sochi 2016} ) 10...Rd8 ( 10...b6 {is interesting for Black.} ) 11.a3 $1 {"Home preparation from 2003. But during the game I could not actually figure out what I want." (Aronian)} ( 11.c5 e5 {looks good for Black instead.} ) 11...Bxa3 {Carlsen boldly accepts the sacrifice.} ( 11...Ba5 $2 {is no good to} 12.Nxd5 ) ( {The only reasonable choice was} 11...Bd6 12.e4 dxe4 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Nf6 {with slight edge for White.} ( {Here Black can hardly capture the pawn-} 14...Bxa3 $2 15.c5 ) ) 12.Rxa3 $1 {The point.} ( {White discarded his original thought} 12.e4 dxe4 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Bb4 {as he believed he has nothing here.} ) 12...Qxa3 13.c5 {As a result of White's piece investment the black queen is temporarily excluded from the game. It also is a strong candidate of leaving the board for good.} 13...b6 {Best.} ( {The dangers of Black's position demonstrates the line:} 13...h6 {(generally a useful move)} 14.Nb1 Qa2 15.Bb4 $1 {and the queen is indeed trapped after} 15...a5 16.Nc3 Qb2 17.Na4 Qa2 18.Bb1 {as} 18...Qa1 {drops it anyway to} 19.Bh7+ ) ( {Even worse for Black is} 13...a5 $6 14.Bc1 Qb4 $2 ( 14...Qa1 15.Qd2 h6 16.Bb2 $1 {would not save the queen neither but is at least more stubborn.} ) 15.Na2 Qb5 16.Bd3 {and White wins.} ) ( {The attempt to free the queen at once with} 13...Nxc5 {would be met with the clever intermezzo} 14.Nb1 $1 ) ( {Finally, the obvious} 13...Qa5 {is met with the even more obvious} 14.Nxd5 Qa2 15.Nxf6+ Nxf6 16.Ne5 {with the threat Bc2-b1 followed by either Bb1xh7+ (a familiar theme) or Ne5-c3 trapping the queen on a3.} ) ( {The other critical move was mentioned by Aronian} 13...e5 {but it seems as White is better here after} 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Nb1 Qa2 16.dxe5 ) 14.b4 $5 {A nice practical choice.} ( {Aronian could have won the queen with} 14.Nb1 {but he decided not to do so and to play for the initiative instead. Indeed, after} 14...Qa2 ( 14...Qb2 15.Bc3 Qa2 {gives White an additional resource:} 16.Re1 $5 ) 15.Bb4 ( {But perhaps better is the line given by Short} 15.Qc1 $5 bxc5 16.Nc3 Qa5 17.Nxd5 Qb5 18.Nc7 Qb7 19.Nxa8 Qxa8 {with advantage for White.} ) 15...bxc5 16.Nc3 Qb2 ( 16...Qxc2 17.Qxc2 cxb4 18.Na4 a5 19.Qxc6 Ba6 ) 17.Na4 Qa2 18.Bb1 Qxb1 19.Qxb1 cxb4 {Black takes plenty of stuff for his strongest piece and the position will be very unclear.} ) 14...Ne4 ( {After} 14...Qb2 {White has a lot of ways to harrass the queen and play for initiative, for example} 15.Na4 ( 15.Ne1 $5 ) 15...Qa2 16.Ne5 ( 16.Nc3 {could repeat the moves.} ) 16...Nxe5 17.dxe5 Nd7 18.cxb6 {and since Black did not solve the problem of the queen yet, White's play is easier.} ) ( {As usual, lining the queen with the bishop on d2 is not a good idea for Black:} 14...Qxb4 15.Nxd5 Qc4 16.Ne7+ Kf8 17.Nxc6 Re8 18.Nce5 Nxe5 19.Nxe5 Qd5 20.cxb6 ) 15.Nxe4 dxe4 16.Bxe4 ( {"At first I saw this":} 16.Ng5 Nf6 17.f3 bxc5 18.bxc5 h6 19.Nxf7 Kxf7 20.fxe4 {"but this is very stupid. This cannot be more than a play for a draw." (Aronian)} ) 16...Rb8 $1 {The best defense.} ( {The line} 16...Bb7 17.Qc2 Nf6 ( {Or} 17...f5 18.Bd3 a5 19.Bc4 Nf8 20.Ne5 {and Black has barely any moves.} ) 18.cxb6 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Qa2 20.Ng5 {is extremely dangerous for Black. The main point is that} 20...Qxd2 $6 {loses to} 21.Qxh7+ Kf8 22.Qh8+ Ke7 23.Qxg7 Rf8 24.Qe5 Qc2 25.Ne4 {with the threat Qe5-d6+ and Ne4-f6 mate.} 25...Rad8 26.Nc5 $1 {A beautiful positon. Despite the extra rook Black has no defense!} ) ( {In case of} 16...a5 {White was planning} 17.bxa5 ( 17.b5 $5 {was also foreseen by the Armenian GM who believed Black refutes this with} 17...bxc5 18.bxc6 Nf6 19.c7 Rd5 $1 {but if we continue the line a bit we can see that White still enjoys his position after} 20.Bxd5 Nxd5 21.Qb1 $1 ) 17...bxa5 18.Bxc6 Ba6 19.Qa1 $1 {with advantage.} ) 17.Bxh7+ $1 {Aronian needs no further invitation.} 17...Kxh7 18.Ng5+ Kg8 ( {The Armenian saw the spectacular win after} 18...Kg6 19.Qg4 f5 20.Qg3 Kf6 21.d5 $3 {Black is helpless, check the lines:} ( {Not} 21.Nh7+ Kf7 22.Ng5+ Kf6 {with repetition.} ( 22...Kg8 $2 23.Nxe6 ) ) 21...Re8 ( 21...cxd5 22.c6 ) ( 21...exd5 22.Qd6+ Kxg5 23.e4+ Kh5 24.Qf4 {and mate.} ) ( 21...e5 22.Ne6 $1 ) ) 19.Qh5 Nf6 $1 ( 19...Nf8 20.Qxf7+ Kh8 21.Qe7 {drops the rook on d8 and the game at once.} 21...Bd7 22.Nf7+ ) 20.Qxf7+ Kh8 21.Qc7 ( 21.Qe7 Re8 ) 21...Bd7 22.Nf7+ Kh7 {"I thought that Magnus played really well here." (Aronian)} 23.Nxd8 Rc8 {This is the difference in comparison to the line from above. The knight on d8 is in trouble.} 24.Qxb6 ( {White's position is so strong that he can even go for} 24.Qf4 Rxd8 25.e4 {and keep some edge.} ) 24...Nd5 25.Qa7 ( {Aronian rejected} 25.Qb7 {due to} 25...Rxd8 26.e4 Bc8 ( 26...Nf6 27.Bg5 {is a better version of the game continuation for White.} ) 27.Qxc6 Ne7 {"when it is still unclear"} 28.Qc7 Rxd4 29.Bc1 {although White is definitely in the driver's seat.} ) 25...Rxd8 26.e4 Qd3 ( {White expected} 26...Nf6 27.Bg5 Qxb4 28.e5 Qxd4 ( 28...Kg6 $5 {might be interesting as well when after} 29.h4 Qxd4 30.exf6 gxf6 31.Qb6 Bc8 {White is definitely better, but is he winning?!} ) 29.exf6 gxf6 30.Qc7 Rc8 31.Bxf6 Qxf2+ 32.Rxf2 Rxc7 33.Be5 {"which should be very unpleasant for Black" (Aronian)} ) 27.exd5 ( {"If I am blind I am going to lose the game"} 27.Bg5 $2 Qxe4 28.Bxd8 Nf4 {and Black mates (Aronian)} ) 27...Qxd2 28.Qc7 Qg5 29.dxc6 ( 29.d6 $5 ) 29...Bc8 ( 29...Be8 30.Qb7 $1 {is an important detail (Aronian)} ) 30.h3 {Prepares the introduction of the rook into the game. For example} ( 30.Re1 Qd2 31.Re3 $4 Qd1+ ) 30...Qd5 ( {White expected} 30...e5 31.f4 exf4 32.Qxf4 Qxf4 33.Rxf4 {"Maybe White is winning, maybe he is not" (Aronian)} ) 31.Rd1 e5 ( 31...Rf8 $5 {was a very interesting defensive idea trying to escape with perpetual after} 32.Qd6 Qb3 33.Rd2 Qxb4 34.Qxf8 Qxd2 35.Qxc8 Qc1+ 36.Kh2 Qf4+ ) 32.Rd3 exd4 ( {Perhaps the world champion should have defended the position after} 32...e4 33.Rg3 Qxd4 34.Rxg7+ Qxg7 35.Qxd8 Qa1+ 36.Kh2 Qe5+ 37.g3 Qf5 ) 33.Qe7 Bf5 $2 {In a difficult position Carlsen errs.} ( {The last chance was the unhuman} 33...Rg8 {although it is highly questionalble if Black can survive after} 34.Qh4+ Kg6 35.c7 ( 35.Rxd4 ) ) 34.Rg3 Bg6 ( 34...Qg8 35.Qh4# ) ( 34...Rg8 35.Qh4# ) 35.Qh4+ 1-0

[Event "Chess 2017"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.11"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "B50"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "5636205058057"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:03:17"]
[BlackClock "0:07:14"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 a6 6.e5 {Kramnik chose "a strange move order."} 6...Nc6 7.Qa4 dxe5 ( {Another possibility was} 7...Ng4 8.Bf4 dxe5 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.Bxe5 Bd7 {as in Naiditsch,A (2647)-Lupulescu,C (2562) Kemer 2007} ) 8.Nxe5 Bd7 9.Nxd7 Qxd7 10.Bd2 {This was the position that White was aiming for. It is a bit more pleasant for him thanks to the bishop pair.} 10...g6 ( {The fianchettoe is not mandatory. Black may also chose} 10...e6 11.O-O-O Qd4 12.Be3 Qxa4 13.Nxa4 Nd5 {with chances for equality in Movsesian,S (2666)-Duda,J (2671) Banska Stiavnica 2016} ) 11.O-O-O Bg7 12.Bg5 $146 {An agressive move which offers an endgame.} ( {Previously only} 12.Be3 {was tested-} 12...Qc8 13.h3 ( 13.Be2 $5 ) 13...O-O 14.g4 b5 15.Qb3 Na5 16.Qb4 Nc6 {Blehm,P (2420)-Janssen,R (2345) Calicut 1998} ) 12...Qg4 {Not the most accurate decision.} ( {Kramnik believed that} 12...Qf5 {was more precise, with possible lines:} 13.f4 ( {Or} 13.Qf4 Qa5 14.Bc4 O-O ( {Bad was} 14...h6 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Ne4 {with clear edge for White.} ) 15.h4 {with double-edged position.} ) 13...O-O 14.Bd3 Qg4 {and it is unclear (Kramnik, Nakamura)} ) ( {Kramnik's idea is revealed in the line:} 12...Qc8 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Nd5 {and because of the fork on b6 Black has to go for something like} 14...Ra7 15.Nxf6+ exf6 16.Qa3 {which looks horrible for him.} ) 13.Bxf6 ( 13.Qxg4 $5 {was interesting as well, the point being that the attack against the f2 pawn with} 13...Nxg4 14.Ne4 Bd4 15.Bh4 f5 {can be stopped with} 16.Be2 {when White seems better.} ) 13...Qxa4 14.Nxa4 Bxf6 {The endgame is unpleasant for Black who has to patiently stop his opponent's threats. Still, since Nakamura did not do anything wrong his position remains solid enough to maintain the balance.} 15.c3 {What follows next is very logical. Kramnik is trying to convert his activity into something tangible and piles his rooks on the open file.} ( {On} 15.g3 Bd4 $1 {is strong (Kramnik, Nakamura)} ) 15...e6 ( 15...O-O $6 16.g3 Rad8 17.Rxd8 Rxd8 18.Nc5 {would be the dream position White is aiming for.} ) 16.g3 Rc8 17.Bg2 Be7 ( {Once again} 17...O-O $2 {is wrong due to} 18.Nb6 Rc7 19.Nd7 ) 18.Rd2 h5 $1 {Apparently, Black will not castle but he needs his rook out. Nakamura opens the h-file for it.} 19.Rhd1 ( {On} 19.h4 Rc7 20.Rhd1 g5 {is strong for Black and he will open the file anyway.} ) 19...h4 20.Nb6 Rc7 21.Na8 ( {Kramnik also considered some generally useful move like} 21.a4 {but after} 21...hxg3 22.hxg3 Na5 23.Kc2 Rh2 24.f4 Bc5 25.Na8 Rc8 {"the white knight is miserable" (Nakamura)} ) 21...Rc8 22.Nb6 Rc7 23.f4 hxg3 24.hxg3 Rh5 {The rook is out and ready to deal with the annoying night. White forces matters.} 25.Na8 Rc8 26.Rd7 Rh2 {Change of counter-attacking objects.} ( {The knight is invincible:} 26...Rxa8 $2 27.Rxb7 Rc8 28.Bxc6+ Rxc6 29.Rb8+ {wins for White.} ) 27.Be4 ( {A tricky idea was:} 27.Bf3 {with the strong point} 27...Rf2 $6 ( {White abandoned the line because of the move} 27...Nd8 {but this is not convincing after} 28.Nb6 Rb8 29.Rc7 {with excellent winning chances for White.} ) ( {Kramnik also considered the tricky} 27...Ba3 $6 {which however loses to} 28.Nc7+ Rxc7 29.Rxc7 Rxb2 30.Bxc6+ bxc6 31.Rdd7 {(Kramnik, Nakamura)} ) ( {None of the players mentioned the move} 27...Bc5 {which is probably Black's best bet when after} 28.Nc7+ Kf8 29.Bxc6 bxc6 30.Nxa6 Bf2 {Black seems to have counter-play similar to the game.} ) 28.Bxc6 bxc6 29.Nc7+ Kf8 30.Rh1 Bf6 31.Rh7 Bg7 32.Nxe6+ $1 {which wins a pawn and the game (Kramnik, Nakamura)} ) 27...Re2 28.Bxc6 {Throws away the biggest part of the advantage.} ( {Kramnik dismissed} 28.Bf3 $1 {due to} 28...Re3 {when "the threat against the important g3-pawn is a bit too much." (Kramnik, Nakamura) Had he gone a bit further he would have noticed that in the line} 29.Bxc6 bxc6 30.Nc7+ Kf8 31.Rh1 Bf6 32.Nxa6 Rxg3 ( 32...Ra8 33.Nc7 Rxa2 34.Kb1 Ra4 35.Rh7 Bg7 36.Rd8+ Ke7 37.Re8+ Kd7 38.Rxg7 Kxc7 39.Rxf7+ {with good winning chances for White.} ) 33.Nc5 {his knight would have had the freedom that he needed so badly later.} ) 28...bxc6 29.Nc7+ ( 29.Ra7 Rb8 30.b4 {The simplest seems to be} 30...Rxa2 {with equality.} ( 30...Bf6 31.Rd3 ( 31.Nc7+ Kf8 32.Nxa6 Rc8 {(Kramnik, Nakamura)} ) 31...Rd8 {(Kramnik, Nakamura)} ) ) 29...Kf8 30.Rh1 Bf6 31.Nxa6 {Temporarily White is up a pawn but the black pieces will show muscles.} ( 31.Kd1 {is equal after} 31...Rxb2 ( {Not} 31...Re4 32.Kd2 $1 ) 32.Rh7 ) 31...Ra8 32.Nb4 c5 33.Nd3 Rxa2 34.Kb1 Ra8 35.Nxc5 {The other attempts yield White nothing either:} ( 35.Rh7 Bg7 36.Ne5 Kg8 37.Rxg7+ Kxg7 38.Rxf7+ Kg8 39.Rf6 ( 39.Rb7 g5 40.Nd7 gxf4 41.gxf4 c4 ) 39...Rb8 $1 {(Kramnik, Nakamura)} ) ( 35.Rb7 Kg8 ( {Or even better} 35...c4 36.Ne5 Bxe5 37.fxe5 Kg7 38.Rf1 Rf8 39.Rf4 Rxe5 40.Rxc4 ) 36.Nxc5 Re3 37.g4 {(Kramnik, Nakamura)} ) ( {Finally} 35.Rc7 Rb8 36.Rxc5 Re3 37.Nb4 Rxg3 {cannot be worse for Black who has the stronger minor piece (Kramnik, Nakamura)} ) 35...Rb8 36.Rb7 ( 36.Nb7 Rg2 {is equal too.} ) 36...Rxb7 37.Nxb7 Rg2 38.Rh3 {Ugly, but at least White is playing for two results now only.} ( {Instead} 38.Nc5 Be7 39.Nd7+ ( 39.Nd3 Rxg3 40.Rd1 g5 {would be a draw.} ) 39...Ke8 40.Ne5 Rxg3 41.Rh8+ Bf8 42.c4 f6 43.Nc6 g5 44.fxg5 fxg5 45.b4 {is messy and most likely a draw too, (Kramnik, Nakamura)} ) 38...g5 39.fxg5 Bxg5 {As it often happens in the Sicilian White wins a pawn with energetic play, but it is insufficent for the win as the stronger bishop versus knight compensates for it. Here the active black rook plays an important role as well.} 40.Nc5 Be7 41.Nd3 Bd6 42.Nf4 Rf2 43.Rh4 ( {Or} 43.b4 Rf3 44.Ne2 Rf2 {(Kramnik, Nakamura)} ) 43...Ke7 44.Rg4 Rf1+ ( {Also good for Black and sufficent for equality was} 44...f5 45.Rg7+ Kf6 46.Nh5+ Ke5 47.Rg6 Kd5 {(Kramnik)} ) 45.Kc2 Rf2+ 46.Kb3 Rd2 47.Rg8 Rf2 ( {Nakamura avoids all the complications in the line:} 47...e5 48.Nh5 f5 ( 48...e4 49.Ng7 Kf6 50.Ne8+ Kf5 51.Nxd6+ Rxd6 52.Re8 ( 52.Kc2 ) 52...Rg6 53.Kc4 Rxg3 54.b4 ) 49.Rg7+ Ke6 50.Rg6+ Ke7 51.Rf6 ( 51.g4 f4 52.g5 e4 53.Rf6 f3 54.g6 Rg2 55.Kc4 Be5 ) 51...Rf2 52.g4 {(Kramnik, Nakamura)} ) 48.Rg4 Rd2 49.Rg8 Rf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess 2017"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.12"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[ECO "A21"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7147496670730"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 3.Nd5 Bc5 4.Nf3 c6 5.Nc3 d6 {Arelatively rare, but topical line was chosen by Anand.} 6.e3 {Both players had already discussed this line earlier.} ( {Then the other main move was tested} 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 O-O 8.O-O Re8 9.d3 h6 10.Na4 Bb4 11.a3 Ba5 12.b4 Bc7 13.e4 {Caruana,F (2823) -Anand,V (2779) London 2016} ) ( 6.d4 {is also possible.} ) 6...Bb4 ( {An important game for the whole variation was played in January:} 6...Qe7 7.d4 exd4 8.Nxd4 Nf6 9.Be2 O-O 10.O-O d5 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.Nb3 Bb4 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.Qxd5 Rd8 15.Qh5 Nc6 {with compensation for the pawn in Nepomniachtchi,I (2767)-Carlsen,M (2840) Wijk aan Zee 2017} ) 7.d4 Nd7 $146 {In-depth home preparation by the former world champion.} ( {Against Nakamura he tried a Nimzo-Indian approach with} 7...Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 e4 9.Nd2 Nf6 10.Ba3 b6 11.f4 c5 {Nakamura,H (2779)-Anand,V (2779) Saint Louis 2016} ) 8.Qc2 Ngf6 9.a3 Bxc3+ 10.Qxc3 O-O 11.Be2 Re8 12.b4 {"I realized this is risky, but I believed I can carry out b4-b5 after Bc1-a3" (Caruana)} ( {Both players considered} 12.b3 {which is "safer structurally" (Anand). Then after} 12...e4 13.Nd2 d5 14.a4 Nf8 15.Ba3 ( {After} 15.h3 {White will keep the bishop alive and} 15...Ng6 16.Ba3 h5 {Anand thought that White would still need to go for b3-b4-b5 in order "to break through."} ) 15...Bg4 {is a key resource for Black.} ) 12...e4 13.Nd2 d5 {Now the position resembles the French defense with reversed colors. The pawn chains clearly point the sides on which both players will attack. Black has easy play on the kingside; White needs to attack on the opposite wing.} 14.a4 {Anand have studied both b2-b3 and b2-b4 plans.} ( {Here the Indian GM intended to meet the normal development} 14.O-O {with} 14...dxc4 15.Nxc4 Nb6 ) 14...dxc4 15.Nxc4 Nb6 16.Na5 Nbd5 17.Qd2 Qc7 18.h3 ( {Anand felt that his pieces are a bit clumsy and was afraid of} 18.b5 {with the idea Bc1-a3. To that, though, Caruana disliked} 18...cxb5 19.axb5 Bg4 {which trades the important light-squared bishop.} ) 18...Re6 $1 {"I realized my knight needs to go to e8." (Anand) The idea is to shift the rook on the kingside for the attack. One of the reasons why Black wants to attack on the kingside is that he can easily transfer his heavy pieces along the sixth rank thanks to the extra space.} 19.Ba3 ( {Both players thought that after} 19.b5 cxb5 20.axb5 Bd7 21.Ba3 b6 {there is a problem with the white knight.} 22.Rc1 Qd8 23.Nc6 {is risky for White after} 23...Qe8 {followed by a7-a6.} ) ( {Maybe} 19.Bb2 a6 20.b5 {is an option but it does not seem bad at all for Black.} ) 19...a6 20.Nb3 {"This is probably a serious mistake." (Caruana)} ( {The American GM suggested instead} 20.Nc4 Ne8 21.Ne5 {with the idea to deprive the rook of an access to the g6-square.} ) 20...Ne8 21.Nc5 ( 21.b5 {might backfire after} 21...axb5 22.axb5 cxb5 23.Bxb5 ( {Or} 23.O-O {when Anand suggested} 23...Rg6 ( 23...Rea6 {instead is better for Black though.} ) 24.Rfc1 Qd8 {but missed the strong blow} 25.Be7 $1 ) 23...Rb6 {(Anand)} ) 21...Rg6 $1 ( {Caruana thought that he is forcing the rook back.} 21...Re7 ) 22.g3 ( {After the game White regretted that he did not try the risky} 22.Nxe4 Rxg2 23.O-O-O Bf5 ( 23...a5 24.bxa5 Rxa5 {(Short) also looks scary for White.} ) 24.Bf3 Rg6 {White's position seems a mess, but at least there is a hope that Black can go wrong too.} ) 22...Nd6 23.a5 {In order to prepare castling queenside. However, once White closes that part of the board, the game becomes very one-sided as Black is clearly superior on the kingside.} 23...Bf5 24.Qc2 ( 24.Kf1 {is castling into it:} 24...Qc8 25.Kg2 Rh6 ) 24...Re8 25.O-O-O Qc8 26.g4 ( 26.h4 Bg4 {would be horrible for the light squares.} ) 26...Bd7 {To the problems on the kingside we should add the weaknesses on a3 and b4. White's position is hopeless strategically.} 27.Kb1 f5 {Opens the game where he is stronger.} 28.gxf5 Rf6 29.Rdg1 Bxf5 30.h4 Ref8 31.Rh2 Kh8 32.Qd2 Rg6 ( {Black was considering direct options like} 32...Nf4 {to which Caruana wanted badly to sacrifice a pawn} 33.d5 {and bring his bishop into life.} ) 33.Rxg6 hxg6 34.h5 {"This makes things easier for me as the pawns gain mobility" (Anand)} ( {On} 34.Rg2 {Anand intended the pretty} 34...Bh3 35.Rxg6 Rxf2 36.Rxd6 Rxe2 $1 {winning.} ) 34...g5 35.h6 g6 36.Bb2 Bg4 37.Bf1 {The only hope as if the bishops are traded the black pieces will start flooding along the light squares.} 37...Kh7 38.Ka1 Bf3 39.Rh3 g4 40.Rg3 Rf5 {With the main idea Rf5-h5-h1. The decisive penetration is inevitable.} 41.Na4 Qf8 ( 41...Rh5 {would do too.} ) 42.Nb6 Qxh6 43.Nxd5 cxd5 44.Qc1 Qh1 45.Qc7+ Rf7 46.Qxd6 Qxf1+ 47.Ka2 Be2 {There is no escape from the checkmate on the light squares.} ( 47...Be2 48.Qc5 Bc4+ 49.Ka3 Qd3+ ) 0-1

[Event "45th GM 2017"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.07.16"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Bluebaum, Matthias"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2642"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[ECO "D46"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8249982080052"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:15:45"]
[BlackClock "0:20:07"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 ( {Bluebaum had some difficulties in the Semi-Slav of late (resulwise at least) and this might be the reason to slightly step out of the beaten track.} 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 Bb7 ( {Fedoseev on his turn has a game in the sharp line after} 8...a6 9.e4 c5 10.e5 cxd4 11.Nxb5 axb5 12.exf6 Bb7 13.O-O Qb6 14.fxg7 Bxg7 {Brodsky,M (2522)-Fedoseev,V (2186) Peterhof 2010} ) 9.O-O a6 10.e4 c5 11.d5 c4 12.Bc2 Qc7 13.dxe6 fxe6 14.Ne2 O-O-O 15.Qe1 {Bluebaum,M (2605) -Sasikiran,K (2637) Moscow 2016} ) 6...Bd6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.O-O dxc4 ( {The straightforward} 8...e5 {is highly explored option as well.} ) 9.Bxc4 e5 {It seems as this move is coming back into fashion.} ( 9...b5 ) ( {and} 9...a6 {are still more topical.} ) 10.h3 {A useful move. Black often threatens e5-e4 followed by Bd6xh2+ and Nf6-g4+ with a mating attack.} 10...Qe7 {Seeemingly the best square for the queen, although it might (and is often) disturbed by a white knight via the h4-f5 (g6) routes.} ( {This is why the mightiest piece often chooses another spot, e.g.} 10...h6 11.a3 Qc7 12.Ba2 Re8 13.e4 exd4 14.Nxd4 Nc5 {Nikolov,M (2557)-Delchev,A (2595) Montana 2017} ) 11.Bb3 Nb6 {A rare and in my opinion dubious decision. Fedoseev gives too many things away--the bishop pair, the center...} ( {Black usually defends with} 11...Bc7 12.Bd2 h6 13.Rad1 Re8 14.Nh4 Nf8 15.Nf5 Bxf5 16.Qxf5 e4 {as in Duda,J (2697)-Adhiban,B (2670) Khanty-Mansiysk 2017} ) ( {The curious} 11...Kh8 {(to move the king away from the bishop pin) was also tried:} 12.Bd2 b6 13.Nh4 g6 {in Banikas,H (2568)-Adly,A (2599) Doha 2016} ) ( {With the queen on e7} 11...h6 12.Nh4 {looks very dangerous for Black.} ) 12.dxe5 Bxe5 13.Nxe5 Qxe5 14.e4 {Keeping the pawns fluid.} ( {The immediate} 14.f4 Qe7 15.f5 {was also possible, although Black was able to build some sort of a blockade after} 15...Bd7 16.e4 c5 17.Qe2 c4 18.Bc2 Rfe8 {Airapetian,G (2436)-Sevian,S (2132) Yerevan 2010} ) 14...Re8 15.Re1 $146 {A good novelty. f2-f4-(f5) followed by e4-e5 is a constant threat, but the rook is not only performing supportive functions.} ( {In the only predecessor White was also better after} 15.f3 Be6 16.Bxe6 Rxe6 17.Qf2 Rd8 18.Be3 {in Ruzele,D (2505)-Bykhovsky,A (2425) Berlin 1995} ) 15...Nbd5 {Black wants to make use of the lose position of the rook.} ( {After} 15...Be6 16.f4 Bxb3 17.axb3 Qc5+ 18.Be3 Qb4 19.Bf2 {White is clearly better.} ) 16.Bd2 Nf4 17.Bxf4 Qxf4 18.Rad1 {Another useful preparatory move. The kingside majority is almost ready to roll.} 18...Nd7 $6 {An inaccuracy. Somewhere Fedoseev missed a detail.} ( {In case of} 18...Be6 {White has the pleasant choice between} 19.Bxe6 ( {Or} 19.e5 Bxb3 20.Qxb3 Rxe5 21.Rxe5 Qxe5 22.Qxb7 ) 19...Rxe6 20.g3 Qh6 ( 20...Qc7 21.f4 ) 21.Kg2 {in both cases with advantage for White.} ) ( {But} 18...Qe5 {might have been best with the idea} 19.Qd2 Nh5 20.Ne2 Be6 ) 19.Re3 $1 {Here it comes! The rook threatens the f7 pawn at once.} 19...Qg5 ( {The pawns are rolling after} 19...Ne5 20.Ne2 Qf6 21.f4 Ng6 22.e5 ) ( {Or} 19...Re7 20.e5 $1 Nf8 21.Re4 Qg5 22.Rd8 {when Black can barely move.} ) 20.f4 {Of course!} ( {It makes no sense to prepare further with} 20.Rg3 {since} 20...Qe7 21.f4 Nc5 {sets a sort of defense for Black.} ) 20...Qe7 ( 20...Qxf4 {loses to} 21.Rf3 ) 21.Qf2 {Bluebaum wants his bishop on the board.} ( 21.e5 Nc5 {was less precise.} ) 21...Nb6 {The last inaccuracy.} ( {Although even after} 21...Nc5 22.Bc2 Rd8 {White has big advantage after either} 23.Rde1 ( {or} 23.Rxd8+ Qxd8 24.b4 Na6 25.Rd3 Qe7 26.Qd2 ) ) 22.f5 {This locks the bishop and threatens f5-f6.} 22...a5 {Fedoseev comes a move short to disturb the bishop.} ( {Black cannot untagle his pieces after} 22...Qe5 23.Red3 c5 24.Rd8 c4 25.Bc2 h6 26.Rxe8+ Qxe8 27.Qg3 ( 27.f6 $5 ) ) 23.e5 $1 {Well calculated.} 23...a4 24.f6 Qb4 ( {One tactical point behind e4-e5 is revealed in the line} 24...gxf6 25.exf6 Qxe3 26.Qxe3 Rxe3 27.Rd8+ ) ( {Whenever the g-file is opened it is always mate:} 24...Qf8 25.fxg7 Kxg7 26.Qf6+ Kg8 27.Rg3+ ) 25.a3 {A cool finish.} ( {There was also the rude} 25.Bxf7+ Kxf7 26.fxg7+ Kg8 ( 26...Kxg7 27.Qf6+ Kg8 28.Rg3+ ) 27.Rf1 Be6 28.Rg3 {with the unstoppable threat Qf2-f8+!} ) 25...Qf8 ( {In case that the queen goes too far away} 25...Qxb3 26.Qg3 g6 27.Qg5 Kh8 28.Qh6 Rg8 29.Rd8 {it will be mate.} ) 26.fxg7 Qe7 27.Ne4 {The rest is easy, White wins loads of material and keeps the attack going.} 27...axb3 28.Nf6+ Kxg7 29.Nxe8+ Kh8 ( 29...Qxe8 30.Qf6+ Kf8 31.Qh6+ Ke7 32.Qd6# ) 30.Nc7 Rb8 31.Rf3 1-0

[Event "45th GM 2017"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.07.18"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Wang, Yue"]
[Black "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[ECO "D63"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "6392521969159"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:09:58"]
[BlackClock "0:05:07"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 O-O 7.e3 Nbd7 8.Rc1 {In the QGD it is all about one little tempo in the opening. White is waiting with the development of his light-squared bishop and does all the other useful moves. So does Black.} 8...c5 {A very straightforward way of solving the opening problems, and a favorite of Kramnik. These three silent useful moves are more common:} ( 8...c6 ) ( 8...b6 ) ( 8...a6 ) 9.dxc5 ( {Black gradually equalized after} 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Bxe7 Nxe7 11.Be2 b6 12.dxc5 Nxc5 13.b4 Qxd1+ 14.Rxd1 Nd7 15.Nd4 a5 16.b5 Nc5 17.f3 Bb7 {Ivanchuk,V (2733)-Kramnik,V (2810) Novi Sad 2016} ) 9...Nxc5 10.cxd5 g5 $1 {It is this important move that makes Black's idea playable. Some years back people would simply dismiss it on general grouds. Weakening the king? Isolated pawn? No thanks! But now, with a little help of our silicon friends...} ( 10...Nxd5 {loses a pawn after} 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Rxc5 ) 11.Bg3 Nxd5 12.Nxd5 Qxd5 13.Qxd5 ( {White cannot avoid the trade of the queens} 13.Qc2 Qxa2 ) 13...exd5 {So, it became obvious that the black king will not suffer without the queens.} 14.Be2 ( {Or} 14.Be5 Bf5 15.Be2 Rac8 16.O-O Bd3 17.Bxd3 Nxd3 18.Rcd1 Nxe5 19.Nxe5 Rc2 {So,W (2812) -Kramnik,V (2808) Leuven 2017} ) 14...Bd7 15.O-O Rac8 {And then little by little it came to the second player that the isolani might not be as dangarous in this particular endgame. Although sure enogh it is not everyone's cup of tea.} 16.Be5 ( {Or} 16.Rfd1 Ne4 17.Be5 f6 18.Bd4 Rc6 {with approximate equality.} ) 16...g4 17.Nd4 f6 $146 {Nisipeanu decided to chase the opponent's bishop away from the long diagonal immediately.} ( {In the top-level predecessor:} 17...h5 18.Nb5 f6 19.Bd4 Ne6 20.Nxa7 ( 20.Bc3 $5 {followed by Nb5-d4 is another way to play it.} ) 20...Ra8 21.Nb5 Rxa2 22.Bc3 {Black solved the problems, Topalov,V (2741)-Kramnik,V (2811) Shamkir 2017} ) 18.Bg3 h5 19.f3 {Sooner or later White will have to do this, although it weakens the e3-pawn.} ( {It is not that easy to mount pressure against the d5-pawn:} 19.Rfd1 Kf7 20.Nc2 Rh8 21.Rxd5 Be6 22.Rdd1 Na4 ) 19...f5 20.Rfd1 a6 21.Bf4 ( 21.Be5 Bg5 22.Kf2 Rfe8 {looks OK for Black.} ) ( {Maybe White should have tried} 21.Nc2 Na4 22.Be5 ) 21...Rfe8 22.Rd2 Bf6 23.Bd1 ( {The game is also equal after} 23.Rdc2 Ne6 24.Nxe6 Bxe6 25.b3 Rxc2 26.Rxc2 d4 ) 23...Ne6 $1 {Once that the important blockader is removed from d4 Black has nothing to worry about.} 24.Rxc8 Rxc8 25.Ne2 ( {Perhaps White should have gone for the pawn with} 25.Nxe6 Bxe6 26.Bb3 Kf7 ( 26...Rd8 27.e4 ) ( {Not sure how much is the extra pawn worth after} 26...gxf3 27.gxf3 Kf7 28.Bxd5 Bxd5 29.Rxd5 Rc1+ 30.Kg2 Rc2+ 31.Kh3 Rxb2 32.Rxf5 Rxa2 33.Rxh5 ) 27.fxg4 ( {better than the immediate} 27.Bxd5 Bxd5 28.Rxd5 Rc1+ 29.Kf2 Rc2+ {as the king cannot go up} 30.Kg3 $4 h4# ) 27...fxg4 28.Bxd5 Bxd5 29.Rxd5 Kg6 ( {This time} 29...Rc1+ {just improves the white king after} 30.Kf2 Rc2+ 31.Kg3 ) 30.Rd2 Kf5 {It is clear though that Black has enough compensation thanks to his active pieces.} ) 25...Bb5 {The threat is to trade on e2 and f4 and it leads to a massive annihilation of fighting resources.} 26.Rxd5 gxf3 27.gxf3 Bxe2 28.Bxe2 Nxf4 29.exf4 Bxb2 30.Bd3 Rc5 {Without the rooks it is even easier.} 31.Rd8+ ( 31.Rxc5 Bd4+ ) 31...Kg7 32.Rd7+ Kf6 33.Rxb7 Bd4+ 34.Kg2 Rc3 35.Rb3 Rxb3 36.axb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "45th GM 2017"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.07.19"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Bluebaum, Matthias"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2642"]
[BlackElo "2712"]
[ECO "E00"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "241"]
[Beauty "2959500937247"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:50"]
[BlackClock "0:03:01"]

1.d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+ 3.Nd2 c5 4.a3 Bxd2+ 5.Qxd2 cxd4 6.Nf3 Nf6 {A slightly unusual move order has led to a Bogo-Indian defense.} 7.g3 ( 7.Nxd4 {is more common and was chosen by Kasparov against Short in their rapid match in 2015.} ) 7...b6 8.b4 ( 8.Bg2 Bb7 9.O-O Bxf3 10.exf3 Nc6 11.f4 O-O {led to a relatively quick draw in Wei,Y (2696)-Karjakin,S (2773) Bilbao 2016} ) 8...Bb7 9.Qxd4 Nc6 10.Qf4 d6 $146 {Technically speaking a novelty, but a very common method. Black gave away the f8 bishop, and now he is placing his pawns on the the dark squares to compensate for the loss.} ( {Eljanov preferred to fix the white queenside pawns at once with} 10...a5 11.b5 Ne7 12.Bb2 Ng6 13.Qe3 d6 14.Bg2 O-O 15.O-O e5 {led to a very similar situation, Riazantsev,A (2671) -Eljanov,P (2759) Sharjah 2017} ) 11.Bb2 e5 12.Qd2 a5 {Also typical, forcing the queenside pawns to make a concession.} 13.b5 {Now c4 is a backward pawn and a target, while the c5-square is an excellent outpost for the black pieces. Andreikin can be happy with the outcome of the opening.} 13...Ne7 14.Bg2 Qc7 15.O-O O-O ( 15...Qxc4 $2 16.Nxe5 ( {or} 16.Qxd6 {are both good for White.} ) ) 16.Rac1 h6 17.Ne1 Ne4 ( 17...Bxg2 18.Nxg2 {will send the white knight to the alternative outpost on d5.} ) 18.Qc2 f5 19.Nd3 Ng5 20.f3 f4 {The same strategy. All the black pawns occupy dark squares. Capablanca would be happy to see this.} 21.gxf4 exf4 {A second backward pawn was created on e2.} 22.Qc3 Ng6 23.Qe1 Rae8 24.Kh1 Ne6 {The time to double the rooks on the half-open file did not come yet.} ( 24...Re3 $6 {is dubious due to} 25.Bd4 Re7 26.Qf2 ) ( 24...Re7 {was possible though but after} 25.Qf2 Ne6 26.Bh3 Nc5 27.Nxc5 dxc5 28.Rg1 {White would be OK.} ) 25.Qf2 Nc5 26.Rg1 Rf7 27.Rcd1 ( 27.Nxc5 dxc5 28.Bh3 {more or less transposing to the previous line was the correct decision.} ) 27...Qe7 ( {Even better was the straightforward} 27...Rfe7 28.Bf1 Nxd3 29.Rxd3 ( 29.exd3 $2 Re3 ) 29...Ne5 {with advantage for Black.} ) 28.Bf1 Kh7 29.Qd4 Nh4 30.Nxc5 dxc5 31.Qd6 Qe3 32.Qd3+ ( {Not} 32.Qxb6 {when Black returns the sacrificed pawn with interest after} 32...Bxf3+ 33.exf3 Qxf3+ 34.Bg2 Nxg2 35.Rdf1 Qe2 36.Qxc5 Nh4 ) 32...Qxd3 33.Rxd3 g5 {Andreikin outplayed his opponent but now allows completely unnecessary counterplay.} ( 33...Nf5 $1 {not letting the rook on d6 was strong, with serious chances for a win. For example} 34.Bh3 Bc8 35.Bxf5+ Bxf5 36.Rd2 Bh3 {when White has to defend for a very long time.} ) 34.Rd6 Bc8 $6 {A second inaccuracy, after which it is Bluebaum who takes over the initiative.} ( 34...Nf5 $1 35.Rxb6 Ne3 {taking back the pawn was called for.} ) 35.Rxb6 Be6 36.Rc6 Bxc4 37.e4 $1 {This is what Black probably missed. White gets rid of the backward pawn while keeping the huge passer on b5.} ( {Perhaps Andreikin saw from afar the nice-looking mating pictures after} 37.Rxc5 Bxe2 38.Bxe2 Rxe2 ) 37...Bxf1 38.Rxf1 Rd7 39.Rxc5 Rd2 ( 39...Rd3 $1 {was stronger.} ) 40.Bc3 {The last move in the time trouble.} ( {Instead} 40.Rc7+ $1 {would have improved the position of the white rook with tempoes} 40...Kg6 41.Rc6+ Kh5 ( 41...Kh7 42.Bc3 $1 ) 42.Bg7 {with serious advantage for the first player.} ) 40...Rd3 41.b6 Rb8 {The weakness of the white king is what keeps Andreikin in the game.} 42.Rc7+ ( 42.Rb1 $2 Rxb6 $1 ) 42...Kg6 43.Rb1 ( {The checks were again on the agenda, although this time the black king got trickier:} 43.Rc6+ Kh5 ( 43...Kh7 $2 44.Be5 $1 ) 44.Bg7 Nxf3 45.h3 Kh4 $1 {Surprisingly, Black is not getting mated:} 46.Kg2 ( {But might get if he is not careful} 46.Rxh6+ $4 Kg3 47.Rg6 Rd2 ) 46...g4 47.hxg4 Kxg4 48.Rg6+ Kh5 49.Rxh6+ Kg4 ) 43...Kh5 ( {Why didn't Black simply repeat the moves with} 43...Rbd8 44.Rf1 Rb8 ) 44.Bxa5 ( {Another way to win the rook was} 44.b7 a4 45.h3 ( {Again not} 45.Rc8 $2 Rxb7 46.Rxb7 Rd1+ ) 45...Rxf3 46.Rc8 Rxh3+ 47.Kg1 Kg4 ( {Or} 47...Rg3+ 48.Kf2 Rf3+ 49.Ke2 Re3+ 50.Kd1 ( 50.Kd2 Rxb7 51.Rxb7 Rxe4 ( 51...Kg4 ) ) 50...Rxb7 51.Rxb7 Rxe4 {when nothing is clear yet} ) 48.Rxb8 Nf3+ 49.Kg2 Rh2+ 50.Kf1 Rh1+ 51.Ke2 Rxb1 52.Bb4 Nd4+ 53.Kd3 Nc6 54.Rf8 h5 55.e5 Nxb4+ 56.axb4 Rxb4 57.b8=Q Rxb8 58.Rxb8 Kf5 {Black has a lot more pawns than in the game.} ) 44...Rxa3 45.Bc3 Rd8 $2 {Only this is a mistake.} ( {Black is seemingly holding after} 45...Nxf3 46.b7 Ra2 47.Rb2 Ra1+ 48.Kg2 Nh4+ 49.Kf2 Rh1 ) 46.Be1 $1 {Solving the problem of the back-rank once and forever.} ( 46.b7 $2 {would lose the key pawn after} 46...Rb3 $1 47.Rf1 Rb8 ) 46...Rxf3 47.Bxh4 Kxh4 48.b7 {Now Bluebaum wins a the rook.} 48...Rf2 49.Rh7 $1 {A good move.} ( 49.Rc8 $2 Rdd2 50.b8=Q Rxh2+ {is an instant draw.} ) ( {It makes no sense to allow Black a chance to win another pawn in the line} 49.b8=Q Rxb8 50.Rxb8 Kh3 ) 49...h5 50.b8=Q Rxb8 51.Rxb8 {It seems as it all should have ended here, but Andreikin demonstrates endgame magic.} 51...f3 52.Kg1 Rg2+ 53.Kf1 Kg4 54.Rf8 Rxh2 55.Rhf7 ( 55.Rg7 $1 {was more precise:} 55...Rh1+ 56.Kf2 Rh2+ 57.Ke3 Re2+ 58.Kd3 ) 55...Re2 56.Rxf3 Rxe4 57.Rf2 Re5 58.Rg2+ Kh3 59.Rf3+ Kh4 60.Re2 ( {Here too} 60.Rh2+ $1 {was more precise with a win after} 60...Kg4 61.Rff2 h4 62.Rhg2+ Kh5 63.Rf8 ) 60...Ra5 61.Kg2 g4 62.Rfe3 Ra4 63.Re1 Ra2+ 64.R3e2 Ra5 65.Re5 Ra2+ 66.R1e2 Ra3 67.Rf5 Ra4 68.Rb2 Ra3 69.Rbb5 {Ultimately White will win the h5-pawn but her sister will gain some space.} 69...Ra2+ 70.Rf2 ( {Bluebaum could have gone directly for} 70.Kf1 Ra1+ 71.Ke2 Ra2+ 72.Kd1 Ra1+ 73.Kc2 Ra2+ 74.Kb3 Ra1 75.Rxh5+ Kg3 76.Kc3 ) 70...Ra3 71.Rff5 Ra2+ 72.Kf1 Ra1+ 73.Ke2 Ra2+ 74.Kd3 Ra3+ 75.Kd4 Ra4+ 76.Kc3 ( {Or} 76.Kd3 Ra3+ 77.Kc2 {as in the aforementioned line.} ) 76...g3 77.Rxh5+ Kg4 78.Rbg5+ Kf3 79.Rg8 Kg2 80.Rhg5 Ra3+ 81.Kd2 ( 81.Kd4 Ra4+ 82.Ke3 Ra3+ 83.Ke4 Ra4+ 84.Kf5 Ra5+ 85.Kg4 {also wins.} ) 81...Kh2 $1 {Now White cannot use the king unless he allows the pawn to go to the second rank. However, it should not have saved Black.} 82.Ke2 Rb3 83.R5g6 Ra3 84.R6g7 Rb3 85.Rg5 Ra3 86.R5g6 Rb3 87.Re6 $2 {According to the tablebases, this is the moment in which Bluebaum missed the win!} ( 87.Rg5 Ra3 88.Rg4 Rb3 89.Rh8+ Kg1 90.Ra4 Rb1 91.Kf3 g2 92.Kg4 $3 {was the way to do it, but it's insanely difficult against the best defense:} 92...Kf1 93.Rf8+ Ke1 ( 93...Kg1 94.Kg3 Kh1 95.Rh8+ Kg1 96.Rb8 $1 Rd1 97.Rb3 ) 94.Re8+ $1 Kf1 95.Rf4+ Kg1 96.Rf3 Kh1 97.Rh3+ Kg1 98.Rhe3 Rf1 99.Kg3 Kh1 100.Rh8+ Kg1 101.Rc3 Rf5 102.Rc1+ Rf1 103.Rc2 Rf2 104.Rcc8 Rf5 105.Rhf8 Rg5+ 106.Kf3 Rh5 107.Rc1+ Kh2 108.Kf2 Rh4 109.Rg1 Kh3 110.Kf3 $1 {and wins.} ) 87...g2 88.Rh6+ Kg1 89.Rhg6 Kh1 90.Rh6+ ( {The stalemate idea works after} 90.Rxg2 Rb2+ 91.Kf1 Rxg2 92.Rxg2 ) 90...Kg1 91.Re6 {It made sense to place the rook on an open file, ready to attack the king.} ( {After} 91.Ra6 {the tablebases proves a draw after} 91...Rb1 ( {Indeed, the other moves lose:} 91...Kh1 92.Rh8+ Kg1 93.Ra1+ Rb1 94.Rxb1# ) ( 91...Rb2+ 92.Kf3 Rb3+ 93.Kg4 Rb4+ 94.Kh3 Rb3+ 95.Rg3 Rxg3+ 96.Kxg3 Kh1 97.Rh6+ Kg1 98.Rh2 ) ( 91...Kh2 92.Rh8+ Kg3 93.Rg6+ ) ) 91...Kh1 92.Rh8+ Kg1 {With the rook on h8 I could not find a win for White, and later the tablebase confirmed my conclusion that it's a fortress.} 93.Rd6 Rb2+ 94.Kf3 Rb3+ 95.Ke2 Rb2+ 96.Kf3 Rb3+ 97.Ke4 Rb4+ 98.Kd3 Rb2 99.Ra6 Kf2 100.Rf8+ Kg3 101.Ra1 Kh2 102.Rh8+ Kg3 103.Rg8+ Kh2 104.Rg5 Rb3+ 105.Kd4 Rb2 106.Re1 Ra2 107.Rh5+ Kg3 108.Rg5+ Kh2 109.Rg6 Ra4+ 110.Kc5 Ra5+ 111.Kc4 Ra2 112.Rb1 Rc2+ 113.Kd4 Ra2 114.Rh6+ Kg3 115.Rb3+ Kf2 116.Rf6+ Kg1 117.Ke3 Kh2 118.Rh6+ Kg3 119.Rg6+ Kh2 120.Kf3 Rf2+ 121.Kxf2 {Draw agreed due to the line} ( 121.Kxf2 g1=Q+ 122.Rxg1 {stalemate.} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "45th GM 2017"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.07.21"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Wang, Yue"]
[Black "Bluebaum, Matthias"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2642"]
[ECO "E51"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6461241425928"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "0:06:15"]
[BlackClock "0:01:07"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Bd2 {This move is very rare here, but Nakamura had tried it successfully against Aronian in 2014. What's more interesting is that Aronian used it himself against Anand in 2015 and the former world champion also experienced difficulties.} 5...O-O 6.e3 b6 ( 6...c5 7.a3 Bxc3 8.Bxc3 Ne4 9.Qc2 Nxc3 10.bxc3 {was slightly better for White in Aronian,L (2781)-Anand,V (2803) London 2015} ) ( {However} 6...Re8 {makes a lot of sense:} 7.a3 Bf8 8.Rc1 Nbd7 9.Be2 a6 10.c5 c6 11.Na4 Ne4 12.O-O Nxd2 13.Nxd2 e5 {as in Nakamura,H (2767)-Aronian, L (2797) St. Louis 2014} ) 7.Rc1 ( {Another participant in Dortmund chose a different path:} 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Rc1 Be7 9.Bd3 Bb7 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Be1 {and eventually won, Fedoseev,V (2703) -Gajewski,G (2628) Khanty-Mansiysk 2017} ) 7...Ba6 8.Qa4 c5 9.cxd5 $146 ( {A novelty in comparison to an old game that went} 9.a3 cxd4 10.exd4 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Qc8 {were Black was already better, Pfeiffer, G-Kluger, G Leipzig 1960} ) 9...Bxf1 10.Rxf1 {The point. White plays for better pawn structure. The fact that his king stays in the center for a moment does not worry him. He has a lead in the development and the center is stable enough.} ( {Wang avoids the kingside weakening after} 10.Kxf1 exd5 11.g3 ) 10...exd5 ( 10...Nxd5 {deserved attention. To that White can go} 11.Nxd5 Bxd2+ 12.Kxd2 Qxd5 13.Ke2 {with play on the open c-and d-files.} ) 11.Ke2 a6 ( {One way Bluebaum could have tried to make use of the shaky king was} 11...Qe7 12.dxc5 ( 12.Rfd1 c4 {looks good for Black.} ) 12...bxc5 13.Rfd1 d4 {A typical central break. I suspect that in his analysis Wang spotted this option and planned} 14.Kf1 $1 dxc3 15.bxc3 {regaining the bishop, with advantage.} ) 12.dxc5 bxc5 13.Rfd1 {As a result of White's opening strategy Black has a pair of hanging pawns. There is more central control and play along the half-open b- and e-files. Still, the endgames might turn unfavorable for Black, especially if White manages to force one of the pawns to make a move forward. In that case the remaining one will become backward and weak.} 13...Nbd7 14.a3 Bxc3 ( 14...Ba5 $2 {drops material after} 15.Nxd5 ) ( {but} 14...Nb6 {deserved attention with slightly better play for White after} 15.Qc2 Ba5 16.Kf1 ( {Or} 16.b4 $5 ) ) 15.Bxc3 Qb6 16.Ne5 {The general policy is to trade as much as you can. In the endgame the central control of the hanging pair would not matter.} ( {Another way to look for trades was} 16.Qa5 Qb3 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 18.Qxc5 Rab8 $5 ( {Better than} 18...Qxb2+ 19.Rc2 Qb8 20.Qb4 ) ) 16...Qe6 ( {More accurate seems to be} 16...Nxe5 $5 17.Bxe5 c4 {since in the line} 18.Bxf6 ( 18.Kf1 $5 ) 18...Qxf6 19.Rxd5 Qxb2+ 20.Rc2 Qb7 {White does not win a pawn:} 21.Qxc4 Rac8 22.Rc5 Rxc5 23.Qxc5 Qxg2 ) 17.Nxd7 Nxd7 18.Kf1 {Now White is a little better but will this be sufficient for something more than the better half of the point?} 18...f6 19.h3 Rfc8 20.Qg4 {White keeps trading.} 20...Qxg4 ( {Bad was} 20...Qd6 21.Qf3 Nb6 22.Ba5 {and White wins material.} ) 21.hxg4 Nb6 22.Ba5 Nc4 23.Be1 Nb6 ( {Or else the pawn will suffer after} 23...Nxb2 24.Rxd5 c4 25.Rd4 ) 24.Ba5 Nc4 25.Be1 Nb6 26.b4 {That is the other typical way to attack the hanging pawns. Wang trades one of them to leave her sister isolated.} 26...cxb4 {Trading pawns makes sense. In some lines Black is happy to part with both the a6- and d5-pawns in return for the remaining white queenside pawn, thus reaching a drawish endgame 4 versus 3 on the kingside.} ( 26...c4 27.Bc3 {followed by Bc3-d4 and perhaps e3-e4 in the future leaves Black suffering.} ) 27.axb4 Kf7 {An important moment.} ( 27...Rxc1 {would not be good for Black after} 28.Rxc1 Rc8 29.Ra1 $1 ) ( {but perhaps} 27...Nc4 28.Ke2 ( 28.Rxd5 $2 Nxe3+ ) 28...Rc6 {was a more resilient defense. In these lines Bluebaum can make use of tactics to defend as in} 29.Rxd5 Nxe3 ) 28.Ra1 Rc4 29.Ra5 $1 {The a6-pawn is very important. Funnily, in the previous round Bluebaum had a powerful b-passer.} 29...Rxg4 30.Rda1 Rb8 ( {Or} 30...Rc4 31.Rxa6 Rxa6 32.Rxa6 Nd7 33.Rd6 Ne5 34.Rxd5 {with a clear extra pawn for White.} ) 31.Rxa6 {Now White added another valuable asset into his position.} 31...Re4 32.Ra7+ Re7 $6 {Another critical moment. Bluebaum goes into passive defense and this does not seem right.} ( {It made sense to sacrifice a pawn but to trade as much as can with} 32...Kg6 33.Rc7 d4 34.Raa7 dxe3 35.Rxg7+ Kf5 36.f3 Rc4 37.Ra5+ Ke6 38.Rxh7 Nd5 {Black seems to have reasonable draw chances here.} ) 33.Ke2 Rbb7 34.Rxb7 Rxb7 35.Kd3 ( 35.Ra5 $5 {was more precise.} ) 35...Ke7 ( {Here Black could have transferred the knight to a better position with} 35...Nc8 36.Kd4 Ne7 ) 36.Bc3 Nd7 37.f4 $1 {This limits the knight.} 37...Nb8 38.Bd4 Nc6 39.Bc5+ Kd7 40.Kc3 f5 {The Chinese GM has increased his advantage and prepares the advance of the passer with his next move. At top level this seems like a technical win.} ( 40...g6 {would be similar after} 41.Ra6 Kc7 42.Kb3 ) 41.Ra6 Kc7 42.Kb3 Rb8 43.Ka4 Re8 44.g3 ( 44.b5 {was possible at once, for example} 44...Re4+ 45.Kb3 Nd8 46.Ra7+ Nb7 47.Bd4 g6 48.Kb4 h5 ( 48...Kb8 49.b6 ) 49.g3 Re6 50.Be5+ Kc8 51.Ra8+ Kd7 52.Rg8 {and White wins.} ) 44...h5 45.b5 Re4+ 46.Kb3 Nd8 ( {Or} 46...Nb8 47.Ra7+ Kc8 48.Rxg7 ) 47.Bd4 ( 47.Ra7+ Nb7 48.Bd4 {should had won as well.} ) 47...g5 48.Ra7+ Kb8 49.Rh7 gxf4 ( {The last chance was} 49...h4 50.gxh4 gxf4 51.Ba7+ Ka8 52.exf4 Rxf4 53.Bb6 Ne6 54.h5 {although White should win here as well.} ) 50.gxf4 Ne6 51.Be5+ Kc8 52.b6 Nc5+ 53.Kc2 {This threatens the knight, the kingside pawns and to promote...} 53...Rc4+ ( 53...Rxe3 54.Rc7+ ) 54.Kd1 Nb7 55.Rxh5 Rb4 56.Bd4 Na5 57.Rxf5 Rb5 58.Kc2 Nc6 59.Kc3 1-0

[Event "45th GM 2017"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.07.22"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[ECO "B11"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[Beauty "5292339265543"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "1:00:03"]
[BlackClock "1:03:06"]

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 {Vachier-Lagrave has been very successful with this line recently, winning his last three games in a row.} 3...Bg4 ( {The other plan was featured in the following game, which we recently annotated for the Chess. com readers:} 3...dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Qe2 Nxe4 6.Qxe4 Qd5 7.Qh4 Qe6+ 8.Be2 Qg4 9.Qg3 Qxg3 10.hxg3 Bf5 $6 11.b3 $1 {with an edge for White in Vachier Lagrave,M (2795)-Salem,A (2633) Moscow 2017} ) 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 {The most solid line. A similar approach is seen in the Slav and some lines of the Scandinavian defenses. Black gives away the bishop pair but tries to compensate for it by placing his pawns of the departed bishop.} 6.Be2 Bc5 7.O-O Nf6 ( {Or} 7...Ne7 8.Na4 Bd6 9.d4 dxe4 10.Qxe4 Nd7 11.Rd1 {with a slight advantage for White in Vachier-Lagrave,M (2796)-Mamedyarov,S (2800) Paris 2017} ) 8.d3 Nbd7 9.Qf4 $146 {A novelty.} ( {White did not get much after} 9.Qg3 O-O 10.Bf3 Bd4 11.exd5 cxd5 12.Ne2 Be5 {Geller,J (2488)-Laznicka,V (2664) Novi Sad 2016} ) 9...O-O ( {With the queen in front there is an argument for} 9...Qb8 {to trade queens as} 10.Qg5 h6 11.Qxg7 $4 {loses her Majesty after} 11...Rh7 ) ( 9...Nf8 {folloed by Nf8-g6 is the other way to make use of White's active queen.} ) 10.Rd1 ( {Instead} 10.e5 Ne8 11.d4 Bb6 {would be a pleasant French type of position for Black: he got rid of the weak light-squared bishop.} ) 10...Ne8 {The knight steps away from the tempo winning e4-e5 move.} 11.Qg3 ( 11.d4 $2 Bxd4 {would be fun for Black,} ) ( {as well as} 11.e5 $6 f6 ) 11...Kh8 {One more useful prophylactic move.} ( 11...Bd4 $5 {was another interesting plan.} ) 12.d4 {Vachier-Lagrave uses the chance to gain some space.} 12...Bb6 13.a4 a6 14.h4 {White's play might seem a bit strange, but this is a good way to limit the knights. Eventually, the pawns would like to clash with the black ones, opening as many diagonals for the bishops as possible.} 14...Nef6 15.Bf3 Bc7 16.Qh3 {Trying to keep more pieces on the board.} ( {It will be approximately equal after} 16.Bf4 Bxf4 17.Qxf4 dxe4 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Nf6 ) 16...dxe4 {Fedoseev finds a good moment for some relieving trades.} 17.Bxe4 {White would love to keep both the bishops on the board.} ( {However} 17.Nxe4 {allows nice a regroupment of the black pieces:} 17...Nxe4 18.Bxe4 f5 19.Bd3 ( 19.Bf3 Nf6 ) 19...Nf6 ) 17...Nxe4 18.Nxe4 Qe8 {White still has some extra space but since two pairs of light pieces have left the board this is hardly inconvenient for Black.} 19.Re1 h6 20.b3 f5 {Active play!} 21.Nd2 Qg6 {Inaccurate.} ( 21...Nf6 {was more precise when the queen can later go to a better square in some of the lines:} 22.Ba3 ( 22.Nc4 Rd8 23.Ba3 Rg8 24.Rad1 Qh5 $5 ) 22...Rg8 23.Nc4 Rd8 {with equality.} ) 22.Ba3 Rfd8 ( {Black's main problem is that he cannot free himself with the e6-e5 advance:} 22...Rfe8 23.Nc4 e5 {This seems OK for the second player but here comes the spanner:} 24.h5 $1 Qf6 ( {Or} 24...Qg4 25.Qxg4 fxg4 26.Bd6 $1 {where Black loses at least a pawn} 26...Bxd6 27.Nxd6 Re6 28.dxe5 Nxe5 $2 29.Nf7+ ) 25.dxe5 Nxe5 ( {The lesser evil seems to be} 25...Bxe5 26.Rad1 Rad8 {although White is clearly better after both} 27.Bd6 ( {Or} 27.Ne3 ) ) 26.Bb2 {and the pin is annoying to say the least.} ) ( 22...Rg8 {does not solve the problems either because of} 23.Nc4 Rae8 24.Bd6 ) 23.Nf3 ( {Better than} 23.Nc4 Nf6 24.Rxe6 Rxd4 {which should be equal.} ) 23...Re8 24.Re2 e5 $6 {Drops/sacrifices a pawn. Apparently Fedoseev wanted to avoid the long grinding with a weakness on e6, which can easily turn into a positionally lost game.} 25.h5 $1 {The same resource as before.} 25...Qg4 ( {Black cannot hold his pawns after} 25...Qf6 $6 26.Rae1 e4 27.Nh4 ) ( {Also insufficient for equality was} 25...Qf7 26.Rae1 e4 27.Nh4 Qxh5 28.Nxf5 Qxh3 29.gxh3 Ba5 ( 29...Nf6 30.Bd6 Ba5 31.b4 {followed by Bd6-e5 leaves White in control.} ) 30.Rd1 Nf6 31.Nd6 {Perhaps this is what Fedoseev missed? He cannot hold everything together:} 31...Re7 32.Nc4 ) 26.Qxg4 fxg4 27.Nxe5 Nxe5 {Best.} ( 27...Bxe5 28.dxe5 Rxe5 29.Rxe5 Nxe5 30.Re1 {with the rude intention to penetrate on the seventh rank and if} 30...Re8 31.Kf1 {wins for White.} ( {Rather than the hasty} 31.Bb2 $4 Nf3+ ) ) 28.Rae1 Ba5 29.b4 Bb6 30.c3 $1 {Or maybe this is what Black missed. Vachier-Lagrave keeps the pawn.} ( {On the other hand} 30.Rxe5 Rxe5 31.dxe5 Rf8 32.Re2 g3 {would have given it back to Black.} ) ( {As well as} 30.dxe5 $2 g3 ) 30...a5 $1 {Also best. Fedoseev needs to create counnterplay as fast as possible and get rid of as many pawns as he can.} 31.Rxe5 Rxe5 32.Rxe5 axb4 33.Bxb4 Rxa4 34.Re8+ Kh7 35.Bd6 ( {The moves cannot be transposed.} 35.Re7 $2 Bxd4 ) 35...Ba5 36.Re7 {Once again precion is required.} ( 36.Be5 g3 $1 {would have taken Black off the woods} ( 36...Bxc3 {is in fact what White wants with clear advantage for him after} 37.Re7 Kg8 38.Rxg7+ Kf8 39.Rxg4 ) 37.fxg3 Bxc3 38.Re7 Bxd4+ $1 {and a draw!} ) 36...Bd8 ( {Here} 36...Bxc3 {does not work anymore} 37.Be5 Bxd4 38.Rxg7+ Kh8 39.Rxg4+ Bxe5 40.Rxa4 {with a win for White.} ) 37.Rxb7 Bf6 38.Kh2 {Another excellent move.} ( {The c6-pawn was poisoned:} 38.Rc7 Rc4 39.Bc5 Rxc3 40.Rxc6 $4 Bxd4 {and it is Black who wins!} ) 38...Ra5 39.Bc5 $6 {One mistake and it is all gone.} ( {Correct was} 39.Kg3 $1 {when White has decent winning chances after} 39...Rxh5 40.Kxg4 Ra5 41.Rc7 Ra2 42.Kf3 ( {Or} 42.Rxc6 Rxf2 43.g3 g6 ) 42...Rc2 43.Bb4 h5 ) 39...Be5+ $1 {A fantastic shot! The white king is deprived of his forest walks.} 40.g3 ( {The rook endgame after} 40.dxe5 Rxc5 41.e6 Rxh5+ 42.Kg3 Re5 43.e7 Re4 44.Rc7 Kg6 45.Rxc6+ Kf7 46.Rc7 Ke8 {should be a draw.} ) 40...Bf6 41.Kg2 Ra2 42.Rc7 ( 42.Rb6 Rc2 {would be the same.} ) 42...Rc2 43.Rxc6 ( {After} 43.Bb4 {the black rook becomes sticky:} 43...Rb2 44.Rxc6 Bxd4 ) 43...Rxc3 44.Re6 Rf3 {Going for the h5-pawn.} ( 44...Rd3 {complicates matters after} 45.Re3 Rd2 46.Re4 Bg5 47.Rxg4 Be3 48.Kf3 Bxf2 ) 45.Re4 Rf5 46.Rxg4 Rxh5 {Less and less pawns are left. Fedoseev is getting closer to the desired half point.} 47.Re4 Kg6 48.Kf3 Rh1 49.Re2 ( {The last try was the rook endgame:} 49.Be7 Bxe7 50.Rxe7 Rd1 51.Re4 Kf6 ) 49...h5 50.Ke4 h4 {One more goes off the board.} 51.gxh4 Rxh4+ 52.Kd5 {Now everything disappears.} ( {Though it should be a draw too after} 52.Ke3 Rh3+ ) 52...Rf4 53.Rd2 Bh4 54.Bd6 Rxf2 55.Rxf2 Bxf2 56.Be5 1/2-1/2

[Event "45th GM 2017"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.07.23"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[ECO "E33"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7628533011500"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteClock "1:11:07"]
[BlackClock "0:54:56"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 d6 {Not the main line, but this was played by Nimzowitsch himself. And another player from the neighbourhood, with first name Magnus.} 5.Bd2 {A rare reply in return. It leads to positions which White usually achieves after the 4...Nc6 move order. It was the actual move order of the game Wojtaszek-Tregubov below.} ( {Carlsen faced twice} 5.Nf3 {e.g.} 5...Nbd7 6.g3 d5 7.Bg2 dxc4 8.O-O O-O 9.Rd1 Qe7 {Kramnik,V (2783) -Carlsen,M (2881) Flor &amp; Fjaere (Norway Chess Blitz) 2014} ) ( 5.a3 {is another main line in which Nisipeanu has experience:} 5...Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 Nbd7 7.Nf3 b6 8.e3 Bb7 9.b3 c5 10.Be2 cxd4 11.Qxd4 Nc5 12.Qd1 O-O 13.Bb2 Qe7 14.b4 Nce4 15.O-O Rfd8 16.Rc1 e5 17.h3 a5 {with equality in Lupulescu,C (2609) -Nisipeanu,L (2687) Germany 2016} ) ( 5.Bg5 {is another idea.} ) 5...Nc6 6.Nf3 O-O 7.a3 Bxc3 8.Bxc3 Qe7 9.e3 a5 {Nisipeanu tries to keep the position as blocked as possible.} ( 9...e5 10.d5 Nb8 11.Nd2 a5 12.b3 Nbd7 13.Be2 b5 14.e4 {led to a pleasant position for White in Wojtaszek,R (2727)-Tregubov,P (2582) Gibraltar 2016} ) 10.Be2 ( {Or} 10.Bd3 h6 11.O-O e5 12.d5 Nb8 13.Nd2 {L'Ami,E (2611)-Adhiban,B (2671) Baku 2016} ) 10...e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.h3 {It makes sense not to allow the black bishop to g4.} ( 12.O-O Bg4 13.Rfd1 Bh5 14.b3 Rfd8 15.Qb2 Ne4 16.Be1 Nc5 {with equality, Dubessay,B (2348)-Petkov,V (2558) Juvisy sur Orge 2013} ) 12...Rd8 13.O-O e4 14.Nd4 Nxd4 $146 {A novelty, which does not change the character of the game much. White has some advantage and can try to play for a win without any risk. Nisipeanu needs to be careful though.} ( {After} 14...Ne5 15.b4 Bd7 16.Rfd1 c5 17.bxc5 Qxc5 18.Rab1 Qxa3 19.Nb3 Re8 20.Ra1 Qe7 21.Rxa5 Rxa5 22.Nxa5 {White got a very pleasant, risk-free advantage in Enricci, J (2410)-Cilloniz Razzeto,A (2301) corr. 2006} ) 15.Bxd4 c5 16.Bc3 a4 {The queenside is one of the problems for Black and he hurries to block it.} ( 16...b6 {would have stumbled into} 17.b4 axb4 18.axb4 Rxa1 19.Rxa1 cxb4 20.Bd4 {when White opens files and diagonals for his pieces on the queenside.} ) 17.f4 $1 {Grabbing space on the kingside. The alternative was Ra1 (f1)-d1, clash on the open file, a rook evaporation process and possible draw.} 17...Bd7 $1 {Solid and good. The bishop is ideally placed on the c6-square where it covers both the a4- and e4-pawns and does not obstruct his rooks.} ( {White has a serious initiative after} 17...exf3 18.Bxf3 Qxe3+ 19.Kh1 Qg5 20.Rae1 ( {Black is OK after} 20.Bxf6 gxf6 ( {But not} 20...Qxf6 $2 21.Bxb7 ) 21.Rad1 Bf5 22.Rxd8+ Rxd8 23.Qxa4 Rd2 ) 20...Bf5 21.Re5 Bxc2 22.Rxg5 h6 23.Rxg7+ Kxg7 24.Bxb7 {which regains material with interest.} ) 18.f5 Bc6 19.Rf4 Rd6 20.Raf1 {Why is Wojtaszek doubling the rooks on the closed file? Is this another case of a mysterious rook move? Here are some arguments: First, the rooks are ready to attack the kingside. Second, the queen can join the party after Qc1-e1-g3. Last, but not least, the rooks are watching the watchdog, sorry, knight on f6.} 20...Rad8 $2 {Black did not feel the danger! In the press room the players discussed the position and it was clear that Nisipeanu understood that this move was a waste of time.} ( {This should have been the moment to reinforce the kingside with the timely} 20...Nd7 $1 {Now} 21.f6 {is not as effective as Black can do} ( 21.Qc1 f6 $1 {was one major point, blunting the bishop on c3 and securing enough room on the seventh rank for the major pieces to work on the defense.} ) 21...Nxf6 22.Qc1 Rf8 $1 {Defending the f7-pawn and freeing the knight again.} 23.Qe1 ( {Or} 23.Bxf6 Rxf6 24.Rxf6 gxf6 {is equalish} ) 23...Nd7 {would be safe enough for Black.} ) 21.Qc1 {Shifting the queen to the kingside.} ( {White does not want to push pawns with} 21.g4 Nd7 ( 21...Qe8 22.g5 Nd7 {is also good for Black.} ) 22.f6 Nxf6 {as he needs to use the third and fourth rank for the attack.} ) 21...Nd7 {One move too late.} ( {Perhaps Nisipeanu should have suffered the gradual attack without any counterplay after} 21...h6 22.Qe1 ) 22.f6 $1 {This is very strong.} 22...Nxf6 ( {Weaker was} 22...gxf6 23.Qe1 ) 23.Qe1 {This maneuver was missed by Nisipeanu. What has changed is that without the f5-pawn White has two open files and a huge diagonal for his pieces. This means that the "watch horse" will be removed from f6 no matter what.} 23...Ne8 ( {One pleasant line for White runs} 23...Re6 24.Qg3 Qc7 25.Qg5 h6 26.Qxc5 ) ( 23...Nd7 24.Rxf7 Qxf7 25.Rxf7 Kxf7 26.Qg3 {would be similar to the game.} ) ( {The king cannot help by moving away from the pins with} 23...Kh8 24.Qh4 Ng8 25.Rxf7 $1 Qxh4 26.Bxg7# ) ( {Neither} 23...Kf8 {is any good after} 24.Qh4 Bd7 25.Rxf6 $1 gxf6 26.Qxh7 Ke8 27.Bxf6 ) 24.Rxf7 $1 Qxf7 25.Rxf7 Kxf7 26.Qg3 {Normally two rooks would be stronger than the queen but in this particular posiiton they are not even close to opposing it. Please note how great the white bishops are, both stopping the rooks from getting in and providing excellent support for the queen.} 26...Nf6 27.Qe5 Rd2 {Desperation.} ( {Otherwise Wojtaszek would have gradually won after, say,} 27...b6 28.g4 $1 h6 29.h4 Ne8 30.g5 Re6 31.Qf5+ Ke7 32.Bg4 ) 28.Bxd2 Rxd2 29.Kf1 ( 29.Qc3 $5 {with the idea to trap the rook after} 29...Rxe2 30.Kf1 {was a good idea as well.} ) 29...Rc2 ( {Or} 29...Nd7 30.Qh5+ Kg8 31.Qe8+ ( 31.Bg4 Nf8 32.Qe5 ) 31...Nf8 32.Qe5 ) 30.Ke1 {The king takes care of the rook in person.} 30...Rc1+ 31.Kd2 Rg1 32.g4 h6 33.h4 g5 {The last chance to build a fortress but Black doesn't have enough resources for this.} ( 33...Nxg4 {drops the knight after} 34.Bxg4 Rxg4 35.Qf5+ ) ( {and after} 33...Nd7 34.Qh2 Rb1 35.Kc2 Ra1 36.g5 {White slowly squeezes the opponent.} ) 34.hxg5 hxg5 35.Qxg5 Bd7 36.Qxc5 Bxg4 37.Bxg4 Rxg4 38.Qc7+ Ke6 39.Qxb7 Rg2+ 40.Kc3 Re2 41.Qc8+ 1-0

[Event "Sparkassen Chess Meeting"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2017.07.15"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[ECO "B13"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Beauty "8247947864624"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:00"]
[BlackClock "0:23:54"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 {Many authors consider this move best against the Exchange line. The queen makes a useful move and stops the white bishop from going to the f4 square.} 6.Na3 {A relatively rare line.} ( {Less than a week ago Anand faced} 6.Ne2 Bg4 7.O-O e6 8.Qe1 Bd6 9.f3 Bh5 {Santos Latasa,J (2542)-Anand,V (2783) Leon 2017} ) ( {Other moves for White are} 6.h3 ) ( {and} 6.Bg5 ) 6...a6 {Noone had allowed the knight to go further, with a good reason.} ( 6...Nf6 7.Nb5 Qb8 8.g3 {is awkward for Black.} ) 7.Nc2 Nf6 8.h3 ( {Or} 8.Ne2 Bg4 {again this semi-provocative move} 9.f3 Bd7 10.Bf4 e5 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.O-O Bd6 {with active piece play for the isolated pawn in Zinchenko,Y (2547)-Hawkins,J (2590) London 2016} ) 8...e6 ( {Here} 8...e5 {is also possible although without the pawn on f3 White can claim slight edge after} 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Nf3 Bd6 11.Nxe5 Bxe5 12.O-O O-O 13.Qf3 {at least if White's name is Magnus. :-) Carlsen,M (2857)-Grischuk,A (2754) chess.com INT 2016} ) ( {The fianchettoe plan is an option too, although it does not match perfectly well with the Qd8-c7 idea} 8...g6 9.Ne2 Bg7 10.Bf4 {White seemed more pleasant in Moiseenko,V (2528)-Rozum,I (2590) Sochi 2016} ) 9.Nf3 b5 $146 {This move would be played sooner or later as Black's main idea is the minority attack.} ( {The only predecessor saw} 9...Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.Re1 b5 {Liljedahl,L (2238)-Aperia,J (1982) Sweden 2008} ) 10.O-O ( {In case of} 10.a4 {Black can simply capture as in the game} 10...bxa4 ( {or even consider} 10...b4 ) 11.Rxa4 Bd6 ) 10...Bb7 11.Re1 Bd6 {Fedoseev can be happy with the outcome of the game. The control of the vital e5 square makes White's standart kingside attack slow.} 12.Bg5 Ne4 $5 {Active defense.} 13.a4 ( {Black has full compensation for the pawn in case of:} 13.Bxe4 dxe4 14.Rxe4 h6 ( {or the direct} 14...Na5 15.Re1 Nc4 ) 15.Bd2 Na5 {and all the black pieces are magnificent.} ) 13...bxa4 14.c4 {Kramnik decided that enough is enough and this king in the center should get mated.} ( {Another such an attempt (and probably sounder) would have been} 14.Rxa4 Nxg5 ( 14...O-O ) 15.Nxg5 h6 ( 15...Be7 ) ( 15...Nd8 16.Nxh7 $1 ) 16.Nxe6 $5 fxe6 17.Rxe6+ Kd8 18.c4 {with complete mess.} ) 14...Nxg5 15.Nxg5 dxc4 16.Bxc4 Nd8 $1 {Very accurate.} ( {In case of the obvious:} 16...O-O 17.Qh5 h6 {Kramnik probably intended} 18.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 19.Rxe6 {Now Black has to be careful not to lose on the spot.} 19...Bh2+ $1 {After} ( 19...Kh7 $2 {loses to} 20.Qg6+ Kh8 21.Bd3 ( 21.Rxd6 Ne7 ) 21...Kg8 ( 21...Bh2+ 22.Kh1 Kg8 23.Qh7+ Kf7 24.Rae1 {with the deadly threats of 25.Re6-f6+! or the least flashy, but just as effective Bd3-c4!} ) 22.Rxd6 ) ( 19...Rf7 $2 {drops material after the simple} 20.Rxd6 ) ( {And} 19...Kh8 20.Bd3 {with a huge attack for White.} ) 20.Kh1 {a possible line is} 20...Rf7 21.Qxf7+ Qxf7 22.Rxc6 Bxc6 23.Bxf7+ Kxf7 24.Kxh2 Rb8 {and thanks to the stronger minor piece Black should be OK.} ) 17.Ne3 ( {If} 17.Bd3 Be7 {first and only then} 18.Nf3 O-O ) ( {while the straightforward} 17.Rxa4 {promises White nothing after} 17...Be7 18.Nf3 Bc6 $5 ( 18...O-O {is good too.} ) 19.Rxa6 Rxa6 20.Bxa6 Bxf3 21.gxf3 O-O {and the many weaknesses compensate for the extra pawn for White.} ) 17...Bf4 ( {This is even stronger than} 17...Be7 18.Nf3 ( {Nothing yields} 18.Qh5 g6 19.Qh6 Qf4 ) 18...O-O {with equality.} ) ( {White was probably hoping for his trademark central break after} 17...O-O 18.Qd3 g6 19.d5 $1 ) 18.Qh5 $2 {Overoptimistic.} ( {Kramink did not want to settle for equality after} 18.Rc1 Bxg5 $1 ( 18...Qa5 19.Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 20.d5 {is in fact quite spooky for Black.} ) 19.Bb5+ Nc6 20.Bxc6+ Bxc6 21.d5 Qd7 22.dxc6 Qxd1 23.Rexd1 ( 23.Rcxd1 Rc8 ) 23...Rd8 {when the objective result would be a draw.} ) 18...Bxe3 {Fedoseev accepts the piece.} 19.Rxe3 ( {In case of} 19.Nxe6 Nxe6 20.Bxe6 O-O $1 {Black repels the atatck with ease.} ) ( {Perhaps White missed} 19.Bxe6 Qg3 $1 20.Bxf7+ Kf8 ) 19...Qxc4 20.Rxe6+ ( {Or the cool} 20.Nxh7 Rg8 ) 20...Kf8 $1 {Not a difficult move, which clarifies matters.} ( {The complications after} 20...Nxe6 21.Qxf7+ Kd8 22.Nxe6+ Kc8 23.Rxa4 {are completely unnecessary.} ) 21.Re5 h6 22.Rae1 ( {Or} 22.d5 Qf4 $1 23.Rae1 g6 ) 22...g6 23.Qh4 Kg7 {Apparently White has no resources to worry the black king. Kramnik tries one last shot.} 24.Nxf7 Nxf7 25.Re6 g5 26.Qh5 Rhe8 {Super cool! The knight shelters the king ideally.} 27.Qg6+ ( {The tactical point of the sacrifice was} 27.Rxe8 Rxe8 28.Rxe8 Qc6 {and the double attack regains the rook.} ) 27...Kf8 28.f3 Qxd4+ 29.Kh1 Rac8 0-1

[Event "Chess.com International"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2017.09.28"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2827"]
[ECO "B00"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Beauty "8250632176137"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[WhiteClock "0:05:16"]
[BlackClock "0:43:12"]

1.Nf3 {Carlsen: "I have prepared for 1.d4 and then he played 1.Nf3. Then I thought this is the best place to go for"} 1...b6 {None is guessing Carlsen's openings so far. The Owen defense might have come as surprise for Eljanov too. Creative players like Miles and Larsen have used it in the past, as well as players who regularly play the English defense after 1.d4.} 2.e4 Bb7 {Against 1.Nf3 the Owen is a better choice than against 1.e4. The point is that one of the best (if not the best)systems for White runs after 1.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Bd3. White laster avoids the pin of his queenside knight and brings his pieces like that- Ng1-f3, Qd1-e2 and c2-c3. The queenside knight can maneuver via d2 to g3.} 3.Nc3 e6 4.d4 Bb4 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.Qe2 ( {Instead a future world champion played} 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.O-O Bxc3 9.bxc3 {and got some initiative after} 9...d5 ( {However} 9...d6 {seemed safer and good for Black.} ) 10.exd5 Bxd5 11.Ne5 O-O 12.Qh5 {Kramnik,V (2725)-Ehlvest,J (2600) Moscow 1994} ) 6...d5 7.exd5 ( {Black was more than happy with the opening outcome after} 7.e5 Ne4 8.Bd2 Bxc3 9.bxc3 c5 10.dxc5 Nxc5 11.h4 Nbd7 12.Rh3 Qc7 13.Kf1 Ne4 {in Bachmann,A (2646)-Donchenko,A (2563) Chartres 2017} ) 7...Qxd5 8.O-O Bxc3 9.bxc3 Nbd7 ( {White managed to convert his bishop pair after} 9...O-O 10.Re1 Nbd7 11.a4 Qh5 12.Nd2 Qxe2 13.Bxe2 Ne4 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Bd1 {although at this stage of the game Black did not have much to worry about, Zhang,Z (2619) -Zvjaginsev,V (2660) Berlin 2015} ) 10.c4 Qh5 11.Bf4 Rc8 $146 ( {The only predecessor saw only one move} 11...c5 {and in the game Vukovic-Velimirovic the players split the point evenly.} ) ( {Despite the ugly pawn structure} 11...Bxf3 12.gxf3 Rc8 13.Kh1 {White has active play along the half-open files and the dagonals.} ) 12.a4 a5 {"Very abmitious move. I am hoping that the a4 pawn will become a weakness." (Carlsen)} 13.Rab1 {White wants to make something out of the position of the black queen.} ( {"At any moment here White can do"} 13.Nd2 Qxe2 14.Bxe2 {"and White is slightly better, but nothing special." (Carlsen)} ) 13...O-O 14.Rb5 ( 14.Rfe1 {makes sense too.} ) 14...c5 15.dxc5 ( {After} 15.c3 Bc6 16.Rb2 Bxa4 {Black wins a pawn.} ) ( {Carlsen believed that} 15.Bd6 Bc6 $5 {was critical. Then after} 16.Bxf8 {he was not sure what should he choose} 16...Bxb5 ( {Or} 16...Kxf8 {with a good compensation for the exchange.} ) ) 15...Rxc5 16.Bd6 Rxb5 17.cxb5 $6 {"I think he horribly misjudged the arising position. His bishop on d3 is quite bad and there are weaknesses on a4 and c2." (Carlsen)} ( {Indeed,} 17.axb5 {looks better, when after a possible} 17...Rc8 18.Ne5 Qxe2 19.Bxe2 Nxe5 20.Bxe5 Nd7 21.Bd6 {the white pawns are more dangerous than in the game.} ) 17...Rc8 ( {Once again Carlsen avoids} 17...Bxf3 18.gxf3 Rc8 19.c4 {although Black is better here as well.} ) 18.c4 Nc5 19.Bc2 Nce4 {It should have felt good to dominate on the light squares like that!} 20.Bf4 $6 {Probably missing something.} ( {Relatively best was} 20.Be5 Ng5 21.Nd4 Qxe2 22.Nxe2 Rxc4 {although Black is a solid pawn up here as well.} ) 20...Nc3 21.Qd3 ( {Or} 21.Qe3 Qg4 ( 21...Rxc4 22.Qxb6 {"is not that clear" (Carlsen)} ) 22.Qxc3 Nd5 23.h3 {And now the simple} ( {On} 23.Ne5 {the world champion was planning the neat} 23...Qxg2+ 24.Kxg2 Nxf4+ 25.Kg3 Ne2+ ) 23...Nxc3 ( {Carlsen also mentioned} 23...Qxf4 24.Qd3 Rxc4 25.Qxh7+ Kf8 ) 24.hxg4 Ne2+ 25.Kh2 Nxf4 {should be great for Black as the weaknesses on the queenside are quite painful.} ) 21...Qg4 ( {Black could have finally taken on f3} 21...Bxf3 22.gxf3 Qg6+ 23.Qxg6 hxg6 24.Bd3 Rd8 {as there is no} 25.Bc2 Ne2+ ) 22.Be5 ( {One more line given by the world champion runs} 22.Qxc3 Qxf4 23.Ne5 ( {Or} 23.Nd2 Qg5 24.f3 ) 23...Ng4 24.Nxg4 Qxg4 {with big advantage for Black. In all these lines White is left with the useless bishop.} ) 22...Qxc4 23.Qxc4 Rxc4 24.Bd3 Rc8 25.Ra1 Nfd5 {Carlsen won a pawn and kept his pieces optimally placed. The rest is easy} 26.Nd2 f6 27.Bd6 Nb4 28.Bc4 Bd5 29.Bf1 Nba2 0-1

[Event "Chess.com International"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2017.09.29"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2668"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8248484744246"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[WhiteClock "0:44:17"]
[BlackClock "0:12:23"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 {"I noticed that Gawain started to play this recently and decided to check my old notes." (Caruana) However, the Archangelsk might not have been such a wise choice as Caruana has played it successfully as both colors.} 7.c3 d6 8.a4 Rb8 9.d4 Bb6 10.a5 ( {Here is a recent example of Jones's play} 10.axb5 axb5 11.Qd3 Bd7 12.Be3 h6 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 dxe5 15.Nd2 O-O 16.Rfe1 {1/2-1/2 (16) McShane,L (2644)-Jones,G (2660) Llandudno 2017} ) 10...Ba7 11.h3 O-O ( {White won a very one-sided game after} 11...h6 12.Be3 Ra8 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 dxe5 15.Qxd8+ Kxd8 16.Bxa7 Rxa7 17.Bxf7 Nxe4 18.Bg6 {Caruana,F (2827) -Lagno,K (2530) Caleta 2017} ) 12.Be3 Ra8 13.Re1 h6 14.Nbd2 exd4 ( {Here a successful holding example for Black-} 14...Re8 15.Nf1 exd4 16.cxd4 Rxe4 17.Ng3 Re7 18.Qd2 Qf8 19.Rec1 Bd7 {and the game later ended in a draw, Karjakin, S (2786)-Caruana,F (2772) Loo 2013} ) 15.cxd4 Nb4 16.e5 $146 {Strictly speaking, a novelty. However, the American GM was well prepared for it. "Peter (Svidler) made a video on this line, but missed an important detail. I was very happy that he entered this line as it is extremely sharp." (Caruana)} ( {Caruana has checked this very recent game as well:} 16.d5 Bxe3 17.Rxe3 c5 18.dxc6 Nxc6 19.e5 Nxe5 20.Nxe5 dxe5 21.Rxe5 Ra7 {and Black had no problems at all, Grandelius,N (2644)-Jones,G (2660) Linares 2017} ) 16...Nfd5 ( {Weaker is:} 16...dxe5 17.dxe5 Nfd5 ( 17...Bxe3 18.exf6 Ba7 19.fxg7 {leaves the black king badly exposed.} ) 18.Bxa7 Rxa7 {When the rook on a7 is concern. For example:} 19.Ne4 Nf4 20.Qc1 $1 Nbd3 ( {Or} 20...Nfd3 21.Qe3 $1 Nxe1 22.Rxe1 Ra8 23.Nf6+ $1 {with decisive attack after} 23...gxf6 24.Qxh6 ) 21.Qe3 Nxe1 22.Nxe1 $1 {hitting both the rook on a7 and the knight.} ) 17.Ne4 Nxe3 ( {Maybe} 17...Bb7 {at once is better, although White can re-think and save his bishop} 18.Bd2 ) 18.Rxe3 Bb7 19.e6 $1 ( 19.Rc1 Rc8 20.e6 {is Svidler's move order.} ) 19...Nd5 {More or less forced.} ( {White's attacking possibilities are demonstrated after} 19...fxe6 20.Nfg5 $1 hxg5 ( {Or} 20...Bd5 21.Nxe6 Bxe6 22.Bxe6+ {with strong attack on the light squares.} ) 21.Bxe6+ Rf7 ( 21...Kh7 22.Qh5# ) 22.Qh5 {and White wins.} ) ( {On} 19...Bd5 {the same} 20.Neg5 $1 {is excellent for White, for example} 20...Qf6 ( 20...hxg5 21.e7 ) 21.Bxd5 Nxd5 22.exf7+ Rxf7 23.Re6 Qf5 24.g4 Qf4 25.Re4 Qf6 26.Nxf7 {and wins.} ) 20.exf7+ {"When I saw him hesitating I felt I might get my analysis at work. I understood that Black is trying to get into Svidler's analysis." (Caruana)} 20...Kh8 21.Re1 Rxf7 22.Rc1 Rc8 ( {Perhaps the lesser evil was} 22...Rf8 {although after} 23.g3 {with the idea Nf3-h4 White has strong attack on the light squares (Caruana)} ) 23.Nfg5 $1 {Practically closing the line.} 23...Rf5 $2 {"From here I was playing on my own."(Caruana) Not a bad place to start a game.. .} ( 23...hxg5 {is mate after} 24.Qh5+ Kg8 25.Nxg5 Qf6 26.Qh7+ Kf8 27.Qh8# ) ( {Svidler's recommendation ran} 23...Re7 24.Qg4 {And Caruana did not bluff. He had it all in his notebook. Now} 24...Qd7 {is spectacularly refuted by} ( {Caruana also revealed why he entered the whole thing. Svidler missed that} 24...Qe8 {pinning the rook, can be refuted by prophylactical-attacking} 25.Kh2 $3 {with the main point being} 25...Bxd4 ( {If} 25...Rd8 {the nice maneuver} 26.Qf5 g6 27.Qg4 $1 {lead to decisive attack as to} 27...hxg5 {both} 28.Bxd5 $1 ( {Or} 28.Qxg5 $1 {should win for White.} ) 28...Bxd5 29.Nf6 {leave the black king naked. You already noticed that in this line Black cannot capture on e1 with a check.} ) 26.Bxd5 Bxd5 27.Nxd6 {and White wins as there is no Re7xe1+} ) 25.Qxd7 Rxd7 26.Nxd6 $1 {winning at least the exchange-} 26...Rxd6 ( 26...cxd6 27.Rxc8+ Bxc8 28.Re8# ) 27.Nf7+ Kh7 28.Nxd6 cxd6 29.Rxc8 Bxc8 30.Bxd5 {and winning the game too.} ) 24.Ne6 {It is a forced win, the black pieces are too vulnerable.} 24...Qd7 ( {The winning motifs occur over and over again-} 24...Qh4 25.Qg4 Qxg4 26.hxg4 Rf7 27.Bxd5 Bxd5 28.Nxd6 {(Caruana)} ) 25.Qg4 Qf7 ( {Or} 25...Qxe6 26.Ng3 ) 26.Rxc7 $1 ( {Also good was} 26.Nxc7 $1 Rxc7 27.Rxc7 Qxc7 28.Qxf5 ) 26...Rxc7 27.Nxd6 {Again it is this squre, this knight and slightly different fork.} ( 27.Nxc7 {wins as well.} ) 27...Rxf2 {Here White spent some time and came up with deeply calculated line to wrap the game up.} ( {If} 27...Qf6 28.Nxf5 ) 28.Nxc7 {Refusing to take the queen with a check!} ( {Caruana was afraid of the alternative kngiht fork after} 28.Nxf7+ Rcxf7 29.Nd8 ( 29.Qg3 {is what he considered, but apparently the game continuation is neater.} ) 29...Rf1+ 30.Rxf1 Rxf1+ 31.Kxf1 Ne3+ {Still, White wins after} 32.Ke2 Nxg4 33.Nxb7 Nf6 34.Nc5 ) 28...Qf6 ( {Or} 28...Qxc7 29.Re8+ Kh7 30.Qe4+ g6 31.Kxf2 ) 29.Nxd5 Qxd4 ( {If} 29...Bxd5 30.Bxd5 Rf1+ 31.Rxf1 Bxd4+ 32.Kh2 Be5+ 33.g3 {"is the only winning move, but good enough" (Caruana)} ) 30.Qxd4 Bxd4 31.Re4 Ba7 32.Nb6 ( 32.Nb6 {Black resigned as he will be down a whole piece after} 32...Bxe4 33.Kxf2 ) 1-0

[Event "Chess.com International"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2017.09.30"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2827"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7976828027952"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 {A psychological challenge. Carlsen repeats the line that gave Caruana a full point without fight yesterday!} 7.c3 d6 8.a4 Rb8 9.d4 Bb6 10.a5 Ba7 11.h3 O-O 12.Be3 Ra8 13.Re1 h6 14.Nbd2 {This is what I wrote: "Here a successful holding example for Black"-} 14...Re8 {"What I did was safer than what he (Gawain Jones yesterday) did." (Carlsen)} ( {In case you forgot it, this is what happened yesterday:} 14...exd4 15.cxd4 Nb4 {[#]} 16.e5 $146 Nfd5 17.Ne4 Nxe3 18.Rxe3 Bb7 19.e6 $1 Nd5 20.exf7+ Kh8 21.Re1 Rxf7 22.Rc1 Rc8 23.Nfg5 $1 Rf5 $2 24.Ne6 {and White soon won, Caruana,F (2799)-Jones,G (2668) Chess.com Isle of Man International 2017 [Bojkov, Dejan]} ) 15.g4 $146 {A novelty! "But still I did not feel safe after what he did...It is extremely dangerous (for Black)" (Carlsen)} ( {The predecessor's game was the one of...Caruana, yes! It saw:} 15.Nf1 exd4 16.cxd4 Rxe4 17.Ng3 Re7 18.Qd2 Qf8 19.Rec1 Bd7 {and the game later ended in a draw, Karjakin, S (2786)-Caruana,F (2772) Loo 2013} ) 15...Qe7 ( {Caruana's intentions are revealed after say normal development with} 15...Bb7 16.g5 $1 hxg5 17.Nxg5 Re7 18.Ndf3 {followed by Nf3-h4-f5(g6) and then goal, match, game...} ) 16.Nf1 ( {Here} 16.g5 {will be met with} 16...hxg5 17.Nxg5 Nd8 {(this is the primary reason why the queen moved.)} ) 16...Nd8 {Regrouping for the defense and the counter-attack.} 17.Ng3 c5 {Strking in the center. Or else the flank attack might become fearsome.} ( {Say something passive like} 17...c6 18.Qd2 Bd7 19.Bxh6 $5 gxh6 20.Qxh6 Nh7 21.Rad1 {and have fun analyzing this!} ) 18.Qd2 ( {The computer suggests to prevent Black's next with} 18.Bd5 $5 Nxd5 19.exd5 {with a pull, for example} 19...cxd4 20.cxd4 e4 21.Bf4 {It is not about the pawn that White wins, but about how cramped black pieces are which secures him the advantage.} ) 18...c4 {Carlsen felt good afte this move.} 19.Bc2 Nh7 {Caruana went into the thinking tank (more than 38 minutes). "Good thing rarely come form such lenghty thought" (Carlsen)} 20.b4 {Caruana decided to either close the queenside or bring the bishop back in busyness. He had a bunch of alternatives.} ( 20.Rad1 {does not impress after} 20...Nc6 ) ( 20.Red1 $5 {to play in the center himself. For example} 20...Qf6 21.Kg2 Ne6 22.Nf5 {and White seems somewhat better.} ) ( {From the above-mentioned line we see that} 20.Kg2 {could be quite useful, so that} 20...Qf6 {does not come with tempo. Then} 21.b3 cxb3 22.Bxb3 Be6 23.dxe5 dxe5 24.Bd5 {looks good for White.} ) 20...cxb3 {Of course. Otherwise White will have a pleasant one-sided-(kingside) play.} 21.Bxb3 Be6 22.Bc2 {Black's next moves are logical and obvious. "He must have missed a lot of things." (Carlsen)} ( {Indeed. Both} 22.Nf5 Bxf5 23.gxf5 Rc8 24.Kh2 ) ( {And} 22.Bd5 {were better alternatives which would have kept some edge for White.} 22...Rc8 23.dxe5 dxe5 24.Nxe5 Bxe3 25.Rxe3 ) 22...Rc8 23.Bd3 Nb7 $1 {Usually this is quite a bad square in the Ruy Lopez but in the concrete example it hits the weak pawn on a5.} 24.Rec1 {Too passive.} ( {Perhaps White should have defended with} 24.Nf5 Qc7 25.Ra3 {with the idea} 25...Nxa5 ( {And if} 25...Bxf5 26.gxf5 Nxa5 27.Qa2 ) 26.Nxd6 ) 24...Qd8 25.Qb2 ( {Here} 25.Nf5 {is not as effective as in the line from above due to} 25...Bxf5 26.gxf5 Nxa5 27.Qa2 exd4 ( {Or} 27...Bb6 ) 28.cxd4 Rxc1+ 29.Bxc1 Nc6 {and Black takes over the initiative. But maybe this was the lesser evil for Caruana.} ) 25...Nxa5 {Carlsen won a pawn and the frustrated Caruana quickly loses.} 26.Nd2 d5 $1 {The white pieces had left the center and the central break is still a great opportunity.} ( 26...Ng5 $1 {was not bad neither.} ) 27.Re1 ( 27.dxe5 Bxe3 28.fxe3 {is a nightmare of course.} ) ( {As well as} 27.exd5 Bxd5 ) 27...Bb8 28.exd5 Bxd5 29.Bf5 Rc6 {Black does not need to force anything.} ( 29...exd4 {was also good with the nice tactical line} 30.Bxd4 Rxe1+ 31.Rxe1 Ng5 32.Bxc8 Nc4 33.Nxc4 Nf3+ 34.Kf1 Bxc4+ ) 30.Qa3 Nb7 31.Rad1 exd4 32.Bxd4 Ng5 {Ironically, it is Black who mates on the kingside.} 33.c4 ( {Or} 33.Rxe8+ Qxe8 34.Kh2 Qe2 $1 ) ( {If} 33.Kh2 Bf4 ) 33...Rxe1+ 34.Rxe1 Be6 35.Qe3 {Allows a trick, but White's position was hopeless anyway.} 35...Bf4 {The knigth forks win the queen.} ( 35...Bf4 36.Qc3 ( 36.Qxf4 Nxh3+ ) 36...Bxd2 37.Qxd2 Nf3+ ) 0-1

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.03"]
[Round "1.14"]
[White "Sambuev, Bator"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2529"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[ECO "E20"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[Beauty "8249961090078"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:40:51"]
[BlackClock "0:04:35"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.d4 Bb4 5.g3 O-O 6.Bg2 dxc4 7.O-O {This position is usually reached via the Nimzo-Indian move order in the Romanishin line: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.g3 (Nf3) d5.} 7...Nc6 8.a3 Be7 ( {Here is a game by the Ukranian legend himself:} 8...Bxc3 9.bxc3 Na5 10.Rb1 b6 11.Ne5 Bb7 12.Bxb7 Nxb7 13.Nxc4 c5 14.Qd3 {with approximate equality, Romanishin,O (2595)-Pachman,L (2485) Moscow 1977} ) 9.e4 Na5 10.Be3 {For the sacrificed pawn White has a strong center and the possibility to attack on the kingside.} 10...Rb8 {If you open your Megabase you will see that Black has scored a fantastic 75% from the four games played so far. However, Sambuev, who is a brave attacker, did not fear the statistics but liked the position instead.} 11.Qe2 b5 12.Rad1 Bb7 $146 ( {At the previous World Cup Karjakin won an important game after} 12...a6 13.d5 Qe8 14.Rfe1 Nb3 15.Bf4 Rb7 16.h3 Nc5 {although nothing was clear at this stage of the game Onischuk,A (2662)-Karjakin,S (2762) Baku 2015} ) ( 12...c6 {ws also tested. After} 13.Ne5 Bb7 14.f4 Qc7 15.g4 Nb3 16.g5 Nd7 17.Nxd7 Qxd7 18.f5 exf5 19.Rxf5 Rbd8 {Black held the fort and went on to win in Santiago,Y (2335)-Mekhitarian,K (2487) Campinas 2011} ) 13.Ne5 {Getting ready.} ( {The central break was still possible} 13.d5 $5 {for example} 13...exd5 14.e5 Ne8 15.e6 $5 fxe6 16.Bxa7 Ra8 17.Qxe6+ {with initiative.} ) 13...a6 14.g4 {This is how White attacks in these positions. The important kingside defender is removed.} 14...Ne8 {Inaccurate.} ( {Wei could (should) have traded an attacking piece instead with} 14...Nd7 $5 15.f4 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Qc8 ) 15.d5 exd5 16.Nxd5 Nd6 ( 16...Bd6 $5 17.f4 {is compensation for White though playable.} ) 17.g5 Bxd5 ( {From a hindsight Black probably feels bad for not giving the material back with} 17...Bxg5 $5 18.Bxg5 Qxg5 19.Nd7 Rbe8 $1 {with the point} 20.Nxc7 Bxe4 ) 18.Rxd5 c6 ( {Here} 18...Bxg5 19.Bxg5 Qxg5 {is bad due to} 20.Nc6 ) 19.Rdd1 Qc7 20.Qh5 {Sambuev achieved a lot in his kingside preparation and Wei has to be extremely careful.} 20...g6 $2 {That is not careful enough!} ( {One interesting idea was to trade some stuff with} 20...c3 21.bxc3 ( {However} 21.Bf4 $1 {ruins Black's plans and gives White strong and probably decisive attack after} 21...cxb2 ( {Or} 21...Ndc4 22.Rd7 $1 ) 22.Rd3 ) 21...Ndc4 ) ( 20...Rfd8 {wuld be answered in a similar way} 21.Bf4 $1 ) ( {The best defense is the computer move} 20...Rbd8 {when now} 21.Bf4 {is not as great due to} ( {However} 21.Ng4 {keeps great attacking prospects for White.} ) 21...Ndb7 $5 ) 21.Qh6 $1 {The queen looks angry here.} 21...Nxe4 {Apparently, Wei was counting on this forcing continuation but it has a flaw.} ( 21...c5 {would be met with} 22.Bf4 ) ( {The kingside weaknesses are obvious in the line} 21...Rfd8 22.Bf4 Bf8 23.Qh3 Bg7 24.Ng4 ) 22.Nd7 $1 ( 22.Bxe4 Qxe5 {would win for Black.} ) 22...Nd6 ( {After} 22...Rbd8 {White can win with either} 23.Bd4 ( {or the immediate} 23.Bb6 ) 23...f6 24.Bb6 ) 23.Bh3 $1 {A great move! It is all about the attack. I suspect this is what Black missed. The bishop takes under control the vital f5 square.} ( 23.Nf6+ $2 {would be huge disappointment after} 23...Bxf6 24.gxf6 Nf5 $1 {This is why the bishop came to h3 in the game!} ) ( {Black would be also fine after} 23.Nxf8 $6 Bxf8 ) 23...Rfd8 24.Rd4 $1 {There is no way out.} ( 24.Nf6+ {would have won material but would not be as good after} 24...Bxf6 25.gxf6 Ne8 26.Bf4 ) ( 24.Rd4 {A possible finish would have been} 24...Rxd7 25.Rh4 f5 26.Qxh7+ Kf8 27.Qxg6 Nf7 28.Rh7 {and White mates soon.} ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.04"]
[Round "2.8"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Khusenkhojaev, Muhammad"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8177928119846"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:55:31"]
[BlackClock "0:04:25"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 a6 6.c3 d6 7.a4 h6 8.Re1 O-O 9.h3 Ba7 10.Nbd2 Ne7 ( {Instead} 10...Be6 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.b4 Qe8 13.Nf1 Nh5 14.Be3 {is what the big guys are discussing these days, Karjakin,S (2773) -So,W (2810) Saint Louis 2017} ) 11.Bb3 Ng6 12.d4 Re8 13.a5 c6 $146 ( 13...Be6 {is again possible. For example} 14.Bc2 Bd7 15.Nf1 Nh5 16.Ne3 Nhf4 17.Nf5 exd4 18.cxd4 Ne6 19.Be3 Nef8 20.Qd3 Qf6 21.Nh2 Ne7 22.Ng3 Nc6 23.Rad1 Nb4 24.Qd2 Nxc2 25.Qxc2 Rac8 26.Nf3 {1/2-1/2 (26) Klinova,M (2384)-Houska,J (2342) Gothenburg 2005} ) 14.Bc2 Be6 15.Nf1 Qc7 16.Ng3 Rad8 17.Be3 Qb8 18.Qc1 Qc8 {Blunder of the day. This move allows a very typical (for this line) sacrifice.} 19.Bxh6 $1 Bxh3 ( {The bishop is invincible:} 19...gxh6 20.Qxh6 {The threat Ng3-f5 is unstoppable. After} 20...Qc7 ( 20...Nh7 $2 21.Nh5 {and mate on the next move.} ) 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 {White regains the material with interest and wins easily.} ) 20.Bg5 Bg4 21.Bxf6 Bxf3 ( {Black is also doomed after} 21...gxf6 22.Qh6 {when one of the the white knights will land on f5 or h5 killing spots very soon.} ) 22.Nf5 $1 {With decisive attack which Vachier-Lagrave converted quickly.} 22...Nf4 ( 22...gxf6 23.Qh6 ) 23.dxe5 ( 23.Qe3 {would do the job as well.} ) 23...dxe5 24.Bxe5 Ne2+ 25.Rxe2 Rxe5 ( 25...Bxe2 26.Qg5 ) 26.gxf3 Qxf5 27.exf5 Rxe2 28.Qg5 Rd5 29.Be4 Bxf2+ 30.Kf1 Be3 31.Kxe2 Bxg5 32.Bxd5 cxd5 33.Rd1 {[Dejan Bojkov]} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.04"]
[Round "2.49"]
[White "Erdos, Viktor"]
[Black "Amin, Bassem"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2619"]
[BlackElo "2699"]
[ECO "E92"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[Beauty "4673729737255"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:04:04"]
[BlackClock "0:01:41"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.d4 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 a5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Be3 Ng4 10.Bd2 f5 11.h3 Nf6 12.exf5 gxf5 13.Qc1 f4 14.g3 e4 15.Nh4 e3 16.fxe3 fxg3 17.Ng6 Re8 18.Rg1 Bf5 19.Rxg3 Nbd7 20.Nf4 Nc5 21.Bf3 Kh8 22.Ke2 Nfd7 23.Qg1 Rg8 24.Bg4 Bxg4+ 25.Rxg4 Ne5 26.Ng6+ Nxg6 27.Rxg6 Nd7 28.Rg4 Ne5 29.Rf4 Qe8 30.Rh4 Bf8 31.Qf2 Qg6 32.e4 Nxc4 33.Rg4 Qh5 34.Qf6+ Bg7 35.Qh4 Qxh4 36.Rxh4 Nxd2 37.Kxd2 Raf8 38.Re1 Kh7 39.Rg4 h5 40.Rgg1 Rf2+ 41.Ne2 Rgf8 42.Rg3 h4 43.Rb3 R8f3 44.Rxf3 Rxf3 45.Ng1 Rg3 46.Rf1 Bxb2 47.Nf3 Bf6 48.Ke3 Rxh3 49.Kf4 Rg3 50.Nxh4 Bxh4 51.Rh1 Rg2 52.Rxh4+ Kg6 53.a4 Ra2 54.Rh1 Rxa4 55.Rc1 Rb4 56.Rxc7 a4 57.Rc8 Rb6 58.e5 Rb4+ 59.Ke3 dxe5 60.d6 Rd4 61.Ra8 b5 62.Ra5 Kf5 63.Rxb5 Rxd6 64.Ra5 Rd4 65.Ra8 Rh4 66.Rf8+ Ke6 67.Ra8 a3 $4 {A step away from qualifying for the next round Amin falls for a famous rook endgame trap. The only consolation for the Egyptian player is that the a young Vassily Smyslov also fell for the same trap once.} 68.Rxa3 $1 Rh3+ 69.Ke4 Rxa3 {Stalemate! [Dejan Bojkov]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.04"]
[Round "2.64"]
[White "Dreev, Aleksey"]
[Black "Bachmann, Axel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2634"]
[ECO "A46"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8181644271113"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:18:45"]
[BlackClock "0:02:32"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 3.c3 b6 4.Bg5 {Dreev is one of the world's leading specialists in the solid Slav defense. So why not play it as White in a match game where he needs only a draw?} 4...Bb7 5.e3 e6 6.Nbd2 h6 {It is not quite certain if Black needs this. On the long run it can turn out to be a kingside weakening.} ( 6...Be7 {is the main move.} ) 7.Bh4 g5 {Aggressive. Bachman badly needs the win.} ( {Whereas} 7...d6 8.Bb5+ Nbd7 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.O-O a6 11.Bd3 f5 12.e4 {kept the initiative for White in Radjabov,T (2713)-Wang,Y (2723) Beijing 2013} ) 8.Bg3 Nc6 $146 {A novelty.} ( {A predecessor saw:} 8...Be7 9.h3 Rg8 10.Qc2 h5 11.O-O-O {with advantage for White, Zhu,R (2036) -Coathup,R (2151) Llandudno 2017} ) ( {Normally, whenever Black commits himself to g7-g5 he would like to chase the bishop with:} 8...Nh5 {But here it does not work due to} 9.Be5 $1 f6 10.Bd3 {and complications work well for White. For example:} 10...Kf7 ( 10...fxe5 11.Bg6+ Ke7 12.Bxh5 {the black king is badly exposed.} ) 11.h3 fxe5 $2 12.Nxe5+ {and White wins.} ) 9.Nc4 Ne4 {If it does not work from the left, then the center might do.} ( 9...Nh5 $6 10.Bd6 ) 10.d5 {Now that the knight had lost grip of the center Dreev seizes his chance.} 10...exd5 ( {Retreating is bad:} 10...Nb8 $6 11.dxe6 dxe6 ( {Or} 11...fxe6 $2 12.Nfe5 h5 13.Ng6 Rh6 14.Nxf8 Kxf8 15.Nd6 {and White is close to winning.} ) 12.Qc2 {Followed by Ra1-d1 with large advantage for the first player.} ) 11.Qxd5 Qe7 12.Rd1 Qe6 {This leads to problems.} ( {Safer was} 12...Nd8 $1 13.Qf5 Qe6 {with the idea} 14.Qxe6+ Nxe6 {and approximate equality.} ) 13.Qxe6+ dxe6 ( {Black may drop a pawn after} 13...fxe6 14.Bd3 Nxg3 15.hxg3 Rg8 16.Bh7 Rg7 17.Rxh6 ) 14.Nce5 $1 {Opens the diagonal for the light-squared bishop.} ( {Instead} 14.Nfe5 Rd8 {is equal.} ) 14...Nb8 $1 {The best chance.} ( {The problems on the a4-e8 diagonal are revealed in the line:} 14...Nxe5 $2 15.Bxe5 f6 ( {Or} 15...Rg8 16.Bb5+ Ke7 17.Rd7+ ) 16.Bb5+ Ke7 17.Rd7+ {and White wins.} ) 15.Nd2 $1 {Dreev trades Bachman's most active piece.} ( {Chasing the knight on b8 was not as good-} 15.Bb5+ Ke7 16.Nd7 Nxg3 17.hxg3 ( {The dynamic} 17.fxg3 $5 {would be better.} ) 17...Bg7 18.Nxb8 Raxb8 {and Black is OK.} ) 15...Nxg3 16.hxg3 a6 {This weakens the b6 square, but Bachman could hardly do anything better.} ( {If} 16...Bg7 17.Ndc4 Bxe5 18.Nxe5 Ke7 19.f4 {Black is paralized.} ) 17.Ndc4 b5 18.Nd6+ {Deprives Black of his only advantage-the bishop pair. Plus, White breaks in along the sixth rank.} 18...Bxd6 19.Rxd6 Bd5 {A mistake. Although Black's position was already difficult.} ( {The most resilient was:} 19...Ke7 $1 {although} 20.f3 $1 {with the idea} 20...f6 ( {Worse is} 20...Kxd6 21.Nxf7+ ) ( {Now} 20...Ra7 $1 {slowly untangling the pieces might have saved the game, but not the match after} 21.Rd2 Ba8 ) 21.Ng6+ Kxd6 22.Nxh8 Nd7 23.Rxh6 {and White wins a pawn.} ) 20.c4 $1 {Opens the game while the opponent is still unprepared.} 20...bxc4 ( {In case of} 20...Ke7 $2 {White would just take what's given} 21.cxd5 Kxd6 22.Nxf7+ ) 21.Bxc4 Bxg2 ( {Or} 21...Bxc4 22.Nxc4 Ke7 23.Ke2 {followed by 24.Rh1-d1 with complete domination.} ) 22.Rh2 Bb7 23.f4 gxf4 ( 23...Ke7 24.Rb6 {would be similar to the game.} ) 24.exf4 {Dreev was not shy of sacrificing a pawn although he needed only a draw. Now that all his pieces are out White wins.} 24...Ke7 ( {Or} 24...Ra7 25.f5 $1 exf5 26.Bxf7+ Ke7 27.Re6+ {when White will win in a similar way to the game.} ) 25.Rb6 Ra7 26.Bxe6 $1 {A small combination to crown the game.} 26...Rg8 ( {A possible winning line after:} 26...fxe6 27.Ng6+ Kf6 28.Nxh8 Kg7 29.Rxe6 Kxh8 30.Rhxh6+ Kg7 31.Reg6+ Kf7 32.f5 Nc6 33.Rh7+ Kf8 34.Rxc6 ) 27.Bxf7 Rxg3 28.Re6+ {The black king lacks defenders. The rest is easy for White.} 28...Kd8 ( 28...Kf8 29.Re8+ Kg7 30.Rg8+ ) 29.Rd2+ Kc7 30.Re7+ Kb6 31.Rd6+ Kb5 ( 31...Nc6 32.Nxc6 {drops a piece.} ) ( 31...Ka5 32.Nc4+ Kb5 33.Rb6+ Ka4 34.b3+ Rxb3 35.axb3# ) 32.Bc4+ Ka5 33.Be2 {The major threat is 34.Ne5-c4+} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.06"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Dreev, Aleksey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2827"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[Beauty "8246605645321"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:59"]
[BlackClock "0:40:52"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.Qb3 c5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.a3 Bxc3+ 10.Qxc3 c4 ( 10...Nd7 11.g3 O-O 12.Bg2 b6 13.O-O Bb7 14.Rfc1 Qe7 15.dxc5 bxc5 16.b4 d4 {Wang,Y (2723)-Yu,Y (2721) Shenzhen 2016} ) 11.b3 Be6 12.Ne5 $146 ( 12.e3 O-O 13.Be2 Rc8 14.O-O Nc6 15.a4 cxb3 16.a5 Qd8 17.a6 b6 18.Qxb3 Qd6 19.Rfb1 Rc7 {Skrondal,I (2277)-Hammer,J (2628) Sandefjord 2017} ) 12...O-O 13.e3 Nc6 14.Be2 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Qg6 16.O-O d4 17.exd4 cxb3 18.Bf3 Rac8 19.Qe3 Qg5 20.Rab1 Qxe3 21.fxe3 {Move of the day:} 21...Rfd8 $3 {A fantastic concept of supporting the b3 passer no matter what!} ( 21...Bc4 22.Rfe1 b5 23.Bd1 {is just equal.} ) ( {Dreev would be also happy to see the black bishop locked on the rim after} 21...Rc3 22.d5 Bd7 23.Bd1 Ba4 24.Rf4 b5 25.Kf2 ) 22.Bxb7 ( {Here} 22.d5 {does not work due to} 22...Bxd5 23.Bxd5 Rxd5 24.Rxb3 b6 {and White drops a pawn.} ) ( 22.Bd1 {is not good anymore either. After} 22...Rc3 23.Kf2 b5 {the black pawns are unstoppable.} ) 22...Rc3 23.d5 Bd7 ( 23...Bxd5 $2 24.Rfd1 ) 24.Rf4 {With the idea Rf4-b4!} 24...a5 $1 25.Kf2 {This makes things easier for the world champion.} ( {Only future analysis will prove if Black was winning after} 25.d6 ) ( {Or after} 25.Ba6 ) 25...Rb8 26.Bc6 ( 26.Ba6 b2 {should also win for Black.} ) 26...Bxc6 27.dxc6 Rxc6 {The b-passer survived and wins the game thanks to the rook support.} 28.Rd4 Rc2+ 29.Kf3 b2 30.Rdd1 Rb5 31.a4 Rxe5 32.Rd8+ Kh7 {[Dejan Bojkov]} 0-1

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.06"]
[Round "10.10"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Kovalyov, Anton"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7494046846504"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:33:01"]
[BlackClock "0:35:53"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3 {A surprise for Kovalyov.} ( {White players also try} 8.f4 {at once. Here is a recent example:} 8...g6 9.Be2 Nbd7 10.O-O Rc8 11.f5 {with double-edged play in Gharamian,T (2626)-Rodshtein,M (2698) Chartres 2017} ) 8...h5 {Played more or less instantly.} 9.Be2 Nbd7 10.O-O Rc8 11.Qd2 $146 {A novelty which will definitely attract followers. White's plan is Rf1-d1, Be2-f3, then somehow transfer the knigth from b3 to d5 (usually via c1-d3-b4.) Black is actively opposing it with queenside play.} ( {A predecessor saw Black suffering after:} 11.a4 Nb6 12.Nd2 d5 13.Bxb6 Qxb6 14.exd5 Nxd5 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Bxh5 Qxb2 ( {However} 16...Be6 {seems like an important improvement.} ) 17.Nf3 {Yu,Y (2675)-Chu,W (2257) China 2013} ) 11...b5 12.Rfd1 Nb6 13.Bxb6 {It is all about the d5 square.} ( {The other way to play the position was} 13.Na5 Qc7 14.Bf3 {although Black looks OK after} 14...b4 ) 13...Qxb6 14.a4 {It is always useful to weaken the queenside before jumping on d5.} 14...b4 15.Nd5 {I strongly suspect that Anand was still in his home preparation.} 15...Nxd5 ( {In case of} 15...Bxd5 16.exd5 Ne4 17.Qe1 $1 {Is strong with the idea} 17...Rxc2 18.Nd4 $1 {at once.} ( {Or after the preliminary} 18.a5 Qa7 19.Nd4 $1 {In both cases White has huge initiative for a pawn.} ) ) 16.exd5 Bd7 {The best defense.} ( {Anand would have played similarly after} 16...Bf5 17.a5 Qb7 18.Qe3 $1 {For example} 18...Bxc2 ( 18...Rxc2 $2 {loses on the spot to} 19.Nd4 $1 ) ( 18...Be7 {is probably most stubborn, although White is clearly better after} 19.Qb6 ) 19.Rdc1 {Surprising as it may seem, Black is defensless. The pin along the c-file combined with the kingside fatigue leaves him no chances:} 19...Be7 ( 19...Bf5 20.Nd4 $1 Bd7 21.Nc6 $1 Bxc6 22.dxc6 Rxc6 23.Bf3 Rxc1+ 24.Rxc1 Qb8 25.Qb6 $1 {and White wins.} ) 20.Qb6 $1 Qxb6 21.axb6 O-O 22.Bxa6 {nd the bishop is gone.} ) 17.a5 Qb7 18.Qe3 $1 {Anand breaks open the queenside while Kovalyov is still unprepared.} 18...Be7 ( {There is no time for pawn munching-} 18...Rxc2 19.Qb6 ) 19.Qb6 Qxb6 20.axb6 Rb8 21.Rxa6 ( {Black seems to hold after} 21.Bxa6 Rxb6 22.Bd3 Rb8 23.Na5 Bd8 ) 21...Bd8 22.b7 Ke7 23.Nc5 $2 {"If this would work it would be the game of the year" (Kovalyov). Alas, it is not.} ( {Up to here Anand played a great game and now a simple solution like:} 23.Rda1 $1 Rxb7 24.Ra8 $5 {This seems a bit more precise than} ( {The immediate} 24.Ra7 Rc7 ) 24...Rc7 25.R1a7 Rf8 26.Na5 Rxa7 27.Nc6+ Bxc6 28.Rxa7+ Bd7 29.Bb5 {would have led to a position where Black is fighting for survival without even a hint of loss for White involved.} ) 23...dxc5 ( {Not much of a choice for Black as} 23...Bf5 24.Bd3 Bxd3 25.Nxd3 Rxb7 26.Ra4 {would be goodbye for the b4 pawn sooner or later.} ) 24.d6+ Kf6 {The king needs not to obstruct the rooks.} ( 24...Ke6 25.Bc4+ Kf5 26.Bd5 {would transpose to the game.} ) ( 24...Ke8 $2 {would lose to} 25.Bf3 {followed by Ra6-a1.} ) 25.Bf3 Kf5 $1 {Very strong. Kovalyov opens the road for his dark-squared bishop and threatens to shut the white bishop with e5-e4.} 26.Bd5 ( 26.Ra8 {is not fast enough due to} 26...Bf6 27.Rxb8 Rxb8 28.Ra1 e4 $1 ) 26...e4 ( 26...Bg5 $5 ) 27.Re1 ( {One additional point behind the e5-e4 advance is revealed in the line} 27.Ra8 Bf6 28.Rda1 Be5 29.Rxb8 Rxb8 30.Ra8 Bxd6 {Perhaps this is what Anand missed?!} ) 27...Bf6 ( {There was an alternative} 27...Re8 $5 28.Bxf7 Rxb7 29.Bxe8 Bxe8 {when Black is clearly better.} ) 28.Bxe4+ Kg5 29.Ra5 ( 29.h4+ $5 {was a chance intending} 29...Kxh4 ( {However the cool} 29...Kh6 {leaves Black in control.} ) 30.Ra5 Kg5 31.Rxc5+ Kh6 32.Ra1 ) 29...Bxb2 30.Rxc5+ Kf6 31.Re3 {Last chance-activity!} 31...g6 $1 {And again-very cool defense by Kovalyov. This move takes away the f5 square from the white bishop and safeguards the king.} ( 31...Rhe8 {would only help White. After} 32.Rc4 ( 32.Rf3+ Ke6 ) 32...Bc3 33.Rf3+ Ke6 34.Bf5+ Kd5 35.Rcxc3 bxc3 36.Bxd7 Re1+ 37.Kh2 Kxd6 38.Bc8 {White does not risk to lose.} ) ( {It is also inpractical to enter the complications after} 31...Bd4 32.Rf3+ Ke6 33.Rc4 Bc3 34.Bf5+ Kd5 35.Rcxc3 bxc3 36.Bxd7 Rxb7 37.Rd3+ {where White has reasonable chances to survive.} ) 32.Rf3+ Ke6 33.Rd3 Rhd8 34.Ra5 f5 {Black consolidated and is now converting the extra material.} 35.Bf3 Bc3 {This bishop is the star of Black's position. Defends the queenside, supports the potential passer on b4 and is always ready to come take the d6 pawn- what more do you need from a piece?} 36.h4 Kf6 ( 36...f4 {at once was also good.} ) 37.g3 ( 37.Ra8 Be5 {should not change much.} ) 37...f4 $1 {The fastest. Withouth the bishop Anand cannot defend his pawns.} 38.Be4 ( 38.gxf4 Bf5 {followed by Bf5xc2 would be curtains.} ) 38...Bf5 39.Bxf5 gxf5 40.Rb5 Ke6 41.Kf1 Rd7 42.gxf4 Rbxb7 43.Re3+ {A shocker for the former World Champion!} 0-1

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.06"]
[Round "10.24"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[ECO "A18"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8250229528094"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:28:07"]
[BlackClock "0:06:57"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 Qxf6 7.Nf3 e5 8.d4 Nc6 ( 8...exd4 9.Bg5 Qe6+ 10.Be2 Be7 11.cxd4 Bxg5 12.Nxg5 Qg6 13.f4 O-O 14.O-O Nc6 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2751)-Harikrishna,P (2750) Moscow 2017} ) 9.Bg5 Qg6 10.d5 Nb8 11.h4 h6 12.h5 Qd6 13.Be3 Nd7 14.Qa4 Qa3 $146 ( 14...c6 15.Rd1 Be7 16.Bd3 Qc7 17.O-O O-O 18.Rfe1 cxd5 19.cxd5 Bd6 20.Nh4 Nf6 {Nakamura,H (2787)-Caruana,F (2795) Saint Louis 2016} ) 15.Qb3 a5 16.Qc2 Qd6 17.Bd3 Be7 18.Rd1 a4 19.O-O O-O 20.Rfe1 b6 21.Bh7+ Kh8 22.Bf5 Qf6 23.g4 Qd6 24.Bc1 a3 25.Bxd7 Bxd7 26.Nxe5 Ba4 27.Qf5 Bxd1 28.Nxf7+ Rxf7 29.Qxf7 Bh4 30.g5 {White sacrificed a piece for an attack. Navara said at the press-conference that he did not play well this game and that he was fighting for survival.} 30...Ba4 $2 {Blunder of the day. This came as a very pleasant surprise for the Czech GM.} ( {On} 30...Bxg5 31.Bxg5 hxg5 {Navara was planning} 32.h6 $1 ( {Worse is} 32.Rxd1 Rf8 33.Qe6 Qf4 34.Rf1 Qxc4 ) 32...Qxh6 33.Rxd1 {with equality.} ) 31.Re7 Bxf2+ $2 {Cheparinov was very low on time and committed another blunder.} ( {Instead} 31...Rg8 $1 {would have given him chances for survival. For example} 32.Bf4 Qd8 33.Be5 Qf8 34.Qxf8 Rxf8 35.Bxg7+ ( {Or} 35.Rxg7 Rf5 $1 36.Bd4 $2 Bxf2+ $1 {where Black wins.} ) 35...Kg8 36.Bxf8 Kxf8 37.Rxc7 Bxg5 {White has extra material, but the bishops should count for something.} ) 32.Kh1 ( 32.Kh1 {Cheparinov resigned due to the mate threats:} 32...Rg8 33.Bf4 Qd8 34.Be5 Qf8 35.Re6 $1 Qxf7 36.Rxh6# {[Dejan Bojkov]} ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.07"]
[Round "11.12"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2666"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8251613651534"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:26:38"]
[BlackClock "0:07:54"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Bc5 {"A very popular line of lately." (Dubov)} 7.O-O O-O 8.d3 ( {Aronian's treatment of the line was cruel:} 8.Nxd5 Qxd5 9.Ng5 Qd8 10.Nxh7 Re8 11.Ng5 Qxg5 12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.d4 {Aronian,L (2799)-Caruana,F (2807) Saint Louis 2017} ) 8...Bb6 9.Nxd5 Qxd5 10.b4 e4 11.Ng5 Qd4 {Obviously this whole sequence of moves was known to both players. Now comes the novelty.} 12.Ba3 $146 {"I do not think that this novelty leads to an advantage if he plays correctly, but at least Black needs to remember a lot of stuff." (Dubov)} ( {Remarkably, both predecessing games were played by Karjakin. Both against Nakamura, less than a month ago:} 12.Be3 Qxb4 13.Nxe4 Bxe3 ( {Black also tried:} 13...Bg4 {although this seems less convincing-} 14.h3 Bh5 15.Rb1 Qe7 16.Qd2 Rad8 17.Nc3 {Nakamura,H (2792)-Karjakin,S (2773) Saint Louis 2017} ) 14.fxe3 Qe7 15.Qd2 Ne5 16.Rac1 c6 {with approximate equality, Nakamura,H (2792)-Karjakin,S (2773) Saint Louis} ) 12...e3 {Correct.} ( {Whereas} 12...exd3 13.b5 Nb4 14.e3 Qc3 15.Bxb4 Qxb4 16.Qxd3 {favors White.} ) 13.b5 exf2+ 14.Kh1 Ne5 {Correct again.} ( 14...Nb4 $2 {puts the knight in precarious situation. White can capitalize on that with:} 15.Qb3 Bc5 16.Nf3 Qd6 17.d4 ) 15.Bxf8 Kxf8 16.a4 a5 {It is essential to keep the dark-squared bishop alive. It should be added that both players played quite comfortably until this moment, practically blitzing their moves.} ( {If} 16...h6 17.a5 hxg5 18.Ra4 Qd6 19.axb6 Qxb6 20.Qc1 {White is clearly better.} ) 17.bxa6 Rxa6 18.a5 Ba7 {The first long thought for Karjakin (25 minutes), and a mistake according to Dubov.} ( 18...Rxa5 $1 {was the right way to play it is what the winner revealed in the after-game interview.} ) ( 18...Bxa5 {is not as convincing instead and White is doing great after} 19.Ra4 Qe3 20.Nxh7+ Kg8 21.Re4 Qd2 22.Qxd2 Bxd2 23.Rxe5 ) 19.Qc1 $1 {"I thought this was clever. I only rememebered that the computer evaluation was better for me. From now on we played on our own". (Dubov) The queen is getting on active position with a tempo.} ( 19.Qb3 {also looks interesting.} ) 19...Qd8 {Solid defense.} ( 19...h6 20.Qxc7 {loses instantly.} ) ( 19...Qd6 {only helps White after} 20.Ne4 ) ( 19...c6 $5 {was the only other option, although White seems better after both:} 20.Nxh7+ ( {Or} 20.Ne4 Ng4 21.Bh3 ( {But not} 21.h3 Ne3 22.Rxf2 Nxg2 23.Kxg2 Qd7 $1 {with counterplay for Black.} ) 21...Qe5 22.Qa3+ c5 ( 22...Kg8 23.Qd6 ) 23.Bxg4 Bxg4 24.Rxf2 ) 20...Kg8 21.Ng5 {The pawn on f2 is unpleasant, but if White manages to consolidate he would be clearly winning.} ) 20.Qf4 {The queen is perfectly placed here.} 20...h6 21.Ne4 Qe7 ( {Worse is} 21...Bd4 22.Rac1 Rxa5 23.Nxf2 {without that pawn Black does not have any play.} ) 22.Nc3 ( 22.Nxf2 $2 {is bad due to} 22...Rf6 $1 ) ( {However} 22.Rac1 $5 {deserves attention with the idea} 22...Rxa5 23.Nxf2 ) 22...g5 $6 {Only this can be labelled as a mistake. The idea is correct, but the timing is not.} ( {Apparently Karjakin disliked the endgame after} 22...c6 23.Ne4 ( {Or} 23.Nd1 Ng4 24.d4 g5 25.Qd2 Qd6 {which is also not that clear.} ) 23...Ng4 24.Bh3 g5 25.Qd6 h5 {but in the game he would get a much worse version of it!} ) 23.Qc1 $1 {With the strong threat Nc3-d5!} 23...Ng4 ( {Even after} 23...c6 {there is} 24.Nd5 $1 ( 24.Ne4 {is not as convincing after} 24...Ng4 25.h3 Ne3 ) 24...Qd6 25.Nb6 $1 {As mentioned earlier, this is Black's key piece and once that it disappears from the board all Black's counterplay is over. For example:} 25...Bxb6 26.axb6 Rxa1 27.Qxa1 Ng4 28.Qh8+ Ke7 29.Qxc8 {and White wins.} ) 24.Nd5 Qxe2 25.Qxc7 Rc6 {Dubov was more worried of the moves that kept the queens on the board as time-trouble was approaching.} ( {Still, the computer analyzes reveals wins for White in both cases. After:} 25...Be6 26.Qxb7 Nxh2 ( {Or} 26...Bxd5 27.Bxd5 Rf6 28.Qxa7 ) 27.Qe7+ Kg7 28.Qf6+ {It is White who mates first:} 28...Kg8 ( 28...Kf8 29.Qh8# ) ( 28...Kh7 29.Be4+ ) 29.Ne7+ Kf8 30.Ng6+ Ke8 31.Qe7# ) ( {And:} 25...Bf5 26.Qxb7 Nxh2 27.Qxa6 Nxf1 28.Qxh6+ {allows White a chance to defend against the checkmate just in time.} ) 26.Qd8+ Qe8 {The endgame is lost according to both players.} ( {However there was no alternative-} 26...Kg7 27.Ne7 Rc2 28.Qg8+ Kf6 29.Nxc8 {leaves Black no pieces.} ) 27.Qxe8+ Kxe8 28.d4 $1 {"The most convincing win" (Dubov)} 28...Kd8 ( {Or the familiar bishop blockade theme after} 28...Bxd4 29.Ra4 Ba7 30.Nb6 ) 29.h3 Nf6 30.Nb6 Rc2 31.Nxc8 {Karjakin resigned due to the lines:} ( 31.Nxc8 Kxc8 ( 31...Rxc8 32.Rxf2 ) 32.Rac1 Rxc1 33.Rxc1+ Kb8 34.Rb1 ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.09"]
[Round "18.9"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[ECO "D27"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[Beauty "4673058651142"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:49"]
[BlackClock "0:09:45"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.dxc5 Qxd1 8.Rxd1 Bxc5 9.Be2 Nbd7 10.Nfd2 ( 10.Nbd2 O-O 11.Nc4 b6 12.b3 Bb7 13.Bb2 Bd5 14.Nfe5 b5 15.Nxd7 Nxd7 16.e4 Bxe4 17.Rxd7 bxc4 {Li,C (2720)-Wang,Y (2706) China 2017} ) 10...b6 11.Nb3 Be7 12.f3 Nc5 13.Nd4 Bb7 $146 ( 13...Bd7 14.e4 O-O 15.Nc3 Rfc8 16.e5 Ne8 17.f4 Na4 18.Ne4 Ra7 19.Rb1 b5 {Stefanova,A (2527)-Matveeva,S (2482) Krasnoturinsk 2004} ) 14.e4 O-O 15.Be3 b5 16.Nc3 g6 17.Rac1 e5 18.Nc2 Rfd8 19.Rxd8+ Rxd8 20.Rd1 Rc8 21.Rd2 Kg7 22.Kf1 b4 23.Nd1 a5 24.b3 a4 25.Bxc5 axb3 26.axb3 Bxc5 27.Nb2 Be7 28.Bc4 Rb8 29.Nd3 Nd7 30.Ncxb4 Nb6 31.Bb5 Nc8 32.Bc6 Bxb4 33.Nxb4 Ne7 34.Bxb7 Rxb7 35.Nd3 Rxb3 36.Nxe5 Rb5 37.Nc4 Rc5 38.Rc2 f5 39.Kf2 Kf6 40.Ke3 Nc6 41.Na3 Rxc2 42.Nxc2 Ne5 43.Kd4 Ke6 44.h4 fxe4 45.fxe4 g5 46.hxg5 Nf7 47.Ke3 Nxg5 48.Nd4+ Kf6 49.Kf4 h6 50.e5+ Kg6 51.Nf3 Ne6+ 52.Ke4 Nc7 53.Kf4 Nd5+ 54.Ke4 Nc7 55.Ne1 Ne6 56.Kd5 Nf4+ 57.Kd6 h5 58.e6 {Move of the day. The fortress that Navara created.} 58...Nxe6 $1 59.Kxe6 Kg5 60.Ke5 Kg4 61.Nd3 ( {If} 61.Kf6 h4 {and the pawns will be traded.} ) 61...h4 62.Nf4 Kg5 {The kings stay in opposition and Grischuk cannot free the knight.} 63.Nd3 ( {Or} 63.Ke4 Kg4 64.Ke3 Kg3 ) 63...Kg4 64.Ke4 ( 64.Kf6 Kg3 ( 64...h3 $4 65.Nf2+ ) 65.Ne1 h3 ) 64...Kg3 65.Nf4 Kg4 66.Ke5 Kg5 67.Ke4 Kg4 68.Ng6 h3 69.Ne5+ Kg3 70.gxh3 Kxh3 {[Dejan Bojkov]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.12"]
[Round "26.5"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2666"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "6396280053279"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:15:40"]
[BlackClock "0:23:23"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O Be7 5.c4 O-O 6.d4 dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 Bd7 9.Bg5 ( 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bf4 Nbd7 11.Nc3 Bd6 12.a5 Bxf4 13.gxf4 Nd5 14.e3 Nxc3 15.Qxc3 Bxf3 16.Bxf3 c6 {Aronian,L (2793)-Kramnik,V (2808) Leuven 2017} ) 9...Bc6 10.Rd1 a5 11.Na3 Na6 12.Nxc4 Nb4 13.Qc1 $146 ( 13.Qb3 Bd5 14.Nfe5 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 c6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.e4 Be7 18.Rac1 Qc7 {Postny,E (2635)-Simonian,T (2425) Yerevan 2014} ) 13...h6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nfe5 Bd5 16.Qc3 b6 17.e4 Bb7 18.Ng4 Be7 19.Qb3 Qe8 20.d5 Bc5 21.d6 Qd8 22.e5 Bxg2 23.Kxg2 h5 24.Nge3 cxd6 25.Nxd6 Bxe3 26.Qxe3 Nc2 27.Qf3 Nxa1 28.Qxh5 f6 29.Rxa1 fxe5 30.Qxe5 Qf6 31.Qe3 Rad8 32.Rd1 Qe7 33.Qxb6 Rb8 34.Qc6 Qf6 {Aronian missed an excellent chance here.} ( {Instead of this move} 34...Rxb2 $1 {was precise with the idea} 35.Ne4 ( 35.Rf1 Qf6 36.Ne4 Qf5 {would transpose.} ) 35...Qf7 36.Rf1 Qf5 37.Kg1 Qd5 {The queens will be traded and because of the presence of the a-pawns it should be a win for Black.} ) 35.Rd2 Rxb2 36.Ne8 $1 {Move of the day which was probably missed by Aronian.} ( 36.Ne8 {They agreed to a draw due to the line:} 36...Qe5 37.Rxb2 Qxb2 38.Qxe6+ Rf7 39.Nd6 Qxf2+ 40.Kh3 Qf1+ 41.Kg4 Qf3+ {[Dejan Bojkov]} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.12"]
[Round "26.7"]
[White "Rodshtein, Maxim"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "E16"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "7562900546080"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:31:56"]
[BlackClock "0:44:34"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Bb4+ 5.Nd2 O-O 6.Nf3 b6 7.O-O Bb7 8.a3 Be7 9.b4 ( 9.cxd5 exd5 10.b4 a5 11.b5 c6 12.bxc6 Nxc6 13.e3 b5 14.Ne5 Bd6 15.Bb2 a4 {Wei,Y (2728)-Yu,Y (2749) Beijing 2017} ) 9...c5 10.bxc5 bxc5 11.Rb1 Qc8 12.Bb2 Nbd7 13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Qc2 Nfe4 $146 ( 14...Nce4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Rfc1 dxc4 17.Ne5 Nd6 18.Bxb7 Qxb7 {Lputian,S (2590)-Yudasin,L (2625) Philadelphia 1994} ) 15.Rfc1 f6 16.cxd5 Bxd5 17.Nd4 f5 18.Nxe4 fxe4 19.Qc3 Rf7 20.Qe3 Qd7 21.Ba1 Raf8 22.f4 e5 23.fxe5 Qg4 24.Rf1 h5 25.h3 Qg6 26.Kh2 h4 27.g4 Bg5 28.Qc3 Rxf1 29.Rxf1 Rxf1 30.Bxf1 Qf7 31.Nf5 Ne6 32.Kg1 g6 33.Nd6 Qf4 34.Bg2 Bd8 {In severe time-trouble Rodshtein chose the obvious, but wrong:} 35.Nc4 $2 {Move of the day. The punishment was severe and beautiful:} ( 35.e3 {was mandatory, when the game will most likely end in a draw after} 35...Bb6 36.Kh1 Qf2 37.Qc8+ Nf8 38.Qc1 Bxe3 39.Qf1 Qxf1+ 40.Bxf1 ) 35...e3 $3 36.Bxd5 ( {The alternative is not appealing} 36.Nxe3 Bb6 37.Bxd5 Bxe3+ 38.Kg2 Qf2+ 39.Kh1 Qg1# ) 36...Qf2+ 37.Kh1 Qf1+ 38.Kh2 {So far was easy. Now comes the silent thunder.} 38...Bg5 $3 {The decisive reinforcement of the position. Bg5-f4 mate can be stopped only at the price of a queen.} 39.Bxe6+ Kg7 40.Qxe3 ( {Or} 40.Qd4 Bf4+ 41.Qxf4 Qxf4+ 42.Kg2 Qf2+ 43.Kh1 Qf1+ 44.Kh2 Qxe2+ {and Black mates quickly.} ( 44...Qxa1 {would be more than sufficient too.} ) ) 40...Bxe3 41.Nxe3 Qxa1 {White cannot build a fortress.} ( 41...Qxa1 42.Nc4 Qe1 ) 0-1

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.15"]
[Round "32.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[Beauty "8247410956295"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:11"]
[BlackClock "0:11:19"]

1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 dxc4 4.Qa4+ c6 ( {In the short-after match interview the Armenian GM suggested instead the quick development with} 4...Nd7 {This is how Cheparinov played against him recently:} 5.Qxc4 c5 6.Nf3 Ngf6 7.O-O b6 8.Nd4 Ne5 9.Nc6 Nxc4 10.Nxd8 Nd5 11.Nc3 Kxd8 12.Nxd5 Bb7 13.Nc3 Bxg2 14.Kxg2 Be7 15.Rd1 Bf6 16.d4 Ke7 17.dxc5 Bxc3 18.bxc3 bxc5 19.Kf3 {1/2-1/2 (19) Aronian,L (2785)-Cheparinov,I (2689) Doha 2016} ) 5.Qxc4 b5 6.Qc2 Bb7 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.Nc3 {A handful of games have been played in this line.} ( {The majority of the players choose to castle outright:} 8.O-O Ngf6 9.d3 Be7 10.Nbd2 O-O 11.b3 c5 12.Bb2 Rc8 13.Rac1 Qb6 14.Qb1 Rfd8 15.Qa1 {1/2-1/2 Chatalbashev,B (2561)-Lupulescu,C (2592) Pleven 2010} ) 8...Rc8 ( {White was a bit better after} 8...a6 9.a4 Rc8 10.O-O Ngf6 11.Rd1 Qb6 12.d4 c5 13.axb5 axb5 14.Be3 {Artemiev,V (2671)-Bukavshin,I (2648) Sochi 2015} ) ( {Perhaps Black simply needs to proceed with the development} 8...Ngf6 {as} 9.Nd4 {is not really a threat due to} 9...Qb6 ) 9.O-O a6 {Ivanchuk is consistently preparing the c6-c5 advance, but neglects the kingside development.} ( 9...Ngf6 {was the obvious choice and the line} 10.d4 ( {Black can push that pawn only after} 10.a4 a6 ) 10...c5 $5 11.Nxb5 Qb6 12.Na3 cxd4 {demonstrates how Black may save a tempo on the a7-a6 move.} ) 10.d4 {Ivanchuk sank into deep thought and played the next principled move after fourty-two minute of thought!} 10...c5 {"I think he understood that it does not work, but since his whole set-up was designed for this advance he decided to go for it." (Aronian) The other options lead to comfortable advantage for White:} ( 10...Ngf6 11.Ne5 {"followed by Rf1-d1 and perhaps Bc1-g5" (Aronian)} ) ( {Further preparation will allow White chance to prepare too-} 10...Qb6 11.Ne5 Ngf6 12.Rd1 c5 13.Nxd7 Nxd7 14.d5 $1 {with big advantage.} ) ( 10...Bd6 {invites} 11.Ne4 ) 11.d5 $1 {Naturally, Aronian is happy to open up the game.} 11...exd5 ( {Things will be even easier for White without the black bishop. For example:} 11...Bxd5 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Rd1 Ngf6 14.e4 dxe4 15.Ne5 Qc7 16.Nxd7 Nxd7 17.Bf4 Qa7 18.Bh3 {and White wins.} ) 12.Nh4 {Surprisingly, all this had been played before. Now Ivanchuk comes with a novelty, but hardly a good one.} 12...Ndf6 $146 ( {The predecessor saw:} 12...Ngf6 13.Bg5 ( {However} 13.Rd1 $1 {would have been stronger with large advantage for White after} 13...Be7 14.Nf5 O-O 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Bxd5 Bxd5 17.Rxd5 ) 13...Qb6 14.e4 d4 15.Nd5 Bxd5 16.exd5 h6 17.Rfe1+ Kd8 {and Black suffering in Nguyen,T (2284)-Gvetadze,S (2411) Ekaterinburg 2007} ) 13.Rd1 g6 ( 13...b4 {would simply force White what he wants to do} 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.e4 ) ( {The obvious defense} 13...Ne7 {blocks the kingside and White has big attack after} 14.Bg5 ( 14.Nxd5 $5 ) 14...Qb6 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.e4 $1 ( {Or advantage after} 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Bxd5 Bxd5 18.Rxd5 ) ) 14.Nxd5 {Of course. The black king would be exposed.} 14...Nxd5 15.e4 ( {It is better to keep more pieces into the attack, although} 15.Bxd5 Bxd5 16.e4 {is also much better for White.} ) 15...Bg7 16.exd5 Nf6 {Black is one move short to castle.} 17.Qe2+ {Keeps the rook behind the pawn.} ( 17.Re1+ Kf8 18.Be3 {is also big advantage for White.} ) 17...Kf8 ( 17...Qe7 $2 {drops a piece after} 18.Qxe7+ Kxe7 19.d6+ ) 18.a4 {Making use of the fact that the black pieces are unprepared.} 18...b4 ( {Or else the queenside is desperately weak-} 18...bxa4 19.d6 Bxg2 20.Nxg2 ) 19.Be3 {White's play is very straightforward and easy. Simply attack the weaknesses.} 19...Qd6 ( {The pawn is invinsible} 19...Nxd5 20.Bxd5 Bxd5 21.Qxa6 ) ( {If} 19...Kg8 20.d6 ( 20.Rac1 $5 ) 20...Bxg2 21.Nxg2 c4 22.Rac1 {and Black collapses.} ) 20.Rac1 Nd7 ( {The best chance was} 20...Kg8 21.Bf4 ( {Or the immediate} 21.b3 h6 22.Bf4 Qd7 23.Be5 {although White should be close to winning here as well.} ) 21...Qd7 22.b3 ) 21.Nf3 $1 {A strong maneuver to unblock the d-pawn.} 21...h6 22.Nd2 Kg8 23.Ne4 Qf8 24.d6 {Some people were shocked by Ivanchuk's decision to resign here.} ( 24.d6 {However, the discovered attack by the knight cannot be adequatly prevented:} 24...Kh7 ( 24...Ba8 25.Nxc5 ) ( 24...Bxe4 {this saves the pawn only temporary} 25.Bxe4 Kh7 26.b3 a5 27.Qb5 ) 25.Ng5+ hxg5 26.Bxb7 {and White wins in all the lines.} ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.16"]
[Round "33.2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "165"]
[Beauty "5228048945159"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:09:21"]
[BlackClock "0:03:57"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Be7 7.O-O Nc6 8.Nbd2 Bf5 9.Re1 Nxd2 10.Qxd2 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 O-O 12.c3 Qd7 13.Bf4 a6 14.Re2 ( {Relevant:} 14.Re3 Rae8 15.Rae1 Bd8 16.Ng5 Bxg5 17.Bxg5 f6 18.Bf4 Re7 19.h3 Rfe8 20.g4 Rxe3 21.Rxe3 Rxe3 22.Qxe3 Ne7 23.f3 Kf7 24.b3 h5 25.Qd3 hxg4 26.hxg4 Ng6 27.Bg3 c6 28.Kf2 Qe6 29.Qb1 Nf8 30.Qd3 Ng6 31.Qb1 Nf8 32.Qd3 Ng6 33.Qb1 {1/2-1/2 (33) Eliseev,U (2606)-Bezgodov,A (2512) Sochi 2016} ) 14...Rae8 15.Rae1 Bd8 16.Nd2 Rxe2 17.Qxe2 a5 $146 {So played a lot of remarkable moves and maneuvers in this game. Here's the first impressive maneuver:} ( {Predecessor:} 17...Be7 18.Nb3 Rb8 19.h3 h6 20.Qg4 Qxg4 21.hxg4 Bd6 22.Bxd6 cxd6 23.Nc1 Kf8 24.Kf1 b5 25.a3 Re8 26.Rxe8+ Kxe8 27.Nd3 {1/2-1/2 (27) Brkic,A (2569)-Jovanic,O (2477) Zadar 2016} ) 18.Nb3 b6 19.Nc1 f6 20.a4 Ne7 21.Nd3 {The knight wants to proceed further to e6.} 21...g5 22.Bc1 Ng6 23.b3 Be7 24.h4 $1 {Makes use of the weakening on the kingside.} 24...gxh4 25.Nf4 Rf7 26.Qe6 Qxe6 27.Rxe6 Nxf4 28.Bxf4 Bd8 29.b4 $1 {Practically wins a pawn.} 29...Kg7 ( {Or else, White will get an outside passed pawn.} 29...axb4 30.cxb4 ) 30.bxa5 bxa5 31.Ra6 c6 32.Rxc6 Kg6 33.Rc5 Rd7 34.f3 Kf5 35.Bd2 Ke6 36.Rc6+ Kf5 37.Be1 Kg5 38.Rc5 f5 39.Kh2 Kh5 40.Bf2 Rd6 41.Be3 Bb6 42.Rb5 Bd8 43.Bf4 Rd7 44.Be5 Kg5 45.Rc5 f4 46.Rc6 Kf5 47.Ra6 Kg5 48.Kh3 Kf5 49.Rc6 Kg5 50.Re6 Be7 51.Rc6 Bd8 52.Bd6 Kf5 53.Kh2 Rg7 54.Be5 Rd7 55.Rd6 $1 {Although the computer dislikes this, I think White is winning the bishop endgame.} 55...Rxd6 56.Bxd6 Kg5 57.Kg1 Kf5 58.Kf2 Kg5 59.Kf1 Kf5 60.Ba3 Ke6 61.Ke2 Kf5 62.Bc1 Kg5 63.Kf1 Bc7 64.Bd2 Bd8 65.Be1 {Why did So do this? It frees the king to march to d3 and play c4 without allowing Black to play ...h3! and invade with ...Kh4 to create counterplay. (Copeland)} 65...Kf5 66.Ke2 Ke6 67.Kd3 Kd7 68.c4 Kc6 69.Bc3 $1 {The nice round-about maneuver that forces zugzwang.} 69...Bb6 70.Bb2 Bd8 71.Bc1 Bc7 72.Bd2 h5 73.Bc3 Bb6 74.Bb2 Bc7 75.Ba3 Bd8 76.Bf8 Bg5 77.Bg7 Kd6 78.Be5+ Kc6 79.Kc3 Bh6 80.Bf6 Bf8 81.Kd3 h3 82.gxh3 Bd6 83.Be5 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.16"]
[Round "33.3"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[ECO "E18"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7631083144714"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:49:26"]
[BlackClock "0:30:32"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 {The Queen's Indian was to be expected in this game.} 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Bd2 Bf6 9.Re1 {"I prepared very well for this game. Up to here was preparation." (Ding)} ( {White can also save the bishop} 9.Be1 d5 10.Qc2 Nxc3 11.Bxc3 Nd7 12.cxd5 exd5 13.b4 c5 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Bh3 {as in Vitiugov,N (2724) -Inarkiev,E (2723) Moscow 2017} ) 9...a6 $146 {"Very strange move" (Ding)} ( {The only predecessor saw:} 9...d5 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Rc1 Nd7 12.Qc2 Re8 13.Bf4 Nxc3 14.bxc3 c5 15.dxc5 Nxc5 {Black could hardly complain here, but we do not know what did Ding prepare in this line Adamski,J (2415)-Kruszynski,W (2285) Polanica Zdroj 1979} ) ( 9...Nxd2 {was the alternative} 10.Qxd2 d6 ) 10.Ne5 ( {"I realized he wants something like"} 10.Qc2 Nxd2 11.Qxd2 d6 {"and decided not to play that slow" (Ding)} ) 10...Nxc3 ( 10...Nd6 {looks too passive after} 11.Bxb7 Nxb7 12.Bf4 ) 11.Bxc3 Bxg2 12.Kxg2 d6 {"After this move, his position is very passive." (Ding)} ( {"Black should have played"} 12...c5 {(Ding)} ) 13.Ng4 Be7 ( 13...Nd7 14.e4 {is better for White.} ) 14.e4 b5 $1 {Rapport is trying to put up a good fight on the light squares. This is the only way to challenge White's center.} ( 14...d5 {is just bad due to} 15.exd5 exd5 16.Qf3 c6 17.cxd5 cxd5 18.Ne3 ) 15.Qe2 bxc4 16.d5 {Making sure that Black will have problems with the c7 pawn.} ( 16.Qxc4 Nd7 {is also good for White, but not as good as in the game.} ) 16...Qc8 {This allows the next powerful move.} ( 16...e5 {is horrible from a positional point of view} 17.Qxc4 ) 17.e5 $1 {Not the first time the Chinese GM carries out a central break} 17...exd5 ( 17...dxe5 {simply loses to} 18.Qxe5 f6 19.Qxe6+ ) ( {Perhaps} 17...Qb7 18.Rad1 Nd7 {was the most tenacious. Although White has} 19.Kg1 $1 {and if} 19...Nc5 20.Nf6+ $1 {with a strong attack.} ) 18.exd6 cxd6 {The only move.} ( {Both players probably saw the amazing line:} 18...Bxd6 19.Qf3 c6 20.Nh6+ $1 Kh8 ( 20...gxh6 21.Qf6 {is inevitable mate.} ) 21.Qf6 $3 gxf6 22.Bxf6# ) 19.Qxe7 {Once again White threatens Ng4-h6+!} 19...d4 ( {If} 19...Qxg4 {then White will first kick away the black queen and only then trap the rook.} 20.f3 ( 20.Qb7 {is not the way to do it after} 20...Nd7 21.f3 Qf5 22.g4 Qc2+ {Black is fine.} ) 20...Qf5 ( 20...Qc8 21.Qg5 f6 22.Qxd5+ {picks up the a8 rook.} ) 21.g4 $1 Qc2+ 22.Re2 Qg6 23.Qb7 ) 20.Qe4 ( 20.Bxd4 {was more accurate with a large advantage for White after} 20...Qxg4 21.Qxd6 Nc6 22.Bc3 $1 {White has the better minor piece and less pawn islands.} ) 20...Qc6 $1 {A nice tactical resource from Rapport. "I missed this move. I thought I am winning instantly. Fortunately, it was still much better for me." (Ding)} ( 20...Nc6 21.Bxd4 {is simply an extra piece for White.} ) 21.Bxd4 ( {White's problem is that after} 21.Qxc6 Nxc6 22.Bd2 f5 {his knight would be trapped.} ) 21...f5 22.Qxc6 Nxc6 23.Ne3 ( 23.Rac1 $5 fxg4 24.Rxc4 {is also a big advantage for White.} ) 23...Nxd4 24.Rad1 {At the end of the day, Rapport regained the piece, but his pawn army makes an ugly impression.} 24...f4 {Best again.} ( {Passive defense cannot save Black.} 24...Nb5 25.Nxc4 Rad8 26.a4 ) ( 24...Nc6 25.Nxc4 d5 26.Rxd5 Nb4 27.Rd7 $1 {should be winning as well for the first player.} ) 25.Rxd4 fxe3 26.Rxe3 Rab8 27.Re2 c3 ( {Or} 27...d5 28.Rxd5 ) 28.bxc3 Rb6 29.Rb4 $1 {White is not only a pawn ahead, but he also has more active rooks and after this move-better pawns. The outcome of game is more or less determined.} 29...Rxb4 ( {Forced as} 29...Rc6 30.Re7 Rf7 31.Rb8+ Rf8 32.Rbb7 {lets the fat piggies in the garden.} ) 30.cxb4 Rb8 31.Rb2 {The rest is easy. Ding activates everything that he has and starts pushing his outside passer.} 31...Kf7 32.Kf3 Ke6 33.Ke4 d5+ 34.Kd3 Kd6 35.a4 Rb7 36.f4 h5 37.b5 axb5 38.axb5 Kc5 39.Rc2+ $1 {A nice final touch.} 39...Kxb5 ( 39...Kb6 {does not help neither} 40.Kd4 Rd7 41.Rc5 ) 40.Kd4 ( {The pawn endgame was also won by force.} 40.Rb2+ Kc6 41.Rxb7 Kxb7 42.Kd4 Kc6 43.f5 Kd6 44.h3 Kc6 45.g4 hxg4 46.hxg4 Kd6 47.g5 Kc6 48.f6 gxf6 49.g6 ) 40...Rf7 41.Kxd5 {Rapport resigned as his king is too far away to help the pawns.} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.21"]
[Round "38.2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[Beauty "4746609965600"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:54"]
[BlackClock "0:00:32"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.O-O a6 6.a4 Nc6 7.Qc2 ( 7.Na3 Bxa3 8.bxa3 e5 9.Bb2 Qd6 10.Qc2 Be6 11.Ng5 Bd5 12.e4 Be6 13.Rac1 Rd8 {Ponkratov,P (2607) -Matlakov,M (2694) Tallinn 2016} ) 7...Na5 8.Na3 Qd5 9.Rd1 Bd7 10.d4 Qf5 11.Bd2 $146 ( 11.Qc3 Nd5 12.Qe1 Bb4 13.Bd2 Bxd2 14.Nxd2 Nb6 15.Rdc1 O-O {Kostenko,P (2506)-Lupulescu,C (2660) Dubai 2014} ) 11...Qxc2 12.Nxc2 Nb3 13.Ra2 Bc6 14.Ne5 Bd5 15.Bc3 c5 16.a5 Rc8 17.Ra4 cxd4 18.Nxd4 Nc5 19.Raa1 Nce4 20.Bxe4 Nxe4 21.f3 Nxc3 22.bxc3 f6 23.Ng4 Bc5 24.Kf1 Ke7 25.Rab1 Rhd8 26.e4 Bxd4 27.cxd4 Bc6 28.Rb4 Bb5 29.Ne3 c3+ 30.Kf2 Rc6 31.Nc2 Rdc8 32.Na3 c2 33.Rc1 Bd3 $1 {Black is winning.} 34.Rxb7+ R6c7 35.Rb2 Rc3 36.Ra2 f5 ( 36...g5 $1 {with the idea} 37.Ke1 g4 {was even stronger.} ) 37.e5 g5 ( 37...f4 $5 {at once (Miroshnichenko) was a great winning idea as well:} 38.gxf4 Bf5 {followed by Ke7-f7-g6-h5-h4, etc.} ) 38.Ke1 f4 $1 39.Kd2 Bf5 ( 39...fxg3 40.hxg3 h5 {To create an outside passed pawn would have done the job.} ) 40.gxf4 gxf4 41.Nxc2 R8c4 ( 41...R8c7 $1 {would have deprived So of any counter chances.} 42.Rb2 Rxf3 ) 42.Rb2 $1 {The only chance for counterplay.} 42...Rxf3 $6 43.Rb7+ Ke8 44.Nb4 Rxd4+ 45.Ke2 Re3+ 46.Kf1 ( 46.Kf2 {was also possible with the idea} 46...Rd2+ 47.Kg1 Rxe5 48.Rc8+ Rd8 49.Rxd8+ Kxd8 50.Nc6+ Kc8 51.Rxh7 {when White should survive.} ) 46...Be4 ( 46...Rxe5 $1 {was a better version of the above-mentioned line after} 47.Rc8+ Rd8 48.Rxd8+ Kxd8 49.Nc6+ Kc8 50.Rxh7 Bd3+ 51.Kf2 Rc5 ) 47.Rg7 Kf8 48.Ra7 Rd8 49.Nxa6 Bd3+ 50.Kg1 Rxe5 51.Rd1 ( 51.Nc5 $1 {should be fine for White already.} ) 51...Rxa5 52.Nc7 Rxa7 53.Nxe6+ Ke7 54.Nxd8 Bb5 55.Rb1 Bd7 56.Nb7 Ra2 57.Nc5 Bc6 58.Nd3 Rg2+ 59.Kf1 f3 60.Rb6 Bd5 61.Rb4 Rxh2 62.Ne1 Ke6 63.Rf4 Rh1+ 64.Kf2 Rh2+ 65.Kg3 Re2 66.Nxf3 Re3 67.Kf2 Rxf3+ 68.Rxf3 {[Dejan Bojkov]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.23"]
[Round "45.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[ECO "A18"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "6395206306822"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "0:14:42"]
[BlackClock "0:14:01"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 d5 {The Flohr-Mikenas system is extremely popular at the high levels these days.} 4.cxd5 ( {White can also go for the immediate} 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 Qxf6 7.d4 {when a popular continuation is} 7...e5 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.Bg5 Qg6 10.d5 Nb8 11.h4 h6 12.h5 Qd6 13.Be3 {as in Nepomniachtchi,I (2732)-Aleksandrov,A (2565) Khanty Mansiysk 2017} ) 4...exd5 5.e5 Ne4 6.Nf3 Bf5 7.Be2 d4 {A surprise for Aronian. According to my Megabase, just one over-the-board game featured this move.} ( {He probably expected something like:} 7...Be7 8.O-O Nc6 9.d3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 O-O 11.d4 Qd7 12.Bd3 {as in Caruana,F (2808)-So,W (2812) Paris 2017} ) 8.Nxe4 Bxe4 9.Bc4 {"I decided to play it save" (Aronian)} ( {The above-mentioned over-the-board game saw} 9.d3 Bd5 10.O-O Nc6 11.a3 a5 12.Bf4 a4 13.Nd2 Be7 14.Bg3 O-O 15.Rc1 Qd7 16.Bg4 Be6 17.Bxe6 fxe6 18.Qc2 Rfc8 19.Rce1 Na5 {and Black held his own, Topalov,V (2749) -Nakamura,H (2785) Paris 2017} ) 9...Bd5 10.Qb3 Bxc4 11.Qxc4 Nc6 12.O-O Qd7 13.d3 Qe6 $146 ( {There is an emial predecessor:} 13...O-O-O {which Aronian also mentioned at the brief post-game interview. The Armenian GM said it is also good for equality, for example} 14.Bd2 h6 15.b4 Qd5 16.Rfc1 Qxc4 17.Rxc4 Rd5 18.a4 g5 {Gierth,K (2226)-Krejcir,S (2078) ICCF email 2009} ) 14.Qxe6+ fxe6 15.Ng5 Kd7 {Ding equalized easily the game. The knight on e4 is a strong piece, but the black bishop takes good care of it. While the white bishop does not have any great perspectives. Further on, both sides can not advance their pawn majorities. In fact it might be the other-way around, both sides want to attack the opponent's majorities!} 16.f4 Be7 17.Ne4 Raf8 18.Bd2 g5 {Sort of a minority attack.} 19.g3 ( 19.Nxg5 Bxg5 20.fxg5 Nxe5 {is not advisable for White.} ) 19...Rhg8 20.Kh1 gxf4 21.gxf4 Rg6 {Thanks to the important g7-g5 move, Ding got enough space to operate with his rooks.} 22.Rac1 Rfg8 23.a3 ( {The immediate} 23.b4 {was possible, but Aronian felt it is too early. For example} 23...a6 ( 23...Rg2 24.b5 Nd8 25.Rc2 {should be also playable for Black.} ) 24.Rc4 Rg2 25.Rfc1 R8g4 $5 {with the idea to meet} 26.a4 {with} 26...Rxd2 27.Nxd2 Bxb4 28.Ne4 Rxf4 {and Black is doing fine.} ) 23...a5 24.Rf3 {White can also use the kingside to shift some rooks on to the open files.} 24...b6 25.Rh3 R8g7 26.Ng3 {Prepares the advance of the f-pawn.} 26...Nd8 ( 26...Rf7 $5 {looks quite normal as well, but Ding is not afraid of the advance.} ) 27.b4 ( 27.f5 {allows Black counter-play after} 27...exf5 28.Nxf5 Rf7 29.Nxd4 Ne6 30.Nxe6 Kxe6 31.d4 ( 31.Rxc7 $4 Rf1# ) 31...c5 ) 27...axb4 28.axb4 b5 ( {Here} 28...Rf7 29.Ne2 c5 30.b5 {gives White something to play for.} ) 29.Kg2 {Aronian decided he has time to bring the king into the center.} ( {White's whole play was designed for} 29.f5 {and this was winning a pawn after} 29...exf5 30.Nxf5 Rf7 31.Nxd4 {However, in his calculation the Armenian GM saw too much counter-play for his opponent after} 31...Rg4 $1 32.Nxb5 Ne6 33.d4 c6 {Here White considered the exciting sacrifice} 34.Ra1 ( {Retreating brings White nowhere after} 34.Na3 Nxd4 35.Nc4 Nf3 ( {Or} 35...Ke6 {in both cases with equality.} ) ) 34...cxb5 {but could not find anything. A sample line goes} 35.d5 Rf2 {(the simplest)} ( 35...Nd8 36.e6+ Nxe6 37.dxe6+ Kxe6 {should also be equal.} ) 36.dxe6+ Kxe6 37.Be3 Re2 38.Rh6+ Kxe5 39.Rxh7 Bxb4 {and everything disappears from the board.} ) 29...Nc6 {Forcing White to defend.} 30.Rb1 Rf7 31.Rh5 ( 31.Kf3 $2 Nxe5+ ) 31...Rg8 32.Rh6 ( {Or} 32.Kf3 Ra8 33.Ke4 Ra2 {and Black may even take over the initiative.} ) 32...Bf8 ( 32...Ra8 33.f5 $1 ) 33.Rh3 Be7 34.Rh6 Bf8 35.Rh3 Be7 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.05"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Cawdery, Daniel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2449"]
[ECO "A16"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7770669585455"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Nb6 6.d3 Bg7 7.Be3 Nc6 8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.Qd2 h6 10.Rc1 Be6 11.Nf3 Bh3 12.Rg1 Bg4 13.Nh4 Nd5 14.Na4 Nxe3 15.fxe3 O-O 16.b3 Qd6 17.Qc2 Rad8 18.Qc5 Qe6 19.Ng2 g5 20.Qxc6 Qe5 21.Qc3 Qd6 22.Qc4 Be6 23.Qc5 Qa6 24.Qb4 Rb8 25.Qd2 Qd6 26.Nc5 Bd5 27.Qc2 f5 28.Kf2 Kh8 29.Rgf1 f4 30.gxf4 gxf4 31.e4 f3 32.exf3 Qxh2 33.Ke1 Bd4 34.Qd2 Bg8 35.Nd7 {Cawdery had played an excellent game until this moment.} 35...Rbd8 $2 {This loses prosaically.} ( {Instead} 35...Qg3+ $1 {would have been excellent for Black. After} 36.Kd1 Rxf3 37.Rxf3 Qxf3+ 38.Qe2 Qxe2+ 39.Kxe2 Rd8 $1 {Now White can hardly grab the pawn as} ( 39...Rb7 40.Nh4 ) ( {Or} 39...Rc8 40.Nh4 {when White is clearly better.} ) 40.Rxc7 $6 ( 40.Nc5 {might be betetr instead although Black is fine after} 40...Bf7 ) 40...Be6 41.Nc5 Bg4+ 42.Kd2 Rf8 {provides huge initiative for the second player thanks to the active pieces and the outside passer.} ) 36.Nxf8 Rxf8 37.Rc6 {There is nothing to play for.} 37...Kh7 ( 37...Qg3+ 38.Kd1 Rxf3 39.Rxh6+ ) 38.Kd1 Bf7 39.Nf4 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.05"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Dai, Changren"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2427"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[ECO "C95"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[Beauty "6735314031131"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d6 9.h3 Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 c5 12.d5 Qc7 13.Bc2 c4 14.Nf1 a5 15.Ng3 Nc5 16.b3 cxb3 17.axb3 Bd7 18.Be3 Rfc8 19.Qd2 a4 20.bxa4 Nxa4 21.Bxa4 Rxa4 22.Rxa4 bxa4 23.Rc1 Qc4 24.Qc2 h5 25.Nd2 Qa6 26.c4 h4 27.Ne2 Nh5 28.Ra1 Bd8 29.Nc3 Nf4 30.Ra2 Ra8 31.Qb1 Qc8 32.Qd1 Nd3 33.Nb5 Ra6 34.Qa1 Nc5 35.Qb1 Be7 36.Qa1 Bd8 37.Qb1 Be7 38.Qa1 Kh7 39.Bxc5 Qxc5 40.Rxa4 Rxa4 41.Qxa4 Bg5 42.Nb3 Qc8 43.Kh2 Bf4+ 44.g3 $2 {The punishment for this weakening move was swift:} 44...Bxh3 $1 {All of a sudden all the black pieces surrounded the enemy king.} 45.Nxd6 ( 45.gxf4 Qg4 ) 45...hxg3+ 46.fxg3 Qg4 47.Nf5 ( 47.gxf4 Qg2# ) 47...Qh5 48.gxf4 Bxf5+ 49.Kg3 Qg4+ 50.Kf2 Qxf4+ 51.Ke2 Qxe4+ 52.Kf1 Qb1+ 53.Kf2 Qc2+ 54.Ke3 Bg4 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.05"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Lenderman, Aleksandr"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2565"]
[ECO "E32"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6530095132169"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 d5 7.Bg5 dxc4 8.Qxc4 b6 9.Rc1 Ba6 10.Qa4 Qd7 11.Qxd7 Nbxd7 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 13.e3 Bxf1 14.Kxf1 Rfc8 15.Rc6 Nd5 16.Nf3 Ne7 17.Rc2 f6 18.Ke2 Kf7 19.Rhc1 c6 20.Ne1 Ke8 21.Nd3 Kd7 22.g4 g5 23.h4 h6 24.Rh1 Rh8 25.e4 Ng6 26.h5 Ne7 27.Ke3 Rhf8 28.f3 a5 29.Rhc1 Ra7 30.Rc3 Rg8 31.b3 Rf8 32.Nb2 Re8 33.Nc4 Ra6 34.Kf2 Rd8 35.Rd3 Ke8 36.e5 f5 37.Nd6+ Kf8 38.d5 cxd5 39.Rc7 b5 40.Nxb5 Rc6 41.Nd4 Rxc7 42.Nxe6+ Kf7 43.Nxc7 d4 44.Nb5 Rd5 45.e6+ Kf6 46.Nxd4 Rd6 47.b4 axb4 48.axb4 f4 49.b5 Ke5 50.Rd2 Kf6 51.Ke1 Nd5 52.Re2 Ne3 53.e7 Kf7 54.Rd2 $4 {Inexplicable!} ( 54.Rxe3 {would be equal after} 54...fxe3 55.Nf5 Rd3 56.b6 Rb3 57.b7 Rb2 58.Kd1 Ke8 ( {Or} 58...e2+ ) ) 54...Rxd4 55.Rb2 Rd7 56.b6 Rb7 57.Ke2 Nd5 {[Dejan Bojkov]} 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.05"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Sambuev, Bator"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2522"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7768656358927"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.d4 c6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 b5 6.Ne5 {After losing to Sambuev in the same type of position at round one Wei is determined to give the Canadian GM some of his own "medicine."} 6...Bb7 7.O-O a6 8.Nc3 Bb4 9.a4 Ne7 10.Ne4 ( 10.h4 {is another way to play this line-} 10...Nd7 11.Ne4 O-O 12.h5 {as in Maze,S (2559)-Zhigalko,S (2680) Aix les Bains 2011} ) 10...Nd7 $4 $146 {A horrible blunder! And a novelty which will not attract any followers!} ( {White was also clearly better in the only predecessor after:} 10...O-O 11.Bd2 c5 12.dxc5 Bxd2 13.Qxd2 Qxd2 14.Nxd2 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 {Bruzon Batista,L (2691) -Vera Gonzalez Quevedo,R (2482) Guarenas 2012} ) 11.Bd2 $1 {The bishop on b4 is blocked and without it Black's position falls appart.} 11...Bxd2 ( 11...f5 {would weaken another key pawn:} 12.Ng5 ( 12.Bxb4 {is not bad neither.} ) 12...Bxd2 13.Nxe6 {and White wins.} ) 12.Nd6+ {This is why the bishop was needed.} 12...Kf8 13.Nexf7 ( {There was an alternative solution-} 13.Nxb7 Qc7 14.Qxd2 Qxb7 15.Nxd7+ Qxd7 16.axb5 {and White wins.} ) 13...Qc7 14.Qxd2 Nc8 15.Qf4 {It is over. White regained the pawn and kept a decisive attack for free. He soon won material and the game.} 15...Nf6 ( 15...Rg8 16.Ng5+ Ke7 17.Qf7+ Kxd6 18.Qxe6# ) 16.Nxc8 Qxf4 17.gxf4 Rxc8 18.Nxh8 Nd5 19.axb5 cxb5 20.f5 Re8 21.Rfc1 exf5 22.Bxd5 Bxd5 23.Rxa6 Rxe2 24.Rd6 Bf3 25.Ra1 b4 26.d5 c3 27.bxc3 b3 28.Rd7 Re8 29.Rf7+ Kg8 30.Re7 Rd8 31.c4 Be4 32.Rb7 Bc2 33.Nf7 Rf8 34.Ng5 Rc8 35.Raa7 f4 36.Rxg7+ Kh8 37.Rxh7+ Bxh7 38.Rxh7+ Kg8 39.Rb7 {[Dejan Bojkov]} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.05"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Black "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2620"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7974143659529"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 c5 6.Be3 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Ne7 8.c4 Nbc6 9.Qa4 a6 10.Nc3 {This looks most challenging for Black.} ( {Than} 10.Na3 Qa5+ 11.Qxa5 Nxa5 12.O-O dxc4 13.Nxf5 Nxf5 14.Bb6 Bxa3 15.bxa3 Nc6 16.f4 g5 17.Bxc4 gxf4 18.Rae1 Ne3 19.Rxf4 Nxc4 20.Rxc4 Rg8 {with equality, Leko, P (2734)-Le,Q (2681) Dortmund 2010} ) 10...dxc4 11.O-O-O Qa5 12.Qxa5 Nxa5 13.Nxf5 Nxf5 14.Bb6 Nc6 15.f4 Rc8 16.Bxc4 Bb4 17.Bb3 Ba5 18.Bf2 h5 19.Kb1 Bxc3 20.bxc3 b5 $146 ( {White had the advantage in the predecessing game:} 20...Na5 21.Bb6 Nxb3 22.axb3 O-O 23.Rd3 ( 23.c4 $5 ) 23...Rc6 24.Bd8 Rc8 25.Rhd1 Ne3 26.Rxe3 Rfxd8 27.Red3 Rxd3 28.Rxd3 Rc7 29.Kc2 Kf8 30.c4 {1/2-1/2 (30) Markgraf,A (2463)-Heinig,W (2328) Saarbruecken 2009} ) 21.Bb6 O-O 22.Rd7 Rb8 23.Bf2 Na5 24.h3 Rfc8 {Here comes the run of the day.} ( 24...h4 {seemed mandatory. For example:} 25.Bc2 Ng3 26.Bxg3 hxg3 27.Rd3 Rfc8 28.Rxg3 b4 {with counterplay.} ) 25.g4 $1 Nh6 26.g5 ( 26.Bd1 $5 ) 26...Nf5 ( 26...Nxb3 $1 {was a must!} 27.axb3 ( 27.gxh6 Nc5 ) 27...Nf5 {where White is somewhat better but Black should hold.} ) 27.g6 $1 Nxb3 ( {Or} 27...fxg6 28.Bxe6+ Kh8 29.Ba7 Ra8 30.Rg1 {and White wins.} ) 28.gxf7+ {In four moves the pawn made fantastic run and Sevian wins.} 28...Kf8 29.axb3 Nh6 ( {Perhaps Nisipeanu missed the tricky idea} 29...Rxc3 30.Be1 $1 Rxb3+ 31.Ka2 ) 30.Ba7 Ra8 31.Bd4 Rc6 32.Rg1 Nxf7 33.Rg6 Rd8 34.Rb7 Nh8 35.Rgxg7 a5 {[Dejan Bojkov]} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.07"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[ECO "C45"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7353789317129"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 5.Nb3 Bb6 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 d6 9.f3 Be6 ( 9...g5 10.Bg3 a6 11.Qd2 Qe7 12.O-O-O Be6 13.h4 O-O-O 14.Kb1 Nd7 15.Bf2 Qf6 {Dominguez Perez,L (2752)-Andreikin,D (2736) Novi Sad 2016} ) 10.Bb5 O-O 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.Qe2 $146 ( 12.Qd3 g5 13.Bg3 Nh5 14.O-O-O Qf6 15.Na4 Nxg3 16.hxg3 Bf2 17.g4 c5 18.Qc3 Qg7 {Brown,M (2252)-Fodor,T (2505) Bournemouth 2016} ) 12...g5 13.Bf2 Bxb3 14.axb3 Nd5 15.Qd2 Nxc3 16.Qxc3 f5 17.Qc4+ Kg7 18.Qxc6 fxe4 19.Bxb6 axb6 20.Rxa8 Qxa8 21.Qxc7+ Kg8 22.O-O exf3 23.Qc4+ Kg7 24.Qc3+ Kg8 25.Rxf3 Rxf3 26.gxf3 Qd5 27.Kg2 b5 28.Kg3 Kf7 29.f4 Kg6 30.Qe3 Kf5 31.fxg5 hxg5 {Once again the blunder of the day came from the match Cheparinov-Navara. The Bulgarian grandmaster was pressing throughout the whole game, but when a chance to wrap up the game occurred he let it go.} 32.h3 $2 ( 32.Qf3+ $1 {would had won. The main line runs:} 32...Qxf3+ 33.Kxf3 Ke5 ( 33...g4+ {does not help neither} 34.Ke3 Kg5 ( 34...Ke5 35.b4 Kd5 36.Kf4 {and wins.} ) 35.b4 Kh4 36.c4 Kh3 37.Kf4 $1 {stopping all the counterplay.} ) ( {Or} 33...b4 34.c3 {creating a passer.} ) 34.Kg4 Kf6 35.b4 d5 36.c3 Kg6 37.Kf3 Kf5 38.Ke3 Kg4 39.Kd4 Kh3 40.Kxd5 g4 41.c4 Kxh2 42.cxb5 g3 43.b6 g2 44.b7 g1=Q 45.b8=Q+ {and the queens are traded with checks-} 45...Kh3 46.Qh8+ ) 32...Qc5 33.Qd3+ Kf6 34.Kf3 Qe5 {Luckily for him Cheparinov got another chance.} ( 34...b4 {would have prolonged the game at least.} ) 35.Qc3 $1 {This time everything works.} 35...Qxc3+ 36.bxc3 d5 ( 36...Ke5 37.Ke3 Kd5 38.Kd3 Ke5 39.c4 b4 40.c3 ) 37.Ke3 Ke5 38.Kd3 Kf4 39.Kd4 Kg3 40.Kxd5 Kxh3 41.c4 g4 42.c5 {The "c" pawn promotes with a check.} 42...g3 43.c6 g2 44.c7 g1=Q 45.c8=Q+ 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.07"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Rodshtein, Maxim"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[Beauty "6187458239521"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.O-O Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 O-O ( 8...Nd7 9.Nd2 Qe7 10.a4 Nf8 11.Nc4 f6 12.Bd2 Ne6 13.Rab1 O-O 14.b4 Bd6 {Inarkiev,E (2680)-Jakovenko,D (2713) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013} ) 9.Nd2 Re8 10.Nc4 Nd7 11.Bd2 $146 ( 11.Qg3 f6 12.Be3 Bxe3 13.Nxe3 Nf8 14.Nf5 Qd7 15.f4 Kh8 {Inarkiev,E (2680)-Jakovenko,D (2713) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013} ) 11...Re6 12.g3 b5 13.Ne3 Bf8 14.a4 a6 15.Ra2 Nc5 16.axb5 axb5 17.Rfa1 Rxa2 18.Rxa2 Re8 19.Kg2 Ne6 20.Nf5 c5 21.Ra5 Qd7 22.Bc3 f6 23.b3 c6 24.h4 g6 25.Ne3 Bg7 26.Qg4 Rf8 27.Kg1 Qf7 28.Ra6 f5 29.exf5 gxf5 30.Qe2 Qb7 31.Ra2 Nd4 32.Bxd4 cxd4 33.Nf1 c5 34.Nd2 Bh6 35.Ra1 Qg7 36.Kh2 {Move of the day is the central break that Maxim Rodshtein delivered in his game to knock down Michael Adams.} 36...e4 $1 37.Rf1 ( {The tactical justification of the break was} 37.dxe4 d3 ) 37...e3 {Black took over the initiative and never let it go.} 38.Nf3 Kh8 39.fxe3 dxe3 40.Ng1 Rg8 41.Qf3 Qc3 42.Qe2 f4 43.g4 f3 $1 44.Nxf3 Rxg4 45.Kh3 Rg8 46.Rg1 Rf8 47.Rg4 Qf6 48.Ng5 Qf2 {This worked at the end.} ( {Here Rodshtein missed a straight win with:} 48...Bxg5 $1 49.hxg5 ( 49.Rxg5 Qf2 50.Rg2 Rf3+ {would be similar to the main line.} ) 49...Qf2 50.Rg2 Rf3+ 51.Kh2 Qh4+ 52.Kg1 Rh3 {and Black wins.} ) 49.Rg2 Bxg5 $1 50.Rxf2 exf2 51.Qf1 Be3 52.b4 cxb4 53.Qa1+ Kg8 54.Qf1 h5 55.Kh2 Kh7 56.Kh3 Rf4 57.d4 Bxd4 58.Kg2 Kh8 59.Kh3 Rf6 60.Kh2 Rf8 61.Kh3 Rf4 62.Kg2 Rg4+ 63.Kh2 Be5+ {[Dejan Bojkov]} 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.08"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[ECO "B17"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "150"]
[Beauty "4467994990621"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Ng5 Ngf6 6.Bd3 e6 7.N1f3 Bd6 8.Qe2 h6 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Qxe4 Qc7 11.O-O b6 12.Qg4 Kf8 13.Re1 c5 14.Qh4 Bb7 15.Be4 Be7 16.Qh3 Bxe4 17.Rxe4 Rd8 18.c3 Qb7 19.Re2 Kg8 20.Bf4 Nf8 21.Rae1 Ng6 22.Bc1 cxd4 23.Nxd4 Kh7 24.Qf3 Qxf3 25.Nxf3 Rd7 26.g3 Rc8 27.h4 h5 28.Kf1 Kg8 29.Rd2 Rdc7 30.Rd3 Kf8 31.Bd2 Ke8 32.Bg5 f6 33.Be3 Kf7 34.Red1 b5 35.Rd7 Nf8 36.Rxc7 Rxc7 37.Ke2 Nd7 38.Kd3 a6 39.Ra1 Bc5 40.a4 b4 41.cxb4 Bxb4 42.Rc1 Rxc1 43.Bxc1 Bc5 44.Ke2 e5 45.Bd2 Ke6 46.Be1 Kd5 47.b3 e4 48.Nd2 Ne5 49.f3 f5 50.fxe4+ fxe4 51.Nf1 Nd3 52.Bc3 Nc1+ 53.Kd1 Nxb3 54.Bxg7 e3 55.Bb2 Ke4 56.Ke2 Bd4 57.Ba3 a5 58.g4 hxg4 59.Ng3+ Ke5 60.Nf1 Kf4 61.Bd6+ Ke4 62.Ng3+ Kd5 63.Bc7 Kc6 64.Bf4 Nc1+ 65.Kd1 Nd3 66.Bg5 Kd5 67.h5 Nf2+ 68.Ke2 Ne4 69.Nxe4 Kxe4 70.h6 g3 71.h7 g2 {The move of the day is the study that Duda created on the board:} 72.Bxe3 $1 Bxe3 73.h8=Q g1=Q 74.Qh1+ $3 Kd4 ( 74...Qxh1 {Stalemate!} ) 75.Qe4+ $1 Kxe4 {Stalemate! [Dejan Bojkov]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.09"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[ECO "A35"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "6254567102985"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nc7 7.a3 g6 8.h4 ( 8.d3 Bg7 9.Be3 Ne6 10.h4 h6 11.O-O Bd7 12.Ne4 b6 13.b4 cxb4 14.d4 f5 15.Ned2 Nc7 {Svidler,P (2759)-Karjakin,S (2774) Almaty 2016} ) 8...Bg4 $146 ( 8...h6 9.d3 Bg7 10.Be3 Ne6 11.O-O Qd7 12.Rc1 O-O 13.Na4 b6 14.b4 f5 {Svidler,P (2759)-Karjakin,S (2774) Almaty 2016} ) 9.d3 Bg7 10.Be3 Nd4 11.Bxd4 cxd4 12.Ne4 O-O 13.O-O b6 14.Rc1 Qd7 15.Nh2 Bf5 16.Ng5 Nd5 17.Qb3 Rfd8 18.g4 Be6 19.Nxe6 Qxe6 20.Rc2 Be5 21.Nf3 Bg7 22.g5 Qf5 23.Rfc1 Nf4 24.Bf1 h6 25.Rc7 Nd5 26.Rb7 hxg5 27.hxg5 {Blunder of the day. Vidit missed a chance to practically decide the game. Instead of} 27...Rdb8 {which led only to a draw,} ( {The Indian GM could had won with the brilliant idea:} 27...Qg4+ 28.Kh1 ( 28.Bg2 {loses simply after} 28...Nf4 29.Ne1 Nxe2+ ) 28...Be5 $3 {The threat is 29...Kg8-g7 and mate along the h-file. Black wins in all the lines:} 29.Bg2 ( 29.Nxe5 Qxg5 {regains the piece and wins at least a pawn.} ) ( 29.Rc6 {would allow the attack on the h-file} 29...Kg7 30.Bg2 Rh8+ 31.Kg1 Rh2 ) 29...Bd6 ( 29...Bb8 {would also do the job.} ) 30.Qxd5 Qh5+ 31.Kg1 Bh2+ 32.Nxh2 Rxd5 33.Bxd5 Qxg5+ ) 28.Rxb8+ Rxb8 29.Bh3 $1 {Reducing the attacking potential of the black pieces.} 29...Qxh3 30.Qxd5 Rc8 31.Rxc8+ Qxc8 32.Kg2 ( 32.Nxd4 $4 Qg4+ ) 32...Qg4+ 33.Kf1 Qh3+ 34.Kg1 Qg4+ 35.Kf1 Qh3+ 36.Kg1 Qg4+ 37.Kh2 Qf4+ 38.Kg2 {[Dejan Bojkov]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.09"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[ECO "C55"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7837644261430"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Nc6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.Bb3 {Prophylaxis against 6...d7-d5.} ( {In case of} 6.c3 d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 Bg4 {White can hardly go for the e5 pawn as if} 9.h3 Bh5 10.g4 Bg6 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Rxe5 Nb6 $1 {Puts a question on the bishop on c4 and the pawn on d3.} ) ( 6.Re1 {is the other prophylactical move.} ) 6...d6 ( {In comparison to the above-mentioned line} 6...d5 {is less effective. White goes} 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 ( 8.h3 {is a calmer way to play the position.} ) 8...Bg4 9.h3 Bh5 10.g4 Bg6 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Rxe5 {and his bishop and pawn on d3 are safe. True, Kasparov tried this as Black against Kramnik in Novgorod 1995, but Carlsen and Bu probably knew something more about the position.} ) 7.c3 Be6 8.Re1 Qd7 9.Nbd2 Rab8 $146 {A novelty and a somewhat mysterious move, which prepares... d6-d5! The point is that after the trade on d5 Black often has problems with his e5 pawn. Bu wants to meet the Bb3-a4 idea with timely b7-b5, thus breaking the pin and safeguarding the pawn.} ( {Previously only} 9...Rad8 {has been tested with slow positional battle after} 10.Nf1 h6 11.h3 a6 12.Ng3 Rfe8 ( 12...d5 $5 ) 13.a4 {Lorenzini,M (2482)-Vajda,L (2612) Istanbul 2012} ) 10.Bc2 {A typical retreat to keep the tension.} 10...d5 $5 {Here we go. Black sacrifices his central pawn like in the Marshall line of the Ruy Lopez.} 11.h3 {And the World Champion rejects the offer. With this move White covers the g4 spot and threatens Nf3-g5.} ( {Apparently Carlsen disliked the black pieces getting too close to his king. After} 11.exd5 Bxd5 ( 11...Nxd5 {is also possible but a far inferior version of the game continuation for Black after} 12.Nxe5 Nxe5 13.Rxe5 Bd6 14.Re1 ) ( 11...Qxd5 12.Nc4 Nd7 13.Bb3 {looks awkward for Black.} ) 12.Nxe5 ( 12.Nc4 $5 ) 12...Nxe5 13.Rxe5 Bd6 14.Re1 Ng4 {is probably the move that annoyed Carlsen, although} ( 14...Rfe8 {should give Black compensation for a pawn similar to the Marshall Gambit.} ) 15.Nf1 {seems solid enough for White. Black however has compensation for a pawn after} 15...Rbe8 ) ( 11.Ng5 Bg4 {gives nothing to White.} ) 11...h6 ( 11...dxe4 {was also possible} 12.dxe4 h6 13.Qe2 {where White is a little better.} ) 12.exd5 {Nor Carlsen snatches the pawn, but he misses an important detail.} 12...Nxd5 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.Rxe5 Bd6 15.Re1 {This is inaccurate.} ( {Trickier was} 15.Re4 $5 {when} 15...Bxh3 {no longer works due to} ( {Which means that Black has to search for compensation with} 15...Nf6 $5 ) ( {Or} 15...f5 ) 16.gxh3 Qxh3 17.Nf3 Rbe8 18.Rh4 $1 ) 15...Bxh3 $1 {This detail! Black has either a guaranteed draw or a strong attack!} 16.gxh3 Qxh3 17.Nf1 {Carlsen decides to play for a win!} ( {A draw would be forced after} 17.Qf3 Bh2+ {is perpetual at once after} 18.Kh1 Bg3+ 19.Kg1 Rbe8 $5 {A winning attempt.} ( 19...Bh2+ {is perpetual at once after} 20.Kh1 Bg3+ ) 20.Re4 $1 ( {Not} 20.Rxe8 $2 Rxe8 21.fxg3 Re3 {and Black wins.} ) 20...Bh2+ {and perpetual.} ( {Black cannot play for a win} 20...f5 $2 21.Qxg3 ) ) 17...Rbe8 18.d4 {An inaccuracy according to Bu. The idea is Bc2-e4-g2 to cover the king.} ( 18.Bb3 c6 19.d4 {might transpose into the game.} ) ( {The Chinese grandmaster suggested instead} 18.Bd2 {This is also the computer's suggestion which claims equality. A possible line runs:} 18...g5 19.Rxe8 Rxe8 20.d4 c6 21.c4 Nf6 22.Be3 Ng4 23.Bf5 Bh2+ 24.Kh1 Bd6+ {with perpetual. Of course, this is just a fragment of the possibilities for both the sides, although it is clear that Black has all the fun.} ) 18...f5 $1 {This not only stops White's intentions but prepares a rook lift along the sixth rank.} 19.Bb3 ( {Another exciting computer line runs} 19.f4 Bxf4 20.Bb3 Bh2+ 21.Nxh2 Qg3+ 22.Kf1 Qh3+ 23.Kf2 ( 23.Kg1 Qg3+ ) 23...Qxh2+ 24.Kf1 Qh1+ {with perpetual.} ) 19...c6 20.f4 ( {It is too late for} 20.Bd2 {For example} 20...Kh7 21.Re2 Rf6 22.Ng3 Rg6 23.Qf1 Qh5 {and Black's attack seems crushing.} ) 20...Kh7 {Rf8-f6-g6 is in the air.} 21.Bxd5 $2 {Unsurprisingly, Carlsen got low on time and had to make difficult decisions with less and less resources.} ( 21.Re2 $1 {was best instead with the idea to get rid of the queens after} 21...Nxf4 22.Rh2 ) 21...cxd5 22.Re3 ( {If} 22.Re5 {both} 22...g5 ( {And the simple} 22...Bxe5 23.dxe5 g5 24.Qxd5 gxf4 {provide Black huge attack for free.} ) ) 22...Rxe3 23.Bxe3 g5 $1 {Very powerful play by Bu! Perhaps Carlsen underestimated this move. Now besides the rook, the f-pawns enter the attack. And a pawn may tip the attacking balance in Black's favor!} ( {White would have evacuated his king after} 23...Rf6 24.Kf2 Qh4+ 25.Ke2 ) 24.Kf2 ( {Here is a line where the f-pawn speaks for itself:} 24.fxg5 f4 25.Bf2 ( {Or} 25.Qc2+ Rf5 26.Bxf4 ( 26.Bf2 f3 $1 27.Bh4 hxg5 ) 26...Bxf4 ) 25...f3 ) 24...gxf4 25.Qf3 {The most resilient.} ( {White is getting mated after} 25.Bd2 Qh4+ 26.Ke2 f3+ $1 {For example:} 27.Kxf3 Rg8 28.Qc2 Qg4+ 29.Kf2 Bg3+ 30.Nxg3 Qxg3+ 31.Ke2 Qg2+ 32.Kd1 Qf3+ 33.Kc1 Rg1+ ) 25...fxe3+ 26.Nxe3 Qh2+ 27.Kf1 {Black regained the pawn and is in fact up in material. He also kept a huge attack and is obviously winning.} 27...Rg8 ( {Black avoids any complications possible after} 27...Qxb2 28.Re1 Qxc3 29.Qxd5 ) ( {Right after the game Bu thought that the text move was a mistake and he suggested} 27...Bf4 {or} ) ( 27...Rf6 {but ... Rg8 is fine.} ) 28.Qxf5+ Rg6 29.Ke1 {Missed by Bu.} ( 29.Re1 {would not help neither after} 29...Kg7 30.Qd7+ Kh8 31.Qd8+ Rg8 32.Qf6+ Rg7 33.a3 ( 33.Nxd5 Qg2# ) 33...Kg8 34.Ng4 Qh3+ ) 29...h5 {Bu slips a step away from the win. With 20 minutes on the clock against seconds for his opponent the Chinese GM loses his calm.} ( 29...Kg7 $1 {would had won. The position is very complicated and there are plenty of checks but Black can escape those-} 30.Qd7+ Kh8 31.Qd8+ Kh7 32.Qd7+ Rg7 33.Qf5+ Kh8 34.Rc1 ( 34.Rd1 Rg1+ 35.Nf1 Bg3+ 36.Qf2 Qxf2# ) ( 34.Qc8+ Rg8 35.Qf5 Rg1+ 36.Nf1 Qxb2 ) 34...Rg1+ 35.Nf1 Qxb2 {and Black wins.} ) 30.Kd1 {Played with five seconds on the clock!} ( {Carlsen missed a chance to complicate matters with} 30.Rd1 $1 {Bringing the rook into the game.} 30...Kh6 31.Rd2 Rg1+ 32.Nf1 Qf4 33.Qe6+ Rg6 34.Qe8 {Black is still much better, but not certainly winning.} ) 30...Kh6 {Now it is practically over. Black combines the advance of the h-passer with the attack against the enemy king to wrap the game up.} 31.Nc2 h4 32.Ne1 h3 ( {Still avoiding the small fish} 32...Qxb2 ) 33.Nf3 Qg2 34.Ne1 Qg4+ 35.Qxg4 Rxg4 36.Nf3 Rg1+ $1 {A neat finish of a brilliant game!} 37.Nxg1 h2 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.10"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Sethuraman, SP."]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2618"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "B92"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[Beauty "4330484708950"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Be3 Be6 9.Qd3 O-O 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Nd5 Bxd5 12.exd5 Rc8 13.c4 g6 ( 13...Ne8 14.Qd2 b6 15.Rac1 a5 16.Na1 g6 17.b4 Ng7 18.bxa5 bxa5 19.Bd3 Nc5 {Carlsen,M (2853)-Grischuk,A (2771) Saint Louis 2015} ) 14.Rac1 Ne8 15.Qd2 $146 ( 15.Rfd1 b6 16.Qd2 Ng7 17.Na1 Nf5 18.b4 Nxe3 19.fxe3 f5 20.Nb3 Bg5 21.c5 f4 {Carlsen,M (2853)-Grischuk,A (2771) Saint Louis 2015} ) 15...Ng7 16.Na5 {Giri sacrifices a pawn but will not really get compensation.} 16...Nf5 17.Nxb7 Qc7 18.Na5 Nxe3 19.fxe3 Bg5 20.b4 Qb6 21.Rf3 f5 22.Nc6 f4 23.Qc2 $1 {This simple-looking move refutes everything.} 23...fxe3 $6 {And this loses instantly.} 24.Rg3 Bh4 ( {Also after} 24...Bf6 25.Rxg6+ {is possible.} ) 25.Rxg6+ $1 Kh8 ( 25...hxg6 26.Qxg6+ Kh8 27.Qh5+ $1 Kg7 28.Qg4+ ) 26.Rxd6 Nf6 27.g3 Qc7 28.Re6 Bxg3 29.hxg3 Qg7 {In a mind-boggling game Sethuraman played brilliantly until he reached a winning position but the tenacious defense of Anish Giri prevented him to advance in the next stage of the tournament. Still, the Indian player had plenty of chances to wrap up the game. I will show two to our viewers. Instead of} 30.Bf3 ( 30.Kg2 {was fine but the flashy} ) ( {Sethuraman could had won in a study-like way with:} 30.g4 $1 Nxg4 31.Rg6 $1 {The key move. White locks the g-file and safeguards the king.} ( {Most likely both players calculated the lines after} 31.Bxg4 Qxg4+ 32.Qg2 Qh4 33.Nxe5 Rf2 34.Nf7+ Rxf7 35.Re4 Qh6 36.Qb2+ Rg7+ 37.Rg4 Rg8 38.Rc2 Qh4 39.Rxg7 Qe1+ 40.Kh2 Qh4+ 41.Kg1 Rxg7+ 42.Rg2 Qe1+ 43.Kh2 Qh4+ {which would end in a draw.} ) 31...hxg6 ( {Or} 31...Qxg6 32.Qxg6 hxg6 33.Bxg4 {with an easy win in the endgame.} ) 32.Bxg4 {is also completely winning.} 32...Rf2 ( {Or} 32...Qh6 33.Qh2 ) 33.Qe4 Rcf8 ( {In case of} 33...Qh6 {White can be even greedy} 34.Qxe5+ Kh7 35.Bxc8 {as his queen is so nicely centralized.} ) 34.Qxe3 {and wins.} ) 30...e2 31.g4 Nxd5 32.Qxe2 Nf4 33.Qxe5 Nxe6 34.Qxe6 Rce8 35.Qd5 Rf4 36.Rf1 Re3 37.Qd8+ Rf8 38.Qd5 Rf4 39.Rf2 $2 ( 39.Kh2 ) 39...Re1+ $2 ( {Giri had more than eight minutes on the clock here, which should have been enough to find} 39...Rexf3 $1 40.Rxf3 Rxg4+ 41.Kf2 Qb2+ {and Black gives a perpetual in all lines.} ) 40.Kh2 Qh6+ {The second moment arose. Both players just finished the time-trouble phase and White had enough time to chose wise his retreat square for the king.} 41.Kg2 ( 41.Kg3 $1 {would have been safer for the king. White wins, although the lines are quite complicated. Some sample lines:} 41...Rg1+ ( {Or} 41...Qf6 42.g5 Qf8 43.Re2 Rxe2 44.Bxe2 ) 42.Bg2 Rxf2 43.Kxf2 Qc1 44.Qd4+ Kg8 45.Bd5+ Kf8 46.Qh8# ) 41...Qh4 42.Qd7 Rxc4 {And Giri somehow survived this chess thriller.} 43.Qc8+ Kg7 44.Qd7+ Kh8 45.Nd4 h5 46.Rf1 hxg4 47.Bxg4 Rxf1 48.Kxf1 Qf6+ 49.Nf3 $6 ( {The last of many wins was} 49.Bf5 $1 Rc1+ ( 49...Qh4 50.Qe8+ Kg7 51.Qg6+ Kh8 52.Nf3 Rc1+ 53.Kg2 Qh1+ 54.Kg3 ) 50.Ke2 Qe5+ 51.Kd3 Qg3+ 52.Ke4 Qh4+ 53.Bg4 ) 49...Rxb4 50.Qc8+ Kg7 51.Qc7+ Kh6 52.Qh2+ Kg7 53.Qc7+ Kh6 54.Qc1+ Kg7 55.Qd1 Rxg4 56.Qd7+ Kf8 57.Qc8+ Ke7 58.Qxg4 Qa1+ 59.Kg2 Qxa2+ 60.Kg3 Qe6 61.Qg7+ Kd6 62.Qa7 Qg6+ 63.Kf4 Qf6+ 64.Ke3 Qc3+ ( {Giri completely missed} 64...Qe7+ 65.Qxe7+ Kxe7 {here. :-)} ) 65.Ke4 Qb4+ 66.Nd4 Qe1+ 67.Kd3 Qd1+ 68.Kc3 Qa1+ 69.Kc2 Qa2+ 70.Kd3 Qb1+ 71.Ke3 Qg1+ 72.Kd2 Qf2+ 73.Kc3 Qe1+ 74.Kb2 Qb4+ 75.Nb3 a5 76.Qa6+ Kc7 77.Qxa5+ Qxa5 78.Nxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.10"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8251307230798"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 c5 7.Rb1 Be7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Bc4 Qc7 ( 9...Nc6 10.O-O b6 11.Be3 ( 11.d5 Na5 12.Bd3 c4 13.Bc2 exd5 14.exd5 Bb7 15.Re1 Bf6 ( 15...Re8 16.Ba4 Rf8 17.Bf4 Bd6 18.Bg5 f6 19.Be3 Bc7 20.Nd4 Qxd5 21.Qg4 f5 22.Qh3 f4 23.Bc1 {1/2-1/2 (23) Matlakov,M (2714)-Shimanov,A (2642) Minsk BLR 2017} ) 16.d6 Re8 17.Rxe8+ Qxe8 18.Bf4 Rd8 19.Bf5 g6 20.d7 Qf8 21.Bh3 Be4 22.Rc1 Qc5 23.Qe2 Bf5 24.Rd1 Bxh3 25.gxh3 Kg7 26.Rd6 Bxc3 27.Ng5 Qf5 28.Qe7 h6 29.Ne6+ Kh7 30.Nxd8 Qxf4 31.Nxf7 {1-0 Svidler,P (2749)-Hou Yifan (2666) Geneva SUI 2017} ) 11...cxd4 12.cxd4 Bb7 13.Qe2 Rc8 14.Rfd1 Qc7 {Navara,D (2737)-Dominguez Perez,L (2739) Saint Louis 2017} ) 10.Qe2 a6 11.a4 $146 ( 11.O-O b5 12.Bd3 Nd7 13.h4 e5 14.h5 h6 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.dxe5 c4 17.Bc2 Qxe5 {Navara,D (2737)-Dominguez Perez,L (2739) Saint Louis 2017} ) 11...cxd4 12.cxd4 Bd7 13.O-O Rc8 14.Bd3 Bxa4 15.d5 Nd7 ( {Matlakov said that after} 15...exd5 16.exd5 Bb5 {"it should be a draw."} ) 16.e5 exd5 $2 ( {The only move was} 16...Nc5 {when} 17.d6 Qd7 18.Bxh7+ Kxh7 19.dxe7 Qd3 $1 {is equal.} ) 17.e6 $1 Nf8 18.exf7+ Kxf7 19.Nd4 $2 ( {Winning was} 19.Re1 ) 19...Bf6 $2 {Move of the day would be the neat sacrifice which allowed Matlakov a chance to play the tie-break tomorrow against Aronian.} ( {Here} 19...Kg8 $1 {is suddenly OK again for Black.} ) 20.Bxh7 $1 {More or less deciding the game.} 20...Qe5 ( {White's attack is irresistible after} 20...Nxh7 21.Qe6+ Kf8 22.Ba3+ Be7 23.Rbc1 {wins material.} ( 23.Qxd5 Ke8 24.Bxe7 Kxe7 25.Rfe1+ ) ) ( {Beautiful is:} 20...g6 21.Bxg6+ $1 Kxg6 ( 21...Nxg6 22.Qe6+ Kg7 23.Nf5+ Kh7 24.Qxf6 {wins simply.} ) 22.Qg4+ Kf7 ( 22...Kh7 23.Qf5+ Kg8 24.Qxf6 {is a win as well.} ) 23.Nf5 $1 {Threatening the bishop on a4, thus winning a decisive tempo to conclude the kingside attack-} 23...Bd7 24.Qh5+ Kg8 25.Nh6+ Kh8 26.Ng4+ ) 21.Rxb7+ Bd7 ( {Or} 21...Ke8 {when White can even trade the queens with} 22.Qxe5+ ( {Although} 22.Qd2 {is simplier} ) 22...Bxe5 23.Ba3 Bxd4 24.Re1+ Kd8 25.Be7+ Ke8 26.Bb4+ Kd8 27.Ba5+ {and wins} ) ( 21...Nd7 22.Qg4 {would be as in the game.} ) 22.Qg4 $1 Qxd4 23.Rxd7+ Nxd7 24.Qxd7+ Be7 25.Re1 ( {Even prettier was} 25.Bb2 $1 {with the point} 25...Qxb2 26.Qxd5+ Ke8 27.Bg6+ Kf8 28.Qf7# ) 25...Qe5 {Nice but insufficient.} ( 25...Re8 26.Qe6+ Kf8 27.Qg8# ) 26.Bd2 $1 ( 26.Rxe5 $4 Rxc1+ 27.Re1 Rxe1# ) 26...Rd8 {Black resigned due to the line:} ( 26...Qf6 27.Bb4 Re8 28.Qxd5+ Kf8 29.Qg8# ) 27.Qg4 Qd6 28.Bb4 Qxb4 29.Qe6+ Ke8 30.Bg6+ Kf8 31.Qf7# 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.11"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "A05"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[Beauty "4814679369272"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.O-O g6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Bg7 7.c4 O-O 8.Nc2 d6 9.Nc3 Be6 10.b3 Qd7 11.Bb2 Bh3 12.Ne3 Rfd8 13.Qb1 Bxg2 14.Kxg2 e6 15.Rd1 a6 16.Rd2 Ne5 17.f3 b5 18.Ne4 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 bxc4 20.bxc4 Rab8 21.Rad1 f5 22.Qf4 $4 {A huge blunder.} 22...g5 {Suddenly the queen is short of squares.} ( {There was another way to win the piece-} 22...Rxb2 23.Rxb2 Nf7 24.Rb6 g5 25.Rdxd6 Nxd6 26.Qxg5 Nf7 ) 23.Qxe5 {Grischuk took the bullet and chose the bravest and most practical decision: to sacrifice the queen!} ( 23.Qxg5 {instead will lead to a position where White is "only" down a piece, but has no compensation whatsoever, and no play at all-} 23...Rxb2 24.Rxb2 Nf7 25.Qh5 Bxb2 {and Black would easily convert the extra piece.} ) 23...Bxe5 24.Bxe5 Qa7 25.Bd4 {Now at least some mess is there. Although, a whole queen for two light pieces only should be an easy win, right?} 25...Qe7 26.Bb2 Rbc8 27.Ba3 f4 28.Ng4 h5 29.Nf2 Rxc4 30.Bxd6 Qh7 31.g4 Kf7 32.gxh5 Rc2 33.Ne4 Rxd2 34.Nxg5+ Kg8 35.Rxd2 Qg7 ( 35...Qxh5 36.Ne4 Qh6 ) 36.h4 {And it got really difficult for Navara to convert the advantage.} 36...Qc3 37.Bb4 Qxd2 38.Bxd2 Rxd2 39.a4 Rxe2+ 40.Kh3 Kg7 41.Kg4 e5 42.Ne4 Re3 ( 42...Kh6 $1 43.Kf5 Ra2 44.Nc5 Ra3 {should have won.} ) ( 42...Rxe4 $1 43.fxe4 a5 44.Kf3 Kh7 {also wins.} ) 43.Nc5 a5 44.Nb7 Rc3 45.Nxa5 Kf6 46.h6 Rc1 47.Nb7 Rg1+ 48.Kh5 Kf7 49.a5 Kg8 50.Nc5 Rg3 51.Nd7 Rxf3 52.Nxe5 Re3 53.Ng4 Rg3 54.a6 Ra3 55.Kg5 Ra4 56.Ne5 Kh7 57.a7 Rxa7 58.Kxf4 Kxh6 59.Kf5 Kh5 60.Kf4 Kxh4 61.Nf3+ Kh5 62.Ne5 Ra8 63.Kf5 Rf8+ 64.Ke4 Kg5 65.Nf3+ Kg4 66.Ne5+ Kg3 67.Kd5 Rd8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.11"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2687"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[ECO "B50"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8179899454988"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3 Nf6 4.Bd3 g6 5.Bc2 Bg7 6.d4 cxd4 7.cxd4 O-O 8.O-O Bg4 ( 8...Nc6 9.h3 e5 10.d5 Ne7 11.Nc3 h6 12.Be3 Kh8 13.Nd2 Ne8 {Khismatullin,D (2679)-Gordievsky,D (2471) Khanty-Mansiysk 2014} ) 9.Nbd2 Nc6 10.h3 Bd7 11.Re1 Rc8 12.a3 b5 $146 ( 12...Qb6 13.Nb3 Na5 14.Nxa5 Qxa5 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bd2 Qb6 17.Bc3 Ne8 18.Qd2 Nc7 {Ghaem Maghami,E (2623) -Ibrahimov, R (2501) Teheran 2005} ) 13.Bd3 Qb6 14.Nb3 Na5 15.Nxa5 Qxa5 16.Bd2 Qb6 17.Bg5 ( 17.Qe2 $5 ) 17...Rfe8 18.Qd2 a5 19.Bh6 b4 20.axb4 axb4 21.e5 Nd5 22.Be4 e6 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Nh2 Ne7 25.Ng4 Ng8 26.Re3 dxe5 27.dxe5 Bc6 ( 27...Red8 $5 ) 28.Bxc6 Rxc6 29.Rf3 Rd8 30.Qf4 Qc7 31.Nf6 Rc4 32.Qe3 {Black has to suffer a lot in order to deserve the half point. But there was no need to lose the game in one move.} 32...Rcd4 $4 33.Qxd4 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.11"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[ECO "E00"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7837400715280"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Be7 5.Bg2 d5 6.Nf3 O-O 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Bc3 ( 8.Bf4 c6 9.Nc3 b6 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Rc1 Bb7 12.Qc2 Re8 13.Rfd1 Nf8 14.e4 dxe4 15.Ne5 Nd5 {Dominguez Perez,L (2739)-Caruana,F (2807) Saint Louis 2017} ) 8...c6 9.b3 Ne4 10.Bb2 b6 11.Nfd2 Ndf6 $146 ( 11...Nd6 12.e4 Ba6 13.Na3 Rc8 14.Re1 dxe4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 Nf6 17.Bg2 b5 18.c5 Qc7 19.Nc2 Rfd8 20.Qc1 Nd5 21.Qd2 Rb8 22.a3 Bc8 23.b4 h6 {1/2 Bratchenko, A (2390) -Belikov,V (2480) Kazan 1995} ) 12.Qc2 Nxd2 13.Nxd2 Bb7 14.e4 dxe4 15.Nxe4 Qc7 16.c5 Rfd8 17.Rfe1 Rd7 18.Ng5 bxc5 $2 {The move of the day was the beautiful central break that helped Ding get through to the next round.} ( 18...h6 {was mandatory although White is better after} 19.Nf3 bxc5 20.dxc5 Rd5 21.b4 ) 19.d5 $1 {Not too difficult after checking the lines, but this happens on a square which is defended four times!} 19...cxd5 ( 19...exd5 20.Bxf6 {is the same.} ) ( 19...Nxd5 20.Qxh7+ Kf8 21.Qh8# ) ( 19...Rxd5 {would lose a rook:} 20.Bxd5 cxd5 21.Bxf6 {and now} 21...Bxf6 22.Qxh7+ Kf8 {loses even more material.} 23.Rxe6 $1 ) 20.Bxf6 g6 ( {Alas, Black cannot capture the bishop due to} 20...Bxf6 21.Qxh7+ Kf8 22.Rxe6 $1 g6 ( 22...fxe6 23.Nxe6+ ) 23.Rxf6 {with winning attack.} ) 21.Qb2 {White is not only up a piece, but he also enjoys nice attack due to the weakened dark squares on the black kingside.} 21...h6 22.Nf3 d4 23.Bxe7 Rxe7 24.Ne5 Bxg2 25.Kxg2 Rd8 26.Rac1 Rd5 27.Qe2 Kg7 28.Rc4 f6 29.Nd3 e5 30.Qf3 Qd8 31.Rxc5 Rxc5 32.Nxc5 Qa5 33.Rc1 Qxa2 34.Ne6+ $1 {A nice way to finish the game.} 34...Rxe6 ( {Or} 34...Kf7 35.Qd5 Rxe6 36.Rc7+ ) 35.Qb7+ Kf8 36.Rc8+ Re8 37.Rc7 Qa3 38.Rf7+ 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.12"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[Beauty "5296789450818"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 a6 7.a4 h6 8.Re1 O-O 9.h3 a5 {"I got surprised by Sasha's idea. It seems as Black is losing time, but it is important to stop the b2-b4 advance before going for Bc8-e6." (Vachier-Lagrave)} ( 9...Re8 10.Nbd2 Be6 11.Bxe6 Rxe6 12.b4 Ba7 13.Qc2 {Anand,V (2786)-So,W (2812) Leuven 2017} ) ( {Vachier-Lagrave already played in Tbilisi against the other possibility:} 9...Ba7 10.Nbd2 Ne7 ( {Instead} 10...Be6 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.b4 Qe8 13.Nf1 Nh5 14.Be3 {is what the big guys are discussing these days, Karjakin,S (2773) -So,W (2810) Saint Louis 2017} ) 11.Bb3 Ng6 12.d4 Re8 13.a5 c6 $146 14.Bc2 Be6 15.Nf1 Qc7 16.Ng3 Rad8 17.Be3 Qb8 18.Qc1 Qc8 {which was already featured in our "Blunder of the Day." This move allows a very typical (for this line) sacrifice.} 19.Bxh6 $1 {and White soon won in Vachier-Lagrave,M (2804)-Khusenkhojaev,M (2455) Tbilisi FIDE World Cup 2017} ) 10.Nbd2 Be6 11.Bb5 $146 {"I decided to try my luck in this opposite-colored bishop position." (Vachier-Lagrave)} ( {Black is fine after} 11.Bxe6 fxe6 {followed by Qd8-e8-g6 and Nf6-h5-f4.} ) 11...Na7 12.d4 Nxb5 {A must.} ( {After} 12...exd4 13.cxd4 Bb4 {White will save the bishop with} 14.Bd3 ) 13.dxc5 Na7 14.b3 Re8 {Grischuk can be happy with the opening outcome. The position is approximately equal. Vachier-Lagrave now starts to squeeze something out of it.} 15.cxd6 Qxd6 16.Ba3 Qa6 {The queen is somewhat misplaced here but this is only temporary.} ( {I really doubt that Black considered the computer's best choice} 16...c5 ) ( 16...Qd8 $6 {would allow} 17.Nxe5 Bxb3 ( {Or} 17...Bxh3 18.Nxf7 $1 {with a tempo.} ) 18.Qxb3 Rxe5 19.Rad1 {and White is clearly better.} ) 17.b4 ( {Here} 17.Nxe5 {is no longer good as after} 17...Bxh3 18.Nxf7 Bg4 {as the knight is trapped.} ) 17...axb4 18.cxb4 b5 19.Bb2 Nc6 {Brings the knight back into the battlefield.} ( {Worse was} 19...Nd7 20.Nxe5 Nxe5 21.Bxe5 Nc6 22.axb5 Qxb5 23.Bxc7 {when White wins a pawn.} ) 20.Nxe5 Nxb4 21.Re3 $5 {Playing for a win (or with fire). The rook is transferred for a kingside attack.} ( {Objectively correct was} 21.axb5 Qxb5 22.Rxa8 Rxa8 {when everything disappears and the game should peter out in a draw.} ) 21...bxa4 22.Rg3 Red8 $1 {Active prophylaxis against White's attacking intentions. Grischuk plays for a win despite the time deficit on his clock.} ( {The passive prophylaxis} 22...Kh8 {would have allowed the queen shift} 23.Qf3 {and although the computer claims that Black's chances are somewhat higher after} 23...Qd6 24.Ndc4 Qe7 {this is not a position which the human being wants to play. With the black pieces I mean.} ) ( {In case of the immediate} 22...Kh7 {White can change his mind and regain the pawn with} 23.Rga3 ) 23.Qf3 $1 {Nevertheless!} 23...Kh7 ( 23...Rxd2 {is of course a blunder due to} 24.Qxf6 ) 24.Ndc4 {Going all in.} 24...Nc2 {"I felt I should be lost here, although I could not see a clear win for him." (Vachier-Lagrave)} 25.Rxg7+ $1 {The long diagonal is cleared and the question is: can White break through?} ( {The moves cannot be transposed. If} 25.Nc6 {Grischuk may just defend with} 25...Rg8 {leaving the majority of the white pieces hanging.} ) 25...Kxg7 26.Nc6 $1 {Clears the long diagonal and keeps the black queen away.} 26...Nd4 $1 {Grischuk blitzed this!} ( 26...Qxc6 $2 {would be a blunder. After the forcing} 27.Qxf6+ Kf8 28.Qh8+ Ke7 29.Bf6+ Kd7 {White has a choice of wins. The trivial one is} 30.Rd1+ ( {But there is also the brilliant} 30.Ne5+ Kd6 31.Be7+ $1 Kxe7 32.Nxc6+ Kd7 33.Nxd8 Nxa1 34.Qd4+ $1 Kc8 35.Nxe6 ) ) ( {Another defensive idea was} 26...Rg8 {but after} 27.Qxf6+ Kh7 28.N4e5 {White has plenty of compensation for the exchange.} ) 27.Nxd4 {The bishop should stay on the board.} ( 27.Bxd4 $2 {loses after} 27...Rxd4 $1 28.Nxd4 Qxc4 ) 27...Bxc4 ( {It is understandable that with less than two minutes on the clock Grischuk does not want to enter a line like this:} 27...Qxc4 28.Nc6 $1 Rg8 ( {Suprisingly, the position is approximately balanced even after} 28...Qxc6 29.Qxf6+ Kf8 30.Qh8+ Ke7 31.Bf6+ Kd7 32.Rd1+ Kc8 33.Qxd8+ Kb7 34.Qd4 Bb3 ) 29.Ne7 Kh7 30.Nxg8 Nxg8 31.Qg3 {Here best is} 31...Nf6 ( {Instead} 31...f6 {allows} 32.Rc1 Qa2 33.Rxc7+ Bf7 34.e5 {with attack, which actually might also end in a draw after say} 34...Re8 35.exf6 Qb1+ 36.Kh2 Qg6 37.Qf3 ) 32.Bxf6 Rg8 33.Qf3 Qb3 {and Black is a little better.} ) ( {In case of} 27...Rxd4 28.Bxd4 Bxc4 {White has a cute way to force a draw with} 29.Rxa4 $1 Qxa4 30.Qxf6+ Kf8 31.Bc5+ Kg8 32.Bd4 {and despite the extra rook Black cannot avoid the repetition.} ) 28.e5 {Also played instantly. The computer does not approve it though.} ( {Instead it seems the fantastic resource:} 28.Nf5+ Kh7 29.Nxh6 $3 {With the key idea} 29...Kxh6 $2 ( {However Black does not have to accept the "gift" and can instead defend the knight with} 29...Rd6 $1 {Then after a possible} 30.e5 Qb5 31.exd6 Qxb2 32.Re1 Qd2 ( {Or} 32...Kxh6 33.Qxa8 cxd6 34.Qxa4 {which is similar.} ) 33.Rd1 Qxh6 34.Qxa8 cxd6 35.Qxa4 {the game should end in a draw.} ) 30.Bxf6 {and Black is helpless despite the free rook! For instance a move like} 30...Qe6 {reveals the mating pattern that White can use:} ( {Relatively best is} 30...Qd6 31.Qe3+ Kh7 32.Qg5 Qxf6 33.Qxf6 {although White should of course win here.} ) 31.Qf4+ Kh7 32.Qh4+ Kg6 33.Qg5+ Kh7 34.Qg7# ) 28...Rg8 {Bringing the rook into the defense and ambushing the white king.} ( {However, this is not good enough for a win. The best move was:} 28...Nh7 29.e6 {Then} 29...f6 $1 {with good winning chances. For example:} ( {But not} 29...Bxe6 $2 30.Nxe6+ Kg8 31.Qg3+ Ng5 32.Nxd8 Rxd8 33.h4 {when White wins.} ) 30.e7 ( {Or} 30.Nf5+ Kh8 31.e7 Re8 {which might give White some practical chances.} ) 30...Rg8 ( 30...Re8 31.Re1 ) 31.Re1 Qa5 32.Bc3 Qd5 {and Black was able to consolidate and should win the game.} ) 29.Nf5+ ( {Black's idea is revealed in the line} 29.exf6+ Kh7 30.Qe4+ Rg6 {and Black is better.} ) 29...Kh7 ( 29...Kf8 $4 {would end the game abruptly after the "long" move} 30.Qa3+ ) ( {There is another forcing and beautiful draw after} 29...Kh8 30.e6 $1 Qxe6 31.Nxh6 Bd5 ( 31...Rg6 32.Qxa8+ ) 32.Qxf6+ Qxf6 33.Bxf6+ Kh7 34.Nxg8 Rxg8 35.Rxa4 Rxg2+ ) 30.Ne7 Rab8 {Now it all ends peacefully!} ( {The last winning attempt was} 30...Ne8 31.Nxg8 Kxg8 {True, in this case Black should be ready to place his king in font of a discovered check after} 32.Qg4+ Kh7 33.Qe4+ Kh8 34.e6+ f6 {Nothing is clear in this position yet, and still the impression is that White should have enough resources to keep the balance. Some lines:} 35.Bc3 $5 {With the idea} ( 35.e7 $5 ) ( {Black defends after} 35.Qg6 Qxe6 36.Qxh6+ Kg8 37.Qg6+ Ng7 ) ( 35.Rc1 a3 36.Ba1 Bd3 37.Qf3 Kg8 38.Bxf6 Nxf6 39.Qxf6 Rf8 40.Qxh6 Qa5 41.Ra1 a2 42.e7 Re8 43.Qe6+ Kg7 44.Rxa2 {Just a fraction of all the possibilities for both the sides.} ) 35...Rb8 36.Qg6 Qxe6 ( {Or perpetual after} 36...Bxe6 37.Rxa4 Qxa4 38.Bxf6+ Nxf6 39.Qxf6+ Kh7 40.Qe7+ Kg6 41.Qxe6+ Kh7 ( {Since} 41...Kh5 $4 42.Qf5+ Kh4 43.g3# ) 42.Qe7+ ) 37.Re1 Be2 38.Qxh6+ Kg8 39.Qd2 {with probable draw.} ) 31.exf6 Qb7 ( {The obvious capture} 31...Rxb2 $2 {loses after} 32.Qe4+ Kh8 ( 32...Rg6 33.Nxg6 Qxf6 ( 33...fxg6 34.Qe7+ {is mate.} ) 34.Nf4+ Kh8 35.Qxc4 ) 33.Qh4 $3 Kh7 34.Nxg8 Kxg8 35.Qxh6 ) 32.Qxb7 Rxb7 33.Nxg8 ( 33.Rxa4 $6 Rd8 ) 33...Rxb2 34.Rxa4 Kxg8 35.Rxc4 Rb6 36.Rxc7 Rxf6 {The smoke has cleared. White emerged up a pawn from the mess, but it is insufficient for a win as all the pawns are on the same flank.} 37.Rc5 Kg7 38.g4 Rf3 39.Kg2 Ra3 40.f3 Ra2+ 41.Kg3 Ra3 42.h4 Rb3 43.h5 Ra3 44.Kf4 Ra4+ 45.Kf5 Ra3 46.f4 Rf3 47.Rc6 Rf1 48.g5 hxg5 49.h6+ Kh7 50.Kxg5 Rg1+ 51.Kf5 Rh1 52.Ke5 Rxh6 53.Rxh6+ Kxh6 54.Kf6 Kh5 55.Kxf7 Kg4 56.Ke6 Kxf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.13"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[ECO "E68"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "5635802399262"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 d6 3.g3 g6 4.d4 Nd7 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.Bg2 Ngf6 7.O-O O-O 8.e4 a6 9.Qc2 exd4 10.Nxd4 Re8 11.Re1 ( {Giri mixed up some things here. Later he said} 11.Rd1 {is the move, e.g.} 11...Rb8 12.h3 c6 13.Bf4 Ne5 14.c5 Bf8 15.cxd6 Bxd6 16.Bxe5 Rxe5 17.Nf3 Qe7 {Kovalenko,I (2700)-Maze,S (2582) Berlin 2015} ) 11...Ne5 12.b3 c5 13.Nf3 Nfg4 $146 ( 13...Nc6 14.Bf4 Bg4 15.h3 Bxf3 16.Bxf3 Nd4 17.Qd1 Qa5 18.Bd2 Nd7 19.Bg2 Ne5 {Donchenko,A (2498)-Shoker,S (2453) Metz 2014} ) 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Bb2 Nc6 16.Qd2 Qa5 17.Rad1 Bg4 18.f3 Be6 19.Nd5 Qxd2 20.Rxd2 Bxb2 21.Rxb2 Bxd5 22.cxd5 Nd4 23.f4 $6 ( 23.b4 {(Giri) still keeps an edge.} ) 23...a5 $1 {Now White has no play, and the knight is stronger than the bishop.} 24.Kf2 f6 25.h4 Re7 26.g4 h6 27.Ke3 f5 {Black is clearly better...} 28.Kd3 fxg4 29.e5 Kg7 {...and now technically winning. A true disaster for Giri, who nonetheless manages to hang on for quite some time.} 30.Re4 Nf5 31.Kc4 Ra6 32.a3 h5 33.Ree2 Nd4 34.Re4 b5+ 35.Kc3 b4+ 36.Kc4 bxa3 37.Ra2 Rb7 38.Rxa3 Nf5 39.Kc3 Rab6 40.Bf1 g3 ( {The simplest is probably} 40...Nxh4 ) 41.Bh3 Nd4 42.Kd2 Nxb3+ 43.Kd3 Nd4 44.exd6 Rxd6 45.Kc4 {The blunder of the day would be Ivanchuk's move which forced a draw in a won position. Still, this was wise decision as the Ukranian legend advanced into the next round!} 45...Rb4+ {If all the blunders were that effective...} ( {Instead Black could had fought for the full point with} 45...Rdb6 {with the idea to meet} 46.Rxg3 ( 46.Kxc5 $2 {with} 46...Nb3+ 47.Kc4 Rb4+ 48.Kd3 Nc5+ ) ( 46.Rxa5 {also drops material after} 46...Nb3 ) 46...Rb4+ 47.Kxc5 Nb3+ 48.Rxb3 Rxb3 {should still be winning but Ivanchuk thought it was dangerous.} ) 46.Kxc5 {Alas, there is no other way.} ( 46.Kd3 Rxd5 {would win easily for Black.} ) ( {As well as} 46.Kc3 Nb5+ ) 46...Rdb6 {The perpetual is unavoidable.} 47.Rxd4 ( {Ivan Sokolov was surprised that Giri, in this match situation, did not try} 47.Rxg3 Nb3+ 48.Rxb3 Rxb3 49.Bf1 {although} 49...R6b4 $1 {looks like a killer.} ) 47...R6b5+ 48.Kc6 Rb6+ 49.Kc5 ( 49.Kc7 Rb7+ 50.Kc8 Rb8+ {and since the king needs to stick to the black rook it is perpetual.} ) 49...R6b5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.13"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2666"]
[ECO "D85"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "195"]
[Beauty "4540854180362"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.Nc3 d5 {In the previous round of the World Cup Aronian used the Gruenfeld in an attempt to wrap up the match. It did not work well for him as Matlakov demonstrated excellent fighting qualities. Now the Armenian GM wants to check what does White have here.} 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 {The very main line. Thousands of games have been played here.} 8.Be3 ( 8.Rb1 {is the main line.} ) 8...O-O 9.Be2 b6 ( {Dubov has some negative experience in the line after} 9...Qa5 10.O-O Rd8 11.Qb3 Qb6 12.Qa3 Nd7 13.e5 {with advantage for White, Ponkratov,P (2590)-Dubov,D (2666) St Petersburg 2017} ) 10.Qd2 cxd4 11.cxd4 Bb7 12.e5 Nc6 13.h4 Qd5 14.h5 Rfd8 15.Rc1 $146 {Although Aronian was taking his time, this novelty is hardly an over-the-board invention. It seems illogical-does not White pin his hopes on the kingside attack?} ( {Well, in a predecessor he tried to attack but after:} 15.hxg6 hxg6 16.Rh4 Qa5 $1 17.Qxa5 Nxa5 {Black was even somewhat better in Cuenca Jimenez,J (2498)-Ftacnik,L (2551) Leiria 2017} ) 15...Qa5 {The obvious move, which Aronian forgot about. Without the queens White will have no attack at all and the pawn strcuture will favour Black. Actually, is not he already better?} 16.h6 Bf8 17.e6 $1 {A fantastic concept! This is what Aronian had prepared. [Actually Aronian said afteward that he simply blundered Black's answer. - PD] He is trying to lock the opponent's bishop down. In order to implement this plan he is not shy of sacrificing a pawn or two! And remember this pawn, it has a bright future.} 17...f6 {Best.} ( {Black will hardly have enough compensation for the exchange after:} 17...fxe6 18.Bc4 Rd6 ( {Or} 18...Rd5 19.Bxd5 Qxd5 20.O-O ) 19.Bf4 Nxd4 20.Bxd6 Nxf3+ 21.gxf3 exd6 22.Bxe6+ Kh8 23.Qxa5 bxa5 {with clear edge for White.} ) 18.O-O $1 {Pawns do not count when pieces are not there.} 18...Qxd2 19.Bxd2 {Aronian offered a tactical draw here.} 19...Nxd4 ( 19...Rd6 {does not create a threat and White can play for instance} 20.Bf4 ) 20.Nxd4 Rxd4 21.Be3 {What does White have for the pawn? The c-file, yes, but more importantly, the bishop on f8 is locked. Is it worth its three pawns equivalent?} 21...Rdd8 ( {If I were Dubov I would have gone for the e6-pawn as soon as possible. The line} 21...Rd6 22.Rc7 ( 22.Bb5 Bd5 ) 22...Bd5 23.Rd1 {looks somewhat awkward for Black, but} 23...Bxe6 24.Rxd6 exd6 25.Bf3 d5 26.Bd4 {leads to a position where White has compensation for the pawns. However the black-squared bishop is out. In case of a need Black may return the pawns and escape with a draw.} ) 22.Bb5 {Urgently helping the most important pawn.} 22...Bd5 23.Bd7 g5 $1 {Active defense by Dubov. The bishop needs out. [Aronian thought this was a mistake. "After this move I'm the one who's pressing." - PD]} ( {But how about the obvious} 23...Bxa2 {Is not Black just up two pawns? He is but after say} 24.Ra1 ( 24.Rc2 Bd5 25.Ra1 a5 ) ( 24.Rc7 a5 25.Ra1 Bb3 26.Bxb6 a4 27.Bc5 ) 24...Bc4 25.Rfc1 b5 26.Ra6 g5 27.Bc5 {Black hardly has any moves. And White should be able to find a way to improve his position. Perhaps just throw the king into the game.} ) 24.f4 $1 {Aronian is true to his active style. He was the one to decline a draw offer here.} ( 24.Rfd1 $5 {was also good with the idea} 24...Bxa2 $2 ( {Better is} 24...Bb7 25.Rc7 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) 25.Rd2 Bb3 26.Rc3 {and the bishop is trapped.} ) 24...Bxh6 ( {Avoiding the passive position after} 24...gxf4 25.Rxf4 Bxa2 ( {Not} 25...Bxh6 $2 26.Rg4+ Kh8 ( 26...Bg7 27.Bh6 ) 27.Bxh6 {and White wins.} ) 26.Ra4 {and the bishop is again locked on f8 (together with the king!)} ) 25.fxg5 Bg7 ( 25...Bxg5 {would lead to an inferior version of the game after} 26.Bxg5 fxg5 27.Rf7 Bxa2 ( 27...Rxd7 $2 28.exd7 Kxf7 29.Rc8 ) 28.Rxe7 {as the black king is less active.} ) ( {However, an interesting try was} 25...fxg5 $5 {Looks odd, yeah, but the bishop came into life and Black may use it after} 26.Rf7 Bg7 27.Bxg5 Bd4+ 28.Kh1 Kh8 29.Bxe7 Rg8 {with an unclear position.} ) 26.Bd4 fxg5 27.Bxg7 Kxg7 28.Rf7+ Kg6 29.Rxe7 {Remember the pawn on e6? She is the star now, ready to advance to e8.} 29...Rf8 {It was time to look for a concrete solution of the problem.} ( 29...Bxa2 $5 {was an idea, although Black's king is in danger after} 30.Rf7 {The idea being Rc1-f1, g2-g4 and mate on f6.} 30...h5 31.Rcf1 g4 32.Bc6 Bc4 ( 32...Bxe6 33.R7f6+ Kg7 34.Rxe6 {is less good.} ) 33.R1f4 Bxe6 34.R4f6+ Kg5 35.Rxe6 {when it is still unclear, although Black should most likely survive.} ) 30.Re1 Bxa2 {Dubov decided to grab a future queen. Who would not? But it seems as he underestimated White's next move.} ( 30...a6 $1 {was good prophylaxis against White's idea, when Black should survive after} 31.Ba4 Rac8 32.Ra7 b5 33.e7 Rfe8 34.Rxa6+ Kf7 35.Bxb5 Rxe7 ) 31.Bb5 $1 {With the obvious idea to move the e7 rook out of the way of the pawn and push it into a queen.} 31...a6 ( {Or a defense like} 31...h5 32.Rc7 a5 33.e7 Rfe8 34.Bxe8+ Rxe8 35.Rc6+ Kf7 36.Rxb6 Rxe7 37.Rf1+ Ke8 38.Ra6 {when White retains winning chances thank to the presence of many rooks on the board.} ) 32.Bd3+ {Did I mention that the bishop also wants to attack?} 32...Kf6 33.Rxh7 b5 ( 33...Bxe6 $2 34.Rh6+ ) ( {The black king is not safe at all. Check this out} 33...Rfe8 $4 34.Rf7# ) 34.Rh6+ {White repeats the moves to gain time on the clock.} 34...Ke7 35.Rh7+ Kf6 36.e7 Rg8 37.Rh6+ Kf7 38.Rh7+ {Missing a nice win.} ( 38.Bh7 $1 {suddenly leaves the rook squareless. For example:} 38...Rgc8 ( 38...Rh8 39.Bg6+ Kf6 40.Rxh8 Rxh8 41.e8=Q {would cost Black a whole rook.} ) ( {Or} 38...Rge8 39.Bg6+ Kg7 40.Bxe8 Rxe8 ( 40...Kxh6 41.Bc6 ) 41.Rxa6 {with a win.} ) 39.Be4 Rab8 40.Rxa6 $1 {and since the promotion cannot be stopped, White would clear the pawns first.} ) 38...Kf6 39.Be4 Rae8 40.Rh6+ Kf7 {The time control has been reached and Aronian has the time to find how to convert the advantage. He forces matters:} 41.Bc6 Bc4 42.Bxe8+ Rxe8 43.Rxa6 Rxe7 44.Rxe7+ Kxe7 45.Kf2 {The simplicity is deceptive. Some of these endgames are a draw, some won. Which one is this?} 45...Kf7 {Black cannot keep both pawns alive.} ( {He should also refrain from advancing} 45...g4 $2 {as White will get an additional idea to sacrifice his rook for that pawn and the bishop in the future. Here is an exemplary winning line in case that Black keeps both the pawns:} 46.Ke3 Bd5 47.g3 Bc4 48.Rb6 Kf7 49.Kf4 Be2 50.Kf5 Kg7 51.Rb7+ Kh6 52.Kf6 Bc4 53.Rd7 Be2 54.Rd2 ) 46.Rb6 Be6 47.Rxb5 {From here the annotations are based on the tablebase.} 47...Kf6 48.Kf3 Bf5 49.Rc5 Bd3 50.Ke3 Bf5 51.Kd4 Bb1 52.Rc1 Bg6 53.Rc6+ Kg7 54.Ke5 {How complex this position is was revealed during the live transmission of the game. Neither commentator GM Ivan Sokolov knew, nor was super GM Vassily Ivanchuk sure about the evaluation. Actually they both guessed it should be a draw! Aronian could not find the winning plan either.} 54...Bb1 55.Ra6 ( 55.g4 $1 ) 55...Bc2 56.Rd6 Kf7 57.Rf6+ Kg7 58.Rf2 Bb1 59.Rb2 Bd3 60.Rd2 Bb1 61.Ke6 ( {The winning plan was connected with} 61.g4 $1 {Intuitively, Aronian did not want to push that pawn and turn it into a target. But it takes away important squares from the balck king. After} 61...Kf7 62.Rd7+ Kg6 {White slowly takes away the squares along the b1-h7 diagonal from the bishop and finally the white king penetrates on f5:} 63.Rb7 Bd3 64.Rb3 Bc2 ( {Or} 64...Be2 65.Rb6+ Kg7 66.Kf5 ) 65.Rb2 Bd3 66.Kd4 $1 {The bishop needs to leave the b1-h7 diagonal.} 66...Bf1 67.Ke4 {followed by Rb2-b6+ and Ke4-f5xg5 with a win.} ) 61...Be4 62.Re2 Bd3 63.Rd2 Be4 64.Ke5 Bb1 65.Rd4 Kf7 66.Ra4 Bc2 67.Ra5 Bb1 68.Rc5 Kg6 69.Rc1 Bd3 70.Rd1 Bc2 71.Rd2 Bb1 72.Ke6 Be4 73.g3 $2 {Now it's a draw!} ( 73.g4 $1 ) 73...Bb1 $2 ( 73...Bf5+ ) ( 73...Bf3 {and} ) ( 73...Kh5 {draw here.} ) 74.Rb2 $2 ( 74.g4 ) ( 74.Rd4 ) ( 74.Rd6 {and} ) ( 74.Ke5 {win here.} ) 74...Bd3 ( 74...Bf5+ {was the only move to draw here:} 75.Ke5 Bg4 76.Rb6+ Kh5 {and this setup is unbreakable.} ) 75.Ke7 $2 {Going into the wrong direction. Now Dubov could have saved the game.} ( {Here} 75.g4 $1 {was the only winning move.} ) 75...Be4 $2 ( {Both king moves} 75...Kf5 $1 {would have saved the day. For example and} 76.Rb3 Be4 77.Rb4 Bf3 {Black will keep the bishop on the d1-h5 diagonal and will always threaten to get in and snatch the g3-pawn.} ) ( 75...Kh5 $1 {also draws here.} ) ( {Even} 75...Bf5 $1 {would draw according to the tablebases.} ) 76.Rb6+ $2 ( {Again} 76.g4 $1 {was the only winning move.} ) 76...Kg7 $2 ( 76...Kf5 $1 {would still draw.} ) ( {Here} 76...Kh5 $2 {is insufficient because of} 77.Kf6 ) 77.Rb5 Kg6 78.Rb4 {Seeing all these mistakes, it should be noted that Aronian was very low on time, while Dubov either did not trust his drawing chances, or was careless.} ( 78.g4 $1 {again only move.} ) 78...Bc2 $2 ( 78...Kf5 {again only drawing move.} ) 79.Kf8 $2 ( 79.g4 ) ( 79.Ke6 ) ( 79.Rc4 {and} ) ( 79.Rd4 {win here.} ) 79...Kf6 $2 ( 79...Kh5 $1 {draws.} ) 80.Kg8 {win.} 80...Bd3 81.Rd4 Bc2 82.Rd2 $2 ( 82.Kh8 ) ( 82.g4 {and} ) 82...Bb1 $2 ( 82...Be4 $1 {draws.} ) 83.Rf2+ Kg6 84.Rb2 $2 Bd3 85.Rb6+ Kf5 86.Rb4 Kf6 $2 ( 86...Be2 {and} ) ( 86...Be4 {draw.} ) 87.Rd4 Bc2 88.Rd2 $2 {The same mistake as on move 82.} 88...Bb1 $2 {Also copying the mistake.} 89.Rf2+ Kg6 {In six moves from now Aronian will play the only winning move here:} 90.g4 $1 {Now White is winning.} 90...Be4 91.Rd2 Kf6 92.Rb2 $2 ( 92.Re2 ) ( 92.Rf2+ ) ( 92.Rd1 {and} ) ( 92.Rd8 {were the four winning moves here.} ) 92...Bd3 $2 ( {The last moment Dubov could draw was here, with} 92...Ke5 $1 ) 93.Rb6+ Ke5 94.Kg7 Kf4 95.Rb4+ Be4 96.Rxe4+ $1 Kxe4 97.Kg6 Kf4 98.Kh5 {wins the pawn and promotion cannot be stopped.} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.14"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[ECO "A15"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[Beauty "6049998313478"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 b6 3.g3 Bb7 4.Bg2 e6 5.O-O Be7 6.Nc3 O-O 7.Re1 d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.d4 Re8 ( 9...Nbd7 10.Bf4 c5 11.Rc1 Ne4 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Nd2 f5 14.Nc4 Nf6 15.dxc5 Bxc5 {Korobov,A (2668)-Anton Guijarro,D (2654) Kocaeli 2017} ) 10.Bf4 h6 $146 ( 10...Na6 11.Rc1 h6 12.Ne5 Bf8 13.Qa4 c5 14.Nb5 Nb4 15.a3 Nc6 16.Qc2 g5 {Lalith,B (2587)-Jobava,B (2702) Doha 2016} ) 11.Ne5 Nbd7 12.Qa4 Nf8 13.Nc6 Qd7 14.Nxe7+ Rxe7 15.Qxd7 Rxd7 16.Bh3 Re7 17.Nb5 Ng6 18.Be3 Ne4 19.a4 a6 20.Nc3 Nxc3 21.bxc3 Rae8 22.Bg2 c6 23.Ra2 f6 {Move of the day. The way that So regrouped his forces to force Jobava into passive defense.} 24.Bc1 $1 Nh8 25.Ba3 Rc7 {The pressure along the e-file has been released, White can concentrate on the queenside play.} 26.Rb2 b5 27.e4 $1 {One more consequence from the regroupment. The bishops are getting extra air.} 27...Nf7 ( 27...dxe4 28.Bxe4 {with discovered attack ideas. And if the rook runs:} 28...Rd8 29.Bc5 Rcc8 30.Rbe2 {White is positionally winning. Next the light-squared bishop will be transferred to the a2-g8 diagonal.} ) 28.Re3 bxa4 29.exd5 ( 29.h4 $5 {to further limit the knight.} ) 29...Rxe3 30.fxe3 cxd5 31.c4 $1 {With large advantage which So carefully converted.} 31...Rd7 32.Bh3 Rc7 33.Bg2 Rd7 34.Rb6 Nd8 35.cxd5 f5 ( 35...Bxd5 36.Bh3 Rb7 37.Rd6 {drops a piece for Black.} ) 36.g4 Bxd5 37.gxf5 Bc4 38.Bf1 Bxf1 39.Kxf1 {All white pieces are superior to the black ones and he has a remarkable pawn trio in the center.} 39...a5 40.Rb5 Nc6 41.Kf2 Ra7 42.Ke2 Kf7 43.Kd2 Nb4 44.e4 Rc7 45.Rxa5 Rc2+ 46.Kd1 Rc4 47.Ra7+ Kg8 48.Rxa4 Rxd4+ 49.Ke2 Rxe4+ 50.Kf3 Re5 51.Rxb4 Rxf5+ 52.Rf4 Ra5 53.Bb4 Rb5 54.Bc3 Rb7 55.Rc4 Rf7+ 56.Ke4 Kh7 57.Be5 Rf1 58.Rc7 Rg1 59.Kf5 Rg5+ 60.Ke6 Kg8 61.Rc3 Rg6+ 62.Kf5 Rg5+ 63.Kf4 Rg1 64.Kf5 Rf1+ 65.Kg6 Rg1+ 66.Bg3 {[Dejan Bojkov]} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.14"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Rodshtein, Maxim"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[Beauty "7427072205393"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Nbd2 dxc4 6.Bg2 b5 7.O-O a5 8.a4 c6 9.Ne1 ( 9.Qc2 O-O 10.b3 c3 11.Nb1 bxa4 12.bxa4 Bb7 13.Nxc3 c5 14.dxc5 Nbd7 15.Rd1 Qe7 16.Nb5 {1/2-1/2 (16) Yu,Y (2749)-Yilmaz,M (2630) Khanty-Mansiysk 2017} ) 9...Nd5 $146 ( 9...Ra6 10.Nc2 Be7 11.e4 O-O 12.e5 Nd5 13.Ne4 Nd7 14.Qg4 f5 15.exf6 {1/2-1/2 (15) Papaioannou,I (2624)-Vidit,S (2563) Vrachati 2013} ) 10.e4 Nb6 11.Nc2 bxa4 12.e5 Be7 13.Qg4 g6 14.Ne4 h5 15.Qf3 h4 16.Rd1 Ba6 17.Ne3 Rh5 18.g4 Rh7 19.g5 N8d7 20.Ng4 Bb5 21.Bh3 Rh8 22.Nh6 Rf8 23.Qg4 Qc7 24.Qxh4 O-O-O 25.Bd2 Nd5 26.Qg3 Qb6 27.Bc3 c5 28.Bg2 Nxc3 29.bxc3 cxd4 30.cxd4 Nb8 31.Nc3 Bb4 32.d5 a3 33.Rdc1 ( 33.Nxb5 $1 Qxb5 34.d6 ) 33...Ba6 34.Rab1 Nd7 35.Bf1 Nc5 36.Qf3 exd5 37.Nxd5 Rxd5 $1 {Very practical in the time-trouble. It is easier to attack than to defend.} 38.Qxd5 Bb7 39.Qxc4 Qc6 40.Qg4+ Kb8 41.f3 ( {Objectively best was} 41.Bg2 {but after} 41...Qxg2+ 42.Qxg2 Bxg2 43.Kxg2 a2 44.Ra1 Nb3 45.Rd1 Nxa1 46.Rxa1 a4 47.Rxa2 a3 {White has no winning chances whatsoever.} ) 41...Qd5 42.Bg2 $2 ( 42.Bc4 {would have kept the game going.} ) 42...Nb3 43.Rd1 a2 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.14"]
[Round "4.5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7425193156624"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 a6 7.a4 h6 8.Re1 O-O 9.h3 a5 ( 9...Re8 10.Nbd2 Be6 11.Bxe6 Rxe6 12.b4 Ba7 13.Qc2 Qd7 14.Nf1 d5 {Anand,V (2786)-So,W (2812) Leuven 2017} ) 10.Nbd2 Be6 11.Bb5 $146 Ne7 ( 11...Na7 12.d4 Nxb5 13.dxc5 Na7 14.b3 Re8 15.cxd6 Qxd6 16.Ba3 Qa6 {Vachier-Lagrave,M (2789)-Grischuk,A (2783) Tbilisi GEO 2017} ) 12.d4 exd4 13.Nxd4 Bd7 ( 13...Ng6 14.N2f3 c6 15.Nxe6 fxe6 16.Bc4 d5 17.exd5 exd5 18.Bd3 Ne4 {Vachier-Lagrave,M (2789)-Grischuk,A (2783) Tbilisi GEO 2017} ) 14.Nf1 Ng6 15.Ng3 Re8 16.Bc4 c6 17.Be3 Qc7 18.Ba2 Re5 19.Qc2 Rae8 20.Nf3 R5e7 21.Bxc5 dxc5 22.Rad1 Bc8 23.Bc4 Qf4 24.Qd2 Be6 25.Bxe6 Rxe6 26.Qxf4 Nxf4 27.e5 N6d5 28.Ne4 Rg6 29.Nh4 Rge6 30.Nd6 Rb8 {Moves of the day. Pay attention to the power pawn play by Vachier-Lagrave now:} 31.g3 $1 Nxh3+ ( 31...Ng6 32.Nxg6 Rxg6 33.Kh2 {followed by the advance of the f-pawn is awkward for Black.} ) 32.Kg2 Ng5 33.f4 Nh7 34.f5 Re7 35.c4 Nc7 ( 35...Nb4 $1 {was more resilient, although White is much better after} 36.f6 gxf6 37.exf6 Rxe1 38.Rxe1 Nxf6 39.Re7 ) 36.e6 $1 fxe6 ( 36...f6 37.Ng6 {would trap the rook anyway.} ) ( {Black is also lost after} 36...Ng5 37.exf7+ Rxf7 38.Nxf7 Nxf7 39.Re7 ) 37.Ng6 Rd7 38.fxe6 {Trapping the rook and winning the game.} 38...Rdd8 39.Ne7+ Kf8 40.Nxc6 $1 Rxd6 ( {Or} 40...bxc6 41.e7+ Kg8 42.exd8=Q+ Rxd8 43.Nb7 ) 41.Nxb8 Ke7 42.Rxd6 Kxd6 43.Rd1+ Kxe6 44.Rd7 {[Dejan Bojkov]} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.15"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "6119388879366"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nb4 6.Bc4 Nd3+ 7.Ke2 Nf4+ ( 7...Nxc1+ 8.Rxc1 a6 9.d4 b5 10.Bd5 Ra7 11.dxc5 e6 12.c6 b4 13.Qd4 Rc7 14.Na4 exd5 15.exd5 Be7 {Giri, A (2773)-Harikrishna,P (2766) Wijk aan Zee 2017} ) 8.Kf1 Ne6 9.h4 Nd4 10.d3 Nbc6 11.Nb5 Be6 $146 ( {Predecessor:} 11...Nxb5 12.Bxb5 Bd7 13.Be3 e6 14.Rc1 Nb8 15.Qb3 Qb6 16.a4 Bxb5 17.Qxb5+ Nd7 {Wang,Y (2718)-Salem,A (2615) Abu Dhabi 2016} ) 12.Bf4 Nxb5 13.Bxb5 Qb6 14.Ba4 Qa6 15.Rc1 b5 16.Bb3 Bxb3 17.Qxb3 e6 18.Be3 Na5 19.Qc3 b4 20.Qc2 Nb7 21.Qc4 Qxc4 22.Rxc4 Be7 23.Ke2 O-O 24.Nd2 Rfc8 25.Nb3 a5 26.a4 bxa3 27.bxa3 a4 28.Nd2 {Move of the day. The excellent pawn sacrifice that allowed Vachier-Lagrave to defend his difficult position.} 28...Nd6 $1 {The ill-looking pawn sacrifices itself to open up the road for the bishop.} 29.Rxc5 Rcb8 {The threat is Nd6-b5.} 30.Rb1 $1 {The best move. Svidler sacrifices the h4 pawn in return, but keeps the more important one on a3 alive.} ( 30.Rc7 Bf8 {just strenghtens the threat Nd6-b5.} ) ( 30.Ra1 Nb5 {is already better for Black.} ) 30...Rxb1 31.Nxb1 Bxh4 {White is still better, but with careful defense Black saved the game.} 32.Rc6 Be7 33.Bc5 Nb5 34.Ke3 Kf8 35.Bxe7+ Kxe7 36.Rb6 Nd6 37.Nc3 ( 37.g4 $1 ) 37...h5 38.f4 f6 39.Nb5 Nxb5 40.Rxb5 h4 41.Rb7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.17"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Beauty "8044205312009"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[WhiteClock "0:03:12"]
[BlackClock "0:11:56"]

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nb4 6.Bc4 Nd3+ 7.Ke2 Nf4+ ( {Harikrishna took on c1 instead against Giri} 7...Nxc1+ 8.Rxc1 a6 9.d4 b5 10.Bd5 Ra7 {but White's lead in development looks frightening, Giri,A (2773) -Harikrishna,P (2766) Wijk aan Zee 2017} ) 8.Kf1 Ne6 9.h4 Nd4 10.d3 e6 ( {Deviating from their previous game in Tbilisi, which went} 10...Nbc6 11.Nb5 Be6 $146 {Svidler,P (2756)-Vachier-Lagrave,M (2804) Tbilisi FIDE World Cup 2017} ) 11.Bf4 a6 $146 {"I was surprised once again that he would repeat a line that I thought was more or less dubious." (Vachier-Lagrave). Therefore, just in case he came up with another novelty.} ( 11...Bd6 12.e5 Be7 13.Nxd4 Qxd4 14.Qf3 O-O 15.Re1 {Diermair,A (2450)-Paravyan,D (2506) Moscow 2016} ) 12.Nxd4 cxd4 13.Ne2 Nc6 {Black got a good position from the opening.} 14.a3 ( 14.h5 $5 ) 14...Bd6 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.Qd2 Bd7 17.f4 e5 {Or else White wll play e4-e5 and bring his knight to e4 and eventually to d6.} 18.f5 g6 $1 19.Ng3 ( 19.g4 $6 {fails to} 19...h5 ) ( {Black is also doing great after} 19.Qh6 Qf8 $1 ) 19...Ne7 20.Qh6 O-O-O 21.h5 {The Move of the Day comes now.} ( {If} 21.Rc1 Kb8 22.h5 Qf6 $1 {is strong.} ) 21...Kc7 $1 {"I should have seen this well in advance." (Vachier-Lagrave) Indeed, if it was not for this move Black's kingside would have fallen apart.} ( 21...Qf6 {was OK here too, but less convincing as Svidler can try} 22.Kg1 {followed by Ra1-f1.} ) 22.Bxf7 ( {Maybe just} 22.Rc1 $5 {instead?} ) 22...gxf5 23.Qxd6+ Kxd6 {Now Black enjoys the better endgame.} 24.exf5 Nxf5 25.Ne4+ Ke7 26.Bb3 Ne3+ {As Kasparov would have put it: "This knight is worth a rook."} 27.Ke2 Bc6 {While the other one can be swapped.} 28.Rac1 Rhf8 29.Rh3 {This counter-attacking attempt fails.} 29...Nxg2 30.Rxc6 bxc6 31.Rg3 Nf4+ 32.Ke1 Rb8 33.Rg7+ Kd8 34.Bf7 Rb7 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.17"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[Beauty "4402341491210"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[WhiteClock "0:08:39"]
[BlackClock "0:01:33"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O a6 7.a4 h6 8.Re1 O-O 9.h3 a5 10.Nbd2 Be6 11.Bb5 Na7 ( 11...Ne7 12.d4 exd4 13.Nxd4 Bd7 ( 13...Ng6 14.N2f3 c6 15.Nxe6 fxe6 16.Bc4 d5 17.exd5 exd5 18.Bd3 Ne4 {Vachier-Lagrave,M (2789)-Grischuk,A (2783) Tbilisi GEO 2017} ) 14.Nf1 Re8 15.Ng3 Ng6 16.f4 ( 16.Bc4 c6 17.Be3 Qc7 18.Ba2 Re5 19.Qc2 Rae8 20.Nf3 R5e7 {Vachier-Lagrave,M (2789)-Grischuk,A (2783) Tbilisi GEO 2017} ) 16...Bxb5 17.axb5 Qd7 18.Kh2 Re7 19.Ndf5 Re6 20.Nd4 Re7 21.b4 Bxd4 22.cxd4 Qxb5 23.f5 Nf8 24.Rxa5 Rxa5 25.bxa5 Qxa5 26.Bb2 N8d7 27.Qc1 Re8 {1/2-1/2 (27) Vachier-Lagrave,M (2804)-Svidler,P (2756) Tbilisi GEO 2017} ) 12.d4 exd4 ( 12...Nxb5 13.dxc5 Na7 14.b3 Re8 15.cxd6 Qxd6 16.Ba3 Qa6 17.b4 axb4 18.cxb4 b5 19.Bb2 Nc6 {Vachier-Lagrave,M (2789)-Grischuk,A (2783) Tbilisi GEO 2017} ) 13.cxd4 Bb4 14.Bd3 {This line was mentioned in my notes of Vachier-Lagrave's earlier game against Grischuk.} 14...d5 15.e5 Nd7 16.Re2 c5 17.Nf1 cxd4 18.Bc2 Nc5 19.Nxd4 Nc6 20.Ng3 {White got a slightly beter position from the opening and pressed till the end of the game.} 20...Nxd4 21.Qxd4 f5 22.exf6 Qxf6 23.Be3 Qxd4 24.Bxd4 Bd7 25.Rd1 Rae8 26.Rxe8 Bxe8 27.b3 b5 28.axb5 Bxb5 29.Be3 Bc6 30.Nf5 Ne4 31.Nd4 Bd7 32.Bd3 Rb8 33.f3 Nc3 34.Rc1 a4 35.bxa4 Bxa4 36.Kh2 Bd6+ 37.f4 Nd1 38.Bd2 Nf2 39.Bf5 Ne4 40.Be6+ Kh7 41.Be3 Nf6 42.Nf5 Re8 43.Bf7 Rxe3 44.Nxd6 Re7 45.f5 Be8 46.Be6 g6 47.Nxe8 Nxe8 48.fxg6+ Kxg6 49.Bxd5 Nf6 50.Bf3 Re5 51.Kg3 Rg5+ 52.Kf2 Ra5 53.Rc4 Kg5 54.h4+ Kg6 55.g4 Ra7 56.Kg3 Kg7 57.Rc6 Re7 58.Bd1 Rd7 59.Bc2 Re7 60.Bf5 Re3+ 61.Kf2 Re7 62.Kf3 Ra7 63.Be6 Ra3+ 64.Kf4 Ra4+ 65.Bc4 Ra7 66.h5 Ra5 67.Rc7+ Kh8 68.Kf3 Re5 69.Rf7 Nxg4 $1 {A nice way to force a draw. Svidler takes the really dangerous pawn.} 70.Rf8+ ( 70.Kxg4 {is the game.} ) 70...Kh7 71.Rf7+ Kh8 72.Kxg4 Re4+ 73.Rf4 Rxf4+ 74.Kxf4 {It's a fortress as Black does not even need the h6 pawn.} 74...Kg7 75.Kf5 Kh8 76.Kg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.19"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "5708414201378"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {The Italian game is extremely popular in Tbilisi.} ( {The last time these players met it was the Spanish game:} 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 Nc5 10.c3 Be7 11.Bc2 d4 12.Nxd4 Nxd4 13.cxd4 Qxd4 14.Nf3 Qxd1 15.Rxd1 O-O 16.Be3 {and a draw many moves later, So,W (2775)-Ding,L (2778) Shanghai 2016} ) 3...Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 d6 6.O-O O-O 7.Re1 a5 ( {So has some negative experience after} 7...a6 8.Bb3 Re8 9.h3 h6 10.Nbd2 Be6 11.Nf1 Bxb3 12.Qxb3 d5 {So,W (2812)-Carlsen, M (2832) Paris 2017. But who does not against this opponent?} 13.Be3 Bf8 14.Rad1 Na5 15.Qc2 c5 {So,W (2812)-Carlsen,M (2832) Paris 2017} ) 8.Nbd2 Be6 9.Bb5 Qb8 $146 {A nice novelty. The queen comes out "a la Rubinstein."} ( {Previously} 9...Na7 {was tried} 10.Ba4 b5 11.d4 Bb6 12.Bc2 c6 13.a4 {Mayer,J (2057) -Pripoae,N (2343) corr. 2003} ) 10.Nf1 Qa7 {The point behind Ding's play. The queen is active on the a7-g1 diagonal.} 11.Be3 Bxe3 12.Nxe3 Ne7 {Ding can be happy with his opening novelty. He managed to equalize.} 13.a4 ( {Or} 13.Ba4 Ng6 ) 13...Ng6 14.Bc4 Bxc4 {"Ding offered a draw here. But I wanted to play a few more moves." (So)} 15.Nxc4 Qa6 16.g3 {To restrict the black knights.} 16...Rfe8 17.Qb3 $1 {So is famous for squeezing chances literally from every single position. The queen trade is the best way to get something out of the position.} 17...Nf8 18.Qb5 Qxb5 $6 {An inaccuracy.} ( {Ding would have avoided many unpleasant moments if he had not traded the queens himself.} 18...Ne6 {For example} 19.Qxa6 Rxa6 20.b4 b6 21.bxa5 bxa5 22.Reb1 Nd7 {with equality.} ) 19.axb5 b6 20.Ra3 {Now it is better for White. He has extra space and can mount pressure along the half-open file.} 20...Ne6 21.Ne3 ( {In case of the immediate} 21.Rea1 {Black can defend with} 21...Nc5 {For example} ( 21...Rad8 $5 ) 22.b4 Nxd3 23.Nfd2 ( 23.bxa5 bxa5 24.Nfd2 Nc5 ) 23...Rab8 24.bxa5 bxa5 25.Rxa5 d5 ) 21...Nc5 22.c4 a4 23.Rea1 {I believe So should have tried to keep both knights alive.} ( {In the line} 23.Nd2 g6 ( {The queenside knight cannot leave his stand} 23...Ne6 24.Rea1 $1 ) ( {Neither can the kingside one leave:} 23...Nfd7 24.Nd5 $1 ) ( {If} 23...Kf8 $5 24.Rea1 Ra5 25.Nc2 ( 25.Kf1 $5 ) 25...Ng8 26.f3 {the play will be similar.} ) 24.Rea1 Rac8 {White has a clear plan of taking the a-pawn. First he bring the king closer to defend his d3 one.} 25.Kf1 Kg7 26.Ke2 Ng8 {Next he sends the e3-knight to attack the a3 pawn.} 27.Nd5 f5 28.Nc3 {The knight on d2 would be the watchdog in these lines, not letting the black one jump on b3. Black's task would have been extremely difficult.} ) 23...Nb3 $1 ( {If} 23...Ra5 {the above-mentioned plan will work after} 24.Nd2 Kf8 25.Kf1 $5 Ke7 26.Ke2 Kd7 27.b4 axb3 28.Rxa5 bxa5 29.Rxa5 b2 30.Ra3 {and the b2 pawn is doomed.} ) 24.Rd1 Rec8 25.Nd2 Nxd2 26.Rxd2 {It is still very unpleasant for Black, but not as much as with all the knights on the board.} 26...Nd7 27.Rd1 Nc5 28.Nd5 Kf8 29.f4 {The wonderful knight on d5 supports the kingside expansion too.} ( {Please note that in case of} 29.Rda1 Ra5 $1 {is mandatory} ( {As} 29...Nb3 $2 {allows the cute trick} 30.Nxc7 $1 ) ) 29...Ra5 ( {Once again, the trick can be seen after} 29...f6 30.Rda1 Nb3 31.Nxc7 $1 ) 30.Nb4 Raa8 ( {Here} 30...f6 {was possible, for example} 31.Nc6 Raa8 32.Kf2 Ke8 33.Ke3 Kd7 ) 31.Kf2 Ke8 32.Ke3 f6 33.f5 Kd7 $1 {"Very wise decision to keep his queenside pawns defended." (So) We have already seen what might happen on the c7 square if Black is not careful.} 34.g4 Rh8 35.h4 h6 $1 {Ding needs an open file on his own.} 36.Nd5 {Since both players are short of time, So does not hurry to force things yet.} ( {Indeed} 36.Rg1 Kc8 37.g5 hxg5 38.hxg5 Rh3+ 39.Kd2 Kb7 {yields White nothing.} ) 36...Ra5 ( {Black always has to watch out for the b-pawn advance.} 36...Kc8 37.b4 $1 Nb3 38.Nc3 ) 37.Rg1 Kc8 38.g5 {Now he decided to force it. More practical would have been to wait for two more moves and only then to decide when to open up.} ( 38.Ne7+ Kb7 39.Ng6 Re8 40.g5 h5 $1 {would have sealed the kingside (and the draw).} ) 38...hxg5 39.hxg5 Rh3+ 40.Kd2 Nb3+ 41.Kc3 {So, So did take the practical decision not to pull the you-know-who by the tail and to get the half point.} ( {So believed no. He saw the following lines:} 41.Rxb3 axb3 42.gxf6 gxf6 43.Rg7 {"Unfortunately Black has counter-attack here"} ( {"If I play a passive move like"} 43.Kc3 Rh7 44.Nxf6 Rf7 45.Nd5 {"I would win also the b3 pawn, but it will be a draw as the b-pawns are doubled". (So)} ) 43...Rh2+ 44.Kc3 Ra2 45.Rxc7+ Kb8 ( {However, So's intuition did not fail him. After the correct} 45...Kd8 $1 46.Rc6 Raxb2 ( {But not with the other rook, as White will get an additional chance to sacrifice his knight for the b2-pawn. For example} 46...Rhxb2 47.Rxd6+ Ke8 48.Re6+ Kf7 49.Rxf6+ Kg7 50.Rg6+ Kf7 51.Rxb6 Rb1 52.Rb7+ Kf8 53.Rb8+ Kg7 54.b6 b2 55.Kb3 Rc1 56.Nc3 b1=Q+ 57.Nxb1 Rxb1+ 58.Kxa2 {and White wins.} ) 47.Rxd6+ Ke8 $1 {Yes, at this direction, away from the white king!} 48.Re6+ Kf7 49.Rxf6+ Kg7 {The game should end in a draw. Here is a sample line:} 50.Rxb6 Rb1 51.Kb4 b2 52.Rg6+ Kf7 53.Rf6+ Kg7 54.Rg6+ {Black cannot deviate from it:} 54...Kh8 $4 ( {Or} 54...Kf8 55.Rf6+ Ke8 56.Re6+ Kd7 57.Re7+ Kd8 58.Rg7 Rc1 59.Rg8+ Kd7 60.Rg7+ Ke8 61.Nc7+ Kd8 62.Ne6+ {with another perpetual check.} ) 55.Nf6 ) 46.Rc6 Raxb2 47.Rxb6+ Kc8 {"which should be enough for a draw." (So) Actually, in this final position White has a fantastic win:} 48.Rxd6 Rb1 ( {Or} 48...Rhc2+ 49.Kb4 Rb1 50.Kc5 $3 b2 51.Kb6 $1 {and White mates.} ) 49.Kb4 $3 {Once again this move.} 49...b2 50.Nb6+ Kc7 51.Rd7+ Kxb6 ( {Or} 51...Kb8 52.Kc5 Ra1 53.Kc6 {and Black is getting checkmated again.} ) 52.c5# $1 ) 41...Nd4 42.gxf6 Rh2 43.Nxb6+ ( 43.fxg7 $4 {would allow a study-like mate} 43...Rc2+ 44.Kb4 c5+ 45.bxc6 Nxc6# ) 43...cxb6 44.fxg7 Rc2+ 45.Kb4 Rxb2+ 46.Kc3 Rc2+ 47.Kb4 Rb2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.20"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[ECO "E17"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[Beauty "5224961936904"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[WhiteClock "0:21:30"]
[BlackClock "0:25:28"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 {After the difficult defense yesterday Ding wants to play for a win without much risk. The Catalan is the perfect weapon for his intentions.} 5...O-O 6.b3 {A rare move.} 6...b6 ( {Granda Zuniga solved the opening problems differently:} 6...dxc4 7.bxc4 c5 8.O-O cxd4 9.Nxd4 Nfd7 10.Bb2 a6 11.Nc3 Qc7 12.Rc1 Nc5 13.e3 Nc6 14.Qe2 Bd7 15.Ne4 Na4 16.Ba1 e5 17.Nb5 axb5 18.cxb5 {1/2-1/2 (18) Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2614)-Granda Zuniga,J (2639) Pamplona 2010} ) 7.O-O Bb7 8.Nc3 Nbd7 9.Bb2 c5 10.Ne1 $1 $146 {A fighting novelty. The Catalan is known for the long diagonal, so why not use it?} ( {Compare this to} 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 Bxd5 12.dxc5 Nxc5 13.Rc1 Bf6 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Qd4 Qe7 16.Qe3 Qb7 17.Rfd1 Rac8 18.Ne1 {1/2-1/2 (18) Hernandez Guerrero,G (2506)-Gonzalez Zamora,J (2502) Mexico City 2016} ) 10...cxd4 {So, on his turn, uses the moment when the white knight is gone.} 11.Qxd4 Bc5 {Tempting, but it does not equalize.} ( {The computer suggests} 11...Nc5 {instead, although the position arising after} 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Rd1 {is not everyone's cup of tea. The isolani might become a weakness in the long run and the white knight from e1 can be transferred to f4 to prove that.} ) 12.Qf4 Bb4 {In order to ease the pressure against the d5 spot.} 13.Nd3 Bxc3 14.Bxc3 Qc8 {This was So's idea. The exchanges on the long diagonal are inevitable but Ding finds a way to keep the pressure.} 15.Rfc1 $1 dxc4 16.Bxf6 Nxf6 17.Rxc4 Qb8 18.Qxb8 Rfxb8 19.Ne5 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Ne8 21.Nc6 {"I got the dream Catalan position" said the Chinese GM. Indeed, the knight on c6 is a monster (first proven by Botvinnik) and thanks to it White has good control of both the open files.} 21...Rb7 22.Rd1 Kf8 23.e4 {The pieces look awesome, so it is time to improve the pawns.} ( 23.b4 $5 ) 23...Nf6 24.f4 b5 $1 {So opens some air for his rooks.} 25.Rcd4 g6 26.Ne5 ( {The trades will relieve Black's position:} 26.Rd8+ Rxd8 27.Rxd8+ Kg7 ) ( 26.Kf3 $5 {with the idea to advance the g-pawn deserved attention though.} ) 26...h6 $6 {Any pawn push is a potential weakness.} ( 26...Rc7 {was simpler and better instead.} ) ( {Or even} 26...Rc8 {although this seems less precise after} 27.Rd8+ Rxd8 28.Rxd8+ Kg7 29.Kf3 {with a somewhat better position for White.} ) 27.Rc1 Ke8 28.Kf3 Nd7 29.Nd3 $1 {The knight is stepping on the black rooks' toes, so White keeps it.} 29...a5 30.Rc6 {Both players were running low on time and White decided not to force matters.} ( 30.f5 $5 {to create a second weakness deserved attention, to which Black would have probably defended with} 30...exf5 31.exf5 Ra6 ) 30...Ke7 31.a3 ( {Once again} 31.f5 $1 {deserved serious attention. Moreover, Black would lack the above-mentioned Ra8-a6 resource now. After} 31...exf5 32.exf5 gxf5 ( 32...Nf8 33.Nc5 $1 {looks grim for Black.} ) 33.Rd5 a4 34.b4 Rg8 $1 35.Rxf5 Rg6 {Black can possibly defend, but his position remains very unpleasant.} ) 31...Raa7 32.Ke3 Nb8 $1 {"This came as a surprise for me." (Ding)} ( {Most likely the Chinese GM expected} 32...Rc7 33.Rdd6 Rxc6 34.Rxc6 {with good control of the situation.} ) 33.Rc8 Nd7 34.Rc6 ( {In case of} 34.Rh8 {Black can even ignore that pawn and go for counter play of his own with} 34...Rc7 $1 35.Rxh6 Rc3 ) 34...Nb8 35.Rc8 Nd7 36.Nc5 Nb6 $6 {The last critical moment of the game.} ( 36...Nxc5 37.Rxc5 b4 38.a4 Rc7 39.Rdc4 {was still unpleasant for Black but objectively much better than what happened in the game.} ) 37.Rc6 ( {"There is no mate after"} 37.Rh8 $1 Rc7 38.Rdd8 Rxc5 {(Ding). However, if we prolong the line a bit} 39.e5 f5 40.Rb8 Rc8 41.Rbxc8 Nxc8 42.Rxc8 {we shall see that White keeps a large advantage without any risk. Will he win this is another question, but it is definitely nice playing such positions. First, So may not defend it and Ding can advance into the next round outright. Second, even if Back defends it he will have to spend an enourmous supply of energy and nerves, which would matter for the rapid match tomorrow.} ) 37...Rc7 $1 {The knight trade is definitely an achievement for Black.} 38.Rxb6 Rxc5 39.e5 g5 {Trading pawns is always good for the defender.} ( 39...a4 40.b4 Rc3+ 41.Rd3 Rb3 $1 {would have held the draw as well, as} 42.Rxb5 $4 {even loses to} 42...Rd7 $1 43.Rxb3 axb3 {and suddenly the b-pawn will queen.} ) 40.Rd3 gxf4+ 41.gxf4 Rc2 42.h3 Ra2 {The same trading policy.} 43.b4 axb4 44.axb4 Rh2 45.Ke4 Rc7 46.Rxb5 Rc4+ 47.Rd4 Rc7 $1 ( {Much better than} 47...Rxd4+ 48.Kxd4 Rxh3 49.Rb7+ {when the b-pawn would cause Black headache.} ) 48.Rc5 {The last winning try.} ( {Or} 48.Ra5 Rc3 {with equality.} ) 48...Rxc5 49.bxc5 Rc2 50.f5 exf5+ 51.Kxf5 Rxc5 52.Rd6 Rc1 53.Rxh6 Rf1+ 54.Ke4 f6 ( {Checks from far away would also split the point.} 54...Re1+ ) 55.exf6+ Rxf6 56.Rxf6 Kxf6 57.h4 Kg6 58.h5+ Kxh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.21"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[ECO "C84"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[Beauty "6190121615368"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a3 O-O 9.Nc3 Bg4 10.Be3 Nd4 11.Bxd4 exd4 12.Nd5 Nxd5 ( 12...Nd7 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Qxf3 a5 15.c3 dxc3 16.bxc3 c6 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.d4 c5 {Naiditsch,A (2712) -Ponomariov,R (2699) Danzhou 2017} ) 13.Bxd5 Rc8 14.Bc6 Bf6 15.a4 Bd7 $146 ( 15...Rb8 16.axb5 axb5 17.Ra7 Rb6 18.Bd5 c6 19.Bb3 Qb8 20.Ra5 Qb7 {Kashlinskaya,A (2433) -Guseva,M (2352) Bilbao 2014} ) 16.Bxd7 Qxd7 17.Qd2 Qc6 18.b3 Rfe8 19.Rfe1 Qc5 {Move of the day.} 20.g4 $1 {Getting his kingside majority into motion. Vachier-Lagrave has a stable advantage which he skilfully increases with his next moves.} 20...b4 21.Re2 c6 22.Rae1 g6 ( 22...g5 23.e5 $1 dxe5 24.Nxg5 ) 23.Kg2 Re6 24.h4 Rce8 25.Ng5 R6e7 26.f4 a5 27.Nf3 h5 {This makes things easier for Vachier-Lagrave but Aronian does not like defending passively.} 28.g5 Bg7 29.Rf1 Qa7 30.Qe1 c5 31.Qg3 Qd7 32.Qh3 Qc6 ( {The endgame is bad for Black:} 32...Qxh3+ 33.Kxh3 {followed by Nf3-d2-c4 leaves the black pawns exposed.} ) 33.f5 Ra7 34.Nd2 $1 Rc7 35.Qf3 Ra7 36.Rfe1 Qc7 37.Nc4 Be5 38.Rf1 Qd8 39.Ref2 Bg7 40.Qf4 Rd7 41.Kg1 Kh7 42.Qg3 Kg8 43.Rf3 d5 44.exd5 Rxd5 45.f6 Bf8 ( {Or else the bishop is buried alive after} 45...Bh8 ) 46.Re1 Rxe1+ 47.Qxe1 Bd6 48.Qe4 Bc7 49.Rf2 Qd7 50.Re2 Kh7 51.Qg2 ( 51.Qf3 {would have been faster} 51...Kg8 ( {Or} 51...Qf5 52.Qxf5 Rxf5 53.Re7 ) 52.Re7 Qc6 53.Rxc7 Rxg5+ 54.Kf2 $1 ) 51...Qf5 52.Re4 Rd7 53.Qf1 Qd5 54.Qf3 Qb7 55.Kg2 Qc8 56.Qe2 Qb7 57.Kg1 Qd5 58.Ne5 Bxe5 59.Rxe5 Qd6 60.Kg2 Rd8 61.Qe4 Rd7 62.Re7 Qc7 63.Kh3 ( 63.Qe6 $1 ) 63...Qc8 64.Qe6 $1 {[Dejan Bojkov]} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.21"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[ECO "D78"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[Beauty "5843303015471"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.d4 Nf6 5.c4 c6 6.O-O O-O 7.Nbd2 a5 8.b3 a4 9.Bb2 Bf5 10.e3 ( 10.Nh4 Be6 11.e4 dxe4 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Qb6 14.Bc3 Rd8 15.c5 Qc7 {Movsesian,S (2671)-Bocharov,I (2534) Cheliabinsk 2017} ) 10...Nbd7 11.Qe2 Ne4 12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Qb5 Ra5 15.Qxb7 Nc5 16.Qb4 Nd3 17.Qd2 Rb5 18.Bc3 $146 ( 18.Ng5 Bxg2 19.Kxg2 Nxb2 20.Qxb2 Qb6 21.Nf3 axb3 22.Rfb1 bxa2 23.Qxb5 axb1=Q 24.Rxb1 Qxb5 25.Rxb5 e6 {Berkes,F (2649) -Salem,A (2594) Baku 2014} ) 18...axb3 {Probably they both were into their prep as what happens next is very forced.} 19.Ng5 b2 $1 ( 19...Bxg2 $2 {drops the knight after} 20.Kxg2 b2 21.Rab1 ) 20.Rab1 Nxf2 21.Qxf2 Bxb1 22.Rxb1 e5 23.Nh3 ( 23.Bf1 $1 {first was needed, for example} 23...Rb8 24.Nh3 Qc7 25.Bxb2 exd4 26.exd4 Qa7 {With the threat Rb8xb2!} 27.Rd1 Qxa2 28.Rd2 {and the computer claims it's equal.} ) ( 23.Nf3 {is another way to play it.} ) 23...exd4 24.exd4 Qc7 25.Qd2 Rfb8 ( 25...Rc8 26.Rxb2 Rxb2 27.Bxb2 Qc2 {was good for Black.} ) 26.Nf4 Qc4 27.Bxd5 Rxd5 28.Nxd5 Qxd5 29.Rxb2 Rc8 {Ding has full compensation for a pawn at least.} 30.Rb3 h5 $1 31.Bb2 Kh7 32.h3 Qe4 33.Qd3 $2 {A blunder.} 33...Qe1+ ( 33...Bxd4+ $1 {would have capitalized faster:} 34.Bxd4 Rc1+ 35.Kf2 Rc2+ ) 34.Qf1 Qd2 35.Qf2 Qd1+ 36.Qf1 Bxd4+ 37.Bxd4 Qxd4+ 38.Kh1 Qd5+ 39.Rf3 ( 39.Qg2 Rc1+ 40.Kh2 Qc5 41.Rb2 h4 {should win for Black.} 42.gxh4 Qe5+ ) ( {As well as} 39.Kg1 Rc2 $1 ) 39...Rc3 40.Kg2 Qc6 41.h4 Kg8 ( {Black cannot go for the rook:} 41...f6 42.a4 g5 43.hxg5 fxg5 44.Qb1+ $1 {and White escapes.} ) ( 41...Rc2+ 42.Kg1 Rc1 {was already winning the queen, but Black wants to make sure he does it in more favorable circumstances.} ) 42.a4 f6 43.a5 Kg7 44.a6 Rc2+ 45.Kg1 Rc1 {Now is better.} 46.Rxf6 Rxf1+ 47.Rxf1 Qxa6 48.Kg2 Qe2+ 49.Rf2 Qe4+ 50.Kh2 g5 51.hxg5 h4 52.Rf4 Qe2+ 53.Kh3 hxg3 54.Kxg3 Kg6 55.Rf2 Qe3+ 56.Kg2 Kxg5 57.Rf3 Qe2+ 58.Kg3 Qe1+ 59.Kg2 Kg4 60.Rf2 Qe4+ 61.Kh2 Kh4 62.Ra2 Qe5+ 63.Kg1 Qd4+ 64.Kh2 Qd6+ 65.Kg1 Qc5+ 66.Kh2 Qc7+ 67.Kg1 Qb6+ 68.Kg2 Qb7+ 69.Kh2 Qb8+ {[Dejan Bojkov]} 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.24"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[ECO "E06"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[Beauty "4467458071048"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 {Just like in his match against Wesley So, Ding Liren chooses the Catalan.} 5...O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bg5 a5 11.Nc3 Na6 12.e3 ( {White did not get much after} 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.e4 Nb4 14.Rad1 g6 15.h4 Bg7 16.Rfe1 Qd7 17.b3 Rad8 18.Qe2 Qe7 19.Rd2 Bh6 20.Rdd1 Bg7 21.Rd2 Bh6 22.Rdd1 Bg7 23.Rd2 {\BD-\BD Eljanov,P (2765)-Aronian,L (2784) Stavanger 2016} ) 12...Nb4 13.Rfd1 Nd7 $146 {"Very interesting idea to keep the knight instead of the bishop." (Ding)} ( {Previously Black had tried} 13...h6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Rac1 Bxf3 16.Bxf3 c6 {with a solid, albeit cramped position in Bareev,E (2675)-Shneider,A (2530) Moscow 1995} ) 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.e4 Rfd8 16.Rd2 {"I think this is a very bad move." (Ding)} ( {"I should have played"} 16.Qe2 {"first." (Ding) After} 16...Nb6 17.Ne5 Be8 {Black is again ready to go for c7-c5 with full equality, thus} 18.Nc4 {seems like a reasonable option, for example} 18...Nxc4 19.Qxc4 Rac8 {and it is all about the c7-c5 advance again. Will Black make it, or not?} ) 16...Nb6 $1 {"I totally missed the idea after this move."(Ding)} 17.Qe2 Be8 18.b3 c5 {"Black is probably slightly better." (Ding)} 19.Qe3 ( {Perhaps White should have gone for} 19.Rad1 Rac8 20.dxc5 Rxd2 21.Qxd2 Qxc5 22.Nb5 {with the idea} 22...Bxb5 23.axb5 Qxb5 $4 ( {Still Black hardly experiences any problems after} 23...h6 24.Bf1 ) 24.Qd8+ Qe8 25.Qxb6 ) 19...Rac8 {"I also missed this very simple move. After this I was very nervous." (Ding)} ( {On} 19...c4 {the Chinese GM was planning} 20.d5 $1 ) 20.Rc1 c4 {Simple and good.} ( {Aronian also believed he is better after} 20...cxd4 {with the idea} 21.Nxd4 Bxa4 $1 {when} 22.bxa4 $2 {loses due to the pin after} 22...Nc4 23.Qe2 Nxd2 24.Qxd2 Qd7 ) 21.d5 Qc5 $1 {With the rook on c8 this is possible.} 22.Qxc5 Rxc5 {The endgame is indeed slightly better for Black. His queenside majority went into motion and somewhere in the not-so-distant future Aronian will have an outside passer. With his next moves Ding skillfully slows down Black's initiative.} 23.dxe6 Rxd2 24.Nxd2 fxe6 25.Bf1 $1 cxb3 26.Nxb3 Rc7 27.Nxa5 Nxa4 28.Na2 Rxc1 29.Nxc1 Nc5 {Up to now everything was normal, but...} 30.Ncb3 $6 {"A careless move!" (Ding)} ( 30.f3 {followed by the king march to e3 would have held the position relatively easy.} ) 30...b6 $1 31.Nxc5 bxa5 32.Bc4 a4 {Aronian got the most dangerous outside passer.} 33.Kf1 a3 34.Nb3 ( {The Chinese GM thought that he is losing after} 34.Ke2 a2 35.Nb3 Nc2 36.Kd2 Ba4 {However, after} 37.Bxe6+ Kf8 38.Na1 Nxa1 39.Bxa2 {this is not 100 percent clear. The remaining pawns are on the same flank.} ) 34...Ba4 35.Nc1 Bc2 36.Ke2 Bxe4 37.Bxe6+ Kf8 38.Kd2 ( 38.Bc4 {was somewhat better version to the game continuation.} ) 38...Ke7 39.Bb3 Nd5 40.Ne2 Kd6 {The time trouble is over. White's problems are multiplied by the fact that the h-pawn of the opponent queens on a light square. The defense is very difficult.} 41.f3 Bb1 {Please note how nicely are Aronian's pieces co-ordinated. They do not allow the white king an access to the third rank.} 42.Kc1 Bg6 43.Nd4 Nc7 $1 {Another surprise for Ding.} ( {He was hoping for} 43...Nc3 44.Bc2 Kc5 ( {Or} 44...Bxc2 45.Kxc2 a2 46.Kb2 Kd5 47.Nf5 {and White should hold.} ) 45.Bxg6 hxg6 46.Nc2 Nb5 47.Kb1 {"Since the black pawns are doubled, I think I should hold." (Ding)} ) 44.Ne2 ( {The pawns will no longer be doubled after} 44.Bc2 Bxc2 45.Kxc2 Kc5 46.Nf5 g6 {Whether this is a win is another question, but Black has reasonable chances. If we follow Botvinnik's formula that "knight endgames are the closest to pawn endgames" Black should be winning here.} ) 44...Kc5 45.Nf4 Bf5 46.g4 {Ding decided to advance his pawns as much as possible in an attempt to trade them. It will take some hours (days?) to find the mathematically correct way to defend White's position. :-) It should also be mentioned that both players were getting very low on time.} 46...Bd7 ( 46...Bc8 $5 ) 47.g5 $2 {Gives the diagonal into Black's hands again.} ( 47.Nh5 {was definitely stronger.} ) 47...Nb5 48.Bg8 ( 48.Kb1 $5 ) 48...Bf5 {Once again achieving the perfect co-ordination.} 49.Nh5 g6 50.Ng3 Bd3 51.Bxh7 {This loses.} ( {However, it is hard to believe that White can survive after} 51.Kd2 Bc4 52.Ne4+ Kd4 53.Bxc4 Kxc4 54.Kc2 Nd4+ ) 51...Nd4 $1 {With the threat Nd4-b3+ and a queen.} 52.Ne4+ ( 52.Bg8 {loses to} 52...Nxf3 ) 52...Kb4 53.Bg8 Nxf3 {The wrong direction! Aronian missed a (very complicated) win.} ( {The line} 53...Nb3+ $1 54.Bxb3 Kxb3 55.Nd2+ {This is what Ding saw and intended to play.} 55...Kb4 $1 {wins for Black. Still, this was completely impossible to calculate, especially the zugzwangs that arise again and again. The impression is that White will have a chance to sacrifice his knight and three pawns for the remaining two black pawns, but check the lines:} ( 55...Kc3 $2 {is the first wrong path. Black holds after} 56.Nb1+ Kb4 ( {But not} 56...Bxb1 $2 57.Kxb1 Kd3 58.h4 {and White wins!} 58...Ke3 59.h5 ) 57.Nxa3 Kxa3 58.Kd2 Bb1 59.Kc3 $1 Ka4 60.h4 Kb5 61.Kd4 Kc6 62.Ke5 Kd7 63.Kf6 Ke8 64.Kg7 {followed by Kg7-h6 and h4-h5.} ) 56.h3 Kc5 57.h4 ( {Or} 57.Nb3+ Kc4 $1 58.Nd2+ Kd4 ) 57...Kd4 {The bishop and the a-pawn created a nice cell for the white king.} 58.Ne4 Ke3 59.Nc5 Bf5 60.Nb7 Kxf3 61.Na5 Bd3 62.Nc6 Kf4 63.Nd4 Kg4 64.Nc6 Kf5 $3 {Carefully taking the pawns.} ( {Another trap is revealed after} 64...Kxh4 $2 65.Ne5 Bf5 66.Nc4 a2 67.Kb2 Kxg5 68.Ne5 {and the most important black pawn on g6 will disappear on the next move.} ) 65.Ne7+ Ke5 66.Nc6+ Ke6 67.Nb4 Be4 68.Kd2 ( {Or} 68.Na2 Kf5 69.Nc3 Bd3 70.Nd5 Kg4 ) 68...Kf5 69.Kc3 Kg4 70.Kb3 Kxh4 71.Kxa3 Kxg5 {and the tablebase says Black wins...} ) 54.Nf6 Kc5 55.h3 ( {I have serious doubts that White can survive even after the best computer move} 55.Ba2 ) 55...Kd4 {"I thought I am probably losing." (Ding)} 56.Ba2 {Played with only three seconds left on the clock!} 56...Nxg5 57.h4 {It was not late to return to the aforementioned line but Black was also very low on time.} 57...Ne4 58.Nd7 Nc5 {Indeed, Aronian was winning here with at least two moves:} ( 58...Nc3 {with the idea} 59.Bb3 Ne2+ 60.Kd2 Ng1 61.Nf8 Nf3+ 62.Kc1 Kc3 63.Ba2 Nd4 $1 64.Nd7 Bc2 $1 {and mate next.} ) ( {Or} 58...Ng3 59.Kd2 Nf5 60.Nf8 Bc4 $1 ( {But not} 60...Nxh4 $2 {which is a draw after} 61.Ne6+ Ke4 62.Nc5+ ) ) 59.Nf6 Ke5 60.Nd5 Bf5 ( 60...Na6 {was the last winning chance.} ) 61.Ne3 Nd3+ 62.Kc2 $1 {"Maybe he missed this move, that I can protect my bishop. " (Ding) Indeed, moves which put your king in danger are easy to miss.} 62...Nb4+ 63.Kb3 Nxa2 64.Kxa2 {Now it is a draw. The knight and the king can co-ordinate while the black king wins the pawn.} 64...Ke4 65.Nc2 Kf4 66.Nd4 Kg4 67.Kxa3 ( 67.Nc6 Kxh4 68.Ne5 g5 69.Nf3+ {would had won the pawn at once, but the text move is enough for the half point.} ) 67...Kxh4 68.Kb2 Kg3 69.Kc3 Kf2 70.Kd2 Bg4 ( {Or} 70...Bd7 71.Nc2 g5 72.Ne3 ) 71.Nc2 g5 72.Ne3 Be2 73.Nd5 Bg4 74.Nf6 Bf5 75.Kd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.25"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "6602304264710"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 {Ding played his beloved Catalan yesterday and now it is Aronian to show his version of the things - the Reti way.} 3...d5 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Qa4+ Bd7 6.Qxc4 c5 7.Ne5 Qc8 8.Qd3 Nc6 9.Nxd7 Nxd7 ( {The other capture is also playable} 9...Qxd7 10.Qxd7+ Kxd7 11.Nc3 Be7 12.b3 Rac8 13.Bb2 Rhd8 14.e3 Ke8 15.Ke2 b6 {although White can claim a slight advantage thanks to his bishop pair, Yu,Y (2744)-Wang,Y (2699) Huocheng County 2017} ) 10.Qb3 $146 {A seemingly harmless novelty.} ( {Grischuk managed to outplay Wojtaszek after} 10.Qb5 Nde5 11.f4 a6 12.Qa4 Nd7 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.Na3 Nb6 15.Qe4 {Grischuk, A (2737)-Wojtaszek,R (2749) Doha 2016. Apparently both sides prepared this line heavily.} ) 10...Be7 {Ding's play is very simple: finish the development, use the half-open d-file and the d4-outpost for his knight.} 11.Nc3 O-O 12.O-O Rd8 13.d3 {If the game opens somehow Aronian may try to use his bishop pair. But this never happens in the game.} 13...Nb6 14.Be3 ( 14.Rd1 $4 {with the idea to prepare e2-e3 would not be nice after} 14...Nd4 ) 14...Nd4 15.Bxd4 {White would love to keep the bishop alive, but the knigth is too great to stay in the center.} ( {After} 15.Qd1 Qd7 {followed by Ra8-c8 Black is doing great.} ) 15...Rxd4 16.Rfc1 {Aronian tries to make use of the half-open c-file.} ( {Or} 16.Rfd1 Qd7 {with equality.} ) 16...Rd7 17.a4 {Attacking the only piece that is a bit exposed from Black's position. The pawn wants to run all the way to b7.} 17...Qd8 18.a5 Nd5 {Now the other black knight is great.} 19.Nxd5 {For a moment at least.} 19...exd5 20.d4 cxd4 21.Rc2 {The light-squared bishops are harbingers of the draw. Further exchanges lead the game towards the logical outcome.} 21...g6 22.Bh3 Rc7 23.Rac1 Rxc2 24.Rxc2 b6 ( {There is no need to complicate things with} 24...Qxa5 25.Qxb7 Re8 26.Rc7 d3 $1 27.exd3 Bc5 {which is also equal after say} 28.Bf1 ( 28.Rxf7 {is more exciting (and risky for White) after} 28...Qe1+ 29.Bf1 Re7 ) 28...Rf8 29.b4 Qxb4 30.Qxb4 Bxb4 31.Rxa7 ) 25.Bg2 Rc8 {Returns the pawn but achieves the desired material balance.} 26.Rxc8 Qxc8 27.Bxd5 Qf5 28.Qc4 bxa5 29.b3 d3 {To free the bishop.} 30.exd3 Bd8 31.Qe4 {None of the sides can make real progress.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.26"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[ECO "D39"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "5500645149703"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 {No Catalan today.} 4...Bb4 5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4 h6 {This came as a surprise for Ding Liren. It's not clear why, because Aronian had played like this before (see below).} 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Bxc4 c5 9.O-O O-O 10.e5 Qd8 11.Ne4 cxd4 12.Qe2 Bd7 ( {The other way to play it is the daring} 12...Be7 13.Rad1 Qc7 14.Ng3 Rd8 15.Nh5 g6 {as in Moiseenko,A (2671) -Meier,G (2644) Jerusalem 2017} ) 13.Rfd1 Nc6 14.Ng3 $146 {This novelty was most likely not home-brewed.} ( {The above-mentioned earlier game of Aronian went:} 14.a3 Be7 15.b4 Qb8 {and only then} 16.Ng3 b5 17.Bxb5 Nxe5 18.Bxd7 Nxd7 19.Nxd4 Ne5 {and in a marathon hundred move game Black held, Grischuk,A (2736)-Aronian, L (2781) Linares 2010} ) 14...Bc5 15.a3 ( {It turns out that it is not that easy to restore the material balance:} 15.Ne4 Be7 ( 15...Bb6 ) 16.Nxd4 Nxe5 ) 15...Ne7 $1 {A nice regroupment. The light-squared bishop gets ready to occupy the long diagonal and the knight will find work on the kingside. Ding assessed his position correctly: "I was worse after the opening. "} 16.Ne4 Bb6 17.Nxd4 {Ding took the pawn back, but now the e5 one has problems.} ( {Black is also taking over the initiative in case of} 17.Nd6 Ng6 18.Nxb7 Qe7 19.Nxd4 Ba4 20.b3 Qxb7 21.bxa4 Rad8 ) 17...Ng6 18.Qh5 ( {Black is doing great after} 18.Nf3 Qc7 19.Nd6 Bc6 ) 18...Qh4 $1 {Missed by the Chinese GM. "Immediately after I played Qh5 I saw he could play Qh4." Now that the queens are gone, White cannot save the pawn.} 19.Qxh4 Nxh4 20.a4 $5 {Generating counterplay on the queenside.} ( 20.f4 $4 Nf5 {does not require a comment.} ) ( {In the line} 20.Nd6 Ng6 21.Nxb7 Nxe5 {White is also forced to part with a pawn after} 22.Be2 Rab8 23.Nd6 Ba4 24.b3 Bxd4 25.Rxd4 Bxb3 ) ( {But perhaps it was easier to the defend with opposite-colored bishops after} 20.Bb5 Bxd4 21.Bxd7 Bxe5 22.Rd2 ) 20...Ng6 21.a5 ( {In the brief post-mortem Aronian suggested} 21.Bb5 {instead, although Black is also a healthy pawn ahead after} 21...Bxb5 22.Nxb5 Nxe5 23.a5 Bd8 ) 21...Bxd4 22.Rxd4 Bc6 23.b4 ( {Or} 23.f4 Nxf4 24.Nd6 Ng6 {and the problems with the e5-pawn remain.} ) 23...Nxe5 24.b5 Bxe4 25.Rxe4 Nd7 {Summing up: Aronian is a hefty pawn up, but Ding has the better light piece and good drawing chances. It was for a reason that Capablanca called the advantage of the bishop versus the knight in the endgame a "small exchange."} 26.Rd4 Nc5 27.Rad1 Rfc8 28.h4 $1 {Seizing more space on the kingside. White would trade any pawn he can reach.} 28...Kf8 29.h5 Ke7 30.Rg4 {Another use of the h-pawn advance. White keeps the opponent's pieces busy.} 30...Rg8 31.Be2 {The bishop is also getting on the ideal square. Did I already mention that there was no Catalan today?} 31...b6 32.Bf3 Rac8 {White's excellent strategy is backed up by tactics.} ( {Ding was hoping for the following fantastic line:} 32...Rad8 33.Ra1 Nb3 34.axb6 $3 Nxa1 35.bxa7 {"and I have compensation" (Ding). White might be in fact better already. For example:} 35...Nb3 36.b6 Nd2 37.Be2 $1 Ra8 38.Rd4 Nb3 39.Rc4 Na5 40.Rc5 Nb3 41.Rc7+ Kd6 42.Bf3 {Two pawns on the sixth rank are monsters!} ) 33.axb6 axb6 34.Ra1 {Once that White got an open line for his rooks, things got better.} 34...Rc7 35.Bc6 f5 {Finally some motion on the kingside.} ( {But it seems as Aronian could have done better had he had gone for} 35...Nd3 {with the intention to trade the light pieces at once. For example} 36.Ra6 Ne5 37.Re4 Nxc6 38.bxc6 Rb8 $1 {with good winning chances.} ( {Less good is} 38...Rxc6 39.Ra7+ Kd6 40.Rxf7 ) ) 36.Rg3 Kf7 {The g8 rook is set free, but White has many targets to attack.} 37.Rd1 Ra7 38.Rg6 Ra3 39.g4 $1 {Pawn trades and again trades!} 39...fxg4 40.Rxg4 ( 40.Rd4 Ra4 {would be less convincing according to Ding.} ) 40...Rh3 41.Be4 $1 {Once that this move was made the Chinese GM could finally breath freely.} 41...Nxe4 ( {Or else the white pieces will become too dangerous:} 41...Rb3 42.Bg6+ Ke7 ( {Or} 42...Kf6 43.Rf4+ Kg5 44.Rf7 Rxb5 45.Kg2 {and suddenly the black king feels the tension.} ) 43.Bh7 {regaining one of the pawns and keeping the good position for the pieces.} ) 42.Rxe4 Rxh5 43.Rd7+ {The rook endgame is drawish.} 43...Kf6 44.Rd6 Re5 ( {Or} 44...Rxb5 45.Rexe6+ Kf5 46.Rxb6 Rxb6 47.Rxb6 {which is also a draw, although Black can keep on torturing the opponent.} ) 45.Rxe5 Kxe5 46.Rxb6 g5 47.Rb7 h5 48.b6 h4 49.Rf7 Rd8 50.b7 Rd1+ 51.Kg2 Rb1 52.f3 {An exciting tiebreak ahead!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.27"]
[Round "7.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8247008314410"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.d4 c6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 {Aronian avoids the Anti-Moscow Variation, which is something he played himself in the past.} ( {So did Ding, for example} 6.Bh4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.Bg3 b5 9.Be2 Bb7 10.h4 g4 11.Ne5 Nbd7 {Nakamura,H (2791)-Ding,L (2755) Saint Louis 2016} ) 6...Qxf6 7.Qb3 Nd7 8.e4 dxe4 9.Nxe4 Qf4 10.Bd3 e5 ( {After} 10...Be7 {Aronian won an excellent game against Leko in Norway:} 11.Bc2 $5 O-O ( {After White has cleared the third rank,} 11...e5 $2 {would run into} 12.g3 {winning the e5-pawn. (Marin)} ) 12.O-O Rd8 13.Rad1 b6 14.Rfe1 {Aronian,L (2805)-Leko,P (2740) Troms&oslash; 2014} ) 11.O-O ( {White did not get much after} 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Nxe5 Qxe5 13.O-O Be7 14.Rfe1 O-O {Belov,V (2614)-Anand,V (2803) Berlin 2015} ) 11...Be7 12.Rae1 exd4 13.Bb1 O-O 14.Ng3 Bd8 $146 ( {All of this has been seen previously. After} 14...Nc5 15.Qa3 Qc7 16.Nxd4 Rd8 17.Ndf5 Bxf5 18.Nxf5 Bf8 {Black held comfortably in Ivanisevic,I (2588)-Schenk,A (2495) Gonfreville 2006} ) 15.Qd3 g6 {The only move.} ( 15...Nf6 $2 {loses to} 16.Nh5 $1 ) 16.h4 {Demonstrating deep preparation.} 16...Nf6 {Probably a big mistake.} ( {It was mandatory to get rid of the queen with} 16...Nc5 17.Qa3 {and then something like} 17...Ne6 18.h5 Ng5 ( {Or} 18...Qf6 {although in both cases White seems to keep nice initiative.} ) ) 17.h5 g5 18.Ne5 $1 {Creates the powerful threat 19. Ne5-g6! Up to here Aronian was practically blitzing and this was the first moment he thought for a while (3 minutes.) In comparison Ding had spent more than half of his time.} 18...Ba5 ( {The threat works after} 18...Bc7 19.Ng6 $1 {and Black should give up the exchange as} 19...fxg6 ( {However, Aronian would hardly bother about the useless rook on f8 and would have gone} 19...Qd6 20.f4 $1 {instead.} ) 20.Qxg6+ Kh8 21.Re7 {is mate.} ) ( {One other line where the sacrifice works runs after} 18...Kg7 19.Ng6 {and if} 19...fxg6 20.Qxg6+ Kh8 21.Qxh6+ Kg8 22.Qg6+ Kh8 23.h6 {The attack is decisive. For example} 23...Qc7 ( {One point behind White's attacking set-up is the brilliant} 23...Rg8 24.Re8 $3 ) 24.Nh5 $1 Nxh5 25.Re8 $1 {and White mates.} ) 19.Ng6 {Anyway!} 19...Qd2 $1 {The best defense. If Ding trades the queens it will be OK, but...} 20.Ne7+ Kg7 21.Qb3 $1 {The queens are needed for the great attack that will follow.} ( {Not} 21.Qxd2 Bxd2 22.Ngf5+ Kh8 ) ( {However, the immediate} 21.Ngf5+ $5 Kh8 22.Qb3 {will provide great advantage to White as well.} ) 21...Qf4 22.Rd1 ( {Or} 22.Ngf5+ Bxf5 23.Nxf5+ Kh8 24.Re7 ) 22...Bb6 23.Ngf5+ Bxf5 24.Nxf5+ Kh8 25.g3 Qg4 ( {The last chance was to hide behind the h-pawn:} 25...Qc7 26.Nxh6 ) 26.Nxh6 Qxh5 {This makes White's attack easier.} 27.Kg2 d3 ( {Or} 27...Qxh6 28.Rh1 Qxh1+ 29.Rxh1+ Kg7 30.Qd3 Rh8 31.Rxh8 Rxh8 32.Qf5 {and White wins.} ) 28.Qc3 $1 ( {Not allowing any counterplay after} 28.Rh1 Qe2 $1 ) 28...Kg7 29.Nf5+ Kg6 30.Rh1 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2017"]
[Site "Tbilisi GEO"]
[Date "2017.09.27"]
[Round "7.6"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Beauty "8180704772117"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bf4 ( 6.Bg5 O-O 7.e3 Bf5 8.Qb3 Bxc3+ 9.Qxc3 h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Bd3 c6 12.Bxf5 Qxf5 13.Qb3 Qc8 {Nakamura,H (2785)-Aronian,L (2793) Stavanger 2017} ) 6...c6 7.e3 Bf5 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O Be7 $146 ( 9...Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.Nh4 Be6 12.Nf3 Bf5 13.Nh4 Be6 14.Nf3 Bf5 15.Nh4 {1/2-1/2 Erdos,V (2585)-Parligras,M (2599) Novi Sad 2016} ) 10.Nh4 Bg6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Qb3 Qb6 13.Qc2 a5 14.g4 Nbd7 15.g5 Ne8 16.e4 dxe4 {"A terrible blunder." (Aronian)} 17.Nxe4 Qd8 ( {Black missed that he cannot go} 17...Nc7 18.Nc5 $1 ) 18.h4 Nb6 19.Be5 Nd5 20.Bg4 Kh8 21.Rae1 Nef6 {Aronian said he knew this move was losing, but called it a good practical decision anyway. "Otherwise I am just gonna die slowly. I managed to confuse my opponent I think."} 22.gxf6 gxf6 23.Bh2 ( {Missing the chance to try and stay in the match after} 23.Bg3 $1 f5 24.Bxf5 gxf5 25.Nc3 f4 ( {Worse is} 25...Bxh4 26.Qxf5 {and White wins with direct attack.} ) 26.Nxd5 Qxd5 27.Rxe7 fxg3 28.fxg3 Qd6 ( {Or} 28...Qxd4+ 29.Kh2 Rad8 30.Rxb7 {which should be winning.} ) 29.Re3 {White is up a pawn, has safer king and more time on the clock. Should have been sufficient to stay in the match...} ( {Worse is} 29.Rfxf7 Rxf7 30.Rxf7 Qxg3+ 31.Kf1 Qxh4 ) ) 23...f5 24.Bxf5 gxf5 25.Qd1 Rg8+ 26.Kh1 Rg4 $1 {Now Black does not risk to lose.} 27.Ng3 Rxh4 28.Nxf5 Rh7 29.Nxe7 Nxe7 30.Re5 Nf5 $1 {A nice move to sequre the queen trade.} 31.Rfe1 {And a blunder in return.} ( 31.Rxf5 {loses as well} 31...Qh4 ) ( 31.Qg4 {was the only move though, although Black does not risk anything after} 31...Qh4 32.Qxh4 Nxh4 ) 31...Qh4 32.Re8+ Kg7 33.Rg1+ Kf6 0-1

[Event "European Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.10.29"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[ECO "D28"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7834154571272"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 ( {Most of the people like to stop the advance of the b-pawn with} 7.a4 ) 7...b5 8.Bd3 Nbd7 ( {"Apparently he knew what he is doing as he did not choose} 8...Bb7 $2 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.Bxb5+ {" (Giri)} ) 9.a4 {If Black manages to stabilize his queenside he will have excellent position.} 9...c4 ( {Most people go for} 9...b4 {instead, as Giri noted.} ) 10.Bc2 Bb7 11.e4 ( {White can also decide to attack the queenside with} 11.b3 cxb3 12.Bxb3 b4 13.Nbd2 Be7 14.a5 O-O 15.Bb2 Qb8 16.Rfc1 {as in Kotanjian,T (2545)-Karpatchev,A (2445) Beirut 2014} ) 11...Be7 12.Nc3 b4 13.e5 {Same policy: who is faster?} 13...bxc3 14.exf6 Nxf6 15.bxc3 Bxf3 ( {Both players knew the line quite well, but Giri believes that the correct move should be} 15...Qa5 {"He must have mixed something."} ) 16.Qxf3 Nd5 $146 {A logical novely.} ( {An email game saw} 16...O-O 17.Rb1 Rb8 18.Bf4 Rxb1 19.Rxb1 {with slight edge for White, Szabo,V (2276)-Khan,V (2137) LSS email 2014} ) 17.a5 $1 {An important move. The threat is Bc2-a4+, thus the next move is forced.} 17...O-O 18.Qh3 {But now this simple threat is more than just annoying.} 18...f5 {Alas, forced.} ( {It transpires that a4-a5 has some additional strenght. The most logical defense} 18...g6 $2 {drops an exchange due to} 19.Bh6 Re8 20.Ba4 ) ( {Also risky and bad is} 18...h6 19.Bxh6 $1 gxh6 20.Qxh6 f5 ( 20...Nf6 21.Rfe1 ) 21.Qxe6+ Kg7 {when both} 22.Qe5+ ( 22.Bxf5 {give an edge to White.} ) ) 19.Re1 {Now White has long-term advantage thanks to the weakness of the e6 pawn.} 19...Rf6 ( {Or} 19...Qc8 20.Bd2 ( 20.g4 $5 ) ) 20.Bg5 {Giri decided to get rid of his weaker bishop.} ( {The computer likes} 20.Qf3 Rb8 21.Ba4 Qxa5 22.Bf4 ) 20...Rg6 21.Bxe7 Nxe7 ( 21...Qxe7 $4 22.Bxf5 ) 22.Qf3 Nd5 23.Re5 Rf6 24.g3 {A useful move.} ( 24.Qe2 Qc8 ( 24...Nxc3 25.Qxc4 Nd5 26.Bd1 ) 25.Qd2 Rb8 {seems less convincing.} ) 24...Rb8 25.Bd1 {This brings the bishop to a better position. One idea is to target the c4-pawn. Another, to bring it all the way to g2 to hit the d5-knight.} 25...Qc8 26.h4 Rb5 ( 26...Rb2 $5 {seems more natural. The rook is not only looking pretty. Say} 27.Be2 Rc2 ) 27.Kh2 {Moving the king away from possible checks.} 27...h6 28.Ba4 Rb8 ( {In the line} 28...Rxa5 29.Bd7 {there is no capture on a1 with check.} ) ( {It is too late for} 28...Rb2 29.Rae1 {when the threats of a captures on e6 or d5 are very serious. For example:} 29...Kf7 $2 30.Rxd5 exd5 31.Qxd5+ Kf8 32.Re8+ Qxe8 33.Bxe8 Kxe8 34.Qg8+ ) 29.Rae1 {Re5xe6 is a strong threat, therefore} 29...Kh8 ( {Since} 29...Kh7 $2 {drops a lot after} 30.Rxe6 Rxe6 31.Qxf5+ Rg6 32.Bd7 Qf8 33.h5 ) 30.Kg2 ( 30.Rxd5 {was already a possibility and after} 30...exd5 31.Re8+ Qxe8 32.Bxe8 Rxe8 33.Qxd5 {White should be winning. But apparently Giri thought this idea has nowhere to run.} ) 30...Ra8 31.Kg1 ( 31.Rxd5 {still looks good after} 31...exd5 32.Re8+ Qxe8 33.Bxe8 Rxe8 34.Qxd5 f4 35.gxf4 Rxf4 36.Qxc4 Ref8 37.Qe2 ) ( {Giri pointed out that the immediate} 31.Bc2 Qc6 {runs into the threat of 32...Nf4+!} ) 31...Rb8 32.Kh2 Ra8 33.Bc2 {Giving up the idea but creating another threat, which suddenly worked very well for White.} 33...Qd7 $4 ( 33...Qg8 34.Ba4 {would have kep Black on the ropes, but at least there is still play.} ) 34.Rxe6 $1 {Now it is over. White wins plenty of material.} 34...Rxe6 35.Qxf5 g6 36.Qxe6 Qxe6 37.Rxe6 Nxc3 38.Rxg6 1-0

[Event "European Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.10.30"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Laznicka, Viktor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[Beauty "8249155790857"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 c5 6.Be3 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Ne7 8.O-O Nbc6 9.Bb5 {A particularly unpleasant choice for Black. According to my Megabase, Laznicka has played this position three times and has not even scored half a point yet.} 9...a6 ( 9...Bg6 10.c4 a6 11.Ba4 dxc4 12.Na3 Bd3 13.Rc1 Bxf1 14.Qxf1 Rc8 {Bartel,M (2652)-Laznicka,V (2666) Dresden GER 2015} ) 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 ( {Black did not equalize after} 10...Nxc6 11.Nxf5 exf5 12.c3 Be7 13.Nd2 Nxe5 14.Bd4 {with initiative for a pawn, Shirov, A (2706)-Laznicka,V (2683) Novy Bor 2012.} ) 11.c4 Qd7 ( {Perhaps the second player should follow Howell's footprints:} 11...dxc4 12.Nxf5 ( 12.Qa4 $5 {is critical though.} 12...Qd7 13.Na3 c3 14.bxc3 Nd5 15.Nxf5 exf5 16.Nc4 Be7 {Khalifman,A (2649)-Laznicka, V (2702) Plovdiv BUL 2012} ) 12...Qxd1 13.Rxd1 Nxf5 14.Nd2 Nxe3 15.fxe3 c3 $1 {with equality in Areshchenko,A (2645)-Howell,D (2640) Germany 2017} ) 12.Nc3 dxc4 13.Na4 Nd5 14.Nxf5 exf5 15.Rc1 c3 ( {None has tested yet} 15...Nxe3 16.Qxd7+ Kxd7 17.fxe3 Ke6 18.Rxc4 ) 16.Qc2 {So far both players were practically blitzing but here Laznicka sank into thought.} ( {Apparently the Czech player expected} 16.Nxc3 {and then he remembered a game that he witnessed just a meter away from him recently:} 16...Nxe3 17.fxe3 g6 18.Qf3 Bh6 19.Na4 O-O 20.Nb6 Qa7 21.Rxc6 Rae8 22.Nc4 f4 23.Kh1 fxe3 24.b3 Bg7 25.Qxe3 Qxe3 26.Nxe3 Rxe5 {and Black held in Caruana,F (2808)-Navara,D (2742) Baku 2016} ) 16...Be7 $146 {A novelty.} ( {An email game saw} 16...Rb8 17.Nxc3 Nxe3 18.fxe3 Bc5 19.Nd1 {Borstnik,A (2567)-Rydholm,L (2524) ICCF email 2012. Nepomniachtchi either had something prepared here or liked the position and did not mind slight and stable advantage.} ) ( {The obvious question is why not take the pawn:} 16...cxb2 {The answer: after} 17.Qxb2 {Black cannot finish the kingside development. For instance} 17...Be7 {is well met with} 18.e6 $1 Qxe6 19.Qxg7 Bf6 20.Qh6 {Look at the black king and pawns. Is this worth only one pawn?} ) 17.Nxc3 Nxe3 {Black needs to do some damage to the opponent's position too.} ( {Otherwise} 17...Nxc3 $2 18.Qxc3 {leaves him suffereing for nothing.} ) 18.fxe3 Bg5 {It is tempting to divert the white rook from the half-open file and relieve the pressure on the c6 pawn. But...} ( {The immediate} 18...g6 {was better to which Nepomniachtchi most likely intended} 19.Na4 ( 19.e4 {is not as convincing as in the line} 19...fxe4 20.Nxe4 O-O 21.Qxc6 {does not win a pawn due to} 21...Qd4+ 22.Kh1 Qxe5 ) 19...Bg5 20.Qc5 {Keeping the black king in the center.} ) 19.Rce1 g6 {Black is just a step away from castling and excellent game, but he will never get this tempo.} 20.g4 $1 fxg4 21.Ne4 {With a tempo. This is why the bishop was better placed on e7.} 21...Be7 22.Rd1 Qc8 ( 22...Qb7 23.e6 $1 {would be bad enough.} ) ( 22...Qe6 $2 {drops at least a rook after} 23.Nd6+ Bxd6 24.Qxc6+ Ke7 25.exd6+ ) 23.e6 $1 {Breaks open the files.} 23...fxe6 ( {The last chance was} 23...Qxe6 24.Nd6+ Bxd6 25.Qxc6+ Ke7 26.Qb7+ Kf8 27.Qxa8+ Kg7 {Hoping for a chance to occur due to the weakness of the white king. It is hard to believe that Black can survive though after} 28.Qd5 ( 28.Qxa6 $4 Bxh2+ ) 28...Qxe3+ 29.Kh1 Bb8 30.Rxf7+ Kh6 ) 24.Qc3 {Look at the heavy pieces in both camps. They tell a thousand words.} 24...Rf8 ( {Black is getting smashed after} 24...Rg8 25.Nf6+ Bxf6 26.Qxf6 Ra7 27.Rd8+ Qxd8 28.Qxe6+ Qe7 ( {Or} 28...Re7 29.Qxg8+ Kd7 30.Rd1+ ) 29.Qxg8+ Kd7 30.Rf7 ) 25.Rxf8+ Bxf8 26.Qh8 {The main threat is Ne4-d6+ but there a dozen of others... Black had had enough.} ( 26.Qh8 Ke7 27.Qxh7+ Ke8 28.Nf6# ) 1-0

[Event "European Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.10.31"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Erdos, Viktor"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2624"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6805241463305"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e3 {A fashionable Anti-Gruenfeld line.} 5...Nxc3 6.dxc3 {This is the top trend.} ( {The true Gruenfeld players do not fear} 6.bxc3 g6 {Nepomniachtchi himself proved this thesis on many occasions. A recent one went:} 7.h4 Bg7 8.h5 Nc6 9.Be2 b6 10.Kf1 Qd6 11.d4 O-O 12.Ba3 Bf5 13.Kg1 Rfd8 14.Qa4 Qf6 15.hxg6 hxg6 16.Rf1 Rac8 {with roughly balanced game, Aronian,L (2799)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2751) Saint Louis 2017} ) 6...Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 {A handful of games have been played in this line. Unsurprisingly two of them by Nepomniachtchi.} 7...b6 ( {Carlsen managed to outplay MVL in Saint Louis after} 7...Bf5 8.Nd2 Nc6 9.e4 Bg6 10.Bb5 Rc8 11.h4 h5 12.Re1 e6 13.a4 Be7 14.g3 O-O 15.a5 {although at the end of the day it was the Frenchman who emerged victorious, Carlsen,M (2822)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2791) Saint Louis 2017} ) ( {In Baku the Russian GM managed to equalize after} 7...Nc6 8.e4 b6 9.Kc2 Bb7 10.Bf4 f6 11.Rd1 e5 12.Bc1 Na5 13.Bb5+ Kf7 14.Rhe1 a6 15.Bc4+ Nxc4 16.Rd7+ Be7 17.Rxb7 Rhb8 18.Rxb8 Rxb8 {Vidit,S (2669) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2740) Baku 2016} ) 8.Bb5+ $146 {A novelty by Erdos. White is happy to trade off the light-squared bishops. This is an improvement upon another game of his opponent.} ( 8.e4 Bb7 9.Bb5+ Bc6 10.a4 a6 11.Bxc6+ Nxc6 12.Kc2 e6 13.Rd1 {although here too White was somewhat better, Wang,Y (2728) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2719) Moscow 2016} ) 8...Bd7 9.a4 a6 ( {Maybe Black should have tried} 9...Nc6 $5 ) 10.Bxd7+ Nxd7 11.e4 e6 12.Bf4 {Erdos can be happy with the opening outcome. He has a slight, but solid advantage thanks to the better pawn structure. His main advantage is that his pawns on a4 and e4 are nicely placed on light squares, thus making sure they are not obstructing their own bishop. His king will be also ideally positioned on c2, while the opponent's one will find it hard to remain in the center.} 12...f6 ( {Or} 12...O-O-O 13.Kc2 Be7 14.Nd2 {followed by Nd2-c4 and pressure along the d-file.} ) 13.Nd2 {White's play is very easy and clear. The knight always goes to c4, takes under control the b6 and d6 squares, the king moves to c2 and the rooks get doubled along the d-file. What exactly is black doing remains mistery.} 13...Be7 14.Nc4 Kf7 ( {If Black wanted to play as in the game, he should have done e6-e5 at once:} 14...e5 15.Be3 O-O-O 16.Kc2 Kc7 {although White definitely calls the shots here too.} ) 15.Kc2 e5 {A tough move to make. Now d5 is permanently weak. What's more, the e5-pawn might be easily attacked.} ( {Although} 15...Ra7 {would be similar after} 16.Rhd1 g5 17.Be3 ) 16.Rhd1 Ke6 17.Be3 Rhb8 18.f4 $1 {Erdos wins the b8-h2 diagonal and penetrates along the d-file. His advantage became significant.} 18...exf4 ( 18...g6 $2 {drops the knight after} 19.f5+ gxf5 20.exf5+ ) 19.Bxf4 Rb7 20.Rd5 Raa7 ( {Or} 20...Nf8 21.Bd6 Rd8 22.Rad1 {with similar consequences.} ) 21.Nd6 ( {White already had a pleasant choice.} 21.a5 {seemed even better, with clear edge after} 21...b5 22.Nd6 Bxd6 23.Rxd6+ Ke7 24.Rad1 ( {Or} 24.Rc6 ) ) 21...Bxd6 22.Rxd6+ Ke7 23.Rc6 Ra8 ( {For good or for bad Nepomniachtchi had to block the queenside with} 23...a5 $1 24.Rd1 Ra8 {and hope that his fortress is solid enough to hold.} ) 24.a5 $1 {Now the a6- and c5-pawns become desperately weak.} 24...Kf7 ( 24...bxa5 25.Rxa5 {would also drop a pawn soon.} ) 25.axb6 Rxb6 26.Rc7 Ke8 ( {If} 26...Ke6 27.Rd1 Rd8 28.e5 $1 {is very strong with the idea} 28...fxe5 29.Bg5 ) 27.Rd1 Rd8 28.Rd6 {White wins a pawn.} ( 28.Bd6 $5 {was also good, but Erdos was in slight time pressure and decided t play it safe.} ) 28...g5 29.Bg3 Rxd6 30.Bxd6 h5 31.Bxc5 Nxc5 32.Rxc5 {The endgame is won for White. Besides the extra pawn he has more active rook and king.} 32...Kf7 33.Rd5 ( 33.b4 $5 ) 33...Re8 34.Kd3 h4 35.b4 h3 {The last hope for counter play.} 36.g3 $1 {Not allowing any chances.} 36...Rb8 37.Kd4 Ke6 38.Ra5 Rb6 39.Rc5 ( 39.g4 {at once was good, but White will come to this idea in a couple of moves.} ) 39...Rd6+ 40.Rd5 Rb6 41.g4 Kf7 42.e5 {The king gets in, the end is near.} 42...Ke7 43.Ke4 Rc6 44.Kf5 ( {Or} 44.Rc5 Rxc5 45.exf6+ Kxf6 46.bxc5 Ke6 47.Kd4 {and wins.} ) 44...fxe5 45.Rxe5+ Kf7 46.Re3 a5 47.Rxh3 Kg7 ( {Nothing helps:} 47...axb4 48.cxb4 Rb6 49.Rh7+ Kg8 50.Rc7 ) 48.bxa5 Rc5+ 49.Ke6 Rxa5 50.c4 Ra6+ 51.Kd5 Kf7 52.Re3 Ra4 53.h3 {The c-passer is unstoppable.} 1-0

[Event "Chess.com International"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2017.10.01"]
[Round "9.5"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2668"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[ECO "C45"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[Beauty "8247968794124"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.c4 Ba6 9.Nd2 g6 10.Nf3 ( {Harikrishna played instead} 10.b3 Bg7 11.Nf3 O-O 12.Qb2 Nb6 {and got compensation for a pawn after} 13.Qa3 Qxa3 ( 13...c5 $5 {however seems more appropriate with the white king in the middle.} ) 14.Bxa3 Rfe8 15.O-O-O Bxe5 16.Nxe5 Rxe5 17.Bb2 {Harikrishna,P (2750)-Tomashevsky,E (2696) Moscow 2017} ) 10...Qb4+ 11.Kd1 Ne7 {"I think this is almost a novelty, and a strong one." (Kramnik)} 12.Qc2 $146 {Technically, this is the novelty.} ( {In comparison to} 12.Qd2 Qb6 13.Kc2 Bg7 14.b3 c5 {with approximate equality in Alonso,S (2499)-Paveto,K (2424) Buenos Aires 2015} ) 12...c5 {Kramnik was happy with the opening outcome. Jones's king remained in the center and in order to keep it safe he will need to spend some tempos and trade the opponent's queen.} 13.Bd3 Bg7 14.Re1 O-O 15.Qb3 ( {White could also try to escape on the kingside, but there are some other problems after} 15.Ke2 Bb7 16.Be4 Bxe4 17.Qxe4 Nc6 {The e5 pawn is as very often in the Scotch vulnerable. Say} 18.Kf1 Rae8 19.Bf4 d6 ( 19...Qxb2 ) ) 15...Nc6 ( 15...Qb6 {at once was also good.} ) 16.Bd2 ( 16.Qxb4 {works well for Black after} 16...Nxb4 17.Bf1 Rab8 18.a3 Nc6 ) 16...Qb6 17.Qxb6 axb6 {"It is clear that Black is doing more than well, but I need to stop White from consolidating." (Kramnik)} 18.Kc2 Rad8 19.a3 ( {Perhaps Jones could have defended without this weakening move. Like} 19.Rad1 ) 19...d6 {Opens the game before White gets ready.} 20.exd6 Rxd6 21.Bc3 ( {If} 21.Rad1 Bxb2 {wins material, for example} 22.Bf4 Bxa3 23.Bxd6 cxd6 24.Ra1 Nb4+ 25.Kd2 ( 25.Kc3 Bb2+ $1 ) 25...Bb2 ) ( {Kramnik believed} 21.Bf4 $1 {was critical and intended to go for the highly original} 21...Rf6 ( {If Black wants to play correct chess, then} 21...Nd4+ {is his move with slight advantage after} 22.Nxd4 Rxd4 ) 22.Bxc7 g5 {idea. Objectively speaking, the couter-original play with} 23.Re4 h5 24.Bxb6 g4 25.Bxc5 $1 gxf3 26.Bxf8 {would have put a shadow on this.} ) 21...Na5 {" I think he missed this move." (Kramnik)} 22.Bxg7 ( 22.Bxa5 bxa5 {"is not an option (for White), he is just much worse." (Kramnik)} ) 22...Kxg7 23.Nd2 ( {White's best chance seems to be} 23.Kc3 Rfd8 24.Be2 Nc6 25.Rad1 Nd4 26.Nxd4 cxd4+ 27.Kd3 {although Black is certainly better here too.} ) ( {Kramnik spent a lot of time calculating the consequences of the aggressive} 23.Re7 {White's idea is revelaed in the beauiful line} 23...Rfd8 ( {Instead the former world champion planned} 23...Kf6 {with the idea} 24.Rxc7 Rfd8 25.Be2 ( 25.b4 $1 {is best with good draw chances.} ) 25...Bc8 26.b4 {Now this is coming too late-} 26...Bf5+ 27.Kb2 $2 ( 27.Kc3 $1 {and it is not yet clear how is Black winning.} ) 27...Rd2+ 28.Nxd2 Rxd2+ 29.Kc1 Nb3# {(Kramnik)} ) 24.Ne5 Kf6 25.Rxf7+ Kxe5 26.Re1+ Kd4 27.Rf4# {(Kramnik)} ) 23...Rfd8 {Now the problems along the d-file are more than obvious.} 24.Re3 Bc8 $1 {This is the problematic piece for Black in the Scotch. But Kramnik found an elegant solution for it. The bishop joins the attack and it becomes irresistable.} 25.Kc3 {The alternatives are no better:} ( 25.Rae1 $2 {loses to} 25...Bf5 26.Ne4 Bxe4 27.Bxe4 Nxc4 ) ( 25.f3 {is bad after} 25...Bf5 26.Ne4 Bxe4 27.fxe4 Nc6 ) ( 25.Nf3 {drops a pawn after} 25...Rxd3 26.Rxd3 Bf5 27.Ne1 Nxc4 ) 25...Bf5 26.Bxf5 Rxd2 27.Be4 ( {The last critical line was} 27.Rd3 {(Kramnik) when the win could be like this-} 27...gxf5 28.Rxd2 Rxd2 29.Kxd2 Nb3+ 30.Kc3 Nxa1 31.f4 ( 31.b4 cxb4+ 32.axb4 f4 {to open the road for the king} 33.Kb2 Kf6 {(Kramnik)} ) 31...Kg6 32.g3 h5 33.h4 Kf6 34.b4 cxb4+ 35.axb4 Ke6 36.Kb2 b5 37.cxb5 Kd5 ) ( {Objectively best was} 27.b4 gxf5 28.bxa5 Rxf2 {although Black is a clear pawn ahead and should be technically winning.} ) 27...R8d4 28.b3 ( {Or} 28.Bd5 c6 29.b4 cxd5 30.bxa5 bxa5 ) 28...Rxf2 29.Rf3 Re2 30.Bd5 c6 $1 {Calculated well in advance.} 31.Bxf7 ( {Or} 31.Rxf7+ Kh6 32.Bf3 Re3+ 33.Kc2 Nxb3 ) 31...Nb7 $1 32.b4 Nd6 {The bishop is trapped.} 0-1

[Event "European Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.11.04"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2686"]
[ECO "B42"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7629606768649"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[BlackTeam "Hungary"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "HUN"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 g6 {Quite a fresh Kan Sicilian.} 6.Nd2 {A flexible move.} ( {The more "central" knight move is also possible:} 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Be3 Ne7 8.Qd2 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 {as in Oparin,G (2621) -Kamsky,G (2648) Novi Sad 2016} ) 6...Bg7 7.N2f3 d6 ( {Here} 7...d5 {would be met with} 8.e5 ) 8.O-O Nd7 $146 {Rapport's queenside knight development is also flexible and new.} ( {In an predecessor Bologan did well after} 8...Nf6 9.Qe2 O-O 10.Rd1 Nbd7 {Bauer,C (2525)-Bologan,V (2585) Germany 1998} ) 9.b3 {The pawn on d6 is always tempting in these lines. Naiditsch goes for it.} 9...Ne7 10.Ba3 Qc7 ( 10...Nc5 $5 ) 11.Qd2 O-O ( 11...b6 12.Rad1 O-O {also looks OK for Black.} ) 12.Rad1 Nc5 {The pawn is covered. Black gets time to finish the development the way that he likes it. The game is even.} 13.c4 e5 {Blocks his g7 bishop but opens the other one.} ( {Both} 13...b6 $5 ) ( {and} 13...Rd8 $5 {lead to approximately equal positions too.} ) 14.Ne2 Bg4 15.Ne1 f5 {An agressive approach. The position is extremely rich of intersting possibilities.} ( 15...b5 $5 {also agressive and probably sounder than in the game.} ) ( 15...Bxe2 $5 {also deserves attention, with play on the dark squares after} 16.Qxe2 Nc6 ) 16.h3 {White chases the bishop to h5 to get some additional possibilities.} ( 16.Bb1 $5 {at once was possible as well. In case of the captures on e4} 16...Nxe4 $6 ( {Or} 16...fxe4 17.Bxc5 dxc5 18.Bxe4 {with play on the light squares.} ) 17.Bxe4 fxe4 18.Bxd6 {White is better.} ) 16...Bh5 $5 {Obviously planning the next shot.} ( {Black rejects the unbalanced position after} 16...Bxe2 17.Qxe2 Nc6 18.exf5 gxf5 19.Bb1 {when White has the bishop pair, but Black is a proud owner of a strong center.} ) 17.Bb1 Bh6 {This was the deflection that Rapport had in mind.} ( {The aditional possibilities are demonstrated by the lines:} 17...Nxe4 18.Bxe4 fxe4 19.g4 ) ( {Or} 17...fxe4 $2 18.g4 {trapping the bishop in both cases.} ) ( 17...Bxe2 18.Qxe2 {is possible, but why not do it on the previous move?} ) 18.Qxd6 $1 {Forced, but good.} ( 18.Qxh6 $2 {of course loses to} 18...Bxe2 19.Nc2 Bxf1 20.Rxf1 Nxe4 ) 18...Qxd6 19.Rxd6 Bxe2 {The white rook is trapped.} 20.Bxc5 Rfc8 {The rook has nowhere to go.} ( 20...Bxf1 21.Kxf1 {only gives White extra possibilities.} ) 21.Ba3 {Naiditsch decided to keep the rook on the d-file for the time being.} ( 21.Rd7 Rxc5 22.Rxe7 Rd8 23.exf5 Rd1 {looks quite scary for White.} ) ( {But a more solid option was} 21.Bb6 Rc6 22.c5 Bf8 ) 21...Bf8 $1 {A nasty ambush!} 22.Rb6 ( {Here} 22.Rd7 {was to be preferred. After} 22...Nc6 23.Bxf8 Rxf8 24.Rxb7 {White hardly risks to lose.} ) 22...Rc7 {The rook on b6 is in danger.} 23.Bxe7 Bxe7 24.exf5 {White wins a second pawn for the exchange, but opens the f-file for the black rooks. Add to this the black bishop coming to c5 and you will know who is the one to worry here.} 24...gxf5 ( 24...Bc5 {is less accurate due to} 25.Re6 ) 25.Bxf5 Rf8 26.Be6+ {The only move.} ( {In the line} 26.Be4 $2 Bxf1 27.Kxf1 Bc5 28.Bd5+ Kg7 29.Re6 Rxf2+ 30.Kg1 Rxa2+ 31.Kh2 Re7 {all bad things happened on the f-file and the a7-g1 diagonal.} ) 26...Kh8 {I am not sure what did Rapport see in the lines.} ( {Perhaps he disliked the fact that his rook and king are sitting on the seventh rank in case of} 26...Kg7 27.b4 {but here Black was better after both:} 27...Rc6 ( {Or} 27...e4 28.Bd5 {and now not} 28...Bh4 ( {But} 28...Rf6 $1 29.Rxf6 Kxf6 30.a3 Bxc4 $1 {Maybe they both missed this idea?} 31.Bxc4 Rxc4 {and despite the extra pawn White must fight for his life as his knight is clearly dominated.} ) 29.f3 Bxf1 ( 29...Bf6 30.c5 Bd4+ 31.Rf2 Rd8 32.Bxb7 {with unclear position.} ) 30.Kxf1 Bxe1 31.Kxe1 exf3 32.gxf3 Rf6 {with approximate equality.} ) 28.Rxc6 bxc6 29.Nc2 Bxf1 30.Kxf1 Bh4 31.f3 e4 {The only one to play for the win is Black. Most likely Rapport wanted to make use of the b6 rook to gain tempoes and not to trade it at all.} ) 27.b4 $1 {Controls the a7-g1 diagonal.} 27...e4 $1 {A nice move to restrict the knight.} ( {Again} 27...Rc6 28.Rxc6 bxc6 29.Nc2 Bxf1 30.Kxf1 Bh4 31.f3 e4 {is somewhat better for Black although White should hold.} ) ( 27...Bh4 {would be met with} 28.Nf3 $1 ) 28.Bd5 {Both players are finding the best moves.} 28...Bh4 29.f3 {Forced.} ( 29.Bxe4 $2 {loses to} 29...Bxf1 30.Kxf1 Rxf2+ 31.Kg1 Re2 ) ( 29.g3 {is bad due to the simple} 29...Bxg3 ) 29...Bf6 {One of the three tempting options.} ( {The simple} 29...Bxf1 {would lead to highly unbalanced situation after} 30.Kxf1 exf3 31.Nxf3 ( 31.gxf3 ) 31...Re7 32.g4 Re1+ 33.Kg2 Re2+ 34.Kg1 Bf2+ 35.Kf1 Rxa2 36.Rxb7 ) ( {However there was the fantastic, counter-intuitive} 29...e3 $1 {with the idea to preserve the mighty passer. After} 30.Nc2 ( {Or} 30.Re6 {which might be White's best after} 30...Bf2+ 31.Rxf2 exf2+ 32.Kxf2 Bxc4 {although Black preserves winning chances here as well.} ) 30...Re8 $1 ( {Not} 30...Bxf1 $2 31.Kxf1 {and White will soon take on e3 and then on b7.} ) 31.Rc1 Bf2+ 32.Kh2 Bxc4 33.Rxb7 Rxb7 34.Bxb7 e2 35.Ne1 Rb8 {Black is definitely better.} ) 30.Nc2 {The knight wants out. Naiditsch could finally take his breath.} ( 30.Rxb7 {is less effective after} 30...Bd4+ 31.Rf2 Rxb7 32.Bxb7 Rb8 ) 30...exf3 ( {White does not risk anything after} 30...Bxf1 $6 31.Kxf1 exf3 32.gxf3 ) 31.Rxf3 {Twelve moves after it was trapped the rook finally makes a move.} ( 31.Re1 $4 {would be a poor square to choose-} 31...Bd4+ 32.Nxd4 f2+ ) ( 31.Bxf3 $2 {is not good neither for White after} 31...Bxf1 32.Kxf1 Rxc4 ) 31...Bxc4 $2 {Unbelievable. Rapport does not want the rook!} ( {The only one to try something after} 31...Bxf3 32.gxf3 Bc3 33.a3 Rd8 {would be White, but objectively it should end in a draw.} ) 32.Bxc4 Rxc4 33.Rbxf6 Rxf6 34.Rxf6 Rxc2 35.a4 Rc4 36.Rb6 {Somehow it feels strange that it is exactly this rook that wins the game for White.} 36...a5 37.bxa5 Rxa4 38.Rb5 Ra2 39.Kh2 Ra3 40.h4 {White's plan is g2-g3, Kh2-h3 and slowly up to h6.} 40...h6 41.Rb6 {Black resigned as he loses a second pawn.} ( 41.Rb6 Kg7 ( 41...h5 42.Rb5 ) 42.Rxb7+ ) 1-0

[Event "European Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2017.11.05"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[ECO "C72"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7905558415953"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.O-O Bd7 6.Re1 g5 $1 {Grischuk sank into thought and chopped the knight off.} ( {The usual path is} 6...g6 7.Bxc6 Bxc6 8.d4 Bg7 9.Nc3 Ne7 {as in McShane,L (2652)-Short,N (2679) London 2016} ) 7.Bxc6 {If a positional player like Portisch can play this as Black, then how about an agressive tactical player like Mamedyarov!} ( {The prominent Hungarian GM (known as the Hungarian Botvinnik!) was not too shy of giving it a try against another legendary GM, Viktor Kortschnoi. The game went:} 7.d4 g4 8.Bxc6 Bxc6 ( 8...bxc6 9.Nfd2 f6 $5 ) 9.Nfd2 Qh4 $2 ( 9...h5 {should have been preferred.} ) 10.Nc4 Bg7 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Nc3 ( 12.Ne3 $1 Nh6 13.Nd5 {would have been very good for White instead.} ) 12...Rd8 {Here Kortschnoi blundered with} 13.Nd5 $4 {and lost a piece after} ( 13.Qe2 $14 {would have been better for White.} ) 13...Bxd5 14.exd5 g3 15.hxg3 Qxc4 {and later the game, Korchnoi,V-Portisch,L Wijk aan Zee 1968. [All lines given by Portisch.]} ) 7...bxc6 8.d4 g4 {So far this is not about checkmate, but part of the fight for the center.} 9.Nfd2 {White is ready to sacrifice a pawn.} 9...exd4 10.Nb3 Ne7 {Mamedyarov rejects the offer. He is lagging in development.} ( 10...c5 {would have definitely made Grischuk happy after} 11.c3 $1 dxc3 12.e5 ) 11.Nxd4 ( {Perhaps} 11.Qxd4 {was more interesting. Tactics do not work for White:} 11...Ng6 12.e5 $2 ( {However, some development like} 12.Bd2 Ne5 13.Qe3 Bg7 14.Bc3 {looks quite interesting.} ) 12...Nxe5 13.Rxe5+ dxe5 14.Qxe5+ Qe7 15.Qxh8 Qe1# ) 11...Bg7 12.Nc3 $146 {This logical move is a novelty.} ( {Black did very well in the predecessor:} 12.Nf5 Nxf5 13.exf5+ Kf8 14.Qxg4 h5 ( 14...Qf6 $5 ) 15.Qf3 Qf6 16.c3 Qxf5 17.Qxf5 Bxf5 {with clear edge for the second player thanks to the bishop pair, Chen,Q (2328)-Dai,C (2438) Shanghai 2017} ) 12...O-O 13.Bg5 {To lure the pawn on f6, but this seems beneficial for Black.} ( 13.Be3 ) 13...f6 14.Be3 ( {Instead} 14.Bh4 {looks risky, but there is no clear way that Black can make use of it:} 14...Ng6 ( {Or} 14...Qe8 15.f4 gxf3 16.Qxf3 ) 15.Bg3 h5 ) 14...Qe8 {Now Black's play looks easier. The queen gets to either g6 or h5 squares, then either f6-f5 or the advance of the h-pawn will follow.} 15.Qd3 Qf7 16.Qd2 {Grischuk is trying his best to stop f6-f5.} 16...Qg6 ( {Not yet} 16...f5 17.exf5 Nxf5 18.Nxf5 Bxf5 19.Bd4 $1 ) 17.Bf4 h5 {Plan "B."} ( {Once again} 17...f5 $2 {is not good, this time due to} 18.e5 ) 18.b4 h4 {Since White cannot open the center, Mamedyarov is consistently opening the kingside.} 19.a4 Qh5 ( 19...h3 {at once was possible as well.} ) 20.Be3 h3 21.Nce2 {It is better to try and use the black pawn on g2 as a shield.} ( {After} 21.g3 f5 22.exf5 Nxf5 23.Nxf5 Qxf5 {all sorts of accidents may happen on the light squares.} ) 21...hxg2 {Black softened the light squares anyway. If his knight could only reach the f3 spot somehow...} 22.Nf4 Qh7 {Forcing matters.} ( {The computer claims that} 22...Qf7 {was safer, but Black goes for a forcing line.} ) 23.Nfe6 Bxe6 24.Nxe6 Ng6 $1 {This is what it was all about! The knight is heading to the f3 square.} ( {The other way to implement the idea was} 24...Rf7 25.Nxc7 Ng6 26.Nxa8 Ne5 27.Kxg2 Qxe4+ 28.Kf1 Qh1+ 29.Ke2 Qf3+ {Black has perpetual, but hardly more.} ) 25.Nxf8 Rxf8 26.Bf4 {It is hard to call this move a mistake. As usual Grischuk was very low on time, playing only on increment.} ( {Instead the computer holds the position after} 26.Ra3 $1 {The main idea is to meet} 26...Ne5 ( {However, much stronger is} 26...Qh3 $1 {when in order to survive White has to find a bunch of only moves.} 27.Qe2 Nh4 28.Bc1 Nf3+ 29.Rxf3 Qxf3 ( {Or} 29...gxf3 30.Qc4+ Kh7 ( {If} 30...Kh8 31.Qxc6 f5 32.exf5 Be5 33.Rxe5 $1 {Is the only but sufficient resource. We shall see this sacrifice again in the other sublines.} 33...dxe5 34.Bh6 Rg8 35.Qf6+ Kh7 36.Qf7+ Kxh6 37.Qxg8 Qxf5 38.Qh8+ {and perpetual.} ) 31.Qxc6 {and if} 31...f5 {with the idea to mate after Bg7-e5 then} 32.Qxc7 {pins it in time.} ) 30.Qxa6 f5 {The threat is Bg7-e5xh2+ followed by Qf3-h3-h1 mate. Probably Grischuk calculated that far and did not see the following resource:} 31.Qc4+ Kh8 32.exf5 Be5 33.Rxe5 $1 {It seems unbelievable, but White can save himself after this:} 33...dxe5 34.Qe6 $1 Qd1+ 35.Kxg2 Qxc1 36.Qg6 Qxc2 37.Qh5+ {and perpetual!} ) 27.Bf4 Nf3+ {with} 28.Rxf3 gxf3 29.Qc3 {and White is in control.} ) 26...f5 27.exf5 ( {Here} 27.Ra3 {does not help after} 27...fxe4 28.Rxe4 d5 ) 27...Nh4 28.Ra3 ( {Or} 28.Qd3 Bxa1 29.Rxa1 Re8 {with big advantage for Black.} ) 28...Qxf5 {The fork can wait. Why not snack a yummy pawn instead?} ( 28...Nf3+ 29.Rxf3 gxf3 30.Re3 Qxf5 31.Rxf3 {would have given a chance to White to survive.} ) 29.Bg5 ( 29.Bg3 {seems safer, although Black should gradually win after} 29...Nf3+ 30.Rxf3 gxf3 ) 29...Nf3+ 30.Rxf3 gxf3 {The smoke has cleared. Black is up a pawn. Moreover, the one on g2 became a defended passer.} 31.Bh6 Qd5 {Black does not mind trading everything with the huge pawn on g2.} ( {The computer prefers} 31...Qf6 32.Bxg7 Kxg7 ) 32.Qc1 ( {Black is technically winning after} 32.Qxd5+ cxd5 33.Bxg7 Kxg7 ) ( {But} 32.Qe3 $1 {was much better, with serious chances to survive. For example} 32...Bd4 33.Qe7 Rf5 34.c4 $1 Bxf2+ 35.Kxf2 Qd4+ 36.Be3 Qb2+ 37.Kg3 f2 38.Qe8+ Rf8 ( 38...Kg7 $4 39.Bd4+ $1 {would win for White!} ) 39.Qg6+ Kh8 40.Qh6+ {with perpetual.} ) 32...Bc3 $1 33.Re3 ( {If} 33.Bxf8 Bxe1 34.Qxe1 Kxf8 {wins for Black.} ) ( {Why the rook is diverted from the e-file is seen in the line} 33.Rd1 Qh5 34.Bxf8 Be5 ) 33...Bd4 {Black still has to be careful.} ( 33...Bd2 $4 {would surprisingly lead to the opposite result after} 34.Qb2 Qf7 35.Rxf3 $1 ) 34.Rd3 ( 34.c4 Bxe3 ) 34...Re8 35.c3 ( 35.Be3 {is of course hopeless after} 35...Bxe3 36.Rxe3 Rxe3 37.fxe3 Qc4 ) 35...Bxf2+ 36.Kxf2 Re2+ {Grischuk resigned as the black king escapes to b7.} ( 36...Re2+ 37.Kg3 Qxd3 38.Qg5+ Kf7 39.Qg7+ Ke8 40.Qg8+ Kd7 41.Qf7+ Kc8 42.Qg8+ Kb7 ) 0-1

[Event "21st European Teams"]
[Site "Hersonissos GRE"]
[Date "2017.11.01"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[ECO "D28"]
[EventDate "2017.10.28"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7908112476199"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[BlackTeam "Czech Republic"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CZE"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 {Another QGA in Crete.} 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bxc4 e6 5.Nf3 c5 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bd3 cxd4 9.Rd1 ( {The alternative is} 9.exd4 Be7 10.a4 bxa4 11.Nc3 O-O 12.Nxa4 {with typical IQP position in Wojtaszek,R (2727) -Dominguez Perez,L (2732) Huaian 2016} ) 9...Be7 10.a4 {Judging by Mamedyarov's quick and confident play this is all home brewed. There are just two games played in this line. The stem one being Ibragimov-Baburin.} 10...bxa4 11.Rxa4 dxe3 {A principled move.} ( {Declining the pawn offer will leave Black suffering for nothing-} 11...Bd7 12.Rxd4 Nc6 13.Rc4 {Konings,L (2298) -Jonkman,H (2520) Netherlands 2002} ) 12.Bxe3 ( 12.Bb5+ {is an empty blow after} 12...Bd7 ) 12...Nbd7 $146 {And an over-the-board novelty by Navara. The Czech Grandmaster was never shy in confessing his poor opening preparation. Still, his tremendous tallent kept him showing wonderful results.} ( {The only predecessor saw Black repelling the attack after:} 12...Bd7 13.Bc2 ( {Both} 13.Rc4 $5 ) ( {and} 13.Rh4 $5 {are possible improvements for White.} ) 13...Qc7 14.Nc3 O-O 15.Rh4 Nc6 16.Bf4 Qb7 17.Ne5 g6 {although at this stage of the game White definitely had enough for the pawn, Ibragimov,I (2554)-Baburin,A (2593) London 1999} ) ( {Surely not} 12...O-O $2 13.Bxh7+ ) 13.Nc3 {As a result of the sacrifice White has a typical isolated queen's pawn position, with the small detail that he is missing that pawn! That is the point actually. White very often wants to advance this pawn (d4-d5) and this is his main idea. Without the pawn he has serious pressure along the open files and diagonals.} 13...O-O 14.Bg5 Bb7 ( {Breaking the pin at once with} 14...Qb6 $5 {makes perfect sense too.} ) ( {Another idea is to give the pawn back with} 14...Rb8 $5 15.Bxa6 Bxa6 16.Rxa6 Qc8 ) 15.Rd4 ( {Mamedyarov could have already tried to make use of the pin with} 15.Ne5 {In that case Black should avoid} 15...h6 ( {However} 15...Nxe5 $5 {deserves attention when after} 16.Bxh7+ Nxh7 17.Rxd8 Nf3+ 18.gxf3 Bxd8 19.Bxd8 Rfxd8 {the strong bishop on b7 should compensate the second player for the pawn deficit.} ) 16.Nxd7 Nxd7 17.Bxh6 $1 {with a strong attack.} ) 15...Bxf3 16.Qxf3 Ne5 17.Qe3 $1 {Almost all the white pieces are pointed at the opponent's king's flank and Navara has to be extremely careful.} ( {In case of} 17.Qh3 Qxd4 18.Bxf6 ( {White should avoid} 18.Bxh7+ $2 Nxh7 19.Rxd4 Nxg5 {when Black is winning.} ) 18...Qxd3 $1 19.Rxd3 Bxf6 20.Rd1 Rfd8 {Black has no problems at all.} ) 17...Qb8 ( {Perhaps} 17...Qc7 $5 {is more accurate, with the idea to meet} 18.Bf4 {with} 18...Nfg4 19.Qg3 Bc5 {For example} 20.Be2 Bxd4 21.Rxd4 Qb6 22.Bxe5 Nxe5 23.Qxe5 Qxb2 {and as long Black is not getting checkmated by force (he is not) he should be OK.} ( {Or} 23...Qb8 $5 ) ) 18.Bf4 Neg4 {This is inaccurate to say the least.} ( 18...Nfg4 $1 {was still the move. After a possible} 19.Qg3 ( {Or} 19.Qe2 Bc5 20.Bc4 Bxd4 21.Rxd4 Rc8 22.b3 Rxc4 $1 23.bxc4 Qb4 {and Black is fine.} ) 19...Bc5 20.Be2 ( 20.Be4 $5 ) 20...Bxd4 21.Rxd4 Qxb2 22.Rd2 {the position remains extremely complicated, but the impression is that Black is good.} ) 19.Qe2 e5 ( {Similar is} 19...Qa7 20.Bg3 ) 20.Bg3 {Now the black knights are loose and in order to defend them Navara has to weaken his kingside.} 20...h5 21.Nd5 $1 {Trading one of the defenders.} 21...Re8 ( {Perhaps the most resilient defense was} 21...Nxd5 22.Rxd5 Qb6 23.Bxe5 Bf6 {although White is better here too.} ) 22.h3 ( {The immediate} 22.Nxf6+ Bxf6 23.Qe4 g6 24.Rd7 {might have been better.} ) 22...h4 ( 22...Bc5 $5 {seems more solid, with the idea} 23.Rc4 ( {But Navara probably feared the stunning} 23.Re4 $1 Nxe4 24.Qxe4 Nf6 25.Nxf6+ gxf6 26.Qh7+ Kf8 27.Bc4 {with devastating attack.} ) 23...Nxd5 24.Rxc5 Nf4 ) 23.Nxf6+ Bxf6 24.Qe4 g6 ( {In case of} 24...Kf8 {there is} 25.Qh7 $1 {with the idea} 25...hxg3 26.Rd7 gxf2+ 27.Kh1 ) 25.Bc4 Kg7 26.Rd7 Re7 ( 26...Rf8 {does not help after} 27.Bxh4 Bxh4 28.Qxg4 Bf6 29.Bd3 ) ( {Black is helpless after} 26...hxg3 27.Bxf7 gxf2+ 28.Kh1 ) 27.Bxh4 Bxh4 28.Qxg4 {Mamedyarov regained the pawn and preserved a strong attack thanks to the opposite-colored bishops. On top of that Navara was very low on time.} 28...Bf6 29.R7d6 {A safe choice.} ( 29.Bxf7 $1 {was very nice after} 29...Kxf7 ( 29...Rxf7 30.Qe6 ) 30.R1d6 Qh8 31.Rxe7+ Bxe7 32.Qxg6+ Kf8 33.Qf5+ Ke8 34.Rd3 {and wins.} ) 29...Rc7 ( {The last chance was the computer defense} 29...Qh8 $1 30.Qf3 Bg5 31.Qe4 Rg8 {although it is very unlikely for Black to survive here too.} ) 30.Qf3 ( 30.Rd7 $5 ) 30...Bh4 31.Rd7 {White reaches the f7 point and the black king.} 31...Rxd7 32.Rxd7 Qb4 33.Qxf7+ {And mate in five.} 33...Kh6 34.Qh7+ Kg5 35.f4+ Kf5 36.Qf7+ Ke4 37.Qxg6+ 1-0

[Event "21st European Teams"]
[Site "Hersonissos GRE"]
[Date "2017.11.03"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[ECO "A37"]
[EventDate "2017.10.28"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7011135426596"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 g6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 {Both players had plenty of time to prepare during the free day.} 5...d6 6.O-O e6 7.e3 Nge7 8.d4 O-O 9.Re1 {They quickly reached an original position after Mamedyarov's novelty...} 9...Nf5 $5 $146 {The pressure in the center forces Aronian to fix it with} ( {A recent top GM game ended peacefully after} 9...Re8 10.b3 Nf5 11.Bb2 cxd4 12.exd4 Nfxd4 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.Ne4 e5 15.Nxd6 Qxd6 16.Bxd4 Qc7 17.Bc3 Bd7 18.Qd5 Bc6 19.Qc5 Qb6 20.Qxb6 {1/2-1/2 (20) Svidler,P (2749) -Gelfand,B (2728) Geneve 2017} ) 10.d5 ( 10.dxc5 dxc5 {does not pose any problems to Black.} ) 10...exd5 11.Nxd5 ( {White avoids the favourable Benoni-type positions for his opponent after} 11.cxd5 Ne5 ( {Or} 11...Na5 {In both cases the knight on f5 is better placed than on f6 in the original Benoni.} ) ) 11...Nfe7 $1 {A nice retreat that equalizes at once.} 12.Nh4 {Aronian is trying to scratch something out of the opening, but this leads only to problems for him.} ( {Objectively better was} 12.Qb3 Nxd5 13.cxd5 Ne5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5 {with equality.} ) ( {The symmetrical retreat is pointless:} 12.Nc3 Be6 ) 12...Ne5 13.Qc2 Nxd5 14.Bxd5 ( {Both players recognized the huge initiative that Black has in case of} 14.cxd5 c4 {since} 15.f4 $6 {is met by the strong} 15...Nd3 16.Re2 Bg4 ) 14...Be6 $1 {Vintage Mamedyarov! The initiative is in his blood.} 15.Rd1 ( {Black has more than decent compensation after} 15.Bxb7 Rb8 16.Bd5 Bxd5 17.cxd5 c4 ) ( {Even worse is} 15.Bxe6 $6 fxe6 {with a clear edge for Black.} ) 15...Qd7 ( {Perhaps a bit more accurate was} 15...Qe7 $5 {with the idea to meet} 16.Rb1 {With} ( {Black is doing great after} 16.Ng2 Bxd5 17.Rxd5 a6 ) ( 16.Nf3 $2 {is bad due to the simple} 16...Bxd5 ) 16...Bf6 17.Ng2 Bf5 18.e4 Bg4 {and the bishop on d5 became decorative piece.} ) 16.Rb1 b5 $5 {More initiative.} ( {Here} 16...Bf6 {does not have the same effect as in the line from above as after} 17.Nf3 $1 Bxd5 18.Nxe5 {hits the queen on d7.} ) ( {However, the simple} 16...Bxd5 17.Rxd5 Bf6 {would have secured some unplesant moments for the Armenian leader.} 18.Ng2 $2 {would be a particularly bad decision due to} ( {Objectively best is} 18.Qe4 Rae8 19.Nf3 Qa4 $1 {although White has to work hard for the equality here as well.} ) 18...Nf3+ 19.Kh1 Qh3 {and White is getting checkmated.} ) 17.Bxa8 Rxa8 18.f4 $1 {Vintage Aronian! The initiative is in his blood... White sacrifices a pawn but secures a swap of the bishop pair.} ( {Black would get what he wanted after} 18.cxb5 g5 19.f4 ( 19.Ng2 $2 Nf3+ 20.Kh1 Bd5 $3 {is mate!} ) 19...gxh4 20.fxe5 {and now both} 20...Bxe5 ( {Or} 20...hxg3 {will provide Black good initiative.} ) ) 18...Nxc4 19.b3 Nb6 20.Bb2 Bxb2 21.Rxb2 {This looks much safer than the line from above. It is time for Mamedyarov to be creative again.} 21...Re8 ( {Better was} 21...Bg4 $5 {in order to start pushing his pawns after} 22.Re1 Rc8 23.e4 c4 24.bxc4 bxc4 ) 22.e4 Qc6 ( {Even with the rook on e8} 22...Bg4 $5 23.Re1 c4 {was still an option for Black.} ) 23.f5 {Aronian shows teeth too.} 23...Bc8 {This is inaccurate. Mamedyarov was obviously hoping to deliver checkmate on the long diagonal, but he has not time for this.} ( 23...gxf5 $6 {is definitely not possible either} 24.exf5 Bc8 25.Qd2 ) ( {However} 23...Bd7 $5 {was better with an approximately balanced position after} 24.Qd3 Rxe4 25.Qxd6 Re1+ 26.Kf2 Rxd1 27.Qxd1 Nd5 ) 24.Qd3 c4 ( {Here} 24...Rxe4 {is not as good and White has all the trumps after} 25.Qxd6 Re1+ 26.Kf2 Qxd6 ( 26...Rxd1 27.Qxc6 ) 27.Rxd6 ) 25.Qxd6 Qxe4 ( {The endgame after} 25...Qxd6 26.Rxd6 Rxe4 27.bxc4 Nxc4 28.Rd8+ Kg7 29.Rxb5 {is very one-sided.} ) 26.Rf2 gxf5 $6 {Another inaccuracy. It was time to look for equality. The queen trade would make things easier for Black.} ( {Therefore} 26...Bb7 $5 27.Ng2 Qc6 28.Qxc6 Bxc6 {would have been better. In this case the black bishop can successfully defend both flanks from d5 or e6 (in case that the white pawn on f5 is traded. )} ) 27.Ng2 $6 {Aronian could have played even better.} ( {Both} 27.Qh6 $5 Bb7 28.Rf3 {or} ) ( 27.Qf6 {with the same idea to use the knight actively after} 27...Bb7 28.Rf3 {would have led to an advantage for White.} ) 27...Qe5 {Mamedyarov is suggesting a queen swap.} 28.Qh6 $1 {But it is rejected.} ( 28.Qxe5 Rxe5 {would make Black's defense easier.} ) 28...Qe6 ( 28...Bd7 $5 29.Re1 Re6 30.Rxe5 ( 30.Qg5+ Qg7 ) 30...Rxh6 31.bxc4 bxc4 {seems more accurate.} ) 29.Qg5+ {Lures the black queen to a square where White can win a tempo.} 29...Qg6 30.Qh4 Kg7 31.Nf4 {Both players were short of time at this stage of the game.} ( 31.Qf4 $5 {looks good.} ) 31...Qg4 $1 {Black succeeded in trading queens. The draw is getting closer.} 32.Nh5+ Kh6 33.Qxg4 fxg4 34.Nf6 Re5 ( {Stronger was} 34...Re6 $1 {removing the knigth from the huge position on f6.} 35.Nxg4+ Kg6 ) 35.bxc4 bxc4 36.Rf4 Re2 ( {Black should have once again fought the knight with} 36...Kg7 37.Nxg4 Rc5 ) 37.Nxg4+ Kg7 38.Nf6 Re5 $2 {Two moves away from the time control Mamedyarov commits a serious mistake.} ( {The knight should have been attacked with} 38...Re6 $1 {which will make the white rooks a bit less active at least} 39.Rdf1 Re5 ) ( {Please note that mates are already looming thanks to the annoying steed} 38...Be6 $4 39.Rd8 ) 39.Rd8 $1 {The threat is Rd8-g8 followed by Rh4-f4 and mate.} 39...Bf5 {Saved, but...} 40.Nh5+ $1 Kh6 ( {Or} 40...Kg6 41.Rg8+ Kxh5 42.Rh4# ) 41.Rg8 {Putting the king into prison. The execution is swift.} 41...Bg6 42.Nf6 Re1+ 43.Kf2 Ra1 {Here it is, and it's pretty:} 44.h4 {Black resigned due to the inevitable mate.} 44...Rxa2+ 45.Kf3 Ra3+ 46.Kg2 Ra2+ 47.Kh3 c3 48.Ng4+ Kh5 49.Rf5+ Bxf5 50.Rg5# 1-0

[Event "21st European Teams"]
[Site "Hersonissos GRE"]
[Date "2017.11.06"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[ECO "B07"]
[EventDate "2017.10.28"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[Beauty "5981681516085"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[BlackTeam "Ukraine"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "UKR"]

1.e4 d6 ( {The pawn structure which will occur a bit later has a lot in common with a game which was especially pleasing for Naiditsch. That game went} 1...g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.a4 Nf6 6.h3 O-O 7.g4 e5 8.d5 c6 9.Nge2 cxd5 10.exd5 {Naiditsch,A (2706)-Carlsen,M (2865) Baden-Baden 2015 and after the overly optimistic} 10...Bxg4 {White went on to win a memorable game.} ) 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Be3 c6 5.h3 Bg7 6.Nge2 ( {The immediate} 6.g4 {was played by a close friend of Naiditsch. After} 6...h5 7.g5 Ng8 8.a4 e6 9.Nf3 Ne7 10.Bg2 O-O 11.O-O b6 12.Bf4 {White's space advantage counted for something, Bacrot,E (2692)-Nikolic,P (2606) Germany 2016} ) 6...b5 7.a3 O-O 8.g4 e5 9.d5 $146 {A novelty, but a familiar structure from the aforementioned Naiditsch-Carlsen game.} ( {Instead} 9.Bg2 Nbd7 10.O-O Bb7 11.Ng3 Nb6 {was not much for White, Luciani,V (2212)-Petrov,M (2550) Plovdiv 2010} ) 9...Bb7 10.Ng3 a6 {Somewhat meak.} ( {Perhaps Ponomariov should have searched more active counterplay with} 10...a5 $5 {The pawn sacrifice after} 11.g5 Nfd7 ( 11...Ne8 {is also possible.} ) 12.dxc6 Nxc6 {Leads to huge complications-} 13.Qxd6 ( 13.Nxb5 Nd4 ) 13...Nd4 ) 11.g5 Nfd7 12.h4 {Now White takes firm control of the situation. His plan is obvious h4-h5, Qd1-g4-h4, open the h-file, mate.} 12...Re8 13.h5 Nb6 14.hxg6 ( {White can also postpone the capture for a while with} 14.Qg4 N8d7 15.dxc6 Bxc6 16.O-O-O Nf8 {with advantage after both} 17.Kb1 ( {or} 17.hxg6 fxg6 18.Nd5 ) ) 14...hxg6 {Now look what Naiditsch does.} 15.Nf5 $3 {In a super-important team match when every move counts he does not care. Or rather dares!} ( {Once again there was nothing wrong with} 15.Qg4 {when White is fighting for the win without any risk.} ) 15...cxd5 {Ponomariov rejected the offer, but this did not make his life easier.} ( {White's attack is huge after} 15...gxf5 {When both} 16.exf5 {The following lines are not the only possibilities for both sides but demonstrate well White's persistent attack} ( {And perhaps simpler} 16.Bxb6 Qxb6 ( 16...Qxg5 17.Rh5 Qg4 18.Rxf5 Qxd1+ 19.Rxd1 {with large advantage for White.} ) 17.exf5 cxd5 18.Bg2 Nd7 19.f6 {reagining the piece and keeping the attack for free.} ) 16...cxd5 ( {If} 16...Nxd5 17.Qh5 Nd7 ( {Or} 17...Nxe3 18.fxe3 Nd7 19.Ne4 $1 {White can regain the piece whenever he likes.} ( {Better than} 19.f6 Nxf6 20.gxf6 Qxf6 21.Qh7+ Kf8 22.Ne4 Qg6 23.Qxg6 fxg6 24.Nxd6 Re7 25.Bg2 ) 19...f6 20.Nxd6 Re7 ( 20...Rb8 21.Qf7# ) 21.O-O-O ) ) 17.Bg2 N8d7 18.f6 Bxf6 ( {Black is completely lost after} 18...Nxf6 19.Bxb6 Qxb6 20.gxf6 Bxf6 21.Bxd5 ) 19.gxf6 Qxf6 20.Nxd5 {Once again White regains the piece and has enormous attack.} ) 16.Bxb6 ( {White has clear edge after} 16.Nxg7 Kxg7 17.exd5 {by Naiditsch is in the mood for a brilliancy.} ) 16...Qxb6 17.Bxb5 $3 {What a move! The computer does not understand it at all for quite a long time. The bishop sacrifice includes one more piece into the attack. Guess which one!} ( {Again White has risk-free advantage after} 17.Nxg7 Kxg7 18.Qg4 ( {Or also} 18.Qf3 Qd8 19.Bxb5 Rh8 20.Rxh8 Qxh8 21.Qf6+ Kg8 22.Qe7 {with the idea} 22...axb5 23.Qxb7 ) 18...Qd8 ( {Since otherwise the attack along the h-file will be decisive after} 18...Rh8 19.Rxh8 Kxh8 20.Qh3+ Kg7 21.exd5 ) 19.exd5 Rh8 20.Rxh8 Qxh8 21.Bh3 {and White managed to paralyze the opponent's pieces. Soon his rook will join the attack...} ) 17...gxf5 {Tough choice. What to take? Ponomariov decided to give instead.} ( {If your answer on the question from above (which pieces is included into the attack) was the a1 rook, then you are as ingenious as Naiditsch!} 17...axb5 18.Nxg7 Kxg7 19.Qf3 $1 Qd8 20.Rh7+ $1 Kxh7 21.Qxf7+ Kh8 22.Ke2 $1 {is the mate that the grandmaster had foreseen.} ) 18.Bxe8 Qd8 {The job is almost done. Some nice precise moves are needed to finsih it off.} 19.Qh5 $1 {A good one.} ( {The other good choice was} 19.Nxd5 $1 {with the following lines} 19...Bxd5 ( 19...Qxe8 20.Nf6+ $1 Bxf6 21.gxf6 Qe6 22.Rh6 ) ( 19...Qxg5 20.Qh5 ) 20.Qxd5 {White wins everywhere.} ) 19...Qxe8 20.exf5 Qe7 $1 {The only move. Black needs to part with the bishop.} ( 20...Kf8 {would lead to mate after} 21.f6 ) ( 20...d4 21.Qh7+ Kf8 22.f6 {is mate as well.} ) 21.f6 Bxf6 22.gxf6 Qxf6 23.O-O-O {White is up in material, has a safer king, strong pieces and a strong attack. What might possibly go wrong?} 23...d4 24.Ne4 ( {Even more powerful was} 24.Na4 $1 Bxh1 25.Rxh1 {when Black struggles to find a move. Say} 25...Nd7 ( {And} 25...Ra7 26.Rg1+ Kf8 27.Nb6 Nd7 28.Nd5 {leads to a disaster as well.} ) 26.Qh7+ Kf8 27.Qh8+ Qxh8 28.Rxh8+ Ke7 29.Rxa8 {drops a rook.} ) 24...Bxe4 25.Qg4+ Kf8 ( 25...Bg6 $2 26.Qc8+ Kg7 27.Qh8# ) 26.Qxe4 Ra7 {All of these were forced. Now White needs to open the files for his rooks.} 27.Rd3 ( {However} 27.f4 $1 {would have opened more. Black is busted:} 27...exf4 {leads to immediate disaster due to} ( 27...Qxf4+ 28.Qxf4 exf4 29.Rh8+ {drops the knight.} ) ( 27...Nd7 28.fxe5 dxe5 29.Rdf1 Qg5+ 30.Kb1 {leaves the black king heavily exposed and in the line} 30...Ke7 31.Rh7 Nf6 32.Qc6 $1 {There is no black pawn on d6 which makes the line} 32...Nxh7 33.Qc5+ Ke8 34.Qxa7 {won for White.} ) 28.Rde1 Qe5 29.Rh8+ $1 {(not the only win but a pretty one)} 29...Ke7 ( 29...Kg7 30.Qg2+ ) 30.Qh1 ) 27...Nd7 28.Rf3 Qg5+ 29.Kb1 Ke7 30.Qc6 Nf6 31.Rh8 {Misses another win.} ( {Black is a sort of a zugzwang after} 31.Re1 $1 {Possible lines run:} 31...Qh4 ( 31...Nd7 32.Qd5 Qg6 33.Qxd4 ) ( 31...Rd7 32.Qxa6 ) ( 31...Qh5 32.Rxf6 $1 ) 32.Rf5 Qh6 33.Rfxe5+ dxe5 34.Qc5+ {and everywhere it is White who prevails.} ) 31...Qg1+ 32.Ka2 Qg4 33.Rh6 Qe4 $1 {Finally a glimpse of hope for Ponomariov. At least he is not getting checkmated.} 34.Qxe4 Nxe4 35.Rxf7+ Kxf7 36.Rh7+ Ke6 37.Rxa7 Nxf2 38.Kb1 e4 {The culmination of the fantastic game, match and championship.} 39.Rxa6 {Time-trouble...} ( {White was still winning after both} 39.Kc1 $1 e3 40.b4 d3 41.cxd3 Nxd3+ 42.Kd1 ) ( {or the instant} 39.b4 $1 {keeping the b-pawn in both cases.} ) 39...e3 40.Kc1 d3 $1 {Now Black manages to trade all the white pawns.} 41.cxd3 Nxd3+ 42.Kd1 Nxb2+ 43.Ke2 Nc4 ( 43...Nc4 {The game is indeed a draw if Black gives away his e-pawn at the right moment:} 44.Kd3 Kd5 45.Ra8 e2 $1 46.Kxe2 Kc6 47.Kd3 ( 47.a4 Kb7 48.Rd8 Nb6 ) 47...Kb7 $1 {and White cannot keep his a-pawn.} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Grand Prix Palma 2017"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2719"]
[ECO "B35"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8111851053589"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 g6 {Gelfand often reverts to the Accelerated Dragon in case that his opponent adopts the Anti-Sveshnikov move order. By doing so he avoids the Maroczy Bind formation.} 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 O-O 8.Bb3 d5 {This is how the Israeli GM likes to play, lately.} ( 8...d6 {reverts the game back into the normal Dragon where Vachier-Lagrave has a lot of experience. One example is the following blitz game} 9.f3 Bd7 10.Qd2 Rc8 11.h4 h5 12.O-O-O Ne5 13.Kb1 Nc4 14.Bxc4 Rxc4 15.Nde2 {and the theory had not yet begun, Vachier-Lagrave,M (2796)-Grischuk,A (2761) Paris 2017} ) ( {The genuine Accelerated Dragon players may also choose the line} 8...a5 9.O-O a4 10.Nxa4 Nxe4 11.Nb5 Rxa4 12.Bxa4 Bxb2 {as in Karjakin,S (2694)-Jones,G (2567) Heraklion 2007} ) 9.exd5 Na5 10.O-O ( {An alternative for White is} 10.Qf3 Nxb3 11.axb3 Bg4 12.Qg3 Bh5 13.d6 exd6 14.O-O {when the weak pawn on d6 is compensated by the bishop pair by Black, Wei,Y (2753)-Li,C (2744) Huocheng County 2017} ) 10...Nxb3 11.Nxb3 b6 12.d6 {The pawn cannot be defended on d5 and White hurries to cause some damage to the opponent's position.} 12...e6 {In return Black postpones the capture hoping that he will have a better opportunity for that.} ( {Apparently, Gelfand was not too excited repeating the endgame he had an year ago after} 12...Qxd6 13.Qxd6 exd6 14.Rfe1 Bf5 15.Nd4 Bd7 16.h3 {as in Oparin,G (2616)-Gelfand,B (2725) Moscow 2016} ) 13.Qf3 Rb8 14.Rfd1 $146 {A logical novelty. The question which rook has always been more difficult than one could imagine. Here the the placement of the rooks on c1 and d1 has one obvious advantage: they both support the advance of the pawns. The less obvious plus is that the rook on f1 may fall victim to a bishop skewer on the a6-f1 diagonal.} ( {The only predecessor is a game of Gelfand himself. He managed to survive after:} 14.Rad1 Bb7 15.Qh3 Nd5 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.Bd4 Bxd4 18.Rxd4 Rc8 ( 18...b5 $5 19.Qh6 ) 19.Qh6 ( 19.Qd3 $1 b5 20.Qxb5 ( {One disadvantage of the queenside rook sorie is revealed after} 20.c3 Bc4 {skewering some meat on the diagonal.} ) 20...Rxc2 ) 19...Qf6 20.Rc1 {although this might have been pleasant to repeat as White, Adhiban,B (2670)-Gelfand,B (2737) Douglas 2017} ) 14...Bb7 15.Qh3 {Gelfand sank into thought.} 15...Rc8 ( {The less obvious advantage of the move Rf1-d1 becomes clear in the line} 15...Nd5 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.Bd4 Bxd4 18.Rxd4 Rc8 19.Qd3 $1 ( 19.Qh6 Qf6 ) 19...b5 20.c3 Bc4 {and this bishop attacks only the queen, which moves away:} ( 20...Qxd6 21.Qxb5 ) 21.Qg3 {with advantage for White. Small details like these form the opening theory for years to come.} ) 16.Bd4 Nd5 ( 16...Rc6 {would be well met with} 17.Qf3 $1 ) 17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Rac1 $1 {Here is the second advantage in action. The white pieces are placed (almost) ideally to help the passers run. Vachier-Lagrave's novelty worked out quite well.} 19...b5 ( 19...Qxd6 $4 {drops a piece after} 20.c4 ) ( {In case of} 19...Rc6 {White has a choice between the sharp} 20.c4 $5 ( {And the calm} 20.Qg3 ) 20...Bxc4 21.Qg3 {with advantage for White in both cases. But this was perhaps the lesser evil in comparison to the game.} ) 20.Qg3 Qf6 ( {Or} 20...Rc6 21.Nd4 Rxd6 ( 21...Rb6 22.b3 b4 23.Nf5+ $5 Kh8 24.Ne3 ) 22.Nxb5 {with a solid extra pawn.} ) 21.Nd4 b4 {Trying to keep the pawns blocked. However} 22.c4 $1 {is still very strong.} 22...bxc3 ( {If} 22...Rxc4 23.Rxc4 Bxc4 24.Nc6 Bd5 25.Nxb4 {keeps the extra material.} ) ( 22...Bxc4 $2 {is even worse for Black after} 23.d7 Rc5 24.b3 ) 23.Rxc3 Rxc3 $6 {This makes things easier for White. The two passers are massive.} ( {The most resilient way was} 23...Rb8 24.b3 Rfd8 {although White's advantage is indusputable here as well.} ) 24.bxc3 Rd8 ( {If} 24...Rc8 25.d7 Rd8 26.Qd6 {and the pawns will resume their motion shortly.} ) 25.h4 {Another nice touch. One idea is to trade the queens in the proper moment. The other is to have air for the king in case of any back rank checks.} 25...e5 26.Nf5+ Qxf5 27.Rxd5 Qe4 ( {You have already noticed that} 27...Qb1+ {is not mate and White should win after} 28.Kh2 Qxa2 29.Qxe5+ ) 28.c4 {Keeping the passers together is the best.} ( 28.Rxe5 $6 Qb1+ 29.Kh2 Rxd6 {is not that great for White.} ) 28...f6 ( {The white passer is unstoppable after} 28...Qxc4 29.Qxe5+ Kg8 30.d7 Qxh4 31.Rb5 ) 29.Qc3 Qb1+ 30.Kh2 Qxa2 31.Rd2 {Calm play. MVL knows that the pawns are unstoppable.} ( {There was also the flashy win after} 31.Rxe5 fxe5 ( {But why to allow any checks after} 31...Qxf2 32.Re7+ Kg8 33.c5 ) 32.Qxe5+ Kg8 33.Qe6+ Kg7 34.Qe7+ ) 31...Qa4 32.g3 Qc6 33.c5 Rd7 34.Qc4 {Once that the blockade is lifted nobody can stop the passers.} ( 34.Qc4 {A possible finish would have been} 34...Kf8 35.Qd5 Qxd5 36.Rxd5 Ke8 37.c6 Rg7 38.d7+ Kd8 39.c7+ ) 1-0

[Event "FIDE Grand Prix Palma 2017"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2705"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "E73"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7839389061704"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 ( {Later in the annotations this game will be mentioned:} 5.f3 O-O 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 c5 8.Bd3 Nh5 9.Nge2 f5 10.exf5 gxf5 11.Qc2 {and now the key move} 11...e4 $1 12.fxe4 f4 $1 13.Bf2 Nd7 14.Ng1 Qg5 15.Bf1 Ne5 16.Nf3 Qe7 17.Nxe5 Qxe5 18.O-O-O Nf6 19.h3 Bd7 20.Bd3 a6 21.Nb1 f3 22.gxf3 Nh5 23.Nd2 Nf4 24.Bf1 b5 25.h4 Kh8 26.Rg1 Bf6 27.Nb3 Rab8 28.Be1 b4 29.Kb1 Ra8 30.Bg3 Rg8 31.Qh2 Rxg3 32.Rxg3 Ne2 33.Qxe2 Qxg3 34.Nc1 a5 35.Nd3 Bd4 36.h5 Qh4 37.Bg2 Rg8 38.Rh1 Qg3 39.Bf1 a4 40.Kc2 a3 41.b3 {1/2-1/2 Kotov,A-Gligoric,S Zurich 1953} ) 5...O-O 6.Be3 {A look in the database reveals that Radjabov had never faced this move before, while Vallejo had never even developed the light-squared bishop to e2 on the previous move.} ( {In the Averbakh System White often tries to lure the pawn to h6 before stepping on e3 with} 6.Bg5 h6 7.Be3 ) 6...e5 7.d5 a5 8.g4 Na6 9.h4 {Not really and attack, but more of a defensive prophylaxis. White wants to control the kingside.} 9...Nc5 10.f3 h5 11.g5 Nh7 ( {Very often this knight is rerouted to the queenside with} 11...Nfd7 12.Nh3 Nb6 {as in Debashis,D (2472) -Firouzja,A (2456) Doha 2016} ) 12.Kd2 $146 {A novelty. The king is often safe behind the blocked center in these lines.} ( {The "normal" way to play it is} 12.Qd2 f6 13.gxf6 {In a recent game from the ETCC White was better after} ( {Or} 13.O-O-O fxg5 14.hxg5 Bd7 15.Nh3 Qe7 16.Kb1 Rf7 17.Nf2 Raf8 18.Rdg1 Rf4 {1/2-1/2 Riazantsev,A (2646)-Amonatov,F (2592) St Petersburg 2015} ) 13...Rxf6 ( {However} 13...Bxf6 {seems more natural to play.} ) 14.O-O-O Bd7 15.Nh3 {Rodshtein,M (2699)-Kovalev,V (2636) Heraklio 2017} ) ( {Another option for White is} 12.Nh3 {for example} 12...Bxh3 {I do not like this...} 13.Rxh3 f6 14.gxf6 ( 14.Qd2 $5 ) 14...Rxf6 15.Qd2 {which looks good for White, Debashis,D (2472) -Karthikeyan,M (2578) Moscow 2017} ) 12...Bd7 {Radjabov proceeds with the normal development and prepares the opening of the center.} 13.Nh3 c6 14.Nf2 cxd5 15.exd5 {Vallejo's point. His knights get an access to the wonderful e4 spot.} ( {Or} 15.cxd5 a4 {followed by Qd8-a5 and b7-b5 with strong play on the queenside.} ) 15...f5 ( {The computer recommends} 15...b6 {but no real KID player will allow} 16.Nfe4 {that easily.} ) 16.gxf6 Nxf6 17.Bxc5 $6 {A contraversial decision. The knights will make it to the e4 square, but the bishop on g7 remains without an opponent.} 17...dxc5 18.Kc2 ( {Some of the problems due to the lack of the white bishop are revealed in the line} 18.Nfe4 Nxe4+ 19.Nxe4 Rf4 {when the pawn on h4 becomes vulnerable. After} 20.Qe1 Qb6 21.Kc2 Bf5 {Black is better.} ) 18...a4 ( 18...e4 $5 {was already interesting, but before breaking through Radjabov wants to soften the long diagonal.} ) 19.Qd2 a3 20.b3 e4 $1 {Every KID players knows ;-) This idea, reminiscent of the glorious game Kotov-Gligoric from the Interzonal tournament Zurich 1953, is the main weapon of every KID player. The Beast on g7 is released and things do not look rosy for Vallejo at all. To make things worse, he was getting very low on time.} 21.fxe4 ( {Worse was} 21.Nfxe4 Nxe4 22.fxe4 Rf2 {and Black breaks into the opponent's camp.} ) 21...Ng4 22.Nxg4 ( 22.Nd3 {is too artifical to be true. After} 22...Bh6 23.Qe1 Ne3+ 24.Kb1 Qe7 {Black develops a strong attack on the dark squares.} ) 22...hxg4 {I could not believe my eyes when I saw the computer evaluation here (0.00)... Black's play is very easy and strong. The queen will come out on either f6 or e7, then on the long diagonal, rooks want to get into the scond file, there's a strong passer on g3. ..} ( {Of course not} 22...Bxg4 23.Bxg4 hxg4 {which will make White's defense easier.} ) 23.h5 ( {Or} 23.Raf1 Rxf1 24.Bxf1 Qf6 {and the black pieces dominate the board.} ) 23...Rf2 24.h6 ( {In case of} 24.hxg6 {Black will simply ignore the g6 pawn and proceed with his plan:} 24...Qe7 25.Rh7 ( {Even the endgame is bad for White after} 25.d6 Qe5 26.Qd5+ Qxd5 27.cxd5 g3 $1 ( {No need to complicate thing with} 27...Bxc3 {when a curious line that leads to a draw runs after} 28.Kxc3 Rxe2 29.Rh7 Be8 30.Rah1 g3 31.d7 g2 32.Rh8+ Kg7 33.R1h7+ Kxg6 34.Rh6+ Kg5 35.Rh5+ Bxh5 36.Rxa8 Re3+ 37.Kd2 Re2+ ) ) 25...g3 {with big advantage for the second player.} ) 24...Be5 25.Raf1 g3 26.Rxf2 ( {Or} 26.Qe3 Rh2 $1 ( 26...Qf6 27.Nd1 Rxf1 28.Rxf1 Qe7 {looks less convincing.} ) ) 26...gxf2 27.Nd1 Qf6 28.Rf1 Bd4 29.Nxf2 {Vallejo understands that the positon is hopeless strategically and tries tactics. But this only speeds up his defeat.} ( 29.Bd3 Rf8 30.h7+ Kxh7 31.Rh1+ Kg8 32.Qh6 Rf7 {leads White nowehere neither.} ) 29...Bxf2 30.e5 Qxe5 31.Rxf2 Bf5+ 32.Kd1 ( 32.Rxf5 Qxf5+ {is hopeless as well.} ) 32...Qa1+ {Not the only wy to win the game, but convincing enough.} 33.Qc1 Qxa2 34.Rxf5 Qxb3+ ( {Surely} 34...gxf5 $4 {would give the win to White after} 35.Qg5+ Kf7 36.Qg7+ Ke8 37.h7 ) 35.Kd2 Qa2+ {Radjabov repeats the moves once.} ( 35...a2 {would have won after} 36.Qa1 Qb4+ 37.Kc2 Qb1+ 38.Qxb1 axb1=Q+ 39.Kxb1 gxf5 ) 36.Ke1 {Vallejo deviates, but there is no salvation anyways.} ( 36.Kd1 Qb3+ {would force Radjabov to use the winning line from above.} ) 36...Qb2 37.Qf4 Qb1+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE Grand Prix Palma 2017"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7561826806793"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {Radjabov is known for his mastery in the Sveshnikov/Kalshnikov lines. Thus the choice of Nakamura makes a lot of sense.} ( {Even though the American GM managed to win an important game four years ago in the line:} 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6 6.N1c3 a6 7.Na3 b5 8.Nd5 Nf6 9.c4 $5 {Nakamura,H (2775)-Radjabov,T (2745) Stavanger 2013} ) 3...e6 4.O-O Nge7 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Ng6 7.Be3 Be7 8.Be2 O-O 9.Nc3 ( {The alternative was} 9.c4 Nxd4 10.Bxd4 b6 11.Re1 Bb7 12.Nc3 Bc6 {with solid position for the seond player in Nepomniachtchi,I (2733)-Lenic,L (2650) Heraklio 2017} ) 9...Qc7 10.f4 {This was Nakamura's idea. He drags the opponent into an unfamiliar position - a Scheveningen type. There is an important difference though: The black kingside knight is placed on g6 rather than on f6. Who will profit from that?} 10...Nxd4 $146 ( {A predecessor ended quickly in a draw after:} 10...a6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.e5 d6 13.exd6 Bxd6 14.Qd2 Rd8 15.Bd3 Rb8 16.b3 Qa5 17.Ne4 Qxd2 18.Bxd2 Bc7 19.Be3 {1/2-1/2 (19) Kulish,I (2280)-Shumiakina,T (2407) Moscow 1999} ) 11.Qxd4 b6 {The most convincing way to finish the development.} 12.Qd2 ( {The computer suggestion} 12.Qc4 Qxc4 13.Bxc4 Bb7 {is harmless for Black.} ) 12...Bb7 13.Rad1 Bc6 ( 13...Rad8 $5 {intending Be7-c5 also makes sense.} ) 14.a3 Bf6 {Radjabov provokes the advance of the white pawns. Other options were also possible:} ( 14...Rad8 ) ( 14...Rfd8 ) ( 14...d6 ) 15.g3 {Nakamura is not advancing the central pawn yet.} ( {Indeed} 15.e5 Be7 16.Nb5 Bxb5 17.Bxb5 Rfd8 18.Qf2 d6 {looks OK for Black.} ) 15...Rac8 16.e5 {Only now.} 16...Be7 17.h4 {Grabbing more space. The only piece that does not fit well in Black's solid construction is the knight. But this might be a minor concern in case Radjabov manages to free himself with a timely d7-d6 advance as the steed will get access to the game via the d7 square.} 17...Rfd8 18.h5 ( {Or} 18.Ba6 Bb7 19.Nb5 Qb8 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 21.h5 Nf8 22.Qe2 ) 18...Nf8 19.Ba6 {The rook should be kicked away from the half-open file.} ( {If} 19.Nb5 Bxb5 20.Bxb5 Qxc2 ) 19...Rb8 ( 19...Bb7 {would be answered} 20.Nb5 Qb8 21.Bxb7 Qxb7 22.Qe2 {followed by Nb7-d6 when the Black pieces will start to suffocate soon.} ) 20.Qd6 $1 {What? Nakamura gives a free queen??} ( {Apparently White saw that in the line} 20.Nb5 Bxb5 21.Bxb5 Bc5 ( {However, this whole line is not mandatory and Radjabov can still level the chances with} 21...d6 $1 22.exd6 Bxd6 23.Qe2 Bc5 {with equality.} ) 22.b4 $1 Bxe3+ 23.Qxe3 {He would be clearly better as the pawn is poisoned-} 23...Qxc2 24.Rc1 Qa2 ( 24...Qf5 25.Qf3 {is not appealing neither.} ) 25.Bc4 Qb2 26.Rf2 {and the queen is trapped.} ) 20...Bxd6 21.exd6 {It's OK, now the Black queen is trapped. So what was the exclam for? The beauty? This one too, but it is mainly for the psychology behind the move. If Radjabov has missed the move he might had become less confident and eventhough the position remains close to equal this could matter for his future decision-making.} 21...Qc8 22.Bxc8 Rbxc8 23.a4 {Attacking the queenside pawns. Black is practically down a piece there (you did not forget the knight on f8, did you?) and this is what Nakamura will try to exploit.} 23...h6 24.Ra1 ( 24.a5 {does not yield much after} 24...Rb8 25.Ra1 Nh7 ) 24...Ba8 {Not yet a mistake, but this looks very artificial.} ( {Radjabov needed to get the knight out as soon as possible-} 24...Nh7 $1 25.a5 Rb8 26.axb6 ( {Or} 26.Bd4 Nf6 27.axb6 axb6 28.Bxf6 gxf6 ) 26...axb6 27.Bd4 Nf6 28.Bxf6 gxf6 {would have led to approximately equal positions.} ) 25.a5 Rc6 26.Rfd1 b5 {This is really wrong. Black must have miscalculated something.} ( {Correct was} 26...bxa5 $1 27.Rxa5 ( {Or} 27.Bxa7 Ra6 28.Bc5 Bf3 29.Rd3 Bxh5 30.b4 Bg6 31.Rd2 Rc8 $1 ) 27...a6 28.Rda1 Bb7 {as long as the queenside is safe Black will have the desired time to bring the kngiht out.} ) 27.a6 $1 {This pawn will cost Black dearly. Now both the black queenside pawns are separated and will be soon lost.} 27...b4 28.Nb5 Rxc2 29.Rd2 ( {Maybe Radjabov was hoping for some counter-play like this-} 29.Bxa7 e5 $1 30.fxe5 Ne6 31.Bb6 Ng5 $1 32.Bxd8 Nf3+ 33.Kf1 Nh2+ {with perpetual. Here the knight would be the hero.} ) 29...Rdc8 30.Nc7 $1 {Perhaps this is what Black missed.} ( 30.Nxa7 {is not as clear after} 30...Rxd2 31.Bxd2 Rc2 32.Bxb4 Rxb2 33.Bc5 e5 34.fxe5 Ne6 {and Black is pretty much alive and kicking.} ) 30...Rxd2 31.Bxd2 Bc6 ( {Probably the last chance was} 31...e5 32.fxe5 Ne6 33.Nxa8 Rxa8 34.Be3 {although then too White should be capable of winning after bringing his rook out via Ra1-a4(a5)-b4(b5).} ) 32.Be3 Nh7 33.Bxa7 Nf6 34.Bc5 Ne4 ( 34...Nxh5 {would be similar to the game after} 35.a7 Nxg3 36.Ra6 $1 Be4 37.Rb6 ) 35.Bxb4 Nxg3 {The kngith is finally out but still not where it is needed...} 36.a7 Ne2+ 37.Kh2 Nxf4 38.Ra6 $1 ( {No rush to cashout-} 38.a8=Q Bxa8 39.Rxa8 Rxa8 40.Nxa8 Nxh5 {will requre some technical work by the first player.} ) 38...Be4 39.Rb6 {Now it is easy. The queenside passers decide the game-} 39...Nxh5 40.Rb8 Rf8 41.Bd2 Nf6 42.b4 1-0

[Event "FIDE Grand Prix Palma 2017"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[ECO "A16"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8246874088970"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 {The Anti-Gruenfeld was to be expected against Giri.} 3...d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.d3 ( {The endgame arising after} 5.e4 Nxc3 6.dxc3 Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 {is very popular of lately, So,W (2812)-Mamedyarov,S (2800) Paris 2017} ) ( {But Aronian himself prefers to keep the queens on the board as in a game against the same opponent an year ago:} 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Ba3 O-O 8.d4 b6 9.Bc4 {Aronian, L (2792)-Giri,A (2782) Leuven 2016} ) 5...Bg7 6.Bd2 O-O 7.g3 c5 8.h4 $146 {A novelty. I have noticed that the creative attacking players have passion for this move. Before Aronian, there was Larsen.} ( {The standart way of attacking the kingside is} 8.Bg2 Nc6 9.O-O e6 10.Qc1 b6 11.Bh6 Bb7 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Rd1 Rc8 {But this does not yield White much, Bischoff,K (2504)-Li,C (2711) Germany 2014} ) 8...Nc6 {Solid central play by Giri.} ( {We are all curious to see what did the Armenian wizard prepare after} 8...h5 ) 9.h5 Nxc3 10.bxc3 c4 $1 {This is a must as otherwise White would do whatever he likes on the kingside.} 11.hxg6 hxg6 12.Qa4 {Swinging over the queen onto the kingside along the fourth.} 12...Na5 ( {Aronian believed that the strongest move was} 12...Qd5 $1 13.dxc4 ( {with the key idea to swap the queens off after} 13.Qxc4 Qxc4 14.dxc4 ) ( {However, there is the super-sharp line} 13.e4 Qc5 14.d4 Nxd4 15.cxd4 Bxd4 {which one should enter only after a week spent with oyur silicon friend.} ) 13...Qa5 {chasing the white queen and in order to trade it.} ) ( 12...cxd3 {looks dangerous at least after} 13.Qh4 f6 14.Bh6 ) 13.d4 b6 14.Bg2 Bb7 15.Qc2 {Now White's plan is more than obvious -- to mate along the open h-file. What Black is doing remains a mystery.} 15...Qd5 16.Nh4 Qd7 17.e4 e5 {Fighting for the center again.} ( 17...Bc6 18.Qc1 ) 18.d5 $1 {No brainer. The center should remain blocked.} 18...Bc8 ( {Similar would be} 18...Ba6 19.f4 {With the idea to meet} ( 19.Nf3 $5 ) 19...Qg4 {with} 20.Bf3 $3 Qxg3+ 21.Ke2 {The queen is trapped and even the tricky} 21...Nb3 {does not help after} 22.Rag1 Nd4+ 23.cxd4 c3+ 24.Kd1 Qf2 25.Bxc3 {with a win for White.} ) 19.f4 Qe7 ( {Once again} 19...Qg4 {is met with} 20.Bf3 $1 Qxg3+ 21.Ke2 ) ( {While} 19...exf4 20.gxf4 Nb7 21.Be3 {leaves Black poorly coordinated and centerless....} ) 20.f5 $1 {The pawns open the games for the heavy pieces.} 20...g5 ( 20...gxf5 {would have led to a disaster after} 21.Bh3 fxe4 22.Bxc8 Raxc8 23.Nf5 {Black is completely helpless against the knight on f5. A sample line-} 23...Qd7 24.Qxe4 Rfe8 25.Nxg7 Kxg7 26.Qh7+ Kf6 27.Rh6+ Ke7 28.Bg5+ Kf8 29.Qh8# ) ( {But maybe} 20...Qd6 {was more stubborn.} ) 21.Qd1 $3 {Aronian in action! Guess what is my sissy computer is suggesting?} ( {Yeah, it is the retreat} 21.Nf3 ) 21...gxh4 22.Rxh4 Rd8 ( {The defensive set-up after} 22...f6 {is breached with} 23.Qh5 Rf7 24.Qh7+ Kf8 25.Bf3 $1 Qc5 26.Kf1 $1 {To stop any checks and the rest is clear-} 26...Nb7 27.Rg4 Nd6 28.Rxg7 Rxg7 29.Qh8+ Kf7 30.Bh5+ ) ( {The king cannot stay on the flank-} 22...Re8 23.Qg4 Kf8 24.Rh8+ $1 Bxh8 25.Bh6+ Bg7 26.Qxg7# ) 23.Qh5 Kf8 ( {If} 23...f6 24.Qh7+ Kf8 25.Rg4 $1 {destroys the last defender after} 25...Nb7 26.Rxg7 Qxg7 27.Bh6 ) 24.Rg4 Bf6 {This loses on the spot.} ( {The last try was} 24...Qd6 $1 {In that case I suspect that Aronian wanted to play} 25.Rxg7 $1 Kxg7 26.Qg5+ Kf8 27.Kf2 $1 ( {Not on} 27.Ke2 {since in the line} 27...Ke8 28.Qg7 ( {Or} 28.Rh1 Kd7 29.Rh6 Qf8 {and Black seems to organize his defense.} ) 28...Qf8 29.Qxe5+ Qe7 30.Qg7 f6 $1 ( {Or even} 30...Bxf5 {the king on e2 disturbs the attack.} ) ) 27...Ke8 28.Qg7 {White's atatck is still very strong. For example} 28...Kd7 ( {Here} 28...Qf8 29.Qxe5+ Qe7 30.Qg7 f6 31.Qg6+ Qf7 32.Rh1 $1 {suprisingly leads to a won endgame down a rook for White!} 32...Qxg6 33.fxg6 Ke7 34.e5 {and Black is helpless.} ) 29.Qxf7+ Qe7 30.Qxe7+ $1 {One again White does not mind trading the queens.} 30...Kxe7 31.Bg5+ Kd7 32.Bxd8 Kxd8 33.Rh1 {and thanks to the strong pieces and advanced passers White should win.} ) 25.Bh6+ Ke8 26.Rg8+ Kd7 27.d6 $1 {The queen is trapped and Black loses at least a rook.} ( 27.d6 Qxd6 ( 27...Kxd6 28.Rd1+ Kc7 29.Rgxd8 ) 28.Rd1 Qxd1+ 29.Qxd1+ ) 1-0

[Event "FIDE Grand Prix Palma 2017"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Harikrishna, P."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[ECO "A09"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "6600693647366"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 {According to my Megabase Radjabov used this move order only twice in official games.} 2...d4 3.g3 ( {Previously the Azerbaijani GM tested the line} 3.b4 f6 4.d3 e5 5.b5 a6 6.bxa6 Nxa6 7.g3 Bb4+ 8.Bd2 {Radjabov,T (2781)-Naiditsch,A (2712) Porto Carras 2011} ) 3...c5 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.O-O e5 6.d3 Nf6 7.e3 Be7 8.exd4 cxd4 {Now it is a reversed Benoni.} ( {The other capture is also possible-} 8...exd4 9.Bf4 O-O 10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.Bxe5 Bd6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Nd2 {as in Movsesian,S (2680)-Buhmann,R (2596) Minsk 2017} ) 9.Re1 Nd7 10.Na3 {The influence of Vugar Gashimov on the Azerbaijani chess is so strong that almost all his teammembers have tried the Benoni with either color.} 10...O-O ( 10...Bxa3 $6 11.bxa3 {would definitely make White happy with the play along the b-file and the long diagonal.} ) 11.Nc2 {Carefully preparing the b2-b4 advance.} 11...a5 12.b3 f6 {Harikrishna chose the very solid Saemish set-up.} 13.Nd2 Nc5 14.Ne4 Bf5 $146 {A normal developing move and a novelty.} ( {An email game saw previously:} 14...Ne6 15.Nd2 Kh8 16.Qe2 Ra6 {with approximate eqaulity, Egelhof,H (2016)-Tauber,H (2207) GER email 2012} ) 15.Nxc5 Bxc5 16.a3 Rb8 {The rook overprotects the b7 pawn in advance.} 17.Rb1 Qd6 18.Qf3 Bg6 ( {If} 18...Be6 19.Qe2 Bf5 {White would be a tempo up. It is another question if he can use it effectively.} ) 19.h4 {Typical play for the Benoni on both flanks.} 19...h5 {Again, solid choice by Harikrishna.} ( {A much sharper option was:} 19...Rfe8 20.h5 e4 $5 {With the idea to get sufficient compensation for the pawn after} 21.dxe4 Ne5 22.Qd1 Bxh5 $1 23.Qxh5 d3 24.Ne3 d2 25.Bxd2 Qxd2 {The most likely scenario in this case would be} 26.Qe2 Qxe2 27.Rxe2 Bxa3 {with equality.} ) 20.Rd1 {Apparently Radjabov understood the danger behind the e5-e4 advance and decided to overprotect the d-file.} 20...Rfe8 ( {Although} 20...e4 $5 {was still very interesting, for example} 21.dxe4 Ne5 22.Qf4 d3 23.Ne3 Bxa3 ( {Or} 23...b5 $5 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) ) 21.b4 {Now White gets a little bit of an initiative.} 21...axb4 22.Qd5+ Qxd5 23.Bxd5+ Kh7 24.axb4 Bf8 25.Kf1 ( {Since in case of the immediate} 25.b5 {the black knight will be nicely re-routed to c5 after} 25...Nd8 26.Ra1 Ne6 ) 25...Rec8 26.b5 {Now is good time.} 26...Na5 {This move creates the flashy Na5xc4 threat, but is somewhat inaccurate.} ( 26...Ne7 {was more precise. Then if} 27.Bf3 ( {Better would be} 27.Be6 Re8 28.Ba3 Nc8 29.Bxf8 Rxe6 {with equal endgame.} ) 27...Rxc4 $1 {works and Black wins a pawn.} 28.dxc4 Bxc2 ) 27.Rb2 e4 28.Bxe4 {Resigning to the draw.} ( {The only chance to play for the advantage was} 28.Bf4 $1 exd3 29.Ne1 Ra8 30.Ra2 Nb3 31.Rxa8 Rxa8 32.Bxb7 Ra2 {Now} 33.Nf3 {is maybe a little bit better for White, but not much after either} ( {Most likely Radjabov saw the line} 33.Nxd3 Bxd3+ 34.Rxd3 Nc5 35.Rxd4 Nxb7 {and did not like it.} ) 33...Bc5 ( {Or} 33...Nc5 ) ) 28...Bxe4 29.dxe4 Nxc4 30.Ra2 Nd6 31.Nxd4 {The resources of the battle are exhausted.} ( 31.Nxd4 Nxe4 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Prix 2017"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.23"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Li, Chao B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "A10"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6803362420758"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]

1.c4 g6 2.e4 e5 3.d4 Nf6 {Quite a rare line. Although some strong players, including Magnus Carlsen and Wesley So have used it successfully (So with both colors.)} 4.Nf3 {The main move.} ( 4.dxe5 Nxe4 5.Qd4 {is what Topalov chose against Wesley So} 5...Nc5 ) 4...exd4 ( {Relevant:} 4...Bb4+ 5.Nc3 Nxe4 6.Qc2 f5 7.Nxe5 c5 {Jakovenko,D (2704)-Kokarev,D (2643) Khanty-Mansiysk 2016} ) 5.e5 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Qe7 7.Bxb4 Qxb4+ 8.Qd2 Qxd2+ 9.Nbxd2 Nh5 10.Nxd4 {An endgame emerged by force. Black's knight on h5 does not seem particularly happy at the moment, but White's central pawn may turn a bit overoptimistic.} 10...Nc6 11.N2f3 $146 {And a novelty by Radjabov. The Azeri GM is determined to fight till the last bullet.} ( {The predecessor saw White spoiling the opponent's haircut with:} 11.Nxc6 dxc6 12.O-O-O Bf5 13.g3 O-O-O 14.Be2 Ng7 {at the expense of the development, Suba,M (2531)-Jansa,V (2477) Bad Zwischenahn 2008} ) 11...b6 {Now it is all about the e5 pawn. Will it survive or not?} ( {Clearly worse for Black is} 11...f6 12.Nb5 Kd8 13.g4 ) 12.Nb5 {Before anything the black king should remain stuck in the middle.} 12...Kd8 13.O-O-O Re8 14.g3 a6 ( {So far so good.} 14...Nxe5 {would be met with} 15.Nxe5 Rxe5 16.Bg2 Rb8 17.Nxa7 {and the knight on a7 is surprisingly jolly.} ) 15.Nbd4 Bb7 ( {Here} 15...Nxe5 $4 {would be even worse} 16.Nxe5 Rxe5 17.Nc6+ ) 16.Nxc6+ Bxc6 17.Bh3 $1 {A nice "disappearing" move. Before placing his bishop on the long diagonal Radjabov wants to force the move f7-f5.} ( {The immediate} 17.Bg2 {would be strongly met with} 17...f6 $1 ) 17...f5 ( {Instead} 17...Bxf3 $2 {loses to} 18.Rxd7+ Kc8 19.Rxf7+ ) ( {If} 17...Kc8 18.Rd3 {would start the pre-programmed doubling of the rooks on the half-open file and} 18...Bxf3 $2 {would be still a bad idea due to} 19.Rxf3 Re7 20.Rd1 {with large advantage for White.} ) 18.Bg2 ( {Of course not} 18.exf6 $6 Nxf6 {when the black pieces enter the game.} ) 18...b5 19.Rhe1 bxc4 20.Nh4 Bxg2 21.Nxg2 {The central pawn survived and became extremely valuable. It helps White comfortably maneuver with their rooks and spoils the party for the black ones.} 21...Rb8 22.Rd4 ( {Also good was} 22.f4 Ng7 23.Ne3 ) 22...g5 ( {In case of} 22...c3 {White would keep his pawns intact with} 23.b3 $1 ) ( {White is also comfortably better after} 22...Ng7 23.Red1 Re7 24.Ne3 Ne6 25.Rxc4 ) 23.Red1 Rxe5 {Li Chao decided to try the active defense.} ( {Objectively speaking} 23...Re7 {was more stubborn, although after} 24.Ne3 Ng7 25.f4 ( 25.Nxc4 Rb5 ) 25...gxf4 26.gxf4 Rf7 27.Rxc4 Ne6 {White's advantage is undisputable.} ) 24.Rxd7+ Kc8 25.Rxh7 Nf6 26.Rh8+ Kb7 27.Rxb8+ Kxb8 28.Ne3 {The superb opening preparation and fine middlegame play netted White a pawn.} 28...f4 ( {Perhaps Black should have tried} 28...c3 29.bxc3 ( {Here} 29.b3 $6 f4 $1 {is not convincing at all.} ) 29...f4 30.Nc4 ) 29.Nxc4 Re2 30.Rd2 Re1+ 31.Kc2 {Next White activates everything that he has.} 31...Kb7 ( {Similar is} 31...Rh1 32.gxf4 gxf4 33.f3 Rf1 34.Ne5 ) 32.Kd3 Rh1 33.gxf4 gxf4 34.f3 Rf1 35.Ne5 Re1 36.Ng4 $1 {A nice regroupment. Radjabov co-ordinates his pieces with the outside passer. He is winning now.} 36...Nd5 ( {White is perfectly co-ordinated in the rook endgame as well} 36...Nxg4 37.fxg4 Rg1 38.h3 Rg3+ 39.Ke4 Rxh3 40.Kxf4 ) 37.h4 c5 ( {Anytime that the rook is placed behind the pawn} 37...Rh1 {there comes} 38.Rh2 ) 38.h5 Nb4+ 39.Kc4 Rc1+ 40.Kb3 Nc6 41.h6 Nd4+ {Li Chao tries some final tricks.} ( {The pawn was unstopabble anyways-} 41...Rh1 42.Rh2 ) 42.Ka3 ( {Or} 42.Ka4 Rc4+ 43.Ka3 Nb5+ 44.Kb3 Rb4+ 45.Kc2 {and wins.} ) 42...Nxf3 43.h7 Nxd2 44.h8=Q Nc4+ 45.Ka4 Nb6+ 46.Kb3 a5 ( {The king escapes after} 46...c4+ 47.Kb4 Nd5+ 48.Kc5 ) 47.Qf6 a4+ 48.Ka3 Ka6 49.Qxf4 Nc4+ 50.Kxa4 Nxb2+ 51.Kb3 Nd3 52.Qd6+ Kb5 53.a4+ ( {White could even fall into the trap with} 53.Qxd3+ c4+ 54.Kb2 cxd3 55.Kxc1 ) 1-0

[Event "Grand Prix 2017"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.24"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2719"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "E18"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[Beauty "7079335041056"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]

1.d4 Nf6 {In a do-or-die game Radjabov would definitely go for the sharp KID, right?} 2.c4 e6 {Oh, OK, it should be the Benoni then?} 3.Nf3 b6 {Most likely Gelfand expected the QGD, which Radjabov had played more or less regularly. Nope, it is the other fianchetto! The QID, that Radjabov has tried only once, but in a very fresh game.} 4.g3 ( {The very fresh game that I mentioned is from the just finished ETCC where the Azerbaijani players won the gold. It went} 4.e3 Bb7 5.Bd3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.O-O Bd6 {and later Radjabov managed to outplay his opponent, Hamitevici,V (2519)-Radjabov,T (2741) Heraklio 2017} ) 4...Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 {Gelfand has played six official game against this line.} 8.Bd2 Nxd2 {But none has ever captured his bishop at this stage of the game.} ( {The main moves are} 8...f5 ) ( {And} 8...Bf6 ) 9.Qxd2 d6 10.Rad1 ( {Another game at the same ETCC that took place in Crete a couple of weeks ago saw} 10.Qc2 g6 11.b4 Bf6 12.Rfd1 Bg7 13.e3 Qe7 14.a4 c5 15.dxc5 dxc5 16.b5 a5 $1 {and Black was doing fine in Kuzubov, Y (2690)-Sanal,V (2549) Heraklio 2017} ) 10...Nd7 11.Rfe1 c5 12.e4 a6 13.d5 $146 {A novelty.} ( {In comparison to} 13.e5 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 cxd4 15.Qxd4 Nxe5 16.Bxa8 Qxa8 17.Rxe5 dxe5 18.Qxb6 Qc8 {with approximate equality, Moroni,L (2448)-Romanov,E (2636) Llucmajor 2017} ) 13...e5 {Now an old QID pawn structure arises. The question is who is going to attack the center first? Is it going to be White with timely b2-b4 and/or f2-f4 or Black with the similar pawn breaks?} 14.b3 g6 15.Rf1 {Prepares the next maneuver.} 15...Bc8 ( {If the game was not that imporatnt for the qualification Black would have most likely chosen} 15...b5 {with the possible line} 16.cxb5 axb5 17.Nxb5 Ba6 18.a4 Bxb5 19.axb5 Qa5 20.Qd3 Rfb8 {and eventual draw.} ) 16.Ne1 Rb8 {Black still wants to carry out b6-b5.} 17.a4 f5 {Or this one too.} 18.f4 {The situation is heating up.} 18...exf4 19.gxf4 fxe4 20.Nxe4 {More or less forced.} ( {The other capture passes the initiative into Black's hands:} 20.Bxe4 Nf6 21.Bg2 Nh5 22.Nd3 Bf6 {followed by Bf6-d4+, Qd8-h4 and why not mate with Nh5-g3!} ) 20...b5 21.a5 {Doubled-edged and correct pawn sacrifice!} ( {Black takes over the initiative after:} 21.axb5 axb5 22.Rc1 bxc4 23.bxc4 Rb3 ) 21...bxc4 22.bxc4 Rb4 {The pawn on a5 is doomed, but this will require the efforts of two of the major black pieces. While away, they will leave the kingside opened...} 23.Rc1 Nf6 ( {The immediate capture} 23...Qxa5 {seems less accuratedue to} 24.Nd3 Ra4 25.Qe3 Ra2 ( {Now} 25...Qd8 {will be met with} 26.f5 $1 ( {But not} 26.Nxd6 $4 Bxd6 27.Qe6+ Kg7 28.Qxd6 Rf6 {and the queen is trapped!} ) 26...gxf5 27.Nxd6 Bxd6 28.Qe6+ Kh8 29.Qxd6 {with strong initiative for the pawn.} ) 26.f5 $1 {The same idea again. White needs the opponent's king opened. After} 26...gxf5 27.Nc3 Ra3 28.Qxe7 Rxc3 29.Nf4 {the attack looks very dangerous.} ) 24.Ng5 Qxa5 {Now is better.} 25.Nd3 Ra4 26.Qe3 {But White still has compensation for the pawn. Mainly because he can use teh light squares for the atatck.} 26...Qd8 ( {The computer suggests} 26...Re8 {instead but this makes little sense to the human being who knows he needs more pieces into the defense.} ) 27.Rce1 Bf5 $1 {Blocks the dangerous pawn and thus the f1 rook.} ( 27...Re8 {is too dangerous due to} 28.f5 $1 gxf5 29.Ne6 Bxe6 30.Qxe6+ Kh8 31.Rxf5 ) 28.Bh3 $1 {Gelfand understands that he needs to remove the key defender to be successful.} ( {Instead} 28.Qxe7 $2 {woulds have most likely lost after} 28...Qxe7 29.Rxe7 Bxd3 {White's chances are connected with the middlegame and mate.} ) ( {Also bad would have been} 28.Ne6 $6 {when Radjabov would happily sacrifice the exchange with} 28...Qc8 $1 29.Nxf8 Bxf8 {In return for the attack. Now in order to keep the fire of the assault White needs to go for extreme measures with} 30.Ne5 $3 {With complete mess.} ( {Calm play favors Black who has the bishop pair and the safer king after} 30.Nb2 Rb4 31.Qe2 Rb3 ( {Or} 31...Bg7 ) ) 30...dxe5 31.fxe5 Ng4 32.Qg3 {With the idea} 32...Rxc4 33.h3 Nh6 ( {Black may also try to take over the initiative with} 33...Rd4 $5 34.hxg4 Rxg4 35.Qc3 c4 36.d6 h5 ) 34.e6 $1 ) 28...Nxd5 $1 {A powerful defensive resource. Radjabov trades the active white pieces.} ( 28...Bxh3 $2 {would have most likely lost after} 29.Qxh3 Re8 30.Qe6+ Kg7 31.Qf7+ Kh8 32.Ne6 {and wins.} ) 29.cxd5 Bxg5 30.Bxf5 {Now it is all forced.} ( {Safer was} 30.fxg5 Re4 31.Qg3 Rxe1 32.Nxe1 Bxh3 33.Rxf8+ Kxf8 34.Qxh3 Qxg5+ {when the draw should be the most likely result. In comparison to the game Gelfand will have a queen instead of a rook, and the queens are famous for delivering perpetual checks on their own.} ) 30...Rxf5 31.Qe6+ Kg7 32.fxg5 Qxg5+ 33.Kh1 Ra2 {For the piece Black has three pawns. He can hardly lose. But can he win?} 34.Qe7+ ( {Attention!} 34.Rg1 $4 {would be mate after} 34...Rxh2+ 35.Kxh2 Qh4+ 36.Kg2 Qg4+ 37.Kh2 Rh5# ) ( {However, keeping the queen on the board was once again best} 34.Qe4 $1 {when the game should most likely end in a draw as active moves like} 34...Qd2 {would allow perpetual after} 35.Qe7+ Kh6 36.Qh4+ ) 34...Qxe7 35.Rxe7+ Kf8 $1 ( {Not} 35...Kh6 $2 36.Rxf5 gxf5 37.Re6+ {and it is White who plays for the win.} ) 36.Ree1 ( {Worse is} 36.Rxf5+ Kxe7 ) 36...Rxf1+ 37.Rxf1+ Ke7 38.Re1+ {In time trouble Gelfand misses the best chance to co-ordinate his pieces.} ( {Strong was the sudden retreat} 38.Nf2 $1 {when White should safe the half point after} 38...Rd2 ( {Or} 38...a5 39.Re1+ Kd7 40.Ne4 Rb2 41.Nf6+ Kc7 42.Ne8+ Kd7 43.Nf6+ {in this like the knight and the rook were perfectly co-ordinated.} ) 39.Kg2 Rxd5 40.Ra1 {without the a-pawn Black's winning chances are not that great.} ) 38...Kd7 39.Re3 a5 {This pawn is headache.} 40.Rh3 h5 41.Nf4 a4 42.Nxg6 a3 43.Rf3 {Now White loses.} ( {the last chance was} 43.Nf8+ $1 Kc7 44.Rb3 c4 45.Ne6+ Kc8 46.Rc3 {with possible draw.} ) 43...c4 $1 {No rush!} ( 43...Ra1+ {would ahve let the win slip away-} 44.Kg2 a2 45.Rf7+ Kd8 46.Ra7 c4 47.Ne7 c3 48.Nc6+ Ke8 49.Nb4 Rb1 50.Nxa2 Ra1 51.Kf3 c2 52.Rc7 Rxa2 53.Ke4 {and darw as teh black king does not participate into the game.} ) 44.Nf4 ( {Here} 44.Rf7+ {does not help as the king escapes after} 44...Kd8 45.Rf8+ Kc7 ) 44...Ra1+ 45.Kg2 a2 46.Ra3 c3 $1 {The pawns are unstoppable.} 47.Ne2 ( {After} 47.Rxc3 Rg1+ 48.Kxg1 a1=Q+ {White loses also he rook.} ) 47...c2 48.Kf2 ( {Or} 48.Kh3 Re1 49.Rxa2 Rxe2 50.Ra1 Kc7 ) 48...Rh1 {An monstrous game by Radjabov! And an epic comeback!} ( 48...Rh1 {Gelfand resigned due to the line:} 49.Rxa2 Rxh2+ 50.Kg3 {or anywhere else} 50...Rxe2 ) 0-1

[Event "Grand Prix 2017"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.25"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitry"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2721"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7357413209610"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {The best way to play for a win is to avoid the Berlin. At least for now...} 3...Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 a6 6.O-O d6 7.a4 {Vachier-Lagrave used this line successfully in Tbilisi at the World Cup. It helped him knock out Grischuk and to torture Svidler. Perhaps the former had some influence on the Frenchman's opening choice as he was trying to surpass exactly Grischuk in the Grand Prix overall standings.} 7...Ba7 ( {In Tbilisi the Russian Grandmasters were choosing:} 7...h6 8.Re1 O-O 9.h3 a5 10.Nbd2 Be6 11.Bb5 Ne7 ( 11...Na7 12.d4 exd4 13.cxd4 Bb4 14.Bd3 d5 15.e5 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2804)-Svidler,P (2751) Tbilisi 2017} ) 12.d4 exd4 13.Nxd4 Ng6 14.N2f3 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2804)-Grischuk,A (2783) Tbilisi 2017} ) 8.Re1 O-O 9.h3 h6 10.Nbd2 {White has the usual minimal advantage from the opening, but will it be good enough for the win?} 10...Re8 11.b4 Ne7 {Shifting the knight to the kingside.} 12.Qb3 ( {There is nobody to attack on the queenside now.} 12.b5 $6 axb5 {Moreover, White has to be careful} 13.axb5 $2 Bxf2+ ) 12...Rf8 13.d4 exd4 14.cxd4 d5 {One of the points behind the knight retreat on e7.} 15.exd5 $146 {A novelty in comparion to:} ( {The predecessor:} 15.Bd3 dxe4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Bxe4 c6 {Urbanik,L (1993)-Zsitva,N (1838) Namestovo 2017} ) 15...Nexd5 {Vachier-Lagrave isolated his central pawn but his pieces got access to some juicy squares. However, Black can be optimistic as long as he can hold on to the blockading d5 square.} 16.b5 ( {The other idea was to try and lift the central blockade with} 16.Ne4 {Now} 16...Nxe4 ( {However, after the solid} 16...Nb6 $1 17.Bd3 Be6 18.Qa3 Nxe4 19.Bxe4 Nd5 {Black manages to keep control the situation.} ) 17.Bxd5 Nf6 18.Bc4 {Looks good for White. For example very risky is:} 18...Bxd4 ( {Or} 18...c6 19.b5 {when White definitely has pressure.} ) 19.Nxd4 Qxd4 20.Bb2 Qf4 21.Re3 {with strong kingside innitiative.} ) 16...Be6 ( {More precise seems} 16...axb5 17.axb5 Be6 {the lesser pawns on the queenside, the easier the draw.} ) 17.bxa6 bxa6 18.Ba3 Re8 19.Ne5 {Vachier's play is very aggressive and to the point where Jakovenko has to find only moves.} 19...Nf4 $1 ( {Wrong was} 19...Bb6 20.a5 $1 ) ( {Even worse is} 19...Bxd4 $2 20.Nc6 ) 20.Ndf3 {Very natural move. But was it the best?} ( {It seems as} 20.Nc6 $1 {was giving more chances. After} 20...Qd7 21.Qf3 {Is a key move in White's attack. Then} 21...Bxc4 ( 21...Bxd4 {might transpose after} 22.Rad1 Bxc4 23.Nxc4 Rxe1+ 24.Rxe1 ) ( {If} 21...N4d5 22.Nxa7 Rxa7 23.Nb3 {is serious advantage for White.} ) ( {The other knight retreat also looks great for White-} 21...Ng6 22.Bxe6 fxe6 ( 22...Rxe6 $2 23.Ne7+ {drops the rook on a8.} ) 23.Qc3 ) 22.Nxc4 Bxd4 23.Rad1 Rxe1+ 24.Rxe1 {leads to a position where besides the loose pieces, the black rook does not have a move! The only chance is} 24...Bxf2+ ( 24...N4d5 {is impossible due to} 25.Nxd4 ) 25.Qxf2 Nxh3+ 26.gxh3 Qxc6 {with three pawns for the piece, but Black still needs to prove the draw.} ) 20...Bxc4 21.Qxc4 Qd5 $1 {Jakovenko is known for his defensive skills. This move is once again best. The endgame is unpleasant, but is Black's best try.} 22.Qxd5 ( 22.Qxc7 $2 Bxd4 {lets the black pieces out.} ) 22...N6xd5 23.Nc6 {As before the wite pieces are more active but they are getting less and less.} ( {Or the immediate} 23.g3 {with the idea} 23...Nxh3+ ( 23...Ne6 24.Nc6 ) ( {Black would have most likely reverted to the game with} 23...Ng6 24.Nc6 ) 24.Kg2 Ng5 25.Nxg5 hxg5 26.Nc6 ) 23...Rxe1+ 24.Rxe1 a5 $1 {Another only move. The idea is to secure the b6 square for the bishop, thus to allow the rook to come out.} ( 24...Bb6 $2 {would be strongly met with} 25.a5 ) 25.g3 ( 25.Nxa5 $2 {fails to} 25...Bxd4 ) 25...Ng6 ( {Much worse was} 25...Nxh3+ $2 26.Kg2 Ng5 27.Nxg5 hxg5 28.Re5 {when White should be winning.} ) 26.Nxa7 Rxa7 27.Re8+ Kh7 28.h4 Rb7 29.Nd2 {Now the position completely dries.} ( {The last slim chance to play for the win was} 29.Bc5 {Although here too Black should survive either with} 29...Rb3 ( {Or} 29...Nb6 30.Bxb6 cxb6 31.h5 Ne7 ) 30.Nd2 Rb2 31.Nc4 Ra2 32.h5 Nh8 {The knight is eagly but the pawn are few...} 33.Nxa5 Rxa4 34.Nc6 Nf6 35.Re7 Nxh5 36.Rxc7 Nf6 ) 29...Nc3 30.h5 ( {Or} 30.Nc4 Nxa4 31.Nxa5 ) 30...Nh8 31.Nc4 Nxa4 32.Ne5 ( 32.Nxa5 {is a draw again.} ) 32...Nb6 33.Bc5 a4 {I was not watching the game live and do not know what happened here. Perhaps White lost on time? Or was his resignation a result of frustration? Or something else? Our man there will clarify, thanks MIke!} ( 33...a4 {It should be a draw after the forcing:} 34.Nc6 Nd7 35.Ra8 Nxc5 36.dxc5 Rb5 37.Ne5 Rxc5 38.Nd7 Rxh5 39.Nf8+ ) 34.d5 {[A note that the game did not end, but we hardly blame our annotator -- the transmission blockages and in this case errors have become well known in Agon-run events.]} 34...f6 35.Nc6 Nd7 36.Bd4 Rb5 37.Nd8 $2 Rb8 {The pin is deadly. MVL flails about trying for something, but there's nothing -- M.K.} 38.Bb2 Rxb2 39.Ne6 a3 40.Re7 Nf7 41.Rxf7 a2 42.Rxg7+ Kh8 43.Rxd7 a1=Q+ 44.Kg2 Qe1 {There is no perpetual since the Black king can slither via the light squares to safety, so it's time to call it a day.} 0-1

[Event "Palma De Mallorca GP 2017"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca ESP"]
[Date "2017.11.18"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Hammer, Jon Ludvig"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2629"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7700209209425"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 {This move reveals aggressive intentions. In the Moscow line both knight moves (3...Nb8-c6) have fighting reputation, while the bishop cover enjoys the label "safe."} 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 a6 6.Bxd7+ Bxd7 7.Nc3 e5 {An accurate move.} ( {The main thing that Black needs to avoid in the line is the premature development of his knight:} 7...Nf6 {as the Boleslavsky pawn structure that arises after} 8.Bg5 Rc8 9.O-O-O h6 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Nd5 {favours White, Georgiev,K (2443)-Bernadskiy,V (2559) Sunny Beach 2014} ) 8.Qd3 Rc8 ( {The other way to play it is} 8...h6 {as in the blitz game between two living legends} 9.Nd2 Be6 10.Nc4 Rc8 11.Ne3 Nf6 12.O-O Be7 13.Rd1 O-O {White achieved almost everything he wanted and still has no advantage, Anand,V (2783)-Kasparov,G (2812) Saint Louis 2017} ) 9.Nd2 {The knight is shifted towards the d5 spot.} 9...Be6 10.Nf1 Be7 11.Ne3 Nf6 {Only now when the pin Bc1-g5 is not possible does Svidler develop the knight.} 12.O-O Qc7 $146 {A very interesting novelty backed up by a sound plan.} ( {Interestingly, Black did great in the only predecessor after:} 12...O-O 13.a4 Qc7 14.Bd2 h6 15.b3 Rfd8 16.Rfd1 d5 $1 {Fernandez Garcia,J (2457)-Alonso Bouza,J (2266) Havana 2009} ) 13.a4 Qc5 14.Rd1 O-O {It is not very clear how can White develop further.} 15.Bd2 ( {After} 15.a5 h6 {the ball is back into White's court.} ) ( {White's main problem is that the knight jumps on d5 are just bad at the moment as they both will lead to the sealing of the d5 square and better pawn structure for Black after} 15.Ncd5 $2 Nxd5 16.exd5 Bd7 ) ( {Or} 15.Ned5 $2 Nxd5 16.exd5 Bd7 ) 15...Bd8 {The point behind Black's novelty. Svidler brings the dark-squared bishop to an active position.} 16.Nf5 $2 {A horrible move.} ( {The only chance was in the complications arising after} 16.a5 $1 Bxa5 17.Ncd5 Bd8 ( {Or} 17...Bxd2 18.Nxf6+ gxf6 19.Qxd2 Rfd8 20.Qe2 {with some compensation for a pawn.} ) 18.Bb4 {Now Black has a choice between the sharp} 18...Qc6 ( {And the solid} 18...Qd4 19.Bxd6 ( 19.Qxd4 exd4 20.Rxd4 Bxd5 21.exd5 Bb6 {favors Black.} ) 19...Qxd3 20.Rxd3 {with approximate equality.} ) 19.Bxd6 Bxd5 20.Bxf8 Bxe4 21.Qxd8 Rxd8 22.Rxd8 {It's messy.} ) ( {Black is better after} 16.Be1 Ba5 17.Qxd6 Qxd6 18.Rxd6 Bxc3 19.bxc3 Nxe4 ) 16...Bxf5 17.exf5 d5 {Hammer's opening became a disaster. Svidler has a strong center, good pieces and there is a weakness on f5.} 18.Rac1 ( {There is not enough compensation after} 18.Bg5 d4 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Ne4 Qxc2 21.Nxf6+ gxf6 22.Qf3 Qxb2 ) 18...Bb6 19.Qe2 h6 {A neat move that secures the center.} 20.a5 ( {After} 20.Qxe5 Qxf2+ 21.Kh1 Ng4 {White may easily get mated:} 22.Qxd5 $2 ( {The lesser evil is to give up the exchange} 22.Qg3 Qxg3 23.hxg3 Nf2+ {but this is also hopeless.} ) 22...Qg1+ 23.Rxg1 Nf2# ) 20...Ba7 ( {Even better than} 20...Bxa5 21.Qxe5 Rfe8 22.Qf4 {although Black has the upper hand here as well.} ) 21.Na4 Qc6 22.b3 Rfe8 {The central pawns get ready to rock.} 23.Kh1 Qd7 24.g4 {The only way to create some threats, but with a weak center those should never work.} 24...d4 25.Qf3 ( {Or} 25.h4 Qd5+ 26.Kg1 e4 ) 25...e4 26.Qg2 Qc6 27.g5 hxg5 28.Bxg5 e3 {As usual, the central play refutes the flank attack.} 29.f3 ( {If} 29.fxe3 Ne4 $1 ( 29...dxe3 {should also do.} ) 30.Bh4 Qh6 31.Rg1 dxe3 {leaves White completely helpless.} ) 29...Re5 30.Qh3 e2 31.Rg1 d3 $1 {The decisive break.} 32.Nb6 ( {White is getting checkmated after} 32.cxd3 Qxc1 33.Rxc1 ( {Or loses a piece in case of} 33.Bxc1 Bxg1 34.Bd2 e1=Q 35.Bxe1 Rxe1 ) 33...e1=Q+ 34.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 35.Kg2 Rg1# ) 32...Bxb6 33.axb6 Rce8 {Possible because of Black's next move.} 34.Bh6 ( {Once more the capture} 34.cxd3 {does not safe White due to} 34...Qxc1 35.Rxc1 ( {Or} 35.Bxc1 e1=Q 36.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 37.Kg2 R8e2+ 38.Kg3 Rxc1 {and Black wins.} ) 35...e1=Q+ 36.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 37.Kg2 R8e2+ 38.Kg3 Rg1+ 39.Kh4 Nd5 {With complete domination which will sooner or later end with the queen gain. Say} 40.Bd8 Nf4 ) 34...Ng4 35.Rxg4 {Now it is a forced mate.} ( {While} 35.Qxg4 Qxh6 {would be an extra rook for Black at least.} ) 35...e1=Q+ 36.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 37.Kg2 R8e2+ 38.Kg3 Rg1+ 39.Kh4 Qxh6# 0-1

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.01"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "A08"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "5915264696895"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 c5 4.O-O g6 5.d4 ( {Aronian reached the Fianchettoe Gruenfeld in a slightly unusual way:} 5.c3 Bg7 6.d4 cxd4 7.cxd4 O-O 8.Nc3 Ne4 {Aronian,L (2799)-Anand,V (2783) Saint Louis 2017} ) 5...cxd4 6.Nxd4 Bg7 7.Nb3 Nc6 8.Nc3 e6 9.e4 d4 10.Na4 O-O 11.c3 dxc3 12.Nxc3 e5 $146 {This logical move is a novelty. Anand opens his light-squared bishop at once.} ( {Instead,} 12...Qe7 13.Be3 Rd8 14.Qe2 Nd7 15.Rfd1 b6 {could have brought Black troubles had his opponent have dared to play} 16.e5 ( {Instead} 16.Nd4 Nxd4 17.Bxd4 Bxd4 18.Rxd4 Bb7 {allowed Black a chance to slowly equalize, Gasthofer,A (2440)-Golod,V (2554) Zuerich 2004} ) ) 13.Be3 {The position is symmetrical but as White moves first he can claim a slight advantage.} ( {Somewhat trickier is to provoke h7-h6 first with} 13.Bg5 h6 ( {The endgame after} 13...Qxd1 14.Rfxd1 h6 15.Be3 b6 16.Rac1 {is unpleasant for White.} ) 14.Be3 Bg4 {So that} 15.Qc1 {comes now with a tempo.} ) ( 13.Nd5 {leads doesn't get White anyhere after} 13...Nxd5 14.exd5 Nd4 ) 13...Bg4 14.f3 Be6 15.Nc5 {Nakamura uses the tempo to gain the bishop pair.} ( {After} 15.Qe2 b6 {Black covers the vital c5 point.} ) 15...Qe7 16.Nxe6 Qxe6 17.Qd2 ( {The computer's suggestion is:} 17.Rf2 Rfd8 18.Qf1 {when the bishop can go to h3.} ) 17...Rfd8 18.Qf2 {White's position looks promising. He intends h2-h4 followed by f3-f4. If this happens, he would slowly but surely open the diagonals for his bishops and crush the opponent.} 18...Bf8 $1 {A strong maneuver by the former world champion! The bishop move discourages the f-pawn advance and creates play on the queenside.} ( {After} 18...Nd4 19.h3 {White would proceed with the above-mentioned plan.} ) 19.h3 Bb4 20.Rac1 ( {Bad was} 20.f4 exf4 21.gxf4 Bxc3 22.bxc3 Nxe4 ) 20...Rd3 {The counterplay that Anand initiated keeps the white pieces away. Nakamura needs to trade at least one of the active black rooks.} 21.Rfd1 Rad8 22.Rxd3 Rxd3 23.Bf1 Rd8 24.a3 Be7 ( 24...Bxc3 {gives the second bishop prematurely} 25.Rxc3 Nd4 26.Kg2 {and White can be optimistic about the future.} ) 25.g4 {Aggressive, but probably not best.} ( {Once again} 25.f4 {is premature due to} 25...exf4 26.Qxf4 Bd6 ) ( {If White prepares the advance with} 25.Bg2 {then the rook comes back} 25...Rd3 26.f4 exf4 27.gxf4 $5 {and} 27...Bd8 {Creates the threat Rd3xe3 followed by Bd8-b6.} ) ( {Please note that the greedy} 25.Bxa7 $2 Nxa7 26.Qxa7 Rd2 {would lead to a huge attack for Black on the weakened dark squares. Here is a curious line:} 27.Rb1 Qc8 28.Kh1 Bc5 29.Qa4 Nh5 30.Ne2 Rxe2 31.Bxe2 Qxh3# ) ( {From the above-mentioned lines it becomes clear that the prophylactical move} 25.Kh2 $5 {might have been White's best. He keeps his options opened, for example} 25...Kg7 26.Nb5 $5 a6 27.Bc4 Qd7 28.Nc3 {with an edge.} ) 25...Kg7 26.Kh2 h6 $1 {Another excellent defensive move.} 27.h4 ( 27.Nb5 Nh7 28.h4 Qd7 {followed by Nh7-f8-e6 and then one of the black knights will land on d4.} ) ( {Once more} 27.Bxa7 $2 {is bad due to} 27...Nxa7 28.Qxa7 Rd2+ ) 27...Nd4 {The knight is great in the center and creates various threats.} 28.g5 {Nakamura forces matters.} ( {One idea behind the centralized knight is demonstrated by the line:} 28.Rd1 Nxf3+ 29.Qxf3 Nxg4+ 30.Kg3 Nxe3 31.Qxe3 Rxd1 32.Nxd1 Qf6 {when Black will win third pawn for the piece.} ) 28...hxg5 29.hxg5 Nh7 30.Bh3 Qb3 31.f4 {But after the cool:} 31...Nc6 {it transpires that White had only weakened himself.} 32.Nd5 ( 32.f5 $2 Bxg5 ) 32...exf4 33.Bxf4 Bxg5 ( {The other capture was good as well:} 33...Nxg5 {Then the forcing line} 34.Rc3 Qb5 35.Bf1 {seems winning for White but there is} ( 35.Nxe7 Nxe7 ) 35...Qa4 36.Nxe7 Rh8+ $1 {A super-important intermediate check and the white king does not have a good square.} 37.Kg1 ( 37.Kg3 $4 Nxe4+ ) ( 37.Kg2 $2 Qxe4+ ) 37...Qxe4 38.Bg2 Qxe7 {Winning a second pawn. Whether it's it a win after} 39.Qe3 {is another story.} ) 34.Bxg5 Nxg5 35.Qf6+ Kh6 {The king is in danger, but how to reach it?} 36.Bg2 ( {There was a beautiful draw instead after} 36.Rc3 Qxb2+ 37.Bg2 Ne5 38.Rh3+ Nxh3 39.Qh4+ Kg7 40.Qf6+ Kh7 41.Qh4+ Kg8 42.Qxd8+ ) 36...Nh7 37.Qxf7 Rf8 {A solid choice.} ( {It seems as Black will get checkmated after} 37...Qxb2 38.Rh1 Rf8 39.Kg3+ {But after the only move} 39...Kg5 {There is neither mate, nor salvation. Say:} 40.Qxh7 $2 Qe5+ 41.Kh3 Rh8 ) 38.Qc7 ( {Once again there was a draw after} 38.Rc3 $5 Qxc3 39.Qxf8+ Nxf8 40.Nxc3 ) 38...Qxb2 39.Rh1 {This was Nakamura's idea, but} 39...Qf2 {Keeps the king immobile. Thus the checkmate with the rook is not going to happen today.} 40.Kh3 {Another try.} 40...Rf7 {The king is finally safe!} 41.Qg3 Qb2 {Surprisingly this leads to a draw.} ( {Also draw there will be after} 41...Ng5+ 42.Kg4+ Kg7 43.Qh2 $1 Qe2+ 44.Kxg5 Qd2+ 45.Kg4 Qe2+ ) ( {However Anand could have played on in an endgame up a pawn after both} 41...Qxg3+ 42.Kxg3+ Kg5 ) ( {Or} 41...Kg7 42.Qxf2 Rxf2 43.Rb1 Rf7 ) 42.Ne3 $1 {Excellent co-ordination!} 42...Nf6 43.Bf3 Kh7 ( {Or} 43...Ne5 44.Rh2 ( {Moves can be transposed} 44.Nf5+ gxf5 45.Rh2 ) 44...Qa1 45.Nf5+ {with a draw after} 45...Kh7 ( 45...gxf5 $4 {is mate after} 46.Kg2+ Nh5 47.Rxh5# ) 46.Kg2+ Kg8 47.Nh6+ Kg7 48.Nxf7 Qa2+ 49.Kh3 Qe6+ ) 44.Nf5 {They agreed to draw. The lines are similar to the line from above:} ( 44.Nf5 Ne5 ( 44...gxf5 45.Rh2 Qxh2+ 46.Kxh2 fxe4 ) 45.Rh2 Qa1 46.Kg2+ Kg8 47.Nh6+ Kg7 48.Nxf7 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.03"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[ECO "B78"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "5773644017674"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 {It is a nice coincidence that the two players who revived the Dragon back in 1995 are in London. One is still playing and the other is a guest of honor. You guessed it right, they are Vishy Anand and Garry Kasparov.The latter used the Dragon as a secret weapon to turn the match into his favor. And Nakamura, who has trained with Kasparov in the past, knows a thing or two about it...} 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4 Bd7 10.h4 h5 11.Bb3 Rc8 12.O-O-O Ne5 13.Bg5 Rc5 14.Kb1 Re8 15.g4 ( {Speaking about Kasparov's influence, here is another game of a player who was working with him:} 15.Bh6 a5 16.a4 Qb6 17.g4 Rxc3 18.bxc3 Nxf3 19.Nxf3 Nxe4 20.Qd3 Nxc3+ 21.Kc1 Bxh6+ 22.Ng5 Bg7 {actually these two are also in London, Karjakin,S (2771)-Carlsen,M (2881) Dubai 2014} ) 15...hxg4 16.f4 Nc4 17.Qd3 Na5 {All theory and now Vachier-Lagrave uncorks a novelty:} 18.Bxf6 $146 ( {The only predecessor saw White quickly messing things up:} 18.h5 Nxh5 19.f5 Nxb3 20.Nxb3 Rxc3 21.bxc3 Qc7 {and getting into a worse position, Misiano,F (2265)-Cacciola,A (2118) Lugano 2015} ) 18...exf6 ( {The point behind White's trade is revealed in the line:} 18...Bxf6 19.e5 dxe5 $4 ( {Better is} 19...Nxb3 20.Nxb3 Bf5 21.Qd4 Rxc3 22.Qxc3 Bg7 23.Nd4 {although White has the advantage here as well.} ) 20.Qxg6+ Kh8 21.Bxf7 {and mate is inevitable.} ) 19.Bd5 {Vachier-Lagrave keeps the strong bishop alive.} ( {The alternative} 19.f5 Nxb3 20.axb3 {also deserves attention.} ) 19...Nc6 20.Nxc6 {Now the speed of the game accelerates to the maximum.} ( {Probably critical is} 20.Ndb5 $5 ) 20...bxc6 ( {Instead} 20...Bxc6 21.f5 Bxd5 22.Nxd5 {is not convincing at all. The dark-squared bishop is locked in prison and White can attack comfortably.} ) 21.Bxf7+ ( {No time to retreat.} 21.Bb3 Bf8 ) 21...Kxf7 22.Qxd6 Rxc3 $1 {Liquidates into a rook endgame.} ( {Also interesting was} 22...Rh5 23.Qxd7+ Qxd7 24.Rxd7+ Kf8 ) 23.Qxd7+ Qxd7 24.Rxd7+ Ke6 ( {But not} 24...Re7 25.Rxe7+ Kxe7 26.bxc3 {when Black does not have enough for the exchange.} ) 25.Rxg7 Rf3 {Funnily, this rook lived to tell its story. And snatch a few more pawns.} 26.Rxg6 Rxf4 27.Rg1 Rxe4 28.R6xg4 Rxg4 29.Rxg4 {This is it. The ultimate result of the sharp Dragon. A sharp rook endgame.} 29...f5 {Betting on the passer. It is always a huge trump in these endgames.} ( {Nakamura could show activity with} 29...Kf5 30.Rg1 Rh8 31.Rh1 Kg4 {as well.} ) 30.Ra4 Rg8 31.b3 Rg4 32.Rxa7 f4 $1 {The passer will cost White the rook at the end. This is why Black coordinates the efforts of his pieces to run it as smooth as possible.} ( 32...Rxh4 {might not be losing but is not the right way.} ) 33.Kc1 f3 34.Kd2 Rxh4 ( {The rook could have cut the white king as well:} 34...Re4 {After a possible} 35.Ra4 Re2+ 36.Kd1 Kf5 37.Ra7 Kg4 {it is not even clear who is playing for a win. Therefore, the logic is that the point should be split equally... Say} 38.h5 ( {Worse is} 38.Rf7 Kg3 ) 38...Kxh5 39.Rf7 Kg4 40.a4 Re5 41.b4 Kg3 42.Kd2 Kg2 43.a5 f2 44.a6 f1=Q 45.Rxf1 Kxf1 46.c4 Re7 47.b5 cxb5 48.cxb5 Re2+ 49.Kc3 Ra2 50.Kb4 Ke2 51.Kc5 Kd3 52.b6 Ra5+ $1 53.Kc6 Rxa6 54.Kc7 ) 35.Ra8 Rh2+ 36.Kd3 ( {Or} 36.Ke3 Rxc2 37.Kxf3 c5 38.Ke4 Rd2 {with the same result as in the game.} ) 36...Kf5 37.a4 {MVL tries to advance the pawns as far as possible before sacrificing the rook.} 37...Kg4 38.a5 Rh1 39.Rg8+ ( {If the king comes to stop the pawn with} 39.Ke3 Re1+ 40.Kf2 Re2+ 41.Kf1 Rxc2 {then it will have to soon abandon the windy position to avoid the perpetual:} 42.a6 Rc1+ 43.Kf2 Rc2+ 44.Ke3 Re2+ 45.Kd4 Rd2+ 46.Kc5 Rd5+ 47.Kb6 ( {White has to be careful:} 47.Kxc6 $2 f2 48.Rf8 Rf5 49.Rxf5 Kxf5 50.a7 f1=Q 51.a8=Q Qf3+ ) 47...f2 48.Rf8 Rf5 49.Rxf5 Kxf5 50.a7 f1=Q 51.a8=Q {and a draw in the queen endgame.} ) 39...Kf4 40.Rf8+ Kg3 41.Rg8+ Kf4 42.Rf8+ Kg3 43.b4 {The last try.} 43...f2 44.Kd4 f1=Q 45.Rxf1 Rxf1 46.Kc5 Rc1 47.Kxc6 {The draw was agreed because of the line:} ( 47.Kxc6 Rxc2+ 48.Kb6 Kf3 49.a6 Ke4 50.b5 Kd5 51.a7 Ra2 52.Kb7 Kc5 53.b6 Ra1 54.a8=Q Rxa8 55.Kxa8 Kxb6 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.04"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "E11"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "6533719005708"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Bb4+ {A nasty little check. It invites White to choose between the Romanishin Nimzo-Indian after 4.Nc3 or put something on d2, which interferes with his future plans.} 4.Bd2 Be7 5.Bg2 d5 6.Nf3 O-O 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Na3 {Aronian follows... himself.} ( {One of the drawbacks behind the bishop position on c3 is that it can be easily attacked. This is what happened in a recent game by Carlsen:} 8.Bc3 b6 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.e4 Nxc3 11.Nxc3 Bb7 {and Black was doing well, Ding,L (2774)-Carlsen,M (2837) Saint Louis 2017} ) ( {Another advantageous point behind the position of the bishop on d2 is seen in case of the normal development with} 8.Nc3 {Black simply captures the pawn} 8...dxc4 {as there is no Nf3-d2xc4 maneuver. Nakamura risked though against Adams at the World Cup in Baku 2015 and won the game, but it is evident that after} 9.e4 c5 10.Bf4 Nb6 11.a4 cxd4 12.Nxd4 Bc5 $1 {as Adams played, things were going into Black's favor.} ) ( {Therefore the main move is} 8.Qc2 ) 8...c6 9.Rc1 Ne4 10.Be3 f5 $146 {Technically speaking a novelty, but the Stonewall formation is very common for this line.} ( {In Wijk aan Zee earlier this year the Armenian GM won a spectacular positional game after} 10...Bxa3 11.bxa3 Nd6 12.c5 Nc4 13.Rxc4 dxc4 14.Qc2 {Aronian,L (2780)-Giri,A (2773) Wijk aan Zee 2017} ) 11.Rc2 {Now both sides start to regroup and prepare or prevent the play of the opponent on "their" flank.} 11...a5 {Stops the queenside expansion in advance.} ( 11...Bf6 12.b4 ) 12.Qc1 {The queen takes under control the vital f4 square and is ready to work along the c-file.} 12...Bf6 13.Rd1 g5 14.Nb1 {The knight appeared to do nothing on a3; it has to be repositioned.} 14...Rf7 15.Nc3 Rg7 {Karjakin is ready for some kingside action.} 16.Ne1 {An inaccuracy.} ( {The preliminary} 16.Nxe4 $1 {was better and only after} 16...fxe4 ( 16...dxe4 {allows} 17.Ne5 $1 ) 17.Ne1 {followed by f2-f3 to undermine the center. White would be slightly better in that case.} ) 16...Nd6 $1 {A very annoying knight!} 17.b3 $1 {Aronian sacrifices a pawn.} ( {After} 17.c5 Nc4 {the important dark-squared bishop will be traded for the knight. True, there is the interesting idea} 18.Bxg5 Bxg5 19.f4 Bf6 20.b3 {trapping it, but one can hardly believe that White would be any better in this case.} ) 17...dxc4 18.Na4 cxb3 19.axb3 Nb5 ( {Karjakin has to be careful in order not to allow too many white pieces freedom. For example} 19...Nf8 20.Nf3 h6 21.Ne5 ) 20.Nd3 {Another pawn is offered!} 20...Qe8 {This time rejected.} ( {After} 20...Nxd4 21.Bxd4 Bxd4 {The pin along the d-file gives time to the white pieces to occupy dominating positions:} 22.e3 ( 22.Rcd2 $5 ) 22...Bf6 23.Ndc5 Qe8 24.Rcd2 Nxc5 25.Nxc5 {with nice compensation for the pawns.} ( {Or} 25.Qxc5 ) ) 21.Ne5 {The knight did it to e5 outpost anyway.} 21...f4 $1 {But Karjakin shows that he knows other ways to defend too. Active ones.} ( {Worse was} 21...Nxe5 22.dxe5 Bxe5 23.Bxg5 ) ( {And simply bad} 21...Bxe5 22.dxe5 Nxe5 23.Rcd2 Nd7 24.Bxg5 $1 Rxg5 25.Rxd7 {and White wins.} ) 22.gxf4 gxf4 23.Bxf4 Nxd4 {The main point behind Black's sacrifice. Although the open g-file for his heavy pieces would not hurt neither.} 24.Rxd4 ( {Not} 24.Nxd7 $2 Bxd7 ) 24...Nxe5 25.Rd1 {The retreat is the best decision at the moment. The rook is too vulnerable.} ( 25.Rcd2 $2 {does not work as the back rank is defended and Black can go for example} 25...Ng6 ) ( {More interesting is} 25.Nb6 {when Black has the interesting tactical blow} 25...Nf3+ ( {Probably even better is the retreat} 25...Nd7 26.Rxd7 ( 26.Nxa8 $2 {leads to an edge for Black after} 26...Bxd4 ) 26...Bxd7 27.Nxa8 Qxa8 28.Rd2 Qe8 {when Black keeps the extra pawn.} ) 26.exf3 Bxd4 27.Nxa8 e5 $1 {Attacking the bishop and preparing Bc8-h3. After} 28.Re2 Bh3 29.Bg3 Bxg2 30.Kxg2 Qxa8 {The position is roughly balanced.} ) 25...Qg6 26.Bg3 h5 {Thanks to his excellent defense Karjakin developed almost all of his pieces and keeps white bishops busy on the kingside. Still, the open d-file and the activity provide Aronian enough for the pawn.} 27.Nb6 Rb8 28.Rcd2 Nf7 {Another excellent defensive move.} ( {The careless} 28...h4 {would give Aronian what he wants and} 29.Rd8+ Bxd8 30.Rxd8+ Kh7 31.Nxc8 hxg3 32.hxg3 Qf6 33.Be4+ Ng6 34.Qd1 {with the threat e2-e3 followed by Qd1-h5 would provide White excellent attacking possibilities.} ) 29.Qc5 {Aronian is still optimistic about his position.He plans to trap the black rook on b8.} ( {The endgame after} 29.Qc2 Qxc2 30.Rxc2 e5 31.Nxc8 ( 31.Ra2 $2 h4 ) ( 31.h4 Bf5 32.Ra2 Be7 ) 31...Rxc8 32.h4 {was the alternative when the bishop pair is once again providing enough compensation for the pawn.} ) ( {Even better was} 29.Qb1 Qxb1 30.Rxb1 e5 31.h4 Bf5 {due to the nuance} 32.Ra1 Be7 33.Nc4 {at least according to the computer.} ) 29...e5 ( {Operation trapping would be accomplished after} 29...h4 30.Qxa5 hxg3 31.hxg3 {with the idea Qa5-a7 and if} 31...Be5 $2 32.Rd8+ ) 30.Qc4 ( {Here} 30.Qxa5 {does not work because of} 30...Bf5 31.Qa7 Rf8 {and Black is ready to start decisive counter-attack.} ) 30...Kh8 {Now h5-h4 is a threat.} ( {Otherwise the bishop on c8 may suffer-} 30...Bf5 31.e4 Bg4 32.f3 Bc8 33.Nxc8 ( {But not} 33.Rd8+ $2 Bxd8 34.Rxd8+ Kh7 35.Rxc8 Rxc8 36.Nxc8 h4 {when Black takes over.} ) 33...Rxc8 34.Bh3 Rf8 35.Kh1 $1 {and White dominates on the light squares.} ) ( {Also} 30...h4 {loses to} 31.Rd8+ $1 Bxd8 32.Rxd8+ Kh7 33.Qxh4+ Nh6 34.Nxc8 ) 31.h4 Bf5 32.Nd7 Rbg8 33.Kh1 $2 {A mistake in time-trouble, which was accompanied with a draw offer. And Karjakin accepted it!} ( {White should have taken the bishop when he could} 33.Nxf6 Qxf6 34.Qc5 {still keeping the compensation.} ) ( 33.Kh1 {Black on his turn did not realize that the situation has changed and that after} 33...Be7 $1 {He has the initiative. The threat is to kick the queen away from the fourth rank and grab the h4 pawn. Or even the b3 pawn in some lines. Black has clear edge as the lines prove it:} 34.e3 ( {Or} 34.Qc3 Bxh4 35.Nxe5 Nxe5 36.Rd6 Qg5 37.Qxe5 Bxg3 38.fxg3 Bc2 ) ( {If} 34.e4 Bxd7 35.Rxd7 Bxh4 $1 ) 34...Be6 35.Qf1 ( 35.Qc3 Bb4 ( 35...Bxh4 ) ) 35...Bxb3 {All in all, after a great defense Karjakin could had taken more than just half a point!} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.05"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[ECO "B48"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[Beauty "7492704702500"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]

1.e4 c5 {Some years ago it was considered suicidal to try the Sicilian against Karjakin. But Caruana is not afraid as he had done his homework carefully [for two days in a row as he was planning to play this line against Nepomniachtchi! - PD].} 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.Qf3 {A fashionable reply against the Taimanov. But later Karjakin regretted on his opening choice and said that "any other line would have been the better choice. "} ( {The main lines remain} 7.Bd3 b5 8.O-O Bb7 9.Re1 Nf6 10.Nxc6 Qxc6 11.Bd4 {as in Carlsen,M (2832)-Grischuk,A (2750) Chess.com Speed Chess Championship 2017} ) ( {Or} 7.Qd2 {as Caruana played himself in the following online game in the Chess.com PRO Chess League:} 7...Nf6 8.O-O-O Be7 9.f3 b5 10.g4 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bb7 12.Kb1 {Caruana,F (2817) -Pichot,A (2556) chess.com INT 2017} ) 7...Ne5 8.Qg3 b5 9.O-O-O Nf6 10.f4 Neg4 {The knights seem ridiculously placed but somehow manage to limit the opponent's bishops and queen.} 11.Bg1 h5 12.e5 ( {Nobody has ever tried} 12.h3 {although it might be more interesting that it seems at a glance:} 12...b4 13.Nd5 $5 ) 12...b4 {Everything is coming in time. If Black retreats, he will get destroyed.} 13.Na4 Nd5 14.Nb3 Bb7 15.Nac5 Bc6 $146 ( {A predecessor saw} 15...Rc8 16.Bd3 a5 17.Kb1 Bc6 18.Na6 Qd8 19.Nd4 {with some edge for White, Nepomniachtchi,I (2714)-Wang,Y (2720) Beijing 2014} ) 16.Ne4 {"I was on my own here" (Caruana)} ( 16.h3 {simply pushes the knight to a better position.} 16...Nh6 ) ( 16.Nxa6 $6 {is dubious due to} 16...Qc8 17.Nbc5 d6 $1 18.exd6 Bxd6 {when as awkward as it may seem there is no way to stop the obvious threat of Bd6xf4.} ) ( {Ditto for} 16.Bxa6 $2 d6 $1 17.exd6 Bxd6 ) ( {In case of} 16.Kb1 {Black will simply push the pawn} 16...a5 {with a good game. But perhaps this was White's best option.} ( 16...Nh6 $5 {also deserves serious consideration.} ) ) 16...f5 $1 {"It seems as White wasted so much time that I should be doing great" (Caruana)} 17.h3 {This is dubious.} ( {White loses a pawn after} 17.exf6 gxf6 18.h3 Qxf4+ 19.Qxf4 Nxf4 {But after} 20.Re1 f5 21.hxg4 Bxe4 22.gxf5 Bxf5 23.g3 {things are not that clear.} ) 17...h4 {"I knew I was worse but I thought I can get some compensation. But I spoiled everything very quickly." (Karjakin)} ( 17...fxe4 18.hxg4 ) 18.Qe1 fxe4 19.hxg4 Nxf4 20.Rxh4 Rxh4 21.Qxh4 Qxe5 22.Bd4 Ng6 {Another precise move.} ( 22...Qc7 {would give White a chance to take over the initiative with} 23.g3 Nd5 24.Qh5+ {and keep the enemy king in the center.} ) 23.Qh3 ( {Black would be definitely happy with the endgame after} 23.Qh5 Qxh5 24.gxh5 Nf4 25.g4 g6 ) 23...Qg5+ {The opening turned out to be huge success for Caruana. He is up a pawn, owes a solid center and as a compensation has way more time on the clock.} 24.Kb1 Bd5 25.Bg1 ( 25.Be3 $5 ) 25...Be7 26.g3 Ne5 27.Be2 Nf3 28.Bxf3 exf3 {With the disappearance of the light-squared bishop Black's advantage became decisive.} 29.Bd4 Kf7 {The king is well placed behind his pawns.} 30.Nc1 d6 31.Nd3 e5 {Deprives the white pieces from the good squares.} 32.Bf2 Be6 33.Nxb4 e4 34.Qh1 Rc8 {The same limitation policy. The knight is in danger.} ( 34...a5 35.Nc6 ) 35.Nxa6 Qa5 36.Qh5+ Qxh5 37.gxh5 Bg5 38.Re1 Bc4 39.Nb4 Re8 {No need to hurry, the pawns are unstopabble.} ( 39...e3 40.Bxe3 Re8 41.Bf2 Rxe1+ 42.Bxe1 Bd2 $1 {would be flashier.} ) 40.Re3 Bxe3 41.Bxe3 Re5 42.g4 Rg5 0-1

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.06"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "C48"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7767716797457"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 {The Anti line. This seems to be the only way to play for a win nowadays. No matter if we talk about the Berlin, or the Marshall for example.} 4...Bc5 5.Nc3 O-O 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.h3 Nd7 ( {Grischuk played differently against Caruana in Saint Louis-} 7...Re8 8.Ne2 Nd7 9.Be3 Bb4+ 10.c3 Bf8 11.Qc2 c5 12.O-O-O Nb8 13.Ng3 Nc6 {with a good position, Caruana, F (2799)-Grischuk,A (2782) Saint Louis 2017 Apparently Anand was not very keen to see his opponent's preparation.} ) 8.Be3 Bd6 9.Ne2 ( {A couple of years back Caruana defended successfully as Black after} 9.Qd2 c5 10.O-O Nb8 $1 11.Nh2 Nc6 12.Ne2 Nd4 {Adams,M (2745)-Caruana,F (2802) Shamkir 2015} ) 9...Re8 $146 {A novelty. The rook overprotects the e5 square and frees the f8 one for either the knight for the maneuver Nd7-f8-e6-d4, or for the bishop to defend the kingside.} ( {The other way to bring the knight into the optimal d4 sqaure was tested in a game by Wesley So also in St. Louis:} 9...c5 10.Ng3 Nb8 11.Nf5 Nc6 {and then White started a step-by-step attack on the kingside with} 12.g4 {So,W (2788) -Dominguez Perez,L (2739) Saint Louis 2017} ) 10.g4 {White's plan is always the same: a kingside attack behind the solid center. The question is is he going to do a piece attack or a pawn-and-piece one.} 10...Nc5 11.Ng3 Ne6 ( 11...g6 ) 12.Nf5 c5 ( {Here} 12...g6 {is not effective because of} 13.Nh6+ Kg7 14.g5 {when the knight can be transferred easily from h6 to f6.} ) 13.h4 a5 {Caruana does not want to castle yet and intends to improve as much as possible on the kingside.} 14.h5 Ra6 15.Qd2 Nd4 {The rule is that whenever the knight reaches this square it leads to good game for Black.} 16.Rh3 ( {Worse is} 16.N3xd4 cxd4 17.Bg5 f6 18.Bh4 Bb4 {and Black takes over the initiative} ( {Or} 18...Rb6 ) ) 16...Bf8 17.O-O-O Be6 18.Kb1 f6 ( {Perhaps easier was the immediate} 18...Nxf3 19.Rxf3 c4 {In this case Black is not worried of} 20.d4 ( 20.dxc4 Qxd2 21.Rxd2 Bxc4 {is equal.} ) ( {The only chance for some edge is} 20.Qe2 cxd3 21.Rxd3 Qc8 {although Black should be OK here as well.} ) 20...exd4 21.Qxd4 Qxd4 22.Bxd4 Bc8 $1 {and the e4 pawn becomes a target.} ) 19.c3 Nxf3 20.Rxf3 c4 21.Qc2 ( {Once again} 21.d4 exd4 22.cxd4 Bf7 {is comfortable for Black.} ) 21...cxd3 22.Rxd3 Qc8 23.g5 fxg5 24.Bxg5 Bf7 {This allows White some chances.} ( {It was better to block that pawn once and for all with} 24...h6 25.Bc1 Bf7 {when Black may even hope to win it in the possible endgame.} ) 25.h6 $1 {Now there are problems.} 25...gxh6 ( {On} 25...g6 $6 {strong will be} 26.Ne3 Rd6 27.Rxf7 $1 Kxf7 28.Qb3+ Qe6 29.Nd5 $1 {setting up a nice ambush and threatening Rd3-f3+.} ) 26.Bc1 ( 26.Bh4 $5 {looks good too, but Caruana wants to use the bishop in a more effective way.} ) 26...Qe6 27.b3 {Not only defending but redeploying the bishop.} 27...a4 28.c4 axb3 29.axb3 Qc6 30.Rg3+ Kh8 31.Rd1 {All of these are more or less forced, and if not forced logical. Anand continues with the queenside attack:} 31...b5 32.c5 {And Caruana blocks it.} 32...b4 $6 {In the heat of the battle Anand loses the thread. This move frees the black queen, but the white one may also make good use of the c4 square in the future.} ( {Apparently, the former world champion disliked something in the forcing line:} 32...Qxc5 33.Qxc5 Bxc5 34.Rd7 {But the analysis proves that Black is doing well after both} 34...Be6 ( {Or} 34...Bg6 $5 35.Bxh6 Bf8 {- this last move was the one Anand missed.} ) 35.Rxc7 Bxf5 36.exf5 Bd4 37.Rgg7 Ra1+ 38.Kc2 e4 39.Rxh7+ Kg8 40.Rxh6 Ra2+ 41.Kd1 Rd8 {and this should objectively end in a draw.} ) ( {On the other hand keeping the queens on the board is dangerous after} 32...Bxc5 33.Bb2 Bd6 34.Qd3 {as well.} ) 33.Bb2 Bg6 {Another step in the wrong direction.} ( {It was still possible to get rid of the queens with} 33...Qxc5 34.Qxc5 Bxc5 35.Rd7 Bg6 {True, after} 36.f4 {White has enough initiative to even win a piece after} 36...Bd6 37.fxe5 Bxe5 38.Bxe5+ Rxe5 39.Rd8+ Be8 ( {Not} 39...Re8 $2 40.Rxg6 $1 ) 40.Ng7 Rxe4 {But since he is forced to swap off the rooks with} 41.Rxe8+ ( 41.Nxe8 {is a forced draw due to the perpetual} 41...Re1+ 42.Kb2 Re2+ 43.Kb1 Re1+ {As} 44.Kc2 $4 {even loses to} 44...Ra2+ 45.Kd3 Rd1+ ) 41...Rxe8 42.Nxe8 Rg6 {and it is not certain that White should win this. He has just one pawn left after all.} ) 34.Rd5 Qb5 35.Rg1 $1 {Stops the check on f1. Caruana has built a solid attacking position and calmly prepares either the capture on e5 or the f2-f4 blow which would shatter Black's position.} ( 35.Rxe5 {would be inaccurate at least} 35...Qf1+ 36.Qc1 Qxc1+ 37.Kxc1 Rxe5 38.Bxe5+ Kg8 {when nothing is clear.} ) 35...c6 ( {The king cannot escape} 35...Kg8 36.f4 exf4 37.Nd4 Qa5 ( {The flashy} 37...Qf1+ 38.Rxf1 Bxe4 39.Bc1 {is not enough for Black to save himself neither.} ) 38.Qc4 $1 {This is where the queen makes good use of the c4 square.} ) 36.Rxe5 Rxe5 37.Bxe5+ Kg8 38.Bd4 {Perfect harmony!} 38...Kf7 39.Nh4 {Anand resigned as there will be either f2-f4-f5 coming or even better Nh4xg6 followed by e4-e5.} 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.08"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[ECO "C45"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[Beauty "4536425024562"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 {The last time Nakamura played the Scotch was back in 2015.} 3...exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.h4 {A very fashionable move, in almost all the openings. Seriously speaking, this is "an invention from the creative Dutch GM John Van der Wiel, an expert on the white side of the Scotch" (John Emms).} 8...Bb7 ( {A recent top game saw} 8...a5 9.c4 Ba6 10.Nd2 Nb4 11.Nf3 c5 12.b3 Bb7 13.Bb2 {Morozevich,A (2676)-Jakovenko,D (2710) Sochi 2017} ) 9.c4 Nb6 10.Rh3 $146 {This is what the h2-h4 move is all about, but surprisingly no one had tried it before.} ( {An online predecessor saw} 10.Nc3 Qe6 11.Bd2 O-O-O 12.O-O-O {Francisco,R (2273)-Agrest,I (2273) chess.com INT 2017 Maybe Nakamura noticed that game. After all it was played on the right server.} ) 10...Qe6 {This opens the road for the bishop and hits the c4 pawn at once.} ( {The alternatives are} 10...O-O-O ) ( {Or} 10...a5 11.Nc3 a4 ) 11.f4 {What a bizarre position. White played only with his pawns and heavy pieces so far, while Black developed two light pieces and castles now.} 11...O-O-O 12.a4 {Still, White does not care about the development! However Nakamura wants to make use of the awkward position of both light pieces. They are indeed developed, but not in a good way.} 12...d5 {Carlsen, on his turn, is determined to open the center and reach the enemy king as soon as possible.} 13.a5 $1 {Consistant.} ( {Whereas} 13.exd6 {can be met with either} 13...Qf6 ( {or} 13...Qxd6 $5 ) 14.dxc7 Bb4+ 15.Nc3 Rd4 {with a strong initiative for the material.} ) 13...Nxc4 ( {The alternative is} 13...Nd7 {and this might be safer, at least for the knight. After} 14.a6 ( 14.Be3 {could be stronger.} ) 14...Ba8 15.Be3 {the game remains crazily complicated.} ) 14.b3 ( {Not} 14.a6 $6 {which achieves less than nothing after} 14...Ba8 15.b3 Nb6 ) 14...Bb4+ 15.Kf2 {The concrete result of the lack of development.} ( 15.Nd2 Nxa5 {is bad for White.} ) 15...Nxa5 $1 {Carlsen continues to play for the initiative.} ( {Instead} 15...Bc5+ {could have led to a draw almost by force in the line} 16.Kg3 ( 16.Ke1 Bb4+ ) 16...Bg1 $1 {A nice study-like move.} 17.bxc4 h5 ( {But Black may do even better with} 17...dxc4 $1 ) 18.Rh1 Qg6+ 19.Kh3 Qf5+ 20.Kg3 {and perpetual.} ( 20.g4 hxg4+ 21.Kg3 Bd4 {is good for Black.} ) ) 16.Bd2 {The knight is trapped.} 16...c5 ( {Here} 16...Bc5+ 17.Ke1 f6 18.Rxa5 Bb6 {is less convincing.} ) 17.Rxa5 Bxa5 18.Bxa5 Qf5 {The double attack wins a third pawn for the piece.} 19.Nc3 ( {Weaker seems} 19.Qe3 {with the idea to counterattack after} 19...Qxb1 ( {However} 19...d4 $1 20.Qc1 f6 {keeps the fuel of the attack.} ) 20.Qxc5 ) 19...Qxf4+ 20.Kg1 Rhe8 {Probably the first inaccuracy by the world champion.} ( {The immediate} 20...d4 {was better, when a forcing line runs:} 21.Nb5 ( 21.Na4 $5 ) 21...a6 22.Nxc7 Rd7 23.Qc4 Rxc7 24.Bxc7 Kxc7 25.Qxc5+ Kb8 {since both the kings are iffy, the logical outcome is a draw by perpetual. For example} 26.Qd6+ Ka7 27.Rf3 Bxf3 28.Qxa6+ Kb8 29.Qd6+ Kc8 30.Ba6+ Bb7 31.Qc6+ Kd8 32.Qd6+ ) 21.Nb5 a6 ( {After} 21...Rxe5 {White has a pleasant choice between} 22.Qc2 $1 ( {Or} 22.Bxc7 Rxe2 23.Bxf4 ) ) 22.Rf3 $1 {Nakamura seizes his chance. The active rook provides some additional possibilities.} 22...Qxe5 ( {The alternative} 22...Qxh4 23.Nxc7 Qd4+ 24.Qf2 Qxf2+ 25.Kxf2 Rxe5 26.Nxa6 {also leaves decent winning chances for White.} ) 23.Qxe5 Rxe5 24.Bxc7 Ree8 {The second inaccuracy.} ( 24...f6 {seemed stronger, when after} 25.Bxd8 ( {Weaker is} 25.Bxe5 fxe5 26.Na3 Kc7 27.Rf7+ Rd7 ) 25...Kxd8 26.Nd6 Kc7 27.Nxb7 Kxb7 28.Kf2 Kb6 {when a draw should be the most likely outcome.} ) 25.Bxd8 Rxd8 26.Na3 {As a rule in the endgame, pawns are more valuable than the pieces as each of them can become a queen. However here the black pawns are more weaknesses than strenghts and this determines White's advantage.} 26...Rd7 ( {Here} 26...f6 27.Rc3 {will drop the pawn on c5.} ) 27.Bd3 $1 {A double attack.} 27...Kd8 {White's plan is simple: get all the weaknesses. Black's plan: trade them when you can.} ( 27...g6 {would allow domination after} 28.Rf6 a5 29.Kf2 ) 28.Bxh7 g6 29.h5 {Best.} ( {Weaker was} 29.Bg8 Ke8 ) ( {Or} 29.g4 d4 30.Rf2 Bd5 ) 29...gxh5 {Carlsen can be happy that he traded one more pawn, but Nakamura can be happier as there are more weaknesses in the opponent's camp.} 30.Rf6 Ke7 31.Rb6 Rc7 32.Nc2 ( {The a-pawn is not as important-:} 32.Bd3 Bc8 33.Bxa6 $6 Bxa6 34.Rxa6 Rb7 ) ( 32.Kf2 {was good too though.} ) 32...a5 33.Ne3 c4 {Trading another pawn.} ( {Maybe Black should have seeked for counterplay with} 33...Bc6 34.Ra6 a4 35.bxa4 Kd6 ) 34.Bc2 Bc6 ( {After} 34...cxb3 35.Bxb3 d4 36.Nf5+ {the d-pawn would drop. Soon the a-one will follow...} ) 35.bxc4 dxc4 36.Ra6 {But now all the black pawns are doomed.} 36...a4 37.Bxa4 Be4 38.Ra5 Ke6 39.Rxh5 $1 ( {The alternative does not win:} 39.Nxc4 Rxc4 40.Bb3 Bd5 41.Bxc4 Bxc4 42.Rxh5 {and according to the tablebases this should be a draw.} ) 39...c3 40.Bb3+ Kd6 41.Bc2 Bxc2 42.Nxc2 {And this should be all for tonight, right? A healthy extra piece and there is still one white pawn left. However, these endgames sometimes are not winnable due to the nature of the knight. It is a short-ranged piece and as long as the queenside passer is far away from the kingside there are always chances. The white king needs to go to the queenside and the g-pawn can be taken, or traded.} 42...Ke6 ( {The counterplay fizzles quickly after} 42...Rb7 43.Rh3 ) 43.Kf2 f5 $1 {In order to keep the g2 pawn under constant pressure.} 44.Rh3 Ke5 45.Rd3 ( {Probably White should have taken the pawn like this:} 45.Ke3 Rg7 46.Ne1 Ra7 47.Kd3 Ra1 48.Nc2 Rd1+ 49.Kxc3 Rg1 50.Re3+ Kf4 51.Rf3+ Ke4 52.Rf2 ) 45...Kf4 46.Rd4+ Kg5 47.Kf3 Rc8 48.Ra4 Rc7 49.Ra8 Kf6 50.Ra6+ Kg5 51.Nd4 Rc4 52.Ne6+ Kf6 53.Nf4+ {These checks are a sign that something might go wrong.} 53...Ke5 54.Nd3+ Kd5 ( 54...Kd4 55.Rd6# ) 55.Ra2 ( 55.Ra5+ $1 {should be a win as} 55...Kd4 56.Nf4 c2 57.Ne2+ Kd3 58.Rd5+ Rd4 59.Rxd4# ) 55...Kd4 56.Nc1 {Now the pawn becomes too dangerous.} ( 56.Ne1 $1 {was still the way to play for the win.} ) 56...c2 57.Ra5 Rc3+ 58.Kf4 Rc8 {It transpires that with the pawn on c2 Black has chance to survive even without the f-pawn.} 59.Rxf5 ( 59.Kxf5 Rf8+ 60.Kg4 Rf1 61.Ra1 Ke3 {is a draw too.} ) 59...Re8 {And the world champion survived!} 60.Rf7 Re1 61.Rd7+ Kc3 62.Rc7+ Kd2 63.Nb3+ Kd3 64.Nc5+ Kd4 65.Nb3+ Kd3 66.Nc5+ Kd4 67.Nb3+ Kd3 {Carlsen could have claimed the draw here already.} 68.g4 Rf1+ 69.Kg5 Rb1 70.Nc5+ Ke3 71.Nb3 Kd3 ( {Of course not} 71...Rxb3 72.Rxc2 ) 72.Nc5+ Ke3 73.Nb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.09"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2837"]
[BlackElo "2715"]
[ECO "A03"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6529558267438"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]

1.f4 {There will be hardly a better moment to try the Bird than against Adams. The reasons: 1) Adams is not a 1.d4 player and has very little experience against the Dutch as White. Thus, the reversed Dutch sounds interesting. 2) Adams has only one game against 1.f4 in the Megabase. 3) He helped Carlsen in the past and knows his openings quite well. 4) Why should there be a reason for the world champion to play whatever he likes?} 1...d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 ( {Adams's only previous game saw the inspiring} 2...Bg4 3.e3 Nd7 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e5 6.Qxd5 Ngf6 7.Qf3 exf4 8.exf4 Bd6 {Rendle,T (2383)-Adams,M (2745) London 2014} ) 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 {Now it is a reversed Leningrad Dutch.} 6...c5 7.c3 Nc6 8.Na3 {A specialty of the Icelandic GM Danielsen. The knight is flexible on a3, ready to jump to c2 and sometimes c4.} 8...Re8 ( {Another option is} 8...Bg4 9.Qc2 d4 {which led to an intense tactical skirmish after} 10.e4 Rc8 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 dxc3 13.bxc3 Nd4 14.cxd4 Qxd4+ 15.Kg2 Qxa1 16.Be3 {Kamsky,G (2676)-Antipov,M (2582) Bastia 2017} ) ( {Normally Black is looking forward to advance his central pawn with} 8...d4 {but here it might not be optimal as} 9.e4 dxe3 10.Bxe3 {"embarasses the c5 pawn" (Vigus.)} ) 9.Nh4 b6 10.e4 dxe4 11.Qa4 $146 {A novelty that keeps the queens aboard. But is it correct?} ( {Apparently Adams was not afraid of the endgame that has been tested before:} 11.dxe4 Qxd1 12.Rxd1 e5 13.Nb5 Bg4 14.Rd6 Rac8 {indeed, Black seems fine here, Van Dooren,D (2335)-Abbasov,F (2519) Cappelle-la-Grande 2008} ) 11...Qxd3 $1 {You do not have to ask Adams twice.} ( {After} 11...Bd7 12.dxe4 {Black has not way to exploit the discovered attack on the a4-e8 diagonal.} ) 12.Qxc6 {Carlsen also accepts the challenge, but this might not be the right decision.} ( {Objectively best might be:} 12.Rd1 Qe2 13.Rd2 {when} 13...Qe1+ {could be risky for the health of her Majesty after} ( 13...Qg4 14.Qxc6 {is bad for Black.} ) ( 13...Qe3+ 14.Rf2 Qe1+ 15.Rf1 Qe2 16.Qxc6 Bd7 {is unclear.} ) 14.Bf1 {Now Rd2-e2 is a threat, but there is the tricky} 14...Nd4 {the queen escapes with an unclear game after} ( 14...Qe3+ 15.Rf2 Qe1 16.Re2 {traps the queen.} ) 15.cxd4 Qe3+ 16.Kg2 ) 12...Bd7 13.Qc7 Ng4 {A very good move, but there was an even better one.} ( {Adams missed a golden opportunity to get the advantage after the preliminary} 13...Rec8 $1 {when} 14.Qe5 {is virtually forced but} ( 14.Qb7 $2 {loses to} 14...Rcb8 15.Qc7 Ne8 ) 14...Bc6 {puts the white queen in danger of losing his queen. For example} ( {Not yet} 14...Ng4 $2 15.Qxe4 ) 15.Re1 ( 15.Qxe7 Re8 16.Qc7 Rac8 17.Qxa7 Nd5 $1 {followed by Rc8-c7 is strong.} ) 15...Qd7 $1 16.Be3 $2 ( {Best was} 16.Nxg6 hxg6 17.Qg5 {but Black is clearly better here too.} ) 16...Ng4 17.Qg5 h6 {trapping the queen.} ) 14.Re1 ( {Or} 14.Qb7 f5 15.Re1 Reb8 16.Qc7 Rc8 17.Qb7 Bd4+ 18.cxd4 Qxd4+ 19.Be3 Nxe3 {with an advantage for Black.} ) 14...Bd4+ {Again good, but...} ( {The preliminary} 14...Rac8 $1 {would be better, for example} 15.Qxa7 ( {Worse is} 15.Qb7 Bc6 16.Qxa7 Bd4+ ) 15...Bd4+ 16.cxd4 Qxd4+ 17.Be3 Nxe3 18.Kh1 Ng4 19.h3 Nf2+ 20.Kh2 e5 {Black has a great initiative for the piece.} ) ( {Certainly not with the other rook though} 14...Rec8 $2 15.Bxe4 $1 ) 15.cxd4 Qxd4+ 16.Be3 ( {Carlsen does not want to co-operate for a smothered mate} 16.Kh1 $4 Nf2+ 17.Kg1 Nh3+ 18.Kh1 Qg1+ 19.Rxg1 Nf2# ) 16...Nxe3 17.Qe5 $1 {This is the reason why the Rc8 move should have been thrown in on the previous move. Carlsen manages to trade the queens and a complex endgame emerges.} 17...f5 {This allows a sudden tactical resource.} ( {Better was} 17...Nxg2+ 18.Qxd4 ( 18.Kxg2 $2 Qxe5 19.fxe5 g5 ) 18...cxd4 19.Nxg2 f5 ) 18.Bh3 {White also missed it.} ( 18.Nf3 $1 {would have turned the tables into White's favor as his knight is coming out of the prison:} 18...exf3 19.Bxf3 Nc2+ 20.Qxd4 Nxd4 21.Bxa8 Rxa8 22.Rxe7 ) 18...Nc2+ ( 18...Nd5+ {might be a better version of the endgame, say} 19.Qxd4 cxd4 20.Rad1 d3 ) 19.Qxd4 Nxd4 20.Rxe4 $1 {The point behind the bishop sortie. Otherwise Black will gradually improve his position.} ( 20.Kf2 e5 ) 20...fxe4 21.Bxd7 {The middlegame is over. It is time for a sharp, unbalanced endgame. Adams has a slight material advantage, but if the pieces get co-ordinated it will be Carlsen who will call the shots.} 21...Red8 22.Ba4 e5 {Energetic play.} ( {Although} 22...a6 23.Re1 b5 24.Bd1 Nf5 {is promising too.} ) 23.Re1 ( {Adams's idea is revealed in the line} 23.fxe5 g5 24.Ng2 Nf3+ ) 23...exf4 24.gxf4 a6 25.Bd1 b5 26.Nb1 ( 26.Rxe4 {drops material due to} 26...Nf5 ( {Although the trade of the rooks after} 26...Re8 27.Rxe8+ Rxe8 28.Kf2 Rd8 {is something that Black wishes to do too.} ) 27.Bb3+ c4 ) 26...Nf5 {Again not bad, but...} ( {Another chance is missed for an advantage:} 26...e3 $1 {was strong with the tactical point} 27.Rxe3 $2 ( {Calm play also leads to a clear edge for Black after} 27.Nc3 Re8 28.Kf1 g5 29.fxg5 Re5 ) 27...Nf5 28.Nxf5 Rxd1+ {and Black wins.} ) 27.Nxf5 gxf5 28.Kf2 {Finally Carlsen stabilizes the situation.} 28...Kf7 ( 28...Rd3 $5 29.Be2 Rh3 30.Kg2 Rh6 ) 29.Be2 Rd6 30.h4 $1 {A strong idea. Instead of a weakness, this pawn can become an attacking tool.} 30...c4 31.a4 {Fixes some targets to keep the rooks busy.} 31...Rc8 32.axb5 axb5 33.Na3 Rd5 34.Rc1 Rdc5 ( 34...Rcc5 35.Nb1 Ke6 {looks equal.} ) 35.Nc2 Ra8 36.Ne3 Rac8 ( {Black loses a pawn in case of the active} 36...Ra2 37.b4 Rc6 38.Nxf5 {But this is only temporary} 38...Rf6 39.Nd4 Rxf4+ 40.Kg3 Rf6 {then anything is possible.} ) 37.h5 {Carlsen did once again magic with his pieces and no longer risks to lose. Now he tries to win!} 37...Ke6 38.h6 Kf6 ( 38...R8c6 $5 ) 39.Ra1 b4 ( 39...Kg6 {In the line} 40.Rg1+ {Black cannot grab the pawn with} 40...Kxh6 $2 {Due to} ( {However} 40...Kf6 {should objectively lead to a draw. One line runs} 41.Rg7 b4 42.Nxc4 Rxc4 43.Bxc4 Rxc4 44.Rxh7 Rc2+ 45.Kg3 Rxb2 46.Rb7 Rb3+ 47.Kg2 Rc3 48.h7 Rc8 49.Rxb4 Rh8 50.Rb7 ) 41.Rg5 $1 ) 40.Ra6+ Ke7 41.Ra7+ Kf6 42.Ke1 b3 {Ugh, this is not good.} ( {Correct was} 42...c3 43.bxc3 bxc3 44.Kd1 Rd8+ 45.Kc1 Rd2 46.Bc4 Rh2 {with a very likely draw.} ) 43.Rb7 Ke6 ( {It is too late for} 43...c3 44.bxc3 Rxc3 45.Nd5+ ) 44.Rb6+ $1 {A nasty little check. Where is the king going?} ( {The immediate} 44.Rb4 c3 {was possible at once, see the line below.} ) 44...Ke7 ( {Safer (if you are a computer) was} 44...Kd7 45.Rb7+ Ke6 46.Rb4 {when} 46...c3 47.bxc3 Rxc3 48.Kd2 R8c6 $1 {might lead to a study-like draw after} 49.Bc4+ R6xc4 50.Nxc4 Rc2+ 51.Ke1 ( 51.Ke3 Rc3+ ) 51...Rc1+ 52.Kf2 Rc2+ 53.Kg3 Rc3+ 54.Kh4 Rf3 ) 45.Rb4 R8c6 ( {Here} 45...c3 46.bxc3 Rxc3 ( 46...R8c6 47.Rxb3 Rxh6 ) 47.Nd5+ {is not as appealing. The bishop is definitely stronger than the knight.} ) 46.Bxc4 Rxh6 47.Rxb3 {White's progress is evident. But is it a win?} 47...Kd8 48.Rb8+ {Carlsen combines play against the black pawns with an attack against the black king.} 48...Kc7 49.Rf8 Rh3 50.Nd5+ Kb7 51.Rf7+ $1 {Another nasty check!} 51...Kb8 {Running into safety, but this is all illusion. The king is vulnerable on the back rank!} ( {Adams could have still held the draw with} 51...Kc6 $1 52.Rf6+ Kb7 53.b3 Ra5 54.Rxf5 $6 Ra2 ) 52.b3 Rh2 ( {Alas,} 52...Ra5 {does not work here because of} 53.Nb4 $1 {both limiting the rook and threatening checkmate.} ) 53.Nb4 $1 {Carlsen put the black king in a mating net and this will bring him the exchange as a payback.} 53...Kc8 54.Na6 Rc6 55.Rf8+ Kb7 ( {Or} 55...Kd7 56.Nb8+ Ke7 57.Rf7+ ) 56.Bd5 Kxa6 57.Bxc6 Kb6 58.Bd7 {A majestic game!} 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.10"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2837"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[ECO "D13"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7630835680777"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]

1.Nf3 c5 2.c3 {An original move order, which soon leads to...} 2...d5 3.d4 cxd4 4.cxd4 {...the Exchanged Slav!} 4...Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Nh5 7.Bd2 Nf6 ( {Black can alos choose to fianchettoe his bishop with} 7...g6 8.e3 e6 9.Bb5 Bd7 10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Bxb5 12.Nxb5 a6 {Shimanov,A (2642)-Fedoseev,V (2690) Minsk 2017} ) 8.e3 e6 9.Bd3 Bd6 10.e4 {Otherwise there is a risk of a dull, symmetrical draw.} 10...dxe4 11.Nxe4 {Now a position with an isolated central pawn arises.} 11...Be7 12.O-O {When I first looked at the position I could not guess the opening. Similar situations are more common in the Panov Attack of the Caro-Kann, or the Nimzo-Indian.} 12...O-O ( {It is not advisable to grab a pawn like the one on d4 here:} 12...Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Qxd4 14.Bc3 Qd5 15.Qf3 {with a strong initiative after Ra1-d1 for the investment.} ) 13.Qc2 {Weakening the kingside.} 13...h6 {A safe choice.} ( 13...g6 {would weaken all the dark squares instead, although people successfully defend these positons too.} ) 14.Rad1 {The plans of both sides are known from the Stone Age. White attacks the kingside and mates; Black trades and wins the isolani in the endgame.} 14...Bd7 15.a3 Rc8 16.Nc3 $146 {A novelty.} ( {Black was doing well after} 16.Qb1 Qb6 17.b4 Nxe4 18.Bxe4 Bf6 {as in Safarli,E (2620)-Mammadov,Z (2442) Baku 2012} ) 16...a6 {Intending to advance the b-pawn.} 17.Qc1 {Not quite a delicate hint of what may happen on the kingside.} 17...Re8 $1 ( {A careless move like} 17...Na5 {would demonstrate White's idea:} 18.Bxh6 $1 gxh6 19.Qxh6 Nc4 20.Ng5 {and mate.} ) 18.Rfe1 ( {Here} 18.Bxh6 {fails to} 18...gxh6 19.Qxh6 Bf8 20.Qh4 Bg7 {and Black defends.} ) 18...Bf8 {Nepomniachtchi stopped the first attacking wave. Carlsen regroups.} 19.Bf4 b5 20.Qd2 b4 21.axb4 Nxb4 22.Ne5 {The world champion does not spend time defending the bishop...} ( 22.Bb1 {...even though it is a very strong piece. Apparently Carlsen figured that the time factor is more important.} ) 22...Nxd3 23.Qxd3 {Nepomniachtchi is consistently searching for play on the queenside.} 23...a5 ( {There was an alternative though. The pawn sacrifice with} 23...Bb5 24.Nxb5 axb5 25.Qxb5 {is a common tool for Black in these positions as the sweet spot on d5 provides Black enough compensation for it.} 25...Qd5 ( 25...Nd5 ) ) 24.Qf3 {White is ready to shift the rooks along the third rank too and make the best use of his space advantage.} 24...Bb4 {Carlsen is also consistent with his plan.} ( {The computer suggests the following defensive method instead} 24...a4 25.Re3 Qe7 26.Nxd7 Qxd7 27.Bxh6 Nd5 28.Nxd5 exd5 29.Rxe8 Qxe8 30.Bd2 Rc2 {somehow holding the position.} ) 25.Re3 ( {However, there was a strong argument for the cruel} 25.Bxh6 $1 {The main idea is} 25...gxh6 ( {A better defense is} 25...Bxc3 26.bxc3 gxh6 {although White's initiative unfolds by itself after} 27.Qg3+ Kh7 ( {Or} 27...Kf8 28.Rd3 ( 28.c4 {followed by Qg3-f4 also looks promosing for White.} ) 28...Bc6 29.Qf4 ) 28.Nxf7 Qe7 29.Qd3+ Kg7 30.Ne5 {For the piece White has two pawns and a strong initiative. The black king is in danger without the pawn cover.} ) 26.Ne4 Nxe4 ( {If} 26...Be7 {then there is a pleasant choice between the simple} 27.Nxf6+ ( {or the beautiful} 27.d5 exd5 28.Rxd5 Rc7 29.Qf4 {and Black is helpless.} ) 27...Bxf6 28.Nxd7 ) 27.Qxf7+ Kh8 28.Ng6# ) 25...Bxc3 26.bxc3 Ba4 {Sending the bishop in an urgent rescue kingside mission.} 27.Ra1 ( {The other options also look promising:} 27.Rde1 Bc2 28.R3e2 Bf5 29.g4 ) ( {or} 27.Rc1 {which deprives the bishop from the b1-h7 diagonal.} ) 27...Bc2 {The bishop made it, but can Black really be happy? He traded only two pairs of light pieces and the intended queenside play has petered out. Carlsen keeps pressurizing.} 28.h3 Bf5 ( {Apparently, Black discarded} 28...Nd5 {because of the same old sacrifice} 29.Bxh6 {and eventual mate after} 29...Nxe3 ( {with the same old mate after} 29...gxh6 30.Qxf7+ Kh8 31.Ng6+ ) ( {A better defense is} 29...f6 30.Bxg7 fxe5 31.Bxe5 Qg5 32.Qg3 Qxg3 33.Rxg3+ Kh7 34.Rxa5 {although with four pawns for a piece White will love playing this.} ) ( {However, there was the strong defensive idea} 29...Qe7 $1 {when} 30.Qg4 {does not yield White much due to} 30...Qf6 31.Rf3 Qxh6 32.Nxf7 Qg6 33.Qxg6 ( 33.Qh4 Qh7 ) 33...Bxg6 34.Nd6 Ra8 35.Nxe8 Bxe8 ) 30.Qxf7+ Kh7 31.Qxg7# ) 29.g4 $1 {The pawns clear the road of the pieces.} 29...Bh7 30.c4 {Capital play, all over the board.} ( {Perhaps even better was} 30.g5 hxg5 31.Bxg5 {For example} 31...Bf5 32.Qg3 Nh5 33.Qh4 f6 34.Qxh5 fxg5 35.Qf7+ Kh7 36.d5 Qxd5 37.Qh5+ Kg8 38.Rd1 {and White should win.} ) 30...Nd7 {Apparently Carlsen went for the pawn in order to avoid any complications, but missed a tactical shot.} ( {Since} 30...Qxd4 {will be met with} 31.Rd1 Qa7 32.Bxh6 ) 31.Nc6 $6 ( {Instead} 31.c5 {would have kept clear advantage for him, without any risk:} 31...Nf6 ( 31...Nxe5 32.Bxe5 ) 32.g5 hxg5 33.Bxg5 Bf5 34.Ra4 ( {Or} 34.c6 ) ) 31...Qf6 32.Nxa5 Nb6 {White won a pawn,but the black pieces came into life. Now both white pawns are hanging and apparently Carlsen believed that his next move is the answer of his worries.} ( {Cleverly avoiding} 32...Qxd4 $2 33.Rd1 Qb6 34.Nb7 Nc5 35.Nd6 {which loses material for Black.} ) 33.c5 ( 33.Rc1 {is good for Black after} 33...Qxd4 34.Rd1 Qf6 ) 33...Rxc5 $1 {Simple but effective. Frustrated, White soon commits another blunder.} ( {Maybe White expected} 33...Nd5 34.Be5 Qxf3 35.Rxf3 ) 34.dxc5 $6 ( {Instead} 34.Be5 Qxf3 35.Rxf3 Rb5 36.Rb3 Rxb3 37.Nxb3 {would have most likely led to a draw, although Black can push for a win.} ) 34...Qxa1+ 35.Kh2 Qxa5 36.Qc6 {A proper blunder.} ( 36.cxb6 Qxb6 {would be a torture, but maybe White can survive.} ) 36...Qa4 {...} 37.Qxa4 Nxa4 38.c6 Nb6 39.c7 f6 40.Rb3 Nc8 0-1

[Event "Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.11"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[ECO "A43"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "6807254735375"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]

1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 c5 3.g3 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Qb6 {Another creative idea of the "coffee-house" Bent-the-Great (Larsen). It was used by Nigel Short quite regularly too.} ( {Most of the games see either} 4...Nf6 {which may transpose into the Sicilian Taimanov/Scheveningen after} 5.Bg2 a6 6.O-O Qc7 7.e4 d6 8.Nc3 Be7 9.h3 Nc6 {Sjugirov,S (2650)-Alekseev,E (2622) Sochi 2017} ) ( {or} 4...d5 5.Bg2 Nf6 6.O-O e5 7.Nb3 Nc6 8.Bg5 Be6 {with a reversed Gruenfeld type of position, Andreikin,D (2743)-Dubov,D (2666) ICC INT 2016} ) 5.Bg2 Bc5 {The point. Black wants to force a concession.} 6.e3 d5 ( {Short played instead} 6...Nc6 {and after} 7.O-O Nf6 8.c4 {took the central pawn} 8...Nxd4 9.exd4 Bxd4 10.Nc3 Be5 11.Nb5 {but then had to deal with White's strong initiative, Bates,R (2377)-Short,N (2697) Bunratty 2013} ) 7.Qg4 {In return White wants to exploit the absence of the kingside bishop.} 7...Bf8 8.O-O Nf6 9.Qe2 e5 $146 {A logical novelty.} ( {A predecessor saw} 9...Bd7 10.b3 Nc6 11.Bb2 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Bc5 13.Rd1 {Salo,H (2267)-Lehtinen,H (2408) Finland 2013} ) 10.Qb5+ $1 {An important move. White needs to get into an endgame where the center does not count for that much.} ( {The immediate retreat} 10.Nb3 {would allow Black strong center which cannot be easily attacked.} 10...Nc6 11.Nc3 Bg4 12.f3 Be6 {You noticed that one of the reasons why the center is so stable is that White is deprived of the usual maneuver Bc1-g5.} ) 10...Bd7 11.Qxb6 axb6 12.Nb3 Nc6 13.Bd2 {Cautiously developing as otherwise the c2 pawn may suffer.} ( 13.Nc3 $6 Nb4 ) 13...Bd6 {This seems like and inaccuracy. The center will not be as stable as Black wishes now.} ( {Here} 13...Nb4 {will be met with} 14.Bxb4 Bxb4 15.a3 Be7 16.Nc3 Be6 {when White will attack the center with either} 17.Rad1 ( {Or} 17.f4 ) ) ( {But more accurate was to give the d5 pawn some extra protection} 13...Be6 14.Nc3 O-O-O {with approximate equality.} ) 14.Nc3 Ne7 {All seems fine, but...} 15.a4 $1 {This comes in time with the strong positional threat of Nc3-b5.} 15...O-O ( {The counter-attack would not save the day:} 15...Rc8 16.Nb5 Bxb5 17.axb5 Rxc2 18.Bc3 O-O 19.Bf3 {and the black rook is trapped.} ) 16.Nb5 Bxb5 {Alas, forced.} ( 16...Bb8 {would be strongly met with} 17.Bb4 Re8 18.Bxe7 Rxe7 19.c4 $1 dxc4 20.Nd2 {and the knights dominate.} ) 17.axb5 Rac8 18.Bc3 {As a result Carlsen ended up in a passive position.} 18...h5 {I am not sure if this is good policy.} 19.Rfd1 Rfd8 20.Nd2 ( {It made sense to insert} 20.Ra7 Rc7 {first and then} ( 20...Rb8 21.Nc1 $5 ) 21.Nd2 ) 20...h4 21.Nf3 ( 21.Ra7 $5 {was once again good, with advantage for White after} 21...hxg3 22.hxg3 Rc7 ( 22...Rb8 23.Nf3 e4 24.Nd4 ) 23.Nf3 e4 24.Nd4 Be5 ) 21...hxg3 22.hxg3 e4 ( 22...Ng6 $5 {to keep the center as it is made sense.} ) 23.Ng5 {An ineresting decision by Aronian.} ( {There was nothing wrong with the obvious} 23.Nd4 Ra8 ( {Or} 23...Ng6 24.Nf5 Bf8 25.Ra7 {with large advantage for White.} ) 24.Bh3 {Next White will play Nd4-f5 and put pressure on the black pawns. This will be extremely pleasant to play for the first player.} ) 23...Ng6 24.Ra7 Rb8 ( {Or} 24...Rc7 25.Rd2 {followed by the same maneuver.} ) 25.Bd4 {The white pieces are completely dominating. Carlsen came very close to ending up on a negative score.} 25...Bc5 ( {The passive} 25...Bc7 26.Bf1 {followed by c2-c4 and attack against f7 will leave Black no chances.} ) 26.Bxc5 ( {The alternative} 26.c4 dxc4 27.Nxe4 Nxe4 28.Bxe4 Bxd4 29.Rxd4 Rxd4 30.exd4 {was also very pleasant for White.} ) 26...bxc5 27.c4 Ne7 ( {Not} 27...dxc4 28.Rxd8+ Rxd8 29.Rxb7 ) 28.cxd5 Nc8 $1 {A very strong defensive idea. At the price of a pawn the world champion builds a solid foundation for a fortress.} ( 28...Nexd5 29.Nxe4 {would be lost for Black.} ) 29.Ra4 $1 ( 29.Raa1 Nd6 30.Rac1 b6 {looks rock-solid.} ) 29...Nb6 ( 29...Nd6 $2 30.Bxe4 ) 30.Ra3 ( {In case of} 30.Raa1 {Black can defend like this:} 30...Re8 31.d6 Re5 32.Nh3 Rd8 {slowly surrounding the d6 pawn.} 33.Ra7 Rd7 34.Nf4 g5 35.Ne2 Ne8 ) 30...Nc4 ( {Black could have used the idea from above here too} 30...Re8 31.d6 Re5 32.Nh3 Rd8 ) 31.Rc3 Nd6 $1 {Sacrificing another pawn but making sure that the knights are optimally placed.} ( {Worse was} 31...Nxb2 32.Rd2 Na4 $2 ( 32...Nxd5 33.Rxc5 Nd3 34.Rc4 f5 35.g4 {is also promising for White.} ) 33.Rc4 Nb6 34.Rxc5 {when White's winning chances are huge.} ) 32.Rxc5 Ra8 33.Bh3 {True to himself, Aronian looks for initiative even in the endgame.} ( {The immediate} 33.b6 {would be met with} 33...Ra6 ) ( {But} 33.Bf1 $5 {followed by b5-b6 seems like a good way to play for a win.} ) 33...Re8 34.Rc7 Kf8 ( {Avoids the trap:} 34...Re5 35.Nxf7 Nxf7 36.Be6 Rxe6 37.dxe6 Ne5 38.Rxb7 {when White wins.} ) 35.b6 $2 {Did Aronian forget about the knight?} ( 35.Bf1 {to free the h3 square was needed.} ) 35...Re5 36.Ne6+ {Frustration.} ( {Better was} 36.Nxf7 Nxf7 37.Rxb7 Rxd5 38.Rxd5 Nxd5 39.Be6 Nd8 40.Bxd5 Nxb7 41.Bxb7 Rb8 42.Bxe4 Rxb6 {with a draw.} ) 36...fxe6 37.dxe6 ( {Or} 37.Bxe6 Ra5 ) 37...Nfe8 38.Rd7 Raa5 39.b4 $2 {Another blunder in the time-trouble.} ( {It was not too late to get to the drawish path with} 39.R1xd6 Nxd6 40.Rxd6 Rad5 41.Rxd5 Rxd5 42.e7+ Kxe7 43.Bc8 ) 39...Rad5 40.Ra1 Rb5 {Carlsen kept the extra piece. Now he consolidates and slowly wipes ou the white pawns.} 41.Ra8 Rxb6 42.Bg4 Rd5 43.Kg2 Rxb4 44.Ra1 Rbb5 45.Be2 {Unfortunately for Aronian this bishop cannot help the rooks and the e-pawn.} 45...Rb2 46.Bg4 Rdd2 {It is basically over.} 47.Kh3 Rxf2 48.Kh4 Rh2+ 49.Bh3 ( 49.Kg5 Rb5+ 50.Kg6 Rh6# ) 49...g5+ 50.Kh5 ( 50.Kg4 Nf6+ ) 50...Rxh3+ 51.Kg6 Rf2 52.e7+ Kg8 53.Rxd6 Rh7 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.01.13"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6808060036640"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 {Anand decided to avoid the main lines.} 5...b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 7.c3 d6 8.Bg5 ( {Caruana against So chose instead:} 8.Nbd2 O-O 9.Nf1 {but Black was perfectly fine after} 9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Ng3 f6 12.O-O Be6 {Caruana,F (2799)-So,W (2788) London 2017} ) 8...h6 {Questioning the bishop at once is Black's best reaction.} 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3 Ba7 $146 {The black bishop is standing on the road of the rooks thus the black one on a8 ambushes its opponent.} ( 10...Bb6 11.Nbd2 O-O 12.Qe2 Ne7 13.d4 Ng6 14.dxe5 Nh5 15.O-O-O Nhf4 16.Bxf4 Nxf4 17.Qf1 {as in Alekseev,E (2651) -Predke,A (2543) Kaliningrad 2015} ) 11.Nbd2 ( {One point behind Matlakov's idea is that a move like} 11.a4 {can be simply ignored.} ) 11...Na5 12.Bc2 Nh5 {Active play.} 13.a4 {This typical idea is not effective here.} ( 13.b4 {first, and only after} 13...Nc6 14.a4 {was more accurate.} ) 13...b4 $1 {Matlakov seizes his chances and takes over the initiative.} 14.cxb4 Nc6 15.b5 Nb4 {The knight offers Black some extra tactical options.} 16.Nc4 ( 16.Bb1 {disconnects the white rook from the queen and the simple} 16...axb5 {leads to Black's advantage, since} 17.axb5 $2 ( 17.Qb3 {is better, although Black looks good after} 17...Bc5 ) 17...Bxf2+ {is not good for White.} ) ( {Perhaps the simple} 16.O-O {was best when the tactical line} 16...axb5 17.axb5 Bxf2+ $2 18.Bxf2 Rxa1 19.Qxa1 Nxc2 20.Qa4 {self-traps the knight on c2.} ) 16...Nxg3 {Going for a forcing continuation.} ( {Also promising for Black seems} 16...g4 17.Nh4 axb5 18.Ne3 ( {Worse is} 18.axb5 Bxf2+ 19.Kxf2 Rxa1 20.Qxa1 Nxc2 ) 18...Bxe3 19.fxe3 Nxg3 20.hxg3 Qg5 {and Black should be somewhat better.} ) 17.hxg3 g4 18.Nh4 ( {No time for a spoiler} 18.b6 gxf3 19.bxa7 fxg2 20.Rg1 Nc6 $1 {favours Black.} ) 18...axb5 19.axb5 ( 19.Ne3 Bxe3 20.fxe3 {would have transposed to the line mentioned above.} ) 19...Bxf2+ {The ambush worked!} 20.Kxf2 Rxa1 21.Qxa1 Nxc2 22.Qa4 Qf6+ {It is important to spoil White's co-ordination.} ( {Instead the immediate} 22...Nd4 23.b6+ Kf8 24.Rf1 {would allow artificial castling as} 24...Qf6+ $2 25.Ke1 {is bad for Black.} ) 23.Kg1 ( {Or else the king would be badly exposed.} 23.Ke2 Nd4+ 24.Ke1 O-O ) 23...Nd4 24.b6+ {A critical moment.} 24...Bd7 {This natural move throws Black's advantage away.} ( {Correct was} 24...Kf8 $1 {Now White cannot grab the pawn} 25.bxc7 $4 {due to the spectacular mate} ( {Therefore Anand should have continued as in the game with} 25.Qd1 cxb6 26.Kh2 Kg7 27.Rf1 {but now} 27...Qd8 {is an important additional option for Black. True, Anand's knights will have a lot of fun visiting both outposts on d5 and f5, but Black is a pawn up.} ) 25...Ne2+ 26.Kh2 Qxh4+ $1 27.gxh4 g3# ) 25.Qd1 $1 ( {Once again} 25.bxc7 {is mate after} 25...Ne2+ 26.Kh2 Qxh4+ 27.gxh4 g3# ) 25...cxb6 26.Kh2 O-O 27.Rf1 {Now the difference with the above-mentioned line becomes clear. The bishop on d7 stands on the road of the black queen.} 27...Qg5 ( {If} 27...Qe7 28.Qd2 Kh7 29.Qb4 {regains the pawn.} ) 28.Nxd6 Be6 {Now Black has to be careful.} 29.Nhf5 Nxf5 {Drops a pawn.} ( {Correct was} 29...Rd8 30.Nxd4 Rxd6 31.Nxe6 Rxe6 32.Rf5 Qg7 {White is somewhat better, but Black should be able to hold.} ) 30.exf5 Bd5 31.Qe2 Qf6 $1 {Practically forced.} ( {Since} 31...f6 32.d4 $1 exd4 33.Qb5 Ba2 34.Rf4 $1 {leaves the black pieces scattered around the board.} ) 32.Qxg4+ {Eight moves later tables have turned, and it is White who has the extra pawn.} 32...Kh7 33.Ne4 Bxe4 34.dxe4 Rd8 {Correctly activates the rook.} ( 34...Rg8 35.Qf3 ) 35.Rc1 Rd4 36.Rc7 Rb4 37.Qe2 Kg7 38.Rc8 Qg5 ( {Black has to be careful not to let the white queen in.} 38...Rd4 $2 39.Qb5 {with the threat Qb5-e8 could be deadly.} ) ( 38...Kh7 ) 39.Rc6 Rb3 ( {Here and on the next few moves it made sense to insert} 39...h5 $1 {fixing the white pawns.} ) 40.Rc3 Rb4 ( {On a hindsight, the queen endgame} 40...Rxc3 $1 41.bxc3 Qd8 {sounds like a better after-game idea...} ) 41.b3 Rd4 42.Rc6 Rb4 43.Qf3 Kh7 {Now Anand finds a way to consolidate his advantage.} 44.Rd6 $1 Kg7 45.Rd5 {The rook is perfect on d5. It attacks the black pawns and limits the opponent's rook.} ( {Not} 45.f6+ Kg6 46.Rd8 Qh5+ 47.Qxh5+ Kxh5 48.Rg8 Rxe4 49.Kh3 Re3 {and Black is just in time.} ) 45...Qf6 {Now that the queen the passive, the king can get better.} 46.Kg1 $1 {One idea is to support the white pawns from the f3 square. Another-to go all the way to c3 and trap the black rook.} 46...Kh7 47.Qd3 Kg7 48.Kf2 Rd4 ( {Or} 48...Kh7 49.Rd6 Qg7 50.Kf3 {intending g3-g4.} ( 50.Ke2 Qg4+ ) ) 49.Rxd4 exd4 50.Qb5 Qd8 ( {The last chance was} 50...Qd6 51.e5 Qc7 ) 51.Qd5 Qf6 ( 51...Qxd5 52.exd5 Kf6 53.d6 ) 52.g4 Kg8 53.Kf3 {Black resigned as he loses a second pawn.} ( 53.Kf3 h5 54.e5 hxg4+ 55.Kxg4 Qg7+ 56.Kf3 ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.01.19"]
[Round "6.4"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "A17"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "7561063441466"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 dxc4 ( {A recent game which might have inspired Wei saw:} 4...a6 5.b3 Bd6 6.Bb2 O-O 7.g4 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2729) -Anand,V (2782) London 2017} ) 5.Bxc4 a6 6.b3 c5 7.Bb2 Nc6 8.Qc2 $146 {Wei's plan does not include castling.} ( {A novelty in comparison to the toothless:} 8.O-O Be7 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Nxd4 11.exd4 b5 12.Bd3 Bb7 {when Black was somewhat better already, Scherer,F (2155)-Wiley,T (2292) Neustadt an der Weinstrasse 2012} ) 8...Be7 ( 8...b5 $5 9.Be2 Bb7 {looks more active.} ) 9.a3 b6 10.g4 $1 {"I forgot about this stuff. I thought that it is not dangerous since I did not castle. Actually, it it surprisingly strong as he gets a bind after g4-g5 followed by Nc3-e4." (So)} 10...h6 ( 10...Nxg4 $2 {drops a knight after} 11.Qe4 ) ( {Castling into it is definitely not a good idea-} 10...O-O $2 11.g5 Nd5 12.Ne4 {folllowed by Rh1-g1 and slamming a knight on f6 after no matter what Black does.} ) 11.Rg1 b5 ( {It made sense to keep the bishop on c4 for future tempo-gainers:} 11...Bb7 12.g5 hxg5 13.Nxg5 Ne5 $5 ) 12.Be2 Bb7 13.g5 hxg5 14.Nxg5 Rh6 {So clears the long diagonal and overprotects the f6 square.} ( {As already mentioned earlier, castling is suicidal-} 14...O-O $2 15.Nce4 Nxe4 16.Nxe6 $1 ) 15.Nce4 {Rubinstein's pattern. He used to open the road for his bishops with similar knight move.} 15...Nxe4 {Inaccurate.} ( {Black could have held the position with tactics.} 15...Na5 $3 {was keeping the pawn on c5 alive and the open diagonal for the light-sqaured bishop is definitely good for him. The brilliant tactical point behind the idea is revealed after:} 16.Nxc5 ( 16.Nxf6+ {fails to convince after} 16...Bxf6 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 {and Black is doing great.} ) ( {Probably best is} 16.a4 b4 17.d3 {with approximate equality.} ) 16...Bxc5 17.Qxc5 Qxd2+ $1 ( {Rather than} 17...Nxb3 18.Bxb5+ $1 axb5 ( {Or} 18...Nd7 19.Qc3 Nxa1 20.Nxf7 $1 {with decisive attack.} ) 19.Qxb5+ Nd7 20.Qxb3 {and White wins.} ) 18.Kxd2 Nxb3+ {and Black has the advantage.} ) ( 15...Rc8 $5 ) 16.Nxe4 g6 17.Nxc5 Bxc5 18.Qxc5 Rxh2 19.a4 $1 {The bishop pair and the weak dark squares determine Wei's big advantage. With the game move he wnats to further open the lines and diagonals for his pieces.} 19...Qh4 ( {Black is deprived of any counterplay in case of} 19...bxa4 20.Rxa4 ) 20.Rf1 Rc8 {So starts shaking the boat.} ( {Apparently So understood that the calm} 20...bxa4 21.Rxa4 Qe7 ( {Not} 21...Qd8 $2 22.Bxa6 ) 22.Qc3 {will leave Black nothing- neither position, nor tactical chances.} ) 21.Qb6 ( 21.axb5 $2 Nb4 ) 21...Nd8 22.axb5 Bg2 {The point behind Black's counterattack. The white king is not perfectly save in the middle.} 23.Ra4 $1 {The queen should be removed from the f2 square.} ( {The kingside rook cannot move:} 23.Rg1 $2 Rh1 {wins for Black.} ) ( 23.bxa6 $2 Bxf1 ) ( 23.Qd4 {is less accurate because of} 23...Qxd4 24.Bxd4 Bxf1 25.Bxf1 axb5 {although White is still somewhat better after} 26.Bxb5+ ) 23...Qh3 24.Ba3 {In the after-game analyzes both players came to the conclusion that this move was a mistake. It indeed allows some extra possibilities to Black.} ( {The neatest solution was:} 24.bxa6 $1 Bxf1 25.Bxf1 Rh1 26.Qb5+ Nc6 27.a7 {the kingside initiative is over and the aftermath is very sad for Black.} ) ( {It seems clever to chase the queen away with} 24.Bg4 {but this runs into} 24...Bxf1 $3 25.Bxh3 Bd3 26.f4 Rc2 {when it is unclear!} ) 24...Rh1 25.bxa6 Qh8 $1 {This is the additional chance that So got from the move 24.Bb2-a3.} ( 25...Bxf1 26.Qb5+ Nc6 27.Bxf1 {as long as there is no mate the white passers should decide the game.} ) 26.Rd4 $2 {Short on time, Wei goes astray.} ( {Both} 26.Qd4 $1 {with the idea to meet} 26...Qh3 {with} ( {Better is} 26...Qxd4 27.exd4 Bxf1 28.Bxf1 {although White should win here as well.} ) 27.Bb5+ Nc6 28.Qd6 $1 Rxf1+ 29.Bxf1 Bxf1 30.Qf8+ Kd7 31.Qxf7+ Kd8 32.Rd4+ Nxd4 33.Qe7# ) ( {And} 26.d4 $1 Bxf1 27.Qb5+ {hsould have stopped the counter-attack and led to White's win.} ) 26...Bxf1 27.Qb5+ $2 {Now White even loses.} ( {Correct was} 27.Bxf1 Nc6 28.a7 ( {Or} 28.Qc5 Rxf1+ 29.Kxf1 Qh1+ 30.Ke2 Qh5+ $1 31.f3 $1 {This is the difference in comparison to the game. After} ( {Weaker is:} 31.Qxh5 $2 Nxd4+ 32.exd4 gxh5 33.b4 Kd7 ( 33...Rb8 ) 34.b5 Rb8 ) 31...Nxd4+ 32.Qxd4 Qb5+ 33.Kf2 Qxa6 34.Qb4 {the weak black king deprives him of winning chances.} ) 28...Nxd4 29.exd4 {when Black has a forced draw with} 29...Rxf1+ 30.Kxf1 Qh1+ 31.Ke2 Qe4+ {but nothing more.} ) 27...Nc6 28.Bxf1 Rxf1+ $1 29.Kxf1 ( {Maybe White should have tried:} 29.Qxf1 Nxd4 30.exd4 Qxd4 31.Qb5+ {with the queens on the board, there are practical chances.} ) 29...Qh1+ 30.Ke2 Qh5+ {Black trades every single heavy piece and wins the endgame.} 31.Qxh5 Nxd4+ 32.exd4 gxh5 33.b4 Rb8 34.Kf3 Kd7 35.Kg3 Kc6 36.b5+ ( {Or} 36.a7 Rg8+ $1 ( 36...Ra8 37.b5+ Kxb5 38.Bc5 ) 37.Kh4 Kb5 {and Black should win.} ) 36...Rxb5 37.Bc5 Rb2 38.a7 Kb7 39.d5 exd5 40.Be3 Rb4 41.d4 Rb1 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.01.20"]
[Round "7.6"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7907437452342"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.a4 ( {Against Ding Liren, Anand chose:} 5.O-O O-O 6.c3 d6 7.a4 a5 8.Na3 Be6 9.Bxe6 fxe6 10.Nc2 Qe8 11.Be3 Bxe3 12.Nxe3 Rd8 {but did not get much of anything, Anand,V (2782)-Ding,L (2777) Riadh 2017} ) 5...d6 6.c3 a6 7.Bg5 {"A very sharp line." (Kramnik)} ( {In Zurich, the two discussed the line after} 7.O-O h6 8.Na3 O-O 9.Nc2 Re8 10.Re1 Ba7 11.Be3 Bb8 $5 12.Qd2 Ng4 13.b4 Ne7 14.d4 Ng6 15.dxe5 Nxe3 16.Nxe3 Nxe5 17.Nxe5 Rxe5 18.Qa2 Be6 19.Bxe6 Rxe6 20.Nf5 Ba7 21.Nd4 Re5 22.Nf3 Re6 23.Nd4 {1/2-1/2 (23) Anand,V (2786)-Kramnik,V (2811) Zuerich 2017} ) 7...h6 8.Bh4 Ba7 9.Nbd2 Qe7 {"A tricky move" (Kramnik). Black does not want to castle.} ( {The queen defends the f7-pawn, vulnerable after:} 9...g5 10.Bg3 Nh5 11.Nxe5 ) 10.h3 {"Not a good move" (Kramnik). But it is not obvious what to do next. The bishop on h4 is under a constant danger of being excluded from the game.} ( {True,} 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 {would not make White happy either.} ) 10...g5 11.Bg3 Nh5 12.Qe2 $146 {Apparently both players were unaware that this move is a novelty.} ( {A predecessor saw:} 12.Bh2 Nf4 13.Bxf4 gxf4 14.b4 Rg8 {with a similar position as in the game, Voigt,R (2381)-Karpatchev,A (2461) Leipzig 2004} ) ( {This time the trick:} 12.Nxe5 $2 {does not work due to} 12...Nxg3 13.Nxc6 Bxf2+ $1 14.Kxf2 Nxh1+ {(Kramnik)} ) ( {On} 12.Nh2 {the Russian GM intended} 12...Ng7 $5 {keeping the dark-squared bishop out of the game.} ) 12...Qf6 {"I thought Black is already better here" (Kramnik).} 13.Bh2 Nf4 14.Bxf4 gxf4 {The two bishops (especially the a7 one) look impressive, and Black has easy play along the g-file.} 15.g4 {Trying to block the positon as much as possible.} ( {"Let's not talk about this:"} 15.O-O {"I know I am old fashioned, but Bc8-d7, 0-0-0 and mate on the g-file should follow."(Kramnik)} ) 15...Ne7 {Bringing the knight on the kingside.} ( {Black also considered} 15...fxg3 16.fxg3 Rg8 17.g4 Ne7 18.Rf1 Ng6 19.O-O-O Nf4 20.Qh2 {which should be better for him as well.} ) ( {An example of prophylactical thinking that Kramnik has is the line} 15...Bd7 16.Bd5 Rb8 17.Bxc6 {"Knights are not bad at all at this position" (Kramnik).} ) 16.b4 {"Vishy did not realize that my king will stay in the middle." (Kramnik).} ( {Instead he suggested} 16.d4 Ng6 17.Bb3 {when Black is also better, but not as much as in the game.} ) 16...Ng6 17.Kd1 {The king does not have safe shelter anywhere.} ( {Or} 17.b5 Kf8 {followed by Kg8-g7 with similar consequences.} ) 17...h5 $1 {An important moment. Black shuts the kingside, and thus secures his king. On the other wing, the play will be quite one-sided. Further, the h3-pawn demands constant attention thus the white rooks cannot fully participate in the queenside battle. If the pawn goes up (h3-h4), then the g4-square will become available for the black bishop, and new problems will occur with the h4 pawn.} 18.g5 Qe7 19.b5 Kf8 $1 20.bxa6 {This makes things easier for the second player.} ( {Sounder was to keep the position as blocked as possible, or to try and seize better positions on the queenside with} 20.Bd5 Rb8 21.Nc4 Bd7 22.Qb2 {Next the king will come to e2 and the kingside rook to b1. If} 22...c6 $2 23.b6 ) 20...bxa6 21.d4 {Anand does not want to stand still.} 21...Kg7 22.d5 ( 22.Bxa6 $2 Bxd4 $1 ) 22...Bd7 23.Kc2 Rhb8 {Not only is the h3-pawn is vulnerable, but the one on a4 is weak too.} ( 23...c6 {was also very good for Black.} ) 24.Bxa6 Bxf2 25.Bb5 ( {Or} 25.Qxf2 Rxa6 26.a5 c6 {breaking open the position.} ) 25...Be3 26.h4 Ra5 ( 26...Qe8 $5 {(Kramnik)} ) 27.c4 ( {In case of} 27.Nc4 Raxb5 $1 {is strong when White is helpless after} 28.axb5 Bxb5 ) 27...Rba8 28.Kb3 ( {After} 28.Nb3 {Black intended} 28...Rxa4 29.Rxa4 Rxa4 30.Bxa4 Bxa4 31.Ra1 {and now either} 31...Qd7 ( {Or} 31...Bxb3+ 32.Kxb3 Qd7 {with a winning attack in both cases.} ) ) 28...Nf8 $1 {Bringing the last piece into the attack.} 29.Rhc1 Bg4 30.Kc2 Bxd2 31.Kxd2 Nd7 32.Ra3 ( {Or} 32.Bxd7 Qxd7 {and the a4-pawn will suffer for starters.} ) 32...Nc5 33.Bc6 Rb8 34.Ke1 Qd8 35.Qc2 Bxf3 36.Rxf3 Qc8 {Anand resigned as there is no way to defend all the weaknesses.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "12.2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[ECO "A40"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7561021493768"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.c4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.e4 e6 6.Bd3 ( 6.Nc3 exd5 7.cxd5 a6 8.h3 b5 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.O-O Ngf6 11.a3 O-O 12.Bf4 Qb6 13.Qd2 Re8 {Matlakov, M (2714)-Zvjaginsev,V (2661) Sochi 2017} ) 6...exd5 7.cxd5 {Giri managed to confuse yours truly with the statement that his opponent played very badly in the beginning, and some moves later stating that he was afraid he did not get any advantage from the opening.} 7...Bg4 8.Nbd2 ( 8.Qa4+ {is the other way to play it. It worked spectacularly well in the following game} 8...Nd7 9.Nfd2 a6 10.h3 b5 11.Qc2 c4 12.Bf1 Bh5 13.g4 {and White won a piece in the blitz game Zhao,X (2565)-Danielian,E (2476) Beijing 2012} ) 8...Nf6 9.O-O O-O 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Nxf3 c4 {"I realized I am suddenly not better. I was afraid I will not pose him any problems." (Giri)} 12.Bxc4 Nxe4 13.Re1 Re8 14.Qc2 {Albeit symmetrical, the position is far from equal. Abhiban did not develop his queenside yet and White enjoys more space.} 14...Nf6 15.Rxe8+ Nxe8 16.Bg5 $146 ( {White was also a bit better in the predecessor after} 16.Qb3 Qc7 17.Be3 Nd7 18.Rc1 Nc5 19.Qa3 Qd8 20.b4 {Khismatullin,D (2601) -Andreikin,D (2625) Voronezh 2009} ) 16...Nf6 ( {Giri believed it was stronger to play} 16...Bf6 {when he intended} 17.h4 Nd7 ( {However, he was afraid of the simple move} 17...a6 {which stops the Bc4-b5 idea. "My [light-squared] bishop is not very good; I need to trade it." (Giri)} ) 18.Bb5 {trading a bunch of pieces but keeping a strong pawn on g5.} ) 17.Nd4 {Now there are problems for Black, as he cannot develop normally.} 17...Qb6 ( 17...Nbd7 {is well met with} 18.Ne6 $1 {(Giri). Although there is a little spoiler after} 18...fxe6 19.dxe6 d5 $1 {Still, White keeps pressure after the forcing} 20.Bxd5 Nf8 21.Bxb7 Rb8 {with three pawns for the piece and strong bishop pair.} ) 18.Be3 {Creating concrete threats and forcing matters. The white army is better prepared for the tactical skirmish.} 18...Ng4 ( 18...Nbd7 19.Ne6 {is not playable for Black.} ) 19.Qe4 $1 {Powerful centralization. Suddenly, the black king is in danger.} ( {Instead} 19.hxg4 Bxd4 20.Bxd4 Qxd4 {trades too many of the good white pieces and should be equal.} ) 19...Nf6 ( {On} 19...Nxe3 {White planned} 20.Qe8+ Bf8 21.fxe3 Qc7 22.Ne6 $1 fxe6 23.dxe6 Qe7 24.Qc8 {"when Black is completely paralyzed and helpless." (Giri)} ) 20.Qe7 Nbd7 {Adhiban finished the development, but at the expense of a pawn.} 21.Nb5 Bf8 22.Bxb6 Bxe7 23.Bxa7 Ne5 ( {White was more worried about} 23...b6 {eventually excluding the bishop from the game. In that case the most convincing seems to be} 24.Rc1 ( 24.b3 Bd8 ) ( 24.b4 Bd8 25.Bb3 ) 24...Bd8 25.Be2 {followed by Rc1-c6.} ) 24.b3 ( 24.Bb3 {was not bad neither.} ) 24...Nxc4 25.bxc4 {"I think I am winning." (Giri) He said it and proved it. First consolidation.} 25...Rc8 26.Re1 Bf8 27.Bd4 Nd7 28.Rc1 Ra8 29.Rc2 Ra6 {Now it made sense to bring the king to b4 for example and push the white pawn to a4, but White found another idea.} 30.Re2 Ra4 31.Re8 $1 {Returns the pawn for a moment, but paralyzes the black pieces. This idea is similar to the one that Giri had on move 19.} 31...Rxc4 32.Rd8 Ne5 ( 32...Rb4 33.a4 $1 ) 33.f4 Nd3 ( {Nothing is changed after} 33...Rc1+ 34.Kh2 Nc4 35.Rc8 ) 34.Bf6 Re4 35.Nxd6 Re1+ 36.Kh2 {Now White has both the extra pawn and the more active pieces.} 36...Nf2 37.Bg5 h5 ( {Or} 37...Kg7 38.Ne8+ Kg8 39.Nf6+ Kg7 40.d6 h6 41.Bh4 {winning.} ) 38.Bh6 h4 {That is serious...} 39.g4 Kh7 40.Rxf8 Nd3 41.Rxf7+ Kh8 42.Rf8+ 1-0

[Event "Tradewise Masters"]
[Site "Gibraltar"]
[Date "2018.01.26"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Batsiashvili, Nino"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2504"]
[ECO "C76"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8247410954253"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 {Nino Batsiashvili is one of the top players in the world who regularly upsets high-rated male opponents. Perhaps her opening choice was inspired by the game Grischuk-Mamedyarov?} 5.c3 Bd7 6.d4 g6 7.Bg5 {Forcing a concession.} 7...f6 {Self-blocks the dark-squared bishop.} ( {The other choice is} 7...Be7 {but then the bishop will no longer be fianchettoed,} 8.Be3 Nf6 9.Bc2 exd4 10.cxd4 Nb4 11.Nc3 Nxc2+ 12.Qxc2 {as in Vallejo Pons,F (2717)-Suarez Gomez,J (2474) Linares 2017} ) 8.Be3 Nh6 9.Bb3 {Vachier-Lagrave is not afraid of any black piece landing on g4.} ( {White did not get much after:} 9.h3 Nf7 10.dxe5 Ncxe5 11.Bb3 Nxf3+ 12.Qxf3 Bg7 13.Nd2 a5 14.a4 Qe7 15.O-O O-O {in Ter Sahakyan,S (2577) -Short,N (2688) Abu Dhabi 2017} ) 9...Bg7 ( {Black's initiative quickly fizzles out after} 9...Ng4 10.Bd2 Na5 11.Bc2 Nc4 12.Bc1 {soon both the knight will ingloriously return home with the support of the other pieces.} ) 10.a4 Qe7 11.O-O Nd8 $146 {Batsiashvili uncorkes a novelty.} ( {The great Ukranian Malanuik used the same maneuver only after:} 11...Nf7 12.Nbd2 O-O 13.Bd5 Kh8 14.b4 {And now} 14...Ncd8 15.Re1 Rb8 16.Bb3 Ne6 17.Nc4 f5 {gradually equalizing, Habu,Y (2404) -Malaniuk,V (2545) Krakow 2013} ) 12.c4 $1 {Just like in game Habu-Malanuik from above, White intends to make use of the d5 square. The difference however is that he has a better piece for it- the knight.} 12...Ng4 ( {After} 12...Ne6 13.Nc3 c6 {White most likely planned:} 14.c5 $1 ( {Rather than} 14.d5 Nc5 15.Bc2 a5 ) 14...dxc5 15.Bxe6 Bxe6 16.d5 cxd5 17.exd5 Bf5 18.d6 Qe6 19.Bxc5 {with initiative thanks to the uncastled black king.} ) 13.Bc1 exd4 {Just like Short from above, Black wants to make good use of the e5 square.} ( {Not as good was} 13...Ne6 {when both} 14.h3 ( {Or even better} 14.Nc3 exd4 15.Nd5 ) 14...Nh6 15.Nc3 {lead to White's advantage.} ) 14.Nxd4 Nc6 {Only this is inaccurate.} ( {Batsiashvili could (should) have swung the queen to the kingside at once with} 14...Qe5 $5 15.Nf3 Qh5 {With good play for Black. For example:} 16.h3 ( {Similar is} 16.Nc3 Ne5 $1 ) ( {Here} 16.c5 dxc5 {is not that effective.} ) 16...Ne5 $1 {and as long as the queens are traded Black should be comfortable-} 17.Nxe5 Qxd1 ) 15.Nc3 Qe5 {A move too late...} ( {In case of} 15...Nxd4 {there are a couple of strong spoilers for White-} 16.Nd5 $1 Qe5 ( {Or} 16...Qd8 17.Qxd4 ) 17.Bf4 {with clear advantage for White.} ) 16.Nf3 Qh5 17.c5 $3 {The French GM nicely exploits the extra move to open the position.} ( {The attempt to harass the black queen at once with} 17.Ne2 $2 {fails to} 17...Nce5 ) 17...Qxc5 ( {After} 17...dxc5 18.Nd5 $1 O-O-O 19.Nf4 {embarrasses the queen-} 19...Qh6 20.Ne6 ) 18.Nd5 {The point behind White's play. There is no kingside initiative for Black and her queen is in fact a concern.} ( {Also good was} 18.h3 Nge5 19.Nd5 Nxf3+ 20.Qxf3 Nd4 21.Qd1 Nxb3 22.Qxb3 {as Black cannot castle-} 22...O-O-O $2 23.Be3 ) 18...Ne7 ( {Or} 18...O-O-O 19.h3 Nge5 20.Be3 Qa5 21.Nxe5 dxe5 22.Rc1 {with the unstoppable threat of 23. Be3-d2!} ) 19.h3 Nxd5 ( {The retreat is impossible again due to the vulnerable queen-} 19...Ne5 20.Be3 Qa5 21.Bd2 Nxf3+ 22.gxf3 Qc5 23.Bb4 {and once that c7 drops everything falls apart.} ) 20.Bxd5 c6 21.b4 $1 {Another energetic blow. Vachier-Lagrave was definitely not a gentleman today!} 21...Qb6 {Instinctively Batsiashvili wants to keep her queen closer to the king.} ( {Instead} 21...Qxb4 {opens the b-file in White's favour} 22.Ba2 Ne5 23.Rb1 Qc3 24.Nxe5 Qxe5 25.Rxb7 {when Black is hopeless.} ) ( {Perhaps the most resilient was} 21...Qc3 {although here too White has the strong} 22.Ra3 Qxb4 23.Ba2 ) 22.Bb3 Ne5 23.Nxe5 {Once that the d-file is opened it is all over.} 23...fxe5 ( {White's attack is pretty after} 23...dxe5 24.Bf7+ $1 Ke7 ( {Or} 24...Kxf7 25.Qxd7+ Kg8 26.Be3 Qxb4 27.Rab1 ) 25.Be3 Qc7 26.Qb3 b6 27.a5 $1 {and Be3-c5 will follow soon.} ) 24.Qxd6 {With so many open files and diagonals White quickly finished the sufferings of teh black king.} 24...Qd4 25.Qc7 $1 Rf8 ( {If} 25...Qxa1 26.Rd1 Rd8 27.Bg5 Qxd1+ 28.Bxd1 Rc8 29.Qd6 {leads to mate.} ) 26.Bg5 Bf6 ( {Or} 26...Rc8 27.Qxb7 ) 27.Bxf6 Rxf6 28.Rad1 ( 28.Rad1 Rc8 29.Qxb7 ) 1-0

[Event "Tradewise Masters"]
[Site "Gibraltar"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[ECO "B76"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7701975042078"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 {An aggressive choice.} 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.O-O-O {A solid line against the Dragon. Our readers remember that it was also the choice of the world champion in Tata Steel's probably most memorable game.} 9...d5 10.Qe1 e5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.exd5 Nxd5 13.Bc4 Be6 14.Kb1 ( {The main move is} 14.Ne4 {which could transpose to the game after} 14...Rb8 15.Kb1 Qc7 ) 14...Rb8 ( {Another move worked very well for Edouard in the following game:} 14...Re8 15.h4 ( {However} 15.Bb3 {was stronger.} ) 15...Qc7 16.Nxd5 cxd5 17.Bxd5 Bxd5 18.Rxd5 e4 $1 19.fxe4 Rxe4 20.Qd2 Bxb2 $1 21.Kxb2 Qb7+ 22.Ka1 Rxe3 {with strong initiative for a pawn, Navara,D (2735)-Edouard,R (2641) Drancy 2016} ) 15.Ne4 Qc7 {On his turn Nakamura avoids the most forcing lines after} ( 15...f5 ) 16.Bc5 Rfd8 17.g4 {The same French GM Edouard believes that White is somewhat better here.} 17...h6 {Black cannot tolerate the knight on e4 and prepares the f7-f5 advance.} 18.h4 f5 19.gxf5 gxf5 20.Ng3 Qf7 21.Bb3 Rd7 {[#]} 22.Ne2 $146 ( {Duda deviates from the predecessor:} 22.Qa5 Rbd8 23.Rd3 Nf4 ( {Most likely Black intended} 23...Kh7 {as in the game.} ) 24.Qxd8+ Rxd8 25.Rxd8+ Kh7 26.Rhd1 {with advantage for White, Wei,Y (2557)-Gagare,S (2419) Chongqing 2013} ) 22...Rbd8 23.h5 Kh7 24.Qa5 ( {Also interesting was} 24.Rg1 $5 Qxh5 25.Qf2 Qf7 ) 24...Nf4 $5 {Black spoils his pawn strcuture, but opens up the long diagonal for his bishop.} ( {The alternative was} 24...Nc7 25.Rxd7 ( 25.Rdg1 ) 25...Rxd7 {with the point that} 26.Qxa7 Bxb3 27.axb3 Qd5 {is good for Black.} ) 25.Rxd7 Rxd7 26.Nxf4 exf4 27.Qe1 {This seems a bit timid. The queen was standing well on the fifth rank. Two other moves deserved serious attention instead.} ( 27.Bf2 {opens the fifh rank at once. Rh1-e1 is on the agenda. After} 27...Qf6 ( {Or} 27...Bd5 28.Bxd5 ) 28.c3 Bd5 29.Bxd5 {White should be better.} ) ( {Also good was} 27.Bxe6 Qxe6 28.Bb4 {the active queen on a5 somehow keeps the black pieces away from the white king.} ) 27...Bd5 28.Bb4 {Another retreat and Black can show how active he is.} ( 28.Bxd5 Qxd5 {would be great for Black as well.} ) ( {However, it was not too late to activate the queen with} 28.Qh4 Bxb3 29.axb3 Qd5 30.Qf2 {when White stands well.} ) 28...c5 29.Bxd5 {Third inaccuracy in a row and Nakamura seizes the initiative for good.} ( {Correct was} 29.Bxc5 Qf6 30.c3 Bxf3 31.Rg1 Be4+ ( {Not} 31...Bxh5 $6 32.Qe6 ) 32.Ka1 Qe5 {with unclear position.} ) ( 29.Bc3 {is not good though due to} 29...c4 30.Ba4 Re7 31.Qd2 Bxf3 ) 29...Qxd5 30.Ba3 ( {Sure not} 30.Bc3 Bxc3 31.Qxc3 $4 Qd1+ 32.Rxd1 Rxd1# ) 30...Qxf3 31.Bxc5 Rb7 {The dream of all the Dragon players. The rook on the b-file and the bishop on the long diagonal merge their efforts to attack the white king. In addition, there is a dangerous passer on the f-file which can easily distract the white defenders.} 32.b3 ( 32.c3 $2 Bxc3 ) ( 32.Ba3 $2 Qxa3 ) 32...Qd5 33.Ba3 ( {More resilient seems to be} 33.Bf2 {although after} 33...Re7 $1 34.Qxe7 Qxh1+ 35.Be1 Qe4 36.Qb4 Qd4 $1 {Black should win as well.} ( 36...f3 ) ) 33...Qd4 34.c3 Qd3+ $1 ( {A pawn is too small of a price for the attack that Black has} 34...Qxc3 $2 35.Qxc3 Bxc3 36.Rd1 {would give White excellent surviving chances.} ) 35.Kb2 f3 ( 35...a5 $5 ) 36.Bc5 ( {If} 36.Rf1 Bxc3+ 37.Qxc3 Qxf1 {wins at once.} ) ( {White also cannot defend along the second rank due to} 36.Rh2 Rc7 37.Rc2 Rxc3 $1 38.Rxc3 Qxc3+ 39.Qxc3 Bxc3+ 40.Kxc3 f2 ) 36...f2 $1 {A nice deflection.} 37.Bxf2 ( {Black has winning position after} 37.Qc1 Rc7 38.b4 a5 39.a3 Qc4 ( {But not} 39...Bxc3+ 40.Qxc3 f1=Q 41.Rxf1 Qxf1 42.Qe5 {when nothing is clear.} ) ) 37...Re7 $1 {Another deflection. Duda was so impressed that allowed the checkmate for the joy of the audience.} 38.Qxe7 Qxc3+ 39.Ka3 Qa5# 0-1

[Event "80th Tata Steel GpA"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee NED"]
[Date "2018.01.24"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[Beauty "5567754023434"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.Bf4 Bf5 4.e3 e6 5.c4 Bxb1 {A lot of authors award this move with an exclamation mark and state that the resulting positions are equal. What will follow next did not come as a shocking surprise for either of the players.} 6.Qxb1 ( {The other main options are:} 6.Rxb1 Bb4+ 7.Ke2 ( {In my Megabase there are even 11 games featuring:} 7.Nd2 $4 Ne4 ) ) ( {And} 6.Qa4+ {which worked spectacularly well for Kamsky after} 6...b5 $2 7.cxb5 Be4 8.b6+ Nbd7 9.bxc7 Qe7 10.a3 {and White was already winning, Kamsky,G (2702) -Bortnyk,O (2348) ICC INT 2010} ) 6...Bb4+ 7.Kd1 Bd6 {Another exclamation mark according to the French GM Prie.} 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bxf6 {Carlsen deviates of an earlier game of these two.} ( {Some of our readers have probably followed this game live on the chess.com server:} 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3 Ne4 11.Qc2 g4 {with a fightful draw later, Carlsen,M (2832)-So,W (2815) chess.com INT 2017. Most likely both players analyzes extensively the arising positions.} ) 9...Qxf6 10.cxd5 $146 {Carlsen improves on a game played by...So!} ( {Obviously, the world champion did not quite like the position arising after:} 10.c5 Bf8 11.Qc2 c6 12.b4 a6 13.Bd3 Nd7 14.Ke2 g5 15.h3 Bg7 16.a4 Qe7 17.Rad1 O-O 18.g4 e5 {So,W (2822)-Wojtaszek,R (2745) Shamkir 2017} ) 10...exd5 11.e4 {The point behind White's play. In the Carlsbad pawn structure White does not even have a hint of an advantage.} 11...Be7 ( {Finally, a positive aspect behind the king's position on d1. In the line} 11...dxe4 $2 12.Qxe4+ {The move} 12...Qe7 {does not pin a white king on e1 and White can grab the pawn} 13.Qxb7 ) 12.Bb5+ {An important intermediate move.} ( {The immediate} 12.e5 {allos the queen to get on a better position with} 12...Qb6 ) 12...c6 13.e5 Qf4 ( 13...Qe6 {deserves attention as well with the same idea} 14.Bd3 c5 ) 14.Bd3 {Intending Kd1-e2 followed by g2-g3. Black cannot allow this.} 14...c5 $1 15.dxc5 ( {On} 15.Ke2 Nc6 $1 {is strong.} ) 15...Nc6 {It seems as Black easily hold the equality, and might even think of something more.} 16.Qc1 Qb4 ( {On} 16...Qg4 {White was likely planning} 17.h3 Qxg2 $2 18.Ke2 ) 17.a3 Qxc5 18.Ke2 {Carlsen still wants to get squeeze something out of the position.} ( 18.Qxc5 Bxc5 19.Ke2 Bb6 {is equal instead.} ) 18...Nd4+ ( {Perhaps better was} 18...Qb6 $5 {keeping the knights on the board.} ) 19.Nxd4 Qxd4 20.f4 O-O ( {After the obvious} 20...Bc5 {So probably disliked the fact the the white king gets too slippery:} 21.Qd2 ( 21.Rf1 O-O {is good for Black.} ) 21...O-O ( {Or} 21...Qf2+ 22.Kd1 Qd4 23.Kc2 Rc8 24.Kb3 ) 22.Kf3 f6 23.e6 {which leads to a better version of the game for White.} ) 21.Qd2 Qb6 22.Rhe1 ( 22.Kf3 $5 f6 23.e6 {might transpose} ) 22...f6 $1 {Once again Black wants to open the game and get access to the white king.} 23.e6 $1 {And once more Carlsen rejects the offer.} ( {After} 23.exf6 Bxf6 24.Rab1 {Black would seize the initiative with} 24...g5 ( {Or the preliminary} 24...Rae8+ 25.Kf1 g5 ) ) 23...Qxe6+ 24.Kf3 {For the pawn Carlsen got open files and diagonals for his pieces. He does not risk much with the opposite-colored bishops on the board. In fact So needs to be careful about White's initiative.} 24...Qd7 {Now White's initiative becomes frightening.} ( {Safer was:} 24...Qf7 25.Qe3 ( {Or} 25.Bf5 Kh8 ) 25...Bd6 ) 25.Rad1 Rad8 26.Qe3 Bd6 27.Bg6 f5 {If 24...Qd7 looked inaccurate, this seems wrong. Black practically loses a pawn.} ( {The endgame after} 27...Qc6 28.Qe6+ Kh8 29.Qxd5 Qxd5+ ( {However} 29...Qc7 $1 {would have kept the game even as both kings remain exposed.} ) 30.Rxd5 {is difficult for Black. He plays without a king.} ) 28.Qe6+ Qxe6 29.Rxe6 Bc5 ( {The lesser evil in comparison to} 29...Bc7 30.h4 {followed by h4-h5 when Black is paralyzed.} ( 30.Re7 $5 ) ) 30.Re5 Rf6 31.Bxf5 Bd6 ( {Maybe a better chance was} 31...Kf7 $5 32.Rexd5 Rxd5 33.Rxd5 Be7 {intending Rf6-d6.} ) 32.Rdxd5 ( {Not} 32.Rexd5 g6 ) 32...Kf7 ( {So correctly avoids the rook endgame after} 32...Bxe5 33.Rxd8+ Kf7 34.Rd7+ Ke8 35.fxe5 ( {Worse is} 35.g4 Bxb2 36.Rxb7 Rb6 $1 ) 35...Rxf5+ 36.Ke4 Rg5 37.Rxb7 Rxg2 38.b4 {when White should be winning.} ) 33.Re4 g6 34.Bg4 $1 {One of those little moves that make the big difference. Carlsen lures the pawn to h5 to stop the g6-g5 threat.} 34...h5 35.Bh3 Re8 36.Red4 {The world champion wants to keep both the rooks on board. But I wonder of he just did not miss Black's next.} ( 36.Rxe8 Kxe8 37.g3 {gives Black serious hopes to draw.} ) 36...Be5 $1 {A strong defensive resource. So makes it to the g6-g5 push.} 37.Rb4 ( {Or} 37.Rc4 g5 ) 37...g5 38.g3 b6 $1 ( {Weaker was} 38...g4+ 39.Bxg4 hxg4+ 40.Kxg4 Rg6+ 41.Kf3 Bd6 42.Rxb7+ Re7 {with four pawns for the piece White should be winning.} ) 39.Rd7+ ( 39.Bd7 Re7 40.Bb5 Bd6 ) 39...Kf8 40.Rh7 $1 {The only chance to play for a win. One way to fight the drawing tendences in the opposite-colored bishop endgame is to sacrifice the bishop!} ( {Black should hold after} 40.Rxa7 Bd6 41.Rc4 b5 42.Rc2 ( 42.Rd4 $2 Bc5 ) 42...gxf4 ) 40...g4+ 41.Bxg4 hxg4+ 42.Kxg4 Bd6 43.Rc4 a5 {One wrong move and So's fantastic defense fails.} ( {Strong was} 43...Rg6+ $1 {with the idea} 44.Kf3 ( {Or} 44.Kf5 Rg7 45.Rh8+ Kf7 46.Rxe8 Kxe8 ) 44...Bc5 $1 45.Rxa7 Re3+ 46.Kg2 Re2+ {when Black should have enough counter-play.} ) 44.Rc6 {Now Carlsen wins fourth pawn for the piece.} 44...Kg8 45.Rb7 Be5 46.Rcxb6 Rxb6 47.Rxb6 Bd4 48.Rb5 {It is funny that the computers evaluate the position as approximately equal. The human understands though that any of the pawns can become a queen and that they cannot be stopped from moving.} 48...Re2 49.b3 ( {Stronger than} 49.h4 Rxb2 50.Rxa5 Rb3 51.Kh5 {when} 51...Rf3 $1 {complicates matters.} ( {Rather than} 51...Rxg3 52.Rg5+ Rxg5+ 53.hxg5 {which wins for White.} ) ) 49...Rxh2 ( {More resilient is} 49...a4 50.Rb4 Bg1 51.Rxa4 Bxh2 ) 50.Rxa5 Re2 51.Rd5 Bb2 52.a4 {The pawns got into motion.} 52...Bc3 53.Kf5 Re8 54.g4 Rf8+ 55.Ke4 Rb8 56.Rb5 {Any time the rooks are traded it is game over.} 56...Re8+ ( 56...Rxb5 $2 57.axb5 ) 57.Kd3 Be1 58.a5 {The rest is fine technical work by the world champion.} 58...Bf2 59.b4 Re3+ 60.Kc4 Re4+ 61.Kb3 Kf7 ( 61...Rxf4 62.Rf5 $1 ) 62.Re5 Rd4 63.b5 Rd3+ 64.Kc2 Rg3 65.g5 Bd4 66.Rd5 Be3 67.Rd3 Rg2+ 68.Kb3 Bc1 ( {Or} 68...Bxf4 69.Rf3 Rg4 70.a6 Kg6 71.Rxf4 Rxf4 72.a7 ) 69.b6 Ke6 70.Rd4 Rb2+ 71.Ka4 Kf5 72.Rb4 Ra2+ 73.Kb5 Bxf4 {Now it all ends with a small a la Capablanca combination.} 74.Rxf4+ $1 Kxf4 75.b7 1-0

[Event "80th Tata Steel GpA"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee NED"]
[Date "2018.01.26"]
[Round "11.4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8180436307464"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 Nxd5 {The improved Tarrasch was not really a surprise for the five-time world champion.} 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 c5 7.Rb1 {A fashionable choice. It stops the standard trade of the dark-squared bishops via the b4 square. "I would not say that it can revitalize the line, but at least it is playable." (Anand)} 7...Be7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Bc4 Nc6 ( {Another plan is} 9...Qc7 10.Qe2 a6 11.O-O b5 12.Bd3 Bb7 13.a4 bxa4 14.Bf4 {and White was already much better in Carlsen,M (2832) -So,W (2815) chess.com INT 2017} ) 10.O-O b6 11.Be3 Bb7 12.Qe2 cxd4 13.cxd4 Rc8 14.Rfd1 Qc7 15.d5 {"Still prep. We thought this is pleasant for White."(Anand) The central break is probably Black's main problem in this whole opening.} ( {Part of the prep was the line arising after} 15.Rbc1 Qb8 16.d5 exd5 17.Bxd5 Nb4 ) 15...Ne5 {"I somehow could not remember what to do after this." (Anand)} 16.Bb5 ( {"The problem with} 16.Nxe5 Qxe5 17.dxe6 {is} 17...Qxe4 18.exf7+ Kh8 19.f3 Qxc4 20.Qxc4 Rxc4 21.Rd7 Bc5 22.Bxc5 Rxc5 23.Rxb7 {is} 23...Ra5 24.Rb2 ( {White can also try to double on the seventh rank with} 24.Re1 g6 25.Ree7 {but this should also lead to a draw after} 25...Rxa2 26.Rxa7 Rxa7 27.Rxa7 Kg7 28.Rb7 Rxf7 29.Rxb6 ) 24...g6 {"followed by Kh8-g7xf7 with equality" (Anand)} ) 16...exd5 ( {Perhaps better was not to hurry with the trade and go} 16...Nxf3+ $5 17.Qxf3 Bd6 {at once.} ) 17.exd5 Nxf3+ 18.Qxf3 Bc5 $146 {Up to here all of this was seen in a correspondence game.} ( 18...Qd6 19.Bf4 Qg6 20.Bd3 f5 21.Qg3 Qxg3 22.hxg3 Bxd5 23.Ba6 Bxa2 24.Bxc8 Rxc8 25.Ra1 {and White eventually won, Grego, L (2217)-Andersen,J (2258) corr. 2011} ) ( {On} 18...Bd6 {Anand was planning} 19.h4 {followed by h4-h5. The idea is to force h7-h7 "which is a concession" and then "harass" the black king with a battery along the b1-h7 diagonal.} ) ( {White is better also after} 18...a6 19.Rbc1 ( {The preliminary} 19.Bf4 Bd6 20.Rbc1 Qb8 21.Bxd6 Qxd6 22.Bc6 {might be even stronger.} ) 19...Bc5 20.Bxc5 bxc5 21.Bc4 {(Anand)} ) 19.Rbc1 Qe7 {"A clever idea!" (Anand)} ( {Hou avoids} 19...Rfd8 20.Bg5 {(Anand)} ) 20.Bf4 ( {"It is a pity that} 20.Bxc5 Rxc5 21.d6 {does not work, due to} 21...Bxf3 ( {Not} 21...Qg5 22.Rxc5 Bxf3 23.Rxg5 Bxd1 24.Re5 {followed by d6-d7 and Re5-e8 and wins.} ) 22.dxe7 Bxd1 23.Rxd1 Rxb5 24.f4 $1 f6 25.Rd8 Re8 $1 26.Rxe8+ Kf7 27.Rg8 Kxe7 28.Rxg7+ Ke6 29.Rxa7 Kf5 {and White has no winning chances." (Anand)} ( {Or} 29...h5 ) ) 20...Bd6 21.Bc6 {The Indian GM was not sure that he had exactly this position in the prep, but he remembered that the d-pawn was somehow landing on c6. Thus he was confident.} 21...Bxf4 ( {The other defensive set up is} 21...Rc7 22.Qg3 Bxf4 23.Qxf4 Qd8 24.Bxb7 Rxb7 25.d6 {although White is clearly better here.} ) ( {And letting the pawn come to c7 with a bishop protecting does not seem like a great idea either:} 21...Bxc6 22.dxc6 Bc5 23.c7 ) 22.Qxf4 Bxc6 23.dxc6 Qc7 ( {The former world champion also mentioned the other defensive set-up:} 23...Rfd8 24.Rxd8+ Qxd8 25.c7 Qd7 26.h4 {when Black can sit and wait, or go for the active queenside pawn-push with} 26...h6 27.g3 b5 28.Rc5 a5 29.Kh2 Kh7 30.h5 {Anand was not sure of Black can survive this at all, but he was sure that even if this is possible none will ever repeat this again... On a hindsight, this was Hou's best chance.} ) 24.Rd6 $1 {Saving an active rook on the d-file is essential for White's winning strategy.} 24...Rcd8 25.Rcd1 h6 ( {Or} 25...Rxd6 26.Rxd6 Rd8 27.Rxd8+ Qxd8 28.h4 ) 26.g3 {To defend the queen and open air for the king.} ( 26.h4 $5 ) 26...Rxd6 27.Rxd6 Rc8 ( {Similar would be} 27...Re8 28.Qd4 ) 28.Qe5 {Now White uses the method of the two weaknesses to secure the win. Weakness number one for the opponent is the strong passer that he has on c6. It keeps the black pieces busy and allows White a chance to use weakness number two: the black king.} ( 28.Qf5 {"was winning as well" (Anand)} ) 28...b5 {Loses by force, but it is impossible to offer good advise to Black.} ( {There is no escape in the rook endgame after} 28...Kf8 29.Qd5 Qe7 30.Rd7 Qe6 31.Qxe6 fxe6 32.c7 {(Anand)} ) ( {nor in the queen edngame after} 28...Rd8 29.Rxd8+ Qxd8 30.c7 Qd1+ 31.Kg2 Qd7 32.Qc3 Qc8 33.Qc6 ) 29.Qd5 Kh7 30.Qe4+ Kg8 ( {Or mating attack after} 30...g6 31.Rd7 Qxc6 32.Rxf7+ Kg8 33.Qe7 ) 31.Rd7 Qa5 ( 31...Qxc6 32.Rd8+ $1 ) 32.c7 Rf8 33.Qe7 1-0

[Event "80th Tata Steel GpA TB"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee NED"]
[Date "2018.01.28"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[ECO "A15"]
[EventDate "2018.01.28"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[Beauty "6670218428422"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

{[Annotations by Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.b3 d5 4.Bb2 Be7 5.e3 O-O 6.Nc3 c5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Nxd5 ( {Carlsen deviates from an earlier game of his:} 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.h4 h6 10.g4 Nxc3 11.dxc3 e5 12.g5 h5 13.Bc4 Be6 14.Bxe6 fxe6 15.Nd2 {Carlsen, M (2840)-Ganguly,S (2668) Doha 2016} ) 8...exd5 9.d4 Qa5+ $146 ( 9...Nc6 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.a3 Bg4 12.Be2 {Votava,J (2522) -Froewis,G (2463) Austria 2016} ) 10.Qd2 Qxd2+ 11.Kxd2 Nc6 12.dxc5 Bxc5 {Carlsen got "his" type of position. An IQP in an endgame always means a slight, long-term advantage without any counterplay for the opponent.} 13.Bb5 Bb4+ 14.Ke2 Be6 15.Rac1 Rac8 ( 15...Rfc8 {is more precise with the idea to meet} 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Ne5 c5 18.Nd3 a5 19.a3 {with} 19...c4 {and the rook on a8 will get into the game soon. For example} 20.bxc4 dxc4 21.Nxb4 axb4 22.axb4 Ra2 $1 ) 16.Rhd1 {Carlsen is sticking to his plan of mounting pressure against the isolani.} ( {Here} 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Ne5 c5 18.Nd3 a5 19.a3 c4 20.bxc4 dxc4 21.Nxb4 axb4 22.axb4 {would have been good for White. It is not certain though that he could win.} ) 16...Be7 17.h3 a6 18.Bd3 Nb4 19.Bb1 Rxc1 20.Rxc1 Rc8 21.Rd1 $1 {An instructive move. This rook will always be better than its counterpart.} ( 21.Rxc8+ Bxc8 {would have made Black's defense easier.} ) 21...Nc6 22.g4 {Very classical play. One idea is to push the kingside pawns thus removing the black bishop on e6 from its optimal position. Another is to open the road for his own bishops later.} 22...h6 23.Nd4 Nxd4+ 24.Bxd4 Ba3 25.f4 f6 ( {Giri could have taken the chance to swap the rooks off with} 25...Rc1 $5 26.Rxc1 Bxc1 {and his defense seems a bit easier then.} ) 26.Bg6 Kf8 27.Kf3 Ke7 28.h4 Bb4 29.Bd3 Bd7 30.e4 {A sudden change of the rhythm. Instead of a weak black pawn, a strong white bishop.} 30...Bc3 ( {Safer was:} 30...dxe4+ 31.Bxe4 Bc6 32.Be3 {and now say} 32...Ba3 $5 {in comparison to the game this would have allowed the nasty pin along the c-file.} ) 31.Bf2 Bc6 32.exd5 Bxd5+ 33.Be4 Bxe4+ 34.Kxe4 {With the obvious intention to get on the g6 square with his king.} 34...Ke6 $1 {Blocking the white's king way in.} 35.f5+ Ke7 36.Rc1 Rc6 {Breaks the pin but at the expense of other weaknesses.} ( {Giri should have tried to hold the position with} 36...Rc7 37.Bd4 Ba5 38.Rxc7+ Bxc7 39.Kd5 Bg3 {although I am not sure he can survive here either. The white pieces are too active and the weakness on g7 ties the black king to its defense.} ) ( {Instead} 36...b5 37.Bd4 b4 38.h5 $5 {followed by a capture on c3 and Ke4-d3 would have lost a pawn for Black.} ) 37.Kd3 Bb4 38.Rxc6 bxc6 39.Kc4 {Now there are too many targets into the black camp: a6, c6 and g7 and Carlsen easily finds a way in.} 39...Bd6 40.Bc5 Kd7 41.h5 $1 {Fixing the target.} 41...Bf4 42.Bf8 Ke8 43.Bc5 ( 43.Bxg7 Kf7 44.Bxh6 ( {Weaker is} 44.Bh8 Bd6 45.b4 Be7 46.a4 Bf8 {Just waiting.} ( {But not} 46...Kg8 47.Bxf6 Bxf6 48.Kc5 Be7+ 49.Kb6 $1 {and White wins.} ) ) 44...Bxh6 45.Kc5 a5 46.Kxc6 Bd2 {and the computer claims it is a draw.} ) 43...Kd7 44.Kb4 {The king will get in through the a5 square.} 44...Bd2+ 45.Ka4 Kc7 46.b4 Bf4 47.Bf8 Kb6 48.Bxg7 Bg5 49.Bf8 Bf4 50.Be7 Bg5 51.Kb3 {The world champion saw a clear way to break the fortress.} ( 51.Bc5+ Kc7 52.Bd4 {followed by Ka4-a5 would do the job as well.} ) 51...Kc7 52.Kc4 Kd7 53.Bc5 Kc7 54.Kd3 Kd7 55.Be3 {[Annotations by Dejan Bojkov]} 1-0

[Event "80th Tata Steel GpA TB"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee NED"]
[Date "2018.01.28"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[ECO "C53"]
[EventDate "2018.01.28"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "6255351440919"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

{[Annotations by Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O a6 7.Re1 Ba7 8.Bb3 O-O 9.h3 h6 10.Nbd2 Re8 11.Nf1 Be6 12.Bc2 d5 13.Qe2 ( {White did not get much after} 13.exd5 Bxd5 14.Ng3 Qd7 15.Ne4 Nxe4 16.dxe4 Be6 17.Qxd7 Bxd7 18.a4 f6 {Onischuk,V (2637)-Anand, V (2782) Riadh 2017} ) 13...dxe4 14.dxe4 Qe7 15.Ng3 Rad8 16.Nh4 Qf8 17.Nhf5 $146 {A novelty.} ( 17.Qf3 Nh7 ( 17...Kh7 $5 ) 18.Nhf5 Bxf5 19.Nxf5 ( {White would be better after} 19.exf5 $1 ) 19...Ne7 20.Ba4 {with some advantage for White in Tobyas,M (2290)-Krupkova,P (2285) Czechia 1997} ) 17...Ne7 $1 18.Ne3 Ng6 {With this regroupment Carlsen solved all his problems on the kingside.} 19.Ngf5 Nf4 20.Qf3 c6 ( 20...g6 $5 ) 21.Ng4 Nxg4 22.hxg4 ( 22.Qxg4 g6 ) 22...g6 23.Bxf4 $1 {A sign of courage. Giri needs to win no matter what.} ( {The knight cannot leave:} 23.Ng3 Qe7 {followed by Qe7-g5 is awkward for White.} ) 23...exf4 24.Qxf4 {The point behind the previous move.} 24...gxf5 25.gxf5 Qg7 $1 {A very practical choice. Carlsen returns the piece but stops the attack. Despite the pawn deficit he should not be much worse due to the opposite-colored bishops.} ( 25...Bc8 26.f6 {followed by e4-e5 and attack on the b1-h7 diagonal and the g-file would be extremely difficult to hold (if possible).} ) 26.fxe6 Rxe6 ( {Objectively better was to open the f-file at once with} 26...fxe6 $5 27.Bb3 Qg5 28.Qxg5+ ( {If} 28.Qf3 Kg7 {followed by Re8-f8.} ) 28...hxg5 ) 27.Rad1 Rde8 ( {Black's task is more difficult after} 27...Rxd1 28.Rxd1 Qg5 29.g3 ) 28.Re2 Qg5 29.Qf3 {Instinctively, Giri tries to keep the queens on the board, but this is not best here.} ( {White would have kept winning chances with} 29.g3 $1 {For example} 29...Qxf4 30.gxf4 Rf6 31.Rd7 Rxf4 32.Rxb7 Bb8 33.Kf1 ) 29...Rf6 30.Qh3 Qf4 31.Rf1 Re5 {It is Black who takes over the initiative and this is all that matters in the opposite-colored bishop middlegames.} 32.Qh2 Qg5 33.g3 {Now White stands on the edge of the abyss.} ( {Better was} 33.Rd1 Rf4 34.g3 ) 33...Qg4 34.Rd2 Rg5 {All of a sudden g3 cannot be held.} 35.e5 ( {In a blitz game (and not only) one can get easily checkmated after} 35.Kg2 $2 Qf3+ 36.Kg1 Rxg3+ ) ( {Also bad is} 35.Kh1 $2 Rh5 ) ( {Objectively best was} 35.Bd1 {when Black can keep on playing for a win with} 35...Qf4 $1 ( {Or rather force a draw with} 35...Qxg3+ 36.Qxg3 Rxg3+ 37.Kh2 Rg5 ) ) 35...Rxe5 {Solid. The world champion is leaving his opponent no match chances.} ( {In fact} 35...Rf3 $1 36.Kg2 Rh5 37.Qg1 Rf4 $1 {would have won for Black.} ) 36.Bd1 Qg5 37.Rd3 Ref5 38.Qh4 {In the final position it is Black who is playing for a win. [Annotations by Dejan Bojkov]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Fischer Random Blitz 2018"]
[Site "Baerum NOR"]
[Date "2018.02.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[EventDate "2018.02.09"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[Beauty "8246337208321"]
[EventType "blitz"]

{followed by 0-0-0 is a plan as well. Perhaps Black should have waited with this move, doing something useful like and only after say then jump It is always good for Black to have the e4 outpost available for the knight. Safer was followed by 0-0-0 and approximate equality. White already has some pull in the line Strong was} 
1.g3 f5 2.f4 g6 {Apparently, a pattern. When the two bishops are on adjacent diagonals, just open them up. Especially if one of the diagonals is a long one.} 3.Nc3 d5 4.d4 c6 {Then try to block the opponent's bishops as soon as possible. Now the position resembles the Stonewall. The mutual Stonewall. Error reading move: Nd3 Nakamura adopts a set-up which was the beloved weapon of Tigran Petrosian against the Stonewall (with reversed colors). Both knights control the huge outpost on e4. A clever maneuver in return by Carlsen. In the usual Stonewall this bishop is transferred from c1 via d2 and e1 to h4. Now it is the other way around: eventually on b4. In either case it wants out. To provoke the advance of the h-pawn and block White's options there. Very brave! Nakamura castles into White's attack. The match situation obliges him to play sharp. This retreat lets the initiative completely into Carlsen's hands.} 1-0

[Event "Fischer Random Blitz 2018"]
[Site "Baerum NOR"]
[Date "2018.02.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[EventDate "2018.02.09"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[Beauty "8246337208321"]
[EventType "blitz"]

{followed by 0-0-0 is a plan as well. Perhaps Black should have waited with this move, doing something useful like and only after say then jump It is always good for Black to have the e4 outpost available for the knight. Safer was followed by 0-0-0 and approximate equality. White already has some pull in the line Strong was} 
1.g3 f5 2.f4 g6 {Apparently, a pattern. When the two bishops are on adjacent diagonals, just open them up. Especially if one of the diagonals is a long one.} 3.Nc3 d5 4.d4 c6 {Then try to block the opponent's bishops as soon as possible. Now the position resembles the Stonewall. The mutual Stonewall. Error reading move: Nd3 Nakamura adopts a set-up which was the beloved weapon of Tigran Petrosian against the Stonewall (with reversed colors). Both knights control the huge outpost on e4. A clever maneuver in return by Carlsen. In the usual Stonewall this bishop is transferred from c1 via d2 and e1 to h4. Now it is the other way around: eventually on b4. In either case it wants out. To provoke the advance of the h-pawn and block White's options there. Very brave! Nakamura castles into White's attack. The match situation obliges him to play sharp. This retreat lets the initiative completely into Carlsen's hands.} 1-0

[Event "Tradewise Masters"]
[Site "Gibraltar"]
[Date "2018.02.01"]
[Round "18.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[ECO "D00"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7014373657111"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.Nb5 Na6 {This position can arise from the Chigorin defense with reversed colors.} 6.e3 c6 {The French GM deviates from an earlier game of them.} ( {At the World Cup Vachier-Lagrave chose:} 6...O-O 7.h3 c6 8.Nc3 Nc7 9.Be2 Bf5 10.O-O Rc8 11.Bh2 Ne4 12.Nxe4 Bxe4 {and the game eventually ended in a draw, Aronian,L (2799)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2804) Tbilisi 2017} ) 7.Nc3 O-O {Allows the doubling of the pawns.} ( {Perhaps a better choice would be} 7...Nc7 {At least from practical point of view. In a blitz game it is easy to miss a strategical nuance.} ) 8.Bxa6 bxa6 9.h3 Nd7 $146 {A novelty. The idea is to free himself as quick as possible with c6-c5.} ( {An earlier game saw} 9...Bb7 10.g4 $2 ( {Most likely Aronian would have played as in the game with} 10.O-O ) 10...Rc8 11.Na4 Nd7 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.Bxe5 Bxe5 14.dxe5 c5 {with large advantage for Black, Tippach,G-Kobs, R Wuerzburg 1987} ) 10.O-O Bb7 {That is the strategical inaccuracy that I mentioned earlier. Now Aronian manages to clamp the dark squares.} ( {Better was} 10...a5 {with the idea to save a tempo after} 11.Na4 Ba6 12.Re1 Rc8 {Now} 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 Bxe5 15.dxe5 c5 {is nothing to worry about.} ) 11.Na4 {White's plan is to trade amost all the light pieces and to keep a good knight versus light-sqaured bishop.} 11...Rc8 ( {Here} 11...a5 {comes too short. After} 12.Ne5 $1 Nxe5 13.Bxe5 f6 ( {Or} 13...Bxe5 14.dxe5 Qc7 15.Qd4 {with dark-squared blockade.} ) 14.Bg3 {White gets big advantage.} ) 12.b4 {Everything is just in time.} 12...a5 13.Nc5 Nxc5 14.bxc5 Ba6 15.Re1 a4 ( {If} 15...Re8 16.Qd2 f6 {with the idea e7-e5, then} 17.Qc3 ) 16.Qd2 {A subtle move.} ( {This is better than} 16.e4 dxe4 17.Rxe4 Bc4 ) 16...Bb5 17.e4 dxe4 18.Rxe4 Bc4 19.Bh6 {Everything is according to the plan to swap off the unnecessary light pieces.} 19...Bxh6 $6 {A second innaccuracy after which Black's position becomes incredibly difficult.} ( {Vachier-Lagrave would have been to happy his bishop for the knight. However, the line} 19...Bd5 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Rh4 h5 22.Ne5 {Looks too scary for a blitz game. Had Black a bit more time on the clock though he would have probably spotted} 22...f6 23.Nd3 g5 $1 24.Rxh5 Bf7 {trapping the rook.} ) 20.Qxh6 f6 21.Nd2 {White's advantage is undispituable now. He has more active pieces and much more favourable pawn structure.} 21...Bd5 22.Re3 Rb8 23.c4 Bf7 24.Re4 {Solid play.} ( {Although good enough was} 24.Rae1 Qxd4 25.Re4 Qd3 ( 25...Qxc5 {loses to} 26.Rh4 ) 26.Rxe7 ( {Not} 26.Rh4 g5 ) ) 24...g5 ( {Perhaps the passive defense after} 24...Be8 25.Rae1 Rf7 {was more resilient.} ) 25.Rae1 e5 ( {After} 25...Rb7 {White would throw the h-pawn into the attack} 26.h4 {For example} 26...Bg6 27.R4e2 Qxd4 28.Rxe7 Rxe7 29.Rxe7 f5 30.h5 {with a win.} ) 26.dxe5 {Not even a sacrifice.} 26...Bg6 ( {Since} 26...Qxd2 27.exf6 {leads to mate.} ) 27.R4e2 Rb2 {Vachier-Lagrave seeks tactical chances.} ( {Or} 27...fxe5 28.Nf3 ) 28.Nf3 Rxe2 ( {Nothing changes} 28...a3 29.exf6 Qxf6 30.Re6 Qf5 31.Re7 ) 29.Rxe2 fxe5 30.Rxe5 Qd1+ 31.Re1 Qc2 32.a3 {In a won position Aronian keeps making the most solid choices.} ( {The alternative was:} 32.Qxg5 Qxa2 ( 32...Qxc4 ) 33.h4 Rf5 34.Re8+ Rf8 35.Rxf8+ Kxf8 36.h5 {when White should win.} ) 32...Qxc4 33.Qxg5 Rf5 34.Re8+ $1 Kg7 ( {Or} 34...Rf8 35.Rxf8+ Kxf8 36.Qf6+ Kg8 37.Nd4 {followed by Nd4-e6(f5)} ) 35.Qe7+ Kh6 36.Qe3+ Qf4 ( {Since otherwise the attack is decisive-} 36...Kg7 37.Nd4 ) 37.Qxf4+ ( 37.Nd4 $5 Rf6 38.g3 ) 37...Rxf4 38.Re6 Rc4 39.Rxc6 {Now all the queenside pawns diasapear.} 39...Kg7 ( {Perhaps Black should have tried} 39...Rc3 40.Ra6 Rxa3 {although here too White wins after} 41.Nd4 ) 40.Ne5 Rc1+ 41.Kh2 Be4 42.Ra6 Rxc5 43.Rxa7+ Kg8 44.Nd7 Rf5 45.Rxa4 Bc6 46.Rg4+ Kf7 47.Nb8 Bb7 48.f3 Rb5 49.Rb4 Rxb4 50.axb4 {Black resigned since the knight escapes.} ( 50.axb4 Ke7 51.b5 ) 1-0

[Event "FRchess"]
[Site "Hovikodden, Norway"]
[Date "2018.02.09"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[Beauty "6597069766656"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[TimeControl "600"]

{It was quite tempting to develop the knights with tempos: Here after the possible (My awesome Komodo actually does play these moves!) it will be almost a perfect Dragon (or KID if you like). There was nothing wrong with Better seems to strike the center at once with with approximate equality. Black would be doing great after The other capture was also possible- Apparently Carlsen disliked the closed distance between his king and the white queen after But the sharp (and non-forced) line after trapping the white rook, proves that the line is playable for the second player. More precise was with advantage for White.} 
1.e4 {The Sicilian it is ;) A Maroczy bind attempt. And a typical attack of it. A provocative decision. Carlsen wants to keep the dark-squared bishop, but this could later embarrass the queen along the h6-c1 diagonal. In the meantime, the e5-square is secured for the black knight. A witty idea in return. Nakamura brings the rook into the game in a \"French\" way. Played without prejudicies.} ( {In the break between the games, the Chess.com live audience took on Yasser Seirawan in the #ChallengeYasser segement of the live broadcast. It went like this:} 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 e6 {Error reading move: Nb3} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "FRchess"]
[Site "Hovikodden, Norway"]
[Date "2018.02.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "6"]
[Beauty "6597069766657"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[TimeControl "600"]

{Nothing yields The position would slowly equalize after Better than with a slight advantage for White. Better was with slight advantage for the first player thanks to his extra space and better bishop. Of course not was playable though. Bad was with a nasty pin on the eight rank. However, there was an argument for the immediate rook activity with For example which is an improved version of the game for Carlsen. Worse was when White's position becomes critical. was more precise and White should hold after Not with equality. would have left White off the hook after Say Carlsen a misses golden opportunity. was most likely winning. It is counter-intuitive to let the pawn run, but Black has strong attack which prevails even a future queen. For example:} 
1.f3 c6 2.c4 e5 3.d4 d6 {Error reading move: Bd3 The only way to fight for the initiative. It seems that White is better prepared for the arising endgame. The black queenside pieces seem especially awkward, while all White needs to do is to bring his kingside rook out. But here Nakamura goes astray. A very strong idea! The rook gets into the game and this compensates for the crippled pawn structure. Initiative is the key word! Carlsen simply wants mate. Another great decision. The only move. The black rooks should not be allowed on the second rank.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "FRchess"]
[Site "Hovikodden, Norway"]
[Date "2018.02.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "2"]
[Beauty "8246337208320"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]

{More flexible was the preliminary White also has a different development with} 
1.d4 d5 {Error reading move: Nb3 Just like in the first game, Nakamura is eager to bring his rook out as early as on move three. Somewhat inaccurate.} 0-1

[Event "FRchess"]
[Site "Hovikodden, Norway"]
[Date "2018.02.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "2"]
[Beauty "8246337208320"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]

{Nakamura could (should?) have prepared the advance of the f-pawn with the obvious instead. White will keep the position blocked after (Carlsen) Better seemed which keeps White's position intact. Here is not as convincing as allows too much activity for the black pieces. Carlsen believed that White should have chosen when he has a choice between} 
1.e4 e5 {Error reading move: Nb3 Carlsen explained this decison with the fact the white knight on b3 is far away from the d5 square, and if the bishop tries to go to c4 it can be harassed by the b7 pawn. So far in this match one very obvious difference to regular chess is the usage of the rooks. Both sides often try to make use of the initial position to avoid castling. Indeed, here both kings have practically castled and the rooks can be more useful on the h-files. \"I did not want to allow his pawn to h5.\" (Carlsen) Provokes White's next. A risky decision. White gets a strong center but weakens his kingside as well as the h-pawn. In order to destroy the center as soon as possible. An inaccuracy. Nakamura sacrifices his h-pawn hoping that the strong center will compensate for it. An important move. The bishop will exclude the heavy white pieces from the game.} 0-1

[Event "FRchess"]
[Site "Hovikodden, Norway"]
[Date "2018.02.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "7"]
[Beauty "8246337208321"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]

{Another way to develop is The other way to block the battery is less good: as after White has a clear point of happiness on d5. asks for too much and gets way too little after Perhaps Nakumura should have just castled White is obviously worried about the opponent's attack after also looked very promising for Black. The computer finds loads of tactics after Most likely both players simply dismissed the line after this move, but it ain't over yet: gives White three pawns for a piece. True, Black should be still in the driver's seat at the end of this line. Obviously wrong was when there is no compensation for the rook. There is no time to transfer the knight to the center-} 
1.f4 f6 2.e4 e5 {Both sides decided to logically open diagonals for their bishops at once.} 3.fxe5 fxe5 4.Nc3 {Error reading move: Ne6 A provocative decision. Nakamura wastes too much time for maneuvering. The exclamation mark comes to mark the first long castle in the match. Somehow unnoticeably Black managed to place his pieces more harmoniously than his opponent. Unambiguously staring at the black king. Very classical play. The white king is still in the center and therefore Black opens the road for his pieces. In case you're wondering what the heck is this: White is preparing short castling!} 0-1

[Event "FRchess"]
[Site "Hovikodden, Norway"]
[Date "2018.02.12"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "6"]
[Beauty "8246337212417"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]

{Wisely rejecting when Black enjoys great compensation for the pawn. Black should have settled for with approximate equality. The immediate was good as well when is not a good idea after} 
1.d4 f5 2.f4 g5 $1 3.fxg5 h6 {How to name this? The Kingside Benko Gambit? Error reading move: Ndc3 Nakamura wants it all, but probably missed White's next. Apparently, there is a Counter-Kingside Benko Gambit in the Fischerandom. And it is very efficient! The point behind the previous move. The center has fallen into White's hands. Carlsen's strategy was a huge success. He controls almost all the central squares and the extra black pawn is doubled and useless. In fact both of them are most likely going west. This prevents the long castling, but was not necessary.} 0-1

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.03.31"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[ECO "E61"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "5157068740652"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 {An Anti-Gruenfeld line.} 3...Bg7 ( {White scores well after} 3...d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nb6 6.Nc3 Bg7 {One recent example saw} 7.h3 O-O 8.Be3 Nc6 9.Bb5 f5 10.Qb3+ Kh8 11.Rd1 {Le,Q (2739)-Maghsoodloo,P (2569) Ashkhabad 2017} ) 4.e3 O-O 5.Be2 d6 6.Nc3 {This position, which was tried a few times by Alexander Grischuk, is more commonly seen with reversed colors, known as the KIA (King's Indian Attack). A side-weapon against the 2...e6 Sicilian and the French.} 6...Nc6 {Provoking White's next.} ( {The typical plan for Black was tried previously by Caruana (!). It runs:} 6...Nbd7 7.O-O e5 8.Qc2 Re8 9.Rd1 e4 10.Nd2 Qe7 11.b4 Nf8 12.Bb2 h5 13.Rac1 Bf5 {when Black attacks on the kingside and White tries to breakthrough on the other wing, Grischuk,A (2785)-Caruana,F (2779) Elancourt 2013} ) 7.d5 ( {White can also proceed with the development:} 7.O-O e5 8.d5 Ne7 9.b4 a5 10.bxa5 Rxa5 11.Nd2 Nd7 12.Nb3 Ra8 13.a4 {as in Kuzubov,Y (2638) -Onischuk,V (2614) Lvov 2016} ) 7...Nb4 8.a3 ( {One of the earliest GM games saw instead:} 8.O-O a5 9.e4 e6 10.h3 Re8 11.dxe6 Bxe6 12.Re1 Bd7 13.Bd3 a4 14.a3 Nxd3 15.Qxd3 Be6 16.Nd5 {with approximate equality, Lobron,E (2485)-Romanishin,O (2560) Reggio Emilia 1986} ) 8...Na6 9.Nd4 ( {Apparently, there is no time for:} 9.b4 $2 Nxd5 ) 9...e5 10.dxe6 $146 {A novelty.} ( {Black did great in the predecessor:} 10.Nc2 Nc5 11.b4 Nb3 12.Rb1 Nxc1 13.Rxc1 Nd7 14.O-O f5 15.Na4 a5 {and was already better in Breutigam,M (2340) -Brendel,O (2375) Germany 1996} ) 10...fxe6 11.O-O ( {It made sense to postpone the castling in order to put pressure along the d-file with:} 11.Nb3 $5 {Now the game plan by the world champion will not be as effective.} 11...e5 12.e4 c6 13.Be3 Nc7 14.Qd2 Ne6 15.Rd1 {and the pressure along the central file is annoying.} ) 11...e5 ( 11...Nc5 $5 ) 12.Nb3 c6 {With the obvious intention of d6-d5.} 13.e4 {Caruana stops this but weakens the d4 outpost in the process.} 13...Nc7 {This is where Carlsen's knight is heading to.} 14.f4 {One more move and the knight will never see the d4 light, but it makes it just in time.} ( {Here the pressure along the d-file comes a move short-} 14.Qd3 Ne6 15.Rd1 {due to the tactical defense} 15...Qb6 $1 16.Na4 Qc7 {And if} 17.Qxd6 $2 Qxd6 18.Rxd6 Nxe4 {wins material for Black.} ) 14...Ne6 15.f5 Nd4 {The knight had made quite a career. Carlsen comfortably solved all his opening problems and can even think about taking over the initiative.} 16.Be3 ( {Tactics seem to work again well for Black:} 16.Nxd4 exd4 17.Qxd4 Ng4 18.Qd2 Qb6+ {Now the tricky:} 19.c5 $5 ( {Not} 19.Kh1 Nf2+ 20.Rxf2 ( 20.Kg1 $4 Nh3+ 21.Kh1 Qg1+ 22.Rxg1 Nf2# ) 20...Qxf2 {with solid extra exchange for Black.} ) 19...Qxc5+ 20.Kh1 {will be refuted with the calm} 20...gxf5 $1 {when Black is better.} ( {White's idea is revealed in the line:} 20...Nf2+ $4 21.Rxf2 Qxf2 22.Bc4+ {the c4 pawn freed this square.} ) ) 16...Nxe2+ $1 {After such a march, this? However, the knight is given for a superior cause. Black gets better control of the center in addition to the bishop pair, and the position becomes asymmetrical and this further increases the value of the long-ranged bishops.} ( {In comparison the obvious} 16...c5 17.g4 {leaves the black knight defended, but without any support. Or we should better call it decorative?} ) 17.Qxe2 gxf5 $1 18.exf5 d5 {Now a more or less forcing line follows.} 19.cxd5 ( {Worse is} 19.Rad1 d4 20.Bg5 Qb6 ) 19...cxd5 20.Rad1 d4 21.Bg5 Qb6 22.Qc4+ Rf7 23.Na4 Qc7 24.Qxc7 Rxc7 {The bishops got even better in the endgame. Black is clealy better.} 25.Nac5 b6 26.Bxf6 ( {Nothing changes} 26.Nd3 Ba6 {with large advantage for Black.} ) 26...bxc5 $1 {Another excellent decision. Carlsen removes the blockaders and gets ready to push his central passers.} ( 26...Bxf6 27.Ne4 Bg7 28.g4 {will give a chance to Caruana to organize his defenses.} ) 27.Bxg7 Kxg7 28.Nd2 Bb7 29.f6+ Kf8 $1 ( {Avoiding} 29...Kf7 30.Rde1 Re8 31.Nc4 $1 ) 30.Rde1 Re8 31.Ne4 Bxe4 32.Rxe4 c4 {Black has all the play in the rook endgame as his pawns are more advanced and better supported.} 33.g4 $1 {Caruana finds the only counter-play.} ( {Worse is} 33.Rf5 Rb8 34.Rfxe5 Rxb2 35.Rxd4 c3 {when Black should win.} ) 33...Rb8 34.Rxe5 ( {Not} 34.Rf2 $2 Rcb7 ) 34...Rxb2 35.Rd5 c3 36.Rd8+ $1 {It is mandatory to bring the white passers into motion.} ( 36.Rxd4 {would lose after} 36...c2 37.Rd8+ Kf7 38.Rh8 c1=Q ) 36...Kf7 37.Rh8 Rbb7 ( {Carlsen misses a study-like win:} 37...Rcb7 38.Rxh7+ Kg6 39.f7 Rb8 40.Rh5 ( 40.f8=Q Rxf8 41.Rxf8 Kxh7 {leaves White no chances at all.} ) 40...c2 41.h4 $1 ( 41.Rc5 d3 {is easy win for the second player.} ) 41...R2b6 $3 {Now there is no more perpetual in the line:} ( 41...Rb1 42.f8=Q $1 Rxf8 43.Rg5+ {is perpetual.} ) 42.f8=Q Rxf8 43.Rg5+ Kh7 44.Rh5+ Rh6 {and Black should win.} ) 38.Rxh7+ Kg6 ( {Here the world champion believed that he had missed an instant win with:} 38...Kg8 39.Rxc7 Rxc7 40.Kf2 Rd7 {But things are far away from clear after:} 41.g5 ( 41.Ke1 d3 $2 ) 41...Kf7 ( 41...d3 $6 42.g6 d2 $2 {even loses to} 43.Ke2 c2 44.f7+ Kf8 45.g7+ ) 42.h4 d3 43.h5 d2 44.g6+ $1 Kxf6 45.Ke2+ Kg5 46.Rg1+ {and the draw is the most likely result.} ) 39.Rxc7 Rxc7 40.Kf2 {The white king makes it to the black pawns and it gets harder for Black, although the win is still there.} 40...c2 41.Rc1 d3 42.Ke3 Rd7 43.Kd2 Kxf6 44.h4 Ke5 ( {Carlsen was also trying to make} 44...Kg6 {work, but White defends after} 45.Re1 Kg7 46.g5 ) 45.Rf1 ( {Not} 45.g5 Kd4 46.Rg1 ( 46.Rf1 Rb7 47.Rf3 Rb3 $1 ) 46...Rb7 $1 {"is game over" (Caruana)} ) 45...Kd4 46.h5 ( 46.g5 Rb7 $1 {again wins for Black.} ) 46...Re7 47.Rf4+ Kd5 48.Rf1 Kc4 49.Rf4+ Kd5 50.Rf1 Kc4 51.Rf4+ Kb3 52.Rb4+ Kxa3 53.Rc4 Kb3 54.Rc8 a5 {Carlsen had already resigned to the draw.} ( {Otherwise he would have most likely found the extremely difficult win with} 54...Rh7 $3 {This move stops the white pawns and leaves the first player helpless against the march of the a-passer. The point is that the checks do not help:} 55.Rb8+ Ka2 56.Rc8 a5 {and} 57.Kxd3 {is met with} 57...Kb1 $1 {(which both players missed.)} ) 55.h6 {And since the white passers became too dangerous Carlsen forces a draw:} 55...Re2+ 56.Kxd3 Rh2 57.g5 Rh3+ 58.Kd2 Rh2+ 59.Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Candidates"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.15"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[ECO "A65"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "6051608936538"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteClock "1:11:37"]
[BlackClock "0:09:25"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.e4 e6 6.Nc3 exd5 7.cxd5 Bg7 8.Nge2 {Let's quickly skip the opening phase, the interesting is still to come. Apparently both players were happy with sharp and complex opening.} 8...Nbd7 ( {Aronian had also tried the alternative} 8...a6 9.a4 Nbd7 10.Ng3 Nh5 11.Nxh5 gxh5 12.Bd3 O-O 13.O-O f5 14.exf5 Ne5 15.Bc2 Bxf5 16.Bxf5 Rxf5 17.Ne4 {and Black held the draw in Aronian,L (2801)-Svidler,P (2763) Palma de Mallorca 2017} ) 9.Ng3 h5 10.Be2 Nh7 11.Bf4 $146 ( {Aronian improves on a game of his own:} 11.Be3 h4 12.Nf1 O-O 13.Qd2 Re8 14.Bh6 {which later ended in a draw, Aronian,L (2809)-Li,C (2735) Geneva 2017} ) 11...Qe7 ( 11...h4 12.Nf1 Qe7 13.Qd2 {would transpose into the game.} ) 12.Qd2 ( 12.O-O Bd4+ 13.Kh1 Bxc3 $1 ( 13...h4 14.Nb5 {is less clear.} ) 14.bxc3 h4 {would be embarrasing for the knight.} ) 12...h4 {Otherwise White will castle and transfer the g3-knight to the optimal f2 square.} 13.Nf1 g5 {In order to cause confusion into White's camp.} ( 13...O-O {would allow the regroupment} 14.Ne3 {As} ( 14.Bh6 $5 {also looks good for White.} ) 14...g5 $2 {comes short to} 15.Nf5 ) 14.Be3 Ne5 {However now White has a chance to expand on the kingside, which he takes at once.} 15.g3 Bd7 ( {Grischuk disliked} 15...f5 {due to} 16.f4 $1 ( {Aronian's line} 16.gxh4 {is not convincing due to} 16...f4 $1 ( {Rather than} 16...gxh4 17.f4 ) ( {Nor} 16...g4 17.f4 ) 17.Bf2 gxh4 ) 16...Ng4 17.e5 {with strong initiative for White.} ) ( {Instead of the text move, Aronian considered} 15...Bh3 {to be best, with the idea} 16.gxh4 g4 17.f4 Nf3+ 18.Bxf3 gxf3 {where Black looks OK.} ) ( {One more option was} 15...Ng6 {in order to keep the blockade as much as possible.} ) 16.gxh4 gxh4 $6 ( {It was not too late for} 16...g4 17.f4 Nf3+ 18.Bxf3 gxf3 19.Rg1 {and now say} 19...f5 $5 {with unclear play.} ) ( {At the post mortem both players analyzed} 16...Qf6 17.hxg5 ( {However here} 17.O-O-O {looks strong with the idea} 17...Nxf3 18.Bxf3 Qxf3 19.Ng3 gxh4 ( 19...Bh3 20.hxg5 Be5 {looks like Black's best chance although White should be better here too.} ) 20.Rdf1 Qg4 21.Rhg1 $1 {with big advantage for White.} ) 17...Nxf3+ 18.Bxf3 Qxf3 ) 17.Rg1 f5 ( {Here} 17...Rg8 {is not convincing due to} 18.f4 Ng6 19.e5 $1 {and "this is worse than in the game" (Grischuk)} ) 18.f4 Ng4 19.e5 $1 {You do not need to ask Aronian twice to start an attack. Nor Grischuk.} 19...dxe5 ( 19...Nxe3 {simply brings more white pieces into the game} 20.Nxe3 ) 20.d6 Qe6 $5 {"Setting a trap" (Aronian)} ( {Or} 20...Qf7 21.Nd5 {with large advantage for White.} ) 21.Nb5 ( {Black's idea is revealed in the line} 21.h3 exf4 22.Bxf4 Bd4 {"when Black is back in business" (Aronian)} ) 21...Rc8 ( {After} 21...Bxb5 22.Bxb5+ Kf7 23.Rc1 {"the black king has no good square" (Aronian)} ) 22.Nc7+ Rxc7 23.dxc7 exf4 {At this point Grischuk was already very low on time, while his opponent had almost an hour on his clock.} 24.Rd1 {It is hard to call this a mistake, but according to the computer it is.} ( 24.Bxf4 {allows Black time to cement the position with} 24...Bd4 ) ( {However, the computer suggestion:} 24.O-O-O {would most likely have won after} 24...fxe3 25.Nxe3 $3 ( {Rather than} 25.Qxd7+ $2 Qxd7 26.Bb5 Bxb2+ 27.Kc2 Qxb5 28.c8=Q+ Ke7 29.Qc7+ Kf6 30.Rd6+ Kg5 {where it is even Black who wins and which was seen by both the opponents.} ) 25...Bh6 ( {Aronian was not sure about} 25...Bd4 26.Nxg4 ( {Apparently he missed the killing blow} 26.Nxf5 $1 {and Black's position collapses} 26...Bxg1 27.Ng7+ ) 26...Qxa2 {this is indeed unclear, but there was a win before that.} ) ( {The captures lose quickly} 25...Qxe3 26.Qxe3+ Nxe3 27.Rxg7 ) ( {Or} 25...Nxe3 26.c8=Q+ Bxc8 27.Qd8+ Kf7 28.Bh5+ {and mate.} ) 26.Bb5 $1 Bxe3 27.c8=Q+ Kf7 28.Qxh8 {and White wins.} ) 24...Ng5 $1 {With seconds on the clock Grischuk finds the best defense.} ( {Instead} 24...fxe3 {loses to} 25.c8=Q+ Bxc8 26.Qd8+ Kf7 27.Qc7+ Kg6 28.Rd6 {(Aronian)} ) ( {Similar is} 24...b6 25.c8=Q+ Bxc8 26.Qd8+ Kf7 27.Qc7+ Kg6 28.Rd6 ) 25.c8=Q+ Bxc8 26.Qd8+ Kf7 27.Qc7+ ( 27.Qxg5 {leads only to a draw after say this peculiar line} 27...fxe3 28.Rxg4 fxg4 29.Qf4+ Qf6 30.Bc4+ Ke8 31.Bb5+ Kf7 32.Qc7+ Kg6 33.Rd6 Be6 34.Bd3+ Kh6 35.Rxe6 Qxe6 36.Qf4+ Kh5 37.Bf5 Qf6 38.Ng3+ hxg3 39.Qxg4+ Kh6 40.Qh3+ Kg5 41.Qg4+ ) 27...Kg8 {Now Black loses.} ( {Both players missed the resource} 27...Qe7 28.Bc4+ Kf6 29.Qxf4 ( 29.Qxe7+ Kxe7 30.Bxc5+ {would most likely be a draw.} ) 29...Nh3 30.Rd6+ Be6 31.Bd4+ ( {White should likely survive after} 31.Qxg4 fxg4 32.Rxe6+ Qxe6 33.Bxe6 Kxe6 34.Rxg4 Bxb2 35.Bxc5 ) 31...cxd4 32.Qxd4+ Kf7 33.Bxe6+ Qxe6+ 34.Rxe6 Bxd4 {and it is Black who wins here.} ) 28.Rd6 ( {Aronian saw a similar winning line} 28.Rxg4 $1 fxg4 29.Rd6 {with the main idea} 29...Qf5 ( 29...Qf7 30.Qxc8+ {"and the g4 pawn is hanging" (Aronian) is also curtains.} ) 30.Bd3 Ne4 31.Rd8+ Kh7 32.Qe7 ( 32.Qxc8 {wins as well.} ) 32...Be6 33.Nd2 fxe3 34.Nxe4 $1 {and it is over. Apparently, the nerves played huge role in this game!} ) 28...Qf7 {Now comes the strangest move of the event so far.} 29.Qd8+ {Aronian refuses to capture the bishop with a check and to win! Unbelievable...} ( {The explanation lies in the line:} 29.Qxc8+ Kh7 30.Qxc5 ( {Also winning for White is the line that Grischuk calculated-} 30.Qd7 Qxd7 ( {Or} 30...fxe3 31.Rxg4 fxg4 32.Bd3+ Kg8 33.Qc8+ Bf8 34.Rg6+ {and Black has to part with his queen.} ) 31.Rxd7 fxe3 32.Nxe3 $1 {(Grischuk)} ) 30...Ne4 {It seems as Black is even taking over the initiative, but} 31.Rxg4 $3 {clarifies matters. White wins almost the whole chess-set after} 31...Nxc5 32.Rxh4+ Kg8 33.Rd8+ Bf8 34.Rxh8+ Kxh8 35.Bxc5 ) 29...Qf8 30.Bxf4 Ne6 31.Bc4 Qxd8 32.Rxd8+ Kh7 33.Rxh8+ Bxh8 {Now the worst is over for Grischuk and he is the only one to play for the win. One can only imagine the enormous pressure that all the candidates are facing. Yesterday Grischuk missed a relatively simple tactical win, today Aronian. Huge attacking players like them will never allow such "clicks" in usual tournaments, but here it is different.} 34.Bd6 {In Grischuk's time-trouble both players place their pieces optimally.} 34...Ng5 35.Rg2 Ne4 36.Bb8 Bd4 37.h3 ( 37.Bxa7 Ne5 $1 ) 37...Ne5 38.Bd5 Nd3+ {The position is still extremely complicated.} ( {Check this line for example} 38...Bxb2 $5 39.Nd2 Bc3 40.Bxe4 fxe4 41.Kd1 Bxh3 42.Rh2 Ng4 43.Rxh3 Nf2+ 44.Kc2 Nxh3 45.Kxc3 {when it should be a draw somehow...} ) 39.Ke2 Nc1+ ( {Or} 39...Nxb2 40.Ne3 Nc3+ 41.Kd2 Nxd5 42.Nxd5 Be6 43.Nf4 Nc4+ 44.Ke1 Bf7 45.Re2 {when again, nothing is clear but Black is playing for a win.} ) 40.Kd1 Nd3 41.Nd2 Nf6 ( {Grischuk spent a lot of time checking the line} 41...Nef2+ 42.Ke2 Nc1+ 43.Kf3 Nfd3 44.Rg8 Ne1+ 45.Kf4 Ncd3+ 46.Kg5 Be3+ 47.Kf6 {but realized in time that it will not end well for him.} ) 42.Bf3 {They agreed to a draw due to the line:} ( 42.Bf3 Nf2+ ( {Instead} 42...Nxb2+ 43.Kc2 f4 44.Rg5 Bxh3 {is risky for Black after} 45.Bxf4 ( {Or} 45.Nb3 $5 ) ) 43.Kc1 ( 43.Ke1 ) 43...Nxh3 44.Rh2 Ng5 45.Rxh4+ ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Candidates"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.20"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[ECO "E11"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[Beauty "4813874014734"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Be7 5.Bg2 d5 6.Nf3 O-O 7.O-O c6 8.Qb3 b6 9.Nc3 Ba6 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.Ne5 Bb7 12.Rfc1 ( {The alternative is:} 12.Qa4 a6 13.Qb3 Nfd7 14.Nxd7 Nxd7 15.Rfc1 {Ortega,M (2443)-Jakubowski,K (2529) Figueira da Foz 2017} ) 12...Nc6 {Allows a forcing continuation.} ( {Ding disliked the line:} 12...Nfd7 13.Nd3 {which Caruana considered "playable, but probably equal."} ) 13.Nxd5 Nxd4 14.Nxe7+ Qxe7 15.Qc4 Bxg2 16.Qxd4 Rfd8 17.Qf4 $146 ( {Both players calculated the line:} 17.Qb4 Qxb4 18.Bxb4 Bb7 19.Rc7 Ba6 {which would lead to "the same" (Ding) after:} 20.Rac1 ( 20.Nxf7 Nd5 21.Nxd8 Nxc7 22.Nc6 {1/2-1/2 (22) Gleizerov,E (2545)-Farago,I (2515) Oberwart 1996} ) 20...Nd5 21.Rxf7 $1 Bxe2 $1 ( {But not} 21...Nxb4 $4 22.Rcc7 {with quick mate.} ) ) 17...Bb7 18.Bb4 Qe8 19.Rc7 Nd5 20.Qxf7+ Qxf7 21.Rxf7 Ba6 22.Ba3 Bxe2 23.Rc1 {Straight from the opening White entered a promising endgame where he can play for a win without any risk. A dream situation for Caruana and his tournament position!} 23...Bh5 24.Rb7 Be8 25.Kg2 a5 26.h4 Rdb8 27.Rxb8 Rxb8 28.g4 b5 ( {Here strong was} 28...h5 $1 29.g5 b5 30.b3 b4 31.Bb2 Ne7 {"followed by Ne7-f5" (Caruana)} ) 29.b3 b4 ( 29...h5 $1 ) 30.Bb2 a4 {Ding: "I played this move too quickly. I did not realize the danger after...} 31.h5 $1 {...when it is very unpleasant for Black to defend." "Black cannot really clarify the situation and lacks any counterplay" (Caruana)} 31...Ra8 32.Kg3 {This endgame somehow reminded the experts of the classic Kasparov-Petrosian, Niksic 1983. The future world champion managed to win even without the queenside pawns, with the same pieces left on the board. Another difference was that the e6 pawn stands on d5, which probably favors White. But in any case the presence of the opposite-colored bishops is not necessary helping Black, but quite the opposite. It provides White extra attacking chances.} 32...Kf8 33.Nf3 Bd7 34.Rc4 Kg8 35.Ne5 Bb5 36.Rc5 Be8 37.Nc4 Bd7 38.Ne5 Be8 39.Bd4 Kf8 40.f3 Ke7 41.Kh4 $1 ( {At first White wanted to play:} 41.Nd3 g6 ( 41...Kf8 {might be better.} ) 42.h6 {but he disliked} 42...g5 43.Nf2 Bg6 {Still, White is better after} 44.Ne4 axb3 45.axb3 Ra3 46.Nxg5 Rxb3 47.Rc6 ) 41...Kf8 42.Kg5 {Provoking a weakening.} 42...h6+ 43.Kh4 Kg8 44.Kg3 Kh7 {Here Caruana regretted about his provocation as he thought the king is safer on h7. But it turned out it is not.} 45.Nd3 Kg8 46.Rc1 axb3 47.axb3 Kh7 48.Nc5 Bf7 49.Re1 Ne7 $1 50.Bb2 ( {Black's idea is revealed in the line:} 50.Nxe6 Nc6 51.Bc5 Re8 52.Nf8+ Kg8 {with a draw (Caruana)} ) 50...Nc6 51.f4 Ra2 52.Nd3 e5 $1 {Correctly trading pawns.} 53.fxe5 {Ding is within a reach of the draw, but now starts to slowly slip.} 53...Bxb3 ( {Safer was} 53...Nd8 54.Re4 Bxb3 55.Rxb4 Bf7 {(Caruana)} ) 54.e6 Ra7 ( {White saw the correct defense} 54...Bc4 $1 55.e7 Nxe7 56.Rxe7 Bxd3 57.Rxg7+ Kh8 58.Bd4 b3 {There are many discovered checks, but none of them is lethal:} 59.Rb7+ Kg8 60.Rxb3 Be2 {(Caruana)} ) 55.Nc5 Bc4 {This loses.} ( {Bad was} 55...Bd5 56.Nd7 Ne7 57.Rf1 $1 ) ( {Strangely, the only defense was:} 55...Ba2 56.Nd7 Ra8 57.Rf1 Nd8 58.e7 Nf7 ) 56.Nd7 Bb5 {"Very good defense" (Caruana). But Black might be lost already.} ( {They both saw the beautiful line} 56...Ra2 57.e7 Bf7 58.Rf1 $1 ( {Not} 58.e8=Q Bxe8 59.Rxe8 Rxb2 60.Nf8+ {when the king escapes} 60...Kg8 ) 58...Kg8 59.e8=Q+ Bxe8 60.Rf8+ Kh7 61.Nf6+ $1 gxf6 62.Bxf6 {with study-like mate.} ) ( {Black also loses after} 56...Ne7 57.Re4 Bb5 ( 57...Bd5 58.Rf4 ) 58.Rf4 Bxd7 59.Rf7 $1 {(Caruana)} ) ( 56...Bxe6 $2 57.Nf8+ ) 57.Nf8+ ( {Caruana misses the strong idea} 57.Re3 Bc4 58.Rf3 $1 {with unstoppable Rf3-f7!} 58...Bxe6 59.Nf8+ ) 57...Kg8 58.Ng6 Ne7 {An oversight, just very close to the draw.} ( {Both} 58...Ra8 $1 ) ( {Or} 58...Bd3 $1 {should have held.} ) 59.Ra1 $1 {"I missed this move, but I was very lucky that I have...} 59...Nc6 {...and I did not lose immediately." (Ding)} ( 59...Rxa1 {drops a piece after} 60.Nxe7+ Kf8 61.Ng6+ ) 60.Rd1 {Going for the king once more.} ( 60.e7 {does not even win a pawn but definitely draws due to the opposite-colored bishops after} 60...Kf7 61.e8=Q+ Kxe8 62.Rxa7 Nxa7 63.Bxg7 b3 ) 60...Kh7 $1 {The most tenacious defense, which prevents the maneuver Rd1-d5-f5-f8 (with a check). (Caruana)} 61.Rd5 Ba4 ( 61...Bc4 {loses to} 62.Rc5 ) ( {And} 61...Rb7 {to} 62.Rf5 Bd3 63.Rf7 {(Caruana)} ) 62.Kf4 ( {Caruana missed the study-like win after} 62.Rd2 $3 {This takes away the c2 square and preserves the knight on g6. Both players saw the move, but not the follow-up:} 62...Bb5 ( 62...Bb3 63.Rf2 {with the threat Rf2-f8-h8 is decisive since} 63...Ra8 {weakens the seventh rank and is equaly bad after} 64.Rf7 ) 63.Rf2 Bd3 64.Nf8+ $1 Kg8 65.Nd7 $3 {This is extremely difficult to find. White ruins the mating net, in order to create another one. After} 65...Bc4 66.Rf8+ Kh7 67.Re8 $1 {the return of the Jedi to g6 (sorry, the knight) will finish the game.} ) 62...Bc2 63.Rc5 ( {Caruana thought he should have tried the endgame after} 63.Ne5 Nxe5 64.Kxe5 {although he considered it drawish, but unplesant.} ) 63...Ba4 64.g5 hxg5+ ( {Correct was the preliminary} 64...Ra8 65.Rf5 hxg5+ 66.Kxg5 Nd8 67.e7 Ne6+ 68.Kg4 Kg8 {when Black should hold.} ) 65.Rxg5 Nd8 {Now a second chance is given to Caruana.} 66.Re5 {And he misses it!} ( {They both got extremely tired and missed the final move in the line} 66.Nf8+ Kg8 67.h6 Kxf8 68.h7 $1 ) 66...Be8 67.e7 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Candidates"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.26"]
[Round "13.4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7767448354899"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.d3 {Of course, Anti-Marshall. No computers, please.} 8...d6 9.Bd2 {Caruana borrowed this "brilliant" idea from Grischuk, who tried it in the previous round against Aronian himself.} ( {Other options for White are:} 9.c3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.h3 Re8 12.d4 {Alekseev,E (2616)-Kovalev,V (2639) Tallinn 2018} ) ( {Or} 9.a4 Bd7 10.c3 Na5 11.Bc2 c5 12.Nbd2 Re8 13.d4 exd4 14.cxd4 Bg4 15.h3 {which was discussed by the two players six years back, Caruana,F (2773) -Aronian,L (2816) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2012} ) 9...Bg4 ( {Black deviates from his early game at once. That game saw:} 9...Kh8 10.h3 Nd7 11.Nc3 Na5 12.Nd5 Nxb3 13.axb3 Bb7 14.c4 f5 15.Ba5 {Grischuk,A (2767)-Aronian,L (2794), 2018} ) 10.c3 d5 11.h3 Bh5 12.Qe2 $146 {A novelty.} ( {Previously} 12.exd5 Nxd5 13.g4 {was tested, when White won a pawn, but Black had typical Marshall compensation:} 13...Bg6 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Rxe5 Nb6 16.d4 Bd6 {Jackson,S (2185) -Littlewood,P (2435) London 1984} ) 12...Rb8 13.Bg5 dxe4 ( 13...d4 $5 ) 14.dxe4 h6 {Asking the bishop where is it going.} ( 14...Nd7 15.Be3 $5 ) 15.Bc1 $1 {There is no better square for this bishop. Up to here Caruana was in his preparation.} ( 15.Bh4 Nd7 {looks good for Black here without the option Bg5-e3.} ) ( {Naturally, White is not happy with the trade of this bishop:} 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Nbd2 Na5 {with comfortable play for Black.} ) 15...Bg6 {The bishop leaves the road for the black knight.} ( {Black cannot play in Chigorin-style} 15...Na5 16.Bc2 {as} 16...c5 {drops the central pawn after} 17.g4 ) ( {But there was this interesting regroupment after} 15...Qc8 $5 16.Nbd2 Rd8 17.Nf1 Na5 18.Bc2 Qe6 ) ( 15...Nh7 {with the idea Be7-g5 can be answered} 16.Bd5 {and there is a problem with the e5 pawn:} 16...Na5 17.g4 Bg6 18.Nxe5 ) 16.Nbd2 Nh5 ( {On} 16...Bc5 17.a4 {is unpleasant.} ) 17.Nf1 Bc5 ( {The immediate} 17...Nf4 {leads to clear advantage for White after} 18.Bxf4 exf4 19.Rad1 Qc8 20.Qd2 ) 18.g3 {Sensibly depriving Black of the Nh5-f4 option. The question is: can the second player exploit the weakening of the f-file?} ( 18.a4 $5 ) 18...Kh7 19.Kg2 Qe7 ( {So far} 19...f5 {does not work due to} 20.exf5 Rxf5 21.Bc2 ) 20.Bc2 $1 {Now it is stopped for good.} 20...Rfd8 21.b4 {Once that stability was achieved on the kingside Caruana shifts his attention to the opposite wing. In particular, towards the weak pair on a6 and b5.} 21...Bb6 22.a4 Nf6 {Aronian abandoned the ill pawns and decided to bet on the kingside attack.} ( 22...Qe6 {in order to defend the knight in the line} 23.axb5 axb5 {would be most likely met with} 24.Be3 $1 {with advantage for White.} ( 24.Qxb5 Bxf2 $1 ) ) 23.Nh4 {A very good move.} ( {"I did not want to get the game too out of control after"} 23.axb5 axb5 24.Qxb5 Bxf2 25.Qxc6 Bxe1 26.Nxe1 {"which I managed to do anyway. But maybe it was good." (Caruana) Indeed, the two pieces are more vaulable than the rook here as the endgame is not likely going to happen any time soon.} ) 23...Qe6 24.Bd3 ( 24.axb5 axb5 25.Qxb5 $2 {is no longer an option as the black knight is defended and he can simply grab material} 25...Bxf2 ) ( {However Caruana mentioned the worthy alternative} 24.Nxg6 fxg6 25.Bd3 Rf8 {and now, say,} 26.f3 {with advantage for White.} ) 24...Bh5 $1 {Now it gets messy.} ( {"An important line is:"} 24...Ne7 25.Nxg6 Nxg6 26.axb5 axb5 27.Bxb5 Bxf2 28.Bc4 $1 {(Caruana)} ( {Black's idea is} 28.Kxf2 Qb6+ {(Caruana)} ) ) 25.g4 Bxg4 {This is what the bishop came for at h5.} ( 25...Bg6 {"is the worst of the options as after"} 26.Ng3 {" (Black) is losing a pawn and I have consolidated my center" (Caruana)} ) 26.hxg4 Nxg4 ( {White would be happy with the endgame after} 26...Qxg4+ 27.Qxg4 Nxg4 28.Be2 Bxf2 29.Rd1 Bxh4 30.Bxg4 {"the black pawns are not moving and the knight on c6 is still bad. White should be technically winning here" (Caruana)} ) 27.Nf5 Nxf2 ( {Caruana expected another attacking idea:} 27...Qg6 28.N1g3 Bxf2 29.Rf1 Bxg3 30.Nxg3 {but once again the black pawns are not going anywhere, and the bishop is worth more than the pawns. Besides, b5 will drop later, explaned the winner of the game.} ) 28.Bc2 g6 29.N1e3 ( {Both players spoted a curious draw after} 29.N5e3 Nh3 30.Nd5 Ng1 31.Qd3 Ne7 32.Nfe3 Qh3+ 33.Kxg1 Qg3+ ) ( 29.Be3 {"would be the most desirable option, but it drops all the pawns"} 29...Nxe4 30.Bxe4 gxf5 {(Caruana)} ) 29...gxf5 30.exf5 Qf6 31.Qxf2 {All of this was basically forced and this position is the critical test of the sacrifice.} ( 31.Kxf2 {suprisingly loses after} 31...Qh4+ 32.Kf1 Nd4 $3 33.cxd4 Rxd4 {with a decisive attack for Black.} ) 31...e4 $2 {After this Black's initiative quickly evaporates.} ( {The critical idea was not spoted by the humans, but by the AI:} 31...Nxb4 $1 32.cxb4 Rd4 $3 {to insert the rook into the attack. Then anything can happen. For example:} 33.Kh3 ( {I especially like this artificial line:} 33.Bb2 Qg5+ 34.Qg3 Rd2+ 35.Kf3 Qh5+ 36.Ke4 Rg8 37.Bd1 Rxd1 38.Qxg8+ Kxg8 39.Raxd1 {Go figure what's going on at the end...} ) 33...Rg8 ( 33...Qg5 $5 ) 34.Nd5 Rxd5 35.Qf3 Rd4 {with compensation for the piece.} ) ( 31...Nd4 {might transpose into the same after} 32.cxd4 ( {However White has extra choice} 32.Be4 $1 {and it is good enough for the advantage.} ) 32...Rxd4 ( {Aronian was only considering} 32...exd4 {but it does not work due to} 33.Ng4 $1 ) ) ( {Also bad for Black is} 31...Rg8+ 32.Kf1 Nd4 33.cxd4 exd4 34.Nd5 {(Aronian)} ) 32.Rh1 {"I do not have any ideas here." (Aronian) In fact it is White who is attacking.} 32...Rd6 ( {Maybe Black should have tried} 32...Nxb4 33.cxb4 Rg8+ 34.Kf1 Qxa1 35.Ke2 ) 33.Bxe4 Rg8+ 34.Kf1 Ne5 35.Qf4 {The white pices are clearly beter prepared than the opponent's ones. The end is near.} 35...c6 36.axb5 ( {Aronian suggested a "trivial" win instead:} 36.Rxh6+ $1 Qxh6 37.f6+ Rg6 38.Qxh6+ Kxh6 39.Nc4+ $1 ( {Somewhat worse, but probably also winning is} 39.Nf5+ Kh5 40.Nxd6 Rxf6+ 41.Nf5 ) ) ( {The American GM spent some time to make this line work:} 36.Nd5 cxd5 ( {However he could not find anything after} 36...Rg1+ $1 ) 37.Rxh6+ Qxh6 38.f6+ $1 ) 36...Rg5 ( 36...axb5 {would have forced White to find} 37.Rxh6+ $1 ( {Or} 37.Qxh6+ ) ) 37.bxa6 Qd8 38.f6+ Ng6 39.Rxh6+ $1 {A neat finish of a crucial game!} ( 39.Rxh6+ Kxh6 40.Qh2+ Rh5 41.Nf5+ Kh7 42.Qxh5+ Kg8 43.Ne7+ Nxe7 44.Qh7+ Kf8 45.Qh8+ Ng8 46.Qg7+ Ke8 47.Qxg8+ Kd7 48.Qxf7+ Kc8 49.Qb7# ) 1-0

[Event "E Candidates"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.27"]
[Round "14.1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[ECO "C43"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[Beauty "5846142553114"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {A perfect forecast- a couple of days ago in our show for the Chess.com audience with Alex Yermolinsky, I predicted the Petroff defense ; -) Why not, this line kept Caruana save throughout the (almost) whole tournament.} 3.d4 Nxe4 4.dxe5 {A very fighting line which keeps almost all the pieces on board.} 4...d5 5.Nbd2 Nxd2 6.Bxd2 Be7 7.Bd3 ( {The alternative is} 7.Be2 O-O 8.O-O c5 9.Bf4 Nc6 10.Qd2 Be6 11.c3 Qd7 {with equality in Nepomniachtchi,I (2751)-Mamedyarov,S (2809) Moscow 2018} ) 7...c5 8.c3 Nc6 9.O-O Bg4 10.Re1 Qd7 11.h3 Bh5 $146 {And Black uncorks a novelty. This should not have come as a surprise to Grischuk though.} ( {The other option seems better for White after} 11...Bf5 12.Qc2 ( 12.Bxf5 Qxf5 13.b4 $5 ) 12...Bxd3 13.Qxd3 O-O 14.Rad1 Qe6 15.a3 a6 16.Be3 Rad8 17.b4 cxb4 18.axb4 {with advantage for White in Vallejo Pons,F (2696)-Perez Garcia,R (2426) Lugo 2009} ) 12.Bf4 Qe6 13.a3 {Grischuk follows Vallejo's footprints.} ( {White can also play something like} 13.Be2 O-O 14.Qd2 Bg6 15.Rad1 ) 13...O-O 14.b4 h6 $1 {An important move.} ( {This move rules out any tactical problems based on the knight jump on g5:} 14...Bg6 15.bxc5 Bxc5 16.Ng5 $1 ) 15.Bg3 {This prepares White's next idea.} 15...b6 16.Nd4 $5 {Creative as usual Grichuk finds tactical chances. At this point he was already down to 13 minutes.} ( 16.Qc2 Bg6 17.Bxg6 {would force Black to take a la Rubinstein:} 17...fxg6 $1 {But this is very good for him.} ) 16...Bxd1 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Raxd1 c4 19.Bc2 b5 {White got the two-bishop advantage but Black has good pieces and his remaining bishop is not obstructed by his own pawns. The game is even.} 20.a4 a6 ( {Interesting was} 20...a5 $5 21.axb5 Nxb4 22.cxb4 axb4 {but this is for another game and another tournament...} ) 21.f3 Bg5 ( {Caruana said that he saw} 21...Nxb4 22.cxb4 Bxb4 23.Rf1 Bc5+ 24.Bf2 Bxf2+ 25.Kxf2 b4 {but didn't consider it seriously.} ) 22.Bf2 Bf4 {Pointing at the fact that the e5 pawn is a potential weakness.} 23.Bc5 Rfd8 {Prepares the d5-d4 advance for the future.} 24.Bd6 Bg3 25.Re2 g5 26.Kf1 Kf7 27.Bc7 {Normally, the only creative plan that White has is to open and seize the a-file.} ( {However, he has to be very careful whenever he does this:} 27.Ra1 Rac8 28.axb5 axb5 29.Ra6 $2 {might easily backfire as the black pieces are exceptionally well placed:} 29...Ra8 $1 30.Rxc6 Ra1+ {will be mate.} ) 27...Re8 ( 27...Rd7 28.Bd6 ) 28.Bd6 Rac8 $1 {A mysterious rook move. What is it doing there?} 29.Ra1 Red8 30.Bb1 Rd7 31.Ra3 $6 {Now the white pieces turn out to be unprepared for what follows next.} ( {Apparently both players spent a lot of time calculating the consequences of} 31.axb5 axb5 32.Ra6 Ra7 {when best seems to be to sacrifice the pawn at once with} 33.Rxa7+ ( {Worse is} 33.Rea2 Rca8 34.Rxa7+ Rxa7 35.Rxa7+ Nxa7 {when after Na7-c6 there will be neither pawn, nor compensation for White.} ) 33...Nxa7 34.Ra2 Nc6 35.Ra6 Nxe5 36.Ra7+ Kg8 37.Bh7+ Kh8 38.Bb1 {with compensation for a pawn thank to his more active pieces.} ) 31...d4 $1 {Suddenly the rooks on the c- and the d- files start to make perfect sense.} 32.axb5 ( {Since} 32.cxd4 Nxd4 33.Rea2 Nc6 {would transpose into the game.} ) 32...axb5 33.cxd4 Nxd4 34.Rea2 Nc6 35.Be4 Bxe5 ( {Better than} 35...Nxe5 36.Ra7 ) 36.Bxc6 Rxd6 37.Bxb5 Rd1+ ( 37...c3 {would allow a chance to White to organize some defense with} 38.Ra7+ Kf6 39.Ba4 ) 38.Ke2 Rg1 39.Ke3 Rb1 40.Ra7+ Kf6 {The first time-trouble is over and it is obvious who is playing for a win. Caruana will snatch the b4 pawn, has a strong passer and chances for mating attack. Further-on there is no chance at all the he loses the game!} 41.Bd7 Bf4+ ( {Black could have also gone for the piece with:} 41...Rd8 42.R2a6 Bf4+ 43.Ke2 Rb2+ 44.Kf1 Rxd7 45.Rxd7 c3 46.Rd1 c2 47.Re1 c1=Q 48.Rxc1 Bxc1 {and this should be winning for Black.} ) 42.Ke2 Rd8 43.Rc2 Rxb4 {Very safe approach.} ( {There was an alternative-} 43...Rg1 44.Kf2 Rd1 45.Bb5 R8d2+ 46.Rxd2 Rxd2+ 47.Kf1 c3 ) 44.Bc6 c3 45.Rd7 Rc8 46.Be4 h5 $1 {To fix a second weakness on g2. The game is basically decided.} 47.Kd3 Rb2 48.Ke2 h4 49.Rd1 Ke5 50.Ra1 Rd8 51.Rd1 {Somewhere around here Mamedyarov agreed to a draw with Kramnik which meant that Caruana only needed a draw to book his London ticket. The camera showed him debating for a moment if he should do it or not, but afterward he said: "If my position wasn't completely winning I might offer a draw. There was no counterplay for him either. I thought it would be a shame to not play this position, especially since it was just so automatic."} 51...Rdb8 {The moment did not last for long. There is a message to be delivered for the world champion as well.} 52.Ra1 Bd2 53.Ra6 Rd8 54.Rc6 Rb1 55.Kf2 ( {The other wy to prevent the king's march towards the vital g3 spot is} 55.Rc4 {but then} 55...Ra1 {followed by Rd8-b8-b1 should suffice.} ) 55...Ra1 56.Rc4 Rd4 57.Rc8 Rb4 58.Ke2 Kf4 {In order to lure the rook on the f-file.} ( {Avoiding the trap} 58...Rbb1 $2 59.R2xc3 $1 Bxc3 60.Bxb1 ) 59.Kf2 {Whenever the black king gets on g3 it is immediately game over.} ( 59.Rf8+ Kg3 ) 59...Rbb1 {Caruana is combining positional threats with mating attack.} ( {Or} 59...Be1+ 60.Ke2 Rd4 ) 60.Rf8+ Ke5 61.Bd3 ( {After} 61.Rc8 {Black has a pleasant choice between} 61...Re1 ( {Or the more forcing} 61...Rf1+ 62.Ke2 Rfe1+ 63.Kd3 ( 63.Kf2 Be3# ) 63...Ra4 ) ) 61...Rb2 62.Ke2 Re1+ 63.Kf2 Rc1 $1 64.Rxb2 ( {Nothing is changed after} 64.Rxc1 Bxc1+ 65.Kf1 Bf4 ) 64...cxb2 65.Rb8 Bc3 66.Be4 Bd4+ 67.Ke2 Kf4 68.Rb4 e5 69.Rb7 Kg3 {Handshake and Caruana became the first U.S. challenger since 1972 [if we do not count the 1996 Karpov-Kamsky match - PD]! Congrats to Fabiano for the remarkable achievement! I would like to thank all the participants for the most interesting Candidates' Tournament that I have followed live!} 0-1

[Event "E Candidates 2018"]
[Site "Berlin GER"]
[Date "2018.03.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[ECO "E00"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7976563513874"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.d4 {The first move came a surprise to So as "Fabiano played only 1.e4 at the previous Candidates."} 1...Nf6 ( {The two relevant game to the game opening are Caruana-Short (played five years ago) and Ding-So (from 2011) with the following move order:} 1...e6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 Bb4+ {They both saw} 4.Nbd2 {Caruana,F (2782)-Short,N (2683) London 2013: Ding,L (2654)-So,W (2658) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011} ) 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Bb4+ {A surprise for the surprise. So usually chooses the QGD with 3...d5 or the Queen's Indian with 3...b6.} 4.Bd2 {This is a completely new position for both players, at least according to the Megabase.} 4...Be7 5.Bg2 {Back into the Catalan type of positions.} 5...d5 6.Nf3 O-O 7.O-O c6 8.Qb3 Nbd7 9.Bf4 a5 10.Rd1 ( {Another option was} 10.Rc1 Ne4 11.Nc3 g5 12.Be3 Nd6 13.c5 Nc4 {as in Matsenko,S (2546)-Swiercz,D (2649) Columbus 2017} ) 10...Nh5 $146 {A novelty in comparison to:} ( 10...b5 11.c5 Ba6 12.Qc2 b4 13.Bf1 Ne4 14.Nbd2 f5 15.Ne5 Nxe5 16.Bxe5 Nxd2 17.Qxd2 Bg5 {which Black held comfortably in Mamedyarov,S (2775) -Kovalenko,I (2644) Riga 2013} ) 11.Bc1 Nhf6 {The idea itself is very standard. Black kicks the bishop away from the active position under the threat of a threefold repetition.} 12.Nbd2 {However now there is:} ( {The more natural} 12.Nc3 {would be strongly met with} 12...a4 13.Qc2 ( 13.Nxa4 dxc4 14.Qc2 b5 {leads to the same.} ) 13...dxc4 14.Nxa4 b5 {with comfortable position for Black. leads to the same.} ) 12...b5 {When Black gets some space to operate on the queenside.} 13.c5 ( {The pawn is not worth it:} 13.cxb5 cxb5 14.Qxb5 Ba6 {as the central one on e2 will suffer in return.} ) 13...b4 {Frees the bishop.} 14.Qc2 {Caruana was not happy with his play at this stage of the game.} ( {He suggested instead} 14.a3 {and this may lead to wild complications after} 14...Ba6 15.e3 e5 $5 16.axb4 ( {Or} 16.dxe5 Nxc5 17.exf6 Nxb3 18.fxe7 Qxe7 19.Nxb3 ) 16...axb4 17.Qxb4 e4 {with compensation for a pawn.} ) ( 14.e4 $5 {might have been an option too. Say} 14...dxe4 15.Ne5 ( 15.Ng5 e3 $1 16.fxe3 Nd5 ) 15...a4 16.Qc2 Qc7 17.Nxe4 {and White seems better.} ) 14...a4 {So is consistently looking for queenside action.} 15.Re1 {Preparing e2-e4.} ( {Both} 15.b3 $5 ) ( {And} 15.e3 $5 {were interesting alternatives according to Caruana.} ) 15...e5 $1 {"Maybe this is not the best" So. Black went wrong later. The move in the game frees his pieces and even fights for the initiative.} ( {A slow move like} 15...Qc7 {would have allowed} 16.e4 {with all the conveniences after} 16...dxe4 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 Nf6 19.Bf4 {with advantage for White.} ) 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Nd7 18.Nf3 Bxc5 19.Ng5 {Played after long thought. The position requires rapid action.} ( {Slow moves like} 19.Bf4 Qb6 ) ( {or} 19.e4 Qb6 {are good for Black.} ) 19...g6 20.Bf4 Qb6 21.e4 {The most energetic move.} ( {Both players considered} 21.e3 {Now} 21...h6 {is wrong to} ( {Where Caruana was afraid of} 21...b3 $1 22.axb3 ( {Or} 22.Qb1 Bb4 23.Rf1 Nc5 {"followed by Bc8-f5 and can get quickly into strategically lost position" (Caruana)} ) 22...axb3 23.Qe2 Ra2 {Let's continue the line a bit with} 24.Bh3 h6 25.Nxf7 Rxf7 26.e6 Rxf4 27.exd7 Bxd7 28.exf4 Bxh3 29.Qe8+ Kg7 30.Re7+ Bxe7 31.Qxe7+ Kg8 32.Qe8+ {and it all ends with perpetual check.} ) 22.Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 ( 22...Rxf7 23.e6 ) 23.e6+ Kxe6 24.Qxg6+ Ke7 25.Qxh6 {with crushing attack.} ) 21...b3 {So is also in a hurry to open up the queenside and deflect the opponent's pieces fom his king.} 22.axb3 axb3 23.Qe2 {The critical moment of the game.} 23...Ba6 $2 {After this White's attack continues unhindered.} ( {Correct was:} 23...Ra2 $1 {(Caruana) when White intended} 24.Rab1 ( {Or} 24.exd5 Ba6 25.Qf3 Rxb2 26.Ne4 cxd5 27.Nxc5 Nxc5 28.Be3 Bc4 29.Bd4 {"with a mess. The b-pawn might be very, very dangerous" (Caruana)} ) 24...Ba6 25.Qf3 {At the very last moment Caruana saw the resource} 25...Bd3 $5 26.Qxd3 Bxf2+ 27.Kh1 Bxe1 28.Rxe1 Rxb2 {and did not like it too much for White. Then indeed} 29.exd5 Qf2 30.Qf1 Nc5 $5 {should be OK for Black.} ( 30...Qxf1+ 31.Rxf1 Ra2 32.dxc6 b2 33.Be4 Ra1 ) ( 30...cxd5 ) ) 24.Qf3 Bc4 25.Rxa8 Rxa8 {Black managed to trade a pair of rooks, but had to abandon the kingside. The punishment is swift:} 26.e6 $1 dxe4 ( {Since} 26...fxe6 27.Bc7 $1 {loses on the spot.} ) 27.exf7+ Bxf7 28.Nxe4 Bd4 {Makes things even worse, although Black's position is obviously suspicious, to say the least.} ( 28...Re8 {"was still putting up a good fight"(Caruana). The thing is that the light-squared bishop does enormous defensive work after} 29.Rd1 Bd5 30.Qg4 Be6 31.Qe2 Bd5 ) 29.Nd6 Bd5 30.Qe2 {Without the light-squared bishop Black cannot hold the kingside.} 30...Nf8 ( {Or mate after} 30...Bxg2 31.Qe6+ Kh8 32.Nf7+ Kg8 33.Nd8+ Kg7 34.Qxd7+ ) 31.Bxd5+ cxd5 32.Qf3 Qa5 {There is no defense against the mating attack. For example} 33.Re7 Qc5 34.Bh6 Qxd6 35.Qf7+ Kh8 36.Bg7+ 1-0

[Event "E Candidates 2018"]
[Site "Berlin GER"]
[Date "2018.03.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[ECO "C84"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7284688171553"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 {More and more people are choosing this modest move in order to avoid, above all, the Marshall Attack.} 6...b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.h3 ( {The other way to play it is:} 9.Re1 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.Nbd2 Re8 12.Nf1 Nc6 13.Ne3 Bf8 14.a4 b4 15.Nd5 h6 {Here Carlsen went for an interesting pawn sacrifice} 16.a5 Nxd5 17.exd5 Nxa5 18.Ba4 {Carlsen,M (2837)-Ding,L (2774) Saint Louis 2017} ) 9...Bb7 10.Nbd2 Re8 11.Ng5 {Often this is preparation for the f2-f4 advance, but in this case it is Grischuk getting closer to move 40.} 11...Rf8 12.Re1 ( 12.f4 {is not good due to} 12...h6 13.Ngf3 exf4 ) 12...d5 $146 {Most likely, an over-the-board novelty. "This looks strange as he is losing lots of tempos." (Grischuk)} ( {There is nothing wrong with chasing the knight back at once:} 12...h6 13.Ngf3 Re8 {as in the predecessor, which saw further} 14.Nf1 Bf8 15.Ng3 g6 16.Nh4 d5 {Vu,P (2090)-Nguyen,V (2195) Hue 2012} ) 13.exd5 Nxd5 14.Ndf3 {Grischuk criticized this move as he felt he did not get much out of the situation. "Tactics did not work after this."} 14...Qd7 {For the time being So ignores the annoying knight.} ( 14...h6 15.Ne4 {would have transposed to the line from above.} 15...Qd7 16.a4 {although Black seems quite solid after say} 16...Rfe8 ) 15.d4 {White needs to hurry before his opponent consolidates.} ( {The pawn is poisoned} 15.Nxe5 $2 Nxe5 16.Rxe5 f6 ) 15...exd4 ( 15...h6 $2 {fails to} 16.dxe5 $1 ) 16.cxd4 ( 16.Nxd4 {avoids the isolani, but yields White nothing after} 16...Nxd4 17.Qxd4 h6 ) 16...h6 17.Ne4 {So far everything was more or less normal and both sides have something to play for. White is hoping that his extra space and more active pieces will help him launch a successful kingside attack. Black, on his turn, hopes to trade as many pieces as possible and get to the isolated d-pawn in the endgame.} 17...Rfe8 $2 {If there is a move to criticize So for, this is the one. The rook occupies the open file, but weakens the f7 spot, on a moment at which the Spanish bishop is viciously looking at it.} ( {Good was} 17...Rad8 $5 18.Bd2 Nf6 {with decent play for Black.} ) ( {But if he wanted to occupy the open file no matter what, So should have used the other rook:} 17...Rae8 $5 ) 18.Bd2 Nf6 ( {Now} 18...Rad8 {comes a bit late and White seizes the initiative with} 19.Rc1 Bf8 20.Nc5 Bxc5 21.Rxc5 Rxe1+ 22.Qxe1 Nf6 23.d5 ) 19.Rc1 ( 19.d5 {"was tempting, but after"} 19...Nxd5 20.Bxh6 gxh6 21.Bxd5 Rad8 {"Black trades the queens and has nothing to worry about." (Grischuk)} ) 19...Nxe4 ( {The central pawn is poisoned:} 19...Nxd4 20.Bxf7+ ( 20.Ne5 {at once would also do} ) 20...Kxf7 21.Ne5+ {(Grischuk)} ) 20.Rxe4 Bf6 21.Rg4 $1 {Apparently, So underestimated the rook lift. Black's position becomes critical at once.} 21...Kh8 ( {After} 21...h5 {White planned} 22.Rf4 Rad8 23.Ng5 {(Grischuk)} ) ( {The obvious capture} 21...Nxd4 {is bad due to} 22.Nxd4 Bxd4 23.Bc3 c5 24.Bxd4 cxd4 25.Rxd4 Qe7 ( 25...Re1+ 26.Qxe1 Qxd4 27.Rc7 {is large advantage for White as well. The f7 pawn is too vulnerable.} ) 26.Rd7 Rad8 27.Rcc7 {(Grischuk)} ( {In the post mortem both GMs missed the immediate finish with} 27.Bxf7+ $1 ) ) 22.Rc5 {"Here I did't really calculate anything. I said to myself, OK, I have all pieces in attack, and Black defends with one bishop. If there is no mate, I just quit chess."} 22...Rad8 23.Qc1 {Just bringing more and more pieces into the attack. Bd2xh6 cannot be stopped.} ( {White also considered the direct} 23.Bxh6 gxh6 24.Rh5 Bg7 25.Qc1 {but decided it does not work after (or more likely decided it is not worth the risk)} 25...Qd6 {As a matter of fact White's attack is crushing after} 26.Ng5 Rd7 27.Nxf7+ Rxf7 28.Bxf7 Rf8 29.Rg6 {and the queen should be sacrificed in order to avoid mate:} 29...Qxd4 30.Qxh6+ Bxh6 31.Rhxh6# ) 23...Nxd4 ( {Or} 23...Kh7 24.Bxh6 gxh6 25.Bc2+ ) 24.Nxd4 Re4 {The last desperate try.} ( {In case of} 24...Bxd4 {Grischuk planned the following} 25.Bxh6 Re2 ( 25...Bxc5 26.Bxg7+ Kg8 27.Qh6 {is also inevitable mate.} ) 26.Bxg7+ Bxg7 27.Rh5+ Kg8 28.Rxg7+ Kxg7 29.Qh6+ Kg8 30.Qh8# ) 25.Rxc7 Qxd4 26.Be3 ( 26.Bc3 {would also do. For example} 26...Rxg4 27.hxg4 Qe4 28.f3 Bd4+ 29.Kh1 {(Grischuk, So)} ) 26...Rxg4 27.hxg4 Qe4 28.f3 {The long diagonal is too short for the black pieces.} 28...Qb4 29.Rxb7 {The rest would most likely not have been played if Grischuk had some extra time on the clock. But as usual, he was playing on increment and So tried some swindles.} 29...Bxb2 30.Qf1 ( 30.Qxb2 $2 Qe1+ 31.Kh2 Qh4+ {is perpetual instead.} ) 30...f6 31.Qf2 Be5 32.f4 Bd6 33.g5 Qe4 34.Qf3 {Safe play in the time trouble.} ( 34.gxf6 Qxb7 35.fxg7+ Kxg7 36.Qg3+ {would have been mate.} ) 34...Qb1+ 35.Qf1 Qe4 36.Qf3 Qb1+ 37.Kf2 Bb4 {White missed this, but likely for him it was not important.} 38.Qe2 Qe4 39.Qf3 Qb1 40.Kg3 fxg5 41.Kh2 ( {Avoiding any king weakening} 41.fxg5 ) 41...Qf5 ( {"The last beautiful line was"} 41...Bd6 42.Rd7 Rxd7 43.Qa8+ Kh7 44.Bg8+ Kg6 45.Qe8+ Kf5 46.Qe6# {(Grischuk)} ) 42.Rf7 Qg6 43.fxg5 Bd6+ {Black resigned because of} 44.Kh3 hxg5 45.Bxg5 Qxg5 46.Rf5 1-0

[Event "E Candidates 2018"]
[Site "Berlin GER"]
[Date "2018.03.12"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2800"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[Beauty "8250229554216"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.e4 {If Aronian only knew what this surprise would lead to....} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.O-O ( {The other way to develop is} 6.Nbd2 Bg4 7.h3 Bh5 8.Nf1 Nd7 9.Ng3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 g6 11.Be3 Qe7 12.O-O ( 12.O-O-O O-O-O 13.Ne2 Rhe8 14.Kb1 b6 15.h4 Kb7 {\BD-\BD Anand,V (2775)-Carlsen,M (2870) Chennai IND 2013} ) 12...Bd6 13.a4 c5 14.c3 O-O-O 15.Rfb1 Kb8 16.a5 a6 17.Nf1 Qe6 18.Qd1 f5 19.f3 Be7 20.Qa4 Nf6 {1/2-1/2 Jakovenko,D (2710)-Almasi,Z (2707) Germany 2018} ) 6...Qe7 7.h3 {Kramnik: "The thing is, Black wants ... Bg4 after Nbd2. I always considered 7.h3 as a very serious move and I actually spent a lot of time analyzing it, and it was not so easy. But then, a couple of years ago, I found this very strong resource:} 7...Rg8 $3 {"g7-g5-g4 is a big threat" (Kramnik). Apparently, White is not capable of opening the center, otherwise this whole concept will fail. Ironically, it is the pawn on h3 which makes this idea so strong. The weakened kingside and the fast long-ranged black pieces put White in a huge danger.} 8.Kh1 {Both players could not find anything better. Here are some lines to convince that Black's attack is not a joke:} ( {The attempt to get a better version of the game continuation with} 8.c3 {would be met with} 8...g5 9.d4 ( {The pawn is immune due to} 9.Bxg5 Bxh3 {this is a frequently occurring theme in the attack.} ) 9...exd4 $1 ( {If now Black continues as in the game} 9...Bd6 10.dxe5 Bxe5 11.Nxe5 Qxe5 12.Qd4 {White would be indeed OK.} ) 10.cxd4 Bb6 {when the white center is about to crumble at any moment and the captures on g5 are always bad.} 11.Bxg5 ( {Or} 11.Nxg5 h6 12.Nf3 Bxh3 ) 11...Bxh3 $1 {with huge advantage for Black.} ) ( 8.Be3 {trades the good bishop but doe snot slow down the attack-} 8...Bxe3 9.fxe3 g5 ) ( {If} 8.Nc3 g5 9.Bxg5 Bxh3 $1 10.gxh3 h6 {is similar to the first line above and excellent for Black.} ) 8...Nh5 $146 {Technically speaking this is the novelty.} ( {As this all has been seen previously in a correspondence game, which Black won after:} 8...h6 9.Nbd2 g5 10.Nc4 Bd6 11.d4 Nxe4 12.dxe5 Bc5 13.Qe2 f5 {etc., Kazoks,A (2345)-Calio,M (2334) corr. 2015} ) 9.c3 {Obviously White needs to do something and do it fast. This move is aiming for a quick central counter-blow.} ( {Aronian "Maybe I should have gone for"} 9.Nc3 {"It will be like the game" said Kramnik and suggested} 9...g5 10.Nxe5 g4 11.d4 Bd6 ( {The other suggestion of the former world champion is not as good-} 11...gxh3 12.g3 ( {Or even} 12.g4 $1 ) 12...Nf6 13.dxc5 Qxe5 14.Bf4 Qxc5 15.Bxc7 {and here it might be White who is better.} ) ) 9...g5 10.Nxe5 ( {If} 10.d4 {Black can always go for} 10...exd4 ( {Or even} 10...g4 11.dxc5 gxf3 12.Qxf3 Qh4 {"with dangerous threats" (Kramnik)} ) 11.cxd4 Bb6 12.Nh2 Nf6 13.e5 Nd5 {with clear advantage as the kingside attack proceeds without any problems after Bc8-e6 and 0-0-0.} ) 10...g4 ( {Of course not:} 10...Qxe5 11.d4 Qe7 12.Qxh5 ) 11.d4 ( {The captures on g4 lead to mate after} 11.Nxg4 Bxg4 12.hxg4 Qh4+ 13.Kg1 Ng3 ) 11...Bd6 ( {Wrong is} 11...gxh3 12.g3 $1 ) 12.g3 ( {Another mating picture occurs after} 12.Nxg4 Bxg4 13.hxg4 Qh4+ 14.Kg1 Qh2# ) 12...Bxe5 13.dxe5 Qxe5 14.Qd4 Qe7 $1 {Kramnik wants mate!} ( {Aronian was hoping for a slightly worse endgame after} 14...Qxd4 15.cxd4 gxh3 ) 15.h4 c5 16.Qc4 {"A terrible blunder; I forgot that Black is threatening ...f5." (Aronian)} ( {The best chance according to Kramnik was} 16.Qd3 Bd7 17.c4 O-O-O 18.Nc3 Bc6 19.Nd5 Qe5 {when Black is better but the game goes on.} ) 16...Be6 17.Qb5+ c6 18.Qa4 ( 18.Qe2 {will be met as well with} 18...f5 $1 ) ( {White's best was still} 18.Qd3 Rd8 19.Qe3 {although Black is clearly better here after} ) 18...f5 $1 19.Bg5 ( {"The main point was"} 19.exf5 Nxg3+ $1 {which lead to mate after} 20.fxg3 Bd5+ 21.Kg1 Qe2 22.Rf2 Qe1+ 23.Rf1 Qxg3# {(Kramnik)} ) 19...Rxg5 $1 {Not slowing down at all. White's position is in ruins and Kramnik accurately finishes the game.} 20.hxg5 f4 21.Qd1 ( {Or} 21.gxf4 Nxf4 22.Qc2 Qxg5 ) ( {And} 21.Kg2 Qxg5 {with decisive attack in both cases.} ) 21...Rd8 22.Qc1 fxg3 23.Na3 Rd3 24.Rd1 Bd5 $3 25.f3 ( {Or mate after} 25.Rxd3 Qxe4+ ) 25...gxf3 26.exd5 ( {"The main idea was to win with"} 26.Rxd3 Qxe4 27.Re3 f2+ 28.Rxe4+ Bxe4# {(Kramnik)} ) 26...Qe2 27.Re1 g2+ ( 27...g2+ {Aronian resigned because of} 28.Kh2 g1=Q+ 29.Kxg1 f2+ 30.Kg2 fxe1=Q# ) 0-1

[Event "E Candidates 2018"]
[Site "Berlin GER"]
[Date "2018.03.12"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2800"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[Beauty "8250229554216"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.e4 {If Aronian only knew what this surprise would lead to....} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.O-O ( {The other way to develop is} 6.Nbd2 Bg4 7.h3 Bh5 8.Nf1 Nd7 9.Ng3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 g6 11.Be3 Qe7 12.O-O ( 12.O-O-O O-O-O 13.Ne2 Rhe8 14.Kb1 b6 15.h4 Kb7 {&frac12;-&frac12; Anand,V (2775)-Carlsen,M (2870) Chennai IND 2013} ) 12...Bd6 13.a4 c5 14.c3 O-O-O 15.Rfb1 Kb8 16.a5 a6 17.Nf1 Qe6 18.Qd1 f5 19.f3 Be7 20.Qa4 Nf6 {1/2-1/2 Jakovenko,D (2710)-Almasi,Z (2707) Germany 2018} ) 6...Qe7 7.h3 {Kramnik: "The thing is, Black wants ... Bg4 after Nbd2. I always considered 7.h3 as a very serious move and I actually spent a lot of time analyzing it, and it was not so easy. But then, a couple of years ago, I found this very strong resource:} 7...Rg8 $1 {"g7-g5-g4 is a big threat" (Kramnik). Apparently, White is not capable of opening the center, otherwise this whole concept will fail. Ironically, it is the pawn on h3 which makes this idea so strong. The weakened kingside and the fast long-ranged black pieces put White in a huge danger.} 8.Kh1 {Both players could not find anything better. Here are some lines to convince that Black's attack is not a joke:} ( {The attempt to get a better version of the game continuation with} 8.c3 {would be met with} 8...g5 9.d4 ( {The pawn is immune due to} 9.Bxg5 Bxh3 {this is a frequently occurring theme in the attack.} ) 9...exd4 $1 ( {If now Black continues as in the game} 9...Bd6 10.dxe5 Bxe5 11.Nxe5 Qxe5 12.Qd4 {White would be indeed OK.} ) 10.cxd4 Bb6 {when the white center is about to crumble at any moment and the captures on g5 are always bad.} 11.Bxg5 ( {Or} 11.Nxg5 h6 12.Nf3 Bxh3 ) 11...Bxh3 $1 {with huge advantage for Black.} ) ( 8.Be3 {trades the good bishop but doe snot slow down the attack-} 8...Bxe3 9.fxe3 g5 ) ( {If} 8.Nc3 g5 9.Bxg5 Bxh3 $1 10.gxh3 h6 {is similar to the first line above and excellent for Black.} ) 8...Nh5 $146 {Technically speaking this is the novelty.} ( {As this all has been seen previously in a correspondence game, which Black won after:} 8...h6 9.Nbd2 g5 10.Nc4 Bd6 11.d4 Nxe4 12.dxe5 Bc5 13.Qe2 f5 {etc., Kazoks,A (2345)-Calio,M (2334) corr. 2015} ) 9.c3 {Obviously White needs to do something and do it fast. This move is aiming for a quick central counter-blow.} ( {Aronian "Maybe I should have gone for"} 9.Nc3 {"It will be like the game" said Kramnik and suggested} 9...g5 10.Nxe5 g4 11.d4 Bd6 ( {The other suggestion of the former world champion is not as good-} 11...gxh3 12.g3 ( {Or even} 12.g4 $1 ) 12...Nf6 13.dxc5 Qxe5 14.Bf4 Qxc5 15.Bxc7 {and here it might be White who is better.} ) ) 9...g5 10.Nxe5 ( {If} 10.d4 {Black can always go for} 10...exd4 ( {Or even} 10...g4 11.dxc5 gxf3 12.Qxf3 Qh4 {"with dangerous threats" (Kramnik)} ) 11.cxd4 Bb6 12.Nh2 Nf6 13.e5 Nd5 {with clear advantage as the kingside attack proceeds without any problems after Bc8-e6 and 0-0-0.} ) 10...g4 ( {Of course not:} 10...Qxe5 11.d4 Qe7 12.Qxh5 ) 11.d4 ( {The captures on g4 lead to mate after} 11.Nxg4 Bxg4 12.hxg4 Qh4+ 13.Kg1 Ng3 ) 11...Bd6 ( {Wrong is} 11...gxh3 12.g3 $1 ) 12.g3 ( {Another mating picture occurs after} 12.Nxg4 Bxg4 13.hxg4 Qh4+ 14.Kg1 Qh2# ) 12...Bxe5 13.dxe5 Qxe5 14.Qd4 Qe7 $1 {Kramnik wants mate!} ( {Aronian was hoping for a slightly worse endgame after} 14...Qxd4 15.cxd4 gxh3 ) 15.h4 c5 16.Qc4 {"A terrible blunder; I forgot that Black is threatening ...f5." (Aronian)} ( {The best chance according to Kramnik was} 16.Qd3 Bd7 17.c4 O-O-O 18.Nc3 Bc6 19.Nd5 Qe5 {when Black is better but the game goes on.} ) 16...Be6 17.Qb5+ c6 18.Qa4 ( 18.Qe2 {will be met as well with} 18...f5 $1 ) ( {White's best was still} 18.Qd3 Rd8 19.Qe3 {although Black is clearly better here after} ) 18...f5 $1 19.Bg5 ( {"The main point was"} 19.exf5 Nxg3+ $1 {which lead to mate after} 20.fxg3 Bd5+ 21.Kg1 Qe2 22.Rf2 Qe1+ 23.Rf1 Qxg3# {(Kramnik)} ) 19...Rxg5 $1 {Not slowing down at all. White's position is in ruins and Kramnik accurately finishes the game.} 20.hxg5 f4 21.Qd1 ( {Or} 21.gxf4 Nxf4 22.Qc2 Qxg5 ) ( {And} 21.Kg2 Qxg5 {with decisive attack in both cases.} ) 21...Rd8 22.Qc1 fxg3 23.Na3 Rd3 24.Rd1 Bd5 25.f3 ( {Or mate after} 25.Rxd3 Qxe4+ ) 25...gxf3 26.exd5 ( {"The main idea was to win with"} 26.Rxd3 Qxe4 27.Re3 f2+ 28.Rxe4+ Bxe4# {(Kramnik)} ) 26...Qe2 27.Re1 g2+ ( 27...g2+ {Aronian resigned because of} 28.Kh2 g1=Q+ 29.Kxg1 f2+ 30.Kg2 fxe1=Q# ) 0-1

[Event "E Candidates 2018"]
[Site "Berlin GER"]
[Date "2018.03.12"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2800"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[Beauty "8250229554216"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

{Analysis by GM Dejan Bojkov.} 
1.e4 {If Aronian only knew what this surprise would lead to....} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.O-O ( {The other way to develop is} 6.Nbd2 Bg4 7.h3 Bh5 8.Nf1 Nd7 9.Ng3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 g6 11.Be3 Qe7 12.O-O ( 12.O-O-O O-O-O 13.Ne2 Rhe8 14.Kb1 b6 15.h4 Kb7 {\BD-\BD Anand,V (2775)-Carlsen,M (2870) Chennai IND 2013} ) 12...Bd6 13.a4 c5 14.c3 O-O-O 15.Rfb1 Kb8 16.a5 a6 17.Nf1 Qe6 18.Qd1 f5 19.f3 Be7 20.Qa4 Nf6 {1/2-1/2 Jakovenko,D (2710)-Almasi,Z (2707) Germany 2018} ) 6...Qe7 7.h3 {Kramnik: "The thing is, Black wants ... Bg4 after Nbd2. I always considered 7.h3 as a very serious move and I actually spent a lot of time analyzing it, and it was not so easy. But then, a couple of years ago, I found this very strong resource:} 7...Rg8 $1 {"g7-g5-g4 is a big threat" (Kramnik). Apparently, White is not capable of opening the center, otherwise this whole concept will fail. Ironically, it is the pawn on h3 which makes this idea so strong. The weakened kingside and the fast long-ranged black pieces put White in a huge danger.} 8.Kh1 {Both players could not find anything better. Here are some lines to convince that Black's attack is not a joke:} ( {The attempt to get a better version of the game continuation with} 8.c3 {would be met with} 8...g5 9.d4 ( {The pawn is immune due to} 9.Bxg5 Bxh3 {this is a frequently occurring theme in the attack.} ) 9...exd4 $1 ( {If now Black continues as in the game} 9...Bd6 10.dxe5 Bxe5 11.Nxe5 Qxe5 12.Qd4 {White would be indeed OK.} ) 10.cxd4 Bb6 {when the white center is about to crumble at any moment and the captures on g5 are always bad.} 11.Bxg5 ( {Or} 11.Nxg5 h6 12.Nf3 Bxh3 ) 11...Bxh3 $1 {with huge advantage for Black.} ) ( 8.Be3 {trades the good bishop but doe snot slow down the attack-} 8...Bxe3 9.fxe3 g5 ) ( {If} 8.Nc3 g5 9.Bxg5 Bxh3 $1 10.gxh3 h6 {is similar to the first line above and excellent for Black.} ) 8...Nh5 $146 {Technically speaking this is the novelty.} ( {As this all has been seen previously in a correspondence game, which Black won after:} 8...h6 9.Nbd2 g5 10.Nc4 Bd6 11.d4 Nxe4 12.dxe5 Bc5 13.Qe2 f5 {etc., Kazoks,A (2345)-Calio,M (2334) corr. 2015} ) 9.c3 {Obviously White needs to do something and do it fast. This move is aiming for a quick central counter-blow.} ( {Aronian "Maybe I should have gone for"} 9.Nc3 {"It will be like the game" said Kramnik and suggested} 9...g5 10.Nxe5 g4 11.d4 Bd6 ( {The other suggestion of the former world champion is not as good-} 11...gxh3 12.g3 ( {Or even} 12.g4 $1 ) 12...Nf6 13.dxc5 Qxe5 14.Bf4 Qxc5 15.Bxc7 {and here it might be White who is better.} ) ) 9...g5 10.Nxe5 ( {If} 10.d4 {Black can always go for} 10...exd4 ( {Or even} 10...g4 11.dxc5 gxf3 12.Qxf3 Qh4 {"with dangerous threats" (Kramnik)} ) 11.cxd4 Bb6 12.Nh2 Nf6 13.e5 Nd5 {with clear advantage as the kingside attack proceeds without any problems after Bc8-e6 and 0-0-0.} ) 10...g4 ( {Of course not:} 10...Qxe5 11.d4 Qe7 12.Qxh5 ) 11.d4 ( {The captures on g4 lead to mate after} 11.Nxg4 Bxg4 12.hxg4 Qh4+ 13.Kg1 Ng3 ) 11...Bd6 ( {Wrong is} 11...gxh3 12.g3 $1 ) 12.g3 ( {Another mating picture occurs after} 12.Nxg4 Bxg4 13.hxg4 Qh4+ 14.Kg1 Qh2# ) 12...Bxe5 13.dxe5 Qxe5 14.Qd4 Qe7 $1 {Kramnik wants mate!} ( {Aronian was hoping for a slightly worse endgame after} 14...Qxd4 15.cxd4 gxh3 ) 15.h4 c5 16.Qc4 {"A terrible blunder; I forgot that Black is threatening ...f5." (Aronian)} ( {The best chance according to Kramnik was} 16.Qd3 Bd7 17.c4 O-O-O 18.Nc3 Bc6 19.Nd5 Qe5 {when Black is better but the game goes on.} ) 16...Be6 17.Qb5+ c6 18.Qa4 ( 18.Qe2 {will be met as well with} 18...f5 $1 ) ( {White's best was still} 18.Qd3 Rd8 19.Qe3 {although Black is clearly better here after} ) 18...f5 $1 19.Bg5 ( {"The main point was"} 19.exf5 Nxg3+ $1 {which lead to mate after} 20.fxg3 Bd5+ 21.Kg1 Qe2 22.Rf2 Qe1+ 23.Rf1 Qxg3# {(Kramnik)} ) 19...Rxg5 $1 {Not slowing down at all. White's position is in ruins and Kramnik accurately finishes the game.} 20.hxg5 f4 21.Qd1 ( {Or} 21.gxf4 Nxf4 22.Qc2 Qxg5 ) ( {And} 21.Kg2 Qxg5 {with decisive attack in both cases.} ) 21...Rd8 22.Qc1 fxg3 23.Na3 Rd3 24.Rd1 Bd5 25.f3 ( {Or mate after} 25.Rxd3 Qxe4+ ) 25...gxf3 26.exd5 ( {"The main idea was to win with"} 26.Rxd3 Qxe4 27.Re3 f2+ 28.Rxe4+ Bxe4# {(Kramnik)} ) 26...Qe2 27.Re1 g2+ ( 27...g2+ {Aronian resigned because of} 28.Kh2 g1=Q+ 29.Kxg1 f2+ 30.Kg2 fxe1=Q# ) 0-1

[Event "E Candidates 2018"]
[Site "Berlin GER"]
[Date "2018.03.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2800"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[Beauty "6048521934419"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Qe2 {A pet line of Boris Spassky. He tried it twice against Tigran Petrosian in their second world championship match in 1969. Both games were easily held by Black.} 5...Qe7 6.Nc3 ( {Carlsen opted for the more conventional} 6.d3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Qxe2+ 8.Bxe2 g6 9.Nd4 a6 10.Bf4 Bg7 11.h3 Bd7 12.Bf3 Nc6 {but did not get much in Carlsen,M (2834) -Caruana,F (2811) Wijk aan Zee 2018} ) 6...Nxc3 7.dxc3 Qxe2+ 8.Bxe2 Nc6 9.Be3 Be7 10.O-O-O O-O 11.Rhe1 ( {Another recent top game saw} 11.Rhg1 a6 12.g4 Re8 13.h4 Be6 14.Ng5 Bd7 15.Kb1 Ne5 {with an eventual draw, Artemiev,V (2697)-Khalifman,A (2614) Moscow 2018} ) 11...Bf6 $146 {A logical novelty in comparison to an earlier correspondence game.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 11...Bd7 12.Nd4 Bf6 13.f4 Rfe8 14.Bf3 a6 15.Bf2 g6 16.g4 {with some pressure for White, Lehtinen,P (2180)-Halme,O (2316) corr. 2005} ) 12.Nd2 {At first sight it seems that Black should not worry at all. The position is symmetrical and not much is going on.} 12...Re8 13.Bf3 Ne5 14.Bf4 {However, the slight lead in the development for White forces Caruana to play carefully. 15.Nd2-c4 is a threat now.} 14...Kf8 15.Bd5 ( {The timid} 15.Be2 Ng6 16.Bg3 Bd7 {is already a bit more equal for Black.} ) 15...c6 16.Bb3 Bf5 ( {Black cannot close the bishop with} 16...d5 17.c4 d4 $2 {due to} 18.Ne4 ) 17.h3 g5 {Energetic play by Black. He intends to find counter-play on the kingside.} 18.Bh2 Kg7 19.c4 ( 19.f4 {was safer, with approximate equality.} ) 19...g4 $1 20.Ne4 $1 {Kramnik is ready to enter the huge complications which materialize seemingly out of thin air.} ( {After} 20.hxg4 Nxg4 21.Bg3 Bg5 {Black's active pieces compensate him for the slight structural weaknesses.} ) 20...Bxe4 21.Rxe4 Bg5+ 22.Kb1 gxh3 23.c5 $1 {Another exclam, for the courage. "I've noticed this, but I thought it was very risky for White." (Caruana) Kramnik undermines the central knight but at a very high price. Not only is he losing a couple of is kingside pawns, but the survivor on g2 is just a step closer to becoming a queen.} ( {The American GM expected instead something like} 23.gxh3 f5 24.Re2 ( {Or} 24.Ree1 Nf3 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Bxd6 Nd2+ 27.Ka1 Ne4 28.Bb4 ( 28.Bg3 $2 f4 ) 28...Nxf2 {when Black is better.} ) 24...Nf3 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Bxd6 Re2 {where indeed Black is doing great.} ) 23...f5 ( {Also good for Black was} 23...hxg2 24.cxd6 Nf3 25.Rg4 Re2 26.Rxg2 h6 {but apparently Caruana wants more.} ) 24.Rb4 hxg2 25.Rxb7+ Kh8 {Best.} ( 25...Kf8 $2 {gets on the road of the white pieces and White is clearly better after} 26.Bxe5 Rxe5 27.cxd6 ( {Or the preliminary check} 27.Rf7+ Ke8 28.cxd6 ) ) ( {"Perhaps I can just go"} 25...Re7 {suggested Caruana after the game. Then the most likely outcome is a draw after} 26.Rxe7+ Bxe7 27.Rg1 {although it is White who needs to prove it.} ) 26.cxd6 Nf3 27.Ba4 ( {Kramnik's original plan} 27.Bg1 {fails to} 27...Re2 {For example} 28.d7 Rd2 29.Rxd2 ( 29.Rc1 Rd6 {traps the rook.} ) 29...Nxd2+ 30.Ka1 Nf3 ) 27...Nxh2 28.Bxc6 {For a moment it seems as Kramnik outsmarted his opponent. The g2 pawn is stopped and the one on d6 has everyone around it for support.} 28...Rad8 $3 {A fantastic resource. All black pieces are now into the game and help each other.} ( {Indeed, bad was} 28...Red8 29.Bxg2 {when White has all the fun.} ) ( {However, besides the text move the where a couple of very interesting alternatives. Caruana spent his last three minutes trying to make the move:} 28...Re4 {work. It does indeed in case of:} 29.Bxe4 ( {But he could not find anything after} 29.Rg1 $1 Rae8 ( {Maybe the simple} 29...Re6 {when Black is much better is a good idea though.} ) 30.Bxe4 ) 29...fxe4 30.Rg1 e3 31.fxe3 Rf8 {(Caruana)} ) ( 28...Nf1 $5 {was the other idea, with advantage for Black after} 29.Bxg2 Nd2+ 30.Ka1 Rad8 ) 29.d7 {The only move, as tactics works well for Black.} ( {After both} 29.Bxg2 Rxd6 $1 ) ( {and} 29.Bxe8 Rxd6 $1 30.Rd7 Rxd1+ 31.Rxd1 Nf1 {and Black wins.} ) 29...Re2 30.Bxg2 Rxf2 31.Bc6 {Caruana preserved the extra piece and even kept two dangerous passers on the kingside. But it ain't over yet, moreover because Black is in serious time trouble.} 31...Ng4 ( {Another idea was to send the knight to the queenside after} 31...Nf1 32.Rxa7 Nd2+ 33.Ka1 Nc4 {with serious winning chances for Black.} ) ( {Both players considered the forcing} 31...f4 32.Rxa7 f3 33.Ra3 Rd2 34.Rxd2 Bxd2 35.Bxf3 Nxf3 36.Rxf3 Rxd7 {when Black is better, but Kramnik believed he should hold.} ) 32.Rxa7 Ne3 {"A nice knight, but it cost me a lot of time to get there." (Caruana)} 33.Rg1 h6 {In order to bring the king into the play. But as Kramnik summarized it, Black has no time to waste.} ( {Caruana was not sure what to do after} 33...Rxc2 $1 34.Rc7 {and apparently both missed the strong} ( 34.Ba4 {is better although Black is once again close to winning after} 34...Rf2 ) 34...Bf6 $1 {which wins for Black.} ) 34.Rc7 Kg7 35.a4 {All of a sudden the white pawns started to run too fast and it is not clear who is better at all.} 35...Kf7 ( {Instead} 35...Rxc2 {could have led to a curious draw after} 36.Rc8 Rxc6 37.Rxd8 Rd6 38.Re8 Ng4 ( 38...Rxd7 $2 39.Rxe3 ) 39.Rf1 Ne3 ( 39...Kg6 40.Rg8+ Kh7 41.Re8 ) 40.Rg1 ) 36.Bb5 Ke7 37.a5 Rf4 38.c3 $1 ( {Correctly avoiding the counterplay after} 38.a6 Rb4 39.Rb7 ( {Or} 39.Bc6 Bf6 ) 39...Bf6 ) 38...Kd6 39.Rb7 ( {Kramnik thought that} 39.Rc6+ Ke7 40.Rb6 {leads to a win, but this might not be the case after} ( {However} 40.a6 $1 {is clear edge for White.} ) 40...Re4 41.a6 Nc4 ) 39...Rg4 40.Re1 ( 40.Rh1 {"finishes it immediately" (Kramnik)} ) 40...f4 41.a6 {Finally, the time trouble is over. However, the position remains enormously complicated with loads of nuances and this determined the following drama.} 41...h5 42.a7 Ra8 43.b4 {A first step in the wrong direction. Once again Kramnik decides to deprive his opponent of any counterplay, but this time it turns out to be wrong.} ( {Correct was:} 43.c4 $1 {with the idea:} 43...h4 ( {Caruana was planning the desperate} 43...Kc5 44.b4+ Kd4 {although here too, White should win after} 45.Bc6 Bd8 ( 45...Kc3 46.Rc7 ) 46.Rc7 $1 Bxc7 47.Bxa8 Rg8 48.Bb7 ) 44.c5+ Kxc5 45.Rc1+ Kd6 46.Rc8 {and White wins.} ) ( {The straightforward} 43.Rb8 Rxa7 44.d8=Q+ Bxd8 45.Rxd8+ Ke5 {leads only to a draw.} ) 43...h4 44.c4 {Going for another forcing line. Things are not that clear anymore.} ( {For example} 44.Re2 h3 {(Caruana)} ) ( {Or} 44.Be2 Rg3 45.b5 h3 46.b6 h2 47.Rb8 Rg1 {and here Kramnik mentioned only} 48.Bf3 $3 {which leads to an utterly fantastic position after} 48...Rxe1+ 49.Ka2 Ng2 $1 {Then} 50.Bxg2 Re2+ 51.Kb3 Rxg2 52.d8=Q+ ( {Not} 52.Rxa8 Bd8 $3 53.Rxd8 h1=Q 54.a8=Q Qb1+ {and Black mates....} ) 52...Bxd8 53.Rxa8 Rg8 $1 ( 53...Bxb6 {is a draw after} 54.Rd8+ $1 Bxd8 55.a8=Q h1=Q 56.Qxd8+ {with perpetual...} ) 54.b7 h1=Q 55.b8=Q+ Ke6 {leads to a position where Black fights for the win.} ) ( {Therefore, for practical purposes most likely best was to (somewhat) clarify matters with} 44.d8=Q+ Bxd8 ( 44...Rxd8 $2 45.Rb8 ) 45.Rd7+ Ke6 46.Bc6 Rxa7 47.Rxa7 {with winning chances for White.} ) 44...h3 45.c5+ Ke5 46.Rb8 ( 46.c6 h2 47.c7 Rg1 {is a draw according to the computer. Say} 48.Bc6 Rxe1+ 49.Ka2 Re2+ 50.Kb3 Nd5 51.Bxd5 Kxd5 52.c8=Q Re3+ 53.Kc2 ( 53.Ka4 h1=Q 54.Qc5+ Ke6 55.Rb6+ Kxd7 56.Qd6+ {and perpetual.} ) 53...Re2+ 54.Kd3 Re3+ ) ( {Nothing is clear after} 46.Bc6 h2 ) 46...Rxa7 47.Rg8 {"And I thought it just finishes the game" (Kramnik). However...} 47...Bf6 $3 {A second shocker for the former world champion.} 48.d8=Q {The only move.} ( {It transpires that the rook is invinsible due to the sudden discovery} 48.Rxg4 $2 Kf5 {and the threat of Ra1 mate wins for Black.} ) ( 48.Rxe3+ $2 {is bad as well after} 48...fxe3 49.Rxg4 h2 ) 48...Bxd8 49.Rxg4 Bf6 50.Rg6 Rb7 {Caruana became ambitious. It was Kramnik who was low on time now.} ( {The American GM rejected the possible draw after} 50...Kf5 51.Bd3+ Ke6 52.Rxf6+ Kxf6 53.b5 ) 51.Be2 Rxb4+ 52.Ka2 {"All of a sudden I am better again." (Kramnik) "I completely underestimated how fast is the c-pawn" (Caruana)} 52...Nc2 ( {Actually, it is still most likely a draw after} 52...Be7 {say} 53.c6 Ra4+ 54.Kb3 Rb4+ 55.Kc3 Nd5+ 56.Kd2 Bh4 57.Rc1 Rd4+ 58.Bd3 h2 ) 53.Rc1 ( 53.Rb1 Re4 $1 {holds for Black (Caruana)} ) 53...Nd4 54.Bd3 ( 54.Bg4 $5 ) 54...Ra4+ 55.Kb1 {In time trouble Kramnik decided to repeat the moves.} ( {His original intention} 55.Kb2 {would have probably led to a draw after} 55...Ke6 56.c6 ( 56.Rh1 Rb4+ 57.Kc3 Nc6+ 58.Rxf6+ Kxf6 59.Rxh3 Kg5 {(Caruana, Kramnik)} ) 56...Nxc6+ 57.Rxf6+ Kxf6 58.Rxc6+ Kg5 {(Caruana, Kramnik)} ) 55...Nb3 $1 {Black is taking his chance! The king hunt creates a myriad of tactical opportunities, even in the endgame.} 56.Re1+ ( {Like the one after} 56.Rd1 $2 Ra1+ 57.Kc2 Nd4+ $1 {An important maneuver.} 58.Kd2 Nf3+ 59.Ke2 Rxd1 60.Kxd1 h2 61.Rh6 Nh4 {and all of a sudden the h-pawn queens!} ) ( {Safe was} 56.Rc2 Ke6 57.Rh2 Ra1+ 58.Kc2 Ra2+ 59.Kxb3 Rxh2 60.c6 {with a draw.} ) 56...Kd5 57.Kc2 ( {Kramnik suggested another "draw line"} 57.Rxf6 Ra1+ 58.Kb2 Rxe1 59.Kxb3 h2 60.Bb5 $2 {but there is a nasty little spoiler} ( 60.Bc4+ Kxc5 61.Rf5+ {instead is a draw.} ) 60...f3 $3 {interference theme that wins for Black!} ) 57...Nd4+ 58.Kb1 ( 58.Kc1 $1 {would have still shared the point.} ) 58...Nf3 59.Rd1 $4 {With two seconds left on his clock Kramnik blunders!} ( {He could have still saved the game with} 59.Rxf6 Nxe1 60.Bf1 h2 61.Rh6 Kxc5 62.Rxh2 ) ( {At the very last moment the former world champion saw} 59.Rf1 Nd2+ 60.Kc2 Ra2+ $1 {which wins for Black.} ( 60...Nxf1 61.Bxf1 Ra2+ ) ) 59...Ra1+ 60.Kc2 Rxd1 {An echo from the line from above (see the line on move 56). Now Caruana wins this hugely dramatic game.} 61.Ba6 ( {Since} 61.Kxd1 h2 62.Rh6 Bh4 {promotes the pawn.} ) 61...Rd2+ 62.Kc1 Bb2+ 63.Kb1 Kxc5 64.Bb7 Ne5 65.Rf6 f3 66.Rf5 f2 0-1

[Event "E Candidates 2018"]
[Site "Berlin GER"]
[Date "2018.03.23"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[ECO "D40"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "194"]
[Beauty "3647501036596"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[WhiteTeam "China"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:24"]
[BlackClock "0:06:07"]

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.e3 e6 5.d4 d5 6.a3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 a6 8.O-O b5 9.Ba2 Bb7 10.Qe2 Qc7 11.Bd2 Be7 $146 {A novelty in comparison to a very fresh game.} ( {There Black comfortably held after} 11...Rd8 12.Rfc1 cxd4 13.exd4 Be7 14.d5 exd5 15.Bg5 O-O 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Nxd5 Qd6 18.Re1 Nd4 19.Nxf6+ Qxf6 20.Nxd4 Rxd4 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2751)-Gelfand,B (2695) Moscow 2018} ) 12.Rac1 c4 13.e4 Rd8 14.Be3 Ng4 15.e5 Na5 {Perhaps it is here where Grischuk messed up with his preparation.} ( {The move that he mentioned later was possible at once:} 15...f5 $5 {since} 16.exf6 {does not work anyway due to} 16...Nxd4 $1 17.Bxd4 Bxf3 {and Black wins.} ) 16.Bf4 {"This is supposedly good for Black, but I do not know (remember) how." (Grischuk) See the previous note.} ( {"I think I had this in preparation. If"} 16.Bb1 f5 $1 {"is good for Black as"} 17.exf6 Bxf3 18.Qxf3 Qxh2# {(Grischuk)} ) 16...Qb6 17.Rcd1 h5 {The idea is to secure a square for the black knight, but it "is obviously bad." (Grischuk)} 18.h3 Nh6 19.Bb1 {Now the black king may never castle and White is eager to open the center files.} 19...Nb3 ( 19...Kd7 $2 20.d5 $1 ) 20.Be3 Qc7 {Black saw what will happen next but he thought he may "get lucky."} ( {In desperation Grischuk even considered a la Petrosian sacrifices like} 20...Bd5 21.Nxd5 Rxd5 22.Be4 Nf5 23.Bxd5 exd5 {but realized that "he will slowly lose." Indeed he cannot keep the position blocked forever.} ) 21.Rfe1 Kf8 ( 21...O-O 22.Bxh6 gxh6 23.Qe3 Kg7 24.Ne4 {is a crushing attack for White.} ) 22.d5 $1 {Thematic and very strong.} 22...exd5 ( 22...Bxd5 23.Nxd5 exd5 24.e6 {would not change anything.} ) 23.e6 fxe6 24.Ng5 $1 Qd7 ( {From afar Grischuk intended to try:} 24...Bc8 {but then realized that} 25.Nxd5 $1 {would be nasty enough. For example:} ( {Ding saw a safer win:} 25.Qf3+ $1 Kg8 26.Bf4 {and if} 26...Qb7 27.Nxe6 Bxe6 28.Rxe6 {where Black is completely hopeless.} ) 25...exd5 ( {However} 25...Rxd5 $1 26.Rxd5 exd5 27.Qf3+ Bf6 28.Qxd5 g6 $1 {is not that clear.} ) 26.Bb6 {this indeed wins for White.} ) ( {And if} 24...Bxg5 25.Bxg5 Re8 26.Nxd5 $1 {is decisive.} ) 25.Bg6 $1 {Both players agreed that this was a very strong move.} 25...Bf6 ( 25...Kg8 26.Bb6 {"and then I immediately resign" (Grischuk) Say} 26...Rf8 27.Nxe6 Rf6 28.Nf4 $1 Rxf4 29.Qxe7 Qxe7 30.Rxe7 {and Black has hardly any moves.} ) 26.Bb6 Rc8 {"This move totally surprised me" (Ding)} ( {The alternative was losing on the spot:} 26...Bxg5 27.Bxd8 Bxd8 28.Qxe6 Qxe6 29.Rxe6 Nf7 ( 29...Be7 30.Nxd5 Bxd5 31.Rxd5 Nf7 32.Rd7 Nc5 33.Rexe7 Nxd7 34.Rxf7+ {(Ding)} ) 30.Rde1 {(Grischuk)} ) 27.Nxe6+ Kg8 28.Nxd5 ( {Missing the beautiful win} 28.Nd8 $1 Bc6 ( 28...Rxd8 29.Bxd8 Qxd8 30.Qe8+ Qxe8 31.Rxe8# ) 29.Rxd5 $1 {and Black can resign.} ) 28...Bxd5 29.Nf4 {This is also winning but it does complicate matters.} ( {Once again:} 29.Nd8 $1 {"was not only winning, but winning brilliantly." (Grischuk)} ) ( {Also nice was:} 29.Rxd5 Qxd5 30.Nd8 $1 {with mate.} ) 29...Nc1 $3 {An excellent practical chance. Now both players levelled on the clock and played the next 11 moves practically on increment.} 30.Qxh5 ( {"If takes"} 30.Rxc1 {"then"} 30...Bf7 {"and there is suddenly no mate" (Grischuk)} 31.Rcd1 Qc6 {"this is not so clear" (Ding) However simple move like} 32.Ba5 {leaves Black absolutely hopeless as he has no reasonable moves. For example} 32...Bxg6 33.Nxg6 Rh7 34.Qxh5 ) 30...Nd3 31.Nxd5 Nf7 32.Qe2 ( {Grischuk's suggestion} 32.Re7 Bxe7 33.Bxf7+ Kf8 34.Qxh8+ Kxf7 {wins if we continue the line:} 35.Qh5+ g6 36.Qh7+ Ke6 37.Nf4+ Ke5 38.Nxd3+ cxd3 39.Qg7+ Ke6 40.Re1+ Kd5 41.Qd4+ Kc6 42.Rc1+ {and it is over.} ) ( {Also winning is} 32.Nxf6+ gxf6 33.Bxf7+ Qxf7 34.Qg4+ Kh7 35.Qf5+ Kg7 36.Re4 {with mating threats and healthy extra pawn.} ) 32...Nfe5 33.Be4 Rh4 {Now, in timetrouble, more miracles happen.} 34.f4 ( 34.Qe3 $1 ) 34...Rxf4 $1 35.Nxf4 Nxf4 36.Bh7+ {"This of course shocked me." (Grischuk)} 36...Kh8 ( 36...Kxh7 {drops the queen after the in-between check} 37.Qe4+ ) 37.Qe4 Qc6 38.Bd4 ( 38.Be3 $1 Qxe4 39.Bxe4 Ned3 40.Bxf4 Nxf4 41.Rf1 {would have kept solid advantage for White.} ) 38...Nxh3+ {Getting overly excited with a few seconds left on his clock.} ( {Correct was} 38...Ned3 {when Black is not worse at all. Of course} 39.Qxc6 $2 {fails to} 39...Bxd4+ ) 39.Kh2 ( {Even} 39.gxh3 Nf3+ 40.Kh1 $1 Nxd4 41.Bg6 {is advantageous for White.} ) 39...Ng5 40.Qxc6 Rxc6 41.Bc2 Ngf7 42.Bxe5 $2 {"I do not understand this." (Grischuk) Indeed, why was this trade needed? White can take on e5 in any given moment.} ( 42.Bc3 {"I thought there is almost no hope. White will just win slowly." (Grischuk)} ) 42...Nxe5 43.Rd5 Re6 44.Kh3 Kg8 45.b3 ( {Black was more afraid of} 45.Bf5 Re8 46.Bd7 Re7 47.Bc8 g6 48.g3 {when the pin might be indeed more than unpleasant for him.} ) 45...Kf7 46.bxc4 Nxc4 47.Rd7+ Be7 48.Rxe6 Kxe6 49.Ra7 Nxa3 50.Rxa6+ Kd5 {"This is like my dream. Everything is exchanged and I have very good drawing chances." (Grischuk)} 51.Bh7 Nc4 52.Kg4 Bf6 53.Ra7 {As Grischuk explained White will be winning if he manages to take away all the pawns from the board. However, this will never happen as the b-pawn is too strong.} 53...Kd4 54.Bg8 Nd6 55.Kf3 Kc5 56.Ra8 {In the remainder, Ding tried everyhting that he could but the win had slipped away.} 56...b4 57.Ke2 Bc3 58.Kd3 Kb6 59.Ke3 Kc6 60.Kf4 Nb7 61.Kf5 Nc5 62.g4 Kb5 63.g5 b3 64.Kg6 Kb4 65.Bd5 Bd4 66.Kh7 Kc3 67.g6 b2 68.Ba2 Kc2 69.Rb8 Ne4 70.Rb4 Nc3 71.Be6 Kc1 72.Bf5 Be5 73.Rb7 b1=Q ( {Shuffling the bishop left and right was the easiest draw as White cannot make progress.} 73...Bf6 ) 74.Bxb1 Nxb1 75.Rxg7 Nc3 76.Re7 Bd4 {This is also a draw as the bishop will always have enough squares on the diagonals as Grischuk explained.} 77.Rd7 Be5 78.Kh6 Kc2 79.Kg5 Kb3 80.Kf5 Bh8 81.Rb7+ ( {Or} 81.Rh7 Bd4 82.Re7 Bh8 ) 81...Kc2 82.Rh7 Bd4 83.Ke6 Kb3 84.Rd7 Bh8 85.Rd8 Bg7 86.Kf7 Be5 87.Re8 ( 87.Rd3 Kc2 ) 87...Bd4 88.Rb8+ Kc2 89.Rb7 Be5 90.Rb6 Bd4 91.Rf6 Bxf6 92.Kxf6 Nd5+ 93.Kf7 Ne3 94.Kf6 Nd5+ 95.Kf7 Ne3 96.g7 Nf5 97.g8=Q Nh6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.02"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Meier, Georg"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[ECO "C68"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7700343431251"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:28"]
[BlackClock "0:02:19"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 {Meier understands and plays endgames well. For this reason the Exchange Ruy Lopez has always been part of his repertoire.} 4...dxc6 5.O-O Qf6 {A very fighting move.} 6.d4 exd4 7.Bg5 Qd6 8.Nxd4 Be7 9.Be3 ( {Black did not expect any real problems after:} 9.Bxe7 Nxe7 10.Nc3 Bd7 11.Nb3 O-O-O 12.Qf3 Ng6 13.Qe3 Kb8 14.Nc5 Bc8 15.Rad1 Qf4 16.Qxf4 Nxf4 17.f3 b6 {Solak,D (2626)-Eljanov,P (2720) Heraklio 2017} ) 9...Nh6 10.Qd2 g5 $146 {"I prepared this idea four years ago for Arkadij [Naiditsch]. " (Caruana)} ( {Apparently, Caruana has built his preparation on account of the following game:} 10...Qg6 11.f3 Bd7 12.Nc3 O-O-O 13.Qf2 f6 14.Nce2 {Naiditsch,A (2724)-Maiorov,N (2548) Bastia 2013} ) 11.Nf3 ( {According to Caruana critical are the moves:} 11.h3 ) ( {Or} 11.f3 f5 {"with a mess" (Caruana)} ) 11...Rg8 12.h4 {Meier tries to make use of the shaky knight on h6. But now his king gets opened and Caruana became "very ambitious."} ( {"Logical is"} 12.Qxd6 cxd6 13.Nc3 {"with equality" (Caruana)} ) 12...Qg6 ( {Objectively better was perhaps:} 12...f6 {to which Meier intended} 13.e5 fxe5 14.Bxg5 {when} 14...Bg4 $1 {is an important resource for Black, with unclear game after} 15.Nxe5 Bxg5 16.hxg5 O-O-O ) 13.hxg5 Ng4 14.Nc3 $5 {Wastes a move.} ( {Black expected the immediate} 14.Bf4 h6 15.Bxc7 hxg5 ( {Instead} 15...Be6 {was planned (Caruana), which might transpose into the game.} ) 16.Nd4 Rh8 $6 ( {Or} 16...Qh7 17.f3 Nf6 18.Nc3 {which also looks good for White.} ) 17.f3 {and Black did not like that his knight has to step on h2 now. If} 17...Nf6 18.Nc3 {looks good for White.} ) 14...h6 15.Bf4 ( {"I spent a lot of time on"} 15.Rad1 {"before realizing that"} 15...Be6 $1 {"is very strong" (Meier)} ( {He was hoping for:} 15...hxg5 16.Bc5 $1 ) ) 15...Be6 {Caruana liked the idea to exclude the white bishop from the game.} ( {He did not like the straightforward attack} 15...hxg5 16.Bxc7 Rh8 17.Ne2 Qh6 18.Ng3 Nh2 19.Rfd1 Nxf3+ 20.gxf3 {as he could not find anything decisive. Still, Black's position is quite decent after} 20...Be6 21.b3 ( 21.Qc3 ) 21...Bc5 $1 ) 16.Bxc7 Rc8 ( {Worse is} 16...hxg5 17.Nd4 $1 ) 17.Bb6 ( {Good for Black is} 17.Bd6 Rd8 18.e5 hxg5 {(Caruana)} ) ( {While} 17.Bg3 {takes away the important square from the white knight-} 17...hxg5 18.Ne2 Rh8 $1 ) 17...hxg5 18.Ne2 c5 ( {"I was dreaming for"} 18...Qxe4 19.Rfe1 {(Meier), when it is clear which king is weaker.} ) 19.Ng3 ( 19.Ba5 $5 {to escape from the danger zone was interesting as well.} ) 19...Rh8 20.Rfd1 ( {Better was to centralize both the rooks with} 20.Rfe1 f6 21.Rad1 Kf7 {and now for instance} 22.Qa5 $1 ( {Rather than} 22.Qc3 Rc6 {(Caruana)} ) ) 20...Qh6 ( {On} 20...f6 {"White suddenly get counter-play with"} 21.b4 $1 cxb4 ( 21...Qh6 $1 ) ( {Or} 21...Qh7 $1 {are better with some advantage for Black.} ) 22.Nd4 Bc4 23.Ndf5 {(Caruana). Indeed, it is White who is attacking now.} ) 21.b4 {In the coming time-trouble Meier sacrificed the pawn in order to free his bishop. This was not needed though.} ( {Instead} 21.b3 Bf6 ( {Or} 21...f6 22.Ba5 Kf7 23.Bc3 {would lead to approximately levelled situation.} ) ) 21...cxb4 22.Bd4 f6 23.c3 bxc3 {In order to play it safe in time-trouble, Caruana loses control.} ( {Caruana spotted too late the winning line} 23...Nh2 24.Nxg5 Nf1 $3 25.Kxf1 Bc4+ 26.Ke1 Qh1+ 27.Nxh1 Rxh1# ) ( {Also good for him was another line that he was checking during the game:} 23...Bd6 24.e5 Bxe5 25.Bxe5 Nxe5 26.Nxe5 Qh2+ 27.Kf1 fxe5 28.Qxg5 Bc4+ 29.Ke1 Qg1+ 30.Kd2 Qxf2+ 31.Kc1 {Now} 31...Be6 ( {However, the simple} 31...Qf4+ 32.Qxf4 exf4 33.Ne4 Ke7 {leaves Blak excellent winning chances.} ) 32.Ne4 {"is messing things up" (Caruana)} ) 24.Bxc3 Kf7 25.Rac1 Rc4 ( {Here} 25...Nh2 {is not that clear after} 26.Nxg5+ $1 fxg5 27.Bxh8 Rxh8 28.Rc7 Ng4 29.Qd6 Qf6 {(Caruana)} ) 26.Bd4 ( {Missing} 26.Bb2 $1 b5 27.Rxc4 {when} 27...Bxc4 {is met with} ( {Caruana planned the sad} 27...bxc4 {instead, but then the bishop is deprived of the c4 square and cannot bother the enemy king any more.} ) 28.Qd7 Nh2 ( {Or} 28...Be6 29.Qc7 $1 ) 29.Qxe7+ $1 {(Caruana)} ) 26...b5 27.Qa5 {"A losing move." (Caruana)} ( {Instead} 27.Rxc4 {was correct and after} 27...Bxc4 {White does not need to go for} 28.e5 ( {But might choose instead} 28.Qc3 ) ( {Or} 28.Rc1 ) 28...Nh2 29.Nxg5+ fxg5 30.e6+ Kg8 31.Bxh8 Ng4 {(Caruana) when Black seems on top again.} ) 27...Nh2 28.Qxa6 {This is the really losing move.} ( 28.Ne1 $1 {was White's last hope.} ) 28...Nxf3+ ( 28...g4 $1 {(Caruana) would had also won. Say} 29.Ng5+ ( 29.Ne1 Rxc1 30.Rxc1 ) 29...fxg5 30.Bxh8 Nf3+ 31.gxf3 gxf3 {with mate after Qh6-h3-g2.} ) 29.gxf3 g4 {Caruana was not very happy with the finish of the game and felt that there was something better.} ( {There is indeed:} 29...Qh2+ 30.Kf1 Rhc8 $1 {leads to mate after} 31.Rb1 Rxd4 32.Rxd4 Rc2 ) 30.f4 $1 Qxf4 31.Rxc4 bxc4 ( {Since} 31...Bxc4 32.Be3 Qf3 33.Rd7 Be6 34.Rxe7+ $1 {leads only to a draw after} 34...Kxe7 35.Qb7+ Kf8 36.Bc5+ Kg8 37.Qe7 Qd1+ 38.Kg2 Qf3+ ) 32.Be3 ( {In time-trouble White missed the strong} 32.Qa5 {although it is questionable if he survives after} 32...Qf3 33.Rd2 Kg6 ) 32...Qf3 33.Rd6 Rh3 $1 {Calculating everything till the end. The attack is unstoppable-} 34.Rxe6 Rxg3+ 35.fxg3 Qxe3+ 36.Kh2 ( 36.Kf1 Qf3+ 37.Kg1 ( 37.Ke1 Bb4# ) 37...Bc5+ 38.Kh2 Qf2+ 39.Kh1 Qg1# ) 36...Qf2+ 37.Kh1 Qf1+ 38.Kh2 Qh3+ 39.Kg1 Bc5# 0-1

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.04"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "6117241396745"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5 4.e3 Nf6 5.d4 e4 {Vachier-Lagrave's pet line. It should not have come as surprise for Carlsen.} 6.d5 {This is considered to be White's best try for an advantage.} ( {The Frenchman's latest game in the line saw} 6.Ne5 g6 7.Rb1 Bg7 8.Nxc6 dxc6 9.dxc5 Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 O-O 11.h3 Re8 {Meier,G (2647)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2793) chess.com INT 2018} ) 6...exf3 7.dxc6 fxg2 8.cxd7+ Bxd7 9.Bxg2 g6 ( 9...Qc7 {has been also played-} 10.Qb3 Bc6 11.Nd5 Bxd5 12.cxd5 Bd6 {Suba,M (2535)-Wedberg,T (2500) Dortmund 1983} ) 10.b3 ( {Nobody has dared to take the pawn yet} 10.Bxb7 {as after} 10...Rb8 11.Bg2 Bg7 {White has problems with the development of his queenside.} ) 10...Bg7 11.Qd6 ( {Black held his own after} 11.Bb2 O-O 12.Qd2 Qc7 13.O-O-O Bg4 14.f3 Rad8 15.Qe2 Be6 16.f4 Qe7 17.Bf3 h5 18.Kb1 Bh6 19.a4 Rxd1+ 20.Rxd1 Rd8 21.Rxd8+ Qxd8 {Grischuk,A (2783)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2804) Tbilisi 2017} ) 11...Qb6 {So far both blitzed, but here Carlsen paused, not sure why Vachier-Lagrave is entering the endgame.} 12.Qxb6 $146 {A novelty.} ( {Unsurprisingly, the predecessor is another game of MVL:} 12.Qe5+ Kf8 13.Bb2 Nh5 14.Qd5 Bc6 15.Qd6+ Kg8 16.Bxc6 Rd8 17.Qe7 bxc6 18.O-O Bf6 19.Qe4 Kg7 {and Black was doing fine at this stage of the game in Grischuk,A (2750) -Vachier Lagrave,M (2795) chess.com INT 2017} ) 12...axb6 13.Bb2 Bc6 14.O-O ( 14.Nd5 {is the other way to play it, but less convincing after} 14...Bxd5 15.cxd5 Nh5 ) 14...Ke7 {The king needs to stayin the center.} ( {If} 14...Bxg2 15.Kxg2 Ne4 16.Nxe4 Bxb2 17.Rad1 {is slightly better for White as Black's bishop is workless and} 17...Rxa2 $2 {self-ins and destructs that same piece after} 18.Rd2 ) ( 14...Ne4 15.Bxe4 Bxe4 16.Nxe4 Bxb2 17.Rad1 {will transpose to the above-mentioned line.} ) 15.Nd5+ {Picking up the bishop pair.} 15...Bxd5 16.cxd5 Rhg8 ( 16...Nh5 $5 {is still an option.} ) 17.d6+ Kxd6 18.Rad1+ Ke7 {This was the endgame that Carlsen anticipated. White owes the bishop pair, but Vachier-Lagrave believed he should hold with precise play. This is quite a standard opening situation, which GM Krasenkow once neatly explained the following way: "White has nothing, and Black has problems."} 19.Be5 Rgd8 20.Bxb7 Rxd1 21.Rxd1 Rd8 {What is interesting is that Black was still in his prep.} ( 21...Rxa2 {leads to "unnecessary complications" (MVL). For example:} 22.Bd6+ ( 22.Bc7 Nd7 23.Bc8 $2 {doe snot work to} ( 23.Kg2 Bc3 $1 {is OK for Black (MVL)} ) ( 23.Rd3 Ra7 {also seems fine for the second player.} ) 23...Ra1 $1 ) 22...Kd8 ( {Or} 22...Kd7 ) 23.Bf8+ Kc7 24.Bxg7 Nh5 25.Be5+ Kxb7 26.Rd7+ Kc6 27.Rxf7 Ra3 {The knight on h5 is dominated and this might not be to Black's taste. Although he has enough counter-play on the other side.} ) 22.Rxd8 Kxd8 23.Kf1 Ne8 24.Bg3 {The bishop pair is White's only advantage and he preserves it.} ( 24.Bxg7 Nxg7 {leads White nowhere.} ) 24...Kd7 25.a4 ( {On} 25.Ke2 {MVL planned} 25...Bf8 26.e4 Nc7 ) 25...f5 26.f3 ( 26.Ke2 {was again possible although after} 26...Ke6 {followed by Ne8-d6 or Bg7-e5 Black should be also able to hold.} ) 26...Ke6 {"I just missed this idea and then Black is just OK" (Carlsen)} 27.Bc8+ Kd5 ( 27...Ke7 {followed by Ne8-d6 and then back with the king on e6 was also good for Black (MVL)} ) 28.Bb7+ Ke6 29.Bc6 Nd6 30.Bf2 Be5 31.h4 f4 {Trading pawns.} 32.exf4 {Carlsen did not see anything better than this.} ( {On} 32.e4 Bc3 $1 {would be strong in order to prevent b3-b4 break. Then} 33.h5 g5 $1 34.h6 Ke5 {with the key idea to meet} ( {Or} 34...Kf6 {(Carlsen)} ) 35.Bd5 {with} 35...Nf5 $1 {would lead to a position where only Black can play for a win.} ) 32...Bxf4 33.a5 bxa5 34.Bxc5 {Finally the bishops have more air to operate but there are almost no pawns left.} 34...Nf5 35.Bb6 Bd2 36.Bd8 Nd4 37.Ba4 Kd6 ( 37...Nxf3 $4 38.Ke2 ) 38.Kg2 Ne6 39.Bb6 Nc5 {Forcing the draw.} 40.Bxc5+ Kxc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.05"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Meier, Georg"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[ECO "E08"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "5980473536579"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 {Another pet opening by the German GM.} 4...Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 O-O 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Qc2 c6 9.Bf4 Ne4 10.h4 {Prophylaxis.} ( {After:} 10.Nc3 {Black can expand on the kingside with} 10...g5 11.Bc1 f5 12.b3 b6 13.Bb2 Bb7 14.Rad1 Qe8 {which will lead to a position typical for the Dutch Stonewall, Le,Q (2739)-Nakamura,H (2792) Saint Louis 2017} ) 10...Ndf6 {"I knew this line is bad, but decided to play it." (Carlsen). Apparently, the world champion wanted to avoid dry positions even at the expense of some risk.} 11.Nbd2 $146 {Solid and a novelty.} ( {The only predecessor was an email game which also saw White gaining advantage after:} 11.Nc3 Nxc3 12.Qxc3 b6 13.Ne5 Bb7 14.b4 a5 15.c5 axb4 16.Qxb4 Ra6 17.Rfb1 Ba8 18.a4 bxc5 19.dxc5 Qa5 20.Qxa5 Rxa5 21.Bd2 {Ilonen,I (2228)-Jones,I (2256) ICCF email 2016} ) 11...Nxd2 12.Nxd2 Nh5 {There is nothing else. Black needs to get something in return for the poor bishop on c8. Therefore- Stonewall set-up and central control.} 13.Be3 f5 14.Bf3 Qe8 ( 14...f4 $5 {was interesting, with the idea} 15.Bxh5 fxe3 16.fxe3 Qd6 17.Kg2 e5 {and compensation for the pawn.} ) 15.Bg5 Nf6 16.e3 b6 17.Rac1 Ba6 ( {Objectively correct and approximately equal was the way that Carlsen suggested-} 17...Ne4 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Nxe4 fxe4 20.Be2 Bb7 {But then, how to fight for a win?} ) 18.a3 Ne4 19.Bxe7 Qxe7 20.Be2 Bb7 21.b4 Rac8 {"This was ridiculous obviously, but I wanted to keep on fighting." (Carlsen)} 22.c5 {Meier seizes the initiative on his flank, Carlsen nees to hurry with counterplay.} 22...e5 23.dxe5 Qxe5 24.Nxe4 fxe4 25.Qc3 Qf5 26.a4 g5 {"A kind of complete bluff. It is very hard to evaluate with little time on the clock." (Carlsen)} ( 26...Qh3 {intending Rf8-f3xg3+ and perpetual was objectively best. "But I did not want a draw." (Carlsen). He almost succeeded...} ) 27.hxg5 {Solid play by Meier.} ( {On} 27.h5 {the world champion planned} 27...g4 28.h6 Rc7 29.cxb6 axb6 30.Qd4 Rcf7 31.Qxb6 Ba8 {followed by Rf7-f6xh6, Qf5-h5 and mate. But this might not be as simple. Say:} 32.b5 Rf6 33.Qc7 Rxh6 34.Qf4 $1 {White defends the kingside and crashes through the other.} ) ( {Surprisingly, there is even a move} 27.f4 $1 {Computer generated of course. Then} 27...Qh3 $2 {which looks like refutation allows counter-attack} ( {If} 27...gxh4 28.g4 {is much better for White.} ) 28.Rf2 Qxg3+ 29.Rg2 Qxh4 30.Rxg5+ {and White wins.} ) 27...Qxg5 28.Kg2 Rc7 29.Rh1 Rg7 {Black's initiative looks scary, especially in the approaching time-trouble.} 30.Rcg1 $1 {An important move according to Carlsen.} ( {If} 30.Rcf1 {he planned} 30...Bc8 {when} 31.Rh5 {loses to} ( {Then Black saw} 31.cxb6 Bg4 32.Bxg4 Qxg4 33.Qxc6 ( {Carlsen missed the defense} 33.Rh3 $1 {when White might be in fact better.} ) 33...Qf3+ 34.Kh2 Rg5 35.Qe6+ Kh8 {with mate.} 36.Kg1 Rxg3+ 37.fxg3 Qxg3# ) 31...Rxf2+ $1 32.Rxf2 Qxg3+ 33.Kf1 Qg1# ) 30...Qf5 ( {Here} 30...Bc8 {does not work due to} 31.Rh5 Qg6 32.Rh4 {(Carlsen)} ) ( {Carlsen also did not see anything for him after} 30...bxc5 31.Qxc5 Qf6 32.Rf1 Qb2 33.Re1 Rgf7 ( 33...Qe5 $1 {is actually strong, renewing the threat Rf8xf2!} ) 34.Rhf1 ) 31.Rf1 {Now White is ready for b4-b5.} 31...Ba6 {"I actually saw that this does not work, but played it anyway."(Carlsen)} 32.b5 ( {Since if} 32.Rh5 {Black can sacrifice the queen} 32...Bxe2 $1 33.Rxf5 Rxf5 34.Rh1 Bf3+ 35.Kg1 Bxh1 36.Kxh1 Rxf2 {with unclear consequences.} ) 32...cxb5 33.Rh5 Qf7 34.Qe5 $1 {Another excellent defensive (or rather counter-attacking) move. The kingside is defended and Meier seizes the initiative. It was only the time-trouble which did not let him win the game.} 34...Bb7 ( {Objectively best, but rather sad was:} 34...bxc5 35.Qxd5 Qxd5 36.Rxd5 Bb7 37.Rxc5 bxa4 38.Ra1 Kh8 {(Carlsen)} ) 35.cxb6 bxa4 36.bxa7 Ba8 37.Rg5 ( {For the time trouble, Leko's suggestion was "more professional"} 37.Rh6 $1 {with the idea:} 37...Qxa7 38.Bg4 Qe7 39.Be6+ Kh8 40.Rxh7+ Kxh7 41.Qh5# ) 37...Qxa7 38.Bg4 $1 {Missed by Black. If this was move forty, Black would not escape, but there are two more moves to the time control...} 38...Kh8 39.Ra1 {Missing the golden chance!} ( {Carlsen thought that} 39.Rb1 {with the idea} 39...Qe7 ( {But there is a defense.} 39...Qc7 ) 40.Rb8 $1 {is very strong.} ) ( 39.Rh5 {would be winning, but in a very difficult way} 39...Qe7 40.Rxh7+ Kxh7 41.Rh1+ Kg8 ( 41...Kg6 42.Qh5+ Kf6 43.Qf5# ) 42.Be6+ Rff7 43.Rh6 $3 Bc6 44.Qh5 Rh7 45.Rxh7 Qxe6 46.Rh6 ) ( {The best was} 39.Rh1 Qe7 40.Rxh7+ Kxh7 41.Rh5+ {and now both players missed the mate after} 41...Kg6 ( {Also difficult is the win after} 41...Kg8 42.Be6+ Rff7 43.Bxf7+ Kxf7 44.Qf4+ Kg8 45.Qb8+ Kf7 46.Qxa8 {but it is a win.} ) 42.Rh6+ $3 Kf7 ( 42...Kxh6 43.Qh5# ) 43.Qh5+ Rg6 44.Qxg6# ) 39...Qe7 40.Qxg7+ Qxg7 41.Rxg7 Kxg7 42.Rxa4 Bc6 43.Rb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.06"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "Bluebaum, Matthias"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2631"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[ECO "D21"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7353789322248"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 dxc4 4.e3 b5 5.a4 b4 6.Bxc4 Nf6 7.a5 ( 7.O-O Be7 8.Qe2 O-O 9.b3 Bb7 10.Bb2 Nbd7 {Bu,X (2730)-Inarkiev,E (2689) Riadh 2017} ) 7...a6 8.Nbd2 Bb7 9.O-O c5 10.Nb3 Nbd7 11.dxc5 $146 ( 11.Qe2 Bd6 12.Rd1 Qc7 13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Nxc5 Qxc5 {Alfaro,W (2181)-Quesada Perez, Y (2541) Managua 2017} ) 11...Nxc5 12.Nxc5 Bxc5 13.Qa4+ Qd7 14.Qxd7+ Nxd7 15.Bd2 Ke7 16.Rac1 Rhc8 17.Nd4 Ne5 18.Be2 Bd6 19.Rfd1 Bd5 20.Rxc8 Rxc8 21.Bxa6 Ra8 22.Bf1 Rxa5 23.Nb5 Bc5 24.Rc1 Ra2 ( 24...Nd7 25.Rxc5 Nxc5 26.Bxb4 Ra1 27.Bxc5+ Kd7 28.Nd6 $1 ( 28.Na3 Be4 29.Nc4 Rxf1+ 30.Kxf1 Bd3+ 31.Ke1 Bxc4 ) ) 25.Rxc5 Rxb2 26.e4 $1 ( 26.Bc1 Rb1 ) 26...Rxd2 27.exd5 exd5 28.Rc1 b3 29.Rb1 b2 30.Nc3 Nc4 31.Nxd5+ Rxd5 32.Bxc4 Rc5 33.Re1+ Kf6 ( 33...Kd6 34.Ba2 ( 34.Bd3 Rc1 35.Kf1 Kc5 ) 34...Rc1 35.Kf1 Kc5 36.Ke2 Kd4 37.Kd2 ) 34.Bd3 Rd5 35.Bb1 h5 36.g3 g5 37.Kg2 g4 38.Re2 Rb5 39.Re8 Rd5 40.Re2 Rb5 41.h4 Kg7 42.Re7 Rd5 43.Rb7 Rd2 44.Ba2 Kh6 45.Bxf7 1-0

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.07"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7905021533713"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4 {"I felt that he was very unfamiliar with the opening" (Caruana)} 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O e4 7.Ng5 Bxc3 8.bxc3 Re8 9.Qc2 {Quite a rare line.} ( {The big theory is:} 9.d3 ) ( {Or} 9.f3 ) 9...d5 ( {The battle of the legends saw:} 9...Qe7 10.d3 exd3 11.exd3 b6 12.Bd2 Bb7 13.Rfe1 Qa3 14.Bf4 Na5 15.Be5 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Ng4 17.d4 g6 18.Qe4 Nxe5 19.dxe5 h6 20.Nf3 Qc5 {with approximate equality, Ljubojevic,L (2571)-Karpov,A (2626) Platja d'Aro 2017} ) 10.cxd5 Qxd5 11.d3 Bf5 12.Bf4 h6 13.Nxe4 ( {"I just made sure that after"} 13.dxe4 Nxe4 14.c4 ( {Therefore Black expected:} 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Bxe4 Qxe4 16.Qxe4 Rxe4 17.Bxc7 Rxe2 {where he is "a little better, but it should be a draw"(Caruana)} ) 14...Qd4 15.Rad1 Qc3 {"and here I thought I am already much better" (Caruana)} ) 13...Nxe4 14.Qb2 ( 14.c4 Qe6 15.dxe4 Bxe4 16.Qxe4 Qxe4 17.Bxe4 Rxe4 18.Bxc7 Rxe2 {is similar to the assesment above.} ) 14...b6 15.Rfd1 ( {Black expected that his opponent will grab the pawn:} 15.Bxc7 Rac8 16.Bf4 Na5 17.Rad1 Qe6 18.Bxe4 Bxe4 19.dxe4 Qxe4 {but then he will have "very good compensation" (Caruana) for it. Indeed, the weak queenside pawns and the superior light piece provide enough for the material deficit.} ) 15...Qc5 16.dxe4 Bxe4 17.Bf1 $146 {"This was a little bit of surprise" (Caruana)} ( {The predecessor saw:} 17.Bxe4 Rxe4 18.Rd7 ( {Caruana expected} 18.Bxc7 Na5 19.Bf4 Rae8 {and indeed this does not seem good for White. For example:} 20.e3 Nc4 21.Qc2 g5 $1 ) 18...Ne5 19.Bxe5 Qxe5 20.e3 Rc4 {Stulrajter,M (1821)-Blasko,A (1900) Slovakia 1998} ) 17...Re7 ( {Caruana rejected:} 17...Na5 18.Qb4 Qc6 19.f3 Bd5 20.e4 Bc4 21.Bh3 Be6 {with possible repetition as he felt he may play for more.} ) 18.a4 ( {Or} 18.Rd2 Rae8 19.Rad1 g5 20.Be3 Qf5 {"when the doubling of the white rooks along the d-file looks pointless" (Caruana)} ) 18...Rae8 {Now the position resembles the Nimzo-Indian defense. White's bishop pair is not an advantage at all, as the bishops do not occupy commanding squares. The weakness of the white queenside pawns determines the evaluation into Black's favor instead.} 19.Rac1 $6 {"This whole concept of a2-a4 followed by Ra1-c1 feels wrong." (Caruana)} ( {The American GM expected instead:} 19.Qb5 Qxb5 ( {Not} 19...Qxc3 20.Rac1 Qf6 21.f3 Nd4 22.Qc4 c5 23.fxe4 ( 23.Rxd4 cxd4 24.fxe4 Rxe4 25.Qd3 ) 23...Rxe4 {with unclear position (Caruana)} ) 20.axb5 Na5 {and now Black believed he is better thanks to the weak white pawns.} ) ( 19.Qa3 {Another possibility was:} 19...Qf5 20.f3 Bc2 21.e4 ( 21.Rd2 g5 ) 21...Qf6 22.Rd2 g5 {which looks good for Black. (Caruana)} ) 19...g5 20.Bd2 ( 20.Be3 Qf5 {followed by Nc6-e5 is excellent for Black.} ) 20...Qf5 21.f3 ( {Or} 21.c4 Ne5 22.Rc3 c5 {followed by Be4-c6 (Caruana)} ) 21...Qc5+ 22.Kh1 ( {Caruana speculated that MVL missed the tactics after:} 22.Kg2 Bxf3+ $1 23.exf3 ( {On} 23.Kxf3 {Black planned:} 23...Ne5+ ( {Even easier is:} 23...Qg1 $1 24.Bh3 Re3+ 25.Bxe3 Rxe3+ 26.Kg4 Qxh2 {with inevitable mate.} ) 24.Kg2 Nc4 {with a win.} ) 23...Re2+ 24.Bxe2 Rxe2+ 25.Kh1 Qf2 {and mate cannot be stopped.} ) 22...Bd5 ( {Here Caruana was not that sure about:} 22...Bxf3+ 23.exf3 Qf2 24.Bg2 Re2 ( 24...Rd8 ) 25.Rg1 Rxd2 26.Qb5 Qc5 27.f4 ) ( {Neither about:} 22...Bg6 23.Be1 ) 23.Be1 {A sad defense, but:} ( 23.c4 $2 {loses to the same} 23...Rxe2 ( {Or} 23...Qf2 ) 24.Bxe2 Rxe2 25.Rf1 Bxf3+ 26.Rxf3 Ne5 ) ( {So does:} 23.e4 Rxe4 $1 24.Qb5 ( 24.fxe4 Bxe4+ 25.Bg2 Bxg2+ 26.Kxg2 Re2+ 27.Kh1 Qd5+ 28.Kg1 Qg2# ) 24...Qf2 {(Caruana)} ) 23...Bc4 24.e4 ( 24.Rc2 Ne5 {wins prosaically for Black.} ) 24...Bxf1 25.Bf2 Qc4 26.Rxf1 Qxa4 {Save and reliable. Black is up a pawn, and has the more active pieces.} ( {He had to avoid though:} 26...Ne5 27.Bd4 Nd3 28.Qe2 {(Caruana)} ) ( {Or} 26...g4 27.Qd2 ) 27.c4 ( 27.Bd4 Qc4 $1 ) 27...Ne5 28.Bd4 g4 {Very energetic way of converting the advantage. Black plays for the attack.} ( 28...Nd3 {After the game Caruana regretted that he did not go for the "more technical"} 29.Qa1 Qxa1 30.Rxa1 Rd7 ) 29.fxg4 ( {Or} 29.f4 Nf3 30.Bh8 f5 31.exf5 Qc6 {and Black mates first (Caruana)} ) 29...Qd7 ( {Black should also win after:} 29...Qc6 30.Qe2 Ng6 31.Qf3 Qxe4 32.Bf6 Qxf3+ 33.Rxf3 Re4 ) ( {Only not} 29...Nd3 $2 30.Qd2 Nxc1 31.Qxh6 ) 30.Qc3 c5 $1 {"I was very happy to get rid of the bishop, as I am collecting all the pawns now." (Caruana)} ( {Black aslo felt that} 30...Qxg4 31.Rf4 Qg6 32.Rcf1 Nd7 {sould be winning, but it was way more complicated.} ) 31.Bxe5 ( 31.Be3 Nxg4 {wins for Black easily.} ) 31...Rxe5 32.Qf3 Rxe4 33.Rcd1 Qe6 34.g5 hxg5 35.Rd5 g4 36.Qc3 Re5 0-1

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.09"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[ECO "C43"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7629875183625"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.dxe5 d5 5.Nbd2 Qd7 $146 {Right after the end of the Candidates', Caruana (contrary to what most would think) decided to check the opening in his last game. He was then intrigued by this computer suggestion. At first sight the move looks silly.} ( {That final game saw:} 5...Nxd2 {(generally undesirable move as it develops the white pieces)} 6.Bxd2 Be7 7.Bd3 c5 8.c3 Nc6 9.O-O Bg4 {Grischuk,A (2767)-Caruana,F (2784) Berlin 2018} ) ( {One understands Black's reluctance to alow the trade on e4 after a game like this:} 5...Be7 6.Nxe4 dxe4 7.Qxd8+ Bxd8 8.Nd4 O-O 9.Bf4 Re8 10.Bc4 a6 11.O-O-O c5 $2 12.e6 $1 {and White was already winning in Guseinov,G (2661)-Savic,M (2525) Budva 2009} ) 6.Bd3 {Other moves to be investigated by White are:} ( 6.Be2 ) ( 6.Nb3 ) 6...Nc5 7.Be2 g6 {Black remembered that he needs to fianchettoe the bishop.} ( {The immediate} 7...Ne6 {is also possible.} ) 8.Nb3 ( {Black expected something like:} 8.O-O Bg7 9.Re1 O-O 10.Bf1 Rd8 ) 8...Ne6 9.Be3 c5 10.Ng5 ( {On} 10.Qd2 {Caruana planned} 10...h6 ( 10...d4 11.Bh6 ) 11.c3 b6 12.O-O-O Bb7 {and although Black lacks development, it is difficult to see how will White profit from this fact.} ) 10...b6 ( {There is no need to allow squares for the white knight with:} 10...d4 11.Ne4 Be7 12.Bh6 Nc6 13.O-O Nxe5 ( 13...b6 14.Nf6+ Bxf6 15.exf6 Bb7 16.Re1 O-O-O 17.Bg4 {"and I felt it is easier for White to play" (Caruana)} ) 14.f4 Nc6 15.f5 gxf5 16.Rxf5 {and White's initiative is dangerous, (Caruana)} ) 11.Nxe6 ( {Nothing yeilds:} 11.Bf3 Bb7 12.c4 d4 ) 11...fxe6 {"Positionally well orientated. My structure is more secure." (Caruana)} ( {The American player believed that} 11...Qxe6 {is also playable, with the idea:} 12.Bf3 Bb7 13.c4 Bg7 14.cxd5 Qxe5 {But this might not be the case after:} 15.d6 $1 ) 12.a4 ( 12.c3 $5 {was more natural as suggested by Carlsen.} ) 12...Bb7 13.O-O ( 13.c3 {again is possible.} ) 13...Nc6 14.f4 {Black can be happy with the opening outcome. In the arising French pawn structure the second player managed to get the better part of the center and to open the f-file for his pieces.} 14...Bh6 15.a5 ( {On} 15.Qe1 Ne7 {was planned.} ( {Naturally not:} 15...Nxe5 16.Bb5 Nc6 17.Bxc5 $1 bxc5 18.Nxc5 Qe7 19.Nxb7 ) ) 15...Ne7 {Caruana did not like the alternatives that much:} ( 15...Rd8 16.axb6 axb6 17.Qe1 O-O {allows} ( {Or} 17...Ne7 18.Ra7 ) 18.Qh4 ) ( {Black also felt} 15...O-O 16.a6 Bc8 {is unnecessary concession. Eventhough the bishop will be relocated later.} ) 16.Bg4 {A surprise for the second player.} ( 16.c3 Nf5 17.Bd2 {"looks pretty sad (for White)" (Caruana)} ) ( {On} 16.Bf3 O-O 17.g3 {Caruana planned} 17...g5 $5 18.fxg5 Bg7 ) 16...d4 {Opens a bunch of useful light squares for the black pieces.} ( 16...O-O 17.Bxc5 bxc5 18.Nxc5 Qc6 19.Nxe6 {"looked too messy even to consider" (Caruana)} ) 17.Bc1 O-O 18.Qd3 Bd5 $1 ( {Not allowing the trades after} 18...Nf5 19.Bf3 ) 19.Qh3 ( 19.Nd2 $6 Rxf4 ) ( {On} 19.axb6 {Black was planning:} 19...c4 20.Qh3 ( {But he apparently missed the strong reply} 20.Qxd4 $1 cxb3 21.c4 Bc6 22.Qxd7 Bxd7 23.Rxa7 {and White is cleary better.} ) 20...cxb3 21.Qxh6 bxc2 {"and I think I would win this" (Caruana)} ) 19...Bg7 20.Nd2 Nf5 {The difference in the status of the pieces is big. Further-on Black can easily bring his pawn majority into motion.} 21.c4 ( {If} 21.Nf3 Qe7 ( {Not allowing any piece swap again} 21...h6 22.Nh4 ) 22.Bd2 h6 23.Be1 ( 23.c3 d3 ) 23...Ne3 {(Caruana)} ) 21...dxc3 ( {Black rejected:} 21...Bc6 22.Nf3 Qe7 ( 22...h5 23.Bxf5 exf5 ) 23.Bd2 h6 24.Be1 {as in comparison to the abve-mentioned line his pawn is hanging after} 24...Ne3 25.Bxe6+ ) 22.bxc3 Rad8 23.axb6 axb6 24.Re1 ( 24.Nf3 Qe7 ) ( {Maybe White needed to relocate his bishop with} 24.Be2 b5 25.Nf3 b4 26.cxb4 cxb4 ) ( 24.Bf3 {is anti-positional but again it made sense to get rid of this moster on d5.} ) 24...b5 25.Ne4 Qe7 ( {Or the computer suggestion-} 25...Bxe4 26.Rxe4 h5 27.Be2 Ra8 28.Rb1 c4 29.Qf3 Qd5 {with Black domination.} ) 26.Ng5 ( {Caruana believed that White's best defense was to provoke:} 26.Ba3 b4 27.cxb4 cxb4 28.Bb2 {and because of the threat of a check on f6 to practically force the trade of the light-squared bishop} 28...Bxe4 29.Rxe4 {He then calculated:} 29...Qc5+ 30.Kh1 Qc2 31.Rxb4 Rd3 32.Bf3 Rfd8 ( {Here the most convincing win is:} 32...Qd2 33.Rb7 Re3 $1 34.Rg1 Re1 ) 33.Rg1 Bf8 ( 33...Qd2 34.Rb7 Qxf4 ) 34.Rb7 h5 {(Caruana)} ) 26...h6 27.Nf3 Bc6 28.Bxf5 gxf5 {Black's advantage grew further. Thank to the bishop pair he is able to play for a win in both middle and endgame.} 29.Be3 Rd3 30.Rac1 Ra8 31.Qh4 Qxh4 32.Nxh4 c4 ( {Rejecting} 32...Ra4 33.Bxc5 Rxf4 {because of the tactics} 34.Ng6 Rc4 35.Ne7+ Kf7 36.Nxc6 Rxc5 {(Caruana)} ) 33.Kf2 Bf8 ( {Black was also sure that he is winning after} 33...Ra3 34.Nf3 Bxf3 35.Kxf3 Raxc3 36.Rxc3 Rxc3 37.Rb1 Rb3 38.Rxb3 cxb3 39.Bd4 {but not on 100%.} ) 34.Nf3 Bd5 ( {Same thing as in the comment from above.} 34...Bxf3 35.Kxf3 Ra3 36.Rb1 Rb3 37.Rxb3 cxb3 38.Ke2 Rxc3 39.Rb1 ) 35.Nd4 Bc5 ( {Again, no clear-cut win after} 35...b4 36.cxb4 Bxb4 37.Re2 {(Caruana)} ) 36.Nxf5 {Makse things easier for the second player.} ( {Caruana still needed to prove the win after} 36.Nc2 Be7 37.Nd4 ( {Or} 37.Nb4 Bxb4 38.cxb4 Ra4 ) ) 36...Ba3 37.Nxh6+ Kg7 38.f5 Bxc1 $1 ( {Easier than} 38...Rxe3 39.Kxe3 Bxc1+ 40.Rxc1 Kxh6 41.Kd4 {which should also be a win, although not as smooth.} ) 39.Bxc1 Rxc3 40.f6+ Kg6 0-1

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.21"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Mamedov, Rauf"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[ECO "B09"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[Beauty "5566432846344"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]

1.e4 d6 {Aggressively, for a win.} 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.Bxd7+ {Solid, whereas:} ( {The really cool (sharp) stuff starts affter} 8.e6 Bxb5 9.exf7+ Kd7 10.Nxb5 Qa5+ 11.Nc3 cxd4 12.Nxd4 h5 13.h3 Nh6 14.O-O {as in Collins,S (2459)-Fridman,D (2653) Riga LAT 2012} ) 8...Qxd7 9.d5 dxe5 10.h3 e4 11.Nxe4 Nf6 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 13.O-O O-O {"The game is about level although Black still needs to play quite accurately to maintain the balance." This statement was given some years back by GM Gallagher and remains true. Apparently, Mamedov did not want to risk much.} 14.c4 ( {The endgame after} 14.Ne5 Qa4 15.c4 Qxd1 16.Rxd1 Rd8 17.Bd2 Nd7 18.Bc3 Nb6 19.b3 Nc8 $1 20.Re1 Nd6 {is equal, Baklan,V (2602)-Hillarp Persson,T (2524) Reykjavik 2011} ) 14...e6 15.Be3 ( {The only try for the advantage was the sharp} 15.Ne5 $5 ) 15...exd5 16.cxd5 $146 ( {In comparison to:} 16.Qxd5 {It is not logical to trade queens as the central pawn on d5 becomes a liability in the endgame.} 16...Qxd5 17.cxd5 Nd7 18.Rfd1 Rfe8 19.Kf2 Rad8 {and Black was already better in Kolar,P-Omelka,R Czech Republic 1999} ) 16...Rd8 17.Qc2 Na6 ( {White is better after} 17...b6 18.Rad1 Na6 19.Ne5 ) ( {Carlsen avoids the complete dryness after} 17...Qxd5 18.Rfd1 Qc6 19.Rxd8+ Bxd8 20.Qxc5 Bb6 21.Qa3 {when the draw seems inevitable.} ) 18.Rad1 Nb4 {Carlsen got a good version of the Gruenfeld defense where he is not risking at all. But the poor position of his knight forces him to trade further.} ( {Both} 18...Nc7 $6 19.Ne5 ) ( {And} 18...b6 $6 19.Ne5 {are both too risky for Black.} ) 19.Qxc5 Nxd5 20.Bd4 {Or else the black bishop will be significantly better.} 20...Rac8 21.Qa3 ( {But not} 21.Qxa7 $4 Ra8 22.Qc5 Rdc8 {when the white queen is trapped almost in the middle of the board.} ) 21...Qf5 ( 21...Bxd4+ 22.Rxd4 Qc7 23.f5 {is equal.} ) 22.Bxf6 Qxf6 23.Qxa7 Nxf4 24.Rxd8+ Rxd8 25.Qe3 Nd5 {If anything, Carlsen achieved some sort of imbalance.} 26.Qb3 Nf4 27.Qe3 Nd5 28.Qb3 b6 {Once again avoiding the drawing continuations.} 29.Rd1 Nf4 30.Rxd8+ Qxd8 31.Qe3 g5 $1 {The advanced knight on f4 will attack, thus making it impossible for the white pieces to expose the potential weakness of the black king.} 32.Kh2 h6 33.h4 {Mamedov is carefully handling the situation and reduces the material.} 33...Ne6 34.hxg5 hxg5 35.Qe4 Qf6 36.Qe5 Qg6 37.g4 ( 37.a4 $5 {made sense too. Why not simply advance on the side where you are better?} ) 37...Qd3 38.Kg3 b5 39.Kf2 Kf8 40.Qe2 Nf4 ( {M. Botvinnik once explained perfectly the knight endgames as masked pawn endgames.} 40...Qxe2+ $2 41.Kxe2 {would be a torture for Black, and it is not even sure if he can survive.} ) 41.Qxd3 {Now everything disappears.} 41...Nxd3+ 42.Ke3 Nxb2 43.Nxg5 Nd1+ 44.Kd4 Nf2 45.Nxf7 Kxf7 46.Kc5 Ne4+ 47.Kxb5 Nc3+ 48.Kc4 Nxa2 49.g5 Kg7 50.g6 Nb4 51.Kxb4 Kxg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.22"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2814"]
[ECO "C83"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7560350404642"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {Since his teenage years Mamedyarov successfully exploited the Open Ruy Lopez.} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Be3 Be7 10.c3 O-O 11.Nbd2 Nxd2 12.Qxd2 Na5 13.Bc2 Nc4 14.Qd3 g6 15.Bh6 {This came as surprise for Mamedyarov who believed that 15.Bc1 is the main move.} 15...Nxb2 {Simply grabbing the pawn.} ( {The other possibility is:} 15...Re8 16.Nd4 Bd7 17.Rae1 Nxb2 18.Qf3 Bg5 19.Bxg5 Qxg5 20.Qxd5 {as in Tari,A (2570)-Ernst,T (2372) Vasteras 2016} ) 16.Qe2 Re8 {Black plays for the maximum.} ( {Topalov was more afraid of the positional exchange sacrifice after} 16...c5 17.Bxg6 ( 17.Bxf8 ) 17...fxg6 18.Bxf8 Qxf8 19.Qxb2 {with compensation thanks to the bishop pair and the central pawn mass.} ) 17.Nd4 Bd7 18.f4 {For the pawn White got some time to advance on the kingside. The plan is obvious f4-f5 followed by e5-e6 and mate somewhere around the f7 square.} 18...c5 {Naturally, Black gets rid of the knight asap.} 19.Nf3 Qb6 20.Qf2 d4 $146 {A novelty, and a logical one. This is the best way to distract the flank attack.} ( {The email predecessor ended in a draw after:} 20...Nc4 21.Rae1 Bd8 22.Ng5 Na3 23.e6 Rxe6 24.Nxe6 fxe6 25.f5 exf5 26.Qg3 Bc7 27.Qh4 Bd8 28.Qg3 Bc7 29.Qh4 {1/2-1/2 (29) Haznedaroglu,K (1990)-Wojcik,W (2185) ICCF email 2006} ) 21.Bg5 {The dark squares are weak and Topalov needs to attack them first and foremost.} ( {The pawn is immune:} 21.cxd4 $6 cxd4 22.Nxd4 $2 Bc5 ) 21...dxc3 22.Qh4 ( {The other way to build the attack was:} 22.Bxe7 Rxe7 23.Ng5 {to which Black planned} ( {Topalov also mentioned the line:} 23.f5 Bxf5 ( 23...gxf5 {is also possible.} ) 24.Bxf5 gxf5 25.Nh4 Kh8 ( {White is better after} 25...Rae8 26.Qg3+ Kh8 27.Nxf5 Rg8 28.Qxc3 Na4 29.Qh3 ) ( {However} 25...Re6 $1 26.Qg3+ Rg6 27.Qxc3 c4+ 28.Kh1 Nd3 {(Mamedyarov) is enough to end White's attack.} ) ( {But the best defense was not mentioned by the players-} 25...Nd3 $1 26.Qg3+ Kh8 27.Nxf5 c4+ 28.Kh1 Rg8 {and Black wins.} ) 26.Nxf5 Rxe5 27.Qg3 Qf6 28.Nh6 Qxh6 29.Qxe5+ Qg7 {where Black should not be worse.} ) 23...f5 $1 24.Bb3+ Kg7 {Here tactics} 25.Nxh7 {is ignored with the strong} 25...Nd3 $1 26.Qh4 c4+ 27.Kh1 Rf7 {when the white pieces are left discordinated and weak.} ) 22...c4+ 23.Kh1 Bf8 $1 {A strong defensive resource. The Bg5 obstructs its own knight in reaching the black king.} ( {But not:} 23...Bxg5 24.Nxg5 h5 25.Ne4 {when White's attack is huge.} ( {Or} 25.f5 ) ) 24.f5 Nd3 {Again in time to shut the second bishop. Topalov proceeds with the attack.} 25.e6 $1 Bxe6 $1 {The only move, but an excellent one. Being many pawns ahead Mamedyarov is OK to part with some material in order to reduce the attacking potential of the opponent.} ( {Otherwise Black is checkmated-} 25...fxe6 $2 26.fxg6 hxg6 27.Bf6 Bg7 28.Ng5 ) 26.fxe6 Rxe6 27.Rad1 {Only here did White realize that on his planned:} ( 27.Nd4 {There is the strong:} 27...Rd6 $1 ( {Instead:} 27...Re5 {allows the sacrifice:} 28.Rxf7 $1 Kxf7 29.Qxh7+ Ke8 30.Bxd3 cxd3 31.Rf1 {with a possible perpetual after:} 31...Ra7 32.Rxf8+ Kxf8 33.Qh8+ Kf7 34.Qh7+ Ke8 35.Qh8+ Kd7 36.Qxe5 d2 37.Qe7+ Kc8 38.Qe8+ Kb7 39.Qe4+ ) ) 27...Rae8 ( 27...Rd6 $5 ) 28.Bxd3 cxd3 29.Rxd3 {The smoke has finally cleared. For the piece Black has three pawns and two of them are very dangerous passers. Mamedyarov is better.} 29...Re4 ( {The Azeri GM did not like that in the line:} 29...b4 30.Bd8 Qb5 31.Ng5 h6 {White has:} 32.Qf2 $1 {Now:} ( {But not} 32.Nxe6 Qxd3 33.Qf6 Qxf1+ $3 34.Qxf1 Rxe6 {which is what Mamedyrov was hoping for and which is indeed a win for him despite the material deficit.} ) 32...f5 ( {Both players missed the computer idea:} 32...R6e7 $3 33.Bxe7 Rxe7 {with an edge for Black.} ) 33.Nxe6 Qxd3 34.Nxf8 Rxd8 35.Nxg6 c2 ( 35...Qc4 ) 36.Rg1 {The position is not yet clear. Black has to find though:} 36...Qc3 $1 {which gives him excellent winning chances after:} ( {Instead:} 36...Qd1 {is weaker due to:} 37.Qc5 Qxg1+ $2 38.Kxg1 Rd1+ 39.Kf2 c1=Q 40.Qf8+ Kh7 41.Qf7# ) 37.Ne7+ Kf7 38.Qxf5+ Kxe7 39.Qe4+ Kd6 40.Rc1 ) 30.Bf4 Be7 {Not a bad move.} ( {Black rejected the possible draw in the line:} 30...h6 31.Rxc3 g5 32.Nxg5 hxg5 33.Qxg5+ Qg6 34.Qh4 ) 31.Qg3 b4 ( {The pawn might be lost after} 31...c2 32.Rc3 ( {Although the line that Mamedyarov calculated-} 32.Ng5 Rxf4 33.Qxf4 Qf6 $1 {has a flaw-} 34.Nh3 Qxf4 35.Nxf4 {and White defends the back rank.} ) ) 32.Ng5 Bxg5 33.Bxg5 Qe6 34.h3 {Topalov did a good job in co-ordinating his pieces.} ( 34.h4 $5 ) 34...Qe5 {Only this is a mistake. Queens needed to stay on the board.} ( {Correct was} 34...a5 35.Kh2 {and now for example:} 35...Qxa2 36.Rd7 R4e5 37.Rfxf7 Qxf7 38.Rxf7 Kxf7 {Black should survive here.} ) 35.Kh2 Qxg3+ 36.Kxg3 h6 ( {White has excellent winning chances after} 36...Re1 37.Rxe1 Rxe1 38.Bf6 Re8 39.Rd6 Rc8 40.Bg5 c2 41.Bc1 {but this was more resilient.} ) 37.Bxh6 Re1 38.Rf6 $1 R1e6 39.Rf2 Re2 40.Rd5 Rxf2 41.Kxf2 f6 42.Be3 {Black pawns are tamed and will soon drop one after another.} 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.25"]
[Round "6.4"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Mamedov, Rauf"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[ECO "B33"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "6116972962841"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 {The Sveshnikov Sicilian. Once condemned as strategically flawed, nowadays it is considered a solid opening choice. Boris Gelfand, for instance, successfully solved the problem of the black color in his match against Vishy Anand.} 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Nd5 f5 11.Bd3 Be6 12.O-O Bxd5 13.exd5 Ne7 14.Re1 Bg7 15.c3 O-O 16.Nc2 Re8 17.Qh5 e4 18.Bf1 Nxd5 19.Qxf5 Re5 20.Qh3 Qb6 {One of the reasons behind the solid reputation of the Sveshnikov Sicilian lies in the fact that everything is very forced and deeply explored.} ( {Mamedov chose a different square for the queen less than month ago:} 20...Qf6 {and drew after} 21.a4 Nf4 22.Qd7 Rd8 23.Qb7 Qh4 24.g3 Nh3+ 25.Bxh3 Qxh3 26.Ne3 Bh6 27.Qxa6 f5 28.Rad1 f4 29.Rxd6 Rxd6 30.Qxd6 fxe3 31.Qxe5 exf2+ 32.Kxf2 Qxh2+ 33.Kf1 Qh1+ 34.Kf2 Qh2+ {1/2-1/2 (34) Sjugirov,S (2652) -Mamedov,R (2709) Batumi 2018} ) 21.Rad1 Rae8 {"My coach told me that Topalov will play very aggressively. When he put the rook on d1 I thought he wants to sacrifice the exchange, but did not believe he will." (Mamedov)} 22.Rxe4 $1 $146 {Topalov, as a master of the exchange sacrifice, did not need to be asked twice. "A good lesson for me." (Mamedov)} ( {A predecessor saw colorless draw after:} 22.Rd4 R8e6 23.Qg4 h5 24.Qd1 Rf5 25.Rd2 {1/2-1/2 (25) Szczepanski, Z (2514)-Mokrys,C (2486) ICCF email 2015} ) 22...Rxe4 23.Rxd5 {For the exchange White has a pawn, better pawn structure, but what is more important- a lot of improving ideas.} 23...h6 {This takes the g5 square under control and opens some air for the king. The drawback of the move is that it deprives the bishop of the h6-c1 diagonal.} ( {The lack of "luft" can be seen in a line like:} 23...R4e5 {Topalov believed this was Black's best.} 24.Rd1 a5 25.a3 Re2 $2 {Double attack, which fails tactically after} ( 25...h5 {seems better, but looks happier after say} 26.Qd3 ) 26.Bxe2 Rxe2 27.Qc8+ Bf8 28.Qg4+ {counter-double attack.} ) 24.Qd3 R8e6 25.g3 R4e5 26.Bg2 ( {Later White regretted that he did not start with the prophylactic} 26.a3 $1 Rf6 ( 26...h5 27.Bg2 ) 27.Ne3 {For example:} 27...h5 28.Bg2 Bh6 29.Rxe5 dxe5 30.Nf5 Bc1 {(Topalov, Mamedov) and now} 31.Qd7 $1 {is indeed better for the first player as} 31...Bxb2 $2 {loses to} 32.Qe8+ Kh7 33.Be4 {with mating attack.} ) 26...b4 $1 {Mamedov needs counterplay asap. Otherwise White will simply do all the preparatory moves line a2-a3, Nc2-e3-f5 and will totally dominate.} 27.cxb4 ( {Another option was pointed out by Topalov:} 27.Rxe5 dxe5 ( {Mamedov planned instead} 27...Bxe5 28.Nxb4 ( 28.cxb4 ) ( {However} 28.Bd5 Rf6 29.Ne3 {looks better for White.} ) 28...a5 {which is indeed OK for Black.} ) 28.Bd5 bxc3 29.bxc3 {and here Black holds on his own with} 29...e4 $1 30.Bxe4 Bxc3 ) ( {If} 27.c4 Re2 28.Rf5 {Black can sacrifice back the exchange with} 28...Rxc2 29.Qxc2 Re1+ 30.Bf1 Qd4 {where the more active black bishop should compensate him for the pawn.} ) 27...Re2 28.Rf5 Qc7 {This is what the sacrifice was about: the heavy pieces get into the white camp.} 29.Ne3 Qc1+ 30.Bf1 ( {Topalov missed from afar} 30.Nf1 Qc2 $1 {and the only one to worry about his position is White.} ( {Less convincing was Mamedov's idea} 30...Qxb2 31.Bd5 Re7 32.Rf4 ( 32.Qf3 $2 Rxf2 $1 ) 32...Kh8 {when White is better after} 33.Qxa6 ) ) 30...Rxb2 31.a3 ( {To a beautiful draw leads:} 31.Qxa6 Rxe3 $1 32.Qa8+ $1 ( {But not:} 32.fxe3 $4 Qxe3+ 33.Kh1 Qe4+ 34.Kg1 Bd4+ 35.Rf2 Bxf2# ) 32...Kh7 33.fxe3 Qc2 34.Bg2 Qxf5 35.Be4 Rb1+ 36.Kg2 Rb2+ ) 31...Ra2 ( 31...Qd2 {might have been more precise.} ) 32.Qd5 Rxa3 33.Kg2 Raxe3 {Liquidates into an opposite-colored bishop endgame.} ( {Retreats like} 33...Qc7 34.Bc4 $1 {would be wrong as White can easily build attack on the color of his own bishop.} ) 34.fxe3 Qxe3 35.Bxa6 {In slight time-trouble Topalov forces the draw.} ( {The former world champion did not trust his chances after} 35.Bd3 $1 {but this was his best try. For example} 35...Qd2+ ( 35...Bd4 36.Rf3 $1 ) ( 35...Rf6 $4 {loses on the spot after} 36.Qa8+ ) ( {Still, the impression is that Black should hold, say after} 35...Qa7 ) 36.Kh3 Qxb4 37.Bc4 ( {Or} 37.Qa8+ Bf8 38.Qf3 ) ) 35...Qe4+ 36.Qxe4 Rxe4 37.Rb5 Kf8 38.Bb7 Re2+ 39.Kh3 Bd4 40.Bf3 Rb2 41.Rd5 ( 41.Rb8+ Ke7 42.b5 f5 {ith the threat Bd4-g1 is unpleasant for White.} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.27"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[Beauty "7427072199696"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nb6 7.O-O Be7 8.a3 a5 9.d3 O-O 10.Be3 Be6 11.Rc1 a4 12.Nd2 f5 13.Bxb6 cxb6 14.Nxa4 Bg5 15.Nc3 e4 {Up to here this had all been seen in the game Nepomniachtchi-Aronian. Both players knew the game, but Giri revealed that he did not intend to follow it, but found all the moves so far logical.} 16.Kh1 $146 {A novelty.} ( {That predecessor saw:} 16.Rb1 Ne5 17.Nb3 Ng4 18.Qc2 Be3 19.dxe4 Qg5 {and the game became "very dirty" according to the Dutch GM, Nepomniachtchi,I (2742)-Aronian,L (2809) Geneva 2017} ) 16...Qd7 {Carlsen liked the position and the initiative that he got for the pawn. He also said that the majority of the players will prefer to have the initiative here, rather than the pawn.} 17.Rb1 Rad8 {Ineed Black has obvious moves and pressure along the open files.} 18.Nc4 Qf7 ( {Weaker was:} 18...exd3 19.exd3 Qf7 20.f4 ) 19.b3 ( {On} 19.Qa4 {Black planned to play in analogue to the game} 19...exd3 20.exd3 f4 ( {Although} 20...Rxd3 {is possible as well.} ) ) 19...exd3 20.exd3 f4 21.Ne4 Be7 22.gxf4 $1 ( {Or else the pawn will come in a striking proximity to the white king after} 22.Re1 f3 23.Bf1 Qh5 ) 22...Qxf4 23.a4 {Giri managed to stabilize the situation. The knights are solidly placed in the center and control a lot of squares. But Carlsen can attack on the dark squares. A lot of weaknesses have been created into White's position, with the h2 pawn being a particularly weak one.} 23...Nb4 24.Qe2 Qh6 {Carlsen keeps mounting pressure.} ( {Cashing out too soon may lead to drawish positions after} 24...Nxd3 25.Rbd1 Nb4 26.Rxd8 Bxd8 27.Ned6 Bd7 28.Bxb7 ) ( {Or} 24...Rxd3 25.Ng5 Bxc4 26.Qxe7 ) 25.Rbd1 ( {The world champion expected instead:} 25.Qe3 Qxe3 26.fxe3 {when he has a pleasant choice between:} 26...Rxd3 {"It's more ugly than bad, I thought." (Carlsen)} ( {Or} 26...Rxf1+ 27.Bxf1 Nxd3 ) ) ( 25.Bf3 Nxd3 ) 25...Nd5 26.Rg1 ( 26.Bf3 {looks worse after} 26...Nf4 ( 26...Rf4 $5 ) 27.Qe3 Qh3 {for example} 28.Rg1 Nd5 29.Bg2 Nxe3 30.Bxh3 Bxc4 31.bxc4 Nxd1 {and Black wins the exchange.} ) 26...Kh8 ( {The immediate} 26...Rf4 $5 {was also OK.} ) 27.Bf1 Rf4 {Shifting more pieces towards the kingside.} 28.Ne5 {White also prepares for the battle on the right part of the board.} 28...Rdf8 ( {To me the immediate} 28...Rh4 {looks more precise as after} 29.f3 {Black has the additional resource} 29...Ne3 30.Rd2 Nf5 {with advantage.} ) 29.f3 Rh4 30.d4 {Both white knights are perfect but Carlsen keeps playing around them.} 30...Nf4 ( {If} 30...Qf4 31.Qg2 ) 31.Qd2 Bxb3 {Finally grabbing some pawns in return for the activity.} 32.Rb1 Bxa4 33.Bb5 $1 {But everything comes with a price. Giri gets rid of the powerful bishop and keeps his good pieces on board.} 33...Bxb5 34.Rxb5 Qe6 {Carlsen intends to bring the bishop to c7 to attack the h2 pawn again.} ( 34...Bd8 35.d5 $1 ) 35.Qb2 {At the press conference Giri felt that he has good chances to hold if he just stays.} ( {This might indeed be the case, but he has to do it extremely carefully. A good set up seems} 35.Rgb1 Bd8 36.Re1 $1 {The point is that} 36...Bc7 {can be met with} ( {And} 36...Qh6 $4 {even loses to} 37.Ng5 $1 Bxg5 38.Nf7+ $1 ) 37.Ng5 ) 35...Bd8 36.Ng5 {This makes things easier for Black.} ( {But it is not certain that White can survive after} 36.Qd2 Bc7 37.Rc1 Qe8 ) 36...Qe8 $1 {Missed by Giri.} 37.Rb3 ( {The last chance according to Giri was} 37.d5 {but this loses to} 37...Rh5 $1 ( {Not} 37...Bf6 38.d6 Nd3 39.d7 Nxb2 40.dxe8=Q Rxe8 41.Rxb2 Bxe5 42.Re2 {with a likely draw.} ) 38.Ne6 Bf6 $1 {and Black wins.} ( {Again Black needs to be careful-} 38...Nxe6 39.dxe6 Bf6 40.Nf7+ {gives the advantage to White.} ) ) 37...Bxg5 38.Rxg5 Ne6 {Also missed by White. Now it all ends quickly.} 39.Rg4 Rxg4 40.fxg4 Qd8 41.Rh3 ( {Only here did White realize that} 41.Rd3 {is neatly refuted after} 41...Qd5+ 42.Kg1 Rf1+ $1 43.Kxf1 Qh1+ 44.Kf2 Qxh2+ ) ( {The pawn endgame is also lost after} 41.Rf3 Rxf3 ( 41...Qd5 42.Qb3 ) 42.Nxf3 Qd5 43.Kg2 Ng5 44.Qe2 Qxf3+ 45.Qxf3 Nxf3 46.Kxf3 Kg8 {due to the distant passed pawn(s).} ) 41...Qd5+ 42.Kg1 Qe4 43.Qb4 Rf6 0-1

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.28"]
[Round "9.4"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7078642974749"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3 {Quite a rare line at a top level. This position occurs very often at children tournaments when both sides try to develop as quickly as possible.} 5...d6 6.Na4 Bb6 ( {Copycat play leads to trouble after} 6...Na5 7.Nxc5 Nxc4 8.dxc4 dxc5 9.Qxd8+ ) 7.a3 {To save the light-squared bishop.} 7...O-O ( {Instead:} 7...h6 8.h3 O-O 9.O-O Be6 10.Re1 Bxc4 11.dxc4 Nd4 {was the course of the game Artemiev,V (2691) -Mamedyarov,S (2799) Huaian 2017} ) 8.O-O Ne7 9.Nxb6 axb6 {Black is not too concerned of the bishop pair loss as his remaining pieces are quite good.} 10.Bg5 $146 {A novelty.} ( 10.h3 Ng6 11.Be3 h6 12.Qd2 {Parel,K-Lau,J (1785) England 2014} ) 10...Be6 ( {More principled was the line:} 10...Ng6 11.Nh4 Nxh4 12.Bxh4 h6 {Now} 13.f4 {aims to refute Black's strategy, but it does not work:} ( {After} 13.f3 {"White is slightly better but nothing so special" (Karjakin)} ) 13...exf4 14.Rxf4 g5 15.Qf3 gxf4 16.Rf1 ( {Or} 16.Qxf4 Nh5 17.Bxf7+ Rxf7 18.Qxf7+ Kxf7 19.Bxd8 Bg4 {is good for Black.} ) 16...Be6 {(Topalov)} ( {Or even better} 16...d5 $1 {with the idea} 17.Bxd5 Qd6 ) ) 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Nh4 {Now White gets slightly better chances as his opponent cannot easily get rid of all the weaknesses.} 12...d5 ( {On} 12...Ng6 {White planned:} 13.Qh5 ( 13.Nf5 $5 {is also interesting.} ) 13...Nxh4 14.Qxh4 f5 15.Qg3+ Kh8 16.exf5 Bxf5 17.f4 e4 18.dxe4 Bxe4 19.Qc3+ f6 {White is slightly better here.} ) 13.exd5 Nxd5 14.d4 {Karjakin was not sure that this was the right way.} ( {Instead he suggested the more careful improvement with} 14.g3 $5 {Intending Qd1-d2 and later f2-f4 or d3-d4.} ) 14...c6 {"Just waste of time." (Topalov)} ( {Correct was:} 14...Nc3 $1 {with the tactical point} 15.Qd3 ( 15.bxc3 Bxc4 16.Re1 Kh8 {looks approximately balanced.} ) 15...Qxd4 $1 ( {But not} 15...Bxc4 {hoping for} 16.Qxc4 Qxd4 $1 17.Qxd4 ( {However here White preserves the advantage with} 17.Qxc3 Qxh4 18.Qxc7 ) 17...Ne2+ ) 16.Qxd4 exd4 17.Bxe6 Ne2+ 18.Kh1 fxe6 19.Rfe1 d3 $1 20.cxd3 Nd4 {and Black is even better.} ) 15.Re1 b5 16.Bxd5 cxd5 17.Qh5 e4 18.f3 {Karjakin later regretted that he allowed counterplay.} ( {More technical was} 18.c3 $1 {with the unstoppable f2-f3! next.} ) 18...b4 $1 {Topalov had a vivid memory of his game against Mamedov and used the same idea.} 19.fxe4 ( 19.axb4 Rxa1 20.Rxa1 Qc7 21.c3 Qf4 {brings hopes for Black, although White should still preserve some edge with} 22.fxe4 dxe4 23.Rf1 Qe3+ 24.Kh1 Qg5 25.Qxg5+ fxg5 26.Nf5 Ra8 27.Kg1 ) 19...dxe4 20.Rxe4 Ra5 21.Qh6 Qd5 ( {The middlegame is far more dangerous for Black than the endgame:} 21...bxa3 22.bxa3 Qd5 23.Rf4 Rc8 24.Qxf6 Rxc2 $2 25.Re1 Rxa3 26.Rg4+ Bxg4 27.Re8# {Both players considered this line.} ) 22.Rf4 bxa3 23.bxa3 Qg5 24.Qxf6 Qxf6 25.Rxf6 {White won two pawns but the activity of the remaining black pieces helps him gain one back.} 25...Rc8 26.Rf2 b5 27.Rd2 b4 28.a4 Bd7 29.Kf2 Rxa4 30.Rb1 Rc4 ( {Perhaps Black should have traded more pawns with} 30...Ra2 31.Rxb4 Rcxc2 32.Rxc2 Rxc2+ 33.Ke3 {and now} 33...Kf8 {with chances for a draw.} ( {Rather than} 33...Bc6 $2 34.Rb8+ Kg7 35.Rc8 {where White wins.} ) ) 31.Rb2 Kf8 32.g3 {White kept an extra pawn, but since both black rooks are active and since the bishop is the better minor piece Black has hopes of saving the game.} 32...Bh3 33.Nf3 {First and foremost, Karjakin needs to improve his knight and king in order to either get rid of the black rooks, or support his passer.} 33...f6 34.Ke3 ( 34.Ne1 $5 {(Karjakin) might have been more precise to start with.} ) 34...Bg4 {Only helps White improve his knight. Topalov was low on time.} ( {The Russian GM considered} 34...Ke7 {more resilient.} ) ( {Or even} 34...Ra3+ 35.Kf4 h5 ) 35.Ne1 Ke7 36.Ng2 Bh3 ( {After} 36...Kd6 37.Kf2 Bd7 {White regroups with} 38.Ne3 Rc3 39.Rd1 ) 37.Nf4 Be6 38.d5 {Making a solid step towards the win.} 38...Bf5 ( {If} 38...Bf7 39.Rd4 Rxd4 40.Kxd4 Kd6 41.Kc4 {wins for White.} ) 39.d6+ Kd8 40.Nd5 Ra3+ 41.Kf2 Be4 42.Nb6 ( 42.Nxb4 {was not bad neither after} 42...Kd7 43.Nd5 {(Topalov)} ) 42...Rc5 ( {The last chance was} 42...Rcc3 43.Rxb4 Rf3+ 44.Ke1 Rfe3+ 45.Re2 Rxe2+ 46.Kxe2 Bxc2 {and if} 47.Rc4 $2 ( {Although White should still win with} 47.Nd5 Kd7 48.Rd4 $1 ) 47...Bd3+ ) 43.Rxb4 {The rest is a matter of technique.} 43...Rh5 44.Ke1 Bc6 45.Re2 Ra6 46.c4 Ra1+ 47.Kd2 Rf5 48.Re7 Ra2+ 49.Kc3 1-0

[Event "Shamkir2018"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.19"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Mamedov, Rauf"]
[Result "*"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[ECO "B35"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "6189584760401"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[WhiteClock "1:49:11"]
[BlackClock "0:36:52"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 g6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 O-O 8.Bb3 Re8 ( {Another option is:} 8...a6 9.O-O d6 10.h3 Na5 11.Qd3 b5 12.Nd5 {Wei,Y (2734)-Shankland,S (2671) Liaocheng 2018} ) 9.f3 e6 10.f4 d6 11.Ndb5 Bf8 12.Qf3 a6 13.Nd4 Na5 14.O-O b5 ( {A predecessor saw the sharp continuation:} 14...Bg7 15.e5 Nd7 16.exd6 Nb6 17.Rad1 Nbc4 18.Bxc4 Nxc4 19.Qe2 Nxb2 20.Rb1 Qxd6 21.Rxb2 Bxd4 22.Rd1 Bxe3+ 23.Qxe3 {with compensation for a pawn, Dobrica,D (2379)-Sitorus,Y (2261) corr. 2016} ) 15.f5 ( 15.e5 $2 Bb7 ) 15...exf5 ( 15...Nxb3 {loses material after} 16.axb3 exf5 17.exf5 ) 16.exf5 Bb7 17.Bxf7+ ( {There was another interesting sacrifice instead:} 17.fxg6 Bxf3 18.gxf7+ Kh8 19.fxe8=Q {but Black seems to do fine after} 19...Qxe8 20.Rxf3 Nxb3 21.axb3 Ng4 ) ( {Timid retreats give the initiative to Black:} 17.Qg3 Nxb3 18.axb3 b4 19.Nce2 Qe7 {with advantage for the second player thanks to the bishop pair and the control on the dark squares.} ) 17...Kxf7 18.Qg3 ( {On} 18.Qf2 {Black most likely planned} 18...Bg7 ( {But not} 18...Ng4 $4 19.fxg6+ Kxg6 20.Qf7# ) ) 18...Bg7 ( {It is suicidal to invite the white pieces into the black castle:} 18...gxf5 19.Nxf5 ) 19.fxg6+ hxg6 20.Bg5 Nc6 ( {Apparently, the king cannot go back:} 20...Kg8 $2 21.Bxf6 Bxf6 22.Qxg6+ Bg7 23.Rf7 ) ( {If Black counter-pins with} 20...Qb6 $2 {He would lose his own queen after} 21.Bxf6 Bxf6 22.Rxf6+ $1 Kxf6 23.Qf2+ {Ambush!} 23...Ke7 24.Nf5+ ) ( {The other serious defensive try was} 20...Re5 {when White can mount pressure with} 21.Rf4 ( {Or choose the forcing line} 21.Rxf6+ Bxf6 22.Rf1 Rxg5 23.Qxg5 {when things might end surprisingly peacefully after say} 23...Qe7 24.Nd5 Bxd5 25.Qxd5+ Kg7 26.Ne6+ Kh7 ( 26...Kh6 27.Rf3 ) 27.Ng5+ Kg7 28.Ne6+ ) ) 21.Rxf6+ $1 {So does White, with a tempo. The sleeping rook on a1 is joining the battle.} 21...Bxf6 22.Rf1 Nxd4 23.Bxf6 Qxf6 $1 {Mamedov should have seen this in advance.} 24.Rxf6+ Kxf6 25.Qh4+ Ke5 {This one too. It seems as Navara will checkmate in a minute, but the limited material he owes does not give him this chance. At the same time he shouldnot forget that he is down a piece.} 26.Qh7 Bxg2 ( {In case of} 26...b4 {the in-between check} 27.Qg7+ $1 {will give White the chance to restore the material balance-} ( {He should avoid though} 27.Qxb7 $2 bxc3 28.bxc3 Ne6 {when Black consolidets and should later win.} ) 27...Kf5 ( {Or} 27...Ke6 28.Qxb7 bxc3 29.Qe4+ ) 28.Qxb7 bxc3 29.Qd5+ Re5 30.Qxd4 cxb2 31.Qxb2 {it is doubtful though that White has realistic winning chances.} ) 27.Qg7+ {Again this little check!} ( {Black has nothing to worry after} 27.Kxg2 Nf5 28.Qb7 Rf8 29.Qe4+ Kf6 30.Nd5+ Kf7 ) 27...Ke6 28.Qxg6+ {Again in-between-pawn-grab-this-time.} ( {Also possible was} 28.Kxg2 Nf5 29.Qxg6+ Ke5 {although here the opened position of the white king makes the position very double-edged.} ) ( {Black should be OK after} 28.Qxd4 Bc6 ) 28...Kd7 29.Qg7+ Ke6 ( {Navara expected} 29...Re7 30.Qxg2 Rb8 {with approximate equality once again due to the weakness of the white king.} ) 30.Qxd4 Rg8 31.Kf2 Raf8+ 32.Ke3 Rg5 $1 {An important maneuver. The rooks are shifted to torture the white king.} ( {Bad was} 32...Rf5 33.Ne2 Re5+ 34.Kd2 Rd5 35.Nf4+ {(Navara)} ) 33.Qb6 ( {Perhaps White should have tried} 33.h4 Re5+ 34.Kd2 Bf3 ( 34...b4 35.Qg4+ ) ) 33...Rc5 34.Ne2 ( {White is playing with fire after} 34.Qxa6 Rf3+ 35.Kd2 ( {Say} 35.Ke2 $2 {loses to} 35...b4 36.Ne4 Bf1+ ) 35...Rf2+ {when Black has at least perpetual check.} ) 34...Rf3+ 35.Kd2 Rf2 {The pin leave White no winning chances. Navara forced the draw after:} 36.Ke3 Rf3+ 37.Kd2 Rf2 38.Ke3 Rf3+ 39.Kd2 Rf2 *

[Event "Shamkir2018"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.20"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "5636628697640"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[WhiteClock "1:00:30"]
[BlackClock "0:10:36"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.a3 d5 {It is interesting to see how the generations change their assessments. Some years back Larsen called this move a mistake as it leads to a favorable line of the Sveshnikov Sicilian with reversed colors for White. (True, the great Dane had another position in mind, the one after 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d3 and now 4...d5.)} 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Qc2 ( {Apparently Giri is not afraid of the reversed Sveshnikov after} 6.e4 Nf4 7.d4 ( 7.d3 Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Nd4 10.Qd1 c6 {and Black was more than fine in Yilmaz,M (2536)-Palac,M (2604) Sarajevo 2012} ) 7...exd4 8.Bxf4 dxc3 9.Qxd8+ Nxd8 10.bxc3 Ne6 {as the position is indeed equal.} ) 6...Nxc3 {Another unforced concession. There is nothing wrong with either:} ( 6...Be7 ) ( {or} 6...Be6 ) 7.dxc3 ( {White can also take towards the center} 7.bxc3 Bd6 8.e3 O-O 9.d4 Qe7 10.Be2 b6 11.O-O Bb7 {as in Kramnik,V (2808) -Karjakin, S (2781) Stavanger 2017 But you would not expect Topalov to follow Kramnik, would you?} ) 7...Bd6 8.e4 {Now we have reversed Kan and full symmetry. If Black experience any problems, they are minor.} 8...O-O 9.Bc4 Qe7 $146 {A novelty in comparison to the restricting:} ( 9...a5 10.a4 Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.gxf3 Qf6 13.Rg1 h6 {Muthaiah,A (2316)-Preotu,R (2463) Porto Carras 2015 which has been seen in Muthaiah,A (2316)-Preotu, R (2463) Porto Carras 2015} ) 10.Bg5 ( 10.b4 {will be met with} 10...Be6 ) 10...Qe8 11.O-O-O {White is showing determination to play hard for the win.} ( 11.O-O Be6 12.Bxe6 ( {Surprisingly, the line} 12.Bd5 f6 13.Be3 Bxd5 14.exd5 Ne7 {is more dangerous for White as in the game, as Black will soon start moving his pawn majority against the white king.} ) 12...Qxe6 13.b4 a5 {would be around equal.} ) 11...Be6 ( {If} 11...Na5 12.Bd5 Be6 {then White has the additional choice of} 13.c4 ) 12.Bd5 f6 13.Be3 Bxd5 14.Rxd5 ( 14.exd5 Ne7 15.h4 b5 {will be more fun for Black to play as White has hooks on the queenside.} ) 14...Ne7 15.Rdd1 {Topalov wants to keep the d2 square available for the knight.} ( 15.Rd2 ) 15...Qc6 $1 {Slowing down White's idea of Nf3-d2-c4 and openining of the d-file.} 16.Nd2 a5 17.Qb3+ Kh8 18.Qc4 {Giri had missed this move.} ( {Not} 18.Nc4 $2 a4 19.Qa2 Qxe4 20.Nxd6 cxd6 21.Rxd6 Qxg2 ) 18...Qd7 {Now both white pieces have to compete for the c4 square.} 19.a4 $1 {Play on the light squares. In the future White plans Qc4-b5 followed by Nd2-c4.} 19...b6 20.f3 ( 20.Qb5 $5 {was already interesting, but perhaps Topalov did not see how to crack Black's defenses after} 20...Qxb5 21.axb5 Rad8 22.Nc4 Nc8 ) 20...Rab8 21.Kc2 b5 {Opens files for the rooks, but weakens the pawn structure. Now Giri has to be very careful whenever he enters the endgames (or rather not enter them at all.)} 22.axb5 Rxb5 23.Ra1 Rfb8 24.b3 ( 24.Ra2 $5 ) 24...Ng6 25.Qa4 {Topalov's is sharply following his plan. The c4 square is that tempting in these positions for the knight!} 25...Qe7 26.Nc4 Bc5 $1 {Giri gets rid of his bad bishop and brings the queen out for counterplay. He may easily consider sacking both the queenside pawns now.} ( {Two rooks are clearly better than the queen after} 26...Rxb3 27.Qxb3 Rxb3 28.Kxb3 ) 27.Bxc5 Qxc5 28.Rhd1 Nf4 ( 28...Rxb3 $2 {is even worse now than before due to} 29.Qxb3 Rxb3 30.Rd8+ Nf8 31.Rxa5 ) 29.Rd2 h6 {Air for the king is needed.} 30.Qa3 a4 $2 {Missed by Topalov, but it's not good.} ( 30...Qc6 {would have kept Black in the game. For example the line} 31.Nxa5 Qe6 32.Nc4 Rxb3 33.Qxb3 Rxb3 34.Kxb3 {leads to a position where the rooks are no longer better than the queen. Milady pins the knight and bothers successfully the white king.} ) 31.bxa4 Rb4 {A study-like combo!} 32.Rb1 $1 {Oops. A study-like refutation in return!} ( {Missed by Giri. Otherwise White has to play} 32.cxb4 {when} 32...Rxb4 33.Kd1 Qg1+ 34.Kc2 Qc5 {draws.} ) 32...Qxc4 33.Rxb4 Rxb4 34.Qxb4 Qa2+ {Luckily for Giri, White has to give up his passed pawn here.} 35.Qb2 Qxa4+ 36.Qb3 Qa6 {Still, it seems like a miracle for Black to survive. White's problem however is that his king is not as safe as his counter-part. Or at least it looks so.} 37.g3 Ne6 38.Qd5 $2 ( {Topalov didn't go} 38.h4 $1 {because of} 38...Nc5 {and now after} 39.Rd8+ Kh7 40.Qg8+ Kg6 {he tought Black might give a perpetual somewhere but White can just go} 41.h5+ $1 Kxh5 42.Qxg7 {and wins, e.g.} 42...Qa2+ ( 42...Qe2+ 43.Rd2 ) 43.Kd1 Qb3+ ( 43...Qb1+ 44.Ke2 Qc2+ 45.Rd2 ) 44.Ke2 Qc4+ 45.Kf2 {In this line it turns out that the black king ain't safe neither.} ) 38...Ng5 39.f4 {Bothers the knight, but leaves the white king exposed till the end of the game.} ( 39.Qd8+ Kh7 40.Qd7 {was a better try.} ) 39...Nf3 ( {Worse is} 39...Qa4+ 40.Kd3 Qa6+ 41.Ke3 Qb6+ 42.Ke2 ) 40.Rd1 ( {On} 40.Rf2 c6 41.Qb3 Kh7 $1 {is strong with decent drawing chances.} ( {Not} 41...f5 42.fxe5 fxe4 43.e6 ) ) 40...Qe2+ {Forces matters.} ( 40...c6 {looks also good.} ) 41.Kb3 ( 41.Kc1 {was the last chance according to the computer.} ) 41...Nd4+ 42.Rxd4 exd4 43.Qxd4 Qxh2 44.Qd8+ ( {The passer is not fast enough after} 44.e5 fxe5 45.fxe5 Qxg3 46.e6 Qg6 47.Qd8+ Kh7 48.e7 Qb1+ ( 48...Qb6+ $2 49.Kc2 ) 49.Kc4 Qe4+ ) 44...Kh7 45.Qd3 Kh8 46.e5 fxe5 47.fxe5 Qg2 48.Qd8+ Kh7 49.Qd3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Shamkir2018"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.23"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[ECO "B23"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8179362562084"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[WhiteClock "0:45:15"]
[BlackClock "0:06:33"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.d4 {Vintage Carlsen- no theory at all!} 3...cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 5.Qd2 ( {Moreusual is the set up after:} 5.Bb5 Bd7 6.Bxc6 Bxc6 7.Nge2 Nf6 8.f3 e5 9.Qd3 h6 10.Be3 {Guseinov,G (2646)-Amonatov,F (2636) Riadh 2017} ) 5...Nf6 6.b3 e6 7.Bb2 a6 8.O-O-O b5 $146 ( {There is just one predecessor, which quickly ended in a draw after:} 8...Qa5 9.Kb1 Be7 10.f4 {1/2-1/2 (10) Fernandez de Bobadilla,J (2106)-Fernandez de Bobadilla,G (2167) Granada 2015} ) 9.f3 h5 $6 {"This (idea) was a bit too much" (Wojtaszek)} ( 9...Be7 {was good "with normal position" (Carlsen)} ) 10.Nh3 $1 Be7 11.Ng5 {Now Black is stuck as he cannot castle on either side.} 11...h4 12.f4 Bb7 13.Kb1 Rc8 ( {If} 13...Qc7 {White can try to reach the f7 square with} 14.f5 e5 15.a4 bxa4 16.Bc4 ) 14.Be2 Qc7 15.Rhe1 Nh7 {"I could not see anything else"(Wojtaszek)} 16.Nxh7 Rxh7 17.g4 $6 {Timid. "I thought I could win prosaically but of course that is a terrible attitude." (Carlsen)} ( {The world champion's intuition was telling him that:} 17.Nd5 $1 {is the winning move, but he could not see a clear-cut win. The computer helps with:} 17...exd5 18.exd5 Nd8 ( 18...Nb8 {is similar after} 19.Bd3 Rh5 20.Rxe7+ $1 ) 19.Bd3 Rh5 ( 19...Rh8 {loses faster after} 20.Bxg7 Rg8 21.Bf6 ) 20.Rxe7+ $1 {The point.} 20...Qxe7 ( {The rook is hanging on h5 after} 20...Kxe7 21.Qe2+ ) 21.Re1 Ne6 22.dxe6 {With crushing attack for White. For example:} 22...f5 ( 22...fxe6 23.Bg6+ ) 23.g4 $1 hxg3 24.hxg3 {The threat is again g3-g4 to clear teh diagonal for the bishop. Then} 24...Bf3 25.Qf2 Bg4 {allows} 26.Qb6 {and Black is completely helpless.} ) ( {Black also expected} 17.Bg4 Kf8 18.f5 Ne5 19.Bh3 Rh6 {where he has "some squares" and chances to survive.} ) 17...hxg3 18.hxg3 Bf6 {Now Black is back in the game.} 19.Bd3 ( {The pawn is not poisoned and can be taken:} 19.Qxd6 Qxd6 20.Rxd6 {But Black has compensation after both} 20...Rh2 ( {Or the preliminary} 20...Nb4 21.e5 Be7 22.Rdd1 Rh2 ) ) 19...Rh8 20.g4 Nd4 ( {The standard} 20...g5 $2 {fails to the standard} 21.Nd5 $1 ) 21.Re3 Kf8 $1 {Missed by Carlsen.} ( {Apparently, he expected:} 21...g5 22.Nd5 $1 exd5 ( {Or} 22...Bxd5 23.fxg5 Bxg5 24.Bxd4 ) 23.e5 dxe5 24.fxe5 Be7 25.Bxd4 {where White should be winning.} ) 22.Ne2 Nxe2 23.Rxe2 Bc3 ( {Better than} 23...Bxb2 24.Kxb2 {where the white king takes care of himself.} ) 24.Bxc3 Qxc3 25.Qe3 Rc5 $2 {And just when the Polish GM came back into the game, he overrelaxed and committed a decisive mistake.} ( {Correct was:} 25...Qc5 26.Qc1 a5 {where "White is better, but not much" (Carlsen)} ) 26.e5 $1 dxe5 {Black is not happy to open files against his king, but he hardly has any choice.} ( 26...d5 {is positional suicide after} 27.f5 {When White has the perfect French- huge positional advantage plus unstoppable attack.} ) 27.fxe5 Rh1 {Loses by force.} ( {Or else the attack along the half-open f-file is decisive-} 27...Rc8 28.Rf1 ) 28.Rxh1 Bxh1 29.Rh2 Rxe5 {Not just to take the pawn, but to defend the g5 square.} ( {Mate is unstoppable after} 29...Bd5 30.Rh8+ Ke7 31.Qg5+ ) 30.Rh8+ Ke7 31.Qa7+ {Black resigned due to:} 31...Kd6 32.Rd8+ Kc6 33.Rc8+ 1-0

[Event "Shamkir2018"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.04.26"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[Beauty "6671158003210"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[WhiteClock "0:43:17"]
[BlackClock "0:40:09"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e3 Bb4 5.Qc2 Bxc3 6.bxc3 d6 {A reversed Rossolimo line appeared on the board. The position is reminiscent of the Nimzo-Indian defense, even though White did not put his pawn to d4 yet.} ( {Another major plan is:} 6...e4 7.Nd4 d6 8.f3 Qe7 9.Be2 O-O 10.O-O Bd7 11.Rb1 Rab8 {as in Ganguly,S (2642) -Kryvoruchko,Y (2703) Dubai 2018} ) 7.e4 O-O 8.g3 Ne8 {With the obvious intention of moving the pawn to f5.} 9.Nh4 {Stopped.} 9...Ne7 {Threat renewed.} 10.d3 $146 {A novelty.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 10.Qb3 Rb8 11.d4 c5 12.dxc5 dxc5 13.Qa3 {Suba,M (2535)-Komarov,D (2580) Sovata 1998} ) 10...f5 11.exf5 Nxf5 12.Nxf5 Bxf5 13.Bg2 c6 {White has the bishop pair but as Carlsen put it mildly "I am not sure that the knight is weaker than the bishop here." It is approximately equal.} 14.h3 Nc7 15.O-O Ne6 {The perfect spot for the knight. It keeps an eye on both d3-d4 and f2-f4 advances and is ready to further torture the pawn on d3 via c5.} 16.Be3 Nc5 17.Rad1 Qd7 18.Kh2 Bg6 ( {Also good was} 18...Rae8 {athough Topalov did not like} 19.Bxc5 dxc5 20.Qa4 {However here Black has} 20...Rf6 $5 {with the idea:} 21.Qxa7 $2 Bxh3 $1 22.Bxh3 Rh6 {and Black wins.} ) 19.Rd2 Rae8 20.Qd1 b6 21.Re1 h6 {Black placed all his pawns in accordance to Capablanca's principle: "place them on the color different of the bishop you own."} 22.Bxc5 ( {White disliked both the direct:} 22.d4 Ne4 ) ( {And the preparatory:} 22.f3 Nb7 $1 {when} ( {Not so good is Topalov's suggestion-} 22...Ne6 23.d4 exd4 24.cxd4 d5 25.cxd5 cxd5 {with slight advantage for the first player.} ) 23.d4 {is met with} 23...Na5 $1 ) 22...dxc5 23.Re3 Re6 {Now both sides have pawn weaknesses and the game is heading to a draw.} 24.Kg1 Rd6 25.h4 {However here Black blunders.} 25...Rd8 ( {The game is about level after both} 25...Re8 ) ( {Or} 25...Bf5 ) 26.Rxe5 Bxd3 ( {Topalov's original idea was:} 26...Rxd3 {but here he spotted} 27.Bd5+ $1 cxd5 28.Rxd3 Bxd3 29.Rxd5 {when White wins an important pawn.} ) 27.Be4 ( {Carlsen also considered:} 27.h5 {with the idea} 27...Kh8 ( {Topalov suggested another defense-} 27...b5 28.cxb5 cxb5 29.Rxc5 Bc4 {with chances to hold.} ) ( {Also interesting is} 27...Qf7 28.Qe1 Kf8 ) ( {But best seems to be the immediate} 27...Qc7 {which breaks the pin at once. The tactical point is that} 28.Re3 {is met with} 28...Bc2 $1 29.Qe1 Rxd2 30.Re8+ Rxe8 31.Qxe8+ Kh7 32.Be4+ Bxe4 33.Qxe4+ Kg8 34.Qe8+ {with perpetual.} ) 28.Re3 $1 ) 27...Bxc4 {Black decided to part with the queen.} ( {The endgame after} 27...Bc2 28.Rxd6 Bxd1 29.Rxd7 Rxd7 30.Bxc6 {"is horrible" for Black (Carlsen) as the white bishop will be perfect on d5.} ) ( {Carlsen was afarid of} 27...Kf8 {and most likely for a good reason. For example, the rook endgame after} 28.Qf3+ Kg8 29.Bxc6 Qxc6 30.Qxc6 Rxc6 31.Rd5 Rxd5 32.cxd5 Rd6 33.Rxd3 b5 {looks holdable for Black as there is a good chance that the queenside pawns disappear from the board.} ) 28.Rxd6 Qxd6 29.Re8+ $1 Rxe8 30.Qxd6 Rxe4 31.Qxc6 Re1+ 32.Kh2 Bxa2 {Since there are very few pawns left for White, both players agreed that if it is a win for White, it is very, very close.} 33.g4 Kh7 34.f4 ( {If} 34.Qa4 Bd5 35.Qxa7 Rh1+ 36.Kg3 Rc1 {but this seems like a better version of the game for White.} ) ( 34.h5 Bb1 ) 34...h5 $1 {The pawns should be separated.} 35.f5 $1 ( 35.g5 $2 {allows blockade after} 35...Bb1 ) 35...hxg4 36.h5 ( {After} 36.Qg6+ Kh8 37.f6 {Topalov has the strong defense} 37...g3+ $1 38.Qxg3 ( 38.Kxg3 $4 Rg1+ ) 38...Re2+ 39.Kg1 gxf6 ) 36...Bf7 37.Qb7 Kg8 ( 37...Bxh5 $2 38.f6 ) 38.Qxa7 ( {Another important defensive idea is shown by the world champion-} 38.f6 Re6 $1 ) 38...Bxh5 $2 {Probably the decisive mistake. This pawn was the least dangerous one for Black.} ( {He should have defended with either} 38...Re3 $1 ) ( {Or even better} 38...Rf1 $1 {which should be adraw. For example} 39.Qxb6 Rxf5 40.Qd8+ Kh7 41.Qd3 g6 42.hxg6+ Kxg6 43.Kg3 Be6 44.Kxg4 Kf6 {with a fortress.} ) 39.Qxb6 c4 ( {It is too late for} 39...Re5 40.Qb8+ Re8 41.Qc7 ) 40.Qd8+ {Now the c4 pawn drops by force.} 40...Be8 41.Kg3 Kh7 ( 41...g6 {would not work after} 42.Kf2 Re5 43.fxg6 Rf5+ 44.Kg3 Rf8 45.Qd6 Kg7 46.Qe7+ {(Carlsen, Topalov)} ) 42.Qc7 Kg8 43.Qxc4+ Bf7 44.Qd4 Re8 45.c4 Rf8 46.c5 Be8 47.Qd5+ Kh7 48.Qe6 ( {The only thing White should avoid is the hasty win of the bishop with} 48.c6 Bxc6 49.Qxc6 {when} 49...Rxf5 $1 {leads to a fortress after} ( {But not} 49...Rf6 50.Qe4 Kg8 51.Kxg4 Rh6 52.Kg5 Rf6 {This seems like a fortress, but} 53.Qd5+ Kh7 54.Qd3 $1 {destroys it-} 54...Kg8 55.Qd8+ Kh7 56.Qxf6 $1 {and White wins.} ) 50.Qe4 g6 51.Qe7+ Kg8 52.Kxg4 ) 48...Bb5 49.c6 Bxc6 ( {Carlsen believed} 49...Ba6 {was Black's last try and intended} 50.c7 ( {But it is easier to do} 50.Kxg4 Bc8 51.Qe5 {when White wins without calculating too much.} ) 50...Bc8 51.Qg6+ Kg8 52.Kxg4 Rf7 53.Kg5 Rxc7 54.Qe8+ Kh7 55.f6 {with a complicated win.} ) 50.Qg6+ $1 {An important disruptive check.} 50...Kg8 51.Qxc6 Rf6 ( {Alas, there is no fortress after} 51...Rxf5 52.Qe6+ Rf7 53.Kxg4 Kf8 54.Qc8+ Ke7 55.Kg5 ) 52.Qe8+ Kh7 53.Kxg4 Rh6 54.Kf4 Rf6 55.Ke5 Rh6 56.Qe6 $1 ( 56.Qe6 $1 {Topalov resigned due to One more way to break the fortress.} 56...Kh8 57.Qxh6+ gxh6 58.Ke6 ) 1-0

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic 2018"]
[Site "Baden - Baden Karlsruhe/GER"]
[Date "2018.04.06"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[ECO "A18"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "5501047813640"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.e5 ( 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.d4 ) 5...Ne4 6.Nf3 Bf5 7.d3 Nxc3 8.bxc3 c5 9.d4 c4 $146 {A novelty. Black closes the center and stabilizes the position. The arising situation resembles the Ragozin defense.} ( {Grischuk got an advantage against Nakamura after:} 9...Nc6 10.Bd3 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 Be7 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.O-O Qd7 14.Re1 Be7 15.Be3 O-O 16.Rad1 Rad8 {Grischuk,A (2767)-Nakamura,H (2787) Moscow 2018} ) 10.g3 {Obviously, White would be happy to attack the center as early as possible.} 10...Be7 11.Bg2 Bd3 {But this is a problem.} 12.Ng1 Qa5 13.Bd2 ( {An interesting option was:} 13.Ne2 $5 {with the idea to meet} 13...Bxe2 {with} 14.Kxe2 Qxc3 15.Bxd5 ) 13...Nc6 14.Ne2 Ba3 {Aronian got out of the opening quite comfortably. He has good development and is even threatening to win the exchange.} 15.O-O O-O ( 15...Bb2 $2 {is asking for too much, too early. Black would lose to:} 16.Rb1 Bxb1 17.Qxb1 Qb6 ( 17...Ba3 18.Qxb7 ) 18.Bxd5 ) 16.Re1 Rad8 {"A critical moment." (Carlsen)} 17.Bg5 ( {Carlsen's intuition was pushing him towards the line:} 17.Nf4 Bb2 18.e6 Bxa1 19.Qxa1 Ne7 20.exf7+ Rxf7 21.Ne6 Re8 {(Carlsen) and this might be better for him after} ( 21...Rd7 $5 {might be stronger, with a possible line} 22.Nc5 Rc7 23.Bh3 Bf5 24.Bxf5 Rxf5 ( {Not} 24...Nxf5 $6 25.Re8+ Rf8 26.Qe1 {with dangerous attack for White.} ) 25.Ne6 Rd7 26.Nc5 Rc7 ) 22.Nc5 Qb5 23.Re6 Bf5 24.a4 Qa5 25.Re5 ) 17...Bb2 {Aronian forces matters.} ( {Since} 17...Rde8 {lets the white pieces out} 18.Qd2 ) 18.Bxd8 Rxd8 {"I remembered that I analyzed this position but I didn't remember what was my intention." (Aronian)} 19.Rc1 Bxe2 {Also safe play by Aronian.} ( {Not} 19...Bxc1 20.Qxc1 Qxa2 21.Nf4 Qa5 22.e6 $1 {Aronian When White's attack is really devastating. For example:} 22...fxe6 23.Nxe6 Re8 24.Nc5 Rxe1+ 25.Qxe1 Qd8 26.Qe6+ {and White wins.} ) 20.Qxe2 ( {It took a while for the players to notice that after} 20.Rxe2 Bxc3 21.e6 fxe6 ( 21...Bxd4 22.exf7+ Kxf7 23.Rb1 $1 b6 24.a4 $1 a6 25.Qc2 ) 22.Rxe6 Bb2 {White has} ( 22...Nxd4 23.Re7 Qa3 24.Re3 ) 23.Qe2 $1 {and Black is helpless. The main threat is mate:} 23...Bxc1 ( {But the bishop is also hanging.} 23...h6 24.Qxb2 ) 24.Re8+ Rxe8 ( 24...Kf7 25.Qe6# ) 25.Qxe8# ) 20...Bxc1 ( {Leko showed the line} 20...Bxc3 21.e6 Bxe1 22.exf7+ Kxf7 23.Rxe1 g6 24.Qe6+ Kg7 25.Rb1 Qc7 26.Bxd5 {and the players thought that his} 26...Qd7 $1 {was very nice here. Black probably holds. Although he has to suffer in the endgame after:} 27.Bxc4 Qxe6 28.Bxe6 b6 29.Rc1 Nxd4 30.Rc7+ Kf6 31.Bh3 Nf3+ 32.Kg2 Ne5 33.Rxa7 Rd2 ) 21.Rxc1 Qa3 {The queen not only attacks the rook, it is ready to get back and help the king.} 22.Qe3 b5 23.e6 f6 24.h4 Ne7 25.Rb1 a6 26.Qd2 Qd6 {Aronian didn't like this move but it's hard to think of a plan and avoid White's a2-a4.} ( 26...Nc6 {is "asking too much of the position." (Carlsen) But most likely White needs to force a draw with say:} 27.Re1 Ne7 28.Rb1 ) 27.a4 $1 {Otherwise Black's queenside majority may become way too dangerous.} 27...bxa4 28.Qa2 a3 29.Rb4 h5 ( 29...a5 30.Rb5 Ra8 {was probably safer.} ) 30.Qxa3 Nc6 $1 ( {Earlier Aronian had planned} 30...a5 {but here he noticed that it fails to} 31.Qxa5 $1 Nc6 32.Qxd5 $3 Qxd5 ( {the big trick was} 32...Nxb4 33.Qxc4 $1 {and White wins thanks to the discovered check threat.} ) 33.Bxd5 Rxd5 34.Rb6 Rd6 ( 34...Ne7 35.Rb8+ Kh7 36.Rb7 Ng6 37.e7 Nxe7 38.Rxe7 {is a winning rook ending} ) 35.d5 Rxd5 36.Rxc6 Rd1+ 37.Kg2 Re1 38.Kf3 {with good winning chances.} ) 31.Ra4 Qxa3 32.Rxa3 a5 33.e7 Nxe7 34.Rxa5 {Almost everything disappeared and next burst of activity practically seals the draw:} 34...Rb8 35.Bxd5+ Nxd5 36.Rxd5 Rb3 37.Rxh5 Rxc3 38.Rc5 Rc1+ 39.Kg2 c3 40.Kf3 c2 41.Kf4 ( 41.d5 Rd1 ) 41...Rd1 42.Rxc2 Rxd4+ 43.Kf5 {White'sextra pawn does not mean much as the pawns are facing each other and will be swapped.} 43...Kh7 44.f4 Ra4 45.Rc5 Kh6 46.Rd5 Ra6 47.g4 g6+ 48.Ke4 Ra4+ 49.Rd4 Ra5 50.Rd5 Ra4+ 51.Ke3 Ra3+ 52.Rd3 Ra6 1/2-1/2

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic 2018"]
[Site "Karlsruhe GER"]
[Date "2018.04.01"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[ECO "B48"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7628533011495"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.Qf3 ( {In Wijk aan Zee, the world champion chose instead:} 7.Qd2 Nf6 8.f4 Bb4 9.Bd3 Na5 10.a3 Bxc3 11.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 12.bxc3 d5 13.exd5 exd5 14.Nb3 {Carlsen,M (2834) -Matlakov,M (2718) Wijk aan Zee 2018} ) 7...Nf6 8.O-O-O Ne5 9.Qg3 b5 10.a3 Bb7 {Anand managed to surprise his opponent. But it turned out that he walked into home-preparation anyway!} 11.Bxb5 $1 {Played confidently and quickly. The sacrifices on b5 in the Sicilian are as common as those on the d5 square.} 11...Rc8 $146 {The former world champion replied with a novelty.} ( {A predecessor saw:} 11...Bxa3 12.Bf4 ( {Vachier-Lagrave planned instead} 12.Nde2 {and then Be3-f4.} ) 12...Bd6 13.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 14.Rxd6 $1 Qxd6 15.Bxe5 {with a large advantage for White, Frolyanov,D (2534)-Khanin,S (2434) Kazan 2017} ) ( {Apparently, the bishop has reasons to be bold-} 11...axb5 12.Ndxb5 Qb8 13.Bb6 Nc4 14.Bc7 $1 {this is even better than} ( 14.Nc7+ {which also looks great for White after} 14...Ke7 15.Bc5+ Kd8 16.Bxf8 Rxf8 17.Nxa8 Qxg3 18.hxg3 Bxa8 19.f3 ) 14...Qc8 15.Rd4 {with complete domination of the white pieces.} ) 12.Ba4 Nxe4 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.Bf4 Qc4 15.Bxe5 Qxa4 16.Rd2 f6 17.Bd6 {Up to here the Frenchman was in his prep. On the surface it seems as Black should be doing fine with his strong center and active queenside pieces. A closer look reveals the fact that he will need some time to get his kingside troops into the game, and that the center will hardly ever move. Or as Vachier-Lagrave summarized Black's situation- "unplesant."} 17...Kf7 18.Re1 Bg6 19.Bxf8 Rhxf8 20.Qd6 {There should be always a piece on this square to block the pawns.} 20...Kg8 21.f4 Rfe8 22.Re3 Qc4 ( {The French GM remembered that Black's idea was not to allow the white pawn on g4.Therefore he sugested} 22...h5 {as possible improvement for Black.} ) 23.b3 Qc7 ( 23...Qc5 $5 {might have been a better try for Anand again.} 24.Qxc5 ( {As} 24.Qxd7 $6 Rcd8 25.Qc6 Qxa3+ {is comfortable for Black.} ) 24...Rxc5 {with chances to start the black pawns.} ) 24.Qxc7 Rxc7 25.Kb2 Rb8 26.g4 $1 {Not only blocking, but very often attacking the black pawn mass. Anand has the ungrateful destiny of watching his opponent improve his position for free.} 26...Bf7 27.a4 Rc5 $6 {A blunder according to the players.} ( {He should have chosen the passive defense instead with} 27...Kf8 28.Ka3 {when White will keep on improving with c2-c4, etc. but Black's position "might be holdable" (MVL)} ) 28.Ne2 $1 {Missed by Anand.} ( {Black was hoping for} 28.Nf3 Rc4 {which is indeed OK for him after} 29.Rxd7 Rxf4 30.h3 e5 {followed by h7-h5 with counter-play.} ( 30...Rxa4 31.Nd4 {leaves White the advantage.} ) ) 28...Rc7 {A sad necessity.} ( {Since} 28...d5 $2 29.Nd4 $1 {leads to collapse of Black's position. For example} 29...Rb6 30.Rde2 Rc4 31.a5 $1 ) 29.Rd6 {This outpost again.} 29...Ra7 30.Red3 Be8 {Desperation.} ( {The alternative} 30...Rbb7 31.Ng3 Kf8 32.f5 {looks also very depressing though. Next the white knight will come on e4 and the queenside pawns will start moving forward.} ) 31.f5 exf5 ( {Or} 31...Kf7 32.Nf4 e5 33.Nd5 {followed by a4-a6, Nd5-b6 and b- and c- pawns push.} ) 32.gxf5 Rc8 33.Nc3 Rc5 34.R3d5 Rc6 35.Ne4 Kf7 36.Rd3 Rac7 37.c4 g6 {The last blunder which ends Black's suffering.} ( {Anand wanted to avoid the appearence of a knight on d6-} 37...Ke7 38.R6d4 {followed by Ne4-d6 which is basically over.} ) 38.fxg6+ {Black decided to put an end of his suffering.} 38...hxg6 39.Nxf6 Ke7 {White has multiple winning choices:} 40.Re3+ ( 40.Ne4 ) ( 40.Kc3 Rxd6 41.Rxd6 Kxd6 42.Nxe8+ ) 40...Kxd6 41.Nxe8+ 1-0

[Event "WCh Women 2018"]
[Site "Chongqing/Shanghai CHN"]
[Date "2018.05.07"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[ECO "A45"]
[EventDate "2018.05.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8043403976232"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 d5 3.Nd2 {The Torre Attack is a dangerous weapon for White. It was once a favourite opening of the ninth world champion Tigran Petrosian.} 3...Nbd7 4.Ngf3 h6 5.Bh4 c5 6.e3 e6 7.c3 Be7 8.Bd3 Qc7 ( {Another plan is:} 8...a6 9.a4 b6 10.O-O O-O 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd7 {as in Duda,J (2717) -Jumabayev,R (2612) Riadh 2017} ) 9.Qe2 O-O 10.O-O b6 11.Bxf6 $146 {For her intended set-up Tan does not need this bishop.} ( {The only predecessor saw a quick draw after:} 11.Rfe1 Bb7 12.Rad1 Rac8 13.Bb1 {1/2-1/2 (13) Sale,S (2404)-Adzic,S (2151) Ulcinj 2014} ) 11...Nxf6 ( 11...Bxf6 $5 {can be met with} 12.e4 $5 ) 12.Ne5 Bb7 13.f4 {The point behind White's play. She achieves a reversed Stonewall formation without the bad bishop on c1. White's plan is obvious: attack on the kingside.} 13...Ne4 14.Rad1 Bd6 15.Qg4 f5 $1 {Very solid play by Ju.} ( {After} 15...Nxd2 16.Rxd2 c4 17.Bc2 {f7-f5 would be needed anyway, but Black would miss her cementing knight on e4.} ) 16.Qh3 ( {Nothing reaches} 16.Qg6 Rf6 ) 16...Bxe5 ( {Also good was the preliminary} 16...cxd4 17.exd4 Bxe5 18.fxe5 a5 {with the idea to swap off the light-squared bishops after Bb7-a6.} ) 17.fxe5 Qe7 18.Qh5 Kh7 {Depriving the queen of the g6 square.} ( {For instance, the above-mentioned plan of the bishop trade with} 18...a5 {will not be effective after} 19.Qg6 Ba6 $2 {Due to} 20.Nxe4 dxe4 ( {Or} 20...fxe4 21.Rxf8+ {When} 21...Kxf8 {is forced and then the queen sneaks into the black camp} ( 21...Qxf8 22.Qxe6+ ) 22.Bxa6 Rxa6 23.Qh7 $1 {with a win for White.} ) 21.Bxa6 Rxa6 22.d5 $1 exd5 23.Rxf5 {with large advantage for White.} ) ( {I wonder why didn't Black offer another trade} 18...Qg5 $5 {Without the queens} 19.Qxg5 ( {Most likely Tan intended} 19.Qe2 {but then Black can start her own play with} 19...c4 20.Bc2 b5 ) 19...Nxg5 {Black is in no danger of being checkmated.} ) 19.Qe2 ( {Premature is} 19.g4 $2 g6 20.Qh3 cxd4 21.exd4 Qg5 ) 19...Rac8 20.Rf4 $5 {To double the rooks and provoke the g7-g5 move.} 20...Rf7 {Another solid prophylactical idea.} ( {Weaker is} 20...g5 21.Rff1 {as we shall see later Black needs the g-pawn on a different square.} ) 21.g4 {Consistently mounting kingside pressure.} 21...Rcf8 ( {White is not afraid of} 21...Qg5 22.Nxe4 dxe4 23.Bc4 ) 22.Qg2 cxd4 23.cxd4 ( {Or} 23.exd4 g6 ) 23...Nxd2 $2 {A very serious mistake. White is in complete control after the knight swap as she is obviously havng the better pieces.} ( {Correct was} 23...g6 $1 {when the solid pawn construction on the kingside should survive any pawn storm. Say} 24.h4 ( {Or} 24.Bxe4 fxe4 25.Rdf1 Rxf4 26.Rxf4 Rxf4 27.exf4 Qb4 $1 ) ( {And finally} 24.Rdf1 Qb4 $5 ( {Or even} 24...g5 25.R4f3 Kh8 26.gxf5 exf5 ) ) 24...Rg7 25.h5 $2 gxh5 ) ( {Also the queenside counterplay is interesting-} 23...Qb4 24.gxf5 exf5 25.Nb1 Qa4 {keeping White busy. Although it is risky to send the queen too far away from the kingside.} ) 24.Rxd2 g6 25.Qh3 $1 {Next Rd2-g2 and all the white pieces will be involved into the attack.} 25...Bc8 ( {Any open file practically gives White unstoppable initiative-} 25...fxg4 26.Rxg4 Rg8 27.Rh4 Qf8 28.Qxe6 ( {Or even better} 28.Rc2 $1 ) ) ( {This time the queenside counterplay does not help at all-} 25...Qb4 26.Rg2 fxg4 {On the contrary- Black will misss badly the queen on the kingside after} 27.Bxg6+ $1 Kxg6 28.Qxg4+ Kh7 29.Rxf7+ Rxf7 30.Qg8# ) 26.Rg2 g5 $2 {A nervous move that makes things easier for the world champion. Ju should have stayed and hoped for her construction to hold.} 27.Rf3 Kg7 ( {The last chance was} 27...Bd7 28.Qh5 Rg7 {intending Bd7-e8-g6.} ) 28.Qh5 Bd7 29.h4 $1 {Black position collapses.} 29...fxg4 ( {It is mate after} 29...gxh4 30.gxf5+ ) 30.Qg6+ Kh8 31.Qxh6+ Kg8 32.Rxg4 Rg7 ( {After} 32...Rxf3 {White first wins the queen} 33.Rxg5+ Qxg5+ 34.Qxg5+ Kf7 {Then the rook} 35.Bg6+ Kg7 36.Bf5+ Kf7 37.Qf6+ Ke8 38.Bg6+ {and the game.} ) 33.Rf6 Qb4 {Allows a brilliancy.} 34.Qxg7+ $1 Kxg7 35.Rxg5+ ( 35.Rxg5+ Kh8 36.Rh6# ) 1-0

[Event "WCh Women 2018"]
[Site "Chongqing/Shanghai CHN"]
[Date "2018.05.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[ECO "C24"]
[EventDate "2018.05.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7976828017696"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 {The Bishop opening is often used to avoid the Petroff Defense.} 2...Nf6 3.d3 c6 ( {When she faced 2.Bc4 for the first time, Ju played} 3...Bc5 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 Be7 7.Bg3 d6 8.a4 O-O 9.Nge2 Be6 {and lost after 55 moves in Naiditsch,A (2702)-Ju Wenjun (2574) Douglas (Isle of Man) 2017} ) 4.Nf3 d5 ( {Ju has only faced the Bishop Opening twice. In her other game she went} 4...Be7 5.O-O d6 6.Bb3 O-O 7.c3 Nbd7 8.Re1 Re8 9.d4 Bf8 10.Bc2 b6 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Nf1 Qc7 {Harika,D (2504)-Ju Wenjun (2567) Huai'an CHN 2017} ) 5.Bb3 a5 ( 5...dxe4 $2 {is known to be bad after} 6.Ng5 ) 6.a4 Bb4+ {One of the good continuations for Black. Ju deprives the opponent's knight of the c3 square.} 7.c3 Bd6 8.O-O ( {The alternative is:} 8.Nbd2 O-O 9.O-O Nbd7 10.Re1 Re8 11.h3 h6 12.Nf1 Nf8 13.Ng3 Ng6 {as in Leko, P (2691) -Li,C (2732) Riadh 2017} ) 8...O-O 9.exd5 cxd5 10.Na3 ( {Perhaps it makes sense to throw in} 10.Bg5 {first. For example:} 10...Be6 11.Na3 Nbd7 12.Nb5 Bb8 13.Re1 Ra6 14.d4 e4 15.Nd2 h6 16.Bh4 g5 17.Bg3 {with a complicated position as in Patel,A (2410)-Yu,J (2279) Irving 2017} ) 10...Nbd7 11.Re1 h6 {Now the Bc1 feels uncomfortable.} 12.Nb5 Bb8 13.d4 {Sooner or later White will have to fight for the center.} ( {But it seems as} 13.h3 {should have been included first.} ) 13...e4 14.Nd2 Nb6 15.f3 $146 {The point behind Tan's 13.d3-d4. However, it turns out that Black's center is more stable than it seems.} ( {The only predecessor saw White burn in flames after:} 15.c4 Bxh2+ 16.Kxh2 Ng4+ 17.Kg3 f5 18.Nxe4 fxe4 19.f3 exf3 20.gxf3 Nf6 21.Re5 Nxc4 22.Bxc4 dxc4 23.Qe2 Qd7 24.Qh2 Qf7 25.Qh4 Ng4 26.f4 Nxe5 {0-1 (26) Schmieder,S (1709)-Ottenburg,R (1833) Frankfurt 2017} ) 15...Re8 16.Bc2 Bd7 $1 {Super-calm and very good.} ( {The immediate} 16...exf3 17.Rxe8+ Qxe8 18.Nxf3 {would lead to approximate equality.} ) 17.Rb1 ( {It turns out that the central pawn is immune-} 17.fxe4 Bg4 18.Nf3 dxe4 19.h3 Bxf3 20.gxf3 Qd7 {would be disastrous for the white king.} ) 17...exf3 ( {Also good is to bring the knight into the game with:} 17...Nc8 18.b3 Nd6 ) 18.Nxf3 Ne4 19.Ne5 {Not happy with the outcome of the opening, Tan decided to sacrifice a pawn.} ( {The alternatives were no better-} 19.Be3 Nc4 ) ( {Or} 19.Bd3 Qf6 {are both excellent for Black.} ) 19...Bxe5 20.dxe5 Bxb5 {Subtle.} ( 20...Rxe5 21.Bf4 Rf5 22.Bc7 {leads to complications, which is exactly what White was hoping for. True, it is not too bad for Black after} 22...Qf6 23.Nd4 Rg5 24.Qf3 Qxf3 25.Nxf3 Rg6 26.Ne5 Re6 27.Bxb6 Rxe5 {with approximate equality.} ) 21.axb5 Rxe5 22.Be3 ( {Here} 22.Bf4 Re6 {is good for the second player.} ) 22...Re6 23.Bd4 {The dark-squared white bishop is an excellent piece, but Black's knights are great as well. Ju finds a way to bring them into their optimal squares. All in all, the compensation for the pawn is insufficient.} 23...Nc4 24.Bd3 ( {Or} 24.Qh5 Qg5 {but in hindsight this might have been White's best chance.} ) 24...Qg5 25.b3 Ncd6 26.Rb2 Rae8 ( {Also great was the immediate} 26...Nf5 $1 27.Bf2 Rae8 ) 27.Rbe2 Nf5 {Black's maneuvers were more usefuk than White's. She is close to winning.} 28.Bc2 Nh4 29.Qd3 Ng6 {Solid and good.} ( {There was a tricky tactical idea as well:} 29...f5 30.Qh3 Nf2 $3 31.Kxf2 Qf4+ 32.Kg1 Rxe2 {with a win.} ) 30.Be3 ( {The last chance was} 30.Qf3 Nf4 31.Re3 ) 30...Qh5 31.c4 Ne5 $1 {This wins by force.} 32.Qd4 ( {Instead} 32.Qxd5 {loses loads of material after} 32...Nc3 33.Qd2 Nxe2+ 34.Rxe2 Ng4 ) 32...Rg6 33.Bxe4 dxe4 34.Kf1 ( 34.Qxe4 Nf3+ {drops the queen.} ) 34...Nf3 $1 35.Qd7 ( {Or mate after} 35.gxf3 Qh3+ 36.Kf2 Qg2# ) 35...Nxh2+ ( {It is forced mate after} 35...Nxh2+ 36.Kg1 Nf3+ 37.Kf2 Qh4+ ) 0-1

[Event "WCh Women 2018"]
[Site "Chongqing/Shanghai CHN"]
[Date "2018.05.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[ECO "E37"]
[EventDate "2018.05.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "160"]
[Beauty "4261144429063"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 {The Nimzo-Indian had always had solid reputation.} 4.Qc2 d5 {But this is a surprise. So far Ju has always played either:} ( 4...O-O {as one of the games between the two players in Teheran. That game saw:} 5.Nf3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 c5 9.dxc5 Be6 10.e3 Nbd7 11.a3 Bxc3+ 12.Qxc3 g5 {Tan,Z (2502)-Ju,W (2583) Teheran 2017} ) ( {Or} 4...c5 {The latest example being:} 5.dxc5 O-O 6.a3 Bxc5 7.Nf3 b6 8.e4 Bb7 9.b4 Be7 10.e5 Ne8 11.Bd3 f5 {Girya,O (2444)-Ju,W (2578) Chengdu 2016} ) 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 Ne4 7.Qc2 c5 ( {Probably the reason for Ju's choice of this opening line was the only game that the world champion played in it. It was played in the distant 2010 and finished disastrously for White after:} 7...Nc6 8.Nf3 e5 9.dxe5 Bf5 10.cxd5 Qxd5 11.Qd3 Qe6 12.Qb5 O-O-O 13.e3 Rd5 14.Qa4 Rhd8 15.Be2 Nc5 16.Qh4 Qg6 17.O-O Nb3 18.Qf4 Be6 19.e4 Rd4 20.Nh4 Qxe4 {0-1 (20) Tan,Z (2464)-Guo,Q (2143) China 2010} ) 8.dxc5 Nc6 9.Nf3 Qa5+ 10.Bd2 Nxd2 ( {In Shamkir Karjakin chose instead:} 10...Qxc5 11.e3 Nxd2 12.Nxd2 dxc4 13.O-O-O Qf5 14.Ne4 O-O 15.Bxc4 Ne5 {and managed to repel White's attack after} 16.g4 Nxg4 17.Rhg1 Nf6 18.Bd3 Nxe4 19.Bxe4 Qh5 20.f4 f5 {in Mamedyarov,S (2814)-Karjakin,S (2778) Shamkir 2018} ) 11.Qxd2 dxc4 12.Qxa5 Nxa5 13.e3 b5 14.cxb6 axb6 $146 {A solid, sound novelty. Black needs to hold in the last two games to triumph with the title and Ju plays the opening very safe.} ( {There was absolutely no need to sacrifice a pawn as in the predecessor:} 14...Bb7 15.bxa7 Bxf3 16.gxf3 Ke7 17.Rg1 Rxa7 18.Rxg7 Rb8 {Benes,M (1950)-Malinovsky,K (2348) Brno 2010} ) 15.Nd2 b5 ( {Also good is} 15...Ba6 ) 16.a4 {Tan has to trade more pawns as otherwise there is a serious risk that her bishop remains workless on the f1-a6 diagonal.} 16...Nb7 17.Ra3 Rxa4 18.Rxa4 bxa4 19.Bxc4 Bd7 {The opening outcome is perfect for Black. Ju's only weakness can be easily defended by both the knight and the bishop, whereas the pawn on b2 does not look great at the moment.} ( {Another good set-up was:} 19...Nd6 20.Bd3 Ke7 ) 20.Ne4 Ke7 21.Ke2 ( {After} 21.Kd2 Rb8 22.Kc3 {Black can play actively with} 22...Bc6 ) 21...Rb8 $1 {Hitting the weakness on b2.} 22.Rb1 Bc6 23.Nc3 ( {Of course not} 23.f3 Bxe4 24.fxe4 Nc5 {which is horrible for White.} ) 23...Nc5 {Black managed to arrange her pieces optimally and stands even slightly better. She can now search for weaknesses on the wing where she is stronger--the kingside.} 24.f3 f5 $1 25.Kd2 g5 26.Be2 h5 27.Kc2 g4 {Things start to look grim for the world champion. Ju threatens to open the g-file and seize it with the rook. Next there will be second-rank penetration and will all go downhills for White.} 28.Rd1 $1 {In a difficult moment Tan demonstrates again her enormous defensive skills.} 28...Rg8 29.Rd4 gxf3 30.Bxf3 ( {But not} 30.gxf3 Rg2 31.Kd1 Rxh2 ) 30...Bxf3 31.gxf3 {in both cases Blck retains winning chances, although White should be objectively able to hold.} 31...Rg2+ 32.Rd2 Rg1 ( 32...Rg8 ) 33.Rd4 $6 {Only this is inaccurate.} 33...Rf1 34.Nxa4 e5 {An unpleasant in-between move.} ( 34...Nxa4 35.Rxa4 Rxf3 36.Kd3 {would have been easier to defend for White.} ) 35.Rh4 Rf2+ {A tricky in-between check.} 36.Kd1 ( {Actually, Tan could have transposed into that line with:} 36.Kc3 Nxa4+ 37.Rxa4 Rxf3 38.Kd3 ) 36...Nxa4 37.Rxa4 Rxf3 38.Ke2 $1 {Once again, on the verge of the defeat (and the end of the match!) the world champion plays like a lion(ess)!} ( 38.Rh4 $2 {would have kept the material equal, but the connected passers should win for Black after} 38...Rxe3 39.Rxh5 Ke6 ) 38...Rh3 39.Ra6 $1 {Giving two pawns in one go, but keeping the black king away.} 39...Rxh2+ 40.Kf3 Rh3+ ( {After} 40...e4+ 41.Kf4 Rf2+ 42.Ke5 {the active white pieces guarantee her the draw.} ) ( {As Peter Doggers pointed out,} 40...h4 $1 {was Black's best chance, for example:} 41.Rh6 Kf7 42.b4 Kg7 43.Rh5 Kg6 44.Rh8 Kf6 45.e4 ( {but not} 45.b5 $4 e4+ 46.Kf4 Rf2# ) 45...Rh3+ 46.Kg2 Rg3+ 47.Kf2 f4 48.Rxh4 Kg5 $1 ( 48...Re3 {does not win after} 49.Rh1 $1 Rxe4 50.Rb1 ) ( 48...Rb3 {is not sufficient either because of} 49.Rh6+ Kg5 50.Re6 ) 49.Rh7 Re3 50.b5 Rxe4 51.b6 Rb4 52.b7 Rb3 {and this should be winning for Black.} ) 41.Kf2 Rh2+ ( {Whenever the e-pawn advances it limits the pawn duo potential and makes things easier for White. For example:} 41...e4 42.b4 h4 43.Rh6 Kf7 44.b5 Rh2+ 45.Kf1 Kg7 46.Rh5 Kg6 47.Rh8 Rb2 48.Rxh4 Rxb5 49.Rh8 ) 42.Kg3 Re2 43.Kf3 Rxb2 44.Rh6 Rh2 {Now it seems as Black have enough resources to win the game, however...} ( {Nothing gives:} 44...Rb3 45.Rxh5 ( 45.Kf2 ) 45...f4 46.Rxe5+ ) 45.e4 $3 {This saves the day!} ( {Instead, something normal like} 45.Kg3 {would have lost after} 45...Rh1 46.Kg2 Rh4 47.Kg3 Rg4+ 48.Kf3 e4+ 49.Kf2 h4 ) 45...Rh4 {The only chance.} ( {The tactical point behind the pawn push is revealed after} 45...f4 46.Re6+ $3 Kxe6 {stalemate!} ( 46...Kf7 47.Rf6+ {will make the rook rampant.} ) ) ( {To an instant draw leads:} 45...Rh3+ 46.Kg2 ) ( {Or} 45...fxe4+ 46.Kxe4 Re2+ 47.Kd5 {with a draw.} ) 46.exf5 Rf4+ 47.Ke3 Rxf5 48.Ke4 Rg5 {The pawns are defended almost perfectly. Almost, because the king cannot use the fifth rank and this is the reason why Black cannot win.} 49.Ra6 Kf7 ( 49...h4 {drops the pawn after} 50.Rh6 ) 50.Ra7+ Kg6 51.Ra6+ Kg7 52.Ra7+ Kh6 53.Ra8 ( {Also good was:} 53.Ra6+ Rg6 54.Ra1 Re6 55.Kf5 Re7 56.Ra6+ Kg7 57.Rg6+ $1 Kh7 58.Rg5 $1 {with a draw.} ) 53...Rg7 54.Kxe5 Kg5 55.Ke4 Kg4 56.Ke3 Kg3 57.Ke2 Kg2 58.Rh8 Re7+ ( {Or} 58...Rg5 59.Ke3 ) 59.Kd2 Re5 60.Rg8+ Kh3 61.Rg7 {This would have been a win for Black if the white king was cut along the d-file. Here it is close enough to block the enemy one.} 61...h4 62.Rg8 Kh2 63.Rg4 h3 64.Rg8 Re6 65.Rg7 Re8 66.Rg6 Ra8 ( {Or} 66...Kh1 67.Rg7 h2 68.Rg6 Ra8 69.Ke2 Ra1 70.Kf2 {which is similar to the game.} ) 67.Ke2 Ra2+ 68.Kf1 Rg2 69.Rf6 Rg5 70.Rf2+ Kh1 71.Rf6 Rg1+ 72.Kf2 Rg2+ 73.Kf1 h2 74.Rf8 Rg1+ 75.Kf2 Rg2+ 76.Kf1 Ra2 77.Rf7 Ra1+ 78.Kf2 Ra2+ 79.Kf1 Ra1+ 80.Kf2 Ra2+ {We are heading for the exciting culmination of the event on Friday!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "WCh Women 2018"]
[Site "Chongqing/Shanghai CHN"]
[Date "2018.05.18"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2571"]
[BlackElo "2522"]
[ECO "B06"]
[EventDate "2018.05.03"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[Beauty "4678293127722"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]

1.d4 g6 {A fact: nowadays, the decisive games often see some irregular opening choices. The Pirc/Modern defenses are notorious for that. Some examples that come to my mind are Ivanchuk-Kramnik, FIDE Candidates' London 2013 and Karpov-Kortschnoi, Baguio City 1978.} 2.Nf3 Bg7 3.e4 {Shifting to the Modern/Pirc.} 3...d6 4.Bc4 e6 {Keeping it as original as possible.} ( {The alternative was tried in a recent game from the USA championship-} 4...Nf6 5.Qe2 O-O 6.O-O Nc6 7.e5 Ng4 8.h3 Nh6 9.Nc3 {with advantage for White in Izoria,Z (2599)-Nakamura,H (2787) Saint Louis 2018} ) 5.O-O Ne7 6.a4 ( 6.Bb3 {is also possible, for example-} 6...h6 7.c3 Nd7 8.a4 a5 9.Ne1 b6 10.f4 Ba6 11.Rf2 d5 12.e5 h5 {and Black was OK in Bosiocic,M (2610)-Rapport,R (2696) Karlsruhe 2017} ) 6...Nd7 {Spassky used a similar set-up in his first match against Petrosian in order to avoid the theoretical lines. Later, however, he admitted it was a mistake and he went for the main lines in their second match in 1969.} 7.c3 a5 8.Re1 b6 9.Na3 h6 10.Bd3 $146 {Solid and new.} ( {Instead:} 10.h3 Bb7 11.Bf4 {may lead to exactly what Black wants after} 11...g5 12.Bg3 Ng6 13.Qd2 Nf6 14.Bd3 Nh5 15.Bh2 Nhf4 {with a double-edged, irregular position in Huss,A (2313)-Romanov,E (2640) Zuerich 2017} ) 10...Bb7 11.Nc4 O-O 12.Qe2 {Centralization and prophylaxis.} 12...e5 {Objectively speaking, a mistake. But such final games have their own laws and we are not in the position to criticise any of the players' decisions.} ( {The ide behind Ju's last move is demonstrated in the line} 12...f5 $2 13.exf5 ) ( {Objectively best was} 12...d5 13.exd5 Nxd5 {but then how to play for a win after something solid, like} 14.Nce5 ) 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.b3 {It turns out that Black's position is very unpleasant. f7-f5 is impossible, there are no outposts for the black knights. And the rooks are not comfortable as the queen stays on their road.} 14...Qb8 ( {The alternatives are not convincing:} 14...Nc6 15.Ba3 Nc5 16.Rad1 Qe7 17.Ne3 {with solid edge for White.} ) ( {Similar is:} 14...Nc5 15.Bc2 Nc8 16.Ba3 Nd6 17.Rad1 ) ( {Finally, a move like:} 14...g5 {only weakens Black's positon and} 15.Ba3 Re8 16.Ne3 Ng6 17.g3 {leads again to clear advantage for White.} ) 15.Ba3 c5 {Leads to a permanent of the d5 square. But what else could Tan do?} ( 15...Re8 16.Rad1 {leaves Black no useful moves. The knights are clumsy as they have to defend the e5 pawn.} ) 16.Rad1 Rd8 17.Bc1 $1 {The bishop has done its job, time to change the operating diagonal. From here it pressurizes the kingside and makes sure there will be no black bishop out soon.} ( {Although} 17.Ne3 {should be comfortable for White as well after} 17...Nf6 ( {Not:} 17...Bc6 $6 18.Bc4 Bxe4 $2 19.Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 20.Qc4+ ) 18.Nd2 h5 $1 19.f3 Bh6 20.Ndc4 {but this is playable for Black at least.} ) 17...Bc6 18.Bc2 {Ju is consistently playing on the d-file and the queenside.} 18...Qc7 19.Na3 g5 {And the world champion decides to risk! However:} 20.h4 $1 {Is an excellent counter-strike. White is better prepared for the kingside play.} 20...g4 ( 20...f6 {weakens the light squares for life and White can easily exploit that with} 21.Bd3 ) 21.Nh2 h5 22.f3 $1 gxf3 23.Qxf3 {Black's attack backfired. She loses a pawn.} 23...Ng6 ( {If} 23...Nf6 24.Bg5 ) 24.Bg5 ( {A bit more precise than} 24.Qxh5 Nf6 25.Rxd8+ Rxd8 26.Qg5 {when Black is at least taking the open file.} ) 24...f6 25.Qxh5 ( 25.Be3 $5 ) 25...Ndf8 26.Be3 Be8 27.Qg4 {Ju won a pawn and kept a huge positional advantage. Essentially this should be curtains, but Tan once again demonstrates her incredible fighting spirit and does not give up.} 27...Bd7 28.Qh5 ( {In a different situation White would have played something like} 28.Qg3 Nf4 29.Ng4 Kh8 30.Qf3 {followed by g2-g3 and would have converted the advantage with ease.} ) 28...Be6 29.Nb5 Qe7 30.Ng4 Rxd1 31.Rxd1 Rd8 32.Rxd8 {Another demonstration of the word solidity. There will be no random chaances allowed!} ( 32.Rf1 {to play for the attack was also great.} ) 32...Qxd8 33.Nh6+ Bxh6 34.Bxh6 Bf7 ( {Or else White can keep on trading.} 34...Qd7 {might have transposed to the note from above.} 35.Bxf8 Nxf8 36.Qd1 ) 35.Qg4 Be6 36.Qg3 Kh7 37.Be3 Qd7 38.Qf2 Qe7 39.g3 Bg4 40.Qd2 Ne6 41.Kh2 ( {It made sense to swap the light-squared bishops off with} 41.Bd1 Bxd1 42.Qxd1 {followed by a transfer of the white knight to c4 (or even f5). Since the black knights are limited, there is no counterplay.} ) 41...Ng7 42.Nd6 Qd7 43.Nc4 Qf7 44.Nd6 {Solidity makes World Champion!} ( {There was nothing wrong with} 44.Nxb6 ) 44...Qg8 45.Qf2 Qd8 ( {Or} 45...Qf8 46.Nc4 Qd8 47.Qd2 ) 46.Qd2 Nh5 47.Nf5 Qg8 ( {Once the queens leave the board} 47...Qxd2+ 48.Bxd2 {the match would be over.} ) 48.Qd5 Qf8 49.Bh6 Qe8 50.Qb7+ Kg8 51.Ng7 {SOLIDITY.} ( {Again there was nothing wrong with} 51.Qxb6 Qd7 52.Qb5 ) 51...Qe7 {Forced.} ( 51...Qd8 52.Nxh5 ) 52.Qxe7 Nxe7 53.Nxh5 {The crown is within her reach.} 53...Bxh5 54.Kg2 Kf7 55.Kf2 Nc8 56.Bd2 Nd6 57.b4 {Now a pawn is traded.} 57...Ke7 ( 57...Nc4 $2 58.Bb3 ) 58.bxa5 bxa5 59.Be3 Nb7 ( {Or} 59...c4 60.Bc5 ) 60.Bb3 Kd6 61.Bc4 Nd8 62.Be2 Be8 63.Bd1 Bg6 64.Kf3 Ne6 65.g4 Bf7 66.Bc2 Kc6 67.Kg3 c4 68.h5 Ng5 69.Bxg5 {Completely blocking it.} 69...fxg5 70.Kf3 {And this is it! Ju Wenjun is the new world champion! Congratulations to both players for the fantastic match they have played!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's World Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2018.05.04"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[ECO "A21"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[Beauty "6666481313318"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 {A sort of Advanced Rossolimo line with reversed colors.} 3.d3 {Already quite a rare move.} ( 3.Nd5 {to make use of the bishop's position at once is more common, for example:} 3...a5 4.Nf3 d6 5.a3 Bc5 6.e3 Nf6 7.d4 Nxd5 8.cxd5 exd4 9.exd4 Bb6 10.Bg5 f6 11.Be3 {as in Cheparinov,I (2702)-Li,S (2519) China 2018} ) 3...Bxc3+ 4.bxc3 d6 5.g3 f5 6.Bg2 Nf6 7.Rb1 ( {Or:} 7.Nf3 O-O 8.O-O c5 9.Nd2 Nc6 10.f4 Be6 11.e4 exf4 12.Rxf4 Qd7 {with approximately equal game in Krylov,M (2476)-Volovikov,A (2271) Serpukhov 2018} ) 7...c6 8.Nf3 Qc7 9.O-O O-O 10.Bg5 $146 {A novelty, which does not give anything substantial to White.} ( {In the only predecessor Black got excellent position after:} 10.Qb3 c5 11.Ng5 ( 11.Nh4 $5 ) 11...Nc6 12.Qb5 h6 13.Nh3 Na5 14.f4 e4 15.Nf2 Bd7 16.Qb2 Bc6 {Ehlert,H (1923)-Gross,T (2152) Verden 2008} ) 10...Nbd7 11.Nd2 h6 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 {Ju can be happy with her opening.The only potential problem of b7 is well covered. While Black can easily advance her kingside pawns. In fact it seems easier to be Black here as her moves are more obvious.} 13.e4 Be6 {One of the good moves that Black has.} ( {Both} 13...f4 ) ( {And} 13...fxe4 14.Nxe4 Be6 {lead to perfectly comforatble positions for the second player.} ) 14.Bh3 Qd7 15.exf5 Bxf5 16.Bxf5 Qxf5 17.Ne4 ( {Perhaps Tan should have forced matters with:} 17.Rxb7 Qxd3 18.Nb3 Qxd1 ( {Less convincing is:} 18...Qxc3 19.Qxd6 Qxc4 20.Qxe5 ) ( {Or} 18...Qxc4 19.Qxd6 Qxc3 20.Qe7 {with advantage for White.} ) 19.Rxd1 Ne4 20.Re1 Nxc3 21.c5 $1 {with equality. For instance:} 21...Rf7 22.Rxf7 Kxf7 23.cxd6 Ke6 24.Re3 Nd5 25.Nd4+ Kxd6 26.Nf5+ ) 17...Qd7 18.Qb3 Nxe4 19.dxe4 Rf7 $1 {Now Black is definitely better. She can defend the weakness on b7 sideways, while attacking. White has a bunch of weak pawns and what is more important-her king is not as safe as it seems.} 20.Rfd1 ( {After} 20.c5 dxc5 21.Qc4 {Black can keep the pawn with} 21...b6 22.a4 Qe7 ) 20...Qg4 $5 {Aggressive play.} ( {On} 20...b6 {White has} 21.c5 $1 bxc5 22.Rd2 {followed by the doubling on the d-file and compensation for a pawn.} ) 21.Rxd6 Qe2 {Another cunning move, which tries to force a concession.} ( {Also good was the immediate capture:} 21...Qxe4 {when White has to be extremely careful. For example:} 22.Rbd1 $2 {leads to trouble after:} ( {When White needs to defend with} 22.Rd2 $1 ) 22...Rxf2 $1 23.Kxf2 Rf8+ 24.Kg1 Qe3+ {And if} 25.Kg2 $2 {White gets mated with} ( {Now best defense is:} 25.Kh1 $1 Rf2 26.c5+ Kh7 27.Rxh6+ Qxh6 28.Qb1+ Qg6 {although White still needs to work hard to save the half point.} ) 25...Rf2+ 26.Kh3 Qe2 27.Rd8+ Kh7 28.Qb1+ e4 ) 22.Rf1 $2 {A very unfortunate decision. Passive defense with only heavy pieces on the board is a sin.} ( {Correct was:} 22.Qb2 $1 Qxe4 23.c5 ) ( {Or even:} 22.Rb2 $1 {despite the loss of a pawn with a check after:} 22...Qe1+ 23.Kg2 Qxe4+ 24.Kg1 {White can still defend.} ) 22...Raf8 {Now the White pieces are stuck and Tan has to give material back without getting any relief in return as she cannot expell the black pieces from their active ppositions.} 23.c5 ( {Or} 23.Qd1 Qxa2 ) 23...Kh7 24.Qd1 Qxa2 25.Qb1 Qc4 26.Rd2 a5 $1 {Ju keeps the queens on the board.} ( {Weaker was} 26...Qxc5 27.Qb4 Qxb4 28.cxb4 {with chances for White to defend the rook endgame.} ) 27.Qb6 Qxc3 28.Rb2 ( {After} 28.Ra2 {Black can either defend the pawn} 28...Ra8 ( {Or even better push it} 28...a4 {as} 29.Rxa4 $2 {fails to} 29...Rxf2 $1 30.Rxf2 Qe1+ 31.Kg2 Rxf2+ 32.Kh3 Qf1+ 33.Kg4 Qe2+ 34.Kh4 Rxh2# ) ) 28...h5 {Looking for a second weakness on the kingside.} ( {Also good was} 28...Rd7 29.Ra2 Ra8 ) 29.Ra2 ( {The weakness is obvious after} 29.h4 Qd4 30.Ra2 Rf3 31.Kg2 Qxe4 ) 29...a4 ( {No time for} 29...h4 30.Qxa5 ) 30.Qb2 ( {Once again the pawn is poisoned-} 30.Rxa4 $2 Rxf2 31.Rxf2 Qe1+ 32.Kg2 Rxf2+ 33.Kh3 Qf1+ 34.Kh4 Rxh2+ 35.Kg5 Qf6# ) 30...Qxc5 ( {Since the position changed a bit, there was an argument for} 30...Qxb2 31.Rxb2 Ra8 32.Ra1 Ra5 {This time with good winning chances for Black as she can actively use her rook on the a5 square.} ) 31.Rxa4 g6 {Ju won a pawn and achieved close to won positon. But in the coming moves lets the advantage slip away.} ( {Here both} 31...Rf3 $1 32.Rb4 b5 ) ( {And} 31...b5 $1 {looked great for Black when the win should be a matter of time.} ) 32.Qd2 Kg7 33.Ra5 Qd4 ( 33...b5 {is no longer as convincing after} 34.Ra6 ) 34.Qxd4 exd4 35.f4 {Finally a rook endgame emerged but one in which Black's extra pawn is not felt seriously. Both white rooks are good, and so are her kingside pawns.} 35...Rd8 36.Kf2 b6 37.Ra6 c5 ( 37...Rb7 {is too passive and allows no winning chances after} 38.Rb1 Rdb8 39.Ke2 ) 38.Rxb6 Ra7 39.f5 $2 {A nervous move, most likely in time trouble.} ( {After the correct} 39.Rc6 $1 {White should hold. For example:} 39...Ra2+ 40.Kf3 Ra3+ 41.Kf2 Rc3 42.Ra1 d3 43.e5 c4 44.Ra7+ Kh6 45.Raa6 d2 46.Rxg6+ Kh7 47.Rh6+ Kg8 48.Rag6+ Kf8 ( {Not} 48...Kf7 $4 49.e6+ Ke7 50.Rh7+ Kd6 51.e7+ {when it is White who wins.} ) 49.Rh8+ {with a curious draw after} 49...Kf7 50.Rf6+ Kg7 51.Rxd8 Rd3 52.Rfd6 d1=Q 53.R8d7+ ) 39...gxf5 40.exf5 {The white passer is not dangerous as it is nicely blocked by the black king, whereas the black pawn duo marches fast.} 40...d3 41.Rc6 Ra2+ {A nasty little check.} 42.Kf3 ( 42.Ke1 {loses to} 42...Rb8 $1 ) ( {If} 42.Ke3 Re2+ 43.Kf4 ( 43.Kf3 Rd5 ) 43...d2 {would also see the black pawns promote soon.} ) 42...d2 {Back is perfectly co-ordinated and after some careful moves the contender converted the advantage.} 43.Rc7+ Kf6 44.Rc6+ Ke7 ( {Avoiding the trap-} 44...Kxf5 $2 45.Rxc5+ Kg6 46.Rc6+ Kf7 47.Ke2+ Kg8 48.Rd1 ) 45.Rd1 ( 45.f6+ {does not help after} 45...Kf7 ) 45...Rc2 46.h3 c4 47.g4 hxg4+ 48.hxg4 Rc1 49.Ke2 c3 50.Rc7+ Kf6 51.Rc6+ Kg5 52.Kf3 Rg8 $1 {Caution is required even in completely won positions.} ( 52...Rxd1 $4 {would have let the win slip away after} 53.Rg6+ Kh4 54.Rh6+ Kg5 55.Rg6+ ) 53.Ke2 Rh8 54.Rd6 Rxd1 55.Kxd1 Rh1+ 0-1

[Event "E Women's World Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2018.05.12"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2571"]
[BlackElo "2522"]
[ECO "E01"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "250"]
[Beauty "3506027106825"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 ( {A famous compatriot of the ladies chose instead} 5.Nd2 {against the world champion:} 5...O-O 6.Nf3 b6 7.O-O Bb7 8.b3 c5 9.Bb2 {Ding,L (2777)-Carlsen,M (2837) Riadh 2017} ) 5...Bd6 6.Nf3 O-O 7.O-O c6 8.Nc3 dxc4 9.Bg5 Nbd7 10.Ne4 Be7 11.Nxf6+ Bxf6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Qc1 e5 {Now the position resembles some lines of the Queen's Gambit Declined lines, with the only difference being that the white bishop is fianchettoed. As a rule the e6-e5 break frees Black's position and indicates that the worst is over for the second player.} 14.Qxc4 Re8 $1 $146 {A useful move and a novelty.} ( {White was clearly better after} 14...Nb6 15.Qb4 exd4 16.Nxd4 Be6 17.Nxe6 Qxe6 18.a4 Rab8 19.e3 Nc4 20.Rfd1 g6 21.b3 Ne5 22.Rd6 Qf5 23.Rad1 {and the open d-file gave White the advantage in Belous,V (2566) -Grandelius,N (2628) Abu Dhabi 2015} ) 15.dxe5 {Now Black does not experience any problems at all.} ( 15.e3 {seems more to the point, not fearing} 15...e4 16.Nd2 Qg6 17.Qc2 Nf6 18.Nc4 ) 15...Nxe5 16.Qb3 Re7 $1 {Tan prepares the development of the light-squared bishop and keeps more pieces on the board.} ( 16...Nxf3+ {would have been equal instead after} 17.Bxf3 Bh3 ) 17.Nd4 Bg4 18.f3 ( {Interesting was} 18.h3 {with the idea to meet} 18...Bh5 {with} ( 18...c5 {leads to complications after} 19.hxg4 cxd4 20.g5 Qg6 21.Rad1 Rd8 22.Bxb7 {as} 22...Rb8 {does not win material due to} 23.Rxd4 ) 19.f4 Nd7 20.e3 ) 18...Bd7 {A bluff?} ( {Apparently Tan did not like to have her bishop excluded in case of} 18...Bh5 ) 19.Qc3 {Ju rejects the offer.} ( {In vain! The line:} 19.Qxb7 Rae8 20.Qb3 {indeed promises Black full compensation for the pawn after} ( {However there is nothing too scary after} 20.Qb4 $1 h5 21.Nb3 {when Black's initiative is stopped.} ) 20...Ng4 21.fxg4 ( {Or} 21.Nxc6 Qxc6 22.fxg4 Qc5+ 23.Kh1 Bxg4 ) 21...Qxd4+ 22.Kh1 Qxg4 {and this even looks more comfortable for Black.} ) 19...Rc8 {Black is doing fine again. Perhaps her position is even easier to play thanks to the queenside majority.For instance, every endgame is in Black's favor.} 20.Rad1 c5 21.Nc2 b5 {A bit rushy.} ( 21...Be6 {was more precise.} ) 22.b3 $6 ( {Ju should have grabbed her chance to centralize the knight with either} 22.Ne3 $1 {not fearing} 22...Be6 23.Qxc5 $1 ) ( {or with} 22.Nb4 $1 ) 22...Qb6 {Tan's majority comes into motion and she is better.} ( 22...c4 {at once was excellent for Black too:} 23.bxc4 Rxc4 ) 23.Kh1 b4 ( {Even better than} 23...c4 24.Nb4 ) 24.Qd2 Bc6 ( {After the accurate} 24...Bb5 $1 25.Ne3 Rd7 26.Qb2 Qe6 {Black would have kept both the c4- and d5-squares under control.} ) 25.Ne3 g6 26.Qc2 $6 ( {Similar was} 26.Qb2 c4 ) ( {However} 26.f4 $1 Nd7 27.Nc4 {would have cemented Ju's position.} ) 26...c4 $1 27.Nxc4 Nxc4 28.Qxc4 $1 {The best defense.} ( {After} 28.bxc4 {Black regains the pawn with} 28...Bb5 {and thanks to the potential outside passer on the b- or a-file will have clear edge.} ) 28...Bb7 29.Qf4 ( {The pawn cannot be saved:} 29.Qd3 Ba6 ) 29...Rxe2 30.Rd7 {This drives the black rook away from the open c-file.} 30...Rf8 31.Rd2 Rxd2 32.Qxd2 Rd8 {White did everything she could and managed to keep the position symmetrical. Still, the world champion enjoys the more active pieces and has every reason to push for a win without any risk.} 33.Qf4 ( {The endgame after} 33.Qf2 Qxf2 ( {But Black can even avoid it with} 33...Qc7 $5 34.Qxa7 Rd2 ) 34.Rxf2 Rd1+ 35.Bf1 g5 36.h3 f5 37.Kh2 {is very unpleasant for White.} ) 33...a5 34.h4 h5 ( {Also good was} 34...Bc8 $5 {with the idea to transfer the bishop to e6 and support the a5-a4 advance. Black should not fear} 35.h5 {in this case as there is} ( 35.Kh2 Be6 ) 35...Rd5 $1 36.h6 Rh5+ ) 35.Kh2 Ba6 36.Rg1 {Apparently both players fell into time trouble and Ju plays as safe as she can.} ( 36.Re1 $1 {was more to the point, though, with the possible line} 36...Qf2 37.Qf6 Rf8 38.Rd1 {intending Rd1-d8 and eventually a perpetual soon.} ) 36...Qd6 ( {Strong was} 36...Rd4 37.Qg5 Qd6 {with second-rank penetration.} ) 37.Qg5 ( {Black has clear edge in the endgame after} 37.Qxd6 Rxd6 38.g4 Rd2 39.gxh5 gxh5 ) 37...Qd5 38.Qf6 Rd6 39.Qb2 Re6 ( 39...Qd2 $5 {with the idea} 40.Qe5 Rd5 41.Qe4 Rc5 42.Qa8+ Bc8 {was good for Black, but apparently not for time-trouble.} ) 40.Bf1 $5 {With her time-control reaching move Ju sacrifices a pawn and hopes to hold the major piece endgame.} ( {To me this looks better than the passive defense after} 40.f4 Qd6 41.Rc1 ( {Or} 41.Bf3 Re3 42.Rd1 Qc7 ) 41...Re3 {when Black can build as much pressure as she likes. For example:} 42.Bf1 Bb7 43.Bg2 Qd3 44.Rc2 Ba6 {when Black already wins the g3 pawn.} ) 40...Qxf3 41.Bxa6 Rxa6 42.Rg2 Rf6 43.Qd4 ( {Normally, White would be extremely happy to swap off the queenside pawns. But} 43.a3 Rc6 44.axb4 axb4 {leaves one more on b3 and it becomes a decisive weakness.} 45.Rf2 Qe3 46.Re2 Qc3 ) 43...Kh7 44.Qb2 Rf5 45.Qc2 Qe3 {In the next phase of the game both players carefully create (Tan) and parry (Ju) threats.} 46.Re2 Qd4 47.Kg2 Qd5+ 48.Qe4 Qd1 49.Re1 Qd2+ 50.Re2 Qc1 51.Re1 Qb2+ 52.Qe2 ( 52.Re2 Qa1 53.Kh2 ) 52...Qf6 53.Rc1 Re5 54.Qf3 Qe7 55.Rc2 Kg7 56.Qd3 Re3 57.Qd4+ Kh7 58.Rf2 {With the threat 59.Rxf7+.} 58...Qb7+ 59.Kh2 Re1 60.Rg2 Qe7 61.Rf2 Re2 {Ju defended well; it is time to try the queen endgame.} 62.Qf4 Kg8 63.Qf3 Rxf2+ 64.Qxf2 Qe4 $1 {Behind the shield of her centralized queen Tan can improve the king.} 65.Qd2 Kg7 66.Qb2+ Kf8 67.Qd2 Qe5 68.Qd8+ Kg7 69.Qd2 Qc3 70.Qf2 Kf8 71.Qe2 Qd4 72.Qc2 Qe5 73.Qf2 Ke8 $1 74.Qg2 Qc5 75.Qa8+ Ke7 76.Qe4+ Kd8 77.Qd3+ Kc7 78.Qd2 f5 ( {So far} 78...Kc6 {brings the king nowhere after} 79.Qe2 Qd5 80.Qa6+ Kd7 81.Qe2 ) 79.Qe2 ( {The other defense was:} 79.Qb2 {with the idea to activate the queen after} 79...Kd6 ( 79...Qc3 80.Qe2 ) 80.Qf6+ Kd5 81.Qxg6 {True, it is unclear if White can survive after} 81...Qf2+ 82.Kh3 Qf1+ 83.Kh2 Qe2+ 84.Kg1 Qg4 85.Qg5 Ke4 ( {However} 85...Qxg5 {would be a draw after} 86.hxg5 Ke6 87.Kf2 Kf7 88.Ke3 Kg7 89.Kf3 {when both sides should avoid the mined squares on g6 and f4.} ) ) 79...Kd7 80.Qd3+ Ke7 81.Qe2+ Kf7 82.Qd2 Ke6 83.Qe2+ Kd5 84.Qf3+ ( {White has to be extremely careful not to allow the black king too close to hers. For instance} 84.Qd3+ Qd4 85.Qb5+ Ke4 $1 {wins for Black after} 86.Qxa5 Kf3 87.Qa8+ Qe4 {and this is a reoccurring theme for the endgame.} ) 84...Kd6 85.Qd3+ Kc7 86.Qd2 Qe5 87.Qf2 Kc6 88.Qc2+ {So far Ju defended flawlessly, but here she makes a step in the wrong direction.} ( {Best was:} 88.Qa7 $1 Qe2+ 89.Kh3 {when} 89...Qxa2 {leads to perpetual after} ( {Black can still play for a win after} 89...Qe4 90.Qa6+ ( 90.Qxa5 Qh1# ) 90...Kd7 91.Qa7+ ) 90.Qa6+ Kc5 91.Qc4+ ) 88...Qc3 89.Qe2 Kd5 90.Qb5+ $2 {This really lets the king in!} ( {Correct was} 90.Qa6 $1 Ke4 91.Qxg6 Qc2+ 92.Kh3 {when} 92...Kf3 {is not decisive anymore-} ( 92...Qxa2 93.Qe6+ Kd4 94.Qc4+ {is the same old perpetual.} ) 93.Qxh5+ Kf2 94.Qg5 Kg1 95.Qe3+ ) 90...Qc5 $2 ( {Tan misses a chance:} 90...Ke4 $1 91.Qe2+ Qe3 92.Qc2+ Qd3 93.Qc6+ Ke3 94.Qxg6 Qe2+ 95.Kg1 Qf2+ 96.Kh1 Qf3+ 97.Kh2 Kf2 98.Qb6+ Kf1 {and Black wins.} ) 91.Qd3+ Qd4 92.Qf3+ ( {Once again there was} 92.Qa6 $1 ) 92...Qe4 93.Qd1+ Kc5 94.Qd2 Qf3 95.Qc2+ ( 95.Qd7 Qf2+ 96.Kh3 Qxa2 ) 95...Kd4 $1 {Finally, the king made it and crossed the equator of the board. Now the united efforts of the remaining black pieces seal the game.} 96.Qd2+ Ke4 97.Qc2+ Ke3 $1 98.Qc5+ Ke2 99.Qc2+ Ke1 100.Qc1+ Qd1 101.Qc6 ( 101.Qe3+ Qe2+ {trades the queens.} ) 101...Qe2+ 102.Kh3 Qe4 103.Qc1+ Kf2 104.Qd2+ Qe2 105.Qd4+ Kf1 {It will take some time for Tan to arrange her pieces properly but she is always in control till the end.} 106.Qa1+ Kf2 107.Qd4+ Qe3 108.Qb2+ Ke1 109.Qb1+ Kd2 110.Qb2+ Kd1 111.Qb1+ Qc1 112.Qd3+ Qd2 113.Qb1+ Ke2 114.Qh1 Qe1 115.Qd5 Qf1+ 116.Kh2 Qf2+ 117.Kh3 Qf1+ 118.Kh2 Qf3 119.Qc4+ Kf2 120.Qc5+ Qe3 121.Qc2+ Qe2 122.Qc6 Kf1+ 123.Kh3 Kg1 124.Qc5+ Qf2 125.Qc1+ Qf1+ {A thriller!} 0-1

[Event "Your Next Move Grand Chess"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.15"]
[Round "14.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8249159761476"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:45"]
[BlackClock "0:01:16"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6 7.Nbd2 O-O 8.Bb3 Re8 ( {Anand also used:} 8...Ba7 9.h3 Re8 10.Re1 Be6 11.Bc2 h6 12.Nf1 d5 13.exd5 Bxd5 14.Ng3 Qd7 15.Ne4 Nxe4 16.dxe4 Be6 {to equalize easily in Onischuk,V (2637)-Anand,V (2782) Riadh 2017} ) 9.Re1 Be6 10.Bc2 Ng4 {A nasty move for any Italian player.} 11.Re2 Bxf2+ 12.Rxf2 Ne3 {This is where the game Schellmann-Weber, Dresden ZMDI op 23rd, 2014 ended. White resigned not wishing to see his queenside falling into pieces.} 13.Qe2 $146 {Continuing the game turns out to be a novelty!} 13...Nxc2 14.Rb1 Bxa2 15.b3 {If anything, Aronian will trap the knight.} 15...Bxb1 16.Nxb1 N2d4 17.cxd4 Nxd4 {Anand's first inaccuracy. Why let the white pieces get easily to the kingside?} ( {Safer was} 17...exd4 $1 18.Nbd2 d5 {and if} 19.e5 f6 {In this line the knight on f3 obstructs his own major pieces.} ) 18.Nxd4 exd4 {Still, Black can hardly complain about the material distribution. Three pawns and a rook for the two minors is practically an exchange ahead for the former world champion. Therefore Aronian does his best to create kingside threats.} 19.Nd2 c5 ( {Here} 19...d5 $5 20.Qh5 Qd7 {was also interesting for Black.} ) 20.Qg4 Qc8 {Ideally Black would love to have the endgame.} 21.Qg3 {No, thanks, mate is my mate...} 21...d5 {A tad later than ideal.} ( {Wiser seemed to shift some major pieces along the sixth rank with} 21...Re6 22.Nc4 Qc6 ) 22.Nf3 ( {White could have taken that pawn with} 22.exd5 Re1+ 23.Rf1 Rxf1+ 24.Nxf1 Qf5 {but Aronian apparently felt that there will be greatness in this game.} ) 22...dxe4 {This is playing with fire!} ( {Both} 22...f6 ) ( {Or} 22...Qe6 {where safer options.} ) 23.Bh6 {Weakening Black's position. This is what the light pieces like, to visit the opponent's king without proper invite and stay there, close to his Majesty.} 23...g6 24.Ng5 f5 {This loses!} ( {Once that the rook reaches the seventh rank mate becomes inevitable:} 24...exd3 $2 25.Rxf7 ) ( 24...Re7 {would also lead to a decisive attack after say} 25.Nxe4 b5 26.Qf3 f5 27.Nd6 ) ( {The only chance was} 24...Qd7 25.Rxf7 Re7 26.Rxe7 Qxe7 27.Nxe4 {although it is doubtful that Black can survive here.} ) 25.dxe4 {Missing it the first time.} ( 25.Rxf5 $3 {would have discovered the black king decisively. The threat is 26.Rf5-f7 and if Black takes it with:} 25...Qxf5 {then} ( {and} 25...gxf5 {is a forced checkmate after} 26.Nxe4+ Kf7 27.Qg7+ Ke6 28.Qf6+ Kd5 29.Qd6# ) 26.Qc7 $1 {is inevitable mate.} ) 25...c4 {Allowing it for the second time!} ( 25...Qd7 $1 26.Qd3 b5 {would have been unclear.} ) 26.Rxf5 $3 {No mercy this time!} 26...gxf5 27.Nxh7+ $1 {Mate it is!} 27...Kf7 ( 27...Kxh7 28.Qg7# ) 28.Qg7+ Ke6 29.Qf6+ Kd7 30.Qxd4+ Kc7 31.Bf4+ Kc6 32.Qxc4+ ( 32.Qxc4+ Kb6 ( 32...Kd7 33.Qd5+ Ke7 34.Bg5# ) 33.Be3+ Ka5 34.Qa4# ) 1-0

[Event "GCT Rapid YourNextMove"]
[Site "Leuven BEL"]
[Date "2018.06.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[ECO "B29"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "6873063388244"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {The Nimzowitsch Sicilian is not a common tournament guest.} 3.Nc3 ( 3.e5 {is the more common move, when after} 3...Nd5 4.Nc3 {Black has a choice between the positional} 4...Nxc3 ( {or the violent} 4...e6 5.Nxd5 exd5 6.d4 Nc6 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.Qxd5 Qb6 {which is what Mamedyarov was most likely heading to.} ) 5.dxc3 ) 3...d5 4.e5 Nfd7 5.e6 fxe6 6.Bb5 a6 $146 {A novelty. Black wants to get rid of the white bishop asap.} ( 6...Nc6 7.O-O g6 8.Qe2 Bg7 9.Qxe6 Nb6 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 11.Qxc6+ Bd7 12.Qxc5 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2789) -Grachev,B (2654) Tbilisi 2017} ) 7.Bxd7+ Bxd7 8.O-O g6 9.d4 Bg7 {Returns the pawn in favor of the development.} ( {Weaker was} 9...cxd4 10.Qxd4 Rg8 11.Qh4 {with a strong initiative for White.} ) 10.dxc5 O-O 11.Re1 Nc6 {An interesting strategical position occurs where White wants to block the central pawns and "kill" the light-squared bishop,whereas Black wants to either bring the center into motion or win the c5 pawn.} ( {Also interesting was:} 11...Qc7 12.Be3 Nc6 13.Na4 {With the same idea as in the game} 13...d4 {If now:} 14.Nxd4 $2 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 e5 $1 {wins a piece for Black.} ( {Black should avoid} 15...Bxa4 $2 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Qd4+ ) ) 12.Na4 Qa5 13.c3 Rad8 14.Be3 {It seems as Anand is just in time. b2-b4 will come next, then Be3-d4 will lead to indisputable advantage for White. However...} 14...d4 $1 {...uncovers the tactical resources that Mamedyarov has. Tactics always comes first, even when we talk about strategy!} 15.Bd2 ( {After} 15.cxd4 Rxf3 $1 16.gxf3 Nxd4 17.Nc3 Qxc5 {Black has rich compensation for an exchange.} ) ( {And the other captures are just bad:} 15.Nxd4 $2 Nxd4 16.Bxd4 Bxa4 ) 15...Nb8 $1 {Keeps hitting the knight.} ( 15...dxc3 16.Bxc3 Bxc3 17.Nxc3 Qxc5 18.Qe2 {would be OK for White.} ) 16.Nb6 dxc3 ( {The alternative was} 16...Qxc5 17.Nxd7 Rxd7 18.Qe2 Qf5 19.Nxd4 Bxd4 20.cxd4 Nc6 {with unclear play.} ) 17.Bxc3 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Bc6 19.Qb3 Qxc5 ( {The other capture was better:} 19...Bxf3 $1 20.Qxe6+ Rf7 21.gxf3 Qxc3 {with advantage for Black thanks to his safe king.} ) 20.Nd4 {Not a bad move.} ( {However even better would be:} 20.Re5 Bd5 21.Nxd5 Rxd5 ( 21...exd5 22.Rd1 ) 22.Rxe6 {with slight advantage for White.} ) 20...Kh8 21.Rxe6 {Patience is a virtue.} ( 21.Nxe6 $4 {is too impatient indeed} 21...Qxf2+ 22.Kh1 Bxg2# ) ( {But had Anand taken the pawn after some preparation with} 21.Re2 $1 ) ( {Or} 21.Qb2 $1 {with the idea} 21...e5 22.Ne6 {he would have been better.} ) 21...Bxg2 $3 {The attacking Genius named Shakh! It is not even clear on what grounds should this attack work.} 22.Kxg2 Qg5+ 23.Kf1 ( {White is getting checkmated after} 23.Kh1 Rxf2 24.Rg1 Qh4 ) 23...Qh4 {Suddenly, there is no easy way to defend the simple one-move threat. The white pieces are too clumsy.} 24.f3 {Not the type of move you want to make when a queen and a rook are attacking you on the f-file, but there are no real alternatives.} ( {After} 24.Qb2 {Black has a pleasant choice to continue the attack with} 24...Qxh2 ( {Or to regain the material with:} 24...Qh3+ 25.Kg1 Rxd4 26.cxd4 Qxe6 ) ) ( {If} 24.Re2 e5 25.Ne6 Qxh2 {is lethal for White.} ) 24...Qxh2 25.Rae1 Nc6 {Mamedyarov is trying to knock down the key defender.} ( 25...Rxd4 $2 26.cxd4 {and the f3 pawn is defended.} ) 26.R1e3 ( {The knight cannot leave the central stronghold:} 26.Nxc6 Rxf3# ) ( 26.Rxc6 bxc6 {leads to a decive attack with material advanatge for Black.} ) 26...Rf4 ( {The incredible computer resource} 26...Qh1+ 27.Kf2 g5 $3 {was apparently winning. There is no escape against the patient attack with g5-g4. For example} 28.Nxc6 ( {Or} 28.Rxc6 bxc6 29.Qe6 Qh2+ 30.Ke1 c5 ) 28...Rd2+ 29.Re2 Rxf3# ) ( {The immediate} 26...g5 $3 {woudl also do.} ) 27.Rxc6 Qh1+ 28.Ke2 Qg2+ 29.Kd3 bxc6 30.Qe6 {Centralization. White is out of the woods.} 30...Rxf3 ( 30...c5 31.Qe5+ ) 31.Qxe7 ( {Stronger was} 31.Qe5+ $1 Rf6 ( 31...Kg8 32.Qe6+ ) 32.Qxe7 {which would have avoided the trade of the rooks. White's chances are in the middlegame, therefore he needs not to trade if possible.} ) 31...Rxe3+ ( 31...Qf1+ $5 ) 32.Qxe3 Qxa2 ( 32...Qf1+ $5 {was a way to play for a win as after} 33.Kc2 Qf7 {the black king is well defended and the kingside pawns will come into motion.} ) 33.Qe5+ Kg8 34.Nc4 ( {The former world champion missed a chance to force a draw with direct threats against the black king:} 34.Nd7 $1 Qf7 ( 34...Rxd7 $2 35.Qe8+ ) 35.Nf6+ Kg7 36.Ne4+ ) 34...Qb1+ 35.Kd2 Qa2+ 36.Kd3 Qb1+ 37.Kd2 Qf5 $1 {A neat way to play for the win. Without the queens the black king will be safe.} 38.Qe7 {Anand knows that the endgame is very bad for White and tries to avoid it.} ( {But perhaps the best chance was:} 38.Qxf5 gxf5 39.Ke3 {at least the a-pawn is stopped for the time being and the king and the knights might find a way to co-operate.} ) 38...Qd7 39.Qb4 Qd5 40.Ne3 c5 41.Nxd5 ( {Or otherwise the knight would be lost for free-} 41.Qb6 Qd6 ) 41...cxb4 42.Nxb4 {The worst had just happened for White. Queens are off, and the short-ranged knights have to fight against the mighty rook and the most unpleasant a- and h- pawns.} 42...a5 {This pawn will deflect one of the white pawns.} 43.Nc6 Ra8 44.c4 a4 45.Kc2 a3 46.Kb1 h5 {The pawns are easily overstreching the knights.} 47.c5 h4 48.Ne5 h3 49.Ndf3 ( 49.Nef3 g5 $1 ) 49...Ra5 50.Nd3 ( 50.c6 Rxe5 $1 ) 50...g5 51.c6 g4 {The pawns are unstoppable.} 52.c7 Ra8 0-1

[Event "GCT Rapid YourNextMove"]
[Site "Leuven BEL"]
[Date "2018.06.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "A15"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6599485693448"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]

1.c4 {The English opening is a popular choice at this rapid and blitz event.} 1...Nf6 2.g3 e5 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nc3 Nb6 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.d3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.Be3 Be6 ( {Another viable option is} 9...Re8 {in order to prepare the knight jump to d4 after Be7-f8.} ) 10.Rc1 Nd5 ( {Black can also choose a more aggressive setup with} 10...f5 11.a3 Kh8 12.b4 a6 13.Re1 Qe8 14.Qd2 Bd6 15.Bxb6 cxb6 16.d4 exd4 17.Nxd4 Rd8 18.Nxe6 Qxe6 19.Qa2 Qh6 {as in Aronian,L (2809)-Harikrishna,P (2737) Geneva 2017} ) 11.Nxd5 Bxd5 12.Qc2 Re8 ( {The bishp is doomed after} 12...Bxa2 $2 13.b3 Nb4 14.Qb2 ) 13.a3 a6 $146 {An useful move and a novelty. Stricktly speaking the position is equal but the impression is that White's life is easier. He brings his king's rook to d1 and prepares d3-d4, or he may maneuver his knight to c5.} ( {An correspondence predecessor saw Black holding his own after} 13...Qd7 14.Nd2 Rad8 15.Bxd5 Qxd5 16.b4 a5 17.bxa5 Bxa3 18.Rb1 Bb4 {Shields,G (2355)-Castellano,L (2316) corr. 2013} ) 14.Rfd1 Bf6 $6 {The bishop is not ideally placed here.} ( 14...Bd6 $5 {looks more precise to me. The difference is that after} 15.Nd2 ( 15.d4 e4 ) 15...Bxg2 16.Kxg2 {Black has the good move} 16...Nd4 {since the pawn on c7 is defended.} ) 15.Nd2 Bxg2 ( {Perhps Black should have simply retreated} 15...Be7 ) 16.Kxg2 Bg5 ( {Here} 16...Nd4 {leads to favorable endgame for White after} 17.Bxd4 exd4 18.Qxc7 Rxe2 19.Qxd8+ Rxd8 20.Rc7 ) 17.Bxg5 Qxg5 18.e3 {Now So can claim a certain advantage. Nothing can stop his knight from marching to c5 when the difference beteween the activity of the pieces will become frightening.} ( {Similar is} 18.Ne4 Qf5 19.e3 {with advantage for White.} ) 18...Qe7 19.Ne4 Rac8 ( {Or} 19...Rab8 20.Nc5 Nd8 21.d4 ) 20.Nc5 Nd8 21.d4 $1 {The perfect time to open the center. Black is not prepared for this at all.} 21...e4 {Another inaccuracy. There is just no time for this.} ( {The best try was} 21...exd4 22.Rxd4 Qf6 {with the idea Nd8-e6, although Black is clearly worse here as well.} ( {Rather than the immediate} 22...Ne6 23.Rd7 Qf6 24.Nxe6 Qxe6 25.Rxc7 ) ) 22.d5 {It seems as White intends Rd1-d4 to harass the e4 pawn, which might explain Giri's next move.} 22...f5 {This also intends to bring the knight back into life with Nd8-f7. But now So uncorks a lovely little tactic:} 23.Nxa6 $1 {It becomes clear that all the black pieces became huge targets.} 23...Nf7 ( {Since} 23...bxa6 24.d6 {drops one of the black rooks.} ) 24.d6 $1 {This move nevertheless.} ( {Although there was nothing wrong with} 24.Nxc7 {as Black cannot exploit the pin:} 24...Nd6 ( 24...Red8 25.Qc5 ) 25.Qc5 Red8 26.Qa5 ) 24...Nxd6 ( {The rooks do whatever they want after} 24...cxd6 25.Qxc8 Rxc8 26.Rxc8+ Nd8 27.Nb4 Kf7 28.Nd5 Qg5 29.Rc7+ ( {Or} 29.h4 ) 29...Ke8 30.Re7+ ) 25.Nxc7 Red8 26.Qb3+ Qf7 27.Ne6 ( 27.Qb6 $5 ) 27...Rxc1 ( {Or} 27...Re8 28.Rxc8 Nxc8 29.Nc5 {with a won endgame.} ) 28.Rxc1 Re8 29.Nd4 Qxb3 30.Nxb3 Kf7 31.Nd4 {So won a pawn and kept the better pieces. Next he calmy converts the advantage.} 31...g6 32.Rc3 {Bringing the rook to an even better position.} 32...Kf6 33.Rb3 Re7 34.a4 Ke5 35.a5 Kd5 36.Rb6 Rf7 ( 36...Nc4 37.Rb5+ Kd6 38.b3 ) 37.b3 g5 38.a6 bxa6 39.Rxa6 {A passer was created.} 39...Nb7 ( 39...f4 40.Ra5+ ) 40.Rb6 Nd6 41.Ra6 Nb7 42.Rh6 $1 {Played in accordance with the principle of the two weaknesses.} 42...Nd6 ( {Perhaps Giri should have tried} 42...Nc5 43.Rh5 Ne6 {although White should be winning the rook endgame after} 44.Nxe6 Kxe6 45.Rxg5 Rb7 46.g4 fxg4 47.Rxg4 Kf5 48.Rf4+ Ke5 49.Rh4 ) 43.Rh5 Rg7 44.Rh6 Rf7 45.Rh5 Rg7 46.h4 gxh4 47.Rxh4 ( {But not} 47.Nxf5 Nxf5 48.Rxf5+ Kd6 $1 {with excellent chances for a draw for Black.} ) 47...Ke5 48.Rh6 Rf7 49.Rh5 Kf6 50.Rh6+ Ke5 51.Kh3 $1 {Not forgetting the king neither.} 51...Rb7 52.Rh5 Kf6 53.Rh6+ Ke5 54.Kh4 Nb5 55.Ne2 Re7 ( {The line:} 55...Nd6 56.Nf4 Rxb3 57.Re6# {is pretty!} ) 56.g4 Nd6 57.Nd4 ( 57.Nd4 Rd7 58.Rh5 {and Black loses another pawn.} ) 1-0

[Event "GCT Rapid YourNextMove"]
[Site "Leuven BEL"]
[Date "2018.06.14"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6872484550151"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 c5 7.Nf3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Bb4+ {The improved Tarrasch defense was Kramnik's darling and naturally his second at the Berlin Candidates' knows something about it.} 9.Bd2 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 O-O 11.Bc4 Nd7 12.O-O b6 13.Rfe1 Bb7 14.Rad1 Rc8 15.Bb3 Re8 16.h4 ( {At the Candidates' tournament So tried to build a kingside initiative with:} 16.h3 Nf6 17.Qf4 Nh5 18.Qe5 Nf6 19.Qf4 Nh5 20.Qh2 h6 21.d5 exd5 22.exd5 Rxe1+ 23.Nxe1 Qf6 {but did not get much in So,W (2799)-Kramnik,V (2800) Berlin 2018} ) 16...h6 17.Qf4 Qc7 18.Qxc7 $146 {A somewhat counter-intuitive novelty. The endgames should be generally OK for Black in this pawn structure, especially if he manages to swap off the remaining heavy pieces.} ( {As a rule White tries to preserve the queens as he wants to checkmate on the kingside. However, a predecessor saw Black counterattacking quickly after:} 18.Qe3 Nf6 19.Rc1 Qe7 20.Nd2 Qb4 21.f3 Red8 22.Rxc8 Rxc8 23.Rb1 Rc3 {and Black took over the initiative in Melkumyan,H (2619) -Grigoryan,A (2614) Bastia 2011} ) 18...Rxc7 19.d5 Nc5 {This is OK.} ( {However, safer seemed} 19...exd5 20.exd5 Rcc8 21.d6 Kf8 {intending to trade the rooks along the e-file.} ) 20.d6 Rd7 21.Bc4 ( {Here interesting was} 21.Ne5 Rdd8 22.f3 {in order to blunt the black bishop.} ) 21...a6 ( {Giri could have also sacrificed the exchange} 21...Bxe4 22.Bb5 Red8 23.Bxd7 Rxd7 24.Ne5 {but this is neither needed, nor totally convincing.} ) 22.e5 {Betting on the strong passer on d6.} ( {Now} 22.Ne5 {is not as good as on the previous note since Black has} 22...Rdd8 23.f3 b5 24.Bb3 Nxb3 25.axb3 f6 {with good play.} ) 22...b5 {Giri allows play on the c-file.} ( 22...f6 {at once would have made Black's life easier.} ) ( {Instead} 22...Bxf3 $6 {would have reinforced the white central pawn mass} 23.gxf3 f6 24.f4 {and that would have been awkward for Black.} ) 23.Be2 f6 24.Rc1 {This is the difference in comparison to the immediate 22...f7-f6.} 24...Rc8 25.Rc2 Na4 {Black will miss this knight into the defense.} ( {Giri should have opted for} 25...Rdd8 $5 {instead, when} 26.Rec1 Nd7 27.Rc7 fxe5 {should be OK for Black.} ) 26.Rxc8+ Bxc8 27.Nd4 {Vachier-Lagrave noticed that the passer can be supported in a non-conventional way.} 27...fxe5 28.Nxb5 $1 {The point! The black pieces are overworked.} 28...axb5 ( 28...Bb7 ) 29.Bxb5 Ra7 ( {Probably the last chance was} 29...Rxd6 30.Bxa4 Rd4 31.Bc6 Rxh4 32.Be4 {although the outside passer should lead White to victory.} ) 30.Rc1 Nb6 {The alternatives are no better:} ( 30...Ra8 31.Bxa4 ) ( 30...Bb7 31.d7 Ra8 32.Bxa4 ) 31.Rxc8+ $1 {One more "petite combinaison" which affirms White's edge.} 31...Nxc8 32.d7 Rxd7 33.Bxd7 Nb6 34.Bxe6+ Kf8 35.Bb3 {Limitting the knight. A solid pawn ahead which is an outside passer, better light piece- Vachier-Lagrave is winning against anyone here.} 35...Ke7 36.f3 Kd6 37.Kf2 Nd7 38.Ke3 Nc5 39.h5 $1 {Fixing the pawns.} 39...Nd7 ( {If} 39...Kc6 40.f4 {would open the road for the king.} ) 40.a4 Nf6 41.g4 Kc5 42.Kd3 Kb4 43.Bc2 Kc5 44.Kc3 Nd5+ 45.Kb3 Nf4 46.Be4 Ne2 ( {Best was} 46...Ne6 47.a5 Kb5 {although White can still sacrifice the distant passer} 48.a6 Nc5+ ( 48...Kxa6 49.Kc4 ) 49.Kc3 Na4+ 50.Kd3 Nc5+ 51.Ke3 Kxa6 52.f4 {and White should win because of the distant position of the black king.} ) 47.a5 {Now it is easier for the Frenchman.} 47...Nd4+ ( 47...Kb5 48.Bd3+ ) 48.Kc3 Kb5 49.a6 Kxa6 50.Kc4 Kb6 51.Kd5 {All the black pawns are dropping.} 51...Nc6 52.Ke6 1-0

[Event "Paris Grand Chess Tour"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.20"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "162"]
[Beauty "4193695836730"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 ( 2...Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Be7 7.O-O Nc6 8.Re1 Bf5 9.Bb5 Bf6 10.Nbd2 O-O 11.Nf1 Ne7 12.c3 Ng6 13.Bd3 Nd6 14.Bxf5 Nxf5 15.Qb3 b6 16.Qb5 a6 17.Qd3 Qd7 18.Ng3 Nxg3 19.hxg3 a5 20.Bg5 Bxg5 21.Nxg5 Rfe8 22.b3 Rad8 23.Nf3 f6 24.Nd2 Kf7 25.Nf1 h5 26.Rxe8 Rxe8 27.Qf3 Rh8 28.Ne3 Ne7 29.Re1 g6 30.Qf4 Kg7 31.g4 g5 32.Qf3 hxg4 33.Nxg4 Qd6 34.g3 c6 35.c4 f5 36.Qe3 Ng6 37.c5 Qd8 38.Ne5 bxc5 39.Nxc6 Qf6 40.Qe6 cxd4 41.Qxd5 d3 42.Qd7+ Qf7 43.Ne7 Kh7 44.Kg2 Re8 45.Rh1+ Nh4+ 46.gxh4 Qxe7 47.Qxf5+ Kg7 48.hxg5 Qb7+ 49.f3 Re2+ 50.Kf1 Kg8 51.Qxd3 Re6 52.Qd8+ Kg7 53.Qd4+ {1-0 Karpov,A (2690)-Kortschnoj,V (2650) Merano 1981} ) 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 Nf5 ( {The world champion was successful in a recent game after} 7...Nxe5 8.Rxe5 O-O 9.d4 Bf6 10.Re1 Nf5 11.d5 Re8 12.Rxe8+ Qxe8 13.Qd3 {Carlsen,M (2843)-Aronian,L (2764) Stavanger 2018} ) 8.Nf3 O-O 9.d4 d5 10.c3 Re8 {The two players have already discussed this line last year.} ( {That game saw} 10...Bd6 11.b3 Re8 12.Rxe8+ Qxe8 13.Na3 a6 14.Nc2 Bd7 15.c4 dxc4 16.bxc4 Rd8 {even White eventually prevailed in Karjakin,S (2773)-Nakamura,H (2792) Saint Louis 2017} ) 11.Nbd2 Bd6 12.Bd3 Bd7 13.Nf1 Rxe1 14.Qxe1 {In the past, such symmetrical positions would be discarded by the first player. Nowadays people are often finding nothing better than this in order to fight the Berlin. The arising positions can also result from an Exchange French or Petroff.} 14...f6 $146 ( {The only predecessor saw a quick draw after:} 14...Nh4 15.Nxh4 Qxh4 16.Be3 Qf6 {1/2-1/2 (16) Sanders, C (1846)-Blagojevic,T (2307) Porec 2015} ) 15.Bd2 Qe8 16.Qc1 {With the idea is to swap off the dark-squared bishop.} 16...Qf7 ( {Sometimes one can afford to actively prevent a positional idea with a move like} 16...g5 {but here it fails to} 17.Qc2 Nce7 {and now both} 18.g4 {underline the weakness of the h7 pawn.} ( {Or} 18.Ng3 ) ) 17.Bf4 Nce7 18.Ng3 ( 18.Bxd6 {is premature due to} 18...Nxd6 19.Qf4 Bf5 {when Black can also trade his weaker bishop.} ) 18...Bxf4 19.Qxf4 {The position is not as innocuous as it seems. A. Karpov had once won similar one against V. Kortschnoi in their match in Merano.} 19...Nd6 20.Re1 ( {It also made sense to grab space on kingsie with} 20.h4 $5 ) 20...Re8 21.h3 Ng6 22.Rxe8+ Qxe8 {Nakamura played carefully enough, traded the last pair of rooks and expelled the white queen from the active positon. The game is approximately equal now and both players continue to maneuver trying to outplay each other.} 23.Qc1 Bb5 24.Bc2 a5 25.b3 b6 26.a4 Bc6 27.Bd3 Bb7 {Black keeps the bishop on the long diagonal.} ( {Apparently he anticipated} 27...Bd7 28.c4 ) 28.Nf1 Nf8 29.Ne3 Ne6 30.Qc2 g6 ( {Otherwise} 30...h6 {weakens too many light squares} 31.Nh4 ) 31.g3 c5 {Black decided to initiate some central pressure, but this is risky. The d5 pawn may become a target.} 32.h4 Ng7 {Solid.} ( {But there was an argument for the more aggressive} 32...Kg7 33.h5 Ne4 {when Black is not afraid of} 34.Nxd5 {due to} 34...N4g5 35.Nxg5 Nxg5 36.Ne3 Nf3+ {when Black can at least regain the pawn.} ) 33.Qc1 Qe6 34.Bf1 Qe7 35.Ng2 Ne6 36.Ne3 Ng7 ( {Once again} 36...Ne4 37.Bd3 f5 {deserved serious attention.} ) 37.Bh3 Nge8 38.Ne1 c4 $6 {The idea is to create a weakness on a4, but this is dubious for a concrete reason.} ( {This was the last time Black could have gone for} 38...Ne4 ) 39.Qa3 ( {Or} 39.N1g2 $1 cxb3 40.Qa3 ) 39...cxb3 40.Qxb3 {This obvious move is not optimal.} ( {Strong was the preliminary} 40.N1g2 $1 Nc7 41.Qxb3 {followed by Ng2-f4. Karjakin would have taken firm control of the game had he had played like that.} ) 40...Nc4 $1 {Regrouping nicely.} 41.N1g2 ( {Since} 41.Nxc4 $4 {leaves the white knight hanging now} 41...Qxe1+ ) 41...Ned6 42.Nxc4 Nxc4 43.Qb5 g5 44.Bg4 ( {Better was} 44.Bf5 $5 Kg7 {with the idea to transfer the bishop to a better position after} 45.Bd3 ) 44...Kg7 45.Kh2 {Stepping out of the possible check on the first rank.} 45...Qc7 46.Be2 ( 46.Qe8 {is an empty blow after} 46...Nd6 ) 46...Bc6 47.Qb3 Qd7 48.Qb1 $1 {Karjakin understands well that the passive defense is not good.} ( {Black takes over the initiative after} 48.Bd1 $2 Qf5 49.Kg1 Qd3 ) 48...Bxa4 $2 {Obvious, and wrong!} ( {Correct was} 48...Qe6 49.Qc2 Qe8 {which would be still about even.} ) 49.hxg5 fxg5 50.Bxc4 dxc4 51.Qxb6 Qf5 52.Qc7+ {Karjakin misses a golden chance.} ( {White would have most likely won after the prophylactical:} 52.Kg1 $1 {For example} 52...Bd7 53.Ne3 Qb5 54.Qd8 a4 55.Qe7+ Kg6 56.Qf8 {With the threat Qf8-g8+ and Black has too many things to worry about. The obvious:} 56...Be6 {is met with} ( {And} 56...h5 {drops a pawn after} 57.Qg8+ Kh6 58.Nxc4 ) 57.d5 $1 Bxd5 58.Qf5+ ) 52...Bd7 53.Qxc4 Qxf2 {With both the kings weak and with the queens still on the board the most likely result should be a draw.} 54.Qc5 Qf5 55.d5 a4 56.c4 h5 57.Qd4+ Qf6 58.Qa7 Qf5 59.Qe3 ( 59.Qd4+ ) 59...Kf7 60.Kg1 Qb1+ 61.Kh2 Qf5 62.Qa7 Kg6 63.Qb6+ Qf6 64.Qa7 {Not optimal and suddenly it is Black who gets winning chances.} ( {Better was} 64.Qb1+ Kh6 65.Qb7 ) 64...Qd6 65.Kh1 a3 $1 66.Ne3 ( {Or else White loses a pawn after} 66.c5 Qxd5 67.Qxa3 Bc6 68.Qb2 Qxc5 ) 66...a2 ( {It is Nakamura's turn to let his opponent off the hook. He could have played for a win with the computer suggestion} 66...Qe7 $1 67.Ng2 h4 68.gxh4 gxh4 69.Nf4+ Kf6 70.Qb6+ Kf7 71.Qg6+ Kf8 {although it is not certain if Black can win here.} ) 67.Qxa2 Qxg3 68.Qc2+ Kf6 69.Qe4 Qe5 70.Qf3+ Kg6 71.c5 {It is very sharp but there is too little material left on the board for anything substantial for either side.} 71...g4 72.Qf2 Qe4+ 73.Kg1 h4 74.c6 ( {Or} 74.Qc2 Qxc2 75.Nxc2 g3 76.c6 Be8 {which is also a draw.} ) 74...g3 75.Qc2 Qxc2 76.Nxc2 Bf5 77.Ne3 Bh3 78.Ng2 Kf6 79.d6 Ke6 80.d7 Ke7 81.Nxh4 Bxd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris Grand Chess Tour"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[ECO "B06"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6529021396039"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.e4 d6 2.d4 g6 {The Modern again. Nakamura does not mind repeating the opening that was successful in Leuven.} 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.Bc4 {Anand deviates first.} 4...Nf6 5.Qe2 O-O 6.O-O Bg4 7.c3 Nc6 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 e5 10.d5 ( {Black did well in the opening after:} 10.Rd1 Nd7 11.Be3 Qe7 12.Na3 Nb6 13.Bb5 f5 14.Bxc6 bxc6 15.exf5 e4 16.f6 Rxf6 17.Qe2 Rf5 {in Bacrot,E (2718) -Ponomariov,R (2714) Beijing 2014} ) 10...Ne7 11.Bd3 Nd7 12.c4 f5 13.Qd1 {This turns out to be a novelty.} ( {An correspondence game saw} 13.Nc3 fxe4 14.Qxe4 Nc5 15.Qe2 Nf5 {with a slight edge for White, Nightingale,D (2506) -Alonso Gonzalez,C (2497) corr. 2009} ) 13...c6 ( {Another possible setup is} 13...Nc5 14.Nc3 ( 14.Bc2 ) 14...a5 {which intends to slow White down on the queenside.} ) 14.Nc3 cxd5 15.cxd5 {From the Modern the players ended up in KID waters and Nakamura now executes a typical maneuver.} 15...Kh8 {A pure positional idea. Black intends to trade his "bad" bishop.} 16.Be3 ( 16.a4 {does not lead White anywhere after} 16...Ng8 17.a5 a6 ) 16...Ng8 {The point behind Black's previous move. Bg7-h6 comes next.} 17.Rc1 {Anand is playing on the side where he is better.} ( {Another way to play the positon is} 17.exf5 gxf5 18.f4 ) ( {White cannot prevent the trade with} 17.Qd2 $4 {as} 17...f4 {drops a piece.} ) ( 17.Qc1 f4 {followed by f4-f3 looks annoying for White.} ) 17...a6 {Excellent prophylaxis.} ( {The immediate} 17...Bh6 {would have allowed} 18.exf5 gxf5 19.Bxh6 Nxh6 20.Nb5 $1 {and White can easily develop his queenside initiative after} 20...Nc5 21.Bb1 a6 22.b4 $1 ) ( {On the other hand} 17...f4 18.Bd2 f3 19.g3 {does not achieve anything substantial for Black.} ) 18.Rc2 Bh6 19.Bxh6 Nxh6 {Black has achieved almost everything that he wanted, but there are still dangers awaiting him on the queenside.} 20.Qd2 f4 ( {If} 20...Ng8 21.Rfc1 ( 21.b4 ) 21...Nc5 22.b4 {builds initiative on the queenside for White.} ) 21.Rfc1 Ng8 22.f3 ( 22.b4 {at once made sense too, as White should not be worried of} 22...f3 23.g3 ) 22...Ngf6 23.Nd1 a5 {Nakamura is correctly trying to seal off the queenside.} ( {The immediate} 23...Nc5 {can be met with the interesting pawn sacrifice} 24.b4 ( {Or White can simply prepare the b2-b4 advance with} 24.Kh2 ) 24...Nxd3 25.Qxd3 Qb6+ 26.Nf2 Qxb4 27.Rc7 ) 24.Nf2 ( {Also interesting was to keep the knight where it was with} 24.b3 Nc5 25.Kh2 Qb6 {as it might be useful on the queenside, for example} 26.Nb2 $1 Nfd7 27.Nc4 Qc7 28.Na3 {intending Bd3-b5! with advantage for White.} ) 24...Nc5 {Trying to lock the rooks, but in vain.} 25.Bb5 {Cutting the support from the other knight.} ( {The immediate sacrifice was also interesting:} 25.Rxc5 dxc5 26.Rxc5 {Now Black has to be extremely careful. The generally desirable} 26...Ne8 {with the idea to block the d5 passer fails short to} ( {Better is} 26...Nd7 {although White also has compensation after} 27.Rc3 ( 27.Rb5 b6 ) ) 27.Qc3 Qd6 28.Ng4 {and White wins a second pawn and the game.} ) 25...Qb6 26.Rxc5 $1 {Of course! In locked pawn chains it is always great to knock down the base pawn.} 26...dxc5 27.a4 c4 $1 {Nakamura also knows his stuff. Black needs open files for his major pieces.} ( {Passive defense will lead Black nowhere, say} 27...Rf7 28.Qc3 ) ( {or} 27...Rac8 28.Qc3 Qd6 29.Nd3 {and White enjoys large advantage.} ) 28.Qc3 $1 {Heading for the more important central pawn.} ( 28.Rxc4 {would have allowed Black a chance to organize his defenses after} 28...Rfc8 29.Qc3 Rxc4 30.Qxc4 Ne8 31.Qc3 Qc7 {although White might still be better here after} 32.Bc4 $5 ) 28...Qd6 ( {Not} 28...Qd4 29.Qxd4 exd4 30.Rxc4 ) 29.Qxc4 Rac8 $1 {Another excellent defensive move. Normally the two rooks are better than the queen, but in this particular case the black queen enjoys a lot of entry points and can easily torture he opponent's king.} ( {The other defenses were perspectiveless,say} 29...Nh5 30.Qc7 Qxc7 31.Rxc7 {with penetration on the seventh rank} ) ( {Or} 29...Rf7 30.Nd3 {and White combines pressure in the center with play along the open c-file.} ) 30.Qxc8 Rxc8 31.Rxc8+ Kg7 32.Nd3 ( {Or} 32.Kh2 Nh5 ) 32...Nh5 33.Kf1 $1 {Anand understood that his king has no future on the kingside.} 33...Qb6 34.Nc5 Kh6 $1 {And this is one of the reasons why. The black king will be safer in front of his own pawn chain and will actually attack the enemy pawns.} 35.Ke1 Ng3 {As Nakamura also admitted afterward, this costs Black two tempos.} ( {The immediate} 35...Kg5 $1 {was better, when the only one to play for the win would be the second player. Here is a sample line:} 36.Kd1 Kh4 37.Kc2 Kg3 38.Nd7 Qd6 39.Nc5 Kxg2 40.Nxb7 Qb6 41.Nc5 Kxf3 ) 36.Kd1 $1 Kh5 37.Kc2 Kh4 38.Kb1 ( {White could (should?) have used the delay on the kingside with} 38.Nb3 $1 Nh5 ( {Not} 38...Qf2+ $2 39.Kb1 Qxg2 $2 40.d6 ) 39.Kb1 Kg3 40.Rc2 $1 {Next the rook will be placed behind the passer, on the optimal square both defending and attacking. If White forces the black queen onto the defense he should be better.} ) 38...Nh5 39.Ka2 Kg3 40.Nd3 {The game enters the time-trouble zone when a queen is a great asset.} 40...Qd4 ( {But not} 40...Kxg2 41.Nxe5 {when the white pawns will soon become unstoppable.} ) 41.Rc2 Nf6 42.Nc5 ( {Or} 42.Nc1 Qb4 ) 42...Qd1 43.Kb3 g5 44.Nd3 Nd7 {The human decision, but that lets the d-passer running.} ( {The computer claims a positional draw after} 44...h5 45.Nxe5 Nxd5 46.exd5 Qxd5+ 47.Nc4 Qd3+ 48.Rc3 Qd1+ ( 48...Qd5 $5 ) 49.Rc2 ( {as it is too risky for White to deviate from the perpetual with} 49.Ka2 Kxg2 50.Nxa5 Qd5+ 51.Ka3 Kxh3 {the kingside passers become too strong.} ) ) 45.Kc3 ( {Anand should have seized his chance:} 45.d6 $1 {would have helped White to play for a win. Nothing is certain after this study-like continuation though:} 45...h5 46.Kc3 Qg1 47.Rf2 Nc5 48.d7 Nxd3 49.Bxd3 Qxf2 50.d8=Q Qc5+ 51.Kd2 Qf2+ {Maybe our readers can help us with final verdict?} ) ( {White should however avoid} 45.Bxd7 $2 Qxd3+ 46.Rc3 Qd4 ) 45...Nb6 46.Nxe5 $2 {A huge step in the wrong direction.} ( {It was not too late for} 46.d6 $1 Qg1 47.Rf2 {cutting the queen away when White might be simply winning.} ) 46...Qe1+ 47.Kb3 $6 {Another inaccuracy.} ( {Correct was} 47.Rd2 Nxd5+ 48.exd5 Qxe5+ 49.Kc2 {when the draw should be the most likely outcome.} 49...Qd6 {but with the passive queen Black can never play for a win.} ) 47...Qb4+ $1 {Now Nakamura breaks open the white king.} 48.Ka2 Nxa4 49.Bxa4 Qxa4+ 50.Kb1 Qd4 51.Nc4 a4 $3 {And finds the amazing win!} ( {A move like} 51...h5 {would have led to a draw after} 52.Rd2 $3 Qxc4 53.d6 Qf1+ 54.Ka2 Qc4+ 55.Kb1 ) 52.d6 ( {Here} 52.Rd2 {does not save White due to} 52...Qxc4 53.d6 a3 $1 {and the opened white king allows Black a chance to play either for checkmate, or to grab some pawns. For example:} 54.bxa3 Qb3+ 55.Kc1 Qc3+ 56.Kd1 Qa1+ 57.Ke2 ( 57.Kc2 Qa2+ 58.Kd1 ( {The exposed nature of the white king is revealed also in the line:} 58.Kc1 Qxa3+ 59.Kc2 Qa4+ 60.Kc1 Qc6+ 61.Kd1 Qd7 62.e5 Qa4+ 63.Kc1 Qa1+ 64.Kc2 Qxe5 65.d7 Qc7+ 66.Kd1 Qd8 ) 58...Qb1+ 59.Ke2 Kxg2 {and Black wins.} ) 57...Kxg2 58.d7 Qf1# $1 ) 52...Qd1+ 53.Rc1 Qd3+ 54.Rc2 b5 {Now it is curtains.} 55.Nd2 ( {Or} 55.Ne5 Qd1+ 56.Rc1 Qxd6 ) 55...b4 ( {There was nothing wrong with} 55...Qxd6 {and wins.} ) 56.Kc1 b3 ( 56...Qe2 {was strong too.} ) 57.Rc3 Qxd6 0-1

[Event "Paris Grand Chess Tour"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.23"]
[Round "18.5"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[Beauty "5704521906233"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 {Mamedyarov's pet line against the QGD. Many of the interesting ideas are based on his games.} 5...O-O 6.e3 Nbd7 7.g4 {In blitz and rapid the Azeri GM can try something funky.} ( {In slow games he playes safer-} 7.Qc2 c5 8.Rd1 cxd4 9.Rxd4 Qa5 10.Bg3 Nb6 11.Nd2 dxc4 12.Bxc4 Nxc4 13.Nxc4 Qa6 14.O-O Rd8 15.Rxd8+ Bxd8 16.Ne5 Bd7 17.Nxd7 Nxd7 18.Rd1 Nf6 19.Qd3 Qxd3 20.Rxd3 Rc8 {and White did not get much in Mamedyarov,S (2814)-Giri,A (2777) Shamkir 2018} ) 7...dxc4 8.Bxc4 c5 9.g5 Nh5 10.Bg3 {Mamedyarov improves on his own game.} ( {Instead Black was very solid after:} 10.Be5 a6 11.Bd3 g6 12.h4 Nxe5 13.dxe5 b5 {Mamedyarov,S (2746) -Anand,V (2817) Bastia 2011 EXT 2012} ) 10...g6 {Here and on the next moves Karjakin could have risked and taken the pawn.} ( {One idea was:} 10...Nb6 11.Be2 ( 11.Bd3 cxd4 12.Nxd4 g6 ) ( 11.Qe2 Nxc4 12.Qxc4 cxd4 ) 11...cxd4 12.Nxd4 Nxg3 13.hxg3 Bxg5 {White has compensation for a pawn, but Black looks good too.} ) 11.Qe2 cxd4 ( {Now} 11...Nb6 {is not good to} 12.dxc5 ) 12.Nxd4 Nb6 13.Bb3 {White keeps the valuable bishop.} ( {Rapid development} 13.O-O-O $5 {made sense as well.} ) 13...Bb4 ( {The last moment in which the pawn could have been taken was here-} 13...Bxg5 14.Rd1 ( 14.O-O-O ) 14...Nxg3 15.hxg3 Qe7 16.f4 Bf6 17.Qh2 {although White's position is easier to play, especially in blitz.} ) 14.Nf3 Bd7 {A normal developning move. Karjakin successfully passed the opening phase.} ( 14...Bxc3+ $5 15.bxc3 Qe7 {was also OK for Black.} ) 15.Rd1 Qe7 16.O-O {Finally Mamedyarov abandons the mating ambitions along the h-file.} 16...Nxg3 {And Karjakin takes care of the bishop pair.} 17.hxg3 Bc6 ( {Another excellent option was} 17...Bxc3 $5 18.bxc3 Rac8 {with the idea Rc8-c5.} ) 18.Nb5 {Black is given another chance to snack with the g5 pawn.} 18...Rfd8 {And it is once more rejected.} ( {Although} 18...Bxf3 19.Qxf3 Qxg5 20.Nd4 Qe7 21.Kg2 Rad8 {seems good for Black. Apparently Karjakin did not like the idea of giving his opponent any files. Mamedyarov's reputation is famous.} ) 19.Nbd4 Be4 {An inaccuracy.} ( 19...Be8 {was called for.} ) 20.Bc2 {Which White did not use.} ( {Strong was} 20.Ne5 $1 {intending Ne5-g4-f6 with the tactical point} 20...Qxg5 $2 21.Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 22.Nxe6 {and wins.} ) 20...Bd5 {Karjakin is getting ambitious.} ( 20...Bxc2 21.Nxc2 Bc5 22.Kg2 {was about equal.} ) 21.e4 Bxa2 {Risky, but the white pieces are no better.} 22.b3 e5 $1 {Trapping the knight.} ( {There was a safer road:} 22...Bc3 {but it is safer for both the players after} 23.Nb5 ( {Or} 23.Rd3 Rac8 24.Nb5 ) 23...Bg7 24.Rxd8+ Rxd8 25.Nxa7 Nc8 26.Nb5 Qb4 27.Rd1 Rxd1+ 28.Qxd1 Qxb5 29.Qd8+ Bf8 30.Qxc8 Bxb3 31.Bxb3 Qxb3 32.Ne5 {when the draw seems like the most likely result.} ) 23.Nf5 $1 {White had apparently planned this in advance.} ( {Since} 23.Nb5 Rxd1 24.Rxd1 a6 {is very bad for White.} ) 23...gxf5 24.exf5 e4 $1 {An excellent spoiler.} ( {With few seconds on the clock Black can easily get checkmated. For example} 24...a5 {to free the bishop with a5-a4 allows blitzkrieg-} 25.f6 Qe6 26.Qe4 Kf8 27.Qxh7 Ke8 28.Qh8+ Bf8 29.Rxd8+ ( {Or the immediate} 29.g6 fxg6 30.Bxg6+ ) 29...Rxd8 30.g6 {and White wins.} ) 25.f6 $1 {Best again.} ( {There is nothing to play for after} 25.Bxe4 $2 Rxd1 26.Rxd1 Re8 ) 25...Qe6 {Karjakin slips and presented his opponent with valuable tempo!} ( {Correct was} 25...Qe8 {away from the knight, when a sample line goes like this:} 26.Nd4 Nd5 27.Bxe4 Bxb3 28.Nxb3 Nc3 29.Bxh7+ Kxh7 30.Qh5+ Kg8 31.Rde1 Qb5 32.Qg4 Rd5 33.g6 Rg5 34.gxf7+ Kxf7 35.Qe6+ Kf8 36.f7 Kg7 37.Qe8 Qd3 38.Qxa8 Rxg3+ 39.fxg3 Qxg3+ 40.Kh1 Qh3+ {with perpetual :)} ) 26.Nd4 Qh3 {Trying to hold the kingside with her Majesty.} ( {Objectively better was} 26...Qe5 {although I have serious doubts that Black can survive after} 27.f4 Qe8 28.Kg2 Nd5 29.Rh1 Bf8 30.Bxe4 ) 27.Bxe4 Re8 28.Qf3 {Suddenly, the black queen is in danger. Be4-f5 is a killer threat.} 28...Nd7 {The only way to stay in the game. Karjakin gives back the knight.} ( {Since the queen cannot leave-} 28...Qd7 29.Bf5 Qc7 30.Qh5 {and mate.} ) 29.Bf5 Ne5 30.Qe2 Ng4 31.Bxg4 {Best.} ( {Worse was} 31.Qxg4 Qxg4 32.Bxg4 Rad8 ) 31...Rxe2 32.Bxh3 Re5 ( {White is close to won after} 32...Rb2 33.Kg2 Bxb3 34.Nxb3 Rxb3 35.Bf5 ) 33.Rd3 {The complications ended favorably for White, but Karjakin defends in his trademark style.} ( 33.Nf5 $5 {was excellent too.} ) 33...Rd8 34.Ra1 Bc5 35.Rxa2 Rxd4 ( {Avoiding the dead pin after} 35...Bxd4 $2 36.Rad2 Red5 37.Kf1 ) 36.Rxd4 Bxd4 37.Rd2 Bb6 38.Rc2 Rc5 {Only here does Black slip.} ( {Instead} 38...h6 $1 39.gxh6 ( {If} 39.Rc8+ Kh7 40.Bf1 Rd5 ) 39...Kh7 {would ahve most likely ended in a draw.} ) 39.Re2 h5 ( {It is too late for} 39...h6 40.Re8+ Kh7 41.Bg2 Kg6 42.Rg8+ Kh7 43.Rg7+ Kh8 44.g6 {and wins.} ) 40.Bg2 ( {Or} 40.Re8+ Kh7 41.Bg2 ) 40...Kf8 41.Bh3 {Misses the win.} ( 41.Bxb7 $1 {would not only have grabbed the pawn, but would have secured a deadly diagonal for the bishop after} 41...Rxg5 42.Bc6 Kg8 43.Re8+ Kh7 44.Be4+ Kh6 45.Rh8# ) 41...Rxg5 {Both players entered the clock-breaking part when anything is possible.} 42.Bd7 Kg8 43.Re7 {What?} 43...Rd5 ( {Missing the simple} 43...Rxg3+ $1 44.Kf1 Rf3 {that rips a bunch of pawns.} ) 44.Be8 Rf5 45.Bxf7+ Kf8 46.Bc4 Rxf6 ( {Safer was} 46...Rxf2 47.Rf7+ Ke8 48.Kh1 Bd4 {with a draw.} ) 47.Re2 {Now White can push a bit.} 47...Bc5 48.Kg2 b6 49.f3 Rg6 50.Re5 Bd6 51.Rf5+ Kg7 52.f4 h4 53.Rf7+ Kh6 54.Kh3 {Mesmirized both players keep playing and both of them clearly try to avoid the draw.} 54...hxg3 ( 54...Rxg3+ 55.Kxh4 Rg7 {would be even.} ) 55.Kg2 Rg4 56.Rf6+ Rg6 57.Rf7 Rg4 58.f5 {Time to gamble!} 58...Be5 ( {Black should have called it a bluff} 58...Rd4 $1 {for a reason.} ) 59.Re7 Re4 $4 {And the gamble pays off!} ( 59...Bf6 {was still a draw.} ) 60.f6 {The pin wins for White.} 60...Rf4 ( {There is no draw after} 60...Rxc4 61.bxc4 Bxf6 62.Rxa7 {neither.} ) 61.Rxe5 Rxf6 62.Re7 a5 63.Kxg3 Kg5 64.Re5+ Rf5 65.Rxf5+ Kxf5 {Mamedyarov converted the extra piece after} 66.Kf3 Ke5 67.Ke3 Kd6 68.Kd4 Kc6 69.Be2 b5 70.Bf3+ Kb6 71.Bg2 a4 ( 71...b4 72.Kc4 ) 72.b4 Ka6 73.Kc5 1-0

[Event "Paris Grand Chess Tour 2018"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.24"]
[Round "27.1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "243"]
[Beauty "3643340240903"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:13"]
[BlackClock "0:00:06"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 a6 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 Be6 7.e3 Nbd7 ( {The European championship witnessed the following game:} 7...h6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.Qb3 Ra7 10.Bd3 Nd7 11.O-O Bd6 12.Rae1 O-O 13.Bb1 Qd8 14.Qc2 g6 15.e4 dxe4 16.Nxe4 {with a typical IQP position and kingside prospects for White, Matlakov,M (2707)-Nabaty,T (2690) Batumi 2018} ) 8.Bd3 Bd6 9.O-O O-O 10.Rc1 c6 11.Bf4 {A novelty which hopes to exploit the e5 outpost.} ( {Instead White got his usual slight advantage in a predecessor:} 11.Qc2 h6 12.Bf4 Qc7 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.a3 Rfe8 15.Rfe1 Re7 16.Na4 Rae8 17.Nc5 {Teplyi,I (2412) -Hansen,S (2580) Denmark 2017} ) 11...Bxf4 12.exf4 Bg4 $1 {Noone is letting the knight in.} 13.Be2 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Re8 15.g3 {Next Nakamura tries to restrict the black knights and bring his kingside majority into motion.} 15...Nb6 16.b3 Qd6 {Caruana in return finishes the development and fights for control on the only open file. The queen is perfectly placed on d6 both supporting this e-file battle, but it is also ready to cause havoc on the queenside.} 17.Qd3 Re7 18.Rfe1 Rae8 19.Re5 Nbd7 20.Rc2 {Not exactly a sacrifice. White intends to support the first rook from the e2 square.} ( {The immediate support is tactically flawed:} 20.Rce1 $2 Nxe5 21.fxe5 Qb4 {as the rook on e1 finds itself into awkward situation.} ) 20...Qb4 21.Rxe7 Rxe7 22.Kg2 Nf8 23.h4 {Setting the pawns into motion.} ( {It made sense to start with} 23.f5 ) 23...Ne6 24.Ne2 Nc7 25.Qc3 $6 {White would have done better keeping the queens on the board. Without them the black pieces can freely maneuver.} ( {Instead both} 25.h5 ) ( {or} 25.Nc3 Nb5 26.Nxb5 axb5 27.Re2 {would have kept the game approximately levelled.} ) 25...Qxc3 26.Rxc3 Kf8 ( {Also good was to send the queenside knight on the optimal d6 square:} 26...Nb5 27.Rc2 ( 27.Re3 Rxe3 28.fxe3 Nd6 ) 27...Nd6 {with a slight advantage for Black. Anytime the first player pushes the pawns now} ( 27...g6 $5 {also looks good for Black.} ) 28.h5 {Black can just hold the pawns with say} 28...g6 ) 27.h5 Ne4 {Caruana is already better and starts to slowly outplay his opponent.} 28.Rc2 ( {If} 28.Re3 f5 ) 28...Nd6 29.Kf1 Re8 {The beginning of a nice maneuver.} ( 29...f5 {was still possible.} ) 30.a4 a5 $1 {Not only blocking the pawns, but opening the road for the rook.} ( 30...f5 {was still possible, but the move in the game is better.} ) 31.Nc1 Ne6 32.Ne2 Ra8 33.Bg4 f5 34.Bf3 Ra6 $1 35.Rc3 Rb6 {The point behind what Caruana was doing in the past 5-6 moves. The rook is out and together with the knights it will support the queenside majority.} 36.Ke1 Rb4 37.Rd3 b5 {White's position collapses.} 38.Rc3 ( {Nothing changes} 38.axb5 Nxb5 ) 38...bxa4 39.bxa4 ( {If} 39.Rxc6 a3 ( {Not} 39...axb3 40.Rxd6 b2 41.Nc3 ) 40.Ra6 Nc7 41.Rxa5 Rxb3 {wins for Black.} ) 39...Nc4 {It is essentially over. The white pawns start falling like ripe pears. Was this a standard game Nakamura would have most llikely resigned.} 40.Rc1 Rxa4 {The first one goes west.} 41.Nc3 Ra3 42.Be2 Nd6 43.Bd1 Nxd4 {Two down.} 44.Ne2 N6b5 ( 44...Nf3+ 45.Kf1 Nc4 {would not have allowed any activity.} ) 45.Nxd4 Nxd4 46.Rb1 {Without the pair of knights the white pieces are at least breathing.} 46...Nb5 47.Be2 Nd6 48.Rb6 Rc3 ( {In a slow game Black would have accurately calculated the pawn endgame after} 48...Ne4 49.Rxc6 Ra1+ 50.Bd1 d4 51.Rc4 Nc3 52.Rxd4 Rxd1+ ( 52...Ke7 ) 53.Rxd1 Nxd1 54.Kxd1 Ke7 {and would have won the game.} ) 49.Ra6 {Nakamura got the best out of his rook.} 49...Rc5 ( {It was not too late for} 49...Ne4 50.Rxa5 Rc1+ 51.Bd1 d4 $1 {with a win.} ( {Not} 51...Nc3 52.Kd2 ) ) 50.f3 Ke7 51.Ra7+ Kf6 52.h6 {With the idea to overstretch the black pieces.} 52...gxh6 {Three down!} 53.Bd3 ( {Certainly not} 53.Rxh7 $2 Nf7 ) 53...Rc3 54.Kd2 Ra3 {Sticking to the material is not optimal here.} ( {The time had come to part with some material, but set the passers into motion with} 54...d4 55.Rxa5 c5 ) 55.Ra6 {All of a sudden, Black cannot defend the key c6 pawn. His pieces are discoordinated. Imagine the knight knight on e7; everything would be under control. But now Nakamura is back in the game!} 55...Ra2+ 56.Ke1 Rg2 57.Rxc6 Ke7 58.Rc7+ Ke6 59.Rxh7 {It is no longer winning for Black!} 59...Nf7 ( {Or} 59...Rxg3 60.Rxh6+ Kd7 61.Kf2 ) 60.Bb5 ( {Also possible was} 60.Rg7 Kf6 61.Rg8 ) 60...Rxg3 61.Be8 Nd6 62.Kf2 ( {Safer was} 62.Rxh6+ Ke7 63.Bc6 {with possible draw after} 63...Nf7 64.Rh7 Ke6 65.Ke2 Rg2+ 66.Ke3 Ra2 67.Bxd5+ Kxd5 68.Rxf7 ) 62...Rh3 63.Bc6 d4 ( {Here} 63...Nc4 64.Bd7+ Kf6 {seems like a better winning try for Black.} ) 64.Kg2 Rh4 65.Kg3 Rh1 66.Kg2 Ra1 {Caruana keeps playing for a win, but the white pieces are too active.} 67.Rxh6+ Ke7 68.Rh7+ Kf8 69.Rd7 Nc4 70.Rxd4 Rc1 71.Bb5 Nb6 ( {Another draw would be reached after} 71...Ne3+ 72.Kf2 Rc5 73.Kxe3 Rxb5 74.Rd7 ) 72.Rd6 Nc4 73.Ra6 Ke7 74.Kf2 Rc2+ 75.Kg3 Ne3 76.Rxa5 {What have actually happened? From three pawns ahead and no counterplay at all for White, he is now a pawn ahead!!} 76...Rg2+ 77.Kh4 Rg1 78.Ra6 Kf7 79.Ra3 Ng2+ $2 {This even loses!} ( 79...Nc2 {was called for.} ) 80.Kg3 Ne1+ 81.Kf2 Rh1 82.Bc4+ Kf6 83.Ra6+ {Following his plan. This is the normal strategy in the blitz games.} ( {Of course not the hasty} 83.Ra1 $4 Nd3+ ) ( {but the restricting} 83.Rc3 $1 Kg6 84.Bf1 {would have won the knight and the game.} ) 83...Kg7 84.Ra7+ Kf6 85.Rf7+ Kg6 86.Rc7 Nc2 87.Rc6+ Kg7 88.Rc7+ Kf6 89.Rc6+ Kg7 90.Rd6 Nb4 91.Be6 Kf6 ( {Safer was} 91...Rh6 92.Rd7+ Kf6 93.Bb3 Rh2+ ) 92.Bc8+ Ke7 93.Rd7+ Kf6 94.Rd4 Rb1 95.Rd6+ Ke7 96.Rh6 Nd3+ 97.Ke3 Nc5 {Losing his last pawn and the game.} ( 97...Rb3 $1 {would have splitted the pawn after} 98.Bxf5 Ne1+ 99.Kf2 Nxf3 ( 99...Rxf3+ 100.Kxe1 Rxf4 {is also a draw, but I am sure noone wants to prove it with seconds on the clock.} ) ) 98.Bxf5 Rb3+ 99.Kf2 {What a turn of the events!} 99...Kf7 100.Kg3 Rb2 101.Rc6 Rb5 102.Kg4 Ra5 103.Rb6 Na4 104.Rb7+ Kf6 105.Rb8 Nc3 106.Rb6+ Ke7 107.Be4 Ra1 108.f5 Rg1+ 109.Kf4 Kf7 110.Ke5 Ra1 111.Rb7+ Kf8 112.Rc7 ( 112.f6 Ra8 113.Ke6 Ra6+ 114.Kf5 {was faster} ) 112...Ra5+ 113.Kf6 Ra6+ 114.Kg5 Ne2 115.f6 Ra5+ 116.Kg4 ( {Or} 116.Bf5 Nd4 117.Kg6 ) ( {It is never too late to get checkmated in a blitz game} 116.Kg6 $4 Nf4+ 117.Kh6 Rh5# ) 116...Ra6 117.Kf5 Ra5+ 118.Kg4 Ra6 119.Kg5 Ra5+ 120.Kh6 Nf4 121.Bg6 Ra8 122.Rh7 1-0

[Event "GCT Rapid Paris 2018"]
[Site "Paris FRA"]
[Date "2018.06.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2018.06.20"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[Beauty "7495795626030"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 {Remember what I wrote you previously, that the English is a popular opening choice in the rapid and the blitz events? I am repeating that line...} 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e3 {Instead of fianchettoeing his bishop, Kramnik chooses a solid Classical/Scheveningen set up. In his youth he was one of the greatest Classical Sicilian specialists in the world.} 6...Be7 7.Be2 O-O 8.O-O Be6 9.a3 a5 10.Bd2 ( 10.Qc2 {had also been seen. One recent example ran:} 10...Qd7 11.Bd2 Rfd8 12.Na4 f6 13.Rfc1 Kh8 14.Nc5 Bxc5 15.Qxc5 a4 16.Be1 Nde7 17.Nd2 b6 18.Qc2 Bg4 19.Bf1 Be6 20.Be2 Bg4 21.Bf1 Be6 22.Be2 {1/2-1/2 (22) Zhou,J (2612)-Zhao,J (2634) China 2016} ) 10...Kh8 {Quite a useful prophylactic move.} ( 10...f5 {can be met with} 11.e4 ) 11.Rc1 $146 {This logical move is a novelty. White intends Nc3-e4(a4) -c5.} ( {The only predecessor saw a quick draw after:} 11.Nxd5 Qxd5 12.Bc3 f6 13.Qc2 a4 14.d4 exd4 15.Nxd4 Nxd4 16.Bxd4 c5 17.Bc3 Bf5 {1/2-1/2 (17) Visser, D (2126)-Seidel,J (2010) Niederrhein 2003} ) 11...Nxc3 12.Rxc3 {Somewhat artificial. Kramnik intends to sacrifice the exchange on c6, but noone is going to allow this.} ( 12.Bxc3 {is sounder, with approximate equality after} 12...f6 {Black is not afraid of the central strike} 13.d4 {as he can block the center after} 13...e4 14.Nd2 f5 ) 12...f6 13.Qa4 {The idea idea behind the capture of the rook. White now intends Rf1-c1. But it has a cute refutation.} 13...Nb4 $1 {This not only prevents the doubling of the rooks, but also prepares the advance of the c7 pawn to c5. The Maroczy bind position that arises after that is favorable for Black.} 14.e4 ( {Surely} 14.axb4 $2 axb4 {is no go for White.} ) ( {Neither is} 14.Rfc1 $2 Na2 ) ( {Perhaps Kramnik should have admitted that this plan was not great and return back home with the queen} 14.Qd1 {although Black would be doing great in that case too:} 14...Nd5 15.Rc1 c5 ) 14...c5 15.Be3 b6 16.Nd2 Bd7 {Karjakin secures the road of his knight to d4 and is already even slightly better.} 17.Qd1 Nc6 18.a4 Be6 19.Bg4 Bg8 $1 {Deviating from the swap and keeping his "good" bishop alive.} 20.Nc4 Bd6 $1 {Another nice maneuver. The bishop is heading to the b8-h2 diagonal, in anticipation of the f2-f4 advance. The bishop can also release the black queen from the defense of the b6 pawn.} 21.g3 Bc7 22.Na3 {White continues to maneuver on the queenside.} ( {As} 22.f4 {would be answered with} 22...exf4 $1 23.gxf4 Qe7 {followed by Ra8-d8 and pressure against the d3 pawn.} ) 22...Qe7 23.Nb5 Rad8 24.h4 ( {If} 24.Nxc7 Qxc7 {with clear play against the backward d3 pawn.} ) 24...Bb8 25.h5 {Kramnik did everything right and patienlty improved what could have been improved.} 25...Qe8 $1 {Karjakin also continues maneuvering.} ( {Two other options deserved attention too. One was to sacrifice a pawn with} 25...Nd4 26.Bxd4 exd4 27.Rc1 c4 28.dxc4 d3 ) ( {The other was to try and pressurize on d3} 25...Nb4 {although it is not as easy as it seems after} 26.Qe2 ) 26.Kg2 Ne7 {The point behind the previous move. The idea is f6-f5.} 27.Qe2 {This only makes things easier for Black, although it is difficult to suggest anything creative for him.} ( 27.Rh1 f5 $1 ) 27...f5 28.exf5 Nxf5 {Without the e4 pawn White has huge difficulties defending his kingside.} 29.Bg5 Nd4 {And this move is more effective.} 30.Qd1 {Making it even more difficult for himself.} ( {However, Black is clearly better after} 30.Nxd4 exd4 31.Qxe8 Rdxe8 32.Rcc1 h6 $1 {as well. For example:} 33.Bh4 ( {Or} 33.Bd2 Bh7 $1 ) 33...Bd6 ) 30...Nxb5 31.axb5 Rd4 $1 {One more excellent move.} 32.Be3 ( {If} 32.Bf3 Rxf3 $1 {wins on the spot} 33.Kxf3 ( 33.Qxf3 Bd5 ) 33...Qxh5+ ) 32...Bd5+ 33.Kg1 ( 33.f3 $2 Rxg4 ) 33...Rb4 {Black is winning a pawn and keeps all the advantages of his position. The game is essentially over.} 34.h6 {The last chance is tactics, but Karjakin has that one too!} 34...gxh6 35.Bxh6 Qg6 $1 {Powerful and strong.} 36.Bxf8 Rxg4 {Threatening mate.} 37.Qe1 Rh4 {Forces decisive weakening of White's position.} 38.f3 Rh3 {The rest is easy for Karjakin.} 39.Kg2 Qh5 40.Qe3 Rh2+ 41.Kg1 Qh3 42.Bg7+ Kg8 {Mate is inevitable.} ( {Avoiding the unnecessary checks after} 42...Kxg7 43.Qg5+ Kf7 ) 0-1

[Event "Your Next Move Grand Chess"]
[Site "Tours"]
[Date "2018.06.16"]
[Round "24.1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[ECO "B06"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "7014755342418"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]

1.e4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.f4 a6 {The Modern is an excellent choice for a blitz tournament.} 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.a4 ( {The alternative is the immediate:} 7.e5 c5 8.Be4 Rb8 9.Be3 b4 10.Ne2 Nh6 11.dxc5 Nxc5 12.Bxc5 dxc5 13.Bc6+ Bd7 14.Qd5 Rc8 15.Bxd7+ Qxd7 16.Qxd7+ Kxd7 17.O-O-O+ {as in another blitz game- Yu,Y (2760)-Adhiban,B (2655) chess.com INT 2018} ) 7...b4 8.Ne2 c5 9.c3 Bb7 10.O-O Ngf6 11.e5 Nd5 12.Bd2 $146 ( {A predecessor headed to a highly imbalanced game after:} 12.e6 fxe6 13.Ng5 Nf8 14.Qc2 cxd4 15.c4 Ne3 16.Bxe3 dxe3 17.Nxh7 Nxh7 18.Bxg6+ Kd7 19.Bxh7 Qb6 {Baltic,F (2210)-Miroshnichenko,P (2294) Warsaw 2017} ) 12...bxc3 13.bxc3 cxd4 14.cxd4 O-O {Anand seized the center and now thinks how to develop an attack on the kingside.} 15.Ng3 ( {Still, it seems as that the restrictive} 15.a5 $1 ) ( {or the preliminary} 15.Rb1 $5 Rb8 16.a5 {were the better choices.} ) 15...a5 $1 {Now Nakamura secures some squares for his pieces on the queenside. From there they can knock down the opponent's attackers.} 16.Kh1 Nb4 17.Be4 {A risky choice!} ( {But otherwise Black is doing perfectly fine after} 17.Bb5 dxe5 18.dxe5 Nc5 ) 17...d5 $1 {Normally Black will be happy to swap pieces as this will weaken White's potential attack, but Nakamura felt out that it should not work.} 18.Bb1 Ba6 19.Re1 e6 {A critical moment of the game. The white pieces were blunted and Black is ready to seize further space on the opposite wing. It is do or die moment.} 20.f5 $1 {Anand's giant understanding of the game tells him to open up the kingside no matter what the price.} 20...exf5 21.Nxf5 gxf5 22.Bxf5 h6 23.Ra3 {Brining more pieces into the action.} ( {Instead} 23.e6 fxe6 24.Bxe6+ Kh8 25.Bxb4 axb4 26.Bxd5 {would had won a pawn, or two, but would have lost the initiative for good. Black will have excellent winning chances after} 26...Ra7 ) 23...Bc8 $1 {Nakamura too demonstrates his tremendous defesive skills. The lurking bishop is trickier than it seems.} 24.Ng5 Nb6 {Playing it as safe as possible, but now it is anyone's game.} ( {Strong was} 24...hxg5 $1 {for example} 25.Qh5 ( {or} 25.Rg3 Nxe5 $1 {uncovering the bishop again} 26.Bxg5 f6 27.Bh6 Ra7 ) 25...Nf6 $1 26.exf6 Bxf5 27.fxg7 Kxg7 {when Black repels the attack.} ) 25.Bh7+ Kh8 26.Qh5 {The same policy of bringing the bad guys around the black king.} ( {There was an argument for} 26.Bb1 $1 {though. This piece is a vaulable attacker and White often threatens to build a battery along the b1-h7 diagonal. One can spend some hours analyzing this position, rich both tactically and positionally. One sample line goes} 26...Qe7 $5 27.Rg3 ( {Here} 27.Bxb4 axb4 28.Qd3 {does not work since} 28...f5 29.exf6 {leaves the rook hanging} 29...Qxe1+ ) 27...Nc4 28.Nh7 {when Black has to be extremely careful:} 28...Re8 {for instance loses after} ( {Stronger is} 28...Ra6 $1 29.Bxb4 axb4 30.Nf6 Rxf6 31.exf6 Qxf6 32.Qd3 Qf5 33.Qxf5 Bxf5 34.Bxf5 Bxd4 {which might realistically end in a draw.} ) ( {Or} 28...Nxd2 $5 29.Qxd2 Ra6 30.Rf1 Rg8 {although White can play further for a win now with} 31.Rxg7 $3 ( 31.Nf6 Qf8 ) 31...Rxg7 32.Nf6 {despite the rook less.} ) 29.Bxh6 $3 Bxh6 30.Qh5 Ra6 31.Ng5 ) 26...f6 {This tuns out to be wrong.} ( {The computer indicates the cold-blooded} 26...Nc4 $1 27.Rg3 Nxd2 28.Nxf7+ Rxf7 29.Qxf7 Qf8 {when the attack is over.} ) 27.exf6 {Not bad at all, and sufficient for large advantage.} ( {Anand missed the brilliant:} 27.Ne6 $3 Bxe6 28.Bxh6 $1 {with a win, for example:} 28...Rf7 ( 28...Kxh7 29.Bxg7+ Kxg7 30.Rg3+ Bg4 31.Rxg4# ) 29.Bxg7+ Kxg7 ( {Black is getting checkmated after} 29...Rxg7 30.Bf5+ Kg8 31.Bxe6+ Kf8 32.Rg3 $1 ) 30.Rg3+ Kf8 31.Rg8+ ) 27...Qxf6 28.Rf3 Bg4 $1 {The only move with the idea to defend the back rank.} ( {Or else Black is getting mated after} 28...Qd8 29.Nf7+ Kxh7 ( 29...Rxf7 30.Rxf7 ) 30.Bxh6 ) ( {Or} 28...Qxd4 29.Rxf8+ Bxf8 30.Qg6 ) 29.Qxg4 Qxd4 30.Nf7+ ( {Or} 30.Bf4 $1 {with a huge attack since Black can never capture the knight on g5:} 30...Rae8 ( 30...hxg5 31.Bg6 $1 ) 31.Ref1 hxg5 32.Qh5 ) 30...Kxh7 ( {The endgame after} 30...Rxf7 31.Qxd4 Bxd4 32.Rxf7 {is lost for Black.} ) 31.Qf5+ Kg8 32.Nxh6+ Kh8 ( {The knight is invincible:} 32...Bxh6 33.Qe6+ Kh7 34.Qxh6+ Kg8 35.Rg3+ Kf7 36.Qg6# ) 33.Nf7+ Kg8 34.Nh6+ Kh8 35.Nf7+ Kg8 36.Bc3 $1 {Once again Anand correctly evaluates the situation and seeks the full point.} 36...Qxc3 37.Rxc3 Rxf7 38.Qe6 {Hallucination!} ( {Instead} 38.Qg6 $1 Raf8 39.Rf3 Nd7 40.Rxf7 Rxf7 41.Re8+ Nf8 42.g3 {would have left Black suffering. The three pieces are usually better than the queen, but here the black king is weak, and so is the whole position.} ) 38...Bxc3 39.Rf1 {This makes things even worse for White.} ( 39.Qg6+ Bg7 40.Qxb6 {was called for, although it is only Black who can win now.} ) 39...Rf8 ( 39...Ra7 {was good as well.} ) 40.g4 Nd7 $1 ( {There is absolutely no need to give up the knight with} 40...Kg7 41.Rxf7+ Rxf7 42.Qxb6 ) 41.g5 Nc5 {Black has way too much material now.} 42.Qg6+ Bg7 43.Rxf7 Rxf7 44.h4 Nbd3 45.h5 Nf4 46.Qc6 Ne4 47.h6 Bf8 48.g6 Rf6 49.h7+ Kh8 ( 49...Kh8 50.Qa8 Nxg6 ) 0-1

[Event "51st GM 2018"]
[Site "Biel SUI"]
[Date "2018.07.22"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2842"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[Beauty "6187613429790"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.Bg5 Bb4+ 5.Nc3 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 O-O 8.Rc1 dxc4 9.Bxc4 c5 10.dxc5 ( {White did not get much after} 10.O-O cxd4 11.Ne4 Qe7 12.a3 Ba5 13.Qxd4 Rd8 14.Qc5 Qxc5 15.Nxc5 Nd7 16.Nb3 Bb6 {Bu,X (2718)-Wei,Y (2734) Hangzhou 2018} ) 10...Nd7 11.O-O ( {The world champ had lots of experience with Black as well, e.g.} 11.c6 Ne5 12.Nxe5 Qxe5 13.O-O bxc6 14.Qe2 Rd8 15.Rfd1 Bb7 {was Giri,A (2790)-Carlsen,M (2863) Shamkir 2015} ) 11...Nxc5 12.Nb5 a6 13.Nbd4 {All of this has been played before and Navara comes up with a novelty.} 13...b5 ( {White did well after} 13...Ba5 14.a3 Bb6 15.b4 Ne4 16.Qd3 Ng5 17.Nxg5 hxg5 18.Qe4 {when the dominant position of the queen on e4 is a factor, Salem,A (2638)-Peralta,F (2556) Sitges 2017} ) 14.Be2 $5 {The world champion provokes Black's next.} ( {Safer seemed} 14.a3 bxc4 ( 14...Na4 {might be a possibility as well} 15.Bxb5 axb5 16.axb4 Bb7 ) 15.Rxc4 Bxa3 16.bxa3 {hoping for an edge in the symmetrical position after} 16...Nd7 ( {Or} 16...Ne4 17.Nc6 ) 17.Nc6 ) 14...e5 15.Nc2 ( 15.a3 {was still possible, but it would not yield White much after} 15...exd4 16.Nxd4 Rd8 17.axb4 Ne6 18.Bf3 Rb8 ) 15...Rd8 {The white queen is trapped, but...} ( {Of course not} 15...Ba5 16.b4 ) 16.Nxb4 {This was on purpose.} 16...Rxd1 17.Rfxd1 {So far Carlsen collected only a rook and a knight for his strongest piece. However, he got both the open files for his rooks, the knight on c5 is hanging and there is also the threat of Nb4-d5.} 17...a5 $1 ( {The knight cannot retreat since} 17...Ne6 $2 18.Nd5 {puts the black queen in danger and he would lose material after} 18...Qd8 19.Nc7 ) ( {Also bad is} 17...Qe7 $2 18.Nc6 ) ( {whereas} 17...Qb6 $6 18.Nd5 Qa7 19.b4 Ne6 ( 19...Nd7 $4 20.Ne7+ ) 20.Nxe5 {is clearly inferior pawn loss compared to the game.} ) 18.Nd5 Qd6 19.Nxe5 {Collecting a pawn as well. White has enough material now, but Navara can also catch his breath...} 19...Bb7 {...and finish the development.} ( {There was an argument for the exchange sacrifice too:} 19...Qxe5 $5 20.Rxc5 Qxb2 21.Bf3 Be6 22.Ne7+ Kf8 23.Bxa8 Kxe7 {since the black queenside passers are dangerous.} ) 20.Bf3 ( {Carlsen suggested} 20.f4 {as "a critical try."} ) 20...Rc8 ( {Here} 20...Qxe5 {is not as effective for Black, but still playable after} 21.Rxc5 b4 22.b3 ) 21.Ng4 {With the threat of Nd5-f6+} 21...Qf8 ( 21...Kh8 $5 ) 22.h4 {Opens air for the knight and restricts the black one.} ( {White apparently disliked} 22.h3 Ne6 {followed by Ne6-g5.} ) 22...Nd7 {Correctly trading one of the active white rooks.} 23.Rxc8 Bxc8 24.a3 h5 ( 24...f5 {seems good as well, say} 25.Nh2 Nf6 ( 25...Ne5 $5 ) 26.Nf1 Be6 {with an approximately even game.} ) 25.Nh2 g6 {Defending the kingside.} ( {Instead, I believe that Navara should have gone for the white queenside pawns with} 25...Ne5 26.Bxh5 Nc4 27.Rc1 {and now} 27...Bd7 $1 {when it is not that easy to defend the queenside. For example} ( {but not the hasty} 27...Nxb2 $4 28.Rxc8 ) 28.Rc2 ( {And if} 28.Nf4 Nxb2 29.Rc7 Qd8 ) 28...Bf5 {Whenever there is play on two flanks, the queen becomes stronger.} ) 26.Be2 Ne5 {Sacrificing a second pawn.} ( {There was nothing wrong with} 26...Qc5 27.Nf3 b4 ( {Or} 27...Kg7 ) 28.axb4 axb4 {and there is no easy way for White to get his hands on the b4 pawn.} ) 27.Bxb5 Bb7 28.Nc3 Qe7 29.Rd4 {Now White tries to get the type of game that the smaller pieces want. Slowly but surely they are shifted to optimal positions. In the process they defend each other and try to get closer to the black king.} 29...Qe6 30.Nf1 Qb3 $1 {Naturally Navara does not like to sit and wait until the white pieces occupy all the good squares.} 31.Rd2 Nc4 32.Rd7 $1 {Carlsen sacrifices a pawn on his turn.} ( {He cannot reach stability once that the bishop is traded:} 32.Bxc4 Qxc4 {For example} 33.Rd7 Qc6 34.Rd5 Qb6 35.Rd2 Qc6 36.f3 Qf6 37.Rd4 Qb6 38.b4 Qc7 39.Ne4 Bxe4 40.Rxe4 axb4 41.axb4 Qc1 {followed by Qc1-e1 with a likely draw to follow.} ) 32...Nxb2 33.Rxb7 Qxc3 34.Be8 {That was the point. White makes it to the kingside. But is he fast enough?} 34...Kf8 35.Bxf7 Qc6 $1 ( {Worse was} 35...Qxa3 36.Bxg6 ) 36.Rxb2 Kxf7 37.Rd2 $1 {Heading for the stable set up with the Rd4 and pawns on a4 and h4. Next, the knight will come to help.} 37...Qa4 {Grabbing the h-pawn.} ( {It is extremely difficult to say if Black has better defensive chances if he includes the move} 37...a4 {Most likely White should find a way to break through, say} 38.Rd4 Qc2 39.Rb4 Kf6 40.g3 ( 40.e4 $5 ) 40...Qd1 41.e4 g5 42.Rb6+ Kg7 43.hxg5 Qd3 44.Re6 Qxa3 45.Ne3 {The united efforts of the white rook, knight and pawn make his chances better.} ) 38.Rd3 Qxh4 39.Rd7+ Kg8 40.Rd4 Qe7 41.a4 {White definitely does not risk to lose. The question is if he has enough resources to bring his e-pawn into motion.} 41...Qa3 42.g3 Qa1 43.Kg2 g5 44.Nd2 g4 $1 {This looks logical as the pawn helps the queen create perpetual check ideas.} 45.Ne4 Qc1 {But this is unnecessary.} ( {Simple and good seems} 45...Kg7 $1 46.Nc5 Qa2 {The queen is heading to e2 and if the white knight goes too far away-} 47.Nb7 $6 ( {Stronger is} 47.Nd3 Qc2 48.Nf4 {although it is still not obvious how realistic White's chances for a win are-} 48...Qc6+ 49.Kh2 Kh6 {For example} 50.e4 Qc2 51.Kg2 Qb3 ) 47...Qe2 48.Nxa5 $2 {White might suffer} 48...Qf3+ 49.Kg1 h4 $1 50.gxh4 g3 ) 46.Nf6+ Kf7 47.Nxh5 Qc6+ 48.Kg1 Qc1+ {Right after the game Navara thought that this was the decisive mistake.} 49.Kh2 Kg6 ( {Navara had planned} 49...Qc2 {but here he noticed that after} 50.Rf4+ Kg6 {the knight is not trapped and} 51.Nf6 {is just over.} ) 50.Nf4+ Kf6 51.Ng2 Kg5 $2 {Wrong direction.} ( {The king should have stayed in front of the potential passer:} 51...Qc8 52.Rf4+ Ke5 53.Nh4 Qc2 ) 52.Rf4 Qd1 53.Nh4 Qc2 54.Nf5 Qd3 55.e4 $1 {The problem is not that the pawn moves per se. the problem is that the e3 square is vacated for the knight and thus the g4 pawn cannot be saved.} 55...Qd7 ( {Or} 55...Kf6 56.Ne3+ Ke6 57.Nxg4 Qe2 58.e5 {when White slowly convert.} ) 56.e5 Qh7+ ( {If} 56...Qd5 57.Ne3 {anyway, since} 57...Qxe5 58.Rf5+ ) 57.Kg1 Qg6 58.Nd6 Qe6 ( {Navara had seen that the pawn ending is losing, but he had also seen that} 58...Qb1+ {is hopeless:} 59.Kh2 Qh7+ 60.Kg2 Qc7 61.Rf5+ Kg6 62.Rf6+ Kh5 63.Rf4 Kg5 64.Re4 ) 59.Rf5+ ( 59.Ne4+ Kg6 60.Rf6+ Kh5 61.Rxe6 $4 {would be stalemate.} ( 61.Nd6 ) ) 59...Qxf5 60.Nxf5 Kxf5 61.f4 gxf3 62.Kf2 Kxe5 63.Kxf3 Kf5 64.Ke3 ( 64.Ke3 {The endgame is lost by just one tempo:} 64...Kg4 65.Kd4 Kxg3 66.Kc5 Kf4 67.Kb5 Ke5 68.Kxa5 Kd6 69.Kb6 Kd7 70.Kb7 ) 1-0

[Event "51st GM 2018"]
[Site "Biel SUI"]
[Date "2018.07.23"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2842"]
[ECO "B07"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "158"]
[Beauty "5361058712072"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bf4 c6 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.Qd2 O-O 7.h3 ( {Nothing much is} 7.Bh6 Bg4 8.Bxg7 Kxg7 9.Ng5 {\BD-\BD Burdalev,K (2377)-Frolov,A (2406) Prague 2018} ) 7...Qa5 8.e5 {A novelty, which does not provide White any advantage.} ( {Instead, in an earlier game White opted for the sharp} 8.O-O-O b5 9.a3 b4 10.axb4 {Which also led to complex endgame after} 10...Qa1+ 11.Nb1 Nxe4 12.Qe3 Nf6 13.Qa3 Qxa3 14.Nxa3 {in Yemelin,V (2522)-Utkin,A (2345) St Petersburg 2001} ) 8...dxe5 9.dxe5 Nd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd2+ 11.Bxd2 cxd5 12.O-O-O {The opening part did not last long. Straight from the opening a complex endgame arose which probably made some of the chess fans unhappy. But since both players are amazing masters of that part of the game as well, the best is yet to come. [Peter Svidler noted that the endgame is not as comfortable for White as the typical French endgames from e.g. the Vacuum Cleaner variation because his pawn is not on f4 (yet). - PD]} 12...Nc6 13.Bc3 e6 {Not worrying about the light-squared bishop. It will get its chance later.} ( {Although} 13...Be6 14.Bb5 Rac8 {was also possible.} ) 14.h4 {The position resembles the French defense, but with a strong black bishop on g7. Both players try to play on their flanks.} 14...h6 15.Bd3 Bd7 16.Rhe1 Rfc8 17.Rd2 Rab8 18.Rde2 b5 19.Nd4 ( {If} 19.b3 Bf8 ) 19...b4 20.Nxc6 Bxc6 21.Bd4 Bb5 $1 {The chance for the bishop had come.} 22.Kd2 ( 22.Bxa7 $2 {loses material to} 22...Bxd3 23.Bxb8 Bxe2 ) ( {However} 22.Bxb5 Rxb5 23.h5 {looked OK for White.} ) 22...h5 {"It's already slightly unpleasant." (MVL)} 23.f4 ( {Here and on the next few moves Vachier-Lagrave avoids the capture of the a7 pawn. After} 23.Bxa7 Ra8 {Black will regain the pawn and take control of the open a-file:} 24.Bxb5 ( {Or} 24.Bd4 Bxd3 25.Kxd3 Rxa2 26.b3 ) 24...Rxa7 {In both cases with some small advantage for the world champion.} ) 23...Bf8 24.g4 $1 {Once more Vachier-Lagrave searches his chances on the kingside.} ( 24.Bxa7 Bxd3 ( 24...Ra8 ) 25.Kxd3 Ra8 {is again somewhat better for Black.} ) 24...hxg4 25.Rg1 ( 25.h5 gxh5 26.Rh1 {"Somehow it felt a bit suspicious." (MVL)} ) 25...Bc5 26.Bxc5 Rxc5 27.Rxg4 Kf8 28.Rh2 ( {More precise in order to hold the balance was} 28.h5 Bxd3 29.Kxd3 gxh5 30.Rh4 Ke7 31.f5 exf5 32.Rxh5 {with likely draw.} ) 28...Bxd3 29.Kxd3 {We are entering the most exciting part of the game, a four-rook complex endgame.} 29...Rc4 $1 {This is the thing. The white rook is pinned and experiences difficulties in maneuvering. MVL had missed this.} 30.h5 gxh5 31.Rxh5 Ke7 32.Rgh4 {A second inaccuracy after which Carlsen completely takes over the initiative.} ( 32.Rh6 $1 {was strong with the idea to release the g4 rook and resume the kingside assault. For example} 32...a5 33.Rf6 a4 34.Rg7 Rf8 35.f5 exf5 36.Rxf5 Re4 37.Rf6 Rxe5 38.Ra6 {when again the most likely outcome would be the draw.} ) 32...Rg8 $1 {The white king is danger, so MVL needs to part with material.} 33.f5 $1 {In activity we trust! One cannot allow passive defense in the rook endgame.} 33...Rg3+ 34.Kd2 Rg2+ 35.Kd1 ( 35.Ke3 exf5 36.Rxc4 dxc4 37.Rxf5 Rxc2 38.Kd4 b3 {is "resignable" according to MVL.} ) 35...Rcxc2 36.f6+ Kd7 {Moving away from the danger zone.} ( 36...Ke8 37.Rxb4 {would have been easier to defend.} ) 37.Rxb4 a5 ( {Black has winning chances with all rooks on the board.} 37...Rxb2 $2 {would lead to a position where it is even White to fights for the win after} 38.Rxb2 Rxb2 39.Rh7 Ke8 40.Rh8+ Kd7 41.Rf8 ) 38.Rb8 $1 {Vachier-Lagrave activated his rooks in return and is ready for a perpetual.} 38...Rcf2 39.Ke1 Kc6 $1 {The king takes care of himself.} ( {After} 39...d4 40.Rhh8 d3 {White starts the perpetuum mobile} 41.Rhd8+ Kc6 42.Rbc8+ {with a draw as the king has nowhere to hide.} ) 40.Rc8+ ( {Here} 40.Rhh8 {just pushes the black king towards the white pawns (or the white king).} 40...Kc5 ) 40...Kb5 41.Rh7 d4 {With the cruel intention to turn this pawn into a queen by force. This requires desperate measures by the French GM.} 42.Rg8 $1 Re2+ ( {Once more} 42...Rxg8 $2 43.Kxf2 {is plain wrong for Black.} ) 43.Kf1 ( {Similar was} 43.Kd1 Rgf2 ) 43...Rgf2+ 44.Kg1 Rf4 ( {A quicker win was} 44...Rc2 45.Rxf7 Rfe2 46.Kh1 d3 47.Rd7 d2 48.f7 Re1+ 49.Rg1 Rcc1 {(MVL)} ) 45.Rxf7 Rxe5 {More and more pawns leave the stage. But this does not relief White's problems. His king is weak, constantly in danger of getting mated, the d-pawn is a monster and the black rooks are doing whatever they want.} 46.Rc7 {Trying an attack again.} ( {Here's an eternal mating threat:} 46.Rd8 $4 Rg5+ 47.Kh2 Rh4# ) ( {MVL would be happy to get rid of the d-passer at once. However, after} 46.Rd7 {some neat intermediate moves allow Carlsen a chance to win a pawn with} 46...Kc6 $1 47.Rxd4 ( 47.Rgd8 $4 Rg5+ ) 47...Rxd4 48.f7 Rf5 49.f8=Q Rd1+ $1 ( {Not the immediate} 49...Rxf8 50.Rxf8 ) 50.Kg2 Rd2+ 51.Kg3 Rxf8 52.Rxf8 Rxb2 {when Black should be able to convert.} ) 46...Rxf6 ( {MVL mentioned} 46...d3 {here.} ) 47.Rb8+ Ka6 ( {The black should be careful too} 47...Ka4 $4 48.Rc4# ) 48.Rc6+ Ka7 49.Rg8 Rf7 $1 {Saveguarding the king. There is also a threat-put the rook behind the d-pawn and push it.} 50.Rg6 ( {After} 50.Rd6 Re1+ 51.Kg2 e5 {the pawn duo should win.} ) 50...Re1+ {Chasing the king to a dangerous position.} 51.Kg2 d3 52.Rd6 Re2+ 53.Kh3 d2 ( {Also interesting was} 53...Re3+ 54.Rg3 ( 54.Kg4 e5 {intending Rf7-f4-d4} ) 54...Rh7+ 55.Kg2 Re2+ 56.Kg1 d2 57.Rgd3 Rc7 58.Rxd2 Rc1+ 59.Rd1 Rxd1+ 60.Rxd1 Rxb2 {but these makes White's life is easier and} 61.a3 {might well be a draw.} ) 54.Rg8 Kb7 $1 {"At this point I was about to give up but then I saw there were some chances. Not even some chances, probably major chances." (Carlsen)} 55.Rgd8 {Finally the d-pawn leaves the board. Two more left and the draw will be there.} ( 55.b3 Kc7 ) 55...d1=Q ( 55...Rff2 $2 {allows perpetual} 56.R8d7+ ) 56.Rxd1 Rxb2 57.Re1 {Trying to reduce the material to the max.} ( {Perhaps White should have at least for once tried to defend passively with} 57.R1d2 Rxd2 58.Rxd2 Kc6 {Would he hold, is another question.} ) 57...Rf6 58.Rd6 Rxa2 59.Kg3 ( {Instead} 59.Rdxe6 Rxe6 60.Rxe6 Rb2 {is a tablebase win for Black.} ) ( {However} 59.Rb1+ Kc7 60.Ra6 {would have kept reasonable drawing chances for White.} ) 59...Rb2 60.Re5 Rb3+ $1 {One more of those little nasty checks that somehow miraculously turn White's position into a hopeless one. No sourcery here; the king is simply pushed backwards.} ( 60...a4 $5 ) 61.Kg2 ( {If} 61.Kg4 Rg6+ 62.Kh5 Rg8 63.Rg5 Rh3+ {forces a win after} 64.Kg4 Rxg5+ 65.Kxg5 a4 ) 61...a4 62.Ra5 a3 {And since the white king is on the second rank, Carlsen will manage to push the a-passer far enough.} 63.Rda6 Rff3 64.Ra7+ ( {After} 64.Rxe6 {Black wins with} 64...Rfc3 65.Re2 Kc6 {followed by Rb3-b2.} ) 64...Kc6 65.R7a6+ Kd7 {One more king dance.} 66.Ra7+ Kd6 67.R7a6+ Ke7 68.Re5 Rfc3 $1 {A beautiful final touch of a brilliant game.} ( 68...Rf6 69.Re2 {is less convincing.} ) 69.Rexe6+ Kd7 70.Kf2 ( {Nothing helps, although Black still has to be very careful:} 70.Re2 Kc7 ( {But not} 70...Rb2 $2 71.Rxb2 axb2 72.Rb6 ) 71.Re7+ ( {If} 71.Ra4 Rc6 ( {But not} 71...Rb2 $2 72.Rxb2 axb2 73.Rb4 ) 72.Rf2 Kb7 73.Rf7+ Kb6 74.Ra8 Rc2+ 75.Rf2 Kb7 76.Ra4 Rcb2 $1 ( {Once again avoiding a reef} 76...Rxf2+ 77.Kxf2 Rb2+ 78.Ke3 a2 79.Kd3 {with a draw.} ) 77.Kf1 Kb6 78.Rf6+ Kb5 79.Ra8 ( 79.Rfa6 Ra2 $1 ) 79...Rc3 $1 {and wins.} ) 71...Kb8 72.Re2 Rc7 $1 ) 70...Rb2+ 71.Re2 Rh3 $1 ( {Very nice, even though} 71...Kc7 $1 {would have also won.} ) 72.Kg2 ( {Since} 72.Rxb2 axb2 73.Rb6 {loses to the tactical shot} 73...Rh1 $1 74.Rxb2 Rh2+ ) 72...Rxe2+ 73.Kxh3 a2 74.Kg3 Kc7 {The king's last dance. Triumphal.} 75.Kf3 Kb7 76.Ra4 Rh2 77.Ke3 Kb6 78.Kd3 Kb5 79.Ra8 Kb4 ( {White resigned as the king will support the passer after} 79...Kb4 80.Rb8+ Ka3 81.Ra8+ Kb2 82.Rb8+ Kc1 83.Ra8 Kb1 84.Rb8+ Rb2 {All the black pieces did a tremendous job. Rubinstein would have enjoyed the spectacle!} ) 0-1

[Event "51st GM 2018"]
[Site "Biel SUI"]
[Date "2018.07.24"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[ECO "A04"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8249424220167"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5 4.e3 Nf6 5.d4 e4 6.Ne5 ( {Earlier this year the French GM held the world champion after} 6.d5 exf3 7.dxc6 fxg2 8.cxd7+ Bxd7 9.Bxg2 g6 10.b3 Bg7 11.Qd6 Qb6 12.Qxb6 axb6 13.Bb2 Bc6 14.O-O Ke7 15.Nd5+ Bxd5 16.cxd5 Rhg8 {Carlsen,M (2843)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2789), Grenke/ Baden-Baden 2018 which I annotated as well.} ) 6...g6 7.g4 {Vachier-Lagrave remembered that he had looked at this move in the past and thought that leads to rich play, but could not remember much of his analyzes during the game.} 7...h6 8.Bg2 Bg7 9.h3 $1 {The novelty. The idea is to keep all the options open. It certainly poses a ton of practical problems for both the players.} ( 9.h4 cxd4 10.exd4 d5 11.g5 hxg5 12.hxg5 Rxh1+ 13.Bxh1 Nh5 14.cxd5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Bxe5 16.Qa4+ Kf8 17.Qxe4 Qe7 {was the sharp course of the game Movsesian,S (2699) -Ponomariov,R (2743) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013} ) 9...Qe7 ( 9...O-O ) 10.b3 $1 cxd4 ( {Mamedyarov revealed one of his key ideas in the post mortem. If} 10...Nb4 11.a3 Na6 {with the strong threat d7-d6 White prepared the fantastic:} 12.O-O $1 d6 13.f4 $1 O-O 14.Ra2 $1 {Followed by Ra2-f2 with an attack for the piece. "Computer says 0.00 but I like it."} ) ( {The capture of the central pawn} 10...Nxe5 11.dxe5 Qxe5 12.Bb2 O-O 13.Rb1 Qe7 14.h4 {leads to bad position according to Mamedyarov.} ) ( {Vachier-Lagrave did not consider} 10...d6 {seriously as it loses a tempo. White is better after} 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Qc2 ( {Or} 12.O-O ) ) ( 10...Nd8 11.O-O d6 12.f4 {would be similar as the last line.} ) 11.exd4 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Qxe5 13.Bb2 d5 ( {On} 13...O-O {Black did not like} 14.Qd2 {For example} 14...Re8 ( {And} 14...e3 15.Qxe3 Qxe3+ 16.fxe3 {leads to clear edge for White in the endgame.} ) 15.Nd5 {when the queen sacrifice is forced} 15...Qxb2 16.Qxb2 Nxd5 17.Qc1 Bxa1 18.Qxa1 Nf4 19.O-O {but not as sound as Carlsen's sacrifice against Navara.} ) 14.Qe2 $1 {MVL had missed this.} ( 14.Qd2 {can be met with} 14...dxc4 15.Nxe4 Qe6 16.O-O Nxe4 17.Bxe4 O-O ) 14...Qe7 ( {After} 14...d4 15.Nb5 ( 15.Nxe4 {(Mamedyarov) is also good as the d4 pawn will soon disappear from the board.} ) 15...O-O 16.Bxd4 Qf4 17.Qe3 {(MVL) Black is in very bad shape.} ) ( {Here} 14...dxc4 $2 {drops a piece due to the pin} 15.Nxe4 Qe6 16.Nxf6+ ) 15.cxd5 O-O 16.O-O {Simple and good. The e4-pawn went too far and White will win it in the coming moves.} ( {Mamedyarov also considered the long castle-} 16.O-O-O Qd6 ( 16...Bd7 ) ) 16...Re8 ( {After the game Vachier-Lagrave regretted that he did not follow his original intention:} 16...b6 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Qxe4 Qxe4 20.Bxe4 Bb7 {with chances to defend despite the pawn deficit.} ) ( 16...b6 17.Rad1 $5 {(MVL) intending d5-d6 is also strong for White.} ) 17.Rfe1 Bd7 ( {This was the last chance for} 17...b6 {when the forced line leads to a rook endgame:} 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Qxe4 Qxe4 21.Rxe4 Bb7 ( 21...Rxe4 22.Bxe4 Bb7 23.Rc1 Rd8 24.Rc7 Bxd5 25.Bxd5 Rxd5 26.Rxa7 {which players were inclined to consider more lost than draw for Black.} ) 22.Rd4 ) 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Qxe4 Qxe4 ( {Black could not find way to improve his pieces after} 20...Qf6 21.Qf3 ) 21.Bxe4 h5 {"A terrible move, based on oversight" (MVL)} ( {Black should have defended with} 21...b6 22.d6 Rac8 23.Bb7 Rcd8 ( {Or} 23...Rc2 24.Rxe8 Bxe8 25.Rd1 Bd7 26.a4 Rc3 27.Bd5 Kf8 ) 24.Rxe8 Bxe8 25.Re1 {although the French GM was not optimistic about his chances here neither.} ) 22.gxh5 gxh5 ( {Only here did Black realize that his active idea} 22...Re5 23.hxg6 Rg5+ 24.Kh2 Bxh3 {will be refuted with the zwischenzug} 25.f4 $1 {For example} ( 25.Kxh3 $4 Rh8# ) 25...Rh5 26.Kg3 fxg6 27.Bf3 {and White wins.} ) 23.h4 $1 {Fixes the pawn on a light square. The rest was easy for Mamedyarov.} 23...Rac8 24.Bf3 Rxe1+ 25.Rxe1 Kf6 ( {The passive defense will not help-} 25...Kg6 26.Kh2 {followed by Kh2-g3-h4 and then say Re1-g1-g5 would be soon over.} ) 26.d6 ( {Not the immediate} 26.Bxh5 Rh8 ) 26...b6 27.Re7 Rd8 28.Bxh5 Be6 29.Rxa7 Rxd6 30.Kg2 Rd8 31.Bf3 Ke5 32.Ra4 1-0

[Event "51st GM 2018"]
[Site "Biel SUI"]
[Date "2018.07.25"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Georgiadis, Nico"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2526"]
[BlackElo "2842"]
[ECO "C17"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[Beauty "5225788229155"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]

1.e4 e6 {Carlsen noticed that Georgiadis does not have any games in a particular line of the French defense and decided to test his opening knowledge there.} 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Ba5 6.b4 cxd4 7.Qg4 Kf8 8.Nb5 Bc7 {"A bluff." (Carlsen)} ( {Instead} 8...Bb6 {"I know this is the strongest move." (Georgiadis)} 9.Nf3 Nc6 10.Bb2 Nge7 11.Bd3 Ng6 12.Qg3 f6 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Nbxd4 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Kf7 {as in Inarkiev,E (2683)-Vallejo Pons,F (2705) Sochi 2017} ) 9.Qxd4 ( {The world champion knew a recent blitz game of Mamedyarov which went} 9.Qg3 Nc6 10.f4 a6 11.Nxc7 Qxc7 12.Bb2 Nge7 13.Bd3 Nf5 14.Qf2 {and apparently prepared something there, Fedoseev,V (2724) -Mamedyarov,S (2809) Moscow 2018} ) 9...Nc6 10.Qc5+ Nge7 11.Nxc7 Qxc7 12.Nf3 b6 13.Qd6 $5 {The bluff did not work well. It is even Georgadis who comes up with an interesting over-the-board novelty.} ( {It is interesting that players knew that the correct continuation is:} 13.Qc3 {"with advantage for White" (Carlsen)} 13...a6 14.Bd3 Bb7 15.Bf4 ( 15.O-O $5 ) 15...Rc8 16.O-O h6 17.Rfe1 {Van Haastert,E (2440)-Berelowitsch,A (2549) Belgium 2014} ) 13...Qxd6 14.exd6 Nf5 {The pawn is seemingly doomed, but White has foreseen this.} 15.Bf4 f6 16.g4 Nfd4 17.Nxd4 Nxd4 18.O-O-O e5 19.Rxd4 {All of this has been calculated by the young Swiss GM when he opted for the novelty. In return for the exchange he gets the bishop pair, a strong passer and piece activity. The rook on h8 looks particularly ugly.} ( {However, it made sense to postpone the capture for a move and use Carlsen's suggestion} 19.h3 $1 {which saves the important pawn. After} 19...Bb7 20.Rxd4 exd4 {White has full compensation for the exchange in many ways:} 21.Bb5 ( 21.Bg2 $5 ) ( 21.h4 $5 ) 21...a6 22.Bd7 Rd8 23.Be6 {with an interesting endgame ahead.} ) 19...exd4 20.Bb5 Bxg4 ( {Carlsen did not consider seriously the cementing move} 20...Be6 {as after} 21.Rd1 {followed by Rd1xd4 "White does not risk to lose."} ( {White can also save the g4 pawn, but not with} 21.h3 $6 g5 $1 22.Bg3 h5 ) ( {Better is to save it with} 21.g5 $5 ) ) 21.Re1 g5 {Opening some room for the pieces with tempo.} 22.Bg3 Rd8 {Missed by White.} ( {Georgiadis was hoping for} 22...h5 23.d7 Kf7 24.Re8 ( {Weaker is} 24.Bc7 Be6 ) 24...Raxe8 25.dxe8=Q+ Rxe8 26.Bxe8+ Kxe8 {with a draw in the opposite-colored bishop endgame.} ) 23.Re7 h5 ( 23...Rg8 {leads Black nowhere after} 24.Rxh7 Rg7 25.Rh8+ Rg8 26.Rh7 ) 24.h4 gxh4 25.Bf4 ( {The other way to defend was} 25.Bxh4 Rxd6 26.Rxa7 {but then White parts with his main asset.} ) 25...Bf5 {Brining the kingside rook out.} ( {Carlsen did not like this move and suggested instead} 25...a5 $5 {to clear he seventh rank out of his pawns, thus not allowing White too many passers. The arising lines are extremely interesting. Most logical seems to bring the king out:} 26.Kd2 {when after the sequence} ( {not} 26.Bd3 Rd7 ) 26...Bf5 27.bxa5 bxa5 28.Bd3 Bxd3 29.Kxd3 Re8 30.Rb7 h3 {both sides have dangerous passers. Play may continue:} 31.Kxd4 $1 Re4+ 32.Kc5 $3 ( {But not} 32.Kxd5 {when Black has a study-like win:} 32...Rxf4 33.d7 ( {If} 33.Rb8+ Kg7 34.Rxh8 Rf5+ $1 {The neatest solution.} ( 34...h2 $1 35.Rxh5 Rf5+ {would also do.} ) 35.Kd4 h2 36.d7 h1=Q 37.d8=Q Qd1+ 38.Kc3 Rc5+ {and mate comes soon.} ) 33...Ke7 34.d8=Q+ Kxd8 35.Rb8+ Kd7 36.Rxh8 Rf5+ $1 37.Ke4 h2 {and the pawn queens.} ) 32...Rxf4 ( {Objectively best is:} 32...Rc4+ 33.Kb5 Rxf4 34.Rb8+ Kf7 35.Rxh8 Ke6 36.Rxh5 Rxf2 37.Rxh3 Kxd6 {when Black preserves winning chances.} ) 33.Rb8+ Kf7 ( {Here} 33...Kg7 $2 34.Rxh8 Rc4+ 35.Kxd5 Rxc2 36.Rxh5 {is awkward for Black.} ) 34.Rxh8 Rc4+ 35.Kxd5 Rxc2 36.d7 h2 {and it all ends peacefully after} 37.Rxh5 Rxf2 38.Rh7+ Kg6 39.Rh8 Rd2+ 40.Kc6 Rc2+ ) 26.Rxa7 Rh7 ( {The computer suggestion} 26...Rc8 27.a4 Rxc2+ 28.Kd1 {makes little sense for a human being. The d6 passer is left almost on its own. Is the pawn on c2 worth the journey?} ) 27.Rc7 Bd7 {A critical moment of the game. Although Georgiadis was in time-trouble already and Carlsen had more than an hour on his clock, it is the world champion who misses an important detail.} ( {From afar Black calculated} 27...Rxc7 28.dxc7 Ra8 29.a4 Ke7 30.Bc6 Rh8 {(rook anywhere)} 31.a5 ( {Carlsen's intuition did not fail him. White indeed wins here with the precise:} 31.b5 $1 {when} 31...Bd7 {is met with} 32.Bxd5 ) 31...bxa5 32.bxa5 {and thought he should be winning with} ( {Then it dawned to him that} 32.b5 $1 {is in fact better and he might even lose the game. It might however be still a draw after} 32...Bd7 33.Bb7 Bxb5 34.c8=Q Rxc8 35.Bxc8 d3 {as there are almost no white pawns left alive.} ) 32...Bc8 ) ( {On} 27...h3 28.Kd2 {should not change much.} ) ( {The big question is if Black was winning after:} 27...Kg8 {which intends Rh7-g7. A possible line is:} 28.Bc6 Rg7 29.a4 ( {But not the other way round} 29.Bxd5+ Kh8 30.a4 $4 Rxc7 31.dxc7 Rxd5 ) 29...Rg1+ 30.Kd2 Kh8 31.Bxd5 Ra1 32.Re7 {Prepared Bf4-h6.} ( 32.Bh6 Rxd6 ) 32...Rxa4 33.Bh6 h3 34.Bg7+ Kh7 35.Bxf6+ Kg6 36.Be5 Rc8 37.Bb3 Rxb4 38.Rg7+ Kh6 39.Rf7 {Nothing is clear here neither, but the unsafe position of the black king and the limited material on the board should be objectively enough for the first player to survive.} ) 28.Bc6 $1 {This is what Carlsen missed.} 28...h3 ( {It is too late to revert to the previous line} 28...Bf5 29.a4 ) 29.Kd2 ( 29.a4 Rg7 30.Bh6 Bxc6 31.Rxg7 {should also suffice for a draw.} ) 29...Rg7 {Forcing matters.} ( {After} 29...h2 30.Bxh2 Rg7 31.Bxd5 {the bishops are at least not worse than the rooks.} ) 30.Bh6 Bxc6 31.Rxg7 Rxd6 32.Rg5+ $1 {Another neat move by the Swiss GM.} ( {Black was hoping to push after} 32.Rg3+ Kf7 33.Rxh3 Kg6 34.Bf4 Re6 {It is the more or less the same position as the game except that the h5 pawn is still alive. And} 35.Kd3 $2 {is not good to} 35...Bb5+ 36.Kxd4 Re4+ {(Carlsen)} ) 32...Kf7 33.Rxh5 Bb5 ( {Black cannot keep the h3 passer alive-} 33...Bd7 34.Bf4 Rc6 35.Rh7+ Ke8 36.Rh8+ Ke7 37.Rh7+ Kd8 38.Rh8+ ) 34.Rxh3 Re6 35.Rf3 {The opposite-colored bishops determine the draw outcome, but Carlsen keeps on trying to squeeze water from stone.} 35...Kg6 36.Bf4 Rc6 37.Bg3 Rc4 38.Rd3 Kf5 39.Rf3+ Ke6 40.Rd3 f5 41.f3 f4 ( {Or} 41...Ba4 42.c3 ) 42.Bf2 Ke5 43.c3 {One more pair of pawns is traded as well as the rooks. Many people would have accepted the draw now, but the world champion found one more resource.} 43...Rc6 $1 44.Rxd4 Rh6 45.Kc1 ( {There was another way to the peace:} 45.c4 Bxc4 46.Rxf4 Rh2 47.Ke3 Rxf2 48.Rxc4 Rxf3+ 49.Kxf3 dxc4 50.a4 {(Carlsen) For instance:} 50...Kd4 51.Ke2 c3 52.a5 bxa5 53.bxa5 Kc5 54.a6 Kb6 55.Kd3 ) 45...Rh3 46.Rd2 Rxf3 47.Bd4+ Ke4 48.Kb2 Rd3 49.Rxd3 Kxd3 50.Bxb6 Ba4 ( {Unfortunately for Black, he cannot win the bishop and save his last pawn from the trade at the same time. For example:} 50...Ke2 51.Kb3 f3 52.a4 Bc4+ 53.Kc2 f2 54.Bxf2 Kxf2 55.b5 Ke3 56.b6 Ba6 57.Kb3 ( {But not} 57.c4 d4 $1 ) 57...Ke4 58.Kb4 Kd3 59.Kc5 ( {Or} 59.a5 Kd2 60.Kc5 Kxc3 61.Kxd5 ) 59...Bb7 60.a5 Kxc3 61.a6 ( {The pawn endgame is also a draw:} 61.Kb5 d4 62.a6 Bxa6+ 63.Kxa6 d3 64.b7 d2 65.b8=Q d1=Q ) 61...Bxa6 62.Kxd5 ) 51.Ba7 f3 52.Bg1 Kd2 ( {If} 52...Ke2 53.c4 dxc4 54.Kc3 Bb5 55.a4 ) 53.Ba7 $1 ( {"The only thing White should avoid is"} 53.Bd4 Ke2 54.c4 Kd3 $1 {(Carlsen) although even this is a draw after} 55.Bf2 dxc4 56.Kc1 Ke2 57.Bg1 f2 58.Bxf2 Kxf2 59.Kd2 ) 53...Bd1 54.Bc5 Ba4 55.Ba7 Ke2 56.c4 d4 57.Bxd4 Kd3 58.Ba7 Kxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "51st GM 2018"]
[Site "Biel SUI"]
[Date "2018.07.26"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Georgiadis, Nico"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2526"]
[ECO "A18"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7902874045447"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 Qxf6 7.Nf3 Nc6 8.d4 e5 9.Be2 exd4 10.Bg5 Qg6 11.O-O Be7 ( {According to Vachier-Lagrave} 11...dxc3 {which happened in a recent game is more interesting, for example} 12.Bd3 Qd6 13.Re1+ Be7 {as in Dubov,D (2701)-Nakamura,H (2787) Moscow 2018. "But it is a draw," added the Frenchman.} ) 12.Bd3 {A novelty, which improves on an earlier game.} ( {After} 12.Bxe7 Nxe7 13.cxd4 O-O 14.Bd3 Qf6 15.Qc2 h6 16.Rab1 {White also got a better position in Foglieni,M (2021) -Fantinel,T (2429) Bratto 2016} ) 12...Qd6 ( 12...Qh5 {"is too dangerous for Black" (MVL). The French GM continued the line with} 13.Bxe7 Nxe7 14.Re1 {but was not exactly sure what he would do after} 14...dxc3 {Most likely it would be:} 15.Qa4+ ( 15.Rb1 $5 ) 15...Bd7 16.Qb4 Be6 17.Re5 Qh6 18.Qb5+ c6 19.Qxb7 {with strong initiative.} ) 13.Bxe7 Nxe7 ( {White seriously considered the odd-looking} 13...Kxe7 14.Re1+ Be6 {when} 15.c5 $1 {is strong:} 15...Qxc5 16.cxd4 Nxd4 17.Rc1 {For example} 17...Nxf3+ 18.Qxf3 Qd6 19.Qxb7 Rhc8 20.Qe4 g6 21.Rc6 Qd7 22.Qb4+ Kf6 23.Qc3+ Ke7 24.Bb5 $1 {and White wins.} ) 14.cxd4 O-O 15.Re1 {"This is just slightly better for White, a very unpleasant position." (MVL)} 15...b6 ( {On} 15...Bf5 16.c5 Qd8 ( {Not} 16...Qd7 $2 17.Rxe7 ) ( {But Vachier-Lagrave considered seriously the pawn sacrifice} 16...Qf6 17.Rxe7 ( {Now} 17.Ne5 {does not yield White much after} 17...Rad8 18.Bc4 Ng6 ) 17...Bxd3 18.Rxc7 Be4 19.Ne5 {White is a pawn up, but a strong bishop can sometimes compensate for it.} ( {Georgiadis also calculated this line, but missed the little tactics} 19.d5 $2 Bxd5 {from afar.} 20.Qxd5 $4 Qxa1+ ) ) 17.Bc4 {White preserves the advantage.} ) 16.c5 Qf6 ( 16...bxc5 {"is a more serious try" (MVL) when} 17.dxc5 Qxc5 {Here} 18.Re5 {was the forcing line that Vachier-Lagrave considered seriously, but at the end of it} ( {Georgiades apparently wanted to avoid the endgame after} 18.Rc1 Qd6 19.Bxh7+ Kxh7 20.Qxd6 cxd6 21.Rxe7 Kg6 {The less pieces (and pawns) the higher the drawing chances in my opinion, but apparently Black did not like to defend this.} ) 18...Qd6 19.Be4 Ng6 20.Rb5 Qxd1+ 21.Rxd1 {The rook is trapped and} 21...Ba6 22.Ra5 {is a double attack, but Black has a defense:} 22...Rad8 ( {Or even} 22...Be2 23.Re1 Bxf3 24.Bxf3 Rae8 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.g3 {although this is definitely big advantage for White thanks to the better minor piece.} ) ) 17.Be4 c6 {A blunder, although the alternative wasn't much better.} ( {If} 17...Rb8 18.Ne5 ( {Or} 18.Qa4 ) ) 18.cxb6 axb6 19.Qb1 {The double attack nets White a pawn.} 19...Bf5 20.Qxb6 Bxe4 21.Rxe4 Qd6 {A good decision according to Vachier-Lagrave.} ( {On} 21...Nd5 {White intended to consolidate with} 22.Qc5 Rfb8 ( {There is also the cute line} 22...Qg6 23.Rae1 Rxa2 24.Qxf8+ Kxf8 25.Re8# {(MVL)} ) 23.Qc2 ) 22.Qc5 Qxc5 23.dxc5 Nd5 {Next White consolidates his position.} 24.a4 g6 25.g3 Rfb8 26.Rc4 Ra6 27.Nd4 Rb2 28.Ra3 Kg7 29.Rd3 Ne7 ( 29...Nf6 {was mandatory according to White when} 30.Rb3 Ra2 31.Rb7 R2xa4 {loses to} ( 31...Kg8 {is not completely clear.} ) 32.Rxa4 Rxa4 33.Ne6+ {(MVL)} ) 30.Nf3 Nd5 ( {If} 30...Ra2 31.Rd7 ) ( {However} 30...Ra7 {was a decent defensive try when} 31.Ne5 Ra2 32.Rd6 ( {Therefore White needs to play for a win with something like} 32.Rdd4 ) 32...R2xa4 33.Rxa4 Rxa4 34.Nxc6 Nxc6 35.Rxc6 {should be a draw.} ) 31.Ne5 Rb4 ( {Here} 31...Nf6 {is met with} 32.Rd6 ) 32.Rxb4 Nxb4 33.Rd7 Kg8 ( {If} 33...Kf6 34.Nxf7 Rxa4 35.Nd8 {an White gets closer.} ) 34.Nxf7 Ra5 ( {White should also win after} 34...Rxa4 35.Ng5 h6 36.Nf7 h5 37.Ng5 Ra1+ 38.Kg2 Rc1 39.Ne6 ) 35.Ng5 Rxc5 $2 {This hangs a rook but the position was lost anyway.} ( 35...Rxa4 36.Rxh7 {also wins.} ) 36.Rd8+ Kg7 37.Ne6+ 1-0

[Event "51st GM 2018"]
[Site "Biel SUI"]
[Date "2018.07.27"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Beauty "8250632175625"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nb4 6.Bc4 Nd3+ 7.Ke2 Nf4+ 8.Kf1 Ne6 9.d3 ( {Both games in Georgia went} 9.h4 {One of them was decisive for the match and continued} 9...Nd4 10.d3 e6 11.Bf4 a6 12.Nxd4 cxd4 13.Ne2 Nc6 14.a3 Bd6 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.Qd2 Bd7 17.f4 e5 18.f5 g6 {as was annotated here on Chess. com; Svidler,P (2751)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2804) Tbilisi 2017} ) 9...Nc6 ( {According to Svidler there is nothing wrong with} 9...g6 10.h4 h5 {The Russian GM in fact was astonished that his opponent never used the idea in none of their three games.} ) 10.h4 g6 11.h5 ( {A predecessor saw:} 11.Be3 Ned4 12.Nd5 Bg7 13.Nxd4 Bxd4 14.h5 Bxe3 15.Nxe3 g5 {Krassowizkij,J (2452) -Clitan,Z (2115) Ditzingen 2017} ) 11...Bg7 12.Be3 ( {In the press conference players briefly discusses another way to improve, the clever} 12.Qd2 $1 {The idea is to trade everything along the h-file and sneak into the black camp via the h6 square. After} 12...Ne5 ( {Perhaps Black needs to proceed with the development with} 12...Bd7 13.hxg6 {and agree to worsen his pawn structure} 13...fxg6 ( {As} 13...hxg6 $6 14.Rxh8+ Bxh8 15.Qh6 Bg7 16.Qh7 {is excellent for the first player.} ) ) 13.Nxe5 ( {Or the immediate} 13.hxg6 ) 13...Bxe5 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.Rxh8+ Bxh8 16.Qh6 Bg7 17.Qh7 {the plan is fulfilled and White is definitely better.} ) ( {White avoided the natural-looking} 12.h6 Bd4 13.Nxd4 Nexd4 {"which only developes the black pieces" (Svidler)} ) ( {Also interesting was} 12.Nd5 $5 Ned4 13.h6 Be5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Bf4 {which they both liked a lot for White, although things might not be that clear after} 15...f6 ) 12...Ned4 13.h6 ( {Nothing yields} 13.Nb5 Nxf3 14.Qxf3 Ne5 ) 13...Bf6 14.Nd5 Bg4 15.Nxf6+ exf6 16.Bxd4 Nxd4 ( {Both players saw the tricky:} 16...Bxf3 17.Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 18.Qb3+ Ke8 {when Vachier-Lagrave believed that best is:} 19.Qe6+ $1 ( {Whereas Svidler was tempted by} 19.Bxc5 Bg4 20.Qxb7 Bd7 {although it seems as Black can hold his position together in this line.} ) 19...Qe7 20.Qxe7+ Nxe7 21.Bxf6 Rf8 22.Bxe7 Kxe7 23.gxf3 Rxf3 {with winning chances for White.} ) 17.Qa4+ Qd7 ( {Black did not want to play the position after} 17...Bd7 18.Qa3 Qe7 ( {Although MVL was seriously investigating the line} 18...b5 19.Bd5 $1 ( 19.Nxd4 bxc4 {seems to work well for Black.} ) 19...b4 20.Qa6 Bb5 {Hoping to trap the white queen. Unfortunately for him} 21.Qb7 {creates a double threat and} 21...Bxd3+ {can be met with the key move} 22.Ke1 $1 {Prevents the trade of the queens and wins material for White after say} ( {Worse is} 22.Kg1 Ne2+ 23.Kh2 Qb8+ {and Black saves everything.} ) 22...O-O 23.Nxd4 cxd4 24.Qxa8 {and White should win.} ) 19.Nxd4 cxd4 20.Qb3 {With the queens on, White should be better.} ) ( {Svidler expected} 17...Ke7 18.Nxd4 Qxd4 19.Qb3 {but Vachier-Lagrave calculated that he will lose a pawn after} 19...Rab8 ( {It seems as Svidler's intuition was correct though as Black has the strong resource} 19...b5 $1 {When White cannot capture anything:} 20.Bxf7 $2 {drops a piece to} ( 20.Qxb5 $2 {leads to decisive attack for Black after} 20...Rhb8 21.Qc6 Rxb2 ) ( {And} 20.Bxb5 a6 21.Bc4 Rhb8 22.Qc3 Rxb2 23.Qxd4 cxd4 {regains the pawn with advantage for Black.} ) ( {Best would be} 20.Bd5 Be6 21.Bxe6 fxe6 {with equality as} 22.Qxb5 $2 Rhb8 {does not work again.} ) 20...c4 ) 20.Bxf7 Rhd8 21.Bd5 {and dismissed the line.} ) 18.Qxd7+ Bxd7 19.Nxd4 cxd4 20.e5 ( {Correct was} 20.Ke2 Ke7 21.Rhc1 Rhc8 22.Bd5 ( 22.a4 f5 ) 22...Be6 {(MVL, Svidler) with a likely draw.} ) 20...fxe5 21.Re1 f6 22.f4 Rf8 23.Kg1 Ke7 24.fxe5 f5 25.Rh4 f4 ( {White was hoping to torture his opponent in the line:} 25...Be6 26.Bxe6 Kxe6 27.Rxd4 Rfd8 ) 26.Re4 g5 27.Rh5 ( 27.Rh1 Rf5 28.Kf2 Bc6 {is clearly better for Black.} ) 27...Rf5 {Missed by Svidler. Now he thought for about twenty minutes in order to repair the damage. However...} 28.g4 ( {Perhaps White should have tried} 28.Rxd4 Rxe5 29.Rd5 Rxd5 30.Bxd5 Kf6 31.Bxb7 Rb8 32.Be4 Bf5 {although Black's edge is indisputable here.} ) 28...fxg3 29.Rg4 Raf8 30.Rhxg5 {Svidler realized that he had missed something else, a mate...} ( {From afar the Russian GM thought that he forces a draw with} 30.Rgxg5 Rf1+ 31.Kg2 {but spotted at the last moment that} 31...R1f2+ $1 {is a forced mate-} 32.Kxg3 ( 32.Kg1 Bc6 $1 33.Rxg3 Rf1+ 34.Kh2 Rh1# ) 32...R8f3+ 33.Kh4 Rh3# ) ( {Neither does} 30.Rxg3 {help after} 30...Bc6 31.Rgxg5 Rf1+ 32.Kh2 R8f2+ 33.Kg3 ( {Or} 33.Kh3 Rh1+ 34.Kg3 Rg2+ 35.Kf4 Rf1# ) 33...Rg2+ 34.Kh4 Rh1# ) 30...Rf1+ 31.Kg2 Bc6+ ( {White resigned due to} 31...Bc6+ 32.Kxg3 Rg1+ ( 32...R8f3+ {would also do as White needs to part with the rook in order to avoid mate:} 33.Kh2 R3f2+ 34.Kh3 ( 34.Rg2 ) 34...Rh1+ 35.Kg3 Rg2+ 36.Kf4 Rf1# ) 33.Kh2 Rh1+ 34.Kg3 Rf3+ 35.Kg2 Rxd3+ 36.Kf2 {And now the rook returns to f3 with the following maneuver:} 36...Rd2+ 37.Kg3 Rg2+ 38.Kf4 Rf2+ 39.Kg3 Rf3+ {to win the bishop as well.} 40.Kg2 Rc3+ ) 0-1

[Event "51st GM 2018"]
[Site "Biel SUI"]
[Date "2018.07.29"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "E10"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[Beauty "5979689189896"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.e3 c5 5.Nc3 a6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Be2 Nc6 8.O-O cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bd6 ( {Navara did not like} 9...Bc5 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Qa4 ) 10.b3 ( {Instead} 10.Nf3 O-O 11.b3 Be6 12.Bb2 Qe7 13.Qd3 Rfd8 14.Rac1 Ne5 15.Qd4 {was the course of the game Grigoriants,S (2563)-Matlakov,M (2694) Tallinn 2016} ) 10...Be5 11.Nxc6 {A novelty.} ( 11.Ba3 Nxd4 12.exd4 Bd6 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Bf3 {Biljanic,L (2322)-Todorovic, N (2100) Nis 2013} ) 11...bxc6 12.Bb2 h5 ( {Black can also play something normal like} 12...O-O ) ( {or} 12...Bf5 {with a typical, slightly better position for White thanks to the isolated pair of pawns on c6 and d5.} ) 13.f4 $1 Bb8 ( {From afar Navara calculated the line} 13...Bd6 14.Na4 Ng4 15.Qd4 ( {but then he saw both} 15.Qc1 $1 ) ( {and} 15.Qc2 $1 {which are very unpleasant for Black to say the least.} ) 15...Qh4 16.h3 Qg3 17.hxg4 hxg4 18.Qxg7 Rh2 {The Czech GM thought that at least he is not losing here. Indeed,} 19.Qg8+ $2 {would be mate to the white king after} ( {However White can fight for the advantage with the only move:} 19.Rf2 Qh4 20.Qh8+ Qxh8 21.Bxh8 Rxh8 ) 19...Bf8 20.Bf3 Qh4 ) 14.Na4 Ba7 15.Bd4 {Now Mamedyarov fixes the isolated pawns and also his advantage.} 15...Bg4 16.Bxg4 hxg4 17.Rc1 Qd6 18.Qc2 ( 18.Nc5 $5 {was also interesting.} ) 18...Bxd4 19.exd4 O-O $1 {The best way to part with the pawn.} ( {On} 19...Rc8 20.Rfe1+ Ne4 {White has the tactical resource} 21.Nb6 Rc7 22.Nxd5 $1 ) 20.Qxc6 Qa3 21.Qc2 Rac8 22.Qb2 Qxb2 23.Nxb2 {Navara believed that he has enough compensation for a pawn here but this is hardly the case.} 23...Rxc1 ( {The Czech GM suggested instead:} 23...Rfe8 {when something passive like} 24.Rxc8 ( {However} 24.Nd3 {makes things much harder for Black and in order to stay in the game he has to find some non-trivial resources:} 24...Rxc1 25.Rxc1 Re2 26.Nb4 a5 27.Rc2 Re1+ 28.Kf2 g3+ $1 29.hxg3 ( {Of course not} 29.Kxe1 $4 gxh2 ) 29...Re4 30.Nd3 Ng4+ {although White's chances are superior here as well.} ) 24...Rxc8 25.Nd3 Rc3 26.Rd1 a5 {would indeed promise Black compensation.} ) 24.Rxc1 Re8 25.Kf1 $1 {Missed by Black. Mamedyarov sacrifices the pawn back but increases the activity of his pieces and maintains the better pawn structure. His queenside potential passers are particularly dangerous.} ( {He was probably hoping for either} 25.Na4 Re2 ) ( {or} 25.Rc2 g3 $1 26.hxg3 Ng4 27.Nd3 Re4 {when things are not clear at all.} ) 25...Re4 26.g3 Rxd4 27.Ke2 g5 ( {Navara regretted that he did not do this a move later:} 27...Re4+ 28.Kd3 g5 29.fxg5 Nd7 {when Nd7-e5 comes with a tempo.} ) 28.fxg5 ( {Back was also worried about} 28.Rc6 {but hoped he can survive after the tactical line:} 28...Ne4 29.Nd3 gxf4 30.gxf4 g3 31.hxg3 Nxg3+ {"when I do not lose material at once" (Navara). If} 32.Ke3 ( {Best is} 32.Kd2 Kg7 {when Navara foresaw the trick:} 33.Rxa6 $2 ( {However} 33.b4 $1 {preserves White's winning chances.} ) 33...Ne4+ 34.Ke3 Rxd3+ 35.Kxd3 Nc5+ 36.Kd4 Nxa6 37.a4 {with a draw.} ) 32...Re4+ ) 28...Ne4 29.Nd3 Nxg5 30.Nf2 $1 {Also missed by Navara. The knight is working perfectly from here.} 30...Rb4 31.Rc5 ( {Here stronger was:} 31.Rc6 $1 {when Black cannot save all his pawns:} 31...Ne4 ( {Or} 31...a5 32.Ra6 Rb5 33.Nxg4 ) 32.Rxa6 Nxf2 33.Kxf2 {in comparison to the game White is a valuable tempo ahead.} ) 31...Ne4 {The best chance is the rook endgame. Very often the weaker side can save themselves down a pawn or even two.} 32.Ra5 Nxf2 33.Kxf2 Rb6 34.Rxd5 Rh6 35.Ke3 $1 {Excellent decision. Rook endgames are never won with passive play.} ( {After} 35.Kg2 Rc6 36.Rd2 Rc3 {(Navara) Black should indeed survive.} ) 35...Rxh2 36.Ra5 f5 37.Rxa6 Rg2 38.Kf4 Rf2+ 39.Kg5 Rf3 40.Kh4 $1 {Keeping the things together on the kingside and gaining time to advance the passers on the other wing. With careful play White should win now.} 40...Kf7 41.b4 Ke7 42.b5 Kd7 43.Ra7+ Kd6 44.Rf7 Rf2 45.b6 Rxa2 46.Rxf5 Rb2 47.Rh5 ( {Mamedyarov could have won faster with the simple} 47.Kxg4 Ke7 48.Kh5 Rxb6 49.g4 Rb8 50.g5 {(Navara). The pawn has passed the equator and the frontal defense does not work:} 50...Rh8+ 51.Kg6 Rg8+ 52.Kh6 Rh8+ 53.Kg7 ) 47...Rb4 48.Rh8 Ke5 49.Rb8 Kf6 50.Kh5 Kg7 51.Kg5 {White is winning here as well (unless the tablebase will prove me wrong), but he has to be careful for some things. In particular, he should never push his pawn to the seventh rank as then even if he wins the g-pawn it will be a theoretical draw.} 51...Kf7 52.Rb7+ Ke8 53.Kh4 Kf8 54.Kh5 Ke8 55.Rb8+ Kf7 56.Kg5 Kg7 57.Rb7+ Kf8 58.Kf6 Ke8 59.Rb8+ ( {Easier would have been} 59.Re7+ Kf8 ( 59...Kd8 60.b7 ) 60.Rf7+ Kg8 61.Rb7 Rb3 62.Kg6 Kf8 63.Rf7+ Ke8 64.b7 {When Black cannot avoid the rook trade after:} 64...Rb6+ 65.Kg7 Kd8 66.b8=Q+ Rxb8 67.Rf8+ Kc7 68.Rxb8 Kxb8 69.Kf6 ) 59...Kd7 60.Kg5 Kc6 61.Kh5 Re4 62.Rg8 Kxb6 63.Rxg4 Re3 64.Rg7 Kc6 65.g4 Kd6 66.g5 Ke6 67.Kg6 Rg3 68.Ra7 1-0

[Event "51st GM 2018"]
[Site "Biel SUI"]
[Date "2018.07.31"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2842"]
[ECO "E65"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6601096305674"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O 5.Nc3 d6 6.Nf3 c5 7.O-O Nc6 8.e3 {A rare line.} ( {The symmetrical position after} 8.dxc5 dxc5 9.Bf4 Nd4 {is allowing White a chance to play for a win without much risk, but with not too may chances either, Matlakov,M (2718)-Jones,G (2640) Wijk aan Zee 2018} ) ( {The main line runs} 8.d5 Na5 9.Nd2 {as Carlsen has played recently:} 9...a6 10.Rb1 Rb8 11.b3 b5 {Carlsen,M (2853)-Nakamura,H (2787) chess.com INT 2016} ) 8...d5 $1 {"Very good move." (Mamedyarov) "White just has to look for equality there." (Carlsen)} ( {Another top game saw fascinating action after:} 8...Bd7 9.b3 cxd4 10.exd4 a6 11.a4 Rc8 12.Re1 d5 13.c5 Bg4 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 e6 16.Rb1 Nxd4 17.Qxd4 Ne4 18.Rxe4 Bxd4 19.Rxd4 Qf6 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2721) -Wang,H (2735) Beijing 2013} ) 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Ne5 Qd6 {The main point behind the timely d6-d5 is that White cannot include his dark-squared bishop into the action. Had the central pawn remained on its initial position White would have had a chance to trade on c6 followed by Bc1-f4! with a tempo. Now, the bishop simply suffers.} 12.Nc4 ( {In a predecessor Black quickly got the initiative after:} 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.dxc5 Qxc5 14.Qf3 Ba6 {Mader,L (1880) -Caliebe,N (1427) Erfurt 2017} ) 12...Qc7 13.d5 ( 13.dxc5 Rd8 14.Qa4 Bf5 {is excellent for Black thanks to his strong bishops.} ) 13...Rd8 {Here and on the next move Black could have played Nc6-e5 if he "wanted draw" (Mamedyarov)} ( 13...Ne5 ) 14.Bd2 Nb4 {"I am not burning bridges yet, I still have a very safe position." (Carlsen)} ( 14...Ne5 ) 15.Bxb4 cxb4 16.Rc1 a5 {The black bishop pair can be a huge asset whenever the game opens, but for the time being Carlsen needs to finish the queenside development.} 17.a3 bxa3 18.bxa3 a4 19.Qd3 Bf5 {"A massive, massive oversight" (Carlsen)} ( {Instead the world champion suggested} 19...Bd7 20.d6 exd6 21.Ne5 {"I guess Black is marginally better, although it should be drawish" (Carlsen)} ) ( {Or} 19...Ra6 $5 {to which he did not like} 20.Rb1 $6 {with the same idea as in the game} ( 20.Qb1 {might be better} 20...Bd7 21.Rfd1 ) 20...Bd7 ( {However, it seems as Carlsen have missed the strong maneuver} 20...Rc6 $1 21.Rfc1 Rc5 {followed by b7-b5 and Black takes over the initiative.} ) 21.d6 ) 20.e4 Bd7 21.Qe3 {Missed by the world champion. "Maybe I just overestimated my position." (Carlsen)} 21...Ra6 22.e5 $1 {The central pawn mass comes into motion and the black pieces cannot co-ordinate themselves.} 22...b5 23.d6 Qb8 24.dxe7 Re8 25.Rfd1 Rxe7 26.Qc5 Qf8 ( {From afar Black missed} 26...Rae6 27.Bd5 {"with a win" (Carlsen), for example} 27...Rxe5 28.Nxe5 Rxe5 29.Bxf7+ $1 ) ( {"Maybe I should have played"} 26...Qd8 {(Carlsen) But then there is} 27.Qxb5 $1 {(Mamedyarov)} ) ( {Perhaps Carlsen had to go into passive defense with} 26...Bf8 ) 27.Ne3 $1 {Missed by Carlsen. "Then I am completely busted." The threat Ne3-d5 forces Black to give up a pawn.} 27...Be6 28.Qxb5 Raa7 29.Nd5 Bxd5 30.Rxd5 Reb7 31.Qd3 Rb8 32.h4 ( 32.f4 $5 ) 32...Qe8 33.Qd4 Qe7 34.f4 Bf8 35.Kh2 {It is not only the extra pawn which makes White's positon so good. Look at the powerful centralization that he has!} 35...Rab7 36.Qxa4 {Safe approach, especially in respect to the tournament situation. A draw would be most likely enough for Mamedyarov for the overall win, therefore he takes away any risk.} ( {Objectively he would do better to keep the queens on the board. Strong was:} 36.Rd6 $1 {heading for an attack with the opposite-colored bishops. For example:} 36...Rc7 ( {Or} 36...Rb2 37.Kh3 $1 {when the f7 pawn will be soon reached-} 37...Ra2 38.Bd5 Rxa3 39.Rf6 ) 37.Rxc7 Qxc7 38.Rc6 Qe7 ( {If Black keeps the a4 pawn} 38...Qa5 $1 {then} 39.e6 fxe6 40.Qd7 Qf5 41.Rc7 {with decisive attack.} ) 39.Bd5 Qxa3 40.Bxf7+ {The attack should decide.} ) 36...Qxa3 37.Qxa3 Bxa3 38.Rcd1 {A nasty endgame for Black occurred. Without the rooks the opponents will immediately agree to a draw. With them, White will organize threats against the black king.} 38...Be7 39.Kh3 Rc7 ( {Normally Black will be happy to trade as many pawns on the kingside as possible, but} 39...h5 {exposes the h5 pawn after} 40.f5 gxf5 41.Rf1 ) 40.h5 $1 {The way that Mamedyarov mounts pressure during the game is impressive.} 40...gxh5 {Trading the pawn, which could have come to h6 with mating threats.} ( {After} 40...g5 41.Rd7 Rxd7 42.Rxd7 Kf8 {there is} 43.f5 $1 ) ( 40...Kf8 {was passive defense was the other way to try and hold.} ) 41.f5 f6 42.e6 Rb3 ( 42...Kf8 $5 ) 43.Rd7 Rbc3 44.Ra1 Kg7 ( {The trade is impossible-} 44...Rxd7 45.exd7 Rd3 46.Ra8+ Kg7 47.Bc6 Rd6 48.Ba4 Rd4 49.Re8 Kf7 50.Bb3+ ) 45.Ra8 Kh6 46.Re8 Bb4 {It is not clear how can White improve further. If the bishop can find a good spot, he would be winning, but it is not easy.} 47.Rb8 ( {If} 47.Rh8 Be7 48.Be4 h4 $1 {with the idea} 49.Kxh4 Rxd7 50.exd7 Rc4 {with a draw.} ) 47...Be7 48.Be4 R3c4 49.Bd5 R4c5 50.Be4 Rc4 51.Bd5 R4c5 52.Rb7 Rxd7 {Now he can.} 53.Rxd7 Ra5 54.Bc6 ( {The rook endgame after} 54.Rxe7 Rxd5 55.Rf7 Rxf5 56.e7 Re5 57.Rxf6+ {is a draw.} ) 54...Ba3 55.Rf7 {So far Carlsen had defended perfectly and came very close to he draw.} 55...Re5 ( {Black should have gone for} 55...Rxf5 56.e7 Bxe7 57.Rxe7 Rc5 58.Bf3 f5 {and during the post mortem the players were not sure about the evaluation, but Carlsen believed it should be draw.} ) 56.Kh4 $1 {Depriving the black king of the g5 square. "I realized, that was it" (Carlsen)} ( 56.Rxf6+ {was the only move the world champion was calculating and it should be defendable after} 56...Kg5 57.Rf7 Bd6 ) 56...Bc1 $2 {Only this is the crucial mistake. Apparently, Carlsen dismissed the position a tad too early.} ( {The line} 56...Re2 57.Rxf6+ Kg7 58.Rf7+ Kh6 59.g4 Rh2+ 60.Kg3 {should win for White.} ) ( {However,after} 56...Bc5 $1 57.Rxf6+ Kg7 58.Rf7+ Kh6 59.Bf3 ( {It is important that White cannot bring his pawns into motion:} 59.Bd7 Bd6 60.f6 Kg6 ) 59...Be3 {followed by Be3-g5+ Black seems to build sort of a fortress. For example} 60.g4 ( {Or} 60.Bd1 Bg5+ 61.Kh3 Re3 62.Kg2 h4 ) 60...Bg5+ 61.Kg3 h4+ 62.Kg2 Re3 {The draw seems the correct result here.} ) ( 56...Bb4 $1 {is similar to 56...Bc5.} ) 57.e7 1-0

[Event "46th GM 2018"]
[Site "Dortmund GER"]
[Date "2018.07.14"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2018.07.14"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[Beauty "5086956750344"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bf5 {A Chinese specialty. This line has been played by aces like Wei Yi, Li Chao and Ni Hua. The reigning women's world champion Ju Wenjun has also used the line.} 7.O-O Be7 8.Re1 O-O 9.Nc3 {Not the main line, but Nepomniachtchi had already played it before.} ( {The main continuation is} 9.c4 {and after} 9...Nc6 10.cxd5 Qxd5 11.Nc3 {here a couple of examples of the modern practice:} 11...Nxc3 12.bxc3 Rae8 13.Bf4 Bxd3 ( {or} 13...Bd8 14.c4 Qd7 15.Bxf5 Qxf5 16.Qd2 Na5 17.Rec1 $5 {as in Anand,V (2776)-Li,C (2728) Sochi 2017} ) 14.Qxd3 Bd6 {with slight advantage for White in Anand,V (2767)-Wei,Y (2743) Wijk aan Zee 2018} ) ( {The second main option is} 9.Nbd2 {which avoids the doubling of the pawns. However, this move allows the retreat} 9...Nd6 {when Black is happy to trade his less active bishop for the strong counterpart on d3. After} 10.Nf1 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 c6 {the position is approximately equal, Salem,A (2642)-Yu,Y (2760) chess. com INT 2018} ) 9...Nxc3 10.bxc3 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 Nc6 ( {The aforementioned game of Nepomniachtchi saw} 11...Nd7 12.Rb1 ( {but White can try} 12.c4 $5 ) ( {or} 12.a4 $5 ) 12...Nb6 13.Qf5 Re8 14.Bg5 f6 15.Bf4 Bd6 16.Rxe8+ Qxe8 17.Bxd6 cxd6 18.Qf4 {1/2-1/2 (18) Nepomniachtchi,I (2751)-Jobava,B (2687) Tbilisi 2017} ) 12.Re2 a6 13.Bf4 ( 13.c4 dxc4 14.Qxc4 Qd6 ) 13...Qd7 ( {It looks logical to proceed with} 13...b5 {to block the doubled pawn comletely after Nc6-a5-c4, but Black is not prepared for this and} 14.a4 Rb8 15.axb5 axb5 16.Ra6 {will give White the initiative.} ) 14.Rae1 Rfe8 15.h4 {A novelty. White wants to use the control of the open file to create kingside threats.} ( {This improves on} 15.g3 h6 16.h4 Bd6 17.Bxd6 Rxe2 18.Rxe2 Qxd6 {with equality, Malinovsky,K (2396)-Brecka,I (2323) Czechia 2013} ) 15...h6 {This stops Nf3-g5 for good.} ( {The obvious} 15...Bd6 {to swap off the rooks would be met with} 16.Ng5 g6 17.Bxd6 Rxe2 ( {Or} 17...cxd6 18.h5 ) 18.Qxe2 Qxd6 19.h5 {with initiative on the kingside.} ) 16.Qe3 {As a result, White took control of the open e-file. The question is if he will manage to convert it into something tangible.} 16...b5 ( {The rooks are definitely better than the queen after} 16...Ba3 17.Qxe8+ Rxe8 18.Rxe8+ Kh7 ) 17.h5 {Intending Nf3-h2, followed by Qe3-g3 with a double attack against both the h6 and c7 pawns.} 17...Rac8 $1 {Giri anticipates White's plans.} 18.Nh2 b4 ( {White still has all the play after} 18...Bf8 19.Qxe8 Rxe8 20.Rxe8 Nd8 21.Bg3 $1 ( {This is even better than the immediate gain of a pawn after} 21.R1e7 Qxe7 22.Rxe7 Bxe7 23.Bxc7 Ne6 ) ) 19.Qg3 {First round, very solid opponent, risk-free position... Nepomnichtchi plays safe.} ( {More enterprising would have been} 19.Bxh6 $5 gxh6 20.Qxh6 Bf8 21.Qg5+ Kh8 22.Ng4 {with full compensation for the piece. Apparently both players believed that} 22...Rxe2 23.Rxe2 f6 $1 24.Nxf6 Qg7 25.Qf5 Ne7 26.Qe5 Ng8 {should be good enough for Black to hold.} ) 19...Bd6 20.Ng4 $1 {Setting up a trap.} ( 20.Rxe8+ {is innocuous after} 20...Rxe8 21.Rxe8+ Qxe8 22.Bxd6 cxd6 23.Qxd6 Qe1+ 24.Nf1 Qxc3 ) 20...Kh8 {Rejected!} ( {Instead} 20...Bxf4 $4 {would have lost to} 21.Nf6+ $1 Kh8 22.Qxf4 gxf6 23.Qxh6+ Kg8 24.Re3 $1 Rxe3 25.Rxe3 ) 21.Rxe8+ {Perhaps White cashed out his advantage a tad too soon.} ( {There was an argument for} 21.Bxd6 {with the main idea} 21...cxd6 ( {Better is} 21...Rxe2 22.Rxe2 cxd6 23.Qf4 {although Black still needs to be careful. For instance} 23...bxc3 $2 {allows once again} ( {Stronger would be} 23...Kh7 $1 {although White retains the initiative after} 24.Ne3 ) 24.Nxh6 $1 ) 22.Ne3 $1 ) 21...Rxe8 22.Rxe8+ Qxe8 23.Bxd6 cxd6 24.Qxd6 Qe1+ 25.Kh2 Qe6 $1 {A key defensive idea which Giri obviously planned in advance.} ( {This time} 25...Qxc3 $2 {would have put Black in an awkward situation after} 26.Qf8+ Kh7 27.Qxf7 Qxd4 28.f4 {as the black king is too loose.} ) 26.Qf8+ ( 26.Qxe6 fxe6 27.cxb4 Nxb4 {is equal.} ) 26...Kh7 27.Ne3 bxc3 28.Qc5 {The end of the forcing line leaves some advantage for White, but reduced the material, which brings Black closer to the draw.} 28...Qf6 29.Qxc3 ( {The other way of playing it was} 29.Qxd5 Nxd4 30.Kg1 Ne2+ 31.Kf1 Nf4 32.Qe4+ Kg8 33.g4 ) 29...Qxf2 30.Qxc6 Qf4+ $1 {Another important intermediate check.} ( {Giri is correctly avoiding} 30...Qxe3 31.Qxd5 Qf2 32.Qe4+ f5 ( 32...Kg8 33.d5 ) 33.Qe5 {with good winning chances for White.} ) 31.g3 {The only way to keep the play going.} ( {As} 31.Kh1 Qxe3 32.Qxd5 Qe1+ {is perpetual check.} ) 31...Qxe3 32.Qxd5 Qf2+ 33.Kh3 ( {Or} 33.Qg2 Qxd4 ) 33...Qxc2 {Good enough for the point to be split, but some practical problems remain.} ( {Even better was} 33...f5 {to limit the white king. There is no way to avoid the draw, for example:} 34.c4 Qf1+ 35.Kh4 Qf2 36.Kh3 Qf1+ 37.Qg2 Qd1 $1 ) 34.Qxf7 Qc8+ 35.Kg2 Qc2+ 36.Qf2 Qe4+ 37.Kg1 {White retained an extra pawn, but the centralized black queen saves him.} 37...a5 {Intending to push that pawn all the way to a3.} 38.a4 Kg8 39.Qa2+ Kf8 40.Qc4 Qg4 {The time control move made Black's task more difficult.} ( {Better was} 40...Qe3+ 41.Kg2 Qe4+ 42.Kf2 Qf5+ 43.Ke3 Qxh5 {when the draw is close.} ) 41.Qc5+ Kg8 42.Qd5+ Kh7 43.Kf2 Qd1 44.Qe4+ Kg8 45.Qe6+ ( {It is too early for} 45.d5 Qxh5 46.Ke3 Qg5+ 47.Kd4 Qxg3 48.Kc5 Qc7+ {and Black survives.} ) 45...Kh7 46.d5 Qxa4 $2 {The tough grinding brings fruits.} ( {A couple of more intermediate checks were required to save the game:} 46...Qd2+ $1 47.Kf3 Qd1+ 48.Ke4 Qxa4+ 49.Ke5 Qa1+ 50.Kd6 {The white king is there to help the passer, but Black now has one on his own-} 50...a4 {and it should be a draw.} ) 47.d6 Qc2+ 48.Kf3 $2 {Inexplicable! Nepomniachtchi gives away the fruits that he patiently planted.} ( {White would have won with} 48.Ke3 $1 Qc3+ ( {There is no time to advance the pawn} 48...a4 49.Qg6+ $1 Qxg6 50.hxg6+ Kxg6 51.d7 ) 49.Ke4 Qe1+ ( {Or} 49...Qc6+ 50.Qd5 Qa4+ 51.Ke5 {and White should win.} ) ( {If} 49...Qc2+ 50.Kd4 $1 {would be good.} ( {But not} 50.Kd5 Qb3+ $1 {when the white king is sticking to his queen and can't let it go.} ) 50...Qd2+ 51.Kc5 ) 50.Kd5 Qd2+ 51.Kc6 Qc2+ 52.Kd7 {The white king is save and his pawn is faster. For a move, but one move means the world in chess-} 52...a4 53.Qg6+ Qxg6 54.hxg6+ Kxg6 55.Ke6 a3 56.d7 a2 57.d8=Q a1=Q 58.Qd3+ Kh5 59.Qf3+ Kg6 60.Qf5# ) 48...Qd3+ {The white king can no longer help the passer and it all ends peacefully.} 49.Kg2 ( {Since} 49.Kf4 Qf1+ ( 49...Qd2+ {would also do.} ) 50.Ke5 Qe2+ 51.Kd5 Qa2+ {forces perpetual.} ) 49...Qc2+ 50.Kh3 Qc6 51.Qf5+ Kg8 52.d7 Qd6 53.Kh2 a4 54.Qg4 Kf7 55.Qxa4 Ke7 {Well calculated till the draw endgame.} ( {The computer does not want to give up the pawn and suggests instead:} 55...Qd2+ 56.Kh3 Qd5 ) 56.Qe4+ Kxd7 57.Qg4+ Ke8 58.Qxg7 Qd2+ 59.Kh3 Qd7+ 60.Qg4 ( {The pawn endgame after} 60.Qxd7+ Kxd7 61.Kg4 Ke6 62.Kf4 Kf6 63.g4 Ke6 64.Ke4 Kf6 {is a textbook draw.} ) 60...Kd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "46th GM 2018"]
[Site "Dortmund GER"]
[Date "2018.07.15"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2672"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "B52"]
[EventDate "2018.07.14"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7976156922377"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ {According to my Megabase, this is the first time that Nisipeanu uses the Moscow line.} 3...Bd7 {The most solid choice.} ( {Perhaps Nisipeanu spent the major part of his preparation on} 3...Nd7 {which is what the Polish GM used in his latest games.} ) 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.O-O Nf6 6.Re1 ( {Duda faced previously} 6.Qe2 Nc6 7.c3 e6 8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 10.e5 Ne4 11.Be3 Be7 12.Ne1 f6 13.f3 Ng5 14.Nd3 Nf7 15.f4 O-O 16.Nd2 Rac8 {Zawadzka,J (2391)-Duda,J (2539) Lublin 2013} ) 6...Nc6 7.c3 e6 8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 {Getting into a French type of position but without the potentially bad bishop on c8. White, on his turn,is enjoying extra space.} 10.e5 Ng8 ( {The knight can be posted more actively as well:} 10...Ne4 11.Nbd2 Nxd2 12.Bxd2 Be7 13.Rc1 O-O 14.Rc3 Rfc8 15.h4 Bd8 {as in the recent game Nakamura,H (2769) -Grischuk,A (2766) Paris 2018} ) 11.a3 Nge7 12.Nc3 h5 {An important move which secures control on some valuable outposts.} ( 12...Nf5 13.g4 $5 ) 13.Bg5 Nf5 14.Rc1 {Occupying the open file and thus producing a novelty.} 14...Be7 {Equalizing in full.} 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Qd3 {With the threat Nc3xd5.} ( {The other idea was} 16.Ne2 O-O-O 17.b4 Kb8 18.Qd2 Qd7 19.b5 Nce7 {when Black is also OK.} ) 16...O-O-O {The king is relatively safe on the queenside. At the same time Black is ready to push his g-pawn asap.} ( 16...O-O $2 {allows the trick} 17.Nxd5 ) ( {Whereas} 16...g6 17.b4 {is playable but does not offer too many prospects to Black.} 17...O-O 18.Ne2 Rac8 {with approximate equality in Lagerman,R (2354) -Gunnarsson,J (2437) Reykjavik 2008} ) 17.Na4 Kb8 18.Nc5 ( {It was not too late for} 18.b4 $1 {with the idea to meet} 18...g5 {with} ( 18...Rc8 {is equal. and now either} 19.b5 ( {or} 19.Nc5 g5 20.b5 Na5 21.Nd2 ) 19...Na5 {In both cases White chases away one of the black knights from the center and the game will remain balanced.} ) 19.b5 Na5 20.b6 a6 21.Rc7 Rd7 22.Rec1 Nc4 23.Nc5 $1 {with advantage for White. For example:} 23...Rxc7 24.bxc7+ Kxc7 ( 24...Qxc7 25.Rb1 ) 25.Nd2 Nxd2 ( 25...b5 26.Nxa6+ ) 26.Qxd2 Kb8 27.Rb1 ) 18...g5 19.Rc3 {Nisipeanu must have miscalculated somewhere.} ( {This was the last moment to go for} 19.b4 g4 20.b5 Na5 ( {There is no} 20...gxf3 $2 21.bxc6 b6 ( 21...bxc6 22.Rb1+ Ka8 23.Rb7 ) 22.c7+ $1 ) 21.Nd2 {Black is good, but White has not much to complain of neither.} ) 19...g4 {Snatching the most important central pawn.} 20.Nd2 Ncxd4 21.Rec1 Rc8 ( 21...h4 22.Ndb3 Nxb3 23.Nxb3 Rc8 {was also possible.} ) 22.Nf1 Rc6 ( {On} 22...h4 23.Ne3 ) 23.Ng3 Ka8 $1 ( {Avoiding any discovered attack tricks like} 23...Rhc8 24.Nxf5 Nxf5 25.Na6+ ) 24.Nxf5 Nxf5 25.b4 ( {More stubborn was} 25.Nb3 Rxc3 26.Qxc3 {at least holding the open c-file in control.} ) 25...Rhc8 26.a4 b6 27.Nb3 Rxc3 {Simple play. Duda will either win the open file or trade all the major pieces, which is equally good for him.} 28.Rxc3 Rxc3 29.Qxc3 Kb7 30.a5 ( {The most resilient} 30.b5 Qc7 31.Qxc7+ Kxc7 32.Kf1 Kd7 {should also lose slowly for White.} ) 30...Qd7 $1 ( {Avoiding even the slightest glimpse of hope after} 30...Qc7 31.a6+ Kb8 32.Qxc7+ Kxc7 33.b5 {when the black queenside pawns are vulnerable.} ) 31.Nd4 Nxd4 32.Qxd4 {Either the queens will be traded after} 32...Qc7 33.g3 Qc1+ 34.Kg2 Qc4 {or the Black pawns will come into motion in case of} 35.Qb2 d4 0-1

[Event "46th GM 2018"]
[Site "Dortmund GER"]
[Date "2018.07.17"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Kovalev, Vladislav"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[ECO "B29"]
[EventDate "2018.07.14"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "146"]
[Beauty "5640407750179"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nc3 e6 ( {The other main line is} 4...Nxc3 5.dxc3 ) 5.Nxd5 exd5 6.d4 Nc6 7.c3 {A simple way of gaining small advantage.} ( {Giri avoids the gambit after} 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.Qxd5 d6 9.exd6 Qb6 10.Qe4+ Be6 11.Qh4 f6 ( 11...Bf5 $6 12.Bc4 O-O 13.O-O Bxc2 14.Bf4 Qxb2 $2 15.Rac1 $1 Ba3 16.Rfe1 Bg6 17.Rcd1 Bc5 18.Bb3 Bb6 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.Bxe5 Qa3 21.d7 {and White won in Doggers,P (2189)-Afek,Y (2387) Tilburg 2003} ) 12.Bc4 $6 Bxf2+ $1 13.Qxf2 Bxc4 14.b3 Qxf2+ 15.Kxf2 Bf7 16.c4 Kd7 17.Ba3 a5 18.Nd2 Rhe8 {and Black held the draw in the blitz game Anand,V (2759) -Mamedyarov,S (2808) Paris 2018} ) 7...cxd4 ( {Or} 7...d6 8.Bb5 Be7 ( 8...c4 $6 {also led to advantage for White after} 9.O-O Be7 10.b3 cxb3 11.exd6 Qxd6 12.axb3 Qc7 13.Re1 Be6 14.Bg5 Bd6 15.c4 {in Polgar,J (2708)-Sikula,V (2550) /Hungary 2008/EXT 2009} ) 9.exd6 Bxd6 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Qe2+ Be6 12.Be3 Bxe3 13.Qxe3 {with favorable version of the isolated central pawn for White, Salgado Lopez,I (2615)-Kantans, T (2514) Reykjavik 2015} ) 8.Nxd4 d6 ( {The acceptance of the pawn sacrifice after} 8...Nxe5 9.Bf4 d6 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Qb3 Nc6 12.Qxd5 Qf6 13.g3 Rc8 14.O-O-O {led to advantage for White in Korneev,O (2649)-Recuero Guerra,D (2315)/ Dos Hermanas 2006/CBM 111 ext} ) 9.Bb5 Bd7 ( 9...Qc7 10.exd6 Bxd6 11.Qe2+ {is unpleasant for Black.} ) 10.exd6 Bxd6 11.O-O O-O 12.Nb3 {A novelty. Technically speaking the game shifted into the French Tarrasch line. White has the standard minimal advantage thanks to the black isolated pawn.} ( 12.f4 {is dubious:} 12...Re8 13.Kh1 Bf8 ( {Instead Black would be more than fine after} 13...Nxd4 14.Bxd7 Qxd7 15.Qxd4 Qb5 ) 14.Nf3 Bg4 15.h3 Bf5 16.Ne5 {and Black was good in Repa, J-Lukic,L Winnipeg 1997} ) 12...a6 13.Be2 Qc7 14.h3 ( 14.g3 Rfe8 ) 14...Rfe8 15.Re1 Re5 {Not only doubling the rooks on the open file but setting a small trap in the process.} 16.Be3 ( {The obvious} 16.Bf4 $2 {would lose material after} 16...Rxe2 $1 ) ( {On} 16.Bf3 {Black would most likely react as in the game with} 16...Rae8 ) 16...Rae8 17.Bd3 {Patiently stopping Black's initiative.} ( {The bishop would be more aggressive on the long diagonal. However} 17.Bf3 {is more susceptible to attacks, for example} 17...Ne7 18.Qd2 Nf5 {and if} 19.Bxd5 $2 Rxe3 $1 20.fxe3 Bh2+ 21.Kf2 ( 21.Kh1 Ng3+ 22.Kxh2 Nf1+ ) 21...Qg3+ 22.Kf1 Qh4 {leads to decisive attack for Black.} ) 17...g6 18.Qd2 Qd8 19.Nd4 ( {If} 19.Bh6 {both} 19...Qe7 ( {Or} 19...Qf6 {are good for Black.} ) ) 19...Nxd4 20.Bxd4 Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 22.Qxe1 {With careful play Giri prevented any activity along the open file and traded some pieces. For complete happiness he needs to swap off the queens and the dark-squared bishops.} 22...Qe8 23.Qd2 ( {Apparently the Dutch GM did not believe that he will have realistic winning chances after the immediate trade} 23.Qxe8+ Bxe8 {but this line was allowing his to grind as long as he likes without any risk of a loss.} ) 23...Be5 24.Be3 ( {After} 24.Bxe5 Qxe5 25.Qe2 {Black will certainly reject the second trade and activate the queen instead} 25...Qf4 ) 24...Qe6 25.f4 {Sooner or later this move will be needed. In the foreseeable future the f2 square can be used by the white queen. In the distant future, by the white king. Once the queens are gone, and there it goes all the way to d4 (or b6!)} 25...Bf6 26.a3 {Moving the pawn away from the possible d5-d4 threat.} ( {A concrete line in which this is important arises after} 26.Bc2 d4 27.Bxd4 Bxd4+ 28.Qxd4 Bc6 {The a2 pawn is hanging and} 29.Bb3 Qe1+ 30.Kh2 Qe2 31.Bd5 Qxb2 {leaves White no winning chances.} ) 26...h5 $1 {The pawn is heading to h4 from where it will allow chances for perpetual check, or may simply separate all the white pawns.} 27.Bc2 Bc6 28.Bf2 {White continues with preparation.} ( 28.Qf2 {bumps into} 28...Bh4 $1 ) 28...Qe7 29.Bd1 {Seemingly heading to f3.} ( 29.Bb3 {will be met with} 29...Qe4 ) 29...Qe6 30.Bc2 ( {Giri spotted the tactical refutation of} 30.Bf3 $2 d4 $1 31.Bxc6 dxc3 {and Black is already better.} ) 30...Qe7 31.Bb6 Qe6 32.Qf2 Qe8 33.Qd2 ( {Once more White cannot trade the dark-squared bishops without allowing any counterplay:} 33.Bd4 Bxd4 34.Qxd4 ( 34.cxd4 Qe7 {is equal as well.} ) 34...Qe1+ 35.Kh2 Qe2 {Black does not risk with the active queen. is good for Black, especially after} 36.Qd3 $6 Qf2 $1 ) 33...Qe6 34.Bc5 Qe8 35.Qd1 $2 {A blunder!} ( {It was not too late to trade the queens with} 35.Qe3 $1 Qxe3+ 36.Bxe3 {A separate question is how realistic White's winning chances are after} 36...h4 {But for sure he can never lose.} ) 35...d4 $1 {Kovalev seizes his chance! Suddenly, tables are turned. It will be White who has the isolated pawns.} 36.Qd2 ( {Both captures are bad. If} 36.Bxd4 $2 Bxd4+ 37.cxd4 ( {Or} 37.Qxd4 Qe1+ 38.Kh2 Qe2 ) 37...Qe3+ 38.Kh2 ( 38.Kh1 $2 Qxh3+ 39.Kg1 Qxg2# ) 38...Qxf4+ {with large advanatage for Black.} ) ( {And on} 36.cxd4 $2 Qe3+ 37.Kh2 {Black has a pleasant choice of swithing to the same line with} 37...Qxf4+ ( {And the domination after} 37...Bd5 $1 {when the white bishops are effectively excluded from the kingside.} ) ) 36...dxc3 37.bxc3 Qe6 {The problem is not only in the crippled white queenside structure. His king is weak as well.} 38.Bd4 Bxd4+ 39.cxd4 ( 39.Qxd4 $2 {loses on the spot due to the usual} 39...Qe1+ 40.Kh2 Qe2 ) 39...Qa2 40.Qc3 Qd5 41.Qd2 Qa2 42.Qc3 h4 {Time control is over and Black can play for two weaknesses. First is white's king, second-the outside passer that he can create in the coming moves.} 43.Kh1 ( {Similar is} 43.Kh2 Qd5 44.Qd2 a5 ) 43...a5 44.a4 $1 {The best practical chance.} ( 44.Qb3 {drops a pawn after} 44...Qa1+ ) ( {Passive defense would have lost slowly after} 44.Kh2 Qd5 45.Qd2 b5 ) 44...Qd5 {Good decision!} ( {Pure queen endgame offers lots of drawish opportunities after} 44...Bxa4 45.Bxa4 Qxa4 46.f5 $1 gxf5 47.Qc8+ Kg7 48.Qxf5 Qxd4 49.Qxa5 {as the black king is too weak.} ) 45.Qd2 b6 {But this is inaccurate due to a small detail.} ( {Correct was} 45...Kg7 $1 46.f5 gxf5 47.Qg5+ Kf8 48.Bxf5 Qxd4 49.Qh6+ Ke7 {with serious winning chances for Black.} ) 46.f5 $1 {Giri also grabs his chance.} 46...Kg7 {The only way to fight for the win.} ( {This time} 46...gxf5 $6 {doe snot work as well, as the black bishop is no longer defended in the line} 47.Qg5+ Kf8 48.Bxf5 Qxd4 49.Qh6+ Ke7 50.Qxc6 {True, Black is not losing even here neither and can force a draw with} 50...Qa1+ 51.Kh2 Qe5+ ) 47.fxg6 fxg6 48.Bd1 {The black king is weak now too and White can hope for a perpetual.} 48...Qf5 49.Kg1 Bd5 50.Bc2 Qf6 51.Qe3 g5 52.Bd3 Kh6 53.Bc2 {White is ready to build a battery along the b1-h7 diagonal, but this turns out not to be best.} ( 53.Be2 $1 {was better with the idea to trade the dominant black bishop. Then} 53...Qf4 ( 53...Kg7 54.Bf3 Bxf3 55.gxf3 {should end with perpetual sooner or later.} ) 54.Qe7 $1 Qxd4+ 55.Kh2 Qf4+ ( 55...Qf2 56.Qd6+ ) 56.Kh1 Qe4 57.Qf6+ {does not let the black king out.} ) 53...Kg7 54.Bd3 Kh6 55.Bc2 Qf4 $1 {Excellent play. The coming checks are harmless.} 56.Qd3 ( 56.Qxf4 gxf4 {is hopeless for White, as his opponent will soon create an outside passer.} ) 56...Kg7 57.Qg6+ Kf8 58.Qd3 {Sad but true. The queen is needed back home.} ( 58.Qxb6 $4 {leads to mate after} 58...Qe3+ 59.Kf1 ( 59.Kh1 Qxh3+ 60.Kg1 Qxg2# ) ( 59.Kh2 Qg3+ 60.Kg1 Qxg2# ) 59...Bc4+ ) 58...Kg7 59.Qg6+ Kf8 60.Qd3 Ke7 61.Bd1 Qe4 62.Qd2 Kd6 63.Bc2 ( 63.Qxg5 $2 Qxd4+ ) 63...Qf4 64.Qd3 Kc7 {The king escaped from the danger zone and Kovalev can start mounting pressure on the kingside.} 65.Qh7+ Kb8 66.Qd3 {This loses.} ( {Somewhat counterintuitive, the solution was to lose some tempos and force Black into his optimal defensive queenside position with} 66.Qh8+ Ka7 67.Qh7+ Bb7 68.Qd3 {However, without the bishop on d5 White will always have the d4-d5 resource to cut it away from the kingside. Say} 68...g4 69.hxg4 Qxg4 70.d5 $1 ) 66...g4 67.hxg4 Qxg4 68.Qg6 ( {Or} 68.Qd2 h3 69.Bd1 Qxg2+ 70.Qxg2 Bxg2 ) 68...Qxd4+ {Simple play.} ( 68...Qxg6 {should be also winning, but Kovalev already wants more. For example-} 69.Bxg6 b5 70.axb5 a4 71.Kh2 a3 72.Bb1 Kb7 73.Kh3 Kb6 74.Kxh4 Kxb5 {marching all the way to b2 looks convincing.} ) 69.Kh1 Bb7 {Final preparation before the "coup the grace."} ( {Of course not} 69...Qf2 $4 70.Qd6+ ) 70.Qe8+ Ka7 71.Bf5 Qd1+ 72.Kh2 Qd6+ 73.Kh1 ( 73.Kg1 Qc5+ ) 73...Qg3 ( 73...Qg3 {White resigned due to:} 74.Qe2 h3 ) 0-1

[Event "46th GM 2018"]
[Site "Dortmund GER"]
[Date "2018.07.18"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2018.07.14"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7904618874888"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4 5.Bg2 d6 6.O-O O-O 7.d3 Bxc3 8.bxc3 e4 9.Nd4 exd3 10.exd3 Nxd4 ( {Another of the Dortmund participants got the better position after} 10...Ne5 11.f4 Ng6 12.Rb1 c5 13.Nc2 Rb8 14.f5 {in Nepomniachtchi,I (2718)-Savchenko,B (2580) Sochi 2012} ) 11.cxd4 d5 12.Bg5 c6 {This logical move is a novelty.} ( {A predecessor saw Black suffering after:} 12...h6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.cxd5 Qxd4 15.Rc1 Bf5 16.Rxc7 b5 17.Qf3 Bxd3 18.Rd1 Qe5 19.d6 Be2 20.Qd5 Qf6 21.Re1 {and the white central passer proved to be very strong, Socko,B (2631)-Grigoriants,S (2589) Khanty-Mansiysk 2012} ) 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Qb3 {Sooner or later White will win the d5 pawn. The question is whether he can make use of the doubled pawns in the future.} 14...b6 15.Rae1 $1 {Kramnik keeps the pressure.} ( {The immediate pawn gain} 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Bxd5 {does not yield much to White after} 16...Bh3 17.Bxa8 Bxf1 ) ( {It seems more logical to place the other rook on the open file and leave the queenside rook prepare the advance of the a-pawn. However after} 15.Rfe1 Be6 16.Re5 Rc8 17.f4 Qd7 $1 {White can not advance the f-pawn and Black is good. Say} 18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.Re2 Rc7 ) 15...h6 {Duda gets rid of the annoying bishop.} ( {Here} 15...Be6 {will be met with} 16.Re5 Rc8 17.f4 {and White keeps the bind.} ) 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Re5 {Once again skillfully keeping the tension.} ( 17.Qxd5 {is not as convincing due to} 17...Be6 ( 17...Rb8 $5 {can be answered with} 18.Qe5 $1 Qxe5 19.dxe5 Rd8 20.Re3 ) 18.Qxa8 Rxa8 19.Bxa8 Qxd4 ) ( {If} 17.Bxd5 Bh3 18.Bg2 Bxg2 19.Kxg2 Qxd4 {with most likely draw.} ) 17...Be6 $1 {Provoking the next move and thus weakening the second rank.} ( {The other option was} 17...Bb7 $5 {when I suspect that Kramnik would have proceeded with the grinding with something like} 18.Rfe1 ( {Or he might have just grabbed the pawn at last:} 18.Bxd5 Bxd5 19.Qxd5 Rad8 20.Qe4 ) 18...Rac8 19.Qa3 a5 20.Qe7 Qxe7 21.Rxe7 Ba6 22.Bxd5 Bxd3 ) 18.f4 Rac8 19.Rfe1 ( {After} 19.f5 Bd7 20.Bxd5 Rfd8 21.Rfe1 {Black would be happy to trade the bishops with} 21...Bc6 ) ( {Again, the transition into a pure major piece endgame brings relief to Black, say} 19.Bxd5 Bxd5 20.Qxd5 Rcd8 21.Qe4 Qd6 22.d5 f6 23.Re7 Qxd5 24.Qxd5+ Rxd5 25.Rxa7 Rxd3 {with a draw.} ) 19...Rc7 {The rook is excellent on the open file, covering both the seventh rank and getting redy to counterattack along the second. Kramnik needs to make a decision.} 20.Bxd5 {Finally snatching the pawn.} 20...Bxd5 21.Qxd5 Rc2 {This is what the f2-f4 move was provoked for. But White now tries to make use of the weakened back rank.} 22.Re8 {With the threat to trade the rooks and checkmate on the back rank.} ( {Black is fine after} 22.Qb3 Rfc8 23.Re8+ Kh7 ) 22...Rc8 $2 {It worked. There was no need to retreat.} ( {Better were both g-pawn advances. For example} 22...g6 $1 23.Qd7 ( {Or} 23.Rxf8+ Kxf8 24.a4 Rd2 {with counterplay} ) 23...Rxa2 {and Black should be OK.} ) ( {Or even} 22...g5 $1 {and if} 23.f5 Rd2 {in both cases Duda has good chances of splitting the point.} ( {White also needs to be accurate and cannot afford too active play:} 23...Rc3 24.Qa8 $2 Qxd4+ 25.Kh1 Rxe8 26.Rxe8+ Kg7 ) ) 23.Qd7 Rd8 ( {Perhaps Black should have tried} 23...Rcxe8 24.Rxe8 Rxe8 25.Qxe8+ Kh7 26.Qe5 Qg6 27.Qe4 Kg8 $1 {although White has all the play after} 28.d5 ) 24.Rxd8 Qxd8 {Duda seeks drawing chances in the rook endgame, but it does not seem enough.} ( 24...Rxd8 25.Re8+ {would have transposed to the line from above.} ) 25.Re7 Qc8 ( 25...Qa8 $5 26.d5 $1 ) 26.Qxc8 Rxc8 27.Kf2 $1 {An active king is required in the endgame.} ( {One should not let the king to be cut after} 27.Rxa7 Rc2 ) 27...Kf8 ( {White should also win after} 27...a5 28.Ke3 b5 29.Ra7 a4 30.d5 Kf8 ( {Or} 30...Rc2 31.Ra8+ Kh7 32.d6 {and the pawn promotes.} ) 31.Kd4 Rc2 32.d6 ) 28.Rxa7 Rc2+ 29.Ke3 Rxh2 30.d5 {A solid extra pawn and active pieces is enough for the 14th world champion to convert his advantage.} 30...g5 31.f5 {Calm and patient.} ( 31.d6 {should suffice as well} 31...gxf4+ 32.gxf4 Ke8 33.Re7+ Kf8 34.a4 ) 31...f6 32.d6 Ke8 33.Kd4 h5 34.Kd5 b5 ( {If} 34...h4 35.g4 h3 36.Rh7 {and the passed h-pawn is not dangerous enough to worry White.} ) 35.Ke6 Re2+ 36.Kxf6 h4 37.Re7+ ( 37.Re7+ {Black resigned as he is getting mated:} 37...Rxe7 38.dxe7 hxg3 39.Ke6 g2 40.f6 g1=Q 41.f7# ) 1-0

[Event "46th GM 2018"]
[Site "Dortmund GER"]
[Date "2018.07.20"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2018.07.14"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7630412058134"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 {Quite a rare choice for the former world champion. Ever since his match against Garry Kasparov people are more or less accustomed to his Berlin.} 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Bc5 {Already a fresh position for Nepomniachtchi, who does not have much of experience in the Ruy Lopez. Kramnik had used the M\F8ller only once before, last year in an important game against Vishy Anand in Stavanger.} 6.c3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a4 {Forcing a concession.} 8...b4 ( {Black can also chose to give up the open file:} 8...Rb8 9.d4 Bb6 10.a5 Ba7 11.Be3 exd4 12.cxd4 Bg4 13.Qc1 {as in Yu,Y (2760)-Shankland,S (2671) Liaocheng 2018} ) 9.d4 Ba7 10.Bg5 {A novelty. Nepomniachtchi does not want to test his opponent's preparation.} ( {A predecessor saw White grabbing the pawn with:} 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Qxd8+ Nxd8 12.cxb4 {Zhao,Z (2567)-Paciencia, E (2440) Dresden 2008} ) 10...Rb8 {Moving the rook away from the dangerous diagonal.} ( 10...h6 {only helps White. After} 11.Bd5 Bb7 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.a5 O-O 14.Qa4 Nd8 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.Bxb7 Nxb7 17.cxb4 {White emerges a pawn ahead.} ) 11.Bd5 {Anyway. But Kramnik has something here too.} 11...Ne7 $1 12.dxe5 Nfxd5 ( {But not} 12...dxe5 13.Nxe5 Nexd5 14.Nc6 {and White wins.} ) 13.exd5 O-O 14.exd6 Qxd6 15.c4 Nf5 {This is the position that Black was heading for. For the pawn he has the bishop pair and active pieces. Once he opens the position with c7-c6 he will be able to control both central files, as well as the important diagonals.} 16.Nbd2 ( {Probably better was} 16.Qc1 {in order to support the bishop and keep it active after} 16...Bb7 17.Bf4 Qd7 ) 16...f6 17.Bh4 Qf4 {The most forcing continuation after which Kramnik will regain the pawn. But apparently, he missed an important detail.} ( {There were a lot of other tempting possibilities, like the immediate} 17...c6 18.dxc6 Qxc6 19.b3 Bb7 {with strong pressure along the diagonals.} ) ( {Also possible was} 17...Re8 ) ( {and even} 17...Nxh4 18.Nxh4 Bd7 {followed by c7-c6. In all cases Black would have had excellent compensation for a pawn.} ) 18.Bg3 Nxg3 19.hxg3 Qxg3 {It seems as White is in trouble and the threat Bc8-h3 will finish him off, but Nepomniachtchi saw the excellent...} 20.c5 $1 {Which locks the dark-squared bishop for a long time.} 20...Qg6 ( 20...Bxc5 $2 21.Ne4 {drops a piece.} ) 21.Rc1 {Now White's task is to permanently lock the bishop into its prison cell and throw the key into the deepest river. Or sea.} 21...Qf7 ( {The active} 21...Bh3 {plays into White hands as he is generally happy to trade pieces:} 22.Nh4 Qg4 23.Rc4 Qxd1 24.Rxd1 Bd7 {Now there are tempting possibilities: to keep the dark-squared bishop locked with} 25.b3 ( {or to restrain the light-squared bishop with} 25.c6 Bc8 26.Ne4 f5 27.Nc5 ) ) 22.Ne4 {Supporting the d-pawn.} ( {This is much better than} 22.Nb3 Rd8 23.d6 cxd6 24.Na5 {which may lead to peculiar draw after} 24...Bg4 $1 25.Nc6 Bxc5 26.Nxd8 Rxd8 27.Rxc5 Bxf3 28.gxf3 Qg6+ {with perpetual.} ) 22...Re8 ( {Here} 22...Rd8 23.d6 cxd6 24.Nxd6 {keeps the blockade.} ) 23.Re1 Bf5 24.Ng3 $1 {Another brilliant decision. Nepomniachtchi is ready to part with the excellent central pawn while maintaining control of the position.} ( {The obvious centralization} 24.Qd4 {gives Black time to regroup with} 24...Rbd8 25.d6 {and later free himself with timely exchanges in the center. For example:} 25...a5 ( 25...Bxe4 {might be also possible-} 26.Rxe4 cxd6 27.Rxe8+ Qxe8 28.Qd5+ Qf7 29.Qd2 ) 26.Nfd2 Bxe4 ( {Or} 26...Re5 27.Qc4 Qxc4 28.Nxc4 ) 27.Nxe4 h6 28.Qd3 f5 29.Qa6 fxe4 30.Qxa7 cxd6 31.Qxa5 dxc5 32.Qxc5 Rd2 {with a likely draw.} ) 24...Rxe1+ 25.Qxe1 Bg4 {Strangely enough, this makes Black's position more difficult.} ( {The pawn was in fact poisonous:} 25...Qxd5 26.Nxf5 Qxf5 27.Qe7 {as the white pieces do whatever they want. Say} 27...Rc8 ( {Or} 27...Qc8 28.Nd4 Qd8 29.Qe6+ Kh8 30.Nc6 {and wins.} ) 28.Nd4 Qe5 ( 28...Qg6 29.Qe6+ ) 29.Nc6 {and White wins material.} ) ( {However} 25...Bg6 $1 {was more stubborn, keeping control of the important e4 square.} ) 26.Qe4 $1 {Powerful centralization.} 26...h5 ( 26...Bxf3 27.Qxf3 {is exactly what White wants. He is practically a piece ahead.} ) 27.Nf5 Re8 28.Qd3 Bb8 ( {Notice that Black cannot free himself} 28...Qg6 $4 29.Ne7+ ) ( {Just like before} 28...Bxf5 29.Qxf5 {plays into White's hands.} ) 29.N3h4 {Surrounding the bishop.} 29...Be2 30.Qd2 Bg4 31.Ne3 {A neat move.} ( {In case of the immediate capture Black can get some play with} 31.Qxb4 a5 32.Qxa5 Qxd5 ) 31...Bd7 ( {Nothing changes} 31...Bc8 32.Qxb4 ) 32.Qxb4 a5 33.Qxa5 c6 34.d6 {Poor bishop. Kramnik has won a miryad of positional masterpieces, but today it is Nepomniachtchi who paints his masterpiece.} 34...Qb3 35.Qc3 Qxa4 36.Nhf5 Qe4 37.Ne7+ Kh8 38.Qb3 Rf8 39.Qc2 $1 Qxc2 40.Nxc2 Kh7 41.Nd4 1-0

[Event "46th GM 2018"]
[Site "Dortmund GER"]
[Date "2018.07.21"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "D05"]
[EventDate "2018.07.14"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[Beauty "6118604544008"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.Nf3 {It must have been hard for both players when chosing the opening. After all Giri was Kramnik's second in Berlin earlier this year.} 1...d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.d4 c5 4.Nbd2 e6 5.b3 cxd4 6.exd4 Bb4 ( {Kramnik faced another move recently:} 6...Nc6 7.Bb2 g6 8.Bb5 Bg7 9.O-O O-O 10.Re1 Qb6 11.a4 Bd7 12.c4 a6 13.Bxc6 Bxc6 14.c5 Qc7 15.b4 Ne4 16.Ne5 {with an unclear position, Kramnik, V (2811) -Nakamura,H (2793) Zuerich 2017} ) 7.Bb2 Ne4 8.Bd3 Nc6 9.O-O Bc3 10.Bxc3 Nxc3 11.Qe1 {Nothing new so far. Here Giri uncorkes a novelty.} 11...Nb4 {This knight is actually heading to the kingside.} ( {A predecessor saw White getting an edge after:} 11...Qb6 12.Qe3 h6 13.a4 Bd7 14.Nb1 $1 {Eidelmann,V (2049) -Gelzenleichter,S (2188) Wingst 2005} ) 12.Nb1 Nxd3 13.Qxc3 Nf4 14.Qe3 Ng6 {End of the maneuver.} 15.c4 {In order to get some space White needs to allow hanging pawns.} 15...dxc4 16.bxc4 O-O {However, since two pairs of light pieces have been traded White's central superiority is not that great. Black can happy with the opening outcome.} 17.Nc3 Bd7 {Black wants to put pressure on the c-pawn as quickly as possible. Notice that his knight on c6 is no longer obstructing the rook.} ( {Also good was the fianchettoe-} 17...b6 {when} 18.d5 {can be met with either} 18...exd5 ( {or even} 18...Ba6 $5 19.dxe6 Bxc4 ) 19.cxd5 Bb7 {with approximate equality in either case.} ) 18.Rfd1 {Kramnik on his turn wants to place his rooks behind the pawns and push one of them further. The central one, preferrably.} 18...Rc8 19.Nd2 {A forced concession.} 19...Nh4 {A good maneuver. The second central pawn will be put under pressure as well.} 20.Qd3 Nf5 21.Rac1 Qc7 22.d5 {The central breakthrough: check.} 22...Rfd8 {Prepared for the central breakthrough: check.} 23.h3 b6 24.Nf3 {Forcing matters.} ( {After} 24.Nce4 {Black can simply take the rook pair for the queen} 24...exd5 ( 24...Bc6 $5 ) 25.cxd5 Qxc1 26.Rxc1 Rxc1+ ) 24...Qxc4 {There is no need to avoid this.} ( {Worse was} 24...Qf4 25.dxe6 fxe6 26.Ne2 ) 25.Qxc4 Rxc4 26.dxe6 fxe6 27.Rd3 ( {Nothing yields} 27.Ne5 Rd4 28.Ne2 Rd5 ) 27...e5 $1 {This subtle move was foreseen in advance.} ( {Black experiences problems after} 27...Rdc8 28.Rxd7 Rxc3 29.Rxc3 Rxc3 30.Ng5 $1 ) ( {He also has to be extremely careful, as whenever a pin is concerned there is always tactical trouble lurking:} 27...Kf8 $6 28.Rcd1 Ke7 $2 29.Rxd7+ Rxd7 30.Rxd7+ Kxd7 31.Ne5+ ) 28.Nxe5 ( {Here} 28.Rcd1 {is not as impressive as after} 28...Re8 ( {Even better seems the tactical line} 28...Nd4 29.Nxe5 Bf5 30.Nxc4 Bxd3 31.Rxd3 Ne2+ 32.Nxe2 Rxd3 33.Ne3 Ra3 {when the rook is definitely not worse than the knights. In fact Black can force a draw if he likes with} 34.Nc1 Rc3 35.Ne2 Ra3 ) 29.Rxd7 Rxc3 30.Rxa7 e4 31.Ng5 h6 {The white knight is not comfortable.} ) 28...Rd4 29.Rf3 Nh4 30.Re3 Nf5 {The hanging pawns disappeared and the game is heading towards the logical outcome.} 31.Ree1 {But Kramnik is looking for trouble.} 31...Be8 32.Ne4 Ra4 33.Rc7 {The same policy, as agressive as possible.} ( {There was nothing wrong with} 33.Rc2 ) ( {or} 33.Re2 {with equality in both cases.} ) 33...Rxa2 34.Kh2 {I assume Kramnik wanted to prepare g2-g4, followed by Kh2-g3 once that the knight jumps on h4.} ( {It was not too late to split the point with} 34.Ng4 {with the idea to force perpetual check after} 34...b5 ( 34...h6 35.Nef6+ {leads to the same.} ) ( {The only way to play for the win is} 34...Bf7 35.Ne5 Bb3 36.Nc6 Ra8 37.g4 Nh4 38.Re3 {although this seems more risky for Black than for White.} ) 35.Nef6+ gxf6 36.Nxf6+ Kf8 37.Nxh7+ ) ( 34.g4 Nd4 {only helps Black.} ) 34...h6 35.Ng4 Kf8 {Now the draw is rejected for good and White finds it hard to prove compensation.} ( 35...Bf7 $5 {also seemed fine.} ) 36.Rec1 ( {More to the point was} 36.Ne5 $5 {when} 36...b5 {is met with} 37.Nc5 ) 36...Re2 37.f3 Nh4 ( {Here both} 37...a5 $5 ) ( {or} 37...Nd4 {seem more precise.} ) 38.Ngf2 Bg6 39.Rc8 ( {The computer suggests instead the paradoxical} 39.Kg1 Bxe4 ( {Black can still play for a win with} 39...a5 40.Ra7 Rb2 ) 40.fxe4 Kg8 41.Rxa7 Rf8 42.Rf1 {with good chances for a draw.} ) 39...Re8 40.Kg3 {The last move before the time-control.} ( {Better was the immediate} 40.Rxe8+ Kxe8 41.Rc8+ Kd7 42.Rg8 Bxe4 43.Rxg7+ Kc6 44.Nxe4 {when Black can play for a win with either} 44...a5 {when his pawns should be faster.} ( {Or with} 44...Nxf3+ 45.Kg3 Ne1 46.Kf4 Nxg2+ 47.Ke5 {counting on material.} ) ) 40...Nf5+ 41.Kh2 Nd4 $1 {This is where the knight belongs.} 42.R1c3 ( {Now} 42.Kg3 {does not help at all as after} 42...a5 43.Rxe8+ Kxe8 44.Rc8+ Kd7 45.Rg8 {Black has} 45...Bf7 46.Rxg7 Nf5+ ) 42...a5 43.R8c4 Rd8 44.Rc7 Ne6 {Very accurate.} ( {The reckless machine suggests instead} 44...b5 45.Rb7 Bf7 46.Rcc7 Bd5 47.Ra7 b4 48.Rxg7 Nb5 49.Rae7 b3 {but this is not for any human's liking.} ) 45.R7c6 Nf4 46.Rc8 ( {White should have tried his last chance:} 46.Kg3 $1 Nh5+ 47.Kg4 Nf6+ 48.Nxf6 ( {Or} 48.Kg3 Bxe4 49.Nxe4 Nxe4+ ( 49...Rxe4 $5 50.Rxf6+ gxf6 51.fxe4 Ke7 ) 50.fxe4 Rxe4 51.Rxb6 ) 48...Rxf2 {It is hard to say if he would have saved himself, but it was a chance.} ) 46...Re8 47.Rxe8+ Kxe8 48.Rc8+ Kd7 49.Rg8 Ne6 {Now it a technical win.} 50.Kg3 Kc7 51.h4 Rc2 $1 {Another neat maneuver. Giri defends everything in an optimal way and his pawns can walk on their own.} ( 51...a4 52.Ra8 ) 52.Ra8 Kb7 53.Rh8 Rc6 54.h5 Bxe4 55.Nxe4 a4 56.Re8 a3 57.Re7+ Ka6 58.Re8 Ka7 59.Nd2 a2 60.Nb3 Rc3 61.Na1 Rc1 62.Rxe6 Rxa1 63.Re2 b5 64.Kf4 Kb6 0-1

[Event "46th GM 2018"]
[Site "Dortmund GER"]
[Date "2018.07.22"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Meier, Georg"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2628"]
[ECO "C10"]
[EventDate "2018.07.14"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8247545176118"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 {No surprises. Meier remains true to his beloved Rubinstein French.} 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Ne5 Bd6 ( {In recent blitz games the German GM also tried} 7...Nd7 8.Bf4 Nxe5 9.Bxe5 f6 {but this led to a risk-free advantage for the first player after} 10.Bg3 ( 10.Bf4 c5 11.dxc5 Qxd1+ 12.Rxd1 Bxc5 13.Bc4 e5 14.Bd2 Ke7 {Karjakin,S (2783) -Meier,G (2630) chess.com INT 2017} ) 10...c5 11.Bc4 cxd4 12.O-O Bd6 {Dominguez Perez, L (2739)-Meier,G (2628) chess.com INT 2018} 13.Re1 Bxg3 14.hxg3 O-O 15.Re4 Kh8 16.Rxd4 {Dominguez Perez,L (2739)-Meier,G (2628) chess. com INT 2018} ) 8.Bg5 ( 8.Qf3 c5 9.Bb5+ Ke7 10.O-O cxd4 11.Bf4 g5 12.Bg3 h5 13.h3 g4 14.hxg4 hxg4 15.Qf4 Rh5 {Dominguez Perez,L (2739) -Meier,G (2628) chess.com INT 2018} ) 8...h6 9.Bh4 O-O 10.Bd3 c5 11.Qe2 {A novelty. White improves on a game which actually saw a blunder.} ( {After:} 11.Nc4 g5 {White was already losing material:} 12.Nxd6 Qxd6 13.dxc5 $2 ( {Better was} 13.Bg3 Qxd4 ) 13...Qe5+ 14.Qe2 Qxe2+ 15.Kxe2 gxh4 {and Black went on to win in Fuss,J (1688)-Pieczka,R (1922) Germany 2012} ) 11...Qa5+ {The most forcing move.} ( {Perhaps Black will test} 11...cxd4 12.O-O-O {in the future.} ) 12.c3 cxd4 13.Nc4 ( {White could have also started with} 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Nc4 {Then if} 14...Qd5 ( 14...Qc5 15.Qg4+ {transposes into the game.} ) 15.Be4 Qc5 16.Nxd6 Qxd6 17.Qg4+ Kh8 18.Qh4 Kg7 {White can continue the attack with either} 19.O-O-O ( {Or} 19.Rd1 ) ) 13...Qc5 ( 13...Qd5 {might transpose to the line from above.} ) 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Qg4+ {transposes into the game.} 15...Kh8 16.cxd4 {All of this is pretty forced and I suspect that both players had it on their home computers.} ( {Also interesting looks} 16.Qh4 Kg7 17.cxd4 Qb4+ 18.Ke2 ) 16...Qb4+ 17.Kf1 $1 {An important move. The king stays away from the black queen.} ( 17.Ke2 {looks more logical. However, the concrete lines after:} 17...Bc7 18.Qe4 f5 19.Qh4 Kh7 20.g4 b5 21.g5 bxc4 ( 21...Bf4 $5 {mgith actually be even better.} ) 22.Qxh6+ Kg8 23.g6 Qxb2+ $1 {Lead only to perpetual. For example:} 24.Bc2 ( {Or} 24.Kf1 Qxa1+ 25.Kg2 Qxh1+ 26.Kxh1 Bb7+ 27.Kg1 fxg6 28.Qxg6+ {and White has to do the perpetual.} ) 24...Qxc2+ 25.Kf1 Qd3+ 26.Kg1 ( 26.Ke1 $4 Ba5+ ) ( 26.Kg2 Qe4+ 27.f3 ( 27.Kh3 $4 Qg4# ) 27...Qe2+ 28.Kg1 fxg6 {leads to the same.} ) 26...fxg6 27.Qxg6+ {and again White needs to accept the draw as he cannot use the g-file for his rook.} ) 17...Bc7 18.Qe4 $1 {Another important move which drags the pawn on a vulnerable position.} ( 18.Qh4 Kg7 ) 18...f5 19.Qh4 Kg7 {After this move the computers immediately go bananas, claiming win for White.} ( {However, even after the most precise} 19...Kh7 20.g4 b5 ( {If} 20...Rg8 21.gxf5 exf5 22.Qf6 {looks good for White.} ) 21.g5 {with the cunning idea} 21...Rh8 $1 ( {Not} 21...bxc4 22.Qxh6+ Kg8 23.g6 fxg6 24.Qxg6+ Kh8 25.Rg1 $1 {with unavoidable mate.} ) 22.Rg1 $3 {White keeps a strong attack. Say} ( {Not} 22.Qxh6+ Kg8 23.Qf6 Qf8 {and Black defends with good position.} ) 22...h5 23.g6+ $1 fxg6 24.Be2 bxc4 ( {Better is} 24...Bd8 {although White keeps strong attack after} 25.Qg3 g5 ( {If} 25...Rg8 26.Ne5 Qxd4 27.Nxg6 Qg7 28.Qf3 Bb7 29.Nf8+ Qxf8 30.Qxh5+ Qh6 31.Qxh6+ Kxh6 32.Rxg8 {with solid extra exchange for White.} ) 26.Ne5 Bb7 27.Nf7 Qe7 ( {Or} 27...Rg8 28.Nxd8 Raxd8 29.Qc7+ Kh6 30.Qxb7 ) 28.Bxh5 {the weak black king is the key factor of the position.} ) 25.Bxh5 $1 {and mate comes soon.} ) 20.g4 {Opens the files for the major pieces. The attack is unstoppable.} 20...f4 ( 20...fxg4 {leads to forced mate after} 21.Qxg4+ Kf6 22.Qh4+ Kg7 23.Rg1+ ) ( {The preliminary} 20...Bd8 {does not change much} 21.Qh5 Qe7 22.h4 Qf6 23.Ne5 fxg4 24.Qxg4+ Kh8 25.Rg1 {with winning attack.} ) 21.Rg1 Bd7 ( {Here} 21...Rh8 {is not as convincing as before due to} 22.Qh5 $1 ( {But not} 22.g5 h5 $1 ) 22...b6 23.g5 Ba6 24.Rc1 {The attack will soon decide.} ) 22.Qh5 $1 {The final touch, which secures the opening of the g-file.} ( 22.g5 $2 h5 $1 {would have been awkward for White.} ) 22...Rh8 ( 22...f6 23.Qg6+ Kh8 24.Qh7# ) 23.g5 hxg5 24.Qxg5+ Kf8 25.Qf6 Rxh2 ( {Or} 25...Rh3 26.Rg7 Qe7 27.Rg8+ {picking up the queen.} ) 26.Rg7 Be8 27.Bh7 ( 27.Bh7 {Meier resigned due to} 27...Rh1+ 28.Kg2 Bc6+ 29.f3 {The end of the fast and furious attack. Excellent preparation by Nepomniachtchi!} ) 1-0

[Event "51st GM 2018"]
[Site "Biel SUI"]
[Date "2018.08.01"]
[Round "10.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Georgiadis, Nico"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2842"]
[BlackElo "2526"]
[ECO "B20"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7079045630985"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]

1.e4 c5 2.Na3 {Obviously trying to get his opponent as quickly as possible out of book. Carlsen had never tried this before, at least according to Megabase.} ( {True, in a blitz game he had put something on a3:} 2.a3 Nc6 3.b4 cxb4 4.axb4 Nxb4 5.d4 d5 6.c3 Nc6 7.exd5 Qxd5 8.Na3 Bf5 9.Nb5 {in Carlsen,M (2837)-Inarkiev,E (2689) Riadh 2017} ) 2...g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.c3 d5 5.exd5 Qxd5 6.Bc4 Qe4+ 7.Kf1 Be6 {Georgiadis turned out to be well prepared here as well and quickly equalized.} 8.Qa4+ {A novelty.} ( {A predecessor saw:} 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.d4 Nf6 10.Bd3 Qd5 11.Bc4 Qh5 12.Nb5 Na6 13.Be3 cxd4 14.Nfxd4 {but Black was doing well here too, Meister,J (2517) -Friedrich,W (2253) Berlin 2013} ) 8...Nd7 9.d4 Nf6 10.Bg5 ( {After} 10.dxc5 O-O 11.Be3 {Black has a choice between} 11...Rad8 {fighting for the initiative.} ( {Or} 11...Rac8 {in order to return the pawn. For example} 12.Re1 Bxc4+ 13.Nxc4 Qd3+ 14.Kg1 Ne4 {and Black seems perfectly fine.} ) ) 10...Bxc4+ 11.Qxc4 Qd5 {Playing it safe.} ( {Instead the natural} 11...O-O {was leading to a more complex game. White can win a pawn with:} 12.Re1 Qf5 13.Rxe7 $6 {but that allows Black too much and} 13...Nd5 14.Re1 cxd4 15.cxd4 Rfe8 {gives him plenty for a pawn.} ) 12.Re1 e6 {An accurate move.} ( {White would get a tiny little bit of an advantage after} 12...Qxc4+ 13.Nxc4 cxd4 14.Nxd4 Nd5 15.Ne3 ) 13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.Qb5+ ( {Perhaps} 14.dxc5 {was a better try, for example} 14...Rc8 15.Re5 Qd7 16.g3 O-O 17.Kg2 {although the white knight on a3 is still somewhat awkwardly placed.} ) 14...Nd7 ( {Not} 14...Qd7 $2 15.Qxc5 ) 15.Ne5 a6 {Once again very solid play.} ( {Although Georgiadis could have snatched the knight at once:} 15...Bxe5 $1 {If now} 16.Rxe5 ( {And risked to grab a pawn with} 16.dxe5 Qxa2 17.Rd1 O-O-O {as} 18.Nc4 {is strongly met with} 18...Nxe5 $1 19.Qxc5+ ( 19.Rxd8+ Rxd8 20.Nxe5 $4 Qb1+ 21.Ke2 Qe4+ 22.Kf1 Rd1# ) 19...Nc6 20.Nd6+ Kb8 {where Black should stop the initiative with accurate play. White's problem is that he cannot use his kingside rook.} ) 16...a6 $1 17.Rxd5 axb5 18.Rg5 b4 $1 {where the black pieces are better prepared for the opening of the game.} ) 16.Qc4 ( {The world champion avoids} 16.Qxd7+ Qxd7 17.Nxd7 Kxd7 18.Nc4 Kc6 {with equality.} ) 16...Nxe5 ( {The other capture was also OK-} 16...Bxe5 17.dxe5 Qxc4+ 18.Nxc4 {since after} 18...b5 {White cannot hold his knight on the central outpost} 19.Nd6+ Ke7 {because of the threat Nd7xe5!} ) 17.dxe5 Rd8 18.Qxd5 Rxd5 19.f4 {An endgame emerged where the bishop on g7 does not seem great. Georgiadis however makes sure this is not the case.} 19...g5 $1 ( {Also good was} 19...Ke7 20.Nc4 b5 21.Nd6 g5 $1 ) 20.fxg5 Ke7 {The black pieces are much better prepared for the battle. Georgiadis plays for a win.} ( {Weaker was} 20...Rxe5 21.Rxe5 Bxe5 22.Nc4 Bf4 23.h4 Ke7 24.Ke2 {with equality.} ) 21.h4 Rxe5 ( {It also made sense to postpone the capture for a move:} 21...b5 $5 22.Rh3 Rxe5 23.Rxe5 Bxe5 {with slight advantage for Black.} ) 22.Rxe5 Bxe5 23.Ke2 b5 24.Nc2 Rd8 ( 24...f6 $5 ) 25.Ne1 c4 $1 {Black has posted all his pawns correctly on the light squares. Thus, they are not obstructing his bishop and they help it restrict the white knight. The b5-b4 break is always in the air.} 26.Nf3 Bg7 27.Nd2 h6 {Once again playing for a win.} ( {If he wanted a draw, Black could have chosen say} 27...Rd3 28.a4 Rg3 29.Kf2 Rd3 ) 28.Ne4 {The world champion is also trying his best.} ( {Instead} 28.a4 hxg5 29.hxg5 Rd5 30.axb5 axb5 31.Ne4 b4 {would have seen everything disappearing with a draw.} ) 28...hxg5 29.hxg5 Rd5 30.a3 a5 31.Re1 Be5 $1 {Open the road for the black king. It is heading to g6. Once it gets there, the g5 pawn will suffer.} ( {It does not make much sense to open the queenside with} 31...b4 {After} 32.axb4 axb4 {Black will be happy to see} 33.cxb4 $2 ( {However} 33.Ra1 {would cause problems along the open file. Ironically, the pawn which is in danger is the one on c4. For example} 33...bxc3 34.bxc3 Re5 35.Ra7+ Kf8 36.Kf3 Rf5+ 37.Kg4 Be5 38.g3 Kg7 39.Ra4 Rf1 40.Rxc4 ) 33...Bxb2 ) 32.g3 Kf8 33.Kf3 Kg7 34.Kg4 Kg6 {Black threatens Be5-c7-d8 to win the pawn, therefore the next move is forced.} 35.Rf1 {But now the rook is busy and Black can revert back to the b5-b4 breakthrough idea.} 35...Rd3 ( {Perhaps the immediate} 35...b4 36.axb4 axb4 37.Rf3 Rd1 {was better, with chances for a win.} ) ( {Here} 35...Bc7 {is met with} 36.Rf6+ Kg7 37.g6 $1 ) 36.Rf3 Rd1 37.Rf2 Rd5 ( {The other option was the rook endgame after} 37...Re1 38.Nf6 Re3 39.Nh5 Re4+ 40.Nf4+ Bxf4 41.gxf4 e5 42.Rf1 {Then Black can win a pawn with} 42...a4 ( 42...exf4 43.Rxf4 Re2 44.Rf6+ Kg7 45.a4 $1 ) 43.Rf2 exf4 44.Rd2 f3+ 45.Kxf3 Re5 {but I am not sure how good his winning chances are.} ) 38.Nd2 {Carlsen changes the position of his knight and finally gets some relief for his g5 pawn.} 38...Bc7 39.Nf3 Bd8 40.Nh4+ Kg7 {would have split the point.} 41.Nf3 Bb6 {Once again trying to beat the champion!} 42.Re2 Bc7 43.Re4 Bd6 ( {Safer was to allow the trade allong the fifth rank with} 43...Bb6 {Then} 44.Re5 Rxe5 45.Nxe5 Be3 {preserves winning chances for Black. For example:} 46.a4 ( {Or} 46.Nc6 a4 47.Kf3 Bxg5 48.Nd4 Bc1 49.Nxb5 Bxb2 50.Ke3 ) 46...bxa4 47.Nxc4 Bc1 48.Nb6 Bxb2 49.Nxa4 Bc1 ) 44.Rd4 $1 {Finally, White manages to get rid of the active black rook. He is more or less safe now.} 44...Rxd4+ 45.Nxd4 b4 46.a4 ( 46.axb4 {would be a draw after} 46...axb4 47.cxb4 Bxb4 48.Nf3 Ba5 49.Ne5 c3 50.bxc3 Bxc3 ) 46...b3 $4 {An tragic finish of an excellent game.} ( {Georgiadis could have made a draw with either} 46...bxc3 47.bxc3 Bc7 ) ( {Or} 46...Bc7 47.Nf3 Bd6 48.Nd2 bxc3 49.bxc3 Be5 50.Nxc4 Bxc3 ) 47.Nf3 {Now he loses both his pawns on the light squares.} 47...Ba3 {would promote his b-pawn. But this is not the case-} ( {If} 47...Kg6 48.Nd2 Bc7 49.Nxc4 Bd8 50.Ne5+ {is most accurate} ( {Or} 50.Nd2 Bxg5 51.Nxb3 ) 50...Kg7 51.Kh5 {and White should win.} ) 48.bxa3 b2 49.Nd2 1-0

[Event "Chess.com International"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2018.10.21"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Wagner, Dennis"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2572"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[ECO "B15"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "6877337362997"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 {We call this opening "The Rat" in Bulgaria. The name speaks for itself- a risky opening, with chances to confuse the opponent. The top guns need to avoid the main theoretical paths in the open tournaments. There is too much theory there, very few human moves...} 4.f4 {The most principled move.} 4...d5 5.e5 Nh6 6.Nf3 Bg4 {This is the strategical idea behind the line. Black wants to get rid of this bishop before advancing the e-pawn. But a bishop is a bishop when the pawn structure is not yet determined.} 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 Nf5 ( {White preserved opening advantage after:} 8...f6 9.Be3 fxe5 10.dxe5 Rf8 11.Qe2 Qa5 12.O-O-O Nd7 13.Kb1 {Andriasian,Z (2585) -Petrosian,T (2606) Yerevan 2018} ) 9.Ne2 e6 10.g4 {The major problem for Black- the knights do not have secure outposts.} 10...Ne7 11.Ng3 f6 $146 {A novely which does not change anything. White is better.} ( {A predecessor saw:} 11...c5 12.dxc5 Qa5+ 13.c3 Qxc5 14.Be3 {with typical advantage for White in Csonka,A (2349)-Kantorik,M (2293) Slovakia 2017} ) 12.exf6 Bxf6 13.c3 ( {White could have also tried to save this move this with} 13.Qe3 Bh4 ( 13...Qd6 ) 14.Bd2 ) 13...Bh4 14.Bd2 Qd6 15.O-O-O Nd7 16.Bd3 O-O-O 17.Ne2 {Now we have typical French pawn structure where White enoys more space, owes the bishop pairand can play against the backward pawn on e6, or try to make use of the e5 outpost.} 17...Rhf8 18.Qe3 ( {The immediate} 18.Kb1 {was also possible as} 18...e5 {(to get rid of the backward pawn) is not a threat-} ( {Or} 18...g5 19.Bxh7 Rf7 20.Bc2 Rdf8 21.Rhf1 ) 19.dxe5 Qxe5 20.Qg2 {and White is still better.} ) 18...Bf6 19.Rhe1 ( 19.Be1 $1 {followed by Be1-g3 and some time in the future f4-f5 looked like a logical follow-up.} ) 19...Bh4 {Aronian is barely holding the position.} 20.Rf1 Bf6 21.Ng1 $1 {Also good! The night is heading to the e5 outpost. White is clearly better.} 21...c5 {The only active idea for Black.} 22.Nf3 Nc6 23.Kb1 ( 23.h4 $5 {looked excellent as well.} ) 23...Kb8 24.h4 {With the idea h4-h5 followed by g4-g5 (or vice-versa).} 24...cxd4 25.cxd4 Nb6 26.Rc1 {So far Wagner was methodically improving his position, but now he commits his first innacuracy.} ( 26.b3 $1 {looked a bit weakening, but was limiting the black knights badly. For example} 26...Qa3 27.Bc1 Qb4 28.Bb2 a5 {When White has a choice between the solid} 29.Qe1 ( {And the aggressive} 29.h5 $5 gxh5 30.g5 {with advantage in both cases.} ) ) 26...Qe7 ( {Aronian missed the chance to equalize with:} 26...Nc4 $5 27.Bxc4 ( 27.Qf2 $2 Nxd4 $1 28.Nxd4 Bxd4 29.Qxd4 Nxd2+ ) 27...dxc4 28.Rxc4 Qd5 $1 ( {Not} 28...Nxd4 $2 29.Bb4 ) 29.Rfc1 Nxd4 30.Nxd4 Bxd4 ) 27.Bb5 {Wagner tries to soften the e5 outpost, and weaken the opponent's queenside in the process.} ( {It was not too late for} 27.b3 ) ( {Or the preliminary} 27.g5 Bg7 {and then} 28.b3 ) 27...Rc8 28.Bxc6 bxc6 29.Ne5 {But that's a bit rushy.} ( {Stronger was to activate the bishop first with:} 29.Qb3 $1 Qb7 ( {Or} 29...Qc7 30.Bb4 Rfe8 31.Ne5 ) 30.Bb4 {and wait for a better moment to jump on e5. Or not jump there at all.} ) 29...Bxe5 30.Qxe5+ Ka8 {Now the play becomes double-edged. Aronian can attack on the queenside and Wagner needs to be careful not to get into a strategically poor situation with a bad bishop versus good knight.} 31.Qe1 Qf6 32.Bb4 Rf7 33.Qf2 Nc4 34.b3 Rb8 35.Bc5 Rb5 $1 {With the threat Rb5xc5 and mate on a3.} 36.Kc2 ( {There is no safer square-} 36.Ka1 $2 Rxc5 ) 36...Rxc5 $1 {Aronian does not think twice when there is a possibility to expose the enemy king.} 37.dxc5 Na3+ ( {There is not enough compensation for the exchange after} 37...Qb2+ 38.Kd1 Qxf2 39.Rxf2 Ne3+ 40.Kd2 Nxg4 41.Re2 ) 38.Kd1 Nb5 $1 {Brings the knight back into the game.} ( 38...h5 {looks logical but might allow some extra possibilities for White after} 39.g5 Qf5 40.Qe2 e5 41.Kd2 e4 42.Qa6 ) 39.Qe3 ( {Or} 39.Kd2 e5 40.f5 e4 {which is similar to the game.} ) 39...e5 40.f5 {The time control move.} ( {Thee was apparently no time to calculate the consequences of the ultra-sharp} 40.a4 Nd4 41.b4 ) 40...Qxh4 41.Kc2 gxf5 42.gxf5 ( {After} 42.Qxe5 $6 Re7 43.Qh8+ Kb7 {the black pieces become too dangerous.} ) ( {And} 42.Rxf5 $2 Nd4+ {is not ideal for White...} ) 42...Qf6 {From a position where he had nothing to show at all Aronian got this. He can attack on the queenside, advatnce the h-passer or just squeeze the opponent in the center.} 43.Kb1 e4 ( {Perhaps} 43...h5 $5 {was more precise as} 44.a4 Nd4 {sends the knight on a good square.} ) 44.a4 Nd4 45.Rg1 $1 {Quickly into activity.} ( 45.Qc3 {will be met with} 45...Nxb3 $1 46.Qxb3 ( 46.Qxf6 Rxf6 ) 46...Rb7 ) 45...Rf8 {An important regroupment.} ( {Here} 45...Nxb3 $4 {would backfire after} 46.Rg8+ Rf8 47.Rxf8+ Qxf8 48.Qxb3 ) ( {Also bad for Black was:} 45...Rb7 $2 46.Rg8+ Rb8 47.Rxb8+ Kxb8 48.Qc3 {with a nasty pin.} ) 46.Qc3 {Setting a nice little trick.} ( {The computer claims that White is OK in the endgame after} 46.Qg5 Qxf5 47.Qxf5 Rxf5 ( {But not} 47...Nxf5 $2 48.Rcf1 e3 49.Rf4 d4 ( 49...e2 50.Re1 ) 50.Kc2 {when White should win.} ) 48.Rg8+ Kb7 49.Rg7+ Ka6 50.b4 {but for a human being the black three passers look too dangerous.} ) 46...e3 $1 ( {The trap was} 46...Nxb3 $2 47.Rg8 $3 ) 47.Rcf1 ( {Instead} 47.Qxe3 Nxb3 48.Qxb3 Rb8 49.Qxb8+ Kxb8 {was clearly better for Black.} ) ( {As well as} 47.Ka2 Ne2 ) 47...Qe5 48.Ka2 Qe4 {Centralization.} ( {The other option was to bring the h-passer into motion with} 48...h5 {The arising positions are very double edged and difficult for both sides. Here is a sample (non-obligatory) line:} 49.Rg2 Qe4 ( 49...h4 $5 ) 50.Rg7 Rb8 51.Rfg1 Nxb3 52.Rg8 Qxa4+ 53.Kb2 Qb5 54.Rxb8+ Qxb8 55.Qxe3 Nd4+ 56.Kc1 Nxf5 57.Qf3 Nd4 58.Qf6 Ne2+ 59.Kc2 Nxg1 60.Qxc6+ Qb7 61.Qe8+ {with perpetual.} ) 49.Rg7 Rb8 ( {In case of:} 49...e2 50.Rfg1 Nxf5 51.Rc7 Rb8 52.Ka3 $1 {White generates enough counterplay. For example:} 52...Qe6 53.Rgg7 Nxg7 54.Qxg7 Rxb3+ 55.Kxb3 Qe3+ 56.Kc2 ( 56.Kb2 Qd2+ ) 56...Qc1+ $5 57.Kxc1 e1=Q+ {with perpetual.} ) 50.Rfg1 Nxb3 {I am not sure if this was a bluff, or just a chance that Aronian felt he needed to try. Wagner was very low on time and after all this is a special tournament, is not it?} ( {It is not everyone's cup of tea to run beteen the enemy bullets with his bare king after} 50...Nxf5 51.Rxa7+ Kxa7 52.Qa5+ Kb7 53.Qb6+ Kc8 54.Qxc6+ ( {Or} 54.Rg8+ Kd7 55.Qxb8 Qc2+ {with perpatual.} ) 54...Kd8 55.Rg8+ Ke7 {Apparently, White has at least draw and way too many checks to deliver. However after} 56.Qc7+ Kf6 57.Rxb8 e2 58.Rf8+ Kg6 {The cold-blooded machine claims no advantage to White.} ) 51.Ka3 $4 {It worked! In the time trouble White trembled.} ( {But it could have well backfired after:} 51.R7g4 $1 Qxf5 ( {Or} 51...Nc1+ 52.Qxc1 Qd3 53.Qd1 Qxf5 54.Re1 {and Blac does not have enough for the rook.} ) 52.Rg8 Nd2 53.Rxb8+ Kxb8 54.Qb2+ Kc7 55.Rg7+ {with mate after both} 55...Kc8 ( {Or} 55...Kd8 56.Qb8+ Qc8 57.Qd6+ Ke8 58.Qe7# ) 56.Qb7+ Kd8 57.Rg8+ ) 51...d4 52.Qc4 Na5 0-1

[Event "Chess.com International"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2018.10.22"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Tari, Aryan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2618"]
[ECO "D71"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7697520931846"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 c6 4.Bg2 d5 5.Qa4 {A rare move and specialty of Mamedyarov. A curious fact is that the French GM was Mamedyarov's most frequent opponent in those games.} 5...Bg7 ( {MVL has tried the standard regrouping with:} 5...Nfd7 6.cxd5 Nb6 7.Qd1 cxd5 8.Nc3 Nc6 9.a4 Bg7 10.a5 Nc4 11.Bxd5 N4xa5 {and Black was OK in Mamedyarov,S (2800)-Vachier Lagrave, M (2796) Paris 2017} ) ( {There is also} 5...dxc4 6.Qxc4 Be6 ) 6.cxd5 O-O 7.e4 ( {Vitiugov dared to capture the pawn, but Black got more than enough for it after:} 7.dxc6 Nxc6 8.Nf3 Nd5 9.e3 Nb6 10.Qd1 e5 11.O-O Bg4 12.dxe5 Qxd1 13.Rxd1 Nxe5 {Vitiugov,N (2735)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2789) Karlsruhe/ Baden-Baden 2018. All black light pieces are tremendously active.} ) 7...cxd5 8.e5 Nfd7 9.Nc3 Nb6 10.Qd1 Nc6 11.Nge2 f6 $146 {A novelty. Tari is improving on a game of MVL!} ( {That game went:} 11...Bg4 12.h3 Bxe2 13.Nxe2 {Only now} 13...f6 {was played.} 14.f4 fxe5 15.dxe5 e6 16.b3 Nd7 17.O-O Qb6+ 18.Kh2 {and later Black even won, Mamedyarov,S (2801)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2779) Saint Louis 2018} ) 12.exf6 exf6 ( {After} 12...Bxf6 {White will have the usual advantage thanks to the better pawn structure.} ) 13.O-O {Now a symmetrical pawn structure arises where the main question is who will attack the central pawn first.} 13...Be6 {The most natural move might not be optimal here. Wite wants to mount as much pressure as he can on the d5 pawn. Moves like Ne2-f4 are obviously part of his plan.} ( {For this reason, the cardinal} 13...g5 $5 {deserved serious consideration.} ) 14.b3 {White develops on his turn.} ( {But perhaps the straightforward} 14.Nf4 Bf7 15.a4 $5 {was more to the point. White simply wants to outnumber the defenders of the d5 pawn. After} 15...a5 16.b3 {White intends Bc1-a3-c5 to get rid of the defender on b6. There is a bonus in this line. The attempt to do the same with:} 16...Bh6 {Can be answered:} 17.Ne6 Bxe6 18.Bxh6 ) 14...Re8 15.Ba3 Bf7 ( {Once again Tari misses a chance to limit White's options.} 15...Bh6 $5 {Seems more precise, say} 16.Bc5 Qd7 ) ( {If} 15...Bf8 16.Bc5 ) 16.Qd2 Bf8 {This does not stop White's intentions.} ( {Since the Nb6 was aobut to be expelled from the defensive point, it seemed wise to send it to another one with:} 16...Nc8 17.Rfe1 N8e7 {Then if} 18.Nf4 Bh6 ) 17.Bc5 $1 {Vachier-Lagrave has done everything that he wanted. Next he will either jump with the knight on f4, or will start pushing the a-pawn. The captures on b6 are always in the air too.} 17...Nd7 ( {Maybe it was not too late to return to:} 17...Bg7 18.Nf4 {With the idea:} ( {White is better after} 18.Rfe1 ) 18...g5 19.Bxb6 axb6 ( {But not:} 19...Qxb6 20.Nfxd5 Qxd4 21.Qxd4 Nxd4 22.Nc7 {when White wins.} ) 20.Nfxd5 Ra5 ) 18.Bxf8 Nxf8 19.Nf4 {The numbers are working for White.} 19...Ne6 {Tari defends the pawn tactically, but after the simple:} 20.Nxe6 ( {Not} 20.Nfxd5 Nexd4 ) 20...Bxe6 21.Rfe1 {There is no adequate defense against the threats 22.Re1xe6 and 22.Bg2xd5.} 21...Bf7 ( {If} 21...Kg7 22.Nxd5 Bxd5 23.Rxe8 Qxe8 24.Bxd5 {wins the pawn anyway.} ) 22.Rxe8+ Qxe8 23.Nxd5 ( {Not} 23.Bxd5 $2 Bxd5 24.Nxd5 Qd8 {with equality.} ) 23...Qd8 24.Ne3 $1 {As usual Vachier-Lagrave has calculated everything very accurately.} 24...Qxd4 25.Qxd4 Nxd4 26.Bxb7 Rd8 27.Rd1 {White converts the advantage with ease. First he trades some pieces.} 27...Rd7 28.Bd5 Ne6 ( 28...Bxd5 29.Rxd4 Bc6 30.Rxd7 Bxd7 31.Kf1 {is similar to the game.} ) 29.Kf1 Kf8 30.Bxe6 Rxd1+ 31.Nxd1 Bxe6 {Then centralizes the king.} 32.Ke2 Ke7 33.Kd3 Kd6 34.Kd4 g5 35.Nc3 Bf5 {Finally uses the queenside potential passer.} 36.b4 Kc6 37.Ne4 Be6 38.Nxf6 Bxa2 39.Nxh7 g4 40.Ng5 1-0

[Event "Chess.com International"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2018.10.23"]
[Round "4.11"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2711"]
[BlackElo "2519"]
[ECO "E01"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7490691399686"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Bd6 ( {Karjakin tried instead the ultra-solid:} 5...Be7 6.Bg2 O-O 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Nc3 c6 9.Bf4 dxc4 10.e4 Re8 11.a4 b6 {Nakamura,H (2777)-Karjakin,S (2773) Saint Louis 2018} ) 6.Nc3 c6 7.Qc2 Nbd7 8.e4 Nxe4 9.Nxe4 dxe4 10.Qxe4 c5 ( {It might make sense to insert} 10...Nf6 {first, just checking where the queen will go. After:} 11.Qh4 b6 12.O-O-O Bb7 13.Bg2 c5 {Black seemed OK in Galburd,Y (2322)-Mastrovasilis,A (2556) Bansko 2010} ) 11.Bc3 Nf6 12.Qe2 b6 $146 {A novelty. Praggnanandhaa hurries to develop as quick as possible, but the feeling is that he had allowed White too much already.} ( {Black was also under pressure in the predecessor:} 12...cxd4 13.Nxd4 Qe7 14.Bg2 Bb4 15.O-O Bxc3 16.bxc3 Nd7 17.Rab1 Nc5 18.Qe5 {Cordova,E (2608)-Williams,J (2371) Saint Louis 2017} ) ( {Another developing move} 12...O-O {will lead to other difficulties after} 13.dxc5 Bxc5 14.Bg2 {Since} 14...b6 $2 {now drops material to:} 15.b4 Be7 16.Ne5 ) 13.Bg2 Bb7 14.d5 $1 {Ambitious and strong.} ( {The alternative was small advantage after} 14.dxc5 Bxc5 15.O-O ) 14...Qe7 {Black accepts the creation of an isolani.} ( {In similar situations one often sacrifices the pawn, with the idea to make use of the fact that the white most importantpices are lined on the e-file. However after:} 14...O-O 15.dxe6 Re8 {White has the tactical shot:} ( {The computer claims compensation for a pawn after} 15...Qe7 16.exf7+ ( {But White may play for positional edge instead with} 16.O-O ) 16...Rxf7 17.Qxe7 Rxe7+ 18.Kf1 ) 16.Ng5 $1 Bxg2 17.exf7+ {with a win.} ) 15.dxe6 Qxe6 16.Qxe6+ fxe6 17.O-O {Vidit can be happy with the opening outcome. The e6 pawn is a major issue.} 17...Bxf3 $5 {Praggnanandhaa is trying to bring some stability to his position.} ( {Instead} 17...O-O 18.Rae1 Rae8 19.Ng5 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 e5 21.Re2 {would lead to a situation where all white pieces are better than the opponent's ones to add to the advantage of the better pawn structure.} ) 18.Bxf3 Rd8 19.Rfe1 Kf7 20.Re3 Rhe8 21.Rae1 Bc7 ( {Maybe} 21...e5 {is an option, no matter how ugly as it seems. All the light squares are severely weaken, but Black at least has a clear plan of bringing the knigt on d4.} ) 22.h4 $1 {The owner of the bishop pair often uses the rook pawns to limit the enemy light pieces. In this particular game there will be an additional effect from this advance.} 22...Re7 23.Kg2 h6 {And when most of the people expected long grinding there came:} 24.Bxf6 $3 {A sign of a excellent tactical talent. Many people will not even consider this move, purely psychologically, as they will be prepared for the grinding. But Vidit saw concrete gain.} 24...gxf6 ( {In the line:} 24...Kxf6 25.Bd5 Rde8 26.Rf3+ Kg6 27.Be4+ Kh5 28.Kh3 {Black is getting checkmated. This where the h-pawn played its part!} ) 25.Bh5+ Kf8 26.Rxe6 Rxe6 27.Rxe6 {White won a pawn and kept all his pieces active. Still, the opposite-colored bishops give Black hopes.} 27...Be5 ( {Not:} 27...Rd6 28.Re8+ Kg7 29.Re7+ ) 28.b3 Rd7 $6 ( {The only chance was the active defense after:} 28...Rd2 $1 29.Re8+ Kg7 30.Re7+ Kg8 31.Rxa7 Bd4 32.Ra6 Rxf2+ 33.Kh3 Bc3 ) 29.f4 Bc3 ( {Now} 29...Rd2+ 30.Kh3 Bd4 {does not attack anything on f2 and White wins after} 31.Re8+ Kg7 32.Re7+ Kg8 33.Rxa7 ) 30.Kf3 $1 {The king enters the battle and Praggnanandhaa cannot hold his fortress.} 30...Kg7 ( {Similar was:} 30...Re7 31.Rd6 Kg7 ) 31.Kg4 Rd3 ( {In case of a passive defense White would have won the following way:} 31...Bd4 32.Kf5 Bc3 ( 32...Bf2 33.Rxf6 ) 33.Re8 Bd4 34.Ke6 $1 {The active king leaves no chance to the rook, say-} 34...Rb7 ( {If} 34...Rc7 35.Kd6 Rb7 36.Kc6 {traps the rook.} ) 35.Kd6 a5 36.Kc6 Ra7 37.Kxb6 {and wins.} ) 32.Re7+ Kf8 33.Re8+ Kg7 34.Re7+ {To gain a couple of minutes on the clock.} 34...Kf8 35.Rxa7 {Two pawns and active pieces are more than sufficient for the point. It all ended after:} 35...Be1 36.Rf7+ Kg8 37.Rxf6 Rxg3+ 38.Kf5 Rh3 39.Rxb6 ( 39.Rxh6 {would also do as in the line} 39...Rxh4 40.Rxb6 Rxh5+ 41.Kg6 {wins.} ) 39...Rxh4 40.Rxh6 Rxf4+ 41.Kxf4 Bd2+ 42.Ke4 Bxh6 43.Kd5 {The passers are unstoppable.} 1-0

[Event "Chess.com International"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2018.10.24"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]
[BlackElo "2656"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "7561289928766"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c3 d5 3.Nf3 e6 4.Bg5 Nbd7 ( {The alternative is the development with:} 4...b6 5.Nbd2 Bb7 6.e3 Be7 7.Ne5 O-O 8.Bd3 c5 9.O-O Nc6 10.f4 Nxe5 11.fxe5 Ne4 {although White got favourable version of the reversed Stonewall in Al Sayed,M (2508)-Tregubov,P (2585) Doha 2016} ) 5.Nbd2 h6 6.Bh4 b6 7.e4 $1 $146 {The always-creative Rapport uncorkes a novelty. This idea is very common in similar situations (e.g. in the Tromp) and poses serious problems to Xiong.} ( {Previously White did not get much after} 7.e3 Bb7 8.Bd3 Be7 9.Qe2 c5 10.O-O O-O 11.Rad1 Qc7 12.e4 {Gerencer,J (2153)-Deak,A (2114) Budapest 1999} ) 7...g5 {The principled choice.} ( {Although} 7...dxe4 8.Nxe4 Be7 {might be safer.} ) 8.Bg3 dxe4 ( {The trade of a pair of knights favours White after:} 8...Nxe4 $6 9.Nxe4 dxe4 10.Ne5 Nxe5 ( 10...Bb7 {here just loses to} 11.Bb5 ) 11.Bxe5 Rg8 12.f3 {with strong intiative for the first player.} ) 9.Ne5 Bb7 10.Bb5 a6 {Xiong is trying to clarify the situation.} ( {White has plenty of options to develop the initiative after} 10...Bg7 {Like} 11.h4 ( {Or} 11.Nc6 ) ( {And} 11.Qe2 ) ) 11.Bc6 {Aggressive as usual.} ( {There is also the positional} 11.Ba4 b5 12.Bc2 ) 11...Bxc6 12.Nxc6 Qc8 {The queen will replace the bishop on the long diagonal.} 13.Qe2 Qb7 14.Ne5 Bd6 15.Nxd7 Kxd7 {Once more Black keeps the pawn. At least for the time being. In the future he plans to castle by hand.} ( {Instead} 15...Nxd7 16.Bxd6 cxd6 17.Nxe4 {gives White the advantage without any fight.} ) 16.O-O ( {After} 16.Be5 {Xiong most likely planned:} 16...Bxe5 ( {Since} 16...Ke7 17.Bxf6+ ( 17.O-O ) 17...Kxf6 18.Nxe4+ Kg6 {looks too risky for Black.} ) 17.dxe5 Nd5 18.Nxe4 Rad8 {followed by Kd7-c8.} ) 16...Bf4 $1 {Getting ready to block center.} ( {Otherwise White will develop strong initiative along the e- and f-files:} 16...Raf8 17.Rae1 Kc8 18.Bxd6 cxd6 19.f3 $1 exf3 20.Rxf3 Nd5 21.Qf1 ) 17.f3 $5 {Rapport insists on the sacrifice.} ( {There was an argument for the move:} 17.Rae1 $5 {Then after the possible} 17...Ke7 18.Bxf4 gxf4 19.Nxe4 Qxe4 20.Qxe4 Nxe4 21.Rxe4 {Black will lose the f-pawn, but can get counterplay thanks to} 21...f3 22.g3 c5 23.dxc5 bxc5 24.Re3 Rhd8 25.Rxf3 Rd2 ) 17...e3 $1 ( {Anytime the center is opened, Black is in trouble. Both players most likely saw:} 17...exf3 18.Nxf3 Qe4 19.Qxe4 Nxe4 20.Bxf4 gxf4 21.Ne5+ Ke7 22.Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 23.Rxf4+ Nf6 24.Raf1 {and White wins a pawn.} ) 18.Nc4 Nd5 19.Bxf4 gxf4 20.Ne5+ Ke8 21.Qe1 {The plan is to kick the black knight back with c3-c4 and then win both pawns on f4 and e3 with Qe1-h4.} 21...c5 {Black is ready to sacrifice too!} ( 21...b5 $5 {was also possible for example} 22.Qh4 c5 23.dxc5 Qe7 ) 22.c4 cxd4 $5 {This was the point.} ( {Although Black was by no means forced to sacrifice and could have gone for:} 22...Nb4 $5 23.Qc3 ( 23.Qh4 cxd4 ) 23...Rg8 24.dxc5 bxc5 {with unclear play.} ) 23.cxd5 Qxd5 24.Nd3 Qf5 {For the piece Xiong has three pawns and two of them are far advanced passers. But since the white knight is perfectly placed on d3, and most importantly, his dafe king it is White who should be better.} 25.Qd1 ( 25.Rd1 Rc8 {leaves the white rook workless on d1.} ) 25...Ke7 26.Qb3 Rhd8 27.Rfc1 Rac8 28.Rc4 {Once again Rapport plays for initiative.} ( {But it was time to be more materialistic with:} 28.Qa3+ Kf6 29.Qxa6 Ra8 30.Qc4 Rac8 31.Qb3 {when White is better.} ) 28...b5 29.Rc2 Kf8 {Finally, the king is safe, rooks are connected. It is time to advance the passers.} 30.Rac1 e5 31.h3 {Useful move. In many lines the king needs the air.} ( {Black does not risk to lose the endgame after:} 31.Rxc8 Rxc8 32.Rxc8+ Qxc8 33.Qd5 Qc2 34.Qc5+ Qxc5 35.Nxc5 Ke7 36.Nxa6 d3 37.Kf1 Kd6 ) 31...Rxc2 32.Rxc2 Kg7 {Sooner or later Black will need this move.} ( {Although it was more accurate to start with:} 32...Re8 33.Rc7 Re6 34.Qc2 Kg7 ) 33.Rc7 Re8 34.Qd5 Re6 {The culmination of the game. Rapport made huge progress. He occupied the open file, penetrated along the seventh rank and centralized the queen. His next move looks like a killer.} 35.Nxf4 $6 {It indeed wins a pawn, but lifts the blockade and turns the black pawns into a huge power.} ( 35.h4 {with an advantage, but I do not really understand the idea.} ) ( {But maybe} 35.b4 {is useful. Sometimes later, eventually in the endgame this pawn can decide the outcome of the game. Who knows...} ) 35...Rf6 $1 {Best. Xiong plays for a win now.} ( {Surprisingly} 35...Qxf4 {does not lose after} 36.Qxe6 {The black pawns are strong enough to secure half the point after} 36...d3 37.Qd5 e2 38.Kf2 Qh4+ 39.g3 {When both:} 39...Qxg3+ $1 ( {And} 39...e1=Q+ 40.Kxe1 Qxg3+ 41.Kd2 Qh2+ 42.Kxd3 e4+ 43.Kxe4 Qxc7 {which is equal as well.} ) 40.Kxg3 e1=Q+ {should lead to a draw. Unless White does not want to lose with:} 41.Kg4 $4 Qg1+ 42.Kf5 Qg6+ 43.Kxe5 Qg5+ 44.Ke4 Qxd5+ 45.Kxd5 d2 ) 36.Ne2 ( {Perhaps it was not too late for} 36.Nd3 Qxd3 37.Qxe5 e2 38.Kf2 Qb1 39.Qxe2 ) 36...d3 37.Nc3 $6 {Another mistake.} ( {The knight should have gone to the center with tempo-} 37.Ng3 Qg5 38.Ne4 {when the followin non-forcing line was possible:} 38...e2 39.Kf2 Qh4+ 40.g3 Qxh3 41.Rc1 Qf1+ $1 42.Rxf1 Rxf3+ 43.Kxf3 exf1=Q+ 44.Nf2 Qe2+ 45.Kg2 Qxb2 {and anything is still possible.} ) 37...Rg6 $1 {A very accurate move. Now Black is close to winning.} ( {But not} 37...e2 38.Kf2 Rg6 39.g4 $1 {and White defends.} ) 38.Re7 ( {The last chance was:} 38.Rxf7+ Qxf7 39.Qxd3 ) 38...b4 39.Nb1 ( {If} 39.Ne4 e2 40.Kf2 Rxg2+ $1 ) 39...e2 40.Qxe5+ ( {Or} 40.Kf2 Rxg2+ $1 ) ( {Whereas} 40.Rxe5 e1=Q+ 41.Rxe1 Qxd5 {drops the queen.} ) 40...Qxe5 41.Rxe5 Rc6 ( 41...Rc6 {Rapport resigned not wishing to see} 42.Kf2 Rc1 43.Nd2 Rd1 44.Rxe2 dxe2 45.Kxe2 Ra1 ) 0-1

[Event "Chess.com International"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2018.10.25"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Gupta, Abhijeet"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2588"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8249961094679"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4 {The reversed Rossolimo line.} 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.d3 h6 ( {Duda chose a different path against Kramnik:} 7...Bxc3 8.bxc3 e4 9.Nd4 exd3 10.exd3 Nxd4 11.cxd4 d5 12.Bg5 c6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Qb3 {but could not quite equalize, Kramnik,V (2792)-Duda,J (2737) Dortmund 2018. We analyzed this game for the chess.com members.} ) 8.Na4 Bc5 {Most likely not the best.} ( 8...Ba5 {was tried by Short once.} ) ( {Whereas Nakamura himself (as well as other top players like Topalov, Eljanov, etc.) preferred to defend with:} 8...a5 9.b3 Re8 10.Bb2 Bf5 11.e3 Qe7 12.a3 Bc5 13.Nc3 Qd7 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.cxd5 Ne7 {and later held on his own, Svidler,P (2757) -Nakamura,H (2790) Moscow 2016} ) 9.Nxe5 $1 {An over-the-board novelty, although this has already been seen in an email game. White gets the bishop pair and secures some advantage.} ( {Previously moves like} 9.e3 {were played, and after} 9...a6 10.b3 Ba7 11.Bb2 Re8 12.Nc3 Be6 13.h3 d5 14.e4 dxe4 15.dxe4 Bd7 {and Black had no problems in Kravtsiv,M (2576)-Kryvoruchko,Y (2671) Al Ain 2014} ) 9...Nxe5 ( {Or} 9...Bxf2+ 10.Rxf2 dxe5 11.h3 {with slight advantage for White.} ) 10.d4 Bxd4 ( {Similar is} 10...Bb6 11.dxe5 dxe5 {when White has a choice between} 12.Nxb6 ( {And} 12.Qc2 $5 ) 12...axb6 13.b3 ) 11.Qxd4 Nc6 $146 {Technically speaking, this is the novelty.} ( {Black could not solve all his problems in the email predecessor:} 11...Re8 12.b3 Nc6 13.Qd3 Bg4 14.Re1 Bh5 15.Bb2 {Szczepanski,Z (2523)-Buzas,G (2347) LSS email 2009} ) ( {Interesting was:} 11...Bg4 $5 {when White should avoid} 12.Bxb7 $2 ( {But should prefer instead} 12.Re1 $5 ) ( {Or like in the game:} 12.f3 $5 ) 12...Bxe2 13.Re1 c6 $1 {and it is Black who is on top.} ) 12.Qd2 Bf5 13.b3 {The bishops will be perfect on the long diagonals.} 13...Re8 14.f3 {Getting ready to seize the center.} 14...a6 $1 {Gupta is a very active player and would not miss a chance to play actively. The b7-b5 advance is in fact a fight for the center as well, as the c4 pawn is cleared and then the black central one can occupy it.} ( {There was also} 14...Qd7 {but the trade of the light squared bishops makes little sense here as almost all the white pawns are on light squares-} 15.Bb2 Ne5 16.e4 Bh3 17.Rad1 ) ( {Black can also try something like} 14...a5 15.Nc3 Nd7 {followed by Nd7-c5, but this can hardly suffice for the equality.} ) 15.Nc3 b5 {The point.} ( {There is no time to prepare this advance:} 15...Rb8 16.e4 ( {Or} 16.Bb2 b5 17.e4 Bg6 18.Nd5 {with similar consequences} ) 16...Be6 17.Nd5 b5 18.Bb2 {and White enjoys stable advantage.} ) 16.cxb5 axb5 17.Nxb5 {Nakamura grabs the pawn.} 17...Qb8 18.Nc3 d5 {This is what the pawn was sacrificed for. Gupta wants to expel the white pieces and seize space.} ( {The play for tricks with} 18...Qb6+ 19.Rf2 Ne5 20.e4 Bh3 {is easily repelled with either} 21.Qe3 ( {Or} 21.Bb2 ) ( {But certainly not} 21.Bxh3 $4 Nxf3+ ) ) 19.Bb2 {The second pawn is rejected by the American GM.} ( {It could have been taken though.Then} 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Qxd5 Qb6+ 21.Kh1 Qd4 $5 {would lead to an endgame where all the queenside pawns disappear after} 22.Qxd4 Nxd4 23.e4 Be6 24.Bf4 Nc2 25.Rac1 Rxa2 26.Rf2 Bxb3 27.Bxc7 {White is still ahead, but since the remaining pawns are on the same flank his win is not certain.} ) 19...Qa7+ {Gupta is correctly attracted by the e3 square, but places the wrong piece there.} ( {Better was:} 19...d4 $1 20.Na4 Qb5 21.Rfe1 Nd5 22.Bxd4 ( 22.Rac1 Ne3 {is similar.} ) 22...Nxd4 23.Qxd4 Ne3 {with full compensation for a pawn.} ) 20.Kh1 Qe3 21.Rfd1 ( {Avoiding} 21.Rad1 d4 ) ( {And} 21.Qxe3 Rxe3 22.Rac1 d4 23.Na4 Nb4 {since the black pieces become too active here.} ) 21...Qf2 {The queen keeps moving into the wrong direction.} ( {The last chance was:} 21...d4 22.Nb5 Nd5 23.Nxd4 Nxd4 24.Bxd4 Qxe2 {When White has a pleasant choice between the tactical:} 25.Bxg7 $5 ( {And the positional} 25.f4 $5 {with an extra pawn in either case.} ) 25...Qxd2 26.Rxd2 Kxg7 27.Rxd5 Bc2 28.b4 Rxa2 29.Rxa2 Bb3 30.Rc5 Bxa2 31.Bf1 {with a solid extra pawn, but chances for Black to survive.} ( {Of course not} 31.Rxc7 $4 Re1+ ) ) 22.Re1 Nb4 {Gupta created serious threats, but Nakamura is faster.} 23.Nb5 $1 {The threat is to trap the queen with Bb2-d4.} 23...Nc2 24.Bd4 Ne3 ( {Or} 24...Nxd4 25.Nxd4 Bd7 26.Rf1 Qe3 27.Qxe3 Rxe3 28.Rfc1 {with won endgame for White.} ) 25.Bxe3 Rxe3 26.Rf1 {The decisive "little tactics". White wins a piece.} 26...Qxe2 27.Qxe2 Rxe2 28.Nd4 1-0

[Event "Chess.com International"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2018.10.26"]
[Round "7.12"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2636"]
[BlackElo "2715"]
[ECO "B68"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[Beauty "6671158001232"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 {The Classical Sicilian against Shirov?! Daring! Why not something dull instead? Maybe next time...} 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.O-O-O Bd7 9.f4 Be7 10.Nf3 b5 11.Bd3 b4 12.Ne2 Qc7 13.h4 $146 {A logical novelty. White advances on the side where he is expecting to meet the opponent's king.} ( {The less convincing:} 13.Ned4 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Qb6 15.Nf3 Ng4 16.Bxe7 Kxe7 {was played instead in Nayhebaver,M (2456) -Demchenko,A (2671) Lisbon 2018} ) 13...a5 ( {The immediate} 13...h6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.g4 {would only speed White's attack.} ) 14.h5 h6 {Now he can win the bishop pair.} 15.Bxf6 ( 15.Bh4 O-O {is good for Black.} ) 15...gxf6 {Getting into the typical Classical pawn structure. The solid pawn shield in the middle protects the black king.} ( {However, there was an argument for:} 15...Bxf6 $5 {when Black likely feared} 16.Bb5 ( 16.g4 b3 $1 17.axb3 ( 17.cxb3 Ne5+ ) 17...a4 {looks excellent for Black.} ) 16...Be7 17.Kb1 a4 18.c4 {with a bind.} ) 16.Kb1 Rb8 ( {Here} 16...b3 $2 17.cxb3 {leads Black nowhere.} ) 17.f5 {The plan against this pawn structure is to weaken it as much as possible with this advance, eventually trade on e6, and put as much pressure against the e6 pawn. Once it moves, the white knights will have access to the juicy central outposts.} 17...e5 ( {In case of} 17...a4 18.fxe6 fxe6 19.Nf4 Ne5 20.Nd4 {Black already has difficulties with the pawn and will have to defend it with} 20...Kf7 ) 18.Nh2 $1 {It is very common that the h-pawn disappears in the Classical Sicilian. The unusual thing in the game is that it happens on the h6 square.} 18...a4 ( {Since it cannot be adequately defended:} 18...Kf8 19.Ng4 Kg7 20.Rh3 ) 19.Ng4 Na5 20.b3 Bc6 21.Nxh6 d5 $1 {This is why Black is willing to part with the pawn. Le gets central counterplay.} 22.exd5 Bxd5 23.Ng4 {The knight needs to leave the h6-square as soon as possible.} ( {It is hanging there, for instance in this line:} 23.Rhg1 e4 24.Nf4 exd3 25.Nxd5 Qxc2+ 26.Qxc2 dxc2+ 27.Kxc2 axb3+ 28.axb3 Rxh6 ) 23...axb3 ( {Now} 23...e4 {fails to} 24.Nf4 $1 ) ( {And} 23...Bxg2 24.Rhg1 Bf3 ( 24...Bc6 25.Ng3 {and once the knight occupies the e4 square White should be clearly better.} ) 25.Qe3 Bxg4 26.Rxg4 Bc5 27.Qh3 {is an advantage for White too.} ) 24.cxb3 Bxg2 25.Rhg1 Bc6 {Black regained the pawn but his counterplay on both the queenside and the center petered out. It is Shirov who is controlling the center.} 26.h6 ( {Also good was} 26.Ng3 Rd8 27.Qe3 {preparing to put something on the e4 square.} ) 26...Nb7 {The knight is heading to the center.} 27.Qe3 {But its road is cut.} 27...Ra8 ( {Tactics work for White after} 27...Bc5 $2 28.Nxf6+ Ke7 ( {Or} 28...Kf8 29.Qg5 Bxg1 30.Rxg1 {and Black is helpless.} ) 29.Qg5 Bxg1 30.Nd5+ {and wins.} ) ( {As well as after} 27...Nc5 28.Nxf6+ ( 28.Bc2 $5 ) 28...Bxf6 29.Qxc5 ) 28.Be4 {Probably Shirov's only inaccuracy in the game.} ( {He could have kept the knight away from his queenside with:} 28.Rc1 $1 Nd6 29.Ng3 {followed by Ng3-h5!} ) 28...Nd6 29.Ng3 Nb5 {Now White is practically forced to part with the exchange.} 30.Rc1 Nc3+ 31.Rxc3 bxc3 32.Rc1 Bxe4+ 33.Nxe4 {White's game remains still far more pleasant. After all the black rook on h8 does not take part in the play.} 33...Qa5 ( {Better looked} 33...Kf8 34.Rxc3 Qd7 35.Qf3 Qa7 36.a4 ( 36.Qg2 Rd8 ) 36...Qb7 37.Ka2 Rd8 {with chances for a successful defense.} ) 34.a4 Rb8 35.Rxc3 {Setting a trap.} 35...Qa6 {into which Le does not fall.} ( 35...Qxa4 $4 36.Nexf6+ Kf8 ( 36...Kd8 37.Rd3+ ) 37.Rc8+ $1 ) 36.Kc2 O-O {Castling on move 36? Better late than never, but not in this case...} ( {For good or for bad, Le should have kept playing with his king in the middle.} 36...Rd8 37.Rc4 Kf8 ) 37.Nxe5 $1 {Not only grabbing a pawn but the exchange too.} 37...Kh8 {There is nothing else.} ( 37...fxe5 $4 38.Qg3+ {is mate} ) ( {As well as} 37...Rfc8 $2 38.Qg3+ Kf8 39.Qg7+ Ke8 40.Qxf7+ Kd8 41.Qg8+ Bf8 42.Qxf8# ) 38.Nd7 Rxb3 39.Kxb3 {White is up a piece and a pawn. The rest is technique, although Shirov has to be careful with his exposed king.} ( 39.Rxb3 {was also sufficient for the win after} 39...Rd8 40.Ndc5 ) 39...Qb7+ 40.Nb6 Rb8 41.a5 Qd7 ( {On} 41...Qd5+ {I suspect that Shirov planned a Steinitz/Short sortie of the king with} 42.Ka4 $1 Qa2+ 43.Kb5 $1 Qb1+ 44.Ka6 $1 Qf1+ 45.Ka7 $1 {and his majesty is taking care of himself.} ) 42.Qd3 Qxf5 43.Nc5 Qh5 44.Nb7 {Little tactics to defend everything.} ( {Although there was nothing wrong with} 44.Qe3 Qd1+ 45.Kc4 ) 44...Qg4 ( 44...Rxb7 45.Rc8+ Bf8 46.Rxf8# ) 45.Nd6 {Back to the center!} 45...Qe6+ 46.Nc4 Bc5 47.Qg3 Rg8 48.Qc7 Bd4 49.Rg3 {It is impressive how well and beautifully Shirov coordinated his troops.} 49...Re8 50.Qd7 Qe1 51.Qg4 Qb1+ 52.Ka4 $1 ( {It is never too late to spoil an excellent game.} 52.Ka3 $4 Bc5+ 53.Ka4 Qb4# ) 52...Qa1+ 53.Kb5 f5 54.Qxf5 Qe1 55.Rg4 Qd1 56.h7 1-0

[Event "Chess.com International"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2018.10.27"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2721"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "C60"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7289096388647"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.d4 exd4 5.c3 Nge7 6.cxd4 d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.O-O Bg7 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Bg5 Qd6 11.Re1+ Be6 12.Nbd2 O-O 13.Ne4 Qb4 14.Qc1 Rfe8 15.Bd2 Qb6 16.Nc5 Bf5 17.Ne5 {In the sharp Cozio line White managed to double ealy the opponent's pawns, but in return Black got the bishop pair. Still, the comfartable c5 and e5 outposts make White's play easier.} 17...Rad8 {[#]} ( {In a recent game White got much better after:} 17...Re7 18.a4 Bxe5 19.dxe5 Rb8 20.b4 Rbe8 21.Qc4 Rxe5 22.Rxe5 Rxe5 23.g4 {Ly,M (2501)-Banusz,T (2616) Abu Dhabi 2016} ) 18.h3 $146 {A novelty.} ( {In comparison to the predecessor:} 18.b3 Nf6 ( {But perhaps Black had in mind the forcing line:} 18...Nb4 $5 19.Bxb4 Qxb4 20.Nxc6 Rxe1+ 21.Qxe1 Qxe1+ 22.Rxe1 Rd6 23.Ne7+ Kf8 24.Nxf5 gxf5 25.Kf1 Bxd4 {when the most likely outcome should be a draw.} ) 19.Qc4 {with edge for White,Rozentalis,E (2600)-Pavlidis,A (2354) Milan 2014} ) 18...Nf6 ( {Another way to play the position is} 18...f6 19.Nc4 Rxe1+ 20.Bxe1 {when White is definitely more comfortable to say at least.} ) 19.Nb3 {Naiditsch is looking for a solid edge.} ( {There was also the rude} 19.g4 $5 Bc8 20.Qc4 Nd5 21.b4 {which looks pretty nice for White.} ) 19...Rd5 {The pawn was doomed anyway.} ( 19...Rd6 $2 20.Nc4 ) ( {Or even worse} 19...Re6 $2 20.g4 $1 Be4 21.g5 ) 20.Nxc6 Rxe1+ 21.Bxe1 Bf8 22.Ne5 Be6 {Nakamura's compensation for the pawn does not seem sufficient, but White's next move allows Black kingside threats.} 23.Nc4 ( {Both} 23.Qf4 $5 ) ( {And} 23.Bc3 $5 {seemed more precise.} ) 23...Qb7 {Aiming for the g-square.} ( {However, there was an argument for} 23...Qb5 {which gives some extra support for the black rook. The following line are not obligatory, but demonstrate Black's possibilities:} 24.Ne3 Rg5 25.f4 ( {If} 25.Qxc7 Nd5 $1 26.Qa5 ( 26.Nxd5 Qxd5 27.Qh2 Bd6 ) 26...Qxa5 27.Nxa5 Nxe3 28.fxe3 Bxh3 {when Black is not worse.} ) 25...Rh5 26.Qxc7 Qe2 27.Bf2 Ne4 28.Qc2 Qxc2 29.Nxc2 Rb5 {if White has any advantage, it is not much.} ) 24.Ne3 Rh5 ( {Now} 24...Rg5 {fails to} 25.Ng4 $1 {(the rook is not protected)} 25...Rf5 26.Nc5 {with clear advantage for White.} ) 25.Nc5 $1 {Once again very solid play by Naidistch. He certainly saw that after} 25...Bxc5 26.dxc5 {There will be the tactical blow:} 26...Bxh3 {But did not fear it due to} 27.c6 $1 ( {It is not worth accepting the offer:} 27.gxh3 Qf3 $1 {leads to a position where Black has enough for the piece. For example:} 28.Nf1 Qxh3 ( {Or maybe even more precise} 28...Ne4 $5 29.Qd1 Qxh3 30.Qd8+ Kg7 31.Qd4+ Nf6 32.Ng3 Qh2+ 33.Kf1 Qh3+ 34.Ke2 Qe6+ 35.Kf1 Qh3+ {with perpetual.} ) 29.Ng3 Qh2+ 30.Kf1 Qh3+ 31.Ke2 Qg4+ {And if White wnats to avoid the draw he should enter some risky line like:} 32.Kd3 Rd5+ 33.Kc2 Qc4+ 34.Bc3 Qd3+ 35.Kb3 Qb5+ 36.Ka3 Rxc5 {when it is not even clear who is better.} ) ( 27.Qc3 $1 {was decent alternative.} ) 27...Qc8 28.f3 ( {Even better was:} 28.Qc3 $1 {when the sacrifice} 28...Bxg2 29.Nxg2 Nd5 30.Qf3 {leads Black nowhere.} ) 28...Bxg2 $1 {The best practical decision. Objectively, the sacrifice can most likely be refuted but it poses huge number of problems to Naidistch.} ( {Whereas} 28...Be6 29.Qc3 Nd5 30.Qd4 Qf8 ( 30...Nxe3 31.Bc3 $1 {would be disastrous for Black.} ) 31.Nxd5 Rxd5 32.Qxa7 {would hardly do the same. White is up a clear pawn and owes the better bishop, thus should be close to winning.} ) 29.Nxg2 ( {Not} 29.Kxg2 $2 Qh3+ 30.Kf2 Qh2+ 31.Ng2 Rf5 32.Qc4 h5 $1 {with decisive attack.} ) 29...Qh3 30.Bc3 {This is not accurate neither.} ( {White should have brought the queen for the defense of the kingside:} 30.Qf4 $1 Nd5 31.Qg3 Qh1+ 32.Kf2 {Then a semi-forcing line goes} 32...Rh2 33.b3 Nf4 34.Qxf4 Qxg2+ 35.Ke3 Qb2 36.Qxc7 Qxa1 37.Qxh2 Qxe1+ 38.Kd3 Qe6 39.c7 {with good winning chances in the endgame for White.} ) 30...Nd5 ( 30...Qh2+ 31.Kf2 {only helps White.} ) 31.Bd4 f6 $3 {Fantastic resource. Nakamura's king is taking care of himself!} ( {The witty tactician Naiditsch most likely saw from afar} 31...Qxf3 32.Qe1 $1 f6 33.Qe8+ Kg7 34.Rf1 Rh1+ 35.Kxh1 Qxf1+ 36.Kh2 {where White should win.} ) 32.Qe1 Kf7 {Now there will be no mate in the foreseeable future.} ( {A curious unclear position arises after} 32...Kg7 33.Rd1 Qxf3 34.Bc5 Qh3 35.Kf2 Re5 36.Qxe5 fxe5 37.Rxd5 Qf5+ 38.Kg3 Qg5+ ) 33.Rd1 Rg5 {Somewhere around here Nakamura lost the path.} ( {He did not risk at all with:} 33...Qxf3 $1 34.Be3 Re5 35.Rd3 Nxe3 36.Rxe3 Rxe3 37.Qxe3 Qxc6 38.Qxa7 Qc1+ 39.Kf2 Qxb2+ ) 34.Qe2 Kg7 {Now the king steps away not to disturb the attackers.} ( {As in the line} 34...Nf4 35.Qc4+ Kg7 36.Bxf6+ $1 ) 35.Bc5 $2 ( {Correct was} 35.Qf2 {when} 35...Nf4 {is once again impossible to} ( {White should be better after} 35...Rh5 36.Qd2 Qxf3 37.Qd3 {too.} ) 36.Bxf6+ ) 35...Re5 $2 {A mistake in return!} ( {After} 35...Nf4 $1 36.Rd7+ ( {Worse is} 36.Qe7+ $2 Kh6 37.Qf8+ Kh5 {when White can just resign.} ) 36...Qxd7 37.cxd7 Nxe2+ 38.Kf2 Rd5 39.Kxe2 a6 {It is only Black who can play for a win.} ) 36.Qf2 ( 36.Be3 $1 {s the computer suggestion with an edge.} ) 36...Rg5 ( 36...Rh5 $1 {should have been played with chances to muddy the waters.} ) 37.Rd4 $1 {Finally, Naiditsch consolidated his pieces. The knight has no longer access to the f4 square, which means that White is a healthy piece ahead.} 37...Qe6 38.Re4 Qxc6 39.Qd4 a5 40.a3 h5 41.Kh2 Kh7 42.Qc4 Qb7 43.Re7+ $1 {Naiditsch rarely misses blows like these!} 43...Kh8 ( {Since otherwise Black is checkmated after} 43...Nxe7 44.Qf7+ Kh6 45.Qf8+ Kh7 46.Qxe7+ ) 44.Bd4 Rf5 45.Rd7 Qb8 {Trying the last chance.} 46.Qc6 $1 {Which was rejected.} ( {Nakamura's idea was} 46.Rxd5 c6+ ) 1-0

[Event "Chess.com International"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2018.10.28"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[ECO "B97"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[Beauty "6189182091275"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 8.Nb3 Nbd7 9.Qe2 Qc7 10.O-O-O b5 11.a3 Be7 ( {Another plan is:} 11...Bb7 12.g4 Be7 13.Bg2 O-O-O 14.Rhe1 {Iljiushenok,I (2532)-Kokarev,D (2595) Cheliabinsk 2018} ) 12.g4 h6 13.Bh4 Rb8 $146 {The most topical Najdorf move is a novelty. The bishop remains on c8 in order to let the rook work along the b-file. Only after b5-b4 will it get there.} ( {An email predecessor saw sharp tactical struggle after:} 13...Bb7 14.Bg2 Rc8 15.Kb1 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 Bxh4 17.Bxb7 Qxb7 18.f5 e5 {with compensation for a pawn, Bernal Varela,N (2116)-Comes Dumoulin, R (2109) FICGS email 2010} ) 14.Be1 {Grischuk opens the road for his h-pawn, and in the meanwhile tries to spoil the opponent's plan.} 14...g5 {Ditto for your ideas, mate!} ( {Actually,} 14...b4 {was possible, since the forcing line} 15.axb4 Rxb4 16.Nd5 $2 ( {However, White can prepare the knight jump with} 16.Kb1 $5 ) ( {Or} 16.Bg2 $5 ) 16...Nxd5 17.exd5 Rxb3 {works well for Black.} ) 15.f5 Ne5 16.h4 $5 {Grischuk sacrifices a pawn in order to open files.} 16...Nfxg4 17.hxg5 Bxg5+ 18.Bd2 Bf6 ( {Probably somewhat safer was:} 18...Rg8 19.Bxg5 hxg5 20.Rh7 ( 20.Kb1 ) ( 20.Bh3 Nf6 21.Rhf1 ) ) 19.Rh5 {To cut the supporters.} ( {Weaker would be} 19.Bh3 h5 ) 19...Rg8 20.Bh3 Qc4 $1 {The best defense. Vachier-Lagrave practically sacrifices the pawn back but enters an endgame. White's threats are far more serious than it seems.} ( {For example neither:} 20...Bb7 $6 21.fxe6 fxe6 22.Rxe5 $1 Nxe5 23.Bxe6 ) ( {Nor:} 20...Bd7 {allow Black normal development due to} 21.Bxg4 Rxg4 ( 21...Nxg4 22.Rg1 ) 22.Rxh6 ) 21.Bxg4 ( {In case of:} 21.Qg2 {Black has the trick:} 21...Nd3+ $1 22.Kb1 ( {Worse is} 22.cxd3 Qxb3 23.Bxg4 b4 24.axb4 Rxb4 25.Be1 Rxg4 $1 ) 22...Ndf2 23.Re1 Nxh3 {and he gets rid of the nasty bishop.} ) 21...Nxg4 22.Qxc4 bxc4 23.Na5 Ne5 24.Bf4 {Grischuk's initiative continues in the endgame. Most of the black pawns are under pressure.} ( {Not the hasty} 24.Rxh6 $6 Bd8 25.b4 cxb3 26.Nxb3 Nc4 {with clear edge for Black.} ) 24...Rg4 {Best play by the French GM as well.} ( {White is better after} 24...Be7 25.Bxe5 ( 25.Rxh6 ) 25...dxe5 26.Nc6 ) 25.Bxe5 dxe5 ( {Black cannot hold the bishop pair-} 25...Bxe5 26.Nxc4 Ke7 $2 27.Nxe5 dxe5 28.Rxh6 exf5 29.Rh8 ) 26.Kb1 {In order to reach the h-pawn Grischuk needs this move.} ( {A curious and beautiful line was possible after:} 26.Nxc4 Bg5+ 27.Kb1 exf5 28.Nxe5 fxe4 29.Nc6 Rb6 30.Rxh6 Rh4 31.Rhd6 Bd7 32.Rxd7 Rxc6 {with probable draw.} ) 26...Rh4 ( {Here} 26...exf5 27.Nxc4 {would have most likely led to the above-mentioned line after} ( {Although White has an additional choice-} 27.Rxh6 Rg6 28.Rxg6 fxg6 29.Rd6 Ke7 30.Nxc4 Be6 31.Nd5+ Kf7 32.Rxa6 Bxd5 33.exd5 g5 {True, this does not seem convincing. It is not the quantity of the pawns that matter that much in such positions, but their quality. The black passers seem faster.} ) 27...Bg5 28.Nxe5 fxe4 29.Nc6 ) 27.Rxh4 Bxh4 28.Nxc4 {White finally regains the pawn but also keeps the initiative.} 28...Kf8 $1 {It is Vachier-Lagrave's term to sacrifice the pawn for the initiative.} ( {There were other alternatives-} 28...Bf6 $5 29.Rh1 Bg7 30.fxe6 Bxe6 31.Ne3 {when White is a bit better.} ) ( {Or} 28...f6 $5 ) 29.fxe6 Bxe6 30.Nxe5 Bf6 31.Nc6 Rc8 32.Nd5 $1 {Thanks to this little tactical trick the game proceeds.} 32...Rxc6 ( {Maybe it was easier to play with both bishops on the board after} 32...Bg5 33.Nd4 Bg4 34.Re1 Re8 {with compensation for a pawn} ) 33.Nxf6 Kg7 ( {The rook endgame} 33...Ba2+ 34.Kxa2 Rxf6 35.Rh1 {is gloomy for Black.} ) 34.Ne8+ Kf8 35.Nf6 Kg7 {Do not be surprised to see Grischuk repeating the moves every once in while to gain time on his clock.} 36.Nd5 ( {Similar is} 36.Rf1 Kg6 ) 36...h5 37.b3 Bg4 {After creative and interesting play by both players an interesting endgame emerged where Black compensates for the pawn due the advantage of the bishop over the knight.} 38.Rg1 Re6 ( {Better was:} 38...Kh6 $5 39.Kb2 ( 39.Kc1 Re6 ) 39...Kg5 {With the outside passer still alive Vachier-Lagrave hardly risks to lose.} ) 39.Nf4 Rxe4 40.Nxh5+ Kg6 41.Ng3 Re3 42.Nh1 $1 {You did not expect that, did you? But the knight is not shy of making one step back in order to make two forward!} 42...Kh5 ( {The other way to play it was:} 42...f5 43.Nf2 Kg5 44.Kc1 ( 44.Kb2 Re2 ) 44...Re2 45.Nh3+ Kf6 46.Nf4 ) 43.Kc1 f5 44.Nf2 {Now Grischuk skillfully squeezes every little bit out of his pieces.} 44...Re2 45.Nd3 Kg5 46.Rf1 Re4 47.Kd2 Re2+ 48.Kc3 Re4 49.Kd2 Re2+ 50.Kc3 Re4 51.Rg1 Re2 ( {Not} 51...f4 $2 52.Nf2 Re3+ 53.Kd4 Rg3 54.Ne4+ ) 52.b4 {The pawns are moving.} 52...f4 53.a4 f3 54.b5 axb5 55.axb5 Kh4 56.b6 Re8 57.Rh1+ ( {There was an alternative play for the win with:} 57.Nf2 $5 Bc8 58.Rg7 Re2 59.Rg8 Ba6 60.Rg4+ Kh5 61.Ra4 Bc8 62.Ra8 Bb7 63.Ra7 Rxf2 64.Rxb7 Rf1 65.Kd4 f2 66.Ke3 $1 Rc1 67.Kxf2 Rxc2+ 68.Ke3 Rb2 69.Ke4 ) 57...Kg3 ( {The study-like idea} 57...Bh3 {Self-pinning would not work after} 58.Nf4 Kg3 59.Nxh3 Kg2 60.Nf2 ( {Instead} 60.Ng5 Kxh1 61.Nxf3 Rb8 {is a draw only.} ) 60...Kxf2 61.Kb4 Kg2 62.Rb1 f2 63.c4 Re1 64.Rb2 {and once the white rook sacrifices itself for the black pawn the white passers will be unstoppable.} ) 58.Rg1+ Kh4 59.Kd4 Bf5 {Finally, after almost five dozens of moves Vachier-Lagrave cracks under the pressure.} ( {Correct was} 59...Rd8+ $1 60.Ke4 ( 60.Kc5 Rc8+ 61.Kb5 Bd7+ ) 60...Re8+ 61.Ne5 ( 61.Kf4 Rf8+ ) 61...Bc8 {with most likely draw.} ) 60.b7 Bxd3 61.cxd3 ( 61.Kxd3 {would have let the win slip away after} 61...f2 62.Rf1 Kg3 63.c4 Rb8 ) 61...f2 ( {The black king is cut too far away after:} 61...Rb8 62.Ke3 Rxb7 63.Kxf3 ) 62.Rf1 Kg3 ( {Similarly to the previous note, the black king is too far away after} 62...Rb8 63.Rxf2 Rxb7 ) 63.Kc5 Kg2 64.Rb1 ( 64.Rb1 {Vachier resigned not wishing to see the rest-} 64...Re1 65.Rb2 Re8 66.d4 Kg1 67.Rb1+ f1=Q ( 67...Re1 68.b8=Q ) 68.Rxf1+ Kxf1 69.d5 Ke2 70.d6 Ke3 71.d7 Rg8 72.Kd6 Kd4 73.Kc7 ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India - Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2893"]
[BlackElo "2547"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8250518944776"]
[EventType "blitz"]

{[Notes by Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.b3 b6 5.Bb2 Bb7 6.cxd5 ( {Black was doing fine after:} 6.Nc3 Nbd7 7.d4 Bd6 8.Bd3 O-O 9.O-O a6 10.Rc1 Qe7 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Ne2 Ne4 13.Qc2 Rac8 14.Ng3 g6 15.Qe2 h5 {Harikrishna,P (2732) -Navara,D (2727) Prague 2018} ) 6...exd5 7.Nc3 Nbd7 8.Rc1 a6 9.d4 Bd6 10.g3 O-O 11.Bg2 Qe7 12.O-O Rfe8 13.Nd2 $146 ( {Deviates from the predecessor:} 13.Ne2 Rac8 14.Nf4 Ne4 15.Re1 a5 16.Re2 Ra8 17.a4 Rac8 18.Rec2 Nb8 19.Bf1 g5 20.Nd3 f6 21.Bh3 Rcd8 22.Nfe1 c5 {Artemiev,V (2703)-Harutyunian,T (2504) Kazan 2018} ) 13...Rad8 14.Qc2 c5 15.dxc5 bxc5 16.Rfd1 Nb6 17.Nf3 Bb8 18.Ba3 Rc8 {A typical situation with hanging pawns arose. White should generally try to swap pieces and mount pressure against the central pawns. Nakamura tries to transfer his knight to a good position..} 19.Ne2 {...but in the process allows the black knight also to a good one.} 19...Ne4 {Then the American repeats the moves once:} 20.Nc3 ( {As} 20.Nf4 Bd6 {the pawns will be sufficiently defended.} ) 20...Qf6 $2 {And it pays well. Ganguly got too optimistic.} ( 20...Nf6 {would have requested White to find another plan.} ) 21.Nxe4 dxe4 {The pawns got disconnected and it is amazing how quickly Black's position detoriates.} 22.Nd2 Qe6 ( {If} 22...Qf5 23.Bxc5 a5 {Trying to exploit the pin long term can be met with:} 24.Nxe4 $1 Bxe4 25.Bxe4 Rxe4 26.Bxb6 {and the back-rank weakness decides.} ) 23.Bxc5 Nd7 24.b4 Bd5 25.Nxe4 $1 {Nakamura spots these tactical strikes for a fragment of a second.} 25...Bxe4 26.Bxe4 Nxc5 ( {White is two pawns up after} 26...Qxe4 27.Qxe4 Rxe4 28.Rxd7 ) 27.Bf5 ( 27.Bxh7+ Kh8 28.Bf5 {would also do.} ) 27...Ne4 28.Qxc8 $1 {Funnily, both the hanging pawns disappeared.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India - Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2854"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7630948942344"]
[EventType "blitz"]

{[Notes by Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.d4 Nxd4 9.Nxd4 exd4 10.e5 Ne8 11.c3 dxc3 12.Nxc3 Bb7 13.Bf4 ( {White alos had plenty for the pawn after:} 13.Nd5 Bxd5 14.Qxd5 c6 15.Qe4 g6 16.Bh6 {in Lu,S (2614)-Dubov,D (2666) Moscow 2016} ) 13...c5 14.Qg4 d5 $146 ( {Probably Black just needs to stick to:} 14...c4 15.Bc2 d5 16.exd6 Bxd6 17.Qh3 g6 18.Bh6 Ng7 {Morozov,N (2449)-Mikaelyan,A (2495) Yerevan 2018} ) 15.Bxd5 Bxd5 16.Rad1 Qc8 17.Qxc8 Rxc8 18.Nxd5 Bd8 19.h3 Rc6 20.Nb4 cxb4 21.Rxd8 Nc7 22.Rd6 $1 {Precise play by Harikrishna.} ( {Better than} 22.Rd7 Ne6 23.Bd2 a5 24.Ra7 Rd8 ) 22...Rc4 ( {Otherwise White will trade the active black rook after} 22...Rc2 23.Rc1 Rxc1+ 24.Bxc1 ) 23.Be3 ( 23.Rc1 Ne6 ) 23...h5 24.b3 Rc2 25.Rc1 Rxc1+ 26.Bxc1 {White's advantage is more obvious without the rooks. He has the more active pieces, the better minor piece and the better pawn structure.} 26...a5 27.Be3 Ra8 ( 27...a4 28.g4 {would likely transpose into the game.} ) 28.g4 {The queenside is stable. Harikrishna brings into motion his kingside majority.} 28...hxg4 29.hxg4 a4 {The only chance for counterplay.} 30.f4 axb3 31.axb3 Ra3 32.Rd3 ( 32.Rd7 Rxb3 ) ( 32.Rd8+ $5 Kh7 33.Rd3 ) 32...g6 33.f5 gxf5 34.gxf5 Kg7 35.Kf2 {The king does not mind moving all the way to the queenside and snacking the pawns there.} 35...Ra2+ {Aronian sends the rook to a more active position, but that piece alone cannot fight the whole white army.} 36.Kf3 Rc2 37.Rd7 Kg8 38.Bg5 Rc6 39.Rd8+ Kg7 40.Ke4 ( {Even better than:} 40.Bf6+ Rxf6 41.exf6+ Kxf6 42.Ke4 Ke7 ) 40...Ra6 41.Rc8 ( 41.Rc8 Rc6 42.Bf6+ Kh6 43.Rh8# ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India - Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2893"]
[ECO "D24"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[Beauty "8248887381545"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Bg5 dxc4 5.Nc3 a6 6.a4 c6 ( {Another line is:} 6...Nc6 7.e3 Na5 8.Nd2 c5 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.d5 Qg6 11.Qf3 exd5 12.Nxd5 Bd6 13.h3 O-O 14.Nxc4 Nxc4 15.Bxc4 Bf5 16.Nc3 Be5 17.O-O {1/2-1/2 (17) Bruzon Batista,L (2653)-Liang,A (2572) Saint Louis 2018} ) 7.e3 b5 8.axb5 cxb5 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Nxb5 axb5 11.Rxa8 Bb7 12.Ra1 Bb4+ 13.Ke2 O-O 14.Qc2 $146 {A novelty which will hardly attract followers.} ( {An email game saw:} 14.Ne1 Qe7 15.Nc2 Nc6 16.f3 Ba5 17.Kf2 Rd8 18.f4 Kh8 19.Qh5 {Vetter,G (2320) -Eldridge,M (2371) ICCF email 2014} ) 14...f5 {A very difficult position for blitz arouse. There are too many tricks to foresee, too many traps to fall into.} 15.Nd2 Nc6 16.Rd1 {Intending the maneuver Nd2-b1-c3. But this is a blunder.} ( {Mamedyarov probably saw that the immediate:} 16.Nb1 {would be punished by:} 16...Nxd4+ $1 17.exd4 Qxd4 {With decisive attack. For example:} 18.Nc3 ( 18.f3 Qe5+ 19.Kf2 Bc5# ) 18...Qe5+ 19.Kd2 Rd8+ 20.Kc1 Qe1+ 21.Nd1 Rxd1+ 22.Qxd1 Bd2+ 23.Kc2 Be4+ 24.Bd3 Bxd3# ) ( {White should also avoid.} 16.f3 f4 $1 ) ( 16.Rg1 {also has a drawback-} 16...Nxd4+ 17.exd4 Qxd4 18.Nf3 Qg4 {and the rook on g1 is hanging in some lines.} ) ( {Perhaps} 16.h4 {should have been tried, in order to bring the rook into the defense after} 16...Nxd4+ 17.exd4 Qxd4 18.Rh3 $1 ) 16...Qxd4 $1 {That's it! The white king is lacking the d1 square.} 17.Nf3 ( 17.exd4 Nxd4+ 18.Ke3 Nxc2+ 19.Ke2 Nd4+ {is winning for Black.} ) 17...Qf6 18.b3 Bc3 19.Rc1 ( {Or} 19.bxc4 Nb4 20.Qb3 bxc4 21.Qxc4 Ba6 ) 19...Bb2 20.bxc4 Nb4 21.Qb3 Bxc1 22.Qxb4 Ra8 23.Nd4 f4 24.Qxb5 fxe3 25.Qxb7 Ra2+ 26.Kd3 Rd2+ ( 26...Rd2+ 27.Kc3 Qxd4+ 28.Kb3 Rb2+ ) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India - Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2547"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8251705917459"]
[EventType "blitz"]

{[Notes by Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nc3 Nb6 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.O-O Be7 8.d3 O-O 9.Be3 Re8 10.a4 ( {So experienced the problems black is facing here recently:} 10.Rc1 Bf8 11.Na4 Nd4 12.Nc5 a5 13.Bxd4 exd4 14.Nb3 {Then he went rogue:} 14...g5 15.Qd2 g4 {Granda Zuniga,J (2648) -So,W (2794) Douglas 2016} ) 10...a6 11.a5 Nd7 12.Nd2 Nd4 13.Nc4 Bf8 14.f4 $146 ( {White got some advantage in the predecessor:} 14.Rb1 Rb8 15.b4 c6 16.Ne4 {Markowski,T (2629)-Jakubowski,K (2502) Warsaw 2010} ) 14...Nf5 15.Bd2 exf4 16.Bxf4 Nf6 17.Kh1 Nh5 18.Qd2 Bb4 $2 {One mistake brings all the white pieces close to the black king.} 19.g4 Nxf4 20.Qxf4 Nh6 $2 {Makes the attack too smooth for White.} ( {Correct was} 20...Bd6 {Although White is better after both:} 21.Qf2 ( {Or} 21.Nxd6 Nxd6 22.e4 Be6 23.d4 ) 21...Nh6 22.Nxd6 cxd6 $1 ( {But not} 22...Qxd6 23.g5 Nf5 24.e4 ) 23.h3 {in either case White enjoys large advantage thanks to the ugly knight on the rim.} ) 21.Nd5 Bd6 22.Nxd6 cxd6 ( 22...Qxd6 23.Nxc7 ) 23.g5 Nf5 24.e4 Nd4 25.Qxf7+ Kh8 26.Nc7 Be6 27.Qxe8+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India - Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2854"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7766777294390"]
[EventType "blitz"]

{[Notes by Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a3 O-O 9.Nc3 Na5 10.Ba2 Be6 11.b4 Bxa2 12.Rxa2 Nc6 13.Bg5 Nd7 ( {The two GMs already discussed this opening before. Levon Aronian chose instead:} 13...Qd7 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nd5 Bd8 16.a4 Ne7 17.Ne3 Rb8 18.axb5 axb5 19.c3 Qe6 20.Qb1 d5 {and held the game to a draw later, Anand,V (2785)-Aronian,L (2804) Bilbao 2014} ) 14.Bd2 Nf6 15.Nd5 $146 ( {The predecessor was:} 15.Re1 Qd7 16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.exd5 Na7 18.a4 c6 19.axb5 axb5 20.Qa1 cxd5 21.Be3 d4 22.Nxd4 exd4 23.Bxd4 Bf6 24.Bxf6 gxf6 25.Qxf6 Rfe8 26.Qg5+ Kf8 27.Qh6+ Kg8 28.Qg5+ Kf8 29.Qh6+ Kg8 30.Qg5+ {1/2-1/2 (30) Naiditsch,A (2721) -Wojtaszek,R (2727) Douglas 2018} ) 15...Nxd5 16.exd5 Nb8 17.c4 Nd7 18.Qb3 f5 19.Rc2 Bf6 20.Be3 {In a Najdorf-type of position Black has the kingside majority and his attack is running smoothly there.} 20...g5 {"I thought allowing this is really dangerous" (Aronian)} 21.h3 h5 22.cxb5 ( {The Armenian GM believed White should have tried to stop his attack with} 22.h4 $5 gxh4 23.Rfc1 {and he might well be right.} ) 22...g4 23.hxg4 hxg4 24.Nh2 axb5 25.Rfc1 Bg5 26.Rxc7 ( {Black expected} 26.d4 exd4 27.Bxg5 Qxg5 28.Rxc7 Ne5 {when thanks to the huge knight he is muh better.} ) 26...g3 27.Nf1 ( {Tactics doe snot solve White problems as after} 27.Rxd7 Qxd7 28.Bxg5 gxh2+ 29.Kh1 f4 {the white bishop is trapped.} ) ( {If} 27.Nf3 gxf2+ 28.Kxf2 Bxe3+ 29.Kxe3 {The white king is getting dragged out. Aronian lanned the simple:} 29...Nf6 {with many threats.} ( {But even better would be:} 29...e4 $1 30.dxe4 fxe4 {Now if White is brave enough and gets the pawn:} 31.Kxe4 {He would easily get mated:} ( {Aronian was afraid of} 31.Qc2 {but there is the simple} 31...Rxa3+ ) 31...Qf6 32.Rxd7 Rfe8+ 33.Kd3 Qg6+ 34.Kd2 ( {Or} 34.Kd4 Re4+ 35.Kd3 Rxb4+ ) 34...Qxg2+ 35.Kc3 Rac8+ 36.Kd4 Qf2+ 37.Kd3 Qe3# ) ) 27...gxf2+ 28.Kxf2 Bxe3+ 29.Nxe3 Qh4+ {Once again the white king got extricated from the good defensive positon. The ned is near.} 30.Ke2 f4 31.Nd1 f3+ {A bit rushy and based on miscalculation.} ( 31...Nf6 {was not bad at all.} ) ( {The easiest win was to improve the queen first:} 31...Qg4+ 32.Ke1 Qg3+ 33.Ke2 {Then tear appart the white king's position-} ( 33.Kd2 Qxg2+ 34.Kc3 ) 33...f3+ ) 32.gxf3 Rxf3 {The point, which is the actual mistake.} ( {It was not too late to insert a check} 32...Qh2+ 33.Nf2 {Then take:} 33...Rxf3 $1 {With the seconds ticking away Aronian was afraid of:} 34.Rc8+ {But he could have won with} 34...Rf8 ) 33.Rc8+ ( {Anand could have just taken it. After:} 33.Kxf3 Rf8+ 34.Ke2 Qh2+ 35.Ke1 Qg2 36.Rc8 $1 {Comes in time and defends the king. Then} 36...Qf1+ 37.Kd2 Qg2+ {would be perpetual.} ) 33...Rf8 34.Rxa8 Qh2+ $1 {There is no second chance for the former world champion. The in-between check does not allow any coordination.} ( {Although} 34...Rxa8 35.Nf2 Qh5+ {would be big advantage for Black too.} ) 35.Ke1 Rxa8 36.Rc2 Qg3+ 37.Rf2 ( {The last chance was:} 37.Kf1 Rf8+ 38.Rf2 Nf6 39.Qc2 {although it is hard to believe that all the black pieces will not find a way through the white king.} ) 37...Nf6 38.Kf1 Ng4 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India - Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "11.3"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2893"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[Beauty "6735045591559"]
[EventType "blitz"]

{[Notes by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 Nxe5 8.Rxe5 O-O 9.d4 Bf6 10.Re1 Re8 11.Rxe8+ Nxe8 12.d5 d6 13.Nd2 c6 14.Nc4 {After defeating Aronian yesterday, Harikrishna won another technical game against the other foreign favorite.} 14...cxd5 15.Qxd5 Qe7 {Allows time to White to consolidate.} ( {Interesting was} 15...Be6 $5 16.Qxb7 d5 17.Na5 Rc8 18.Nb3 a5 {with compensation.} ) 16.Ne3 Be6 17.Qf3 Rc8 18.c3 Bg5 19.Nf5 Qf6 20.Bxg5 Qxg5 21.Nd4 {There are no weaknesses in White's camp whereas Nakamura needs to constantly worry about his d6 isolani.} 21...Bd5 22.Qf5 $1 {In the endgame the weakness is even more visible.} 22...Qxf5 23.Nxf5 Kf8 24.Ne3 Be6 25.a4 Nf6 26.Rd1 Ke7 ( 26...Bb3 27.Rd4 ) 27.f3 Rc5 28.Rd4 a6 29.Kf2 Bd7 30.g4 $1 {Squeezing Black from both flanks.} 30...h5 31.h4 ( 31.b4 $5 {as} 31...Rxc3 $2 {fails to} 32.g5 Ne8 33.Nd5+ ) 31...hxg4 32.fxg4 g5 33.h5 {There are two wekanesses now in Black's camp-the one on d6 and the outside passer.} 33...d5 34.Bd3 Kf8 35.Rb4 b5 36.axb5 axb5 37.Kf3 Kg7 38.Bf5 Bc6 39.Rd4 Ne8 40.Bd3 Nc7 ( 40...Bd7 41.Ke2 Be6 {was more stubborn.} ) 41.Nf5+ Kh8 42.Ke3 Ne6 43.Rb4 Bd7 44.Nd6 {And Black's position collapses.} 44...Nf4 ( 44...Kg7 45.Bxb5 ) 45.Nxf7+ Kg7 46.Nxg5 Nxd3 47.Kxd3 d4 ( 47...Rc4 $5 {can be met with} 48.h6+ $1 Kxh6 49.Nf7+ Kg7 50.Ne5 ) 48.Rxd4 Bc8 49.Ne4 Re5 50.Nd6 Bd7 51.Nf5+ Bxf5+ 52.gxf5 Rxf5 53.Rh4 Kh6 54.Kc2 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India - Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "12.2"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7767066680880"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 b6 4.e3 Bb7 5.Nbd2 e6 6.Ne5 Bd6 7.Bd3 Nfd7 8.Qg4 g6 9.h4 Bxe5 10.dxe5 Nc6 11.Qg3 h6 12.O-O-O Qe7 13.e4 Nb4 14.a3 Nxd3+ 15.Qxd3 O-O-O 16.Qe3 Nc5 17.Bxh6 d4 18.Qf4 d3 19.Bg5 Qd7 {In a very complicated, double-edged position Vidit goes for the material.} 20.Bxd8 {And this turns out to be the decisive mistake.} ( {Instead} 20.Nb3 {was OK for him as his king would be safe. For example:} 20...Qa4 21.Rd2 Nxb3+ 22.cxb3 Qxb3 23.Bxd8 Rxd8 24.Kb1 ) 20...dxc2 21.Kxc2 Qd3+ 22.Kc1 Bxe4 $1 {Shakh attacks with opposite-colored bishops. White needs to give away the queen to avoid checkmate.} 23.Qxe4 ( 23.Nxe4 Nb3# ) 23...Nxe4 24.Rh3 Qe2 25.Nxe4 Rxd8 26.Rxd8+ Kxd8 27.Re3 Qf1+ {With a quick win.} 28.Kd2 Qxg2 29.Kc3 Ke7 30.Nf6 Qxf2 31.Re4 c5 32.b4 b5 33.bxc5 Qxc5+ 34.Kb3 a5 35.Kb2 b4 36.axb4 axb4 37.Re2 Qc3+ 38.Kb1 Qd3+ 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India - Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "14.3"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[ECO "D73"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[Beauty "8246739921442"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.d4 Bg7 5.c4 c6 6.O-O dxc4 7.a4 O-O 8.Qc2 ( {Relevant:} 8.Na3 Be6 9.Ng5 Bd5 10.e4 h6 11.exd5 hxg5 12.dxc6 Nxc6 13.Bxg5 Na5 {Banusz,T (2607)-Balog,I (2540) Ajka 2018} ) 8...Be6 9.e4 h6 $146 ( {Predecessor:} 9...b5 10.Rd1 a5 11.axb5 cxb5 12.Ng5 Bc8 13.e5 Nd5 14.Nc3 Bb7 15.Nxb5 {Cordova Garcia,E (2021)-King,F (1600) Dos Hermanas 2004} ) 10.Rd1 Na6 11.Ne5 $6 Nb4 ( {Strong was also} 11...Ng4 $1 12.Nxg4 Bxg4 13.f3 Bxd4+ {when White cannot use the pin after} 14.Kh1 {due to} 14...Be6 15.Be3 Nb4 {followed by Nb4-d3.} ) 12.Qc3 c5 13.d5 ( {Better was} 13.Nxc4 Ng4 14.e5 Nc6 {although Black does not experience any problems whatsoever.} ) 13...Ng4 14.Bf4 g5 $1 {Suddenly it is over, the white pieces lack support.} 15.Bf3 Bc8 $1 ( {But not} 15...Nxe5 $2 16.Bxe5 Bxe5 17.Qxe5 ) 16.Bxg4 ( {If} 16.h3 gxf4 17.Bxg4 Nd3 ) 16...Bxg4 17.f3 gxf4 18.fxg4 f3 $1 {The knight on e5 is doomed. One pin is everything Anand needed here.} 19.Na3 Nd3 20.Rxd3 cxd3 21.Nac4 Qc7 22.Rd1 b6 23.Rxd3 a6 24.d6 exd6 25.Nxd6 Rae8 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India - Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "16.4"]
[White "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2547"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[ECO "A07"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8249293950499"]
[EventType "blitz"]

{[Notes by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Bg4 3.Bg2 c6 4.O-O Nd7 5.h3 Bh5 ( 5...Bxf3 6.Bxf3 Ngf6 7.d3 e5 8.e4 Bc5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nc3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 O-O 12.Re1 {was Artemiev,V (2706)-Lysyj,I (2631) Sochi 2018} ) 6.d4 e6 7.c4 Be7 8.Nc3 dxc4 9.a4 $146 ( {White had enough compensation for a pawn in the recent game:} 9.b3 cxb3 10.Qxb3 Qb6 11.Qa4 Ngf6 12.Rb1 Qc7 13.Bf4 Qc8 14.Rfc1 {Matlakov,M (2718)-Giri, A (2752) Wijk aan Zee 2018} ) 9...a5 10.e4 Ngf6 11.Qe2 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 e5 13.Be3 exd4 14.Bxd4 Bc5 15.e5 $1 {Ganguly opens the king as early as he can. This is the most unpleasant strategy in blitz!} ( {Instead} 15.Qxc4 Qe7 16.Rad1 {is a little better for White.} ) 15...Bxd4 16.exf6+ Kf8 {So decided to keep the king in the center. Now White's compensation is obvious.} ( {One can self-pin only after checking the line thoroughly at home-} 16...Ne5 17.fxg7 Rg8 18.Rfe1 Rxg7 19.Rad1 f6 {When White has either} 20.Kg2 ( {Or} 20.Nd5 $5 Rxg3+ 21.Kf1 Rxf3 22.Qxf3 Qxd5 23.Qxd5 cxd5 24.Rxd4 O-O-O 25.Red1 {with advantage for the first player.} ) ) 17.fxg7+ Kxg7 18.Rad1 ( {Misses a good tactical shot with:} 18.Bxc6 $1 bxc6 ( {Or} 18...Bxc3 19.Rad1 bxc6 20.Qg4+ Kf8 21.Rxd7 ) 19.Qg4+ ) 18...Ne5 19.Be4 Qb6 20.Qh5 Ng6 21.Ne2 Bf6 22.Rd7 Rad8 23.Rfd1 Rxd7 ( 23...Rhe8 $5 ) 24.Rxd7 Ne5 ( 24...Rd8 {looks very dangerous after} 25.Rxf7+ Kxf7 26.Qxh7+ Ke6 27.Qxg6 Qxb2 {but is apparently dangerous for both the sides.} ) 25.Rd1 Ng6 26.Rd7 Ne5 27.Rd6 Qc5 $4 {A huge blunder. The area around the king is left unprotected for a moment.} ( 27...Ng6 {was mandatory when Black has nothing better but to repeat with} 28.Rd7 ) 28.Nd4 $1 {Which is used by the Indian GM to bring his knight close to the enmy king. The uninvited guest tips the scales in White's favor.} 28...Be7 ( 28...Qxd6 29.Nf5+ ) 29.Qh6+ Kg8 30.Nf5 Bf8 31.Rd8 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India - Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "19.1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2893"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[Beauty "6666460333577"]
[EventType "blitz"]

{[Notes by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 O-O 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 a6 9.a4 Ba7 10.Nbd2 g5 11.Bg3 g4 ( {Or:} 11...Nh7 12.Kh1 Kh8 13.b4 h5 14.h4 g4 15.Nh2 f5 {as in a fresh game from the Olympiad, Kovalenko,I (2646) -Amin,B (2686) Batumi 2018} ) 12.Nh4 $146 {Safe and positional in blitz.} ( {The only predecessor saw White sacrificing a piece with:} 12.Bh4 Kg7 13.Kh1 gxf3 14.Qxf3 Nb8 15.g4 {and the first player eventually won, Demchenko,A (2589)-Howell,D (2671) Gjakova 2016} ) 12...Nh5 13.Re1 Qg5 {Nakamura's pieces look aggressive, but it is somehow easier for White to play. He has obvious spots to work on.} 14.Nf1 Kg7 15.Ne3 Nxg3 16.hxg3 Bxe3 17.Rxe3 {Now it is obvious that Anand has the advantage.} 17...Ne7 18.d4 Ng6 19.Nxg6 fxg6 20.dxe5 Qxe5 21.Bd5 Rb8 22.b4 Bd7 ( 22...c6 23.Bc4 Be6 24.Bxe6 Qxe6 25.Qd4+ Qe5 26.Rd1 {with a slight edge for White.} ) 23.Ra2 Rf6 24.Rd2 Bc6 {Makes Black's problems difficult to solve.} ( {Better was} 24...c6 25.Bb3 Re8 ) 25.Bxc6 ( 25.Qxg4 Bxa4 26.f4 {was also good for White.} ) 25...bxc6 26.Qe2 {Now Black has too many weaknesses and it is easy to lose them when low on time.} ( {Anand later admitted that he had completely forgotten about} 26.Qxg4 ) 26...a5 $1 {Active counterplay, as otherwise the weaknesses will be fixed, surrounded and destroyed.} 27.b5 $5 ( 27.bxa5 Qxa5 28.e5 $1 {was good for White too.} ) 27...h5 ( {Or} 27...cxb5 28.Rd5 Qe6 29.axb5 ) 28.bxc6 Rb1+ 29.Rd1 Rxd1+ 30.Qxd1 Re6 31.Qd4 Kf7 32.Kf1 $1 {Anand prepares for the endgame.} 32...Qc5 $1 33.Qxc5 dxc5 34.Ke2 c4 ( {Better was} 34...Rxc6 $1 {intending} 35.Kd3 ( 35.Rd3 Rd6 36.f4 {is most likely still a bit better for White.} ) 35...Rd6+ 36.Kc4 Rd2 {with counterplay.} ) 35.e5 Rxc6 36.f4 gxf3+ 37.Kxf3 $1 {Active pieces have priority to better pawn structure.} 37...Ke6 38.Ke4 Rc5 39.Kd4 Rd5+ 40.Kxc4 Rd2 ( 40...Rxe5 {loses to} 41.Rxe5+ Kxe5 42.Kb5 ) 41.Kb5 Rxg2 42.Kxa5 Rb2 43.Ka6 g5 44.a5 c5 ( {Perhaps Black should have tried to swap some pawns off-} 44...h4 45.gxh4 gxh4 46.Rh3 Kxe5 47.Rxh4 Kd6 ) 45.Ka7 Rb3 46.a6 c4 47.Ka8 Ra3 ( {The best chance was} 47...Rb6 $1 {with the idea to meet} 48.a7 ( 48.Ka7 Rb3 ) 48...Rb3 49.Re1 Rxc3 50.Rb1 {with} 50...Rb3 ) 48.Kb7 {Now that the white king is out the defense is much tougher if possible at all.} 48...Rb3+ ( 48...h4 $5 49.gxh4 gxh4 50.a7 Rb3+ ) 49.Kc6 Ra3 50.Kb5 $1 {Anand prepared and built a bridge.} 50...Ra1 51.Re4 Kd5 52.Rd4+ Kxe5 53.Rxc4 Kd5 54.Rd4+ Ke5 55.Ra4 ( 55.Ra4 Rb1+ 56.Kc6 Rb8 57.a7 Ra8 58.Kb7 {is hopeless for Black.} ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India - Rapid"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2018.11.11"]
[Round "9.4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2608"]
[ECO "B13"]
[EventDate "2018.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7835228316170"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 {After so many years of cooperation the Player and the Second know everything about themselves and cannot surprise each other.} 1...c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 {Fischer made this move popular with his wins against the Iron Petrosian. Nowadays it comes back into fashion. Very often White gets reversed QGD type of positions with an extra tempo.} 4...Nc6 5.c3 e6 6.Nf3 ( {Another way to develop is:} 6.Ne2 Bd6 7.Nd2 Nge7 8.f4 O-O 9.Nf3 f6 10.O-O Bd7 11.Qc2 {as in Kovalev,V (2636) -Riazantsev,A (2666) Sochi 2017} ) 6...Bd6 7.O-O Nge7 8.Re1 O-O 9.Na3 $146 {A novelty. The knight is looking for the optimal square.} ( {An email predecessor saw interesting play after:} 9.h3 f6 10.c4 Nb4 11.Bf1 dxc4 12.Bxc4 Qc7 13.Qe2 a6 14.Bxe6+ Bxe6 15.Qxe6+ Kh8 16.Na3 Ned5 {with compensation for the pawn, Selin,S (2313)-Morley,P (2205) ICCF email 2009} ) ( {The stnadart development of the knight might leave them workless-} 9.Ne5 $5 f6 10.Qh5 Nf5 ) ( {Please note that the typical sacrifice} 9.Bxh7+ Kxh7 10.Ng5+ {does not work due to} 10...Kg6 11.Qg4 f5 ) ( {Or} 9.Nbd2 f6 {and the white knights are not going anywhere.} ) 9...f6 ( {Anand was clearly not afraid of the doubling of his pawns:} 9...Bxa3 10.bxa3 {In return he gets rich play thanks to his bishop pair and the open files. For example} 10...b6 $2 {Now allows the sacrifice:} ( {And} 10...f6 11.Qc2 g6 12.Rb1 {gives White plenty of play.} ) 11.Bxh7+ Kxh7 12.Ng5+ Kg6 13.Qg4 f5 14.Qg3 Kf6 15.Bf4 {with decisive threats.} ) 10.Nb5 Bb8 11.c4 Nb4 {With the clever intention to block the isolated pawn.} ( {Instead} 11...a6 {only pushes the white knight to a better positon.} 12.Nc3 ) ( {Likewise} 11...dxc4 12.Bxc4 {makes the bishop more active.} ) ( {There is an argument for the prophylactical} 11...Kh8 $5 {though.} ) 12.Bf1 dxc4 13.Bxc4 Nbd5 {The point of the maneuver. The d-pawn will not move forward any time soon(or ever).} 14.Nc3 Kh8 ( 14...Bd7 15.Qb3 {is awkward for Black.} ) 15.Qb3 a6 $1 {Ganguly finds a clever way to bring his rook into life.} ( {White is better after} 15...b6 16.Bd2 Qd6 17.Nxd5 Nxd5 18.Rac1 ) 16.a4 b6 17.Bd2 Ra7 {This is what it was all about. The rook is ready to enter the battle, while the bishps can work from the back ranks.} 18.a5 $1 {Nevertheless White's position looks more pleasant thanks to his space advantage. Anand decided to fix some dark squares and secure outposts for his knights.} ( {Interesting was also the immediate} 18.Nxd5 $5 Nxd5 ( 18...exd5 19.Bd3 ) 19.Rac1 ( {Here} 19.Bxd5 exd5 20.Bb4 Rg8 21.a5 {can be answered with} 21...Rb7 ) 19...Rc7 20.Qd3 {with slight edge for White in either case.} ( {Or} 20.h3 ) ) 18...b5 19.Bxd5 exd5 ( {The endgame after} 19...Nxd5 20.Nxd5 Qxd5 21.Qxd5 exd5 22.Bb4 Rg8 23.Rac1 {is very pleasant for White as he not only has the pen files, but can make very good use of the c5 outpost.} ) 20.h3 {Rules out the Bc8-g4 possibilities. Now Anand is ready to bring his knights to the optimal squares. He intends Nc3-a2-b4-d3-c5, and/or Bd2-b4. One can easily lose a game like that without even understanding where he had gone wrong.} 20...g5 $1 {Not Ganguly! He is ready to fire back with his pieces on the kingside. The bishops are already attacking there and the rooks can quickly join them. they just need some open files.} 21.Na2 Nc6 ( {The immediate} 21...Rg8 $5 {might have been more accurate.} ) 22.Nb4 Nxb4 23.Bxb4 Rg8 24.Qa3 {Intends to throw in a spanner in Black's kingside busyness.} 24...g4 25.hxg4 ( {Not} 25.Be7 $2 Rxe7 26.Qxe7 gxf3 {and Black wins material.} ) 25...Bxg4 26.Nh2 $6 {So far Anand played perfectly, but now goes into the wrong direction. The move looks solid, but is most likely based on a tactical oversight.} ( {After the correct:} 26.Nh4 $1 {White keeps the situation under control and should be better. For example:} 26...Rag7 ( {Or} 26...Rf7 27.Re7 {trading some future attackers.} ) 27.Be7 Qc7 28.g3 {and Black has to think about defence.} ( {But not} 28.Bxf6 $4 Qh2+ 29.Kf1 Qh1# ) ) 26...Rag7 27.g3 ( {It was not too late to swap off a pair of active rooks with} 27.Re7 $1 Bf5 28.Rxg7 Rxg7 ) ( {But perhaps it dawned to Anand that in case of the move that I suspect he prepared:} 27.Be7 {Ganguly has the fantastic resource:} 27...Be2 $3 28.Bxd8 Rxg2+ 29.Kh1 Rxh2# ) 27...Bh3 {Suddenly all the black pieces are attacking and the threat of Bb8xg3 is real.} 28.Re3 ( {If} 28.Nf1 Bxf1 29.Kxf1 Qc8 ) ( {Or} 28.Kh1 Bxg3 ) 28...Bf4 29.Rf3 Qc7 30.Nf1 ( 30.Rxf4 Qxf4 ) 30...Bxf1 31.Kxf1 ( {Since else Black will get decisive attack-} 31.Rxf1 Bxg3 32.fxg3 Rxg3+ 33.Kf2 ( {Or} 33.Kh1 Rg2 34.Rh3 Qg7 35.Qe3 Rxb2 36.Rg1 Qxg1+ 37.Qxg1 Rxg1+ 38.Kxg1 Rxb4 {with decisive material gain.} ) 33...Rg2+ 34.Ke3 Re8+ 35.Kd3 Qc4# ) 31...Bxg3 $1 {It happened! The white position collapses now.} 32.Qc3 ( {The sacrifice cannot be accepted-} 32.fxg3 Rxg3 33.Rxg3 Rxg3 34.Qa2 Qf4+ 35.Ke2 Rg2+ 36.Ke1 Qe4+ 37.Kd1 Qe2+ 38.Kc1 Qc2# ) 32...Qd7 $1 {With the white king in the center Black wants the queens on the board.} ( {Avoiding the endgame} 32...Qxc3 33.bxc3 Bf4 34.Ke2 {which complicates matters.} ) 33.Ke2 ( {If} 33.fxg3 Qh3+ 34.Ke2 Re8+ 35.Kd2 Qg2+ 36.Kd1 Qg1+ ) 33...Re8+ 34.Kd2 Bh4 35.Re1 {Black is not only up pawn, but has the more secure king and active pieces. The next blunder makes his task easier.} ( 35.Kc2 {would have still fought on.} ) 35...Rxe1 36.Kxe1 Rg1+ 37.Ke2 Bg5 {There is no escape from the infiltration of the black queen along the e-file. Ganguly did not have the tournament of his life, but can be proud of his first game against the former world champion!} 0-1

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Gibraltar"]
[Date "2019.01.23"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Sadzikowski, Daniel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2534"]
[ECO "B33"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7699534191654"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Nd5 {The new main line nowadays.} 7...Nxd5 8.exd5 Nb8 9.a4 Be7 10.Be2 O-O 11.O-O Nd7 12.Bd2 ( {So deviates first from the WCC match game which went:} 12.b4 a6 13.Na3 a5 14.bxa5 Rxa5 15.Nc4 Ra8 16.Be3 f5 17.a5 f4 18.Bb6 {Caruana,F (2832) -Carlsen,M (2835) London 2018} ) 12...f5 13.a5 f4 {[#]} 14.Re1 $1 $146 {A strong novelty. White prepares a blockade on the light squares.} ( {An email predecessor saw:} 14.f3 a6 15.Nc3 Nf6 16.Na4 Bf5 17.Nb6 Rb8 18.Bb4 Rf7 19.c4 Qf8 {when Black was doing reasonably OK in Turkov,V (2529)-Moll,R (2579) ICCF email 2016} ) ( {The other ways to block the pawns was not convincing:} 14.Bf3 Nf6 15.Re1 Bf5 $1 ) ( {Or} 14.Bd3 f3 $1 ) 14...Nf6 15.Bd3 {Now the bishop controls both e4 and f5 squares and f4-f3 seems impossible. White's plan is obvious-push c2-c4 and then flip the knight to the e4 square. If this happens his queenside play will go on by itself.} 15...f3 {Played anyway. Sadzikowski wanted to make use of the half-open f-file, but either missed or misjudged a small detail.} ( {Obviously Black cannot take the pawn since after:} 15...Nxd5 16.Bc4 Be6 17.Qf3 Nc7 {White has a pleasant choice between winning the exchange with:} 18.Nxc7 ( {Or play for solid positional advantage with:} 18.Bxe6+ Nxe6 19.Qd5 Rf6 20.Bb4 ) 18...Bxc4 19.Nxa8 Qxa8 20.b3 ) ( 15...a6 {makes sense with the idea to hit the d5 pawn as early as possible.} 16.Nc3 Kh8 {It seems as Black is doing fine as the d5 pawn is hanging in case that the c3 knight moves, but there is a clever tactical idea in White's possession:} 17.Na4 $1 Nxd5 18.Nb6 Nxb6 19.Qh5 {When Blck is unable to defend adequatly:} 19...h6 20.Qg6 Kg8 21.Qh7+ Kf7 22.axb6 {with huge attack.} ) ( {A prepratory move like:} 15...Kh8 {allows:} 16.c4 ) 16.Qxf3 Ng4 17.Qe4 Bf5 {It seems as Black is taking over the initiative, but...} 18.Qxf5 $1 {Kills all his hopes for counterplay.} ( {If instead} 18.Qe2 Bxd3 19.Qxd3 {Then Black would be indeed doing more than fine after:} 19...Bh4 $1 20.g3 Nxf2 21.Qe2 Nh3+ 22.Kh1 Rf2 ) 18...Rxf5 19.Bxf5 {Nominally White has sufficient material for the queen. What's determines his advantage though is his complete domination on the light squares.} 19...a6 {This opens the road for the white rooks.} ( {Objectively better was:} 19...Nf6 20.Be6+ Kh8 21.c4 a6 22.Nc3 {although then White has plenty of time to make progress with his pieces. He can put a knight on b6 for example and then start pushing his queenside majority. In any case it is obvious that the queen lacks perspectives in such an overcrowded board.} ) 20.Nxd6 Qxd6 21.Bxg4 Qxd5 22.Bc3 {Next thing on the agenda- hit the weaknesses on b5 and e5.} 22...Bf6 23.Bf3 ( {Also good was:} 23.Rad1 Qc5 24.Re4 ) 23...Qb5 ( {Or} 23...Qf7 24.Bxe5 Bxe5 25.Rxe5 {winning a second pawn.} ) 24.Re4 Rd8 25.g3 $1 {A very accurate move. White holds all the good cards and is in no hurry.} ( {In case of:} 25.Rb4 Qc5 26.Rxb7 {Black can get counter-chances based on the weak back rank with:} 26...e4 27.Bxf6 gxf6 28.Bxe4 Qxa5 $1 ) 25...Qc5 26.Raa4 Rd7 ( {Maybe a bit more stubborn was:} 26...Qf8 27.Kg2 Qf7 28.Bxe5 Bxe5 29.Rxe5 ) 27.Rac4 {This is the difference between the queen and the smaller pieces. The smaller units can co-operate better, whereas the queen cannot defend all the weak points simultaniously.} 27...Qe7 28.Rc8+ Rd8 ( 28...Kf7 {is nicely refuted with} 29.Rh8 h6 30.Bh5+ g6 31.Rh7+ Bg7 32.Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 33.Rxe5 {and White will regain the queen thanks to the discovered check idea.} ) 29.Rec4 e4 {The last hope for counterplay.} ( {After} 29...Qd7 30.Rxd8+ Bxd8 {Whte has a pleasant choice which pawn to take first:} 31.Rb4 ( {Or} 31.Bxe5 ) ) 30.Bxe4 Bxc3 31.Rxc3 g6 ( {Beware, puzzle rush!} 31...Rxc8 32.Bd5+ $1 ) 32.Bxb7 {Gaining a third pawn and the game.} 32...Qe1+ ( {White is also winning after:} 32...Kg7 33.Rxd8 Qxd8 34.Bxa6 Qxa5 35.Bf1 ) 33.Kg2 Rxc8 34.Rxc8+ Kg7 35.c3 Qe2 36.b4 h5 37.Rc7+ Kh6 38.h4 g5 39.Bf3 Qb5 ( {Sadzikowski should have tried his last, but reasonable chance:} 39...Qd2 40.Be4 ( {However, if White is careful he is of course winning, for example:} 40.Rc6+ Kg7 41.hxg5 Qxg5 42.Rxa6 h4 ) 40...gxh4 {It seems as mate is inevitable after:} 41.gxh4 {However here is when the bomb explodes:} 41...Qxf2+ $3 42.Kxf2 {Stalemate!} ) 40.Rc5 1-0

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Gibraltar"]
[Date "2019.01.28"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2689"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "C48"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[Beauty "8249696599577"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[WhiteClock "0:25:50"]
[BlackClock "1:04:24"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.Bb5 Nd4 {Rubinstein's move is considered to be the most reliable weapon against the Four Knights.} 5.Bc4 Bc5 6.Nxe5 Qe7 7.Nf3 d5 {In return for the pawn(s) Black takes over the initiative thank to his better developed pieces.} 8.Bxd5 Bg4 9.d3 Nd7 ( {A lively and lovely draw was the result of the following sharp game:} 9...O-O-O 10.Be3 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 Rxd5 12.exd5 Re8 13.O-O Bxf3 14.gxf3 Qh4 15.f4 Bd6 16.Bxd4 Bxf4 17.Kg2 Qxh2+ 18.Kf3 Qh3+ 19.Kxf4 Qh2+ 20.Kf3 Qh3+ {\BD-\BD (20) Kravtsiv,M (2654)-Wang,H (2711) Abu Dhabi 2018} ) 10.Be3 Ne5 {Black will either regain one of the pawns and keep the initiative, or White will have to come up with something creative.} 11.Bxf7+ $146 {Creative, but not good.} ( {The critical continuation was tested in a top-level game:} 11.Nxd4 {An idea of the always-creative Israeli GM Sutovsky. It still looks critical. The stem game went:} 11...Bxd1 12.Nf5 Qf6 13.Bxc5 Bxc2 14.O-O c6 ( {However, Black could have improved here with either:} 14...O-O-O $5 ) ( {Or} 14...Nxd3 $5 ) 15.d4 Nd3 16.Nd6+ {with sharp, double-edged play in Sutovsky, E (2657)-Naiditsch,A (2687) Wijk aan Zee 2010} ) 11...Nxf7 {An only move, but more than sufficient.} ( {Bad was:} 11...Qxf7 12.Nxe5 Bxd1 13.Nxf7 Nxc2+ 14.Kd2 Bxe3+ 15.fxe3 Kxf7 16.Raxd1 {when White wins.} ) 12.Nd5 Qd7 {This is even better than:} ( 12...Bxf3 13.gxf3 Qd7 {although Black also has the advantage here. It is hard to tell what was Adhiban counting on, or what did he forget in his opening preparation.} ) 13.c3 ( {Or} 13.Bxd4 Bxd4 14.c3 c6 $1 {with large advantage for Black.} ) 13...Nxf3+ 14.gxf3 Bxe3 {Apparently, it all went wrong for the Indian grandmaster. Yu is simply a piece ahead, and has the initiative as compensation.} 15.Nxe3 ( {After} 15.fxe3 {Black should avoid:} 15...Bh5 ( {Instead both:} 15...Bh3 $5 ) ( {And even better:} 15...Be6 16.Nf4 O-O-O {lead to big advantage for Black.} ) 16.Nf4 Bg6 17.h4 {when White has compensation.} ) ( {But maybe White should have tried:} 15.fxg4 {although White's compensation is insufficient after both:} 15...Bh6 ( {And} 15...Bb6 16.d4 ) 16.f4 ) 15...Bh5 16.Ng4 ( {White cannot hold the f3 pawn neither in case of:} 16.d4 Ng5 17.Ng4 Rf8 ) 16...O-O-O 17.d4 Ng5 {Winning one of the pawns and the game.} 18.h4 Nxf3+ 19.Qxf3 Rhf8 20.Qe3 Qxg4 21.Kd2 Rf3 {Yu finishes the game in the most energetic way.} 22.Rag1 Qe6 {The most convincing.} ( {The endgame is also won:} 22...Rxe3 23.Rxg4 Rf3 24.Rxg7 Rxf2+ ) 23.Qe1 Qxa2 24.Kc2 Be8 $1 {The final rerouting.} 25.Rxg7 Ba4+ 26.Kc1 Qa1+ {White resigned as it is mate on the next move.} ( 26...Qa1+ 27.Kd2 Qxb2# ) 0-1

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Gibraltar"]
[Date "2019.01.29"]
[Round "8.4"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2682"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6942546204173"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]

1.e4 c5 {Navara revealed that this move was a sort of surprise for him as his opponent tend to play the open games against stronger players.} 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.Ba4 {"Rare but fashionable line" (Navara)} ( {The other way to play it is:} 4.O-O a6 5.Bxd7+ Bxd7 6.d4 cxd4 7.Qxd4 e5 8.Qd3 h6 {as in Wang,H (2730)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2763) St Petersburg 2018} ) 4...Nf6 5.O-O a6 6.c4 g6 7.Nc3 Bg7 8.d3 O-O 9.h3 b6 10.Bg5 $146 {Navara improved on an earlier game of his, where he played as... Black!} ( {That game is the predecessor and followed:} 10.Rb1 Rb8 11.Bg5 h6 12.Be3 Kh7 13.Qd2 Bb7 14.b4 e6 15.Rfe1 {Bartel,M (2602)-Navara,D (2727) Poland 2018} ) 10...h6 {An inaccuracy. Grandelius should have jumped in the center at once.} ( 10...Ne5 $5 {is a timely move as White does not have the time to back the knight up on f3 as he had in the game. Also:} 11.Nxe5 dxe5 {is not worrysome for the second player. He can start maneuvering his kingside knight towards the d4 outpost via e8-c7-e6 for example.} ) 11.Be3 Bb7 12.Qd2 Kh7 13.Rab1 e6 ( 13...a5 {would not stop White's queenside play after} 14.a3 ) 14.b4 {Generating useful pressure along the b-file.} 14...Qc7 ( {White is clearly better after} 14...cxb4 15.Rxb4 {thanks to the queenside pressure.} ) 15.Rfc1 Rfd8 16.Bd1 {"Also an idea by Bartel" (Navara) This is the thing, Navara not only played a game in this line, but had a chance to examine it and was armed with ideas. The bishop protects the f3 knight which is crucial in some lines.} 16...Bf8 ( {Better was:} 16...Bc6 17.Bf4 Ne5 {when the bishop on b7 is safe and Black does not need to worry too much.} ) 17.Bf4 Ne5 $2 {Either an oversight, or a sacrifice which was not calculated properly.} 18.bxc5 bxc5 {Forced.} ( {The star moment of the light-squared archer is seen in the line:} 18...Nxf3+ 19.Bxf3 bxc5 20.Rxb7 $1 Qxb7 21.e5 {and White wins.} ) 19.Nxe5 dxe5 20.Bxe5 Qxe5 21.Rxb7 Kg7 {Black lost a pawn, but is not yet lost due to the opposite colored-bishops and the strong d4 square for his pieces.} 22.Qe3 Rab8 23.Rb3 Nd7 ( {The other way to defend it was:} 23...Bd6 24.g3 Rxb3 25.axb3 Nd7 26.f4 Qd4 27.Kf2 ) 24.f4 Qd4 25.Kf2 f5 ( {Once more Black could have played for dark-squared blockade:} 25...Rxb3 26.Bxb3 e5 ) 26.e5 Be7 27.Rcb1 {An innacuracy by the Czech GM.} ( {He knew what he had to do and quoted it after the game:} 27.Ne2 $1 Qxe3+ 28.Kxe3 Rxb3 29.Bxb3 {is large advantage for White as his kingside pawn chain will remain intact after:} 29...g5 30.g3 ) 27...Rxb3 ( {Inaccuracy in return. Grandelius could have gotten counterplay with:} 27...Bh4+ $1 28.Ke2 Qxe3+ 29.Kxe3 g5 $1 {undermining the e5 pawn.} ) 28.Rxb3 Rb8 ( {Here:} 28...Bh4+ {is not as convincing as before due to:} 29.Kf3 ( 29.Ke2 g5 ) 29...Qxe3+ 30.Kxe3 g5 31.Ne2 gxf4+ 32.Nxf4 Bg5 33.h4 ) 29.Qxd4 cxd4 30.Rxb8 Nxb8 31.Ne2 {Now White is back in control.} 31...Nd7 ( {Or} 31...Bc5 32.Ba4 {stranding the knight.} ) 32.Kf3 Bc5 33.Ba4 {The same idea restrains the knight. This piece is the main reason why Black's position cannot be saved.} 33...Nb6 34.Bc6 {Intending Ne2-c1-b3.} 34...a5 ( 34...g5 {would losea pawn after} 35.Nc1 ) 35.a4 $1 {Fixing the weaknesses.} 35...Kf7 36.Nc1 Bb4 ( {After} 36...Nc8 37.Nb3 Bb6 {White wins with:} 38.c5 Ba7 39.Bd7 Ne7 40.Nxa5 Bxc5 41.Nb7 ) 37.Nb3 Bc3 38.c5 {The pawn quickly makes huge progress thanks to the support of the light pieces.} 38...Nc8 39.Bd7 Ne7 40.c6 Nd5 41.Nc5 {"Not necessarily needed, but the strongest." (Navara)} 41...Nc7 42.Bc8 Ke7 43.Na6 Nd5 ( {If} 43...Nxa6 44.Bxa6 Kd8 45.Bc4 Kc7 46.Bxe6 Kxc6 47.g4 {and the two connected passers will decide the game.} ) 44.c7 Nb6 45.Bb7 Kd7 {Now comes a neat finish.} 46.c8=Q+ $1 Nxc8 47.Nc5+ Kc7 48.Bxc8 Kxc8 49.Nxe6 {The last problem of the opposite-colored bishops is solved.} 49...Bb2 50.g4 fxg4+ 51.hxg4 1-0

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Gibraltar"]
[Date "2019.01.30"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[ECO "A05"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7903008264200"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.b3 d5 4.Bb2 c5 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.c4 d4 7.b4 O-O 8.bxc5 ( {Another game of Artemiev saw:} 8.O-O Nc6 9.b5 Na5 10.d3 Qc7 11.Nbd2 e5 12.Ng5 h6 13.Nge4 Nxe4 14.Nxe4 {Artemiev,V (2653)-Li,C (2720) Doha 2016} ) 8...Ne4 9.O-O Nxc5 10.d3 e5 {Both players achieved a reversed version of the Benoni/Benko gambit with equal pawns which looks quite OK for Black.} 11.Ba3 {The battle is around the c5 knight.} 11...Nba6 12.Nfd2 Re8 13.Ne4 Bf8 14.Nxc5 Nxc5 ( {Perhaps easier was:} 14...Bxc5 15.Bxc5 Nxc5 16.Nd2 Qe7 {with approximate equality.} ) 15.Nd2 Rb8 16.Rb1 b6 17.Bxc5 Bxc5 18.Qa4 Bg4 {[#] Navara tries to force a concession.} 19.Bf3 $146 {Rejected.} ( {The only predecessor saw a quick draw after:} 19.Rfe1 Qc7 20.Bc6 Rec8 21.Bd5 Bd7 22.Qa6 {\BD-\BD (22) Movsziszian,K (2513) -Arkell,K (2443) Bled 2018. Black is definitely not worse here.} ) 19...Bh3 ( {In case of} 19...Bxf3 {White obviously prepared:} 20.exf3 $1 ( {Rather than:} 20.Nxf3 {which allows Black too much counterplay with:} 20...e4 21.Nd2 e3 22.Ne4 Rxe4 $1 23.dxe4 d3 ) ) 20.Qxa7 $5 {Artemiev sacrifices the exchange for a light-squared domination.} ( {Instead normal play like:} 20.Rfe1 Qc7 {would be good for Black.} ) 20...Bxf1 21.Kxf1 Re7 22.Qa4 {White has compensation for the pawn, but nothing more.} 22...Qd7 {Navara decided to swap off the queens.} ( {Since Black wants to play on the kingside, a plan like:} 22...Kg7 23.Bd5 f5 {eventually followed by e5-e4 in the proper moment or h7-h5-h4 seemed more to the point.} ) 23.Rb5 Qa7 ( {It was not too late for} 23...Kg7 24.Ne4 f5 {when Black should not fear} 25.Nxc5 bxc5 ) 24.Qb3 ( {Black is doing more than fine in the endgame:} 24.Qxa7 Rxa7 ) 24...Kg7 25.a4 Ra8 $2 {Unnecessary panic. Or perhaps Navara just blundered something.} ( {The game would be still about even after:} 25...f5 26.a5 Ree8 27.Qa4 bxa5 28.Rxa5 Qe7 29.Bd5 Rec8 30.Nb3 Rb4 31.Qa2 Bb6 ) 26.Bxa8 Qxa8 27.f3 Ra7 28.Ne4 Rxa4 ( 28...Bf8 29.Rxe5 ) 29.Nxc5 bxc5 30.Rxc5 Ra3 ( {White repels the opponent's initiative after:} 30...Ra1+ 31.Kg2 Re1 32.Qb2 ) 31.Qb4 Ra4 ( {Perhaps Navara saw a draw after:} 31...Rxd3 32.exd3 Qxf3+ 33.Ke1 Qe3+ 34.Kd1 Qxd3+ {Or just thought that:} 35.Kc1 e4 {is too dangerous for his opponent. As a matter of fact, White wins with the subtle:} ( {If Black continues the checks:} 35...Qf1+ 36.Kb2 {teh king will escape via the a-file.} ) 36.Rc8 e3 37.Re8 $1 {maneuver, when Black cannot make much of his pawns:} 37...e2 {loses by force to:} 38.Qf8+ Kf6 39.Qh8+ Kg5 40.Qe5+ Kh6 41.Qxe2 ) 32.Qb6 Ra1+ 33.Kf2 e4 $5 {The last try, but it fails.} ( {There is not time for:} 33...Rh1 34.Ra5 $1 ) 34.Rd5 ( {White would have also won with:} 34.fxe4 Ra6 35.Qb2 Rf6+ 36.Kg2 ) 34...e3+ 35.Kg2 Qa7 36.Qxa7 Rxa7 37.f4 {All black central pawns will drop, therefore he resigned.} ( 37.f4 Ra2 38.Kf3 Ra1 39.Rxd4 ) 1-0

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Gibraltar"]
[Date "2019.01.31"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "6874900466213"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Bg6 7.c3 Nh6 8.a4 a5 ( {The other way to play it is:} 8...Nf5 9.a5 a6 10.b4 Be7 11.Bf4 h6 12.h3 Bh7 13.Bh2 g5 14.Nbd2 h5 15.Ne1 {although White seemed better in Fedoseev,V (2665)-Vitiugov,N (2721) Novosibirsk 2016} ) 9.Na3 $146 {A good maneuver and a novelty! The knight is heading to the d3 square, from where it will have a decent choice between further improvement on the queenside with Nd3-c5, or the kingside with Nd3-f4-(h5).} ( {An email game saw:} 9.Bg5 Qb6 10.Qc1 Nf5 11.g4 Ne7 12.Nh4 Bxb1 13.Rxb1 c5 14.dxc5 Qxc5 15.Nf3 {and Black held this relatively easy,Rowies,A (2405)-Ballow,J (2425) ICCF email 2011} ) 9...Be7 10.Nc2 ( {White can always swap off his bishop for the knight} 10.Bxh6 gxh6 {but he is waiting for a better moment.} ) 10...O-O 11.Nce1 c5 12.Bxh6 {Now is the moment. Normally, Black does not fear this weakening, as he gets the bishop pair and eventually may counter-attack on the dark squares with f7-f6.} 12...gxh6 13.Bb5 cxd4 ( {Here} 13...f6 $2 {works in White's hands as he has too much control over the e5 point-} 14.Nd3 ) 14.cxd4 ( {Another way to play the position is:} 14.Bxd7 Qxd7 15.Nxd4 {Intending the f-pawn advance.} ) 14...Nb8 {A French maneuver. It seems as the knight is heading to the c6 square to attack the d4 point.} 15.Qd2 Kg7 16.Nd3 Na6 {However, it changes its mind and settles for the b4 spot.} ( {After:} 16...Nc6 {White has a choice between two promising continuations:} 17.Bxc6 ( {Or} 17.Nc5 Bxc5 18.dxc5 ) 17...bxc6 18.Rfc1 {with White's advantage in both cases.} ) 17.Nf4 {Both sides have clear playgrounds. White should attack on the kingside not because of the weaknesses there, but due to his better center. Black needs to keep the opponent's pieces as busy as he can- this is what the c-file is all for.} 17...Qb6 18.h4 Rfc8 19.Rfc1 Rxc1+ 20.Rxc1 Nb4 21.g3 {Yu sets his knight free. He intends to attack the most vulnerable point in Black's camp after Nf3-h2-g4. Apparently White's kingside initiative is worth more than what Black is doing on the other wing.} ( {Also interesting was:} 21.g4 Qd8 22.Kg2 Bxh4 23.Nxh4 Qxh4 24.f3 {playing for domination. The h-file will come quite handy for White in this case.} ) 21...Na2 22.Rd1 Rc8 23.Nh2 {Following his plan.} ( {But perhaps there was an argument for some further preparation. Either:} 23.Ne1 Qc7 {Now White cannot win the bishop:} 24.h5 ( {However, after the better} 24.Kh2 {White has the time the improve further as he is controlling the c-file.} ) 24...Bf5 25.f3 {as it gets unexpected support with:} 25...Nc1 26.g4 Bb1 ) ( {Also good for White seems} 23.Qe3 Nb4 24.Ne1 {with advantage.} ) 23...Qc7 24.Bd3 ( {Here the slightly paradoxal:} 24.Nxg6 hxg6 25.Ng4 {would have also been somewhat better for White.} ) 24...h5 $1 {Forced, but good. Artemiev is about to demonstrate perfect defensive skills.} 25.g4 ( {Instead} 25.Be2 {would win the pawn, but allow Black too much counterplay in the possible endgame after:} 25...Qc2 26.Bxh5 Qxd2 27.Rxd2 Rc1+ 28.Kg2 Bb4 29.Re2 Bc2 ) 25...Nb4 ( {Black does not like the queen to visit his Majesty after:} 25...hxg4 26.Nxg4 Bxd3 27.Nxd3 Qc2 28.Qh6+ ) 26.Bxg6 hxg6 27.gxh5 Qc2 {The idea behind the sacrifice. Anytime Black make it to the endgame he will have enough compensation thanks to the open file.} 28.hxg6 ( {A hypotetical endgame line like this:} 28.Qxc2 Rxc2 29.hxg6 Bxh4 30.gxf7 Bxf2+ 31.Kh1 Kxf7 32.Nf3 Rxb2 33.Ng5+ Ke7 {definitely looks like more fun for Black.} ) 28...Qf5 $1 {Bringing the navy seals to resque.} 29.Qe3 ( {Maybe it was time for Yu to forget about the winning ambitions and go for something like:} 29.gxf7 Bxh4 30.Ng2 Bg5 31.f4 Be7 ( {Black has another good choice-} 31...Rc2 32.Qe3 Be7 33.Qg3+ Kxf7 34.Ne3 Qh5 ) 32.Ne3 Qxf4 33.Rf1 Qe4 34.Neg4 Qg6 {with unclear play.} ) 29...fxg6 30.Qg3 Rf8 {Now Black takes over the initiative, even in the middlegame.} 31.Ng2 Qc2 32.Ne3 ( {If} 32.Rf1 Nc6 ) 32...Qe4 33.Neg4 $6 {Close to the time control the Chinese GM decided to risk.} ( {The truth is however that} 33.Ng2 {most likely would not lead to repetition. Black can fight on with:} 33...Nc6 34.h5 Bd8 $1 {and Black is somewhat better.} ) 33...Nc6 $1 {Now the key d4 pawn is about to drop.} 34.Qe3 ( {Nothing changes:} 34.Qc3 Rf4 ) ( {Nor} 34.Qd3 Rf4 ) 34...Rf4 35.Nf6 {The best practical chance.} 35...Bxf6 36.exf6+ Kxf6 37.Qxe4 Rxe4 38.Nf3 Ne7 39.Kg2 Nf5 40.Rd3 ( {The pawn would be lost also after:} 40.Kh3 Re2 ) 40...Nxh4+ 41.Nxh4 Rxh4 {Time control passed, Artemiev is up a pawn and has more active pieces. Plus, impeccable technique.} 42.Kg3 g5 43.Kg2 Re4 44.Kg3 Kf5 45.Kg2 g4 46.Kf1 b6 $1 {Little moves like these are a sign of a great endgame player. Artemiev knows his opponent has nowehre to go and improves every little bit before forcing matters.} 47.Kg2 Re1 $1 {Excellent! The rook is activated and the e4 square opened for the king.} ( 47...e5 48.dxe5 Kxe5 49.b3 {makes life more difficult.} ) 48.b3 ( {Or} 48.Rb3 Ra1 49.Rxb6 Rxa4 50.Rb5 Rxd4 51.Rxa5 Rb4 {When Black should win thanks to his active pieces.} ) 48...Ke4 49.Rd2 Rb1 50.Kg3 {Now comes the elegant finish.} ( {Otherwise the central pawn drops after:} 50.Re2+ Kf5 51.Re3 Rd1 ) 50...Kf5 51.Rd3 Rh1 52.Kg2 Rh3 $1 {The pawn endgame is completely lost for White.} ( 52...Rh3 53.Rxh3 gxh3+ 54.Kxh3 Ke4 ) 0-1

[Event "Champions Showdown - The Kings"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.02.24"]
[Round "28.5"]
[White "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[ECO "A95"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7287485788250"]
[EventType "game"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.d4 Ne4 {A rare line. Rapport is heading for the Dutch Stonewall.} ( 6...dxc4 {is by far the main continuation.} ) ( {Although both} 6...c6 ) ( {And} 6...Nbd7 {are played quite frequently.} ) 7.Qc2 c6 8.b3 Nd7 9.Bb2 Qe8 ( 9...f5 {at once is seen more frequently.} ) 10.Nc3 f5 11.e3 ( {White may also start the typical a-la-Petrosian knight dance with:} 11.Ne1 Nd6 12.Na4 Nf6 13.Nd3 Qh5 14.e3 {Guberna,A (2366)-Ishemguzhin,I (2158) ICCF email 2015} ) 11...Bd6 {This is one of the differences in comparison of the usual Stonewall. The bishop gets to the optimal d6 square after losing a tempo. Black can however argue that the white knight on f3 is not ideal neither and that the closed character of the position would not lead to anything hugely harmful because of this tempo.} 12.Ne2 g5 $146 {A novelty, which deprives the white knight of the f4 square.} ( {Black did nto solve all his problems neither in a the predecessor:} 12...Qh5 13.Nf4 Qh6 14.Ne5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Be7 16.f3 Ng5 17.Rae1 Bd7 18.Qc1 dxc4 19.bxc4 c5 {Holloway,N-Parr,F Eastbourne/ East Sussex 1973} ) 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Be7 15.f3 {But apparently the g7-g5 advance also deprived the black knight of the useful kingside square.} 15...Nc5 16.Nd4 Bd7 17.b4 Na6 18.a3 {Shankland got the better position. He has serious space advantage and his queenside play is about the unroll. The next active attempt by Rapport only makes things worse for him.} 18...f4 $2 {Lets the white bishop into the play.} ( 18...dxc4 19.Qxc4 c5 {was called for with chances to equlize on the long run.} ) 19.Bh3 $1 Nc7 20.Rae1 {Now he game is opened and this hugely favors Shankland. Thanks to the extra space he has better communication between his pieces and can bring on the reserves much faster.} ( {Even better was the immediate:} 20.exf4 gxf4 21.cxd5 exd5 22.e6 {with huge advantage.} ) 20...fxg3 ( 20...fxe3 21.Rxe3 ) 21.hxg3 dxc4 22.Qxc4 Qg6 23.e4 Kh8 {More space, more active pieces and powerful center allow the following blow:} ( 23...Rf7 {was more stubborn.} ) 24.Nf5 $1 exf5 ( {Otherwise the knight will become even more annoying:} 24...Rae8 25.Nd6 ) 25.e6+ Bf6 26.Bxf6+ Qxf6 27.exd7 f4 {Next White energetically exploits his main trumps.} 28.e5 Qh6 29.Kg2 fxg3 30.e6 Nd5 31.e7 $3 {The pawns on the seventh will cost Black deerly and Shankland is OK to spend the queen for them.} 31...Nf4+ 32.Qxf4 $1 gxf4 33.e8=Q {Pawn one wins a rook back.} 33...Raxe8 34.Rxe8 Qf6 35.Rxf8+ ( {Alas, with seconds on the clock White could not calculate the neat win after:} 35.Rfe1 $1 Kg8 {Perhaps the calculated the obvious:} ( {Or} 35...Qd4 36.Rxf8+ Kg7 37.Bf5 Qd2+ 38.Kh3 {and teh white king is safe.} ) 36.Rxf8+ $2 ( {Had Shankland had some more time he would have definitely found the beauty:} 36.Be6+ $1 Kg7 37.Re2 {Not only defending the second rank, but intending Re2-d2 and pawn promotion. Then the key line goes:} 37...Qd4 38.Rxf8 Kxf8 39.Bd5 $3 Qxd5 40.Re8+ Kf7 41.d8=Q {with a win.} ) 36...Kxf8 37.Re8+ Kg7 38.d8=Q Qb2+ {when Black mates.} ) 35...Qxf8 36.Re1 Qf6 {Now it is unclear, both players may easily lose.} 37.Re2 ( {Surprisingly:} 37.Re8+ Kg7 38.Be6 {leads to a draw after:} ( 38.Bf5 $2 {loses to} 38...Qb2+ 39.Kh3 Qh2+ 40.Kg4 g2 41.d8=Q g1=Q# ) 38...Qb2+ 39.Kh3 h5 $1 ( {But not:} 39...Qh2+ 40.Kg4 g2 41.Rg8+ Kh6 42.Kf5 g1=Q ( 42...Qh5+ 43.Ke4 ) 43.Rxg1 Qxg1 44.d8=Q ) 40.Kh4 $1 ( 40.d8=Q $2 Qh2# ) 40...Qf6+ $1 ( 40...g2 $2 41.Rg8+ $1 Kh7 42.d8=Q ) 41.Kh3 Qb2 {and both sides have nothing but to repeat the moves.} ) 37...Kg7 38.Rd2 Qd8 39.Bg4 {Opens air for the king.} 39...h5 $1 {And Rapport opens room for his queen to attack the enemy king.} ( {Instead a play like:} 39...Kf6 40.Rd4 Kg5 41.Re4 {May see Black getting in danger after:} 41...Qb6 42.Kh3 Kg6 43.Re6+ Kg7 44.Bf5 $1 {White is safeguarding the king and eventually promotes the d-passer.} ) 40.Bxh5 Kf6 41.Bg4 Kg7 {Typical time-trouble move. Rapport started an idea but does not follow it as the adrenalin is so high.} ( 41...Kg5 $1 {was mandatory, when Black does not risk to lose at all after} 42.Re2 Qh8 ) 42.Rd4 {Now White's play is easier for the seconds he has to play the moves.} 42...Kg6 43.Rxf4 a5 ( {Here} 43...Qh8 $1 {is not as convincing as before due to} 44.Bh3 $1 {but this was Black's best chance anyway. For example:} 44...Qb2+ 45.Kxg3 Qd2 46.Re4 Qd6+ 47.Kf2 Qd2+ {and White still needs to work hard to prove the win.} ) 44.Re4 Qf8 45.Re6+ ( {Or} 45.Re8 Qf4 46.d8=Q ) 45...Kg5 46.Re8 {Finally pawn number two makes it to the promotional square and will cost Black the queen.} 1-0

[Event "Champions Showdown - The Kings"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.02.20"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "D31"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7495791687715"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Qc2 {This move order prevents the active Bc8-f5 move.} 5...Bd6 {But Black can pay with the same coin and prevent the alternative activation of the white bishop.} 6.Nf3 Ne7 7.Bg5 f6 8.Bd2 Na6 9.a3 ( {Two great players recently tested:} 9.e4 Nb4 10.Qb3 a5 11.a3 a4 12.Qd1 dxe4 13.Nxe4 Nbd5 14.Bc4 Be6 15.O-O O-O {Ivanchuk,V (2728)-Kramnik,V (2803) Tbilisi 2017} ) 9...Nc7 10.e4 dxe4 11.Nxe4 Bg4 $146 {This obvious move is a novelty.} ( {An email predecessor saw instead:} 11...Ncd5 12.g3 Bf5 13.Nh4 Be6 14.f4 g6 15.Bd3 {Borwell,A-Giulian,P Scotland 1990 Corr Nr. 1 [Borwell]} ) ( {The most obvious move} 11...O-O {will see Black's position badly weakened after} 12.Bd3 g6 13.O-O ) 12.Qb3 b6 {This looks like an inaccuracy.} ( {The pawn was not really in danger and the centralization} 12...Ned5 $5 {was a better choice for Black. Now:} 13.Qxb7 {is suspicious due to} 13...O-O 14.Bd3 ( {Or} 14.Qxc6 Re8 {when the pin is more than annoying.} ) 14...Bxf3 15.gxf3 f5 16.Nxd6 Qxd6 {and Black has more than enough compensaion for the pawn.} ) 13.Bc4 Ned5 14.O-O {The opening is over and an IQP pawn structure had arisen. Black would have been doing great if his pawn remained on f7. However now with his kingside weakened and the e6 square lacking firm control Shankland has some problems to resolve.} 14...Be7 ( {For instance, the obvious} 14...O-O {leads to trouble along the diagonals:} 15.Nxd6 Qxd6 16.Bb4 $1 c5 17.dxc5 bxc5 18.Ba5 {with deadly pin.} ) 15.h3 Be6 ( {Weaker was:} 15...Bxf3 16.Qxf3 O-O {When White can prove his light-squared control with either} 17.Nc3 ( {Or} 17.Ng3 ) ) 16.Qc2 Qd7 17.Rac1 {And since the short castle is still dangerous, Shankland decided to go for:} 17...O-O-O ( {After} 17...O-O 18.Ba2 {will build a battery on the b1-h7 diagonal soon.} ) 18.Rfe1 Kb7 19.b4 {Rapport plan is obvious- Qc2-b3, followed the pawn advances.} 19...Rhe8 20.Qb3 b5 {Shankland correctly blocks the queenside, as much as he can.} ( {There was the tactical prophylaxis:} 20...Bf5 $5 {with the idea to meet} 21.a4 {with} ( {However} 21.Bd3 {would renew the threat and} 21...a6 {is not a move Black wishes to perform.} ) 21...Bxb4 {when the Ne4 is hanging.} ) 21.Bf1 Nb6 22.Qc2 Bd5 23.Bf4 {With the threat of Bxc7 and whatever the recapture-Bf1xb5!} 23...Ne6 24.Bg3 Na4 {Black seems in control, and this probably somewhat weakened his attention.} ( 24...g5 {deserved attention, defending the position after} 25.Nc5+ Bxc5 26.dxc5 Na4 ) 25.Rcd1 {Pinning the black queen in advance.} 25...Qc8 26.Ned2 g6 27.Nb3 Bd6 28.Bxd6 Rxd6 29.Nfd2 {Shankland take sunder control the e4 square with:} ( {Noting yields:} 29.Nc5+ Nexc5 ) 29...f5 {And missed a brilliant idea.} ( {Instead a prophylactical move like:} 29...Kb8 $1 {was called for.} ) 30.Nc4 $3 {Ingenious idea! The white knights threaten to reach the perfect outposts on the queenside and this practically forces the opening of the position on the left wing of the board.} 30...Bxc4 ( {Worse was:} 30...bxc4 31.Na5+ ) ( {It is also important that Black cannot ignore white knights:} 30...Rdd8 31.Nca5+ Kb8 ( {Even worse is:} 31...Kb6 32.Rxe6 $1 Rxe6 33.Nc5 {when the white knight on a5 is a key performer in the attack after:} 33...Nxc5 34.Qxc5+ Kc7 35.Qxa7+ Kd6 36.Nb7+ {and White wins.} ) 32.Rc1 {The knight on a5 and the weak backward pawn on c6 leave Black with poor position.} ) 31.Na5+ Kb8 {Black is definitely shaken by the last blow.} ( {Otherwise he would have preferred the more accurate:} 31...Ka8 32.Nxc4 Rd5 33.Na5 Nxd4 34.Rxe8 Qxe8 35.Qc1 {although White is better here as well.} ) 32.Nxc4 bxc4 ( {With the king on b8, the line:} 32...Rd5 33.Na5 Nxd4 $2 {loses material due to:} 34.Rxe8 Qxe8 ( {Or} 34...Nxc2 35.Nxc6+ Kb7 36.Na5+ Kb8 37.Rxc8+ ) 35.Rxd4 $1 Rxd4 36.Nxc6+ {and White wins.} ) 33.Qxa4 Nxd4 34.Bxc4 {The black king is exposed. Rapport conducts the attack magnificently:} 34...f4 35.b5 c5 {Trying to keep the blockade.} ( 35...f3 {drops a pawn after} 36.Rxe8 Qxe8 37.bxc6 ) 36.b6 $3 {In vain. This second sacrifice effectively finishes the attack.} 36...Rxe1+ 37.Rxe1 axb6 ( {Or} 37...Rxb6 38.Re8 ) 38.Re8 Rd8 39.Re7 Nc6 40.Re6 Na5 ( 40...Kb7 $2 41.Ba6+ ) 41.Rxb6+ Nb7 42.Be2 $1 {The last touch and the pinned knight is a goner.} 42...Qc7 43.Qa6 1-0

[Event "Champions Showdown - The Kings"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2019.02.21"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[ECO "B11"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[Beauty "5566705183769"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 {Following Fischer's footprints.} 3...Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 Nf6 6.d3 e6 7.Bd2 Nbd7 ( {Esipenko chose a different plan:} 7...Qb6 8.O-O-O d4 9.Ne2 c5 10.e5 Nd5 11.Nf4 Nb4 12.Kb1 Nd7 {and did well in Karjakin,S (2760)-Esipenko,A (2564) Riadh 2017} ) 8.O-O-O Qb6 9.g4 h6 10.Qg3 Bb4 11.e5 Bxc3 12.Bxc3 $146 {A mch needed novelty.} ( {Black did more than fine in the predecessor:} 12.bxc3 Ng8 13.f4 Ne7 14.Be2 O-O-O 15.h4 Nc5 16.Be3 d4 {Malec,S (2114)-Feuerstack,A (2371) Wroclaw 2010} ) 12...d4 {Navara reacts in the best way possible and soon reaches equality.} 13.Bxd4 Qxd4 14.exf6 Nxf6 15.Bg2 O-O-O {At the end of the day a typical Caro-Kann position arose, with the slight difference in comparison to the usual lines being the situation of the d3 pawn. In any case Black can be happy with his opening play. The position is approximately equal.} 16.c3 ( {The imemdiate} 16.f4 {is not accurate due to} 16...Nd5 ) 16...Qd6 17.f4 ( {The endgame is completely harmless for Black-} 17.Qxd6 Rxd6 ) 17...h5 $1 {Navara secures some squares for his knight.} 18.g5 h4 19.Qf2 Nh5 20.Rhf1 Ng3 21.Rfe1 Kb8 ( 21...Nh5 {does not necessarily repeat as White has} 22.Re4 Ng3 23.Rb4 {hoping for some queenside pressure.} ) 22.Re5 $5 {So is also skillfully posing problems to his opponent. Now it is White's turn to weaken the opponent's position.} 22...f6 23.gxf6 gxf6 24.Ra5 a6 ( {Or} 24...b6 25.Ra4 ) 25.Ra4 Rh5 {The effect of the h7-h5 move. It is still bringing dividents to the second player. Now the kingside rook effortlessly joins the battle and enjoys a clear object on f4 to hit.} 26.Bf3 Rf5 27.Rd4 Qc7 28.Rxd8+ Qxd8 29.Bg4 {Both players are pointing the weaknesses in each other's camps.} ( 29.Be4 $5 ) 29...Rd5 30.Qe3 {So needs to preserve some material on the board.} ( {Instead a move like} 30.Bxe6 Rxd3 31.Rxd3 Qxd3 {would lead to Black's advantage thanks to the better piece pair.} ) 30...e5 31.fxe5 Rxe5 32.Qf4 Ka8 33.Bf3 Rf5 {Solid.} ( {There was also the interesting sacrifice:} 33...Qb6 34.Qxf6 Rf5 {When} 35.Qh8+ Ka7 36.Bg4 Rf2 37.c4 Ne2+ 38.Bxe2 Rxe2 {gives Black full compensation for the pawn.} ) 34.Qe3 Qd6 ( {In a perfect world, a perfect game, and maybe a slower time control, the game would have ended peacefully after:} 34...Re5 35.Qh6 Rf5 ) 35.d4 Qf4 {The trade of the queens is not as great for Black as the trade of the rooks, but of course, this should have been good enough for a draw too.} 36.Rd3 Qd6 {Navara asks his opponent to show his cards.} ( 36...Qxe3+ 37.Rxe3 Kb8 ) 37.c4 {And once that the d4 pawn is no longer protected:} 37...Qf4 {Returns to his main idea.} 38.c5 Qxe3+ 39.Rxe3 Rf4 40.d5 {So finally risks.} ( {Safer was:} 40.Rd3 Nf5 41.d5 cxd5 42.Bxd5 {with likely draw although White may claim a tiny edge.} ) 40...Nf5 $2 {And his risks pays off!} ( {Navara should have played:} 40...Rc4+ $1 {when he does not risk to lose at all:} 41.Kd1 ( {Or} 41.Rc3 Rxc3+ 42.bxc3 cxd5 ) ( {Nothing changes:} 41.Kb1 cxd5 42.Bxd5 Rxc5 43.Bf3 Re5 ) 41...cxd5 42.Rd3 Rxc5 43.Bxd5 ) 41.Re8+ Ka7 42.d6 $1 {Perhaps the Cech GM simply forgot about this move?} ( {Although White is better even after:} 42.dxc6 Rc4+ 43.Kd2 bxc6 44.b4 Rxb4 45.Bxc6 Rb8 ) 42...Ng7 ( {The endgame after} 42...Rxf3 43.d7 Rd3 44.d8=Q Rxd8 45.Rxd8 {is completely lost for Black.} ) 43.d7 Nxe8 44.dxe8=Q Rxf3 45.Qe6 {There is some hope for a fortress on the queenside, but So proves that it is unrealistic.} 45...f5 46.a3 Rxh3 47.Qxf5 Rh1+ 48.Kc2 Re1 49.Qg4 Re5 50.b4 Re3 51.Kb2 h3 52.Qh5 Rg3 53.Qh4 Rg2+ 54.Kb3 h2 55.Ka4 Ra2 56.Qh8 Rb2 57.Qh7 Ka8 ( {Similar was} 57...Ra2 58.Kb3 Rg2 ) 58.Qh6 Ka7 59.Qh8 Rg2 60.Kb3 Rg3+ 61.Kb2 Rg2+ 62.Kc3 Rg3+ 63.Kd4 Rg2 64.Qh3 Re2 65.Qh8 a5 ( {If the white king is allowed to get through, then the win is as follows:} 65...Rg2 66.Ke5 Rd2 67.Ke6 Rf2 68.a4 Rg2 69.a5 Rf2 70.Qh7 Rb2 71.Kd7 Rxb4 72.Kc8 {with unstoppable mate.} ) 66.Qh7 axb4 67.axb4 Rd2+ ( {Or} 67...Rb2 68.Kc3 Rf2 69.b5 ) 68.Kc3 Ra2 69.b5 $1 {The final breakthrough.} 69...Ra5 ( 69...cxb5 70.c6 ) 70.b6+ Ka6 {The black king cannot survive outside the pawn chain.} 71.Kb4 Rb5+ 72.Kc4 Rb2 73.Qh8 Rc2+ 74.Kb4 Rb2+ 75.Qxb2 ( 75.Qxb2 h1=Q 76.Qa3# ) 1-0

[Event "Champions Showdown - The Kings"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2019.02.23"]
[Round "16.4"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7629472532009"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 {Topalov's favorite development of the bishop.} 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 a6 6.Nbd2 O-O 7.O-O d6 8.Bb3 h6 9.Re1 Re8 10.Nf1 Ba7 11.Ng3 Be6 12.Bc2 {The only way to play for some advantage. But this allows the central advance:} 12...d5 13.exd5 Bxd5 ( 13...Qxd5 {is also possible.} ) ( {As well as} 13...Nxd5 {since the central pawn is taboo:} 14.Nxe5 $2 Nxe5 15.Rxe5 Bxf2+ $1 16.Kxf2 Qf6+ ) 14.h3 Qd7 ( {In a recent game Black sacrificed a pawn a-la-Marshall after:} 14...Bc5 15.b4 Bf8 16.a4 b5 17.Bd2 Qd7 18.axb5 axb5 19.Rxa8 Rxa8 20.Nxe5 Nxe5 21.Rxe5 Bd6 {in Amin,B (2710)-Fedoseev,V (2719) St Petersburg 2018} ) 15.Nh4 Bc5 16.Nhf5 Bf8 17.Be3 $146 {A novelty. In this position everything depends on the speed. Will White make something out of his kingside initiative, or will Black manage to ingloriously push them white knights back? In the latter case the second player will be even better as he has powerful cenral pressure, and the pawn on d3 could be a problem for White.} ( {A predecessor showed how quickly a seemingly calm position may turn into a complete mess:} 17.a3 Rad8 18.b4 b5 19.a4 Kh8 20.f4 exf4 21.Bxf4 Be6 22.d4 Nd5 23.Qf3 Nxc3 24.Qxc3 Bxb4 25.Qb2 Bxe1 26.d5 Bxf5 27.Nxf5 f6 28.Bxh6 {Odeev,H (2408) -Khusenkhojaev,M (2455) Ashkhabad 2017} ) 17...Rad8 18.Qd2 {Dominguez practically sacrifices a piece.} 18...Be6 19.Nxh6+ {More or less forced.} ( {The retreat was probably not even considered by White:} 19.Nh4 Nd5 {with the threat f7-f5-f4 is a nice edge for Black.} ) ( {Backing up the knight with:} 19.d4 {also leads to Black's edge after:} 19...exd4 20.Nxd4 Nxd4 21.cxd4 ( 21.Bxd4 $2 c5 ) 21...Nd5 $5 ( {Or} 21...c5 $5 ) ) ( {However, it seems as the other sacrifice might have been more accurate:} 19.Nxg7 $1 Bxg7 20.Bxh6 Nh7 ( {Or} 20...Bf5 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Qg5+ Bg6 23.d4 ) 21.d4 {with unclear play in both cases.} ) 19...gxh6 20.Bxh6 Nh7 21.d4 $6 {A second inaccuracy.} ( {Better was the immediate:} 21.Bxf8 Rxf8 22.Nh5 ( 22.Qh6 f5 {might transpose.} ) 22...f5 23.Qh6 {Once that the queen gets into close proximity to the black king White increases his chances not only to mate the opponent, but also to bail out with perpetual in cse that something goes wrong. For example:} 23...Qf7 24.d4 Nf6 25.Qg5+ Kh8 26.Nf4 $5 exf4 27.Rxe6 Qxe6 28.Qh6+ Kg8 29.Qg6+ {and perpetual.} ) 21...f5 $1 {Now Topalov manages to exclude the white queen.} 22.Rad1 $6 ( {Or} 22.Bxf8 Rxf8 23.Nh5 f4 $1 ( {But not} 23...exd4 24.Rxe6 $1 Qxe6 25.Bb3 ) ) 22...f4 23.Bxf8 Rxf8 24.Ne4 Qg7 {Black not only stopped the kingside attack- he is the one to attack there thanks to the open files.} 25.Kh2 exd4 26.Nc5 Bd5 27.Be4 ( {If} 27.Rg1 b6 28.Nxa6 Nf6 {is strong, with the constant threat Nf6-g4+ and mate along the h-file.} ) 27...Bxe4 28.Rxe4 dxc3 29.Qc2 ( 29.Qxc3 $2 Qxc3 30.bxc3 Rxd1 ) 29...Rxd1 30.Qxd1 cxb2 {Topalov regained the material and it is more or less over.} 31.Ne6 Qg6 32.f3 ( 32.Qb3 {will be met with the cool} 32...Rf7 ) 32...Ng5 33.Nxg5 Qxg5 34.Qb3+ Rf7 35.Qxb2 Rg7 36.Re2 b6 37.Qc2 Ne7 $2 {A blunder!} ( {was stronger, finishing the game at once. The threat Ne5xf3+ can be stopped only for a moment. Say:} 37...Ne5 38.Qe4 Qg3+ 39.Kh1 Rd7 ) 38.Qxc7 Nf5 39.Qxb6 Ne3 40.Qe6+ ( {Black makes it to the enemy king in case of:} 40.Qxa6 Rc7 41.Qa8+ ( 41.Qa3 Rd7 42.Qb3+ Kh7 ) 41...Kh7 42.Qe4+ Kh6 43.Qe6+ Kg7 ) 40...Kh7 {Dominguez's flag most likely felt here.} ( 40...Kh7 {As Black still needs to prove the win in the line:} 41.Qe4+ Kh6 42.Qd4 Rg8 43.Qd6+ Kh5 44.Qc7 Rg7 45.Qb8 Qb5 46.Qh8+ Kg6 47.Rf2 ) 0-1

[Event "U.S. Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.03.31"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2663"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[ECO "A89"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[Beauty "6462046732298"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 {"I pretty much spent the whole night looking at 1.e4..." (Nakamura)} 1...f5 {What else in a must-win situation?!} 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 g6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.d5 Na5 9.b3 ( {White can also go for:} 9.Nd2 c5 10.Qc2 a6 11.b3 b5 12.Bb2 Bd7 13.e3 Rb8 14.Rab1 Qe8 {as in Karjakin,S (2783) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2751) chess.com INT 2017} ) 9...c5 10.Bb2 a6 11.Ng5 Rb8 12.Qd3 Qe8 13.Nd1 ( {It is too early for:} 13.e4 b5 {with counterplay.} ) 13...b5 {A glance at the position reveals that Black can be happy with his opening choice. Not because he has the advantage; in fact Nakamura thought that White is better. What is important here is that not a single pawn has been traded yet and the tension is all over the place. An important thing is that Nakamura has a lot of experience in the arising positions, whereas Xiong plays 1.d4 less frequently.} 14.Qd2 Nb7 {This knight might be a problem sometimes in the arising pawn structure but in comparison to the KID Black has the f7 square available for it.} 15.Ne3 ( {Since White is always looking for a chance to play in the center (and ideally open the e-file to expose the e7 pawn) the move:} 15.e4 {always comes to mind. It does not yield anything particular though after:} 15...h6 16.Ne6 Bxe6 17.dxe6 Nxe4 18.Bxe4 fxe4 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Re1 bxc4 21.bxc4 Nd8 {and it might be even Black who is somewhat better.} ) 15...Nd8 16.Nh3 $146 {A novelty.} ( {In a email predecessor White did well after:} 16.Rab1 h6 17.Nh3 Ne4 18.Bxe4 fxe4 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Nf4 {Paluch,A-Ackley,P (1946) ICCF email 2011} ) ( {In any case, it made sense to keep the knight on g5 and provoke h7-h6. Anther interesting idea was:} 16.Rad1 $5 h6 ( {If} 16...Nf7 {White is always ready to sacrifice a pawn with:} 17.Ne6 Bxe6 18.dxe6 Nd8 19.Nd5 Nxe6 20.cxb5 axb5 21.Nxf6+ Bxf6 22.Bd5 Qd7 23.Qe3 Kf7 24.Rd2 {with ample compensation thanks to the pin.} ) 17.Nh3 {Not fearing} 17...g5 18.f4 ) 16...Bd7 17.Rad1 {Xiong solidified the center.} 17...b4 $1 {However Nakamura fixed a potential weakness on the queenside.} 18.Qc2 a5 19.Nf4 a4 20.h4 Ra8 21.Qb1 Ra6 {Black's play is definitely easier. He is threatening to open the a-file in a good moment, but may also play on the kingside. At the same time it is difficult to say what does White do concretely.} 22.Bf3 Qf7 23.Neg2 {"I am sure that White is fine (after this move), but the the tides are turning very quickly." (Nakamura)} 23...Ng4 $1 {Taking the good opportunity to secure some nice squares for his pieces. White's dark-squared bishop is extremely important for the stability of the flank, but now it has to leave.} 24.Bxg4 ( {Similar is:} 24.Bxg7 Qxg7 25.Bxg4 axb3 $5 26.axb3 ( 26.Bf3 $6 bxa2 27.Qa1 Qxa1 28.Rxa1 b3 ) 26...fxg4 ) ( {If White stays with something like:} 24.Rfe1 {then the second player can further soften the queenside with:} 24...Bxb2 25.Qxb2 Qf6 ) 24...fxg4 25.e4 {In search for counterplay while e4-e5 is also on the agenda.} 25...Bxb2 26.Qxb2 Qg7 $1 {Now the a-file is secured for the black major pieces.} 27.Qxg7+ Kxg7 28.e5 $1 {Just in time. Otherwise Black will transfer his knight there, and maybe even further to f3.} 28...Bf5 ( {Not} 28...dxe5 $2 29.Nd3 Ra5 30.Nxe5 {when White is more than fine.} ) 29.exd6 exd6 30.Rfe1 {Xiong also got a file for his rooks.} ( {It was way more tedious for the white pieces to attack something. If} 30.Ne3 Be4 {as} 31.Nxg4 {drops the exchange after} ( 31.Rfe1 $5 ) 31...Bf3 ) 30...Nf7 $1 {Avoids the trap.} ( {The obvious idea was to attack the b3 pawn advance. However after:} 30...axb3 31.axb3 Bc2 ( {White also gets enough counterplay after:} 31...Ra3 32.Ne6+ Nxe6 33.dxe6 Rxb3 34.Rxd6 ) 32.Re7+ Rf7 33.Rde1 Bxb3 34.Re8 $1 {it transpires that the knight cannot be easily held, no matter which rook defends it:} 34...Ra8 ( {And if} 34...Nb7 35.Ne6+ Kh6 36.Ne3 {would put the black king in delicate situation.} ) 35.Rxd8 $1 ) 31.Re7 ( {Here it made sense to swap off the dangerous bishop with:} 31.Ne6+ $1 Bxe6 32.dxe6 {True, the black knight becomes very strong after:} 32...Ne5 33.Kf1 axb3 34.axb3 Nf3 {but White has more chances to hold after activating his own steed:} 35.Re3 Nd4 36.Nf4 ) 31...Kf6 32.Rb7 {White searches for counterplay on the queenside.} ( {The computer suggested the exchange sacrifice with:} 32.Re6+ Bxe6 33.dxe6 {To which Nakamura intended to sacrifice his knight in return with:} 33...axb3 34.axb3 ( 34.exf7 $2 bxa2 ) 34...Rfa8 ( {If} 34...Ne5 35.Nd5+ Kg7 36.e7 {with compensation for the exchange thanks to the strong knight on d5.} ) 35.exf7 ( 35.Nd5+ Kxe6 36.Nc7+ Kd7 ) 35...Kxf7 {The rook and the pawn often outperform the knights in the endgames, plus White has an obvious weakness on b3.} ) 32...axb3 33.axb3 Rfa8 34.Ne3 Ra1 $1 {What have started with the move b5-b4! reached its logical finish. Black breaks through the open a-file and gets closer to the title.} ( {He should not have rushed though:} 34...Ra3 $2 {throws away the advantage due to:} 35.Nxf5 gxf5 36.Re1 Ne5 37.Re3 ) 35.Kf1 Ne5 {This complicates the win.} ( {Better was to keep the active bishop on board with:} 35...Rxd1+ $1 36.Nxd1 Ra1 37.Ke2 ( 37.Ke1 $2 Bc2 ) 37...Ra2+ 38.Kf1 Be4 $1 {with total control. Soon White will be helpless against the combined attack of the black pieces.} ( {But again no rush!} 38...Bc2 $2 39.Ne3 Bxb3 40.Nxg4+ Kf5 41.Ne3+ {saves White.} ) ) 36.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 37.Ke2 Nf3 ( {Here} 37...Be4 {might be met with:} 38.Rb6 {which is not pleasant to calcutate close to the time control.} ) 38.Nxf5 Kxf5 {The black king is ready for a deadly visit.} ( {Not} 38...gxf5 $2 39.Nh5+ Kg6 40.Nf4+ Kh6 41.Rb6 {and White is out of the woods.} ) 39.Ke3 {The only move.} ( 39.Rb6 $2 {leads to mate after} 39...Ke4 40.Rxd6 Re1# ) ( {Whereas} 39.Rd7 {loses again to} 39...Ke4 40.Re7+ Kd4 41.Ne6+ Kc3 ) 39...Re1+ 40.Kd3 Ne5+ 41.Kd2 Ra1 {It seems as Xiong will through in the towel in any moment, but he shows his usual tactical creativity and gives Nakamura a run for his money.} ( 41...Rb1 42.Kc2 Rf1 43.Nd3 {keeps White in the game.} ) 42.Ne6 $1 {White can also create threats!} ( {The other moves lose:} 42.Ke3 Rb1 ) ( {Or} 42.Rxh7 Ra2+ 43.Ke1 Ra3 ) 42...h6 $1 {Securing the g5 square.} ( {White's idea is revealed in the line:} 42...Ra2+ 43.Ke3 $1 Kf6 44.Ng5 Kf5 45.Ne6 {when it might well be the black king which will be mated!} ) ( 42...Ke4 43.Ng5+ Kd4 44.Ne6+ {also leads Black nowhere.} ) 43.Rb6 Ra3 44.Kc2 Ra2+ 45.Kd1 Nd3 46.Rxd6 Nxf2+ 47.Ke1 ( {Or} 47.Kc1 Nd3+ 48.Kb1 Rb2+ ) 47...Nd3+ 48.Kd1 Ke4 {Just one more move and the black pieces will be united with Ke4-e3 and mate will be inevitable.} 49.Nc7 $1 ( 49.Nf4 {is hopeless after} 49...Nxf4 50.gxf4 g3 ) ( {So is a move like} 49.Nf8 Kd4 {as the king can support the mate from the other side too.} ) 49...Nf2+ $1 ( {Avoiding another trick after:} 49...Kd4 50.Nb5+ $1 Ke3 51.Re6+ ) 50.Ke1 ( 50.Kc1 $1 {was more stubborn.} ) 50...Kd3 51.Rxg6 Ne4 52.Kf1 Nxg3+ 53.Kg1 ( {There is no salvation on the queenside either:} 53.Ke1 Re2+ 54.Kd1 Rf2 55.Kc1 Ne2+ 56.Kb2 Nc3+ 57.Ka1 Ra2# ) 53...Ne2+ 54.Kh1 ( 54.Kf1 g3 $1 ) 54...Ke3 $1 {The last piece joins the attack. The end is near.} 55.Rf6 ( {Or mate after} 55.Rxg4 Kf3 56.Rg6 Ng3+ 57.Kg1 Rg2# ) 55...Ra1+ 56.Kg2 Rg1+ 57.Kh2 g3+ 58.Kh3 Rh1+ {Mate is inevitable. Congrats to Nakamura!} ( 58...Rh1+ 59.Kg2 Rh2+ 60.Kf1 g2+ 61.Ke1 Rh1+ ) 0-1

[Event "E World Team Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.03.05"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2657"]
[ECO "B07"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7903142494753"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O 5.O-O d6 6.Re1 {Not a very common way to transpose into the Fianchetto Pirc, although the likes of Kramnik, Aronian and Ivanchuk exploit it quite often.} 6...Nbd7 ( {Artemiev is also not a stranger to this move order. One recent example of his ran:} 6...c5 7.dxc5 dxc5 8.Qxd8 Rxd8 9.c3 Nc6 10.Be3 c4 $5 11.Na3 Nd5 12.Nxc4 b5 13.Ncd2 Nxe3 14.fxe3 Bh6 {with compensation for a pawn in Artemiev,V (2704)-Ponkratov,P (2601) Sochi 2018} ) 7.e4 e5 8.Nc3 b6 ( {Another way to develop was:} 8...Re8 9.h3 c6 ( {Or} 9...b6 10.a4 a6 11.d5 a5 12.Nd2 Re7 13.Nc4 {as in Aronian, L (2797)-Rapport,R (2700) Gibraltar 2018} ) 10.a4 b6 11.Bg5 Bb7 12.Qd2 Qc7 13.Rad1 a6 {as in Kramnik,V (2792)-Grischuk,A (2766) Paris 2018} ) 9.h3 Bb7 10.d5 Qe7 11.Bg5 $146 {A novelty and a typical provocation. White is fighting the freeing c7-c6 advance as early as possible. He intends Qd1-d2, therefore Black's next move is more or less forced.} ( {White go the slightly better chances in the predecessor:} 11.a4 a6 12.Nd2 Kh8 13.a5 b5 14.Na2 Ng8 15.Nb4 {Steinkohl,T (2330)-Slobodjan,R (2520) Dudweiler 1996} ) 11...h6 {Firouzja is not afraid of the possible tempo gainer on the c1-h6 diagonal.} 12.Be3 Rac8 {But this looks inaccurate.} ( {Black should have fought for the center without any preparation:} 12...c6 {Then he does not need to fear neither the immediate:} 13.Qd2 ( {Nor the same move after the preliminary:} 13.dxc6 Bxc6 14.Qd2 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Bxe4 16.Bxh6 Nf6 {In both cases Black has normal play.} ) 13...cxd5 ) 13.Qd2 Kh7 14.Nh2 $1 {Now White obtains strong control of the d-file.} 14...c6 15.dxc6 Rxc6 {Awkward, but what else?!} ( {After:} 15...Bxc6 16.Rad1 Nc5 17.Bxc5 $1 {is unplesant for Black-} 17...dxc5 18.Nd5 ) 16.Ng4 {From the Pirc Black got into a Najdorf type of position and since his pieces are sowewhat awkwardly placed for the play in the center his position is worse. Therefore Firouzja goes for:} 16...Qe6 $1 {Which practically sacrifices a pawn.} ( {Otherwise, after} 16...h5 17.Nxf6+ Nxf6 18.Rad1 {White will have everything that he wants: a weak backward pawn along the d-file as well as a huge outpost for the white pieces on the d5 square.} ( {Or} 18.Bg5 ) ) 17.Bxh6 {The only good capture.} ( 17.Nxh6 $2 {will present Black more than enough compensation after:} 17...Rxc3 $1 18.bxc3 Nxe4 19.Bxe4 Bxe4 20.Ng4 f5 ) 17...Nxg4 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.hxg4 Qxg4 20.Nb5 {This is the problem: Black cannot defend adequately on d6. He however pins his hopes on the counterplay along the open h-file and eventually the a6-f1 diagonal.} 20...Nf6 {Another inaccuracy, although not that obvious at all.} ( {Black could have saved on this tempo with the direct move:} 20...Rh8 {Apparently, The Iranian GM was afraid of:} 21.Nxd6 Ba6 22.Qd5 {But then:} ( {The other lines also look fine for Black:} 22.c4 Qh5 23.Ne8+ ( 23.b3 Nf6 ) 23...Kf8 $3 ( 23...Rxe8 24.Qxd7 ) 24.Qxd7 Bxc4 25.f3 Bb5 $1 ) ( {Most likely White should play similarly to the game:} 22.b3 Qh5 23.c4 Nf6 24.Rad1 Bc8 {although this is also very unclear.} ) 22...Rxd6 $1 {is strong and after:} 23.Qxd6 Qh5 24.f3 Qh2+ 25.Kf2 Rh3 26.Rh1 Qxg3+ 27.Kg1 Rxh1+ 28.Kxh1 Nf6 {with the threats of Ba6-e2, Ba6-c8-h1 and Nf6-h5-f4 Black has enough for the exchange.} ) 21.Nxd6 Ba6 ( {Not:} 21...Rd8 22.Nf5+ ) 22.Rad1 Rh8 23.b3 {Getting ready to block the bishop whenever needed.} 23...Rc7 ( {White is repelling the attack after:} 23...Qh5 24.c4 Qh2+ 25.Kf1 b5 ( {Or} 25...Bc8 26.Nxc8 Rcxc8 27.Qg5 ) 26.Nxb5 ( {The other choice also looks reasonable:} 26.cxb5 Rxd6 27.Qxd6 Bxb5+ 28.Rd3 Ng4 29.a4 Bxd3+ 30.Qxd3 ) 26...Bc8 27.Qd3 Bg4 28.Rd2 {in both cases White preserves the extra material.} ) 24.c4 {The attack along the h-file did not succeed. Black searches counter-chances related to the pin.} 24...Rd7 25.Qc3 Qe6 ( {Not} 25...Rhd8 26.Qxe5 ) 26.f4 $1 {However, Artemiev is ready for counter-attack. The white pieces look very comfortable in the center.} 26...Ng4 ( {The endgame is difficult for Black:} 26...Rxd6 27.fxe5 Rxd1 28.exf6+ Qxf6 29.Qxf6+ Kxf6 30.e5+ $5 Ke6 31.Rxd1 Kxe5 32.Rd7 ) 27.fxe5 Bb7 $2 {Allows a 'petite combinaison'.} ( {But Black was in trouble anyway and the capture with the knight:} 27...Nxe5 {would not work due to} 28.Nf5+ $1 gxf5 29.Rxd7 ) ( {However:} 27...Qxe5 $1 {was his best chance when after} 28.Qxe5+ Nxe5 29.Rd5 f6 {Black can still put strong resistance thanks to the super-knight on e5.} ) 28.Ne8+ $1 {This effectively finishes the game.} 28...Kg8 ( 28...Rxe8 $2 {drops material after} 29.Rxd7 Qxd7 30.e6+ ) ( {So does} 28...Qxe8 $2 29.Rxd7 ) 29.Rxd7 ( 29.Nf6+ Nxf6 30.exf6 {would be also good.} ) 29...Qxd7 30.Nf6+ Nxf6 31.exf6 Qc7 32.Rd1 {White is two pawns ahead, the rest is easy.} 32...Rh5 33.Qe3 Qe5 34.Qf4 Qc5+ 35.Kf1 Bc6 36.Rd8+ Kh7 37.Qb8 1-0

[Event "E World Team Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.03.06"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Ni, Hua"]
[Black "Lenderman, Aleksandr"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2683"]
[BlackElo "2637"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[Beauty "6256962050062"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Nf3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 c5 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.Qxc4 ( {For those of you who did not follow closely the Batumi Olympiad, the central match of the event saw two games following this route:} 10.Nbd2 b5 11.axb5 Bb7 12.Nxc4 axb5 13.Rxa8 Bxa8 14.Nce5 Bd6 15.Rd1 {Yu,Y (2765)-So,W (2776) and Li,C (2708)-Shankland,S (2722) Batumi 2018. White tried to squeeze something in both games, but in vain. If I recall correctly Lenderman was there as a coach for the USA team.} ) 10...b6 11.Ne5 Ra7 12.Nd3 Be7 13.Bf4 Bb7 14.Bxb7 Rxb7 15.Nd2 b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.Qc2 Nd5 18.Rfc1 $146 {A novelty. Apparently, the Chinese squad was happy with a slight edge against the Americans, with risk-free play.} ( {Furtheron, the only predecessor is a game of Lenderman too! It went:} 18.Nf3 Nd7 19.Rfc1 Qb6 20.Qc6 h6 21.Bd2 Qxc6 22.Rxc6 Rd8 23.Kf1 Bf6 {and Black eventually held, Kuzubov,Y (2655)-Lenderman,A (2626) Saint Louis 2018} ) 18...Nd7 19.Nb3 {Heading to a5 and ideally to c6.} 19...Nxf4 20.Nxf4 {It seems as Black should not worry too much. But this feeling is deceptive. The pressure along the open files makes Black's task difficult and he has to proceed with care.} 20...Bd6 $1 {Very accurate.} ( {Instead} 20...Bf6 21.Na5 Rb6 22.Rd1 {will lead to troubles along the d-file.} ) 21.Qe4 {A good reply in return. The forcing continuations did not promise Ni the edge.} ( {Here:} 21.Na5 {is well met with:} 21...Rc7 ) ( 21.Qc6 {is also an empty blow after:} 21...Rb6 ) ( {Finally} 21.Rd1 Bxf4 22.Qe4 Qc7 23.Qxf4 Qxf4 24.gxf4 {was apparently an endgame that was not worrying Black.} ) 21...Rb6 {Another accurate decision.} ( 21...Rb8 $2 {would drop a pawn to} 22.Nxe6 $1 ) ( {Whereas} 21...Qb6 $4 22.Rc6 {would lose the game outright.} ) 22.Nd3 ( {Black was ready to regroup in case of:} 22.Rc6 Nf6 23.Qf3 Rxc6 24.Qxc6 Bxf4 25.gxf4 Nd5 {when he is even taking over the initiative.} ) 22...Nf6 23.Qd4 {Keeping the queen in the center.} ( 23.Qf3 $5 {was also good.} ) 23...Nd5 24.Ra7 {A step in the wrong direction.} ( {White should have deprived the black knight of the excellent central square. After:} 24.e4 Ne7 25.Qe3 Rc6 {Both knight jumps:} 26.Nbc5 $5 {would keep the slight edge for White and the no-risk policy might have worked at the end.} ( {And} 26.Nd4 $5 ) ) 24...Be7 25.Nbc5 Rc6 26.Nd7 {The logical follow up once that the rook seized the seventh rank. But, the wrong direction.} ( {Perhaps White considered his advantage insufficient after} 26.Ne5 $5 Rc8 27.Ned7 Re8 28.e4 Nb6 29.b4 {although many people would prefer to have the white pieces here.} ) ( {And it was not too late for:} 26.e4 Bf6 27.e5 Be7 28.b4 {with some edge as well.} ) 26...Rxc1+ {Now Lenderman skilfully regroups.} 27.Nxc1 Qc8 28.Nd3 Rd8 29.N7e5 $2 {The final step into the abyss.} ( {Ni needed to force a draw with:} 29.Nb6 Qb8 30.Nd7 Qd6 ( {True, Black might actually play on with:} 30...Qc8 ) ) 29...f6 $1 {Suddenly, the center is overcrowded.} 30.Nf3 ( 30.Ng4 {drops a piece at once after} 30...e5 ) 30...e5 31.Qh4 ( {Believe it or not but the queen is trapped in the line:} 31.Qe4 f5 32.Qxe5 Bf6 ) 31...g5 $1 {Lenderman has done it again! With accurate defense he got a chance to strike back.} 32.Nxg5 fxg5 33.Qe4 Qe6 34.Qxe5 Qxe5 35.Nxe5 Re8 {The piece should win but good technique is still reuired.} 36.Rd7 ( {Or} 36.Rb7 b4 37.Nd3 ) 36...Nf6 37.Rb7 b4 38.Nd3 Bf8 39.Kf1 Ne4 40.Rb5 ( 40.Nxb4 {does not win a third pawn due to:} 40...Bc5 {When White needs to part with the f2 pawn. If} 41.f3 Nd6 $1 {wins the white knight.} ) 40...h6 41.h4 {Ni is trying to trade all the pawns.} 41...gxh4 42.gxh4 Nd2+ 43.Kg2 Rxe2 44.Nxb4 Re4 45.Nd5 Rxh4 {But the h6 pawn survived and will soon prove decisive.} 46.f4 Rg4+ 47.Kh3 Rg1 48.Rb7 Ne4 49.b4 Bd6 50.b5 Rd1 51.Ne7+ Kf7 52.Nc6+ ( {Nothing changes:} 52.Nc8+ Ke6 53.Nxd6 Nxd6 54.Rb8 Kf5 ) 52...Ke6 53.Nd8+ Kf5 54.Rf7+ Nf6 55.Kg2 Bxf4 56.Nc6 Rb1 57.Kf3 Rb3+ 58.Ke2 Kg6 ( {Avoiding the last miniscule chance:} 58...Rxb5 $2 59.Nd4+ Kg6 60.Rxf6+ {with a draw.} ) 59.Rb7 h5 60.Nd4 Re3+ 61.Kf1 h4 62.Ne2 Be5 0-1

[Event "E World Team Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.03.07"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Mamedov, Rauf"]
[Black "Ismagambetov, Anuar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2701"]
[BlackElo "2545"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "174"]
[Beauty "5017348088886"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Nb3 {A modern line. White often heads for a favorable lines of the Keres attack.} 6...Nc6 7.a4 g6 {The Dragon-like set up is one of Black's most reliable choices.} ( {An alternative is:} 7...e6 8.Be3 d5 9.exd5 exd5 10.Be2 Bb4 11.O-O O-O 12.Bf3 Bxc3 13.bxc3 Re8 {as in Alekseev,E (2618)-Levin,E (2518) St Petersburg 2017} ) 8.a5 {Mamedov hurries to clamp the opponent's queenside.} 8...Bg7 $146 {An obvious novelty.} ( {A predecessor saw a quick draw after:} 8...Be6 9.Be3 Bxb3 10.cxb3 Bg7 11.Nd5 O-O 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 {1/2-1/2 (12) Iordachescu,V (2632) -Brodsky, M (2549) Bad Wiessee 2010} ) 9.Be3 O-O 10.Bb6 Qe8 11.Be2 Be6 12.O-O {Simply finishing the development.} ( {Instead, the generally desired move:} 12.Nd5 {has a flaw, revealed by:} 12...Nxe4 $1 13.Nc7 Qd7 14.Nxa8 Bxb2 {with advantage for Black.} ) 12...Rc8 13.Nd4 ( {The other plan was:} 13.f4 {Intending Be2-f3 and then again preparation of Nc3-d5. Most likely White did not like the typical blockade then after:} 13...Nd7 14.Be3 Bxb3 15.cxb3 Nc5 16.Bf3 Nb4 ) 13...Bd7 14.Re1 Nb4 {Ismagambetov patiently prepares to free himself with d6-d5.} 15.Bf3 {Adding extra layer of control to the vital d5 spot.} ( {After the more natural} 15.Bf1 {Black would have most likely proceeded as in the game:} 15...e5 ( {Although} 15...Ng4 $5 {deserves consideration too.} ) 16.Nf3 Qe6 ) 15...e5 16.Nde2 Qe6 17.Nc1 {You probably noticed that this knight is the main reason for White not to be completely happy. However, with this maneuver Mamedov finally solves it's problem.} 17...Rc4 18.Nd3 Rfc8 19.Qd2 Nxd3 ( {Since:} 19...Nc6 20.b3 {traps the rook, and the tactics:} 20...Rxc3 21.Qxc3 Nd4 {With the idea to weaken the white kingside would be met strongly with:} 22.Bxd4 $1 Rxc3 23.Bxc3 {The rooks are superior to the queen, White is better.} ) 20.cxd3 R4c6 21.d4 Qe8 ( {If} 21...exd4 22.Bxd4 Rc4 23.e5 $1 {profiting from the position of the enemy queen.} ) 22.h3 Qf8 23.Bd1 $1 {Bringing the bishop to an even better position. So far Mamedov confidently outplayed his oppponent.} ( {Also good was the straightforward} 23.Rad1 $5 ) 23...Rc4 24.d5 $2 {But this is not in the spirit of the position.} ( {Correct was:} 24.dxe5 $1 dxe5 25.Bb3 {For example:} 25...Rb4 26.Bd5 Nxd5 27.Nxd5 Rb3 28.Rac1 {with a comfortable advantage for White. What's important is that White will have good control over the open files.} ) 24...Ne8 {Preparing f7-f5.} 25.Bb3 {This bishop is not happy now.} ( {If} 25.Be2 Bh6 ) 25...Rb4 26.Ba4 {True, White can trade it.} 26...Nf6 $1 {But only at a certain price- here it will be the activation of the black knight.} 27.Bxd7 Nxd7 28.Na4 Rbc4 {The black rooks rule and he is ready to roll on the kingside. The tables have turned in his favor.} ( {Also good looks:} 28...Rcc4 $5 29.Qd1 Rxe4 {But apparently Ismagambetov did not want to allow any counterplay with:} ( 29...Bh6 $5 ) 30.Rxe4 Rxe4 31.Rc1 ) 29.Qd3 f5 30.Qb3 Bh6 31.Ba7 R4c7 ( {There was also the funny maneuver} 31...Bd2 32.Red1 Bb4 ) 32.Bb6 Rc4 33.Ba7 fxe4 {Rejecting the repetition.} 34.Nc3 ( 34.Qxb7 $2 {drops material due to} 34...R4c7 35.Qxa6 Ra8 ) 34...Nf6 {In the approaching time trouble both players play very inventively.} ( 34...Bd2 $5 35.Rxe4 R4c7 {would be safer, but not really play for a win.} ) 35.Qxb7 Bd2 36.Qxa6 $5 {An excellent chance!} ( {Instead} 36.Re2 Bxc3 37.bxc3 R4c7 38.Qb6 Nxd5 {would ingloriouly lose.} ) ( {However, a better version of the sacrifice was:} 36.Be3 $1 Bxe1 37.Rxe1 Rb8 38.Qxa6 Rcb4 39.Qf1 Rxb2 40.a6 {when White has good chances to hold.} ) 36...Bxc3 $1 {A strong move in reply. Black needs much more the d5 pawn than the exchange.} ( {Although Black would be also better after} 36...Bxe1 37.Rxe1 Rb4 38.Qe2 ) 37.bxc3 Nxd5 {The pawn avalanche is impressive. Mamedov could not find a way to stop it.} 38.Rad1 ( {Perhaps White should have tried to advance the a-passer at once with:} 38.Qb7 Nxc3 39.a6 ( 39.Be3 ) ) 38...R4c6 39.Bb6 ( {Here} 39.Qb7 Nxc3 {is not that good for White.} ) 39...Nxc3 40.Rd2 d5 {The time trouble is over and Black is close to winning. His pawns are moving almost by themselves, whereas the white passer is obstructed by its own pieces.} 41.Qb7 Qb4 42.Qd7 d4 43.Kh2 Qf8 {With the threat of Qf8-f4+.} 44.Rxe4 $1 {Once again Mamedov sacrifices the echange and this is his best practical chance.} 44...Nxe4 45.Qd5+ Kg7 46.Qxe4 Qf5 47.Qxf5 gxf5 48.f4 $1 {If the pawns are separated, there is hope.} 48...Rc2 49.Rd1 Rc1 50.Rd2 R8c2 51.Rd3 Rc3 52.Rd2 R1c2 53.Rd1 d3 54.fxe5 Kf7 55.a6 Ra2 56.a7 Ke6 57.Bd4 Rb3 {But a slim one. The black pieces are too active.} 58.Rd2 ( {Maybe White should have tried:} 58.Kg3 d2+ 59.Kf2 ) 58...Ra4 ( {Or even:} 58...Rba3 $5 59.Rd1 Kd5 60.Be3 Kxe5 ) 59.Kg3 Kd5 {This centralization decides.} 60.e6 Kxe6 61.Kf3 Kd5 62.Be3 f4 63.Bf2 ( {Or} 63.Bxf4 Rxa7 ) 63...Kc4 $1 {The active black king will soon win the bishop.} 64.Kxf4 Rb7 65.Be3 Kc3+ 66.Kg5 Raxa7 67.Rd1 Ra5+ 68.Kh6 Ra6+ 69.Kh5 Rb5+ 70.Kh4 Ra2 71.g4 Re2 72.Rc1+ ( {Nothing changes:} 72.Bh6 d2 ) 72...Kb2 73.Bh6 Rb6 74.Bf4 d2 75.Bxd2 Rxd2 76.Rh1 Kc3 77.Kh5 Kd4 78.g5 Re6 79.h4 Kd5 80.Rf1 Rh2 81.Rd1+ Ke5 82.Rd7 Kf4 83.Ra7 Re1 84.Ra3 Re4 85.Ra7 Kf5 86.Rf7+ Ke6 87.Rxh7 Rhxh4+ {After the inspired win yesterday, Ismagambetov helped his brave team draw the rating favorites of Azerbaijan.} 0-1

[Event "E World Team Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.03.08"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[Beauty "6050132587596"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Qa4+ Nc6 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.e3 O-O 10.Be2 Be6 11.O-O ( {White can also chose:} 11.a3 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 a6 13.O-O b5 14.Qd1 Na5 15.a4 Nc4 16.axb5 axb5 17.Qb3 {as in Georgiev,K (2623)-Harikrishna,P (2744) Riadh 2017} ) 11...a6 12.Rfc1 Bd6 13.Qd1 Ne7 {This version of the Carlsbad pawn structure seems far more interesting than the classical one in the QGD for Black. He managed to trade a pair of light pieces, plus White did not yet start the usual minority attack on the queenside.} 14.Na4 b6 15.b4 ( {Yu's countryman chose instead:} 15.a3 {But a bit later his rook ended up in an awkward situation:} 15...g5 16.g3 Qg7 17.Bf1 f5 18.Qe1 Kh8 19.b4 Ng6 20.Rc6 $2 g4 21.Nd2 Qd7 22.Qc1 Ne7 {in Wang,H (2734)-Leko,P (2712) Danzhou 2016} ) 15...a5 {Sealing the queenside for the time being.} ( {Not} 15...Bxb4 16.Rxc7 ) 16.b5 g5 {This is the other difference in comparison to the usual Carlsbad. Black can use the pawns for the attack too.} 17.Nb2 Ng6 18.Nd3 Rae8 $146 {A novelty. Ganguly wants to make the best out of his rooks.} ( {A predecessor saw an interesting battle after:} 18...Rfe8 19.Rc3 h5 20.Rac1 Rad8 21.Nfe5 Nxe5 22.dxe5 Bxe5 23.Nxe5 Qxe5 24.Qd4 Qxd4 25.exd4 Bg4 26.Bxg4 hxg4 27.Rxc7 Re2 {which eventually lead to a drawish endgame, Roiz,M (2668)-Tomashevsky,E (2710) Saratov 2011} ) ( {The immediate kingside expansion:} 18...h5 {Can be met with:} 19.Nfe5 Nxe5 20.dxe5 Bxe5 21.Nxe5 Qxe5 22.Bxh5 {Then White is ready to trade queens, say after} 22...Kg7 23.Qd4 ) 19.Nfe1 {Yu prevents the h6-h5 advance.} ( {After something like:} 19.Rc3 Bd7 20.Qb3 {Play may continue with:} 20...g4 21.Nd2 Qg5 {when Black is fine.} ) 19...h5 $1 {Or at least it seemed saw! Black is happy to offer a pawn for an open file. A wonderful move which the computer may never understand.} 20.Bxh5 Kg7 21.h3 $6 {That is not the most solid construction!} ( {Better was the immediate:} 21.Bg4 Rh8 {Then the other pawn should move.} 22.g3 {The logic is that White needs to restrict the remaining black bishop. After} 22...Bxg4 ( {Better seems} 22...Ne7 23.Bxe6 Qxe6 24.Qf3 Rh3 {with compensation for the pawn, although White can still defend with:} 25.Ne5 $5 Bxe5 ( 25...Reh8 26.Qg4 ) 26.dxe5 Qxe5 27.Qg4 ) 23.Qxg4 Re4 24.Qf3 Qe6 25.Qg2 {White can defend successfully.} ) 21...Rh8 22.Bg4 Bxg4 23.hxg4 $2 {And that is a blunder!} ( {The only move was:} 23.Qxg4 {although in comparison to the line from above Black has a serious initiative running:} 23...Re4 24.Qd1 g4 25.hxg4 Qh4 26.Kf1 Rxg4 ) 23...Rxe3 $1 {This is what Yu missed. A key pawn drops and with it White's position shutters.} 24.Rc6 ( {The rook is immune:} 24.fxe3 Bh2+ 25.Kh1 Qf1# ) 24...Bh2+ {The position is obviously very close to won for Black, but there are so many options!} ( {Best was the simple retreat:} 24...Re6 $1 {White cannot seal the diagonal in that case:} 25.g3 Ne7 26.Rcc1 {There is the powerful:} 26...Bxg3 27.fxg3 Rh1+ 28.Kxh1 Qf1+ 29.Kh2 Rh6# ) ( {Also good was:} 24...Re4 $5 ) 25.Kf1 ( 25.Kh1 {will be met with:} 25...Rxe1+ $1 ( {Not} 25...Qd8 $2 {with the idea Bh2-g3+ followed by Rh8-h1+ and the queen mates. Unfortunately for Black his opponent will escape on time with:} 26.fxe3 Bg3+ 27.Kg1 Rh1+ 28.Kxh1 Qh8+ 29.Kg1 Qh2+ 30.Kf1 Qh1+ 31.Ke2 ) 26.Qxe1 Qxd4 27.Rd1 Qxg4 {and White is helpless.} ) 25...Bg3 26.Kg1 ( 26.Rxf6 Rh1# ) 26...Bh2+ 27.Kf1 Bg3 28.Kg1 Qxd4 $1 {Ganguly missed some good continuations, but nevertheless found a way to keep the attack running.} 29.Nc2 $1 {The only move.} ( 29.fxg3 Rxe1# ) 29...Bh2+ 30.Kh1 ( {Not} 30.Kf1 $2 Qxd3+ ) 30...Bf4+ 31.Kg1 Bh2+ 32.Kh1 Bf4+ ( {Better was:} 32...Be5+ 33.Kg1 Qxd3 34.Nxe3 Qxb5 35.Rac1 Ne7 {but Black gets a chance to shift to this line a bit later.} ) 33.Kg1 Qxd3 34.Nxe3 Bh2+ 35.Kh1 Be5+ 36.Kg1 Bh2+ 37.Kh1 Qxb5 38.Rac1 Bg3+ ( {Or the immediate:} 38...Be5+ 39.Kg1 Ne7 $1 40.R6c2 Bh2+ 41.Kh1 d4 42.Nf1 Bf4+ 43.Kg1 Qd7 ) 39.Kg1 Bh2+ 40.Kh1 Ne7 $1 {Finding the correct idea. The rooks cannot hide from the discovered checks.} 41.g3 ( {If} 41.R6c2 d4 $1 {would win material for Black. But it is even better to continue positionally after:} 42.Nf1 Bf4+ 43.Kg1 c5 $1 {and Black is winning.} ( 43...Bxc1 44.Qxd4+ f6 45.Rxc1 {somehwat complicates matters.} ) ( {Or} 43...Qd7 $1 {as in the line from above.} ) ) 41...Nxc6 42.Nf5+ Kf8 ( {Black also has to be careful:} 42...Kg6 $2 43.Rxc6+ Qxc6 44.Ne7+ ) 43.Kg2 Bxg3 $1 44.Nxg3 ( {After} 44.fxg3 d4 {there is no adequate defence against Qb5-d5+} ) ( {The white king is mated in case of:} 44.Kxg3 Qb4 ) 44...Rh6 45.Nf5 {Black is three pawns up, but not yet there. The super-knight on f5 demands precise play.} 45...Re6 46.Qf3 ( {After} 46.Qh1 {Black will defend with the same move:} 46...Qb2 {But this might have been White's best chance, especially in the line:} 47.Qh2 Qe5 48.Qxe5 Nxe5 49.Rxc7 Nxg4 50.Rc8+ Re8 51.Rc6 Rb8 52.Kg3 ) 46...Qb2 47.Rh1 Ne7 $1 {Without the knights Black has very few problems left.} 48.Qg3 ( {If} 48.Nxe7 Kxe7 49.Qxd5 Qe5 {consolidating.} ) 48...Nxf5 49.gxf5 Re2 50.Qf3 ( {is refuted with:} 50.Qxg5 Rxf2+ 51.Kg1 Re2 $1 ( {But not} 51...Rc2 $4 52.Qd8+ Kg7 53.Qh8# ) 52.Kf1 Re4 {and Black wins.} ) 50...Qe5 51.f6 Ke8 {The king is finally safe.} 52.Rh8+ Kd7 53.Rf8 Qe6 54.Qh5 Qe4+ {Forcing a won endgame.} 55.Qf3 Qxf3+ 56.Kxf3 Rxa2 57.Rxf7+ Ke6 58.Rxc7 Kxf6 59.Rc6+ Kf5 60.Rxb6 Ra3+ 61.Ke2 a4 62.Rd6 Ke4 63.Re6+ Kd4 64.Rg6 Ra2+ 65.Kf3 a3 66.Rxg5 Rc2 {Yu resigned as the pawn is unstoppable.} ( 66...Rc2 67.Rg8 a2 68.Ra8 Kc3 ) 0-1

[Event "E World Team Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.03.09"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Swiercz, Dariusz"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7423314102819"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 {A topical way to break the Berlin Wall.} 7...Nxe5 8.Rxe5 O-O 9.d4 Bf6 10.Re1 Re8 11.Rxe8+ ( {In a recent game Radjabov held against the former world champion after:} 11.c3 Rxe1 12.Qxe1 Nf5 13.Bf4 d6 14.Bd3 Be6 15.Nd2 Bg5 {Anand,V (2773)-Radjabov,T (2757) Wijk aan Zee 2019} ) 11...Nxe8 12.d5 d6 13.Nd2 Bf5 {Black has the more active pieces at the moment but since the first player seized some space in return this may change on the long run.} 14.Nc4 c6 {In order to free himself, Black weakens his pawn structure somewhat.} 15.c3 Be4 16.dxc6 bxc6 17.Qa4 c5 $146 ( {Both players undoubtly knew the predecessor:} 17...d5 18.Nd2 Bg6 19.Nb3 c5 20.Nxc5 d4 21.cxd4 Qxd4 22.Qc6 Rd8 23.Be3 Qxb2 24.Rd1 Qb6 25.Qa4 {and although eventually Black managed to level the chances he still had problems to solve at this stage of the game, Harikrishna, P (2733)-Balogh,C (2625) Czech Republic 2019} ) 18.Bf4 d5 19.Nd2 {Naiditsch went for a concrete line to attack the hanging pawns.} ( {However, both} 19.Rd1 ) ( {and} 19.Re1 {might be more critical continuations.} ) 19...Bf5 20.Bb5 {The threat is Bb5-c6-b7 to trap the rook.} 20...Qe7 21.Nb3 {This looks very logical, but allows strong counterplay.} ( {The direct} 21.Bc6 Rd8 22.Nf3 {would not yield much as Black can breakthrough in the center:} 22...d4 ) ( {But more precise looks:} 21.Nf3 {For example} 21...Rd8 ( {If} 21...c4 {like in the game, then} 22.Re1 ) ( 21...Nc7 22.Bc6 ) 22.Re1 {with a slight edge for White.} ) 21...c4 $1 22.Na5 Qe2 {The active queen promises Swiercz enough counter-chances.} 23.Bc6 Rd8 24.Qb5 ( {After} 24.Nb7 Qxb2 25.Rf1 Rc8 26.Bd7 $1 ( {Bad is:} 26.Bxe8 Qxb7 ) ( {Black is better after} 26.Bxd5 Bxc3 ) 26...Qxb7 27.Bxf5 Rd8 {White has compensation for a pawn, but hardly more. The game might end in a draw after} 28.Re1 Kf8 29.Qa3+ Kg8 30.Qa4 ) 24...Nd6 ( {Missing strong play with:} 24...Bh4 $1 {Then} 25.Bg3 ( {Bad is} 25.g3 $2 Be4 26.Bxe8 Qf3 {with massive material losses for White.} ) 25...Bxg3 26.hxg3 Nf6 {With the simple threat to include the knight into the attack leads to comfortable play for Black. For example:} 27.Nb7 Rf8 28.Bxd5 ( 28.Nd6 Ng4 ) 28...Nxd5 29.Qxd5 Qxb2 30.Rd1 Bd3 {an Black is fine.} ) 25.Bxd6 $1 {Forced but good. White wins time to snack some pawns.} 25...Rxd6 26.Bxd5 Rb6 ( {Swiercz should have switched to the defense with:} 26...a6 27.Qxc4 Qxc4 28.Bxc4 Rd2 29.Bxa6 Rxb2 30.Nc4 Rb8 31.Ne3 Bxc3 32.Rd1 Be6 {Two bishops often help the defender save a position down a pawn.} ) 27.Qxc4 ( 27.Bxf7+ Kxf7 28.Qxf5 Rxb2 {leads to a position from the game with an extra black pawn on c4.} ) 27...Rxb2 ( {Once more Black's best chance was in the endgame:} 27...Qxb2 28.Re1 ( {Or} 28.Bxf7+ Kf8 29.Re1 Qb5 ) 28...Qb1 $1 29.Qe2 Qxe1+ 30.Qxe1 Rb1 31.Qxb1 Bxb1 {with good chances to survive, despite the missing pawn.} ) 28.Bxf7+ Kf8 29.Qc5+ Kxf7 30.Qxf5 Qc2 {Swiercz now tries to reach the endgame, but Naiditsch has something else in mind.} ( {Black still had chances to survive with the subtle:} 30...Rd2 $1 {which takes under control the vital d7 square and after something like:} 31.h3 Qe5 {Black eventually reaches the endgame. Even without the bishop pair, a bishop versus knight often proves reasonable compensation for a pawn.} ) 31.Qd7+ $1 {No endgame at all!} 31...Kf8 32.Qc8+ Kf7 33.Rf1 Qxc3 ( {If} 33...Rxa2 34.Nc4 Qxc3 {White wins the exchange by force:} 35.Nd6+ Ke7 36.Nf5+ Kf7 37.Qd7+ Kg6 38.Ne7+ Bxe7 39.Qe6+ ) 34.Nc4 $1 {This is what White had in mind when starting the checks. The queen and knight is a terrific attacking tandem which decides the outcome of the game.} 34...Rc2 35.Qd7+ Kg6 36.Nd6 ( {Faster was:} 36.Ne3 Rd2 37.Qe8+ Kg5 ( {Or} 37...Kh6 38.Nf5+ Kg5 39.Ng3 ) 38.f4+ Kh4 39.g3+ Kh3 40.Qe6# ) 36...Kh6 37.Nf5+ Kg6 38.Ne3 Rc1 39.Qe8+ Kh6 ( {Otherwise mate:} 39...Kg5 40.f4+ Kh4 41.g3+ Kh3 42.Qe6# ) 40.g3 {Calmly finishing the game.} ( {There was a forcing line too:} 40.Ng4+ Kg5 41.f4+ Kxg4 42.Qe2+ Kf5 43.g4+ Kg6 44.Qe8+ Kh6 45.Qh5# ) 40...Rxf1+ 41.Kxf1 g6 ( {The last chance was:} 41...Qb4 {to take under control the g4 square.} ) 42.Qf8+ {Now it is over.} 42...Kh5 ( {Or} 42...Bg7 43.Qf4+ g5 44.Nf5+ Kg6 45.Ne7+ Kh6 46.Qf7 {wehn Black needs to part with the queen in order to avoid mate.} ) 43.g4+ Kg5 44.h4+ {Swiercz resigned not wishing to see the mate on the board.} ( 44.h4+ Kxh4 ( 44...Kf4 45.Nd5+ ) 45.Qh6# ) 1-0

[Event "E World Team Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.03.11"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[ECO "B32"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[Beauty "6117778265658"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 {For many years people were afraid to choose the Sicilian against Karjakin. Any Sicilian. But Naiditsch is fearless.} 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6 6.N1c3 a6 7.Na3 b5 8.Nd5 Nge7 {This move is the main difference of the Kalashnikov, in comparison to the usual Sveshnikov line. The knight is more flexible on e7 and it cannot be easily swapped for the white dark-squared bishop.} 9.c4 Nxd5 ( {The other direction is:} 9...Nd4 10.Bd3 Nxd5 11.exd5 bxc4 12.Nxc4 Be7 13.O-O O-O {Ragger,M (2687)-Miton,K (2588) St Petersburg 2018} ) 10.cxd5 Nd4 11.Bd3 g6 12.O-O Bg7 13.Be3 O-O 14.Bxd4 exd4 {Now we are in a position which is more typical for the Accelerated Dragon. Or the KID.} 15.Nc2 Bd7 16.Ne1 $146 {Karjakin tries to improve on an earlier game of Naiditsch. The knight is heading to the f3 square. White hopes that he has enough time to regroup his troops and eventually win the isolated pawn on d4.} ( {In that other game Black did well after} 16.Qd2 Rc8 ( {It is not that easy to deal with the d4 pawn either after:} 16...a5 17.Rad1 Rc8 18.Be2 Qb6 {As:} 19.Nxd4 {is dubious due to} 19...Qxd4 20.Qxd4 Bxd4 21.Rxd4 Rc2 {with advantage for Black.} ) 17.Ne1 Qb6 18.Nf3 a5 19.a3 Rc5 20.h3 Rb8 21.Rfc1 h6 22.Rc2 a4 {and Black eventually won in Korneev,O (2557)-Naiditsch,A (2702) Heraklio 2017} ) 16...Qb6 17.Nf3 a5 {However, Naiditsch plays very energetically and does not allow the aforementioned plan.} 18.h3 {This takes under control the g4 square and avoids the possible pin after Bd7-g4. It's possible that Karjakin later regretted this move.} ( {After} 18.Qd2 {Black can always through in the Bg4 move to level the chances. For example:} 18...Rfc8 ( 18...Bg4 $5 ) 19.Rfd1 Bg4 $5 ( {Although Black can play for more, just like in the game with:} 19...Rc5 20.Bf1 Bg4 ) ) 18...a4 $1 {In order to force a concession on the queenside.} 19.Qd2 ( 19.a3 {will allow Black a chance to open files on the queenside with} 19...b4 ) 19...a3 {Now Black secures a strong outpost on c3. The d4 pawn is not a weakness at all!} 20.b3 Rac8 21.Rfe1 Rfe8 {Black is very careful not to allow central counterplay.} ( {After:} 21...Rc3 22.e5 dxe5 23.Nxe5 Qd6 24.Nxd7 Qxd7 25.Rad1 {A curious line runs:} 25...Qxd5 26.Bxg6 hxg6 27.Qxc3 Qxg2+ 28.Kxg2 dxc3 {with compensation for the exchange.} ) 22.Rad1 {White is ready to move the bishop away and grab the central pawn.} 22...Rc3 {The rook is not just decorative there. It does tremendous work.} 23.Kh2 {In order to defend the h3 pawn. The strong influence of the rook is felt.} ( {The white bishop cannot move away:} 23.Bf1 Bxh3 $1 ) 23...Qd8 $1 {A very neat move. Once again Naiditsch prevents the bishop motion.} ( 23...Qc5 {is not as accurate and White can win the pawn after} 24.Bb1 b4 25.Nxd4 ) 24.b4 ( {Since} 24.Bb1 $2 {loses to} 24...Rxf3 $1 25.gxf3 Qh4 ) ( {Whereas} 24.Bf1 $2 Rxf3 $1 25.gxf3 Qh4 {also leads to a tremendous attack on the dark squares.} ) 24...Qf6 25.Ng1 {A sad retreat.} ( {The bishop is still frozen} 25.Bb1 $2 Rxf3 ) 25...g5 $1 {This is it! Thanks to his active play Black managed to build strong pressure on the dark squares.} 26.Ne2 {It seems Karjakin will finally get rid of the annoying rook.} ( {This time} 26.Bb1 {does not lose but allows an attack with} 26...g4 ) 26...Qxf2 $1 {But it did not even tremble.} 27.Qxg5 $1 {The only defence.} ( {After} 27.Nxc3 Be5+ 28.Kh1 Qg3 29.Kg1 {Black has a pleasant choice between:} 29...Bxh3 {Then if the knight moves:} ( {Or} 29...dxc3 30.Qe3 Qh2+ 31.Kf2 Bf4 32.Qf3 g4 {with more than enough compensation for the exchange.} ) 30.Nxb5 $2 {Black mates:} 30...Qh2+ 31.Kf1 Qh1+ 32.Ke2 Qxg2# ) 27...h6 28.Qg3 Qxg3+ 29.Kxg3 Rxe4 {Spectacular.} ( {Although objectively better was:} 29...Rcc8 ) 30.Nxc3 {Not the best way to take the exchange.} ( {Better was:} 30.Kf2 $1 Re5 ( {If} 30...Rxd3 31.Rxd3 Bf5 32.Rxa3 ) ( {Or} 30...Rh4 31.Nxc3 dxc3 32.Re7 ) 31.Nxc3 dxc3 32.Rxe5 Bxe5 33.Ke2 {which leads to a much better version of the game continuation for White.} ) 30...Be5+ 31.Kf2 Rf4+ {This rook survives and will play a key role into the building of Black's initiative later.} 32.Ke2 dxc3 33.Rb1 Rd4 34.Rb3 Rxd5 35.Rd1 ( {Or} 35.Rxa3 Kg7 ) 35...Be6 36.Rxa3 Bf6 {Another nice maneuver. The rook finds the ideal square. For the exchange Naiditsch got a pair of connected passers, a pawn, the bishop pair.} 37.Bc2 ( {If} 37.Be4 Re5 38.Kf3 d5 39.Bc2 Rg5 {is similar to the game.} ) 37...Rg5 38.Kf2 d5 39.Ra8+ {A typical time-trouble check.} ( {However, much better was the immediate:} 39.Ra5 d4 40.a4 {Then White would have had good chances to survive. For example:} 40...Bc4 41.axb5 Bxb5 42.Bd3 Bxd3 43.Ra8+ Kg7 44.Rxd3 Rb5 45.Rg3+ Kh7 46.Ra7 Bh4 47.Rxf7+ Kh8 48.Rf8+ Kh7 49.Rf7+ {with perpetual.} ) 39...Kg7 40.a4 d4 $1 {Advancing the passers is the primary goal for Black. Plus, they advance with tempos here.} 41.g4 ( {There is no time for} 41.axb5 {due to Black's main threat:} 41...Bd5 42.Ra7 Rxg2+ ) ( {The last chance was:} 41.Ra5 $1 bxa4 42.Rxg5+ Bxg5 43.Bxa4 Be3+ {although Black is better here too.} ) 41...Bc4 $1 42.axb5 ( 42.Bd3 $5 ) 42...Re5 {Naiditsch decides the game with direct attack against the white king.} 43.Rc8 Re2+ 44.Kf3 Re3+ 45.Kf2 Bxb5 46.Bf5 ( {Or} 46.Rc5 Bh4+ 47.Kg1 d3 48.Bxd3 Rg3+ 49.Kh2 Ba4 50.Rc1 Rxd3 51.R5xc3 Rd2+ 52.Kh1 Be7 ) 46...Be2 47.Rb1 Bh4+ {Notice how well co-ordinated the black pieces are. They quickly set a mating net around the enemy king.} 48.Kg2 Bf3+ 49.Kg1 Re2 50.Rf1 ( {Or mate after} 50.b5 Rg2+ 51.Kf1 Rh2 ) 50...Rg2+ 51.Kh1 Bf2 52.Bd3 ( {Black wins after} 52.Rxf2 Rxf2+ {thanks to the connected passers.} ) 52...Rxg4+ {Time for the final storm.} 53.Kh2 Rg2+ 54.Kh1 Rg5+ 55.Kh2 Bg3+ 56.Kg1 Bf4+ 57.Kf2 Bb7 58.Rc5 Rg2+ 59.Ke1 Bg3+ 60.Kd1 Rd2+ 61.Kc1 Rxd3 62.Rcf5 Be4 63.Rxf7+ Kg6 64.R1f6+ Kh5 0-1

[Event "E World Team Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.03.12"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Izoria, Zviad"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2603"]
[ECO "D27"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7353789329928"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.e3 c5 5.d4 dxc4 6.Bxc4 a6 7.O-O b5 8.Bb3 Bb7 9.e4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Nc6 ( {Another grandmaster game saw a quick draw after:} 10...Nbd7 11.Re1 Nc5 12.Bd5 Rc8 13.Bg5 Be7 14.Bxb7 Nxb7 15.e5 Nd5 16.Bxe7 {½-½ (16) Berkes,F (2648)-Tarlev,K (2592) Rasht 2017} ) 11.Nxc6 Qxd1 12.Rxd1 Bxc6 13.f3 {This is the main reason why White keeps on playing this endgame. The white pawn chain effectively kills the bishop on c6 and prevents Black's counterplay. Izoria has now a solid, but passive position.} 13...Bc5+ 14.Kf1 Ke7 15.Ne2 $146 {As innocent as it seems, this move contains a lot of poison. Not only is the knight heading to the central d4 square; the c-file is opened as well.} ( {In a predecessor Korobov quickly got the upper hand after:} 15.e5 Nd7 16.Bg5+ f6 $2 ( {However Black can simply retreat with the king:} 16...Ke8 {and eventually chase the white bishop away with h7-h6 followed by g7-g5 if needed.} ) 17.exf6+ gxf6 18.Re1 $1 e5 ( 18...fxg5 19.Rxe6+ {drops a pawn for Black.} ) 19.Bh4 b4 20.Nd5+ Bxd5 21.Bxd5 {Korobov,A (2675)-Lesiege, A (2512) Baku 2016} ) 15...Rhd8 $2 {And Black reacts poorly!} ( 15...h6 $6 {to restrain the bishop is not effective here as there is another good square for this bishop:} 16.Bf4 {Then the endgame arising after} 16...Rhd8 17.Rac1 Rxd1+ 18.Bxd1 Rd8 19.Rxc5 Rxd1+ 20.Kf2 Bb7 ( 20...Kd7 21.Nc1 {is similar.} ) 21.Nc1 {is much better for White despite the opposite-colored bishops.} ) ( {However, good was:} 15...Rac8 $1 {and only after} 16.Bg5 h6 17.Bd2 Rhd8 {with approximate equality.} ) ( 15...Rhc8 {should be also playable.} ) 16.Bg5 $1 {With a double threat: a skewer along the c-file or simply e4-e5 to win the knight.} 16...Rxd1+ ( 16...h6 {drops a pawn after} 17.Rdc1 $1 ( {Worse is:} 17.Bxf6+ gxf6 18.Rdc1 Kd6 {and Black holds.} ) 17...hxg5 18.Rxc5 {with another double threat.} ) 17.Rxd1 Bd6 {I suspect Black interrupted his preliminary calculations here, whereas Artemiev saw a bit further...} ( {It should be noted that} 17...e5 {would not have saved him either due to:} 18.f4 $1 ( {Also good is:} 18.Rc1 Kd6 19.Ng3 $1 ( {But not:} 19.Bxf7 Nxe4 $1 ) ) 18...Bd6 19.Ng3 Bd7 ( 19...g6 20.Bxf6+ {wins a ton of bishops.} ) 20.Nh5 {and Black cannot withstand the pressure.} ) 18.Rxd6 $3 {This effectively finishes the game.} 18...Kxd6 19.e5+ {The point behind the combination. The king is dragged in front of his pawn chain. Even in the deep endgame, without the major pieces on the board this is still too dangerous.} 19...Kxe5 ( {Nothing changes:} 19...Ke7 20.exf6+ gxf6 21.Bd2 ) 20.Bf4+ Kf5 21.Bc2+ Ne4 ( {Or else Black will lose even more:} 21...Be4 22.fxe4+ Nxe4 23.g4+ ) 22.fxe4+ Kf6 23.Kf2 {The forcing play is over. White's piece pair is much stronger than the rook as it controls too many squares.} 23...e5 24.Bd2 Ke7 25.Bb4+ {It is always useful to worsen the position of the enemy pieces.} 25...Ke8 ( {Or} 25...Ke6 26.Bb3+ ) 26.Ba5 {Petrifying the queenside pawns. Those might become weaknesses in the future.} 26...Bd7 27.Bb3 Rc8 28.Nc3 Rc6 29.Nd5 Rh6 30.Bc3 {Another nasty in-between move.} 30...Kf8 ( 30...f6 {blocks his own rook.} ) 31.h3 ( {Izoria was not afraid of:} 31.Bxe5 Re6 32.Bc3 Rxe4 {although White is still close to winning here.} ) 31...f5 ( {If} 31...Rc6 32.Ne3 {followed by Bb3-d5 regrouping nicely.} ) 32.exf5 Bxf5 33.Bxe5 {Artemiev won a pawn and centralized his pieces. The end is nigh.} 33...a5 ( 33...Be6 34.Bf4 $1 ) 34.Ke3 Rc6 35.Nc3 b4 36.Bd5 Rc8 37.Nb5 Rc1 {The last chance for Black is to activate this rook.} ( 37...Rc2 {loses to} 38.Nd4 ) 38.Nd6 Bb1 39.Nb7 Re1+ 40.Kd4 {Powerful centralization!} 40...Re2 41.a4 $1 {And excellent technique. This pawn is a future queen, so White keeps it.} ( 41.Nxa5 Rxb2 {gives Black drawing chances.} ) 41...Rxb2 42.Nxa5 Bc2 ( {The last practical chance was:} 42...Rd2+ 43.Kc5 Rxd5+ 44.Kxd5 Bc2 {although Black should lose here too.} ) 43.Nc4 Ra2 44.Bd6+ Ke8 45.Bxb4 {Black resigned as the pawn is untouchable.} ( 45.Bxb4 Rxa4 ( 45...Bxa4 46.Nd6+ ) 46.Bc6+ ) 1-0

[Event "E World Team Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.03.13"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Howell, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[ECO "A50"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6465020531266"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 b6 {Definitely a move that can be expected by an English player. After all this proud country had invented the English defense.} 3.g3 Bb7 4.Bg2 g6 5.d4 Bg7 6.O-O e6 ( {Some top guns lso use this interesting system, albeit in rapid and blitz. Check this out:} 6...O-O 7.d5 e6 8.Nc3 Re8 9.Nd4 exd5 10.cxd5 Na6 11.Rb1 Nc5 12.Bf4 Nce4 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 {although White seems somewhat better, So,W (2765)-Mamedyarov,S (2817) Kolkata 2018} ) 7.Bf4 d6 8.Qc2 O-O 9.Nc3 Nc6 10.Rad1 Qe7 11.Rfe1 Nxd4 $146 {Trading two pairs of light pieces and introducing a novelty at the same time.} ( {Black could not equalize in the predecessor:} 11...h6 12.e4 Nh5 13.Be3 Rae8 14.h3 Qd8 15.e5 dxe5 16.Nxe5 Qa8 17.Nxc6 Bxc6 18.d5 {Sebenik, M (2512)-Shengelia,D (2573) Zillertal 2015} ) 12.Nxd4 Bxg2 13.Kxg2 e5 14.Be3 ( {Better than} 14.Bg5 exd4 15.Nd5 Qe4+ 16.Qxe4 Nxe4 17.Bf4 c5 {and White could not exploit the pin.} ) 14...exd4 15.Bxd4 c6 {White is a bit better thanks to his superior pawn structure. The pawn on d6 is backward an weak, but as Nimtowitsch proved in the past such positions are defendable.} 16.Qd3 Rfe8 17.Qf3 ( 17.e4 {at once was maybe a tad better.} ) 17...Rac8 18.e4 Nd7 19.b3 Nc5 20.h4 {With a stronger center Wei seeks kingside attack.} 20...h5 {Not the most accurate decision by Howell.} ( {He should have fought for the center with:} 20...Be5 21.h5 Ne6 22.Ne2 {Now} 22...b5 {for example with chances to equalize.} ) ( {The other way to seek counterplay was related to the f7-f5 advance:} 20...Bxd4 21.Rxd4 f5 ) 21.Qe3 Rcd8 {For a moment the rook leaves the c-file and that leads to further problems.} ( {However} 21...Be5 {was not as effective here due to} 22.f4 ) 22.Bxg7 Kxg7 23.b4 $1 {Wei finds a way to secure an awesome outpost for his knight.} 23...Nd7 ( 23...Ne6 24.b5 $1 {changes nothing.} ) 24.b5 Rc8 ( {Or} 24...c5 25.Nd5 Qf8 26.Qc3+ {when White dominates.} ) 25.bxc6 ( {It made sense to delay this capture and improve in the center with:} 25.f4 $5 ) 25...Rxc6 26.Nd5 Qe6 27.Qc3+ {White grew his advantage further. The pawn on d6 is a clear target, but the queenside pawns might be endangered too.} 27...f6 28.Qa3 $1 {Forcing Black to open more holes into his position.} 28...a5 ( 28...Ra8 $5 ) 29.Rd4 Ne5 30.Qb3 Rec8 31.Rc1 Nd7 32.Qb5 Rc5 33.Qa6 Qf7 34.Nf4 {This worked well in the game.} ( 34.Rcd1 $5 {could have been even more unpleasant in the time trouble.} ) 34...R5c6 {A blunder.} ( 34...R8c6 {was mandatory.} ) 35.Rxd6 $1 {Wei wins material.} 35...Nc5 {Obviously Howell hoped that this will work but missed something along the lines.} ( 35...Rxc4 $2 {leaves the black pieces overworked and loses to:} 36.Rxc4 Rxc4 37.Rxd7 ) 36.Rxc6 Nxa6 37.Rxc8 Qb7 38.Re8 {A subtle move, to worsen Black's position a bit.} ( {Also good was the immediate:} 38.Rd8 Qxe4+ 39.f3 Qe7 ( 39...Qe3 40.Rc2 $1 ) ( 39...Qe5 40.Rc2 ) 40.Rcd1 Nc5 41.R1d2 ) 38...Kf7 39.Rd8 Qxe4+ 40.f3 Qe7 41.Rcd1 {The time trouble is over and White is winning. The rooks have open files and can easily penetrate along the back ranks. All Wei needs is to co-ordinate them.} 41...Nc5 42.Rh8 Ne6 43.Rh7+ Ng7 44.Rd2 $1 {Forces material gains.} 44...Qe8 45.Rd8 $1 {Small tactics to win more material.} ( 45.Re2 Qg8 46.Rh6 {would be also close to won though.} ) 45...Qa4 ( {Otherwise a knight fork:} 45...Qxd8 46.Rxg7+ Kxg7 47.Ne6+ ) 46.Kh3 {Another subtle decision.} ( {Although} 46.Rb8 Qc2+ 47.Kh3 Qf5+ 48.Kh2 Qc2+ 49.Ng2 {would also do.} ) 46...Qc6 47.Rhh8 Ne6 48.Rh7+ Ng7 49.Kh2 g5 ( {The story repeats in case of:} 49...Qc7 50.Rxg7+ $1 ) 50.hxg5 fxg5 51.Nxh5 Qxf3 {The last desperate try. Perhaps there will be a perpetual somehow?} 52.Rxg7+ Ke6 53.Rxg5 Qf2+ 54.Kh3 Qf1+ 55.Kh4 Qxc4+ 56.Nf4+ Ke7 57.Rgd5 Qxa2 58.Kg5 Qa4 59.Ng6+ ( 59.Ng6+ {Howell resigned not waiting to see:} 59...Kf7 60.R5d7+ Ke6 61.Re7# ) 1-0

[Event "E World Team Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.03.14"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2694"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7218271379979"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.a4 {A relatively rare continuation, which has been tested by the world champion. Another player who deserves credit is the Dutch number one, Anish Giri.} 4...e6 ( {Relevant:} 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 b6 7.d4 cxd4 8.Qxd4 Bb7 9.O-O e5 10.Qe3 Be7 11.Nd2 {was the course of the game Giri,A (2783)-Salem,A (2660) St Petersburg 2018} ) 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 b6 {Grandelius decided to build a Hedgehog set-up.} 7.d4 cxd4 8.Qxd4 {This is one of the ideas of White's set up. There is no black knight ready to torture the queen.} ( 8.Nxd4 Bb7 9.Bf3 Qc7 {is good for Black.} ) 8...Bb7 9.O-O Ngf6 10.Rd1 Be7 $146 {Grandelius simply finishes the development.} ( {Another game of Giri went:} 10...Qc7 11.Be3 Be7 12.Nd2 Nc5 13.b4 {Too hasty.} ( 13.Nc4 $1 {is a serious improvement.} ) 13...Ncd7 14.Nc4 O-O 15.Ra3 d5 16.exd5 Nxd5 ( {Here Black would have been doing more than fine with:} 16...e5 $1 ) 17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.Bf4 {with some advantage for White, Giri,A (2783) -Tsydypov,Z (2529) St Petersburg 2018} ) 11.Be3 O-O ( {More accurate was:} 11...Rc8 $1 {Then} 12.e5 {is not as dangerous for Black. After} 12...Bxf3 13.exd6 Bxe2 14.dxe7 Qxe7 15.Nxe2 O-O {it would have been close to equal.} ) 12.e5 $1 {Adams would not miss a chance like this.} 12...Bxf3 13.exd6 ( {Worse was:} 13.Bxf3 dxe5 14.Qd3 Ra7 ) 13...Bxe2 14.Nxe2 Nd5 15.dxe7 Qxe7 16.Nc3 Nxe3 ( {Otherwise White may decide to preserve his bishop:} 16...N7f6 17.Nxd5 Nxd5 18.Bd2 ) 17.Qxe3 {As a result of the forcing sequence White got the slightly better chances. The queenside majority secures Adams long-lasting advantage.} 17...Rfd8 18.Nd5 $1 Qf8 {Grandelius correctly sacrifices a pawn.} ( {White is also better in the rook endgame after:} 18...Qc5 19.Qxc5 bxc5 20.Ne7+ Kf8 21.Nc6 Rdc8 22.Rxd7 Rxc6 23.Rad1 ) 19.Nxb6 Nxb6 20.Qxb6 Rdb8 21.Qd4 Rb4 22.Qe5 {Forcing some weaknesses.} ( {The pawn cannot be saved with:} 22.c4 Rc8 23.Rdc1 Qc5 ) 22...Qc8 23.Rd2 f6 24.Qe2 Rxb2 25.Rad1 Kh8 26.h3 ( {I doubt that both players missed the tactical shot:} 26.Qxa6 {Then:} 26...Qxa6 {is mate of course:} ( {However,it seems as Adams disliked the continuation:} 26...Rbb8 27.Qd6 Qe8 28.c4 Rc8 ( {Not} 28...Rxa4 $2 29.Qxb8 ) 29.c5 Rxa4 {Instead the top English GM wanted to have the a-pawns still on the board.} ) ( {Also lost for Black is:} 26...Rxc2 $2 27.Qxa8 $1 ) 27.Rd8+ Rxd8 28.Rxd8# ) 26...h6 27.Rd6 {The white pieces dominate. Now the plan is to force the opponent into passive defence.} 27...Rab8 ( {If} 27...e5 28.Qe4 {centralizing the queen as well.} ) ( 27...Qxc2 $2 {loses to:} 28.R6d2 ) 28.R1d2 R2b6 29.Rd7 R6b7 30.R7d6 $1 ( {Adams avoids the rook endgame after:} 30.Qxe6 Rxd7 31.Rxd7 Rb7 32.Rd6 Qxe6 33.Rxe6 Rb1+ 34.Kh2 a5 {Despite the extra pawn, White is not necessarily winning.} ) 30...Rb6 31.c4 Rxd6 32.Rxd6 e5 ( {The computer indicates the cunning defensive resource:} 32...Rb1+ $1 33.Kh2 Rb6 $1 34.Rxb6 Qc7+ 35.Kg1 Qxb6 {Without the rooks Black's task is much easier. He does not risk to get checkmated any more, while he still has his ideas of perpetual check running.} ) 33.Qe4 a5 34.Rd5 Qc7 {The goal has been achieved, Black is forced into passive defence. Now by combining the threats against the black king Adams slowly pushes his pawn forward. He would often use small tactics to achieve the desired set-ups.} 35.g3 Rc8 36.c5 Qb8 37.Qf5 Qb7 ( {The last chance was to seek counterplay against the white king with:} 37...Qc7 38.Qd3 Re8 39.Qa6 e4 ) 38.Rd6 Qc7 39.c6 $1 {Small tactics helps again.} 39...Qb8 ( {Bad is:} 39...Qxd6 40.Qxc8+ Kh7 41.Qf5+ Kh8 42.Qd7 {and the pawn promotes.} ) 40.h4 Qc7 41.Qe6 {With the threath Rd6-d7 and if Black capture the pawn, then Rd7-d8+!} 41...Kh7 42.h5 Qb8 43.Rd7 Qb1+ ( {After} 43...Kh8 44.Qf7 Qb1+ 45.Kh2 Rg8 {The easiest win is:} 46.Qd5 ( {Although} 46.Qxg8+ $5 Kxg8 47.c7 Qc2 48.Rd8+ Kh7 49.c8=Q Qxf2+ 50.Kh3 Qf1+ 51.Kg4 Qe2+ 52.Kf5 Qxh5+ 53.Ke6 {would also do.} ) 46...Qf1 47.Qc5 ) 44.Kh2 Rf8 ( {Nothing changes:} 44...Kh8 45.Rxg7 $1 ) 45.Qg4 Rg8 46.c7 Qb6 ( {Or} 46...Qb7 47.Rxg7+ $1 ) 47.Rxg7+ $1 {The final touch.} ( 47.Rxg7+ {Black resigned due to:} 47...Rxg7 48.Qf5+ ) 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.04.03"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2790"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "170"]
[Beauty "4058878323727"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 d5 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 dxc4 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Nbd7 9.e3 b5 10.a4 c6 11.Qb1 Qa5 $146 {Navara deviates first from a game that Mamedyarov lost recently in the Netherlands.} ( {It went:} 11...a6 12.Be2 O-O 13.O-O Qe8 14.Re1 Nd5 15.Qc2 {when apparently Black feared some thorough home preparation, Mamedyarov,S (2817)-Vidit,S (2695) Wijk aan Zee 2019} ) 12.Qb2 Ne4 13.axb5 Qxb5 14.Qc1 ( 14.Qa3 $5 ) 14...c5 15.Be2 {For the pawn White has solid compensation thanks to the bishop pair and the better pawn structure.} 15...O-O 16.O-O Bb7 17.Rb1 Qc6 18.Bxc4 cxd4 ( {Perhaps Black should have moved the queen away from the possible trouble with the preliminary} 18...Qc7 $5 ) 19.Bb5 ( {Black equalizes easily after:} 19.cxd4 Rfc8 20.Bb5 Qxc1 21.Rfxc1 Nb6 ) 19...Qc7 ( 19...Qd6 {due to:} 20.exd4 $1 {when the Czech GM had calculated the following interesting lines:} 20...Rac8 21.c4 g5 22.c5 Ndxc5 23.dxc5 Rxc5 24.Qe3 Nc3 ( {Or} 24...gxh4 25.Bd3 Rc3 26.Rxb7 Qxd3 27.Qxh6 ) 25.Bg3 {In both cases with advantage for White.} ) 20.cxd4 Rfc8 21.Qb2 {With the strong center Mamedyarov definitely wants to keep the queens. The chances for a kingside attack he might get are quite serious.} 21...Nb6 22.Rfc1 Qd6 23.Ne5 g5 {A good practical chance. Black swaps off the dangerous bishop.} ( 23...Rxc1+ 24.Rxc1 Rc8 25.Rxc8+ Bxc8 26.f3 Nf6 {would see Black suffering after} 27.Bg3 Qe7 28.e4 {The white pieces are in full control.} ) 24.f3 {"This was a mistake as I am all of a sudden fine now." (Navara)} ( 24.Bg3 Nxg3 ( 24...h5 25.Nxf7 Qd5 26.Ne5 h4 {to which White keeps promising initiative with} 27.Bxh4 gxh4 28.f3 Ng5 29.Bd3 ) 25.hxg3 {with an advantage for White.} ) 24...gxh4 25.fxe4 Bxe4 26.Qf2 $1 {The point behind Mamedyarov's play.} 26...Qe7 $1 ( {White's tactical idea is revealed in case of:} 26...f5 27.Qxh4 Bxb1 28.Qg3+ Kf8 29.Rxc8+ Rxc8 ( {Or} 29...Nxc8 30.Qg6 ) 30.Ng6+ {and wins the queen.} ) ( {Black loses on the spot after:} 26...Bxb1 $4 27.Qxf7+ Kh8 28.Rxb1 ) 27.Ra1 {This is inaccurate.} ( {Better was:} 27.Bd3 Bxd3 28.Nxd3 Rxc1+ ( {Otherwise White keeps the active rooks after} 28...Nd5 29.Rf1 ) 29.Rxc1 Rc8 30.Rc5 {when White does not risk anything.} ) 27...Rxc1+ 28.Rxc1 Nd5 ( {If} 28...Rc8 29.Rxc8+ Nxc8 30.Qf4 ) 29.Bd3 Bxd3 30.Nxd3 Qf6 {Navara covered his king and kept the extra pawn. Now Mamedyarov needed to find the most precise path to the draw.} 31.Qxf6 $6 {But he could not.} ( 31.e4 $1 {"should be a relatively easy draw after":} 31...Qxf2+ 32.Kxf2 Nf6 33.Ke3 {"as White is two tempos ahead in comparison to the game." (Navara)} ) 31...Nxf6 32.Kf2 a5 33.Ra1 a4 34.Ra3 Ne4+ {An additional possibility in comparison to the line from above.} 35.Ke1 Rb8 36.Nc5 $1 {White needs to get rid of the knights if he wants to have any chances of survival.} 36...Rb1+ 37.Ke2 Rb2+ 38.Kd3 {A curious position. It seems as Black is completely winning, but Mamedyarov always has some counterplay.} 38...Nf6 ( {After} 38...Nd6 39.Rxa4 Rxg2 40.Ra8+ Kg7 41.Ra7 Kg6 42.d5 $1 {is strong (Navara)} ) ( {The same resource works in case of:} 38...Ng5 39.Rxa4 Rxg2 40.d5 {(Navara)} ) ( {Black definitely feared the d-pawn in case of:} 38...Nf2+ 39.Kc4 Nd1 40.e4 {(Navara)} ) 39.Rxa4 Rxg2 40.d5 $1 {Again this move!} 40...Rg5 ( {No time for} 40...Nxd5 41.Rxh4 ) 41.Ne4 {Once more White searches for a knight swap.} 41...Rxd5+ 42.Ke2 Nxe4 ( {On} 42...Nh7 {Black disliked:} 43.Nf2 $1 ) ( {Navara also considered:} 42...Nd7 43.Nf2 Ne5 44.Rxh4 Rd2+ {wen White is not forced to take the rook:} 45.Kf1 ( 45.Kxd2 Nf3+ 46.Ke2 Nxh4 {might just be lost according to Botvinnnik's formula (take the knights away from the board and check if the pawn endgame is won. Knight endgame should have the same evaluation.)} ) ) 43.Rxe4 {So, Navara managed to increase his material advantage. However, he is facing two serious problems in the rook endgame. First, the h-passer is doubled. Second, he often has to avoid the possible endgame with two extra f- and h-pawns for Black as it is as a rule a draw. (True, Kramnik once won it against Aronian, but that is another story.)} 43...h3 ( {I suspect that the players did not even consider the passive} 43...Rh5 ) 44.Rh4 Kg7 45.Rxh3 Kg6 46.Rh4 {Activating the rook at once:} ( 46.Rg3+ {is less accurate after} 46...Rg5 47.Rh3 h5 ) 46...Rh5 47.Rg4+ Rg5 48.Rh4 Rf5 ( {In case of:} 48...f5 49.e4 Rh5 50.exf5+ exf5 {Navara feared both the rook endgame, but even the pawn endgame after:} 51.Rxh5 $1 ( 51.Ra4 ) 51...Kxh5 52.Kf3 Kg5 {Indeed, it is a textbook draw after the only:} 53.Ke2 $3 ( {Not} 53.Kg3 h5 {when Black wins.} ) ) 49.Rg4+ Kh5 50.Ra4 Kg5 51.Rb4 Kg6 52.Rg4+ Rg5 53.Rh4 Rh5 54.Rg4+ Kf6 55.Rf4+ Ke7 56.h4 {Mamedyarov stabilized the position but still has to prove the draw.} 56...Re5 57.Ra4 f5 58.Kf3 Kf6 59.Rb4 Kg6 $1 60.Kf4 ( {Black's plan was nicely demonstrated by Navara in the analyzes. If White plays something passive like} 60.Ra4 Kh5 61.Rd4 {He would lose the pawn endgame:} 61...Re4 62.Rxe4 fxe4+ 63.Kg3 e5 64.Kh3 Kg6 65.Kg4 h5+ 66.Kg3 Kf5 67.Kh3 Ke6 {when the black king will make it to the d3 square.} ) 60...Ra5 61.Kf3 Kh5 62.e4 $1 {Forcing more exchanges. The general defensive principle in such situations is to trade pawns.} 62...Ra3+ 63.Kf2 f4 64.Rb6 Kg4 ( {There is no zugzwang after:} 64...e5 65.Re6 ( 65.Rf6 ) 65...Ra5 66.Kf3 $1 ) 65.Rxe6 Ra2+ 66.Kg1 Kf3 $1 {The last constructive try.} ( 66...h5 67.Rg6+ Kxh4 68.e5 {would be a draw even without the white e5 pawn.} ) 67.Rxh6 Ke3 ( {White saves himself after} 67...Ke2 68.Rb6 $1 ) 68.e5 ( {Here:} 68.Rb6 {loses to:} 68...Ra1+ 69.Kh2 f3 70.Rb3+ Kf4 71.Rb2 Re1 {with the unstoppable Re1-e2+ (Mamedyarov)} ) 68...f3 69.e6 Rg2+ 70.Kh1 {This provides Black one last winning chance.} ( {After the correct:} 70.Kf1 Rh2 71.Rg6 Rh1+ 72.Rg1 Rxh4 73.e7 Re4 74.Rg7 {the game would have ended in a draw.} ) 70...Rg7 {Low on time, Navara missed the study-like win and played the most obvious move.} ( {He was not sure he would have found it though even if he had more time. The winning line runs:} 70...Rg8 71.e7 f2 72.Re6+ Kf3 73.Rf6+ Kg3 74.Rf8 {And now the beautiful:} 74...Rh8 $3 ( {Or even the less fancy:} 74...Rg4 $1 {both win.} ) ) 71.Kh2 f2 72.Rf6 {Now it is a draw as the white pawns are fast enough.} 72...Ke2 73.Kh3 f1=R 74.Rxf1 Kxf1 75.h5 Kf2 76.Kh4 Kf3 77.h6 Rg1 78.Kh5 Kf4 79.h7 Kf5 80.Kh6 Rg6+ 81.Kh5 Rg2 82.Kh6 Kxe6 83.h8=Q Rh2+ 84.Kg7 Rxh8 85.Kxh8 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.04.04"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[ECO "D49"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7355534162442"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 c6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 a6 ( {Navara was mostly expecting:} 8...Bb7 {which Ding has played every once in a while. For example:} 9.a3 b4 10.Na4 bxa3 11.O-O axb2 12.Bxb2 {as in Wang,H (2709)-Ding,L (2777) Huaian 2017} ) 9.e4 c5 10.e5 cxd4 11.Nxb5 axb5 12.exf6 gxf6 13.O-O Qb6 14.Qe2 {"The line was popular in the 1990s as well as in the match Anand-Kramnik, but of course I did not remember anything..." (Navara)} 14...b4 15.Bf4 {The bishop often needs to get to g3 in order to defend the kingside. But it might well be sacrificed in case Black pushes the e5 pawn prematurely.} ( {Another participant in the Shamkir tournament won a game after:} 15.Rd1 Bc5 16.Bxh7 Rxh7 17.Qe4 Bb7 18.Qxh7 Bxf3 19.gxf3 Ke7 20.Bf4 {Mamedyarov,S (2747)-Ponomariov,R (2712) Huaian 2016} ) 15...h5 {A surprise for White. The pawn intends to harrass the bishop.} ( {The bishop sacrifice works for example after:} 15...e5 $2 16.Nxe5 fxe5 17.Bxe5 Rg8 18.Bxd4+ Qe6 19.Qf3 {and White is close to winning.} ) 16.Rfc1 ( {White disliked:} 16.Rac1 Bc5 17.Nd2 e5 ) 16...Bc5 17.a4 {Looking for a way to reach the black king.} 17...bxa3 18.bxa3 ( {Navara also considered} 18.b4 Bxb4 19.Bc7 Qa7 20.Be4 {"but this is too much after:"} 20...Bc3 $5 ) 18...Ba6 19.Rab1 Bxd3 20.Qxd3 Rxa3 $146 {A novelty. I am not sure how much Ding knew about the line, as he never said a word at the press conference, but the move is logical and good.} ( {An email game saw a very sharp play after:} 20...Qc6 21.Rb5 O-O 22.Nd2 Rfc8 23.Nb3 Qd5 24.Bh6 h4 25.Nxc5 Rxc5 26.Rbxc5 Nxc5 27.Rxc5 Qxc5 28.Qe4 Qf5 29.Qxa8+ Kh7 30.g4 Qxg4+ {½-½ (30) Rodriguez Rey,J (2321)-Pluemmer,R (2244) ICCF email 2010} ) 21.Qxa3 $1 {The best move. White came to this conclusion after disliking all the remaining ideas:} ( 21.Qc4 Rc3 {This might lead to a draw after:} 22.Rxb6 Rxc4 23.Rxc4 Bxb6 24.Rc8+ Bd8 25.Bc7 Ke7 26.Nxd4 Ne5 27.Ra8 Kd7 28.Ba5 Re8 29.Ra7+ Kd6 30.Ra8 Kd7 ) ( 21.Qe4 f5 ) ( 21.Qd1 {when "Black does not need to play"} 21...Qd8 {When White is better after:} ( {But rather chose:} 21...Qa6 22.Nxd4 Rd3 ) ( {Or} 21...Qa7 ) 22.Nxd4 $1 ( {Then} 22.Rxc5 $2 {is refuted after:} 22...Nxc5 $1 23.Rb8 Qxb8 24.Bxb8 Nb3 25.Ne1 Ra1 26.Qe2 d3 27.Qe4 O-O {and Black wins due to the pin. (Navara)} ) ) 21...Bxa3 {Now both players follow forcing line.} 22.Rxb6 Bxc1 23.Rc6 Bxf4 24.Rc8+ Ke7 25.Rxh8 d3 ( {"I expected something like:"} 25...e5 {"and believed the position to be equal." (Navara)} ) 26.Kf1 {Black has two pawns for the exchange and the d3 passer will soon net him a knight.} 26...Nc5 27.Rxh5 Ne4 ( {After} 27...e5 {White planned:} 28.g3 Bc1 29.Rh8 {"At least I am not losing and it is probably a draw." (Navara)} ) 28.Rh4 e5 {The most precise. Ding is extremely good in forcing play.} ( 28...d2 {gives White additional choice. Then:} 29.Nxd2 Nxd2+ 30.Ke2 Bg5 31.Rb4 e5 {allows the forcing:} 32.f4 $5 {which however leads to a draw after:} ( 32.g3 {might transpose into the game.} ) 32...exf4 ( {Or even} 32...Bxf4 33.Rxf4 exf4 34.Kxd2 Ke6 35.Ke2 Kf5 36.Kf3 Kg5 37.h3 f5 {"Sorry for shoing irrelevant lines" (Navara)} ) 33.Kxd2 f3+ 34.Ke1 fxg2 {Then the king goes to g7 with a fortress. (Navara)} ) 29.g3 d2 30.Nxd2 Nxd2+ 31.Ke2 Bg5 {Black won a piece and technically speaking is ahead in material. However, the misplaced position of his knight and the bad pawn structure requires accuracy from him.} 32.Rb4 e4 ( {Navar suggested another defense:} 32...Bh6 33.f4 exf4 34.gxf4 Nb3 35.Rxb3 Bxf4 {Then if the king makes it to g7 it should be a fortress.} ) 33.Rd4 Nb3 ( 33...e3 34.f4 Bh6 35.Kxe3 Nf1+ 36.Ke2 ( 36.Kf2 {is even more precise.} ) 36...Nxh2 37.f5 Bg5 38.Kf2 ) 34.Rxe4+ Kd6 ( {Both players agreed that} 34...Kf8 $1 {was better when the knight cannot be caught. For example:} 35.f4 Bh6 36.Rc4 Kg8 {followed by Bh6-f8 and Nb3-c5 with a draw.} ) 35.h4 Bh6 36.h5 $1 {White spotted a nice idea which made Ding regret his king is too far away from the h-file.} 36...Kd7 ( {If} 36...Nc5 {to run as fast as he can with the knight, then:} 37.Re8 Ne6 ( {However, Black can probably defend with:} 37...f5 38.Rh8 Bg7 39.Rh7 Bd4 40.Rxf7 Ke6 ) 38.Rh8 Bg7 39.Rh7 $3 {Self-trapping, but winning the battle as the rook does not intend to stay there!} 39...Ke7 40.Rxg7 $1 Nxg7 41.h6 Kf8 42.h7 {and the pawn makes it to the queen. (Navara)} ) 37.Rb4 Nc1+ {Now the knight really gets in trouble.} ( {Ding could have reverted from the line from above with:} 37...Nc5 38.Rb8 f5 39.Rh8 Bg7 40.Rh7 Bd4 ) 38.Kf3 $1 ( {Black is saving himself after:} 38.Kf1 Ke6 39.Rb8 Kf5 40.Rh8 Kg5 41.g4 Nd3 42.Ke2 Nf4+ 43.Kf3 f5 {(Navara)} ) 38...Ke6 $2 {The last straw.} ( {It looks as Ding could have still defended with:} 38...Ke7 39.Ke4 Kf8 40.Rc4 ( 40.Rb1 Kg7 ) 40...Nb3 41.Rc8+ Kg7 42.Rc3 Na5 {Then Black is always looking for a way to support the knight with Kg7-g8 followed by Bh6-f8.} ) ( 38...Nd3 39.Rd4+ ) 39.Rb6+ Kf5 40.Rb5+ Ke6 41.Ke4 Ne2 42.Rb6+ ( {Also good was:} 42.Rb2 f5+ 43.Kd3 Nc1+ 44.Kc4 {(Navara)} ) 42...Ke7 43.Kd3 Nc1+ {Now it is fast over.} ( {The last chance was:} 43...Ng1 44.f4 Nf3 45.Rb2 {(Navara) although then White should slowly trap the knight with Rb2-f2 and then bring the king closer.} ) 44.Kc4 Ne2 45.Rb1 {The knight is a goner, so Ding resigned.} ( 45.Rb1 Kf8 46.Re1 Nc1 47.f4 Na2 48.Ra1 ) 1-0

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.04.09"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2845"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7766777266182"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Ba4 Ne7 ( {Carlsen also faced:} 7...Bb6 8.Nbd2 Ne7 9.Nc4 Ng6 10.h3 h6 11.Bc2 Be6 12.Nxb6 axb6 13.d4 {as in Carlsen,M (2835)-Andreikin,D (2719) St Petersburg 2018} ) 8.Bc2 $146 {White prepares d3-d4 but does not yet show where will his queenside knight go.} ( {It is curious that the world champion tries to improve on another game played in Russia:} 8.Nbd2 Ng6 9.d4 Bb6 10.Bc2 Re8 11.Re1 c6 12.h3 h6 13.a4 Be6 14.Nf1 {1-0 (22) Karjakin,S (2753)-Jakovenko,D (2735) St Petersburg 2018} ) 8...Ng6 9.d4 Bb6 10.a4 c6 11.dxe5 ( {White can always try to switch to the above-mentioned game with} 11.Nbd2 {but apparently he was not happy with the arising positions.} ) 11...Nxe5 12.Nxe5 dxe5 13.Qxd8 Rxd8 14.a5 Bc5 15.Nd2 ( {"When I went for this position I intended to go:"} 15.b4 {"but it is not very good." (Carlsen)} 15...Be7 16.f3 Be6 17.Na3 ( 17.Be3 c5 $1 {(Grischuk)} ) 17...b5 $1 {with good game for Black.} ) 15...Be6 {The opening went fine for Grischuk and he enjoys comfortable equality. Black's problem was purely psychological. As Grischuk put it he clearly understood that this same position can be achieved with reversed colors. Obviously he became extra confident and committed a serious inaccuracy.} 16.Re1 b5 {"Very big mistake." (Grischuk)} 17.Nb3 Bxb3 {The Russian GM did not like neither of the alternatives, but it seems as this is the real mistake.} ( {If} 17...Bd6 18.Bg5 {"and I achieve nothing" (Grischuk) was however his best option. After:} 18...h6 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.Rad1 Be7 {Black should not experience problems.} ) ( {If} 17...Be7 18.a6 {"then Nb3-a5 was very strong" (Grischuk) Even that should not be as horrible after:} 18...Rd7 19.Na5 Bc5 20.h3 ( {Or} 20.Nxc6 Ng4 21.Rf1 Bc4 ) 20...Rc8 {with normal play for Black.} ) 18.Bxb3 Ng4 19.Re2 {Now White is clearly better thanks to his bishop pair. Carlsen quickly builds upon his advantage.} 19...Rd6 20.Bg5 $1 {Wins an important tempo to bring the queenside rook out.} 20...Kf8 ( 20...h6 21.Be7 {loses on the spot.} ) 21.Rf1 Nf6 22.g3 {In order to prepare f2-f4 which will open both files and diagonals for his pieces. Notice that Black holds the d-file but it is completely useless for his as the bishops control all the squares. In the meanwhile Carlsen wants to open a file for his own rooks.} 22...a6 23.Kg2 Nd7 24.Bc1 Ba7 25.f4 f6 ( {Anytime the f-file is open:} 25...exf4 {it is soon over:} 26.Bxf4 Rf6 ( {Or} 26...Rg6 27.Rd2 ) 27.e5 Rg6 28.e6 ) 26.h4 Re8 ( {Carlsen thought} 26...h5 {might be a defense, although then White can switch to play on the d-file with:} 27.Ree1 Ke7 28.Rd1 Rxd1 29.Rxd1 ) 27.h5 h6 {Forced.} ( {Or else White will make it to the f6 pawn after say:} 27...Re7 28.h6 g6 29.fxe5 Nxe5 30.Bg5 Nd7 31.e5 ) 28.Ba2 $1 {One of those little moves that make a big difference at the end. The bishop steps away from the possible tempos after Nd7-c5 and eventually d3.} 28...c5 {"Ugly as it blocks the bishop" (Carlsen)} ( {The knight cannot move:} 28...Nc5 29.fxe5 Rxe5 30.Bf4 ) ( {But perhaps Black should have tried:} 28...exf4 29.gxf4 Nc5 {with the idea:} 30.e5 Nd3 $1 ) 29.Be3 $1 {Grischuk praised Carlsen's play after the game and especially this decision. It was not very obvious what the pins and the counterpins will lead to, plus White sacrifices a pawn. But the world champion had it all right.} 29...exf4 30.gxf4 ( 30.Bxf4 Ne5 {was definitely not the idea.} ) 30...Rxe4 31.Bb1 Re7 ( {If the rook retreats on another square like:} 31...Re8 {then White seizes the e-file with decisive effect:} 32.Rfe1 Rc8 33.Bf2 {followed by Bb1-g6 and mate is coming.} ) 32.Rfe1 f5 {Missing his chance.} ( {Black cold have held the line with the unusual:} 32...Nb8 $1 33.Bf2 Nc6 {intending:} 34.Bg6 ( {Or} 34.Kf3 Rdd7 {In this line White is still much better after:} 35.Bf5 Rxe2 36.Rxe2 Re7 37.Rd2 $1 {but Black can still fight on.} ) 34...Rxe2 35.Rxe2 Ne7 ) 33.Bxf5 Nf6 {The knight covers the e8 spot, however Black's ship is already leaking from far too many holes.} 34.Kf3 Nd5 35.Rd2 {"A complete surprise for me." (Grischuk)} ( {Instead he expected:} 35.Bd2 Rxe2 36.Rxe2 Ne7 {"and it is nothing special" (Grischuk)} ) 35...Rd8 ( 35...Rxe3+ {loses material after:} 36.Rxe3 Nxe3 37.Rxd6 Nxf5 38.Rxa6 Bb8 39.Ra8 ) ( {Black is also lost after:} 35...Nxe3 36.Rxd6 Nxf5 37.Rxe7 Kxe7 ( {Or} 37...Nxe7 38.Rxa6 Bb8 39.Ra8 Nc6 40.a6 {with the inevitable Ra8xb8.} ) 38.Rxa6 Bb8 39.Rb6 ) 36.Be4 {The pins worked in White's favor.} 36...Red7 37.Red1 Nf6 38.Rxd7 Nxd7 39.Rd6 {Black's position collapses. Grischuk saluted the deserved winner of the Shamkir 2019 Gashimov Memorial.} 1-0

[Event "CF4te d'Ivoire Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.05.09"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Amin, Bassem"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2683"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[ECO "A04"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "169"]
[Beauty "5090610006547"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d3 Nc6 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 {Bassem's favorite KIA.} 5...Bg7 6.O-O d6 7.c3 Nf6 8.Re1 O-O 9.d4 e5 {I always believed that the weakening of the d5 square is a serious concession. But Nakamura proves otherwise.} ( {On} 9...Qb6 $5 10.e5 {looks good for White.} ) 10.dxc5 ( {The other move:} 10.d5 {is not in the spirit of the position. After:} 10...Ne7 11.a4 Ne8 12.a5 f5 13.c4 fxe4 14.Ng5 Nf5 {Black gets favourable KID, Djuric,S (2527)-Nenezic,M (2569) Belgrade 2016} ) 10...dxc5 11.Qxd8 Rxd8 12.Na3 Ne8 13.Bf1 $146 {Playing for the light squares is a very logical thing.} ( {White dod not get anything in a predecessor:} 13.Be3 Bf8 14.Rad1 Be6 15.b3 f6 16.Bf1 Nc7 17.Nb5 Nxb5 18.Bxb5 Rxd1 19.Rxd1 a6 20.Be2 b5 21.Ne1 Rd8 {1/2-1/2 (20) Ceballos,J (1757)-Nunez V,G (2226) Tunja 2018} ) 13...f6 14.Bc4+ Kf8 15.Be3 b6 16.Bd5 {The hole on d5 starts to tell, but Black stays cool.} 16...Bd7 17.Nb5 Rab8 18.a4 ( {Of course not:} 18.Bxc6 $2 Bxc6 19.Nxa7 Bxe4 ) 18...a6 19.Na3 Ne7 {Covering the central square.} 20.Bb3 Nc6 {Otherwise a4-a5 will follow.} 21.Nd2 ( {Bassem rejects repetition of moves:} 21.Bd5 ) 21...Nc7 ( {In these positions Black is often looking for a timely:} 21...Nd4 $5 {Then however he had to check two possible candidates:} 22.cxd4 ( {White should do even better if he simply ignores the knight:} 22.Bc4 $5 ) 22...cxd4 23.Bxd4 exd4 24.Nc2 {with the positional threat of Nc2-b4-d3.} ) 22.f4 {It is getting very tense in the middle of the board.} 22...Bh6 {But Nakamura is ready to strike back as usual.} 23.Kg2 Na5 24.Bc2 Bc6 ( {Safer was:} 24...Be6 {in order to control the c4 square when:} 25.Rad1 exf4 26.gxf4 Kg7 {is equal.} ) 25.b4 Nb7 26.Ndc4 $6 {A wrong step.} ( {Apparently White did not like that his d2 knight was hanging in some lines. For example:} 26.Nac4 Ne6 27.fxe5 $6 ( 27.Rf1 {is better though, with about equal game.} ) 27...Bxe3 28.Rxe3 b5 ) 26...exf4 27.gxf4 b5 $1 {Now Nakamura takes over the initiative.} 28.axb5 axb5 29.Nb6 $6 {The knight is horribly placed here.} 29...cxb4 30.cxb4 Nd6 31.Kg3 Bxe4 {Simply winning the pawn.} ( {But even stronger was:} 31...Ne6 $1 32.Rad1 {With the idea:} 32...Nxf4 $1 33.Bxf4 Bxf4+ 34.Kxf4 Rxb6 ) 32.Bc5 Bxc2 33.Nxc2 Kg8 34.Nd4 {Activity is Bassem's best friend.} 34...Nc4 35.Nxc4 bxc4 36.Nc6 Rd3+ 37.Kf2 Rb7 $1 {Nakamura is up a pawn but the win is anyting but trivial. Bassem has active pieces and a dangerous outside passer.} ( {Avoiding the tactics after:} 37...Rb5 38.Ra7 Bxf4 39.Rxc7 $1 Bxc7 40.Re8+ Kg7 41.Re7+ Kh6 42.Rxc7 c3 43.Na7 {and White is no longer worse.} ) 38.f5 {Desperado.} ( {More resilient was:} 38.Na5 Rb8 39.Nxc4 Bxf4 ) 38...c3 39.Re2 Bf8 {Too technical.} ( 39...Bf4 $1 {was the way to go. The bishop is perfect and can be very useful in the attack.} ) 40.Bxf8 Kxf8 41.fxg6 hxg6 42.Ra5 Rb6 ( 42...Nd5 $1 {was the way to activate his troops:} 43.b5 g5 {with a bunch of tempos ahead than in the game.} ) 43.Rc5 {Nice play by White. He is taking care of the c3 passer.} 43...Ne8 44.Ne7 Kf7 ( {Later Nakamura would regret that he did not take away the possibility of a loss away with the move:} 44...Rxb4 $1 ) 45.Nd5 Rb7 46.b5 {Now the pawn is becoming extremely unpleasant.} 46...Nd6 47.Nxc3 {Bassem can breathe again. And even hope for something more than the half point.} 47...g5 48.Kg2 Kg6 49.Rb2 Nf5 50.Ne4 Ne3+ {With second son the clock these knight cheks are extremely unpleasant. There are so many forks in the air!} ( {Worse is:} 50...Nh4+ 51.Kf1 ) 51.Kg1 Re7 52.Nf2 Ra3 53.Rc1 Rb7 ( {Objectively best was:} 53...Nd5 54.Rd1 Nb6 {with a draw, but this was not the plan for Nakamura.} ) 54.h3 Ra5 {The correct idea, but wrong execution.} ( {After:} 54...Nd5 {the forcing line:} 55.Rc5 Nc3 56.Rc6 Rxb5 57.Rxb5 Nxb5 58.Ng4 {Will lead to a draw with:} 58...Rxh3 ( {As there is no:} 58...Rf3 59.Ne5+ ) 59.Rxf6+ ) 55.Rc5 Nf5 56.Ne4 Nd4 57.Nd6 Rd7 ( 57...Rb8 $1 ) 58.Nc4 Ra1+ 59.Kf2 Rh7 60.b6 Ra8 ( {With seconds on the clock it is impossible to find lines like:} 60...Rh1 $1 61.Rc8 ( {Black is never afraid of:} 61.b7 $2 Rh2+ 62.Ke3 Rxb2 63.Nxb2 Rxb7 ) 61...Rh2+ 62.Kf1 R2xh3 63.Rg8+ Kf5 64.Rf2+ Ke6 65.Re8+ Kd5 66.Ne3+ Kc6 67.Rxf6+ {and it should be a draw.} ) 61.b7 {The pawn makes it! The support is too good not to win the whole rook. On the other side Black lacks resources as one of his rooks is missing in the attack.} 61...Rb8 62.Nd6 Rxh3 63.Rb4 ( 63.Kg2 Ne6 64.Rc8 Nf4+ 65.Kg1 Rg3+ 66.Kf1 Rf3+ 67.Ke1 {was also good for White.} ) 63...Rh2+ 64.Kf1 Rh1+ 65.Kg2 Rd1 ( {Black could safe himself only thanks to a fortress. Like the one that arises after:} 65...Rh4 $1 66.Rc8 Rg4+ 67.Kf1 Rf4+ 68.Ke1 Nc2+ 69.Kd2 Nxb4 70.Rxb8 Rd4+ 71.Ke3 Nc6 72.Rg8+ Kh7 73.Rc8 Rxd6 74.Rxc6 Rxc6 75.b8=Q Re6+ {and it is a fortress!} ) 66.Rc8 Rd2+ 67.Kf1 Nf3 $1 {The last chance.} 68.Rb3 $1 {Forbidden.} ( {The Nimzowitsch perpetuum mobile would have worked after:} 68.Rxb8 Nh2+ 69.Kg1 Nf3+ ) 68...Rxb7 69.Nxb7 ( {Still not} 69.Rxb7 $2 Nh2+ {with a draw.} ) 69...g4 70.Nc5 {Bssem is almost there.} 70...Rc2 71.Rd3 Kf5 ( {Missing the last random chance:} 71...Nd2+ $1 72.Ke1 Ne4 $3 {With a study-like draw as:} 73.Rd5 Rc1+ 74.Ke2 Nc3+ {does not win neither:} 75.Kd2 Rd1+ 76.Kxc3 Rxd5 {and a draw.} ) 72.Nb7 Rb2 73.Nd6+ {Now White finally wraps the game home.} 73...Ke6 74.Re8+ Kd7 75.Re2 Rb1+ 76.Kf2 Ne5 77.Rdd2 Kc6 78.Ne4 Rb3 79.Rd6+ Kb5 80.Rxf6 Nd3+ 81.Kg2 Ra3 82.Rf5+ Kc4 83.Nf2 Nb4 84.Re4+ Kc3 85.Re3+ ( 85.Re3+ {Black resigning not waiting for:} 85...Kb2 86.Nd1+ ) 1-0

[Event "CF4te d'Ivoire Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.05.10"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[ECO "C55"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7770669598775"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.Re1 d6 7.a4 a5 ( {Another plan was tried:} 7...Na5 8.Ba2 c5 9.c3 Nc6 10.Nbd2 h6 11.Nf1 Re8 12.h3 Bf8 13.Ne3 Be6 14.Bxe6 Rxe6 15.Nd5 {in Jakovenko,D (2719)-Yu,Y (2751) Shenzhen 2019} ) 8.Nbd2 Nd7 9.Nf1 Nb6 10.Bb3 Bg4 $146 {A novelty, but seemingly not a very good one. The bishop stands on the road of the white pieces and pawns and Vachier-Lagrave will win extra tempos for his kingside play.} ( {Black can also fianchettoe his bishop as in the predecessor:} 10...Bf6 11.c3 g6 12.h3 Bg7 13.d4 h6 14.Be3 exd4 15.Nxd4 Nd7 16.f4 {Delchev,A (2628)-Tisdall,J (2448) Fuegen 2006} ) 11.c3 Kh8 {Black is ready for f7-f5, but lacks the needed time.} 12.Ne3 Bh5 13.g4 $1 Bg6 14.Nf5 {With solid advantage for White.} 14...Nd7 {Intending Nd7-c5-e6-f4.} 15.d4 {Looks very logical.} ( {But perhaps the better plan was connected with the kingside attack affter} 15.Kg2 $5 {followed by h2-h4 in a good moment. This can be prepared with Re1-h1 or even Kg2-g3.} ) 15...exd4 16.cxd4 Nb4 $1 {Nepomniachtchi prepares the central counter-strike d6-d5 which will free his pieces.} ( {The other way is:} 16...Bxf5 17.gxf5 Nb4 18.Bf4 {but then White also gets the semi-open g-file for the attack.} ) 17.Bf4 Nf6 18.h3 d5 19.Nxe7 ( 19.e5 Ne4 {is a solid cetral control for Black.} ) 19...Qxe7 20.exd5 ( {Once more} 20.e5 Ne4 {is OK for Black as the white kingside pawns cannot come into motion.} ) 20...Qd8 21.Ne5 ( {After} 21.d6 cxd6 22.Nh4 {Black will find counterplay with the help of:} 22...Rc8 23.Nxg6+ ( {Or} 23.Rc1 Rxc1 24.Bxc1 Nfd5 ) 23...fxg6 $1 ) 21...Nfxd5 ( {Worse is} 21...Nbxd5 22.Bg3 {when the white f-pawn runs fast.} ) 22.Bg3 ( {On the account of what happened in the game} 22.Bd2 $5 {was more accurate.} ) 22...Ra6 $1 {Another good maneuver by the Russian GM. The rooks get into the game and Black levels the chances completely.} ( {Less good is:} 22...f6 23.Nxg6+ hxg6 24.Re4 {when the black king is in constant danger of being checkmated.} ) 23.Rc1 ( {In case of:} 23.f4 {Black would block the kingside with:} 23...f5 24.g5 Rd6 ) 23...f5 $1 {Thaks to his solid center Nepomniachtchi puts things in order on the kingside as well.} 24.Rc5 f4 25.Bh2 Rd6 {Now it is even better for Black. He has a clear target to aim on d4 and the white bishop remained locked on the kingside. However..} 26.Qf3 b6 27.Rcc1 Be8 28.Re2 Ne7 29.Re4 Rxd4 30.Bxf4 Ng6 {A step in the wrong direction.} ( 30...c5 $1 {was still somewhat better for Black.} ) ( {And} 30...Nec6 {would have been more accurate too.} ) 31.Nxg6+ Bxg6 {Another mistake.} ( {After} 31...hxg6 32.Rd1 $1 {White is better, but Black can still fight on.} ) 32.Rxd4 Qxd4 33.Rxc7 {Black might have forgotten that his back-rank is weak.} 33...h6 ( 33...Qxf4 34.Qxf4 Rxf4 35.Rc8+ ) 34.Be5 $1 {This elegant move finishes the game.} 34...Rxf3 ( 34...Qxe5 35.Qxf8+ Kh7 36.Qg8# ) 35.Rc8+ Kh7 36.Bg8+ Kh8 37.Bxd4 Rxh3 38.Be6+ Kh7 39.Rc7 1-0

[Event "CF4te d'Ivoire Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.05.11"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2867"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7354728842784"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nf3 {One of the most positional lines against MVL's beloved Najdorf.} 7...Be7 8.Bc4 O-O 9.O-O Be6 10.Bb3 b5 11.Bg5 ( {Nisipeanu used a interesting positional idea recently:} 11.Re1 Qc8 12.Bg5 Nbd7 13.Re2 Qb7 14.Rd2 Rfe8 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.Qe2 Rac8 17.Nd5 Nxd5 18.Bxd5 Qb6 {but without huge success in Nisipeanu,L (2674) -Wojtaszek,R (2749) Germany 2018} ) 11...Nbd7 12.Re1 Rc8 13.a3 h6 $146 {A novelty.} ( {In comparison to the predecessor:} 13...Ne8 14.Be3 h6 15.h3 Qc7 16.a4 b4 17.Nd5 {with some advantage for White, Korneev,O (2621)-Noroozi, O (2385) Baku 2013} ) 14.Bxf6 {Knocking one of the d5 defenders down.} 14...Nxf6 15.Nd2 {The knight is heading to the d5 spot via the f1-e3 route.} 15...Bg4 $1 {Throws a spanner into White's plan.} ( 15...Bxb3 {is met with} 16.Nxb3 {making d6-d5 impossible.} ) 16.f3 Qb6+ {One of the points behind Vachier-Lagrave's last move.} 17.Kh1 Be6 18.Nf1 Rc5 19.Ne3 Rfc8 {Black is consistently preparing the typical exchange sacrifice on c3.} 20.Re2 {And Carlsen is not amused at all.} ( {He could have stopped it with:} 20.Qd2 {if he wished although then Black has sufficient counter-play after:} 20...a5 ) 20...Rxc3 $5 {Fearless.} 21.bxc3 Rxc3 22.Qe1 $1 {Very accurate play by the wrold champion.} ( {More natural seems:} 22.Qd2 {However the queen may be attacked there. For example the same line which happened in the game:} 22...Qc6 ( 22...Qc7 23.Nd1 Rc5 {is also OK for Black.} ) 23.a4 b4 24.Nd1 Bxb3 {doe snot work as the queen is en prix after:} 25.Nxc3 $2 bxc3 ) 22...Qc6 23.a4 b4 24.Nd1 Bxb3 $1 {The only move.} ( {Instead:} 24...Rc5 25.Bxe6 fxe6 26.Qxb4 {leaves Black no compensation whatsoever.} ) 25.Nxc3 Bc4 26.Nd1 {Again natural, accurate retreat.} ( 26.Na2 {is more aggressive but fails after:} 26...Bxe2 27.Qxe2 Qxa4 28.Qc4 a5 29.c3 d5 $1 {When Black is too strong in the center after say:} 30.exd5 Qc2 ) 26...Bxe2 27.Qxe2 d5 {Vachier-Lagrave got everything he could dreamed for. He opened his bishop, fixed some weaknesses. And... stands worse, the compensation is not adequate enough.} 28.exd5 Nxd5 29.Qe4 Qe6 30.Ne3 Nc3 31.Qc4 Qg6 $1 {A sign for the practicism. With the queens on the board Carlsen has more chances to go wrong.} ( {Objectively best might have been:} 31...Qxc4 32.Nxc4 f6 {followed by the centralization of the black king. But then the world champion would have gotten a chance to demostrate his impeccable endgame technique without any risk of losing.} ) 32.a5 ( {White could ahve also started with:} 32.Re1 $5 {With the little trick:} 32...Nxa4 $2 ( 32...Kh7 33.a5 {would lead to the game continuation.} ) 33.Ng4 $1 ) 32...Kh7 {Away from the pin.} 33.Re1 e4 {Once more the best practical decision in order to open the enemy king. The attack against the king is always a chance in the blitz.} ( 33...f5 {is refuted with the nice retreat:} 34.Nd1 $1 ) 34.fxe4 Nxe4 35.Nd5 ( {Good was:} 35.g3 {wehn White needs not to fear of the sacrifices:} 35...Nxg3+ 36.hxg3 Qxg3 37.Qe4+ g6 38.Re2 ) 35...Nf2+ 36.Kg1 Nh3+ 37.Kf1 ( {Deviating from the draw:} 37.Kh1 Nf2+ ) 37...Qf5+ 38.Ke2 Qe5+ 39.Ne3 Nf4+ 40.Kf1 $1 {The best move.} ( {There is no safety on the other side. After:} 40.Kd1 {Black has the brilliant strike:} 40...b3 $3 41.Qxb3 ( {Or} 41.cxb3 Qa1+ 42.Qc1 ( 42.Kd2 Qxa5+ ) 42...Qxc1+ 43.Kxc1 Nd3+ 44.Kd1 Nxe1 45.Kxe1 Bb4+ {winning a pawn with tempos.} ) 41...Qd4+ 42.Kc1 Bb4 {and Black has winning attack.} ) ( {No better was:} 40.Kd2 {due to the ambush:} 40...Bg5 $1 ) 40...Ne6 41.Qxa6 $6 {Not yet losing but preparing the soil for the decisive mistake.} ( {Carlsen would have gotten what he wished for with:} 41.Nd5 $1 {Keepeing everything under control and after:} 41...Qf5+ ( 41...Qxh2 42.Nxe7 ) 42.Kg1 Bd6 43.Qe4 {Trades queens with serious winning chances and no chances to lose the game at all!} ) 41...Qxh2 42.Qd3+ Kg8 43.a6 $4 {This loses!} ( {White should have centralized the knight with:} 43.Nd5 {The f4 square is now protected. Then:} 43...Qh1+ 44.Ke2 Qxg2+ 45.Kd1 Bg5 {Would most likely lead to a draw by perpetual, for instance after:} 46.a6 Qg4+ 47.Re2 Qg1+ 48.Re1 Qg4+ 49.Qe2 Qd4+ 50.Qd3 Qg4+ ) 43...Bh4 $1 {Apparently missed by the world champion. Vachier-Lagrave includes everybody in the attack and it is all over in a jiffy.} ( {Maybe Carlsen was hoping for:} 43...Qh1+ $2 44.Ke2 Nf4+ 45.Kd2 Qxe1+ 46.Kxe1 Nxd3+ {When he would have most-likely won with the study-like:} 47.Kd2 $3 Bc5 48.Kxd3 ) 44.Qd2 ( {No time for:} 44.Ke2 Nf4+ ) ( {Neither for:} 44.a7 Qh1+ 45.Ke2 Qxe1+ 46.Kf3 Ng5+ {and it will be mate soon.} ) 44...Nf4 $1 {A shocker! Mate is unavoidable.} 0-1

[Event "CF4te d'Ivoire Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.05.12"]
[Round "21.1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "B34"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7701148742212"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.h3 {An interesting way to fight the Najdorf.} 4...g6 ( {The two have lready discussed the consequences of:} 4...a6 5.a4 Nc6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 g6 {In another blitz game:} 8.Be3 Bg7 9.g3 O-O 10.Bg2 Bd7 11.O-O Ne5 12.Nde2 {Nakamura,H (2769)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2789) Paris 2018} ) 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Bg7 7.g3 Nc6 8.Be3 O-O 9.Bg2 Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Be6 ( {Another plan for Black is connected with:} 10...Bd7 11.Qe2 Rc8 12.O-O Bc6 13.e5 dxe5 14.Bxe5 Qb6 15.a4 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 {1/2-1/2 (16) Andreikin,D (2723)-Bok,B (2598) Minsk 2017} ) 11.O-O a6 12.Re1 Rc8 13.Nd5 Bxd5 ( 13...Nd7 $5 ) 14.exd5 Nd7 $146 {A novelty. However, at this stage of the game it seems as Black is already doing not that well.} ( {White was also better after:} 14...Re8 15.Re2 Nd7 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Qd4+ Nf6 18.g4 $1 {in the predecessor Mista, A (2609) -Areshchenko,A (2701) Warsaw 2014} ) 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.c3 {The backward pawn on e7 is a big issue and White is pretty much better all over the place. In the center he has the more active pieces, he has pawn majority on the queenside, but the real problem is the weak black king.} 16...Re8 17.Qd4+ Kg8 18.Re2 Qb6 {If Black can only trade the ueens off this will make his life so much easier as he would be able to defend the e7 weakness with the king.} 19.Qh4 $1 {But this is not going to happen.} 19...Ne5 {The knight is not stable here and will be soon chased away thus providing time for the White's kingside assault.} ( {Perhaps MVL should have adopted a slightly different defensive set-up with:} 19...Kg7 $5 20.Rae1 Nf6 21.a3 Rc7 ) 20.Kh2 {Nakamura slowly prepares for the opening of the kingside.} 20...Kg7 21.Rd1 Rc4 22.Qg5 ( {Also good, but somewhat unnatural is:} 22.f4 Qb5 23.Red2 ) 22...h6 23.Qd2 Rc7 24.Rde1 Qb5 ( {If Black tries something active like:} 24...Nc4 25.Qc2 Qc5 {Then not much will be changed as the knight still lacks ouposts and is vulnerable. For example:} 26.b3 Ne5 27.f4 Nd7 28.Rxe7 Rxe7 29.Rxe7 Kf8 30.Qe2 Qxc3 31.Re8+ Kg7 32.Rd8 $1 {with mighty attack.} ( {But not the hasty} 32.Qe7 Qf6 $1 {and Black is out of the bush.} ) ) 25.f4 {All is ready for the decisive kingside action.} 25...Nc4 ( {Similar is:} 25...Nd3 26.Rd1 Nc5 27.f5 ) 26.Qd4+ Kg8 27.b3 Nb6 ( {Or} 27...Na5 28.c4 Qb4 29.f5 $1 {wehn Black lacks kingside defenders.} ) 28.c4 Qa5 ( {After:} 28...Qc5 {White can swap the queens off for a change:} 29.Qxc5 dxc5 30.d6 {and for an extra pawn.} ) 29.f5 $1 {With the black pieces desperately stuck on the opposite wing the attack is a piece of cake for Nakamura.} 29...g5 {Played instantly, but the position cannot be blocked.} ( {If} 29...gxf5 30.Rf1 e6 31.Rxf5 $1 {wins for White.} ) 30.f6 $1 Nd7 $1 {Vachier-Lagrave tries his final chance to block the white pieces.} ( 30...Nc8 {loses effortlessly after} 31.h4 $1 ) ( {Whereas:} 30...Kf8 31.fxe7+ Rcxe7 32.Qh8# {is a typical line.} ) 31.fxe7 ( {Not} 31.Rxe7 $6 Qxe1 $1 32.Rxe1 Rxe1 33.Qd2 Re8 {which complicates matters at least.} ) 31...Ne5 {It seems as Black is holding, but...} ( {If:} 31...Qc5 32.Qd2 Ne5 {Then the way to unblock the pawn avalanche is:} 33.b4 Qxc4 34.Rxe5 $1 dxe5 35.d6 {promoting.} ) 32.c5 $3 {On three-times defended square.} ( {Instead:} 32.Rxe5 $2 dxe5 33.Rxe5 Rcxe7 {would be anything but clear.} ) 32...Ng6 {Everything loses.} ( 32...Qxc5 33.Qxc5 Rxc5 34.Rxe5 dxe5 35.d6 {would see the white pawns promoted.} ) ( {Whereas} 32...Rxc5 33.b4 Qa4 34.Rxe5 {wins material for White.} ) 33.cxd6 Rd7 34.Qf6 Qb6 35.Rf1 Nh8 36.Re6 $1 {A nice finishing touch.} 36...fxe6 37.Qf8+ Rxf8 38.exf8=Q+ Kh7 39.Be4+ Ng6 ( 39...Ng6 {Not waiting for the mate, Vachier-Lgrave throws in the towel:} 40.Bxg6+ Kxg6 41.Rf6+ Kh7 42.Rxh6# ) 1-0

[Event "Cote D'Ivoire Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.05.08"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2867"]
[ECO "B32"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7148570449488"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6 6.N1c3 a6 7.Na3 Be7 8.g3 Nf6 9.Bg2 b5 ( {Black can also try:} 9...Bg4 10.Qd3 b5 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Nb8 13.c4 O-O 14.O-O Nd7 15.Be3 f5 {as in Kulaots,K (2578)-Kovalevskaya,E (2462) Moscow 2016} ) 10.Nd5 Nxd5 $146 {A logical novelty. It is always good to get rid of such a powerful piece.} ( {Black also did well in the predecessor:} 10...h5 11.c4 h4 12.Be3 Rb8 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Rc1 Nxd5 15.Qxd5 Nb4 16.Qb3 Na6 17.Nxb5 O-O {in the game Blandon Villa,D (2212)-Gallego Alcaraz,A (2433) Bagre Antioquia 2014} ) 11.exd5 {Now Black plunges the hole on d5 and gets a nice kingside majority.} ( {White would like to keep control of the outpost, however} 11.Qxd5 Qc7 12.c3 Be6 {gives Black easy equality.} ) 11...Nb8 12.O-O ( {Sooner or later White will have to go for:} 12.c4 {This is the only way to play for the advantage. Then Carlsen would have most likely played:} 12...Nd7 $5 {as in the game. For example:} ( 12...Bd7 {does not make sense as Black cannot develop his pieces after} 13.O-O ) 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Nxb5 Ba6 15.Nc3 O-O {with ample compensation for a pawn a la Benko.} ) 12...Nd7 13.c4 O-O {Ignoring the "threat."} 14.cxb5 axb5 15.Nc2 {If anything, Nepomniachtchi will seize another power point in the enemy camp.} ( {The pawn is invincible:} 15.Nxb5 $2 Ba6 16.Qb3 Nc5 17.Qb4 Qb8 {and Black wins material on the pin.} ) 15...f5 16.Nb4 Bf6 17.Nc6 Qe8 18.a4 ( 18.Qb3 $2 {is an empty blow after} 18...Nc5 19.Qxb5 Ba6 ) 18...Nc5 {Apparently, the world champion is playing for more than equality.} ( {Which would have been easily achieved with:} 18...bxa4 19.Rxa4 Ba6 ) 19.Be3 Nxa4 20.Qc2 ( {After} 20.Qb3 f4 {is strong.} ) ( {Whereas:} 20.b3 {can be met with either:} 20...Nc3 ( {Or as in the game:} 20...f4 21.Bd2 Nb6 22.Rxa8 Nxa8 23.gxf4 ) 21.Qd2 Rxa1 22.Rxa1 b4 23.Nxb4 Nb5 {in both cases with unclear play.} ) 20...Bd7 21.b3 f4 {This resource is always there to help Black generate counterplay. The position is becoming extremely sharp now.} 22.bxa4 ( {In the light of what happened later a better continuation seemed:} 22.Bd2 $5 Nc5 23.Rxa8 Qxa8 24.gxf4 {when the generated central pressure compensates for the slight weakening of the white kingside.} ) 22...fxe3 23.axb5 Rxa1 24.Rxa1 Bg5 $1 {Activating sharpy at once.} ( {Weaker was:} 24...exf2+ 25.Qxf2 Bg5 26.Qe2 ) 25.b6 {Nepomniachtchi has huge expectations about the future of that pawn. But it turned out that the black passers are faster.} ( {A better chance was:} 25.f3 Bd8 26.Bf1 ( {Not} 26.Ra6 Bc8 ) 26...Bb6 27.Be2 {with mutual blockades.} ) 25...exf2+ 26.Kh1 ( {After} 26.Kf1 Bf5 {White has to sacrifice his queen:} 27.Qxf5 ( 27.Qe2 Qg6 $1 ) 27...Rxf5 {And suffer in the opposite-colored bishop ending after:} 28.b7 Rf8 29.b8=Q Qxb8 30.Nxb8 Rxb8 31.Kxf2 Rb2+ ) 26...Bc8 27.Rf1 Qf7 28.Qe2 e4 $1 {It is all about the speed of the passers.} ( {Preparatory moves like:} 28...Bh6 $5 {will provide White time to generate threats on his own:} 29.Na7 Bb7 30.Nc6 ) 29.h4 {This is where Nepomniachtchi went wrong.} ( {The bishop capture was not good neither:} 29.Bxe4 Bh3 30.Bg2 Bxg2+ 31.Kxg2 Qxd5+ {and Black wins.} ) ( {However:} 29.Qxe4 $1 Ba6 30.Qe6 Bxf1 31.Bxf1 Kh8 32.h4 {would have kept the game balanced. Both the passers would be controlled then and the extra exchange would not be much better than the white super-knight on c6.} ) 29...e3 30.hxg5 Re8 $3 {A very cool move. Carlsen first supports the passer and then wants to lift the blockade with either Bc8-a6! or Bc8-g4!} ( {The immediate:} 30...Ba6 {would mate in case of:} 31.Qxa6 ( {However, there was the devilish spoiler which Nepomniachtchi had obviously foreseen from afar:} 31.g6 $1 {Blocking the h-file.} 31...Bxe2 32.gxf7+ Rxf7 33.Ra1 g6 34.Nd4 Bc4 35.Ra8+ {when it is White who is close to winning.} ) 31...Qh5+ 32.Bh3 Qxh3# ) 31.Kh2 ( {If} 31.Bf3 Ba6 $1 {wins.} ) ( {Whereas:} 31.Ra1 {is refuted with:} 31...Bg4 32.Qxg4 e2 ) 31...Bg4 $1 {Lifts the blockade and promotes the pawn for free.} 32.Qxg4 e2 33.b7 ( {The last chance was connected with:} 33.Nd8 $1 exf1=Q 34.Bxf1 Rxd8 {although Black is much better here too.} ) 33...Qxb7 34.Rxf2 e1=Q {Here both players were playing with mere seconds left on the clock but those proved enough for the world champion to convert.} 35.Qf5 Qe3 ( 35...g6 36.Qf6 Qg7 {was easier.} ) 36.Rf3 Qe2 37.Nd4 ( {White could have made his opponent sweat with:} 37.g6 hxg6 38.Qxg6 Ra8 39.Qxd6 ) 37...Qe5 38.Qg4 Qbxd5 39.Nf5 Qde6 40.Qh5 Qg6 41.Qg4 h5 42.Qc4+ d5 43.Qb5 Qxg5 44.Qd7 h4 45.Rf1 hxg3+ 46.Kg1 g6 47.Bxd5+ Kh8 0-1

[Event "Cote D'Ivoire Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.05.08"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2867"]
[ECO "B32"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7148570449488"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6 6.N1c3 a6 7.Na3 Be7 8.g3 Nf6 9.Bg2 b5 ( {Black can also try:} 9...Bg4 10.Qd3 b5 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Nb8 13.c4 O-O 14.O-O Nd7 15.Be3 f5 {as in Kulaots,K (2578)-Kovalevskaya,E (2462) Moscow 2016} ) 10.Nd5 Nxd5 $146 {A logical novelty. It is always good to get rid of such a powerful piece.} ( {Black also did well in the predecessor:} 10...h5 11.c4 h4 12.Be3 Rb8 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Rc1 Nxd5 15.Qxd5 Nb4 16.Qb3 Na6 17.Nxb5 O-O {in the game Blandon Villa,D (2212)-Gallego Alcaraz,A (2433) Bagre Antioquia 2014} ) 11.exd5 {Now Black plunges the hole on d5 and gets a nice kingside majority.} ( {White would like to keep control of the outpost, however} 11.Qxd5 Qc7 12.c3 Be6 {gives Black easy equality.} ) 11...Nb8 12.O-O ( {Sooner or later White will have to go for:} 12.c4 {This is the only way to play for the advantage. Then Carlsen would have most likely played:} 12...Nd7 $5 {as in the game. For example:} ( 12...Bd7 {does not make sense as Black cannot develop his pieces after} 13.O-O ) 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Nxb5 Ba6 15.Nc3 O-O {with ample compensation for a pawn a la Benko.} ) 12...Nd7 13.c4 O-O {Ignoring the "threat."} 14.cxb5 axb5 15.Nc2 {If anything, Nepomniachtchi will seize another power point in the enemy camp.} ( {The pawn is invincible:} 15.Nxb5 $2 Ba6 16.Qb3 Nc5 17.Qb4 Qb8 {and Black wins material on the pin.} ) 15...f5 16.Nb4 Bf6 17.Nc6 Qe8 18.a4 ( 18.Qb3 $2 {is an empty blow after} 18...Nc5 19.Qxb5 Ba6 ) 18...Nc5 {Apparently, the world champion is playing for more than equality.} ( {Which would have been easily achieved with:} 18...bxa4 19.Rxa4 Ba6 ) 19.Be3 Nxa4 20.Qc2 ( {After} 20.Qb3 f4 {is strong.} ) ( {Whereas:} 20.b3 {can be met with either:} 20...Nc3 ( {Or as in the game:} 20...f4 21.Bd2 Nb6 22.Rxa8 Nxa8 23.gxf4 ) 21.Qd2 Rxa1 22.Rxa1 b4 23.Nxb4 Nb5 {in both cases with unclear play.} ) 20...Bd7 21.b3 f4 {This resource is always there to help Black generate counterplay. The position is becoming extremely sharp now.} 22.bxa4 ( {In the light of what happened later a better continuation seemed:} 22.Bd2 $5 Nc5 23.Rxa8 Qxa8 24.gxf4 {when the generated central pressure compensates for the slight weakening of the white kingside.} ) 22...fxe3 23.axb5 Rxa1 24.Rxa1 Bg5 $1 {Activating sharpy at once.} ( {Weaker was:} 24...exf2+ 25.Qxf2 Bg5 26.Qe2 ) 25.b6 {Nepomniachtchi has huge expectations about the future of that pawn. But it turned out that the black passers are faster.} ( {A better chance was:} 25.f3 Bd8 26.Bf1 ( {Not} 26.Ra6 Bc8 ) 26...Bb6 27.Be2 {with mutual blockades.} ) 25...exf2+ 26.Kh1 ( {After} 26.Kf1 Bf5 {White has to sacrifice his queen:} 27.Qxf5 ( 27.Qe2 Qg6 $1 ) 27...Rxf5 {And suffer in the opposite-colored bishop ending after:} 28.b7 Rf8 29.b8=Q Qxb8 30.Nxb8 Rxb8 31.Kxf2 Rb2+ ) 26...Bc8 27.Rf1 Qf7 28.Qe2 e4 $1 {It is all about the speed of the passers.} ( {Preparatory moves like:} 28...Bh6 $5 {will provide White time to generate threats on his own:} 29.Na7 Bb7 30.Nc6 ) 29.h4 {This is where Nepomniachtchi went wrong.} ( {The bishop capture was not good neither:} 29.Bxe4 Bh3 30.Bg2 Bxg2+ 31.Kxg2 Qxd5+ {and Black wins.} ) ( {However:} 29.Qxe4 $1 Ba6 30.Qe6 Bxf1 31.Bxf1 Kh8 32.h4 {would have kept the game balanced. Both the passers would be controlled then and the extra exchange would not be much better than the white super-knight on c6.} ) 29...e3 30.hxg5 Re8 $3 {A very cool move. Carlsen first supports the passer and then wants to lift the blockade with either Bc8-a6! or Bc8-g4!} ( {The immediate:} 30...Ba6 {would mate in case of:} 31.Qxa6 ( {However, there was the devilish spoiler which Nepomniachtchi had obviously foreseen from afar:} 31.g6 $1 {Blocking the h-file.} 31...Bxe2 32.gxf7+ Rxf7 33.Ra1 g6 34.Nd4 Bc4 35.Ra8+ {when it is White who is close to winning.} ) 31...Qh5+ 32.Bh3 Qxh3# ) 31.Kh2 ( {If} 31.Bf3 Ba6 $1 {wins.} ) ( {Whereas:} 31.Ra1 {is refuted with:} 31...Bg4 32.Qxg4 e2 ) 31...Bg4 $1 {Lifts the blockade and promotes the pawn for free.} 32.Qxg4 e2 33.b7 ( {The last chance was connected with:} 33.Nd8 $1 exf1=Q 34.Bxf1 Rxd8 {although Black is much better here too.} ) 33...Qxb7 34.Rxf2 e1=Q {Here both players were playing with mere seconds left on the clock but those proved enough for the world champion to convert.} 35.Qf5 Qe3 ( 35...g6 36.Qf6 Qg7 {was easier.} ) 36.Rf3 Qe2 37.Nd4 ( {White could have made his opponent sweat with:} 37.g6 hxg6 38.Qxg6 Ra8 39.Qxd6 ) 37...Qe5 38.Qg4 Qbxd5 39.Nf5 Qde6 40.Qh5 Qg6 41.Qg4 h5 42.Qc4+ d5 43.Qb5 Qxg5 44.Qd7 h4 45.Rf1 hxg3+ 46.Kg1 g6 47.Bxd5+ Kh8 0-1

[Event "7th Armageddon"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2019.06.06"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2875"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "D85"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8110374654477"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Be3 c5 8.Rc1 Qa5 9.Qd2 O-O 10.Nf3 Bg4 11.d5 b5 ( {Grischuk has pleasant memories with this line. Five years back, in the same city, he managed to defeat a former world champion with the following sharp play:} 11...Nd7 12.c4 Qa3 13.Be2 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Bd4 15.Bxd4 cxd4 16.O-O Ne5 17.Qxd4 Nxf3+ 18.gxf3 Qxf3 19.Rc3 Qe2 20.f4 Qxa2 21.f5 {Kramnik,V (2783)-Grischuk, A (2792) Stavanger 2014} ) 12.Be2 Nd7 13.O-O Bxf3 {Played after a lenghty thought. It was a surprise for Carlsen who was unaware if this was still preparation or not. \E2EurooeYou never know with him. He spends so much time but maybe he\E2EuroTMs still in his prep.\E2Euro\9D But he said it is "very risky strategically speaking" and the world champion was happy about his position.} ( {The immediate} 13...c4 {is met with} 14.Nd4 ) 14.Bxf3 c4 15.Be2 {The most natural play. The f-pawn is freed and White is ready to launch his kingside attack.} ( {Carlsen also considered the immediate:} 15.h4 ) 15...Rfd8 $146 {Surprisingly, this all had been played before.} ( 15...Qa3 16.f4 Nc5 17.e5 Rad8 18.Bf3 f6 19.e6 f5 20.Bd4 Bxd4+ 21.Qxd4 Nxe6 22.Qe5 {with huge complications in Kantorik,M (2289)-Hlas,J (2207) Zvolen 2000} ) 16.f4 Nb6 17.Bf3 Qa3 {Somehow he misplayed it as all his pieces ended up on the queenside, said later the world champion.} 18.h4 {After the game Grischuk said to Carlsen that he thought Black was just lost here.} ( {The Norwegian rejected} 18.e5 {as he did not want to calculate the possible captures on d5, for instance:} 18...Rab8 19.Bxb6 Rxb6 {"and I can no longer win with direct attack, and that's what I want." (Carlsen)} ) 18...e6 ( {There is no way Grischuk can block the coming storm.} 18...h5 {only pours fuel into the fire and:} 19.g4 hxg4 20.Bxg4 e6 21.h5 exd5 22.e5 {should be very bad for Black.} ) 19.h5 Na4 ( {After:} 19...b4 {White would simply ignore the c3 pawn and proceed with the kingside assault:} 20.hxg6 hxg6 21.f5 exf5 22.exf5 bxc3 23.Qf2 ) 20.hxg6 ( 20.f5 $5 ) 20...hxg6 21.f5 {Carlsen tries to open every single line and diagonal on the kingside.} 21...exf5 ( {If} 21...Nxc3 22.fxg6 fxg6 23.Bg4 Nxe4 24.Bxe6+ Kh7 25.Qe1 $1 {is strong for White.} ) ( {Grischuk is also in trouble after:} 21...Bxc3 22.Qf2 exf5 23.exf5 Rf8 24.Rxc3 $1 {with decisive threats on the dark squares for a change:} 24...Nxc3 ( {Or} 24...Qxc3 25.Bd4 Qd3 26.Qh4 ) 25.Bd4 {and mate will follow.} ) 22.exf5 Qd6 ( {Maybe Grischuk should have tried:} 22...Nxc3 23.fxg6 fxg6 {Then:} 24.Bg4 {Would give Black a chance to slow down the attack:} ( {Carlsen would need to find the strong continuation:} 24.d6 $1 Rxd6 25.Rxc3 $1 {when all the captures are not sufficient for Black:} 25...Qxc3 {drops a piece after:} ( {Whereas:} 25...Bxc3 26.Bd5+ Kh7 ( {Worse is:} 26...Kh8 27.Bd4+ Bxd4+ 28.Qxd4+ Kh7 29.Rf7+ Kh6 30.Qh4# ) 27.Rf7+ Bg7 28.Rxg7+ Kxg7 29.Qd4+ Rf6 30.Bxa8 Qd3 {might as well be lost for Black but he can keep on fighting.} ) 26.Qxc3 Bxc3 27.Bxa8 ) 24...Nxd5 25.Be6+ Kh7 26.Bxd5 Rxd5 $1 27.Qxd5 Qxe3+ {and Black is even better.} ) 23.Bf4 Qb6+ ( {White breaks through after:} 23...Be5 24.Bxe5 Qxe5 25.fxg6 fxg6 26.Bg4 Rxd5 27.Qh6 ) 24.Kh1 gxf5 25.d6 {Almost everything is ready for the final effort along the f-file.} 25...Rab8 26.Bd5 Nc5 27.Bg3 Ne6 {This loses prosaically.} ( {To a neat finish leads:} 27...Ne4 28.Bxe4 fxe4 29.Rxf7 $3 Kxf7 30.Qd5+ Kg6 31.Qxe4+ Kf7 32.Rf1+ Kg8 33.Qe6+ Kh7 34.Rf5 {with inevitable mate. One of those lines which clearly shows how useless the black pieces on the queenside are.} ) 28.Rxf5 Rxd6 29.Bxd6 Qxd6 30.Qe3 {Next Carlsen kept mounting pressure on the light squares until Grischuk's position collapsed:} 30...Qb6 31.Qf3 Rf8 32.Rf1 Nd8 33.Rh5 Qc7 34.Qe4 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess"]
[Site "Tours"]
[Date "2019.06.26"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[ECO "A23"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7010863032861"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 Bc5 4.Nc3 c6 {"He surprised with this move, which I was not very familiar with." (So) What is interesting is that the American GM knew that Ding has used this opening against Carlsen in Stavanger, in one of the blitz games. He also remembered that Black did great there too.} 5.e3 O-O 6.Nge2 d5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 ( {Black avoids the creation of an isolated pawn after:} 7...cxd5 8.d4 ) 8.d4 exd4 9.Nxd5 cxd5 10.exd4 ( {The above-mentioned game of Ding saw:} 10.Nxd4 Nc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.O-O Be6 13.Qc2 Qb6 14.b3 d4 {and Black held his own against the world champion, Carlsen,M (2843)-Ding,L (2791) Stavanger 2018} ) 10...Bb6 11.Nc3 Nc6 12.Be3 Be6 13.O-O Qd7 $146 {A novelty, and in my opinion, an inaccuracy.} ( {White also did not get much in a predecessor:} 13...Rc8 14.Qd3 Qd7 15.Rfd1 Rfe8 16.Qb5 Red8 {with approximate equality, Tozer,P (2141)-Holton,J (1918) Llandudno 2017} ) ( {However, a good alternative was:} 13...Qf6 $1 {With the idea to clear the d-pawns from the board. For example:} 14.Nxd5 ( 14.Bxd5 Rad8 {looks good for Black.} ) 14...Bxd5 15.Bxd5 {Now Black has three interesting moves:} 15...Bxd4 ( 15...Nxd4 $5 {also looks OK for the second player.} ) ( {Or} 15...Rad8 $5 16.Bxc6 bxc6 {when White cannot hold on to his extra pawn:} 17.Rc1 Bxd4 {and it should be approximately equal.} ) 16.Bxc6 Bxe3 17.Bxb7 {Temporary White is a pawn ahead but the activity of the black pieces allow him a chance to maintain the balance.} 17...Rad8 18.Qf3 Bd4 19.Qxf6 Bxf6 20.Rab1 Rd2 {with a draw.} ) 14.Na4 Rfd8 ( 14...Bc7 {allows} 15.Nc5 ) 15.Nxb6 axb6 16.Qb3 {White got something out of the opening. He has the bishop pair and the better pawn structure which puts the pressure on his opponent.} 16...Ra6 17.Rfc1 {The threat is Bg2-f1 to wipe out the queenside pawns.} 17...Bh3 18.Bf3 Bg4 19.Bg2 Bh3 20.Bf3 Bg4 {Ding is apparently OK with splitting the point, but the first round happened to be very, very fighting.} 21.Bh1 h5 {Overly optimistic. Black would regret later that this pawn ended there.} ( {It is not easy to spoil White's co-ordination:} 21...Na5 22.Qb4 Nc6 23.Qb5 ) ( {However:} 21...Qf5 $5 {deserved attention with the obvious idea to get rid of the enemy light-squared bishop. Most likely Ding disliked:} 22.f3 Bh3 23.Bf2 {and was afraid that his bishop will be left out of game, but he can always bring it back with something like:} 23...Qf6 ) 22.h4 Be2 ( {It was not too late for:} 22...Qf5 ) 23.Kh2 Qf5 24.Bg2 Na5 {"A bad move which allows me to consolidate with the bishop pair." (So)} ( {Instead he suggested that Ding should have grabbed the pawn with:} 24...Bc4 25.Qd1 {Now both captures seem possible, but in either case Black cannot be certain he will have his piece out:} 25...Rxa2 ( {In case of:} 25...Bxa2 26.b3 Rda8 27.Bf1 {Black can never win a pawn with:} 27...Bxb3 $2 {Due to:} ( {Therefore:} 27...Ra5 28.Rc3 {should be played but then again:} 28...Bxb3 $2 {loses to} 29.Rxa5 {With the bishop cut out of the game Black's position seems delicate, to say at least.} ) 28.Rxa6 Bxd1 29.Rxa8+ ) 26.Rxa2 Bxa2 27.Bh3 ( {Better than:} 27.b3 Na5 28.b4 ) 27...Qg6 28.b3 {Also blocks the bishop out. Then a typical line runs:} 28...Na5 29.Qf3 $1 Nxb3 30.Bf5 {gaining initiative on the kingside where White is practically two pieces up as both the black minor ones remained stuck on the opposite wing.} ) 25.Qc3 {Infiltration along the open file is White's main threat.} 25...Nc6 26.b3 {However, Black has other problems to deal with- both his light pieces lack stable squares.} 26...b5 ( {In case of:} 26...Rda8 27.a4 b5 {White would have most likely reacted with:} 28.axb5 Bxb5 29.Rxa6 Bxa6 ( 29...Rxa6 30.Qc5 {drops a pawn for Black.} ) 30.Ra1 {essentially tieing the black pieces up. Next the d5 pawn will suffer...} ) 27.Qd2 Bf3 ( {The bishop problems do not end after:} 27...Bd3 28.Rc3 Be4 29.f3 ) 28.Bf1 Rb6 {Puts the rook in an awkward position.} ( {Perhaps the last chance to put strong resistance was the pawn sacrifice after:} 28...Ra3 {Then Black can search for compensation on the light squares in the lines:} 29.Bxb5 Rda8 30.Bxc6 ( {Or} 30.Ba4 Be4 31.Qb2 Qf3 32.Rg1 R3xa4 33.bxa4 Ra7 ) 30...bxc6 {With the idea:} 31.Rxc6 Rxb3 ) 29.Bf4 $1 {Simple and strong. The threat of a bishop fork cannot be stopped without material losses.} 29...Rc8 ( {After:} 29...Qd7 30.Qc3 Be4 31.f3 Bf5 32.Qc5 {the b5 pawn drops.} ) 30.Rc3 Bg4 ( {Otr a skewer in case of:} 30...Be4 $2 31.Bh3 ) 31.f3 {The bishop is trapped. It is not yet over as Ding saw a combination from afar:} 31...b4 32.Rd3 Bxf3 33.Rxf3 Ne5 $1 {Black wins chunk of the material back.} 34.dxe5 Rc2 35.Rf2 Rxd2 36.Rxd2 {But it is not enough.;So managed to keep more material. Next he once again consolidates.} 36...Rc6 37.Bh3 Qg6 38.Rad1 Ra6 ( {Nothing changes:} 38...Rc2 39.Bg2 ) 39.Bg2 {Now it is over as the white pieces can coordinate their attacking aims.} 39...d4 40.Bxb7 Ra5 41.Rxd4 Rxa2+ 42.R1d2 Qb6 43.Rxa2 Qxd4 44.Rd2 Qc3 45.Bd5 Kf8 46.Bc4 Ke7 47.Bg5+ f6 48.exf6+ gxf6 49.Re2+ Kd7 50.Bd2 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess"]
[Site "Tours"]
[Date "2019.06.27"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2819"]
[ECO "B33"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7011534146631"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 {Yep. If you cannot beat it, use it. This might have been Caruana's thought when chosing Carlsen's own weapon from their London match.} 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Nd5 Nxd5 8.exd5 Nb8 9.a4 Be7 10.Bd2 $146 {A tricky novelty according to Nepomniachtchi. If Black plays well he will end up with a normal theoretical position, but otherwise he may land in trouble.} ( {A recent game of the world champion saw:} 10.Be2 O-O 11.O-O Nd7 12.Kh1 a6 13.Na3 Nc5 14.Nc4 a5 15.f4 exf4 16.Bxf4 f5 {and it eventually ended in a draw, Vachier Lagrave,M (2779)-Carlsen,M (2875) Stavanger 2019} ) 10...O-O 11.a5 a6 12.Na3 Nd7 ( 12...Bf5 $5 {might have been an improvement.} ) 13.Nc4 f5 14.Bb4 Rf6 {Apparently, this is what White was hoping for with the tricky move order.} ( {One point behind White's play is revealed after the natural:} 14...Nf6 {Then the small tactics:} 15.Nxe5 ( {Therefore} 15.Be2 {might be more accurate.} ) 15...dxe5 ( {But there is a curious counterblow:} 15...Be6 $3 {with the idea:} 16.dxe6 dxe5 17.Qxd8 Bxb4+ 18.Qd2 Bxd2+ 19.Kxd2 Rfd8+ {when Black is fine.} ) 16.d6 {looks excellent for White.} ) 15.Qd2 Rg6 16.g3 e4 17.h4 {"The rook on g6 is misplaced. Here I am just somewhat better." (Nepomniachtchi)} 17...b5 {The only way to create counterplay.} 18.axb6 Nxb6 19.Na5 Bd7 20.O-O-O {Nepomniachtchi regretted later that he allowed the black bishop easy access to the long diagonal. Indeed it seems as the move in the game is an inaccuracy. The most logical thing is to try and hide the king, but it was not safe on the queenside.} ( {Interesting was:} 20.Be2 {postponing the castling for the time being. After a possible:} 20...Bf6 21.h5 Rh6 22.c4 Be5 23.Ra3 $5 {White would first try to consolidate and think later on which side to hide his Majesty. It could be that he still uses the queenside and castle by hand, or it could be that he castles short. Or even by hand on the kingside. In either case White should be better.} ) 20...Bf6 21.Nc6 {White occupied some important squares with his pieces but his position is not yet stable enough.} ( {Here and on the next few move the d6 pawn is invincible:} 21.Bxd6 Bxb2+ ) 21...Qe8 ( 21...Qc7 $5 ) 22.Kb1 Kh8 23.h5 ( 23.Bxd6 Bxb2 ) ( {Perhaps White simply needed to retreat:} 23.Na5 ) 23...Rh6 24.Qe3 Na4 {Suddenly, Caruana creates all sort of threats.} 25.c3 Rxh5 26.Rxh5 Qxh5 27.Be2 Qe8 ( 27...Qf7 {"was the precise one to threaten Bd7xc6 followed by Qf7-b3" (Nepomniachtchi)} ) 28.Kc2 ( {Objectively better was:} 28.Bc4 Bxc6 29.dxc6 {"and protect slightly worse position" (Nepomniachtchi)} ) 28...h6 29.Qf4 {"A blunder." (Nepomniachtchi)} 29...a5 $1 {Apparently missed by White.} ( {It is not clear what did the Russian player intend to do after:} 29...Bxc6 30.dxc6 a5 31.Bxd6 Qxc6 32.Be5 Qb6 ) 30.Nxa5 ( 30.Bxa5 {drops a piece after} 30...Bxc6 ) ( {Whereas} 30.Bxd6 Bxc6 31.dxc6 Qxc6 32.Be5 Qb6 {transposes to the line from above when White is in trouble.} ) 30...Nxc3 {Flashy, but not optimal. Caruana opens the road for his pieces, but there was an easier way.} ( {The simple:} 30...Bb5 $1 {as recommended by White might have been even better. For example:} 31.Qe3 Nc5 32.Bxc5 dxc5 33.Nc6 ( 33.Ra1 Ba4+ ) 33...Ba4+ $1 34.b3 Bxc6 {and White is helpless.} ) 31.bxc3 Ba4+ 32.Kb1 Bxd1 33.Bxd1 Qb5 ( {Apparently both players saw the forcing line:} 33...Rxa5 34.Bxa5 Qb5+ 35.Bb4 Bxc3 36.Qxd6 Bxb4 37.Qc6 Qd3+ 38.Bc2 Qf1+ 39.Kb2 Qxf2 {and evaluated it as good drawing chances for White. Both the immediate:} 40.g4 ( {And the preliminary:} 40.Qc8+ Kh7 41.g4 {seem as White should be able to hold.} ) ) 34.Nb3 Bg5 $2 {In the approaching time-trouble Caruana starts to err.} ( {After the simple:} 34...Qxd5 35.Bc2 Rc8 36.Qxd6 Qxd6 37.Bxd6 Bxc3 {Black does not risk to loses. Although he does not risk to win much either.} ) 35.Qxf5 {Now all the three results are possible.} 35...Qf1 36.Qg4 Rf8 37.Kb2 Rxf2+ 38.Bc2 Qc4 $2 {Rejecting the draw once more, and this time for the bad.} ( {Nepomniachtchi saw the perpetual check after:} 38...Bc1+ 39.Nxc1 Qg2 40.Qc8+ Kh7 41.Kb1 Rxc2 42.Qf5+ {and felt relieved for not losing anymore. This is what Caruana should have chosen though.} ) 39.Qe6 {"This should be practically winning for White." (Nepomniachtchi)} 39...Bf6 40.Qxd6 Rxc2+ {Desperation.} ( {Most likely in the time-trouble Caruana missed the weird-lloking defense:} 40...Qe2 41.Na1 $1 {Then the white passer moves with ease, whereas Black can never advance his e-pawn under the threat of a back-rank checkmate.} ) 41.Kxc2 Qd3+ 42.Kb2 e3 43.Qe6 e2 44.Ka3 $1 {Unpinning the c-pawn and thus stopping the e-passer. It is over.} 44...Bg5 ( 44...Qd1 45.Qe8+ Kh7 46.Qe4+ g6 47.c4 ) 45.d6 Qa6+ 46.Kb2 Qd3 47.d7 Kh7 ( {Or} 47...Qd1 48.c4 Bf6+ 49.Ka3 ) 48.c4 Bf6+ 49.Ka3 Qc2 50.Qxf6 $1 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess"]
[Site "Tours"]
[Date "2019.06.28"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "E61"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[Beauty "8246874081289"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.e3 O-O 5.Be2 d6 6.Nc3 ( 6.O-O Nbd7 {1/2-1/2 (32) Mamedyarov,S (2817)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2763) Wijk aan Zee 2019} ) 6...Nbd7 7.O-O e5 8.b3 {A somewhat slow move. Since the center will be closed soon and both sides will have clear plans of playing on separate flanks, it made sense for White to push this pawn on b4 at once.} ( {At the beginning of the year, the two of them played a similar line after:} 8.Qc2 c6 9.b3 Re8 10.Ba3 exd4 11.Nxd4 Nc5 12.Rad1 Qe7 13.b4 Nce4 14.Bb2 Nxc3 15.Qxc3 d5 16.Nb3 Nh5 {with comfortable position for Black, Mamedyarov,S (2817) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2763) Wijk aan Zee 2019} ) 8...Re8 9.h3 {Another questionable decision. This pawn can well become a weakness very soon. Why should one voluntarily advance pawns on the side where one is weaker?} ( {White has to be careful when playing on the queenside as the following game showed:} 9.Bb2 e4 10.Nd2 Nf8 11.Nd5 $2 Nxd5 12.cxd5 Qg5 {Already winning material thanks to the double threat.} 13.Re1 ( 13.Bc4 Bh3 {wins the exchange.} ) 13...Qxd5 {with an extra pawn for Black in Bindrich,F (2606)-Teterev,V (2486) St Petersburg 2018} ) ( 9.Qc2 {would have transposed to their game from Wijk an Zee.} ) 9...e4 {The center is closed. Next Black will play on the kingside. His play is very typical and simple: push the h-pawn as far as possible and transfer the knight from d7 to g5 in a clear attempt to checkmate the enemy king. White on his turn will try to shatter the enemy queenside as quick as possible, thus keeping the opponent busy. Ideally, he wants to defend the opposite wing with as few pieces as possible.} 10.Nd2 $146 ( {Black did not have any problems either in the predecessor:} 10.Nh2 c6 11.Bd2 d5 12.c5 Nf8 13.b4 h5 14.a4 N6h7 15.b5 Ng5 {Mbatha,C-Sischy,M (1980) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010} ) 10...h5 11.b4 {It is evident that Mamedyarov lost a tempo on the queenside.} ( {Nepomniachtchi is right to claim that White's only attempt to justify the h2-h3 idea is to go for:} 11.f3 {Although there too, Black has excellent play after:} 11...exf3 12.Nxf3 Ne4 $5 13.Nxe4 Rxe4 14.Bd3 Re8 15.Qc2 Qe7 {With the point that:} 16.e4 {is answered:} ( 16.Bd2 c5 $1 ) 16...Nc5 ) 11...Nf8 12.Re1 Bf5 13.Bb2 Qd7 {The threat of a bishop sacrifice is already in the air.} 14.Nd5 $6 {Although White played carelessly up to now, it is only this move that can be named a mistake.} ( {As mentioned before, Mamedyarov would be happy to defend his kingside with as few pieces as possible, therefore:} 14.Bf1 $1 {stopping any sacrifices was called for. After:} 14...N8h7 {he can regroup in the center with:} 15.d5 {followed by Nd2-b3-d4 when it is anyone's game.} ) 14...Nxd5 15.cxd5 Qe7 $1 {Now Black manages to regroup nicely. The queen goes on a striking position at g5, whereas as Nepomniachtchi explained the rook can defend the c7-pawn sideways, from e7. Thus the queenside is stable and Black can concentrate on his kingside play.} 16.Rc1 Nh7 17.Qc2 Qg5 18.Qxc7 {Mamedyarov ventures into complications, but they favor his opponent instead as he is the one attacking the king.} ( {Two other moves to slow Black down were mentioned by Nepomniachtchi:} 18.h4 {to which Black will keep the initiative with:} 18...Qxh4 19.Qxc7 Nf6 ( 19...Bf8 $5 {also looks good.} ) 20.Qxb7 ( {Not:} 20.Qxd6 $2 Bf8 21.Qh2 ( 21.Qc7 Bxb4 ) 21...Qxh2+ 22.Kxh2 Bxb4 23.Red1 Nxd5 {with a solid extra pawn for Black.} ) 20...Reb8 ( 20...Bf8 $5 ) 21.Qc6 Bf8 {Next Black will keep building initiaive on the kingside.} ) ( {The other idea was:} 18.Kh1 {Although there too, Black has pleasant advantage after:} 18...Qh4 19.Kg1 ( {White should be always aware of the possible sacrifices:} 19.Rf1 $2 Bxh3 $1 20.gxh3 Ng5 {with crushing attack.} ) 19...Re7 {The game is pretty one-sided.} ) 18...Bxh3 19.Bf1 Bf8 20.Qxb7 Nf6 {The pawn that Black sacrificed is a negligible price for the kingside attack he gained.} 21.Qa6 Bc8 $1 22.Qa4 ( {After:} 22.Qe2 {Black intended to provoke further weakenings with:} 22...Ng4 {The threat is Qg5-h4-h2 mate, thus:} 23.f3 {is forced.} ) 22...Bd7 23.Qd1 Bg4 {One more provocation.} 24.f3 ( {If} 24.Be2 Bh3 25.Bf1 h4 $1 {is strong, intending Bh3xg2 and h4-h3.} ( {Although Nepomniachtchi said he could also go for the simple:} 25...Nxd5 ) ) ( {After} 24.Qa4 h4 {continues the attack.} ) 24...exf3 25.Nxf3 Qh6 $1 {The simplest.} ( {There is no need to allow any active play after:} 25...Qxd5 26.Rc7 Qxa2 ( {Or} 26...Rac8 ) ) 26.Qb3 h4 27.Ne5 {The last attempt to muddy the waters, but Black is super-cool.} ( {Objectively better was:} 27.Nh2 {although Black remains in control after:} 27...Bf5 ) 27...h3 ( {Of course:} 27...dxe5 28.dxe5 Nh5 {was possible, but Black made a move which he wanted to do anyway.} ) 28.Nxg4 ( {After:} 28.e4 {Black intended:} 28...hxg2 29.Bxg2 dxe5 30.dxe5 Nd7 {when White's position falls apart.} ) ( 28.gxh3 Bxh3 {would also see White getting checkmated quick.} ) 28...Nxg4 29.gxh3 Nxe3 {The wide king is wide open and once Nepomniachtchi consolidated Mamedyarov found nothing to play for:} 30.Rc3 Nf5 31.Rd1 Qh5 32.Rf3 Bh6 0-1

[Event "Grand Chess"]
[Site "Tours"]
[Date "2019.06.29"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2875"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[ECO "A16"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "5155302979161"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.h4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 ( {Another choice is} 6...h6 7.e4 Bg7 8.d4 c5 9.Rb1 O-O 10.Be2 b6 11.Be3 Bb7 12.d5 e6 13.c4 {as in Mareco,S (2649)-Ivanchuk,V (2710) Batumi 2018.} ) 7.h5 c5 8.Rb1 {"I forgot some things here" (Mamedyarov). And born out of necessity came the next novelty.} 8...b6 $146 ( {A predecessor saw:} 8...Nc6 9.e3 b6 10.d4 cxd4 11.cxd4 Bf5 12.Rb2 Rc8 13.Bb5 O-O 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.Nh4 {Podzielny,K (2451) -Gutman,L (2415) Senden 2014.} ) 9.e4 O-O 10.hxg6 hxg6 11.d4 Bb7 {Apparently determined to punish his opponent for the challenging play, the world champion sank into deep thought and decided not only to win, but to tear his opponent into small pieces.} ( {Most likely White expected} 11...Bg4 ) 12.Ng5 ( {The world champion felt as if Black is completely lost after something simple like} 12.Bd3 {As} 12...Nc6 {is always met with} 13.d5 {and White's kingside attack is going unhindered.(Carlsen). Mamedyarov agreed with the assessment and, in fact, was very surprised that his opponent did not follow his usual style.} ) 12...cxd4 13.Qg4 {As it turned out, this was the right idea but the wrong way.} ( {The correct path lies in the transfer of the queen along the third rank with} 13.Bc4 $1 {Then} 13...Nd7 ( {Carlsen also calculated this option as he mentioned after the game that he saw} 13...Qc7 14.Qg4 $1 ( 14.Qb3 {as in the main line is also good.} ) 14...Qxc4 15.Rh8+ $3 Bxh8 16.Qh4 Kg7 ( 16...Rc8 17.Qh7+ Kf8 18.Qxh8# ) 17.e5 {with mate. This beautiful idea occurs often later.} ) 14.Qb3 ( {Also good and most likely strategically winning for White is the simple} 14.cxd4 ) 14...e6 ( {Now} 14...Ne5 {is met with} 15.cxd4 Qxd4 ( {If} 15...Nxc4 {then the same old from before:} 16.Rh8+ $1 Bxh8 17.Qh3 Kg7 18.e5 $1 ) 16.Qh3 Rfd8 17.Bxf7+ Nxf7 18.Qh7+ Kf8 19.Ne6+ {winning the queen and the game. (Ramirez)} ) 15.cxd4 {The queen is ready to land on h3 with unstoppable attack. It can be nicely supported by the dark-square bishop along the a3-f8 diagonal. The best thing is that White did not even have to sacrifice a pawn for it.} ) 13...Nd7 14.Qh3 ( {Carlsen calculated the beautiful line} 14.Bc4 Nf6 ( {However, here he saw the defense} 14...Qc7 $1 {and had to search for something else.} ) 15.Nxf7 $3 Nxg4 16.Nh6+ $1 Kh7 17.Nxg4+ Bh6 18.Bxh6 {with mate to come.} ) ( {It should be added that in case of} 14.e5 {, Mamedyarov had in mind the fantastic resource} 14...Nf6 $3 15.exf6 exf6 16.Qh3 Re8+ 17.Be2 {And now Black should not get too greedy with} 17...fxg5 ( {but instead should proceed with the attack} 17...Qe7 $1 18.Qh7+ Kf8 19.O-O fxg5 {when Black has a clear edge.} ) 18.Qh7+ Kf8 19.Ba3+ Re7 {when it is unclear who plays for the win.} ) 14...Nf6 15.e5 ( {If} 15.Nh7 {the same defense-} 15...Nh5 $1 ) 15...Nh5 16.e6 Qd5 $1 {I've completely missed this move" (Carlsen). Now tables are turned. It is the world champion who needs to seek salvation.} ( {However,} 16...f6 $1 {might have been even better. Black repels the attack after} 17.Bd3 fxg5 18.Bxg6 Rf6 {and has every chance to win.} ) 17.exf7+ Rxf7 18.Bd3 ( {According to the computer, it was better to throw in the active move} 18.Rb5 Qxa2 19.Nxf7 Qxf7 20.Qd7 {with unclear play.} ) ( {Whereas} 18.Nxf7 {gives Black too wide a choice. All the three possibilities are interesting:} 18...Qxf7 ( 18...dxc3 ) ( 18...Kxf7 ) ) 18...Qe5+ {Also missed by the world champion.} 19.Kd1 dxc3 ( {"I was lucky that} 19...Rxf2 20.Rb5 $1 {does not work for him" (Carlsen). In fact, White is calling the shots after} 20...Qd6 21.Bc4+ Kf8 22.Ne6+ ) 20.Nxf7 Kxf7 21.Re1 $1 {Short of time and frustrated, Carlsen now proves why he is the best player in the world, demonstrating epic defensive skills and nonhuman stamina against Mamedyarov, one of the world's finest attackers!} ( {There is no time for:} 21.Kc2 Nf4 22.Bxf4 Qxf4 ) 21...c2+ $1 {Opening every single line and diagonal against the white king. Survival does not seem possible.} ( {Otherwise White consolidates much easier. For example:} 21...Qd6 22.Kc2 Bd5 23.Qg4 Bxa2 24.Rb5 $1 ) ( {Or} 21...Qf6 22.Kc2 $1 Qxf2+ 23.Re2 {Hidden behind the c3 pawn, White can start thinking about counterattack.} ) 22.Bxc2 Rd8+ 23.Bd2 Qd6 24.Qe3 {The only move.} ( 24.Re2 $2 Nf4 ) 24...Nf4 {Then Nf4-g2 happens no matter what and Black wins, right?} 25.Kc1 $3 {No, there is another fantastic resource in this game.} 25...Bh6 ( {White's idea is revealed in the line:} 25...Nxg2 26.Bb4 $3 Nxe3 ( 26...Qf6 $2 27.Qxe7+ ) 27.Bxd6 Rxd6 28.fxe3 {although this is what Black should have played, according to Carlsen. Black has slight advantage in the endgame.} ) 26.Kb2 Rc8 ( {There is a curious draw in case of:} 26...Bg7+ 27.Bc3 Nxg2 28.Bb3+ Ke8 29.Ba4+ ) 27.Rbc1 e6 {Mamedyrov keeps playing for the win!} ( {Objectively better is to force a draw with} 27...Nd3+ 28.Qxd3 Bxd2 29.Rxe7+ Kxe7 30.Qxd6+ Kxd6 31.Rd1 Bxg2 32.Rxd2+ Bd5 33.Bxg6 ) 28.Kb1 Bxg2 29.Bb3 ( {White could have tried the nice tactical shot instead:} 29.Bxg6+ $1 Nxg6 ( 29...Kxg6 $2 30.Rxc8 ) 30.Qxh6 Be4+ 31.Kb2 Qd4+ 32.Bc3 Rxc3 33.Rxe4 $1 {This is the point.} ( {I assume that they both saw from afar only the line of} 33.Rxc3 Qxf2+ {when Black wins.} ) 33...Qxe4 34.Rxc3 Qe2+ {White preserves the material advantage, although his win is questionable due to the exposed king.} ) 29...Rxc1+ 30.Bxc1 {Carlsen stabilized the situation and might even start thinking about something more than a draw.} 30...Bh3 $1 {Mamedyarov's turn to regroup his troops.} 31.Bb2 Bf5+ 32.Ka1 Bg7 $1 {It is important to weaken the long diagonal.} 33.Bxg7 Kxg7 34.Rd1 ( 34.Qc3+ $5 {as pointed, Mamedyarov might have given some winning chances to White.} ) 34...Nd3 35.Bc4 Qe5+ 36.Qxe5+ Nxe5 37.Be2 g5 38.Rc1 Kf6 39.Rc7 Bd3 40.Bxd3 ( {If} 40.Bd1 {then Black can keep his queenside pawns with} 40...a5 41.Rb7 b5 ) 40...Nxd3 41.Rxa7 Nxf2 {The time trouble is over. The sharp middlegame battle led to a sharp endgame position. It turned out to be dynamically balanced, and both opponents proved equal to each other.} 42.Rb7 g4 43.Rxb6 g3 44.a4 ( {Another way to force the draw is} 44.Rb1 Kf5 45.a4 Ne4 46.a5 Nd2 47.Rb8 g2 48.Rg8 Nb3+ ) 44...Ne4 45.Rb1 Nc5 46.a5 Ke5 47.Kb2 Kf4 48.Kc3 g2 49.Kc4 Na6 50.Kb5 Nb8 51.Kc4 Na6 {Mamedyarov offers repetition.} ( {Or} 51...Kf3 52.Rb3+ ) 52.Kb5 Nb8 53.Kc4 Na6 54.Rg1 {But Carlsen wants to fix the draw his way.} 54...Kg3 55.Kd4 Kf2 56.Rxg2+ Kxg2 57.Ke5 Nc5 58.a6 Nxa6 59.Kxe6 {Epic!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Chess"]
[Site "Tours"]
[Date "2019.06.30"]
[Round "5.6"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[ECO "D39"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "6188129325648"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 d5 5.Qa4+ Nc6 6.Bg5 {Mamedyarov likes to sacrifice pawns in the opening, but this time it seems as he felt victim of Aronian's famous opening laboratiry.} 6...dxc4 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Qd5 {"I thought I remember everything about this move, but I obviously did not. Or maybe this was just a bad position (for me)?" (Mamedyarov).} 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.g3 ( {Perhaps} 10.Nd2 {intending e2-e4 is the only way to create enough play.} ) 10...Bd7 ( {Instead} 10...b5 11.Qc2 Bb7 12.e4 Qd7 13.Bg2 Na5 14.O-O Nb3 {is the course of the game Dragun,K (2597)-Swiercz,D (2654) New York 2018.} ) 11.Qc2 Na5 12.e4 Qd6 13.Bg2 Nb3 $146 {A novelty in comparison to a very old game.} ( {That predecessor went} 13...O-O-O 14.e5 fxe5 15.Nxe5 Be8 16.Rb1 ( 16.O-O $5 f6 17.Ng4 {provides compensation for the pawn.} ) 16...f6 17.Qb2 fxe5 18.Bxb7+ Nxb7 19.Qxb7+ Kd7 20.O-O {White obviously does not have enough attack for the piece here either, Budo,A-Ragozin,V Leningrad 1936 HCL [ChessBase].} ) 14.Rd1 {"One pawn or two pawns, it is not a big difference" (Mamedyarov).} ( {In case of} 14.Rb1 {White is afraid of:} 14...e5 ) 14...Qxa3 15.O-O O-O-O 16.Qe2 {"It is already very bad position (for me)" (Mamedyarov). The knight on b3 is a monster that does not allow White a chance to use the open files. But this is not its only advantage.} 16...Bb5 17.Rb1 ( {Maybe} 17.e5 f5 18.Ng5 Rd7 19.d5 {is worth a try.} ) 17...c6 18.Rfd1 a5 {Aronian makes progress on the queenside while Mamedyarov simply waited in the past few moves. With his next move he tries to get rid of the black knight and open files on the queenside.} 19.Nd2 {However, now comes a piece of magic:} 19...Nxd4 $3 {Obviously foreseen by Aronian in advance.} ( {The dull} 19...Nxd2 20.Qxd2 Qe7 ( 20...a4 21.Rb4 ) 21.d5 {promises White good attacking possibilities.} ) 20.cxd4 Rxd4 {The pawns get into motion.} 21.Ra1 Qb2 22.Rab1 c3 $1 {The point behind Black's sacrifice.} ( {It was even better to execute this move after the preliminary} 22...Qc2 23.Rbc1 {And now} 23...c3 24.Qf3 Qxc1 25.Rxc1 cxd2 26.Rd1 Ba4 {clearing the road for the pawns and winning the game.} ) 23.Qf3 ( {Practically nothing is changed after} 23.Qh5 Rxd2 24.Rxb2 cxb2 25.Rb1 Rhd8 ) 23...Rxd2 24.Rxb2 cxb2 {The sacrifice works spectacularly well. Nominally speaking, the queen is stronger than the rook and the three pawns. But this pawn on b2, is it just a pawn? It is almost nine pawns right now!} 25.Bf1 {Allows a beautiful finish.} ( {After} 25.Rb1 Rhd8 26.Bf1 {Black would have won with} 26...Bd3 27.Bxd3 R8xd3 28.Qh5 Rc3 {supporting the pawn to its promotional square.} ) 25...Rhd8 {Not a bad move, but...very uncharacteristic for Aronian. He misses beautiful tactics.} ( {The study-like} 25...Be2 $3 {"is winning easily" (Mamedyarov). For example,} 26.Bxe2 ( {or} 26.Qxe2 Rxe2 27.Bxe2 a4 {and the pawns are unstoppable.} ) 26...Rxd1+ 27.Bxd1 b1=Q {and Black wins.} ) 26.Rb1 Bxf1 27.Kxf1 Rc2 {A second slip in a row.} ( {It was not too late to wrap up the game with} 27...R8d3 $1 28.Qh5 ( 28.Qg4 a4 ) 28...a4 {The pawns are unstoppable. If the queen tries to go for perpetual, no defenders are left at all:} 29.Qxf7 Rd1+ 30.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 31.Kg2 b1=Q ) 28.Kg2 Rdd2 29.Qxf6 $1 {Not just winning a pawn, but setting free his king.} ( {Perhaps Aronian only calculated lines such as} 29.Qa3 Rxf2+ 30.Kh3 h5 $1 {when White is getting checkmated.} ) 29...a4 {The threat is Rxf2+ followed by massive trades and a4-a3.} 30.Kh3 Rxf2 31.Qh8+ ( 31.Qe7 $1 {might have been even more careful, preparing for the perpetual.} ) 31...Kc7 32.Qd4 f6 {Misses the last chance. Without the support of the a4 pawn, the b2 passer is no longer a monster.} ( 32...b5 $1 {"should be also winning for Black as there are no checks" (Mamedyarov). This is not that certain. After:} 33.Qa7+ Kd6 34.Kg4 $1 {The black king is exposed and even measures such as} 34...Ke5 $1 35.Rd1 h5+ $5 36.Kxh5 Rfd2 37.Rf1 Kxe4 {would not necessarily save it from the annoying white pieces after} 38.Qxf7 {Most likely White should be able to find a perpetual here.} ) 33.Qxa4 Rxh2+ ( {After:} 33...h5 34.Qa5+ b6 35.Qa7+ Kd6 {Both} 36.e5+ {(Aronian)} ( {and} 36.Rd1+ {(Mamedyarov) should lead to a draw:} 36...Ke5 37.Qc7+ Kxe4 38.Re1+ Kd5 39.Rd1+ Kc5 40.Qd6+ Kb5 41.Qd3+ Kb4 42.Qd6+ ) 36...Kxe5 37.Re1+ Rfe2 38.Rxe2+ Rxe2 39.Qxb6 ) 34.Kg4 h5+ 35.Kf4 Rhf2+ {Aronian decided it is time to force a draw.} 36.Ke3 Rfe2+ 37.Kf3 Rf2+ 38.Ke3 Rfe2+ 39.Kf3 Rf2+ {A miraculous escape for Mamedyarov!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.07.27"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "B91"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7699936837666"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 {A quiet but not bad line at all against the Najdorf.} 6...e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 O-O 9.O-O Nc6 10.h3 ( {Another way to play the position is:} 10.a4 Be6 11.Kh1 Na5 12.Nd5 Nxb3 13.Nxe7+ Qxe7 14.cxb3 h6 15.f4 exf4 16.Bxf4 {as in Rodriguez,C (1737)-Montenegro,H (1684) Bogota 2018.} ) 10...h6 {"Slightly inaccurate way to move pawns forward" (Anand).} 11.Be3 Na5 $146 {The trade of the knight is good for Black as he would not need to retreat with it once an exchange happens on d5.} ( {White is also better in the predecessor:} 11...Be6 12.Qd2 b5 13.Nd5 a5 14.Bb6 ( 14.a4 $5 ) ( 14.Rad1 $5 ) 14...Qd7 15.Nxa5 Bxd5 16.exd5 Nxa5 17.Bxa5 Nh5 18.Bb6 f5 {Laszlo,J (2245)-Mihalko,J (2325) Nyiregyhaza 1994.} ) 12.Nxa5 Qxa5 13.Qd2 {With the threat of Nc3-d5.} 13...Qc7 14.a4 Be6 ( {Maybe} 14...b6 {is better defensively, although Black has to reckon with:} 15.f4 ) 15.a5 Rac8 16.Rfc1 $1 {The key move in this variation and a favorite of the twelfth world champion Karpov (who picked it up from his great coach Geller). Instead of mindlessly occupying the half-open d-file, Anand put the rook where it would actually work. After the white knight jumps on d5, the pawn on c2 would be first of all defended and also supported to move forward to c4-c5 and beyond.} 16...Rfe8 ( {Perhaps Nepomniachtchi should have sent his queen to the kingside, in the hope of a faster counterplay:} 16...Qc4 17.Nd5 Nxd5 18.exd5 Bd7 19.Bf1 Qe4 20.c4 Qg6 ) 17.Nd5 Bxd5 ( {White is also a bit better in the line:} 17...Nxd5 18.exd5 Bf5 19.c4 Qd7 20.Kh2 Bg6 21.b4 e4 22.Rc2 f5 {although it seems like a better chance to me for the second player.} ) 18.exd5 Nh7 {Intending Be7-g5.} 19.h4 $1 {Which rejects this possisbility. Now Black's only hope is the counterplay after:} 19...f5 {But White is faster with:} 20.c4 ( {Also possible is:} 20.Bh3 Rf8 21.c4 {but Anand apparently wants to keep his bishop close to the king.} ) 20...f4 21.gxf4 {The most aggressive reaction.} ( 21.Bb6 Qd7 22.Qd3 {is more solid but slow too.} ) 21...Bxh4 22.c5 $1 {It is all about the speed of these pawns. As Anand mentioned in the brief post-game interview, Black will always have some counterplay left on the kingside (due to the open position of the white king).} 22...Rcd8 ( {Black's position collapses in case of:} 22...dxc5 23.d6 Qd7 24.Qd5+ Kh8 25.fxe5 ) 23.c6 Qf7 ( {If:} 23...bxc6 24.Bb6 Qf7 25.Bxd8 Bxd8 26.dxc6 {wins for White.} ) 24.Ra4 {Another typical but nice maneuver. The rook is helping with the defense of the kingside, but it is also ready for the attack of the b7-pawn.} ( {In the line:} 24.fxe5 Rxe5 25.Qd4 Bf6 26.Qb6 {White does not have enough defenders left on the kingside.} ) 24...exf4 ( {If:} 24...Bf6 25.fxe5 Bxe5 26.Bb6 {White need not worry about the possible Be5-f4 or Qf7-f4 ideas.} ) 25.Rxf4 Bf6 26.Rb4 Re7 ( {Any time Black captures on c6:} 26...bxc6 27.dxc6 {he has additional problems to solve, like the weakening of the a2-g8 diagonal:} 27...Ng5 $2 28.Bxg5 Bxg5 29.f4 Bf6 30.Bd5 ) 27.Qc2 {Anand felt that this was the winning maneuver. White finally makes it to the b7-pawn.} 27...Bg5 28.Bxg5 Nxg5 {Nepomniachtchi is desperately looking for a way to discover the enemy king.} 29.f4 Nh7 30.Qb3 Nf8 ( {The last chance was:} 30...Rb8 {although White is much better with:} 31.Rbc4 ) 31.Rxb7 Rxb7 32.Qxb7 {The queenside battle is over. The only question: Is the black queen powerful enough to arrange a perpetual.} 32...Qxf4 33.Rf1 Qe3+ ( {The checks are over after:} 33...Qd4+ 34.Kh2 Qe5+ 35.Kh1 Qh5+ 36.Kg1 ) 34.Kh1 {Apparently, there is no perpetual, and Anand is winning.} 34...Re8 35.Qf7+ Kh7 36.Qf5+ Ng6 ( {Or:} 36...g6 37.Qf7+ Kh8 38.c7 ) 37.c7 Qc5 38.Be4 Rxe4 39.Qxe4 Qxc7 {Black resigned without waiting for the obvious finish.} ( 39...Qxc7 {If play continued, such as:} 40.Rg1 Qf7 41.b4 ( {or the immediate:} 41.Qxg6+ Qxg6 42.Rxg6 Kxg6 43.b4 Kf6 44.b5 {the a-pawn would achieve promotion.} ) ) 1-0

[Event "Paris Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.07.28"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2819"]
[ECO "B56"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6808596914192"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.g3 {This modest move is very popular in Paris.} 6...Nxd4 7.Qxd4 g6 8.e5 {The only way to try and punish Black for the early capture on d4.} ( {In another recent rapid game Caruana did well after:} 8.Bg5 Bg7 9.Qd2 O-O 10.Bg2 Be6 11.O-O Rc8 12.Rfe1 Qa5 13.Rad1 Rfe8 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nd5 Qxa2 16.Nxf6+ exf6 17.c3 {Movsesian,S (2629)-Caruana,F (2828) chess.com INT 2019.} ) 8...dxe5 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.Bg2 $146 ( {White should not have achieved anything in the predecessor:} 10.Bc4 Bg4 11.O-O Rc8 12.Bb3 Bg7 13.f3 Bd7 14.Re1 e4 ( 14...Bc6 $5 ) ( 14...e6 $5 ) 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.fxe4 Bd4+ 17.Kg2 Ke8 18.c3 Be5 {Aitken,J-Kramer,H Munich 1954.} ) 10...Kc7 11.O-O Be6 ( {Worse is:} 11...Bg7 12.Re1 Ne8 ( 12...Nd7 13.Nd5+ ) 13.Nd5+ Kd7 14.Bd2 {with a strong initiative for White after:} 14...e6 15.Ne3 f5 16.Rad1 Ke7 17.Nc4 e4 18.f3 ) 12.Re1 Nd7 13.Be3 {Preventing the Nc3-b5+ threat.} 13...a6 ( {White's compensation is obvious after:} 13...Bg7 14.Rad1 ( 14.Nb5+ ) 14...Rhc8 15.Nd5+ Kd8 16.Rd2 ) 14.a4 {Vachier-Lagrave follows a clear plan. He first fixes a weakness on b7.} ( {Nothing is achieved after:} 14.Nd5+ Bxd5 15.Bxd5 e6 16.Bg2 Be7 ( {Or even:} 16...Bc5 ) ) 14...Rc8 15.a5 Bg7 16.Ra4 {Then the white pieces are transferred and aimed at the b7-pawn.} 16...Kb8 17.Rb4 Rc7 18.Rd1 Rhc8 ( {White also preserves compensation in case of:} 18...f5 19.Nd5 Bxd5 ( {Not:} 19...Rxc2 $2 20.Nxe7 Rc7 21.Rd6 ) 20.Bxd5 Nf6 21.Bg2 ) 19.Bf1 Ka8 20.Na4 {"Objectively I might not be better, but it is difficult for him to untangle his pieces" (MVL).} 20...f5 ( 20...Rxc2 $2 21.Rxd7 Bxd7 22.Nb6+ {wins for White.} ) 21.c4 e4 22.c5 Ne5 {Caruana decided to part with the exchange in return for piece activity.} ( {It is easier said than done, especially when low on time, but Black could have stayed still with:} 22...Rc6 23.Bg2 Ka7 {For example:} 24.f3 Nf6 25.Nc3 R8c7 {With the idea:} 26.fxe4 fxe4 27.Nxe4 Nd5 ) 23.Nb6+ Kb8 24.Nxc8 Kxc8 25.Rb6 Bd7 26.b4 Ba4 27.Rb1 Nd3 28.Be2 Bc6 {The critical moment of the game.} ( {The French GM believed it was close to a draw after:} 28...Bc3 {followed by Ba4-c2, although} 29.f3 Bc2 30.Rf1 exf3 31.Bxf3 {seems better for White.} ) 29.f3 {Now "White is much better" (MVL).} 29...Ne5 30.fxe4 Bxe4 31.Rd1 Bc6 {One more inaccuracy.} ( {Perhaps Caruana should have tried to defend the position after:} 31...Rd7 32.Rxd7 Nxd7 33.Re6 Bf6 34.b5 Bd5 35.bxa6 $1 Kb8 ( {Not:} 35...Bxe6 $2 36.a7 {promoting.} ) 36.Rxf6 Nxf6 {Still, the bishop pair promises White significantly better chances.} ) 32.Bf4 Bf6 33.h4 ( {Also good is:} 33.Kf2 g5 34.Bxe5 Bxe5 35.Bf3 ) 33...Rd7 34.Rxd7 Kxd7 35.b5 axb5 36.Bxb5 Bxb5 37.Rxb5 Kc8 ( {If} 37...Kc6 38.Rb6+ Kxc5 39.Rxb7 ) 38.Bxe5 Bxe5 39.c6 $1 {Consistently clearing the path for the monster.} 39...Bd4+ 40.Kg2 bxc6 41.Rb1 h6 ( {More resilient is:} 41...Kc7 42.a6 Bb6 {When White should do some brick-walling to bring the rook in:} 43.Kf3 e5 44.g4 $1 h5 45.gxf5 gxf5 46.Rb2 c5 47.Rg2 {and wins.} ) 42.a6 e5 43.Rb7 h5 44.Rg7 Kb8 45.Rxg6 c5 46.Kf3 c4 47.Ke2 e4 48.Rg5 Be5 49.g4 $1 {A nice breakthrough to finish the game.} ( {The prosaic:} 49.Rxf5 Bxg3 50.Rxh5 c3 51.Rh8+ Ka7 52.h5 {would win as well.} ) 49...hxg4 50.Rxf5 {Black's passers are impressive but useless.} 50...Bd4 51.Rg5 c3 52.Rxg4 Bf6 53.Rxe4 1-0

[Event "Paris Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.07.29"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2819"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7632160829504"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O a6 7.a4 Ba7 8.Re1 O-O 9.h3 Be6 ( {To a quick draw led:} 9...Kh8 10.b4 Ng8 11.Bg5 f6 12.Be3 Bxe3 13.Rxe3 f5 14.Nbd2 Nf6 15.b5 axb5 16.axb5 Rxa1 17.Qxa1 {\BD-\BD (17) Karjakin,S (2748) -So,W (2763) Riga 2019} ) 10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.b4 {A fashionable line at the top level these days. It seems as Black should have rich counterplay along the semi-open f-file but things are not as simple.} 11...Nh5 12.Ra2 Qe8 $146 ( {Anther short draw was seen in the predecessor:} 12...Qf6 13.Na3 Ne7 14.Bg5 Qf7 15.Be3 Nf4 16.Kh2 Qg6 17.Nh4 Qh6 18.Nf3 Qg6 19.Nh4 Qh6 20.Nf3 Qg6 {1/2-1/2 (20) Vachier Lagrave,M (2779)-Ding,L (2805) Stavanger 2019} ) 13.Na3 Nf4 14.Bxf4 Rxf4 ( {Black needs to avoid the locking of his bishop possible after:} 14...exf4 $6 15.d4 ) 15.Nc4 Qg6 16.b5 Raf8 $1 {Just in time to transfer the rook to the correct side of the board and avoid the consequences of the pin along the a-file.} ( {Bad was:} 16...axb5 17.axb5 Ne7 {due to} 18.b6 $1 {when Black's center collapses:} 18...cxb6 19.Nxd6 ) 17.Ncd2 ( {There is no time for:} 17.bxc6 Rxf3 18.cxb7 Bxf2+ 19.Rxf2 Rxf2 {because of} 20.b8=Q $4 Qxg2# ) 17...Ne7 18.d4 {Once again hoping to lock the bishop.} 18...Qf6 {To which Grischuk strongly disagrees.} ( {The computer suggests the counter-intuitive way of counterplay with:} 18...exd4 19.cxd4 c5 ) 19.dxe5 dxe5 20.bxa6 bxa6 21.Qe2 {Finally, Caruana could not solve the problem of the a7-g1 diagonal, but at least created some weaknesses to work on. Strategically, White should have the advantage because of the crippled black pawn structure but the continuous delicacy of the white king's position makes the game roughly balanced.} 21...a5 22.Rf1 {The weak point on f2 needs overprotection.} ( {One example being the line:} 22.Nc4 Ng6 23.Nxa5 $2 ( {Better is:} 23.Rd1 {But then Black also retains enough counterplay with:} 23...Nh4 24.Ncxe5 Nxf3+ 25.Nxf3 Qg6 ( {Or} 25...Qxc3 ) ) 23...Nh4 24.Nxh4 Rxf2 {when Black wins.} ) 22...g5 23.Nc4 Ng6 24.Nh2 ( {If:} 24.Rb2 {then Black opens the game with:} 24...g4 25.hxg4 Rxg4 {and has dangerous threats.} ) 24...Qg7 25.Qd3 ( {Not} 25.Nxa5 $2 Rxf2 ) 25...Nh4 $6 ( {Objectively better seems:} 25...h5 {when Back needs not to worrry about:} 26.Nxa5 {as his kingside attack runs smoothly with:} 26...Qf6 27.Qe2 g4 28.hxg4 $6 Qh4 $1 29.gxh5 Bxf2+ 30.Rxf2 Rxf2 31.Qxf2 Rxf2 32.Rxf2 Qxh5 ) 26.Ng4 {Caruana is fixated to his plan and misses a good opportunity.} ( {He could have finally taken the pawn:} 26.Nxa5 $1 {The pawn itself however is not as important, the best thing about this capture is that White gets a chance to kick the bishop away from the diagonal in the line:} 26...h5 27.Nc6 Bc5 28.Qc4 {with advantage for White.} ) 26...h5 {Now White also wins a pawn, but the bishop remains on the diagonal and Grischuk is in time to open the kingside.} 27.Ngxe5 g4 28.hxg4 hxg4 {This pawn wants to go even further.} 29.Qg3 Qg5 30.Re2 ( {After:} 30.Nc6 Bc5 31.N4xa5 Nxg2 $1 {Black crashes through:} 32.Qxg2 ( {Or} 32.Kxg2 Rf3 33.Qxc7 Qh4 ) 32...g3 ) 30...Kg7 31.Nd3 {The game remains extremely sharp and any inaccuracy can be the last one. Needless to say, both players were very short of time already here.} 31...R4f6 {Grischuk commits the first inaccuracy, which led him... straight to the victory.} ( {Objectively best was:} 31...Rf3 $1 32.gxf3 Nxf3+ 33.Kg2 Nh4+ {when if White wants to avoid the repetition of moves, he needs to risk with:} 34.Kh1 ( 34.Kg1 Nf3+ {is a perpetual.} ) 34...Rf3 35.Qxc7+ Kh6 36.Qg3 Rxg3 37.fxg3 Nf3 {and having the queen here might be more benefitial due to the weak white king.} ) 32.Qxc7+ {The obvious capture is not the best!} ( {Correct was:} 32.Rb1 $1 {One idea is to attack along the seventh rank in the line:} 32...Ng6 ( {The other idea is to attack along the fifth rank in case of:} 32...R8f7 33.Rb5 $1 ) 33.Rb7 {Then White does not need to worry about:} 33...Rxf2 34.Rxf2 Bxf2+ 35.Nxf2 Qc1+ 36.Kh2 Qh6+ ( {Or} 36...Rh8+ 37.Nh3 gxh3 38.Qxc7+ Kh6 39.Qg7+ Kg5 40.Rb5+ e5 41.Rxe5+ ) 37.Nh3 gxh3 38.Rxc7+ {and in both cases White is in time and has a significant advantage.} ) ( 32.Rb2 $1 {would have done the same good job for White too.} ) 32...R8f7 33.Qe5 {One more obvious move and this time it is a lethal mistake.} ( {The only move was:} 33.Qg3 $1 Kg8 ( {Or:} 33...Rh6 34.Nde5 {when White manages to swap the queens of before he gets checkmated:} 34...Qh5 35.Qxg4+ ) 34.Nde5 Rg7 35.Rd1 {when it is still anyone's game.} ) 33...Qh6 $3 {That is the thing. The queen is better placed along the h-file. Grischuk is mating now.} ( {Therefore he rejected the beautiful draw in the line:} 33...Nf3+ $5 34.gxf3 Qh4 35.Qh2 Qxh2+ 36.Kxh2 Rh6+ 37.Kg3 gxf3 38.Rb2 Rg6+ {with perpetual check.} ) 34.Qg3 Kh8 $1 {The king should be away from the g-file.} ( {In the line:} 34...Kg8 35.Rb1 Nf3+ 36.gxf3 {there is no pawn capture on f3 due to the pin and White saves himself after:} 36...Rxf3 37.Qg2 Rxd3 38.Ne5 ) 35.Rb2 Nf3+ $1 {Now it is a forced win after:} 36.gxf3 gxf3 37.Rfb1 Rg7 38.Qxg7+ Qxg7+ 39.Kf1 Rh6 40.Ke1 Qxc3+ ( 40...Qxc3+ 41.Kd1 Rh1+ 42.Ne1 Rxe1# ) 0-1

[Event "Paris Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.07.31"]
[Round "16.2"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[ECO "A45"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8109321914893"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 e6 3.e4 h6 4.Bxf6 Qxf6 5.c3 d5 6.Bd3 ( {Mamedyarov managed to grind down Caruana in a recent game:} 6.Qe2 dxe4 7.Qxe4 Bd6 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Bd3 g6 10.Nbd2 Nd7 11.Nc4 Qe7 12.O-O-O {Mamedyarov,S (2774)-Caruana,F (2819) Stavanger 2019} ) 6...c5 7.Nf3 cxd4 8.cxd4 dxe4 9.Bxe4 Be7 $146 {A solid developing move. The position is very much like a French Rubinstein variation.} ( {A predecessor saw instead a crazy tactical game after:} 9...Bd6 10.Nc3 O-O 11.O-O Na6 12.Qe2 g6 13.Nb5 Qe7 14.Nxd6 Qxd6 15.Rac1 Nb4 16.Rc5 b6 17.Qd2 bxc5 18.Qxh6 Qd7 19.Bxa8 Ba6 20.Re1 Rxa8 21.Ng5 f6 22.Qxg6+ Qg7 23.Qxg7+ Kxg7 24.Nxe6+ Kf7 25.Nxc5 {Hakobyan, A (2422)-Babujian,L (2434) Yerevan 2017} ) 10.Nc3 O-O 11.O-O Nc6 12.Bxc6 {Now we are in Panov-Attack Caro-Kann waters. This idea has been used by the 12th world champion Anatoly Karpov before. As long as White manages to keep the light-squared bishop locked, he should not worry it. The problem is that his opponent is often determined to get rid of the pawn, even for free.} 12...bxc6 13.Rc1 Qf5 14.Re1 ( {More accurate seems:} 14.Na4 Rd8 15.Nc5 ) 14...Rd8 ( {Nakamura could have also sacrificed a pawn with:} 14...Bb7 15.Ne4 ( {White cannot keep the pawn in the line:} 15.Na4 c5 16.dxc5 Rfd8 17.Qc2 Qxc2 18.Rxc2 Bc6 19.b3 Rac8 20.Rec1 Bxa4 21.bxa4 Rxc5 ) 15...c5 16.Nxc5 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 Qxf3 18.gxf3 Rfd8 {But there is no need for such decisions yet.} ) 15.Re5 ( {Here White could have also played:} 15.Na4 Rb8 {when Black needs not to worry about:} 16.Rxc6 {As:} 16...Bb7 {provides Black a lot of initiative, for example:} 17.Ne5 $6 Bb4 $1 18.Rf1 ( {Also bad is:} 18.Re2 Rxd4 $1 ) 18...Qxe5 $1 {and Black wins.} ) 15...Qg6 16.Qe2 ( {Here:} 16.Re3 {was almost a must. Duda needed to stop the light-squared bishop from entering the game.} 16...Bb7 17.Ne5 ) 16...Bf6 17.Re4 {Missing his last chance.} ( {True, this time he needed to sacrifice material in order to keep the situation under control with:} 17.Ne4 $1 Bxe5 18.Nxe5 Qf5 19.Qe3 {Then on his turn Black can give back part of it, and open up the bishop with:} 19...c5 20.Nxc5 f6 21.Nc6 Re8 {with an unclear game.} ) 17...Bb7 {Now c6-c5 is unstoppable.} 18.Rf4 ( {White cannot profit from the seemingly awkward position of the black queen with:} 18.Ne5 Qf5 19.g4 Qg5 20.f4 Qh4 {The queen always has enough room.} ) 18...c5 $1 {Once that the second bishop is open, Nakamura will have a strong initiative.} 19.dxc5 Rac8 20.Na4 e5 {This pawn is moving with tempo.} 21.Rb4 Bc6 {And there are also problems with the loose white pieces.} 22.Nc3 a5 23.Rc4 e4 {Not bad. Black wins the exchange.} ( {However, even stronger was the spectacular:} 23...Rd4 $1 24.Rxd4 exd4 25.Nb1 d3 26.Qd1 Re8 {with a huge attack.} ) ( {Or the other spectacular move:} 23...Rd2 $5 24.Qxd2 Bxf3 25.g3 Bg5 26.Qe1 Bxc1 27.Qxc1 Rd8 {with plenty of threats on the light squares as compensation for the pawn.} ) 24.Nxe4 Bb5 25.g3 {Apparently relaxed that the light-squared bishop will leave the board soon Duda commits some kingside weaknesses.} ( {Better was:} 25.h3 {when the line which Nakamura used in the game no longer works:} 25...Re8 26.b3 Rxc5 27.Nxf6+ Qxf6 28.Qxe8+ Bxe8 29.Rxc5 {The knight on f3 is protected.} ) 25...Re8 $1 {Creates a second pin. Such play is deadly in blitz. There are so many threats lurking all around the board, and there is no time on the clock!} ( {After:} 25...Be7 26.Qc2 Bxc4 27.Qxc4 Qf5 28.Kg2 Rb8 {White would have consolidated.} ) 26.b3 ( {If} 26.Qd3 Bxb2 ) 26...Rxc5 {The point behind Nakamura's previous move. Duda now commits the decisive mistake:} 27.Nxf6+ $2 ( {Another try would be:} 27.Re1 {Which would work in case of:} 27...Bxc4 $2 ( {However, the cool} 27...Bc3 $3 {keeps things under control for the second player.} ) 28.Nxf6+ ) ( {Therefore, the last chance was:} 27.Qd2 Rxc4 28.Nxf6+ Qxf6 29.bxc4 Bc6 30.Ne1 Qe6 {although here too, White is in a lot of trouble. His king is permenantly weak, whereas the passed pawn goes nowhere.} ) 27...Qxf6 28.Qxe8+ Bxe8 29.Rxc5 Qxf3 {White must have overlookd that his opponent can defend the bishop against the alternative pin:} 30.Rc8 Qe2 ( {Nothing changes:} 30...Qe4 31.R1c3 Kh7 32.Re3 Qb1+ 33.Kg2 Bb5 ) 31.R1c3 Kh7 32.Re3 Qd1+ 33.Kg2 Qd5+ 34.Kg1 {Without waiting for the obvious bishop move, Duda resigned.} 0-1

[Event "Sparkassen Chess Meeting"]
[Site "Dortmund, Germany"]
[Date "2019.07.16"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[Beauty "8246874101278"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.Bd3 ( {A typical French position arose in another top game recently:} 5.Nf3 Bxc5 6.Bd3 Ne7 7.O-O Nbc6 8.Nbd2 Ng6 9.Nb3 Bb6 10.Re1 {Yu,Y (2738)-Mamedyarov,S (2774) Stavanger 2019} ) 5...Bxc5 6.Qg4 Ne7 7.b4 h5 $146 {A novely, which intends to spoil the optimal set-up of the white pieces with a queen on g3 and a bishop opened to attack on the c1-h6 diagonal.} ( {Nepomniachtchi was watching the predecessor just some meters away:} 7...Bb6 8.Nf3 a5 9.b5 Ng6 10.h4 f5 11.Qg3 O-O 12.h5 Nh8 13.Bh6 {and the Russian GM eventualy won in Vitiugov,N (2726)-O'Donnell,C (2360) Batumi 2018} ) 8.Qf4 Bb6 {Once more, from the Caro-Kann both players emerged a position typical for the French defense.} 9.Nf3 Nbc6 10.Nbd2 {If White manages to consolidate and establish firm control of the d4 and e5 squares he will be clearly better. Therefore Nepomniachtchi hurries with his counterplay.} ( {Another way to play it was:} 10.O-O a5 11.b5 Nb4 12.Nc3 ) 10...a5 11.b5 Nb4 12.Ba3 {In return Dominguez seizes control of the beautiful a3-f8 diagonal. Black's castling became close to impossible with the advance of the h-pawn, but the king would not be safe in the middle neither.} 12...Nxd3+ 13.cxd3 Bd7 14.Qa4 Nf5 $6 ( 14...Rc8 $5 {might have been more ccurate with the idea to meet:} 15.Ke2 {With:} ( {Black is also ready for the opponent's castling:} 15.O-O Nf5 {followed by g7-g5 is his plan.} ) 15...g5 16.Rac1 Ng6 $1 ) 15.Rc1 g5 ( {Again:} 15...Rc8 {seems more accurate, trying to safe the tempo for g7-g5 in the lines:} 16.O-O ( {Or} 16.Ke2 Rxc1 17.Rxc1 Qb8 ) 16...g5 17.Rxc8 Qxc8 18.Rc1 Qb8 {in both cases with sufficient counter-play for Black.} ) 16.h3 Rc8 17.Rxc8 Qxc8 18.Ke2 $3 {This was why Dominguez postponed the castling. The rook on h1 is preventing any play related to the g5-g4 break, while it is ready to shift to the queenside at once. Black might still be OK, but the correct path became very narrow and he erred at once.} 18...Qb8 $2 {In the search of counterplay Nepomniachtchi sends the queen on a seemingly better working place. Unfortunately for him his threats are not as strong as he thought.} ( {Instead the Russian GM could have still generated enough play with another idea:} 18...Qd8 $3 19.Nb3 Rg8 {With the point that:} 20.Rc1 {is met with:} ( {Therefore White should opt for:} 20.g4 Nh4 21.Bc5 {but then Black has enough attacking objects after:} 21...Bc7 ) 20...g4 21.hxg4 Rxg4 {which suddenly embarrass the queen.} ) 19.Nb3 Qa7 {The queen switches on the attack of the f2 pawn.} ( {Since:} 19...Bc7 20.Nc5 Bxe5 {Is refuted by:} 21.Nxd7 Kxd7 22.b6+ Kd8 23.Nxg5 {with winning attack.} ) 20.Rc1 g4 {A desperate try.} ( {It was perhaps here that Nepomniachtchi discovered the nasty refutation of his idea:} 20...Bxf2 21.Rc8+ $3 {And the b-pawn suddenly queens in the line:} 21...Bxc8 22.b6+ Bd7 23.bxa7 Bxa4 24.a8=Q+ ) 21.hxg4 hxg4 22.Qxg4 Bxf2 23.Nc5 $1 {Brilliant play. The black pieces remain discoordinated and it is quickly curtains after:} 23...Bg3 24.Rh1 $1 Rf8 ( {Or} 24...Rxh1 25.Qg8+ Ke7 26.Nxb7+ ) 25.Rh5 {There are too many threats, Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.14"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[ECO "E32"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7426560230454"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 {A must-win situation for Yu. He needs to choose as complex lines as possible.} 4...O-O 5.e4 d5 6.e5 Ne4 7.a3 ( {The two players recently discussed another version of this line:} 7.Bd3 c5 8.Nf3 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Nd7 10.Bf4 Qh4 11.g3 Qh5 {Yu,Y (2738)-Aronian,L (2752) Stavanger 2019} ) 7...Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 c5 9.Bb2 ( {Another recent top GM-encounter went} 9.Bd3 Qa5 10.Ne2 cxd4 11.cxd5 exd5 12.f3 Nxc3 13.Nxd4 Ne4+ 14.Ke2 {with super-sharp play. The problem with this approach however is that the forcing lines are usually polished by the strong computers until complete dryness. Therefore, an eventual draw did not surprise much after} 14...f5 15.e6 Nc6 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.e7 {Wang,H (2737)-Wei,Y (2741) Danzhou 2019} ) 9...Nc6 10.Bd3 f5 11.Ne2 $146 {A novelty. White continues completing his development, but at the expense of a pawn.} ( {A predecessor saw White winning after:} 11.exf6 Nxf6 12.Nf3 b6 13.O-O Ba6 14.Ng5 dxc4 15.Bxh7+ Kh8 16.Nxe6 {but one must be too naive to expect Aronian to follow this line, Schlick,S (2017)-Struck,L (1770) Willingen 2019} ) 11...dxc4 12.Bxe4 fxe4 13.O-O ( {Black has no problems after:} 13.Qxe4 Qd5 14.Qxd5 exd5 15.f3 Bf5 ) 13...b5 {Aronian decided to give back the pawn at once.} ( {The other way to play was connected with the move} 13...Qd5 {For example:} 14.Rad1 cxd4 15.cxd4 b5 ) 14.Qxe4 Bb7 ( {Here} 14...Qd5 {does not force the queen swap and only helps the first player:} 15.Qg4 ) 15.Qg4 Qd5 16.f3 a5 $1 {An excellent idea to generate queenside play, even at expense of some material.} ( {There was also the idea of blocking the position with} 16...cxd4 17.cxd4 Qd7 18.Ng3 ( 18.Nf4 Nxd4 ) 18...Ne7 {which also seems fine for Black.} ) 17.Nf4 Rxf4 $1 {The point behind Aronian's play. There are so many similarities of this sacrifice to the one that Aronian's great compatriot Petrosian used in his game against Reshevsky in Zurich 1953. Again we have a blockade, again the rook is sacrificed for an anti-blocker, and once more there is a poor bishop on b2.} 18.Qxf4 cxd4 19.cxd4 b4 20.axb4 axb4 21.Rxa8+ Bxa8 22.Rc1 {A sad necessity. Yu needs to part with his light piece.} ( {The rook achieves next to nothing on the open file:} 22.Ra1 Bb7 ) 22...Bb7 {Black knows that his opponent has no way of saving the bishop and improves the position of his own.} ( {There was nothing wrong with the immediate:} 22...c3 23.Bxc3 ( 23.Ba1 $2 Nxd4 ) 23...bxc3 24.Rxc3 Bb7 ) 23.Kf2 c3 24.Bxc3 $1 {The only move. Otherwise d4 drops and the position collapses.} 24...bxc3 25.Rxc3 h6 {The end of the positional combination that Aronian started on move sixteen. He is out of danger, but Yu keeps posing problems to his opponent.} 26.h4 Ba6 {Active play. Black hopes to use the bishop in the attack against the white king, but the bishop was close to perfect where it stood and this was not needed.} ( {One plan was to pressurize the white pieces with constant threats:} 26...Qa2+ 27.Kg3 Qb2 28.Rc4 Ne7 29.Rc7 Nf5+ 30.Kh2 Qb6 {thus not letting them unite their efforts.} ) ( {The endgame should be defendable as well:} 26...Qxd4+ 27.Qxd4 Nxd4 ) ( {And even the computer suggestion} 26...Nxd4 27.Rd3 Qa2+ 28.Rd2 Nc2 {is OK for Black, although no human being (hopefully) would like to self-pin like this, especially in a blitz game.} ) 27.Ra3 Qb5 28.Kg3 {Moving the king away from the annoying checks.} 28...Ne7 29.Kh2 Qb6 ( 29...Bb7 $5 ) 30.h5 Bb7 31.Rd3 Bd5 {Black is rock solid. Yu tries to activate his rook.} 32.Rc3 {And this suddenly works as Aronian does not like to defend passively.} 32...Nf5 $6 ( {He would have been safe had he had taken control of the back ranks. Say:} 32...Qb8 33.Qc1 {Now} 33...Qe8 $1 {weakens White's back rank and he has to think twice when attacking:} 34.g4 Nc6 35.Qd2 Qb8 {For example:} 36.f4 {leads to trouble after:} 36...Qb1 $1 ) 33.Rc8+ Kh7 34.Qg4 {The major pieces got into contact and the mating threats are looming.} 34...Ne7 35.Re8 $1 {A semi-attacking, semi-waiting move which allowed Aronian another chance to play actively.} ( {After the immediate} 35.Rf8 {there was} 35...Qc6 $1 36.Rf7 Nf5 37.Qg6+ Kg8 38.Ra7 ( {The important point in this line is that White cannot win with} 38.g4 {due to} 38...Qc4 ( {Or} 38...Qc2+ $1 ) 39.gxf5 Qe2+ 40.Kg3 Qxf3+ {when his pieces cooperate well to force a perpetual.} ) 38...Qc1 {with counter-threats of perpetual.} ( 38...Qc8 {should suffice too.} ) ) 35...Qc7 36.Rf8 Qc1 37.Re8 Qc7 38.Qg3 $1 {One more nasty move, especially in time trouble. It seems as Black is in zugzwang.} 38...Bb3 $2 {True to himself, Aronian makes an active move and loses control of the long diagonal. This time it is fatal.} ( {The computer suggestion} 38...g5 $3 39.hxg6+ Nxg6 {should solve the mating-net problems for Black.} ) ( {But there was also the human way of defending it:} 38...Qa7 $1 39.Qg4 ( {The queen on a7 is placed well enough in the line} 39.Rf8 Qxd4 40.Rf7 Nf5 41.Qg6+ Kg8 42.Rc7 Qh4+ {with perpetual.} ) 39...Qc7 ) 39.Rf8 $1 {Now the attack is decisive.} 39...Qc1 ( {As usual Black needs to defend the g6 square:} 39...Nf5 40.Qg6# ) ( {The damage that the bishop move caused Black is revealed in the line:} 39...Qc3 40.Rf7 Nf5 41.Qg6+ Kg8 42.Rd7 Qc8 43.Qf7+ Kh8 44.g4 $1 {There is no more perpetual after} 44...Qc2+ 45.Kh3 ) 40.Rf7 Nf5 41.Qg6+ Kg8 42.Rb7 {One more problem with the bishop: it allows a double attack.} 42...Qf4+ 43.g3 Qd2+ ( {Black is naturally lost after} 43...Qxg3+ 44.Qxg3 Nxg3 45.Kxg3 ) 44.Kh3 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.17"]
[Round "12.3"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[Beauty "6258438445576"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 O-O 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Be2 dxc4 8.O-O a6 ( {Yu refrains from the line:} 8...c5 9.dxc5 Nxc5 10.Bxc4 b6 11.Qc2 Bb7 12.Rfd1 Qc8 13.Nb5 a6 14.Nd6 Bxd6 15.Bxd6 {which brings White good memories from the game Grischuk,A (2771)-Topalov,V (2740) Shamkir 2019} ) 9.a4 c5 10.d5 exd5 11.Nxd5 Nxd5 12.Qxd5 Nf6 13.Qxd8 Rxd8 {[#]} 14.Bc7 $1 $146 {An important novelty which spoils Black's coordination.} ( {White did not get much from the predecessor:} 14.Bxc4 Nd5 15.Be5 Be6 16.Rfc1 f6 17.Bg3 Kf7 {Pashikian,A (2618)-Kanmazalp,O (2389) Plovdiv 2012} ) 14...Re8 ( {After} 14...Rd7 15.Ba5 {Black has difficulties with the development of his queenside.} ) 15.Bxc4 {The difference in comparison to the game Pashikian-Kanmazalp becomes obvious- Black cannot use the d5 square for his knight.} 15...Bg4 {There are not too many squares left for his bishop.} ( {If} 15...Bf8 $2 {with the idea Bc8-e6, then} 16.Ng5 {is awkward.} ) ( {White is clearly better after:} 15...Bf5 $6 16.Ne5 Rf8 17.Rfd1 Rac8 18.Bb6 ) 16.h3 Rac8 ( {No strong player will part with his bishop pair volunteerily:} 16...Bxf3 $6 17.gxf3 Rac8 18.Ba5 ) 17.Bf4 Be6 {Finally, Yu decided that the weakening of his pawn structure is the lesser evil for him.} ( 17...Bf5 {would be met with:} 18.Ne5 {Which would also force a concession.} ) ( {And:} 17...Bh5 18.Rfd1 Red8 19.g4 Bg6 20.Ne5 {is not picknick for Black neither.} ) 18.Bxe6 fxe6 19.a5 $1 {It is important to separate the Black pawn majority. Grischuk achieved comfortable advantage, slight but without any risk. A dream position for a rapid game.} 19...Nd5 20.Be5 Red8 21.Rfc1 Nb4 22.Kf1 {After the centralization Wihte will maneuver his knight to either c4 or e4 squares. This position is very much alike to the fifth game of the Petrosian-Botvinnik 1963 match and Grischuk did not have to invent anything new. Just follow Petrosian's lead!} 22...Nd3 23.Rc2 c4 ( {Not much is changed with:} 23...Rd5 24.Bc3 c4 25.Nd2 ) ( {Whereas:} 23...Nxe5 24.Nxe5 Bf6 25.Nc4 {would lead to a position reminiscent of the rapid game Grischuk-So from the last Grand Prix in Moscow.} ) 24.Ke2 Nb4 25.Rd2 Rd5 $6 ( {Better was:} 25...Nd3 {although White obviously would not have repeated moves and would have kept on grinding with:} 26.Bc3 ) 26.Bc3 Nd3 27.b3 $1 {The centralized White army can start a fight on the queenside as well. It is good to have the king close to the battlefield!!} 27...Bb4 ( {A better chance was:} 27...Nb4 28.Bxb4 Bxb4 29.bxc4 Rxc4 30.Rxd5 exd5 31.Kd3 {although White preserves stable advantage here too.} ) 28.Bxb4 Nxb4 29.bxc4 Rxc4 30.Ra4 $1 {With the threat of a rook swap followed by Nf3-d2. The pin is far nastier than it seems.} 30...Rdc5 {A blunder.} ( {However, even after the best defense:} 30...Rb5 31.Nd4 Re5 32.Kf3 ( 32.Rb2 Rxd4 ) 32...g6 33.Rb2 Nd3 34.Rxc4 Nxb2 35.Rb4 Nd3 36.Rxb7 Rxa5 37.Nxe6 {White would be up a pawn.} ) 31.Rd8+ Kf7 32.Nd2 Nc6 ( {Or} 32...Rh4 33.Rd7+ Ke8 34.Rxb7 ) 33.Rxc4 Rxc4 34.Rd7+ $1 {An important in-between move.} ( 34.Nxc4 Nxd8 ) 34...Ke8 35.Rxb7 Ra4 36.Rxg7 {Grischuk not only won material, but he managed to keep the activity of his pieces.} 36...h5 37.Rg5 {The simplest.} ( {Also good was:} 37.Nb3 Ra3 38.Nc5 ) 37...Rxa5 38.Rxa5 Nxa5 39.Ne4 {The knight endgame is won for White. Grischuk calmly finishes the game.} 39...Nb7 40.Nf6+ Ke7 41.Nxh5 a5 42.Nf4 a4 43.Kd2 a3 44.Kc2 Nc5 45.f3 Kf7 46.Kb1 e5 47.Ne2 Nd3 48.g3 ( {Not:} 48.Ka2 Ne1 ) 48...Nb4 49.Nc3 Kg6 50.h4 Kh5 51.e4 Nc6 52.Nd5 Nd4 53.f4 exf4 54.Nxf4+ Kg4 55.h5 Kg5 56.e5 Nf5 57.e6 Ng7 58.Ka2 Nf5 ( {Or} 58...Nxe6 59.Nxe6+ Kxh5 60.Nf4+ Kg4 61.Ne2 ) 59.Kxa3 Kf6 60.g4 Ne3 61.h6 Nxg4 62.e7 $1 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.18"]
[Round "19.1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8110240434220"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Ne5 Nc6 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.Na3 Bxa3 10.bxa3 Ba6 11.Qd2 ( {Another top game went:} 11.Qa4 Bb5 12.Qc2 Qxd4 13.Bb2 Qc5 14.Rfd1 Rfd8 15.a4 Ba6 16.Qc3 {Nakamura,H (2777)-So,W (2780) chess.com INT 2018} ) 11...Rb8 12.Qa5 Rb6 13.a4 Qd6 14.a3 $146 {"A good move. At least for one game." (Mamedyarov) The idea is to prevent the d6-b4 maneuver which trades the queens.} ( {In the predecessor White also managed to post some problems for his opponent after:} 14.e4 Qb4 15.Qxb4 Rxb4 16.Ba3 Rxa4 17.Bxf8 Kxf8 18.Rfc1 Ra3 {Lenderman,A (2637) -Safarli,E (2681) chess.com INT 2019} ) 14...Rfb8 {Black believed that this is a mistake and that White should be better after his next obvious move.} 15.e4 c3 {So played the only move that his opponent did not analyze at home but it turned out to be a mistake.} ( {"The first line of the engine runs":} 15...Qd8 16.Rd1 Qc8 17.Bg5 {"but I do not like this position for Black." (Mamedyarov) "It looks very dangerous for him after:"} 17...Rb3 18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.e5 f5 20.Bxc6 {"followed by d4-d5." (Mamedyarov)} ) ( {"The problem with this line is the move: "} 15...Nxe4 $3 16.Bxe4 Qxd4 17.Be3 Qxe4 18.Bxb6 Rxb6 19.Rfe1 {"Now Black has to find (know) the only move that leads to a draw":} 19...Qg6 ( 19...Qf3 $2 {loses to} 20.Rab1 $1 ) ( 19...Qd5 $4 {is game over after} 20.Rad1 Qxa5 21.Rd8# ) 20.Qe5 Rb7 21.Qa5 Rb6 22.Qe5 {with a draw. All lines provided by Mamedyarov.} ) 16.e5 Qd8 ( {Against:} 16...Qxd4 {White planned at least:} 17.Be3 Qd3 18.exf6 Rb1 ( 18...c2 19.Rfc1 Rb1 20.Qg5 {also wins for White.} ) 19.Raxb1 ( 19.Qg5 {is even easier.} ) 19...Rxb1 20.Qxa6 $1 Qxa6 21.Rxb1 {with won position.} ) 17.exf6 Bxf1 18.Bxf1 c2 ( 18...Qxd4 19.Be3 Qxf6 20.Qxa7 {would not save Black neither.} ) 19.Ra2 $1 {Missed by the American GM.} ( {Instead:} 19.Qg5 Qxf6 20.Qxf6 gxf6 21.Ra2 Rb1 22.Rxc2 Ra1 23.Rb2 Rxb2 24.Bxb2 Ra2 25.Bc1 Ra1 {is not clear at all.} ) 19...Qd5 ( 19...Qxf6 20.Rxc2 Qxd4 21.Be3 ) 20.Qxd5 cxd5 21.Rxc2 {In comparison from the line from above White kept the active rook alive and this is enough for the win.} 21...gxf6 22.Rxc7 R8b7 23.Rc5 $1 {It is important not to swap the rooks off as the white one cements the position.} 23...Kg7 24.Kg2 Rb1 {Next Mamedyarov consolidated his material advantage and won:} 25.Bb5 Ra1 26.Rc3 Rb6 27.Bf4 Rb7 28.Kf3 $1 {Intending Kf3-g4-h5 with mating threats.} 28...Rd1 29.Be3 Rb1 30.Kg4 Rh1 31.h4 Kg6 32.Bd3+ f5+ ( {Or:} 32...Kg7 33.Kh5 $1 ) 33.Kf3 Rd1 34.g4 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.22"]
[Round "28.1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "D85"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8250900616727"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Qa4+ Qd7 ( {Recently Black did spectacularly well in the following game:} 7...Nd7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Be2 e5 10.Ba3 Re8 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Rd1 Bd7 13.Qb3 Nxf3+ 14.gxf3 Qc8 {Vidit,S (2711)-Shankland,S (2731) Prague 2019} ) 8.Qa3 b6 9.Nf3 Bb7 10.Bd3 O-O 11.O-O c5 12.Bf4 $146 {"My seconds offered me this move." (Mamedyarov)} ( {Mamedyarov deviates from a game of his opponent:} 12.Rd1 cxd4 13.cxd4 Nc6 14.Bb2 e6 15.Rac1 Na5 16.Ne5 Qd8 17.Bc3 Re8 18.Bb5 Re7 19.Bxa5 bxa5 20.Bc6 {where Black also had problems, Bogner,S (2599)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2757) Germany 2015} ) 12...cxd4 13.cxd4 Nc6 {This and the next move by Black were disliked by both players.} ( {White suggested:} 13...e6 {as an alternative.} ) ( {Apparently both players think that White has much better position in case of:} 13...Bxd4 14.Nxd4 ( 14.Rad1 $5 ) 14...Qxd4 15.Qxe7 Qxd3 16.Qxb7 Na6 17.Rad1 ) 14.d5 Na5 {Decentralizing the knight.} ( {But Vachier-Lagrave did not like the position after:} 14...Nd4 15.Nxd4 $1 ( {Mamedyarov added that Black should not be afraid of the line:} 15.Ne5 Qd6 16.Qxd6 exd6 17.Nc4 f5 $1 ) 15...Bxd4 16.Rac1 Rfc8 17.Qb4 {"White is better as Bd3-b5 is coming."(Mamedyarov)} ) 15.Rac1 Rfc8 16.h3 $1 {"A very good move." (Mamedyarov) Black has very few ideas and the Azeri GM waits to see which one will he execute. In the meanwhile he opens air for his king, just in case.} ( {The immediate:} 16.Bd2 {is not as good due to} 16...e6 {(Mamedyarov)} ) 16...e6 {Desperately trying to destroy the center. However, White is in control.} ( {After:} 16...f5 17.Ng5 fxe4 18.Bxe4 {Black weakens his kingside badly and the white knight will land on e6 soon.} ) ( {Also bad for the second player is the line:} 16...Rxc1 17.Rxc1 Rc8 18.Rxc8+ Bxc8 19.Ne5 Qd8 20.Qc1 {when Ne5-c6 will follow soon. (Mamedyarov)} ) 17.d6 f6 18.e5 $1 Bxf3 19.exf6 $1 {Missed by Vachier-Lagrave. "It is probably just lost (now)."} 19...Bxf6 ( {If} 19...Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Bxf6 21.Ba6 Rxc1 22.Rxc1 {followed by Rc1-c7.} ) 20.gxf3 e5 21.Bd2 {White's pawn structure is a mess, but it is much more important that the black pieces cannot coordinate themselves.} 21...Rxc1 ( 21...Nc6 22.Ba6 {(Mamedyarov)} ( 22.Be4 {might be even better.} ) ) ( {White would defend the important central pawn tactically in the line:} 21...Rd8 22.Rfd1 Qxd6 23.Qxd6 Rxd6 24.Bxa5 bxa5 25.Bc4+ ) ( {Whereas the other pawn is not important at all:} 21...Qxh3 22.Be4 Rxc1 23.Rxc1 Rd8 24.Rc7 {since the centralized white army will soon reach the black king.} ) 22.Rxc1 Rc8 23.Rxc8+ Qxc8 24.Kg2 {Solid. There is nothing Black can do against the plan of a bishop maneuver to e4.} 24...Bd8 25.Be4 Qe6 ( {Nothing changes:} 25...Qc4 26.d7 Qf7 27.Bh6 Nc4 28.Qd3 {(Mamedyarov)} ) 26.Qd3 Kg7 27.Bc3 Qf6 28.Kf1 ( 28.Kf1 {And Black resigned as there is no way to stop the queen centralization to d5, say:} 28...Qg5 29.Ke2 ) 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.23"]
[Round "29.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8249558433807"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 {"I did not mind positions that looked slow at first sight." (MVL) The more pieces there are on the board, the more difficult the decision-making is for the side that craves the draw. A similar approach was chosen by Kasparov in the famous last match game against Karpov, Sevilla 1987.} 5...d6 6.O-O h6 7.Re1 O-O 8.h3 a5 9.Nbd2 Be6 10.Bb5 Qb8 11.Nf1 Qa7 12.Be3 ( {A recent game that was annotated for the Chess.com members went much sharper:} 12.d4 exd4 13.Bxc6 dxc3 14.Ba4 Bxf2+ 15.Kh2 d5 16.e5 Ne4 17.Be3 c5 18.Bxf2 Nxf2 19.Qc2 cxb2 20.Rab1 c4 21.Qxb2 Nd3 22.Qc3 Nxe1 23.Rxe1 {eventually the former world champion managed to block the black pawns and was close to the win, but it all ended peacefully in Anand,V (2767)-Ding,L (2805) Stavanger 2019} ) 12...Bxe3 13.Nxe3 {"I had a lot of blitz games in this position against Hikaru [Nakamura]" (MVL)} 13...Ne7 14.a4 Rad8 $146 {A novelty which prepares c7-c6 followed by d6-d5 and basically forces the trade of the second bishop.} ( {White was also a bit better in the predecessor:} 14...Ng6 15.Bc4 Bxc4 16.Nxc4 Rfe8 17.Qb3 Qc5 18.Ne3 Qc6 19.Qb5 Qxb5 20.axb5 Nf4 21.Red1 {Karjakin,S (2753)-Svidler,P (2737) St Petersburg 2018} ) 15.Bc4 Bxc4 16.Nxc4 {As the French GM explained the feeling that Black should be doing perfectly fine is deceptive. The knight on c4 stands very well, whereas if Black tries bringing his one to the alternative c5 square, then the central advance d3-d4 will become unpleasant.} 16...Nd7 {"A very bad move." (Mamedyarov) The knight will not even reach the c5 square.} ( 16...Ng6 17.g3 Rfe8 {seems the right way to play the position. It is somewhat better for White, but not by much.} ) 17.d4 Qa6 ( {After} 17...exd4 {White was planning:} 18.Nxd4 {with the positional threat Nd4-b5.} ) 18.Ne3 {"The (black) queen is completely out of play."(MVL)} 18...Rfe8 19.Qc2 exd4 20.Nxd4 ( {Vachier-Lagrave did not like so much the line:} 20.cxd4 Nf6 {where he cannot take the pawn on c7, whereas Black has ideas of bringing the queen into the game with Qa6-c6, or he may activate the knight along the route e7-c6-b4.} ) 20...c6 {White is making progress and Mamedayrov is looking for a way to clear the center.} 21.Ndf5 Nf6 ( {In the critical line:} 21...Nxf5 22.Nxf5 Nf6 23.Rad1 d5 {White planned:} 24.exd5 Rxe1+ 25.Rxe1 Nxd5 ( {If} 25...cxd5 26.Qb3 {is "horrible version of the Tarrasch French for Black"(MVL), with an active white knight on f5 and many pawn weaknesses.} ) 26.c4 Nf6 27.Qc3 {He calculated a couple of lines, but was certain that he should be winning here. The black queen is excluded from the game.} ) 22.Rad1 Nc8 ( {Black cannot free himself again, this time due to the line:} 22...Nxf5 23.Nxf5 d5 24.e5 ) 23.f3 {"Already I felt kind of winning." (MVL) White's idea is to shift the queen to the kingside and couple it with the glorious knight on f5.} 23...d5 ( {If} 23...Kh7 $2 {to prepare g7-g6, then:} 24.e5 $1 ) 24.Qf2 Re6 {Drops a pawn.} ( {Against} 24...Ne7 {White planned:} 25.e5 Nd7 {and now either:} 26.Nd6 ( {Or} 26.f4 {in both cases with serious advantage.} ) ) 25.Qg3 Ne8 26.exd5 cxd5 27.Nxd5 Kf8 28.Qh4 $1 Rd7 ( {The tactical justification of White's previous move lies in the line:} 28...Rxe1+ 29.Rxe1 Rxd5 30.Rxe8+ Kxe8 31.Qe4+ Qe6 $2 ( {Or} 31...Kf8 32.Qxd5 Qb6+ 33.Kh2 Qxb2 $4 34.Qd8# ) 32.Nxg7+ {(MVL)} ) 29.Nde3 Ncd6 ( {One more point behind the queen move is seen in the line:} 29...Rxd1 30.Rxd1 g6 $2 ( {Whereas after:} 30...Qb6 {White was debating between:} 31.Qf2 {and believed that both moves should lead him to the win.} ( {And:} 31.Qd8 ) ) 31.Qxh6+ {(MVL)} ) 30.Nd4 Re5 31.Ng4 Rd5 32.Ne5 {Once that the knight reaches the center Black's position crumbles.} ( 32.Ne5 {For example:} 32...Rc7 ( 32...Re7 $2 33.Ng6+ ) 33.Qd8 {followed by Ne5-d7+} ) 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.24"]
[Round "35.1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "E12"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "146"]
[Beauty "5635668182534"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.Nf3 Bb7 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.a3 g6 {In a must-win situation Vachier-Lagrave makes an original opening choice.} 6.d5 ( {It is worth mentioning that Mamedyrov has played some excellent games as Black in this line, such as:} 6.Qc2 Bg7 7.e4 O-O 8.Be2 d5 9.cxd5 exd5 10.e5 Ne4 11.Be3 Nd7 12.Rd1 c5 {Dreev,A (2670) -Mamedyarov,S (2817) chess.com INT 2019} ) 6...exd5 7.cxd5 Bg7 8.g3 O-O 9.Bg2 Re8 ( {Black can also undermine the center at once with:} 9...c6 10.O-O cxd5 11.Bg5 Na6 12.Rc1 Nc7 13.Qd2 Ne6 14.Bh6 Bxh6 15.Qxh6 Rc8 {as in Georgiev,K (2636)-Vallejo Pons,F (2706) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013} ) 10.O-O Na6 11.Bf4 $146 ( {In a predecessor Black managed to execute a famous exchange sacrifice after:} 11.Nd4 Nc5 12.Bf4 Nh5 13.Be3 Rxe3 14.fxe3 Qg5 {Paterek,M (2313)-Tkachiev,V (2629) London 2014} ) 11...c6 12.dxc6 dxc6 13.Qxd8 Raxd8 {Black equalizes easily, and thanks to his queenside majority he enjoys a slight pull.} 14.Rfd1 $6 {This, however, is a serious inaccuracy.} ( {The other rook should have gone here:} 14.Rad1 ) 14...Nd5 $1 {An offer to self-isolate a pawn is rare in the middlegame, but here Vachier-Lagrave spotted a concrete problem for White.} 15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.Nd4 Nc5 $1 {That is it. One of the white pawns will be lost anyway, and Black will not allow any compensation.} ( {For example, White has compensation after:} 16...Bxd4 17.Rxd4 Rxe2 18.b4 {thanks to his bishop pair and the poor black knight.} ) 17.Be3 ( {Or} 17.Rab1 Bxd4 18.Rxd4 Rxe2 {White does not have enough for the pawn.} ) 17...Bxd4 18.Bxd4 Nb3 19.Rab1 Nxd4 20.Rxd4 Rxe2 {Vachier-Lagrave wins a pawn, but the win is not yet in sight. If White manages to swap the queenside pawns, he would be able to hold.} 21.Bf3 Rc2 22.Be4 Rc5 23.Rbd1 Kg7 24.R4d3 ( {Perhaps it made sense to force the following endgame:} 24.b4 Rc3 25.a4 Ra3 26.Bxd5 Rxd5 27.Rxd5 Bxd5 28.Rxd5 Rxa4 29.b5 ( {Or} 29.Rd7 Rxb4 ) 29...Ra5 30.Rd7 Rxb5 31.Rxa7 {As explained in many endgame textbooks, the defender should be able to defend with accurate play. However, there is a catch. The stronger side usually poses so many practical problems that he often wins anyway.} ) 24...a5 {Sooner or later a crisis will happen in the center, and some pawns will disappear. For the time being both sides try to improve their situations.} 25.Rd4 Bc6 26.b4 Rc3 27.Bxd5 Ba4 ( {After} 27...Bxd5 28.Rxd5 Rxd5 29.Rxd5 Rxa3 30.bxa5 bxa5 31.Kg2 {A similar endgame as above is reached but with an a-pawn. This is somewhat better for the defender because the black king needs an extra move to help the passer.} ) 28.R1d2 Rxa3 29.bxa5 bxa5 30.h4 {All the white pawns are properly placed.} 30...Bb5 31.Rb2 Bc6 32.Rbd2 Ra4 33.Rxa4 ( {Not:} 33.R4d3 Bb5 34.Re3 ( 34.Rf3 Bc4 ) 34...Bc4 35.Re5 f6 {and Black wins.} ) 33...Bxa4 34.Ra2 Bb5 35.Bb3 Ra8 {Vachier-Lagrave managed to place his rook ideally behind the pawn and is now ready for the rook endgame.} 36.Ba4 Bxa4 ( {Black could have also played for the win with the bishops on:} 36...Bc4 37.Ra3 Kf6 ) 37.Rxa4 Kf6 {With reversed colors we have almost a perfect copy of the final game in the 1927 world championship between Alekhine and Capablanca. Alekhine went on to win this game and became the fourth world champion.} 38.Kf1 Ke6 {Black's plan is clear: the king needs to help the rook.} 39.Ke2 Kd5 40.Kd3 Ra7 41.g4 Kc5 42.Kc3 Kb5 43.Re4 {In turn, White needs to block the passed pawn with his weaker piece, the king, thus leaving the stronger one for the defense of the kingside.} 43...a4 44.Re5+ Kc6 45.Kb2 a3+ 46.Ka2 {Job done. The question is, can the rook hold the flank on its own?} 46...Kd6 47.Re4 Kd5 48.f3 Rc7 49.Re3 Ra7 50.Re4 f5 {But this seems a mistake.} ( {Vachier-Lagrave could have prepared himself better on the kingside with} 50...h5 $1 {and then he can bring the king closer to the white pawns:} 51.Rb4 ( {Or} 51.gxh5 gxh5 52.Rf4 Ke5 53.Re4+ Kf5 54.Rb4 Ra5 55.Rd4 Re5 56.Kxa3 Re3+ 57.Kb2 Rxf3 ) 51...hxg4 52.Rxg4 Ke5 {This should be a win for Black.} ) 51.Re8 Kd4 52.gxf5 gxf5 53.f4 Ra6 54.Re5 Rh6 {Now too many pawns are traded.} 55.Rxf5 Rxh4 56.Kxa3 {According to tablebases, this is a draw.} 56...Ke4 57.Rf7 ( {For practical reasons,} 57.Rb5 {seems better, for example:} 57...Kxf4 ( {Or} 57...Rxf4 58.Rh5 Rf7 59.Kb3 Kf4 60.Rh1 Kg3 61.Kc4 {and a draw is inevitable.} ) 58.Rb4+ Kg3 59.Rb3+ {Torturing the black king that has no shelter.} ) 57...h5 58.f5 Rf4 59.f6 $1 ( {The natural} 59.Kb3 {loses after} 59...Rxf5 60.Rh7 Rc5 $1 61.Kb4 Kd4 ) 59...Kf5 60.Kb3 Kg6 61.Ra7 $2 {So far Mamedyarov has defended perfectly, and only here does he commit the decisive mistake.} ( {He should have secured the d-file for his king with:} 61.Rd7 $1 Rxf6 62.Kc3 {Once that the white king lands on d2, Black can no longer use the winning plan he had in the game.} ) ( {According to the tablebases, even a preliminary check of} 61.Rg7+ Kxf6 {followed by} 62.Rd7 $1 {is sufficient for a draw.} ) 61...Rxf6 62.Kc3 Rd6 $1 {The key move. The white king is cut off far enough from the pawn. Next Vachier-Lagrave pushes it all the way to the second rank.} 63.Ra8 h4 64.Rg8+ Kf5 65.Rh8 Kg4 66.Rg8+ Kf3 67.Rh8 Kg3 68.Rg8+ Kh2 69.Rg4 h3 70.Rg8 Kh1 71.Rg7 h2 72.Rg8 {Now it's easy to release the king.} ( {Instead:} 72.Kc2 {would be more resilient and would have forced Black to demonstrate the win with:} 72...Rf6 73.Kd2 Rf1 74.Ke3 ( {Or} 74.Ke2 Rg1 75.Rf7 Kg2 76.Rg7+ Kh3 77.Rh7+ Kg3 ) 74...Rg1 75.Rh7 Kg2 76.Rg7+ Kf1 77.Rf7+ Ke1 78.Ra7 Rg3+ 79.Kf4 Rf3+ $1 {and wins.} ) 72...Rd1 73.Kc2 Rg1 0-1

[Event "Riga Grandprix"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.15"]
[Round "10.4"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "B80"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6533719005735"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]
[WhiteTeam "Bulgaria"]
[BlackTeam "France"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "BUL"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f3 e6 7.Be3 {An interesting fact. The Najdorf was Topalov's bread and butter on the road of the world championship title before switching to more quite lines, whereas Vachier-Lagrave constantly uses the sharp Sicilian.} 7...b5 8.Qd2 Nbd7 9.g4 b4 10.Nce2 ( {Instead:} 10.Nd1 h6 11.c4 bxc3 12.Nxc3 Bb7 {Was already comfortable for Black and the complications that White initiated:} 13.h4 $6 d5 14.Rg1 dxe4 15.g5 hxg5 16.hxg5 Nd5 17.g6 Nxe3 18.gxf7+ Kxf7 19.Qxe3 Qh4+ {led him nowhere, Aronian,L (2767)-Grischuk,A (2766) Saint Louis 2018} ) 10...h6 11.Nf4 $1 {With this strange-looking move Topalov clearly indicates his intentions. What else can the knight do on f4, if not sacrifice itself on e6?!} 11...Bb7 $5 {Tempting the queen to snatch a free pawn, with a tempo.} ( {After:} 11...e5 $2 {The knight will land close to the black king regardless if it wins a pawn or not:} 12.Nde6 fxe6 13.Nxe6 Qa5 14.Nxf8 Rxf8 15.Qxd6 {with strong attack for White.} ) 12.Qxb4 {In the brief after-game interview Topalov said he studied the position before and believed it to be promsing for him, but could not remember the correct way.} ( {Black was clearly not afraid of the most logical continuation:} 12.Nfxe6 fxe6 13.Nxe6 Qa5 14.Nxf8 ( 14.Bf4 $5 ) ( 14.Rd1 $5 ) 14...Rxf8 15.Qxd6 O-O-O {"should be at least some sort of fight" (MVL)} ) 12...Qc8 $146 {Besides the fork threat e6-e5 Black wants to strike in the center with d6-d5. The b4 pawn was not sacrificed in vain.} ( {An email predecessor saw:} 12...Rb8 13.Nfxe6 fxe6 14.Nxe6 Qe7 15.Nc7+ Kf7 16.O-O-O Bxe4 17.Qa5 Bxf3 18.Bc4+ d5 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Bxd5+ Kg6 21.Qxa6+ {and eventually the game was drawn in Pegg,R (2467)-Vasilev,V (2320) ICCF email 2012} ) 13.Qd2 {Probably not he best square for the queen. There are many options for both sides.} ( 13.Qa5 $5 {is one of them.} ) ( {Perhaps the best one is:} 13.O-O-O {To whcih Black intended:} 13...d5 ( {Rather than:} 13...e5 $6 14.Nf5 exf4 15.Bxf4 {which seems great for White.} ) 14.Qa5 Bc5 {with compensation for a pawn thank to his active pieces.} ( {But not:} 14...dxe4 15.Ndxe6 fxe6 16.Nxe6 {when White is again having a nice attacking position.} ) ) 13...e5 14.Nf5 exf4 15.Bxf4 Ne5 16.Be2 Qc7 17.O-O-O O-O-O {The forced sequence of moves is over. White practically sacrificed a pawn, but enoys the better pawn structure and the more active pieces in return.} 18.Kb1 g6 19.Ne3 Be7 20.c4 ( 20.h4 $5 {to prevent the future Be7-g5 ideas deserved attention.} ) 20...Kb8 21.Rc1 {Forced according to Vachier-Lagrave.} ( {Instead:} 21.Nd5 Nxd5 22.cxd5 Bg5 23.Bxg5 hxg5 24.Qxg5 Rc8 25.Rc1 Qb6 {Leads to a position where:"I don't think there is enough compensation for the piece." (MVL) Mainly because:} 26.f4 $2 {fails to:} 26...Qe3 $1 ( 26...Rxc1+ $1 27.Rxc1 Rxh2 {is not bad neither.} ) ) ( 21.Ka1 {to avoid Black's next idea was suggested by the official tournament commentators. Although Black also seems more than fine after:} 21...g5 22.Bg3 h5 ) 21...Nxe4 $1 {The trades should favor Black who receives more squares for his rooks. Furtheron MVL was afraid of the possible queenside expansion.} 22.fxe4 Bxe4+ 23.Ka1 Bxh1 24.Rxh1 Bg5 {If it was not for this move Black's whole idea would be plain wrong and White would have launched huge attack on the diagonals.} 25.Nd5 ( 25.Bg3 $2 Qc5 $1 ) 25...Bxf4 ( {The French GM was afraid of the initiative White could build after:} 25...Qc5 26.b4 Qf2 27.Bxg5 hxg5 28.Rf1 Qa7 {(MVL)} ( 28...Nxc4 $2 29.Qd3 ) ( 28...Qxh2 $2 29.Qd4 {although this is not quite clear after} 29...Nd7 ) 29.b5 $5 ( 29.c5 $5 ) ) 26.Qxf4 Qa7 27.Rc1 {Technically speaking Black increased his material advantage but now White's compensation is even more obvious- the black king does not have enough bodyguards.} ( 27.Rd1 $5 ) 27...Rhe8 28.a3 ( {After:} 28.Qxh6 Qf2 29.Qd2 Nc6 $1 {is good for Black.} ) 28...Nc6 {"A sign that (my position) is not so great. "(MVL)} 29.Bf3 g5 30.Qg3 $6 {Topalov misses a good chance.} ( 30.Qd2 $1 {"I thought this was very dangerous." (MVL)} 30...Qd4 ( {Or} 30...Qc5 31.Rc3 {shifting teh rook along the third rank for the attack.} ) 31.Qc2 $1 {Indeed, the black king is very exposed.} ) 30...Qc5 31.Bh1 Re2 32.Nc3 ( {Here:} 32.Nb4 $1 {was strong. Without the knight White would have powerful attack along the major diagonal after:} 32...Nxb4 33.Qf3 Nc2+ 34.Rxc2 Re1+ 35.Ka2 ) 32...Re3 33.Qg2 Rc8 {Now Black consolidates.} 34.Nd5 Rb3 $1 {And finds an anamiznge defensive maneuver!} 35.Ka2 Rb7 36.b3 a5 ( {MVL did not want to give the b4 pawna chance to move forward:} 36...Ka7 37.b4 ) 37.Nc3 Qe3 38.Rc2 ( 38.Qb2 $5 ) 38...Qd3 {The black queen is too strong and Topalov decided to trade it:} 39.Qd2 Qxd2 40.Rxd2 Re7 $1 {Another excellent decision. Black was happy to trade the queens and he will be even happier to trade the last major piece by his opponent.} 41.Rxd6 {"At least a practical mistake." (MVL)} ( {Instead:} 41.Be4 {is bad due to:} 41...a4 $1 {(MVL)} 42.b4 Nxb4+ $1 ) ( {After:} 41.Rd5 {Black planned:} 41...Re5 {(MVL)} ) ( {On:} 41.Nb5 {Black intended:} 41...Na7 $1 42.Nxd6 ( {But maybe White's best chance now is:} 42.Nd4 $1 {keeping the poor black knight on the board, with good chances for a draw after:} 42...Rce8 43.Bd5 ) 42...Rd8 {"I should manage to exchange some pieces as otherwise my pawns are very weak and I don't have way to activate my kingside pawns." (MVL)} ) 41...Rd8 42.Rxd8+ ( 42.c5 Rxd6 43.cxd6 Re3 $1 {"is forced but good (for Black)."(MVL)} ) 42...Nxd8 {"I thought it is completely OK for me but then I collapsed." (Topalov)} 43.Be4 h5 $1 ( 43...Nb7 44.b4 Nd6 45.Bd5 Re3 46.Kb2 h5 47.gxh5 Rh3 48.c5 ) 44.gxh5 f5 {"I missed everything." (Topalov)} 45.Bxf5 Rf7 46.Bg6 ( 46.Bg4 Rf2+ 47.Ne2 Nf7 $1 {"followed by Nf7-g6 wins." (MVL)} ) 46...Rf2+ 47.Kb1 Rxh2 48.Ne4 g4 49.Kc1 ( {After:} 49.Bf5 {the winning line is:} 49...Rg2 ( {But Vachier-Lagrave admitted that he did not see it during he game and intended to play instead:} 49...Rxh5 50.Bxg4 Rh2 {which however should be a draw with correct play by White.} ) 50.h6 Nf7 51.h7 g3 52.Ng5 Nh8 53.Be4 Rh2 ( {Or} 53...Re2 ) ) 49...Nc6 50.Kd1 Nd4 {The centralization wins.} 51.Ke1 Nxb3 52.Kf1 Nd4 ( {Or:} 52...Nd2+ 53.Nxd2 Rxd2 54.h6 Rh2 55.h7 Kc7 {It is important not to let the set-up c4-c5 with Bh7-e4 happen, as explained by MVL.} ) 53.Ng3 Kc7 54.Be4 Nf3 ( {But not:} 54...Kd6 55.Kg1 Rh3 56.Kf2 Ke5 57.Bg2 Rh4 58.c5 $1 {When:} 58...Nf5 59.c6 Nxg3 $2 60.c7 {(MVL) even loses for Black.} ) 55.c5 ( {After:} 55.Bf5 {The French GM calculated the following win:} 55...Ne5 56.Kg1 Rh4 57.Be6 Nd3 $1 58.Bf5 Rh3 59.Kg2 Nf4+ 60.Kf2 Nxh5 61.Nxh5 Rf3+ $1 {It is important to get rid of the bishop rather than the knight!} ) 55...Nd2+ 56.Kg1 Rh3 57.Kg2 Nxe4 $1 {The last accurate move.} ( {It was not too late to let the win slip away with:} 57...Rxg3+ 58.Kxg3 Nxe4+ 59.Kxg4 Nf6+ 60.Kg5 Nxh5 61.Kxh5 Kc6 62.Kg4 Kxc5 63.Kf3 Kc4 64.Ke2 {when White is in time to sneak into the corner to block the black king.} ) 0-1

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Riga, Latvia"]
[Date "2019.07.19"]
[Round "20.2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "E60"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7150583686179"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "France"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4 {"Just an interesting line for White" (Grischuk).} ( {The world champion chose the main lines instead:} 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Qd2 Nc6 10.Rb1 {Carlsen,M (2875)-VachierLagrave,M (2779) Zagreb 2019} ) 3...c5 {"The most principled line" (MVL)} ( {Although the Frenchman also considered:} 3...d5 4.cxd5 c6 5.dxc6 Nxc6 6.Nf3 Bg4 ( {He also thought that} 6...Bg7 7.Nc3 O-O {is unclear.} ) 7.Nc3 Bxf3 8.exf3 Nxd4 9.Be3 {but believed that White is better, thanks to the bishop pair.} ) 4.d5 b5 5.cxb5 a6 6.e3 $146 ( {An earlier game saw:} 6.bxa6 Bg7 7.Nc3 O-O 8.e4 d6 9.Nf3 Qa5 10.Bd2 Bxa6 11.Qc2 Nbd7 12.Ne2 Qb6 13.Bc3 {with sharp, interesting battle ahead inTopalov,V (2780)-Giri,A (2793) Moscow 2016} ) 6...Bg7 7.Nc3 O-O 8.Nf3 d6 9.a4 Bg4 {"This cannot be so bad for me as the bishop is quite annoying" (MVL). This is the main reason why Black chose to switch to the Benko gambit.} 10.Ra3 {"Unexpected, but probably good" (MVL).} ( {Instead Black expected:} 10.Be2 axb5 11.Nxb5 Na6 ) 10...axb5 11.Bxb5 Na6 12.e4 Nb4 13.Be2 ( {After} 13.O-O Bxf3 14.Qxf3 Nc2 15.Ra2 Nd4 16.Qd3 Ng4 {"looks shaky for White" (MVL).} ) 13...Nd7 14.O-O Qb6 ( {Here and on the next moves Black would be happy to advance on the kingside with:} 14...f5 {But this is not good at once due to:} 15.Ng5 $1 ) 15.Re1 {"Quite a stupid move" (Grischuk).} ( {Instead the Russian GM believed he would be better after:} 15.Nb5 Qb7 16.Bg5 Bxb2 ( {Black, on the other hand, considered either:} 16...Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Ne5 18.Be2 f5 ) ( {or the immediate:} 16...Nb6 {and believed he has enough play in both cases. In this second line, however, White has:} 17.a5 Bxf3 18.gxf3 $1 ) 17.Bxe7 {(Grischuk) As his rook is defended. But even this is not clear after:} 17...Bxa3 18.Bxf8 Nxf8 19.Nxa3 Qe7 ) ( {Vachier-Lagrave expected instead:} 15.Nd2 Bxe2 16.Qxe2 Nc2 ( 16...Qa6 17.Nc4 Ne5 18.Nb5 {"does not look so convincing" (MVL).} ) 17.Nc4 Qa6 18.Qxc2 Qxc4 {with compensation for a pawn.} ) 15...Qb7 {A typical Benko position arose. Black has compensation for the pawn, thanks to his active pieces, and is ready to open the play on the kingside with f7-f5.} 16.Bg5 Bxf3 17.gxf3 {A suprise for Black.} ( {But he quite liked his position after:} 17.Bxf3 Ne5 18.Be2 c4 19.Qd2 Ned3 ( {Or} 19...Nbd3 ) 20.Rb1 Bd4 21.Bxd3 Nxd3 22.Be3 {"and I can play pretty much everything" (MVL).} ) 17...Ne5 18.Rf1 c4 $1 ( {Apparently both players spent a lot of time calculating the mess after:} 18...f5 19.exf5 ( {Or} 19.f4 h6 20.fxe5 hxg5 21.exd6 ) 19...Rxf5 20.f4 {and due to the resource Be2-g4, Vachier-Lagrave voted for the game continuation.} ) 19.b3 {Missed by Black but he now plays simply brilliantly:} 19...Rfc8 20.Bd2 Nbd3 21.f4 ( {Against} 21.bxc4 {Black planned:} 21...Nxc4 ( 21...Qd7 $5 {also looks strong.} ) 22.Rb3 Qxb3 $3 23.Qxb3 Nxd2 24.Qd1 Nxf1 {winning.} ) 21...Qb4 ( {Another mess arises after:} 21...Nb2 22.Qb1 Ned3 23.Nb5 ( 23.bxc4 Qb4 {is good for Black, according to MVL} ) 23...c3 24.Bxd3 cxd2 25.Be2 Qd7 {but this also looks good for Black.} ) 22.Nb1 c3 23.fxe5 Nb2 $3 {Fantastic concept. Black should have foreseen this and the remaining well in advance. This was missed by Grischuk, who thought he is winning at this stage of the game.} ( {Black saw that in the line:} 23...Nxe5 24.Be1 Qxe4 25.Nxc3 Qxh4 26.f4 $1 {is a crucial defensive resource.} ) 24.Qc2 cxd2 25.Qxb2 Qxe4 26.Qxd2 ( 26.Nxd2 $2 Qxe2 ) 26...Rc2 27.Qd3 ( {What a great calculator Vachier-Lagrave is, is revealed by this lengthy line he had also foreseen in advance:} 27.Bf3 Qxf3 28.Qxc2 Qg4+ 29.Kh1 Qxh4+ 30.Kg2 Qg4+ 31.Kh1 Qh3+ 32.Kg1 Bxe5 33.Rc1 ( {More complex is the win after:} 33.Re1 Rc8 34.Qa2 Qf5 $3 {and the threat of Rc8-c2 decides:} 35.Qe2 Rc2 36.Nd2 Bd4 $3 ( {Avoiding the obvious:} 36...Qg5+ 37.Kf1 Rxd2 38.Qe3 $1 Bf4 39.Qf3 ) 37.Rd1 Bxf2+ 38.Qxf2 Qg4+ {Crazy computer line....} ) 33...Bh2+ 34.Kh1 Bf4+ 35.Kg1 Qh2+ 36.Kf1 Bxc1 {with a win.} ) ( {After} 27.f3 {Black saw:} 27...Qxe5 28.Qxc2 Qg3+ 29.Kh1 Qh3+ 30.Kg1 Bd4+ {crushing.} ) ( {And} 27.Nc3 Qxh4 28.Qxc2 Bxe5 {is an unstoppable mate:} 29.Kg2 Qh2+ 30.Kf3 Qh3+ 31.Ke4 f5# {(MVL)} ) 27...Rxe2 ( {Not} 27...Qxh4 28.f4 $1 {(MVL)} ) 28.Qxe4 Rxe4 29.exd6 exd6 30.Nd2 Rg4+ {In the forcing line Black wins the pawn back and is much better, thanks to his better minor piece and more active pieces.} 31.Kh1 Rxh4+ 32.Kg2 Rd4 33.Nf3 ( {The only chance for White, according to MVL is:} 33.Nc4 $1 ) 33...Rg4+ 34.Kh3 Rb4 35.Rb1 Rc8 36.Kg2 ( {One more fabulous concept by the French GM is revealed in the line:} 36.a5 Rc3 $1 37.a6 Rxf3+ 38.Kg2 Rbf4 $3 39.a7 Rxf2+ 40.Kg1 Bd4 $3 41.a8=Q+ Kg7 {White is lost despite the extra queen:} 42.Rd1 ( {Or} 42.Ra4 Rf1+ 43.Kh2 R4f2+ 44.Kg3 Be5+ 45.Kh3 Rh2+ 46.Kg4 h5+ ) ( {Best is to sacrifice the queen at once, but it is also hopeless after:} 42.Qa7 Rg4+ 43.Kh1 Bxa7 ) 42...Rd2+ 43.Kh1 Rh4# ) 36...Rc3 {The white pawns are too dangerous. Therefore, Black needs to play extremely energetically to prove the win. Vachier-Lagrave is up to this difficult task as well} 37.Ng1 Rc2 38.Nf3 Rg4+ 39.Kf1 Rf4 40.Kg2 Rg4+ ( 40...Rc3 41.Ne1 {Did not seem too clear for MVL.} ) 41.Kf1 ( {If:} 41.Kh3 h5 $3 {was planned with another study-like queen promotion after:} 42.a5 Rxf2 43.b4 Bh6 44.a6 Bf4 $3 45.a7 g5 46.a8=Q+ Kg7 {With inevitable mate:} 47.Rg1 Rh4+ 48.Nxh4 Rh2# ) 41...Rf4 ( 41...Bd4 {"should be close to a draw after"} 42.Nxd4 Rxd4 43.b4 Rf4 44.b5 {(MVL).} ) 42.Kg2 g5 43.Rf1 ( {Or else a prosaic win with:} 43.b4 g4 44.Kg3 Rxf3+ 45.Rxf3 gxf3 46.Kxf3 {(MVL)} ) 43...Rg4+ $1 ( {Not:} 43...g4 44.Ne1 Rd2 45.a5 Bd4 46.Ra4 $1 {(MVL)} ) 44.Kh1 ( {There is a cute knight-trap in the line:} 44.Kh3 Rb4 45.Nxg5 h6 ) ( {as well as after:} 44.Kh2 Rc3 45.Rg1 Rf4 46.Nxg5 Rxf2+ 47.Kh1 ( {Or} 47.Rg2 Be5+ 48.Kh1 Rxg2 49.Kxg2 Rg3+ ) 47...h6 {(MVL)} ) 44...Rc3 45.Rg1 Rf4 46.Nh2 Rxf2 47.Rxg5 Rcc2 {I totally agree with Grischuk: fantastic game by Vachier-Lagrave!} 0-1

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Riga, Latvia"]
[Date "2019.07.19"]
[Round "20.2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "E60"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7150583686179"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "France"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4 {"Just an interesting line for White." (Grischuk)} ( {The world champion chose the main lines instead:} 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Qd2 Nc6 10.Rb1 {Carlsen,M (2875) -Vachier Lagrave,M (2779) Zagreb 2019} ) 3...c5 {"The most principles line" (MVL)} ( {Although the Frenchman also considered:} 3...d5 4.cxd5 c6 5.dxc6 Nxc6 6.Nf3 Bg4 ( {He also thought that:} 6...Bg7 7.Nc3 O-O {is unclear.} ) 7.Nc3 Bxf3 8.exf3 Nxd4 9.Be3 {but believed that White is better thanks to the bishop pair.} ) 4.d5 b5 5.cxb5 a6 6.e3 $146 ( {The predecessor saw:} 6.bxa6 Bg7 7.Nc3 O-O 8.e4 d6 9.Nf3 Qa5 10.Bd2 Bxa6 11.Qc2 Nbd7 12.Ne2 Qb6 13.Bc3 {with sharp, interesting battle ahead inTopalov,V (2780)-Giri,A (2793) Moscow 2016} ) 6...Bg7 7.Nc3 O-O 8.Nf3 d6 9.a4 Bg4 {"This cannot be so bad for me as the bishop is quite annoying." (MVL) This is the main reason why Black chose to switch to the Benko gambit.} 10.Ra3 {"Unexpected, but probably good." (MVL)} ( {Instead Black expected:} 10.Be2 axb5 11.Nxb5 Na6 ) 10...axb5 11.Bxb5 Na6 12.e4 Nb4 13.Be2 ( {After} 13.O-O Bxf3 14.Qxf3 Nc2 15.Ra2 Nd4 16.Qd3 Ng4 {"looks shaky for White." (MVL)} ) 13...Nd7 14.O-O Qb6 ( {Here and on the next moves Black would be happy to advance on the kingside with:} 14...f5 {But this is not good at once due to:} 15.Ng5 $1 ) 15.Re1 {"Quite a stupid move." (Grischuk)} ( {Instead the Russian GM believed he would be better after:} 15.Nb5 Qb7 16.Bg5 Bxb2 ( {Black on the other hand considered either:} 16...Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Ne5 18.Be2 f5 ) ( {Or the immediate:} 16...Nb6 {and blieved he has enough play in both cases. In this second line White has however:} 17.a5 Bxf3 18.gxf3 $1 ) 17.Bxe7 {(Grischuk) As his rook is defended. But even this is not clear after:} 17...Bxa3 18.Bxf8 Nxf8 19.Nxa3 Qe7 ) ( {Vachier-Lagrave expected instead:} 15.Nd2 Bxe2 16.Qxe2 Nc2 ( 16...Qa6 17.Nc4 Ne5 18.Nb5 {"does not look so convincing." (MVL)} ) 17.Nc4 Qa6 18.Qxc2 Qxc4 {with compensation for a pawn.} ) 15...Qb7 {A typical Benko position arose. Black has compensation for the pawn thanks to his active pieces and is ready to open the play on the kingside with f7-f5.} 16.Bg5 Bxf3 17.gxf3 {A suprise for Black.} ( {But he qquite liked his position after:} 17.Bxf3 Ne5 18.Be2 c4 19.Qd2 Ned3 ( {Or} 19...Nbd3 ) 20.Rb1 Bd4 21.Bxd3 Nxd3 22.Be3 {"and I can play pretty much everything." (MVL)} ) 17...Ne5 18.Rf1 c4 $1 ( {Apparently both players spent a lot of time calculating the mess after:} 18...f5 19.exf5 ( {Or} 19.f4 h6 20.fxe5 hxg5 21.exd6 ) 19...Rxf5 20.f4 {and due to the resource Be2-g4 Vachier-Lagrave voted for the game continuation.} ) 19.b3 {Missed by Black but he now plays simply brilliantly:} 19...Rfc8 20.Bd2 Nbd3 21.f4 ( {Against:} 21.bxc4 {Black planned:} 21...Nxc4 ( 21...Qd7 $5 {also looks strong.} ) 22.Rb3 Qxb3 $3 23.Qxb3 Nxd2 24.Qd1 Nxf1 {winning.} ) 21...Qb4 ( {Another mess arises after:} 21...Nb2 22.Qb1 Ned3 23.Nb5 ( 23.bxc4 Qb4 {was good for Black according to (MVL)} ) 23...c3 24.Bxd3 cxd2 25.Be2 Qd7 {bu this also looks good for Black.} ) 22.Nb1 c3 23.fxe5 Nb2 $3 {Fantastic concept. Mind that Black should have foreseen this and the remaining well in advance. This was missed by Grischuk who thought he is winning at this stage of the game.} ( {Black saw that in the line:} 23...Nxe5 24.Be1 Qxe4 25.Nxc3 Qxh4 26.f4 $1 {is a crucial defensive resource.} ) 24.Qc2 cxd2 25.Qxb2 Qxe4 26.Qxd2 ( 26.Nxd2 $2 Qxe2 ) 26...Rc2 27.Qd3 ( {What a great calculator Vachier-Lagrave is is revealed by this lenghty line he had also foreseen in advance:} 27.Bf3 Qxf3 28.Qxc2 Qg4+ 29.Kh1 Qxh4+ 30.Kg2 Qg4+ 31.Kh1 Qh3+ 32.Kg1 Bxe5 33.Rc1 ( {More complex is the win after:} 33.Re1 Rc8 34.Qa2 Qf5 $3 {and the threat of Rc8-c2 decides. Say:} 35.Qe2 Rc2 36.Nd2 Bd4 $3 ( {Avoiding the obvious:} 36...Qg5+ 37.Kf1 Rxd2 38.Qe3 $1 Bf4 39.Qf3 ) 37.Rd1 Bxf2+ 38.Qxf2 Qg4+ {Crazy computer line....} ) 33...Bh2+ 34.Kh1 Bf4+ 35.Kg1 Qh2+ 36.Kf1 Bxc1 {with a win.} ) ( {After:} 27.f3 {Black saw:} 27...Qxe5 28.Qxc2 Qg3+ 29.Kh1 Qh3+ 30.Kg1 Bd4+ {crushing.} ) ( {And:} 27.Nc3 Qxh4 28.Qxc2 Bxe5 {is unstoppable mate, say:} 29.Kg2 Qh2+ 30.Kf3 Qh3+ 31.Ke4 f5# {(MVL)} ) 27...Rxe2 ( {Not} 27...Qxh4 28.f4 $1 {(MVL)} ) 28.Qxe4 Rxe4 29.exd6 exd6 30.Nd2 Rg4+ {In the forcing line Black wins the pawn back and is much better thank to his better minor piece and more active pieces.} 31.Kh1 Rxh4+ 32.Kg2 Rd4 33.Nf3 ( {The only chance for White according to MVL was:} 33.Nc4 $1 ) 33...Rg4+ 34.Kh3 Rb4 35.Rb1 Rc8 36.Kg2 ( {One more fabulous concept by the French GM is revealed in the line:} 36.a5 Rc3 $1 37.a6 Rxf3+ 38.Kg2 Rbf4 $3 39.a7 Rxf2+ 40.Kg1 Bd4 $3 41.a8=Q+ Kg7 {White is lost wins despite the extra queen:} 42.Rd1 ( {Or} 42.Ra4 Rf1+ 43.Kh2 R4f2+ 44.Kg3 Be5+ 45.Kh3 Rh2+ 46.Kg4 h5+ ) ( {Best is to sacrifice the queen at once, but it is also hopeless after:} 42.Qa7 Rg4+ 43.Kh1 Bxa7 ) 42...Rd2+ 43.Kh1 Rh4# ) 36...Rc3 {The white pawns are too dangerous, therefore Black needs to play extremely energetically to prove the win. Vachier-Lagrave is up to this difficult task as well} 37.Ng1 Rc2 38.Nf3 Rg4+ 39.Kf1 Rf4 40.Kg2 Rg4+ ( 40...Rc3 41.Ne1 {Did not seem too clear for MVL.} ) 41.Kf1 ( {If:} 41.Kh3 h5 $3 {was planned, with another study-like-queen-promotion-allowing-line after:} 42.a5 Rxf2 43.b4 Bh6 44.a6 Bf4 $3 45.a7 g5 46.a8=Q+ Kg7 {With inevitable mate:} 47.Rg1 Rh4+ 48.Nxh4 Rh2# ) 41...Rf4 ( 41...Bd4 {"should be close to a draw after"} 42.Nxd4 Rxd4 43.b4 Rf4 44.b5 {(MVL)} ) 42.Kg2 g5 43.Rf1 ( {Or else a prosaical win with:} 43.b4 g4 44.Kg3 Rxf3+ 45.Rxf3 gxf3 46.Kxf3 {(MVL)} ) 43...Rg4+ $1 ( {Not:} 43...g4 44.Ne1 Rd2 45.a5 Bd4 46.Ra4 $1 {(MVL)} ) 44.Kh1 ( {There is a cute knight-trap in the line:} 44.Kh3 Rb4 45.Nxg5 h6 ) ( {As well as after:} 44.Kh2 Rc3 45.Rg1 Rf4 46.Nxg5 Rxf2+ 47.Kh1 ( {Or} 47.Rg2 Be5+ 48.Kh1 Rxg2 49.Kxg2 Rg3+ ) 47...h6 {(MVL)} ) 44...Rc3 45.Rg1 Rf4 46.Nh2 Rxf2 47.Rxg5 Rcc2 {I totally agree with Grischuk- fantastic game by Vachier-Lagrave!} 0-1

[Event "Grand Chess"]
[Site "Tours"]
[Date "2019.07.01"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2875"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7491362500114"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 O-O 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 {In some sense a tribute to Kasparov, who mentored both Nakamura and Carlsen at phases of their chess development. The 13th world champion successfully implemented the QGD in his first matches against his great predecessor on the throne, A. Karpov.} 8.a3 Nc6 9.Qc2 Re8 10.Bg5 ( {Three years ago two other world champions had another sharp opening dispute in the line:} 10.O-O-O e5 11.Bg5 d4 12.Nd5 b5 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.cxb5 Na5 {Black's preparation proved superior later, Topalov,V (2760)-Anand,V (2779) London 2016 CBM 176.} ) 10...Be7 11.Rd1 Qa5 12.Bd3 dxc4 $146 {A novelty that allows a deviation from the main line.} ( {Carlsen also defended the black color in a world championship match. There he did not allow the extra bishop retreat with this move order:} 12...h6 13.Bh4 ( {Here} 13.Bf4 $6 {is not good due to} 13...e5 $1 ) 13...dxc4 14.Bxc4 a6 15.O-O b5 16.Ba2 Bb7 17.Bb1 Rad8 {Anand,V (2792)-Carlsen,M (2863) Sochi 2014 CBM 164.} ) 13.Bxc4 h6 14.Bf4 $5 {Carlen decided to go off the beaten track as early as he could. He clearly understood that in comparison to another line of the QGD, his opponent would have two extra tempi but saw no way for him to utilize on those.} ( 14.Bh4 {would lead the game back into the above-mentioned game Anand-Carlsen.} ) 14...Bd7 ( {The computer suggests this pawn sacrifice:} 14...Nd5 15.Bxd5 exd5 16.Rxd5 Qa6 17.Qd3 b6 {but it is questionable how much compensation White has for a pawn.} ) 15.O-O Rac8 16.e4 e5 ( {White is slightly better after:} 16...Red8 17.Qe2 {(Carlsen)} ) 17.Be3 ( {For a while the world champion tried to make the move} 17.Qb3 {work, and it does in case of} 17...exf4 18.Bxf7+ Kf8 $2 ( {However, there is no refutation of the other retreat:} 18...Kh8 $1 19.Bxe8 Rxe8 {when Black is perfectly fine.} ) 19.Bg6 Nd8 20.e5 ) 17...Nd4 $1 {This was expected by White as he assumed that he would be better if his opponent does not force matters.} ( {Against a normal move like} 17...Bf8 {White should refrain from} 18.Qb3 ( {However,} 18.Qd3 $1 Rcd8 19.Nd5 Nxd5 20.Bxd5 {leads to White's edge.} ) 18...Be6 19.Bxe6 Rxe6 20.Qxb7 $4 Rb8 ) 18.Bxd4 {Now the forcing sequence follows:} 18...Rxc4 19.Bxe5 Ba4 ( {After} 19...Bg4 {White would gain time to consolidate:} 20.Qd3 Bxf3 21.gxf3 Qxe5 22.Qxc4 {As:} 22...Bd6 {is met with} 23.Rxd6 $1 ) 20.b3 Nxe4 $1 {Missed by the world champion.} 21.Rd3 ( {There was an alternative line to play for the advantage:} 21.Qe2 Rxc3 22.bxa4 Rc5 {And now not} 23.Qxe4 ( {but rather} 23.Bxg7 $1 Qxa4 24.Bd4 {with somewhat better chances thanks to the weakened position around the black king.} ) 23...Bf6 {with equality.} ) 21...Rec8 $2 {Up to here, Nakamura has defended with his usual aggressive attitude, but this move is connected with a blunder. Everything is hanging, but White's next move reveals the reality.} ( {Instead, Black could have held his own in the line:} 21...Bf6 $1 22.Nd2 Nxd2 23.Qxd2 {And now a difficult move to foresee in advance:} 23...Bg5 $1 {to stabilize the kingside.} ( {Most likely both players calculated the consequences of forcing moves like:} 23...Bxb3 24.Bxf6 gxf6 25.Rb1 {which are indeed very pleasant for White.} ) ) ( {Also good is} 21...Bf8 $5 ) 22.Qb2 {The queen steps out of the pins and finds an excellent vantage point against the black king. At the same time, almost all black pieces remain hanging.} ( {Black is obviously fine after} 22.bxa4 Nxc3 ) 22...Nc5 ( {Nakamura explained later that he missed that in the line:} 22...Bxb3 23.Nd5 {"is just crushing him" (Carlsen).} ) ( {Also:} 22...Nxc3 23.bxc4 {is not good for Black.} ) 23.Re3 Bxb3 24.Bxg7 Rg4 {"A nice try" (Carlsen).} ( {In case of} 24...Ne6 25.Be5 Qxa3 {the key move is once more} 26.Nd5 $1 ) 25.Bxh6 Bf6 {It seems as if Nakamura has managed to consolidate, but Carlsen has foreseen it all.} 26.Ne5 Bxe5 ( {The rook does not have a good retreat square, say:} 26...Rh4 27.Rg3+ Kh7 28.Qb1+ Kxh6 29.Rg6+ $1 ( {Or the simple:} 29.Qf5 $1 ) ) 27.Rxe5 Qb6 ( {In case of:} 27...Nd3 28.Rxa5 Nxb2 29.Nd5 $1 {Yet again this centralization, it will be more or less the same as in the game (Carlsen).} ) 28.Qd2 Rg6 ( {Maybe} 28...Qf6 {leaves Black more practical chances.} ) 29.Be3 {Now a familiar centralization happens.} 29...Qc6 30.Nd5 Bxd5 31.Qxd5 ( {Avoiding all the tactical tricks, such as:} 31.Rxd5 Ne4 32.Rd8+ Kh7 33.Rxc8 Rxg2+ $1 {(Carlsen) with a draw after} 34.Kxg2 Qg6+ 35.Kh1 Nxd2 36.Bxd2 Qd3 37.Kg1 Qg6+ ) 31...b6 32.g3 {White is a clear pawn ahead and finishes the game confidently.} 32...Nd7 33.Qxc6 Rgxc6 34.Rd5 Nf8 35.Rfd1 Ne6 36.a4 $1 Rc4 37.a5 Rb4 38.Rd7 bxa5 39.Rxa7 a4 40.Rdd7 Nd8 41.Rd5 Ne6 42.Rda5 Rcc4 43.Kg2 1-0

[Event "Paris Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.08.01"]
[Round "27.4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2819"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "175"]
[Beauty "4949991753277"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 c5 7.h4 h5 {Grischuk was in must-win situation and the opening definitely suited him.} 8.Nf4 Bh7 9.Nxh5 Nc6 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Bg5 ( {To a quick draw led:} 11.Bb5 Qc7 12.Qf3 O-O-O 13.Bxc6 Qxc6 14.Nxg7 {1/2-1/2 (14) Papenin,N (2733)-Von Weizsaecker,R (2591) ICCF email 2011} ) 11...Qc7 $146 ( 11...Qb6 12.Qd2 Qxb2 13.Rb1 Qxc2 14.Qxc2 Bxc2 15.Rc1 d4 16.Nxg7+ Kf8 17.Rxc2 dxc3 18.Nh5 {with unclear game, Lockwood,A (2325)-Halliwell,T (2321) ICCF email 2013} ) 12.f4 d4 ( 12...Qb6 {is not dangerous for White due to} 13.Rh3 Qxb2 14.Rb1 Qxc2 15.Qxc2 Bxc2 16.Rxb7 ) 13.Nb5 Qa5+ {Probably not the most accurate.} ( 13...Qb6 {looked better with unclear play.} ) 14.Qd2 Nb4 {One more innacuracy, which worked greatly for Black!} ( {Bad was:} 14...Bb4 $2 15.c3 ) ( {However, after the objectively best} 14...Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2 Kf8 {White was also somewhat better in the endgame.} ) 15.Na3 $2 ( {I am not sure what did Caruana fear after the natural:} 15.Rc1 $1 {but this move would have given him the advantage, e.g.} 15...a6 16.Nd6+ Bxd6 17.exd6 f6 18.Bg2 $1 {and even though Black picks up a piece in some lines, he is under pressure. The immediate} 18...fxg5 {is not good due to} ( 18...Qb5 19.f5 fxg5 20.Nxg7+ Kf7 21.Nxe6 {gives White huge attack for the piece.} ) 19.a3 ) 15...Bxc2 {Missing the spectacular blow.} ( {Strong was the clearance sacrifice:} 15...Nd3+ $3 16.Bxd3 ( 16.Ke2 Bb4 {does not help White at all.} ) 16...Bb4 {with the main point} 17.c3 ( {Best for White is} 17.O-O-O Bxd2+ 18.Rxd2 Bxd3 19.Rxd3 {although Black is definitely on top here.} ) 17...dxc3 18.Qc2 cxb2+ {and Black wins.} ) 16.Nc4 Qa4 17.Kf2 $1 {Leaving the endangered diagonal.} ( {Otherwise White may suffer another pin along it, as in the line:} 17.Nd6+ Kf8 18.Nxb7 $2 Nd3+ 19.Bxd3 Bb4 ) 17...d3+ 18.Kg3 {The king looks safe behind the pawns.} 18...Rxh5 $1 {But Grischuk spoils the comfort.} 19.gxh5 Ne7 20.Bxe7 {The knight should not be allowed access to the f5 outpost.} 20...Bxe7 21.Bg2 {For the exchange Black has ample compensation thanks to his safer king, better pawn structure and bishop pair.} 21...O-O-O ( {Maybe the king should have stayed in the center:} 21...Rd8 $5 ) 22.Ne3 ( {The forcing try} 22.Nd6+ Bxd6 23.exd6 Rxd6 24.Qc3+ Nc6 25.Qxg7 d2 26.Bf3 Nd4 {would lead White nowhere.} ) 22...Kb8 23.Rhc1 ( {Instead} 23.a3 {would only force the knight get on a better position:} 23...Nc6 24.Rac1 Nd4 {with clear edge for Black.} ) 23...Bc5 {Both sides try improve their pieces to the maximum, but the impression is that Black has the easier task.} ( 23...f6 $5 {to open the white king seems logical as well.} ) 24.Re1 Qb5 25.Be4 f5 {Finally Grischuk opens the position of the enemy king.} ( {However, aslo interesting seemed the positional grinding with} 25...Bxe3 26.Rxe3 Nd5 ( 26...Rd4 ) 27.Bxd5 ( 27.Ree1 Qxb2 ) 27...Qxd5 28.Kh2 Rh8 29.Rg1 Rxh5 {If Black manages to somehow bring his bishop on the long diagonal he would be more than happy.} ) 26.exf6 gxf6 27.h6 {This pawn seems insignificant but it definitely keeps Black busy.} 27...f5 28.Bf3 Bd6 29.Ng2 {Stabilizing the kingside situation.} ( {Also good was} 29.a3 e5 30.Nxf5 exf4+ 31.Kh2 Qxf5 32.axb4 ) 29...Qd7 ( {Against} 29...Nd5 {White most likely planned to sacrifice the exchange with} 30.Rxe6 Qxb2 31.Rxd6 Rxd6 32.Re1 Qh8 33.Re5 {when the white pieces are better prepared for the game.} ) 30.Kh3 Na6 {Grischuk is carefully rerouting the knight towards the center.} ( {Worse was:} 30...Nc6 31.Bxc6 Qxc6 ( {Not:} 31...bxc6 32.Ne3 Bxf4 $2 33.Qb4+ ) 32.Rxe6 {with advantage for White.} ) 31.Qe3 $1 {A nice maneuver by Caruana; the queen is centralized.} 31...Nc7 32.Qd4 Qh7 ( 32...Bf8 {looks more accurate.} ) 33.Qg7 {As a result of the centralization Caruana can swap the queens off and secure his king.} 33...Qxg7 ( {Or} 33...Rh8 34.Bd1 $1 ) 34.hxg7 Rg8 35.Bd1 $1 {The point behind the trade. White deprives his opponent of the bishop pair and can finally deal with the d-pawn. It is Black who needs to play extremely cautiously now.} 35...d2 ( {White has winning chances after:} 35...Rxg7 36.Bxc2 dxc2 37.Rac1 Nd5 38.Rxc2 Bxf4 39.Nxf4 ( {Also good is} 39.Rxe6 ) 39...Nxf4+ 40.Kh2 ) 36.Re2 Be4 37.Rxd2 Nd5 38.Bb3 {Playing for a win.} ( {The line} 38.Bc2 Bxg2+ 39.Kxg2 Bxf4 40.Rxd5 exd5 41.Kf3 Be5 42.Rd1 Bxb2 43.Rxd5 Rxg7 {would have led to a draw.} ) 38...Rxg7 39.Bxd5 exd5 ( {After:} 39...Bxd5 {White would reveal his main resource in the endgame:} 40.Rxd5 $1 {The counter-exchange sacrifice. Then:} 40...exd5 41.Rd1 {leads to a situation where Black cannot defend his pawns easily as the color of his bishop and their positions do not match.} ) 40.Rf1 ( {Stronger was to execute the same idea with} 40.Re1 $1 Bb4 41.Rxe4 dxe4 42.Rd5 ) 40...Bb4 41.Re2 d4 {It is Grischuk's time to consolidate.} 42.Ref2 Bc5 43.a3 d3 44.Rd2 a5 45.Ne1 Rd7 46.Ng2 a4 {Trying again to play for more than a draw.} 47.Rfd1 Bb6 {An inaccuracy.} ( {One more version of the counter-exchange-sacrifice is found in this line:} 47...Rg7 $1 48.Ne1 Be3 49.Rg2 $1 {But this was the lesser evil for Black after:} 49...Bxg2+ 50.Nxg2 Bd4 51.Rxd3 Bxb2 {when objectively Black should be able to hold.} ) 48.Ne1 Ba5 49.Rxd3 $1 {Caruana executes his main idea.} 49...Bxd3 50.Rxd3 Re7 51.Nf3 {Black is in trouble. Not only is he a pawn down, but his pawns are weak.} 51...Re2 ( {White has excellent winning chances in the rook endgame as well:} 51...Re4 52.Kg3 Bc7 53.Ne5 Bxe5 54.fxe5 Rxe5 55.Rd4 ) 52.h5 Rxb2 53.Ne5 Rb3 54.h6 Bc3 $1 {I do not know how Grischuk does it, but with seconds on the clock he manages to squeeze unbelievable defensive resources out of a completely lost position.} ( {The minor piece endgame is lost after:} 54...Rxd3+ 55.Nxd3 Bd8 56.Nc5 ) 55.h7 {The obvious move which is not the best one.} ( {There was a study-like win with} 55.Kh4 $3 Bxe5 56.Rd8+ Kc7 57.fxe5 Kxd8 58.h7 ) 55...Bxe5 56.Rxb3 axb3 57.fxe5 b2 58.h8=Q+ Ka7 59.e6 b1=Q {Who could have possibly thought of a pure queen endgame after the incredible middle-game?} 60.Qe5 ( {White could have also centralized the queen with checks:} 60.Qd4+ Ka6 61.Qc4+ Kb6 62.Qd4+ ) 60...Qh1+ 61.Kg3 {Alas, despite all the creativity Black remained in trouble. It is easier to coordinate the efforts of the white pieces when advancing the passer and this is why he is winning.} 61...Qg1+ 62.Kf3 ( 62.Kf4 Qh2+ 63.Kxf5 Qh5+ 64.Ke4 Qe2+ 65.Kd4 Qb2+ 66.Kd5 {would transpose into the game after:} ) 62...Qf1+ 63.Ke3 Qe1+ 64.Kf4 Qh4+ 65.Kxf5 Qh5+ {Grischuk tries the famous clock-wise perpetual check but it does not work here.} 66.Ke4 Qe2+ 67.Kd4 Qb2+ 68.Kd5 Qb3+ ( {Tablebases indicate a textbook win as well after} 68...Qb5+ 69.Kd6 Qa6+ 70.Kd7 Qa4+ 71.Kc7 Qc4+ 72.Kd8 Qd3+ 73.Ke8 Qxa3 ) 69.Kd6 Qd3+ 70.Qd5 Qg3+ 71.Kd7 Qxa3 72.e7 Qa4+ 73.Kd8 Qh4 74.Qc5+ {It is important to uncover the black king with the aim to shield against checks from the black queen by giving counter-checks.} 74...Ka6 ( 74...b6 75.Qd6 {does not help neither.} ) 75.Qe5 b5 76.Kd7 Qh7 77.Kd6 Qd3+ 78.Kc7 Qh7 79.Kd8 Qh4 ( {Or} 79...Qd3+ 80.Kc7 Qc2+ 81.Kb8 Qg6 82.e8=Q ) 80.Qe6+ Ka5 81.Kd7 Qh7 82.Kc8 Qc2+ 83.Kb7 Qg2+ 84.Kb8 Qh2+ 85.Kc8 Qc2+ 86.Kb7 Qg2+ 87.Qc6 Qg7 88.Qc7+ {One more epic fight between these two chess gladiators!} 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.08.17"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[ECO "A21"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "154"]
[Beauty "5429509759494"]
[EventType "game"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 3.Nd5 Be7 4.Nf3 d6 5.d4 Nf6 ( {A somewhat more universal approach is:} 5...e4 6.Nd2 f5 7.Nb1 c6 8.Nxe7 Nxe7 9.Nc3 O-O 10.e3 Be6 11.Be2 {as in Inarkiev,E (2727)-Bologan,V (2640) Poikovsky 2017} ) 6.Nc3 $5 $146 {White has more space and is unwilling to trade. This move is highly appreciated by the former world champion. Nepomniachtchi is deviating from a recent game.} ( {This predecessor went:} 6.Nxe7 Qxe7 7.e3 e4 8.Nd2 O-O 9.Be2 c5 10.d5 Bf5 11.g4 Bg6 12.h4 {Aleksandrov,A (2582)-Ameir,M (2309) Chennai 2019} ) 6...exd4 ( {White is OK to play a theoretical position down a tempo after:} 6...Nbd7 7.e4 {"as his space advantage is so big" (Anand).} ) 7.Nxd4 d5 8.Bf4 O-O 9.e3 a6 10.Nf3 $5 {Another mysterious knight retreat, which is heading for a QGD-type of position.} 10...c6 {After a lengthy thought Black decided to go for a seemingly slightly inferior endgame. Now Anand has some extra tempos in comparison to the usual QGD positions, but they do not count for much.} ( {The point is that if Black puts something on e6:} 10...Be6 {there is the unpleasant:} 11.Ng5 {(Anand)} ) 11.cxd5 {Played without hesitation.} ( {There are other options like:} 11.Qc2 $5 ) ( {Or:} 11.Qb3 $5 {(Anand)} ) 11...Nxd5 12.Nxd5 Qxd5 13.Qxd5 cxd5 14.O-O-O {White looks slightly better as the isolated pawn as a rule is a liability in the endgame. However, Anand manages to keep the balance thanks to his active pieces.} 14...Nc6 15.Bg5 ( {Of course not:} 15.Rxd5 $6 Be6 16.Rd1 Bxa2 ) ( {But it made sense to stabilize the situation with:} 15.Kb1 Be6 16.a3 Rac8 17.Bd3 ) 15...f6 {It is important to preserve the dark-squared bishop.} 16.Bf4 Be6 ( {There is also the active possibility:} 16...g5 17.Bg3 Bf5 18.Bd3 Bxd3 19.Rxd3 Nb4 {that seems good for Black.} ) 17.Kb1 Rac8 18.a3 {In the following phase of the game both sides try to place their pieces optimally.} 18...Rfd8 19.Bd3 Bc5 20.Rhe1 Kf7 21.Bg3 Bb6 22.Bc2 h5 23.h3 {Another provocative move by Nepomniachtchi.} ( {Black can react to:} 23.Bb3 {with:} 23...Na5 24.Ba2 Nc4 ) 23...Ne7 24.Bb3 g5 {Anand goes for a forcing line.} 25.h4 g4 26.Nd4 Bxd4 27.Rxd4 ( {Instead:} 27.exd4 $2 Bf5+ 28.Ka2 Bc2 $1 {is much better for Black.} ) 27...Nc6 28.Rf4 d4 {The point behind Black's play. He is getting rid of the isolani.} 29.Bxe6+ Kxe6 30.exd4+ Kf7 31.f3 ( {The strong blockading position of the black pieces promises ample compensation for a pawn in the lines:} 31.Rd1 Rd5 32.f3 gxf3 33.Rxf3 ( {Or:} 33.gxf3 Rg8 34.Bf2 Rg2 35.Be3 Re2 ) 33...Rg8 {In fact, Black is often regaining the pawn in the arising lines.} ) 31...gxf3 32.Rxf3 Nxd4 33.Rf4 Ne6 34.Rf3 Nd4 35.Rf4 Nb3 {After repeating twice, Anand decided to give the position a try, despite the time deficit on his clock. The main reason is the fixed white pawn on h4 (on the color of his bishop). Further, the g-pawn might follow and soon land on a dark square as well.} 36.Bf2 Rc4 $1 {A pair of rooks should be traded to secure a passage for the king.} 37.Rxc4 Nd2+ 38.Kc2 Nxc4 39.Re2 Ne5 40.Be1 Ke6 41.a4 $1 {Nepomniachtchi is seeing in the future is well and prepares queenside counterplay.} 41...Rd6 42.g3 {It made sense that White avoid this move, at least for the time being.} ( {More to the point is:} 42.Bc3 Kf5 43.b4 {When White doesn't need to fear:} 43...Kg4 44.Re4+ Kg3 $2 45.Rxe5 ) 42...Kf5 43.Rf2+ Kg4 44.Rf4+ Kh3 {Now White has more problems to solve and may easily end two pawns down on the kingside.} 45.Rf1 Rc6+ 46.Kb1 Re6 47.Rf5 Ng6 48.Bf2 Kg4 49.Rd5 Ne5 50.Rd4+ Kh3 ( {An interesting plan is:} 50...Kf3 $1 51.Rf4+ Kg2 52.Rf5 Nc6 {The idea is to swap the rooks. This makes White's task very hard, for example:} 53.Bc5 ( {Or:} 53.Rf4 Ne7 54.Kc1 Nd5 55.Rf5 Re5 ) 53...Re5 $1 ) 51.Rd5 Re7 52.Kc2 Ng4 53.Bb6 Rh7 54.Rd3 Ne5 55.Rb3 Rd7 56.Be3 Nf3 57.Rb6 Kxg3 {Anand regretted this move which in his opinion leads to only a draw.} ( {Instead, he suggests a try based on the win of both pawns with:} 57...Rf7 58.Bf4 Nd4+ 59.Kd3 Nf5 60.Ke4 Nxg3+ ( {The other suggestion of the former world champion:} 60...Kg4 61.Rb3 ( {can be instead met with active defense:} 61.Kd5 $1 Nxg3 62.Ke6 Rf8 63.Bxg3 Kxg3 64.Kf5 {which should be a draw.} ) 61...Rd7 {Intending mate.} ) 61.Bxg3 Kxg3 {However here White can most likely hold in the rook endgame thanks to his active pieces:} 62.Kf5 Kxh4 63.Kg6 Rc7 64.Rb4+ $1 Kg3 65.Kxh5 ) 58.Rxf6 Nxh4 ( 58...Ne1+ $5 59.Kb1 Kxh4 ) 59.b4 $1 {Black will soon pick up the bishop, but in the process he will have to send his knight far away. This will leave the queenside vulnerable for Nepomniachtchi to swap the remaining pawns, thus reaching a draw R vs R+N endgame.} 59...Ng2 60.Ba7 h4 61.Kc3 h3 62.Bb8+ Kg4 63.Rg6+ Kh5 64.Rg8 Ne3 65.Rg3 Nd5+ 66.Kb3 Kh4 67.Rg8 Nf6 68.Rg6 Ng4 69.Rg8 Rh7 70.Kc4 h2 71.Bxh2 Nxh2 72.b5 {Everything goes by the above-mentioned schedule until something inexplicable happens.} 72...Ng4 73.Ra8 axb5+ 74.Kxb5 Nf6 75.a5 Nd5 76.Ra7 ( 76.Rd8 Nc7+ 77.Kb6 Na6 78.Ra8 {should also be a draw.} ) 76...Kg5 77.Kc4 $4 {Nepomniachtchi might have lost focus for a moment. This cost him deerly.} ( {Instead, after the correct:} 77.Kc5 {Is still equal, and Anand told Chess.com that he would have played} 77...Nc3 ( 77...Rd7 {and hoped for Kc4 on the next move! But} 78.Ra8 Kf5 79.a6 {is still a draw.} ) 78.Kb4 Nd5+ 79.Kc5 Rd7 80.Ra8 {Intending to advance the pawn. Black cannot win:} 80...Nc7 ( {Or:} 80...Kf5 81.a6 b6+ 82.Kc6 Ke6 83.Re8+ Ne7+ 84.Kxb6 ) 81.Ra7 ) 77...b5+ {It only took Nepo a few moments to resign since he saw right away that 78. axb6 e.p. is answered by the zwischenzug 78...Nxb6+.} 0-1

[Event "St. Louis Rapid & Blitz GCT"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.08.10"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[ECO "C02"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7013278990938"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 {The French is a rare guest at top events now except for rapid and blitz events, but playing it against a Frenchman himself demonstrates courage!} 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3 c4 {This leads to a blocked position where both sides strive to play on the kingside: White, because his pawn structure is better orientated for that, and Black, because the enemy king will castle there.} 7.Nbd2 Na5 8.g3 Bd7 9.h4 O-O-O 10.Bh3 Kb8 ( {A very sharp battle started after:} 10...f5 11.exf6 gxf6 12.O-O Nh6 13.Re1 Nf5 14.Rb1 Bd6 15.Nf1 Rdg8 16.Ne3 Nxg3 17.fxg3 Rxg3+ 18.Bg2 Rhg8 {in Svidler,P (2727)-Fedoseev,V (2659) Berlin 2015} ) 11.O-O h6 12.Re1 Ne7 13.Rb1 Nc8 14.Nf1 {With their next moves, both sides prepare carefully the inevitable clash on the kingside.} 14...Qc7 15.h5 Nb6 16.Be3 Ba4 17.Qe2 Be7 18.N3h2 Qd7 $146 ( 18...Qc8 19.f4 Rdg8 20.Bf2 g5 21.hxg6 Rxg6 22.Kh1 h5 {Afyoncu,O (2112)-Cebelli,O (2130) Konya 2011} ) 19.f4 g6 {Blocking f4-f5 advance and preparing an opening of a file for the rooks.} 20.Bf2 Rdg8 21.Ne3 Nc6 ( {For some reason the computer insists on placing the knight on b3} 21...Nb3 {but there is not much it can do after that. Moreover, it blocks the route of the bishop towards the b1-h7 diagonal.} ) 22.Kh1 Bd8 {To make the knight maneuver to f5 possible when a chance occurs.} 23.hxg6 ( {In case of:} 23.g4 gxh5 24.gxh5 {Black can react with:} 24...Qe8 $5 {highlighting the eventual weakness of the h5 pawn.} ) 23...fxg6 {The beginning of the creativity competition.} ( {More solid is:} 23...Rxg6 {but White is better after:} 24.f5 Rg5 25.f6 {Thanks to his extra space and better coordination, White should prevail on the kingside.} ( {Or} 25.fxe6 fxe6 26.Ng2 {followed by Ng2-f4.} ) ) 24.Qg4 {The pawn on e6 drops, and next the base of the chain collapses, which means a collapse of the entire position. However, Rapport went for:} 24...Qh7 $3 {And Vachier-Lagrave did not take the pawn but decided to sacrifice one himself:} 25.b3 $1 {To open the b-file.} ( {In case of the obvious:} 25.Qxe6 {Rapport would have revealed his idea:} 25...Nxd4 $1 26.cxd4 Bd7 $1 {The whole point behind Qd7-h7 is this ambush. Black regains the piece and has excellent play on the light squares after:} 27.Qd6+ Bc7 28.Qb4 ( {Nothing changes:} 28.Qc5 ) 28...Bxh3 29.Nhg4 Bxg4 30.Nxg4 g5 {In this line we once again see why the queen moves precisely on h7.} ) 25...cxb3 26.Qxe6 Nxd4 27.cxd4 Bd7 {It seems that in comparison to the previous line, White would have an open file, but in reality he wants the b-file for something else.} 28.Qxd7 $3 {Vintage MVL! He sacrifices a whole queen just for two light pieces but gets in return strong pressure along the diagonals and the open and half-open files plus a compact central mass. Now players are afraid to sacrifice material positionally as they know that the computer will mock them. However, the top players know very well how difficult it is to defend when the opponent has a clear idea what to do with the limitation of the clock.} ( {After the obvious:} 28.Qd6+ Bc7 29.Qc5 Bxh3 30.Nxd5 {Black will control the light squares himself with either:} 30...Nxd5 ( {or the simple:} 30...Be6 ) 31.Qxd5 Bc8 ) 28...Nxd7 29.Rxb3 Nb6 30.a4 $1 {The most important task is to open the diagonal for the light-squared bishop.} 30...Nxa4 ( 30...a5 31.Reb1 {is no better for Black.} ) ( {White will also make it to the center pawn after:} 30...Qf7 31.a5 Nc4 32.a6 ( 32.e6 Qe8 33.a6 ) 32...b6 33.e6 Qe8 34.Nxd5 ) 31.Nxd5 {White's plan is clear: put the bishop on the long diagonal, arrange the pieces for an attack on the queenside, and/or advance the central avalanche.} 31...g5 {Black in turn tries to open files for his major pieces.} 32.f5 g4 ( 32...Nb6 33.Ne3 h5 {is similar to the game.} ) 33.Bg2 Nb6 ( {Rapport always has to be aware of the dangers on the long diagonal like this one:} 33...Qxf5 $2 34.Rxb7+ $1 Kxb7 ( {Worse is:} 34...Kc8 35.Rc1+ ) ( {Whereas:} 34...Ka8 35.Nf4 {leaves Black completely helpless against the discovered check threat.} ) 35.Ne7+ Qf3 36.Bxf3+ gxf3 37.Nxg8 Rxg8 38.e6 {with almost a decisive advantage for the first player.} ( {Or the simple:} 38.Nxf3 ) ) 34.Ne3 h5 35.f6 h4 36.Kg1 {To make sure that the light-squared bishop will stay on the long diagonal.} 36...Bc7 ( {As in the line:} 36...h3 37.Bh1 ) ( {Whereas:} 36...hxg3 37.Bxg3 Bc7 38.d5 {only helps White to support his passers.} ) 37.Rc1 ( {No human will grab the computer-suggested pawn:} 37.Nexg4 Qc2 ) 37...Qd7 38.Rd1 hxg3 $2 {Up to here Rapport was playing excellently, but this obvious capture leads him to trouble. Black cannot exploit the h-file, which is not the case with the h2-b8 diagonal for the white bishop.} ( {It made good sense to release the pressure a bit with a counter-sacrifice:} 38...Qe6 $5 39.Rc3 Bxe5 40.dxe5 Qxe5 41.Be1 Qxf6 {when anything is still possible.} ) 39.Bxg3 Rh3 $5 40.Nhf1 {Not a chance!} ( {Apparently Rapport was hoping for:} 40.Bxh3 $6 gxh3 41.Nhf1 h2+ 42.Kxh2 Nd5 {to enjoy attacking himself.} ) 40...Rh5 {Not to save the rook, but to prevent the d4-d5 advance.} ( {White will be able to coordinate after:} 40...Rxg3 41.Nxg3 Rh8 42.Ngf5 ) 41.Rc3 {The strong threats of Rxc7 and e5-e6 cannot be stopped.} 41...Rc8 42.Rdc1 Qxd4 ( {Here the threats are executed perfectly in the line:} 42...Rh7 43.Rxc7 Rxc7 44.Rxc7 Qxc7 45.e6 ) 43.Rxc7 $1 {As Bronstein would have put it, this is what he means when he sacrificed the queen.} 43...Rxc7 44.e6 {A queen, rook and a pawn are helpless against the white powerful light pieces coupled by a pair of raging pawns.} 44...Rc5 ( {Or:} 44...Na8 45.e7 Qd7 46.Rd1 {and White wins.} ) 45.Rxc5 ( {The most accurate way is:} 45.e7 $1 Rxc1 46.e8=Q+ Nc8 47.f7 {when ironically it is White who will have an extra queen on the board on the next move.} ) 45...Qxc5 46.e7 Qh5 47.Nf5 {A slight slip in a brilliant game.} ( 47.Bd5 Nxd5 48.Nxd5 {is the way to wrap up the game.} ) 47...Nc8 ( {Missing the study-like draw after:} 47...Nd7 $3 48.Bxc7+ Kxc7 49.Ng7 Qc5+ 50.Kh1 Nxf6 51.Ne6+ Kd6 52.Nxc5 Kxc5 53.Bxb7 Kd6 ) 48.N1e3 $3 {Stopping all the checks. The pawns are too valuable and should be treated carefully.} ( {But not:} 48.Ng7 Qc5+ 49.Bf2 Qxf2+ 50.Kxf2 Nxe7 {when the pawns are stopped.} ) 48...Qg6 ( {If:} 48...Nxe7 49.fxe7 Kc8 50.Bxc7 Kxc7 51.Nd5+ {would see the e-pawn winning the queen in a jiffy.} ) 49.Nd5 Qxf5 50.Bxc7+ {Sheer beauty!} 1-0

[Event "St. Louis Rapid & Blitz GCT"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.08.11"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2818"]
[BlackElo "2882"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7770669592650"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.d3 Ne7 6.b3 ( {The world champion has pleasant memories in the sub-line:} 6.h4 h5 7.e5 d6 8.exd6 Ng6 9.Nfd2 Bxd6 10.Nc4 Be7 11.Nc3 Ba6 12.Qf3 Bxc4 13.Qxc6+ Kf8 {Giri,A (2779) -Carlsen,M (2875) Zagreb 2019} ) 6...Ng6 7.h4 h5 8.e5 f6 9.Nbd2 $146 {Caruana offers a pawn.} ( 9.Bb2 d6 10.exd6 e5 11.Nfd2 Bxd6 12.Nc4 Be7 13.Nbd2 Bg4 14.f3 Bf5 {with approximate euality, Fischer,J (2034)-Milliet,S (2338) Saint Quentin 2016} ) 9...d6 {...which Carlsen does not like.} ( {White has compensation after both:} 9...Nxe5 10.Nxe5 fxe5 11.Nc4 d6 12.Qf3 Qd7 13.Qe4 ) ( {and:} 9...fxe5 10.Nc4 d6 11.Qe2 {In both lines the black pawn mass is fixed and will soon be attacked.} ) 10.exd6 e5 {The black queenside pawns are crippled but control the center.} 11.Bb2 Bg4 12.Qe2 Qxd6 ( {Carlsen has to be careful not to lose control of the center as in the line:} 12...Nf4 13.Qe4 Qxd6 14.Bxe5 $1 fxe5 15.Nxe5 {and White wins material.} ) 13.g3 Be7 14.O-O-O Nf8 {Black is impatient to bring the knight to a better position. If the knight manages to get to d4, Black may even get the better game.} ( {However, more accurate is the preliminary:} 14...Qd5 $5 {to control the central squares. Then:} 15.Qe4 {can be met with:} 15...Qxe4 16.dxe4 c4 $1 ) 15.Rde1 Ne6 {The knight is almost there, but...} 16.Qe4 $1 {Comes just in time. Carlsen obviously anticipated this and replied quickly with:} 16...Qd5 {However, the world champion must have missed:} ( {As:} 16...Nd4 17.Nxd4 cxd4 18.f4 $1 {opens up the position of the black king terribly.} ) 17.Nxe5 $1 {This completely destroys Black's pawn structure and ruins his bishop pair. Caruana spent less than two minutes on the clock to find it.} 17...Qxe4 ( {Even worse is:} 17...fxe5 18.f3 Bxf3 19.Nxf3 Qxe4 20.Rxe4 {and White is winning.} ) 18.dxe4 fxe5 19.f3 Nd4 20.fxg4 hxg4 21.Nc4 {The forced sequence is over, and Black is left with horrible pawn structure. Carlsen's only chance is connected with immediate activity.} 21...O-O ( {Slow maneuvering will lead to Black's disaster after:} 21...Nf3 22.Rd1 Rh5 23.Ne3 ) 22.Kb1 ( {Apparently Caruana did not like:} 22.Nxe5 Bd6 ( {Less good is:} 22...Rf2 23.Bxd4 cxd4 24.Nxg4 Rg2 25.Rhg1 ) 23.Nxg4 Bxg3 {although White is a healthy pawn ahead here too.} ) 22...Rf2 23.Nxe5 Nxc2 {The black pieces start to look frightening, but all is under control.} ( {Not} 23...Rxc2 $2 24.Bxd4 ) 24.Nxg4 Rg2 25.Reg1 ( {White could have also gone for a risk-free solid advantage with:} 25.Rc1 Rxg3 ( {After:} 25...Nd4 {White has a small tactic:} 26.Ne3 Rxg3 27.Bxd4 cxd4 28.Nf5 ) 26.Kxc2 Rg2+ $5 27.Kb1 Rxg4 28.Rcg1 {with excellent winning chances.} ) 25...Re2 26.h5 {White wants to attack too!} 26...c4 $6 {This is too slow.} ( {Black's best chance is:} 26...Rxe4 27.Kxc2 ( 27.h6 Nd4 {is what Caruana missed.} ) 27...Rxg4 28.h6 Bf8 29.Rh4 $5 Rg5 {although White is better here too.} ) 27.h6 {Now it is obvious that White has more soldiers into the attack than the opponent's army.} 27...c3 ( {If} 27...gxh6 28.Nxh6+ Kf8 29.Nf5 {with decisive attack. It is important that he can stop any queenside activity with the move:} 29...c3 30.Rc1 ) ( 27...Na3+ {is not as horrible as it seems as after:} 28.Bxa3 Bxa3 29.h7+ Kh8 30.Ne5 {Black can avoid checkmate and can keep on fighting with:} 30...g6 31.Nxg6+ Kg7 32.h8=Q+ ( {However, more accurate:} 32.Nf4 Rb2+ 33.Ka1 cxb3 34.axb3 Rxb3 35.Ka2 {should win for White.} ) 32...Rxh8 33.Nxh8 c3 34.Rc1 Bxc1 35.Rxc1 Rxe4 36.Rxc3 Re6 $1 ) 28.h7+ Kf7 29.Rf1+ ( 29.Rc1 $1 {would have repelled the attack as well.} ) ( {However, preserving the h1-rook is important. The line:} 29.Rh2 Rxh2 30.Nxh2 cxb2 31.Kxc2 Rh8 {is not convincing for White.} ) 29...Bf6 ( {If} 29...Ke6 30.Rf2 {everything along the second rank is defended.} ) 30.Bc1 Nb4 31.e5 ( 31.Nxf6 gxf6 32.a3 {would have done the job as well.} ) 31...Rxa2 {One more mate in one threat.} 32.Ne3 {Parried. The threats are over, and Caruana wins a whole piece.} 32...Rh8 33.exf6 g5 34.Rd1 {The fastest way to convert the advantage.} 34...a5 ( {After:} 34...c2+ {White planned:} 35.Nxc2 Rxc2 36.Rd7+ Kxf6 37.Bb2+ {with a win.} ) 35.Rd4 c2+ 36.Nxc2 Rxc2 37.Rxb4 Rxc1+ 38.Kxc1 axb4 39.Rh6 {Black is paralyzed, and the white king will soon clean all the pawns.} 1-0

[Event "St. Louis Rapid & Blitz GCT"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.08.13"]
[Round "15.5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8251705925678"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 {The Anti-Berlin looks like a better choice for blitz.} 4...Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nbd2 Be6 7.O-O Bd6 ( {Just a few days ago a top-GM game saw:} 7...Nd7 8.Nb3 Bb6 9.Ng5 Bxb3 10.axb3 f6 11.Nf3 Nf8 12.Nd2 Qd7 13.Nc4 Ne6 14.Kh1 {Anand,V (2756)-Giri,A (2779) Amsterdam 2019} ) 8.Nb3 a5 $146 {Aronian tries to improve on the play of Dominguez.} ( {In his first U.S. championship he defended the black color with:} 8...Qe7 9.Na5 O-O-O 10.Bd2 Bg4 11.Rb1 Nd7 12.Nc4 Qf6 13.b4 Nf8 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Qxf3 16.gxf3 Ne6 {Robson,R (2667) -Dominguez Perez,L (2739) Saint Louis 2019} ) 9.Qe1 {White finds a good idea.} 9...a4 10.Na5 Qb8 ( {Worse is:} 10...Ra7 11.Be3 c5 12.b4 {with unpleasant pin.} ) 11.b4 {The point behind White's idea. Not only the knight is defended, but the bishop will get a chance to be developed on the long diagonal.} 11...Bg4 ( {White is better after:} 11...axb3 12.axb3 Nd7 13.Bb2 O-O 14.d4 ) ( {However, the immediate:} 11...O-O {was OK for the second player, as he needs not to worry aobut the possible knight jumps, as in the line:} 12.Bb2 Nd7 13.Ng5 Bg4 14.h3 ( {Or} 14.f3 Bh5 15.Nc4 ) 14...Bh5 15.g4 Bg6 {in both cases with reasonable position for Black.} ) 12.Nh4 O-O 13.Nc4 Be6 {It seems as Aronian has managed to equalize confortably, but the next strong move reveals he still has problems:} 14.Nxd6 $1 {In the opposite-colored bishop middlegame White can develop the initiative on the color of his "extra" bishop.} 14...cxd6 15.f4 exf4 $1 {The only move.} ( {Otherwise White will always have a pleasant choice of taking on e5 at a good moment, or advancing the f-pawn further:} 15...Re8 16.fxe5 ( 16.f5 ) 16...dxe5 17.Nf5 {with advantage for White.} ) 16.Bxf4 Re8 17.a3 ( {More accurate was:} 17.Nf3 {The idea is to meet the freeing d6-d5 advance the proper way. Say:} 17...Nh5 ( 17...h6 {will be met with} 18.c4 ) 18.Be3 d5 19.e5 $1 {Now White does not fear:} 19...Bg4 20.Qf2 Bxf3 21.Qxf3 Qxe5 22.Qxf7+ Kh8 23.Rae1 {with an edge for the first player.} ) 17...Nh5 18.Bd2 d5 {Otherwise White will quickly build pressure on the kingside.} 19.Qe2 ( {Here too:} 19.e5 {was possible but it promised White far less than in the line from above after:} 19...f6 20.Bc3 Qa7+ 21.Qf2 Qxf2+ 22.Rxf2 Rad8 23.Bd4 fxe5 24.Bxe5 Rf8 {White is somewhat better, but not as much as in the middlegame.} ) 19...Nf6 ( {Missing the firs chance to centralize the queen:} 19...Qe5 $1 {and prevent the kingside assault.} ) 20.Rxf6 $1 {Dominguez seizes his chance. At the top-level these are sacrifices which people do "by-the-hand," without much thinking. With the kingside weakened, and the lack of another defender on the dark squares, the attack runs by itself.} 20...gxf6 21.Rf1 dxe4 $2 {Now it is practically over.} ( {The last chance was the centralization (again!) with:} 21...Qe5 $1 {True, in this case Aronian should have found the neat resource:} 22.Qe1 c5 $3 ( {But not} 22...dxe4 23.Bc3 {When White will soon win on the dark-squares as in the game.} ) 23.bxc5 dxe4 {with the idea:} 24.Bc3 Qxc5+ 25.Kh1 exd3 {with huge complications.} ) 22.Bc3 Qd6 23.Bxf6 {The attack is irresistable. Form their comfortable positions the white pieces get closer and closer to the enemy king with every move.} 23...h6 24.Qh5 Kh7 25.Nf5 Qf8 ( {Or} 25...Bxf5 26.Qxf7# ) 26.dxe4 $1 {Dominguez knows that the black king is priority.} ( {White could have won enough material already to win without much ado:} 26.Bg7 Qxg7 27.Nxg7 Kxg7 28.Qe5+ {but the move in the game is more convincing.} ) 26...Rad8 27.Rf4 Rd2 28.Rg4 Rd1+ 29.Kf2 Rd2+ 30.Ke1 Rxc2 31.Bg7 1-0

[Event "St. Louis Rapid & Blitz GCT"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.08.14"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2818"]
[BlackElo "2882"]
[ECO "C63"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[Beauty "6257410578976"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5 {Carlsen is never shy to try something different. He had only played this move twice before in his career, in 2008 and 2014.} 4.d3 {A modest, but unplesant move against the Schlieman. White does not intend to refute the opening but wants to exploit the weakening of the a2-g8 diagonal in the future.} 4...fxe4 5.dxe4 Nf6 6.O-O d6 7.Bc4 Bg4 ( 7...Nxe4 $4 8.Qd5 ) 8.h3 Bh5 9.Nc3 Qd7 ( {Caruana has experience in this line:} 9...Nd4 10.g4 Nxf3+ 11.Qxf3 Bg6 12.Be6 c6 13.Be3 Qe7 14.Bb3 {Caruana,F (2832) -Aronian,L (2765) London 2018} ) 10.Be3 Be7 11.a4 Rf8 $146 {A novelty, which will hardly attract followers.} ( 11...a6 12.Re1 Nb4 13.g4 Bxg4 14.hxg4 Qxg4+ 15.Kf1 Nxc2 16.Qxc2 Qxf3 17.Qd1 {and Black did not have enough for the piece, Hovhannisyan,R (2600)-Nisipeanu,L (2643) Dubai 2012} ) 12.Be2 $1 {This practically refutes the novelty. Black's main problem is that he cannot castle naturally. His bishop on h5 also starts to hang.} 12...Bxf3 {The world champion solved the problem of the bishop but this weakened the whole light-square complex.} ( 12...O-O-O $2 {would have lost at least a pawn due to the trick:} 13.Nxe5 $1 Bxe2 ( 13...Nxe5 14.Bxh5 {is a solid pawn up for White.} ) 14.Nxd7 Bxd1 15.Nxf8 {This is why the rook stands badly.} ) ( {The retreats of the bishop are not great neither:} 12...Bg6 13.Nh4 ) ( {Nor does:} 12...Bf7 13.Ng5 Bg8 14.Nd5 {promise Black easy life.} ) 13.Bxf3 Kf7 {At least Black can castle by hand.} 14.Nd5 Kg8 ( {Since:} 14...Nxd5 $2 {leads to immediate disaster after the intermediate move} 15.Bg4 $1 ) 15.a5 {Caruana has a clear edge and the obvious plan of improvement on the queenside.} 15...a6 16.c3 Kh8 17.Qb3 Nd8 ( {In case of:} 17...Rab8 18.Qc4 {followed by the advance of the b-pawn is passive and unpleasant for Black.} ) 18.Rad1 ( {Mor accurate was to place the other rook on the half-open file, as in the line:} 18.Rfd1 Nxd5 19.Bg4 Qb5 20.Qxb5 axb5 21.exd5 {The a-pawn is defended.} ) 18...Nxd5 ( {If Black waits:} 18...Rb8 {White will improve as in the line from above:} 19.Qc4 ) 19.Bg4 Qb5 20.Qxd5 {Here Caruana needs to sacrifice a pawn, but as the black queen is in a dangerous spot he preserves large advantage.} 20...Qxb2 21.Qc4 c6 22.Rb1 Qa3 23.Bb6 ( {Also good was:} 23.Ra1 d5 ( {Worse is:} 23...Qb2 24.Rfb1 Qc2 25.Bd1 d5 26.exd5 cxd5 27.Qc7 {when White wins a piece.} ) 24.exd5 cxd5 25.Qxd5 Qxc3 26.Rfc1 Qb4 27.Rab1 {White dominates.} ) 23...Nf7 ( {White is clearly bettter after:} 23...d5 24.exd5 cxd5 25.Qxd5 Qxc3 26.Rfc1 Qa3 27.Rc7 ) 24.Ra1 Qb2 25.Rfb1 d5 {Under pressure, the world champion blunders.} ( {The last chance was:} 25...Qc2 26.Re1 d5 27.exd5 Nd6 28.Qe2 Qxe2 29.Rxe2 cxd5 30.Rxe5 Bf6 31.Rxd5 Nc4 {with chances to survive, although the task would be very, very hard.} ) 26.Qd3 dxe4 27.Qd7 $1 {That is it! White wins a piece.} 27...Qxc3 28.Qxe7 Nh6 29.Be3 Rf7 30.Qe6 Raf8 31.Ra2 Nxg4 32.hxg4 Qd3 33.Qb3 {In the following phase of the game Caruana improves his pieces skillfully.} 33...Qd7 34.Qd1 Qe6 35.Rd2 h6 36.Rbb2 Kh7 37.Rd6 Qe7 38.g5 hxg5 39.Rbd2 Kg8 40.Qg4 Qc7 41.Bb6 Qe7 42.Be3 Qc7 43.Rd7 Qc8 44.Qe6 c5 45.Qc4 Qe8 46.Rxb7 {With the fall of this pawn everything collapses.} 46...Kh7 47.Rxf7 Rxf7 48.Qxa6 Qa4 49.Qe6 Qa1+ 50.Kh2 Rf6 51.Qg4 Qxa5 ( {Or:} 51...Rh6+ 52.Kg3 Qh1 53.Qxe4+ ) 52.Qxe4+ Kh6 {Leads to mate.} ( {But there were no chances after:} 52...Kg8 53.Bxg5 {neither.} ) 53.Qh4+ $1 Kg6 54.Qxg5+ Kh7 55.Qh5+ Kg8 56.Qe8+ Kh7 57.Rd8 Rf5 58.Qg8+ Kg6 59.Rd6+ Rf6 60.Qe8+ Kf5 61.Qh5+ Ke4 62.Qg4+ {One might conclude that, after the WWC in London, a a new playoff between the two "C's" would be a much more tense afair.} ( 62.Qg4+ Rf4 63.Bxf4 exf4 64.Qe6# ) 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz GCT"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.12"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2818"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "D78"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7835630977568"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 c6 4.Bg2 d5 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nbd2 a5 8.b3 a4 ( {Deviating from another game of Caruana, which went} 8...Bf5 9.e3 a4 10.Ba3 Nbd7 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Qc1 Nc7 13.Nc4 Nb5 14.Bb2 Be4 {Caruana,F (2819)-Giri, A (2779) Zagreb 2019} ) 9.Ba3 Re8 10.e3 Bf5 11.Qe2 Nbd7 12.cxd5 Nxd5 13.e4 Nc3 14.Qd3 $146 {It is Caruana who deviates from a game of... MVL.} ( {The French GM did not get anything out of the opening after:} 14.Qe3 Nb5 15.exf5 Nxa3 16.fxg6 ( 16.bxa4 $2 Nc2 {was not possible at all, in comparison to the game} ) 16...hxg6 17.Rac1 Nb5 18.Rfd1 Nf6 19.Nc4 Nd5 {and he apparently appreciated Black's position, Vachier Lagrave,M (2780)-Ding,L (2805) Abidjan 2019} ) 14...Nb5 15.exf5 Nxa3 16.bxa4 {This was Caruana's point. Despite the ugly pawn structure, he intends to make something out of the light-square pressure.} ( {Instead the preliminary trade:} 16.fxg6 hxg6 17.bxa4 Rxa4 18.Qb3 Qa8 19.Ng5 {Allows the defense} 19...e6 ) 16...Rxa4 17.Qb3 Ra7 ( {As now:} 17...Qa8 18.Ng5 Rf8 19.Rae1 Bf6 20.Nde4 {is not convincing for Black.} ) 18.Ng5 Rf8 19.Be4 ( {The other way to attack was perhaps more promising:} 19.fxg6 hxg6 20.Ndf3 Nb5 {in order to bring a defender as quick as possible. Now the principled line runs:} 21.Ne6 fxe6 22.Qxe6+ Rf7 ( {Of course not} 22...Kh7 $4 23.Ng5+ Kh6 24.Qh3+ Kxg5 25.Qh4+ Kf5 26.Bh3# ) ( {After} 22...Kh8 {White can continue with the attack} 23.Ng5 ( {or force perpetual check with} 23.Qh3+ Kg8 24.Qe6+ ) ) 23.Ng5 Nd6 24.Nxf7 Nxf7 25.Qxg6 {with an unclear game.} ) 19...Qb6 ( {Black avoids the complications after} 19...Bxd4 20.fxg6 hxg6 21.Bxg6 Ne5 ) 20.fxg6 hxg6 21.Qf3 ( {Another sacrifice:} 21.Bxg6 Qxb3 22.Bh7+ Kh8 23.axb3 Bh6 24.Ndf3 f6 25.Ne6 Kxh7 26.Nxf8+ Bxf8 {does not yield White anything.} ) ( {White should have settled for equality with:} 21.Ndf3 Qxb3 22.axb3 Rfa8 ) 21...Qxd4 {Now the pawn can be captured.} 22.Rad1 Nf6 $1 ( {White will rebuild the initiative in case of} 22...Qf6 23.Qg4 e6 24.Ndf3 ) ( {However} 22...Ne5 {was also good, with the cute tactical point:} 23.Qf4 Bf6 24.Qh4 Bxg5 25.Qxg5 Qxe4 $1 ) 23.Nb3 Qe5 24.h4 {The last chance to rekindle the initiative.} ( {Tactics do not work any more:} 24.Qe3 Ra4 25.Bxg6 Qxe3 26.Bxf7+ Rxf7 27.fxe3 Rf8 ) 24...Nxe4 25.Nxe4 Nb5 {But Vachier-Lagrave quickly consolidates and proves there is not enough for the pawn.} 26.Nec5 Nc3 27.Rd3 ( {The last chance was} 27.Rfe1 Qf6 28.Qxf6 Bxf6 29.Rd7 ) 27...Re8 28.Kg2 Nd5 {The knight is exceptionally strong here, literally beating both the white rooks up.} 29.Rd2 b6 30.Ne4 Qf5 31.Qe2 Rea8 32.Ng5 Ra4 {Securing the position of the queen.} 33.Rh1 e6 34.Nc1 c5 35.Qb5 Rd4 36.Nb3 {Black has done a tremendously good job in regrouping his pieces. Now he wraps up the game with a "petite combinaison."} 36...Nf4+ $1 37.Kh2 ( {Or} 37.gxf4 Rxd2 38.Nxd2 Qg4+ 39.Kf1 Qd1+ 40.Kg2 Qxd2 41.Qxb6 Bd4 42.Nh3 Qe2 {and White is helpless.} ) 37...Qd5 {White resigned.} ( 37...Qd5 {The possible finish would have been} 38.gxf4 Rxd2 39.Nxd2 Qxd2 ) 0-1

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.10"]
[Round "1.39"]
[White "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Black "Cori, Jorge"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[ECO "B32"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6602459450952"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6 6.c4 Be7 7.N1c3 a6 8.Na3 Be6 9.Nc2 Rc8 {Not the main line.} ( {The original idea of Sveshnikov to avoid the move Ng8-f6 was to trade the dark-squared bishops with} 9...Bg5 10.Be2 Bxc1 11.Rxc1 Nf6 12.O-O O-O 13.Qd2 Qb6 14.Rfd1 Rfd8 {as in Carlsen,M (2862)-Hou,Y (2673) Wijk aan Zee 2015} ) ( {Although Black can always switch back to Sveshnikov-like lines with} 9...Nf6 10.Be2 O-O 11.O-O Rc8 {as in Volokitin,A (2649) -Moiseenko,A (2657) Rivne 2016 (see below.)} ) 10.Be2 Na5 {Cori wants to generate queenside play before he castles, but this might be a risky strategy here.} ( {Instead} 10...Nf6 {is still possible and was seen in some games of the Kalashnikov main specialist Alexander Moiseenko:} 11.Be3 O-O 12.O-O Nb8 13.Na3 ( {Or} 13.b3 b5 14.Nb4 bxc4 15.Bxc4 Bxc4 16.bxc4 Rxc4 17.Qb3 Rc8 18.Nbd5 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Bg5 20.Rac1 Rxc1 21.Rxc1 Nd7 22.Rc6 {1/2-1/2 (22) Volokitin,A (2649)-Moiseenko,A (2657) Rivne 2016} ) 13...Nc6 14.Rc1 h6 {with playable position, Yu,Y (2750)-Moiseenko,A (2667) China 2017} ) 11.b3 b5 12.Ne3 bxc4 13.Ned5 $1 $146 {Only energetic play can refute Black's idea. This move is a novelty and reveals some problems behind Cori's set up.} ( {A predecessor saw Black doing more than fine after:} 13.bxc4 Nxc4 14.Nxc4 Bxc4 15.O-O Nf6 16.Be3 Qa5 17.Bd2 Qa3 18.Bxc4 Rxc4 19.Qf3 Qc5 20.Rac1 O-O {with a solid extra pawn for the second player, Tobon,S (1800)-Medvedovski,M (2115) Frankfurt 2018} ) 13...Nf6 ( {It transpires that the pawn is taboo:} 13...cxb3 14.axb3 Nf6 ( 14...Ra8 15.Be3 $1 ) 15.Bxa6 {leads Black to a horrible position after} 15...Rb8 16.Bb5+ Bd7 17.Bxd7+ ( {Not as accurate is} 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.Bxd7+ Qxd7 $1 19.Rxa5 Qc7 ) 17...Nxd7 18.Nxe7 {And in order to avoid the loss of the knight Black has to give up his castling right:} 18...Kxe7 {which is a huge advantage for White.} ) ( {The move} 13...Bxd5 {would most likely transpose into the game after} 14.Nxd5 Nf6 15.Be3 Nxd5 ( {as} 15...Rb8 16.bxc4 Nxe4 17.Qa4+ Kf8 18.O-O {once again leaves the black king badly misplaced.} ) ) 14.Be3 {Be3-b6 is a huge threat and Black needs to initiate some trades.} 14...Bxd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Qxd5 O-O ( {Once again there is no time to snatch the pawn:} 16...cxb3 $2 17.axb3 Nc6 18.Bxa6 Rc7 19.Bb6 ) 17.O-O cxb3 18.Bxa6 Rc3 ( {Perhaps a better try was} 18...b2 19.Rab1 ( {Also better for White is} 19.Bxc8 bxa1=Q 20.Rxa1 Qxc8 21.Qxa5 Qb7 ) 19...Rc6 20.Bd3 h6 21.Rxb2 Bg5 {White is again better, but Black would at least manage to get rid of one of the annoying bishops.} ) 19.Rfb1 $1 {Wonderfully played! Nihal spots that the c3 rook is in danger.} ( {White has nothing after} 19.axb3 Nxb3 20.Rab1 Nc5 ) 19...Nc6 ( {The point behind White's play is revealed by the line} 19...bxa2 20.Qxa2 $1 Nc6 ( 20...Rxe3 {is the best chance but he does not have enough to survive here either after} 21.fxe3 Nc6 ) 21.Bb6 Qd7 22.Qd2 {The rook is trapped!} ) 20.Rxb3 {White wants to keep a passer along the a-file as then his bishop may support it all the way up to the promotional square.} ( {However:} 20.axb3 Nd4 21.Bxd4 exd4 22.Bc4 {might have been more accurate, keeping the black rook locked.} ) 20...Rxb3 21.Qxb3 Nd4 {Cori decided to defend a gloomy position with opposite-colored bishops on the board.} ( {But:} 21...Bg5 22.Bxg5 Qxg5 23.a4 Nd4 {might have been the better practical chance. The queen and the knight pair cannot be underestimated, especially in the attack.} ) 22.Bxd4 exd4 23.Bc4 {Black is in trouble. His bishop is significantly underperforming in comparison to its counterpart and the a-passer is a monster.} 23...Qa5 24.g3 Bg5 25.Kg2 g6 26.Bd5 Qc3 ( {Or} 26...Qa7 27.Rb1 ) 27.Rd1 Kg7 ( {Black deviates from the endgame. After:} 27...Qxb3 28.axb3 ( 28.Bxb3 {is also good of course.} ) 28...Bf6 29.Kf3 {Followed by Kf3-e2-d3 White will release his rook, which in its turn will land on the seventh rank. This will finally give a free passage to the queenside-passer.} ) 28.Rd3 Qc5 29.a4 Bd8 30.Qb2 Bb6 31.Rb3 {For a moment White hesitates.} ( 31.h4 {at once was better than in the game.} ) 31...Ba5 32.Rd3 Bb6 ( {Missing a chance to activate his pieces to the maximum with} 32...Rc8 33.Qxd4+ Qxd4 34.Rxd4 Rc2 {The defender often saves himself with such sacrifices.} ) 33.h4 $1 {Finally Nihal finds the right plan. The major weakness in the position is the black king and the h-pawn puts it in great danger.} 33...Rc8 ( {The blockade cannot succeed:} 33...h5 34.Rb3 Ba5 35.Qe2 {followed by g3-g4 will nevertheless lead to decisive attack for White.} ) 34.Qe2 Ba7 ( {Nothing changes} 34...Qa5 35.Qf3 Qa7 36.h5 ) 35.h5 Qc1 ( {Here is a line which reveals why the h-pawn matters in the attack:} 35...Rf8 36.Rb3 Rb8 37.Qg4 $1 Rxb3 38.h6+ Kxh6 39.Qf4+ Kg7 40.Qxf7+ Kh6 41.Qf8+ {with mate to follow.} ) 36.Qg4 Rc7 37.Rf3 ( {Even stronger was} 37.Qh4 {To prevent the defensive idea which happened in the game. Then} 37...Bb6 38.Rf3 Ba7 ( {Here} 38...d3 {is a move too late:} 39.h6+ Qxh6 40.Qf6+ {with mate.} ) 39.h6+ Qxh6 40.Qf6+ {and mate is unavoidable.} ) 37...d3 $1 {Cori finds the only way to defend against the immediate mate.} 38.Qh4 Bd4 39.Rxd3 {Safe play.} ( {Faster was} 39.Bxf7 $1 {when the d-passer can do White no harm and he is winning after both} 39...Rxf7 ( {or} 39...d2 40.h6+ Kf8 41.Qd8# ) 40.h6+ Qxh6 41.Rxf7+ ) 39...g5 {This weakens the king.} ( {However:} 39...Bf6 40.Qh3 {does not stop the attack.} ) 40.h6+ Kf8 ( {Or} 40...Kg6 41.Qh3 {when Black should soon be mated.} ) 41.Qh5 {Nihal is almost there with Rd3-f3 as a decisive threat. Cori finds one last chance:} 41...Bxf2 $1 42.Rf3 $1 {...which is nicely parried by White. Initiative is everything in the opposite-bishop attacks.} ( {The obvious capture} 42.Kxf2 Rc2+ 43.Kf3 Qf1+ 44.Kg4 {would have deprived White of deserved win after} 44...Rf2 $1 {In order to avoid the Qf1-e2 mating threat he should settle for a draw with} 45.Rd2 $1 Rxd2 46.Qxg5 Qe2+ 47.Kh4 Qh2+ ) 42...Qg1+ 43.Kh3 Qh1+ 44.Kg4 Qxh5+ 45.Kxh5 Bd4 ( {A bit more stubborn was} 45...Be1 46.Kxg5 Bd2+ 47.Kh5 Re7 {although White should also win here.} ) 46.a5 {Now the pawn moves and it is over in a few moves.} 46...Ra7 47.a6 $1 f6 ( {Or} 47...Rxa6 48.Rxf7+ Ke8 49.Rxh7 ) 48.Ra3 ( 48.Bb7 {at once would also suffice.} ) 48...Ke7 49.Kg4 Kd8 50.Bb7 {The rook is out of the game. Nihal calmly prepares the final blow.} 50...Bc5 51.Rb3 Ke7 52.Kf5 Bd4 53.g4 Kd7 54.Bd5 $1 {The time has come.} 54...Rxa6 55.Rb7+ Kc8 56.Rxh7 Ra1 57.Rf7 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.11"]
[Round "2.19"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Albornoz Cabrera, Carlos Daniel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[Beauty "8247679403594"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.O-O Bd7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.c3 a6 7.Bf1 Bg4 8.d4 {A topical, sharp line.} 8...Bxf3 ( {The main line remains} 8...cxd4 9.cxd4 {when Black has two principally different tries to fight for the center:} 9...d5 {Black received a recent blow in the variation at the top-level game played in July:} ( {Or} 9...e5 10.d5 Nd4 {which led to favorable Ruy Lopez type of position for White in the following game:} 11.Be3 Nxf3+ 12.gxf3 Bd7 13.Nd2 b5 14.a4 Be7 15.axb5 axb5 16.Rxa8 ( 16.Qb3 $5 ) 16...Qxa8 17.Nb3 {with some advantage for White in Anand,V (2776)-Gharamian,T (2626) Bastia 2016} ) ( 9...Bxf3 {would transpose into the game.} ) 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nc3 e6 12.h3 Bh5 13.g4 Bg6 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.Bg2 O-O-O ( 15...Bb4 $5 {Firouzja.} ) 16.Ne5 Qxd4 17.Qf3 {and White had a dangerous attack which he duly converted, Giri,A (2779) -Mamedyarov,S (2774) Zagreb 2019} ) 9.gxf3 cxd4 10.cxd4 d5 11.e5 ( 11.Nc3 e6 12.Bg5 Be7 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.exd5 Nxd4 15.Re4 Nf5 {was pointed out to Svidler after the game as theory that he wasn't aware of.} ) 11...Nh5 {If Black gets the tempo to block the position he will even be better, but there is no time for that.} 12.e6 $1 g6 13.Nc3 f5 $6 {"A very large present." - Svidler.} ( {Svidler pointed out that} 13...Bg7 14.exf7+ Kxf7 15.Bh3 Nxd4 16.Be3 Nf5 17.Nxd5 e6 {was quite playable for Black.} ) ( 13...Ng7 14.Bh3 Nxe6 15.Rxe6 $1 fxe6 16.Bxe6 Bg7 17.Be3 Qd6 18.Nxd5 {is another line from Svidler.} ) 14.Qb3 Nxd4 $146 {Albornoz might have mixed something in his memory.} ( {A predecessor saw:} 14...Bg7 15.Qxb7 Nxd4 {when Svidler had a choice to improve on that played game later:} 16.Nxd5 ( {Or at once with} 16.Rd1 $5 ) 16...Rb8 {Now instead of the blunder} 17.Qa7 $4 ( {White could have headed instead for a small but stable advantage in the endgame after:} 17.Qd7+ Qxd7 18.exd7+ Kxd7 19.Rxe7+ Kd6 20.Be3 Kxd5 21.Rd1 ) 17...Nxf3+ 18.Kh1 Nxe1 {when Black was winning, Kristjansson,S (2478)-Koop,T (2416) Reykjavik 2016} ) 15.Qxb7 Rb8 ( 15...Bg7 16.Rd1 O-O {Svidler} 17.Nxd5 ) 16.Qxa6 Nxf3+ 17.Kh1 Qc7 $2 {With the bishop on f8 blocking the king this loses!} ( {Obviously, there is no time to pick up the rook:} 17...Nxe1 18.Qc6+ Qd7 19.Qxd7# ) ( {However, it is also a bit too late for:} 17...Bg7 18.Qc6+ Kf8 19.Rd1 Nd4 20.Qxd5 Qxd5+ 21.Nxd5 {When Black has to settle for a gloomy endgame with} 21...Nxe6 ( {As} 21...Nc2 22.Rb1 Na3 {does not force repetition due to the beautiful shot} 23.Nb6 $1 Nxb1 24.Nd7+ Ke8 25.Nxb8 {and White wins.} ) 22.a4 {The bishop pair and the outside passers make Black's defensive task close to impossible. But this was Black's best choice.} ) 18.Qa4+ $1 {Now the king has to stay in the center.} ( {Avoiding} 18.Bb5+ Kd8 19.Kg2 Nxe1+ 20.Kf1 ) ( {However, the moves could have been transposed:} 18.Bf4 $1 ) ( {Svidler looked at the beautiful} 18.Re5 {when the only move} 18...Bg7 $1 {is winning for Black.} ) 18...Kd8 19.Bf4 $1 {whereas White can save-guard his own royalty.} 19...Nxf4 ( 19...Qxf4 20.Qd7# ) 20.Nb5 {Black's coordination is lost and as long as he is not delivering, he is receiving mate.} 20...Qb6 ( {Or:} 20...Rxb5 21.Bxb5 Nxe1 22.Bd7 $1 {with unstoppable mate.} ) ( 20...Qb7 21.Rac1 ( 21.Na7 $1 ) ) 21.Nd4 $1 {One last pretty move before the curtains fall.} ( 21.Nd4 {The finish could have been:} 21...Qc7 ( {Or:} 21...Qb7 22.Nc6+ Kc7 23.Qxf4+ Kxc6 24.Rac1+ Kb6 25.Qb4+ Ka7 26.Qa5+ Qa6 27.Qxa6# ) ( {Nothing changes:} 21...Rb7 22.Nc6+ Kc7 23.Qxf4+ Kxc6 24.Rac1+ ) 22.Nc6+ Kc8 {Now the most convincing is the cool:} 23.Rac1 ( {Although} 23.Ba6+ Rb7 24.Bxb7+ Qxb7 25.Na5 {would also do.} ) ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.12"]
[Round "4.16"]
[White "Nabaty, Tamir"]
[Black "Sethuraman, SP."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2658"]
[BlackElo "2624"]
[ECO "A48"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7908112528402"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 ( {Another move order that may transpose to the same line runs:} 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.d3 g6 4.Nd2 Bg7 5.Ngf3 Nc6 6.Be2 Nf6 7.O-O dxe4 8.dxe4 O-O 9.Qc2 b6 10.Nc4 Qc7 {1/2 Sedlak,N (2568)-Miladinovic,I (2604) Mataruska Banja 2008} ) 1...Nf6 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nbd2 g6 4.e4 Bg7 5.c3 {Nabaty needs a draw and does not mind a solid central setup.} 5...O-O 6.a4 c5 7.dxc5 dxc5 8.Be2 Nc6 9.O-O Qc7 10.Qc2 b6 11.Nc4 Bb7 12.Bg5 Rad8 13.Rfd1 h6 14.Bh4 Nh5 {Everything is very logical. The only active square for the bishop is g5, but it can be easily traded there. True, Black needs to weaken himself.} 15.Ne3 g5 16.Nd5 Qc8 $146 ( {Curiously, this all had been seen before:} 16...Qb8 17.Bxg5 hxg5 18.Nxg5 Qe5 19.h4 Nf4 20.Bc4 e6 21.g3 {with a mess, Sirotine,K (2388)-Iskusnyh,S (2520) St Petersburg 2006} ) 17.Bg3 Nxg3 ( 17...e6 18.Ne3 {would most likely transpose as White threatens to save the bishop.} ) 18.hxg3 e6 19.Ne3 Ne7 {Sethuraman skilfully maneuvers with his pieces.} 20.Rxd8 {Nabaty feels that his opponent makes progress and decides to trade the potentially dangerous black rooks.} ( {Maybe White should have tried the more solid} 20.Nd2 Qc7 21.a5 {in order to get rid of this potential weakness.} ) 20...Rxd8 21.Rd1 Rxd1+ 22.Bxd1 Qc6 {The most obvious move is inaccuracy.} ( {So far Black has played quite well and could have started grinding his opponent with} 22...Bc6 $1 23.Nd2 Ng6 {Next the knight will get to e5 and later c5-c4 will be in the cards. The two bishops can become a weapon in the future.} ) 23.Qd3 $1 {The tactical point. Nabaty had probably seen this before the trade of the rooks.} ( {Otherwise Black is enjoying himself after} 23.Nd2 Ng6 ) 23...Qxe4 ( {It was not too late to switch to "grinding mode" with} 23...Qc7 24.Bc2 Ng6 {when Black is somewhat better, but would that be enough for the point?} ) 24.Qd8+ {Now White achieves maximum activity:} 24...Bf8 25.Bc2 Qc6 26.Ng4 Kg7 27.Nf6 ( {Objectively better was:} 27.Nxh6 {As after} 27...f5 ( {White is slightly better after} 27...f6 28.Ng4 ) 28.g4 $1 {The knight not only is not trapped, but will have strong influence in the attack.} ) 27...Qc8 28.Nh5+ Kh8 {Sethuraman needs to risk.} ( {After} 28...Kg8 29.Nf6+ Kh8 30.Qd3 ( {White can also venture into an endgame:} 30.Ne5 $6 Qxd8 31.Nxf7+ Kg7 32.Nxd8 Kxf6 33.Nxb7 Nc6 {but this is really risky with his knight stuck on b7.} ) 30...Nf5 31.g4 c4 32.Qe2 {White has dangerous threats and easier play as well, although the computer claims equality.} ) 29.Ne5 f5 {Probably a mistake.} ( {But the problem is how to play and win the position after} 29...Qxd8 30.Nxf7+ Kg8 31.Nxd8 Bd5 32.Nf6+ Kh8 ) 30.Qd6 ( {There was a pleasant alternative:} 30.Ng6+ Nxg6 31.Qf6+ Kh7 32.Qf7+ Kh8 33.Nf6 Bg7 34.Qxg6 Bxf6 35.Qxf6+ {with an attack.} ) 30...Bd5 ( 30...c4 31.g4 $1 {does not stop the attack.} ) 31.c4 Bc6 ( {Black would lose a piece in the line:} 31...Nc6 32.Ng6+ Kg8 33.Nxf8 Qxf8 34.Qxf8+ Kxf8 35.cxd5 ) 32.Nf7+ Kh7 ( {Black should not survive after} 32...Kg8 33.Nd8 {either.} ) 33.Nd8 Kg6 {Finally, the king will trap the knight, but it will be surrounded by pieces itself:} 34.Nxe6 Kxh5 35.Ng7+ $1 Bxg7 36.g4+ $1 fxg4 ( {Or} 36...Kxg4 37.Bd1+ Kh4 38.Qg3# ) 37.Qh2# 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.13"]
[Round "10.14"]
[White "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2656"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "E06"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8249692671007"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.Nf3 ( 1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.d4 O-O {1-0 (49) Meier,G (2628)-Nisipeanu,L (2672) Dortmund 2018} ) 1...Nf6 2.d4 e6 3.c4 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.g3 O-O 6.Bg2 dxc4 7.Ne5 Qd6 {"I did not expect this, especially since I have played it and come to the conclusion it is kind of dubious" (Nisipeanu).} ( {Nakamura has experience in this line as White:} 7...c5 8.dxc5 Qxd1+ 9.Nxd1 Bxc5 10.O-O Nd5 11.Ne3 Nc6 12.N3xc4 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Bd4 14.Nd3 {1/2 Nakamura,H (2761)-Radjabov,T (2759) Moscow 2019. But this game can hardly be called a fight.} ) ( {Nisipeanu believes he is slightly better after} 7...Nc6 8.Bxc6 ) 8.O-O {Postponing the capture of the pawn for the time being.} ( 8.Nxc4 Qa6 {is how Black should play, according to the German player as Black then quickly solves the problem of his most problematic pieces (the queen and the light-squared bishop) after a further ...Rf8-d8 and ...Bc8-d7-c6.} ) 8...Qa6 9.a4 Nc6 ( {Nisipeanu also has experience in the line with reversed colors. Last year he tried the move:} 9...Rd8 {in the featured position against Meier. His countryman reacted well:} 10.Nb5 Ne8 11.Qc2 Nc6 12.Qxc4 Nxd4 13.Be3 Nf5 14.Bc5 Bxc5 15.Qxc5 Qb6 16.Qxb6 axb6 17.Rfd1 {and White went on to win an instructive game, Meier,G (2628)-Nisipeanu,L (2672) Dortmund 2018.} ) 10.Nb5 ( {With the pawn on a4, the capture on c6 makes less sense:} 10.Nxc6 bxc6 {"A tripled pawn opens two files!" (Yermo).} ) 10...Nxe5 11.dxe5 ( {White cannot bring his knight out in case of:} 11.Nxc7 $2 Qa5 12.Nxa8 Nc6 ) 11...Rd8 12.exf6 $1 $146 {"I could not really remember if this sacrifice was good or not" (Nisipeanu). The intuitive sacrifices remain one of the last human weapons against the power of the machines.} ( {Instead a predecessor saw a quick draw after} 12.Qc2 Nd5 13.Qxc4 c6 14.Nd6 Qxc4 15.Nxc4 b6 16.Bd2 Ba6 17.Rfc1 {1/2 Efimenko,Z (2647)-Kravtsiv,M (2623) Lvov 2015.} ) 12...Rxd1 13.Rxd1 ( {White rejected} 13.fxe7 {due to} 13...Rxf1+ 14.Kxf1 ( {However} 14.Bxf1 {provides compensation for the material as well; for example:} 14...Bd7 ( {Against} 14...Qc6 {best seems the preliminary} 15.Bg2 ( {rather than} 15.Nxc7 Bd7 16.Nxa8 Qc8 ) 15...Qd7 {Then} 16.Nxc7 Qxe7 17.Nxa8 {when Black cannot pick up the knight.} 17...b6 18.a5 ) 15.Nxc7 Qd6 16.Nxa8 {However White did not like} 16...Qxe7 17.Nc7 a6 ) 14...Bd7 $1 15.Nxc7 Qd6 {With mating threat.} 16.Bf4 e5 {"White is just busted. (Nisipeanu).} ) 13...Bd6 {The only move.} ( 13...Bxf6 $2 14.Nxc7 ) 14.Bf4 e5 {This move, just like the others before, was practically blitzed. Nevertheless, it seems it's Black's major mistake, but the speed that Nakamura played made White chose his next move from purely practically reasons.} ( {The computer suggests instead the highly sophisticated:} 14...c3 15.bxc3 e5 16.Bxe5 Qa5 17.Bxd6 cxd6 18.fxg7 {but this seems like a fun position to play as White.} ) ( {More natural, however, is:} 14...Qa5 $1 {For example:} 15.Nxd6 ( {There is also the repetition:} 15.Bd2 Qa6 16.Bf4 {in case White does not mind sharing the point.} ) 15...cxd6 16.Rxd6 gxf6 17.Bh6 ( {Not that good is} 17.Rad1 Kg7 $1 {when the king is secure.} ) 17...e5 18.Rad1 {and whenever the bishop goes, White captures on b7:} 18...Be6 ( 18...Bf5 19.Bxb7 ) 19.Bxb7 {The position remains unbalanced, but since the black king is eternally weak, Nisipeanu repeated multiple times he "may never lose it. "} ) 15.Nxd6 ( {White did not like the line:} 15.Bxe5 $1 Bh3 16.Bxd6 Bxg2 17.Nxc7 Qc6 18.Nxa8 Bh3 19.f3 {as he felt his king is in danger. However, if he just keeps his knight to control the diagonal, he should be much better; for example:} 19...gxf6 20.a5 $1 {and I do not see any danger for him, just extra material for White.} ( {Rather than} 20.Nc7 $2 Qb6+ 21.Kh1 Qf2 {(Nisipeanu) that indeed wins for Black after} 22.Rg1 c3 $3 ( 22...Qxe2 23.Ra3 $1 ) 23.bxc3 Qxe2 {with huge material losses for White.} ) ) 15...cxd6 {The first lengthy thought by Nakamura in an obviously tough position.} ( {Nisipeanu believed that the best defense is:} 15...exf4 $5 16.Ne8 Qb6 {when White has a lot of choices.} ( {After} 16...Qa5 17.Rd8 gxf6 {White simply brings more and more pieces into the attack:} 18.Rad1 ) 17.Rd8 ( {White can also win material after:} 17.a5 Qxb2 18.Nxc7 ( 18.a6 $5 ) 18...gxf6 19.Nxa8 {and this should be much better for him, although there are still chances after} 19...c3 ) 17...gxf6 18.Rad1 ( {One point behind the move Qa6-b6 is revealed in the line} 18.Nxc7+ Kg7 19.Nxa8 Qxd8 ) 18...Qxb2 19.Nxc7+ Kg7 20.Nxa8 {White should be better, but there is still a lot to play.} ) 16.Bxe5 $1 {"I thought I am much better here" (Nisipeanu).} 16...Qa5 ( {Not} 16...Bh3 17.Rxd6 Qa5 18.Rd5 $1 {(Nisipeanu)} ( {rather than} 18.Bc3 Qc5 ) ) 17.Rxd6 {In comparison to the line above, White did not win material but has all his pieces securely placed. He's dominating. Nakamura needs to sacrifice some pawns to bring the reserves out, but this does not help him.} 17...Bg4 ( {Nothing changes} 17...Be6 18.Rad1 ) 18.Bc3 Qc7 19.Rad1 g6 ( {If} 19...Bxe2 20.Rd7 {and the rooks dominate on the seventh rank.} ) 20.Bxb7 Rf8 21.Bf3 Bxf3 ( 21...Bf5 22.Rc6 {is equally hopeless.} ) 22.exf3 {White has it all: a more secure king, more active pieces and even material advantage.} 22...h5 ( {Or} 22...Re8 23.Kg2 ) 23.Kg2 Re8 24.h4 Qc8 25.a5 {Next Nisipeanu improves everything he can and penetrates on the back ranks.} 25...a6 26.Rd7 Qa8 27.R1d6 Rc8 28.Bd4 c3 29.bxc3 Re8 30.Bb6 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.14"]
[Round "11.24"]
[White "Xu, Xiangyu"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2576"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[ECO "E21"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7286877591094"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 b6 5.Bd2 O-O 6.e3 c5 ( {Another plan is:} 6...Bb7 7.Bd3 d6 8.O-O Nbd7 9.a3 Bxc3 10.Bxc3 Ne4 {Braun,A (2598)-Donchenko,A (2604) chess.com INT 2019} ) 7.Bd3 Ba6 8.a3 Bxc3 9.Bxc3 d5 $146 {A logical novelty.} ( {It will be interesting to learn why Inarkiev deviated from} 9...cxd4 10.exd4 d5 11.b3 Qc7 12.Rc1 Rc8 13.Bb2 dxc4 14.bxc4 Nbd7 15.O-O Bb7 16.d5 exd5 17.Nd4 Re8 18.cxd5 Qe5 {1/2-1/2 (18) Gligoric,S-O'Kelly de Galway,A Palma de Mallorca 1967} ) 10.dxc5 dxc4 11.Bc2 Nbd7 ( {White is somewhat better in the endgame after} 11...Qxd1+ 12.Rxd1 Nd5 13.Ne5 ) 12.cxb6 axb6 13.h4 $5 {An interesting concept. Since White did not castle yet, it seems attractive to bring one major piece--or two--to help the bishops. The question is, does White have the time to do it with the king in the center.} 13...Qc7 {Inarkiev wants to win a tempo by chasing the queen from the open file. This, however, is a risky strategy as the almighty majesty does want to meet the black king at his residence.} ( {More solid seems to be challenging the bishops at once with:} 13...Nd5 {The attack would not be dangerous without the dark-squared bishop:} 14.Qd4 ( {If} 14.Bd4 c3 15.bxc3 Qc7 {pointing at the fact that White did not castle yet.} ) 14...Nxc3 15.Qxc3 Nc5 ) 14.Qd4 Rfd8 15.h5 h6 16.Rh3 Kf8 {A serious inaccuracy. The king is not safer there.} ( 16...e5 17.Qh4 {does not change much.} ) ( {However, it made sense to adopt this defensive setup:} 16...Nc5 17.Qh4 Ne8 $1 ( 17...Qe7 18.Rg3 {is less attractive for Black.} ) 18.Rg3 f6 19.Qg4 e5 {Of the two white bishops, the most annoying is the one without an opponent. Therefore, Black needs to build a wall against it as soon as possible.} ) 17.Rg3 Bb7 ( {With the king already on f8, the aforementioned plan is not good:} 17...Nc5 18.Qh4 Ne8 19.Qg4 f6 20.Nh4 ) 18.Qh4 Qd6 ( {Or} 18...Bxf3 19.gxf3 {followed by Ke1-e2 and a massive attack on the kingside.} ) ( {Apparently, the computer fears White's attack so much that it suggests the positional exchange sacrifice:} 18...Ra5 19.Bxa5 bxa5 ) 19.Rd1 Qe7 20.Qxc4 {A small snack in the middle of the attack.} ( {Xu, however, missed a far more delicious dish. The beautiful} 20.Rxd7 $3 {gains material in all lines. For example:} 20...Nxd7 ( {If} 20...Rxd7 21.Bb4 Rd6 22.Rxg7 $1 Kxg7 23.Qg3+ {with a decisive attack on the dark squares.} ) ( 20...Qxd7 {stumbles into the magic:} 21.Bb4+ Ke8 22.Qxf6 $1 ) 21.Bxg7+ Ke8 22.Qf4 {with an unstoppable attack.} ) 20...Nc5 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Qh4 {As if nothing happened, Xu resumes the attack.} 22...Be4 {Finally, Inarkiev challenges the bishop, however...} ( {Had he known what was about to happen, he might have chosen} 22...Rc8 {although this should not have changed the final outcome.} ) 23.Rxg7 $3 {No mercy in the second window of opportunity!} 23...Kxg7 ( {Black could have also tried to checkmate for a change. But he will be one tempo short:} 23...Bxc2 24.Bxf6 Rd1+ ( {After} 24...Qd7 25.Nd4 {is the simplest win.} ) 25.Ke2 Qd6 ( {In case of} 25...Qd7 26.Rg8+ $1 Kxg8 27.Qg3+ {The king lacks an escape square on d7, and Black faces heavy material losses:} 27...Bg6 ( 27...Kf8 28.Qg7+ Ke8 29.Qg8# ) 28.Qb8+ ) 26.Be7+ $1 {winning the queen after} 26...Qxe7 27.Rg8+ ) 24.Bxe4 Nd7 ( {If Black trades more pieces, the pin will be still unbearable even in the endgame:} 24...Nxe4 25.Qxe4 Qd6 26.Qd4 $1 Qxd4 27.Bxd4 {Now White threatens all sorts of knight pickings, like Nf3-h2-g4 or the kingside pawn advance. The only way to break the pin is:} 27...e5 ( {The knight endgame is obviously lost:} 27...Rxd4 28.Nxd4 Nxh5 ) 28.Nxe5 Kf8 29.Bxb6 {But that leaves Black poor and pawnless.} ) 25.Ne5 $1 {The decisive reinforcement.} 25...Rc8 ( {Otherwise the pin is unbearable:} 25...Nxe5 26.Bxe5 Rc8 27.Qg3+ Kh8 28.Qf4 Kg7 29.g4 {with g4-g5 coming.} ) 26.Nxd7 Rxc3 {This bishop costed Black too dearly.} 27.Qg3+ {Winning a whole piece.} ( {Less precise is:} 27.bxc3 Qxd7 ) 27...Kh8 28.Nxf6 Qxf6 29.bxc3 Qxc3+ 30.Ke2 f5 31.Bd3 Qb2+ 32.Kf3 Qxa3 33.Qe5+ Kh7 34.Qc7+ Kg8 35.Qd8+ Kf7 36.Bc4 Qa4 37.Qc8 ( 37.Qc7+ Kf6 38.Kf4 {would need calculating, but Xu is in control.} ) 37...Qd1+ 38.Kf4 ( {Or} 38.Kg3 Qg4+ 39.Kh2 Qxh5+ 40.Kg1 Qd1+ 41.Bf1 ) 38...Qd6+ 39.Kf3 Qd1+ 40.Be2 Qd5+ 41.Kg3 Qe5+ 42.Kh3 Qb2 43.Bc4 Qe5 44.Qd7+ Kf6 45.Qd8+ Kf7 46.Qxb6 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.15"]
[Round "12.13"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2686"]
[ECO "D43"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7904371422778"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 g6 8.Be2 ( {A highly exciting battle emerged after} 8.Ne5 Bg7 9.f4 Nd7 10.h4 Qe7 11.Qc2 O-O 12.O-O-O Nxe5 13.fxe5 Bd7 14.g4 f6 15.Qxg6 fxe5 16.Bd3 e4 17.Nxe4 Be8 18.Nf6+ Rxf6 19.Qh7+ Kf8 20.g5 hxg5 21.hxg5 Rf7 22.Qh3 Rd8 23.g6 Rf6 24.Qh8+ Bxh8 25.Rxh8+ Kg7 26.Rh7+ Kf8 27.Rh8+ Kg7 28.Rh7+ Kf8 29.Rh8+ {1/2 Mamedyarov,S (2764)-Giri,A (2779) Saint Louis 2019} ) 8...Bg7 9.O-O O-O 10.Ne5 c5 11.cxd5 cxd4 12.exd4 exd5 13.Bf3 Nc6 14.Re1 Qd6 15.Nxf7 $146 {A rich novelty. Gelfand was definitely aware of it as he quickly picked up the correct continuation.} ( {All of this had happened before and an email game went} 15.Nxd5 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Bxe5 17.g3 Be6 18.Qb3 Rad8 19.Rad1 Qb8 20.Qe3 Bg7 21.b3 Rfe8 22.Qc1 Kh7 23.Nf4 Rc8 24.Qa3 Bf5 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Qb4 b6 {1/2 Rodriguez,L (2107)-Ramos,E (2262) ICCF email 2016} ) 15...Rxf7 16.Bxd5 Bf5 ( {Worse is} 16...Bd7 17.Bxf7+ Kxf7 18.Nb5 Qb4 ( {Black gets under nasty attack if he opts for} 18...Qf6 19.Qb3+ Kf8 20.Re3 ) 19.Qf3+ Kg8 20.Qd5+ Kh7 ( {Or} 20...Kh8 21.Qxd7 Qxb5 22.d5 Nd4 ( 22...Rd8 23.Re8+ $1 ) 23.Qxb5 Nxb5 24.Re7 {with a clearly better endgame for White.} ) 21.Qxd7 Qxb5 22.Re7 Rg8 23.Qxb7 {In comparison to the game Black lacks the additional chances related to the weak white king.} ) ( 16...Qf4 17.Qb3 Qxf2+ 18.Kh1 Nxd4 19.Qc4 ( 19.Bxf7+ Qxf7 20.Re8+ Bf8 21.Rxf8+ Kxf8 22.Qb4+ ) ) 17.g4 {A forced weakening.} ( {As otherwise there is no visible follow-up of the attack in case of} 17.Bxf7+ Kxf7 18.Nb5 Qb4 ) 17...Bd7 18.Bxf7+ Kxf7 19.Nb5 Qb4 20.Qf3+ Kg8 21.Qd5+ Kh7 22.Qxd7 Qxb5 23.Re7 ( {Not:} 23.d5 $2 Rd8 24.Qe6 Nd4 {with a decisive counter-attack.} ) 23...Rg8 24.Rae1 {The end of the forcing line.} ( {Due to the kingside weakening Matlakov can no longer liquidate into a favorable endgame:} 24.Qxb7 Qg5 25.Rxg7+ Rxg7 26.Qxc6 Qxg4+ 27.Qg2 Qxd4 {is equal.} ) 24...Qxb2 ( {The other move which deserved serious consideration was} 24...Qg5 $5 25.Rf7 ( {True, White does not need to repeat and can keep on playing with} 25.Re8 {Then} 25...Rxe8 26.Rxe8 Nxd4 27.Kf1 ) 25...Nd8 26.Rfe7 Nc6 {leads to repetition of the moves.} ) 25.Qxb7 Qc2 ( {Once more, it made sense to keep the queen close to the enemy king with} 25...Qc3 {Then} 26.Qc7 ( 26.R1e3 Qa1+ 27.Re1 {is only repetition.} ) 26...Qf3 {looks annoying for White. In any case he would not have enough time to seize the seventh rank.} ) 26.Qc7 Qa4 27.Qd7 ( {It is too early for} 27.Rf7 Nxd4 28.Ree7 $2 Qd1+ {when Black attacks first.} ) 27...Qc4 28.Rf7 Nxd4 29.Ree7 Kh8 ( {The endgame after} 29...Qc1+ 30.Kg2 Qc6+ 31.f3 $1 Qxd7 32.Rxd7 {is very difficult for Black. He is practically paralized and the rook and the pawn are as a rule stronger than the minor pieces in the battle on two flanks.} ) 30.Kg2 $1 {A very cool move, sidestepping the knight check and asking Black what is he doing.} ( 30.Rxg7 Rxg7 31.Rxg7 Nf3+ 32.Kg2 Ne1+ 33.Kg1 Nf3+ {would lead to a forcing draw instead.} ) 30...Nc2 {The knight leaves the center. A bad sign for Gelfand.} ( {However, it is understandable that he still does not like the endgame after} 30...Qc6+ 31.Qxc6 Nxc6 32.Re4 ) ( {Most stubborn, however, is to use the same "sticking" idea from before} 30...Qc3 {The queen is ready for perpetual all the time:} 31.Rxg7 ( {Therefore White will need to try and play for the win with} 31.Re8 Rxe8 32.Qxe8+ Kh7 33.Qe4 {when the white pieces are dominating, but the black ones are lurking in the grass, waiting for a good moment to come.} ) 31...Qf3+ ) 31.Qe6 Qd3 ( {If the endgame was very bad for Black, here it is simply unplayable.} 31...Qxe6 32.Rxe6 g5 33.Rxa7 ) 32.Re8 $1 {Matlakov wins material.} 32...Rxe8 33.Qxe8+ Kh7 34.Qe5 Ne1+ 35.Qxe1 {Forced but good.} ( 35.Kg1 $2 Nf3+ ) 35...Qd5+ ( {The last chance was:} 35...Qc4 36.Rf3 Qxg4+ 37.Rg3 Qc4 {although White should win here as well.} ) 36.Rf3 Qxa2 37.Qe4 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.16"]
[Round "19.9"]
[White "Xu, Xiangyu"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2576"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7701971077170"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 ( 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 {was the move order of the game Chatalbashev,B (2552)-Docx,S (2427) Gent 2017 below.} ) 3...Bb4 4.Nf3 d5 5.Qa4+ Nc6 6.e3 O-O 7.Qc2 ( 7.Bd2 {is the main line.} ) 7...b6 ( {The very solid line} 7...Bd6 8.c5 Be7 9.Bb5 Bd7 10.O-O a6 11.Bxc6 Bxc6 12.b4 Ne4 13.Ne5 Qe8 14.Nxc6 Qxc6 15.a4 Nxc3 16.Qxc3 Qd7 17.Bd2 c6 {led eventually to a draw in Mamedyarov,S (2765)-Dubov,D (2700) Paris 2019} ) 8.Bd2 Bb7 {This leads to an already fresh position. According to my Megabase only two games have been played in the line.} ( {In one of his previous games the Russian GM chose} 8...a5 9.Bd3 Ba6 10.cxd5 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 exd5 12.Rc1 Ne7 {Vitiugov,N (2718)-Grischuk,A (2751) Novi Sad 2016} ) 9.a3 ( 9.cxd5 exd5 10.Bd3 Bd6 {was Chatalbashev,B (2552)-Docx,S (2427) Gent 2017} ) 9...Bd6 10.cxd5 {The first lenghthy thought by the Chinese player.} 10...exd5 11.Bd3 a6 12.Ne2 $146 {This novelty has been played after almost half an hour of thought.} ( {Both predecessors saw} 12.O-O {when Black opted for either} 12...Nb8 ( {Or} 12...Re8 13.b4 Nb8 14.b5 a5 15.a4 Nbd7 {Chatalbashev,B (2552)-Docx,S (2427) Gent 2017} ) 13.b4 Qe7 14.Rfb1 Re8 15.a4 c6 16.Ne5 Bxe5 17.dxe5 Qxe5 18.Ne2 {Tabatabaei,M (2590)-Alekseev,E (2639) Bandar e Anzali 2019} ) 12...Ne7 13.Bc3 {Xu stops the c7-c5 advance...} ( {There is no time for} 13.Ng3 c5 ) 13...Ne4 $1 {...but allows another unpleasant move. If the knight is left where it is the kingside attack will run smoothly.} 14.Bxe4 {Therefore White ventures into a risky line.} ( {Objectively speaking:} 14.O-O {should have been preferred.} ) 14...dxe4 15.Ng5 {Black loses a pawn, but in the process all his long-ranged pieces are freed.} 15...Nd5 {A cautious move. Grischuk makes sure there will be no long-ranged pieces eyeing his king.} ( {Also interesting was} 15...Nf5 16.Nxe4 Qh4 17.N4g3 ( 17.N2g3 Nxe3 $1 {as below.} ) 17...Nxg3 18.fxg3 ( 18.Nxg3 Bxg2 {would be similar to the game except that instead of a knight there is a bishop on c3.} ) 18...Qe7 {with good compensation for a pawn.} ) 16.Nxe4 Qh4 17.N4g3 ( {Worse is} 17.N2g3 $2 Nxe3 $1 18.fxe3 Bxe4 {with a clear advantage for Black.} ) ( {The other forcing line also favors the second player:} 17.Nxd6 Nxe3 $1 18.Qd3 Nxg2+ 19.Kf1 Nf4 20.Nf5 ( {Or} 20.Nxf4 Bxh1 ) 20...Nxd3 21.Nxh4 Bxh1 {as the black knight cannot be trapped:} 22.Rd1 g5 ) 17...Nxc3 18.Nxc3 Bxg2 {Black regains the pawn, however now some files are opened against his king. It all gets very, very sharp.} 19.Rg1 Bf3 $1 ( {More open files mean more problems for Black:} 19...Qxh2 20.O-O-O Bf3 {White can already regain the material with} 21.Rh1 ( {Or play for attack with} 21.Nf5 $5 ) ( {Or} 21.Rde1 $5 ) 21...Bxh1 22.Rxh1 Bxg3 23.Rxh2 Bxh2 ) 20.Nf5 Qxh2 21.Rxg7+ Kh8 {All of this was forced and Xu hurries to bring on the reserves with} 22.Ne4 ( {The other option was} 22.Ne2 {when Black can practically force a draw with} 22...Rg8 ( {Or play on with} 22...Qh5 23.Neg3 ( {Not} 23.Nxd6 Kxg7 ) 23...Bxg3 24.Rxg3 Qh1+ 25.Kd2 Qxa1 26.Rxf3 {with compensation for the exchange.} ) 23.Rxg8+ Rxg8 24.Nxd6 cxd6 25.Qf5 Rg1+ 26.Nxg1 Qxg1+ 27.Kd2 Qxa1 28.Qf6+ Kg8 29.Qd8+ Kg7 30.Qg5+ {and perpetual.} ) 22...Bh5 {Black on his turn hurries to bring on the reserves and hopes to trap the rook.} ( {Grischuk avoids the devilish trap} 22...Qh1+ $2 23.Kd2 Qxa1 ( {Even worse is} 23...Bxe4 24.Rxh1 Bxc2 25.Rhxh7# ) 24.Nf6 Qh1 25.Rxh7+ Qxh7 26.Nxh7 Kxh7 27.Nxd6+ {when White should win.} ) ( {However, safer was} 22...Rg8 23.Rxg8+ Rxg8 24.Kd2 Rg6 ) 23.Nf6 Bg6 {The point. It should be said that the previous play exhausted both players' clocks. Especially White's.} 24.O-O-O {According to the computer, this most natural move is a mistake. There is a huge difference if the white king is on d2 or c1!} ( {The machine finds this play best:} 24.Qe4 $1 Qh3 25.Rxh7+ $3 Bxh7 26.Nxh7 Qxh7 ( {Instead} 26...Kxh7 $2 {loses after} 27.Nxd6+ Kg8 28.Kd2 cxd6 29.Rg1+ ) ( {However} 26...Rae8 $5 {is possible with unclear endgame after} 27.Ng5 Rxe4 28.Nxh3 ) 27.Kd2 Rae8 28.Qf3 {Ra1-h1 is a major threat, which means that Black's next move is forced} 28...Bh2 $1 29.Rh1 Rg8 $1 {The threat is Rg8-g1, but White has} 30.Ne7 $3 Rxe7 31.Qf6+ Rg7 32.Qxe7 {Then} 32...Qh5 {is well met with} ( 32...Rg2 33.Qf8+ Rg8 34.Qe7 {only repeats moves.} ) 33.Qe8+ Rg8 ( {Not:} 33...Kh7 $2 34.Qe5 $1 ) 34.Qe5+ Qxe5 35.dxe5 Rg2 36.Ke2 Kg7 37.Kf3 Rg5 38.Rxh2 Rxe5 {with a drawn rook endgame!!} ) 24...Be7 {A blunder says the computer, but apparently both players believed it was already over for White.} ( {On his turn, Grischuk misses the computer idea:} 24...Qh3 $3 25.Rxh7+ Bxh7 26.Nxh7 Qxh7 27.Qe4 Rae8 28.Qf3 ( 28.Qg2 Rg8 {loses a vital tempo.} ) 28...Bh2 29.Rh1 Rg8 {Now in comparison to before, the line} 30.Ne7 Rxe7 31.Qf6+ Rg7 32.Qxe7 Qh5 33.Qe8+ Rg8 34.Qe5+ Qxe5 35.dxe5 {no longer works as} 35...Rg1+ $1 {is a check. This is where the difference between 0-0-0 and Kd2 becomes evident.} ) 25.Qc6 {With seconds on the clock Xu misses a win!} ( {The following brilliant stuff} 25.Rxh7+ $3 Bxh7 26.Nxh7 Qxh7 27.Qe4 Bd6 28.Rh1 Bh2 29.Qg2 {would have won the game for him.} ) ( {Moreover} 25.Ng4 Qh5 26.Rxg6 {was also far from clear, and even worse for White after} 26...fxg6 ( {Or} 26...hxg6 27.Nxe7 Qxg4 28.d5 ) 27.Nxe7 Qxg4 28.Rh1 Rf6 29.Qxc7 {White definitely has enough for the exchange.} ) ( 25.Rxg6 hxg6 26.Ng4 {would have transposed to the line from above.} ) 25...Bxf5 26.Rdg1 {The last attempt. It could easily have worked in time trouble.} 26...Bg6 ( {For instance, an obvious move like} 26...Bd6 $2 {would reveal White's idea:} 27.R7g2 $1 Qh3 28.Qxa8 $1 Rxa8 29.Rg8+ Rxg8 30.Rxg8# ) ( {The aforementioned line worked only because the black queen was removed from the rook. It would not work after} 26...Qxf2 27.Qxa8 Qxg1+ $1 ) 27.R1xg6 hxg6 28.Rh7+ Qxh7 29.Nxh7 Kxh7 {The extra material wins easily. The only task is to reach the time-control.} 30.Kd2 Bd6 31.e4 Rad8 32.Ke3 Rfe8 33.f4 ( 33.e5 Re6 34.f4 Kg7 {leads to the same.} ) 33...Re6 34.e5 Kg7 ( {Not the hasty} 34...Bxe5 $2 35.Qh1+ ) 35.Qb7 c5 36.d5 ( {Or} 36.Qxb6 Bxe5 37.Qxd8 Bf6+ ) 36...Re7 37.Qxb6 Bxe5 $1 38.fxe5 ( 38.Qxd8 Bf6+ {and whereever the king goes there's a discovery check.} ) 38...Rxe5+ 39.Kf3 Rexd5 0-1

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.17"]
[Round "20.6"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7698057796127"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 {A surprise. Matlakov is mainly a 1.d4 player. He rarely pushes his king's pawn this early.} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.O-O d5 {Aronian likes this move against the Ruy Lopes as well.} 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 Bg4 9.Nbd2 Nb6 10.h3 Bh5 11.Bb3 Kh8 {A question of style. Aronian likes initiative and therefore prefers to keep queens on the board.} ( {White does not seem to have much after:} 11...Qxd3 12.Nxe5 Bxd1 13.Nxd3 Bxb3 14.axb3 Be7 15.b4 a6 16.Ne4 Nd7 17.Bf4 Rac8 18.Rad1 Rfd8 {but eventually managed to win in Giri,A (2797)-Harikrishna,P (2723) Shenzhen 2019. Moreover, these positions would be completely risk-free for White with close to zero chances of a loss.} ) 12.Ne4 Be7 13.Ng3 Bxf3 14.Qxf3 f5 15.a4 $146 ( 15.Bc2 a5 16.Nf1 Bg5 17.Qh5 Bxc1 18.Raxc1 Qf6 19.Nh2 g6 20.Qh6 Nd8 {was OK for Black in Dastan,B (2569)-Martirosyan,H (2597) Batumi 2018} ) ( {The immediate pawn sacrifice} 15.d4 {is also interesting as the line} 15...exd4 16.Nh5 dxc3 17.Qg3 Bf6 18.bxc3 {promises White plenty of initiative on the open files and diagonals.} ) 15...a5 {The pawn should not be let run all the way to a6. This will weaken the light squares too much.} 16.d4 f4 ( {Once more} 16...exd4 17.Nh5 dxc3 ( {But maybe Black can defend with} 17...Bf6 ) 18.Qg3 Bf6 19.bxc3 {looks good for White.} ) 17.Nh5 {Risky, but good.} ( 17.Ne2 {is more solid.} ) 17...g6 18.dxe5 {Except that the follow-up is not the optimal one.} ( {Better was to keep the open file for the rook with} 18.d5 $1 Na7 ( 18...Nb8 {barely changes much.} ) 19.Rxe5 Bd6 ( {Worse is} 19...gxh5 20.Rxh5 Qd7 21.Bc2 Rf7 22.c4 {with an overwhelming initiative for White.} ) 20.Re6 gxh5 21.Qxh5 {The rook on e6 would have been quite useful on the kingside, whereas the black knights need time to rescue their king.} ) 18...gxh5 19.Qxh5 Qd3 {This blocks the bishop's diagonal and prepares a counterattack.} 20.Bf7 Rxf7 {At the first possible moment. Aronian never hesitates whenever the word initiative is on the board.} ( {Strictly speaking, he could have waited for a better moment to sacrifice the exchange. After} 20...Rad8 21.Bxf4 $2 {would allow such a chance:} ( {Black is doing great after} 21.e6 Nd5 {followed by Nd5-f6 too.} ) 21...Rxf7 22.Qxf7 Rf8 {winning.} ) 21.Qxf7 Rf8 22.Qh5 Bc5 23.Qf3 {The best defense.} ( {Otherwise White will be forced to trade the queens under less favorable circumstances:} 23.Qe2 Qg3 24.Qf3 Nc4 25.e6 N4e5 ) 23...Qxf3 24.gxf3 Rf5 {The minor pieces are better in the arising endgame as they have nice outposts around the white king.} 25.Re4 ( 25.e6 Kg7 {would not change anything. The e-pawn is due to evaporate soon.} ) 25...Nxe5 26.Bxf4 Bd6 27.Kg2 Nd5 28.Bg3 Ng6 $1 ( {Less accurate was} 28...Nxf3 29.Bxd6 cxd6 30.Rd1 ) 29.Rd1 ( {After} 29.Bxd6 cxd6 30.Rd1 Ndf4+ 31.Kf1 d5 {Black is much better in any case.} ) 29...Kg7 30.h4 Kf7 31.Rd2 ( {Here and on the next move it made sense for White to swap the bishops off:} 31.Bxd6 cxd6 32.Kg3 ) 31...Nf6 32.Red4 Nf4+ 33.Kh2 ( {The black bishop will be superbly placed in case of} 33.Bxf4 Bxf4 34.Rd1 Bd6 {followed by b7-b6.} ) 33...Ne6 34.Rc4 Bxg3+ $1 {Concrete and strong, especially in timetrouble.} 35.fxg3 ( 35.Kxg3 c6 {followed by Nf6-d5 would also keep the white rooks under control.} ) 35...Rxf3 36.Kg2 ( {Perhaps White should have trid:} 36.b4 axb4 37.cxb4 Ra3 ) 36...Re3 37.g4 Ke7 {The final preparation.} 38.Rf2 ( {Or else the black knights and rook create mating threats:} 38.g5 Ne4 39.Rd1 Nf4+ 40.Kf1 Re2 ) 38...Ne4 $1 {A rook is trapped no matter what!} 39.Rf5 ( {If} 39.Rc2 Nd6 {anyway.} ) ( {Both} 39.Rf3 Rxf3 40.Kxf3 Nd2+ ) ( {and} 39.Rf1 Nd2 {can't help either.} ) 39...Nd6 0-1

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.18"]
[Round "22.2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2707"]
[ECO "A30"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[Beauty "4884472600665"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 e6 4.g3 b6 5.Bg2 Bb7 6.O-O Be7 7.Re1 Ne4 {Avoiding the Hedgehog positions.} 8.Nxe4 Bxe4 9.d3 Bb7 10.e4 Nc6 11.d4 ( {Another plan is} 11.a3 O-O 12.Rb1 Rc8 13.h4 h6 14.Bd2 a5 15.Bc3 Ba6 16.Nd2 {Wang,Y (2684)-Meier,G (2621) chess.com INT 2019} ) 11...cxd4 12.Nxd4 Nxd4 13.Qxd4 O-O 14.Be3 Qc7 15.Rac1 Qc6 $146 ( {A predecessor saw Black holding his own after} 15...Rfd8 16.Red1 Bc6 17.a3 Qb7 18.b4 f5 19.Rf1 Bf6 20.Qd2 a6 21.f3 fxe4 22.fxe4 b5 23.Rfe1 {1/2 Snape,I (2241)-Broomfield,M (2325) Coulsdon 2006} ) 16.Qd2 {Next Xiong goes for the throat at once with} 16...f5 17.Bd4 f4 {Objectively speaking, this should not be working but it makes the games extremely sharp at once.} 18.gxf4 Bd6 19.f5 {Most likely a blunder.} ( {Better was:} 19.Be3 Rf7 20.Red1 Bc5 21.b4 {when Black's compensation is questionable.} ) 19...Rxf5 $1 {Not only did White lose his extra pawn, but the rook is positioned for the kingside attack.} ( {Presumably Giri expected} 19...exf5 20.Qg5 Rf7 21.e5 Qxg2+ 22.Qxg2 Bxg2 23.Kxg2 Bb4 24.Bc3 {with a pleasant endgame.} ) 20.b4 {White needs to try and disturb the black bishops.} 20...Rh5 21.h3 Rf8 22.Red1 $1 {With the threat of Bd4xg7.} 22...Rxh3 {Tempting, but wrong. Now it is Giri's turn to fire.} ( {Strong was} 22...Bf4 23.Be3 Rg5 $1 {with the key point} 24.Bxf4 Qxe4 $1 25.f3 Qxf4 26.Qxf4 Rxf4 27.Rxd7 Bxf3 {and Black has the better endgame.} ) 23.Bxg7 $1 {Now everything is hanging, but above all the black king is less safe than his colleague.} ( 23.Bxh3 $2 {would have left White helpless after} 23...Qxe4 24.f3 Rxf3 25.Bg2 Rg3 26.Rc2 Qg4 ) 23...Rh2 ( {The main point behind the capture (and the Re1-d1 move) is revealed in the line} 23...Kxg7 24.Bxh3 Qxe4 25.Qd4+ ) ( {Objectively best was} 23...Bh2+ 24.Kf1 Rf7 25.Bf6 Rxf6 26.Bxh3 Bf4 {trying to organize the defense on the dark squares.} ) 24.Qg5 {Xiong was playing on seconds, and is under a decisive attack. A lot of people would have thrown in the towel here...} 24...Rf5 $3 {The second rook goes wild. At the same square.} ( 24...Bf4 25.Qg4 {was bad for Black.} ) ( {Even worse was} 24...Rf7 25.Be5+ Kf8 26.Qd8# ) 25.Qg4 Kf7 26.Bb2 ( {Giri was also running out of time. Otherwise he might have found the large advantage after} 26.Bh6 $3 Ke7 {Now White has a choice between the inspiring} ( 26...Rxh6 27.exf5 {It is important that this pawn defends the g6 square against the rook pins.} ) 27.c5 ( {and the rock-solid} 27.Qg7+ Kd8 28.f3 ) 27...bxc5 28.Rxc5 Bxc5 ( {White is also in control after} 28...Rxg2+ 29.Qxg2 Bxc5 30.Qg7+ Kd8 31.bxc5 ) 29.Kxh2 {In both cases White is much better although it is not over yet.} ) 26...Bf4 ( {Best was to run away with the king at once with} 26...Ke8 $1 27.Rd5 Rf4 28.Qg3 exd5 29.exd5 Qa4 30.Qxh2 Qxb4 31.Be5 Bxe5 32.Qh5+ Kd8 33.Qxe5 Qd2 {with equality according to the machine.} ) 27.b5 Qc7 ( {Nothing changes} 27...Qc8 28.Qg7+ Ke8 29.Bf6 Rxg2+ 30.Kxg2 Bxe4+ 31.Kg1 {and White should be close to winning.} ) 28.Qg7+ {The decisive moment of the match. It seems as White is mating, but this is not the case. I am not sure White would have found the winning continuation even in a classical game though.} ( {The win was lying in the 'compvine' (a combination of 'computer' and 'divine') move:} 28.Rd5 $3 {(I do not have enough exclamations for this one.) Then the main idea is} 28...Bxd5 ( 28...exd5 29.Qxf5+ Ke8 30.Ba3 Bd6 31.cxd5 {leaves Black completely defenseless.} ) ( {Easier to refute is the forcing line} 28...Rxg2+ 29.Kxg2 Bxc1 30.Rxf5+ exf5 31.Qg7+ Ke8 32.Qg8+ Ke7 33.Bxc1 ) 29.cxd5 Bxc1 ( 29...Rxg2+ 30.Kxg2 {changes nothing.} ) 30.dxe6+ dxe6 31.Qg7+ Ke8 32.Qxc7 $1 {Who would have predicted that it is this queen White was targeting with the move Rd1-d5!!} ) 28...Ke8 29.Bf6 Rxg2+ $1 {Just in time.} ( {Not} 29...Rxf6 30.Qxf6 Bxc1 31.Rxc1 {when White is clearly better.} ) 30.Kxg2 Bxe4+ 31.Kf1 ( 31.Kg1 Bh2+ 32.Kf1 Bd6 {would transpose instead.} ) 31...Bd6 {The king is almost fully secured.} 32.Bh4 ( {One more computer-generated drawvine (yes, you guessed it: a drawish divine line!) runs} 32.Rc3 Bf8 33.Qg4 Qb7 34.Bh4 Bf3 35.Rxd7 $3 Kxd7 ( 35...Qxd7 36.Rxf3 Qd1+ 37.Kg2 {should be equal as well.} ) 36.Rd3+ Ke8 37.Qg8 Qc8 38.Qxh7 Bh5 39.Qxa7 Bc5 40.Qh7 Bf8 {and the machine says: good game both!} ) 32...Bf8 33.Qg3 Qxg3 34.Bxg3 Bf3 35.Rd4 Be7 {Black is charge in the endgame as the rooks do not have enough room to operate but Giri now demonstrates impeccable defensive technique.} 36.Ke1 Bb4+ 37.Kf1 Be7 38.Ke1 Rh5 39.Kd2 $1 {The presence of opposite-colored bishops should be enough for the draw.} 39...Bf6 40.Rd3 Bg5+ 41.Re3 Kd8 42.Bd6 ( 42.a4 $5 {to trade the pawns as early as he could might have been somewhat better.} ) 42...Rh1 {A practical approach by the American GM. Despite his young age Xiong is always very rational. Black can push for the overall win of the match with no risk.} 43.Rxh1 Bxe3+ 44.Kxe3 Bxh1 45.Kd4 Bf3 46.Kc3 h5 47.a4 $1 h4 48.Kb4 h3 49.a5 Ke8 50.axb6 axb6 51.c5 Kf7 ( 51...bxc5+ 52.Kxc5 Kf7 53.Kd4 {should also be a draw.} ) 52.cxb6 Kf6 53.Bg3 e5 54.Kc3 Ke6 55.Kd3 Bb7 56.f4 $1 {Just in time to swap all the important pawns.} 56...exf4 ( 56...e4+ 57.Ke3 Kf5 58.Bh2 Kg4 59.Kf2 d5 60.Ke3 Ba8 61.Kd4 {is a fortress.} ) 57.Bxf4 Kd5 58.Bh2 Kc5 59.Bg1+ Kxb5 60.Ke2 $1 {Switching the roles of the defenders.} 60...d5 61.Kf2 d4 62.Kg3 d3 63.Be3 Bc8 64.b7 Bxb7 65.Kxh3 d2 66.Bxd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.20"]
[Round "28.2"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2730"]
[BlackElo "2707"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7564511162445"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nc7 7.O-O g6 ( {Duda expected a more "central" line:} 7...e5 8.a3 Be7 9.Rb1 O-O 10.b4 cxb4 11.axb4 b5 ) 8.Na4 ( {White did not get anything in the following Women Speed Chess Championship game:} 8.d3 Bg7 9.Be3 Ne6 10.Rc1 O-O 11.Qd2 Rb8 12.Bh6 b6 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.Ng5 Nxg5 15.Qxg5 Bb7 16.Rfd1 e5 17.Qxd8 Rfxd8 {Harika, D (2492) -Sebag,M (2476) chess.com INT 2019} ) 8...Ne6 ( {Otherwise there might be problems along the diagonals:} 8...b6 9.d4 ( 9.e3 ) 9...cxd4 10.Bf4 {(Duda)} ) 9.d3 Ncd4 10.Be3 {"I am winning a pawn and this cannot be bad, right?" (Duda)} ( {White was also considering} 10.Nxd4 cxd4 11.b4 {"It is very pleasant for White." (Duda)} ) 10...Bg7 11.Rc1 O-O $1 $146 {A novelty and the best move under the circumstances. Xiong spotted non-obvious counterplay.} ( {A predecessor saw Black burning down in flames after} 11...Qd6 12.Nd2 f5 13.Nb3 Nxb3 14.Qxb3 Nd4 15.Bxd4 cxd4 16.Nc5 Qb6 17.Qa4+ Kf7 18.Bd5+ e6 19.Bxb7 {1-0 (19) Endzelins,L-Nikkanen,P Finland 1977} ) 12.Nxc5 Nf5 13.Nxe6 ( {From the theoretical point of view, this move is not optimal. After the accurate} 13.Bd2 $1 Nxc5 14.Rxc5 Bxb2 15.Qb3 Bg7 16.Rfc1 {"White is a little better" (Duda)} ) 13...Bxe6 14.Bc5 ( {Otherwise Black will get enough counterplay thanks to his strong dark-squared bishop:} 14.b3 Nxe3 15.fxe3 Qb6 ) 14...Bxb2 15.Rb1 Bg7 16.Rxb7 {"I decided to sacrifice the exchange." (Duda)} 16...Qc8 $1 17.Rb5 a6 18.Ra5 {Now the rook is stuck on a5 and in order to free it White needs to sacrifice some material.} 18...Bc3 19.Qa4 ( {Another way to sacrifice the exchange was:} 19.Bb6 Bxa5 20.Bxa5 Rb8 ) 19...Rb8 $1 {Duda said he had forgotten about this move, and that it threatens 20...Bd7 21.Qa3 Bb2 winning the queen.} ( {It's better than} 19...Bxa5 20.Qxa5 Rb8 21.Qa3 {which is a much better version of the sacrifice that White got into the game.} ) 20.d4 $1 {There is nothing else.} ( {The point behind Xiong's idea is that White can not free himself with:} 20.Rc1 $2 {due to:} 20...Bd7 21.Qa3 Bb2 {when Black wins.} ) 20...Bxa5 21.Qxa5 {Black won an exchange, but White has the bishop pair and a solid pawn structure. Xiong's next move is an inaccuracy.} 21...Rb2 {This wins another pawn, but now White's center expands.} ( {Instead he should have slowed White down in the center with} 21...Bd5 22.Re1 Rb5 23.Qc3 Nd6 ) 22.e4 $1 Nd6 23.Qa3 Rxa2 24.Qe3 {"White always has compensation as he can push the central pawns." (Duda)} 24...f6 {The queen sortie to h6 was not yet dangerous.} ( {Therefore} 24...Qb7 {deserved serious investigation, e.g.} 25.d5 ( 25.Ne5 $5 ) ( 25.Qh6 f6 ) 25...Bd7 26.Qh6 f6 ) 25.Rc1 Qd7 {In the wrong direction!} ( {After} 25...Qb7 $1 26.d5 Bd7 ) ( {or} 25...Qb8 $5 {Black would be looking into the future without any fear.} ) 26.d5 Bh3 27.Bxh3 Qxh3 {The trade of the bishops looked logical but in reality it weakened the e6 square.} 28.Bxd6 ( {Even better was the direct:} 28.Nd4 $1 Rb8 29.Nc6 Rb7 30.Nxe7+ Rxe7 31.Bxd6 {with advantage for White.} ) 28...exd6 29.Nd4 Rc8 ( {Duda realized here that Black can defend himself with} 29...Rb8 $1 30.Ne6 Rab2 31.Qa7 R2b7 {followed by Rb7-b1 with counter-chances. If Black can keep the opponent's queen away he would be safe.} ) 30.Nc6 Re8 31.Nd4 Rc8 ( {After} 31...Qd7 32.Ne6 Rb2 33.Rc7 Rb1+ 34.Kg2 Qb5 {White can still play for a win with} 35.Kh3 $1 ) 32.Rb1 Ra4 33.Ne6 {The knight on e6 defended by a pawn is as good as a rook, Kasparov would say. Here it is better than any of the black rooks and Xiong's defense is very difficult.} 33...Rac4 34.Re1 g5 {Now comes the fantastic:} ( {Duda felt that Black should be already losing anyway. However:} 34...a5 $1 35.Qa7 Qh6 36.Qxa5 ( 36.Kg2 a4 ) 36...Rc1 $1 {with the same old idea of trading the rooks and keeping White busy might have saved Black.} ) 35.e5 $3 {A breakthrough into Black's most defended square after which his position falls apart.} 35...dxe5 ( {Nothing helps:} 35...Qf5 36.exd6 Qxd5 37.Qa7 {(Duda)} ) 36.Qa7 Qh6 37.d6 Rc1 38.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 39.Kg2 g4 {Mate is threatened, but it is all under control:} 40.h4 gxh3+ 41.Kh2 Qg6 42.Qa8+ ( {From afar White planned:} 42.Qb7 {which also wins, but slowlier.} ) ( {"The only thing to be aware of is not to get checkmated after:"} 42.Qe7 $4 Rh1+ 43.Kxh1 Qe4+ {(Duda)} ) ( 42.Qa8+ {Black resigned due to:} 42...Kf7 43.d7 {The white queen protects him on the long diagonal.} ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.21"]
[Round "29.8"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7633230636073"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {Italian for a win. Not Berlin!} 3...Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 a6 8.a4 Ba7 9.Nbd2 Qe7 10.O-O ( {Black's defense is easier after} 10.Qe2 Be6 11.b4 Bxc4 12.Nxc4 Qe6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.O-O O-O 15.b5 Nd8 16.Rfb1 axb5 17.axb5 Ne6 {Yu,Y (2736)-Aronian,L (2756) Riga 2019} ) 10...g5 11.Bg3 Nd7 12.b4 $146 {Dominguez came very well prepared for the game. This move is a novelty. What's more important: the Cuban-American GM managed to get an extremely complex position. Not a single pawn has been traded yet, and the battle is going on all over the board.} ( {A recent game saw} 12.Bd5 Nf8 13.Nc4 h5 14.h4 g4 15.Ne1 Ng6 16.b4 Nd8 17.b5 {Martirosyan,H (2616) -Hovhannisyan,R (2634) Yerevan 2019.} ) 12...Nf8 13.b5 Nd8 $1 ( {The a-file should be kept blocked, as the following line suggests:} 13...axb5 $2 14.axb5 Nd8 15.b6 $1 cxb6 16.d4 {when Black's center crumbles.} ) ( {The other square for the knight will leave it permanently out of the game} 13...Na5 $6 14.Ba2 h5 15.d4 h4 {Then White can even afford playing like this:} 16.Bxe5 $1 dxe5 17.Nxe5 {with a strong attack through the center.} ) 14.d4 ( {Here the immediate} 14.Bd5 $5 {deserves serious attention. The point is to provoke the weakening move} 14...c6 {when} 15.Ba2 h5 {gives a chance for White to explore the weakness with} 16.Nc4 h4 17.Nxd6+ $1 ) 14...Ng6 15.h3 h5 16.Bd5 {A tad late, but White hardy has any other choice.} 16...c6 {Most likely unnecessary.} ( {Grischuk might have done better with} 16...g4 17.hxg4 h4 18.Bh2 h3 19.bxa6 ( {or} 19.g3 Bxg4 20.bxa6 exd4 {when the excluded bishop on h2 should not make White happy.} ) 19...hxg2 20.Re1 Bxg4 {Black's kingside attack looks more serious than the initiative of the opponent on the other wing.} ) 17.Bb3 g4 18.hxg4 Bxg4 ( {Black also had other choices, such as:} 18...h4 19.Bh2 h3 ) 19.Qb1 {Breaking the pin at once and preparing the move b5-b6.} 19...Rc8 ( {Here too} 19...h4 {is possible when after} 20.Bh2 h3 21.g3 ( {Not as good is} 21.b6 hxg2 22.Kxg2 {when the white king is badly exposed.} ) 21...Qf6 22.Bd1 {The position can hardly be evaluated correctly. Both sides have problematic pieces; however, White can always hope to get his bishops out and prove their superiority, such as in this line:} 22...exd4 23.cxd4 Bxf3 24.Nxf3 Bxd4 25.Nxd4 Qxd4 26.bxc6 bxc6 27.Ra2 ) 20.bxa6 bxa6 21.Qd3 h4 22.Bh2 Ne6 {Quickly to f4!} ( {Once again Grischuk has a vast choice:} 22...h3 23.g3 Qf6 ) ( {Or even the computer move} 22...Rc7 $5 {that removes the rook away from the tempo:} 23.Qxa6 h3 {In both cases with a double-edged position.} ) 23.Bd1 {Not only defending but attacking the Bg4.} 23...Nef4 24.Qxa6 O-O {An inaccuracy.} ( {Stronger seems} 24...Rc7 25.Nxe5 dxe5 26.Bxg4 Qg5 27.Bf3 exd4 28.cxd4 Bxd4 29.Rab1 {And only then} 29...O-O {For the pawn Black keeps a strong grip on the position.} ) 25.Nxe5 $1 dxe5 26.Bxg4 Qg5 27.Bf3 Ra8 ( {Apparently now there is no time for} 27...exd4 28.Qxa7 ) 28.Qc4 {The pawn on d4 survives and thanks to it Dominguez has the king in safety. With his next move Grischuk still tries to prove that he has enough initiative on the kingside, but blunders.} 28...Nxg2 $2 ( {After} 28...h3 $1 29.Bxf4 Qxf4 30.Rfd1 hxg2 {it would have been anyone's game.} ) 29.Kh1 $3 {Brilliant! The attack for Black is over and it will be White to mate along the g-file.} ( {Instead} 29.Bxg2 h3 30.Bg3 hxg2 31.Rfd1 {would have made Black happy after either} 31...Kg7 ( {or} 31...Qg4 ) ) 29...Qxd2 ( {Nothing changes} 29...h3 30.Rad1 ) 30.Rad1 {defending the central pawn.} ( {Not as good is} 30.Bxg2 exd4 ) 30...Ne3 ( {Or} 30...Qh6 31.Bxg2 Rab8 32.Bh3 {with similar consequences.} ) 31.fxe3 Qxe3 32.Rd3 Qh6 33.Bg4 {A remarkable turnaround. White's long-ranged pieces come into the game, and the attack is unstoppable. The previously gorgeous black pieces sadly observe the laughter from the opposite corners of the board.} 33...Rae8 34.Rdf3 Re7 35.Bf5 {This bishop, which does not have an opponent, is especially annoying.} 35...Nf4 ( {Or} 35...Kh8 36.Qxc6 ) 36.Bxf4 exf4 37.Rxf4 Rb8 ( 37...Kh8 {should not change anything after} 38.e5 ) 38.Rg4+ Kf8 ( {If} 38...Kh8 39.Rfg1 ) 39.Bg6 $1 {It is over.} 39...Rbb7 40.Qxc6 Qe3 41.Rxh4 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.22"]
[Round "35.1"]
[White "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[ECO "B03"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8246895053350"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 Nf6 {In the interview after their first game, Duda revealed that it was very difficult to prepare against Xiong as the young American plays so many things. Now it was the Polish GM's turn to surprise. He had never opted for the Alekhine, at least according to the Megabase.} 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4 ( 3.d4 d6 4.c4 {is the move order in Jones,G (2675)-Tahbaz,A (2434) Dubai 2018} ) 3...Nb6 4.d4 d6 5.f4 Bf5 6.Nc3 e6 7.Nf3 Be7 8.Be3 O-O 9.Be2 dxe5 10.fxe5 Nc6 11.O-O f6 12.exf6 Bxf6 13.b3 {This might have been a surprise for Black.} ( {The main line is} 13.Qd2 Qe7 14.Rad1 Rad8 15.Qc1 e5 16.d5 Nd4 17.Nxd4 exd4 18.Bxd4 Bg5 {Perunovic,M (2569)-Berkes,F (2666) Subotica 2019} ) 13...Qe7 14.Qe1 Rad8 ( {Perhaps stronger is} 14...e5 15.Nxe5 Nxd4 16.Bxd4 Bxe5 17.Bxe5 Qxe5 18.Bf3 Qd4+ {as in Jones,G (2675)-Tahbaz,A (2434) Dubai 2018} ) 15.Rd1 Bg4 $146 {This novelty will not survive. The idea of putting pressure against the d4 pawn is a key concept of the Alekhine defense, but here it falls short by one move.} ( {Better is to play as in this game:} 15...Rd7 16.h3 Qd8 17.d5 Bxc3 18.Qxc3 exd5 19.Bxb6 axb6 20.cxd5 Ne7 {Windhager, H (2159)-Lautner,J (2230) Austria 2016} ) ( 15...e5 {is still there too but not as good as before due to} 16.d5 ) 16.Ne4 $1 {White manages to annihilate the enemy bishop before it does damage to him.} 16...h6 ( {As} 16...Bxf3 17.Nxf6+ Qxf6 18.Rxf3 {is a clear edge for the first player.} ) 17.Qg3 Bf5 ( {The same comment as the line from above:} 17...Bxf3 18.Nxf6+ Rxf6 19.Bxf3 ) 18.Nxf6+ Rxf6 19.Nh4 {Natural and strong.} ( {But there is also} 19.Ne5 $1 Nxe5 20.dxe5 {when the threat of Bxh6 will force the black rook out of the play after} 20...Rxd1 ( {Or} 20...Rg6 21.Rxd8+ Qxd8 22.Qf4 {with similar consequences.} ) 21.Rxd1 Rg6 22.Qf4 {The black rook is out, and the white pieces dominate.} ) 19...Bc2 20.Rxf6 {Now very forcing play starts when the price of a mistake is an earlier flight back home.} 20...Bxd1 {Strictly speaking, a blunder.} ( {Duda could have also tried the tricky} 20...Qxf6 $1 {with the idea} 21.Rf1 Nxd4 $1 22.Rxf6 $4 ( {However, after the correct} 22.Bh5 $1 Nf5 23.Nxf5 exf5 24.Qxc7 {White would have preserved the advantage.} ) 22...Nxe2+ 23.Kh1 Rd1+ {and mate.} ) 21.Rg6 ( {Xiong misses a forced win:} 21.Rxh6 $1 Bxe2 22.Rh8+ $1 Kxh8 23.Ng6+ Kg8 24.Nxe7+ Nxe7 25.Qxc7 Rf8 26.h3 {For he queen Black has enough pieces but loses too many pawns:} 26...Ng6 27.Qxb7 ) 21...Nxd4 22.Bd3 $1 ( {Instead} 22.Bxd4 Rxd4 23.Qe5 Rxh4 24.Bxd1 Nd7 25.Qxe6+ Qxe6 26.Rxe6 {is only equal.} ) 22...Ne2+ 23.Bxe2 Bxe2 24.Bxh6 {All of this is forced. The black king is almost mated; therefore, quick counterplay is needed. Duda hurried to insert the rook into the attack:} 24...Rd1+ {And committed the decisive mistake.} ( {Correct is the preliminary:} 24...Qc5+ $1 {with the idea to meet} 25.Qe3 {with} ( {The few seconds that the players had most likely prevented them in seeing this pretty line:} 25.Be3 Rd1+ 26.Kf2 Qf8+ $1 27.Nf3 Bd3 {Threatens mate. This forces White to trade the bad knight on b6 to win a tempo.} 28.Bxb6 axb6 29.Rg5 {But then Black hardly risks losing after} 29...Qf7 30.Qe5 Rd2+ 31.Kg1 Rxa2 32.Qd4 ) 25...Qxe3+ ( {But not} 25...Rd1+ $2 26.Kf2 Qxe3+ 27.Kxe3 $1 {when White wins.} ) 26.Bxe3 Kf7 27.Kf2 {with an approximately equal endgame.} ) 25.Kf2 Qf8+ 26.Nf3 $1 {The only move but sufficient for the win.} ( {Instead} 26.Kxe2 Qf1+ 27.Ke3 Rd3+ 28.Ke4 Rxg3 29.hxg3 Kh7 {might have witnessed the opposite result.} ) 26...Rd7 ( {Or} 26...Bxf3 27.Rxg7+ Kh8 28.Rh7+ Kxh7 29.Bxf8 ) 27.Kxe2 Kh7 28.Ng5+ {The attack is decisive, and Xiong mercilessly finishes the job:} 28...Kh8 ( 28...Kxg6 29.Nxe6+ ) 29.Nxe6 Qf5 30.Bxg7+ Kg8 31.Bd4+ Kf7 32.Rf6+ 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.23"]
[Round "37.1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "6051072063503"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 {"Maybe I should study some Catalans with ...dxc4." (Grischuk)} 5.Bg2 a6 6.O-O Nc6 7.e3 Rb8 8.Nfd2 e5 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.dxe5 Ng4 11.Nxc4 Be6 12.Qe2 ( {Ding has positive experience in this line as White:} 12.Nbd2 h5 13.f3 Rb4 14.fxg4 Bxc4 15.Nxc4 Qxd1 16.Rxd1 Rxc4 17.Bd2 Rxg4 {Ding,L (2777)-Mamedyarov,S (2799) Huaian 2017} ) 12...h5 13.Rd1 Qc8 14.Qf3 $146 {A novelty. At his stage Ding was an hour ahead on the clock and Grischuk was severely worried about his king safety.} ( {A predecessor saw White winning after} 14.Nbd2 h4 15.Nf1 hxg3 16.hxg3 Rb4 ( {However, lots of ifs and buts were left behind the scenes. For example, what if} 16...Bd5 $1 ) ( {Or} 16...Rb5 $1 ) 17.b3 Bd5 18.f3 Bc5 19.fxg4 Rh1+ 20.Kf2 f5 {Vorobiov,E (2586)-Goudriaan,E (2375) Leiden 2012} ) 14...Rb6 {"An excellent move." (Grischuk) Instead of defending Black sacrifices the exchange in return for light-squared domination.} ( {Ding didn't want to play} 14...Bd5 {because he didn't like} 15.Rxd5 cxd5 16.Qxd5 {and Grischuk then prolonged the line:} 16...Qf5 17.f3 Qc2 ( 17...Nh6 18.Nc3 ) 18.Qc6+ {and claimed he would have given perpetual check.} ( {Not} 18.Nbd2 $2 Qd1+ 19.Kg2 Qe2+ {and mate.} ) 18...Kd8 19.Qd5+ ( {Once again White can try to develop:} 19.Nbd2 {This time his queen is not hanging on d5, but there does not seem to be an adequate defense after} 19...Qd1+ 20.Nf1 Nxh2 21.Kxh2 Rh6 $3 {e.g.} ( 21...Qxf1 22.e6 Qf2+ ( 22...fxe6 23.Ne5 Qf2+ {leads to the same perpetual.} ) 23.Kh3 Qf1+ {is a repetition only.} ) 22.Nd6 ( 22.Qe4 Qxf1 {changes nothing.} ) 22...Bxd6 23.exd6 ( {In the endgame too, White comes short of one move to organize himself:} 23.e4 Be7 24.Qd5+ Qxd5 25.exd5 Rhb6 26.b3 Rb5 27.Ne3 Bc5 28.Nc4 Bd4 {with a large advantage for the second player.} ) 23...Qe2+ $1 24.Kg1 Rxd6 25.Qa4 Rd1 {Black is winning. Either the players missed the Rh8-h6 idea, or their super-computers found something exceptional.} ) ( 19.fxg4 Qxc1+ 20.Kg2 Rxb2+ ) 19...Ke8 ( {However, the main question remained: How would White save himself after} 19...Kc8 $1 20.fxg4 Qxc1+ 21.Kg2 hxg4 {does not seem playable at all.} ) 20.Qc6+ ) 15.Nxb6 cxb6 16.h4 {White sensibly decides to keep the h-file blocked.} ( {However, in the line} 16.Nc3 $5 h4 ( 16...Nxe5 17.Qe4 ) 17.h3 Nxe5 18.Qe4 Qc7 19.g4 {it is not yet clear how would Black profit from the opponent's kingside weakening.} ) ( {In the line} 16.Nd2 h4 17.h3 Nxe5 18.Qe4 Bd6 19.g4 f5 {Black's initiative is overwhelming.} ) 16...Nxe5 17.Qf4 ( {Worse is} 17.Qe4 f6 18.Nc3 ( 18.Nd2 Bd5 ) 18...Bg4 ) 17...Ng6 18.Qe4 Be7 19.Nc3 {At last Grischuk finds a moment to develop his queenside.} 19...Bf5 {"Not the most accurate" ((Ding)} ( {Instead the Chinese GM suggested the improvement} 19...Bg4 $1 20.Re1 ( 20.Rd2 O-O {does not seem natural at all.} ) ( {Whereas} 20.f3 {is always met with} 20...f5 ) 20...f5 21.Qg2 ( 21.Qd4 Bf6 22.Qxb6 Ne5 ) 21...Ne5 {In these lines White does not have enough time to lock the light squares with the timely f2-f3.} ) 20.Qh1 $1 {"Very important. I finally thought I am more or less OK." (Grischuk)} ( {An important detail is} 20.Qg2 Ne5 21.f3 g5 22.e4 Bh3 $1 {With tempo!} 23.Qe2 gxh4 {and Black has a strong attack.} ) 20...Ne5 21.f3 {"[After this move] my position is not so promising." (Ding)} 21...Bc2 $5 {Temporarily disturbing the harmony in the enemy camp.} ( {Here} 21...g5 22.e4 Bh3 23.Bxg5 {is good only for White} ) ( {but} 21...Bc5 $5 {at once might have been more to the point.} ) 22.Rd2 Bg6 23.Qg2 ( {White could even have fought for more with} 23.e4 f5 24.Re2 ) 23...O-O 24.Rd1 Qf5 25.Rf1 Qe6 26.Ne2 ( {Against the natural development} 26.Bd2 {Black planned} 26...Bd3 27.Rfe1 ( 27.Rf2 Nc4 ) 27...Qf6 {when he does not need to fear} 28.f4 $2 Ng4 ) 26...Nd3 27.Kh2 $1 {Another sensible, important move.} ( {The king might get a cold after} 27.Rd1 Bc5 ) 27...Rd8 ( {Here} 27...Bc5 {is met with} 28.Nf4 Nxf4 29.gxf4 ) 28.e4 ( {Grischuk was low on time. Otherwise he might have tried} 28.Rd1 $1 c5 29.e4 {with the idea} 29...f5 $2 30.Rxd3 Rxd3 31.Nf4 ) 28...f5 29.exf5 ( {The position should be dynamically balanced in the line} 29.Nf4 Nxf4 30.Bxf4 fxe4 31.fxe4 Bxe4 32.Qe2 {as well.} ) 29...Qxf5 30.Nf4 Bf7 31.Nxd3 Rxd3 32.Bf4 {Again a sensible, down-to-earth approach. Grischuk finishes the development and as he put it, later made a draw from a position of strength.} ( {The other developing move} 32.Bg5 Bxg5 33.hxg5 Qxg5 34.Rad1 Rxd1 35.Rxd1 Bxa2 {would drop a second pawn.} ) 32...Bxh4 33.Rad1 Rxd1 34.Rxd1 Bf6 {For the exchange Black has enough: the a pawn and the bishop pair.} 35.b3 g5 36.Bc7 Bd5 37.Qe2 g4 ( {The forcing line} 37...Bxf3 38.Qe8+ Kg7 39.Rd7+ Kh6 40.Qf8+ Kg6 41.Qg8+ Kh6 {looks dangerous for Black but there is nothing more than a perpetual check.} ) 38.Qd3 Qxd3 39.Rxd3 gxf3 40.Bxb6 Be5 41.Bd4 ( {White could have also tried} 41.Rd1 {but the point should be split here as well after} 41...Kf7 ( {Less good is} 41...h4 42.Bf2 ) ) 41...Be4 ( 41...Be4 {A drawn pawn endgame arises by force after} 42.Rd2 Bxd4 43.Rxd4 f2 44.Rd1 Bd3 45.Kg2 f1=Q+ 46.Rxf1 Bxf1+ 47.Kxf1 Kf7 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.24"]
[Round "38.2"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2707"]
[ECO "D85"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7971861999165"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bb5+ c6 8.Ba4 O-O 9.Ne2 e5 10.O-O Nd7 11.Be3 Qe7 12.Bc2 ( {Another tabiya that has been heavily investigated runs} 12.d5 Rd8 13.c4 b5 14.d6 Qf6 15.cxb5 cxb5 16.Bxb5 Nb6 17.Bc5 Bf8 18.Qd3 Bxd6 19.Rad1 Bd7 20.Bxb6 axb6 21.Bxd7 Rxd7 {Gelfand,B (2692)-Piket,J (2633) Monte Carlo 2000} ) 12...Nb6 13.f4 $146 {"For sure I surprised him in the opening." (Radjabov)} ( {The predecessor saw Black doing fine after} 13.Qc1 Re8 14.Bg5 Qf8 15.Rb1 {Sorokin,V (2337)-Jansa,V (2482) Arvier 2006} ) 13...exd4 14.Bxd4 Rd8 ( {During the game White started to question his analysis. Especially in the main line he studied} 14...Bg4 15.Qe1 {an he was wondering what will happen after the natural} 15...Bxe2 ( {His main line ran instead:} 15...Rfd8 16.f5 ) 16.Qxe2 Bxd4+ {but finally assumed he should be slightly better after} 17.cxd4 c5 18.dxc5 Qxc5+ 19.Kh1 {(Radjabov)} ) 15.f5 Bxd4+ 16.cxd4 c5 17.Qd2 {At this point of the game the Azeri GM became overexcited. Without the fianchetto bishop he felt that everything should end with quick mate and went for} ( {Instead a more accurate approach is} 17.Qd3 $1 cxd4 18.fxg6 hxg6 19.Nf4 {would have led to a serious attack for White.} ) ( {Ditto for} 17.a4 $1 Nc4 18.Qd3 Ne5 19.Qg3 cxd4 20.Nf4 {White has time to bring more pieces into the attack whereas Black lacks air for his troops.} ) 17...Nc4 $1 {"I completely missed this. Probably it is a good move." (Radjabov)} ( {Instead he was hoping for} 17...cxd4 18.Bb3 gxf5 19.Ng3 {"followed by Ra1-e1 and everything is coming [at the black king]." (Radjabov)} ) 18.Qd3 {A practical choice.} ( {From afar White planned} 18.Qh6 {but here he saw} 18...Bxf5 $1 {and dismissed the whole line. Indeed, the variations show enough compensation for the material, but never a clear advantage, therefore White risks as much as his opponent:} 19.Rf4 ( {One point behind the knight's activation is seen in the line} 19.exf5 Qxe2 20.f6 Qe3+ ) 19...Rd6 {With the idea} 20.Rh4 $2 ( {Better is} 20.Ng3 Bd7 21.e5 Rxd4 22.Nh5 f5 23.exf6 Qf7 {when there is nothing decisive and White is down material.} ) 20...g5 $1 ) 18...Ne5 19.Qa3 Nc4 20.Qc3 ( {The computer claims that} 20.Qg3 {is more to the point, when} 20...cxd4 21.Nf4 b5 22.Nd5 ( 22.Rae1 Ne3 ) 22...Qe5 {allows Black a chance to stabilize the position, but White remains much more active.} ) 20...b5 {Xiong already believed he is better.} 21.f6 Qd6 22.d5 Re8 {The beginning of a wrong idea.} ( {After} 22...Ne5 23.Qd2 Re8 {the position remains extremely complicated and difficult for both players. Black always has to be wary of mating attacks against his king, whereas White always has to watch out for practically lost endgames.} ) 23.Bd3 Ne3 {Active, but at the same time the knight is not safe enough there.} ( {The time for do or die did not come yet. Xiong could have opted for} 23...Nb6 24.Bxb5 Rxe4 {instead.} ) 24.Bxb5 Rxe4 25.Ng3 Ng4 {Tactically defending the rook. However now Black has too many things to worry about.} 26.Rac1 ( 26.Nxe4 $4 Qxh2# ) 26...c4 ( {Here, the possible endgame is no longer favorable for Black. He cannot finish the development fast enough. For example:} 26...Rf4 27.Rxf4 Qxf4 28.Rf1 Qd4+ 29.Qxd4 cxd4 30.Bc6 Rb8 31.h3 Ne3 32.Rf4 d3 33.Re4 Bb7 34.Rxe3 Bxc6 35.Rxd3 {winning a pawn.} ) 27.h3 Bb7 ( {The last chance was the search of another endgame:} 27...Re3 $1 28.Qxc4 Nxf6 29.Qd4 Qxg3 30.Qxf6 Bf5 31.Bc4 Qe5 32.Qxe5 Rxe5 {and Black should survive.} ) 28.hxg4 Rxg4 ( {If} 28...Qc5+ 29.Rf2 Rf4 30.Rf1 Rxf2 31.Rxf2 Qxb5 32.Qe3 {the black king suffers on the dark squares.} ) 29.Bc6 $1 {Strong play by Radjabov. The fianchettoed bishop is a menace and should be neutralized.} ( {Lines like} 29.Ne2 $4 Qxd5 30.Rf2 Rxg2+ 31.Kf1 Rxf2+ 32.Kxf2 Qxb5 {are quite persuasive.} ) 29...Rxg3 30.Qxc4 Ba6 $5 {Xiong understands that something went terribly wrong for him and in the time-trouble tries his best to confuse his opponent.} ( {Otherwise White would enjoy a huge advantage in the endgame, without any counterplay:} 30...Rc8 31.Qf4 Qxf4 32.Rxf4 ) 31.Qf4 $1 {Another practical decision by White.} ( {He felt that he should win if he accepts the sacrifice, but could not see a clear way after} 31.Qxa6 Rh3 32.Qc4 Qh2+ 33.Kf2 Rb8 $1 {The path is indeed very narrow:} 34.Bb5 $3 {Threatening mate and shutting off the intruder. There are many checks but none of them promises Black salvation:} 34...h6 ( {Or} 34...Qg3+ 35.Ke2 Qe5+ 36.Kd1 ) 35.Qc7 $1 {Another key move.} 35...Rxb5 ( {Nothing changes} 35...Qxc7 36.Rxc7 Rh5 37.Bc4 ) 36.Qxh2 Rxh2 37.d6 {The d-passer should decide.} ) 31...Rd8 32.Rce1 $1 {Back-rank mate is threatened.} 32...Qc5+ ( 32...Bxf1 33.Qxd6 Rxd6 34.Re8# ) 33.Rf2 Rc3 34.Re7 {Both Qf4-h6 and Re7xf7 are on the agenda.} 34...Rc1+ {This loses at once.} ( {Black should have tried his last chance:} 34...Rc2 {with the idea} 35.Rxf7 ( {However, after} 35.Qe3 $1 Qxe3 36.Rxe3 {Black could have hardly survived.} ) 35...Rxf2 ( {But not} 35...Qxf2+ 36.Qxf2 Rxf2 37.Rg7+ Kf8 38.Kxf2 {which should win for White.} ) 36.Rg7+ Kh8 37.Qxf2 Qc1+ {with perpetual.} ) 35.Kh2 Rc3 36.Qh6 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.25"]
[Round "40.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6806315210784"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {Two years back Lady Luck versed the two great players and friends in a battle not only for the World Cup final, but for the Candidates' spot as well. Back then Aronian won a tense armageddon game which he could have easily lost.} 3...Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 a6 6.O-O d6 7.a4 O-O 8.Re1 Ba7 9.h3 h6 10.Nbd2 Re8 11.b4 Be6 12.Bxe6 Rxe6 13.Nf1 Qd7 ( {There is also} 13...d5 14.Qc2 Qd7 15.Ra2 Rd8 16.b5 Ne7 17.exd5 Qxd5 18.Be3 Bxe3 19.Nxe3 Qc5 {as in Duda,J (2730)-Giri,A (2780) chess.com INT 2019} ) 14.Be3 Bxe3 15.Nxe3 d5 16.b5 $146 ( {In the predecessor White played this on the next move after} 16.Qc2 Rd8 17.b5 axb5 18.axb5 Ne7 19.c4 c6 20.bxc6 bxc6 21.Ra5 dxe4 22.dxe4 Ng6 {Kravtsiv,M (2641)-Parligras,M (2645) Hungary 2019} ) 16...Ne7 ( {Black obviously does not wish to improve the opponent's queen in the line} 16...axb5 $6 17.axb5 Rxa1 18.Qxa1 Ne7 19.c4 ) 17.c4 d4 {Closing the center seems like the better choice here for Black. He gains an important outpost for his knight on c5 from where it will have good access both to the d3 and a4 pawns.} ( {The other way to play the position} 17...dxe4 18.dxe4 Qxd1 19.Raxd1 axb5 20.axb5 c6 {leaves White somewhat better.} ( 20...Nxe4 $2 21.Nd5 $1 ) ) 18.Nf5 Re8 {Prepares the capture on f5.} 19.N3h4 ( {Also interesting was} 19.Nd2 $5 Nxf5 {with the idea} 20.exf5 R6e7 21.Qf3 ) 19...Ng6 $1 {Getting more breathing room for his pieces.} 20.g3 ( 20.Nxg6 {would be a mistake. After} 20...fxg6 {Black has clear play along the f-file after the maneuver Nf6-h5-f4.} ) 20...Nxh4 21.Nxh4 Qe7 {Now the queen looks towards the opposite wing.} 22.Qc1 ( 22.Nf5 Qb4 ) 22...Nd7 23.Qa3 Nc5 $5 {Aronian decided to keep the queens on the board.} ( {Black could have played also} 23...Qxa3 24.Rxa3 a5 {which should be about equal.} ) 24.f4 $6 {An obvious idea, but it has a hidden flaw.} ( {Both} 24.Nf5 Qf8 ) ( {And} 24.Red1 a5 {would not have promised White anything, but this option should have been preferred.} ) 24...exf4 25.Nf5 Qf8 26.gxf4 {Everything seems fine for Vachier-Lagrave. He is ready to transfer some major pieces along the g-file. However} 26...Rf6 $1 {The threat is g7-g6.} 27.Rf1 Rxf5 $3 {Brilliant! This move refutes White's idea. His kingside is left in ruins, the open e-file is in Aronian's hands from where he can bring his pieces quickly in striking distance from the white king. The knight is also close enough, whereas Vachier-Lagrave's queen is way too far.} 28.exf5 Re3 29.Rae1 ( {Nothing changes} 29.Rad1 Qe7 ) ( {nor} 29.Kg2 Rxd3 30.Qb4 Qe7 $1 {in both cases with a decisive atatck for Black.} ) 29...Qe7 ( {There was a nice alternative:} 29...Rxh3 30.Qa2 Nxd3 {continuing the attack with equal material.} ) 30.Rxe3 {Vachier-Lagrave came one step closer to the abyss.} ( {The computer suggests the spoiler} 30.f6 $1 {in order to slow the black queen a bit. Then} 30...gxf6 $1 ( {After} 30...Qe6 31.Qxc5 Rxe1 ( 31...Qxh3 32.Rxe3 dxe3 33.fxg7 Qg3+ {is only perpetual.} ) 32.Qxd4 Qe3+ ( {Or} 32...Rxf1+ 33.Kxf1 ) 33.Qxe3 Rxe3 34.Kf2 Rxd3 35.Rg1 {leads to an endgame which White should hold.} ) 31.Qb4 Qe6 32.Rxe3 Qxe3+ 33.Kh2 Nxd3 34.Qb3 {White manages to organize his forces a bit, but nevertheless should be close to lost, e.g after} 34...Qe2+ ) 30...Qxe3+ 31.Kh2 ( 31.Kg2 Nxd3 $1 {wins for Black.} ) 31...Qe2+ {Obvious, but not optimal.} ( {Had Aronian united his knight with the queen at once, the result would have been different! Black wins with:} 31...Ne4 $3 32.Qb2 ( {If} 32.f6 Qg3+ 33.Kh1 Qxh3+ 34.Kg1 Qg3+ 35.Kh1 Nd2 {followed by Nd2-f3 is the end.} ) 32...Qg3+ 33.Kh1 Qxh3+ 34.Kg1 Qe3+ $1 {To separate the king from the rook.} 35.Kg2 ( 35.Kh1 Qxd3 ) 35...Qg3+ 36.Kh1 Qxd3 37.Re1 Nd2 {Black is the one with the extra material now, whereas White still suffers to coordinate his pieces.} ) 32.Kg1 Nxd3 ( {It was not too late to switch to the winning line with} 32...Qe3+ $1 ) 33.bxa6 bxa6 34.Qb3 Qe3+ 35.Kh2 Qd2+ 36.Kg1 {Despite the missed win it is again Aronian who calls the shots. The queen and the knight are fearsome attacking couple and if a single pawn comes to help them Vachier-Lagrave's defense will collapse. Plus, Black can practically always force perpetual check. This false sense of invincibility perhaps played a decisive role in Aronian's subsequent play.} 36...Qe3+ ( {Better was} 36...Nxf4 $1 37.Qf3 Ne2+ 38.Kh1 Qc2 {with good winning chances.} ) 37.Kh2 h5 ( 37...Qd2+ {with a draw was there, but Aronian still pushes.} ) 38.Qd1 $1 h4 $4 {The dramatic blunder!} ( {Either} 38...Nf2 39.Qxh5 ) ( {or} 38...Nxf4 39.Qf3 Nd3 40.f6 Qxf3 41.Rxf3 Nb2 {would have likely ended the game in a draw when more games would determine the future winner.} ) 39.Rf3 $1 {Vachier-Lagrave trades the queens and wins the endgame! A complete turnaround.} 39...Nb2 40.Rxe3 Nxd1 41.Rd3 Nb2 42.Rxd4 c5 43.Rd5 Nxa4 44.Kg2 {Next the Frenchman demonstrates his impeccable technique.} 44...Kf8 45.Kf3 Ke7 46.Kg4 Nb6 47.Rxc5 Kd6 48.Ra5 Nxc4 49.Rxa6+ Ke7 50.Kxh4 Nd6 {And} 51.Rxd6 $1 {wraps up the game as the pawn endgame is lost.} 51...Kxd6 52.Kg5 Ke7 53.f6+ ( 53.f6+ {Nothing can save Black:} 53...gxf6+ ( 53...Kf8 54.fxg7+ Kxg7 55.Kf5 {and White will soon win the last black pawn due to the zugwang.} ) 54.Kf5 ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.27"]
[Round "47.2"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7357165767203"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 ( 1...c5 2.c4 {was the move order of So,W (2754)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2780) Abidjan 2019} ) 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e3 {Vachier-Lagrave has a lot of experience in this Anti-Gruenfeld.} 5...Nxc3 6.dxc3 ( {The more ambitious} 6.bxc3 g6 7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Be2 Bg7 9.d4 O-O 10.O-O Qc7 11.e4 Bg4 12.Bg5 Rd8 13.Rc1 {has been seen in Artemiev,V (2757)-Fedoseev,V (2671) Izhevsk 2019} ) 6...Qc7 7.e4 e6 8.Bd3 $146 {A novelty, which should have been anticipated by the French GM.} ( {There are two earlier games of Vachier-Lagrave here:} 8.Be3 Be7 9.Nd2 ( {Their blitz game went} 9.Be2 O-O 10.O-O Bd7 11.Qd2 Bc6 12.Bf4 Qa5 13.Qc2 Qa4 {and eventually the American GM was victorious, So,W (2754) -Vachier Lagrave,M (2780) Abidjan 2019} ) 9...O-O 10.Qf3 Rd8 11.Qg3 Bd6 12.f4 b6 13.Qf2 Bf8 14.Be2 Ba6 15.O-O Bxe2 16.Qxe2 Nc6 17.f5 {this one was eventually drawn, So,W (2754)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2779) Stavanger 2019} ) 8...Be7 9.Qe2 {Now it is some sort of Alapin Sicilian, where Black should be careful about the possible kingside attacks as he is missing his knight on f6.} 9...Bd7 {Intending Bd7-c6 and Nb8-d7.} ( {Less precise is} 9...Nc6 10.e5 ) 10.O-O O-O $2 {A very careless move.} ( {After the correct} 10...Bc6 $1 11.e5 {Black needs not to enter the dangerous line} ( 11.Bc2 Nd7 {looks OK for Black.} ) 11...Bxf3 ( {But rather continue the development normally:} 11...Nd7 12.Be4 Bxe4 13.Qxe4 O-O {Without the light-squared bishops White's attack is not as frightening.} ) 12.Qxf3 Nc6 13.Qg3 Qxe5 14.Bf4 Qf6 15.Be4 {with good compensation for the pawn.} ) 11.e5 Bc6 {Apparently, the French GM realized what he had done and this move came after almost 12 minutes of reflection.} ( {A weakening move like} 11...g6 {would not be good for Black either.} ) 12.Ng5 $1 {Radjabov catches his chance.} 12...h6 ( 12...Bxg5 13.Bxg5 {is a solid, risk -free two-bishop advantage for White. The one on g5 will secure him the d-file, from where the rooks will be transferred along the third rank, and then Bg5-f6 will come. ..} ) 13.Bh7+ {An important intermediate check.} 13...Kh8 14.Bc2 {With the deadly threat of Qe2-d3!} ( 14.Bb1 $5 {might have been even more subtle, as Radjabov suggested afterward.} ) 14...c4 {The pawn attacks the d3 square, preventing Qd3 for now.} ( {With the king in the corner lines like} 14...Bxg5 15.Bxg5 hxg5 16.Qh5+ Kg8 17.Qh7# {are not recommendable.} ) ( {After} 14...g6 {White can already sacrifice a piece for an attack:} 15.Nxf7+ ( {However, stronger and simpler is} 15.Nh3 $1 Kg7 16.Nf4 Nd7 17.Re1 {with similar attack as in the game. At the moment the threat is Bc2xg6!} ) 15...Rxf7 16.Bxg6 Rg7 17.Qh5 {Although Black has way out here:} 17...Rxg6 $1 18.Qxg6 Qxe5 19.Qxh6+ {with an unclear position.} ) ( {White's main threat is revealed in the line} 14...Nd7 $2 15.Qd3 g6 16.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 17.Qxg6 ) 15.Re1 {Overprotecting the e5 pawn to set free the queen for a kingside assault.} 15...Qd8 {Black needs to fight the annoying knight. It is too close to his king!} ( {For example, the line} 15...Nd7 16.Qh5 Nxe5 ( {Black is also destroyed after} 16...Kg8 17.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 18.Bxh6 $1 Rf7 19.Bh7+ $1 Kxh7 20.Qxf7 Kxh6 21.Qxe7 {Followed by a rook lift and mate.} ) 17.Rxe5 $1 Qxe5 18.Nxf7+ {is not possible with the rook on e1.} ) 16.Nh3 ( {Also good was} 16.Ne4 Nd7 ( {Perhaps Radjabov was worried about} 16...Qd5 {But then there was} 17.Qh5 $1 {and if} 17...f5 18.Bxh6 $1 gxh6 19.Qxh6+ Kg8 20.Qg6+ Kh8 21.Re3 {wins for White.} ) 17.Bf4 {with a large advantage for the first player.} ) 16...Qd5 {Defending the c4 pawn with tempo.} ( {Instead:} 16...b5 {loses to the flashy} 17.Bxh6 $1 ( {Although a simple move like} 17.a4 $5 {should be also very good for White.} ) 17...gxh6 18.Qh5 Kg7 19.Rad1 Nd7 20.Rd4 {and Black cannot survive the attack.} ) 17.Nf4 Qc5 {It seems that Black finally got some air to complete the development. Alas...} 18.Bb1 $1 {The queen is once again ready for the battery.} 18...Bg5 ( {Otherwise the attack is devastating:} 18...Nd7 19.Qc2 g6 20.Be3 $1 ( {But not the impatient} 20.Nxg6+ $2 fxg6 21.Qxg6 $4 Qxf2+ 22.Kh1 Qxe1# ) 20...Qa5 21.Nxg6+ fxg6 22.Qxg6 {with mate to come.} ) 19.Nxe6 $1 {Wins a pawn.} ( {The computer points to an even better idea:} 19.b4 $1 {is a fine move, which intends to open even more diagonals for the white pieces. Then} 19...cxb3 20.Qd3 g6 21.axb3 {threatens Bc1-a3 and if} 21...Rd8 22.Nxg6+ $1 {once again crushes Black, e.g.} 22...fxg6 23.Qxg6 Qe7 24.Bxg5 hxg5 25.Qh6+ Kg8 26.Bh7+ Qxh7 27.Qxg5+ ) 19...fxe6 20.Bxg5 Qd5 ( {The king still suffers in the corner in case of the following puzzle-rush sequence:} 20...hxg5 21.Qh5+ Kg8 22.Bh7+ Kh8 23.Bg6+ Kg8 24.Qh7# ) 21.Qg4 Nd7 {Vachier-Lagrave decided that this gives him more practical chances.} ( {Instead, in the endgame} 21...Qxg2+ 22.Qxg2 Bxg2 {White has a pleasant choice between} 23.Bxh6 ( {and} 23.Kxg2 hxg5 24.Bg6 ) 23...gxh6 24.Kxg2 {with a solid extra pawn and a better minor piece White should be winning.} ) 22.Be4 Nxe5 23.Qh5 ( {Or:} 23.Qh3 Nf3+ 24.Bxf3 Qxg5 25.Bxc6 bxc6 26.Qxe6 {also with an extra pawn, but with the queens on the board.} ) 23...Qb5 ( {The rook endgame} 23...Nf3+ 24.Bxf3 Qxg5 25.Qxg5 hxg5 26.Bxc6 bxc6 27.Rxe6 {should be hopeless for Black. It is not only the extra pawn that matters, but the shattered pawn structure of the second player.} ) 24.Bxh6 Bxe4 25.Bf4+ Kg8 26.Qxe5 ( {But not} 26.Bxe5 Rf5 27.Qh4 Rxe5 28.Rxe4 Qxb2 ) 26...Bd5 $6 {Most likely the decision to keep the queens was made due to the coming timetrouble for White.} ( {In hindsight, Black should have tried his luck in the endgame:} 26...Qxe5 27.Bxe5 Bd5 28.Bd4 {Although then White should find a way to activate his rooks via the e-file as well.} ) 27.Re2 Rf5 28.Qe3 Qe8 29.f3 $1 {Radjabov demonstrates textbook technique. First he kills the enemy bishop...} 29...Qg6 30.h4 {...and then he creates a stable construction for his pieces...} ( 30.Bg3 $5 ) 30...Raf8 31.Bg5 a6 32.Rd1 {...and behind the stable construction he brings his major pieces out.} 32...Qe8 33.Rd4 Qc6 34.Rg4 Kh7 35.Bf4 $1 {The bishop gets to the ideal diagonal.} 35...R8f7 36.Be5 b5 37.Qf2 Qd7 38.Qg3 {The queen is also there to help the attack.} 38...Rh5 39.Bd4 Qc7 40.Re5 $1 {Finally one of the defenders is traded and that releases the h-pawn. This little bit of energy forces the collapse of the black position.} 40...Rhf5 ( {If} 40...Rxe5 41.Bxe5 Qb7 42.h5 {with the threats of h5-h6 followed by Rg4-g8-h8 mate, and Rg4-g6-h6 with mate!} ) 41.Rg5 Kg8 42.h5 Rxg5 43.Qxg5 Qe7 44.Qg4 Rf5 {A blunder but there was no adequate defense against h5-h6 anyway.} 45.Qxf5 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.28"]
[Round "49.1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "A21"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7492973111327"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 3.Nd5 a5 4.Nf3 ( {Another game of Yu went} 4.a3 Be7 5.d4 d6 6.e4 Nf6 7.Nxe7 Qxe7 8.f3 Nfd7 9.Ne2 O-O 10.d5 Nc5 11.Be3 f5 12.Nc3 fxe4 13.Bxc5 dxc5 14.Nxe4 {Matlakov,M (2700)-Yu,Y (2764) Gibraltar 2019} ) 4...d6 5.a3 Bc5 6.e3 Nf6 7.d4 Nxd5 8.cxd5 exd4 9.exd4 Bb6 10.Bg5 f6 11.Be3 O-O 12.Bd3 f5 13.Qc2 Nd7 $1 $146 {A good novelty by Yu. Black finishes the development and solves his opening problems.} ( {No doubt that both players knew this predecessor, as it was played in the Chinese league:} 13...h6 14.O-O f4 15.Bd2 Bg4 16.Be4 Nd7 17.Qd3 Qf6 18.Bc3 Bf5 19.Rae1 Bxe4 20.Qxe4 Qf5 21.Qe6+ Qxe6 22.dxe6 {and White is somewhat better in Cheparinov,I (2702) -Li,S (2519) China 2018} ) 14.Bxf5 Nf6 15.Bd3 $1 {Ding needs to keep more pieces on the board if he wants anything from the game. He manages to slightly weaken the opponent's position.} ( {After} 15.Bxc8 Rxc8 {White cannot hold the d5-pawn as Black threatens Qd-d7-f7(f5)(b5). A curious line runs} 16.Ng5 Qd7 17.Qb3 a4 18.Qc4 Ba5+ {that reveals another drawback in White's position: his uncastled king.} ) ( {Alternatively} 15.Be6+ Bxe6 16.dxe6 Qe8 {is also good for Black, for instance} 17.Qb3 ( {Or} 17.Qc4 d5 ) 17...a4 ) 15...h6 16.Nh4 {Immediately exploiting the weakening of the light squares.} 16...Nxd5 $1 {Black is OK to sacrifice the exchange.} 17.Bh7+ Kh8 18.Ng6+ Kxh7 19.Nxf8+ Kg8 20.Ng6 Qf6 21.Qe4 Be6 22.O-O Re8 {For the sacrificed exchange, Black has several advantages: active pieces, the bishop pair, a superb knight and the better pawn structure.} 23.Nh4 Bf7 24.Qg4 h5 $1 {Playing against the uncoordinated white pieces.} ( {Both} 24...Be6 $5 25.Qg3 a4 ) ( {and} 24...a4 $5 {to gain control over the light squares deserve serious attention too.} ) 25.Qg3 Re4 26.Bg5 {Afraid that something terribly wrong may happen on the kingside, Ding rightly sacrifices a pawn.} ( {A typical bad line for the first player is:} 26.Nf3 Rg4 27.Qh3 Be6 28.Qxh5 Qxf3 {and Black wins.} ) 26...Qe6 ( {Here Black should have taken the pawn:} 26...Qxd4 $1 {as} 27.Nf5 {does not create any threats after} ( {If} 27.h3 Qxb2 {wins another pawn.} ) 27...Qe5 ) 27.h3 Bxd4 28.Nf3 Bxb2 29.Rab1 {Black won a couple of pawns anyway, but his opponent manages to stabilize the position on the kingside and bring his rooks into life.} 29...Re2 ( {Here} 29...Bxa3 {would be too greedy. After} 30.Rxb7 Rb4 31.Re1 ( {Less good is} 31.Ra7 Nc3 ) 31...Qg6 ( 31...Rxb7 $2 32.Rxe6 Bxe6 33.Nd4 {drops material for Black as both his bishops are hanging.} ) ( {Whereas} 31...Qc8 32.Ra7 {only pushes the rook to a better position.} ) 32.Nh4 {would give White a serious attack.} ) 30.Bd2 ( {There is also} 30.Bc1 $5 {as suggested by Ding, but after} 30...Bf6 31.Rxb7 {Black holds the queenside with} 31...Qc8 ) 30...Qf6 31.Bxa5 Nf4 {Once again the black pieces seem very frightening.} 32.Bxc7 Rc2 33.Kh2 {The culmination of the game and the match.} 33...h4 $2 {A serious mistake. The queen is pushed towards a better place.} ( {Good is} 33...Nxg2 $1 34.Kxg2 ( 34.Qxg2 Bd5 $1 {is better for Black.} ) 34...Rxc7 {when Black does not risk to lose.} ) ( {Less accurate, but still playable is} 33...Rxc7 34.Rxb2 Qxb2 35.Qxf4 Qf6 {and Black should be good, especially without the queens on the board.} ) 34.Qg5 Rxc7 $2 {Following the wrong idea and losing the match!} ( {Yu would have still been in the game after the immediate} 34...Ba2 $1 35.Qxf6 gxf6 36.Bxd6 Bxb1 37.Rxb1 Nd5 38.Nxh4 Rxf2 {when Black's active pieces and the lack of material on the board should enable him to achieve a draw.} ) ( {Black can also start with the trade of the queens:} 34...Qxg5 $5 35.Nxg5 {and then} 35...Ba2 {Although here White has a wider choice while playing for the advantage:} 36.Rxb2 ( 36.Rbe1 $5 {Looking for a back-rank checkmate is an extra option.} ) ( {Another way to attack the back rank is} 36.Rfe1 Ne2 37.Rxb2 Rxb2 38.Bxd6 {with a solid extra pawn in the endgame.} ) 36...Rxb2 37.Re1 {In all these lines White has good winning chances, but Black keeps his chances to save the game.} ) 35.Rxb2 $1 Qxg5 ( {Presumably Black missed} 35...Qxb2 36.Qd8+ {that picks up the rook rather than the knight.} ) 36.Nxg5 Bc4 37.Re1 {Ding is a solid exchange up and comfortably proceeds to the final.} 37...g6 ( 37...Nd3 38.Re8# ) 38.Re4 Nd3 39.Rc2 Rc5 40.Rcxc4 Rxg5 41.Re7 Nc5 42.Rxh4 Rf5 43.f3 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.10"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Najer, Evgeniy"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "E51"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8251034871378"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd2 d5 6.Nf3 b6 7.Rc1 Bb7 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Bd3 Be7 10.O-O Nbd7 ( {Both players definitely knew this recent game:} 10...c5 11.Ne5 Nc6 12.Ne2 Rc8 13.Ng3 cxd4 14.Nxc6 Rxc6 15.exd4 Rxc1 16.Bxc1 Ne4 17.Qa4 {After all, it was one of Anand's former seconds who played it: Fedoseev,V (2664)-Ganguly,S (2658) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd7 13.f4 Nc5 14.Bb1 d4 {A double-edged position arose in which both sides consistently carry out their plans. Najer wants to mate his mighty opponent on the kingside, Anand answers in return with the classical central break.} 15.Nb5 d3 16.Nd4 a5 17.Qg4 g6 $146 {Black comes first with a novelty.} ( {In a predecessor Black managed to swap off the queens after} 17...Kh8 18.Rcd1 g6 19.Bc3 Be4 20.b3 Rg8 21.Qh3 Qc8 22.Qxc8 Rgxc8 23.Nf3 Kg8 {and this was very good for the second player, Salemgareev,T (2412)-Alekseev,E (2645) Yaroslavl 2019. Apparently, both players knew something hidden in the played line which was not exactly great for Black.} ) 18.f5 Ne4 {But this move is a mistake.} ( {Correct was} 18...Qd5 {in order to "fix" the enemy queen with the defense of her own king. Then everything depends on the line} 19.f6 h5 $1 {Then White needs to retreat to} 20.Qh3 ( {Both} 20.Qg3 $2 Ne4 {followed by Ne4xd2.} ) ( {and} 20.Qg5 $2 Ne4 21.Qh6 Nxf6 $1 {are lines in which the attack is repelled convincingly.} ) 20...Bd8 {And now the promising exchange sacrifice} 21.Rxc5 $1 {Obviously} 21...Qxc5 $2 {cannot be good for Black after} ( {However} 21...bxc5 {looks also risky as White can attack with either} 22.Nf3 $5 ( {or the more flashy} 22.Nf5 $5 ) ) 22.Qg3 Qd5 23.Bxd3 {with the unstoppable threat of Bd3xg6!} ) 19.Bxd3 $1 {A brilliant piece sacrifice! The attack more than compensates for the lost material.} 19...Nxd2 20.fxg6 fxg6 ( {If Black harvests some material with} 20...Nxf1 {then the refutation is stunning:} 21.Ne6 $3 ( {Although the less beautiful} 21.gxf7+ $1 Kh8 ( 21...Kxf7 22.Qh5+ Kg8 23.Qxh7# ) 22.Ne6 {should also do the job for the first player.} ) 21...fxe6 22.Qh5 Rf7 23.gxf7+ Kf8 24.Qh6+ Kxf7 25.Qh5+ $1 {and it is forced mate.} ) ( {The capture with the other pawn} 20...hxg6 {leaves the king completely naked. White's attack is unstoppable after} 21.Bxg6 Bg5 {with another brilliancy to follow:} 22.Rf6 $3 {Yeah, the same move as in the famous Fischer-Benko game, but with a completely different crushing idea:} 22...Bxf6 23.exf6 Qxf6 24.Bxf7+ $3 {One more!} 24...Kxf7 ( {Or the prosaic win after} 24...Kh7 25.Qh5+ Kg7 26.Ne6+ Qxe6 27.Bxe6 ) 25.Rxc7+ Qe7 26.Qe6+ $1 {and mate!} ) 21.Bxg6 Kh8 $1 {Anand finds the best defense, hiding behind his last kingside soldier.} ( {After} 21...Bc8 {White can continue the attack with} 22.Rxf8+ Qxf8 23.Bf5+ Kh8 24.Rxc7 ) ( {Whereas} 21...hxg6 22.Qxg6+ Kh8 23.Qh6+ Kg8 24.Ne6 {leads to unstoppable mate.} ) 22.Bxh7 $1 {The guard is removed!} 22...Rxf1+ ( 22...Kxh7 23.Qh5+ Kg8 24.Qg6+ {transposes to the line from above.} ) ( {While the immediate} 22...Qd5 {will be met with} 23.Rxf8+ Rxf8 24.Bd3 {and the threat of Qg4-h5 forces Black to part with his extra material.} ) 23.Rxf1 Bg5 ( {Here too} 23...Qd5 {is insufficient due to} 24.Bg6 $1 {(Or any other reasonable retreat) when the threats of Qg4-h5 and rook lift along the fifth rank decide.} ) ( 23...Nxf1 24.Bg6 {is mate in six.} ) 24.Nf5 $1 {Calmly bringing the last deserves into the attack.} 24...Qd3 25.Re1 Bxe3+ $1 {Anand managed to find counterplay even in a situation where his king is barely holding on the edge of the abyss!} 26.Kh1 ( {Of course not} 26.Rxe3 $4 Qf1# ) ( {nor} 26.Nxe3 $2 Qxh7 ) 26...Bh6 27.Qg6 {The only inaccuracy of Najer in the whole game. But taking into account the fact that it led to a victory in three moves, it can hardly be criticized.} ( {Instead:} 27.Bg6 $1 {was winning. For example:} 27...Ne4 ( {Other tricky moves do not save either:} 27...Qf3 $5 {is best met with} 28.Nxh6 $1 Qxg4 29.Nxg4 Rg8 30.Bf5 {with won endgame.} ) 28.Qh5 ( 28.Qh4 $1 {would also do.} ) 28...Qd2 ( {Or the flashy} 28...Qh3 $5 {with the idea} 29.Qxh3 ( {Here the easiest for White is transpose to the main line with} 29.Qxh6+ ) 29...Nf2+ 30.Kg1 Nxh3+ 31.gxh3 ) 29.Qxh6+ Qxh6 30.Nxh6 {Two extra pawn guarantee White the win.} ) 27...Bxg2+ ( {White is winning the endgame after} 27...Qh3 $5 28.Nxh6 Qxg2+ 29.Qxg2 Bxg2+ 30.Kxg2 Kxh7 31.Ng4 ) 28.Kxg2 ( {Objectively, better was} 28.Qxg2 $1 Kxh7 29.Nxh6 {Then, the correct sequence of moves is anything but trivial for Black:} 29...Nf3 $1 ( {Not} 29...Qf3 30.Ng4 ) 30.Rc1 Rd8 $3 ( {Avoiding the temptation} 30...Kxh6 {leads once more to a forced win for White after} 31.Rc6+ Kh5 ( {or} 31...Kh7 32.Qh3+ Kg8 33.Qg4+ Kf8 34.Rf6+ Ke8 35.Qe6+ Kd8 36.Rf8# ) 32.Qh3+ Kg5 33.Qh6+ Kg4 34.h3+ Kg3 35.Rg6+ Kf2 36.Rg2+ Kf1 37.Qc1+ Ne1 38.Rg1+ {and mate is happening soon.} ) 31.Ng4 Nh4 32.Rxc7+ Kg6 $1 {There are so many checks and each and every one of them looks like mate, but the Black king is somehow surviving:} 33.Qc6+ Kh5 $1 34.Nf6+ Kg5 35.Rg7+ Kf5 $1 {There is no mate and Black can start think about attacking too!} ) 28...Qd5+ $2 ( {Anand misses a wonderful chance to save the game. The line} 28...Qf3+ $1 29.Kg1 Qf4 {was leading to a draw, in many ways. For example} 30.Qxh6 Nf3+ 31.Kf2 Ng5+ $1 {which forces draw as} ( {Also possible is} 31...Nxe1+ $1 32.Qxf4 Nd3+ 33.Ke3 Nxf4 34.Kxf4 Kxh7 {although this is less clear.} ) 32.Ke2 $2 Qg4+ 33.Kd2 Rd8+ 34.Nd6 Nxh7 {leads to a position where only Black can play for a win.} ) 29.Kh3 Qd3+ ( {The endgame after} 29...Qf3+ 30.Kh4 Qf4+ 31.Kh5 Qxh2+ 32.Nh4 Bf4 33.Rg1 Qe2+ 34.Qg4 {is also lost for Black. Here is a nice winning line:} 34...Qxg4+ ( 34...Qxe5+ 35.Bf5 $1 ) 35.Rxg4 Kxh7 36.Rxf4 Kg7 37.e6 Rf8 38.Nf5+ $1 Kf6 39.Nd4+ Ke7 40.Nc6+ Ke8 41.Rd4 $1 ) 30.Kh4 $1 {A remarcable achievement by the former European champion!} ( 30.Kh4 {Black resigned as the checks will be soon over:} 30...Qd8+ 31.Kh5 Qg5+ 32.Qxg5 Bxg5 33.Kxg5 Kxh7 34.Kf4 {and the endgame is hopeless for the second player.} ) 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.10"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Najer, Evgeniy"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "E51"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8251034871378"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd2 d5 6.Nf3 b6 7.Rc1 Bb7 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Bd3 Be7 10.O-O Nbd7 ( {Both players definitely knew this recent game:} 10...c5 11.Ne5 Nc6 12.Ne2 Rc8 13.Ng3 cxd4 14.Nxc6 Rxc6 15.exd4 Rxc1 16.Bxc1 Ne4 17.Qa4 {After all, it was one of Anand's former seconds who played it: Fedoseev,V (2664)-Ganguly,S (2658) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd7 13.f4 Nc5 14.Bb1 d4 {A double-edged position arose in which both sides consistently carry out their plans. Najer wants to mate his mighty opponent on the kingside, Anand answers in return with the classical central break.} 15.Nb5 d3 16.Nd4 a5 17.Qg4 g6 $146 {Black comes first with a novelty.} ( {In a predecessor Black managed to swap off the queens after} 17...Kh8 18.Rcd1 g6 19.Bc3 Be4 20.b3 Rg8 21.Qh3 Qc8 22.Qxc8 Rgxc8 23.Nf3 Kg8 {and this was very good for the second player, Salemgareev,T (2412)-Alekseev,E (2645) Yaroslavl 2019. Apparently, both players knew something hidden in the played line which was not exactly great for Black.} ) 18.f5 Ne4 {But this move is a mistake.} ( {Correct was} 18...Qd5 {in order to "fix" the enemy queen with the defense of her own king. Then everything depends on the line} 19.f6 h5 $1 {Then White needs to retreat to} 20.Qh3 ( {Both} 20.Qg3 $2 Ne4 {followed by Ne4xd2.} ) ( {and} 20.Qg5 $2 Ne4 21.Qh6 Nxf6 $1 {are lines in which the attack is repelled convincingly.} ) 20...Bd8 {And now the promising exchange sacrifice} 21.Rxc5 $1 {Obviously} 21...Qxc5 $2 {cannot be good for Black after} ( {However} 21...bxc5 {looks also risky as White can attack with either} 22.Nf3 $5 ( {or the more flashy} 22.Nf5 $5 ) ) 22.Qg3 Qd5 23.Bxd3 {with the unstoppable threat of Bd3xg6!} ) 19.Bxd3 $1 {A brilliant piece sacrifice! The attack more than compensates for the lost material.} 19...Nxd2 20.fxg6 fxg6 ( {If Black harvests some material with} 20...Nxf1 {then the refutation is stunning:} 21.Ne6 $3 ( {Although the less beautiful} 21.gxf7+ $1 Kh8 ( 21...Kxf7 22.Qh5+ Kg8 23.Qxh7# ) 22.Ne6 {should also do the job for the first player.} ) 21...fxe6 22.Qh5 Rf7 23.gxf7+ Kf8 24.Qh6+ Kxf7 25.Qh5+ $1 {and it is forced mate.} ) ( {The capture with the other pawn} 20...hxg6 {leaves the king completely naked. White's attack is unstoppable after} 21.Bxg6 Bg5 {with another brilliancy to follow:} 22.Rf6 $3 {Yeah, the same move as in the famous Fischer-Benko game, but with a completely different crushing idea:} 22...Bxf6 23.exf6 Qxf6 24.Bxf7+ $3 {One more!} 24...Kxf7 ( {Or the prosaic win after} 24...Kh7 25.Qh5+ Kg7 26.Ne6+ Qxe6 27.Bxe6 ) 25.Rxc7+ Qe7 26.Qe6+ $1 {and mate!} ) 21.Bxg6 Kh8 $1 {Anand finds the best defense, hiding behind his last kingside soldier.} ( {After} 21...Bc8 {White can continue the attack with} 22.Rxf8+ Qxf8 23.Bf5+ Kh8 24.Rxc7 ) ( {Whereas} 21...hxg6 22.Qxg6+ Kh8 23.Qh6+ Kg8 24.Ne6 {leads to unstoppable mate.} ) 22.Bxh7 $1 {The guard is removed!} 22...Rxf1+ ( 22...Kxh7 23.Qh5+ Kg8 24.Qg6+ {transposes to the line from above.} ) ( {While the immediate} 22...Qd5 {will be met with} 23.Rxf8+ Rxf8 24.Bd3 {and the threat of Qg4-h5 forces Black to part with his extra material.} ) 23.Rxf1 Bg5 ( {Here too} 23...Qd5 {is insufficient due to} 24.Bg6 $1 {(Or any other reasonable retreat) when the threats of Qg4-h5 and rook lift along the fifth rank decide.} ) ( 23...Nxf1 24.Bg6 {is mate in six.} ) 24.Nf5 $1 {Calmly bringing the last deserves into the attack.} 24...Qd3 25.Re1 Bxe3+ $1 {Anand managed to find counterplay even in a situation where his king is barely holding on the edge of the abyss!} 26.Kh1 ( {Of course not} 26.Rxe3 $4 Qf1# ) ( {nor} 26.Nxe3 $2 Qxh7 ) 26...Bh6 27.Qg6 {The only inaccuracy of Najer in the whole game. But taking into account the fact that it led to a victory in three moves, it can hardly be criticized.} ( {Instead:} 27.Bg6 $1 {was winning. For example:} 27...Ne4 ( {Other tricky moves do not save either:} 27...Qf3 $5 {is best met with} 28.Nxh6 $1 Qxg4 29.Nxg4 Rg8 30.Bf5 {with won endgame.} ) 28.Qh5 ( 28.Qh4 $1 {would also do.} ) 28...Qd2 ( {Or the flashy} 28...Qh3 $5 {with the idea} 29.Qxh3 ( {Here the easiest for White is transpose to the main line with} 29.Qxh6+ ) 29...Nf2+ 30.Kg1 Nxh3+ 31.gxh3 ) 29.Qxh6+ Qxh6 30.Nxh6 {Two extra pawn guarantee White the win.} ) 27...Bxg2+ ( {White is winning the endgame after} 27...Qh3 $5 28.Nxh6 Qxg2+ 29.Qxg2 Bxg2+ 30.Kxg2 Kxh7 31.Ng4 ) 28.Kxg2 ( {Objectively, better was} 28.Qxg2 $1 Kxh7 29.Nxh6 {Then, the correct sequence of moves is anything but trivial for Black:} 29...Nf3 $1 ( {Not} 29...Qf3 30.Ng4 ) 30.Rc1 Rd8 $3 ( {Avoiding the temptation} 30...Kxh6 {leads once more to a forced win for White after} 31.Rc6+ Kh5 ( {or} 31...Kh7 32.Qh3+ Kg8 33.Qg4+ Kf8 34.Rf6+ Ke8 35.Qe6+ Kd8 36.Rf8# ) 32.Qh3+ Kg5 33.Qh6+ Kg4 34.h3+ Kg3 35.Rg6+ Kf2 36.Rg2+ Kf1 37.Qc1+ Ne1 38.Rg1+ {and mate is happening soon.} ) 31.Ng4 Nh4 32.Rxc7+ Kg6 $1 {There are so many checks and each and every one of them looks like mate, but the Black king is somehow surviving:} 33.Qc6+ Kh5 $1 34.Nf6+ Kg5 35.Rg7+ Kf5 $1 {There is no mate and Black can start think about attacking too!} ) 28...Qd5+ $2 ( {Anand misses a wonderful chance to save the game. The line} 28...Qf3+ $1 29.Kg1 Qf4 {was leading to a draw, in many ways. For example} 30.Qxh6 Nf3+ 31.Kf2 Ng5+ $1 {which forces draw as} ( {Also possible is} 31...Nxe1+ $1 32.Qxf4 Nd3+ 33.Ke3 Nxf4 34.Kxf4 Kxh7 {although this is less clear.} ) 32.Ke2 $2 Qg4+ 33.Kd2 Rd8+ 34.Nd6 Nxh7 {leads to a position where only Black can play for a win.} ) 29.Kh3 Qd3+ ( {The endgame after} 29...Qf3+ 30.Kh4 Qf4+ 31.Kh5 Qxh2+ 32.Nh4 Bf4 33.Rg1 Qe2+ 34.Qg4 {is also lost for Black. Here is a nice winning line:} 34...Qxg4+ ( 34...Qxe5+ 35.Bf5 $1 ) 35.Rxg4 Kxh7 36.Rxf4 Kg7 37.e6 Rf8 38.Nf5+ $1 Kf6 39.Nd4+ Ke7 40.Nc6+ Ke8 41.Rd4 $1 ) 30.Kh4 $1 {A remarcable achievement by the former European champion!} ( 30.Kh4 {Black resigned as the checks will be soon over:} 30...Qd8+ 31.Kh5 Qg5+ 32.Qxg5 Bxg5 33.Kxg5 Kxh7 34.Kf4 {and the endgame is hopeless for the second player.} ) 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.11"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[ECO "A20"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6805421607944"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.O-O Nb6 7.b3 Be7 ( {Movsesian chose instead} 7...Bd6 8.Bb2 O-O 9.d3 Qe7 10.Nbd2 Ba3 11.Bxa3 Qxa3 12.Qc1 Qe7 13.Qb2 Bg4 14.Rac1 {in a game from their World Cup match, Ding,L (2811)-Movsesian,S (2654) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 8.Bb2 f6 9.Na3 $146 {A novelty. The knight is moving towards the c2 square from where it can support the central break with d2-d4.} ( {Black was doing fine in the predecessor:} 9.d3 O-O 10.Nbd2 Be6 11.Rc1 Qd7 12.Ne4 Rad8 13.Qc2 Nd5 {Le,Q (2714)-Giri,A (2783) St Petersburg 2018} ) 9...Be6 10.Nc2 O-O 11.e4 {An important part in White's plan.} ( {Otherwise:} 11.d4 $6 {is not effective due to:} 11...e4 12.Nd2 f5 ) 11...Qd3 12.Re1 Rad8 {The main reason for Black's problems. Choosing the right rook to place on a file is an eternal problem for players at all levels. This rook seems to be more natural contender for the open file as the other one can be quite useful on the kingside. However, there is a minor tactical defect in the position which ruins this logic.} ( {Correct was:} 12...Rfd8 {when:} 13.Bf1 Qd7 14.d4 exd4 15.Ncxd4 $2 {No longer works due to} ( {Here} 15.Nfxd4 Nxd4 16.Qxd4 {would be the right way to play, but Black has no problems at all after} 16...Bf7 ) 15...Bb4 $1 16.Re3 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 c5 18.Nxe6 Qxd1 19.Rxd1 Rxd1 {and in comparison to the game there is no black rook hanging on f8.} ) 13.Bf1 {Caruana frees himself in the center and gets better position.} 13...Qd7 14.d4 exd4 15.Ncxd4 Bg4 ( {Now:} 15...Bb4 {does not work that well. After:} 16.Re3 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 c5 18.Nxe6 Qxd1 19.Rxd1 Rxd1 20.Nxf8 {That is the tactical difference!} 20...Kxf8 21.Kg2 {White is better in the endgame. This line, however, might have been Sevian's best try.} ) 16.Qc2 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 Rfe8 {Sevian is developing naturally and occupies the central files with his rooks.} 18.Rac1 ( 18.f3 Bh5 19.Rad1 {was another way to treat the position. However, here there was the danger of mass exchanges along the d-file that would have dried the position.} ) 18...c6 19.b4 $1 {Minority attack is an effective way of creating weaknesses on the queenside.} 19...Kh8 ( 19...Bxb4 $4 20.Qb3+ ) 20.b5 c5 21.Nf5 Bf8 ( {After:} 21...Bxf5 22.exf5 Bf8 23.Red1 {White pieces dominate.} ) 22.h3 Bxf5 {Going into passive position.} ( {Apparently, Sevian was afraid of the central break after} 22...Bh5 23.g4 ( 23.a4 ) 23...Bf7 24.e5 {This is indeed unpleasant for Black, but here thanks to his light-squared bishop he always has chances to create counterplay on the queenside, if he survives the middlegame.} ) 23.exf5 Rxe1 24.Rxe1 {White has a clear plan of advancing his pawn all the way to a5. Then his bishop will occupy the c4 square or will move to the long diagonal; he has many ways to improve. Therefore, Sevian needs to search for counterplay at once.} 24...c4 {Practically sacrificing the pawn. In return Black opens the diagonal for his bishop and gains some activity for his rook.} 25.a4 Bb4 26.Re4 Qd2 27.Qxd2 Bxd2 ( 27...Rxd2 $4 28.Re8+ ) 28.Bxc4 Nxa4 29.Ba3 {The endgame is extremely difficult for Black. The bishops are outrageously powerful on an empty board.} 29...Nb6 30.Bb3 Nc8 31.Bd5 ( {Caruana could have won a pawn with:} 31.Ra4 Bc3 32.Be6 Be5 33.Bxc8 Rxc8 34.Rxa7 Rb8 {However, this would have made Black's defense much easier. He would bring the king to the queenside and then release the rook.} ) 31...a6 {Black correctly tries to get rid of all the white queenside pawns.} ( 31...b6 $2 {would have lost on the spot after} 32.Rc4 g6 33.Be6 Nd6 34.Rd4 Nf7 35.Ra4 ) 32.b6 ( {The other way to play it was:} 32.Bxb7 axb5 33.Bc5 ) 32...Nxb6 33.Bxb7 a5 34.Bc5 Na8 $6 ( {Psychologically, it was difficult to retreat the knight to a position where it had just left. Moreover, it was in a dangerous spot there, but} 34...Nc8 {was the best move. Then} 35.Rc4 Kg8 {leads to a strange situation where White wants to move his bishop away to trap the knight, but it also wants to stay where it is to restrict the knight.} ) 35.Rc4 Bb4 36.Be3 h6 37.h4 $1 {Caruana consistently builds a mating attack on the kingside. The plan that he conducts is reminiscent of the famous game Alekhine-Reti from the New York 1924 tournament.} 37...Kh7 38.g4 ( {The immediate} 38.Rc6 a4 39.Ra6 {was better.} ) 38...Rb8 39.Be4 Nb6 40.Rc7 Na4 ( {Once more Black instinctively avoids placing his knight on a passive square:} 40...Nc8 {but again this was his best chance. For example:} 41.g5 hxg5 42.hxg5 Nd6 43.g6+ Kh8 44.Bd3 Ra8 {but whether is this defendable is another question.} ) 41.g5 Nc3 42.Bf3 Nb5 43.Rd7 hxg5 {This can be named the decisive mistake. The open h-file puts the black king into mortal danger.} ( 43...Kh8 $1 {was the last chance. Black must sit and pray if this is a solid-enough fortress.} ) 44.hxg5 Kh8 ( {Or else the black king will hardly survive the attack after} 44...fxg5 45.f6 Bf8 46.Be4+ Kh6 47.Kg2 {followed by a king march to g4 and Be3xg5} ) 45.g6 $1 {The king is locked and Be3-h6! becomes powerful threat.} 45...Nc3 ( {After a move like} 45...a4 {White's win is typical:} 46.Bh6 $1 {In order to clear the seventh rank.} 46...Bf8 ( 46...gxh6 47.Bd5 $1 {and mate follows.} ) 47.Bf4 $1 Rc8 48.Bb7 {Now White hopes to clear the back rank. Black can hold onto it with} 48...Re8 {but then comes a problem along the h-file:} 49.Rd3 $1 ) 46.Bd2 a4 ( 46...Nb5 47.Bh6 $1 {wins for White as above.} ) 47.Rd3 $1 {Not only hitting the knight, but looking for the king too!} 47...a3 48.Bxc3 {Nicely calculated.} 48...Bxc3 49.Bd5 Bd2 ( 49...a2 50.Rh3# ) 50.Rxd2 Rb1+ 51.Kg2 a2 {The last chance is stalemate.} 52.Bb3 ( 52.Bxa2 Rg1+ 53.Kxg1 $4 {is the stalemate Black is hoping for.} ( {Although White can still win after} 53.Kf3 Rg3+ 54.Ke4 Re3+ 55.Kd5 Re5+ 56.Kc4 Re4+ 57.Kc5 ( 57.Rd4 $4 Rxd4+ 58.Kxd4 {Another stalemate!} ) 57...Rc4+ ( 57...Re5+ 58.Kb4 Re4+ ( 58...Rb5+ 59.Kc3 Rc5+ ( 59...Rb3+ 60.Kxb3 ) 60.Bc4 ) 59.Bc4 ) 58.Kxc4 {But all these lines are unnecessary.} ) ) 52...Rg1+ 53.Kf3 $1 {Mate is inevitable.} 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.12"]
[Round "3.16"]
[White "Nguyen, Ngoc Truong Son"]
[Black "McShane, Luke J"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2638"]
[BlackElo "2682"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Beauty "8178557255728"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O Nd4 6.Nxd4 Bxd4 7.c3 Bb6 8.Ba4 O-O 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 d6 11.Nd2 g5 ( {A quick draw was agreed after} 11...Bg4 12.Qe1 Be6 13.Bb3 Bxb3 14.axb3 Qe7 15.Nc4 Qe6 16.Bxf6 {in Karjakin,S (2748)-Giri,A (2779) Riga 2019} ) 12.Bg3 h5 $146 {"This looks quite promising. Why not give it a try?!" - McShane.} ( 12...Bg4 13.Qe1 Nh5 14.Bd1 Bxd1 15.Qxd1 Nxg3 16.hxg3 f5 17.exf5 Rxf5 18.Nc4 Qf6 19.Qe2 Rf8 20.Nxb6 axb6 {with approximate equality in Caruana,F (2828)-Robson, R (2667) Chess.com INT 2019} ) 13.h3 {This might be the main inaccuracy for White in the game.} ( {Correct is} 13.h4 Bg4 14.Qe1 Nh7 {although this also "looks quite dangerous [for White]" - McShane.} ( 14...Nd7 $5 ) ) 13...h4 {Now Black fixes the pawn on h3 and will manage to open the g-file for his major pieces.} 14.Bh2 g4 15.Kh1 {Nguyen wants to use the open file as well! McShane admitted he felt nervous at this stage of the game.} 15...Kh8 ( {Especially after calculating the line} 15...gxh3 16.gxh3 Bxh3 17.Rg1+ Kh8 18.Qf3 {"And I do not think it is me who is doing the attack here." - McShane. For example:} 18...Be6 19.d4 exd4 20.c4 $1 {With the idea e4-e5!} ) 16.f4 ( {Better is the preliminary} 16.hxg4 Nxg4 {and then} 17.f4 {although Black is better thanks to his dark-square superiority after e.g.} 17...Nxh2 18.Kxh2 Be3 19.Qh5+ Kg7 20.f5 ) 16...gxh3 17.gxh3 ( {According to the English GM} 17.f5 $5 {to lock the bishop on c8 was a chance for White, although after} 17...hxg2+ 18.Kxg2 Rg8+ 19.Kh1 Bd7 {Black is definitely much better. It is important that his bishop on b6 control the g-file, as McShane mentioned.} ( 19...Qf8 {followed by Qf8-g7 might be even more convincing.} ) ) 17...Bxh3 18.Rf3 Bg4 19.fxe5 {Nguyen was probably hoping to take over the initiative, but Black's next cool move clarifies matters.} 19...Nh5 $1 {"Very natural" - McShane. He does not allow any pins and instead brings the knight into the attack.} ( 19...dxe5 $2 {would lose instead for Black after:} 20.Bxe5 Bxf3+ 21.Qxf3 Kg7 22.Rf1 ) 20.Qf1 ( 20.exd6 {is White's last chance. Then after} 20...Qg5 21.d4 {Nguyen could have at least excluded the black dark-squared bishop from the game. Nevertheless, Black should win after} 21...Rg8 22.Qg1 Qh6 $1 ) 20...Qg5 {Black's attack is unstoppable, especially after his next flashy move.} 21.Nc4 f5 $3 {McShane was now certain that he is winning. His rooks enter the kingside assault, and it is all over quickly.} ( 21...Bxf3+ {is not that accurate due to} 22.Qxf3 f5 23.d4 ) 22.Nxb6 ( {or} 22.exf6 Bxf3+ 23.Qxf3 Rxf6 {"followed by Ra8-f8" - McShane.} ) 22...axb6 23.Bd7 Bxf3+ {Black not only wins material but keeps the attack running even in the endgame.} 24.Qxf3 fxe4 25.Qg4 Ng3+ 26.Bxg3 Qxg4 27.Bxg4 hxg3 28.exd6 Rf4 29.Be6 cxd6 30.dxe4 Rxe4 31.Bd5 Re2 32.b4 Rf8 33.Rd1 Rf4 ( 33...Rf4 {White resigned due to} 34.Bxb7 Rh4+ 35.Kg1 g2 36.Bxg2 Rg4 {(McShane)} ) 0-1

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.13"]
[Round "4.7"]
[White "Kovalev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2661"]
[BlackElo "2876"]
[ECO "B52"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "5777804760083"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ {The Moscow variation was especially popular today at the IOM.} 3...Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.c4 {A very solid approach against the world champion.} 5...e5 6.Nc3 Nc6 7.d3 Be7 ( {The more entertaining} 7...g6 8.h4 Nf6 9.Nd5 Nxd5 10.cxd5 Nb4 11.a3 Na6 12.h5 {was played in Anand,V (2767) -Caruana,F (2819) Zagreb 2019} ) 8.a3 Bd8 {Black's setup is somewhat artificial, but since the center is clamped, he can afford to play slowly.} 9.O-O Nge7 ( {In case of} 9...Ba5 10.b4 $1 {is unpleasant for Black, when} 10...cxb4 11.Nd5 bxa3 12.Rxa3 Nge7 13.d4 {promises White a lot for the pawn.} ) 10.b4 O-O 11.bxc5 $146 {Simple and good.} ( {White was somewhat better in a correspondence game after} 11.Rb1 Nd4 12.bxc5 Nxf3+ 13.Qxf3 dxc5 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 {Fasser,W (2115)-Berko,M (2042) ICCF email 2014} ) 11...dxc5 12.Nd5 Ng6 ( {Here} 12...Ba5 {only brings the bishop to a seemingly active position from where it has little to no influence on the opponent's position. White would proceed with} 13.Be3 b6 14.Nh4 {with an advantage.} ) ( {However, the immediate} 12...f5 {deserves serious consideration.} ) 13.Be3 b6 14.Nd2 $1 {Kovalev is getting ready for his opponent's main resource.} 14...f5 15.exf5 Qxf5 $6 ( {Better is} 15...Rxf5 16.Ne4 Nf4 {with equality. In this case the black queen would cover the squares along the d-file.} ) 16.Ne4 {All the white pieces are perfectly placed, and Carlsen has to be careful.} 16...Nf4 17.g3 Qg6 ( {With the black queen away from the d-file, the capture on d5 is not good:} 17...Nxd5 18.cxd5 Nd4 19.Bxd4 exd4 20.Qb3 {with an advantage for White, thanks to his better minor piece.} ) 18.Kh1 {Practically forcing the trade on d5.} 18...Nxd5 19.cxd5 Ne7 $6 {One more inaccuracy. Not obvious but a serious one. The knight is not stable where it is heading.} ( {Safer is} 19...Na5 {when} 20.d6 ( {If} 20.f4 exf4 ( 20...Nc4 $6 {is not as effective as it looks after} 21.Bc1 $1 ) 21.Bxf4 Bf6 {and Black should be OK.} ) 20...Nb7 {gives Black enough time to organize himself in the battle against the passer. For example:} 21.Qb3+ Qf7 22.Qxf7+ Rxf7 23.f4 Bf6 ) 20.d6 $1 Nf5 21.Qb3+ Kh8 ( {Here:} 21...Qf7 {will be met with} 22.Qxf7+ Rxf7 23.g4 Nxe3 24.fxe3 {with an advantage for White.} ) 22.Qd5 {The passer is nicely supported. Next Kovalev opens the road for his major pieces, and Carlsen's situation becomes critical.} 22...Bf6 23.Rae1 $1 Rad8 ( {Not much is changed after} 23...h6 24.f4 exf4 25.Bxf4 Rad8 26.d7 ) 24.f4 Nxe3 {This only helps White.} ( 24...exf4 25.Bxf4 h6 {would have been more stubborn.} ) 25.Rxe3 exf4 26.Rxf4 h6 27.d7 {So far Kovalev played flawlessly and managed to outplay his mighty opponent. But within a striking distance from the win, he starts to hesitate. The game move is the most logical continuation.} ( {However, even better is} 27.Nxf6 $1 Rxf6 28.d7 {The threat is the simple capture on f6 and if} 28...Rxf4 29.gxf4 $1 {when Black cannot hold his defenses:} 29...Kh7 30.Re6 $1 {White is winning.} 30...Qf7 31.Rxh6+ $1 Kg8 32.Rh8+ ) 27...Be7 $1 {The world champion understands that no matter how bad this bishop is, it is an important defender.} 28.Ref3 $1 {Consistently trading the blockers of the passer.} 28...Rxf4 29.Rxf4 b5 30.Nxc5 {Again not a bad move.} ( {But once more Kovalev misses a clear win.} 30.Rf5 $1 {with the idea of moving the rook to a better position that would have led White to a deserved victory after} 30...c4 31.Re5 Bf6 32.Nxf6 gxf6 ( 32...Qxf6 33.Re8+ ) 33.Re7 cxd3 34.Qe6 {and the passer becomes a queen.} ) 30...Bxc5 31.Qxc5 Kh7 $1 {The best defense.} ( {In case of} 31...Qxd3 {White planned the cute} 32.Qf8+ $1 ( {rather than} 32.Rf8+ Kh7 33.Rxd8 Qf1+ 34.Qg1 Qf3+ 35.Qg2 Qd1+ {with a perpetual.} ) 32...Rxf8 ( {If} 32...Kh7 33.Qxd8 Qd1+ 34.Kg2 Qe2+ 35.Kh3 Qe6+ 36.Rg4 $1 h5 37.Qh4 {saves White from the checks and wins.} ) 33.Rxf8+ Kh7 34.d8=Q {and there is not a perpetual.} ) 32.Qd5 Qg5 33.Qe4+ {Missing the third win.} ( {True, this time it was close to impossible to find. The winning line runs} 33.Rf5 Qg4 34.Rf7 Qe2 {Black threatens many checks, and this makes the assessment of the position extremely tough, but} 35.d4 $3 {Now Black is helpless against the mating attack, e.g.} ( {White should not hurry with the mating threats as the immediate} 35.Qf5+ Kg8 36.Qg6 {is well met with} 36...Qe5 $1 {and Black survives.} ) 35...a5 36.Qf5+ Kg8 37.Qg6 {and mate is inevitable.} ) 33...Qg6 34.Qd5 Qg5 35.Qd6 Qg6 36.Qc7 ( {The rook endgame is the dream of the defender:} 36.Qxg6+ Kxg6 37.Rd4 Kf7 38.Rd5 a6 39.Rd6 Ke7 40.Rxa6 Rxd7 {with a draw.} ) 36...Qg5 37.Qd6 Qg6 38.Qc7 {Finally missing the win.} ( {The last chance to revert to the winning line is here:} 38.Qd5 $1 ) 38...Qg5 39.Qc6 Qe7 {And the world champion escaped from trouble after:} 40.Qxb5 Rxd7 41.Qf5+ g6 42.Qf8 Qxf8 43.Rxf8 Kg7 44.Ra8 Kf6 45.Kg2 Rxd3 46.Rxa7 Rd2+ 47.Kg1 {White cannot win with the passive king.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.15"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "McShane, Luke J"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2682"]
[ECO "E00"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[Beauty "6254009254920"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 c5 5.Bxb4 cxb4 {The Bogo-Indian has a reputation of a solid opening.} 6.Bg2 O-O 7.e4 ( {Another way to play it is} 7.Nf3 d6 8.O-O Nc6 9.a3 Qb6 10.axb4 Nxb4 11.Nc3 Bd7 12.e4 Rfd8 {Kuzubov, Y (2663)-Fedorchuk,S (2637) Brest 2018} ) 7...d6 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.O-O Bd7 $146 ( {The predecessor saw} 9...e5 10.Qd2 Qb6 11.Rd1 Bg4 12.f3 Bd7 13.Qe3 a5 14.Nd2 Nxd4 15.Nxd4 exd4 16.Qf2 Be6 {Zubritskiy,A (2442)-Naiditsch,A (2687) Tallinn 2016} ) 10.Qd3 a5 11.Nd2 e5 {McShane is doing everything right. He traded the dark-squared bishop and now he posts his pawns on the opposite color of the remaining one. Still, his position remains somewhat worse as the space advantage counts for something!} 12.Rfd1 Qb8 {This brings the queen out.} 13.Rac1 Qa7 {The logical finish of the maneuver.} ( {However, it made sense to keep the queen where it is, at least for the time being and make another useful move:} 13...Re8 $5 {Then if Wang proceeds as in the game:} 14.Nf1 {Black has the resource:} 14...b5 $1 15.cxb5 Nd8 {getting closer to the equality.} ) 14.Nf1 {Thanks to his extra space White has the luxury of comfortable stretching, sorry maneuvering. He intends to bring this knight to e3, then prepare f2-f4 and expand on the kingside. What exactly does Black do is the question.} 14...Rac8 15.h3 Rfd8 16.Ne3 h6 17.b3 Qb8 {McShane came back to the idea of a b-pawn break.} ( {Not much is changed after} 17...Re8 18.Kh2 {and f2-f4 remains on the agenda.} ) 18.f4 b5 {However, this time White is better prepared for it.} 19.cxb5 Ne7 20.Rxc8 Rxc8 21.dxe5 ( {Even better was} 21.b6 {when Black cannot easily deal with the annoying pawn. For example:} 21...exf4 ( 21...exd4 22.Nc4 $1 ) ( 21...Qxb6 22.Nc4 $1 ) 22.e5 dxe5 23.dxe5 Qxe5 24.Nxf4 {and the b-passer is an asset.} ( {Or even} 24.gxf4 Qb8 25.Qd6 ) ) 21...dxe5 22.Qd6 {White wins a pawn, but Black had anticipated that.} 22...Bxb5 ( {Worse is} 22...Qxd6 $6 23.Rxd6 Bxb5 ( 23...exf4 $2 24.e5 fxe3 25.exf6 Bxb5 26.fxe7 Bxe2 27.Rd8+ {wins on the spot.} ) 24.fxe5 Ng4 $5 25.Nxg4 Bxe2 26.Ne3 {with advantage for White.} ) 23.Qxb8 Rxb8 24.fxe5 Nd7 {But this is not optimal.} ( {Correct was} 24...Bxe2 $1 {Then} 25.Rd2 ( {However, the English GM might have been worried about the exchange sacrifice} 25.exf6 $5 Bxd1 26.fxe7 {In the line} 26...Be2 27.Nf5 Re8 28.e5 {Black seems unable to cope with the Bg2-c6 threat. But there is an excellent idea:} 28...Bb5 $1 29.Nd6 Rxe7 30.Nxb5 Rxe5 {The rook and the pawn should not be worse than the pieces.} ) 25...Nh5 26.Rxe2 Nxg3 27.Rc2 Ng6 {is absolutely harmless for Black.} ) 25.e6 $1 {A nasty blow.} 25...fxe6 ( 25...Bxe2 26.Rxd7 {is horrible for Black.} ) 26.Nd4 Ne5 {McShane decided to sacrifice the pawn in hope of compensation based on the better bishop and the nice central outpost for his knights.} ( {However, better was:} 26...Nf8 27.Nxb5 Rxb5 28.Nc4 {with unpleasant, but most likely defendable endgame.} ) ( {Whereas} 26...e5 $2 {drops a piece after} 27.Nxb5 ) 27.Nxe6 Rc8 ( {Nothing changes} 27...Kf7 28.Nf4 ) 28.Nd5 {Wang has good squares for his knights as well.} ( 28.Nf5 Nxf5 29.exf5 {was also good for White.} ) 28...N7g6 29.Nd4 Be8 30.Bf1 {The bishop is not bad neither.} 30...Bf7 31.Kf2 {And the king gets into the game. Apparently, a pawn is a pawn after all!} 31...Rc5 32.Bg2 Nf8 33.Ke3 Nfd7 34.Ne2 Kf8 {The last mistake. Without the rooks Black has too wide an area to defend.} ( 34...Rc2 $1 {would have kept Black in the game after} 35.Rd2 Rc5 ) 35.Rc1 Bxd5 ( {Or} 35...Rxc1 36.Nxc1 Be6 37.Kd4 ) 36.Rxc5 Nxc5 37.exd5 Ke7 38.Nd4 Nb7 39.Ke4 ( 39.Nc6+ Kd6 40.Ke4 Nd7 {is similar.} ) 39...Nd7 40.Kd3 Ne5+ 41.Ke4 Nd7 42.Nc6+ Kd6 43.Kd4 Kc7 ( 43...Ndc5 {lets the white king in after} 44.Kc4 ) 44.Bf3 Kb6 ( {Or else the white king makes it to the enemy queenside pawns:} 44...Kd6 45.Kc4 Ne5+ 46.Nxe5 Kxe5 47.Kb5 ) 45.Ne5 $1 {Without the pair of knigths Black can no longer cover all the squares.} 45...Nf6 ( 45...Nxe5 46.Kxe5 Kc7 47.Kf5 {wins at once.} ) 46.Nc4+ Kc7 47.Ke5 Ne8 48.Ke6 Ned6 49.Nxd6 Nxd6 50.h4 {It is over. Wang forces zugwang and makes it to the kingside pawns.} 50...g5 51.h5 Nb5 52.Ke7 Nd6 53.g4 Nb5 54.Be2 Nd6 55.Bd3 {It is always useful to limit the knight.} 55...Nc8+ 56.Ke6 Nd6 57.Kf6 Kd8 58.Kg6 Ke7 59.Kxh6 {The job is done, now White needs to get his king out which he does with ease.} 59...Kf6 60.Kh7 Kf7 61.h6 Nc8 62.Bf5 Nd6 63.Be6+ 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.17"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[ECO "D42"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6459899251720"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e3 Nc6 7.Bd3 Be7 8.a3 Nxc3 9.bxc3 O-O 10.Qc2 h6 11.O-O b6 12.Rd1 ( {Another possibility is} 12.Bb2 Bb7 13.Rad1 Qc7 14.e4 Na5 15.Qe2 Bf6 16.Rfe1 {Nagy,G (2484)-Lenic,L (2644) Mali Losinj 2019} ) 12...Bf6 $146 {A novelty and a typical Gruenfeld-like pawn sacrifice.} ( {Black is by no means forced to sacrifice a pawn. A predecessor went} 12...cxd4 13.cxd4 Bb7 14.Bb2 Rc8 15.Qe2 Bf6 16.Bb5 Na5 17.e4 Qc7 18.Rac1 Qf4 19.Bd3 Rfd8 {where White had a strong center, but Black could fight it successfully, Emms,J (2488)-Webb,L (2306) Hull 2018} ) 13.dxc5 Qc7 14.cxb6 axb6 15.Bb2 Ne5 {One of the points behind the sacrifice. Wang clears the road for his long-ranged pieces and puts pressure against the c3 pawn at once.} 16.Bh7+ ( {The other way to play it is the simple-minded} 16.Nxe5 Bxe5 17.f4 Bf6 18.c4 Bxb2 19.Qxb2 ) 16...Kh8 17.Be4 Ra5 18.c4 Nxf3+ ( {More accurate was} 18...Ba6 $1 19.Nxe5 ( 19.Rac1 Rc8 ) 19...Bxe5 20.Bxe5 Rxe5 21.Rd4 Rc5 {dealing ith the c-pawn once and for all.} ) 19.Bxf3 Bxb2 20.Qxb2 {Aronian manages to stick to his extra pawn.} 20...Ba6 21.Be2 Bxc4 ( {Here} 21...Rc5 22.Rd4 Rd8 23.Qb4 {does not win the c-pawn as convincingly as in the line from above.} ) 22.Bxc4 Qxc4 23.Qxb6 Raa8 {Conceptually, this is the result of the novelty. Very soon an endgame with an extra pawn for White will appear on the board. Many openings are based on these hypothetical endgames. Are they holdable for the defender, or not?} 24.Qb4 Qc7 25.h3 Qa5 $1 {The right plan. Wang goes for the queen swap.} ( {With the Ladies on} 25...Rfb8 26.Qd4 Rb5 27.a4 Rba5 {White can combine the advance of his extra passer with kingside threats more easily. He can even start pushing his kingside pawns.} ) 26.Qf4 Qf5 27.Qxf5 exf5 {The endgame should be holdable for Black, but Aronian's skillful play puts a lot of pressure on his opponent all the time.} 28.Rd5 $1 {This secures the advance of his passer all the way to a5.} 28...g6 29.a4 Rfc8 30.Ra2 $1 {Another small, almost unnoticeable move which deprives Black of any chance of counterplay along the second rank.} 30...Rc1+ 31.Kh2 h5 {Wang is correctly arranging his pawns on the kingside.} 32.a5 Ra6 33.g3 ( {White cannot give an impulse to the pawn:} 33.Rb5 Kg7 34.Rb6 Rxb6 35.axb6 Rb1 $1 {as with the rook from behind Black easily holds.} ) 33...Kg7 34.Kg2 {Time to activate the king.} 34...Rb1 35.Kf3 Kf6 36.Rc5 Ke6 37.h4 {Aronian secures a path for his king into the enemy camp.} 37...Rb4 38.Rd2 {Aronian is trying to get his king in.} ( {The other way to try and break through is to search for a trade of a pair of rooks with} 38.Rac2 {Then Black can defend either with} 38...Ra4 ( {Or with the clever} 38...Ra7 $5 39.Rc6+ Kd7 40.a6 Ra4 41.Rf6 Ke7 {forcing the white rooks into passivity:} 42.Rcc6 ) 39.Rc6+ Rxc6 40.Rxc6+ Kd7 ( 40...Ke7 41.a6 ) 41.Ra6 Ke7 {With the rook placed ideally on a4 Black should be able to hold.} ) 38...Rb7 ( {Wang misses an even better chance:} 38...Ra4 $1 {He was probably afraid of the doubling along the seventh rank:} 39.Rc7 {But this is not as scary as it seems:} 39...R4xa5 40.Rdd7 Rc5 41.Re7+ Kd5 {and Black is getting closer to the draw.} ) 39.Kf4 Kf6 40.Rcd5 Ke6 41.Kg5 {Everything goes according to the plan. White sneaks into the opponent's camp. The problem is that his pawns are also left undefended.} ( {Nothing is achieved after} 41.Re5+ Kf6 42.Rc5 Rb4+ ) 41...Rba7 42.Kh6 Rxa5 43.Rd6+ Ke7 $1 ( {Not the pseudo-active:} 43...Ke5 $2 44.R2d4 $1 f4 45.exf4+ Kf5 46.f3 {when the black king lands into mating net.} ) 44.Kg7 R5a6 45.R6d5 $1 {The most flexible choice.} ( {Or} 45.Rxa6 Rxa6 46.Rd5 Ra2 47.Re5+ Kd6 48.Re8 Rxf2 49.Kxf7 Rf3 50.Kxg6 Rxg3+ 51.Kxf5 Rg4 {with a draw.} ) 45...Ra5 46.Rxa5 ( {Aronian wanted to go} 46.f4 {but after} 46...Rxd5 47.Rxd5 Ra6 48.Rb5 Re6 {he didn't see a way through but here} 49.Re5 $1 {wins on the spot. "I've seen Re5 in zillions of lines but not exactly here!" he said.} ) 46...Rxa5 47.Rb2 Ra7 48.Rb5 Ra2 {Now in comparison to the line from above White has the extra possibility:} 49.Rb7+ ( 49.Re5+ {will be as above.} ) 49...Ke6 50.Rxf7 Rxf2 51.Rf6+ Ke5 52.Rxg6 {That is the difference. Aronian keeps the extra pawn and gets two connected passers.} 52...Rf3 53.Kh6 Rxe3 54.Kxh5 {Nevertheless, Black is still holding.} 54...f4 {And active move and.. .a practical mistake. Although Wang can still hold this, he needs to find an only move in a very sharp situation.} ( {Here the easiest was to ask White how is he improving his position:} 54...Ra3 $1 55.Rg8 Rb3 {and White can hardly make progress. This was also pointed out by Aronian.} ) 55.g4 {The pawns come into motion. White's plan is easy to see: he will advance the passers as far as he can and sacrifice the rook for the enemy passer.} 55...f3 56.Kg5 Ra3 $2 {This natural move loses.} ( {The only defense was:} 56...Rd3 $3 {With the key point being that after:} 57.Rf6 Rd8 58.Rf5+ Ke4 59.h5 {Black can trade the rooks and secure his pawn promotion:} 59...Rd5 $1 60.Rxd5 Kxd5 61.h6 f2 62.h7 f1=Q 63.h8=Q Qc1+ {with a draw.} ) 57.Rf6 Ra8 58.Rf5+ $1 {A nasty surprise for Black!} ( {He was probably hoping for:} 58.Rxf3 Rg8+ 59.Kh6 Rxg4 {with a draw.} ) 58...Ke4 59.h5 ( 59.h5 {The pawns are unstoppable:} 59...Ke3 60.h6 f2 61.h7 ( {There is still a chance to spoil everything:} 61.Kh5 $2 Ra5 $1 ) 61...Ke2 62.Kh6 f1=Q 63.Rxf1 Kxf1 64.g5 ) 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.18"]
[Round "8.8"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Dreev, Aleksey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2662"]
[ECO "B45"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8251705929306"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 {The Four Knights Sicilian is sort of a business card of the Azerbaijani players. Dreev is constantly working with the team and definitely knows a thing or two about it.} 6.Nxc6 {Karjakin goes for the main line.} ( 6.Ndb5 {often transposes to the Sveshnikov Sicilian after} 6...d6 ( {However, the genuine Four Knight Sicilian typically chooses to defend the slightly inferior position after} 6...Bb4 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3 d5 {which by the way leads to French type of positions. And guess who is a French specialist...} ) 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5 ) 6...bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Bb7 16.g4 ( {Two other moves were played instead:} 16.Kd1 {which did not end so good for White in the following game:} 16...c5 17.Bd3 Rc8 18.Kc2 Qb6 19.Qxb6 axb6 20.a4 Bxg2 21.Rhg1 Be4 22.Rxg7 Bg6 23.f5 Nh5 24.Bh6 Nxg7 25.Bxg7 Rg8 26.fxg6 Rxg7 27.gxh7 Rg2+ 28.Kc3 Rxh2 {Czarnota,P (2532) -Navara,D (2724) Katowice 2019} ) ( {And sort of a main move} 16.Rg1 {which recently decided the outcome of a whole tournament after} 16...Ne4 17.Qe5 c5 18.Qxg7 Qh4 19.g3 Qxh2+ 20.Rg2 Qh1 21.Rg1 Qh5+ 22.g4 Qh2+ 23.Rg2 Ng3+ 24.Kd3 Bxg2 25.Bxg2 O-O-O {Black eventually won in Salimova,N (2260)-Videnova,I (2345) Pleven 2018. Videnova was well prepared by her husband for this game, GM Davorin Kuljasevic, and this game was nominated for best novelty of 2018 by New in Chess.} ) 16...c5 17.Rg1 Ne4 $146 {"This move I did not remember." (Karjakin) The interesting thing is that it was played after 30 minutes of thought and apparently under the influence of tech neighboring board where Yu chose it against Shirov. After the game Dreev told Karjakin that he intended to play another line, but got confused by the neighbour.} ( {The predecessor saw a quick draw after} 17...Qb6 18.Bxc5 Qxb2+ 19.Ke3 Kd8 20.Bd4 Qxh2 21.Bxf6+ {1/2-1/2 (22) Bacrot,E (2696)-Chernov,V (2391) Karlsruhe 2017} ) ( {whereas Karjakin believed Dreev would have played} 17...Rc8 ) 18.Qe5 $2 {"I was told this was very bad." (Karjakin) But since on the neighboring board it was played by Shirov relatively quickly and Yu replied momentarily with d8-h4 White believed this might be critical.} 18...Qh4 $2 {A mistake in return.} ( {From afar White calculated} 18...O-O 19.Bg2 d6 20.Qxe6+ Kh8 21.Bxe4 {and believed he is winning after:} 21...Re8 ( {However, later he understood that the rook can choose a much better square:} 21...Rf6 $1 {which is essentially winning for Black as in the line} 22.Qxf6 Qxf6 23.Bxb7 {There is the double-attack:} 23...Qxb2+ {(Karjakin)} ) 22.Qxe8+ Qxe8 23.Bxb7 {this is true for this line.} ) 19.Bg2 {It is all about the initiative and who will get to the enemy king first!} 19...Qxg4+ {This is the moment in which the neighboring board was moved to another room, thus everyone could start thinking on their own again... [#]} 20.Kd3 ( {Shirov chose instead} 20.Bf3 {But Karjakin did not like it due to} 20...Nc3+ 21.bxc3 ( 21.Kd3 Qxf3 22.Kxc3 Rg8 23.Rg3 Qc6 24.Bxc5 O-O-O 25.Bd6 Ba6 26.b3 Kb7 27.Rd1 Rc8 28.Rxg7 Rxg7 29.Qxg7 Bxc4 30.Kb2 Be2 31.Re1 Qxd6 32.Rxe2 Qd1 33.Qg2+ Rc6 34.a4 Qd4+ 35.Ka2 Qxf4 36.Qg7 Rd6 37.Qxh7 Rd1 38.Qh5 Qd4 39.Rb2 e5 40.h4 Rd2 41.Rxd2 Qxd2+ 42.Ka3 Qc1+ 43.Ka2 Qc2+ 44.Ka3 Qc1+ {\BD-\BD Shirov,A-Yu,Y, FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss 2019} ) 21...Qxf3+ 22.Kd3 Rg8 {(Karjakin)} ( 22...Rf8 {is not bad for Black either.} ) ) 20...Nf2+ {Another mistake after which the game is quickly over.} ( {White was more worried about the line} 20...d6 {when} 21.Qxe4 $5 {looks like a good sacrifice but Karjakin was not sure:} ( {"There is also the safe line"} 21.Bxe4 dxe5 22.Rxg4 O-O-O+ 23.Ke2 Bxe4 24.fxe5 {"but this should most likely be a draw." (Karjakin) Say:} 24...Bd3+ 25.Kf2 Rhf8+ 26.Kg1 Rf5 ) ( {There was a third option:} 21.Bh1 $5 {Then} 21...dxe5 ( 21...Qxg1 22.Qxe6+ ) 22.Rxg4 O-O-O+ 23.Ke2 {preserves the bishop pair for White, thus his winning chances.} ) 21...Bxe4+ 22.Bxe4 Qh5 ( 22...Qh3 {might be even better as then} 23.Bxa8 d5 {comes faster, for example:} 24.cxd5 O-O 25.Bc6 Rxf4 $1 {This is the main point behind Black's queen placement!} 26.dxe6 Rd4+ 27.Ke2 Qxe6 {with the white king exposed he can hardly hope for the advantage.} ) 23.Bxa8 O-O {"White has material advantage but next d6-d5 is coming." (Karjakin)} ) 21.Bxf2 Bxg2 22.Bxc5 {"Here I thought I am almost winning. Huge advantage" (Karjakin)} 22...Rc8 ( {Karjakin suggested instead a preliminary check with either:} 22...Qf3+ 23.Kd2 ) ( {Or} 22...Qh3+ 23.Kc2 {but in both cases the evaluation of the position does not change. The black king has no hiding place whereas the white monarch is remarkably comfortable in the center.} ) 23.Rae1 Kf7 24.Re2 ( {White also considered} 24.Bd4 {to be winning, but the game move is simpler.} ) 24...Qf3+ 25.Be3 {And since the black bishop is not moving he is losing material and the game.} 25...d6 26.Qd4 e5 27.Qxa7+ Ke6 28.Rgxg2 Rxc4 29.Kxc4 Rc8+ 30.Kb4 Qe4+ 31.Bd4 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.19"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anton Guijarro, David"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2674"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[Beauty "5090630972961"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {The Italian game was heavily discussed at the recent World Cup.} 3...Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O a5 ( {One game at the World Cup went} 6...a6 7.a4 Ba7 8.Re1 O-O 9.h3 Kh8 10.b4 Ng8 11.Nbd2 f5 12.b5 {with a sharp, double-edged battle in Karjakin,S (2760)-Vitiugov,N (2732) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 7.Re1 O-O 8.h3 h6 9.Nbd2 Be6 10.Bb5 {Super topical! Almost all the top players have played this with either color. In particular, Mamedyarov and Vacher-Lagrave are having some sort of a theoretical duel in this line.} 10...Qb8 11.Nf1 Qa7 12.d4 {Also a very hot topic!} ( {The latest encounter of the duel ended peacefully after just 75 moves:} 12.Be3 Bxe3 13.Nxe3 Ne7 14.a4 Rad8 15.Bc4 Bc8 16.Qc2 c6 17.Ba2 Ng6 18.Rad1 {Do not worry, I will not show you the rest, Vachier Lagrave,M (2775)-Mamedyarov,S (2765) Paris 2019} ) 12...exd4 13.Bxc6 dxc3 14.Ba4 Bxf2+ 15.Kh2 Bxe1 16.Qxe1 d5 17.Be3 ( {White has a big choice:} 17.e5 cxb2 18.Bxb2 Ne4 19.Ng3 {has not been tested yet.} ) ( {Neither has} 17.Ng3 dxe4 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Qc5 20.Bc2 g6 21.Be3 cxb2 22.Rb1 Qd6+ 23.Bf4 ) 17...c5 $146 {Anton comes first with an improvement.} ( {In Khanty-Mansiysk, one game went} 17...Qa6 18.e5 Ne4 19.bxc3 Qc4 20.Bb3 Qxc3 21.N1d2 a4 22.Rc1 Qa5 23.Bc2 {but Black could not solve his problems completely, Alekseenko,K (2671)-Ding,L (2811) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 18.e5 Ne4 19.bxc3 f5 20.exf6 {A funny contradiction. In order to secure good squares for his pieces, Aronian needs to open the road for Anton's rooks.} 20...Rxf6 21.Bc2 Qb8+ {Played with a very concrete idea.} ( {The more solid} 21...b6 $5 {might have been preferable.} ) 22.Kh1 {Aronian sacrifices a pawn.} ( {The self-pin does not seem attractive:} 22.Ng3 b6 23.Bxe4 dxe4 24.Nd2 Rg6 {with good play for Black.} ) 22...Bxh3 23.N3d2 {But White returns it at once and consolidates in the process.} ( {Not} 23.gxh3 $2 Rxf3 {with a mating attack.} ) 23...Bf5 ( {If} 23...Nxd2 24.Qxd2 Be6 25.Bxc5 ) 24.Nxe4 Bxe4 25.Bxe4 dxe4 26.Bxc5 Qe5 27.Bd4 Qh5+ 28.Kg1 {All of this was forced, and now Black goes for a queen swap while speculating with mating threats.} 28...Rf4 $1 29.Qd1 Qxd1 30.Rxd1 b5 {Often in these endgames, the rook and the pawns are stronger, but here the strong positions of White's minor pieces promise him an edge. Magnus Carlsen has demonstrated exceptional technique in similar situations with the light pieces.} 31.a3 $1 {It is important not to allow the swap of the queenside pawns.} 31...Rc8 32.Ne3 Rf7 33.Rb1 Rb7 34.Kf2 Kh7 35.Nc2 ( {Missing a chance to activate:} 35.Ng4 $1 {In order to move the knight to a better position and open the road for his king that is better. Apparently Aronian was afraid of his opponent's activity:} 35...Rc4 {But this does not lead Black anywhere after} 36.Ne5 Ra4 37.Rb3 {and the e4 pawn drops. True, there is still a lot of work for White.} ) 35...Rc6 $1 {Activating the rook.} ( {Here} 35...Rc4 {makes no sense after} 36.Ke3 ) 36.Rh1 {Aronian also tries to activate his major piece.} ( {However, better is} 36.Ke3 $1 Rg6 37.Ne1 Rg4 38.Be5 {with winning chances.} ) 36...Rf7+ $1 {A nice spoiler.} 37.Kg1 ( 37.Ke3 Rg6 {forces White into passive defense.} ) 37...Rfc7 {Anton prepares the sacrifice of an exchange.} 38.Rh3 g5 39.Re3 Re7 {An inaccuracy in time trouble.} ( {The other rook is the right one:} 39...Re6 {with the idea} 40.Re1 e3 $1 41.Nxe3 Rd7 42.Kf2 b4 {trading the pawns and securing the draw.} ) 40.Re1 Kg6 ( {Alas:} 40...e3 {does not work due to the poor coordination of the black rooks after} 41.Nxe3 Rd6 $2 42.Bc5 ) 41.Rb1 Rb7 42.Kf2 h5 {Despite the missed opportunity, Black manages to hold relatively easy.} 43.Ke3 Rbc7 44.Kxe4 Rxc3 $1 {This time the sacrifice works. Anton gets rid of both the queenside pawns and the better minor piece at once.} 45.Bxc3 Rxc3 46.Ne3 Rxa3 47.Rxb5 h4 48.Rb8 Ra4+ 49.Ke5 Rb4 50.Rg8+ Kh5 51.Rd8 ( {Perhaps White should have tried} 51.Rh8+ Kg6 52.Ra8 a4 53.Ra6+ Kh5 54.Nd5 ) 51...a4 52.Kf6 Rb6+ 53.Kf5 Rb5+ 54.Nd5 Kh6 55.Kg4 a3 56.Rd6+ Kg7 57.Nc7 ( {Or} 57.Kxg5 a2 58.Rd7+ Kf8 {and White is not in time with the mating threats.} ) 57...Ra5 58.Ne6+ Kf6 59.Nxg5+ Ke5 60.Nf7+ Ke4 61.Rd1 Ra4 {Next the a-passer will win the white rook; the g-passer, the black one.} ( 61...a2 62.Ra1 Kd3 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.20"]
[Round "10.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2876"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[ECO "D43"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "159"]
[Beauty "5362308617274"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.Bg3 b5 {One can only admire the courage of Matlakov for choosing this super-sharp line against the world champion!} 9.h4 g4 10.Ne5 Nbd7 11.Be2 Bb7 12.Nxd7 ( {Earlier this year Matlakov successfully defended after} 12.Nxg4 b4 13.Nxf6+ Nxf6 14.Na4 Nxe4 15.Be5 Rg8 16.Bxc4 Bd6 17.Qh5 Bxe5 18.Qxe5 c5 19.Nxc5 Nxc5 20.dxc5 Rc8 21.Rd1 Qc7 22.Bb5+ Bc6 23.Qxc7 Rxc7 24.Bxc6+ Rxc6 25.Rc1 Rxg2 {Sarana,A (2655)-Matlakov,M (2710) Izhevsk 2019} ) 12...Qxd7 13.Be5 Qe7 14.b3 Rg8 15.Qc2 b4 16.Na4 c3 17.a3 Nd7 18.Bg3 Bg7 19.Rd1 a5 20.O-O Bf6 21.Nc5 $146 {A logical novelty. Carlsen opens the d-file for a direct attack against the enemy king.} ( {The only predecessor is a beautiful email game:} 21.Bc7 Bxh4 22.e5 Qg5 23.g3 Bxg3 24.fxg3 Qe3+ 25.Kg2 c5+ 26.d5 exd5 27.e6 $3 fxe6 28.Bf4 d4+ 29.Kh2 Qe4 30.Qxe4 Bxe4 31.Bb5 Ke7 32.Bxd7 Rg5 $3 33.Bxg5+ hxg5 34.Kg1 Rh8 35.Bb5 Kd6 36.axb4 axb4 37.Nb6 Kc7 38.Nc4 Rh1+ 39.Kf2 Rh2+ 40.Ke1 d3 41.Rf7+ Kb8 42.Rf8+ {\BD-\BD (42) Yalov,S (2426)-Hatzl,J (2507) ICCF email 2016. Wow!} ) 21...Nxc5 22.dxc5 e5 23.Rd6 Bxh4 24.Bc4 Bg5 ( {In hindsight, Matlakov should have started the fight with the annoying white rook at once with} 24...Rg6 $1 25.Qd3 Rd8 $1 {Then} 26.Bxh4 {looks awkward for Black, but he can defend with} 26...Rgxd6 27.Qg3 Rf6 $1 28.Qxg4 Kf8 {The pin is nasty, but Black has ways to fight it:} 29.f4 Bc8 30.Qh5 {And now the key move} 30...c2 $1 {In order to deflect the white rook with a timely pawn promotion.} ) 25.Qd3 Rg6 {A move too late is an eternity when you are under attack.} ( {Here it made sense to overprotect the f7 square:} 25...Rg7 {and prepare for the opening of the f-file:} 26.f4 gxf3 27.Rxf3 ( {Not:} 27.Qxf3 $2 c2 ) 27...Rd8 {with good chances to repel the attack.} ) 26.f4 $1 {After another central file is opened, the black king will be in real trouble.} 26...exf4 $2 {This should have lost at once.} ( {The last chance for successful defense was:} 26...gxf3 27.Qxf3 Rg7 {although then the move 25...Rg6 does not make sense.} ) 27.Bxf4 {After the game the world champion was very upset with this move, which he played almost instantly after coming back from the bathroom.} ( {From afar he calculated:} 27.e5 $1 {"and everything collapses" (Carlsen). For example:} 27...fxg3 ( {Or:} 27...Rxd6 28.cxd6 Qd7 29.Bxf4 {when Black cannot hold the f7 point.} ) ( 27...Qxe5 {loses at once to:} 28.Bxf7+ $1 ) 28.Rxf7 $1 {with demolition.} ) 27...Bxf4 28.Rxf4 c2 $1 {Now Matlakov manages to distract the opponent's attack for a moment.} 29.Qxc2 Rxd6 30.cxd6 Qxd6 {An automatic recapture, but not the best move.} ( {Black needed to centralize the queen with:} 30...Qe5 $3 31.d7+ Kd8 32.Rxf7 c5 {The strategy of hiding behind the white pawns might have worked for the defender.} ) 31.e5 Qc5+ 32.Kh1 Qe3 ( {More solid is} 32...Qe7 {although then Black should not have saved himself there either, after} 33.Qd1 $1 ( {Less precise is:} 33.Bxf7+ Kd8 34.Qf2 c5 ) 33...Qh4+ ( 33...Rd8 34.Qxg4 ) 34.Kg1 Rd8 35.Bxf7+ Ke7 36.Qc1 $1 {with an unstoppable attack.} ) ( {There is no time to castle:} 32...O-O-O $4 33.Be6+ ) 33.Qf5 Kd8 34.Qxf7 Kc8 35.axb4 {This is a moment Carlsen can regret as well.} ( {The winning line, however, is difficult to calculate even with plenty of time on the clock:} 35.Qe8+ Kc7 36.Qe7+ Kb6 ( {There is no way back:} 36...Kb8 37.Qd8+ Bc8 ( {Or} 37...Ka7 38.Qxa5+ Kb8 39.Rf8+ Bc8 40.Qd8 ) 38.Rf8 Qe1+ 39.Bf1 {and White wins.} ( {But not} 39.Kh2 $4 g3# ) ) 37.Rf7 {Now Black needs to send his king far ahead of the remaining army:} 37...Bc8 ( {As:} 37...Rb8 38.Qc7+ Ka7 39.Qxa5# ) 38.Qc7+ Kc5 39.axb4+ Kxb4 ( {The alternative is an instant mate:} 39...axb4 40.Qd6+ Kb6 41.Qxb4# ) 40.Qxc6 Ra7 {Now if White does not win by force, it could be that the black king becomes a strenght in the endgame.} ( 40...Rb8 41.Qd6+ {drops the rook.} ) 41.Qa4+ Kc3 ( {Or else the rook is lost after:} 41...Kc5 42.Qb5+ Kd4 43.Qb6+ Ke4 44.Qxe3+ Kxe3 45.Rxa7 ) 42.Qa1+ Kb4 ( {Otherwise, White wins the queen:} 42...Kc2 43.Rf2+ $1 Qxf2 44.Qa2+ ) 43.Rxa7 Qxa7 44.Qe1+ Ka3 ( 44...Kc5 45.Qe3+ ) 45.Qc1+ Kb4 46.Qd2+ Ka3 {And now the key mating move:} 47.b4 $3 Ka4 48.Qc3 $1 {with unstoppable mate.} ) 35...Qxe5 36.Qf8+ ( {Missing another forcing win:} 36.b5 $3 {surprisingly would have given White a chance to include his bishop in the attack:} 36...cxb5 37.Rxg4 Kb8 38.Rg8+ Bc8 39.Be6 {with a win as Black soon runs out of checks:} 39...Qa1+ 40.Kh2 Qe5+ 41.g3 Qe2+ 42.Kh3 ) 36...Kc7 37.Rf7+ Kb6 38.bxa5+ Qxa5 39.Qe7 Qh5+ $1 {"I missed that this check existed. I thought he should resign. After this it should be a draw" (Carlsen).} 40.Kg1 Ra1+ 41.Bf1 Qxf7 $1 {The only move.} ( 41...Ba6 $2 {loses at once to} 42.Qa7+ Ka5 43.Qxa6+ ) ( {The endgame after} 41...Rxf1+ 42.Kxf1 Ba6+ 43.Kf2 Qc5+ 44.Qxc5+ Kxc5 {is hopeless for Black:} 45.Rh7 Kb4 46.Rxh6 ) 42.Qxf7 Ba6 43.Qf2+ Kb7 44.Qd4 Rxf1+ 45.Kh2 h5 46.Qc5 Rb1 {Black chooses the wrong idea.} ( {Carlsen suggested instead} 46...g3+ $1 47.Kxg3 Rh1 {in order to defend the h-pawn that he felt will be a draw.} ) 47.Qxh5 Kb6 {Matlakov went for a rook and pawn versus queen endgame, hoping for a fortress, but here this is not the case. If his c-pawn had been on the seventh rank, it would have been different.} 48.Qxg4 Rxb3 49.Qg8 Rd3 50.g4 Rd5 51.g5 Bd3 52.g6 Bxg6 53.Qxg6 {"This one I knew from school. I knew this was not a fortress, and I knew how to break it" (Carlsen). Indeed, a pawn on the sixth rank can eventually hold, but only if it is a knight pawn. The closer to the center it is, the more difficult the defense becomes.} 53...Kc7 54.Qf7+ Kb8 {First of all, White needs to bring his king closer.} 55.Kg3 Rg5+ 56.Kf4 Rd5 57.Qf8+ Kb7 58.Qb4+ Kc7 59.Ke4 Kc8 60.Qb6 {This is the main reason why a pawn close to the center is not good for the defender. The white king can attack it from the left.} 60...Kd7 61.Qb7+ Kd6 62.Qc8 {The main reason why a pawn on the sixth often loses. The queen can push the black king in front of his own pawn, thus spoiling the defensive setup.} 62...Kc5 63.Qb8 $1 {Black can no longer shuffle his rook on b5 and d5 squares.} 63...Rh5 64.Kf4 Rd5 65.Kg4 Kc4 66.Qb6 Rd4+ ( 66...c5 67.Qe6 Kd4 68.Kf4 {wins even faster for White.} ) 67.Kf5 c5 68.Qa5 Rd5+ 69.Ke6 {The king crossed the equator of the board and can assist the queen effectively. The end is near.} 69...Rd4 70.Qa4+ Kc3 71.Qa3+ Kc4 72.Qa5 Rd3 73.Qa4+ Kc3 74.Qa3+ Kc4 75.Qc1+ Kb4 76.Qb2+ Kc4 77.Qc2+ Kd4 ( {Or:} 77...Rc3 78.Qe4+ Kb3 79.Qb1+ Kc4 80.Kd6 ) 78.Kd6 c4 79.Qf2+ Re3 80.Qd2+ ( 80.Qd2+ {The finish could have been:} 80...Rd3 81.Qf4+ Kc3+ 82.Kc5 ) 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.21"]
[Round "11.6"]
[White "Anton Guijarro, David"]
[Black "Hovhannisyan, Robert"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2674"]
[BlackElo "2639"]
[ECO "D17"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[Beauty "6394958874670"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.c4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.f3 Bb4 8.Nxc4 O-O 9.Kf2 Nd5 ( {To a sharp game led:} 9...c5 10.e4 Bg6 11.Na2 Nc6 12.Nxb4 Nxb4 13.Qb3 Nxe4+ 14.fxe4 Bxe4 15.Bf4 Qf6 16.Qe3 Rad8 17.Kg1 {in Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2637)-Shankland,S (2725) chess.com INT 2019} ) 10.Na2 $146 {An obvious move and a novelty. The fork threat on e4 prevents Black from saving his dark-squared bishop.} ( {In a predecessor White got plenty of compensation for the sacrificed material after} 10.Qd2 b5 11.Ne5 Qa5 12.Qd1 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Bxc3 14.Ra3 b4 ( 14...Bb4 $5 ) 15.Nc4 Qd8 16.Rxc3 bxc3 17.e4 Bg6 18.h4 f6 19.Ba3 Re8 20.Nd6 Re7 21.Bc4 {Briem,S (1890)-Skaale,J (1752) Kopavogur 2018} ) 10...b5 {Hovhannisyan is practically forced to search for active, dynamic play.} 11.Nxb4 bxc4 12.Na2 c5 {The same policy.} ( {A slow move like} 12...Bg6 {will give White a chance to consolidate and take charge of the situation after} 13.e4 Nb6 14.a5 N6d7 15.Bxc4 {with a clear edge for White for many reasons: a strong center, two bishops and a better pawn structure.} ) 13.e4 cxd4 14.Bxc4 Nb6 ( {The other knight move} 14...Ne3 {looks more active but White is OK with the endgame after} 15.Bxe3 dxe3+ 16.Kf1 $1 ( {rather than} 16.Kxe3 Qg5+ 17.Kf2 Bxe4 $1 18.fxe4 Qc5+ {when Black will manage to exploit the weakness of the white king.} ) 16...Bg6 17.Qxd8 Rxd8 {Now} 18.Ke2 Rd2+ 19.Kxe3 Rxb2 20.Bb5 {leaves White dominating.} ) 15.Be2 Bg6 16.a5 {Here too White managed to consolidate and Anton will now use his rook pawns to further limit the black pieces.} 16...Nc8 17.Nb4 Ne7 18.h4 h5 ( {In case of} 18...h6 19.h5 Bh7 20.Bf4 Nbc6 21.Nxc6 Nxc6 22.Rc1 Nb4 23.Qd2 {White's advantage will be indisputable.} ) 19.Nd3 Nbc6 20.Bf4 Nxa5 {Hovhannisyan wants to get rid of the queenside pawns.} ( {A better try was} 20...f5 {in order to create turmoil for the white king. Then White most likely needs to lock the center with} 21.e5 {but this will create an outpost for the black knights:} 21...Nd5 22.Qd2 Rb8 {White is also better here, but not as much as in the game.} ) 21.Qa4 Nac6 22.b4 ( {Another way to seize the initiative on the queenside is connected with} 22.Rhc1 Qb6 23.Rc5 ) 22...e5 {Black hopes that he will have time to play f7-f6 and then bring his bishop back into life. But he is about to be unplesantly surprised.} ( {Once more} 22...f5 {was his best chance, for example:} 23.exf5 ( {However, even in this line White can mount pressure with} 23.e5 $1 a6 24.Bd1 Qb6 25.Bb3 {with pleasant compensation and good control of the position for White.} ) 23...Bxf5 24.b5 Bxd3 25.Bxd3 Rxf4 26.bxc6 Qd6 {and Black seems OK.} ) ( 22...a6 23.Rhc1 Qb6 24.Bd6 Rfe8 ) 23.b5 $1 {Energetic play by Anton. The passer will create huge headaches for the second player.} 23...exf4 24.bxc6 Qd6 ( {Perhaps Black should have tried} 24...Rc8 25.Rhc1 Rc7 {hoping for} 26.Nxf4 Qd6 27.g3 Rxc6 {with chances to defend.} ) 25.Rhc1 Rfc8 26.Qb4 $1 {With the strong passer on c6 Anton is happy to play an endgame. Moreover, his poorly situated (for the middlegame) king will immediately enter the battle once that the queens are swapped.} 26...Qd8 ( {When you do things right, tactics will work. One convincing line runs} 26...Qxb4 27.Nxb4 a5 28.Nd5 $1 Nxc6 29.Rxc6 Rxc6 30.Ne7+ ) 27.Ra6 Rc7 28.Nxf4 Rac8 29.Bb5 d3 30.Qc5 ( {His Majesty could have taken care of the black passer in person with} 30.Ke3 d2 31.Qxd2 ) 30...Nxc6 $5 {The last chance for Hovhanissyan is connected with tactics again. The moment is also chosen correctly, as the game is entering the timetrouble phase.} 31.Bxc6 Qxh4+ 32.g3 Qf6 ( {The computer likes} 32...Qh2+ 33.Ng2 Rb8 {but there too White consolidates after} 34.Ra2 Rbc8 35.Qd5 ) 33.Qc3 {The same queenless policy.} 33...d2 34.Qxd2 Bxe4 35.fxe4 Rxc6 {Now White goes for an endgame.} 36.e5 {Missing a brilliancy!} ( {Anton could have won brilliantly with:} 36.Raxc6 $1 Rxc6 37.e5 Qh6 38.e6 $3 Rxc1 39.Qd8+ Kh7 40.exf7 {when the passer is unstoppable and Black has no reasonable checks.} ) 36...Rc2 37.exf6 Rxd2+ 38.Ke3 Rxc1 39.Kxd2 Rh1 {All Back needs to do to survive is to trade the remaining two white pawns for all his four. Unfortunately for him, the f6 one is a very tough nut to crack.} 40.Ra5 h4 ( 40...gxf6 41.Nxh5 ) 41.Rg5 $1 {Save-guarding his future queen.} 41...g6 42.gxh4 Rxh4 43.Ke3 Kh7 44.Rc5 {Now Anton helps his f6 pawn with all his remaining pieces. Rc5-c7 is the obvious threat.} 44...Kh6 {Hovhannisyan tries to bring his king out for the attack of the last white pawn.} 45.Ne6 $3 {A beautiful way to give an impulse to the pawn. In the process White also keeps the black king away.} ( {Something obvious like} 45.Rc7 g5 46.Nd5 {would have given Black the chance that he was hoping for:} 46...Kg6 47.Rxa7 Kf5 48.Rxf7 Ke6 49.Rg7 Kxd5 50.f7 Re4+ $1 51.Kd3 Rf4 {with a draw.} ) 45...Rh3+ 46.Ke4 Rh4+ 47.Ke5 Rh1 48.Kd6 $1 fxe6 ( {Nothing changes} 48...Re1 49.Ng5 ) 49.Rc8 Rf1 50.Ke7 {The pawn is unstoppable.} 50...Kg5 51.f7 Rxf7+ 52.Kxf7 Kf5 53.Rc1 e5 54.Rf1+ {Notice how accurately Anton takes care first of the most advanced pawns.} 54...Ke4 55.Kf6 g5 56.Kxg5 Kd3 57.Re1 Kc3 58.Rxe5 Kb4 59.Kf4 a5 60.Ke4 1-0

[Event "E World Fischer Random Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.27"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2876"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "5"]
[Beauty "8246337208321"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{Also good was the preliminary: with favorable opening of the play on the kingside. The opening of the play is hugely dangerous for the world champion: Now White can bring one more major piece into the action with: You did not forget about this move, did you?} 
1.d4 f5 2.Nd2 Nc6 3.c3 {Error reading move: Bg6 The opening went well for Caruana who takes over the initiative on the kingside. The difference in the activity of the bishops is clearly favorable for the first player. A king in the center is a liability in Fischerandom as well! The American GM tries to get to it. Practically forced.} 0-1

[Event "E World Fischer Random Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.28"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "2"]
[Beauty "8246337208320"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{More energetic was: in order to exploit the f-file as well as the potential outpost on the f5 square. The in-between: could have used the drawbacks in White's set up in the line:} 
1.f4 {The King's Gambit can be a very dangerous weapon...} 1...b6 {Most definitely there is no two-mate in sight. So develops in a classical way- knights are coming first. At the same time Nepomniachtchi has a serious problem with his cornered knight. Black needs to get air for his bishops. Missing a good chance.} ( {In the Fischer Random Black does not have the luxury of playing symmetrically:} 1...f5 $2 {Error reading move: Qa7 drops a pawn at once. Try to imagine this happening in the real chess?} ) 1-0

[Event "E World Fischer Random Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.29"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "6"]
[Beauty "8246337208321"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{However, it transpires Black is not yet ready for the assault: leaves the black knight without support, in danger. Once more: was possible, but it does not achieve anything due to: It made sense to postpone castling and prepare the central break first with: So could have ended Black's attack here once and for all with: Here the American GM had a chance to pay his opponent with the same coin: would be more effective than Black's Nc6-b4 at the beginning as the second player has to retreat into passivity: White misses the strong: which wins a piece: There is not enough compensation for Black. For the above-mentioned reason White has not time to pick up queenside knights: leaves the white king defenseless. Stronger was: In order to defend the second rank. Perhaps Nepomniachtchi feared that his knight is trapped now on c4, however the strong: Saves it as:} 
1.b3 b6 2.c4 Nc6 3.e3 Nb4 {Quite a vigorous way to play it! Nepomniachtchi wants to spoil his opponent's castling at the first possible moment. Error reading move: Bc3 So is not afraid to castle into it. The first clash is over. Both sides are ready to attack the opponent's king. Consistent. Blunder alert! Threatening a capture on c4, either with or without the trade on g3. In order to defend the c4 pawn.} 1-0

[Event "E World Fischer Random Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2019.10.31"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2876"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "2"]
[Beauty "8246337208320"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{Again: is not something White wishes to play after: as it is not as easy to castle by hand. would have prevented the b4-b5 move for a while but Black is not too concerned about it. is good for Black. Black could have also started play on his own on the opposite wing: with approximate equality. The game move was not forced though and Black could have prepared himself for the center battle with: Or with: The pawn is taboo: Half-measures like: would not make Black happy as he is under tremendous pressure. The straightforward: was promisng White serious initiative:} 
1.d4 ( {In this particular set-up White is not well prepared for the French defense:} 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 {The presence of the queens on the a-file facilitates Black's queenside play.} ) 1...b6 {Error reading move: Ng3 In order to spoil the opponent's castling. Here we are, in some Queen's Indian symmetrical set-up. Back to normal chess. Now the game enters Carlsbad theritory where Carlsen can be happy with the trade of the light-squared bishop. Minority attack to create queenside weaknesses. This is the reason why, Carlsen is prepared for the opening of the c-file. And this is typical for the Nimzo-Indian defense. Above all, Black stops the usual kingside play of the opponent after f2-f3 and g2-g4! Now that the b and the c-pawns have been traded it is time for So to play in the center. The center is ready to start moving and Carlsen uses tactics to attack it first. Now Black can take it and this was his idea. But in the process the long diagonal for the white pieces is opened and this spells trouble for the world champion. Without a blink of an eye! So starts a dangerous kingside attack. Flashy, but not optimal.} 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2019.10.14"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "McShane, Luke J"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[ECO "C48"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "169"]
[Beauty "4059859843656"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bd6 {A fighting move. Caruana avoids the many theoritecial drawish lines.} 5.d3 O-O 6.O-O h6 ( {Instead:} 6...a6 7.Ba4 h6 8.a3 Re8 9.h3 Bf8 10.Be3 d6 11.Bb3 Be6 12.Bxe6 Rxe6 {led to an ultra-solid position for Black in Nepomniachtchi,I (2776)-Tomashevsky,E (2718) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 7.Kh1 $146 {Preparing a quick f2-f4 in the spirit of the Rossolimo line.} ( {Another game of the aforementioned match at the World Cup saw a similar development:} 7.a3 Re8 8.Be3 Bf8 9.Bc4 d6 10.h3 Be6 11.Bxe6 Rxe6 12.Nd5 {Again Black was super solid, but this time he did not survive, perhaps because it was rapid, Nepomniachtchi,I (2776)-Tomashevsky, E (2718) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 7...Re8 {Black wants to retreat the bishop to f8 once that his center is defended.} 8.Bxc6 bxc6 $5 {Another fighting move.} ( {More common is to recapture with the other pawn:} 8...dxc6 {Intending c6-c5 and then a knight transfer towards d4. Then McShane would have most likely gone for} 9.Ng1 Nh7 10.f4 exf4 11.Bxf4 Bxf4 12.Rxf4 Ng5 {with a tiny edge for White.} ) 9.Ng1 Bf8 10.f4 exf4 11.Bxf4 d5 $1 {This is why Caruana recaptured with the c-pawn. He wants a piece of the center. At this stage of the game the American GM skillfully outplays his opponent.} 12.e5 Bg4 13.Qd2 Nh5 14.Rae1 ( {Objectively better was} 14.h3 Nxf4 15.Qxf4 Be6 {although Black does not have any problems whatsoever here to say at least.} ) 14...Rb8 {Sending the rook to the center!} ( {Very good for Black was instead:} 14...g5 $1 15.Bg3 ( 15.Be3 $2 d4 ) 15...Nxg3+ 16.hxg3 Bg7 {with an advantage.} ) 15.h3 ( 15.Na4 $5 c5 16.b3 ) 15...Nxf4 16.Qxf4 Bh5 {In order to keep the bishop more active.} ( {There was nothing wrong with} 16...Be6 {except that it would have taken the square from the black rook.} ) 17.Nd1 Rb4 18.Qf2 c5 19.b3 Rb6 20.Nf3 Rbe6 21.Ne3 Qd7 $6 {So far Black did everything fine, but this last move is a mistake. For a moment Caruana stalls and this gives McShane the needed time to create his own play.} ( {He should have opened the game for his bishops with:} 21...f6 $1 {when} 22.g4 {is nothing to worry about and Black is better after} 22...Bg6 23.Nh4 Bh7 24.exf6 Rxf6 25.Nef5 Kh8 ) 22.g4 $1 {McShane seizes his chance.} 22...Bg6 23.Ng2 c4 $1 ( {Apparently here Black noticed the positional trap:} 23...Bh7 24.Nf4 Ra6 25.e6 $3 fxe6 26.Ne5 {with the Nimzowitsch knights beating any long-range piece Black has.} ) 24.Nf4 cxd3 25.cxd3 {Another accurate move.} ( {There is no need to be greedy:} 25.Nxe6 $2 Rxe6 26.cxd3 Bxd3 27.Rg1 Be4 {is good for Black.} ) 25...Bb4 26.Rd1 ( {A tad more accurate was:} 26.Rc1 $5 c5 27.Nxe6 Rxe6 28.Rcd1 ) 26...R6e7 {The counterplay is not good enough here.} ( {Better was the solid} 26...Ra6 $1 {intending to meet} 27.e6 {with} 27...Raxe6 $1 28.Nxe6 Rxe6 29.Qxa7 Re2 {with compensation for the exchange due to the weak white king.} ) 27.Qxa7 {Snatching two pawns in a flash.} ( 27.Nxg6 $5 fxg6 28.Qxa7 {was also good for White.} ) 27...Bh7 28.Qd4 c5 29.Qxd5 Qa7 $1 {The only chance is active play.} 30.Qc4 {Very accurate play again.} ( {Instead:} 30.a4 {would have lost the more important central pawn after} 30...Bc3 $1 ) 30...Qxa2 31.g5 $1 {The knights are perfect for a close fight and the kingside attack is the most natural way.} 31...hxg5 32.Nxg5 Qa8+ 33.Kg1 ( {Not as good is} 33.Kh2 Qb8 ) 33...Qc6 {Not the optimal square for the queen.} ( {Here too, Black needed to go for} 33...Qb8 $1 {Then} 34.Nd5 Qxe5 35.Nxe7+ Rxe7 36.Qf4 Qxf4 37.Rxf4 Bg6 {might be defendable.} ) 34.d4 $1 {Now that the central pawns come into motion Black's position is close to collapse.} 34...Bf5 35.Nd5 Rd7 36.Ne3 {Solid human move.} ( {The computer-like decision} 36.Nf6+ $1 gxf6 37.d5 Qc7 38.Rxf5 fxg5 39.Rxg5+ Kf8 40.Qh4 {with winning attack is not something one can afford to play with seconds on the clock.} ) 36...Bg6 37.d5 Qc7 38.Ng4 Qd8 39.e6 {Very impractical. McShane was left with his last seconds and there was no need to force matters. The time control was approaching.} ( {It made sense not to force matters and to solidify instead the position with:} 39.h4 $1 {Black would be helpless against the central breaks. For example:} 39...Rb7 ( 39...Ba3 40.e6 $1 fxe6 41.Ne5 {wins on the spot for White.} ) 40.d6 $1 Ba5 {And now after the additional time is added on the clock White will have the time to calculate the brilliancy:} 41.Rxf7 $1 Rxf7 ( {If:} 41...Bxf7 42.Qe4 $1 g6 ( 42...Ra7 43.Qh7+ Kf8 44.Qh8+ Bg8 45.Rf1+ {is a quick mate.} ) 43.Qxb7 {winning.} ) 42.e6 $1 {and there is no way out for Caruana.} ) 39...fxe6 {Caruana misses his chance in return!} ( {He could have saved the half point at once with the brilliant} 39...Qxg5 $3 40.exd7 Re4 41.Qa6 Rxg4+ 42.hxg4 Qxg4+ {with perpetual check.} ) 40.Nxe6 Qb8 {Sneekily looking at the enemy king from afar.} 41.d6 $1 {Now McShane gets a second chance to finish the game.} 41...Rxd6 42.Nc7+ Rde6 ( {There is not time to escape from the pin:} 42...Kh8 43.Rxd6 Qxc7 44.Rxg6 Qg3+ 45.Kh1 Qxh3+ 46.Nh2 ) 43.Rd7 ( {White in return needs not to rush:} 43.Nxe6 $2 Qg3+ 44.Kh1 Qxh3+ 45.Nh2 Qxe6 {should be a draw.} ) 43...Kh8 44.Qf4 {The time to pick up the exchange came.} 44...Qb6 45.Nxe6 Qxe6 46.Rd6 Qe4 47.Qg5 $1 {Correct! White wants to trade the queens under more favorable circumstances. McShane's treatment of the position is beautiful and effective.} ( {The endgame after} 47.Qxe4 Bxe4 48.Rd7 Kg8 {should be holdable for Black.} ) 47...Kh7 48.Qh4+ Kg8 49.Qg3 Kh7 50.Nf2 Qc2 51.Nd3 $1 {If White can trade the light-squared bishop he will be winning.} 51...Be4 $1 {Although this move loses in a strange way, I award it with an exclamation mark as it was Black's only practical chance.} ( {In the line} 51...Bxd3 52.Qxd3+ Qxd3 53.Rxd3 {there is no way out for Caruana.} ) 52.Qg5 Qe2 53.Nxb4 ( {Missing the sudden retreat} 53.Nc1 $3 {which wins on the spot as Black cannot defend against the check on h5!} ) 53...cxb4 54.Rd2 $1 {McShane found a forcing win.} ( {An even more accurate win was} 54.Rd4 $1 {and only when the black rook leaves the back rank:} 54...Re6 55.Rd2 ) 54...Qa6 55.Qh5+ Qh6 56.Qxh6+ Kxh6 57.Re1 $2 {Oh, just a step from the epic victory!} ( {The other rook was the right one:} 57.Re2 $1 Re5 58.Kh2 Kg5 59.Rd1 Kf4 60.Rd4 {as Black cannot untie his pieces.} ) 57...Re5 $1 58.Kh2 Rd5 {This is the difference: Caruana unpins himself. Now only a very narrow road leads to the win.} 59.Rxd5 Bxd5 60.Re3 g5 61.Kg3 ( {Missing his last chance. McShane needed to "fix" the enemy king first with:} 61.Rg3 $1 {Then the active attempt} 61...Kh5 {loses to} ( 61...Kg6 $2 62.h4 $1 ) ( {Or} 61...Be6 62.Kg2 {as in the game, except that the black king is inactive.} ) 62.Kg1 Kh4 63.Rg4+ Kxh3 64.Rxb4 ) 61...Kg6 62.Kf2 Kf5 $1 {Grand defense by Caruana.} ( {The other route for the king was tempting, but not enough after:} 62...Kh5 63.Rg3 Kh4 64.Rg4+ Kxh3 65.Rxg5 Bxb3 $4 66.Rg3+ ) 63.Rg3 Be6 64.Ke2 Bd5 65.Kd2 Be6 {White's problem is that in the battle of the long-ranged pieces the bishop often matches the rook. The needed conditions is that the pawns of the rook side are fixed on the color of the bishop (which is the case). One other problem is that the trade of the queenside pair leads automatically to a draw. In short, the win is gone.} 66.Rf3+ Ke5 67.Re3+ Kf6 68.Kc2 Bf5+ 69.Kc1 Be6 70.Kd2 Bd5 71.Kc2 Be6 72.Kb2 Bf5 73.Rg3 Be6 74.Rd3 Ke5 75.Re3+ Kf6 76.Re4 Bxh3 77.Rxb4 ( {The last chance was:} 77.Kc1 $5 g4 78.Kd2 g3 79.Ke3 {to stop the pawn with the weaker piece, but it is a textbook draw after} 79...Be6 80.Rxb4 g2 81.Kf2 Bd5 ) 77...g4 78.Re4 g3 79.Kc3 Kf5 80.Re1 Kf4 81.b4 Kf3 82.b5 Kf2 83.Kd2 g2 84.b6 Bc8 85.Re2+ {An epic battle! I recommend analyzing it under the sound of Nightwish. ;)} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.10.01"]
[Round "56.1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "A19"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7701950106634"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 Ng8 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 {A famous pawn sacrifice in the Flohr-Mikenas system. For the pawn White collects the bishop pair and has the lead in the development.} 7...Nxe5 8.Ndb5 a6 9.Nd6+ Bxd6 10.Qxd6 f6 11.Be3 Ne7 12.Bb6 Nf5 13.Qb4 Nc6 14.Qc5 Qe7 ( {Instead Dubov decided to return the pawn at once with:} 14...d6 15.Bxd8 dxc5 16.Bb6 e5 17.O-O-O Ncd4 18.Bxc5 Bd7 19.Bd3 Rc8 20.Bxd4 Nxd4 21.f4 Bg4 22.Rde1 Nc6 {and Black held his own in Giri,A (2767)-Dubov,D (2648) Novi Sad 2016} ) 15.O-O-O d6 {Radjabov decided to stick to the pawn.} ( {There was another chance to give back the pawn but to enter an endgame with:} 15...Qxc5 16.Bxc5 d6 17.Bxd6 Nxd6 18.Rxd6 Bd7 {as in Wojtaszek,R (2737)-Mons,L (2500) Germany 2017. True in this case White keeps slight edge thanks to his better pawn structure. Risk-free.} ) 16.Qa3 O-O 17.g4 Nh6 18.Rg1 Nf7 $146 {A novelty.} ( {In a predecessor Black went:} 18...f5 {and did more than fine after:} 19.gxf5 ( {However, I suspect that in this particular game White would have gone for:} 19.g5 $1 Nf7 20.f4 {limiting the black knights with advantage.} ) 19...Nxf5 20.Ne4 Qh4 21.Nxd6 Qxh2 22.Rg2 Qf4+ 23.Kb1 Nxd6 24.Rxd6 e5 {Grant,J (2249) -Eggleston,D (2368) Edinburgh 2009} ) 19.f4 {What is White's compensation all about? Black indeed has an extra pawn, but can he move anything?} 19...Bd7 ( 19...e5 {allows the occupation of a wonderful outpost after:} 20.Nd5 ) ( {Whereas:} 19...f5 20.g5 {limits the black knights as discussed above.} ) 20.h4 {Meanwhile White can and will expand on the kingside. His play is much easier and this is already an advantage.} 20...a5 {In order to get some air for his pieces.} 21.g5 {Ding continues with his plan without a blink.} ( 21.Nb5 Ra6 {will at least get rid of the enemy bishop.} ) 21...Kh8 ( {Here:} 21...Ra6 22.c5 $1 {hitting the rook does not seem as appealing.} ) 22.Qb3 {The queen is slowly moving towards the kingside.} 22...Rfc8 23.Kb1 e5 {This turned out to be a mistake.} ( {Radjabov should have opened some air for his pieces with:} 23...fxg5 24.hxg5 {Then:} 24...e5 {Leads to a position where White still has plenty of compensation for the pawn, but Black can fight on. For instance:} 25.Nd5 ( {Or:} 25.Bd3 Nb4 26.Nd5 Nxd5 27.cxd5 a4 28.Qa3 {with compensation.} ) 25...Bf5+ 26.Ka1 Qe6 {With the key resource:} 27.Nc7 Rxc7 $1 28.Bxc7 Nb4 {when Black creates threats on his own.} ) 24.Nd5 Bf5+ 25.Ka1 Qe6 26.gxf6 $1 {White plays for domination.} ( {Ding correctly avoids:} 26.Nc7 Rxc7 $1 27.Bxc7 Nb4 28.Rg2 exf4 {when Black has compensation for the sacrificed material.} ) 26...gxf6 27.a3 $1 {One more cool move. The Chinese GM constantly demonstrates his compensation is long-term.} ( {Although there was nothing wrong with:} 27.Bg2 a4 28.Qc3 a3 29.b3 ) ( 27.Nc7 {was once again possible, but there was no need to allow the counterplay-} 27...Rxc7 28.Bxc7 Nb4 ) 27...Rab8 ( {The idea of White's previous move is revealed in the line:} 27...Nb4 $5 28.Qf3 $1 {Ignoring the steed.} 28...Nc2+ 29.Ka2 {and the black knight achieved nothing.} ) 28.Bg2 Rg8 29.Ne3 $1 {A very strong retreat which creates the nasty Bg2-d5 threat. All the white pieces are ideally placed.} 29...Nd4 {Practically, a resignation. But did Black had had a choice?} ( {Radjabov cannot save his bishop:} 29...Bh3 $2 30.f5 Bxf5 31.Bd5 Qd7 32.Nxf5 Qxf5 33.Bxf7 {drops a piece.} ) ( {Ditto for:} 29...Bg6 $2 30.f5 ) ( {Finally,} 29...Ne7 {leads to horrible position for Black after:} 30.Nxf5 Qxf5 ( {Or} 30...Nxf5 31.Bd5 Qe7 32.Rxg8+ Rxg8 33.Qh3 ) 31.c5 $1 d5 32.Bxd5 {White regains the pawn and keeps all the advantages of his position.} ) 30.Bxd4 exd4 31.Nxf5 Qxf5 32.Bd5 Rxg1 33.Rxg1 Nh6 ( {If:} 33...Rg8 34.Rxg8+ Kxg8 35.c5 $1 {is strong for White.} ) 34.Qb6 Qd7 35.Qxd4 {Ding regained the pawn and kept all the advantages in the position- safer king, better pieces, better pawn structure. Everything spells quick disaster for Black.} 35...Qe7 36.Ka2 Nf5 37.Qc3 b6 ( {Nothing changes.} 37...a4 38.Re1 Qg7 39.Re6 ) 38.h5 Re8 39.h6 Ne3 40.Re1 ( 40.Re1 {Radjabov resigned, not waiting for:} 40...Nxd5 41.cxd5 Qxe1 42.Qxf6+ Kg8 43.Qg7# ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.10.02"]
[Round "57.1"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[ECO "C89"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7289633244685"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 {In a must-win situation it seems suicidal to allow the Marshall Gambit and compete with a computer. However, Radjabov has something on his mind.} 8...d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Be3 ( {Earlier this match (and this year) Radjabov tested his opponent in the forcing line:} 16.Nd2 Rae8 17.Ne4 Bg4 18.Qg2 Qxg2+ 19.Kxg2 f5 20.h3 Bh5 21.Bf4 Bxf4 22.gxf4 fxe4 23.dxe4 Bf3+ 24.Kxf3 Rxf4+ 25.Kg3 Rfxe4 26.Rxe4 Rxe4 27.f3 ( 27.a4 Re2 28.axb5 axb5 29.Bxd5+ cxd5 30.Rd1 Rxb2 31.Rxd5 Rb3 32.f3 Rxc3 33.Rxb5 {\BD-\BD (33) Radjabov,T (2758)-Ding,L (2811) Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2019 was the continuation of the first match game.} ) 27...Re2 28.c4 bxc4 29.Bxc4 Rxb2 30.Bxa6 g5 {but Black comfortably held back then, Radjabov,T (2756)-Ding,L (2812) Shamkir 2019} ) 16...Bxd3 17.Nd2 Qf5 18.Bd4 Rfd8 19.a4 h6 20.h4 Rac8 {[#]} 21.Qxf5 $146 {This is the Azeri's prepared novelty. He revealed that he almost did not prepare for this game as he had it all stored in his file. The preparation was more psychological, as we shall see in a moment.} ( {Another recent game of the Chinese GM went:} 21.axb5 axb5 22.Bxd5 cxd5 23.Ra5 Qxf3 24.Nxf3 Re8 25.b4 f6 26.Ra6 Bf8 27.Ra7 Ra8 28.Rxe8 Rxe8 {and Black held his own in Karjakin,S (2750)-Ding,L (2805) Saint Louis 2019} ) 21...Bxf5 22.Ne4 Bf8 {Played after 30 minutes of thought! A good sign for White.} ( {It is curious to learn that Radjabov knew that this line is a draw! This was his main psychological problem- should he go for it, or not? What if the opponent knows(remembers actually!) the line? The fact that Ding sank into thought definitely gave courage to the first player. Best now was:} 22...c5 $1 {"with a draw," said Radjabov. It is not as obvious though and in many lines Black is holding with only moves. In particular these:} 23.Bxd5 ( {If this was played White might have tried instead:} 23.Nxd6 Rxd6 24.Be5 {with slow grinding, but most likely not winning the game.} ) 23...cxd4 24.Bb7 {Now Black has to remember clearly how to regain the pawn:} 24...Rc4 25.Bxa6 ( {In the line:} 25.Nxd6 Rxd6 26.axb5 axb5 27.Re5 dxc3 28.Ra8+ Kh7 29.bxc3 g6 30.Rxb5 Rxc3 {everything disappears from the board.} ) 25...Bxe4 $1 26.Bxb5 ( {One more key line runs:} 26.Rxe4 dxc3 27.Rxc4 cxb2 28.Rb1 bxc4 29.Rxb2 c3 30.Rc2 Bb4 ) 26...dxc3 $1 27.Bxc4 cxb2 28.Rad1 Bc2 29.Ba2 Bxd1 30.Rxd1 Bc7 {and it should be a draw. However, calculating such a line is close to impossible and remembering it- maybe even more difficult.} ) 23.Nc5 Nb4 24.Re5 g6 25.axb5 cxb5 26.Ne6 $3 {This is what Radjabov's idea is based on. A shocking central blow, against which Ding has to find only moves.} ( {Instead:} 26.Nxa6 Nc6 27.Rxb5 Nxd4 28.cxd4 Rxd4 29.Rb7 Rd7 30.Rxd7 Bxd7 31.Bd5 Rc2 {would have led to a typical Marshall situation where White is up a pawn, but Black comfortably holds thanks to his bishop pair.} ) 26...Bxe6 $1 {Everything else is inferior.} ( {Instead:} 26...fxe6 {loses to:} 27.Rxf5 $1 gxf5 28.Bxe6+ Kh7 29.Bxf5+ $1 {The point.} 29...Kg8 30.Bxc8 Rxc8 31.cxb4 {and Black misses the g-pawn in comparison to the game.} ) ( {Or:} 26...Rd7 27.Nxf8 Rxf8 28.Bc5 Nd3 29.Bxf8 Nxe5 30.Bxh6 {winning a pawn.} ) 27.Rxe6 fxe6 28.Bxe6+ Kh7 29.Bxc8 Rxc8 {One more good sign for Radjabov, who was up to here still in his prep!} ( {Instead:} 29...Nc2 $1 {would have still been "a draw" as the Azeri GM revealed. For example:} 30.Rc1 Nxd4 31.cxd4 a5 ( {Or even:} 31...Rxd4 32.Bxa6 Rb4 {and once that the b-pawn disappears the draw becomes inevitable.} ) 32.Ba6 Bg7 33.Bxb5 Bxd4 ) 30.cxb4 Rc4 31.Bf6 $1 {One more brilliant practical decision.} ( {White avoided:} 31.Be5 Bg7 32.Bxg7 Kxg7 33.Rxa6 Rxb4 34.Ra2 Kf6 {with a draw.} ) 31...Bg7 ( {Bad was:} 31...Rxb4 32.Rxa6 {when Black has problems on both wings.} ) ( {However, another version of the bishop exchange seemed like a good way to hold:} 31...Rc6 $1 32.Bc3 Bg7 {Now:} 33.Kg2 Bxc3 34.Rc1 $5 a5 $1 {will lead soon to the endgame Black dreams of three versus two on the kingside. Especially if he can play h6-h5!} ) 32.Be7 Rc6 {Once again Ding hesitates and is uncertain which endgame to chose.} ( {Better was to search for the rook endgame again with:} 32...Bxb2 33.Rxa6 Bc3 {True, after:} 34.Rb6 Bxb4 35.Bf6 {Radjabov will keep the bishops alive and this will give him much more chances than the pure rook endgame, but at least the pawns will be on the same side which should make defense easier.} ) 33.Ra2 Kg8 34.Bc5 Kf7 ( {Here was the last moment for:} 34...Bf8 $1 {Black is still very close to the draw. Say:} 35.b3 Kf7 $1 ( {Not the immediate:} 35...Bxc5 36.bxc5 Rxc5 37.Rxa6 {(with tempo!)} 37...Kg7 38.Rb6 $1 ) 36.Rc2 Bxc5 37.Kg2 {Avoiding the threat Bc5xf2+!} ( 37.bxc5 a5 {is similar.} ) 37...a5 $1 {and Black manages to get rid of the queenside pawns.} ) 35.Kg2 Ke6 36.b3 h5 ( {According to Radjabov Black's last chance was:} 36...Bc3 {Although here after:} 37.Rc2 $1 {Black's chances of survival are slim. Both:} 37...Bxb4 $2 ( {And} 37...Bd4 $2 38.Re2+ ) 38.Re2+ {lose on the spot.} ) 37.Kf3 {Now White automatically centralizes his pieces and is practically winning.} 37...Kf5 38.Rd2 Be5 39.Rd5 Ke6 ( {The very last chance to put up resistance was:} 39...Kf6 {with the idea to meet:} 40.Ke4 {with} 40...Re6 ) 40.Ke4 {White showed no mercy from here:} 40...Bf6 41.f4 $1 Bc3 42.f5+ Kf7 43.Rd7+ Kg8 ( 43...Ke8 44.Rh7 $1 ) 44.Bd6 $1 gxf5+ 45.Kxf5 Bg7 46.Kg5 ( 46.Kg6 $2 Bf8 ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.10.04"]
[Round "64.1"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[ECO "B59"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7284935633417"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 c5 {In a must-win situation, Ding naturally switches to the Sicilian defense.} 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be2 {The most solid, classical choice.} 6...e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg5 O-O 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 10.Nd5 {This position was always considered either slightly better for White (from the perspective of the first player) or absolutely harmless (from Black's perspective.) Both evaluations suited Radjabov well.} 10...Bg5 11.Bg4 {Trading the light-squared bishop is a dream-come-true for White if the pawn structure does not change.} ( {Instead:} 11.O-O Be6 12.c3 a5 13.Qd3 Ne7 14.Nxe7+ Bxe7 15.Rfd1 Qb6 {was very comfortable for Black in Chen,Q (2435)-Venkatesh,M (2481) Qingdao 2019} ) 11...Be6 12.O-O g6 13.Bxe6 fxe6 {Ok, now Black can also be happy as he managed to cover the vulnerable f5 and d5 squares.} 14.Nc3 Qe7 $146 ( {A predecessor saw:} 14...a5 15.a4 Nb4 16.Qe2 Qe7 17.Rad1 Rfd8 18.Nb5 d5 {Ries,B (1946)-Fuchs,M (2096) Bayerisch Eisenstein 2017, but I suspect that both players were unaware of this.} ) 15.Qd3 {White's play is relatively simple, whereas Black needs to prove kingside initiative to stay in the match.} 15...Rad8 16.Rad1 a6 17.a3 Kg7 18.Qg3 h5 19.Ne2 d5 {Ding needs to play energetically.} 20.Qc3 {On his turn Radjabov tries to provoke d5-d4 to ossify the pawn structure. Then the knights will be celebrities.} 20...Rf6 ( {For example:} 20...d4 21.Qc5 Rc8 {Now a move like:} 22.c3 {will bring White closer to the win of the match after:} 22...dxc3 23.Nxc3 Nd4 24.Qxe7+ Bxe7 25.Nxd4 exd4 26.Rxd4 Bxa3 27.bxa3 Rxc3 28.a4 {with a drawish rook endgame.} ) 21.Qc5 Qf7 22.c3 $2 {Yes, seconds on the clock does not help determine all the subtleties of a position. A seemingly solid-looking move turns out to have a serious tactical flaw.} ( {Both:} 22.Qc3 $1 ) ( {And} 22.Rd3 $1 {would have been good for White.} ) 22...h4 {Ding plays on the side where he is better by default.} ( {And misses a chance to embarrass the white queen with:} 22...Qc7 $1 {The threat is b7-b6 to trap the enemy Royalty, when} 23.exd5 exd5 24.f3 h4 25.Qf2 Ne7 $1 {followed by Ne7-f5 and threats along the dark-squares would have given the Chinese GM serious chances of staying in the match!} ) 23.h3 Rd7 ( {It was not too late for:} 23...Qc7 $1 24.exd5 exd5 25.f3 b6 26.Qf2 Ne7 $1 {with Black's edge.} ) 24.Qb6 $1 {Now everything is under control for Radjabov. His pieces are optimally placed and the black bishop-somewhat empty.} 24...Re7 25.Nc5 Kh7 {Preparing kingside attack.} 26.b4 $1 {This is where White should play. If he removes the black knight from its optimal position on c6 Ding's position is going to collapse.} ( {It is always easy to get tempted by a pawn:} 26.Nxb7 $2 Rxb7 27.Qxc6 Rxb2 28.Qxa6 $1 {And get in trouble after:} 28...Rxf2 29.Rxf2 Be3 30.Rf1 dxe4 31.a4 Rd2 $1 {With the idea:} 32.a5 Bxf2+ 33.Rxf2 $2 Rd1+ ) 26...d4 27.Nd3 $5 {Solid and good.} ( {But even better was:} 27.c4 $1 {followed by Nc5-d3 (if needed) and b4-b5!} ) 27...Rd7 ( 27...dxc3 28.Nxc3 Qg7 {followed by Bg5-f4 and the advance of the g-pawn seemed like the right thing to do.} ) 28.Qc5 ( {Once more:} 28.c4 $1 {was optimal, for example:} 28...Qe7 29.b5 axb5 30.cxb5 Nd8 31.Nxe5 {and Black's position collapses.} ) 28...dxc3 29.Qxc3 Bh6 30.a4 $1 Nd4 ( {After:} 30...g5 {White would have most likely reacted with:} 31.b5 axb5 32.axb5 Nd4 33.Nxd4 exd4 34.Qa1 {when the knight is clearly superior to the bishop and Black is not going anywhere on the kingside.} ) 31.Nxd4 exd4 32.Qc4 {Radjabov managed to outplay his opponent completely. Ding's risky play left him is strategically suspicious lost which quickly deteriorates.} 32...Qe7 33.Ne5 Rc7 34.Qxd4 {A pawn goes down while White keeps domination.} 34...Bf4 35.Ng4 Rf7 36.e5 Rf5 37.b5 axb5 38.axb5 g5 39.b6 $1 {On the top of everything Radjabov had extra half-a-minute on his clock to set up a devilish trap.} 39...Rc6 40.Qe4 Rxb6 {Falling into it, but Ding had a few seconds left on the clock.} ( {Better was:} 40...Kg7 {although this would not have changed the overall match winner after:} 41.Rd3 $1 Rxb6 42.Rfd1 ) 41.Rd7 $3 {A beautiful way to finish a great match.} 41...Qxd7 42.Nf6+ Kg7 43.Nxd7 Rb5 44.Qc4 Rd5 45.Nc5 Rfxe5 46.Nxe6+ $1 {One last petite combination, and time to congratulate the 2019 World Cup Winner- Teimour Radjabov!} 1-0

[Event "Superbet Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.11.06"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7767851024902"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 c5 6.O-O Nc6 7.dxc5 Qxd1 8.Rxd1 Bxc5 9.Nbd2 c3 {A common desperado idea: before leaving the board the pawn wants to make some damage to the opponent's pawn structure.} 10.bxc3 O-O 11.Nb3 Be7 12.c4 {In return White seizes space with this potential weakness.} 12...Bd7 13.Bb2 Rfd8 14.Nfd4 Rac8 15.Nb5 b6 16.Nd6 {Gaining the bishop pair.} ( {Two years back Giri successfully... defended this position as Black after} 16.Rac1 a5 17.a4 Be8 18.Rxd8 Rxd8 19.Bf3 Rc8 20.c5 bxc5 21.Nxc5 Ne5 22.Bxe5 Rxc5 23.Rxc5 Bxc5 {Aronian,L (2801)-Giri,A (2762) Heraklio 2017} ) 16...Bxd6 17.Rxd6 Be8 18.Rxd8 Nxd8 19.Rc1 Bc6 {Whereas So deals with the Catalan bishop.} 20.c5 Bxg2 21.Kxg2 Nd7 22.cxb6 Rxc1 23.Bxc1 axb6 24.Kf3 {Two games have reached this position according to my Megabase. Both of them were played by Wesley So. Giri on the other hand had a few minutes to check what to expect and decided to try on an idea of his.} 24...Nc6 25.Ke3 $1 {Keeps the king away from the checks.} ( {Giri was aware of another game of his opponent which went} 25.Ke4 f5+ 26.Kd3 b5 27.Ba3 e5 28.e4 g6 29.Nc5 Nxc5+ 30.Bxc5 Kf7 31.f3 {\BD-\BD (31) Sjugirov,S (2662)-So,W (2767) Isle of Man 2019. The black king entered the game too soon.} ) 25...Kf8 ( 25...f5 26.Nd4 Nxd4 27.Kxd4 {"There is an illusion that this is sort of a fortress but it is on not as I go Kd4-c3-b4 to pick up the pawn" (Giri)} 27...b5 28.Kc3 ) 26.Nd4 $146 ( {In an earlier game So defended after} 26.Kd3 b5 27.Ba3+ Ke8 28.f4 f5 29.e4 fxe4+ 30.Kxe4 Nf6+ 31.Kf3 e5 32.f5 Kf7 33.Bb2 g6 34.fxg6+ Kxg6 35.h3 h5 {1/2-1/2 (35) Ding,L (2805)-So,W (2754) Stavanger 2019} ) 26...Nxd4 27.Kxd4 {Giri quoted the plan for the defender: bring the king to c6, then the knight goes to d7 and has enough squares, while all the black pawns will be safe on the kingside after g7-g6. Unfortunately for So, this is not achievable and his king can only make it to the c7-b7 squares.} 27...Ke7 28.Kc4 Kd6 29.Kb5 Kc7 {"It is all about zugzwang now." (Giri) It does not seem that White can achieve it as So can simply shuffle his king along the c7-b7 path. However, the Dutch GM knew the winning setup with a bishop on d6 and a pawn on g5 which deprives both the black pieces of enough squares. And he knew it from home!} 30.g4 $3 {The idea.} 30...Nf6 ( {Zugzwang is most likely also achieved after} 30...Kb7 31.g5 Kc7 32.Bf4+ Kb7 ( {However, critical was} 32...e5 $1 {when the Dutchman had some memories that Black should hold.} ) 33.Bd6 {As Black should be running out of moves. (Giri)} ) 31.Be3 Nd7 ( {The broken symmetry certainly favors the bishop:} 31...Nxg4 32.Bxb6+ Kb7 33.h3 Nf6 34.Bd4 {with the strong threat of a piece exchange with won pawn endgame. Is this mathematecally winning for White? Most likely yes.} ) 32.h4 $1 {White wants to get as much space as he can in order to limit the enemy knight and force zugwang. So's next move only helps the first player.} 32...f5 ( {Better was to stay and pray that this is enough to hold:} 32...Kb7 ) 33.g5 {Giri follows his plan.} ( {The other way to profit from the kingside situation was related to} 33.gxf5 exf5 34.Bd4 g6 35.f3 {The bishop dominates and White will soon have a strong passer.} ) 33...g6 34.f4 $1 {Now that the pawns are fixed Black quickly runs out of moves.} 34...Kb7 35.a4 Kc7 36.Bf2 $1 {In order to get to f6 at the right moment.} 36...Kb7 37.Bd4 Kc7 38.Bf6 h6 {Loses on the spot but Black was anyway helpless.} ( {More resilient was:} 38...h5 {Although there too White knew how to win:} 39.Bd4 Kb7 {First a three-step maneuver with the bishop:} 40.Be3 Kc7 41.Bf2 Kb7 42.Bd4 Kc7 43.Bf6 {Zugzwang.} 43...Nf8 44.Be5+ Kb7 45.Bd6 Nd7 {Then comes the reserved pawn move.} 46.e3 $1 {(Giri)} ) 39.Bd8+ $1 {A neat way to prove superiority over the knight. If we can rephrase Tartakower, any piece (and pawn) can abuse it.} ( 39.Bd8+ Kxd8 40.gxh6 Nf6 ( 40...Nf8 41.Kxb6 ) 41.Kxb6 {The a-pawn will deflect the black king while the white one will clear the opposite wing.} ) 1-0

[Event "Superbet Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.11.07"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Korobov, Anton"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8250388645432"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.Qa4+ Nc6 8.e3 O-O 9.Rd1 {A mysterious rook move, as Nimowitsch would have called it. The idea is to be prepared for Black's main operation: capture on c4, followed by e6-e5. In the meantime White tries to save a tempo on the capture on c4 and does not want to move his bishop.} ( {The rook can also occupy the file which is about to get opened:} 9.Rc1 Rd8 10.Be2 dxc4 11.Bxc4 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Bd7 13.Be2 e5 14.Qc2 Bf5 15.Qb2 e4 {Ding,L (2805)-Giri,A (2779) St. Louis 2019} ) 9...Rd8 10.Qb3 Qe7 $146 {Anand improves on a game of Korobov. The queen supports the central freeing move e6-e5.} ( {An earlier game ended peacefully after} 10...Qg6 11.h3 dxc4 12.Bxc4 Qxg2 13.Ke2 Qg6 14.d5 exd5 15.Nxd5 Bf8 16.Rhg1 Qf5 17.Nh4 Qh5+ 18.Nf3 Qf5 19.Nh4 Qh5+ 20.Nf3 Qf5 {1/2-1/2 (20) Korobov,A (2679)-Moiseenko,A (2635) Douglas 2019} ) 11.a3 dxc4 12.Qxc4 {The only way to fight for the advantage.} ( {Otherwise Black relieves his situation with piece exchanges:} 12.Bxc4 Na5 13.Qxb4 Qxb4 14.axb4 Nxc4 ) 12...Bd6 13.Bd3 e5 {The job is done; Anand seems good in the center. However, Korobov uncorks a clever plan.} 14.d5 ( {White has nothing after} 14.O-O Bg4 ( {or the preliminary} 14...exd4 15.exd4 Bg4 ) ) 14...Nb8 15.g4 $1 {In the spirit of Shabalov and Shirov. Castling was delayed, so why not use the kingside rook for the attack?!} ( {Instead} 15.O-O Nd7 {is pleasant for Black.} ) 15...Nd7 16.Rg1 Nc5 ( {Apparently, the former world champion was afraid to allow the white knight come close to his king in the line} 16...g6 17.g5 ( 17.Ne4 Nf6 18.Nxd6 cxd6 19.g5 hxg5 20.Nxg5 b5 $5 {is not as interesting for the first player...} ) 17...h5 18.Ne4 Nc5 19.Nf6+ {...and rightly so. This knight is more valuable than a rook.} ) 17.Bb1 {Keeping the attacking bishop alive.} ( {There was no time to calculate the wild complications after} 17.g5 b5 $1 18.Nxb5 Nxd3+ 19.Rxd3 e4 20.gxh6 $1 {Now} 20...exf3 $1 {is a must.} ( {As the knight is too valuable of the attacker:} 20...exd3 $2 21.Rxg7+ Kf8 22.Ng5 $1 {with a crushing attack against the black king.} ) 21.Rxg7+ Kf8 {The computer claims this should be a draw with careful play by both sides, but who knows?} ) 17...b5 $1 {Anand does not intend to sit and wait and clears the road for his pieces.} 18.Nxb5 ( 18.Qe2 {allows Black time to lock the kingside after} 18...g6 19.g5 h5 ) ( {whereas} 18.Qxb5 {is best met with the accurate} 18...a5 $1 {which takes away the square from the white queen. Next Bc8-a6 will follow with excellent counterplay.} ( {Also interesting looks} 18...e4 $5 19.Nd4 Ba6 ) ( {However} 18...Ba6 19.Qa5 {is not as impressive.} ) ) 18...a5 {Black does not have time for this!} ( {In case of the immediate pin} 18...Ba6 {White can always escape from it with a tempo-retreat aiming at the black king. For example:} 19.b4 Nd7 ( {Or} 19...Na4 20.Qc2 $1 ) 20.Qc2 $1 Nf8 21.Nxd6 cxd6 22.g5 {and Black's compensation is not sufficient.} ) ( {Therefore} 18...g6 $1 {was called for. The diagonal is secured and White can no longer open the g-file. Anand could be in good shape even two pawns down, as in the line} 19.Nxd6 cxd6 20.b4 Na4 21.Qb3 Bd7 22.g5 Rac8 23.gxh6 Nc3 24.Rc1 Nxb1 25.Rxc8 Rxc8 26.Qxb1 Bb5 {Especially when the white king remains under siege.} ) 19.g5 h5 20.g6 $1 {This must have been missed by the Indian GM. Korobov does not let the position get blocked.} 20...f5 ( {The last chance was} 20...fxg6 21.Bxg6 ( 21.Nxd6 cxd6 ) 21...Rf8 22.Bxh5 e4 23.Ng5 Qe5 {Without the white queen in the attack, Black can survive.} ) 21.Ng5 Qf6 22.Nf7 $1 {If the knight on f6 was scary, this one is deadly.} ( {Also good was} 22.Nxd6 cxd6 23.Qh4 Qxg6 24.b4 axb4 25.axb4 Nb7 26.Rg3 $1 {with unstoppable threats.} ) 22...Ba6 ( {Nothing changes} 22...Rf8 23.Qe2 Qh4 24.Rg5 ) 23.Rg5 e4 ( {After} 23...Bxb5 {I suspect that Korobov would have simply ignored the bishop and would have proceeded with the attack:} 24.Qh4 ( {Although} 24.Qxb5 {certainly wins too.} ) 24...Be8 25.Qxh5 Bxf7 26.Qh7+ Kf8 27.Rxf5 {The attack nets White a queen. For starters.} ) 24.Qe2 Bxb5 25.Qxh5 Kf8 26.Rxf5 Qxb2 27.Ne5+ ( 27.Ne5+ {It is mate in three:} 27...Ke7 28.Rf7+ Ke8 29.Qh8+ ) 1-0

[Event "Superbet Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.11.08"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Beauty "8180075609665"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 d6 6.O-O O-O 7.Re1 Bb6 {An improvement over one of his own games.} ( {Aronian was successful just a week ago in the following game:} 7...Ng4 8.Re2 Kh8 9.d4 Bb6 10.h3 Nf6 11.a4 a5 12.Be3 exd4 13.cxd4 Nb4 14.Nc3 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 d5 16.Ned2 dxc4 17.Nxc4 Nd5 18.Nxb6 cxb6 {Saric,I (2667)-Aronian,L (2758) Batumi 2019} ) 8.a4 Ng4 $146 {Now Aronian jumps with the knight closer to the enemy king and this turns out to be technically a novelty, although the idea is very common in the Italian once that the rook leaves the f1 square.} ( {Another top game, also at a short time control, went} 8...a5 9.h3 Ne7 10.d4 Ng6 11.Bd3 c6 12.Be3 h6 13.Nbd2 Be6 14.Qc2 Bc7 15.Rad1 Qe7 16.c4 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2789)-Alekseev,E (2616) Riadh 2017} ) 9.Rf1 Kh8 {Unleashing the idea behind the knight thrust: ...f7-f5 is on the agenda.} 10.h3 Nh6 11.b4 ( 11.Bxh6 {only helps Black as it opens more files for the black major pieces. After} 11...gxh6 {Black will follow up with Qd8-f6-g7 and prepare ...f7-f5 nevertheless.} ) 11...a6 ( {The other way to save the bishop was} 11...a5 {which provides an additional possibility to White:} 12.b5 Ne7 13.Nbd2 f5 14.Ng5 $5 {as the black knight stands on the road of the queen.} ) 12.Bb3 f5 13.Nbd2 Qf6 14.Ra2 $1 {In order to overprotect the f2 square. On top of that, the rook is defended itself.} ( {For instance, in the line} 14.Nc4 Ba7 15.b5 axb5 16.axb5 {Black has the resource} 16...Bxf2+ 17.Rxf2 Rxa1 18.bxc6 bxc6 {with unclear play.} ) 14...a5 ( {Here more accurate for Black is} 14...Ba7 $5 {not fearing} 15.b5 Na5 ) 15.b5 Nd8 16.Nc4 {So consistently created play on the queenside and brought his pieces into the game. His position is filled with potential energy.} 16...fxe4 17.dxe4 {White misses a golden opportunity!} ( {So could have unleashed the hidden energy of his pieces with the original pawn sacrifice:} 17.Ng5 $3 {with the key point} 17...exd3 ( {Or} 17...Ba7 18.b6 $1 cxb6 19.Nxe4 {when Black's center collapses.} ) 18.Nxb6 cxb6 19.f4 $1 {to open the f-file for his rooks. Now all the white pieces make sense, whereas the black queenside is sleeping.} ) 17...Bc5 18.Bg5 {The beginning of a wrong idea.} ( {So needed to swap the dangerous bishop once and for all:} 18.Be3 $1 {Then} 18...Bxe3 19.fxe3 $5 {followed by Ra2-f2 looks good for the first player.} ) 18...Qg6 19.Bxd8 {The follow-up is already a decisive mistake!} ( 19.Kh1 {was mandatory, although here too Black has the pleasant choice between the sharp complications after} 19...Bxh3 $5 ( {and the simple step-by-step kingside attack:} 19...Ne6 $5 ) 20.gxh3 Qh5 ) 19...Bxh3 $1 {No automatic recaptures for Aronian! Instead he goes for a forcing line:} 20.Bg5 Bg4 21.Ncd2 Rxf3 $3 {Beautiful! The bishop is worth more than the rook as a pinner. Plus, the second rook gets a piece of the action.} 22.Nxf3 Rf8 23.Nxe5 $1 {The only way not to lose at once. Alas, this also insufficient as after} 23...Qxg5 24.Nxg4 Nxg4 25.Be6 Ne5 {the forcing play is over. Despite the nominal material advantage for White, he is lost. The absolute power of the black pieces is crushing. He can use all his pieces into the attack (whereas So misses both his rooks), and the opposite-colored bishops practically secure Black an extra piece.} 26.Kh1 ( {The last chance was} 26.Bh3 $1 Nf3+ 27.Kh1 Qh6 {although Black should also slowly build decive threats here too.} ) 26...Qh4+ 27.Kg1 Rf6 $1 ( {But not the hasty} 27...Nf3+ 28.gxf3 Rf6 {when White can defend with} 29.Re1 ( {or with} 29.Kg2 Rxe6 30.Rg1 ) 29...Rxe6 30.Kf1 ) ( {However} 27...g5 $1 {was winning as well.} ) 28.Bh3 g5 29.Qd5 g4 30.Qxb7 gxh3 {Aronian sees a forcing win and does not look any further.} ( 30...Rf8 $1 {would not have even allowed a check.} ) 31.Qc8+ Kg7 32.Qxh3 Nf3+ 33.Kh1 {This leads to mate.} ( {Naturally} 33.Qxf3 {should not save White either due to} 33...Rxf3 34.gxf3 Qg3+ ) 33...Rh6 $1 ( 33...Rh6 {So resigned, not waiting for} 34.Qxh4 Rxh4# ) 0-1

[Event "Superbet Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.11.10"]
[Round "27.4"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Korobov, Anton"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[ECO "B82"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[Beauty "5571646394966"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bd3 e6 7.f4 Qc7 8.Qe2 b5 9.a3 Nbd7 10.O-O Bb7 11.Nf3 Be7 12.Bd2 O-O 13.Rae1 Rac8 14.Kh1 ( {White's set-up is designed for a central attack. However:} 14.e5 Nd5 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 {does not lead him anywhere.} ) ( {Also an attempt to bring some pieces for a kingside attack with} 14.Nd1 {is harmless for Black after:} 14...Nc5 ) 14...Nc5 15.b4 ( {Once again Black will simply ignore his opponent in case of} 15.e5 Nfd7 ) 15...Nxd3 16.cxd3 Qd7 {Preparing counterplay along the c-file. Korobov's position is quite pleasant.} 17.Nd4 Rc7 18.Na2 $5 {Karjakin maneuvers his knight towards the a5 outpost.} ( {More natural seemed to send the knight to e3 in order to fight for the d5 square after a possible f4-f5, while at the same time defending the entry square on c2.} 18.Nd1 ) 18...Rfc8 19.Nc1 g6 20.Ncb3 e5 {Korobov feels that the knights are not optimally placed and this is a good moment to break open the position for the bishops.} ( {However, more solid (and sound) was to slowly improve the position with} 20...Bf8 21.Na5 Ba8 ) 21.fxe5 dxe5 22.Nf3 Qe6 23.Nc5 $1 {An additional chance that was presented thanks to the opening of the f-file. Black has to be careful now!} 23...Bxc5 24.bxc5 Rxc5 $2 {And he is not!} ( {Correct was to keep the rook on the seventh rank in order to defend the f7 pawn with} 24...Nh5 $1 {Then} 25.Ng5 {can be met with either} 25...Qa2 ( {Or} 25...Qb3 {in both cases with a roughly equal game.} ) ) 25.Ng5 Qe7 {Accepting the loss of the exchange.} ( {The only square on which the queen and the c5 rook were not pinned was} 25...Qc6 {However, this loses to} 26.Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 27.Bg5 {when White regains the material with a strong attack.} ) 26.Bb4 h6 27.Nf3 a5 28.Bxc5 Rxc5 29.Qd2 {Another double attack. Karjakin is obviously winning.} 29...Kg7 30.Qxa5 Nh5 31.Qb4 Qc7 32.Qd2 ( {More solid was} 32.Qb2 Qd6 33.Rd1 ) 32...Qd6 33.g3 $6 {Why open the diagonal against his own king without any necessity? In blitz!?} ( {It was not too late to revert to the line from above with} 33.Qb4 ) 33...f5 $1 {Now it gets very, very messy.} 34.exf5 gxf5 35.Kg1 Nf6 ( 35...Kh7 {was more accurate, not allowing knight forks.} ) 36.Nh4 Qc6 {This is why the long diagonal should not have been opened. Karjakin has to think about defense as well, not only about converting the material advantage.} 37.Qg2 ( {With seconds on the clock it is easy to miss a brilliancy:} 37.Nxf5+ $1 Kf7 38.Re4 $3 Qb6 ( 38...Nxe4 39.dxe4 {is also hopeless for Black.} ) 39.Qxh6 $1 {and none of the discovered checks can save Black.} ) 37...Qb6 $1 {There are so many problems on the diagonals now!} 38.Nxf5+ Kh7 39.Qh3 $1 {But Karjakin does not tremble and creates mating threats on his own!} 39...Rc2+ 40.d4 $1 ( {If White sacrifices the queen with} 40.Ne3 Rg2+ 41.Qxg2 Bxg2 42.Kxg2 Qc6+ {it is not clear. The queen is very good whenever the enemy king lacks safety.} ) 40...Ng4 $1 {Exclam for the courage!} ( {It was not too late to switch to a similar line to the one from above with} 40...Rg2+ 41.Qxg2 Bxg2 42.Kxg2 Qc6+ 43.Kh3 e4 ) 41.Ne3 $1 ( {There was a curious draw:} 41.Re4 $5 {This drags the bishop closer to the white queen. Then, after} 41...Bxe4 42.Qxg4 Rg2+ 43.Kh1 Re2+ {The only square to defend the bishop.} 44.Kg1 {leads to perpetual.} ) 41...Qxd4 42.Rf7+ $1 {The only move.} ( {Black checkmates after} 42.Qxg4 Rg2+ $1 ( {But note that the moves cannot be transposed:} 42...Qxg4 {with the idea} 43.Nxg4 ( {is refuted by the same intermediate check} 43.Rf7+ $1 {when the white king gets breathing room.} ) 43...Rg2+ 44.Kh1 Rxg3+ {and mate.} ) 43.Kh1 Rxg3+ ) 42...Kg6 43.Rxb7 Nxe3 {Black is almost mating, but it is White who starts the checks first.} 44.Qe6+ Kh5 45.Qf7+ {Karjakin wants to mate.} ( {Otherwise he could have repeated with} 45.Qh3+ Kg6 ( {as Black cannot deviate:} 45...Kg5 $4 46.Rg7+ Kf6 47.Qxh6+ Kf5 48.Qg6# ) 46.Qe6+ ) 45...Kg5 ( {Better was} 45...Kg4 $1 46.Qd7+ Kf3 47.Qxd4 exd4 48.Rd7 Ke4 {and because of his active pieces Black should hold this.} ) 46.Qg7+ ( {I am not sure that White would have found the win here even in a classical game.} 46.Qe7+ $1 Kf5 47.Qd7+ Ke4 {Now comes the comp-cool} 48.Qh3 $3 {which defends everything and puts Black in some sort of a zugwang. White is winning, say:} 48...Kd3 49.Rd7 Nd5+ 50.Kh1 {The pins are awesome for the first player.} ) 46...Kh5 47.Qf7+ Kg5 48.Rd7 {A blunder, which could have lost the game.} 48...Rg2+ 49.Kh1 {Here comes the swindle:} 49...Rxh2+ $1 50.Kg1 Rg2+ 51.Kh1 Rh2+ {The peace was signed here.} ( 51...Rh2+ {A pity, there was a second swindle, hidden a bit:} 52.Kg1 Rh1+ $3 {with mate after} 53.Kxh1 Qe4+ ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.11.22"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2870"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[Beauty "5910411888670"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3 Nbd7 9.g4 Be7 10.Qd2 O-O 11.O-O-O b5 12.g5 Nh5 13.Kb1 Nb6 14.Na5 Rc8 15.a3 g6 16.h4 Ng3 17.Rg1 ( {White got the upper hand in the following game:} 17.Rh2 Nxf1 18.Rxf1 h5 ( {However, Black's play could be improved with a move that Carlsen used in the actual game:} 18...Na4 $5 ) 19.Bxb6 Qxb6 20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.exd5 f5 22.gxf6 Bxf6 23.Rg2 Kh7 24.Nc6 {Navara,D (2739)-Wojtaszek,R (2722) Prague 2019} ) 17...Nxf1 18.Rgxf1 Na4 19.Nxa4 bxa4 20.h5 Qd7 $146 {A novelty. The queen is well placed on the seventh rank, both ready to protect the black king from the kingside attack and get to a better position on b5 for instance.} ( {A correspondence game quickly ended peacefully after} 20...Re8 21.Rh1 Qc7 22.Qh2 Bf8 23.c4 Re7 24.Qd2 Rd7 25.Rh4 Be7 26.Rdh1 Bd8 27.Qh2 Bxc4 28.hxg6 {1/2-1/2 Efremov,A (2550)-Matyukhin,S (2503) ICCF email 2013} ) 21.Rh1 Rfe8 22.Qh2 Bf8 23.Bd2 $1 {Nice regroupment by Aronian. Bb4 will hit the backward pawn, defend the knight and block the b-file from the major piece attack.} 23...Rc7 {Very logical, the rook overprotects the seventh rank thus allowing a chance to the queen to be activated. Logical, but not perfect.} ( {Best was} 23...d5 {not fearing} 24.hxg6 fxg6 25.exd5 Bxd5 26.Bb4 Rc7 27.Bxf8 Kxf8 {with approximate equality.} ) 24.Bb4 Rb8 25.Rd3 Qb5 26.Rc3 {But this is a serious mistake. One pair of rooks less means more room for the black pieces to operate. They just fit in perfectly.} ( {On top of that, Aronian misses a chance to capitalize on Black's temporarily poor coordination. Strong was} 26.c4 $3 {when the pawn is immune:} 26...Bxc4 $2 {loses after} ( {whereas if the queen retreats:} 26...Qd7 27.hxg6 fxg6 28.Rhd1 {Black cannot protect the backward pawn anymore:} 28...Rb6 29.c5 ) ( {White is significantly better after} 26...Qb6 27.hxg6 fxg6 28.Qd2 Bxc4 29.Nxc4 Rxc4 30.Bxd6 {as well.} ) 27.Nxc4 Qxc4 ( {Or} 27...Rxc4 28.hxg6 ) 28.Rc3 {and the rook suffers.} ) ( {Instead of the move in the game, a better alternative was} 26.Rhd1 Rbc8 27.R3d2 {in order to keep both pairs of rooks on the board. Then Black will find it much harder to maneuver with his bishop to a better position. The game should be approximately balanced in this case.} ) 26...Rbc8 27.Rxc7 Rxc7 28.Rd1 Rd7 29.Rd3 Be7 {This is the thing. The bishop no longer needs to protect the king and can enter the battle.} 30.hxg6 fxg6 ( {Apparently Carlsen found the pawn not quite ripe enough:} 30...hxg6 31.Rd1 Bxg5 32.Rh1 Bf6 33.Qh7+ Kf8 {with compensation.} ) 31.Qd2 Qb6 32.Qc1 Bd8 $1 {It is the knight which is more attractive to the world champion. In order to save it Aronian needs to weaken the second rank.} 33.c4 Qf2 34.Nc6 {Another natural move and yet another mistake. This game is a nice example that obvious does not mean best.} ( {White could have still generated nice counterplay with} 34.c5 dxc5 35.Rxd7 Bxd7 36.Qc4+ Kg7 37.Bc3 ) 34...Bxg5 $1 {A well-calculated temporary sacrifice which secures Black a pleasant endgame.} 35.Qxg5 Qf1+ 36.Kc2 Bxc4 37.Qe3 ( {Not} 37.Rd2 $4 Bb3+ 38.Kc3 Qc4# ) ( {Or the desperate} 37.Nxe5 Bb3+ 38.Kc3 Rc7+ 39.Kd4 Qf2+ 40.Qe3 Qxb2+ ) 37...Bxd3+ 38.Qxd3 Qxd3+ 39.Kxd3 h5 40.Ke3 {Aronian tries to distribute his remaining forces properly. The king goes to the kingside to stop the passers.} ( 40.Na5 $5 {would have been met with} 40...h4 41.Ke2 d5 {opening a file for the rook.} ) 40...Kf7 {The bishop will take care of the queenside...} ( 40...Rc7 $5 41.Na5 Rc2 ) 41.Bc3 Ke6 42.Nb4 {..whereas the knight will cement the center.} 42...g5 43.Kf2 ( {Or} 43.Nd5 Rf7 ) 43...Rf7 {But it ain't enough. Black cannot break on the queenside and in the center, but on the kingside there is an uneven battle of a rook and pawns against the king and a pawn.} 44.Kg2 g4 45.fxg4 Rg7 $1 {Brilliant! Carlsen keeps the more distant passer in order to create more room for his rook and overstretch the white pieces.} ( {Much worse was} 45...hxg4 46.Nd5 Rf3 47.Bd2 {when White can eventually build a fortress.} ) 46.Nd5 ( {The outcome of the game would not be changed after} 46.Nxa6 Rxg4+ 47.Kf3 Rg1 ) 46...Rxg4+ 47.Kf3 Rg1 {Next the world champion will push the outside passer as far as possible.} 48.Kf2 Rg7 $2 {A click in a won position.} ( 48...Rg8 {would have done the job.} ) 49.Kf3 ( {Aronian was presented with a chance to save himself with} 49.Nf4+ ) 49...h4 50.Be1 h3 51.Bg3 {Thus, arresting some of the white pieces. Next, it is time for the rook to completely tie down the remaining white pieces.} 51...Rb7 52.Nb4 a5 53.Nd3 Rb3 54.Ke2 {Mission accomplished. It is his Majesty's move.} 54...Kf6 $1 55.Bh2 Kg5 56.Bg3 Kg4 57.Bh2 {All is ready for} 57...Rxd3 $1 {The 'petite combinaison.'} 58.Kxd3 Kf3 59.Kd2 ( {Since} 59.Bg1 Kg2 {ends White's suffering at once.} ) 59...Kxe4 $1 ( {But not the rushy:} 59...Kg2 $2 60.Ke2 Kxh2 61.Kf2 {with a draw.} ) 60.Ke2 d5 61.Bg3 d4 62.Bh2 Kd5 63.Kd2 e4 64.Ke2 Kc4 65.Be5 Kb3 66.Kd2 d3 67.Kd1 e3 68.Kc1 Kc4 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.11.23"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2870"]
[ECO "B31"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[Beauty "6671157952520"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {The Rossolimo discussion continues between the two top players.} 3...g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Bxc6 bxc6 6.Re1 Qc7 ( {Giri did well in a red-hot game after} 6...Nh6 7.c3 O-O 8.h3 f5 9.e5 Nf7 10.d4 cxd4 11.cxd4 c5 12.dxc5 Bb7 13.Na3 Qc7 14.Be3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Nxe5 16.Qg3 {Giri,A (2776) -Le,Q (2713) Bucharest 2019} ) 7.h3 d6 8.c3 Nf6 9.d4 cxd4 10.cxd4 O-O 11.Nc3 Bb7 12.e5 $146 {A logical novelty. Giri needs to act before his opponent consolidates and makes use of his main trumps: the bishop pair and the wider center.} ( {An earlier game saw} 12.Bf4 c5 13.Rc1 cxd4 14.Nxd4 a6 ( 14...Qb6 $5 ) 15.e5 dxe5 16.Bxe5 Qd7 17.Qe2 Rac8 18.Red1 Rfd8 {with equality, Ceballos Castellanos,I (1394)-Vanegas Montoya,D (1600) Villamaria 2019} ) 12...dxe5 13.dxe5 Rfd8 14.Qc2 ( {The other idea is} 14.Bd2 Nd5 15.e6 {when} 15...Nxc3 $2 {would be a mistake due to} ( {Therefore Black would have played as in the game:} 15...f6 ) 16.exf7+ Kxf7 17.bxc3 Bxc3 $2 18.Qb3+ {and White wins.} ) 14...Nd5 15.Nxd5 Rxd5 16.e6 {Causing some trouble to the enemy's castling position.} 16...f6 17.Be3 a5 $5 {Flexible and strong. The world champion is not afraid of a blockade.} ( {The more natural} 17...c5 18.Rac1 Rc8 19.Qa4 {points to a problem with the a7-pawn.} ) 18.Bc5 {White would love to keep the position this way with the black bishops at bay.} ( {After} 18.Rac1 {Carlsen could have tried the freeing sacrifice} 18...c5 19.Bxc5 Rc8 20.Qb3 a4 21.Qb4 Rxc5 22.Rxc5 Qxc5 23.Qxb7 f5 {with compensation for the pawn thanks to his active pieces. But this might have been White's best.} ) 18...Ba6 19.Rac1 {A tricky move. The black bishop is lured away from the long diagonal.} ( {The more natural} 19.Rad1 Rad8 20.Rxd5 {only confirms that Black is more than fine. Both recaptures are good for him:} 20...cxd5 ( 20...Rxd5 21.Rd1 ) ) 19...Bh6 20.Be3 {In order to deprive the opponent of the bishop pair.} ( {Another way to eventually benefit from the absence of the bishop on the long diagonal is} 20.Rcd1 Rad8 21.Rd4 {Although Black has no problems at all, such as} 21...f5 ( 21...Bg7 $5 ) 22.b4 axb4 23.Rxb4 Bd3 ) 20...Bxe3 21.Rxe3 c5 {Carlsen is OK with the trades. The sooner an endgame emerges, the faster he would digest the e6-pawn as the endgame is a nightmare scenario for White.} 22.Rd1 ( {White's main problem is that he cannot create realistic threats against the black king:} 22.Nh2 Rad8 23.Ng4 Rd2 ) 22...Rad8 {Forcing one more trade.} 23.Rxd5 Rxd5 24.Qa4 Qd8 {Not fearing the white queen's entry.} ( {Also good is} 24...Kf8 25.Re1 Rd6 ) ( {But not} 24...Kg7 25.Qe8 Rd8 26.Qf7+ Kh8 27.h4 ) 25.Re1 ( 25.Qc6 $5 ) 25...Kg7 ( 25...Rd6 $5 ) 26.Qc6 {At the end Giri infiltrated into the enemy camp.} 26...Bd3 27.Nd2 g5 $1 ( {The alternative is an equal endgame after:} 27...Bb5 28.Qxb5 Rxd2 29.Qxc5 Rxb2 30.a3 ) 28.Nb3 $2 {The beginning of the end: Giri seeks improvement of the knight but in the process allows yet another trade, this time with devastating consequences.} ( {Correct is} 28.b3 Qd6 29.Qa4 $1 {With queens on the board, the e6-pawn will always cause trouble.} ) 28...c4 29.Nc5 Qd6 $1 {Without the queens, the e6-pawn should leave the stage sooner or later.} 30.Qxd6 Rxd6 31.Rd1 f5 32.f3 Rd5 ( {Nothing promises} 32...Kf6 33.Re1 Rc6 34.Nd7+ ) 33.Nxd3 cxd3 34.Kf2 f4 {Everything is coming just in time. Carlsen forces his opponent to lose a tempo, and this is all he needs to build a winning construction.} ( {Instead} 34...Kf6 35.Ke3 Kxe6 ( 35...f4+ 36.Ke4 ) 36.Rxd3 {would only be a draw.} ) 35.Ke1 Re5+ 36.Kf1 ( {The pawn endgame after} 36.Kd2 Re2+ 37.Kxd3 Rxb2 38.Rd2 Rxd2+ 39.Kxd2 Kf6 40.Kd3 Kxe6 41.Kc4 {is won for Black:} 41...Kd6 42.Kb5 e5 43.Kxa5 Kc5 44.Ka4 e4 45.fxe4 h5 46.Kb3 g4 47.hxg4 hxg4 48.Kc3 f3 49.gxf3 g3 ) 36...Re3 {The d3-pawn is secure. The time for the e6-pawn has come.} 37.Re1 Kf6 38.Kf2 Rxe6 {With the fall of the pawn, all hopes diminish.} ( 38...d2 $2 39.Rd1 ) 39.Rxe6+ Kxe6 40.Ke1 Kd5 41.b3 Kd4 42.Kd2 e5 43.a3 h6 $1 ( {Black should not rush as} 43...e4 44.fxe4 Kxe4 45.b4 {might lead to a draw if the world champion is not careful:} 45...axb4 ( 45...a4 $1 {still wins.} ) 46.axb4 h5 47.b5 g4 48.hxg4 hxg4 49.b6 f3 50.gxf3+ gxf3 51.b7 f2 52.b8=Q f1=Q ) 44.b4 a4 $1 {The future queen should not be traded for a pawn!} ( {Black could have still erred:} 44...axb4 45.axb4 Kc4 46.b5 Kxb5 47.Kxd3 Kc5 48.Ke4 Kd6 49.Kf5 Kd5 50.Kg6 e4 51.fxe4+ Kxe4 52.Kxh6 Kf5 53.Kh5 {with a draw.} ) 45.Kd1 Kc4 46.Kd2 {Next Carlsen patiently prepares the decisive breakthrough.} 46...h5 47.Kd1 Kd4 48.Kd2 h4 $1 49.b5 {Practical resignation but there is no way out.} ( {Giri did not wish to see the breakthrough in all its glory after} 49.Kd1 e4 $1 50.fxe4 g4 51.hxg4 f3 52.gxf3 h3 ) 49...Kc5 50.Kxd3 Kxb5 51.Ke4 Kc4 52.Kxe5 Kb3 53.Kd4 Kxa3 54.Kc3 Ka2 55.Kc2 a3 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.11.24"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2870"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7768811512410"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 O-O ( {A previous theoretical duel between the two great champions went} 7...Nbd7 8.e3 g5 9.Bg3 Ne4 10.Nd2 Nxg3 11.hxg3 c6 12.Qc2 Kf8 13.Bd3 Kg7 14.O-O-O Nf6 15.Nf3 Ng4 16.Kb1 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Qe7 18.Rhe1 f5 {and eventully ended in a draw, Carlsen,M (2855)-Anand,V (2770) Leuven 2016} ) 8.e3 Bf5 9.Nd2 ( {Black held his own after} 9.Be2 Nbd7 10.Qb3 Bxc3+ 11.Qxc3 g5 12.Bg3 Ne4 13.Qa5 c5 14.Qxd8 Rfxd8 15.dxc5 Ndxc5 16.Nd4 Bg6 17.f3 Nxg3 18.hxg3 Kg7 19.g4 Rac8 20.Kd2 Ne6 {although he had to suffer a bit in Grischuk,A (2766)-Dubov,D (2700) Paris 2019} ) 9...g5 10.Bg3 c5 11.a3 Bxc3 12.bxc3 c4 13.h4 g4 $146 ( {It's amusing that an earlier game was played by Carlsen's former second, Jon Ludvig Hammer. It went} 13...Nbd7 14.Be2 Kg7 15.Qc1 Re8 16.O-O Rc8 17.Re1 Bg6 18.a4 Rc6 19.a5 Bd3 20.Qb2 Qc8 {and eventually Black emerged victorious, Urkedal,F (2552)-Hammer,J (2631) Sarpsborg 2018} ) 14.h5 Nbd7 {Black can also start with...} ( 14...Qa5 $5 {that might give Black some more choices after} 15.Bf4 ( {but} 15.Qc1 {may also transpose.} ) 15...Qxc3 ( 15...Kh7 16.Qc1 Nbd7 {transposes into the game.} ) 16.Bxh6 Re8 17.Be2 Nbd7 ) 15.Bf4 Qa5 16.Qc1 {Not only defending the c3-pawn, but peeping toward the black king.} ( {Anand does not mind sacrificing the exchange in the line} 16.Bxh6 Qxc3 17.Bxf8 Nxf8 18.Be2 Ne6 ) 16...Nb6 {Heading for a quick attack on the queenside.} ( {Instead} 16...Kh7 {does not really defend the pawn, and White can proceed with} 17.Bxh6 {Another question is how good White's play is after...} ( {However, both} 17.Be2 ) ( {and} 17.a4 {seem better options for White instead.} ) 17...Kxh6 18.e4 Kh7 $1 ) 17.Bxh6 Na4 $1 {Anand's idea becomes clear. He wants to disturb the opponent's king as well.} 18.Bxf8 {Carlsen accepts the challenge.} ( {Also interesting is} 18.Bg5 $5 Nh7 19.Bf4 ) 18...Rxf8 19.f3 Re8 {A natural move but one that gives breathing space to the white king.} ( {Anand could have held the balance instead with the brilliant sequence} 19...g3 $1 {After the king is deprived of the f2-spot, White's position might become delicate.} 20.e4 {Now:} 20...Re8 21.Bxc4 $1 ( {Not:} 21.e5 Nd7 {when Black's attack goes by itself.} ) 21...dxc4 22.Nxc4 {It seems that Black is losing. However, the cavalry comes to the rescue.} 22...Nxe4 $3 ( {Because} 22...Qxc3+ $2 23.Qxc3 Nxc3 24.Nd6 {drops material for the second player.} ) 23.fxe4 ( {The king is not save even if it castles:} 23.O-O Qd8 $3 24.fxe4 Qh4 25.Rxf5 Qh2+ 26.Kf1 Qh1+ 27.Ke2 Qxg2+ 28.Kd1 Qh1+ {with perpetual check.} ) 23...Rxe4+ 24.Kf1 Qb5 25.Qg5+ {and either White forces perpetual or needs to risk heavily.} ) ( {Perhaps even} 19...Nxc3 $5 20.Kf2 b5 21.Rh4 {offers more chances for the former world champion.} ) 20.Kf2 b5 ( 20...Nxc3 {would be met with the same:} 21.e4 {Although then} 21...Bxe4 22.fxe4 Nb5 {might well be anybody's game!} ) 21.e4 $1 {Now Carlsen takes over the initiative.} 21...dxe4 22.Nxc4 ( {Even better is} 22.Nxe4 Nxe4+ 23.fxe4 Bxe4 24.Rh4 ) 22...bxc4 23.Qg5+ Kh7 {And this is an actual mistake.} ( {The king is safer in the middle of the board:} 23...Kf8 24.Qxf6 Re6 25.Qh8+ Ke7 26.fxg4 e3+ 27.Kg1 {Then White's chances might be preferable after both:} 27...Bd3 ( {and} 27...Qxc3 {but in either case there is plenty of play going on.} ) ) 24.Qxf6 e3+ 25.Kg1 Be6 26.d5 ( 26.fxg4 $5 ) 26...Qxd5 ( {Black misses his defender in the line} 26...Bxd5 27.Rh4 Be6 28.Rxg4 $1 Bxg4 29.Qxf7+ {and White wins.} ) 27.Re1 {is too complicated for a classical game, let alone rapid.} ( {Stronger is} 27.fxg4 $1 Bxg4 28.Rh4 Rg8 29.Qf4 ) 27...Qd2 28.Re2 Qc1 29.Qd4 ( {Most likely the world champion was uncertain about the endgame that arises after} 29.Rh4 Nxc3 30.Rxg4 Nxe2+ 31.Kh2 Rg8 32.Rxg8 Kxg8 33.Bxe2 Qc2 ( {Not as good is} 33...Qxa3 34.h6 Qf8 35.Kg1 $3 {with an unstoppable transfer of the bishop on the b1-h7 diagonal.} ( {But not the immediate} 35.Bd1 e2 36.Bc2 Qxh6+ $3 {with a draw.} ) ) ) 29...gxf3 ( {Here} 29...Nxc3 {does not work due to} 30.Rxe3 Nd5 31.Re5 gxf3 32.Kh2 $1 {with the threat of a discovered attack.} ) 30.Qxe3 Qxc3 31.gxf3 Rg8+ ( {Anand does not believe in his chances against Carlsen in the endgame after} 31...Qxe3+ 32.Rxe3 Rc8 33.Be2 ) 32.Kf2 {Finally Carlsen consolidates. It is amusing to observe how quickly he converts his advantage.} 32...Qg7 33.Qe4+ Kh6 ( {A similar lost endgame for Black arises after} 33...Kh8 34.Qe5 ) 34.Qf4+ Kh7 35.Qe5 Qh6 {This loses on the spot.} ( {There is no hope either in} 35...Qxe5 36.Rxe5 Rc8 {.} ) 36.Rg1 Rc8 37.Qe4+ Kh8 38.Qd4+ $1 Kh7 39.Rxe6 ( 39.Rxe6 {Not waiting for the obvious} 39...fxe6 40.Qd7+ Kh8 41.Qxc8+ Kh7 42.Qg8# ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.11.25"]
[Round "13.2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7013165696542"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {Berlin is popular, even in Kolkata.} 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nbd2 ( {In Romania a slightly diferent version of the line was discussed after:} 6.Qe2 Nd7 7.Nbd2 f6 8.Nc4 Nb6 9.Ne3 Be6 10.b3 a5 11.a4 Bb4+ 12.Bd2 Bxd2+ 13.Nxd2 Qd4 14.O-O O-O 15.Kh1 {Caruana,F (2822)-Aronian, L (2772) Bucharest 2019} ) 6...Be6 ( {So might have feared an improvement upon their latest game, which went:} 6...Nd7 7.Nc4 f6 8.Qe2 Nf8 9.Be3 Bxe3 10.Nxe3 Ne6 11.O-O-O c5 12.g3 Nd4 13.Nxd4 cxd4 14.Ng2 Be6 15.Kb1 Qe7 16.f4 O-O-O 17.Nh4 g6 18.Nf3 Rd6 19.fxe5 fxe5 20.Nxe5 Bxa2+ 21.Kxa2 Qxe5 {Anand,V (2757)-So,W (2760) Bucharest 2019} ) 7.O-O Bd6 8.d4 Nd7 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Nxe5 Bxe5 11.f4 Bd4+ 12.Kh1 f5 13.Qh5+ g6 14.Qe2 O-O 15.Nf3 Bf6 16.e5 {With more or less pieces on the board, but the Berlin pawn structure arose again. White has a defended passer on the kingside and Black can hardly make anything out of his queenside pawns in a possible endgame.} 16...Be7 17.Rd1 Qe8 18.Nd4 Qf7 19.Nxe6 Qxe6 20.Be3 {[#]} 20...Rad8 $146 {Technically speaking, a novelty.} ( {Which does not change the general picture already seen in the predecessor:} 20...Rfd8 21.c4 a6 22.b3 Kf7 23.a4 Ke8 24.h3 Rxd1+ 25.Rxd1 Rd8 26.Rxd8+ Bxd8 27.Bc5 Kf7 28.Qd2 Bh4 29.Kh2 h5 {Caruana,F (2787)-Grischuk,A (2750) London 2015} ) 21.c4 a6 22.b3 {Anandis depriving his opponent of any active possibilities along the d-file. With the d5 square covered So cannot double effectively his rooks and massive exchanges are about to happen along the d-file.} 22...Kf7 23.h3 h5 24.Bf2 Rxd1+ 25.Rxd1 Rd8 26.Rxd8 Bxd8 27.Qe1 {Everything goes according to the plan. If White manages to get rid of all the remaining pieces he will win. Another plan is to try and penetrate with the queen into the enemy camp. So has to be careful.} 27...Qe7 {A slight inaccuracy. So did not want to allow the bishop sortie on h4.} ( {He did not have to fear it though in the line:} 27...Qd7 28.Bh4 Be7 $1 ( {But not:} 28...Bxh4 29.Qxh4 {Which only helps White infiltrate with his queen, as the second player needs to avoid the pawn endgame as the plague:} 29...Qe7 $2 30.Qxe7+ Kxe7 31.Kh2 h4 32.g3 {and White wins.} ) ) 28.Kh2 Ke6 29.Qd2 {Black's pieces look awkward. So tries to co-ordinate them.} 29...Qd7 {And blunders.} ( 29...Qf8 $1 {was a must with the idea to meet the active:} 30.Qa5 {with the not-less-active:} 30...Qh6 ) 30.Qb4 $1 {A double attack which nets a pawn.} 30...Kf7 ( {As otherwise Black may lose more than one footsoldier in the line:} 30...b6 31.Qf8 Qe7 32.Qg8+ ) 31.Qxb7 Qd2 {The only chance is in the activity.} 32.e6+ $1 {A nice shot by Anand.} ( {The immediate:} 32.Bg1 $5 Qxf4+ 33.Kh1 {would have been good for White as well.} ) ( {But not:} 32.Bg3 $2 h4 ) 32...Kg7 {Now it seems as the Amrican GM will be able to create perpetual check.} ( {White's task is easier after:} 32...Kxe6 33.Qxc6+ Kf7 34.Qc5 Qxf4+ 35.Bg3 ) 33.Bg1 $1 {Nope, Anand is immediately spotting the best continuation.} 33...Qxf4+ 34.Kh1 Qd6 35.Qxa6 Qxe6 36.Qa7 g5 {One last try to open the white king and deliver perpetual.} 37.a4 g4 38.Qe3 $1 {White is aware and leaves his opponent no chances at all.} ( {After something natural like:} 38.a5 $2 gxh3 39.gxh3 Qe4+ 40.Kh2 Qf4+ {Black is safe.} ( {And he can even think for more in the line:} 40...Bf6 41.Qxc7+ Kh6 ) ) 38...Qc8 ( 38...Qxe3 39.Bxe3 {is hopeless for Black.} ) 39.Qe8 gxh3 40.Bd4+ {It is White's turn to attack.} 40...Kh6 41.Bf6 {The simplest.} ( {There was also a forcing mate with:} 41.Qh8+ Kg5 42.Qg7+ Kf4 43.Qe5+ Kg4 ( 43...Kg5 44.Qg3+ Kh6 45.Qg7# ) 44.gxh3+ Kxh3 45.Qe2 $1 ) 41...hxg2+ 42.Kxg2 f4 {One last perpetual option maybe?} 43.Qg8 {Nope again.} 43...Qd7 44.Qg5+ {Winning by force as demonstrated by the former world champion:} 44...Kh7 45.Qxh5+ Kg8 46.Qh8+ Kf7 47.Qg7+ Ke6 48.Qxd7+ Kxd7 49.Bxd8 Kxd8 50.Kf3 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Hamburg"]
[Date "2019.11.05"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[Beauty "5777825785425"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 c5 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.Bf4 ( {Ding chose instead:} 10.Qxc4 b6 11.Ne5 Ra7 12.Nd3 Be7 13.Bf4 Bb7 14.Bxb7 Rxb7 15.Rc1 Nd5 {trying to make something out of the small opening advantage in Ding,L (2805)-So,W (2776) St. Louis 2019} ) 10...Nc6 11.Nbd2 Nd5 12.Nxc4 Qe7 $146 {A logical novelty. Grischuk keeps the knight in the center in order to control the Catalan bishop. In the process he protects the dark-squared bishop, connects the rooks and is ready to finish the development.} ( 12...Nxf4 13.gxf4 Rb8 14.Nce5 ( {White could have claimed advantage with} 14.Ng5 f5 15.e3 ) 14...Nxe5 15.Nxe5 {Karttunen,M (2444)-Norri,J (2351) Helsinki 2007} ) 13.Bd2 Bd7 14.Ng5 {Provoking a slight weakening on the kingside...} 14...f5 {...which Grischuk is OK with.} 15.Nf3 Ncb4 16.Qd1 f4 {Black is playing for the initiative himself.} ( {Solid and good was} 16...Rad8 17.Nfe5 {and then:} 17...f4 ( {Or:} 17...Be8 ) ) 17.Nce5 Be8 18.Rc1 {Wojtaszek finds an interesting way to activate his rook.} ( 18.Qb3 $5 ) 18...a5 19.Rc4 $5 {White wants to relief the pressure on the kingside and force the trade of the f4 pawn. In the future he may use the rook for a kingside hunt.} 19...b5 {In return Black plays all over the board and tries to active his light-squared bishop.} 20.axb5 ( {The computer suggests the exchange sacrifice} 20.Rxc5 Qxc5 21.Ng5 Ra6 22.Qb1 g6 23.axb5 Qxb5 {which is not clear at all.} ) ( {However, a much better move was the immediate} 20.Re4 {Then} 20...bxa4 21.Qb1 {builds an initiative for White. The rook on e4 is excellently placed and the light-squared bishop is ready to assist it in the attack against the e6 pawn:} 21...Nc6 ( 21...fxg3 22.hxg3 ) ( 21...g5 22.Bh3 ) ( 21...Bb5 22.gxf4 ) 22.Bh3 {and in all the lines White has the better prospects.} ) 20...Bxb5 21.Re4 Rad8 {Now Grishuk takes over the initiative. Wojtaszek's main problem is that the rook cannot leave the e4 square as the pawn on e2 demands protection. And it is very packed in the middle of the board.} 22.Qc1 ( {Or} 22.Qb1 fxg3 23.hxg3 Nf6 24.Bg5 Qc7 {which forces White to trade his dark-squared bishop anyway.} ) 22...fxg3 23.hxg3 Nf6 24.Bg5 Qc7 25.Bxf6 gxf6 26.Ng4 $1 {The only chance that White has is connected with the attack against the weakened black king.} 26...Rc8 {Creating the threat of a capture on f2.} 27.Kh1 $6 ( {Better was the immediate} 27.Qh6 Qg7 28.Qh4 {although Black is ahead here as well after} ( {Note that White cannot snatch a pawn with} 28.Qxg7+ Kxg7 29.Rxe6 $2 Bd7 30.Re4 f5 ) 28...Kh8 ) 27...Qg7 28.Nh6+ Kh8 29.Qf4 ( {Or} 29.Rg4 Qa7 30.Qe1 Qe7 {with advantage for Black.} ) 29...Bd7 30.g4 {All these moves are very consistent with the general plan of a kingside attack, but wrong.} 30...Nd5 ( {Black could have won material at once with} 30...f5 $1 31.gxf5 ( 31.Rc4 $2 fxg4 {drops at least a piece for White.} ) 31...exf5 32.Re5 Bd6 {trapping the rook.} ) 31.Qh2 Rb8 {It is very hard to call this obvious move a mistake. Grischuk activates his rook and hits the weakness on b2.} ( {However, instead he could have activated his bishop first:} 31...Bb6 $3 32.Nd4 Bc7 {Thus stopping all of White's dreams about kingside action. After} 33.Qh4 Nf4 34.Bf3 Qg5 {Black completely dominates the board. Without the queens on, all White's drawbacks will become obvious: the trapped pieces on e4 and h6. Black is winning.} ) 32.g5 fxg5 ( {White would also develop an initiative after} 32...Rxb2 33.Rg4 f5 34.Rc4 Ba7 35.g6 ) 33.Nf7+ $3 {Wojtaszek lived to deliver this blow. It does not win the game but provides enough attack to keep the balance.} 33...Qxf7 ( {Here is where we see one of the hidden drawbacks behind the obvious Rb8 move:} 33...Rxf7 $2 34.Qxb8+ ) 34.Nxg5 Qg6 35.Nxh7 $1 {The point behind the sacrifice. The black king is stripped.} 35...Qxh7 $1 {Grischuk decides to give back the queen at once but to save-guard his Majesty.} ( {Instead} 35...Kg7 36.Nxf8 Rxf8 37.Rh4 {would be roughly balanced, for example:} 37...Nf6 38.Bf3 Kf7 39.Rg1 Qc2 40.Rh6 Ke7 41.Qe5 Rf7 42.Rxf6 Rh7+ ) 36.Rh4 Qxh4 37.Qxh4+ Kg7 38.Be4 ( {Also interesting was} 38.Bf3 $5 Rxf3 ( {Not} 38...Rh8 39.Rg1+ Kf7 40.Bh5+ {which wins for White.} ) 39.Rg1+ Kf7 40.Qh7+ Ke8 41.exf3 Kd8 {The only one to play for the win is Black though.} ) 38...Kf7 39.Rg1 Nf6 ( {Wojtaszek's attacking potential should not be underestimated:} 39...Rh8 $2 40.Bg6+ Kg7 41.Be8+ $1 ) 40.Qh6 {The last move in time-trouble allows Black a chance to play for a win again.} ( {The brilliant} 40.Rg7+ $3 {was forcing a perpetual:} 40...Kxg7 ( {Also} 40...Ke8 41.Qg3 Rc8 42.Bb7 {leads to a draw, which however Black should find:} 42...Bxf2 $1 43.Qxf2 Rc1+ 44.Kg2 Ne4 {with enough counterplay to take the material back:} 45.Qd4 Rf2+ 46.Qxf2 Nxf2 47.Kxf2 ) 41.Qg5+ Kh8 42.Qh6+ ) 40...Ke7 {The last move was tough for Grischuk as well.} ( {He could have played for the win with either} 40...Rg8 $1 41.Bf3 Rxg1+ 42.Kxg1 Rg8+ ) ( {or} 40...Nxe4 $1 41.Rg7+ Ke8 42.Qg6+ Kd8 43.Qxe4 Rf5 {and in both cases Black's material advantage provides him with excellent winning chances.} ) 41.Rg7+ Kd8 42.Qd2 Bb4 ( {Black cannnot really play for a win as the queen is too strong:} 42...Kc8 43.Bf3 Bb4 44.Qd3 ) 43.Qd4 Rc8 44.Qb6+ Rc7 45.Qb8+ Rc8 46.Qb6+ Rc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Hamburg"]
[Date "2019.11.06"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "6597359176713"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Nb3 {A fashionable line, still. White often tries to enter a favorable version of the Keres Attack.} 6...e6 ( {At the World Cup the French GM chose instead} 6...Nbd7 7.Be3 h5 8.a4 g6 9.a5 Bg7 10.Be2 b5 11.axb6 Nxb6 12.h3 Qc7 13.Qd4 Rb8 14.Bxa6 O-O 15.Qd3 Bxa6 16.Rxa6 Nc4 {with compensation for the pawn in Svidler,P (2729)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2774) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 7.g4 b5 8.Bg2 Bb7 9.g5 Nfd7 10.h4 Nc6 11.f4 Be7 12.Ne2 $146 {A novelty which will hardly attract any followers. Wei might have mixed up something in his preparation.} ( 12.Be3 Nb6 13.Qe2 Nc4 14.O-O-O Qc7 15.Kb1 Rc8 16.Bc1 {and eventually White won in Esipenko,A (2584)-Keymer,V (2500) Wijk aan Zee 2019} ) 12...h6 $1 {This is it! The overextended pawn phalanx collapses and the white king is far more exposed than the opponent's one.} 13.Ned4 ( {The alternatives are no better:} 13.gxh6 Bxh4+ 14.Kf1 Rxh6 {drops a pawn without any compensation.} ) ( {While} 13.Be3 {allows the typical freeing idea:} 13...hxg5 14.hxg5 Rxh1+ 15.Bxh1 e5 $1 ) 13...Nxd4 14.Qxd4 ( {Apparently Wei gave up on the idea to prevent e6-e5. In the line} 14.Nxd4 hxg5 15.hxg5 Rxh1+ 16.Bxh1 g6 {with inevitable e6-e5! to follow.} ) 14...hxg5 15.hxg5 ( {Black is also better after} 15.fxg5 Ne5 16.Bf4 Qc7 ) 15...Rxh1+ 16.Bxh1 e5 $1 {Vachier-Lagrave knows his stuff. Black is clearly better.} 17.Qf2 ( {Instead} 17.fxe5 dxe5 18.Qg1 Rc8 {is simply horrible for White.} ) 17...exf4 18.Bxf4 Bxg5 19.Bxd6 Rc8 {White cannot castle and Bg5-h4 is always a powerful threat.} 20.c3 Bh4 {Solid and good. Vachier exchanges White's best piece.} ( {There was also the more aggressive} 20...b4 $5 21.cxb4 Rc6 {with the main idea} 22.Rd1 $2 ( {Black also develops strong initiative in case of} 22.Qh2 Bh4+ 23.Kd1 ( 23.Ke2 Rc2+ $1 {the point behind b5-b4 is clear in this line.} ) 23...Qf6 ) 22...Rxd6 $1 23.Rxd6 Bh4 {winning a piece.} ) ( {Less accurate however is the immediate} 20...Rc6 {due to} 21.Qh2 ) 21.Bg3 Bxg3 22.Qxg3 b4 $1 {Now he does it.} 23.O-O-O {Wei sensibly castles at first opportunity.} ( {Instead} 23.cxb4 Qe7 24.Kf1 Rc6 $1 {will leave the white king terribly exposed.} ) ( {Perhaps the last chance to try and stay in the match was pinned with the line} 23.Qxg7 Qh4+ 24.Ke2 bxc3 25.bxc3 {Although then} 25...a5 {leaves to a situation where a dry victory for the French GM is the most likely outcome.} ) 23...Qf6 24.Rd6 {Resigning to a draw.} ( {After} 24.Nd4 bxc3 25.bxc3 {Black has a pleasant choice between risk-free endgame with:} 25...Qe5 ( {or risk-free attack with} 25...Rc5 {in both cases with clear edge for Black.} ) ) 24...Qf1+ 25.Rd1 Qf6 26.Rd6 Qf1+ {Black is much better but a draw sends him to the next round, therefore:} 27.Rd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Hamburg"]
[Date "2019.11.07"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[ECO "A08"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6943217298963"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.O-O e5 5.d3 d5 6.e4 {This might be Grischuk's rapid weapon, the reversed KID.} 6...d4 7.a4 Bd6 8.Na3 h6 {The opening should not have been a surprise for Wojtaszek.} ( {Grischuk has experience in this line. A recent game against Caruana went} 8...Be6 9.Ng5 Bg4 10.f3 Bh5 11.h4 h6 12.Nh3 Nd7 13.Nf2 g5 14.hxg5 hxg5 15.Bh3 Qe7 16.Kg2 O-O-O 17.Bd2 Kb8 18.Qe2 Nf8 19.Rh1 {and White looked better in Grischuk,A (2775)-Caruana,F (2819) Stavanger 2019} ) 9.Nh4 g6 $146 {Depriving the knight of the f5 square, a form of prophylaxis often used by Taimanov.} ( {Most likely the players were unaware of this game:} 9...Be6 10.Nf5 O-O 11.Nxd6 Qxd6 12.f4 Qe7 13.Bd2 Rad8 14.a5 {and a draw was soon agreed in Tauscher,K (2444) -Leisebein,P (2434) email 2013} ) 10.f4 exf4 11.gxf4 Ng4 {A necessary move.} ( {The immediate} 11...g5 {is met strongly with} 12.e5 $1 ( {rather than} 12.fxg5 Ng4 $1 {when Black firmly occupies the e5 point.} ) 12...gxh4 13.exd6 {with initiative for White.} ) 12.Nf3 g5 $1 {This is all about the e5 square. If Black manages to seize it, he will kill two birds with one stone by shutting down the white light-squared bishop.} 13.e5 ( {White cannot afford the opening of the game with} 13.fxg5 $2 hxg5 ) 13...Be7 ( {Better than} 13...Bc7 14.Qe2 gxf4 15.Bxf4 Be6 16.Nc4 {when the black bishop does little to nothing on c7.} ) 14.Qe2 gxf4 15.Bxf4 Rg8 16.Nc4 Be6 17.Kh1 Qd7 {Wojtaszek can be satisfied with the opening outcome. The position is dynamically balanced.} 18.Nfd2 {The square strategy. Since the board is packed with pieces and both sides have fixed wonderful outposts in the enemy camps the knights try to occupy them.} ( {After} 18.Nd6+ Bxd6 19.exd6 Ne3 {leads to full equality, say:} ( {But Black can postpone this move and play for even more with} 19...O-O-O ) 20.Bxe3 dxe3 21.Qxe3 Qxd6 ) 18...O-O-O 19.a5 Bd5 {A good plan.} ( {But often it makes sense to try and give a rook for the bishop on g2 and preserve his own bishop, as in the line} 19...Ne3 $5 20.Bxe3 dxe3 21.Qxe3 ( {Better is} 21.Nxe3 {although then Black certainly has compensation after any reasonable move.} 21...Kb8 {Even} ) 21...Nd4 $1 {as} 22.Rac1 {is strongly met with} 22...Rxg2 $3 23.Kxg2 Bg5 24.Qf2 Qc6+ {and Black is in command.} ) 20.Ne4 ( {In the pure endgame battle of the squares after} 20.Bxd5 Qxd5+ 21.Qf3 Qxf3+ 22.Rxf3 Nb4 23.Rc1 Nd5 24.Ne4 {White is a bit better.} ) 20...Qe6 21.Rae1 ( {The computer is not afraid to position his king in front of a discovered check with} 21.Ng3 f6 22.exf6 Qxe2 23.Nxe2 Bxg2+ 24.Kxg2 Nxf6+ {with approximate equality.} ) 21...Kb8 22.Ncd6 Ne3 {There you go, outposts, all of you are occupied! Time for some trades.} 23.Bxe3 dxe3 24.Qxe3 {A difficult to spot blunder.} ( {It is about even in case of the preliminary} 24.c4 Bxe4 25.Nxe4 Nxe5 26.Qxe3 Nxd3 ) 24...Nxe5 ( {Wojtaszek misses a proper exchange sacrifice:} 24...Rxg2 $3 25.Kxg2 Nd4 {with a huge advantage for Black as the first player cannot hold onto the c2 pawn:} 26.Rf2 ( {Or} 26.Rc1 Bg5 ) 26...Bh4 $1 ) 25.Nf5 Rg6 26.Re2 Ka8 {A mistake in return.} ( {It is only a bit better for White after} 26...Rdg8 {For example:} 27.Neg3 Bxg2+ 28.Kxg2 f6 ) 27.Neg3 $1 {Trading Black's best piece. The knights clearly dominate.} ( {Missing a way to win a clear pawn with} 27.Nxe7 Qxe7 28.Nxc5 Bxg2+ 29.Rxg2 Rxg2 30.Kxg2 ) 27...Bxg2+ 28.Rxg2 Bf8 ( 28...a6 $1 {was called for.} ) 29.a6 $1 {Now Grischuk can definitely claim a serious advantage as besides the better knight versus bishop he adds the better pawn structure to his list of advantages.} 29...bxa6 30.Re1 f6 31.Qe4+ Qd5 32.Rf2 Qb7 33.Qxb7+ Kxb7 34.Ne4 c4 {This can be named the last mistake.} ( {Wojtaszek should have tried} 34...Nc6 35.b3 Nd4 ) 35.d4 $1 Nc6 36.c3 {The pawn structure is stabilized in White's favor and the weak black pawns start to drop one after other.} 36...Kc7 37.Ne3 {The first target is easily claimed.} 37...a5 ( 37...Na5 38.Rf5 ) 38.Ref1 a4 39.Nxc4 Be7 40.Ne3 ( 40.Ra1 {would be also great.} ) 40...a5 41.Ra1 a3 42.bxa3 a4 43.Rf5 ( {Or} 43.d5 Ne5 44.Nf5 {with a win.} ) 43...Rb8 44.Nd5+ Kd7 45.Nb4 Nd8 ( {The last chance, albeit insufficient was} 45...Nxb4 46.axb4 Ra8 ) 46.Ra5 Rg4 47.Re1 Rb6 48.Ra7+ Rb7 49.Rxa4 Ne6 50.Ra6 Rb5 51.Rxe6 $1 {A petite combinaison \E0 la Capablanca to finish a fine positional game.} ( 51.Rxe6 {Black resigned due to} 51...Kxe6 52.Nf2+ Kf5 53.Nxg4 Bxb4 54.Ne3+ ) 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Hamburg"]
[Date "2019.11.08"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "E61"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7356473725988"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.e3 O-O 5.Be2 c5 6.d5 {A modern Anti-Gruenfeld trend. White is ready to transpose into the Benoni, even though he is a tempo down!} 6...d6 7.Nc3 e6 8.Nd2 ( {White can omit the e3-e4 move altogether like Wojtaszek did recently:} 8.O-O exd5 9.cxd5 Bg4 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Bxf3 Nbd7 12.Bd2 a6 13.a4 c4 14.b4 cxb3 15.Qxb3 {Wojtaszek,R (2748)-Tari,A (2630) Isle of Man 2019} ) 8...Na6 9.O-O Re8 10.e4 Nc7 11.a4 {Basically, White is ready to argue that the maneuver Nb8-a6-c7 isn't that effective for Black. Topalov's last move prevents the possible b7-b5 advance after the trade in the center. But it also has a drawback as it weakens the b4 square.} 11...b6 ( {It is too early for} 11...Na6 12.dxe6 fxe6 ( 12...Rxe6 13.f3 {is also a bit better for White.} ) 13.e5 $1 ) 12.Re1 Na6 $146 {Vachier-Lagrave decided that the moment for the maneuver had come.} ( {An earlier game saw} 12...a6 13.a5 b5 14.dxe6 Rxe6 15.Nb3 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 Rxe4 17.cxb5 Nxb5 18.Nxc5 Rxe2 19.Rxe2 Nd4 {Fedoseev,V (2658)-Shankland,S (2666) St. Louis 2017} ) 13.h3 ( {Now in case of} 13.dxe6 Rxe6 14.f3 Nb4 {Black can argue that the position of the rook on e1 is beneficial for him. He can often search for a fork on c2, say after a possible f7-f5 breaks.} ) 13...Nb4 14.Ra3 {The rook is ready to be transferred towards the center or the kingside.} 14...exd5 {Clarifying the position in the center.} ( {Black can also do something useful, like} 14...a6 15.Bf1 Ra7 {waiting for a better moment to swap the pawns.} ) 15.cxd5 a6 16.Bf1 Nd7 17.Na2 Ra7 $1 {In the Benoni Black is often ready to trade on the b4 and d4 squares in order to either open a file for his rooks, or an outpost for his knight.} ( {The text move is better than} 17...Nxa2 18.Rxa2 Rb8 19.b3 {when White is somewhat better.} ) 18.Nc4 ( {The outpost will be successfully occupied after} 18.Nxb4 cxb4 19.Rae3 Nc5 ) 18...Ne5 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.Nxb4 cxb4 21.Rf3 ( 21.Ra2 {looks passive:} 21...Bd7 22.Be3 a5 {when the white rook does not have work to do.} ) 21...Bd7 22.b3 b5 {The doubled black pawns do a tremendously good job both depriving the white pieces of squares along the c-file and providing some outposts for the black pieces. On the other hand Vachier-Lagrave can be happy with the trade of the knights as this makes White's planned kingside attack difficult to execute.} 23.Be3 ( 23.axb5 {gives Black more options:} 23...axb5 ( {Or} 23...Bxb5 24.Be3 Ra8 ) ) 23...Ra8 ( {Black can also undouble if he wishes:} 23...Rb7 24.axb5 Bxb5 25.Bxb5 Rxb5 {but he prefers to keep the a-file available for his rook.} ) 24.axb5 axb5 25.Bd4 Ra2 26.Re2 {Topalov hurries to get rid of the annoying piece.} ( {However, there was the idea of using this rook for tempo-gainers:} 26.Bxe5 $1 dxe5 ( {Or} 26...Rxe5 27.Qb1 Qa5 28.Qc1 $5 {Intending Qc1-f4 with realistic kingside threats.} ) 27.Qb1 Qa5 28.Rc1 {The powerful, defended passer and the play along the c-file makes White's perspective better.} ) 26...Rxe2 27.Bxe2 Qe7 28.Re3 $1 {True to himself Topalov plays for a win.} ( {Instead} 28.Rd3 f5 29.Bf3 fxe4 30.Bxe4 {would have slowly petered into a draw.} ) 28...Bf4 29.Bf3 {The point behind Topalov's previous move.} ( {The chicken-hearted} 29.Rd3 f5 $1 {leads to trouble for White.} ) 29...Bxe3 30.Bxe3 Rc8 31.Qd4 {The exchange sacrifice is one of the trademarks of the former world champion. He can finally exploit the weakness of the doubled pawns while combining threats against the enemy king on the dark squares.} 31...Qe5 32.Qa7 ( {White also has enough compensation for the exchange after} 32.Qxb4 Ra8 33.g3 Bxh3 34.Bd4 ) 32...Be8 33.g3 Rc3 {In the arising time-trouble, Vachier-Lagrave maximally sharpens the play.} 34.Bd4 ( {From a practical point of view, a better chance was} 34.Bf4 Qf6 35.Qb8 {True, then} 35...Rxf3 36.Qxe8+ Kg7 37.e5 Qf5 38.exd6 Qxd5 39.d7 Qd1+ 40.Kg2 {also leads to a draw by force thanks to the excellent idea} 40...Rxf4 $1 41.gxf4 ( 41.d8=Q $4 {leads to mate:} 41...Qf3+ 42.Kg1 Qxf2+ 43.Kh1 Qf1+ 44.Kh2 Rf2# ) 41...Qd5+ 42.Kg3 Qd3+ 43.f3 Qd1 $1 {when White cannot avoid the perpetual as once again the promotion to a queen loses:} 44.d8=Q $4 Qg1+ 45.Kh4 Qf2+ 46.Kg4 h5+ 47.Kg5 Qg3# ) 34...Qg5 35.Be2 ( {Again, a better move seems to be} 35.h4 Qd2 36.Be3 {when the game also heads to a draw after both} 36...Rxe3 ( {or the preliminary} 36...Qe1+ 37.Kg2 Rxb3 38.Qe7 Rxe3 $1 39.Qxe8+ Kg7 40.fxe3 Qd2+ 41.Kh3 b3 42.Qxb5 b2 43.Be2 b1=Q 44.Qxb1 Qxe2 {with a draw.} ) 37.fxe3 ( {Black does not risk anything after} 37.Qxe3 Qxe3 38.fxe3 ) 37...Kf8 {with equality.} ) ( {Not as good is} 35.Kg2 Rxb3 ) 35...Qd2 ( {MVL could have also responded better:} 35...Rxb3 36.Qb8 Rb1+ 37.Kg2 Qe7 {with a large advantage.} ) 36.Bf1 ( {With seconds on the clock, Topalov cannot find the saving path. It involved the inhuman move} 36.Kh2 $3 {with the main idea to meet} 36...Qxe2 $4 ( {Therefore MVL should have resigned himself to the draw with} 36...Rxb3 $1 37.Bxb5 $1 Ra3 38.Qb6 ( {Not:} 38.Qb8 $2 Qxd4 ) 38...Ra8 39.Be3 Qc3 40.Bd4 {with a positional draw as the black queen needs to stick to the enemy bishop in order to avoid the mating net.} ) 37.Qe7 Rc8 38.Qf6 {and White mates the opponent:} 38...Kf8 39.Qxd6+ Kg8 40.Qf6 Kf8 41.d6 $1 ) 36...Rxb3 37.Kg2 Ra3 $1 {Vachier-Lagrave spots a nice defensive idea:} ( {Also good was} 37...Rb1 $1 {with a decisive counterattack.} ) 38.Qb6 Ra6 $1 {The counter-sacrifice of the exchange decides the battle. Without the attack, White stands no chance against the centralized queen and the outside passer.} 39.Qxa6 Qxd4 40.Qc8 ( {Nothing changes} 40.Qxd6 Qxe4+ 41.f3 Qe1 ) 40...Qxe4+ 41.f3 Qe3 42.Bxb5 b3 {The pawn promotes.} 43.Bxe8 ( {Otherwise the pawn promotes:} 43.Qxe8+ Qxe8 44.Bxe8 b2 ) 43...Qe2+ 44.Kg1 Qd1+ ( 44...Qd1+ {Topalov resigned due to} 45.Kf2 Qc2+ ) 0-1

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Hamburg"]
[Date "2019.11.09"]
[Round "11.4"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[ECO "D94"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7972935708678"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nc3 g6 5.d4 Bg7 6.Be2 O-O 7.O-O Ne4 {A relatively rare move. Far more popular alternatives in the Schlechter line are:} ( 7...Bg4 ) ( 7...Nbd7 ) ( 7...dxc4 ) 8.Nxe4 ( {Black could not solve the opening problems in the following game:} 8.a4 b6 9.a5 Ba6 10.Nxe4 dxe4 11.Ng5 e5 12.Nxe4 exd4 13.exd4 Bxd4 14.Bg5 {Bu,X (2712)-Van Wely,L (2642) Batumi 2018} ) 8...dxe4 9.Nd2 c5 $146 {The logical followup that justifies the knight's jump in the center turns out to be a novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw Black attacking it with the other pawn:} 9...f5 10.f3 e5 11.d5 exf3 12.gxf3 Qg5+ 13.Kh1 Qxe3 14.Nb3 Qb6 15.Bg5 cxd5 16.cxd5 Bf6 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.d6 Rd8 19.Qd5+ Kg7 20.Rfd1 {with compensation for the pawn in Mozetic,D (2540) -Matulovic,M (2445) Novi Sad 1995} ) 10.dxc5 f5 11.Rb1 a5 12.a3 a4 13.b4 axb3 14.Nxb3 Qxd1 15.Rxd1 {All these moves seem quite logical. It is obvious that the extra white pawn will not survive for long. The question is, Will Duda make something out of its energy?} 15...Nd7 16.Kf1 h5 17.Bd2 Rxa3 18.Na5 Nxc5 {Not the most accurate solution, at least according to the computer.} ( {The machine thinks that White does not have any serious threats and suggests something useful instead, such as:} 18...Kf7 19.Nxb7 ( {Black is also OK after} 19.c6 bxc6 20.Nxc6 Ra6 21.Nb4 Ra7 ) 19...Ra6 20.Be1 Bxb7 21.Rxd7 ( 21.Rxb7 Nxc5 ) 21...Bc6 {In all the lines the evaluation of the position is about zero.} ) 19.Bb4 {With another forcing sequence Duda manages to tie down the enemy pieces.} 19...Ra2 20.Bxc5 Rxa5 21.Bxe7 Rf7 22.Bb4 Ra8 23.Rd8+ Kh7 24.Bd6 {If White is given the chance to play c4-c5, then Be2-c4 will follow with disaster. Therefore, Yu temporarily sacrifices a pawn at once:} 24...Rd7 25.Rxd7 Bxd7 {To get out of the pin. The pawn cannot be touched yet, but after White's next move...} 26.g4 $1 {...it becomes clear that Black is under pressure. Duda opens air for his king with tempo.} ( {Of course, not the immediate} 26.Rxb7 $4 Ra1+ {that drops both white bishops.} ) 26...fxg4 $1 {The best defense.} ( {Worse for Black is} 26...hxg4 27.Rxb7 Bc8 28.Re7 Kh6 29.c5 ) ( {Or} 26...Bc6 27.gxf5 ) 27.Rxb7 Bc8 28.Re7 {Missing a chance to build an advantage.} ( {A better square for the rook is} 28.Rc7 $1 {with the idea} 28...Kh6 29.Bf4+ g5 30.Rc6+ $1 Kh7 31.Bxg5 ) 28...Kh6 29.Bf4+ g5 30.Bxg5+ Kxg5 31.Rxg7+ {Duda also won a pawn but allowed the black king too much activity.} 31...Kh4 $1 32.Rg8 Kh3 $4 {Just close to the draw and the rapid, Yu walks into a devilish trap.} ( {After the correct} 32...Ra1+ 33.Kg2 Bf5 34.Rd8 Rc1 35.Rd5 Kg5 36.c5 h4 37.Bd1 Kf6 {the game would have most likely ended in a draw.} ) 33.Bxg4+ $3 {A study-like blow! White wins the house.} ( {Black must have only anticipated} 33.Bd1 $2 Ra1 34.Ke1 Be6 35.Rh8 h4 {when he does not risk to lose.} ) ( {Or} 33.Kg1 Ra1+ 34.Bf1+ Rxf1+ 35.Kxf1 Be6 36.Rg5 Bxc4+ 37.Kg1 h4 {that should be a fortress.} ) 33...Kh4 ( {Otherwise:} 33...hxg4 34.Rh8# ) 34.Rxc8 Ra1+ 35.Kg2 hxg4 36.Re8 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Hamburg"]
[Date "2019.11.12"]
[Round "20.1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "A17"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[Beauty "6254319633929"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.Nf3 ( 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.Bg5 Be6 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Ne1 d4 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Ne4 Qe7 14.Nxc5 Qxc5 15.Nd3 Qb6 16.Nf4 Qxb2 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Rb1 Qxa2 19.Rxb7 Qa6 20.Qb3 Nd8 21.Rd7 Rc8 22.Qb2 e5 23.Ra1 Qf6 24.e3 dxe3 25.fxe3 Nc6 26.Qd2 Nb8 27.Rdxa7 Rcd8 28.Qe2 h6 29.Be4 Rd7 30.Ra8 Rdd8 31.Rf1 Qd6 32.Rxf8+ Rxf8 33.Kg2 Qb4 34.Qd3 Kh8 35.Ra7 Qb2+ 36.Kh3 Qb6 37.Ra8 Rd8 38.Qc4 Nd7 39.Qc6 Rxa8 40.Qxa8+ Nb8 41.Qd5 Qc7 42.Bf5 Nc6 43.Qc4 Qd6 44.Qf7 Qd8 45.Qg6 {1-0 Rubinstein,A-Tarrasch,S Karlsbad 1923} ) 1...Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e3 e6 6.Bc4 ( {More common is} 6.d4 cxd4 7.exd4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Qc7 9.Bd2 Bd6 10.Bd3 Nd7 11.O-O O-O 12.a4 b6 13.Re1 {as in Karjakin,S (2748) -Dubov,D (2700) Moscow 2019} ) 6...Be7 {An achievement for Grischuk. He deprived his opponent of his Gruenfeld bishop.} 7.O-O O-O 8.Qe2 Nc6 9.Rd1 b6 $146 ( {An earlier game saw} 9...Nb6 10.Bb5 Bd7 11.d4 cxd4 12.exd4 Nb4 13.Bxd7 Qxd7 14.Ne5 Qe8 15.a3 N4d5 16.Rd3 f5 17.Bd2 Bf6 {Eljanov,P (2755) -Harikrishna,P (2766) Wijk aan Zee 2017. Most likely the Russian GM had prepared something along the way, though.} ) 10.d4 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Qc7 12.e4 Rd8 {A position similar to the Queen's Indian Defense came on the board. The plans remain the same as in the Gruenfeld though: White would try to make use of his superior center and more space to attack on the kingside, while Blackwould be looking for counterplay on the opposite wing and eventual trades on the open files.} 13.Be3 Na5 14.Bd3 Bb7 15.h4 {Again, a very typical move against the Gruenfeld where White is ready to hit the enemy fianchettoe with h4-h5. But here too, it helps the attack as it prepares Nf3-g5.} 15...b5 $5 {Vachier-Lagrave uses the first possibility to free himself.} ( {After something normal like} 15...Rac8 {White can try} 16.Ne5 {not fearing} ( {Or:} 16.Ng5 $5 ) 16...Bxh4 17.Qh5 Bf6 18.Ng4 Be7 19.e5 g6 20.Qh6 {with a serious attack for the first player.} ) 16.Bxb5 Bxe4 17.dxc5 Bxf3 ( {More accurate seems} 17...Bxc5 18.Bxc5 Bxf3 19.Qxf3 Qxc5 {although here the French GM might have feared} 20.Rd7 $1 ) ( {The computer, however, suggests the cool} 17...h6 {and only later, with no hurry, to regain the pawn.} ) 18.Qxf3 Bxc5 19.Bf4 $5 {This additional possibility was not here had Black had taken on c5 first.} ( {On the other hand, Grischuk could have also switched to the aforementioned line with} 19.Bxc5 Qxc5 20.Rd7 {which also looks better for him.} ) 19...Qb7 20.Qe2 ( {It is too early to release the pressure with} 20.Qxb7 Nxb7 21.Bc6 {Black can free himself from the pin at once:} 21...Rxd1+ 22.Rxd1 Rd8 {and get closer to the draw.} ) 20...Qe7 21.h5 Bd6 {Sensibly swapping off the bishop pair.} ( {However, a move like} 21...h6 $5 {would be also highly desirable. The air opened for the king will be very handy after} 22.Qf3 Nb7 23.Bc6 Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Rd8 25.Bxb7 ( {Here} 25.Rxd8+ $1 {preserves advantage for White.} ) 25...Rxd1+ 26.Qxd1 Qxb7 27.Qd8+ Kh7 {with equality.} ) 22.Bxd6 {Grischuk is OK with it as he gets the open file in return.} 22...Rxd6 23.Rxd6 Qxd6 24.Rd1 Qc5 25.Rd7 $3 {White sacrifices a pawn and starts attacking on both flanks. This situation somehow reminds me of the famous Rubinstein-Tarrasch game where the great Polish GM also sacrificed a pawn or two for similar domination. Grischuk has more active major pieces and is ready for the kingside assault. But there is also the excluded black knight on a5, which may often fall victim to the enemy pieces (Tarrasch also had exacty the same knight).} ( {Also interesting was} 25.h6 $1 Qxc3 26.Qe4 ) 25...Qxc3 26.Qd1 {As usual, the Russian GM was very low on time and wanted to play somewhat safe.} ( {Had he had some extra time on the clock, he might have gone for} 26.Qe4 $1 {The lines are clearly favorable for White:} 26...Rf8 ( {Or} 26...Qc1+ 27.Bf1 Qc6 28.Qd3 Nb7 29.h6 gxh6 30.Qg3+ Kf8 31.Rc7 Qb6 32.Qc3 Kg8 33.Rc4 $1 {with a sudden kingside switch and a decisive attack.} ) 27.h6 {Now if Black tries to stop the kingside attack with} 27...Qc1+ 28.Bf1 Qxh6 29.Qa4 Qg5 30.Rxa7 {he might ended up losing his queenside knight!} ) 26...h6 $1 {Vachier-Lagrave grasps his chance!} 27.g3 Rf8 {And plays solidly in return.} ( {It might have been better though to put the rook on a more active spot with} 27...Rc8 $5 28.a4 {and bring the knight out at once:} ( 28.Bf1 $5 ) 28...Nc4 {True, the rook on c8 has some problems as well} 29.Rxf7 $1 {in particular. But then the feeling is that the position after} 29...Kxf7 30.Qd7+ Kf6 31.Qxc8 Qe1+ 32.Kg2 Qe4+ {should be more easy to defend for Black than the one that he got in the game.} ) 28.Rxa7 Nc6 29.Rd7 Ne5 30.Rd8 {Once more, the extra careful approach by Grischuk. He keeps a solid edge, without any risk.} 30...Qc7 ( {More precise was} 30...Rxd8 31.Qxd8+ Kh7 32.Qd1 g6 33.hxg6+ Kxg6 34.a4 {with a better version than in the game.} ) 31.Rxf8+ Kxf8 32.a4 Ke7 33.Be2 $1 {A nice move which shows the superiority of the bishop over the knight. This light-squared bishop in particular was a favorite of Rubinstein as well. Now that his king is secure, Grischuk wants to support the advance of his outside passer.} 33...Qc3 ( {More stubborn seems} 33...Qa5 34.Qc2 ( 34.Qa1 f6 ) 34...Qe1+ 35.Kg2 Qa5 ) 34.Qb1 Nc6 35.Qb7+ Kf6 36.Bf1 Na5 ( 36...Ne5 {will be met with:} 37.Kg2 ) 37.Qd7 g5 {Practically forced.} ( {As otherwise the black king might catch a cold:} 37...Qc5 38.Qd8+ Ke5 39.Be2 ) 38.hxg6 Kxg6 39.Kg2 Kg7 40.Bb5 Qe5 41.Qd3 {Time trouble is over; Grischuk gets a chance to catch his breath and seek for decisive improvements.} 41...Qc5 42.Qf3 Qd4 43.Be8 $1 {Forcing a concession.} 43...Qd5 {A sad necessity for the French player.} ( {Vachier-Lagrave would have been happy to keep the queens, but he cannot adequately defend the f7 point:} 43...f6 44.Qa3 $1 Qa7 45.Bb5 ) ( {And:} 43...Qf6 {in order to get an improved version of the endgame can be answered by} 44.Qh5 $1 Nb7 45.Bc6 ) 44.Qxd5 exd5 45.Kf3 {The question is, can Black build a fortress or will he be forced into zugzwang?} 45...Kf6 46.Kg4 Ke7 {A step into the wrong direction.} ( {Better was} 46...Ke6 {in order to get ready for counter play in the line:} 47.Bb5 d4 $1 ) 47.Bb5 Kf6 {This loses.} ( {Black should have tried the active defense} 47...Kd6 $1 {with the idea} 48.Kh5 Nc4 49.Kxh6 Kc5 50.Kg5 d4 51.Bxc4 Kxc4 52.a5 d3 53.a6 d2 54.a7 d1=Q 55.a8=Q Qd2+ {when Black should hold the queen endgame. This line is not forced at all, but looks like the best chance for the second player.} ) 48.Kh5 {Forcing the opponent into passive defense first.} 48...Kg7 49.Bf1 $1 {A brilliant maneuver, which destroys the possible fortress in the center.} 49...Nb3 50.Bg2 d4 {This pawn is already doomed.} 51.Bf1 Nd2 52.Bd3 Nb3 53.Bf1 Nd2 54.Bd3 Nb3 55.Bb5 f6 ( 55...Na5 56.Kg4 {also loses the d-pawn.} ) 56.Bf1 Na5 57.Ba6 Nb3 58.Bb5 Na5 59.Kg4 {Going for the d-pawn and the queenside. Black's position is beyond salvation.} 59...Nb7 60.Kf4 Nc5 61.a5 d3 62.Ke3 d2 63.Be2 $1 {The last touch.} ( {Not:} 63.Kxd2 $2 Nb3+ ) ( 63.Be2 {The possible finish would have been} 63...Kf7 64.Kxd2 Nb3+ 65.Kc3 Nxa5 66.Bf3 {followed by Kc3-b4 when the knight drops.} ) 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Hamburg"]
[Date "2019.11.13"]
[Round "22.1"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[ECO "B06"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "170"]
[Beauty "5086717676580"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nf3 d6 4.Bc4 a6 {A must-win situation requires extreme measures. And preferably no theory at all.} 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bb7 7.Re1 e6 8.c3 Nd7 9.a4 Ngf6 $5 ( {In the Modern this knight usually goes to e7:} 9...Ne7 ) 10.Nbd2 O-O 11.Bc2 {Dubov plays the Ruy Lopez and does not care what his opponent does...} 11...c5 12.Nf1 Qc7 13.Ng3 {All very logical.} 13...Rfc8 14.Bd3 b4 15.a5 c4 {A risky transposition to a French pawn structure. This move practically wins the a5 pawn in the long run, but leaves the kingside exposed.} ( {If Duda needed a draw he would have probably gone for} 15...bxc3 16.bxc3 cxd4 17.cxd4 e5 {with equality.} ) 16.Bf1 b3 17.Ra4 d5 18.e5 Ne8 19.h4 {The pawn chains are clearly indicating on which side the players will attack.} 19...Bc6 20.Ra1 Rcb8 21.h5 Rb5 22.Ng5 ( {The other way to build the attack was} 22.h6 $1 Bf8 23.Ng5 {Then Black needs to get rid of the annoying knight at once:} 23...Be7 24.Qf3 Bxg5 25.Bxg5 {But the weaknesses on the dark squares will compensate Dubov for the pawn, which is not hanging yet by the way:} 25...Rxa5 ( {If Black prepares the consumption of the a5 snack with} 25...Rc8 {then} 26.Qf4 Rxa5 27.Rxa5 Qxa5 28.Be7 {followed by Re1-e3-f3 will build up a big attack for the first player.} ) 26.Rxa5 Qxa5 {when White has a choice between} 27.Be7 {with compensation.} ( {and} 27.Bxc4 Qa2 ) ) 22...Nf8 {Clears the seventh rank for the defense.} ( 22...Rxa5 $2 {is awkward after} 23.Rxa5 Qxa5 24.Qf3 $1 ) 23.Qf3 Ra7 ( {After} 23...h6 {The compy goes wild with} 24.hxg6 hxg5 25.Bxc4 dxc4 26.gxf7+ Qxf7 27.Qxc6 {Gotta give him the medicine...} ) 24.Nh1 ( {Here a better move was} 24.Nh3 $1 {with the intention to permanently lock the bishop after h5-h6. For example} 24...Rxa5 25.Rxa5 Qxa5 26.h6 Bh8 27.Bxc4 {with a big advantage for White.} ) 24...h6 25.Nh3 g5 {Duda is winning the battle on the queenside and will be very happy to close the opposite wing.} 26.Qd1 ( {More natural was} 26.Qg3 Rxa5 ( {The queen will be very active in the possible line} 26...f5 27.Nxg5 $1 hxg5 28.Bxg5 ) 27.Rxa5 Qxa5 28.f4 {The attack is worth the pawn; White's chances are better.} ) 26...Rxa5 27.Rxa5 Qxa5 28.f4 g4 ( {The kingside position still cannot be locked:} 28...gxf4 29.Bxf4 f5 30.g4 ) 29.N3f2 f5 30.exf6 Nxf6 31.Ng3 ( {Dubov could have regained the pawn at once too:} 31.Nxg4 {Not fearing} 31...Nxh5 32.Nxh6+ Bxh6 33.Qxh5 ) 31...Rf7 32.Be2 Bd7 33.Nxg4 ( 33.Bxg4 $5 ) 33...Nxg4 34.Bxg4 Qc7 35.Ne2 {The correct piece, but the wrong route.} ( {White would have been still better after the maneuver} 35.Nf1 $1 a5 36.Nh2 a4 37.Bf3 {followed by Nh2-g4-e5 with an advantage for White.} ) 35...a5 {Now, in order to keep the attack running, Dubov once again has to sacrifice a pawn.} 36.f5 $1 {And he is not hesitating in doing this!} 36...exf5 37.Bf3 Bc6 38.Bf4 ( {Objectively better was to occupy the f4 square with the other piece:} 38.Nf4 Qd6 {and then seize the open file:} 39.Re2 a4 40.Qe1 {Although after} 40...Bf6 {how will White make progress?} ) 38...Qd8 39.Qc1 Kh7 40.Be5 Ne6 $1 {Duda consolidates. He has survived the attack and kept the material. The revenge is near.} 41.Bxg7 Rxg7 42.Nf4 Ng5 43.Qe3 Qd6 44.Ng6 Qg3 {Letting the advantage slip away.} ( {Black should have forced his opponent into passive defense with} 44...a4 $1 45.Ra1 Ra7 {when the extra pawn should slowly tell.} ) 45.Rf1 Rf7 46.Qe5 $1 {A nasty move! White is back in the game.} 46...Nxf3+ ( 46...f4 $4 47.Qh8# ) 47.Rxf3 Qxe5 48.Nxe5 Rf6 49.Nxc6 Rxc6 50.Rxf5 a4 51.Rf7+ $1 ( {Not} 51.Rxd5 $2 a3 52.bxa3 Rb6 ) 51...Kg8 52.Ra7 Re6 53.Kf2 Rf6+ 54.Ke2 {Now it should be a draw, but White still needs to be careful.} 54...Rf5 55.Rxa4 Rxh5 56.Ra1 Rg5 57.Kf3 Rf5+ 58.Ke2 Kg7 59.Ke3 h5 60.Ke2 Kg6 61.Ra8 Rf7 62.Ra5 Rd7 63.Kf3 ( 63.g3 $1 {was more accurate.} ) 63...Kg5 ( {Duda was given an extra chance:} 63...h4 $5 64.Kg4 Rf7 {This requires precision by White in the line} 65.Rxd5 Rf2 66.Rd6+ Kf7 67.Rc6 Rxg2+ {Since the obvious} 68.Kxh4 $2 {leaves the king one square too short of the safety zone in the line} ( {True:} 68.Kh3 $1 {instead saves White after} 68...Rxb2 69.Rxc4 Rb1 70.Rb4 b2 71.Kh2 ) 68...Rxb2 69.Rxc4 Rb1 70.Rb4 b2 ) 64.g3 Rd8 65.Rb5 Rf8+ 66.Kg2 $1 {Time for the do or die part:} ( 66.Ke3 $2 Rf5 {loses for White.} ) 66...Kf5 $1 67.Rxd5+ Ke4 68.Re5+ {The losing mistake that presents Black the decisive tempo.} ( {But none could blame Dubov for not finding the miraculous} 68.Rxh5 Kd3 69.Rh2 $3 ) 68...Kd3 69.d5 Kc2 70.Re2+ Kd1 71.Re5 Kc1 72.Re4 ( {Nothing changes} 72.Re2 Rd8 ) 72...Rd8 73.Rxc4 Rxd5 ( 73...Kxb2 {also wins.} ) 74.Rd4 Rc5 {The b3 pawn will cost White the rook.} ( {But not} 74...Rxd4 $2 75.cxd4 Kxb2 76.d5 Kc3 77.d6 b2 78.d7 b1=Q 79.d8=Q {with a draw.} ) 75.c4 Kxb2 76.Rd5 Rxc4 77.Rxh5 Kc3 {Duda's pieces are perfectly positioned for the rook picking. Dubov does not even have the time to start moving his pawn.} 78.Rh1 b2 79.Kh3 Kb3 80.Rb1 Rc1 81.Rxb2+ Kxb2 82.Kg4 Kc3 83.Kf5 Rf1+ $1 {Good technique to win a tempo.} 84.Ke5 Rg1 85.Kf4 Kd4 0-1

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Hamburg"]
[Date "2019.11.17"]
[Round "32.1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[Beauty "6396280065094"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bd3 Nbd7 6.b3 b6 ( {A recent top grandmaster game saw a quick handshake after} 6...Bd6 7.Bb2 b6 8.O-O Bb7 9.Nbd2 O-O 10.Qe2 Re8 11.Rac1 Qc7 12.Rfd1 Rad8 13.Nf1 Ne4 14.Ng3 Ndf6 15.Ne5 c5 16.a3 {\BD-\BD Wang,H (2737)-Korobov,A (2687) Poikovsky 2019} ) 7.O-O Bb7 8.Bb2 dxc4 9.bxc4 c5 10.d5 $1 $146 {Grischuk has done his homework well. With his move he uncorked a strong novelty that immediately led to a large advantage for White.} ( {It is important to know that the earlier game was played by Duda:} 10.Nbd2 Be7 11.Qe2 O-O 12.Rad1 Rc8 13.Ne5 cxd4 14.exd4 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Nd7 16.Ne4 Bxe4 17.Qxe4 g6 18.Qe3 {and Black eventually outplayed his opponent in Kessler,L (2280)-Duda,J (2536) Maribor 2013} ) 10...exd5 {Duda accepts the sacrifice and hopes to repel the fierce attack.} ( {The alternative is} 10...Bd6 11.e4 e5 12.Nc3 {with a grim position for the second player. He lacks space, and White controls the center and has better perspectives on both flanks.} ) 11.cxd5 Bxd5 ( {White's attack is also super-powerful in case of} 11...Nxd5 12.Bc4 ( 12.Bf5 $5 ) 12...Nb4 ( {The major point is that Black cannot easily finish the development:} 12...N7f6 $2 {drops material after} 13.Qa4+ $1 Qd7 ( {Or} 13...Nd7 14.Rd1 ) 14.Bb5 ) 13.Qb3 {when Black is paralized.} ) 12.e4 Bc6 13.Re1 {Grischuk is not in a rush and is preparing the central break.} ( {The immediate} 13.e5 Nh5 14.e6 $1 fxe6 15.Re1 Nf4 16.Be4 {is also very, very dangerous for Black.} ) 13...Qe7 {Duda hurries to evacuate the king from the center, and both the Nc3-d5 and e4-e5-e6 threats are too strong to cope with.} ( {The computer claims that Black's best defense is} 13...Nh5 14.e5 Nf4 {although then White can transpose into the aforementioned line with} 15.e6 fxe6 16.Be4 ) 14.Nc3 O-O-O 15.Nd5 Qe8 ( {The alternative is the instant loss in case of} 15...Bxd5 16.exd5 Qd6 17.Ba6+ Kb8 18.Ne5 ) 16.a4 Bd6 17.Ba6+ Kb8 18.Qb3 {Once again Grischuk is patiently preparing his attack. He clearly understands that the open files cannot be locked.} ( {There are attractive alternatives available like:} 18.Nb4 $1 Nf8 19.Nxc6+ Qxc6 20.Qb3 {with a huge advantage for White.} ) ( {Or} 18.Bb5 {heading for an attack along the a-file.} ) 18...Nxe4 19.a5 {Obvious and consistent, but this allowed Black a chance.} ( {More accurate is} 19.Bc4 f5 20.a5 ) 19...Bc7 {After this obvious move, the attack runs by itself.} ( {The only way to put serious resistance is connected with a pawn sacrifice:} 19...c4 $3 {Then Black uncovers the c5 square for his knights:} 20.Bxc4 ( 20.Qxc4 {still leads to a serious advantage for White.} ) 20...Ndc5 21.Qc2 b5 {and Black eventually hopes that he may survive the second wave of the attack.} ) 20.axb6 axb6 21.Bb5 Bb7 22.Qa4 {All the files against the black king are open. Grischuk starts to search for decisive combinational blows.} 22...Qe6 23.Bc6 $3 {Here it is! The decisive reinforcement. The threat is Qa4-a8 with mate in two. Duda needs to react.} 23...Bxh2+ $1 {He does it in the best possible way, freeing air for the king.} ( {The captures led to instant mates:} 23...Bxc6 24.Qa7+ Kc8 25.Qxc7# ) ( {Or} 23...Qxc6 24.Qa7+ Kc8 25.Ne7# ) 24.Nxh2 Qxc6 25.Qa7+ Kc8 26.Ne7+ Kc7 27.Nxc6 Ra8 {At least Black regains the queen.} 28.Rxe4 Rxa7 29.Rxa7 Kxc6 30.Re7 {The smoke has cleared. White is up a rook and even though the game continued for a while, Grischuk's win was never in question.} 30...Rd8 31.Nf3 b5 32.Rxf7 b4 33.Rxg7 Kb6 34.Ra1 ( {A bit faster would have been} 34.Rxb7+ Kxb7 35.Bf6 ) 34...Bxf3 35.gxf3 Nf8 36.Rg8 c4 37.Bg7 Ne6 38.Rxd8 Nxd8 39.Rc1 Kb5 ( {The pawns are never moving:} 39...c3 40.Bxc3 bxc3 41.Rxc3 ) 40.f4 Ne6 41.Be5 Nc5 42.Kf1 Nd3 43.Rd1 Kc5 44.Ke2 Kd5 45.Rh1 Nc5 46.Rxh7 c3 47.Bxc3 bxc3 48.Rc7 c2 49.Kd2 Ne4+ 50.Kxc2 Nxf2 51.Kd2 Ke4 52.Ke2 ( 52.Rc4+ Kf5 53.Ke2 {would have led to the same.} ) 52...Ng4 53.Rc4+ Kf5 54.Kf3 Nh2+ 55.Kg2 Ng4 56.Kg3 Ne3 57.Rc5+ Kf6 58.Kf3 Nf5 59.Ra5 Kg6 60.Ra6+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "Kalkata India"]
[Date "2019.11.26"]
[Round "26"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2870"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6941606675987"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[EventCountry "IND"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 Bd6 5.Nbd2 Bxf4 6.exf4 Qd6 ( {Similar was:} 6...O-O 7.Bd3 b6 8.Qe2 a5 9.Ne5 c5 10.c3 Ba6 11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.O-O {in Duda,J (2738)-Vitiugov,N (2719) St Petersburg 2018} ) 7.g3 b6 {It is useful to trade the idle black bishop.} 8.c3 O-O 9.Bd3 Ba6 10.Bxa6 Nxa6 11.Qe2 Nb8 12.Ne5 $146 {An obvious move and a novelty.} ( {The predecessor was also a game of Anand:} 12.a4 c5 13.O-O Nc6 14.Nb3 Rab8 15.Rfd1 Ne4 16.Qc2 Rfc8 17.dxc5 bxc5 18.Nc1 Qc7 19.b3 Qa5 {Nakamura,H (2769)-Anand,V (2759) Leuven 2018} ) 12...c5 13.Ndf3 Ne4 14.O-O f6 15.Ng4 Nc6 {Black wants to capture on d4 and open room for his pieces on the queenside.} 16.dxc5 $1 {Carlsen would not allow it. His plan is to put pressure on the central files with his major pieces and force concessions.} 16...bxc5 17.Rad1 f5 {Immedialy giving away the e5 outpost, but supporting the central knight.} ( {Stronger was similar central play with:} 17...Rad8 18.Ne3 Rfe8 ) ( {The other way to defend against the capture on e4 is less precise:} 17...Qc7 $2 18.Nd2 $1 {And Black still needs to weaken his position:} 18...f5 ( {Not:} 18...Nxd2 19.Qxe6+ ) 19.Nxe4 dxe4 20.Ne3 {with advantage for the first player.} ) 18.Nge5 Rab8 19.c4 ( {Black will be safer in the endgame:} 19.Nxc6 Qxc6 20.Ne5 Qb5 21.Qxb5 Rxb5 22.f3 Nf6 ) 19...Nxe5 ( {To a similar position leads:} 19...d4 20.Nxc6 Qxc6 21.Ne5 Qc7 22.f3 ) 20.Nxe5 Rfd8 21.Rfe1 Qa6 {The idea is correct, but concretely the move is inaccurate.} ( {White is better after:} 21...Qc7 22.f3 Nf6 23.b3 ) 22.f3 ( {Here Carlsen could have fixed his advantage with:} 22.cxd5 Qxe2 23.Rxe2 Rxd5 24.Rc1 {thanks to the better pawn structure.} ) 22...Nf6 23.b3 Rbc8 24.Rc1 d4 25.Nd3 {White's prospects are better. The solid central blockade and the pressure against the backward e6 pawn provide good control of the position. His plan is to expand on the kingside.} 25...Rd6 26.Rc2 ( {The immediate:} 26.g4 $5 Nd7 27.h4 {looked better.} ) 26...Nd7 27.Qg2 Qb6 28.Rce2 {Now that a chance has been given to him Anand hurries to create counterplay on his own.} ( {Once more:} 28.g4 a5 29.Qg3 a4 30.Rg2 {was more to the point.} ) 28...a5 $1 29.Rb2 Rb8 30.Qd2 Qc7 31.Qd1 h6 ( {The immediate:} 31...a4 $1 32.Rbe2 axb3 33.axb3 Qb6 {would have kept Carlsen busy on the queenside, thus weakening his attack.} ) 32.Rbe2 Qb6 33.h4 a4 34.Rb2 axb3 35.axb3 Qa7 36.Kh2 Ra6 37.Qe2 Rab6 ( {Andn could have prepared better for the kingside expansion with:} 37...Qc7 $1 38.g4 Qd8 ( {Or:} 38...fxg4 39.fxg4 Rab6 ) 39.Kg3 Qf8 ) 38.g4 $1 {Finally, time for action.} 38...fxg4 39.fxg4 Qc7 {From here on the players will rely purely on their intuition. The clocks dictate the rules.} ( {The computer recommends the blockading:} 39...e5 $5 40.fxe5 Nf8 ( {But not:} 40...Rxb3 41.Rxb3 Rxb3 42.e6 Nf6 43.e7 ) ) 40.g5 hxg5 41.hxg5 e5 {A tad too late.} ( 41...Nf8 42.Reb1 Ng6 ( 42...Qf7 43.Qe4 Nd7 ) 43.Qe4 Qf7 {might have been a better try.} ) 42.fxe5 Re6 43.Qe4 {Carlsen quickly consolidates and thank to the pins not only defends his passer but is ready to get to the c5 pawn.} 43...Rbe8 44.Qd5 Nb6 45.Qxc5 Qd8 ( {Objectively better was:} 45...Qxc5 46.Nxc5 Rxe5 47.Rxe5 Rxe5 48.Nd3 Re3 49.Rd2 Kf7 {and since the white pawns are not yet moving, Black might be able to hold.} ) 46.Rg2 Rf8 47.Qb5 ( {Missing powerful centralization with a gain of a key pawn:} 47.Re4 $1 ) 47...Rf3 {The beginning of the drama starts here:} ( {Alternatively missing similar centralization with a gain of a key pawn!} 47...Rf5 $1 {Then an attempt to hold it:} 48.g6 {would make things even worse for White after:} 48...Qh4+ 49.Kg1 Rg5 ) 48.Nc5 ( {Strong was:} 48.c5 ) 48...Rg6 ( {Anand misses powerful blow:} 48...Rh6+ $3 {With the key idea:} 49.gxh6 ( 49.Kg1 d3 $1 {opening the d4 square for the queen is also horrible for White.} ) 49...Qh4+ 50.Kg1 Qxe1+ 51.Kh2 Qxe5+ {and mate is unstoppable.} ) 49.e6 ( {On his turn, Carlsen misses powerful centralization with:} 49.Ne4 $1 d3 50.Qc5 {when White is in control.} ) 49...Qd6+ ( {One more power blow against the white king was there:} 49...Rxg5 $1 {When:} 50.e7 {loses to:} 50...Qd6+ 51.Kg1 Rxg2+ 52.Kxg2 Qg3+ ) 50.Kg1 Rxg5 ( {A draw could have been achieved with:} 50...d3 $1 51.Nxd3 Rxe6 52.Rxe6 Qxe6 53.Qe5 Qxe5 54.Nxe5 Re3 $1 55.Nc6 Rxb3 {Still.} ) 51.Ne4 $3 {At the very last moment the champion managed to magically connect all his pieces. The central knight is the piece that puts order in the White house and finishes the game in his favor.} ( {Apparently Anand only had a chnace to calculate in a flash the capture:} 51.Rxg5 Rg3+ {When Black forces perpetual:} 52.Rxg3 ( {Or mate if:} 52.Kh1 $4 Rh3+ 53.Kg2 Qh2+ 54.Kf1 Rf3# ) ( {And:} 52.Kf2 $4 Qf4+ 53.Ke2 Re3+ 54.Kd1 Qf3+ ) 52...Qxg3+ ) ( 51.Ne4 {Black loses material no matter what he captures:} 51...Rxg2+ ( 51...Rxb5 52.Nxd6 {followed by e6-e7 is hopeless too.} ) 52.Kxg2 Qf8 ( 52...Qf4 53.Qe8+ Qf8 54.Qxf8+ Rxf8 55.e7 ) 53.e7 $1 ) 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Blitz Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "12.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2865"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[ECO "D87"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7768387885115"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 O-O 10.h4 Qa5 ( {In London Vachier-Lagrave defended successfully with} 10...cxd4 11.cxd4 Qa5+ 12.Kf1 Bd7 13.h5 Rac8 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.Bb3 Qa6 16.Kg1 Na5 17.Nf4 Rfe8 18.e5 Bf5 19.Kh2 Nxb3 20.axb3 Qc6 {Carlsen,M (2872)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2780) London 2019. One has to be overly optimistic, although not to expect improvements by the world champion in this line.} ) 11.O-O Bd7 $146 {A normal developing move and a novelty.} ( {A game between two amateur players saw} 11...Qc7 12.Qc1 Bg4 13.f3 Bd7 14.h5 ( 14.Rb1 $5 ) ( 14.Rd1 $5 ) 14...Rac8 15.hxg6 ( 15.h6 $1 ) 15...hxg6 16.Bb3 Na5 {Kaplun,D (1902)-Riess, A (1922) Magdeburg 2014} ) 12.Rb1 {Carlsen is immediately profiting from the weakening of the b7-pawn.} 12...Qc7 ( 12...b6 {drops a pawn after} 13.Rb5 Qa6 ( {Similar is} 13...Qa3 14.Bc1 ( {although White can also play for the attack with} 14.h5 ) 14...Qa6 15.Rxc5 ) 14.Rxc5 ) ( 12...Rab8 13.Rb5 {also drops a pawn.} ) 13.h5 cxd4 14.cxd4 Rad8 {A tricky move.} ( {Against the tactical} 14...Nxd4 {White has two ways of achieving an advantage} 15.Bxf7+ ( 15.Bxd4 Qxc4 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Rxb7 ) 15...Rxf7 16.Nxd4 ) 15.h6 $1 {Carlsen plays for domination and shuts the black bishop down...} 15...Bh8 16.Qc1 $1 {... which is answered in a tricky way. The threat is Be3-f4.} ( {The immediate} 16.Qd2 {is not working due to} 16...Nxd4 $1 17.Bxf7+ Rxf7 18.Nxd4 Bc6 {when Black is doing just fine because of the pin.} ) 16...Rc8 {The rook moves away from the half-open file...} 17.Qd2 {... which enables this optimal queen move.} 17...Na5 {Artemiev is looking for the usual Gruenfeld play on the queenside.} ( 17...Nxd4 18.Bxf7+ Rxf7 19.Nxd4 {is advantageous for White.} ) 18.Bd3 b6 19.Rbc1 ( {Also good is the preliminary} 19.Ba6 {to take the c-file under control, when the complications after} 19...Nc4 20.Qc1 {work for White, and he wins at least an exchange.} ) 19...Qb7 20.Bg5 {Pressurizing Black all everywhere.} 20...Rfe8 ( {Perhaps Artemiev should have tried} 20...Rxc1 21.Rxc1 Rc8 22.Rxc8+ Bxc8 {although in the endgame the excluded bishop starts to feel more miserable than ever, and White has a pleasant choice between} 23.Qc3 ( {and} 23.Qb4 {in both cases with an advantage.} ) ) 21.Rxc8 Qxc8 22.Rc1 Qb7 23.d5 {This frees the bishop but blocks the knight's way out and further limits the black pieces.} ( 23.f3 {is a reasonable choice.} ) 23...Be5 24.Bf4 Qb8 ( {Artemiev cannot fight for the open file with} 24...Bxf4 25.Qxf4 Rc8 26.Qe5 {as his king will be in trouble.} ) 25.Bxe5 Qxe5 26.f4 Qh5 {Black hopes that his active queen will provide him drawing chances, but they are a very long shot.} ( {Better is the gloomy defense after} 26...Qd6 {because} 27.Qc3 ( 27.Ba6 $1 {is even stronger by not allowing the trade of major pieces.} ) 27...f6 28.Qc7 {can be met with} 28...Rc8 29.Qxd6 Rxc1+ 30.Nxc1 exd6 {Even here Black's defense is difficult after} 31.Ba6 $1 ) 27.Rc7 {The rook enters the seventh rank, and the harvest starts.} 27...Bg4 28.Bb5 Rf8 29.Rxe7 Qxh6 30.d6 {Carlsen has a plan and follows it without any hesitation.} ( {The materialistic} 30.Rxa7 {is winning too.} ) 30...Qh4 31.Nd4 Rd8 ( {Or consolidation after} 31...Qg3 32.e5 ) 32.e5 Qg3 33.Qf2 ( {Black's position is already so horrible that he cannot adequately defend his pawn after the simple} 33.Be8 $1 Be6 34.Nxe6 fxe6 35.Bf7+ ) 33...Qc3 ( {Because the endgame is absolutely hopeless:} 33...Qxf2+ 34.Kxf2 Kf8 35.Rxa7 ) 34.f5 gxf5 ( {Nothing changes} 34...Qc1+ 35.Bf1 gxf5 36.e6 $1 ) 35.Nxf5 {The world champion plays the simplest continuations, saving time and energy.} ( {Although} 35.Qf4 $1 Qe1+ 36.Bf1 {is a quick mate.} ) 35...Bxf5 ( {Artemiev should have tried to cement his position with} 35...Qc1+ 36.Kh2 ( {Not so convincing is} 36.Bf1 Bxf5 37.Qxf5 Qe3+ ) 36...Qg5 ) 36.Qxf5 Qd4+ ( {Or the same old lost endgame after:} 36...Qe3+ 37.Kh2 Qh6+ 38.Kg3 Qg7+ 39.Qg4 ) 37.Qf2 Qd5 38.d7 Qd1+ 39.Bf1 {It is either mate or pawn promotion.} 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Blitz Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.12.30"]
[Round "19.1"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[ECO "C79"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[Beauty "6047850826791"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.O-O Bd7 6.c3 g6 7.d4 Bg7 8.h3 Nf6 9.Bc2 O-O 10.Re1 Re8 11.Nbd2 Qe7 12.Nf1 Qf8 13.Ng3 Bh6 $146 {A novelty. It makes sense to trade the dark-squared bishop which is often a problematic piece in these structures. Especially if White closes the center with d4-d5.} ( {Carlsen's opponent for the world championship chose instead} 13...a5 14.Ba4 Rad8 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bd2 b6 17.Rc1 Nh7 18.Qb3 Re7 {Patel,A (2478)-Caruana,F (2811) chess. com INT 2018} ) 14.Ng5 {Firouzja prevents the idea of the world champion. The position is very rich in content. A lot of moves make sense.} ( {Like the improvement of the bishop:} 14.Bd3 $5 ) ( {Or the gain of space on the queenside:} 14.b4 $5 ) 14...Nd8 $1 {A nice maneuver.} 15.Bb3 Ne6 16.h4 Rad8 17.Be3 Bg7 18.h5 Bh6 {Carlsen is never shy to make the maximum out of any situation. Even if this means to seemingly lose a tempo.} 19.Qc1 Ng4 20.Nxe6 $6 {Firouzja blinks first.} ( {Better was} 20.Bd2 {as Black cannot win the central pawn:} 20...exd4 21.hxg6 hxg6 22.cxd4 Bxg5 23.Bxg5 {with a slight edge for the first player.} ) 20...fxe6 21.Rf1 Nxe3 {Not a bad move.} ( {But there was a better one!} 21...Bxe3 $1 22.fxe3 Qh6 23.Re1 ( 23.Rf3 gxh5 $1 {followed by Kg8-h8 and attack along the g-file.} ) 23...Qg5 {would have fixed Black's advantage.} ) 22.fxe3 Qe7 23.hxg6 hxg6 {The bishop pair and the possibility of play along the dark squares determines the advantage of the world champion.} 24.Qd2 exd4 25.cxd4 Kg7 ( 25...Qg5 $1 {hitting where it hurts (on dark squares) would have been better.} ) 26.Rf3 Rf8 27.Raf1 Rxf3 28.Rxf3 Rf8 29.Qc3 $1 {White starts to demonstrate activity.} 29...c6 ( 29...e5 $1 {would be more accurate.} ) 30.Nf1 e5 31.Rxf8 Kxf8 32.Qc4 {Suddenly Firouzja has serious threats. Carlsen does not react in the best possible way:} 32...Qf6 ( {He should have opted instead for} 32...Qg7 33.Qb4 Qe7 34.Qxb7 exd4 35.exd4 Bg7 {with enough compensation for the pawn.} ) 33.dxe5 dxe5 34.Qb4+ c5 35.Qxb7 {Now White keeps all his advantages: both material and initiative. Notice how wonderful his knight is; it does not let any black pieces around his Majesty.} 35...Bb5 36.Qc8+ Ke7 37.Qxc5+ Qd6 38.Qxd6+ ( {Since Black's king was more vulnerable than his counterpart} 38.Qc3 $1 {would have been the clear way to the win.} ) 38...Kxd6 39.Bf7 Bxf1 $1 {Now the world champion enters an endgame, rich in drawing opportunities despite the extra white pawns.} 40.Kxf1 g5 41.Ke2 Bf8 42.Kf3 Ke7 43.Bc4 a5 44.Ke2 {White needs his king for the win.} 44...Kd6 45.Bd5 Be7 ( {Easier was to stay still:} 45...Kd7 {in order to meet the opponent's king's invasion with his own king:} 46.Kf3 Ke7 47.Kg4 Kf6 ) 46.Kf3 Bd8 47.Kg4 Be7 48.Kf5 Bd8 49.g4 Be7 50.a3 {Now Firouzja obviously makes progress.} 50...Bd8 51.b4 axb4 52.axb4 Be7 53.b5 Bd8 54.Kg6 ( {It is too early for a breakthrough:} 54.b6 Bxb6 55.Kxg5 Ke7 $1 56.Kf5 Bxe3 57.Kxe5 Bd2 {with a draw as the white pawns are too close to each other.} ) 54...Kc5 55.Kf5 Kxb5 $1 {Correct.} ( {As} 55...Kd6 56.Ba8 Be7 57.b6 $1 {would have put Black into zugzwang.} ) 56.Kxe5 Kc5 57.Ke6 Ba5 58.e5 Bd2 {So far Carlsen was defending close to perfectly, but here he mixes up his priorities.} ( {He should have "hitted" the most dangerous white pawn with} 58...Bc3 $1 {thus freezing it.} ) 59.e4 ( {Firouzja misses a win!} 59.Kf7 $3 {would have destroyed the opposite-colored bishop "spell" after} 59...Kxd5 60.e6 Bb4 61.e7 Bxe7 62.Kxe7 Ke4 63.Kf6 ) 59...Bc3 $1 {Carlsen is back on the right (drawish) track.} 60.Kf5 Kb6 {But he loses track again. It should be mentioned that with limited time, both players were basically playing on their instincts, rather than logical, thorough thinking. The move in the game tries to bring the king closer, but in fact loses a tempo.} ( {Just as before, waiting was the good strategy. Both} 60...Bb2 $1 ) ( {and} 60...Ba1 $1 {would have been enough to save the game.} ) 61.e6 {Missing a second winning chance!} ( {The pawns were unstoppable after} 61.Kxg5 $1 Bxe5 62.Kf5 Bb2 ( 62...Bh8 63.Kg6 ) 63.e5 Kc7 64.g5 ) 61...Kc7 62.Kg6 Kd8 63.Kxg5 Ke7 {The king made in front of the pawns. Is this still a draw? The pawns are close to each other, but there are three of them...} 64.Kh5 Bd2 65.g5 Bf4 {Trying to keep everything intact, loses!} ( {The would champion should have objectively held with} 65...Bc3 $1 66.Kg6 Bd2 $1 ) 66.Kg4 {And in this very complex position the unthinkable happened. Right after moving his king to g4, Firouzja tipped over his king and after first putting it back, Firouzja was just too late to hit the clock and he ran out of time, while Carlsen moved his bishop to d2. His position was declared a loss as theoretically speaking a mate is possible to happen with opposite-colored bishops on the board! What a dramatical finish of a spectacular game!} ( {The incredible Iranian would have won with} 66.g6 $1 Be5 ( {Or} 66...Kf8 67.e7+ $1 Kxe7 68.g7 {and queens.} ) 67.Kh6 {and the pawns are unstoppable as the timely pawn advances g6-g7 and e6-e7 would win the black bishop and there will be a free e-pawn left.} ) 66...Bd2 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Rapid Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.12.26"]
[Round "3.13"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Korobov, Anton"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2614"]
[BlackElo "2818"]
[ECO "B94"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7563034790409"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 Nbd7 7.Bc4 Qa5 8.Qd2 h6 ( {Korobov has some negative experience with the line} 8...e6 9.Bb3 Be7 10.O-O-O h6 11.Be3 Nc5 12.Kb1 Bd7 13.f3 Qc7 14.g4 b5 15.a3 Qb7 16.h4 a5 17.g5 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2732)-Korobov,A (2711) Khanty-Mansiysk 2017} ) 9.Bxf6 {Firouzja is ready to part with his important bishop in return for some extra time for piece mobilization.} 9...Nxf6 10.O-O-O e6 11.Bb3 Be7 12.Kb1 Bd7 13.f4 Rc8 14.Rhe1 Rc5 {So far both players were playing very fast. Now Firouzja uncorks a novelty.} 15.Qe2 $146 {A novelty. White is quickly preparing the e4-e5 central break.} ( {An earlier game saw:} 15.Nf3 Bc6 16.Nd4 O-O 17.f5 e5 18.Nxc6 bxc6 19.g4 Rb8 20.Re3 Rb4 21.Qe2 Ne8 {Ris,R (2417)-Shevtsov,N (2311) Kharkov 2008} ) 15...O-O {The first lengthy thought by Korobov led to king evacuation from the center.} ( {The standard exchange sacrifice} 15...Rxc3 16.bxc3 Qxc3 {does not work well for Black due to the following sequence:} ( 16...O-O 17.e5 {is also very risky for Black.} ) 17.e5 dxe5 18.Qxe5 O-O 19.Nxe6 $1 Qxe5 20.fxe5 Bxe6 21.exf6 Bxf6 22.Bxe6 fxe6 23.Rxe6 {and White is winning the endgame.} ) ( {However} 15...Qc7 $5 {might have been a better try, not castling into it for the time being.} ) 16.e5 dxe5 17.fxe5 Nh7 18.Nf5 $1 {The major point behind the pawn break.} 18...Qd8 19.Qd3 Rc7 20.Re4 {White is shifting the rook on the fourth rank for either tripling of the major pieces on the d-file, or for a kingside attack.} ( {However, objectively better was to fix the advantage with the natural} 20.Nd6 $1 Bc6 21.Nce4 Bxe4 ( 21...Rd7 22.Nc5 ) 22.Rxe4 ) 20...Bc5 $1 {This takes away the d4 square from the rook and opens the road for the queen on the kingside.} ( {White is clearly better after} 20...exf5 21.Rd4 Qb8 22.Rxd7 Rxd7 23.Qxd7 Qxe5 24.Qxb7 Bf6 25.g3 ) 21.Ng3 ( {Now} 21.Nd6 Bc6 {is not that effective.} ) 21...Qg5 22.h4 Qe7 {An unfortunate retreat.} ( {The queen was safe and well positioned. It should not have left the flank:} 22...Qg6 {Then another idea was to exploit the missing queen with} 23.Rc4 {But:} ( 23.h5 Qg5 $1 ) 23...Qxd3 24.Rxd3 Be8 $1 {would have been in time for Black and the pin would not work.} ( {Not} 24...b5 25.Rxd7 ) ) 23.Rg4 {Now the rook does a tremendously good job. Black is soon forced to weaken himself.} 23...Kh8 24.Nh5 g6 ( {Otherwise Black would be paralized:} 24...Rg8 25.Qg3 Qf8 26.Rf1 {then Nc3-e4-d6(f6) and eventually c2-c3, followed by Bb3-c2 would lead to decisive reinforcement of White's attack.} ) 25.Nf4 Rg8 ( {Better was} 25...Be8 $1 26.Ne4 Rd7 27.Nd6 {although White is clearly better here too.} ) 26.Ne4 h5 {It seems as Korobv is taking over the initiative, but Firouzja has it all covered.} 27.Nxh5 $3 {Brilliant stuff!} 27...gxh5 28.Rxg8+ Kxg8 29.Qg3+ Kh8 30.Nf6 $1 {The powerful white pieces demonstrate perfect coordination.} 30...Qf8 {Korobov decides to give the piece back at once.} ( {One point behind the sacrifice is that the black rook is hanging in the line} 30...Nxf6 31.exf6 Qf8 32.Qxc7 ) ( {The other defense of the back rank loses after} 30...Qd8 31.Qf3 Nxf6 32.exf6 Qg8 33.Qxh5+ Qh7 34.Qe5 Bb6 35.Qd6 Ba5 36.Qe7 ) 31.Nxd7 Qg7 ( {Perhaps Black should have tried to defend the endgame after} 31...Qd8 32.Qd3 Be7 33.c3 Nf8 34.Nxf8 Qxd3+ 35.Rxd3 Bxf8 ) 32.Qf3 Qg4 33.Qf1 $1 {Cleverly avoiding the queen swap as the black king is so weak.} 33...Bf2 ( {Or} 33...Qxh4 34.Nxc5 Rxc5 35.Qxf7 {and White wins.} ) 34.c3 $1 {This not only defends the rook on d1 (thus releasing the queen) but also brings the bishop into the play. The impressive thing about the game was how well Firouzja's pieces were coordinated all the time.} 34...Qxh4 35.Bc2 Ng5 36.Nf6 Rc8 37.Qe2 Bc5 38.Nxh5 {Simple and good.} ( {There was an alternative solution:} 38.g3 Qh3 39.Qd2 Qxg3 40.Nxh5 Qxe5 41.Qd8+ $1 ) 38...Be7 39.g3 Qh3 40.Nf4 Qh6 ( {Otherwise Black is getting mated after} 40...Qxg3 41.Qh5+ Kg8 ( 41...Kg7 42.Rh1 ) 42.Rh1 ) 41.Qg2 Qg7 42.Qxb7 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Rapid Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.12.27"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2873"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[ECO "B11"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7908108536329"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 {Vachier-Lagravve's favorite anti-Caro-Kann line. It seems as the leading French player attracted a lot of his countrymen to follow him.} 3...Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 {The most solid set up. The light-squared bishop was traded and Mamedyarov posts his pawns on the same color.} 6.Be2 Bc5 7.O-O Nf6 8.Rd1 Bd4 9.Qf4 {A rich pawn sacrifice.} 9...Bxc3 ( {Another top French player got the advantage after} 9...Nbd7 10.exd5 e5 11.Qf3 Rc8 12.dxc6 Rxc6 13.Bb5 Rb6 14.Qe2 a6 15.Bc4 O-O 16.d3 Nc5 17.Ne4 Ncxe4 18.dxe4 Nxe4 19.Be3 {Bacrot,E (2669)-Dreev,A (2671) Zagreb 2019. Coincidentally, in this game Bacrot was facing the coach of the Azerbaijani national team.} ) 10.bxc3 Nxe4 11.Ba3 Nd7 12.Rab1 $146 {A logical move and a novelty.} ( {An earlier game was also one by a French player, this time a lady. After} 12.Bf3 Qa5 13.Bb4 Qb6 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Qxe4 c5 16.Ba3 Qa6 17.Bb2 Nf6 18.Qe5 {White regained the pawn but did not get any advantage, Benmesbah,N (2265) -Girya,O (2476) Monaco 2019} ) 12...Qa5 {Mamedyarov is trying to disrupt the cooperation of the white pieces.} ( {More natural seems} 12...b5 {to which White would have most likely brick-walled the pawns with} 13.c4 $1 bxc4 14.Rb7 ( {But not} 14.Bxc4 Qf6 15.Qe3 Qxf2+ 16.Qxf2 Nxf2 17.Kxf2 dxc4 {when Black is OK in the endgame.} ) 14...Qf6 15.Qe3 {with mounting pressure against the black king.} ) 13.Bb4 Qd8 {Now that the bishop is standing on the road of the rook the queen can retreat.} ( {However, a better idea seemed} 13...Qa4 {when} 14.Qc7 {is met with} 14...c5 {with complications.} ) 14.c4 c5 15.cxd5 $1 {An important intermediate move. Black's king is in danger.} ( {Instead Black can defend in the endgame after} 15.Bc3 Nxc3 16.dxc3 Qb8 17.Qxb8+ Rxb8 18.cxd5 ) 15...exd5 16.Bc3 O-O {A no-brainer. Mamedyarov gives back the pawn, but safeguards the king.} ( {The alternative endgame} 16...Nxc3 17.dxc3 Nf6 18.Qe5+ Qe7 19.Qxe7+ Kxe7 20.Rxb7+ Ke6 21.c4 {is not as convincing as the one from above as White's initiative persists due to the insecure position of the black king.} ) 17.Rxb7 Nxc3 ( {Black cannot trap the rook with} 17...Nb6 18.Be5 f6 19.Qg4 Rf7 20.Rxf7 Kxf7 21.Bh2 {Moreover, White can keep the bishop pair.} ) 18.dxc3 Nf6 19.Bf3 {A natural development. The bishop is much superior to the knight and the white major pieces are super-active which compensates for Vachier-Lagrave's worse pawn structure. The d5 pawn is an obvious target and the pressure forces Mamedyarov to part with a it sooner or later.} ( {Also good was} 19.c4 d4 20.Bd3 {Next, the White can expand on the kingside and he is better thanks to his more active pieces.} ) 19...Qa5 20.c4 Qa4 ( {After} 20...Qxa2 21.cxd5 Qxc2 22.d6 a5 23.Rc1 {White can combine the advance of the central passer with kingside attack.} ) 21.Rc7 ( {White could have taken the pawn with} 21.Bxd5 Qxa2 {However, the attempt to force a win with} 22.Rxf7 $2 {Fails to} 22...Nxd5 $1 ) 21...Rab8 22.Rxc5 $1 {Correct.} ( {Black gets counterplay after} 22.Bxd5 Qxa2 23.Qd2 a5 24.Rxc5 a4 ) 22...Rb4 ( {Here} 22...Qxc2 23.Rc1 Qxa2 24.cxd5 {leads to a similar unpleasant situation to Black is from above.} ) 23.c3 $1 {Once again Vachier-Lagrave plays for the maximum.} ( {The rook endgames provide the defender extra saving possibilities:} 23.Bxd5 Qxc2 24.Qd2 Qxd2 25.Rxd2 Nxd5 26.cxd5 Rd8 ) 23...Rb2 {Going wrong.} ( {Mamedyarov should have tried the line} 23...Rxc4 24.Rxc4 dxc4 25.Rd2 {It is not pleasant to defend, but if he manages to get rid of the queenside pawns there would be a draw.} ) 24.Qd4 dxc4 ( 24...Qxa2 25.cxd5 {would leave Black no chances.} ) 25.Rxc4 Qc2 ( {The last try was} 25...Qxa2 26.Ra4 Qb3 27.Rxa7 Rb1 {although Black should be lost here too.} ) 26.a4 a5 27.Rc5 {White consolidated and now wins a second pawn. The rest was easy.} 27...h6 28.Rxa5 Re8 29.Ra8 Rxa8 30.Bxa8 Ra2 31.Bc6 g6 32.Re1 Kg7 33.c4 Ra3 34.Bb5 Rd3 35.Qe5 Rd2 36.Rf1 Re2 37.Qa1 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Rapid Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.12.28"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2886"]
[ECO "D33"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[Beauty "6462738795576"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.g3 Nc6 7.Bg2 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.O-O O-O 11.Qc2 Bb6 12.Na4 Bd7 13.b3 Re8 14.Bb2 {A typical position with a pair of isolated pawns has been put on the board and Carlsen plays novelty \E0 la Razuvaev.} 14...h5 $146 {The prominent Russian GM used this idea with reversed colors to win a masterpiece against the Hungarian GM Farago. Back then it was a totally new concept.} ( {Before this, only} 14...Ne4 {has been tested in the following game:} 15.Rad1 Rc8 16.Nxb6 Qxb6 17.Qd3 f6 18.e3 Bf5 19.Qd4 {Heimann,A (2635)-Alexakis,D (2470) Chania 2019} ) 15.h4 Ne4 16.e3 Rc8 17.Nxb6 {Aronian improves the opponent's pawn structure but gets the bishop pair in return.} 17...axb6 18.Qd1 {It seems as the h5 thrust backfired.} 18...Bf5 {Carlsen decides to sacrifice the pawn.} ( {Indeed, the natural} 18...g6 19.Qd4 f6 20.Bxe4 {does not save the pawn.} ) ( {More interesting seems the piece sacrifice} 18...Bg4 $5 19.f3 Nxg3 20.fxg4 Qxh4 {Best.} ( {Weaker is} 20...Nxf1 {due to the intermediate} 21.Qd4 $1 ) ( 20...Rxe3 {is not optimal because of} 21.Re1 ) 21.Rf2 Rxe3 {However, at the end of the line White has} 22.Bxg7 $1 {with better chances.} ) 19.Qxh5 Qd7 20.Qd1 c5 {Surprisingly enough, Black's compensation exists. He has a strong center and freedom in maneuvering. The extra pawn is not very important yet.} 21.Re1 ( 21.Kh2 {to prevent a bishop trade is met with the rook lift} 21...Rc6 ) 21...Rcd8 ( {The rook lift was also interesting here.} 21...Rc6 $5 ) 22.Rc1 Bh3 23.Qf3 ( {Aronian could have also kept the bishop pair with} 23.Bh1 $5 {although then too it would not be obvious how to bring his pieces out.} ) 23...f6 $1 {Blunting the other bishop.} 24.Bxh3 Qxh3 25.Rcd1 ( 25.Red1 {seemed more natural.} ) 25...b5 {Carlsen's play is instructive as usual. Every move that he makes improves a bit something in his camp.} 26.Qg2 Qe6 27.f3 {Aronian decides that the time for concrete actions came. However, in the process he is also weakening his king.} 27...Nd6 28.g4 d4 $1 {The central break does not require explanation.} 29.Qd2 Qd5 30.exd4 c4 $1 {Play for blockade. The content this game reminds me of another encounter between the two opponents: the one at the London Chess Classic in 2017. Back then Carlsen sacrificed two pawns as well, but the major difference was the lack of queens in the game in England's capital. With the queens on, the Norwegian has all the reasons to play for a win.} ( {Instead} 30...Qxf3 31.Qg2 Rxe1+ 32.Rxe1 Qf4 33.dxc5 {would be comfortable for White.} ) 31.Ba3 {Aronian must have missed something.} ( {Better was to give back one of the pawns with} 31.Kf2 cxb3 32.axb3 Qxb3 33.Qc3 Qd5 {although Black clearly has rich compensation for the pawn here too.} ) 31...Qxf3 32.Qg2 Rxe1+ 33.Rxe1 Qc3 $1 {A tempo move which provides the necessary time for the world champion to fulfil his plans on the queenside.} 34.Rd1 b4 35.Bb2 Qe3+ 36.Qf2 ( {The computer prefers to defend with} 36.Kh2 cxb3 37.Bc1 Qe6 38.axb3 Qxb3 39.Re1 ) 36...Qh3 37.Qg2 Qe3+ ( {There was nothing wrong with the obvious} 37...Qxh4 $1 ) 38.Qf2 Qe4 39.Qg2 c3 40.Bc1 ( {White's position is hardly safe-able either after} 40.Qxe4 Nxe4 41.Bc1 c2 42.Rd3 Ra8 ) 40...c2 41.Rf1 Qxd4+ {Pawns are now equal but Black is completely winning thanks to his safe king, active pieces and strong passer.} 42.Kh2 Qe5+ 43.Kg1 Qc5+ 44.Kh2 Nf7 45.g5 Qe5+ 46.Kh1 Rd1 ( {The easiest win was} 46...Rd4 $1 47.Qxc2 Rxh4+ 48.Kg1 Nxg5 {with a decisive attack.} ) 47.g6 $1 {The only chance for White is connected with threats against the enemy king.} 47...Nd8 ( {Here better was to block the checks with} 47...Nd6 48.Qa8+ Ne8 49.Qf3 Qd4 ) 48.Qf3 Rxf1+ ( 48...Qd4 $1 {would have kept things under control.} ) 49.Qxf1 Qe4+ 50.Qg2 Qxh4+ {Now Black won a pawn but it is way more difficult for him to safeguard the king.} 51.Kg1 Qd4+ 52.Kh2 Qd1 53.Qe4 $1 {Powerful centralization. Aronian almost made it.} 53...Kf8 ( {There are no winning chances in the line} 53...Qd6+ 54.Kg2 Qc6 55.Kf3 Kf8 56.Qxc6 Nxc6 57.Ke3 {The strong bishop often compensates an extra pawn in the battle of the light pieces.} ) 54.Qxb4+ Ke8 55.Qb5+ Ke7 {Never mind the bollocks, the king will go and checkmate his counterpart!} 56.Qc5+ ( {Had this been a classical game Aronian no doubt would have found} 56.Ba3+ $1 Ke6 57.Kg3 c1=Q 58.Bxc1 Qxc1 59.Qe8+ Kf5 60.Qxd8 Kxg6 {with a draw.} ) 56...Ke6 57.Qc8+ Ke5 58.Bb2+ ( {According to the machine} 58.Qb8+ Kf5 59.Qb5+ Kxg6 60.Qe8+ {saves White. Not that clear to the human...} ) 58...Ke4 59.Qb7+ {Many people still discuss this move. Yes, super-GMs also blunder. Especially after sixty moves of unbearable pressure and lack of time for thinking.} ( {White could have still saved himself with} 59.a4 Kf4 60.Qc4+ Kf3 61.Qc3+ Kf2 62.Qg3+ Ke2 63.Qg2+ ) 59...Nxb7 {This was clearly the year of the world champion. The one in which he demonstrated his ability to constantly create more and more problems to his opponents until they finally crack.} 0-1

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.12.03"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "B14"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[Beauty "6597203984391"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bd3 cxd4 7.exd4 d5 8.cxd5 {Now Aronian slightly surprised his opponent with a pawn capture:} 8...exd5 {For complete happiness White needs to play both h2-h3 and 0-0. But with the arbiter around he has can chose only one of the two...} ( {A more common reply is} 8...Nxd5 {in order to isolate a pawn or two in the enemy camp, for example} 9.O-O Nc6 10.Bc2 Be7 11.Qd3 g6 12.a3 Nxc3 13.bxc3 b6 {as in So,W (2773)-Nakamura,H (2787) Saint Louis 2016} ) 9.O-O ( {Another try to play for the advantage is related to the idea} 9.Ne5 Nc6 10.O-O Re8 11.Bf4 h6 12.Bb5 Bd7 13.Bxc6 Bxc6 14.Nxc6 bxc6 {with equality in Prusikin,M (2516)-Bogner,S (2589) Switzerland 2018} ) ( {Black was doing more than fine after} 9.h3 Re8+ 10.Be3 Ne4 11.O-O Nc6 12.Qc2 Bf5 13.a3 Bxc3 14.bxc3 Rc8 15.Nd2 Na5 {in Duschek,V (2272)-Cvitan,O (2496) Baden 2016} ) 9...Bg4 {Here Ding thought that his position is slightly better, but then he disliked the "unnatural" way that he played.} 10.h3 ( {The immediate} 10.Bg5 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Nbd7 12.h3 Bh5 {could have transposed to a line below. One grandmaster game went} 13.c4 dxc4 14.Bxc4 Rc8 15.Rc1 h6 16.Bd2 Nb6 17.Bb3 Bxf3 18.Qxf3 Qxd4 19.Be3 {with compensation for the pawn in Kovacevic,A (2564)-Ruck,R (2575) Bol 2013} ) 10...Bh5 11.g4 $6 {White wants too much from the position! He not only weakens his kingside but also forces the trade of the opponent's weaker bishop.} ( {He should have abandoned the ambitions for the advantage and chosen the sensible} 11.Bg5 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Nbd7 {which is "a normal position (for Black)." (Ding)} ) 11...Bg6 12.Ne2 $146 ( {An earlier game saw Black doing more than fine after} 12.Bg5 Bxc3 13.bxc3 Nbd7 14.Ne5 Qc7 15.Nxg6 hxg6 16.Qb3 Nb6 17.Rab1 Rfe8 18.a4 Ne4 19.Bxe4 dxe4 20.a5 Nc4 21.Qxb7 Qxa5 22.Qb5 Qxc3 {Ahmed,E (2395)-Labib,I (2439) Cairo 2003} ) 12...Nc6 13.Bg5 Re8 14.Bxg6 ( {The Chinese GM revealed that he missed the idea} 14.Nf4 Be4 $1 15.Nh5 Be7 {when the bishop is "very good placed on e4. Here I realized I was worse." (Ding)} ) 14...hxg6 15.Rc1 Qd7 {Aronian is clearly better. He can use the central light-squared outposts to plant pieces close to the opponent's king as there is no light-squared bishop to cover them. Or Black may also chose to put pressure on the isolated white pawn as his bishop can hit it.} 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Qd3 Re4 18.Ng3 Re7 {A surprising retreat for the first player. And a relief.} ( {Ding speculated that Aronian missed the line} 18...Rae8 19.Nxe4 dxe4 20.Qc4 $1 {when he cannot capture the knight:} 20...exf3 {Due to} ( {However, the Chinese GM also mentioned a much better continuation for his opponent that he feared during the game:} 20...Bd6 $1 {with the idea} 21.d5 Na5 ( 21...Nb4 $5 {might be strong as well.} ) 22.Qc3 exf3 23.Qxa5 Re4 {The threat of a rook capture on g4 cannot be stopped. Luckily, White can prepare for it with} 24.Kh1 Rxg4 25.Qc3 {although the endgame is better for Aronian too:} 25...Rh4 26.Qc8+ Qxc8 27.Rxc8+ Kg7 28.Rd1 Rxh3+ {It is clear that Black is calling the shots.} ) 21.d5 ) 19.a3 Bd6 ( {Better seemed} 19...Ba5 {going for the plan with the isolated pawn pressure mentioned before. Then} 20.b4 Bb6 21.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 22.Rxe1 Nd8 $1 {leaves Black clearly on top. All his pieces are much better positioned than the enemy ones. A knight on e6 will be ready to attack both the kingside and the isolani and both the c- and h-files could well be tempting for the black rook.} ) 20.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 {"After the trade of the rooks my position is still worse, but not as much." (Ding)} 21...Kg7 ( {The immediate} 21...Nd8 $1 22.Ne2 Ne6 {followed by Kg8-g7 would have transposed to the game.} ) 22.Kg2 Nd8 23.Ne2 Ne6 24.Nd2 Rh8 ( {Against} 24...Rc8 {White most likely planned} 25.Nb1 {Then} 25...Rc4 26.Nbc3 Rxd4 $2 {can be met with} 27.Qb5 $1 {and suddenly White wins material.} ) ( 24...Re8 $5 ) 25.Rh1 Rh4 {Aronian decided to force a draw. Had he had been in better physical shape this decision would have never occurred to him.} ( {Here} 25...Rc8 $1 {Was strong to occupy the open file. There are a couple of tricks that support the positional idea} 26.Rc1 $4 {loses on the spot:} ( {Whereas the idea from before} 26.Nb1 Rc4 27.Nbc3 {is no longer viable:} 27...Rxd4 $1 28.Qb5 Qxb5 29.Nxb5 Rd2 {just leaves Black up a healthy pawn.} ) 26...Rxc1 27.Nxc1 Nf4+ ) 26.Nf3 Rh8 27.Nd2 Rh4 28.Nf3 Rh8 {"Of course he is better. He has many ways to play (on). But he said he did not feel good." (Ding)} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7976828027924"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 O-O 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Be2 dxc4 8.O-O a6 ( 8...c5 9.dxc5 Nxc5 10.Bxc4 Qxd1 11.Rfxd1 b6 12.Bd6 Bxd6 13.Rxd6 Bb7 14.Rad1 Bxf3 15.gxf3 Rfc8 16.Be2 {was Ding,L (2811)-Firouzja,A (2702) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 9.a4 Nd5 10.Bxc4 Nxf4 11.exf4 c5 12.dxc5 Bxc5 $146 {A novelty, played after three minutes of thought.} ( {An earlier game went} 12...Nxc5 13.Ne5 Nd7 14.Qe2 Nxe5 15.fxe5 Bd7 16.Bd3 Bc6 17.Rfd1 Qc7 18.Be4 Rfd8 19.Bxc6 {1/2-1/2 (19) Fedorovsky,M (2478) -Feldmann,J (2208) Munich 2017} ) 13.Qe2 {Ding also took time to play this obvious move. The rooks are connected and ready to occupy both open files, The queen is eyeing the pawn on e6.} 13...b6 14.Rad1 {After all the Chinese GM decided that the rooks will work better on the central files.} 14...Qe7 15.Rfe1 {The threat is f4-f5.} 15...g6 {This obvious move provides White an extraordinary possibility.} ( {Aronian could have ignored the threat with} 15...Nf6 {since} 16.f5 Ng4 {gives Black counterplay on the dark squares. Then} 17.Ne4 Bb4 18.Nc3 Bc5 {is only a repetition whereas} 19.Nd4 Qh4 {promises Black too much activity against White's king.} ) 16.Nd5 {This seems like an empty blow as the queen can simply retreat.} 16...Qd8 {Now the white knight also needs to retreat, right?} ( {Not:} 16...exd5 17.Qxe7 Bxe7 18.Bxd5 Bb4 19.Re4 {which drops a pawn for Black.} ) 17.Ng5 $1 {Nope, Ding throws more fuel into the attacking engine.} 17...exd5 18.Bxd5 Ra7 {Surprisingly, this is not the best square for the rook. True, it defends the seventh rank and it is safe from some forks on the e5 square, but in some lines it does not defend the bishop on c8.} ( {After the best move} 18...Rb8 {the line that gave White an edge in the game} 19.b4 Bxb4 20.Bxf7+ Rxf7 21.Nxf7 Qf8 22.Nd6 {no longer leads to the same as} ( {True, White can force a draw in the line} 22.Ng5 Bxe1 23.Qe6+ Kh8 ( {Black cannot play} 23...Kg7 $4 24.Rxd7+ ) 24.Rxd7 Bxf2+ 25.Kh1 ( {Not} 25.Kxf2 $2 Qxf4+ ) ( {Or} 25.Kf1 {which leads to the same as in the main line.} ) 25...Bxd7 26.Qe5+ Qg7 ( 26...Kg8 27.Qd5+ {changes nothing.} ) 27.Qxb8+ Qg8 28.Qe5+ {with perpetual check.} ) 22...Bxe1 23.Qe6+ Kg7 24.Qxe1 Nf6 {defends Black in time.} ) 19.b4 $1 {The point behind the sacrifice. The bishop is forced to move away from the defense of the pawn.} 19...Bxb4 20.Bxf7+ Rxf7 21.Nxf7 Qf8 ( {As in the line} 21...Kxf7 22.Qc4+ Kg7 23.Qxb4 {the bishop hangs.} ) 22.Nd6 Bxd6 ( {Now we can see the difference in the positions of the rook on a7 and b6.} 22...Bxe1 23.Qc4+ Kg7 24.Nxc8 {This bishop is unprotected. Still, this was Black's best try as after} 24...Bxf2+ 25.Kxf2 Ne5 26.Qd4 Qxc8 27.Qxe5+ {The position is unpleasant for Black, but playable.} ) 23.Qe6+ Kg7 ( {White is clearly better in case of} 23...Qf7 24.Qxd6 Nf8 25.Qxb6 Rc7 26.Rd4 ) 24.Rxd6 {The end of the forcing play. Ding attacks for free, his major pieces are far more active than Aronian's ones.} 24...Rc7 25.g3 {The obvious is not always the most accurate. Although in this particular case it instantly led to a win.} ( {Better was either the aggressive} 25.h4 $1 ) ( {or the positional} 25.Rc6 $1 {White needs to trade the enemy active rook.} 25...Rxc6 26.Qxc6 Nf6 27.Qxb6 {in both cases with clear edge for White.} ) 25...Qf7 {Under pressure, with little time on the clock, Aronian blunders.} ( {He would have been still in the game after the precise} 25...Qf6 $1 26.Qd5 Qf7 ) ( {Or after} 25...b5 $1 {in order to get rid of all the queenside pawns and defend on just one side.} ) 26.Rc6 $1 {Not only is this move generally desirable. Here it wins on the spot as the black bishop is trapped!} 26...Rxc6 ( {Or} 26...Qxe6 27.Rexe6 Rxc6 28.Rxc6 Bb7 29.Rc7 {with the same result.} ) 27.Qxc6 Qf8 28.Rc1 Nc5 29.Qxb6 {Winning the pawn, the piece and the game.} 29...Ne6 30.Qc6 Nd4 31.Qc7+ $1 {Small, precise moves like this save dozens of moves when converting the advantage.} ( 31.Qxc8 Ne2+ {would have also won but would have prolonged the battle.} ) 31...Kh6 32.Qxc8 {Now the black queen is hanging and there is no time to pick up the exchange.} 32...Qe7 33.Rd1 Nf3+ 34.Kg2 Qe4 35.Kh3 Nd4 ( 35...Nd4 {While executing this move Aronian flagged:} 36.Qf8+ Kh5 37.g4# ) 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.12.06"]
[Round "11.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2870"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[Beauty "6049729876001"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 cxd4 6.exd4 Qb6 ( {Another way to play the position is} 6...Bf5 7.c3 e6 8.Be2 Bd6 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.O-O h6 11.Re1 O-O 12.a4 a5 13.Qb3 {Kamsky,G (2684)-Bartel,M (2636) Germany 2019} ) 7.Nb3 Bg4 8.a4 a6 $146 {A novelty, which prevents the white a-pawn from going too far.} ( {An earlier game led to lively play when White went for the attack:} 8...e6 9.a5 Bb4+ 10.c3 Bxa5 11.Ra3 Bxf3 12.gxf3 Qd8 13.Nxa5 Nxa5 14.Qa4+ Nc6 15.Rb3 Qd7 16.Qa3 Nh5 17.Bd6 Rd8 18.Bc5 Nf4 19.Bb5 a6 20.Bxc6 Qxc6 21.Rb6 Qc7 22.Kd2 {Van Foreest,J (2557)-Igonin,T (2470) Moscow 2016} ) 9.a5 Qa7 ( {More natural seems} 9...Qd8 {Then the line} 10.c3 e6 11.Be2 Nh5 12.Be3 Bd6 {is a better version of the game's continuation for Black.} ) 10.c3 e6 11.Be2 Nh5 12.Be3 Qb8 ( {Some problems of the queen's position on a7 are revealed in the line} 12...Bd6 13.Ne5 Bxe2 ( 13...Nxe5 14.dxe5 $4 {drops a piece for Black.} ) 14.Qxe2 Nf6 15.Bf4 {with advantage for the first player.} ) 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Nf6 15.Be2 Bd6 16.Bd3 O-O 17.O-O Qc7 18.Re1 {The opening phase is over, and a typical Carlsbad pawn structure arose. The plans are clear: White needs to attack on the kingside with his pieces, whereas Black ideally should react with a minority attack on the opposite wing. Carlsen, however, seems better prepared for the execution of his plan.} 18...Kh8 $5 {Aronian prepares against the nasty Be3-g5 maneuver.} ( {The other way to do it is related to the swap of the bishop with} 18...Bh2+ 19.Kh1 Bf4 ) 19.Qf3 Rae8 20.Bg5 Ng8 ( {After} 20...Nd7 {White would have weakened his opponent's position with} 21.Qh5 g6 ( {Not} 21...h6 $4 22.Bxh6 gxh6 23.Qxh6+ Kg8 24.Qh7# ) 22.Qh6 ) 21.Re2 $1 {One of those very useful moves that define the style of the world champion. As usual Carlsen sees into the future.} ( {Here the weakening maneuver would not work as effectively:} 21.Qh5 g6 22.Qf3 f6 ) 21...Nge7 22.Qh5 {Now he wants to weaken again.} 22...Ng6 {Rejected.} 23.Bc2 {Another useful move. The bishop steps away from the possible mishaps. Notice that the white rook is defending it.} ( {Like the one in the line} 23.g3 $2 Bxg3 24.fxg3 Qxg3+ ) 23...Kg8 ( {Beware, trap! The generally desirable trade of the bishops} 23...Bf4 {is no longer good for Black tactically:} 24.Bxf4 Qxf4 25.Nc5 Qc7 26.Nxe6 $1 {and White wins a pawn.} ) 24.Bd2 {One more preparatory move. The Norwegian GM clearly understands that Black's only chance for counterplay is related to the b7-b6 advance and prepares for it.} ( 24.g3 $5 {is already good, but Carlsen is not in a hurry.} ) 24...Nb4 ( {After:} 24...b6 25.axb6 Qxb6 {White develops his attack faster with} 26.h4 a5 27.Qg4 ) 25.Bb1 Nc6 26.Bd3 {The preparation against the b7-b6 advance continues.} 26...Rb8 ( {Or} 26...b6 27.axb6 Qxb6 28.Bc2 a5 29.Ra2 ) 27.Be3 Rfe8 ( {Most likely Aronian disliked} 27...b6 28.axb6 Rxb6 {due to} 29.Nc5 ) 28.g3 Nf8 {Aronian has all his pieces ready for the counterplay.} 29.Bc2 ( {Although} 29.Kg2 b6 30.axb6 Rxb6 31.Nc5 a5 {is possible as well.} ) 29...b6 30.axb6 Rxb6 {Finally, the queenside is opened.} 31.Bc1 Reb8 ( {More accurate seems} 31...Rb5 $5 {as the pawn is immune:} 32.Rxa6 $2 Qb7 ) 32.Nc5 e5 $1 {Aronian is looking for tactical chances as he clearly understands that in the long run his position will slowly get weaker and weaker.} ( {Not} 32...Bxc5 $2 33.dxc5 Rb5 34.b4 a5 35.Bf4 ) 33.Nxa6 {The principled capture. The knight is in danger, but Carlsen trusts its inner strength as well as the ability of the other pieces to help.} 33...Qa7 34.dxe5 ( 34.Nxb8 $2 Qxa1 ) 34...g6 {This was apparently planned by Aronian in advance.} ( {Tactics work well for White after} 34...Nxe5 35.Rxe5 Bxe5 36.Qxe5 Rxa6 ( 36...Ra8 37.Bd3 ) 37.Rxa6 Qxa6 38.Qxb8 ) ( {while} 34...Bxe5 35.Rxe5 {may transpose to the line from above.} ) 35.Qg4 {The queen hurries to rescue the knight.} 35...Nxe5 36.Qa4 Rc8 $1 {Best.} ( {The obvious} 36...Ra8 37.Nb4 Qxa4 38.Rxa4 Rxa4 39.Bxa4 Bxb4 40.Rxe5 {is lost for Black.} ) 37.Be3 d4 38.Bxd4 ( {In time-trouble (or not) one can hardly find the following sequence:} 38.Nc5 $1 Qe7 39.Bxd4 Nf3+ 40.Kf1 Nh2+ 41.Kg2 ( {Worse is} 41.Ke1 Nf3+ 42.Kd1 Qd8 ) 41...Qxe2 42.Ne4 Bc5 43.Nxc5 Nf3 44.Bd3 {The computer claims an edge for White, but it is anything but clear to me.} ) 38...Nf3+ ( {Even better is the preliminary} 38...Rc4 $1 39.b4 ( {Otherwise the queen can no longer recapture on d4:} 39.Qa2 Nf3+ 40.Kg2 Nxd4 41.cxd4 Rxd4 ) 39...Nf3+ 40.Kg2 Nxd4 41.cxd4 Rxd4 {Black would soon regain the pawn, and it should be a draw.} ) 39.Kg2 Nxd4 40.Qxd4 Ne6 41.Rxe6 $1 {A strong sacrifice.} ( {The alternative is} 41.Qe3 $1 {and Carlsen must have considered it as well. He probably did not like that in the lines} 41...Bc5 42.Nxc5 Qxa1 43.Nd7 Rxb2 44.Qh6 Nf8 45.Nf6+ Kh8 46.Ne8 Qa8+ 47.Be4 Rxe8 48.Bxa8 Rbxe2 49.Bf3 R2e5 {Black can eventually build a fortress.} ) ( {But not} 41.Qa4 $6 Rxb2 {and Black is safe.} ) 41...fxe6 42.Be4 {White's pieces are dominating. If he is given a chance to start pushing his queenside pawns, it will be all over for Aronian soon.} 42...Rf8 $1 {Again the best defense by the Armenian GM.} ( {The endgame after} 42...Rxa6 43.Qxa7 Rxa7 44.Rxa7 {is horrible for Black.} ) 43.Ra2 Rb7 {But this is not the most accurate way to do it.} ( {The other rook is needed first:} 43...Rf7 $1 {The threat is to capture the knight and if} 44.Nb4 ( 44.b4 $2 Rxa6 ) 44...Rxb4 45.Rxa7 Rxd4 46.Ra8+ Bf8 47.cxd4 Rd7 {should be holdable for Black.} ) 44.Qxa7 Rxa7 45.b4 Rb8 {Missing the last chance for a successful outcome.} ( {Strong is the incredibly difficult, study-like idea in the line} 45...Rc8 $1 46.b5 Rxc3 47.b6 Rf7 48.Rd2 ( 48.Rb2 Ra3 ) 48...Rc4 $1 49.Bf3 Rc3 $3 {The bishop should be removed from the long diagonal:} 50.Bg4 Rc6 51.Bxe6 Rxb6 {and Black should survive.} ) 46.c4 Rb6 47.b5 Kf7 48.Rc2 {Carlsen hurries to capitalize on his passers.} ( {White could also have brought the king up first with} 48.Ra4 Ke7 49.Kf3 ) 48...Rbxa6 49.bxa6 Rxa6 50.c5 {Finally, after the epic positional and tactical battle, the world champion won a pawn that he converts with ease.} 50...Be5 ( 50...Bc7 {might have been a better defensive setup, hoping for a fortress.} ) 51.c6 Ra7 52.h4 Kf6 53.Rd2 Bc3 54.Rd3 Bb4 55.Kh3 Be7 56.f3 e5 $6 {Aronian might have thought that he is already lost. He most likely is, but weakening moves like this only make White's task easier.} ( {Black should have waited with} 56...Bb4 57.Kg4 Be7 58.h5 {in the hope that White will never make it to the second weakness (on g6 or h7).} ) 57.Rc3 Bd6 58.Rc1 h6 59.Rd1 Be7 60.Kg4 Kf7 61.Rb1 Bd6 62.h5 gxh5+ 63.Kxh5 Kg7 64.Rd1 Bb4 65.Rd5 Re7 66.Bf5 {The threat is Bf5-d7, and Black has no adequate reply.} ( 66.Bf5 {Black resigned since in the line} 66...Rc7 67.Bd7 Bc3 68.Rd6 {he loses another pawn.} ) 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.12.07"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "A37"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7013547388986"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.c4 c5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e5 6.O-O Nge7 7.d3 d6 8.a3 a5 9.Rb1 O-O 10.b3 Rb8 11.Bb2 h6 12.Nd2 Be6 13.Nd5 b5 14.e3 Qd7 15.Re1 $146 {A novelty, which was the fruit of Ding's in-depth homework.} ( {An earlier blitz game saw} 15.Qc2 Bh3 16.Ne4 Nxd5 17.Bxh3 Qxh3 18.cxd5 Ne7 19.Nxd6 Nxd5 20.Qxc5 Nf6 21.Qxe5 Rfd8 22.Ne4 Ne8 23.Qf4 g5 24.Qf3 Bxb2 25.Rxb2 Rxd3 {Ibrahimov,R (2518)-Tregubov,P (2575) Riadh 2017} ) 15...Bg4 16.Qc2 Rfc8 {This plan was well-prepared by the Chinese GM, and he revealed he did not see any idea for Black. "Maybe this was a mistake as I can force the following position" (Ding).} 17.Ne4 Nxd5 18.cxd5 Ne7 19.Nd2 $1 {I am quoting the essence of Ding's words: "Since I have found this idea, I think I am much better. He does not have the rook on a8 and cannot play a5-a4, thus I can play a3-a4 myself and get the c4 square for my knight."} 19...Bh3 20.Bh1 $1 {The first real decision that White had to make.} ( {More reasonable seems to swap the light-squared bishops a la Petrosian with} 20.e4 Bxg2 21.Kxg2 {but the problem is that then the white kingside is being weakened and after} 21...f5 22.a4 f4 {"he has some counterplay on the kingside, his play [there] is very easy" (Ding).} ) 20...Nf5 21.a4 h5 {Vachier-Lagrave is searching for counterplay on the kingside, as on the opposite wing his house is burning down slowly and inexorably.} ( {For example} 21...bxa4 22.bxa4 Rb4 23.Bc3 ( {or even better} 23.Nc4 {when} 23...Qxa4 24.Qxa4 Rxa4 25.Nb6 {drops a whole rook for Black.} ) 23...Qxa4 24.Qxa4 Rxa4 25.Nc4 {without the queens Black is doomed to passive defense.} ) 22.axb5 Rxb5 23.Ra1 {Here also the a5 pawn is prone to fall.} 23...h4 {"He does not have any immediate threats on the kingside" (Ding).} 24.Bc3 Ra8 25.Ra4 Qd8 26.Bf3 Rab8 27.Rea1 {After some preparation White goes for it.} 27...Bh6 28.Re1 {Then suddenly backs off. "I did not want to give him [the option to] take on e3" (Ding).} ( {Indeed, the line} 28.Rxa5 Nxe3 29.fxe3 Bxe3+ 30.Kh1 Qf6 31.Rxb5 Rxb5 32.Qd1 hxg3 33.hxg3 {promises Black huge counterplay, thanks to the sudden resource} 33...Qh8 $3 {True, the computer finds a defense after} 34.Ra8+ Bc8+ 35.Bh5 $1 Kg7 {and even claims an advantage for White, but this is hardly obvious for humans.} ) 28...Qg5 29.Ne4 Qd8 30.Ra3 Ne7 31.Nd2 Nf5 32.Qd1 Bg7 33.g4 $1 {White switches to another plan. Due to the threat of permanent exclusion of the bishop on h3 from the game or its physical annihilation, Black would be soon forced to play f7-f5, and this will open the gates for the white pieces on the kingside.} ( 33.Kh1 {"This look so strange, but maybe it is also fine" (Ding). Although then Black can prepare for White's idea with} 33...Nh6 ) ( {The other idea is to get rid of the annoying black bishop with} 33.Bg4 Bxg4 34.Qxg4 {Ding disliked the position after} 34...Bh6 {presumably because of the possible sacrifices on e3 as before. For example,} 35.Rea1 Nxe3 $1 36.fxe3 Bxe3+ 37.Kg2 Bxd2 38.Bxd2 Rxb3 39.Bxa5 Rb2+ {Black gains a lot of activity after} 40.Kg1 Rb1+ 41.Be1 Qb6 {when it is unclear if White can make anything out of his extra piece.} ) 33...Nh6 34.Kh1 f5 ( {The cold-blooded machine does not worry about the bishop and suggests instead} 34...f6 $5 {with the idea Nh6-f7-g5 to back it up. Still, I suspect that if we tackle the position a bit with the computer, it will be convinced how bad the situation is for Black.} ) 35.gxf5 gxf5 36.Rg1 Qd7 37.Qe2 {White is much better prepared for the kingside assault and executes the attack with amazing ease.} ( 37.e4 $5 {is already possible.} ) 37...Kh8 38.Ra4 $1 {The key reinforcement.} 38...Rxb3 39.Rxh4 ( {Not} 39.Nxb3 $2 Qxa4 ) 39...Rxc3 40.Rxh3 {"I just saw my position should be much better since my pieces are so well-placed" (Ding).} 40...a4 ( {Conceptually, moves like} 40...Rg8 {cannot rescue Black as White is bringing more and more pieces closer by using the weaknesses of the light squares:} 41.Bh5 Bf8 42.Bg6 ) 41.e4 Rc2 42.Rh5 $1 {Forcing the opening of the diagonal h3-c8. With the white bishop entering the battle, it is all over for Vachier-Lagrave.} 42...f4 ( {Black is being mated in the line} 42...Rbb2 43.exf5 Rxd2 44.Qe3 {(Ding)} ) 43.Qd1 Rbb2 44.Nc4 a3 45.Bg4 Qd8 46.Nxb2 Rxb2 47.Be6 a2 48.Rxg7 $1 {A beautiful finish of a wonderful game. "I checked it many times since I played too quickly yesterday" (Ding).} ( {White also knew that he is winning after} 48.Qa4 {"Then make some developing moves and win" (Ding).} ) 48...Kxg7 ( {After} 48...Rb1 {The sudden detour.} 49.Rg1 $1 {clarifies matters:} 49...Rxd1 ( {Or:} 49...Qf8 50.Qg4 a1=Q 51.Rxh6+ Qxh6 52.Qg8# ) 50.Rxh6# ) 49.Qg1+ Kf8 ( {Nothing changes} 49...Kh7 50.Bf5+ Kh8 51.Rxh6# ) 50.Rf5+ {Mate is forced after} ( 50.Rf5+ Nxf5 51.Qg8+ Ke7 52.Qf7# ) 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.12.08"]
[Round "13.1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "A62"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7766240396844"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 c5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.d5 d6 7.Nc3 e6 8.O-O exd5 9.cxd5 Re8 10.Re1 Bf5 ( {Ding had also faced} 10...a6 11.a4 Nbd7 12.e4 Ng4 13.Nd2 Nge5 {when he played in an original and instructive way:} 14.Re3 $1 Nb6 15.Qf1 a5 16.h3 c4 17.Kh2 Bd7 18.f4 {White seized the center, and this is what he would be looking for in the current game too, Ding,L (2805)-Navara,D (2734) Prague 2019} ) 11.Nd2 Na6 $146 ( {An earlier game saw} 11...Qc7 12.e4 Bd7 13.a4 Ng4 14.Nc4 Ne5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.f4 Bg7 17.Qf3 Na6 18.Re2 Nb4 19.h3 c4 {Midanka,V (1771)-Paeslack,L (2044) Heusenstamm 2018} ) 12.e4 Bg4 {Luring the pawn to f3.} ( {Instead, the pawn sacrifice:} 12...Bd7 13.Nc4 b5 {does not solve Black's problems either:} 14.Nxd6 Bg4 15.f3 Qxd6 16.fxg4 b4 17.Bf4 {since Black does not gain enough for the pawn.} ) 13.f3 Bd7 14.Nc4 Qb8 {A sign that something has gone terribly wrong in Vachier-Lagrave's opening. In the Benoni Black cannot afford to play passively.} 15.Bf4 Bf8 16.a4 {The superb knight on c4 guarantees a large advantage to White. It is much easier for him to prepare the central break with e4-e5.} 16...Nb4 17.Qd2 Nh5 18.Bg5 f6 19.Be3 f5 {The only chance for active play.} 20.exf5 Bxf5 {At least for a moment Vachier-Lagrave manages to demonstrate activity.} ( 20...gxf5 21.Bh3 {is equally bad.} ) 21.g4 {Ding feels comfortable in the complications.} ( {White could have also avoided the complications with} 21.Bf1 Nf6 22.Bg5 Bg7 23.Rxe8+ Nxe8 24.g4 {which is large advantage for the first player as well.} ) 21...Bd3 22.Bf1 {This takes away the sting from the active black pieces.} ( {White could have equally chosen to play for mate with} 22.gxh5 Bxc4 23.hxg6 hxg6 24.Bh6 $1 {and the attack is strong.} ) 22...Bxf1 23.Kxf1 $1 {Keeping the rook on the open file is important.} 23...Nf6 24.Bg5 Bg7 25.Bf4 Qd8 ( {Black cannot hold on to the pawn:} 25...Rxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Ne8 27.Re6 Bf8 28.Ne4 ) 26.Nxd6 {With the fall of the key pawn Black's position quickly detoriarates.} 26...Rf8 27.Kg2 Qd7 28.Bg3 h5 29.g5 ( {Ding was probably worried about the piece sacrifice after} 29.h3 hxg4 30.hxg4 Nxg4 31.fxg4 Qxg4 {although this initiative can be repelled at once with} 32.Qd1 Qg5 33.Nde4 ) 29...Ne8 30.Re6 {Resuming the kingside attack.} 30...h4 31.Bf4 h3+ 32.Kg3 Nxd6 33.Bxd6 Rf5 34.Rae1 $1 {Every white piece is working. The end is near.} ( {Instead} 34.f4 Rxd5 35.Nxd5 Qxe6 36.Ne7+ Kf7 37.Re1 Qb3+ {would have complicated matters.} ) 34...Bf8 ( {Or else White consolidates after} 34...Qf7 35.f4 ) 35.Rxg6+ Kh7 36.Ree6 Re8 37.Bxf8 Rxe6 38.Rxe6 Rxf8 39.f4 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Jerusalem"]
[Date "2019.12.11"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[ECO "A37"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "6391716643871"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]

1.c4 c5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.O-O Bf5 7.b3 ( {Both players obviously studied in depth the recent game of Vachier-Lagrave:} 7.h3 Nf6 8.d3 O-O 9.Be3 a6 10.Qd2 b5 11.cxb5 axb5 12.Nxb5 Qa5 13.Nc3 Rab8 14.Rfc1 Rfc8 15.b3 e5 16.Bh6 Nd4 {Carlsen,M (2845)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2773) Karlsruhe/Baden Baden 2019} ) 7...Nf6 8.Bb2 Ne4 $146 {A logical novelty. Black makes use of the pin to trade the dark-squared bishops.} ( {Although Black did hold his own in an earlier game:} 8...O-O 9.Nh4 Bg4 10.h3 Bd7 11.e3 Qc8 12.Kh2 a6 13.a4 Rb8 14.d3 e6 15.Qd2 Qc7 16.Nf3 {Eljanov,P (2727) -Khairullin,I (2629) Jerusalem 2015} ) 9.Na4 Bxb2 10.Nxb2 Qd7 11.Nh4 $1 {Topalov on his turn uses the shaky position of the black knight to secure the dominance of his bishop.} 11...Nf6 12.Nxf5 Qxf5 13.e3 O-O 14.Na4 {The knight is getting back into play. More importantly, it hits the c5 pawn, thus preventing the freeing d6-d5 advance.} ( {Nothing promises} 14.d4 cxd4 15.exd4 {due to} 15...d5 ) 14...Rad8 15.a3 {Another useful, flexible move. White has three possible, interesting advances: b3-b4, d2-d4 and f2-f4. He does not need to force any of them.} ( {He could have also centralized the knight with} 15.Nc3 {but then Black can remove the pressure early with} 15...Qc8 16.d4 cxd4 17.exd4 e5 ) 15...Qc8 {This does not seem very accurate. No-one was threatening the queen where it was, and it could have been useful when mounting pressure on the kingside.} ( {Both} 15...h5 $5 {with the possible development} 16.Rc1 Kg7 17.h3 g5 $5 {could have created counterplay for Black.} ) ( {And} 15...Kg7 $5 {were better choices.} ) 16.Rc1 $1 {More strong prophylaxis. The rook is aimed against the black queen, thus making the d6-d5 advance virtually impossible.} 16...Kg7 {This is needed.} ( {As demonstrated by the line} 16...b6 17.d4 cxd4 18.exd4 e5 $2 19.Qf3 ) 17.Qc2 h5 ( 17...b6 {can be met with} 18.Qb2 ) 18.h3 b6 ( {White intended to meet} 18...h4 {with} 19.g4 ) 19.Nc3 ( {Also good was the immediate} 19.Qb2 e5 20.f4 ) 19...Rfe8 20.f4 {The time has come for Topalov to get his pawns into motion.} 20...e6 21.Qb2 $1 {X-raying the king while preparing the b3-b4 advance.} 21...Kg8 22.Ne2 ( {Probably even better was} 22.b4 {mounting even more pressure and not showing the intentions yet. For example} 22...Nh7 23.g4 ( 23.Ne2 $5 ) 23...hxg4 24.hxg4 e5 ( {Worse is} 24...Nf6 $2 25.g5 Nh5 26.Bf3 Ng7 27.Ne4 {and White has a crushing attack.} ) 25.f5 $1 {with a large advantage for White.} ) 22...Nh7 23.d4 cxd4 24.Nxd4 {The trade of another minor piece is definitely favorable for Black.} ( {Apparently White disliked the central breakthrough after} 24.exd4 e5 ( {although the computer believes that} 24...Ne7 {is even better.} ) ) 24...Nxd4 25.exd4 Nf6 {Vachier-Lagrave is patiently waiting for his chance.} ( {Although the immediate} 25...e5 26.fxe5 dxe5 27.Qf2 Re7 28.dxe5 Rd3 {with counterplay might have been the right choice.} ) 26.Kh2 Kg7 27.b4 Qc7 28.a4 {Topalov expands all over the board. Vachier-Lagrave needs to react.} 28...e5 29.fxe5 dxe5 30.c5 ( {Black seems in good shape after} 30.d5 h4 31.g4 e4+ 32.Kg1 Qe5 33.Qxe5 Rxe5 ) 30...h4 $3 {This is the idea that Topalov underestimated. Vachier-Lagrave sacrifices a whole piece, but kills a bunch of pawn in the process and secures the half point.} 31.cxb6 ( {Instead White could have sacrificed the exchange himself with:} 31.Rxf6 hxg3+ 32.Kxg3 Kxf6 33.cxb6 Qb8 ( {Not} 33...Qxb6 $2 34.Rc6+ ) 34.dxe5+ {But the accurate} 34...Kg7 $1 {practically leads to a draw} ( {But not} 34...Rxe5 35.bxa7 Qxa7 36.Rf1+ Ke6 37.Qa2+ {when White is close to winning.} ) 35.b7 Re7 36.Kh2 Rxb7 37.Bxb7 Qxb7 ) 31...hxg3+ 32.Kh1 Qxb6 33.Rc6 Qxd4 34.Qxd4 Rxd4 35.Rcxf6 Re7 36.R6f3 {White offered a draw himself.} ( 36.R6f3 {As in the line} 36...Rxb4 37.a5 ( {Whereas} 37.Ra1 a5 38.Rxg3 e4 {and then f7-f5 is no worse for Black.} ) 37...Ra4 {the last white pawns will soon be traded.} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Jerusalem"]
[Date "2019.12.12"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[ECO "A33"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "6464999538700"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.g3 Qb6 7.Nb3 Ne5 8.e4 Bb4 9.Qe2 d6 10.Bd2 Bd7 ( {No doubt that both players knew the game of the birthday boy :} 10...a5 11.f4 Nc6 12.Na4 Bxd2+ 13.Nxd2 Qa7 14.Nc3 Nd4 15.Qd3 Ng4 16.Nd1 e5 17.Nf3 Nxf3+ 18.Qxf3 exf4 19.gxf4 O-O 20.h3 Nf6 21.Nc3 Be6 22.O-O-O {Anand,V (2803)-So,W (2760) Bilbao 2015. Happy birthday, great champion Vishy Anand!} ) 11.f4 Ng6 12.e5 dxe5 13.fxe5 Ng8 14.c5 Qc7 {[#]} 15.Ne4 $1 $146 {A strong novelty. The knight lands in close proximity to the enemy king.} ( {The predecessor was an email game in which Black managed to build solid construction after:} 15.O-O-O Bxc3 16.Bxc3 Bc6 17.Rg1 N8e7 18.h4 Nd5 19.Bd4 Nge7 20.Kb1 O-O 21.h5 {Schinke,A (2504)-Malac,M ICCF email 2007} ) 15...Bxd2+ 16.Nbxd2 Nh6 17.Nd6+ Kf8 18.b4 {The opening ended spectacularly well for Gelfand. He managed to establish a billion-dollar horse on d6, keep the enemy king in the prison "Central" and at the moment he consolidates his position will play by itself.} 18...Bc6 19.Bg2 $1 {Splendid! The e5 pawn is sacrificed for a tempo, and another half-open file.} ( {White was not forced to sacrifice, he could have also gone for:} 19.Rg1 {with the idea to meet the artificial castling:} 19...Ke7 {With pawn storm:} ( {Or:} 19...Nf5 20.Bh3 Bd5 {The difficulty was connected with this line, as in order to improve further White would have to risk with:} 21.O-O-O ) 20.h4 Rhd8 21.h5 Nf8 22.g4 {and White is dominating.} ) 19...Bxg2 20.Qxg2 Nxe5 21.O-O Nf5 ( {In case of:} 21...f6 {White can centralize his second knight with tempo:} 22.Nb3 Nhf7 23.Nd4 Nd8 24.Rae1 {and force the opponent into passive defense.} ) 22.N2e4 {Another excellent decision into the attack.} ( 22.Nxf5 {would have given time to Nepomniachtchi to consolidate after:} 22...exf5 23.Rxf5 g6 24.Rf6 Kg7 25.Ne4 ( 25.Raf1 Rhe8 ) ) 22...a5 {This loses practically by force, but one can easily understand Nepomniachtchi. The move is the only way to generate some counterplay.} ( {A more solid move like:} 22...f6 {should not have saved Black neither. Indeed, there is the spectacular:} 23.Ng5 $3 fxg5 24.Rae1 {With decisive attack along the half-open files. For example:} 24...Nf7 25.Rxe6 N7xd6 ( {Or:} 25...N5xd6 26.cxd6 Qb6+ 27.Kh1 Kg8 28.Re7 Rf8 29.Rfxf7 $1 Rxf7 30.Re8+ Rf8 31.Qd5# ) 26.cxd6 Qb6+ 27.Kh1 g6 28.Rxf5+ $1 gxf5 29.Qb2 $1 {and White wins.} ) 23.Nxf5 {Gelfnad must have felt that the win is close!} ( {He could have won with a similar idea to the line from above:} 23.Qb2 $1 f6 24.Ng5 $1 Qe7 25.Rae1 {Black cannot untie his pieces:} 25...h6 ( {Even faster loses:} 25...axb4 26.Rxe5 fxe5 27.Qxe5 Qxg5 28.Qxe6 ) ( {Or:} 25...Nxd6 26.Qxe5 ) 26.Ngf7 $1 Nxf7 27.Nxf5 {At the moment in which the black knights are removed White can deal with the pawn cover in front of the black king:} 27...Qd7 28.Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 29.Qxf6+ Kg8 30.Qg6+ Kf8 31.Rxf7+ Qxf7 32.Rf1 Qxf1+ 33.Kxf1 {and the rooks must obey her Majesty.} ) 23...exf5 24.Nd6 ( {Once more:} 24.Rxf5 axb4 25.Raf1 g6 26.Rf6 Kg7 {provides time for Black for the defence.} ) 24...g6 25.Qd5 f6 26.b5 Rb8 27.b6 ( {To the same would have led:} 27.Rae1 $1 h5 28.Rxe5 fxe5 29.Qxe5 Kg8 30.b6 Qd7 ) 27...Qd7 28.Rae1 h5 29.Rxe5 fxe5 30.Qxe5 Kg8 31.Ne4 {Gelfand decided to take away all the risks and regained the exchange.} ( {He could have played for the attack though with:} 31.Qf6 $5 {when Black's position is very unpleasant.} ) 31...Rf8 32.Nf6+ Rxf6 33.Qxf6 Kh7 34.Re1 {Missing the last chance to play for the win.} ( {It was related to the breakthrough:} 34.c6 $1 {Then the rook endgame after:} 34...Qxc6 ( {Therefore Black needs to try and construct a perpetual check in the queens' endgame:} 34...bxc6 35.Re1 Re8 36.Rxe8 Qxe8 37.Kf2 Qd7 {But after:} 38.Ke1 $1 {The draw is not necessarily achievable. The b6 passer is extremely strong. White can speculate with the ideas of a queen swap and to cut the long story short- none would like to be in Nepomniachtchi's shoes here.} ) 35.Qxc6 bxc6 36.Kf2 {is lost for Black as the white king quickly runs all the way up to the c5 square.} ) 34...Re8 35.Rxe8 ( 35.Rxe8 {Black is no worse after:} 35...Qxe8 36.Qd4 Qe1+ 37.Kg2 Qe2+ ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Jerusalem"]
[Date "2019.12.15"]
[Round "11.4"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2698"]
[ECO "B36"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7908108535817"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 g6 6.e4 Nxd4 7.Qxd4 d6 8.Be3 Bg7 9.f3 O-O 10.Qd2 Be6 11.Rc1 Qa5 {The Accelerated Dragon is a rare guest at top tournaments, precisely because of the Maroczy bind. Not too many GMs are ready to suffer the arising positions, mainly because of the lack of counter-attacking chances.} 12.b3 Rfc8 13.g4 {A rare move. But since White is also executing it in the main line, it does not come as a surprise. Navara believes that now is the right time to play it.} ( {Another way to play the position is} 13.Bd3 a6 14.Na4 Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2 Nd7 16.Nc3 b5 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.cxd5 b4 19.Rxc8+ Rxc8 20.Rc1 Rxc1 21.Kxc1 {So,W (2762)-Guseinov,G (2664) chess.com INT 2019} ) ( {While} 13.Be2 {still remains the main move:} 13...a6 14.Na4 Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2 Rc6 16.g4 Kf8 17.Nb6 Rb8 18.Nd5 {as in Giri,A (2785)-Zvjaginsev,V (2661) Sochi 2017} ) 13...a6 ( {Against} 13...Nd7 $5 {White can play for an endgame advantage with} 14.Nd5 ( 14.h4 $5 ) 14...Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2 Bxd5 16.cxd5 ) 14.Na4 Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2 Nd7 16.Rg1 $1 {The point behind White's idea. Black is deprived of his only counterplay with f7-f5.} 16...Rc6 $146 ( {The only predecessor saw} 16...Rf8 17.Nc3 Kh8 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.cxd5 Rac8 20.Bh3 $1 Bb2 21.Rxc8 Rxc8 22.g5 $1 {with an obvious advantage for White, Nguyen,P (2427)-Karacsonyi,G (2250) Budapest 2019} ) 17.Be2 Kh8 {Jakovenko insists on the move f7-f5, but he will never get a chance to make it work.} ( {Better is the immediate} 17...Nc5 $1 18.Nxc5 ( 18.Nc3 b5 $5 ) 18...dxc5 {with the idea to meet} 19.f4 {with} 19...Rd6+ 20.Kc2 Bd4 $1 {when Black is just fine.} ) 18.f4 Nc5 ( {The break} 18...f5 {would be likely met with} 19.exf5 gxf5 20.Bf3 ( {Or} 20.g5 ) ) 19.Nxc5 dxc5 20.Bf3 Rc7 ( {Now the counterplay is a must:} 20...Rd6+ 21.Ke2 Bd4 ( {Not} 21...Rad8 22.e5 ) 22.e5 Rd7 23.Rcd1 Rad8 24.Bxd4 Rxd4 {Activating the rook.} ( {Rather than} 24...cxd4 $6 25.Kd3 {followed by Bf3-e4 with a clear edge for White.} ) 25.Rxd4 Rxd4 26.Bxb7 Rxf4 ) ( {Or} 20...Rd8+ 21.Ke2 Bd4 22.e5 Rc7 23.Rgd1 Rcd7 24.Bxd4 Rxd4 25.Rxd4 Rxd4 26.Ke3 b6 {in both cases with chances for a successful defense.} ) 21.Ke2 b5 22.e5 $1 {Navara plays for limitation of the fianchettoed bishop.} 22...Rac8 23.Bd5 Bxd5 24.cxd5 g5 {that Jakovenko cannot allow. Unfortunately for the Russian GM, this move leads to concrete problems.} ( {However, Black would have been practically down a bishop in the line} 24...c4 25.bxc4 bxc4 26.g5 $1 ) 25.d6 $1 {The strong passer supported by all the white pieces quickly seals the fate of the game.} 25...exd6 26.exd6 Rd7 ( {Or} 26...Rc6 27.d7 Rd8 28.Rgd1 Bf8 29.fxg5 Bd6 30.Kf3 {when Black cannot regain the pawn.} ) 27.Bxc5 gxf4 28.Kf3 Kg8 ( {Perhaps from afar Jakovenko thought he would win the pawn back with} 28...Be5 {And only here did he see the trick} 29.Bd4 $1 Re8 30.Bxe5+ Rxe5 31.Rgd1 {when White is close to winning.} ) 29.Bb4 Rcd8 ( {Black should gradually lose after} 29...Rxc1 30.Rxc1 Be5 31.Rc6 a5 32.Bc5 ) 30.Rge1 Bf8 31.Rc7 {This defends the pawn tactically.} 31...f6 ( {The pin is deadly after} 31...Bxd6 32.Rxd7 Rxd7 33.Rd1 ) 32.Rd1 Kf7 33.Kxf4 Rxc7 {The last chance in the form of a fortress, but it is easily refuted.} ( {There is nothing to hope for in case of} 33...Ke6 34.Re1+ Kf7 35.Rxd7+ Rxd7 36.Kf5 ) 34.dxc7 Rxd1 35.c8=Q Bxb4 36.Qxa6 Bd6+ 37.Ke4 ( 37.Ke4 {Black resigned as he cannot stop the united attack of the white pieces:} 37...b4 38.Qc4+ Kf8 39.Qc2 Rh1 40.Kf5 ) 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Jerusalem"]
[Date "2019.12.16"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[ECO "B23"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7907303247450"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.Nge2 Nf6 4.h3 $5 ( {Andreikin also has experience in the line} 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.d3 Nc6 7.O-O Bd7 ( {Also possible is} 7...O-O 8.h3 Rb8 9.a3 b5 10.Rb1 a5 11.a4 bxa4 12.Nxa4 Bd7 13.Be3 Nd4 {Caruana,F (2822)-Giri,A (2776) Bucharest 2019} ) 8.h3 Rb8 9.Be3 a6 10.Qd2 O-O 11.Bh6 Bxh6 12.Qxh6 Nd4 13.Rac1 Qb6 {as in Andreikin,D (2723)-Fedoseev,V (2713) Porto Carras 2018} ) ( {The original course of the game} 4.f3 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxd5 Qxd5 7.d4 e6 8.Be3 cxd4 9.Qxd4 Qxd4 10.Nxd4 Bc5 11.O-O-O Nc6 12.Nf5 Bxe3+ 13.Nxe3 Ke7 {eventually leads to a position that could have easily occurred from the Alapin, or say the French in Kovalenko,I (2674) -Vachier Lagrave,M (2774) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 4...e5 5.d3 Nc6 $146 ( {This is already quite an original position. The only predecessor saw} 5...Be6 6.Ng3 g6 7.Be3 Nc6 8.Qd2 d5 9.Be2 Be7 10.a3 a6 11.h4 c4 {with unclear play in Gomez,J-Siebenlist,D Villaguay 2016} ) 6.g4 {Andreikin expands on the kingside. His main idea is to remove the black knight from the defense of the central outpost.} 6...Be7 7.Bg2 ( {After} 7.Ng3 {Black can regroup with} 7...Be6 8.g5 Nd7 ) 7...h5 {On his turn Vachier-Lagrave challenges White's position before his opponent consolidates.} 8.g5 Nh7 9.h4 f6 10.Nd5 {Playing for the initiative.} ( {Instead, an interesting plan is} 10.g6 Nf8 11.Ng3 Nxg6 12.Nd5 $1 {intending to capture the h5-pawn at a better moment. White is better.} ( {Worse is} 12.Nxh5 Kf7 13.Nd5 {that allows Black the additional resource} 13...Rh7 $5 ( {although} 13...Be6 {is also good.} ) ) ) 10...fxg5 11.hxg5 Nxg5 ( {Obviously not} 11...Bxg5 12.Rxh5 ) 12.Nec3 g6 13.Nxe7 Qxe7 14.Nd5 Qd8 15.f4 {This was Andreikin's idea. In return for the pawn he got the bishop pair and now quickly opens the road for the beasts.} 15...Nf7 ( {The line} 15...exf4 16.Bxf4 Ne5 17.Bxe5 dxe5 18.O-O Be6 19.Qd2 {promises White more than enough for the pawn.} ) 16.f5 $1 {Not slowing down.} 16...gxf5 17.exf5 Nd4 ( {After} 17...Bxf5 18.Rxh5 Rxh5 19.Qxh5 Be6 20.Be3 {Black's extra pawn is not important, whereas it is surprisingly difficult to suggest a way for Black to evacuate his king from the center.} ) 18.Be3 {Missing a stronger continuation.} ( {White would have been much better after} 18.Rxh5 Rxh5 19.Qxh5 Nxf5 20.Be4 Be6 21.Bd2 Bxd5 22.Bxd5 Qh4+ 23.Qxh4 Nxh4 24.O-O-O {Even in the endgame his bishops are way more valuable than the knights:} ( {Also good is the simple:} 24.Bxb7 Rb8 25.Bd5 ) 24...Rb8 25.Rg1 $1 {with a strong attack.} ) 18...Bxf5 ( {More natural seems} 18...Nxf5 19.Rxh5 Rxh5 20.Qxh5 Nxe3 21.Nxe3 Qg5 {in order to trade the queens and relieve the pressure.} ) 19.Bxd4 Bg4 20.Bf3 {Missing a chance to play for the initiative.} ( {However, the line:} 20.Qd2 cxd4 21.O-O $1 {is far from obvious, and it is not clear at all if White has enough for the sacrificed material after} 21...Be6 22.Nf6+ Ke7 23.Rf2 {The computer believes in the initiative, though.} ) 20...cxd4 21.c4 dxc3 22.bxc3 Qa5 $1 {It is time for Vachier-Lagrave to show his teeth.} 23.Rb1 Ng5 $1 ( {It seems that the French GM did not like the endgame after} 23...Qxd5 $5 24.Bxd5 Bxd1 25.Rxb7 Nd8 26.Rc7 Rb8 27.Kxd1 Rb1+ 28.Ke2 Rxh1 29.Bxh1 {Indeed, White has more than enough for the pawn.} ) 24.Nf6+ {Now the tables turn completely in Black's favor.} ( {Objectively best is} 24.Bxg4 Qxd5 25.Qa4+ Kf7 26.Qd7+ Kg8 {when the cunning} 27.Rg1 $1 {practically leads to a draw after} 27...hxg4 28.Qxg4 Kf7 29.Qxg5 Rag8 30.Qf5+ Ke7 ) 24...Kf7 25.O-O {This is what Andreikin was hoping for, but he is about to experience a cold shower.} ( {Unfortunately for White, the alternatives do not lead him anywhere:} 25.Nxg4 hxg4 26.Bxb7 Rxh1+ 27.Bxh1 Rh8 {is bad for him.} ) ( {Black is clearly winning after} 25.Bxg4 hxg4 ) 25...Nh3+ $3 {Very strong! The knight is transferred to f4, and White's whole setup doesn't make sense.} ( {The Russian GM most likely expected} 25...Nxf3+ 26.Rxf3 Bxf3 27.Qxf3 {when White's attack is crushing, say:} 27...Raf8 28.Rf1 $3 ) ( 25...Bxf3 {would transpose to the same after} 26.Rxf3 ) 26.Kh1 Kxf6 27.Bxg4+ Nf4 28.Bf3 Rag8 {The black king is perfectly protected, and his main guard takes part of the execution against the enemy one.} 29.Rxb7 Rg3 30.Qb3 Rf8 31.d4 Qa6 32.c4 Rh3+ 33.Kg1 Rg8+ 34.Kf2 Rg2+ 35.Ke1 ( {Since} 35.Bxg2 Rxb3 36.axb3 Qa2+ {is mate.} ) 35...Qa5+ 36.Rb4 ( {Nothing changes} 36.Qb4 Qxb4+ 37.Rxb4 Rxa2 ) 36...Rxa2 $1 {Played instantly, after which Andreikin resigned.} ( {There is no need to complicate things with} 36...Nd3+ $2 37.Kd1 ) ( {Even worse is the flashy} 36...Qxb4+ $4 37.Qxb4 Nd3+ 38.Kd1 Nxb4 {and Black wins a rook but loses two in return:} 39.Bxg2+ ) 0-1

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Jerusalem"]
[Date "2019.12.17"]
[Round "19.1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[ECO "D97"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7972956690005"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 dxc4 6.Qxc4 O-O 7.e4 Nc6 {The Russian GM did not spare superlatives about his opponent. "This line became popular basically because of Maxime, who never lost a game in it."} 8.Be3 {"Surely not the best move, but it is not played too often" (Nepomniachtchi).} ( {The main line is} 8.Be2 e5 9.d5 Nd4 10.Nxd4 exd4 11.Qxd4 c6 12.Qc4 b5 13.Qxc6 Bd7 14.Qd6 Re8 15.e5 Ng4 {Yu,Y (2763) -Vachier Lagrave,M (2774) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 8...Ng4 ( {"The idea (of the move Bc1-e3) was to prevent:"} 8...e5 9.d5 Nd4 {(Nepomniachtchi).} ) 9.e5 ( {The French GM revealed that he spent a lot of time on the clock trying to clarify the situation after} 9.Bg5 {and was unprepared for the move in the game.} ) 9...Nxe3 {Nepomniachtchi considered this decision creative but strategically dangerous for Black as White gets a strong center.} ( {However, Black always has to be careful about the d4-d5 break, for example:} 9...Be6 10.Qa4 a6 11.d5 $1 Nxe3 ( 11...Bxd5 12.Qxg4 ) 12.fxe3 Bxd5 13.O-O-O e6 14.e4 ) 10.fxe3 Bg4 11.h3 $146 ( {An email game ended peacefully after} 11.Be2 e6 12.O-O-O Ne7 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 c6 15.Ne4 Nd5 16.Rhe1 Qe7 17.Kb1 f6 18.exf6 Nxf6 19.Nc5 Rae8 20.e4 Nd7 21.Nxd7 Qxd7 22.Rf1 Kh8 23.e5 {\BD-\BD (23) Sladek,V (2173)-Cohen,D (2085) ICCF email 2006} ) 11...Bxf3 12.gxf3 e6 13.h4 {White's game is easy and straightforward. Behind the huge center he can build a strong kingside attack.} 13...Ne7 14.f4 b5 $1 {The only chance to create some counterplay.} ( 14...Nf5 15.Rh3 Nxh4 16.O-O-O {only helps White to open files against the enemy king.} ) 15.Qc5 ( {Black is indeed taking over the initiative after} 15.Nxb5 Rb8 ( {or the immediate} 15...Nd5 ) 16.O-O-O Nd5 17.Rh3 Qd7 ) 15...Nf5 16.Kf2 ( {With the queen away from the e3-pawn, Vachier-Lagrave would be happy to get three pawns for a piece in the line} 16.Rh3 Nxe3 17.Rxe3 Qxh4+ 18.Kd2 Qxf4 ) 16...f6 17.Rd1 ( {Probably even better is the immediate} 17.Ne4 $1 fxe5 18.dxe5 Bh6 19.Re1 $1 {Consolidating with an advantage.} ( {Not good is} 19.Nf6+ Rxf6 20.exf6 Qxf6 {when Black builds an initiative on the dark squares.} ) ) 17...b4 18.Qxb4 Rb8 19.Qa3 fxe5 {Vachier-Lagrave is trying to open as many files as he can but misses an important, cementing move by his opponent.} ( {There would be "a big clash" after Black's best move} 19...c5 {"...but I feel White should be all right" (Nepomniachtchi). Then a possible line runs} 20.dxc5 Qc8 21.exf6 Bxf6 22.Ne4 Rxb2+ 23.Kg1 Bg7 24.h5 Qc6 {when it is not clear who is attacking whom.} ) 20.dxe5 Qe8 21.Bg2 Bxe5 {Consistently opening the white king.} 22.fxe5 Nxh4+ 23.Kg1 Nxg2 24.Ne4 $1 {Missed from afar by Vachier-Lagrave. Nepomniachtchi not only covers his king; he is getting ready to mate first.} ( {The Frenchman apparently expected} 24.Kxg2 Qc6+ 25.e4 Qb6 {when he gets enough for the piece after both} 26.Rhf1 ( {Or:} 26.Rh3 Qf2+ 27.Kh1 Rxb2 ) 26...Qe3 ) 24...Rd8 {"A good try but not enough" (Vachier-Lagrave).} ( {Here} 24...Qc6 {no longer works due to} 25.Qe7 $1 Rf7 26.Nf6+ {and White mates.} ) 25.Rc1 $1 {White's attack is stronger.} ( 25.Rxd8 {would have complicated matters after} 25...Qxd8 26.Kxg2 Qd5 27.Rh4 Rf5 ) 25...Qb5 {A desperate try.} ( {The more obvious attacking possibility} 25...Rd5 26.Nf6+ Rxf6 27.exf6 Rg5 {would be simply met with} 28.Rc5 $1 ) 26.Qe7 $1 {Without the queen Black cannot defend his king.} 26...Rd7 27.Nf6+ ( {Even better is} 27.Qxe6+ Kh8 28.Nf6 ) 27...Rxf6 28.Qxf6 Rf7 ( {Here the last slim chance to defend is associated with} 28...Nxe3 29.Qxe6+ Kf8 {although then too White has a win with} 30.Rh3 Qe2 31.Qf6+ Kg8 ( {Or} 31...Rf7 32.Qh8+ Ke7 33.Rxc7+ ) 32.Qf3 {The rooks are too strong in the endgame.} ) 29.Qd8+ Rf8 30.Qxc7 Rf7 31.Qd8+ Rf8 32.Qe7 h5 ( {Or a beautiful mate after} 32...Rf7 33.Rc8+ Kg7 34.Qxf7+ Kxf7 35.Rxh7# ) 33.Qxe6+ Kg7 34.Rc7+ Kh6 35.Rxh5+ Kxh5 36.Qh3+ 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Jerusalem"]
[Date "2019.12.18"]
[Round "20.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[ECO "E60"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "6597472427023"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4 {In a must-win situation Vachier-Lagrave should be creative.} ( {A week ago the French GM ended on the weaker side with reversed colors after} 3.g3 c5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.d5 d6 7.Nc3 e6 8.O-O exd5 9.cxd5 Re8 10.Re1 Bf5 11.Nd2 Na6 12.e4 Bg4 13.f3 Bd7 14.Nc4 {Ding,L (2801) -Vachier Lagrave,M (2780) London 2019} ) 3...Bg7 4.Nc3 d5 5.h5 Nxh5 6.cxd5 e6 7.g4 $1 $146 {An original and strong idea.} ( {White no doubt studied in depth this game:} 7.dxe6 Bxe6 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.e3 Qe7 10.Be2 O-O 11.a3 Rad8 12.Qc2 {Grischuk,A (2759)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2774) Amsterdam 2019} ) 7...Nf6 8.dxe6 Bxe6 9.e4 Bxg4 ( 9...Nxg4 10.f3 Nf6 {would transpose to the game.} ) 10.f3 Be6 11.Bg5 {Forcing a kingside weakness thanks to the e4-e5 threat. As a result of Benko-style play on the kingside, Vachier-Lagrave got a super-strong center for the pawn and a space advantage. Black's main problem now will be where to hide his king.} 11...h6 12.Be3 c6 13.Nge2 Bc4 {Nepomniachtchi is happy to trade some light pieces. He should not delay this move as otherwise Ne2-f4 would be highly unpleasant.} 14.Qc2 Qa5 15.Nf4 {Not the only way to develop the initiative.} ( {White could have postponed the trade for a while with} 15.b3 {Then} 15...Bxe2 ( {whereas} 15...Ba6 16.Bd2 Nbd7 17.O-O-O {also looks attractive for White as his king is safer.} ) 16.Bxe2 Nbd7 17.Kf2 {adds the bishop pair to White's assets.} ) 15...Bxf1 16.Kxf1 ( {Here too, the plan with castling queenside was looking good after} 16.Rxf1 Na6 17.O-O-O ) 16...Na6 {Careful play by Nepomniachtchi.} ( 16...Nbd7 $2 {looks like a more natural way to develop the knight, but from there it cuts the retreat square of his brother and} 17.e5 $1 Nh7 18.Nxg6 $1 fxg6 19.Qxg6+ Kf8 20.e6 {is just crushing.} ) 17.a3 {White sensibly limits the knight and prepares a possible queenside assault, as soon as his opponent dares to castle long.} 17...Nc7 18.Kf2 {Finally, the king decides to remain in the center. But it is pretty save there. Now White is definitely thinking about the opening of the center.} 18...g5 {And that forces Black to weaken himself.} ( {The Benko rooks may prove deadly once that Black castles short:} 18...O-O $2 19.Rag1 Nh7 20.Nxg6 $1 fxg6 21.Rxg6 {is a powerful attack on the half-open files.} ) ( 18...O-O-O $2 {Also castles into it} 19.b4 $1 Qa6 20.b5 $1 cxb5 21.a4 b4 22.Nb5 {is plain lost for Black.} ) 19.b4 Qa6 20.Nd3 {This looks natural, but it is probably not the best.} ( {It seemed better to send the knight directly to the weakened f5 square with} 20.Nfe2 $1 g4 21.Ng3 gxf3 22.Nf5 Bf8 23.Kxf3 {White's position is aesthetically pleasing and indeed, Black can hardly find peace even after} 23...O-O-O 24.Qb3 ) 20...Qc4 21.Rac1 ( {The immediate} 21.Ne5 {does not promise White much after} 21...Qe6 22.Ne2 Nd7 23.Nc4 f5 $1 24.exf5 Qd5 25.Qe4+ Kd8 26.Rac1 {Black' king is also in the center, however the strong outpost on d5 secures his position.} ) 21...Nd7 22.Nb2 Qe6 23.Ne2 Nb5 ( {Once more} 23...O-O {only asks for trouble:} 24.Ng3 Nb5 25.Nf5 ) 24.a4 Nd6 25.Ng3 {Now this seems like the wrong knight...} ( {Better was} 25.Nd3 $1 {Then Vachier-Lagrave might have been worried about} 25...f5 {But this is not good due to} ( 25...Qg6 26.Nc5 Rd8 27.Ng3 {is better for White as he can mount pressure on either flank.} ) 26.e5 Nc8 27.Nef4 $3 {A move that is easy to miss.} 27...gxf4 28.Nxf4 Qg8 29.Rhg1 {when Black is helpless.} ) 25...f5 $1 {Now this is strong and Nepomniachtchi can finally breathe freely.} 26.exf5 ( {Nothing changes} 26.Nxf5 Nxf5 27.exf5 Qd5 ) ( 26.e5 f4 27.Bxf4 gxf4 28.Nh5 Bxe5 29.dxe5 O-O-O {Vachier-Lagrave.} ) 26...Qd5 27.Nc4 Nxc4 28.Qxc4 Qxc4 29.Rxc4 Nb6 {Without the queens Black is safe.} 30.Rc5 O-O $1 {The last subtlety.} ( {Instead the obvious} 30...Nxa4 {would have given White another chance to complicate} 31.Re5+ $1 Bxe5 ( 31...Kf7 $5 {is better.} ) 32.dxe5 O-O-O 33.e6 {with ample compensation for the exchange.} ) 31.a5 Nd5 32.a6 {The frustrated Vachier-Lagrave spotted a problem and offered a draw, and match resignation.} ( 32.a6 {Black could have played further for a win with} 32...Rae8 33.axb7 Nxe3 ( {Not} 33...Rxe3 34.Rxd5 $1 ) 34.b8=Q Rxb8 35.Kxe3 Rxb4 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Jerusalem"]
[Date "2019.12.19"]
[Round "22.1"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]
[BlackElo "2707"]
[ECO "A06"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8249826879004"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.b3 Bf5 3.Bb2 e6 4.d3 h6 5.Nbd2 Nf6 6.g3 c5 ( {In Wijk aan Zee this year Black tested another defensive set-up:} 6...Be7 7.Bg2 O-O 8.O-O c6 9.Re1 Bh7 10.e4 a5 11.a3 Na6 12.Qe2 b5 {with play \E0 la Lasker, this is how he developed his queenside against Reti in New York 1924. Except that this time it is a modern grandmaster game: Fedoseev,V (2724)-Shankland,S (2725) Wijk aan Zee 2019} ) 7.Ne5 Nbd7 $146 {A mechanical, obvious move and a novelty. And... a mistake.} ( {Black got a more or less normal position in this game:} 7...Be7 8.Bg2 O-O 9.O-O Bh7 10.c4 Nbd7 11.cxd5 Nxe5 12.Bxe5 Nxd5 13.Qc2 Rc8 14.Rfc1 Qd7 15.Qd1 f6 16.Bb2 e5 {Kharlov,A (2557)-Dreev,A (2655) Fuegen 2006} ) 8.e4 $1 Bh7 ( {There is no time to diminish the central pressure as} 8...Nxe5 9.exf5 {leads to a solid advantage for White.} ) 9.Nxd7 Qxd7 10.Bg2 {With simple moves Wei forced Black on the defensive and now it is not clear how is he going to finish the development.} 10...Qd8 {A strange-looking move, but were there any reasonable alternatives?} ( {The natural move} 10...Be7 {takes away the square from the knight in the line} 11.e5 Ng8 ) ( {Perhaps the lesser evil was to risk and castle in the opposite direction:} 10...O-O-O 11.O-O {although then White can advance his queenside pawns much easier than his opponent as there is no bishop on h7 to obstruct him.} ) ( {The closure of the center with} 10...d4 11.f4 Be7 12.a4 {also leads to very comfortable edge for White as all his pieces are close to ideal, whereas Bh7 is practically dead.} ) 11.exd5 $1 {White naturally wants to open up the game as he is much better prepared for that.} 11...exd5 ( {No matter how risky (bad) it was Navara had to try} 11...Nxd5 12.O-O ( 12.Nc4 ) 12...Qd7 13.Re1 O-O-O ) 12.Qe2+ {Now White hampers the enemy pawn structure and leaves his king in the center. At top level, this is a miniature.} 12...Be7 ( {Since} 12...Qe7 {drops a pawn after} 13.Bxf6 Qxe2+ 14.Kxe2 gxf6 15.Bxd5 ) 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.O-O Bf5 ( {Both} 14...Qd7 15.Rae1 ) ( {And:} 14...Rc8 15.Rae1 Rc7 16.Qh5 {cannot change the outcome of the game.} ) 15.Rae1 Be6 16.Qh5 Qd7 {All natural as well as White's next move.} 17.Rxe6 $1 {Played after mere 14 seconds of thought! Indeed, this is not even a sacrifice as White instantly picks up two pawns for the exchange.} 17...Qxe6 18.Bxd5 Qd7 19.Bxf7+ Kd8 ( 19...Kf8 20.Re1 {is horrible for Black too.} ) 20.Re1 {Next White simply strengthens the position of his pieces. There are way too may weak spots for Navara to cover them all.} 20...Kc7 21.Be6 Qd8 ( {The endgame attempt} 21...Qe8 22.Qxe8 Raxe8 {loses on the spot:} 23.Bf7 ) 22.Nc4 a6 23.Bd5 Ra7 24.Qf7 Re8 25.Bf3 b5 {This loses prosaically, but there was no escape anyway.} ( {After} 25...Kb8 {the most convincing is} 26.Nd6 $1 ) 26.Na5 Kb6 27.Nc6 1-0

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Jerusalem"]
[Date "2019.12.21"]
[Round "28.1"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[ECO "A33"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "192"]
[Beauty "4606436327487"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6 6.g3 Qb6 7.Ndb5 Ne5 8.Bg2 a6 9.Qa4 Rb8 10.Na3 Bc5 ( {A more or less equal game led to the other retreat of the bishop after} 10...Be7 11.O-O O-O 12.Bf4 d6 13.b4 Qc7 14.Rac1 Ng6 15.Be3 b6 16.Qb3 Bb7 17.f3 Rfc8 18.Rfd1 Ne5 {Lupulescu,C (2643)-Howell,D (2694) Isle of Man 2019} ) 11.O-O O-O 12.Rb1 Qb4 $146 {A novelty. Nepomniachtchi is happy to play an endgame in a Maroczy-bind formation.} ( {An earlier game saw White pressing after} 12...d6 13.b4 Bd4 14.Qb3 Bd7 15.e3 Bxc3 16.Qxc3 Rfc8 17.c5 Qc7 18.Bb2 b6 19.Rfc1 bxc5 20.bxc5 Nd5 21.Qd4 Rxb2 22.Rxb2 dxc5 23.Qd2 c4 {Although the game ended quickly in a draw, my impression is that Black did not have enough for the exchange. Nihal,S (2598)-Rodshtein,M (2699) Brest 2019} ) 13.Qd1 ( {The more forcing line} 13.Qxb4 Bxb4 14.Bf4 d6 15.Ne4 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 Bxa3 17.Bxe5 dxe5 18.bxa3 f5 {was probably well explored in the Russian's opening lab.} ) 13...d6 {The bishop should be defended.} ( {Greediness will be punished in the line} 13...Nxc4 $2 14.Nc2 Qb6 15.Na4 Qc7 16.Nxc5 Qxc5 17.b3 {when White wins material.} ) ( 13...Ba7 14.Bf4 {does not seem fun for Black either.} ) ( {However} 13...Be7 {might be playable.} ) 14.Na4 {Wei wins the bishop pair. It does not seem like a significant achievement yet, but it might become a serious advantage later.} 14...b5 15.Nxc5 Qxc5 16.cxb5 ( {Nothing changes} 16.b4 Qc7 17.cxb5 axb5 18.Qd4 Bd7 ) 16...axb5 17.Bg5 Ba6 ( {The immediate} 17...Bb7 $5 {might have been simpler.} ) 18.Nc2 b4 19.Nd4 Bb7 20.Rc1 Qa5 21.Bxb7 Rxb7 22.Bxf6 gxf6 {This is the maximum that Wei could get out of the opening: a ruined kingside pawn structure around the enemy king. The problem is that it is not that easy to make use of it.} 23.Qb3 Ra8 24.f4 Qa7 25.e3 Nd7 26.Qd1 {This sacrifices the pawn but brings the queen close to the kingside. White is not at risk yet; he can practically force a draw in the next few moves.} 26...Qxa2 27.Qg4+ Kh8 28.Qh5 Kg8 29.Qg4+ Kh8 30.Qh5 Kg8 31.Nb5 {Wei decides to risk.} ( {In hindsight, the three-fold repetition} 31.Qg4+ {is not a bad idea.} ) 31...Rxb5 $1 {Forced but good.} 32.Qxb5 Qxb2 33.Rb1 {Here and on the next move White can never capture anything due to the mating threats:} ( 33.Qxd7 $4 Ra2 ) 33...Qc2 34.Rfc1 {A strange decision. In the developing position only Black can play for the win.} ( {Pawns are poisonous too:} 34.Qxb4 $4 Ra2 ) ( {However, White should have already allowed the perpetual and the point split with} 34.Ra1 Rxa1 35.Rxa1 b3 36.Ra7 b2 37.Rb7 Qc1+ 38.Kf2 Qc2+ 39.Kf3 Qd1+ ) 34...Qd2 35.Qxb4 Qxe3+ 36.Kh1 Ra2 37.Rc8+ Kg7 {The white king is chronically weak, and Nepomniachtchi can play for the win without any risk forever.} 38.Rb2 Qf3+ ( 38...Ra1+ 39.Rb1 Qf3+ 40.Kg1 Ra2 41.Rb2 ) ( {Here and on the next move, strong is} 38...Ra3 $1 {with the idea to transfer the rook to d1 via the d3-square to avoid the blockade of the white rook.} ) 39.Kg1 Qd1+ ( 39...Ra3 $1 ) 40.Kg2 Ra1 41.Qb5 ( 41.Kh3 $5 {at once, keeping all the rooks is interesting as well.} ) 41...f5 {The first move after the time control throws away most of Black's advantage.} ( {The other pawn should have been advanced:} 41...h5 $1 {when White is in big trouble. For example:} 42.Qe2 Qd5+ 43.Kh3 Qf5+ 44.Kg2 h4 $1 {and the inclusion of one extra attacking unit tips the scales in favor of the aggressor.} ) 42.Qe2 Qd5+ 43.Kh3 Nf6 {Nepomniachtchi is slowly bringing his pieces around the enemy king. There is no immediate improvement of the attack, but Wei has no clear way to defend either. The constant doubt and hesitation are skillfully exploited by the Russian GM.} 44.Rbb8 ( {Stronger is to force the black queen back with} 44.Rd2 $1 Qb7 45.Rd8 d5 ) 44...Ra2 45.Rc2 Rxc2 46.Qxc2 Qf3 47.Rb3 Qf1+ 48.Qg2 Qe1 49.Qb2 Kg6 50.Kg2 ( {Here the computer likes the maneuver} 50.Ra3 Nd5 51.Ra2 {to unite the major white pieces.} ) 50...d5 51.Rb8 Qe4+ 52.Kh3 ( 52.Kg1 $5 {seems more reasonable. The impression is that Wei was OK with the position of the king and did not want to change his defensive setup.} ) 52...Qf3 53.Rb3 Qf1+ 54.Qg2 Qe1 55.Qc2 Qf1+ 56.Qg2 Qc4 57.Rb8 ( {More accurate is} 57.Qf3 d4 58.Qd3 Qd5 59.Qf3 ) 57...h6 58.Kh4 {Very, very optimistic.} 58...Qd3 59.Rb2 Ng4 {Nepomniachtchi sticks to his inquisition strategy.} ( {However, this moment is a good one to bring the pawn into motion as the white pieces are not well-organized:} 59...d4 60.Rd2 Qc3 61.Qe2 Ne4 62.Rd3 Qc4 ) 60.Qe2 Qd4 {In the next almost 30 moves seemingly nothing happens. Neither side makes progress, but the slow grinding eventually gives fruits to Black.} 61.Kh3 Qg1 62.Qg2 Qd4 63.Qe2 Qc5 64.Qc2 Qg1 65.Qg2 Qe3 66.Qe2 Qd4 67.Qc2 Ne3 68.Qb3 Nd1 69.Re2 Nf2+ 70.Kg2 Ng4 71.Qb8 Nf6 72.Qb2 Qc5 73.Rc2 Qe3 74.Re2 Qa7 75.Qa2 Qc5 76.Qc2 Qd6 77.Qb2 Ne4 78.Qd4 Qa6 79.Rc2 Nf6 80.Rd2 Qa5 81.Re2 Qa3 82.Qb2 Qa7 83.Qa2 Qd7 84.Qb2 d4 85.Rd2 Qd5+ 86.Kg1 {It is time to change the rhythm of the game.} 86...d3 87.Qe5 $2 {And this immediately brings Nepomniachtchi to victory.} ( {Wei could have still held with} 87.Qa3 $1 Qd4+ 88.Kg2 Qe4+ 89.Kh3 Ng4 90.Qf8 ( {Not} 90.Rxd3 $4 Nf2+ ) 90...Qe3 91.Qg8+ Kf6 92.Ra2 {The rook is threatening mate from the a7-square in case the king wants to run through the center. Therefore, it should all end peacefully after, say:} 92...d2 93.Qh8+ ) 87...Qe4 $1 {The threat of a double attack on e1 leaves White no choice.} 88.Qxe4 fxe4 {But the endgame is hopeless for White.} 89.Kf2 Nd5 90.Ke1 Kf5 91.Rd1 e5 92.Kd2 ( 92.fxe5 Kxe5 {followed by Ke5-d4, and e4-e3 cannot save White either.} ) 92...exf4 93.gxf4 Nxf4 94.Ra1 Ke5 95.Ra6 h5 96.Ra8 f5 {The pawns are unstoppable.} 0-1

[Event "E Grand Prix"]
[Site "Jerusalem, Israel"]
[Date "2019.12.13"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8246605643781"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.h3 {Vachier-Lagrave is one of the very few top players who is ready to try and break the Berlin endgame wall.} 9...Bd7 ( {Black also had problems to solve in the line:} 9...Be7 10.Nc3 Nh4 11.Rd1+ Ke8 12.Nxh4 Bxh4 13.Ne2 h5 14.Bf4 Be7 15.Nd4 c5 16.Nb5 Bd8 17.Bg5 $1 Bd7 18.Bxd8 Kxd8 19.Rd2 Kc8 20.Nc3 a5 21.Rad1 {in Duda,J (2730)-Giri,A (2780) chess.com INT 2019} ) ( {At the World Cup the French GM had to face the line:} 9...Ne7 10.Nc3 Bd7 11.b3 Ng6 12.Bb2 Kc8 13.Rae1 h6 14.Nd2 Nf4 15.Ne2 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2774) -Jakovenko,D (2681) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 10.Rd1 Be7 11.g4 Nh4 12.Nxh4 Bxh4 13.Nd2 Kc8 14.Nf3 Be7 15.Bg5 {The swap of the black bishop pair is a common theme in the Berlin. Up to here, all moves have been played in another game between the two.} ( {Four years ago Topalov gained a comfortable position after:} 15.Rd3 h6 16.Kg2 c5 17.Kg3 Re8 18.c4 a5 19.a4 f6 20.exf6 Bxf6 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2788)-Topalov,V (2754) Stavanger 2016} ) 15...Bc5 16.Rd3 {[#]} 16...b6 $146 ( {The predecessor saw:} 16...Be6 17.Be3 Bxe3 18.Rxe3 Kd7 19.Rd1+ Ke7 20.Nd4 Rad8 21.Red3 g6 22.Nxe6 Rxd3 23.Rxd3 Kxe6 24.f4 h5 {Leko,P (2737) -Adams,M (2743) Dortmund 2014} ) 17.Be3 {Insisting on the trade, which Black needs to accept.} 17...Bxe3 ( {As in the line:} 17...Be7 18.Rad1 Be6 19.Nd4 Bd5 20.Nf5 Bf8 21.c4 $1 Bxc4 22.Rd8+ Kb7 23.Rxa8 Kxa8 24.Rd8+ {The pin on the back line is awkward for Black.} ) 18.Rxe3 h6 19.Rd1 c5 20.Nh4 {Now White wants to ramp up with his f-pawn.} 20...g5 {Therefore, Topalov stops this at once, although this is a serious mistake.} ( {A much better endgame to defend is the one arising after:} 20...Be6 21.f4 g5 22.Ng2 gxf4 23.Nxf4 Kb7 {Although here, too, White should be the happier one.} ) 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.gxf5 {Now Vachier-Lagrave is clearly better. His kingside pawn majority is strongly supported by the rooks. Moreover, the black king is far away from the kingside, and this will lead Black quickly to disaster.} 22...Kb7 {One more inaccuracy.} ( {Black could have achieved a slightly better endgame in comparison to the game with:} 22...Rd8 23.Red3 Rxd3 24.Rxd3 Kb7 25.Kg2 Re8 26.Re3 ) 23.Kg2 Rad8 24.Rxd8 Rxd8 25.Kf3 $1 {The king finds a path into the enemy camp and penetrates there at once.} 25...c4 26.Re4 b5 {It is hard to call this move the decisive mistake because Black was perhaps already lost.} ( {Still he could have tried to defend with:} 26...Kc8 27.Rxc4 ( {The main point behind the king move is that the weaker black piece can block the passer after:} 27.e6 fxe6 28.fxe6 Re8 29.Kg4 Kd8 30.Kh5 Ke7 ) 27...Rd5 {Now the rook tortures the white pawns until White agrees to defend them passively, like in the line:} 28.Ke4 Rd2 29.Ke3 Rd1 30.Ke2 Rd5 31.Re4 {Still it is questionable if Black can survive.} ) 27.Kg4 $1 Kc8 28.e6 fxe6 29.fxe6 Rh8 30.Kf5 Kd8 31.e7+ Ke8 32.Kg6 {Topalov had had enough. He would quickly run into zugzwang.} 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour playoff"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.02"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2870"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "B95"]
[EventDate "2019.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "6598814599715"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f3 {"I wanted to try something new, get some positions that he is not that familiar with. I think that succeeded fairly well." (Carlsen)} 7...h6 {Asking the bishop to chose a side.} ( {The French GM did not to commit himself early with} 7...b5 {as he had to deal with some unpleasant a2-a4 breaks all the time.} ) 8.Be3 {Carlsen decided to switch back to the English Attack. The only difference in comparison to the main lines is the presence of the black pawn on h6. It is indeed an extra tempo for the second player, but it may quickly turn into liability in case that black castles there and opposite pawn storms take place.} ( {After} 8.Bh4 {Black planned} 8...Be7 {when the typical Classical Sicilian idea Nf6xe4 is always in the air. For example:} 9.Qd2 $2 Nxe4 $1 {(Vachier-Lagrave)} ) 8...b5 9.a3 Nbd7 10.Qd2 Bb7 11.O-O-O h5 {"Let's go back to something I know. Evidently I lost my tempo up. " (Vachier-Lagrave)} ( {After} 11...Be7 {Vachier-Lagrave thought he would need five, six tempos to organize his queenside attack and thought it could be too risky. Although} 12.g4 d5 {seems quite good for Black.} ) 12.Kb1 Be7 ( {The continuation of another grandmaster game was curious:} 12...Rc8 13.h3 h4 14.Bd3 Ne5 15.Rhe1 Be7 16.Bg5 Nc4 17.Bxc4 Rxc4 18.Nb3 Rh5 {when Topalov brought his rook into the game in an unusual way, Mekhitarian,K (2559) -Topalov,V (2760) Caxias do Sul 2016} ) 13.Qe1 Rc8 {Since Black does not want to castle into an attack, it is all about the d6-d5 break now.} 14.Rg1 $146 ( {A predecessor saw Black doing well after} 14.Be2 g6 15.Nb3 d5 16.exd5 Nxd5 17.Bd4 O-O 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Bd3 Bf6 {Aryan,C (2430)-Arribas Lopez,A (2536) Madrid 2015} ) ( {Whereas the preparation of the g2-g4 move with} 14.h3 {is almost always met with} 14...h4 ) 14...Qc7 15.g3 {"I missed this idea." (Vachier-Lagrave)} 15...Ne5 {The first critical moment of the game.} ( {The central break was already possible:} 15...d5 {Then both players calculated:} 16.Bf4 e5 17.exd5 {And now their priorities split:} 17...exf4 {was the move that Vachier-Lagrave prioritized in his calculations:} ( {The world champion spent his time calculating the line:} 17...Nxd5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Bh3 {and "who knows what's happening." (Carlsen)} ) 18.Nf5 Qe5 19.d6 {"It looks very, very messy." (Vachier-Lagrave). Then:} 19...Bf8 20.Qxe5+ Nxe5 21.Re1 {regains the piece for White with unclear consequences.} ) 16.Rg2 {"I saw this idea. The rook is useful immediately, covering the c2 pawn." (Vachier-Lagrave)} 16...O-O 17.h3 d5 {Mission accomplished. Black starts his own play before the kingside is opened.} 18.f4 Nc4 19.e5 Nxe3 {"I thought it is important I can get his dark-squared bishop." (Vachier-Lagrave)} ( {The other move which MVL considered is also OK for him:} 19...Ne4 $5 20.Nxe4 dxe4 21.Bxc4 Qxc4 22.g4 Bd5 23.Nb3 h4 24.f5 f6 $5 {with interesting complications to follow.} ) 20.Qxe3 Ne4 21.Nxe4 dxe4 22.Re2 {White is winning the pawn, but Black gets a lot of active play along the open files and diagonals.} 22...Bd5 ( {Here strong was} 22...b4 $1 {According to the computers, Black builds strong initiative. For a while Carlsen could not understand why the evaluation is so favorable for the second player, until he spotted that in the line} 23.axb4 Bxb4 24.Bg2 Rfd8 25.Bxe4 ( {Best is the preliminary:} 25.c3 $1 {when anything is possible.} ) 25...Bxe4 26.Qxe4 {Black has the strong move:} 26...Qb6 $1 {The attack in fact might be already winning after:} 27.Rd3 Rc4 28.c3 Bxc3 ) ( {Or the other way:} 22...Rfd8 $1 23.Bg2 b4 ) 23.Bg2 Qc4 24.Nb3 Bc5 25.Nxc5 Qa2+ 26.Kc1 {The culmination of the game. Both sides missed something in their calculations.} 26...Rfd8 {"I played this a bit too fast." (Vachier-Lagrave)} ( {"I completely missed"} 26...Bc4 {(Carlsen) Luckily for him it does not work after:} 27.Nxe4 ( {White has to be careful:} 27.Rf2 $2 {loses after:} 27...Rxc5 $1 28.Qxc5 Qa1+ 29.Kd2 Rd8+ ) 27...Bxe2 28.Qxe2 Qa1+ 29.Kd2 Qxb2 30.Qd3 Rc4 31.Qb3 $1 {and White defends everything with an edge.} ) 27.c4 $1 {"Frankly I thought [this] was just winning. " (Carlsen)} 27...bxc4 28.Red2 {"I thought this is safer, which evidently it is not." (Carlsen)} ( {The only chance to play for the win was related to the move:} 28.Na4 $1 c3 ( 28...Rb8 {"did not seem to be enough." (Vachier-Lagrave) Although White still needs to work very hard to prove his advantage in the line:} 29.Nc3 Qa1+ 30.Kd2 ( 30.Nb1 Rb3 $1 {wins for Black.} ) 30...Bc6+ 31.Ke1 Rxd1+ 32.Nxd1 Rb3 33.Qc5 Bd5 ) ( {However White was not sure about the positions arising after:} 28...Bc6 $1 29.Rxd8+ Rxd8 30.Nc3 Qa1+ 31.Nb1 Rd3 {(Carlsen) Now the only move is} 32.Qg1 $3 {with the idea} 32...c3 33.Qe1 $1 {which is obviously close to impossible to find by a human player.} ) 29.Nxc3 Qa1+ 30.Kc2 Bb3+ ( {The world champion saw the line:} 30...Rxc3+ 31.Qxc3 Bb3+ 32.Kxb3 Qxd1+ 33.Qc2 Qd5+ 34.Qc4 Rb8+ 35.Kc3 {(Carlsen)} ) 31.Kxb3 Rxd1 32.Bxe4 Rb8+ 33.Ka4 {"I thought with this king on a4 I can get some counterplay." (Vachier-Lagrave)} ) 28...Qa1+ {Vachier-Lagrave sensibly decided to force a draw after missing the c2-c4 idea. Often one blunder leads to another.} ( {In the line} 28...Rxc5 29.Qxc5 Rb8 30.Rc2 {the French GM did not see the move} 30...e3 $1 31.Qxe3 Bxg2 {which would have turned the tables in his favor.} ) 29.Kc2 Qa2 30.Kc1 ( {White cannot deviate from the repetition, for example:} 30.Bxe4 Rxc5 $1 31.Rxd5 Qb3+ $1 {and it is Black who wins.} ) ( {Or} 30.Nxe4 $2 c3 $1 {and Black has a decisive attack.} ) ( 30.Rc1 c3 31.Qxc3 Bb3+ $3 32.Nxb3 Rxc3+ 33.Kxc3 Rc8+ {also spells trouble for White.} ) 30...Qa1+ 31.Kc2 Qa2 32.Kc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.01.12"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[ECO "A17"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7012742073351"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 dxc4 ( {Another way to play against the Reti is:} 4...Be7 5.b3 O-O 6.Bb2 c5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.d4 Nc6 9.Be2 Ne4 10.dxc5 Bf6 11.Nd4 Qa5 {Duda,J (2758)-Predke,A (2676) Moscow 2019} ) 5.Bxc4 a6 6.O-O b5 7.Be2 Bb7 8.a4 $146 {Technically speaking, a novelty. However, White plays this move sooner or later, therefore, it should come as a surprise for Black. Still, there is an important difference in comparison to the usual lines.} ( {In an earlier game White played the a2-a4 move a bit later after} 8.b3 Nbd7 9.Bb2 c5 10.Rc1 Be7 11.a4 {The idea is to clear the c4 square for his pieces. After} 11...b4 12.Nb1 O-O 13.d3 a5 14.e4 Nb6 15.Nbd2 Rc8 16.Ne5 {White starts to play for that square and against the c5 backward pawn:} 16...Nfd7 17.Nxd7 Nxd7 18.Nc4 {with a slight edge for the first player, Lysyj,I (2630)-Fakhrutdinov,T (2460) Yaroslavl 2018} ) 8...b4 9.Nb1 c5 10.d3 Nc6 11.Nbd2 Be7 12.e4 a5 {"A big mistake" according to Artemiev. "It is not a good square (for the pawn) in the endgame."} 13.Nb3 $1 {This is the difference. The b3 spot is available for the knight and Artemiev can put a lot of pressure against the a5 and c5 pawns.} ( {The conventional way of development is still valid:} 13.Nc4 {Although Black can fight the strong knights with} 13...Ba6 ( 13...Nd7 $5 {also makes sense.} ) 14.Nfe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bd6 16.Nc4 $6 Bxc4 17.dxc4 Be5 ) 13...c4 $6 {Vitiugov decided to solve the problem of the backward pawn at once, but this creates other issues. "Risky" said Artemiev.} ( {The pawn was not in immediate danger; Black could have opted for} 13...Qb6 14.h3 ( {More accurate seems} 14.Be3 Ng4 15.Bf4 O-O 16.Qc2 ) 14...O-O 15.Be3 Rfd8 {searching for counterplay against White's weakness on d3.} ) 14.dxc4 Nxe4 15.Qxd8+ Rxd8 16.Be3 O-O 17.Bb6 $1 {This bishop is the problem. It paralyzes the black pieces because of the weak a5 pawn, and provides control over the d-file for the white rooks. Artemiev also has a valuable queenside majority.} 17...Ra8 18.Rfd1 Rfc8 ( {Black can defend the d7 spot with} 18...Nf6 {but then White can use the weakening of the c5 square with} 19.Ne1 $5 ) ( {A logical idea seems to fight the strong bishop at once with} 18...Bd8 {However then White can preserve the advantage with} 19.c5 Bxb6 20.cxb6 Rab8 21.Bb5 ) 19.Kf1 ( {Against} 19.Rd7 {Black can defend with} 19...Ba6 20.Rad1 Kf8 ) 19...Nf6 ( {Here it made sense to centralize the black king too with} 19...Kf8 $5 ) 20.Rac1 Bd8 {Finally Vitiugov decides to solve the problem of the annoying bishop.} ( {Now Black should have opened some air for his king:} 20...h6 $5 ) 21.Bxd8 Nxd8 ( {It transpires that Black can have serious back-rank issues:} 21...Rxd8 22.Nc5 Rab8 23.Nxb7 Rxb7 24.Ne5 $1 ) 22.Ne5 Kf8 23.Rd6 {That is one of the problems with the bishop swap. White gets a square for his rook to infiltrate into the enemy camp.} ( {Also good was} 23.c5 $5 Nc6 24.Nc4 ) 23...Ra7 ( {White is also clearly better in case of} 23...Ke7 24.Rb6 Ne4 25.Bf3 Nc5 26.Nxc5 Bxf3 27.Nxf3 Rxc5 28.Nd4 ) 24.Rcd1 Nc6 25.f4 {Artemiev did not do anything exceptional and nevertheless improved his position greatly.} 25...Ba8 ( {Otherwise Black gets paralyzed with} 25...Nxe5 26.fxe5 Ne8 27.Rd7 ) 26.Bf3 {With his next move Vitiugov makes things even worse for him.} 26...Nxe5 ( {Instead} 26...Rac7 27.Bxc6 Bxc6 28.Nxc6 Rxc6 29.Nxa5 Rxd6 30.Rxd6 Ra8 31.Nc6 Rxa4 32.Rd8+ {looked horrible for Black but this was his last chance to stay in the game.} ) 27.fxe5 ( {There was an even better move:} 27.Rd8+ $1 Rxd8 28.Rxd8+ Ne8 ( {Or else Black loses material:} 28...Ke7 29.Rxa8 Rxa8 30.fxe5 $1 ) 29.fxe5 Bxf3 30.gxf3 Ke7 31.Rc8 {followed by Rc8-c5 and all black pawns drop.} ) 27...Bxf3 28.gxf3 Ne8 29.R6d4 ( {Now} 29.Rd8 Rxc4 30.Rb8 Ke7 31.Rdd8 Nc7 {is not longer effective for White.} ) 29...Ke7 30.Ke2 g6 {In order to bring the knight out, but Black lacks the time for this.} ( 30...f6 {should have been played, although} 31.f4 {is still horrible for Black.} ) 31.c5 $1 {The passer has something to announce.} 31...Ng7 32.Rd6 Nf5 33.Rb6 {Artemiev decides to win in the most secure way.} ( {There was a win \E0 la l'Ami with} 33.c6 $1 Nxd6 34.exd6+ Kf8 35.Rc1 {when the pawns are unstoppable.} ) 33...f6 34.f4 g5 {Looking for some activity, but this just loses the pawn without compensation.} 35.exf6+ Kxf6 36.fxg5+ Kxg5 37.Rxe6 Rf7 38.Re4 ( 38.Rd5 $1 ) 38...Rc6 39.Rg1+ Kh5 40.Re5 {White won a pawn and quickly converts his advantage.} 40...Kh4 41.Rf1 Rcf6 42.Rf3 Kg4 43.h3+ Kh4 44.Re4+ Kg5 45.Rg4+ Kh5 46.Kd2 Rd7+ 47.Rd3 Re7 48.Rd5 Kh6 49.Rf4 Kg6 ( 49...Ref7 50.Nxa5 ) 50.Nxa5 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.01.13"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6601561867293"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.c4 e6 6.Nc3 Ne7 7.Nge2 Nd7 ( {Two years back Artemiev defended differently against Sutovsky:} 7...Bg4 8.Bg5 Qb6 9.c5 Qc7 10.f3 Bf5 11.Ng3 f6 12.Bf4 Nd7 13.exf6 Qxf4 14.Nce2 Qh6 {with a comfortable position for the second player, Sutovsky,E (2647)-Artemiev,V (2704) Poikovsky 2018} ) 8.Ng3 Bg6 9.Bg5 {This move came as a surprise for Black, who spent almost an hour on his next four moves!} 9...Qb6 10.Rc1 {Another move that caused deep thought by the Russian GM.} 10...dxc4 ( {Playing a risky move like} 10...Qxb2 {while facing heavy computer prep is borderline suicide.} ) 11.Bxc4 {Firouzja plays quite the opposite way: he practically blitzes his move.} 11...Nf5 ( {The computer suggests} 11...Qb4 {assuming that White will trade off the queens:} 12.Qb3 {but this scenario is not very likely.} ) ( {Here} 11...Qxb2 12.Bb3 {is even more dangerous for Black.} ) 12.O-O {The first quarter-of-hour on the clock for White. The interesting thing is that this has already been played...} 12...Be7 ( {White's pawn structure would become ugly in case of} 12...Nxg3 13.Na4 ( {Also possible is} 13.fxg3 Nxe5 $2 14.Na4 ) 13...Qc7 14.fxg3 {However, it is doubtful if the black king will live to see the day when these weaknesses will be used:} 14...Nb6 15.Nxb6 axb6 16.Qb3 {The major threats are Bc4xe6 and d4-d5! Black is in trouble.} ) 13.Nxf5 Bxf5 14.Bxe7 Kxe7 15.Qd2 Qd8 $146 {A novelty. However, Black's position is already highly suspicious. His king is stuck in the center and can be attacked by both sides.} ( {This whole line has already been played by the very same Sutovsky! That game went} 15...Rhd8 16.Na4 Qc7 17.Qg5+ Kf8 18.Qxh5 Kg8 19.Rfd1 Nb6 20.Nc5 Nxc4 21.Rxc4 Rd5 22.Qg5 {with advantage for White, Sutovsky,E (2673) -Muzychuk,M (2540) Gibraltar 2018} ) ( {Perhaps the lesser evil was} 15...Kf8 ) 16.Nd1 $1 {A nice maneuver. The knight on e3 will support the f-pawn advance.} ( {There was another way to attack, as suggested by the evil machine:} 16.Qf4 $5 Nb6 17.d5 $1 {Breakthrough!} 17...cxd5 18.Bxd5 Nxd5 19.Nxd5+ Qxd5 20.Rfd1 Qa5 21.b4 Qb6 22.Qg5+ Kf8 23.Rd6 {with total domination and a win!} ) 16...Nb6 17.Ne3 {"I am just much better I think," said Firouzja about this position.} 17...Kf8 {Artemiev is trying to hide his king as much as he can, but in doing so he allows the opening of the game.} ( {More resilient would have been} 17...Be4 18.f3 Bg6 ( {Rather than} 18...Bd5 19.Bxd5 Nxd5 20.Nxd5+ Qxd5 21.Qb4+ {where White wins material.} ) ) 18.Nxf5 exf5 ( {There is no time to destroy the strong bishop:} 18...Nxc4 19.Qb4+ $1 ) 19.Bb3 Qxh4 20.Rfe1 {The threat is stronger than the execution...} ( 20.e6 $5 {at once would have been great too.} ) 20...Rh6 ( {After:} 20...Qe7 21.e6 f6 {White can open a third front on the queenside:} 22.a4 $1 ) 21.e6 $1 {An open file and a diagonal, that is all the Iranian GM needs for a decisive attack.} 21...fxe6 22.Bxe6 Re8 {A sad necessity. Black needs to give back the pawn.} ( {These two short lines prove how strong White's attack is:} 22...Qf6 23.Re5 $1 ) ( {And} 22...Rf6 23.Qb4+ $1 {win on the spot.} ) 23.Bxf5 Rxe1+ ( {If:} 23...Rd6 24.Qa5 Rxe1+ 25.Rxe1 Qxd4 26.Qxa7 {would let the white queen in via a different route.} ) 24.Rxe1 Qd8 25.Qd3 {Black's position is in ruins. Firouzja quickly creates decisive threats.} 25...Kf7 26.Qf3 $1 {A cruel ambush.} 26...Qf6 ( {There is no safe shelter for the monarch:} 26...Kg8 27.Be6+ Kh7 28.Qf5+ Kh8 29.Bf7 ) 27.Qb3+ Kf8 28.Qa3+ Qd6 29.Qe3 ( {Or even better:} 29.Qf3 Qf6 30.Qf4 $1 ) 29...Qd8 30.Qe4 Rf6 ( {Black would be happy to cement the position with his knight:} 30...Nd5 31.Bg6 Nf6 {The problem is that after} 32.Qf5 {he can barely move.} ) 31.Bg6 Kg8 32.Qh4 Qd5 33.Re8+ Rf8 34.Qe7 {All perfect, the end is close.} 34...Nd7 35.Bc2 $1 {The decisive reinforcement. It was only the magic number forty that kept Artemiev still in the game for a while.} 35...Qxd4 36.Rxf8+ {In a situation where "many roads lead to Rome" one needs to concentrate and calculate one of them thoroughly.} ( 36.Qe6+ {A beautiful and convincing win would have been} 36...Kh8 37.Qf5 $1 ) 36...Nxf8 37.Bb3+ Kh7 38.Qxf8 Qxb2 39.Bg8+ ( {Better was to centralize the queen with} 39.Qg8+ Kh6 40.Qh8+ Kg6 41.Qe8+ Kh6 42.Qe3+ ) 39...Kh6 40.Qf4+ g5 41.Qd6+ {Time-trouble is over. Firouzja improves his troops and wraps up the game.} 41...Kg7 42.Bb3 Qa1+ 43.Kh2 Qf6 44.Qxf6+ Kxf6 45.Kg3 b5 46.Bd1 h4+ 47.Kg4 c5 48.f4 gxf4 49.Kxf4 Ke6 ( {The last chance to play for "a wrong corner" with} 49...h3 50.gxh3 c4 51.Ke4 b4 52.Kd4 b3 {is refuted by} 53.Bxb3 $1 {which keeps the future queen alive.} ) 50.Kg4 a5 51.Kxh4 a4 52.g4 c4 53.g5 a3 54.Be2 Kf5 55.Kh5 Ke4 56.g6 c3 57.Bd1 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.01.14"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2644"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[ECO "C58"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "5846524237833"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 {The last time Van Foreest played this line was in 2015.} 4...d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3 Nd5 9.Nf3 Bd6 10.Nc3 ( {The aforementioned game of the young Dutchman went} 10.O-O Nf4 ( {And a more recent top-GM game saw White successfully repelling the opponent's attacking attempts with} 10...O-O 11.Re1 Re8 12.Nc3 f5 13.Bf1 e4 14.Nd4 Bc5 15.Nb3 Nxb3 16.axb3 Qb6 17.Re2 Bd4 18.Nxd5 cxd5 19.d3 Bb7 20.dxe4 dxe4 21.Be3 Bxe3 22.fxe3 {Aronian,L (2775)-Amin,B (2683) Moscow 2019} ) 11.Nc3 Nxd3 12.cxd3 O-O 13.Ne4 c5 14.b3 Nc6 15.Ba3 Nb4 16.Bxb4 cxb4 17.Re1 {with compensation for the pawn in Van Foreest,J (2519)-Erwich,F (2358) Vlissingen 2015} ) 10...O-O 11.Be2 Nf4 12.O-O {White's play seems very slow, but as long as his king is in safety he can afford playing like this.} 12...Bg4 13.d3 Nxe2+ {The bishop was an important defender.} 14.Qxe2 f5 {Now the pin along the h5-d1 diagonal looks scary and Carlsen wants to open all the files with e5-e4.} 15.h3 Bh5 16.g4 $1 $146 {A strong novelty! Apparently, Van Foreest did a very thorough preparation for the tournament.} ( {An earlier games saw White doing well after} 16.Qe3 Qe7 ( {However, a better option for the second player would have been} 16...Qf6 $5 17.Re1 Rae8 {planning the central break e5-e4!} ) 17.Qg5 Qf7 18.Nd2 h6 19.Qh4 f4 20.f3 c5 21.Qf2 Rac8 22.Nde4 {Varga,Z (2459)-Halkias,S (2544) Palic 2014} ) 16...fxg4 ( {Black cannot ignore the advance as} 16...Bg6 17.Nxe5 Re8 18.f4 {would stabilize the position in the center and lead to an edge for White.} ) 17.Ng5 {The point behind Van Foreest's operation. A strong blockading knight will a secure stable kingside for White and will keep the black bishops away from his king.} 17...Qd7 ( 17...Qe8 18.hxg4 {is good for White.} ) 18.Nce4 $1 {Another strong maneuver. The knight is heading to g3.} 18...Be7 ( {If Black tries to bring his knight into the game with} 18...Nb7 {then} 19.Ng3 g6 20.Nxh5 gxh5 21.hxg4 hxg4 22.Kg2 $1 {would switch the attacking balance towards the kingside.} ) ( {Carlsen also does not have time for} 18...h6 19.Nxd6 Qxd6 20.hxg4 ) 19.Ng3 Bg6 20.Qxg4 Qxg4 21.hxg4 {The novelty worked perfectly for White. He enters the endgame as a clear favorite.} 21...c5 {One idea is to trade the isolated pawn. Another, to bring the knight back into the game.} 22.N5e4 ( {Also interesting for White was the following play:} 22.Ne6 Rf6 23.Nc7 Rd8 24.Bg5 Rf7 25.Ne6 ) 22...Nc6 23.Be3 Nd4 24.Rac1 ( {The alternative was} 24.c3 Ne6 ( {Nothing changes} 24...Nc2 25.Rad1 Nxe3 26.fxe3 ) 25.Rad1 {with an edge for the first player.} ) 24...Rac8 {This prepares the c5-c4 advance.} ( {There was also} 24...a5 25.Kg2 Rfb8 26.b3 a4 {to open files for the rooks on the queenside. However, White can easily consolidate:} 27.f3 axb3 28.axb3 Ra2 29.Rf2 Rf8 {and even though Black is active it is still White who can fight for something.} ) 25.Kg2 {A useful move. White is stepping out of the possible knight forks.} ( {Here it made sense to block the pawn with} 25.Nd2 $1 Bf7 26.Kg2 {Then} ( {After} 26.b3 $5 {Black can generate counter-play with} 26...Bd5 27.Kh2 Rc6 ) 26...c4 {can be met with} 27.dxc4 Bxc4 28.Nxc4 Rxc4 29.b3 Rxc2 30.Nf5 {with favorable complications for White.} ) 25...c4 $1 {A move with lots of merits. It opens files and diagonals for the black pieces, softens the position of the blocking knight on e4 and trades a possible weak pawn.} 26.Bxd4 exd4 27.f3 Rc6 ( {A bit more accurate was} 27...Rc7 28.b3 Ba3 {So that} 29.dxc4 {can be met with} 29...Bxc1 30.Rxc1 Rcf7 ) 28.b3 Ba3 29.Rce1 {Now Black is fine.} ( {According to the computer, the only way to fight for the advantage was connected with the exchange sacrifice after} 29.dxc4 $1 Bxc1 30.Rxc1 Rc7 31.Rd1 Rcf7 32.Rd3 {and then White can start advancing his queenside pawns.} ) 29...cxd3 30.cxd3 a5 $1 {The same policy as before. The a-pawn will be traded, thus creating a weakness in White's camp.} 31.Rf2 Bc1 {Now it is the world champion who is pressing. In the endgame the bishop pair often compensates with interest an extra pawn for the opponent.} 32.Nd2 $1 {A clever decision! White found a way to swap one of the black bishops and liquidate into a draw endgame.} 32...Bxd3 33.Nc4 Bf4 34.Ne5 Rc3 ( {Or} 34...Bxe5 35.Rxe5 a4 36.bxa4 {with a draw.} ) 35.Nxd3 Rxd3 36.Nf5 g6 37.Re4 Bg5 38.Ne7+ ( {A bit more accurate was} 38.Nxd4 Be3 39.Ne6 Bxf2 40.Nxf8 Rd2 41.Ne6 Rxa2 42.Ra4 $1 ) 38...Kh8 39.Nc6 Be3 40.Re2 Rd1 41.Nxa5 Rg1+ 42.Kh2 Rc1 {Carlsen forces a draw.} ( {As} 42...Rxf3 $4 {is obviously impossible} 43.R4xe3 ) 43.Kg2 Rg1+ 44.Kh2 Rc1 45.Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.01.17"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Kovalev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2660"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6945364779610"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 a6 8.Nbd2 ( {The alternative is} 8.a4 Ba7 9.Nbd2 Qe7 10.b4 {1/2-1/2 (10) Yu,Y (2738) -Andreikin,D (2724) Moscow 2019} ) 8...Ba7 9.O-O O-O 10.a4 g5 11.Bg3 {The early sortie of this bishop is a double-edged sword. It might do a great job pinning the opponent's knight, but it may end up excluded from the game. At the same time, in order to force the bishop out of the game Black needs to advance the pawns in front of his king, thus exposing it.} 11...Kg7 12.Re1 {White wants to free his bishop with brute force. The push d3-d4 followed by e4-e5 is a threat.} 12...Nh7 13.b4 h5 14.h3 h4 15.Bh2 g4 16.hxg4 Bxg4 ( {It would be interesting to see what Giri prepared against the computer recommendation} 16...Nf6 {which in fact was played last year in the following game:} 17.g5 Ng4 18.Re2 f6 19.b5 Ne7 20.gxf6+ Rxf6 {Duda,J (2731)-Nakamura,H (2749) Saint Louis 2019} ) 17.b5 Ne7 18.d4 {Now the pressure is all over the board.} 18...Ng6 ( {Kovalev cannot win the pawn easily:} 18...exd4 19.cxd4 Bxd4 {as} 20.bxa6 bxa6 21.Qc1 $1 {highlights the weakness of his king in the line} 21...Bxa1 22.Qxa1+ Kg8 23.Nxh4 ) 19.bxa6 $146 {Giri comes well armed for the encounter and produces a novelty.} ( {Instead, an earlier game ended peacefully after} 19.Be2 Qf6 20.bxa6 bxa6 21.Kh1 Nf4 {1/2-1/2 (21) Anand,V (2757) -Nakamura,H (2741) Kolkata 2019} ) 19...bxa6 20.Nf1 exd4 {Optimistic play by Kovalev.} ( {However, slow measures like} 20...Qf6 21.Ne3 Bxf3 22.gxf3 {followed by Ne3-f5 do not fully solve Black's problems.} ) 21.cxd4 Bxf3 22.gxf3 f5 {This was Black's point. However, it will quickly transpire that this is rather weakening the black king.} ( {Kovalev should have tried to patiently repel the opponent's initiative with} 22...Qf6 23.Ne3 Kh8 24.Nf5 Rg8 25.Kh1 Ne7 ) 23.Ne3 fxe4 24.fxe4 Qg5+ 25.Kh1 Rxf2 26.Nf5+ {The most obvious move, which promises White some edge.} ( {But there were two serious alternatives:} 26.Bg1 $1 {was strong with the major point to transfer the bishop on an excellent diagonal after} 26...Rff8 27.Nf5+ Kh8 28.Be3 {with a crushing attack.} ) ( 26.Ra2 $5 {also made sense, depriving Black of his active rook:} 26...Rxa2 27.Bxa2 {also with an edge for the first player.} ) 26...Kh8 27.Rg1 Rxh2+ $1 {It is a good moment to swap off some of the dangerous white attackers.} 28.Kxh2 Qf4+ 29.Kh3 $1 {The only move.} 29...Ng5+ ( {Not} 29...Qxe4 $2 30.Qg4 ) 30.Rxg5 Qxg5 31.Qg1 $1 {Another only, but effective move.} 31...Nf4+ 32.Kh2 Qxg1+ 33.Rxg1 {It seems as Black is out of danger, but Giri's initiative persists in the endgame. How to defend against the rook lift to g4 and the mating threat?} 33...d5 {Not the best.} ( {Ideally, Black should be looking for an opposite-colored bishop endgame, therefore the line} 33...Rb8 34.Rg4 Rb2+ 35.Kg1 Ne2+ 36.Kf1 Ng3+ 37.Ke1 Nxf5 38.exf5 {should have been preferred. Then} 38...d5 $1 39.Bxd5 Rb6 40.Rxh4+ Kg7 {leaves Black with excellent drawing chances, despite the missing pawn.} ) 34.Bxd5 Nxd5 35.exd5 Re8 ( {Apparently, Kovalev was afraid of the pure minor piece endgame after} 35...Rg8 36.Rxg8+ ( {rather than} 36.Re1 Rg4 ) 36...Kxg8 37.Kh3 {a similar endgame will happen later in the game.} ) 36.Kh3 ( 36.Rg4 $1 {would have prevented any active moves by the black rook, but White is apparently not afraid of the rook swap either.} ) 36...Bb6 {Now Black is lost.} ( {No matter how bad the endgame is after} 36...Re4 37.Rg4 Rxg4 38.Kxg4 Kh7 39.Kxh4 Kg6 40.Kg4 Bb6 {Kovalev should have tried it. It is not that easy to prove the win, for example the obvious idea} 41.Ne7+ Kf6 42.Nc6 {intending a4-a5 does not win concretely due to} 42...Bxd4 $3 43.Nxd4 Ke5 44.Ne6 Kxd5 45.Nxc7+ Kc4 {and Black is in time to demolish the last white pawn:} 46.Nxa6 Kb3 47.Nc5+ Kb4 ) 37.Kxh4 Rd8 38.Rg5 Kh7 39.Rh5+ Kg6 40.Ne7+ $1 {A nice maneuver which completely paralyzes the black bishop.} 40...Kf6 41.Nc6 Re8 42.Re5 Rh8+ 43.Kg4 a5 44.Rf5+ Kg6 {This loses by force, but it is hard to offer Kovalev good advice.} ( {After} 44...Kg7 {White could go for the forcing line} 45.d6 ( {or improve first with} 45.Kg5 ) 45...cxd6 46.Rb5 Bd8 47.Rb8 Rh4+ 48.Kf5 Rh5+ 49.Ke6 Rh6+ 50.Kd7 {with a win.} ) 45.Ne5+ Kg7 46.Rg5+ Kh7 47.Rh5+ Kg7 48.Rxh8 Kxh8 49.Nc4 $1 Kg7 ( {Since} 49...Bxd4 50.Nxa5 {loses automatically after Na5-c6 and the a-pawn advance.} ) 50.Kf5 Kf7 51.d6 $1 ( 51.d6 {Black resigned due to} 51...Ke8 52.Nxb6 cxb6 53.Ke6 Kd8 54.d7 b5 55.axb5 a4 56.b6 a3 57.b7 a2 58.b8=Q# ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.01.18"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2644"]
[ECO "C11"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[Beauty "6254948800048"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Nce2 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Nf3 Be7 8.a3 {From here the Russian GM started to take a good amount of time on his clock.} ( {It is interesting to see Vituigov on the opposite side of the board in the following game:} 8.Ng3 Qa5 9.dxc5 Qxc5 10.Bf4 Qb6 11.Qd2 Nc5 12.Qc2 a5 13.Be2 Bd7 14.O-O h5 $5 {Fedoseev,V (2681)-Vitiugov,N (2727) Riga 2019} ) 8...O-O 9.Nf4 Qa5 10.Bd3 Nxd4 11.Nxd4 cxd4 12.Qh5 $146 {A novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw heavy complications after} 12.Nxe6 dxc3 13.b4 Bxb4 14.axb4 Qxa1 15.O-O c2 16.Qxc2 Qxe5 17.Bxh7+ Kh8 18.Nxf8 Nxf8 19.Bd3 {with compensation for a pawn in Karthik,V (2470)-Moradiabadi,E (2539) Sitges 2019} ) 12...f5 {The first deep thought by Van Foreest. In the end he decided to play for a win.} ( {Otherwise White can force perpetual in the line} 12...g6 13.Nxg6 fxg6 14.Bxg6 hxg6 15.Qxg6+ Kh8 ) 13.O-O Nxe5 14.cxd4 Nc6 15.Be3 Bf6 {Despite the blockade, White does not seem to gain enough for the invested material.} 16.Ne2 ( {The computer suggests} 16.Qh3 Bxd4 17.Bxd4 Nxd4 {but the destination of White's compensation remains unknown here as well.} ) 16...Qb6 {Van Foreest plays actively, hindering the possible strengthening of the blockade.} 17.Kh1 {A slight prophylaxis. The king moves away from the possible knight check (after the knight grabs the d4-pawn.)} 17...Bd7 ( {The Dutch GM decides the second pawn is not worth it. After} 17...Nxd4 {White has an interesting choice between} 18.Bxf5 ( {and} 18.Qh3 e5 19.Bxd4 ( 19.Nxd4 exd4 ) 19...exd4 20.Bxf5 ) 18...exf5 19.Rfd1 ) 18.b4 Rac8 19.Rac1 Ne7 {A strong maneuver.} 20.Rc5 {This move seems clever but does not bring the desired relief.} ( {Although it is difficult to suggest an improvement for Vitiugov, say:} 20.Bg5 Rxc1 21.Rxc1 Be8 22.Qh4 Ng6 23.Qg3 Bxd4 ) 20...Rxc5 21.dxc5 ( 21.bxc5 Qb3 {changes nothing.} ) 21...Qc6 $1 {A very important move! The active black queen will not let White block the position again.} ( 21...Qc7 22.f4 {would have made White's position definitely more solid.} ) 22.Nd4 ( {Here} 22.f4 {is strongly met with} 22...Qa4 $1 ) 22...Qa4 23.Ra1 Be8 {Missing an instant win.} ( {The pawns could already move with decisive forks:} 23...g6 $1 {would have won after} 24.Qh6 ( {Or} 24.Qe2 f4 $1 ) 24...f4 $1 25.Qxf4 e5 ) 24.Qh3 Ng6 25.Bc2 Qa6 26.Rb1 Bf7 {Nevertheless, everything is in accordance with Black's plans, and his center is about to steamroll.} 27.f4 Qc4 28.Bb3 Qc3 {The same active-queen-annoying policy.} 29.Rd1 ( {Or} 29.Rc1 Qb2 ) 29...Nxf4 {Now they become two.} 30.Bxf4 Bxd4 31.Qxc3 Bxc3 32.Bd6 Rc8 33.b5 Bb2 $1 34.a4 Ba3 {The rest should have been matter of technique, if not for the creativity of Vitiugov.} 35.a5 Bxc5 {Three up. It seems as White is going to throw in the towel after the time trouble is over.} 36.Rc1 b6 37.g4 $1 {This looks like desperation. It seems as White is sacrificing a pawn for nothing.} ( {Instead} 37.Bxc5 {does not lead White anywhere after} 37...bxc5 38.b6 axb6 39.axb6 c4 ) ( {However, the move in the game is important as it opens air for the king in the line} 37.Rxc5 bxc5 38.b6 axb6 39.axb6 Ra8 $1 {Threatens back-rank checkmate.} 40.Kg1 Ra1+ 41.Kf2 Rb1 42.b7 Rxb3 43.b8=Q+ Rxb8 44.Bxb8 {and Black wins.} ) 37...fxg4 {Careless!} ( 37...Be8 $1 {would have won much neater. For example,} 38.gxf5 Bxb5 39.fxe6 Bc4 40.Bxc5 Rxc5 41.axb6 axb6 42.Bc2 g6 {picking up the e6 pawn soon.} ) 38.Rxc5 $3 {Now this works and wins a piece for White.} 38...bxc5 ( {Surely not} 38...Rxc5 $4 39.Bxc5 bxc5 40.b6 axb6 41.axb6 ) 39.b6 axb6 40.axb6 Rc6 41.Bc7 ( 41.b7 Rb6 42.b8=Q+ Rxb8 43.Bxb8 {would be similar.} ) 41...Rxb6 42.Bxb6 {Time trouble is over. Now Van Foreest is up five pawns, but lost a bishop for them. Despite the blunder, the young Dutchman still preserves excellent winning chances.} 42...c4 43.Bd1 Bg6 $1 {It is imperative to activate the pieces.} ( {Otherwise the shadow of the blockade will again interfere Black's winning attempts in the line} 43...h5 44.Bd4 Kf8 45.Kg2 Ke7 46.Be5 $1 ) 44.Bxg4 Bf5 45.Bf3 ( {According to the computer, it is better to bring the bishop to another diagonal with} 45.Bd1 c3 46.Bb3 ) 45...c3 46.Kg1 Kf7 47.Bd4 c2 48.Bb2 d4 {The pawns are slowly but stubbornly moving forward.} 49.Kf2 e5 50.Bd5+ Kf6 51.h4 ( {Or} 51.Ke2 g5 ) 51...Kg6 52.Kg3 Bd3 {This frees the f5-square for the king. Once the e5-pawn reaches the e3-square, it will be impossible to stop them.} 53.Bc1 ( 53.Be6 {cannot prevent Black's plan:} 53...Kf6 54.Bb3 Kf5 ) 53...e4 54.Bb2 Kf5 55.Bg8 h6 56.Bc1 {This loses quickly.} ( {The last chance is to actively tie the enemy pieces with pins in the line} 56.Bh7+ $1 Ke5 57.Bc1 Kd5 58.Bg8+ Kc6 59.Bh7 ) 56...e3 $1 57.Bb2 ( {In the line} 57.Bh7+ g6 58.h5 Kg5 59.Bxg6 Bxg6 60.hxg6 Kxg6 61.Kf3 h5 62.Ke4 h4 {there are so many black pawns running.} ) 57...Be4 58.Bc1 g5 59.h5 ( {If} 59.hxg5 Kxg5 $1 {followed by the advance of the h-pawn that will break White's defense.} ) 59...g4 ( {Also good is} 59...e2 60.Kf2 d3 ) 60.Bh7+ ( {White should have tried at least} 60.Bc4 Kg5 61.Bf7 {although, of course, there should be a way into his position.} ) 60...Ke5 61.Bg8 e2 62.Kf2 d3 {Van Foreest's words that he came here for first place become more and more serious by the day!} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.01.19"]
[Round "8.6"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Beauty "6323534081589"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bf4 {A relatively rare move.} ( {The main line is} 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 O-O 8.e3 Bf5 9.Qb3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 Nbd7 11.Be2 c5 12.dxc5 g5 13.Bg3 Nxc5 14.Qb4 Nce4 {as in Cheparinov,I (2687)-Grischuk,A (2777) Moscow 2019} ) 6...O-O 7.e3 Bf5 8.Qb3 Nc6 9.Bg5 a5 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.a3 {The first major thought by Black.} 11...a4 12.Qxd5 Bxc3+ $146 {And an important novelty by the former world champion.} ( {Black did well in this game:} 12...Ra5 13.Qc4 b5 14.Qe2 Bd6 15.Qd2 b4 16.Nb5 Rb8 17.Nxd6 Qxd6 18.Bc4 Bg4 {Olah,G (1992) -Szurovszky,E (2124) Hungary 2012. But there were many improvents for White along this line.} ) 13.bxc3 Na5 {Caruana won an important central pawn, but is now heavily lagging in development. Furthermore, his rook on a1 might get in trouble.} 14.Qe5 ( {Safer seems to bring the queen back home with} 14.Qa2 $5 Qc6 15.Qb2 {But Caruana might have disliked the blockade with} 15...Nc4 $5 16.Qb4 Be6 ) 14...Qc6 ( {The endgame is definitely in White's favor:} 14...Qxe5 15.Nxe5 ) 15.c4 Nb3 16.Qxf5 $5 {After almost half an hour on the clock Caruana decides to part with the troublesome rook.} ( {He would have also lost it in case of} 16.Rd1 $2 Bc2 ) ( {However} 16.Ra2 {would have been an alternative, when a sample line runs} 16...Be4 17.d5 Qg6 18.Nd2 Rae8 19.Qc3 Nc5 {with double-edged play.} ) 16...Nxa1 17.Bd3 g6 18.Qf4 {In return for the exchange White managed to weaken the enemy kingside and won a couple of tempos to castle. The impressive white center also adds to the compensation.} 18...Nb3 19.O-O ( {Nothing yields} 19.Qh6 Qf6 ) 19...Qd6 {Anand decides to chase the queen to h6 anyway, albeit with the loss of a tempo.} ( {But maybe he could have used it for something more interesting, like} 19...Qd7 20.Qh6 f6 ) 20.Qh6 Qf6 21.c5 {The inclusion of the bishop is mandatory if White wants to add momentum to his initiative.} 21...b6 {Black in return needs open files for his rooks.} 22.cxb6 cxb6 23.Ne5 Rfc8 24.f4 Rc1 $1 {Swaps off the potential attacker.} ( {Which might become really powerful after} 24...Rc7 25.f5 $1 ) ( {Black might have thought about inserting a useful move like} 24...Ra7 25.f5 {bBefore swapping:} 25...Rc1 {But then} 26.Ng4 Rxf1+ 27.Kxf1 Qd6 28.Qg5 {is annoying for him.} ) 25.Rxc1 Nxc1 26.Bc4 Ra7 27.Ng4 {The only problem for Anand is that his knight too far away from his king.} 27...Qd6 28.Qg5 {After some thought.} ( {If} 28.Qh4 {Black can at least repeat the moves if he likes} 28...Kg7 29.Qh6+ ) 28...Qe7 ( {Here} 28...Kg7 {is not good due to} 29.f5 f6 30.Qh6+ Kh8 31.Qh4 $1 gxf5 32.Nh6 ) 29.Qb5 Kg7 {Solid and good.} ( {But it was also interesting to sacrifice a pawn with:} 29...Rc7 30.Qxa4 Kg7 {with the idea h7-h5 and counter-attack.} ) 30.f5 f6 31.Qd5 Qf8 {It is Anand's turn to play for more.} ( {The endgame after} 31...Qf7 32.Qxf7+ ( {However, it is White now who can repeat the moves with} 32.Qb5 ) 32...Rxf7 33.Bxf7 Kxf7 34.fxg6+ hxg6 35.Kf1 b5 {is better for Black.} ) 32.fxg6 hxg6 33.e4 Qc8 ( {One more moment to get active was here} 33...b5 $5 34.Qxb5 Qd6 35.Bd5 Qf4 ) 34.h3 Rd7 35.Qe6 Qd8 36.e5 f5 37.Qf6+ $2 {A time-trouble mistake.} ( {So far both players were worthy of each other and the game could have ended in a draw after the correct} 37.Nf6 Rxd4 38.Bd5 {For example} 38...Ne2+ 39.Kf2 Nc3 40.Qf7+ Kh6 41.Qh7+ Kg5 42.g3 Rd2+ 43.Kf1 Rd1+ 44.Kf2 Rd2+ {And White cannot deviate from the draw:} 45.Ke3 $2 Nxd5+ 46.Kxd2 Nxf6+ ) 37...Qxf6 38.exf6+ Kh7 ( {Not} 38...Kf8 $2 39.Ne5 ) 39.Ne5 Rd6 40.f7 Kg7 41.Nf3 Nb3 42.Ng5 Nd2 $1 {Suddenly, the board is too narrow for the remaining white pieces.} 43.Be6 ( {Otherwise the bishop would be locked.} 43.Ba2 Nb3 $1 ) 43...Rd8 44.Kf2 Kf6 {Just a step away from the win, Anand misses his chance.} ( {He could have dealt once and for all with the annoying passer after} 44...Nb3 $1 45.d5 ( {An important moment is that} 45.Bxf5 {with the idea} 45...gxf5 ( {can be parried by the cool} 45...Rd5 $1 {when Black wins.} ) 46.Ne6+ Kxf7 47.Nxd8+ Ke7 48.Nc6+ {and a likely draw.} ) 45...b5 46.d6 Nc5 ) 45.Bd7 $1 {Caruana immediately grabs his chance.} 45...Ne4+ 46.Nxe4+ fxe4 ( {It was not too late to play for the win with} 46...Kxf7 $3 47.Bxa4 ( 47.Ng5+ Kf6 48.Nh7+ Kg7 ) ( 47.Nd6+ Ke7 48.Bxf5 Rxd6 $1 ) 47...fxe4 48.Ke3 Ra8 {In any case Anand would regret later that he did not take care of the pawn when he could.} ) 47.Be8 Ke7 {This seems logical, but in some lines the king is subject of a tempo gain.} ( {Correct was} 47...Kg7 $1 48.Ke3 Rc8 49.Kxe4 Rc3 50.Bxa4 Kxf7 51.Bb5 Rxa3 {when Black is the only one to play for a win.} ) 48.Ke3 Rb8 ( {The difference of the black king situation becomes visible in the line} 48...Rc8 49.Kxe4 Rc3 50.d5 $1 Rxa3 $4 51.d6+ Kf8 52.d7 {and queens.} ) 49.Bxa4 b5 ( {This was the last chance for} 49...Kxf7 50.Kxe4 Rc8 ) 50.Bb3 Ra8 51.Kxe4 Rxa3 52.Be6 Ra1 $2 {It was definitely time to force a draw.} ( {With} 52...b4 53.d5 Ra6 54.Kd3 b3 55.Kc3 Rb6 56.Kb2 g5 57.g3 Rb8 58.h4 gxh4 59.gxh4 {The h-pawn will be swapped for the b-one and the point would have been split.} ) 53.d5 Rd1 {This loses instantly.} ( {The last chance was} 53...Re1+ 54.Kd4 Kf8 55.Kc5 b4 56.Kxb4 Re2 57.g4 g5 58.Kc5 Rc2+ 59.Kd6 {although Black seems to be lost here too.} ) 54.Ke5 Rf1 ( {Now:} 54...Re1+ 55.Kd4 Kf8 56.Kc5 {does not help Black.} ) 55.d6+ Kf8 56.Kd5 ( {Or} 56.d7 Ke7 57.h4 ) 56...Rf6 57.d7 Ke7 58.Kc6 Rf2 59.Kxb5 Rb2+ 60.Kc6 Rb8 61.Kc7 {And not waiting for the g-pawn to support the other two passers Anand resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.01.21"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[ECO "C92"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7698460442655"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {Carlsen follows the golden rule of the experienced player: "an endgame with the youth."} 4.d3 {But the Berlin Endgame is rejected.} 4...d6 5.c3 a6 6.Ba4 Be7 7.O-O O-O 8.Re1 Re8 9.Nbd2 Bf8 10.h3 b5 11.Bc2 Bb7 12.d4 g6 {Slowly the game shifted into the Zaitsev line.} 13.a3 ( {Last year's Wijk witnessed the following game:} 13.b3 d5 14.Bb2 exd4 15.cxd4 Nb4 16.e5 Nh5 17.a3 Nxc2 18.Qxc2 Nf4 19.b4 a5 20.Bc3 axb4 21.axb4 Rxa1 22.Rxa1 Bc8 {L'Ami,E (2643)-Gledura,B (2615) Wijk aan Zee 2019} ) 13...Nb8 {The knight is moving to a better position, \E0 la Breyer, in order to free the light-squared bishop.} 14.d5 c6 15.c4 Nbd7 {Black is doing fine out of the opening. Firouzja's next move is a novelty.} 16.a4 $146 ( {Black also did well in an earlier game:} 16.b4 Nb6 17.dxc6 Bxc6 18.cxb5 axb5 19.Bb3 Bg7 20.Ra2 d5 21.exd5 Nfxd5 {Shadrina,T (2416)-Kosintseva,T (2497) St Petersburg 2009} ) 16...Qc7 {Carlsen builds up more pressure, threatening to open the files at a good moment.} 17.b3 {The first major thought by the youngster.} ( {He was probably considering to release the pressure with} 17.dxc6 Bxc6 18.axb5 axb5 19.Rxa8 Rxa8 20.cxb5 Bxb5 21.Nb1 $5 {when White can try to control the center, but} 21...Qb7 22.Nc3 Bc6 {promises Black the better control when the b2 pawn might easily become vulnerable.} ) 17...Rec8 18.Ra2 ( {More natural seems} 18.Bb1 bxc4 19.bxc4 {Althoguh Black is more than fine after} 19...Nc5 ( {Or as in the game:} 19...a5 $5 ) ) 18...bxc4 19.bxc4 a5 20.Nf1 {Strangely enough, this is a mistake. The knight cannot find good position for itself on the kingside.} ( {Correct was} 20.Nb1 $1 {anticipating} 20...Ba6 21.Na3 cxd5 22.cxd5 Rab8 23.Bd2 ) 20...Ba6 21.Ne3 ( {Black is better after} 21.N3d2 Rab8 22.Ne3 cxd5 23.cxd5 Qc3 ) 21...Nc5 {Simply bringing more pieces into the game.} ( {The same could have been done with} 21...Rab8 22.dxc6 Qxc6 23.Nd2 Bh6 ) 22.Nd2 {Firouzja hesitates and this makes his position even worse. Carlsen still has pieces to bring out and improve his situation further.} ( {It made sense to open some room for his piecs with} 22.dxc6 Qxc6 23.Nd5 Ncd7 24.Nd2 {Then comes} 24...Bxc4 ( {However, Black can preserve the advantage with} 24...Rab8 $1 ) 25.Nxc4 Qxc4 26.Nxf6+ Nxf6 27.Bb3 {promises White ample compensation along the light squares.} ) 22...cxd5 23.cxd5 Rab8 24.Ba3 Qd8 {Brings the queen to a better position too.} ( 24...Nh5 $5 {made a lot of sense too.} ) 25.Qf3 h5 {The bishop's turn it is.} 26.Raa1 Bh6 27.Rab1 ( {Or} 27.Rec1 Kg7 {followed by h5-h4 and Bh6-f4 at a good moment.} ) 27...Rxb1 $1 {The world champion is OK to trade, but just one rook. The other one will have a career soon.} 28.Rxb1 Kg7 ( 28...Bf4 $5 {was not bad either.} ) 29.Nef1 {White's position gets worse by the move, but it is difficult to give him an advise.} ( {Still, better was} 29.Ndf1 {with the idea to meet} 29...h4 30.Ng4 ) 29...h4 30.Ne3 Bf4 31.Nef1 ( {Or} 31.Ndf1 Nd3 $1 {leading to a quick collapse.} ) 31...Qc7 ( 31...Nh7 $1 {would be great too.} ) 32.g3 {After this, the game is quickly over.} ( {But} 32.Re1 {should not have saved White either, because of} 32...Nh7 $1 ( {or} 32...Nb7 $1 33.Bd3 Bxd3 34.Qxd3 Qc3 ) ) 32...hxg3 33.fxg3 Bh6 34.h4 ( {If} 34.Kg2 Qa7 $1 {would activate the black queen.} ) 34...Qd7 {Simply winning a pawn. Carlsen's play was amazingly simple and effective!} 35.Kg2 Nxa4 36.Bxa4 Qxa4 37.Bxd6 Qd4 38.Qf2 ( {Or} 38.Nb3 Rc2+ ) 38...Qxf2+ 39.Kxf2 Bxf1 ( 39...Bxf1 {Firouzja resigned due to the line} 40.Kxf1 Bxd2 41.Bxe5 Bc3 42.Rc1 Bxe5 43.Rxc8 Bxg3 ) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.01.22"]
[Round "10.5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[ECO "E71"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7148973099587"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3 Nc6 {A provocative move, in the spirit of the game Letelier-Fischer.} ( {Black did not experience any problems recently in another line:} 6...c6 7.Bd3 Na6 8.e5 Nd7 9.f4 c5 10.Nf3 cxd4 11.Bxd4 dxe5 12.fxe5 Nac5 13.Be4 Ne6 14.Be3 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 {Salem,A (2675)-Amin,B (2683) Moscow 2019} ) 7.d5 Ne5 8.f4 Ned7 9.g4 {A very unusual position arose. White has advanced six out of his eight pawn, whereas Black has only two of them moved, just modestly a half-move through. However, since Firouzja has developed most of his pieces and castled he can hope to undermine the center nicely.} 9...c6 10.Nf3 cxd5 11.cxd5 b6 $146 {Black is blitzing out a novelty. Firouzja is not afraid to weaken the c6 square.} ( {An extremely sharp, double-edged position arose in an earlier game after} 11...Nc5 12.Bxc5 dxc5 13.e5 Nd7 14.Qc2 Qa5 15.Nd2 Nb6 16.a3 Nd7 17.O-O-O a6 18.Bg2 Rb8 19.d6 e6 20.h4 b5 21.h5 b4 {Jones,G (2662)-Pavlidis,A (2546) Heraklio 2017} ) 12.Nd4 Nc5 {The point.} ( {After} 12...Bb7 13.Bg2 Nc5 14.O-O {White consolidates and enjoys a strong center and a space advantage for free.} ) 13.Qf3 $1 {A wise decision. It also came as a surprise for Caruana's younger opponent. On his next two moves Black spent almost half an hour.} ( {Here} 13.Bg2 Ba6 {would obstruct the white castling.} ) ( {Apparently, Black spent most of his time analyzing the lines after the obvious} 13.Nc6 Qc7 ( {Or even} 13...Qe8 {Intending e7-e6!} ) ) 13...Bb7 14.g5 Nfxe4 $1 {But found a good continuation. There is nothing else. If Firouzja does not use his temporary development advantage it will disappear.} 15.Nxe4 Bxd5 16.Nf6+ exf6 17.Qxd5 Re8 18.Nc2 {Best.} ( {Since} 18.Qf3 Qe7 19.Nc2 fxg5 20.O-O-O {simply decentralized the white queen in comparison to the game.} ) ( {Whereas} 18.Kf2 $2 fxg5 19.fxg5 Re5 {leaves the white king exposed in the middle of the board.} ) 18...fxg5 19.O-O-O gxf4 20.Bd4 $1 {An important move. Caruana swaps off the opponent's most dangerous piece.} ( {The pawn was invincible due to} 20.Bxf4 $4 Qf6 21.Qd4 Qh4 ( {Or even better:} 21...Qf5 22.Qxd6 Ne4 $1 ) 22.Qb4 Re4 {with a win.} ) 20...Bxd4 ( 20...Rc8 {would be met with} 21.Kb1 ) ( {Whereas} 20...Ne6 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Bb5 $1 ( 22.Kb1 ) ( 22.Qxd6 Qf6 23.Bb5 ) 22...Rf8 23.Nd4 $1 {would be better for White.} ) 21.Qxd4 Ne6 22.Qd2 ( {Avoiding the obvious} 22.Qxd6 Qf6 $1 23.Bg2 $2 f3 $1 {when the black pieces are too active.} ) 22...Qf6 23.Kb1 {Finally White consolidated. Technically speaking, the material slightly favors Black. However, since the pawns are not moving easily it looks easier for the pieces to maneuver and occupy good squares.} 23...Rac8 24.Bb5 Red8 25.Nb4 d5 $1 {Of course! The knight should not be allowed this fantastic outpost for free.} 26.Rhf1 ( {White avoids the cunning trap} 26.Nxd5 $2 Qf5+ 27.Ka1 Rxd5 28.Qxd5 Rc1+ $1 ) 26...Rc5 27.a4 {Consolidating even more.} 27...d4 {Probably Firouzja's first inaccuracy in the game.} ( {There was the tricky maneuver to activate the rook with} 27...a5 28.Nd3 Rc4 $5 29.Qf2 Rd4 ) ( {However even better seems} 27...h5 $5 28.Qf2 g5 ) 28.Nd3 Rf5 29.Rf3 g5 30.Rg1 Kf8 ( {Here too:} 30...h5 $1 {was needed, although the point was not obvious at all. It is hidden in the line} 31.Bc4 ( {And obviously not} 31.h4 g4 ) 31...Rf8 $3 32.Bxe6 fxe6 {suddenly defending the f4 pawn.} ) 31.h4 $1 {Caruana grasps his chance to open the enemy king.} 31...h6 32.hxg5 hxg5 33.Rh3 ( 33.Bc4 $5 {looked good too.} ) 33...f3 34.Bc4 Ke7 ( {The pawns lack support to move forward:} 34...f2 35.Rf1 g4 36.Rg3 ) 35.Bxe6 $1 {One more precise exchange. Caruana mainly outplayed his opponent today in the art of trading.} 35...Kxe6 ( 35...Qxe6 36.Re1 {loses obviously.} ) ( {However} 35...fxe6 36.Rh7+ Ke8 37.Qh2 $1 {Also leads to a decisive attack for White after, say} 37...f2 38.Rf1 g4 39.Qc7 ) 36.Qh2 $1 {A neat move that creates the threat of Rh3-h6 and deprives the black king of a safe haven.} ( 36.Re1+ Kd7 37.Qh2 f2 {would not be as clear.} ) 36...f2 37.Rf1 Kd7 38.Rh6 Qe7 39.Rxf2 Rxf2 40.Qxf2 Kc8 41.a5 $1 {The final blow. The brave pawn opens the road for the witty knight and once that it gets an access to the black king the attack quickly decides.} 41...bxa5 ( {Firouzja would have also lost after} 41...Rd6 42.Qc2+ Kd7 43.Qa4+ Kc8 44.axb6 $1 Rxb6 45.Qc4+ Qc7 46.Rh8+ {followed by Nd3-c5+} ) 42.Qc2+ Kb8 43.Nc5 Rd6 44.Rh8+ Rd8 45.Qb3+ Kc7 46.Qb7+ Kd6 47.Rh6+ f6 48.Ne4+ ( {Even more accurate than} 48.Rxf6+ Qxf6 49.Ne4+ {which of course should also suffice.} ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.01.24"]
[Round "11.3"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "E20"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7151657424392"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 d5 5.a3 Be7 6.e4 dxe4 7.fxe4 c5 8.e5 ( {A top game from last year witnessed a short draw after} 8.d5 O-O 9.Bd3 Bd6 10.Bg5 Nbd7 11.Nf3 exd5 12.Nxd5 h6 13.Bh4 Qa5+ 14.Qd2 Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2 Ng4 16.Be7 Bxe7 17.Nxe7+ Kh8 18.Rhe1 Nge5 19.Rad1 {1/2-1/2 (19) So,W (2763) -Karjakin,S (2748) Riga 2019} ) 8...Nfd7 9.dxc5 Nxe5 10.Qxd8+ Bxd8 11.Be2 {All of this has been played recently as well. After some thought Anand uncorked a novelty.} 11...Bd7 $146 ( {An earlier game of one of the main specialists in the line saw} 11...Nbd7 12.Be3 Bh4+ 13.Kd2 Be7 14.Ne4 Nf6 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.Nf3 Bd7 17.Kc2 Ng4 18.Bd4 e5 19.h3 exd4 20.hxg4 Bxg4 21.Nxd4 Bxe2 22.Nxe2 O-O-O {where Black obviously did not have any problems at all (to say at least), Najer,E (2635)-Leko,P (2670) Isle of Man 2019} ) 12.Nf3 {Firouzja is taking his time as well and reacts in a logical way.} 12...Nxf3+ 13.Bxf3 Bc6 {The white bishop cannot be tolerated.} 14.Ne4 {Heading to the d6 square.} ( {The obvious} 14.b4 {was not optimal due to} 14...Bf6 ) ( {However, it made sense to secure the d6 spot with} 14.Bf4 $5 {and only after:} 14...Bxf3 15.gxf3 Nc6 {to go for} 16.Ne4 ) 14...Bc7 $1 {Anand comfortably regroups his forces. But since the bishop can no longer hurt White on the long diagonal now...} 15.b4 {...becomes possible.} ( {Firouzja correctly avoids} 15.Nd6+ Bxd6 16.cxd6 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Kd7 {with a pleasant position for Black thanks to the blockade.} ) 15...Nd7 16.Bb2 ( {Here though White could have already tried} 16.Nd6+ Bxd6 {but not in conjunction with} 17.cxd6 ( {but in connection with the in-between capture} 17.Bxc6 $5 Be5 18.Bxb7 Rb8 19.Rb1 Rxb7 20.c6 Rc7 21.cxd7+ Kxd7 {It is hard to say which is more valuable. White's queenside majority should technically speaking be more useful, but the black rooks have two nice half-open files to work on.} ) 17...Bxf3 18.gxf3 Ne5 {which is good for Black.} ) 16...Ne5 17.O-O-O {Only this is inaccurate.} ( {The king belonged to the center and} 17.Rd1 {made more sense, for instance} 17...Nxf3+ 18.gxf3 f6 19.Rg1 {with pressure along the half-open files.} ) 17...Nxf3 18.gxf3 Bf4+ {An important difference in comparison to the line from above. The bishop will be active.} 19.Kb1 f6 20.Rhg1 {White's initiative fizzled out. From here on it will be only Black to improve his position, hence White's next decision to trade the enemy bishop pair.} 20...Kf7 21.Nd6+ Bxd6 22.Rxd6 g5 {With the threat of Bxf3.} ( {Naturally not the immediate:} 22...Bxf3 23.Rd7+ ) 23.Rf1 ( {There is no tiime for} 23.b5 Bxf3 24.Rf1 g4 ) 23...a6 24.Kc2 {Firouzja does not feel the danger! This opposite-colored bishop endgame with rooks is far more insidious than it seems.} ( {Better was} 24.f4 $1 g4 25.Kc2 Rhd8 26.Bd4 {with good chances of survival.} ) 24...Rhd8 25.Kd2 e5 $1 {Now the f3 pawn is fixed and although it will take Black 20 moves to take it, it never stood a chance.} 26.Ke3 Rxd6 27.cxd6 Ke6 28.c5 b6 $1 {Black's pieces are doing great; now he needs the rook out.} 29.h4 h6 30.hxg5 hxg5 31.cxb6 ( {Or:} 31.Rh1 bxc5 32.bxc5 Rb8 33.Bc3 Rb3 34.Kd2 Rb5 {when Black wins a pawn.} ) 31...Rb8 32.Rd1 Rxb6 33.Kf2 {With the idea to maneuver the bishop all the way up to c5.} 33...Ba4 $1 {Which is easily spoiled by the Indian GM.} ( {He could have won a pawn with} 33...Bd7 34.Bc1 Rxd6 35.Rxd6+ Kxd6 {However after} 36.Be3 {it is not easy to win the pure opposite-colored bishop endgame. White often wants to swap his two pawns for the opponent's only one and sacrifice his bishop...or even sacrifice the bishop first in a good moment provided he can get rid of his b-pawn and make it in time in the corner of the a-pawn.} ) 34.Rd2 Rb8 35.Kg3 Rc8 36.Kf2 Rc4 {The rook is out, but Anand is not in a hurry. He first makes it to the time control.} 37.Kg3 Rc8 38.Kf2 Rh8 39.Kg3 Rh1 {Then infiltrates with his rook.} 40.Kg2 Rb1 41.Kg3 Bc6 42.Kf2 Kd7 $1 {And sets zugzwang.} 43.Kg3 ( 43.Kg2 g4 {loses prosaically.} ) ( {Whereas} 43.Ke3 Rf1 44.Rf2 Rh1 45.Rd2 Rh3 {dos not save the f3 pawn neither.} ) 43...Rf1 44.Rd3 Ke6 {Anand wants the f3 pawn for free.} ( {Although the connected passers in the line} 44...e4 45.fxe4 Bxe4 46.Rd2 f5 {are sufficient for the win.} ) 45.Kg4 ( {Since} 45.Kg2 Rxf3 $1 46.Rxf3 g4 {is lost for White.} ) 45...Rb1 46.Rd2 Rg1+ {Suddenly it all might end with checkmate.} 47.Kh3 ( {The checkmate is inevitable after} 47.Kh5 Kf7 48.Rd3 Bd7 ) 47...Rf1 {There is nothing White can do to save the weak pawn. Three painful defeats for Firouzja, three hard-lessons-learned for the young grandmaster.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.01.25"]
[Round "12.5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "E06"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "7013144727076"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 {A good opening choice. The dry Catalan can fight the immense creativity of the Polish GM.} 4...Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qa4 c6 8.Qxc4 b5 9.Qb3 ( {Duda had also faced} 9.Qd3 Bb7 10.Bg5 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 a6 12.Nb3 c5 13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Nxc5 Bxc5 15.Ne5 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Qxd3 17.Nxd3 Rfc8 18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.a4 Be7 20.axb5 axb5 21.Rxa8 Rxa8 {and Black held his own in Giri,A (2780)-Duda,J (2730) chess.com INT 2019} ) 9...Bb7 10.Rd1 Nbd7 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd7 13.Bf4 Qc7 14.Nc3 Nc5 $146 {Duda does not want to follow the footsteps of other players.} ( {Or he just did not like the consequences of} 14...Rfd8 15.Qc2 a6 16.Ne4 c5 17.Nf6+ Bxf6 18.exf6 Qc8 19.Bxb7 Qxb7 20.fxg7 {that was the course in Fridman,D (2600)-Keymer,V (2491) Isle of Man 2018} ) 15.Qc2 b4 {A very committal move. Pawns are not moving back, and the exposed b4 one will soon become a headache for Black.} ( {In hindsight it might have been better to go for something like} 15...a5 {although here White can fight for the advantage with either the sharp} 16.Be3 {with the idea} ( {or the simple} 16.Rac1 ) 16...Qxe5 17.Ne4 Nxe4 18.Bxe4 f5 19.Rd7 ) 16.Nb1 Ba6 {In order to prevent the normal development after Nb1-d2, but this is easily fixed by} 17.Bf3 Rac8 18.a3 Rb8 {Now the game opens in White's favor.} ( {However, the line} 18...b3 19.Qc3 Rb8 20.a4 $1 {leaves Black weak too, the obvious weaknesses being the b3- and c5-pawns.} ) 19.axb4 Rxb4 20.Be3 {From here on Caruana will mercilessly improve his queenside position until he wins material.} ( {But he could have won the exchange at once with} 20.Bd2 $1 Rc4 ( {Black's main problem is that he cannot move the rook back due to his hanging light pieces} 20...Rbb8 21.b4 ) 21.Bc3 Rb8 22.Nd2 {trapping the rook.} ) 20...Qb7 $1 {Using small tactics Duda avoids the immediate collapse.} 21.Nd2 $1 {The pawn is not as important as the pieces, and Caruana quickly brings every piece he has on the queenside.} ( {There is no} 21.Bxc5 Rc4 ) 21...Rxb2 22.Qc3 Rb5 ( {No time to save the pieces with} 22...Nd7 23.Rxa6 $1 ) 23.Ra3 Qb8 ( {Perhaps a better defense is} 23...Rb8 24.Rda1 Qc8 ) 24.Rda1 ( {Here Caruana had a pleasant choice:} 24.Bxc6 Rb6 25.Bf3 Rc8 26.Qa1 {would have also won the pawn back, and apparently the one on a7 will soon follow.} ) 24...Bb7 25.Rxa7 Nd7 26.Nc4 Rd8 {Caruana managed to take his pawn back and brought his pieces even closer to the enemy camp. But how to make progress on that part of the board?} 27.Be4 $3 {An excellent maneuver. One idea is to attack the black king. Duda needs to try and free himself.} 27...c5 28.Qc2 h6 29.Bd2 Nf8 {A sad necessity.} ( {Black is almost in zugzwang after} 29...Bxe4 30.Qxe4 Bg5 31.f4 Be7 32.Kg2 ) ( {Whereas} 29...Nxe5 {is nicely refuted by} 30.Bf4 f6 31.Nxe5 fxe5 32.Bxh6 $1 gxh6 ( 32...Bxe4 33.Qxe4 gxh6 34.Rxe7 ) 33.Bc6 $3 ) 30.Bd3 $1 {This is the second point behind Caruana's maneuver. The black queenside is in big trouble now as the pieces obstruct each other.} 30...Rd7 ( {The computer suggests to search salvation in the exchange sacrifice after} 30...Nd7 31.Nd6 Bxd6 ( {I suspect Duda also investigated this but saw the marvelous tactics after} 31...Rb6 32.Bh7+ Kf8 33.Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 34.Rxb7 $3 Rxb7 ( {Or} 34...Qxb7 35.Qg6+ Kf8 36.Bxh6 ) 35.Qg6+ Kf8 36.Qxe6 Nf6 37.exf6 Bxf6 38.Bf4 {and White wins.} ) 32.Bxb5 Nxe5 {But this cannot be good for Black.} ) 31.Nd6 {Now White wins material.} 31...Rb6 32.Qxc5 Bd5 ( {Since there is no} 32...Bxd6 33.Qxb6 ) 33.Rxd7 Nxd7 34.Qc8+ Nf8 35.Qxb8 {Entering an endgame with excellent winning chances.} ( {Perhaps it is even better to postpone the trade with} 35.Be3 $1 Rb4 36.Rc1 {and look for a better moment to swap and eventually penetrate along the c-file with his rook.} ) 35...Rxb8 36.f4 Bd8 ( {Maybe Black should have tried to defend the symmetrical position after} 36...f6 37.Ra7 Bd8 38.Be3 fxe5 39.fxe5 Ra8 ) 37.Kf2 Nd7 38.Be3 g5 39.Bd4 Rb4 40.Ke3 {Caruana is not only centralizing his king, he is preparing a web for the black rook.} 40...gxf4+ ( {The tactical idea} 40...f6 {is refuted by} 41.Bb5 ( {The point is that} 41.exf6 $4 Rxd4 42.Kxd4 Bxf6+ {drops material for White.} ) 41...gxf4+ 42.gxf4 fxe5 43.fxe5 Nb8 44.Kd3 Nc6 45.Bc3 {when Black loses material after the inevitable e2-e4.} ) 41.gxf4 Kf8 42.Bb5 $1 {Finally going for the rook.} 42...Nf6 43.exf6 ( {Even easier would have been} 43.Bc5 $1 Ng4+ 44.Kd2 Rxf4 45.e4 Bb3 46.Ra8 {but Caruana has another idea.} ) 43...Rxd4 44.Rc1 $1 {Well-calculated in advance. Caruana penetrates on the back rank and wins material.} 44...Bxf6 45.Rc7 Bh8 {Drops a piece, but Duda's position is hopeless anyway.} ( {Nothing changes} 45...Ba8 46.Rxf7+ Kg8 47.Rxf6 Rxd6 48.Rxh6 {with a won endgame.} ) 46.Rc8+ Ke7 47.Rxh8 Rb4 48.Nc8+ Kf6 49.Bd3 Be4 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.01.26"]
[Round "13.4"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[Beauty "6052682662483"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nd7 {A tricky move order which aims to secure the long diagonal for the light-squared bishop.} 3.c4 dxc4 4.Qa4 {Without a check.} 4...a6 5.Qxc4 b5 6.Qc2 Bb7 {Once upon a time the seizure of this diagonal was considered good enough for equality. Nowadays White tries to squeeze something out of the position.} 7.Bg2 Ngf6 8.O-O e6 9.d3 Be7 10.a4 c5 11.Nc3 Qb6 12.axb5 axb5 13.Rxa8+ {Artemiev secures the a-file before his opponent finds the time to finish the development. Another question is how valuable this file is, as long as there are no entry squares along it.} 13...Bxa8 14.Bg5 ( {Black successfully defended after} 14.Qb3 b4 15.Nd1 Bd5 16.Qc2 O-O 17.Ne3 Re8 18.b3 h6 19.Bb2 Ra8 20.Nc4 Qb7 21.Ra1 Rxa1+ 22.Bxa1 Qa8 23.Bb2 Qa2 {Howell,D (2676)-Melkumyan, H (2633) Riadh 2017} ) 14...O-O 15.Ra1 h6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Nd2 $146 {A novelty, which seems logical. White wants to soften the enemy queenside.} ( {An earlier game saw a quick draw after} 17.Qb3 c4 18.dxc4 bxc4 19.Qxb6 Nxb6 20.Nd2 Rd8 21.Nxc4 Nxc4 22.Rxa8 Rxa8 23.Bxa8 Nxb2 {1/2-1/2 (23) Matsenko,S (2531)-Nyzhnyk,I (2613) New York 2017} ) 17...Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Rc8 19.Qb3 {With Ba8 alive Black could have now defended with Ba8-c6.} 19...Rb8 {But here too, the flank is safe.} 20.Nce4 {It is not obvious what will White do next, whereas Caruana finds a nice regroupment of his pieces.} ( {As the attempt to use the open file} 20.Qa2 {is met with} 20...Bxc3 21.bxc3 b4 ) 20...Be7 21.Kg1 f5 $1 22.Nc3 Ne5 {The white knights were deprived of the good central squares, whereas the black one is ready to cause trouble on the kingside. Artemiev stops this.} 23.h3 {But in the process weakens the dark squares which is immediately exploited by Caruana.} 23...h5 $1 24.Nf3 $1 {The best chance for the first player. He needs to save-guard his king, despite the weakening of his pawn structure.} ( {Allowing h5-h4 in the line} 24.Qa2 h4 25.gxh4 Bxh4 {looks even more dangerous for White.} ) 24...Nxf3+ 25.exf3 Bf6 {In any case White's position is unpleasant: he has the weaker king and worse pawn structure.} ( {Here} 25...h4 {will be met with} 26.g4 ) 26.Re1 Kf7 27.Ne2 g5 {Qb6-c6 is a threat. Artemiev finds another excellent move.} 28.g4 $1 hxg4 29.hxg4 fxg4 30.fxg4 {Thus White secured the e4 outpost for his knight.} 30...Qd6 ( 30...Rh8 {might have been more accurate.} ) 31.Ng3 Qd5 32.Qc2 $1 {Correct! Despite his poor king position White needs the queens to create counter-threats.} ( {The endgame is most likely lost for White after} 32.Qxd5 exd5 33.b3 b4 $1 ( {Even better than} 33...Ra8 34.Rc1 Ra1 35.Rxa1 Bxa1 ) 34.Rc1 Bc3 {next the rook will penetrate along the a-file.} ) 32...Bd4 33.Qe2 ( {Stronger was the immediate} 33.Ne4 $1 Rh8 ( 33...Kg6 34.Kg2 {intending Re1-h1 looks OK for White.} ) 34.Qd2 Kg6 35.Kg2 {Then the threat} 35...Qe5 {can be parried with} 36.Ng3 Qd5+ 37.Ne4 ) 33...Rh8 34.Ne4 Qe5 {Now the white king feels uncomfortable.} 35.Qf3+ Kg7 36.b3 {The problem with this move is that the pawn is not safer on b3.} ( {Instead, the computer suggest the following defense:} 36.Re2 {The first point is that} 36...Bxb2 $4 {is strongly met with} ( {The same counterplay saves White in case of} 36...Qh2+ 37.Kf1 Rf8 38.Qg2 Qf4 39.Kg1 Bxb2 $2 40.Ng3 $1 ) 37.Ng3 {when it is White who wins material after, say} 37...Qf6 38.Qb7+ Kg6 39.Qc6 Be5 40.Qe4+ ) 36...Rf8 37.Qe2 Qd5 38.Rf1 ( {Once more the endgame is very difficult, most likely just lost for White after} 38.Kh2 Qxb3 39.Nxc5 Rxf2+ 40.Qxf2 Bxf2 41.Nxb3 Bxe1 42.Nd4 b4 ) 38...Kg6 $1 {An important preparatory move.} ( {The hasty capture lets the advantage slip away after both} 38...Qxb3 39.Nxg5 ( {Or} 39.Nxc5 Bxc5 40.Qe5+ ) ) 39.Qd1 c4 {Caruana exposes the drawback of the b2-b3 move.} 40.bxc4 bxc4 41.Kg2 Ba7 {Now Artemiev receives another chance:} ( {More accurate was} 41...Rf4 $1 42.f3 c3 {with large advantage.} ) 42.f3 $1 {Very strong.} 42...cxd3 ( {The massive exchanges} 42...Qxd3 43.Qxd3 cxd3 44.Rd1 Rd8 45.Nf2 Bxf2 46.Kxf2 Kf6 47.Ke3 Ke5 48.Rxd3 Rxd3+ 49.Kxd3 Kf4 50.Ke2 {liquidate into a drawn pawn endgame.} ) 43.Qa1 {Not the right way to generate counterplay.} ( {White would have most likely saved himself after:} 43.Qd2 $1 Rd8 ( {Perhaps Artemiev was afraid of} 43...Rc8 44.Rc1 Rxc1 45.Qxc1 {but here too, the queen and the knight are capable of both blocking the passer and creating threats against the enemy king.} ) 44.Rd1 {It seems as a sort of a fortress as White constantly wants to reach the black king. A typical line runs:} 44...Bb8 45.Qc3 Be5 46.Qd2 Bf4 47.Qc3 Qd4 48.Rxd3 $1 Qxd3 49.Qf6+ Kh7 50.Qf7+ {with perpetual.} ) 43...Be3 44.Rd1 Qc4 $1 {Threatens mate after Qc4-c2. In order to prevent it White needs to go for:} 45.Qc3 Qa2+ 46.Nd2 Qc2 47.Qe5 {But now that the white pieces are pinned, Caruana has a chance to calculate the winning line till the end.} ( {Or else a piece drops after} 47.Qxc2 dxc2 48.Rc1 Bxd2 ) 47...Bxd2 $1 {The correct capture!} ( {White will build a fortress after} 47...Qxd1 48.Qxe6+ Kg7 49.Qe7+ Rf7 50.Qxe3 Qe2+ 51.Qxe2 dxe2 52.Kf2 Re7 53.Ne4 ) 48.Qxe6+ Kg7 ( {Not} 48...Rf6 $4 49.Qg8+ {with perpetual.} ) 49.Qe7+ Rf7 50.Qe5+ Kf8 {The king is ready for a journey to Australia...} 51.Qb8+ Ke7 52.Qe5+ Kd8 53.Qb8+ Kd7 54.Qb7+ Kd6 55.Qb6+ ( {If:} 55.Qxf7 Bf4+ {is forcing mate.} ) 55...Ke5 56.Qb5+ Kd4 57.Qb6+ Kc4 58.Qe6+ ( 58.Qa6+ {Will transpose to the game continuation after:} 58...Kb3 59.Qe6+ Kb2 60.Qb6+ Bb4+ ) 58...Kc3 59.Qe5+ Kb3 60.Qd5+ Kb2 61.Qb5+ {There si nothing else, but now it is Black's turn to call the shots:} 61...Bb4+ 62.Kg3 Qxd1 63.Qxb4+ Qb3 64.Qd2+ Kb1 65.Qe1+ Kc2 66.Qf2+ d2 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Eindhoven"]
[Date "2020.01.16"]
[Round "5.7"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "D46"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "5501316301352"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.Bd3 {Let's skip the opening part quickly, the action is about to start soon.} 7...O-O 8.O-O dxc4 9.Bxc4 e5 10.h3 exd4 11.exd4 {Duda is happy to play an IQP but with a c6 pawn instead of an e6 one. This promises him some extra possibilities along the a2-g8 diagonal. One additional plus for White is the presence of all the pieces on the board.} 11...Nb6 12.Bb3 Nbd5 13.Bg5 Be7 ( {Young Ding Liren did not achieve much after:} 13...Qa5 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.Bd2 Qd8 16.Rfe1 h6 17.Qd3 Be6 18.Bc2 Nf6 19.d5 cxd5 20.Bc3 Re8 21.Ba4 Rf8 22.Bc2 Re8 23.Ba4 {1/2-1/2 (23) Ding,L (2547)-Zhang,P (2603) Hefei 2010} ) 14.Rfe1 Be6 15.Re5 Qd7 $146 {Artemiev comes up with a logical novelty. He finishes the development and connects his rooks. He can be also proud of the way he controls the square in front of the isolated d4 pawn.} ( {An email predecessor saw another short draw after:} 15...h6 16.Bh4 Nd7 17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.Nxd5 cxd5 19.Re2 Rac8 20.Qd3 Nf6 {Felicio,C (2452)-Schuster,J (2414) ICCF email 2002} ) 16.Rae1 Rae8 17.Qd2 {A cunning move...It seems as Duda wants to bypass a knight for on the b4 square.} ( {More natural is to build a battery along the b1-h7 diagonal with:} 17.Qd3 {Black's defense is difficult there too, for example:} 17...Bd8 18.Nxd5 {Forces him to play very precisely as:} 18...Bxd5 {drops the exchange due to:} ( {Therefore, the only defense would be:} 18...cxd5 $1 19.Bc2 Ne4 {Although White should be a bit better here, without any risk.} ) ( {Another natural recapture:} 18...Nxd5 {also loses material after:} 19.Bxd8 Rxd8 20.Ng5 ) 19.Bc2 g6 20.Bh6 Bxf3 21.Bxf8 Be4 22.Qa3 Rxf8 23.Bxe4 Qxd4 {and it does not seem like Black have enough compensation for the lost material.} ) 17...Bd8 18.Bc2 Qc8 ( {More natural seems the immediate:} 18...Bc7 19.R5e2 Qc8 {Although then White can mount kingside pressure with:} ( {Blaks should however refrain from:} 19...Bf5 $2 20.Nxd5 Qxd5 21.Bxf6 ) 20.a3 {Intending Qd2-d3. Or do something else, like in the game?!} ) 19.Bh6 $3 {This is what the Polish GM had in mind when he put his queen on d2! He wants to reach the h7 square via a slightly different route!} ( {The risk-free play:} 19.Nxd5 cxd5 ( {As before:} 19...Nxd5 20.Bxd8 Qxd8 21.Ng5 {drops a pawn for Black.} ) ( {And as before:} 19...Bxd5 20.Qd3 g6 21.Bh6 Bc7 22.Bxf8 {drops the exchange.} ) 20.Bd3 {would have brought White slight advantage, and no glory!} ) 19...Ne7 $1 {Artemiev is as cold as ice! His kingside palace is burning and he lits a cigar from the fire.} ( {The obvious capture would not lose as obviously as it seems in the line:} 19...gxh6 20.Qxh6 Ne7 21.Qxf6 $4 ( {Rather, Duda should have foreseen the brilliant:} 21.Ne4 $1 Nxe4 22.Ng5 $3 Nxg5 23.Rxg5+ Ng6 24.Rh5 {with mate.} ) 21...Ng6 $1 {as it will be the white queen which is captured.} ) ( {Also:} 19...Nd7 20.Rh5 N7f6 {would not force repetition, White can continue the attack with:} 21.Rg5 ) 20.Ne4 Nf5 $1 {One more only move.} ( {A continuation like:} 20...Nxe4 21.R1xe4 Ng6 22.Rh5 Bxa2 {Would have allowed:} 23.Bxg7 $1 Kxg7 24.Qh6+ Kf6 25.Rhe5 {When the exposed black king forces Black to give up material, like:} 25...Rxe5 26.Nxe5 Be6 27.Nxg6 hxg6 28.Qxf8 ) 21.Bxg7 {Dud not did not put this bishop en prix.} ( {Only to retreat it with:} 21.Bf4 ) 21...Nxe4 $1 {The third only move in a row fully demonstrates why many consider Artemiev to be the new Karpov. Logic perfectly backs-up calculation and the young Russian skillfully repels the attack by swapping off the most aggressive white pieces.} ( {The alternatives would have led to mate, like:} 21...Kxg7 22.Qg5+ Kh8 23.Nxf6 ) ( {Or:} 21...Nxg7 22.Nxf6+ Bxf6 23.Qh6 $1 ) 22.R1xe4 Nxg7 ( {Bypassing another reef:} 22...Kxg7 23.g4 {would have regained the white piece as:} 23...Nd6 $2 24.Rh5 {is mate again.} ) 23.Qh6 f5 $1 {Blocks a bunch of attackers. Duda quickly needs to find something creative, or else he would ingloriously lose.} ( {The other way to block the diagonal:} 23...Bf5 {would not be effective due to:} 24.Rxf5 $1 Rxe4 $1 ( {Or else:} 24...Qxf5 25.Rg4 $1 Qxg4 26.Qxh7# ) ( {And:} 24...Nxf5 25.Rg4+ Kh8 26.Bxf5 {is also mate.} ) 25.Bxe4 Nxf5 26.Qh5 f6 27.Bxf5 Qc7 28.Be6+ {White regains most of his material and keeps dangerous initiative.} ) ( {A natural continuation like:} 23...Qd7 $2 {would have revealed another devilish idea by the Polish GM:} 24.Rh5 $1 Nxh5 25.Rg4+ $1 Bxg4 26.Qxh7# ) 24.Rg4 $3 {The sword strikes again.} 24...Bf6 {Now comes another attacking wave:} ( {However, Artemiev played so well that he could even fight for more with:} 24...fxg4 $1 25.Qxh7+ ( 25.Bxh7+ Kf7 26.Bg6+ Ke7 27.Qxg7+ {transposes.} ) 25...Kf7 26.Bg6+ Ke7 $1 ( {Not:} 26...Kf6 {when both:} 27.Ng5 $3 ( {And:} 27.Bxe8 Rxe8 28.Ng5 {are too dangerous for Black.} ) ) 27.Qxg7+ Kd6 {White would lack one tempo to bring in the knight in time:} 28.Nd2 ( 28.Bxe8 Rxe8 ) 28...Qd7 29.Ne4+ Kc7 {The king is safe and material should prevail, e.g.:} 30.Qxd7+ Bxd7 31.Bxe8 Rxe8 ) 25.Ng5 Bxg5 26.Rxg5 Qd7 {Natural, but wrong! The queen wants to defend the seventh rank, but exactly this square is not the best.} ( {More accurate was:} 26...Rf7 27.g4 Kh8 28.gxf5 Nxf5 29.Bxf5 Bxf5 30.Rexf5 Qxf5 $1 31.Rxf5 Rxf5 {with a draw due to the exposed Black king.} ) 27.d5 $3 {Duda is in his element! The attack can happen from any angle of the board.} ( {Most likely the Russian GM was hoping for:} 27.g4 $2 Kh8 28.gxf5 Bxf5 {when Black defends and wins.} ) 27...cxd5 ( {There is no other capture:} 27...Bxd5 28.Bxf5 Rxf5 29.Rxe8+ ) 28.Ba4 Qf7 {One more inaccuracy.} ( {The computer claims that:} 28...Qc7 29.Rxe6 ( {The difference is that there is no time for:} 29.Bxe8 $2 Qxe5 ) 29...Rxe6 30.Qxe6+ Kh8 31.Qe1 ( 31.Qxd5 $2 Qc1+ ) 31...Rc8 {is the most stubborn defense for Black, although his position is ugly as hell.} ) 29.Bxe8 Rxe8 30.Rxe6 $1 {This little shot regains everything.} 30...Rxe6 31.Rxg7+ Qxg7 32.Qxe6+ Qf7 {Now Duda did teh most logical thing on earth, traded queens:} 33.Qxf7+ {and blew all the advantage away...} ( 33.Qd6 $1 {would have promised White huge advantage instead thanks to his more active queen.} ) 33...Kxf7 34.Kf1 {It seems as Whit should be winning this endgame comfortably thanks to the possibility of an outside-passer creation. However, since the white pawns are not far advanced, this is not the case.} 34...Ke6 35.Ke2 f4 36.g4 fxg3 37.fxg3 Ke5 38.Ke3 d4+ 39.Kf3 ( {A similar line to the game would have happened after:} 39.Kd3 Kd5 40.g4 Ke5 41.b4 Kf4 42.Kxd4 Kg3 43.Ke4 Kxh3 44.Kf3 ) 39...Kf5 40.g4+ Kg5 41.Kg3 d3 42.h4+ ( {Not:} 42.Kf3 $4 Kh4 ) 42...Kf6 43.Kf3 Ke5 {This is the thing. Black is in time to create counter-play.} 44.Ke3 d2 45.Kxd2 Kf4 46.g5 Kg4 47.Ke3 Kxh4 48.Kf4 a6 ( {Nothing wrong with:} 48...Kh3 ) ( {Or:} 48...Kh5 ) 49.a3 b6 50.a4 a5 51.b3 Kh3 52.Kf3 Kh4 {More of these, please!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's World Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.01.05"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2578"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[ECO "E06"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "193"]
[Beauty "3642937589765"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.g3 O-O 6.Bg2 {Solid openings are the cornerstones of a match strategy. The white player wants to win, but ideally without any risk.} 6...dxc4 7.Ne5 c5 8.dxc5 Qxd1+ 9.Nxd1 Bxc5 10.O-O Nc6 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.Be3 Bb6 13.Bxb6 axb6 14.Nxc6 $146 {The first novelty in the match is a product of the Russian contender.} ( {Both players no doubt knew the predecessor from this year:} 14.Nc3 Bd7 15.Rfd1 Ra7 16.Rd6 Rc8 17.Nxc4 {It seems as White got a stable advantage but Dominguez cleverly traded the queenside pawns with} 17...Be8 18.Nxb6 Rb8 19.Nc4 Rb4 20.b3 Rxb3 $1 {Ponomariov,R (2648)-Dominguez Perez,L (2762) Budva 2019} ) 14...Bb7 15.Nb4 Nd5 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.Nc3 Bc6 18.Rfd1 {Apparently, this was the position that Goryachkina was heading for. She can now torture her opponent as much as she likes as the knight can go practically anywhere and the black bishop does not seem to be as effective.} 18...Rfd8 19.f3 {Limiting the bishop. Next, both players bring their kings into the game.} 19...Kf8 20.Kf2 Ke7 21.Rxd8 Rxd8 22.Ke3 e5 23.Rd1 {A cardinal question. Should Ju trade the last major piece?} ( {White did not have any other ways of bringing the rook out. If} 23.Rb1 b5 {would be the answer when the first player cannot open files:} 24.b3 $2 b4 ) 23...Ra8 {The world champion voted to postpone the trade. She hopes she can use the rook later in case that the queenside gets open.} ( {However} 23...Rxd1 24.Nxd1 Kd6 {might have been better from a practical point of view. With the king on c5 Black does not risk anything neither.} ) 24.a3 Ke6 25.Na2 Ba4 26.Rd2 f6 27.Kf2 {Grabbing some more space.} 27...Bc6 28.e4 g6 29.Ke3 f5 {Ju opens her bishop at once.} ( {She might have disliked the alternative break by her opponent:} 29...b5 30.f4 ) 30.exf5+ ( 30.Nc3 {would be answered with} 30...Rb8 {intending the b-pawn advance.} ) 30...gxf5 31.f4 {Fixing some good squares for the knight.} 31...h5 {In return Black wants to get rid of her isolated pawn.} 32.fxe5 Kxe5 33.Rd4 b5 34.Nc3 {So far both sides made progress. However, Goryachkina used less efforts on her side, whereas Ju somewhat risked. Black is happy to prolong the scope of her bishop, but will be not so much amused by her kingside pawn structure. Plus, energetic play pays its toll and the Chinese GM was lower on time in a situation when a sit-and-wait policy might not be best.} 34...Ra7 {A semi-waiting, useful move.} ( {However, it might have been easier to give a boost to the b-pawn now that the white knight is away from the b4 square with} 34...Rb8 {Then, if White tries to hit the kingside pawns with} 35.Ne2 {Black has} 35...Be4 36.Nf4 b4 37.Rxc4 bxa3 38.bxa3 Rb3+ 39.Kd2 Rxa3 40.Nxh5 Ra2+ {with a draw.} ) 35.Ne2 ( {Black is not afraid of} 35.Rh4 Rd7 ) 35...Be8 $2 {This is not optimal.} ( {Here too, the queenside counterplay was possible with} 35...Be4 $1 36.Nf4 c3 $1 37.bxc3 Rxa3 {The rook is in fact equally good on the a- and the b-files.} ) 36.Rd8 $1 {Goryachkina senses her chance.} 36...Re7 $1 {Ju quickly orientates in the situation and oranizes active defense.} 37.Nf4 Kf6+ 38.Kd2 ( {After} 38.Kf2 {Black would have most likely returned in the center:} 38...Ke5 ) 38...Re5 39.Nd5+ Kf7 40.Rd6 {White needs just one more move and all the weak black pawns will drop.} 40...Bc6 $1 {But the world champion remains calm and defends perfectly.} 41.Nf4 ( {The rook endgame does not provide any winning chances to the first player:} 41.Rxc6 Rxd5+ 42.Kc3 Rd3+ 43.Kc2 h4 $1 44.gxh4 Rh3 ) 41...Bf3 42.h4 ( {Perhaps White should have tried the same old calm-improve strategy with} 42.Rh6 Bg4 43.h3 ( {Nothing yields} 43.Rh7+ Kf6 ) ( {Nor} 43.Nxh5 $4 Re2+ 44.Kc3 Rxh2 ) 43...Bf3 44.h4 Bg4 45.Ra6 Bf3 {Then she can attack the queenside pawns with} 46.a4 bxa4 47.Rxa4 {Hoping to win the c4 pawn thanks to her active king. Still, it seems Black can survive here with} 47...Rb5 48.Kc1 ( 48.Kc2 Be4+ ) 48...Rc5 49.Ra3 Bg4 50.Kd2 Rb5 51.Kc3 Kf6 52.Ra4 Rb3+ {but in any case, defending this is not pleasant at all, as White can choose a later moment to open up the queenside.} ) 42...Bg4 43.Rd5 Kf6 44.Rxe5 {The pure light-piece endgame is Goryachkina's last try.} ( 44.Rd7 $5 {could have switched back to the complex lines we already analyzed.} ) 44...Kxe5 45.Ke3 Bd1 46.Ng6+ Kf6 47.Nf8 Ke5 48.Nd7+ Ke6 49.Nb8 {The knight does what it wants, but can White really make progress?} 49...Kd5 50.Na6 ( {With a strong king and bishop, experiments like} 50.Kf4 $4 Kd4 {are strictly forbidden.} ) 50...Ke5 51.Nb4 Bg4 52.Nc2 Bd1 53.Nd4 Ba4 54.Ne2 Bd1 55.Nd4 Ba4 56.Nc6+ Kd6 57.Nd8 Ke5 58.Nf7+ Ke6 59.Ng5+ Ke5 60.Nh3 Bd1 61.Nf4 Bg4 62.Ng2 Bd1 63.Ne1 Bg4 64.Nc2 Bd1 65.Nb4 Ba4 66.Na2 Bb3 67.Nc3 Ba4 68.Kf3 $1 {Goryachkina maneuvered for long for three major reasons: 1) She showed her opponent who is in the driver's seat and frustrated her. 2) She drained the time from her opponent's clock. 3) Last, but not least, she gave a false sense of invincibility to Black. With her last move she starts a triangulation maneuver.} ( {Note that it is only Black who can win the pawn race after} 68.Nxa4 $2 bxa4 69.Kf3 Kd4 70.Kf4 Kd3 71.Kxf5 Kc2 72.g4 hxg4 73.Kxg4 Kxb2 74.h5 c3 75.h6 c2 76.h7 c1=Q 77.h8=Q+ Kxa3 ) 68...Kd4 69.Ke2 ( {Once again} 69.Kf4 $2 Kd3 70.Kxf5 Kc2 71.g4 hxg4 72.Kxg4 Kxb2 {transposes to the favorable line for Black from above.} ) 69...Kc5 $1 {Ju is aware of the danger.} ( 69...Ke5 $2 70.Ke3 {would be the same position but with Black to move and this is losing zugzwang for Black!} ) 70.Ke3 Bc2 71.Ne2 Bd1 {One more careful move.} ( {Wrong was} 71...b4 72.Nd4 Bd1 ( {Or} 72...Bd3 73.Ne6+ Kd6 74.Nf4 ) 73.Nxf5 {and Black is in trouble.} ) 72.Nd4 Bg4 73.Nc2 Bd1 74.Nb4 Bg4 75.Na2 Bd1 {Black is solid and she proved her position is good enough after a couple of dozens of more moves.} 76.Kd2 Bf3 77.Nc3 Bc6 78.Ke3 Bd7 79.Ne2 b4 $1 {Opens the road for the king. It is a clear draw now.} 80.axb4+ Kxb4 81.Kd2 Bc6 82.Nf4 Bf3 83.Ne6 Bg4 84.Kc2 Bf3 85.Nd4 Bg4 86.Kd2 Kc5 87.Ke3 Kd5 88.Nb5 Kc5 89.Nc3 Kb4 90.Kd4 Kb3 91.Nd5 Be2 92.Ne3 Bd3 ( {Of course not:} 92...Kxb2 93.Nxc4+ Bxc4 $4 94.Kxc4 Kc2 95.Kd4 Kd2 96.Ke5 Ke3 97.Kxf5 Kf3 98.Kg5 Kxg3 99.Kxh5 Kf4 100.Kg6 ) 93.Kc5 Be2 ( {Here} 93...Kxb2 94.Nxc4+ Kc3 {was already a draw, but there is no need to ruin something that works well.} ) 94.Kd5 Bd3 95.Kd4 Be2 96.Kc5 Bd3 97.Kd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's World Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.01.09"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2578"]
[ECO "D16"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Beauty "8251034828806"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 e6 6.e3 c5 7.Bxc4 cxd4 8.exd4 Nc6 9.O-O Be7 10.d5 {Ju immediately gets rid of the isolated pawn. Her game plan is apparently very similar to the match approach of her opponent so far- small advantage, no risk at all.} ( {Another way to play the position is:} 10.Bf4 O-O 11.h3 Nb4 12.Re1 Bd7 13.d5 exd5 14.Bxd5 Nbxd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Qxd5 b6 17.Bc7 Qxc7 18.Rxe7 Bc6 19.Qe5 Qxe5 20.Nxe5 Bd5 {as in Giri,A (2780)-Duda,J (2730) chess.com INT 2019} ) 10...exd5 11.Nxd5 Nxd5 12.Bxd5 O-O 13.Be3 Bf5 14.Qb3 {White has slight initiative as she can occupy first the open files but this advantage will quickly evaporate if Goryachkina is given one tempo.} 14...Nb4 15.Rfd1 Qa5 16.Ne5 Nxd5 17.Rxd5 Qa6 18.Nd7 Be6 19.Nxf8 1-0

[Event "E Women's World Championship"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.01.23"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2578"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[ECO "D00"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[Beauty "6396280047626"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 {In a must-win situation Goryachkina finds a way to surprise her mighty opponent as early as on move two!} 2...Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.Nb5 {A specialty of the creative grandmasters Jobava and Rapport. The knight is forced on the rim.} 4...Na6 5.e3 Bb4+ {Alternatively Ju forces the c2-c3 move which will cut the way back of the white knight.} 6.c3 Be7 7.a4 O-O 8.Bd3 c6 9.Na3 c5 {Active play.} ( {The alternative was to de-centralize the knight with:} 9...Nb8 $5 {followed by Nb8-d7, b7-b6 and Bc8-b7 keeping the enemy knight on a3 workless.} ) 10.Nf3 {This turned out to be a novelty.} ( {Instead:} 10.Nb5 Ne4 11.Nf3 Bd7 12.Ne5 Bxb5 13.axb5 Nc7 14.O-O {was a bit better for White in Bortnyk,O (2566)-Fingerov,D (2319) Kishinev 2017} ) 10...Ne4 {Grabbing even more space.} ( {The other way to play it was:} 10...Nh5 11.Be5 g6 ( {But not:} 11...f6 12.Ng5 $1 {with strong attack for White.} ) ) 11.h3 f5 12.Nb5 {Goryachkina also hurries to bring her knight back into the game.} ( {However, more accurate seems:} 12.O-O $5 {In order to meet:} 12...c4 13.Bxe4 fxe4 14.Ne5 Nb8 {with quick central play after:} 15.f3 ) 12...c4 13.Bxe4 fxe4 14.Ne5 ( {After:} 14.Nd2 {Black can still play:} 14...Nb8 {As:} 15.Nc7 $2 {does not work due to:} 15...Rxf4 $1 ) 14...Nb8 $1 {Once that this knight comes back into the game Black is more or less OK.} 15.O-O a6 {Once more forcing the knight back.} 16.Na3 Nd7 ( 16...Nc6 $5 ) 17.Nc2 Qe8 18.f3 {There is nothing else that White can do. Goryachkina needs to open the center while the black light-squared bishop is still idle.} 18...Nxe5 19.Bxe5 Bd7 {Obvious and good.} ( {However, simpler looked:} 19...exf3 20.Rxf3 Rxf3 21.Qxf3 Qg6 {with less pieces on the board and easier equality as in the game.} ) 20.Ne1 ( {Against:} 20.fxe4 {Ju planned:} 20...Rxf1+ 21.Qxf1 Bxa4 22.Qe2 Bxc2 23.Qxc2 Qg6 {when Black has nothing to worry about.} ) 20...Qh5 {It is pretty obvious that the world champion successfully solved her opening problems and should be doing fine. Goryachkina needs to find something creative.} 21.Kh2 $1 {White defends the h3 pawn and prepares g2-g4.} ( {The alternative was the gloomy endgame after:} 21.fxe4 Rxf1+ 22.Kxf1 Rf8+ 23.Kg1 Qxd1 24.Rxd1 Bxa4 {where White's chances for a win are close to zero.} ) 21...exf3 ( {Missing the strong:} 21...a5 $1 {The pawn on a4 will be fixed and in order to attack on the opposite win Goryachkina will have to sacrifice it sooner or later.} ) 22.Nxf3 Be8 23.Qe1 Qg6 24.Bf4 Qe4 25.a5 $1 {Another chance will not be given. Now that White had put the queenside in order she can resume her preparation for the e3-e4 break.} 25...h6 26.Nd2 Qh7 {Not the most accurate. From here on Ju's game will become more and more difficult to hold.} ( 26...Qc2 {was not accurate on the account of:} 27.e4 $1 ) ( {However, good was:} 26...Qd3 {when Black should not fear:} 27.e4 {due to the idea:} 27...Bh5 $1 28.exd5 Be2 29.Rf2 Rxf4 $1 30.Rxe2 ( 30.Rxf4 $2 Bd6 ) 30...Bh4 {and Black is in control!} ) 27.e4 $1 {Now it becomes unpleasant for Black.} 27...dxe4 ( {Once more, good was to defend the e6 spot with:} 27...Qg6 $1 28.exd5 {and apply the same idea as in the above-mentioned line:} 28...Rxf4 $1 29.Rxf4 Bd6 ) 28.Be5 ( {White would be better in the endgame after:} 28.Qg3 $1 Qg6 29.Qxg6 Bxg6 30.Nxc4 ) 28...Rc8 {Nerves, nerves! Black is returning the favour.} ( 28...Rxf1 {was better, when:} 29.Qxf1 ( {Or:} 29.Nxf1 Qg6 30.Nd2 Bc6 ) 29...e3 30.Nxc4 Bb5 {would lead to a much better version of the game for Black.} ) 29.Rxf8+ Bxf8 30.Qe2 $1 {Very strong. The Russian player is heading to the more important pawn on c4.} ( {Less good were both:} 30.Nxe4 Bc6 ) ( {And:} 30.Qxe4 Qxe4 31.Nxe4 Bc6 {in both cases with excellent chances for Black to hold.} ) 30...e3 {Ju practically has no useful move.} ( 30...Bc6 {is met with:} 31.Nxc4 Bb5 32.b3 ) ( {Still:} 30...Bb5 $1 31.Nxe4 Bc6 32.Ng3 Bd5 {might have been Black's best chance.} ) 31.Nxc4 Bb5 32.b3 {Now the e3 pawn is doomed.} 32...Qe4 ( {If:} 32...Qg6 33.Rf1 ) 33.Rf1 Qc6 34.Qxe3 Qe8 {A sad necessity.} ( {Black will get under mating attack in case of a pawn recapture:} 34...Bxc4 35.bxc4 Qxc4 36.Qf3 Qxc3 ( {After:} 36...Kh7 37.Qf7 {would likely transpose.} ) 37.Qf7+ Kh7 ( {If:} 37...Kh8 38.Qxb7 {with the threats of Rf1xf8+! and Rf1-f7 would be crushing for Black.} ) 38.Rf6 $3 {Intending Be5-f4 and Rf6xh6 and Black is helpless. Say:} 38...Qxa5 39.Qg6+ Kg8 40.Rf7 {with unstoppable mate.} ) 35.Qe2 Qg6 36.Rf3 {Goryachkina won a pawn and is now accurately converting it. First she reaches the time-control securely.} 36...Kh7 37.Qf2 Bc6 38.Rg3 ( {There is always a chance to go wrong when under tremendous pressure:} 38.Rxf8 $4 Rxf8 39.Qxf8 Qxg2# ) 38...Qf5 39.Qe2 {The simplest. With the queens on White's attack is running by itself as Black cannot effectively use all her pieces into the defense.} ( {The endgame should be also won for the first player after:} 39.Qxf5+ exf5 40.Bd6 ) 39...Rd8 40.Ne3 Qf7 41.Qd3+ ( {There was also the brilliancy:} 41.d5 $3 exd5 42.Qd3+ Kg8 43.Ng4 $1 {with mating attack. But this was not needed at all.} ) 41...g6 42.Rg4 ( 42.Ng4 Be7 {still holds for Black.} ) 42...Bg7 ( {More resilient was:} 42...Be7 43.Rf4 Qg8 ) 43.Bxg7 {With the swap of this defender Black will never be able to secure her king.} 43...Kxg7 ( {Or:} 43...Qxg7 44.Rg3 ) 44.Nc4 Bb5 45.Qg3 Bxc4 46.bxc4 ( {Instantly winning was:} 46.Qe5+ Qf6 47.Qc7+ {and Goryachkina will come back to this idea a bit later.} ) 46...Rd7 47.Re4 Qf6 48.Qe3 Rd6 49.c5 ( {Here too:} 49.Rf4 Qg5 ( 49...Qe7 50.Qe5+ ) 50.h4 $1 Qh5 51.Qe4 {was winning fast for White.} ) 49...Rc6 50.Kg1 Qf5 51.Rf4 Qg5 52.h4 $1 {Finally, Goryachkina accurately calculates the forcing lines and levels the score.} 52...Qe7 ( {As if:} 52...Qh5 53.g4 $1 Qxh4 ( 53...Qd5 54.c4 $1 ) 54.Qe5+ Kg8 55.Qb8+ {leads to mate.} ) 53.Qe5+ Kg8 54.Rf6 Kh7 55.h5 gxh5 56.Qf4 e5 57.Qxh6+ Kg8 58.Qg6+ Kh8 59.Qxh5+ Kg8 60.Qg5+ {A grand battle! Goryachkina levelled the score with this final effort and will have another chance to become the new Women Champion in the rapid, and maybe the blitz?} 1-0

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Gibraltar"]
[Date "2020.01.29"]
[Round "9.7"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Basso, Pier Luigi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2600"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7012876300833"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.c3 O-O 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 Be7 8.Nbd2 d6 9.a4 Nh5 10.Bg3 ( {Anand's treatment of the position also deserves serious investigation:} 10.g3 Nf6 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.h4 Ne7 13.Nh2 d5 14.Bb3 c6 15.Ng4 Qd6 16.Qf3 Bxg4 17.Qxg4 g6 18.h5 g5 19.Qf3 {and with the light-squared bishop significantly more useful than his opponent's dark-squared one White is calling the shots, Anand,V (2771)-Ragger,M (2686) Batumi 2018} ) 10...Nxg3 11.hxg3 Nb8 12.Ba2 $146 {A novelty. White is waiting for his opponent to show his cards.} ( {An earlier game saw instead} 12.Nf1 c6 13.Ne3 Na6 14.g4 Nc7 15.Nf5 d5 16.Bb3 Bf6 17.Qe2 Ne6 18.g3 Re8 19.Kf1 b6 20.Kg2 {Vachier -Lagrave,M (2783)-Kramnik,V (2789) Leuven 2017} ) ( {The immediate} 12.d4 {would be countered by central pressure with} 12...exd4 13.cxd4 Nc6 ) 12...Nd7 {Basso needs to develop.} 13.d4 {Now the knight cannot torture the enemy center.} 13...c6 ( {It is funny to see the computer recommending} 13...exd4 14.cxd4 Nb8 $1 {followed by Nb8-c6 anyway.} ) 14.Qc2 Qc7 ( {If Black knew what White was heading for, he might have chosen instead} 14...Rb8 $5 {intending quick queenside expansion after b7-b5-b4!} ) 15.g4 {Topalov would naturally try to exploit the half-open h-file for the attack.} 15...c5 16.g5 ( {It is too early to stabilize the center:} 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.g5 Bxg5 18.Nxg5 hxg5 ) 16...hxg5 {This might not be Black's best choice.} ( {Better was to start the central action at once with} 16...cxd4 {and hide his king behind the white pawns after} 17.gxh6 g6 {although this also looks very risky for him.} ) 17.O-O-O $1 ( {Here:} 17.dxe5 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 dxe5 19.O-O-O {looked more interesting than before, but Topalov is inpatient to mate the black king.} ) 17...Bf6 {Basso needs the bishop to protect the h8 spot.} 18.Rh2 {To which the former world champion reacts without hesitation.} ( {Instead, there was a good alternative:} 18.Nc4 {One of the points lies in the line} 18...g6 ( {The other point is related to the beauty} 18...cxd4 19.Nxd4 $3 exd4 20.e5 g6 21.exf6 Nxf6 22.Nxd6 $1 {with a crushing attack. But we shall come back to this idea in a moment.} ) 19.Nxd6 $1 {where Black is under tremendous attack both in the endgame after} 19...cxd4 ( {and the middlegame after} 19...Qxd6 20.dxe5 ) 20.cxd4 Qxc2+ 21.Kxc2 exd4 22.Rh6 $1 ) 18...g6 19.Rdh1 cxd4 20.Rh6 {The threat of a capture on g6 is deadly.} 20...Kg7 {The critical position of the game. After dozen minutes of thought Topalov came up with the cunning:} ( {For instance} 20...dxc3 21.Rxg6+ Bg7 22.bxc3 {followed by Nf3xg5 leads to an unstoppable attack for White.} ) 21.Nb1 $1 {The exclamation mark is for the remarkable idea of the move. But oddly enough, despite all the hidden beauty this is not the optimal solution.} ( {Instead, the slightly more accurate approach} 21.Nf1 $3 {would have led to similar winning lines as in the game, but without the additional chance that Basso found. Now} 21...dxc3 {which might have worried Topalov can be met with} ( {In comparison to the game} 21...Nc5 22.Nxd4 Qe7 {does not work as the knight can find his way to the d5 outpost} 23.Ne3 $1 exd4 24.Rh7+ Kg8 25.Nd5 {and this decisively reinforces the attack, for example} 25...Qe5 26.cxd4 Qxd4 27.e5 $3 {with unstoppable mate, say:} 27...Qxe5 ( 27...Nd3+ 28.Qxd3 Qxd3 29.Nxf6# ) 28.Qxg6+ $1 fxg6 ( 28...Bg7 29.Rh8# ) 29.Ne7# ( 29.Nxf6# ) ) 22.Ne3 cxb2+ 23.Kxb2 Qxc2+ 24.Kxc2 {White is down three pawns, We're in an endgame, and... there is no way out for the second player:} 24...Nb6 ( {After the most stubborn (at least according to the engine) line} 24...Bd8 25.Rh7+ Kf6 26.Nd5+ Ke6 {White can win a whole rook with} 27.Nc7+ ( {or win with a direct attack:} 27.R1h6 ) ) 25.a5 Nd7 26.Rh7+ Kg8 27.Nxg5 {Not the only win, but beautiful enough for our readers:} 27...Bxg5 28.Bxf7+ Rxf7 29.Rh8+ Kg7 30.R1h7+ Kf6 31.Nd5+ Ke6 32.Re8+ Be7 33.Rxe7+ Rxe7 34.Rxe7# ) 21...Nc5 $1 {The only move.} ( 21...d3 {would most likely be met with} 22.Rh7+ Kg8 23.Qd1 Nc5 24.Qg1 $1 {and the queen helps the rooks mate the opponent.} ) ( {Whereas} 21...dxc3 22.Nxc3 {only helps White and the line} 22...Nc5 23.Nd5 Nd3+ 24.Kb1 Qxc2+ 25.Kxc2 {is completely hopeless for the second player.} ) 22.Nxd4 $3 {The brilliant point behind Topalov's play.} 22...Bd7 {This natural development does not solve Black's problems.} ( {The knight is invincible:} 22...exd4 23.Rh7+ Kg8 24.e5 $3 {leads to mate. By the way, this is where we see why the former world champion waited for the black knight to make a move. If it was still on d7 it could have captured the e5 pawn, thus defending on g6!} 24...Bxe5 ( {Or:} 24...Bf5 25.exf6 $1 ) 25.Qxg6+ {and mate on the next move.} ) ( {However, Basso could have played more solidly with} 22...Qe7 $3 {intending} 23.Rh7+ Kg8 24.Nb5 Bg4 {when it is anyone's game.} ) 23.Rh7+ Kg8 24.Nb5 Qd8 $1 {Best.} ( {Instead} 24...Bxb5 25.axb5 Bg7 26.Qe2 {leads to serious problems on the light squares for Black.} ) ( 24...Qb6 25.N1a3 {also does not defend optimally.} ) ( {While} 24...Qc6 $2 25.Bd5 {definitely helps White.} ) 25.Nxd6 {The obvious capture gives a chance to Black to swap off a major attacker.} ( 25.f3 $1 {might have been even better.} ) 25...Be6 $1 {Without the light-squared bishop White's attack loses its steam.} 26.Bxe6 Nxe6 {A good move.} ( {There was an alternative:} 26...fxe6 $1 {with the main idea} 27.Nxb7 ( {Or} 27.Qd1 Bg7 ) 27...Nd3+ 28.Kd2 Nb4+ 29.Nxd8 Rfxd8+ 30.Ke2 ( {And now White cannot stay around his queen:} 30.Kc1 $4 Na2# ) 30...Nxc2 {which should lead to a draw after, say:} 31.Rc7 Rab8 32.Rh6 Rxb2 33.Rxg6+ Kh8 34.Rh6+ ) 27.Qd1 g4 ( {Safer seems} 27...Bg7 28.Na3 Qf6 ) 28.Na3 Nf4 {Basso decided to get rid of the white rooks once and forever.} ( {The other way to do it} 28...Ng5 29.R7h6 Qd7 30.Qd5 {would not be good: the white pieces are too active.} ) ( {But as the course of the game will prove} 28...Qe7 $1 {would have been the right way to play it.} ) 29.Nac4 {There is a deal, you can take my rook.} 29...Nh3 30.Rxf7 $1 Rxf7 31.gxh3 {And the Bulgarian GM executed his trademark exchange sacrifice.} 31...Rh7 ( 31...gxh3 32.Qd5 {is crushing for Black.} ) ( {However} 31...Rd7 32.Qd5+ Kg7 33.Rd1 Re7 $1 {to defend his key central point would have been more stubborn.} ) 32.Qxg4 Bg5+ 33.Kb1 Qf6 34.Rg1 {For the exchange White has a couple of pawns, centralization and an attack. This is is enough for him.} 34...Bf4 35.Qxg6+ Qxg6 36.Rxg6+ Kh8 ( {It makes sense to swap the rooks off:} 36...Rg7 37.Rxg7+ Kxg7 38.Nxb7 Rh8 {although this could hardly save the second player.} ) 37.Re6 Rd8 {Now White can keep his third pawn alive.} ( {However, even the most resilient:} 37...Rxh3 {should not have saved Black after either:} 38.Nxe5 ( {Or:} 38.Re7 Rh7 39.Rxh7+ Kxh7 40.Nxb7 ) 38...Bxe5 39.Rxe5 ) 38.h4 $1 Rc7 ( {As:} 38...Rxh4 39.Nf7+ {drops the rook.} ) 39.Kc2 Kh7 40.Kb3 a6 41.Nf5 ( 41.a5 {would also do, but White is not afraid of the pawn advance.} ) 41...b5 42.axb5 axb5 43.Ncd6 Rb8 44.Ne8 Ra7 45.Nf6+ Kh8 ( {Otherwise the rook falls:} 45...Kg6 46.Nd7+ Kf7 47.Rf6+ ) 46.h5 Rba8 47.Nd5 Bc1 48.Kc2 Ra1 49.Rxe5 Kg8 50.Nb4 {Toaplov in his prime!} 1-0

[Event "E Women's World Championship"]
[Site "Shanghai, China"]
[Date "2020.01.11"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2578"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[ECO "A18"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[Beauty "6945633215530"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 {After the painful defeat in the previous game, Goryachkina decided to abandon the slow grinding in favor of more aggressive play.} 3...d5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.e5 Ne4 6.Nf3 Bf5 7.d3 {White is following the footprints of her great countryman.} ( {At the World Cup two strong grandmasters discussed a slightly different version of the line:} 7.Be2 d4 8.Nxe4 Bxe4 9.Bc4 Bd5 10.Qb3 Bxc4 11.Qxc4 Nc6 12.O-O Qd7 13.d3 Be7 14.a3 O-O 15.b4 {when White seemed more comfortable, Kovalenko,I (2674)-Lupulescu,C (2643) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 c5 9.d4 Qa5 10.Bd2 Nc6 11.c4 Qd8 12.Qb3 Be4 $146 {However, it is Ju who has the first novelty.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 12...Be6 13.Qxb7 Rc8 14.Ng5 Nxd4 15.Nxe6 fxe6 16.Rb1 Be7 17.Bd3 Kf7 18.O-O Nc6 19.Be2 Nd4 20.Bd3 Nc6 21.Rfd1 {with initiative for White in Nepomniachtchi,I (2768)-Anand,V (2771) Batumi 2018. No doubt that both camps spent countless hours on the analyses of the positions.} ) 13.Qxb7 Rc8 14.Bg5 {For her last two moves Goryachkina spent about 20 minutes on her clock. She did, however, a very good job in choosing this unpleasant continuation as Ju slowly caught up on the clock with her three next moves.} ( {Black's main idea is seen in the line:} 14.Ng5 Be7 15.Nxe4 dxe4 16.d5 Nxe5 {where Black is very active and keeps the white bishops under control.} ) 14...Be7 15.Bxe7 Nxe7 16.Qb5+ {Here comes the first lengthy thought by the world champion. After more than half an hour of deliberation, Ju decides on} 16...Qd7 {which turns out to be a mistake.} ( {The other natural block of the check:} 16...Nc6 {would not solve all the Black's problems either after:} 17.cxd5 Bxd5 ( {Somewhat better is:} 17...Qxd5 18.Bc4 Qd7 19.Ng5 $1 Bd5 20.O-O {although Black also has problems to solve here.} ) 18.Qxc5 Bxf3 19.gxf3 Nxd4 20.Bb5+ Nxb5 21.Qxb5+ Qd7 22.a4 {White's extra pawn should count for something, although I suspect that with accurate play Black should hold.} ) ( {However, the artificial-looking move:} 16...Rc6 $1 {might have been best. The rook is now surprisingly well-placed; for example, after:} 17.cxd5 Bxd5 18.Be2 O-O 19.dxc5 Qc7 {Black should gradually regain both her pawns.} ) 17.cxd5 Bxd5 18.Qxd7+ Kxd7 19.Bb5+ Ke6 ( {Here a better chance is:} 19...Nc6 $5 {with the idea:} 20.dxc5 {And only then:} ( {But White can still fight for the edge with:} 20.Rc1 $5 ) 20...Ke6 21.Ng5+ Kxe5 ) 20.Ng5+ $1 Kf5 21.h4 {Suddenly the black king is in trouble, and Ju has too many threats to worry about. She decided to sacrifice the exchange.} 21...cxd4 ( {The alternative is to play down a pawn after:} 21...Kg6 22.Bd3+ Kh6 23.dxc5 Rxc5 24.O-O {Definitely not fun as the black king is still not out of the woods.} ) 22.Bd7+ Kxe5 23.Bxc8 Rxc8 {Goryachkina won the exchange, and this play should be good enough to win the game as the position is well open for the major pieces. However, accuracy is still required.} 24.O-O ( {Here better is to keep the king in the middle:} 24.Kd2 $1 {Not worrying about:} 24...Bxg2 $2 25.Rae1+ Kf6 26.Rhg1 {and White wins.} ) 24...Kd6 25.Rfe1 Rc2 {Now Black gets some activity for her pieces, and the supported passer can become a significant factor.} 26.a3 h6 27.Ne4+ Bxe4 28.Rxe4 Nc6 29.h5 $1 {Fixing a weakness.} 29...g6 ( {The pawn is not hanging yet; therefore, Ju should have brought her king out with:} 29...Kd5 $1 {Then:} 30.Rg4 ( {But White needs to play for the win with:} 30.Re8 $1 ) 30...d3 31.Rd1 d2 32.Kh2 Ne5 {leads White nowhere.} ) 30.Rf4 ( {Here and on the next move the contender needed to slow the passer with:} 30.Rd1 $1 gxh5 31.Rf4 Ke6 ( {Or:} 31...Ke7 32.Rf5 ) 32.Re1+ Kd5 33.Rxf7 {eventually winning.} ) 30...gxh5 31.Rxf7 d3 $1 {The passer is on the move.} 32.Rd1 d2 33.Rf3 Ne5 $1 34.Rf4 Nc6 {The decisive mistake. Ju was almost there.} ( {Correct is:} 34...Nc4 $1 35.Rd4+ ( {The rook endgame after:} 35.Kf1 Ke5 $1 36.Rh4 Nb2 37.Rxh5+ Ke4 38.Ke2 Nxd1 39.Rh4+ $1 Kf5 40.Kxd1 Ra2 41.Rxh6 Rxa3 42.Kxd2 a5 {should also be a draw with accurate play.} ) 35...Ke5 36.Rd7 Rc3 {Black's pieces are wonderfully positioned, and she can start swapping more pawns after:} ( {Not:} 36...Rc1 $2 37.Rxd2 $1 ) 37.Kf1 ( 37.a4 a5 ) 37...Rxa3 38.Ke2 h4 {In this line White misses her Rd1.} ) 35.Kf1 Ke5 36.Rf3 Na5 37.Ke2 {Everything is under control again, and Goryachkina leaves Ju no more chances.} 37...Nc4 38.Rh3 Ra2 39.Rxh5+ Kd4 40.Rh4+ $1 {It is always useful to spoil the enemy's coordination.} 40...Kc5 41.Rh3 a5 42.f4 Kd5 43.Rf3 $1 {The decisive maneuver after which the white pawns start to move as well.} 43...Ke6 44.g4 a4 45.Rh3 Kd5 46.f5 Ke5 47.Rc3 Nxa3 48.Rc5+ ( 48.Re3+ {would be a bit faster.} ) ( {But not:} 48.Rxd2 $2 Rxd2+ 49.Kxd2 Nb1+ 50.Kc2 Nxc3 51.Kxc3 h5 {with a draw.} ) 48...Kd6 49.f6 Nc2 50.Rc4 Na3 51.Rf4 Kd5 1-0

[Event "2020 Women's World Championship TIebreaks"]
[Site "Vladivostok RUS"]
[Date "2020.01.24"]
[Round "15.1"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2578"]
[ECO "A07"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7355534151228"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.Bg2 Bg4 4.O-O Nd7 5.h3 Bh5 ( {A recent top-GM game saw the principally different plan with the aggressive long castle for Black after:} 5...Bxf3 6.Bxf3 e6 7.d3 Bd6 8.e4 Ngf6 9.Qe2 Qc7 10.Nc3 O-O-O {as in Vachier Lagrave,M (2780)-Topalov,V (2740) Abidjan 2019} ) 6.d4 e6 7.c4 Be7 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Nc3 Bxf3 10.exf3 $1 $146 {Although the computer disapproves this novelty it has a lot of merits. First, it breaks the symmetry, which is good for the bishop pair. Second, it opens the e-file for the white rook, where especially pleasant is the outpost on e5. And last, but not least- every novelty has psychological value.} ( {The predecessor did not yield White much although he tried hard after:} 10.Bxf3 Ngf6 11.Bf4 O-O 12.e3 Re8 13.h4 Nf8 14.Bg5 N6d7 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Re1 Nf6 17.Qc2 N8d7 18.e4 dxe4 19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.Rxe4 Qd6 21.Rae1 Rxe4 22.Qxe4 Nf6 23.Qe5 Rd8 24.g4 {Harikrishna,P (2732)-Navara,D (2727) Prague 2018} ) 10...Ngf6 11.h4 {Following Steinitz's footprints. A couple of centuries ago the first world champion explained how to limit the knights when owing the bishop pair-use your rook pawns!} 11...O-O 12.Bh3 Nb6 13.Qd3 Re8 14.b3 {For the time being Ju doe snot want to put a rook on e1 and swap the major pieces. She takes away the active squares of the black knights instead.} 14...Nfd7 {It is obviously difficult for Goryachkna to give good moves. The main problem is that her knights are lacking outposts.} 15.Re1 ( {White could have continued with the same policy:} 15.a4 a5 16.Bd2 ) 15...Bf6 16.Bd2 a5 ( {In case of:} 16...Rxe1+ 17.Rxe1 Nc8 {White can preserve slight advantage with:} 18.Na4 {However, this might have been Black's best choice.} ) 17.Kg2 ( 17.a4 $5 {made perfect sense.} ) 17...Nf8 {The knight is moving towards the d4 weakness- White's only one. But she is lacking the time for real counterplay.} ( {Better was to make use of the mobility of the a-pawn with:} 17...a4 $1 18.Rxe8+ Qxe8 19.Re1 Qd8 {Thus opening a file for her own rook, and keeping busy the opponent on the queenside.} ) 18.Rxe8 Qxe8 19.Re1 Qd8 20.Nd1 $1 {A very nice maneuver. The knight frees the c3 square for the bishop, thus stabilizing the queenside and moves to a much better spot.} 20...Nbd7 ( {It was not too late for:} 20...a4 $1 21.Ne3 axb3 22.axb3 Nc8 {Moving teh knight to d6, and eventually b5 to pressurize the pawn, but Goryachkina is obsessed with the idea of a central pressure.} ) 21.Ne3 Qb6 22.Bc3 ( {The computer-like:} 22.Bxd7 $5 Nxd7 23.Nf5 Nf8 24.g4 {was also promising White the initiative on the kingside and the better game.} ) 22...a4 23.b4 Ne6 {The last move of the plan aimed against the d4 pawn. However now after:} 24.Bxe6 fxe6 25.Ng4 Re8 26.f4 {White managed to keep everything under control and build serious advantage.} 26...Qd8 27.h5 h6 {Probably the last inaccuracy. Goryachkina should not have allowed her opponent a chance to widen the attacking front.} ( 27...b5 28.Qe2 Nf8 {was mandatory for Black, although White is clearly better here too.} ) 28.Re3 ( {The immediate:} 28.b5 $1 {was also great for White, exploting the freshly open b-file after:} 28...Nf8 29.bxc6 bxc6 30.Rb1 ) 28...Kh8 29.b5 $1 {The world champion opens the queenside as well. Thanks to her much more active pieces and the extra space this quickly nets her material.} 29...Nb8 30.Qe2 cxb5 ( {There is no other way to defend the backward pawn as:} 30...Qd6 31.Nxf6 gxf6 32.Qg4 {weakens horrificaly the black king.} ) 31.Qxb5 {The simplest. Ju wins a pawn and keeps all the advantages of her position.} ( {The other way to win the pawn was with the in-between capture:} 31.Nxf6 $1 Qxf6 32.Qxb5 Qe7 33.f5 ) 31...Qc8 32.Qxa4 Nc6 33.Bb2 Re7 34.Qc2 Qe8 35.Nxf6 {Finally, the black king gets under mortal attack.} 35...gxf6 36.Ba3 Rg7 37.f5 e5 38.dxe5 fxe5 39.f6 Rg5 ( {If:} 39...Rf7 40.Qg6 {is a disaster for the black king.} ) 40.f4 $1 {Not a moment of hesitation. The whole game was conducted by the world champion in logical, merciless fashion.} 40...Rxh5 41.fxe5 ( {Even faster was:} 41.g4 Rh4 42.Qf5 {when Black does not have enough defenders around her king.} ) 41...Qe6 42.Kg1 d4 {Most likely Goryachkina forgot about White's next move.} ( {The last chance was:} 42...Rf5 {although White should also win here.} ) 43.Qg6 Qd7 44.e6 Qc7 45.Qxh5 1-0

[Event "E Women's World Championship"]
[Site "Vladivostok, Russia"]
[Date "2020.01.17"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2578"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7356473673260"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 Be7 8.Bd3 Ne4 9.Bg3 Nxg3 ( {Instead two Russian players debated the consequences of the interesting:} 9...Bf5 10.Bxe4 ( {Whereas:} 10.Nge2 Nxg3 11.hxg3 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 Nd7 13.g4 Bd6 14.e4 {was the course of the game Barsov,A (2509)-Al Qudaimi,B (2428) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010} ) 10...Bxe4 11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.Ne2 Bb4+ 13.Nc3 O-O 14.O-O Qe7 15.a3 Bxc3 16.bxc3 Nd7 17.a4 Qe6 18.h3 b5 19.d5 cxd5 20.axb5 {Khismatullin,D (2664)-Krapivin,A (2445) Moscow 2012} ) 10.hxg3 Nd7 11.Nf3 $146 {Obvious and natural.} ( {An email predecessor saw quick draw after:} 11.Nh3 Nf6 12.Nf4 Bd6 13.Qc2 O-O {1/2-1/2 (13) Lehtosaari,J (2346) -Rohs,R (2313) ICCF email 2015} ) 11...Nf6 12.Qc2 Be6 13.O-O-O {In a Carlsbad Pawn structure both players castle long in order to avoid the kingside attack.} 13...Qc7 14.Kb1 O-O-O 15.Na4 {Goryachkina's position seems more pleasant as she has clear spots to occupy with her knights. At the same time Ju's bishop pair is idle, but should not be underestimated.} 15...Kb8 16.Nc5 {Without much hesitation, the world champion decided to get rid of both white knights. After all, this is presumably one of the advantages of the bishop pair.} 16...Bxc5 ( {Black could have also stayed with:} 16...Bc8 17.Rc1 Bd6 {From a hindsight, this might have been a better choice for her.} ) 17.dxc5 {In order to free an outpost for her second knight.} 17...Bg4 18.Rc1 Bxf3 19.gxf3 d4 {This is what Ju's plan was all about. She is trying to build a blockade on the dark squares.} ( {It made sense to postpone this advance and do it under more favourable circumstances.} 19...h5 $5 20.f4 d4 21.e4 h4 ) 20.e4 g5 21.Qd2 {The problem is that the white pawns cannot be easily stopped. Moreover, the pawn on h6 became an obvious weakness.} 21...Nd7 ( {Here Black needed to centralize her queen with:} 21...Qe7 $1 {Then if White is not careful:} 22.Rhe1 $6 {The knight can demonstrate his usual wit with:} ( {White is still better though with:} 22.b4 Nd7 23.f4 gxf4 24.gxf4 h5 ) 22...Nd7 23.b4 Ne5 ) 22.f4 f6 ( {Nothing is really changed after:} 22...gxf4 23.gxf4 h5 24.Rh3 ) 23.Rh5 {Now that the h6 pawn is practically lost. All Goryachkina needs is to pile her major pieces against it.} 23...gxf4 24.gxf4 Nf8 25.f5 {Limits the knight.} 25...Qg7 {Now the Russian player comes with a strong maneuver:} ( 25...Nd7 26.f4 ) 26.Qf4+ $1 {Everything is under control.} ( {But not:} 26.Rch1 $6 Nd7 27.b4 Ne5 {with serious counterplay for Black.} ) 26...Ka8 27.Qh2 Nd7 28.f4 Qf8 ( {Or:} 28...Rdg8 29.b4 ) 29.b4 b6 {Ouplayed, in a desperate situation, the world champion opens the game in the time trouble.} ( 29...Qe8 30.Rxh6 {would be silent horror instead.} ) 30.e5 $1 bxc5 31.Qh1 $1 {Everything was in vain, it is the black king which is in greater danger.} 31...Nb8 ( {After:} 31...Kb7 {White wins with:} 32.Bb5 Nb8 33.Rxc5 ) 32.Be4 ( 32.b5 $1 {was even better.} ) 32...Rh7 ( {Otherwise Black gets checkmated, like in the line:} 32...cxb4 33.Bxc6+ Nxc6 34.Qxc6+ Kb8 35.Qb5+ Ka8 36.Rc7 ) 33.Rxc5 Rb7 34.Bxc6 Nxc6 35.Qxc6 {Goryachkina won a pawn, and kept all other benefits of her position.} 35...d3 ( 35...Kb8 36.Rb5 ) 36.Rb5 Rb8 37.e6 {This passer is unstoppable.} 37...Qd8 ( {Or:} 37...d2 38.Rh1 ) 38.Rh1 d2 39.Rd5 Qc8 40.Qxc8 Rxb4+ 41.Ka1 Rxc8 42.Rxd2 Kb7 {In order to defend the rook.} ( {Otherwise it hangs in the line:} 42...Rxf4 43.e7 Re4 44.Rd8 ) 43.Rd7+ $1 {The last touch. The king and the rook are again separated and it is all over in a couple of more moves.} 43...Kb6 44.e7 Re8 45.Re1 1-0

[Event "E Women's World Championship"]
[Site "Vladivostok, Russia"]
[Date "2020.01.19"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2578"]
[ECO "A06"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[Beauty "6253782779914"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.b3 {Behind in the score Ju decided that her chances would be better if she avoids the main theoretical lines full of forcing lines.} 2...c5 3.e3 a6 4.Bb2 Nc6 5.d4 Nf6 ( {Caruana chose instead:} 5...cxd4 6.Nxd4 Nf6 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.Nd2 e6 9.Bd3 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.c4 a5 {with normal play for Black, Nakamura, H (2792)-Caruana,F (2807) Saint Louis 2017} ) 6.Nbd2 cxd4 7.exd4 g6 8.a3 Bg7 9.Bd3 Nh5 $146 {A good novelty which enables central play by the second player.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 9...O-O 10.O-O Bf5 11.Bxf5 gxf5 12.Ne1 Ne4 13.Ndf3 Qb6 14.Qd3 Rac8 15.Qe3 f4 16.Qxf4 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 Bxd4 18.Qg4+ Kh8 19.Bxd4+ Qxd4 {Gubajdullin,A (2346)-Harutyunian,T (2452) Kazan 2016} ) 10.g3 O-O 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 d4 ( {A much better idea seems the inclusion of the black queen:} 12...Qc7 $1 13.f4 {Then followed by the opening of the center:} 13...f6 14.Qf3 Be6 {with double-edged position.} ) 13.f4 f6 {Here White manages to consolidate.} 14.Qe2 fxe5 15.fxe5 Bh6 16.O-O-O Be3 17.Rhf1 Bh3 18.Rxf8+ Qxf8 {All of this was pretty forced and with her next prophylactic move Ju moves her king away from the dangerous diagonal.} 19.Kb1 ( {However, in the process the world champion missed the strong continuation:} 19.Be4 $1 {Which is doubled attack. Black's best move is:} 19...Qc8 {which will be answered by the same:} ( {Not only the b7 pawn hangs:} 19...Rb8 20.Bxd4 $1 Bxd4 21.Qc4+ {drops the central pawn instead.} ) 20.Kb1 {But in comparison to the game Black will have her pieces awkwardly placed.} ) 19...b5 20.Nf1 {Now Goryachkina finds a brave resource.} 20...Bg1 $1 {For a moment, it seems as the white pieces are stuck, but the world champion can be amazingly resourceful as well.} 21.a4 $1 {The most discussed move of the game. And maybe the match. In fact yesterday, when I played my for my Belgium team a very strong GM said he could not believe his eyes when he saw the move. Neither did his wife who is a world-class player as well.} ( {A more normal continuation would be:} 21.Qe4 Rd8 22.Qh1 Bg4 23.Rc1 Bf2 24.Qc6 {with unclear game.} ) 21...bxa4 22.bxa4 {This is even more weird. Ju completely strips her king from the pawn cover. Could anyone expect this? A closer look at the position though reveals that there are some serious advantages behind White's idea. First and foremost, the light-squared bishop gets an amazing diagonal to work on.} ( {From objective point of view however:} 22.Nd2 {was stronger when after:} 22...Be3 23.Nc4 axb3 24.Nxe3 dxe3 25.cxb3 Be6 $1 {Black is in time to block the enemy bishops.} ) 22...Qc8 23.Bc4+ Kh8 {Goryachkina wants to have the g7 square available for her knight.} ( {Here:} 23...Be6 $2 {fails tactically to the double attack:} 24.Bxe6+ Qxe6 25.Qg2 ) ( {However:} 23...Kg7 $1 24.e6 Nf6 {would have been stronger than in the game for Black.} ) 24.e6 Nf6 25.Rxd4 $5 {This is why the Chinese GM opened the road for her light-squared bishop. She needs the second one there too and the price of an exchanges seems fair to her.} ( {Once more objectively better seems:} 25.Bxd4 Bxd4 26.Rxd4 Qb7+ 27.Bb3 Qh1 {When the game will most likely end in a draw either with immediate repetition:} 28.Bc4 ( {Or with very complex perpetual check like in this line:} 28.Rf4 g5 29.Rf2 Ne4 30.Qe3 Nxf2 31.Qe5+ Kg8 32.Qxg5+ Kf8 33.Qh6+ Ke8 34.Qh5+ Kd8 35.Qa5+ ) 28...Qb7+ ( {But Black can also try to play for the win with:} 28...Rb8+ $5 ) ) 25...Bxd4 26.Bxd4 Qb7+ 27.Ka2 ( {Surprisingly, the king would have been safer in the center:} 27.Kc1 $1 {Then:} 27...Qb4 ( {Or:} 27...Rd8 28.Bc3 Rb8 29.Nd2 ) 28.Ne3 Qxa4 29.Nd5 {allows White a chance to build strong attack.} ) 27...Rd8 ( {Missing the good chance:} 27...Qb4 $1 28.Bxf6+ exf6 29.Bb3 Kg7 ) 28.Bb2 Rb8 {Now this is wrong. It only pushes the white pieces to better squares.} ( {Better was the prophylactic :} 28...Kg8 $1 ) ( {Or the complex endgame after:} 28...Qg2 $5 29.Qxg2 Bxg2 30.Ne3 Bc6 ) ( {Even the move:} 28...h5 $1 {would secure some essential squares for the black king and prevent White's dangerous threats.} ) 29.Bb3 Qg2 ( {Here:} 29...h5 $1 {was essential.} ) 30.Qe5 {This is what Ju's idea was all about. Now her threats seem deadly.} ( {But if White was not fixated on her idea, she might have found the amazing study-like win:} 30.Qc4 $3 Qxf1 31.Qc7 Re8 32.Qd7 $3 {when the only way to stop the capture on e8 is:} 32...Kg8 33.Bxf6 {which leads to a winning attack for White.} ) 30...Rxb3 $1 {The only move.} ( {It is not the black rook which is hanging only, the king is in danger. Say:} 30...Rc8 31.Qxf6+ $3 exf6 32.Bxf6+ Kg8 33.e7+ {and mate.} ) ( {There is no time for consolidation neither:} 30...Qb7 31.Ne3 $1 {as White will bring on the reserves with decisive effect.} ) 31.cxb3 Qc6 32.Nd2 Bxe6 $1 {Again, the best defense.} ( {The endgame after:} 32...Qxe6 33.Qxe6 Bxe6 34.Ne4 Kg7 35.Ka3 h6 36.Nc5 Bc8 37.Kb4 {is lost for Black.} ) 33.Ka3 Kg8 34.Nf3 Qd5 ( {Otherwise Black loses quickly, say:} 34...Qxf3 35.Qxe6+ Kf8 36.Qxa6 ) 35.Qb8+ Kg7 36.Ne5 Qc5+ 37.Qb4 Qxb4+ {Finally, Goryachkina decided that it is a good moment to trade.} ( {But it was worth waiting with this once more:} 37...Qc7 $5 38.Qd4 Kf8 39.Nd3 {leads to a nasty position where White's edge is indisputable, but at least Black can hope for survival.} ) 38.Kxb4 Kf8 39.Nc4 Ne4 ( {The bishop is Lord after:} 39...Bxc4 40.bxc4 Ne4 41.Ka5 ) 40.Bd4 Ke8 {The fortieth move...} ( {The contender missed a chance to build sort of a fortress with:} 40...Nd6 $1 41.Ne5 Nb7 ) 41.Ka5 Nd6 42.Nd2 $1 {Now the white king enters the queenside and Black's position is slowly collapsing.} ( {Not:} 42.Nxd6+ exd6 43.b4 Bc4 {with a draw.} ) 42...Bc8 43.Kb6 Kd8 44.Be5 Kd7 45.Bf4 $3 {A beautiful zugzwang!} ( {The rushy:} 45.Bxd6 Kxd6 46.b4 e5 {would have allowed Black unnecessary counterplay.} ) 45...g5 ( {Nothing changes:} 45...h5 46.h4 Nf5 ( 46...Nf7 47.Nf3 ) 47.Ne4 ) 46.Bxg5 e5 47.Be3 {The rest is a matter of technique and the world champion has no problems at all.} 47...Ke6 48.Kc7 Bd7 49.Bc5 Nf5 50.Kb6 Kd5 51.Nb1 $1 e4 52.Nc3+ Ke5 53.Kxa6 e3 54.a5 Nd4 55.b4 Bg4 56.Kb6 {Final preparation.} 56...e2 57.Bxd4+ Kxd4 58.Nxe2+ Bxe2 59.a6 {And the pawns are unstoppable:} 59...Bf3 60.a7 h5 ( {Or:} 60...Kc4 61.b5 Kb4 62.Ka6 ) 61.b5 Kc4 62.h3 Kd5 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee The Netherlands"]
[Date "2020.01.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2644"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[ECO "B22"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[Beauty "5567351366218"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.d4 Nf6 6.Na3 {A touch of Tiviakov. The Groningen-based former Russian GM won a decisive game against Sutovsky to become European champion some years ago in this line.} 6...Nc6 7.Be3 cxd4 8.Nb5 Qd7 ( {The decisive game for the EICC saw:} 8...Qd8 9.Nbxd4 Nd5 10.Bg5 Qb6 ( {A more recent top GM game went instead:} 10...f6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd2 e5 13.Qc2 g6 14.Bd3 Bg7 15.O-O-O O-O {Giri,A (2769)-Alekseev,E (2620) Moscow 2019} ) 11.Bc4 Nxd4 12.Nxd4 Bc5 13.Bxd5 Bxd4 14.O-O Bc5 15.Qe2 h6 16.Bf4 O-O 17.Bc4 Bd7 18.Rad1 Rad8 19.Rd3 {and White launched a serious attack against the black king in Tiviakov,S (2635)-Sutovsky,E (2630) Plovdiv 2008} ) 9.Nbxd4 Bd6 10.Nxc6 $146 {Van Foreest spoils the opponent's pawn structure.} ( {The predecessor gave White a slight edge after:} 10.Nb5 Bb8 11.Bc5 Qxd1+ 12.Rxd1 e5 13.Nd2 a6 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Bxd6 {Visigalli,C (2012)-Rabczewski,A (2024) ICCF email 2015} ) 10...bxc6 ( {White's idea becomes clear in the line:} 10...Qxc6 11.Bb5 $1 ( {Black can defend after:} 11.Nd4 Qd5 12.Nb5 Bb8 ) 11...Qxb5 12.Qxd6 Qxb2 13.O-O {with decisive attack.} ( {But not the flashy:} 13.Bc5 Qxa1+ 14.Ke2 {due to:} 14...Qxa2+ 15.Nd2 Qa6+ ) ) 11.Bd4 Bb7 ( {Here more precise would be:} 11...Rb8 12.Bc4 Qc7 ) 12.Ne5 $1 {This is the difference. The knight is getting to a much better position with tempo.} 12...Qe7 ( 12...Qc7 13.Nc4 {does not change anything.} ) 13.Nc4 Bc7 14.Qb3 Ba6 15.Qa3 {Also a good maneuver. White can best exploit the pawn weaknesses in the endgame.} 15...Qxa3 16.Nxa3 Bxf1 17.Kxf1 Bb6 18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.Ke2 {Almost by force, a complex endgame arose. Van Foreest has clearly better pawn structure, while Yu owns the better minor piece. This simple fact should have made the Chinese GM more alert about possible future trades.} 19...Rg8 {An inaccuracy.} ( {Better is to push the weak pawn at once and look for a good moment to swap it:} 19...h5 20.g3 ( {If:} 20.h4 Rg8 21.g3 Rg4 {activating the rook the way that Yu wanted.} ) 20...h4 ) 20.g3 O-O-O ( {Here it made sense to keep the king in the center with:} 20...h5 21.Nc4 Ke7 ) 21.Nc4 Kc7 22.Rad1 Rd5 23.Rd3 h5 ( {No:} 23...Rxd3 {does not win a pawn due to:} 24.Kxd3 Bxf2 25.Rf1 ) 24.Rhd1 Rgd8 {A mistake. Yu is not careful about the possible trades.} ( {He needed to preserve the bishop with:} 24...Bc5 $1 25.b3 f5 ) 25.Ne3 ( {A more accurate move was the immediate trade:} 25.Nxb6 $5 axb6 26.Rxd5 cxd5 ( {The pawn endgame after:} 26...Rxd5 27.Rxd5 cxd5 28.h4 {is likely lost for the second player as White can easily create two distant passers.} ) 27.Rd4 {with a similar favorable rook endgame as in the game.} ) 25...Bxe3 26.Kxe3 Re5+ 27.Kf3 Red5 28.Rxd5 cxd5 29.Rd4 $1 {This is the endgame I mentioned before. The weak pawns on a7 and h5 are causing Black constant headaches.} 29...Rb8 30.b3 Kd6 31.Ke3 ( 31.c4 {does not win a pawn after:} 31...Ke5 32.Rh4 dxc4 ) 31...f5 {To defend the h-pawn.} 32.Ra4 Ra8 33.Rh4 Rh8 34.h3 Ke5 35.Kd3 ( {Not yet:} 35.g4 $2 Rc8 $1 ) 35...Kf6 36.Ra4 Ra8 37.b4 {White's plan is obvious. He wants to win the pinned pawn.} 37...Ke5 38.Ra6 f4 39.g4 ( {For some reason the computer prefers:} 39.gxf4+ Kxf4 40.b5 Kf3 41.b6 f5 42.Kd4 e5+ 43.Kxd5 Rd8+ 44.Kxe5 axb6 45.Rxb6 {Although here too, Black should be able to defend with:} 45...f4 ) 39...hxg4 40.hxg4 f5 {Move 40 ... obvious but not optimal.} ( {Yu could have dramatically improved the activity of his rook with:} 40...f6 $1 41.b5 Rh8 42.Rxa7 Rh3+ 43.Kd2 Rf3 {An active rook often saves the weaker side in the rook endgames.} ) 41.gxf5 Kxf5 42.a4 ( {Not:} 42.b5 Rb8 ) 42...e5 43.b5 e4+ 44.Kd4 {It is White's turn to make an obvious move, but it is not optimal.} ( {The accurate} 44.Kd2 $1 Ke5 45.b6 {would have kept an eye on the naughty black pawns.} ) 44...Kg4 {Missing an excellent chance.} ( {Black could have advanced his passer at once:} 44...Re8 $1 45.Rxa7 {Now the obvious:} 45...e3 ( {However, there is an even neater solution:} 45...Kg6 $3 {takes away all the squares from the white rook. The e-pawn then forces White to repeat with:} 46.Ra6+ Kf5 47.Ra7 Kg6 ) 46.fxe3 fxe3 47.Rf7+ Ke6 48.Rf1 Ra8 {might be a draw, but Black still needs to prove that outcome.} ) 45.b6 Kf3 {This loses.} ( {However:} 45...Rb8 {would not have changed anything as White has the study-like win after:} 46.bxa7 Ra8 47.Kxd5 e3 48.fxe3 fxe3 {Now the exceptional:} 49.Ke4 $3 {pushes the black king away and leads to a won position after both:} 49...e2 ( {Or:} 49...Re8+ 50.Kd3 e2 51.a8=Q Rxa8 52.Re6 Rxa4 53.Rxe2 {with similar consequences.} ) 50.Rg6+ Kh3 51.Rg1 Rxa7 52.Kd3 Rxa4 53.Kxe2 {and this is a textbook win, according to the tablebases.} ) 46.Rxa7 Rb8 47.a5 Kxf2 48.Re7 {White's pawns are slightly further advanced, and this is all that the Dutch player needs.} 48...f3 49.b7 e3 50.a6 e2 51.Re6 e1=Q 52.Rxe1 Kxe1 53.a7 Rxb7 ( {Or:} 53...f2 54.axb8=Q f1=Q 55.Qe5+ ) 54.a8=Q Re7 ( {Once more Black is losing the queen endgame for a tempo:} 54...f2 55.Qxb7 f1=Q 56.Qb1+ ) 55.Qf8 Re4+ 56.Kxd5 {What follows next is a model realization of the advantage.} 56...Re3 57.Qc5 Kd2 58.Kd4 $1 Rd3+ ( 58...f2 59.Qf5 ) 59.Ke4 Rxc3 60.Qf2+ Kc1 61.Kd4 Ra3 62.Kd5 Rd3+ 63.Kc4 Ra3 64.Qc5 $1 {The rook does not have enough room.} 64...Kb2 65.Qb4+ Ka2 66.Qd2+ Kb1 67.Kb4 Ra2 68.Qd1+ Kb2 69.Qxf3 Kc1 70.Qf1+ Kc2 71.Qe1 Rb2+ 72.Kc4 Ra2 73.Qe2+ Kb1 74.Qd1+ Kb2 75.Kb4 1-0

[Event "Cairns Cup"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.02.11"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Dzagnidze, Nana"]
[Black "Koneru, Humpy"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2515"]
[BlackElo "2580"]
[ECO "D58"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[Beauty "6120638782988"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 O-O 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 b6 8.Be2 Bb7 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Qb3 Re8 {The second main choice in the position, which should not have come as a surprise for Dzagnidze as her opponent already had used this line against GM Zhao Xue at a Grand Prix tournament.} ( {Black can also choose to play with an isolated pawn after:} 11...c6 12.O-O Na6 13.Rad1 Re8 14.Bd3 c5 15.Bb5 Re6 16.dxc5 Nxc5 17.Qc2 a6 18.Be2 Rc8 {as in Fressinet,L (2687)-Topalov,V (2761) Paris 2016} ) 12.O-O c6 13.Rfe1 ( {The above-mentioned game continued:} 13.Rfd1 Nd7 14.Rac1 Nf8 15.Rd2 Be7 16.Qa4 Nd7 {when Black achieved a good position from the opening, Zhao,X (2506)-Koneru,H (2583)} ) 13...Na6 ( {Rock-solid GM Georg Meier held his own after:} 13...Nd7 14.Rad1 g6 15.e4 Nf8 16.e5 Bg7 17.Bd3 Ne6 18.Bb1 Qe7 19.Qc2 Red8 20.h4 h5 {Korobov,A (2713)-Meier,G (2623) Antalya 2013} ) 14.e4 Nc7 15.e5 Be7 16.Rad1 Ne6 17.Bf1 Qc7 18.g3 Rad8 19.h4 a6 $146 {Black makes a useful preparatory move, and c6-c5 is on the agenda, but the Indian player wants to know what the opponent's intentions are.} ( {Koneru deviates from an old game of Kramnik that saw a quick draw after the immediate:} 19...c5 20.Bh3 Bf8 21.Ne2 Bc8 22.Kh2 g6 23.a3 Bg7 24.Qc2 Qe7 25.Qd2 Qf8 26.Nf4 {Piket,J (2609)-Kramnik,V (2751) Wijk aan Zee 1999} ) 20.a3 c5 21.dxc5 Nxc5 {Before advancing her passer, Koneru decided to bring the knight to an even better position.} ( {It might have been even stronger to give an impulse to the central passer with:} 21...Bxc5 $5 22.Ne2 d4 {Once the long diagonal is opened for the bishop, Black is more than comfortable.} ) 22.Qa2 Ne4 23.Ne2 {Alas, this obvious blockade does not work.} ( {Dzagnidze missed an excellent attacking opportunity:} 23.Nxe4 $1 dxe4 24.e6 $3 {would have given White the edge as in the line:} 24...fxe6 ( {White is also getting some valuable pieces for her pieces in the line:} 24...f5 25.Rd7 Qb8 26.Nd4 ) 25.Qxe6+ Kh7 ( {Worse is:} 25...Kh8 26.Ne5 ) 26.Rxd8 Rxd8 {She has the nice:} 27.Rxe4 $1 {when Black would suffer a tremendously strong opposite-colored bishop attack if she decides to accept the exchange:} 27...Bxe4 28.Qxe4+ Kg8 ( 28...Kh8 29.Bd3 ) 29.Bc4+ Kf8 30.Ne5 ) 23...Bc5 24.Ned4 {Everything seems stable for White, but...} 24...Rxe5 $1 {Reveals the weakness of the black squares.} 25.Rc1 ( {The rook is poisonous:} 25.Nxe5 Qxe5 26.Nf3 Qxg3+ {would see a disaster this time on the dark-squared complex. It is funny how both sides want to build their play on their "own" color-complex.} ) 25...Qb8 26.Red1 Ree8 {"Swashbuckling the pawn should be enough" is what the top Indian player likely thought.} ( {But she missed the moment to decide the game once and for all with:} 26...Nxf2 $1 27.Kxf2 Re4 {The main threat is to attack the g3-pawn after:} 28.Bg2 ( 28.Bh3 {defends the g4-square but lifts the defense of the f3-knight, and Black can use this with the maneuver:} 28...Rd6 $1 {followed by Rd6-f6.} ) ( {Finally:} 28.Rxc5 bxc5 29.Nf5 d4 {should be also hopeless for White as her knights are deprived of good outposts.} ) 28...Rg4 ) 27.b4 Bxd4 28.Nxd4 Rc8 29.Qb3 Qe5 30.Qe3 {As it often happens when someone wins material, the solid moves actually make White's defense easier.} 30...Qf6 31.Re1 Kf8 ( {Better is:} 31...Nd6 32.Qd2 Rxe1 33.Rxe1 Ne4 ) 32.Rxc8 Rxc8 33.Ne2 Re8 34.Rc1 {A blunder.} ( 34.Rd1 {should have been played.} ) 34...Rc8 {Once more a solid move, but not the most optimal.} ( {Koneru could have expanded her advantage with:} 34...d4 $3 35.Nxd4 ( {Worse is:} 35.Qxd4 Qf3 36.Qe3 Ng5 37.Qxf3 Nxf3+ 38.Kh1 Nd4+ {when White drops a whole piece.} ) 35...Nxg3 36.Qxg3 Qxd4 {and to the extra pawn Black adds decisive positional advantage.} ) 35.Rxc8+ Bxc8 36.Bg2 ( {Missing a chance to turn the tables with:} 36.f3 $1 {Oh horror! The knight does not have any other square but:} 36...Nd6 37.Qxb6 {when White regains the pawn and has an obvious advantage thanks to her queenside majority and better bishop.} ) 36...Qc6 37.Bxe4 {Hoping for a fortress.} ( {Dzagnidze could have played more actively with:} 37.Nf4 $1 Bb7 38.Nh5 ) 37...dxe4 38.Nc3 f5 ( 38...Bb7 $5 ) 39.Qd4 {It seems as White should be able to hold the fort. The knight and the queen are an excellent attacking but also blockading pair, and right now they feel very comfortable in the middle of the board.} 39...Bb7 40.Kf1 Kf7 41.Ke2 b5 42.Ke3 {Black's only chance is connected with her kingside majority, therefore:} 42...g5 43.hxg5 hxg5 44.Ne2 Kg6 45.Qd8 Kh5 {The king is ready to go all the way to g2 if needed.} 46.Qd1 ( {Missing a draw brilliancy after:} 46.g4+ $3 Kxg4 ( {Or else a perpetual will follow:} 46...fxg4 47.Qh8+ Kg6 48.Qg8+ ) 47.Qd1 $3 {A picturesque ambush. In order to save her king from the discovered threats, Koneru has to conceed to a draw with:} 47...f4+ 48.Nxf4+ Kf5 49.Ne2 {which is the fortress that Dzagnidze was looking for.} ) 46...Kg6 47.Qd8 Kh5 48.Qd1 ( {This is the last chance for:} 48.g4+ $3 ) 48...Qb6+ 49.Nd4+ ( {The endgame after:} 49.Qd4 Qxd4+ 50.Nxd4 Kg4 {should be hopeless for White.} ) 49...Kg6 50.Qd2 Bd5 51.Qc3 Bc4 52.Kd2 ( {Perhaps White should have tried to hold the endgame after:} 52.f4 exf3 53.Kxf3 Qb7+ 54.Kf2 Qe4 ) 52...f4 {Once that this pawn takes away the e3-square from the white pieces, Dzagnidze's position quickly deteriorates.} 53.Ke1 Qf6 54.a4 {Desperation, but:} ( 54.gxf4 gxf4 55.Kd2 Qg5 {is also hopeless for White.} ) 54...fxg3 55.fxg3 Qf1+ 56.Kd2 bxa4 57.Nc2 Qd3+ 58.Qxd3 exd3 59.Ne3 Bb5 ( 59...a3 {would have been a bit faster, but there is no way out for White anyway.} ) 60.Kc3 Kf6 61.Ng4+ Kf5 62.Nf2 a3 63.Kb3 d2 64.Kxa3 Be2 0-1

[Event "Cairns Cup"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.02.15"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Yip, Carissa"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2583"]
[BlackElo "2412"]
[ECO "C70"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6529960906785"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 g6 5.d4 exd4 6.c3 Bg7 7.cxd4 b5 8.Bb3 Nge7 9.d5 ( {Another way to treat the position is:} 9.O-O d6 10.d5 Na5 11.Bc2 c5 12.Nc3 O-O 13.h3 h6 14.Re1 g5 {as in Nakamura,H (2761) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2773) Abidjan 2019} ) 9...Na5 10.Bd2 Nxb3 11.Qxb3 c5 12.Bc3 f6 $1 {Temporarily shuts the diagonal for the bishop, but Yip correctly decided to keep the bishop alive.} 13.a3 ( {There is no way for Ju to use her lead in development and space advantage:} 13.d6 Nc6 14.Qd5 {allows} 14...b4 15.Bd2 Bb7 16.Qxc5 $6 f5 17.e5 Rc8 {with a strong initiative for the pawn.} ) 13...d6 14.h4 $146 {This move is a novelty, which presumably prevents the g6-g5, followed by Ne7-g6-(e5), maneuver.} ( {Black does not experience any problems after:} 14.O-O O-O 15.Nbd2 Bd7 ) ( {In fact, exactly the same position was reached in an earlier game via a slightly different move order:} 14.Nbd2 O-O 15.O-O Bd7 16.Qc2 Rc8 17.b3 {There, after:} 17...Qb6 ( {However, here is a good moment to go for the above-mentioned maneuver with:} 17...g5 $5 ) 18.Rfe1 Rce8 19.Qb2 a5 20.Qc2 f5 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Rad1 {White got the better game and eventually won, Macovei,A (2369)-Shevchenko,K (2549) Sovata 2018} ) 14...O-O {Black does not even blink.} 15.Nbd2 ( {The point is that the kingside aggression:} 15.h5 {would only help the black pieces get out after:} 15...gxh5 $5 16.Rxh5 Qe8 17.Rh1 Qg6 {followed by Qe8-g6.} ( {Or:} 17...a5 {preparing b5-b4.} ) ) 15...Qe8 ( 15...Bd7 {preparing a6-a5 followed by b5-b4 is also fine for Black.} ) 16.O-O Bd7 17.Qc2 Rc8 {Yip slowed down a bit, and this could have had unpleasant consequences.} ( {Better is the immediate:} 17...a5 18.b3 a4 19.b4 ) 18.b3 h6 19.a4 Ra8 20.axb5 axb5 21.Rxa8 ( {Here and a couple of moves late White absolutely needed to block the queenside with:} 21.b4 $1 {No matter what Black does, her light-squared bishop will remain out of the game, and most likely White will get access to the d4-square for her pieces.} ) 21...Qxa8 22.Ra1 Qb7 23.Qa2 ( {Now:} 23.b4 $1 {is mandatory and would have promised White the advantage after:} 23...Ra8 ( {Nothing changes:} 23...Rc8 24.Qb2 ) 24.Rxa8+ Qxa8 25.bxc5 $1 dxc5 26.d6 Nc8 27.e5 {with stong kingside pressure.} ) 23...Nc8 24.Ne1 {The knight is looking for a better position.} ( {It transpires that the a-file is not as rich:} 24.Qa6 Qxa6 25.Rxa6 b4 26.Bb2 h5 {followed by Bg7-h6 would bring the black pieces out, whereas White cannot effectively attack the black pawns.} ) 24...b4 25.Bb2 Bb5 $1 {But the young American does not allow either of the knights to reach good outposts.} 26.Nc2 {With the intention to back up the first knight for the battle for the c4 outposts, but the world champion does not have the time for that.} ( {The immediate:} 26.Nc4 $2 {would have sealed the weakness:} 26...Bxc4 27.bxc4 Re8 28.f3 Nb6 {and led to an advantage for Black, thanks to her defended passer and the freshly-created weakness on c4.} ) ( {However:} 26.Qb1 $5 {insisting on the Ne1-d3 maneuver is more to the point.} ) 26...Bd3 ( {Also good would have been:} 26...f5 $1 27.Ne3 Bd3 ) 27.Ne3 {The knight is almost there.} ( {It made sense to ask her younger opponent if she wants to repeat the moves after:} 27.Ne1 ) 27...Qe7 {But there is a problem with the e4-pawn.} ( {Actually, Yip already had a pleasant choice of good continuations as:} 27...f5 28.exf5 gxf5 29.Bxg7 Qxg7 30.Nec4 Kh7 {promises her a strong attack along the g-file.} ) 28.Re1 {The tactical defense is White's only possibility.} 28...Nb6 ( {Since} 28...Bxe4 $2 29.Nef1 f5 30.f3 {drops a piece for Black.} ) 29.Qa1 Ra8 30.Qc1 h5 {Very mature play by the young American. The piece that can give much more now is the dark-squared bishop.} ( 30...Ra2 {would have been good as well, although sooner or later Black will need her bishop out.} ) 31.Nec4 ( {Perhaps the last chance to survive the coming assault is related to the risky:} 31.g3 Bh6 32.f4 ) 31...Nxc4 32.Nxc4 {The knight finally makes it to the outpost, but in the process Black gets all the remaining advantages.} 32...Ra2 33.g3 Kh7 $1 {The bishop wants out.} 34.Nd2 ( {Here:} 34.f4 {should not save White as Yip has a wide choice of attacking options:} 34...Qa7 ( 34...Bxe4 ) ( 34...Qd7 ) ) 34...Bh6 35.f4 {In order to defend the central pawn, Ju needs to weaken her kingside, and this is enough for her opponent to finish the game in style.} 35...Qa7 $1 ( {Better than the immediate:} 35...Qd7 36.Re3 {when White can still defend.} ) 36.Nc4 Qd7 $1 {Now the difference is that...} 37.Re3 {...is met with:} 37...Bxc4 {that is again the most technical solution.} ( {Knowing Yip's tactical talent, I have no doubt that she had seen the tactical win here as well:} 37...Bxf4 $1 38.gxf4 Qg4+ 39.Kf2 Qxf4+ 40.Kg2 Bxc4 41.bxc4 Rxb2+ 42.Qxb2 Qxe3 ) 38.bxc4 Qg4 {White's position crumbles into pieces.} 39.Kh1 Bxf4 $1 {Winning three pawns for the piece in a flash.} 40.gxf4 Qxh4+ 41.Kg1 Qg4+ 42.Kh1 Qxf4 43.Qb1 ( {Or:} 43.Rb3 Qxc1+ 44.Bxc1 Ra1 ) 43...Rxb2 44.Qxb2 Qxe3 45.Qxf6 Qxe4+ {The youngster did not tremble and cold-bloodedly finished the game after:} 46.Kh2 b3 47.Qf7+ Kh6 48.Qf8+ Kg5 49.Qd8+ Kf5 50.Qd7+ Ke5 51.Qg7+ Kf4 52.Qf6+ Kg4 53.Qe6+ Qf5 54.Qxd6 Qf2+ 55.Kh1 Qf3+ 56.Kh2 Qh3+ 57.Kg1 Qg3+ 0-1

[Event "Cairns Cup"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.02.16"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2504"]
[BlackElo "2583"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[Beauty "6602438475785"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {According to the Megabase, this is the first time that the world champion uses the Berlin Defense. This might, however, have been on the cards in her match against GM Aleksandra Goryachkina.} 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Rd1+ Ke8 10.Nc3 Bd7 ( {A five-time world champion comfortably held the endgame after:} 10...Ne7 11.h3 Ng6 12.Ne2 Be7 13.Bd2 Bd7 14.Bc3 c5 15.Ng3 Nf4 16.Bd2 Ne6 17.Nf5 Bc6 18.Ne1 h5 19.Nxe7 Kxe7 20.h4 Rad8 21.Be3 b6 22.f3 Nd4 {Aronian,L (2772)-Anand,V (2757) Bucharest 2019} ) 11.b3 Be7 12.Bb2 Rd8 13.Ne4 $146 {An attempt to improve on a game that was played at the Russian team championship.} ( {An earlier game saw the somewhat sluggish:} 13.h3 h5 14.Kf1 b6 15.a4 a5 16.Ne2 c5 17.Nc3 Bc6 18.Nb5 Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1 Bd8 {when Black did not have anything to worry about, Savchenko,B (2630)-Romanov,E (2624) Taganrog 2011} ) 13...h5 14.Rd2 Bc8 15.Re2 {Kostenuik decided to keep as many pieces as she can on the board. On the e-file the rook aims the black king.} ( {Black is comfortable once that a pair of rooks leaves the board:} 15.Rad1 Rxd2 16.Rxd2 b6 17.c4 Rh6 ) 15...c5 16.Rae1 Rh6 $1 {Ju finds a nice way to bring the second rook out.} 17.c4 ( {Nothing yields:} 17.Nf6+ Kf8 ) 17...Kf8 ( {The immediate:} 17...Ra6 {allows the maneuver:} 18.Nf6+ Kf8 19.Nd5 ) 18.Rd2 {At the end of the day Kostenuik decided to swap the rook pair. The tactical ideas fizzled out, and the rooks are no better than the opponent's ones.} 18...Rxd2 19.Nexd2 Ra6 20.a4 ( 20.Ra1 {looks too sad to be good.} ) 20...g5 $1 {The Chinese GM is slowly outplaying her opponent. The kingside pawns' advances aim to open the road for the bishops.} 21.Ne4 g4 22.Nfd2 Nd4 23.Nc3 c6 ( {Here more accurate is:} 23...Bf5 $1 24.Nd5 ( 24.Nce4 {leads to problems with the e5-pawn:} 24...Re6 ) 24...Bd8 {c7-c6 and b7-b5 will follow next, but White will be deprived of the chance she got in the game.} ) 24.Nce4 b5 25.Nd6 $1 {Finally some activity! It is interesting how deceptive the Berlin can be. The impression that White needs to play statically is completely wrong as the first player cannot easily trade the opponent's pieces. It is quite the contrary: Black has tons of ways to improve her position slowly.} 25...Be6 ( {Black did well to stay away from the line:} 25...Bxd6 $6 26.exd6 bxa4 27.bxa4 Rxa4 28.Ne4 Rxc4 29.Nxc5 $1 {The only one to play for the win after:} 29...Rxc5 30.Ba3 $1 Nb3 31.d7 $1 Bxd7 32.Re5 {is White.} ) 26.cxb5 cxb5 27.axb5 ( {Correct is:} 27.Bxd4 $1 Bxd6 ( {Worse seems:} 27...cxd4 28.Nxb5 d3 29.Nc7 Ra5 30.Nxe6+ fxe6 31.f4 ( {Or} 31.Nc4 {in both cases with winning chances for White.} ) ) 28.axb5 $1 Ra2 29.exd6 cxd4 30.Nc4 Rc2 {Black has compensation for a pawn but hardly more.} ) 27...Ra2 28.Bxd4 cxd4 29.N2c4 {Now the world champion comes with a brilliant idea:} ( {Better is:} 29.Rd1 f6 30.N6c4 {The white knights retreat in this line, but can do a better job than in the game.} ) 29...h4 $3 30.Kf1 h3 $1 {First of all, this pawn takes away the air from the white king and creates mating threats.} 31.gxh3 gxh3 32.Re2 Ra1+ 33.Re1 Rxe1+ 34.Kxe1 Bg5 $1 {That is the second point: the h3-pawn fixed a serious weakness on h2. Last but not least, the bishops tend to get even better with the trades.} 35.Ne4 {Kosteniuk decided to appoint one of the knights as a guardian of the h2-pawn.} ( {White cannot stop all the rabbits in the line:} 35.Kf1 Bf4 36.Kg1 Bxc4 $1 37.Nxc4 d3 ) 35...Bf4 36.Ng3 d3 37.Nf1 Ke8 {The white pieces are more or less paralyzed, and the game is decided by the "extra" black king.} 38.Nb2 Bf5 ( {Even easier might have been:} 38...d2+ 39.Ke2 ( 39.Nxd2 Bxh2 ) 39...Bd7 $1 ) 39.Ng3 d2+ 40.Kd1 ( {Against:} 40.Ke2 {Black has:} 40...Bg4+ 41.f3 Bxg3 ) 40...Bg4+ 41.Kc2 Bxe5 {The knight simply ended too far from this pawn.} 42.Nd1 Bf4 43.Nf1 Be2 44.Ng3 Bf3 45.Nf1 Be4+ 46.Kc3 Bg2 47.Ng3 Bf3 48.Kc2 Kd7 49.Nc3 Kc7 ( 49...Ke6 $5 ) 50.Nf1 Kb7 51.b4 Kb6 {An inaccuracy before the win.} ( 51...Bg4 $1 52.Nxd2 Bxh2 {would have finished immediately.} ) 52.Nxd2 Bg2 53.Nde4 ( {Kosteniuk missed a chance to make use of the knight forks after:} 53.Nf1 $1 Bxf1 54.Nd5+ Kxb5 55.Nxf4 Kxb4 {thus prolonging the resistance. Although Ju should win here too.} ) 53...Bxh2 54.Nd5+ Kxb5 55.Nec3+ Kc6 56.b5+ Kb7 0-1

[Event "Chess Festival - Masters"]
[Site "Prague"]
[Date "2020.02.14"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[ECO "C55"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7699399966728"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.h3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 {Firouzja enters the Chigorin system down a tempo. In comparison to the main lines, White does not have his rook on e1.} ( {The more common plan is to avoid the d3-d4 advance:} 11.Re1 Re8 12.Nbd2 Bf8 13.Nf1 g6 14.Ng3 Nc6 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bd2 {1/2-1/2 (16) Pruijssers,R (2557)-Ernst,S (2553) Amstelveen 2019} ) 11...Qc7 12.d5 {When down a tempo, keep the position closed.} 12...Nc4 13.b3 Nb6 14.a4 c4 $146 ( {An earlier game saw Black trying to solve his problems tactically after:} 14...bxa4 15.bxa4 Nc4 16.Bd3 Na5 17.Nbd2 c4 18.Bc2 Bd7 19.Ba3 Nb3 20.Bxb3 cxb3 21.Qxb3 Rab8 22.Qc2 Rfc8 23.Nxe5 dxe5 24.Bxe7 Qxc3 25.Qxc3 Rxc3 26.Nf3 Nxe4 27.Nxe5 {but White still kept an edge, Manik, M (2407) -Paravyan,D (2531) Pardubice 2017} ) 15.axb5 axb5 {An obviously recapture, and an inaccuracy!} ( {Harikrishna could have searched counterplay with the original:} 15...cxb3 $5 16.Bd3 Nfd7 {activating both knights. Since White is somewhat lagging in development, Black should be OK:} ( {Rather than:} 16...Nxe4 17.Bxe4 f5 18.Bd3 e4 19.Be2 exf3 20.Bxf3 {when White is better.} ) 17.bxa6 $2 ( {More reasonable is:} 17.Qxb3 Nc5 18.Qc2 {although Black has enough play after both:} 18...Nxd3 ( {Or the immediate:} 18...f5 $1 ) 19.Qxd3 f5 $1 ) 17...Nc5 {This is even better for Black.} ) 16.Rxa8 Nxa8 17.bxc4 bxc4 18.Ba3 {The bishop is very active on the diagonal. Plus, Firouzja is setting up a devilish trap.} ( {Against:} 18.Be3 {White might disliked the typical piece sacrifice after:} 18...Nb6 19.Nbd2 Nbxd5 $5 20.exd5 Nxd5 21.Ne4 Nxe3 22.fxe3 h6 {and if the Black pawns come into motion he might be even better.} ) 18...Nd7 $1 {The Indian GM is alert.} ( {The obvious developing move:} 18...Nb6 {would have lost on the spot due to:} 19.Nxe5 $1 dxe5 20.d6 ) 19.Bb4 Nc5 ( {Not much is changed after:} 19...Nab6 20.Nbd2 ) 20.Qe2 {The position has clarified in White's favor. The pawn on c4 is a clear target for the white pieces and he has various maneuvers to get it. Moreover, Firouzja has all the chances to seize the open a-file first.} 20...Nb6 21.Nbd2 f5 {Harikrishna knows that he is losing the battle on the queenside and tries his best to keep the opponent busy on the opposite wing.} ( {Or:} 21...Ncd7 22.Ra1 ) 22.Rd1 $1 {Strong prophylaxis. White overprotects the d5 pawn.} ( {There is no need to allow unnecessary counterplay with:} 22.exf5 Nd3 23.Bxd3 cxd3 24.Qxd3 Bxf5 25.Ne4 Qb7 ) 22...g6 ( {If:} 22...Ba6 23.Ra1 {comes with a tempo.} ) 23.Qe3 {The threat is Bxc5. Firouzja tries to force the closure of the kingside.} 23...f4 {Which happened.} ( {A tad more accurate was:} 23...Na6 24.Ba3 f4 ) 24.Qe2 {Now White can resume the wrapping of the c4 pawn.} 24...Ba6 ( {Similar would be:} 24...Bd7 25.Ra1 Rb8 26.Ra5 ) 25.Ra1 Ra8 26.Qf1 $1 {Another strong maneuver. White prepares the doubling of his major pieces along the a-file.} 26...Qc8 27.Ra5 ( 27.Ra3 $5 {might have been more accurate on the account of Black's next option.} ) 27...Ncd7 {Now Harikrishna loses without much of a fight.} ( {The pawn is doomed. This should have been clear, and it made no sense to try and stick to it. The best chance to survive was related to the fortress:} 27...Nb3 28.Ra2 Nxd2 29.Nxd2 Bb5 30.Qa1 Rxa2 31.Qxa2 Qa6 32.Qxa6 Bxa6 {It seems counter-productive for Black to trade the pieces as now the c4 pawn is doomed:} 33.Bb1 ( 33.Bd1 {followed by Bd1-e2 would lead to the same.} ) 33...Kf7 34.Ba2 Bb5 35.Ba5 {wins the pawn, but maybe Black can survive after:} 35...Bd8 36.Bxb6 ( 36.Bxc4 Nxc4 37.Nxc4 Bxc4 38.Bxd8 {is an opposite-colored bishop endgame, which should most likely be a draw.} ) 36...Bxb6 37.Bxc4 Ba4 {The pawn is gone, but the bishop pair is fair compensation for it.} ) 28.Qa1 Bb5 29.Nb1 $1 {Aiming for the c4 pawn via the a3 square.} ( {White can also start with:} 29.Bd1 $1 Rxa5 30.Qxa5 Qa6 31.Nb1 ) 29...g5 ( {It is too late for the trades:} 29...Rxa5 30.Qxa5 Qa6 31.Na3 Qxa5 32.Bxa5 Ba6 33.Bd1 Bd8 34.Bb4 ( {Rather than:} 34.Be2 Nc5 35.Nd2 Nd3 ) 34...Be7 35.Nd2 {is a much better version of the pawn gain than the line from above.} ) 30.Rxa8 Nxa8 ( {Or:} 30...Qxa8 31.Qxa8+ Nxa8 32.Na3 {and the c4 pawn is gone.} ) 31.Qa7 Nc7 {This was the last moment in which Black could have tried the endgame.} ( 31...Qa6 32.Qxa6 Bxa6 {although strictly speaking it should be also lost for Black.} ) 32.Na3 Ba6 ( {The threat was:} 32...h5 33.Ba5 {to win a whole piece.} ) 33.Ba4 $1 {There will be no endgame as Black's position quickly collapses.} ( {Avoiding:} 33.Ba5 $2 Nb5 ) 33...Nf6 ( {Since:} 33...Nf8 34.Nxe5 {is equally hopeless.} ) 34.Nxg5 {Now a tactical sequence follows in which Firouzja neatly finishes an impeccable positional game:} 34...Nfxd5 35.exd5 Bxg5 36.Bxd6 Nxd5 37.Bd7 Qb7 38.Be6+ Kg7 39.Bxe5+ Bf6 40.Qd4 $1 1-0

[Event "Chess Festival - Masters"]
[Site "Prague"]
[Date "2020.02.20"]
[Round "8.5"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2721"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[ECO "E12"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[Beauty "6121402172995"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.a3 Bb7 5.Bf4 {A relatively rare line.} ( {More common is the transition into the Petrosian system with:} 5.Nc3 d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 {and here a recent top-grandmaster game saw highly original play from both sides after:} 7.Qa4+ Nd7 8.Nxd5 Bxd5 9.Qc2 c5 10.e4 Bb7 11.Bf4 cxd4 12.Rd1 Rc8 13.Qa4 a6 14.Nxd4 Bc5 15.b4 Bxd4 16.Rxd4 e5 17.Bxe5 Rc1+ 18.Kd2 {Erdos,V (2613)-Rapport, R (2752) Hungary 2020} ) 5...d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Bg3 Nd7 8.e4 $146 {An agressive novelty.} ( {An earlier game witnessed equality after:} 8.Nbd2 N5f6 9.e3 Bd6 10.Nc4 Qe7 11.Nxd6+ cxd6 12.Be2 O-O 13.O-O Ne4 14.Rc1 Nxg3 15.hxg3 Nf6 {Sakaev,K (2596)-Zhigalko,S (2571) Moscow 2019} ) 8...N5f6 9.e5 Nh5 {Dealing with the bishop pair once and for all.} ( 9...Nd5 10.Bd3 {is somewhat better for White.} ) 10.Nc3 Be7 11.Bc4 {In return Vidit prepares strong play in the center.} 11...a6 12.d5 exd5 {This is not optimal.} ( {Navara should have brought his knight out first with:} 12...Nc5 $5 13.b4 exd5 14.Bxd5 Bxd5 15.Nxd5 Ne6 {although White is better here as well.} ) 13.Bxd5 Nxg3 {And this is a serious mistake.} ( {However now:} 13...Bxd5 14.Qxd5 $5 O-O 15.e6 {is awkward for the second player.} ) 14.hxg3 c6 {A sad necessity, which however has a tactical flaw.} ( {The open h-file is causing trouble for Black in the line:} 14...Bxd5 15.Qxd5 O-O ( 15...Nc5 16.Qc6+ {is horrible for Black.} ) 16.Rd1 Nc5 17.b4 $1 {White wins material as:} 17...Ne6 ( {And} 17...Qxd5 18.Nxd5 {drops a whole piece for the second player.} ) 18.Qe4 {is a double attack.} ) 15.Bxf7+ $3 {The black king remained in the center for far too long and Vidit goes for it!} 15...Kxf7 16.e6+ {The point. The king is dragged out of his defenders.} 16...Kxe6 {If Black is going to suffer, it should be at least worth it materially.} ( {Instead:} 16...Ke8 17.exd7+ Qxd7 18.Qe2 {leaves the black king in the middle for no compensation and White will quickly create decisive threats along the open central files.} ) 17.Qe2+ ( {Also good was:} 17.Qa4 $1 Kf7 18.O-O-O Bf6 19.Ne4 ) 17...Kf7 18.O-O-O {Natural and strong. All the white pieces enter the battle without any waste of time.} 18...Bf6 ( {Black does not have the luxury of castling by hand with} 18...Re8 {as it's refuted by} 19.Rxd7 $1 ) 19.Ne4 Qe7 20.Nd6+ {Vidit sensibly regained his material.} ( {However, the play for the attack would have been even more promising:} 20.Qc2 $3 {White hits the pawn on h7 and deprives the black king of a shelter. Next the attack on the open files is decisive:} 20...Kf8 21.Rhe1 Nc5 22.Nd6 Qc7 23.b4 $1 Nd7 24.Qc4 {and it is time to throw in the towel!} ) ( {Similar would have been:} 20.Rhe1 $1 ) 20...Kf8 21.Qxe7+ {Played without hesitation.} ( {It was not too late for:} 21.Qc2 $1 ) 21...Bxe7 22.Nxb7 Nf6 {The only chance. Navara is trying to embarass the white detached knight on b7.} ( {Instead:} 22...Nc5 23.Nxc5 Bxc5 24.Rd7 {would be easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy for White.} ) 23.Ne5 Nd5 ( {No time for:} 23...Rb8 24.Ng6+ ) 24.Kb1 $1 ( {Black would have achieved what he wanted in the line:} 24.Nxc6 Rc8 25.Rxd5 Rxc6+ 26.Kb1 Kf7 {and although the knight can come out this will only lead to a rook endgame with an extra pawn for White-too little for the position.} ) 24...Rc8 ( {Perhaps a tad better was:} 24...Ra7 {with the idea:} 25.Nxc6 Nc3+ 26.bxc3 Rxb7 ) 25.Rhe1 $1 {A very accurate move.} ( {Once again White avoids the rook endgame after:} 25.Nxc6 Rxc6 26.Rxd5 Kf7 27.Rhd1 Rb8 28.Nd6+ Bxd6 29.Rxd6 Rxd6 30.Rxd6 Ke7 ) 25...Bxa3 ( {Here:} 25...Rc7 {does not work that well for Navara due to:} 26.Nxc6 Rxc6 27.Rxd5 Kf7 28.Rd7 Re6 29.Nd6+ $1 {This is the difference, the knight is getting on an optimal square with tempo.} 29...Kf6 30.Ne4+ ) 26.Nxc6 $1 {Once again Vidit plays with extreme precision. In order to keep the initiative the Indian is ready to part with his extra pawn.} ( 26.bxa3 {is also won for White, but there are technical issues ahead for him in the line:} 26...Nc3+ 27.Kc2 Nxd1 28.Rxd1 Ke7 29.Rd7+ Ke6 30.f4 ) 26...Bb4 ( {As:} 26...Rxc6 $2 27.Rxd5 {loses instantly for Black.} ) 27.Nxb4 Nxb4 28.Rd7 {Massive changes happened in the position. Navara regained the pawn but in return the white rooks entered his territory. With his next move Black tries to free his sleepy rook.} 28...h5 29.Nd6 $1 {Another neat decision!} ( {The obvious:} 29.Ree7 {would have allowed Black counterplay after:} 29...Rh6 $1 30.Rf7+ Kg8 31.Rxg7+ Kh8 32.Rge7 ( {Not:} 32.Nd6 Rxd6 $1 ) 32...Rhc6 {when the mating threats force White to give perpetual.} ) 29...Ra8 30.Ree7 Rh7 31.Ne4 {From the position of the strenght Vidit wins "his" pawn back.} 31...Rh6 32.Rxg7 {The end is near...} 32...Rd8 33.b3 {Nooo! Just a step away from the brilliant win and the overall tournament victory, Vidit errs!} ( {To a logical end of an impeccable game would have led the in-between check:} 33.Rdf7+ $1 Ke8 {Then:} 34.b3 $1 {with the unstoppable threat Ne4-f6 would have forced resignation.} ( {But not:} 34.Nf6+ $4 Rxf6 35.Rxf6 Rd1# ) ) 33...Rxd7 34.Rxd7 a5 {Now Navara is back in the game, despite the minus pawn. His pieces are active, the knight is very well protected and queenside pawns are extremely dangerous. In the following phase of the game the balance is hardly changed with both sides skilfully maneuvering their pieces.} 35.f3 Rc6 36.Rd2 Kf7 {The king is out, Black should be OK now.} 37.Kb2 Ke6 38.Nc3 Rd6 39.Re2+ Kf5 40.Ne4 Rd1 41.Nc3 Rd3 42.Nb1 Nd5 43.Kc2 Nb4+ 44.Kb2 Nd5 45.Na3 {The last chance to gain more than half a point from this game is connected with the rook endgame.} 45...Ne3 46.Nc4 Nxc4+ 47.bxc4 a4 48.Kc2 Rb3 49.Rd2 Rb4 50.Kc3 Rb3+ 51.Kc2 Rb4 52.Kc3 Rb3+ 53.Kd4 {Vidit is still looking for a win, although the situation has changed drastically.} 53...a3 54.Ra2 Ke6 55.c5 {A nervous move and a huge step towards the abyss.} ( {It would have still been a draw after:} 55.g4 hxg4 56.fxg4 Kf6 57.c5 bxc5+ ( 57...b5 58.c6 ) 58.Kxc5 Kg5 ) 55...b5 $1 {Now the passers are super-dangerous.} 56.g4 {Now the unthinkable happens. It is Navara who wins this game!} ( {White could have probably still saved himself with:} 56.Ra1 Ke7 ( 56...Kd7 57.f4 ) 57.f4 Rxg3 58.f5 Rg4+ 59.Kc3 Rc4+ 60.Kd3 ) 56...hxg4 57.fxg4 b4 {Self-walking pawns.} 58.g5 Rb2 59.Ra1 a2 60.g6 b3 61.c6 Rc2 $1 {It is Navara's turn to be accurate.} ( {Instead:} 61...Rb1 $4 62.g7 Kf7 63.c7 Rxa1 64.g8=Q+ Kxg8 65.c8=Q+ Kg7 66.Qb7+ Kf6 67.Qxb3 {would have won the game for White.} ) 62.Rf1 ( {Or:} 62.g7 Kf7 ) 62...b2 63.g7 Rxg2 64.c7 Kd7 {A study-like win for the local hero and a painful game which will haunt Vidit for a while.} 0-1

[Event "Chess Festival - Masters"]
[Site "Prague"]
[Date "2020.02.21"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Anton Guijarro, David"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2697"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[ECO "E92"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[Beauty "5360924510298"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.d4 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 {The Petrosian system which was successfully revived by Vladimir Kramnik.} 7...a5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 Na6 10.Nd2 Bd7 11.a3 ( {To a sharp battle led:} 11.O-O Qe8 12.b3 Nh7 13.f3 h5 14.a3 Bh6 15.Rb1 Nc5 16.Qc2 f5 17.b4 axb4 18.axb4 Na4 19.Nd1 g5 20.Bf2 g4 {Giri,A (2784)-Ding,L (2732) Wijk aan Zee 2015} ) 11...Qe8 12.g4 {One of the key points behind this positional system. Anton wants to lock the kingside.} 12...a4 13.f3 h5 14.Rg1 hxg4 $146 {A novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw} 14...Nc5 15.Bf2 hxg4 16.fxg4 Nh7 17.g5 Qe7 18.Bxc5 dxc5 19.Nf3 f6 20.gxf6 Rxf6 21.Qd3 Bh6 22.Kd1 Bf4 {Stern,R (2522)-Hansch,K (2231) Berlin 2017} ) ( {A logical option is:} 14...c6 ) 15.fxg4 Nh7 {Firouzja, on his turn, regroups his pieces on the kingside.} 16.Qc2 ( {After:} 16.Bf2 {Black can bring his bishop out with:} 16...Bh6 17.h4 Bf4 ) 16...Nc5 17.O-O-O Bh6 18.g5 $1 {Otherwise the bishop will come in front of the pawns and Black will have good game.} 18...Qe7 {As usual in chess you gain something in return for something else. Black forces the defensive move:} 19.Nf3 {Which clears the queenside knight's road to the center after:} 19...Nb3+ 20.Kb1 Bg7 21.Bf2 Nd4 22.Qd2 {White is happy with the status quo and does not want to open the game yet.} ( {Instead:} 22.Nxd4 exd4 23.Bxd4 Bxd4 24.Rxd4 Nxg5 {would see the black pieces entering the battle.} ) 22...Nxe2 23.Qxe2 f5 {The only chance of counterplay.} ( {After:} 23...f6 24.h4 {White keeps things under control on both wings.} ) 24.Be3 ( {Instead:} 24.gxf6 {would allow the activation of the black queen:} 24...Qxf6 25.Rd3 Qf4 ) ( {However:} 24.Ka1 $5 {in order to move away from the light-squared bishop pin seemed like a good option.} ) 24...fxe4 $1 {In conjunction with Black's next move this is the only way to play the position!} ( {Blocking the kingside would be strategical failure:} 24...f4 25.Bf2 c5 26.h4 b5 27.cxb5 Qe8 28.Nd2 $5 {reveals that Black is clearly weaker on the queenside, and as "compensaiton" he has two of his light pieces permanently locked on the kingside.} ) 25.Nd2 Rf4 $1 {A pet sacrifice of the prominent GM Gligoric. The KID guru clearly understood the value of his dark-squared bishop and was not shy of giving up two pawns for setting it out of his prison cell.} 26.Bxf4 ( {The rook is there to stay. After:} 26.Ndxe4 {Firouzja would have most likely continued with:} 26...Bf5 ) 26...exf4 27.Ndxe4 Re8 {At the price of two pawn Black's pieces entered the game. The bishop capture on c3 is a threat, so Anton carefully consolidates his pieces.} 28.Qf2 Qf7 29.Ka1 Qf5 {Whereas Firouzja uses every move to bring his troops to better positions.} 30.Rde1 Be5 31.h4 Qh3 32.Rh1 Qd3 33.h5 {Correctly opening files for the rooks. The question now is what is more valuable, files or diagonals?} ( {Also interesting was:} 33.c5 {with the idea to meet:} 33...Bf5 $2 {with} 34.cxd6 cxd6 35.Nxd6 ) 33...Bf5 34.hxg6 Bxg6 35.Rh6 ( 35.Qh4 $5 {also looks good, but the text is not spoiling anything.} ) 35...Kf7 36.Qh4 {Anton misses his first winning opportunity.} ( 36.Rxg6 $3 {would have unleashed the power of his instead and won after:} 36...Kxg6 37.Qh4 Nf8 38.Qh6+ Kf7 39.g6+ Nxg6 40.Qh7+ Bg7 41.Ng5+ ) 36...Nf8 37.Qh1 Bg7 38.Rh4 {This obvious attack misses the second winning opportunity.} ( {White should have first removed the queen from her active position with:} 38.Rh3 $1 Qxc4 {Then attack the pawn:} 39.Rf3 {White firmly takes over the initiative and is close to winning after:} 39...Be5 ( {Another point behind the in-between attack is revealed in the line:} 39...Rxe4 40.Rxe4 Bxe4 41.Rxf4+ {and White should win.} ) 40.Nf6 Rb8 41.Qh6 ) 38...Rxe4 $1 {Firouzja seizes his the chance.} 39.Rxe4 Bxc3 $1 {This is the point. Black is happy to part with the second exchange just to open the position of the enemy king.} 40.Rhxf4+ {Now Anton stands on the verge of the defeat.} ( {White should have played instead:} 40.Rexf4+ Kg7 41.Rf3 Bxb2+ 42.Kxb2 Qe2+ {when Black has perpetual, but hardly more.} ) 40...Kg8 41.bxc3 Qxc3+ 42.Ka2 Qb3+ 43.Ka1 Qxa3+ 44.Kb1 {Here too Black has perpetual, but he may also bring on the reserves to try and mate the opponent's king. This is what Firouzja's next move is aimed for.} 44...Nd7 ( {But a more subtle way of executing this idea would have been:} 44...Qb3+ 45.Ka1 Qc3+ 46.Ka2 {And only then:} 46...Nd7 {The difference in the safety of the kings determines the evaluation in Black's favor. For example:} 47.Rh4 Nc5 48.Re3 Nd3 $1 {and Black wins.} ) 45.Kc2 Ne5 {Perhaps here Firouzja noticed a nasty little detail.} ( {The obvious:} 45...Nc5 {which seems completely winning for Black is spectacularly refuted by:} 46.Rf8+ $3 Kxf8 47.Qh8+ Kf7 48.Qf6+ Kg8 49.Qxg6+ {and it is White who delivers mate first.} ) 46.Qh6 Bxe4+ 47.Rxe4 Qa2+ {Black can win the rook anytime his likes, but no longer the game.} ( {Or:} 47...Qd3+ 48.Kc1 Qxe4 49.Qe6+ Kf8 50.Qh6+ $1 {with perpetual as in the game.} ) 48.Kd1 Qb3+ 49.Kc1 Qc3+ 50.Kd1 Qd3+ 51.Kc1 Qxe4 52.Qe6+ Kf8 53.Qh6+ $1 {The key check and this highly entertaining game ends in a draw after:} 53...Ke8 54.Qe6+ Kd8 55.Qg8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess Festival - Masters"]
[Site "Prague"]
[Date "2020.02.21"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2721"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[ECO "E11"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7150852118106"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 O-O 7.O-O c6 8.Qc2 Nbd7 9.b3 b6 10.Bc3 Bb7 11.Nbd2 Qc7 ( {In another top-grandmaster game Black tried to solve the problems with the direct central advance:} 11...c5 12.e3 Rc8 13.Qb2 Bd6 14.a4 a5 15.Rad1 Re8 16.dxc5 Nxc5 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.Qxf6 gxf6 19.Nd4 Ba6 20.cxd5 Bxf1 21.Kxf1 {which led to an interesting battle in Kamsky,G (2673)-Alekseev,E (2653) Sochi 2015} ) 12.Rfd1 c5 13.Rac1 dxc4 14.Nxc4 b5 $146 {Another energetic novelty by the rising star!} ( {In an earlier game Black lost a pawn after:} 14...Rac8 15.Qb1 Qb8 16.dxc5 Bxc5 17.Nce5 Rfd8 18.Qa1 Ba3 19.Nxd7 Rxd7 $2 ( 19...Nxd7 {was called for.} ) 20.Rxd7 Nxd7 21.Rd1 {Binder,M (1974)-Wu,Y (2107) Marz 2013} ) 15.Ba5 Qb8 16.Nce5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 ( {Black experiences no problems after:} 17.Nxe5 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Qb7+ ) 17...Nd5 18.Bd2 {Vidit is well aware that the bishop might get locked out of the game.} ( {Say after:} 18.e4 Nb6 19.Bf1 b4 ) 18...h6 $5 {Firouzja anticipates a possible jump of a minor piece on the g5 square and prevents it.} ( {Something normal like:} 18...Qc7 {would have seen White fighting for the initiative with either:} 19.Bg5 ( {Or the even more aggressive:} 19.Ng5 Bxg5 20.Bxg5 Qxe5 21.e4 Qxg5 22.exd5 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) 19...Rfc8 20.Bxe7 Qxe7 21.Nd2 {followed by Nd2-e4-d6.} ) 19.g4 $1 {This might look surprising but Vidit is immediately aiming the hook on h6.} 19...Qe8 ( {White's initiative is serious in case of:} 19...Qc7 20.h4 Rfc8 21.g5 hxg5 22.Bxg5 ) 20.h4 f5 {One of the ways to defend, but not the best one.} ( {It also makes sense to insert the move:} 20...Rc8 $1 {with the main idea:} 21.h5 ( {Or:} 21.g5 h5 {locking the flank.} ) 21...c4 ) 21.exf6 Nxf6 22.g5 ( {Missing a chance to secure some advantage with:} 22.Ne5 $1 Bxg2 23.Kxg2 Bd6 24.Ng6 {White needs not to worry about the exchange sacrifice:} 24...Nxg4 25.Nxf8 Qxf8 26.f3 ) 22...Be4 $1 {An important zwischenzug.} ( {White's threats are serious after:} 22...Ng4 23.gxh6 Nxh6 ( {Perhaps Black's best is:} 23...gxh6 $5 24.Nh2 Qh5 $1 ) 24.Ng5 ( {Or:} 24.Bxh6 gxh6 25.Ne5 {with an edge for White.} ) 24...Bxg5 25.Bxg5 Bxg2 26.Kxg2 {and White is better.} ) 23.Qb2 Ng4 24.Bc3 ( {Now:} 24.gxh6 {is well met by:} 24...gxh6 $1 ) 24...Qg6 {The most natural move.} ( {Although a sharper alternative:} 24...hxg5 25.Bxg7 Rf5 26.Bh8 Nf6 {was possible too.} ) 25.Rd7 ( 25.Bh3 $5 {looked more accurate.} ) 25...Rf7 26.Qd2 hxg5 27.hxg5 {An automatic recapture that puts the white king into danger.} ( {Vidit needed to secure some dark-squares instead with:} 27.Rxe7 $1 Rxe7 28.Nxg5 Bxg2 29.Kxg2 {the extra control will saveguard the king.} ) 27...Qh5 {This gives a second chance to Vidit.} ( {Even better would be:} 27...Bxf3 $1 28.Bxf3 ( 28.exf3 Bxg5 ) 28...Qh5 29.Bxg4 Qxg4+ 30.Kf1 Raf8 31.f3 {wehn Black is clearly on top.} ) 28.Rxe7 $1 {Which the Indian GM does not miss.} 28...Rxe7 29.Qd6 Rf7 30.Qxe6 {The situation is getting as sharp as it can get and on the top of that both players enter the time-trouble zone.} 30...Bf5 31.Qc6 Rc8 32.Qd5 Re8 33.Qc6 ( {Why not just take the pawn? After:} 33.Qxc5 $1 Rxe2 34.Bd4 {White can secure his second rank.} ) 33...Rxe2 {Going for the white king.} 34.Rd1 $1 {Correct! Vidit is trying to checkmate Firouzja's king first.} 34...Rxf2 ( {After:} 34...Rf8 {White has the brilliant:} 35.Rd7 $3 Bxd7 36.Qxd7 {when the only way to avoid the perpetual is:} 36...Qf7 ( 36...Rf7 37.Qd8+ Rf8 38.Qd7 {is repetition.} ) 37.Qxg4 {with highly unbalanced, entertaining position.} ) 35.Rd8+ Kh7 36.Qe8 {Not the most optimal.} ( {Better was to keep the rook in front of the queen. The line:} 36.Qa8 $1 Rxg2+ 37.Kxg2 Ne3+ {looks scary for White, especially after seeing the pin in the line:} 38.Kf2 Nd1+ 39.Rxd1 Bg4 {But it transpires that Black cannot capitalize on it:} 40.Qe4+ g6 {loses to:} 41.Qe5 $1 Rxf3+ 42.Kg1 {as there are no checks!} ) 36...Rxf3 37.Qh8+ Kg6 38.Qxh5+ {Vidit searches for clarity.} ( {White should objectively hold after:} 38.Rd6+ Kxg5 39.Qxh5+ Kxh5 40.Bxf3 Kg5 {thanks to the bishop pair.} ) 38...Kxh5 39.Bxf3 Kxg5 40.Rd5 Kf4 41.Bxg4 ( {More accurate would have been:} 41.Be2 $1 a6 42.Rxc5 ) 41...Kxg4 42.Rxc5 Bd3 43.Bd2 {It should be a draw but with little time, it's tough to meet such an opposite-colored bishop attack.} 43...Kf3 44.Re5 {A step in the wrong direction.} ( {White should survive after:} 44.Rg5 $1 Rd7 45.Rg2 Be4 46.Kh2 ) 44...Be4 45.Rxb5 $2 {Now the king is left alone and} 45...Rd7 46.Bb4 Rd1+ 47.Kh2 Kg4 {Mates it.} 0-1

[Event "Chess Festival - Challengers"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2020.02.21"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Stefansson, Hannes"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2667"]
[BlackElo "2529"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7490959835141"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[WhiteTeam "Netherlands"]
[BlackTeam "Iceland"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISL"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.a4 ( {Apparently Van Foreest did not quite trust White's chances of an edge in the following game:} 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6 7.a4 Ba7 8.Na3 Ne7 9.Nc2 Ng6 10.Be3 Bxe3 11.Nxe3 O-O 12.a5 b5 13.axb6 cxb6 14.Re1 Bb7 15.h3 b5 16.Ba2 Qd7 {Duda,J (2758)-Xiong,J (2712) Wijk aan Zee 2020. The Dutchman had a clear view of what was happening as he was playing meters away from their board.} ) 5...O-O 6.a5 a6 7.O-O h6 8.c3 d6 9.h3 Ba7 10.Be3 Ne7 {As a rule, Black prefers not to trade on e3 as this will open a valuable file for the first player.} 11.Bxa7 Rxa7 12.Re1 Ng6 13.Nbd2 $146 ( {An earlier game saw} 13.Kh2 Nf4 14.Ng1 Ng4+ 15.hxg4 Qh4+ 16.Nh3 Bxg4 17.f3 Nxh3 ( {However, the result would have been completely different had Black captured with the other piece:} 17...Bxh3 $1 {and it is Black who is winning.} ) 18.g3 Qg5 19.fxg4 {and White was winning, Hepting,H (2025)-Junker, R (2080) Bechhofen 1994} ) 13...Re8 14.d4 Be6 15.Bf1 $1 {White's minimal advantage is due to his extra space and therefore Van Foreest needs more pieces on board. He is now ready for massive queenside expansion and his bishop will be both useful while supporting the advance as well as a defender on the kingside.} ( 15.Bxe6 Rxe6 {is equal instead.} ) 15...Qc8 ( {More appropriate seemed to bring the rook back in the game:} 15...Ra8 ) 16.b4 exd4 {Also, a dubious decision.} ( {It was not too late for:} 16...c6 {followed by Qc8-c7 and Ra7-a8-d8 trying to equalize step-by-step.} ) 17.cxd4 d5 18.e5 Nd7 19.Qc2 {Now White has the perfect Carlsbad structure, with his e3-pawn greatly improved on e5. The move in the game aims for queenside fixation as well as prevents the possible undermining of his center with f7-f6.} 19...Ra8 20.Rac1 c6 21.Nb3 Re7 ( {Here more natural is:} 21...Qd8 {although it should not change the evaluation of the position as much better for White.} ) 22.g3 {Van Foreest's next moves are easy to understand. The Dutchman slowly but surely builds the decisive kingside attack.} 22...Qe8 23.Nfd2 f5 {The blockade should not help as White has an extra pawn, better pieces and more space on the kingside.} 24.Bd3 Qf7 25.Nf1 Ree8 26.Ne3 Ne7 27.f4 g6 28.Re2 {The extra space translates into doubling rooks on the potentially opened files.} 28...Kh8 29.Rf1 Rg8 30.Rg2 Rg7 31.Kh2 Rf8 32.Qb1 ( 32.Qf2 {at once was good enough.} ) 32...Qg8 33.Qe1 Rgf7 34.Nc1 $1 {The signature of a grandmaster. White does not forget to bring everyone into the party.} 34...Qh7 35.Ne2 Qg8 36.g4 {The imminent breakthrough in action.} 36...Qh7 37.Qh4 Rg8 38.Rfg1 Nf8 39.Bb1 ( {White coould have already wrapped up the game with:} 39.gxf5 $1 Nxf5 40.Nxf5 Bxf5 41.Bxf5 Rxf5 42.Ng3 Rf7 ( {There is no way to embarass the white queen:} 42...g5 43.Nxf5 gxh4 44.Rxg8+ ) 43.f5 $1 gxf5 44.Nh5 $1 Rxg2+ 45.Rxg2 {and Black is helpless against the Nh5-f6 and Qh4-d8 threats.} ) 39...Bc8 40.gxf5 {Van Foreest reverts to the winning line.} 40...Nxf5 41.Nxf5 Bxf5 42.Bxf5 Rxf5 43.Ng3 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.03.17"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[ECO "A33"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "146"]
[Beauty "5635173292046"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6 6.g3 Qb6 7.Ndb5 Ne5 8.Bf4 ( {In an earlier game of his, the Russian GM did more than well after:} 8.Bg2 a6 9.Qa4 Rb8 10.Na3 Bc5 11.O-O O-O 12.Rb1 Qb4 {Wei,Y (2725)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2767) Jerusalem 2019, eventually winning a long and tough game.} ) 8...Nfg4 9.e3 a6 10.h3 axb5 11.hxg4 Nxc4 12.Rc1 {A surprise for Black. [#]} ( {"I knew:"} 12.Qb3 d5 13.Bxc4 dxc4 14.Qxb5+ {"is just draw." (Nepomniachtchi)} ) 12...d5 $146 {After thinking for 11 minutes, Nepomniachtchi fires a novelty, but Giri is not impressed at all and keeps blitzing on!} ( {An email game saw:} 12...Qa5 13.b3 Ba3 14.bxc4 Bxc1 15.Qxc1 bxc4 16.e4 {and apparently this was not completely satisfying for Black, Sedlacek,P (2478)-Suarez Sedeno,M (2426) ICCF email 2004} ) 13.b3 Bb4 {After another lengthy deliberation by the Russian GM.} 14.bxc4 Ra3 15.Be5 f6 16.Bd4 Qa5 17.Be2 Bxc3+ 18.Rxc3 Rxc3 19.Kf1 $1 ( {Of course, not:} 19.Bxc3 $2 Qxc3+ 20.Kf1 bxc4 {when White has neither compensation nor pawns.} ) 19...b4 $1 {The mark comes predominately for the practical strength of the move. But having a strong passer on c3 does not look bad either! Giri knew this move too, but he believed it to be highly unlikely to be played as both c4 captures look logical and are, in fact, good too.} ( {Apparently, the Dutch GM spent most of his time analyzing the complications after the obvious capture:} 19...bxc4 {Then:} 20.g5 {seems like the way to proceed, with a mess, in which the active white pieces might easily find a way to the enemy king.} ) 20.g5 {Finally, some thought by Giri.} 20...e5 {The point behind Black's last move. Nepomniachtchi secures his king and himself from any homemade bombs.} ( {Yuffa on the official site gave the following logical line:} 20...Qxa2 21.gxf6 gxf6 22.Kg2 {and Black's king is in danger, but with a timely queen trade offer he can maintain the balance:} 22...Qc2 23.Bh5+ Ke7 24.Qg4 Qe4+ {with approximate equality.} ) 21.Bxc3 bxc3 22.gxf6 gxf6 23.Qb1 {Giri is still playing for more than the position offers him and will be soon sorry.} ( {It was time to go for some equality like:} 23.cxd5 Qc5 24.Bd3 Ke7 25.Qb3 ) 23...Qc7 ( {After:} 23...dxc4 {White can continue the attack with:} 24.Bxc4 ( {Rather than:} 24.Rxh7 $2 Rxh7 25.Qxh7 Be6 {when the black king is happy to stay in the center and the c-passers would tell.} ) ) 24.Qd3 {Nepomniachtchi did not like this.} ( {He suggested instead both:} 24.Qb4 $5 ) ( {and} 24.Qb5+ $5 {in order to take the pawn back.} ) 24...b5 $1 {A strong move! Black is playing for the win.} ( {Good enough for the draw is:} 24...Qxc4 25.Rxh7 $1 Rg8 26.Qxc4 dxc4 27.Ke1 $1 b5 28.a4 ) ( {White also has sufficient compensation after:} 24...dxc4 25.Qxc3 Be6 ) 25.Qxc3 bxc4 26.e4 dxe4 27.Rh4 {"Maybe this is just unpleasant for White" (Nepomniachtchi).} 27...Be6 28.Rxe4 O-O ( {The computer believes that it is more accurate to keep the rook on h8 just in case:} 28...Kf7 29.Rh4 Kg7 ) 29.Bxc4 {Finally, Giri took his pawn back but allowed a nasty pin.} ( {As now the machine suggests the defense:} 29.Rh4 Kg7 30.a4 {I suspect that in some lines the h7-pawn might suffer.} ) 29...Kg7 $1 {Mounting more pressure against the pinned pin is a threat, therefore:} 30.Qb3 Rb8 31.Bxe6 {The Dutchman is looking for a fortress.} ( {Against:} 31.Qa4 {Best seems:} 31...Rb1+ ( {Or:} 31...Bd7 $1 32.Qd1 {that might even better for Black on the account of:} 32...Bf5 33.Rh4 $2 Rb1 ) 32.Kg2 Bd7 33.Qc2 Qb7 34.Bd3 Rb2 35.Qc3 Bc6 {With another nasty pin that wins the exchange.} ) 31...Rxb3 32.Rg4+ Kf8 $1 ( {After:} 32...Kh6 {White can keep on checking:} 33.Rh4+ Kg5 34.Rg4+ Kh5 35.Rh4+ ) 33.Bxb3 ( {Alas:} 33.Rg8+ Ke7 34.Rg7+ Kd6 35.Rxc7 {does not work due to:} 35...Rb1+ 36.Kg2 Kxc7 {and Black should win this endgame.} ) 33...Qc1+ {Another good maneuver. The queen is placed superbly after the in-between checks.} 34.Kg2 Qc6+ 35.Kg1 h5 {Black won a queen, but since there are only few pawns left on the board, this might well be a fortress.} 36.Rg8+ {But this move probably just misses the correct idea. In the short postmortem, Giri mentioned that the correct idea would be to try and stay on the fourth rank with the rook and hold this way, but he was not sure how exactly to do it.} ( {I believe he needed to try and bring his bishop on the kingside as in the line:} 36.Rh4 $1 Qf3 37.Bc4 $1 f5 38.Bf1 $1 {Now the only dangerous advance is:} 38...f4 {to which White should hold with:} 39.gxf4 exf4 40.Bg2 {It seems like a fortress to me.} ) 36...Ke7 37.Rg7+ Kd6 38.Rh7 Qf3 39.Rh8 e4 {Creating the mortal threat e4-e3!} 40.Rd8+ ( {As if:} 40.Re8 h4 $1 41.gxh4 Qg4+ 42.Kf1 Qxh4 {followed by the advance of teh f-pawn should win for Black.} ) 40...Ke7 41.Bd1 Qc3 42.Rd5 h4 $1 43.gxh4 f5 44.Rxf5 ( {Unfortunately for White he can never bring the bishop back to the kingside:} 44.Be2 Qg7+ $1 45.Kf1 f4 ) 44...Qe1+ 45.Kg2 Qxd1 46.Rg5 ( {Somebody suggested:} 46.Re5+ Kf6 47.Rxe4 Qd5 48.f3 {as the best defense for White, adding "with mate in 72 moves according to the Lomonosov tablebases." Not quite a happy end of a game.} ) 46...Qa1 47.Rg4 Qb1 48.Rg3 Qxa2 49.Rh3 Qd5 50.Kf1 Qd1+ 51.Kg2 Qg4+ 52.Rg3 Qh5 $1 ( 52...Qxh4 {would allow} 53.Kf1 $1 {and with the king on e2, White can draws this!} ) 53.Ra3 Qd5 54.Kg1 Kf6 {Black is winning. Had the black pawn been on g4 or the white pawn on h3 instead of h4, this would have been a fortress, but not this one. The Russian GM technically proves the win.} 55.Rg3 Qd1+ 56.Kg2 Kf5 57.Rg5+ Kf4 58.Rg3 Qd5 59.Kf1 Qd2 60.Kg2 Qd1 61.Re3 Kf5 62.Rg3 Kf6 63.Rh3 Kg6 64.Rg3+ Kh5 65.Rh3 Qb1 66.Re3 Kxh4 67.Rg3 Kh5 68.Rh3+ Kg4 69.Rg3+ Kf4 70.Re3 Qd1 71.Ra3 ( {After:} 71.Rg3 {the win would be similar:} 71...Ke5 72.Re3 Kd4 73.Rg3 Qd3 $1 ) 71...Ke5 72.Rg3 Kd4 73.Re3 Qd3 $1 {The point: White can no longer shuffle his rook left and right. As Giri admitted as well, excellent game by Nepomniachtchi!} 0-1

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.03.18"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Alekseenko, Kirill"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2842"]
[BlackElo "2698"]
[ECO "E20"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8114287954458"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 {"A sharp line that is also very risky for White. I have never played this before." (Caruana)} 4...d5 5.a3 Be7 6.e4 dxe4 7.fxe4 c5 8.d5 ( {The interesting, double-edged endgame:} 8.e5 Nfd7 9.dxc5 Nxe5 10.Qxd8+ Bxd8 11.Be2 Bd7 12.Nf3 Nxf3+ 13.Bxf3 Bc6 14.Ne4 {happened in Firouzja,A (2723)-Anand,V (2758) Wijk aan Zee 2020 and was annotated for the Chess.com members here.} ) 8...exd5 9.exd5 O-O 10.Be2 Re8 11.Nf3 Bg4 {"An extremely decent plan for Black." (Caruana)} 12.O-O Nbd7 13.d6 $146 {A sharp move and a novelty. White wants to immediately profit from his space advantage.} ( {An earlier game saw} 13.Bg5 h6 14.Bh4 Bd6 15.Qc2 Qb8 16.Kh1 Bh5 17.Nb5 Bf4 {with reasonable play for Black, Lombaers,P (2383)-Schoppen,C (2489) Leiden 2020} ) 13...Bf8 14.h3 Bh5 15.Nb5 Re6 {"This move looked unusual to me as I want to bring my bishop to f4. It's very sharp and concrete so even unusual moves might not be bad." (Caruana)} ( {Instead, the American GM suggested two other possibilities:} 15...Rb8 {which is an obvious and useful move with the idea to meet:} 16.Bf4 a6 17.Nc7 ( {Therefore, in this line White might need to choose instead:} 17.Nc3 {when Black is OK after say:} 17...Ne4 $5 ) 17...Re4 ) ( {Another reasonable option is:} 15...Qb6 {with the idea to sacrifice the exchange:} 16.Nc7 Bxd6 17.Nxa8 Rxa8 {wehn Black gets the bishop pair and a pawn as a compensation.} ) 16.Bf4 ( {Another plausible idea according to White was:} 16.g4 a6 ( {However Caruana was not certain about the consequences of:} 16...Bg6 17.Ng5 Re8 18.Nc7 Rxe2 19.Qxe2 Rc8 ) 17.Ng5 {"Looked good (for White), but it was very messy." (Caruana)} ) 16...a6 ( {To the same would lead:} 16...Re4 17.Bh2 a6 18.Nc7 ) 17.Nc7 Re4 {This was Alekseenko's point. Now the white pieces are hanging, and he may get a chance to go for Re4-d4 after the trade on f3.} 18.Bh2 ( {White correctly refrains of:} 18.Nxa8 $6 Rxf4 19.Nc7 Nb6 20.Qd2 Qxd6 21.Qxd6 Bxd6 22.Nd5 Nfxd5 23.cxd5 c4 {when Black does not have any problems.} ) ( {However, the central reinforcement with:} 18.Qd2 $5 Rc8 19.Rad1 {made a lot of sense too.} ) 18...Rc8 {This also seems like an inaccuracy.} ( {Stronger was:} 18...Rb8 $5 {as in comparison to the line that occured in the game:} 19.g4 Bxg4 20.hxg4 Nxg4 21.Bd3 Nxh2 22.Bxe4 Nxf1 23.Qxf1 {The rook will not be hanging in the line:} 23...Nf6 24.Bf5 ( {True, White preserves the advantage after:} 24.Ng5 ) ) 19.g4 $1 {Now a forcing sequence follows.} 19...Bxg4 ( {There is no way back:} 19...Bg6 20.Bd3 {drops the exchange without any compensation.} ) ( {The other sacrifice:} 19...Nxg4 20.hxg4 Rxg4+ 21.Kh1 Rg6 {would not provide Black enough compensation after something solid like:} 22.Rf2 ) 20.hxg4 Nxg4 21.Bd3 Nxh2 22.Bxe4 ( {Of course not:} 22.Nxh2 $2 Rd4 ) ( {And even worse:} 22.Kxh2 $4 Bxd6+ ) 22...Nxf1 23.Qxf1 {"It was a comfortable situation for me. I had a lot of time, my position is kind of good and very safe."(Caruana) Furthermore, the American GM underlined the importance of the d5 outpost for his advantage.} 23...Bxd6 ( 23...Nf6 {"The only chance to fight." (Caruana) The point is to deprive the white pieces of the d5 outpost, or at least to make it harder for them to operate around it. Then he intended to proceed with:} 24.Re1 ( 24.Bf5 Rb8 ) 24...Qxd6 25.Nd5 {With the tactical point:} 25...Nxe4 26.Rxe4 Qg6+ 27.Qg2 Qxe4 $4 ( {Therefore Black must try the endgame after:} 27...Qxg2+ 28.Kxg2 {where the strongly cemented knight on d5 would spell trouble for Black.} ) 28.Nf6+ {(Caruana)} ) 24.Nd5 {It is amazing to see now how quickly White organizes a decisive attack.} 24...g6 ( {Against:} 24...Ne5 {White planned:} 25.Nxe5 Qg5+ 26.Qg2 Qxe5 27.Qh3 Qd4+ 28.Kf1 f5 29.Bxf5 Qxc4+ 30.Kg1 {winning.} ) ( 24...h6 {would not stop the attack after:} 25.Qh3 ) 25.Qh3 {The threat is Qxd7 followed by Nf6+, winning a piece.} 25...Kg7 ( {But there are some other forks there too, like this one:} 25...Ne5 26.Nxe5 Bxe5 27.Qxc8 Qxc8 28.Ne7+ {(Caruana)} ) 26.Kh1 Ne5 27.Nh4 $1 {"It all comes and all tactics are working in my favor." (Caruana)} 27...h5 ( {Since:} 27...f5 {would not close the files due to:} 28.Nxf5+ gxf5 29.Bxf5 ) 28.Rg1 Bf8 ( {White saw the beautiful line:} 28...Ng4 29.Nf5+ Kg8 30.Rxg4 hxg4 31.Qh6 Bf8 32.Nde7+ {Which forces Black to part with his queen:} 32...Qxe7 ( 32...Bxe7 33.Qg7# ) 33.Nxe7+ Bxe7 {(Caruana)} ) 29.Nf4 Ng4 30.Nxh5+ {The end is near.} 30...gxh5 31.Bf5 Be7 32.Bxg4 hxg4 33.Qxg4+ Bg5 34.Qh5 $1 ( 34.Qh5 {The most accurate move, after which mate is inevitable:} 34...f6 35.Nf5+ Kf8 36.Qh8+ Kf7 37.Qh7+ Ke6 38.Re1+ ) 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.03.21"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "5434207379979"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.h3 {Vachier-Lagrave remains one of the few players willing to crack the Berlin endgame. Almost every other top player switched to a complex middlegame battle with 4.d3.} 9...Ke8 10.Nc3 h5 11.Bf4 ( {An recent online top game went:} 11.Ne2 b6 12.Re1 c5 13.Nf4 Bb7 14.Ng5 Nd4 15.e6 f6 16.e7 Nxc2 17.exf8=Q+ Kxf8 18.Ng6+ Kg8 19.Ne7+ Kf8 20.Ng6+ Kg8 21.Ne7+ Kf8 22.Ng6+ {1/2-1/2 (22) Firouzja,A (2726)-Le,Q (2713) chess.com INT 2020} ) 11...Be7 12.Rad1 Be6 13.Ng5 Rh6 14.Rfe1 Bb4 15.a3 Bxc3 16.bxc3 h4 17.g4 hxg3 18.fxg3 Ne7 {Played after 53 (!!) minutes of reflection. Nobody really understood what was happening in Grischuk's mind, especially knowing that Vachier-Lagrave had already played like this. Maybe the Russian GM just forgot about it? "Again, like with Alekseenko, I made a very stupid thing, thinking for one hour almost about 18...Ne7," he said afterward. "I was 100 percent, not 99 but 100 percent sure Maxime was going to play 19.g4 and then he went 19.h4, and, minus one hour. But at the end maybe it didn't matter too much because anyway I would spend this one hour somehow!"} 19.h4 $146 {Vachier-Lagrave improves upon his own game.} ( 19.g4 Nd5 20.Bd2 Nb6 21.Kg2 Rd8 22.Kg3 Nc4 23.Bf4 Rxd1 24.Rxd1 Nxa3 25.Ra1 Nb5 26.h4 Nxc3 27.Bd2 Ne2+ 28.Kf2 Bxg4 29.Rxa7 Rxh4 30.Rxb7 {and eventually this also ended in a draw which White had to prove, Vachier Lagrave,M (2779)-Nakamura,H (2777) chess.com INT 2018} ) 19...Nd5 {The most aggressive reply, which costed Grischuk another 21 minutes! Yes, there are a ot of things to fear going for a pawn, especially when your opponent is blitzing his moves after a novelty delivery.} ( {Only the future will determine which move is better, the one in the game, or this one:} 19...Rd8 $5 ) 20.Bc1 Nxc3 21.Rd3 Na4 {The decentralization of the knight seems like the best choice for Black.} ( 21...Nd5 {would have allowed his opponent a chance to mount pressure along the f-file with:} 22.Rf1 {followed by Rd3-f3 and eventual capture on e6.} ) 22.Rf3 {The first moment when Vachier-Lagrave took some time on the clock. But after Grischuk's next move:} 22...Bd5 {The difference came close to an hour-and-a-half...} 23.Rf4 Nb6 24.Ref1 Rg6 {Prophylaxis against the capture on f7.} 25.Rf5 {Preparing the capture once again.} ( 25.Nxf7 $4 Rxg3+ 26.Kh2 Rg2+ 27.Kh3 Rxc2 {would have won for Black.} ) 25...Bc4 ( {Any other logical move like:} 25...Nc4 {can be met with:} 26.h5 {and then capture on f7.} ) 26.Re1 Ke7 ( {It looks as:} 26...Be6 $2 {to chase away the rook is reasonable, but this would have left Black without sufficient defense on f7 in the line:} 27.Nxe6 Rxe6 28.Ref1 Re7 29.Bg5 Rd7 30.e6 {with a win.} ) 27.h5 Rh6 ( {Here however:} 27...Be6 $5 {Deserved more attention as in the line:} 28.Rf3 Rh6 29.Nxe6 Rxe6 30.Ref1 {Black has the defense:} 30...Rf8 {Still:} 31.Bg5+ f6 32.exf6+ gxf6 33.g4 {intending Bg5-h4 and g4-g5 seems dangerous for the second player.} ) 28.g4 Rhh8 ( {Once more:} 28...Be6 $5 {was there.} ) 29.a4 $1 {Sharpens the game to the maximum which is definitely difficult for Black to handle in the severe time trouble he is facing.} 29...Nxa4 {Not an obvious blunder.} ( {It turns out that the lesser evil was again the same-old resource:} 29...Be6 30.Nxe6 Kxe6 31.Ref1 Nd7 32.Rxf7 {although White is significantly better here.} ) 30.Ba3+ {And Vachier-Lagrave misses a huge chance!} ( {Apparently:} 30.Re4 $1 {was winning, albeit not trivially. For example:} 30...Be6 ( {White's attack cannot be held after:} 30...b5 31.Rxc4 $1 bxc4 32.Rxf7+ Ke8 33.Rxc7 ) ( {Perhaps Grischuk missed that in the line:} 30...Nb6 31.Ba3+ Ke8 {The vulnerable spot finally suffers:} 32.Nxf7 $3 Bxf7 33.e6 $1 {When all the files are opened and Black misses at least a rook in the game:} 33...Bxh5 {When the neatest win is:} ( {Now:} 33...Bg8 34.Rf8# {ends the sufferings at once.} ) ( {Black is absolutely helpless in the line:} 33...Bxe6 34.Rxe6+ Kd8 35.Rf7 ) 34.Ref4 $1 {in order to pick up two pieces than one in the line:} 34...Nd7 35.exd7+ Kxd7 36.gxh5 ) 31.Nxe6 fxe6 32.Bg5+ Ke8 33.Rf3 {With decisive penetration along the seventh rank thanks to the f-file:} 33...b5 ( {Nothing changes:} 33...Nc5 34.Ref4 ) 34.Ref4 ) 30...c5 31.e6 ( {Here:} 31.Re4 {No longer wins. Grischuk saw that and intended the "miraculous":} 31...Be6 32.Nxe6 ( 32.Rxa4 Bxf5 33.gxf5 Rxh5 {"should be OK for me" (Grischuk)} ) 32...fxe6 33.Rg5 Nc3 {"and somehow my knight is very good in harassing the white rook." (Grischuk)} 34.Rc4 Nb5 35.Rxc5 Nxa3 36.Rxc7+ Kf8 37.Rgxg7 Nc4 $1 {The knight retreat and the threat of a capture on e5 forces White to clarify the situation.} 38.Rcf7+ Ke8 39.Re7+ {White has guaranteed draw, but nothing more.} ) 31...f6 32.Bxc5+ ( {The cunning:} 32.Nf3 {with the idea:} 32...Bxe6 ( {Should be met with the strong:} 32...b5 $1 {when Black consolidates his extra pawn.} ) 33.Nd4 $1 {and White wins, (Dubov)} ) 32...Nxc5 33.Rxc5 fxg5 34.Rxc7+ Kd6 ( {In time-trouble one can easily miss:} 34...Kf6 35.Rf7# ) 35.Rxc4 a5 36.Rd1+ ( {Black has significant counterplay in case of:} 36.Rd4+ $5 Kc6 37.Red1 Rhe8 38.Rd7 Rxe6 39.Rxg7 a4 ) 36...Ke7 ( {Actually, Grischuk could have even taken the pawn:} 36...Kxe6 37.Re4+ Kf7 38.Rd7+ Kf6 {although calculating all the checks in time-trouble would not have been his favorite thing.} ) 37.Re4 Rhd8 {As it often happens a sharp battle petered out to a drawish rook endgame. Vachier-Lagrave still pushed as hard as he could, trying to make something out of the huge clock advantage he had but in vain.} 38.Rb1 Rdb8 39.Rb5 a4 40.Rxg5 Rg8 ( {No need to risk with:} 40...a3 41.Rxg7+ Kf6 42.Rf7+ Kg5 43.Rf5+ Kh6 44.Rf1 ) 41.h6 {One little trap.} 41...gxh6 ( 41...a3 42.h7 a2 43.hxg8=N+ $1 {Was White's idea.} ) 42.Rxg8 Rxg8 43.Rxa4 h5 {And all the pawns quickly disappeared after:} 44.Kf2 Rxg4 45.Rxg4 hxg4 46.Kg3 Kxe6 47.Kxg4 Ke5 48.Kf3 Kd4 49.Ke2 Kc3 50.Kd1 b5 51.Kc1 b4 52.Kb1 b3 53.cxb3 Kxb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.03.22"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7493375763980"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {This should not come as surprise as Wang has the Petroff in his repertoire.} 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 {This is not Nepomniachtchi's most common way to fight the Petrov, but his statistic in this line are quite good.} 5...d5 6.Bd3 Bf5 7.O-O Be7 8.Re1 O-O 9.Nbd2 {A trendy line, in which Nepomniachtchi has a little something home-brewed.} ( {A fomer world champion tried a more forced approach recently:} 9.c4 Nc6 10.cxd5 ( {Wang Hao also has some experience in this line:} 10.Nc3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 dxc4 13.Qxc4 Qd7 14.d5 Na5 {Naiditsch,A (2712)-Wang,H (2698) Danzhou 2017} ) 10...Qxd5 11.Nc3 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Bxd3 13.Qxd3 Rae8 14.Rb1 b6 15.Bf4 Bd6 16.Ng5 {Anand,V (2756)-So,W (2776) Saint Louis 2019, but as we know it is getting harder and harder to squeeze anything out of the forcing lines.} ) ( {Please pay attention to a novelty which the Russian GM exploited two years ago:} 9.Nc3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 Nc6 12.Re2 a6 13.Bf4 Qd7 14.Rae1 Rfe8 15.h4 $1 $146 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2757)-Giri,A (2782) Dortmund 2018} ) 9...Nd6 ( 9...Nxd2 {had been seen previously as well, when White gets a risk-free advantage after:} 10.Bxf5 Nxf3+ 11.Qxf3 ) 10.Nf1 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 c6 12.Bf4 Na6 13.h4 $146 {As we have seen from above, a favorite idea of Nepomniachtchi. White is gaining space on the kingside and can eventually exploit the g5 handle to force some kingside concessions.} ( {One predecessor is again a game of Anand which went:} 13.Ne3 Nc7 14.Re2 Ne6 15.Bxd6 Bxd6 16.g3 Qd7 17.Rae1 {Anand,V (2767)-Yu,Y (2738) Stavanger 2019} ) 13...Nc7 14.Ng5 Bxg5 ( {The black king is not safe after:} 14...g6 15.Ne3 {followed by Ne3-g4-(h6).} ) 15.Bxg5 f6 {Not the best reaction according to Nepomniachtchi as afterwards the white knight can go quickly to f5 with an advantage.} 16.Bf4 Qd7 $1 {An important move in an attempt to control the h3-c8 diagonal.} ( {Black is paralyzed after:} 16...Re8 17.Qh3 $1 Rxe1 18.Rxe1 Qf8 $2 19.Qd7 ) 17.Ng3 Rae8 ( {The other defensive set-up looks risky:} 17...g6 18.h5 Kf7 {but it might have been Black's better try.} ) 18.Bxd6 Qxd6 19.Nf5 Qd7 20.Qh3 {Apparently, Nepomniachtchi was still in his analysis.} 20...Kh8 21.h5 Rxe1+ 22.Rxe1 Re8 23.Rxe8+ Nxe8 24.g4 {"Double-edged, but very logical as it is supporting the knight." (Nepomniachtchi)} ( {However, this might be the case in which one is getting lost in the nuances of his analysis.} 24.Kf1 $5 {seems like the most accurate idea and White is going to mention it on the next move.} ) 24...a6 ( {With the knight temporarily blocked Wang could have taken care of it once and for all with:} 24...Kg8 $1 {Next, g7-g6 is on the agenda as in the line:} 25.b3 ( {Black is not too worried about:} 25.g5 Qf7 {Neither.} ) 25...g6 {when White's advantage is miniscule.} ) 25.b3 {"An awful move." (Nepomniachtchi)} ( {He suggested instead:} 25.Kf1 {Once more, when:} 25...Kg8 {Is met with the tactical:} ( {If:} 25...Qe6 26.Qh2 Qd7 27.b3 {followed by c2-c4 and Qh2-f4 looks rather grim for Black as well.} ) 26.g5 Qf7 27.g6 $1 {(Nepomniachtchi)} 27...hxg6 $4 28.hxg6 Qxg6 29.Ne7+ ) 25...Qe6 $1 ( {In the line:} 25...Kg8 26.g5 Qf7 27.f4 Kf8 {"White is optically better but does not have the resource Qh3-a3+" (Nepomniachtchi)} ) 26.Ne3 {"The only way to play on." (Nepomniachtchi)} 26...Nd6 ( {Both players considered instead the very complicated knight endgame after:} 26...h6 $5 27.Nf5 Qe1+ 28.Kg2 Qe4+ 29.Qf3 Qxc2 30.Qe3 Qe4+ 31.Qxe4 dxe4 32.Kg3 {"Still looks somewhat suspicious (for Black)" (Wang Hao)} 32...Kh7 33.Kf4 g6 34.hxg6+ Kxg6 ) 27.h6 g6 28.c4 $1 {Nepomniachtchi is clearing the road for his queen. With the pawn on h6 close to the promotional square and close to the black king he is eagerly looking for an entry point for his major piece.} 28...dxc4 ( {Once more both players considered the knight endgame as an attempt for Black to save himself:} 28...Kg8 29.cxd5 cxd5 30.Qf3 Ne4 31.Qf4 Qd6 32.Qxd6 Nxd6 33.Nxd5 {although as White is up a pawn and does not have to worry about anything.} ) 29.bxc4 Kg8 ( {The tactical point behind White's breakthrough is revealed in the line:} 29...Nxc4 30.Nxc4 Qxc4 31.Qh2 $1 {(Nepomniachtchi) when White's queen enters the enemy camp with decisive effect.} ) ( {Perhaps:} 29...Nf7 $5 30.Qh2 ( 30.c5 {(Nepomniachtchi)} 30...Kg8 31.Qh2 ) 30...Qd6 {was a better defense according to Nepomniachtchi.} ) 30.Qh2 Kf7 31.c5 Nb5 {Not a bad move at all, but the impression is that Wang Hao felt his position is close to lost at this point.} ( {At the press conference one of the journalists suggested another idea to save the game:} 31...Ne4 32.Qb8 Qxa2 {White's problem is that he cannot defend his f2 point, for example:} 33.Qxb7+ Kf8 34.Qg7+ Ke8 35.Qh8+ Ke7 36.Qxh7+ Kd8 37.Qg8+ Ke7 38.Qg7+ Kd8 39.Nd1 Qe2 40.h7 Qxg4+ {with perpetual.} ) 32.Qb8 Qd7 $2 {Apparently, this loses. Wang went defending the wrong pawn in a moment in which active play was looked for.} ( {We all know how powerful the queen-and-knight attacking pair is, and this was a case to demonstrate its potential with:} 32...Nxd4 $3 33.Qxb7+ Qe7 34.Qxa6 Qe4 $3 {Nepomniachtchi did not consider this seriously as he believed that the knight on e3 is securing his position nicely. But it seems as Black has enough initiative to find a perpetual check, for example:} 35.Qb7+ Ke6 36.Qxh7 Ne2+ $1 ( 36...Nf3+ $1 37.Kf1 Nd4 {should also do.} ) 37.Kf1 {And now a move that Black might have missed:} ( {Nothing changes:} 37.Kh2 Qf4+ 38.Kg2 ( 38.Kh3 $4 Qf3+ 39.Kh2 Qxf2+ {would actually be mate.} ) 38...Qe4+ ) 37...Ng3+ $1 38.fxg3 Qf3+ 39.Kg1 Qxe3+ {with a draw.} ) ( 32...Qe7 33.Nc4 Qe1+ 34.Kg2 Qe4+ 35.Kh2 ) 33.Qh8 Ke6 34.f4 $1 {The black king is in a mating net.} 34...Nxd4 ( 34...Qxd4 35.Qe8# ) 35.Qg8+ Qf7 36.Qc8+ Qd7 37.Qg8+ ( {"I thought this is also clever:"} 37.f5+ gxf5 38.gxf5+ Ke7 39.Qg8 {"But I missed" (Saw in time?)} 39...Nf3+ 40.Kf2 Ng5 41.Qg7+ Nf7 42.Qxh7 Qd4 {"I completely ruin my position." (Nepomniachtchi) "Yes, you are not going to win this." (Wang Hao)} ) 37...Qf7 38.Qd8 $1 {The right choice! Wang Hao missed this move.} 38...Qd7 ( {Or:} 38...Nb5 39.a4 $1 {That traps the knight since:} 39...Nc3 40.Qd6# ) 39.f5+ gxf5 40.gxf5+ Nxf5 41.Qxd7+ Kxd7 42.Nxf5 Ke6 43.Ne3 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.03.23"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7698615638033"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 {Ding is one of the leading Marshall specialists, and there are very few brave players who can dare to repeat Radjabov's epic effort from the World Cup.} 6...b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a3 O-O 9.Nc3 Na5 ( {In a very fresh game two strong grandmasters discussed the consequences of the interesting pawn sacrifice after:} 9...Bg4 10.Be3 Nd4 11.Bxd4 exd4 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.Bxd5 Rc8 14.h3 Bd7 15.Nxd4 c6 {Harikrishna,P (2713)-Ragger,M (2670) Prague 2020} ) 10.Ba2 Be6 11.b4 Bxa2 12.Rxa2 Nc6 13.Bg5 Qd7 {"Ding's brand move." (Nepomniachtchi)} ( 13...Nd7 $5 ) ( 13...Ng4 $5 {Are the other two moves which do not allow White a chance to enter the strategical position which happened in the game.} ) 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nd5 {All of this has been seen before, and moves for both sides are very logical. White is hoping to prove that his knight might be superior to the Black's currently bad bishop, but we all know that there are no bad bishops as long as the game can get opened.} 15...a5 16.Rb2 $146 {Unsurprisingly, Nepomniachtchi fires another novelty.} ( {The thing is that the predecessor was a game of Ding himself that went:} 16.c4 Ne7 17.Qb3 bxc4 18.Nxe7+ Bxe7 19.dxc4 axb4 20.axb4 Qc6 21.Re1 Rxa2 22.Qxa2 Ra8 {and which was comfortably held by the Chinese GM, Vachier Lagrave,M (2780)-Ding,L (2801) London 2019} ) 16...axb4 17.axb4 ( {Ding is not afraid of the temporary weakening on the kingside as after:} 17.Nxf6+ gxf6 18.axb4 d5 {he can initiate central counterplay.} ) 17...Bd8 $1 {Black saves the bishop. Once the knight on c6 moves out of the way, the c7-c6 pawn push will drive back White's knight on d5, and the bishop might profit from a wonderful diagonal.} 18.c4 {Nepomniachtchi is comfortably executing his moves, practically blitzing.} 18...Nd4 ( 18...Ne7 $5 {is another way to fight for the equality. In that case the diagonal for the bishop would not be blocked, say:} 19.Ne3 c6 {With the idea of Bd8-b6, although White is quick here to create some central problems with:} 20.cxb5 cxb5 21.d4 ) 19.Nxd4 exd4 20.Qc2 ( {One good point about the bishop on d8 is revealed in the line:} 20.f4 $2 c6 ) 20...Re8 ( {The other way to defend was mentioned by the Russian GM:} 20...c6 21.Nf4 Qb7 {who added that it is probably equal, but what he did not add was that he apparently liked his position.} ) 21.g3 $1 {A generally useful move.} ( {It makes no sense for White to fight for the open file:} 21.Ra2 Rxa2 22.Qxa2 c6 23.Nf4 bxc4 24.Qxc4 Bg5 25.Ne2 d5 26.Qxd4 Bf6 27.Qe3 dxe4 28.dxe4 Qe7 {is equal.} ) 21...bxc4 22.Qxc4 {"More principled because I could not believe this position could be good for Black" (Nepomniachtchi). This is the thing with these positions. The computers evaluate them as equal and often as even somewhat better for Black on the account of the potential strength of the bishop. However, the counterplay often lies in extremely complicated, long forcing lines which the human being is not capable of finding.} ( {The Russian also mentioned the other plan:} 22.dxc4 {with the idea to establish a great blockading knight on d3.} ) 22...c6 23.Nf4 Bg5 24.Ne2 d5 {The principled continuation, which White called "risky." Did I mention that Nepomniachtchi was still practically blitzing?!} 25.exd5 cxd5 {"Here Black should be very lucky to be in time with some counterplay" (Nepomniachtchi). The depth of his analysis becomes clearer when you hear him saying that in the hypothetical case of a trade of his queen for the enemy rooks, he should be winning this endgame!} 26.Qb3 h5 {Ding is losing the battle on the queenside and in the center so his only chance is the somewhat weakened white king. This move brings a strong soldier close to the opponent's king residence, thus creating some mating/perpetual check ideas.} ( {White also mentioned the more cunning:} 26...Ra6 $5 {with the idea to win a tempo after:} 27.Kg2 ( 27.Nxd4 Bf6 28.b5 {was also mentioned by White who correctly assessed the position as a draw after:} 28...Rb6 29.Qb4 Reb8 ) 27...h5 {White then intended to defend with a knight on g1 on the kingside, keeping the white pawn running on the other side.} ) 27.b5 h4 28.b6 h3 ( {A better chance seems the preliminary:} 28...Rab8 29.b7 Qg4 {but apparently the Chinese GM wanted to keep his rook on the open file for back-rank mating ideas.} ) 29.Kh1 Reb8 ( {Against the clever idea:} 29...Rxe2 30.Rxe2 Qg4 {With the point of:} 31.f3 $4 ( {White had also foreseen the refutation:} 31.Qxd5 $1 {winning.} ) 31...Qxf3+ 32.Rxf3 Ra1+ {and mate. (Nepomniachtchi)} ) 30.Rfb1 Bd8 31.Qb5 {The first real deliberation for Nepomniachtchi.} ( {He hesitated for a while, trying to understand if the natural:} 31.b7 {is not a better option. He saw the following lines:} 31...Ra7 32.Ng1 ( 32.Nf4 Rbxb7 33.Qxb7 Rxb7 34.Rxb7 Qg4 35.Rb8 g5 36.Rxd8+ Kg7 37.Nxh3 {should also win as the pawn on d5 drops (Nepomniachtchi).} ) 32...Raxb7 ( {"But somehow I spotted a tricky move:"} 32...g5 $5 {and decided to vote against this continuation. Nevertheless, in his analysis after the game he came to the conclusion that he should be winning after:} 33.Qb5 Rbxb7 34.Qxb7 Rxb7 35.Rxb7 Qf5 36.Rb8 g4 37.Rxd8+ ) 33.Qxb7 Rxb7 34.Rxb7 Qd6 35.Nxh3 {"and basically the game is over. I double my rooks on the seventh rank, my king is safe, the black bishop is bad due to the doubled pawns." (Nepomniachtchi)} ) 31...Qg4 {"A nice try." (Nepomniachtchi)} ( {However, it seems Black's last chance was:} 31...Qf5 {With the idea:} 32.Nf4 ( {True, White can also try:} 32.Nxd4 Qg4 33.b7 {Although here too, things are not yet clear in the line:} 33...Ra7 34.Qe8+ Kh7 35.Qxf7 Bf6 $1 ( {But not:} 35...Qxd4 36.Qh5+ Kg8 37.Re2 {winning for White.} ) ) 32...Bxb6 33.Qc6 Bc7 34.Rxb8+ Rxb8 35.Rxb8+ Bxb8 36.Qe8+ Kh7 37.Qxb8 g5 $1 {When Black should survive.} ) ( {"Inviting Black on an endgame is probably nearly lost:"} 31...Qxb5 32.Rxb5 Rb7 {(Nepomniachtchi)} 33.Nf4 ) 32.Qxd5 $6 ( {Two other continuations were neater and should have led White to victory. One was:} 32.Qe8+ $1 Kh7 33.Qxf7 {When White needs not to fear:} 33...Rxb6 34.Rxb6 Bxb6 {And now not:} 35.Rxb6 $4 ( {But:} 35.f3 $1 Qg5 36.Nf4 ) ( {Or even the solid:} 35.Ng1 $1 {In both cases with win for White.} ) 35...Ra1+ 36.Ng1 Rxg1+ 37.Kxg1 Qd1# ) ( 32.Ng1 $1 {"was the move of course"(Nepomniachtchi).} 32...Bxb6 33.Qc6 Ra6 34.Qd6 ) 32...Ra5 33.Qc6 $6 {The culmination of the game and an unnoticable blunder (at least for the human eye.)} ( {White also considered the risk-free endgame approach:} 33.f3 Rxd5 34.fxg4 Rb7 35.Nf4 Rd6 36.Nxh3 Rbxb6 37.Rxb6 Bxb6 {(Nepomniachtchi), and because of the next idea, this was objectively better.} ) 33...Rc5 {Ding is trying to deflect the queen away from the long diagonal and this misses a most incredible "compvine" ("computer divine," remember?) salvation.} ( {The Omnipresent suggested:} 33...Rxb6 $3 34.Rxb6 Qxe2 ( 34...Bxb6 35.Ng1 $1 {"and the bishop is bad" (Nepomniachtchi)} 35...Ba7 36.Qe8+ ) 35.Rb8 {And now the compvine:} 35...Re5 $3 {A fantastic key move, which creates a constant back-rank mate threat. "If you see ...Re5 you should be disqualified!" quipped Nepomniachtchi after the game.} ( {White would consolidate after:} 35...Qxf2 36.Rxd8+ Kh7 37.Qe4+ g6 38.Rg1 {with a win.} ) 36.Rxd8+ Kh7 {Up a rook, White has nothing better than the equality after:} 37.Rh8+ ( {Unable to believe he has nothing in the situation the Russian GM kept on analyzing online until he saw the line:} 37.Rg1 $2 Qxf2 38.Qa8 ( 38.Rh8+ $1 $10 ) 38...Re1 39.Rh8+ Kg6 40.Qc6+ f6 {when White is running out of checks and has to resign.} ) 37...Kxh8 38.Qc8+ Kh7 39.Qxh3+ Kg6 40.Kg1 Qxd3 ) 34.Qe8+ Kh7 35.Ng1 {The white king is safe and the pin forces material gains for the local hero.} 35...Rxb6 36.Qxd8 Rxb2 37.Rxb2 Rc1 38.Qh4+ Qxh4 39.gxh4 Rd1 40.f3 {Fabulous preparation and close to perfect execution by the Russian GM!} ( 40.f3 {Ding resigned as the white pieces are coming out in the line:} 40...Kg6 41.Rb5 Rxd3 42.Nxh3 Rxf3 43.Kg2 ) 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Yekaterinburg"]
[Date "2020.03.19"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2842"]
[ECO "D17"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6462067704351"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteTeam "China"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.f3 Bb4 8.Nxc4 {The first moment in which the Chinese GM used some time on his clock.} 8...O-O {A classical opening like this Slav is about to get funky sooner than expected.} 9.Kf2 {Caruana now uncorks a thoroughly prepared novelty. The predecessor was the extremely complicated game:} ( {Still, the main line remains:} 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 c5 11.dxc5 Qxd1+ 12.Kxd1 Nc6 13.e4 Bh7 14.Bf2 Rfd8+ 15.Kc2 Nd7 {Mamedyarov,S (2731)-Solak,D (2595) Dresden 2008} ) 9...e5 $146 ( {Relevant:} 9...Nd5 10.Na2 b5 11.Nxb4 bxc4 12.Na2 c5 13.e4 cxd4 14.Bxc4 Nb6 15.Be2 Bg6 16.a5 {Anton Guijarro,D (2674)-Hovhannisyan,R (2639) Isle of Man 2019, that has been already annotated for the Chess.com readers.} ) 10.Nxe5 ( {The capture:} 10.dxe5 {can be met with:} 10...Nfd7 11.Bf4 Qh4+ 12.g3 Qe7 ) 10...Bc2 $1 {The main point behind the idea.} 11.Qd2 {Ding accepts the sacrifice.} ( {A more careful, Karpov-style player would have chosen the save track:} 11.Qxc2 Qxd4+ 12.e3 Qxe5 13.g3 {making sure that he would not lose straight in the opening, without any fight.} ) 11...c5 {A fierce attack is the only way to get to the enemy king. Otherwise the solid pawn center will give White a chance to hide his king nicely.} 12.d5 ( {More cunning seems:} 12.e3 {with the idea to meet:} 12...Bb3 {with:} ( {However, Black can also be clever with:} 12...Bg6 13.d5 Be4 $1 {capturing the d5 pawn.} ) 13.Nd3 ) 12...Bb3 ( {Here:} 12...Be4 {can be strongly met with:} 13.g4 $1 ( 13.fxe4 $2 Bxc3 $1 {and then capture on e4, not giving White three light pieces for his queen.} ) 13...Qe8 14.g5 Qxe5 15.gxf6 Qxf6 {When White has good position after any normal move like:} 16.h4 $5 ( {Or} 16.Kg2 $5 ) ) 13.e4 Re8 14.Qf4 {The clock situation started to look frightening for the Chinese GM. He was down an hour here, whereas Caruana was still blitzing which put even more psychological pressure on his opponent.} ( {With his last move Ding avoids a beautiful trap:} 14.Qg5 $2 Nxe4+ $1 15.fxe4 Qxg5 16.Bxg5 Rxe5 {with advantage for Black.} ) 14...c4 $1 {Opening more files and diagonals for the black pieces.} 15.Nxc4 Nbd7 {Now the white queen is in great danger.} 16.Be3 $1 ( {The following lines demonstrate the many dangers White was facing:} 16.Bd3 $2 {would allow:} 16...Rc8 17.Ne3 Nh5 $1 18.Qg4 Ne5 19.Qxh5 Nxd3+ 20.Kf1 Qb6 {with a crushing attack.} ) ( {The solid-looking} 16.Qd2 $2 {in order to bring the queen back home and out of the danger zone will be refuted with:} 16...Rc8 17.Ne3 Rxe4 $1 {and Black takes over with a crushing initiative.} ) ( {Also, a logical attempt to safeguard the king:} 16.g3 {is not optimal. Black goes:} 16...Rc8 17.Ne3 Ne5 18.Be2 {does not work as White basically deprived his queen of air and:} 18...Ng6 {can force at least a draw:} ( 18...Qb6 $5 ) 19.Qf5 ( {But not:} 19.Qg5 $4 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Nxe4+ $1 {finally getting to her Majesty.} ) 19...Ne7 20.Qf4 Ng6 ) 16...Nf8 ( {In case Black attacks the queen at once:} 16...Nh5 17.Qg5 Nhf6 {White does not have to repeat, he can give room to the queen with:} 18.Kg1 $5 ( {Or solidify his position with:} 18.Nd2 $5 ) ) 17.Bd4 Ng6 {Caruana is still playing fast and confident. But could this be the case in which some lines are mixed?} ( {More natural seems:} 17...Rc8 $5 {Then after:} 18.Ne3 Ng6 19.Qf5 Bc5 $1 {Still trades a key defender of the dark squares and after:} 20.Bxc5 Rxc5 21.Ra3 Bc2 $3 {Black suddenly creates a lot of threats. Qd8-b6 is the most obvious one, but some nasty captures on e4 are in the air too. An important detail is the line:} 22.Nxc2 Re5 {When White should not try to save the queen with:} 23.Qh3 ( {White's best try is:} 23.Qxe5 Nxe5 {with unclear consequences.} ) 23...Nf4 24.Qg3 N6h5 25.Qg4 {And now:} 25...Rg5 {still traps White's most powerful piece.} ( {However, an even better option is the stunning:} 25...f5 $3 26.exf5 Qb6 $1 {suddenly going for the king, with a decisve attack.} ) ) 18.Qf5 ( {White rejects the most obvious move:} 18.Qc1 {Judging by the speed with which Caruana was still blitzing the moves it would not have been surprising to see the sacrifice:} 18...Nxe4+ ( {Or the more solid, pressure-mounting:} 18...Rc8 {in order to capitalize on the pin.} ) 19.fxe4 Rc8 {with some twenty more moves of in-depth analysis...} ) 18...Bxc4 ( {Here too, more natural seems:} 18...Rc8 19.Nd2 Ne7 20.Qh3 ( {Although White has an extra choice:} 20.Qxc8 $5 Nxc8 21.Nxb3 {which looks attractive for the first player, at least, material-wise.} ) 20...Bxd5 21.exd5 Nexd5 22.Nde4 {Now more fireworks:} 22...Rxc3 $3 23.bxc3 Bxc3 24.Bxf6 Qb6+ 25.Kg3 Bxf6 26.Nxf6+ Qxf6 27.Bd3 Qf4+ 28.Kf2 {Might lead to perpetual with any of the reasonable queen checks:} 28...Qd2+ ( 28...Qe3+ ) ( 28...Qd4+ ) ) 19.Bxc4 Qc7 20.Be2 ( {Not much is changed after:} 20.Bb5 Bc5 21.Bxc5 Qxc5+ 22.Kf1 Re5 23.Qh3 Qb4 ( {Or the preliminary:} 23...a6 24.Be2 Qb4 {in both cases Black preserves decent counter-chances.} ) ) 20...Bc5 21.Bxc5 Qxc5+ {Perhaps this is the moment in which Caruana went wrong.} ( {The American GM could have throwed in the move:} 21...Re5 22.Qh3 Qxc5+ 23.Kf1 {Then:} 23...Qb4 24.Rb1 Nf4 25.Qg3 N6h5 26.Qf2 f5 {Black seems to have enough for the pawns still as both the white king and his kingside rook are not yet there.} ) 22.Kf1 h6 23.Rd1 $1 {This is the difference. Now the rook is out and can defend the pawn from the side.} 23...Qb6 24.Rd2 Qe3 25.Rc2 a6 26.Qh3 b5 $1 {The last chance for Caruana is to open the queenside and bring his rook into the attack.} 27.Qg3 {"At this point I thought my position was much better." (Ding)} ( {White naturally avoids:} 27.axb5 $2 axb5 28.g3 Ra1+ 29.Kg2 Qg5 $1 {which is really awkward for him, there is no defense against the knight fork!} ) 27...b4 {Capitulation.} ( {For good or for bad, but Black needed to try:} 27...Rec8 {True, this is not really threatening the rook on the pin and White can go for:} 28.a5 ( {Or he may even sacrifice the knight with:} 28.Qf2 Qxf2+ 29.Kxf2 b4 30.Rb1 {as the three pawns look very good.} ) 28...b4 29.Nd1 ) 28.Nd1 Qb3 29.Rd2 Qxa4 30.Qf2 Qd7 31.g3 {Ding has made it! He is out of the woods, not just survived, but already ahead in material. Consolidation will slowly bring him to his desired first point in the event.} 31...Qh3+ 32.Kg1 a5 33.Qd4 Nh5 34.Nf2 Qd7 35.f4 Nhxf4 {Desperation and a last chance to somewhat confuse his opponent in the time-trouble.} ( {There is nothting to play for after:} 35...Nf6 36.Bf3 ) 36.gxf4 Nxf4 37.Kf1 Qd6 38.Rg1 f6 39.Bb5 Re7 40.b3 Rf8 41.Rc2 {The rest of the game only demonstrates Caruana's frustration with the waste of a brilliant analysis.} 41...Ne6 42.Qe3 Ng5 43.h4 Nf7 44.Rc6 Qb8 45.Qc5 Qd8 46.Rxf6 Kh8 47.Rf5 Rc7 48.Bc6 a4 49.bxa4 b3 50.Rg3 b2 51.Rb3 Nd6 52.Rxf8+ Qxf8 53.Rxb2 Qf4 54.Rb8+ Kh7 55.Qc2 Re7 56.e5+ Nf5 57.Qe4 Qc1+ 58.Kg2 g6 59.Rb3 {It is amazing to see both Giri and Caruana going down in flames after well-thought, thoroughly home-prepared lines. The level of defense had dramatically improved in the past decade.} 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Yekaterinburg"]
[Date "2020.03.25"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[ECO "C18"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7559834510346"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.h4 Qc7 8.h5 {The logical follow-up. Vachier-Lagrave came prepared for the game and was the first one to deviate from the earlier game of Nepomniachtchi.} ( 8.Nf3 b6 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Be2 Ba4 11.O-O Nd7 12.Be3 h6 13.Ra2 Nf5 14.Bf4 Qc6 15.Rb2 a6 16.dxc5 Qxc5 17.Rb4 b5 {did not yield White anything in Alekseenko,K (2698) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2774) FIDE Candidates Tournament 2020} ) 8...h6 9.Rb1 ( {Another top-grandmaster game saw instead:} 9.Nf3 b6 10.a4 Ba6 11.Bb5+ Bxb5 12.axb5 a5 13.bxa6 Rxa6 14.Rxa6 Nxa6 15.Qd3 Nb8 16.O-O Nd7 17.Bf4 O-O 18.Ra1 {Karjakin,S (2782)-So,W (2778) Paris 2018} ) 9...b6 10.Qg4 Rg8 11.Bb5+ Kf8 $146 {A novelty, played a-tempo.} ( {It was time for Nepomniachtchi to demonstrate good opening preparation and to deviate from the only earlier game in this position:} 11...Bd7 12.Bd3 Nf5 13.Qf4 Nc6 {Rightly so as White quickly won after:} 14.Bxf5 exf5 15.e6 $1 Qxf4 16.exd7+ Kxd7 17.Bxf4 cxd4 18.cxd4 Nxd4 19.Kd2 {in Bartel,M (2629)-Jaroch,K (2254) Zgierz 2017} ) 12.Bd3 Ba6 {Executing the main idea of the line: to trade the poor bishop. However, as everything in life, this comes with a certain price. In this case, the wobbling position of Black's king and his poor coordination.} 13.dxc5 Bxd3 14.cxd3 Nd7 ( 14...Qxc5 15.Ne2 {is not an improvement. White has a clear plan of expanding on the kingside with f2-f4, Qg4-f3, g2-g4 and f4-f5.} ) 15.d4 ( {Obviously not:} 15.cxb6 $2 Qxc3+ 16.Bd2 Qxd3 {when Black is clearly better.} ) 15...bxc5 16.Qd1 {Vachier-Lagrave was still in his preparation. The queen threatens to seize the queenside, so Black's next move is forced.} 16...Qa5 ( {As Vidit Gujrathi pointed on the live broadcast,} 16...Rb8 {would not give Black the option to move his queen to a6.} ) 17.Bd2 Rb8 ( {In his analysis Vachier-Lagrave did not mention anything about the possible capture:} 17...Qxa3 {Apparently it did not bother him at all as it would have opened the floodgates for his major pieces on the queenside:} 18.Ne2 Qa5 19.O-O {Since White can use all his major pieces on the queenside, he will quickly restore the material balance and will penetrate along the a- and b- files.} ) ( {Perhaps Black should have tried to seal the queenside somewhat differently with:} 17...Nb6 18.Ne2 Rc8 19.O-O Nc4 ) 18.Ne2 {The critical moment of the game and perhaps the tournament. Black's position is difficult as he has to worry about both flanks. Above all, however, stands the problem of his king's safety and piece coordination.} 18...c4 {"I don't think this was the right plan. Closing the center makes sense, but I do not think he is in time" (Vachier-Lagrave).} ( {Instead the Frenchman expected:} 18...Ke8 19.O-O Kd8 {(Vachier-Lagrave) Although then White really needs to watch out for a timely opening of the center with:} ( {Vachier-Lagrave's idea can be improved with:} 19...Rxb1 20.Qxb1 Kd8 {Although this also seems very risky for Black, to say the least, after:} 21.dxc5 ) 20.c4 {In this position it seems crushing, for example:} 20...Qa6 21.Rxb8+ Nxb8 22.cxd5 Nxd5 23.Nf4 {and the black king should not last very long.} ) 19.O-O Rb6 20.Qc2 Rh8 ( 20...Ke8 {would be met as in the game with:} 21.a4 ) 21.a4 Ke8 {It seems as Nepomniachtchi is in time: his king will soon reach a safe haven on the queenside and his pieces can start slowly getting out. However, here came the move of the tournament (at least so far).} 22.Rb4 $3 {"A very strong idea" (Vachier-Lagrave). This is not the common a la Petrosian exchange sacrifice.} 22...Nc6 23.f4 $1 {The point. White plays on "his" flank while the other wing remains sealed. And in order to win the exchange Nepomniachtchi will have to part with his key kingside defender.} 23...Ne7 {This might have been a very tough decision to make. Alas, the alternative is no better.} ( {"He cannot go for:"} 23...Nxb4 24.cxb4 Qa6 ( 24...Rxb4 $2 25.Qc3 {drops a piece.} ) 25.b5 Qb7 ( {Or:} 25...Qc8 ) 26.f5 {"It looks absolutely terrible. I can proceed with Bd2-b4 and Ne2-c3" (Vachier-Lagrave).} ) 24.Rfb1 f5 {The point behind the knight retreat. Black has his kingside squares covered. However, after:} 25.Rb5 Qa6 26.Bc1 $1 {White managed to bring almost every piece to an optimal position.} 26...Kf7 {Nepomniachtchi is in a hurry to bring on the reserves, but comes short by one move.} ( {Perhaps it was worth trying to revive the kingside with:} 26...g6 27.hxg6 Rg8 28.Ba3 ( 28.Rxb6 Nxb6 29.Ba3 {also looks good for White.} ) 28...Rxb5 29.Rxb5 Rxg6 {although White is still much better here.} ) 27.Ba3 Rhb8 {"Every move of his is forced" (Vachier-Lagrave).} 28.Bxe7 Kxe7 29.g4 $1 {The bitter reality. While bringing forces on the queenside, Black weakened his kingside again.} 29...Rxb5 ( {After:} 29...fxg4 {the most convincing is:} 30.Rxb6 Rxb6 31.Rf1 $1 {followed by f4-f5.} ) 30.axb5 Rxb5 31.gxf5 Rxb1+ 32.Qxb1 exf5 33.Ng3 {"It is just a matter of whether this is holdable for him. And honestly I thought it should not be" (Vachier-Lagrave).} 33...Qb6 ( {The Frenchman also considered the following lines:} 33...Qa3 34.Nxf5+ Kd8 35.Qe1 Qf8 36.Qh4+ {(Vachier-Lagrave)} ) ( {And:} 33...g6 34.hxg6 Qxg6 35.Kf2 Qg4 36.Qxf5 Qxf5 37.Nxf5+ {with a win in both cases.} ) 34.Nxf5+ Kf8 35.Qa1 $1 {"An important move to prevent his pawn from moving" (Vachier-Lagrave). White's king is more secure, his pawns are moving fast with mating threats and this is indeed enough for the win.} 35...Qe6 ( {Against both:} 35...Qb3 36.Ne3 {(Vachier-Lagrave)} ) ( {And:} 35...a5 36.Ne3 {"(In both cases) he loses too many moves to move his pawn" (Vachier-Lagrave).} ( {The French GM was also aware that he can still blunder and quoted the line:} 36.Qa3+ Kg8 37.Qe7 $4 Qb1+ {where White loses.} ) ) 36.Ng3 Qg4 37.Kg2 Qxf4 {Capitulation.} ( {Although Vachier-Lagrave had it all covered and quoted the win in all the lines after:} 37...g6 38.Qa3+ Ke8 ( 38...Kg8 39.hxg6 h5 40.Qe7 $1 {(Vachier-Lagrave)} ) 39.Qd6 gxh5 40.e6 Nf8 ( {Or:} 40...Nf6 41.Qb8+ Ke7 42.Qc7+ Kxe6 43.f5+ $1 {"is nice." (Vachier-Lagrave)} ) ( {Or:} 40...Nb6 41.f5 h4 42.Qb8+ Ke7 43.Qc7+ Kf6 44.Qf7+ ) 41.f5 h4 42.Qb8+ Ke7 43.f6+ Kxe6 ( {Nothing changes:} 43...Kxf6 44.Qxf8+ Kxe6 45.Qc8+ ) 44.Qe8+ $1 ( {Not:} 44.Qc8+ Nd7 $1 ) 44...Kxf6 45.Qxf8+ Kg5 46.Qg7+ Kf4 47.Qe5# {(Vachier-Lagrave)} ) 38.Qxa7 Ke7 39.Qa3+ Kd8 40.Qd6 g5 ( {Since:} 40...Kc8 41.Qc6+ Kd8 42.Qxd5 {loses the pawns.} ) 41.hxg6 h5 42.g7 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Yekaterinburg"]
[Date "2020.03.25"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[ECO "C18"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7559834510346"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.h4 Qc7 8.h5 {The logical follow-up. Vachier-Lagrave came prepared for the game and was the first one to deviate from the earlier game of Nepomniachtchi.} ( 8.Nf3 b6 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Be2 Ba4 11.O-O Nd7 12.Be3 h6 13.Ra2 Nf5 14.Bf4 Qc6 15.Rb2 a6 16.dxc5 Qxc5 17.Rb4 b5 {did not yield White anything in Alekseenko,K (2698) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2774) FIDE Candidates Tournament 2020} ) 8...h6 9.Rb1 ( {Another top-grandmaster game saw instead:} 9.Nf3 b6 10.a4 Ba6 11.Bb5+ Bxb5 12.axb5 a5 13.bxa6 Rxa6 14.Rxa6 Nxa6 15.Qd3 Nb8 16.O-O Nd7 17.Bf4 O-O 18.Ra1 {Karjakin,S (2782)-So,W (2778) Paris 2018} ) 9...b6 10.Qg4 Rg8 11.Bb5+ Kf8 $146 {A novelty, played a-tempo.} ( {It was time for Nepomniachtchi to demonstrate good opening preparation and to deviate from the only earlier game in this position:} 11...Bd7 12.Bd3 Nf5 13.Qf4 Nc6 {Rightly so as White quickly won after:} 14.Bxf5 exf5 15.e6 $1 Qxf4 16.exd7+ Kxd7 17.Bxf4 cxd4 18.cxd4 Nxd4 19.Kd2 {in Bartel,M (2629)-Jaroch,K (2254) Zgierz 2017} ) 12.Bd3 Ba6 {Executing the main idea of the line: to trade the poor bishop. However, as everything in life, this comes with a certain price. In this case, the wobbling position of Black's king and his poor coordination.} 13.dxc5 Bxd3 14.cxd3 Nd7 ( 14...Qxc5 15.Ne2 {is not an improvement. White has a clear plan of expanding on the kingside with f2-f4, Qg4-f3, g2-g4 and f4-f5.} ) 15.d4 ( {Obviously not:} 15.cxb6 $2 Qxc3+ 16.Bd2 Qxd3 {when Black is clearly better.} ) 15...bxc5 16.Qd1 {Vachier-Lagrave was still in his preparation. The queen threatens to seize the queenside, so Black's next move is forced.} 16...Qa5 ( {As Vidit Gujrathi pointed on the live broadcast,} 16...Rb8 {would not give Black the option to move his queen to a6.} ) 17.Bd2 Rb8 ( {In his analysis Vachier-Lagrave did not mention anything about the possible capture:} 17...Qxa3 {Apparently it did not bother him at all as it would have opened the floodgates for his major pieces on the queenside:} 18.Ne2 Qa5 19.O-O {Since White can use all his major pieces on the queenside, he will quickly restore the material balance and will penetrate along the a- and b- files.} ) ( {Perhaps Black should have tried to seal the queenside somewhat differently with:} 17...Nb6 18.Ne2 Rc8 19.O-O Nc4 ) 18.Ne2 {The critical moment of the game and perhaps the tournament. Black's position is difficult as he has to worry about both flanks. Above all, however, stands the problem of his king's safety and piece coordination.} 18...c4 {"I don't think this was the right plan. Closing the center makes sense, but I do not think he is in time" (Vachier-Lagrave).} ( {Instead the Frenchman expected:} 18...Ke8 19.O-O Kd8 {(Vachier-Lagrave) Although then White really needs to watch out for a timely opening of the center with:} ( {Vachier-Lagrave's idea can be improved with:} 19...Rxb1 20.Qxb1 Kd8 {Although this also seems very risky for Black, to say the least, after:} 21.dxc5 ) 20.c4 {In this position it seems crushing, for example:} 20...Qa6 21.Rxb8+ Nxb8 22.cxd5 Nxd5 23.Nf4 {and the black king should not last very long.} ) 19.O-O Rb6 20.Qc2 Rh8 ( 20...Ke8 {would be met as in the game with:} 21.a4 ) 21.a4 Ke8 {It seems as Nepomniachtchi is in time: his king will soon reach a safe haven on the queenside and his pieces can start slowly getting out. However, here came the move of the tournament (at least so far).} 22.Rb4 $3 {"A very strong idea" (Vachier-Lagrave). This is not the common a la Petrosian exchange sacrifice.} 22...Nc6 23.f4 $1 {The point. White plays on "his" flank while the other wing remains sealed. And in order to win the exchange Nepomniachtchi will have to part with his key kingside defender.} 23...Ne7 {This might have been a very tough decision to make. Alas, the alternative is no better.} ( {"He cannot go for:"} 23...Nxb4 24.cxb4 Qa6 ( 24...Rxb4 $2 25.Qc3 {drops a piece.} ) 25.b5 Qb7 ( {Or:} 25...Qc8 ) 26.f5 {"It looks absolutely terrible. I can proceed with Bd2-b4 and Ne2-c3" (Vachier-Lagrave).} ) 24.Rfb1 f5 {The point behind the knight retreat. Black has his kingside squares covered. However, after:} 25.Rb5 Qa6 26.Bc1 $1 {White managed to bring almost every piece to an optimal position.} 26...Kf7 {Nepomniachtchi is in a hurry to bring on the reserves, but comes short by one move.} ( {Perhaps it was worth trying to revive the kingside with:} 26...g6 27.hxg6 Rg8 28.Ba3 ( 28.Rxb6 Nxb6 29.Ba3 {also looks good for White.} ) 28...Rxb5 29.Rxb5 Rxg6 {although White is still much better here.} ) 27.Ba3 Rhb8 {"Every move of his is forced" (Vachier-Lagrave).} 28.Bxe7 Kxe7 29.g4 $1 {The bitter reality. While bringing forces on the queenside, Black weakened his kingside again.} 29...Rxb5 ( {After:} 29...fxg4 {the most convincing is:} 30.Rxb6 Rxb6 31.Rf1 $1 {followed by f4-f5.} ) 30.axb5 Rxb5 31.gxf5 Rxb1+ 32.Qxb1 exf5 33.Ng3 {"It is just a matter of whether this is holdable for him. And honestly I thought it should not be" (Vachier-Lagrave).} 33...Qb6 ( {The Frenchman also considered the following lines:} 33...Qa3 34.Nxf5+ Kd8 35.Qe1 Qf8 36.Qh4+ {(Vachier-Lagrave)} ) ( {And:} 33...g6 34.hxg6 Qxg6 35.Kf2 Qg4 36.Qxf5 Qxf5 37.Nxf5+ {with a win in both cases.} ) 34.Nxf5+ Kf8 35.Qa1 $1 {"An important move to prevent his pawn from moving" (Vachier-Lagrave). White's king is more secure, his pawns are moving fast with mating threats and this is indeed enough for the win.} 35...Qe6 ( {Against both:} 35...Qb3 36.Ne3 {(Vachier-Lagrave)} ) ( {And:} 35...a5 36.Ne3 {"(In both cases) he loses too many moves to move his pawn" (Vachier-Lagrave).} ( {The French GM was also aware that he can still blunder and quoted the line:} 36.Qa3+ Kg8 37.Qe7 $4 Qb1+ {where White loses.} ) ) 36.Ng3 Qg4 37.Kg2 Qxf4 {Capitulation.} ( {Although Vachier-Lagrave had it all covered and quoted the win in all the lines after:} 37...g6 38.Qa3+ Ke8 ( 38...Kg8 39.hxg6 h5 40.Qe7 $1 {(Vachier-Lagrave)} ) 39.Qd6 gxh5 40.e6 Nf8 ( {Or:} 40...Nf6 41.Qb8+ Ke7 42.Qc7+ Kxe6 43.f5+ $1 {"is nice." (Vachier-Lagrave)} ) ( {Or:} 40...Nb6 41.f5 h4 42.Qb8+ Ke7 43.Qc7+ Kf6 44.Qf7+ ) 41.f5 h4 42.Qb8+ Ke7 43.f6+ Kxe6 ( {Nothing changes:} 43...Kxf6 44.Qxf8+ Kxe6 45.Qc8+ ) 44.Qe8+ $1 ( {Not:} 44.Qc8+ Nd7 $1 ) 44...Kxf6 45.Qxf8+ Kg5 46.Qg7+ Kf4 47.Qe5# {(Vachier-Lagrave)} ) 38.Qxa7 Ke7 39.Qa3+ Kd8 40.Qd6 g5 ( {Since:} 40...Kc8 41.Qc6+ Kd8 42.Qxd5 {loses the pawns.} ) 41.hxg6 h5 42.g7 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.05.20"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7494453428236"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e3 Bb4 5.Qc2 O-O 6.Nd5 Re8 7.Qf5 {Quite a sharp opening choice by Duda, and excellent for blitz and rapid chess.} 7...d6 8.Nxf6+ gxf6 9.Qh5 {White managed to destroy the opponent's kingside but at the expense of a big delay with his development. Therefore, Carlsen classically strikes in the center.} 9...d5 ( {The computer's first choice is} 9...e4 {and it has been played in games already.} ) 10.a3 Bf8 11.Bd3 ( {A curious GM miniature was played in the line} 11.cxd5 Qxd5 12.d3 Na5 13.Bd2 Nb3 14.Rd1 Nxd2 15.Nxd2 Qe6 16.g4 f5 17.gxf5 Qxf5 18.Rg1+ Bg7 {and Black resigned not waiting for the obvious Qh5-h6 in Nyzhnyk,I (2605)-Hungaski,R (2526) Middleton 2018} ) 11...e4 12.cxd5 exd3 13.dxc6 bxc6 14.b4 a5 {Attacking the weakened queenside before the opponent brings out the reserves.} ( {Another way to pursue the same idea is connected with the preliminary trade of the queens in the line} 14...Qd5 15.Qxd5 cxd5 16.Bb2 a5 17.bxa5 Rxa5 18.Bxf6 Rxa3 19.O-O Rxa1 20.Rxa1 c5 {with unclear play.} ) 15.Bb2 Re4 ( {More accurate seems} 15...axb4 16.axb4 Rxa1+ 17.Bxa1 Re4 {Then after:} ( 17...Bxb4 {is less accurate as the bishop is needed to defend the black kingside, and the simple} 18.O-O {promises White more than enough for a pawn.} ) 18.O-O Rxb4 19.Bc3 Ra4 20.Rb1 {The weakened black king promises eternal compensation for the pawn in the middlegame for Duda.} ) 16.Nd4 Qd5 $146 ( {An email game went} 16...Rg4 17.Nxc6 Qd7 18.b5 Rxg2 19.h4 Rg6 20.Rc1 {Strangely, it was Black who attacked on the kingside here first, Lanzani,P (1891)-Besozzi,F ICCF email 2008} ) ( {Black's previous move allows an extra possibility to Duda in the line} 16...axb4 17.Nxc6 Qd6 18.Nxb4 ) 17.Qxd5 $1 {Carlsen must have underestimated this capture. White's initiative develops rapidly due to the many weak pawns of the opponent.} 17...cxd5 18.f3 Re8 ( {Since} 18...Re7 19.b5 $1 a4 20.Kf2 {is clearly better for White.} ) 19.Nb5 {Threat, threat, threat is best when developing the initiative.} ( {Whereas} 19.b5 a4 {promises Black temporary relief.} ) 19...Re7 ( {The ugly pawn structure in the line} 19...Bd6 20.Nxd6 cxd6 21.Kf2 {spells trouble for the world champion.} ) 20.Bxf6 Rd7 21.Kf2 {Duda not only has a pawn, he managed to connect his rooks and brought his bishop into striking distance to the black king. This means White's attack remains strong in the endgame as well.} 21...Ba6 ( {White's b4-pawn is immune in the line} 21...axb4 22.axb4 Rxa1 23.Rxa1 Bxb4 $2 24.Ra8 ) ( {But perhaps} 21...c6 22.Nc3 Ra6 {in order to solidify the queenside is a more resilient defense.} ) 22.Nd4 Bc4 ( {Once again} 22...axb4 23.axb4 Bxb4 {is overoptimistic to say the least for Black as he is not only pinned along the a-file:} 24.Nc6 Bf8 25.Ra4 Bb7 {but mated as well:} 26.Rg4+ ) 23.Rhb1 {Only here did Duda slow down a bit but in vain!} ( 23.Nf5 $1 {Intending to attack the black king either along the eighth rank or the g-file would have been great for White instead. Then} 23...Ra6 {can be met with} ( {Please note that the queenside can be sealed:} 23...a4 {but then the attack will run from the opposite wing with} 24.h4 {followed by Rh1-h3-g3.} ) 24.Bc3 axb4 25.axb4 Rd8 26.Rxa6 Bxa6 27.Ra1 {with a clear edge for the first player.} ) 23...Ra6 24.Be5 ( {After} 24.Bh4 {Carlsen would have most likely blocked the queenside anyway:} 24...a4 ) 24...f6 ( {Here} 24...a4 {gives White a chance to keep his bishop on the long diagonal:} 25.Nf5 f6 26.Bd4 ) ( {Once more the b4-pawn is not edible:} 24...axb4 25.axb4 Rxa1 26.Rxa1 Bxb4 27.Ra8+ Bf8 28.Bf6 $1 {paralyzes Black, and there is no defense against the knight's decisive reinforcement via f5.} ) 25.b5 $1 {An important intermediate move.} ( {Instead:} 25.Bf4 axb4 26.axb4 Rxa1 27.Rxa1 Bxb4 {would have finally allowed Black a chance to gobble the pawn.} ) 25...Rb6 26.Bf4 a4 $1 {Carlsen claims the b5-pawn in return.} 27.g4 {Whereas Duda once more builds his kingside initiative.} 27...Bc5 28.h4 Kf7 {Black is in no rush to capture on b5.} ( {Nothing is fundamentally changed in the line} 28...Bxd4 29.exd4 Rxb5 ( 29...Bxb5 30.Rb4 ) 30.Rxb5 Bxb5 31.Rb1 c6 32.g5 {White keeps on pressurizing his opponent, and Black has chances to survive.} ) 29.Kg3 ( 29.g5 $5 ) 29...Bxd4 30.exd4 Bxb5 ( {It made good sense to get rid of a rook pair:} 30...Rxb5 31.Rxb5 Bxb5 32.g5 {as the fewer the major pieces, the stronger the drawing chances.} ) 31.Rb4 ( 31.g5 $5 ) 31...Re7 {A slip!} ( {Carlsen needed to throw in the move} 31...c6 {and although after} 32.g5 {his position remains difficult, he would still have been in the game.} ) 32.Rab1 Bc4 ( {Now} 32...c6 {does not work due to} 33.Rxa4 ) 33.Rxb6 cxb6 34.Rxb6 {Duda wins a pawn again, and this time he does not let his opponent go.} 34...Bb3 35.Bd6 $1 {Forcing the rook to concede something.} 35...Rd7 ( {Or} 35...Re2 36.Rb7+ {when Black can easily be checkmated in the opposite-colored bishop attack after} 36...Ke6 ( {Or lose prosaically after} 36...Kg8 37.Bf4 ) 37.Bb4 ) 36.f4 f5 37.g5 Bd1 38.Bc5 Kg7 39.Kf2 Rd8 40.Rb7+ Kg6 ( {There is no way to defend all the weaknesses after} 40...Kg8 41.Bb4 ) 41.Re7 Rb8 42.Re6+ Kh5 {This leads to mate, but there is no way out.} ( 42...Kf7 43.Rd6 Bb3 44.h5 {would be pretty much over as well.} ) 43.Kg3 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge Final 8"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.05.24"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[Beauty "6120865304142"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {The Berlin versus So! Why not?} 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.O-O ( {Recently two other tops GMs discussed} 6.Nbd2 Be6 7.Qe2 Nd7 8.Nb3 Bb6 9.Ng5 Bxb3 10.axb3 f6 11.Nf3 Nf8 12.O-O Ne6 {Caruana, F (2835)-Grischuk,A (2777) chess.com INT 2020} ) 6...Qe7 7.Nbd2 Bg4 8.h3 Bh5 9.Nc4 Nd7 10.a3 {The world champion is closely watching the efforts of his competitors and comes up with an improvement upon a very fresh game.} 10...a6 $146 {A novelty. Carlsen secures the a7-g1 diagonal for his bishop.} ( {Unlike the earlier game:} 10...f6 {which gave So a chance to bother Black's dark-squared bishop after} 11.b4 $1 Bd6 12.Ne3 Nf8 13.c4 Qd7 14.c5 Be7 15.Nxe5 Bxd1 16.Nxd7 Be2 17.Re1 Bxd3 18.Nxf8 Rxf8 19.Nf5 {with a pleasant edge for White in So,W (2767)-Nakamura,H (2745) chess.com INT 2020} ) 11.b4 Ba7 12.Be3 {The black bishop is too strong to be left alive. On top of that, White is depriving the opponent of his bishop pair.} 12...Bxe3 13.Nxe3 {The knight moves towards the optimal square.} ( {The opening of the f-file does not seem great due to} 13.fxe3 c5 ) 13...f6 14.Nf5 Qf8 {Carlsen wants to keep his second bishop on the board.} ( {More natural seems} 14...Qf7 {when White keeps a slight pressure with the help of} 15.Ng3 Bxf3 16.Qxf3 ) 15.Ng3 ( {One interesting way to benefit from the slightly awkward position of the black queen was} 15.a4 $5 {Since the queen needs to guard g7 White has the time to open the queenside. After} 15...Qf7 16.b5 axb5 17.axb5 O-O 18.bxc6 bxc6 {White at least weakens the opponent's pawn chain.} ) 15...Bf7 {Carlsen hopes to use the knights as tempo-gainers when advancing his kingside passer. However, So is the one to open the game after} 16.Qd2 g6 17.Nh2 h5 18.f4 exf4 ( {Or else White will seize the f-file:} 18...O-O-O 19.fxe5 fxe5 20.Rf2 ) 19.Qxf4 O-O-O {It does not seem particularly scary for Black. After all, he castled, his king is safe, he is ready to start his kingside assault. However...} 20.e5 $1 {...throws a spanner in his plans.} 20...f5 {The only move.} ( 20...Nxe5 $2 {drops material due to} 21.Qxf6 Qd6 22.Rae1 ) 21.Nf3 Qe7 22.Rae1 Rde8 {As now} ( {The computer recommends to seize a bit of a space on the kingside first with} 22...h4 23.Ng5 Bg8 24.Ne2 Kb8 ) 23.h4 $1 {fixes all the valuable dark squares in White's favor. The dangerous passer and the superb blockade promise White long-term positional plus.} ( {It is too early for} 23.e6 Bxe6 24.Ng5 Qf6 ) 23...Bd5 {An active, but vulnerable spot for the bishop.} ( {No matter how ugly it was, but} 23...Bg8 {should have been preferred with the idea to block the e5 pawn after} 24.Ng5 Nf8 ) 24.Ng5 c5 ( {The delicate position of the bishop tells in the line} 24...Nf8 25.Qe3 {The queen frees the f4-square with tempo:} 25...Kb8 26.Ne2 $1 Ne6 27.c4 Nxg5 28.Qxg5 Qxg5 29.hxg5 Be6 30.Nf4 {leads to complete domination of the knight over the bishop.} ) 25.Re3 {A pity!} ( {So far everything was done perfectly well and the energetic} 25.e6 $1 Nb6 26.c4 Bc6 27.Qe3 {would have fixed White's edge.} ( {Also good would be} 27.Ne2 ) ) 25...b5 {Carlsen seizes his chance and gets some air on the queenside.} 26.Ne2 Bb7 27.Nc3 {Missing a chance to achieve a completely dominant position.} ( {This would be the case after} 27.bxc5 $1 Qxc5 28.d4 Qc6 29.Qf2 Nb6 30.Rc3 Qd7 31.Nf4 {Just in time.} 31...Nd5 32.Rc5 {White's superb pieces will quickly organize the advance of the central passers.} ) 27...cxb4 28.axb4 Nf6 $1 {The world champion spots an even better route for his knight.} 29.Rfe1 Ng4 30.R3e2 c5 {Obvious, but there is a small detail...} ( {Strong was to centralize pieces with} 30...Rd8 $1 {Then} 31.e6 {can be met with} 31...Rhe8 {intending to surround the pawn. What's more important is that the active try} 32.Nf7 {backfires due to} 32...Qxh4 $1 33.Nxd8 Rxd8 34.e7 Re8 {followed by Kc8-b8 (out of the checks) and g6-g5!} ) 31.e6 cxb4 {And with very little time on the clock So demonstrates how brilliant he is with...} 32.Nf7 $3 Qc7 $1 {The only defense.} ( {The main idea behind the sacrifice is revealed in the line} 32...bxc3 33.Nd6+ Kd8 34.Nxe8 Rxe8 35.Qb8+ Bc8 {The attack seems over, but} 36.Re5 $1 {transfers fresh troops and forces Black to part with his queen:} 36...Nxe5 37.Rxe5 Qxe6 38.Rxe6 Rxe6 39.Kf2 {Next White brings his king all the way to f7 and wins!} ) 33.Qxc7+ Kxc7 34.Nxh8 Rxh8 35.Nd1 {So won the exchange but nothing is determined yet as the black bishop is strong and the queenside passers might become rogue.} 35...Re8 36.e7 Bd5 37.Ne3 {One little inaccuracy and all the advantage is thrown away.} ( {The other route for the knight would have won So a couple of tempos, and most likely the game:} 37.Nf2 $1 Nxf2 ( {If} 37...a5 {the knight changes his mind:} 38.Nh3 a4 39.Nf4 Bf7 40.Ne6+ {and manages to swap off the more dangerous black minor piece.} 40...Bxe6 41.Rxe6 {Thus stopping the black passers and winning.} ) 38.Kxf2 a5 39.Kg3 {In comparison to the game, the white king is two moves ahead and has a clear path towards the kingside and the e-passer.} ) 37...Nxe3 38.Rxe3 a5 39.Kf2 a4 {With a second on the clock one pushes the pawns without any fear.} 40.Kg3 ( {The counter-intuitive} 40.Rb1 $1 {would have slowed the passers down, say:} 40...b3 ( {Or} 40...a3 41.Rxb4 a2 42.Re1 ) 41.cxb3 Bxb3 42.Re5 ) 40...a3 41.Kf4 b3 {Carlsen is safe; he can no longer lose. Or so it seems...} 42.cxb3 b4 43.d4 Kd6 44.Re5 a2 {Remember, passers move on their own in time-trouble.} ( {The clear-cut draw would have been achieved with the help of} 44...Bxb3 45.Rb5 a2 46.Rxb4 Rxe7 47.Ra1 Re4+ 48.Kg5 Rg4+ 49.Kf6 Bd5 ) 45.Ra1 ( {Alas, White did not have enough time to find the Wotawa-like:} 45.R5e3 $3 Be4 46.R3e2 $3 {Then} 46...Bb1 {seems to even win for Black but White has a wonderful way to coordinate his rook:} 47.Re6+ Kd5 48.Ra6 Kxd4 49.Rc1 $3 {The king is in a mating net. Now best is} 49...Kd5 {But after} ( {A curious mate is} 49...Rxe7 50.Rd6# ) ( {Whereas} 49...Kd3 50.Rd6+ Ke2 51.Rcd1 $1 {is also unstoppable mate.} ) 50.Rc7 $1 {Black is in zugzwang and has to self-destruct.} ) 45...Bxb3 46.Rb5 Rxe7 47.Rxb4 Re4+ 48.Kg5 Rg4+ {Now once again Black is safe, but both players keep on playing for the win.} 49.Kf6 Rg3 ( {To the aforementioned draw would have led} 49...Bd5 ) 50.Rb5 Bc4 51.Rc5 Bd5 52.Ra5 Bb3 ( 52...Rxg2 {was possible at once.} ) 53.Rc1 Rxg2 54.Rcc5 Rg1 55.Ra6+ Kd7 56.Ra7+ Kd6 57.Ra6+ Kd7 58.Rca5 ( {In the heat of the battle, So rejects the perpetual check.} 58.Ra7+ ) 58...Bc4 59.Ra7+ Kd6 60.Ra8 f4 61.Rd8+ {And then there was no more perpetual.} ( {So should have taken the draw at last:} 61.Rc5 $1 Kd7 ( {But not} 61...f3 $4 62.Rd8# ) 62.Ra7+ ) 61...Kc7 62.Rda8 f3 63.Rxa2 Bxa2 64.Rxa2 Kd6 {The white king is left out of the game, and Carlsen wins this epic game.} 0-1

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge Final 8"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.05.25"]
[Round "4.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[Beauty "8248082042889"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {Nakamura has a specific blitz and rapid chess strategy: always the classical answers against the central pushes with the QGD and Berlin as his favorite openings.} 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.O-O ( {In yesterday's analyses, I mentioned the alternative methods:} 6.Nbd2 Be6 7.Qe2 Nd7 8.Nb3 Bb6 9.Ng5 Bxb3 10.axb3 f6 11.Nf3 Nf8 12.O-O Ne6 {as in Caruana,F (2835)-Grischuk,A (2777) chess.com INT 2020} ) 6...Bd6 ( {And as our readers remember, Carlsen had certain problems to solve yesterday in the line} 6...Qe7 7.Nbd2 Bg4 8.h3 Bh5 9.Nc4 Nd7 10.a3 {despite his novelty} 10...a6 11.b4 Ba7 12.Be3 Bxe3 {[%emt 0:00:08] in So,W (2741)-Carlsen,M (2881) Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge Final 2020} ) 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 Bg4 9.Nbd2 $146 {Aronian comes first with something fresh. It can hardly be labelled as new since it is the most natural move in the position.} ( {An earlier game saw} 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 Be7 11.Bg3 Nd7 12.Nd2 O-O 13.Nc4 Bf6 14.Qh5 g6 15.Qe2 Qe7 16.c3 Bg7 17.f4 {which was somewhat more pleasant for White in Firouzja,A (2723)-Wang,H (2756) Moscow 2019} ) 9...g5 {Aggressive and good. Black will most likely castle long, therefore he wants to seize as much space as he can on the opposite wing, with tempos.} 10.Bg3 Nh5 11.Nc4 Nxg3 ( {The other way to play was} 11...Nf4 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Qd7 ) 12.fxg3 $1 {A strong capture that safeguards the kingside. In the future, the half-open f-file could be very useful for White too.} 12...Qe7 13.c3 O-O-O 14.b4 {Not for the sake of the attack, but for the sake of the limitation.} ( {It is curious that the computer suggests the highly enterprising} 14.h3 Bd7 15.b4 {The machine does not fear} 15...g4 {due to} 16.Nh4 gxh3 17.Nf5 Bxf5 18.Rxf5 hxg2 19.Qf3 {with rich play along the f-file.} ) 14...Kb8 15.a3 h5 16.Ne3 Bc8 17.c4 $1 {This was the point behind Aronian's play. The simple c4-c5 threat is far more unpleasant than it seems.} 17...f5 {And Black goes all in.} ( {Had Nakamura have an implanted computer chip he might have opted for} 17...Qe6 $3 {opening room for the bishop when} 18.Nxg5 {is impossible because of} 18...Qh6 19.h4 f6 {and White needs to part with a piece.} ) ( {White's knights will be clearly superior to the bishops in the event of} 17...c5 18.b5 ) 18.Nxf5 ( {But not} 18.c5 Bxc5 19.bxc5 fxe4 {with more than enough for the piece.} ) 18...Bxf5 19.exf5 e4 20.Re1 {There is no need to sacrifice the queen.} ( {The line} 20.dxe4 Bc5+ 21.bxc5 Rxd1 22.Raxd1 Qxe4 23.f6 {also looks favorable for the first player. But why complicate?} ) 20...e3 21.Qc1 {Alas, Aronian did not spot a nice detail.} ( {Correct was} 21.d4 $1 {with the idea to meet} 21...g4 {with} 22.Ne5 $1 ( {rather than} 22.Nh4 Qe4 23.Qe2 Rhe8 {wehn Black's powerful centralization promises the edge.} ) 22...Bxe5 23.Rxe3 $1 {Most likely both players missed this little trick. After} 23...Bxd4 ( {Better seems} 23...Qf7 24.Rxe5 Qxc4 25.Rc1 Qxd4+ 26.Qxd4 Rxd4 27.f6 {although Black is still on the verge of the defeat.} ) 24.Qxd4 Rxd4 25.Rxe7 Rxc4 26.f6 {The rook endgame is hopeless for Black.} ) 21...g4 22.Nh4 Rhe8 23.c5 {When it rains... it pushes the bishop to a better diagonal.} ( {This time} 23.d4 {is not convincing due to} 23...Qf6 ) ( {Black is most likely winning too in the line} 23.Ng6 Qg5 ( {Or even better:} 23...Qf6 $1 24.c5 Be5 25.Nxe5 Qxe5 {with dominance.} ) 24.c5 Be5 25.Nxe5 Rxe5 {The strong passer on e3 supported by the excellent black major pieces should secure the win.} ) ( {Possibly Aronian could have tried the solid} 23.Rb1 ) 23...Be5 24.Qxe3 Qd7 $1 {simply side-stepping the pin and creating a double-attack in the process. Nakamura is winning now.} ( 24...Qf6 $1 {would have won material as well.} ) 25.Qc1 Bd4+ 26.Kh1 Rxe1+ 27.Qxe1 Bxa1 28.Qxa1 Qxd3 0-1

[Event "E Chess.com Online Nations Cup"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2020.05.09"]
[Round "10.3"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[Beauty "7217155672096"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 Nxe5 8.Rxe5 O-O 9.d4 Bf6 {One of the most solid lines in the Berlin. White is trying to squeeze the tiniest of the advantages in a Petroff-like pawn structure.} 10.Re1 Re8 11.c3 Rxe1 12.Qxe1 Ne8 ( {The former compatriots discussed the consequences of the line} 12...c6 13.Bf4 Ne8 14.a4 d5 15.Bd3 g6 16.a5 Ng7 17.Nd2 Bf5 18.Bf1 Qd7 19.Nb3 Re8 {in a game which eventually ended peacefully, Bruzon Batista,L (2644)-Dominguez Perez,L (2758) Lichess.org INT 2020} ) 13.a4 d5 14.a5 {Since the pieces are far away from any clashes, Yu tries to gain some long-term advantages. Space, for instance.} 14...Nd6 15.Bf4 Bf5 16.Nd2 Bg5 17.Qe3 $146 {An obvious and logical novelty. Which should not challenge the evaluation of the position.} ( {An earlier game saw a quick draw after} 17.Bxg5 Qxg5 18.Nf3 Qd8 19.Ne5 f6 20.Nd3 c6 21.Qd1 Qc7 {1/2-1/2 (21) Kovalev, V (2660)-So,W (2765) Wijk aan Zee 2020} ) 17...Bxf4 18.Qxf4 Qd7 19.Nb3 Re8 {Once the rook comes into play on the open file White has very few resources left to press.} 20.Nc5 Qc8 21.a6 {This is the last one, which, however, looks risky.} 21...b6 22.Nb7 {Especially if one needs to self-isolate his knight like this.} 22...Ne4 $1 {Of course! The knight on b7 does not threaten anyone and should be left there.} 23.Re1 {But Yu has a very concrete idea in mind.} 23...Bd7 24.c4 Nf6 {So is carefully avoiding all the tactics so far and does not mind playing an endgame, especially with a knight on b7 for White.} 25.Rc1 Bc6 {So decided the time had come to collect the knight. But this is inaccurate.} ( {Correct was} 25...Re4 $1 {with an advantage for Black.} ) 26.c5 ( {Missing a tactical way to bring the knight back into the game. After} 26.Nd6 $3 cxd6 27.cxd5 Nxd5 28.Qxd6 Ne7 29.d5 Nxd5 30.Rxc6 Qf5 31.Rc1 {White is better as all his previous moves make sense now, especially the advance of the pawn all the way up to a6.} ) 26...Re4 {Now it is not the right time for this.. .} ( {The pawn was edible.} 26...Bxb7 27.axb7 Qxb7 28.cxb6 cxb6 {would be better for Black already.} ( {Or even:} 28...Qxb6 29.Qxc7 Qxb2 ) ) 27.Qg3 Bxb7 28.cxb6 $1 {Yu takes the second tactical opportunity and the advanced a-pawn(s) start to pay dividends.} ( {Instead,} 28.axb7 Qxb7 29.cxb6 Qxb6 30.Rxc7 g6 {would have been slightly better for Black due to the symmetrical pawn structure.} ) 28...Bxa6 29.Rxc7 ( {Better was the fabulous} 29.bxa7 $3 {Then So would have faced a difficult choice of how to defend against the raging white pawns:} 29...Ne8 ( {The other idea is} 29...Bxf1 30.Qxc7 Qa6 31.Rxf1 Re8 32.Rc1 {although here too, the white pawns are far more dangerous than the black knight.} ) 30.Bxa6 Qxa6 31.Qa3 $1 {Trying to clear the defender.} 31...Qc6 $1 {A nice tactic thanks to which Black does not lose on the spot.} 32.Ra1 Qa8 33.Qb4 Nd6 34.Qb8+ Re8 35.Qxc7 Nb5 36.Qd7 Nxa7 {Black manages to win one of the dangerous passers but after the air-opening} 37.g3 {he would soon lose the knight and would suffer in the arising major piece endgame.} ) 29...Qe8 30.Bxa6 Re1+ 31.Bf1 axb6 32.Qd3 g6 {The moment is gone for Yu and it is So who gets the initiative thank to his more active pieces.} 33.f3 Qa4 34.Kf2 Rd1 35.Qc3 {Too passive.} ( {White needed to demonstrate some activity with} 35.Qe3 $1 Qb4 {Now the not-so-obvious:} 36.g4 $1 {would have kept the chances slightly better for Black, but closer to even, say:} 36...Qxd4 ( {After} 36...Qxb2+ 37.Be2 {It is Black who needs to force a draw with} 37...Qd2 $1 ( {Or lose the game instead} 37...Rxd4 $2 38.Qe7 ) 38.Qe7 Ne4+ 39.fxe4 Qe1+ 40.Ke3 Qg1+ 41.Kf3 Qh1+ {with perpetual.} ) 37.Qxd4 Rxd4 38.Rc6 Rf4 39.Kg3 g5 40.h4 ( {Less good is} 40.Rxb6 Nxg4 $1 ) 40...h6 41.Be2 {when the draw is the most likely result.} ) 35...Kg7 ( {More precise was the immediate assault} 35...Qa1 $1 36.Be2 Rh1 ) 36.Bd3 Rh1 37.b3 $2 {This is definitely not helping.} ( {Yu still had reasonable chances for survival with} 37.Be2 $1 Rxh2 38.Rb7 ) 37...Qa2+ 38.Bc2 ( {Against the most resilient} 38.Be2 {So has the excellent computer maneuver} 38...Ne8 $3 39.Re7 Nd6 $1 40.Qe3 Qb1 {with a winning attack.} ) 38...Qa3 39.Qe3 Qa1 {All the black pieces united their efforts and the end was swift:} 40.Kg3 Re1 41.Qc3 Nh5+ 42.Kf2 Rf1+ 43.Ke3 Qc1+ 44.Qd2 Re1+ 45.Kd3 Nf4+ 46.Kc3 Re3+ 0-1

[Event "E Chess.com Online Nations Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.05.06"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2836"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "D85"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7354905014308"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Be3 c5 8.Rc1 Qa5 9.Qd2 O-O 10.Nf3 Bg4 11.d5 b5 12.Bxc5 {A very, very sharp Grunfeld arose.} ( {The world champion chose instead:} 12.Be2 Nd7 13.O-O Bxf3 14.Bxf3 c4 15.Be2 Rfd8 16.f4 Nb6 17.Bf3 Qa3 18.h4 {and eventually won in a spectacular attacking style in Carlsen,M (2875)-Grischuk,A (2775) Stavanger 2019} ) 12...Rc8 {[#]} 13.Bd4 $146 {An obvious, solid move, and a novelty.} ( {White was also successful in the predecessor:} 13.Bb4 Qc7 14.Nd4 a5 15.Ba3 b4 16.Bb2 Qb6 17.c4 a4 18.Be2 a3 19.Ba1 Bxe2 20.Kxe2 {Esipenko,A (2624) -Jones,G (2688) Douglas 2019} ) 13...Bxf3 14.Bxg7 Bxe4 {Enterprising but risky play by Nepomniachtchi.} ( {The computer suggestion seems safer:} 14...Bxg2 15.Bxg2 Kxg7 {Although White should be able to develop initiative after both:} 16.Qd4+ ( {Or:} 16.O-O {Black's king weakness is more important than the worse pawn structure for White.} ) ) 15.Bh6 Qb6 16.f3 {Now Ding builds a nice attacking position with tempos.} 16...Bf5 17.g4 Bd7 18.h4 {Easygoing. That is the word to discribe Ding's kingside play.} 18...Be8 19.h5 f6 {Brings the bishop out first.} ( {The obvious:} 19...Nd7 {could have been answered with either:} 20.Be3 $5 {To this Black needs to throw in the move:} ( {Or the preliminary:} 20.hxg6 fxg6 {Then:} 21.Be3 {Then Black can defend with:} 21...Qd6 ( {Although:} 21...Ne5 $5 {definitely deserves attention here too.} ) ) 20...Ne5 $1 21.Rh3 Qd6 {with unclear play where White seems better though.} ) 20.hxg6 Bxg6 21.Be3 Qd6 $1 {The best defense.} ( {Instead:} 21...Qb7 22.f4 Nd7 23.Bg2 {will leave the white pieces dominating.} ) 22.Bxb5 Nd7 {Now Black at least managed to finish their development and may start showing teeth too.} 23.Kf2 {Ding decided that his king can take care of the kingside squares personally.} ( {The other way to play it was related to:} 23.f4 Rab8 24.Bxd7 Qxd7 25.f5 Bf7 26.c4 {and thanks to his more active bishop, White is clearly better.} ) 23...Rab8 ( {Better was to keep the active knight on the board with:} 23...Ne5 $1 {Then if:} 24.Be2 ( {Perhaps Black disliked the exchange sacrifice here:} 24.c4 Nd3+ 25.Kg2 Nxc1 26.Rxc1 {when White has plenty of play for the exchange.} ) 24...Nc4 {and in comparison to the above line the white pawns cannot connect and limit the black bishop.} ) 24.Be2 ( {Still good for White was:} 24.Bxd7 Qxd7 25.c4 ) 24...Qa3 25.Bd4 Rb2 {Nepomniachtchi is back in the game. The white king is no longer safe.} 26.Qe3 Ne5 $1 {Temporarily sacrificing another pawn but liquidating into an endgame where the white king is still under pressure.} ( {Also interesting was:} 26...Qd6 $5 27.c4 Rxa2 ) 27.Bxe5 fxe5 28.Qxe5 Qd6 $1 {The point behind Black's play. Now after:} 29.Qxd6 exd6 {Black has tremendous initiative thanks to his active pieces and should not lose.} 30.Rhe1 Re8 ( {Black misses his first chance to draw at once:} 30...Bd3 $1 31.Kf1 Rf8 $1 {Forces a draw after:} 32.Bxd3 Rxf3+ 33.Kg1 Rg3+ ( {And Black can even play awhile with:} 33...Rxd3 ) ) 31.Rcd1 Rc8 ( {It was not too late for:} 31...Rxa2 32.c4 Rc2 {with the most likely result once again the draw.} ) 32.Kg3 Rxc3 33.a4 ( {More subtle would have been:} 33.Bf1 $1 Rxa2 34.Re6 Raa3 35.Be2 {when White has good winning chances.} ) 33...a5 34.Bf1 Rb4 ( {Missing his last chance:} 34...Rbb3 $1 35.Bg2 Bf7 {This deprives the white rook of the e6 square. Black should not worry:} 36.Re7 h5 37.g5 Rb4 $1 ) 35.Re6 $1 {Once Ding takes the key d6 pawn he is back in the driver's seat and does not let go until the end.} 35...Rxa4 36.Rxd6 Raa3 37.Rf6 Kg7 38.d6 $1 {Small tactics.} 38...Rc8 ( {Checks are over after:} 38...Kxf6 39.d7 Rxf3+ 40.Kh4 ) 39.d7 Rd8 40.Re6 Rb3 41.Re5 Rb7 ( {White's plan is revealed in the line:} 41...a4 42.Bb5 a3 43.Re8 $1 ) 42.Bb5 Bc2 43.Rd2 Bg6 44.Re8 {But this happens anyway and the pawn makes it through.} 44...Rbb8 45.Rde2 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Online Nations Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.05.07"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2829"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[Beauty "4677353614359"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 Bf5 7.Qf3 {This line is extremely popular the Nations Cup.} 7...Bg6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.Qxf6 gxf6 10.Nf3 Nd7 11.Nh4 Be7 12.Be2 ( {In what turned out to tbe the last super over-the-board tournamnet of 2020, another set-up was tested by White:} 12.Ne2 f5 13.g3 Bxh4 14.gxh4 Nf6 15.Nf4 Nh5 16.Be2 ( {And an important update was produced by the former world champion yesterday with the assistance of the top Chinese board:} 16.Kd2 Nxf4 17.exf4 a5 18.Be2 h5 19.Rae1 Kd7 20.Bd3 Rae8 21.Re5 f6 22.Re3 Rxe3 23.fxe3 Ke6 {Black eventually held in Ding,L (2791)-Anand,V (2753) chess.com INT 2020} ) 16...Nxf4 17.exf4 {Ganguly,S (2636)-L'Ami,E (2606) Wijk aan Zee 2020} ) 12...f5 13.Nf3 {[#]} 13...Nb6 $146 ( {The predecessor saw:} 13...Bd6 14.g3 Nf6 15.Nh4 Ne4 16.Bd3 Be7 17.Ne2 Bxh4 18.gxh4 Bh5 19.Nf4 Bf3 20.Rf1 Rg8 21.Be2 Bxe2 22.Kxe2 {Coco,C (2433)-Calzolari,G (2510) Italy 1999} ) 14.O-O {Nakamura thought that "the opening was pretty reasonable".} 14...a5 15.Bd3 Bd6 16.g3 {Black's kingside is his main pain.} 16...Ke7 17.Ne2 Kf6 {"Somewhere around here I started drifting. There really was not any need to put the knight on f4." (Nakamura)} 18.Nf4 ( 18.Nh4 {followed by Rf1-c1 was recommended by the American GM after the game.} ) 18...a4 19.Rac1 Nd7 20.Rc2 Nf8 21.Ng2 {"A ridiculous move." (Nakamura)} ( {However, White was afraid of the possible capture on f4, for example:} 21.a3 Bxf4 22.exf4 ( 22.gxf4 Bh5 23.Ne5 Rg8+ 24.Kh1 Bg4 {"and long term it should be fine for Black."} ) 22...Bh5 {followed by Nf8-e6 "I am going to lose the d4 pawn of course." (Nakamura)} ) ( 21.Ne1 $5 {might have been an alternative though. Then in the suggested by Nakamura line:} 21...Bxf4 22.gxf4 Rg8 {White has:} 23.f3 Bh5+ 24.Kf2 {keeping the black bishop locked.} ) 21...Ne6 22.Nfh4 {That is a real mistake.} ( {White intended:} 22.Rb1 {followed by b2-b3, but overlooked from afar:} 22...c5 23.dxc5 Nxc5 24.Be2 $2 ( 24.Nfe1 Nxd3 25.Nxd3 f4 {"and Black is completely fine. " (Nakamura)} ) 24...f4 ) ( 22.Ngh4 {would have been much better though, as then Anand would not have had the:} 22...f4 {idea. In the line:} 23.Nxg6 hxg6 24.exf4 {the d4 pawn is covered.} ) 22...f4 $1 {Anand would not miss a chance to bring his bishops into the battle. White completely underestimated this.} 23.Bxg6 ( {Stronger was:} 23.Nxg6 hxg6 24.Nxf4 Bxf4 25.gxf4 Rh3 {with ample compensation for pawn, but not much more.} ) 23...hxg6 24.gxf4 Rag8 {Now the knights which have to defend each other become fragile.} 25.Kh1 ( {The line:} 25.Nf3 g5 26.Nxg5 Nxg5 27.fxg5+ Kxg5 28.f4+ Kf5 29.Rf3 Ke4 $1 {also looks highly suspicious for White but might have been the lesser evil.} ) 25...g5 26.fxg5+ Nxg5 27.f3 {Obviously, White believed he is in time for e3-e4 with huge counterplay but:} 27...Ke6 $1 {A very strong maneuver according to Nakamura: "It is already very bad for White if not tactically lost."} 28.Re2 Kd7 $1 {Anand left the danger zone with his king and can take care of the knights.} 29.e4 Rh5 30.e5 {"I played this for really no good reason." (Nakamura)} ( 30.exd5 cxd5 {should not have changed anything though.} ) 30...Bc7 31.f4 Ne4 32.f5 Rg4 33.Rf3 Rgxh4 {"Very rash and completeley unnecessary." (Nakamura)} ( {A couple of more cautious alternative were suggested instead by the American:} 33...c5 $1 ) ( {Or:} 33...Bd8 $1 {In both cases "White runs out of moves to play." (Nakamura)} ) 34.Nxh4 Rxh4 35.Rg2 {Black is still winning but it is easier to play this as White.} 35...Rh7 ( {Here Anand could have won neatly with:} 35...Bb6 $1 {Then:} 36.e6+ {seems awkward for Black, but he has:} 36...Ke7 $1 37.Rg7 Nd6 {and once that the position stabilizes everything falls apart for White.} ) 36.b3 ( {White even thought that he would draw easily with:} 36.f6 {But to his horror saw:} 36...Rh8 $1 ( 36...Ke6 37.Rg8 ) ( {Whereas after:} 36...c5 37.Rg7 $1 {"I am just gonna win." (Nakamura)} ) ) 36...c5 ( {Slowly breaking the pawn structure was most disliked by White:} 36...axb3 37.axb3 b6 ) 37.e6+ {Now it gets very tricky due to the big liquidation of material.} 37...Ke7 ( {There was nothing wrong with:} 37...fxe6 38.fxe6+ Kxe6 39.Rg6+ Kd7 {winning.} ) 38.dxc5 fxe6 39.fxe6 Kxe6 ( {Instead:} 39...axb3 40.axb3 ( {Or:} 40.Rxb3 Nxc5 ) 40...Nxc5 {"has to be winning for Black, because the black remaining are well placed as well as the knight." (Nakamura)} ) 40.Rg6+ Ke5 41.c6 bxc6 42.Rxc6 {Too many pawns have been traded and this makes White's task easier.} 42...Bd6 ( {Therefore, the move:} 42...a3 $1 {made perfect sense for Anand, keeping a future queen on the board.} ) 43.bxa4 {"It is already very hard for Black to win, although he should still be winning." (Nakamura)} 43...Ra7 44.Rc2 Rxa4 45.h4 {"Now it is very hard to co-ordinate the pieces (for Black.)" (Nakamura)} 45...Rc4 46.Re2 d4 47.Kg2 Rc7 ( 47...Kd5 $1 {out of the pin was perhaps Black's last realistic winning attempt.} ) 48.h5 Rh7 49.Rh3 Kd5 50.h6 Nf6 51.a4 Ng4 52.a5 Nxh6 {With his knight pinned Anand should no longer be winning. However, in the time trouble an opportunity occurs again for the world champion.} 53.Rh5+ Kc4 54.Rc2+ ( 54.a6 $1 {would ahve been a draw at once, for example:} 54...Rg7+ 55.Kh1 Bf4 56.Ra2 Ra7 57.Kg2 ) 54...Kd3 55.Rc6 Bf4 ( {Missing the chance:} 55...Rg7+ $1 56.Kh1 ( {Or:} 56.Kf1 Rf7+ 57.Kg2 Nf5 ) 56...Bf4 {might have still won for Black as Nakamura can never capture on h6- his king is out of the game.} ) 56.Rf6 Be3 57.Kf3 {Now White held with confidence.} 57...Ra7 58.a6 Nf7 59.Rb5 Ng5+ 60.Kg4 Ne4 61.Rg6 Ra8 62.Ra5 Ke2 63.Ra2+ Nd2 64.a7 d3 65.Re6 Kf2 66.Rd6 Rxa7 67.Rxa7 Bxa7 68.Rxd3 Be3 69.Rxe3 Kxe3 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Chess.com Online Nations Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.05.08"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[ECO "E46"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8110781294140"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Ne2 Re8 6.a3 Bf8 7.Ng3 d5 8.Be2 b6 9.O-O Bb7 10.cxd5 ( {At the last World Cup Alexandrov tested another plan instead:} 10.b4 Nbd7 11.Qb3 c6 12.Rd1 a5 13.Bd2 axb4 14.axb4 Qe7 15.cxd5 exd5 16.Qc2 g6 {but Black does not seem to experience any problems whatsoever, Aleksandrov,A (2577)-Le,Q (2708) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 10...exd5 11.b4 Nbd7 12.Qb3 c6 13.f3 {After stabilizing his queenside and forcing the opponent to block his light-squared bishop, Yu prepares the "Botvinnik" breakthrough e2-e4.} 13...a5 ( {An alternative is} 13...Rb8 $5 {which prepares to meet} 14.e4 {with the counter-central break} 14...c5 {Rule of thumb: "Meet e3-e4 with c6(c7)-c5 whenever possible. True, here it may not be best though after the concrete} 15.Bf4 ) 14.Rb1 b5 $146 {A novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw the preliminary capture} 14...axb4 {which makes perfect sense. After} 15.axb4 b5 16.e4 Qb6 {White blundered positionally with} 17.exd5 $2 ( {Both} 17.Rd1 $1 ) ( {and even} 17.Qd1 $1 {in order to prepare e4-e5 in the future should have been preferred.} ) 17...Nxd5 18.Nxd5 cxd5 {Then blundered again:} 19.Qd3 $2 Ne5 $1 20.Qd2 ( 20.Qxb5 Qxd4+ 21.Rf2 Bc6 {traps the queen.} ) 20...Nc4 {and Black was essentially winning in Flear,G (2445)-Cornette,M (2548) Saint Affrique 2019} ) 15.e4 Nb6 $2 {There is simply not enough time for this positional maneuver.} ( {Duda needed to follow the footprints of Cornette with:} 15...Qb6 $1 {aiming at White's center. Then} 16.Rd1 axb4 17.axb4 Ne5 {may be countered with:} ( {However, the computer idea to pressure the center with:} 17...g6 $5 18.Kh1 h5 {may lead to unclear play instead.} ) 18.Bg5 $1 Nc4 19.Bxf6 {and Black's kingside is too exposed.} ) 16.e5 {The pawn moved from e3 to e5 and this is a huge improvement for White. Yu might be already strategically winning.} 16...Nfd7 17.f4 Nc4 18.Kh1 $1 {Some prophylaxis even when attacking may pay with interest.} ( {But not} 18.f5 Qb6 19.Kh1 Ndxe5 ) 18...Qb6 ( {The attack runs by itself after} 18...axb4 19.axb4 g6 20.Bd3 ) 19.Qd1 Nb8 $5 {A desperate attempt to bring his opponent's attention to the queenside.} 20.f5 {Yu is not amused.} 20...Na6 ( {After} 20...axb4 21.axb4 Na6 {White has the nasty} 22.Bh5 $5 Nxb4 {when a flashy win would be} 23.Bxf7+ $1 ( 23.e6 $1 {should also do though.} ) 23...Kxf7 24.f6 g6 25.Qg4 {and there is no defense against the Qg4-h4xh7+ threat.} ) 21.Bxc4 $1 {The simplest way of depriving Duda of any counterplay.} 21...dxc4 ( {Or} 21...bxc4 22.bxa5 ) 22.Qg4 {And the black bishop alone cannot oppose the huge kingside storm.} 22...Red8 ( {Nothing helps:} 22...axb4 23.axb4 Nxb4 {is well met with} 24.Rxb4 $1 Bxb4 25.Nh5 g6 ( {If} 25...Bf8 26.Nxg7 Bxg7 27.f6 ) 26.Nf6+ Kg7 27.Qh4 h5 28.Nxh5+ gxh5 29.f6+ {and mate follows.} ) 23.Be3 axb4 24.axb4 Nxb4 ( {Against the other capture} 24...Bxb4 {White's answer will be the same:} 25.Rxb4 ) 25.Rxb4 Ra3 ( {Here} 25...Bxb4 {loses even faster to} 26.Bh6 g6 ( {Instead:} 26...Bf8 27.Bxg7 Bxg7 28.f6 {is a familiar mating pattern.} ) 27.fxg6 hxg6 28.Nce4 {with the unstoppable threat of Ne4-f6+.} ) 26.Nge4 Rxc3 27.Nxc3 Bxb4 28.Bh6 g6 29.fxg6 hxg6 30.e6 $1 {The rest was piece of cake for the Chinese GM:} 30...Qxd4 31.Ne4 Qd3 32.exf7+ Kh7 33.Ng5+ Kh8 ( {Or:} 33...Kxh6 34.Qh4+ Kg7 35.Ne6# ) 34.Bg7+ {Duda resigned three moves before the mate.} ( 34.Bg7+ Kxg7 35.Ne6+ Kh6 36.Qh4# ) 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Online Nations Cup"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.05.10"]
[Round "11.3"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8114266982452"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 {After yesterday's defeat the Chinese GM decided to try something completely different.} 1...Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 d5 5.Qb3 c5 6.dxc5 Na6 ( {In Wijk aan Zee Yu faced:} 6...Nc6 7.Bg5 dxc4 8.Qxc4 h6 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.e3 Qe7 11.Rc1 Qxc5 12.Qb3 Qb6 13.a3 Bxc3+ 14.Qxc3 O-O 15.Bd3 {with a slight edge, Yu,Y (2726)-Anand,V (2758) Wijk aan Zee 2020} ) 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.c6 $146 {Yu is fully prepared for the game and uncorks a novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw} 8.Bd2 Nxc5 9.Qc4 O-O 10.Rd1 Qa5 11.Nxd5 Bxd2+ 12.Nxd2 exd5 13.Qc3 Qxc3 14.bxc3 Be6 15.e3 Na4 16.Nb1 Rac8 17.Kd2 Rc5 {Grybas,G (2028)-Clemente Llamero,R (2157) Ohrid 2017} ) 8...Qa5 9.Bd2 bxc6 10.g3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Be7 12.Bg2 O-O 13.O-O e5 {The position is deceptively harmless for the second player. White's Catalan bishop is always a monster whereas the queen can find a path to the enemy weaknesses.} 14.Qc2 $1 {An excellent idea. The queen is restricting the activity of the black pieces.} ( 14.Qc4 {looks more to the point, but Black can sacrifice a pawn with} 14...Be6 15.Qxc6 Rac8 16.Qe4 f6 {obtaining certain compensation for it.} ) 14...Qc7 ( {After} 14...Be6 {White can win the bishop pair at once with:} 15.Ng5 ( {Or a bit later, after} 15.Rfd1 f6 16.Nh4 ) ) 15.Qe4 f6 16.Qc4+ {Now that the black queen is back, the white one moves to a better position.} 16...Kh8 17.Be3 Nb8 {So cannot tolerate his poor knight and tries to relocate it. In the process, he frees the a6-f1 diagonal for his bishop.} ( {After} 17...Rb8 18.Nd2 c5 {Yu can mount pressure with} 19.f4 ) 18.Rfd1 Ba6 19.Qe6 Bxe2 {Biting the bullet.} ( {However, more cautious seemed to first expel the queen:} 19...Bc8 $5 20.Qc4 Ba6 21.Qe4 {and then grab the pawn:} 21...Bxe2 22.Rd2 {True, in that case White also has ample compensation for the pawn, but not as much as in the game.} ) 20.Rd2 Ba6 21.Nh4 {Now the light squares in So's camp are horrible, and he has to watch out not to get checkmated.} ( {There is an alternative way to develop the initiative:} 21.Rad1 $5 Bc8 22.Qc4 Nd7 {with the tactical idea} 23.Ng5 $1 fxg5 24.Qxc6 Qxc6 25.Bxc6 Rb8 26.Bxd7 {White regains the pawn and is obviously better.} ) 21...Bc8 22.Qc4 f5 ( {Apparently White would not repeat in case of} 22...Ba6 23.Qg4 Bc8 24.Qh5 Kg8 25.Be4 {and start a decisive attack instead.} ) 23.Nf3 h6 {After this, White's attack is running by itself.} ( {The last chance to hold was the line} 23...Nd7 24.Ng5 Bxg5 25.Bxg5 e4 26.Bf4 Qb6 27.Rd6 Ba6 28.Qxc6 Qxc6 29.Rxc6 Bb5 ) 24.Rad1 Kh7 25.h4 $1 {Clearly indicating what is about to happen next.} ( {The alternative is} 25.Bc5 $1 e4 26.Nh4 {With excellent attacking prospects, the point is that} 26...g5 {fails tactically to} 27.Nxf5 $3 Bxf5 28.Bxe4 Bxc5 29.Qxc5 Qf7 30.Rd8 $1 {When the pinned bishop would not survive.} ) 25...Rf6 {However, when a brilliancy is set to happen, it happens:} ( {In hindsight he should have suffered longer with} 25...e4 26.Nd4 ) 26.Ng5+ $3 {No one can accuse Yu of being inconsistent!} 26...hxg5 27.hxg5 Rg6 {This surprisingly loses at once.} ( {More resilient is} 27...Re6 {as then the idea of the game} 28.Bd5 $2 {would not work due to} ( 28.Bh3 $1 g6 ( 28...Rg6 $1 29.f4 ( 29.Qf7 Bd6 ) 29...e4 30.Qe2 ) 29.Qh4+ Kg8 30.Bc5 $3 Bxc5 31.Rd8+ Bf8 32.Rxf8+ Kxf8 33.Qh8+ ) 28...Ba6 $1 29.Qh4+ Rh6 $1 ) 28.Bd5 $1 f4 $1 {The last chance.} ( {Now} 28...Ba6 {is refuted by} 29.Bg8+ Kh8 30.Qf7 {which is White's main threat.} ) 29.Be4 $1 {The simplest. Not only the rook on g6 is doomed, but the black king will not survive the assault.} ( {So has saved dozens of games with inventive defense and here the tempting} 29.Bg8+ Kh8 30.Qf7 Rxg5 {might have added one more to this string. But Yu shows no mercy.} ) 29...Bxg5 30.Rd6 Bf6 31.Kg2 {Mate is unstoppable even after the forcing} 31...f3+ 32.Kxf3 Bg4+ 33.Kg2 Bxd1 34.Rxd1 1-0

[Event "E Online Steinitz Memorial"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.05.15"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2887"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[ECO "A00"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[Beauty "5225096163865"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.c3 e5 2.c4 ( {The reversed version of the Caro-Kann can appear on board after:} 2.d4 exd4 3.cxd4 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.Bf4 Bd6 6.Bxd6 Qxd6 7.e3 Ne7 8.Bd3 Bf5 9.Nge2 {as in Karjakin,S (2773)-Aronian,L (2767) Saint Louis 2018} ) 2...Nf6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.h4 {Carlsen apparently insisted on trying this one more time!} ( 4.a3 Bxc3 5.bxc3 O-O 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.g3 d6 8.d3 Bg4 9.Bg2 Re8 10.h3 Qd7 {was Madamombe,A-Hinda,O Port Elizabeth 2016 and here it states that Black won at this point of the game, which sounds highly suspicious to me.} ) 4...O-O 5.e3 c6 {A classical approach by a classical player.} 6.g4 {OK, now it starts to make sense. Carlsen is fighting for the center the way people do it in the Reti opening. And the way another great Scandinavian, Bent Larsen, loved to do with the g-pawn.} 6...d5 {A central break against the g-pawn thrust.} 7.g5 Ne8 ( {Instead} 7...Ne4 $5 {would have been even better. Black needs not to worry about his e4 pawn in the line} 8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.Bg2 f5 10.gxf6 Qxf6 {with such lead in the development Black can afford a weakness or two.} ) 8.a3 Be7 ( {Here too, Svidler had a better alternative:} 8...Bxc3 9.bxc3 Nd6 {In order to fight for the initiative and the light squares it makes sense to give up the bishop pair. But look how far behind Carlsen will be in the development then and how exposed the light squares in his camp will be.} ) 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.d4 {The world champion does not allow d5-d4.} 10...exd4 11.exd4 Nc6 12.Bg2 Nc7 {Very solid play by the Russian GM.} ( {Had this been a slower game he might have chosen the more aggressive} 12...Nd6 13.Nxd5 Nf5 {with a serious initiative for the pawn.} ) 13.Nge2 Bf5 14.Ng3 Be6 15.O-O {The opening was a success for both sides. Svidler has an excellent position with all his pieces out, while Carlsen... managed to castle.} 15...Qd7 ( {This was the last moment in which Black could have underlined the opponent's kingside weaknesses with} 15...f6 $1 16.f4 Bd6 ) 16.Bf4 Rad8 17.Re1 Rfe8 18.Qd3 {From a strategical point of view now everything makes sense for Carlsen. He has pressure against the d5 pawn whereas his opponent is too far away from the alternative weakness on d4. The extra space on the kingside also adds strength to the first player's position. All in all, Svidler has to be careful.} 18...Bd6 {Initiating relieving trades.} 19.Nh5 ( 19.Nge2 {was more accurate, intending to meet} 19...Bg4 {with} 20.Qg3 ( {Or} 20.Bxd6 Qxd6 21.Qg3 {with slight pressure for White.} ) ) 19...Bg4 20.Rxe8+ Rxe8 21.Bxd6 Qxd6 22.Qg3 Qxg3 23.Nxg3 {With the knight on e2 this would not be forced. Now more trades take place.} 23...Nxd4 24.Nxd5 Nxd5 25.Bxd5 Kf8 ( {Svidler was likely afraid of the distant passer in the line} 25...Bf3 26.Bxf3 Nxf3+ 27.Kf1 Nxh4 28.Rd1 Nf3 29.Rd7 Nxg5 30.Rxb7 Ra8 {but a pawn is a pawn and here Black should not be in any trouble.} ) 26.Bxb7 Rb8 27.Be4 Rxb2 28.Rc1 {Whereas now Black still needs to demonstrate accuracy.} 28...Rb3 ( 28...g6 $5 {in order to limit the enemy pieces made a lot of sense.} ) 29.Rc4 Nf3+ 30.Bxf3 Bxf3 31.Nf5 Ke8 {Panic in the time trouble!} ( 31...Bb7 $1 {would have been better, not fearing} 32.Rd4 f6 {with a likely draw.} ) 32.Rc7 Bd5 33.Nxg7+ {Now Carlsen wins a fat pawn...} 33...Kd8 34.Rc5 Bb7 35.Ra5 {...but then goes astray.} ( 35.Nf5 $1 Rxa3 36.Nd6 Bf3 37.Nxf7+ Ke7 38.Rc7+ Ke6 39.Kh2 {would have promised White serious winning chances, although the excellent bishop might have helped Svidler survive.} ) 35...Rh3 36.Kf1 Rxh4 37.Rxa7 $4 {Everything in accordance with the plan, and... wrong!} 37...Kc7 ( 37...Bf3 $1 {would have checkmated the world champion!} 38.Ke1 Rd4 ) 38.Ra5 h6 {Svidler is still fixated on a draw and misses a second chance. The move in the game trades more pawns and is logical, but the king would have been priority, even in the endgame.} ( 38...Bf3 $1 {was still winning after} 39.Ke1 Rd4 40.Rc5+ Kd7 41.Rc1 Rd5 {when the knight is trapped and Black simply goes with his king to f8 to pick it up.} ) 39.gxh6 Rxh6 40.Rf5 Ba6+ 41.Ke1 Rh3 42.Rxf7+ Kb6 {The limited material saves Black.} 43.f3 Rh1+ ( 43...Bb7 {would have been easier.} ) 44.Kf2 Ra1 45.Rf6+ Ka5 46.Ne6 Rxa3 {And Black survived after} 47.Nd4 Bc4 48.Kg3 Kb4 {Just because Carlsen missed a simple shot too.} 49.Kf4 ( 49.Nc2+ {would have won for the Norwegian.} ) 49...Kc3 50.Ke4 Ra8 51.Nc6 Be2 52.f4 Ra4+ 53.Ke5 Bf3 54.f5 Ra6 55.Nd4 Rxf6 56.Nb5+ Kd2 57.Kxf6 Bg4 58.Ke5 Bxf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Online Steinitz Memorial"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.05.16"]
[Round "10.5"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2887"]
[ECO "C91"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7152198242322"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 ( {No more Mr. Nice guy's opening:} 1...c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 h5 ) 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 d6 5.O-O Be7 6.c3 O-O 7.Re1 a6 8.Ba4 Re8 9.Nbd2 b5 10.Bc2 Bf8 11.d4 Bb7 12.a4 ( {With so many online games going on, it was not difficult to find a recent top GM discussion:} 12.b3 b4 13.Bb2 a5 14.d5 Nb8 15.Nc4 c6 16.dxc6 Nxc6 17.a3 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Caruana,F (2835) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 12...Nb8 13.Bd3 {The better diagonal for the bishop in this line. White keeps the road clear for his queenside pawns.} 13...c6 14.b3 $146 {Solid Ruy Lopez play by Svidler.} ( {An earlier game saw the immediate} 14.b4 Nbd7 15.Nb3 Qc7 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.Bg5 Re6 18.Na5 Bc8 19.Bd2 Nb6 20.axb5 cxb5 21.Qe2 Re8 22.c4 {Slobodjan,R (2458)-Kreuzer,M (2335) Kelheim 2017} ) 14...Nbd7 15.Qc2 Qc7 16.Bb2 Nh5 ( 16...g6 {looks more in the spirit of the line.} ) 17.Bf1 {White is not impressed by the knight maneuver and hides the bishop from the annoying knight while keeping the pressure.} 17...Nf4 18.g3 Ne6 19.b4 {The time for this move has come. Now White is ready to manipulate the pawn structure in his favor with a timely c3-c4 or send his knight all the way to the a5-outpost.} 19...Nb6 20.axb5 cxb5 {Carlsen is avoiding the symmetrical pawn structure, but this turns out to be a mistake.} ( {After the correct} 20...axb5 21.dxe5 dxe5 22.Rxa8 Rxa8 {White will keep a slight initiative with} 23.c4 {although the following trades may exhaust the position to a draw:} 23...Bxb4 24.cxb5 cxb5 25.Qxc7 Nxc7 26.Bxe5 Ne6 27.Bxb5 Rd8 28.Re2 Nd7 29.Bb2 Ndc5 {and despite the extra pawn White can hardly make any progress.} ) 21.d5 $1 {Svidler locks the position just in time.} 21...Nd4 {The only active try.} ( 21...Nd8 22.Nh4 ( {Or} 22.c4 {is not what Black plays the Ruy Lopez for!} ) ) 22.Nxd4 exd4 23.c4 $1 {But now another problem becomes obvious: the d4-pawn is doomed.} 23...Rac8 ( {The immediate attempt for counterplay} 23...f5 {may backfire after} 24.Bxd4 fxe4 25.Nxe4 Nxd5 26.Ng5 $1 {with a winning kingside attack. One beautiful line is} 26...Nf6 27.Bd3 h6 28.Bb6 $3 Qxb6 29.Bh7+ Kh8 30.Nf7# ) 24.Bxd4 Nxc4 25.Nxc4 bxc4 {The d4 weakness was traded for another one on c4. The pawn on a6 is in trouble too. All in all, Black is in huge trouble, but both players were under 30 seconds on the clock here.} 26.Rac1 {Played instantly.} ( {While observing the game online, I thought Svidler would choose} 26.Bc3 {and would win by transferring his queen to d4 with a direct kingside attack.} ) ( {Also good is} 26.Bh3 $5 {depriving Black of any active chances.} ) 26...f5 $1 {Now Carlsen finds a way to muddy the waters.} 27.Bh3 fxe4 28.Bxc8 Rxc8 29.Qxe4 Qf7 30.Qg4 ( 30.Qe6 Bxd5 ) 30...Qxd5 {With the drop of this key pawn, White's advantage is lessened severely. The two bishops and the potential central passers keep Black in the game.} 31.Qe6+ Qxe6 32.Rxe6 Kf7 33.Re3 Bd5 34.Bc3 Bc6 35.Ra1 Ra8 ( 35...Bb5 $5 {keeping the rook on the c-file might have been somewhat better.} ) 36.Rae1 ( {It made sense to expand on the kingside at once:} 36.h4 $5 ) 36...d5 ( {Here better is} 36...Rd8 37.Ra1 Bb5 38.Rd1 d5 {with full compensation for the exchange. More importantly, Black would have kept the enemy pieces away.} ) 37.Rf3+ Kg8 38.Re6 {Now Svidler seizes the initiative again.} 38...Rc8 39.Rf4 Bb5 ( {Missing the chance to activate his second bishop with} 39...g6 $1 40.Kf1 Bb5 {when a draw is the most likely result after} 41.Ke2 d4 42.Rxd4 Bg7 43.Kd2 ) 40.h4 Rd8 ( {Here} 40...g6 {looks less logical but is still the thing to do:} 41.h5 Bh6 $1 42.Rf3 Bg7 $1 {This would lift the blockade of the black passers, and White would be forced to go for perpetual sooner or later, say in the line} 43.Bxg7 Kxg7 44.Re7+ Kh6 45.hxg6 Kxg6 46.Re6+ ) 41.Rb6 Bd6 42.Rg4 Rd7 ( {It is too late for} 42...Bf8 43.Rb7 ) 43.h5 ( {Svidler misses a tactical shot:} 43.Bxg7 $1 {when Black's postion would fall apart after} 43...Rxg7 44.Rxg7+ Kxg7 45.Rxd6 d4 46.Rxd4 ) 43...h6 ( {The last chance was} 43...Bc7 44.Re6 Bd8 ) 44.Rg6 ( 44.Bxg7 $1 {was still there.} ) 44...Bf8 45.Bd4 Bxb4 ( {After} 45...Rc7 $1 {anything was still possible as the black passers are set to run:} 46.Bc3 $2 d4 $1 ) 46.Rb8+ Kh7 47.f4 $3 {Without any thought Svidler produces mate a la Carlsen.} 47...c3 48.Rxh6+ $3 {Copycat by the world champion's final touch of his match against Karjakin.} 1-0

[Event "E Online Steinitz Memorial"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.05.17"]
[Round "15.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2887"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7219709743676"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.c3 Nf6 5.Qe2 a6 6.Ba4 b5 7.Bc2 Bb7 ( {The other plan is connected with the development of the bishop to e7} 7...e5 8.O-O Be7 {which leads to a typical Ruy Lopez position. A recent top GM example:} 9.d4 O-O 10.Rd1 Qc7 11.d5 c4 12.Nbd2 Nc5 13.b3 a5 14.bxc4 bxc4 15.Nf1 {as in Mamedov,R (2645)-Wang,H (2726) Isle of Man 2019} ) 8.O-O g6 {Flexible development by Grischuk. The bishops are ideally placed on the long diagonals.} 9.d4 Bg7 10.b3 $146 {Carlsen has his own way.} ( {An earlier game saw Black doing fine after the sharp} 10.e5 dxe5 11.dxe5 Bxf3 12.gxf3 Nd5 13.e6 N7f6 14.c4 bxc4 15.exf7+ Kxf7 16.Nd2 {Mamedov,R (2701) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2771) Astana 2019} ) 10...O-O 11.Bb2 e5 {Entering the Ruy Lopez territory.} ( {However, Grischuk misses a chance to put the opponent's idea to a test with} 11...Rc8 $1 {Then the normal development of the white pieces is obstructed:} 12.Nbd2 $6 ( {Whereas a more cautious move like} 12.Bd3 {would not pose Black any problems after} 12...cxd4 13.cxd4 e5 14.dxe5 dxe5 {as the pawn is immune:} 15.Nxe5 $4 Nh5 $1 {loses material for White.} ) 12...cxd4 13.Nxd4 e5 14.N4f3 d5 $1 {takes over the initiative for Black.} ) 12.d5 {The slow development tells again, and Carlsen blocks the center to avoid the opening of the position.} 12...Nh5 13.g3 Nb6 {Not in the right direction.} ( {More to the point is the immediate} 13...f5 14.Nbd2 Ndf6 {with double-edged but pleasant play for the second player as he will soon bring his bishop to the c8-h3 diagonal.} ) 14.a4 f5 ( {The computer suggestion} 14...bxa4 15.bxa4 a5 16.c4 ( 16.Na3 $5 ) 16...Bc8 {only shows that the black knight on b6 is out of business.} ) 15.c4 bxc4 16.bxc4 f4 {A signal for the kingside assault.} ( {It is a bit late for} 16...Bc8 17.a5 $1 fxe4 18.Nfd2 e3 19.Qxe3 Nd7 20.Ne4 {and thanks to the control of the vital e4-pawn, White is significantly better.} ) 17.a5 ( {More accurate is the preliminary} 17.g4 Nf6 18.a5 ) 17...Nd7 ( {Grischuk could have used the inaccuracy to open the f-file for his pieces with} 17...fxg3 {as} 18.axb6 $2 Nf4 19.Qd1 g2 20.Re1 Nh3+ 21.Kxg2 Qd7 {more than compensates Black for the sacrificed piece.} ) 18.g4 $1 {Black's attack is over before it even starts.} 18...Nhf6 19.g5 Nh5 20.Kh1 Rf7 21.Nbd2 h6 {Black is impatient to open the kingside, but this only pours gasoline onto the fire.} ( {A more patient approach should have been preferred:} 21...Bc8 22.Rg1 Rb8 23.Bc3 Nf8 {Although White is much better here as well after something solid like} 24.Qf1 $5 ) 22.Rg1 Nf8 ( {Since} 22...hxg5 {only brings the white pieces closer to the black king:} 23.Nxg5 {followed by Ng5-e6 with an attack.} ( {Or} 23.Rxg5 Nf8 24.Rag1 {which is also good for White.} ) ) 23.gxh6 Bxh6 24.Nxe5 $1 {Most likely missed by Grischuk. Black's position collapses.} 24...f3 {The only chance is related to tactics, but Carlsen is precise.} ( {Or} 24...dxe5 25.Qxh5 ) 25.Nxf7 {Apparently this was what the world champion intended when he sacrificed the piece.} ( {Although a more beautiful win would have been} 25.Nxg6 fxe2 26.Ne7+ Kh7 27.e5+ Ng6 28.Bxg6+ Kg7 29.Bxh5+ Kf8 30.Ng6+ Ke8 31.Ne4 {when Black lacks good advice.} ) 25...fxe2 26.Nxd8 Rxd8 ( {The more resilient} 26...Bxd2 27.Nxb7 Rb8 28.Bc1 e1=Q 29.Rxe1 Bxe1 30.Nxd6 Bxf2 {would not have saved Grischuk either.} ) 27.Nf3 Bc8 28.Rae1 Nf4 29.Bc1 {The forcing play is over, and Carlsen collects his bonuses.} 29...Kf7 30.Ng5+ Bxg5 31.Rxg5 Nh3 32.Rg3 Nxf2+ 33.Kg2 Ng4 34.Bb2 Re8 35.Rxe2 Ne5 36.Rf2+ Kg7 37.Rgf3 Nd7 38.Ba4 {The pins force further trades.} 38...Kh6 39.Rh3+ Kg7 40.Bxd7 Bxd7 41.Rhf3 Kh6 42.Bxe5 Rxe5 43.Rf4 Ba4 44.Rb2 Kh5 45.Rb8 {Finally, the rooks mate.} 45...g5 46.Rf6 Rxe4 47.Rh8+ 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.05.19"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2703"]
[ECO "D05"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6945364781102"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 e6 4.Nbd2 c5 5.b3 Bd6 6.Bb2 O-O 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.O-O Qc7 ( {Another to way to develop is} 8...b6 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.c4 dxc4 11.Nxc4 Bb7 12.Qe2 Qe7 13.Ng5 Rfd8 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Bxh7+ Kf8 {as in Wojtaszek,R (2749)-Ganguly,S (2668) Doha 2016} ) 9.c4 cxd4 10.exd4 Bd7 ( {Judging by the course of the game, it probably made sense to consider} 10...b6 $5 {when Black is heading for a position with hanging white pawns on c4 and d4.} ) 11.Re1 Rfd8 $146 ( {An earlier game witnessed a quick draw after} 11...Rad8 12.c5 Bf4 13.g3 Bh6 14.a3 {1/2-1/2 (14) Huber,F (2007)-Khamenya,V (1770) Bayerisch Eisenstein 2018} ) 12.c5 {That is the thing, Aronian seizes loads of space on the queenside.} 12...Bf4 {Black is trying to keep his bishop as active as he can.} ( 12...Be7 13.Ne5 {is better for White as well.} ) 13.g3 Bh6 14.a3 g6 {After somewhat weakening the enemy kingside, Firouzja fianchettoes his bishop.} ( {He could have slowed down White a bit with} 14...a5 15.Qe2 {although this should not change the assessment of the position as favorable for White.} ) 15.b4 Bg7 16.Rc1 ( {Also good was the immediate} 16.b5 Ne7 17.Ne5 a6 18.a4 ) 16...Rac8 17.b5 Ne7 18.a4 {White's queenside play is strong and easygoing.} ( 18.Ne5 $5 ) 18...Be8 19.Rc2 {However, somewhere around here Aronian starts to over-maneuver.} ( {Better was} 19.Bc3 Nf5 20.Nb3 {intending Bc3-a5 in order to soften the enemy queenside and find more objects to attack there.} ) 19...Nf5 20.Qe2 Qb8 21.Bc3 h5 $1 {Firouzja, on his turn, does everything that he can to generate play on the opposite wing.} 22.Ra1 {Too slow.} ( {Both} 22.Ba5 b6 23.Bb4 ) ( {And the prophylactic} 22.h4 Ng4 23.Nb3 {keep White's edge.} ) 22...h4 23.a5 hxg3 24.hxg3 Nh5 {Now that White's kingside is weaker, Aronian has to be careful.} 25.Nf1 $1 {As he is!} ( {Something straightforward like} 25.a6 {would have already allowed the dangerous sacrifice} 25...bxa6 26.Rxa6 Nfxg3 $1 27.fxg3 Qxg3+ 28.Qg2 Qxg2+ 29.Kxg2 Nf4+ {although even here White's queenside pawn majority might remain the key factor of the position.} ) 25...Nf6 26.Rb1 ( {It seems Aronian was wary of the line} 26.a6 Ne4 27.Bxe4 ( {although} 27.Bb2 $1 {would have kept things under control for the first player.} ) 27...dxe4 28.Qxe4 bxa6 ) 26...Ne4 $1 {Brilliant play by the young Iranian! He finds counterplay almost out of nowhere.} 27.Bxe4 {This plays into Black's hands.} ( {The cool} 27.Ba1 $1 {was still preferable.} ) 27...dxe4 28.Qxe4 a6 $1 {The point behind the first pawn sacrifice.} 29.bxa6 Bc6 {Suddenly, the slumber is over for the bishop and the black pieces are ready to follow his lead.} 30.Qe2 Qa8 $1 {Very nice! Black is fully prepared for counter-attack. It all happens so fast.} 31.Ne3 ( {Aronian could not adopt to the sudden change fast enough. Stronger was} 31.Rb6 $1 bxa6 32.Rxa6 Qb7 ( {In the endgame after} 32...Bxf3 33.Rxa8 Bxe2 34.Rxc8 Rxc8 35.Rxe2 Bxd4 36.Bxd4 Nxd4 37.Ra2 Rxc5 {Black still needs to fight for the draw because of the strong outside passer.} ) 33.Rb6 Qa8 ( {Here the endgame is even less appealing for Black:} 33...Bxf3 34.Rxb7 Bxe2 35.Rxe2 Bxd4 36.Bxd4 Nxd4 37.Ra2 {as the outside passer has even more supporters.} ) 34.N1h2 {would have been a stronger defense for White.} ) 31...bxa6 32.d5 $1 {The only defense which at least trades some important black attackers.} ( {Instead:} 32.Nh2 $2 Nxd4 {is devastating for White.} ) 32...Nxe3 $1 {Firouzja is on fire and does not want to let his opponent get away easily.} ( {One of the points behind Aronian's sacrifice is revealed in the line} 32...Bxd5 33.Nxd5 Qxd5 34.Bxg7 Kxg7 35.c6 Rxc6 36.Rxc6 Qxc6 37.Rb6 Qc5 38.Qe5+ Qxe5 39.Nxe5 Rd6 40.Nc4 {and White is safe thanks to his active pieces.} ) 33.Qxe3 Rxd5 ( {Another point behind the sacrifice is} 33...Bxd5 34.Bxg7 Kxg7 35.Nd2 Rh8 36.f3 {when White defends.} ) 34.Bxg7 Rh5 {Black is instantly bringing one more piece into the attack, threatening mate in the process, but this is inaccurate!} ( {Stronger was the simple} 34...Kxg7 $1 35.Qc3+ Kg8 {with a growing attack.} ) 35.Nh2 {And Aronian replies a-tempo, missing a fantastic opportunity.} ( {The unbelievable} 35.g4 $3 Rh3 ( {After} 35...Rh7 36.Bh6 $1 {White shuts the enemy rook in.} ) ( {Probably best is} 35...Bxf3 36.gxh5 Qe4 $1 ( {Not:} 36...Kxg7 {when a third point behind Aronian's early d4-d5 sacrifice is revealed:} 37.c6 $1 Bxc6 38.Qe5+ f6 39.Qxe6 {Wins for the first player as the black pieces lack coordination:} 39...Bh1 40.h6+ $1 Kxh6 41.Qh3+ Kg7 42.Rxc8 ) 37.Qxe4 Bxe4 38.Be5 Bxc2 39.Rb6 {and Black has to fight hard to prove the draw.} ) 36.Kg2 $3 Rxf3 37.Qh6 $1 {would have won for White as despite the many discovered check opportunities Black cannot win anything substantial. And:} 37...f6 38.Kg1 $1 {is a winning attack but for the first player.} ) 35...Kxg7 36.f3 Rch8 37.Rb6 Qd8 {Now Firouzja's attack is running by itself.} 38.Rd2 ( {Stronger was} 38.Qc3+ $1 e5 39.Rd2 Qf6 {when White at least shut the long diagonal for the black queen.} ) 38...Qf6 39.Rbb2 Rh3 ( {There was a pleasant choice:} 39...Re5 40.Qf4 Rf5 41.Qd4 Qxd4+ 42.Rxd4 Rxc5 {with a solid extra pawn in the endgame.} ) 40.f4 R8h5 41.Ng4 Rh1+ 42.Kf2 {The culmination of the attack coincided with the most severe time-trouble.} 42...g5 {Obvious...} ( {However, the compvine [computer-fine]:} 42...R5h4 $3 {would have crowned Firouzja's efforts instead. The knight is hanging, but there is nothing White can do about it:} 43.Nxf6 ( {Whereas} 43.gxh4 {loses due to the forcing} 43...Qxh4+ 44.Qg3 Rf1+ 45.Kxf1 Qxg3 ) 43...R4h2# ) 43.Qe5 $1 {Aronian can breath again!} 43...Qxe5 44.Nxe5 Bd5 ( {Although Black still had excellent winning chances after} 44...Bb5 $1 45.c6 Rc1 ) 45.Ke3 R5h3 ( {Better was the preliminary} 45...gxf4+ 46.gxf4 f6 ( {Or} 46...R1h3+ {when Black is calling the shots once more.} ) ) 46.Kd4 Rxg3 ( {Missing the last chance for} 46...f6 $1 ) 47.c6 {Now it all changes quickly back into White's favor.} 47...f6 48.Rb7+ $1 ( {But not} 48.c7 $2 fxe5+ 49.Kxe5 Rc3 50.Rbc2 Rc1 {that wins for Black.} ) 48...Kh6 49.fxg5+ fxg5 ( {Black also loses after} 49...Kxg5 50.Rg7+ Kh4 51.Ng6+ ) 50.Kc5 Re3 {A blunder, but Black was already lost anyway.} ( {If} 50...g4 51.Kd6 {and Black needs to give up his bishop.} ) 51.Ng4+ 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.05.21"]
[Round "10.5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2829"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7699131566113"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.Ba4 ( {As you'll remember, the world champion tackled a different version of the line a week ago:} 4.c3 Nf6 5.Qe2 a6 6.Ba4 b5 7.Bc2 Bb7 8.O-O g6 9.d4 Bg7 10.b3 O-O 11.Bb2 e5 12.d5 Nh5 13.g3 {in the game Carlsen,M (2863)-Grischuk,A (2777) chess24.com INT 2020 that was annotated for Chess.com members.} ) 4...Nf6 5.O-O a6 6.c4 g6 7.Nc3 Bg7 8.h3 O-O 9.d3 Rb8 10.Rb1 Qa5 $146 {This does not really prepare b7-b5.} ( {An earlier game saw instead the Botvinnik maneuver} 10...Ne8 {intending Ne8-c7-e6 in order to occupy the d4-square. Then} 11.Bg5 h6 12.Be3 Nc7 13.Qd2 Kh7 14.b4 b5 15.cxb5 axb5 16.Bc2 e5 17.Nh2 {was pleasant for Black in Liang,A (2575)-Lobanov,S (2535) Manavgat 2018} ) 11.Bd2 Qc7 12.a3 ( {The immediate} 12.b4 {is possible as well but White might have disliked:} 12...cxb4 13.Rxb4 Nc5 14.Bc2 e5 ) 12...e6 13.b4 b6 14.bxc5 bxc5 ( {After} 14...dxc5 {White can prepare kingside play with either} 15.Ne2 ( {or} 15.Qc2 ) ) ( {With another loss of a tempo} 14...Nxc5 {looks less appealing for Black:} 15.Bc2 e5 16.Nh2 {followed by f2-f4.} ) 15.Qc2 Nb6 16.Bb3 Nfd7 {Duda is preparing for the queenside battle.} ( {The natural} 16...Bd7 {looks somewhat simpler, intending to meet} 17.Na4 {with either} 17...Bc6 ( {or the tricky} 17...Nc8 ) 18.Ba5 Nfd7 {not fearing the temporary pin.} ) 17.Na4 Na8 $5 {A curious idea to leave the white pieces stepping on each other's toes at the a4-point.} ( {In case of} 17...Nxa4 {White can play for the advantage with} 18.Bxa4 Bb7 19.Bxd7 Qxd7 20.Bc3 ) 18.Bc3 Bxc3 ( {Or} 18...Bb7 19.Rb2 ) 19.Nxc3 Nab6 20.Qd2 Bb7 {Not the only way to play it.} ( {After the swap of the dark-squared bishops, it makes sense for Black to place more pawns on that color with} 20...e5 {But this is not optimal yet due to} 21.Qh6 f6 22.Nh2 {with both Nh2-g4 and f2-f4 coming.} ) ( {More sound is to reroute the knight first towards the juicy outposts:} 20...Ne5 $5 21.Nh2 Nc6 ) 21.Qh6 {White's play is somewhat easier as he is obviously going to attack on the kingside due to the weakened dark squares there.} 21...Rfd8 ( {Perhaps the rook was more useful on the e-file in the line} 21...Rfe8 $5 22.Ng5 Nf8 23.f4 f6 24.Nf3 f5 ) 22.Ng5 Nf8 23.f4 f6 24.Nf3 Bc6 {Once more Duda had plenty of choices.} ( 24...f5 $5 ) ( 24...Qg7 {will be naturally met with} 25.Qh4 ) ( {or} 24...Nbd7 $5 25.Ba4 {in all cases with complex play ahead.} ) 25.Qh4 Qg7 {The queen was well placed where it was.} ( {The other defense of the pawn deserved more attention:} 25...Nbd7 {followed by Qc7-a5 with counterplay on the queenside.} ) 26.Rfe1 Rd7 {Black loses coordination for a short moment, and this could have been costly.} ( 26...f5 $5 ) ( {or} 26...Nbd7 {were both more to the point.} ) 27.Qf2 ( {Nakamura could have punished his opponent with} 27.d4 $1 {when White seizes more space and the initiative since Duda cannot prevent the pawn from going forward:} 27...cxd4 28.Nxd4 Ba8 29.c5 $1 {is awkward for the second player.} ) 27...Rdb7 28.Ba2 f5 29.d4 fxe4 ( {After the accurate} 29...Bxe4 $1 30.Nxe4 fxe4 31.Rxe4 Na4 {it is still anyone's game.} ) 30.Nxe4 Na4 {Only this is a mistake.} ( 30...Bxe4 {could have transposed to the line from above.} ) 31.Rxb7 Rxb7 ( 31...Bxb7 32.d5 {is also bad for Black.} ) 32.d5 $1 {Black must have missed this. This is the point: one can hardly afford missing things when the king is not safe!} 32...Rb2 ( {White's attack is decisive after} 32...exd5 33.cxd5 Bd7 34.Qh4 ) 33.Qh4 exd5 ( {There is nothing for Black left in the line} 33...Rxa2 34.Nf6+ Kh8 35.dxc6 ) 34.Nf6+ Kh8 35.cxd5 Bb5 36.Bc4 $1 {A nice touch! Nakamura clears the e8-square for his rook.} 36...Bxc4 37.Re8 {With the obvious threat of a capture on f8.} 37...h5 38.Nd7 {White regains the piece and keeps the devastating attack running.} 38...Bxd5 39.Rxf8+ Bg8 40.Qd8 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.05.23"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "235"]
[Beauty "3782389804040"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 {Unsurprising choice by Nakamura who obviously feels very safe in the Queen's Gambit.} 5.Bf4 O-O 6.e3 Nbd7 7.c5 c6 8.h3 b6 9.b4 a5 10.a3 h6 11.Bd3 ( {A very recent online game saw the Amercian doing quite well after:} 11.Qc1 Bb7 12.Bd3 Qc8 13.O-O Ba6 14.Bxa6 Rxa6 15.Qb2 Qb7 16.Rfb1 axb4 17.axb4 Rxa1 18.Qxa1 Ra8 19.Qb2 Nh5 20.Bh2 Bd8 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess.com INT 2020} ) 11...Ba6 12.O-O Qc8 ( {Black is the first to deviate from a game between the two. That game went:} 12...Bxd3 13.Qxd3 Qc8 14.Rfc1 Qb7 15.Rab1 axb4 16.axb4 Rfc8 17.Nd2 Bd8 18.Nb3 Bc7 19.Bxc7 Qxc7 20.Ra1 Qb7 {So far so good and then Aronian made things more interesting with the sharp:} 21.b5 Rxa1 22.Rxa1 bxc5 23.Na5 {Aronian,L (2792)-Nakamura,H (2787) Zuerich 2016} ) 13.Na4 Qb7 $146 {Basically, winning a valuable tempo.} ( {The predecessor was an online game by.. .yes, the same old person. But the opening apparently did not suffice Black after:} 13...Bxd3 14.Qxd3 b5 {Otherwise White might have pushed his pawn to b5 as we have already seen.} 15.Nc3 Qb7 16.Nd2 Bd8 17.Nb3 a4 {The queenside is closed, however White is better on the opposite wing.} 18.Nd2 Bc7 19.Bxc7 Qxc7 20.f4 Kh8 21.Rae1 Rad8 22.g4 Ng8 {with very one-sided game, although Black eventually held in Firouzja,A (2728)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 14.Qc2 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 Ne4 {With the extra pressure against the c5 pawn White cannot push b4-b5 that easily.} 16.Rfb1 axb4 17.axb4 b5 18.Nc3 f5 {Now it is a Stonewall set-up, without the usually poor light-squared bishop for Black, but with an open a-file which favors White.} ( {But perhaps a simpler way was to opt for:} 18...Nxc3 19.Qxc3 Rfc8 {Looking for a good moment to start the trades.} ) 19.Ne2 $1 {The beginnig of a nice maneuver.} 19...Bf6 {From here on Nakamura wishes for one thing only- the e6-e5 break. On the queenside it is like a game of a "blink." Whoever blinks first gives something along the a-file.} ( {It is too early for:} 19...Ra4 20.Rxa4 bxa4 {due to:} 21.b5 {with an edge for White.} ) ( {However, the straightforward:} 19...Rxa1 20.Rxa1 Ra8 {Has a point, namely to meet:} 21.Qb1 {with:} 21...Ra4 $1 ) 20.Ne5 Ng5 21.Nxd7 Qxd7 22.Nc1 {Aronian proceeds with the knight dance. It seems as the knight is heading towards the a5 square.} ( {Anotehr interesting opportunity was to stop once-and-for-all the e6-e5 break with:} 22.Be5 $5 {White needs not to fear the maneuver:} 22...Bxe5 23.dxe5 Nf7 24.f4 Rfb8 25.Nd4 Nd8 {Which prepares the trade of the major pieces as he is in time for:} 26.g4 $1 ) 22...Nf7 ( {It was not late for the conventional queenside trading game:} 22...Qb7 23.Nb3 Rxa1 24.Rxa1 Ra8 25.Na5 Qc8 26.Be5 Bd8 {which is somewhat unpleasant for Black, but should be holdable.} ) 23.Qc3 {Aronian overprotects the e5 square.} ( {Otherwise Black can simply equalize with:} 23.Nb3 g5 24.Bg3 e5 $1 ) 23...Rfe8 ( {Last call for:} 23...Qb7 $5 ) 24.Nd3 {Aha, this is where the kngiht was heading to! e6-e5 is out of the equasion for good.} 24...Qb7 25.Rb3 $1 {And it is White who can make better progress on the queenside.} 25...Ra4 {Nakamura decided to defend aggressiveley.} ( {The alternative was the loss of the only open file after:} 25...Rxa1+ 26.Qxa1 Ra8 27.Ra3 Rxa3 28.Qxa3 {True, it is not yet clear how will White profit from it.} ) 26.Rxa4 bxa4 27.Ra3 Qb5 28.Qc2 Ra8 29.Bc7 Bd8 {This must have been based on miscalculation.} ( {The bishop was well positioned on f6 and even a semi-waiting strategy like:} 29...Ra7 30.Bb6 Ra8 31.Ba5 e5 {might have justified its position.} ) 30.Ba5 $1 {The pawn is a goner, Nakamura started shaking his head in disbelief at this point.} 30...Bf6 {Back to the e6-e5 break, Black's only chance.} ( {Since:} 30...Bxa5 $2 31.Qxa4 Qxa4 32.Rxa4 {is hopeless for Black.} ) 31.f4 {White stops the e6-e5 break for good, but how dangerous this pawn clash really was?} ( {After:} 31.Nf4 $5 {Black hardly wants to move:} 31...e5 32.Ne6 Qb7 33.dxe5 Nxe5 34.Qxf5 {drops another valuable pawn.} ) 31...g5 $1 {Blunder or not, Nakamura always finds counterplay.} 32.g3 h5 33.Qxa4 Qxa4 34.Rxa4 h4 35.gxh4 {And the counterplay pays off!} ( {Stronger was:} 35.Kg2 hxg3 36.Kxg3 gxf4+ 37.Kxf4 $1 {Controlling the e5 point.} ) 35...gxf4 36.Nxf4 e5 $1 {Even in the endgame this is good.} 37.Ng6 ( {Nothing is principally changed after:} 37.dxe5 Nxe5 ) ( {However, more accurate looks:} 37.Ne2 exd4 38.exd4 Bxh4 ) 37...exd4 38.exd4 Bxd4+ 39.Kf1 Bf6 {Black is back in the game. He brought his pieces out and traded a bunch of pawns.} 40.Ra2 Kh7 41.h5 Ng5 42.Nf4 Ne4 43.Nd3 ( {It was time to break the pin:} 43.Rg2 {is better than it looks as:} 43...Nxc5 {is not a threat:} 44.Rc2 Ne4 45.Rxc6 d4 {Although Black should also hold here.} ) 43...Bd4 44.Rg2 f4 {I have the feeling that Black was already playing for a win himself.} ( {Otherwise:} 44...Nxc5 45.Nxc5 Bxc5 46.Rc2 Bf8 47.Rxc6 Rb8 {would have forced the draw at once.} ) 45.Nxf4 Rf8 46.Bc7 Rf7 47.Ke2 $1 {Or perhaps Nakamura missed this move?!} 47...Bc3 ( {Since:} 47...Rxc7 48.Ne6 {does not win a piece.} ) 48.Ne6 Bxb4 49.Bd6 Bc3 {With both players down on seconds on the clock inaccuracies now become inevitable.} ( {Black could have forced a draw with a curious tactical idea:} 49...Rf6 $1 50.Ng5+ Nxg5 51.Rxg5 Kh6 52.Re5 Bc3 53.Re8 Kxh5 54.Rc8 Bb4 {With the point:} 55.Rxc6 Bxc5 $1 ) 50.Ng5+ Nxg5 51.Rxg5 Bb4 52.Rg4 Rb7 {The major problem is the c5 pawn and Black is trying to demolish it asap.} 53.Kd3 Rb5 54.Kd4 {But Aronian is on time. White's centralized position has certain attacking potential which is easy to underestimate.} 54...Ba3 55.Rg6 Rb3 56.Ke5 $3 {Vintage Aronian. He can create a storm in the tiny little glass of water.} 56...Rxh3 $1 {Black is careful.} ( {The obvious:} 56...Rb5 57.Kf6 Bxc5 {Loses to:} 58.Rg7+ Kh6 ( {Or:} 58...Kh8 59.Be5 $3 {and there is nowhere to hide from the discovered check.} ) 59.Bf4+ Kxh5 60.Rh7# {It is easy to bring everybody close to the kingside from the center.} ) 57.Ke6 Rxh5 ( {But here correct was:} 57...d4 $1 {in order to meet:} 58.Kd7 {with a tempo gainer:} 58...Rxh5 ) 58.Rg3 Bb4 59.Kd7 {Now it is awkward for Black who will lose both his queenside pawns. Sooner or later he will have to part with his bishop for the dangerous passer.} 59...d4 60.Kxc6 Rf5 61.Rd3 Bc3 {For a while Nakamura tries to keep the bishop alive and this migth have costed him dearly.} 62.Kd7 Bb4 63.Kc6 Bc3 64.Rg3 Bb4 65.Kb5 Be1 66.Rh3+ ( 66.Rd3 $5 ) 66...Kg6 67.Kc4 Ba5 68.Kxd4 Kf7 69.Rh7+ Kf6 ( {Rightly deviating from the passive defense:} 69...Ke8 $2 70.Re7+ Kd8 71.Kc4 {as there is no way out against the king march towards c6. The problem then is that even the bishop sacrifice will no longer save Black as his king is stuck to the back rank.} ) 70.Ke4 ( {Missing the beautiful domination:} 70.Kc4 $1 Rf1 71.Kb5 Bd8 72.Kc6 {when Black will not be able to sacrifice his bishop.} ) 70...Rf1 71.Kd5 Rd1+ 72.Kc6 Bb4 73.Rh4 Ba3 74.Rh3 Bb4 75.Rb3 Rd4 76.Kb5 Bxc5 {Finally Nakamura accepted the inevitable and chose the torture. Only computers may claim that this is an easy draw. The practical problems that the defender faces, especially when low on time and significant. Even if he knows how to defend.} 77.Kxc5 Rd1 78.Re3 Rc1+ 79.Kd5 Rd1+ 80.Kc6 Kf5 81.Rf3+ Ke4 82.Rf4+ Ke3 83.Rh4 Kf3 84.Kc5 Ke3 85.Be5 Rd8 86.Bd6 Ra8 87.Kd5 Ra5+ 88.Bc5+ Kf3 89.Rc4 Rb5 90.Ke5 Rb8 91.Rc2 Re8+ 92.Kf5 Rc8 93.Rc3+ Ke2 94.Ke4 Re8+ 95.Kf4 Rd8 96.Rh3 Re8 97.Bd4 {The most annoying part when defending these endgames is that the picture of the battle often twists sideways- to the left, to the right, or even upside-down.} 97...Kd2 98.Be5 Kc2 99.Ke4 Rd8 100.Rc3+ Kd2 101.Rb3 Rc8 102.Rh3 Kc2 103.Rh2+ Kb3 104.Rb2+ {The king is forced to the edge of the board. A serious achievement for Aronian!} 104...Ka3 105.Rb7 Re8 106.Kd5 Rc8 107.Bc7 Rh8 108.Bd6+ Ka2 109.Kc4 Rc8+ 110.Bc7 Rf8 111.Be5 Rc8+ 112.Kd3 Rc1 113.Rb2+ Ka1 {This looks weird, and it does indeed lose as some of our readers pointed out. Special gratitude to our reader fhr.} ( {More natural was:} 113...Ka3 114.Bc3 Rg1 {when Black should hold.} ) 114.Rf2+ Kb1 115.Bd4 $3 {A nasty move, from purely practical point of view. Silent moves are especially difficult to meet under time pressure and here Aronian does not let the rook attack him from behind. And as checked with tablebases this is the way to win it!} ( {After:} 115.Bc3 {Black has:} 115...Rd1+ 116.Kc4 Rd8 ( {But not the stalemate attempt:} 116...Rc1 $2 117.Rb2+ Ka1 118.Rb8+ Ka2 119.Ra8+ ) 117.Kb3 Rb8+ 118.Bb4 Rc8 {And computer says this is defendable.} ) 115...Rd1+ 116.Kc3 {Another correction by our reader- this is still a win.} ( {The winning line remains as in the original analyses:} 116.Kc4 $1 {would not have left the rook on the eight rank:} 116...Rc1+ ( {Or:} 116...Rh1 117.Kb3 Kc1 118.Bc3 {followed by Rf2-a2-a1 mate.} ) 117.Bc3 ) 116...Re1 {This loses.} ( {It was still a draw after:} 116...Rc1+ 117.Kb3 ( {Our reader pointed out that:} 117.Kd3 {would revert to the winning position after:} 117...Rc7 118.Re2 Rc8 119.Rb2+ Kc1 120.Ra2 $1 {This is true, just as it is true that White will not be able to claim the win in the best line:} 120...Kd1 121.Rf2 Re8 122.Bf6 Re6 123.Bc3 Rd6+ 124.Bd4 Re6 125.Rd2+ Ke1 126.Rb2 Kf1 127.Rf2+ Ke1 128.Rf5 Rd6 129.Rg5 {and Black has no escape. The problem with this line is that on move 126 Nakamura could have claimed the draw due to the fifty-move rule.} ) 117...Rc8 $1 ( {Or the nice stalemate idea:} 117...Rc2 $1 118.Rxc2 ) ) 117.Kb3 {Aronian is victorious at the end.} 117...Kc1 118.Bc3 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.05.26"]
[Round "3.8"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Beauty "8040849908785"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 a5 7.O-O O-O 8.Na3 ( {Another top GM online effort went} 8.e3 Nc6 9.Qe2 e5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Ng4 12.a3 Bxd2 13.Nxd2 Nxe5 14.Nxc4 Nxc4 15.Qxc4 c6 {Matlakov,M (2685)-Gelfand,B (2676) chess.com INT 2020} ) 8...Bxa3 9.bxa3 b5 10.Qb1 {All of this has been seen so far with Carlsen uncorking novelty now.} 10...c6 $146 {Which is a generally useful move. The long diagonal is blocked, the seventh rank opened for the queenside rook and Black does not yet determine his bishop position.} ( {An earlier game saw White desperately attacking the enemy king after} 10...Ba6 11.e4 Nc6 12.e5 Nd5 13.Ng5 g6 14.Qe4 c3 15.Qh4 h5 16.g4 {, but ultimately Black emerged victorious in Prydun,A (2224)-Lagashin,P (2066) Lvov 2018} ) 11.e4 {So quickly banged out his next couple of moves. The threat is e4-e5.} ( {After} 11.Qc2 {Black may choose} 11...Bb7 {Not fearing} ( {besides the conventional} 11...Ba6 ) 12.a4 b4 13.Qxc4 Ba6 ) ( {Also logical seems} 11.Rd1 {when Black needs to sidestep the X-raying of the rook with} 11...Qe7 ) 11...h6 {Black is paying attention.} ( {Normal development like} 11...Nbd7 {allows} 12.e5 Nd5 13.Ng5 g6 14.Ne4 {with strong play on the weakened dark squares.} ) 12.g4 {Also played a tempo! It is a typical way to generate kingside threats, especially after Black somewhat weakened himself.} ( {Here} 12.e5 Nd5 13.Qc1 {with the threat of a bishop sacrifice on h6 is well met with} 13...f5 $1 ) 12...Nh7 ( {No, this pawn cannot be taken:} 12...Nxg4 13.e5 {Jeopardizes the position of the black knight, and in order to save it Black has to weaken his king further. After} 13...h5 14.h3 Nh6 15.Bg5 Qb6 16.Bxh6 gxh6 17.Qc1 {is giving White too much of an attack.} ( {Or} 17.Kh2 ) ) 13.h4 ( {Here} 13.Rd1 $5 {makes sense, depriving Black of the game resource.} ) 13...e5 {Now the bishop works without the need of development.} 14.Nxe5 ( {There is also the ultra-sharp try} 14.g5 exd4 15.gxh6 g6 {But then it is difficult to bring the white pieces closer to the enemy king.} ) 14...Qxd4 15.Bf4 Re8 {Carlsen has only three pieces out, and one of them is not perfect. There should be a tactical shot in the air.} 16.Qc1 $5 {Quite a good move! So is eyeing the kingside.} ( {The alternative is} 16.Rd1 Qc5 {and} 17.a4 {to open as many diagonals and files as possible. Then} 17...Nf8 {might be met with} ( {After} 17...b4 18.Qc1 {still looks for White, for example} ( {Here} 18.Nxf7 Kxf7 19.Bd6 {is not convincing due to:} 19...Qa7 $1 ) 18...Be6 19.g5 {mounting kingside pressure.} ) 18.Nxf7 Kxf7 19.Bd6 Qb6 20.axb5 cxb5 21.e5 {and although Black is a whole piece ahead, White's kingside attack looks impressive.} ) 16...Qc5 17.Rd1 Na6 {Time to tackle the queenside pieces.} ( {Of course not} 17...Rxe5 18.Bxe5 Qxe5 19.Rd8+ ) 18.Nxc6 $5 {There it is, the sacrifice!} ( {Another interesting idea is connected with the move:} 18.Qc3 $5 {Then the computer recommendation} 18...g5 {leads to a mess:} ( {After} 18...Be6 19.g5 b4 {The queen can be shifted for a kingside attack:} 20.Qg3 ) 19.hxg5 hxg5 20.Bg3 b4 {This is the concrete point behind the g7-g5 advance. The queens are traded:} 21.Qxc4 Rxe5 22.Rd8+ Kg7 23.Qxc5 Rxc5 24.Bf1 {And despite Black's extra piece the game remains unclear.} ) 18...Qxc6 19.e5 Qc5 20.Bxa8 {So wins an exchange, but} 20...Bxg4 {highlights the fact that his king is weak.} 21.Be3 {The only move.} ( {After} 21.Bg2 Bxd1 22.Qxd1 Nf8 {Black's edge is indisputable.} ) 21...Qxe5 22.Rd4 Nf6 {Carlsen does not tolerate idle pieces and always hurries to bring them into the game.} ( {However:} 22...Qh5 $1 {first would have been perfect here, for instance} 23.Bg2 ( {The consequences of} 23.Bc6 Re6 24.Rd8+ Nf8 {are favorable for Black.} ) 23...Nf6 ) 23.Bc6 Re6 {Same principle as above. The rook can do better and is aiming for the g-file.} 24.Bg2 {Solid, as much as possible.} ( {But the ambush:} 24.Qb2 $1 {would have been better:} 24...Qc7 ( {Surely not} 24...Rxc6 $4 25.Rd8+ ) 25.Bg2 b4 26.Qc2 c3 27.Qd3 {looks good for White.} ) 24...Nc5 25.Qc3 {So ambushes the black queen again but gets a world-champion's class move in return:} 25...Kh7 $3 {Super-cool prophylaxis while the attack is ongoing. Impressive!} 26.Qxa5 Nd3 {Alas, there was no time to calculate accurately the winning continuation.} ( {This is} 26...Rd6 $1 {X-raying the white rook on a1 now! Carlsen probably feared the alternative pin:} 27.Qc7 Ne8 28.Qb8 {but this is refuted with the spectacular} 28...Bf3 $3 {and then the white king is opened:} 29.Bxf3 {Carlsen can get his ambush-revenge:} 29...Rg6+ $1 ) 27.Rb1 Qf5 28.Rxb5 Qg6 ( {White is better after} 28...Re5 29.a4 ) 29.Qa8 {Playing for mate.} ( {If So had more time on the clock, he might have chosen the world-class prophylaxis too:} 29.Kh2 $1 ) 29...Ne5 30.Rd8 Ne8 ( {Here is some computer food for thought:} 30...Qh5 31.Qb8 c3 32.f4 c2 33.Rxe5 Bf5 34.Rh8+ Kg6 35.Qb5 Qd1+ 36.Bf1 Qg4+ {is a fair draw result, according to the machine.} ) 31.Rxe8 {This loses.} ( {It is not too late for star prophylaxis with} 31.Kh1 $3 ) ( {Not as accurate is:} 31.Kh2 Qh5 {as the white rook on b5 is vulnerable to the discovered attacks.} ) 31...Rxe8 32.Qxe8 Nf3+ {Black is winning by force.} 33.Kh1 ( {Nothing changes} 33.Bxf3 Bd7+ 34.Rg5 Qb1+ ) 33...Qd3 34.Bd2 ( {Or mate in case of} 34.Bxf3 Qf1+ 35.Kh2 Qh3+ 36.Kg1 Bxf3 ) 34...Qxd2 {An exciting game!} 0-1

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.05.27"]
[Round "1.10"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[ECO "D53"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8251479430178"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 h6 7.Bf4 O-O 8.g4 $1 {The Shabalov/Shirov way! Especially pleasing in rapid and blitz games.} ( {The more solid continuation} 8.c5 Nh5 9.Bd3 Nxf4 10.exf4 c6 11.O-O b6 12.b4 a5 13.a3 Qc7 14.g3 Ba6 15.Bxa6 Rxa6 {may quickly peter out to a draw as in Korobov,A (2692)-Kuzubov,Y (2651) Rivne 2016} ) 8...c5 9.g5 hxg5 10.Nxg5 cxd4 $146 ( {The riskiness of White's idea is was demonstrated in an email game:} 10...Qb6 11.b3 cxd4 12.exd4 Bb4 13.Qd3 e5 14.dxe5 Nc5 15.Qc2 Nce4 {and Black was already winning in Cornu,C-Bouchez,D (2135) ICCF email 2009} ) 11.exd4 dxc4 12.Rg1 {White has a nasty initiative for the pawn and Karjakin needs to play both carefully and energetically. An oxymoron, I know.} 12...Nd5 {The knight was a very important defender and should have not left his place.} ( {Here is an example of careful but energetic:} 12...b5 $1 13.Qf3 Qb6 {Black is not afraid of} 14.Qxa8 $2 Bb7 {But it was obvious that the first player could have tried other things too.} ) 13.Qc2 {A simple but difficult to parry mate-in-one threat.} 13...Bxg5 {The only move.} ( {For instance} 13...g6 {loses to either of the captures:} 14.Nxf7 $1 ( 14.Nxe6 $1 ) ) ( {Whereas after} 13...N7f6 14.Be5 Bd7 15.Bxc4 {White will soon clear the defenders and mate the black king.} ) 14.Bxg5 f6 15.Bh6 {Now Dubov's initiative is more than obvious.} 15...Rf7 16.Bxc4 N7b6 ( {Karjakin is walking on a mine field:} 16...Nxc3 $2 17.Bxe6 $1 {will be a very wrong step to make.} ) 17.Be2 {First of all White is creating a threat.} ( {Second, there is no point in allowing counterplay like this:} 17.Bb3 f5 18.O-O-O a5 19.Kb1 a4 ) 17...f5 {Black does not want to let the enemy queen too close.} ( {Dubov did not just retreat, his bishop is ready to sting in the line:} 17...Bd7 18.Bh5 Re7 19.Bxg7 $1 Rxg7 20.Rxg7+ Kxg7 21.Qg6+ Kh8 22.Qh6+ Kg8 23.O-O-O {with unstoppable mate.} ) ( {But a better defense was} 17...Qc7 $1 {not fearing} 18.Qg6 Nf4 $1 19.Bxf4 Qxf4 20.Qh5 Qf5 $1 {Without the queens Karjakin can breeth freely.} ) 18.O-O-O Qh4 19.Bg5 $1 {Dubov was not afraid to sacrifice earlier; why would he be now?} ( {Also good was} 19.Qd2 $5 {when Black can defend with:} 19...f4 20.Bg5 Qxf2 21.Rdf1 Qe3 {However, White's initiative persists in the endgame as well:} 22.Qxe3 fxe3 23.Bh6 ) 19...Qxf2 20.Qd2 Bd7 {After this obvious move White's attack plays itself.} ( {Karjakin needed to bring his queen back as soon as possible:} 20...e5 $1 21.dxe5 Qc5 {Allowing a chance to swap pieces and reach the endgame:} 22.Bf6 Nxc3 23.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 24.bxc3 {The endgame is difficult for the second player, but there are still chances after} 24...Rc7 $1 ( {But not:} 24...Be6 25.Rd6 Bxa2 26.Bh5 Rc7 27.e6 $1 {when White quickly coordinates his pieces and resumes the mating attack.} ) ) 21.Rdf1 {The point! Dubov opens a second highway to... refer to AC/DC to know where.} 21...Qxh2 22.Rh1 Qd6 23.Rh3 {The doubling is natural and strong. Karjakin probably believed that he will be in time to stop it:} 23...Nxc3 {Just to receive...} 24.Rfh1 $3 {...in return. Dubov has proved himself a great tactician over the years and winning a game like this against a player who proved himself a great defender over and over again is an excellent achievement!} ( {White does not allow} 24.bxc3 Bc6 ) 24...Nxe2+ 25.Qxe2 Qc6+ ( {After the immediate} 25...Rf6 26.Bxf6 gxf6 $2 {leads to forcing mate:} ( {However, Black could have defended against mate with} 26...Qc6+ $1 27.Kb1 ( 27.Kd2 Rc8 28.Rg1 Qc2+ 29.Ke1 Qxe2+ 30.Kxe2 ) 27...Qe4+ 28.Qxe4 fxe4 {The endgame is most likely lost for Black anyway, but some practical chances remain. In particular} 29.Bxg7 {does not lead to mate:} 29...Kxg7 30.Rf1 Be8 31.Rg3+ Bg6 32.Rfg1 Kf7 {and Black keeps giving moves.} ) 27.Rh8+ Kg7 28.R1h7+ Kg6 29.Qh5# ) 26.Kb1 Qxh1+ ( {It was not too late to revert to the line from above:} 26...Rf6 27.Bxf6 Qe4+ ) 27.Rxh1 Bc6 28.Rh4 ( {The more subtle move is} 28.Rh3 $1 Be4+ 29.Ka1 Rc8 30.Qh2 ) 28...Be4+ 29.Ka1 Rc8 {However, the frustrated Karjakin could not figure out the difference and resigned after} ( 29...Rff8 30.Qh2 Bf3 $1 ) 30.Qh2 ( 30.Qh2 {Apparently he did not believe in the possibility of a fortress in the line} 30...Rf6 31.Rh8+ Kf7 32.Rxc8 Nxc8 33.Bxf6 ( {Or} 33.Qb8 {with a win for White in both cases.} ) ) 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.05.28"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "C45"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7215947720201"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 {Carlsen is tired of the Berlin.} 3...exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 5.Nxc6 Qf6 6.Qf3 dxc6 ( 6...bxc6 {is statistically more common, either immediately...} ) ( {...or after the preliminary trade:} 6...Qxf3 7.gxf3 bxc6 ) 7.Nc3 Be6 8.Be3 ( {The following recent game definitely attracted both players' attention:} 8.Qg3 Bd6 9.f4 Qg6 10.Qf2 f5 11.Bd3 ( 11.e5 $5 ) 11...Nf6 12.e5 Ng4 13.Qg3 Bc5 14.Rf1 O-O-O 15.Bd2 h5 16.h3 Nxe5 17.Qxg6 Nxg6 18.O-O-O {and despite the pawn deficit White later won in Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Caruana,F (2835) chess.com INT 2020} ) 8...Bb4 9.O-O-O {An interesting pawn sacrifice which Black rejects.} 9...Qxf3 $146 {Played after a lengthy thought. Yes, almost six minutes at this time control is a lot of time).} ( {The only earlier game with queenside castling on move nine saw White obtaining an edge after} 9...Qe7 10.Bd4 Nf6 11.Be2 Bc5 12.Bxc5 Qxc5 13.Qg3 O-O 14.f4 Bc4 15.e5 Nd5 16.Ne4 {Chigaev,M (2616)-Chen,Q (2432) Gibraltar 2020} ) ( {After the principled continuation} 9...Bxc3 10.bxc3 Qxc3 11.Bd4 Qxf3 12.gxf3 f6 13.Rg1 {White has decent compensation for the pawn thanks to his active pieces and the bishop pair.} ) 10.gxf3 Ne7 11.h4 $1 {A typical move which aims to restrict the black knight. Carlsen can be very happy with his opening choice. He still got some sort of a Berlin but with much better prospects on the kingside.} 11...Bxc3 ( {After} 11...Ng6 {White can chose the positional} 12.h5 ( {Or the rude:} 12.f4 Bxc3 13.bxc3 f5 14.exf5 Bxf5 15.Bc4 {White's pawn structure is horrible, but will Black survive the attack along the open central files?} ) 12...Ne5 13.Bd4 {with an edge in both cases.} ) 12.bxc3 Rd8 ( 12...Bxa2 $2 {obviously does not win a pawn for Black after} 13.c4 ) 13.Rxd8+ Kxd8 14.h5 {Carlsen's very old predecessor proved A long time ago the importance of the rook pawns when helping the bishop pair. According to Steinitz, they are idea to limit the enemy knight.} 14...f5 {At least gaining some space on the kingside.} ( {White can ignore Black's counterplay in the line} 14...Nc8 15.c4 Nb6 16.c5 Nd7 17.Kb2 b6 18.f4 ) 15.c4 {To which White keeps on improving.} 15...Rf8 16.Rg1 Rf7 17.a4 $1 {The other rook pawn advances.} 17...a6 18.a5 g6 19.Rg5 {Before capturing on g6 Carlsen wants to make sure that his opponent has zero counterplay.} ( {After} 19.hxg6 hxg6 ( {Or} 19...Nxg6 20.c5 ) 20.c5 Rh7 {Black at least occupies the open file, although this should not change much after} 21.Kd2 ) 19...Rf6 20.hxg6 {Now he can.} 20...Rxg6 ( {If} 20...hxg6 21.c5 {Restricting Black even further.} ) 21.c5 $1 {Three white pawns won the battle against their four counterparts on the queenside.} 21...Ke8 22.Bd3 Rxg5 ( {Maybe Black needed to stay put with} 22...Rf6 23.Kd2 Rf7 {Although here any advise is a horrible one.} ) 23.Bxg5 h5 {The pawn steps out of the way of the white bishop, but there it becomes even more vulnerable.} ( {White did not yet threaten to capture it:} 23...Kf7 24.Bxe7 ( {However White can and will first centralize his king:} 24.Kd2 ) 24...Kxe7 25.exf5 Bd7 26.f6+ Kxf6 27.Bxh7 {is not the kind of endgame White wishes for.} ) 24.Kd2 Kf8 25.Ke3 Kf7 26.Bxe7 {Forcing matters, but this was completely unnecessary.} ( 26.Bf4 $1 {would have won a pawn at once and would have kept the proud bishop pair.} ) 26...Kxe7 27.e5 h4 28.f4 Kd7 {Nakamura is looking for active counterplay.} ( {The first question arose around here. Can White win after:} 28...Kf7 29.Ke2 ( {But not} 29.Kf3 $4 Bd5+ 30.Ke2 h3 {when Black wins!} ) ( 29.f3 $5 ) 29...Kg6 30.Kf1 h3 {It seems as Black is gaining activity but the cool} 31.Be2 $1 Bd5 32.Kg1 Bg2 33.Kh2 {slowly forces the win after} 33...Kh6 34.Bc4 {as Black has way too many targets on the light squares.} ) 29.f3 b6 ( {The second question arose around here. Was this a fortress after:} 29...Ke7 30.Kf2 Kf7 31.Kg2 Kg6 32.Kh3 Kh5 33.c3 Kg6 ( {Black cannot let the enemy bishop in:} 33...Bc8 34.Bc4 ) 34.Kxh4 Kh6 {Can White break through? The answers is yes:} 35.Bf1 Kg6 36.Kg3 Kh5 37.Kf2 Kh4 38.Ke3 Kg3 {Here the key idea is to give Black the right to move.} 39.Bd3 $1 Kg2 {Now that the king is away from the f4 pawn White can demonstrate the winning idea:} 40.Kd4 $1 Bc8 41.Bc4 Kxf3 42.Bf7 Kxf4 43.e6 ) 30.axb6 cxb6 31.Bxa6 b5 {The bishop is trapped, but... after this there is definitely no way out.} ( {The third and most important fundamental question was if Carlsen could have still won after} 31...bxc5 $1 32.Be2 c4 $1 {This move is a major difference in comparison to the line from above. After} 33.Kf2 Ke7 34.Kg2 Kf7 35.Kh3 Kg6 36.Kxh4 Kh6 37.Kg3 Kh5 38.Kf2 Kh4 39.Bf1 c5 $1 {blocks the white king and deprives the first player of the winning plan from above. Of course, White has other ways to play for the win but I could not find anything clear-cut in the short time frame of the express analyzes. Maybe our readers will?} ) 32.Kf2 Kc7 33.Kg2 Kb8 34.Kh3 Ka7 35.Kxh4 Kxa6 36.Kg5 {It is amusing that White often sacrifices a bishop to break into the opponent's camp in the Berlin.} 36...Kb7 37.Kf6 Bd5 ( {If} 37...Bd7 38.Ke7 Kc7 39.c3 Bc8 40.e6 {is zugzwang.} ) 38.c3 $1 ( {White still needs to be bit careful:} 38.e6 Kc7 39.e7 $4 ( 39.Kxf5 $1 {should still win.} ) 39...Kd7 {will turn the tables in Black's favor.} ) 38...Kc7 ( {Nothing changes} 38...Bxf3 39.e6 Kc7 40.Kxf5 ) 39.Kxf5 Kd7 40.Kf6 Bxf3 41.e6+ Ke8 42.Ke5 Bg4 43.f5 Bh3 44.f6 Bg4 45.Kd6 Bh3 46.e7 Kf7 47.Kxc6 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.05.29"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2836"]
[ECO "E11"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7216753019980"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 O-O 7.Qc2 ( {White can of course castle:} 7.O-O c6 8.Qc2 b6 9.Bf4 Nbd7 10.Nbd2 Nh5 11.e3 Bb7 12.cxd5 Nxf4 13.exf4 cxd5 {as happened in Giri,A (2764)-Van Foreest,J (2682) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 7...c6 8.h4 $146 {Original and aggressive. Dubov wants to use the kingside rook from its initial position whenever possible. "A cool move. I prepared it quite a long time ago." (Dubov)} ( {The predecessor was also played recently and there White had somewhat better chances after} 8.b3 Nbd7 9.Nc3 b6 10.e4 dxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Qxe4 Bb7 13.Rd1 Qc8 14.Ne5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Rb8 16.O-O c5 17.Qg4 {Matlakov,M (2685)-Nguyen,N (2641) chess.com INT 2020} ) 8...Nbd7 9.Nc3 {White needs to finish the development and is ready to part with a pawn for that.} 9...dxc4 10.Rd1 {Tagging the black queen.} ( {From one side White prevents any central counterplay like this one:} 10.e4 e5 $1 ) 10...b5 {On the other hand he is ready for more central action with} 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd5 {Ding's moves are more or less forced. "One of the decent ways to play as Black" (Dubov)} ( {Not} 12...Nd7 13.Nxb5 ) 13.Ne4 {The knight is heading to the g5 square, although d6 might as well be juicy.} 13...f5 {Black decided to solve his kingside problems once and for all.} ( {Another move that deserved serious consideration was} 13...h6 {Black takes away the g5 square from the opponent's knight. Then White can develop the initiative with the help of} 14.b3 Ba6 15.O-O ) 14.exf6 gxf6 ( {The other captures are not good:} 14...Nxf6 15.Nxf6+ gxf6 16.Bxc6 {drops material.} ) ( {Whereas} 14...Bxf6 {allows the move that Black wanted to prevent at first place:} 15.Ng5 $1 ) 15.b3 {Highlighting the weakness of the backward c6 pawn.} 15...cxb3 16.axb3 Qb6 17.O-O {Dubov's safer king and better pawn structure are enough to compensate for the pawn, but Ding cannot complain either about the opening.} 17...a5 18.Rc1 Bd7 {A clear sign that Black wants more than an equality.} ( {Otherwise he might have liquidated into an even endgame with} 18...a4 $5 19.bxa4 Rxa4 20.Qxc6 Qxc6 21.Rxc6 Bd7 ) 19.Bh6 Rfc8 20.Rfd1 {Producing another nasty X-ray on the d-file.} ( {The alternative was the sharp} 20.g4 $5 ) 20...a4 {Strangely enough, this is a mistake.} ( {Instead Ding could have included the bishop into the kingside protection with} 20...e5 $5 21.Qd3 Be6 22.Qf3 a4 {In the process, Black also frees himself from the pin along the d-file and the game remains approximately even.} ) 21.bxa4 {An obvious reaction.} ( {However, the inhuman} 21.b4 $3 {would have fixed solid advantage for White. He is threatening to occupy the c5 square with his knight and since such a piece cannot be tolerated for too long this means that Dubov will soon gain full control of the dark squares. Moreover, Black's queenside play is over whereas on the kingside his difficulties will rise with the loss of the dark-squared bishop. And all of this just because tactics works well for White:} 21...Nxb4 $2 ( {Whereas} 21...Bxb4 $4 {is spectacularly refuted by} 22.Rxd5 $1 cxd5 23.Nxf6+ Kf7 24.Qxh7+ Kxf6 25.Qg7+ Kf5 26.Qg5# ) 22.Qb2 $1 {is hopeless for Black.} ) 21...Rxa4 22.Qb2 {The threat of a capture on d5 followed by another one on f6 is deadly. Therefore Ding has to make a crucial choice.} 22...Rb4 23.Qa1 Qd8 {Now Dubov finds a fantastic regrouping:} ( {In hindsight, the repetition} 23...Ra4 $5 {was a fantastic choice for Black.} ) ( {Whereas} 23...e5 {is another plan with fire. White can attack with either} 24.Ng5 $5 {When the sacrifice should not be accepted:} ( {or the move obvious and simple} 24.Qa2 ) 24...fxg5 25.Qxe5 Bf8 {due to:} 26.Rxd5 $1 {winning.} ) 24.Rc2 $3 Qe8 25.Nc5 {This same idea!} 25...Qg6 26.Qc1 {And we can stop for a moment to enjoy the perfect cooperation of the white pieces! Black's next is forced:} 26...Bxc5 27.Rxc5 {Then Ding evacuated his king from the back rank.} 27...Kf7 {But the final blow came from the other side:} ( {Since otherwise A back-rank checkmate is in the air:} 27...Ra4 28.Bxd5 $1 exd5 29.Rdxd5 $3 cxd5 30.Rxc8+ Bxc8 31.Qxc8+ Kf7 32.Qd7+ ) 28.h5 $1 {Forcing the queen under a pin.} 28...Qxh5 ( 28...Qf5 {can be met with} 29.Re1 $1 {Preparing e2-e4.} ) ( {Whereas} 28...Qg8 {is sad and ugly, and losing for Black after} 29.e4 Nb6 30.Qf4 $1 ) 29.e4 {Winning a piece and the game?} 29...Rc4 30.Rxc4 bxc4 31.Be3 {Dubov decided he has all the time in the world to take the pinned knight, however...} ( {Instead} 31.exd5 exd5 ( {Or} 31...cxd5 {"White is winning mostly because his king is so weak." (Dubov)} ) 32.Rd4 {would have been safer and stronger way to demonstrate the win.} ) 31...Nxe3 32.Rxd7+ Ke8 33.Qd2 Rb8 $3 {This might have been missed by White. The cunning Ding is back!} ( {Apparently the Russian GM expected something along the lines:} 33...c3 34.Qd6 Qd1+ 35.Qxd1 Nxd1 36.Rxd1 {which is obviously hopeless for Black.} ) 34.fxe3 {Now a forcing line follows:} 34...c3 35.Qd6 Rb1+ 36.Bf1 Rxf1+ $1 {The point and everything depends on Black now delivering the right checks in order to secure the half point. A difficult task with a lot of time on the clock, and a random one with only seconds left.} 37.Kxf1 Qf3+ 38.Ke1 Qxe3+ {Alas, not this one.} ( {The correct checks were:} 38...Qh1+ $1 39.Ke2 Qh5+ $3 {The key move after which Black can deliver checks from the back rank:} 40.Kd3 Qd1+ 41.Kxc3 ( {Not} 41.Kc4 $4 Qxd6 42.Rxd6 c2 ) 41...Qc1+ 42.Kb4 Qb2+ {And a draw since the king cannot cross the equator of the board.} ) 39.Kd1 Qf3+ 40.Kc2 Qxe4+ 41.Qd3 {The most obvious is not necessarily best.} ( {Dubov needs to block with the queen but has to do it in the right moment. It seems the win is achieved with some strange king maneuvers:} 41.Kxc3 Qe1+ 42.Kc2 Qe2+ 43.Kb3 Qb5+ 44.Kc3 Qa5+ 45.Kd3 Qb5+ 46.Ke3 $1 Qg5+ 47.Ke2 Qh5+ 48.Ke1 $1 Qh1+ 49.Kd2 Qg2+ 50.Kc3 Qf3+ 51.Kb4 {Finally crossing the fourth rank.} ) 41...Qa4+ 42.Kxc3 Qa3+ {Missing the last chance to achieve the draw.} ( {Which was again possible after:} 42...Qa5+ $1 43.Kc2 Qc5+ 44.Kd1 Qg1+ 45.Kd2 Qf2+ 46.Kc3 Qc5+ $1 ) 43.Kd2 Qa5+ 44.Kd1 Qh5+ 45.Ke1 Qe5+ 46.Kf1 Qa1+ 47.Kg2 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.05.30"]
[Round "10.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[Beauty "7495791675914"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 {Nakamura trusts his QGD till the end. Indeed, what is the use of the classical openings if we cannot use them in the decisive games?} 5.Bf4 O-O 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Be2 dxc4 8.O-O a6 ( 8...Nb6 {was game three.} ) ( {Two interesting top GM games were played recently. Both featured the move} 8...c5 {where MVL and Radjabov discussed the endgame after:} 9.dxc5 Nxc5 10.Bxc4 Qxd1 11.Rfxd1 b6 12.Nd4 Bb7 13.Rac1 a6 14.a3 Rac8 15.b4 {which Black eventually held in Vachier-Lagrave,M (2778)-Radjabov,T (2765) chess.com INT 2020} ) ( {The heroes of today's match chose to battle in a much sharper version of the line after} 8...c5 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.Bxc4 a6 11.Ng5 b5 12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.Nxe6 Qe7 14.Nxf8 Qxf8 15.Ne4 Bb7 16.Nxc5 Qxc5 17.Rc1 {with the world champion eventually being more happy than his opponent in Carlsen,M (2863) -Nakamura,H (2736) chess24.com INT 2020. It would have been naive though to expect that the American GM would not come armed to the teeth for this line in specific.} ) 9.a4 Nd5 10.Bg3 c5 {Simple play. Black enters an IQP structure with a white bishop on the b8-h2 diagonal which many people believe not to be optimal for White.} 11.Bxc4 cxd4 12.exd4 N7b6 $146 ( {The predecessor saw White obtaining decent compensation for the pawn after} 12...Nb4 13.Re1 Nf6 14.Qe2 Bd7 15.Rad1 Qa5 16.d5 exd5 17.Qxe7 Rfe8 18.Qd6 dxc4 19.Re5 Rxe5 20.Bxe5 Be6 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.h3 Nc6 23.Qg3+ Kh8 24.Qh4 {Boychuk,T (2510)-Lalic,B ICCF email 2016} ) 13.Bb3 a5 $1 {Indeed, the white pawn should not be allowed to get to the a5 square.} ( 13...Bd7 14.a5 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Nd5 16.c4 {is clearly better for White as his hanging pawns are ready to roll.} ) 14.Ne5 Bd7 15.Ne4 ( {Black's answer to} 15.Qf3 {would be the same:} 15...Bc6 ) 15...Bc6 {Karpov's beloved maneuver which he successfully used in a model again against his great rival Kortschnoi.} 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Rc1 {True, in the aforementioned world championship game the dark-squared bishops were already traded, just as a pair of knights too and Black was already better at this point. Here, Carlsen can put pressure on both sides. On the queenside there are weaknesses on a5 and c6, whereas White can always try to mate the black king in IQP positions.} 17...Nb4 ( {After} 17...Rc8 {White can force the text move anyway with} 18.Qd2 Nb4 19.Rfd1 ) 18.Qe2 N6d5 19.Rfd1 {Overprotecting the d4 pawn and preparing Ne4-c5 at a good moment.} 19...Re8 {Also a useful, overprotective move. The e6 point could be quite sensitive in Black's setup.} 20.Qf3 ( {It is too early for} 20.Nc5 {as} 20...Bg5 $1 21.Rc4 Bf4 {would trade White's bishop pair while keeping the good knights aboard.} ) 20...Ra7 {Another useful, overprotective move. If a chance is given the rook will put pressure along the d-file.} 21.Be5 Bf8 {This is what Nakamura had in mind while maneuvering with the rooks. But as strangely as it sounds, it is a blunder!} ( {Some more overprotection would not have hurt:} 21...Rd7 $1 {which leaves the position approximately equal and} 22.Nc5 {can be met with} 22...Bxc5 23.dxc5 ( {Or:} 23.Rxc5 Ne7 $5 {followed by Ne7-f5 to get to the d4 pawn.} ) 23...Qg5 {The knights are perfectly cementing Black's position.} ) 22.Qg3 {Played a tempo.} ( {But since the black bishop lifted the defense of the vital f6 square next to his king, Carlsen could have won at least a pawn now with the sudden} 22.Bxd5 $3 {Strong players often do not even consider such moves which voluntarily gives away the bishop pair. Now} 22...cxd5 {leads to a disaster after:} ( {Similar is Black's destiny in case of} 22...exd5 23.Nf6+ $1 ) ( {Whereas:} 22...Qxd5 23.Nf6+ gxf6 24.Qxf6 {has a somewhat different flavor, but still bitter for Black.} ) ( {The lesser evil is to concede the pawn at once with} 22...Nxd5 $1 23.Rxc6 {although it is a healthy extra pawn for White!} ) 23.Nf6+ $1 gxf6 24.Bxf6 ) 22...f6 23.Bd6 $1 {Carlsen skilfully softens the dark squares, thus securing access to the a5 pawn for his rook.} 23...Bxd6 24.Nxd6 Rf8 ( 24...Ree7 $5 {might have been safer for Black.} ) 25.Ne4 ( {It made sense to lure the black queen to d7 and win a tempo later:} 25.Re1 $1 Qd7 26.Ne4 ) 25...Qb8 26.Qf3 Re8 ( {The generally desirable trade of the queens} 26...Qf4 $6 {drops a pawn after} 27.Bxd5 Nxd5 28.Qxf4 Nxf4 29.Rxc6 ) 27.g3 $1 {Air for the white king, less room for the black queen.} 27...Kh8 {Nakamura decided to free himself of the e6 weakness.} 28.Nc5 Rae7 29.Bc4 e5 30.dxe5 Qxe5 {Goal achieved, but what to do after:} 31.Rd2 Qg5 {Active play, which eventually brought luck to the American GM.} ( {But since the remaining pawn weaknesses are on the queenside, objectively better was} 31...Qc7 $5 ) 32.Nb3 Nb6 ( {In case of} 32...Re4 {White would have replied with} 33.Bf1 {followed by Rc1-c5.} ) 33.h4 {A tough choice for Black. To stay active or not?} 33...Qe5 {It is really difficult to offer a good advise for Black here. Nakamura feels best though; he has won and saved countless of blitz and bullet games thanks to his active pieces.} ( {After} 33...Qh6 {White has a pleasant choice between:} 34.Bf1 ( {and} 34.Rdd1 Nxa4 35.Nd4 {with chances to increase his advantage due to the idle black queen.} ) ) 34.Re2 Qc7 35.Rxe7 Qxe7 $1 {Incredible intuition!} ( {Apparently Black did not have the luxury to calculate the consequences of} 35...Rxe7 36.Nxa5 Nxa4 37.Nxc6 $1 {but he correctly felt he should be lost due to the weakness of the back rank. So it is!} 37...Qxc6 38.Bf1 $3 Qe6 39.Qa8+ Re8 40.Qxa4 {leaves Black defendless.} ) 36.Nxa5 Qe5 {Activity!} ( 36...Nxa4 37.Qb3 Nb6 38.Nxc6 Nxc6 39.Qxb6 Ne5 40.Be2 {is similar to the above-mentioned, losing line for Black.} ) 37.Nb3 {With seconds left Carlsen does what his intuition tells him and this has helped him countless times as well. He wants his knight back into the game. And this, misses the win...} ( {Chess will always remain an amazing game and the winning line is yet another prove for that:} 37.Bf7 $3 {The world champion played this on the next move, but here it would have won due to the unusual domination after} 37...Qxb2 38.Rd1 Rf8 39.Nxc6 Nxa4 {Black has cleared the most dangerous white pawns, but after the unbelievable} 40.Nd8 $3 {White's position is so strong that there is no way Black can bring his queenside in time. Yes, the knight are notorious short-legged species, but still, let's check:} 40...Nc3 41.Rd7 Ne2+ 42.Kg2 Nd4 {This seems about right, but how to defend after} 43.Qe4 Nbc2 44.Bc4 $1 {Black is getting checkmated, or loses tons of material!} ) 37...Nxa4 38.Bf7 {A move too late.} ( {But:} 38.Bf1 Nxb2 {brings White nothing.} ) 38...Rf8 39.Rc4 Rxf7 40.Rxb4 $4 {A blunder, which did not matter for the overall match victory.} ( {Carlsen could have saved the game, but not the match with:} 40.Re4 Qb8 41.Qf4 Rf8 42.Rxb4 Qxf4 {when the arising game is a draw no matter what White captures back with.} ) 40...Qe1+ 41.Kh2 Qxb4 42.Qxc6 Rf8 0-1

[Event "Online Nations Cup Prelim"]
[Site "chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.05"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[ECO "E20"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7148570425387"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bd2 {This is considered to be one of the most harmless continuations against the Nimzo-Indian, but it was used in the past by Alekhine.} 4...O-O 5.Nf3 c5 6.a3 Bxc3 7.Bxc3 Ne4 8.Rc1 b6 ( {Another grandmaster game saw a quick draw after:} 8...d6 9.e3 Nxc3 10.Rxc3 Qe7 11.b4 b6 12.Be2 Nd7 13.O-O {1/2-1/2 (13) Heberla,B (2552)-Piorun,K (2660) Katowice 2019} ) 9.g3 Bb7 10.Bg2 Nxc3 {Aronian hurries to get rid of the bishop pair.} ( {Although:} 10...d6 $5 {might be more accurate. The bishop has nowhere to go anyway.} ) 11.Rxc3 cxd4 12.Qxd4 Nc6 13.Qd2 $146 {An obvious move and a novelty, which both players were hardly aware of.} ( {The predecessor was:} 13.Qf4 Qb8 14.Qe3 d6 15.O-O Rd8 16.Rd1 Qc7 17.Rcd3 Rd7 18.Qd2 Rad8 19.b4 {with approximate equality in Von Herman,U (2395)-Janz, F (2337) Luebeck 2011} ) 13...Qe7 14.O-O Rfd8 {Now a Hedgehog pawn structure arose in which both sides traded a couple of minor pieces. White has some pressure along the d-file, but Black's position is as solid as a rock. His last move prepares the freeing d7-d5 break, therefore:} 15.e4 Rac8 16.Rd1 d6 17.b3 {An important prophylaxis.} ( {As:} 17.Rd3 $2 Na5 {drops material for White.} ) 17...Ne5 18.Nd4 {Artemiev needs to keep some minor pieces on the board if he wants to play for something.} ( {The endgame after:} 18.Nxe5 dxe5 19.Rd3 Rxd3 20.Qxd3 Kf8 {is equal instead.} ) 18...a6 19.Re3 {White continues maneuvering.} ( {After:} 19.f4 {Aronian could have ignored the threat:} 19...Qc7 20.fxe5 dxe5 ) 19...Qc7 {Getting ready for counter-actions.} 20.h3 ( {As in the line:} 20.f4 Ng4 21.Rd3 b5 22.cxb5 axb5 23.Nxb5 $2 Qc5+ 24.Nd4 e5 {when Black is winning.} ) 20...h6 21.Qb2 {The queen steps out of the X-raying rook.} 21...Qc5 22.a4 ( {Still too early for:} 22.f4 b5 23.fxe5 dxe5 ) 22...Kf8 {Aronian decided to defend his only weakness with his king, but this might be risky...} ( {The counter-play:} 22...Qb4 {is repelled with:} 23.Re2 Nd7 24.Nc2 Qc5 25.Red2 ) ( {It is worth noting that the engine recommends to hold with:} 22...Nd7 23.Kh2 Qc7 24.f4 Nc5 ) 23.Kh2 a5 24.Qe2 Nc6 25.Red3 Nxd4 {Finally Black traded the annoying knight.} 26.Rxd4 Rc7 27.Qd2 Rcd7 28.Rd3 Ke7 29.f4 {But it is still a bit awkward for Black, as the e4-e5 break is always in the air. Black defends his rook with:} 29...Bc6 30.Rf1 {Then blunders:} 30...g5 ( {It was not late to step back into safety:} 30...Kf8 31.Rd1 Ke7 ) 31.fxg5 hxg5 ( {The lesser eveil was to allow the double attack after:} 31...Qxg5 32.Qf2 ) 32.Rd5 $3 {Brilliant! The white queen gets an access to the kingside.} 32...Bxd5 ( {Against:} 32...exd5 33.Qxg5+ {wins after some subtle checks:} 33...Kf8 34.Qh6+ Ke8 35.Qh8+ Ke7 36.Qh4+ Ke8 37.exd5 {with the mortal threat of an open-file check.} ) 33.Qxg5+ Kf8 ( {Or mate in two:} 33...Ke8 34.Qg8+ Ke7 35.Rxf7# ) 34.cxd5 {Now the black queen is cut out of the defense.} ( 34.exd5 {should also suffice, but the text is stronger.} ) 34...Re7 ( {Against:} 34...exd5 {Artemiev would have to find another star idea:} 35.Rf5 $3 Qd4 36.e5 $1 {Permanently cutting the black queen from her king with a mating attack after:} 36...dxe5 37.Qh6+ Ke8 38.Qh8+ Ke7 39.Qf6+ Ke8 ( 39...Kf8 40.Rh5 ) 40.Rxe5+ Kf8 41.Qh8# ) 35.e5 $3 {The same powerful idea! The black queen is cut along the fifth rank, but it is also deprived of access on the long diagonal.} 35...Rc8 {The rook steps out of the pin... just to land under another.} ( {Nothing changes:} 35...exd5 36.e6 $1 ) ( {Nor:} 35...dxe5 36.dxe6 $1 ) 36.Rf4 dxe5 {This drops material, but the alternative was mate.} ( 36...Qc1 37.Qf6 {followed by Rf4-h4-h8 is unstoppable.} ) 37.Rc4 exd5 38.Qh6+ Ke8 39.Rxc5 Rxc5 40.Qxb6 {The rest was easy for White.} 40...Rec7 41.Bxd5 Rc2+ 42.Bg2 e4 43.Qb5+ R7c6 44.h4 Kf8 45.Qb8+ Ke7 46.Kh3 f5 47.Qe5+ Re6 48.Qxf5 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | A Group"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.06.20"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[ECO "B44"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7696984051719"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6 6.e4 Bb4 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3 e5 {From the English opening the game smoothly transposed into the Sicilian.} 9.O-O O-O 10.h3 d6 ( {Another recent game of the Russian GM went} 10...h6 11.Na4 d5 12.a3 Bd6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.exd5 e4 15.Bc2 Qe7 16.Re1 Bf5 17.Nc3 {Artemiev,V (2746)-Le,Q (2708) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 11.Be3 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Nd7 13.Qd2 $146 {The queen feels comfortable on the half-open d-file.} ( {Artemiev comes first with a novelty. An earlier game saw:} 13.Qa4 Nc5 14.Bxc5 dxc5 15.Qxc6 Bxh3 16.Rfd1 Qg5 17.Bf1 Bg4 {Vishnu,P (2538) -Thybo,J (2464) Lund 2017} ) 13...Nc5 14.Bc2 Be6 15.Rfd1 Nb7 ( {White is winning a pawn in case of} 15...Bxc4 16.Qxd6 Qxd6 17.Rxd6 ) 16.c5 $1 {No doubt this was also part of Artemiev's preparation. White is getting rid of the doubled pawn and enters an endgame where the bishop pair provides long-term pressure for him.} 16...dxc5 17.Qxd8 Rfxd8 18.Rxd8+ Rxd8 19.Rb1 Nd6 ( {There is no principal difference if Black chooses the other knight move:} 19...Na5 {True, Black does not fear:} 20.Bxc5 ( {Most likely White would have chosen} 20.a4 Nc4 21.Bxc5 {transposes into the game.} ) 20...Bxa2 21.Rb2 Be6 22.Bxa7 {which should be holdable for Black, albeit unpleasant.} ) 20.a4 ( {Nothing yields} 20.Rd1 Nb7 21.Rxd8+ Nxd8 22.Bxc5 Bxa2 23.Bxa7 Ne6 {with equality.} ) 20...Nc4 21.Bxc5 a5 {Only this is a mistake, but a serious one.} ( {Harikrishna needed to open air for the king first:} 21...h6 $1 {As the pawn is not yet hanging:} 22.Bxa7 ( {If} 22.Rb7 a6 {looks OK for Black as he is ready to counterattack in case of:} 23.Ra7 Rd2 24.Bb3 Rb2 25.Bxc4 Bxc4 {with equality.} ) ( {The rook trade} 22.Rd1 Rxd1+ 23.Bxd1 Nb2 24.Bc2 a6 {is desirable for Black who should be able to hold again.} ) 22...Na3 23.Rb2 Nxc2 ( {Not} 23...Rd2 24.Rb8+ ) 24.Rxc2 {is equal after both} 24...Bb3 ( {Or:} 24...Ra8 ) ) 22.Be7 $1 {Now Harikrishna needs to move out of the open file with his rook, and White's initiative unfolds by itself.} 22...Rc8 ( {Nothing changes} 22...Re8 23.Rb7 f6 24.Kf1 ) 23.Rb7 h6 24.Kf1 c5 25.Ke1 {Artemiev's king is wisely avoiding the color of the enemy bishop.} ( {Although strictly speaking this is not necessary:} 25.Ke2 Rc6 26.Rb5 {Now a move like} 26...Na3 {will be met with} 27.Rb8+ $1 Kh7 28.Bb3 Bxb3 29.Rxb3 Nc4 30.Rb5 {and White is winning.} ) 25...Rc6 26.Rb5 {There are too many black pawns on the opposite color of his bishop, and they drop one after another.} 26...Na3 27.Rb8+ Kh7 28.Bb3 Bxb3 ( {Nothing changes} 28...Nc4 29.Rb5 Nb6 30.Bc2 Nc4 31.Rxc5 Rxc5 32.Bxc5 ) 29.Rxb3 Nc4 30.Rb5 Rc7 31.Bxc5 f6 ( {Perhaps Harikrishna should have tried} 31...Rd7 {although White should be able to covert his edge as well after, say:} 32.Be3 ( {Not} 32.Ke2 Rd2+ ) 32...Nxe3 33.fxe3 Rd3 34.Ke2 Rxc3 35.Rxe5 ) 32.Ke2 Rd7 33.Be3 Rc7 34.Kd3 $1 {The rest is easy for the Russian GM.} 34...Nxe3 35.fxe3 Rd7+ 36.Kc2 Kg6 37.Rxa5 Kg5 38.g3 h5 39.Rd5 Rc7 40.a5 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | A Group"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.06.22"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[ECO "D52"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8112790592010"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 Qa5 7.Nd2 Bb4 8.Rc1 O-O ( {The world champion chose to play for blockade instead with} 8...Ne4 9.Ndxe4 dxe4 10.Bh4 Qxa2 11.Qc2 Qa5 12.Qxe4 Qf5 {Matlakov,M (2699)-Carlsen,M (2872) Moscow 2019} ) 9.Be2 Bxc3 {Artemiev doesn't mind taking some risk and capture the sacrificed pawn.} 10.Rxc3 Qxa2 11.Qc1 Qa5 12.Ra3 Qd8 13.e4 $146 {Another example of deep Dubov preparation. The central thrust opens the road of the rook toward the enemy king.} ( {White's play in an earlier game is not that inspiring:} 13.O-O e5 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Nb3 Qb6 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Qc7 exd4 18.Nxd4 Ne5 19.Qc5 Nc6 20.Qxd5 Rd8 21.Qe4 Nxd4 22.exd4 g6 {when Black is already better in Molner,M (2499)-Dreev,A (2628) Las Vegas 2015} ) 13...h6 {If Black could only get rid of this annoying piece, it will be all great.} ( {It makes no sense to invite more white attackers into his camp with} 13...dxe4 $2 14.Nxe4 h6 15.Bh4 g5 $4 16.Bxg5 {is definitely suicidal behavior.} ) 14.h4 $1 {Apparently part of the preparation.} 14...Qe8 ( {Here and on the next moves Black can never take the bishop:} 14...hxg5 15.hxg5 Ne8 16.Rah3 f5 17.g6 {as the mate on the h-file is inevitable.} ) ( {Unsurprisingly, Artemiev's best chance is related to the central counterattack with} 14...e5 $1 {Then after} 15.Rg3 Kh7 ( 15...Kh8 $5 ) 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.cxd5 cxd5 {Black can open the center and create threats on his own. What did Dubov prepare in this case will remain a secret for the time being.} ) 15.e5 Nh7 ( {Still bad for Black remains} 15...hxg5 16.hxg5 Nh7 17.Rah3 ) 16.Rg3 $1 {One pin is broken, and Dubov hurries to create another one!} 16...Kh8 $1 {Best defense.} ( {After} 16...hxg5 17.hxg5 f6 18.gxf6 Ndxf6 19.exf6 Rxf6 20.Bd3 Nf8 21.Nf3 {White's initiative will grow like a snowball on a steep slope. A very steep one.} ) 17.Nf3 f5 18.exf6 {Simple and good.} ( {However, also very tempting is one more bishop sacrifice:} 18.Bxh6 gxh6 19.Qxh6 Rf7 {Here the key to the attack lies in the unusual maneuver} 20.Rhh3 $3 {That slowly lifts the second rook on the open file and irreversibly builds a decisive attack after} 20...Qf8 21.Qh5 Qe7 22.Rg5 Nb6 23.Rhg3 Bd7 24.Rg6 ) 18...Ndxf6 19.Bxf6 {At last Dubov trades the bishop and no longer needs to calculate the possible captures.} ( {However, more accurate is the immediate} 19.Ne5 $1 Ne4 20.Rf3 $1 Rxf3 21.gxf3 Nef6 {With the bishop alive, White now has} 22.Bxh6 $1 gxh6 23.Qxh6 {with a crushing attack.} ) 19...Nxf6 20.Ne5 Ne4 21.Re3 {This prepares the next wave of the attack.} ( {Not} 21.Ng6+ $2 Kg8 22.Nxf8 Nxg3 ) ( {However, strong is} 21.Rg6 $1 Rf6 22.Bh5 Qd8 23.f3 ) 21...c5 $1 ( {Artemiev cannot touch the poisoned pawn:} 21...Nxf2 $4 22.Rf1 Ne4 23.Rxf8+ Qxf8 24.Ng6+ ) 22.dxc5 Rf5 {With the key point of} 23.Rxe4 $3 {White's knight on e5 dominates and secures his pieces a lasting initiative.} ( {It is not a good moment to retreat:} 23.Nf3 Bd7 ) 23...dxe4 24.Qc3 b6 ( {More natural seems} 24...Bd7 25.g4 Rf8 {When White has a myriad of ways to develop his initiative:} ( {Or perhaps better is:} 25...Rxe5 26.Qxe5 a5 {with some hopes to repel the attack.} ) 26.g5 $5 ( 26.h5 $5 ) ( 26.b4 $5 ) 26...h5 27.O-O ) 25.g4 Rxe5 $1 {The only chance.} ( {After} 25...Rf8 26.c6 $1 {Black is paralyzed. Both his rooks are worth less than the billion-dollar white knight in the center.} ) 26.Qxe5 Qc6 ( {Maybe it was worth trying} 26...Bb7 {with the idea to try and hold the endgame after} 27.g5 h5 28.g6 ( {However, White can choose} 28.O-O $1 bxc5 29.Qxc5 {which should be positionally won for him.} ) 28...Qxg6 29.Bxh5 Qf5 30.Qxf5 exf5 31.cxb6 axb6 32.Ke2 {with chances of survival.} ) 27.g5 h5 {This loses.} ( {Artemiev's last chance was connected with} 27...e3 $1 28.Rf1 Qxc5 29.Qxc5 bxc5 30.fxe3 Kg8 ) 28.O-O $1 {Unusual castling, close to move 30. With the white rook out, Black's days are limited.} ( {Instead:} 28.g6 Qxc5 29.Qxe4 Rb8 30.Qf4 e5 {still puts on resistance.} ) 28...Qxc5 ( {Or} 28...bxc5 29.g6 $1 ) 29.Qxe4 Rb8 30.Qg6 {This is the difference. Black's position collapses.} 30...Qf5 31.Qe8+ Kh7 32.Rd1 {The neatest decision.} ( 32.Qxh5+ Kg8 33.Qe8+ Qf8 {should win for White too, but requires some technical work.} ) 32...Bb7 33.Qxb8 Qe4 34.Bd3 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | B Group"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.06.21"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2860"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[ECO "D23"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7010732742687"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bf5 6.g3 e6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.O-O O-O ( {The dangers that Black is facing in the line might have become familiar to Vachier-Lagrave from his own recent experience:} 8...Nbd7 9.Qb3 Qb6 10.Nc3 a5 11.Qxb6 Nxb6 12.Ne5 Nbd5 13.f3 Nd7 14.Nxd7 Kxd7 15.e4 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Bg6 17.a4 b5 18.axb5 cxb5 19.f4 Rhc8 20.g4 {with serious presure for White in So,W (2770)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2778) Clutch Chess 2020} ) 9.Qb3 Qb6 10.Nbd2 Rd8 11.Nc4 Qa6 12.Bg5 $146 ( {Caruana held his own in this online Game:} 12.Bd2 Nbd7 13.Rfc1 Be4 14.Bb4 c5 15.dxc5 Nxc5 16.Qa3 Qxa3 17.Bxa3 Rac8 18.Ne1 Kf8 19.Bxe4 Nfxe4 20.f3 Nf6 21.Kf2 Nd5 {Nakamura,H (2736)-Caruana,F (2835) Lindores Abbey 2020} ) 12...Nbd7 13.Rfe1 h6 14.Bf4 ( {Correctly avoiding} 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.e3 c5 {when the only remaining dark-squared bishop will cause White headaches.} ) 14...Nb6 15.Nce5 Qa4 {Caruana needs to swap some pieces and the queens are a good choice.} ( {However, the non-standard} 15...Qb5 $5 {might have been even better as in the line} 16.Qxb5 cxb5 17.Bd2 a5 {Black deprives the white bishop of access to the a5-square and can later develop an initiative on the queenside.} 18.Rec1 Be4 ) 16.Bd2 ( {Black is definitely not afraid of} 16.Qxa4 Nxa4 17.b3 ( {After} 17.Nc4 {both} 17...Be4 ( {and} 17...Rac8 {are good for Black.} ) ) 17...Nc3 ) 16...Be4 {One of the many ways to equality.} ( {Also good was the immediate trade} 16...Qxb3 17.axb3 Nbd5 18.Ba5 Rdc8 19.Nd2 Bh7 {when Black does not need to fear} 20.e4 Nb4 ) ( {Perhaps the most convincing route for the second player was} 16...Ne4 $1 {since the white bishop cannot be well relocated:} 17.Qxa4 ( {Whereas} 17.e3 Qxb3 18.axb3 Nxd2 19.Nxd2 Bb4 {leaves Black significantly better thanks to his bishop pair.} ) 17...Nxa4 18.Ba5 Rd5 {is very good for Black.} ) 17.Qxa4 Nxa4 18.b3 Nb6 19.Ba5 Rd5 20.Bc3 c5 {Due to the symmetrical nature of the position, Caruana equalized completely. Both sides keep pushing though.} 21.e3 Rdd8 ( {The centralized rook could have been used for further trades with} 21...cxd4 22.Bxd4 Bc5 ) 22.Red1 Nbd5 23.Ba5 ( {The line} 23.Bb2 cxd4 24.Nxd4 Bxg2 25.Kxg2 Ne4 {paints a beautiful picture of the equilibrium.} ) 23...Rdc8 24.Rac1 b6 25.Be1 a5 26.a4 Rc7 ( {Once again there was} 26...cxd4 27.Nxd4 Bxg2 28.Kxg2 Ne4 {with almost certainly a draw.} ) 27.Nc4 Rac8 28.dxc5 Bxc5 29.Nd4 Bxg2 {The first step in the wrong direction.} ( {There was no rush, and Black could have postponed this for a better moment:} 29...Rd7 {since once again Black should not fear} 30.f3 Bg6 ) 30.Kxg2 Bxd4 {This second trade is a more serious error. The remaining black knights lack good outposts, and this leaves Black on the back foot.} 31.Rxd4 Nd7 ( {Perhaps Caruana should have tried} 31...e5 32.Rd3 e4 33.Rd4 Rc5 {looking for a good moment for queenside pawn annihilation with timely b6-b5.} ) 32.e4 N5f6 33.Rcd1 {Out of the pin!} ( {Not} 33.f3 Ne5 ) 33...Rb8 34.f3 Kh7 {Out of the intermediate checks!} ( {There is not enough counterplay after} 34...b5 35.Bxa5 Rc6 36.axb5 Rxb5 37.Bd2 Rxb3 $2 38.Na5 ) ( {Apparently, Black did not have time to measure the consequences of the forcing continuation} 34...Nc5 35.Rd8+ Rxd8 36.Rxd8+ Kh7 37.Nxb6 Nxb3 38.Rd3 Rc1 {White can play for a win after both} 39.Rxb3 ( {and} 39.Kf1 $5 ) 39...Rxe1 40.Rb5 ) 35.g4 $1 {A programmed advance in the battle against the knights. An additional bonus is the simple threat it creates.} 35...e5 ( {Which is} 35...Nc5 $2 36.Bg3 ) 36.Rd6 Nc5 ( {There's still not enough play after} 36...b5 37.Bxa5 Ra7 38.axb5 Rxb5 39.b4 ) 37.Nxe5 Nxb3 38.h4 $1 {Power-Play-Vachier-Lagrave. The Frenchman is looking for mate.} ( {A more conservative approach like} 38.Rb1 $5 Ne8 39.Rc6 Rxc6 40.Nxc6 Rc8 41.Ne5 Rc2+ 42.Bf2 Nc5 43.Rxb6 Nxa4 {risks the transition into a one-sided fortress endgame, despite the potential extra white pawn.} ) 38...b5 39.g5 Nh5 {Played \E0 tempo.} ( {From a practical point of view more chances would have given} 39...Ne8 $1 40.Rd7 Rxd7 41.Rxd7 hxg5 42.hxg5 bxa4 {Then White will run a risk as well, due to the annoying a-passers. True, after} 43.Rxf7 a3 $2 ( {But Black may try} 43...Kg8 44.g6 Rc8 $1 {when White will be obliged to find further lines like} 45.Bg3 a3 46.Nd7 Nf6 47.Be5 Nh5 48.Kh3 $1 a2 49.Kg4 {eventually winning.} ) 44.g6+ $1 {Black is checkmated after both} 44...Kg8 ( {and} 44...Kh6 45.Rf8 a2 46.Bh4 {leaves no way out for Black.} ) 45.Nc6 ) 40.Nd7 Rbc8 41.axb5 a4 42.b6 {White not only has an extra pawn, but a more dangerous passer too.} 42...Rb7 43.Bb4 Nf4+ 44.Kg3 Ne6 45.Kg4 ( 45.f4 $1 {would be good too.} ) 45...Rc2 46.g6+ $3 {Vachier-Lagrave proves again what an incredible calculator he is!} 46...Kxg6 47.Nf8+ Kf6 48.e5+ Kxe5 ( {The more picturesque mate occurs after:} 48...Ke7 49.Rxe6# ) 49.R6d5+ Kf6 50.Rf5# 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | Final 8"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.06.27"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7354594627079"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.e3 d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.Bxd7+ Qxd7 ( {The main move remains} 7...Nbxd7 {which has already been tried against the world champion in the following game:} 8.O-O c4 9.a4 a6 10.a5 Bd6 11.b3 Rc8 12.bxc4 dxc4 13.Qa4 O-O 14.Ba3 b5 15.axb6 Nxb6 16.Qc2 Nbd5 {and game eventually ended in a draw, Carlsen,M (2837)-Ding,L (2774) Saint Louis 2017} ) 8.O-O Nc6 9.b3 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Nxd4 $146 {This is unusual. The capture seems to develop only the white pieces.} ( {The more obvious and logical move} 10...Be7 {was tried before:} 11.Bb2 O-O 12.Nd2 Rac8 13.Qb1 Rfe8 14.Nf5 Bd8 15.Rd1 Ne5 16.h3 {with the usual slight advantage for White (Black eventually held) in Timofeev,A (2593) -Bayramov,Z (2301) Budapest 2019} ) 11.Qxd4 Bd6 12.Bb2 ( 12.Nc3 O-O 13.Bb2 {might have transposed into the game.} ) 12...O-O 13.Nc3 Rfe8 {Intending Bd6-e5 that Carlsen simply prevents:} 14.Nxd5 $1 {By entering a favorable endgame.} 14...Bxh2+ ( 14...Nxd5 $4 15.Qxg7# ) 15.Kxh2 Qxd5 16.Qxd5 Nxd5 17.Rfd1 {It is not clear what Caruana was hoping for. The bishop is clearly better than the knight in the asymmetrical position, and even if Black has a way to hold this, it is far from obvious (and painless against Carlsen!)} 17...Red8 ( {If} 17...Rad8 18.Rac1 Nb4 19.Rxd8 Rxd8 20.Rc7 Nxa2 21.Rxb7 {and White's advantage only grows.} ) 18.Rac1 f6 19.Rd4 {Carlsen takes care of the b4-square and threatens to capitalize on the pin.} 19...Ne7 ( {Perhaps it was worth trying} 19...Nb6 {with the point to look for complications:} 20.Rc7 ( {True, White does not need to force anything and can mount pressure instead with} 20.Rc5 $5 {intending Rc5-b5 and a2-a4-a5 with a large edge.} ) 20...Rdc8 21.Rxb7 Rc2 22.Ba3 Rxf2 23.Bc5 Rxa2 24.Bxb6 axb6 25.Rdd7 {The seventh-rank rooks are a menace, but Black might be able to survive after} 25...Rb2 ) 20.Rc7 Nf5 21.Rg4 {This move allows some further chances for Black.} ( {Safer seems} 21.Rxd8+ $5 Rxd8 22.e4 ( {Not} 22.Rxb7 $2 Rd2 ) 22...Nd6 23.e5 $1 {Prolonging the diagonal for the bishop. White is strategically winning here.} ) 21...h5 $1 {Caruana forces the rook to a delicate square.} 22.Rg6 Re8 {Then fails to use it.} ( {The far from trivial idea} 22...Rac8 $1 23.Rxb7 {and then} 23...Re8 $3 {To prevent e3-e4 would have given survival chances to Black. The point is that after} 24.Rxa7 Ra8 $1 {White cannot trade rooks easily as his remaining rook is in jeopardy:} 25.Rxa8 ( {Therefore stronger is} 25.Rd7 Rxa2 26.Bxf6 Ra6 27.Rgxg7+ Nxg7 28.Rxg7+ Kf8 29.Bd4 {and White still has serious chances to win, but Black may well hold this.} ) 25...Rxa8 26.e4 Nd6 27.e5 ( 27.Bxf6 Kf7 $1 {drops the bishop.} ) 27...Rxa2 28.exd6 Rxb2 29.Rg3 {The rook is saved, but the point should be split after} 29...Rd2 ) 23.Bxf6 Re6 24.e4 $1 {Now it is all over for Black.} 24...Rxe4 ( {Equally helpless for Black is:} 24...Rxf6 25.Rxf6 gxf6 26.exf5 ) 25.Rg5 Rh4+ 26.Kg1 Re8 {Mate in one threat.} 27.g3 {Sufficiently good.} ( {A bit faster would have been:} 27.Bc3 $1 Rf4 28.g3 Rf3 29.Kg2 ) 27...Rg4 28.Rxf5 gxf6 29.Rxb7 h4 30.Rf4 Rxf4 31.gxf4 Ra8 ( {Against:} 31...Re4 32.Rxa7 Rxf4 {The most technical is:} 33.Ra4 $1 ) 32.Kg2 {Next Carlsen improves everything he has:} 32...a5 33.Kh3 a4 34.Kxh4 axb3 35.axb3 Ra5 36.Kg4 Rd5 37.b4 Kf8 38.b5 Ke8 39.f5 Kf8 40.b6 Rb5 41.f3 ( 41.Kh5 $1 {is already working.} ) 41...Ke8 42.f4 Kf8 {And converted with:} 43.Kh5 Rxf5+ 44.Kg6 Rxf4 45.Rc7 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | Final 8"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.06.28"]
[Round "4.7"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2836"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "E36"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[Beauty "6254030232094"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 d5 7.Nf3 dxc4 8.Qxc4 b6 9.h4 ( {Ding has experience in this line as Black too:} 9.Bg5 Bb7 10.Rd1 Nbd7 11.Ne5 h6 12.Bh4 c5 13.Nxd7 Qxd7 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.dxc5 Qc7 {Yu,Y (2763)-Ding,L (2811) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 9...Ba6 10.Qc2 c5 11.dxc5 bxc5 12.Rh3 $146 {A novelty. The rook enters the battle via the third rank, whereas the white king is OK to castle by hand.} ( {An earlier game saw} 12.Bg5 Nbd7 13.e4 Bxf1 14.Kxf1 Qb6 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.e5 Nd5 17.Ng5 f5 18.exf6 Nxf6 {when Black was more than fine, Cardoso Cardoso,J (2313)-Turgut,A (2281) Mumbai 2019} ) 12...Nc6 ( {In case Black defends the front knight with} 12...Nbd7 {White can develop the initiative with} 13.h5 Rb8 14.g4 {as} 14...Nxg4 {fails to} 15.Qa4 ) 13.Bg5 ( {The pawn is poisoned:} 13.Qxc5 $2 Rc8 14.Bg5 e5 {with the threat of Nc6-d4 that effectively decides the outcome of the game no matter if White captures another pawn or not:} 15.Nxe5 Nd4 ) 13...Nd4 14.Nxd4 cxd4 15.Rd1 ( {The other way to mount pressure on the kingside is} 15.Rg3 $5 Kh8 16.Rd1 e5 17.Qf5 ) 15...e5 16.Rf3 ( {Here} 16.Rg3 Qb6 {is ineffective.} ) 16...Bb7 ( {If Nakamura wanted to avoid the doubling of the pawns, he could have chosen} 16...Rc8 17.Qf5 Rc6 {that looks OK for Black.} ) 17.Bxf6 gxf6 18.Rg3+ Kh8 19.e3 Qe7 {Black's pawn structure has been demolished, but White's king is not safe enough, and this obstructs Ding in developing his advantage.} 20.exd4 exd4+ 21.Be2 ( {Interesting is} 21.Qe2 $5 Qe5 22.Qxe5 fxe5 23.Rb3 Bd5 24.Rb5 Rfd8 25.Rc1 {with a slightly better endgame for White.} ) 21...Be4 ( {Nakamura could have defended even better with} 21...Rad8 22.Kf1 Rg8 $1 23.Rxg8+ Rxg8 {This time it is the white kingside that cannot be easily defended, and White needs to weaken it:} 24.g3 ( 24.f3 Qe5 ) 24...Qd7 {but in both cases Black keeps bugging the opponent on the weakened squares.} ) 22.Qd2 ( {The computer's suggestion is extremely complicated:} 22.Qa4 d3 23.Re3 dxe2 24.Rd7 Qe5 25.Rxe4 Qxb2 26.Qd4 Rab8 27.Qxb2 Rxb2 28.f3 {but also promises White an endgame edge.} ) 22...d3 {Nakamura is looking for clarification.} ( {It is not too late for} 22...Rad8 $1 23.Kf1 Rg8 {with counterplay.} ) 23.Bxd3 Bxd3+ 24.Re3 Qb7 25.Qxd3 Qxg2 26.Qd4 {The major-piece endgame is obviously more pleasant for White, but it is again his king's safety that obstructs him.} ( {Principally nothing is changed after} 26.Qe4 Qh2 27.Ke2 ) 26...Qg1+ ( {Also good is} 26...Qh1+ 27.Ke2 Qc6 ) 27.Ke2 Qg6 28.Rf3 Rae8+ 29.Kf1 Re6 30.Rg3 Qf5 31.Qg4 {Ding decided to solve the problem of the king once and for all.} ( {The other choice is to keep the queens on the board with} 31.b4 Rg8 32.Rxg8+ Kxg8 33.Rd3 ) 31...Qxg4 32.Rxg4 a5 {Nakamura needs to trade his queenside weakness.} 33.b4 ( {The other way to play for the win is} 33.Rd5 Rb6 34.Rxa5 Rxb2 35.Ra6 Ra2 {but then the white rook ends in front of the passer, and Ding wants to have the rook the other way round.} ) 33...axb4 34.axb4 Rb8 35.Rb1 {The rook behind the pawn should be sufficient for the win had the remaining rook pair been off the board. However, with all the four rooks alive, Black should hold.} 35...Re5 36.Kg2 h5 37.Rc4 Kg7 38.Kf3 f5 39.Kf4 Kf6 {An inaccuracy...} 40.Rd1 {...which Ding failed to capitalize on.} ( {Instead:} 40.Rc6+ $1 Re6 41.Rxe6+ fxe6 42.b5 e5+ 43.Ke3 Rb6 44.Kd3 Ke6 45.Kc4 {would have led to a situation very close to hopeless for Black.} ) 40...Rb6 41.f3 Reb5 42.Rdd4 Rb8 43.Ke3 R5b6 44.Kd3 {The only winning idea is to set one of the rooks free.} 44...Ke6 45.Kc3 Ra6 46.Kb3 Rba8 47.b5 Ra1 48.Rc2 {Now after a short tactical skirmish...} 48...R1a3+ 49.Kb4 R3a4+ 50.Kc5 Rc8+ 51.Kb6 Rxd4 52.Rxc8 Rxh4 53.Ka5 {...the final phase of the game begins when Black needs to determine in which moment he should sacrifice his rook for the queenside passer to enter a drawn endgame.} 53...Kd7 {Nakamura decided to lock down the opponent's king instead, which should have also sufficed.} ( {This is an interesting moment to prepare the sacrifice:} 53...Rh1 54.b6 Rb1 55.Ka6 Ke5 {Then the forcing} 56.Rc5+ ( {However:} 56.Rc4 $5 {would still keep practical winning chances for White.} ) 56...Kf4 57.Rb5 Ra1+ 58.Ra5 Rb1 59.b7 Rxb7 60.Kxb7 h4 {leads to a draw.} ( {As well as} 60...Kxf3 61.Rxf5+ Kg4 {with equality as well.} ) ) 54.Rc5 Rh1 55.b6 h4 56.b7 Ra1+ ( {The plan with the rook sacrifice would have worked here:} 56...Rb1 57.Ka6 h3 58.Rc2 Rb3 59.Ka7 Ra3+ 60.Kb6 ( 60.Kb8 Rxf3 ) 60...Rxf3 61.b8=Q Rb3+ 62.Ka7 Rxb8 63.Kxb8 Kd6 {with a draw.} ) 57.Kb6 Rb1+ 58.Ka7 ( {But not:} 58.Rb5 $4 Rxb5+ 59.Kxb5 Kc7 60.Ka6 Kb8 {when Black wins.} ) 58...Ra1+ 59.Kb8 h3 60.Rc2 Rh1 {A tragic oversight.} ( {Had the rook kept the a-file, there is no way Ding would have won this.} 60...Ra3 $1 61.f4 Ra4 ) 61.Ra2 $1 {The king is out, and the black rook is lost.} 61...Rb1 62.Ka7 {And since the white f-pawn also survives, Nakamura resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Clutch Chess International"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.06.06"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[ECO "B52"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7422508800052"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.Nf3 c5 2.e4 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 {This is considered the safest continuation against the Moscow variation.} 4.Bxd7+ Nxd7 5.O-O Ngf6 6.Re1 Rc8 ( {It was just a week ago when this game was played:} 6...e6 7.c3 Be7 8.d4 O-O 9.e5 Ne8 10.exd6 Bxd6 11.Nbd2 Nef6 12.Qe2 Qc7 13.Nc4 Be7 14.Bg5 cxd4 15.Nxd4 {Nakamura,H (2736)-Dubov,D (2699) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 7.c3 e6 8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 {Modifying the structure to a French one. In return for the tempo wasted on d7-d6-d5, Black can brag about swapping his poor light-squared bishop.} 10.e5 Ne4 11.Nbd2 Nxd2 12.Qxd2 {A cool move! It had already been played in a game which apparently was not overlooked by the world champion.} ( {As a rule, White was automatically recapturing with the bishop:} 12.Bxd2 Be7 {followed by activating the queen on the queenside:} 13.Qa4 {where it was not doing that much and was often traded, as in this game:} 13...Ra8 14.Rac1 O-O 15.Ba5 Nb6 16.Qb5 Qe8 {Stean,M-Kortschnoj,V (2670) London 1976} ) 12...Be7 13.Qf4 {The point behind the capture. White's pawn chain highlights the kingside, and this is where White should be attacking.} 13...O-O ( {A more prudent idea might have been to first reinforce the kingside:} 13...Nf8 $5 14.Qg4 Ng6 ) 14.Qg4 Re8 $146 {Xiong frees the f8-square for his light pieces, and this turns out to be a novelty.} ( {The stem game went} 14...Kh8 15.Re3 Rc6 16.Bd2 f5 17.exf6 Nxf6 18.Qh3 Ne4 19.Rxe4 dxe4 20.Ne5 {with compensation for the exchange in Onischuk,V (2591)-Sharafiev,A (2403) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013} ) 15.h4 {This is part of White's plan. The combined piece and pawn attack is most powerful.} ( {Here} 15.Re3 {would most likely have been met with} 15...Nf8 ) 15...Qc7 {Black prepares the typical defensive maneuver Qc7-c2-f5 but falls short just by a move.} 16.Bh6 g6 {Why did Black weaken himself at once?} ( {Was not it more logical to defend with pieces? E.g.} 16...Bf8 {After} 17.h5 Kh8 18.Rac1 $1 {It is important to remove the queen from the seventh rank.} ( 18.Ng5 {is an empty blow now due to the black-knight maneuver} 18...Nb6 ) 18...Qb6 19.Rxc8 Rxc8 20.Ng5 Qb4 {The engine claims equality from afar, until it discovers the hidden beauty...} 21.Nxf7+ Kg8 22.Bd2 $3 {Vacating the h6-square for the knight.} 22...Qxd2 23.Qxe6 Qxe1+ 24.Kh2 {If you are looking for a good example of a queen+knight supremacy, look no further! Black is checkmated, after say} 24...h6 ( {Or a smothered mate after} 24...Bb4 25.Nh6+ Kh8 26.Qg8+ Rxg8 27.Nf7# ) 25.Nxh6+ Kh7 26.Qg6+ Kh8 27.Nf7+ Kg8 28.h6 $1 {and h6-h7 is unstoppable.} ) 17.Qf4 $1 {Precision in the details. The worst scenario has happened for Black. He has no adequate counterplay on the queenside and has to watch in horror as his kingside is getting decimated.} ( 17.h5 Qc2 {would have allowed the Qc2-f5 defense.} ) 17...Qc2 18.g4 b6 {So that the pawn is not hanging after the capture on b2.} 19.b3 {Which Carlsen does not allow.} 19...Ba3 20.Kg2 Qb2 21.Ng5 Re7 22.Rad1 {A "Carlsen" move! The d4-pawn is overprotected, just in case.} ( {Although the fearless machine quickly discovers that this was not needed, as in the line} 22.h5 Rc2 23.Rh1 Rd2 24.Nxh7 $1 {it is mate after} 24...Rxd4 25.Nf6+ Kh8 26.hxg6 $3 Rxf4 27.g7# ) 22...Rc2 23.Re3 {Final preparations.} 23...Rc3 24.h5 {The time has come to strip the black king of his defenders.} 24...Qc2 25.Rxc3 {The most practical. There is no need to calculate additional lines.} ( 25.Nxh7 $1 {would have likely transposed to the game, but White also needs to calculate the line} 25...Rxe3 26.Nf6+ Kh8 27.Bf8 $1 ) 25...Qxc3 26.Nxh7 $3 {After his trademark preparation the world champion smoothly finishes the game.} 26...Kxh7 27.Bg5 Kg8 ( {Or} 27...f6 28.Bxf6 ) 28.Bxe7 Bxe7 29.Rc1 {Technically speaking, Black cannot complain about lack of material, but in reality, his pieces cannot defend the king against White's combined attack.} 29...Qb4 30.Rc8+ Nf8 31.h6 $1 {Breaking through.} 31...g5 32.h7+ Kg7 ( {Or} 32...Kxh7 33.Qxf7+ ) 33.h8=Q+ Kxh8 34.Qxf7 Qxd4 35.Rxf8+ {quickly winning a bunch of pawns and the game.} 35...Bxf8 36.Qxf8+ Kh7 37.Qf7+ Kh8 38.Qh5+ Kg7 39.Qxg5+ Kh7 40.Qe7+ Kh8 41.Qf6+ Kh7 42.Qxe6 Qd1 ( {Checks are over after} 42...Qe4+ 43.Kg3 ) 43.Qf5+ Kg8 44.e6 1-0

[Event "Clutch Chess International"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.06.09"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[ECO "B53"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8247276737555"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 {Aronian needs a win and wants to be off the beaten track as soon as he can.} 5...Nc6 6.Qe3 ( {The main line is} 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Bxc6 Bxc6 8.Bg5 e6 9.Qd3 Be7 10.Nd4 Qa5 11.f4 Rc8 12.O-O-O O-O 13.Kb1 Rfd8 14.h4 Be8 {as in the recent game Stevic,H (2575)-Chigaev,M (2588) Lichess.org INT 2020} ) 6...d5 $146 {"I think I analyzed the move 6...d5, that's why I played it, but maybe it was in a different position. Of course, if I didn't know this move I would never play 6...d5; it looks terrible." (Grischuk)} ( {Black can also fianchettoe the bishop, as in this game:} 6...g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Bc4 a6 9.a4 O-O 10.O-O Bd7 11.Rd1 Rc8 12.Qe2 {Tyulenko,Y (2435) -Kain,A (2404) ICCF email 2013} ) 7.Bb5 {The only attempt to punish the opponent for his risky play.} 7...Nxe4 8.Nd4 Bd7 9.Nxe4 dxe4 10.Bxc6 {This might not be optimal.} ( {Keeping the bishop might have been more prudent:} 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Be2 {Now no matter how Black defends his e4 pawn, White can always develop a serious initiative:} 11...Bf5 ( 11...f5 12.Qc3 {leaves too many holes into Black's position.} ) 12.Qc3 Qd6 $6 ( {Or} 12...Qd7 13.O-O ) 13.Bf4 $1 {In all cases White is bringing his pieces fast on wonderful attacking positions.} ) 10...bxc6 11.Qxe4 {"I think I had a good position but it was very complicated and very dangerous. I always have to watch out if castles long; he will be clearly better." (Grischuk)} 11...Qa5+ 12.Bd2 Qd5 13.Qe3 ( {The endgame is obviously better for Black:} 13.Qxd5 $2 cxd5 {thanks to his bishop pair.} ) 13...c5 {Grischuk's plan is to keep his queen in the center, obstructing both castlings and thus keeping the white rooks away.} ( {The dangers of greedy play can be demonstrated by this line:} 13...Qxg2 14.O-O-O Qd5 15.Bc3 $5 {Preparing all sorts of discovered d-file attacks.} 15...Qxa2 16.Nb3 e6 17.Rxd7 $1 Kxd7 18.Qf3 {and White's attack is decisive.} ) 14.Ne2 {The knight is heading to f4, but this might not be ideal.} ( {Better was} 14.Nb3 c4 ( 14...e6 {allows} 15.O-O-O ) 15.Na5 $1 {when White is ready to castle long.} ) ( {Whereas} 14.Nf3 {is less attractive for White due to} 14...f6 {with e7-e5 to follow.} ) 14...e6 15.Bc3 Bc6 16.f3 ( {Aronian is avoiding the endgame at any cost, although} 16.Nf4 Qe4 17.Qxe4 Bxe4 18.O-O-O {might have kept some edge for White.} ) 16...Be7 17.Nf4 Qf5 18.h4 {After this, the final remains of the initiative disappear.} ( {But the way to create threats was not obvious at all and was related to an unusual piece sacrifice:} 18.O-O-O $1 Bg5 19.Be5 f6 20.Bc7 $1 e5 21.Qxc5 Qxf4+ 22.Kb1 Qa4 23.Rd6 {And Black's weak king is the primary factor in the position.} ) 18...Bd6 19.Ne2 Qxc2 {Grischuk defended well and a step away from castling he decided to finally risk and chop the pawn off. The main problem that remained was his usual one: a lack of time on the clock.} 20.Rd1 Be7 ( {The engines even suggest the risky attempt to seize the initiative for Black with} 20...O-O-O 21.Kf2 Be7 22.Rc1 Qa4 ) 21.Nf4 O-O 22.O-O {"The critical moment." (Grischuk)} 22...Rfd8 {A blunder!} ( {Correct was to use the other one to fight for the file:} 22...Rad8 {Then what happened in the game is not bothersome:} 23.Rc1 Qa4 24.Nxe6 $2 ( {Although White can play for the initiative:} 24.Nh5 {(Grischuk)} ) 24...fxe6 25.Qxe6+ Rf7 ) ( {There was a strong argument for} 22...Bxh4 {Then Black might have worried about} 23.Nxe6 {However Black can counter that with} ( 23.Qxc5 {could be wiser, although Black keeps the extra pawn and the bishop pair.} ) 23...Rfe8 24.Qf4 Qa4 $1 {winning material.} ) 23.Rc1 Qa4 24.Nxe6 $1 {That is it! White wins material by force.} 24...fxe6 ( {The most resilient} 24...Rd7 25.Nxg7 {should not have saved Black either.} ) 25.Qxe6+ Kf8 ( 25...Kh8 26.Bxg7+ {transposes.} ) 26.Bxg7+ Kxg7 27.Qxe7+ Kg8 28.Qe6+ Kh8 29.Rc4 {Grischuk resigned as he will have to part with his queen to avoid checkmate.} 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge Final 8"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.06.03"]
[Round "15.3"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "C26"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7355555123282"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 {Armagedon games give this sensible do-not-allow-the-Berlin option to White.} 2...Nc6 3.g3 {At the end of the 1980s, the Russian GM Igor Glek made a name for this variation. The constant success he had over-the-board with the line helped him make it into the top 10 players in the world in his prime years.} 3...Bc5 4.Bg2 Nf6 5.Nge2 d6 6.d3 a6 7.O-O Be6 8.h3 ( {One of the latest GM games in this line was also played by Nakamura:} 8.Nd5 Bxd5 9.exd5 Ne7 10.d4 exd4 11.Nxd4 O-O 12.c4 Ng6 13.b3 {but he had the white pieces then, Nakamura,H (2736) -Gareyev,T (2598) Moscow 2019} ) 8...h6 {It is not obvious if this prophylaxis is needed.} ( {The immediate} 8...d5 $5 {looks more attractive as Black can hardly fear} 9.Bg5 dxe4 10.dxe4 h6 {as in Jancarik,J (2254)-Karasek,L (2195) Czechia 2014} ) 9.Kh2 {Dubov is ready for the key f2-f4 advance.} 9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.f4 {In time.} 11...exf4 12.Bxd5 $3 $146 {A fabulous novelty! It is reminiscent of the capture on d5 in the English opening after which the black bishop gets trapped in the middle of the board. The trade of the fianchettoed bishop is always a tough decision to make and players are usually have very concrete reasons. How much of this did Dubov prepare at home?} ( {An earlier game did not see White going anywhere after} 12.Nxf4 Nxf4 13.Bxf4 Qd7 14.a3 O-O-O 15.Ne4 Bb6 16.b4 {in fact, Black quickly seized the initiative and won in Scheerer,C (2416)-Fridman,D (2571) ICC INT 2002} ) 12...Bxd5 {And a losing mistake at once!} ( {Although, the truth is that Black is already losing a piece even after the best continuation:} 12...fxg3+ 13.Nxg3 Bxd5 14.Qh5 Ne7 15.Nxd5 Qxd5 16.Qxd5 Nxd5 17.Rf5 O-O-O 18.c4 Nb4 19.Rxc5 Nxd3 20.Rf5 {There is not enough compensation for the material, and Black should gradually lose.} ) 13.Nxf4 {The bishop is trapped in the middle of the board!} 13...Ne7 ( {If it retreats:} 13...Be6 {his brother will suffer:} 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.Qh5+ ) 14.Qh5 c6 15.Ncxd5 cxd5 ( {After} 15...Nxd5 {the neatest win is} 16.Ne6 $1 Qe7 17.Nxc5 Qxc5 18.Qxf7+ {with extra material and decisive attack.} ) 16.Ne6 $1 {A multiple attack that nets Dubov loads of material.} 16...Qd6 17.Nxg7+ {The simplest.} ( {After} 17.Qxf7+ Kd7 {White needs to find the difficult} 18.Re1 {move which is completely unnecessary at this point.} ) 17...Kd7 18.Rxf7 Raf8 19.Bf4 {Winning the queen as well.} 19...Rxf7 ( {Or else Black is getting checkmated:} 19...Qc6 20.Qf5+ Kd8 21.Rxf8+ ) 20.Bxd6 Rf2+ 21.Kh1 Bxd6 22.Re1 Rhf8 23.Qg4+ {White is heavily ahead in material; all he needs is to consolidate his pieces.} 23...Kc6 24.Ne6 R8f6 25.Nd4+ Kb6 26.Re2 {Not allowing even random mating chances.} 26...Rf1+ 27.Kg2 Nc6 28.Nxc6 bxc6 29.c3 R1f5 30.b4 Kb7 31.Qg7+ Rf7 32.Qxh6 Bc7 33.Qe3 Bb6 34.d4 {Activity should not be allowed.} 34...Bc7 35.h4 a5 36.a3 a4 37.Qd3 Rf1 38.b5 {Now it is time for White to attack with his more powerful army.} 38...R1f6 39.bxc6+ Kxc6 40.Qa6+ Bb6 41.Qxa4+ Kb7 42.Qe8 Rf8 43.Re7+ Bc7 44.Qb5+ Rb6 45.Rxc7+ {The final touch which wins the bishop as well.} ( 45.Rxc7+ Kxc7 46.Qc5+ ) 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | B Group"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.23"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "E71"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "5432865226329"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Nge2 a6 ( {Caruana has some good memories in the line} 6...c6 7.Ng3 e5 8.d5 a5 9.Be2 Na6 10.Be3 cxd5 11.cxd5 Nc5 12.Bxc5 dxc5 13.Nf1 a4 14.Nd2 {Caruana,F (2835)-Amin,B (2686) chess.com INT 2020} ) 7.Ng3 c6 8.Bd3 $146 {An obvious move, and a novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw Black holding after} 8.Be3 b5 9.c5 dxc5 10.dxc5 Qxd1+ 11.Rxd1 Nfd7 12.Rc1 a5 13.Be2 Na6 {Romero Holmes,A (2438)-Alonso Garcia,R (2358) San Sebastian 2017} ) 8...Nbd7 {Next, both sides finish their development and initiate a clash in the center.} 9.O-O b5 10.Be3 e5 11.d5 cxd5 {Switching to Ruy Lopez pawn structures.} ( {There are certain problems after} 11...bxc4 {as White can play for light-squared domination with} 12.Bxc4 ( {Weaker seems} 12.dxc6 cxd3 13.cxd7 Bxd7 14.Qxd3 Qb8 {with enough counterplay on the queenside in return for the weakness on d6.} ) 12...Nb6 13.Bxb6 $1 Qxb6 14.b3 ) 12.cxd5 Nc5 13.Bc2 {This is an excellent bishop. It prevents Black's main kingside counterplay with f7-f5, restricts the black knight and is ready to switch to the attack of the a6+b5 pawn complex (or whatever is left of it).} 13...Ne8 14.b4 Nd7 15.a4 bxa4 {The only move.} ( {Not} 15...Rb8 16.axb5 axb5 17.Bd3 {when the b5-pawn will not survive.} ) 16.Bxa4 ( {Apparently Caruana did not want to let the knight on e8 enter the game easily, as in the line} 16.Nxa4 $5 Rb8 17.Qd2 Nc7 18.Rfb1 Nb5 19.Bd3 Nd4 {but this might have been the better choice for White.} ) 16...Rb8 17.b5 Nc5 18.bxa6 {The total evaporation of the queenside is favorable for Black.} ( {However:} 18.Bxc5 dxc5 {does not make sense for White. Both his knights are far away from the c4-outpost, whereas Black will step on d6 in no time.} ) 18...Bxa6 19.Re1 Nxa4 {A bishop is a bishop.} 20.Rxa4 Bc8 21.Ra7 f5 {Now it is even easier to play as Black, and Radjabov starts his programmed kingside assault.} 22.exf5 gxf5 23.Nh5 Bh8 24.Qf3 ( {Normally White's previous move is a prelude for} 24.f4 {but here the knight on c3 hangs:} 24...exf4 25.Bxf4 ( 25.Bd4 {is not convincing either due to} 25...Rb4 $1 26.Bxh8 Qb6+ ) 25...Bxc3 {And White does not have enough initiative after} 26.Ree7 Qb6+ 27.Kh2 Qf2 ) ( {However, the prophylactic step back} 24.Bd2 $5 {makes sense instead to meet} 24...f4 {with} 25.Ne4 ) 24...f4 25.Bd2 Qg5 {Stepping into a pin.} ( {More accurate is} 25...Bf5 26.Ne4 Qh4 ) 26.Ng3 {which Caruana uses to recentralize his knight.} ( 26.g4 $5 Qg6 27.Ne4 {might have been even better though as the knight on h5 hinders Black's activity.} ) 26...Qg6 27.Nge4 Ng7 {At the end of the day this knight still dreams of the d4-spot. Radjabov's pieces are solidly entering the battle whereas Caruana does not have a clear aim and simply tries to prevent too much activity for now.} ( {But it would not have hurt to have the bishop out before that:} 27...Bf6 $1 ) 28.Rea1 h5 $1 ( {Not allowing the queen swap:} 28...Nf5 29.Qg4 $1 ) 29.Kh2 Nf5 30.Qd3 Bg7 31.Rg1 {Caruana decided to overprotect his kingside and possibly try to open the g-file for his own benefit.} ( {After} 31.Rc7 Nd4 32.Raa7 Bh6 {Black makes progress.} ) 31...h4 {Stopping g2-g3 once and for all, and fixing a square.} ( {If Black wanted to prevent only the kingside break, he might have chosen instead:} 31...Nd4 $5 32.g3 f3 ) 32.Ne2 Rb7 33.Ra8 ( {Caruana does not want to wait passively after} 33.Rxb7 Bxb7 34.Bb4 Kh7 ) 33...Rbf7 34.Bb4 Qh6 {But in the process Black's position becomes even more interesting. Black is X-raying the opponent's king.} ( {Here Radjabov could have tried} 34...Ng3 $1 {as} 35.fxg3 hxg3+ 36.Kh1 Bf5 {leads to powerful initiative for Black. He is not immediately winning:} 37.Rxf8+ Bxf8 38.N2c3 Qh6 39.Qf1 $1 {Just because of this move, but Black is the one to call the shots after} 39...Be7 ) 35.Rc1 ( 35.Rga1 $5 ) 35...Bd7 36.Ra6 ( {This is the last moment Caruana could (should) have swapped a pair of rooks with} 36.Rca1 $1 Rxa8 37.Rxa8+ Rf8 38.Ra6 {thus limiting his opponent's attacking potential.} ) 36...f3 $1 {All black pieces come into play, and White's game hangs on a very thin thread.} 37.Bd2 $1 {In a moment of danger Caruana's pieces hurry to each other's support.} ( {Everything is hanging in White's camp in case of} 37.Qxf3 $2 Bb5 38.Rb6 Bxe2 39.Qxe2 Qxc1 ) ( {And} 37.gxf3 {is obviously bad for White after either:} 37...Nd4 ( {or} 37...Ng3 ) ) 37...Qh5 38.gxf3 Ng3 $3 {Bringing them all to the poor white king.} 39.Ng1 $3 {An inhuman move! Petrosian would have been proud.} ( {The obvious capture} 39.fxg3 hxg3+ 40.N2xg3 {loses after} 40...Qxh3+ 41.Kg1 Rxf3 42.Qe2 Bb5 $3 43.Qxb5 Rxg3+ 44.Nxg3 Qxg3+ 45.Kh1 Qh3+ 46.Kg1 Qg4+ 47.Kh1 Rf2 {A typical KID attack!} ) 39...Rxf3 {The troops keep coming.} ( {Maybe it is time to regroup instead:} 39...Nxe4 40.Qxe4 Bf5 {but which human would play like this?} ( {or} 40...Rf6 ) ) 40.Nxf3 Rxf3 41.Ra8+ $1 {But so do the white troops! With a few seconds left on his clock, Radjabov needs to find an only move.} 41...Bf8 {He does. Everything else loses.} ( 41...Be8 42.Rxe8+ ) ( 41...Kh7 42.Nf6# ) ( 41...Rf8 {loses prosaically to} 42.Rxf8+ Kxf8 43.fxg3 ) ( {Finally:} 41...Kf7 {allows a small trick:} 42.Qxf3+ $1 Qxf3 43.Ng5+ ) 42.Bh6 {Caruana spent his last minute on the clock and goes all in. Now Radjabov needs to find an only move.} ( {Instead:} 42.fxg3 $3 {might have won for him:} 42...Rxd3 43.Nf6+ Kf7 44.Nxh5 Rxd2+ 45.Kg1 Bxh3 46.Rc7+ Be7 47.Raa7 {and White is very close to winning.} ) 42...Nxe4 $3 {So he does! Black eliminates the key attacking piece.} 43.Rg1+ {Not in this move order.} ( {A draw would have been forced with} 43.Rxf8+ $1 Rxf8 44.Rg1+ Kf7 45.Bxf8 Ng5 $1 46.Rxg5 Qxg5 47.Qf3+ Qf5 48.Qxf5+ Bxf5 49.Bxd6 Be4 ) 43...Kh7 {Now Black is winning.} 44.Qxe4+ Bf5 45.Bxf8 Rxh3+ ( {Good enough is} 45...Bxe4 $1 46.Rg7+ Kh8 {as the bishop cannot simultaneously move and defend the rook on the seventh.} ) 46.Kg2 Bxe4+ 47.Kxh3 Qf5+ {It's Radjabov's turn to miss a win in the time scramble.} ( {Instead, the Azerbaijani could have won with} 47...Qf3+ 48.Kxh4 ( 48.Kh2 Qxf2+ ) 48...Qxf2+ 49.Rg3 Qh2+ 50.Rh3 ( {Although from afar one can easily miss} 50.Kg4 Kg6 $3 {even with plenty of time on the clock!} ) 50...Qf4+ 51.Kh5 Bg6# ) 48.Rg4 Qf3+ 49.Kxh4 Qxf2+ 50.Kg5 Qf5+ 51.Kh4 Qf2+ 52.Kg5 Qf5+ 53.Kh4 Qf2+ {One can hardly say that such a game has ended "peacefully."} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chessable Masters | Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.25"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[ECO "C60"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7219571640401"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.c3 a6 5.Ba4 d6 6.d4 Bd7 7.O-O Bg7 8.h3 Nf6 9.Re1 O-O 10.Nbd2 Re8 11.d5 ( {Another continuation is} 11.Bc2 b5 12.Nf1 Na5 13.Ng3 c5 14.d5 Nc4 15.b3 Nb6 16.Bg5 h6 17.Be3 a5 18.Qd2 Kh7 19.Kh1 {which led to lengthy maneuvering in Maghsoodloo,P (2676)-Sjugirov,S (2675) chess.com INT 2020} ) 11...Ne7 12.Bc2 Bh6 $146 {This typical idea to trade the potentially bad bishop turns out to be a novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw} 12...h6 13.Nf1 Nh7 14.g4 f5 15.gxf5 gxf5 16.exf5 Bxf5 17.Bxf5 Nxf5 18.Ng3 Qd7 19.Kh2 {Tokhirjonova,G (2378)-Safarli,E (2598) Europe Chess INT 2020} ) 13.Nf1 {Nepomniachtchi is fine with the trade as the weakened dark kingside squares might tell on the long run.} 13...Bxc1 14.Qxc1 Kg7 15.Ng3 ( {If White wanted to avoid the next resource, he could have started with} 15.Qd2 $5 ) 15...a5 {Not only to arrange the pawns in the "proper way" but also to slow down White's queenside expansion.} ( {Since there is no pressure along the d-file, Artemiev could have played} 15...c6 $5 {Apparently, both came to the conclusion that White is somewhat better after} 16.dxc6 Bxc6 17.Qd2 Qc7 18.Rad1 ) 16.c4 Qb8 $5 {The famous Rubinstein maneuver. Artemiev brings the queen into the game.} ( {Here} 16...c6 {can be met with} 17.dxc6 Nxc6 18.Rd1 Qc7 19.Ba4 $5 ( {Less good is} 19.Qd2 Nb4 ) ) 17.b3 Qa7 18.Bd3 Qc5 {The queen is out, but how strong is she there?} 19.a3 ( {A tad more accurate seems} 19.Qb2 $5 {in order to meet} 19...c6 {with} 20.Rac1 ) 19...c6 {Finally opting for this move.} 20.dxc6 bxc6 ( {White is a little better after} 20...Nxc6 21.Qd2 Nd4 22.Nxd4 Qxd4 23.Red1 ) 21.Qd2 {Hitting the d6-weakness, just in case.} ( {More natural seems} 21.Qc3 {with the idea} 21...Be6 22.b4 Qb6 23.c5 ) 21...Be6 22.b4 {Little by little Nepomniachtchi forces the queen back home.} 22...axb4 23.axb4 Qb6 24.Bf1 Qc7 25.Qc3 {Back to the ideal spot.} ( {The play for an outside passer with} 25.b5 Rxa1 26.Rxa1 {yields White nothing after} 26...Rb8 ) ( {Likewise:} 25.Rad1 Red8 {is solid for Black.} ) 25...Nd7 {Just in time to defend the e5-pawn. Artemiev's position is passive, but super solid.} 26.Rad1 f6 27.Rd2 c5 {This was not well timed.} ( {Instead, some play along the open a-file made sense:} 27...Ra4 28.Red1 Nc8 29.Qb3 Qa7 {with dynamic equality (Ra4-a3 followed by Be6xh3 ideas are already in the air).} ) 28.b5 {Now Black will lack a move to generate threats.} 28...Nb6 29.Red1 Red8 30.Be2 $1 {A far stronger move than it seems! The bishop vacates the f1-square for the knight (which is heading towards the d5 square) and gets ready to show itself on the h3-c8 diagonal. And if this was not enough, Nepomniachtchi also sets up a devilish trap in the process.} 30...Rd7 ( {The obvious attacking move} 30...Ra4 {would have walked into the trap} 31.Nxe5 $1 {which wins material as Rd8 lacks defense. If} 31...fxe5 32.Rxd6 $1 ) ( {White is not disturbed by} 30...Na4 31.Qc2 ) 31.Nf1 Nec8 {Resigning to passive defense.} ( {White is just in time now:} 31...Ra4 32.Ne3 ) 32.Ne3 {Nepomniachtchi's next moves prepare a powerful attack.} 32...Qb8 33.Nh4 Ra4 34.Bg4 $1 {Trading the weaker bishop.} 34...Bxg4 35.hxg4 Qa8 {Artemiev does not feel the danger.} ( {Something solid like} 35...Rf7 $5 {should have been preferred.} ) 36.g5 $1 {After the perfect preparation, the time has come for the tactical blows.} 36...fxg5 37.Nhf5+ $3 {The point. This forces the black king to further weaken itself.} ( {Worse is} 37.Nef5+ {as it allows an additional chance to Black:} 37...Kf8 38.Nxd6 Nxd6 39.Rxd6 Rxd6 40.Rxd6 Qxe4 {when it is anyone's game.} ) 37...gxf5 ( {This time the retreat does not make sense:} 37...Kg8 38.Nxd6 ) 38.Nxf5+ Kg8 {Obviously both players were playing by ear as there was not enough time to calculate lines, and even if there was, it would have been close to impossible to calculate till the end.} ( {The better defense} 38...Kf8 {might not have saved Black either, although the attacking line is far from trivial:} 39.Qe3 Ra1 {Trading the potential attacker.} ( {If} 39...h6 40.Qh3 $1 Rh7 41.Nxd6 Nxd6 42.Rxd6 Ra1 43.Qf5+ Rf7 44.Qe6 Rxd1+ 45.Rxd1 {and Black's position collapses.} ) 40.Qxg5 Rxd1+ 41.Rxd1 Qxe4 42.Qf6+ Ke8 43.Qh8+ Kf7 {Perpetual there is, but is there anything more?} 44.Qxh7+ Kf6 ( 44...Ke6 45.Qg6# ) 45.Qh6+ $3 {Yes, there is a sudden mating net in the middle of the board!} 45...Kxf5 46.f3 $3 {The mating net is revealed by this silent move. In order to avoid mate Black needs to part with the queen:} 46...Qd4+ 47.Rxd4 exd4 48.g4+ Ke5 49.Kf2 $1 {The computer claims that White is winning, although it does not seem clear to me.} ) 39.Qg3 Qxe4 40.Qxg5+ Kf7 41.Rd3 {Nepomniachtchi tried to bring the rook into the attack, and this spoils the win!} ( {Missing the brilliancy from above:} 41.Qg7+ $1 Ke6 ( 41...Ke8 42.Qg8# ) 42.Qh6+ $3 Kxf5 {And now} 43.f3 $1 {is even stronger than before and wins for sure.} ) 41...Ra1 $3 {Brilliant defense in return!} 42.Rxa1 Qxd3 43.Ra3 {Not necessary.} ( {This time there is no} 43.Qg7+ Ke6 44.Qh6+ Kxf5 45.f3 Qd4+ {and Black wins.} ) ( {White could have forced a draw at once with} 43.Nh6+ Ke6 44.Qg4+ Kf6 45.Ng8+ Kf7 46.Nh6+ ) 43...Qxa3 44.Nh6+ Ke8 45.Qg8+ Ke7 46.Qg5+ Ke6 47.Qf5+ {It is perpetual check, but the unthinkable happened at this point: Artemiev got disconnected and lost the game on time!} 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.26"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2829"]
[BlackElo "2836"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "160"]
[Beauty "5291668148230"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.O-O ( {The other direction that the top GMs are exploring nowadays is} 6.Nbd2 Nd7 7.Qe2 f6 8.Nh4 Nf8 9.f4 Ng6 10.Qh5 O-O 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Qxg6 exf4 13.Nb3 Bb4+ 14.Bd2 Bxd2+ 15.Kxd2 a5 16.Raf1 a4 17.Nc1 Ra5 18.h4 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Giri, A (2764) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 6...Nd7 7.Nbd2 O-O 8.Nc4 Re8 9.a4 a5 10.h4 {The move in front of the king is definitely daring and challenging, but in this game, the Chinese GM found the soft spot in White's idea.} 10...Nb6 $1 $146 {Ding found a very strong improvement upon their previous game.} ( {That went} 10...b6 11.Be3 Bf8 12.g3 f6 13.Bd2 Nc5 14.Ne3 Ne6 15.h5 c5 16.Nh4 Nd4 17.Bc3 Bh3 18.Re1 Be6 {and eventually ended in a draw, Nakamura,H (2736)-Ding,L (2791) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 11.Ne3 ( {Both captures obviously do not work well for Nakamura:} 11.Ncxe5 Bd6 12.Nc4 Nxc4 13.dxc4 Rxe4 ) ( {Even less appealing is} 11.Nfxe5 Nxc4 12.Nxc4 Qxh4 ) ( {Whereas} 11.Nxb6 {can be met with} 11...cxb6 $5 {intending ...b6-b5 with a pleasant game for Black thanks to his bishop pair and the possible play on both flanks.} ) 11...Bxe3 12.fxe3 ( {Worse is} 12.Bxe3 $6 Bg4 $1 {when the drawback of the early h2-h4 is evident.} ) 12...Nd7 $1 {Ding is sending his knight to the outpost on g4. Blitzing. Still in his home prep.} 13.Bd2 Nf6 14.Nh2 h5 {Apparently also part of the plan, although Black started using some time on his clock.} 15.Qf3 Qe7 16.Bc3 c5 ( {The immediate} 16...Ng4 $5 {was good as well.} ) 17.b3 Ng4 18.Be1 Ra6 19.Bg3 Rg6 ( {The little finesse} 19...Rf6 20.Qe2 Rg6 21.Nxg4 Bxg4 22.Qf2 {would have transposed into the game.} ) 20.Nxg4 Bxg4 21.Qf2 {Time to take stock. White's king is still weaker than its counterpart as we know that the h4-pawn can never come back. Furthermore, the comparison of the bishop strength is clearly in favor of the second player. Both these factors promise Ding a long-term edge, without any risk.} 21...Rd8 {Keeping an eye on the possible d3-d4 break.} 22.Kh2 b6 23.Qd2 $1 {Nakamura forces the f7-f6 move to separate Black's major pieces.} 23...f6 ( 23...Rgd6 24.Qc3 f6 {could have been played as well, but Black generally wants to attack on the kingside.} ) 24.Qc3 Rd6 25.Rf2 {In an ideal world, Black would send his king towards the queenside into safety then prepare g7-g5 and do his best to mate the white king.} 25...Kh7 ( {However, here is the real world, and} 25...Kf7 $4 {loses a key pawn after} 26.Qxe5 ) 26.Raf1 Be6 27.Rf3 Rg4 28.Qe1 Qe8 29.Kh1 Qg6 30.Qf2 {An important moment. Ding managed to tie Nakamura's pieces to the kingside defense.} 30...Qe8 ( {Black could have used this by sacrificing a piece:} 30...Bxb3 $5 31.cxb3 Rxd3 {After} 32.Kh2 Rxe4 {it is three pawns for a piece and a long-lasting initiative so Black should be clearly better.} ( {Perhaps both players considered only} 32...Rxb3 33.Rd1 {when the active white rook will definitely cause trouble for Black.} ) ) 31.Ra1 Kg8 32.Bh2 Rg6 {For the time being, Black avoids the rook swap.} ( {Which would have been initiated after} 32...Qd7 33.Rg3 $1 {As} 33...Rxh4 {is met with} 34.Rxg7+ ) 33.Qf1 Qd7 34.Rb1 Rg4 {Ding decided to swap a rook pair.} ( {The other possibility was} 34...c4 $5 {A breakthrough that both players should constantly consider. Apparently, Nakamura intended to defend with} 35.bxc4 ( {Worse is} 35.dxc4 $2 Rg4 ) ( {As well as the sharp} 35.d4 Rg4 36.dxe5 Rd2 ( {Or even} 36...fxe5 37.Bxe5 Rd2 {and in both cases, Black is faster in creating threats.} ) ) 35...Qxa4 36.Qc1 {although Black remains better in all cases.} ) 35.Rg3 Rxg3 36.Bxg3 Bg4 ( {Here} 36...c4 37.d4 cxb3 38.cxb3 {is less attractive for Black.} ) 37.Ra1 Qe6 38.Qf2 Kf7 $1 {At last, Black got a chance to send his king to the queenside, and he is gladly taking it.} 39.Rf1 Ke8 40.Qe1 Kd7 41.Qc3 Kc8 42.Kg1 Kb7 43.Rf2 Qe8 44.Rf1 Qg6 45.Kh2 Be6 46.Qe1 Qg4 47.Qc3 Bd7 48.Qe1 Bc6 49.Qf2 Rd8 50.Ra1 Rh8 {Ding is ready to lift the second rook to the g-file.} 51.Qf3 {Which Nakamura is actively opposing.} 51...Qe6 52.Rf1 Rh6 53.Qe2 Qe8 54.Qd1 Rh8 {At the end of the day, Black decided it is not worth it.} ( {However:} 54...Qh8 {would have promised Black more. Obviously, Ding did not believe that the situation is under control after} 55.d4 Bxe4 ( {Also interesting is} 55...Qh7 $5 56.d5 Be8 {intending Be8-g6 to win the e4 pawn.} 57.d6 cxd6 58.Qxd6 Bc6 ) 56.dxe5 {Anyone would stop the calculation here, but the cold-blooded machine finds the amazing coordination:} 56...Qg8 $1 ( {Not} 56...fxe5 57.Bxe5 ) 57.Qd7 Rh7 $3 58.e6 g5 59.e7 gxh4 60.Qxc7+ ( {Or} 60.e8=Q Qxg3+ 61.Kg1 Qxg2# ) 60...Ka6 {when Black's attack should prevail.} ) 55.Be1 Bd7 56.Kh1 Qg6 57.Kh2 Rd8 58.Bg3 Qg4 {Finally an endgame, but still an unpleasant one for White. The torture continues.} 59.Qxg4 Bxg4 60.Kg1 c6 61.Ra1 Ra8 62.Be1 b5 $1 {In order to fix some pawns on the light squares.} 63.Kf1 ( {Once more, a quote from the machine: "The pawn could have been taken."} 63.axb5 cxb5 64.Bxa5 {This seems silly as:} ( {But not this way:} 64.Rxa5 $2 Rxa5 65.Bxa5 Bd1 ) 64...b4 {followed by Kb7-c6-b5 traps the bishop, but math prevails philosophy after} 65.Kf1 $1 {The king is needed to protect the queenside pawns.} 65...Kc6 66.Ke1 Kb5 67.c4+ $1 {The key move.} 67...bxc3 68.Bxc3 Rxa1+ 69.Bxa1 Kb4 70.d4 {with a draw.} ) 63...Kb6 64.Bc3 b4 65.Bb2 Rd8 66.Ke1 Kc7 {Progress has been made on the queenside, and the time has come for the kingside to be opened at last.} 67.Kd2 Kd6 68.Rf1 Ke6 69.Ke1 Rg8 70.Kf2 g5 71.hxg5 fxg5 72.Kg3 ( {It seems as if the king was better in the center:} 72.Ke1 $1 h4 73.Rf2 ) 72...Rd8 73.Rf2 c4 $1 {This is what it was all about! The files are opened, and White needs to find a very thin path in order to save himself, in time-trouble.} 74.bxc4 ( {After} 74.dxc4 c5 $1 {intending Rd8-d1-b1 should win for Black. Then} ( {The immediate} 74...Rd1 75.c3 {is less precise.} ) 75.c3 Rd3 ) 74...c5 75.Rd2 ( {After} 75.Kh2 {White should not fear} 75...b3 ( {However, Black can mount more pressure with} 75...h4 $1 ) 76.Ba3 $1 ) 75...Rc8 76.Ba1 {The losing move.} ( {Passive defense might have saved Nakamura:} 76.Rf2 Rd8 77.Rd2 ) 76...Rf8 $1 {Ding's rook penetrates into the enemy camp, and it is all over.} 77.c3 ( {No, the rooks cannot be traded:} 77.Rf2 Rxf2 78.Kxf2 Bd1 ) ( {And:} 77.d4 Rf1 78.Bb2 Rb1 79.c3 b3 $1 80.dxc5 Rd1 81.Rxd1 Bxd1 {is hopeless for White.} ) 77...Rf1 78.Bb2 Bd1 $3 {A few seconds on the clock are good enough for Ding to find the mating net.} 79.d4 h4+ 80.Kh2 g4 ( 80...g4 {The end could have been} 81.g3 h3 {followed by Bd1-f3 and mate.} ) 0-1

[Event "Chessable Masters | Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2836"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "E97"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7631083143177"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 g6 {Nakamura abandons his safe QGD approach for an old love of his, the KID.} 2.c4 Bg7 3.e4 d6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.b4 Ne8 10.a4 f5 11.a5 Nf6 12.Re1 h6 13.exf5 $146 {An early novelty.} ( {Both players definitely knew they were following a recent game:} 13.Ra3 f4 14.h4 Rf7 15.c5 Bf8 16.c6 Rg7 17.b5 g5 18.hxg5 hxg5 19.Nh2 {Giri,A (2764) -Korobov,A (2688) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 13...Bxf5 {As strange as this may sound, after this Black's position is not easy.} ( {Black would also not be in perfect shape after} 13...gxf5 {as there is Taimanov's move} 14.Nh4 {that blocks the black pieces at once.} ) ( {However, critical would have been} 13...Nxf5 $1 {The point is that White cannot easily establish control over the e4-square:} 14.Nd2 {allows} ( {Bad is instead} 14.Bd3 $2 e4 $1 {when White drops material.} ) ( {Perhaps Ding intended to play as in the game:} 14.Ra2 $5 {but also then} 14...e4 {is strong, for example} 15.Nd2 ( {Definitely not} 15.Nd4 $2 Nxd4 16.Qxd4 Ng4 {with a large edge for Black.} ) 15...e3 {and Black is doing fine.} ) 14...e4 15.Bb2 ( 15.Ndxe4 $4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 Bxa1 ) 15...e3 {with unclear consequences.} ) 14.Ra2 {A nice prophylactic move. The rook sidesteps the black bishop's X-raying and protects the f2-point just in case.} 14...g5 ( {One more function of the rook becomes evident after} 14...c6 15.dxc6 bxc6 16.Rd2 ) 15.h3 Qe8 16.Nh2 $1 {A strong regrouping. Black's initiative is obstructed before it even starts.} 16...a6 ( {To prevent the troublesome knight jump, which would have been executed in the line} 16...Qg6 17.Nb5 Rfc8 {Then} 18.a6 b6 19.Ng4 {is strong for White with play on the light squares.} ) 17.Ng4 $1 {Ding starts softening the light squares.} 17...Bg6 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.Bd3 Nf5 20.Ne4 {After the e4-square is secured, the black bishop on g7 can no longer be named a King's Indian bishop. It becomes an ordinary one...} 20...Bg7 21.f3 Qf7 22.Rf2 {One more "just in case" move. The f3 and g2 points are safe.} 22...Rad8 23.Bb1 Kh8 ( 23...c6 {can be met with} 24.Nc3 Nd4 25.Be3 ) 24.Bb2 Nh4 ( {After} 24...Nd4 25.Ng3 {trades the important light-squared black bishop.} ) 25.b5 {Everything is safe on the opposite wing, and Ding can resume play on "his" flank.} ( {Here} 25.Ng3 Qf4 26.Bxg6 Qxg3 {is less clear.} ) 25...Bf5 ( {Nothing is changed after} 25...Qd7 26.Qb3 Nf5 27.b6 ( 27.Qb4 ) ) 26.b6 Ng6 {Maybe this knight will make it to f4, and then a sacrifice on h3 will happen?} ( {Or} 26...cxb6 27.axb6 Rd7 28.Ba3 {when the d6-pawn is in trouble, say:} 28...Rfd8 29.Bc2 $1 ) 27.g3 {Nope.} 27...cxb6 28.axb6 Ne7 29.Ba3 Nc8 30.Qb3 Bh7 31.Rd1 {Intending c4-c5.} 31...Bg8 ( 31...Bxe4 32.Bxe4 {is positional resignation instead. White will soon build a strong battery on the b1-h7 diagonal.} ) 32.Kg2 $1 {One more of my favorite "money-into-the-bank-account" moves. I call them this way as you might not need the money, but it is better to have it, just in case.} ( {The immediate} 32.c5 dxc5 33.Bxc5 {is already possible.} ) 32...Bh7 33.c5 {And Nakamura's position quickly collapses.} 33...dxc5 ( {If} 33...Bxe4 34.Bxe4 dxc5 35.Bxc5 Nd6 36.Bxd6 Rxd6 37.Rc2 {with decisive penetration along the c-file. Notice also the difference in strength between the bishops.} ) 34.Nxc5 Bxb1 35.Rxb1 $1 {A "petite combinaison" at the end.} 35...Rfe8 ( {Both captures lose material:} 35...Qxd5 {at once to:} 36.Ne6 ) ( {Whereas Ding's behind-the-curtain idea would have been revealed in the line} 35...Rxd5 36.Nxb7 Qxb7 37.Bxf8 Bxf8 38.Qxd5 $3 Qxd5 39.b7 ) 36.Ne6 {No one can fight such a knight.} 36...Rd7 37.Rc1 Ne7 38.Bxe7 $1 {The last precise trade.} 38...Qxe7 39.Rc7 Qd6 40.Rfc2 Bf6 41.Qa4 $1 ( 41.Qa4 {Nakamura resigned, surely noticing} 41...Rde7 ( 41...Rxc7 42.Qxe8+ ) 42.Rxe7 Rxe7 ( 42...Qxe7 43.Rc7 ) 43.Rc8+ Kh7 44.Qe4# ) 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "B08"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8040715659347"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 d6 2.e4 g6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bg7 {Nepomniachtchi needs to win, therefore he plays the "irregular" Pirc.} 5.Be3 c6 6.Qd2 Qa5 7.Bd3 ( {More common is:} 7.h3 Nbd7 8.Bd3 O-O 9.O-O Qc7 10.a4 e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Bc4 Nh5 13.Rfd1 Nf4 14.Qd6 Qxd6 15.Rxd6 {as in Nasuta,G (2558)-Onischuk,V (2633) chess.com INT 2020} ) 7...Bg4 8.Ng1 e5 9.h3 Be6 10.Nf3 h6 11.O-O Nbd7 $146 ( {Giri had played this before:} 11...Qc7 12.Ne2 Nbd7 13.Ng3 Nb6 14.b3 Rd8 15.Rad1 exd4 16.Nxd4 Bc8 17.c4 {with an edge for White in Giri,A (2783)-Petrosian,T (2598) St Petersburg 2018} ) 12.a4 {A standard reaction.} ( {However, from a practical perspective (achieving the draw and the match win) the forcing move} 12.Nb5 $5 {might have been better with the idea to swap some pieces after} 12...Qxd2 13.Nc7+ ( {Actually, if White wants to spice things up he may chose instead the interesting piece sacrifice} 13.Nxd6+ $5 Ke7 14.Bxd2 Kxd6 15.dxe5+ Nxe5 16.Nxe5 Kxe5 17.f4+ ( {Giri actually saw this line and showed} 17.Bc3+ Kd6 18.e5+ {but felt it was ridiculous to enter this from a position where he is much better. "Despite the match situation this is a sin I cannot commit."} ) 17...Kd4 ( {If} 17...Kd6 18.e5+ Kc7 19.f5 $1 {White is better, with no risk at all.} ) 18.Rae1 {The king cannot really escape without losses, so Black needs to choose the adventurous} 18...Kc5 19.Be3+ Kb4 20.f5 gxf5 21.exf5 Bd5 22.Rf4+ Ka5 23.b4+ Ka4 24.b5+ Ka5 25.Rb1 {with an ongoing attack for White.} ) 13...Kd8 14.Nxe6+ fxe6 15.Nxd2 {with a slight edge for White and a risk-free game.} ) 12...Qc7 13.a5 g5 {Risky, but the only option under the circumstances.} 14.Qe2 {Not the best square for her Majesty.} ( {Better was to increase the pressure along the d-file with} 14.Rfd1 {intending to meet} 14...g4 {with} 15.hxg4 Bxg4 16.Be2 ) 14...g4 15.hxg4 Bxg4 {Now the pin is super annoying but Giri had a plan.} 16.Nb1 ( {However:} 16.a6 $1 b6 {followed by} 17.d5 {would have been better instead. The point is that Black may never castle long in that case:} 17...cxd5 18.exd5 O-O-O $2 19.Nb5 Qb8 20.Ra4 {is a mating attack for White.} ) 16...Nh5 {Nepomniachtchi follows his plan.} ( {With his king facing the enemy queen he hardly even considered} 16...d5 $3 {but this was fantastically strong. White cannot use the pin after} 17.exd5 ( {The lesser evil is} 17.Nbd2 O-O-O 18.dxe5 Nxe5 19.exd5 Nxd5 {although Black is much better here as well.} ) 17...e4 18.Bd2 cxd5 {when Black is winning a piece.} ) 17.c3 Rg8 ( {There was an argument for bringing in more reserves with} 17...Nf8 $5 ) 18.Nbd2 O-O-O 19.Qe1 {This was Giri's idea. The pin is broken.} ( {But it made sense to throw in the move} 19.Bc4 Rdf8 20.Qe1 ) 19...Bf6 {Creating concrete threats along the half-open file.} ( {Here too Black could have gone for} 19...d5 {which seems better for him after} 20.a6 b6 21.exd5 cxd5 22.Be2 ) 20.Kh1 Bg5 21.Nh2 ( {Or} 21.b4 Ndf6 {when Black's initiative seems more promising.} ) 21...Bxe3 {Nepomniachtchi got what he wanted and now goes for an extremely sharp line.} ( {It made sense to keep the bishop alive, as it can support the central advance as in the line} 21...Be6 $5 22.Bc4 d5 ) 22.Qxe3 Nf4 23.Bc4 {Playing with fire.} ( {Instead} 23.Nxg4 Rxg4 24.g3 Rdg8 25.Bc4 {seems too passive for White, but is the preferred computer choice.} ) 23...d5 $1 {Better late than never! The position is opened in Black's favor.} 24.dxe5 Nxg2 {Can it get any sharper now?} ( {But was this needed? Nepomniachtchi could have already secured stable advantage with the simple} 24...dxc4 $1 25.Qxf4 Nxe5 {Then one beautiful line runs} 26.b3 Be2 27.Rfe1 Nd3 $3 28.Qxc7+ Kxc7 29.Rxe2 Nf4 30.Rae1 cxb3 {White is completely tied up, and cannot capture the annoying pawn:} 31.Nxb3 Nxe2 32.Rxe2 Rd1+ ) 25.Qxa7 $1 {The only chance.} ( {Instead:} 25.Kxg2 Nxe5 26.Kh1 dxc4 {loses ingloriously for White.} ) 25...Bh3 ( {Once again there was the simple capture} 25...dxc4 $1 {but this time things are not as clear in the hypothetical line:} 26.Nxc4 Qb8 27.Nd6+ Kc7 28.Qd4 Bh3 29.Nxf7 Nf4 {although Black should be still better.} ) 26.Rg1 ( {The immediate} 26.a6 Nxe5 27.axb7+ Kd7 28.Nhf3 {deserved serious attention as well.} ) 26...Nf4 ( {Missing his last chance to capture the bishop:} 26...dxc4 {Then, in the line} 27.Nxc4 Qb8 28.Qd4 Nf4 29.Qd2 Ng6 30.Nd6+ Kc7 31.Nxf7 Ndxe5 32.Nxd8 Qxd8 {anything is still possible.} ) 27.a6 $1 {Giri is in command now.} 27...Nxe5 ( {There is no time to pick up the exchange:} 27...Bg2+ 28.Rxg2 Rxg2 29.axb7+ Qxb7 30.Ba6 ) 28.axb7+ Kd7 29.exd5 Rxg1+ ( {Again Black falls short by a move:} 29...Bg2+ 30.Rxg2 Rxg2 31.d6 Kxd6 32.Ne4+ Kd7 33.Nf6+ Kd6 ( 33...Ke7 34.b8=Q ) 34.Rd1+ {and White wins.} ) 30.Rxg1 Rb8 31.Qd4 {White is too many pawns ahead and it is quickly over.} 31...Nxc4 32.Nxc4 cxd5 33.Ne5+ Ke6 34.Qxf4 Qxe5 35.Qxh6+ 1-0

[Event "Clutch Chess International"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.07"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "266"]
[Beauty "3298803321889"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Nc3 Be7 10.Bf4 ( {Another game in this line went} 10.h3 Nh4 11.Nxh4 Bxh4 12.Be3 h5 13.Rad1+ Ke8 14.Ne2 Be7 15.f4 g6 16.Nd4 Bc5 17.Rfe1 Bxd4 18.Rxd4 Bf5 {when White eventually managed to grind down his opponent despite the opposite-colored bishops, Nepomniachtchi,I (2784) -Fakhrutdinov,T (2501) chess.com INT 2020} ) 10...Nh4 11.Rad1+ Ke8 12.Nxh4 Bxh4 13.Ne2 Be7 14.Nd4 $1 $146 {Preparing e5-e6, White's most powerful break against the Berlin. This novelty should not have come as a surprise for Aronian.} ( {An earlier game witnessed a quick draw after} 14.Rd2 Bc5 15.Rfd1 Be6 16.Nd4 Bxd4 17.Rxd4 h6 18.a3 Ke7 19.Be3 {1/2-1/2 (19) Kodric,T (1606) -Arztmann,N (1877) Mureck 2013} ) 14...a6 {With the idea of c6-c5.} ( {The engine suggests instead the inclusion of the moves} 14...g5 15.Bg3 Rg8 {as more valuable for Black, although White is still better after} 16.e6 Bxe6 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Bxc7 ) 15.e6 Bxe6 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Rfe1 {The most natural reaction. Grischuk needs this rook out.} ( {After} 17.Bxc7 {Black might have reacted with} 17...b5 {in order to bring the queenside rook into the game via the a7-d7 route.} ) 17...Bf6 {An active reply in return.} ( {Aronian avoids} 17...Rd8 18.Rxd8+ Bxd8 19.Rxe6+ Kd7 20.Re4 {which leads to an unpleasant position for Black with no counter-chances at all. White is practically up a pawn and will look for further trades to convert it in the pawn endgame.} ) 18.b3 {Not a necessary move.} ( {The pawn on b2 is not hanging and} 18.Bxc7 {would be more appropriate, e.g.:} 18...Bxb2 19.Rb1 Bf6 ( {Nothing is much changed after} 19...Bc3 20.Re3 Bd4 21.Re4 ) 20.Rxb7 {with a clear edge for White. Remember, Black is not allowed to castle!} ) 18...Ke7 19.Bxc7 Rhc8 20.Bd6+ Kf7 21.Bc5 $1 {The outcome of the opening is favorable for Grischuk. His pawn structure is healthier, and he will soon take under control the only open file.} 21...Rd8 22.Bb6 Rd5 23.c4 Rxd1 24.Rxd1 Ke8 25.Rd6 ( {It is impossible to understand how much better White is in the hypothetical pawn endgame after} 25.Kf1 Bd8 26.Bxd8 Rxd8 27.Rxd8+ Kxd8 28.Ke2 Ke7 {but it might have been an excellent choice for him.} ) 25...Ke7 26.Rd3 {From here on Aronian demonstrates amazing defensive skills.} 26...Rc8 {The obvious idea is to lock up the white bishop with c6-c5...} 27.b4 {...which Grischuk duly prevents.} 27...e5 $1 {A surprising decision. Black places a pawn on the color of his own bishop, thus limiting it and turning it into a possible target. On the other hand, this is a weakness anyway, but Aronian is now gaining space for the king.} ( {More logical seems} 27...Be5 28.Kf1 Bc7 29.Bc5+ Ke8 30.Ke2 Rd8 31.Rh3 {but White dominates thanks to his active pieces.} ) 28.Bc5+ ( {The straightforward king centralization} 28.Kf1 Ke6 29.Ke2 {will be met with} 29...Be7 30.a3 ( {If} 30.c5 Rf8 {intending Rf8-f4 will bring the rook into the game.} ) 30...c5 $1 ) 28...Ke6 29.Rd6+ Kf5 {The point behind the advance is now evident. Black's active king more than compensates for the weakening of the e-pawn.} 30.Bb6 ( {White has to be careful, for instance} 30.Rd7 Rd8 $1 31.Rxd8 Bxd8 32.f3 e4 $1 {is already better for the second player, again thanks to his more active king.} ) 30...Re8 31.Kf1 ( 31.Rd7 {is met with} 31...Re7 ) 31...h5 ( {Not the immediate} 31...Re6 $4 32.g4+ ) 32.Ke2 Re6 33.Rd1 Re8 {Both sides make progress, but the impression is that Aronian is closer to equality at this point of the game.} 34.a4 Ke6 35.h3 Be7 36.Rb1 Rf8 37.b5 {Grischuk is still looking for a way to break through, but now that the black rook gets out, it is only White who is risking.} ( {After} 37.f3 g5 {the g5-g4 idea will lead soon to trades and most likely a draw.} ) 37...Rf4 $1 {Aronian plays for the win!} ( {Safer is} 37...axb5 38.cxb5 cxb5 39.Rxb5 Rf4 {swapping more pawns, but the Armenian GM wants to take these pawns, not trade them.} ) 38.bxa6 bxa6 39.Rc1 c5 40.Ba5 Re4+ $1 {I strongly advise you to pay attention on how many times Aronian will use the in-between checks in this game to disrupt the opponent's coordination.} 41.Kd3 Rd4+ 42.Ke2 e4 43.Rc2 ( {Here a better defense is} 43.Be1 $5 Bg5 44.Rc3 {followed by f2-f3.} ) 43...Bf6 ( {Whereas Black could have already used the open-file for infiltration:} 43...Rd3 $5 {since he need not to worry about:} 44.f3 Ra3 ) 44.Bb6 Kd6 45.Ba5 Kc6 46.Bd2 ( {The engine's suggestion} 46.Rc3 $5 {is hardly sustainable. There is no move after} 46...Be5 $1 ) 46...Rd3 47.a5 Rb3 48.Be3 Bc3 {Heading for the a5-weakness.} ( 48...Bd4 {also looks nice.} ) 49.Bd2 Bb4 50.Ra2 g6 {Placing the pawn on a light square just in case.} ( 50...Kd6 $5 {to centralize the king makes perfect sense too.} ) 51.Kd1 Rd3 52.Ke2 Rd4 {Finally Aronian wins material.} 53.Rc2 Bxd2 54.Rxd2 Rxc4 55.Ke3 Ra4 56.Rd8 {But Grischuk activates his rook.} 56...Rxa5 57.Kxe4 Ra4+ $1 {One more of these.} 58.Ke5 ( 58.Ke3 {might have been more accurate, although Black would still fight for the win with} 58...a5 ) 58...Ra2 59.Rd6+ Kb5 60.Rxg6 Re2+ {One more in-between check.} 61.Kd5 Rxf2 62.g4 hxg4 63.hxg4 a5 ( {More obvious is the advance of the other pawn:} 63...c4 64.Kd4 Rf3 65.Rg8 {although objectively White should survive here as well.} ) 64.g5 {Grischuk pushes the passer instinctively in time trouble.} ( {However, the more active rook would have done a better job in the survival task:} 64.Rg8 Rd2+ 65.Ke4 c4 66.g5 c3 67.Rc8 Kb4 68.g6 Rg2 69.Kd3 $1 Rxg6 70.Rb8+ {with a draw.} ) 64...a4 65.Rg8 Rd2+ $1 {One more!} 66.Ke5 a3 67.g6 Rg2 68.Kf6 Kc4 {Here Aronian could have won as in the game.} ( {Correct is} 68...c4 $1 {with a possible line:} 69.Ra8 Kb4 70.g7 c3 71.g8=Q Rxg8 72.Rxg8 a2 ( 72...c2 {should also do.} ) 73.Rg1 c2 74.Ke5 Kc3 ) 69.Ra8 Kb3 70.Rb8+ {Now White's active rook should have sufficed to secure the draw.} 70...Kc3 71.Ra8 Rf2+ 72.Ke7 Re2+ 73.Kf7 Rf2+ 74.Ke7 Re2+ 75.Kf7 a2 76.g7 Rf2+ 77.Ke7 Rg2 78.Kf7 Kb2 79.Rb8+ Ka1 80.g8=Q {All good till now, but this most obvious move loses the game!} ( {Grischuk needed to deal with the c-passer first and foremost:} 80.Rc8 $1 {which he had seen as well, but he thought getting a queen was even easier. Now in case of:} 80...Kb2 {White can repeat the moves:} ( {Whereas:} 80...Rg5 {does not defend the pawn:} 81.Rxc5 ) 81.Rb8+ ) 80...Rxg8 81.Kxg8 c4 82.Rc8 c3 83.Kf7 ( {And it transpired that the rook captures the pawn on the worst possible square:} 83.Rxc3 Kb2 {too close to the enemy king!} ) 83...Kb2 84.Rb8+ Kc2 85.Ra8 Kb3 86.Rb8+ Kc4 87.Rc8+ Kd3 {Aronian also has no time left to calculate lines.} ( {The neat} 87...Kb4 $1 {Always on the b-file in order to prevent the rook from stepping on the first rank would win after:} 88.Rb8+ Kc5 89.Rc8+ Kb6 ) 88.Rd8+ Ke3 {Correctly avoiding stepping on the second rank.} ( {Since:} 88...Ke2 $2 {allows the capture of both black pawns after} 89.Ra8 $1 c2 90.Rxa2 ) ( {It is not too late to switch back to the winning line with:} 88...Kc4 $1 ) 89.Re8+ Kf3 ( {Missing the last chance to go back to the winning:} 89...Kd3 $1 ) 90.Re1 {And as amazing as it sounds, this is a study-like draw!} 90...c2 91.Ke6 Kf2 92.Rh1 {Which Grischuk did not realize with the few seconds on his clock.} ( {The study would be accomplished with:} 92.Ra1 $3 Ke3 93.Ke5 $3 Kd3 ( {We already know that the black king needs to avoid the second rank:} 93...Kd2 94.Rxa2 ) 94.Kf4 $1 {and White is in time:} 94...Kc3 95.Ke3 Kb2 96.Kd2 Kxa1 97.Kxc2 {Stalemate!} ( 97.Kc1 ) ) 92...Ke3 93.Kd5 Kd2 {Finally reaching a theoretically winning position.} 94.Ra1 ( 94.Rh2+ Kc3 95.Rh1 Kb2 {will be a whole queen up for Black.} ) 94...c1=Q 95.Rxa2+ Ke3 96.Ra6 Qd1+ 97.Ke6 Ke4 {Grischuk defends amazingly, almost like a computer, but the queen finally proves her superiority.} 98.Ke7 Qb3 99.Rh6 Qb7+ 100.Ke8 Qg7 101.Ra6 Qe5+ 102.Kf7 Kf5 103.Rh6 Qc7+ 104.Ke8 Qg7 105.Ra6 Qb7 106.Rh6 Qc7 107.Rh3 Qc6+ 108.Ke7 Qc7+ 109.Ke8 Kg6 110.Rd3 Qe5+ 111.Kd8 Qa5+ 112.Ke7 Qc7+ 113.Ke8 Qe5+ 114.Kd8 Qe4 115.Rd6+ Kf7 116.Kc7 Qc4+ 117.Rc6 Qf4+ 118.Kb6 Ke7 119.Kb5 Kd7 120.Rc4 Qe3 121.Kb4 Kd6 122.Ka4 Kd5 123.Rc2 Qb6 124.Rc3 Kd4 125.Rc2 Kd3 126.Rc1 Qd4+ 127.Kb3 Qd5+ 128.Kb4 Qb7+ 129.Ka3 Qb5 130.Rf1 Qa6+ 131.Kb3 Qb6+ 132.Ka3 Kc2 133.Rf3 Qa5# 0-1

[Event "Clutch Chess International"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.08"]
[Round "1.10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[ECO "D00"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[Beauty "8250095304742"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 Bb4 5.Ne2 ( {Carlsen, no doubt, was aware of the following game:} 5.Bd3 c5 6.dxc5 Nbd7 7.Nf3 Nxc5 8.O-O Bxc3 9.bxc3 O-O 10.Be2 b6 11.c4 Bb7 12.Qd4 Qe7 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.Bg3 Rfd8 {and Black was even more pleasant in Naroditsky,D (2616) -Xiong,J (2672) chess.com INT 2019} ) 5...O-O 6.a3 Be7 7.Ng1 $146 {An original novelty. The knight on e2 is no longer needed to protect his queenside twin and can move to a more active position. In the process, the white bishop can land on the active b1-h7 diagonal. Still, a couple of tempos early in the game are a serious price White needs to pay for this maneuver.} ( {Black experienced no problems in an earlier game:} 7.Qd2 c5 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.Nd4 Nc6 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Bd3 Qe7 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bh4 e5 14.e4 Be6 {Esipenko,A (2620)-Sarana,A (2636) chess.com INT 2019} ) 7...c5 8.Nf3 Nh5 {The most obvious reaction is to swap off the white bishop.} ( {However, an even stronger idea seems to be the central approach with} 8...Ne4 $5 {The forcing line} 9.Nxe4 ( {In case White proceeds with the development:} 9.Bd3 {Black can react with} 9...Nxc3 10.bxc3 c4 11.Be2 Nd7 {sending the second knight to e4.} ) 9...dxe4 10.Ne5 f6 11.Nc4 b5 12.Nd2 cxd4 13.exd4 Qxd4 14.Bxb5 Qxb2 15.Rb1 Qxa3 16.Nxe4 {leads to a position where White has compensation for the pawn, but nothing really inspiring.} ) 9.dxc5 Nxf4 10.exf4 Bxc5 11.Bd3 g6 {An overcautious, but slow move and the main reason for Xiong's problems. Black is afraid of the Greek gift sacrifice, which is not a major threat here.} ( {Strong was} 11...Nc6 {Not fearing} 12.Bxh7+ Kxh7 13.Ng5+ Kg6 $1 14.Qg4 e5 $1 {and the attack is not sufficient.} ) 12.h4 {Carlsen cannot stand the temptation to challenge the opponent's weakened kingside at once.} 12...Nc6 ( {The h-pawn cannot be stopped. Moves like} 12...h5 {Only pour gasoline in White's attacking engine:} 13.g4 hxg4 ( {Not much is changed after} 13...Qf6 14.Qd2 hxg4 15.Ne5 ) 14.Ne5 {Both h4-h5 and Qd1xg4 are powerful threats. Black is desperately lacking kingside defenders.} ) 13.h5 Qf6 14.Qd2 e5 {A classical central counter-blow and apparently, a decisive mistake...} ( {However, it is difficult to give good advise to Black here. The computer's suggestion} 14...Nd4 {with the point} 15.Ne5 $2 ( {But White can avoid this idea with the neat} 15.Ng5 $1 ) 15...g5 $1 {looks good for Black indeed.} ) 15.Nxd5 {Not only winning the pawn, but opening more and more diagonals, files and squares for his pieces into the attack.} 15...Qd6 16.Bc4 {Simply bringing more attackers in.} ( {White's position is so strong that he can also afford playing} 16.f5 $1 Qxd5 17.Qh6 f6 18.hxg6 {with mate to follow.} ) 16...b5 17.Ba2 {Same policy, no rush. The black king can wait for a couple of more moves, but will not go anywhere.} ( {The direct} 17.hxg6 hxg6 ( {Or} 17...bxc4 18.fxe5 Nxe5 19.Qh6 $1 Nxf3+ 20.gxf3 {with unstoppable mate.} ) 18.f5 {would also do.} ) 17...exf4 18.O-O-O {White's attack is running by itself and it was all over pretty soon.} 18...b4 19.hxg6 hxg6 ( 19...bxa3 20.Qc3 $1 ) 20.Ng5 Bf5 21.Nh7 {A funny coincidence: Carlsen scored a beautiful win with this same move two days ago.} 21...Rfd8 ( 21...Kg7 22.Nxf8 Rxf8 23.axb4 {is prosaic win.} ) 22.Nhf6+ Kf8 23.Rh8+ Kg7 24.Rh7+ Kf8 25.Rdh1 {With inevitable mate along the h-file, which Black did not want to see.} ( 25.Rdh1 {As White can bring as many supporters as he wishes:} 25...g5 26.Rh8+ Kg7 27.R1h7+ Bxh7 28.Rxh7+ Kf8 29.Qd3 $1 ) 1-0

[Event "Clutch Chess International"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.11"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "A22"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[Beauty "7215813492751"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.g3 Bb4 {The Reversed Rossolimo Sicilian.} 4.e4 {A move that White needs anyaway, so why not just play it at once? The original Bulgarian IM Bogomil Andonov often played like this with reversed colors.} ( {The more common} 4.Bg2 O-O 5.Nf3 e4 6.Ng5 Bxc3 7.bxc3 Re8 8.f3 exf3 9.Nxf3 d5 10.cxd5 Qxd5 11.O-O Nc6 12.Nd4 Qh5 {was discussed in the recent top GM game Duda,JK (2753)-Ding,L (2791) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 4...Bxc3 5.dxc3 d6 6.f3 Be6 7.Nh3 a5 $146 {This is already a novelty and no wonder: the position is quite fresh.} ( {The world champion was also successful after} 7...h6 8.Nf2 a5 9.f4 Na6 10.f5 Bd7 11.Bg2 b5 12.cxb5 Bxb5 13.b3 a4 14.c4 Bc6 15.Be3 {Carlsen,M (2835)-Petrov,N (2593) St Petersburg 2018} ) 8.a4 O-O 9.b3 Na6 ( 9...c6 {deserved attention as well, eventually heading for Nb8-a6-c7 and eventually d6-d5 or b7-b5. The problem with this plan might be the vulnerability of the d6 pawn.} ) 10.Ng5 ( 10.Be3 $5 ) 10...Bd7 11.Be3 Nc5 ( {The computer's suggestion is} 11...Qc8 12.h4 Nh5 13.Bf2 Nc5 14.Ra2 {which could have happened a tad later in the game too.} ) 12.Ra2 Ra6 $1 {Aronian is searching for concrete counterplay, and rightly so!} ( {Once again, the engine suggests} 12...Qc8 13.h4 h6 14.Nh3 b6 {when Black is rock solid, but how is he making progress after} 15.Rd2 {Black just sits and waits whereas Whiite has a ton of improving ideas: Qd1-c2, the development of the light-squared bishop, a g3-g4-g5 kingside attack and above all the knight maneuver to the d5 square, which is the most desired thing for White in these positions.} ) 13.Rd2 Rb6 14.Bxc5 dxc5 {However, now there might be a problem along the d-file.} 15.Bh3 h6 16.Bxd7 hxg5 {Nothing serious so far. Black had calculated the lines carefully.} 17.h4 Rd6 {Lowering the pressure along the open file. The drawback of the move is that it creates a potential weakness on d6.} ( {Save enough seemed} 17...gxh4 18.Rxh4 g6 {The bishop has a lot of discovered attack possibilities, but nothing really serious whereas Aronian is ready to swap the major pieces along the open files after Kg8-g7.} ) 18.Rxd6 cxd6 19.Bf5 Nh5 20.Kf2 g6 {Logical and obvious.} ( {However, Black could have equalized completely instead with} 20...gxh4 $1 21.Rxh4 Qg5 22.Bg4 Nf6 {The point is that} 23.Qxd6 {is not dangerous for the second player due to} 23...Nxg4+ 24.Rxg4 Qc1 $1 {with an almost inevitable perpetual check, say:} 25.Qxe5 Qd2+ 26.Kg1 Qe1+ 27.Kg2 Qe2+ 28.Kh3 Qf1+ {And now White needs to avoid} 29.Kh4 $4 Qh1+ 30.Kg5 f6+ ) 21.Bg4 Nf6 {The best defense.} ( {Instead} 21...gxh4 22.Bxh5 hxg3+ 23.Kxg3 gxh5 24.Rxh5 {leads to a nasty major-piece attack for the white pieces.} ) 22.Qd2 $1 ( {Carlsen correctly avoids} 22.hxg5 Nxg4+ 23.fxg4 Qxg5 ) 22...Nxg4+ 23.fxg4 Kg7 24.h5 Rh8 {Aronian decided to defend passively and this will prove wrong at the end of the day.} ( {Instead:} 24...gxh5 $1 25.Rxh5 f6 {should have been enough to hold despite the many holes into Black's camp, e.g.} 26.Qd1 Rh8 27.Qf3 ( 27.Qh1 Qc8 ) 27...Qc8 {and if White tries to sneak into the enemy camp with} 28.Rxh8 Qxh8 29.Qf5 Qh2+ {the black queen will be in time for a perpetual.} ) ( {Another plausible continuation would have been} 24...f5 $1 25.hxg6 fxe4+ 26.Ke1 Qf6 {generating enough counterplay to keep the balance.} ) 25.Ke2 {Black's position is far more unpleasant than it seems. Aronian needs to constantly watch out for attacks along the d-, f-, and the h-files as well as queen entries via the d5 square. Looking after so many weaknesses is simply impossible when there's also a time deficit.} 25...f6 ( {Here too, Black should have searched for a way to favorably fix the pawn structure with} 25...Rh6 26.Kd1 Qf6 27.Qe3 gxh5 ( 27...Qe7 $5 ) 28.gxh5 g4 {and this should be good enough to hold.} ) 26.Kd1 {Carlsen sends the king in safety and frees the communication files for his major pieces.} ( 26.Qd3 Qc8 27.Qf3 {might have been more accurate though.} ) 26...Qd7 27.Qe2 b6 ( {Once again} 27...gxh5 $1 28.gxh5 f5 $1 {was the right strategy.} ) 28.Qf3 Rh6 29.Kc2 Qe6 30.Kb2 Qd7 31.Ka3 Qe6 32.Rd1 Rh8 ( {Missing the last moment for} 32...gxh5 $1 33.gxh5 g4 34.Qh1 Kf7 {followed by Kf7-e7. Then Black would look for a good moment to advance his f-pawn up and clear the road for his major pieces.} ) 33.Rd5 Rd8 ( {It was already late for} 33...gxh5 34.gxh5 g4 35.Qd1 Rd8 36.Rd2 Kf7 37.Rh2 Ke7 38.Rh4 Rg8 39.h6 {and the passer moves forward causing havoc in the enemy camp.} ) 34.Rd2 Rd7 35.Rh2 Rd8 ( {More resilient was} 35...Qf7 36.hxg6 Qxg6 ) 36.hxg6 $1 {After torturing Aronian for a dozen of moves, Carlsen is at last opening the h-file, at the most unpleasant moment for Black.} 36...Kxg6 ( {Alas, Black cannot fight for the open file:} 36...Rh8 $2 37.Rxh8 Kxh8 38.Qh1+ {and mate follows.} ) 37.Qh1 Qg8 38.Rh6+ Kf7 ( {Or} 38...Kg7 39.Qh5 ) 39.Qh5+ {The white pieces infiltrate and the attack is decisive.} ( 39.Rh7+ Ke6 40.Qh6 {would have won as well.} ) 39...Ke6 40.Rg6 Qf7 41.Qxg5 Ke7 42.Qf5 Rg8 43.Rh6 $1 Rg5 44.Qc8 Rg8 45.Qc7+ Ke6 46.Qc6 Re8 ( 46...Re8 {Aronian resigned. Many road lead to Rome. The simplest is} 47.g5 $1 ( {And a fancier one is} 47.Qd5+ $1 Ke7 48.Rh7 Qxh7 49.Qb7+ {winning the queen.} ) ) 1-0

[Event "Clutch Chess International"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.12"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "B01"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[Beauty "7011399905315"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 Nc6 {My favorite childhood opening!} 2.Nf3 {The simplest reply. It is an invitation for the "normal play" after 2....e5.} 2...d5 {which is rejected. Carlsen goes for a super-risky Scandinavian instead.} 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nc3 Qa5 5.Bb5 Bd7 6.O-O a6 7.Ba4 {The bishop should be kept for the time being.} ( {White achieves nothing after} 7.Bxc6 Bxc6 8.Nd4 Bd7 9.Nb3 Qf5 10.d3 Nf6 11.Qe2 e6 12.Nd4 Qg4 13.Qxg4 Nxg4 14.h3 Nf6 {Hirneise,J (2371)-Vlassov,N (2401) St Petersburg 2018} ) 7...Nf6 8.d3 O-O-O $146 {A novelty which does not inspire.} ( {A predecessor saw Black doing OK after} 8...Qh5 9.Bf4 ( {But Black might have feared:} 9.Ne2 $1 ) 9...b5 10.Bb3 Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Qxf3 13.gxf3 Rc8 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.Bxd5 {Peter,S (1995)-Porth,H (2133) Lieme 2009} ) 9.Ng5 $1 {This reveals one of the Scandinavian problems: the pawn on f7 is often in danger whenever Black castles long.} 9...Bg4 {Active defense.} ( 9...Be8 {is gloomier after} 10.Bxc6 bxc6 {but perhaps safer as the bishop may help his king whenever needed.} ) 10.Qd2 ( {More natural (and strong) is} 10.Qe1 $1 Bh5 11.Bxc6 bxc6 {Then} 12.b4 $1 {builds a strong initiative for White, e.g:} 12...Qxb4 13.Rb1 Qa5 {when White has a pleasant choice between gradual attack with} 14.Bd2 ( {Or more Aronian-style play:} 14.Ne6 fxe6 15.Qxe6+ Nd7 16.Qxc6 {In both cases Black is on the verge of defeat.} ) ) 10...Bh5 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.Qe1 {Aronian acknowledges he did not choose the right spot for his main attacker.} ( {But it makes sense once more to free the b-file for his rooks with} 12.b4 $1 Qxb4 13.Rb1 Qa5 14.Qe1 {with ongoing attack.} ) 12...h6 ( 12...c5 $5 {might have been more appropriate to stop the b2-b4 idea once and for all.} ) 13.Nge4 e6 14.Bd2 {Natural, logical and... not the best.} ( {The incredible step back:} 14.Nd2 $3 {would have secured a large advantage for White. The always-tricky knights are not shy stepping back to reposition themselves better, and here both knights are successfully harassing the enemy queen:} 14...Bd6 ( {Perhaps somewhat safer is} 14...Bg6 {in order to free some room for the queen although:} 15.Nc4 Qh5 16.Bf4 {is definitely better for White.} ) 15.Nc4 Qb4 16.a3 Qb8 17.b4 {and the black queen story is a very, very sad one.} ) 14...Be7 15.b3 $1 {A good plan. Aronian is bringing his knights closer to the optimal square on c5.} ( {Against} 15.Nxf6 {Carlsen most likely planned} 15...gxf6 $1 {preserving his bishop pair.} ) 15...Bg6 16.Na4 Qd5 17.Ng3 {Oh, not this way.} ( {White should have accomplished his plan with:} 17.Bb4 $1 Bxb4 18.Qxb4 {Then} 18...Nxe4 ( {If:} 18...Qb5 19.Qe1 {with a knight-planting on c5 to follow.} ) ( {A forcing idea like:} 18...a5 19.Qc3 Bxe4 {is best met with:} 20.Nc5 $1 {When in order to survive Black has to find:} 20...Qg5 21.dxe4 Qd2 22.Qc4 Qb4 23.Qxb4 axb4 24.a3 {but even in the endgame the black king remains vulnerable.} ) 19.dxe4 Qxe4 20.c4 {is much better for White due to the exposed nature of the black monarch.} ) 17...c5 $1 {The world champion is immediately plugging the horrible hole.} 18.Be3 {And Aronian goes for the pawn.} ( 18.Ne2 {would have been likely met with:} 18...Qc6 ) 18...Ng4 19.Qa5 Nxe3 20.Qxa6+ Qb7 21.Qxb7+ Kxb7 22.fxe3 Ra8 {The smoke has cleared. Black has lost a pawn but managed to swap the queens and can rely on his bishop pair to generate counterplay in the future.} 23.Rf4 Bg5 24.Rf3 c4 $1 {An important resource to bring bishops into life.} 25.dxc4 Kc6 {But this was unnecessary.} ( 25...Bf6 $1 {at once would have given Carlsen more, for instance} 26.Re1 Rxa4 $1 27.bxa4 Ra8 {and in comparison to the game White has fewer options.} ) 26.Ne2 Rxa4 27.bxa4 Ra8 28.Nd4+ $1 {This in-between move is the difference in comparison to before.} 28...Kc5 29.Nb3+ {Aronian keeps the a-passer alive and can sell it later for a decent price. White is much better again.} 29...Kxc4 30.h4 ( {Stronger is the immediate:} 30.a5 $1 {when the exchange is more valuable than the rooks, say:} 30...c5 31.e4 Bxe4 ( 31...Kb5 32.Rb1 $1 ) 32.Rxf7 Bxc2 33.h4 Be3+ ( 33...Bxh4 $4 34.Rf4+ ) 34.Kh2 Kd5 35.Re1 {Rooks are stronger.} ) 30...Bf6 31.Rd1 {White indicates he is ready to part with the exchange.} ( {However, the better way to do it is} 31.Raf1 {The sacrifice on f6 (f7 if the bishop moves) is in the air. Notice that the c2-pawn is immune:} 31...Bxc2 ( {But White can also advance the kingside pawns:} 31...Be5 32.a5 c5 33.g4 ) ( {If:} 31...e5 32.a5 Bxh4 33.Rxf7 $1 Bxf7 34.Rxf7 c6 35.Rxg7 {should be winning for White.} ) 32.Rc1 Kd3 33.e4+ ) 31...Be5 32.a5 Bh5 33.Rd7 Bxf3 34.gxf3 Rf8 35.f4 {The endgame remains hugely complicated, and with both players low on time inaccuracies are inevitable.} ( {Stronger is to push the opposite-flank pawn:} 35.a4 $1 {Thus securing the b5-square. After:} 35...Bd6 36.a6 Ra8 37.Rxf7 Rxa6 38.Rxg7 {White is much better as:} 38...Rxa4 39.Rg4+ Kb5 40.Nd4+ {drops the e6-pawn.} ) 35...Bd6 36.a6 Ra8 ( {Carlsen could have benefitted from the f3-f4 addition with the help of:} 36...Kd5 $1 37.Nd4 Ra8 38.Kf2 Rxa6 39.Kf3 Rxa2 40.Rxf7 e5 {when the draw is a likely result.} ) 37.Rxf7 Rxa6 38.Rxg7 Rxa2 39.Rg2 e5 {The natural desire is to swap all the pawns as soon as possible.} ( {However:} 39...h5 $1 {to fix the h4-pawn on a dark square would have been better. A hypothetical line like:} 40.Nd2+ Kd5 41.Rg5+ e5 42.c4+ Kc6 43.fxe5 Rxd2 44.exd6 Kxd6 45.Rxh5 Re2 {should end peacefully as the active black pieces are enough compensation for the pawns.} ) 40.f5 $1 {No trades allowed.} 40...Kc3 41.Nd2 Ra1+ ( {Not:} 41...Rxc2 $2 42.Ne4+ Kd3 43.Rxc2 Kxc2 44.Nxd6 ) ( {An even bigger no for:} 41...Kxc2 $4 42.Nc4+ ) 42.Kh2 {Allowing the capture of his most important pawn.} ( {Aronian could have still played for a win with the obvious:} 42.Nf1 $1 {Then in order to win his pawn back, Carlsen will need to unblock the f-passer:} 42...Bc5 43.Rg6 Bxe3+ 44.Kg2 {When it is only White who can play further.} ) 42...Kxc2 43.Ne4+ Kd3 44.Nxd6 cxd6 {The tables have turned, and Aronian needs to look for salvation.} 45.Rg6 ( {A more prudent way to force the draw would have been:} 45.Rg1 Ra2+ 46.Kg3 Kxe3 47.Rd1 ) 45...d5 46.Rxh6 {Now it is lost.} ( {White could have still saved the game with:} 46.Re6 $1 Ke4 47.f6 Rf1 48.Rd6 {Then it seems as White is hopeless after:} 48...Rf5 49.Kg2 h5 50.Kg3 d4 51.exd4 exd4 52.Re6+ Kd3 {Until one finds that the rook needs to be activated at once:} 53.f7 $3 Rxf7 54.Re5 {when it should be a draw.} ) 46...Kxe3 {The connected passers supported by both black pieces are unstoppable.} 47.h5 d4 48.Re6 e4 49.f6 d3 50.Kg2 d2 0-1

[Event "Clutch Chess International"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.13"]
[Round "14.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[Beauty "6737461520423"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.d3 Qc7 6.O-O Ne7 7.h4 $146 {A novelty, as early as move seven! Caruana created a whole new system to fight Carlsen's beloved Anti-Rossolimo line and was hugely successful in the match so far.} ( {An earlier game saw} 7.Re1 Ng6 8.e5 Be7 9.h4 f6 10.Nbd2 O-O 11.exf6 Bxf6 12.Ne4 Bxh4 13.Nxh4 Nxh4 14.Qh5 {with compensation for a pawn in Grover,S (2505) -Lupulescu,C (2640) Al Ain 2014} ) 7...e5 ( {The point behind White's last move is best described by the line} 7...Ng6 8.h5 Ne5 9.Nxe5 Qxe5 {Then} 10.Nd2 {intending Nd2-c4, e4-e5 and a slam on d6 seems scary for Black, since the natural reaction} 10...d5 {is dangerous with the king in the center:} 11.Re1 ) 8.h5 Ng8 $1 {In the few minutes between the games Carlsen figured out a good plan to fight the opponent's plan!} ( {Their previous game went} 8...d6 9.Nh2 $1 Ng8 10.f4 Nf6 11.fxe5 dxe5 12.h6 Be6 13.hxg7 Bxg7 14.Bg5 Nd7 15.Nd2 h5 16.Qe1 {with advantage for White which he managed to convert, Caruana,F (2773) -Carlsen,M (2881) Clutch Chess International 2020} ) 9.Nh2 Nf6 10.f4 Be7 ( {More accurate was the immediate play on the light squares:} 10...c4 $5 11.Nc3 ( {One point behind the knight maneuver to f6 becomes evident in the line} 11.fxe5 Qxe5 {when the pawn on h5 cannot be saved.} ) 11...cxd3 12.cxd3 h6 {Despite the loss of so many tempos in the opening Black's position remains healthy as he owes the long-ranged bishops and they can enter the game in a flash.} ) 11.Nc3 d6 12.h6 {Overoptimistic! Caruana wants to punish his opponent for the slow development, but his king gets weakened in the process as well.} ( {Staying on positional tracks would have promised Caruana more:} 12.Qf3 $1 {was good, for instance} 12...Rb8 13.fxe5 ( {Or the immediate} 13.b3 $5 {with similar ideas.} ) 13...dxe5 14.Na4 {Next White will fix the pawns on the c-file with b2-b3 and start surrounding them with Bc1-a3 (e3) and Qf3-f2 (e3). The other plan would be to transfer the knight to c4 and hit the e5 pawn. As long as the game stays blocked he would be doing fine.} ) 12...gxh6 13.f5 Rg8 14.Bxh6 c4 $1 {Opening the cage for his light-squared beast.} ( 14...d5 $1 {was not bad neither.} ) 15.Kh1 ( {Since after} 15.dxc4 $6 Ba6 16.b3 d5 {White's position collapses in the center.} ) 15...Ba6 16.b3 {White is trying to keep the position as closed as he can.} ( {Another idea to achieve this was} 16.d4 O-O-O 17.dxe5 dxe5 18.Qf3 {but then Black can switch to the attack of the e4 pawn with} 18...Bb7 {intending Be7-b4, c6-c5 and Rd8-d4.} ) 16...cxd3 17.cxd3 d5 {Carlsen is taking over the initiative.} 18.exd5 O-O-O $3 {A wonderful resource! Every black piece is out with lightning speed!} ( {Instead} 18...cxd5 19.Rc1 Qd7 {would have left the black king uncertain about his future in the center.} ) ( {The immediate} 18...Nxd5 {would have been weaker, as Black might still experience problems with his king in the center. One line to prove this:} 19.Nxd5 cxd5 20.Rc1 Qd6 21.f6 $1 {And if} 21...Bxf6 $2 22.Qf3 Rg6 23.Ng4 {and White makes it to the f7 pawn and the black king.} ) 19.Rc1 Nxd5 20.Qf3 ( {Or} 20.Nxd5 Rxd5 {reaching the d3 weakness.} ) 20...Ba3 {Carlsen's counter attack was successful and he is close to winning.} 21.Ne4 $1 {But Caruana does not intend to sit and wait for the bitter end; he wants to get back his initiative.} ( 21.Rc2 $2 Nb4 {would have been the end instead.} ) 21...Bxc1 22.Rxc1 Nb4 23.Nc5 Bxd3 24.f6 {Black won material and should be objectively winning. But there are certain practical problems left: the weak king and above all the lack of time on the world champion's clock.} 24...Bb5 {A poor choice.} ( {It made sense to saveguard the monarch with} 24...Kb8 $1 25.Be3 e4 26.Nxe4 Bxe4 27.Qxe4 Nd5 {when Black should consolidate and eventually win.} ) ( {Notice that the immediate} 24...e4 $2 {would be a mistake as the king is exposed in the line} 25.Qf5+ Kb8 26.Bf4 ) ( {Another great idea would be to centralize the queen with} 24...Qd6 $1 25.Be3 Qd5 {when Black should also survive the attack and eventually convert his extra material.} ) 25.a4 Ba6 26.Ng4 ( {Even better was} 26.Qh3+ $1 Kb8 27.Qc3 {with the core idea} 27...Rd4 28.Qxb4+ $1 Rxb4 29.Nxa6+ ) 26...Kb8 ( {Missing the last chance to cement his position with} 26...Bb7 $1 {This bishop is a very important defender!} 27.Ne3 ( {Or} 27.Qf5+ Kb8 28.Nxe5 Ka8 $1 ) 27...Nd5 $1 {When Black is more than fine.} ) 27.Nxa6+ $1 {Caruana grabs his chance.} 27...Nxa6 28.Nxe5 $1 {Not only winning the pawn but also aiming his troops against the black king. You can notice now how good a defender a bishop on b7 would have been for Black.} 28...Qb7 ( 28...Qxe5 $2 29.Bf4 ) 29.Nxc6+ Ka8 30.Nxd8 Rxd8 31.Qe2 {Tables have turned and it is White who is winning now.} 31...Nb8 32.Bf4 Qd5 ( {White's task is easier in the queenless endgame after} 32...Qxb3 33.Qe4+ Qb7 34.Qxb7+ Kxb7 35.Rc7+ ) 33.Rc7 Nd7 34.Be3 {The most solid choice. The only problem for Caruana might have lied in the fact that he caught up with his opponent in time deficit.} ( {Had White had some more minutes on the clock he might have figured out that his king can escape the checks in the line} 34.Qa6 Qd1+ 35.Kh2 Qh5+ 36.Kg1 Qd1+ 37.Kf2 Qd4+ 38.Kg3 Rg8+ 39.Kh3 {but playing this with seconds on the clock would be suicidal.} ) 34...Nxf6 35.Rxa7+ Kb8 36.Re7 Rd7 37.Bf4+ Kb7 38.Rxd7+ Nxd7 39.b4 Nb6 40.Qe7+ Nd7 ( {The trade cannot be avoided:} 40...Ka8 41.Qc7 ) 41.Qd6 {The most practical. There will be no perpetual check ideas.} 41...Qxd6 42.Bxd6 Kc6 43.Be7 Nb6 44.a5 Nd5 45.Bf8 Kb5 46.Kh2 f5 47.Kg3 h5 48.Bc5 {Accurate play till the end.} ( {Caruana know he needs his g-pawn badly. Although the line} 48.Kh4 Ne3 49.g3 Nf1 50.Bd6 Kc6 51.a6 $1 {should suffice too.} ) 48...Ka6 49.Kh4 Nf4 50.g3 Ne2 51.Bd6 Kb5 52.Kxh5 Nc3 53.Kg6 Ne4 54.Bf4 1-0

[Event "Clutch Chess International"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.14"]
[Round "16.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[ECO "A22"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8247142523981"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 Bb4 {A curious thematic match. The Rossolimo line was discussed disregarding the color.} 4.e4 ( {The main line remains} 4.Bg2 O-O 5.Nf3 e4 6.Ng5 Bxc3 7.bxc3 Re8 8.f3 exf3 9.Nxf3 d5 10.cxd5 Qxd5 11.O-O Nc6 12.Nd4 Qh5 {Duda,J (2753)-Ding,L (2791) chess24. com INT 2020} ) 4...Bxc3 ( {In London, Caruana could not defend the position after} 4...O-O 5.Nge2 c6 6.Bg2 a6 7.O-O b5 8.d4 d6 9.a3 Bxc3 10.Nxc3 bxc4 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Na4 Be6 13.Qxd8 Rxd8 14.Be3 {and eventually Carlsen won the tie-break and defended his title, Carlsen,M (2835)-Caruana,F (2832) London 2018} ) 5.bxc3 O-O 6.f3 $146 {Amazing how fresh these positions are. This is a novelty!} ( {White did not achieve anything in this game:} 6.Bg2 c6 7.Ne2 d5 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.O-O Nc6 11.Rb1 Nb6 12.d4 Be6 13.Ba3 Re8 14.dxe5 Bc4 15.Re1 Rxe5 16.Nf4 {Bareev,E (2643) -Kasimdzhanov,R (2657) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 6...b5 $1 {And a bold sacrifice in return!} ( {Solid play is also possible:} 6...c5 7.Bg2 d6 {Building the pawns as in the Nimzo-Indian on the opposite color of the bishop that he has.} ) 7.d4 {Long-term factors before everything. Notice how again Carlsen has only pawns moving, but the presence of his bishop pair makes the dynamic risk worth it.} ( {White has to be careful with the sacrifices:} 7.cxb5 d5 $1 8.exd5 a6 9.bxa6 Qxd5 {may lead to an overwhelming advantage in development for Black when his pieces should quickly take over.} ) 7...exd4 ( {Perhaps better is} 7...Qe7 $5 8.cxb5 exd4 {with the tactical point} 9.cxd4 ( {Better seems} 9.Qxd4 {although Black should have enough compensation after} 9...c5 $1 10.Qe3 Re8 ) 9...Nxe4 $1 {when Black is better.} ) 8.cxd4 bxc4 9.e5 {An important move to win a couple of tempos for the development and stabilize the center.} 9...Nd5 10.Bxc4 Bb7 11.Nh3 $1 {The best square for the knight.} ( {A more passive approach would not promise the world champion anything after} 11.Ne2 d6 12.O-O ( {Here} 12.Qd3 Nb6 {makes no sense for White.} ) 12...Nd7 ) 11...d6 ( {It makes sense to insert the moves} 11...Nb6 $5 12.Bb3 ) 12.O-O {Now Carlsen misses a chance to use the bishops effectively.} ( {Stronger is} 12.Qd3 $1 dxe5 13.Ng5 {The simple one-move checkmate threat is difficult to parry, say:} 13...Nf6 ( {Or} 13...g6 14.Qb3 $1 ) 14.Ba3 $1 {In both cases with huge problems on the diagonals.} ) 12...Nd7 ( {The computer's suggestion} 12...Nb6 13.Bb3 dxe5 14.dxe5 Qxd1 15.Bxd1 Nc6 16.f4 Rfd8 17.Bf3 {leads to a slightly better position for White with no risk. Just the type that the world champion is so brilliant at!} ) 13.Re1 dxe5 14.dxe5 N7b6 15.Bb3 {So far both players have played brave, uncompromising chess, and this led to an extremely messy position.} 15...Qe7 {But this move turns out to be a nasty blunder.} ( {Mandatory is to block White's light-squared bishop with} 15...c5 $1 16.e6 c4 17.Bc2 Qf6 {when the game is unclear.} ) 16.e6 $1 {Carlsen needs no second invitation.} 16...fxe6 {Caruana follows his plan, but he might have missed a detail.} ( {However, Black's position is not rosy either after} 16...f6 17.Qe2 ) ( {Or in case of} 16...Rfe8 17.exf7+ Qxf7 18.Ng5 Qf6 19.Rb1 Rxe1+ 20.Qxe1 h6 21.Qe6+ Qxe6 22.Nxe6 {in both cases with a stable edge for White. Still, these possibilities might have been the lesser evil.} ) 17.Ng5 Rf6 18.Qc2 Rg6 {It seems the American GM missed White's next power blow.} ( {Which would work after} 18...Rh6 {as well:} 19.Rxe6 $1 Rxe6 20.Qxh7+ Kf8 21.Qh8# ) ( {Black's also lost after:} 18...g6 19.Bb2 ) 19.Rxe6 $1 {A killer.} 19...Qxe6 ( {Since the other capture leads to mate:} 19...Rxe6 20.Qxh7+ Kf8 21.Qh8# ) 20.Nxe6 Rxe6 21.Bb2 {Carlsen wins material and keeps his best pieces aboard. The rest is easy for the world champion:} 21...Rae8 22.Bd4 Kh8 23.Qf5 Bc8 24.Qh5 c5 25.Bxc5 Re5 26.Qf7 Bh3 27.Bf8 Re1+ 28.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 29.Kf2 Rf1+ 30.Ke2 Nc3+ 31.Kd3 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.01"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "D61"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[Beauty "7218808225799"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 O-O 7.Qc2 c5 8.dxc5 dxc4 9.e3 Na6 10.Bxc4 Nxc5 11.O-O a6 12.Rfd1 Qe8 {This has been seen already and it is once again Dubov who demonstrates excellent preparation as he uncorks a novelty.} 13.Be2 $146 {A tricky move. The bishop is side-stepping the tempo Black might use with b7-b5 and gets ready to occupy the long diagonal.} ( {White had a somewhat more pleasant position after} 13.b4 Ncd7 14.b5 b6 15.bxa6 Bxa6 16.Bxa6 Rxa6 17.Nb5 Ne5 18.Nfd4 Ra5 19.a4 {but not by much, Ubilava,E (2490)-Vazquez Igarza,R (2571) Benasque 2013} ) 13...b6 {Nakamura's play remains pretty straightforward which might well be the reason for his opening choices.} ( {Here} 13...b5 {is not great due to} 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 {Now either the immediate} 15.Nxb5 $5 ( {Or the preliminary} 15.Nd4 $1 {are good for White.} ) ) 14.b4 Ncd7 15.Nd4 {Heading for the c6 square \E0 la Botvinnik. This cannot be allowed.} 15...Bb7 ( {Weak is} 15...Bxb4 16.Bf3 Bxc3 17.Qxc3 Nd5 18.Bxd5 exd5 19.Nf5 {when Black's position falls apart, say} 19...Nf6 20.Nxg7 $1 ) 16.Qb2 Rc8 17.b5 {Dubov insists on holding the c6 square.} ( {The immediate} 17.Bg3 $5 {in order to activate the bishop also made sense.} ) 17...a5 {No pin allowed.} ( {Black will face difficulties in the line} 17...axb5 18.Bxb5 Nd5 19.Nxd5 Bxd5 20.Bxe7 Qxe7 21.Nf5 $1 {practically winning a pawn for White.} ) 18.Na4 {White does not want to allow any counterplay for his opponent, but this move backfires.} ( {More interesting was the obvious} 18.Rac1 $5 {when} 18...Nc5 {will be met with the grand idea of exchanging the light-squared bishops:} 19.Bf3 Bxf3 20.Nxf3 {followed by either Nf3-d4-c6 or Nf3-e5-c6.} ) ( {Another possibility was Nakamura's suggestion, the positional pawn sacrifice} 18.Nc6 $5 Bxc6 19.bxc6 Rxc6 20.Bb5 {Pins are there and White definitely has compensation. The question is how quickly can he bring more attackers:} 20...Rc7 21.Bg3 ( {Or else the pin is immediately broken:} 21.Rac1 Qc8 ) 21...e5 {Now White has plenty of ways to use the active pieces and will almost certainly claim his pawn back. But it's hard obtain a sizeable advantage, for instance} 22.Rac1 ( 22.Ba4 $5 ) 22...Qc8 23.Bxd7 Rxd7 24.Bxe5 Rxd1+ 25.Rxd1 Qe6 ) 18...Nd5 19.Bxe7 Qxe7 20.Bf3 Nc5 {Once again obvious, logical and good.} ( {Even better was} 20...Rc4 $1 {highlighting the weakness of the white knight. Black is better after} 21.Nc6 Bxc6 22.bxc6 Rxc6 23.Bxd5 exd5 24.Rxd5 Nf6 ) 21.Nxc5 Rxc5 22.Nc6 {Dubov decided to sacrifice the pawn and try to equalize at once.} ( {Objectively though, the suffering would have give him better chances of survival:} 22.Rdc1 Rfc8 23.a3 ) 22...Bxc6 23.bxc6 Qc7 $1 {The c6 pawn is doomed. Black wants more than slight edge.} ( {As it is the case in the line} 23...Rxc6 24.Bxd5 exd5 25.Rxd5 ) 24.Rac1 Qxc6 25.Rxc5 Qxc5 26.Bxd5 exd5 27.Rc1 {At least White managed to get to a piece ratio which often promises good defensive chances.} 27...Qd6 28.g3 Rd8 29.Qb5 {A mistake. (Nakamura)} ( {According to the American, White should have held with} 29.Qd4 ) ( {but perhaps the most convincing way to the draw was} 29.Rd1 {Then after} 29...Qc6 ( {Instead:} 29...Qc5 {only repeats moves after} 30.Rc1 Qd6 31.Rd1 ) 30.Rd4 b5 31.a3 $1 {seems most technical with White preparing Qb2-d2 followed by e3-e4 in order to regain his pawn.} ) 29...d4 30.exd4 Qxd4 31.Rc6 {And this simply loses a couple of tempos.} ( {More useful would have been the moves} 31.a4 $5 ) ( {or} 31.h4 $5 ) 31...Qe4 {Dubov must have missed this. He is now forced into passive defense and no one can save himself down a pawn with passive major pieces.} 32.Rc1 Qf3 33.Qb1 g6 $1 {Getting air for the king. Once the king is safe, the rook may join the attack more effectively.} 34.h4 Rd6 35.Qa1 Kh7 36.Qb1 h5 37.Re1 a4 38.Qb4 ( {The rook endgame after} 38.Qe4 Qxe4 39.Rxe4 b5 40.Rb4 Rd5 {is hopeless for White. The black king calmly marches towards the c5-square.} ) 38...Rd1 $1 {The queen endgame is easily won for Black as his queen is omnipresent.} 39.Rxd1 Qxd1+ 40.Kh2 Qc2 41.Qxb6 Qxa2 42.Qf6 Qe6 43.Qc3 Qb3 44.Qf6 a3 45.g4 Qe6 46.Qf3 a2 0-1

[Event "Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.06.02"]
[Round "11.2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2829"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[ECO "B22"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6597875076102"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 {Dubov revealed after the game that he expected the appearance of the Alapin, as he has "pretty horrible score against it."} 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.Bc4 Nb6 6.Bb3 c4 7.Bc2 d5 8.exd6 Qxd6 9.O-O Bg4 ( {One recent game brought particularly unpleasant memories for the Russian player:} 9...g6 10.Na3 Bg7 11.b3 cxb3 12.axb3 O-O 13.d4 Bg4 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 e5 {as he eventually lost "stupidly", Van Foreest,J (2644)-Dubov,D (2683) Wijk aan Zee 2020} ) 10.Qe2 O-O-O 11.Na3 Qe6 12.Qxe6+ Bxe6 13.b3 Bd5 14.bxc4 Nxc4 15.Nxc4 Bxc4 16.Re1 {Both players are playing fast but it is again Dubov who uncorks a novelty.} 16...Bd3 $146 ( {This move is more useful than} 16...h6 {which was played before, although Black did not have any problems there either:} 17.d4 e6 18.a4 b6 19.Bf4 Bd6 20.Bxd6 Rxd6 21.Ne5 Nxe5 22.Rxe5 Kd7 {Rozhko,D (2305)-Moiseenko,V (2522) Sochi 2018} ) 17.Bxd3 Rxd3 {It seems as Dubov had analyzed this and since another match is about to be played tomorrow, he did not want to share more details about the position.} 18.Re3 {After this, Nakamura will suffer.} ( {Black does not need to be afraid of} 18.Ng5 Nd8 {but here White can at least grab some kingside space with} 19.f4 {when Black is OK after some normal moves:} 19...e6 ( {or} 19...h6 20.Nf3 Nc6 ) ) 18...Rd7 19.Ba3 {"Black is slightly better." (Dubov)} 19...e5 20.Bxf8 Rxf8 21.h4 {Prophylaxis against Black's future plan (f7-f6 to protect the pawn after which he can start disturbing the knight with g7-g5-g4 ultimately winning the d2 pawn.)} ( {Apparently Nakamura could not find a safe draw in the rook endgame after} 21.Nxe5 Nxe5 22.Rxe5 Rxd2 23.g3 Rfd8 {Indeed, Black has all the advantages here: the more active rooks, his king closer to the center and a better pawn structure. Still, this might have been White's best practical chance.} ) 21...f6 22.h5 Rfd8 {Dubov still has the aforementioned advantages, but he also has extra space and a more powerful knight. He gradually mounts pressure in the coming moves.} 23.Kf1 b6 24.g3 Kb7 25.Kg2 Ne7 $1 {A good maneuver that aims to clear the third rank for the black rooks.} 26.Re4 ( {After} 26.a4 Nf5 27.Re2 {both} 27...Rd3 ( {or the more subtle} 27...Rc8 {aiming to stop the a-pawn from motion with a timely Rc8-c5 would keep a strong hold on White's position.} ) ) 26...Rd3 27.a4 Nc6 $1 {Blocking the pawn at once.} ( {There was nothing wrong with} 27...Nf5 {but why even bother to calculate the consequences of} 28.a5 b5 29.a6+ Kb6 ) 28.Re2 Na5 29.Ra2 Nc4 {Beautiful domination.} 30.g4 R8d5 $1 {Prophylaxis against the tiniest chance.} 31.Nh4 {Nakamura tries his last chance: activity.} ( {The point of the previous move being that:} 31.g5 {is met with:} 31...f5 ) ( {Otherwise White suffocates and Black can keep on improving:} 31.Rc2 Kc6 ( {Also good is} 31...Ka6 32.Ra2 Ka5 ) 32.Ra2 Kc5 33.Rc2 {Then Black can start pushing his kingside pawns or he may as well create a queenside passer to add a second weakness for the opponent.} ) 31...Rxd2 32.Nf5 ( {White's knight is too far away in the line} 32.Raxd2 Rxd2 33.Rxd2 Nxd2 34.Nf5 a5 $1 35.Nxg7 b5 $1 {and the a-pawn queens.} ) 32...Rxa2 33.Rxa2 g6 34.hxg6 hxg6 35.Ne7 Rd7 36.Ng8 ( {Perhaps White missed from afar that} 36.Nxg6 {does not win the pawn back due to} 36...Rg7 37.Nh4 Rxg4+ 38.Kh3 Rg1 ) 36...f5 37.gxf5 gxf5 38.Nh6 Rg7+ {Good enough for the full point.} ( {Even more convincing was} 38...Nd6 $1 39.Rd2 Kc6 40.Kf1 Rh7 41.Ng8 Ne4 {boxing the knight.} ) 39.Kf3 Rg5 {Then after some maneuvers Dubov picked up the white weaknesses.} 40.Nf7 Rh5 41.Kg3 Rh7 42.Ng5 Rd7 43.Kh4 Rd3 44.Kh5 Rxc3 45.Kh6 {A mouse slip.} ( {The natural} 45.Kg6 {probably wouldn't have saved White either.} ) 45...Kc6 46.Kg6 f4 47.Ne4 Ra3 48.Rc2 Rxa4 49.Kf5 b5 50.Rc1 Ra3 51.Rd1 b4 52.Rd8 Nb6 53.Kxe5 b3 54.Rd6+ Kb5 55.Rd1 Kb4 56.Kd4 Ra5 57.Nc3 0-1

[Event "Chessable Masters | Final 8"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.07.02"]
[Round "13.5"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "D78"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7150717901369"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 d5 5.O-O O-O 6.c4 c6 7.Qb3 Qb6 {A calm variation of the Grunfeld, where the onus is put on slow, lenghty improvement of the pieces.} 8.Nc3 Rd8 9.Bd2 dxc4 10.Qxc4 Be6 11.Qa4 Bf5 ( {Another recent top online GM game went} 11...Na6 12.e4 Bg4 13.Be3 Qxb2 14.Rfc1 Qb4 15.Qxb4 Nxb4 16.Rab1 c5 17.dxc5 Nd3 {It is funny to see that the French GM had the white pieces here, Vachier Lagrave,M (2778) -Radjabov,T (2765) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 12.Rfc1 $146 {A novelty upon a game of Nepomniachtchi.} ( 12.Qa3 Re8 13.Na4 Qa6 14.Rfe1 Ne4 15.Bb4 Nd7 16.Rad1 Nb6 17.Nxb6 axb6 18.Qxa6 Rxa6 {and Black has no problems at all, Svane,R (2613)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2784) chess.com INT 2020} ) 12...Nbd7 13.b4 Ne4 {In order to soften the long diagonal. Black also has less space so the trades make sense.} ( {However:} 13...e5 $1 {is a good way to solve the problems once and for all. Then White has nothing else but to defend the central pawn with} 14.e3 {Then} ( {Weaker is} 14.dxe5 Ng4 {and Black is doing great.} ) ( {Whereas the other capture} 14.Nxe5 $2 {is a grave mistake:} 14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 Rxd2 16.exf6 Bxf6 {since Black dominates with the bishop pair.} ) 14...exd4 ( {But Black can also spice up the game with} 14...Ng4 $5 {when he doesn't need to fear} 15.h3 exd4 16.exd4 Nxf2 $3 17.Kxf2 Ne5 {with a strong attack for the piece.} ) 15.Nxd4 a5 16.bxa5 Rxa5 {is equal.} ) 14.e3 Nxc3 {Completing the plan.} ( {Here an interesting alternative is} 14...Nd6 $5 {starting play for the light squares. Black is OK with} 15.Nh4 Bd3 ) 15.Bxc3 Be4 16.Qb3 Bd5 17.Qc2 Nf6 18.Ne5 {There is no other way to get rid of the annoying bishop.} 18...Bxg2 19.Kxg2 Nd5 20.Nd3 {Both players can be happy with the opening outcome. Nepomniachtchi can state that his position is solid and his remaining light pieces are good while Giri has kept the space advantage.} 20...Qc7 21.a4 Rac8 22.Rab1 h5 {The beginning of a suicide mission.} ( {Stronger is the simple} 22...b6 ) 23.h3 $1 {Therefore Nepomniachtchi quickly pushes the pawn up:} ( {Weaker is} 23.Bd2 {because} 23...h4 24.gxh4 e5 {creates play for Black.} ) 23...h4 ( {It is not too late for} 23...b6 24.Ba1 Qb7 {with good counterplay along the long diagonal.} ) 24.gxh4 $1 {Just like that! It transpires that the black kingside has been weakened, not the other way around.} ( {Obviously the Russian GM spotted the refutation of the line} 24.g4 $2 Nxe3+ $1 25.fxe3 Qg3+ 26.Kh1 Qxh3+ 27.Qh2 Qxe3 {with three pawns for a piece and an ongoing attack.} ) 24...Bf6 25.h5 {Giri has more room to maneuver with his pieces and quicker access to the kingside; therefore, he is eager to open many files.} 25...g5 ( {The computer recommendation} 25...Nxc3 26.Qxc3 gxh5 {only shows how miserable Black's position is.} ) 26.Nc5 $1 {The beginning of a nice maneuver.} ( {Although there is an excellent alternative:} 26.Qe2 e5 27.dxe5 Nxc3 28.Rxc3 Bxe5 29.Rc5 Bf6 30.Rf5 {with a large edge for White as well.} ) 26...Kg7 ( {Perhaps} 26...b6 27.Ne4 Qd7 {is more resilient, but it is difficult for Nepomniachtchi anyway.} ) 27.Ne4 Rh8 28.Qe2 Rh6 29.b5 Rch8 30.Ng3 {Mission accomplished. The h5-pawn plugs the holes on the kingside, and White can look again at the opposite wing.} 30...e6 31.Bd2 Be7 32.bxc6 bxc6 33.Qa6 {Winning a second pawn. Giri only needs to be careful not to get checkmated on the opposite side.} 33...Qd8 34.Qxc6 Nf6 35.Rb7 Nxh5 36.Rd7 Qf8 ( {Or} 36...Qe8 37.Qb7 Bf6 38.Rcc7 {winning.} ) 37.d5 $1 ( {Here} 37.Qb7 {only complicates matters due to} 37...Nxg3 38.fxg3 Rxh3 39.Rcc7 Rh2+ ) ( {Whereas} 37.Nxh5+ Rxh5 38.Qb7 {is a sensible winning alternative.} ) 37...Nxg3 38.fxg3 {Prosaic.} ( {Or the more complicated} 38.Bc3+ Bf6 39.dxe6 Bxc3 40.Qxc3+ Kg6 41.Rxf7 {with a winning attack.} ) 38...Rxh3 39.Bc3+ Kg6 40.Bxh8 Qxh8 41.dxe6 Rh2+ 42.Kg1 {The queen on c6 safely covers the king from afar and is looking for a good moment to lead her pieces to mate.} 42...f5 43.Rxe7 Qh3 {The window of opportunity opens:} 44.Qe8+ {With forced mate after:} 44...Kf6 45.Rf7+ Ke5 46.Rc5+ Ke4 47.Qc6+ Kxe3 48.Re5+ 1-0

[Event "Online"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.07.21"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8110777310768"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bd2 {Carlsen deviates from a recent game of his.} ( {The world champion was successful after} 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.Qb3 c5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.e3 O-O 10.dxc5 Bxc3+ 11.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 12.bxc3 Nd7 13.Rd1 Nf6 14.Nd4 Bd7 15.f3 {and White later won in Carlsen,M (2863) -Ding,L (2791) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 6...O-O 7.g4 $146 {Well prepared! The "Latvian" sacrifice was never tried in this particular version.} ( {An earlier game saw instead} 7.e3 b6 8.Be2 Bb7 9.O-O Bd6 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Nb5 Be7 12.Rc1 c6 13.Nc3 Bd6 {Gilevich,A (2362)-Rambaldi,F (2444) Bratto 2014} ) 7...Bxc3 {Giri was obviously taken by surprise and replied only after five valuable minutes of thought.} ( {Accepting the sacrifice is obviously risky:} 7...Nxg4 8.Rg1 h5 9.h3 Nf6 {Here White can attack with either} 10.Qc2 ( {or with} 10.Bh6 Ne8 11.e3 ) ) ( {However, the immediate central counterattack} 7...c5 $5 {might be Black's best bet, and we should likely soon see more of it. One hypothetical line runs} 8.g5 hxg5 9.Bxg5 dxc4 ( {Or} 9...Nbd7 $5 {with immense pressure all over the board.} ) ) 8.Bxc3 ( {The bishop has less to do after} 8.bxc3 Ne4 ) 8...Ne4 ( {With the bishop diverted from the c1-h6 diagonal, the g4-pawn becomes more tasty:} 8...Nxg4 {Then the computer suggests the curious draw line} 9.Rg1 ( {But there are other ways for White to mount pressure, like} 9.Qc1 $5 ) 9...f5 10.h3 ( 10.Qc1 $5 ) 10...Nf6 11.Bb4 Re8 12.Qc1 Kh7 13.Ng5+ Kg8 ( {Black cannot touch the knight:} 13...hxg5 14.Qxg5 {as he cannot defend the g7- and f6-spots simultaneously.} ) 14.Nf3 Kh7 {with repetition.} ) 9.Qc2 ( {White is not happy with the blockade after} 9.h4 dxc4 10.g5 h5 ) 9...c5 {A daring move! It is a central approach, but one which opens way too many files and diagonals for the white pieces.} ( {More restrained moves like} 9...Nd7 ) ( {or even} 9...b6 {seem more appropriate for Black.} ) 10.dxc5 b6 {The point behind Giri's play.} ( {After} 10...Nxc5 {White has too many good choices, like} 11.g5 ( {Or} 11.cxd5 Qxd5 12.Rd1 Qe4 13.Qxe4 Nxe4 14.Bd4 {with a pleasant endgame.} ) ( {Or} 11.Rd1 {with an unpleasant pin...} ) 11...h5 12.g6 {with an attack.} ) 11.g5 $1 {Both players cherish the initiative.} ( {Instead:} 11.cxb6 Qxb6 12.e3 Nc6 {would have passed the initiative to Black.} ) 11...hxg5 ( {Worse is} 11...Nxg5 12.Nxg5 Qxg5 13.h4 Qe7 14.Rg1 ) 12.h4 g4 {Correctly keeping it as closed as possible.} ( {The open g- and h-files will quickly let White build decisive threats after} 12...gxh4 13.Rxh4 ( {Or:} 13.O-O-O Nxf2 14.Rxh4 f5 15.Bg2 Nxd1 16.Qxd1 {with unstoppable Qd1-h1.} ) ) 13.Ng5 f5 14.Bg2 {Carlsen intends to blow up the enemy position on the light squares.} ( {Another good idea is} 14.O-O-O {when it seems as Black's best is the uninspiring endgame after:} 14...Nxc3 15.Qxc3 Qf6 16.cxd5 Qxc3+ 17.bxc3 ) 14...bxc5 15.O-O-O Nxg5 {Gaining a pawn but surrendering the files and the diagonals.} ( {No matter how dangerous it is, Black needs to stay put with} 15...Nc6 $1 {Although White has the better position after both} 16.e3 ( {or} 16.cxd5 exd5 17.e3 ) ) ( {Notice that Black needs to avoid grabbing the exchange:} 15...Nxf2 16.cxd5 Nxd1 17.Rxd1 {as White is taking back everything with hefty interest.} ) 16.hxg5 Qxg5+ 17.Kb1 Nd7 18.cxd5 Nb6 ( {Perhaps Giri hoped to hold with} 18...Bb7 {but then noticed the brilliant refutation} 19.f3 $3 Bxd5 20.Rxd5 $1 exd5 21.f4 Qxf4 22.Bxd5+ {winning.} ) 19.dxe6 {White cashes in.} ( {The play for the attack with} 19.Rh2 {would have been good as well.} ) 19...Bxe6 20.Bxa8 Rxa8 21.Qd2 ( {A bit of prophylaxis:} 21.Ka1 $5 {would have made sense too.} ) 21...Qg6 ( {Apparently very few people on Earth will try to save} 21...Qxd2 22.Rxd2 Re8 {against the world champion.} ) 22.Qd6 f4+ 23.Ka1 Rf8 24.Qe5 {Oops, a slip.} ( 24.Rh8+ $1 Kxh8 25.Qxf8+ Kh7 26.Rh1+ {would be mate instead.} ) 24...g3 25.fxg3 ( {And here} 25.Rh5 $1 {would have finished Black at once.} ) 25...Nc4 ( {More stubborn is} 25...fxg3 26.Rdg1 g2 {although} 27.Rxg2 $1 Qxg2 28.Qxe6+ Rf7 29.Rd1 {should win for White as well.} ) 26.Qh5 {Carlsen reaches the endgame and converts with ease:} 26...Qxh5 27.Rxh5 Ne3 28.Rg1 Bf5 29.b3 fxg3 30.Rxg3 Bg4 31.Rxc5 Rf1+ 32.Kb2 Nd1+ 33.Ka3 Nxc3 34.Rxg4 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2836"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "E90"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[Beauty "6052703667256"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 {After praising his opponent for the excellent positional play (against Nakamura a couple of days ago) Carlsen decided to show who is the boss in the KID.} 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.h3 e5 7.d5 Na6 ( {As White, Carlsen has faced} 7...a5 8.Be3 Na6 9.g4 Nd7 10.Nd2 Ndc5 11.Rg1 Kh8 12.a3 Bd7 {as in Carlsen,M (2832)-Nakamura,H (2786) chess.com INT 2018} ) 8.Bg5 Bd7 ( {The other plan is} 8...Qe8 9.Nd2 Nh5 10.Be2 Nf4 11.O-O h6 12.Bh4 f5 13.Bg3 Nc5 14.b4 Nxe4 15.Ndxe4 fxe4 16.Nxe4 Bf5 17.f3 {Bindrich,F (2590)-Banikas,H (2568) Doha 2016} ) 9.Nd2 c6 10.Be2 Qb6 11.Rb1 Kh8 $146 {A novelty, a la Kasparov. Nf6-g8 followed by Bg7-h6 might happen some time in the future and of course, the f7-f5 breakthrough is never out of the question.} ( 11...Rfc8 12.O-O Qd8 13.b4 cxd5 14.exd5 Bf5 15.Rb3 Nc7 16.Nde4 Nce8 17.c5 dxc5 18.bxc5 h6 {was Paragua,M (2509) -Becerra Rivero,J (2539) ICC INT 2015} ) 12.O-O c5 13.a3 {A standard reaction.} ( {However, with both black knights far away from the vital e5-square, the other attack of the center with} 13.f4 $5 exf4 ( {There is no time for} 13...h6 14.fxe5 $1 ) 14.Bxf4 Rae8 15.Qe1 Ng8 16.Qg3 {Then Black will have to defend with} 16...Be5 {but White's chances are higher. He should be in time for the nasty e4-e5 breakthrough.} ) 13...Qd8 14.b4 b6 15.Nb5 {There are many tempting possibilities instead.} ( {One idea is to prepare the swap of the light-squared bishop with} 15.Qc1 $5 h6 16.Bh4 Qe7 17.Bd1 {followed by Bd1-a4.} ) ( {A prophylactic move like} 15.Bh4 $5 {also makes perfect sense.} ) 15...Qe7 16.Re1 h6 17.Bh4 Rfc8 18.Bd3 ( {It is generally desirable to trade the light-squared bishops with} 18.Bg4 {However, it seems the Chinese GM did not like the fact that his opponent's knight is entering the game after} 18...Nb8 19.Bxd7 Nbxd7 ) 18...Qf8 19.Nf1 Nh5 20.Ne3 Bf6 {It is Black who gets rid of his weaker bishop first. But every King's Indian player knows that this is not the end of his problems.} ( {White is not worried about} 20...Nf4 21.Bf1 ) 21.Bxf6+ Nxf6 22.Nc3 Qe7 23.Bc2 {Back to the light-squared bishop swap idea.} 23...Nb8 24.Qd2 {Change of heart.} ( 24.Ba4 {is actually possible} 24...cxb4 25.axb4 Bxa4 26.Nxa4 {as Black cannot capture the pawn:} 26...Nxe4 $4 ( {Therefore, he should opt for} 26...Nbd7 {with a somewhat better position for White.} ) 27.Qg4 {with a decisive double-attack.} ) 24...Kg7 25.Kh2 {A useful prophylaxis again and an inaccuracy...} ( {Stronger is} 25.b5 $1 {intending a-pawn march. Black's pieces are clumsy and unprepared for counterplay on the opposite wing so White is better, e.g.} 25...a5 26.bxa6 Rxa6 27.Rb3 ) 25...cxb4 26.axb4 a5 $1 {This is what Ding probably underestimated. Carlsen builds up a wonderful dark-squared blockade on his weaker flank.} 27.Ra1 ( {The computer suggests the mysterious} 27.b5 {but then Black simply develops with} 27...Be8 {followed by Nb8-d7-c5.} ) 27...Na6 $1 {A wonderful positional decision! Obviously Carlsen planned this when he captured on b4.} 28.bxa5 bxa5 29.Rxa5 Nc5 30.Rea1 Rxa5 31.Rxa5 Qd8 {It all make sense for Black now. The trade of the bishops, the play where he is weaker; the super knight compensates him for that.} 32.Ra3 Rb8 33.f3 Nh7 {More effective than the obvious} ( 33...Nh5 {move.} ) 34.Ne2 ( {Instead White needs to solidify his kingside with} 34.Ncd1 Qh4 35.Nf2 Ng5 36.Bd1 $1 ) 34...Qh4 35.Ra1 Nf6 {The world champion misses a chance to win a pawn.} ( {Stronger is} 35...Ng5 $1 {when either the bishop or the queen will snack the h3-pawn. If} 36.Qe1 Qxe1 37.Rxe1 Bxh3 38.Ra1 Bd7 {Black is a bit better in the endgame.} ) 36.Qe1 Qg5 37.Ra3 Nh5 38.g3 {Ding manages to cover the dark squares. True, he is weakening the second rank and has to be careful for the future.} 38...Qd8 39.Qa1 Nf6 40.f4 Qe7 41.Nc3 ( {The preliminary pawn swap} 41.fxe5 dxe5 42.Nc3 Nh5 43.Ne2 {does not change much. Black's blockade remains solid.} ) 41...Kh7 42.f5 Kg7 43.Ra7 g5 {Gaining some room on the kingside.} ( {If Black wanted, he could have stayed put with} 43...Qd8 44.fxg6 fxg6 45.Qa5 Qxa5 46.Rxa5 Rb2 {with a likely draw.} ) 44.Kg2 Qd8 45.Kf3 h5 46.Qc1 Qb6 {Both sides continue the maneuvering game.} ( {Instead:} 46...g4+ {is a risky, albeit interesting sacrifice, say:} 47.hxg4 hxg4+ 48.Nxg4 Nxg4 49.Kxg4 Rb4 50.Qg5+ Qxg5+ 51.Kxg5 Rxc4 52.f6+ Kh7 53.Ra3 Rd4 {with an unclear situation, but more pleasant for White.} ) 47.Ra1 Rg8 48.Qd2 Qd8 ( 48...Kf8 $5 {to bring the king to e7 is interesting as well.} ) 49.Rg1 Rh8 50.h4 g4+ 51.Ke2 Kh7 ( {Or} 51...Qa8 52.Ng2 Kf8 {followed by Kf8-e7.} ) 52.Rb1 Qa5 53.Ned1 Rg8 54.Nf2 Qa6 55.Nb5 {A risky decision. The knight is a very valuable piece.} ( {More solid is} 55.Bd3 $1 ) 55...Rb8 ( 55...Bxb5 56.cxb5 Qa3 {at once deserved serious consideration as well.} ) 56.Bd3 Bxb5 ( {The other way to play is} 56...Nxd3 57.Qxd3 Bxb5 58.cxb5 ( {If} 58.Rxb5 Ra8 {probing both the second and first ranks.} ) 58...Qa2+ 59.Kf1 Rc8 ) 57.cxb5 Qa4 {The active black pieces make his play much easier, and a deja vu is about to happen.} 58.Qb4 Qa2+ 59.Qb2 Qa4 60.Qb4 Qa2+ 61.Rb2 Qa1 62.Rb1 Qa7 63.Qd2 Nxd3 64.Qxd3 Qa2+ 65.Kf1 Rc8 66.Qb3 {A horrible blunder. Just like yesterday, Ding's clock came down to seconds, and the Chinese GM could not stand the pressure.} ( {It would have been a draw after} 66.Nd1 $1 {White does not fear} 66...Qh2 ( {However, Carlsen may have tried instead} 66...Ra8 67.Rb2 Ra3 68.Rxa2 Rxd3 {True, here too White has enough play with} 69.Ke2 Rxg3 70.Rb2 Nd7 71.Kf2 {although it would be still difficult to defend against Carlsen, especially with time deficit.} ) 67.Nf2 $1 ) 66...Rc1+ 0-1

[Event "Chessable Masters | Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.03"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "E26"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[Beauty "6735045598748"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 {The world champion often chooses this line against the Nimzo-Indian in blitz and rapid.} 4...Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.e3 Nc6 7.Bd3 d6 8.Ne2 e5 {In return Giri builds the H\FCbner-Portisch wall.} 9.Ng3 {A pawn sacrifice which Black sensibly rejects.} ( {Also possible is} 9.O-O O-O 10.Ng3 Nd7 11.f4 Nb6 12.fxe5 dxe5 13.d5 Na5 14.Qh5 g6 15.Qxe5 Naxc4 16.Bxc4 Nxc4 17.Qe4 b5 {as in the lenghty game Flores,D (2579)-Jobava,B (2702) Doha 2016} ) 9...h5 ( {Nobody has yet tried:} 9...cxd4 {which would likely transpose into the line below.} ) ( {The other capture was tested by the famous Gibraltar organizer and arbiter Stewart Reuben:} 9...exd4 10.cxd4 cxd4 {Here instead of} 11.O-O ( {White should have opted for} 11.exd4 Nxd4 12.O-O {with rich compensation for a pawn.} ) 11...dxe3 12.Bxe3 Ng4 13.Nf5 $2 Bxf5 14.Bxf5 Nxe3 15.Re1 O-O {which led to insufficient compensation for White in Laitinen,M (1855)-Reuben,S (2102) Velden 2009} ) 10.h4 $146 {A novelty. Carlsen understands these positions into the smallest details and is often getting this same pawn structure as Black when facing the Rossolimo Sicilian.} ( 10.d5 Na5 11.h3 b6 12.e4 h4 13.Nf1 Nh5 14.Nh2 Nf4 15.Bxf4 exf4 16.Nf3 Qf6 {with excellent positon for Black in Berend,E (2370) -Papin,V (2502) Berlin 2015} ) 10...Qe7 11.d5 Nb8 ( {Instead the computer indicates the interesting positional sacrifice} 11...e4 12.Bb1 Ne5 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 b6 ) 12.e4 {Now Black has a problem with his kingside as he cannot castle easily.} 12...Bg4 {In order to lock the diagonal d1-h5.} ( 12...g6 $2 {allows a deadly pin after} 13.Bg5 ) 13.f3 Bc8 14.Bg5 {Nevertheless. The pin is extremely unpleasant for Giri.} 14...Qc7 {He breaks it at once, but this leaves his kingside in ruins.} 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.O-O Nd7 17.f4 {Black's kingside crumbles.} 17...exf4 18.Nxh5 Ne5 19.Nxf6+ {Forcing matters.} ( 19.Rxf4 {was good as well.} ) 19...Kd8 20.Rxf4 Ng6 21.Qf3 $1 {Excellent stuff! The world champion is ready to spend an exchange for the anti-blocker. By doing so he also secures the excellent position of his knight on f6 (which is definitely not weaker than any of the black rooks) and, yes, the h-passer remains alive.} 21...Qe7 ( {Notice that Black's problems persist in the endgame after} 21...Nxf4 22.Qxf4 Qe7 23.h5 Qe5 24.Rf1 Qxf4 25.Rxf4 Ke7 26.Kf2 {as well.} ) ( {There is no other choice:} 21...Nxh4 $2 {loses at once to} 22.Rxh4 Rxh4 23.Qg3 Rh8 24.Qg7 ) 22.h5 Nxf4 23.Qxf4 Qe5 24.Qxe5 {This trades the opponent's best piece at once.} ( 24.Rf1 {would have transposed into the line from above.} ) 24...dxe5 25.g4 {The steed is supported and becomes a super knight.} 25...a5 26.g5 Ra6 27.Rb1 {Carlsen wants to block the a6 rook from entering the battle via the b6 square but forgets about something else.} ( {Stronger was} 27.Be2 $1 {Defending the h5-pawn. Then after} 27...Rb6 28.Kf2 {the lonely black rook cannot do any damage to the white position and White should be able to win, e. g.} 28...Rb3 29.a4 Rxc3 30.Rb1 Ra3 31.d6 {with an unstoppable d6-d7 threat.} ) 27...Rxf6 $1 {Finally some breathing room for the black pieces!} 28.gxf6 Rxh5 29.Rb5 Rh3 ( {It seems as they both missed the strong} 29...Rh6 $1 {White's f6 pawn is the most dangerous asset of his.} 30.Rxc5 ( {Or} 30.Rxa5 b6 31.Ra7 Rxf6 ) 30...Rg6+ $1 {After} ( {Weaker is} 30...Rxf6 31.Rxa5 Rf3 32.Be2 Rxc3 33.Ra8 b6 34.c5 Rxc5 35.Bg4 {and Black is busted due to the pin.} ) 31.Kh2 ( {Or} 31.Kf2 Rxf6+ 32.Ke3 b6 ) 31...Rxf6 32.Rxa5 Rf3 {Black should survive.} ) 30.Be2 Rxc3 31.Rxa5 ( 31.Rxc5 Rxa3 ) 31...Re3 {Going for the wrong pawn.} ( {It was not too late to get rid of White's main trump with} 31...Rg3+ $3 32.Kf2 Rg6 33.Rxc5 Rxf6+ 34.Ke3 Ra6 {when once again Black should survive.} ) 32.Bh5 Rxe4 33.Ra8 $1 {Giri must have missed this. The white pieces find a way to communicate from the different flanks.} ( {Most likely the Dutchman expected} 33.Bxf7 Rg4+ {The checks force the white king to step on the f-file sooner or later:} 34.Kh2 Rh4+ 35.Kg3 Rg4+ 36.Kf3 Rf4+ 37.Ke3 {Then after} 37...Rxf6 38.Bh5 Bd7 $1 {White cannot grab the pawn:} 39.Rxc5 $4 b6 {Therefore it should be equal if White does not get to the c5 pawn.} ) 33...Kc7 ( 33...Rxc4 34.Bxf7 {is also lost for Black.} ) 34.d6+ Kd7 35.Bxf7 Rg4+ 36.Kh2 Rf4 ( {Checks make no sense here:} 36...Rh4+ 37.Kg3 {as the black bishop does not help the rook.} ) 37.Kg3 Rxf6 38.Bh5 $1 {Wins material.} 38...Rf4 39.Bg4+ Kxd6 $1 {The best chance. Black is getting the last but one white pawn and needs to make it to the last one in order to reach the theoretical draw R+B versus R.} ( {Instead} 39...Rxg4+ 40.Kxg4 {would have lost outright as the black bishop cannot enter the battle:} 40...b6 41.a4 Bb7 42.Ra7 Kc8 43.d7+ ) 40.Bxc8 Rxc4 41.Bxb7 {It should be a win, but not as easy as some people think. The black passers can become quite dangerous.} 41...Rc3+ 42.Kg4 {That is not the right direction.} ( {The world champions also need to pay respect to the passers:} 42.Kf2 c4 43.a4 ) 42...c4 43.Be4 Rc1 {In timetrouble Giri misses an excellent chance.} ( {He could have activated his king with} 43...Kc5 44.Kf5 Kd4 45.Rd8+ Ke3 46.a4 Ra3 47.Ra8 ( {Or} 47.Bc6 c3 ) 47...Kd4 $1 {with excellent drawing chances.} ) 44.Ra5 Rf1 45.Kg3 Rf4 46.Bf3 ( {Better was the intermediate} 46.Rd5+ $1 Ke6 47.Bg2 ) 46...Rd4 47.Kf2 Rd3 {The final error.} ( {Black could have still survived with} 47...c3 $1 48.Ra6+ Kd7 {with the idea to meet} 49.Rc6 {With} 49...Rf4 $1 50.Rxc3 e4 ) 48.Be4 Rb3 49.Ke2 {Carlsen consolidates and this is enough after} 49...Rb2+ 50.Ke3 Rb3+ 51.Kd2 Kc7 52.a4 Kb6 53.Rxe5 Rb4 54.Bc2 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.03"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "E26"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[Beauty "6735045598748"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 {The world champion often chooses this line against the Nimzo-Indian in blitz and rapid.} 4...Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.e3 Nc6 7.Bd3 d6 8.Ne2 e5 {In return Giri builds the Hubner-Portisch wall.} 9.Ng3 {A pawn sacrifice that Black sensibly rejects.} ( {Also possible is} 9.O-O O-O 10.Ng3 Nd7 11.f4 Nb6 12.fxe5 dxe5 13.d5 Na5 14.Qh5 g6 15.Qxe5 Naxc4 16.Bxc4 Nxc4 17.Qe4 b5 {as in the lengthy game Flores,D (2579)-Jobava,B (2702) Doha 2016} ) 9...h5 ( {Nobody has yet tried:} 9...cxd4 {which would likely transpose into the line below.} ) ( {The other capture was tested by the famous Gibraltar organizer and arbiter Stewart Reuben:} 9...exd4 10.cxd4 cxd4 {Here instead of} 11.O-O ( {White should have opted for} 11.exd4 Nxd4 12.O-O {with rich compensation for a pawn.} ) 11...dxe3 12.Bxe3 Ng4 13.Nf5 $2 Bxf5 14.Bxf5 Nxe3 15.Re1 O-O {which led to insufficient compensation for White in Laitinen,M (1855)-Reuben,S (2102) Velden 2009} ) 10.h4 $146 {A novelty. Carlsen understands these positions in the smallest detail and is often getting this same pawn structure as Black when facing the Rossolimo Sicilian.} ( 10.d5 Na5 11.h3 b6 12.e4 h4 13.Nf1 Nh5 14.Nh2 Nf4 15.Bxf4 exf4 16.Nf3 Qf6 {with excellent position for Black in Berend,E (2370) -Papin,V (2502) Berlin 2015} ) 10...Qe7 11.d5 Nb8 ( {Instead the computer indicates the interesting positional sacrifice} 11...e4 12.Bb1 Ne5 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 b6 ) 12.e4 {Now Black has a problem with his kingside as he cannot castle easily.} 12...Bg4 {In order to lock the diagonal d1-h5.} ( 12...g6 $2 {allows a deadly pin after} 13.Bg5 ) 13.f3 Bc8 14.Bg5 {Nevertheless, the pin is extremely unpleasant for Giri.} 14...Qc7 {He breaks it at once, but this leaves his kingside in ruins.} 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.O-O Nd7 17.f4 {Black's kingside crumbles.} 17...exf4 18.Nxh5 Ne5 19.Nxf6+ {Forcing matters.} ( 19.Rxf4 {is good as well.} ) 19...Kd8 20.Rxf4 Ng6 21.Qf3 $1 {Excellent! The world champion is ready to spend an exchange for the anti-blocker. By doing so he also secures the excellent position of his knight on f6 (which is definitely not weaker than any of the black rooks) and, yes, the h-passer remains alive.} 21...Qe7 ( {Notice that Black's problems persist in the endgame after} 21...Nxf4 22.Qxf4 Qe7 23.h5 Qe5 24.Rf1 Qxf4 25.Rxf4 Ke7 26.Kf2 {as well.} ) ( {There is no other choice:} 21...Nxh4 $2 {loses at once to} 22.Rxh4 Rxh4 23.Qg3 Rh8 24.Qg7 ) 22.h5 Nxf4 23.Qxf4 Qe5 24.Qxe5 {This trades the opponent's best piece at once.} ( 24.Rf1 {would have transposed into the line from above.} ) 24...dxe5 25.g4 {The steed is supported and becomes a super knight.} 25...a5 26.g5 Ra6 27.Rb1 {Carlsen wants to block the a6 rook from entering the battle via the b6 square but forgets about something else.} ( {Stronger is} 27.Be2 $1 {Defending the h5-pawn. Then after} 27...Rb6 28.Kf2 {the lonely black rook cannot do any damage to the white position, and White should be able to win, e. g.} 28...Rb3 29.a4 Rxc3 30.Rb1 Ra3 31.d6 {with an unstoppable d6-d7 threat.} ) 27...Rxf6 $1 {Finally some breathing room for the black pieces!} 28.gxf6 Rxh5 29.Rb5 Rh3 ( {It seems as they both missed the strong} 29...Rh6 $1 {White's f6-pawn is his most dangerous asset.} 30.Rxc5 ( {Or} 30.Rxa5 b6 31.Ra7 Rxf6 ) 30...Rg6+ $1 {After} ( {Weaker is} 30...Rxf6 31.Rxa5 Rf3 32.Be2 Rxc3 33.Ra8 b6 34.c5 Rxc5 35.Bg4 {and Black is ruined due to the pin.} ) 31.Kh2 ( {Or} 31.Kf2 Rxf6+ 32.Ke3 b6 ) 31...Rxf6 32.Rxa5 Rf3 {Black should survive.} ) 30.Be2 Rxc3 31.Rxa5 ( 31.Rxc5 Rxa3 ) 31...Re3 {Going for the wrong pawn.} ( {It is not too late to get rid of White's main trump with} 31...Rg3+ $3 32.Kf2 Rg6 33.Rxc5 Rxf6+ 34.Ke3 Ra6 {when again Black should survive.} ) 32.Bh5 Rxe4 33.Ra8 $1 {Giri must have missed this. The white pieces find a way to communicate from the different flanks.} ( {Most likely the Dutchman expected} 33.Bxf7 Rg4+ {The checks force the white king to step on the f-file sooner or later:} 34.Kh2 Rh4+ 35.Kg3 Rg4+ 36.Kf3 Rf4+ 37.Ke3 {Then after} 37...Rxf6 38.Bh5 Bd7 $1 {White cannot grab the pawn:} 39.Rxc5 $4 b6 {Therefore, it should be equal if White does not get to the c5-pawn.} ) 33...Kc7 ( 33...Rxc4 34.Bxf7 {is also lost for Black.} ) 34.d6+ Kd7 35.Bxf7 Rg4+ 36.Kh2 Rf4 ( {Checks make no sense here:} 36...Rh4+ 37.Kg3 {as the black bishop does not help the rook.} ) 37.Kg3 Rxf6 38.Bh5 $1 {Wins material.} 38...Rf4 39.Bg4+ Kxd6 $1 {The best chance. Black is getting the next-to-last white pawn and needs to make it to the last one in order to reach the theoretical draw R+B versus R.} ( {Instead} 39...Rxg4+ 40.Kxg4 {would have lost outright as the black bishop cannot enter the battle:} 40...b6 41.a4 Bb7 42.Ra7 Kc8 43.d7+ ) 40.Bxc8 Rxc4 41.Bxb7 {It should be a win, but not as easy as some people think. The black passers can become quite dangerous.} 41...Rc3+ 42.Kg4 {That is not the right direction.} ( {The world champion also needs to pay respect to the passers:} 42.Kf2 c4 43.a4 ) 42...c4 43.Be4 Rc1 {In time trouble Giri misses an excellent chance.} ( {He could have activated his king with} 43...Kc5 44.Kf5 Kd4 45.Rd8+ Ke3 46.a4 Ra3 47.Ra8 ( {Or} 47.Bc6 c3 ) 47...Kd4 $1 {with excellent drawing chances.} ) 44.Ra5 Rf1 45.Kg3 Rf4 46.Bf3 ( {Better is the intermediate} 46.Rd5+ $1 Ke6 47.Bg2 ) 46...Rd4 47.Kf2 Rd3 {The final error.} ( {Black could have still survived with} 47...c3 $1 48.Ra6+ Kd7 {with the idea to meet} 49.Rc6 {With} 49...Rf4 $1 50.Rxc3 e4 ) 48.Be4 Rb3 49.Ke2 {Carlsen consolidates, and this is enough after} 49...Rb2+ 50.Ke3 Rb3+ 51.Kd2 Kc7 52.a4 Kb6 53.Rxe5 Rb4 54.Bc2 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | Final 8"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.04"]
[Round "15.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "D41"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8110013955127"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 {The Semi-Tarrasch Defense is a common guest now at top tournaments. Despite the obvious danger of Black being checkmated on the kingside, the computer-backed defenders often employ it, relying on the clarity of their computer analysis.} 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Bb4+ 9.Bd2 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 O-O 11.Bc4 Nd7 12.O-O b6 13.Rad1 Bb7 14.Rfe1 Rc8 15.Bb3 Re8 16.Re3 ( {Another online top-GM battle saw instead} 16.h3 Nf6 17.Qf4 Qc7 18.Ne5 Re7 19.Qh4 Qd8 20.f3 h6 21.Qf2 Rec7 22.h4 Rc3 23.d5 {Aronian,L (2773)-Grischuk,A (2777) Lichess.org INT 2020} ) 16...Nf6 17.d5 $146 {A novelty which should not surprise. Long time ago, the Polugaevsky-Tal game gave White a clear knowledge of how to attack on the kingside and enriched the chess treasury.} ( {An earlier game saw a presumably home-baked idea by Black after} 17.Qd3 b5 18.d5 exd5 19.e5 Ne4 20.Qxb5 Qb6 21.Qxb6 axb6 22.h4 h6 23.Bxd5 Bxd5 24.Rxd5 Rc1+ 25.Ne1 Nc3 26.Rd6 Nxa2 27.Rxb6 Nc3 {and despite the pawn deficit Black comfortably held, So,W (2788)-Dominguez Perez,L (2739) St. Louis 2017} ) 17...exd5 18.e5 {Exactly what Lev Polugaevsky did. The black bishop is blocked, and White opens a wonderful square for his pieces on d4.} 18...Ne4 19.Qe1 {Overprotects the pawn on e5 and prepares a further kingside assault.} 19...Qc7 20.Nd4 {The key square in Carlsen's plan.} 20...a6 {A useful move that rules out the possible knight maneuver towards the d6-square as well as the problems along the a4-e8 diagonal. The pawn could have also been used for a knight maneuver.} ( {Obviously} 20...Qxe5 21.f3 {does not suit Black.} ) ( {The refutation of} 20...Rxe5 {is instructive:} 21.f3 Rh5 {Now} 22.h4 $3 {Now both} ( {Worse is} 22.h3 Nf6 ) 22...Nf6 ( {and} 22...Nd6 23.g4 Rh6 24.Nf5 $1 {drop loads of material for Black.} ) 23.g4 Rh6 24.g5 {and wins.} ) ( {The computer likes the daring} 20...Qd7 {and claims that White has no more than a draw in the forcing line} 21.e6 ( {However, White is not forced to force anything and can keep mounting pressure with} 21.f3 Ng5 22.Qg3 ( {Or} 22.h4 Ne6 23.Nf5 {with both cases and excellent chances for a successful attack.} ) ) 21...fxe6 22.Rxe4 dxe4 23.Nxe6 Qe7 24.Ng5+ Kh8 25.Nf7+ Kg8 ) ( {Similar lines arise after} 20...Rcd8 21.f3 ( 21.Ba4 Re7 {does not seem too scary for Black.} ) 21...Nc5 ( {Or} 21...Ng5 22.Ba4 Rf8 23.Rc3 Qb8 24.Nf5 {with a serious initiative for White.} ) ) 21.h4 $1 {A nice attacking resource.} ( {The immediate} 21.f3 {can be met with} 21...Nc3 22.Rdd3 ( 22.Rc1 Qc5 ) 22...Nb5 $1 {Swapping off the nasty knight. This is where the b5-pawn is most useful. After} 23.Nxb5 axb5 24.Bxd5 Bxd5 25.Rxd5 Qc4 {Black should be able to hold.} ) 21...Rcd8 {Giri reinforces the center but gives up the open c-file and does not pay enough attention to the h-pawn.} ( {Stronger is} 21...h6 $1 {that not only stops the h-pawn's advance but opens air for the king. Black is ready for a capture of the central pawn, as in the line} 22.h5 ( {Again} 22.f3 Nc3 23.Rdd3 Nb5 $1 {does not yield White much.} ) 22...Rxe5 $1 23.f3 Rxh5 24.fxe4 Qh2+ 25.Kf1 Qh1+ 26.Kf2 Qh4+ {with perpetual check.} ) 22.f3 $1 {That the knight cannot now jump on c3 is great.} 22...Nc5 23.h5 ( 23.Nf5 $5 {is nice as well.} ) 23...Ne6 ( {One point behind the advance of the h-pawn is revealed in the line:} 23...Qd7 24.Bc2 Ne6 25.Nf5 d4 26.Qg3 dxe3 27.Rxd7 Rxd7 28.Nxg7 $1 Nxg7 29.h6 {and wins.} ) 24.Nf5 d4 {Trying to keep White busy, even at the expense of a pawn.} 25.Red3 Nc5 ( {In hindsight, Giri might have preferred to defend the position after} 25...Bd5 $1 26.Nd6 Bxb3 27.Nxe8 Rxe8 28.axb3 h6 {with chances of survival.} ) 26.Rxd4 Rxd4 27.Rxd4 Nxb3 28.Qg3 $1 {Well spotted by the world champion.} ( {Although} 28.axb3 Bc8 29.Nd6 Qc5 30.Qd2 Rd8 31.Qf4 {is also sufficient for a large edge.} ) 28...g6 29.axb3 Rd8 {This allows a pretty finish.} ( {Now} 29...Qc5 30.b4 $1 {does not work for Black, especially when his back rank is so weak:} 30...Qxe5 $4 31.Qxe5 Rxe5 32.Rd8+ Re8 33.Rxe8# ) ( {The last chance is the cunning} 29...Bxf3 $5 {with the idea} 30.gxf3 ( {However, it is refuted by} 30.Rc4 $1 Bc6 31.Nd4 {and White wins material.} ) 30...Qc1+ 31.Kg2 Qc2+ ) 30.e6 $1 Qc1+ ( 30...Qxg3 31.Rxd8# ) 31.Kh2 Rxd4 32.e7 $1 {The point. It is over after} 32...Qc8 33.Qe5 Rh4+ 34.Kg3 1-0

[Event "Legends Chess"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.27"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[ECO "E11"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7286948898338"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 O-O 7.Qc2 ( 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Qc2 c6 9.Rd1 b6 10.Bf4 Bb7 11.Nc3 dxc4 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Nd5 14.Ne4 b5 15.b3 cxb3 16.axb3 {Caruana,F (2835)-Giri,A (2764) chess.com INT 2020} ) 7...Nbd7 8.h4 $146 {Another fresh idea by Gelfand.} ( {An earlier game was a "family affair":} 8.O-O c6 9.Rd1 b6 10.b3 a5 11.Bc3 Ne4 12.Bb2 Ba6 13.Ne1 f5 14.Nd2 Bd6 15.Nd3 Qf6 {Wojtaszek,R (2719)-Kashlinskaya,A (2494) chess.com INT 2020} ) 8...c5 {A classical reaction to the kingside expansion.} ( {It would be even better to insert} 8...dxc4 $5 9.Qxc4 ( {However, Gelfand most likely intended instead to enter the complications after} 9.O-O $5 b5 10.a4 c6 11.axb5 cxb5 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.Bxa8 Qxd4 ) 9...c5 10.O-O cxd4 11.Qxd4 b6 {when Black can enjoy two open central files.} ) 9.cxd5 exd5 10.Nc3 {White already threatens Nf3-g5 followed by a capture on d5; therefore, Anand played} 10...Re8 {which frees the f8-square for the second knight.} 11.O-O h6 {Alas, Black could not save this tempo.} ( {Instead, both} 11...Nf8 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.Bg5 ) ( {and} 11...Nb6 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.Bg5 {are unpleasant for Black.} ( 13.Nb5 $5 ) ) 12.Bf4 {The opening result is favorable for the first player. He has a harmonious development and better prospects in the center.} 12...a6 13.Rad1 c4 {Naturally, Black cannot afford to open the center.} 14.Ne5 {Gelfand forces a concession.} ( {Also good is the preliminary} 14.e4 $5 {to which Anand would have most likely defended with} 14...dxe4 15.Ne5 Nb6 16.Nxe4 Nbd5 ) 14...Nb6 {Otherwise, Black cannot complete development. But now that the knight is blocking the b-pawn,} 15.b3 {becomes even more unpleasant for the second player.} ( 15.a4 {is not effective due to the simple} 15...Bb4 ) 15...Bb4 {The machine does not approve this, but what else?} ( {The position after} 15...cxb3 16.Qxb3 {is too difficult for Black due to the weaknesses in the center and on the queenside.} ) 16.bxc4 dxc4 17.e4 {The central passers are ready to smash everything that gets in their way.} 17...a5 18.Nb5 Nh5 19.Be3 Bd7 20.Nxd7 Qxd7 21.a4 {Now Anand gets a chance.} ( {A tad more accurate is} 21.Nc3 Nf6 22.d5 {reverting to his main idea of central domination.} ) 21...Nf6 22.d5 Nxa4 $3 {A strong idea that leads to serious complications and thus excellent practical chances for Black.} 23.Qxa4 Nxe4 24.Bxe4 ( {The study-like idea} 24.Bb6 $3 {would promise White even more after} 24...Nd6 25.Nc3 Qxa4 26.Nxa4 ) ( {In order to understand why the bishop needs to move, one needs to see the line} 24.Nc3 Qxa4 25.Nxa4 Nxg3 $1 ) 24...Rxe4 25.Nc3 {Simply fixing the extra material.} ( {The move} 25.Rd4 {would lead to amazing complications instead:} 25...Rxd4 26.Bxd4 Qxd5 27.Nc7 Qxd4 28.Nxa8 {White is up a whole rook, but how to save the knight after} 28...Qd8 {Tactics will help:} 29.Ra1 $1 {Even here, nothing is clear due to the power of the black pawns:} ( {Better than} 29.Rc1 Qxa8 30.Rxc4 {which should likely end in a draw.} ) 29...c3 ( 29...Qxa8 $2 30.Qxb4 $1 ) 30.Re1 Kh7 31.Re8 Qd3 32.Qb3 {White still needs to play razor-sharp accurately to tame the pawns (if this is even possible).} ) 25...Qxa4 26.Nxa4 b5 {Gelfand won a piece, but the huge queenside pawn mass is scary, to say the least.} 27.Nb6 Rd8 28.Bf4 {White is trying to bring his only passer into motion.} ( 28.Kg2 $5 ) 28...Bd6 {In return, Anand opens the road for his own pawns.} ( {However, the former world champion already has an interesting anti-blocking idea at his disposal:} 28...Rxf4 $3 {would be equally good, for example:} 29.gxf4 c3 30.d6 Rxd6 31.Rxd6 Bxd6 32.Nd5 b4 {The passers will soon cost White the rook, and the line} 33.Rc1 a4 34.Kf1 Bxf4 $1 35.Nxf4 b3 36.Nd3 c2 37.Ke1 a3 38.Kd2 b2 39.Kxc2 bxc1=Q+ 40.Kxc1 Kh7 {would lead to a draw at the end.} ) 29.Bxd6 Rxd6 30.Nc8 Rd7 31.d6 c3 32.Rd5 ( 32.Nb6 Rd8 33.Rd5 b4 {would transpose instead.} ) 32...b4 33.Nb6 Rd8 34.d7 {The passer is just a step away from promotion, but the black pawns also made progress, whereas the knight cannot maneuver quickly enough after:} 34...Re6 35.Na4 Rc6 36.Nc5 ( {A curious draw emerges after:} 36.Re1 Kh7 ( {Black can also offer repetition instead with} 36...Re6 37.Rc1 Rc6 ) 37.Re8 Rxd7 38.Rxd7 c2 39.Re1 c1=Q 40.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 41.Kg2 Ra1 42.Nc5 a4 43.Nxa4 Rxa4 44.Rxf7 ) 36...Rc7 37.Re5 ( {Another beautiful, study-like line arises after:} 37.Re1 c2 38.Rc1 Rdxd7 $3 {We will see more about this sacrifice later.} 39.Nxd7 b3 40.Kg2 b2 {Gaining material back with interest, but allowing perpetual:} ( {Or maybe Black can play for a win with} 40...a4 $5 ) 41.Rxc2 b1=Q 42.Rxc7 Qe4+ 43.Kg1 Qxd5 44.Rc8+ Kh7 45.Nf8+ Kg8 46.Ng6+ Kh7 47.Nf8+ {and a draw.} ) 37...Kh7 38.Ra1 {The decisive mistake.} ( {The most dangerous criminal on c3 should not be left in peace. Correct is} 38.Rc1 $1 {which should lead to a draw after} 38...a4 39.Nxa4 Rdxd7 40.Rc5 Rxc5 41.Nxc5 Rc7 42.Nb3 Ra7 {and White will have to part with his knight for the two queenside pawns very soon.} ) 38...a4 $3 {Now the passers crash everything on their way.} 39.Rxa4 {This loses quickly, but there is no good advice for White anyway.} ( {The most resilient defense would be} 39.Nxa4 c2 40.Rc1 ( {Not:} 40.Nc5 Rcxd7 $1 41.Nxd7 Rxd7 42.Ree1 b3 {and the pawns get promoted as in the game.} ) ( 40.Rc5 {is not enough either due to} 40...Rxc5 41.Nxc5 Rxd7 $1 42.Rf1 Rd1 43.Nb3 {and now the cool} 43...Kg6 $1 {highlights how helpless White is: the king marches all the way to the queenside.} ) 40...b3 41.Re7 Rcxd7 42.Rxd7 Rxd7 43.Nb2 Ra7 $1 44.Kf1 Ra2 45.Nc4 {Here the most accurate is} 45...Kg6 {that brings the king in before the b-pawn picks up the knight.} ( {Although} 45...b2 46.Nxb2 Rxb2 {should be enough as well.} ) 46.Ke2 Kf5 47.f3 {Now comes} 47...b2 48.Nxb2 Rxb2 {and Black wins.} ) 39...c2 40.Ra1 Rdxd7 $3 {A neat final blow!} ( {But not} 40...Rxc5 41.Rxc5 b3 42.Rxc2 $1 bxc2 43.Rc1 ) 41.Nxd7 Rxd7 {The connected passers are worth more than a rook!} 42.Rc5 ( {Nothing helps} 42.Ree1 b3 43.Rac1 Rc7 $1 {and then b3-b2 would net Black a whole rook and soon lead to a won pawn endgame.} ) 42...b3 43.Rf1 Rd1 44.Kg2 Rxf1 45.Kxf1 b2 0-1

[Event "Legends of Chess"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.22"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vasyl"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2686"]
[ECO "A16"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7765594210347"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Rb1 O-O 8.h4 c5 9.h5 Nc6 10.hxg6 hxg6 11.Qe2 b6 12.Qe3 Qd6 {In a sharp Anti-Grunfeld, Gelfand uncorks a novelty.} 13.Qg5 $146 ( {The earlier game was played very recently:} 13.Ng5 Ne5 14.f4 Ng4 15.Qh3 Nh6 16.Qg3 e5 17.d3 exf4 18.Bxf4 Qe7 19.Bd6 Qf6 20.e5 Re8 21.Be2 Qd8 22.Qh4 f6 23.Qc4+ {1-0 (23) Dubov,D (2699)-Svidler,P (2723) chess.com INT 2020. Apparently both Gelfand and Ivanchuk studied the game carefully and found something for Black.} ) 13...Qe6 {With the idea to swap the queens via the g4-square, besides the obvious threat on e4.} ( {The computer recommendation} 13...f5 14.d4 fxe4 15.Nh4 {does not seem trustworthy for Black.} ) 14.Qh4 Rd8 15.Bb5 $1 {The first time Gelfand actually threw his opponent into serious doubts... Is this defendable?} 15...Rd6 $1 {Although this could have lost at once, it is an ingenious idea. In anticipation of the forcing game line, Black defends his knight in a strange-looking way.} ( {Let's see. Obviously, Ivanchuk calculated the natural development move} 15...Bb7 {which can be met with} 16.Ng5 ( 16.d3 {is also strong.} ) 16...Qxa2 17.Qh7+ Kf8 18.Rb2 Qa1 19.O-O {as in the game, but in a less favorable situation for Black as he lacks the Bb7-a6 resource. In the game the rook is defending the knight at this point.} ) ( {Another usual idea is to move the knight aggressively with} 15...Ne5 {but then after} 16.Nxe5 Qxe5 {White will get a chance to open the diagonal for his bishop with tempo:} 17.d4 $3 {and win in the forcing line} 17...cxd4 18.Qh7+ Kf8 19.Bh6 Bxh6 20.Qxh6+ Kg8 21.Qh7+ Kf8 22.Qh8+ {Just because the rook on d8 is hanging (in the game it was safe on d6!)} ) 16.Ng5 {A sparrow in the hand... Gelfand knew this is good, and it was his plan.} ( {Therefore, he missed the fantastic} 16.d4 $3 {which again opens the diagonal for the bishop with tempo. After} 16...cxd4 17.Bxc6 Rxc6 18.Nxd4 {Black needs to part with his key kingside defender:} 18...Bxd4 19.cxd4 Qf6 20.Qh7+ Kf8 21.Bg5 $1 {and it's curtains.} ) 16...Qxa2 17.Rb2 Qa1 18.O-O Ba6 {The point. Ivanchuk is back in the game.} 19.Bxa6 ( {After} 19.f4 Bxb5 20.Rxb5 {Black defends with the unorthodox} 20...Rf6 $1 ) 19...Qxa6 20.f4 Rf6 {Same idea as before, but this is not optimal.} ( {Black should have blocked instead White's reserves with} 20...Qd3 $1 {Then the remaining kingside resources cannot build a dangerous attack, say:} 21.e5 Rd5 22.Rf3 Qc4 23.e6 Rxg5 $1 24.exf7+ Kf8 25.Qxg5 Nd4 $1 {and Black has his fair share of chances.} ) 21.Nh7 ( {Missing a favorable central break for the second time:} 21.Qh7+ $1 Kf8 {with the point} 22.d4 $3 ( {Not the immediate} 22.e5 $2 Nxe5 ) 22...cxd4 23.Rbf2 $1 dxc3 24.e5 Rf5 25.e6 {with a huge attack.} ) 21...Qd3 $1 {No more chances for a rapid kingside assault allowed!} ( {Also interesting is} 21...Re8 $1 22.Nxf6+ exf6 ) 22.Nxf6+ exf6 23.Re1 Rd8 {For the exchange, Ivanchuk has a pawn and a relatively safe king. He should be OK now.} ( {Or} 23...Re8 $5 24.Re3 Qc4 ) 24.Re3 Qc4 ( {Better is to fix the pawn once and for all with} 24...Qa6 $1 25.Qe1 c4 $1 {when Black should not worry too much about the future.} ) 25.Qe1 $1 {Now White can prepare and execute d2-d3!} 25...Qe6 ( {If something normal like} 25...b5 {White can still strongly consider the pawn sacrifice} 26.d3 $1 Rxd3 27.Rxd3 Qxd3 28.Rd2 Qb1 29.Rd6 {with excellent play.} ) 26.d3 Rd7 27.Rf2 Bf8 ( {Maybe it is time for some queenside expansion:} 27...b5 $5 28.Rh3 Qd6 ) 28.f5 $1 {The white forces are unified so this cannot be bad.} 28...Qd6 29.Rh3 Ne5 30.Bf4 ( {But here it is better to combine the kingside play with central breaks:} 30.Rd2 $1 b5 31.d4 cxd4 32.Rxd4 Qa6 ( 32...Qc5 33.Be3 ) 33.Qh4 Bg7 34.Rxd7 Nxd7 35.fxg6 fxg6 36.Qh7+ Kf8 37.Bh6 {with a clear edge for White.} ) 30...g5 $1 {Black stabilizes.} 31.Bxe5 Qxe5 32.Rc2 Bd6 {Ivanchuk decided to evacuate his king.} ( {Again:} 32...b5 33.Qe2 a5 {is tempting with queenside counter-play.} ) 33.Qe2 Kf8 34.Rh8+ ( {Objectively:} 34.Qe3 $1 Qf4 35.Qxf4 Bxf4 {might give more chances for an edge for White.} ) 34...Ke7 {The king seems alright now, so it's time to create some threats.} 35.Qh5 Qg3 36.Rf2 Bf4 {A step into the wrong direction.} ( {Instead:} 36...Qe5 $1 {is fine for Black:} 37.Qh6 ( {Or a repetition after} 37.Rc2 Qg3 ) 37...Rd8 $1 38.Rxd8 Kxd8 39.Rc2 a5 {when Black should be fine.} ) ( {A proper escape route could be opened with} 36...Bc7 $1 37.Rh7 Kd8 ) 37.Qh6 $1 ( {Not} 37.Rh7 Kd8 $1 ) 37...Kd6 {Panic! And a loss!} ( {I could not find a forcing win for White after} 37...Rd8 38.Rxd8 Kxd8 39.Qxf6+ Kc8 40.Qc6+ Kd8 ) 38.Rc8 $1 {Cutting the king away from the safe haven, thus finishing the game.} 38...Rc7 39.Qxf6+ 1-0

[Event "Legends of Chess"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.23"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[ECO "C11"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[Beauty "6187303048275"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 Be7 8.Qd2 a6 9.Bd3 {Provoking Black's next queenside expansion.} ( {A recent top GM saw} 9.Be2 b5 10.a3 O-O 11.O-O Qc7 12.dxc5 Nxc5 13.Nd4 Bb7 14.Nxc6 Bxc6 15.Bd4 Ne4 {Dominguez Perez,L (2758) -Caruana,F (2835) Clutch Chess 2020} ) 9...b5 10.a3 c4 11.Be2 {The center is blocked, and both sides have clear plans. White is playing on the kingside and Black on the opposite wing, disregarding where the opponent is going to castle.} 11...Nb6 12.O-O Bd7 13.Bd1 $1 $146 {A novelty and a nice, multifunctional move. Anand can regroup his pieces now in various ways, like Nc2-e2-g3 or Qd2-f2-g3, but above all he can bring his light-squared bishop into the game with c2-c3 and Bd1-c2 to support the f4-f5 advance.} ( 13.Kh1 g6 14.Na2 Qc7 15.c3 a5 16.Ng5 a4 17.Rae1 Na5 {was Lodi,L (1991)-Fur,K (1870) Hungary 2009} ) 13...g6 14.h3 Qc7 {Kramnik prepares the king evacuation on the queenside.} 15.Bf2 {While Anand uses the weakened d8-h4 diagonal to offer a favorable bishop trade.} 15...h6 $1 {A useful move that adds control to the g5-square and sets up a nice trap.} ( {After} 15...O-O-O {White can change his mind and go for the king with} 16.b3 ) ( {Whereas} 15...h5 {would likely be met as in the game:} 16.Ne2 ) 16.Ne2 $1 {White is alert.} ( {The trap would have worked after} 16.Bh4 $2 Nxd4 $1 17.Bxe7 ( 17.Qxd4 Bc5 ) 17...Nxf3+ 18.Bxf3 Kxe7 {and Black wins a pawn.} ) 16...a5 17.c3 O-O-O 18.Bh4 Bxh4 19.Nxh4 Kb7 ( {A pseudo-active move like} 19...g5 {will only make things easier for White on the kingside:} 20.Nf3 $1 ) 20.Nf3 ( {It is a tad early for} 20.g4 h5 $1 ) 20...Ra8 21.Bc2 Qd8 22.g4 {Here Anand seemed to rush a bit.} ( {Prophylaxis like} 22.Rab1 $5 {followed by further kingside preparation might have been more prudent.} ) 22...Qe7 $1 ( {The opening of the files will favor White:} 22...h5 23.Kg2 hxg4 24.hxg4 Qe7 25.Rh1 {followed by Ne2-g3 and White has the better game.} ) 23.Ng3 b4 {Less experienced players might be somewhat puzzled that both great players are attacking on the sides where their kings are. This, however, is the right approach as both sides need to destroy the opponent's pawn chains from their roots as Nimzowitsch taught us.} 24.axb4 axb4 25.Rxa8 Rxa8 {Kramnik traded a pair of rooks, thus relieving his kingside situation and also gaining an open file.} 26.f5 ( {Once again prophylaxis makes sense:} 26.Bb1 $5 ) 26...gxf5 27.gxf5 Ra2 28.Qc1 ( {No time to chase the rook away:} 28.Bb1 $2 bxc3 29.Qxc3 Na4 {and Black wins a pawn.} ) 28...bxc3 29.bxc3 Qa3 $1 {Black is faster on the queenside, and it makes sense for him to enter an endgame.} 30.Bb1 ( {Objectively better is} 30.Qxa3 Rxa3 31.Ne2 exf5 32.Ne1 Ne7 33.Ng2 {with an unclear endgame.} ) 30...Qxc1 {Straightforward but not optimal.} ( {Two other moves would be even more prudent:} 30...Rb2 $1 {with the idea} 31.Rf2 Rb3 ) ( {Or} 30...Ra1 $5 {looking for a better moment to swap the queens off.} ) 31.Rxc1 Rb2 32.f6 $1 {Anand is creating a "reserved passer." Technically speaking, the f6-pawn is not a passer, but it is dangerously close to the promotional square.} 32...Na4 33.Bh7 Na5 {And once that defender leaves, the fireworks start.} 34.Bg6 $1 {The right square to attack. The passer is about to start moving.} 34...Nb3 ( {Surely not:} 34...fxg6 35.f7 ) ( {If} 34...Be8 35.Nf5 $3 {might transpose into the game, since} 35...exf5 ( {If} 35...fxg6 36.Nd6+ ) ( 35...Nb3 36.Nd6+ Kc7 {could transpose to one of the lines below.} ) 36.e6 {is immediately game over, and this is where we see why the bishop needs to attack from g6 rather than from g8.} ) 35.Re1 Be8 {Now comes another study-like blow.} 36.Nf5 $3 {All pieces do their best to clear the path for the future queens.} 36...fxg6 $1 {The best practical chance for Kramnik.} ( {The other capture loses at once to} 36...exf5 37.e6 fxg6 38.f7 ) ( {Whereas} 36...Kc7 {or any other king move on the c-file can be met with} 37.Nd6 Kd7 38.Bxf7 Bxf7 39.Nxf7 Nxc3 {With the neat refutation} 40.Nh8 $3 {Now} ( {tather than} 40.Nxh6 {which allows a neat counter-attack:} 40...Nc1 $3 41.f7 N3e2+ 42.Kf2 Nd3+ 43.Ke3 Nef4 44.Nd2 ( 44.f8=Q Ng2# ) 44...Ng2+ 45.Ke2 Ngf4+ {with perpetual.} ) 40...Nc1 {does not work due to} 41.Rxc1 $1 Ne2+ 42.Kf1 Nxc1 43.f7 Ke7 ( {Or} 43...Rb8 44.Ng6 ) 44.Nh4 {and the knights are perfectly coordinated to win a whole rook.} ) 37.Nd6+ {The knight makes it through, and the f6-pawn becomes a real, defended passer. Kramnik's moves seem counted.} 37...Kc7 38.Nxe8+ Kd7 39.Nd6 g5 40.Nf5 $3 {The same, lovely square for the knight!} 40...Ke8 ( {Since} 40...exf5 {leaves the passers unstoppable:} 41.e6+ Ke8 42.f7+ Kf8 43.e7+ ) 41.Nxh6 Nxc3 42.Nxg5 ( 42.f7+ Ke7 43.Nxg5 {would have transposed.} ) 42...Nxd4 43.f7+ Ke7 44.Ra1 {Mr. Time Trouble enters the game from here on, big time.} ( {So far Anand has played a fantastic game, and had he found} 44.Rf1 $1 Nce2+ 45.Kf2 {he would have sealed his edge.} ) 44...Nce2+ 45.Kf2 Nf4+ $1 {Kramnik's knight dances are equally impressive.} 46.Kg3 ( {It is not too late to win with} 46.Kf1 $1 Nc6 47.Ng8+ Kf8 48.Nf6 Ke7 49.f8=Q+ Kxf8 50.Ra8+ Rb8 51.Nd7+ Ke7 52.Nxb8 Nxe5 53.Na6 {and despite the technical issues, White should convert.} ) ( 46.Ke3 Nc2+ 47.Kxf4 Nxa1 48.Ng8+ Kf8 49.Nh6 Ke7 {is a draw only.} ) 46...Ng6 47.Ra7+ Kd8 $1 ( {Avoiding} 47...Kf8 48.Nh7+ Kg7 49.f8=Q# ) 48.Ra8+ Kc7 $1 {Again Black avoids a deadly trap.} ( 48...Ke7 49.Ng8+ Kd7 50.Ra7+ Kd8 51.Ne7 $1 {and White wins.} ) 49.Rg8 Ne2+ 50.Kf2 {There is no need of this.} ( {Stronger is} 50.Kf3 $1 Nxe5+ 51.Ke3 Nxf7 52.Nhxf7 c3 53.Nxe6+ {with a likely draw as the strong black passer compensates for White's extra piece.} ) 50...Nef4+ 51.Ke3 $1 {Now it is Anand's turn to avoid a trap.} ( 51.Kf3 {would lose instead due to} 51...c3 52.Rxg6 Nxg6 53.Nxe6+ Kb7 54.Nf4 ( {Or} 54.Nd4 c2 55.Nxc2 Rxc2 56.e6 Rc3+ ( {Also good is the immediate:} 56...Rc6 $1 57.e7 Rf6+ $1 ) 57.Kf2 Rc6 58.e7 Rf6+ {and Black wins.} ) 54...Nxe5+ {and wins.} ) 51...c3 52.Nxe6+ {Now the tables turn definitely in Kramnik's favor.} ( {If Anand had an extra minute on his clock, he would have no doubt found the study-like escape} 52.Rxg6 $3 Nxg6 53.Nxe6+ Kd7 54.Nf4 d4+ 55.Ke4 c2 56.e6+ Kc7 57.Nd3 {and this looks like an objective draw.} ) 52...Nxe6 53.Rxg6 d4+ 54.Ke4 Re2+ ( {Missing an instant win:} 54...c2 $1 55.Rxe6 c1=Q 56.f8=Q Qc2+ 57.Kxd4 Qa4+ ) 55.Kf3 Re3+ 56.Kg4 Nf8 ( {Here} 56...c2 $2 {is not working anymore:} 57.Rxe6 c1=Q 58.f8=Q {as the white king is safe enough, and it is the first player who wins.} ) 57.Rg8 Nd7 58.Nf5 ( {Obviously not} 58.f8=Q Nxf8 59.Rxf8 c2 ) 58...c2 {Both players play purely on intuition; there is no time to calculate anything.} ( {How incredibly complicated the position is, is demonstrated by the inclusion of an intermediate check with} 58...Re4+ 59.Kf3 {Then} 59...c2 60.Rg1 d3 61.Kxe4 d2 62.e6 {leads to a truly mind-boggling position! Which pawn to promote first?} 62...c1=Q {is the correct choice.} ( {As:} 62...d1=Q 63.exd7 c1=Q $2 {would even lose for Black due to} 64.d8=Q+ $1 {when most of the queens disappear:} 64...Qxd8 ( {Or} 64...Kxd8 65.Rxd1+ Qxd1 66.f8=Q+ ) 65.Rxc1+ Kb6 66.Ke5 $1 $18 ) 63.exd7 Qc4+ $1 ( {Not:} 63...Qxg1 64.d8=Q+ Kxd8 65.f8=Q+ {and White wins.} ) 64.Nd4 Qxf7 65.d8=Q+ Kxd8 66.Rd1 $10 {and it all finally ends peacefully.} ) 59.Nxe3 c1=Q ( {Instead:} 59...dxe3 60.e6 c1=Q 61.exd7 {would sooner or later lead to a perpetual:} 61...Qg1+ ( 61...Qd1+ ) ) 60.Nd5+ Kb7 61.e6 Qd1+ 62.Kg5 Qd2+ {A determined-to-win Kramnik crosses the line!} ( 62...Qg1+ {would be a draw.} ) 63.Kg6 {And Anand succumbs to the pressure!} ( {He could have won instead with} 63.Nf4 $1 Nc5 $1 {And one more study motif:} 64.Rg6 $3 ( {Apparently they only considered} 64.f8=Q Nxe6+ ) 64...Ne4+ 65.Kf5 Qb4 66.Nd3 $1 {winning.} ( {Or} 66.Kxe4 $1 ) ) 63...Qg2+ {Now Kramnik captures all the white pawns, therefore...} 0-1

[Event "Legends of Chess"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.24"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[ECO "D36"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "7562250422823"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 c6 {The solid Carlsbad.} 7.Qc2 h6 8.Bh4 Be7 9.e3 O-O 10.Bd3 Re8 11.O-O Ne4 12.Bxe4 Bxh4 13.Bh7+ Kh8 14.Nxh4 ( {White got his slight advantage in the following game:} 14.Bd3 Be7 15.Rab1 a5 16.a3 Bd6 17.b4 axb4 18.axb4 Nb6 19.b5 c5 20.dxc5 Bxc5 21.Ne2 Bd6 {Fier,A (2560)-Mareco,S (2629) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 14...Qxh4 15.Bd3 Qe7 16.Rab1 {Leko is preparing the minority attack.} 16...a5 {The normal reaction that not only slows down White but also swaps a potentially weak a-pawn and opens a file for the black rooks.} 17.Na4 $146 {A logical move and a novelty.} 17...Kg8 ( {The immediate} 17...g6 {could save a tempo for Black.} ) 18.Rfc1 {Supporting the knight for the battle for the c5-spot.} ( {In case of} 18.a3 $5 Qd6 19.Rfe1 {Black may consider} 19...b5 20.Nc5 Nxc5 {plugging the hole on the c5-square.} ) 18...Qd6 19.a3 g6 20.h3 {It is not very obvious how valuable this prophylaxis is. In fact, later it appears that... but better wait and see.} ( {Leko did not like that the obvious} 20.b4 {can be met with} 20...axb4 21.axb4 b5 $1 22.Nb2 ( {Or} 22.Nc5 Nxc5 23.Qxc5 Qxc5 24.Rxc5 Bd7 {and Black is good thanks to the open a-file.} ) 22...Bb7 {Followed by Nd7-b6-c4.} ) 20...Kg7 21.Qc3 ( {Here} 21.b4 axb4 22.axb4 b5 23.Nb2 Bb7 24.Qc3 Nb6 25.Ra1 {is a tad more interesting.} ) 21...h5 {Kramnik expands on "his" flank.} 22.Ra1 Qf6 ( {With the a-file blocked,} 22...b5 {makes little sense and leads to clear edge for White after} 23.Nc5 Nxc5 24.Qxc5 Qxc5 25.Rxc5 Bd7 26.h4 $1 ) 23.b4 axb4 24.axb4 Qg5 ( {Once again,} 24...b5 25.Nc5 Rxa1 26.Rxa1 Nxc5 27.Qxc5 {favors White.} ) 25.Kf1 {The king leaves the danger zone, as the pin creates the constant threat of a bishop capture on h3.} ( {However:} 25.Nc5 $5 {would have been reasonable choice, with slight edge for White after:} 25...Rxa1 26.Rxa1 Nxc5 27.dxc5+ ) 25...Nf6 {The black pieces are quite active, and various tricks start to pop up.} 26.Qc2 {Away from the knight forks.} ( {One such fork might have happened in the line} 26.Nc5 Bf5 27.Bxf5 Qxf5 28.Nxb7 ( 28.Kg1 {is better instead with some slight edge for White.} ) 28...Rxa1 29.Rxa1 Qxf2+ $1 30.Kxf2 Ne4+ ) 26...Qh4 $1 {Kramnik's threats are far more serious than they seem.} 27.Nb6 {A blunder!} ( {After} 27.Kg1 {Black would most likely sacrifice the bishop anyway:} 27...Bxh3 $1 28.gxh3 Qxh3 29.Bf1 Qh4 30.Bg2 Ng4 {with a strong attack on the kingside.} ) ( {Therefore:} 27.Qe2 {is called for, when Black has a pleasant choice between the computer-brewed draw} 27...Bxh3 ( {or the human-inspired development with} 27...Nh7 ) 28.gxh3 Ng4 29.Kg2 Nxe3+ 30.fxe3 Qg5+ 31.Kf2 Qh4+ {with perpetual.} ) 27...Rxa1 28.Rxa1 Bxh3 $1 {The pawn push turns out to be a liability after all. The attack is decisive.} 29.gxh3 Qxh3+ 30.Ke1 ( {More resilient is} 30.Ke2 Ng4 31.Qc1 Qg2 32.Qf1 Rxe3+ 33.Kd2 {although Black should also win here with} 33...Rg3 $1 ) 30...Qh1+ 31.Bf1 h4 {The dangerous passer coupled with the threats against the white king leave Leko no chances.} 32.Ke2 Ng4 33.Re1 h3 34.Qc1 Qh2 35.Kd3 Nxf2+ 36.Kc3 Qc7 37.Na4 h2 38.Bg2 Qg3 39.Bh1 Nxh1 40.Rxh1 Rxe3+ 41.Kc2 Re2+ 0-1

[Event "Legends of Chess"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.25"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2836"]
[ECO "B86"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "203"]
[Beauty "3507935543374"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 {A pleasant guest at the top level. The Fischer-Sozin Attack has been neglected for a while.} 6...e6 7.Bb3 Nbd7 8.Be3 Nc5 9.f3 b5 10.Qd2 ( {White can also expand on the kingside at once:} 10.g4 Qc7 11.Qd2 Bd7 12.g5 Nh5 13.Nce2 a5 14.c3 Nxb3 15.axb3 e5 16.Nc2 Qb7 {Fernandez Guillen,E (2401)-Quesada Perez,L (2510) Merida 2018} ) 10...Qc7 11.O-O-O Be7 ( {More accurate seems} 11...Bd7 {In order to meet} 12.g4 {with serious queenside expansion:} 12...b4 13.Nce2 a5 ) 12.g4 b4 13.Na4 O-O $146 {Ding is OK with the pawn sacrifice.} ( 13...Bd7 14.Qxb4 Rb8 15.Qc3 O-O 16.Nxc5 dxc5 17.g5 Nh5 18.Ne2 {was Lipien,W (2066)-Daniel,D (1879) Poland 2013} ) 14.Qxb4 Nxa4 ( {However, here the Chinese GM could have developed his initiative better with} 14...Bd7 $1 15.Nxc5 ( {Or} 15.Qb6 Qc8 ) 15...dxc5 16.Qc3 Qb7 {with serious counter-chances.} ) 15.Qxa4 Bd7 16.Qc4 Qb7 17.g5 Nh5 ( {Similar is} 17...Rfc8 18.Qd3 Ne8 19.Kb1 {where Black does not have enough for a pawn either.} ) 18.Ba4 Bxa4 ( {It made sense to insert} 18...Rfc8 $5 19.Qb3 {Then} 19...Qc7 20.Bxd7 Qxd7 {might promise Black long-term pressure along the half-open files.} ) 19.Qxa4 Rab8 20.Nc6 $1 {Well calculated by the former world champion. He wins more material.} 20...Qxb2+ 21.Kd2 Rfe8 ( {There is no time to defend everything as the queen is in jeopardy:} 21...Rbe8 22.Rb1 ) 22.Nxb8 Qxb8 23.Rb1 Qd8 24.Rhg1 ( {Also nice was the computer idea} 24.h4 d5 25.Rhd1 $3 dxe4+ 26.Kc1 Qc8 27.fxe4 {and White is in control.} ) 24...d5 25.Kc1 g6 {Kramnik got his king into safety and Ding desperately needs to bring on his reserves. The knight is the only piece that is far away and Black starts a lengthy maneuver towards the enemy king.} 26.Rb7 Ng7 ( 26...dxe4 $5 27.fxe4 Qc8 ) 27.Kb1 ( {Actually here White could have ended everything with the maneuver} 27.Qd7 $1 Qa5 28.Bd4 ) 27...Qc8 28.Qxa6 e5 29.Qa7 ( {Strong was the extraordinary bishop move} 29.Ba7 $1 d4 30.Qb5 {and White keeps the opponent's activity under a lid.} ) 29...Bf8 30.Rxf7 d4 31.Bc1 Ne6 $1 {Consistent.} 32.Qb7 Qc4 33.Rxh7 Nc5 34.Rc7 $1 {The knight should not be allowed to a4 and then c3.} 34...d3 35.Qd5+ {Finally Kramnik swaps the queens off, but Ding keeps some chances.} ( {It made sense to deprive Black of any chances with the preliminary} 35.Rg2 $1 ) 35...Qxd5 36.exd5 Rb8+ 37.Ka1 ( {White is better even if he sacrifices the bishop:} 37.Bb2 Na4 38.Kc1 Rxb2 39.Rd1 dxc2 40.Rd3 ) 37...e4 38.Be3 $1 ( {In case of} 38.Bb2 dxc2 {Black still creates strong threats, as in the line} 39.fxe4 Nb3+ $1 40.axb3 Ra8+ 41.Ba3 Bxa3 {when White needs to part with his rook} 42.Rxc2 Bc5+ ) 38...Na6 $1 {The knight needs to keep moving if Black wants to have enough attacking energy.} ( {Now neither} 38...dxc2 $2 39.Bxc5 ) ( {nor} 38...Bg7+ $2 39.Rxg7+ {work for Black.} ) 39.Rc4 ( {Kramnik misses a study-like win:} 39.Ba7 $3 {Then the knight would not be as annoying as in the game:} 39...Rd8 ( 39...Ra8 40.Rb7 Nb4 41.Kb2 ) 40.Rc4 Nb4 41.cxd3 ) 39...Nb4 40.cxd3 exd3 41.Bd4 Nc2+ 42.Rxc2 dxc2 {That's the maximum Ding could extract from his limited resources. White is however still winning although accuracy is required.} 43.Rc1 Rb5 44.Rxc2 Rxd5 45.Bf6 Ba3 46.Rc8+ Kf7 47.Kb1 $4 {A slip and all the advantage is thrown away.} ( {Kramnik would have won with:} 47.Rd8 $1 Rc5 48.Bb2 ) 47...Rd1+ 48.Kc2 Rc1+ 49.Kb3 Rxc8 50.Kxa3 Ke6 {Technically speaking White has more material but the black pieces are too active whereas the white pawns-not flexible enough.} 51.f4 Ra8+ 52.Kb2 Rb8+ 53.Kc3 Ra8 54.Kb3 Rb8+ 55.Kc3 Ra8 56.Kb2 Rb8+ 57.Ka1 {Rejecting the draw.} 57...Rb7 {Picking up the h2 pawn.} 58.Be5 Rh7 59.Kb2 Rxh2+ 60.Kb3 Kd5 61.a4 Kc5 62.a5 Kb5 63.Kc3 Ra2 64.Bc7 ( {It was time to force the draw with:} 64.f5 gxf5 65.Kd4 Rg2 66.Bf6 ) 64...Ra4 {Now Kramnik will have to survive some unpleasant moments, although he was never in danger of losing.} 65.Kd3 Kc6 66.Be5 Kd5 67.Bc7 Kc6 68.Be5 Rxa5 69.Ke4 Ra4+ ( {It is a fortress after:} 69...Kd7 70.f5 $1 Ra4+ 71.Kf3 gxf5 72.g6 Ke7 73.g7 Kf7 74.Bb2 ) 70.Kf3 Kd5 71.Bc7 Ra3+ 72.Kg4 Ke4 73.Bd6 Rf3 74.Bc7 Rf1 75.Kg3 Rg1+ 76.Kf2 Rc1 77.Be5 Rb1 78.Ke2 Rb3 79.Kf2 Rf3+ 80.Ke2 Rh3 ( {Or a draw in the pawn endgame after:} 80...Rxf4 81.Bxf4 Kxf4 82.Kf2 Kxg5 83.Kg3 ) 81.Kf2 Rh2+ 82.Kg3 Re2 83.Bc7 Re3+ 84.Kf2 Rf3+ 85.Kg2 Ke3 86.Be5 Ke2 87.Bd6 Rf2+ 88.Kg3 Rf1 89.Kg2 Rf2+ 90.Kg3 Kf1 91.Be5 Rg2+ 92.Kf3 Re2 93.Bd4 Rd2 94.Ke3 Re2+ 95.Kf3 Ra2 96.f5 $1 {Forcing total annihilation and a draw.} 96...gxf5 97.Kf4 Ra4 98.Kxf5 Rxd4 99.g6 Rd8 100.g7 Rg8 101.Kg6 Rxg7+ 102.Kxg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Legends of Chess"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.26"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[ECO "C30"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8110395631649"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Bc5 4.Nc3 d6 5.f4 {Back to Romanticism.} 5...Nc6 6.Nf3 Ng4 {A very risky choice by the former world champion. Three other moves are more common.} ( 6...Bg4 ) ( 6...a6 ) ( 6...O-O ) 7.Ng5 {Nepomniachtchi is in an adventurous mood as well.} ( {According to theory} 7.Qe2 {secures a risk-free edge for White, say:} 7...Bf2+ 8.Kf1 Nd4 9.Nxd4 Bxd4 10.Nd1 exf4 11.c3 Bb6 12.Bxf4 {Hartikainen,M (2233)-Mansner,H (2262) Finland 2020} ) 7...Bf2+ {Played after three minutes of thought. Megabase attributes an ominous score to this move: zero percent.} 8.Kf1 exf4 9.Bxf7+ Kf8 10.Ne6+ ( {White can also choose to play a better endgame after} 10.Be6 $5 Qxg5 11.Qxg4 Qxg4 12.Bxg4 Bxg4 13.Kxf2 {as} 13...Nd4 14.Bxf4 Nxc2 15.Rac1 Nb4 16.Ke3 {leave the white pieces in command.} ) 10...Bxe6 11.Bxe6 Ne3+ 12.Bxe3 Bxe3 13.Qh5 $1 $146 {A strong novelty. The evaluation of the position depends heavily on the cooperation of the pieces, and Nepomniachtchi is the first one to unite their efforts.} ( {An earlier game is a miniature:} 13.Nd5 Bd4 $2 ( {However, Black can defend with} 13...g6 $1 ) 14.c3 Bf6 15.Nxf4 Ne5 16.Bd5 c6 17.Ne6+ {1-0 (17) Hortensius,L (2033)-Moser,E Fermo 2009} ) 13...Ne5 {This move only makes things worse for Anand.} ( {Black would be also worse after} 13...Qf6 14.Bb3 Ne7 15.Ke2 ( {Or} 15.h4 $5 g6 16.Qg5 ) 15...g6 16.Qh6+ Qg7 17.Qh3 {Since the black king has a hard time finding peaceful shelter, White would be calling the shots, but there are more chances for Anand to survive here.} ) 14.Nd5 c6 15.Nxe3 Qf6 {Apparently Anand pinned his hopes on the annihilation of the strong white bishop.} ( {After} 15...fxe3 16.Ke2 Ke7 17.Bb3 {Black would lose the e-pawn while struggling with his shaky king.} ) 16.Ke2 Qxe6 17.Rhf1 Qf6 18.Rxf4 $1 {Exposing the king at once.} 18...Qxf4 19.Rf1 Qxf1+ 20.Kxf1 Re8 21.Kg1 {If Black could somehow change the places of his king and the kingside rook, he would be doing OK, but the lack of coordination is making his position defenseless.} 21...Nf7 ( {If:} 21...h6 22.Qf5+ Kg8 23.d4 Nf7 24.Qg6 {making immediate use of the newly opened holes.} ) 22.Qg4 ( {Even easier would be} 22.Qa5 $1 a6 23.Qc7 {And the queenside collapses:} 23...Re7 24.Qc8+ ) 22...g6 23.Nc4 Re7 24.Qf4 Re6 25.Na5 $1 {Getting to the queenside pawns.} 25...Kg7 ( {Or} 25...Re7 26.Qf2 a6 27.Qb6 ) 26.Nxb7 Rb8 27.Nc5 {Simple tactics to consolidate.} 27...Re7 28.Nb3 Ne5 29.h3 c5 30.Qd2 Rf8 31.d4 cxd4 32.Qxd4 Rf6 33.Nd2 {The white queenside passers are ready to roll. Anand makes a counter-attack attempt.} 33...g5 {Only to allow:} 34.Nf1 $1 {And due to the inevitable transfer of the knight on f5, Black resigns.} 1-0

[Event "Legends of Chess"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.28"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "D85"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8113214204937"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Rb1 {In the 1990s this pawn sacrifice went under thorough check, long before the computers became as strong as they are nowadays. There was never a definite verdict of what the evaluation should be, but both Grunfeld experts Vachier-Lagrave and Nepomniachtchi dare to play it regularly.} 8...O-O 9.Be2 cxd4 10.cxd4 Qa5+ 11.Bd2 Qxa2 12.O-O Bg4 13.Be3 Nc6 14.d5 Na5 15.Bg5 Qa3 16.Re1 Bc3 $146 ( {Black comes out with a novelty even though Nepomniachtchi defended well in a recent game after} 16...Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Qd6 18.e5 Bxe5 19.Qe2 Bf6 20.Bd2 Qd8 21.d6 Nc6 22.dxe7 Qxe7 23.Qxe7 Nxe7 {1/2-1/2 So,W (2760)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2767) Jerusalem 2019} ) 17.Qd3 {The most logical reply that pins the bishop at once.} ( {An interesting idea was} 17.Nd4 $5 {when the point is that} 17...Bxe1 ( {But perhaps Nepomniachtchi intended to enter an engame with} 17...Bxe2 18.Rxe2 Bxd4 19.Qxd4 Rfc8 20.Qe5 Nc4 21.Qxe7 h6 22.Bf6 Qxe7 23.Bxe7 ) 18.Bxg4 {is too risky for Black. He cannot escape with the bishop:} 18...Bc3 $2 ( {Therefore Black needs to defend with} 18...Qc5 {when} 19.Be3 Nc4 20.Qxe1 Nxe3 21.Qxe3 ( {Or} 21.fxe3 a5 ) 21...a5 {wins a bit of material for White but the black queenside passer(s) is a factor.} ) 19.Nb5 ) 17...Rfc8 18.Red1 b6 {Both the pawn and the knight are defended now, but in the process Black weakens the light squares.} ( {There was an argument for the other pawn push:} 18...a6 {when after} 19.h3 ( {There is also} 19.Bd2 b5 20.Nd4 Bxe2 21.Nxe2 b4 22.Nxc3 bxc3 23.Rdc1 {which is also better for White.} ) 19...Bd7 {Black wants to use the b5 square for his bishop. Then} 20.Qe3 {promises enough compensation for the pawn to White.} ) 19.h3 Bd7 ( {Apparently, Black didn't want to concede the bishop pair too early} 19...Bxf3 $5 20.Bxf3 {But this was the plan, as long as Black can build a blockade in the center with...} 20...Nc4 $1 ( {Not as good is} 20...Qd6 21.Bg4 Rc7 22.f4 ) 21.Bxe7 Qxe7 22.Qxc3 Qe5 ) 20.Rdc1 f6 {This, however is a mistake.} ( {Nepomniachtchi needed to step out of the pin at once:} 20...Bb4 $1 {Then after} 21.Qa6 Rxc1+ 22.Bxc1 ( {Not} 22.Rxc1 Bc5 $1 ) 22...Qa4 23.Be3 Bd6 {Black's position is shaky, but he manages somehow, e.g.} 24.e5 ( {Or} 24.Rxb6 Bc8 25.Qb5 Qxb5 26.Rxb5 Ba6 27.Rxa5 Bxe2 28.Rxa7 Rxa7 29.Bxa7 f5 {and the bishop pair compensates for the extra pawn.} ) 24...Bc8 {White has compensation for the pawn everywhere, but not a clear advantage:} 25.Qb5 ( 25.Qd3 $5 ) 25...Qxb5 26.Bxb5 Bc7 27.d6 exd6 28.Rc1 Bd8 29.exd6 a6 ) ( {The other bishop move} 20...Bb2 21.Rxc8+ Rxc8 22.Qa6 Ra8 23.Be3 {is not convincing and White is clearly better.} ) 21.Bd2 Bb2 22.Rxc8+ Rxc8 23.Qa6 $1 {Carlsen makes use of the queenside weaknesses to finally get to the black king!} 23...Qa2 ( {Instead} 23...Rc7 24.Bf4 Rb7 {allows} 25.Bb5 Bc8 26.Bc6 $1 {when the rook is trapped, say:} 26...Nxc6 ( 26...Rc7 27.Qb5 $1 ) ( {And} 26...Qa2 27.Qd3 {change nothing.} ) 27.Qxa3 Bxa3 28.dxc6 {and White wins.} ) 24.Rxb2 $1 {The most straightforward way.} ( {There was a good alternative:} 24.Bd3 Rc7 25.Bxa5 bxa5 26.d6 $1 ) 24...Qxb2 25.Qxa7 Qa1+ {Carlsen said he was slightly lucky because he missed Black's Qa1+ to a4. "But it's not surprising there's a win there considering how dodgy his position is."} 26.Kh2 Qa4 27.Bd1 $1 {The black queen needs to abandon the bishop and White reaches the enemy king.} 27...Qxd1 ( {Apparently:} 27...Qc4 28.Qxd7 Qc7+ 29.Qxc7 Rxc7 30.Nd4 {should not save Black either.} ) 28.Qxd7 Qc2 {The last very slim chance.} 29.Qe6+ ( {But not} 29.Qxe7 Qc7+ ) ( {Whereas} 29.d6 $1 {should also win.} ) 29...Kh8 30.d6 {The shelter in front of the black king is blown away and it is curtains after} 30...exd6 31.Qxf6+ Kg8 32.Bh6 Qc7 33.Qe6+ Kh8 34.Ng5 1-0

[Event "Legends of Chess"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.29"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[ECO "B20"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "176"]
[Beauty "4950725763674"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 c5 2.a3 {When qualified, why not try something original? This line was heavily analyzed and popularized by the Russian GM Alexei Bezgodov, who even wrote a book about it.} 2...g6 3.Bc4 ( {Nepomniachtchi is not the only top GM to try the 2.a3 Sicilian recently:} 3.b4 Bg7 4.Nc3 d6 5.Rb1 Nf6 6.Nf3 O-O 7.Bc4 Nc6 8.d3 Bg4 9.bxc5 dxc5 10.O-O Ne5 11.Ba2 {Mamedyarov,S (2764) -Artemiev,V (2716) 2020} ) 3...Bg7 4.h4 e6 5.Nc3 Ne7 6.h5 $146 {Already a novelty!} ( {The predecessor, unsurprisingly, is a game by the guru in this variation:} 6.d3 d5 7.Ba2 h6 8.Qf3 d4 9.Nce2 Nbc6 10.Qg3 e5 11.f4 Qd6 12.Nf3 Be6 13.Bxe6 fxe6 14.h5 {Bezgodov,A (2482)-Bologan,V (2672) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013} ) 6...d5 {A classical approach by a great classical player.} 7.Ba2 d4 8.Nce2 ( {Against} 8.h6 {Gelfand likely intended to continue in similar fashion} 8...Bf6 9.Nce2 d3 10.cxd3 Qxd3 ( {Or maybe} 10...Nbc6 $5 {with long-term compensation for a pawn.} ) ) 8...d3 {It is a good moment to generate central counterplay while the opponent is pushing his side pawns.} 9.cxd3 Qxd3 10.Nf3 $5 {An interesting pawn sacrifice.} ( {However, a better alternative was the immediate} 10.Bb1 Qd7 {which intends to fight aggressively for the center with} 11.d4 cxd4 12.f4 {with the threat of h5-h6!} ) 10...Nbc6 $1 {Which Gelfand correctly rejects.} ( {Instead:} 10...Qxe4 {would have launched the hidden energy of the white pieces in the line} 11.d4 cxd4 12.Rh4 $1 Qc6 13.Bg5 $1 {Suddenly all the white pieces are out, and he starts generating very concrete threats.} ) 11.Bb1 Qd6 12.d3 b6 13.Bf4 {Forcing Black to block his dark-squared bishop.} ( 13.Qb3 $5 ) 13...e5 {But now Gelfand gets better control over the d4-spot.} 14.Be3 Bg4 {Original or not, the opening led to a familiar pawn structure from the Reversed Najdorf. There are certainly differences. White has his bishop maneuvered close to the open a2-g8 diagonal which is good for him. However, a major issue is his h-pawn, which makes his kingside castling risky.} 15.h6 ( {Not} 15.Ng3 f5 $1 ) 15...Bf6 16.Ba2 Rd8 {Gelfand's play is logical and effective.} ( {Black will miss his light-squared bishop in the line} 16...Bxf3 17.gxf3 Rd8 18.Qb3 ) 17.Nc3 O-O 18.Bc4 Nd4 19.Bxd4 {After the trade of this key bishop, it is only Black who can be happy.} ( {But what else was there? The interesting pawn sacrifice} 19.b4 cxb4 20.Bxd4 exd4 21.Nb5 {is not sufficient due to} 21...Qb8 22.axb4 Nc6 ) ( {And in case of} 19.Rc1 {Black has a bunch of good options:} 19...Nec6 $5 ( 19...Ne6 $5 ) ( {Perhaps the only one to avoid is} 19...Nxf3+ 20.gxf3 Be6 21.Kf1 {although Black is OK here as well.} ) ) 19...cxd4 20.Nd5 ( {Or:} 20.Nb1 Bg5 $1 ) 20...Nxd5 21.Bxd5 Bg5 $1 {The bishops are tearing White's position apart. Notice that Nepomniachtchi still cannot castle.} 22.Qa4 Bxf3 $1 23.gxf3 Qf6 {The opposite-colored bishop middlegame with the insecure white king is obviously much, much better for Black.} 24.Rh3 ( 24.Ke2 {does not help due to the simple} 24...Rc8 ) 24...Rxd5 $1 {A strong sacrifice that exposes the white king at once.} ( {Although, a simple solution like} 24...Rc8 $1 {would also do. White cannot grab a pawn, for instance} 25.Qxa7 $2 Qf4 26.Kf1 Rc2 27.Kg1 {as} 27...Bh4 28.Rf1 {leads to a mating attack with} 28...Bxf2+ $1 29.Rxf2 Qg5+ 30.Kf1 Rc1+ 31.Ke2 Qe3# ) 25.exd5 Qf5 26.Rg3 Bf4 {Gelfand follows his forcing like.} ( 26...Bxh6 {would have been good enough too.} ) 27.Rg4 Qxd3 28.Rxf4 exf4 {Nepomniachtchi is lucky that his queen controls the e8-square, otherwise he could have resigned at once.} 29.Rd1 Qxf3 30.Qxd4 {Since Black needs to get rid of the annoying h6-pawn, White gains enough time to safeguard his king and even advance the passer.} 30...Qh1+ ( 30...Re8+ 31.Kd2 Qe2+ 32.Kc1 {only helps White.} ) 31.Kd2 Qxh6 32.d6 Rd8 ( {Here, more accurate was} 32...f3+ 33.Kc2 ( 33.Kc3 Rd8 34.Qf6 Qf8 ( {But not the rook endgame:} 34...Qg7 $2 35.Qxg7+ Kxg7 36.Kc4 $1 {when it is White who is better.} ) 35.Kb3 Rd7 ) 33...Qg5 34.Re1 Qf5+ 35.Kb3 Rd8 {This would be a better version of the game continuation for Black.} ) 33.Qf6 Qf8 34.Kc2 ( {Nepomniachtchi misses the strong} 34.Ke2 $3 Qe8+ 35.Kf3 Qd7 36.Kxf4 {when the white king personally prevents the advance of the enemy kingside pawns.} ) 34...Qe8 35.Kb1 Rd7 36.Ka1 ( 36.Qxf4 Qe6 37.Ka1 Kg7 {is similar to the game.} ) 36...Qe6 37.Qxf4 Kg7 {Black consolidated his advantage, but there is still plenty of work to be done. The annoying d6-passer keeps the black major pieces busy, whereas the obvious plan of a kingside expansion will lead to the weakening of his own king which is extremely dangerous with the major pieces on the board.} 38.Qd2 h5 39.Qc3+ Kh7 40.Qd4 Qg4 {The lack of time prevents Gelfand from finding the most convincing plan.} ( {The queenside improvement} 40...b5 $1 41.f4 a5 {followed by a5-a4 would have been a good plan for Black. The more advanced pawns would have created back-rank mate threats thus making the win easier.} ) 41.f4 Qe6 42.a4 $3 {Nepomniachtchi senses the danger and opens more room for his king.} 42...Kg8 43.Rd3 Qe1+ 44.Ka2 Qe6+ 45.Ka1 Kh7 46.b3 f6 {Finally the pawns start to roll.} 47.Ka2 Kg7 48.Rd2 Kf7 49.Qc3 h4 50.Qc6 {The correct idea, the wrong execution.} ( {The beautiful} 50.f5 $3 {would have exposed the black king enough to save the game:} 50...Qxf5 ( {Or} 50...gxf5 51.Qf3 Rxd6 52.Qh5+ Kf8 53.Rc2 $1 ( 53.Re2 $1 ) ) 51.Qc8 Qe6 52.Qh8 {Then} 52...Rxd6 53.Qh7+ Ke8 54.Rc2 $3 {creates too many threats against the black king and some sort of repetition occurs sooner or later:} 54...Rc6 55.Rd2 ) 50...Kg7 $1 {Out of the danger zone!} 51.f5 Qxf5 52.Re2 Kh6 ( {A study-like win would have been achieved with} 52...a5 $3 53.Re7+ Rxe7 54.dxe7 Qf2+ 55.Ka3 Qd4 $1 {Now we can appreciate the importance of the a7-a5 advance. Qd4-a1 mate is a huge threat that helps Black deal with the pawn:} 56.Ka2 ( {If} 56.e8=N+ Kf7 {and the passers cannot be stopped.} ( {Or even} 56...Kh6 ) ) 56...Qd2+ 57.Ka3 ( {Or} 57.Kb1 Qe1+ ) 57...Qb4+ {picking up the pawn.} ) 53.Re7 Rd8 54.Qc1+ ( {The computer holds White's position after} 54.d7 $1 h3 ( 54...g5 55.Qc7 ) 55.Qc4 Kg5 56.Qc1+ Qf4 57.Qg1+ Kh6 58.Qe1 {For instance:} 58...h2 59.Re4 Qd6 60.Re8 Kg7 61.Rxd8 h1=Q 62.Qxh1 Qd2+ 63.Ka3 Qd6+ {and it is Black who needs to force perpetual.} ) ( {White needs to avoid} 54.Qc7 $2 Rc8 ) 54...g5 {Black is winning again but precision is required till the very end.} 55.Qd2 h3 56.d7 Kg6 57.Kb2 g4 58.Ka2 a6 {Finally Gelfand decides to weaken the white king.} ( {Simpler was} 58...g3 59.Re3 g2 60.Rg3+ Kf7 ) 59.Kb2 b5 60.b4 bxa4 61.Ka3 g3 ( {Black should have completed his plan with} 61...a5 $1 62.Kxa4 axb4 ) 62.Re3 g2 63.Rg3+ Kf7 64.Qa2+ Qe6 65.Qc2 ( {Correctly not chasing the material:} 65.Rg7+ Kxg7 66.Qxe6 g1=Q 67.Qe7+ Kg6 68.Qxd8 Qa1# ) 65...f5 ( {Again safer and easier was} 65...Rxd7 66.Qg6+ Kf8 ) 66.Qb2 Qf6 67.Qa2+ Ke7 68.Re3+ Kf8 69.Rg3 Rxd7 {Surprisingly, this could have led to a draw.} ( {There were many winning continuations instead, like} 69...h2 $1 70.Rg8+ Ke7 71.Qe2+ Kxd7 72.Qd2+ Kc7 73.Qc1+ Qc6 74.Qf4+ Qd6 75.Qc1+ Kb8 {and wins.} ) 70.Qg8+ {Both players do not have any time to calculate.} ( {Otherwise Nepomniachtchi would have found:} 70.Rg8+ $1 Ke7 71.Qe2+ Kd6 ( {Or} 71...Qe6 72.Re8+ Kxe8 73.Qxe6+ Kd8 74.Qf6+ Kc7 75.Qc3+ Kb7 76.Qf3+ Kb8 77.Qe3 $1 {and it is a draw.} ) 72.Qxa6+ Ke5 73.Qe2+ {Black cannot escape the perpetual:} 73...Kd5 74.Qa2+ $1 Kc6 75.Qc4+ ) 70...Ke7 71.Re3+ ( {This time} 71.Rg7+ {would not work due to} 71...Kd6 72.Qb8+ Kd5 $3 73.Rxd7+ Ke4 74.Qe8+ Kf4 75.Qe1 Kg4 {and the pawns should promote soon.} ) 71...Kd6 72.Qb8+ Kd5 73.Qg8+ Kd4 74.Re1 Rg7 {That is enough for the win.} ( {But a faster one would have been} 74...Kd3 $1 75.Rd1+ Kc2 76.Rxd7 Qa1+ ( {Or a tad more accurate, mate in three:} 76...Qb2+ 77.Kxa4 Qa1+ 78.Qa2+ Qxa2# ) ) 75.Qb8 g1=Q 76.Rxg1 Rxg1 77.Qa7+ Ke4 78.Qxg1 Qc3+ {Gelfand convincingly converted his edge after:} 79.Kxa4 Qe3 80.Qh1+ Kf4 81.Qf1+ Kg4 82.Qxa6 h2 83.Qg6+ Qg5 84.Qc6 Qf4 85.Qg2+ Kh4 86.Ka5 Qe5+ 87.Kb6 ( {Or} 87.b5 Qa1+ 88.Kb6 h1=Q ) 87...Qd4+ 88.Kb5 Qg1 0-1

[Event "Legends of Chess"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.07.31"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "C28"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7631620033574"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Nc6 4.Nc3 {Nepomniachtchi has been extremely successful in reviving this old Vienna line.} 4...Bb4 {This should not have come as a surprise for Nepomniachtchi as Giri used the line twice recently to hold on against strong opposition.} 5.Nf3 ( {In both Giri's games an opposite-colored bishop middlegame emerged via different routes:} 5.Ne2 d5 6.exd5 Nxd5 7.O-O Be6 8.a3 Bxc3 9.bxc3 O-O 10.Bxd5 Qxd5 11.Be3 b6 {Nakamura,H (2736)-Giri,A (2768) chess.com INT 2020} ) 5...d6 ( {Against Grischuk Giri tried instead:} 5...d5 6.exd5 Nxd5 7.O-O Bxc3 8.bxc3 O-O 9.Qe1 Re8 10.Ng5 Bf5 11.f3 Na5 12.Bb3 Nxb3 13.axb3 Bg6 {and White could not squeeze much out of the opening, Grischuk,A (2777)-Giri,A (2764) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 6.O-O Bxc3 7.bxc3 Na5 8.Bb3 ( {White can trade the bishops instead with} 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.c4 a6 10.Bxd7+ Nxd7 11.Bg5 f6 12.Bd2 Nc6 13.Nh4 O-O 14.f4 exf4 15.Rxf4 Nde5 {with solid position for the second player in Rublevsky,S (2652)-Stojanovic,D (2502) Subotica 2019} ) 8...h6 9.h3 Qe7 $146 ( {An earlier game saw instead} 9...O-O 10.Re1 ( {However, White can do better exploiting the f-file with} 10.Nh2 ) 10...Re8 11.Bb2 c5 12.c4 a6 13.Qd2 Be6 14.Bc3 Nxb3 15.cxb3 b5 {and Black did fine in Sadovy,L (1318)-Dementieva,K (1356) Kimry 2017} ) 10.Nh2 {With the clear intention of f2-f4!} 10...Nxb3 {Black has an aggressive idea in mind.} ( {Perhaps it made sense to wait a bit with the opening of the a-file and castle long first as in the line} 10...Bd7 11.f4 O-O-O 12.c4 $5 ) 11.axb3 g5 {The point. Giri hopes he can block the opponent's kingside play. It is not clear though where he intends to hide his king, especially with the half-opened a-file against his potential queenside castle.} 12.Re1 {Nepomniachtchi makes immediate use of the weakness of the f5-spot and sends his knight there.} 12...Rg8 13.Nf1 g4 ( {The slow} 13...h5 14.Ne3 h4 {which prepares g5-g4 will be obviously met with} ( {Or} 14...g4 15.h4 g3 16.Qf3 gxf2+ 17.Qxf2 {which looks very good for White.} ) 15.f3 {White has all of the plans on the queenside, regardless if Black will castle there or not.} ) 14.h4 $1 {Naturally, the kingside should be locked. g2-g3 is on the agenda.} 14...g3 {No hesitation. Giri needs the half-open file for his rooks.} 15.fxg3 ( {But not} 15.Nxg3 Ng4 16.h5 Qh4 {when Black has at least a draw after} 17.Qf3 Nh2 18.Qe2 Ng4 {with repetition.} ) 15...Rg6 16.b4 {Expanding on the queenside with the clear intention to fix the a7-pawn and to limit the remaining black pieces with his pawns.} ( {The other way to play it} 16.Qf3 Ng4 17.Ne3 Nxe3 18.Qxe3 a6 19.c4 {seems less promising for White.} ) 16...Nh5 {Apparently, Giri planned this in advance. But he is about to be shocked.} 17.Qxh5 $1 {Very nice!} ( {White definitely needs to avoid} 17.Kh2 $2 Nxg3 $1 18.Nxg3 Qxh4+ {when Black wins.} ) ( {However,} 17.Qf3 {was perfectly playable.} ) 17...Bg4 18.Qxg6 fxg6 19.Bxh6 {Nepomniachtchi has more than enough material for the queen - a rook, knight and a couple of pawns. But it is the indisputable control over the dark-squares and the only open file which makes Black's position horrific.} 19...Kd7 20.Ne3 Be6 21.Rf1 Qh7 22.Bg5 Qg8 23.Rf6 ( {The immediate} 23.c4 $5 {made perfect sense too.} ) 23...a6 24.Raf1 Re8 25.c4 {The knight is ready to occupy the center.} 25...b6 ( {There is nothing that Black can do about it, as:} 25...c6 26.g4 Kc7 27.Bh6 Qh7 28.g5 {followed by g2-g4 and h4-h5 would also improve White's position decisively.} ) 26.Nd5 Kc6 ( {Nothing changes after} 26...Bxd5 27.cxd5 ) 27.R6f2 Qg7 28.Kh2 {No rush at all. When one has decisive edge on a certain color, it can never disappear.} 28...Kb7 29.Nc3 ( {There was a more direct approach:} 29.c5 {when White's initiative quickly turns into decisive attack, say after} 29...dxc5 ( {If} 29...Bxd5 30.exd5 bxc5 31.Rf7 Qg8 32.bxc5 dxc5 33.d6 {and Black cannot defend the seventh rank.} ) 30.bxc5 b5 31.c4 c6 {Now} 32.Rf6 $1 {opens the floodgate for the white rooks and it will be soon over after:} 32...cxd5 33.cxd5 Bg8 34.Rb6+ Ka7 35.Rff6 ) 29...Ra8 30.Rf6 Qg8 31.c5 {One way or another the black king will be exposed.} 31...Qe8 32.Nd5 dxc5 33.bxc5 bxc5 ( {Or} 33...Bxd5 34.exd5 bxc5 35.Rb1+ Kc8 36.Bh6 {with the unstoppable threat of Rf6-f8.} ) 34.Rb1+ Kc8 35.Bh6 Kd7 36.Rb7 ( {Also good was} 36.c4 $1 ) 36...Bxd5 37.exd5 Kc8 ( {The most resilient} 37...Qd8 38.Rf8 Qxf8 39.Bxf8 Rxf8 40.Ra7 Rf6 41.g4 {would not have saved Black either.} ) 38.Rb1 {Shifting back to the other open file and gaining material.} 38...Kd7 39.Rbf1 Rd8 40.Rf8 Qe7 1-0

[Event "2020 FIDE Online Olympiad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.08.22"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Svane, Rasmus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2644"]
[ECO "E46"]
[EventDate "2020.08.07"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[Beauty "8247947841620"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Ne2 {A line in which Jobava has experience with both colors. White avoids doubling the pawns, but as usual in life (chess?) everything comes with a price.} 5...Re8 ( {The Georgian player chose instead} 5...d5 6.a3 Be7 7.Nf4 c6 8.b3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 e5 10.dxe5 Qa5 11.Bb2 Qxe5 {in Braun,A (2463)-Jobava,B (2640) Bad Zwesten 2005} ) 6.a3 Bf8 7.e4 {An ambitious idea.} ( {The main move remains} 7.Ng3 d5 8.Bd3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 c5 10.O-O cxd4 11.exd4 Nc6 12.Be3 b6 13.Nh5 {as in Caruana,F (2835)-Ding,L (2791) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 7...d5 {And the most aggressive reply in return. Svane is ready for the open battle as he has the superior development.} 8.e5 Nfd7 9.b4 a5 $146 {The German player fires a novelty.} ( {He no doubt knew that Jobava had played this before:} 9...dxc4 10.Ng3 Nb6 11.Be3 Nc6 12.Nce4 Ne7 13.Qg4 Ned5 14.Nh5 Kh8 {Jobava,B (2603)-Esipenko,A (2682) Lichess.org INT 2020} ) 10.b5 c5 {Black is consistently trying to blow open the center where his rook is impatiently looking at the white king.} 11.bxc6 bxc6 12.cxd5 cxd5 {Reaching a French pawn structure where White is lagging with his kingside play whereas his opponent has already opened the opposite wing.} ( {Even better might be} 12...exd5 {with a serious initiative for Black in all cases. Say:} 13.g3 ( {Or as in the game:} 13.Ng3 {but then} 13...c5 14.Be2 Nc6 15.dxc5 d4 $1 {looks great for Black.} ) 13...c5 14.Bg2 cxd4 {Now both} 15.Qxd4 ( {and probably the safer} 15.Nxd4 Nxe5 16.O-O ) 15...Nxe5 {look advantageous for Black.} ) 13.Ng3 Nc6 14.Bb5 Qb6 15.Nge2 {Jobava has almost finished his development, but Svane starts to create concrete threats.} 15...Ba6 16.Rb1 ( {In hindsight} 16.a4 Bxb5 17.Nxb5 Bb4+ 18.Bd2 Na7 {with some edge for Black might have been a safer choice for Jobava.} ) 16...Bxb5 17.Rxb5 Qa6 ( {Also good is} 17...Qa7 18.O-O Nb6 19.f4 Nc4 ) 18.O-O Rab8 {Forcing White to clear the b4-square for his pieces.} ( 18...Nb6 19.f4 {is not as convincing as before.} ) 19.a4 Bb4 20.Qd3 {White cannot just sit and wait, and Jobava lifts his queen to finally create some kingside threats. However, that leaves too many of his pieces hanging.} ( {Black's initiative unfolds by itself after} 20.Rxb8 Rxb8 21.Nb5 Nb6 ) 20...Nb6 $1 {Getting ready for White's next.} ( {Also great for Black is} 20...Rbc8 $1 {with the obvious threat of} 21.h4 ( {Whereas} 21.Qg3 {can be refuted by} 21...Nxd4 $1 22.Nxd4 Rxc3 ) 21...Na7 ) 21.Qg3 {Now after a thorough check, the German GM went for} 21...Nxa4 $1 {Like in a game of checkers, this knight is ready to knock down a few of the enemy pieces.} 22.Rxb4 ( 22.Rxb8 Rxb8 {is a solid extra pawn for Black and a win too.} ) 22...Nxc3 23.Nxc3 axb4 24.Bh6 {The only chance, but Svane has this one covered too.} 24...g6 25.Qf4 ( 25.Qg5 bxc3 {would lead to the same.} ) 25...bxc3 $1 {The most convincing win.} ( {If the game continuation was not working, Black would have instead chosen:} 25...f5 26.exf6 Rb7 {which should also be successful.} ) 26.Qf6 {Mate seems inevitable, but...} 26...Qxf1+ $1 27.Kxf1 Rb1+ 28.Ke2 Nxd4+ 29.Kd3 ( {Or} 29.Ke3 Nf5+ ) 29...Rd1+ 30.Ke3 ( {Or forcing mate after} 30.Kxc3 Rc8+ 31.Kb2 Rc2+ 32.Ka3 Ra1+ 33.Kb4 Rc4# ) 30...Nf5+ {All is covered with tempos, and the black passer decided after:} 31.Ke2 c2 32.Bd2 Rc8 {There's no escape from the capture on d2. White resigns.} 0-1

[Event "2020 FIDE Online Olympiad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.08.23"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2532"]
[ECO "B32"]
[EventDate "2020.08.07"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7976828025881"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6 6.c4 {In the Kalashnikov Sicilian Black delays the development of his kingside knight as it often stands better on e7 than on f6. The drawback of this plan is that White can gain better control over the d5 square.} 6...Be6 {Maghsoodloo had already tested this line recently.} 7.N1c3 ( {In the Iranian's earlier game Shabalov chose instead} 7.b3 Nf6 8.Bd3 g6 9.O-O a6 10.N5c3 Bg7 11.Nd5 Bxd5 12.cxd5 Nd4 13.a4 O-O 14.Ba3 b5 {as in Shabalov,A (2528)-Maghsoodloo,P (2676) chess.com INT 2020} ) 7...a6 8.Na3 g6 9.Nc2 Bg7 10.Be3 {Anand's play is natural.} ( {Nobody had tried yet} 10.Ne3 ) 10...Nf6 {Finally Black decided that it is a good moment to bring this knight on "its" square.} 11.Be2 Rc8 12.b3 {Reinforcing the c4 advance post, but weakening the knight from behind.} ( {Black is already looking for a good time to free himself with the help of the b7-b5 and d6-d5 breaks. For instance if White tries to put pressure on the d6 pawn:} 12.Qd2 Ne7 13.Na3 O-O 14.Rd1 {Black can already do} 14...b5 15.cxb5 axb5 16.Naxb5 d5 17.exd5 Nfxd5 {With compensation for the pawn after both} 18.O-O Nxe3 ( {or} 18...Nxc3 19.Nxc3 Qc7 ) 19.Qxe3 Qa5 ) ( 12.Rc1 O-O 13.O-O Ne7 14.Na3 Nc6 15.Re1 Nd4 16.f3 Qb6 17.Rb1 Nxe2+ 18.Rxe2 Qb4 19.Rd2 Rfd8 20.c5 {was Ivanchuk,V (2715)-Jobava,B (2727) Wijk aan Zee 2015} ) 12...O-O 13.O-O b5 $146 {A logical novelty by Maghsoodloo which aims to use the pin along the c-file.} ( {An earlier game was from one of Anand's former seconds:} 13...Qa5 14.Bd2 Qd8 15.Rc1 Nd4 16.f3 Nxc2 17.Rxc2 Qb6+ 18.Kh1 Nh5 19.Qc1 f5 {which White eventually won, Ganguly,S (2676)-Potapov,P (2483) Pardubice 2016} ) 14.cxb5 ( {After} 14.Rc1 bxc4 15.Bxc4 Bxc4 16.bxc4 Na5 {Black does not experience any problems and may either win a pawn with} 17.Na3 Nxc4 ( {or repeat moves with} 17...Nc6 18.Nc2 Na5 ) 18.Nxc4 Rxc4 19.Qd3 Rc6 20.Nd5 ) 14...Ne7 {The most forcing continuation.} ( {Although} 14...axb5 15.Nxb5 Nxe4 {also seems fine for Black.} ) 15.Bd2 {Anand's choice is the most reliable one.} ( {The forcing line} 15.Qd2 Qa5 16.Nd5 Qxd2 17.Nxe7+ Kh8 18.Bxd2 Rxc2 19.Rfd1 Nxe4 20.Bd3 Rxd2 21.Bxe4 Rxd1+ 22.Rxd1 axb5 23.Rxd6 Bf6 {favors Black instead due to his bishop pair.} ) 15...axb5 16.Bxb5 Qb6 17.Na3 {A tricky idea to activate the knight as early as possible.} ( {After the obvious} 17.a4 Rxc3 {is still possible:} ( {However, White may have disliked} 17...Qb7 18.Re1 d5 19.exd5 Nexd5 ( {Not} 19...Nfxd5 20.Ne4 ) 20.Nxd5 Nxd5 {with full compensation for the pawn.} ) 18.Bxc3 Nxe4 19.Bb4 {although it seems like a better version of the game for White.} ) 17...Rxc3 $1 {The Sicilian exchange sacrifice this time comes without any extras. But even though Black does not win even a pawn for it, he is happy with his impressive mobile center.} ( {Against} 17...d5 18.exd5 Nfxd5 {White planned} 19.Nc4 Qb8 20.Nxd5 Nxd5 21.a4 {although Black seems OK here too with} 21...Nc7 ) 18.Bxc3 Nxe4 19.Bb2 d5 {Black's central majority is moving easily forward, whereas White needs to first clear the road for his own passers.} 20.Be2 d4 21.Nc4 ( {Similar would have been} 21.Qc2 Nd6 22.Rfc1 e4 ) 21...Bxc4 {Maghsoodloo decided that this knight should not stay on the board.} ( {Although} 21...Qc7 22.Qc2 f5 {also seemed interesting.} ) 22.Bxc4 Nd6 23.Ba3 ( {Of course not} 23.Be2 e4 {which only helps Black.} ) 23...Nef5 24.Rc1 {The most natural reaction.} ( {However, there was an even more powerful way to bring this rook out:} 24.Bxd6 Nxd6 25.a4 e4 26.a5 Qa7 27.Ra4 $1 {The rook on a4 is perfect. It not only hits the black pawns, it protects his own knight and supports the passers.} ) 24...e4 25.Bc5 ( {In case of} 25.Bd5 Qa5 26.Bc5 {Black needs to go for} 26...d3 {in order to meet} ( {But not} 26...Qxa2 27.g4 $1 ) 27.g4 {with} 27...Nd4 $1 ) 25...Qd8 26.Re1 {Apparently Anand did not yet consider the passers to be a decisive force.} ( {Otherwise he could have blocked them with} 26.Bxd6 Nxd6 27.f3 Nxc4 28.Rxc4 e3 29.Qd3 {After} 29...Re8 {the position is dynamically balanced with Black compensating for his exchange deficit with more advanced passers and safer king. It can all end peacefully after, say:} 30.b4 Qd7 31.Rd1 e2 32.Re1 Re3 33.Qd2 Qe6 34.Rxd4 Bxd4 35.Qxd4 Ra3 36.Qd8+ Kg7 37.Qd4+ ) 26...Re8 27.b4 ( {It was not too late for} 27.Bxd6 Nxd6 28.Qd2 ) 27...Nxc4 $1 {A very concrete and forcing decision.} 28.Rxc4 e3 29.fxe3 Nxe3 {The knight on such an outpost is worth a rook. It is so close to the white king!} 30.Qa4 ( {After} 30.Rxe3 {Black would not recapture with the pawn} 30...dxe3 ( {but would play instead} 30...Rxe3 $1 {with the advantage.} ) 31.Qxd8 Rxd8 32.Bxe3 {which loses for the second player.} ) 30...Re6 31.Rcc1 Qd5 32.Re2 d3 {A bluff!} ( {Black needed to proceed instead with} 32...h5 33.Qb5 Bh6 {mounting pressure, with a clear advantage.} ) 33.Rd2 ( {Both player apparently missed that in the line} 33.Rxe3 Bd4 {White can defend everything with} 34.Qa7 $1 {and it is White who is winning.} ( {They only saw} 34.Bxd4 Qxd4 {which is of course winning for White.} ) ) 33...Bd4 {Now Black wins with direct attack.} 34.Kh1 Nxg2 $1 {The knight delivered the final blow.} 35.Qb3 ( {Or else checkmate:} 35.Rxg2 Re2 36.Rg1 Qxg2+ 37.Rxg2 Re1+ 38.Rg1 Rxg1# ) 35...Qa8 {White resigned and there is no escape from the threats on the long diagonal.} 0-1

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals benefi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.08.10"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2836"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7972533047311"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {The Italian game shines again as a top-level choice.} 3...Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 a6 7.Re1 h6 8.a4 O-O 9.Nbd2 Re8 ( {Carlsen has played this line with both colors. His most recent effort saw:} 9...Ba7 10.Nf1 Re8 11.Be3 Bxe3 12.Nxe3 Be6 13.Bxe6 Rxe6 14.b4 a5 15.b5 Ne7 16.Qc2 Ng6 17.g3 d5 {and Black eventually defended in Carlsen,M (2863)-Kramnik,V (2753) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 10.h3 Be6 11.Bxe6 Rxe6 12.b4 Ba7 13.Bb2 ( {Their previous encounter saw instead:} 13.Qc2 Qd7 14.Nf1 d5 15.Be3 Bxe3 16.Nxe3 Ne7 17.a5 Ng6 18.g3 Rd8 19.Kg2 Qc6 20.Nf5 Ne7 21.Nxe7+ Rxe7 22.c4 {and eventually White prevailed in Ding,L (2791)-Carlsen,M (2863) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 13...Ne7 14.c4 a5 $146 {A novelty which aims to stop the enemy queenside expansion once and for all.} ( {The predecessor was another game of Kramnik, which was annotated for Chess.com readers last winter:} 14...Ng6 15.Nf1 b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.Ng3 bxc4 18.dxc4 Re8 19.Qc2 Qb8 20.Reb1 {White was pressing throughout the game, but Black eventually held in Radjabov,T (2757)-Kramnik,V (2777) Wijk aan Zee 2019} ) 15.bxa5 {Ding opens the b-file for his major pieces and hopes to build enough pressure while his opponent eventually gets the pawn back.} ( 15.b5 Ng6 {is approximately equal.} ) 15...Nc6 16.Bc3 {An obvious move, but an inaccuracy.} ( {Although} 16.Nb3 {should not promise White anything.} ) 16...Nd7 {The world champion follows his plan but this misses an excellent opportunity to activate his kingside pieces.} ( {Strong is} 16...Nh5 $1 {It is curious that later this knight landed on f4 anyway but after lengthy maneuvering. After:} 17.Nf1 ( {One reason why Nf6-h5 maneuver often does not work is the tactical shot:} 17.Nxe5 dxe5 18.Qxh5 {But after the simple:} 18...Qxd3 {the white bishop is once again misplaced.} ) ( {There is absolutely no time to develop queenside initiative with:} 17.Rb1 {due to:} 17...Nf4 18.Rxb7 Rg6 {when White's kingside crumbles into pieces.} ) 17...Nf4 {White lacks the resource Bc3-d2 that would chase the annoying knight away, and therefore Black's initiative mounts by itself.} ) 17.Rb1 Nc5 18.Nf1 Rg6 19.Ne3 Ne6 {Yes, the knight craves the f4-square. But the lost time matters.} 20.Nd5 $1 ( {Even here Ding does not have time to grab the pawn:} 20.Rxb7 Nf4 {Literally forces:} 21.Rxa7 ( {As otherwise White risks to be checkmated as in this line:} 21.Kh2 Qc8 $1 22.Rb1 Rxg2+ 23.Nxg2 Qxh3+ 24.Kg1 Qxg2# ) 21...Rxa7 22.Kh2 {which does not seem to promise enough compensation for the exchange.} ) 20...Rb8 21.Rb2 {Not only prepares the doubling of the rooks but also protects the second rank.} 21...Ng5 {This seems like an inaccuracy.} ( {Stronger is to trade the pieces via the d4-square:} 21...Ncd4 22.Kh2 ( {Or:} 22.Bxd4 Nxd4 23.Nxd4 Bxd4 24.Rb1 c6 25.Ne3 {which also does not seem to yield White much.} ) 22...Nxf3+ 23.Qxf3 Bd4 {with approximate equality.} ) 22.Nxg5 {Now Ding drags the black queen away from the queenside.} 22...Qxg5 23.Qf3 ( {Better would have been:} 23.Ne3 $1 Rf8 ( {Or the immediate:} 23...Bxe3 24.fxe3 ) 24.Qg4 Bxe3 25.fxe3 Qe7 ( {Black definitely needs to avoid the endgame after:} 25...Qxg4 26.hxg4 Rxg4 27.Rxb7 {when White is winning.} ) 26.Qf3 {The kingside is defended well, and White can concentrate on an attack along the half-open b-file. Notice that Black has not even had the time to take his pawn back yet.} ) 23...Bd4 24.Reb1 Bxc3 25.Nxc3 Nxa5 {Carlsen got his pawn back, and although his queenside remains under pressure things start to look better for him.} ( {Or:} 25...Nd4 26.Qg3 Qd8 ( {Once more the endgame should be avoided like the plague:} 26...Qxg3 27.fxg3 Rxg3 28.Rxb7 ) 27.Qe3 {which is also better for White.} ) 26.Nd5 Nc6 {Small tactics to re-centralize the knight.} ( {Maybe it is time to retreat the queen with:} 26...Qd8 27.Qe3 b6 {Although there too:} 28.f4 {is advantageous for White.} ) 27.Ne3 {Ding also decided to relocate the knight to a better position. From f5 it will defend the vital d4-point. But this takes precious time.} ( {Of course not:} 27.Rxb7 $4 Rxb7 28.Rxb7 Nd4 29.Qg4 Qc1+ ) 27...b6 {Now that the b7-pawn is out of danger, it is the white isolani that will suffer on the queenside.} 28.Nf5 ( {Maybe it made sense to admit his mistake and hop back to the center:} 28.Nd5 Nd4 29.Qg4 Qd8 ) 28...Ra8 29.h4 Qf4 $1 {The tables have turned. It is Carlsen who offers the queen swap, but the reason remains the same: the vulnerable queenside pawn.} 30.Qxf4 ( {Not much is changed after:} 30.Qd1 Qg4 31.Qxg4 Rxg4 32.Ra1 Ra7 {Followed by Rg4-g6-e6-e8-a8, and the a4-pawn should drop in the long run.} ) 30...exf4 31.d4 Rxa4 {Carlsen decided to sacrifice the exchange.} ( {Even better would have been the preliminary:} 31...f3 32.g3 Rg4 {Then White should try to trade as many pawns as he can to raise his survival chances:} 33.c5 dxc5 34.dxc5 bxc5 35.Rb5 Rxe4 36.Rxc5 Ra6 {but Black will remain in the driver's seat.} ) 32.d5 Ne5 33.Ne7+ Kh7 34.Nxg6 Kxg6 35.c5 ( {With little time Ding could not find the way to activate his rooks:} 35.Rc2 $1 {Would have been good, one idea is to meet:} 35...Rxc4 $2 ( {The way to bring the rooks out after:} 35...Nxc4 {is less obvious:} 36.Rcc1 $1 {and then anything would have been possible still.} ) 36.Rxc4 Nxc4 {With:} 37.Ra1 {and it will be White who is much better.} ) 35...bxc5 36.Rb8 ( 36.Rb8 {Black should win slowly after the obvious:} 36...Rxe4 37.Rd1 f3 ) 0-1

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals benefi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.08.14"]
[Round "30.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "D24"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[Beauty "6598701357098"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 b5 {A very fresh line which was tried on a couple of occasions by Caruana. Apparently Nakamura liked the idea and decided to give it a try.} 6.e5 Nd5 7.Nxb5 Nb6 8.a3 $146 ( {The latest top-level game went:} 8.a4 a5 9.Be2 Be7 10.O-O Nc6 11.Be3 Ba6 12.Nd2 O-O 13.Nxc4 Nd5 14.Nc3 Ncb4 {Fedoseev,V (2678)-Xiong,J (2709) chess.com INT 2020} ) ( {Whereas the two Caruana games saw him holding steady after:} 8.Be2 Nc6 9.O-O Be7 10.Qd2 ( 10.Be3 O-O 11.Nc3 Rb8 12.a3 Bb7 13.Qc2 Na5 {Mamedyarov,S (2801)-Caruana,F (2822) Saint Louis 2018} ) 10...Bb7 11.Rd1 Qd7 12.Nc3 Nb4 {Ding,L (2805) -Caruana,F (2818) Saint Louis 2019} ) 8...Nc6 9.Be3 Na5 {Played after some hesitation. The knight is protecting the c4-pawn and is ready to jump on b3 at the right moment.} ( {The knight had rich maneuvering field:} 9...Ne7 10.Nc3 Bb7 {Intending Ne7-d5 or Ne7-f5 was also interesting although White seems better after:} 11.Nd2 ) 10.Qc2 {The opening is over and Nakamura has a few weaknesses to worry about. But the c4-pawn is also a strength that cramps the white bishop and secures an excellent outpost for the knight.} 10...a6 {Not only chases the knight back home, but deprives the queen of the c3-square.} ( {In case of the obvious development:} 10...Bb7 {White can try:} 11.Qc3 Nb3 12.Rd1 {With advantage as the white knight is not in imminent danger on b5:} 12...c6 ( {Not:} 12...a6 13.Bxc4 ) 13.Bg5 $1 ( {But not:} 13.Bxc4 $2 Nxc4 14.Qxc4 Na5 ) 13...Qd7 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.exd6 Qxd6 16.Bxc4 {with an edge for White.} ) 11.Nc3 Be7 12.Rd1 {Carlsen delays the development of his kingside.} ( {More natural seems:} 12.Be2 Bb7 13.O-O {but the Norwegian has an idea on his mind.} ) 12...Bb7 13.Be2 Qd7 14.h4 $5 {The point! The rook is entering the battle the French way.} ( {Also possible was:} 14.O-O O-O 15.Nd2 ) 14...Bc6 {Logically, Nakamura is looking for a queenside play.} ( 14...O-O-O $5 ) 15.Rh3 Rb8 16.Rg3 Ba4 {The only drawback of the plan- Black needs to surrender the bishop pair.} 17.Nxa4 Qxa4 18.Rc1 {Another clever idea by the world champion.} ( {Perhaps it was better to keep the queens alive with:} 18.Qc1 $5 Nb3 19.Qb1 g6 20.Bh6 {with chances for kingside attack.} ) 18...Nb3 19.Rxg7 $1 {The black king remained in the center too long and White wants this to continue indefinitely.} ( {It was not too late to switch back to the line from above:} 19.Rd1 Nc5 20.Qc1 ) 19...Nxc1 20.Qxc1 c3 $1 {Black needs air for his major pieces too!} ( {The other way to generate counterplay was:} 20...Nd5 $1 21.Bxc4 Nxe3 22.fxe3 Kf8 23.Rg3 Rg8 {and this might have been the more practical decision as Black is removing more attackers at once.} ) 21.Qxc3 Nd5 22.Qc1 Nxe3 {An important attacker is removed.} 23.fxe3 Kf8 24.Rg4 Qb3 ( {Or else Black loses too many pawns:} 24...Rg8 25.Rxg8+ Kxg8 26.Qxc7 Qe8 ) 25.Qxc7 Qxb2 26.Kf2 {An obivious move, which however, misses a super-blow!} ( {The sudden breakthrough:} 26.d5 $3 {Would have led to huge advantage for Carlsen as:} 26...exd5 27.e6 $1 {exposes the black king too much and it fails prey to the white pieces after:} 27...fxe6 28.Rf4+ Ke8 29.Qc6+ Kd8 30.Ng5 ( 30.Nd4 $1 {would also do.} ) 30...Bxg5 31.Qd6+ Kc8 ( 31...Ke8 32.Bh5# ) 32.Qxe6+ Kd8 33.Qxd5+ Kc7 34.Rc4+ Kb6 35.Qc5+ Kb7 36.Bf3# ) 26...Qb7 27.Qa5 Rg8 28.Rf4 {Carlsen pushes his opponent further to the ropes.} ( {Instead:} 28.Rxg8+ Kxg8 29.Qxa6 Qxa6 30.Bxa6 Ra8 {would have been just equal.} ) 28...Qc6 29.Qd2 h6 30.Qd3 Rg7 31.Qxa6 {Nothing much to be done, so this pawn is captured.} 31...Qxa6 32.Bxa6 Rb2+ $1 {This is more accurate than the immediate recapture.} ( {Or:} 32...Bxa3 33.Ne1 ) 33.Be2 Bxa3 {And a clear indicator that Nakamura also wants to win!} ( {An easy draw would have been achieved with:} 33...Rxg2+ 34.Kxg2 Rxe2+ 35.Kg3 Rxe3 36.a4 Ra3 ) 34.g4 Be7 35.Re4 {A strange move. Or maybe just a demonstration that there is not much to be done?} ( {Both:} 35.h5 ) ( {And:} 35.Kf1 {are more useful.} ) 35...Rg8 36.Rf4 Kg7 37.g5 {Carlsen decided to force the draw.} 37...hxg5 38.Nxg5 Bxg5 39.hxg5 {But tragically missed an important detail.} ( {A fortress would have been achieved by the neat:} 39.Rg4 $1 Kh6 40.Rxg5 Rxg5 41.hxg5+ Kxg5 42.Kf3 ) 39...Rh8 $1 {This is it! The rooks are extremely active and soon mop all the white pawns.} 40.Kf3 ( {Since the passive defense:} 40.Ke1 Rh2 41.Bd1 Rb1 {is doomed to failure.} ) 40...Rh3+ 41.Kg4 Rxe3 {Nakamura won a key pawn and was merciless until the end:} 42.Bf3 Rd2 43.Kh4 Red3 44.d5 exd5 45.Rf6 Re3 46.Rf5 Rd4+ 47.Kh5 Rb4 48.e6 fxe6 49.Rf6 Re5 50.Rg6+ Kf7 51.Rf6+ Ke7 52.Kh6 Rb8 53.Rf4 Rf8 54.Rxf8 Kxf8 55.g6 Kg8 56.g7 Re1 0-1

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals benefi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.08.15"]
[Round "36.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "D24"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7289654219350"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 b5 6.e5 Nd5 7.Nxb5 Nb6 {The new episode of the opening discussion. Nakamura comes well prepared and does not mind repeating yesterday's result...} 8.a4 ( {Yesterday we witnessed:} 8.a3 Nc6 9.Be3 Na5 {Carlsen,M (2881)-Nakamura,H (2829) Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals benefi 2020} ) 8...Qd7 {N This time Nakamura comes with a novelty.} ( {The other way to prevent the a4-a5 advance is to block it mechanically with:} 8...a5 9.Be2 Be7 10.O-O Nc6 11.Be3 Ba6 12.Nd2 O-O 13.Nxc4 Nd5 14.Nc3 Ncb4 {as in Fedoseev,V (2678)-Xiong,J (2709) chess. com INT 2020} ) 9.Be2 Nc6 10.O-O Na5 {The point behind Black's novelty. The a5-square is available for his knight.} 11.Ng5 {Carlsen wants to push the f-pawn as soon as possible.} 11...h6 12.Ne4 {This makes use of the fact that his opponent did not have the time to develop the bishop on the long diagonal yet.} 12...Bb7 13.Nc5 Bxc5 14.dxc5 Nd5 15.Ra3 {Just like yesterday, Carlsen lifts a rook along the third rank. This time the queenside rook. Did I mention that the players were still blitzing?} 15...a6 16.Nd4 Ne7 {The first "heavy" (1 minute) thought by Black. Nakamura opens the d-file for his pieces, especially the d5 square.} ( {Notice that:} 16...O-O $2 {Is the classical case of "castling into it":} 17.Rg3 Kh7 18.Bxh6 $1 gxh6 19.Qc2+ Kh8 20.Qd2 Kh7 21.Rh3 {with inevitable mate.} ) 17.Qd2 {Carlsen switches to the attack of the weakness on c4.} ( {His original kingside idea:} 17.Rg3 {is repelled with a queen swap:} 17...Nac6 18.Nxc6 Qxd1 19.Rxd1 Bxc6 20.Rxg7 Bxa4 {with equality.} ) 17...Qd5 {Forcing the play.} ( {Also interesting was:} 17...O-O-O 18.Qxa5 Qxd4 {Intending to meet:} 19.Bf3 {With either:} 19...Nc6 ( {Or the more enterprising:} 19...Rd5 $5 ) ) 18.Rg3 Qxc5 19.b4 {Carlsen is looking for a way to bring his queenside bishop in the action, but that comes with more pawn costs.} ( {On the other hand, the development of the kingside initiative:} 19.Qf4 Nd5 20.Qh4 {Is easily stopped with the same queen swap:} 20...Qe7 21.Qxe7+ Nxe7 22.Rxg7 c5 23.Nc2 Ng6 {with unclear play where Black should not experience any difficulties.} ) 19...cxb3 20.Ba3 {White is trying to get the opponent's king under cross-fire in the center.} ( {The powerful queen centralization keeps Black out of any trouble in the line:} 20.Nxb3 Nxb3 21.Rxb3 Qd5 ) 20...Qxa3 21.Qxa5 Bd5 {While Nakamura defends the b3-pawn.} 22.Rxg7 ( {Objectively best was to regain part of the material:} 22.Nxb3 Bxb3 23.Bd1 Rb8 24.Qc3 O-O {although suffering down a pawn obviously was not what White's was wishing for.} ) 22...c5 23.Bh5 {Time to throw the kitchen sink at the black king!} ( {If the knight retreats:} 23.Nf3 Qb4 $1 {is decisive.} ) 23...cxd4 24.Rxf7 Kd7 {But Nakamura is not impressed. There simply are not enough attackers!} 25.Bg4 Kc6 $1 ( {Sill, better watch out for those pins:} 25...Rhg8 $4 26.Qxd5+ ) 26.Bxe6 Bxe6 27.Rf6 Kd7 28.Qb6 {Now Black has an only move, but an obvious one:} 28...Bd5 ( {White wins if the b7 square is undefended:} 28...Nc6 $2 29.Qb7+ ) ( {Or:} 28...Bc4 $2 29.Qb7+ ) 29.Rd6+ Ke8 30.Rxd5 {The black king is getting more and more exposed, but there is just one queen left now...} 30...Nxd5 31.Qc6+ Ke7 32.Qb7+ Ke6 ( {Avoiding:} 32...Nc7 33.Qxc7+ Ke6 34.Qc6+ Ke7 ( {And certainly not:} 34...Kxe5 $4 35.Re1+ Kf5 36.Qe6+ Kf4 37.g3+ Kg5 38.Re5# ) 35.Qc7+ {with perpetual.} ) 33.Qc6+ Ke7 {Now after two-fold repetition:} 34.Qb7+ Ke6 35.Qc6+ Kf5 $1 {Nakamura escapes the checks and wins.} 36.Qxd5 Qe7 37.e6+ ( {[The out-of-this-world move} 37.Rc1 $3 {draws here, e.g.} 37...b2 ( 37...Rhc8 38.Qf3+ Kg6 39.Qg4+ Kh7 ( 39...Qg5 40.Qe6+ Kg7 41.Qd7+ ) 40.Qf5+ Kg7 41.Qg4+ ) 38.Qf3+ Kg6 39.Rc6+ Kg7 40.Qg4+ Kf8 41.Qf5+ Ke8 42.Qg6+ Kd7 43.Rd6+ Kc8 44.Rc6+ {- ed.]} ) 37...Kg6 38.Qe4+ Kg7 39.Qxd4+ ( {Nothing changes:} 39.Qg4+ Qg5 40.Qxd4+ Qf6 ) 39...Kg8 40.Qg4+ Qg7 41.Qc4 b2 42.f4 ( {Or:} 42.e7+ Qf7 43.Qg4+ Kh7 {winning.} ) 42...Rb8 43.Qe4 Rh7 44.Rb1 Qb7 45.Qe2 Rc7 0-1

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals benefi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.08.19"]
[Round "64.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "E49"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7633234577970"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 c5 6.Ne2 d5 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 Qc7 {One of Nimzo-Indian tabias.} 10.Ba2 {This is Carlsen's preferred choice.} ( {The other main idea is:} 10.Bd3 b6 11.e4 Ba6 12.O-O Bxd3 13.Qxd3 Nbd7 14.f3 Rac8 15.Be3 Rfd8 16.Rfc1 {as in Yu,Y (2709)-Ding,L (2791) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 10...b6 11.O-O Ba6 12.Bb2 Nc6 13.Rc1 {[#]} 13...Rac8 $146 ( {Nakamura definitely knew the predecessor:} 13...Rfd8 14.c4 cxd4 15.exd4 Ng4 16.Ng3 Qf4 17.h3 Nf6 18.Ne2 Qh4 19.d5 {which was successful for White in Carlsen,M (2851)-Aronian,L (2780) Leuven 2017} ) 14.c4 cxd4 15.exd4 Qe7 {The queen is stepping out of the X-raying rook on c1 as Black intends to start pressuring the hanging pawns. However Carlsen goes for the standard:} 16.d5 $1 {advance, which is coupled by the not-so-standard:} 16...exd5 17.Re1 {White wants to prove that the open files are worth the pair of excellent pawns.} 17...Bxc4 {Nakamura accepts the challenge.} 18.Ng3 Qd8 19.Bb1 {Keeping the pieces on board. White will need those for the kingside attack. Carlsen's strategy becomes obvious: his own pawns no longer obstruct the bishops.} ( {In the line:} 19.Bxc4 dxc4 20.Rxc4 Qxd1 21.Rxd1 Na5 22.Rxc8 Rxc8 23.Nf5 {White has enough for the pawn, but not enough to claim advantage.} ) 19...b5 $1 {Black needs to defend the bishop to have the d5-d4 resource available. Of the two bishops, the dark-squared one is the real menace.} ( {For instance in the line:} 19...Re8 20.Qc2 g6 21.Qc3 {The pressure will soon become unbearable.} ) 20.Nf5 d4 {An important resource!} ( {Otherwise all sorts of nasty tactics may pour on Black, for instance:} 20...Re8 21.Rxe8+ Nxe8 22.Bxg7 $1 Nxg7 23.Qg4 {when White regains his piece with attack.} ) 21.Qd2 Be6 ( {The queen cannot be stopped from entering the g5-square:} 21...h6 $2 22.Nxh6+ gxh6 23.Qxh6 {loses for Black.} ) 22.Rc5 a6 {Carlsen: "Very provocative. Obviously, one of the ideas of bringing the rook to c5 is to take on g7 and if I don't take then my preceding play makes little to no sense."} ( {Nakamura said that it was "just insane" that he didn't play} 22...Bxf5 23.Bxf5 Qd6 24.Rxb5 Rcd8 {when White has compensation for a pawn, but Black is very solid.} ) 23.Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 24.Qg5+ ( 24.Bc1 $1 {Might have been even better, intending:} 24...Kh8 ( {Or:} 24...Ne7 25.Qh6+ Kg8 26.Rxc8 Bxc8 27.Qxf6 {with clear edge for White.} ) 25.Qh6 {with Rc5-h5! to follow or Bc1-g5! with a win.} ) 24...Kh8 25.Qh4 {White's attack is nevertheless huge and Black is barely holding on for dear life.} 25...Rg8 {Now Carlsen seizes the dark squares.} ( {Nakamura did consider} 25...Re8 {but after a move like} 26.h3 {There was an amazing resource though:} ( 26.Rxc6 $2 Rxc6 27.Bxd4 Bf5 $1 ) 26...Bf5 $3 {when after the massive trades:} 27.Rxe8+ Nxe8 28.Qxd8 Nxd8 29.Rxf5 Kg8 {Black should survive.} ) 26.Rxc6 $1 {Of course! Control of the dark-squares is worth the exchange.} 26...Rxc6 27.Bxd4 Kg7 ( {Even here:} 27...Bf5 $1 {is the more resilient defense intending:} 28.Bxf5 Rg6 29.Bxg6 fxg6 {True, Black should not survive after:} 30.Qe4 {though.} ) 28.Qxh7+ Kf8 29.Qh6+ Ke8 30.Bxf6 Qa5 31.Qe3 {White is winning, but a curious psychological moment took place in the game. Carlsen said he noticed that after...} 31...Qb6 {'Nakamura started shaking his head. "I guess I fell for the oldest trick in the book. I just assumed he missed..'} 32.Rd1 {'...and it's game over, but of course after...'} ( {Instead:} 32.Be4 $1 Rd6 33.Qf3 {leaves the black king exposed and he cannot survive.} ) 32...Rd6 {'I have to start all over."'} 33.Bd4 Qc6 ( {Nakamura didn't think any human would find} 33...b4 $3 34.axb4 Qxb4 35.f4 Qb3 {when it is anyone's game.} ) 34.Be4 Qc4 35.h3 {Black is still in great danger as his king will never be safe and it is very easy to commit mistakes in these positons, even with plenty of time on the clock.} 35...Kd7 36.Rd2 Re8 ( {The last chance was:} 36...Rc8 $1 37.Kh2 Qc1 {"sticking" to the white pieces.} ) 37.Kh2 ( 37.Be5 $1 {was winning on the spot, intending:} 37...Rxd2 38.Qa7+ Kc8 39.Qb7+ Kd8 40.Bf6+ Re7 41.Qxe7+ Kc8 42.Qb7# ) 37...Bd5 ( 37...Rc8 {would have been still best, albeit insufficient.} ) 38.Bf5+ {Carlsen spotted the mating idea.} 38...Be6 39.Bd3 $1 Qa4 ( 39...Qxd4 40.Bxb5+ ) 40.Be5 Rd5 41.Qa7+ 1-0

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals benefi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.08.20"]
[Round "76.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7492570449416"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 {The Sicilian Four Knights reversed.} 6.Qc2 ( {An avid contenders of both the grandmasters preferred instead the more aggressive} 6.Bb5 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Bd6 8.d4 Bd7 9.O-O O-O 10.Nd2 Na5 11.Bd3 Re8 12.Bb2 {Caruana,F (2835)-Karjakin,S (2752) chess. com INT 2020} ) 6...Ndb4 7.Qb1 f5 8.a3 Nd5 $146 ( {Both players most likely did not know this game:} 8...e4 9.Nxe4 fxe4 10.Qxe4+ Qe7 11.Qxe7+ Bxe7 12.axb4 Nxb4 13.Ra5 {Samraoui,M-Demigha Algeria 1983} ) 9.d3 {It boiled down to the reversed Scheveningen now. A curious fact is that both Carlsen and Nakamura have been shown the secrets of this opening by Garry Kasparov himself.} 9...Be6 10.Be2 Be7 11.O-O O-O {All very natural for both sides.} ( {When playing with reversed colors the first player would often prevent central trades with} 11...Nb6 {but here after} 12.b4 a6 13.Bd1 $1 {followed by Bd1-b3 White builds some slight advantage.} ) 12.Nxd5 {This is needed to bring the b- pawn into motion.} ( 12.Bd2 {would be met with} 12...Nb6 ) 12...Bxd5 13.b4 a6 14.Bb2 Bd6 {The bishop is more useful here than on f6.} ( {White is a tad better after} 14...Bf6 15.e4 Be6 16.Bc3 Qd6 17.Re1 f4 18.a4 ) 15.e4 Be6 16.Bc3 fxe4 17.dxe4 Bg4 {Black equalized and as the world champion needs a win only he needs to find out something creative at once.} 18.Qa2+ {A good idea.} ( {In case of} 18.Rd1 Qf6 19.Qb2 Bxf3 20.Bxf3 Nd4 21.Bxd4 exd4 {the game is completely even and the overall win would go to Nakamura.} ) 18...Kh8 19.Ne1 $1 {The point behind the previous check. Carlsen keeps his good pieces alive.} 19...Bd7 $1 {So does Nakamura.} ( {After} 19...Bxe2 20.Qxe2 Qg5 21.Rd1 Qg6 22.Nd3 {White is more than willing to see} 22...Nd4 $2 23.Bxd4 exd4 24.f4 {when White's passers walk unobstructed.} ) 20.Rd1 Qf6 ( {Here} 20...Qg5 {looked more accurate, not allowing} 21.Nd3 {easily as} 21...Bh3 {forces the knight back.} ) 21.Nd3 Qh4 22.f3 {White follows the natural plan of fortifying is kingside.} ( {However, he misses an interesting way to develop the initiative with:} 22.f4 $5 exf4 23.e5 Be7 24.Nxf4 Rxf4 25.Rxd7 Rxf1+ 26.Bxf1 {with an edge for White.} ) 22...Rae8 23.g3 Qe7 24.Rf2 ( {Here} 24.Qb2 $1 {was more accurate in order to prevent Black's next move.} ) 24...Be6 $1 25.Qd2 ( {As} 25.Qb2 Bc4 {does not promise White much.} ) 25...Bb3 ( {Trickier was} 25...Bc4 $5 {First in order to provoke} 26.Nb2 {and only then} 26...Bb3 27.Rc1 Rd8 ) 26.Rc1 Rd8 {Nakamura could have played a6-a5 at once.} ( {The line} 26...a5 27.bxa5 Bxa3 28.Bb2 Ra8 29.Bxa3 Qxa3 30.Nc5 Nd4 31.Nxb7 Nxe2+ 32.Rxe2 Rxf3 {is complicated but objectively leads to equality.} ) 27.Qe3 a5 ( {Still} 27...Bc4 $5 {made good sense for Black.} ) 28.Nc5 ( {While now} 28.f4 $5 {could have put pressure on Black.} ) ( {[Carlsen called his move "a lucky blunder" as in the analysis he noticed he could take on e5 (as Bb3 will be hanging) but then Peter Leko pointed out that it's bad:} 28.Nxe5 $2 Nxe5 29.Bxe5 Bxe5 30.Qxb3 Bd4 {- ed.]} ) 28...axb4 {Black wants to trade as many pawns as he can on the queenside.} ( {However, the blockading position after:} 28...Bxc5 29.Qxc5 Qxc5 30.bxc5 a4 {is a tough nut to crack [as Carlsen pointed out as well - ed.]} ) 29.axb4 Bxc5 30.Qxc5 Qxc5 31.bxc5 Nd4 ( {Weaker was} 31...Ra8 32.f4 ) 32.Kg2 {With seconds on the clock it is impossible to calculate the right choice.} ( {Objectively} 32.Bxd4 exd4 ( 32...Rxd4 33.Rb1 {drops a pawn.} ) 33.Bd3 {was yielding White better winning chances.} ) 32...Nxe2 33.Rxe2 Rd3 34.Bxe5 {The culmination of the game and the match.} 34...Rdxf3 {Black blunders.} ( {Had he had played} 34...Bd1 $1 {White would have been forced to sacrifice the exchange:} 35.Rxd1 ( {As} 35.Rf2 Bxf3+ 36.Kg1 Kg8 37.Bxc7 Bxe4 {is a dead draw.} ) 35...Rxd1 36.Bxc7 Rc8 37.Bb6 Kg8 {which should have held the draw for Black and won the match.} ) 35.Rb2 Ba4 {Nakamura follows his idea. Once that the bishop lands on c6 Black would be doing just great.} ( {The most resilient was} 35...Rd3 36.Bxc7 Re8 {with serious drawing chances.} ) 36.Rxb7 R3f7 {A sad necessity.} ( {It was probably here that Black realized that} 36...Bc6 {is tactically refuted by} 37.Bxg7+ $1 Kxg7 38.Rxc7+ ) 37.c6 $1 {The bishop will never make it to c6. Instead the white c-passer will soon promote.} 37...h5 38.Bxc7 Kh7 39.Bd6 Rf2+ 40.Kg1 R8f6 41.c7 Bd7 42.Bf4 ( {Or} 42.Be5 Rf7 43.Bf4 ) 42...Bc8 43.Rb8 1-0

[Event "chess24 Legends of Chess | Final 4"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.08.02"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "C45"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7354326205999"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 {Clever strategy. For the decisive blitz game, Nepomniachtchi chooses an opening that served him well all his life-the Scotch. When one knows all the subtleties in a positon, he can quickly orientate himself in the most complex situations.} 3...exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.h4 a5 ( {Nepomniachtchi has good memories from the following game:} 8...Qe6 9.Nd2 a5 10.Nf3 Ba6 11.c4 Bb4+ 12.Bd2 Bxd2+ 13.Qxd2 Nb6 14.b3 c5 15.O-O-O Bb7 16.Bd3 h6 17.Qe3 Qe7 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2773)-Vidit, S (2722) Kolkata 2019} ) 9.c4 Ba6 {One of the ways to fight the Scotch. Black increases his development advantage but takes positional risks. His light pieces on the queenside might remain locked behind the solid white pawn chain.} 10.Nd2 ( {The players already discussed a different version of the line:} 10.g3 Nb6 11.Nd2 d5 12.exd6 Qxe2+ 13.Bxe2 cxd6 14.b3 Be7 15.Bb2 O-O 16.O-O d5 17.Rac1 Rfe8 18.Bf3 a4 19.Rfd1 axb3 20.axb3 Bb4 21.cxd5 cxd5 22.Bd4 {with the advantage for White, thanks for his outsite passer-- which the Russian player eventually converted, Nepomniachtchi,I (2732)-Giri,A (2771) Leuven 2017} ) 10...Nb6 11.h5 $5 $146 ( {The predecessor was a game of another famous Scotch affictionado, and also a blitz game:} 11.g3 a4 12.Bh3 f6 13.e6 d5 14.b3 Qd6 15.O-O Be7 16.Nf3 dxc4 17.Rd1 cxb3 18.Qe1 Qb4 19.Bd2 Qc4 20.axb3 axb3 21.Rab1 Qe2 22.Rxb3 Qxe1+ 23.Rxe1 Bc4 24.Rb2 Bd5 25.Nd4 {Morozevich,A (2711) -Ragger,M (2698) Berlin 2015} ) 11...Qe6 {Not the most convincing reply.} ( {Both:} 11...O-O-O $5 ) ( {And:} 11...a4 $5 {would be more promising for Black.} ) 12.h6 {This not only weakens Black's positon but also opens the road for the white rook.} 12...gxh6 ( {Or:} 12...O-O-O 13.b3 gxh6 14.Bb2 {which would transpose into the game.} ) ( 12...g6 {Will be met in the same way:} 13.b3 ) 13.b3 O-O-O 14.Bb2 Bg7 15.O-O-O Rhe8 ( {Black can definitely attack the central pawn with:} 15...d6 {But the strategical drawback of Black's position can be exposed with:} 16.g3 ( {Even:} 16.Qe3 Bxe5 17.Bxe5 dxe5 18.Ne4 {is interesting for White despite the two pawn deficit- just look at the poor black light pieces.} ) 16...dxe5 ( {Or:} 16...Bxe5 17.Bxe5 Qxe5 ( {A tad better is to keep the queens on the board with:} 17...dxe5 18.Rh5 f5 19.Bh3 Rhf8 20.Ne4 {although Black should still be in trouble.} ) 18.Qxe5 dxe5 {Now both:} 19.Rxh6 ( {Or:} 19.Re1 {lead to significant advantage for White as Black is practically playing two pieces down on the queenside.} ) ) 17.Bh3 f5 18.Nf3 {The black queeside is out of the game permanently.} ) 16.f4 f6 {That is a blunder, but what else?} ( {Giri needed to gain control over the e4 square, but:} 16...d5 {stumbles to the forcing line:} 17.cxd5 Bxe2 18.dxe6 Bxd1 19.exf7 Re7 20.Kxd1 Rxf7 ( {Or:} 20...Red7 21.Bc3 ) 21.g3 {and once again White is clearly better thanks to his perfect pawns and, for a change, limited Bg7.} ) 17.Ne4 $1 {With the unstoppable threat of a knight fork.} 17...fxe5 {The best chance under the circumstances.} ( {Or otherwise Black loses a key pawn:} 17...d6 18.exf6 Bh8 19.Re1 {and all the black pieces would be paralized.} ) 18.Nc5 Qf5 19.Nxa6 {Nepomniachtchi won a piece, but he faces difficulties trying to bring it out of the danger zone.} 19...exf4 ( {Nothing changes:} 19...Qxf4+ 20.Kb1 ) 20.Qd3 ( {More convincing would have been:} 20.Qd2 $1 Bxb2+ 21.Kxb2 d6 22.Rxh6 Kb7 23.Bd3 {As the knight cannot be captured easily:} 23...Qe5+ 24.Kb1 Kxa6 25.c5+ {and White wins.} ) 20...Bxb2+ 21.Kxb2 Qe5+ 22.Qc3 Kb7 ( {A more accurate way to pick up the horsie was:} 22...c5 $1 23.Rxh6 Kb7 24.Qxe5 Rxe5 25.Nxc5+ Rxc5 {Which would have transposed to the game after} 26.Rxh7 ( 26.Be2 $5 ) ) 23.Qxe5 Rxe5 24.Rxh6 {Both players follow a forcing line as there is no time to calculate.} ( {Actually, White could have saved the piece now with:} 24.b4 $1 Kxa6 25.c5+ Kb7 26.cxb6 axb4 27.bxc7 Kxc7 28.Rxh6 ) 24...c5 25.Nxc5+ Rxc5 26.Rxh7 {Giri got his piece back but his endgame position is difficult to defend. The white rooks are very active and the bishop is traditionally stronger than the knight in the open position.} 26...Rf8 {Obvious but not good enough.} ( {More resilient was:} 26...Rg5 27.Rf7 d5 ) ( {But even better was the extremely difficult idea of bringing the knight into the game with:} 26...d6 27.Be2 Nd7 $1 {when Black should have survived.} ) 27.Be2 d6 28.Bf3+ {Inertia...} ( 28.Rxd6 $1 {would have won at once.} ) 28...Kb8 29.Re1 Nc8 30.Re6 {This seems pretty bad for Black too. The white pieces are in the command.} 30...Rg5 31.Kc3 Rfg8 32.Rf7 Re5 33.Rh6 ( {Also good for White was:} 33.Rxe5 dxe5 34.c5 $1 {killing the knight.} ) 33...a4 ( {The most resilient:} 33...Ne7 34.Rhh7 Re8 35.Rxf4 {should not have saved Black either.} ) 34.Rhh7 {The rooks occupied the vital seveth rank, and the end is near.} 34...axb3 35.Rxc7 Re3+ 36.Kb2 Rxf3 37.gxf3 bxa2 38.Kxa2 Rg3 39.Rb7+ Ka8 40.Rb3 Rg2+ 41.Ka3 Rc2 42.Rb4 Rc3+ 43.Kb2 Rxf3 44.Rh8 Rf2+ 45.Kc3 1-0

[Event "chess24 Legends of Chess | Final 4"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.08.03"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[Beauty "8249961119765"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Rg1 {It has been a long time since I've seen this line. Actually, the last time I remember a top player using it, Magnus Carlsen tried it as White!} 6...b5 7.g4 {The point behind White's idea. The sooner the pawn runs, the earlier the knight has to leave the active f6-square. The question is, who is faster?} 7...Bb7 8.g5 {Or who is braver?} ( {The above-mentioned game saw:} 8.f3 g6 9.a3 Bg7 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.Qd2 Rc8 12.O-O-O Ne5 13.Be2 Nc4 14.Bxc4 Rxc4 15.Kb1 O-O 16.h4 Nd7 17.h5 {Carlsen,M (2876)-Sjugirov,S (2662) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 8...Nxe4 9.Nxe4 Bxe4 10.a4 $146 {Nepomniachtchi is blitzing his moves, including this novelty!} ( {The predecessor was:} 10.Qg4 Bb7 11.Bg2 Qc7 12.Be3 g6 13.O-O-O Bg7 14.f4 O-O 15.h4 Nd7 16.Bxb7 Qxb7 17.f5 Ne5 18.Qh3 Qe4 {with a mess, Petrosian,T (2568)-Smirnov,P (2645) Moscow 2005} ) 10...e5 ( {After the natural:} 10...bxa4 {White can activate his rooks a la Tal:} 11.Rxa4 Bb7 ( {Cutting the bishop away from the queenside with:} 11...d5 12.Bb5+ Nd7 13.Bc6 Rc8 14.Rxa6 {is quite risky for Black as well.} ) 12.Rb4 Qc7 13.Rg3 {Intending Rg3-c3. This looks so much like the first game of the first WCC match between Tal and Botvinnik.} ) 11.axb5 $1 {Again blitzed out. And after lengthy thought (a bit more than five minutes in a rapid game is a lot!), the world champion decided not to accept the "gift."} 11...Be7 $1 ( {Even with proper preparation, Black can hardly enter:} 11...exd4 12.Qxd4 d5 13.Rg3 $5 ( {Also good seems the simple capture:} 13.bxa6 ) 13...Nd7 14.Re3 {The black king is exposed and while Black defends it:} 14...Be7 15.Qxg7 Rf8 {He gets under attack practically for free after:} 16.f3 ( {Or:} 16.bxa6 ) ) 12.Rg4 $1 {This strong maneuver again! The rook is eyeing both flanks.} 12...axb5 ( {The kingside retreat:} 12...Bg6 13.Qf3 d5 14.Nf5 Bxf5 15.Qxf5 O-O {abandons the queenside, and White wins the battle there with:} 16.Rga4 ) 13.Bxb5+ Nd7 ( {Maybe objectively better is the awkward-looking:} 13...Kf8 $5 14.Rxa8 Bxa8 15.Nb3 Nd7 16.Be3 {Although White is definitely calling the shots here as well. Above all, Black misses his kingside rook.} ) 14.Bd2 {The best reply again by Nepomniachtchi. The Russian player keeps the pressure on and passes the ball back to Carlsen.} ( {Black does not fear:} 14.Rxa8 Qxa8 15.Qe2 Bb7 16.Bxd7+ Kxd7 17.Qb5+ Bc6 ) 14...Bb7 {After another heavy thought, the bishop goes back home.} ( {Of course not:} 14...exd4 15.Rxe4 ) ( {Neither:} 14...Rxa1 15.Qxa1 Bd5 16.Nc6 {with clear edge for White in both cases.} ) 15.Nf5 {Closer and closer...} 15...O-O {Finally Carlsen castles, but that is not the end of his problems.} ( {Computer recommends:} 15...g6 16.Rxa8 Bxa8 17.Nxe7 Kxe7 18.Ra4 {But this can hardly be recommended. Black's king is permanently weak.} ) 16.Rxa8 {The first moment in which Nepomniachtchi did not find the best continuation.} ( {The amazing resource:} 16.Rga4 $3 Rxa4 17.Rxa4 {practically leads to Black's zugzwang. The simple threat Ra4-a7 cannot be stopped. For instance:} 17...Nc5 ( {If:} 17...Re8 18.Ra7 Qc7 {is best refuted with the nice:} 19.Qf3 $1 ) 18.Ba5 $1 {and Black drops material.} ) 16...Bxa8 17.Rh4 $1 {This is why the problems are not over. The king is in danger on the kingside as well. What an amazing rook this one is!} 17...g6 $1 {The only move.} ( {Everything else loses. Like:} 17...Bxg5 18.Bxg5 Qxg5 19.Bxd7 ) ( {Or:} 17...h6 18.Qh5 {with decisive threats.} ) 18.Qg4 $1 {Almost all of the white pieces join forces.} 18...Nc5 {One more only move.} ( {Mate is unstoppable after:} 18...gxf5 19.Qxf5 ) ( {And Black loses on the spot too after:} 18...Re8 19.Nh6+ ) 19.Qh3 {The culmination of the game. Lacking time, Carlsen blunders:} 19...h5 ( {As desperate as Black's position seems, there is a way out:} 19...Bxg5 $1 20.Rxh7 Bxd2+ 21.Kxd2 Qg5+ {Now:} 22.Kc3 {is best.} ( {As the other retreats, even loses for the first player:} 22.Ke2 $2 Qxf5 23.Rh8+ Kg7 24.Qh7+ Kf6 25.Rxf8 Qxc2+ {and Black gets his hands on the white king first.} ) ( {Similar to that:} 22.Kd1 $2 {is insufficient, and it is the white king that is suffering first after:} 22...gxf5 23.Rh8+ Kg7 24.Qh7+ Kf6 25.Rxf8 Bf3+ 26.Be2 Qg1+ {and mate.} ) 22...Ne4+ ( {It is too early for:} 22...gxf5 $2 23.Rh8+ Kg7 24.Qh7+ Kf6 25.Rxf8 ) 23.Kb4 {Now both:} 23...Qd2+ ( {And:} 23...gxf5 24.Rh8+ Kg7 25.Qh7+ Kf6 26.Rxf8 Qd2+ {is perpetual check too.} ) 24.Ka3 Qa5+ 25.Ba4 Qc5+ 26.Ka2 Qc4+ 27.Ka3 Qc5+ {lead to a draw by force.} ) 20.Rxh5 $3 {This is it! Black is getting checkmated.} 20...gxh5 21.Qxh5 Ne6 ( {Perhaps the world champion missed:} 21...Bf6 22.Qh6 $1 ) ( 21...Ne6 {Carlsen resigned before his kingside was decimated:} 22.g6 fxg6 23.Qxg6+ Kh8 24.Qh6+ Kg8 25.Qxe6+ ) 1-0

[Event "2020 FIDE Online Olympiad"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2020.08.24"]
[Round "9.5"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Liu, Yan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "1781"]
[BlackElo "2427"]
[ECO "C43"]
[EventDate "2020.08.07"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[Beauty "6048521912327"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.dxe5 d5 5.Nbd2 {A line that had a burst of popularity some 10 years ago, mainly thanks to the efforts of the prominent Azerbaijani GM Vugar Gashimov.} 5...Nxd2 ( {The line is still very fresh and lots of ideas are in the making. In 2018 Caruana uncorked the novelty} 5...Qd7 $5 {against Vitiugov, which still serves Black well:} 6.Nb3 Be7 7.Bd3 c5 8.c4 dxc4 9.Bxe4 Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 cxb3 11.axb3 Nc6 12.Bxc6+ bxc6 13.Be3 Be6 14.Ke2 {1/2-1/2 (14) Ganguly,S (2621)-Wei,Y (2728) Makati 2018} ) 6.Bxd2 Be7 7.Bd3 Bg4 ( {Another way to play is} 7...c5 8.c3 Nc6 9.O-O Bg4 10.Re1 Qd7 11.h3 Bh5 12.Bf4 Qe6 13.Be2 O-O 14.Qd2 Bg6 {So,W (2760)-Yu,Y (2738) Jerusalem 2019} ) 8.h3 Bh5 9.O-O Nd7 $146 ( 9...O-O 10.Re1 Nd7 11.c3 Nc5 12.Bc2 Ne6 13.Bf5 c6 14.g4 Bg6 15.Qc2 Bg5 16.Rad1 Bxd2 17.Qxd2 Qe7 18.Kh2 {Kotsur,P (2589)-Zulfugarli,M (2510) Istanbul 2000} ) 10.g4 Bg6 11.Bf5 {White's key idea. Praggnanandhaa fixes his advantage on the kingside and is patiently waiting for his opponent to castle there.} 11...c6 12.Bf4 Bxf5 {Liu decided to castle long as soon as possible.} ( {He could have also maneuvered his pieces with:} 12...Nc5 {when after} 13.Nd4 Bg5 14.Bxg5 Qxg5 15.f4 Qd8 16.Qe2 {White does not fear} 16...Qb6 17.c3 Bxf5 18.Nxf5 {as the discovered attacks are not promising Black anything.} ) 13.gxf5 Qb6 14.Qe2 O-O-O ( {Pawns like the one on b2 are called "poisoned" for a reason:} 14...Qxb2 $2 15.Rab1 Qc3 16.e6 fxe6 17.Rxb7 {leads to a decisive attack against the black king.} ) 15.c4 dxc4 16.Qxc4 {Too slow. The arising endgame is slightly better for White.} ( {But he could have done much better playing for the attack with} 16.e6 fxe6 17.Rad1 Rhf8 18.Qxe6 {with the idea to bring the knight closer with} 18...Bf6 19.Nd2 {and then all the way up to d6.} ) 16...Qb4 $1 {Black does not miss his chance.} ( {Not} 16...Rhf8 17.a3 $1 ) 17.Qxb4 Bxb4 18.Bg3 {intending to meet f7-f6 with Bg3-h4, but that also seems a bit sloppy.} ( {Centralizing the knight with tempo makes more sense:} 18.Ng5 Rdf8 19.Ne4 ) 18...Be7 19.Rfe1 Nc5 {Now Black unwinds and the white pawns, mighty in the middlegame, become weaknesses in the endgame.} 20.Re2 Rd5 $1 21.Rc1 f6 ( {After} 21...Rhd8 {White would avoid the swap of the rooks with} 22.Rc4 f6 23.Bh4 ) 22.Bh4 Bd8 {Liu is outplaying his opponent, the pawn center is about to collapse and the remnants will disappear.} ( 22...Rf8 $5 ) 23.Rc4 $1 {Praggnanandhaa understands that the only way to compensate for the static weaknesses is connected with dynamic play.} 23...fxe5 ( {Also good for Black is} 23...Rf8 24.e6 ( {Or} 24.Bg3 fxe5 25.Nxe5 Rxf5 ) 24...Bc7 25.b4 Nd3 {with clear edge for the second player.} ) 24.Rg4 ( {Objectively better might be} 24.Rxe5 Rxe5 ( {But there is an even better continuation:} 24...Rd1+ 25.Kg2 Nd7 {with advantage for Black.} ) 25.Nxe5 Bxh4 26.Rxh4 Rf8 27.Nc4 h6 {and it is only Black who can play for the win.} ) 24...Bf6 {Liu has achieved excellent position but in the next few moves misses a strong idea to increase his advantage.} ( {Strong is} 24...e4 $1 25.Ng5 h5 $1 {This is a resource which Black apparently missed in his calculations. The point is to permanently pin the white bishop. After} 26.Rg3 Rf8 {Black's advantage is huge.} ) 25.Ng5 h6 ( {It is not too late for} 25...h5 $1 26.Rc4 b5 $1 {kicking the white rook away from the fourth rank, with an edge after} 27.Rcc2 Kb7 ) 26.Nf7 Rf8 ( {With little time on the clock Black probably did not even consider} 26...Rh7 $3 {but that would have promised him even more than the game continuation:} 27.Bxf6 gxf6 28.Rg8+ Kc7 {Now, in order to save his knight, White needs to choose the awkward square} 29.Nh8 {but then} 29...e4 30.b4 Nd3 31.Rxe4 Rxf5 {is close to winning for Black.} ) 27.Bxf6 gxf6 28.Nxh6 {Praggnanandhaa is almost dry out of the water.} 28...Rd7 ( {Missing the strong intermediate check} 28...Rd1+ $1 29.Kh2 Nd3 30.Rg7 Nf4 {when Black is again in control.} ) 29.Rg6 Nd3 ( {Again} 29...Rd1+ 30.Kh2 Nd3 {is called for.} ) 30.Rd2 $1 {Now White manages to trade the important enemy rook, and that means that tables have turned into his favor thanks to the outside passer.} 30...Nf4 ( {The better continuation} 30...Rd4 $1 31.Ng4 Nf4 32.Rxf6 Rfd8 {is hard to find.} ) 31.Rxd7 Kxd7 32.Rg7+ Kc8 33.Kh2 {Every tempo counts!} ( {The immediate} 33.h4 $1 {is stronger when the game continuation} 33...Rh8 $2 {would not work due to} 34.Rg8+ Rxg8+ 35.Nxg8 Nd5 36.h5 {and the pawn is promoted.} ) 33...Nh5 ( {Now Black has} 33...Rh8 $1 34.Rg8+ Rxg8 35.Nxg8 Nd5 36.h4 Kd7 {and the king is in time.} ) 34.Rh7 Nf4 35.h4 {Here and on the next move, it makes sense to activate the knight.} ( 35.Nf7 $1 ) 35...Rd8 36.Rf7 ( {Here too} 36.Ng4 $1 Rd3 37.Ne3 {would secure White's edge.} ) 36...Nh5 ( {Missing a study-like draw:} 36...Rh8 $1 37.Rxf6 Kd7 38.Kg1 Ke7 {when White needs to repeat moves as his pieces are stuck:} 39.Rf7+ Ke8 40.Rf6 Ke7 $10 ) 37.Ng4 ( {Computer does not fear to stand in front of a check with} 37.Kh3 $5 Nf4+ 38.Kg4 Rd4 39.h5 ) 37...Rd4 38.Nxf6 Rxh4+ {Ufff! This monster is gone!} 39.Kg2 Nxf6 40.Rxf6 Rf4 {It is equal now, but precision is still required by Black.} 41.Rf7 a5 $1 {The correct idea. Black needs his queenside pawns advanced to the max.} 42.Kg3 Kb8 43.f6 a4 44.Rf8+ Ka7 ( {More accurate is to use the other side} 44...Kc7 45.Rf7+ Kb6 46.Re7 Rxf6 47.Rxe5 {and Black is up a tempo in comparison to the game.} ) 45.Re8 Rxf6 46.Rxe5 Kb6 ( {Here the frontal defense} 46...Rg6+ $1 47.Kh4 Rf6 {would be simpler.} ) 47.f4 {It is getting more and more dangerous for Liu...} 47...Rd6 48.Re2 Rd1 ( {A draw would be achieved with} 48...a3 $1 {Black either gets a reserved passer on the a3-square or opens the road for his c-pawn. White can try two things:} 49.b3 {looks more complex, when after} ( {The capture} 49.bxa3 {can be met with either} 49...Rd3+ ( {or} 49...c5 50.f5 c4 51.Kf4 c3 52.Rc2 Rc6 53.Kg5 Kb5 {with a draw in both cases.} ) ) 49...Rd1 50.f5 {Black needs to postpone the Rd1-b1-b2 maneuver for a moment and should first send the enemy king away from his rook with} 50...Rf1 ( {Not yet} 50...Rb1 51.f6 Rb2 52.Kf2 $1 {and White wins.} ) 51.Kg4 Rg1+ 52.Kf4 Rf1+ 53.Ke5 {Only now the idea behind the a-pawn advance is revealed:} 53...Rb1 54.f6 Rb2 55.Re1 Rxa2 56.Rf1 Re2+ 57.Kf5 Re8 58.f7 Rf8 59.Kf6 Kb5 {when soon everything will disappear from the board.} ) 49.f5 Rg1+ ( {It is not too late for} 49...Rf1 50.Kg4 a3 ) 50.Kf4 Rf1+ 51.Kg5 Kc5 {The king cannot attack the white pawns; therefore, this plan is doomed to fail.} ( {Now} 51...a3 52.bxa3 c5 53.Rc2 {is no longer as certain of a draw, but it is Black's last chance.} ) 52.f6 Kd4 53.Kg6 Kd3 54.Rg2 b5 55.f7 b4 56.Rg5 {Building a bridge. Lui is forced to sacrifice his rook a bit too early, and Praggnanandhaa is in time after} 56...Rxf7 57.Kxf7 Kc2 58.Rg2+ Kb1 59.a3 bxa3 60.bxa3 c5 61.Ke6 c4 62.Kd5 c3 63.Kc4 c2 64.Rg1+ c1=Q+ 65.Rxc1+ Kxc1 66.Kb4 {1-0 Black resigns.} 1-0

[Event "E Online Olympiad"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2020.08.27"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Banikas, Hristos"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2600"]
[ECO "A48"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7079179848202"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.Nb5 {An idea from the reversed Chigorin defense. White forces the opponent's knight towards the rim and hopes it will never find its way back.} 5...Na6 6.e3 Nh5 {In return, Black takes care of the enemy bishop pair.} ( {Both players no doubt knew the game of Aronian's countryman:} 6...Ne4 7.Bd3 c6 8.Nc3 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Qa5 10.Qd2 c5 11.O-O O-O 12.Rfb1 c4 13.Be2 Qa4 {Martirosyan,H (2617)-Jones,G (2670) chess. com INT 2020} ) 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 c6 9.Na3 {It seems strange that the white knight also sidesteps the central squares, but White needs to play c2-c4 if he wants to fight for the center.} 9...Bg4 $146 ( {An earlier game saw} 9...g5 10.Nd2 Qb6 ( 10...Nf4 $5 ) 11.Bxa6 bxa6 12.Nb3 Nf6 13.Bg3 Ne4 14.O-O a5 {with an unbalanced position in Ochkoos,J (2230)-Southam,T (2315) Toronto 1995} ) 10.Be2 Nc7 11.c4 {Aronian achieved what he wanted, but the pressure that he exerts in the center is not yet worrisome for Banikas.} 11...O-O 12.Qb3 Rb8 13.Rc1 {Now the Greek GM decided that it is time to force matters.} 13...g5 14.Bg3 Nxg3 15.hxg3 Bxf3 ( {Although there is nothing wrong with} 15...e6 {when Black can even preserve the light-squared bishop later with Bg4-f5.} ) 16.gxf3 c5 {The point. This Grunfeld-like strike opens the diagonal for the bishop and almost exhausts the position.} 17.cxd5 {In a short, after-match interview Aronian revealed that he wanted to play solid without any risks.} ( {Thus, the move in the game. In the line} 17.dxc5 d4 18.Nb5 Ne6 19.Qa3 {Black has two ways to play further:} 19...a6 ( {The other idea is to regain the pawn at once with} 19...dxe3 20.fxe3 a6 21.Nc3 Qc7 22.Kf2 Qxc5 {with approximate equality.} ) 20.Nxd4 Nxd4 21.exd4 Qxd4 22.b4 {Here} 22...a5 {leads to complications, which seem fine for Black.} ) 17...cxd4 18.e4 e6 19.Nb5 $1 {The knight on c7 is about to reach the center; therefore, he needs to go away.} ( {After} 19.dxe6 Nxe6 {only Black can be better.} ) 19...Nxb5 20.Bxb5 exd5 21.exd5 Qb6 {Correctly preparing the queen swap. It should be equal, but some accuracy is still required by both the players.} ( {Checks are only pushing the white king towards where he wants to go:} 21...Qe7+ 22.Kf1 ) 22.O-O Rfd8 {However, it seems Black got overexcited about the central pawn.} ( {Instead, Banikas could have completed his idea with} 22...a6 23.Bc4 Qxb3 24.Bxb3 Rbc8 {initiating further trades and this should eventualy lead to a draw.} ) 23.Kg2 Qd6 ( {It is not too late for} 23...a6 24.Bc4 Qxb3 25.Bxb3 {Then} 25...d3 26.Rcd1 Bxb2 27.Rxd3 Ba3 {followed by Ba3-d6 is very, very equal.} ) 24.Rfe1 Bf6 {It's likely that only here Black spotted the cheapo.} ( {The pawn is poisoned:} 24...Qxd5 $4 25.Re8+ ) 25.Qd3 Kg7 ( {Here too} 25...Qxd5 {is playing with fire and after} 26.Rc7 $1 {White's threats are nasty. Still, Black might be able to hold after} ( {Rather than} 26.Bc4 Qd7 27.Qg6+ Bg7 {and Black defends.} ) 26...Rbc8 27.Bc4 Rxc7 28.Bxd5 Rxd5 {as various fortresses are still in the cards, but there is no certainty about that.} ) 26.Bc4 Rbc8 27.Rcd1 {Keeping the major pieces alive. White now plans to build a battery along the a2-h7 diagonal.} ( {Otherwise Black would not allow it:} 27.Qf5 Qd7 28.Qe4 Re8 ) 27...Qb4 {Active play by the Greek GM.} ( {Passive defense is also fine:} 27...Qd7 28.Bb3 Rh8 {albeit unpleasant for Black.} ) 28.Bb3 a5 29.a3 Qb6 30.Re2 {Once again, solid play.} ( {However, the more aggressive} 30.Bc2 {would yield White more:} 30...Rh8 31.Qf5 {as} 31...Qxb2 {is not good due to} 32.Bd3 {Rd1-b1 is a strong threat and} 32...Qb6 {does not help due to} 33.Re6 $1 Qd8 34.Rb1 fxe6 35.Rxb7+ Rc7 36.Rxc7+ Qxc7 37.Qg6+ Kf8 38.Qxf6+ Kg8 39.dxe6 {when White is winning.} ) 30...Qa6 $1 {Back to the correct idea of swapping the queens.} 31.Qd2 ( {Black is just fine in the line} 31.Qxa6 bxa6 32.Rd3 a4 33.Bxa4 ( {Or} 33.Ba2 Rc1 ) 33...Rxd5 ) 31...Qb5 32.Ba2 a4 ( {Or} 32...Rd6 33.f4 a4 ) 33.Re4 Qc5 34.f4 Qc2 {Falling into a trap!} ( {Better is} 34...Rd6 $1 35.Qe2 Rb6 {creating counterplay on his own, for instance} 36.Re1 d3 37.Qxd3 Rxb2 {when anything is possible.} ) 35.Rxd4 $1 Qxd2 $1 {The only move.} ( {Banikas is correctly avoiding} 35...Bxd4 36.Qxd4+ f6 37.fxg5 hxg5 38.Bb1 Qe2 39.Bf5 Rc4 40.Qb6 Qxd1 $2 41.Qxd8 {with a mating attack for White.} ) 36.R4xd2 gxf4 37.gxf4 Rd6 38.Re1 Rb6 {A very bad mistake.} ( {Black would still likely hold after} 38...Rc5 39.Kf3 b5 ( {Or} 39...h5 {followed by h5-h4.} ) ) 39.d6 Rd8 ( {None of the captures works:} 39...Rxb2 40.Rxb2 Bxb2 41.d7 Rd8 42.Re7 ) ( {Nor would} 39...Bxb2 40.Re7 Rf8 41.d7 {be defendable for Black.} ) 40.d7 Rxb2 {Now Black is completely lost.} ( {The last chance is} 40...Kf8 41.Ree2 Be7 42.Bb1 Bxa3 $1 ( {Not} 42...Rd6 43.Bf5 ) 43.Bf5 Be7 {and Black may still hold this.} ) 41.Rxb2 Bxb2 42.Re7 Bxa3 ( {If} 42...Rf8 43.Rxf7+ {is over.} ) 43.Rxf7+ Kg6 ( {Or} 43...Kh8 44.Kg3 {and the white king marches to h6 or g6.} ) 44.Kg3 {The black king is in a mating net and coupled with the strong passer this means a win for the first player.} 44...h5 ( {Or} 44...Bc1 45.Kh4 $1 ) 45.f5+ Kh6 ( 45...Kg5 46.f4+ Kh6 47.Bb1 {is even a faster win for White.} ) 46.f4 Bc5 47.Bb1 Rg8+ 48.Kh3 Bb6 ( {Since otherwise it will end with mate:} 48...a3 49.f6 Rh8 50.d8=Q Rxd8 51.Rh7# ) 49.Rf6+ {1-0 Black resigns.} 1-0

[Event "E Online Olympiad"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2020.08.28"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Korobov, Anton"]
[Black "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2688"]
[BlackElo "2691"]
[ECO "D45"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "5227914757156"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 c6 4.c4 e6 5.Nc3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.O-O b5 {Shankland was very successful with this concrete, double-edged line against Ding Liren last year. But his choice is peculiar as one other top player who enjoys playing this as Black is... Korobov!} 10.Be2 ( {Here is an example of Shankland holding against a top player:} 10.Bd3 Bb7 11.e4 e5 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.h3 Re8 15.Be3 Qc7 16.Rac1 a6 17.Ne2 c5 18.Qxc5 Qxc5 19.Rxc5 Rad8 20.Bb1 Bxe4 21.Bxe4 Nxe4 {with a draw later, Ding,L (2811)-Shankland,S (2705) chess.com INT 2019} ) 10...Bb7 11.e4 ( {Korobov successfully defended the black color in the following game:} 11.Rd1 Qc7 12.h3 Rfe8 13.Nd2 a6 14.Nce4 c5 15.Nxd6 Qxd6 16.dxc5 Qxc5 17.Qxc5 Nxc5 {Aronian,L (2772)-Korobov,A (2670) Bucharest 2019} ) 11...e5 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nh4 {White needs the opponent's knight in the center to gain tempos for his central pawns to advance.} 13...g6 14.f4 ( {More logical seems to pin the knight with} 14.Bg5 {However, this is effectively met with} 14...h6 {with the idea to take over the initiative after} 15.Bxh6 Nfg4 16.Bxf8 ( {A better choice for White is} 16.Nxg6 Nxh6 17.Nxf8 Qxf8 18.Nd1 Ng6 19.g3 Bc5 {Beydullayeva,G (2282)-Gasimov,P (2323) Baku 2019} ) 16...Qxh4 17.h3 Rxf8 ) 14...Neg4 {But Black also enjoys owing the knight. The position is extremely sharp. If Black does not demonstrate enough activity with his pieces, he will get blown away by the white central pawn pair.} 15.g3 {Cementing the position.} ( {The consistent} 15.e5 {was played twice against against Alexey Shirov. The first game saw} 15...Bc5+ 16.Kh1 Nf2+ 17.Rxf2 Bxf2 18.Nf3 Nd5 19.f5 Nxc3 20.bxc3 c5 21.Bg5 Qb6 {and eventually Black won in Parligras,M (2629)-Shirov, A (2664) Batumi 2019} ) ( {The more recent one saw} 15.e5 Qb6+ 16.Kh1 Nf2+ 17.Rxf2 Qxf2 18.Nf3 Rfe8 19.Bd2 b4 20.Ne4 Nxe4 21.Qxe4 Qb6 {with a mess as well, Sarana,A (2652)-Shirov,A (2664) Moscow 2020} ) 15...Bc5+ 16.Kh1 ( {Weaker is} 16.Kg2 Ne3+ 17.Bxe3 Bxe3 18.Rad1 Qe7 {and Black is OK.} ) 16...b4 ( {Also interesting is to open the long diagonal at once with} 16...Bd4 17.e5 c5+ 18.Bf3 Bxf3+ {when} 19.Rxf3 $1 {is White's only choice with unclear play after} ( {Rather than} 19.Nxf3 Nd5 20.Nxb5 Nge3 ) 19...Nd5 ) 17.Nd1 Bd4 18.Bf3 ( 18.h3 {with the idea} 18...Nh5 19.Kg2 Ngf6 20.Bf3 {deserves attention too.} ) 18...c5 $146 {The most logical move turns out to be a novelty.} ( {An email saw:} 18...Re8 19.e5 Qb6 20.h3 Ba6 21.Be2 Nxe5 22.fxe5 Rxe5 23.Bxa6 Qxa6 24.Ne3 c5 {which eventually ended in a draw, Simal Moreira,L (2379)-Magallanes,F (2469) ICCF email 2017} ) 19.e5 ( {Perhaps} 19.h3 Nh5 20.Kg2 {is more to the point.} ) 19...Nd5 20.Qg2 {Korobov wants to push back the black pieces in the most comfortable way, but this turns out to be too slow.} ( {This is the right time to chase the annoying knight away:} 20.h3 Nh6 ( {The important detail is that} 20...h5 {can be met with} 21.Nxg6 $1 ) 21.Kh2 {Then after} 21...Qb6 {Black should be doing fine.} ( {Black needs, though, to avoid} 21...f6 22.Nxg6 ) ( {and} 21...f5 22.Ne3 $1 Bxe3 23.Bxe3 Nxe3 24.Qb3+ {with an edge for the first player.} ) ) 20...Qd7 21.h3 h5 $3 {Perfect play! Shankland wants the long diagonal for his bishop, and he needs it now.} ( {A move like} 21...Nge3 {is OK as well} 22.Nxe3 Bxe3 23.Re1 Bd4 {and Black is good.} ) ( {Even the retreat} 21...Nh6 {with the idea to meet the restricting:} 22.g4 {with} 22...f5 $1 {would be good for Black.} ) 22.hxg4 hxg4 23.Be4 f5 24.exf6 Rae8 $1 {The point behind the sacrifice. The powerful threat Rxe4 cannot be stopped without losses.} 25.Kh2 $1 {The only chance. Korobov clears the diagonal.} ( {The multiple pins} 25.Re1 Nxf6 {crack White's defenses.} ) ( {Whereas a line like} 25.Nxg6 Rxf6 26.Nh4 Rxe4 {demonstrates Shankland's idea best.} ) 25...Rxf6 ( {Amazingly, there is nothing decisive for Black after} 25...Rxe4 26.Qxe4 Rxf6 27.Nf2 ) 26.Nf2 {Once again, the only chance.} ( {Black is winning after} 26.Bxg6 Rxg6 27.Nxg6 Nxf4 28.Nxf4 Bxg2 29.Kxg2 Qc6+ ) 26...g5 $1 {A beautiful way to get to the white defenders.} 27.fxg5 Rxf2 28.Rxf2 Bxf2 29.Qxf2 Rxe4 30.Bd2 {Black has regained his material and has a moment to use his temporary advantage in piece activity.} 30...Qe6 {An obvious move, and a pity.} ( {Had Shankland played this game in a classical time format, he would no doubt have found the spectacular finish} 30...Nf4 $3 {The rook wants to be on e2 just like in the game, but now every single black piece is optimal. There is no escape for White:} 31.Bxf4 {This loses to} ( {Black's winning line against the other capture is no less spectacular:} 31.gxf4 Qd3 32.Re1 Qh3+ 33.Kg1 {And now} 33...Re2 $3 {!! With forcing mate:} 34.Qxe2 Qh1+ 35.Kf2 Qxh4+ 36.Kf1 ( 36.Ke3 Qg3+ ) 36...Qh1+ 37.Kf2 Qg2+ 38.Ke3 Qg3+ 39.Qf3 Qxf3# ) 31...Qe8 $1 {as there is no way to seal the e-file, and} 32.Kg1 Re2 33.Qxc5 ( {Or} 33.Qf1 Qe4 ) 33...Re1+ 34.Kh2 Qe2+ {leads to mate.} ) 31.Re1 {Phew! Without the major pieces White holds.} 31...Rxe1 32.Qxe1 Qxe1 33.Bxe1 c4 34.Nf5 c3 35.bxc3 bxc3 36.Nh6+ Kh7 37.Nxg4 Kg6 ( {If:} 37...c2 38.Bd2 Nb4 39.Ne3 ) 38.Nf2 Ba6 ( {Not} 38...Kxg5 39.Ne4+ ) 39.Nh3 {White keeps the pawn for the time being.} ( {Although} 39.Ne4 c2 40.Bd2 Kf5 41.Nd6+ Ke5 42.Nf7+ Kd4 43.g6 {might have been equal too.} ) 39...c2 40.Bd2 Nb4 41.Nf4+ Kf5 42.g4+ $1 {The g-passers will cost Black the bishop and half-a-point.} 42...Ke4 ( 42...Kxg4 {is similar after} 43.g6 Kf3 44.g7 Bc4 45.a4 Na2 46.Ng6 {At some point the bishops will disappear:} 46...Be6 47.Ne7 Ke2 48.Bh6 c1=Q 49.Bxc1 Nxc1 50.g8=Q Bxg8 51.Nxg8 ) 43.a3 Na2 44.g6 Bc4 45.g7 c1=Q 46.Bxc1 Nxc1 47.Ng6 Nd3 48.Kg3 ( {Or a draw after:} 48.Ne7 Kf4 49.g8=Q Bxg8 50.Nxg8 Kxg4 51.Ne7 ) 48...Ne5 49.Ne7 a5 50.g8=Q Bxg8 51.Nxg8 Nc4 52.a4 Nb6 53.Ne7 Nxa4 54.Nc6 Nc5 55.Nxa5 Nd7 56.g5 Kf5 57.g6 Kxg6 {1/2-1/2 The game is a draw.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Online Olympiad"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2020.08.29"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Black "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2682"]
[ECO "E32"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7079356025894"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O 5.e4 d5 6.e5 Ne4 7.Bd3 c5 8.Nf3 {An extremely sharp Nimzo-Indian line, the favorable choice of Mamedyarov.} 8...cxd4 9.Nxd4 Nd7 10.Bf4 Qh4 11.g3 Qh5 12.h4 {Vallejo's choice. The Spanish GM won a couple of games with this pawn sacrifice.} ( {The other direction of play is connected with the opposite-colored endgame that arises after} 12.O-O g5 13.cxd5 Bxc3 14.bxc3 exd5 15.Be3 Nxe5 16.f3 Nxd3 17.Qxd3 Nd6 18.g4 ( 18.Rf2 Qg6 19.Qxg6+ fxg6 20.Bxg5 Nc4 21.Nb5 {Mamedyarov,S (2772)-Gelfand, B (2684) Moscow 2019} ) 18...Qg6 19.Qxg6+ hxg6 20.Bxg5 f6 {Vachier-Lagrave,M (2778)-So,W (2770) Lichess.org INT 2020} ) 12...Nxe5 13.Be2 Ng4 14.Bxg4 Qxg4 {All of this is very forcing, and both players definitely knew what they were doing.} 15.f3 Qh5 16.g4 Qg6 17.fxe4 e5 ( {So did not get enough for the piece after} 17...Qf6 18.Ne2 e5 19.Bg5 Qf3 20.O-O-O d4 21.Rdf1 Qg2 22.Nd5 d3 23.Qxd3 Bxg4 24.Ng3 {in Vallejo Pons,F (2707)-So,W (2780) Leon 2018} ) 18.O-O-O {White returns the piece at once.} ( {Vallejo also won a game after} 18.Bxe5 Re8 19.O-O-O Bxc3 20.exd5 Rxe5 21.Qxc3 Bxg4 22.Rde1 Rae8 23.b3 h5 24.Rxe5 Rxe5 25.Re1 {although Black was doing fine at this stage of the game, Vallejo Pons,F (2698)-Sebenik,M (2540) chess.com INT 2019} ) 18...Bxc3 19.Nf5 Bxf5 20.gxf5 Qa6 21.Qxc3 d4 22.Qb3 $146 {A novelty at move 22!} ( {Black is super-solid after} 22.Qf3 Qxc4+ 23.Kb1 exf4 24.Qxf4 f6 ) ( {A correspondence game ended peacefully after} 22.Qd3 exf4 23.Kb1 Rad8 24.h5 Rfe8 25.Rh4 h6 26.Rxf4 f6 27.Rg4 Qc6 28.b3 Rd7 29.Rdg1 Qd6 {1/2-1/2 (29) Starodubtsev,V (2337)-Tocklin,T (2316) ICCF email 2018} ) 22...exf4 23.Rxd4 Rad8 $1 {An important move! With the swap of a rook pair, Esipenko weakens the white kingside.} 24.Qd3 $1 {Xiong parts with an important pawn in exchange for control over the vital open file.} ( {The kingside weakening is obvious after} 24.Rhd1 Rxd4 25.Rxd4 Qf6 ) ( {White cannot control the file easily. The line} 24.Rd5 Rxd5 25.exd5 ( {And not} 25.cxd5 $2 Rc8+ 26.Kb1 Qe2 ) 25...Rc8 {Revealing another problem: the c4-pawn is in danger.} ) 24...Rxd4 25.Qxd4 Rc8 $1 {In order to weaken the second rank.} ( {The straightforward capture} 25...Qxa2 {can be met with} 26.Rg1 {Black can defend against the checkmate with either} 26...g6 {Then a hypothetical line like} ( {Or} 26...f6 {when White may force a draw if he likes with} 27.e5 fxe5 28.Rxg7+ Kxg7 29.Qxe5+ Rf6 30.Qe7+ Rf7 31.Qg5+ Kf8 32.Qd8+ {and perpetual.} ) 27.h5 Rc8 28.c5 Qa1+ 29.Kc2 Qa5 30.b4 Rd8 31.bxa5 Rxd4 32.fxg6 hxg6 33.hxg6 Rxe4 34.gxf7+ Kxf7 35.Rb1 {leads to total annihilation of the pawns and a draw.} ) 26.b3 Qxa2 $1 {Best again.} ( {The other forcing continuation} 26...b5 {gives time for White to attack with} 27.Rg1 g6 28.fxg6 hxg6 29.h5 {and may lead to fascinating lines:} 29...bxc4 30.h6 cxb3+ 31.Kd1 Kf8 32.h7 Ke7 33.h8=Q Rxh8 34.Qxh8 Qd3+ 35.Ke1 {Black can force perpetual immediately with} 35...Qe3+ ( {Or play on for a while:} 35...bxa2 36.Qe5+ Kd7 37.Kf2 {Although a draw will remain the fair result:} 37...Qd2+ 38.Kf3 Qe3+ 39.Kg2 Qg3+ ) ) 27.Rd1 $5 {Xiong also plays for a win. Despite the limited material on the board, the energy in the remaining major pieces and the insecure position of the kings leave both sides a huge amount of tactical possibilities.} ( {He could have forced a draw with} 27.Rg1 g6 28.fxg6 hxg6 29.Rxg6+ fxg6 30.Qd5+ Kg7 31.Qe5+ Kf7 32.Qd5+ Ke7 33.Qe5+ Kd7 34.Qd5+ Kc7 35.Qe5+ Kb6 36.Qb5+ {as the black king can never hide from the checks.} ) 27...g6 28.f6 {Insisting on the back-rank checkmate.} 28...h5 {So far Esipenko has played flawlessly. But here and on the next move he missed an important resource.} ( {The most active way to defend against the back-rank mate is connected with the move} 28...Re8 $3 {The rook is helping the queen from this spot, and it is White who is in trouble. For example:} 29.e5 ( {If} 29.Qd7 Qa1+ 30.Kc2 Qe5 {defends and attacks at the same time for Black.} ) ( {Finally,} 29.Rd3 h6 $1 {is also good for Black:} 30.Rf3 ( 30.h5 g5 $1 ) 30...Qh2 {and it will be over for White if he is forced into passive defense.} ) 29...f3 30.Qe3 b5 $1 {and Black's attacking is running smoothly since he does not fear} 31.Qh6 Qa3+ 32.Kc2 Qf8 ) 29.Rd3 Qg2 {As strange as it sounds, this is a huge mistake.} ( {Missing} 29...Re8 $3 {for the last time. Black is taking over, for instance} 30.Qd7 Rxe4 31.Qd8+ Kh7 32.Qf8 {falls short by a move:} 32...Qa1+ 33.Kc2 Re2+ 34.Rd2 Qa2+ 35.Kc1 Qxd2+ 36.Kb1 Qb2# {We can appreciate the importance of the black rook in the attack in this line.} ) 30.Qd7 Rf8 {Now that the black rook is out of the game, Xiong gets enough time to build more threats.} 31.Qe7 {Threatening to capture the rook.} 31...Qg1+ 32.Kc2 Qb6 {The only way to cover the d8-square.} ( {There's no time for} 32...Qg2+ 33.Rd2 ) 33.Rd6 {White can always force a draw if he wants as the black queen cannot abandon the d8-square.} 33...Qa5 34.Rd5 Qb6 35.Rd6 {Xiong first demonstrates this.} 35...Qa5 36.Rd5 {Then tries another attacking idea.} ( {White could have also inserted the pawn into the action with} 36.e5 f3 37.e6 {but this turns out to be slow and allows perpetual with} 37...Qa2+ 38.Kc3 Qa1+ 39.Kb4 Qe1+ 40.Ka4 Qa1+ 41.Kb5 Qe5+ ) 36...Qb6 37.Rg5 {Now the g6-pawn is a target.} 37...Qf2+ {And Esipenko does not find anything else but to look for perpetual. Alas, the lonely queen is not capable of the task.} ( {The inhuman defense} 37...Rc8 $3 38.Rxg6+ Kh8 {might have kept Black in the game, at least according to the machine:} 39.Rg2 ( {Now} 39.Rg5 Qf2+ 40.Kc3 Qe3+ $10 {is a perpetual.} ) 39...Qd4 40.Kb1 $1 ( {Not} 40.Qxf7 Qxe4+ ) 40...b5 41.Qxf7 Qxe4+ 42.Rc2 Qh7 {This also seems completely lost for Black after} 43.Qe6 {but the computer claims it can make a save with} 43...Rf8 44.c5 Qf7 ) 38.Kb1 Qe1+ 39.Ka2 Qd2+ 40.Ka3 Qc1+ 41.Ka4 {The king found a wonderful path to escape the checks.} 41...Qa1+ 42.Kb4 Qe1+ ( {The checks are over also after} 42...a5+ 43.Kb5 ) 43.Kb5 a6+ 44.Kb6 Qe3+ 45.Kc7 {The checks are over, and Esipenko cannot defend the g6-pawn and his king.} 45...Qc3 46.Rxg6+ Kh7 47.Rg7+ Kh6 48.Qxf8 Qe5+ 49.Qd6 {1-0 Black resigns.} 1-0

[Event "E Online Olympiad"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2020.08.30"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Koneru, Humpy"]
[Black "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2586"]
[BlackElo "2546"]
[ECO "D87"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[Beauty "5706535204391"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 O-O 10.O-O {The Grunfeld was to be expected as the players had an over-the-board discussion at the end of the last year in Monaco.} 10...b6 {The Grunfeld's most common pawn sacrifice.} 11.dxc5 {Now forcing play follows.} ( {Both players definitely knew this game:} 11.Qd2 Bb7 12.Rfd1 Rc8 13.Rac1 e6 14.Bg5 Qd7 15.h4 Na5 16.Bd3 cxd4 17.cxd4 Rxc1 18.Rxc1 Rc8 19.Rxc8+ Qxc8 20.h5 Nc4 {Carlsen once won a similar position against Ivanchuk, but the latter was a few tempos behind and did not defend optimally. Instead, Ding demonstrated the correct way and held his own later:} 21.Qc1 b5 22.h6 Bf8 23.Qf4 a6 {Gelfand,B (2676)-Ding,L (2791) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 11...Qc7 12.Nd4 Ne5 13.Nb5 Qb8 14.Bd5 ( {Their previous encounter saw} 14.Be2 bxc5 15.f4 Ng4 16.Bxc5 a6 17.Na3 Qc7 18.Bd4 e5 19.fxe5 Nxe5 20.Qc1 Bg4 21.Bxg4 Nxg4 22.Qf4 Qxf4 23.Rxf4 Ne5 {Black eventually proved enough compensation for the pawn and held comfortably in Koneru,H (2577)-Lagno,K (2549) Monaco 2019} ) 14...Ng4 15.g3 a6 {And Lagno sacrifices the exchange. Also a common Grunfeld, or rather any fianchettoed opening's idea.} 16.Bxa8 Nxe3 17.fxe3 axb5 18.Bd5 Qc7 19.cxb6 Qxb6 20.Qe2 e6 21.Bb3 Bb7 $146 {A logical move and a novelty. For the exchange and the pawn, Lagno has a bunch of positional pluses: a safer king, two bishops, and a better pawn structure.} ( 21...b4 22.a4 Bxc3 23.Rad1 Bg7 24.Qd3 Be5 25.Bc4 Qa7 26.Bb5 Bb7 {later ended in a draw, Tauber,H (2539) -Sasikiran,K (2558) GER email 2017} ) 22.Bc2 b4 {Moving the pawn out of the danger zone.} ( {Otherwise, White can pressure it with} 22...Bxc3 23.Rab1 Bc6 24.Ba4 ) 23.Rab1 Bxc3 24.a3 {Koneru squeezes the maximum from the pin.} 24...Rd8 {An active move that, however, is based on a tactical oversight.} ( {Stronger is the counterintuitive} 24...Qa6 $1 {It does not seem logical to trade when down in material, but after} 25.Qxa6 ( 25.Bd3 Qxa3 ) 25...Bxa6 {the rook does not have good squares, for example} 26.Rf2 ( {Therefore, White needs to settle for} 26.axb4 Bxf1 27.Kxf1 Rb8 28.b5 Ba5 {and after Ba5-b6, Black should hold this, but White can and certainly will have some fun pushing for free.} ) 26...bxa3 27.Bb3 Bd3 {and Black takes the initiative.} ) 25.axb4 $1 {Koneru is not impressed by the threat as she sees an even stronger one.} 25...Rd2 26.Qf3 {The point.} 26...f5 ( {Surely not} 26...Rxc2 27.Qxf7+ Kh8 28.Qf8# ) 27.Rf2 {It seems as White defended everything, but...} 27...Rxc2 $1 {Lagno has one more trick up her sleeve.} ( {Instead:} 27...Rxf2 28.Kxf2 Bxb4 29.Qd1 {is lost for Black due to the combination of a pin and a weak king.} ) 28.Rxc2 Bxe4 29.Qxe4 $1 {The most practical way, which Koneru chose after almost four precious minutes on her clock. The most important concern is that White does not risk losing with the rooks versus the queen.} ( {There is an alternative, though:} 29.Qe2 Bxc2 {and now not the straightforward} 30.Qxc2 ( {but rather} 30.Rc1 $1 Bxb4 31.Rxc2 {with winning chances due to the situation of the black pawn on the f5-square. Take this pawn back to the f7-square, and it would be just fine for the second player...} ) 30...Qxe3+ 31.Kg2 Qd4 {which Black should hold thanks to her active pieces:} 32.b5 Qd5+ ) 29...fxe4 30.Rxc3 Qb5 $1 {The passer needs to be blocked at once.} ( {The other plan is to break open the white kingside:} 30...h5 {but then after} 31.b5 g5 {the king can escape through the center:} 32.Kf2 h4 33.Ke2 ) 31.Rb2 $1 {Protecting both vital ranks.} ( 31.Rc5 Qd3 {does not lead White anywhere.} ) 31...h5 $1 {Lagno knows what she is doing. She needs the white kingside open for future perpetual checks.} ( {For some reason the machine prefers} 31...g5 32.Rc5 Qd3 33.Rxg5+ Kf7 34.Rf2+ Ke7 35.Rg7+ Kd6 36.Rxh7 {which I honestly do not quite understand.} ) 32.Kg2 h4 33.gxh4 $1 {Getting breathing room for his majesty.} ( {The line} 33.Rc5 Qd3 34.b5 Qxe3 35.b6 h3+ $1 36.Kxh3 Qxc5 37.b7 Qh5+ 38.Kg2 Qf3+ 39.Kg1 Qd1+ {with perpetual check demonstrates best Black's h-advance idea.} ) 33...Qf5 {This is inaccurate!} ( {A draw would have been achieved with the neat} 33...Qh5 $1 34.h3 Qxh4 35.b5 Qg5+ {Then the white king has no other retreat square than} 36.Kh1 ( {Rooks galore after} 36.Kh2 $4 Qe5+ ) 36...Qg3 ) 34.h3 ( {Not the fancy} 34.Kg3 Qf3# ) 34...Qf6 {And an inaccuracy is followed by a mistake.} ( {It is not too late to block the pawn again:} 34...Qb5 $1 {with good chances to hold.} ) 35.Rc8+ {Another excellent practical decision. Where is the king going?} ( {Although from an objective point of view} 35.Rcb3 $1 {might have been a better choice with the idea} 35...Qxh4 36.b5 Qg5+ 37.Kf2 Qh4+ 38.Ke2 Qxh3 39.Rc2 $1 {to make the b2-square available for the white king when White seems to be winning.} ) 35...Kh7 {And a poor choice. Now the king is on the brink of checkmate!} ( {Strong is} 35...Kg7 $1 36.Rf2 Qxh4 ) 36.Rf2 Qe5 ( {Now the pawn is immune due to} 36...Qxh4 37.Rf7+ Kh6 38.Rh8+ ) 37.b5 {White is winning, thanks to the combined mating threats and the advance of the passer. Lagno launches a desperate counterattack.} 37...g5 ( {As} 37...Qxb5 38.Rf7+ Kh6 39.Rh8# ) 38.h5 {A winning move.} ( {There is a strong alternative:} 38.b6 gxh4 39.Rcf8 Qg3+ 40.Kf1 Qxh3+ 41.Ke2 Qg4+ 42.Kd2 Qh5 43.R2f7+ Kg6 44.b7 {and wins.} ) 38...g4 39.hxg4 Qg7 {At least the white king got a bit exposed.} 40.Kh3 Qa7 41.Rc3 ( {In time trouble (and not only then) one can easily miss a cool defense} 41.Kh4 $1 {Since} 41...Qxe3 42.Rf7+ Kh6 43.Rh8# ) 41...Qa1 42.Rc7+ Kh6 43.Kg2 {It is time for Koneru to return the favor.} ( {We can only guess what would have been the outcome of the whole tournament in case of} 43.Rcf7 $1 Qh1+ 44.Rh2 Qb1 45.Rf6+ $1 {In order to free the g5-square for the white king.} 45...Kg7 {Now White cements everything with} ( 45...Kg5 46.Rg6# ) 46.Rhf2 Qh1+ ( {Once again the pawn is invincible:} 46...Qxb5 47.Rf7+ Kg8 48.Rf8+ Kg7 49.R2f7+ Kh6 50.Rh8+ Kg5 51.Rg8+ Kh6 52.Rg6# ) 47.Kg3 Qg1+ 48.Kh4 {and White wins.} ) 43...Qd1 44.Rcf7 {Allowing an instant draw.} ( {The last chance is the mad} 44.g5+ Kxh5 45.Rh7+ {hoping for} 45...Kxg5 $2 ( {However, Black should hold with} 45...Kg6 $1 46.Rh6+ Kg7 $1 {keeping the-g5 pawn as shield for her king.} ) 46.Rg7+ Kh6 47.Rg3 {and wins.} ) 44...Qxg4+ 45.Kf1 Qd1+ 46.Kg2 Qg4+ 47.Kf1 Qd1+ 48.Kg2 Qg4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Legends of Chess"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.08.01"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "A33"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[Beauty "6737465480229"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.d4 {An English move order to prevent Nepomniachtchi's Grunfeld.} 3...cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.a3 Be7 7.e4 O-O 8.Nf3 Qa5 {Nepomniachtchi had used this maneuver before as well, but he is in for a surprise.} 9.Bd2 Qh5 10.Rg1 $1 $146 {A nice novelty. g2-g4 is on the agenda and cannot be prevented.} ( {The stem game went:} 10.Be2 {and Black equalized easily with:} 10...d5 11.exd5 exd5 12.cxd5 Nxd5 13.Nd4 Qh4 14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.O-O Be6 16.Bf3 {So,W (2760)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2767) Jerusalem 2019} ) 10...a6 ( {The principled continuation seems to be the central approach:} 10...d5 {But one can hardly enter the following line unprepared:} 11.g4 Nxg4 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Nxd5 Bc5 ) 11.h3 Ne5 ( {If the queen leaves:} 11...Qc5 {White has a bunch of interesting possibilities:} 12.g4 ( {But:} 12.b4 ) ( {And:} 12.Qe2 {also make a lot of sense.} ) ) 12.g4 {Giri expands and chases away the enemy knight from the center, thus limitting Nepomniachtchi's chances for a central counter-strike.} 12...Nxf3+ 13.Qxf3 Qc5 14.g5 Ne8 {In line with his plan.} 15.h4 ( {However, there was a strong argument for the tactical shot:} 15.Nd5 $1 exd5 16.Bb4 {When after:} 16...Qd4 17.Bxe7 Qxb2 18.Rd1 dxe4 19.Qe3 Qe5 20.Bxf8 Kxf8 21.Rg4 {Black does not seem to have enough for the exchange.} ) 15...b5 $1 {This is the other way to attack the center, which is ruined in a Benko gambit style.} ( {The right-hand attack:} 15...f5 {leads Black nowhere after either:} 16.exf5 ( {Or the simple:} 16.Qe2 fxe4 17.Nxe4 ) 16...Rxf5 17.Qg3 {in both cases with better pawn structure and better prospects for White.} ) 16.cxb5 axb5 17.Bxb5 Bb7 ( {There is no time for:} 17...Nd6 18.Be3 Qe5 19.Qf4 ) 18.Bd3 ( {Here it made sense to throw-in the move:} 18.Qe3 $5 Qe5 19.Bd3 ) 18...Nd6 19.Qe2 {Too slow.} ( {It seems as the tempo-gainer:} 19.Qe3 $1 {was a must. Most likely Black would have retreated with the queen and then the extra tempo could have come handy for White.} ) 19...Rfc8 ( {In this situation:} 19...f5 $1 {made much sense as the white king does not find shelter on either wing or in the center after:} 20.gxf6 Bxf6 ) 20.Rc1 Qb6 21.Be3 Qa5 {Threatening the e4-pawn.} 22.Bd2 Qb6 23.Be3 Qa5 24.Bd2 {Giri repeats moves.} 24...Ba6 $5 {While Nepomniachtchi feels that his initiative is worth more than the pawn.} 25.Bxa6 Rxa6 26.Kf1 {This move would be played sooner or later.} ( {However, this was a good moment to swap a pair of rooks with:} 26.Nd1 $1 {Then both:} 26...Qb6 ( {And the similar:} 26...Qa4 27.Rxc8+ Nxc8 28.h5 ) ( {Also notice that the sacrifice:} 26...Rxc1 27.Bxa5 Rxa5 {does not work for Black due to:} 28.Rg3 $1 {followed by Rg3-c3!} ) 27.Rxc8+ Nxc8 28.h5 {promise White the better chances. With just one pair of rooks on the board the white king is much safer, and White may continue with Bd2-c3, Rg1-g3 and a king transfer towards the kingside.} ) 26...Rac6 27.Be1 ( {It was not too late for:} 27.Nd1 $1 Qa4 28.Rxc6 Qxc6 29.Bb4 ) 27...Qc7 {Now the white king will be permamently weak. For starters Nepomniachtchi prepares the opening of the center.} 28.Rg3 Nc4 29.Rc2 {Stepping out of the next attack.} ( {In case of:} 29.Rh3 {Black has various way to develop his initiative:} 29...Qf4 ( 29...Qb7 $5 ) ( 29...Qb8 $5 ) 30.Rd1 ) 29...Qf4 30.Rh3 Bf8 ( {Also good seemed:} 30...f6 $5 ) 31.Nd1 {The moment is gone and this only helps Black now!} ( {It made sense to hide the king further with:} 31.Kg1 $5 ) 31...d5 $1 {This is it, the center is unblocked!} 32.exd5 exd5 33.Qf3 ( {Sometimes it makes sense to give up the extra pawn:} 33.b3 $1 Nxa3 34.Rxc6 Rxc6 35.Bd2 Qf5 36.Qd3 {solidifides White's position, and what's more - the rooks are once again traded!} ) 33...Qd6 34.Re2 d4 {Black is coupling the threats against the white king with the advance of the d-passer.} ( {A tad more accurate was:} 34...Qd7 $5 {to avoid White's next maneuver.} ) 35.Bb4 Qd7 36.Bxf8 Rxf8 37.Kg2 f6 {Logical and strong. Black opens up lines the king.} ( {Nepomniachtchi had a pleasant choice here as he could have also support the passer with:} 37...Rd8 $5 38.Qd3 Rc5 {followed by Nc4-e5.} ) 38.Qe4 f5 $1 {This might have come as a surprise for White. The point was demonstrated after:} ( {More obvious seemed:} 38...fxg5 39.hxg5 Rg6 40.Rg3 Qf7 {which is also annoying for the first player.} ) 39.Qf3 ( {Had Giri known what was coming he might have chosen:} 39.Qd3 f4 40.Kh2 ) 39...f4 {Where is this pawn heading to?} 40.b4 {Now the point of Nepomniachtchi's f-power play:} ( {Or:} 40.b3 Ne3+ $1 41.fxe3 fxe3 42.Qe4 Re6 {with similar consequences to the game.} ) 40...Ne3+ $3 {Sweet! The f-file is opened, the central passers are running. Everything is just as Black wanted it.} 41.fxe3 fxe3 42.Qe4 ( {After:} 42.Qg3 {Both:} 42...Rc1 ( {And:} 42...Qd5+ {would lead to a massive attack for Black.} ) ) 42...Re6 43.Qd3 Qc6+ ( {The alternative was cool too:} 43...Qb7+ $1 44.Kg1 Qf7 45.Kh2 Qf1 46.b5 {and now an original way to bring the second rook to the f-file:} 46...Re4 $3 ) 44.Kg1 Re4 $1 {Mate is approaching and Giri finds his only chance.} 45.Nxe3 $1 ( {Or else White would be completely tied up:} 45.Rg3 Ref4 46.Reg2 Qc1 ) 45...dxe3 46.Rexe3 {But this is making Black's win easier.} ( {The last chance was:} 46.Rhxe3 $1 {Hoping for some defense after:} 46...Rg4+ ( {But Black can be more convincing with:} 46...Rxh4 $1 47.Rh3 Rg4+ 48.Rg3 Rgf4 {and the exposed white king should tell at the end.} ) 47.Kh2 Qc7+ ( 47...Rxh4+ 48.Rh3 ) 48.Re5 ) 46...Qc1+ 47.Kg2 {Time for another brilliancy:} 47...Rd4 $3 {The black rooks were extremely brave in this game.} 48.Qb3+ ( {As the rook is immune:} 48.Qxd4 Qf1+ 49.Kh2 Rf2+ 50.Kg3 Qg1# ) 48...Kh8 49.Rhf3 Rd2+ {The heavy-piece attack leads to mate.} 50.Kh3 ( {Or a faster mate after:} 50.Kg3 Qg1+ 51.Kh3 Rh2# ) 50...Qh1+ 51.Kg4 Rg2+ 52.Rg3 Rh2 $1 53.Rh3 Qg2+ 54.Reg3 Qe4+ 0-1

[Event "Legends of Chess"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.08.04"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[Beauty "5502880458296"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 {As a world champion, Carlsen is obliged to constantly prove his superiority against every top player in the world. Often, the proof comes not only in the won matches and games, but in the way that he is getting to those points. After the horrible defeat yesterday, Carlsen insists on the Najdorf, rather than avoiding it--a matter of principle!} 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 {This beloved idea of Fischer's was tested yesterday as well.} 6...e5 ( {On day one of the finals, the world champion chose the Dragon-like approach:} 6...g6 ) 7.Nb3 Be7 8.g4 h6 9.Be3 Nbd7 ( {Also interesting was:} 9...b5 10.a4 bxa4 11.Rxa4 Bd7 12.Ra1 a5 13.Bg2 O-O 14.O-O a4 15.Nd2 {as in Navara,D (2719)-Giri,A (2764) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 10.a4 Nf8 {Heading for the weakened dark squares.} 11.Bc4 Ng6 $146 {An obvious move and a novelty.} ( {The predecessor was an email game:} 11...Qc7 12.Nd2 Be6 13.Bb3 Ng6 14.Qf3 Rc8 15.a5 Nd7 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.Bxd5 O-O 18.c3 Nh4 19.Qg3 Bg5 {when Black was in excellent shape, Parshin,V (2413)-Ilyin,P (2441) ICCF email 2018} ) 12.Qe2 {Nepomniachtchi's play is logical and straightforward. He is bringing a piece out with every move that he makes and is ready to castle long.} 12...Bd7 ( {It is a tad early for:} 12...Nh7 13.Nd5 ) 13.f3 Rc8 ( {Once White moves the f-pawn:} 13...Nh7 {became more interesting, as in the line:} 14.Nd5 {when Black has the in-between:} 14...Bh4+ ) 14.h4 {White does not want to castle too early as the enemy rook is already X-raying the c-file.} 14...Nh7 {Finally this move is made, just when the pawn got to a vulnerable square.} 15.h5 ( {After:} 15.O-O-O Qc7 16.Bd5 Bxh4 {White has a draw with:} 17.Rxh4 Nxh4 18.Qf2 Ng6 19.Bb6 Qb8 20.Ba7 {but hardly anything more.} ) 15...Bh4+ {This same in-between check again.} ( {However, also interesting was:} 15...Nf4 $5 16.Bxf4 Bh4+ 17.Kf1 exf4 18.Bd5 {with a position which might have been achieved in the game as well.} ) 16.Rxh4 $1 {An exclamation mark for the courage! Nepomniachtchi always plays with great appetite against Carlsen.} ( {I already mentioned that the line:} 16.Kf1 Nf4 17.Bxf4 exf4 18.Bd5 {was a possibility for White, too. The dark-square control by Black would have been a great thing to use, but right now, the position is rather blocked and seems more promising for Nepomniachtchi.} ) 16...Nxh4 17.O-O-O ( {Better seemed:} 17.Bd5 $1 O-O ( {Or:} 17...Rxc3 18.bxc3 Ng5 19.O-O-O {which is also very unclear.} ) 18.Bxb7 Rb8 19.Bxa6 Ng5 20.O-O-O Nhxf3 21.Rxd6 {with unclear play.} ) 17...Nxf3 $1 {Not only winning a pawn but releasing the knight from the rim.} 18.Rxd6 {Blitzing this one out.} ( {Black is clearly better in case of:} 18.Bxf7+ Kxf7 19.Qxf3+ Qf6 20.Qg2 Qe6 ) 18...Qe7 19.Rb6 Bxg4 20.Bd5 ( 20.Nd5 Qh4 {only helps Black.} ) 20...O-O {The king is safe and Black is ready to consolidate his material advantage.} 21.Qg2 {Nepomniachtchi has a cleaver idea on his mind. However, his plan crumbles due to a simple move.} ( {Instead, the obvious:} 21.Bxb7 $1 {would have kept White's chances alive, e. g.:} 21...Rb8 22.Qxa6 Bc8 23.Bc5 Qg5+ 24.Kb1 Rd8 25.Nd5 {Black might be better in these lines due to the extra material, but the white passers are very dangerous as well.} ) 21...Qh4 22.Rg6 {Double-attack! This was White's idea. Alas:} ( {If:} 22.Kb1 Nhg5 {consolidate.} ) 22...Nhg5 $1 {Defends everything at once while consolidating.} 23.Kb1 Be6 24.Rxe6 {The lost tempi cannot be compensated.} ( 24.Bxe6 fxe6 25.Bxg5 Nxg5 {leaves White with no chances.} ) 24...fxe6 25.Bxb7 Qe1+ 26.Bc1 Rxc3 $1 {The partial return helps Carlsen clarify the situation and get to the enemy king, too.} 27.bxc3 Nxe4 ( {More accurate would have been:} 27...Rb8 28.Bxa6 Nxe4 29.Bb5 Nfd2+ {with a decisive attack.} ) 28.Bxe4 Qxe4 29.Bxh6 Rf7 30.Bc1 Qf5 {Carlsen is winning and carefully converting his advantage.} ( {Or:} 30...Rc7 31.Bb2 Kf7 {controlling the whole board.} ) 31.Qe2 Rc7 32.Kb2 Qxh5 33.Qxa6 Qe8 34.Qb5 ( {Prevents the lost endgame after:} 34.Be3 Qc6 35.Qxc6 Rxc6 ) 34...Qc6 ( {Here the endgame:} 34...Qxb5 $2 35.axb5 Kf8 36.b6 Rc8 37.b7 Rb8 38.Na5 Ke8 39.Be3 {is not Black's cup of tea at all.} ) 35.c4 Kf7 36.c5 Nd4 $1 {Without the knight, White's position will collapse.} 37.Qf1+ ( {Or:} 37.Nxd4 exd4 38.Qf1+ Ke8 {winning.} ) 37...Kg8 38.Be3 Qxa4 39.Bxd4 exd4 40.Qf4 Qd7 41.Qe5 Rb7 42.Qe4 Rb8 ( {The endgame after:} 42...Qd5 43.Qxd5 exd5 44.c6 Rb4 45.c7 Rc4 {would have been won too.} ) 43.Qe5 Rb4 44.Qe4 Qd5 45.Qg4 Rc4 46.Qf4 Rb4 47.Qg4 Qf5 48.Qh4 Rc4 49.Qd8+ Kh7 50.Qh4+ Kg6 51.Nxd4 Qe5 ( {The tactical shot:} 51...Qxc2+ $1 {would have wrapped it up at once.} ) 52.Qg4+ {Nepopmniachtchi keeps playing on as the perpetual check ideas are quite realistic.} 52...Kh7 53.Qh4+ Kg8 54.Qd8+ Kf7 55.Qd7+ Kf6 56.c3 Rxc5 57.Qd8+ Kg6 58.Qe8+ Kh7 59.Qd8 Rd5 ( 59...Qe1 $1 {to control the h4 point would have won, too.} ) 60.Qh4+ Kg8 61.Qg4 Rd6 62.Qh4 Qf6 63.Qe4 Rb6+ {Finally, after the consolidating, Black launches the decisive attack.} 64.Kc2 Kf7 65.Qa8 Qg6+ 66.Kd2 Rb2+ 67.Ke3 Qg1+ 68.Kd3 Qf1+ 69.Ke3 Qf2+ 70.Kd3 Qg2 71.Nf3 Qe2+ 72.Kd4 Qd1+ 73.Ke3 Re2+ 74.Kf4 Qd6+ 75.Kg4 Rg2+ 76.Kh5 g6+ {With a forcing mate sequence.} ( 76...g6+ 77.Kh6 Rh2+ 78.Nxh2 Qf4+ 79.Kh7 Qh4# ) 0-1

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.08.11"]
[Round "16.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2836"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[Beauty "6668876258845"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Be7 9.f3 h5 {The modern treatment of the position, widely popularised by Topalov and Cheparinov.} ( {Ding is avoiding the forcing main line after} 9...O-O 10.O-O-O Nbd7 11.g4 b5 12.g5 Nh5 13.Kb1 Nb6 14.Na5 Rc8 15.a3 g6 16.h4 Ng3 17.Rh2 Nxf1 18.Rxf1 h5 19.Bxb6 Qxb6 20.Nd5 {as in Navara,D (2739) -Wojtaszek,R (2722) Prague 2019} ) 10.Be2 Nbd7 11.Nd5 Bxd5 {This capture is a question of taste.} ( {There are other problems after} 11...Nxd5 12.exd5 Bf5 13.O-O Bg6 14.Na5 Qc7 15.c4 O-O 16.b4 Rae8 17.Rac1 {Popov,I (2650) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2732) Moscow 2014} ) 12.exd5 b6 ( {In another recent GM game, both sides maneuvered nicely:} 12...Qc7 13.c4 a5 14.Rc1 O-O 15.O-O g6 16.Na1 $1 Bd8 $1 17.Nc2 Qb8 18.Na3 Bb6 19.Bxb6 Nxb6 20.Nb5 {Ponomariov,R (2675)-Van Foreest,J (2621) Isle of Man 2019} ) 13.O-O-O Qc7 $146 {This novelty was played after a bit more than two minutes of thought.} ( 13...b5 14.Na5 Rc8 15.c4 bxc4 16.Bxc4 Nb6 17.Bxb6 Qxb6 18.Nc6 Nd7 19.Kb1 g6 20.Rhf1 Kf8 {Krueger,H (2260)-Mesquita Jr,F (2317) ICCF email 2018} ) 14.Kb1 {A generally useful move that frees the c1-square for both the white knight and rook. Ding's position does not seem inspiring. His king is not safe on either flank.} 14...b5 ( {The advance of the other pawn} 14...a5 {is not good due to} 15.Bb5 a4 16.Nc1 {when the black pawns are fixed and will soon suffer.} ) ( {Also bad is} 14...O-O 15.g4 ) ( {Whereas something useful like} 14...Qb7 {can be met with either the immediate} 15.g4 $5 ( {Or the preliminary} 15.Rhg1 ) ) 15.Na5 Nb6 ( {Instead} 15...Bd8 16.Nc6 Nb6 17.Bxb6 Qxb6 {would have transposed.} ) 16.Bxb6 Qxb6 17.Nc6 Bd8 18.c4 $1 {Thanks to the strong establishment of the knight on c6, Carlsen is opening the c-file for his major pieces. The full control on the light squares guarantees him a long-term advantage.} 18...bxc4 ( {Ding cannot ignore the pawn:} 18...O-O 19.cxb5 axb5 {can be met with a direct assault against the queenside pawns with} 20.Qb4 ( {or the calm} 20.a3 $5 ) 20...Nxd5 21.Qxb5 Nf4 22.Qxb6 Bxb6 {And now the small tactics:} 23.Rxd6 Nxe2 24.Ne7+ Kh7 25.Rxb6 {nets a pawn for White.} ) 19.Bxc4 O-O {Finally Black castles into the attack.} 20.Rhe1 Nd7 {This overprotects the e5-pawn but facilitates the g2-g4 advance.} ( {A move like} 20...Qb7 $5 {might have been a better choice, although there too White should be better after} 21.f4 e4 ( {Worse is} 21...exf4 22.Qxf4 Qd7 23.h3 ) 22.h3 Re8 {As White's attack is running by itself after} 23.g4 hxg4 24.hxg4 ( {Or} 24.Qg2 $5 ) 24...Nxg4 25.Rh1 ) 21.g4 hxg4 22.fxg4 Bh4 {It seems as Black will block the kingside, but...} 23.g5 $3 {Brilliant tactics comes to the rescue of Carlsen's strategy.} 23...g6 ( {The rook is immune:} 23...Bxe1 24.Ne7+ Kh7 ( {Mate is inevitable after} 24...Kh8 25.Qxe1 {too.} ) 25.Qd3+ g6 26.Qh3+ Kg7 27.Qh6# ) ( {If Black defends the e7-square in the line} 23...Rae8 24.Rf1 {is good enough for large edge for White.} ) 24.Rf1 Kg7 25.Qg2 {Carlsen calmly prepares the decisive blow along the f-file.} 25...Rh8 26.Qg4 $1 ( {The sacrifice was already possible:} 26.Rxf7+ $3 Kxf7 27.Qg4 Nf8 28.Qf3+ Ke8 29.Rf1 Qc7 30.Qf6 Rg8 {As White has the decisive maneuver} 31.Be2 $3 {followed by a bishop transfer on e6.} ) 26...Qc7 27.Rf3 {A pity!} ( {The brilliant} 27.Rxf7+ $3 Kxf7 28.Qe6+ Kg7 29.Ne7 {would have crowned Carlsen's light-square strategy. Now even after the best defense} ( 29.Qe7+ Kg8 30.Nxe5 Rh7 $1 ( 30...dxe5 31.Bb3 $1 {Carlsen} ) ) 29...Qxc4 ( {Nothing else works:} 29...Nf8 30.Qf6+ Kh7 31.Qf7# ) ( {Carlsen couldn't see a follow-up after} 29...Rh7 {but quickly found} 30.Rf1 {after the game.} ) 30.Qxg6+ Kf8 31.Nf5 Qe4+ 32.Ka1 Qxf5 33.Qxf5+ Ke7 34.Qe6+ Kd8 35.g6 {Black would be lost. Carlsen did look at it and said afterward: "I just thought my position was so good that there was no reason to go for it unless I was sure it was winning."} ) 27...f5 ( {Black could have also defended passively:} 27...Raf8 28.Rdf1 Nb6 29.Bb3 Qd7 ) 28.gxf6+ Nxf6 29.Qg2 Qd7 30.Rg1 Rh6 {Ding solidified his position and escaped the imminent danger. However, Carlsen still has a strong grip on the position.} 31.a3 Nh5 32.Rb3 ( {It seems the direct attack} 32.Bd3 Nf4 33.Rxf4 ( {However, White can keep the advantage with:} 33.Qc2 $1 ) 33...exf4 34.Bxg6 {is crushing Black, but after} 34...Kh8 $1 {there is nothing decisive.} ) 32...Nf4 33.Qc2 Kh8 34.Ka2 $1 {The world champion avoids the queen swap as he is the one attacking with the opposite-colored bishops.} ( {He could have won a pawn with} 34.Bxa6 {to which best is} 34...Qf5 $1 ( {And not} 34...Rxa6 35.Nb8 Qa7 36.Qc8+ Kg7 37.Rb7+ {which loses on the spot for Black.} ) ) 34...Qf5 35.Qd2 Qe4 ( {It makes sense to take the seventh rank under control:} 35...Rh7 $5 ) 36.Rc1 ( {And it makes sense for White to aim at the d6-pawn:} 36.Qb4 $5 ) 36...Bg5 {Missed by Carlsen.} 37.Rcc3 {Now Carlsen loses almost all his advantage.} ( {The correct way is the inspiring} 37.Rg3 Rh5 38.Rxg5 $3 Rxg5 39.Qb4 {getting to the d6-pawn and eventually to the black king.} ) 37...Ne6 $1 {Excellent play! Ding forces the queen swap.} 38.Qc2 ( 38.Qf2 Nc5 39.Rb4 Bf4 {is comfortable for Black.} ) 38...Qxc2 39.Rxc2 Nd4 {Not the most accurate.} ( {Black would have been out of the woods with} 39...Nc5 $1 40.Rb6 e4 ) 40.Nxd4 exd4 41.Rb6 {Best.} ( {The other pawn is not as important:} 41.Rg2 Bf4 42.h4 Rxh4 43.Rxg6 ) 41...Bf4 42.Rxa6 Rxa6 {It might sound counter-intuitive, but Black had more chances with all the rooks.} ( {The way to build counterplay is tied to the advance of the black passers and threats against the white king:} 42...Rf8 $1 43.Ra7 Rh3 $1 44.a4 d3 45.Rc3 Be5 46.Rxd3 Rxh2 47.Rb3 g5 ) 43.Bxa6 Rh3 ( {Black is lost after} 43...Rxh2 44.Rxh2+ Bxh2 45.a4 ) 44.a4 Kg7 ( {The king sidesteps the possible capture with a check as in the line} 44...d3 45.Rc3 d2 $4 46.Rxh3+ ) 45.Rf2 $1 Be3 46.Bf1 {His last two moves were important, said Carlsen.} 46...Rh5 ( {The pure opposite-colored bishop endgame leaves Ding no chances:} 46...Bxf2 47.Bxh3 ) 47.Rg2 Rxd5 48.Bd3 Rg5 {After this it is all over in just a few moves.} ( {But Black could not have saved himself either after} 48...Rc5 49.Ka3 ) 49.Rxg5 Bxg5 50.a5 Bd8 51.a6 Bb6 52.Kb3 Kf6 53.Kc4 Ke5 54.Kb5 Ba7 55.Kc6 1-0

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.08.12"]
[Round "23.1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2836"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "E62"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8248220203607"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 {The Fianchetto system has a very solid reputation against both the Grunfeld and the King's Indian Defenses.} 4...O-O 5.Nc3 d6 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.O-O e5 8.d5 {This was also Carlsen's choice when playing against the World in 2010.} 8...Ne7 9.e4 b6 ( {Both} 9...a5 10.Ne1 Nd7 11.Nd3 b6 12.Be3 Nc5 13.Nxc5 bxc5 14.Qd2 c6 15.Rac1 cxd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Qxd5 Be6 {Mikhalevski,V (2578)-Zhou,J (2606) Sturbridge 2019} ) ( {And} 9...Nd7 {may transpose into similar positions.} ) 10.Rb1 a5 11.Re1 $146 {A solid, prophylactic move, \E0 la Petrosian.} ( {It is curious that an earlier game was One of the future world champion himself, but he chose instead the straightforward queenside expansion:} 11.a3 Bd7 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 Qc8 14.c5 bxc5 15.bxc5 Bh3 16.c6 h6 17.Rb7 Ne8 18.Nd2 Bxg2 19.Kxg2 f5 {Petrosian, T-Panov,V Moscow 1950} ) 11...Nd7 12.a3 {Yes, this will be played sooner or later.} 12...h6 ( {Not yet} 12...f5 {because of} 13.Ng5 ) 13.Nh4 $1 {Ding's beloved maneuver, which was invented by the prominent GM Mark Taimanov. It is pure prophylaxis: White wants to tame the kingside pawns of the opponent and is ready to put pressure against the f5 pawn whenever it is advanced.} 13...f5 14.exf5 gxf5 15.Qc2 {Following the idea. The f5 pawn is under pressure and none of the duo is risking to make a step further. Notice too that the advance of the black h-pawn weakened the g6 square and Black can no longer use it for his knight.} 15...Nf6 ( {If} 15...e4 16.f3 {destroys the pair at once.} ) 16.b4 {The kingside is blocked and White resumes his queenside assault.} 16...Bd7 17.c5 axb4 18.axb4 e4 {Carlsen risks, but now the game is opened in his opponent's favor.} ( {In the line} 18...bxc5 19.bxc5 dxc5 $2 ( {But maybe Black can defend patiently with} 19...Bc8 $5 ) ( {Or} 19...Ra5 20.c6 Bc8 21.Rb8 {True, Black's position is not great in either case.} ) 20.Rxe5 {Black cannot successfully trap the rook with} 20...Ne4 {as the compensation that White would get after either} 21.Nxe4 ( {or} 21.Bf4 $5 ) 21...Bxe5 22.Nxc5 {would be exuberant.} ) 19.c6 Be8 20.f3 $1 {Of course! Black is not prepared for the opening of the game.} 20...Nfxd5 ( {White's advantage is indisputable after both} 20...exf3 21.Bxf3 ) ( {and} 20...f4 21.fxe4 fxg3 22.hxg3 {when there is not enough compensation for the pawn.} ) 21.Nxd5 Nxd5 22.fxe4 ( {Black would have surely loved to see} 22.Qc4 Bf7 23.Nxf5 Ne3 24.Qxe4 Nxf5 25.Qxf5 Ba2 ) 22...fxe4 23.Bxe4 {The only little slip of the Chinese GM in the game.} ( {The surprising} 23.Rxe4 $1 {would have won as in the line:} 23...Nc3 ( {If} 23...Nf6 24.Rf4 {and Black can hardly move anything.} ) 24.Rg4 {White includes the rook into the attack with decisive effect, e.g.} 24...Nxb1 25.Bxh6 Rf7 26.Bd5 {and wins.} ) 23...Nc3 {A step in the wrong direction.} ( {It was mandatory to give a check once:} 23...Bd4+ $1 {Then if the king steps to the second rank with} 24.Kg2 ( {Also} 24.Kh1 Nc3 25.Bxh6 Rf2 26.Qd3 Qf6 {allows a chance for Black to defend.} ) 24...Nc3 {The idea that Ding used in the game:} 25.Bxh6 {No longer works due to the obvious} ( {Therefore} 25.Bf3 $1 {is needed, when Black needs to avoid the greedy} 25...Nxb1 $2 ( {But choose instead} 25...Rxf3 $1 26.Nxf3 Bxc6 {when it is unclear.} ) 26.Qc4+ {with an instant win.} ) 25...Rf2+ ) 24.Bxh6 $1 {Missed by Carlsen.} 24...Qf6 {Now Carlsen loses by force.} ( {It was not too late for} 24...Bd4+ 25.Be3 {And now not} 25...Bxe3+ $2 ( {but rather the cementing} 25...Qf6 $1 26.Rbc1 Ra2 27.Bd5+ Nxd5 28.Qxa2 Bf7 29.Bxd4 Qxd4+ 30.Qf2 Qxf2+ 31.Kxf2 Nxb4 {with chances for survival.} ) 26.Rxe3 Nxb1 27.Bd5+ Kh8 28.Re6 {which is a mating attack for White.} ) 25.Bh7+ Kh8 26.Rxe8 $1 {Removing the key defender of the light squares when White does whatever he wants.} 26...Rfxe8 ( {Perhaps Black should have at tried} 26...Bxh6 $1 {Although the study-like} 27.Re7 $1 {should win for White too, in the possible endgame:} 27...Bg7 28.Rbe1 Qd4+ 29.Kh1 Qd5+ 30.Be4 Nxe4 31.Qxe4 Qxe4+ 32.R1xe4 ) 27.Ng6+ Kxh7 28.Nf8+ Kxh6 {That leads to a nice mate.} ( {However, White was winning anyway:} 28...Kg8 29.Qh7+ Kxf8 ( 29...Kf7 30.Rf1 ) 30.Bxg7+ Qxg7 31.Rf1+ ) 29.Qh7+ Kg5 30.Qh4+ Kf5 31.Qf4# {A model game by Ding!} 1-0

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.08.16"]
[Round "48.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "A20"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "146"]
[Beauty "4539914683911"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.O-O Nb6 7.b3 {The Accelerated Dragon with reversed colors is a dangerous weapon for the English player. The extra tempo that White has makes it easier for him to prepare and execute the d2-d4 advance.} 7...Be6 8.Nc3 ( {Nepomniachtchi carried out the central break differently:} 8.Bb2 f6 9.Na3 Qd7 10.Nc2 Bh3 11.d4 Bxg2 12.Kxg2 e4 13.Nd2 f5 14.f3 {with fierce figth for the center in Ding,L (2811)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2776) chess.com INT 2019} ) 8...Qd7 9.d4 {That is the most straightforward way to do it.} 9...exd4 10.Nb5 {The pawn is doomed, therefore:} 10...d3 {Desperado! Let's do some damage before we leave the board.} 11.Bb2 $1 {Carlsen is not interested and proceeds with the development.} 11...f6 ( {After} 11...dxe2 12.Qxe2 {White's lead in development becomes frightening and it may all go down in flames for Black after say:} 12...O-O-O 13.Rfc1 a6 14.Rxc6 $1 bxc6 15.Na7+ ( 15.Nbd4 $1 {is equally good.} ) 15...Kb7 16.Nxc6 $1 {and White is winning.} ) 12.Nbd4 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Bd5 14.Bxd5 $146 {A novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw} 14.e4 Bf7 15.e5 ( {whereas Nakamura was a bit worried about} 15.Qxd3 c5 16.e5 {during the game. This definitely deserves further analysis, with a possible main line running} 16...cxd4 17.exf6 O-O-O ) 15...fxe5 16.Nf3 Bh5 17.Re1 O-O-O 18.Rxe5 Bg4 19.Qd2 {Nilsson, Z-Tarnowski,A Munich 1958} ) 14...Qxd5 15.Qxd3 c5 {The queen swap is the best under the circumstances. Black is at least not getting checkmated.} 16.Qb5+ Qd7 17.Qxd7+ Kxd7 ( {After} 17...Nxd7 18.Nb5 {is annoying for Black, for instance:} 18...Kd8 19.Rfd1 a6 20.Nc3 {followed by the doubling of the rooks along the d-file.} ) 18.Nf5 {This superb knight is the reason why White has an edge.} 18...Ke6 19.e4 Rc8 ( {More tempting seemed to chase the knight away at once with} 19...g6 20.Ne3 Rd8 {but then White can exploit the weakening of the f6 pawn with} 21.f4 {intending f4-f5!} ) ( {However, it made sense to occupy the open file instead:} 19...Rd8 {and only after} 20.Rad1 Rxd1 21.Rxd1 {to go for} 21...g6 {once that the rook is done from the f-file.} ) 20.Rac1 c4 {Nakamura thought this was wrong; he missed Carlsen's knight maneuver to b5. But then what was the move Ra8-c8 all about?} 21.Rfd1 g6 22.Nd4+ Kf7 23.Nb5 $1 {This is indeed very strong. Carlsen is widening the area of his attack while his pieces are dominating.} 23...Be7 ( {If} 23...a6 24.Nd6+ Bxd6 25.Rxd6 {is a double attack and the only move} 25...Rc6 {can be met with either} 26.Rxc6 ( {or with} 26.Bxf6 Rxd6 27.Bxh8 ) 26...bxc6 27.Bd4 {with a significant advantage for White in both cases.} ) 24.Nxa7 $1 {Winning a pawn by force.} ( {Here after} 24.Nd6+ Bxd6 25.Rxd6 Rc6 26.Rxc6 ( {And} 26.Bxf6 Rxd6 27.Bxh8 Rd2 {leaves some chances to Black to defend thank to his active rook.} ) 26...bxc6 27.Bd4 {the knight on b6 is protected.} ) 24...Ra8 25.Nb5 Rxa2 26.Bd4 Nc8 27.Rxc4 Rd8 28.Rc7 {It was all in Carlsen's hands now. An extra pawn and superior position should have been enough to level the score.} 28...b6 29.Nc3 ( {Nakamura said he wasn't sure what to do if Carlsen had played "the very Magnus-like" move} 29.Kg2 {"I suspect I would have lost this game." Indeed, there would be no pins and very little tactics left for the American GM in that case.} ) 29...Rc2 30.Kg2 Ke8 31.Nd5 {White rushes to free himself from the pin.} ( {However, since the opponent had no threats at all, it made sense to solidify the position at first with} 31.Rd3 ) ( {Or:} 31.g4 $5 ) 31...Rxc7 32.Nxc7+ Kf7 33.Nd5 f5 $1 {This is the difference: Nakamura manages to swap some pawns.} 34.f3 ( {Here} 34.Kf3 $1 {was stronger, as if Black continues as in the game:} 34...Bc5 35.Bxc5 bxc5 36.Rc1 {White can activate his king maximally after} 36...fxe4+ 37.Kxe4 Nd6+ 38.Ke5 ) 34...Bc5 {The only move again. Black keeps on reducing the material.} 35.Bxc5 bxc5 36.Rc1 fxe4 37.fxe4 Nd6 {'"Maybe a computer can win this but I think practically it's already very hard when both players are on 20 seconds."' (Nakamura)} 38.Rxc5 ( {Still, after the more accurate} 38.Kf3 Re8 39.Rxc5 Nxe4 40.Rc7+ Kf8 41.b4 Ng5+ 42.Kg4 {Black would have suffered seriously.} ) 38...Nxe4 39.Rc7+ Ke6 $1 {This is the major difference with the line from above. The king is not forced into passive defense.} 40.Nf4+ Kf6 41.Kf3 ( {There is no time to capture the pawn:} 41.Rxh7 Ng5 42.Rc7 Rd2+ 43.Kf1 Rxh2 ( {Or} 43...Nf3 {intending the Nimzowitsch drawing mechanism.} ) ) ( {Please note that White cannot hold on to his b-passer due to} 41.Rb7 Rd2+ 42.Kf3 Ng5+ 43.Ke3 Rxh2 ) 41...Nd2+ 42.Kg4 Nxb3 {Without this pawn, Carlsen's chances become purely practical.} 43.Rxh7 Nd4 44.Ra7 Rd6 45.Ra8 Nf5 46.Rf8+ Kg7 47.Ra8 Kf6 48.Ra2 Nh6+ 49.Kf3 g5 {Until a certain point Nakamura defends flawlessly.} 50.Ng2 Nf5 51.Ne1 Kg6 52.Kf2 Rf6 53.Ra4 Rb6 54.Nf3 Rb2+ 55.Kg1 Ne3 56.Re4 Rb1+ 57.Kf2 Nd1+ 58.Kg2 Rb2+ 59.Kg1 Rb3 60.Re6+ Kh5 61.Ne5 Ne3 62.h3 {Now it is tricky as the king is in a mating net.} 62...Rb2 {With seconds on the clock Nakamura sees a saving trick and goes for this.} ( 62...g4 $1 {instead would have traded the last pawns as} 63.h4 {is not sufficient due to} 63...Nf5 ) 63.Re8 ( {Black's idea is revealed after the obvious:} 63.Nf7 {when he can save himself with:} 63...Rb1+ 64.Kf2 Rf1+ ) ( {However, the study-like} 63.Re7 $3 {might have won! Here} 63...g4 {is a no-go due to} ( {The king is not moving either:} 63...Kh6 64.Nf7+ Kg6 65.Nh8+ $1 {as the knight drops.} ) ( {Finally, the checks} 63...Rb1+ 64.Kf2 {make no sense with the white knight on e5.} ) 64.h4 {And the g- pawn is taboo:} 64...Rg2+ ( {Whereas} 64...Nf5 65.Rh7+ Nh6 66.Rg7 $1 {also loses.} ) 65.Kh1 Rxg3 66.Rh7# ) 63...Kh6 {Now it is a draw again and nothing changes the assessment.} 64.g4 Rg2+ 65.Kh1 Rg3 66.Rh8+ Kg7 67.Rh5 Kf6 68.Nd3 Nxg4 69.Nc5 Nf2+ 70.Kh2 Rxh3+ 71.Rxh3 Nxh3 72.Ne4+ Ke7 73.Nxg5 Nxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.08.17"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7972398888022"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {The evergreen Italian.} 3...Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 h6 7.Re1 O-O 8.Nbd2 a5 ( {The other plan was tested in another top-level game recently:} 8...a6 9.a4 Ba7 10.h3 Re8 11.b4 Be6 12.Bxe6 Rxe6 13.Qc2 Qd7 14.Nf1 d5 15.Be3 d4 16.cxd4 Nxd4 17.Bxd4 Bxd4 18.Nxd4 Qxd4 19.Qxc7 Qxd3 {with an eventual draw in Anand,V (2753)-Kramnik,V (2753) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 9.Nf1 Be6 10.Bb5 {All of this is very popular nowadays and the players actually had an earlier discussion in the line.} 10...Ne7 11.d4 exd4 12.cxd4 Bb6 13.Ng3 d5 14.e5 Ne4 {Now the game resembles the Ruy Lopez. Carlsen deviates from their earlier game with...} 15.Bd3 {...which is the right diagonal for his bishop.} ( {Instead} 15.Be3 Nf5 16.Nxf5 Bxf5 17.Nd2 Nxd2 18.Qxd2 a4 19.b4 axb3 20.axb3 c6 21.Be2 Qe7 {and a draw later evidently did not prove sufficient for the world champion, Carlsen,M (2863)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess24.com 2020} ) 15...Nxg3 16.hxg3 a4 $146 {Now the bishop retreats with tempo.} ( {The stem game saw the logical} 16...Qd7 17.Bc2 Bf5 {Black definitely wants to get rid of the light-squared bishops. However, White escaped from the trade with} 18.Ba4 Qe6 19.Be3 Bh7 20.Rc1 Rad8 21.Rc3 Be4 22.Nd2 Nf5 {with a complex game in Wang,H (2726)-Oleksienko,M (2598) Qinhuangdao 2019} ) 17.Bc2 a3 ( {In case of} 17...Qd7 {White can obstruct the opponent's plan with} 18.Nh4 Nf5 19.Qd3 {Forcing a weakening on the kingside:} 19...g6 20.Nf3 {with a better position for White.} ) 18.bxa3 {Carlsen took some time on this move and then chopped the pawn off.} ( {Also tempting was the idea from the above-mentioned line:} 18.Nh4 $5 axb2 19.Bxb2 {Then Black should probably seek counterplay with} 19...c5 {as the forcing} 20.Qd3 g6 21.Qe3 Kg7 22.dxc5 {does not win a pawn for White due to} 22...Bxc5 23.Qxc5 Rc8 24.Qb5 Rxc2 {with unclear play.} ) 18...Bg4 ( {If} 18...Bf5 19.Bb3 {and the bishop refuses to be traded.} ) 19.a4 $1 {An excellent idea. First White brings the dark-squared bishop in the game.} 19...Qd7 ( {There is no way to put more pressure on the d4-pawn:} 19...Nf5 20.Qd3 g6 21.Nh2 $1 ) 20.Ba3 Rfe8 {Finally Nakamura is ready for Bg4-f5, but...} ( {No time for} 20...Bf5 $2 21.Bxf5 ) 21.Bxe7 $1 {An excellent positional operation which secures White a long-term advantage. Both the light squares complex and Black's kingside are in jeopardy.} 21...Qxe7 22.Qd3 g6 23.Nh4 {Now the sacrifice on g6 seems inevitable. After a long thought Nakamura bets on activity.} 23...Qb4 ( {If the queen defends the kingside:} 23...Qg5 24.f4 Qh5 25.Kf2 $1 {followed by Re1-h1 is awkward for Black.} ) ( {The various versions of the sacrifice are demonstrated by these short lines:} 23...c5 $2 24.Nxg6 fxg6 25.Qxg6+ Qg7 26.Qxb6 ) ( {Or} 23...Kg7 $2 24.Nxg6 {with immediate collapse.} ) 24.Nxg6 Qxd4 {The point. But now there is} 25.Ne7+ Kf8 ( {Naturally, not} 25...Rxe7 26.Qh7+ Kf8 27.Qh8# ) 26.Nxd5 {It seems like Black is almost done, but Nakamura has an ingenious idea on his mind.} 26...Qxf2+ $1 {"Just a shock. I just didn't believe it was possible." (Carlsen)} ( {Instead} 26...Qxd3 27.Bxd3 Ba5 28.Re3 {leaves Black two pawns down, in very difficult situation.} ) ( {Carlsen expected} 26...Rxe5 {which gives good chances to draw the game.} 27.Nxb6 Rxe1+ 28.Rxe1 Qxd3 29.Bxd3 cxb6 30.Bb5 {"I'm a pawn up but it doesn't matter." (Carlsen)} ) 27.Kh2 {'"And then, when he went..."'} 27...Rad8 {"...my first thought was: I may have missed some kind of mate. But it turns out he is lost, fortunately."} 28.Rf1 Rxe5 {This was Nakamura's idea. It seems as Black is mating.} ( {The main thing Nakamura had missed was that after} 28...Bf5 29.Qa3+ Qc5 {White has} 30.Qc1 $1 {winning.} ) ( {The retreat of the queen} 28...Qc5 {allows} 29.Rxf7+ $1 Kxf7 30.Qg6+ Kf8 31.Rf1+ ) ( {whereas} 28...Rxd5 29.Qxd5 {does not leave Black time to regain the material:} 29...Qxc2 30.Qxf7# ) 29.Rxf2 Rdxd5 ( {Nakamura said he should have gone for} 29...Bxf2 30.Qa3+ c5 31.Nf4 Bd4 {although he did think it was lost objectively, and it is.} 32.Rf1 Kg7 33.Qb3 Re7 ) 30.Rxf7+ $3 {The only move, but sufficient. Everything else might have led to an inferior position for White!} ( {Black is mating, for instance, after} 30.Qh7 Bxf2 ) 30...Ke8 ( {Alas, after the capture} 30...Kxf7 31.Rf1+ Ke7 32.Qh7+ Kd6 33.Qg6+ {Black does not have a good square for the king, therefore his attacking setup becomes inadequate.} 33...Be6 ( {Or mate in case of} 33...Ke7 34.Rf7+ Kd8 35.Qf6+ ) 34.g4 {The king is out, White wins.} ) 31.Qxd5 $1 {The simplest. There will be no mate, only plenty of extra material for White.} 31...Rxd5 32.Bg6 Kd8 33.Re1 c6 34.Rxb7 Bc7 35.Re8+ Kd7 36.Rh8 1-0

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals benefit"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.08.18"]
[Round "62.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "E94"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "160"]
[Beauty "5296768429577"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 O-O 5.e4 d6 {When in for a must-win, KID it is!} 6.Be2 Nbd7 {Avoiding 6...e5 7.dxe5. The old classical reply against the Classical line had a boost of interest in the past few years.} 7.O-O e5 8.Be3 Ng4 9.Bg5 f6 10.Bh4 h5 11.h3 Nh6 12.Bg3 Kh7 ( {Black can also start with} 12...a5 13.Qd2 Nf7 14.Rad1 c6 15.Qc2 Re8 16.a3 Qe7 17.b4 axb4 18.axb4 Ng5 {as in Feller,S (2574)-Naiditsch,A (2697) Brest 2018} ) 13.Qc2 $146 ( {An earlier game saw a tense battle after} 13.Qd2 Nf7 14.Rad1 c6 15.b4 Qe7 16.Rfe1 Rd8 17.a3 Nf8 18.Bf1 g5 19.d5 c5 20.bxc5 dxc5 {Roiz,M (2657)-Radjabov,T (2733) Bursa 2010} ) 13...c6 14.Rad1 Qe7 15.c5 {White is often sacrificing a pawn for positional compensation in the KID. However, Nakamura felt c4-c5 was not a good idea as things got murky there. Exactly what he needed.} ( 15.Nh4 $5 {instead, planning f2-f4 might have been more prudent.} ) 15...dxc5 16.d5 Nb6 17.dxc6 bxc6 18.Na4 ( {In case of} 18.Nd2 {Black can start moving his kingside knight from the rim to the center:} 18...Nf7 19.Nc4 Ng5 {followed by Ng5-e6-d4.} ) 18...Nxa4 19.Qxa4 {It takes time for Carlsen to regain his pawn and that allows Black a chance to activate his pieces and aim at other pawns.} 19...Rb8 {Now a forcing line starts:} 20.b3 Rb4 21.Qxc6 Bb7 22.Qd7 Rf7 23.Qxe7 Rxe7 24.Nd2 Bxe4 {And Black is again up a pawn, this time in the endgame. Carlsen can at least hope that the bishop pair will boost his defensive chances.} 25.Nxe4 ( {The rook has enough room to maneuver along the fourth rank and:} 25.a3 Rd4 26.Nxe4 Rxe4 27.Bd3 Rd4 {would not embarrass it.} ) 25...Rxe4 26.Bc4 Rd4 {Later Nakamura regretted this move.} ( {And suggested instead the prophylactic} 26...Nf5 $5 {which stops} 27.f3 $2 ( {However White can defend better with} 27.Rd5 ) 27...Rxc4 28.bxc4 Nxg3 ) 27.f3 Red7 ( {Also interesting was to install a knight in the center with} 27...Nf5 28.Bf2 Rxd1 29.Rxd1 Nd4 ) 28.Ra1 Nf5 29.Bf2 Bh6 $1 {Apparently seen from afar. The connected passers, the dominance on the dark-squares and the weak white king are superior factors than the exchange.} 30.Rfe1 ( {Perhaps White could have tried to build a fortress on the light squares with:} 30.Bxd4 cxd4 31.g4 Ne3 32.Bd3 Nxf1 33.Kxf1 ) 30...Bd2 31.Bxd4 {This this is forced.} ( {As} 31.Re2 Bc3 32.Rc1 Rd1+ 33.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 34.Kh2 {would have given Black a chance to transfer his bishop to an better diagonal with} 34...Bd4 ( {Or even better do this after the preliminary} 34...h4 $1 ) ) 31...cxd4 32.Red1 Be3+ 33.Kh2 h4 34.b4 {The natural desire is to advance the passers as soon as possible. However, Carlsen loses grip of the position now and his pieces start to hang.} ( {Better was} 34.Bd3 Bf4+ 35.Kg1 {although Black is clearly on top after} 35...Ng3 ) 34...Bf4+ 35.Kg1 Ne3 {A fork.} 36.Rdc1 d3 37.Bb5 Rd4 38.Rc7+ Kh6 39.Rd7 $1 {Missed by Black. The only chance to stop the pawns from promoting.} 39...Rxb4 {Frustration.} ( {Had Nakamura not considered his previous as a blunder, he would have definitely found} 39...Nd5 $1 40.Bc6 ( {Nothing changes} 40.Rd1 d2 41.Ba4 Nc3 42.Rxd4 exd4 43.Bb3 Kg5 {and Black should win.} ) 40...Nxb4 41.Rxd4 Be3+ {with a new double attack after the capture on d4 and material gains.} ) 40.Bxd3 Rb2 41.Bf1 Nf5 ( {Black could have won a second pawn with} 41...Nxf1 42.Kxf1 ( 42.Rxf1 Rxa2 ) 42...Be3 43.a4 Rf2+ 44.Ke1 Rxg2 ) 42.a4 Be3+ 43.Kh2 ( {Similar is} 43.Kh1 Ng3+ 44.Kh2 Bd4 ) 43...Bd4 {Black's initiative persists even without the passers, although Carlsen's chances significantly improved.} 44.Rc1 Ne3 45.a5 Rf2 46.Kg1 $1 {The only move, under the discovered threats.} 46...Ra2 47.a6 Nxf1+ ( {Maybe it made sense to postpone this for a move, not fearing} 47...Bb6 $5 48.Rd6 Nf5+ 49.Rxb6 axb6 50.Rb1 Ne3 ) 48.Kxf1 Rf2+ 49.Ke1 Rxg2 50.f4 {With seconds on the clock, the world champion could not calculate properly whether he had the time to demonstrate activity and chose the simplest move instead. Nakamura thought it was strong as 51.Rcc7 might follow, but there was something better.} ( 50.Rc6 $1 {should have saved him though as in the line:} 50...Kg5 51.Rdd6 Kf4 {White is in time to defend against the back-rank checkmate with} 52.Rxf6+ Ke3 53.Rxg6 Ra2 54.Kf1 {with a draw.} ) 50...Rg1+ {The final phase of the game will be a complex rook endgame.} 51.Kd2 Be3+ 52.Kxe3 Rxc1 53.fxe5 Re1+ ( {Easier was} 53...fxe5 $1 54.Rxa7 Rc3+ {creating two connected passers at once.} ) 54.Kf3 Rxe5 55.Rxa7 Ra5 {Now Nakamura was not sure if this is winning or not.} 56.Ra8 Ra3+ 57.Kg4 Ra4+ 58.Kf3 Kg5 59.a7 Ra1 60.Ke3 ( {White needed to keep his king in front of the passers:} 60.Kg2 Ra2+ 61.Kf3 {Then at some point Black will need to start advancing on the kingside and Carlsen will get a chance to swap his a-passer for precisely the g-pawn of the opponent, eventually reaching a textbook draw with h- and f-passers.} ( {Or even} 61.Kg1 ) 61...f5 62.Ke3 Ra3+ 63.Kf2 Kf4 64.Rg8 Rxa7 65.Rxg6 Ra3 66.Rb6 Rxh3 67.Kg2 {and this is a draw.} ) 60...Ra3+ 61.Ke4 Ra2 62.Kf3 Ra6 63.Ke4 Ra3 64.Kd5 {In the wrong direction! Now the white king is cut off from the enemy pawns.} 64...Kf4 65.Rh8 ( {Nothing helps anymore:} 65.Ke6 Ra6+ ) ( {Nor does} 65.Kc6 Kg3 66.Kb6 Kxh3 {save White.} ) 65...Rxa7 66.Rxh4+ Kf5 67.Rh8 Rd7+ {Pushing the king further away and winning easily.} 68.Kc5 g5 69.Rh6 Ke5 70.h4 gxh4 71.Rxh4 Rc7+ 72.Kb6 Rc2 73.Rh1 f5 74.Re1+ Kf4 75.Rf1+ Ke4 76.Re1+ Kf3 77.Rf1+ Rf2 78.Rd1 f4 79.Kc5 Kg2 80.Kd4 f3 0-1

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals benefiting Kiva"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.08.09"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "E21"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[Beauty "8247679401993"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 O-O 5.Bg5 c5 6.Rc1 {A topical, sharp anti-Nimzo line.} ( {The main move remains:} 6.e3 cxd4 7.exd4 d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Be2 h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.O-O Bxc3 12.bxc3 Nc6 13.Nd2 {as in Carlsen,M (2863)-Grischuk,A (2777) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 6...h6 7.Bh4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 d5 9.cxd5 g5 10.Bg3 {To which Nakamura replied without any hesitation with the novelty:} 10...Nxd5 $146 {There is absolutely no chance the American did not know what he was doing, as the amount of top-level GM games in the line is growing exponentially this year!} ( {So far all the games went:} 10...Qxd5 {Black needs to do something to compensate the weakening of his kingside as soon as possible. The queen actively prevents the castling of the White player, and sometimes goes for the queenside white pawns.} 11.e3 Qxa2 12.Qc2 ( 12.Bd3 {An example of the black queen snacking pawns is seen in the following game:} 12...Qxb2 13.O-O Bxc3 14.Rc2 Qb4 15.Nb5 e5 16.Rxc3 Nc6 17.f4 {with extremely sharp play, Topalov,V (2747)-Ding,L (2797) Wenzhou 2018} ) 12...Bxc3+ ( {Or:} 12...Nd5 13.h4 Nxc3 14.bxc3 Qxc2 15.Rxc2 Be7 16.hxg5 hxg5 17.f4 {which was Carlsen,M (2882)-Ding,L (2805) Saint Louis 2019} ) 13.Qxc3 Ne4 14.Qc2 Qa5+ 15.Ke2 Nxg3+ 16.hxg3 Kg7 17.f4 {Both fresh-from-the-oven games Nepomniachtchi,I (2784) -Leko,P (2663) chess24.com INT 2020 and Carlsen,M (2863)-So,W (2770) chess24. com INT 2020 featured this same line.} ) 11.e3 Qa5 {Still blitzing this move out.} ( {The computer's suggestion:} 11...f5 {in order to trap the white bishop is a bit too much. White's attack should prevail after:} 12.h4 f4 13.Qd3 Qe7 ( {Or else mate:} 13...fxg3 14.Qg6+ Kh8 15.Qxh6+ Kg8 16.Qg6+ Kh8 17.hxg5# ) 14.hxg5 fxg3 15.Rxh6 Rxf2 ( {Probably the best chance here is:} 15...gxf2+ {when White needs to choose the correct square for his king:} 16.Kd2 $3 {The difference is that in the line:} ( {Rather than:} 16.Ke2 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Nc6 18.Nxe6 Bxe6 19.Qg6+ Qg7 20.Qxe6+ Qf7 {when White has a draw, but hardly more.} ) 16...Bxc3+ 17.bxc3 Nc6 18.Nxe6 Bxe6 19.Qg6+ Qg7 20.Qxe6+ Qf7 {The king does not block his remaining pieces and White wins with:} 21.Rg6+ Kh8 22.Bd3 $1 {Letting the rook out.} ) 16.Qg6+ Qg7 17.Qh5 {and there are too many white pieces around the enemy king.} ) 12.Bd3 {White is also blitzing. Dubov does not worry about his pawns. A super-attacker like the Russian grandmaster knows that a checkmate should follow to avenge the lost pawns...} 12...Rd8 {And the game is quickly over. Apparently, Nakamura realized that something went terribly wrong with his move order.} ( {There does not seem to be sufficient defense though. In case of:} 12...e5 {White has a pleasant choice between the complicated:} 13.Qh5 ( {And the simple knight retreat:} 13.Nb3 Bxc3+ 14.bxc3 Qc7 15.Qf3 ) ( {Or knigth attack with:} 13.Nf5 Bxf5 14.Bxf5 {with large advantage for White in both cases.} ) 13...Nxc3 14.Qxh6 {True, here Black somehow survives after:} 14...Ne4+ 15.Kd1 Qd5 16.h4 g4 17.f3 Qd6 18.Qh5 Qg6 19.Qxg6+ fxg6 20.Bxe4 exd4 21.Bd5+ Kg7 22.Rc7+ {although White's initiative persists in the endgame as well.} ) 13.O-O {The simplest. Practically blitzed.} ( {Although Dubov had a pleasant choice with:} 13.h4 $5 Nxc3 14.bxc3 Bxc3+ 15.Kf1 {which should also be a decisive attack.} ) 13...Nxc3 14.Qh5 $1 {Dubov is not worried about the knight either.} ( {After:} 14.bxc3 Bxc3 ( {But Nakamura may try to defend with:} 14...Bf8 $1 ) 15.Qh5 {is also decisive.} ) 14...Bf8 ( {If:} 14...Nd5 15.Qxh6 {and there is no way out, since:} 15...f5 16.Rxc8 {destroys the last defender.} ) 15.Rxc3 {The simplest again. Black practically has no moves.} 15...e5 ( {Or:} 15...Nc6 16.Rxc6 $1 ) ( 15...Nd7 16.Bc7 ) 16.Bc4 Qc7 17.Bxe5 ( 17.Bxe5 {With mate to follow after:} 17...Qxe5 18.Qxf7+ Kh8 19.Qg8# ) 1-0

[Event "Schachbundesliga Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.09.20"]
[Round "7.7"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Kovalenko, Igor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2624"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[ECO "E21"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[Beauty "5915247642714"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 b6 3.c4 Bb7 4.Nc3 e6 5.g3 {This offers Black a choice between the Queen's Indian and the Nimzo-Indian defenses.} 5...Bb4 {Kovalenko chooses the latter.} ( 5...Be7 {instead is the solid QID.} ) 6.Bg2 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 O-O 8.O-O Re8 {A change of heart.} ( {In a recent game, the Latvian GM experienced difficulties after} 8...d6 9.c5 Na6 10.cxd6 cxd6 11.Ba3 Rc8 12.Rc1 Qd7 13.c4 Rc7 14.Bh3 Bxf3 15.exf3 Qe7 {Cordova,E (2592)-Kovalenko,I (2645) chess.com INT 2020} ) 9.Re1 {A useful move that prepares both e2-e4 and the maneuver Bg2-f1, which would preserve the bishop pair.} 9...Qc8 $146 ( {In an earlier game, Black was doing great after} 9...d6 10.Nd2 ( {However, White could have chosen instead} 10.Bf1 $5 ) ( {Or} 10.Qc2 $5 ) 10...Bxg2 11.Kxg2 e5 12.e4 Nc6 13.Bb2 Na5 14.Qa4 Qd7 15.Qxd7 Nxd7 {Huang,Q (2441) -Mkrtchian,L (2390) Astana 2019} ) 10.Qc2 {Luring the bishop to e4 in order to win a tempo to attack it later.} ( 10.Bf1 $5 {at once is also sensible.} ) 10...Be4 11.Qb3 d6 ( {After} 11...Qb7 {White would embarrass the black knight with} 12.Bg5 ) 12.Bf1 {A typical maneuver. Now White wants to kick the bishop back with Nf3-d2, followed by f2-f3 and e2-e4.} ( {Here} 12.Bg5 {is met with} 12...Nbd7 ) 12...Nc6 {It is time for Black to win tempos.} 13.Bg5 {Now that the queenside knight cannot defend the other one, this makes sense.} 13...Na5 14.Qd1 Nd7 {Kovalenko did not dare to accept the pawn.} ( {After} 14...Nxc4 15.Bxf6 gxf6 {White develops the initiative with either} 16.Nh4 ( {Or} 16.e3 ) ) 15.Nd2 Bg6 {This is not the right diagonal for the bishop. Its new location only helps White develop the initiative here.} ( {Better is} 15...Bb7 16.e4 {with either the preliminary} 16...h6 ( {or the immediate} 16...c5 ) 17.Be3 c5 ) 16.e4 f6 ( {Here} 16...e5 {seems reasonable to build a wall against the white bishops.} ) 17.Be3 Qb7 ( {White would have reacted the same way to} 17...c5 {as in the game:} 18.h4 ) 18.h4 $1 {Of course! Naiditsch has the strong center, and this naturally associates with a kingside attack.} 18...Bf7 ( {Perhaps Kovalenko was contemplating the exchange sacrifice} 18...Bxe4 19.Nxe4 Qxe4 20.Bg2 Qg6 21.Bxa8 Rxa8 {but it does not seem to promise enough due to} 22.c5 ( {Or} 22.h5 Qf7 23.h6 ) ) 19.Nb3 Nc6 20.d5 {Now White firmly takes over the initiative.} 20...Ne7 21.h5 e5 {Alas, this does not bring the desired relief.} ( {More solid is} 21...c6 22.dxe6 Bxe6 23.h6 {although White is calling the shots here too.} ) 22.h6 $1 {Naiditsch hits where it hurts. The missing dark bishop makes the defense of the f6-pawn impossible.} 22...g5 ( {Nothing changes} 22...g6 23.Bh3 Nf8 ( {Or} 23...c6 24.Qf3 ) 24.Qf3 {and the f6-pawn is doomed.} ) 23.Bh3 {The same idea decides. Kovalenko cannot saveguard his kingside.} 23...Rad8 24.Qf3 Nc8 25.Bxd7 Rxd7 26.Qxf6 Bg6 27.Qxg5 {Two extra pawns and an attack should easily be winning.} 27...Rf7 28.f4 exf4 29.gxf4 Rxe4 30.Bd4 ( {The other minor piece would have worked better on that spot} 30.Nd4 {Threatening f4-f5.} 30...c5 31.dxc6 Qe7 32.Qg3 Qf8 33.Bd2 {would have won for White.} ) 30...Rf5 31.Qg3 ( {Here} 31.Qg2 $1 {seems more accurate. Then in the line} 31...Rexf4 ( {After} 31...Rfxf4 32.Rxe4 Rxe4 33.Nd2 Re8 34.Rf1 {Black is helpless against the queen maneuver to the f6-square.} ) 32.Re6 Kf7 {White has the nice retreat} 33.Be3 $1 Rh4 {and then the knight-jump} 34.Nd4 {decides.} ) 31...Re7 32.Be3 {Ultimately Naiditsch decided to award the knight with the central outpost.} ( {However,} 32.Bg7 $1 {would have been neater, since Black wouldn't have the defense} 32...Ref7 {due to} 33.Re8+ ) 32...Ref7 33.Nd4 Ne7 $1 {Forced, and Kovalenko at least builds a blockade.} 34.Nxf5 Nxf5 35.Qg5 Qc8 36.Bd4 Qf8 37.Re6 {White is still winning but has to be more careful than before.} ( 37.Rad1 {is good too.} ) 37...Nxd4 38.cxd4 Rf5 ( {No time for} 38...Rxf4 39.Rae1 {when the white rooks crash through along the e-file.} ) 39.Qg3 Qxh6 40.Re8+ Kg7 41.Re7+ Kh8 42.Rf1 Bh5 43.Rf2 Qf6 44.Rxc7 Bg6 45.Qe3 Qh4 {Now some unpleasant checks are always in the air.} 46.Rh2 Qg4+ 47.Rg2 Qd1+ 48.Kf2 Rf8 {However, the neat} 49.c5 $1 {leaves White in control as the opening of the long diagonal would be deadly for the second player.} 49...Bd3 ( {If} 49...bxc5 50.dxc5 Qxd5 51.Qc3+ {swapping the queens with an easy win after} 51...Qe5 52.Qxe5+ dxe5 53.c6 ) 50.Rg5 Qc2+ ( {The checks are over after} 50...Qf1+ 51.Kg3 ) 51.Kg1 Qb1+ 52.Kh2 Be4 53.Kg3 {Simply following his plan.} ( {White misses a beautiful win with} 53.Rxh7+ $3 Bxh7 ( 53...Kxh7 54.Qh3# ) 54.Qe7 {when in order to prevent mate, Black needs to part with his queen:} 54...Qxa2+ 55.Rg2 Qxg2+ 56.Kxg2 ) 53...Qc2 54.Qf2 Qd3+ 55.Kh2 Qd1 56.cxd6 h6 57.Rgg7 {The end is near. The next series of checks end soon:} 57...Qh1+ 58.Kg3 Bf5 59.Qh2 Qe1+ 60.Qf2 Qh1 61.Qg2 Qe1+ 62.Kh2 Qh4+ 63.Kg1 Qe1+ 64.Qf1 Qe4 65.Qf2 Qxd5 {And it is time for White to bring his queen in.} 66.Qe3 Be4 ( {The endgame is lost, of course:} 66...Qxd6 67.Qe5 ) 67.f5 {Mate is inevitable.} 67...Rf6 68.Rh7+ Kg8 69.Qg3+ 1-0

[Event "St. Louis Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.09.17"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[ECO "B75"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7286277799973"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 {An interesting choice. Carlsen does not stick to any solid opening but chooses instead one of the sharpest Sicilian lines: the Dragon.} 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 a6 {A rare move. [Turning it into a Dragondorf - ed.].} 8.Qd2 h5 ( {Nakamura could not solve his opening problems completely in the following game:} 8...b5 9.a4 b4 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.exd5 Bb7 12.Bc4 Nd7 13.a5 Nf6 14.Ne2 O-O 15.Ra4 Rc8 16.b3 Rc5 17.Rxb4 Rxd5 18.Bxd5 Bxd5 19.Rb6 {Kramnik,V (2808)-Nakamura,H (2785) Stavanger 2017} ) 9.Bc4 Nbd7 10.Bb3 Nc5 11.O-O-O {Grischuk follows the classical traditions and develops a piece with every move that he makes.} 11...b5 12.Kb1 Bb7 13.a3 $146 ( 13.Nd5 Rc8 14.Bg5 e6 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.h4 Qe7 17.Rhe1 Rd8 18.Bd5 $1 {The black king remained in the center after} 18...Bxg5 19.hxg5 e5 20.Nc6 ( 20.Ne2 $1 {might be better to occupy the central outpost later.} ) 20...Bxc6 21.Bxc6+ Kf8 {But after} 22.f4 ( 22.Bd5 $1 ) 22...exf4 23.Qc3 $6 Kg8 24.e5 Kh7 25.Bd5 Rhe8 {Black managed to coordinate his pieces, Kulkarni,C (2355)-Nihal,S (2556) Abu Dhabi 2018} ) ( {It is curious to know the opinion of the players regarding the computer shot:} 13.Nf5 $1 {with the idea} 13...gxf5 14.Bxc5 dxc5 15.Qg5 {and White wins. It seems as this line might be the acid test of Black's idea.} ) 13...Nxb3 14.cxb3 Rc8 {Natural and strong.} ( {Another idea is to regroup with} 14...Nd7 $5 ) 15.Nc2 {Grischuk tries to block the central pawns and deprive his opponent of any counterplay.} ( {A solid and good move is} 15.Rhe1 ) 15...Qc7 16.Bd4 {This regrouping is what the Russian GM had in mind. d6-d5 is no longer possible, or at least it seems so.} 16...O-O {Missing the moment.} ( {Carlsen could have equalized at once with} 16...e5 $1 17.Bf2 ( 17.Be3 d5 {would be similar.} ) 17...d5 $1 {Then the forcing line} 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.exd5 Bxd5 20.Qxd5 Qxc2+ 21.Ka2 O-O {leads to equality.} ( {But not} 21...Qxf2 $4 22.Qd7+ ) ) 17.Qf2 {Another excellent prophylaxis.} ( {Although White already has a choice of interesting moves:} 17.Rc1 $5 {is another one, overprotecting the knight on c2 and eyeballing the enemy queen.} ) 17...e5 {A move too late, and it no longer works. The Sicilian Defense, ladies and gentlemen!} ( {Objectively, Carlsen should have defended patiently with} 17...e6 18.Rhe1 Qe7 19.Rd3 Rfd8 20.Red1 {but White is definitely enjoying himself here.} ) 18.Bb6 {With tempo.} 18...Qd7 ( {Even worse is} 18...Qc6 19.Nb4 ) 19.Nb4 $1 {If White manages to install a knight on d5, Black's position will become strategically lost; therefore...} 19...Rxc3 {...was played without hesitation.} ( {If} 19...Qe6 20.Rd3 {then the rooks are doubled, and Nd5 will be next.} ) 20.bxc3 Qe6 21.Kb2 Rc8 {Still hoping for a much needed tempo to build enough initiative, but Grischuk will never give it.} ( {Once again from an objective point of view} 21...d5 $1 {is the best chance, although there too} 22.exd5 Nxd5 23.Nxd5 Bxd5 {White has the cold shower} 24.Qc5 $1 Bxb3 25.Rd6 Qc4 26.Qxc4 Bxc4 27.Rhd1 {when the endgame is clearly better for White.} ) 22.Ba5 d5 ( {An interesting sacrifice would be} 22...Bxe4 {with the idea} 23.fxe4 ( {However, both calm moves} 23.Qb6 $1 ) ( {and} 23.Qd2 $1 {would have refuted Black's idea.} ) 23...Nxe4 24.Qb6 Nxc3 25.Rxd6 Na4+ 26.bxa4 e4+ {and Black is crushing.} ) 23.Qa7 $1 Ba8 24.Nxa6 {Again the strongest move. Grischuk plugs in the half-open c-file and stops any attacking options.} ( {The endgame after} 24.Qxa6 Qxa6 25.Nxa6 dxe4 {is better for White, but not as clear.} ) 24...Bf8 ( {A neat tactical point behind Grischuk's play is} 24...dxe4 25.Nc7 Qc6 26.Nxa8 Rxa8 27.Qxa8+ $1 Qxa8 28.Rd8+ ) ( {Whereas} 24...d4 {can be met with the cementing} 25.Rc1 ) 25.Nc7 Qe7 26.Nxb5 Qe8 27.Nc7 Qe7 28.Bb6 $1 {That is it! Everything is defended, and White is trading the key attackers.} 28...dxe4 29.Nxa8 Qxa7 30.Bxa7 Rxa8 31.Bf2 Bxa3+ 32.Kc2 Be7 33.Ra1 {The endgame is lost for Carlsen.} 33...Rc8 34.Rhd1 exf3 35.gxf3 e4 36.fxe4 Nxe4 37.Bd4 f5 38.Kb2 {Final preparation before the queenside passers come into motion.} ( {The pawns would move a bit faster with} 38.Ra7 Kf7 39.b4 ) 38...Kf7 39.b4 g5 40.Kb3 g4 ( {Nothing changes:} 40...h4 41.Ra7 Ke6 ) 41.Ra7 Ke6 42.Ra6+ Kf7 43.c4 Bd6 44.Bg1 Ke7 45.c5 Be5 46.Rd5 1-0

[Event "St. Louis Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.09.19"]
[Round "27.5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2829"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6877358330963"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.e4 e5 {Nakamura had secured the third place before the final round and could not go any higher or lower. Thus came the novelty of the century:} 2.Ke2 {[This has been called the Bongcloud, although Carlsen thinks the original Bongcloud is 1.f3 and 2.Kf2. - ed.]} 2...Nf6 ( {Perhaps in the future Black will try in these situations:} 2...Qh4 {Checking if the opponent has the pre-move} 3.Nf3 Qxe4# ) 3.d3 d5 4.Nd2 Nc6 5.c3 b6 {Quick and natural development leads to a won position for Xiong in the next moves.} ( {Also good is} 5...Bc5 {Getting ready to attack the weakness on f2 in the line} 6.Ngf3 Ng4 ) 6.Qc2 Bb7 7.Ngf3 Qd7 8.b4 O-O-O 9.a3 ( {The huge lag in development leaves White no time to play for pawns:} 9.b5 dxe4 10.dxe4 Na5 11.Nxe5 Qxb5+ {Ah, yes, the king's position is also not optimal.} ) 9...Kb8 ( {Another excellent possibility is} 9...dxe4 10.dxe4 Ne7 {intending both Ne7-g6-f4 and Qd7-g4.} ) 10.Bb2 g6 11.Ke1 Bh6 12.Rd1 Rhe8 {The centralized black army is impressive.} 13.Be2 {If White could only castle now, he would not be that horrible, but the consequences of the novelty Ke1-e2 still tell.} 13...Nh5 $1 {Time to take care of this king.} 14.b5 Na5 ( {Even better would be} 14...Nf4 {with the idea to mate after} 15.bxc6 Nxg2+ 16.Kf1 Qh3 17.cxb7 Ne3+ 18.Ke1 Nxc2# ) 15.c4 Nf4 16.Bf1 {We already know what happens if White allows the capture on g2.} 16...dxc4 17.dxc4 ( {If} 17.Nxc4 Qxb5 {is winning for Black.} ) 17...f5 $1 {Now the central files against the white king are open. The end is near.} 18.c5 $1 {Nakamura knows he is losing and does not want to stand still. He makes sure instead that he can create threats on his own.} ( {Since} 18.exf5 e4 {followed by either e4-e3 or Nf4-d3 would be unbearable.} ) 18...fxe4 $1 {Best. No time, and need to defend.} 19.c6 Nxc6 20.bxc6 Bxc6 21.Nxe5 Nd3+ 22.Bxd3 ( 22.Nxd3 $2 exd3+ ) 22...exd3 23.Qc4 Bxg2 {The poor white king is exposed. Now all Black needs to do is to bring his queen closer.} 24.Rg1 Bb7 ( {The win is} 24...Qh3 $1 25.Rxg2 Qxg2 26.Qa4 Re6 {when White is defenseless.} ) 25.Qh4 Qf5 {Oh, a blunder!} ( {Xiong is still winning with} 25...Qb5 $1 26.Qxh6 Qxb2 {Nakamura's problem is that he cannot defend with} 27.f4 {due to} 27...Rxe5+ $1 28.fxe5 Qxe5+ 29.Kf2 Qf5+ 30.Kg3 Rd4 {with inevitable mate:} 31.h3 ( 31.Qh3 Qf4# ) 31...Qe5+ 32.Kf2 Rf4+ {and mate follows shortly.} ) 26.Qxh6 Rxe5+ 27.Bxe5 Qxe5+ 28.Qe3 Qxh2 29.Kf1 {Nakamura went completely dry out of the water, amazing! Four pawns for the rook still leave Xiong some compensation, but the psychological initiative has passed to White, and he never lets go from here on.} 29...Qh5 30.f3 Bc6 31.Qg5 Qh3+ 32.Kf2 Qh2+ 33.Rg2 Qd6 34.Re1 Rf8 35.Kg1 ( {Or} 35.Qe7 Qd4+ 36.Re3 Rf5 37.Qb4 {Solidifying.} ) 35...Rf5 36.Qe7 Qf4 37.Qd8+ Kb7 38.Qxd3 Rd5 39.Qe3 {The compensation is done. With his next moves Nakamura organizes a decisive attack with his major pieces, whereas the knight is left to defend its own king.} 39...Qh4 40.Qf2 Qa4 41.Re3 Qd1+ 42.Qe1 Qa4 43.Rc3 Rh5 44.Rg4 Qa5 45.Qc1 Qe5 46.Nf1 $1 ( {Avoiding the last trick:} 46.Rxc6 Qe3+ 47.Kg2 Qe2+ 48.Kg1 Qe3+ {with perpetual.} ) 46...Qe6 47.Rgc4 Bb5 48.Rxc7+ Ka6 49.a4 Be2 ( {Nothing helps:} 49...Bxa4 50.Ra3 Ra5 51.Ng3 {leaves Black paralyzed.} ) 50.Re3 Rg5+ 51.Kf2 Qh3 52.Kxe2 1-0

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX 2020"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.09.11"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[EventDate "2020.09.11"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[Beauty "6597069766657"]
[EventType "game"]

{intending to castle short looks normal, but White is more ambitious. (Kasparov) would have led to relieving trades along the d-file and eventually a draw. does not yield Black much after After Black would have, of course, kept a pair of rooks with with the advantage as all the black pieces are superior to the enemy ones. as suggested by Kasparov also seems very strong. After Black secures a strong blockading position and will bring his king next to g6 to hit the weak g5-pawn. True to his active style, the former world champion suggested instead the aggressive defense with (Kasparov) It might not be optimal though as} 
1.d4 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.Nf3 e6 4.c4 a6 5.Nc3 ( {Instead} 5.Qc2 $1 {was Kasparov's recommendation after the game, apparently in search for quick 0-0.} ) 5...dxc4 6.Bxc4 c5 7.dxc5 {Now it is QGA when White is a little better thanks to the extra tempo in a symmetrical position. White finds the optimal square for his knights. The only problem with this plan is that he cannot seize the a3-f8 diagonal with his bishop. Whereas Carlsen is patiently building a wall against the opponent's bishop on the long diagonal. In the meantime, the diagonal for his second bishop is cleared. "Too optimistic" (Kasparov). This is a standard idea to prolong a diagonal, but unfortunately for him, White will soon have no piece to attack there. Missed by Kasparov. "I wanted to play g4-g2." Without the dark-squared bishop, everything that White had done so far makes little sense, and the pawn advance g2-g4 turns into a weakness. White is desperately trying to repair the damage he has done to his kingside. The pawn on g5 is a future weakness and should be kept alive. Carlsen allows his opponent a chance to connect the pawns.} ( {The commentators expected} 7.Qe2 {but Kasparov didn't like} 7...Qc7 8.Bd2 {Error reading move: Bc6 with "a phenomenal Queen's Gambit."} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champions Showdown: Chess9LX"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.09.12"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "5"]
[Beauty "8246337208833"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

{Couldn't Aronian play a la the Scandinavian and drag the white queen out first with in order to win a tempo or two? Then would be answered as in the game, but in comparison to the actual continuation, the white queen is placed better on g2. The straightforward: does not yield White much after: hitting the a2-pawn. White is a bit better after} 
1.f4 d5 2.g4 e6 3.e4 {Error reading move: Bc6 An interesting moment in the opening. Both sides strive for finishing the development as quickly as they can. If Black is not fast enough to castle, the center will be opened, and his king will be in trouble. Fighting for the d5-square. Dominguez achieved what he played for, but Aronian managed to prepare just in time. Black starts play of his own.} 0-1

[Event "Champions Showdown: Chess9LX"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.09.13"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2860"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "3"]
[Beauty "8246337208321"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

{Whereas the computer is even happier with a pawn assault: Black needs stability with Instead might lead to complete paralysis of Black's position after And now the cute Fixing the d-pawn and the whole black queenside. does not protect the pawn as is a powerful double-attack. Yup, Fischer Random might witness some original mates: Also good is preserving the strong bishop. If And Black cannot prevent the knight's maneuver to the f6-outpost as loses neatly to Worse is Even more would have promised by the plan for the kingside attack: Thanks to the f5-f6 threat and the open g-file, White is close to winning. Perhaps a tad better is White could also defend the pawn tactically: As is too scary for the second player. The other plan is intending a3-a4, eventually aiming the b5-pawn. promises White too much activity. Instead the immediate attack of the e6-passer with seems risky due to the possible forks on d5 after But Black did not need to fear; he has tricks of his own: and the game goes on. Now is not effective for Black. The rook endgame after provides Black reasonable saving chances, mainly because the connected white passers after} 
1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 {Error reading move: Qe5 Another Chess960 Scandinavia. Dominguez is OK in bringing his queen out as the white knights are far away from it. However, Vachier-Lagrave can attack it with a bishop too. This is already a very serious inaccuracy. That is the problem! Without the queens, the c7-pawn suffers. Accepting the inevitable loss. White is aiming for quick development. An opening disaster for Dominguez. He lost a pawn for no real compensation and on the top of that has a weakness along the d-file. A powerful way to bring the second knight to an excellent outpost. Vachier-Lagrave fixes some squares for his knight while limiting the enemy bishop. White keeps the edge, but his opponent manages to stabilize the position, and the good bishop somewhat compensates for the lack of the pawn. Fewer pawns, fewer headaches. Solid play in the arising time deficit. Dominguez squeezes the maximum out of the position. His bishop is out, his king is safe, and the e5-pawn, a potential target. Forcing matters. The best defense. Missing another chance.} 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.09.15"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[ECO "D78"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7630030384157"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.d4 O-O 6.c4 c6 7.Qb3 Qb6 {A solid line in which Black holds well against the Fianchetto line in the Grunfeld.} 8.Rd1 ( {Our readers have already checked this annotated game} 8.Nc3 Rd8 9.Bd2 dxc4 10.Qxc4 Be6 11.Qa4 Bf5 12.Rfc1 Nbd7 13.b4 Ne4 14.e3 Nxc3 15.Bxc3 Be4 {Giri,A (2764)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2784) chess24. com INT 2020} ) 8...Bf5 9.Qa3 $146 {A novelty. Firouzja wants to avoid the endgame.} ( {An earlier game saw} 9.Na3 Nbd7 10.Bf4 Qxb3 11.axb3 h6 12.h4 a6 13.Rac1 Rac8 14.Ne5 Be6 {with equality, Kuzubov-Bacrot, Linares 2019} ) 9...dxc4 10.Ne5 ( {Not} 10.Qxe7 Re8 {when the e2-pawn hangs.} ) 10...Be6 {Aronian decided that the c4-pawn is more valuable.} ( {He could have also insisted on the endgame:} 10...a5 $5 11.Nxc4 Qb4 {with good play for Black.} ) 11.Qxe7 Na6 {Black is ready to bring his knights close to the enemy camp. In the meantime he connects the rooks.} ( {Here too} 11...a5 $5 {is interesting, provided that after} 12.Qa3 {Black chooses} 12...Rd8 $1 ( {rather than} 12...Qb4 13.Bd2 {as with the queen defended on a3, the queen maneuver is not effective.} ) ) ( {Please note that Black is not ready for aggression yet:} 11...Ng4 12.Nxg4 Bxg4 13.Nc3 Bxd4 14.Rxd4 $1 Qxd4 15.Bh6 Rc8 16.Rd1 {in these lines the back-rank weakness matters.} ) 12.Nc3 ( {After} 12.Qa3 {Black can try} 12...Ng4 $5 {immediately.} ( {Or after the preparatory} 12...Nb4 13.Qa4 Ng4 ) ) 12...Rad8 {Not only hitting the pawn, but also surrounding the white queen.} 13.Qa3 Rfe8 ( {Nope, the pawn is not yummy yet:} 13...Rxd4 14.Rxd4 Qxd4 15.Nxc6 bxc6 {Due to the zwischenzug} 16.Be3 $1 ( {Avoiding the problems after} 16.Qxa6 Ng4 17.e3 Qd3 ) ) 14.Bg5 h6 15.Be3 $5 {A very risky move that leads to immense complications. Firouzja decided to keep his bishop pair.} ( {Although} 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Ne4 {followed by e2-e3 makes sense as well.} ) 15...Bf8 16.d5 {What happens next is closer to checkers than chess.} ( 16.Qa4 Qxb2 {wins material for Black.} ) 16...Qxe3 $1 {First capture. Aronian ruins the opponent's pawn structure.} ( {The other capture} 16...Bxa3 {is not easy to calculate either as there are many things to be taken for both sides:} 17.Bxb6 {The good thing for White is that in the line} 17...axb6 ( {Instead} 17...Bxb2 {is perhaps even more entertaining:} 18.dxe6 ( {Or} 18.Bxd8 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Bxd5 20.e4 Bxa1 21.Rxa1 Rxd8 22.exd5 cxd5 {with three pawns for a piece, but the bishop on g2 is not just any piece.} ) 18...Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1 Rxe6 20.Bd4 {Pause for a second, and after} 20...c5 21.Nxc4 cxd4 22.Nb5 {the position should be close to even.} ( {Not} 22.Nxb2 dxc3 $19 ) ) 18.dxe6 Rxd1+ {He has a way to defend the b2-pawn:} 19.Nxd1 $1 ) 17.fxe3 Bxa3 18.dxe6 Rxd1+ 19.Nxd1 {Once again White's key resource to hold everything together.} ( 19.Rxd1 Rxe6 20.Nxc4 Bc5 ) 19...Rxe6 20.Nxc6 Bxb2 21.Nxb2 {The 10th(!) capture in a row, and a short break.} 21...c3 ( {More accurate Is} 21...bxc6 $5 22.Nxc4 Nb4 ) 22.Nxa7 {Firouzja misses a chance to equalize fully.} ( {Stronger Is} 22.Nc4 $1 bxc6 23.Rc1 Nb4 24.Rxc3 Nxa2 25.Ra3 Nb4 26.Rxa7 {with a likely draw.} ) 22...cxb2 23.Rb1 Rb6 {The strong passer on b2 survives. White is in trouble.} 24.Nc8 Rb4 25.Ne7+ Kf8 {The knight is heading to d5 anyway.} ( {Therefore, a more useful move like} 25...Kg7 $1 {would be more to the point. Then after} 26.Nd5 {the black knight is defended, and Aronian could go for} 26...Rb5 $1 27.Nxf6 Kxf6 28.Be4 Nc5 {with a serious advantage for the second player.} ) 26.Nd5 Rc4 27.Rxb2 {A sigh of relief. The most dangerous black pawn has disappeared.} 27...Rc1+ 28.Kf2 Ng4+ 29.Kf3 Nxh2+ 30.Kf4 ( {Avoiding} 30.Kf2 Ng4+ 31.Kf3 h5 ) 30...Rg1 {Black still pushes through as the enemy king is iffy.} 31.Bf3 ( {After} 31.Bh3 $1 g5+ 32.Kf5 g4 33.Bxg4 Rxg3 ( 33...Nxg4 34.Kxg4 ) 34.Bf3 Nxf3 35.exf3 Rxf3+ 36.Kg4 {the game would end in a draw.} ) 31...Nc5 32.g4 h5 {The players started to blitz their moves, and therefore some subtleties of the position could not be revealed.} ( {The cunning} 32...Kg7 $1 {is a useful move and would preserve the advantage for Black:} 33.Rb5 ( {The best move is very hard to find:} 33.Rb4 {defends the g4-pawn, although White is under pressure here too:} 33...g5+ 34.Kf5 Rf1 ) 33...Ne6+ 34.Ke5 Nxg4+ 35.Bxg4 Rxg4 36.Rxb7 Ra4 {and Black has all the chances.} ) ( {Less convincing is} 32...Ne6+ 33.Ke5 Nxg4+ 34.Bxg4 Rxg4 35.Rxb7 {with a likely draw.} ) 33.gxh5 g5+ 34.Kf5 g4 35.Be4 ( {There is a fantastic counterattacking resource instead:} 35.Rc2 $3 gxf3 ( 35...b6 36.Nxb6 ) ( {With the key point} 35...Nd7 $2 36.h6 ) 36.exf3 Nxf3 37.Rxc5 Kg7 38.Rb5 {when it is already Black who has to prove the draw.} ) 35...g3 {Aronian instinctively pushed the pawn up.} ( {Or} 35...Nf1 36.Ke5 Nxe4 37.Kxe4 Ng3+ 38.Ke5 Nxh5 39.Nf4 $1 {with a likely draw.} ) 36.Nf4 Nf1 37.Bf3 ( {Instead, Firouzja could have trapped the black rook with} 37.Nh3 $1 {And even though Black can save it with} 37...Nxe3+ 38.Kf4 Nc4 {White would be out of danger and can play for a win with either} 39.Nxg1 ( {Or} 39.Rb4 $5 ) 39...Nxb2 40.Bg2 ) 37...Nxe3+ 38.Kf6 Rd1 39.h6 {The most logical and obvious move is refuted tactically.} ( {Missing} 39.Ng2 $1 Rd6+ 40.Kg5 {with a draw.} ) 39...g2 $3 {And it was Aronian who was faster for a move.} 40.h7 ( {As now} 40.Nxg2 Rd6+ 41.Kg5 ( 41.Ke5 Nc4+ ) 41...Rg6+ {drops a piece for White.} ) 40...Nd7+ {White resigned.} ( 40...Nd7+ 41.Kg5 g1=Q+ ) 0-1

[Event "St. Louis Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.09.16"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[ECO "C41"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "7559947767883"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 {Almost a novelty for the world champion. This is only the second time he has used the Philidor defense.} 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7 6.Bf4 {Dominguez chooses the most principled line.} ( {Carlsen's previous game saw the positional} 6.g3 Nc6 7.Bg2 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 O-O 9.O-O Re8 10.Re1 Be6 {and White here chose the not very exciting continuation} 11.e5 dxe5 12.Qxd8 Rexd8 13.Bxb7 Rab8 14.Bg2 Bb4 15.Be3 a5 16.Ba7 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Rb2 18.a4 e4 19.Bd4 Rxc2 {and the game eventually ended a draw, Guseinov,G (2645)-Carlsen,M (2832) chess. com INT 2017} ) 6...O-O 7.Qd2 c6 8.O-O-O {Who is faster? This is the main question in this line. White has the advantage of the extra move, but Black can advance his queenside pawns with tempos.} 8...b5 9.f3 b4 10.Nb1 ( {Another retreat is possible as well:} 10.Nce2 c5 11.Nf5 Bxf5 12.exf5 Nc6 13.g4 Qa5 14.Kb1 c4 15.Nd4 Nxd4 16.Qxd4 d5 17.g5 Bc5 18.Qd2 Nh5 19.Be5 Rad8 20.f6 {with extremely sharp play in Popov,I (2592)-Kazhgaleyev,M (2587) St Petersburg 2018} ) 10...a5 11.g4 a4 12.h4 c5 $146 {Faster and faster. And a novelty.} ( {In an earlier game Black quickly lost a pawn after} 12...Qb6 13.h5 b3 14.cxb3 axb3 15.a3 d5 16.g5 Nfd7 17.Nf5 Qc5+ 18.Qc3 Qxc3+ 19.Nxc3 Bc5 20.exd5 {Kokoszczynski,J (2121)-Domanski,L (1975) Gora Sw Anny 2016} ) 13.Nf5 Bxf5 14.gxf5 {The first lengthy thought by the American grandmaster (almost five minutes). At the end, he decided to open up the g-file for his major pieces.} ( {The other capture is logical as well with compensation for the pawn in the main line:} 14.exf5 d5 15.g5 Nh5 16.f6 gxf6 ( {Black should avoid} 16...Bd6 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Qxd5 ) 17.gxf6 Bxf6 18.Bh6 {The open kingside files promise White compensation.} ) 14...Nc6 15.h5 ( {Black can sacrifice the d6-pawn:} 15.Bxd6 a3 16.b3 Ra7 17.Bxe7 Qxe7 {as he has ample compensation for it, even in the hypothetic endgame:} 18.Qd6 Nd4 19.Qxe7 Rxe7 {Thanks to the blockade on the dark squares, Black is fine.} ) 15...Nd4 {Carlsen does not touch the queenside pawns for the time being.} ( {The computer believes that a tad more accurate move is} 15...a3 16.b3 Nd4 17.Qg2 Kh8 {as it prevents the additional idea that White had in the game.} ) 16.Qg2 Kh8 17.Be3 {A sluggish move after which Black manages to build a solid kingside block.} ( {For good or for bad, Dominguez has to risk and go for} 17.c3 $1 bxc3 18.bxc3 {Now the retreat of the knight is not good; therefore, Carlsen would have needed to sacrifice a piece with} 18...Rb8 $1 ( {Rather than} 18...Nc6 19.e5 $1 ) 19.cxd4 cxd4 {Now the open files promise enough attack for the material, say:} 20.Rd2 ( 20.Na3 Qa5 ) 20...Qc7+ 21.Rc2 Qb6 22.Nd2 d3 $1 23.Bxd3 Qd4 {and it is anyone's game.} ) ( {Maybe even better is to insert the move} 17.h6 $1 g6 {and then} 18.c3 bxc3 19.bxc3 {In some of the lines, the additional mating ideas might work well for White, as here:} 19...Rb8 20.cxd4 cxd4 21.Na3 ( 21.Rd2 ) 21...Qa5 22.Qd2 Rfc8+ 23.Nc4 Rb4 24.Qxd4 d5 25.Bd6 $1 {although this is extremely unclear as well.} ) 17...h6 $1 18.Bd3 Nd7 $1 19.Rhg1 Bf6 {Just in time. The bishop is perfect on the long diagonal, and since the white pawns are fixed, Carlsen enjoys one-sided play.} 20.f4 Re8 ( {Better is} 20...Qc7 $5 {in order to prevent} 21.Nd2 {when the X-raying power of the black queen can be unleashed:} 21...b3 22.Bxd4 cxd4 ) 21.Bxd4 ( {Missing the chance to activate the knight with} 21.Nd2 $5 ) 21...cxd4 22.Nd2 Nc5 23.Nc4 ( {Or} 23.Kb1 b3 {that would have transposed into the game.} ) 23...b3 24.Kb1 bxc2+ $1 {The stronger capture that undermines the white bishop.} ( {After} 24...bxa2+ 25.Ka1 {the white king hides behind the enemy pawn.} ) 25.Bxc2 Rb8 {Carlsen plays the most natural moves, but here he had an even better continuation.} ( 25...a3 26.b3 d3 $1 {would have opened the white king with the key point being to meet} 27.Bxd3 {with} ( 27.Rxd3 Nxe4 $1 {would be a decisive attack on the dark squares for Black.} ) 27...Nxb3 $1 28.axb3 a2+ {and wins.} ) 26.Bd3 ( {Here White needs to take the exchange with} 26.e5 $1 dxe5 27.fxe5 Rxe5 28.Nxe5 Bxe5 29.Bd3 a3 {when there is more than enough compensation for the material for Black, but White has a chance to build a saving blockade.} ) 26...Rb4 ( {Missing the winning} 26...Qc7 $1 27.Na3 ( 27.e5 dxe5 28.fxe5 Bxe5 29.Nxe5 Qxe5 {doesn't works for White anymore as the bishop is successfully replaced by the queen.} ) 27...Nxd3 28.Rxd3 Qb7 {with won position.} ) 27.a3 ( {Now} 27.e5 dxe5 28.Nxe5 Rxe5 29.fxe5 Bxe5 30.Qc6 {is working, but Dominguez knows about it.} ) 27...Rb3 28.Bc2 Rb8 29.e5 $1 {A sigh of relief for White. It is not only the material that he gains, but rather the chance to solidify his position that matters.} 29...dxe5 30.fxe5 Rxe5 31.Nxe5 Bxe5 32.Bd3 {The black pawn (and bishop) need to be locked for good.} ( {Not} 32.Qc6 $2 d3 $1 ) 32...Bf6 33.Qc2 Qa5 34.Rg2 Nxd3 35.Qxd3 Qd5 {Despite the extra exchange, White is still not out of the woods. His king is never going to be safe enough, and if the long diagonal for the black bishop is ever opened, Black may crush the opponent.} 36.Re2 {As strange as it looks, this is not the right square for the rook.} ( {The only move is} 36.Rc2 $1 {in order to meet} 36...Rb3 {with} 37.Qc4 $1 ) 36...Kh7 ( {Black could have already won with} 36...Rb3 $1 37.Qe4 ( 37.Qa6 d3 $1 ) 37...Rxb2+ $3 38.Kxb2 d3+ 39.Kc1 Qc5+ 40.Kb1 Qb5+ 41.Qb4 dxe2 42.Re1 Qd3+ ) 37.Qe4 {Completing his idea, and... losing the game outright.} ( 37.Rc2 $1 ) 37...Rxb2+ $3 {The second chance Carlsen does not miss.} 38.Kxb2 d3+ {The bishop is more valuable than the rook!} 39.Kc1 Qc5+ 40.Kd2 Qc2+ 41.Ke1 Bh4+ 0-1

[Event "St. Louis Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.09.18"]
[Round "16.4"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[Beauty "5842791041623"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 {Not yet an endgame with you, Mr Carlsen.} 4...Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.O-O ( {Firouzja has some negative experience in this line after} 6.Nbd2 Be6 7.Nb3 Bb6 8.Qe2 Nd7 9.Be3 Qe7 10.Nfd2 O-O-O 11.a4 Bxe3 12.Qxe3 Kb8 13.a5 g6 14.O-O f5 15.exf5 gxf5 16.f4 {Nakamura,H (2736) -Firouzja,A (2728) chess.com INT 2020} ) 6...Bg4 {The most annoying reply for the first player. Once that he castled, he needs to think twice if he really wants to break the pin with the g2-g4 move.} 7.h3 Bh5 8.Nbd2 Nd7 9.Nc4 f6 10.Rb1 $5 $146 {A novelty which intends to dispatch the black bishop from the a7-g1 diagonal.} ( {An email game saw} 10.c3 a5 11.Ne3 Bxe3 12.Bxe3 Qe7 13.Qb3 Bxf3 14.gxf3 b6 15.Qc4 Qd6 16.d4 {with unclear play, Cruzado Duenas,C (2602)-Almiron,L (2598) ICCF email 2012} ) 10...a5 $1 {Carlsen wants his bishop on the diagonal.} ( {White's play is easier after} 10...O-O 11.b4 Be7 12.a3 ( {Or:} 12.Ne3 ) ) 11.Bd2 b6 12.Be3 Be7 {Now that the e3 square is occupied by the white bishop, Black can retreat.} ( {Although there was nothing wrong with} 12...Bxe3 13.Nxe3 Nc5 {followed by Nc5-e6.} ) 13.b3 {White is arranging his pawns according to Capablanca's rule: on the opposite color of his own bishop. Make no mistake though, this is purely defensive here as they are not moving anywhere.} ( {If} 13.a3 a4 {would prevent White from making any progress on the queenside.} ) 13...Nc5 {Carlsen wants to occupy the d4 square in the most convenient way.} ( {Once again, Black had a reasonable alternative:} 13...c5 $5 {followed by either Nd7-b6-c6 or Nd7-f8-e6 on route to the d4 square.} ) 14.a4 Ne6 15.Qe2 c5 16.c3 $1 {Firouzja needs to change the trend. If he stays, he will be slowly smothered.} 16...Qd7 17.Rfd1 Rd8 ( {It makes no sense to castle into it:} 17...O-O-O {As:} 18.b4 $1 cxb4 19.d4 $1 {would seize the initiative for White:} ( {Also interesting is} 19.Bxb6 bxc3 {Although it is less clear.} ) 19...Bxf3 20.gxf3 exd4 21.cxd4 {with strong threats for White.} ) 18.Rb2 Qc8 19.Rbd2 {White is consistent with the preparation of the d3-d4 break. Indeed, there is nothing else that he can play for.} 19...O-O ( {More prophylaxis with} 19...Qb7 $5 {made sense too. Black hits the e4 pawn, thus preventing the d3-d4 break.} ) 20.g4 Bf7 21.Nh4 ( {It is too early for} 21.d4 cxd4 22.cxd4 exd4 23.Nxd4 Nxd4 24.Rxd4 Rxd4 25.Rxd4 Rd8 {with a pleasant endgame for Black thanks to the bishop pair.} ) 21...g6 22.Ng2 g5 $1 {Carlsen is stopping the other typical break for White, f2-f4.} 23.f3 h5 24.Bf2 Kh7 {In order to occupy the h-file before opening it.} ( 24...Nf4 $5 25.Nxf4 exf4 {deserved serious investigation as well.} ) 25.Nce3 {Active play.} ( {Firouzja could have prepared for the assault with} 25.Qf1 Rh8 26.Nge3 ) 25...Rh8 26.Nf5 Bf8 {Now that the black pieces are awkwardly placed, the moment should be right:} 27.d4 {Changing the rhythm of the game when even world champions may err.} 27...cxd4 28.cxd4 hxg4 ( {Black could have preserved his advantage with} 28...exd4 $1 29.Nxd4 Bb4 30.Nxe6 Rxd2 31.Nxg5+ fxg5 32.Rxd2 Bxd2 33.Qxd2 Qd8 {Black's king is not great, but an exchange is an exchange.} ) 29.hxg4 Bb4 {A blunder!} ( {It was not too late for} 29...Nxd4 30.Nxd4 exd4 31.Bxd4 Bxb3 {when Black would be better.} ) 30.d5 $1 {A nasty reversal.} 30...Ng7 ( {In the line} 30...Bxd2 {Carlsen might have missed the zwischenzug} 31.dxe6 $1 Qxe6 32.Rxd2 Qxb3 {but in hindsight this might have been Black's best chance under the circumstances.} ) 31.Rc2 Nxf5 32.gxf5 Qd7 33.Ne3 {Now that a file has been opened for the white rooks and an outpost cleared for the white knight, it all starts to make perfect sense for White. In fact he is strategically winning.} 33...Kg7 34.Rdc1 Rc8 35.Rc6 Rh3 ( {Black should have defended passively instead:} 35...Bd6 ) 36.Kg2 Rch8 37.Ng4 {Solid. There is no time to check the tactical nuances.} ( {However, the pawn was edible:} 37.Rxc7 $1 {The rooks do not have enough energy to create mating threats:} 37...Rh2+ 38.Kf1 Rh1+ 39.Bg1 Qd8 40.Qa6 {And whenever Black tries to add more attackers with} 40...Bc5 {there is} 41.R1xc5 $1 bxc5 42.Qb7 Qe8 43.Ng4 {and Black is helpless.} ) 37...Bd6 38.Bg3 ( {The right plan was to go for the c7 pawn at once:} 38.Qc2 $1 Qe7 39.Rxc7 Bxc7 40.Qxc7 Qxc7 41.Rxc7 {and Black's position crumbles.} ) 38...R3h7 39.Qb2 {Firouzja knows the plan, but wastes some moves in executing it.} ( {It was not too late for} 39.Qc4 {as} 39...Rc8 {does not help due to} 40.Rxb6 $1 ) 39...Qe7 40.R1c4 {Ooops, a blunder.} 40...Bh5 ( 40...Be8 $1 {would have trapped the white rook.} ) 41.Qc3 Bxg4 42.Rxc7 $1 {Just in time! Now the forcing line} ( {After} 42.fxg4 Kg8 {Black defends, at least for the time being.} ) 42...Bh3+ 43.Kf2 Bxc7 44.Rxc7 Kh6 45.Rxe7 Rxe7 {leads to a won position for White as Firouzja keeps on playing energetically.. .} 46.d6 Rd7 47.Bxe5 $1 {...and brings his pawns into motion.} 47...fxe5 48.Qxe5 Kh7 49.Qf6 ( {Had White removed the bishop out of the way with} 49.Kg3 $1 Bf1 50.f6 {the result would have been different.} ) 49...Rg8 $1 50.e5 ( {Once again} 50.Kg3 Bf1 51.Qe6 {was the most convincing win.} ) 50...Rgg7 {Carlsen managed to gather the remnants of his army.} 51.Kg3 Rdf7 {O, horror! The most important passer is about to fall.} 52.Qd8 {And does fall after this move.} ( {Firouzja actually spotted the correct idea} 52.Qxf7 $3 Rxf7 53.e6 Rxf5 54.d7 {but missed that after} 54...Rd5 {he has the winning} 55.Kxh3 $1 ) ( {However, after} 52.Qxf7 Rxf7 {it's actually a mistake to go} 53.e6 $2 {as Black responds} ( {correct is the immediate} 53.Kxh3 $1 {when White does win} ) 53...Bxf5 $1 {and wins in all lines.} ) 52...Bxf5 53.Qe8 {Now the tables have turned in Black's favor.} ( {Instead} 53.Qxb6 g4 54.Qxa5 gxf3+ 55.Kxf3 {would have been completely unclear.} ) 53...Bd7 54.Qa8 Rg6 55.Qb7 Re6 56.Qe4+ Kg7 57.Qe3 Rf5 ( {The other idea was to play for mate with} 57...g4 $1 58.fxg4 Rg6 ) 58.Qxb6 Rexe5 59.Qa7 Rf7 60.Qd4 Kf6 61.b4 axb4 62.Qxb4 ( {The last chance was} 62.a5 $1 {although there too, Black should win with} 62...Rh7 63.a6 Rh3+ 64.Kg2 Rh4 65.Qb2 b3 $1 66.Qxb3 Ra4 ) 62...Kg6 63.a5 Re3 {The united black pieces reach the white king and it was soon over:} 64.a6 Rexf3+ 65.Kg2 Rf2+ 66.Kg1 Rf1+ 67.Kg2 Bc6+ 68.Kg3 R7f3+ 69.Kh2 R3f2+ 70.Kg3 Rg2+ 0-1

[Event "Altibox Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2020.10.05"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[ECO "B19"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "6877316390951"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 {The solid Caro-Kann.} 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 ( {In an earlier blitz game Firouzja faced} 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bf4 Ngf6 8.Bd3 Qa5+ 9.c3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.O-O Be7 12.h3 O-O 13.Rfe1 Rad8 {with approximate equality, Kushagra,M (2351)-Firouzja,A (2728) chess.com 2020} ) 6...h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 {Players now tend to castle short in the Caro-Kann. The dangers of checkmates have been carefully checked by the machines, and they apparently approve the way that the second player goes.} 13.Kb1 O-O ( {The last time Duda faced this line was two years ago. He was not convincing then:} 13...Qb6 14.c4 Rd8 15.Bf4 O-O 16.Qc2 Rfe8 17.Nf1 c5 18.d5 exd5 19.cxd5 Ng4 20.N3h2 Nxh2 21.Rxh2 Bf6 22.Rh3 c4 {with a better position for Black in Duda,J (2724)-Esipenko,A (2571) Gibraltar 2018} ) 14.Ne4 c5 {And Duda sank into deep thought. More than half an hour was spent on his clock, while the commentators were contemplating the reason for the thinking. Ultimately they came to the conclusion that he is not certain about his opening knowledge.} 15.Be3 {A very risky choice, called "very passive" by Firouzja.} ( {The main line is:} 15.g4 Nxg4 16.Qe2 Qb6 17.Ne5 Ndxe5 18.dxe5 f5 {which in a recent top-GM game led practically to a draw straight of the opening:} 19.exf6 Nxf6 20.Rdg1 Nxe4 21.Qxe4 Bf6 22.b3 c4 23.Bxh6 cxb3 24.axb3 Rf7 25.Bc1 Qxf2 26.Bb2 Bxb2 27.Kxb2 Qf5 28.Qe2 Qf2 29.Qxe6 Qf6+ 30.Qxf6 Rxf6 {and the peace treaty was soon signed in So,W (2765) -Navara,D (2738) Saint Louis 2019} ) 15...Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Nf6 17.Qxb7 {"I thought I will always have compensation" (Firouzja).} 17...Nd5 {For the pawn Firouzja gets a tremendous initiative. Black often strives to the open the queenside anyway, and here he was assisted by his opponent.} ( {Another plausible possibility is} 17...Rb8 {Then White cannot take the pawn:} 18.Qxa7 ( {Or} 18.Qa6 Qc7 ) 18...Ra8 19.Qb7 Qa5 20.Qb3 Rfb8 21.Qc4 Ne4 22.Rd3 Rb4 {as Black's attack is decisive.} ) 18.Qa6 ( {Maybe Duda should have defended a la Kramnik with} 18.dxc5 $5 {(also the best try according to Firouzja)} 18...Nc3+ 19.bxc3 Rb8 20.Qb3 Qa5 21.Ne5 Rxb3+ 22.axb3 Rc8 {when White has enough material for the queen.} ) 18...Rb8 ( 18...Qc7 $5 {seems more accurate.} ) 19.Bd2 {After this Black firmly takes over the initiative.} ( 19.dxc5 $1 {is compulsory. He does not need to fear} 19...Nc3+ ( {After} 19...Qc7 {White can also sacrifice the exchange:} 20.Rxd5 $5 ( {Or may choose instead} 20.Bd4 $1 Rfc8 21.c6 {which keeps the queenside under control.} ) 20...exd5 21.c6 {with compensation for the exchange.} ) 20.Kc1 Nxd1 21.Rxd1 Qc7 22.c6 Bf6 23.c3 {with the idea of Rd1-d7. It is far more important to seal the queenside than to think about the material.} ) 19...cxd4 ( 19...Bf6 {Again Firouzja had an interesting choice:} 20.c4 Nb4 21.Qa3 ( {Not} 21.Qxa7 Nd3 ) 21...Qc7 {with strong attacking position.} ) 20.Nxd4 Bf6 {Duda temporary blocks the queenside, but the black pieces keep coming closer easily.} 21.Nb3 Qc7 22.Rhe1 Rfc8 23.Rc1 ( {If} 23.c3 Rb6 24.Qd3 a5 $1 {would open all the files} 25.Nxa5 Rxb2+ 26.Kxb2 Qxa5 {with a decisive attack.} ) ( {Perhaps the best chance is} 23.c4 Qxc4 24.Qxc4 Rxc4 25.g3 Nb4 {although Black's initivative continues in the endgame as well.} ) 23...Nb6 $1 {A nice maneuver.} 24.Re4 Nc4 $146 ( {Black won in an earlier game after} 24...Qc6 25.Rb4 Qxg2 26.Qxa7 Qxf2 27.a4 Bxb2 28.Rf4 Qe2 29.Re1 Qg2 30.Qxf7+ Kh8 31.Rxe6 Nd5 32.Rg6 Qxd2 {0-1 Beliavsky,A (2652)-Gyimesi,Z (2580) Bled 2002} ) 25.Bf4 {Desperately trying to provoke e6-e5 that would block the black bishop.} ( 25.c3 {would not stop Black from mounting more pressure with} 25...Rb6 26.Qa4 Rc6 ) 25...Qb6 $1 {A counterintuitive decision, which works perfectly fine for Black. Firouzja does not retreat or slow down, and the endgame attack nets him material.} ( {But not} 25...e5 26.Be3 ) 26.Qxb6 Rxb6 27.Be3 ( {There is no time to defend with} 27.c3 a5 $1 28.Rc2 ( {Or else White loses material after} 28.Re2 a4 29.Nd4 e5 ) 28...a4 29.Nc1 Na3+ {and wins.} ) 27...Rb4 28.f3 {Once again, Duda sank into thought, but there does not seem to be an alternative.} ( 28.Rf4 a5 29.a3 Rbb8 {leaves Black in charge of the enemy queenside.} ) 28...a5 {Everything is in accordance to the plan; a5-a4 is a deadly threat.} ( {Avoiding} 28...Bxb2 $2 29.Rxc4 ) 29.Rxc4 {The only move.} 29...Rcxc4 30.Bd2 Rb5 31.Bxa5 Rxh5 {The white pawns are too far from the promotional squares; therefore, Black should be close to winning.} 32.Rg1 Rb5 {The only slip by Firouzja in this game. He decided to keep both rooks on the board to slow the enemy pawns down.} ( {However, the trade of a rook pair} 32...Rch4 $1 33.Bd2 Rh1 {would have led to the win instead.} ) 33.Bd2 h5 {Next, both players try to improve their chances on their flanks.} 34.c3 g5 35.Kc2 g4 36.Nc1 g3 ( {If} 36...gxf3 37.gxf3+ Kf8 38.Rg2 {and White consolidates.} ) 37.b3 Rc8 38.a4 Rf5 ( {Similar is} 38...Rbc5 39.Ne2 h4 40.c4 ) 39.Ne2 h4 40.c4 e5 41.Be3 {An obvious but not the best move.} ( {Strong is} 41.Be1 $1 {The bishop is eyeing the enemy passers, while the knight maneuvers to the optimal spots with} 41...Kg7 42.Nc3 Be7 43.Rh1 {with an unclear position.} ) ( {White, however, needs to avoid the immediate} 41.Nc3 {due to} 41...h3 $1 ) 41...Bg5 42.Bxg5 Rxg5 43.Rh1 ( {This time} 43.Nc3 f5 ) 43...Rh5 44.Kc3 {It is Duda now who becomes ambitious!} ( {Instead} 44.Nxg3 Rg5 45.Ne4 Rxg2+ 46.Kc3 Re2 ( {It is only Black risking in case of} 46...Rd8 47.c5 ) 47.Kd3 Rb2 48.Kc3 Re2 49.Kd3 {should lead to a draw.} ) 44...f5 45.b4 ( {This time the pawn capture} 45.Nxg3 {is not as appealing as} 45...Rg5 46.Nf1 Rxg2 47.Rxh4 Rf2 {forces the knight to jump to a poor rim square:} 48.Nh2 ) 45...f4 {The game enters the most beautiful and dramatic phase.} ( {The immediate breakthrough is already on the agenda:} 45...h3 46.Rxh3 Rxh3 47.gxh3 f4 48.b5 e4 {leads to an extremely sharp situation where both pawn phalanxes are too dangerous. This is practically impossible to calculate by a human, while the computer projects the following drawish line:} 49.Ng1 Re8 50.b6 exf3 51.Nxf3 Kg7 ( {There is no time for} 51...Re3+ 52.Kb4 Rxf3 53.b7 ) 52.c5 Re3+ 53.Kc4 Rxf3 54.b7 g2 55.b8=Q Rg3 $1 {when White needs to force perpetual.} ) 46.a5 {Too rushy.} ( {Duda needed to be patient for one more move.} 46.Ng1 $3 {would most likely lead to a draw after, say} 46...e4 47.fxe4 Re5 48.Kd4 Re7 49.Nf3 Rd8+ 50.Kc3 Rxe4 51.Rxh4 Re3+ 52.Kc2 Rdd3 {with a perpetual check coming.} ( {Or} 52...Re2+ ) ) 46...h3 $3 {The decisive breakthrough.} 47.gxh3 ( {Black wins in a study-like manner after} 47.Rxh3 Rxh3 48.gxh3 {thanks to the beautiful} 48...Ra8 $3 {which stops the pawns from moving. Then} 49.Kd2 ( {Or} 49.c5 Kf7 50.c6 Ke7 {when the pawns are stopped.} ) 49...Kf7 {The black king joins the action, and this decides matters after} 50.Ke1 Ke6 51.Nc3 Rd8 52.Nd5 Rg8 53.Kf1 g2+ 54.Kg1 e4 $1 55.fxe4 f3 56.Nf4+ Ke5 57.Nd3+ Kxe4 58.Nf2+ Kd4 ) 47...e4 48.fxe4 ( {Or} 48.Nxf4 Rf5 49.Rg1 Rxf4 50.fxe4 Rxe4 51.Rxg3+ Kf7 52.c5 Rb8 {and Black should win.} ) 48...g2 49.Rg1 Rxh3+ 50.Kd4 f3 {The black pawns crash through and win the game.} 51.c5 ( 51.Nf4 Rh1 {is over too.} ) 51...Kf7 ( 51...Rh1 $1 {would finish the game as well.} ) 52.Nf4 f2 0-1

[Event "Altibox Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2020.10.06"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tari, Aryan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[ECO "C89"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7150181024265"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d5 {After Frank Marshall unsuccessfully introduced his pet line against Capablanca in 1918 in New York, it has grown stronger and stronger. Nowadays, thanks to the rise of the computers, it is considered one of the safest choices by Black. One of the gurus of the line is Levon Aronian himself.} 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.Re1 ( {Kramnik almost lost his title against Leko due to the following game} 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Re4 g5 16.Qf1 Qh5 17.Nd2 Bf5 18.f3 Nf6 19.Re1 Rae8 20.Rxe8 Rxe8 21.a4 Qg6 22.axb5 Bd3 23.Qf2 Re2 24.Qxe2 Bxe2 25.bxa6 Qd3 26.Kf2 Bxf3 27.Nxf3 Ne4+ 28.Ke1 Nxc3 29.bxc3 Qxc3+ 30.Kf2 Qxa1 31.a7 h6 32.h4 g4 {0-1 (32) Kramnik,V (2770)-Leko,P (2741) Brissago 2004} ) 12...Bd6 13.g3 Bf5 14.d4 Qf6 {Tari chooses a rare line. According to Megabase, there have been only three games played so far in this variation, all lost by Black.} ( {More common is} 14...Qd7 {which was tested by the Armenian GM:} 15.Be3 Rae8 16.Nd2 Bg4 17.Qb1 ( {Or} 17.Qc2 Nxe3 18.Rxe3 Rxe3 19.fxe3 c5 {with typical compensation for the pawn in Wunderlich,H (2596)-Manso Gil,A (2574) GER email 2017} ) 17...Bf5 18.Qc1 Re6 19.Nf3 Bg4 20.Ng5 Rg6 21.f3 Bxf3 $1 22.Nxf3 Bxg3 23.hxg3 Rxg3+ 24.Kf2 Qh3 {and Black went on to win in Shabalov,A (2608)-Aronian,L (2675) Mallorca 2004} ) 15.Be3 Qg6 16.Nd2 Rae8 17.Qf3 Bg4 $146 {A novelty that immediately embarrasses the white queen.} ( {In an earlier game, Black had compensation after} 17...h5 18.a4 b4 19.Bxd5 cxd5 20.Qxd5 bxc3 21.bxc3 h4 22.Qg2 hxg3 23.fxg3 Rc8 24.c4 Bb4 25.c5 Rfd8 26.Qf2 Bd3 {Fernandez Cardoso,A (2445) -Marrero Lopez,Y (2242) Matanzas 2017} ) 18.Qg2 Qh5 19.h4 {Quite an interesting idea! Aronian opens more room for his queen that can now move to h2 if the bishop keeps attacking it. The drawback of the pawn advance is that his kingside is weakened.} ( {Safer seems the immediate} 19.a4 Re6 20.axb5 axb5 {But perhaps White disliked} 21.Ra6 Bh3 22.Qf3 Bg4 23.Qh1 Bc7 {when the queen really looks poor in the corner.} ) 19...Be2 {Tari wants to create threats at once.} ( {A useful move might have been} 19...h6 $5 {first. Black opens air for the king and is ready to attack on the kingside with g7-g5. Play may continue} 20.a4 {Then} 20...Be2 21.axb5 axb5 {looks good for Black as} 22.Nf1 {can be met with} 22...Bf3 ( {or} 22...Re7 $5 ) 23.Bd1 Bxd1 24.Raxd1 f5 {with initiative for the pawn.} ) 20.Nf1 Re6 {The most natural development has a hidden drawback.} ( {With both the rooks on the first rank, White can always meet} 20...Bf3 {with} 21.Bd1 Bxd1 22.Raxd1 {Here} 22...f5 {is not that scary as White can start trading rooks along the e-file with} 23.Bd2 ) 21.Bd2 Rfe8 ( {It is not too late for} 21...h6 $1 22.a4 Bf3 23.Bd1 Bxd1 24.Raxd1 Rfe8 25.axb5 axb5 26.Qh3 f5 {locking the white queen in the process.} ) 22.a4 Bf3 23.Rxe6 $1 {That is the difference.} ( {Tari was obviously hoping for} 23.Bd1 Bxd1 24.Raxd1 Rxe1 25.Rxe1 Rxe1 26.Bxe1 Qe2 27.axb5 axb5 28.Bd2 Qd3 29.Qh3 f5 {with a dominant position, which compensates for the pawn.} ) 23...Rxe6 24.Qh3 Bg4 25.Qh2 {Now we can appreciate Aronian's h2-h4 idea.} ( {Less accurate is} 25.Qh1 Bf3 26.Qh2 Re8 ) 25...h6 {Finally, Tari went for this useful move but at the worst possible moment.} ( {The rook needs to step out of the pin instead:} 25...Re8 $1 {in order to meet} 26.Ne3 {With} ( {Black is also in the game after} 26.axb5 axb5 27.Ra6 Bf8 28.Rxc6 Bf3 29.Ra6 Qf5 {to free his queen, White should likely part with his g-pawn later.} ) 26...Nxe3 27.Bxe3 Qf5 ) 26.axb5 axb5 27.Ne3 $1 {With the rook pinned, this is annoying to say the least.} 27...Bf3 {Now it is really bad for Black.} ( {Pin or no pin, Black needs to capture on e3:} 27...Nxe3 $1 28.Bxe6 Bxe6 29.Bxe3 Bd5 ( {Or perhaps even better} 29...Qe2 $1 ) 30.Re1 Qg4 {would compensate for the significant material deficit, thanks to White's weakened light squares.} ) 28.Qh3 {All the white pieces are out, and the pawn starts to matter.} 28...Be4 29.Qg4 {The simplest way.} ( {Although a tad more precise is} 29.Ra8+ $1 Kh7 30.Bd1 Qg6 31.h5 Qf6 32.Nxd5 cxd5 ( {Or else Black is getting checkmated after} 32...Bxd5 33.Bc2+ Be4 34.Bxe4+ Rxe4 35.Qc8 ) 33.Bg4 {winning.} ) 29...Qxg4 30.Nxg4 f5 ( {More resilient is} 30...Re8 31.Ne3 {although White is a solid pawn ahead there.} ) 31.Ne5 $1 {Just winning.} 31...Bxe5 32.dxe5 Kf8 ( {As} 32...Rxe5 33.Re1 {drops the bishop on the pin.} ) 33.f4 Re7 34.Bxd5 $1 {Played practically instantly. Aronian knows his stuff.} 34...cxd5 ( {A small trick supports White's play:} 34...Bxd5 35.c4 $1 ) 35.Be3 {Next Aronian simply consolidates.} 35...Rc7 36.Ra5 Bd3 37.Bd4 Rc6 {Brings the king in.} 38.Kf2 h5 39.Ke3 Bc4 {Removes the bishop from its optimal position.} 40.Ra3 Rg6 41.b3 Bf1 42.Bc5+ Ke8 43.Bb4 Bg2 44.Kd4 Rc6 45.Ra7 g6 46.Re7+ Kd8 47.e6 Rc7 48.Rf7 {And celebrates his birthday with a win!} 1-0

[Event "Altibox Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2020.10.07"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2633"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[ECO "B69"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7289385811026"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:42"]
[BlackClock "0:10:56"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 {The Classical line is a rare choice in the practice of the world champion.} 6.Bg5 Bd7 7.Qd2 a6 8.O-O-O e6 9.f4 ( {Carlsen's latest game in the line saw} 9.f3 Nxd4 10.Qxd4 Be7 11.Kb1 b5 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Ne2 Rc8 14.Qd2 Qb6 15.Nf4 h5 {and this eventually ended in a draw in Anand,V (2776)-Carlsen,M (2843) Karlsruhe/ Baden-Baden 2018} ) 9...Be7 ( {Tari was successful after} 9...b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.f5 b4 14.Ne2 e5 15.Ng3 h5 16.Bc4 h4 17.Nf1 Qc5 18.Ne3 Bh6 19.Qxd6 Qxd6 20.Rxd6 Bxe4 21.Ng4 Bxf5 22.Nxf6+ Ke7 23.Rb6 {Tari,A (2570)-Rahman,Z (2512) Baku 2016} ) 10.Nf3 b5 11.Bxf6 gxf6 {A typical pawn structure arose. Both black flanks have been weakened. However, the four black pawns in the center look like a strong shield in front of their king. Still, they are not ideal and have a soft spot: the e6 one. If White manages to destroy that pawn or force it to move, all the light squares in the center will fall into the first player's hands.} 12.Kb1 Qb6 13.f5 O-O-O {The king is not perfectly safe here either, but Black can at least connect his rooks.} 14.Bd3 ( {Instead, Navara chose to put more pressure on the e6-square at once with} 14.g3 Kb8 15.fxe6 fxe6 16.Bh3 Na5 17.Nd4 b4 18.Nce2 e5 19.Bxd7 Rxd7 20.Nf5 Nc4 21.Qd3 {with an advantage for the first player, Navara,D (2734)-Saric,I (2681) Patras 2019} ) 14...Kb8 15.Ne2 {A typical maneuver. The knight is transfered to the f4-square.} 15...Bc8 {In the confession box Carlsen said that he had done everything wrong so far, but as long as his bishop pair is on the board, he can hope for the best. This is what his coach Simen Agdestein had taught him.} 16.Nf4 Ne5 17.Be2 {Now Nf3-d4 is a deadly positional threat. Carlsen needs to hurry with the counterplay.} 17...d5 ( {Better seems} 17...Nc4 18.Bxc4 bxc4 19.Ka1 d5 20.exd5 e5 21.Ne2 Bb7 {when the bishops enter the game.} ) 18.exd5 exf5 $146 {A surprising choice. The black kingside pawns are now practically dead, but the bishops gain more scope. These sudden changes in the strategic/dynamic balances are some of the world champion's main weapons.} ( {The players probably didn't know about this earlier game:} 18...Nxf3 19.Bxf3 e5 20.Ne2 Bxf5 21.Ng3 Bg6 22.Qe2 Rc8 23.Be4 Rc4 24.Nf5 Qc5 25.Bd3 Bxf5 26.Bxf5 Rd8 27.Bxh7 Rxd5 28.Rxd5 Qxd5 29.Rd1 Rd4 30.Rxd4 Qxd4 {and Black eventually defended in Solak,D (2586)-Ashwin, J (2471) Albena 2012} ) 19.Nd4 Bc5 20.Rhf1 Rhe8 21.a3 Ka8 {Sidestepping the possible checks. From a positional perspective, Black's position is hopeless. However, his position keeps a massive amount of hidden dynamical chances which Tari failed to appreciate.} 22.h3 ( {Strong is a plan suggested by Kramnik:} 22.b4 $1 Be7 23.Nb3 {followed by Nb3-a5.} ( {Or} 23.Qc3 {with White's edge in both cases. What is important here is that Tari would have blunted the enemy bishops.} ) ) 22...Bd7 ( {The immediate} 22...Nc4 {does not work due to} 23.Bxc4 bxc4 24.Qc3 {and White is clearly better.} ) 23.Nh5 {For a moment White loses control, and that is all Carlsen needs.} ( {Tari missed a strong chance to claim a big advantage:} 23.d6 $1 {would have opened the d5-spot for his knight instead, and that would be excellent for White, for example:} 23...Qxd6 ( {Or} 23...Bxd6 24.Nd5 Qb7 25.Nxf6 {and Black's position collapses.} ) 24.Qc3 Qb6 25.Nd5 {when White makes it to the f-pawns.} ) 23...Nc4 $1 24.Bxc4 bxc4 {It all starts to make sense for Carlsen now that he has managed to open the files and the diagonals for his pieces.} 25.Qc3 {Now things are getting even worse.} ( {Stronger is} 25.Ka1 $1 {although there Black can win the enemy queen with} 25...Re4 26.Ne2 Rde8 27.Nc3 Be3 28.Qe1 Bc1 29.Rxc1 Rxe1 30.Rfxe1 Rb8 {and Black is much better.} ) 25...Rb8 {The strong threat is Re8-e3!} 26.Rf3 {An obvious defense, which however, has a non-obvious flaw...} ( {If} 26.Nxf5 Bxf5 27.Rxf5 Re3 28.Qxf6 Bd6 $1 {with decisive threats.} ( {Or even} 28...Bxa3 29.Qxb6 Rxb6 30.d6 Rxb2+ 31.Ka1 Rb8 {when Black is significantly better.} ) ) ( 26.Rfe1 $2 {drops the knight after} 26...Rxe1 27.Rxe1 Bxd4 ) 26...Re1 $3 {A stunning move! The white rook is overloaded.} 27.Rxe1 Bxd4 28.Qb4 Qc7 $1 {Discovering the rook with tempo.} 29.d6 ( {If} 29.Qd2 Rxb2+ ( {Or} 29...Bxb2 {which should also win.} ) 30.Kc1 Qb6 31.Kd1 Ba4 {with decisive attack.} ) 29...Qc6 30.Qa5 Bxb2 ( {The other winning idea is} 30...Rxb2+ $1 31.Kc1 Qxd6 32.c3 Bc5 33.Kxb2 Qd2+ 34.Kb1 Qxe1+ 35.Kb2 Qd2+ 36.Kb1 Bb5 $1 {There is no perpetual, and Black quickly takes over:} 37.Qc7 Bd6 38.Qc8+ ( 38.Qd8+ Kb7 ) 38...Ka7 39.Qxf5 Qd1+ 40.Kb2 Qb3+ {with a win.} ) 31.Ka2 Be5 32.Rb1 Rxb1 33.Kxb1 Qxd6 {With the white king wide open, Carlsen is no longer in a rush.} 34.Kc1 Qd4 35.Qxa6+ ( {Nothing changes} 35.Ng3 Qa1+ 36.Kd2 c3+ 37.Rxc3 {Now Black needs to find the only win:} 37...Bf4+ $1 ( {But not} 37...Bxc3+ 38.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 39.Kxc3 f4 40.Nh5 f3 41.gxf3 Bxh3 42.Kd4 {when White should survive.} ) 38.Ke2 Bb5+ 39.Kf2 Qd1 {and Black wins.} ) 35...Kb8 36.c3 {That allows a forced win.} ( {White cannot survive after} 36.g3 Qa1+ 37.Kd2 c3+ ) 36...Qg1+ 37.Kd2 Qxg2+ 38.Ke3 f4+ $1 {Winning a piece and the game.} 39.Nxf4 Bxf4+ 40.Rxf4 Qg3+ 41.Rf3 ( 41.Ke4 Qd3# ) 41...Qe1+ 42.Kd4 Qe5+ 43.Kxc4 Qe4+ 44.Kc5 Qxf3 45.Kd6 Bc8 0-1

[Event "Altibox Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2020.10.08"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[ECO "E36"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6940667150855"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 {A principled line in the Nimzo-Indian defense which has been tested at world championship matches.} 4...O-O 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 d5 7.Bg5 dxc4 8.Qxc4 b6 9.Rd1 Ba6 10.Qa4 h6 11.Bh4 Qd7 {Black's lead in development is translated into a seemingly equal endgame.} ( {No doubt both players studied in-depth the following sharp blitz game:} 11...Bb7 12.Nf3 Nbd7 13.Ne5 Qe8 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.Qxd7 Nxd7 16.f3 f5 17.e3 Bd5 18.b4 c5 19.dxc5 bxc5 20.Bb5 Ne5 21.Bg3 a6 22.Be2 Nd7 23.e4 fxe4 24.fxe4 Bc6 25.Rd6 Ba4 26.Bc4 Kh8 27.Bxe6 Nf6 28.bxc5 Nxe4 29.Bd5 Nxg3 30.hxg3 Rac8 {which White eventually won, Mamedyarov,S (2764)-Alekseenko,K (2696) chess.com 2020} ) 12.Qc2 Qc6 13.Qxc6 Nxc6 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.e3 Bxf1 16.Kxf1 Na5 17.Nf3 Nc4 $146 ( {In an earlier game Black was holding after} 17...Rac8 18.Ke2 c5 19.dxc5 bxc5 20.Rd7 Nc4 21.Rc1 Nxb2 22.Rc2 Na4 23.Rxa7 Ra8 24.Rxa8 Rxa8 25.Nd2 Nb6 26.Rb2 Ra6 {Wang,H (2763)-Radjabov,T (2765) chess.com 2020} ) 18.Rb1 {Carlsen thought that the arising position is unpleasant for Caruana and played the most obvious, logical moves.} ( {Kramnik and Polgar suggested instead the curious idea} 18.Ke2 Nxb2 19.Rb1 {The knight is locked, and White can regain the pawn after} 19...Na4 ( {However} 19...Nc4 $1 20.Rhc1 Nd6 21.Rxc7 Rfc8 22.Rd7 ( {Not} 22.Rbc1 Rxc7 23.Rxc7 Nb5 {which wins a pawn for Black.} ) 22...Rd8 {holds for Black.} ) 20.Rhc1 a6 21.Rxc7 b5 22.Nd2 {"Might be unpleasant for Black" (Kramnik). "This is unpleasant for sure" (Carlsen).} ) ( 18.Rc1 Nxb2 19.Rc6 b5 20.Nd2 {(Carlsen)} ) 18...c5 19.Ke2 Rfc8 20.Rhc1 Nd6 {After this Caruana's position becomes really unpleasant.} ( {Carlsen was expecting instead} 20...cxd4 21.Nxd4 {but thought that it is still unpleasant for Caruana as there is good chance that the rooks are traded, and in the pure knight endgame it will be still difficult for Black to draw. If we prolong the line a bit though:} 21...Kf8 22.Rc2 Nd6 23.Rbc1 Rxc2+ 24.Rxc2 Ke7 $1 25.Rc7+ Kd8 {we see that with just one rook on the board White can do little damage to the opponent's position.} ) 21.dxc5 bxc5 22.Rc2 {The many weaknesses leave Black in a passive position. It is evident that Carlsen will be the first one to start the captures and most likely win a pawn in a hypothetical rook endgame.} 22...Kf8 23.Nd2 c4 24.Rbc1 Rab8 25.Kf3 c3 ( {After} 25...Rd8 $5 {The world champion intended} 26.Nxc4 Nxc4 27.Rxc4 Rxb2 28.Rc8 Ke7 ( 28...Ke8 {leads to the same.} ) 29.Rxd8 Kxd8 {And then} 30.Rc4 {"Going for the h6-pawn" (Carlsen). Still, this might have been Black's best chance as rook endgames often provide good drawing chances for the defender.} ( {Or} 30.Rc5 {Kramnik.} ) ) ( {At the post-mortem Polgar and Kramnik discussed the following line with the world champion:} 25...f5 26.Nxc4 Rxc4 27.Rxc4 Nxc4 28.Rxc4 Rxb2 29.Rc7 a5 30.Ra7 Ra2 31.Rxa5 {Carlsen then thought about pushing the pawn all the way to the seventh rank:} 31...Kg7 32.Ra8 Kf6 33.a4 Kg7 34.a5 Kf6 35.a6 Kg7 36.a7 Kf6 {Then White's plan was to bring the king to h5:} 37.Kg3 Kg7 ( {If} 37...Ra4 {(Kramnik) then went} 38.f4 $1 Ra2 39.Kh4 Kg7 40.h3 Kh7 41.g4 fxg4 42.hxg4 f5 ( {Not} 42...Kg7 43.e4 {followed by e4-e5 and f4-f5-f6 with a win.} ) 43.gxf5 exf5 {Then at some point White will go for the f-pawn. If he can do this, he will be winning.} ) 38.Kh4 {followed by h2-h3 and g2-g4. Later White can further expand with the advance of the e- and the f-pawns.} ) ( {On the other hand, activity is not possible as after} 25...Rc5 26.b4 {White defends his weakness then.} ) 26.bxc3 Rc5 {Now White quickly consolidates.} ( {The last chance is} 26...Nc4 {(Carlsen said he was "shocked" Caruana didn't go for this.)} 27.Nxc4 Rxc4 {although there too} 28.Rd1 Ke7 29.Rd4 Rbc8 30.Rxc4 Rxc4 31.Rb2 Ra4 32.Rb3 {(Carlsen) is problematic for Black.} ) 27.c4 f5 28.Ke2 {The king is transferred for the defense.} 28...Ke7 29.Kd3 Kd7 30.Rc3 Rc6 ( {The most resilient is:} 30...Ke7 31.Rb3 {although there too White should convert his extra pawn.} ) 31.c5 Ne8 32.Nf3 Ra6 ( {Or} 32...f6 33.Nd4 {with a decisive edge.} ) 33.Ne5+ Ke7 34.Ke2 Nf6 35.R1c2 Nd5 36.Rd3 Rc8 37.Rb3 Rc7 38.Rc4 Ra5 39.Nd3 {White consolidated, and the win is only a question of time. a3-a4 and Rb3-b5 are on the agenda; therefore, Caruana tries the desperate...} 39...e5 40.Nxe5 Raxc5 41.Rxc5 Rxc5 42.Rb7+ Ke6 43.Nxf7 {...but that does not promise Black enough as Carlsen quickly consolidates again:} 43...Ra5 44.Nd8+ Kd6 45.Rb3 Ra6 46.Nf7+ Kc5 47.Ne5 h5 48.Kd2 h4 49.Nd3+ Kc4 50.Kc2 Rd6 51.Nf4 1-0

[Event "Altibox Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2020.10.13"]
[Round "16.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[ECO "B15"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7083474816602"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 {Caruana does not mind repeating the Fantasy Variation from the first game.} 3...g6 ( {But Firouzja objects, since Black is suffering in their first game after:} 3...dxe4 4.fxe4 e5 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.c3 Nd7 7.Bd3 Ngf6 8.O-O Bd6 9.Na3 b5 10.Nc2 Bh5 11.Ne3 O-O 12.Nf5 Qc7 13.Qc2 {Caruana,F (2828)-Firouzja,A (2728) Altibox Norway Chess 2020} ) 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e5 {A popular reply against the similar Black setup in the Sicilian defense.} ( {The other popular plan is to keep the flexibility of the pawn structure with:} 5.Be3 Na6 6.Qd2 Nc7 7.O-O-O h5 8.Nge2 Nh6 9.h3 h4 10.Nf4 Ng8 11.Kb1 Kf8 12.Bd3 Nf6 13.Nce2 Nh5 14.Nxh5 Rxh5 15.e5 Rh8 16.g4 hxg3 17.Nxg3 c5 18.dxc5 Bxe5 19.f4 Bf6 20.f5 {with initiative for White in Xiong,J (2709) -Jobava,B (2603) Lichess.org INT 2020} ) 5...c5 ( {More interesting seems Jobava's treatment of the position:} 5...Nh6 6.f4 Nf5 7.Nf3 h5 8.Bd3 Na6 9.a3 Nc7 10.Ne2 b6 11.O-O Ba6 12.Bxa6 Nxa6 13.c3 Nc7 14.Bd2 Ne6 {Murzin,V (2465)-Jobava,B (2603) Lichess.org 2020} ) 6.f4 cxd4 7.Qxd4 Be6 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.Bb5 Nh6 10.Bxc6+ $146 {Caruana quickly blitzed this logical novelty. This is also a common idea against the Sicilian, successfully applied by Adams. The only difference is that in the Sicilian, White swaps the knight in order to support his d4-pawn. Here Caruana stabilizes the central situation and looks for a successful blockade.} ( 10.Qa4 Qb6 11.Nd4 O-O 12.Be3 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Qc7 14.Bd3 Rfd8 {1/2-1/2 (13) Rosen,W (2194)-Herbrechtsmeier,C (2264) Berlin 2017} ) 10...bxc6 11.Qc5 {An important move in White's plan. The pressure against the c6-pawn forces Firouzja to make an important decision.} ( {It would be optimal to block the c-pawn with the knight. However,} 11.Na4 {allows Black a chance to question White's strategy with} 11...Bg4 12.O-O O-O 13.Nc5 Nf5 14.Qc3 d4 {followed by Qd8-d5, and the blockade would not be timely.} ) 11...Bd7 {Alas, that is not what the position requires.} ( {Stronger is} 11...Qb6 12.Na4 Qa6 $1 {at least disturbing the white king for a while. After} 13.b3 Bg4 {nothing is clear yet. Black intends to meet} 14.Ba3 {with} 14...O-O $1 ) 12.Be3 e6 {Blocking his own bishop.} ( {The immediate} 12...Nf5 13.Bf2 h5 {is also clearly better for White as the black pieces are passive and will be soon chased away from their good spots.} ) 13.Na4 Nf5 14.Bf2 h5 15.Qc3 {Caruana's opening choice is a success. The blockade on the dark squares means that the black bishop pair will not see the light. White is better on both flanks.} 15...c5 {The best practical chance. The bishop gets some air at least.} ( {Firouzja will soon run out of good moves after} 15...O-O 16.Nc5 ) 16.Nxc5 O-O ( {Perhaps} 16...Rc8 {is a tad better, although White is clearly on top after} 17.Qd2 Bb5 18.Nb3 ) 17.O-O Bb5 18.Rfe1 Qe7 {Caruana next consolidates his advantage.} 19.a4 Bc6 20.b4 Rfc8 21.Qd2 Be8 22.c3 a5 23.h3 Bf8 ( {In case of} 23...h4 {White can win the h4-pawn with} 24.Reb1 {intending Qd2-e1.} ( {Or he may choose instead} 24.Nd4 Nxd4 25.Bxd4 {in both cases with a clearly won position.} ) ) 24.Kh2 ( {For the time being Caruana refrains from} 24.g4 hxg4 25.hxg4 Nh6 26.Nh2 {possibily fearing} 26...d4 $5 ) 24...Qc7 25.g4 Ng7 26.Rg1 ( {It also makes sense to plug-in the hole with} 26.Bd4 $5 {which keeps the black bishop out of the contest forever.} ) 26...axb4 27.cxb4 d4 {One more pawn sacrifice. The bishop is finally out on the long diagonal.} 28.Bxd4 ( {The immediate} 28.Ne4 $5 Qb7 29.Nf6+ Kh8 30.f5 {would do too.} ) 28...Rd8 ( {Objectively, best is} 28...Bxc5 29.Bxc5 Bxa4 30.Ng5 {although Firouzja would not survive here either.} ) 29.Ne4 Bc6 30.Rac1 ( {Also pleasant is the direct attempt} 30.Nf6+ Kh8 31.f5 Ne8 32.Nxe8 Rxe8 33.Ng5 Rad8 34.fxg6 fxg6 35.gxh5 {with a winning attack.} ) 30...Qb7 31.Nf6+ Kh8 32.f5 $1 {The start of the decisive attack.} ( {Besides the opening of the diagonal, the inclusion of the second knight would create mating threats as well} 32.Ng5 $1 {The threat is Rxc6!} 32...Bxa4 {Then White simply trades the defenders:} 33.Qg2 Rab8 34.Bb6 Qxg2+ 35.Rxg2 Rd7 36.Rc7 {and wins.} ) 32...Ne8 ( {Or} 32...exf5 33.Qh6# ) 33.fxg6 ( {The other mating attack is} 33.gxh5 Bxf3 34.hxg6 Nxf6 35.exf6 Qb8+ 36.Rg3 ) 33...Bxf3 34.gxh5 fxg6 ( {Nothing helps} 34...Nxf6 35.exf6 e5 36.g7+ Bxg7 37.Rxg7 ) 35.hxg6 Bg7 36.Qf4 {The road towards the black king is opened, and Firouzja has to part with loads of material:} 36...Rxd4 37.Qxd4 Bh6 38.Qh4 Qg7 39.Rcf1 Be2 40.Rf2 Bd3 41.Ng4 Bxg6 42.Nxh6 Qxe5+ 43.Rg3 Qh5 44.Qxh5 Bxh5 45.Rf8+ Kh7 46.Nf7 Bxf7 47.Rxf7+ Kh6 48.Rf8 Kh7 49.Rgg8 1-0

[Event "Altibox Chess"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2020.10.15"]
[Round "17.2"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2633"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[ECO "B13"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "5639065576482"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 {Fifty years ago R. Fischer revived this line in his games versus the former world champion T. Petrosian. The Carlsbad pawn chain is extremely popular nowadays, namely thanks to the rise of the closed systems like the London one.} 4...Nf6 5.h3 g6 ( {More common is} 5...Nc6 6.Nf3 Qc7 7.c3 g6 8.Qc2 Bg7 9.O-O O-O 10.Re1 Re8 11.Nbd2 Bd7 {as in Fedoseev,V (2678)-Oparin,G (2652) Chess.com 2020} ) 6.Nf3 Bf5 7.Be2 {White correctly leaves the opponent's bishop on the board as it might be a concern for the second player in the long run.} 7...Nbd7 $146 ( {An earlier game saw} 7...Bg7 8.O-O O-O 9.c3 Qc7 10.Be3 Nc6 11.Nbd2 Rad8 12.Re1 Rfe8 13.Rc1 h6 14.b4 b6 15.b5 Na5 16.c4 dxc4 17.Nxc4 Nxc4 18.Bxc4 Qb7 19.Ne5 {and White was eventually successful in Antipov,M (2546)-Ivanchuk, V (2698) Gibraltar 2020} ) 8.O-O e6 {Bf5 is left out but is obviously vulnerable. On top of that, Aronian did not castle yet.} 9.Bf4 Qb6 ( {The Armenian GM could have proceeded with the development:} 9...Bg7 {as he does not need to worry about} 10.Bd6 Qb6 11.Ba3 Bf8 ) 10.b3 ( {Tari, on his turn, could have also continued with a normal development move:} 10.Nbd2 $5 {since} 10...Qxb2 $2 {is risky to say the least} 11.Rb1 Qxc2 12.Rxb7 Qxd1 13.Rxd1 Ba3 ( {Or} 13...Bg7 14.Bd6 ) 14.Bb5 {with a decisive pin.} ) 10...g5 $1 {A creative try by Aronian! In the age of computers, when human players are mocked for every different move, it takes a lot of courage to play creatively!} ( {The more obvious move is} 10...Ne4 ) 11.Bxg5 ( {After} 11.Nxg5 {Black builds his attack with} 11...Rg8 12.Kh1 Bh6 13.Nxe6 Qxe6 14.Bxh6 Bxh3 {with an extremely sharp position.} ) 11...Ne4 12.Bh4 {Tari is also aggressive and prevents the opponent's castling. The bishop on h4, however, is more vulnerable than it seems.} ( {Somewhat safer seems} 12.Be3 Rg8 13.Kh1 Bd6 {although there too, Black has a lot for the pawn.} ) 12...Rg8 13.Kh1 e5 $3 {The only logical follow-up! The queen is entering the battle with huge effect. The strongest black piece gains access to both the sixth rank and the f2-pawn, and Aronian launches an immediate attack against the white king.} 14.dxe5 ( {White would not mind trading some pieces. However,} 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 {is beautifully refuted with} 15...Be7 16.Bxe7 Qxf2 $3 {Apparently both players saw this idea:} 17.Rxf2 Nxf2+ 18.Kh2 Nxd1 {and Black gains material.} ) ( {There is no time to apply the standard central counterattack} 14.c4 {due to} 14...Qh6 $1 ) 14...Qg6 {Only here did Black go astray.} ( {It seems as Aronian understood that the brilliancy} 14...Be7 15.Bxe7 Qxf2 {no longer works due to another brilliancy:} 16.Bg5 $3 {Then} 16...Ng3+ ( {Black's attack evaporates after} 16...Qg3 17.Nh2 ) 17.Kh2 Nxf1+ 18.Qxf1 {promises White a decisive material advantage.} ) ( {However, strong is} 14...Be7 15.Bxe7 Nxf2+ $1 16.Rxf2 Qxf2 {Then} 17.Bg5 $1 h6 18.Nc3 hxg5 19.Nxd5 g4 $1 {leads most forces White likely to choose another forcing line:} 20.Qd4 Qxe2 21.Qb4 Kd8 22.Qe7+ Kc8 23.Qd6 Kd8 24.Qe7+ {with perpetual.} ) 15.Rg1 Bc5 16.Qe1 $1 {Tari defends in time.} ( {But not} 16.Qxd5 Bxf2 ) 16...Rc8 ( 16...Qh6 $1 17.Nbd2 Rg6 ( 17...Kf8 ) ) 17.Nbd2 {And consolidates. After the active black pieces are traded, White would be simply two pawns ahead.} 17...Qb6 ( {After} 17...Nxd2 18.Qxd2 Be4 19.c4 {it is White who is attacking.} ) 18.Nxe4 dxe4 ( {In case of} 18...Bxe4 {White could have chosen} 19.Bd3 Bxf3 20.gxf3 Rxg1+ 21.Qxg1 {taking over the initiative, while keeping his extra material.} ) 19.Nh2 $1 {A solid human choice.} ( {The almighty machine finds an even better solution:} 19.e6 $3 Bxe6 ( {Or} 19...fxe6 20.Nd2 ) ( {whereas} 19...Qxe6 20.Bc4 Qh6 21.Bd5 $1 {leads to large advantage for the first player after} 21...Kf8 22.Bxe4 Re8 23.Bxf5 $1 Rxe1 24.Rgxe1 ) 20.Nd2 f5 21.Nc4 {with a decisive counterattack.} ) 19...Nxe5 20.Rd1 {Bringing more and more pieces out.} ( {Also good is} 20.Qd2 $5 {when} 20...Bxf2 $4 {is obviously impossible:} 21.Bxf2 Qxf2 22.Bb5+ ) 20...Qh6 21.Bg3 {Again the simplest and most solid choice.} ( {Another good choice is to throw in the move} 21.Rd5 f6 {and only then} ( {The key idea is} 21...Bd6 22.f4 $1 {to open up the black king.} ) 22.Bg3 ( {Although the aggressive} 22.f4 Bxg1 23.fxe5 {looks great for White too.} ) ) 21...Rxg3 {The last chance to get some play, but it is too late.} 22.fxg3 Bxg1 23.Qxg1 Qb6 24.Qf1 Bg6 25.Qf4 {Tari gave away one of his pawns but defended everything and now has positional advantage besides the extra pawn. The only problem for the Norwegian GM was his clock situation.} 25...f6 26.Ng4 $1 Nxg4 27.Bxg4 Rd8 28.Rf1 {A step in the wrong direction. White needed to swap the rooks.} ( {Strong is} 28.Rxd8+ Qxd8 29.h4 h5 30.Qh6 {with a win.} ) 28...Qd6 29.Qh6 Qe5 30.Qg7 {This seems like a winning move, but it is based on a wrong assumption.} ( {It was not too late to switch to the h-pawn advance plan:} 30.h4 $1 {The h4-h5 threat will ruin Black's defensive setup, and the move is backed by small tactics:} 30...Qxg3 ( {If} 30...Rd5 31.c4 Rc5 32.Kh2 {White consolidates and wants Qh6-g7.} ) 31.Rxf6 Qxg4 32.Qf8+ Kd7 33.Rd6+ Kc7 34.Qxd8# ) 30...Qe7 31.Qg8+ Qf8 32.Qc4 ( {It might have been here when Tari understood that the obvious} 32.Qxf8+ Kxf8 33.Rxf6+ Ke7 34.Re6+ Kf7 35.h4 h5 {promises Black huge counterplay, thanks to his strong passer.} ) 32...Qe7 33.Qg8+ Qf8 34.Qc4 Qe7 35.Bf5 ( {The last chance for} 35.Rd1 $1 Rxd1+ 36.Bxd1 b6 37.Be2 {followed by the advance of the kingside pawns was missed here.} ) 35...Kf8 36.Qc3 Kg7 37.Qe3 Rd5 38.g4 b5 $1 {Aronian can finally relax. His king is safe, and his e-passer backed by both major pieces promises him ample compensation for the pawn.} 39.Rf4 Re5 40.c4 ( {Maybe} 40.Bxg6 hxg6 41.c3 {intending Rf3-f1(f2)-c1(c2) preparing the c-passer advance is a better try.} ) 40...bxc4 41.bxc4 a5 42.h4 Bxf5 43.gxf5 h5 44.Rf1 Kh7 45.Qe2 Qe8 46.Qe3 Qe7 47.Rf2 Qc5 48.Qxc5 Rxc5 49.Rc2 e3 50.Kg1 ( 50.Kg1 {The game would have ended with} 50...Rxf5 51.c5 e2 52.Rxe2 Rxc5 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Altibox Chess"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.10"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[ECO "B15"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[Beauty "6258862072919"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c6 {"I did not expect the Caro-Kann at all." (Duda)} 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6 {Twenty years back this line was considered dubious for Black as the assumption was White will be structurally way better. The simplest plan is to trade everything and achieve a won pawn endgame. Moreover, unlike the similar pawn construction as in the Ruy Lopez Exchange, Black lacks the bishop pair to compensate for the ruined pawn structure. However, recent GM practice has proved that Black has serious arguments too, mainly the chance to play on both flanks.} 6.c3 Bd6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.Qc2 Re8+ 9.Ne2 ( {Maybe Carlsen wanted to pay tribute to the commentators of the day by following in their footsteps:} 9.Be3 h6 10.Nf3 Bf4 11.Qe2 c5 12.dxc5 Qc7 13.O-O-O Bxe3+ 14.fxe3 Qxc5 15.Nd4 Nc6 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Bc4 Be6 18.Bxe6 Rxe6 19.Rd3 Rae8 {Svidler,P (2723)-Kramnik,V (2753) chess24.com 2020} ) 9...h5 10.Be3 Nd7 11.O-O-O b5 {"I totally forgot about this idea." (Duda) "I knew such an idea exists, but did not bother analyzing it seriously."} 12.d5 {"The first stupid thing I did was that I spent 20 minutes on calculating this move (and the recapture), and then Magnus played c6-c5 at once." (Duda)} ( {Instead, the former world champion suggested super-aggressive kingside play with} 12.g4 $5 {(Kramnik)} 12...hxg4 13.h3 g3 14.Rhg1 {with the brilliant point} ( 14.Rdg1 $5 ) 14...Rxe3 ( {Perhaps Black needs to defend patiently with} 14...gxf2 15.Bxf2 Nb6 ) 15.fxe3 Qc7 16.Nxg3 $1 Bxg3 17.Qg2 {(Kramnik)} ) 12...c5 13.Bxb5 Rb8 14.c4 a6 ( {White expected instead the positional sacrifice} 14...Rxe3 {(Also recommended by Kramnik and Svidler.)} 15.fxe3 Ne5 16.h3 {"It is very difficult to play as White." (Duda) The computer disagrees and likes the material better (no major surprise here), but it is evident that Black can mount pressure easily and enjoy his initiative thanks to his safer king.} ) 15.Ba4 Re7 $146 {Only this is a novelty. The rook is getting ready to join the queenside assault.} ( {The earlier game went} 15...Re5 16.Nc3 Nb6 17.Bb3 Bf5 18.Qd2 a5 19.a3 Nxd5 20.Nxd5 Rxb3 21.Nc3 Rb6 22.Nb5 {with unclear play, Ivic,V (2487)-Hansen,T (2423) Porto Carras 2018} ) 16.Ng3 Ne5 ( 16...Nb6 17.Bc6 g6 18.Ne4 Rxe4 19.Qxe4 Bf5 {(Duda)} ) 17.Ne4 {Now that the knight got centralized, White was happy.} ( {However, the prophylactic} 17.Bd2 {intending to meet} 17...Reb7 {with} 18.Bc3 {would have been better for White instead.} ) 17...Reb7 $1 {After this, Duda thought that Carlsen can "play whatever he wants and will always have positional compensation."} 18.b3 ( {Duda spent time calculating} 18.Qc3 {but did not like the consequences of} 18...Rb4 ( 18...Rxb2 19.Bb3 $1 ) 19.b3 Nxc4 $1 {(Svidler)} ) ( {Instead} 18.Nxd6 Rxb2 {"is pretty bad for White." (Duda)} ) 18...Rb4 {A surprise for Duda.} ( {The Polish GM expected} 18...Bf5 {and did not know what to do:} 19.f3 {can be met with} ( {Another idea that the Polish GM considered was the positional queen sacrifice} 19.Rhe1 Ng4 20.Nxd6 Bxc2 21.Nxb7 Rxb7 22.Kxc2 {but there too Black seems better.} ) ( {The commentators had a better idea instead:} 19.Bd2 $1 {(Kramnik, Svidler)} 19...Ng4 20.f3 ( {However, here everyone missed the excellent} 20.Rhf1 $1 Nxh2 21.Rh1 $1 {maneuver when White is winning after} 21...Ng4 22.Rxh5 ) 20...Nf2 21.Nxf2 Bxc2 22.Kxc2 {"I do not know if White is any worse." (Kramnik)} ) 19...Bxe4 20.Qxe4 Re7 $1 {with a strong initiative.} ) 19.Bd2 Rxa4 $1 {Another nice positional exchange sacrifice. The white king is exposed.} 20.bxa4 Bf5 21.Rde1 {"I thought I am in a very good shape here. I was kind of very optimistic. " (Duda)} 21...h4 {And indeed, now White is better.} ( {Perhaps Carlsen thought that he has too little in the line:} 21...Ng4 22.f3 ( {Here} 22.Rhf1 {is met strongly with} 22...Be5 $1 ) 22...Bxe4 23.Rxe4 Nf2 24.Rhe1 Nxe4 25.Qxe4 {with equality after both} 25...Qd7 ( {or} 25...Bxh2 {but that is the way to play it.} ) ) 22.h3 Ng6 23.Re3 {White has consolidated and even though the g2-pawn can be attacked, he can finally breathe freely. The game is approaching the time-trouble phase.} 23...Nf4 24.g4 ( {If White wanted to play safe, he could have chosen} 24.g3 Nxh3 25.Rxh3 ( {Here} 25.Rf3 $1 {wins for White, with the idea} 25...Bg4 26.Nxd6 Qxd6 27.Rb3 ) 25...Bxh3 26.Nxd6 Qxd6 27.gxh4 {with equality. (Kramnik, Svidler)} ) 24...Bg6 25.Kd1 $3 {"A very nice move." (Kramnik) "A clever way to deal with the knight jumps." (Svidler)} 25...f5 {A natural attack, but then the black king is getting weak too.} ( {Best is} 25...Qd7 $5 {(Duda) in order to avoid the rook trade with} 26.Rb3 Re8 27.Re1 Nxh3 $1 {(Svidler)} ) 26.Nxd6 Qxd6 27.gxf5 Bh5+ 28.f3 Qf6 29.Bc3 ( 29.Qe4 $5 Qa1+ 30.Bc1 Rb1 31.Kd2 $1 {is there too.} ) 29...Qg5 30.Qe4 {"A very stupid move." (Duda)} ( 30.Rhe1 $1 {would have been more natural, but the text move does not spoil that much.} ) 30...Qg2 ( {The commentators and Duda suggested instead the improving moves} 30...f6 $1 ) ( {or} 30...Kh7 $1 {when Carlsen's game would be even easier in time trouble.} ) 31.Rhe1 ( {The Polish GM wanted to checkmate his mighty opponent a la Carlsen with} 31.Qxf4 Qxh1+ ( {And while checking the lines, he saw he blundered something else...} 31...Rb1# ) 32.Kd2 Rb1 33.Re8+ Kh7 34.Qh6+ Kxh6 35.Rh8+ {but then realized that the king can escape with} ) 31...Qxa2 {An obvious move, and a blunder.} ( {"It is never too late to make a good positional move," said Kramnik, suggesting} 31...f6 $5 {although then} 32.d6 {should be much better for White.} ) 32.Qc2 Qxc4 33.Re8+ Kh7 ( {Apparently, the world champion missed from afar:} 33...Rxe8 34.Rxe8+ Kh7 35.Rh8+ $1 Kxh8 36.Bxg7+ {and the queen drops.} ) 34.Rxb8 Qxd5+ 35.Qd2 Bxf3+ 36.Kc1 Qxf5 ( {Or a study-like mate in case of} 36...Nd3+ 37.Kb1 Qxf5 38.Rh8+ $1 Kxh8 39.Qh6+ Qh7 40.Re8# ) 37.Re3 {There are still many checks and threats against the white king, but the two rooks are too much to handle.} 37...Ne2+ 38.Kb2 Nxc3 39.Qxc3 Qf4 40.Qd3+ f5 41.Rf8 Qb4+ 42.Kc1 Be4 43.Qb3 ( 43.Rxe4 $1 fxe4 44.Qd8 {would do as well.} ) 43...Qd4 44.Qc3 Qd6 45.Rf7 Qg6 46.Rd7 Qg1+ 47.Kb2 c4 48.Rxe4 $1 {No more threats. Duda converts the extra rook.} 48...fxe4 49.Rd4 Qf2+ 50.Qd2 c3+ 51.Kxc3 Qg3+ 52.Kb2 Qxh3 53.Rxe4 Qg3 54.Qd4 Qg2+ 55.Kc3 Qf3+ 56.Kb4 Qf8+ 57.Ka5 Qf5+ 58.Kxa6 g5 59.a5 h3 60.Re7+ Kg6 61.Qg7+ Kh5 62.Qh7+ Kg4 63.Re4+ 1-0

[Event "Altibox Chess"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.11"]
[Round "11.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[ECO "B22"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7767335113818"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 {An interesting opening choice by Aronian.} 3...d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.d4 Nf6 6.Na3 Nc6 7.Be3 cxd4 8.Nb5 Qd7 9.Nbxd4 {In this line White is aiming for a slight opening advantage, thanks to his queenside majority.} 9...a6 ( {In a recent GM game, Black did well after} 9...Nd5 10.Bd2 Bd6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd3 Rb8 13.Qc2 h6 14.O-O c5 15.Rad1 Qc7 16.c4 Nb4 17.Bxb4 Rxb4 18.Rfe1 O-O 19.b3 Rb6 20.Qe2 Rd8 {Van Foreest,J (2644)-Duda,J (2758) Wijk aan Zee 2020} ) 10.Bd3 Bd6 11.O-O Ne7 $146 {"I was really happy I got a fight out of the opening." (Caruana) Black wants to preserve as many pieces as he can.} ( {Most likely both players were unaware of this game:} 11...O-O 12.Re1 Qc7 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Qa4 Nd5 15.Qh4 h6 16.Bd2 Rb8 17.Rab1 Bf4 18.Bxf4 Nxf4 {Kartsev,A (2189)-Hoffmann,M (2424) Germany 2013} ) 12.Qc2 O-O 13.Bg5 Ng6 {Black is OK with the doubled kingside pawns as long as the knight is around to shield the king.} 14.Rad1 Qc7 {"I kind of liked my position. I felt like I had a lot of potential here. I also had more time on the clock; he was hesitating a lot." (Caruana)} 15.Rfe1 Bd7 16.g3 Rfe8 17.Bxf6 gxf6 18.h4 {However, Aronian is also happy with the weakened black kingside and launches an immediate attack.} 18...Kh8 {Too ambitious. Black is downplaying the opponent's threats.} 19.Qd2 Bf8 20.h5 Ne7 {Caruana was very proud of this maneuver but missed Aronian's next move:} 21.Bc2 $1 {"I need one move basically. If I can get Re8-d8 and Qc7-c5, my position is amazing." (Caruana) Qd2-d3 is a strong threat, and if f6-f5, White can simply capture the pawn with the knight.} 21...Red8 22.Qd3 f5 {At this point Aronian thought that he was close to winning. (Caruana) And he was right!} 23.g4 {"A very surprising move." (Kramnik) "I was very happy to see this. I thought it was not a good move." (Caruana)} ( {Black was quite worried about} 23.Ng5 $1 {Rightly so! After} 23...Be8 {Caruana mainly considered} 24.Qf3 ( {The American rejected} 24.Qe3 $1 {on logical grounds as} 24...Nd5 {is coming with tempo. Still,} 25.Ndxe6 $1 {is strong for White, for example} 25...fxe6 ( {Or} 25...Nxe3 26.Nxc7 Nxd1 27.Nxa8 Nxb2 28.Nc7 {and White is clearly better.} ) 26.Qxe6 {with three pawns for the piece and a huge attack.} ) ( {However, it seems as both players missed the powerful} 24.Qe2 $3 {with the unstoppable threat of Nxe6! Say,} 24...Qb6 25.Ndxe6 fxe6 26.Rxd8 Rxd8 27.Nxe6 Bf7 28.Qe5+ Kg8 29.Nxf8 $1 {and wins.} ) 24...Bh6 25.Ngxe6 fxe6 26.Nxe6 Rxd1 {Black calculated this far and believed that his opponent is risking hugely and may not have enough for the piece. But} 27.Qxd1 $1 {clarifies matters as} 27...Qd7 {loses material due to} 28.Qxd7 Bxd7 29.Nc5 ) ( {Or} 23.Ne5 Be8 {which is weaker, as the sacrifice on e6 no longer works.} ) 23...f6 $1 {"I stopped considering other moves. It was a direct, positional choice to stop Nf3-g5." (Caruana)} 24.g5 {"This feels wrong." (Caruana)} ( {In case of} 24.gxf5 e5 {Black accurately calculated the lengthy lines} 25.Nxe5 ( {"I thought the most interesting line was:"} 25.Rxe5 $3 fxe5 26.Ng5 {"At first I could not believe it."} 26...Bxf5 ( {Therefore, Caruana intended} 26...Be8 27.f6 Ng6 ) ( {But there are other good defensive moves like} 26...Bb5 {with the idea} 27.Nxb5 Rxd3 28.Nxc7 Rxd1+ 29.Bxd1 Rc8 ) ( {Or} 26...e4 $5 27.Qxe4 Bc6 28.Qe6 Bd5 29.Nf7+ Kg8 30.Nh6+ Kg7 31.f6+ {with perpetual as Black cannot afford to be greedy:} 31...Kxh6 $2 {loses to} 32.Qe3+ Kxh5 33.f4 ) 27.Qg3 {"is very good for White."} ) 25...fxe5 26.f6 Bf5 27.Qg3 Bxc2 28.fxe7 Bxd1 29.exd8=Q Qxd8 {"This is what I was basically counting on." (Caruana)} 30.Qxe5+ ( {In the line} 30.Ne6 Qd6 31.Ng5 Bxh5 {"It is very important that the bishop comes back in time to defend." (Caruana)} ) 30...Bg7 31.Qxg7+ Kxg7 32.Ne6+ Kf6 33.Nxd8 Rxd8 {and the rook protects the bishop. (Caruana)} ) ( {This was, however, the last moment when Aronian could have claimed the advantage with} 24.Nh4 $1 {in order to meet} 24...Qf4 {with} 25.Qg3 $1 Qxg3+ 26.fxg3 ) 24...Qf4 $1 {Now Black is safe and is playing for a win. On top of this, Aronian was very low on time.} 25.gxf6 Qg4+ 26.Kf1 Qh3+ 27.Ke2 Nd5 ( {At first, Caruana thought he was winning with} 27...Bb5 28.c4 Nd5 {but then he spotted} 29.Nxe6 $3 {"which is probably winning for White." (Caruana)} ) 28.Qd2 Bb5+ 29.Nxb5 Qg4 {Black was happy to see this move in advance.} 30.Qg5 {The only move.} ( 30.Nd4 Nf4+ 31.Ke3 Bh6 {"felt winning (for Black)" (Caruana)} ) 30...Nf4+ 31.Ke3 Ng2+ 32.Ke2 Qc4+ 33.Bd3 ( {With seconds on the clock, Aronian probably did not even consider} 33.Rd3 $1 Nf4+ 34.Kf1 Nxd3 35.Nbd4 $3 {but this is unclear as none of the discovered checks are decisive.} ) 33...Rxd3 {A psychological shot that works well.} 34.Rxd3 ( {Even with plenty of time on the clock, White would not be eager to allow the countless discovered checks after} 34.Ne5 $3 {but this would have saved White! Caruana intended} 34...Re3+ ( {Objectively it should be a draw after} 34...Nf4+ 35.Kf1 Rg3+ 36.Nxc4 Rxg5 ) 35.Kd2 Rxe5 36.Rxe5 axb5 ( 36...Nh4 {does not work due to} 37.Nd6 $1 ( {Not} 37.Nd4 Qxd4+ {(Kramnik)} ) ) 37.Qxg2 {But that is winning for White as he can defend with} 37...Rd8+ 38.Ke1 ) 34...Nf4+ {Now Black is winning.} 35.Ke3 ( {White does not get enough after} 35.Qxf4 Qxf4 36.Nd6 Bxd6 37.Rd4 Qh6 38.Rxd6 Qxf6 ) 35...Qe4+ 36.Kd2 Qxd3+ 37.Kc1 Qxf3 38.f7 ( {Caruana even noticed White's last chance:} 38.Nd6 h6 ( {Not} 38...Qxh5 39.Qxf4 Bh6 40.Nf7+ ) 39.Nf7+ Kh7 40.Qg6+ Nxg6 41.hxg6+ Kg8 $1 ( 41...Kxg6 42.Ne5+ ) ) 38...Qg4 0-1

[Event "Altibox Chess"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.12"]
[Round "13.3"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Tari, Aryan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[ECO "C70"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8248753138194"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 f5 {Viktor Korchnoi used this delayed version of the Schliemann in one of his match games against Anatoly Karpov. Back then it had a reputation as a dubious line, suitable for one game only. This assessment will be hardly changed by this game, it seems.} 5.d4 exd4 6.e5 b5 ( {Korchnoi's choice was} 6...Bc5 7.O-O Nge7 8.Bb3 d5 9.exd6 Qxd6 10.Re1 h6 11.Nbd2 b5 12.a4 Bb7 13.axb5 axb5 14.Rxa8+ Bxa8 15.Re6 Qd7 16.Qe2 d3 17.cxd3 Kd8 18.Nf1 Re8 19.Ng3 Nd4 {with irrational complications that eventually ended in a draw in Karpov,A-Korchnoi,V Moscow 1974} ) 7.Bb3 Bb7 8.O-O Na5 9.Nxd4 ( {Morozevich got the better chances after} 9.Bxg8 Rxg8 10.Nxd4 Qh4 11.Nc3 f4 $2 ( {However, Black could have played} 11...O-O-O $5 ) ( {Or} 11...Qg4 $5 {instead with good play in both cases.} ) 12.Nf3 Qg4 13.a4 Nc4 14.axb5 Nxe5 15.Re1 d6 16.bxa6 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 Qxf3 18.gxf3 Kd7 {Morozevich,A (2659)-Sychev,K (2563) Moscow 2019} ) 9...c5 {So far, Tari was blitzing, while Duda was cautiously checking his moves. On his next choice, the Polish GM spent more than 40 minutes.} 10.Nxf5 {Kramnik predicted that this will be White's choice.} ( 10.Bxg8 cxd4 11.Bb3 Nxb3 12.axb3 {yields nothing for White after either} 12...Bc5 ( {or} 12...Qh4 ) ) 10...c4 11.Nc3 $146 {Three seconds were spent on this novelty. Duda speeds up his development, hoping to get to the enemy king while it's still in the center.} ( {An earlier game could have seen Black doing more than fine after} 11.Qg4 Qb6 $1 12.Nd6+ Bxd6 13.exd6 O-O-O 14.Qxg7 Qxd6 {This is not bad.} ( {However, even better would have been} 14...Nf6 $1 15.Qxf6 Rhg8 {with a decisive attack after} 16.g3 Rdf8 17.Qc3 Rf3 $1 ) 15.Bg5 Rf8 ( {Here} 15...Re8 $1 {is more logical:} 16.Qxh8 Qd5 17.f3 Qxg5 {when the threat of Re8-e2 is nasty.} ) 16.Qxh8 Qd5 17.f3 Qxg5 {with an unclear game in Beikert,G (2414) -Buecker,S (2280) Sasbach 2018} ) 11...Qb6 {Time for Tari to think. This is his best choice. The queen is out, ready to attack, and Black may castle long if needed.} ( {The premature capture of the bishop opens the file for the white rook and promises White more attacking chances:} 11...cxb3 12.axb3 Qb6 13.Re1 O-O-O 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.exd6 Nf6 16.Be3 Qc6 17.f3 ) 12.Nd5 ( {More straightforward is} 12.Nd6+ Bxd6 13.exd6 {to which best seems} 13...Qc5 14.Re1+ Kf8 15.Ne4 Qf5 16.f3 Re8 {with an unclear position.} ) 12...Bxd5 {The first long thought by Tari and a mistake at once.} ( {He should have tied up the white knights instead with} 12...Qc6 $1 13.Nf4 ( {If} 13.Nde3 Nh6 $1 {is good for Black.} ) 13...O-O-O {Then} 14.Nd4 {should be met with} 14...Qc7 ( {Not} 14...Qb6 15.Be3 ) 15.a4 b4 16.Re1 cxb3 17.cxb3 Kb8 {when White has compensation for the piece but hardly any advantage.} ) 13.Qxd5 Qc6 14.Qd4 Qe6 ( {There is no time to capture the bishop:} 14...cxb3 15.axb3 Nb7 {due to the strong} 16.e6 $1 dxe6 ( {Or} 16...Qxe6 17.Nxg7+ Bxg7 18.Qxg7 Qf6 19.Re1+ Kd8 20.Bg5 {winning instantly.} ) 17.Nxg7+ Kf7 18.Nh5 {with a decisive attack.} ) 15.Nd6+ {Opening the e-file as soon as possible.} ( {Also interesting seems the computer suggestion:} 15.Qe4 $5 d5 16.Qg4 Kd7 {Now both} 17.Qf4 {intending Nf5-d4} ( {and the weird-looking} 17.Qd1 Qxe5 18.Ng3 {promise a serious attack to White.} ) ) 15...Bxd6 16.exd6 Nf6 {After this move, there is no way back.} ( {The only way to keep playing is} 16...Kf7 $1 17.Qc3 Nc6 18.a4 Nf6 ( {Once again there is no time to capture the bishop:} 18...cxb3 19.axb5 Ne5 ( {Or} 19...Nd8 20.Qf3+ ) 20.Re1 ) 19.Ba2 {The bishop is safe, but Black at least consolidates after} 19...Rhe8 {Next Tari would castle by hand and hope that the blocked white bishop can compensate for his pawn deficit.} ) 17.Qc3 {A double attack. Black fell short by a move and could not collect the trapped bishop.} 17...O-O ( {After} 17...Nxb3 {White has a pleasant choice between} 18.Re1 ( {and} 18.axb3 O-O 19.bxc4 {which is also extremely pleasant for White.} ) 18...Nxa1 19.Rxe6+ dxe6 20.b3 {with an edge.} ) 18.Qxa5 Ng4 ( {Nothing changes} 18...cxb3 19.axb3 Qxd6 20.h3 ( {Or even} 20.Qd2 ) ) 19.Qc3 {Duda won material and consolidates his advantage. Tari's opening experiment failed.} ( {Also good is the preliminary} 19.h3 Ne5 20.Qc3 ) 19...Rae8 ( {Once again there are small tactics in case of} 19...Qxd6 20.Bxc4+ bxc4 21.Qxc4+ Kh8 22.Qxg4 ) 20.Bg5 ( {Or} 20.Bxc4 bxc4 21.Bg5 ) 20...cxb3 21.Qxb3 {Two extra pawns are more than enough for the Polish GM to claim the win.} 21...Qxb3 22.axb3 Re2 23.f3 Nf6 24.Rfc1 h6 ( {Again Black comes short by a move in the line} 24...Rc8 25.Bxf6 gxf6 26.Rxa6 Rcxc2 27.Rxc2 Rxc2 28.Ra7 Rxb2 29.Rxd7 Rxb3 30.Re7 ) 25.Kf1 Rfe8 26.Bxf6 gxf6 27.Re1 1-0

[Event "Altibox Chess"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.16"]
[Round "19.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6529558252045"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bf4 c6 7.Qc2 g6 {Probably Black's most important idea in the Carlsbad: getting rid of the weak light-squared bishop.} 8.e3 Bf5 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Nbd7 11.h4 {This is how White tries to make use of the opponent's weakened kingside nowadays.} 11...a5 {N} ( {The earlier game was another one of Carlsen:} 11...Nb6 12.Ne5 Qc8 {which turned wild after} 13.O-O-O Qe6 14.Kb1 Ne4 15.Qc2 Bb4 16.Nxe4 dxe4 17.h5 g5 18.Bxg5 f6 19.Rh4 fxg5 20.Rxe4 O-O 21.Ng6 Qf7 22.Nxf8 Rxf8 23.Re5 {and Black eventually held, Carlsen,M (2863)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess24.com 2020} ) 12.Kf1 {"I felt this is strange." (Aronian)} ( {Instead, he expected} 12.O-O-O ) 12...a4 {Consistently creating play on his flank. Aronian is not in a hurry to castle any time soon.} 13.a3 ( 13.g3 {followed by Kf1-g2 was Kramnik's idea, but Aronian knew that his opponent will go for the Rh1-h3-g3 maneuver \E0 la the French.} 13...h5 14.Bg5 {"This is the solid way (for White)." (Aronian)} ) 13...Qb6 14.Qc2 h5 15.Bg5 O-O {Now he can. It is evident that Black is doing fine out of the opening.} 16.Ne5 ( {Instead, after} 16.g3 Qa6+ 17.Kg2 Rfe8 {intending Nf6-g4, "Black is super safe." (Aronian)} 18.Bxf6 Nxf6 19.Ne5 c5 ) 16...Rfe8 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 18.Rh3 {"A bit strange." (Aronian)} 18...Qb3 {"At some point I thought I had a big advantage, but then he somehow got everything together." (Aronian)} 19.Qb1 {Carlsen wants to keep the queens on the board as he is still dreaming of a kingside attack.} ( {Perhaps it is time for Carlsen to switch to the defense with} 19.Qxb3 axb3 20.Nd3 Ne4 21.Rc1 Nd2+ 22.Ke2 Nc4 23.Nb1 {when White should be OK.} ) 19...Ne4 $1 {Black firmly takes over the initiative.} 20.Nxe4 dxe4 21.Qxe4 Bd6 22.Rg3 ( {Instead, Kramnik's suggestion} 22.f4 {is refuted by} 22...Qxb2 ( 22...c5 $5 {also looks fine for Black. (Aronian)} ) 23.Rb1 Qxa3 24.Rxb7 Rab8 25.Rxf7 Qa1+ 26.Kf2 Qa2+ 27.Kg1 Qxf7 $1 {(Aronian)} ) ( {But perhaps} 22.Rf3 {would have been a better version of the game continuation after} 22...Bxe5 23.dxe5 Qb5+ ( {True, Black can fight for more with} 23...Rad8 $5 ) 24.Kg1 Rxe5 25.Qc2 ) 22...Bxe5 23.dxe5 Qb5+ 24.Kg1 {With the stronger major pieces and nice queenside majority, all Black needs is to trade the queens and enjoy his edge.} 24...Rxe5 ( {Therefore, the endgame after} 24...Qxe5 $1 25.Qc2 ( {But maybe Aronian was afraid of the direct} 25.Qxe5 Rxe5 26.Rd1 Raa5 27.Rd7 Rab5 28.Rf3 ) 25...Qe4 ( 25...Rad8 $5 ) 26.Qxe4 Rxe4 27.Rd1 Ra5 28.Rd7 Rb5 {"I thought it was on the edge of losing." (Kramnik)} 29.Rf3 f5 30.Rg3 Rg4 {looks indeed close to won for Black.} ) 25.Qd4 ( {Aronian: "Magnus almost took on g6 here"} 25.Rxg6+ {which the Armenian GM would have spectacularly refuted with} 25...Kh7 $3 ( {Rather than} 25...fxg6 26.Qxg6+ Kf8 27.Qf6+ {with perpetual.} ) ) 25...Rd5 {But now Black is obviously better as the rook on g3 makes no sense in the coming endgame.} ( {After} 25...Qd5 {White can try either} 26.Qc3 ( {Or} 26.Qb6 $5 ) ) 26.Qf6 Rf5 27.Qd4 Qe2 28.e4 $1 {"Honestly, I blundered this idea." (Aronian)} 28...Rb5 ( {Apparently Black disliked the fact that his rook is out of the game in case of} 28...Rf4 29.f3 Rxh4 30.Rg5 ) 29.Rb1 Qc2 30.Qd3 {The white pieces are coordinated. "Now it is very drawish." (Kramnik)} 30...Rc5 31.Qxc2 Rxc2 32.b3 b5 33.Rd3 axb3 34.Rbxb3 Ra4 35.Rdc3 {Another weird idea by the world champion.} ( {Simpler is} 35.Rbc3 Rc4 36.Rxc4 Rxc4 37.f3 {when Black is better but not as much as in the game.} ) 35...Rc4 36.Rxc2 Rxc2 37.f3 Kf8 {White is still not out of the woods yet. His opponent has a clear plan of centralizing his king, and then he can start pushing his queenside passers easily.} 38.Kh2 Ke7 {With Carlsen down on time and needing to "take important decisions," Aronian felt that he might still win, although he considered the position a draw.} 39.Kh3 Ke6 40.Rd3 Rc4 ( 40...Ke5 {is more accurate with advantage for Black after} 41.Kg3 Ra2 ) 41.Kg3 {"A bit too passive."(Aronian)} ( {"I did not see anything wrong with"} 41.g4 Ke5 42.Kg3 hxg4 43.Kxg4 Kf6 {although it is obvious that Black is better here as well.} ) 41...Ke5 42.Rd7 Rc3 43.Ra7 ( {The two connected black passers should decide the outcome of the game in case of} 43.Rxf7 Rxa3 ) 43...f6 ( 43...f5 $5 {"I thought too many pawns are exchanged." (Aronian)} 44.exf5 gxf5 45.Re7+ {But Black is close to winning after} 45...Kd4 ) 44.Ra8 Kd6 ( {Aronian knew that the immediate advance} 44...c5 45.Rd8 $1 {is the wrong choice.} ) ( {But instead} 44...Rb3 $1 {is good, and only after} 45.Rc8 Kd6 {thus keeping the white king away.} ) 45.Kf4 $1 {That is the difference. Carlsen activates his kingside.} 45...Kc7 46.g4 Kb7 47.Rg8 hxg4 48.fxg4 Rxa3 49.Rxg6 b4 50.Rxf6 {Nooo! Just a step away from a draw, Carlsen blunders. In a race on the opposite flanks, every tempo counts.} ( 50.h5 $1 b3 51.Rg7+ $3 {This spoiler would have saved Carlsen, e.g.} ( {Not the obvious} 51.h6 Ra8 {(Aronian)} ( {Or even better} 51...b2 {when Black wins in both cases.} ) ) 51...Kb6 52.Rg8 Ra7 53.Rb8+ Rb7 54.Rxb7+ Kxb7 55.h6 b2 56.h7 b1=Q 57.h8=Q {and a draw.} ) ( {During the game Kramnik and Polgar suggested} 50.Rg7+ Kb6 51.Rg8 {which also draws. It transposes after} 51...b3 ( 51...Ra7 52.Rb8+ Rb7 $2 53.Rxb7+ Kxb7 54.Ke3 {even wins for White} ) 52.h5 Ra7 53.Rb8+ Rb7 54.Rxb7+ Kxb7 ) ( {The engine points out that even} 50.g5 {draws here.} ) 50...b3 {The pawns are unstoppable.} 51.Rf7+ Kb6 52.Rf8 Ra7 53.Rb8+ Rb7 54.Rd8 c5 55.Ke3 c4 56.Rd1 c3 57.Rb1 Kc5 58.Kd3 0-1

[Event "Skilling Open | Knockout"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.11.25"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Beauty "8249830859282"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.c4 {Behind in the result and with just one last white game So needs to play for a win at any cost.} 1...Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e3 Bb4 5.Qc2 O-O 6.Nd5 Re8 7.Qf5 {A positionally aggressive line introduced in the tournament practice by R. Keene and later adopted by V. Kortschnoi. White wants to use weakening of the f7-square and double the opponent's pawns on the kingside.} ( {Other popular replies are:} 7.Ng5 h6 8.Nxf6+ Qxf6 9.Qh7+ Kf8 10.Ne4 Qg6 11.Qxg6 fxg6 {as in Kovalenko,I (2657)-Paichadze,L (2568) Minsk 2017} ) ( {And:} 7.Bd3 h6 8.a3 Bf8 9.O-O d6 10.Nxf6+ Qxf6 11.Be4 {which has been seen in Nepomniachtchi, I (2751)-Karjakin,S (2783) chess.com INT 2017} ) 7...d6 8.Nxf6+ Qxf6 9.Qxf6 gxf6 10.a3 Bc5 11.b4 Bb6 12.Bb2 a6 ( {Anotehr GM game saw recently:} 12...a5 13.b5 Ne7 14.d4 c5 15.dxe5 fxe5 16.O-O-O Bc7 17.g4 Ng6 18.h3 f5 19.gxf5 Bxf5 20.Rg1 Kf8 21.h4 {and White eventually prevailed in Nyzhnyk,I (2665) -Cordova,E (2592) Chesterfield 2020} ) 13.O-O-O {[#]} 13...Bf5 $146 {A novelty by Radjabov. Black's position is very risky strategically. White aims to either advance his center pawns and block the enemy dark-squared bishop and/or to expand on the kingside with tempos. Black on his turn is waiting for the opening of the game to underline the fact that the white king is not perfectly safe.} ( {Black cannot be satisfied with the play in the predecessor:} 13...Be6 14.d4 Ne7 15.Nd2 Bg4 16.f3 Bf5 17.g4 Bg6 18.h4 h6 19.f4 exf4 20.exf4 h5 21.f5 {when both black bishops got restricted, David,A (2421)-Vujacic,B (2235) Arad 2018} ) ( {The computer suggests instead:} 13...e4 ) ( {Or:} 13...Ne7 ) 14.Rg1 $1 ( {The immediate:} 14.d4 {is also possible, but the move in the game is far more unpleasant as So keeps all his options open.} ) 14...Ne7 15.d4 {Once more the most flexible continuation.} ( {After:} 15.g4 Be4 16.Be2 a5 {Radjabov can start concrete play.} ) 15...Be4 {In order to de-centralize the knight.} ( {If:} 15...Bg6 16.g4 {and White keeps improving unhindered.} ) 16.Nd2 Bg6 17.Nf3 {So wants his knight back in the center but misses an excellent chance.} ( {The counter-intuitive capture:} 17.dxe5 $1 {would have promised White big edge. Then:} 17...dxe5 ( {More natural seems the other capture:} 17...fxe5 {But there too it is White who has all the fun after:} 18.g4 a5 19.h4 h6 20.h5 Bh7 21.c5 $1 dxc5 22.b5 {The long diagonal and the g-file would be soon cleared and White will launch huge attack against the enemy king.} ( {Or:} 22.g5 ) ) 18.c5 Ba7 19.g4 {blocks the black bishops for long and White will inevitably clear the path for his pieces to the kingside.} ) 17...a5 {Getting air for his pieces.} 18.b5 ( {After:} 18.c5 {Black is ready to sacrifice a piece with:} 18...axb4 $1 19.cxb6 ( {Whereas:} 19.axb4 {allows another activity with:} 19...Ba7 20.Nh4 exd4 21.exd4 Nd5 ) 19...bxa3 ( 19...cxb6 ) 20.Ba1 cxb6 {when all black pieces come into life.} ) 18...c6 {Consistently clearing the road for his pieces.} 19.a4 cxb5 20.axb5 ( {Certainly not:} 20.cxb5 $4 Rac8+ ) 20...a4 21.Ba3 exd4 22.exd4 {It seems as everything is under control and that White's strategy will slowly prevail. However, the previous unbalacing of the queenside situation prepeared the next storm:} 22...Nd5 $3 {Take it, or not, the gin is out of the bottle.} 23.Kb2 $1 {So is cool.} ( {The captures are just bad:} 23.cxd5 $2 Rac8+ 24.Kb2 Rc2+ 25.Ka1 Ba5 $1 {leads to mate.} ) ( {Whereas:} 23.Bxd6 $2 a3 {is plain hopeless for White.} ) 23...Ba5 $1 {Who needs the knight when one can have the diagonals and the files?} 24.Bxd6 $1 {Still trying to keep everything under control.} ( {Here the capture deserves more serious investigation:} 24.cxd5 {After:} 24...Rac8 {White needs to avoid:} 25.Rc1 ( {The other defense is better:} 25.Rd3 $1 Rc4 {Then as surpising as it may sound the activity of the black pieces does not let White convert his extra piece. For example:} 26.Nd2 ( {Or:} 26.Bxd6 b6 $3 {it is important to take under control the c5 square.} ( {Since in the line:} 26...Rec8 27.Bc5 b6 28.Nd2 {White wins a piece without real compensation in the line:} 28...R8xc5 29.dxc5 Rxc5 30.Nb1 Rxb5+ 31.Ka2 Bxd3 32.Bxd3 Rxd5 33.Rd1 ) 27.Ba3 Rec8 {Black is definitely not worse, e.g:} 28.Nh4 Rc1 29.Bc5 Rxf1 30.Nxg6 Rxf2+ 31.Ka3 fxg6 ) 26...Rcc8 27.Nf3 {which only repeats moves.} ) 25...Rxc1 26.Kxc1 Rc8+ 27.Kd1 Rc3 28.Bxd6 Bc2+ 29.Kc1 Be4+ 30.Kd1 Bxd5 {when the black pieces dominate and he is close to winning.} ) 24...Nc3 {The knight survived and creates havoc in the White's camp.} 25.Rc1 Ne4 26.Bg3 a3+ {The dynamics worked well for Radjabov and now So needs to be careful.} 27.Ka2 $1 ( {To a beautiful defeat might lead:} 27.Kb3 $2 a2 $1 28.Ra1 Bc3 29.Rxa2 Rxa2 30.Kxa2 {And now the brilliant:} 30...Nc5 $3 ( {But not:} 30...Ra8+ $2 31.Kb3 {when White wins.} ) 31.dxc5 Bc2 ) 27...Nc3+ $1 {Forcing White to expose his king.} 28.Kxa3 ( {As:} 28.Ka1 {can be met with:} 28...Nb1 $1 29.Ka2 Bc3 {followed by Bc3-b2 and Nb1-c3+.} ) 28...Bb4+ 29.Kxb4 Na2+ {Now So instinctively avoided the repetition with:} 30.Kc5 {And got checkmated after:} ( {Apparently he saw that Black has a draw guaranteed after:} 30.Kb3 Nxc1+ 31.Kb4 ( {Or:} 31.Kb2 Ra2+ 32.Kxc1 Rea8 33.Kd1 Ra1+ 34.Kd2 R1a2+ {As:} 35.Ke3 ( {And White needs to agree to the draw:} 35.Kd1 ) 35...Re8+ 36.Kf4 $4 Re4# ) 31...Na2+ {That's probably the only thing Black can do as otherwise White may consolidate.} 32.Kb3 Nc1+ ) 30...Re6 $1 31.b6 ( 31.Rb1 b6+ 32.Kd5 Nc3# ) ( 31.Bd6 {would have saved the mate but is equally hopeless after:} 31...Nxc1 ) 31...Ra5# 0-1

[Event "Skilling Open | Knockout"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.11.27"]
[Round "13.2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7630143632940"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O h6 7.Re1 O-O 8.Nbd2 a5 {Nakamura is the main proponent of this line against the Italian. He has had running mini-matches against Ding, Carlsen, and So.} 9.Nf1 ( {White is a little better in a recent game between the two after} 9.h3 Bb6 10.Nf1 Be6 11.Bb5 Ne7 12.d4 exd4 13.Nxd4 Bd7 14.Bxd7 Qxd7 15.Ng3 {So,W (2767)-Nakamura,H (2745) chess.com 2020} ) 9...Be6 10.Bb5 Bb6 ( {In two other games, Nakamura chose instead} 10...Ne7 11.d4 exd4 12.cxd4 Bb6 13.Ng3 d5 14.e5 Ne4 15.Bd3 Nxg3 16.hxg3 Bg4 {and Black eventually held in Ding,L (2791)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess24.com 2020} ) ( {And one of them was against So:} 10...Ne7 11.d4 exd4 12.cxd4 Bb4 13.Re2 c6 14.Bd3 a4 15.a3 Ba5 16.Qxa4 Bg4 17.Qd1 Bxf3 18.gxf3 Ng6 19.Ng3 Bb6 20.Be3 {although here he did not get enough for his pawn, So,W (2780)-Nakamura,H (2777) chess.com 2018} ) 11.Ng3 Nh7 $146 {A novelty. This idea is mostly seen in the lines where the black bishop stands on e7. Here too, it is possible and aims to a better control of the d4-square.} ( {An earlier game is yet another one by Nakamura:} 11...Ne7 12.h3 Nd7 13.d4 f5 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nd4 Bc8 16.exf5 Nxf5 17.Ngxf5 Bxf5 18.Be3 Bd7 19.f4 Bxd4 20.Bxd4 Bxb5 21.fxe5 Bc6 22.Qg4 dxe5 23.Rxe5 Qd7 24.Qg3 {but apparently the American GM did not like the lack of perspectives in the opposite-colored bishop middlegame, Ding,L (2791)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess.com 2020} ) 12.h3 Ng5 13.Nxg5 ( {Normally White would like to keep more pieces on board, but} 13.Nh2 Qf6 {allows Black too much activity.} ) 13...hxg5 14.d4 {So breaks through the center anyway.} ( {Black is not afraid of} 14.Qh5 f6 ) 14...exd4 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.cxd4 c5 {Black is trying to clarify the central situation, but this leads to problems.} ( {Instead,} 16...f6 $5 {looks safer, with the possible line} 17.d5 cxd5 18.exd5 Bf7 19.Be3 {where White is only a tad better.} ) 17.d5 Bd7 18.a4 $1 {An important move that keeps the black dark-squared bishop locked.} ( {After} 18.Qf3 a4 $1 19.Bd2 Ba5 {Black is in time to bring his problematic piece to life.} ) 18...Re8 ( {The bishop cannot be saved for free:} 18...c4 19.Be3 {practically loses the c4-pawn for Black.} ) ( {However,} 18...Qf6 {is more active. Then} 19.Qh5 ( {Therefore, So might have chosen instead:} 19.Qc2 Rfe8 20.Ra3 ) ( {or the immediate rook lift:} 19.Ra3 Qg6 {with chances for a kingside attack.} ) 19...c4 20.Re2 Rab8 {promises Black counterplay.} ) 19.Bd2 c4 {Nakamura is OK to sacrifice the pawn after all.} 20.Qf3 Rb8 21.Bc3 Bc5 $1 {As the bishop really needs out.} 22.Re2 $1 {Preventing the trade.} ( {Naturally not} 22.Bxa5 Rxb2 ) 22...f6 ( {As} 22...Bb4 {will be met with} 23.Bd4 ) ( {Black likely did not like} 22...Rb3 {due to the strong maneuver} 23.Nf1 $1 {threatening Nf1-d2xc4, but here he could have created sudden counterplay with} 23...g4 $5 24.hxg4 Qg5 25.Ne3 Bb4 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) 23.Nf5 {So is in control and has several attacking ideas available.} 23...Bb4 ( {After} 23...Bxf5 {White likely planned} 24.exf5 $1 {with the intention to slam a rook on e6, or at least to win the c4-pawn:} 24...Rxe2 25.Qxe2 Qc8 26.g4 ) 24.Bd4 {This obvious move allows Black a sudden chance.} ( {More accurate is} 24.Ne3 $5 Bxc3 25.bxc3 c6 26.Rd2 cxd5 27.Rxd5 {with a serious advantage for the first player. So will come back to his plan a bit later.} ) 24...Bc5 ( {Stronger is} 24...Bxf5 25.exf5 Rxe2 26.Qxe2 Qc8 {since the move} 27.g4 {can be met strongly with} ( 27.Qxc4 Qxf5 ) 27...c5 $1 ) 25.Bc3 Bb4 26.Ne3 {Back to the plan from above. The c4-pawn is doomed.} 26...Bc8 27.Bd4 {So wants to extract the maximum from the position.} ( {Apparently Nakamura was hoping for a blockade after} 27.Nxc4 Ba6 28.b3 ( {but here too White would be better after} 28.Nxa5 $5 Bxe2 29.Qxe2 Bxa5 30.Bxa5 ) 28...Bxc4 29.bxc4 Bxc3 30.Qxc3 Rb4 ) 27...Ba6 28.Nf5 Bc8 29.Ne3 {Black's position is extremely suspicious, to say the least.} ( 29.Rc1 {at once is good too.} ) 29...Ba6 30.Nf5 Bc8 ( {The computer's suggestion as the best defense is} 30...c3 {when Black might have feared either the positional exchange sacrifice:} 31.bxc3 ( {or the simple} 31.Rc2 cxb2 32.Rxb2 ) 31...Bxe2 32.Qxe2 Bc5 33.Qh5 ) 31.Rc1 Qd7 {This attempt for counterplay loses instantly, but Black lacks good advice. The white pieces keep coming closer to his king, and h3-h4 is due to happen sooner or later.} ( {Instead,} 31...Bxf5 32.Qxf5 c3 33.bxc3 Bc5 {is hopeless too.} ) 32.Rec2 Ba6 ( {There is not time for} 32...Qxa4 33.Nxg7 $1 ) 33.h4 $1 {The inevitable happens. Black's king is due to be mated.} 33...gxh4 34.Qg4 {Threatening Nf5-h6+.} 34...Kf8 ( {Even easier is White's play after} 34...Kh8 35.Qxh4+ Kg8 36.Qg4 ) 35.Bxf6 $3 {Without any hesitation. So discovers the enemy king as he knows he has enough time to bring his pieces to support the queen and the knight.} 35...gxf6 36.Qxh4 ( {The other way to attack is} 36.Qh5 Qf7 37.Qh8+ Qg8 38.Qxf6+ Qf7 39.Qh6+ Kg8 40.Qg5+ Kf8 41.Nh6 ) 36...Kg8 37.Re2 Re5 ( {Alas, Black cannot bring his defender in:} 37...Re7 38.Re3 Rg7 39.Nxg7 ) ( {Neither does control of the third rank help:} 37...Bc5 38.Rc3 Rb3 {As White can switch to the winning line from above with} 39.Qg4+ Kf8 40.Qh5 Kg8 41.Qg6+ Kf8 42.Qxf6+ Qf7 43.Qh6+ Kg8 44.Qg5+ Kf8 45.Nh6 ) 38.Re3 Rxf5 39.Rh3 Rg5 ( {Or} 39...Qg7 40.exf5 ) 40.Qh8+ Kf7 41.Rh7+ {Black resigned as mate is unstoppable.} ( 41.Rh7+ Kg6 42.Rh6+ Kf7 43.Qxf6+ Ke8 44.Rh8+ ) 1-0

[Event "Skilling Open | Prelims"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.11.24"]
[Round "12.3"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2703"]
[ECO "B67"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[Beauty "6668070944800"]
[EventType "game"]

1.e4 c5 {Not the super-solid Caro-Kann today.} 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 {Rauzer's recipe remains White's most dangerous choice.} 6...e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.O-O-O Bd7 9.f3 Be7 10.Kb1 Nxd4 11.Qxd4 Qc7 12.g4 ( {Black held his own in another recent top-GM game:} 12.h4 b5 13.Qd2 b4 14.Ne2 a5 15.Nd4 Rb8 16.g4 h5 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.g5 Be7 19.b3 g6 20.Bc4 e5 21.Ne2 Be6 22.Bxe6 fxe6 23.f4 O-O {Nakamura,H (2736) -Dubov,D (2699) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 12...h5 13.gxh5 Nxh5 {[#]} 14.Rg1 $146 {Giri is well prepared as usual and blitzes out a novelty. The move in the game underlines the fact that the black king does not have reliable shelter.} ( {The predecessor is another game by Firouzja that went:} 14.h4 Qc5 15.Qd2 b5 16.Bd3 b4 17.Ne2 a5 18.Rhg1 a4 19.Bxe7 Kxe7 20.Rg5 e5 21.f4 f6 22.Rgg1 Be6 {and Black later won in Grischuk,A (2777)-Firouzja,A (2723) Moscow 2019} ) 14...Rc8 15.Qd2 b5 16.Bd3 Bxg5 ( {White is also more pleasant after:} 16...b4 17.Ne2 a5 18.h4 ) 17.Rxg5 {The better choice.} ( {As otherwise Black can centralize his queen after:} 17.Qxg5 Qc5 ) 17...b4 18.Ne2 Qb6 {The most obvious move.} ( {However, there is an interesting alternative:} 18...a5 $5 {which sacrifices a pawn:} 19.Ba6 Ra8 20.Qxd6 Qxd6 21.Rxd6 {But then the king can at last breathe freely:} 21...Ke7 22.Rb6 {And Black will enjoy certain counterplay in the endgame after:} 22...Nf6 ) 19.f4 {Now Giri firmly takes over the initiative.} 19...g6 20.Ng3 Nf6 ( {Worse would have been:} 20...Nxg3 21.hxg3 {As the black king is not safe enough still, e.g.:} 21...Rc5 ( {Or:} 21...Ke7 22.f5 ) 22.Rxc5 dxc5 23.Bxa6 $1 ) 21.f5 $1 {Consistently clearing the road to the black king.} 21...gxf5 22.exf5 e5 ( {The black king is even more vulnerable in case of:} 22...Nd5 23.fxe6 Bxe6 24.Re1 ) 23.Ne4 $1 {Without the knight, all of the dark squares are exposed.} 23...Nxe4 ( {Perhaps Firouzja should have defended with:} 23...d5 24.Nxf6+ Qxf6 {In that case he might have disliked the sacrifice:} 25.Bxa6 $5 ( {There are other moves to fight for an edge like:} 25.Qg2 $5 ) ( {And:} 25.b3 ) 25...Qxa6 26.Qxd5 {But after:} 26...Qb5 27.Qd6 Kd8 {there does not seem to be anything decisive for White, although he has a draw guaranteed with:} 28.Qf6+ Kc7 29.Qd6+ Kd8 ) 24.Bxe4 Rc4 25.Qg2 Kd8 26.Bd3 {This opens the diagonal for the queen with a tempo. Giri is once more eyeing the black king.} ( {However, here the Dutchman missed his first excellent winning chance:} 26.Rg7 $1 Rf8 ( {Nothing changes:} 26...Be8 27.Bd5 Rc7 28.h4 ) 27.Bd5 Rd4 28.Rc1 $1 {is extremely unplesant for Black, most likely unbearable. If:} 28...Ke8 ( 28...Ke7 {leads to the same after:} 29.Qg5+ Ke8 30.Bxf7+ ) ( {Finally:} 28...Be8 29.Qg5+ $1 f6 30.Qg2 {leaves Black helpless against the many attacking ideas for White, starting with the simple Bd5-e6 threat.} ) 29.Bxf7+ $1 Rxf7 30.Qg6 {wins on the spot for White.} ) 26...Rd4 {Firouzja is trying his best to create counter-chances and keeps his pieces centralized.} ( {After:} 26...Rch4 27.Qd5 {White dominates.} ) 27.Rc1 {Missing a second great chance to win at once.} ( {The study-like line:} 27.Rg8+ $1 Rxg8 28.Qxg8+ Be8 29.Qg5+ Kc7 30.Qe7+ Bd7 31.Qxf7 {would have won for White, thanks to the brilliancy:} 31...e4 32.Rc1 $3 exd3 33.cxd3+ {When in order to avoid the mate, Black needs to sacrifice his queen. The mate is:} 33...Kd8 34.Qf8+ Be8 35.Qf6+ Kd7 36.Qe6+ Kd8 37.Rc8# ) 27...Kc7 28.Rg7 Rf8 29.Qg5 ( {Stronger is:} 29.h4 Rxh4 30.Qg5 Rf4 31.Qe7 {when White is close to winning.} ) 29...d5 30.Qe7 {A huge step in the wrong direction.} ( {Missing his last chance for a big advantage with:} 30.h4 $1 a5 31.h5 a4 32.f6 Qd6 33.h6 {when White is likely winning still.} ) 30...Qd6 $1 {The endgame is often the dream of the Sicilian player.} 31.f6 Rf4 32.c4 ( {Perhaps Giri should have tried to hold the endgame after:} 32.Rf1 Re8 33.Qxd6+ Kxd6 34.Rxf7 Rxf1+ 35.Bxf1 Rg8 36.Rg7 Rf8 37.f7 Be6 {althoough Black is clearly better here as well.} ) 32...Qxe7 33.fxe7 Re8 34.cxd5+ Kd6 {Without the queens on the board, this king is simply perfect.} 35.Bxa6 Rxe7 ( {More accurate is the preliminary:} 35...Bf5+ 36.Ka1 Rxe7 ) 36.Bc8 ( {As the white king could have been activated now with:} 36.Kc2 $1 ) 36...Bxc8 37.Rxc8 Kxd5 {The endgame is lost for White. Black's pieces are well coordinated, and his pawns are running fast.} 38.Rg2 e4 39.Rd2+ Ke5 40.Rc5+ Kf6 41.Kc2 Re5 42.Rc7 Kg6 ( {More accurate would have been:} 42...Rf3 43.Kd1 e3 44.Re2 Rf1+ 45.Re1 Rd5+ 46.Ke2 Rxe1+ 47.Kxe1 Rd2 {winning.} ) 43.Kd1 f6 44.Rb7 ( {Here the last chance is:} 44.Rg2+ Rg5 45.Rxg5+ Kxg5 46.Rg7+ Kf5 {although Black should be objectively winning here as well.} ) 44...e3 45.Rg2+ Kf5 {Firouzja consolidates his advantage and comfortably wins.} 46.Ke2 Rd4 47.Ke1 Rc4 48.Rbg7 Rc1+ 49.Ke2 Rc2+ 50.Kd3 e2 51.Rg1 Rxb2 52.Re1 Rxa2 53.Rb7 Kf4 54.Rxb4+ Kf3 55.Rbb1 Kf2 0-1

[Event "Skilling Open | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.11.26"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Beauty "8251705917507"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.c4 {Just like So did yesterday, Aronian decided to use the English Opening in the must-win game.} 1...c5 {The symmetrical move is considered the most solid answer against the English.} 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 {Now it is a reversed Accelerated Dragon.} 5.Bg2 Nc7 6.d3 e5 7.Be3 Be7 8.Rc1 {The extra tempo promises White some extra possibilities. He can, for instance, attack the pawn on c5 before castling.} 8...Ne6 ( {The normal developing move:} 8...Nd7 {obstructs the bishop. After:} 9.Nf3 O-O 10.O-O Rb8 11.Bh3 f5 12.Qb3+ Kh8 13.Nd5 {White can concretely attack the somewhat overextended pawns of the opponent. Although Black has compensation for the pawn after:} 13...Nxd5 14.Qxd5 b6 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.Qxe5 Bd6 17.Qd5 Bb7 18.Qc4 f4 {Dzagnidze,N (2502) -Kosteniuk,A (2483) Monaco 2019} ) 9.Nh3 O-O 10.O-O Nc6 $146 {Allowing White a chance to ruin his pawn structure.} ( {In the predecessor, Black did more or less OK after the obvious:} 10...Nd4 11.f4 Nbc6 12.Kh1 Bd7 13.fxe5 Nxe5 {Harasta,V-Banas,J Rimavska Sobota 1975} ) 11.Bxc6 {Aronian does not need a second invitation. In the usual Dragon, this is often a good equalization strategy. In the long run, White hopes to pick up the weak queenside pawns. But before the pleasant endgame, he needs to survive the unpleasant middlegame.} ( {One of Nepomniachtchi's ideas is revealed in the line:} 11.f4 exf4 12.Nxf4 Nxf4 13.gxf4 Nd4 {when Black manages to swap off a pair of knights and stands fine.} ) 11...bxc6 12.f3 ( {The immediate pressure against the pawn yields White nothing, either after:} 12.Ne4 Nd4 13.Kg2 Qd5 ) ( {or after:} 12.Na4 Nd4 13.Kg2 Qd5+ {winning a pawn.} ) 12...Rb8 ( {Here:} 12...Nd4 {can be met with:} 13.Nf2 ) 13.b3 f5 {Aronian's plan is clear, but so is Nepomniachtchi's. He wants to throw everything against the white king that badly misses the fianchettoed bishop.} 14.Nf2 h5 ( {Black's main concern is the light-squared blockade; therefore, he needs to avoid:} 14...g5 15.g4 $1 ) 15.Kh1 {This prophylaxis does seems unnecessary.} ( {Better is to maneuver with his pieces at once with:} 15.Na4 Rb5 {Next:} 16.Nb2 $5 g5 17.Nc4 {Then whenever he has the chance:} 17...Bf6 ( {Or} 17...Qd5 18.Bd2 {followed by Bd2-c3.} ) 18.g4 $1 {to secure the light-squared outposts for the knights.} ) 15...g5 ( {Once again not:} 15...h4 16.g4 $1 ) 16.Na4 Rb5 17.Bd2 g4 {It starts to heat up around the white king, and Aronian's next move does not make things better.} 18.e4 {A mistake.} ( {Correct is the preliminary:} 18.fxg4 hxg4 {Then:} 19.e4 {Which eventually secures some squares for his knights. White's position still stands dangerous, but he can fight on:} 19...Nd4 20.Nc3 Nf3 {Here White can be greedy with:} 21.Nxb5 ( {Or sensible with:} 21.exf5 Bxf5 22.h3 ) 21...cxb5 22.Be3 {Black would have attacking chances in both cases, but White should be able to defend.} ) 18...Nd4 $1 {A strong maneuver by Nepomniachtchi.} ( {Worse is:} 18...gxf3 19.Qxf3 ) ( {But perhaps White was hoping for complication after:} 18...fxe4 19.fxg4 exd3 20.Bh6 Rf6 21.g5 Nxg5 22.Bxg5 Rxf2 23.Rxf2 Bg4 24.Bxe7 Qd5+ 25.Kg1 Bxd1 26.Rxd1 ) 19.f4 ( {With the e4-square occupied by a white pawn:} 19.fxg4 fxg4 20.Nc3 Rb7 {does not make sense at all.} ) ( {Also:} 19.exf5 Nxf3 {clearly favors Black.} ) 19...Nf3 {The two-billion knight leads Nepomniachtchi's army.} 20.Be3 h4 21.Kg2 $1 {Aronian spots the danger.} ( {Mate alert:} 21.Nc3 hxg3 22.hxg3 Bh4 $1 23.Kg2 Bxg3 $1 24.Kxg3 Qh4+ 25.Kg2 Qh2# ) 21...Qe8 $1 {But Nepomniachtchi brings in the key attacker. The attack is decisive.} ( 21...Qd6 $1 {is equally good.} ) 22.Bxc5 ( {Nothing changes:} 22.exf5 Bxf5 23.h3 gxh3+ 24.Nxh3 Nd4 {with unstoppable threats.} ) 22...Bxc5 23.Nxc5 Qh5 24.Rh1 ( {Otherwise, the queen sneaks in like this:} 24.gxh4 Nxh4+ 25.Kh1 Nf3 26.h3 Qh4 ) 24...exf4 25.gxf4 h3+ 26.Kf1 fxe4 {Everything explodes, and the white king will soon suffer.} 27.Ncxe4 Rxf4 28.Rxc6 Bb7 29.Rf6 ( {The attempt for activity:} 29.Rc7 {is nicely refuted with:} 29...Qe5 30.Qc1 Nd2+ ) 29...Rbf5 30.Ng3 Nd2+ 31.Ke1 ( {As:} 31.Qxd2 Rxf2+ 32.Qxf2 Rxf2+ 33.Rxf2 Qc5 {leaves the white rook trapped.} ) 31...Qe8+ 0-1

[Event "Skilling Open | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.11.28"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "C91"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7701954038865"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 {A modest, solid line. White often plays like this when he wants to avoid the Marshall Gambit.} 6...d6 7.c3 O-O 8.Nbd2 Re8 {A standard regrouping that aims at the center.} 9.Re1 Bf8 10.d4 {White gains control of the center, but this comes with a price.} 10...b5 11.Bc2 exd4 ( {Carlsen deviates from an earlier game of his that saw} 11...Bb7 12.a4 Nb8 13.Bd3 c6 14.b3 Nbd7 15.Qc2 Qc7 16.Bb2 Nh5 17.Bf1 Nf4 18.g3 Ne6 19.b4 Nb6 20.axb5 cxb5 21.d5 Nd4 22.Nxd4 exd4 23.c4 {and later White spectacularly won in Svidler,P (2723)-Carlsen,M (2863) chess24.com 2020} ) 12.cxd4 Bg4 13.Nf1 {Nepomniachtchi is OK with the doubled pawns.} ( {In the earlier days of this line, games followed a different route:} 13.h3 Bh5 14.g4 Bg6 15.a3 h5 16.g5 Nh7 17.Nf1 Qd7 18.Kg2 d5 {Grischuk,A (2754) -Mamedyarov,S (2729) London 2012} ) 13...g6 ( {Black can also double the opponent's pawns at once with} 13...Bxf3 14.gxf3 g6 15.Ng3 Bg7 16.f4 Nb4 17.Bb1 c5 18.dxc5 dxc5 19.e5 Qxd1 20.Rxd1 Rad8 {with equality in Golubev,R (2348)-Inarkiev,E (2675) Moscow 2015} ) 14.Ng3 Bg7 15.Be3 Nd7 {Played after some thought.} ( {The other active option} 15...Na5 16.h3 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 Nc4 {does not seem fully satisfactory due to} 18.Bb3 $1 {when} ( {Not} 18.Bc1 Nd7 ) 18...Nxb2 {is risky due to} 19.e5 $1 dxe5 20.Ne4 exd4 ( {Or} 20...Nxe4 21.Bxf7+ Kh8 22.Bxe8 Qxe8 23.Qxe4 {winning material.} ) 21.Bg5 {and the pin will cost Black.} ) 16.Rc1 $146 {A logical novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw Black repelling the attack after} 16.Qd2 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Qf6 18.e5 dxe5 19.Be4 exd4 20.Bg5 Qd6 21.Rac1 Nde5 22.Bxc6 Nxc6 23.Ne4 Qd7 24.Nf6+ Bxf6 25.Bxf6 Rxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Qf5 27.Bxd4 Qxf3 {and the second player eventually won in Fuchs,F (2274)-Kravtsiv,M (2631) Pardubice 2016} ) 16...Bxf3 17.gxf3 Qf6 {Carlsen needs to generate threats at once because if Nepomniachtchi consolidates, he will have all the long-term advantages.} 18.Bb3 ( {An interesting option is} 18.Ne2 $5 Qxf3 19.Bb1 Na5 20.Rxc7 Nc4 21.Bc1 {with an unclear game.} ) 18...Nxd4 19.Bxd4 Qxd4 20.Rxc7 {The only way to fight for the advantage.} ( {It is very equal after} 20.Qxd4 Bxd4 21.Rxc7 Ra7 ) 20...Ra7 21.Rxa7 Qxa7 22.Qxd6 Bxb2 23.f4 Nc5 24.Bd5 {Nepomniachtchi naturally wants to keep the bishop alive as it is the key attacking piece.} ( {After} 24.e5 Qe7 25.Qd2 Nxb3 26.axb3 Ba3 {the threat of Ba3-b4 does not leave White a chance to transfer his knight to f6, and it is about equal after} 27.Rd1 Qe6 ) 24...Bd4 $1 {Now Carlsen wants more than equality. The threat is to capture on f2.} ( {Otherwise, he would have chosen the endgame with} 24...Qe7 25.Qxe7 Rxe7 26.Rb1 Nd3 ) 25.Re2 {Now the game enters its most intensive phase. Everything starts to hang on a thin thread.} ( {Tactics backfire after} 25.Bxf7+ Qxf7 26.Qxd4 Ne6 {with a clear edge for Black.} ) 25...Nd3 26.Kg2 {Away from the checks.} ( {Objectively best is} 26.Rd2 Bxf2+ ( {But not} 26...Nxf2 $4 27.Rxd4 Qxd4 28.Bxf7+ {winning on the spot.} ) 27.Kg2 Ne1+ 28.Kh3 Bxg3 29.hxg3 Nf3 {with a forced draw after} 30.Rg2 ( {White cannot play for more as after} 30.Rd3 $2 {he will be checkmated:} 30...Qg1 31.Rxf3 Qh1+ 32.Kg4 Qh5# ) 30...Ne1 31.Rd2 ) 26...Kg7 $1 {Likewise, the king sidesteps the possible captures on f7 with tempi.} ( {Carlsen correctly avoids} 26...Nxf2 {as this gives White the time to break open the enemy king} 27.e5 Nd3 ( 27...Qe7 28.Qxe7 Rxe7 29.Rxf2 Bxf2 30.Kxf2 ) 28.e6 $1 {with a winning attack.} ) ( {It is again complex, but even after} 26...Bxf2 27.Bxf7+ Qxf7 28.Qxd3 Bb6 ) 27.Rd2 ( {Here the computer finds the best idea:} 27.Kf3 $3 {when after} 27...Bc5 ( {The machine also claims equality in the line} 27...Nxf2 28.e5 Qe7 29.Rd2 Bc5 30.Qxa6 Qh4 {a perpetual on the g4- and h3-squares is likely.} ) ( {Whereas} 27...Bxf2 28.e5 Bxg3 29.Qf6+ Kh6 30.hxg3 Qg1 {is once again a draw, according to the comp.} ) 28.Qc6 Rd8 29.e5 {it is anyone's game.} ) 27...Bc5 28.Qc6 Nxf4+ 29.Kf3 $1 {A song for the brave! Nepomniachtchi shows no fear. It's the culmination of the battle. Everything hangs, and Carlsen tries to optimize his pieces.} 29...Rd8 ( {However,} 29...Bb4 $3 {might have been stronger with another amazing computer discovery:} 30.Rb2 Qb8 $1 {Suddenly consolidating.} 31.Rxb4 Rc8 32.Qxa6 ( {Or} 32.Qd7 Rc7 33.Nf5+ gxf5 34.Qxf5 Rc3+ 35.Kg4 f6 {and White is in trouble as} 36.Qxf4 {loses to:} 36...h5+ 37.Kf5 Rf3 $3 38.Qxf3 Qe5# ) 32...Rc3+ 33.Kg4 h5+ 34.Nxh5+ Nxh5 {with mating attack.} ) 30.Kxf4 Rd6 31.Qe8 {Now White steps on the edge of the abyss!} ( {Instead,} 31.Qc8 Bxf2 32.Kg4 Qe3 33.Qc2 Bxg3 34.hxg3 Rf6 35.Qb2 Qf3+ 36.Kh3 Qh5+ 37.Kg2 Qf3+ {would be another brilliant drawing line.} ) 31...Bxf2 {And it is the world champion who makes the last mistake.} ( {The wonderful ambush would win instead:} 31...Qc7 $3 {as} 32.Kf3 ( {or} 32.Qe5+ f6 33.Qb2 Rxd5+ 34.Kf3 Rxd2 35.Qxd2 Qd6 {with a won endgame.} ) 32...Rd8 {traps the queen.} ) 32.Kg4 Rf6 ( {After} 32...h5+ 33.Kh3 h4 {White get to the enemy king first with} 34.Bxf7 $1 Rxd2 35.Qg8+ Kf6 36.e5+ Kxe5 37.Qg7+ ) 33.e5 {The extra piece wins.} 33...h5+ 34.Kh3 Rf4 35.e6 {Convincing enough. The black king is discovered and mated.} ( {Even faster is} 35.Bxf7 $1 Rxf7 36.Rd8 ) 35...fxe6 36.Bxe6 Bd4 37.Nxh5+ $1 gxh5 38.Rg2+ Kf6 39.Rg6+ Ke5 40.Bb3+ 1-0

[Event "Skilling Open | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.11.29"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "185"]
[Beauty "4747058483260"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {The Italian enjoys another peak of popularity nowadays.} 3...Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 h6 7.Re1 O-O ( {The world champion deviates from an earlier game of theirs that went} 7...a6 8.a4 O-O 9.h3 Re8 10.Nbd2 Ba7 11.b4 Be6 12.Bxe6 Rxe6 13.Bb2 ( 13.Qc2 Qd7 14.Nf1 d5 15.Be3 d4 16.cxd4 Nxd4 17.Bxd4 Bxd4 18.Nxd4 Qxd4 19.Qxc7 Qxd3 {which later ended in a draw in Anand,V (2753)-Kramnik,V (2753) chess24.com 2020} ) 13...Ne7 14.d4 Ng6 15.c4 {and White emerged victorious in the end in So,W (2770)-Carlsen,M (2863) chess24.com 2020} ) 8.Nbd2 a5 9.Nf1 Be6 10.Bb5 {All of this is very popular nowadays, and both players actually have a lot of experience in the line.} 10...Ne7 11.d4 Ba7 ( {The other main direction of the line is} 11...exd4 12.cxd4 Bb6 13.Ng3 d5 14.e5 Ne4 {The game resembles the Ruy Lopez. Carlsen recently won an important game against Nakamura with} 15.Bd3 {which is the right diagonal for his bishop.} ( {Instead, in an earlier game, White chose} 15.Be3 Nf5 16.Nxf5 Bxf5 17.Nd2 Nxd2 18.Qxd2 a4 19.b4 axb3 20.axb3 c6 21.Be2 Qe7 {and a draw later evidently did not suffice the world champion, Carlsen,M (2863)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess24.com 2020} ) 15...Nxg3 16.hxg3 a4 $146 {Now the bishop retreats with tempo.} 17.Bc2 a3 ( {In case of:} 17...Qd7 {White can obstruct the opponent's plan with} 18.Nh4 Nf5 19.Qd3 {forcing a weakening on the kingside:} 19...g6 20.Nf3 {with better position for White.} ) 18.bxa3 {Carlsen took the pawn and eventually won in Carlsen,M (2881)-Nakamura,H (2829) Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals 2020} ) 12.Ng3 Ng6 13.h3 {White's center is impressive, and he has the better chances.} 13...c6 14.Bd3 a4 15.Be3 Re8 16.Qc2 b5 17.b4 $146 {A good novelty. So wants to fix the queenside that is Black's territory and then shift to the kingside.} ( {An earlier game saw White gaining some advantage after} 17.c4 bxc4 18.Bxc4 Bxc4 19.Qxc4 d5 20.Qxc6 exd4 21.Bxd4 Bxd4 22.Nxd4 Ne5 23.Qc3 Rc8 24.Qd2 Nc4 25.Qb4 dxe4 26.Ndf5 {Karjakin,S (2773)-Le,Q (2739) St. Louis 2017} ) 17...axb3 {An a serious inaccuracy in return. Carlsen wants to generate counterplay along the a-file and possibly swap the rooks there, but fails short by a critical tempo.} ( {Defending the position after} 17...Qe7 18.Rad1 Rad8 19.Bf1 {does not seem very appealing, but it was the lesser evil for Black.} ) 18.axb3 Qc7 19.Ra6 {White is the one to use the open file.} 19...Qb7 ( {Black cannot offer the rook swap at once with} 19...Bb6 {due to the nasty little detail} 20.Rxb6 $1 Qxb6 21.dxe5 {and White wins material.} ) 20.Rea1 {The simple tripling of the major pieces is a deadly threat for Black. Therefore, he needs to step on the mined square with his bishop:} 20...Bb6 {And it seems this will work as the second white rook on a1 is now en prise in case of the capture on b6.} ( {The in-between capture} 20...exd4 {is worth a try when after} 21.cxd4 Bb6 22.Rxa8 Rxa8 23.Rxa8+ Qxa8 24.e5 ( {However, in this case White can use another strong idea:} 24.d5 $1 Bxe3 25.dxe6 Bb6 26.exf7+ Kxf7 27.Nf5 {with a clear edge for the first player.} ) 24...dxe5 25.dxe5 Bxe3 26.exf6 Qa1+ 27.Nf1 Bf4 {Black should be able to survive.} ) 21.Rxa8 Rxa8 22.Rxa8+ Qxa8 23.dxe5 {So wins a pawn and in the process prevents the opponent's castling. The win is within his reach.} 23...Qa1+ ( {Or} 23...Bxe3 24.exf6 Bg5 25.fxg7 Qa1+ 26.Bf1 Bf6 27.Nd4 {with a huge advantage for White.} ) 24.Bf1 Bxe3 25.exf6 Bb6 ( {Perhaps Black should have switched to the line from above:} 25...Bg5 26.fxg7 Bf6 27.Nd4 {as the dark-squared bishop is at least protecting the king in this line.} ) 26.fxg7 Ne5 27.Qd2 {Going for the king at once.} ( {Here too, the centralization:} 27.Nd4 $1 Bxd4 28.cxd4 Qxd4 29.Nh5 Qc5 30.Qd1 {would have led to a win for White. Next he will prepare the advance of the f-pawn and slowly squeeze his opponent.} ) 27...Nxf3+ 28.gxf3 Kxg7 29.Kg2 $1 {An important move in So's plan. White is unpinning his bishop, and it will be a key piece in the attack.} 29...b4 $1 {The last chance! A second pawn is sacrificed, but the queen gains access to the kingside. Carlsen clearly understands that without some help from the pieces, he will be mated.} ( {For instance:} 29...Qa7 30.Nh5+ Kh7 ( {Or} 30...Kg6 31.f4 Kxh5 32.f5 {and the lonely king cannot survive.} ) 31.Bd3 {with the unstoppable e4-e5+ and mate to follow is losing without any fight.} ) 30.Nh5+ {So is consistent with his attack.} ( {There is an argument about the pawn capture too:} 30.cxb4 Qd4 ( 30...Qe5 31.f4 {and White has both the extra pawn and the attack.} ) 31.Qxd4+ Bxd4 32.Bc4 Bd7 {Especially if one could spot from afar the nice little tactic} 33.b5 $1 cxb5 34.Bxb5 {that undoubles the pawns and wins.} ) 30...Kg6 {Surprisingly, this is not the best.} ( {The slippery computer somehow avoids the mate in the line} 30...Kh7 31.Bd3 Kg6 32.Nf4+ Kg7 33.e5 Qxc3 34.Nh5+ Kf8 35.Qxh6+ Ke7 36.Qf6+ Kd7 ) 31.Nf4+ Kh7 32.Nxe6 {Without this bishop, the end is almost there.} 32...bxc3 ( 32...fxe6 33.Qxd6 {is hopeless obviously.} ) 33.Qf4 fxe6 34.Qf7+ Kh8 35.Qf8+ Kh7 36.e5 {Pffff! Just a move away from the win, So slips!} ( {But with just a couple of minutes on the clock, it was impossible to calculate the following lengthy line:} 36.Bd3 $1 Qd1 ( {White's win is easier after} 36...e5 37.Bc4 d5 38.exd5 Qe1 39.Bd3+ ) 37.Qxd6 c2 38.e5+ Kg7 39.Qe7+ Kg8 {First, White is going to clear the board of the opponent's pawns:} 40.Qxe6+ Kg7 41.Qg6+ Kf8 42.Qxh6+ Kf7 43.Qf6+ {Then White will find a pawn to insert the bishop into the attack:} 43...Kg8 ( {Or So may also promote his central pawn with} 43...Ke8 44.e6 Qxd3 45.Qf7+ Kd8 46.e7+ Kc8 47.e8=Q+ ) 44.Bc4+ Kh7 45.Qf7+ Kh6 46.Qf8+ Kg6 47.Bf7+ {Once that the bishop is in, mate is inevitable:} 47...Kf5 48.Bg8+ Kxe5 49.Qe7+ Kf5 50.Bh7+ Kf4 51.Qf6# {You have probably noticed that this main line is 15 moves long. And there are some sublines...} ) 36...Qd1 {The d3-square is covered, there is no more mate, and Carlsen is suddenly out of the woods!} 37.Qf7+ Kh8 38.Qe8+ Kh7 39.Qd7+ Kh8 40.Qc8+ Kg7 41.Qd7+ Kh8 42.Qe8+ Kg7 43.Qe7+ Kh8 44.Qxe6 {Frustrated, So keeps playing for a win, but now he will be the only one to risk.} 44...Qd4 $1 {The world champion is taking his chance at once.} ( {If he had wanted to force a draw, he would have opted for:} 44...c2 45.Qxh6+ Kg8 46.Qg6+ {when perpetual is inevitable.} ) 45.Qe8+ Kg7 46.Qe7+ Kg8 47.Qe6+ Kg7 48.Qf6+ Kh7 49.Qe7+ Kg8 50.Qe6+ Kg7 51.Qd7+ Kf8 52.Qf5+ Ke8 53.Qc8+ {And the king escapes from the checks.} ( {Instead} 53.Qe6+ Kd8 54.Qg8+ Kc7 55.Qg7+ {would still force perpetual as} 55...Kb8 {is forced.} ( {The attempt to block the checks with the bishop after:} 55...Kc8 $4 {would lose the game:} 56.Ba6+ Kd8 57.Qf8+ Kd7 58.e6+ Kxe6 59.Bc8+ Kd5 60.Qf5+ Qe5 61.Qf7+ Kd4 62.Qc4# ) 56.Qf8+ ) 53...Ke7 54.exd6+ Qxd6 55.Qf5 Qd4 {Centralization. The super-passer on c3 coupled with the threats that Black creates with his own pieces allows Carlsen a chance to squeeze So.} 56.Qc2 Qg7+ 57.Kh1 Qe5 58.Bd3 Bc7 59.Kg2 Qh2+ 60.Kf1 Qxh3+ {A second passer is there.} 61.Ke2 Qe6+ 62.Be4 Be5 63.Qa2 Qd6 64.Qa7+ Kf6 65.Qh7 Qd2+ 66.Kf1 Bd4 {More pressure. Carlsen has won a ton of games with his trademark grinding.} 67.Qg6+ Ke7 68.Qg3 Bf6 $1 ( {There is no time yet for} 68...c2 69.Qc7+ Kf8 70.Qc8+ Kg7 71.Qc7+ {with a draw.} ) 69.Qc7+ Qd7 70.Qf4 $1 ( {Correctly avoiding the pure opposite-colored bishop endgame:} 70.Qxd7+ Kxd7 {when Black has realistic winning chances, thanks to his distant passers.} ) 70...h5 {Although the machines indicate that the position is still equal, it is evident to a human that the only one who can play on is Black. White cannot hope for anything other than a perpetual check.} 71.Qe3 Qd4 72.Qf4 Qd6 73.Qe3 c5 {A bit more progress. It should have been extremely painful for So to suffer like this after the won position he knew he had before.} 74.Bg6+ Kd8 75.Qe8+ Kc7 76.Be4 h4 77.Kg2 Qd7 78.Qh5 ( {The computer suggests that} 78.Qa8 Kb6 79.f4 {is best, with equality.} ) 78...Kb6 79.f4 Qe6 80.Qg6 ( {Here, most accurate is} 80.Qh7 $1 {Not letting the black king in:} 80...Ka5 81.Qa7+ ) 80...Ka5 $1 {Now White's position gets close to critical.} 81.Bf5 Qd6 ( {Missing the strong} 81...Qa6 $1 82.Qe8 Kb4 {Next the king will come to b2 and even though there is no mathematical win yet, the practical chances that the world champion has, coupled with his exceptional technique, would have spelled trouble for So.} ) 82.Qe8 Kb6 83.Be4 Kc7 84.Qa8 Qxf4 85.Qc6+ Kd8 86.Qd5+ Ke8 87.Bg6+ Ke7 88.Qxc5+ {Maybe it was So who felt that the ending will be a good one?} ( {An instant draw is} 88.Qb7+ Kd8 89.Qb6+ Kd7 90.Qb7+ ) 88...Qd6 89.Qe3+ Kf8 $4 {And there it is! The decisive blunder.} ( {Any other reasonable move would have led to a draw:} 89...Kd7 ) ( {Or:} 89...Qe5 ) ( {Or} 89...Be5 ) 90.Qe8+ Kg7 91.Qf7+ Kh6 92.Qh7+ Kg5 93.Qh5+ {Mate is inevitable and chess justice prevailed.} 1-0

[Event "Skilling Open | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.11.30"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7423045668872"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 c6 {The world champion decided to use the Caro-Kann in the final phase of the match.} 2.d4 d5 3.e5 {While So put his hopes on the Advanced variation.} 3...Bf5 ( {The world champion does not want to repeat the line from his previous Black game:} 3...c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.a3 Bxc5 6.Qg4 Ne7 7.Bd3 Ng6 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.O-O O-O 10.Qh5 Qc7 11.b4 Be7 12.Bb2 Bd7 13.Re1 {So,W (2741) -Carlsen,M (2881) chess24.com 2020} ) 4.Nf3 ( {In return So deviates from the first game where:} 4.Nd2 {took place, but a bit after the opening} 4...e6 5.Nb3 Nd7 6.Nf3 h6 7.Be2 a5 8.a4 Bb4+ 9.c3 Bf8 10.O-O Ne7 11.h3 Bh7 12.Bd2 Qb6 13.Ne1 Nf5 14.Bd3 Be7 15.Qc2 Bg6 {the American GM missed a neat tactic with} 16.c4 dxc4 17.Qxc4 Nxd4 $1 {and White eventually lost in So,W (2741) -Carlsen,M (2881) chess24.com 2020} ) 4...e6 5.Be2 h6 6.O-O Ne7 7.a4 ( {Earlier this year, So won a spectacular game against Carlsen with} 7.Nbd2 Nd7 8.Nb3 Nc8 9.a4 Ncb6 10.a5 Nc4 11.Bd3 Be7 12.Bxf5 exf5 13.e6 $1 fxe6 14.Re1 Kf7 15.Qe2 Nf8 16.Nc5 $1 {with a huge initiative for the sacrificed pawn, So,W (2770)-Carlsen,M (2863) chess24.com 2020} ) 7...a5 8.Nbd2 Nd7 9.Nb3 Bh7 10.Bd2 {Not only developing, but also keeping an eye on the black a5-pawn.} 10...Qb6 11.h3 {A nasty little move that underlines the fact that Black lacks productive moves. White's extra space and strong center provides him an obvious and strong plan of a kingside attack.} ( {His main idea is to maneuver the knight to d3 and let the f-pawn run. However, the immediate} 11.Ne1 {can be met with active play:} 11...Nf5 12.c3 g5 ) 11...Ng6 $146 {A novelty, which likely won't be repeated soon...} ( {An earlier game saw Black doing well after:} 11...Nc8 12.Ne1 Bb4 13.c3 Be7 14.Bd3 O-O 15.Be3 c5 16.Bxh7+ Kxh7 17.f4 c4 18.Qc2+ g6 19.Nd2 f5 {Caruso,A (2337)-Zajsek,F (2219) ICCF email 2016} ) 12.Qe1 $1 {The black bishop on h5 lost his sharp-shooting eye and no longer hits on c2. That gives So time to counter-attack on a5 and force a favorable endgame.} 12...Bb4 13.Bxb4 Qxb4 ( {Otherwise Black loses the pawn at once:} 13...axb4 14.a5 ) 14.Qxb4 axb4 15.Bd3 $1 {But now b4 is also technically lost. Carlsen keeps blitzing as if nothing happened, but it is evident that he is in trouble.} 15...c5 ( {The attempt} 15...Ke7 16.a5 f6 17.exf6+ gxf6 {does not yield enough counterplay after} 18.Rfe1 Kd6 19.Ra4 ) ( {Perhaps critical was} 15...O-O 16.a5 Rfc8 17.Ra4 b5 $1 {Then if} ( {Otherwise the pawn is lost without any compensation:} 17...c5 18.Nxc5 Nxc5 19.dxc5 Rxc5 20.Rxb4 ) 18.Rxb4 Nb8 {and the rook is trapped, but does this really matter? White's blockading position after} 19.c3 Na6 20.Bxg6 Bxg6 21.Ra1 Nxb4 22.cxb4 {gives him all the fun and he will carefully prepare the opening of the kingside later. The play is pretty one-sided.} ) 16.Nxc5 ( {Also good was} 16.Bb5 Ke7 17.Bxd7 c4 {with a pleasant choice for White:} 18.Bb5 ( 18.Nc5 b6 19.Bc6 ) 18...cxb3 19.cxb3 {in both cases with a solid extra pawn for White.} ) 16...Nxc5 17.dxc5 Ra5 ( {Nothing changes} 17...O-O 18.a5 Ne7 19.Nd4 ) 18.Bb5+ ( {Even stronger was the immediate} 18.c3 $1 bxc3 19.b4 Ra8 20.Rfc1 Nf4 21.Bxh7 Rxh7 ( {There is no time for} 21...Ne2+ 22.Kf1 Nxc1 23.Bc2 {and the knight is trapped.} ) 22.Kf1 {winning the pawn and the game.} ) 18...Ke7 19.Rfe1 Rc8 20.c3 $1 {So comes back to this excellent plan. Pawns are connected, White is winning.} 20...bxc3 21.b4 Raa8 22.Rac1 Nf4 $1 {Even in a most desperate situation Carlsen manages to squeeze resources out of nothing. The sharp activation of his pieces almost saves the day.} ( {In case of} 22...c2 {White should obviously avoid} 23.Rxc2 ( {However, both} 23.Nd4 $1 Nf4 24.a5 ) ( {And} 23.g3 $1 {would keep the situation under control.} ) 23...Nxe5 ) 23.Rxc3 Be4 24.a5 f6 25.h4 ( {Also good was} 25.Bf1 g5 26.exf6+ Kxf6 {with the same idea as in the game:} 27.g3 ) 25...g5 26.g3 Ng6 27.exf6+ Kxf6 {Black is making progress on the kingside and So needs to be careful.} 28.hxg5+ {The opening of the h-file was however dangerous for White.} ( {Strong was to keep the file locked with} 28.h5 $1 Ne7 {and then transfer the knight to g4 with} 29.Nh2 Rd8 ( {Nothing changes} 29...Bf5 30.Rf3 ) 30.Ng4+ Kg7 {In the future this super-piece can go to an even better position with} 31.Ne5 {followed by Ne5-d5-b6!} ) 28...hxg5 29.Nh2 ( {Here was the last chance to stop the counterplay for good with} 29.Rxe4 $1 dxe4 30.Nd2 ) 29...Ne5 $1 {The black pieces start to threaten the white king. Where did they even come from? Rc8-h8xh2! is on the agenda.} 30.Rce3 ( {Perhaps the solid} 30.Bf1 Rh8 31.Bg2 {should have been preferred.} ) 30...Rh8 31.f3 Rxh2 $1 32.Kxh2 ( {Not} 32.fxe4 $2 Rah8 {when the tables are turned.} ) 32...Nxf3+ 33.Rxf3+ Bxf3 34.c6 $1 {Finally the passers move.} 34...d4 {And just when the counterplay had started to give fruits the world champion over-relaxed and blundered!} ( {After} 34...bxc6 35.Bxc6 Ra7 36.Kg1 g4 {Black would be ready to start pushing his central passers and White had to find the maneuver} 37.Bb5 $1 {followed by Bb5-f1, which defends both the king and helps the passers. White seems better here still, but is he winning? Most likely not.} ) 35.Rf1 Rh8+ 36.Kg1 Rh1+ 37.Kf2 Rxf1+ 38.Bxf1 {After the trade of the rooks the a-passer wins for So.} 38...Bxc6 39.b5 Bd7 ( {Or} 39...Be4 40.Bg2 {and the white king is in the square of the d-passer, which is not the case with the black one.} ) 40.a6 bxa6 41.bxa6 d3 {In order to win one tempo, but in vain. The king cannot make it to the square of the a-pawn.} ( {Otherwise the pawn promotes:} 41...Bc6 42.Bg2 ) 42.Bxd3 Ke5 43.a7 Bc6 44.Bf1 {An exciting match with many twists, drama, and action!} 1-0

[Event "Skilling Open | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.11.22"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "D04"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8045551426644"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 {The Colle system quickly turns into a reversed Queen's Gambit Accepted.} 3...c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.b4 a5 6.c3 axb4 7.cxb4 b6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 ( {So does not want to repeat either the move or the result that Caruana achieved after:} 9...Qxd7 10.a4 bxc5 11.b5 Bd6 12.Bb2 O-O 13.Nbd2 c4 14.Qc2 Qc7 15.O-O Nbd7 16.Bc3 Nc5 17.a5 Nfe4 18.b6 {In Firouzja,A (2728) -Caruana,F (2828) Stavanger 2020} ) 10.a4 bxc5 11.b5 {The arising position is reminiscent of the Triangle system with the colors reversed. The plans of the sides are obvious: Black is going to use his strong center to build up a kingside attack, whereas White will push his passers as far as he can.} 11...Bd6 12.Bb2 O-O 13.O-O Qc7 14.Nbd2 c4 15.Bc3 e5 $146 {In line with the plan. So needs to remove the white kingside knight as quick as possible.} ( {The predecessor was an email game that quickly ended peacefully after:} 15...Rfb8 16.Qc2 e5 17.h3 Rb7 18.Rfb1 Rab8 19.Rd1 {1/2-1/2 (19) Bredenhof,B (2181) -Petersons,I (2257) ICCF email 2012} ) 16.a5 {Firouzja prefers to push the pawns one rank closer to their promotion rather than defend his h2-pawn.} ( {There is absolutely no time for:} 16.e4 d4 ) ( {But:} 16.h3 {is definitely possible.} ) 16...e4 17.b6 {The point.} ( 17.Nd4 Bxh2+ 18.Kh1 {provides White extra possibilities.} ) 17...Qb8 18.Nd4 Bxh2+ 19.Kh1 Be5 20.Nc6 {Picks up the important defender of the dark squares.} ( {The immediate:} 20.Qe2 {also deserves serious attention, mainly because the black bishop stands in the way of his own queen, thus obstructing the kingside attack.} ) 20...Qd6 21.Nxe5 Nxe5 22.g3 {Firouzja believes in his kingside stability. But this might have been a tad too risky.} ( {Safer is:} 22.Bxe5 $1 Qxe5 23.Re1 {In order to defend the weakened king with:} 23...h5 24.Nf1 ) 22...Nfg4 {Now So's knights are becoming frightening.} 23.Kg2 Qe6 24.Rb1 {White is following a very neat plan that intends to surround the key d5-pawn.} ( {Objectively, the position should be about equal, which can be proved with this computer-assisted line:} 24.Bxe5 Nxe5 25.Nb1 Nc6 26.Nc3 Rxa5 27.Rxa5 Nxa5 28.Qxd5 Qxb6 {Black is temporarily up two pawns, but with the fall of the most important one on c4, the game peters out:} 29.Ra1 Nb3 30.Ra8 g6 31.Rxf8+ Kxf8 32.Qxc4 Nd2 33.Qd5 Qb2 34.Nxe4 {and a draw is inevitable.} ) 24...Rfb8 25.Qe2 Nd3 26.Rb5 {An essential part of Firouzja's plan, but the rook is in fact vulnerable there.} 26...Ra6 {A blunder, which White did not capitalize on. It is not evident how the rook blockade is helping Black. So did not feel that this was the do-or-die moment.} ( {Missing the strong:} 26...f5 $1 {Knights need stability! Then the idea from the game:} 27.Nb1 {would not work due to:} 27...Qh6 28.Rh1 Qc6 $1 {This is where the position of the rook matters. Black wins material, thanks to the double attack.} ) 27.Nb1 $3 {Another key point behind White's play. The knight is heading to c3. Once it gets there, Black's position will collapse.} ( {White could have gone for the pawn at once:} 27.Rxd5 $3 Qxd5 28.Qxg4 {Leads to a decisive advantage for White as the mighty passers survive in the line:} 28...Ne5 ( {Or:} 28...g6 29.Qh4 {with mate on the long diagonal to come.} ) 29.Bxe5 Qxe5 30.Nxc4 Qd5 {Here both:} 31.Rc1 ( {And:} 31.Qf4 {followed by Rf1-c1 would be winning for Firouzja.} ) ) 27...h5 {Now the knight is defended, but the re-opening of the h-file takes too long, and So does not get enough time to attack.} ( {The other push:} 27...f5 {is still there, when White needs to be careful after:} 28.Bd4 Qg6 {Here, the natural:} 29.Nc3 {loses to:} ( {Similar is:} 29.Rxd5 $2 f4 $3 30.exf4 Nxf4+ 31.gxf4 Ne3+ ) ( {But White can repel the attack, thanks to:} 29.f3 $1 ) ( {Or with:} 29.f4 $1 ) 29...f4 $1 30.exf4 Nxf4+ 31.gxf4 Ne3+ {with mate.} ) 28.Bd4 h4 29.Rh1 hxg3 ( {The knights cannot create threats after:} 29...Ngxf2 30.Rxh4 ) 30.fxg3 Nh6 ( {The last chance is to go deep into the defense with:} 30...Rd8 31.Nc3 f5 {Although Black's position is not desirable after:} 32.Rh5 ) 31.Nc3 {The triumph of White's strategy! The pawn on d5 drops, and Black's position collapses.} 31...Qd6 32.Rxd5 Qa3 33.Rxh6 $1 {And a neat tactical finish.} 33...gxh6 34.Qg4+ Kf8 35.Bg7+ {Mate is inevitable.} ( 35.Bg7+ Ke8 ( 35...Kg8 36.Bxh6+ ) 36.Qd7# ) 1-0

[Event "Skilling Open | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.11.23"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2860"]
[ECO "B91"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[Beauty "8247410959408"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 {This positional line is a rare occurrence at the top level.} 6...e5 7.Nb3 ( {In another recent game, another Najdorf specialist defended the knightless middlegame after:} 7.Nde2 Be7 8.Bg2 O-O 9.O-O b5 10.Nd5 Nbd7 11.Nec3 Nxd5 12.Nxd5 Nf6 13.Nxf6+ Bxf6 14.Qd3 Be6 15.Rd1 Qc7 16.Be3 Rfd8 {Kryvoruchko,Y (2682)-Cheparinov,I (2686) Linares 2020} ) 7...Be7 8.Bg5 {It seems like Le is all about the d5 square.} 8...Be6 {[#]} 9.f4 $146 {Nope, he has another idea on his mind.} ( {More in the spirit of the previous move was:} 9.Bxf6 {as seen in the predecessor. After:} 9...Bxf6 10.h4 O-O 11.Qd2 a5 12.a4 Na6 13.O-O-O Qb6 {White's position seemed risky and Black quickly took over the initiaive with:} 14.Bb5 Rfd8 15.Rhe1 Nb4 16.Qe3 Qc7 17.Kb1 Rac8 18.Qa7 $2 d5 $1 {Rakotomaharo,F (2438)-Di Nicolantonio,L (2408) Paris 2019} ) 9...exf4 {Vachier-Lagrave does not intend to allow f4-f5.} 10.Bxf4 {Or else Le will have to part with his dark-squared bishop.} ( {As in the line:} 10.gxf4 h6 {It cannot retreat:} 11.Bh4 {Due to the famous tactic:} 11...Nxe4 12.Bxe7 Nxc3 {With better endgame for Black after either:} 13.Qxd6 ( {Or:} 13.Bxd8 Nxd1 14.Rxd1 Kxd8 ) 13...Qxe7 ) 10...Nc6 11.Qd2 O-O 12.O-O-O Ne5 {The most obvious reply. Both sides prepare for play on their flanks and Black can be happy with the opening outcome.} ( {Also interesting was:} 12...Rc8 $5 {As Black as a rule is not afraid to sacrifice the d6 pawn as in the line:} 13.Bxd6 Bg4 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Re1 Ne5 ) 13.Nd4 {An accurate move.} ( {White could have played this on the next move, after something useful like:} 13.Kb1 Rc8 14.Nd4 {However then Black would have had additional choice:} ( 14.Be2 $5 ) 14...Bg4 15.Be2 Nc4 ) 13...Bd7 ( {Here:} 13...Bg4 14.Be2 {does not make sense for Black.} ) 14.Kb1 Rc8 15.h3 {Too sluggish!} ( {Instead:} 15.Nf5 $5 Bxf5 16.exf5 {seemed more reasonable. The bishop on e6 is a very dangerous piece.} ) 15...b5 {Now Vachier-Lagrave would be the first one to push his knight pawn in the battle for the vital central squares.} 16.a3 {Once again Le is not afraid to light a match near the queenside petrol station.} ( {Black is comfortable after:} 16.g4 b4 17.Nd5 Nxd5 18.exd5 a5 {though.} ) 16...Qb6 17.g4 b4 {This is the reason why h2-h3 migth be too slow. Vachier-Lagrave is the first one to open up lines. The Frenchman had massive lead on the clock.} 18.axb4 Qxb4 19.g5 Rxc3 $1 {The only move, but a good one.} ( {Any retreat loses:} 19...Nh5 $2 {For instance drops a piece after:} 20.Nd5 Qxd2 21.Nxe7+ Kh8 22.Bxd2 ) 20.gxf6 $1 {Best. But Vachier-Lagrave keeps blitzing the strongest moves.} ( {Black has more than enough for the exchange in case of:} 20.Qxc3 Qxc3 21.bxc3 Nxe4 ) 20...Rb8 $1 21.Nb3 {Le spent his last remaining few minutes, but could not find the amazing resource.} ( {The stunning:} 21.Nb5 $3 {Would have kept White alive:} 21...Bxb5 22.Qxc3 ( {No time for:} 22.fxe7 Ba4 ) 22...Qxc3 23.bxc3 {Leads to a position which is pleasant for Black after:} 23...Bxf6 $1 ( {Less good is:} 23...Bxf1+ 24.Kc1 Bxf6 25.Rhxf1 {although here too Black should not complain too much.} ) ) 21...Rxb3 $1 {Third strong blow in a row.} 22.cxb3 Qxe4+ 23.Ka1 {Now it all finishes in a jiffy.} ( {But perhaps Le did not even seriously consider:} 23.Bd3 $1 Nxd3 24.Qxd3 {When Black is having large advantage after both:} 24...Qxf4 ( {Or:} 24...Qxd3+ 25.Rxd3 Bf5 26.fxe7 Bxd3+ 27.Ka2 Re8 {followed by f7-f6.} ) 25.Rhf1 Qh4 26.fxe7 Qxe7 {but perhaps White could have saved this?!} ) 23...Bxf6 24.Bg2 Nf3 $1 25.Qe3 {Leads to mate.} ( {But nothing would have been changed after:} 25.Bxf3 Qxf3 26.Qxd6 Bxb2+ ) 25...Qc2 0-1

[Event "Airthings Masters | Knockout"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.12.30"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "E16"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7564515104338"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Nbd2 O-O 6.Bg2 b6 7.O-O Bb7 8.Ne5 a5 9.Qc2 ( {In a previous game, Dubov chose the more solid approach} 9.cxd5 Bxd5 10.Ndf3 Nbd7 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 13.a3 Be7 14.Rc1 c5 15.e3 Rc8 16.Qe2 Qc7 17.dxc5 bxc5 18.Rfd1 {Dubov,D (2699)-Vidit,S (2726) Chess. com 2020} ) 9...a4 10.Rd1 $146 {This natural move is a novelty. The rook is entering the battle while at the same time it overprotects the center.} ( {Black is more than fine after} 10.Nd3 Be7 11.c5 Nc6 12.Nf3 Ne4 13.Be3 bxc5 14.Nxc5 Nxc5 15.dxc5 Bf6 {as in Vokoun,J (2217)-Rogule,L (2342) Pardubice 2006} ) 10...Bd6 {A useful retreat.} ( {Black's natural development is obstructed, and} 10...Nbd7 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Nc6 {wins the bishop pair for White.} ) ( {In the meantime, Black cannot just sit and wait for White to reveal his cards. A semi-waiting move like} 10...h6 $5 {allows a typical maneuver:} 11.cxd5 exd5 12.a3 Bd6 13.Ndc4 {which exposes the weakness of the long diagonal. Still, this might have been the lesser evil for Carlsen.} ) 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Ndc4 $1 {Still good!} 12...h6 {Now, in comparison with the line from above, it is Dubov's move.} 13.Bf4 {Playing for the maximum.} ( {Also tempting is} 13.Nxd6 cxd6 14.Nd3 {intending Nd3-f4 with pressure against the d5-pawn.} ) 13...Re8 14.Rac1 Na6 15.a3 {The same policy of mounting more pressure. The b4-square is under White's control, and the black knight is stranded. Most likely this is how Carlsen would have played had he had the white pieces.} ( {It seems that the time for the trade has come:} 15.Nxd6 cxd6 16.Nc4 $1 {would promise White the advantage. Perhaps Dubov disliked the line} 16...Re6 17.Qxa4 ( {But the computer indicates that the cold-blooded} 17.h4 {keeps White dominating.} ) 17...Nc5 $1 18.Qb4 dxc4 19.dxc5 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 bxc5 21.Qxc4 Qe8 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) 15...Bf8 16.Ne3 c5 $1 {Now the world champion frees himself a bit.} 17.Nf5 cxd4 18.Nc6 {But Dubov keeps the initiative and offers an interesting pawn sacrifice.} 18...Qd7 19.Bh3 Kh8 {Which Carlsen rejects. Alas, this is a big mistake.} ( {Strong is the obvious capture} 19...Bxc6 $1 20.Qxc6 Qxc6 21.Rxc6 Rxe2 {Then White always has enough for the pawn, but he never seems to be winning, for example} 22.Nxh6+ ( {Or} 22.Rxb6 Bc5 ) 22...gxh6 23.Rxf6 Rxb2 24.Bxh6 Bxh6 25.Rxh6 Nc5 26.Rxd4 Re8 27.Rxd5 Re1+ 28.Kg2 Ree2 {and the active black rooks keep him alive.} ) 20.Ne5 $1 {Winning material.} 20...Rxe5 ( {The queen cannot retreat:} 20...Qe6 21.Nxh6 Qxh3 22.Nexf7# ) 21.Bxe5 Ne4 22.Bxd4 {Dubov not only won the exchange, he also kept the initiative. However, Carlsen is not the world champion for just one reason and as we will witness, it's not over yet.} 22...Rc8 23.Qd3 Nac5 24.Qe3 Kh7 25.Bxc5 ( {Here the neatest win would be} 25.f3 Ng5 26.Bg4 {consolidating forces and getting rid of the pin.} ) 25...Nxc5 26.Qf3 ( 26.Qf4 $1 {avoiding the discovered attack would be more accurate.} ) 26...d4 $1 {Initiative! Attack! One more pawn does not make Black's position more lost material-wise, but it can provide a highway to the white king and a chance for Dubov to go wrong.} 27.Rxd4 Qe8 {Attack no matter what!} ( {Black can regain his exchange with:} 27...Ne6 28.Rcd1 Qxd4 29.Nxd4 Bxf3 30.Nxf3 {but most likely he would not have saved the game.} ) 28.Qe3 ( {The defense is far from trivial:} 28.Qg4 $1 Qc6 29.e4 {would stop the attack instead.} ) 28...Qc6 29.f3 {The long diagonal is locked, but the adjacent one has been opened. And white does not have a bishop to defend it...} 29...Re8 30.Qf2 g6 {Suddenly, the white pieces become clumsy.} 31.Ne3 Qf6 32.Ng4 Qg7 {The point is that the white pieces cannot stay in the center for long.} 33.Rcd1 h5 {Pushing the knight back.} ( {Carlsen already had a good alternative to the text move in} 33...Ne6 $1 34.Rc4 Bc5 {which forces White to give up his extra exchange, as} 35.e3 ( 35.Rxc5 bxc5 {with enough play for the second player.} ) 35...h5 {is plainly bad for him.} ) 34.Ne3 Nb3 35.R4d3 Qxb2 {Carlsen regained the pawn and threatens huge gains along the a7-g1 diagonal. In a double-edged situation, though, Dubov once again demonstrates perfect tactical skills.} ( {The computer indicates that Black is also doing fine after} 35...Bc5 36.Bd7 Rxe3 37.Rxe3 Qxb2 38.Kg2 Nd2 $1 ) 36.Rd7 $1 {Initiative! Attack! Remember?!} 36...Bc5 37.Rxf7+ Kh6 $1 {Correctly avoiding the back rank.} ( {Due to:} 37...Kh8 38.Rxb7 Bxe3 39.Qxe3 Rxe3 40.Rd8+ Re8 41.Rxe8# ) 38.Rdd7 Qa1+ {Ah, a check in the time scramble...} ( {However, even the world champion would have risked a ban if he had found the incredible defense:} 38...Qh8 $3 39.Kg2 Bxe3 40.Qe1 {Black would be even better after either} 40...Nc5 ( {Or} 40...Bc6 $5 ) 41.Rxb7 Nxb7 42.Rxb7 Qb2 ) 39.Kg2 Bxe3 40.Rh7+ Kg5 41.Rxb7 $1 {Now Black is getting checkmated. The queen is not important; the f-pawn is a king.} 41...Rf8 ( 41...Bxf2 42.f4+ Kf6 43.Rhf7# ) 42.Qxe3+ 1-0

[Event "Airthings Masters | Prelims"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2020.12.26"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "B87"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7697923574824"]
[EventType "game"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 {Fischer's beloved line against the Najdorf has picked up popularity of late.} ( {This famous game is relevant to what will happen later:} 6.Be3 e6 7.f3 b5 8.Qd2 Nbd7 9.O-O-O Bb7 10.g4 Nb6 11.Qf2 Nfd7 12.Kb1 Rc8 13.Bd3 Rxc3 14.bxc3 Qc7 15.Ne2 Be7 16.g5 O-O 17.h4 Na4 18.Bc1 Ne5 19.h5 d5 20.Qh2 Bd6 21.Qh3 Nxd3 22.cxd3 b4 23.cxb4 Rc8 24.Ka1 dxe4 25.fxe4 Bxe4 26.g6 Bxh1 27.Qxh1 Bxb4 28.gxf7+ Kf8 29.Qg2 Rb8 30.Bb2 Nxb2 31.Nd4 Nxd1 32.Nxe6+ Kxf7 {0-1 Movsesian,S (2668)-Kasparov,G (2851) Sarajevo 2000} ) 6...e6 7.Be3 b5 8.Bb3 {The bishop is very active on the a2-g8 diagonal, but the maneuver costs White time, and it often stays on the road of Black's raging pawns. This is the reason why the English Attack blossomed at the end of the past century. White wanted to save all the tempi on maneuvering by just capturing a hypothetically annoying black knight on c4 in one move with Bf1xc4.} 8...Be7 9.a3 O-O 10.Qe2 {An important difference in comparison to the usual English attacks. The queen stays away from the Nc4 tempi, does not obstruct the d-file, and protects the g4-square as well.} 10...Bb7 11.f3 Nc6 ( {Black can also develop with} 11...Nbd7 12.g4 Rc8 13.g5 Nh5 14.Qd2 Ne5 15.O-O-O Qd7 16.Kb1 g6 17.f4 Nc4 18.Qd3 Qc7 19.Bxc4 bxc4 20.Qe2 d5 21.e5 Rb8 22.Ka1 {Warzecha,H (2351)-Zidu,J (2496) Remote email 2012} ) 12.O-O-O Na5 13.h4 $146 ( {In an earlier game, White's attack quickly fizzled out after} 13.g4 Rc8 14.g5 Nd7 15.Rhg1 g6 16.Bxe6 Rxc3 17.bxc3 fxe6 18.Nxe6 Qc8 19.Bd4 Rf7 20.f4 Qc4 {Brongers,H (2056)-Filipenko,A (2250) Bucharest 2019} ) 13...Rc8 14.Kb1 {Allowing the positional exchange sacrifice. But unlike the Movsesian-Kasparov game above, Aronian has his bishop on b3, and this definitely improves his defensive chances on the queenside.} 14...Rxc3 15.bxc3 Qc7 16.g4 {Aronian was blitzing while Giri was taking plenty of time on the clock.} 16...Nd7 {The familiar maneuver from Kasparov.} ( {However, it might have been wiser to keep the knight where it is for the time being and look for the other typical play with} 16...d5 {Black should not worry about} 17.g5 Nh5 18.exd5 Ng3 ( {Or} 18...Nxb3 19.cxb3 Ng3 {and in both lines his knight on h5 quickly enters the battle.} ) ) ( {On this and the coming moves, Giri avoids the capture of the pawn} 16...Qxc3 17.Bd2 Qc7 ( {Or else the queens might be traded:} 17...Qxd4 18.Bxa5 Qe5 19.Qh2 ) 18.g5 Nh5 19.Bxa5 Qxa5 20.Qe3 {as White gains time to defend his position. In general, Black wants to pick up the c3-pawn with threats on the road of the mating attack.} ) 17.g5 Ne5 {And this might just be a mistake. Kasparov used the a4-square for the attack, and it seems as this is a much more powerful plan here too.} ( {After} 17...Nc5 $1 18.h5 d5 19.exd5 {Black has} 19...Na4 $5 {when no matter what happens the position would be unclear:} 20.Rd3 ( {Black's attack is faster after the opening of the b-file:} 20.Bxa4 bxa4 21.dxe6 Bd5 ) 20...Nxc3+ ( {If} 20...Bxa3 21.Bc1 ) 21.Rxc3 Qxc3 {and it is anyone's game.} ) 18.h5 {Aronian is consistently blitzing his kingside attacking moves.} 18...Nec4 19.Bc1 ( {Also good seems} 19.g6 {as White does not need to worry about the queen sortie in the line} 19...Nxa3+ 20.Ka2 Nxb3 21.cxb3 Qa5 22.Kb2 ) 19...d5 {Both kings get exposed.} 20.g6 Nxa3+ 21.Bxa3 {An obvious capture that, however, slows the attacking momentum.} ( {Aronian could have achieved a decisive opposite-castling attack with} 21.Ka2 $3 N5c4 22.h6 $1 {The main point is that the seemingly crushing} 22...Qa5 {loses:} 23.gxh7+ Kh8 24.hxg7+ Kxg7 25.h8=Q+ Rxh8 26.Qg2+ {and mate.} ) 21...Bxa3 22.gxf7+ Rxf7 23.Rd3 {The light-squared bishop should be traded now, or it will become deadly on the diagonal.} 23...Nxb3 $1 24.cxb3 dxe4 25.fxe4 Qe5 $1 {Giri feels that this is only chance, even though he does not have the time to calculate everything.} ( 25...Bf8 26.Re1 {is much better for White.} ) 26.b4 $1 {Locking the bishop is Aronian's best practical try.} 26...Bxe4 ( 26...Qxe4 $2 {loses on the spot because of} 27.Re1 $1 ) 27.Nc2 Rf5 {The Dutchman spent his last minutes on this move, while Aronian still had about 15 minutes on the clock!} ( {The obvious pin-breaker} 27...Qf5 $2 {would lose to the creation of a new one with} 28.Rd8+ Rf8 29.Rxf8+ Kxf8 30.Rf1 ) 28.Re1 ( {Surely not} 28.Nxa3 Bxh1 ) 28...Bxd3 29.Qxe5 Rxe5 30.Rxe5 {Up to here, Giri has defended amazingly well. But in time trouble, his hand makes the most obvious move:} 30...Kf7 {This intends to bring the king in the game, but it loses.} ( {The study-like maneuver} 30...Bf5 $1 31.Rc5 g5 $1 32.hxg6 h5 $3 {would save Black, according to the computer. Black's main priority is to push the passer and generate counterplay as quickly as possible before his opponent picks up the locked bishop. The main line runs} 33.Rc7 Bxg6 34.Ra7 h4 35.Rxa6 h3 36.Rxe6 h2 37.Re1 Be4 38.Ka2 Bxc2 39.Kxa3 Be4 40.Kb3 Bd5+ 41.c4 Bxc4+ 42.Kc3 Bd5 43.Kd4 h1=Q 44.Rxh1 Bxh1 45.Kc5 $10 {and a draw!} ) 31.Rc5 $1 {Now Rc5-c7+ comes with a check, and from there the rook wants to pick up the a6-pawn and then the bishop. The loss of the tempi forces Black to sacrifice his potential passer.} 31...g5 32.Rxg5 {But then he is plain lost.} ( {No time and no need for:} 32.Rc7+ $2 Kf6 33.Ra7 g4 34.Rxa6 g3 ) 32...Kf6 33.Rg8 Be4 34.h6 $1 {White's assets are all in perfect shape, and Aronian converts confidently.} 34...e5 35.Rb8 Kf5 36.Rb6 a5 37.bxa5 Bc5 38.Rxb5 Bg1 39.Kb2 Bd3 40.Rb7 1-0

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2020.12.05"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Antipov, Mikhail Al"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2611"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7285338277431"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Bg5 {A relatively rare continuation. White usually waits for his opponent to either castle first or block his dark-squared bishop with d7-d6.} 5...Be7 {Karjakin kills the pin at once.} ( {But Black often ignores it, as the following examples show:} 5...d6 6.Nc3 h6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Nd5 Qd8 9.c3 a6 10.Qe2 Ba7 11.O-O-O Ne7 12.d4 Nxd5 13.exd5 O-O 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Nxe5 Qd6 16.f4 Bf5 {Fedoseev,V (2678)-Le,Q (2709) chess.com 2020} ) ( {And} 5...h6 {asking the bishop to choose a diagonal, when} 6.Bh4 d6 7.c3 a6 8.Nbd2 Ba7 9.a4 Qe7 10.Qe2 Be6 11.b4 Bxc4 12.Nxc4 Qe6 {is about equal in Yu,Y (2736)-Aronian,L (2756) Riga 2019} ) 6.Nc3 d6 7.a4 {Saving the bishop from the positional threat Nc6-a5 with a swap of the minor pieces.} 7...O-O 8.h3 Be6 {Black is obviously not afraid to double his e-pawns. They cover all the important central squares. On top of that, the f-file would be opened for the black rooks.} 9.Bxf6 {Finally the bishop is traded as it is not quite useful on g5.} 9...Bxf6 10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.Ne2 $146 {Antipov prepares an interesting regrouping of his pieces.} ( {An earlier game saw Black doing fine in the opening after} 11.O-O d5 12.Qe2 Qd7 13.Nb1 a5 14.Nbd2 Rad8 15.Nb1 Ra8 16.Nbd2 Rad8 17.g3 Be7 18.Kg2 Bd6 {Yu,Y (2738) -Vidit,S (2707) Danzhou 2019} ) 11...Qd7 12.c3 Rf7 13.h4 {For the time being, White does not want to castle on the kingside. Instead, he intends to bring his rook out via the h3-square.} ( {He could have expanded further on the queenside with} 13.a5 Raf8 14.Qa4 {when Black is doing OK after both} 14...a6 ( {or} 14...Bd8 ) ) 13...Raf8 {Karjakin's play is obvious and easy to understand. He is consistently improving his pieces and would not mind if the white king castles into his attack.} 14.b4 Kh8 {Black is not impressed by the enemy queenside expansion.} ( {It also makes sense to block the opponent's pawns with} 14...a5 15.b5 Nb8 {with the idea to counterattack them later with c7-c6.} ) 15.Ra2 {Overprotecting the f2-pawn.} ( 15.h5 $5 ) 15...Bd8 $1 {A nice regrouping by Black. He is getting ready to exploit the shift of most white pieces from the center and the queenside.} ( {After} 15...Ne7 16.d4 {the white rook may find work to do along the d-file.} ) 16.Neg1 {A weird setup.} ( {However, in the line} 16.Ng3 h6 17.h5 Rf4 {the black rooks enjoy greatly the f-file.} ) 16...Ne7 17.Ng5 ( {Instead} 17.h5 {is met with} 17...Ng8 ) ( {whereas} 17.d4 {works into Black's hands as he wants to open the game:} 17...exd4 18.cxd4 Qc6 19.Qc2 Qb6 20.b5 c6 ) 17...Rf6 18.Kf1 {Intending to castle by hand with g2-g3 and Kf1-g2, but Karjakin is prepared for the opposite-flank play.} ( {White achieves nothing after} 18.Qh5 h6 19.N1f3 Qc6 20.Ra3 a5 ) 18...c5 $1 19.bxc5 ( {Black's play cannot be stopped:} 19.b5 d5 ) 19...dxc5 20.N5f3 Nc6 {The white pawns became weak and will be soon targeted.} 21.Rd2 Ba5 22.Qb3 {Solidifying the flank.} ( {In case of} 22.Ne2 {Antipov has to worry about both the positional exchange sacrifice} 22...Rxf3 $5 ( {and the positional pawn sacrifice} 22...c4 $5 23.dxc4 Qe7 ) 23.gxf3 Rxf3 24.Kg2 {In both cases the white king is exposed.} ) 22...a6 23.Rd1 {The rook moves out of the pin.} ( {Which can indeed be very unpleasant, as in the line} 23.Rh3 Nd4 24.cxd4 Bxd2 25.Nxd2 Rxf2+ 26.Ke1 Rxg2 ) 23...h6 ( {Also good is the instant preparation of b7-b5 plan with} 23...Bd8 $5 ) ( {Or with} 23...Rb8 $5 ) 24.h5 {There is not much that White can do on the kingside.} ( {Therefore, it is time to bring the rook out with} 24.Rh3 $5 Bd8 25.Ne2 Na5 26.Qc2 Bc7 {although Black is still better here.} ) 24...Kh7 25.Qc4 Qd6 {Now Karjakin prepares the decisive queenside breakthrough.} 26.Ne2 Rb8 $1 27.Rb1 Bc7 28.Rh3 {It is all ready for the b-pawn advance.} 28...Na5 29.Qa2 b5 30.axb5 axb5 31.Rd1 ( {Or:} 31.Nc1 Nc6 {followed by b5-b4 anyway.} ) 31...b4 $1 {The queenside majority transformed into a powerful passer. The d3-pawn is further weakened as well as the d4-square. Karjakin is strategically winning.} 32.cxb4 ( {Nothing changes} 32.c4 Ra8 33.Rb1 Rff8 {and the b4-pawn will soon move.} ) 32...cxb4 33.d4 ( {Or} 33.Rb1 b3 34.Qd2 Nc6 ( 34...Qc5 ) ) 33...b3 34.Qb1 Qb6 35.dxe5 Rf7 36.g4 {A desperate counterattacking chance, but the white pieces never get coordinated.} ( {Otherwise the b-pawn would cost White dearly too:} 36.Kg1 b2 ) 36...b2 37.g5 Kh8 {A cool defense.} 38.gxh6 gxh6 39.Ned4 Nc6 40.Nxc6 ( {If} 40.Nxe6 Nxe5 41.Nfd4 Ng4 {with a decisive attack.} ) 40...Qxc6 41.Nh4 Qc4+ 42.Rhd3 ( {Black's attack decides in case of} 42.Kg1 Qe2 43.f3 Kh7 ) 42...Rb3 43.Ng6+ Kg7 44.Kg1 Rxd3 45.Rxd3 Qc1+ ( 45...Qc1+ {The white knight is trapped after} 46.Rd1 Qg5+ 47.Kf1 Qxh5 ) 0-1

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2020.12.16"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7839389110353"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.b4 {A very rare move. And a top guess by Dubov as we shall witness!} ( {Another old sharp continuation was recently tried in a top GM game:} 6.e5 d5 7.Bb5 Ne4 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 O-O 10.Be3 Bg4 11.h3 Bh5 12.Qc2 Nxc3 13.bxc3 {And after a very sharp play} 13...f6 14.Bxc6 bxc6 15.exf6 Bxf3 16.fxg7 Rf7 17.gxf3 Qd6 18.Rg1 c5 19.Rg5 cxd4 20.cxd4 Rxg7 21.Rxg7+ Kxg7 {A highly unorthodox position arose where Black had enough for the pawn in Giri,A (2764)-Carlsen,M (2862) chess24.com 2020} ) 6...Bb6 7.e5 Ne4 8.Bd5 Nxc3 9.Nxc3 dxc3 {All these moves are obvious and logical, as well as Dubov's next novelty.} 10.Bg5 $146 {In the spirit of the old masters. Material is irrelevant; initiative is everything.} ( {An earlier game did not see White gaining much after} 10.O-O h6 11.Qb3 O-O 12.Qxc3 d6 13.exd6 cxd6 14.Rd1 Qe7 15.Bb2 Ne5 16.Nxe5 dxe5 17.Qxe5 Qxe5 18.Bxe5 a5 {Greiff, H-Hansen,L (2562) Copenhagen 2000} ) 10...Ne7 ( {Obviously Karjakin cannot afford playing counter-aggressively with his king in the center:} 10...f6 11.Bh4 g5 $2 12.Nxg5 ) 11.O-O {Karjakin's problems were multiplied because his opponent was practically blitzing his moves.} 11...h6 {Getting ready to swap this bishop.} 12.Bh4 O-O ( {Once again a super-optimistic move like} 12...g5 {can easily backfire. White can simply retreat:} 13.Bg3 ( {Or choose to strip the opponent's king of its defenders with} 13.Nxg5 Nxd5 14.Nf3 Ne7 15.Re1 {With the black king stuck in the middle, Black should not survive.} ) ) 13.Re1 Qe8 {One pin is broken, and the knight is ready to help.} 14.Bb3 {Dubov keeps the bishop pointed at the enemy king.} ( 14.Be4 {looks weaker due to} 14...Ng6 15.Bg3 a5 ) 14...a5 {Aiming to chase the white bishop once and for all. And this might well be the crucial mistake!} ( {According to the machine, Black has a chance to fight on with} 14...Nf5 15.Qd3 d6 $1 16.exd6 Qd7 17.Rad1 cxd6 18.Bc2 Qc6 {The point being that he is not afraid of} 19.g4 g6 $1 {However, who knows how deeply Dubov analyzed here.} ) 15.Bf6 $1 {The first in-depth thought by Dubov, and a smashing move! The machine is getting wild and immediately claims a decisive attack for the first player.} 15...a4 $2 {This is definitely a mistake.} ( {Obviously, there is no time for queenside fun:} 15...axb4 16.Nh4 {would have witnessed the black castle burn after the inevitable Qd1-g4.} ) ( {Also,} 15...gxf6 16.exf6 {does not provide any saving chances.} ) ( {Perhaps} 15...Nf5 {is the best practical chance. Then White should refrain from} 16.Nh4 ( {Stronger is} 16.g4 gxf6 17.gxf5 {but then} 17...d5 {promises Black chances. The feeling is that the second player should be checkmated somehow, but even if it is possible, great precision is required.} ) ( {Comparing with a line from the next note,} 16.Qd3 {does not work well for White due to} 16...d5 17.exd6 Qd7 18.Be7 Nxe7 {and the white queen is hanging on d3.} ) 16...Nxh4 17.Qg4 {with seemingly inevitable mate after} 17...Ng6 ( {However Black has the defense} 17...Nf5 $1 18.Qxf5 d5 {(Radjabov) and it is Black who is better.} ) 18.Qxg6 ) 16.Bc4 Ng6 ( {Here} 16...Nf5 {can be met with} 17.Qd3 d5 18.exd6 Qd7 19.Be7 {Since the rook can't move:} 19...Re8 ( {There is no more} 19...Nxe7 20.dxe7 Re8 ( 20...Qxd3 21.exf8=Q+ ) 21.Bxf7+ $1 ) 20.Bxf7+ $1 {and wins.} ) 17.Qd3 {Dubov goes for a concrete line.} ( {Here, a bit more precise is} 17.Qc2 $1 {practically forcing the line} 17...d5 18.exd6 Be6 19.Bxc3 cxd6 20.Qxg6 fxg6 21.Rxe6 Qf7 22.Rxg6 Qxc4 23.Rxg7+ Kh8 24.Rc7+ Qxc3 25.Rxc3 {which White should win.} ) 17...d5 18.exd6 Be6 {For a moment it seems that Karjakin is safe, but...} 19.Qxg6 $3 fxg6 20.Rxe6 {This was apparently foreseen by White in advance. The discovered-check threats leave Karjakin no time to defend.} 20...Qf7 ( {Maybe he should have tried} 20...Qc6 $1 21.Re7+ Qxc4 22.Rxg7+ Kh8 23.Rxc7+ Rxf6 24.Rxc4 Rxd6 25.Rxc3 g5 {in comparison with the identical line from above, the black pawns are healthier and his pieces more active, which coupled with the good bishop promises Black drawing chances.} ) 21.Bxc3 Kh8 {Missing his last chance.} ( {The in-between capture} 21...Bxf2+ $1 22.Kxf2 ( {There's no:} 22.Kh1 $2 b5 $1 ) 22...Kh8 23.Re4 Qf5 {would have been the most stubborn defense. White is clearly better after} 24.Bd3 ( {An important detail is that} 24.Re7 $2 Qc2+ {loses for White.} ) 24...Qd5 25.Rd4 {as the three pieces are superior to the queen, but there is plenty of play left.} ) 22.Re4 Qf5 23.Re7 {There is no adequate way to defend on g7.} 23...Rg8 ( {Here} 23...Bxf2+ 24.Kh1 {achieves nothing for Black.} ) 24.Bxg8 Rxg8 25.dxc7 Qc2 26.Be5 Bxf2+ 27.Kh1 Bb6 28.h3 {White is dominating, and Dubov has all the time to prepare the rook sortie. Once that the last piece joins the battle, the c-passer decides.} 28...Kh7 ( {Nothing changes} 28...a3 29.Kh2 ) 29.Re1 a3 ( {Likewise, Black cannot defend after} 29...g5 30.Nd4 Bxd4 31.Bxd4 ) 30.Kh2 ( {Or:} 30.Nd4 Bxd4 31.Bxd4 b5 32.Rd7 {doubling the rooks along the seventh rank.} ) 30...g5 31.Nd4 Qc4 32.Nf5 Qxb4 ( 32...g4 33.Bxg7 {is decisive.} ) 33.Rc1 {It is all over after} 33...Kg6 34.Rxg7+ Kxf5 35.Rxg8 Bxc7 36.Bxc7 Qb2 37.Rc5+ Ke4 38.Rd8 1-0

[Event "Airthings Masters | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.12.29"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2860"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7285627719770"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 Ng4 {This move remains one of the most reliable ways to fight the English Attack.} 7.Bc1 Nf6 8.Be3 ( {In his next white game, So tried} 8.h3 e5 9.Nb3 Be6 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.g4 h6 12.f4 $2 exf4 13.Bxf4 {but faced the unpleasant surprise} 13...Nh5 $1 {and eventually lost that game as well.} ) 8...Ng4 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 g5 11.Bg3 Bg7 12.h3 Ne5 13.Nf5 Bxf5 14.exf5 Nbc6 {The arising positions can hardly be called a Najdorf, but they are full of tactics and in-depth strategy due to the piece imbalances.} 15.Nd5 e6 16.fxe6 fxe6 17.Ne3 Qa5+ 18.c3 Nf3+ 19.gxf3 ( {In a previous game, the Frenchman defended successfully after} 19.Qxf3 Bxc3+ 20.Kd1 Qa4+ 21.Nc2 Bxb2 22.Qb3 Qxb3 23.axb3 Bxa1 24.Nxa1 Ne5 {and later the game ended a draw, Bologan,V (2690)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2721) Sibenik 2010} ) 19...Bxc3+ 20.bxc3 Qxc3+ 21.Qd2 Qxa1+ 22.Nd1 Qf6 $146 {There was no way for MVL not to do his homework after his previous loss.} ( {An earlier game of the Frenchman ended poorly for him after} 22...Qd4 23.Bd3 Rf8 24.O-O Rxf3 25.Ne3 Kd7 26.Rd1 {Giri, A (2779)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2775) Paris 2019} ) 23.Bg2 ( {The machine prefers} 23.Be2 {when} 23...Nd4 ( {Also possible is the game move} 23...Rd8 {when White has a vast choice of reasonable continuations:} 24.f4 ( 24.Ne3 ) ( 24.O-O ) ) 24.O-O Rc8 ( {But not} 24...Nxf3+ $2 25.Bxf3 Qxf3 26.Qxd6 {with crushing attack for White.} ) 25.Ne3 e5 26.Bd1 {The bishop finds a new working diagonal.} ) 23...Rd8 {An extremely complex position arose after the opening. White's king looks safer for the time being, whereas the black one will always be exposed as he does not have a good hiding spot. On the other hand, Vachier-Lagrave has a lot of pawns, and a possible endgame might be quite a success for him.} 24.f4 Nd4 25.Ne3 {So bravely enters the complications.} ( {More to the point is} 25.fxg5 $1 {Then White does not need to worry about} 25...Nf3+ ( 25...hxg5 26.Qd3 ) 26.Ke2 Nd4+ 27.Kf1 $1 ) 25...gxf4 26.Ng4 Qf5 27.Qxd4 Qb1+ 28.Ke2 Qxa2+ 29.Kf3 {Rejecting the possible perpetual check.} 29...Qb3+ 30.Ne3 ( {Courage should not be confused with reckless play:} 30.Ke4 $2 Rf8 31.Bxf4 d5+ 32.Ke5 Qc2 {would mate the white king.} ) 30...Rf8 {Vachier-Lagrave decided to keep the queens on the board in order to bother the white king.} ( {A generally desirable endgame for Black could be reached after} 30...e5 $5 {However, after} 31.Qd1 ( {And of course, So can deviate from the trade with} 31.Qe4 $5 ) 31...Qxd1+ 32.Rxd1 fxg3 33.fxg3 O-O+ 34.Ke2 {The solid blockade on the light squares and the lack of entry squares would lead to an even more pleasant play for White, despite the slight material deficit.} ) 31.Bh4 ( {The endgame after} 31.Bxf4 e5 32.Qd5 Rxf4+ 33.Kg3 Qxd5 34.Nxd5 Rf7 {is not as appealing for White as he does not have the possibility to create an outside kingside passer.} ) 31...e5 ( 31...fxe3+ 32.Kg3 exf2+ 33.Kh2 {would be similar to the game continuation.} ) 32.Qe4 fxe3+ 33.Kg3 exf2+ 34.Kh2 {Now So's king looks safe.} 34...f1=N+ $5 {Or looked safe for a moment. The underpromotion is not only spectacular but useful. The second rank is opened for the major black pieces.} ( {The other way to play is} 34...Qf7 $5 {Black often wants to give back a portion of his material in order to enter a favorable endgame. After} 35.Bxd8 ( {Better is to fight with the queens in the line} 35.Bg3 Rg8 36.Qe3 ( {And again White should not forget about the possible endgame:} 36.Rf1 Qg6 37.Qe3 Qxg3+ 38.Qxg3 Rxg3 39.Kxg3 d5 ) ) 35...Kxd8 36.Rf1 Qf4+ 37.Qxf4 Rxf4 38.Bxb7 e4 {The three black center passers seem more useful than the enemy bishop. And notice that once the rooks are traded, Black does not risk losing the game even if he gives all his pawns away.} ) 35.Bxf1 $1 ( {The rook's swap would definitely be a success for Black:} 35.Rxf1 Rxf1 36.Bxf1 Rd7 ) 35...Rc8 36.Bg2 Rg8 37.Rg1 {So still hopes to first defend and then organize a good attack against the vulnerable black king.} ( {Forcing play like} 37.Rb1 Qa2 38.Bg3 Rg7 39.Rxb7 Rxb7 40.Qxb7 Rc2 41.Qe4 {may lead to a drawn endgame with} 41...Rxg2+ 42.Qxg2 Qxg2+ 43.Kxg2 a5 44.Be1 a4 45.Bb4 Ke7 46.Kf3 Ke6 47.Ke3 {when none of the sides can make progress.} ) 37...Rg7 38.Bf6 Rf7 39.Qg4 {In a time scramble, So starts to lose the thread.} ( {Both} 39.Qg6 ) ( {and} 39.Bh4 {are more accurate with unclear play.} ) 39...Rc2 {Missing a good chance.} ( 39...Qc4 $1 {would have traded the queens instead:} 40.Qf5 Qf4+ 41.Qxf4 exf4 {when Black is clearly better, thanks to his material advantage.} ) 40.Qg8+ {Now it is anyone's game as both kings are under fire.} 40...Kd7 41.Bh4 ( {After} 41.Qd8+ Ke6 42.Bh4 {the position remains dynamically balanced, for instance} 42...Rf3 {in the game can be met with} ( {Perhaps from a practical point of view it is better to choose} 42...Qa4 43.Kh1 Rxg2 $1 44.Rxg2 Rf1+ 45.Kh2 Qf4+ 46.Bg3 Qc1 {and force the opponent to give perpetual check with} 47.Qe8+ ) 43.Qe7+ Kf5 44.Qd7+ Qe6 45.Qg7 {when it seems as White finally makes it to the enemy king, which can still escape after} 45...e4 46.Qg4+ Ke5 47.Bg3+ Kf6 {there is a draw for White but hardly more.} ) 41...Rf3 $1 {The threat of mate in one is never a joke.} 42.Qd8+ {The best reply.} ( {Otherwise, the king would finally find peace with} 42.Qg4+ Kc7 43.Kh1 {whereas White's one will be under fire:} 43...Rf4 ( {Or Black may even search for an endgame once again with} 43...e4 $5 ) ) 42...Kc6 43.Bg3 ( {So is avoiding the rook trade, but as the clouds were gathering around his king, the move} 43.Rc1 $5 {made more sense. True, we have seen that the rook swap is not something that White was dreaming of previously, but here after} 43...Rxc1 44.Qc8+ Kb6 45.Qxc1 Rf4 46.Bg3 {both the white bishops perform extremely well in both defense and attack.} ) 43...Qe6 44.Rb1 {A blunder!} ( {The preliminary} 44.Kh1 {is mandatory. Then} 44...Rxg2 45.Kxg2 Rb3 46.Rc1+ Kb5 47.Qc7 Qd5+ 48.Kh2 Rb2+ 49.Rc2 Rxc2+ 50.Qxc2 {is pleasant for Black, but the computer claims he can hold.} ) 44...Rxg2+ 45.Kxg2 Rxg3+ {That is it. The rook on b1 is hanging; thus the game is over.} 0-1

[Event "Airthings Masters | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.12.31"]
[Round "15.1"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "B33"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "6807430900760"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

{Warning! This is the end of 2020, the most difficult year for chess so far. These analyses tend to summarize what happened during the whole year. They do not tend to represent the whole truth and are not advice to anyone. Read only on your own credentials. Happy New Year everyone, stay healthy!} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 {Radjabov has always have been one of the main (if not the best) Kalashnikov players.} 5.Nb5 d6 6.N1c3 a6 7.Na3 b5 8.Nd5 Nf6 {Now it all transposes to the Sveshnikov. It is interesting how the chess fashion changes with the reign of our kings. During the Karpov times, literally no one dared to try this line against the world champion (except for Dolmatov, and it all ended in an instructive demolition of the second player.) But now that both Gelfand and Carlsen tried this at WCC matches successfully, it has a reputation of an excellent opening. (Not that this would have changed Radjabov's mind on playing it, but still...)} 9.Bg5 Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c3 Bg5 12.Nc2 Rb8 13.h4 ( {White is better after:} 13.Be2 O-O 14.O-O Ne7 15.Ncb4 Bb7 16.Qd3 Ng6 17.g3 a5 18.Nc2 Bxd5 19.Qxd5 {So,W (2767)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2774) chess. com 2019} ) 13...Bh6 14.Be2 O-O 15.Bg4 Be6 {Black does not want to swap the light-squared bishops, except when it happens on the e6-square.} 16.Kf1 $146 ( {In an earlier game, Black did well after} 16.Ncb4 Nxb4 17.Nxb4 Qb6 18.O-O a5 19.Nd3 d5 20.Bxe6 Qxe6 21.Re1 Rbd8 {Sokolov,A (2632)-Calistri,T (2382) Montpellier 2006.} ) 16...Qd7 17.Bf5 {Nope, that is not a sacrifice.} 17...Kh8 ( {In case of} 17...Bxf5 $2 18.exf5 Qxf5 19.Ncb4 $1 {an accident on the e7-square is about to happen, no matter what.} ) 18.Qh5 Bxf5 19.exf5 {Finally the trade has been forced, but Black does not do too bad.} 19...f6 20.Rd1 a5 ( {Even better might be} 20...e4 $5 {in order to free the e5-point for the black knight. After} 21.Qg4 Rbe8 22.g3 Ne5 23.Qxe4 Nc4 {Black has good counterplay.} ) 21.Rh3 $1 {The rook enters the game in a conventional, French way.} 21...Rbe8 22.Rhd3 ( {Stronger is} 22.Na3 $1 Rb8 23.Qf3 b4 24.Nc4 bxc3 25.bxc3 {keeping control of the position.} ) 22...e4 $1 {Better late than never!} 23.Nxf6 {Either this is connected with calculation, or it's a very desperate move.} ( {White is indeed losing after} 23.Rh3 Re5 24.Kg1 $2 ( {However, after} 24.Nce3 Bxe3 25.Nxe3 Ne7 {the game remains unclear even after Black wins the f5-pawn.} ) 24...Rxf5 25.Qg4 Rxd5 26.Qxd7 Rxd1+ 27.Kh2 Ne5 28.Qf5 g6 29.Qxe4 d5 30.Qe2 Rd2 31.Qxb5 Rxc2 {and Black gains a lot of extra material.} ) 23...Rxf6 24.Rxd6 Rxf5 ( {The simple} 24...Rxd6 $1 25.Rxd6 Qc8 {would defend everything.} ) 25.Rxc6 $1 ( {Not} 25.Rxd7 Rxh5 ) 25...Rxf2+ $1 {A desperado.} ( {After} 25...Qxc6 26.Qxf5 Qc4+ {White has} 27.Ke1 $1 ( {Not the human} 27.Kg1 $2 Qe2 ) 27...e3 28.fxe3 Bxe3 29.Nxe3 Rxe3+ 30.Kd2 {and it is all unclear.} ) 26.Kxf2 Qxc6 27.Kg1 b4 {Black is close to winning, while he needs a draw to wrap up the match. This explains some of his future decisions.} 28.cxb4 axb4 29.Nxb4 Qb6+ 30.Kh1 Rf8 31.a3 ( {Objectively best is} 31.Nc2 Qxb2 32.Qf5 Qf6 33.Qxf6 gxf6 34.Re1 f5 35.g4 {which should be a draw.} ) 31...e3 ( {Missing the win:} 31...Qf2 $1 32.Qg4 Bf4 $1 {and Black will make it to the enemy king soon.} ( {is less decisive after} 32...e3 33.Nd3 Qc2 ) ) 32.Qe5 Qg6 33.Nd5 Qc2 34.Rg1 {A desperate winning attempt by Dubov.} ( {The Russian GM no doubt knew that} 34.Rd4 $1 Qxb2 35.Re4 Qxa3 36.Nxe3 Bxe3 37.Rxe3 {would be a draw, but the half-point would mean the loss of the match anyway.} ) 34...Qf2 35.Qe7 ( {Or} 35.Nc3 e2 $1 36.Nxe2 Be3 {winning.} ) 35...e2 36.Nc3 Bg5 $1 {Beautiful!} ( {Although neater would be the computer-generated} 36...g5 $3 37.g3 Qf3+ 38.Kh2 Qf1 ) 37.Qxg5 e1=Q 38.Rxe1 Qxe1+ 39.Kh2 h6 40.Qg3 Qc1 41.Qd6 Rf1 {This decision needs an explanation from the tournament situation. Radjabov does not object to the draw.} ( {If the Azeri GM needed the win, he would have chosen either} 41...Rc8 $1 ) ( {or} 41...Rg8 $1 ) 42.Qd8+ Kh7 43.Qd3+ Kh8 44.Ne4 {White commits a ritual suicide.} ( {Alas, Dubov is not helped with a draw:} 44.Qd8+ Kh7 45.Qd3+ ) 44...Rh1+ 45.Kg3 Qxb2 46.Qd8+ Kh7 47.Qd3 Qe5+ 48.Kg4 Qe6+ 49.Kf4 Rxh4+ 50.Ke3 Rg4 51.Kf3 Qf5+ 52.Ke3 Qf4+ 53.Kd4 Qd6+ 0-1

[Event "Airthings Masters | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.12.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[ECO "B31"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6529021386248"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Bxc6 bxc6 ( {Black's more common reply is:} 5...dxc6 ) 6.Re1 Nh6 ( {Carlsen's recent treatment of the line was} 6...Qc7 7.h3 d6 8.c3 Nf6 9.d4 cxd4 10.cxd4 O-O 11.Nc3 Bb7 12.e5 dxe5 13.dxe5 Rfd8 14.Qc2 Nd5 {as in Giri,A (2776)-Carlsen,M (2870) Kolkata 2019} ) 7.c3 O-O 8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 10.e5 f6 11.h3 fxe5 12.dxe5 ( {Apparently, both players were familiar with this miniature:} 12.Bxh6 Bxh6 13.Nxe5 Qb6 14.Re2 Rf4 15.Qc2 Bf5 ( 15...Ba6 $1 ) 16.Qxc6 Rc8 17.Qa4 Rxd4 18.Qa3 Rd1+ 19.Kh2 Bf4+ 20.g3 Bxe5 {0-1 (20) Maghsoodloo,P (2676) -Praggnanandhaa,R (2608) chess.com 2020} ) 12...c5 $146 ( {A novelty:} 12...Nf7 13.Nc3 Be6 14.Na4 Bf5 15.Nc5 Qb6 16.Qd4 Nd6 17.Bg5 Nb5 18.Qe3 Rae8 19.Rac1 {Garifullina, L (2132)-Buksa,N (2410) St Petersburg 2018} ) 13.b4 $1 {A powerful way to attack the (almost) hanging central pawns.} 13...cxb4 14.a3 d4 $1 {And a good practical decision by Dubov in return. The Russian GM brings out his light-squared bishop at the price of a pawn and forces his opponent into defense.} ( {He could have also defended patiently with} 14...bxa3 15.Bxa3 Nf7 {although White's compensation for the pawn is obvious.} ) 15.axb4 Bb7 16.Nbd2 ( {Black looks even more pleasant in the endgame after} 16.Qxd4 Bxf3 17.Qxd8 Raxd8 18.gxf3 Nf5 ) ( {Whereas in the line} 16.Nxd4 Qd5 17.Qb3 Nf5 18.Qxd5+ Bxd5 19.Nxf5 Rxf5 {it is the second player who has compensation for the pawn, thanks to his active pieces and the bishop pair.} ) 16...a5 17.Rxa5 Rxa5 18.bxa5 Qxa5 19.Nxd4 Nf5 {At the end of the day, Dubov sacrificed a pawn. In return he has brought back his knight into the game and developed his remaining pieces aggressively. Carlsen has to watch out.} 20.N4f3 ( {Otherwise, it will be more difficult to deal with the threats on the long diagonal after:} 20.Nxf5 Rxf5 21.Bb2 Qd5 ) 20...Qd5 21.Bb2 Bh6 22.e6 Rd8 23.Qe2 Qd3 {Forcing an endgame where all the pawns are on the same flank and where the exposed e6-pawn will be soon lost.} ( {There were other ways to treat the position, like:} 23...Rd6 $5 {In both cases Black would have enough for the pawn.} ) 24.Qxd3 Rxd3 25.Ne4 Bxe4 {The same strategy as before.} ( {However, a more convincing way is to activate the rook with} 25...Rb3 $5 26.Ba1 ( {Then the obvious} 26.Be5 {allows a nice tactical shot:} 26...Rxf3 $1 27.gxf3 Nh4 {with multiple forks coming.} ) 26...Bxe4 27.Rxe4 Rb1+ 28.Re1 Rxe1+ 29.Nxe1 Ng7 $10 {with an instant draw as the e6-pawn is not going anywhere.} ) 26.Rxe4 Bg7 27.Be5 Bxe5 28.Nxe5 Rd1+ 29.Kh2 Kg7 {Dubov is ready to pick up the pawn, but Carlsen keeps squeezing more water out of this stone.} 30.g4 Nd6 31.Re3 g5 32.Kg2 h6 33.Nc6 Kf6 34.Rf3+ $1 {Otherwise, Dubov would have selected Nd6-c8, defending the pawn on e7, and then he would have regained the one on e6 for free with the Rd1-d6xe6 maneuver.} 34...Kxe6 35.Re3+ Kf6 36.Nxe7 Nc4 37.Re4 Nd6 38.Re2 Rd3 39.Nc6 Nf7 {The beginning of a nice maneuver.} 40.Re3 Rd7 ( {The computer also claims a draw after} 40...Rxe3 41.fxe3 {but a human being with classical chess knowledge will never enter a knight endgame down a pawn when defending.} ) 41.Ra3 Nh8 $1 {The point. The knight finds the best outpost.} 42.Nb8 Rb7 43.Ra6+ Kg7 44.Nc6 Ng6 45.Nd4 Nh4+ $1 {The right square. From here the knight defends the vital f5-spot.} 46.Kg3 Rb1 {Time trouble starts to tell now.} ( {It would have been a draw after} 46...Rb4 47.Ne6+ Kf7 48.f4 Rb3+ 49.Kh2 Rb2+ ) 47.f4 $1 {Now Carlsen gets a realistic chance.} 47...Rg1+ 48.Kf2 Rg2+ 49.Kf1 Rd2 {The black pieces are active but vulnerable.} ( {No time to capture the pawn.} 49...gxf4 50.Nf5+ $1 ) 50.Ne6+ Kf7 ( {There is still a very slim path to salvation. The nonhuman move} 50...Kh8 $3 {could still save Black. He intends to build the "perpetuum mobile" defensive mechanism showed by Nimzowitsch and needs the knight on f3 to be left in peace. Then} 51.fxg5 {would not be a problem:} ( {White would most likely fight on with} 51.f5 {but there too the computer believes that he can survive, thanks to his active pieces with} 51...Kg8 ( {rather than} 51...Nf3 52.Ra3 ) ) 51...Nf3 $1 52.gxh6 ( {It is almost a draw after} 52.Ra3 Nxg5 ) 52...Nh2+ 53.Kg1 Nf3+ $10 {with perpetual.} ) 51.fxg5 Nf3 52.g6+ $1 {That's the problem with Black's king position.} 52...Ke7 ( {Alas, the king cannot step onto the sixth rank:} 52...Kxg6 53.Nd4+ ) 53.Ra3 Nh2+ 54.Ke1 {Carlsen defended everything and won after} 54...Rd6 55.Nf4 Kf6 56.Ke2 Rd7 57.Ra6+ Ke5 58.Nh5 1-0

[Event "Airthings Masters | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2020.12.28"]
[Round "11.5"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2020.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8045547552272"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 {At the end of the past century the Archangelsk became frequent guest of the top tournaments, mainly thanks to the efforts of Mr. "Fire on board" Shirov.} 7.a4 Rb8 8.c3 d6 9.d4 Bb6 10.axb5 axb5 11.Na3 O-O 12.Nxb5 Bg4 {The active position of the black pieces and the forcing nature of the play are tempting for any active player.} 13.Re1 ( {So deviates from an earlier game of his:} 13.Bc2 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Nh5 15.f4 Nxf4 16.Bxf4 exf4 17.Qg4 Ne7 18.Na3 c5 19.dxc5 Bxc5 20.b4 Bb6 21.Qxf4 Ng6 22.Qg3 d5 {which eventually ended in a draw, So,W (2770) -Caruana,F (2835) Lichess.org 2020} ) 13...Bxf3 14.gxf3 {White on his turn can aslo be satisfied with his extra pawn and solid center.} 14...Nh5 15.Kh1 Qf6 16.Be3 {An interesting choice by White. According to the Megabase, Black did spectacularly well in this line, never losing a game so far and scoring six wins!} ( {The other main direction is the wild line} 16.Rg1 exd4 ( {Or} 16...Nf4 17.Be3 Nd8 18.Na3 Nde6 19.Bxe6 Nxe6 20.dxe5 dxe5 21.Nc4 Bxe3 22.fxe3 Rb5 {as in the more recent game Macieja,B (2513)-Mulyar,M (2382) Greensboro 2019} ) 17.Bg5 Qe5 18.Bd5 dxc3 19.Bxc6 cxb2 20.Rb1 Bxf2 {which should be already determined by the machines, Nepomniachtchi,I (2733) -Shirov,A (2722) Wijk aan Zee 2011} ) 16...exd4 17.cxd4 Ba5 18.Rg1 Rxb5 19.Ba4 Rxb2 ( {Black obviously cannot keep the extra material:} 19...Rb6 20.Bxc6 ) 20.Bxc6 Bb6 21.Rg4 g6 $146 {A new and useful move. Dubov intends to bring the knight back into the game.} ( {Black held after} 21...Rb4 22.e5 dxe5 23.dxe5 Qe7 24.Qd5 ( {Perhaps So wanted to test the line} 24.Bg5 $5 Qxe5 25.Rxb4 Qxg5 ) 24...Bxe3 25.fxe3 g6 26.Rxb4 Qxb4 27.e6 Qc3 28.Rg1 Nf6 29.exf7+ Rxf7 30.Qe6 Kg7 {in Ivanchuk,V (2725)-Shirov,A (2700) Belgrade 1997} ) 22.f4 {Material is equal and White obviously needs to attack on the kingside, whereas his opponent will try to keep him busy in the center.} 22...Rb4 23.Ra4 Rxa4 24.Qxa4 Ng7 25.Bd5 {The first moment of the game in which So finally spends a bit of his time.} 25...Kh8 {A necessary prophylaxis.} ( 25...Ne6 {is met with} 26.f5 ) 26.h3 {A prophylactic move in return.} 26...Qe7 ( {Here} 26...Ne6 {already made sense, not fearing} 27.e5 Qf5 ) 27.f5 {Exposing the black king at once. The bishop pair together with the rook will form a powerful attacking unit.} 27...gxf5 28.exf5 Nxf5 29.Bg5 f6 30.Re4 {Both White's and Black's moves were obvious so far. But how could Dubov know how critical this moment is?} 30...Qg7 {An obvious move and a decisive mistake...} ( {The only move was} 30...Qd8 {when after} 31.Bd2 Ng7 32.Rf4 f5 33.Bc3 {the white bishops will be extremely strong, but Black also has his own ideas with} 33...Qg5 ) ( {Even the queen sacrifice} 30...fxg5 {was a better choice than the move in the game, although here after} 31.Rxe7 Nxe7 32.Be4 {White has good chances of converting his edge.} ) 31.Re8 $1 {Suddenly all the white pieces join forces against the enemy king. The combined attack is unstoppable.} 31...Ba7 {Dubov desperately tries to reject an access to the white queen of the back rank.} ( {Since otherwise} 31...fxg5 32.Qa8 {there is an accident happening there.} ) ( {Besides the doubling along the eighth rank, So has a much more powerful threat which is demonstrated after} 31...Nxd4 32.Rxf8+ Qxf8 33.Qe8 $3 {A sheer beauty!} 33...Qxe8 34.Bxf6# ) ( {Note that there is no time to open air for the king:} 31...h6 32.Qa8 Rxe8 33.Qxe8+ Kh7 34.Bxf6 Qxf6 35.Qg8# ) 32.Qd7 $3 {With these gentlemen around the queen can do whatever she likes.} 32...h6 ( {After} 32...Qxd7 {There is a pleasant choice between the rude} 33.Rxf8+ ( {and the more refined} 33.Bxf6+ Qg7 34.Rxf8# ) 33...Kg7 34.Rg8# ) ( {Whereas} 32...fxg5 33.Qc8 {once more highlights the weakness of the back rank.} ) 33.Qc8 ( {There was a an alternative mate:} 33.Rxf8+ Qxf8 34.Bxf6+ Qxf6 35.Qe8+ ) 33...Rxe8 34.Qxe8+ Kh7 35.Bxf6 $1 {A neat attack.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2021.01.16"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[ECO "D53"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7701954043442"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 Be7 {The QGD specialists Kramnik and Short often used this line, which means it cannot be bad for Black.} 7.cxd5 ( {It was great to see the return at least in online games of two living chess legends in the following game last year:} 7.e3 O-O 8.Bd3 c5 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Bxe7 Nxe7 11.O-O b6 12.Be4 Rb8 13.Rc1 Ba6 14.Re1 cxd4 15.Nxd4 Nc5 {when Black did not have any problems out of the opening in Lautier,J (2658) -Kramnik,V (2753) Chess.com 2020} ) 7...Nxd5 8.Bxe7 Qxe7 9.e4 {Now after the knight trade...} ( 9.Rc1 $5 ) 9...Nxc3 10.bxc3 O-O {...the position is similar to the Neo-Tarrasch Defense. It should be noted though that Carlsen has a lot of remarkable wins in this pawn structure (although he typically gets it from the Grunfeld Defense.)} 11.Bd3 c5 12.O-O cxd4 13.cxd4 b6 14.a4 $146 {A logical novelty. White frees himself of the isolated pawn and creates a weakness for the opponent instead.} ( {An earlier game saw White trading way too many pieces after} 14.Rc1 Nf6 15.Qe2 Bb7 16.Rfd1 Rac8 17.h3 Rfd8 18.Rxc8 Rxc8 19.e5 Nd5 20.Qe4 g6 21.Qg4 Kg7 22.Nh4 Qg5 23.Qxg5 hxg5 {Obolentseva,A (2324)-Girya,O (2456) Moscow 2019} ) 14...Bb7 15.a5 bxa5 16.Rxa5 Nf6 17.Re1 Rfd8 18.Qa1 {The world champion puts pressure on the queenside, but in reality he is waiting for a good moment to strike in the center.} 18...Qc7 $1 {A cool move by Firouzja. The pawn is not in danger.} 19.h3 ( {After} 19.Rxa7 Rxa7 20.Qxa7 {Black would regain it with a draw after} 20...Ra8 21.Qc5 Qxc5 22.dxc5 Rc8 ) 19...a6 20.Rc5 {Before doing anything concrete in the center, Carlsen tries a couple of other ideas.} ( {The breakthrough is already possible:} 20.d5 exd5 21.e5 Ne4 22.Nd4 {with compensation for the pawn, but the world champion waits for a better moment.} ) 20...Qf4 21.Re5 {Intending to trap the queen with g2-g3.} 21...Nd7 22.Ra5 Nf6 {Not much progress here. Then it is time for the standard break:} 23.d5 $1 exd5 24.e5 {The point behind the sacrifice. Diagonals and files are opened for the white pieces, as well as a fabulous outpost in the center.} 24...Ne4 {This diagonal should be locked.} 25.Qd4 {That is the difference with the similar line from above. Carlsen wants to gain a few tempi chasing the enemy queen backwards.} 25...Rdc8 {So far, Firouzja has defended well and now he threatens to swap a pair of rooks with Rc8-c1.} 26.Raa1 ( {Instead, White could have set a trap with} 26.Bf1 {since then} 26...Rc1 $2 {drops material due to} ( {However, Black can repeat the moves with} 26...Qf5 27.Bd3 Qf4 ) 27.g3 ) 26...a5 27.Rab1 Bc6 {Firouzja wants to keep his extra pawn.} ( {However, a more cautious player, like Peter Leko or Tigran Petrosian, might have chosen the relieving} 27...Ba6 $5 {Black gives back the pawn but successfully dries the game after} 28.Bxa6 Rxa6 29.Qxd5 Nc3 ( 29...Ng5 $5 {in order to swap the knights also makes perfect sense.} ) 30.Qd7 Qc4 31.Rb7 Qe6 {with a likely draw.} ) 28.e6 $1 {Carlsen is not shy to sacrifice a second pawn in return for another fabulous outpost and more initiative!} 28...fxe6 29.Ne5 Qf6 30.f3 ( {Apparently, White did not sacrifice a couple of pawns only to chicken out and go into defense after} 30.Bxe4 dxe4 31.Nxc6 Rxc6 32.Qxe4 Rca6 33.Ra1 ) 30...Ng5 31.Rb6 {Pushing the black pieces even further.} 31...Be8 32.Qe3 $1 {The most dangerous move for the second player.} ( {The more forcing option} 32.f4 Ne4 33.f5 {allows Black a chance to trade the queens with} ( {Once again} 33.Bxe4 dxe4 34.Qxe4 a4 {makes little sense for White.} ) 33...Qe7 $1 34.fxe6 ( {Or} 34.Rxe6 Qa7 $1 ( {But beware of the trap} 34...Qc5 $2 35.Rxe4 $1 dxe4 36.Rxe8+ $1 ) ) 34...Qc5 {and Black is safe.} ) 32...a4 {If you do not know what to do, why not promote a new queen?} ( {Instead:} 32...Nf7 {is not solidifying the position. It only helps White after} 33.Ng4 Qc3 34.Rxe6 ) 33.Ng4 Qd8 $1 {As expected, the machine is not impressed by White's play so far and promises a large advantage for the second player. Until Carlsen captures the pawn:} ( {Instead:} 33...Qe7 {would have forced Black into gloomy defense with} 34.h4 Nf7 35.Rxe6 {As:} 35...Qxh4 $4 {loses on the spot:} ( {Therefore, the ugly} 35...Qf8 {should be played, but White is definitely happier here.} ) 36.Rxe8+ Rxe8 37.Qxe8+ Rxe8 38.Rxe8# ) 34.Rxe6 $1 {Then all is re-evaluated...} ( {Now} 34.h4 {is not possible due to} 34...d4 35.Qf4 Nh3+ 36.gxh3 Qxb6 ) 34...Nxe6 35.Qxe6+ Bf7 {An automatic defense and a human instinct to bring more defenders around the king that loses on the spot!} ( {The only defense is} 35...Kh8 $1 {The point is that after} 36.Nxh6 {Black is not forced to take and has a chance to organize his defenders with} 36...Bh5 $3 37.Ng4 ( {Or else the pin saves the day after} 37.Re5 Rc1+ 38.Kh2 Qc7 ) 37...Qf8 {It seems as White has nothing better than} 38.Re5 {when Black even has a choice to go for the risky double-edged position with} 38...Rc1+ ( {Or he can practically force a draw instead with} 38...Qf7 39.Rxh5+ Qxh5 40.Ne5 Re8 {when White has a choice of perpetual checks but nothing more:} 41.Ng6+ ( {Or} 41.Nf7+ Kg8 42.Nh6+ Kh8 43.Nf7+ ) 41...Kh7 42.Nf4+ Kh8 ) 39.Kf2 Qf7 {and anything can still happen.} ) 36.Nxh6+ $1 {Of course!} 36...gxh6 37.Qxh6 {The light-squared bishop stands on the road of the black pieces and, therefore, he cannot survive.} 37...Qc7 {After this, mate is inevitable.} ( {More resilient is} 37...Rc7 38.Re5 Be8 39.Rg5+ Qxg5 40.Qxg5+ Kf8 {Although here too White should win, for instance after} 41.Qf4+ Rf7 42.Qd6+ Re7 43.Qf6+ Rf7 44.Qh8+ Ke7 45.Qe5+ Kf8 46.Qxd5 ) 38.Qh7+ Kf8 39.Qh8+ Bg8 40.Qh6+ {And Firouzja resigned, not waiting for the mate.} ( 40.Qh6+ Qg7 41.Qd6+ Kf7 42.Qe7# ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2021.01.16"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[ECO "D53"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7701954043442"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 Be7 {The QGD specialists Kramnik and Short often used this line, which means it cannot be bad for Black.} 7.cxd5 ( {It was great to see the return at least in online games of two living chess legends in the following game last year:} 7.e3 O-O 8.Bd3 c5 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Bxe7 Nxe7 11.O-O b6 12.Be4 Rb8 13.Rc1 Ba6 14.Re1 cxd4 15.Nxd4 Nc5 {when Black did not have any problems out of the opening in Lautier,J (2658) -Kramnik,V (2753) Chess.com 2020} ) 7...Nxd5 8.Bxe7 Qxe7 9.e4 {Now after the knight trade...} ( 9.Rc1 $5 ) 9...Nxc3 10.bxc3 O-O {...the position is similar to the Neo-Tarrasch Defense. It should be noted though that Carlsen has a lot of remarkable wins in this pawn structure (although he typically gets it from the Grunfeld Defense.)} 11.Bd3 c5 12.O-O cxd4 13.cxd4 b6 14.a4 {N A logical novelty. White frees himself of the isolated pawn and creates a weakness for the opponent instead.} ( {An earlier game saw White trading way too many pieces after} 14.Rc1 Nf6 15.Qe2 Bb7 16.Rfd1 Rac8 17.h3 Rfd8 18.Rxc8 Rxc8 19.e5 Nd5 20.Qe4 g6 21.Qg4 Kg7 22.Nh4 Qg5 23.Qxg5 hxg5 {Obolentseva,A (2324)-Girya,O (2456) Moscow 2019} ) 14...Bb7 15.a5 bxa5 16.Rxa5 Nf6 17.Re1 Rfd8 18.Qa1 {The world champion puts pressure on the queenside, but in reality he is waiting for a good moment to strike in the center.} 18...Qc7 $1 {A cool move by Firouzja. The pawn is not in danger.} 19.h3 ( {After} 19.Rxa7 Rxa7 20.Qxa7 {Black would regain it with a draw after} 20...Ra8 21.Qc5 Qxc5 22.dxc5 Rc8 ) 19...a6 20.Rc5 {Before doing anything concrete in the center, Carlsen tries a couple of other ideas.} ( {The breakthrough is already possible:} 20.d5 exd5 21.e5 Ne4 22.Nd4 {with compensation for the pawn, but the world champion waits for a better moment.} ) 20...Qf4 21.Re5 {Intending to trap the queen with g2-g3.} 21...Nd7 22.Ra5 Nf6 {Not much progress here. Then it is time for the standard break:} 23.d5 $1 exd5 24.e5 {The point behind the sacrifice. Diagonals and files are opened for the white pieces, as well as a fabulous outpost in the center.} 24...Ne4 {This diagonal should be locked.} 25.Qd4 {That is the difference with the similar line from above. Carlsen wants to gain a few tempi chasing the enemy queen backwards.} 25...Rdc8 {So far, Firouzja has defended well and now he threatens to swap a pair of rooks with Rc8-c1.} 26.Raa1 ( {Instead, White could have set a trap with} 26.Bf1 {since then} 26...Rc1 $2 {drops material due to} ( {However, Black can repeat the moves with} 26...Qf5 27.Bd3 Qf4 ) 27.g3 ) 26...a5 27.Rab1 Bc6 {Firouzja wants to keep his extra pawn.} ( {However, a more cautious player, like Peter Leko or Tigran Petrosian, might have chosen the relieving} 27...Ba6 $5 {Black gives back the pawn but successfully dries the game after} 28.Bxa6 Rxa6 29.Qxd5 Nc3 ( 29...Ng5 $5 {in order to swap the knights also makes perfect sense.} ) 30.Qd7 Qc4 31.Rb7 Qe6 {with a likely draw.} ) 28.e6 $1 {Carlsen is not shy to sacrifice a second pawn in return for another fabulous outpost and more initiative!} 28...fxe6 29.Ne5 Qf6 30.f3 ( {Apparently, White did not sacrifice a couple of pawns only to chicken out and go into defense after} 30.Bxe4 dxe4 31.Nxc6 Rxc6 32.Qxe4 Rca6 33.Ra1 ) 30...Ng5 31.Rb6 {Pushing the black pieces even further.} 31...Be8 32.Qe3 $1 {The most dangerous move for the second player.} ( {The more forcing option} 32.f4 Ne4 33.f5 {allows Black a chance to trade the queens with} ( {Once again} 33.Bxe4 dxe4 34.Qxe4 a4 {makes little sense for White.} ) 33...Qe7 $1 34.fxe6 ( {Or} 34.Rxe6 Qa7 $1 ( {But beware of the trap} 34...Qc5 $2 35.Rxe4 $1 dxe4 36.Rxe8+ $1 ) ) 34...Qc5 {and Black is safe.} ) 32...a4 {If you do not know what to do, why not promote a new queen?} ( {Instead:} 32...Nf7 {is not solidifying the position. It only helps White after} 33.Ng4 Qc3 34.Rxe6 ) 33.Ng4 Qd8 $1 {As expected, the machine is not impressed by White's play so far and promises a large advantage for the second player. Until Carlsen captures the pawn:} ( {Instead:} 33...Qe7 {would have forced Black into gloomy defense with} 34.h4 Nf7 35.Rxe6 {As:} 35...Qxh4 $4 {loses on the spot:} ( {Therefore, the ugly} 35...Qf8 {should be played, but White is definitely happier here.} ) 36.Rxe8+ Rxe8 37.Qxe8+ Rxe8 38.Rxe8# ) 34.Rxe6 $1 {Then all is re-evaluated...} ( {Now} 34.h4 {is not possible due to} 34...d4 35.Qf4 Nh3+ 36.gxh3 Qxb6 ) 34...Nxe6 35.Qxe6+ Bf7 {An automatic defense and a human instinct to bring more defenders around the king that loses on the spot!} ( {The only defense is} 35...Kh8 $1 {The point is that after} 36.Nxh6 {Black is not forced to take and has a chance to organize his defenders with} 36...Bh5 $3 37.Ng4 ( {Or else the pin saves the day after} 37.Re5 Rc1+ 38.Kh2 Qc7 ) 37...Qf8 {It seems as White has nothing better than} 38.Re5 {when Black even has a choice to go for the risky double-edged position with} 38...Rc1+ ( {Or he can practically force a draw instead with} 38...Qf7 39.Rxh5+ Qxh5 40.Ne5 Re8 {when White has a choice of perpetual checks but nothing more:} 41.Ng6+ ( {Or} 41.Nf7+ Kg8 42.Nh6+ Kh8 43.Nf7+ ) 41...Kh7 42.Nf4+ Kh8 ) 39.Kf2 Qf7 {and anything can still happen.} ) 36.Nxh6+ $1 {Of course!} 36...gxh6 37.Qxh6 {The light-squared bishop stands on the road of the black pieces and, therefore, he cannot survive.} 37...Qc7 {After this, mate is inevitable.} ( {More resilient is} 37...Rc7 38.Re5 Be8 39.Rg5+ Qxg5 40.Qxg5+ Kf8 {Although here too White should win, for instance after} 41.Qf4+ Rf7 42.Qd6+ Re7 43.Qf6+ Rf7 44.Qh8+ Ke7 45.Qe5+ Kf8 46.Qxd5 ) 38.Qh7+ Kf8 39.Qh8+ Bg8 40.Qh6+ {And Firouzja resigned, not waiting for the mate.} ( 40.Qh6+ Qg7 41.Qd6+ Kf7 42.Qe7# ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2021.01.18"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "5571512130129"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteClock "0:39:17"]
[BlackClock "0:37:00"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {Challenging Caruana on his own territory, and this is not for the first time! The American GM basically paved his way for the WWC holding the black color in Berlin Candidates with the Petroff, whereas the Polish GM has the defense as a major part of his repertoire.} 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 {The sharpest reply against the Petroff.} 5...Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Be3 Nd7 8.Qd2 O-O 9.O-O-O Nf6 10.Bd3 ( {Duda did well in an earlier game last year after:} 10.h4 c5 11.Bg5 Be6 12.a3 d5 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Ng5 c4 15.Be2 Qb6 16.Qe3 Qxe3+ 17.fxe3 Bxg5 18.hxg5 f6 19.gxf6 Rxf6 {Karjakin,S (2752) -Duda,J (2757) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 10...c5 {[#]} 11.Rhg1 $146 {A novelty. And a venomous one. White is ready to advance the g-pawn.} ( {Prior to this game the theoretical highway was:} 11.Rhe1 Be6 {Last year both players discussed the consequences of:} 12.a3 ( {Whereas before that Caruana successfully defended the black color in a game from the world championship match after:} 12.Kb1 Qa5 13.c4 Qxd2 14.Bxd2 h6 15.Nh4 Rfe8 16.Ng6 Ng4 17.Nxe7+ Rxe7 18.Re2 Ne5 {Carlsen,M (2835)-Caruana,F (2832) London 2018} ) 12...c4 13.Bf1 Ne4 14.Qe2 d5 15.Bd4 b5 16.Nd2 Nd6 17.g3 Re8 18.Bg2 Nf5 {Caruana,F (2823)-Duda,J (2743) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 11...b5 {After some reflection, Duda answers in the most aggressive way.} ( {In the future more careful measures like:} 11...Re8 $5 {will be tested.} ) 12.g4 {Caruana does not mind the bollocks.} ( {Who would ever need a pawn like this:} 12.Bxb5 $6 Qa5 13.Bc4 d5 ) 12...Bb7 ( {Or a pawn like that:} 12...Nxg4 13.Bh6 f5 14.h3 Nxh6 15.Qxh6 Bf6 {With strong attack for White after both:} 16.Nh4 ( {Or:} 16.Bxb5 ) ) ( {Whereas after:} 12...Bxg4 13.Bh6 {Black needs to sacrifice the exchange in order to stay in the game:} 13...g6 $1 ( {As:} 13...Bxf3 {leads to a spectacular mate after:} 14.Rxg7+ Kh8 15.Qg5 {With the threat of Rg7xh7!} 15...Rg8 16.Qxf6 $1 {and mate.} ) ) 13.Qe2 c4 {This seems dangerous, but the white pieces are far more resilient than they seem.} 14.Bf5 Re8 ( 14...g6 {does not create a threat due to:} 15.Nd4 $1 gxf5 16.g5 Nd5 17.Nxf5 {and the machine claims winning attack for White.} ) 15.Nd4 {Finally some thought by Caruana.} 15...Nd5 {Provocation? Or more likely a blunder?} ( 15...g6 {is suggested by the engine, although this seems very dangerous for Black as well.} ) 16.Ne6 $3 {The brilliant point behind White's play. All the white pieces make perfect sense now. Black needs to walk his way through on a very thin road now, on the edge of the abyss. And there is a strong, cold wind blowing...} 16...Qa5 {The only move which Duda played after more than half an hour on the clock. A clear sign that he missed the opponent's last move (or something afterwards).} ( {Obviously:} 16...fxe6 17.Bxe6+ Kh8 18.Bxd5 {cannot be recommended for the second player.} ) 17.Qf3 $1 {Now everything hangs, and nothing can be taken! Let's try to understand what's happening.} 17...Bf6 $1 {A sign for the courage. "It is not mate if I mate you first."} ( {To start with:} 17...fxe6 $2 18.Bxe6+ Kh8 19.Bxd5 {still does not make sense for Black.} ) ( {The other piece capture:} 17...Nxe3 $2 {is best refuted with:} 18.Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 19.Qxf7 Bf6 20.Rg3 $1 {When the only defense:} 20...Bg2 {fails short after:} 21.g5 $1 ( {Or also:} 21.fxe3 ) ) ( {What if Black is more modest (materially) and tries to chase the enemy king instead with:} 17...Qxa2 $2 {Well, then still the same sacrifice:} 18.Bxh7+ Kxh7 19.Qxf7 Bf6 20.Rg3 {is even worse for Black.} ) ( {However, a couple of hours and the help of the engines were not quite enough for me to determine the consequences of:} 17...Nxc3 $3 {Then White's only chance to play for the advantage seems to be:} 18.Qxb7 {Now Black needs to choose wisely and:} ( {As the killer sacrifice from above with:} 18.Bxh7+ {does not win this time as in the line:} 18...Kxh7 19.Qxf7 Bf6 20.Rg3 {Black has the resource:} 20...Ne2+ 21.Kb1 Nxg3 {Even this position is extremely interesting to analyze as there are myriad of options for both sides, but the impression is that it should be a raw after:} 22.g5 Bxb2 $1 23.Rd4 $3 ( {But not:} 23.Kxb2 Qb4+ 24.Ka1 Qc3+ 25.Kb1 Be4 {when Black defends successfully and decides the counterattack.} ) 23...Bxd4 24.g6+ Kh8 25.Bxd4 Qe1+ 26.Kb2 Qb4+ $10 {with perpetual.} ) 18...Nxa2+ $1 {is the best choice.} ( {For comparison:} 18...Nxd1 {Does not seem dangerous at a glance, but the line:} 19.Rxd1 fxe6 20.Bxe6+ Kh8 $1 ( {Otherwise:} 20...Kf8 21.Qf3+ Bf6 22.g5 Rxe6 23.Qxa8+ Re8 24.Qf3 {Black loses a piece.} ) 21.Bf7 Qxa2 22.Bxe8 Rxe8 23.Qd7 Qa1+ 24.Kd2 Qa5+ 25.c3 Qd8 26.Qxb5 {leads to a large advantage for White.} ) 19.Kb1 Nb4 {White has won a piece and:} 20.Nc7 {Seems to finish the job, but:} 20...Reb8 {Not only saves the rook, it brings more pieces into the attack. Computer is super-excited about the move:} 21.Qe4 {Until you ask it what do you do after:} ( {Therefore, White needs to opt for:} 21.Qf3 $1 Qxc7 {Black could not completely solidify his position; the sacrifice is still possible:} ( {Here:} 21...c3 22.bxc3 Na2 {is spectacularly refuted with:} 23.Bxh7+ $3 ( {The move order cannot be changed:} 23.Nd5 b4 24.cxb4 Nxb4 25.Nxe7+ {As now Black can hide the king.} 25...Kh8 {Mate looks inevitable for White; however, there is a brilliant interference sacrifice:} ( {But not:} 25...Kf8 26.Be6 $1 ) 26.Bb6 $3 {When anything is still possible:} 26...Qxb6 ( 26...axb6 27.Qc3 ) 27.Kc1 d5 {and either player can still win.} ) 23...Kxh7 24.Nd5 {The main point is that in the line:} 24...b4 $2 ( {Perhaps Black should try here:} 24...Nxc3+ 25.Nxc3 Qb4+ 26.Kc1 Qxc3 27.Qe4+ Kg8 28.Qxe7 {although the extra piece should decide eventually.} ) 25.Qf5+ Kh8 26.Qh5+ Kg8 27.Nxe7+ {picking up the queen on the opposite wing!} ) 22.Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 23.Qxf7 {With strong attack once more for White. For example:} 23...Qb7 ( {Or:} 23...Rf8 24.Qh5+ Kg8 25.g5 $1 Rf5 26.Qh3 $1 Qc8 27.g6 {and White's attack should decide.} ) 24.Qf5+ Kg8 25.Qe6+ Kf8 26.Rg3 $1 Bh4 27.Rh3 Qe7 28.Qg6 {The attack is more important than the piece.} ) 21...c3 $3 {It transpires that Black has the winning attack after:} 22.bxc3 Na2 $1 23.Bd4 b4 ) 18.g5 $3 {I am faster, thinks Caruana. The move in the game deprives Black of some extra possibilities.} ( {For instance:} 18.Bxh7+ Kxh7 19.g5 Bxc3 {transposes to the game.} ( {But it also allows an additional option for Black:} 19...Rxe6 {True, it does not seem to work after:} 20.gxf6 Rxf6 21.Qh5+ Kg8 22.Rxd5 Bxd5 {As White has the fantastic resource:} 23.Bd4 $3 ( {But not the obvious:} 23.Qxd5 Re8 24.Bd4 Qxa2 25.Kd2 Rfe6 {when White needs to force a draw with:} 26.Rxg7+ Kf8 27.Rxf7+ Kxf7 28.Qf3+ $10 {and perpetual.} ) 23...Qxa2 24.Kd2 $3 {with mating attack.} ) ) ( {And the obvious capture:} 18.Rxd5 Rxe6 $1 ( 18...Qxa2 $5 ) 19.Bxh7+ Kf8 20.Kb1 Rae8 21.g5 {promises White compensation, but the game remains unclear.} ) 18...Bxc3 {The only move.} ( {Everything else loses, like:} 18...Qxa2 19.Bxh7+ Kxh7 20.Qh5+ Kg8 21.gxf6 Nxf6 22.Rxg7# ) ( {Or a sweeter mate in the line:} 18...Nxc3 19.gxf6 $1 Bxf3 20.Rxg7+ Kh8 21.Rxh7+ Kg8 22.Rg1+ ) 19.Bxh7+ $1 {This was to be expected.} 19...Kxh7 ( {The king cannot lure behind the bishop:} 19...Kh8 20.Qh5 Bxb2+ 21.Kxb2 Qb4+ 22.Kc1 Qa3+ 23.Kd2 Qb4+ 24.Ke2 Nc3+ 25.Kf1 Bf3 26.Qxf3 Nxd1 27.Qxd1 {as White's attack will continue for free.} ) 20.g6+ $1 {Further exposing the black king.} 20...fxg6 21.Ng5+ Kh8 {It seems that Black's turn had come, and he will start his own checks on the dark squares. But Caruana had seen it all.} ( {Or else it is even worse:} 21...Kg8 22.Qf7+ Kh8 23.Qxg6 ) 22.Bd4 $3 {Fantastique! The bishop defends the white king, threatens with mate on g7, and if it is taken it would be replaced by the white rook. What more can we say to promote the centralization!} ( {Duda obviously checked the other forcing moves and had no fear of them:} 22.Rxd5 {should be met with:} 22...Bxd5 $1 ( {But beware of the wolf. Sorry, rook:} 22...Qxa2 $2 {would lose to:} 23.Qh3+ Kg8 24.Qh7+ Kf8 25.Rf5+ $1 {That's why such rooks should not be left on board! White is winning in all the lines:} 25...Ke7 ( 25...gxf5 26.bxc3 $1 Qa1+ 27.Kd2 Qxg1 28.Qh8+ Ke7 29.Qxg7+ Kd8 {Now the neatest win is:} 30.Qxb7 $3 ( 30.Nf7+ Ke7 {is not as clear.} ) 30...Rxe3 31.Qxa8+ Ke7 32.Qxa7+ Kf6 33.Qf7+ $1 $18 {picking up the queen.} ) ( 25...Bf6 26.Rxf6+ gxf6 27.Qf7# ) ) 23.Qxd5 Qxa2 {White has a perpetual, but hardly anything else:} 24.Nf7+ Kg8 25.Ng5+ $10 ) ( {Another perpetual cannot be avoided in the line:} 22.Qh3+ Kg8 23.Qh7+ Kf8 24.Qxg6 Bxb2+ 25.Kxb2 Qb4+ 26.Kc1 Qa3+ 27.Kd2 Qc3+ 28.Kc1 ( {Since:} 28.Ke2 $4 Nf4+ {drops the queen.} ) ) ( {The last obvious capture:} 22.bxc3 Qa3+ 23.Kd2 Qxc3+ 24.Kc1 {also leads to a draw:} ( {As once more White cannot deviate with:} 24.Ke2 $2 Qxc2+ 25.Rd2 Nc3+ ) 24...Qa1+ ) 22...Bxd4 $1 {The right choice.} ( {There is no time to bother the enemy king:} 22...Qxa2 $2 23.Qh3+ Kg8 24.Qh7+ Kf8 25.Qxg7# {as the white bishop decisively supports her majesty.} ) 23.Rxd4 Nf6 $3 {Brilliant defense by Duda. In the sharp time-scramble that occurred, the Polish GM squeezed every little chance he could get.} ( {No other option is promising chances of survival:} 23...Qxa2 24.Rh4+ Kg8 25.Qf7# ) ( {Neither does:} 23...Re1+ 24.Rxe1 Qxe1+ 25.Rd1 {save Black.} ) 24.Qxb7 Rab8 25.Qf7 Re1+ {Diverting the white rook from the mating fourth rank.} ( {Otherwise, mate again:} 25...Qxa2 $2 26.Rh4+ Nh5 27.Qxg6 ) 26.Rd1 $1 ( {Not:} 26.Rxe1 $2 {which allows Black a chance to bring back his queen into the defense:} 26...Qxe1+ 27.Rd1 Qxf2 28.Qxg6 Qe3+ 29.Kb1 Qe8 $1 $10 ) 26...Rxg1 ( {Rejecting:} 26...Rxd1+ 27.Kxd1 {that makes things worse for Black.} ) 27.Rxg1 Re8 $1 {Threats and only threats can leave Black chances.} ( {After the obvious:} 27...Qxa2 {White wins, thanks to the neat:} 28.Rg3 $1 ( {Leko's} 28.Qxg6 {should also do.} ) 28...Qa1+ 29.Kd2 Qxb2 30.Rh3+ Nh5 31.Qxg6 Qd4+ 32.Ke1 {and the king escapes the checks.} ) 28.Ne6 $1 {And White needs to create threats, or else he risks to be mated too.} ( {As in the line:} 28.c3 Qxa2 29.Qxg6 Qa1+ 30.Kc2 Re2# ) 28...Rxe6 29.Qxe6 Qxa2 {The forced play is almost over. After a two-time repetition to gain a couple of minutes on the clock:} 30.Qh3+ Kg8 31.Qe6+ Kh7 32.Qh3+ Kg8 33.Qa3 {Caruana forces the trade of the queens. The arising endgame seems won for White as the long-ranged rook is especially superior to the short-legged knight in these endgames.} 33...Qxa3 34.bxa3 {Next both centralized their kings.} 34...Kf7 35.Kd2 a6 36.Ke3 Nd5+ 37.Kd4 Ne7 38.Re1 {And the time-trouble started to tell!} ( {White had excellent winning chances after:} 38.a4 $1 Ke6 ( {Worse is:} 38...Nc6+ 39.Kd5 Nb4+ 40.Kxd6 Nxc2 41.axb5 axb5 42.Kc5 c3 43.Rc1 $1 {and White should win.} ) 39.axb5 axb5 40.Rb1 ( {Or perhaps even better:} 40.Rg5 Nf5+ 41.Kc3 Kf6 42.Rg1 {in order to try and overextend the enemy defenders.} ) 40...Nc6+ 41.Kc3 d5 42.Rxb5 g5 {It is not yet clear though, but White has good chances.} ) 38...Ke8 $1 39.a4 ( {Here a most difficult maneuver:} 39.Re4 $1 Kd7 40.Rf4 Nf5+ 41.Kc3 Kc6 42.Kb4 {could have kept White's chances alive.} ) 39...Kd7 40.axb5 axb5 41.Rg1 ( {Nothing seems to yield:} 41.Kc3 Nd5+ 42.Kd2 Ne7 ) 41...Kc6 {Duda managed to consolidate his pieces in the time trouble, and his knight will soon start working amazingly well.} 42.h4 ( {After:} 42.Rg5 d5 43.c3 Nf5+ 44.Ke5 Kc5 45.Rxg6 {Black has the key idea:} 45...d4 $1 46.cxd4+ Nxd4 {and it might be White who is risking now.} ) 42...Nf5+ 43.Kc3 Nxh4 44.Kb4 Nf3 $1 {The excellent knight saves the day.} 45.Rxg6 Nd4 46.c3 ( {Or:} 46.Kc3 Kc5 47.Rxg7 b4+ 48.Kb2 Kd5 {and Black should be fine.} ) 46...Ne2 47.Rxg7 Nf4 48.Ka5 {Resigning to the draw.} ( 48.Ka3 {should not have changed anything, though} 48...Ne2 49.Kb2 d5 ) 48...Ne2 49.Kb4 Nf4 50.Ka5 Ne2 51.Kb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2021.01.19"]
[Round "4.7"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "6602438520895"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Ne7 6.c3 ( {Firouzja also faced} 6.O-O h6 7.a4 Nd7 8.a5 Qc7 9.c3 g5 10.b4 Bg7 11.Nbd2 O-O 12.Nb3 f6 13.exf6 Bxf6 14.Nc5 Ng6 {as in Grischuk,A (2777)-Firouzja,A (2749) Online 2020} ) 6...Ng6 7.O-O Nd7 8.Ne1 {Probably the most important maneuver in the Advance Caro-Kann. White is ready to bring his pawns into motion.} 8...h5 9.Be3 Qb6 10.b3 f6 $1 $146 {A sharp novelty by the young prodigy. Black sacrifices a pawn but destroys the enemy center.} ( {An earlier game saw a quick draw after} 10...h4 11.Nd3 ( {However,} 11.a4 $5 {might have been an improvement for White.} ) 11...c5 12.dxc5 Qc7 13.b4 Ngxe5 14.Nxe5 Qxe5 15.Bd4 Qc7 16.c4 dxc4 17.Bxc4 h3 18.g3 Qc6 19.f3 {1/2-1/2 (19) Khairullin,I (2543)-Grigoriants,S (2582) Moscow 2006} ) 11.Bxh5 {Principled.} 11...fxe5 12.g4 {Sharp and risky play by Tari in return.} ( {More solid looks} 12.Bxg6+ Bxg6 13.dxe5 {although then after} 13...Qd8 $1 14.Nf3 Bh5 {White has problems with his pinned knight, True, he can slowly defend it and free the queen with, say:} 15.Bf4 Be7 16.Nbd2 O-O 17.Bg3 {but Black should have a lot for the pawn after something like} 17...Qe8 {followed by Qe8-g6. Two bishops, strong center, and open files and diagonals should suffice.} ) 12...Rxh5 $1 {The only move.} ( 12...Be4 13.Nd2 {would lose a lot of material.} ) 13.gxh5 Nf4 {The pawn sacrifice transformed into an exchange sacrifice. The permanently weakened white king, and especially the weak light squares around it, promise Firouzja a long-lasting initiative. An important detail is that both players started to think on their own immediately after the novelty.} 14.dxe5 ( {After} 14.Bxf4 exf4 15.Nf3 {Black has a lot of excellent options:} ( {Or} 15.Qf3 Bd6 ) 15...Qd8 {in order to bring the queen on f6 is the computer's first choice.} ( {Although normal developing moves like} 15...Nf6 ) ( {Or} 15...Be7 {should be good for Black as well.} ) ) 14...Nh3+ 15.Kg2 ( 15.Kh1 {is weaker as it defends neither the f2-pawn nor the f1-rook, and a line like this:} 15...Bc5 16.Bxc5 Nxc5 17.Qd4 Qa6 {will expose those flaws.} ) 15...c5 {Black opens the long diagonal and intends to profit from the light squares as soon as possible.} ( {Although} 15...Bc5 $5 {is also interesting with a strong position for the second player after, say:} 16.Bxc5 Qxc5 17.Qd4 Qe7 18.f4 O-O-O {followed by a kingside attack.} ) 16.f4 Qc6 17.Nf3 {Tari correctly finishes his development and shields the king.} ( {Black's only problem could be the knight on the rim. However, an instant operation to surround it} 17.Kg3 O-O-O 18.Nf3 Be7 19.Nh4 $2 {would be overly optimistic. No wonder that Black has a way to exploit it:} 19...Bxh4+ 20.Kxh4 {And a brilliant one:} 20...d4 $1 21.cxd4 g5+ $3 22.fxg5 Qe4+ {winning.} ) 17...O-O-O 18.Nbd2 {Both sides have almost completed development; it is time to place the pieces more concretely.} 18...Nb6 $1 {A very smart idea that intends d5-d4 followed by the Nb6-d5! jump.} ( {Black could have prepared the advance with the prophylactic move} 18...Kb8 {although then White can also do something similar, like} 19.Kg3 $5 Be7 20.Rc1 {True, Black's position looks more promising after} ( {We already know what happens in case of} 20.Nh4 Bxh4+ 21.Kxh4 d4 $1 ) 20...Rg8 {here too.} ) 19.Qe1 ( {Another way to chase the knight on h3 could be} 19.Kg3 Be7 20.Ng5 {Not winning, but at least getting rid of the intruder. But then his brother would have joined in:} 20...Nxg5 21.fxg5 d4 22.cxd4 Nd5 23.Nc4 b5 {and this mess once again looks promising for Black.} ) 19...Be7 {Final preparation.} ( {However,} 19...d4 $1 {would have been even more promising:} 20.cxd4 Nd5 21.Rc1 Nhxf4+ 22.Bxf4 Nxf4+ 23.Kh1 Nd3 {with an edge for Black.} ) 20.Rc1 {Tari adds more and more pressure on the c-file in vain, trying to prevent the central breakthrough.} ( {It makes sense, however, to step away from the possible checks with} 20.Kh1 $5 {Then a sample line runs} 20...d4 21.cxd4 Nd5 22.Nc4 Nhxf4 23.Bxf4 Nxf4 24.Nd6+ Bxd6 25.exd6 Rxd6 26.Qe5 Rxd4 {when it is unclear.} ) 20...d4 $1 {Firouzja's powerful and logical play is impressive.} 21.cxd4 Nd5 22.Nc4 {Now Tari steps on the edge.} ( {Here} 22.Kh1 $1 {is mandatory. Then} 22...Nhxf4 23.Bxf4 Nxf4 24.Qe3 Nd3 25.Rc4 Kb8 26.dxc5 Bxc5 27.Rxc5 Nxc5 28.Kg1 {would be approximately equal!} ) 22...Ndxf4+ 23.Bxf4 ( {White cannot retreat any more:} 23.Kh1 Nd3 24.Qg3 {because of the powerful} 24...Qe4 $1 ( {Worse is} 24...Nxc1 25.Rxc1 Qe4 26.Rc3 {when White can defend.} ) 25.dxc5 Nxc1 26.Bxc1 ( {The multiple pins decide the outcome of the game after} 26.Rxc1 $2 Bg4 27.Kg2 Rd3 ) 26...Bxc5 {and Black completely dominates.} ) 23...Nxf4+ 24.Kg1 $1 {This square is the right one now.} ( {White has no survival chances after} 24.Kh1 Nd3 25.Qe3 ( {Nothing changes} 25.Qg3 Nxc1 26.Rxc1 Rxd4 ) 25...Nxc1 26.Rxc1 Rxd4 {and White's king won't last for long.} ) 24...Bg4 {Continuing the light-squared strategy.} ( {White's idea is revealed in the line} 24...Nd3 25.Qg3 Nxc1 26.Rxc1 {when the d4-pawn survives.} ) ( {Therefore,} 24...Rxd4 $1 {is called for, with the main point} 25.Nd6+ Bxd6 26.exd6 Nh3+ 27.Kg2 Rg4+ 28.Kxh3 Qxd6 $3 {with an inevitable, decisive discovered check.} ( {Although the prosaic} 28...Re4+ 29.Kg3 Qxd6+ 30.Kf2 Rxe1 {should also suffice.} ) ) 25.Rc3 ( {After} 25.Ncd2 {Black has a pleasant choice of what to take. Multiple good options:} 25...Bxh5 $1 ( 25...Nd3 $1 26.Qg3 Nxc1 27.Rxc1 Bxh5 ) ( 25...Rxd4 $1 ) ) 25...Rxd4 26.Nd6+ $1 {Tari also opens his pieces. Things are heating up, but the lack of time will soon start to tell.} 26...Kb8 {In return, Firouzja keeps his bishop.} ( {There is also} 26...Bxd6 27.exd6 {when} 27...Nh3+ $1 {keeps strong initiative for Black.} ( {The check is better than the capture} 27...Qxd6 28.Qe3 ) ) 27.Qe3 Bg5 $1 {Loading a powerful discovered-check mechanism. This is why Black kept this bishop alive.} ( {After} 27...Bxh5 28.Kf2 Nh3+ 29.Kg3 Nf4 30.Kf2 {the white king finally escapes the risky zone.} ) 28.Rxc5 {The queen is deflected from the long diagonal, but...} ( 28.Kh1 $3 {is the only chance.} ) 28...Qxc5 {The other diagonal turns to be a great one too.} 29.Nxg5 {The culmination of the game. With seconds on the clock, Black has opted for the obvious check:} ( 29.Nxd4 {loses on the spot to} 29...Ne2+ ) 29...Ne2+ {And a draw. And what a pity!} ( {Firouzja did not have the time to spot the brilliancy} 29...Be2 $3 {In the main line of the combination, Black sacrifices both his light pieces:} 30.Rxf4 ( {Another brilliant line is} 30.Re1 Rd1 31.Qxc5 Rxe1+ 32.Kf2 Nd3+ {when ironically, the game is decided by the knight that is no longer dim!} ) ( 30.Rf2 {leads to mate:} 30...Rd1+ ) ( {Whereas if the rook goes too far:} 30.Rc1 Rd1+ 31.Kf2 Nd3+ {decides.} ) 30...Rd1+ 31.Kf2 Rf1+ 32.Kxe2 {And then the rook:} 32...Re1+ $1 {To regain everything back with huge interest:} 33.Kxe1 Qxe3+ ) ( {The machine also states that} 29...Qb6 $1 {is close to a win, but this is far more complicated and far less clear:} 30.Kh1 Bh3 31.Nxh3 Qc6+ 32.Qf3 {Now a beauty:} 32...Rd1 $3 {is answered by another beauty:} 33.Ne4 $1 Rxf1+ 34.Qxf1 Qxe4+ 35.Kg1 {and White has chances to survive.} ) 30.Kg2 {Draw agreed.} ( 30.Kg2 {One way to prove it is this line:} 30...Qc6+ 31.Nge4 Bf5 32.Qxe2 Bxe4+ 33.Qxe4 $3 {Why not!? Everybody sacrifices everything today!} 33...Rxe4 34.Rf8+ Kc7 35.Rc8+ Kd7 36.Rxc6 Re2+ 37.Kf3 Rxe5 38.Rc2 Kxd6 39.Kg4 {and the point should be split.} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2021.01.27"]
[Round "10.5"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2705"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7078911433223"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 d5 3.e3 c5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 Bg4 6.c3 e6 7.Qb3 {The main move in this reversed Slav defense type of position. Otherwise Black wants to play Qd8-b6 himself.} ( {Relevant:} 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Nxf3 Bd6 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.Bb5 O-O 11.O-O Ne7 12.Rc1 Ng6 13.Bh2 Bd6 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 {Le,Q (2709)-Xiong,J (2709) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 7...Qc8 {A solid reply.} ( 7...Qb6 {is still possible here too.} ) 8.h3 Bh5 9.Be2 $5 {An interesting side line and a very natural move.} 9...Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.Qd1 $146 {Also a logical novelty. Giri is side-stepping the queenside expansion with tempi.} ( {The predecessor saw Black gaining space on the queenside with the help of:} 11.Rfe1 c4 12.Qd1 b5 13.g4 Bg6 14.Nh4 Qd8 15.Nxg6 hxg6 16.Bf3 Nd7 17.e4 Nb6 18.Qe2 b4 {Johnson,L (2323)-Bartholomew,J (2539) Minneapolis 2014} ) 11...Nd7 ( {Here:} 11...c4 {can be met with:} 12.a4 {and then White can attack the c4 pawn with b2-b3.} ) 12.Re1 {e3-e4 break is always on White's agenda.} 12...Qd8 {Wojtaszek brings his queen back in the game.} ( {Therefore it made sense to take the e4 square under control with:} 12...Bg6 $5 ) 13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.b4 Nd7 15.a3 {Now White is ready for both c3-c4 and e3-e4.} 15...Nb6 ( {Here interesting was the provocative play:} 15...a5 $5 16.e4 Nf6 17.e5 Nd7 18.b5 Na7 19.a4 Nc8 {Black lost loads of tempi, and is doing fine!} ) 16.Rc1 f6 {Very logical again. Black wants to expand in the center.} ( 16...a5 $5 ) 17.e4 e5 ( {White would be a little better in the endgame after:} 17...dxe4 18.Nxe4 Qxd1 19.Rexd1 {thanks to his queenside majority.} ) 18.Be3 Bf7 {Probably missing White's next idea.} ( 18...Kh8 $5 {might have been more accurate.} ) 19.Bxb6 $1 {Just like yesterday, Wojtaszek suffers from a sudden bishop-for-a-knight trade.} 19...axb6 $1 {The best reaction.} ( {After:} 19...Qxb6 20.exd5 Bxd5 {First the white pawns will grab space:} 21.c4 Bf7 22.c5 Qc7 {then the bishop pair would be taken care of with:} 23.Bc4 ) 20.exd5 Bxd5 21.a4 {Intending to swap the opponent's light-squared bishop.} 21...f5 {To which Wojtaszek initiates massive trades.} ( 21...Bf7 22.Bc4 {is a bit better for White.} ) 22.b5 e4 23.bxc6 exf3 24.Bxf3 bxc6 25.Bxd5+ cxd5 26.Nf3 Bf6 {The outcome of the exchanges looks drawish, but Black still needs to solve certain problems. Since his bishop can attack only one color, he experiences difficulties while attacking the enemy pawns on light squares as well as when defending on that color.} 27.Re6 ( {More danngerous seems:} 27.Qb3 $5 {At once, with the idea to meet:} 27...Qd7 {With:} 28.Ne5 Bxe5 29.Rxe5 {Then in the line:} 29...Rxa4 ( {Instead:} 29...Qxa4 30.Qxd5+ Kh8 31.Rxf5 {drops a pawn.} ) 30.Rxd5 {Black has the saving resource:} 30...Ra3 $1 {But the rook endgame remains difficult for him after:} 31.Rxd7+ Rxb3 32.Re1 Kh8 33.Ree7 Rg8 {Thanks to the powerful seventh-rank rooks.} ) 27...Kh8 28.Qb3 Qd7 29.Rxb6 Rxa4 ( {Even easier might have been:} 29...Qxa4 30.Qxd5 Bxc3 $1 ) 30.Rd1 Raa8 31.Rxd5 ( {Or:} 31.Qxd5 Qxd5 32.Rxd5 Bxc3 {as in the game.} ) 31...Qc7 32.g3 Qxc3 33.Qxc3 Bxc3 {Probably everybody thought, "Ah, yet another booring Giri draw." Indeed, it is hard to imagine that the game will continue at all. However, White has a small pull thanks to his active rooks and the fact that the knight is better designed for play on just one flank. Giri keeps trying.} 34.h4 Kg8 35.Rb7 Rad8 36.Rc5 Rc8 37.Rd5 Rcd8 38.Rdb5 Rd6 39.Rc7 Ba1 40.Kg2 Ra6 {The last time-control move. Wojtaszek did not dare to change the pawn structure.} ( {However:} 40...h5 $1 {would have been his safer choice. It looks ugly, and is ugly, but it seems to work as the white knight cannot get close enough to the enemy king and Black is ready to swap more pawns after:} 41.Ng5 f4 ) 41.h5 $1 {Now this pawn is always looking to go forward and expose the seventh rank.} 41...Ra2 {Another tough decision to make: to let the pawn to h6, or not? It seems as Black chooses correctly.} ( {After:} 41...h6 42.Nh4 {The knight establishes itself close to the black king and all sorts fo back-rank mates start to hang in the air and if Black tries to swap pawns:} 42...f4 {He would not succeed due to:} 43.Ng6 f3+ 44.Kh3 Re8 45.Rb3 ) 42.Rd5 Ra6 {Defending nicely.} 43.Nh4 $1 ( {And counter-attacking in case of:} 43.Rdd7 Rh6 ) 43...g6 {Finally Wojtaszek was forced to change the pawn structure.} 44.h6 f4 ( {Here, a better defense seems to be:} 44...Rf7 $1 45.Rd8+ Rf8 46.Rdd7 g5 47.Nf3 g4 48.Ng5 Rxh6 49.Nxh7 Be5 {and Black should hold.} ) 45.g4 $1 {No more trades! This pawn should be taken for free.} 45...f3+ $1 {The only move.} ( {As otherwise White will seal the kingside and come for the pawn in the line:} 45...Bf6 46.g5 Ba1 47.Nf3 ) 46.Kg3 {The pawn is surrounded, the black king is in danger. How bad is it?} ( {Not:} 46.Nxf3 Ra4 $1 ) 46...Rb6 {This is still good.} ( {However, the Polish GM missed a brilliant saving idea:} 46...Rd6 $3 {would have annoyed the white rooks, and if either of them is traded then Black can finally take a breath:} 47.Ra5 ( 47.Rxd6 Be5+ 48.Kh3 Bxd6 49.Rg7+ Kh8 50.g5 Bc5 51.Kg3 Bd6+ ) 47...Ra6 $1 {and it should be a draw.} ) 47.Rcd7 Rb3 48.g5 {It seems as White would go for the f3 pawn with Rd5-d3 and keep fighting further.} 48...Bb2 {And this abruptly finished the game:} ( {The computer claims that Black should still survive after say:} 48...Rf7 $1 49.Rd8+ Rf8 50.Rxf8+ Kxf8 51.Nxf3 Ke7 ) ( {Or even thanks to:} 48...Rb4 {with the idea:} 49.Rxh7 Rxh4 $1 {But this does not mean that Black's defense would not be enormously difficult.} ) 49.Rxh7 $1 ( {It transpired that the pawn on g5 played an important role into the attack as well.} 49.Rxh7 Kxh7 50.Rd7+ Kh8 51.Nxg6+ Kg8 52.h7# ) 1-0

[Event "Airthings Masters | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.01.01"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2860"]
[ECO "D80"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "225"]
[Beauty "3987206056967"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 {The Grunfeld is always to be expected when Vachier-Lagrave has the black pieces.} 4.Bg5 Ne4 5.Bf4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 c5 ( {In the first game of the day, Vachier-Lagrave played} 6...Bg7 7.e3 O-O 8.Nf3 c6 9.Be2 Qa5 10.Qd2 Nd7 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.c4 Qxd2+ 13.Kxd2 dxc4 14.Bxc4 Nb6 15.Bb3 Bf5 {and the game was drawn in 41 moves.} ) ( {Another top player faced} 6...dxc4 {recently. After} 7.e3 Be6 8.Nh3 Nd7 9.Ng5 Bd5 10.e4 h6 11.exd5 hxg5 12.Bxg5 Nb6 13.Bxc4 Nxc4 14.Qa4+ c6 15.Qxc4 Qxd5 16.Qxd5 cxd5 {Black seemed OK in Mamedyarov,S (2770)-Sorokin,A (2521) Chess.com 2020} ) 7.cxd5 Qxd5 8.e3 cxd4 9.Qxd4 Qxd4 10.cxd4 Nc6 11.Nf3 {Despite the queenside majority the arising endgame does not look particularly pleasant for Black. He has problems with the development of his queenside and the majority does not play an important role for the time being.} 11...e6 $146 ( {An earlier game should not have made Black happy after} 11...Bg7 12.Be2 O-O 13.Rb1 a6 14.a4 Re8 15.O-O e5 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.h3 Bd7 18.Rxb7 Bxa4 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.Bc4 Reb8 21.Bxf7+ Kf8 22.Bh6+ Bg7 23.Bxg7+ Kxg7 24.Rfb1 {Boelker,F (1823)-Klueppel, R (1714) Germany 2010} ) 12.Rb1 f6 {In order to control the important central stronghold.} ( {Or else White will use it in the line} 12...Be7 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 f6 15.Bg3 b6 16.Bb5+ Bd7 17.Ba6 {with an edge for White.} ) 13.h4 ( {Normal development like} 13.Bc4 $5 {makes perfect sense too.} ) 13...Bb4+ 14.Kd1 Be7 15.Bc4 Na5 {This looks premature.} ( {Better was to throw in the moves} 15...a6 $5 16.a4 {and then decide when and where to jump with the knight. Strong and simple is} 16...Bd7 17.Ke2 {When the knight can use the b4 spot:} ( {White achieves nothing after:} 17.Rxb7 Na5 18.Rc7 Bxa4+ ) 17...Nb4 {and Black is ready for b7-b5.} ) ( {Notice that the immediate} 15...Bd7 16.Rxb7 Na5 {allows White one more chance} 17.Rxd7 Kxd7 18.Bb5+ Kd8 {when White has more than enough for the exchange with} 19.Ba6 ( {or} 19.Ke2 ) ) 16.Bd3 Bd7 17.Ke2 O-O 18.e4 {Preparing a maneuver which Black underestimated, or forgot about.} ( {Further kingside expansion with} 18.g4 $5 {is in the spirit of the position.} ) 18...Rac8 ( {Better was to prepare for the assault with} 18...b6 19.Bd2 Nc6 20.Rhc1 Bd6 {when White keeps a slight edge thanks to his extra space.} ) 19.Bd2 $1 {The point! Black's pawns are doubled for starters.} 19...b6 20.Bxa5 bxa5 21.Rb7 {What's more, the seventh rank is in Aronian's hands and he is close to winning the match.} 21...Rfd8 22.Rxa7 Rb8 23.Rc1 Rb2+ 24.Rc2 ( {Also great was} 24.Ke3 Bf8 25.g4 ) 24...Rxc2+ 25.Bxc2 Bb4 26.Bb3 Kf8 27.e5 $1 {Fixing a pawn on a light square.} 27...fxe5 28.Nxe5 Be8 29.Ke3 ( {The immediate} 29.Nf3 $1 {with the strong threat Nf3-g5 would have finished the game at once.} ) ( {Rather than} 29.Rxh7 Rxd4 ) 29...Bc3 30.Nf3 Bd7 31.Rc7 Bb2 32.Ng5 h6 33.Nh7+ $1 {Very illogical, weird, and \E0 la Aronian strong.} 33...Ke8 ( {Since} 33...Kg7 34.Bxe6 {drops another pawn.} ) 34.Bc2 {Nope, this was not needed. The bishop was perfect on the diagonal.} ( 34.Ke4 $1 {was decisive instead. Then, in the line} 34...Rc8 35.Nf6+ Ke7 36.Rxd7+ Kxf6 37.Rd6 Re8 38.Ra6 Bc3 39.d5 {Aronian would have won a second pawn which coupled with his active pieces would have made the rest a matter of technique.} ) 34...Rc8 35.Nf6+ Ke7 36.Rxc8 ( {Strong was} 36.Rxd7+ Kxf6 37.Bb3 Rc6 38.g4 {and White's initiative is more important than the drawing tendencies of the opposite-colored bishops.} ) 36...Bxc8 37.Ng4 h5 38.Ne5 Bc1+ 39.Ke2 g5 $1 {Now White needs to find a narrow winning path.} 40.hxg5 {Which is never easy in time trouble.} ( 40.Nd3 $1 {would have won instead as in the line} 40...Ba6 41.Kd1 Bxd3 42.Kxc1 {The pawn endgame is lost for Black.} ) 40...Bxg5 41.f4 Bf6 42.g3 Bb7 43.Ke3 Bd5 {Now Vachier-Lagrave almost escaped. In the endgame the bishop pair often compensates for the pawn deficit.} 44.a4 Kd6 45.Nf7+ Ke7 46.Ng5 Bc6 47.Bd1 Bg7 ( {Another way to defend was} 47...Kd6 $5 {looking for a good moment to enter an opposite-colored bishop ending, say:} 48.Nf3 Bxf3 49.Bxf3 h4 50.g4 h3 ) 48.Nf3 Bf6 49.Ne5 Be8 50.Nc4 h4 $1 {More pawns traded means more chances for a draw.} 51.gxh4 Bxh4 52.Nxa5 {One more pawn goes down but the bishops are superb.} 52...Be1 53.Nb7 Bc6 54.Nc5 Bb4 55.Bf3 Be8 56.Be2 Bc6 ( {In time trouble the French GM does not even consider the trade} 56...Bxc5 57.dxc5 Bxa4 {which leads to a textbook draw.} ) 57.Bf3 Be8 58.Kd3 Kf6 ( {There was one more chance for} 58...Bxc5 59.dxc5 Bxa4 60.Kc4 {with a draw.} ) 59.Kc4 Ba5 60.Bg4 Ke7 61.Kd3 {When playing with only a few seconds to think one needs to give up on calculating good moves and try to follow a particular plan. Is the plan good or bad is determined later.} ( {It is Aronian's turn to trust his opponent:} 61.Bxe6 $1 Bxa4 62.Nxa4 Kxe6 63.Nc3 {would have won instead.} ) 61...Bb6 62.Bd1 Bc7 63.Ke3 Ba5 64.Bb3 Bb4 65.Ke4 Kf6 66.Bc4 Bc6+ 67.Ke3 Ke7 ( {The third and last chance for} 67...Bxc5 68.dxc5 Bxa4 {holding.} ) 68.Bb5 Bd5 69.Nd3 Ba5 70.Ne5 Bc7 71.Kd3 Kf6 72.Bc6 Bb3 73.Nd7+ Kf5 74.Nc5 Ba2 75.Kc3 ( {It was worth trying} 75.Na6 {as} 75...Bxf4 76.a5 {will lead to a position where Black cannot stop the pawn.} ) 75...Kxf4 {Now Black is once more almost there.} 76.Kb2 Bc4 77.Kc3 Ba2 78.Nb7 Bb6 ( {More accurate was} 78...Ke3 79.a5 Bb8 ) 79.a5 Ba7 {Of course, the bishop has to stay in front of the dangerous passer, right?} ( {Or rather no! The counter-intuitive} 79...Bc7 $1 {luring the pawn closer to the promotional square beautifully saves Black after} 80.a6 Bb6 81.Nd6 e5 82.d5 e4 83.Nxe4 Kxe4 84.d6+ Bd5 85.Bxd5+ Kxd5 86.d7 Kc6 87.a7 Kb7 $1 ) 80.Nd6 e5 81.d5 e4 82.Nxe4 $1 {That is the thing. This time Black cannot tough the knight.} 82...Ke5 ( {As in the line} 82...Kxe4 83.d6+ {the a5 pawn controls the b6 square.} ) 83.d6 Be6 84.Kd3 Bb8 85.d7 {The white pawns will cost Vachier-Lagrave both his bishops.} 85...Bc7 86.a6 Bxd7 87.Bxd7 Bb6 88.Bc6 Bg1 89.Kc4 Ba7 90.Nc3 Bb6 91.Nb5 Ke6 92.a7 Bxa7 93.Nxa7 {The rest was easy for Aronian.} 93...Kd6 94.Bd5 Ke5 95.Kc5 Kf5 96.Kd4 Kf4 97.Nc6 Kf5 98.Ne5 Kf6 99.Be4 Ke6 100.Nc4 Kf6 101.Kd5 Ke7 102.Bf5 Kf6 103.Ke4 Ke7 104.Ke5 Kf7 105.Nd6+ Kg7 106.Ke6 Kg8 107.Kf6 Kh8 108.Nf7+ Kg8 109.Bg6 Kf8 110.Bh7 Ke8 111.Ne5 $1 {The key move which every player should know.} 111...Kd8 112.Ke6 Kc7 113.Nd7 ( 113.Nd7 {Since the king cannot escape the cage, Black resigned:} 113...Kc6 114.Bd3 ) 1-0

[Event "Airthings Masters | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.01.01"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2860"]
[ECO "D80"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "225"]
[Beauty "3987206056967"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 {The Grunfeld is always to be expected when Vachier-Lagrave has the black pieces.} 4.Bg5 Ne4 5.Bf4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 c5 ( {In the first game of the day, Vachier-Lagrave played} 6...Bg7 7.e3 O-O 8.Nf3 c6 9.Be2 Qa5 10.Qd2 Nd7 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.c4 Qxd2+ 13.Kxd2 dxc4 14.Bxc4 Nb6 15.Bb3 Bf5 {and the game was drawn in 41 moves.} ) ( {Another top player faced} 6...dxc4 {recently. After} 7.e3 Be6 8.Nh3 Nd7 9.Ng5 Bd5 10.e4 h6 11.exd5 hxg5 12.Bxg5 Nb6 13.Bxc4 Nxc4 14.Qa4+ c6 15.Qxc4 Qxd5 16.Qxd5 cxd5 {Black seemed OK in Mamedyarov,S (2770)-Sorokin,A (2521) Chess.com 2020} ) 7.cxd5 Qxd5 8.e3 cxd4 9.Qxd4 Qxd4 10.cxd4 Nc6 11.Nf3 {Despite the queenside majority the arising endgame does not look particularly pleasant for Black. He has problems with the development of his queenside and the majority does not play an important role for the time being.} 11...e6 $146 ( {An earlier game should not have made Black happy after} 11...Bg7 12.Be2 O-O 13.Rb1 a6 14.a4 Re8 15.O-O e5 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.h3 Bd7 18.Rxb7 Bxa4 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.Bc4 Reb8 21.Bxf7+ Kf8 22.Bh6+ Bg7 23.Bxg7+ Kxg7 24.Rfb1 {Boelker,F (1823)-Klueppel, R (1714) Germany 2010} ) 12.Rb1 f6 {In order to control the important central stronghold.} ( {Or else White will use it in the line} 12...Be7 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 f6 15.Bg3 b6 16.Bb5+ Bd7 17.Ba6 {with an edge for White.} ) 13.h4 ( {Normal development like} 13.Bc4 $5 {makes perfect sense too.} ) 13...Bb4+ 14.Kd1 Be7 15.Bc4 Na5 {This looks premature.} ( {Better was to throw in the moves} 15...a6 $5 16.a4 {and then decide when and where to jump with the knight. Strong and simple is} 16...Bd7 17.Ke2 {When the knight can use the b4 spot:} ( {White achieves nothing after:} 17.Rxb7 Na5 18.Rc7 Bxa4+ ) 17...Nb4 {and Black is ready for b7-b5.} ) ( {Notice that the immediate} 15...Bd7 16.Rxb7 Na5 {allows White one more chance} 17.Rxd7 Kxd7 18.Bb5+ Kd8 {when White has more than enough for the exchange with} 19.Ba6 ( {or} 19.Ke2 ) ) 16.Bd3 Bd7 17.Ke2 O-O 18.e4 {Preparing a maneuver which Black underestimated, or forgot about.} ( {Further kingside expansion with} 18.g4 $5 {is in the spirit of the position.} ) 18...Rac8 ( {Better was to prepare for the assault with} 18...b6 19.Bd2 Nc6 20.Rhc1 Bd6 {when White keeps a slight edge thanks to his extra space.} ) 19.Bd2 $1 {The point! Black's pawns are doubled for starters.} 19...b6 20.Bxa5 bxa5 21.Rb7 {What's more, the seventh rank is in Aronian's hands and he is close to winning the match.} 21...Rfd8 22.Rxa7 Rb8 23.Rc1 Rb2+ 24.Rc2 ( {Also great was} 24.Ke3 Bf8 25.g4 ) 24...Rxc2+ 25.Bxc2 Bb4 26.Bb3 Kf8 27.e5 $1 {Fixing a pawn on a light square.} 27...fxe5 28.Nxe5 Be8 29.Ke3 ( {The immediate} 29.Nf3 $1 {with the strong threat Nf3-g5 would have finished the game at once.} ) ( {Rather than} 29.Rxh7 Rxd4 ) 29...Bc3 30.Nf3 Bd7 31.Rc7 Bb2 32.Ng5 h6 33.Nh7+ $1 {Very illogical, weird, and a la Aronian strong.} 33...Ke8 ( {Since} 33...Kg7 34.Bxe6 {drops another pawn.} ) 34.Bc2 {Nope, this was not needed. The bishop was perfect on the diagonal.} ( 34.Ke4 $1 {was decisive instead. Then, in the line} 34...Rc8 35.Nf6+ Ke7 36.Rxd7+ Kxf6 37.Rd6 Re8 38.Ra6 Bc3 39.d5 {Aronian would have won a second pawn which coupled with his active pieces would have made the rest a matter of technique.} ) 34...Rc8 35.Nf6+ Ke7 36.Rxc8 ( {Strong was} 36.Rxd7+ Kxf6 37.Bb3 Rc6 38.g4 {and White's initiative is more important than the drawing tendencies of the opposite-colored bishops.} ) 36...Bxc8 37.Ng4 h5 38.Ne5 Bc1+ 39.Ke2 g5 $1 {Now White needs to find a narrow winning path.} 40.hxg5 {Which is never easy in time trouble.} ( 40.Nd3 $1 {would have won instead as in the line} 40...Ba6 41.Kd1 Bxd3 42.Kxc1 {The pawn endgame is lost for Black.} ) 40...Bxg5 41.f4 Bf6 42.g3 Bb7 43.Ke3 Bd5 {Now Vachier-Lagrave almost escaped. In the endgame the bishop pair often compensates for the pawn deficit.} 44.a4 Kd6 45.Nf7+ Ke7 46.Ng5 Bc6 47.Bd1 Bg7 ( {Another way to defend was} 47...Kd6 $5 {looking for a good moment to enter an opposite-colored bishop ending, say:} 48.Nf3 Bxf3 49.Bxf3 h4 50.g4 h3 ) 48.Nf3 Bf6 49.Ne5 Be8 50.Nc4 h4 $1 {More pawns traded means more chances for a draw.} 51.gxh4 Bxh4 52.Nxa5 {One more pawn goes down but the bishops are superb.} 52...Be1 53.Nb7 Bc6 54.Nc5 Bb4 55.Bf3 Be8 56.Be2 Bc6 ( {In time trouble the French GM does not even consider the trade} 56...Bxc5 57.dxc5 Bxa4 {which leads to a textbook draw.} ) 57.Bf3 Be8 58.Kd3 Kf6 ( {There was one more chance for} 58...Bxc5 59.dxc5 Bxa4 60.Kc4 {with a draw.} ) 59.Kc4 Ba5 60.Bg4 Ke7 61.Kd3 {When playing with only a few seconds to think one needs to give up on calculating good moves and try to follow a particular plan. Is the plan good or bad is determined later.} ( {It is Aronian's turn to trust his opponent:} 61.Bxe6 $1 Bxa4 62.Nxa4 Kxe6 63.Nc3 {would have won instead.} ) 61...Bb6 62.Bd1 Bc7 63.Ke3 Ba5 64.Bb3 Bb4 65.Ke4 Kf6 66.Bc4 Bc6+ 67.Ke3 Ke7 ( {The third and last chance for} 67...Bxc5 68.dxc5 Bxa4 {holding.} ) 68.Bb5 Bd5 69.Nd3 Ba5 70.Ne5 Bc7 71.Kd3 Kf6 72.Bc6 Bb3 73.Nd7+ Kf5 74.Nc5 Ba2 75.Kc3 ( {It was worth trying} 75.Na6 {as} 75...Bxf4 76.a5 {will lead to a position where Black cannot stop the pawn.} ) 75...Kxf4 {Now Black is once more almost there.} 76.Kb2 Bc4 77.Kc3 Ba2 78.Nb7 Bb6 ( {More accurate was} 78...Ke3 79.a5 Bb8 ) 79.a5 Ba7 {Of course, the bishop has to stay in front of the dangerous passer, right?} ( {Or rather no! The counter-intuitive} 79...Bc7 $1 {luring the pawn closer to the promotional square beautifully saves Black after} 80.a6 Bb6 81.Nd6 e5 82.d5 e4 83.Nxe4 Kxe4 84.d6+ Bd5 85.Bxd5+ Kxd5 86.d7 Kc6 87.a7 Kb7 $1 ) 80.Nd6 e5 81.d5 e4 82.Nxe4 $1 {That is the thing. This time Black cannot tough the knight.} 82...Ke5 ( {As in the line} 82...Kxe4 83.d6+ {the a5 pawn controls the b6 square.} ) 83.d6 Be6 84.Kd3 Bb8 85.d7 {The white pawns will cost Vachier-Lagrave both his bishops.} 85...Bc7 86.a6 Bxd7 87.Bxd7 Bb6 88.Bc6 Bg1 89.Kc4 Ba7 90.Nc3 Bb6 91.Nb5 Ke6 92.a7 Bxa7 93.Nxa7 {The rest was easy for Aronian.} 93...Kd6 94.Bd5 Ke5 95.Kc5 Kf5 96.Kd4 Kf4 97.Nc6 Kf5 98.Ne5 Kf6 99.Be4 Ke6 100.Nc4 Kf6 101.Kd5 Ke7 102.Bf5 Kf6 103.Ke4 Ke7 104.Ke5 Kf7 105.Nd6+ Kg7 106.Ke6 Kg8 107.Kf6 Kh8 108.Nf7+ Kg8 109.Bg6 Kf8 110.Bh7 Ke8 111.Ne5 $1 {The key move which every player should know.} 111...Kd8 112.Ke6 Kc7 113.Nd7 ( 113.Nd7 {Since the king cannot escape the cage, Black resigned:} 113...Kc6 114.Bd3 ) 1-0

[Event "Airthings Masters | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.01.02"]
[Round "23.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[Beauty "7081595767305"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 {The most classical reply when you need to play solid.} 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {There is hardly anything more solid these days.} 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.h3 Bd7 ( {However, things can get pretty funky in the Berlin endgame too:} 9...Ne7 10.Rd1+ Ke8 11.Nc3 Ng6 12.Be3 Be7 13.Rd2 h5 14.Re1 h4 15.Ne4 Rh5 16.Bg5 Be6 17.Bxe7 Kxe7 18.Neg5 Bd5 {Especially if White can make a breakthrough in the center with} 19.e6 f6 20.c4 Bxc4 21.Rd7+ Kf8 22.Rxc7 fxg5 23.e7+ Ke8 24.Nd4 {with a strong attack for the piece in Anton Guijarro,D (2675)-So,W (2770) Online 2020} ) ( {The other main move is} 9...Ke8 {keeping the king in the middle.} ) 10.Rd1 Kc8 ( {Black may also opt for} 10...Be7 11.g4 Nh4 12.Nxh4 Bxh4 13.Nc3 Kc8 14.Kg2 Re8 15.Bf4 Be7 16.Bg3 {when the second player typically searches for counterplay with the advance of his rook pawns:} 16...h5 17.f3 a5 18.Ne2 a4 {Sevian,S (2642)-Shankland,S (2731) St. Louis 2019} ) 11.g4 Ne7 12.Ng5 Be8 13.f4 c5 14.Nc3 b6 15.f5 $146 {Aronian hopes to bring his central pawns into motion as early as possible.} ( {An earlier game went} 15.Kf2 Nc6 16.Be3 Nd4 17.Bxd4 cxd4 18.Ne2 c5 19.c3 h6 20.Ne4 Bc6 21.N4g3 dxc3 22.Nxc3 {where the knights dominated the bishops in Dominguez Perez,L (2732)-Melkumyan,H (2622) Baku 2015} ) 15...Nc6 {Radjabov needs to find counterplay at once.} ( {After} 15...h5 16.Kg2 hxg4 17.hxg4 Nc6 18.Bf4 {White is in full control.} ) 16.Bf4 Nd4 {The super-knight gains time for Black to mobilize his pieces. It both blocks the open file and creates lots of threats.} 17.Kf2 {This looks slow.} ( {More obvious and straightforward is the immediate central blow} 17.e6 {Then Black is in serious danger after} 17...fxe6 ( {Therefore, Black would need to defend with} 17...f6 $1 18.Nf7 Bxf7 19.exf7 Bd6 20.Bxd6 cxd6 21.Ne4 d5 22.Ng3 Rf8 {Then} 23.c3 Nc2 24.Rac1 Ne3 25.Rd3 Nc4 26.Rxd5 Rxf7 {should be defendable for him.} ( {Or even the riskier} 26...Nxb2 27.Re1 Rxf7 28.Re4 {would most likely be defendable for the second player.} ) ) 18.Nxe6 Nxe6 19.fxe6 {with Nc3-d5 to follow.} ) ( {There is obviously no time for} 17.Rd2 $2 h6 ) ( {Whereas} 17.Rac1 {is sluggish, and the black pieces quickly enter the battle after} 17...h6 18.Nge4 Bc6 ) 17...h6 18.Nf3 Nxc2 19.Rac1 Nb4 ( {But not} 19...Nd4 20.Nxd4 cxd4 21.Ne4 $1 {when Black cannot defend the extra pawn} 21...c5 22.Rxd4 {and White dominates.} ) 20.a3 Nc6 21.Nd5 Ne7 $1 {Another important and solid choice. Aronian has the super-knight now (at the expense of a pawn) and it should be removed at once.} ( {A generally useful move like} 21...Kb7 {would allow Aronian time to implement his idea with} 22.b4 cxb4 23.axb4 {when} 23...Bxb4 ( {Black needs to try and defend with} 23...Rc8 $5 ) 24.Nxb4 ( {rather than} 24.Rxc6 Bxc6 25.Nxb4 Rhd8 {when the rooks and the pawns seem stronger than the pieces.} ) 24...Nxb4 25.e6 $1 Rc8 26.exf7 Bxf7 27.Rd7 {sees White having all the fun.} ) 22.Ne3 Nc6 {Radjabov does not mind the draw.} 23.f6 {But Aronian does. This move might have been based on miscalculation, however.} ( 23.Nd5 {would have likely led to repetition.} ) 23...Bd7 24.b4 ( {In case of the preliminary} 24.fxg7 Bxg7 25.b4 {Black has the important defense} 25...Bf8 $1 {keeping the c-file under control.} ( {Black should, however, avoid the open files:} 25...cxb4 26.axb4 Nxb4 27.e6 Bc6 28.Nf5 Bb2 29.Rc4 {when White's attack is too strong. Aronian likely believed that he could enter this position with the game move order, but that is not the case.} ) ) 24...g5 $1 {Most likely missed by the Armenian GM.} ( {Apparently he believed that he could switch to the aforementioned attacking line with} 24...cxb4 25.fxg7 Bxg7 26.axb4 ) 25.Bg3 Be6 {Now Radjabov stabilizes his position and keeps the extra pawn.} ( {There was even time for Black to maneuver with his knight:} 25...Nd8 26.Nf5 Ne6 ) 26.Rd3 Kb7 27.Rdc3 Rd8 28.Nf5 a5 29.b5 Na7 30.a4 c6 31.bxc6+ Nxc6 32.Ke2 Nb4 {A solid extra pawn and two bishops lead to Black's win.} 33.Rd1 Rxd1 34.Kxd1 Nd5 35.Ra3 c4 36.Nd6+ Bxd6 37.exd6 Rd8 38.Be5 Nb4 39.Bg3 Nd3 40.Nd4 Bd7 41.Kd2 Re8 ( {Not even allowing the slightest counterplay after} 41...Nc5 42.Re3 ) 42.Nc2 Nc5 43.Re3 Ne4+ 44.Kc1 Nxg3 45.Rxg3 Re6 46.Rc3 Rxf6 47.Rxc4 Rxd6 48.Kb2 Rd3 0-1

[Event "Airthings Masters | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.01.02"]
[Round "23.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[Beauty "7081595767305"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 {The most classical reply when you need to play solid.} 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {There is hardly anything more solid these days.} 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.h3 Bd7 ( {However, things can get pretty funky in the Berlin endgame too:} 9...Ne7 10.Rd1+ Ke8 11.Nc3 Ng6 12.Be3 Be7 13.Rd2 h5 14.Re1 h4 15.Ne4 Rh5 16.Bg5 Be6 17.Bxe7 Kxe7 18.Neg5 Bd5 {Especially if White can make a breakthrough in the center with} 19.e6 f6 20.c4 Bxc4 21.Rd7+ Kf8 22.Rxc7 fxg5 23.e7+ Ke8 24.Nd4 {with a strong attack for the piece in Anton Guijarro,D (2675)-So,W (2770) Online 2020} ) ( {The other main move is} 9...Ke8 {keeping the king in the middle.} ) 10.Rd1 Kc8 ( {Black may also opt for} 10...Be7 11.g4 Nh4 12.Nxh4 Bxh4 13.Nc3 Kc8 14.Kg2 Re8 15.Bf4 Be7 16.Bg3 {when the second player typically searches for counterplay with the advance of his rook pawns:} 16...h5 17.f3 a5 18.Ne2 a4 {Sevian,S (2642)-Shankland,S (2731) St. Louis 2019} ) 11.g4 Ne7 12.Ng5 Be8 13.f4 c5 14.Nc3 b6 15.f5 $146 {Aronian hopes to bring his central pawns into motion as early as possible.} ( {An earlier game went} 15.Kf2 Nc6 16.Be3 Nd4 17.Bxd4 cxd4 18.Ne2 c5 19.c3 h6 20.Ne4 Bc6 21.N4g3 dxc3 22.Nxc3 {where the knights dominated the bishops in Dominguez Perez,L (2732)-Melkumyan,H (2622) Baku 2015} ) 15...Nc6 {Radjabov needs to find counterplay at once.} ( {After} 15...h5 16.Kg2 hxg4 17.hxg4 Nc6 18.Bf4 {White is in full control.} ) 16.Bf4 Nd4 {The super-knight gains time for Black to mobilize his pieces. It both blocks the open file and creates lots of threats.} 17.Kf2 {This looks slow.} ( {More obvious and straightforward is the immediate central blow} 17.e6 {Then Black is in serious danger after} 17...fxe6 ( {Therefore, Black would need to defend with} 17...f6 $1 18.Nf7 Bxf7 19.exf7 Bd6 20.Bxd6 cxd6 21.Ne4 d5 22.Ng3 Rf8 {Then} 23.c3 Nc2 24.Rac1 Ne3 25.Rd3 Nc4 26.Rxd5 Rxf7 {should be defendable for him.} ( {Or even the riskier} 26...Nxb2 27.Re1 Rxf7 28.Re4 {would most likely be defendable for the second player.} ) ) 18.Nxe6 Nxe6 19.fxe6 {with Nc3-d5 to follow.} ) ( {There is obviously no time for} 17.Rd2 $2 h6 ) ( {Whereas} 17.Rac1 {is sluggish, and the black pieces quickly enter the battle after} 17...h6 18.Nge4 Bc6 ) 17...h6 18.Nf3 Nxc2 19.Rac1 Nb4 ( {But not} 19...Nd4 20.Nxd4 cxd4 21.Ne4 $1 {when Black cannot defend the extra pawn} 21...c5 22.Rxd4 {and White dominates.} ) 20.a3 Nc6 21.Nd5 Ne7 $1 {Another important and solid choice. Aronian has the super-knight now (at the expense of a pawn) and it should be removed at once.} ( {A generally useful move like} 21...Kb7 {would allow Aronian time to implement his idea with} 22.b4 cxb4 23.axb4 {when} 23...Bxb4 ( {Black needs to try and defend with} 23...Rc8 $5 ) 24.Nxb4 ( {rather than} 24.Rxc6 Bxc6 25.Nxb4 Rhd8 {when the rooks and the pawns seem stronger than the pieces.} ) 24...Nxb4 25.e6 $1 Rc8 26.exf7 Bxf7 27.Rd7 {sees White having all the fun.} ) 22.Ne3 Nc6 {Radjabov does not mind the draw.} 23.f6 {But Aronian does. This move might have been based on miscalculation, however.} ( 23.Nd5 {would have likely led to repetition.} ) 23...Bd7 24.b4 ( {In case of the preliminary} 24.fxg7 Bxg7 25.b4 {Black has the important defense} 25...Bf8 $1 {keeping the c-file under control.} ( {Black should, however, avoid the open files:} 25...cxb4 26.axb4 Nxb4 27.e6 Bc6 28.Nf5 Bb2 29.Rc4 {when White's attack is too strong. Aronian likely believed that he could enter this position with the game move order, but that is not the case.} ) ) 24...g5 $1 {Most likely missed by the Armenian GM.} ( {Apparently he believed that he could switch to the aforementioned attacking line with} 24...cxb4 25.fxg7 Bxg7 26.axb4 ) 25.Bg3 Be6 {Now Radjabov stabilizes his position and keeps the extra pawn.} ( {There was even time for Black to maneuver with his knight:} 25...Nd8 26.Nf5 Ne6 ) 26.Rd3 Kb7 27.Rdc3 Rd8 28.Nf5 a5 29.b5 Na7 30.a4 c6 31.bxc6+ Nxc6 32.Ke2 Nb4 {A solid extra pawn and two bishops lead to Black's win.} 33.Rd1 Rxd1 34.Kxd1 Nd5 35.Ra3 c4 36.Nd6+ Bxd6 37.exd6 Rd8 38.Be5 Nb4 39.Bg3 Nd3 40.Nd4 Bd7 41.Kd2 Re8 ( {Not even allowing the slightest counterplay after} 41...Nc5 42.Re3 ) 42.Nc2 Nc5 43.Re3 Ne4+ 44.Kc1 Nxg3 45.Rxg3 Re6 46.Rc3 Rxf6 47.Rxc4 Rxd6 48.Kb2 Rd3 0-1

[Event "Airthings Masters | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.01.03"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "6052682677335"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Bg5 {A favorite line of the Armenian GM.} ( {More common is the prophylactic} 7.Bb3 ) ( {or the developing} 7.Nbd2 ) 7...h6 8.Bh4 g5 {The principled choice. This is what makes the Bc1-g5 maneuver somewhat risky for White. He may end up with a permanently locked bishop.} ( {Aronian faced earlier} 8...a5 9.Bb3 Ba7 10.Na3 Kh8 11.Nc4 g5 12.Bg3 Ne7 13.Bc2 Bg4 14.d4 exd4 15.cxd4 Nc6 16.e5 dxe5 17.Ncxe5 Nxd4 18.Nxg4 Nxg4 19.h3 Nxc2 20.Qxc2 Nf6 21.Rad1 {with compensation for the pawn in Aronian,L (2781)-Grischuk, A (2777) Online 2020} ) ( {As well as} 8...a6 9.a4 Ba7 10.Na3 g5 11.Bg3 g4 12.Nh4 Nh5 13.Nc2 Qg5 14.Re1 Be6 15.Ne3 Bxe3 16.Rxe3 Bxc4 17.dxc4 Ne7 {as in Aronian,L (2767)-Nakamura,H (2777) Chess.com 2018} ) 9.Bg3 a5 {Stopping the queenside expansion of the white pieces.} 10.Re1 Re8 $146 ( {An earlier game saw the typical play around the d4-point after} 10...Ba7 11.Na3 Kg7 12.Nb5 Bb6 13.d4 Nh5 14.Rc1 Qf6 15.Bd5 {Bacrot,E (2673)-Maghsoodloo,P (2676) Chess.com 2020} ) 11.Nbd2 Ba7 12.Nf1 Be6 13.Bb5 {None of the bishop trades is particularly appealing to White. He has a more important job for this bishop.} 13...Bd7 14.Ne3 Ne7 15.a4 c6 16.Bc4 Ng6 ( {Black cannot hold on to his center in case of} 16...d5 17.exd5 cxd5 18.Ba2 ) 17.Qc2 {The queen is eyeing the g6-knight, and the d3-d4 followed by e4-e5 clearance breakthroughs are already in the air.} 17...Nf4 {Radjabov simply moves the knight out of the way.} ( {It makes sense to overprotect the knight and step away from the pin with} 17...Kg7 {Then Black needs not to worry about} 18.Nf5+ $6 ( {Most likely White would continue with} 18.Rad1 Bxe3 19.fxe3 b5 {with unclear play.} ) 18...Bxf5 19.exf5 Nf4 {when Black is more than fine.} ) 18.Rad1 Qe7 {Both sides do their best to prepare for the opening of the game. And Aronian cannot wait for it} 19.d4 exd4 20.Bxf4 ( {Obviously not} 20.cxd4 Nxe4 ) 20...gxf4 21.e5 $1 {The point behind the central break. White's attack is huge, but is it enough to compensate for the material? The exclamation is for the courage, not for the move value.} ( {Objectively better is:} 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 Qf8 23.cxd4 d5 {Although once the white bishop is locked, he can forget about the attack for good.} ) 21...dxe3 {Amazingly, the most obvious capture is not optimal.} ( {Radjabov could have defended without his f4-pawn and won in the spectacular line:} 21...d3 $3 22.Qxd3 fxe3 23.Qg6+ Kh8 24.Qxh6+ ( {Neither here nor in the game is there time for} 24.exf6 exf2+ 25.Kf1 fxe1=Q+ 26.Rxe1 Qxe1+ 27.Nxe1 fxg6 ) 24...Nh7 25.Bd3 exf2+ 26.Kf1 fxe1=Q+ 27.Rxe1 {The difference between here and the game is that after} 27...f5 $1 28.exf6 Qf7 29.Rxe8+ Rxe8 30.Ng5 {Black captures on f6 with a check:} 30...Qxf6+ {Thus winning the game.} ) ( {The other capture} 21...fxe3 22.Qg6+ Kh8 23.Qxh6+ Nh7 24.Bd3 f5 25.exf6 {wins less material for Black:} 25...exf2+ 26.Kxf2 dxc3+ 27.Kf1 Qf7 {and that leaves White attacking for less:} 28.Bg6 Qg8 ( 28...Qc4+ 29.Rd3 ) 29.f7 Rxe1+ 30.Rxe1 Qg7 31.Qh5 cxb2 32.Re7 {And according to the machine, the attack is worth it. White should be close to winning.} ( 32.Ng5 {leads to repetition after} 32...Qf6+ 33.Nf3 Qg7 ) ) 22.Qg6+ Kh8 23.Qxh6+ Nh7 24.Bd3 $1 {A sacrifice reminiscent of the classic Spassky-Bronstein King's Gambit game. The rook is sacrificed for only a tempo!} 24...exf2+ 25.Kf1 fxe1=Q+ 26.Rxe1 Bf5 $3 {The best defense. The bishop is removed from the a6-c4 diagonal.} ( {Here it becomes obvious that} 26...f5 27.exf6 Qf7 28.Rxe8+ Rxe8 29.Ng5 {loses for Black. The f4-pawn shields the white king.} ) 27.Bxf5 {Now Aronian is just millimeters away from mating Radjabov's king.} 27...f6 28.exf6 Qf7 {Now Qf7-c4 is a powerful threat, and Aronian needs to find something special.} 29.Re6 {Beautiful! The rook blocks the queen's sortie to the c4-square. And... wrong!} ( {The unbelievable prophylaxis in the attack} 29.Rxe8+ Rxe8 30.b3 $3 {Then} ( {Notice that it is Black who is mating faster in case of the straightforward:} 30.Ng5 Qc4+ 31.Bd3 Qxd3# ) 30...Kg8 ( {The complexity of the sacrifice is further revealed in the line} 30...Rg8 31.h4 Be3 $1 {In order to control the g5-square. Now White needs to find another unforgettable attacking idea:} 32.h5 $3 {White is attacking positionally!! The h-pawn will secure the g6-square for the bishop. Then the f-pawn would be freed, and Black's position will crumble:} ( {Rather than the obvious} 32.Ng5 Rxg5 33.hxg5 f3 34.Bxh7 Qxh7 35.Qf8+ Qg8 36.Qh6+ {with perpetual.} ) 32...Qc7 33.Bg6 {followed by f6-f7 and wins.} ) 31.Ng5 Nxg5 32.Qxg5+ Kf8 33.Bg6 Qd7 34.Qh6+ Kg8 35.Bxe8 {is easily winning for White.} ) ( {There is an alternative way to finish the attack with} 29.Rd1 $3 Rg8 ( {or} 29...Bc5 30.Ng5 ) 30.Rxd6 {The rook is needed both in the attack and the defense.} ) 29...Rxe6 $1 30.Ng5 Rxf6 $1 {Now Radjabov sacrifices the queen but safeguards his king. And the many pieces he has taken previously are an excellent insurance policy.} 31.Nxf7+ Rxf7 32.Bxh7 Rxh7 33.Qf6+ Kg8 34.Qg6+ Rg7 35.Qe6+ Rf7 {With seconds on the clock, the Azeri GM decided not to tempt fate any longer and settled for the perpetual.} ( {If he had more time on the clock, he would likely have chosen} 35...Kh7 36.Qh3+ Kg6 37.Qe6+ Kg5 38.h4+ Kh5 39.Qf5+ Kh6 40.Qxf4+ Kh7 41.Qf5+ Kh8 {when the checks are over and Black consolidates. It is not yet over for White. He can push the kingside pawns, but Black is the one calling the shots.} ) 36.Qg6+ Kf8 37.Qxd6+ Kg7 38.Qe5+ Kg6 39.Qe6+ Kg7 40.Qe5+ Kg6 41.Qe6+ Kg7 42.Qe5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Airthings Masters | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.01.03"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "6052682677335"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Bg5 {A favorite line of the Armenian GM.} ( {More common is the prophylactic} 7.Bb3 ) ( {or the developing} 7.Nbd2 ) 7...h6 8.Bh4 g5 {The principled choice. This is what makes the Bc1-g5 maneuver somewhat risky for White. He may end up with a permanently locked bishop.} ( {Aronian faced earlier} 8...a5 9.Bb3 Ba7 10.Na3 Kh8 11.Nc4 g5 12.Bg3 Ne7 13.Bc2 Bg4 14.d4 exd4 15.cxd4 Nc6 16.e5 dxe5 17.Ncxe5 Nxd4 18.Nxg4 Nxg4 19.h3 Nxc2 20.Qxc2 Nf6 21.Rad1 {with compensation for the pawn in Aronian,L (2781)-Grischuk, A (2777) Online 2020} ) ( {As well as} 8...a6 9.a4 Ba7 10.Na3 g5 11.Bg3 g4 12.Nh4 Nh5 13.Nc2 Qg5 14.Re1 Be6 15.Ne3 Bxe3 16.Rxe3 Bxc4 17.dxc4 Ne7 {as in Aronian,L (2767)-Nakamura,H (2777) Chess.com 2018} ) 9.Bg3 a5 {Stopping the queenside expansion of the white pieces.} 10.Re1 Re8 $146 ( {An earlier game saw the typical play around the d4-point after} 10...Ba7 11.Na3 Kg7 12.Nb5 Bb6 13.d4 Nh5 14.Rc1 Qf6 15.Bd5 {Bacrot,E (2673)-Maghsoodloo,P (2676) Chess.com 2020} ) 11.Nbd2 Ba7 12.Nf1 Be6 13.Bb5 {None of the bishop trades is particularly appealing to White. He has a more important job for this bishop.} 13...Bd7 14.Ne3 Ne7 15.a4 c6 16.Bc4 Ng6 ( {Black cannot hold on to his center in case of} 16...d5 17.exd5 cxd5 18.Ba2 ) 17.Qc2 {The queen is eyeing the g6-knight, and the d3-d4 followed by e4-e5 clearance breakthroughs are already in the air.} 17...Nf4 {Radjabov simply moves the knight out of the way.} ( {It makes sense to overprotect the knight and step away from the pin with} 17...Kg7 {Then Black needs not to worry about} 18.Nf5+ $6 ( {Most likely White would continue with} 18.Rad1 Bxe3 19.fxe3 b5 {with unclear play.} ) 18...Bxf5 19.exf5 Nf4 {when Black is more than fine.} ) 18.Rad1 Qe7 {Both sides do their best to prepare for the opening of the game. And Aronian cannot wait for it} 19.d4 exd4 20.Bxf4 ( {Obviously not} 20.cxd4 Nxe4 ) 20...gxf4 21.e5 $1 {The point behind the central break. White's attack is huge, but is it enough to compensate for the material? The exclamation is for the courage, not for the move value.} ( {Objectively better is:} 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 Qf8 23.cxd4 d5 {Although once the white bishop is locked, he can forget about the attack for good.} ) 21...dxe3 {Amazingly, the most obvious capture is not optimal.} ( {Radjabov could have defended without his f4-pawn and won in the spectacular line:} 21...d3 $3 22.Qxd3 fxe3 23.Qg6+ Kh8 24.Qxh6+ ( {Neither here nor in the game is there time for} 24.exf6 exf2+ 25.Kf1 fxe1=Q+ 26.Rxe1 Qxe1+ 27.Nxe1 fxg6 ) 24...Nh7 25.Bd3 exf2+ 26.Kf1 fxe1=Q+ 27.Rxe1 {The difference between here and the game is that after} 27...f5 $1 28.exf6 Qf7 29.Rxe8+ Rxe8 30.Ng5 {Black captures on f6 with a check:} 30...Qxf6+ {Thus winning the game.} ) ( {The other capture} 21...fxe3 22.Qg6+ Kh8 23.Qxh6+ Nh7 24.Bd3 f5 25.exf6 {wins less material for Black:} 25...exf2+ 26.Kxf2 dxc3+ 27.Kf1 Qf7 {and that leaves White attacking for less:} 28.Bg6 Qg8 ( 28...Qc4+ 29.Rd3 ) 29.f7 Rxe1+ 30.Rxe1 Qg7 31.Qh5 cxb2 32.Re7 {And according to the machine, the attack is worth it. White should be close to winning.} ( 32.Ng5 {leads to repetition after} 32...Qf6+ 33.Nf3 Qg7 ) ) 22.Qg6+ Kh8 23.Qxh6+ Nh7 24.Bd3 $1 {A sacrifice reminiscent of the classic Spassky-Bronstein King's Gambit game. The rook is sacrificed for only a tempo!} 24...exf2+ 25.Kf1 fxe1=Q+ 26.Rxe1 Bf5 $3 {The best defense. The bishop is removed from the a6-c4 diagonal.} ( {Here it becomes obvious that} 26...f5 27.exf6 Qf7 28.Rxe8+ Rxe8 29.Ng5 {loses for Black. The f4-pawn shields the white king.} ) 27.Bxf5 {Now Aronian is just millimeters away from mating Radjabov's king.} 27...f6 28.exf6 Qf7 {Now Qf7-c4 is a powerful threat, and Aronian needs to find something special.} 29.Re6 {Beautiful! The rook blocks the queen's sortie to the c4-square. And... wrong!} ( {The unbelievable prophylaxis in the attack} 29.Rxe8+ Rxe8 30.b3 $3 {Then} ( {Notice that it is Black who is mating faster in case of the straightforward:} 30.Ng5 Qc4+ 31.Bd3 Qxd3# ) 30...Kg8 ( {The complexity of the sacrifice is further revealed in the line} 30...Rg8 31.h4 Be3 $1 {In order to control the g5-square. Now White needs to find another unforgettable attacking idea:} 32.h5 $3 {White is attacking positionally!! The h-pawn will secure the g6-square for the bishop. Then the f-pawn would be freed, and Black's position will crumble:} ( {Rather than the obvious} 32.Ng5 Rxg5 33.hxg5 f3 34.Bxh7 Qxh7 35.Qf8+ Qg8 36.Qh6+ {with perpetual.} ) 32...Qc7 33.Bg6 {followed by f6-f7 and wins.} ) 31.Ng5 Nxg5 32.Qxg5+ Kf8 33.Bg6 Qd7 34.Qh6+ Kg8 35.Bxe8 {is easily winning for White.} ) ( {There is an alternative way to finish the attack with} 29.Rd1 $3 Rg8 ( {or} 29...Bc5 30.Ng5 ) 30.Rxd6 {The rook is needed both in the attack and the defense.} ) 29...Rxe6 $1 30.Ng5 Rxf6 $1 {Now Radjabov sacrifices the queen but safeguards his king. And the many pieces he has taken previously are an excellent insurance policy.} 31.Nxf7+ Rxf7 32.Bxh7 Rxh7 33.Qf6+ Kg8 34.Qg6+ Rg7 35.Qe6+ Rf7 {With seconds on the clock, the Azeri GM decided not to tempt fate any longer and settled for the perpetual.} ( {If he had more time on the clock, he would likely have chosen} 35...Kh7 36.Qh3+ Kg6 37.Qe6+ Kg5 38.h4+ Kh5 39.Qf5+ Kh6 40.Qxf4+ Kh7 41.Qf5+ Kh8 {when the checks are over and Black consolidates. It is not yet over for White. He can push the kingside pawns, but Black is the one calling the shots.} ) 36.Qg6+ Kf8 37.Qxd6+ Kg7 38.Qe5+ Kg6 39.Qe6+ Kg7 40.Qe5+ Kg6 41.Qe6+ Kg7 42.Qe5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Airthings Masters | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.01.03"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "6052682677335"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Bg5 {A favorite line of the Armenian GM.} ( {More common is the prophylactic} 7.Bb3 ) ( {or the developing} 7.Nbd2 ) 7...h6 8.Bh4 g5 {The principled choice. This is what makes the Bc1-g5 maneuver somewhat risky for White. He may end up with a permanently locked bishop.} ( {Aronian faced earlier} 8...a5 9.Bb3 Ba7 10.Na3 Kh8 11.Nc4 g5 12.Bg3 Ne7 13.Bc2 Bg4 14.d4 exd4 15.cxd4 Nc6 16.e5 dxe5 17.Ncxe5 Nxd4 18.Nxg4 Nxg4 19.h3 Nxc2 20.Qxc2 Nf6 21.Rad1 {with compensation for the pawn in Aronian,L (2781)-Grischuk, A (2777) Online 2020} ) ( {As well as} 8...a6 9.a4 Ba7 10.Na3 g5 11.Bg3 g4 12.Nh4 Nh5 13.Nc2 Qg5 14.Re1 Be6 15.Ne3 Bxe3 16.Rxe3 Bxc4 17.dxc4 Ne7 {as in Aronian,L (2767)-Nakamura,H (2777) Chess.com 2018} ) 9.Bg3 a5 {Stopping the queenside expansion of the white pieces.} 10.Re1 Re8 $146 ( {An earlier game saw the typical play around the d4-point after} 10...Ba7 11.Na3 Kg7 12.Nb5 Bb6 13.d4 Nh5 14.Rc1 Qf6 15.Bd5 {Bacrot,E (2673)-Maghsoodloo,P (2676) Chess.com 2020} ) 11.Nbd2 Ba7 12.Nf1 Be6 13.Bb5 {None of the bishop trades is particularly appealing to White. He has a more important job for this bishop.} 13...Bd7 14.Ne3 Ne7 15.a4 c6 16.Bc4 Ng6 ( {Black cannot hold on to his center in case of} 16...d5 17.exd5 cxd5 18.Ba2 ) 17.Qc2 {The queen is eyeing the g6-knight, and the d3-d4 followed by e4-e5 clearance breakthroughs are already in the air.} 17...Nf4 {Radjabov simply moves the knight out of the way.} ( {It makes sense to overprotect the knight and step away from the pin with} 17...Kg7 {Then Black needs not to worry about} 18.Nf5+ $6 ( {Most likely White would continue with} 18.Rad1 Bxe3 19.fxe3 b5 {with unclear play.} ) 18...Bxf5 19.exf5 Nf4 {when Black is more than fine.} ) 18.Rad1 Qe7 {Both sides do their best to prepare for the opening of the game. And Aronian cannot wait for it} 19.d4 exd4 20.Bxf4 ( {Obviously not} 20.cxd4 Nxe4 ) 20...gxf4 21.e5 $1 {The point behind the central break. White's attack is huge, but is it enough to compensate for the material? The exclamation is for the courage, not for the move value.} ( {Objectively better is:} 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 Qf8 23.cxd4 d5 {Although once the white bishop is locked, he can forget about the attack for good.} ) 21...dxe3 {Amazingly, the most obvious capture is not optimal.} ( {Radjabov could have defended without his f4-pawn and won in the spectacular line:} 21...d3 $3 22.Qxd3 fxe3 23.Qg6+ Kh8 24.Qxh6+ ( {Neither here nor in the game is there time for} 24.exf6 exf2+ 25.Kf1 fxe1=Q+ 26.Rxe1 Qxe1+ 27.Nxe1 fxg6 ) 24...Nh7 25.Bd3 exf2+ 26.Kf1 fxe1=Q+ 27.Rxe1 {The difference between here and the game is that after} 27...f5 $1 28.exf6 Qf7 29.Rxe8+ Rxe8 30.Ng5 {Black captures on f6 with a check:} 30...Qxf6+ {Thus winning the game.} ) ( {The other capture} 21...fxe3 22.Qg6+ Kh8 23.Qxh6+ Nh7 24.Bd3 f5 25.exf6 {wins less material for Black:} 25...exf2+ 26.Kxf2 dxc3+ 27.Kf1 Qf7 {and that leaves White attacking for less:} 28.Bg6 Qg8 ( 28...Qc4+ 29.Rd3 ) 29.f7 Rxe1+ 30.Rxe1 Qg7 31.Qh5 cxb2 32.Re7 {And according to the machine, the attack is worth it. White should be close to winning.} ( 32.Ng5 {leads to repetition after} 32...Qf6+ 33.Nf3 Qg7 ) ) 22.Qg6+ Kh8 23.Qxh6+ Nh7 24.Bd3 $1 {A sacrifice reminiscent of the classic Spassky-Bronstein King's Gambit game. The rook is sacrificed for only a tempo!} 24...exf2+ 25.Kf1 fxe1=Q+ 26.Rxe1 Bf5 $3 {The best defense. The bishop is removed from the a6-c4 diagonal.} ( {Here it becomes obvious that} 26...f5 27.exf6 Qf7 28.Rxe8+ Rxe8 29.Ng5 {loses for Black. The f4-pawn shields the white king.} ) 27.Bxf5 {Now Aronian is just millimeters away from mating Radjabov's king.} 27...f6 28.exf6 Qf7 {Now Qf7-c4 is a powerful threat, and Aronian needs to find something special.} 29.Re6 {Beautiful! The rook blocks the queen's sortie to the c4-square. And... wrong!} ( {The unbelievable prophylaxis in the attack} 29.Rxe8+ Rxe8 30.b3 $3 {Then} ( {Notice that it is Black who is mating faster in case of the straightforward:} 30.Ng5 Qc4+ 31.Bd3 Qxd3# ) 30...Kg8 ( {The complexity of the sacrifice is further revealed in the line} 30...Rg8 31.h4 Be3 $1 {In order to control the g5-square. Now White needs to find another unforgettable attacking idea:} 32.h5 $3 {White is attacking positionally!! The h-pawn will secure the g6-square for the bishop. Then the f-pawn would be freed, and Black's position will crumble:} ( {Rather than the obvious} 32.Ng5 Rxg5 33.hxg5 f3 34.Bxh7 Qxh7 35.Qf8+ Qg8 36.Qh6+ {with perpetual.} ) 32...Qc7 33.Bg6 {followed by f6-f7 and wins.} ) 31.Ng5 Nxg5 32.Qxg5+ Kf8 33.Bg6 Qd7 34.Qh6+ Kg8 35.Bxe8 {is easily winning for White.} ) ( {There is an alternative way to finish the attack with} 29.Rd1 $3 Rg8 ( {or} 29...Bc5 30.Ng5 ) 30.Rxd6 {The rook is needed both in the attack and the defense.} ) 29...Rxe6 $1 30.Ng5 Rxf6 $1 {Now Radjabov sacrifices the queen but safeguards his king. And the many pieces he has taken previously are an excellent insurance policy.} 31.Nxf7+ Rxf7 32.Bxh7 Rxh7 33.Qf6+ Kg8 34.Qg6+ Rg7 35.Qe6+ Rf7 {With seconds on the clock, the Azeri GM decided not to tempt fate any longer and settled for the perpetual.} ( {If he had more time on the clock, he would likely have chosen} 35...Kh7 36.Qh3+ Kg6 37.Qe6+ Kg5 38.h4+ Kh5 39.Qf5+ Kh6 40.Qxf4+ Kh7 41.Qf5+ Kh8 {when the checks are over and Black consolidates. It is not yet over for White. He can push the kingside pawns, but Black is the one calling the shots.} ) 36.Qg6+ Kf8 37.Qxd6+ Kg7 38.Qe5+ Kg6 39.Qe6+ Kg7 40.Qe5+ Kg6 41.Qe6+ Kg7 42.Qe5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.17"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Donchenko, Alexander"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2668"]
[BlackElo "2823"]
[ECO "D12"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[Beauty "8246895064149"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Be4 7.f3 Bg6 8.Bd2 Be7 9.Nxg6 hxg6 {Caruana chose a very solid line that he tested last year at the (ongoing) Candidates.} 10.Qc2 Nbd7 ( {Instead, Grischuk chose to put another pawn on a light square against Ding:} 10...a6 11.O-O-O b5 12.c5 Qc7 13.g4 Rxh2 14.Bd3 Rxh1 15.Rxh1 Qg3 16.Qd1 Nbd7 17.Qf1 Qc7 18.Rh8+ Nf8 {with compensation for the pawn in Ding,L (2791)-Grischuk,A (2777) Chess.com 2020} ) 11.O-O-O {Donchenko castles under a pawn attack but hopes to open the center and make it to the enemy king first.} ( 11.cxd5 {is the other continuation.} ) 11...a6 {Here a7-a6 is aiming for a quick queenside action.} ( {The American GM successfully defended the black color in his previous game after} 11...Nb6 12.c5 Nbd7 13.Kb1 Qb8 14.h4 g5 15.Be1 g4 16.e4 gxf3 17.gxf3 b6 18.exd5 exd5 19.cxb6 axb6 {in Giri,A (2763)-Caruana, F (2842) Ekaterinburg 2020} ) 12.g4 $146 {A novelty, played after 10 minutes of thought. But since Donchenko blitzed his next moves, it might have been only to refresh his memory.} ( {An earlier game ended well for White after} 12.Be1 b5 13.c5 Qc8 14.g4 Bd8 15.h4 Bc7 16.Bd3 Qb7 17.h5 gxh5 18.g5 Ng8 19.g6 f5 20.e4 fxe4 21.fxe4 Ngf6 22.exd5 exd5 23.Qe2+ {Adly,A (2637) -Ibrahimov,R (2518) Riadh 2017} ) 12...dxc4 13.Bxc4 b5 {Obvious, and somewhat provocative.} 14.Be2 {White simply retreated.} ( {The other retreat} 14.Bb3 {does not seem to pose problems for Black after either the immediate} 14...c5 ( {Or the more cunning} 14...Rc8 $5 {in order to preserve the d5-square in case of} 15.g5 Nd5 ) 15.g5 c4 16.Bxc4 bxc4 17.gxf6 Bxf6 18.Qa4 {with unclear play.} ) ( {However, the bishop sacrifice is very tempting:} 14.Bxe6 $5 fxe6 15.g5 {Then after both} 15...Nh5 ( {or} 15...Nd5 16.Qxg6+ Kf8 17.h4 ) 16.Qxg6+ Kf8 17.Qxe6 Bxg5 18.Kb1 {White has compensation for the piece due to the weakened black king. However, since Caruana was practically blitzing and knowing the high-level preparation of the American, there is little doubt that this was accurately checked at home.} ) 14...c5 15.d5 $5 {The first real in-depth thought in the game (more than half an hour). As it was mentioned before White should logically try to get to the enemy king before the queenside explodes, and he is ready to part with a pawn for this aim.} ( {Apparently Black does not experience any problems after} 15.dxc5 Nxc5 16.Kb1 Rc8 ) 15...Nxd5 {And almost the same amount of time spent by Black.} ( {Definitely not} 15...exd5 16.g5 ) 16.Nxd5 exd5 17.f4 {The point behind the sacrifice. White is ready to seize the light squares after Be2-f3!} 17...b4 {In order to secure the a5-square for the queen.} ( {The engine likes} 17...Qb6 18.Bf3 c4 {and claims approximate equality.} ( {Or} 18...Rd8 ) ) 18.e4 {Another tough decision by the German GM.} ( {However,} 18.Bf3 {would be nicely met with} 18...Qa5 19.Bxd5 Rc8 {when the c5-c4 break cannot be easily blocked, e.g.:} 20.Kb1 ( {Or} 20.Bc4 Nb6 21.Kb1 Nxc4 22.Qxc4 Qb5 $1 23.Rc1 Rd8 {with pleasant endgame for Black.} ) 20...c4 $1 21.Bxc4 Nb6 22.b3 Nxc4 23.bxc4 {with a promising position for the second player after both} 23...Qb6 ( {or} 23...Qc5 ) ) 18...d4 $1 {This pawn will play an important part in Caruana's counterattack.} ( {After the simplistic} 18...dxe4 $2 19.h4 $1 {is very strong in order to meet the castling with a mating attack:} ( 19.Qxe4 {is not bad either.} ) 19...O-O 20.h5 ) ( {Caruana might have been also tempted by the lines after} 18...c4 19.exd5 {Here both pawn advances seem promising for Black:} 19...c3 $1 ( {or} 19...b3 $1 20.axb3 cxb3 21.Qd3 O-O 22.Kb1 {when the Bd2 covers the a5-square, thus stopping the mate for the time being.} ) 20.Be3 cxb2+ 21.Kb1 Rc8 {with strong initiative for the second player. But in hindsight, this might have been the lesser evil for White.} ) 19.e5 {With the idea of e5-e6!} ( {In case of} 19.h4 {Black's attack runs by itself with} 19...c4 20.Bxc4 Rc8 21.b3 Nb6 22.Qd3 Nxc4 23.bxc4 Qc7 24.Kb2 {Now Black may even reject the pawn and play for attack with} 24...Qc5 ( {Or cash in with} 24...Qxc4 25.Qxc4 Rxc4 ) ) 19...Nb6 {Out of the tempo.} ( {Although} 19...c4 {might have been equally good:} 20.Bxc4 ( {There is no time for} 20.e6 d3 $1 21.exf7+ Kf8 22.Bxd3 cxd3 23.Qxd3 Nf6 {and Black should convert the piece.} ) 20...Nb6 21.Kb1 Rc8 22.b3 {Here} 22...Rh3 $1 {leads to an even better version of the attacking position from above.} ) 20.e6 {Donchenko is opening the black king.} 20...Qd5 $1 {But Caruana is as cold-blooded as he can be.} 21.exf7+ Kf8 $1 {The king is pretty safe here.} ( {But not} 21...Kxf7 22.Bd3 Qxa2 23.Bxg6+ Kg8 24.Rde1 {when White has his chances.} ) 22.h4 ( {Maybe he should have tried to defend with} 22.b3 {although Black's attack is running by itself here as well with} 22...a5 ) 22...Qxa2 23.Qxg6 b3 {Both the kings are exposed, but the black one is hiding nicely behind the opponent's own pawn.} 24.Be1 c4 $1 {An excellent inclusion of another piece in the attack. The dark-squared bishop is decisively reinforcing the queenside pressure.} ( {The endgame does not promise as much:} 24...Qa1+ 25.Qb1 Qxb1+ 26.Kxb1 a5 27.g5 ) 25.Rxd4 ( {Or else mate:} 25.h5 c3 26.bxc3 Ba3# ) 25...Na4 26.Qb1 Ba3 $1 {The point. White is helpless.} 27.Qxa2 ( {Or else Black mops up the white pieces:} 27.bxa3 b2+ 28.Kc2 Qb3+ 29.Kd2 Qc3+ ) 27...bxa2 28.Kc2 Rb8 {Caruana extracts the maximum out of the position.} ( {He is not happy with the extra piece after} 28...a1=Q 29.Bb4+ Bxb4 30.Rxa1 Nb6 ) 29.Rd8+ ( {Or else mate:} 29.bxa3 Rb2+ 30.Kd1 a1=Q# ) 29...Rxd8 30.bxa3 c3 $1 {Black is winning another piece:} 31.Bg3 Rd2+ 32.Kb3 Nc5+ 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.21"]
[Round "5.6"]
[White "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2663"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[ECO "B97"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8045547506712"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 {The Poisoned Pawn Variation carries this title for a reason. Black risks to gain a seemingly worthless pawn and gets heavily behind in development. Modern engines make defenders far braver than before. On top of that, Vachier-Lagrave trusts his position.} 8.Qd2 Qxb2 9.Rb1 Qa3 10.f5 ( {The other main direction of the line was tested by Radjabov recently:} 10.e5 h6 11.Bh4 dxe5 12.fxe5 Nfd7 13.Ne4 {In this line White often sacrifices three to four pawns in the blink of an eye:} 13...Qxa2 14.Rd1 Qd5 15.Qe3 Qxe5 16.Be2 Bc5 17.Bg3 Qd5 18.c4 Bxd4 19.Rxd4 Qa5+ 20.Rd2 O-O 21.Bd6 {which means that Black is always ready to part with some material to slow down the opponent's initiative:} 21...f5 22.Bxf8 Nxf8 {with sharp and interesting play Radjabov,T (2765)-Ding,L (2791) Online 2020} ) 10...Be7 ( {Another way to defend is} 10...Nc6 11.fxe6 fxe6 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Be2 Be7 14.e5 dxe5 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Bh5+ g6 17.Ne4 O-O 18.O-O Qe7 19.Bf3 Qa7+ 20.Kh1 Be7 21.Qc3 Rb8 22.h3 Rxb1 23.Rxb1 Qc7 {as in Karjakin,S (2752)-Duda,J (2757) Chess.com 2020} ) 11.fxe6 Bxe6 12.Nxe6 fxe6 13.Bc4 {A fashionable line and a favorite choice of the Chinese top-GM Wei Yi. White's play is very straightforward and logical.} 13...Nbd7 14.Bxe6 Nc5 15.Bb3 {An over-the-board novelty.} ( {Both Vachier-Lagrave and Nepomniachtchi defended against the Chinese GM after} 15.Bf5 g6 16.Bh3 Nfxe4 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Qd4 Qc3+ 19.Qxc3 Nxc3 20.Bxe7 Kxe7 {Wei,Y (2721)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2774) Chess.com 2019 and Wei,Y (2736) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2773) Moscow 2019} ) ( {However, the French GM suffered a heavy blow in the following game:} 15.Bc4 {Taken by surprise, Vachier-Lagrave followed the stream:} 15...Ncxe4 ( {However, in another game that year Black defended with} 15...b5 16.O-O bxc4 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Qxd6 Qxc3 19.e5 Qe3+ 20.Kh1 Ne4 21.Qc6+ Kf7 22.exf6 gxf6 23.Qd7+ Kf8 24.g3 Nf2+ 25.Kg2 Ne4 {Radjabov,T (2759)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2775) Dortmund 2019} ) 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 {but was in for a nasty surprise:} 17.Bf7+ $3 Kxf7 18.Qd5+ Ke8 19.Qxe4 Qa5+ 20.Kd1 Qxg5 21.Rxb7 {when White regained the piece and eventually won, thanks to his superb preparation in Caruana,F (2819)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2779) Stavanger 2019} ) 15...Rc8 {Played without much hesitation.} ( {Equipped with his hard-learned knowledge from the game against Caruana, MVL naturally stays away from the line} 15...Ncxe4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Bf7+ Kxf7 18.Qd5+ Ke8 19.Qxe4 Qa5+ 20.Kd1 Qxg5 21.Rxb7 {which transposes to the game from above.} ) ( {The immediate capture of the bishop} 15...Nxb3 16.Rxb3 Qc5 17.Rxb7 {simply wins a pawn for White.} ) 16.O-O Nxb3 {It's a good moment to get rid of this beast and bring the queen back into play.} 17.Rxb3 Qc5+ 18.Be3 Qc4 19.Rf4 {With the strong threat of e4-e5.} ( 19.Nd5 {is not dangerous for Black after} 19...Nxd5 20.exd5 Bf6 ) 19...Qe6 $146 {Technically speaking, only this is a novelty but not a good one. Black used18 minutes on his clock and might have messed up the lines.} ( {There was a correspondence game where Black immediately attacked the annoying rook in return:} 19...Nh5 $1 20.Rf1 ( 20.Rf3 Nf6 ) ( 20.Rg4 O-O ) ( 20.Rf5 Nf6 ) 20...Rf8 21.Re1 b5 22.Nd5 Qxc2 23.Qd4 Nf6 24.Qa7 Nxd5 25.exd5 Rc7 26.Qxa6 Kf7 27.h3 Kg8 {and the game eventually ended peacefully, Rothman,I (2158)-Pessoa, F (2525) ICCF email 2010} ) ( {Note that the queen cannot retreat easily on the c-file:} 19...Qc6 20.Nd5 Qxc2 21.Qxc2 Rxc2 22.Rxb7 {still wins a pawn for White.} ) ( {Whereas} 19...Qc7 20.Nd5 Nxd5 21.Qxd5 Rf8 22.Qh5+ {with a strong attack would be even more unpleasant than the previous retreat.} ) 20.Rxb7 {Picking up a nice, healthy pawn while occupying the seventh rank. How bad can it get?} 20...O-O 21.h3 $1 {A cool consolidation move. There will be no back-rank mates or Nf6-g4-e5 maneuvers.} ( {Black is fighting after} 21.Nd5 Nxd5 22.exd5 Qe5 ) 21...Rb8 {One more small subtlety by Grandelius. He does not even give the b-file without a fight.} ( {The other route to e5 is not advisable:} 21...Nd7 $2 22.Qd5 ) ( {If Black waits with} 21...Rc4 {then} 22.Nd5 $1 Bd8 23.Qd3 {improves White's position further.} ) 22.Ra7 $1 ( {As in:} 22.Rxb8 Rxb8 23.Qd3 ) 22...Ra8 23.Rxa8 Rxa8 24.Nd5 ( {Also good is} 24.Qd3 $1 Rc8 ( {No time for} 24...Rb8 25.Qxa6 ) 25.Nd5 Nxd5 26.exd5 Qg6 27.Qxg6 hxg6 28.Ra4 Rxc2 29.Rxa6 {and White should win the endgame.} ) 24...Rb8 ( {Perhaps Vachier-Lagrave had to try and defend the position after} 24...Nxd5 25.exd5 Qg6 26.Rg4 Qf5 ) 25.c4 Bd8 ( {The last chance is} 25...Nxd5 26.exd5 Rb1+ 27.Kh2 Qe5 28.Bd4 Qe1 {Although White should also win here with} 29.Qd3 $1 ( {Rather than the endgame} 29.Qxe1 Rxe1 {where Black has chances, thanks to his active rook.} ) ) 26.Qf2 Nd7 27.Bd4 Bg5 ( 27...h6 $5 {to open air for the king is more resilient.} ) 28.Rf5 Bh6 ( {It is probably here where the French GM spotted} 28...h6 29.h4 g6 ( {Without the bishop on the kingside, Black is quickly mated:} 29...Bc1 30.Qg3 g6 31.Nf6+ ) 30.hxg5 $1 gxf5 31.exf5 Qe4 32.g6 {and nothing can stop the white pawns.} ) 29.Kh2 {The last preparatory move. Grandelius is converting in style.} 29...Rc8 30.Qg3 g6 ( 30...Qxe4 31.Qxd6 ) 31.Qh4 $1 {A nice final touch.} 31...Bf8 ( {White regains all the material with interest in the line} 31...gxf5 32.exf5 Qe8 33.Ne7+ Kf7 34.Nxc8 Qxc8 35.Qxh6 ) 32.Rf6 {Not even a sacrifice. The white pieces are mercilessly surrounding the opponent's king.} 32...Qe8 ( {Or} 32...Nxf6 33.Nxf6+ Kf7 34.Qxh7+ Bg7 35.Ng4 Rg8 36.Nh6+ {winning.} ) 33.Rxf8+ Qxf8 34.Ne7+ Kf7 35.Nxc8 ( 35.Nxc8 Qxc8 36.Qxh7+ ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.22"]
[Round "6.7"]
[White "Donchenko, Alexander"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2668"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[ECO "D31"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[Beauty "7427093176913"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.d4 d5 ( {In order to fully understand Firouzja's choice, let me remind you the fascinating recent game where practically the same pawn structure happened with reverse colors after} 1...Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.b4 a5 6.c3 axb4 7.cxb4 b6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 10.a4 bxc5 11.b5 Bd6 12.Bb2 O-O 13.O-O Qc7 14.Nbd2 c4 15.Bc3 e5 16.a5 e4 17.b6 {and later White won a beautiful game, Firouzja,A (2703)-So,W (2741) Skilling Open 2020} ) 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 dxc4 5.e3 b5 6.a4 c6 7.Bd2 a5 8.axb5 Bxc3 9.Bxc3 cxb5 10.b3 Bb7 11.bxc4 b4 12.Bb2 Nf6 {The Noteboom variation is considered very risky for Black from a positional point of view. He gives away the center almost completely and surrenders the bishop pair. But in return he gets a nice pair of advanced passers, controls the long diagonal, and if he is not mated in the middlegame, he might well be able to promote those passers. All in all a risky, double-edged opening with excellent winning chances for both sides.} 13.Bd3 O-O 14.O-O Nbd7 15.Nd2 {One idea now is to prepare c4-c5 followed by Nd2-c4 and eventually Nc4-d6. Another one is to start rolling the kingside pawns. The drawback of the move is, however, that it loses control of the central e5-square.} ( 15.Bc2 {at once looks more solid.} ) ( {The immediate} 15.c5 {might be met with} 15...Bxf3 16.Qxf3 Nxc5 ) 15...e5 $1 {It is mandatory to block the white pawns.} 16.Bc2 ( 16.dxe5 Nxe5 {is excellent for Black.} ) ( {Whereas} 16.c5 $2 Nxc5 {drops a pawn.} ) 16...Qc7 17.h3 ( {The opening did not go well for White in the following game:} 17.Re1 Rfe8 18.d5 Nb6 19.e4 Nfd7 20.f4 f6 21.fxe5 Nxe5 22.Bd4 Nbxc4 23.Nxc4 Qxc4 24.Bb3 Qa6 25.Bxe5 Rxe5 26.Qd4 Qd6 {Sjugirov,S (2675)-Obolenskikh, D (2544) Chess.com 2020} ) 17...Rfe8 18.Bb3 {This does not seem like the right plan.} ( {Here} 18.d5 $1 {might be strong. It seems that Black can block the position with} 18...Nc5 {but White can put strong pressure on the dark squares, then with} 19.f4 Nfd7 20.fxe5 Nxe5 21.Nf3 {eventually lifting the blockade with an edge for the first player.} ) 18...h6 $146 ( {An email game saw sharp kingside play after} 18...Ne4 19.Nxe4 Bxe4 20.Re1 Ra6 21.f3 Bf5 22.c5 Rg6 23.Kh1 Rh6 24.Bc4 Bxh3 25.gxh3 exd4 26.Bf1 Qg3 {and Black's attack was sufficient to maintain the balance after} 27.Re2 Ne5 28.exd4 Rd8 29.Qe1 Rxh3+ 30.Bxh3 Qxh3+ 31.Rh2 Qxf3+ 32.Rg2 Qh3+ 33.Rh2 Qf3+ 34.Rg2 Qh3+ 35.Rh2 Qf3+ {\BD-\BD (35) Rudolf,M (2129)-Ress,J (2179) LSS email 2013} ) 19.Nf3 {The knight returns, but threatens nothing...} ( {At last} 19.c5 {is possible, but it brings White nothing after the blockading:} 19...exd4 20.exd4 Bd5 ) ( {Maybe} 19.f4 $5 exf4 20.exf4 Ne4 {with an unclear position should have been tested.} ) 19...Ra6 $1 {A nice rook lift.} 20.Nxe5 ( {The other capture} 20.dxe5 $2 Ne4 21.Bc2 Ndc5 {allows yet another powerful blockade and domination of the black pieces.} ) 20...Nxe5 21.dxe5 Nd7 22.f4 {Donchenko decided to risk and keep the pawn.} ( {Perhaps from afar he intended} 22.Ba4 {but then Black can force a beautiful draw with} 22...Nxe5 $1 23.Bxe8 Nf3+ 24.gxf3 Rg6+ 25.Kh1 Qc8 26.Kh2 Qc7+ {In hindsight, this might not have been a bad idea.} ) 22...Nc5 $1 23.Bc2 a4 ( {Even stronger is} 23...b3 $1 {which would force the bishop to step to a worse position:} 24.Bf5 ( 24.Bxb3 $4 {loses a piece due to} 24...Rb6 ) ( {If} 24.Bb1 {as in the game:} 24...Rd8 25.Qe2 Be4 {and the black rook makes it to the attacking g6-square after} 26.Rd1 Rg6 ) 24...a4 {Now White cannot push his f-pawn.} ) 24.f5 $1 {Donchenko grabs the given chance and opens up the game on the kingside.} 24...b3 25.Bb1 Raa8 ( {Objectively best seems} 25...a3 $1 26.Rxa3 Rxa3 27.Bxa3 Qxe5 {when the situation remains somehow balanced. For example:} 28.f6 ( {Black is better after} 28.Bxc5 Qxc5 29.Qd4 Qxd4 30.exd4 Ba6 $1 31.Rc1 Re2 ) 28...Qxe3+ {White has nothing else but to trade the queens with} 29.Rf2 ( {Or otherwise he is mated:} 29.Kh1 $4 Qxh3+ ) ( {Or} 29.Kh2 $2 Qe2 ) 29...Qe1+ 30.Qxe1 Rxe1+ 31.Rf1 {The draw seems like the most probable result here.} ) 26.e6 $1 {Bringing the bishops out.} 26...Qg3 ( {Firouzja needs to be careful:} 26...fxe6 $2 {loses to} 27.f6 Rf8 ( {Or} 27...gxf6 28.Rxf6 ) 28.Qg4 Rf7 29.Qg6 {and the attack cannot be parried.} ) 27.Rf2 {But this is not the right way to defend the g2-spot. The rook is needed for the kingside attack.} ( {Therefore:} 27.Qe2 $1 {is called for, for example} 27...f6 {Now the rook can be lifted:} ( 27...fxe6 {is still bad as the rook is free to move:} 28.f6 gxf6 29.Rxf6 ) 28.Rf4 h5 {and it is only White who can be better after} 29.Ba3 ( {Or} 29.Qf2 ) ) 27...f6 {Black misses an excellent chance.} ( 27...fxe6 $1 {was possible now that the rook on f2 is stuck with the defense of the second rank. Then the endgame after} 28.f6 gxf6 29.Qh5 Qg5 30.Qxg5+ hxg5 31.Rxf6 Be4 $1 {should be close to won for Black.} ) 28.Bd4 ( {It is not too late for} 28.Qe2 $1 ) 28...Ne4 29.Bxe4 {Certainly a mistake after which Firouzja holds all the trumps.} ( {As scary as it looks} 29.Rf4 $1 {is White's best idea. Then} 29...Ng5 30.Qg4 Qxg4 31.Rxg4 a3 {looks winning for Black, but White can actually hold this with the forcing sequence} ( {Or} 31...h5 32.Rf4 a3 ) 32.h4 b2 33.Ra2 h5 34.Rf4 Be4 $1 35.Rxe4 $1 Nxe4 36.Bxe4 Reb8 37.Bb1 Rb4 38.Kf2 Rxc4 39.Bxb2 $1 Rb4 40.Bc1 Rxb1 41.Rxa3 Re8 42.Bd2 g6 {and it should be a draw.} ) 29...Bxe4 30.Ra3 ( 30.Qh5 {is easily met with:} 30...Re7 ) 30...Rec8 31.c5 Kh7 32.Qd2 ( {Perhaps White can hold the endgame after} 32.Qg4 Qxg4 33.hxg4 {although this is certainly an ungrateful task.} ) 32...b2 {One can hardly criticize a move that leads quickly to the win; however, White could have defended here.} ( {Objectively, a move like} 32...Rd8 {would keep a large advantage for Black and good winning chances.} ) 33.Qxb2 {The losing mistake.} ( {Donchenko should have opted for} 33.Bxb2 $1 {with the idea to answer} 33...Rxc5 {with} 34.Qd4 ( {Or} 34.Qb4 {which would transpose.} ) 34...Rxf5 35.Qxe4 $1 {White gives up the rook with a check, but manages to salvage half a point thanks to his powerful passer:} 35...Qxf2+ 36.Kh2 Rc8 ( {Nothing changes} 36...Re8 37.Rxa4 ) 37.e7 Re8 38.Rxa4 {The simple human choice.} ( {Or the computer-like} 38.Bxf6 $1 gxf6 39.Rxa4 Kg7 40.Ra8 ) 38...Rxe7 39.Qxe7 Qxb2 40.Qe4 {with a draw.} ) 33...Rab8 34.Qa2 Rb1+ 35.Rf1 Rcb8 36.Qf2 Rxf1+ 37.Kxf1 ( {Or} 37.Qxf1 Rb1 ) 37...Rb1+ 38.Ke2 Qb8 $1 {This long move backwards might have been missed by Donchenko. The attack on the light squares is irresistible.} 39.Qf4 Qb5+ 40.Kd2 Qb4+ 41.Bc3 Qxa3 42.Qxe4 Qc1+ 43.Kd3 Qf1+ 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.23"]
[Round "7.5"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7770132716558"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3 Be7 9.Qd2 h5 {One of the modern ideas against the English Attack. Black wants to completely prevent it! A curious choice by Grandelius. Giri himself played this line at least three times last year as Black.} 10.Nd5 {Stressing the facts that Black's last move weakened the kingside and castling might not be as appealing.} ( {The Dutch GM defended well in the following sharp battle:} 10.O-O-O Nbd7 11.Kb1 Rc8 12.h4 b5 13.a3 O-O 14.Bg5 Re8 15.g4 hxg4 16.fxg4 Bxg4 17.Re1 d5 {Wei,Y (2732)-Giri,A (2764) Chess.com 2020} ) 10...Nxd5 11.exd5 Bf5 12.Be2 a5 {A second rook-pawn move that aims to discourage the white king from castling queenside.} ( {Nakamura and Carlsen discussed the consequences of} 12...Bh4+ 13.g3 Be7 14.c4 a5 15.Bd3 Bh3 16.O-O-O Nd7 17.Kb1 a4 18.Nc1 Qa5 19.Qxa5 Rxa5 20.Rhg1 f5 {Nakamura,H (2736)-Carlsen,M (2863) Online 2020} ) 13.a4 O-O {Now it is safe to castle kingside because the a2-a4 weakening has been provoked.} 14.O-O Nd7 15.f4 {However, Giri seems happy with the potential black targets and his better pawn structure.} 15...exf4 16.Bxf4 Rc8 $146 ( {An email game went} 16...Bg6 17.Bb5 Bf6 18.c4 Qc7 19.Rae1 Rfd8 20.Bg3 h4 21.Rxf6 hxg3 22.Rff1 gxh2+ 23.Kh1 Re8 24.Nxa5 Re5 {with counterplay, Brodda,W (2596)-Acevedo Villalba,A (2515) ICCF email 2015} ) 17.c3 ( {It is better to avoid} 17.Nd4 {for the time being as the black knight will find some wonderful squares after} 17...Bg6 18.c3 Nc5 ) 17...Nf6 ( {Here} 17...Nc5 $2 {loses material due to} 18.Nxc5 Rxc5 19.Be3 ) 18.Be3 {The outcome of the opening points towards White's advantage. He has long-term advantage, and if he manages to consolidate his position, it will be hard for Black to hold the balance.} 18...Be4 $1 {Therefore, Grandelius enters complications.} 19.Bd4 $1 {But Giri opts for a temporary pawn sacrifice and takes over the initiative.} 19...Nxd5 {The only possible capture.} ( 19...Bxd5 {loses the material back due to the nice} 20.Rxf6 $1 ( {Not} 20.Bxf6 Bxb3 ) 20...Bxb3 21.Rf5 {Not only will White regain the pawn, but he will soon launch a strong kingside attack.} ) 20.Bf3 {Solid and good enough for a stable advantage.} ( {Also interesting is} 20.Bxh5 Nf6 21.Rae1 {when the white pieces stand more harmoniously. Perhaps White disliked the solidifying move} 21...d5 {here, but White should be better after, say:} 22.Bf3 ) 20...Bg5 ( {Or} 20...Bxf3 21.Rxf3 Bf6 22.Rf5 Bxd4+ 23.Qxd4 Nf6 24.Nxa5 {when the better pawn structure clearly favors White.} ) 21.Qe2 Bxf3 22.Qxf3 Nf6 23.Qf5 {White regains the pawn and preserves all his advantages.} 23...Ng4 ( {Worse is} 23...Bh6 24.Nxa5 ) 24.Qxa5 Re8 ( {The rook endgame is also clearly better for White after} 24...Qxa5 25.Nxa5 Be3+ 26.Bxe3 Nxe3 27.Rf3 b6 28.Rxe3 bxa5 ) 25.Qxd8 Bxd8 26.Rfe1 {The game smoothly entered an endgame: the dream scenario for Giri. Not only because he is an exceptional technician, but because he kept all his small advantages and even accumulated more. The queenside majority will be soon translated into a distant passer.} 26...Ne5 27.Nd2 Re6 28.Red1 Kf8 {Giri called this "a horrible move."} 29.b4 {That might have been rushed a bit.} ( {It makes sense to improve a little further with} 29.Kf1 $5 ) ( {Or} 29.Nf1 $5 ) 29...Nc6 30.Bf2 Ne5 {This very logical move is instructively refuted.} ( {Grandelius needed to keep his opponent busy with} 30...Bf6 {Then} 31.Rac1 ( {Or alternatively} 31.Ra3 Ne7 32.c4 Nc6 33.b5 ( 33.Rb3 Nd4 ) 33...Na5 ) 31...Bg5 32.Rb1 Ne5 33.Ne4 Be7 34.h3 Nc4 {might be a good way to stop the white pawns.} ) 31.a5 $3 {A profound, in-depth understanding of the position. The outside passer moves with decisive effect. It will soon cost Black a piece.} 31...Rxc3 32.b5 Ng4 {The last chance to create threats, but the white pieces are invincible.} 33.Bd4 Rd3 34.Nc4 Rxd4 {Desperation.} ( {However, Black is also lost after} 34...Rb3 35.a6 ) ( {Or} 34...Rxd1+ 35.Rxd1 d5 36.Nb6 $1 ) 35.Rxd4 Bf6 36.Rdd1 d5 ( {Nothing changes} 36...Bxa1 37.Rxa1 Ne5 38.Nb6 $1 {and Black will soon have to part with his knight.} ) 37.Nb6 $1 {It's over. Giri's elegant play is impressive.} 37...Ne3 {A final blunder that finishes the suffering.} ( {Or} 37...Bxa1 38.Rxa1 Ne5 39.Nxd5 ) 38.Nd7+ Ke7 39.Nxf6 ( 39.Nxf6 {Since Black loses a whole piece in the line} 39...Nxd1 40.Nxd5+ Kd6 41.Rxd1 ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.24"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[ECO "B84"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7837799424048"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.Be3 Be7 {Black often delays this move in these Sicilians, trying to get some space and play on the opposite wing first (or in the center.)} 8.g4 {A sharp attacking continuation against the Scheveningen in the spirit of the Keres Attack..} 8...b5 {A very risky move that the world champion executed after more than 12 minutes spent on his clock. The last time this was tried was back in 2016.} ( {A recent grandmaster game saw an even sharper development after} 8...Nfd7 9.Qd2 b5 10.a3 Bb7 11.O-O-O Nc6 12.g5 Nxd4 13.Qxd4 Bxg5 14.Rhg1 Bxe3+ 15.Qxe3 Qb6 16.Qg3 Ne5 17.f4 Ng6 18.f5 Ne5 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Qxg7 O-O-O {Tarlev,K (2564)-Saric,I (2650) Germany 2019} ) ( {Eight years back in Norway, Veselin Topalov played in accordance with the classical principles and struck in the center:} 8...d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Bf3 Qa5+ 12.Qd2 Qxd2+ 13.Bxd2 Nd7 {comfortably holding the endgame in Nakamura,H (2775)-Topalov,V (2793) Stavanger 2013} ) 9.g5 {Esipenko, in turn, plays quickly and confidently.} 9...Nfd7 10.a3 $1 {Played without any hesitation. It is far more important to stabilize the center than to care for the g5-pawn. White is often sacrificing it anyway whenever the opponent castles kingside, for instance.} ( {After} 10.Qd2 Bb7 ( 10...b4 11.Nd1 Nc5 {might be even more interesting.} ) 11.a3 Nb6 12.b3 N8d7 13.f4 Rc8 14.Bf3 Qc7 15.Nce2 g6 16.c3 Nc5 {Black achieved a harmonious position in Ashiku,F (2139)-Ten Hertog,H (2318) Albena 2011} ) 10...Bxg5 {Again hesitation. But what else?} ( {After} 10...Bb7 11.Rg1 Qc7 12.f4 {White has an excellent attacking position for free.} ) 11.Qd2 Bxe3 ( {Esipenko no doubt knew the following masterpiece:} 11...Bf6 12.O-O-O Bb7 13.Rhg1 Nc5 14.e5 $3 {In the best defended spot!} 14...Bxe5 ( 14...dxe5 15.Ndxb5 $1 {would not have changed anything.} ) 15.Ndxb5 $1 Nb3+ ( 15...axb5 16.Bxc5 ) 16.cxb3 axb5 17.Bxb5+ Bc6 18.Bd4 Qc8 19.Bxe5 dxe5 20.Kb1 Rg8 21.Ne4 {1-0 Ivanchuk,V (2739)-Negi,P (2634) Peristeri 2010} ) 12.Qxe3 {For the pawn, the young Russian GM has a significant lead in the development and a lot of open files to work on. The pawns on d6 and g7 are particularly interesting for White.} 12...Qh4 $146 {This is also hard to explain. Carlsen is lagging in development, so why not develop pieces? And who is going to defend the d6-pawn now?} ( {An email game saw the more reasonable} 12...Bb7 13.O-O-O Qe7 14.Nb3 Nc6 15.Qg3 Nc5 16.Nxc5 dxc5 17.Qxg7 Rf8 18.Bg4 Nd4 19.Ne2 O-O-O {Frotscher,T (2363)-Gomila Marti,S (2375) ICCF email 2019} ) 13.Rg1 {Of course! White is not afraid of losing the h2-pawn.} 13...g6 ( {In fact, in the line} 13...Qxh2 14.Rxg7 Qh1+ {he has a spectacular win:} 15.Kd2 $3 Qxa1 16.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 17.Qg5 {with mate.} ) ( {Understandably, Black does not want to castle under an attack:} 13...O-O 14.O-O-O ) 14.O-O-O Qe7 15.f4 {The central breaks are in the air.} 15...Bb7 16.Kb1 {A cunning move. White often does this prophylaxis in the Sicilian, but here it is more venomous than it seems, and it sets a nasty trap.} ( {Other logical and strong continuations are} 16.h4 ) ( {Or} 16.e5 {with the idea} 16...d5 17.f5 $1 {to reach the black king as quick as possible.} ) 16...Nc6 {Carlsen falls for it!} ( {We know why he does not want to castle:} 16...O-O 17.h4 {Many files will be opened against his king in a flash.} ) ( {However, the preliminary} 16...Nc5 {is a must and only after} 17.Bf3 Nc6 {True, even here Black's position remains suspicious, to say the least, after} 18.e5 d5 19.Bxd5 $1 {A sacrifice which Black cannot accept:} 19...exd5 20.Nxd5 {as the queen does not have a reasonable square.} ) 17.Ncxb5 $1 {That's it! After the forcing...} 17...axb5 18.Nxc6 Bxc6 19.Qc3 $1 {which apparently Black missed, the world champion can already resign on move 19. An exceptional case in his practice.} 19...O-O 20.Qxc6 d5 {Trying to complicate as much as possible.} ( {Nothing changes} 20...Nc5 21.Qxd6 Qa7 22.Qd4 ) 21.exd5 Rfc8 22.d6 $1 {But Esipenko is very accurate.} 22...Qd8 ( 22...Rxc6 23.dxe7 {promotes.} ) 23.Qxb5 {This looks risky, but it was very carefully calculated.} ( {A more careful player would have chosen} 23.Qe4 {but the young Russian has it all covered.} ) 23...Rcb8 24.Qc4 Rxa3 {For the moment, it seems as the world champion might muddy the waters, however...} 25.Qc7 Qe8 26.Rg5 $1 {A nice, decisive maneuver that aims to trade one of the enemy rooks, thus killing all of the attack.} 26...Ra4 ( {Since} 26...Rc8 {is refuted by} 27.bxa3 $1 ) 27.Ra5 Rab4 28.b3 R4b7 ( {After} 28...Rc8 {the neatest win is} 29.Bb5 $1 Rxc7 30.dxc7 {when the pawn cannot be stopped.} ) 29.Qc3 {The attack is over before it even began. Esipenko comfortably finishes the battle.} 29...Qd8 30.Bf3 Rb4 31.Qc7 Qf6 32.Ra8 {Finally achieving his goal.} 32...Rxa8 33.Bxa8 Qf5 34.Kb2 Rb5 35.Qxd7 Rc5 36.Rc1 Qxf4 37.Qe8+ Kg7 38.d7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.24"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[ECO "B84"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7837799424048"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.Be3 Be7 {Black often delays this move in these Sicilians, trying to get some space and play on the opposite wing first (or in the center.)} 8.g4 {A sharp attacking continuation against the Scheveningen in the spirit of the Keres Attack..} 8...b5 {A very risky move that the world champion executed after more than 12 minutes spent on his clock. The last time this was tried was back in 2016.} ( {A recent grandmaster game saw an even sharper development after} 8...Nfd7 9.Qd2 b5 10.a3 Bb7 11.O-O-O Nc6 12.g5 Nxd4 13.Qxd4 Bxg5 14.Rhg1 Bxe3+ 15.Qxe3 Qb6 16.Qg3 Ne5 17.f4 Ng6 18.f5 Ne5 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Qxg7 O-O-O {Tarlev,K (2564)-Saric,I (2650) Germany 2019} ) ( {Eight years back in Norway, Veselin Topalov played in accordance with the classical principles and struck in the center:} 8...d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Bf3 Qa5+ 12.Qd2 Qxd2+ 13.Bxd2 Nd7 {comfortably holding the endgame in Nakamura,H (2775)-Topalov,V (2793) Stavanger 2013} ) 9.g5 {Esipenko, in turn, plays quickly and confidently.} 9...Nfd7 10.a3 $1 {Played without any hesitation. It is far more important to stabilize the center than to care for the g5-pawn. White is often sacrificing it anyway whenever the opponent castles kingside, for instance.} ( {After} 10.Qd2 Bb7 ( 10...b4 11.Nd1 Nc5 {might be even more interesting.} ) 11.a3 Nb6 12.b3 N8d7 13.f4 Rc8 14.Bf3 Qc7 15.Nce2 g6 16.c3 Nc5 {Black achieved a harmonious position in Ashiku,F (2139)-Ten Hertog,H (2318) Albena 2011} ) 10...Bxg5 {Again hesitation. But what else?} ( {After} 10...Bb7 11.Rg1 Qc7 12.f4 {White has an excellent attacking position for free.} ) 11.Qd2 Bxe3 ( {Esipenko no doubt knew the following masterpiece:} 11...Bf6 12.O-O-O Bb7 13.Rhg1 Nc5 14.e5 $3 {In the best defended spot!} 14...Bxe5 ( 14...dxe5 15.Ndxb5 $1 {would not have changed anything.} ) 15.Ndxb5 $1 Nb3+ ( 15...axb5 16.Bxc5 ) 16.cxb3 axb5 17.Bxb5+ Bc6 18.Bd4 Qc8 19.Bxe5 dxe5 20.Kb1 Rg8 21.Ne4 {1-0 Ivanchuk,V (2739)-Negi,P (2634) Peristeri 2010} ) 12.Qxe3 {For the pawn, the young Russian GM has a significant lead in the development and a lot of open files to work on. The pawns on d6 and g7 are particularly interesting for White.} 12...Qh4 $146 {This is also hard to explain. Carlsen is lagging in development, so why not develop pieces? And who is going to defend the d6-pawn now?} ( {An email game saw the more reasonable} 12...Bb7 13.O-O-O Qe7 14.Nb3 Nc6 15.Qg3 Nc5 16.Nxc5 dxc5 17.Qxg7 Rf8 18.Bg4 Nd4 19.Ne2 O-O-O {Frotscher,T (2363)-Gomila Marti,S (2375) ICCF email 2019} ) 13.Rg1 {Of course! White is not afraid of losing the h2-pawn.} 13...g6 ( {In fact, in the line} 13...Qxh2 14.Rxg7 Qh1+ {he has a spectacular win:} 15.Kd2 $3 Qxa1 16.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 17.Qg5 {with mate.} ) ( {Understandably, Black does not want to castle under an attack:} 13...O-O 14.O-O-O ) 14.O-O-O Qe7 15.f4 {The central breaks are in the air.} 15...Bb7 16.Kb1 {A cunning move. White often does this prophylaxis in the Sicilian, but here it is more venomous than it seems, and it sets a nasty trap.} ( {Other logical and strong continuations are} 16.h4 ) ( {Or} 16.e5 {with the idea} 16...d5 17.f5 $1 {to reach the black king as quick as possible.} ) 16...Nc6 {Carlsen falls for it!} ( {We know why he does not want to castle:} 16...O-O 17.h4 {Many files will be opened against his king in a flash.} ) ( {However, the preliminary} 16...Nc5 {is a must and only after} 17.Bf3 Nc6 {True, even here Black's position remains suspicious, to say the least, after} 18.e5 d5 19.Bxd5 $1 {A sacrifice which Black cannot accept:} 19...exd5 20.Nxd5 {as the queen does not have a reasonable square.} ) 17.Ncxb5 $1 {That's it! After the forcing...} 17...axb5 18.Nxc6 Bxc6 19.Qc3 $1 {which apparently Black missed, the world champion can already resign on move 19. An exceptional case in his practice.} 19...O-O 20.Qxc6 d5 {Trying to complicate as much as possible.} ( {Nothing changes} 20...Nc5 21.Qxd6 Qa7 22.Qd4 ) 21.exd5 Rfc8 22.d6 $1 {But Esipenko is very accurate.} 22...Qd8 ( 22...Rxc6 23.dxe7 {promotes.} ) 23.Qxb5 {This looks risky, but it was very carefully calculated.} ( {A more careful player would have chosen} 23.Qe4 {but the young Russian has it all covered.} ) 23...Rcb8 24.Qc4 Rxa3 {For the moment, it seems as the world champion might muddy the waters, however...} 25.Qc7 Qe8 26.Rg5 $1 {A nice, decisive maneuver that aims to trade one of the enemy rooks, thus killing all of the attack.} 26...Ra4 ( {Since} 26...Rc8 {is refuted by} 27.bxa3 $1 ) 27.Ra5 Rab4 28.b3 R4b7 ( {After} 28...Rc8 {the neatest win is} 29.Bb5 $1 Rxc7 30.dxc7 {when the pawn cannot be stopped.} ) 29.Qc3 {The attack is over before it even began. Esipenko comfortably finishes the battle.} 29...Qd8 30.Bf3 Rb4 31.Qc7 Qf6 32.Ra8 {Finally achieving his goal.} 32...Rxa8 33.Bxa8 Qf5 34.Kb2 Rb5 35.Qxd7 Rc5 36.Rc1 Qxf4 37.Qe8+ Kg7 38.d7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.24"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[ECO "B84"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7837799424048"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.Be3 Be7 {Black often delays this move in these Sicilians, trying to get some space and play on the opposite wing first (or in the center.)} 8.g4 {A sharp attacking continuation against the Scheveningen in the spirit of the Keres Attack..} 8...b5 {A very risky move that the world champion executed after more than 12 minutes spent on his clock. The last time this was tried was back in 2016.} ( {A recent grandmaster game saw an even sharper development after} 8...Nfd7 9.Qd2 b5 10.a3 Bb7 11.O-O-O Nc6 12.g5 Nxd4 13.Qxd4 Bxg5 14.Rhg1 Bxe3+ 15.Qxe3 Qb6 16.Qg3 Ne5 17.f4 Ng6 18.f5 Ne5 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Qxg7 O-O-O {Tarlev,K (2564)-Saric,I (2650) Germany 2019} ) ( {Eight years back in Norway, Veselin Topalov played in accordance with the classical principles and struck in the center:} 8...d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Bf3 Qa5+ 12.Qd2 Qxd2+ 13.Bxd2 Nd7 {comfortably holding the endgame in Nakamura,H (2775)-Topalov,V (2793) Stavanger 2013} ) 9.g5 {Esipenko, in turn, plays quickly and confidently.} 9...Nfd7 10.a3 $1 {Played without any hesitation. It is far more important to stabilize the center than to care for the g5-pawn. White is often sacrificing it anyway whenever the opponent castles kingside, for instance.} ( {After} 10.Qd2 Bb7 ( 10...b4 11.Nd1 Nc5 {might be even more interesting.} ) 11.a3 Nb6 12.b3 N8d7 13.f4 Rc8 14.Bf3 Qc7 15.Nce2 g6 16.c3 Nc5 {Black achieved a harmonious position in Ashiku,F (2139)-Ten Hertog,H (2318) Albena 2011} ) 10...Bxg5 {Again hesitation. But what else ?} ( {After} 10...Bb7 11.Rg1 Qc7 12.f4 {White has an excellent attacking position for free.} ) 11.Qd2 Bxe3 ( {Esipenko no doubt knew the following masterpiece:} 11...Bf6 12.O-O-O Bb7 13.Rhg1 Nc5 14.e5 $3 {In the best defended spot !} 14...Bxe5 ( 14...dxe5 15.Ndxb5 $1 {would not have changed anything.} ) 15.Ndxb5 $1 Nb3+ ( 15...axb5 16.Bxc5 ) 16.cxb3 axb5 17.Bxb5+ Bc6 18.Bd4 Qc8 19.Bxe5 dxe5 20.Kb1 Rg8 21.Ne4 {1-0 Ivanchuk,V (2739)-Negi,P (2634) Peristeri 2010} ) 12.Qxe3 {For the pawn, the young Russian GM has a significant lead in the development and a lot of open files to work on. The pawns on d6 and g7 are particularly interesting for White.} 12...Qh4 $146 {This is also hard to explain. Carlsen is lagging in development, so why not develop pieces ? And who is going to defend the d6-pawn now ?} ( {An email game saw the more reasonable} 12...Bb7 13.O-O-O Qe7 14.Nb3 Nc6 15.Qg3 Nc5 16.Nxc5 dxc5 17.Qxg7 Rf8 18.Bg4 Nd4 19.Ne2 O-O-O {Frotscher,T (2363)-Gomila Marti,S (2375) ICCF email 2019} ) 13.Rg1 {Of course ! White is not afraid of losing the h2-pawn.} 13...g6 ( {In fact, in the line} 13...Qxh2 14.Rxg7 Qh1+ {he has a spectacular win:} 15.Kd2 $3 Qxa1 16.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 17.Qg5 {with mate.} ) ( {Understandably, Black does not want to castle under an attack:} 13...O-O 14.O-O-O ) 14.O-O-O Qe7 15.f4 {The central breaks are in the air.} 15...Bb7 16.Kb1 {A cunning move. White often does this prophylaxis in the Sicilian, but here it is more venomous than it seems, and it sets a nasty trap.} ( {Other logical and strong continuations are} 16.h4 ) ( {Or} 16.e5 {with the idea} 16...d5 17.f5 $1 {to reach the black king as quick as possible.} ) 16...Nc6 {Carlsen falls for it !} ( {We know why he does not want to castle:} 16...O-O 17.h4 {Many files will be opened against his king in a flash.} ) ( {However, the preliminary} 16...Nc5 {is a must and only after} 17.Bf3 Nc6 {True, even here Black's position remains suspicious, to say the least, after} 18.e5 d5 19.Bxd5 $1 {A sacrifice which Black cannot accept:} 19...exd5 20.Nxd5 {as the queen does not have a reasonable square.} ) 17.Ncxb5 $1 {That's it ! After the forcing...} 17...axb5 18.Nxc6 Bxc6 19.Qc3 $1 {which apparently Black missed, the world champion can already resign on move 19. An exceptional case in his practice.} 19...O-O 20.Qxc6 d5 {Trying to complicate as much as possible.} ( {Nothing changes} 20...Nc5 21.Qxd6 Qa7 22.Qd4 ) 21.exd5 Rfc8 22.d6 $1 {But Esipenko is very accurate.} 22...Qd8 ( 22...Rxc6 23.dxe7 {promotes.} ) 23.Qxb5 {This looks risky, but it was very carefully calculated.} ( {A more careful player would have chosen} 23.Qe4 {but the young Russian has it all covered.} ) 23...Rcb8 24.Qc4 Rxa3 {For the moment, it seems as the world champion might muddy the waters, however...} 25.Qc7 Qe8 26.Rg5 $1 {A nice, decisive maneuver that aims to trade one of the enemy rooks, thus killing all of the attack.} 26...Ra4 ( {Since} 26...Rc8 {is refuted by} 27.bxa3 $1 ) 27.Ra5 Rab4 28.b3 R4b7 ( {After} 28...Rc8 {the neatest win is} 29.Bb5 $1 Rxc7 30.dxc7 {when the pawn cannot be stopped.} ) 29.Qc3 {The attack is over before it even began. Esipenko comfortably finishes the battle.} 29...Qd8 30.Bf3 Rb4 31.Qc7 Qf6 32.Ra8 {Finally achieving his goal.} 32...Rxa8 33.Bxa8 Qf5 34.Kb2 Rb5 35.Qxd7 Rc5 36.Rc1 Qxf4 37.Qe8+ Kg7 38.d7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.24"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[ECO "B84"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7837799424048"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.Be3 Be7 {Black often delays this move in these Sicilians, trying to get some space and play on the opposite wing first (or in the center.)} 8.g4 {A sharp attacking continuation against the Scheveningen in the spirit of the Keres Attack..} 8...b5 {A very risky move that the world champion executed after more than 12 minutes spent on his clock. The last time this was tried was back in 2016.} ( {A recent grandmaster game saw an even sharper development after} 8...Nfd7 9.Qd2 b5 10.a3 Bb7 11.O-O-O Nc6 12.g5 Nxd4 13.Qxd4 Bxg5 14.Rhg1 Bxe3+ 15.Qxe3 Qb6 16.Qg3 Ne5 17.f4 Ng6 18.f5 Ne5 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Qxg7 O-O-O {Tarlev,K (2564)-Saric,I (2650) Germany 2019} ) ( {Eight years back in Norway, Veselin Topalov played in accordance with the classical principles and struck in the center:} 8...d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Bf3 Qa5+ 12.Qd2 Qxd2+ 13.Bxd2 Nd7 {comfortably holding the endgame in Nakamura,H (2775)-Topalov,V (2793) Stavanger 2013} ) 9.g5 {Esipenko, in turn, plays quickly and confidently.} 9...Nfd7 10.a3 $1 {Played without any hesitation. It is far more important to stabilize the center than to care for the g5-pawn. White is often sacrificing it anyway whenever the opponent castles kingside, for instance.} ( {After} 10.Qd2 Bb7 ( 10...b4 11.Nd1 Nc5 {might be even more interesting.} ) 11.a3 Nb6 12.b3 N8d7 13.f4 Rc8 14.Bf3 Qc7 15.Nce2 g6 16.c3 Nc5 {Black achieved a harmonious position in Ashiku,F (2139)-Ten Hertog,H (2318) Albena 2011} ) 10...Bxg5 {Again hesitation. But what else ?} ( {After} 10...Bb7 11.Rg1 Qc7 12.f4 {White has an excellent attacking position for free.} ) 11.Qd2 Bxe3 ( {Esipenko no doubt knew the following masterpiece:} 11...Bf6 12.O-O-O Bb7 13.Rhg1 Nc5 14.e5 $3 {In the best defended spot !} 14...Bxe5 ( 14...dxe5 15.Ndxb5 $1 {would not have changed anything.} ) 15.Ndxb5 $1 Nb3+ ( 15...axb5 16.Bxc5 ) 16.cxb3 axb5 17.Bxb5+ Bc6 18.Bd4 Qc8 19.Bxe5 dxe5 20.Kb1 Rg8 21.Ne4 {1-0 Ivanchuk,V (2739)-Negi,P (2634) Peristeri 2010} ) 12.Qxe3 {For the pawn, the young Russian GM has a significant lead in the development and a lot of open files to work on. The pawns on d6 and g7 are particularly interesting for White.} 12...Qh4 $146 {This is also hard to explain. Carlsen is lagging in development, so why not develop pieces ? And who is going to defend the d6-pawn now ?} ( {An email game saw the more reasonable} 12...Bb7 13.O-O-O Qe7 14.Nb3 Nc6 15.Qg3 Nc5 16.Nxc5 dxc5 17.Qxg7 Rf8 18.Bg4 Nd4 19.Ne2 O-O-O {Frotscher,T (2363)-Gomila Marti,S (2375) ICCF email 2019} ) 13.Rg1 {Of course ! White is not afraid of losing the h2-pawn.} 13...g6 ( {In fact, in the line} 13...Qxh2 14.Rxg7 Qh1+ {he has a spectacular win:} 15.Kd2 $3 Qxa1 16.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 17.Qg5 {with mate.} ) ( {Understandably, Black does not want to castle under an attack:} 13...O-O 14.O-O-O ) 14.O-O-O Qe7 15.f4 {The central breaks are in the air.} 15...Bb7 16.Kb1 {A cunning move. White often does this prophylaxis in the Sicilian, but here it is more venomous than it seems, and it sets a nasty trap.} ( {Other logical and strong continuations are} 16.h4 ) ( {Or} 16.e5 {with the idea} 16...d5 17.f5 $1 {to reach the black king as quick as possible.} ) 16...Nc6 {Carlsen falls for it !} ( {We know why he does not want to castle:} 16...O-O 17.h4 {Many files will be opened against his king in a flash.} ) ( {However, the preliminary} 16...Nc5 {is a must and only after} 17.Bf3 Nc6 {True, even here Black's position remains suspicious, to say the least, after} 18.e5 d5 19.Bxd5 $1 {A sacrifice which Black cannot accept:} 19...exd5 20.Nxd5 {as the queen does not have a reasonable square.} ) 17.Ncxb5 $1 {That's it ! After the forcing...} 17...axb5 18.Nxc6 Bxc6 19.Qc3 $1 {which apparently Black missed, the world champion can already resign on move 19. An exceptional case in his practice.} 19...O-O 20.Qxc6 d5 {Trying to complicate as much as possible.} ( {Nothing changes} 20...Nc5 21.Qxd6 Qa7 22.Qd4 ) 21.exd5 Rfc8 22.d6 $1 {But Esipenko is very accurate.} 22...Qd8 ( 22...Rxc6 23.dxe7 {promotes.} ) 23.Qxb5 {This looks risky, but it was very carefully calculated.} ( {A more careful player would have chosen} 23.Qe4 {but the young Russian has it all covered.} ) 23...Rcb8 24.Qc4 Rxa3 {For the moment, it seems as the world champion might muddy the waters, however...} 25.Qc7 Qe8 26.Rg5 $1 {A nice, decisive maneuver that aims to trade one of the enemy rooks, thus killing all of the attack.} 26...Ra4 ( {Since} 26...Rc8 {is refuted by} 27.bxa3 $1 ) 27.Ra5 Rab4 28.b3 R4b7 ( {After} 28...Rc8 {the neatest win is} 29.Bb5 $1 Rxc7 30.dxc7 {when the pawn cannot be stopped.} ) 29.Qc3 {The attack is over before it even began. Esipenko comfortably finishes the battle.} 29...Qd8 30.Bf3 Rb4 31.Qc7 Qf6 32.Ra8 {Finally achieving his goal.} 32...Rxa8 33.Bxa8 Qf5 34.Kb2 Rb5 35.Qxd7 Rc5 36.Rc1 Qxf4 37.Qe8+ Kg7 38.d7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.24"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[ECO "B84"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7837799424048"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.Be3 Be7 {Black often delays this move in these Sicilians, trying to get some space and play on the opposite wing first (or in the center.)} 8.g4 {A sharp attacking continuation against the Scheveningen in the spirit of the Keres Attack..} 8...b5 {A very risky move that the world champion executed after more than 12 minutes spent on his clock. The last time this was tried was back in 2016.} ( {A recent grandmaster game saw an even sharper development after} 8...Nfd7 9.Qd2 b5 10.a3 Bb7 11.O-O-O Nc6 12.g5 Nxd4 13.Qxd4 Bxg5 14.Rhg1 Bxe3+ 15.Qxe3 Qb6 16.Qg3 Ne5 17.f4 Ng6 18.f5 Ne5 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Qxg7 O-O-O {Tarlev,K (2564)-Saric,I (2650) Germany 2019} ) ( {Eight years back in Norway, Veselin Topalov played in accordance with the classical principles and struck in the center:} 8...d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Bf3 Qa5+ 12.Qd2 Qxd2+ 13.Bxd2 Nd7 {comfortably holding the endgame in Nakamura,H (2775)-Topalov,V (2793) Stavanger 2013} ) 9.g5 {Esipenko, in turn, plays quickly and confidently.} 9...Nfd7 10.a3 $1 {Played without any hesitation. It is far more important to stabilize the center than to care for the g5-pawn. White is often sacrificing it anyway whenever the opponent castles kingside, for instance.} ( {After} 10.Qd2 Bb7 ( 10...b4 11.Nd1 Nc5 {might be even more interesting.} ) 11.a3 Nb6 12.b3 N8d7 13.f4 Rc8 14.Bf3 Qc7 15.Nce2 g6 16.c3 Nc5 {Black achieved a harmonious position in Ashiku,F (2139)-Ten Hertog,H (2318) Albena 2011} ) 10...Bxg5 {Again hesitation. But what else ?} ( {After} 10...Bb7 11.Rg1 Qc7 12.f4 {White has an excellent attacking position for free.} ) 11.Qd2 Bxe3 ( {Esipenko no doubt knew the following masterpiece:} 11...Bf6 12.O-O-O Bb7 13.Rhg1 Nc5 14.e5 $3 {In the best defended spot !} 14...Bxe5 ( 14...dxe5 15.Ndxb5 $1 {would not have changed anything.} ) 15.Ndxb5 $1 Nb3+ ( 15...axb5 16.Bxc5 ) 16.cxb3 axb5 17.Bxb5+ Bc6 18.Bd4 Qc8 19.Bxe5 dxe5 20.Kb1 Rg8 21.Ne4 {1-0 Ivanchuk,V (2739)-Negi,P (2634) Peristeri 2010} ) 12.Qxe3 {For the pawn, the young Russian GM has a significant lead in the development and a lot of open files to work on. The pawns on d6 and g7 are particularly interesting for White.} 12...Qh4 $146 {This is also hard to explain. Carlsen is lagging in development, so why not develop pieces ? And who is going to defend the d6-pawn now ?} ( {An email game saw the more reasonable} 12...Bb7 13.O-O-O Qe7 14.Nb3 Nc6 15.Qg3 Nc5 16.Nxc5 dxc5 17.Qxg7 Rf8 18.Bg4 Nd4 19.Ne2 O-O-O {Frotscher,T (2363)-Gomila Marti,S (2375) ICCF email 2019} ) 13.Rg1 {Of course ! White is not afraid of losing the h2-pawn.} 13...g6 ( {In fact, in the line} 13...Qxh2 14.Rxg7 Qh1+ {he has a spectacular win:} 15.Kd2 $3 Qxa1 16.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 17.Qg5 {with mate.} ) ( {Understandably, Black does not want to castle under an attack:} 13...O-O 14.O-O-O ) 14.O-O-O Qe7 15.f4 {The central breaks are in the air.} 15...Bb7 16.Kb1 {A cunning move. White often does this prophylaxis in the Sicilian, but here it is more venomous than it seems, and it sets a nasty trap.} ( {Other logical and strong continuations are} 16.h4 ) ( {Or} 16.e5 {with the idea} 16...d5 17.f5 $1 {to reach the black king as quick as possible.} ) 16...Nc6 {Carlsen falls for it !} ( {We know why he does not want to castle:} 16...O-O 17.h4 {Many files will be opened against his king in a flash.} ) ( {However, the preliminary} 16...Nc5 {is a must and only after} 17.Bf3 Nc6 {True, even here Black's position remains suspicious, to say the least, after} 18.e5 d5 19.Bxd5 $1 {A sacrifice which Black cannot accept:} 19...exd5 20.Nxd5 {as the queen does not have a reasonable square.} ) 17.Ncxb5 $1 {That's it ! After the forcing...} 17...axb5 18.Nxc6 Bxc6 19.Qc3 $1 {which apparently Black missed, the world champion can already resign on move 19. An exceptional case in his practice.} 19...O-O 20.Qxc6 d5 {Trying to complicate as much as possible.} ( {Nothing changes} 20...Nc5 21.Qxd6 Qa7 22.Qd4 ) 21.exd5 Rfc8 22.d6 $1 {But Esipenko is very accurate.} 22...Qd8 ( 22...Rxc6 23.dxe7 {promotes.} ) 23.Qxb5 {This looks risky, but it was very carefully calculated.} ( {A more careful player would have chosen} 23.Qe4 {but the young Russian has it all covered.} ) 23...Rcb8 24.Qc4 Rxa3 {For the moment, it seems as the world champion might muddy the waters, however...} 25.Qc7 Qe8 26.Rg5 $1 {A nice, decisive maneuver that aims to trade one of the enemy rooks, thus killing all of the attack.} 26...Ra4 ( {Since} 26...Rc8 {is refuted by} 27.bxa3 $1 ) 27.Ra5 Rab4 28.b3 R4b7 ( {After} 28...Rc8 {the neatest win is} 29.Bb5 $1 Rxc7 30.dxc7 {when the pawn cannot be stopped.} ) 29.Qc3 {The attack is over before it even began. Esipenko comfortably finishes the battle.} 29...Qd8 30.Bf3 Rb4 31.Qc7 Qf6 32.Ra8 {Finally achieving his goal.} 32...Rxa8 33.Bxa8 Qf5 34.Kb2 Rb5 35.Qxd7 Rc5 36.Rc1 Qxf4 37.Qe8+ Kg7 38.d7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.26"]
[Round "9.4"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2705"]
[BlackElo "2823"]
[ECO "E94"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7698326245908"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d6 {Already a surprise. Caruana plays the KID very, very rarely.} 3.d4 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 O-O 6.Be2 e5 ( {One comparison to what happened in the game later. The standard way of pressurizing the white center and in particular the d4-pawn, is} 6...Bg4 7.Be3 Nfd7 {Then, however, White is well defended and tournament practice promises White the advantage. One recent example is} 8.O-O Nc6 9.d5 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Na5 11.Be2 Bxc3 12.bxc3 e5 13.dxe6 fxe6 {Giri,A (2763)-Anton Guijarro,D (2703) Chess.com 2020} ) 7.O-O Bg4 {This is what the American wanted to try, a relatively fresh line.} 8.Be3 ( {Last year Firouzja got a better position as White with the help of} 8.dxe5 Bxf3 9.exf6 Bxe2 10.Qxe2 Bxf6 11.Bh6 Re8 12.Rad1 Nc6 13.Nd5 Bh8 14.b3 {Firouzja,A (2728)-Paravyan,D (2653) Online 2020} ) 8...Bxf3 $5 {The main point behind Black's idea. He wins a few tempi chasing the enemy bishops back.} 9.Bxf3 exd4 10.Bxd4 Nc6 11.Be3 Re8 12.Qd2 ( {In the ideal case, White would love to fianchetto his light-squared bishop, then prepare f2-f4, and slowly squeeze the knights. There does not seem to be enough time for this, though. The lines} 12.g3 Nd7 13.Rc1 ( {Or} 13.Bg2 Bxc3 14.bxc3 {and the knights are not worse than the bishop in this static position.} ) 13...Bxc3 $1 14.Rxc3 Nc5 {reveal a problem with the e4-pawn.} ) 12...Nd7 13.Rad1 Bxc3 $1 $146 {An important novelty which softens the e4-pawn, just as in the line from above.} ( {An email game went} 13...Nc5 14.Rfe1 a5 15.b3 Bxc3 16.Qxc3 Nxe4 17.Bxe4 Rxe4 18.Bh6 Re5 19.Rxe5 Nxe5 20.f4 Qh4 21.fxe5 Qxh6 22.exd6 cxd6 23.Rxd6 Re8 24.h3 Qh4 25.Qd4 {1/2-1/2 (25) Sirota,A (2384)-Salceanu,V (2512) ICCF email 2000} ) 14.Qxc3 Qf6 15.Qc1 ( {White drops the pawn at once in case of the queen swap:} 15.Qxf6 Nxf6 ) ( {However,} 15.Qc2 {seemed more natural. To this Black likely planned} 15...Nc5 16.a3 a5 {locking the queenside.} ) 15...Nc5 16.Qb1 {The queen ended defending the pawn anyway.} ( {The capture} 16.Bxc5 $2 dxc5 {would be a positional resignation.} ) ( {Perhaps at first Wojtaszek intended to force a draw with} 16.Bg5 Qg7 17.Bh6 Qf6 18.Bg5 {but then realized that Black is not forced to do that and may chose instead} 18...Qh8 $5 19.Rfe1 Ne5 {with multiple fork threats.} ) 16...Qe6 {Aggressive play by Caruana.} ( {The play for the blockade is still there, but Black wants more now.} 16...a5 $5 ) 17.Rfe1 ( {Perhaps it is better to sacrifice the central pawn with either} 17.b3 Nxe4 18.Qc2 ) ( {Or with the computer-like} 17.b4 Nxe4 18.Rc1 {getting some air for the bishops.} ) 17...Qxc4 {Black has won a pawn, but the bishop pair cannot be underestimated.} 18.b3 Qc3 $1 {The queen is best located on the long diagonal.} 19.Bd2 ( {With his previous move, Caruana obstructed the bishop in getting to the long diagonal with} 19.Bc1 {as this can be met with} 19...Nd4 20.Bg4 f5 21.Bb2 Qc2 ) 19...Qf6 20.Bc1 h5 {And this is an aggressive blockade. By advancing the h-pawn, Black first secures the strong e5-outpost for his knight and can later push his kingside pawns even farther.} ( {The other way to build a solid blockade is} 20...Nd4 21.Bg4 Nce6 22.Bb2 c5 {but this allowed both white bishops a chance to seize good diagonals.} ) 21.Bb2 Ne5 22.Be2 h4 {Threatening h4-h3 immediately or after the preliminary Qf6-f4.} ( {Not the immediate} 22...Qf4 23.f3 h4 24.Bc1 Qf6 25.f4 ) 23.Qc1 ( {There is no time for} 23.Bc1 h3 ) 23...g5 24.Bb5 {Wojtaszek is trying to provoke some pawn pushes in order to get some objects to attack.} ( {However, the aggressive} 24.b4 $1 {might have been more to the point. In that case, White might have feared the piece sacrifice after} 24...Nxe4 ( 24...Ne6 {should be played.} ) 25.f3 Ng3 $5 {But then the maneuver} 26.hxg3 hxg3 27.Bc4 Qh6 28.Bxe5 Rxe5 29.Rxe5 dxe5 30.Qe3 $1 {saves White from the mating attack:} 30...Qh2+ 31.Kf1 Qh1+ 32.Qg1 ) 24...Re7 {But Caruana rejects even that.} ( 24...c6 25.Bc4 {at least exposes the d6-pawn, and White can start mounting pressure against it.} ) 25.Re3 Qg6 {It all goes very smoothly for Black. He slowly brings everybody into the attack.} 26.Be2 Rae8 27.Qc2 Ne6 28.f3 {And this might make things even worse for Wojtaszek.} ( {The other pawn advance would be better:} 28.h3 {Intending to meet} 28...Nf4 {with} 29.Bxe5 dxe5 30.Bg4 $1 ) 28...Nf4 29.Bf1 c6 {Only now does he push the pawn, once that White can no longer attack.} 30.Qf2 Re6 $1 {The rook lift is the last preparation before the final storm. Wojtaszek was also short of time, and it is even more unpleasant for him psychologically not to force anything.} ( {It is too early for} 30...d5 31.exd5 Nxd5 32.Rxe5 Rxe5 33.Bxe5 Rxe5 34.Qxa7 ) ( 30...a6 $5 ) 31.Rc3 d5 {Now he can!} 32.g3 {This loses immediately, but it is really hard to provide White good advice.} ( {No time for} 32.Qxa7 h3 {with total collapse.} ) 32...hxg3 33.hxg3 dxe4 $3 {Nicely calculated. All the black pieces now make perfect sense.} ( {The other good way to attack is} 33...g4 $1 34.gxf4 Nxf3+ 35.Kg2 Qxe4 {And there is no escape from the deadly discovered check as} 36.Kg3 {loses to} 36...Qh7 $1 37.Rxf3 gxf3 38.Bd3 f5 ) 34.gxf4 ( 34.fxe4 Nh5 {would prolong the agony but would hardly save the game.} ) 34...gxf4+ 35.Qg2 exf3 $1 {The point behind the sacrifice. White can get mated in the endgame too.} 36.Qxg6+ Rxg6+ 37.Kh1 ( {Alas, the king cannot escape on the other side:} 37.Kf2 Rg3 38.Bd3 Ng4+ 39.Kf1 Nh2+ 40.Kf2 Rg2# {A study-like mate!} ) 37...f2 ( {It is never too late to spoil a brilliant game as we know:} 37...Kg7 $2 38.Rxf3 $1 ) 38.Bh3 ( {One more mate is happening after} 38.Rh3 Rg1+ 39.Kh2 Ng4# ) ( {Whereas} 38.Be2 f3 $1 {is just hopeless.} ) 38...Nc4 $1 {A nice final touch.} 39.Rxc4 Re1+ 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2823"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[Beauty "5085664937999"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O h6 7.Re1 O-O 8.Nbd2 Bb6 ( {A modern tabiya was tested in a recent game:} 8...a5 9.Nf1 Be6 10.Bb5 Ne7 11.d4 exd4 12.cxd4 Bb6 13.h3 d5 14.e5 Ne4 {Aronian,L (2781)-Grischuk,A (2777) Online 2020} ) 9.a4 a5 10.Bb5 $146 {A novelty that was played after 20 minutes on the clock. Firouzja's move aims to clear the center from the c6-defender in order to seize it with d3-d4.} ( {An earlier game saw White executing a pretty idea after} 10.Nf1 Ne7 11.Ng3 Ng6 12.h3 c6 13.Bb3 d5 14.exd5 Nxd5 15.Nh5 Re8 16.Qd2 Bf5 17.Nxg7 $1 {Chigaev,M (2588)-Nakamura,H (2736) Chess.com 2020} ) 10...Ng4 $1 {An important intermediate move by Caruana that wins a tempo.} 11.Re2 Ne7 12.d4 Ng6 13.Nf1 d5 $1 {At least equalizing.} 14.exd5 exd4 15.h3 Nf6 16.Nxd4 Nxd5 17.Re1 Ndf4 {"I had a very promising position, and also Alireza had like 15 minutes less than me so I was extremely optimistic" (Caruana). Indeed, Black managed to bring his knights closer to the opponent's king much faster. Plus, his bishop on b6 is way more valuable than its counterpart on b5.} 18.Be3 c6 {The first moment when Black could have grabbed the g2-pawn, starting a huge attack. Caruana sensed the importance of the situation and tried hard to find the follow-up.} ( 18...Nxg2 {"I couldn't quite make it work, but I really wanted to play it. Every part of me wanted to take on g2. I assumed that it's not worse for Black or anything, and maybe it's very strong, but I didn't quite see how to follow up and I thought: I shouldn't sac a piece without actually seeing the follow-up" (Caruana). After} 19.Kxg2 Nh4+ {White has only one defense:} ( {Here} 19...Qh4 $2 20.Qf3 {does not make sense for Black.} ) 20.Kh1 $1 ( {Rather than} 20.Kg1 {which indeed leads to a decisive attack for Black after} 20...Qd5 21.f3 Bxd4 22.Bxd4 Qg5+ 23.Kf2 Qg2+ 24.Ke3 {The exposed king cannot survive:} 24...Bf5 {is one way to reach it.} ( {Or even easier with} 24...c5 25.Bxc5 Qg5+ {regaining the material and attacking decisively.} ) ) 20...Qd5+ 21.f3 Bxh3 22.Nh2 Bg2+ 23.Kg1 Bh3 ) 19.Bc4 {Now surprisingly the situation changes in Black's favor.} ( {More accurate is} 19.Be2 $1 ) 19...Bc7 ( {The second time would be a charm:} 19...Nxg2 $3 {might have won since after:} 20.Kxg2 Qh4 $1 {From this side this time! White cannot adequately defend the h3-pawn, and this means he will be slowly finished on the kingside. The concrete problem is that here} 21.Qf3 {allows a fork after} ( {And if} 21.Nf3 Qxh3+ 22.Kg1 Rd8 23.Qe2 Bc7 {and the black pieces keep coming towards the enemy king:} 24.Rad1 Bg4 {with a win.} ) 21...Ne5 ) 20.Ng3 {Now Firouzja stabilizes his kingside. It is important to mention that he sped up at this part of the game.} 20...Nd5 ( {The third possibility for a sacrifice would have led to complications, which might have objectively ended in dynamical equality:} 20...Nxg2 $5 21.Kxg2 Qh4 {Now an excellent defensive idea is} 22.Bf1 $1 Bxh3+ 23.Kg1 Bxg3 {with another important intermediate move:} 24.Nf3 $1 ( {But not} 24.fxg3 Qxg3+ 25.Kh1 Bxf1 {when Black is winning.} ) 24...Qg4 25.Bxh3 Qxh3 26.fxg3 Qxg3+ 27.Kh1 {and objectively it should be about equal.} ) 21.Bd2 Qd6 {Now it is also equal, but the time spent in the opening from both opponents will soon start to tell.} 22.Bb3 Bd7 23.Nf3 Rfe8 24.Qc2 Ngf4 25.Rad1 Rxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Qf6 27.Nd4 {Time for Firouzja to look for the f5-spot.} 27...Rd8 28.Re4 Qg6 {Caruana called this a mistake, but is it really?} ( {The computer slightly prefers Black after} 28...c5 $5 29.Ndf5 ( {Or else the black bishop will seize the long diagonal:} 29.Nf3 Bc6 ) 29...b6 ) 29.Bxd5 Nxd5 30.Ngf5 $1 {Apparently missed by Caruana.} 30...Qf6 ( {Of course, not} 30...Bxf5 31.Nxf5 Qxf5 32.Re8+ ) 31.Rg4 {Caruana's time pressure prevents him from finding the best defense.} 31...g6 ( {The stone-cold} 31...Kh8 $3 {would have stopped the attack for good as the pawn is immune:} 32.Rxg7 $2 c5 33.Bxh6 cxd4 {wins for Black.} ) 32.Nxh6+ Kf8 $1 {The best defense now by Caruana.} ( {Worse is} 32...Kg7 33.Bg5 Qd6 34.Rg3 ( 34.Bf4 ) ) 33.Re4 $1 {Best play by the 17-year-old.} ( {Otherwise Black could have survived by creating concrete threats in the line} 33.Bg5 Qd6 34.Bxd8 ( 34.Rg3 Re8 $1 ) 34...Qh2+ 35.Kf1 Qh1+ 36.Ke2 Bxg4+ 37.Nxg4 Bxd8 {and White cannot keep his extra pawn.} ) 33...Nf4 34.Ng4 Bxg4 35.hxg4 Kg7 36.Bxf4 {White forces matters in time-trouble.} ( {Safer seems} 36.Nf3 $1 {kicking the enemy knight back after g2-g3 with close to a won position.} ) 36...Bxf4 37.Nf5+ gxf5 38.Rxf4 Qg5 39.Rxf5 ( {Beware of} 39.Qxf5 $4 Rd1+ 40.Kh2 Qh4# ) ( {However:} 39.g3 fxg4 40.Qe4 {might have been a good alternative.} ) 39...Qxg4 40.Rf3 Qh5 41.c4 {The time control has been reached, and Firouzja is up a solid pawn and has good pieces. It all seems a matter of technique now.} ( {"Most practical was Rd3 instead of c4, trade off rooks" (Caruana).} 41.Rd3 $1 ) 41...Rd4 {Now the American GM gets some initiative.} 42.Qc3 Qe5 43.Rd3 {Firouzja wants to swap off the rooks rather than the queens.} ( {As the drawing tendencies in rook endgames are notorious:} 43.g3 Rd1+ 44.Kg2 Qxc3 45.Rxc3 ) 43...c5 $1 {But Caruana wants something in return.} 44.Rg3+ ( {A passer would do:} 44.Rxd4 cxd4 {and Black should survive here.} ) 44...Kf8 45.Qxa5 {The second pawn goes down, but for a moment the queen has abandoned her king, and this gives Black a chance to create nasty threats.} 45...Rd1+ 46.Kh2 Qh5+ 47.Rh3 Qe5+ 48.g3 {It seems over, but Caruana has calculated everything carefully.} 48...Qf5 $3 {"I was lucky to have ...Qf5. It was a miracle" (Caruana). Black sacrifices a third pawn with check! But it is far more important to stick to the vital pawn on f2, the pawn that stands on the road of his major pieces and the white king.} 49.Qa8+ Ke7 ( {Do not get mated:} 49...Kg7 $4 50.Qh8+ Kg6 51.Qh6# ) 50.Qxb7+ Rd7 51.Qh1 $5 {A last attempt to avoid the draw.} ( {Or} 51.Qg2 Rd2 52.Kg1 Qb1+ 53.Kh2 Qf5 {with repetition.} ) 51...Qxf2+ 52.Qg2 Rd2 53.Qxf2 Rxf2+ 54.Kg1 Rxb2 55.Rh5 Ra2 {But the notoriously drawish rook endgame appears on the board, and Caruana holds.} 56.Rxc5 Rxa4 57.Kg2 Kd6 58.Rd5+ Ke6 59.Rd4 Ke5 60.Rf4 f5 61.Kh3 Ra3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.30"]
[Round "12.4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[ECO "C11"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[Beauty "4811839773195"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[WhiteClock "0:26:25"]
[BlackClock "0:19:46"]

1.e4 e6 {A big surprise! Although Firouzja has played the French before, he did that rarely and almost always in blitz games. Maybe this has something to do with the country that he currently lives in?} 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 a6 ( {A typical blockading structure was achieved after} 7...Be7 8.Qd2 a6 9.a3 b5 10.Bd3 O-O 11.O-O Qc7 12.dxc5 Nxc5 13.Ne2 Bb7 14.Ned4 {in Alekseenko,K (2696)-Firouzja,A (2728) Chess.com 2020} ) 8.a3 {The first micro-thought by Giri, and he deviates from what he had always played before.} ( {The Dutch GM had always chosen so far} 8.Qd2 b5 9.Be2 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.a3 b4 12.axb4 Nxb4 13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Nd4 {Giri,A (2769) -Jumabayev,R (2646) Moscow 2019} ) 8...cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bc5 10.Qd2 O-O 11.Be2 {A calm developing move.} ( {Grischuk tried to squeeze his opponent positionally in the following game:} 11.h4 Rb8 12.h5 h6 13.g3 Qe7 14.Bg2 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 b5 16.b4 Bxd4 17.Qxd4 f6 18.exf6 Qxf6 19.Ne2 Nb6 20.Qxf6 gxf6 21.O-O-O {and eventually succeeded, Grischuk,A (2777)-Bluebaum,M (2644) Moscow 2019} ) 11...Qc7 12.O-O b6 $146 {This falls short by a move.} ( {A quick draw occurred after} 12...Nxd4 13.Bxd4 b5 14.Qe3 Bxd4 15.Qxd4 Qa7 16.Qxa7 Rxa7 17.Bd3 g6 18.Ne2 Nc5 19.g4 b4 20.axb4 Nxd3 {1/2-1/2 (20) Faber,H (2502) -Glatzel,H (2460) Remote email 2013} ) 13.Nxc6 $1 {Giri finds a good way to fix a pleasant positional advantage.} 13...Qxc6 14.b4 {Removing the excellent bishop.} 14...Bxe3+ 15.Qxe3 Bb7 16.Bd3 {One more move and White will be able to maneuver with his knight to d4 when Black's position would be positionally lost. Therefore:} 16...d4 {Forcing an endgame.} ( {Since} 16...b5 17.Ne2 Nb6 18.Nd4 {is just bad for Black.} ) 17.Qe4 Qxe4 18.Nxe4 ( {White is also better after} 18.Bxe4 $5 dxc3 ( {However, Giri might have disliked the possible pawn sacrifice after} 18...Rab8 19.Bxb7 Rxb7 20.Ne2 b5 21.Nxd4 Nb6 22.Nb3 ) 19.Bxb7 ) 18...Bd5 19.Ng5 {Accumulating another small advantage.} 19...g6 20.Nf3 Bxf3 21.Rxf3 {White's advantage is very pleasant. He has the more valuable light piece, and the d4-pawn is an obvious target. Firouzja's knight does not seem to have brilliant outposts, and the impression is that Black's position will only deteriorate from here on.} 21...b5 $1 22.Be4 Rad8 23.Rd3 Nb6 {Not that fast! There is plenty of energy in this knight.} 24.Bb7 Na4 25.Bxa6 Nc3 {A very nice maneuver. Black gets counterplay.} 26.Bb7 ( {Or else the bishop might be trapped after} 26.Kf2 Rd7 $1 ) 26...Ne2+ 27.Kf2 Nxf4 28.Rd2 d3 {But this is the wrong path.} ( {Stronger is to bring the central pawns into motion with} 28...f6 29.exf6 Rxf6 30.Kg1 e5 {and that should prove enough counterplay for Black.} ) 29.c3 {Of course! The d3-pawn should be taken, not traded.} ( {Also nice is:} 29.c4 bxc4 30.Rc1 Rd4 31.Ba6 f6 32.exf6 Rxf6 33.Rxc4 {with big edge for White.} ) 29...Ne2 30.Ke3 Nxc3 31.Rxd3 Rxd3+ ( {It is bad too after} 31...Rb8 32.Rd7 {for Black.} ) 32.Kxd3 {Black's knight is again in trouble. On the top of that, White's king got centralized, and the bishop increased its domination against the knight in the open position.} 32...Na4 33.Rc1 Rd8+ 34.Ke2 ( 34.Kc2 $1 {would have been even better. White would later need this king on the queenside anyway.} ) 34...Kg7 ( {Alas, there is no way to bring the knight back into the game:} 34...Nb2 35.Rc2 Rb8 36.Bc6 Nc4 {is neatly refuted by:} 37.Rxc4 $1 bxc4 38.Kd2 {and the pawns are unstoppable.} ) 35.Bc6 Rb8 36.Rc2 {Before the time-control White starts wasting time.} ( {Giri could have wrapped up the game with the straightforward king march:} 36.Kd2 $1 Kf8 37.Kc2 Ke7 38.Kb3 g5 {when} 39.Bxb5 $1 Rxb5 40.Kxa4 Rxe5 41.b5 {crowns White's passers quickly.} ) 36...Kf8 {A loss of time, as Firouzja admitted after the game.} 37.Kd2 Ke7 38.Kc1 f6 $1 {Now Firouzja at least creates a passer.} 39.exf6+ Kxf6 40.Kb1 Ke5 41.Ka2 Kd4 42.Kb3 Kd3 43.Rf2 ( {The straightforward} 43.Bxb5+ Rxb5 44.Kxa4 Rb8 45.Rc5 {would have won, e.g.} 45...Re8 46.b5 e5 47.b6 e4 48.Ka5 e3 49.b7 e2 50.Rc1 Kd2 51.Ra1 e1=Q 52.Rxe1 Kxe1 53.a4 Kd2 54.Kb6 Kc3 55.a5 Kb4 56.a6 Re6+ 57.Kc7 {[PD]} ) 43...e5 44.Rf7 {But White is, of course, still winning.} ( 44.Rf6 $5 ) 44...Nb6 $1 {This desperate try is borne out of necessity.} ( {The pawn is not going anywhere otherwise:} 44...e4 45.Rd7+ Ke3 46.Re7 ) 45.Bxb5+ Kd4 46.a4 ( {More in Giri's style would be the restricting} 46.Rf1 $1 e4 ( {As this time the knight cannot be centralized:} 46...Nd5 47.Rd1+ Ke4 48.Bc6 ) 47.Rd1+ Ke5 48.Bc6 {and the passer is stopped, while the knight is controlled.} ) 46...Nd5 47.Rxh7 {A third pawn is won, but the passer finally moves, and that causes a headache for White. The main problem is that the game continues, though. Giri probably felt that he had missed neater wins, and that might have made him nervous.} 47...e4 48.Rf7 {The human way.} ( {The computer suggests} 48.Rh6 $5 e3 49.Rh4+ $1 Ke5 50.Rc4 ) 48...e3 49.Rf1 Nc3 50.Rf4+ {Once again a human decision.} ( {Both players probably calculated the line} 50.Bc6 $1 e2 51.Re1 Kd3 52.a5 Kd2 53.Rxe2+ Nxe2 {when White does not have time for} 54.a6 ( {However, the stunning} 54.Kc4 $3 {would produce a true masterpiece. The pawns are unstoppable.} ) 54...Nd4+ {and it is Black who is winning.} ) 50...Ke5 51.Rf3 Nxb5 52.Rxe3+ {That was White's idea. He finally got rid of the opponent's passer. True, at the price of a piece, but he is gaining Black's last pawn as well. And since the pawns are far away from each other, it seems that they can easily outstretch the knight.} 52...Kd4 53.Rg3 Nd6 54.Rxg6 Ne4 55.a5 $1 {An important move.} 55...Kd5 ( {The other way to use the knight:} 55...Nc5+ 56.Ka3 Nd3 {is refuted by} 57.Rb6 $1 ) 56.a6 Nc5+ 57.Ka3 Nd3 $1 {The last chance is to make tricks (miracles) with the knight.} 58.a7 Ra8 59.Rg7 Kc6 {If White could only get rid of the rooks, all his problems would be gone, and he should easily beat the knight.} 60.h4 ( {From the aforementioned variation, we can better understand the line} 60.Kb3 $1 Ne5 61.b5+ Kb6 62.Kc3 Rxa7 63.Rxa7 Kxa7 64.Kd4 {when White wins easily as the enemy king is left far away.} ) 60...Nf4 61.g4 {What can be more natural than pushing the passers? And nevertheless, this leads to a draw now!} ( {The last chance to win could have been used had White not allowed the knight to c7 with} 61.Ka4 $1 Ne6 62.b5+ Kb6 63.Rg6 Rxa7+ 64.Kb4 Re7 65.h5 Kb7 66.h6 {Black is paralyzed, and the g-pawn will confidently march to g5.} ) 61...Ne6 $1 62.Rf7 Nc7 {And Firouzja survived this super-tense game!} 63.g5 Rxa7+ 64.Kb2 Ra8 65.g6 Ne6 66.h5 Rh8 67.Rh7 Rg8 {The knight will be always able to sacrifice itself for the two kingside pawns if needed, therefore, a draw.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.30"]
[Round "12.4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[ECO "C11"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[Beauty "4811839773195"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[WhiteClock "0:26:25"]
[BlackClock "0:19:46"]

1.e4 e6 {A big surprise! Although Firouzja has played the French before, he did that rarely and almost always in blitz games. Maybe this has something to do with the country that he currently lives in?} 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 a6 ( {A typical blockading structure was achieved after} 7...Be7 8.Qd2 a6 9.a3 b5 10.Bd3 O-O 11.O-O Qc7 12.dxc5 Nxc5 13.Ne2 Bb7 14.Ned4 {in Alekseenko,K (2696)-Firouzja,A (2728) Chess.com 2020} ) 8.a3 {The first micro-thought by Giri, and he deviates from what he had always played before.} ( {The Dutch GM had always chosen so far} 8.Qd2 b5 9.Be2 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.a3 b4 12.axb4 Nxb4 13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Nd4 {Giri,A (2769) -Jumabayev,R (2646) Moscow 2019} ) 8...cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bc5 10.Qd2 O-O 11.Be2 {A calm developing move.} ( {Grischuk tried to squeeze his opponent positionally in the following game:} 11.h4 Rb8 12.h5 h6 13.g3 Qe7 14.Bg2 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 b5 16.b4 Bxd4 17.Qxd4 f6 18.exf6 Qxf6 19.Ne2 Nb6 20.Qxf6 gxf6 21.O-O-O {and eventually succeeded, Grischuk,A (2777)-Bluebaum,M (2644) Moscow 2019} ) 11...Qc7 12.O-O b6 $146 {This falls short by a move.} ( {A quick draw occurred after} 12...Nxd4 13.Bxd4 b5 14.Qe3 Bxd4 15.Qxd4 Qa7 16.Qxa7 Rxa7 17.Bd3 g6 18.Ne2 Nc5 19.g4 b4 20.axb4 Nxd3 {1/2-1/2 (20) Faber,H (2502) -Glatzel,H (2460) Remote email 2013} ) 13.Nxc6 $1 {Giri finds a good way to fix a pleasant positional advantage.} 13...Qxc6 14.b4 {Removing the excellent bishop.} 14...Bxe3+ 15.Qxe3 Bb7 16.Bd3 {One more move and White will be able to maneuver with his knight to d4 when Black's position would be positionally lost. Therefore:} 16...d4 {Forcing an endgame.} ( {Since} 16...b5 17.Ne2 Nb6 18.Nd4 {is just bad for Black.} ) 17.Qe4 Qxe4 18.Nxe4 ( {White is also better after} 18.Bxe4 $5 dxc3 ( {However, Giri might have disliked the possible pawn sacrifice after} 18...Rab8 19.Bxb7 Rxb7 20.Ne2 b5 21.Nxd4 Nb6 22.Nb3 ) 19.Bxb7 ) 18...Bd5 19.Ng5 {Accumulating another small advantage.} 19...g6 20.Nf3 Bxf3 21.Rxf3 {White's advantage is very pleasant. He has the more valuable light piece, and the d4-pawn is an obvious target. Firouzja's knight does not seem to have brilliant outposts, and the impression is that Black's position will only deteriorate from here on.} 21...b5 $1 22.Be4 Rad8 23.Rd3 Nb6 {Not that fast! There is plenty of energy in this knight.} 24.Bb7 Na4 25.Bxa6 Nc3 {A very nice maneuver. Black gets counterplay.} 26.Bb7 ( {Or else the bishop might be trapped after} 26.Kf2 Rd7 $1 ) 26...Ne2+ 27.Kf2 Nxf4 28.Rd2 d3 {But this is the wrong path.} ( {Stronger is to bring the central pawns into motion with} 28...f6 29.exf6 Rxf6 30.Kg1 e5 {and that should prove enough counterplay for Black.} ) 29.c3 {Of course! The d3-pawn should be taken, not traded.} ( {Also nice is:} 29.c4 bxc4 30.Rc1 Rd4 31.Ba6 f6 32.exf6 Rxf6 33.Rxc4 {with big edge for White.} ) 29...Ne2 30.Ke3 Nxc3 31.Rxd3 Rxd3+ ( {It is bad too after} 31...Rb8 32.Rd7 {for Black.} ) 32.Kxd3 {Black's knight is again in trouble. On the top of that, White's king got centralized, and the bishop increased its domination against the knight in the open position.} 32...Na4 33.Rc1 Rd8+ 34.Ke2 ( 34.Kc2 $1 {would have been even better. White would later need this king on the queenside anyway.} ) 34...Kg7 ( {Alas, there is no way to bring the knight back into the game:} 34...Nb2 35.Rc2 Rb8 36.Bc6 Nc4 {is neatly refuted by:} 37.Rxc4 $1 bxc4 38.Kd2 {and the pawns are unstoppable.} ) 35.Bc6 Rb8 36.Rc2 {Before the time-control White starts wasting time.} ( {Giri could have wrapped up the game with the straightforward king march:} 36.Kd2 $1 Kf8 37.Kc2 Ke7 38.Kb3 g5 {when} 39.Bxb5 $1 Rxb5 40.Kxa4 Rxe5 41.b5 {crowns White's passers quickly.} ) 36...Kf8 {A loss of time, as Firouzja admitted after the game.} 37.Kd2 Ke7 38.Kc1 f6 $1 {Now Firouzja at least creates a passer.} 39.exf6+ Kxf6 40.Kb1 Ke5 41.Ka2 Kd4 42.Kb3 Kd3 43.Rf2 ( {The straightforward} 43.Bxb5+ Rxb5 44.Kxa4 Rb8 45.Rc5 {would have won, e.g.} 45...Re8 46.b5 e5 47.b6 e4 48.Ka5 e3 49.b7 e2 50.Rc1 Kd2 51.Ra1 e1=Q 52.Rxe1 Kxe1 53.a4 Kd2 54.Kb6 Kc3 55.a5 Kb4 56.a6 Re6+ 57.Kc7 {[PD]} ) 43...e5 44.Rf7 {But White is, of course, still winning.} ( 44.Rf6 $5 ) 44...Nb6 $1 {This desperate try is borne out of necessity.} ( {The pawn is not going anywhere otherwise:} 44...e4 45.Rd7+ Ke3 46.Re7 ) 45.Bxb5+ Kd4 46.a4 ( {More in Giri's style would be the restricting} 46.Rf1 $1 e4 ( {As this time the knight cannot be centralized:} 46...Nd5 47.Rd1+ Ke4 48.Bc6 ) 47.Rd1+ Ke5 48.Bc6 {and the passer is stopped, while the knight is controlled.} ) 46...Nd5 47.Rxh7 {A third pawn is won, but the passer finally moves, and that causes a headache for White. The main problem is that the game continues, though. Giri probably felt that he had missed neater wins, and that might have made him nervous.} 47...e4 48.Rf7 {The human way.} ( {The computer suggests} 48.Rh6 $5 e3 49.Rh4+ $1 Ke5 50.Rc4 ) 48...e3 49.Rf1 Nc3 50.Rf4+ {Once again a human decision.} ( {Both players probably calculated the line} 50.Bc6 $1 e2 51.Re1 Kd3 52.a5 Kd2 53.Rxe2+ Nxe2 {when White does not have time for} 54.a6 ( {However, the stunning} 54.Kc4 $3 {would produce a true masterpiece. The pawns are unstoppable.} ) 54...Nd4+ {and it is Black who is winning.} ) 50...Ke5 51.Rf3 Nxb5 52.Rxe3+ {That was White's idea. He finally got rid of the opponent's passer. True, at the price of a piece, but he is gaining Black's last pawn as well. And since the pawns are far away from each other, it seems that they can easily outstretch the knight.} 52...Kd4 53.Rg3 Nd6 54.Rxg6 Ne4 55.a5 $1 {An important move.} 55...Kd5 ( {The other way to use the knight:} 55...Nc5+ 56.Ka3 Nd3 {is refuted by} 57.Rb6 $1 ) 56.a6 Nc5+ 57.Ka3 Nd3 $1 {The last chance is to make tricks (miracles) with the knight.} 58.a7 Ra8 59.Rg7 Kc6 {If White could only get rid of the rooks, all his problems would be gone, and he should easily beat the knight.} 60.h4 ( {From the aforementioned variation, we can better understand the line} 60.Kb3 $1 Ne5 61.b5+ Kb6 62.Kc3 Rxa7 63.Rxa7 Kxa7 64.Kd4 {when White wins easily as the enemy king is left far away.} ) 60...Nf4 61.g4 {What can be more natural than pushing the passers? And nevertheless, this leads to a draw now!} ( {The last chance to win could have been used had White not allowed the knight to c7 with} 61.Ka4 $1 Ne6 62.b5+ Kb6 63.Rg6 Rxa7+ 64.Kb4 Re7 65.h5 Kb7 66.h6 {Black is paralyzed, and the g-pawn will confidently march to g5.} ) 61...Ne6 $1 62.Rf7 Nc7 {And Firouzja survived this super-tense game!} 63.g5 Rxa7+ 64.Kb2 Ra8 65.g6 Ne6 66.h5 Rh8 67.Rh7 Rg8 {The knight will be always able to sacrifice itself for the two kingside pawns if needed, therefore, a draw.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.31"]
[Round "13.4"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7220913775161"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Qd3 {A very rare line, also played by Carlsen against Grandelius in this tournament. It has recently been tested by Fedoseev, and before that it was brought briefly into the spotlight by the creative Spanish GM Vallejo. It should be mentioned that the Dutch GM had tested it in the distant 2014.} 6...Nbd7 ( {Grandelius deviates from} 6...e6 {which he played against Carlsen.} ) ( {That earlier game of Van Foreest went:} 6...g6 7.Bg5 Bg7 8.O-O-O O-O 9.f4 Nc6 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.e5 Nd5 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Qa3 Qc7 14.Bd3 Rb8 {and did not end well for the young Dutch player, Van Foreest,J (2461)-Von Meijenfeldt,B (2331) Dieren 2014} ) 7.Be2 b5 8.a4 {White gambits a pawn and after some hesitation...} 8...Nc5 $146 {Grandelius accepts the challenge. From here on, the players enter uncharted territory, or at least Black does. Van Foreest keeps practically blitzing his next moves.} ( {An earlier game saw} 8...b4 9.Nd5 Bb7 10.Nxf6+ Nxf6 11.Bf3 Qc7 12.O-O e6 13.Bg5 Be7 14.Rfd1 {Socko,M (2421)-Sarana,A (2636) Online 2020} ) 9.Qe3 b4 10.Nd5 Ncxe4 11.a5 $1 {The point. White fixes the b6-square, as well as we shall see later, the pawn on a6.} ( {Hardly any stand-up Sicilian player enters the line} 11.Nxb4 Bb7 ) 11...Nxd5 ( {The other obvious idea is the development with} 11...Bb7 12.Nb6 Rb8 13.O-O e6 {White has compensation for sure, but we will have to wait and see how exactly it will be developed in future games.} ) 12.Qxe4 e6 ( {Once again,} 12...Bb7 13.O-O Qd7 {trying to develop with threats.} ) 13.O-O Bd7 {At last the Swedish GM decided to develop his bishop on the other diagonal.} ( {In the line} 13...Bb7 14.c4 bxc3 {besides the obvious} 15.bxc3 ( {Grandelius might have disliked} 15.Bd1 $1 Be7 16.bxc3 Rb8 17.Ba4+ {when his king will permanently remain in the center.} ) ) 14.Bd2 Be7 15.Bf3 {Once that White finished his development, he is ready to challenge the enemy knight in the center.} 15...O-O {Standing against the pin.} ( {Or else Black loses the pawn:} 15...Rc8 16.Qd3 Rc5 17.Qxa6 ) 16.Qd3 Qb8 17.c4 $1 {All of this is very natural. White needs to open files and diagonals in order to capitalize on his superior piece energy.} 17...bxc3 18.bxc3 Ra7 {Finally, after almost 20 powerful moves in blitz mode, Van Foreest has his first deliberation.} ( {Apparently, the best defense is the sacrifice of the exchange with} 18...Bf6 19.c4 Nb4 20.Bxb4 Qxb4 21.Bxa8 Rxa8 {although White should be on top here.} ) 19.Rfb1 $1 {And plays again the best move.} 19...Qc8 ( {Since} 19...Rb7 $2 20.c4 {loses on the spot.} ) 20.c4 Nf6 {Probably now those of you who were following the game unarmed (not biased by the computer assessments and not spoiled by their suggestions) were thinking about a way to remove the Ra7 from that square. Something like Bd2-e3 made perfect sense following this logic. But the young Dutchman has something else in mind.} ( {After:} 20...e5 {White can reply with the simple} 21.Bxd5 ( {Or as in the game:} 21.Nb5 $3 axb5 22.cxb5 Nf6 23.b6 {when the pawns are unstoppable.} ) ) 21.Nb5 $3 {Definitely one of the star moves of this Tata Steel edition!} 21...axb5 22.cxb5 {The passer are connected and, since they are so nicely supported by all the white pieces, should be stopped as soon as possible.} 22...Bxb5 $1 {The only way.} ( {After some other normal move like} 22...e5 {The game could have continued with} 23.b6 $1 {Sacrificing more material but moving the passers even closer. These pawns will soon promise White huge payback bonus.} 23...Bf5 ( {Nothing changes} 23...Rb7 24.Bxb7 Qxb7 25.a6 ) 24.Qe2 Bxb1 25.bxa7 Be4 $1 {The only chance.} 26.Bxe4 d5 27.Bd3 e4 28.Ba6 Qd7 {The first passer will be lost.} 29.Rb1 Qxa7 30.Rb7 Qc5 31.Bb4 Qc1+ 32.Qe1 Qxe1+ 33.Bxe1 {But the second a-passer would decide the outcome of the game.} ) 23.Qxb5 Nd7 24.Bb7 $1 {That locks the black rook permanently. The game is essentially over, but loads of tricks remain in the cards.} 24...Qd8 25.a6 Bf6 {Now White needs to find a way to annihilate the a7-rook.} 26.Ba5 Qe8 27.Bc7 $5 {A nice maneuver, albeit somewhat complicated.} ( {The neatest way of finishing the game would be} 27.Ra2 Nc5 28.Qb6 Qb8 29.Qxa7 $3 Qxa7 30.Bb6 Qb8 31.Bxc5 dxc5 32.a7 {And the a7-pawn is a queen.} ) 27...Bxa1 28.Rxa1 ( {Here, strong is} 28.Bxd6 $1 Bf6 29.Bxf8 Kxf8 30.Rc1 {It is not very obvious what White wants, but let's say Black makes a random move like} 30...h6 {Then} ( {Black is also helpless after} 30...Bd8 31.Rd1 Nb6 32.Qb4+ Kg8 ( 32...Be7 33.Qxb6 ) 33.Qd6 ) 31.Rc8 Bd8 32.Qb4+ Kg8 33.Qd4 {finally traps the black rook.} ) 28...d5 {Missing his chance.} ( {Grandelius had} 28...Nc5 $1 29.Qb6 Qd7 {with the idea to meet} 30.Bxd6 {with the brilliant} ( {True, White can avoid the back-rank problems with} 30.h3 $1 Re8 {although here not everything is clear yet.} ) 30...Qxb7 $3 31.Bxc5 Rfa8 $1 32.Qxb7 Rxb7 33.a7 {when Black pushes for a win.} ) 29.Bd6 Qd8 30.Rc1 ( {Here, more precise is} 30.Bxf8 Nxf8 31.Rc1 Qd6 32.h3 ) 30...g6 ( {Now Black could have again tried back-rank tricks with} 30...Re8 31.Rc7 ( {True, White should still be clearly on top with the careful} 31.h3 $1 ) 31...Nb8 {It is late for} 32.h3 ( {However:} 32.Rc8 $2 Qxc8 33.Bxc8 Rxc8 34.Bxb8 $4 Rc1+ {is even worse for White...} ) 32...Nxa6 $1 ) 31.h3 $1 {Air is essential for the white king.} ( {Van Foreest avoids} 31.Rc7 Nb8 32.Qb6 Nxa6 $1 ) 31...Re8 32.Rc7 Nf6 ( {With the back rank in order, White is ready to meet} 32...Nb8 {with} 33.Rc8 Qxc8 34.Bxc8 Rxc8 35.Bxb8 ) 33.Be5 Ne4 34.Qc6 Rf8 35.Bd4 Qb8 36.f3 $1 {Removing the knight from the c5-square and finishing the game in style.} 36...Rxa6 ( {If the knight moves, all White needs is to swap the queen off with} 36...Nd2 37.Bxa7 Qxa7+ 38.Qc5 {and the a-pawn will be a queen.} ) 37.Bxa6 Qb4 38.Be5 Qe1+ 39.Kh2 Nf2 40.Qc3 {Van Foreest decided to finish the tournament of his life (so far) a la Short vs. Timman.} 40...Qh1+ 41.Kg3 Qg1 42.Rc8 Nh1+ 43.Kh4 Qf2+ 44.g3 g5+ 45.Kxg5 f6+ {The last little trap that White would not fall in.} 46.Kh6 ( {Excessive greed can spoil any tournament:} 46.Bxf6 $4 Qxg3+ 47.Kh5 Qxh3+ 48.Kg5 Qf5+ 49.Kh4 Qf4+ 50.Kh5 Ng3# ) 46...fxe5 47.Qxe5 {Last year when Van Foreest said in one of the after-game short interviews that he had come to play for the first place no one took him seriously. This year he proved it!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.31"]
[Round "13.4"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7220913775161"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

{[Annotations by GM Dejan Bojkov]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Qd3 {A very rare line, also played by Carlsen against Grandelius in this tournament. It has recently been tested by Fedoseev, and before that it was brought briefly into the spotlight by the creative Spanish GM Vallejo. It should be mentioned that the Dutch GM had tested it in the distant 2014.} 6...Nbd7 ( {Grandelius deviates from} 6...e6 {which he played against Carlsen.} ) ( {That earlier game of Van Foreest went:} 6...g6 7.Bg5 Bg7 8.O-O-O O-O 9.f4 Nc6 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.e5 Nd5 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Qa3 Qc7 14.Bd3 Rb8 {and did not end well for the young Dutch player, Van Foreest,J (2461)-Von Meijenfeldt,B (2331) Dieren 2014} ) 7.Be2 b5 8.a4 {White gambits a pawn and after some hesitation...} 8...Nc5 $146 {Grandelius accepts the challenge. From here on, the players enter uncharted territory, or at least Black does. Van Foreest keeps practically blitzing his next moves.} ( {An earlier game saw} 8...b4 9.Nd5 Bb7 10.Nxf6+ Nxf6 11.Bf3 Qc7 12.O-O e6 13.Bg5 Be7 14.Rfd1 {Socko,M (2421)-Sarana,A (2636) Online 2020} ) 9.Qe3 b4 10.Nd5 Ncxe4 11.a5 $1 {The point. White fixes the b6-square, as well as we shall see later, the pawn on a6.} ( {Hardly any stand-up Sicilian player enters the line} 11.Nxb4 Bb7 ) 11...Nxd5 ( {The other obvious idea is the development with} 11...Bb7 12.Nb6 Rb8 13.O-O e6 {White has compensation for sure, but we will have to wait and see how exactly it will be developed in future games.} ) 12.Qxe4 e6 ( {Once again,} 12...Bb7 13.O-O Qd7 {trying to develop with threats.} ) 13.O-O Bd7 {At last the Swedish GM decided to develop his bishop on the other diagonal.} ( {In the line} 13...Bb7 14.c4 bxc3 {besides the obvious} 15.bxc3 ( {Grandelius might have disliked} 15.Bd1 $1 Be7 16.bxc3 Rb8 17.Ba4+ {when his king will permanently remain in the center.} ) ) 14.Bd2 Be7 15.Bf3 {Once that White finished his development, he is ready to challenge the enemy knight in the center.} 15...O-O {Standing against the pin.} ( {Or else Black loses the pawn:} 15...Rc8 16.Qd3 Rc5 17.Qxa6 ) 16.Qd3 Qb8 17.c4 $1 {All of this is very natural. White needs to open files and diagonals in order to capitalize on his superior piece energy.} 17...bxc3 18.bxc3 Ra7 {Finally, after almost 20 powerful moves in blitz mode, Van Foreest has his first deliberation.} ( {Apparently, the best defense is the sacrifice of the exchange with} 18...Bf6 19.c4 Nb4 20.Bxb4 Qxb4 21.Bxa8 Rxa8 {although White should be on top here.} ) 19.Rfb1 $1 {And plays again the best move.} 19...Qc8 ( {Since} 19...Rb7 $2 20.c4 {loses on the spot.} ) 20.c4 Nf6 {Probably now those of you who were following the game unarmed (not biased by the computer assessments and not spoiled by their suggestions) were thinking about a way to remove the Ra7 from that square. Something like Bd2-e3 made perfect sense following this logic. But the young Dutchman has something else in mind.} ( {After:} 20...e5 {White can reply with the simple} 21.Bxd5 ( {Or as in the game:} 21.Nb5 $3 axb5 22.cxb5 Nf6 23.b6 {when the pawns are unstoppable.} ) ) 21.Nb5 $3 {Definitely one of the star moves of this Tata Steel edition!} 21...axb5 22.cxb5 {The passer are connected and, since they are so nicely supported by all the white pieces, should be stopped as soon as possible.} 22...Bxb5 $1 {The only way.} ( {After some other normal move like} 22...e5 {The game could have continued with} 23.b6 $1 {Sacrificing more material but moving the passers even closer. These pawns will soon promise White huge payback bonus.} 23...Bf5 ( {Nothing changes} 23...Rb7 24.Bxb7 Qxb7 25.a6 ) 24.Qe2 Bxb1 25.bxa7 Be4 $1 {The only chance.} 26.Bxe4 d5 27.Bd3 e4 28.Ba6 Qd7 {The first passer will be lost.} 29.Rb1 Qxa7 30.Rb7 Qc5 31.Bb4 Qc1+ 32.Qe1 Qxe1+ 33.Bxe1 {But the second a-passer would decide the outcome of the game.} ) 23.Qxb5 Nd7 24.Bb7 $1 {That locks the black rook permanently. The game is essentially over, but loads of tricks remain in the cards.} 24...Qd8 25.a6 Bf6 {Now White needs to find a way to annihilate the a7-rook.} 26.Ba5 Qe8 27.Bc7 $5 {A nice maneuver, albeit somewhat complicated.} ( {The neatest way of finishing the game would be} 27.Ra2 Nc5 28.Qb6 Qb8 29.Qxa7 $3 Qxa7 30.Bb6 Qb8 31.Bxc5 dxc5 32.a7 {And the a7-pawn is a queen.} ) 27...Bxa1 28.Rxa1 ( {Here, strong is} 28.Bxd6 $1 Bf6 29.Bxf8 Kxf8 30.Rc1 {It is not very obvious what White wants, but let's say Black makes a random move like} 30...h6 {Then} ( {Black is also helpless after} 30...Bd8 31.Rd1 Nb6 32.Qb4+ Kg8 ( 32...Be7 33.Qxb6 ) 33.Qd6 ) 31.Rc8 Bd8 32.Qb4+ Kg8 33.Qd4 {finally traps the black rook.} ) 28...d5 {Missing his chance.} ( {Grandelius had} 28...Nc5 $1 29.Qb6 Qd7 {with the idea to meet} 30.Bxd6 {with the brilliant} ( {True, White can avoid the back-rank problems with} 30.h3 $1 Re8 {although here not everything is clear yet.} ) 30...Qxb7 $3 31.Bxc5 Rfa8 $1 32.Qxb7 Rxb7 33.a7 {when Black pushes for a win.} ) 29.Bd6 Qd8 30.Rc1 ( {Here, more precise is} 30.Bxf8 Nxf8 31.Rc1 Qd6 32.h3 ) 30...g6 ( {Now Black could have again tried back-rank tricks with} 30...Re8 31.Rc7 ( {True, White should still be clearly on top with the careful} 31.h3 $1 ) 31...Nb8 {It is late for} 32.h3 ( {However:} 32.Rc8 $2 Qxc8 33.Bxc8 Rxc8 34.Bxb8 $4 Rc1+ {is even worse for White...} ) 32...Nxa6 $1 ) 31.h3 $1 {Air is essential for the white king.} ( {Van Foreest avoids} 31.Rc7 Nb8 32.Qb6 Nxa6 $1 ) 31...Re8 32.Rc7 Nf6 ( {With the back rank in order, White is ready to meet} 32...Nb8 {with} 33.Rc8 Qxc8 34.Bxc8 Rxc8 35.Bxb8 ) 33.Be5 Ne4 34.Qc6 Rf8 35.Bd4 Qb8 36.f3 $1 {Removing the knight from attacking the c5-square and finishing the game in style.} 36...Rxa6 ( {If the knight moves, all White needs is to swap the queen off with} 36...Nd2 37.Bxa7 Qxa7+ 38.Qc5 {and the a-pawn will be a queen.} ) 37.Bxa6 Qb4 38.Be5 Qe1+ 39.Kh2 Nf2 40.Qc3 {Van Foreest decided to finish the tournament of his life (so far) a la Short vs. Timman.} 40...Qh1+ 41.Kg3 Qg1 42.Rc8 Nh1+ 43.Kh4 Qf2+ 44.g3 g5+ 45.Kxg5 f6+ {The last little trap that White would not fall in.} 46.Kh6 ( {Excessive greed can spoil any tournament:} 46.Bxf6 $4 Qxg3+ 47.Kh5 Qxh3+ 48.Kg5 Qf5+ 49.Kh4 Qf4+ 50.Kh5 Ng3# ) 46...fxe5 47.Qxe5 {Last year when Van Foreest said in one of the after-game short interviews that he had come to play for the first place no one took him seriously. This year he proved it!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.31"]
[Round "13.4"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7220913775161"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Qd3 {A very rare line, also played by Carlsen against Grandelius in this tournament. It has recently been tested by Fedoseev, and before that it was brought briefly into the spotlight by the creative Spanish GM Vallejo. It should be mentioned that the Dutch GM had tested it in the distant 2014.} 6...Nbd7 ( {Grandelius deviates from} 6...e6 {which he played against Carlsen.} ) ( {That earlier game of Van Foreest went:} 6...g6 7.Bg5 Bg7 8.O-O-O O-O 9.f4 Nc6 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.e5 Nd5 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Qa3 Qc7 14.Bd3 Rb8 {and did not end well for the young Dutch player, Van Foreest,J (2461)-Von Meijenfeldt,B (2331) Dieren 2014} ) 7.Be2 b5 8.a4 {White gambits a pawn and after some hesitation...} 8...Nc5 $146 {Grandelius accepts the challenge. From here on, the players enter uncharted territory, or at least Black does. Van Foreest keeps practically blitzing his next moves.} ( {An earlier game saw} 8...b4 9.Nd5 Bb7 10.Nxf6+ Nxf6 11.Bf3 Qc7 12.O-O e6 13.Bg5 Be7 14.Rfd1 {Socko,M (2421)-Sarana,A (2636) Online 2020} ) 9.Qe3 b4 10.Nd5 Ncxe4 11.a5 $1 {The point. White fixes the b6-square, as well as we shall see later, the pawn on a6.} ( {Hardly any stand-up Sicilian player enters the line} 11.Nxb4 Bb7 ) 11...Nxd5 ( {The other obvious idea is the development with} 11...Bb7 12.Nb6 Rb8 13.O-O e6 {White has compensation for sure, but we will have to wait and see how exactly it will be developed in future games.} ) 12.Qxe4 e6 ( {Once again,} 12...Bb7 13.O-O Qd7 {trying to develop with threats.} ) 13.O-O Bd7 {At last the Swedish GM decided to develop his bishop on the other diagonal.} ( {In the line} 13...Bb7 14.c4 bxc3 {besides the obvious} 15.bxc3 ( {Grandelius might have disliked} 15.Bd1 $1 Be7 16.bxc3 Rb8 17.Ba4+ {when his king will permanently remain in the center.} ) ) 14.Bd2 Be7 15.Bf3 {Once that White finished his development, he is ready to challenge the enemy knight in the center.} 15...O-O {Standing against the pin.} ( {Or else Black loses the pawn:} 15...Rc8 16.Qd3 Rc5 17.Qxa6 ) 16.Qd3 Qb8 17.c4 $1 {All of this is very natural. White needs to open files and diagonals in order to capitalize on his superior piece energy.} 17...bxc3 18.bxc3 Ra7 {Finally, after almost 20 powerful moves in blitz mode, Van Foreest has his first deliberation.} ( {Apparently, the best defense is the sacrifice of the exchange with} 18...Bf6 19.c4 Nb4 20.Bxb4 Qxb4 21.Bxa8 Rxa8 {although White should be on top here.} ) 19.Rfb1 $1 {And plays again the best move.} 19...Qc8 ( {Since} 19...Rb7 $2 20.c4 {loses on the spot.} ) 20.c4 Nf6 {Probably now those of you who were following the game unarmed (not biased by the computer assessments and not spoiled by their suggestions) were thinking about a way to remove the Ra7 from that square. Something like Bd2-e3 made perfect sense following this logic. But the young Dutchman has something else in mind.} ( {After:} 20...e5 {White can reply with the simple} 21.Bxd5 ( {Or as in the game:} 21.Nb5 $3 axb5 22.cxb5 Nf6 23.b6 {when the pawns are unstoppable.} ) ) 21.Nb5 $3 {Definitely one of the star moves of this Tata Steel edition!} 21...axb5 22.cxb5 {The passer are connected and, since they are so nicely supported by all the white pieces, should be stopped as soon as possible.} 22...Bxb5 $1 {The only way.} ( {After some other normal move like} 22...e5 {The game could have continued with} 23.b6 $1 {Sacrificing more material but moving the passers even closer. These pawns will soon promise White huge payback bonus.} 23...Bf5 ( {Nothing changes} 23...Rb7 24.Bxb7 Qxb7 25.a6 ) 24.Qe2 Bxb1 25.bxa7 Be4 $1 {The only chance.} 26.Bxe4 d5 27.Bd3 e4 28.Ba6 Qd7 {The first passer will be lost.} 29.Rb1 Qxa7 30.Rb7 Qc5 31.Bb4 Qc1+ 32.Qe1 Qxe1+ 33.Bxe1 {But the second a-passer would decide the outcome of the game.} ) 23.Qxb5 Nd7 24.Bb7 $1 {That locks the black rook permanently. The game is essentially over, but loads of tricks remain in the cards.} 24...Qd8 25.a6 Bf6 {Now White needs to find a way to annihilate the a7-rook.} 26.Ba5 Qe8 27.Bc7 $5 {A nice maneuver, albeit somewhat complicated.} ( {The neatest way of finishing the game would be} 27.Ra2 Nc5 28.Qb6 Qb8 29.Qxa7 $3 Qxa7 30.Bb6 Qb8 31.Bxc5 dxc5 32.a7 {And the a7-pawn is a queen.} ) 27...Bxa1 28.Rxa1 ( {Here, strong is} 28.Bxd6 $1 Bf6 29.Bxf8 Kxf8 30.Rc1 {It is not very obvious what White wants, but let's say Black makes a random move like} 30...h6 {Then} ( {Black is also helpless after} 30...Bd8 31.Rd1 Nb6 32.Qb4+ Kg8 ( 32...Be7 33.Qxb6 ) 33.Qd6 ) 31.Rc8 Bd8 32.Qb4+ Kg8 33.Qd4 {finally traps the black rook.} ) 28...d5 {Missing his chance.} ( {Grandelius had} 28...Nc5 $1 29.Qb6 Qd7 {with the idea to meet} 30.Bxd6 {with the brilliant} ( {True, White can avoid the back-rank problems with} 30.h3 $1 Re8 {although here not everything is clear yet.} ) 30...Qxb7 $3 31.Bxc5 Rfa8 $1 32.Qxb7 Rxb7 33.a7 {when Black pushes for a win.} ) 29.Bd6 Qd8 30.Rc1 ( {Here, more precise is} 30.Bxf8 Nxf8 31.Rc1 Qd6 32.h3 ) 30...g6 ( {Now Black could have again tried back-rank tricks with} 30...Re8 31.Rc7 ( {True, White should still be clearly on top with the careful} 31.h3 $1 ) 31...Nb8 {It is late for} 32.h3 ( {However:} 32.Rc8 $2 Qxc8 33.Bxc8 Rxc8 34.Bxb8 $4 Rc1+ {is even worse for White...} ) 32...Nxa6 $1 ) 31.h3 $1 {Air is essential for the white king.} ( {Van Foreest avoids} 31.Rc7 Nb8 32.Qb6 Nxa6 $1 ) 31...Re8 32.Rc7 Nf6 ( {With the back rank in order, White is ready to meet} 32...Nb8 {with} 33.Rc8 Qxc8 34.Bxc8 Rxc8 35.Bxb8 ) 33.Be5 Ne4 34.Qc6 Rf8 35.Bd4 Qb8 36.f3 $1 {Removing the knight from attacking the c5-square and finishing the game in style.} 36...Rxa6 ( {If the knight moves, all White needs is to swap the queen off with} 36...Nd2 37.Bxa7 Qxa7+ 38.Qc5 {and the a-pawn will be a queen.} ) 37.Bxa6 Qb4 38.Be5 Qe1+ 39.Kh2 Nf2 40.Qc3 {Van Foreest decided to finish the tournament of his life (so far) a la Short vs. Timman.} 40...Qh1+ 41.Kg3 Qg1 42.Rc8 Nh1+ 43.Kh4 Qf2+ 44.g3 g5+ 45.Kxg5 f6+ {The last little trap that White would not fall in.} 46.Kh6 ( {Excessive greed can spoil any tournament:} 46.Bxf6 $4 Qxg3+ 47.Kh5 Qxh3+ 48.Kg5 Qf5+ 49.Kh4 Qf4+ 50.Kh5 Ng3# ) 46...fxe5 47.Qxe5 {Last year when Van Foreest said in one of the after-game short interviews that he had come to play for the first place no one took him seriously. This year he proved it!} 1-0

[Event "Opera Euro Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.02.09"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2860"]
[ECO "D96"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7767603600944"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 {Not a major surprise; the Gruenfeld remains Vachier-Lagrave's main choice against 1.d4.} 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 dxc4 6.Qxc4 Be6 7.Qa4+ Bd7 8.Qb3 ( {In his second white game, Aronian tried} 8.Qa3 Bc6 ( 8...c5 9.dxc5 Bc6 10.e3 Bxf3 11.gxf3 O-O 12.Bg2 Nd5 13.O-O Nxc3 14.bxc3 Qd3 15.Qb3 Na6 16.Ba3 Rac8 17.Rfd1 Qxc3 18.Rac1 Qa5 19.c6 bxc6 20.Bxe7 Rfe8 21.Bd6 {seems more pleasant for White, but Black eventually held in Shankland, S (2691)-Tari,A (2618) Online 2020} ) 9.e3 Bxf3 10.gxf3 Nbd7 11.f4 O-O 12.Bg2 c6 13.O-O e6 14.Rd1 Qb6 {Aronian,L (2778)-Vachier-Lagrave,M (2860) Online 2021} ) 8...c5 9.d5 b5 {Since White has a lost a few tempi shuffling his queen back and forth, Black has all the reasons to play aggressively.} 10.Nxb5 Na6 11.Nc3 Rb8 12.Qd1 Qa5 13.Qd2 $146 {This move, which was played instantly, is a novelty which will hardly be repeated ever. Aronian might have confused something.} ( {However, the predecessor should not have attracted the first player either:} 13.Nd2 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Ba4 15.b3 Bc6 {0-1 Drenchev,P (2434)-Ivic,V (2548) Bajina Basta 2020} ) ( {Best is to sacrifice the pawn back with} 13.Bd2 Rxb2 14.e4 {although there too Black has no problems whatsoever and can claim advantage after} 14...Nb4 ( {Or even after some calm play like} 14...O-O 15.Rc1 Ne8 ) 15.Rc1 Nxa2 16.Nxa2 Qxa2 17.Bc4 Qa4 18.Qxa4 Bxa4 {finally transforming the initiative into an extra pawn.} ) 13...Nb4 14.e4 Ba4 $1 {This might have been missed by White. Vachier-Lagrave creates very concrete threats, which cannot be parried. No wonder, Black has almost all his pieces out, whereas Aronian uses less than half his army.} 15.b3 ( {Since} 15.Nxa4 {loses instantly to} 15...Nxe4 ) 15...Bxb3 16.Rb1 ( {The desperate} 16.axb3 Qxa1 17.Bc4 {cannot change anything. Black not only won material, he also has his attack running and a convincing way to prove it is:} 17...Ng4 18.Ne2 Bh6 19.Nf4 Na2 ) 16...Bc2 {The rook is trapped.} 17.Rb3 ( {Once again, the opened diagonals will finish White off in the line} 17.Rb2 Nxe4 $1 18.Nxe4 Bxe4 19.Rb3 Bxd5 20.Ra3 Nc2+ ) 17...Bxb3 18.axb3 Nd7 {Black won material, but does not slow his initiative. Now that the long diagonal has been opened more trouble awaits Aronian.} ( {Another convincing line would have been} 18...Bh6 19.Qxh6 Nc2+ 20.Kd2 Nxe4+ 21.Kxc2 Qxc3+ ) 19.Bb2 O-O {Simple and good.} ( {More flashy would have been} 19...Nxd5 $1 20.exd5 Rxb3 21.Nd1 Qxd2+ 22.Nxd2 Rxb2 23.Nxb2 Bxb2 {with a completely won endgame.} ) 20.Be2 Na2 $1 {Forcing more trades.} 21.Na4 Qxa4 $1 {The point behind his previous move. Vachier-Lagrave can even afford parting with his queen, that strong is his position.} 22.Bxg7 ( {Otherwise the attack is unstoppable after} 22.bxa4 Rxb2 23.Qe3 Bc3+ 24.Kd1 Bb4 {and there is no escape from Na2-c3+!} ) 22...Rxb3 23.Bxf8 Rb1+ 24.Bd1 Qxe4+ 25.Kf1 ( 25.Qe2 {is spectacularly refuted by} 25...Rxd1+ $1 26.Kxd1 Nc3+ ) 25...Nc3 26.Qxc3 Rxd1+ 27.Ne1 Nxf8 {White is down two pawns and completely stuck. The rest is easy:} 28.h4 Qxd5 29.Rh3 Ne6 30.Re3 Rd4 31.Nf3 Qc4+ 32.Qxc4 Rxc4 33.Ra3 Nd4 34.Nxd4 cxd4 35.Rxa7 d3 36.Ke1 Re4+ 37.Kd2 Re2+ 38.Kxd3 Rxf2 {An opening disaster for Aronian.} 0-1

[Event "Opera Euro Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.02.10"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[ECO "C55"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8247163503176"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 h6 {Dubov's pet move with which he won a few beautiful games last year (see below).} 5.Nc3 ( {Like this one:} 5.c3 g5 $1 6.a4 g4 7.Nfd2 d5 8.exd5 Nxd5 9.a5 Bg7 10.a6 b6 11.h3 Nf4 {and Black eventually won as soon as on move 21(!) in Karjakin,S (2752)-Dubov,D (2699) Online 2020.} ) 5...Bb4 6.O-O Bxc3 7.bxc3 O-O 8.Bb3 $5 {Not a common continuation but a logical move. The bishop steps back in anticipation of the imminent central break d7-d5.} ( {White did not do that great after} 8.d4 d6 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Nxe5 dxe5 11.Qe2 Qe7 12.a4 Rd8 13.f4 Bg4 {Tomazini,Z (2424)-Markoja,B (2440) Ljubljana 2018} ) 8...d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.h3 $146 {This pawn sacrifice turns out to be dubious, to say the least.} ( {In an earlier game, Black did fine after} 10.c4 Nde7 11.h3 Ng6 12.Be3 Be6 13.Re1 Qd7 14.Ba4 f6 15.Nh2 Nge7 {Jacimovic,S (2151)-Jovanovic,M (2102) Serbia 2016} ) ( {There was nothing wrong with the normal development} 10.Bd2 {but apparently Carlsen did not like the pin after} 10...Bg4 ) 10...Nxc3 $1 {Dubov accepts the sacrifice and quickly spots an important attacking detail.} 11.Qe1 Nd4 $1 {The point.} ( {Retreat would definitely make White happy:} 11...Nd5 12.Nxe5 Re8 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Qa5 {with an edge for the first player.} ) 12.Nxe5 Nce2+ 13.Kh1 {This move, played almost instantly, is a blunder! Carlsen wanted to avoid problems along the b8-h2 diagonal, but it turns out that the king is not safe there either.} ( {After} 13.Kh2 Nxb3 14.axb3 {White obviously feared the double attack} 14...Qd4 {but it turns out that he has a defense here:} 15.Bb2 $1 Qxb2 16.Qxe2 {when Black cannot exploit the pin to win a piece:} 16...Re8 17.f4 f6 {because of} 18.Qh5 {Still, Black has the better play after} 18...Be6 19.Ng4 Bf7 $1 {An accurate move that puts things in order on the kingside.} ( {Otherwise, Black may suffer a painful assault after} 19...Qxc2 $2 20.Nxf6+ $1 gxf6 21.Qg6+ Kf8 22.Rac1 $1 Qb2 23.Rxc7 Re7 24.Qxh6+ {with a mating attack.} ) ) 13...Bxh3 $3 {Uncovering the king along the long diagonal.} ( {Another version of the sacrifice is also possible:} 13...Nxc1 14.Qxc1 ( {Or} 14.Rxc1 Nxb3 15.axb3 Re8 16.Qc3 Bxh3 $1 {still winning a pawn.} ) 14...Bxh3 15.gxh3 ( {Or} 15.Qf4 Be6 ) 15...Nxb3 16.axb3 Qd5+ {with a solid extra pawn for Black.} ) 14.gxh3 Nxb3 15.Qxe2 Qd5+ $1 {This intermediate check might have been missed by the world champion.} ( {After} 15...Nxa1 16.Rg1 Qd5+ 17.Kh2 Rfe8 18.f4 {White builds a strong kingside initiative, similar to the one in the game.} ) 16.Kh2 Nxa1 {Ah, such a pity! Dubov missed a brilliant way to finish the game in his favor.} ( {The sudden retreat would win spectacularly:} 16...Nd4 $3 17.Qe4 Qxe5+ $1 18.Qxe5 Nf3+ {The extra pawn and better pawn structure should suffice in the endgame.} ) 17.Bb2 {Now White gets a glimpse of hope.} 17...Rae8 {And after this obvious move, there might not be a win at all!} ( {Dubov would have still been much better with} 17...f6 $1 18.Nc4 Rfe8 19.Qd1 Nxc2 20.Qxc2 Qf3 $1 ) 18.Rg1 $1 {The four remaining white pieces develop a strong initiative against the enemy king on the open files and diagonals.} 18...f6 19.Qg4 g5 {As risky as it looks, Dubov had no other choice.} ( {Black often suffers from back-rank problems in the following lines:} 19...Re7 20.Ng6 Qd6+ 21.Rg3 Nxc2 ( 21...Rff7 22.Qc8+ $1 ) ( 21...Ref7 22.Nxf8 Qxf8 23.Bxa1 ) 22.Nxf8 Kxf8 23.Bxf6 $3 {and here the f-file is opened nicely for White.} ) 20.Qf5 Re7 {Reluctant to accept the draw, the Russian GM even loses now!} ( {It would be a perpetual after} 20...Rxe5 21.Qg6+ Kh8 22.Qxh6+ ) 21.Ng6 Qd6+ 22.Rg3 Nxc2 23.Nxf8 {Carlsen wins a piece and quickly finishes the game.} 23...Nd4 ( {Or} 23...Kxf8 24.Bxf6 Rf7 25.Qc8+ ) 24.Bxd4 Qxd4 25.Ne6 Qe5 26.Qg6+ Kh8 27.Qxh6+ Kg8 28.Qf8+ 1-0

[Event "Opera Euro Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.02.11"]
[Round "14.2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "B31"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6598415878200"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {The Rossolimo seems a good choice against Radjabov's Sveshnikov/Kalashnikov multi-year experience. An interesting fact is that Radjabov faced the Rossolimo in almost half of the games in which he went for 2...Nc6. Thus, where is the advantage in the main lines?} ( {At the end of last year, the same players discussed the main lines after} 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6 6.N1c3 a6 7.Na3 Be6 8.Nc4 Rb8 9.Ne3 Nf6 10.g3 h5 11.h4 Be7 {and Black was doing OK in So,W (2770)-Radjabov,T (2765) Online 2020} ) 3...g6 ( 3...e6 {is the main preference of the Azerbaijani GM.} ) 4.O-O Bg7 5.c3 Nf6 6.Re1 O-O ( {Last year Radjabov had a mini-match against Le after} 6...Qb6 7.Bf1 d6 8.Na3 Bg4 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 O-O 11.d3 Nd7 12.Qd1 Rab8 13.Nc4 Qc7 14.a4 {Le,Q (2709)-Radjabov,T (2765) Online 2020} ) 7.d4 d5 8.e5 Ne4 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.Be3 {This is White's major attempt these days. It slowly outshines the older 10.Nbd2.} ( {Although} 10.Nbd2 {is still played. Then Black sacrifices the central pawn with something like} 10...Bf5 11.Nh4 Be6 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Rxe4 cxd4 14.cxd4 c5 {destroying the white center and, as a rule, enjoys wonderful compensation, thanks to the bishop pair, Fedoseev,V (2664) -Motylev,A (2653) Khanty-Mansiysk 2015} ) 10...cxd4 11.cxd4 Qb6 12.Qc1 {The point behind White's play. He wants to stabilize the situation in the center, fix the c6-pawn and turn it into permanent weakness. The a-pawn might also be problematic for Black in the future.} 12...a5 13.Nc3 Nxc3 14.Qxc3 Bf5 {Deviating from his game against Grischuk.} ( {So apparently studied Radjabov's earlier game} 14...Bg4 15.Nd2 Rfb8 16.b3 a4 17.h3 Bf5 18.Rec1 h5 19.bxa4 Rxa4 20.Qxc6 Qxc6 21.Rxc6 Rba8 {and liked what he saw, Grischuk,A (2777) -Radjabov,T (2765) Online 2021} ) 15.b3 Rfb8 16.Nd2 h5 $146 {A novelty.} ( {A top-level predecessor went} 16...a4 17.h3 Qa5 18.Qxa5 Rxa5 19.bxa4 Rxa4 20.Rec1 Rb6 21.g4 Bd3 22.Rc3 Bb5 23.a3 Bxe5 $5 24.dxe5 d4 25.Ne4 dxc3 26.Nxc3 Rba6 27.Nxa4 Rxa4 28.Bc5 {with a minimal advantage for White, Giri,A (2776)-Le,Q (2713) Bucharest 2019} ) 17.h3 {The opening outcome is pleasant for White. The bishop pair is not much of an advantage here for Black as he cannot easily break open the position. As long as So keeps everything under control on the c5- and e5-squares, he can slowly squeeze his opponent, which is especially unpleasant in rapid games.} 17...Rc8 ( {Radjabov suggested} 17...a4 {pointing out that's what he did against Grischuk and saying: "By liquidating by ...a4, it's just very OK for Black. I just decided that maybe Wesley is not in a great mood so I can play on, but I completely missed the a3, Qb2 stuff. Suddenly I'm on the defensive."} ) 18.Rac1 Bf8 19.a3 Rab8 {An obvious move that, however, does not build enough queenside pressure.} ( {A more interesting idea seems} 19...e6 $5 20.Qb2 Be7 21.Rc3 Qd8 22.Rec1 Qf8 $1 {keeping White busy on the queenside.} ) 20.Qb2 Qd8 21.Rc3 {White's plan is simple and effective. Attack the weak queenside pawns with everything that you can. If a chance occurs, swap off the dark-squared bishops, and this would already be a strategically won position for White.} ( {Or} 21.Bg5 Qd7 22.Re3 ) 21...Qd7 ( {It is not too late for} 21...e6 $5 22.Rec1 Rb6 23.Nf3 Be7 {Preparing Qd8-f8.} ) 22.Rec1 f6 {After this move, the dark squares get severely weakened.} ( {However, Black's position is already unpleasant, say:} 22...Rb6 23.Nf3 e6 {with an edge for White after both} ( {Or} 23...Qb7 24.Nh4 ) 24.Bg5 $1 ( {and} 24.Nh2 $1 {in these lines Black does not have time to organize counterplay on the queenside, and White can exploit the weakness of the dark squares slowly and steadily.} ) ) 23.Rc5 {As usual, So is neatly following his plan.} ( {Also interesting is} 23.Nf3 {Not fearing} 23...Be4 24.Bf4 Qf5 25.Qd2 ) 23...Rb5 24.a4 Rxc5 25.Rxc5 {With the trade of a rook pair, the weaknesses on the queenside are clearly exposed. Radjabov lost the strategical battle, therefore he decides to launch complications with...} 25...Bxh3 ( {After} 25...Ra8 26.Qc3 {the pawns would start dropping.} ) 26.gxh3 Qxh3 27.Nf1 fxe5 28.dxe5 Bg7 ( {If} 28...Qg4+ 29.Ng3 h4 30.Qe2 {comes just in time.} ) 29.Qd4 Qe6 30.Rxa5 Bxe5 31.Qh4 {There are enough defenders around the white king, and the a-passer is ready to move. The compensation is clearly insufficient.} 31...Rf8 32.Ra7 Bd6 33.b4 Rf3 34.Ra8+ Kf7 35.Bh6 $1 {Again, very neat. So trades the active black rook.} ( {Or} 35.Kg2 Rf5 36.a5 ) 35...Qe2 36.Rf8+ Ke6 37.Rxf3 Qxf3 38.Be3 Kd7 39.a5 Kc8 40.Bc5 $1 {Forcing another concession by Black.} 40...Bf4 ( {Since} 40...Bxc5 41.bxc5 Qe2 {loses after} 42.Ne3 ) 41.Qxe7 Qg4+ 42.Ng3 Bxg3 43.fxg3 Qxg3+ 44.Kf1 {So correctly calculated that the checks cannot last forever.} 44...Qd3+ 45.Kf2 Qd2+ 46.Kf3 Qd1+ 47.Kf4 Qg4+ 48.Ke5 {This required precise calculation, but So has seen everything.} 48...Qe4+ 49.Kf6 Qxe7+ 50.Kxe7 h4 51.Kd6 h3 ( {After} 51...g5 {mate will be} 52.a6 h3 53.Kxc6 h2 54.a7 h1=Q 55.a8=Q# ) 52.Bg1 d4 53.Kxc6 d3 54.a6 Kb8 55.b5 d2 56.a7+ Ka8 57.b6 1-0

[Event "Opera Euro Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.02.12"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2860"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6943754183690"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.O-O Nge7 5.Re1 Nd4 6.Nxd4 cxd4 7.c3 a6 8.Bf1 Nc6 9.b4 {Fighting for the center from the flank.} ( {The other way to pose problems for Black is} 9.a4 Bc5 10.b4 Bb6 11.Na3 O-O 12.Nc4 Bc7 13.cxd4 d5 14.exd5 Qxd5 15.Ba3 Nxd4 16.b5 Rd8 17.b6 Bb8 18.Ne3 Qg5 19.Rc1 Bd7 20.Rc5 {although Black did quite well later in Ragger,M (2657)-Fedorov,A (2573) Katowice 2017} ) 9...Be7 10.a4 O-O 11.Na3 dxc3 {Carlsen trades the central pawn, but does so at a moment when the opponent somewhat spoiled his coordination. Plus, he gains a long diagonal for his bishop.} 12.dxc3 Bf6 {In a must-win situation Vachier-Lagrave uncorks a novelty.} 13.b5 $5 $146 {New and interesting.} ( {Although in an email game White also managed to create problems for his opponent after} 13.Bd2 d5 14.a5 Bd7 15.Rc1 Rc8 16.Be3 Ne7 17.Bb6 Qe8 18.Bc5 {Sergeev,V (2476)-Valeinis, J (2497) ICCF email 2015} ) 13...axb5 {Carlsen rejects the offer.} ( {Critical was} 13...Bxc3 $1 14.Rb1 {Then} 14...axb5 ( {Or even} 14...Bxe1 15.bxc6 Bxf2+ 16.Kxf2 Qh4+ 17.Kg1 dxc6 18.Qc2 {Black has a lot of material but since the white pieces will soon occupy vital outposts it is the first player who enjoys the spectacle.} ) 15.Re3 b4 16.Nb5 Be5 17.Rh3 {There is certainly compensation for the pawns, but how good it is, still has to be proven.} ) 14.Nxb5 {Now White fixes his opening advantage.} 14...d5 15.Ba3 Be7 16.exd5 exd5 ( {There is no time for} 16...Bxa3 $2 17.dxc6 Be7 18.c7 {and White should use the strong passer soon.} ) 17.Bxe7 Nxe7 18.Qd4 {Black's pawns are clear targets, whereas the white ones are nicely defended by his super-knight. On top of that, Vachier-Lagrave has the more powerful bishop and therefore the advantage.} 18...Nc6 19.Qf4 Be6 20.Rab1 {But this is an inaccuracy that allows the world champion a chance to equalize, almost in full.} ( {Strong was} 20.Bd3 $1 {which keeps everything under control, when} 20...d4 {can be strongly met with} 21.Nc7 Rc8 22.Nxe6 fxe6 23.Qe4 {with a clear edge thanks to the weakened black kingside.} ) 20...d4 $1 {Black does not miss his chance. Now a bunch of pawns are being traded.} 21.Nc7 Rxa4 22.Nxe6 fxe6 23.Qg4 Qf6 24.f3 Qf5 {The simplest. More and more trades lead Carlsen closer to the overall win.} 25.Qxf5 exf5 26.Rxb7 dxc3 27.Bb5 Nd8 28.Rc7 Rb4 29.Ree7 {It is funny that Giri had a very similar position against Wojtaszek at Tata Steel recently. The only difference was that Black had the bishop and White the knight then. And yes, the c3 pawn was not on the board.} 29...Kh8 30.Bd3 Rd4 {That is not bad.} ( {However, opening some air for the king would have been more appropriate:} 30...h6 31.Rxg7 Ne6 32.Rh7+ Kg8 33.Ra7 Rd4 {with a likely draw.} ) 31.Bxf5 Rd2 {And this is already a giant step towards the loss.} ( {Carlsen needed his knight out as soon as possible:} 31...Rd6 $1 {would have done good job for that, e.g:} 32.h4 ( {Or} 32.Be4 Ne6 33.Rxc3 Nf4 34.Rcc7 ( {White can of course play for something with} 34.Rc2 Nh5 {but once that the knight establishes itself on f6 Black should be relatively safe.} ) 34...Rd1+ 35.Kf2 Rd2+ ) 32...Nc6 33.Re1 Nd4 34.Be4 c2 {with a likely draw.} ) 32.h4 $1 {Opening air for the king, and intending to open the seventh rank for his rooks.} 32...Rd4 ( {Here} 32...Rd6 {was still possible, but Black is already in trouble as in the line} 33.Be4 Ne6 34.Rxc3 Nf4 35.Rcc7 Rd1+ 36.Kh2 {The king is not bothered as in the line from above.} ) 33.Be4 Rg8 34.h5 h6 ( {The last chance was} 34...Rd1+ 35.Kh2 Rd6 36.Rxc3 Ne6 {although here too, the impression is that Black should not survive with his passive pieces.} ) 35.Rxc3 Rd6 36.Rc8 $1 {Now Black is tied up and it is only a matter of time until his position collapses.} 36...Ne6 {This loses at once.} 37.Rxg8+ Kxg8 38.Rxe6 $1 {Liquidating into won pawn endgame.} 38...Rxe6 39.Bd5 Kf7 40.Kf2 $1 {Winning an important tempo.} 40...Kf6 41.Bxe6 Kxe6 42.Ke3 Ke5 43.g4 Kd5 44.Kf4 Ke6 45.Ke4 Kf6 46.Kd5 Kf7 47.Kd6 Kf6 48.f4 Kf7 49.Ke5 Ke7 50.f5 Kf7 51.f6 1-0

[Event "Opera Euro Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.02.13"]
[Round "26.1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7908108547616"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 {A good, old classical line that So analyzed extensively for an online course.} 5...exd4 6.e5 d5 7.Bb5 Ne4 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 O-O 10.Be3 Bg4 {The pawn structure now is very much like the one in the Yates line of the Ruy Lopez. White has a strong center, but Black's free piece play allows him a chance to eventually attack and destroy the center.} 11.h3 Bh5 12.Qc2 Bg6 ( {Last year Carlsen had another discussion with a top player:} 12...Nxc3 13.bxc3 f6 14.Bxc6 bxc6 15.exf6 Bxf3 16.fxg7 Rf7 17.gxf3 Qd6 18.Rg1 c5 19.Rg5 cxd4 20.cxd4 Rxg7 21.Rxg7+ Kxg7 22.Ke2 Qg6 {White is up a pawn, but has too many weaknesses that make the position balanced, Giri,A (2764)-Carlsen,M (2862) Online 2020} ) 13.Qb3 {The attack against the d5-point helps So relieve the pressure against his d4-pawn.} 13...Ne7 14.O-O c6 15.Bd3 $1 {The bishop belongs to this diagonal.} 15...Nf5 16.Qc2 {There it is, the pressure along the b1-h7 diagonal. It forces Carlsen to swap a few pieces.} 16...Nxc3 $146 ( {An earlier game saw White doing well after} 16...Nxe3 17.fxe3 Ng3 18.Bxg6 hxg6 19.Rfe1 Ba5 20.Rab1 Qe7 21.a3 Bxc3 22.Qxc3 Ne4 23.Qd3 c5 {Wen,Y (2586)-Esipenko,A (2636) Moscow 2019, but So surely had something prepared here as well.} ) 17.bxc3 Nxe3 18.fxe3 Bxd3 19.Qxd3 {The center survives and is ready to get in motion. Therefore:} 19...f6 {is forced, but then} 20.c4 Bc7 {And the world champion errs!} ( {The correct way to play it is connected with} 20...fxe5 21.Nxe5 Qd6 {when White still has some pressure, but since the pawns are not moving that easily, Black should be able to equalize little by little.} ) 21.cxd5 Qxd5 ( 21...cxd5 22.Qb3 {is awful for Black.} ) 22.exf6 gxf6 {As ugly as this move is, it was played. Carlsen admitted in the after-match interview that he had miscalculated earlier and thought that this was the only way he could get some play.} ( {After} 22...Rxf6 23.e4 $1 Qd7 24.e5 Re6 25.Qb3 {White is in control as long as he does not rush:} 25...Re8 26.Rad1 $1 {Overprotecting the center.} ( {Definitely not} 26.Ng5 $4 Qxd4+ 27.Kh1 Qxe5 ) 26...Qd5 27.Qxd5 cxd5 28.Rb1 ) 23.e4 Qd7 24.Rad1 $1 {Believe it or not, but So had this position in his online course! Apparently Carlsen had not checked it, as he probably believed that the course is designed only for a lower-rated audience. A wonderful example of a scrupulous, earnest work prepared for any player that can be used by yourself, as an example!} 24...Rad8 25.Nh4 {With the knight coming to f5, White is strategically winning.} 25...Kh8 26.Nf5 c5 {The only chance to get some counterplay, but White keeps everything stable.} 27.d5 Be5 28.Rb1 b6 29.Qc4 Rfe8 30.Kh1 {Sheer beauty! Every single white unit has been placed on a light square! This does not prevent him from attacking on the dark squares, it just makes his pieces invincible.} 30...Bd4 {Carlsen tries his last chance. Had he had stayed, then So would have most likely created another weakness on b6 by advancing the a-pawn. With the kingside in ruins, Black would not be able to stop the combined attack on both wings.} 31.Rf4 Rxe4 32.Rxe4 Qxf5 33.Rbe1 Rxd5 {A blunder that finishes the game at once.} ( 33...Qxd5 $2 {is also losing immediately after} 34.Re8+ Kg7 35.R1e7+ Kg6 36.Qd3+ f5 37.Qg3+ ) ( 33...Be5 $1 {is the only way to play it. Of course, Black should not survive here either, say:} 34.Rf1 ( {Or even easier as in the general plan:} 34.a4 $5 ) 34...Qg6 35.Rg4 Qf7 36.Rd1 Bd4 37.Re4 $1 {followed by Re4-e6 as:} 37...Qxd5 {loses once more due to} ( {Whereas} 37...Be5 38.a4 {does not change anything.} ) 38.Re8+ Kg7 39.Re7+ Kf8 40.Qxd5 Rxd5 41.Rxa7 ) 34.Rg4 $1 {Now it is a forced mate.} ( {Perhaps the world champion only saw:} 34.Re8+ Kg7 35.R1e7+ Kh6 36.Qc1+ Qg5 {when the game continues in full speed.} ) 34...h5 35.Re8+ Kh7 36.Re7+ Kh8 37.Qc1 $1 1-0

[Event "Opera Euro Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.02.14"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[Beauty "5365529854016"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Re1 a5 8.Bg5 {In a must-win situation, Carlsen chooses a risky line.} ( {The champion defended himself well with reversed colors just recently after} 8.Nbd2 Ba7 9.Nf1 Be6 10.Bb5 Ne7 11.Ng3 Ng6 12.h3 c6 13.Ba4 d5 14.exd5 Nxd5 15.d4 exd4 16.Nxd4 Qc7 17.Qf3 Bxd4 18.cxd4 Qb6 19.Rd1 Rad8 {Duda,J (2743) -Carlsen,M (2862) Wijk aan Zee 2021} ) 8...h6 9.Bh4 g5 {This is why the early bishop sortie is risky: it may end up being locked out of the game for a long time.} 10.Bg3 Bb6 ( {Another way to play is} 10...Re8 11.Nbd2 Ba7 12.Nf1 Be6 13.Bb5 Bd7 14.Ne3 Ne7 15.a4 c6 16.Bc4 Ng6 17.Qc2 Nf4 {as in the recent game Aronian,L (2781)-Radjabov,T (2765) Online 2021} ) ( {Another idea is} 10...Nh7 11.d4 Bb6 12.dxe5 h5 13.h4 Bg4 14.hxg5 Nxg5 15.exd6 h4 16.Bh2 Qf6 17.Nbd2 cxd6 {as in Vachier Lagrave,M (2779)-Ding,L (2805) Zagreb 2019} ) 11.Na3 Nh7 ( {The immediate pin is also possible:} 11...Bg4 12.h3 Bh5 13.Bb5 Na7 14.Ba4 c6 15.Nc4 Bc7 16.Bc2 Nc8 17.Ne3 {Kulaots,K (2529)-Sepp,O (2414) Tallinn 2020} ) 12.Nc2 $146 {The knight is above all supporting the d3-d4 push, although it might as well be easily transferred to the f5 (d5)-square.} ( {An earlier game went} 12.Nd2 g4 13.Bb3 h5 14.h4 Ne7 15.Ndc4 Ba7 16.d4 a4 17.Bc2 f6 18.Qd2 Qe8 {Brodsky,D (2415) -Sargsyan,S (2463) Konya 2018} ) 12...h5 13.h3 h4 14.Bh2 g4 {Not just attacking the kingside, but above all fighting for the center.} 15.hxg4 Bxg4 16.d4 {Very consistent and strong.} 16...exd4 17.Ncxd4 Nxd4 ( {Perhaps a better defense would be} 17...Qf6 $5 18.Nxc6 bxc6 19.e5 Qg7 {with unclear play.} ) 18.cxd4 Ng5 ( {And here interesting is} 18...Kh8 19.Qd3 Rg8 {intending to meet} 20.Bxf7 ( {Still, White seems to be better after the more central approach} 20.e5 $5 {as in the game.} ) ( {Or even the computer-suggested} 20.Re3 ) 20...Rg7 21.Bc4 Ng5 {with initiative on the kingside.} ) 19.Qd3 Nxf3+ ( {Not} 19...Bxf3 20.gxf3 Kh8 21.Kh1 {when the black knight is useless.} ) 20.gxf3 Bh5 21.e5 $1 {The pressure against the d4-point does not succeed. Carlsen has managed to consolidate his center and now starts a decisive attack. First, he opens more diagonals for his pieces, and Qd3-g6+ is a threat.} ( {Worse is} 21.Kh1 Qf6 $1 22.f4 Kh8 {and Black defends.} ) 21...d5 22.Bb3 a4 ( {Objectively better is} 22...Bg6 23.Qd2 Kh7 {Although there too White's position remains very powerful, and he may attack in various ways.} 24.Bf4 $5 ( {Or} 24.Kh1 ) ( {Or} 24.Bc2 ) ) 23.Bd1 {Slowing down, in the heat of the attack. In the after-match interview, Carlsen explained that he did not did not trust his intuition enough.} ( {He said that here his intuition was "screaming" for} 23.Kh1 $3 {which would have been the winning continuation. Then} 23...axb3 ( {Objectively, the best defense is} 23...Bg6 24.Rg1 Kh7 {Although there too White can mount decisive pressure with} 25.Rxg6 $1 fxg6 26.Rg1 Rf5 27.Bc2 Rg5 28.f4 Rxg1+ 29.Bxg1 Qe8 30.f5 {and White breaks through on the light squares.} ) 24.Rg1+ Bg6 {Loses simply after} ( {However, the world champion could not find a way after} 24...Kh8 {Indeed, the obvious follow-up} 25.Qe3 {yields White nothing after} ( {Exceptionally strong would have been instead} 25.e6 $3 {as pointed out by Carlsen, with the idea to bring the h2-bishop into the game in the line} 25...fxe6 ( {However, even here after the best} 25...f6 26.Qf5 Qe8 {it is not obvious where the win is. It is still related to the bishop inclusion:} 27.Be5 $3 fxe5 28.Qxe5+ Kh7 29.Qg7# ) 26.Be5+ Rf6 27.Rg6 $1 {and Black's position crumbles.} ) 25...Kh7 ) 25.Rxg6+ fxg6 26.Qxg6+ Kh8 27.Qh5+ Kg8 28.Rg1+ {and mate.} ) 23...Qg5+ {Missing a better defense, but what is more important, So plays fast and confident, and this will soon completely take Carlsen out of his comfort zone.} ( {Better is} 23...Ba5 $1 {as then Black gets a chance to swap the queens in the line} 24.Rf1 Qg5+ 25.Kh1 Bg6 26.Qe2 Qd2 $1 ) 24.Kh1 Bg6 25.Qe2 $1 {The attack continues at full speed.} 25...Bxd4 26.Rg1 Qh5 {Despite the missed chance, Carlsen has one more shot to get back in the match. The problem is that the good and logical possibilities are abundant, unlike the time on the clock.} 27.Qd2 {Alas, this is not the right direction.} ( {The obvious} 27.Bc2 {gives Black a chance to defend after} 27...Kh8 28.Bxg6 fxg6 29.Rad1 c5 30.Rg4 Rae8 ) ( {White would have won a crucial tempo with} 27.Rg4 $3 c5 28.Bc2 Kh8 29.Bxg6 $1 {As Leko suggested, Carlsen probably did not even consider this continuation.} 29...fxg6 30.Rag1 Rg8 ( {Or} 30...Kh7 31.Bf4 Rf5 32.Rg5 Rxg5 33.Rxg5 Qh6 34.Bd2 $1 h3 35.f4 Qh4 36.Qf3 {with total dominance.} ) 31.Rg5 Qh6 32.e6 {The white pieces control the whole board, and when the d5-pawn drops, he will be able to win the seventh rank for his major pieces as well.} ) 27...c5 28.f4 ( {Here too, objectively best is} 28.Rg5 $1 Qh6 ( 28...Qh7 29.Bc2 Kh8 30.Bxg6 fxg6 31.Rag1 Ra6 32.Qe2 ) 29.Bc2 {although the moment has already passed, and the largest chunk of White's advantage has evaporated.} ) 28...Qh6 $1 {A strong defensive idea that So played without any hesitation.} 29.Rg5 ( {It is too late for} 29.Bc2 Kh8 30.Rxg6 fxg6 31.Rg1 Qh5 32.Bd1 Qh6 33.Bc2 {since Black can repeat moves} 33...Qh5 ( {Or may even play for more:} 33...Rg8 34.Rg5 ) ) 29...f6 $1 {The point. It is illogical to push the last pawn in front of the king, but the American GM correctly understood that he had enough time to bring his pieces to the rescue.} 30.exf6 Bxf6 31.Qxd5+ Kh8 32.Bf3 a3 $1 {That pawn, which was only trying to distract the white bishop, now becomes a key factor and wins material for Black.} 33.Rag1 axb2 34.Rxg6 Qxg6 35.Rxg6 b1=Q+ 36.Rg1 Qh7 37.f5 {Trying his last desperate chances for the win.} ( {Objectively best is} 37.Qxc5 Rg8 38.Rf1 Rxa2 {with a likely draw and a match loss for Carlsen.} ) 37...Rg8 38.Re1 ( {Or} 38.Rb1 Rad8 39.Qxc5 Rd3 40.Bxb7 Qh5 {and Black keeps pushing without any risk.} ) 38...Rae8 39.Re6 Rxe6 $1 {Practically a decisive trade. Without the rooks, Carlsen has nothing to play for.} 40.Qxe6 ( {Or else Black wins with} 40.fxe6 Qb1+ 41.Bd1 Rg5 $1 42.Qf3 Rf5 $1 ) 40...Qh6 {Next, So consolidated his pieces and forced the opponent into passive defense.} 41.Bd1 Qg5 42.Qe4 Qd2 43.Bg4 Qg5 44.f3 Qc1+ 45.Kg2 h3+ 46.Kxh3 Qh6+ 47.Kg3 Rd8 48.Bh3 Qg5+ 49.Bg4 Qh6 50.Bg1 Qh4+ 51.Kg2 Rd2+ 52.Kf1 Rd1+ 53.Kg2 Rd2+ 54.Kf1 Rd1+ 55.Kg2 {So simply forced a draw and secured match victory with} 55...Rd2+ ( {If Black needed a win, he would have had it with} 55...Re1 56.Qc2 ( 56.Qxb7 Re2+ 57.Kf1 Qe1# ) 56...b6 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Opera Euro Rapid | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.02.06"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "B75"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[Beauty "5705058752530"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 a6 8.Qd2 h5 ( {Nakamura also plays this version of the Dragon, except that he went directly for queenside expansion with} 8...b5 9.a4 b4 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.exd5 Bb7 12.Bc4 Nd7 13.a5 Nf6 14.Ne2 O-O 15.Ra4 Rc8 16.b3 Rc5 17.Rxb4 Rxd5 18.Bxd5 Bxd5 19.Rb6 {Kramnik,V (2808)-Nakamura,H (2785) Stavanger 2017} ) 9.Bc4 Nbd7 {Carlsen prefers to develop first before pushing the b-pawn.} 10.O-O-O b5 11.Bb3 Nc5 $5 {An interesting side line, which the world champion used last year too.} 12.Kb1 Bb7 13.Rhe1 {Dominguez does not want to follow Grischuk's footprints.} ( {In St. Louis, Carlsen faced} 13.a3 {which was a novelty at the time. Grischuk later won, but it was not due to his superior opening} 13...Nxb3 14.cxb3 Rc8 ( {Another idea is to regroup with} 14...Nd7 $5 ) 15.Nc2 ( {A solid and good move is} 15.Rhe1 ) 15...Qc7 16.Bd4 O-O ( {Here Carlsen could have equalized at once with} 16...e5 $1 17.Bf2 ( 17.Be3 d5 {would be similar.} ) 17...d5 $1 {Then the forcing line} 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.exd5 Bxd5 20.Qxd5 Qxc2+ 21.Ka2 O-O {leads to equality.} ( {But not} 21...Qxf2 $4 22.Qd7+ ) ) 17.Qf2 ( {Although White already has a choice of interesting moves.} 17.Rc1 $5 {is another one, overprotecting the knight on c2 and eyeballing the enemy queen.} ) 17...e5 ( {Objectively, Carlsen should have defended patiently with} 17...e6 18.Rhe1 Qe7 19.Rd3 Rfd8 20.Red1 {but White is definitely enjoying himself here.} ) 18.Bb6 Qd7 ( {Even worse is} 18...Qc6 19.Nb4 ) 19.Nb4 Rxc3 ( {If} 19...Qe6 20.Rd3 {then the rooks are doubled, and Nd5 will be installed.} ) 20.bxc3 Qe6 21.Kb2 Rc8 ( {Once again, from an objective point of view} 21...d5 $1 {is the best chance, although there too} 22.exd5 Nxd5 23.Nxd5 Bxd5 {White has a cold shower} 24.Qc5 $1 Bxb3 25.Rd6 Qc4 26.Qxc4 Bxc4 27.Rhd1 {when the endgame is clearly better for White.} ) 22.Ba5 {and eventually White won in Grischuk,A (2777)-Carlsen,M (2863) St. Louis Rapid & Blitz 2020} ) ( {An earlier game (in this particular setup) saw} 13.Nd5 Rc8 14.Bg5 e6 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.h4 Qe7 17.Rhe1 Rd8 18.Bd5 $1 {The black king remained in the center after} 18...Bxg5 19.hxg5 e5 20.Nc6 ( 20.Ne2 $1 {might have been better in order to occupy the central outpost later.} ) 20...Bxc6 21.Bxc6+ Kf8 {But after} 22.f4 ( 22.Bd5 $1 ) 22...exf4 23.Qc3 $6 Kg8 24.e5 Kh7 25.Bd5 Rhe8 {Black managed to coordinate his pieces, Kulkarni,C (2355)-Nihal,S (2556) Abu Dhabi 2018} ) ( {It is curious to know the opinion of the players regarding the computer shot} 13.Nf5 $1 {with the idea} 13...gxf5 14.Bxc5 dxc5 15.Qg5 {and White wins. It seems as this line might be the acid test of Black's idea.} ) 13...Rc8 14.Bg5 O-O $146 {By transposition, the players achieved an interesting Dragon, and Black simply castles that turns out to be a novelty. Carlsen was probably happy that the opponent's rook has left the h-file, and that somewhat slows his kingside attack.} ( {The predecessor went} 14...Nxb3 15.axb3 ( 15.cxb3 $1 {would have been more to the point.} ) 15...Qc7 16.Re2 Qc5 17.f4 Nd7 $2 ( 17...Nh7 $1 ) 18.e5 $1 e6 19.exd6 O-O 20.Be7 {with an edge for White in Gao,H (1859)-Steadman,M (2242) Auckland 2011} ) 15.Nd5 {Dominguez provokes the e7-e6 move in order to create a target on d6.} ( 15.h3 $5 {deserves attention anyway.} ) 15...e6 16.Nxf6+ Bxf6 17.h4 {Opening the h-file at the end for his rook.} ( 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 {is comfortable for Black.} ) 17...Bxg5 18.hxg5 Kg7 19.Qe3 Qc7 ( {Apparently, the world champion did not want to see any white pieces occupying the d5-spot in case of} 19...e5 20.Ne2 a5 21.Bd5 ) 20.Rd2 ( {Here} 20.g4 {is met with} 20...Rh8 ) 20...b4 21.Red1 Rfd8 ( {Still,} 21...e5 $1 {deserves serious attention with good play for Black after} 22.Ne2 a5 23.Bd5 Bxd5 24.Rxd5 Rfd8 ) 22.Qf4 {Missing a very good chance.} ( {When the black kingside rook has moved, it is a good moment for} 22.g4 $1 {as} 22...Rh8 ( {Also great for the first player is} 22...hxg4 $6 23.Qf4 ) ( {Perhaps Dominguez did not like} 22...h4 23.Qf4 Qe7 {But this is spectacularly refuted by} 24.Nf5+ $1 exf5 25.gxf5 gxf5 26.exf5 {with a huge attack for the sacrificed piece.} ) 23.Qf4 Qe7 24.e5 $1 {is very nice for White.} ) 22...Qe7 23.Ne2 ( {Here there's no time for} 23.g4 $2 e5 ) 23...a5 {Now Dominguez goes for the strong} ( {Correct is the preliminary} 23...e5 $1 24.Qh4 a5 ) 24.e5 $1 d5 25.g4 {But misses a nice detail. This move is natural but not the best...} ( {Both players missed that White could bring his bishop back into the game with} 25.Bc4 $1 {when} 25...dxc4 $2 {loses to} 26.Qf6+ {That means that the bishop could be brought back into the scene, and it would have gone either to d3 or sometimes even to b5, causing havoc in Black's camp. Dominguez would have had the advantage then.} ) 25...hxg4 26.Qf6+ Qxf6 27.gxf6+ ( {After} 27.exf6+ Kf8 {the king escapes, and Black's central pawn would become a significant factor.} ) 27...Kh6 {Played without much thought. Carlsen trusts his position.} ( {It would be equal after the safer} 27...Kf8 28.fxg4 Ne4 29.Rd4 Ke8 30.a3 bxa3 31.Ra4 axb2 32.Rxa5 Ra8 ( 32...Kd7 ) 33.Rxa8 Rxa8 34.Kxb2 ) 28.Rh1+ {Alas! After spending his last minute on the clock, Dominguez could not find the study-like win!} ( {He could checkmate the champion instead with} 28.Rd4 $3 gxf3 {with the brilliant point} 29.Rg4 $3 {setting a cage for the king. It is not yet over:} 29...Kh5 30.Rg3 g5 {It seems as the king escapes, but there comes one last super-move} 31.Nf4+ $3 {Not letting the king back.} ( {Otherwise, Black wins after} 31.Rh1+ Kg6 $1 ) 31...Kh4 ( 31...gxf4 32.Rh1# ) 32.Rdg1 gxf4 33.Rg7 {with inevitable mate.} ) 28...Kg5 29.f4+ {It is still very dangerous for the king, but Carlsen navigates with amazing precision.} 29...Kf5 30.Rf1 g5 $1 {The only move that saves the king and destroys the opponent's pawn chain.} 31.Nd4+ Kg6 ( 31...Ke4 $1 32.fxg5 Kxe5 ) 32.f5+ exf5 33.Nxf5 g3 $1 {Again an only move.} ( {It is not too late to be mated} 33...Ne4 34.Ne7+ Kh5 35.Rh2# ) 34.Rg2 ( {After} 34.Nxg3 Ne4 {Black finally stops the attack and can start picking up the pawns.} ) ( {And the pawn on g5 that Carlsen hugely risked to keep.} 34.Ne7+ Kh5 35.Rh1+ Kg4 36.Rd4+ Ne4 37.Nxc8 Rxc8 38.Bxd5 Bxd5 39.Rxd5 Rc5 $1 {would win for Black.} ) 34...Ne4 35.Nxg3 Re8 {Carlsen survived the attack and now has a brilliant king in the endgame. He is ready to pick up all the white pawns.} 36.Nxe4 dxe4 37.e6 $1 {Excellent defense by Dominguez.} 37...fxe6 38.f7 Rf8 39.Bxe6 Rc5 40.Rg3 {Playing with a few seconds on the clock is not easy for anyone, and Dominguez commits a fatal inaccuracy. He needed to get his king out of the back-rank problems ASAP instead.} ( {White came close to the draw, and he might have achieved it with} 40.Kc1 $1 e3 41.Rg3 Re5 42.Bc4 ) 40...Re5 41.Bg4 e3 42.Kc1 ( {Alas, there's no time for} 42.Re1 Rxf7 43.Rgxe3 Rxe3 44.Rxe3 Rf1+ ) 42...Rxf7 43.Rxf7 Kxf7 {The converting phase starts. For the moment Carlsen has everything under control.} 44.Kd1 Kf6 45.Ke1 Bd5 46.a3 bxa3 47.bxa3 Be4 {The world champion knows that he would win the bishop endgame, even though one of his remaining pawns is promoted in the wrong corner.} 48.Rxe3 Bxc2 49.Kd2 Rxe3 50.Kxe3 Ke5 51.Bf3 Bf5 {If White can only trade his bishop for the g-pawn and sneak into the a1-corner, that would be a draw, but there is no way Carlsen would allow} 52.Bc6 Kd6 53.Bf3 Kc5 54.Be2 Bg6 55.Bf1 Bh5 56.Ke4 Bd1 57.Ke3 ( {Or} 57.Kf5 g4 58.Kf4 Kd4 {making it to the a3-pawn.} ) 57...g4 58.Ba6 Bf3 59.Bf1 Bc6 60.Kf4 Kd4 {Missing the win! What was the rush for?} ( {A neat finish would be} 60...Bb5 $1 61.Bg2 Bd7 {as White cannot prevent the enemy king from breaking through} 62.Ke3 Kc4 ) 61.Kxg4 Kc3 62.Kf5 {Not losing yet, but a step in the wrong direction.} ( {The king needs to get into the corner, therefore} 62.Be2 $1 {in order to have the Be2-d1 maneuver. Any time the opponent pushes his a-pawn would be one way to draw. A typical line runs} 62...Kb3 63.Kf4 Kxa3 64.Ke3 Kb4 ( 64...Kb2 65.Bd1 Kc1 66.Bb3 ) 65.Bd1 Ba4 66.Bxa4 Kxa4 67.Kd2 Kb3 68.Kc1 ) ( 62.Kf4 $1 {would also do.} ) 62...Kb2 63.Ke5 $2 {The losing move as the white king won't be able to reach c1 in time.} ( {It is not too late for} 63.Kf4 $1 {with a textbook draw as shown above, e.g.,} 63...Kxa3 {and now the only move} 64.Be2 $1 ) 63...Kxa3 64.Kd6 ( {Here} 64.Be2 {doesn't work:} 64...Kb4 $1 65.Bd1 Ba4 $1 66.Bf3 Bb5 67.Bd1 Bc4 68.Kd4 Bb3 ) 64...Be8 65.Kc5 a4 {Now the white king is left behind the pawn and cannot help it. The three black units quickly outnumber the bishop. Notice that the a-pawn is far more dangerous than the more central pawns as the white bishop can only stop it from one diagonal.} 66.Bc4 Kb2 67.Kb4 a3 68.Bd5 Bg6 69.Be6 Bb1 70.Bd5 Ba2 71.Be4 Bf7 72.Bb1 Bb3 0-1

[Event "Opera Euro Rapid | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.02.07"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2609"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[Beauty "6119946732625"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 O-O 8.e3 Bf5 9.Qb3 ( {Both players definitely were aware of this recent game:} 9.Be2 Nbd7 10.Qb3 Qe7 11.O-O c6 12.a3 Bxc3 13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.bxc3 b5 15.a4 a6 {Harikrishna,P (2732)-Wojtaszek,R (2705) Wijk aan Zee 2021} ) 9...Bxc3+ 10.Qxc3 {This is the modern move against the Ragozin.} 10...g5 $5 {But as a leading specialist of the line, Aronian is, of course, aware of it. With his last move, he is entering less charted territory.} 11.Bg3 Ne4 12.Qa3 Nd7 $146 {And uncorks a novelty. The knight is heading to overprotect the vital e4-spot.} ( {An earlier game saw super-sharp play after} 12...Nc6 13.Bb5 Ne7 14.Nd2 c6 15.Bd3 Nxd2 16.Kxd2 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 Qa5+ 18.Ke2 f5 19.Bd6 Rae8 20.g4 {Carlsen,M (2876)-Firouzja,A (2702) Online 2020} ) 13.Bd3 Re8 14.Nd2 Ndf6 ( {A solid way to defend would be} 14...Nxg3 15.hxg3 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 Qf6 ( {Or} 16...Re6 ) ) 15.Nxe4 ( {After} 15.Be5 {Black can either repeat the moves with} 15...Nd7 ( {or play for more with} 15...Ng4 ) 16.Bg3 Qf6 ) 15...Bxe4 16.O-O Bxd3 17.Qxd3 Ne4 {This does not seem to give enough.} ( {The computer suggests instead} 17...c6 18.Be5 Re6 {with a reasonable position.} ) 18.Be5 $1 {Shankland correctly saves the bishop. He will need it for the coming kingside assault.} 18...c6 ( {After} 18...f6 $6 19.f3 fxe5 20.fxe4 {the position opens in White's favor.} ) 19.f3 Nc5 {Apparently, Aronian counted on this trick to hold the center.} ( {Slow measures like} 19...Nd6 {would not do as White can attack at once with} 20.e4 ( {or prepare it first with} 20.Rae1 ) ) 20.Qf5 $1 {The key move. It is all about centralization.} ( {Black is even somewhat better after} 20.dxc5 Rxe5 21.Rae1 Qe7 {The powerful centralization keeps his kingside safe.} ) 20...Qe7 21.f4 $1 {Everything is coming in time. It seems as Aronian's position will collapse at any moment.} 21...Ne4 22.fxg5 hxg5 23.Rf3 {But this is inaccurate.} ( {Shankland could have won a crucial tempo with} 23.Qg4 $1 {instead. Then} 23...f6 {is again the only move, but then for comparison with the game} ( {White's main threat is revealed after} 23...Rad8 24.Rf6 $1 ) 24.Bxf6 Nxf6 25.Qxg5+ Qg7 26.Qxf6 Qxf6 27.Rxf6 Rxe3 28.Raf1 {White already managed to pick up the g5-pawn and keeps both the rooks on the board. Since he is also more active, Shankland should be close to winning here.} ) 23...f6 24.Bxf6 Qxf6 25.Qxf6 Nxf6 26.Rxf6 Rxe3 27.Rg6+ Kh7 28.Rxg5 Rg8 $1 {An instructive decision. Aronian trades the opponent's active rook and thus secures his king.} 29.Rxg8 Kxg8 {It is obvious that White cannot defend his extra pawn. The question is what plan to choose.} 30.Kf2 Rd3 31.g4 {Shankland bets on the strength of his passers.} 31...Rxd4 32.Kg3 Rd3+ 33.Kh4 {However, this is not natural. Why step on the road of the passers?} ( {After} 33.Kf4 $1 Rd2 34.h4 Rxb2 35.h5 {the position would have been dynamically balanced.} ) 33...Rd2 34.h3 ( {It is not too late to get back on the right track with} 34.Kg3 $1 Rxb2 35.h4 d4 36.h5 d3 37.Re1 d2 38.Re8+ Kf7 39.Rd8 {when White should have enough counterplay.} ) 34...Rxb2 35.Kg5 d4 {Black won a pawn, but far more important is the speed of the passers. It seems as Shankland's pawns should be faster. Plus his king is supporting them, and his opponent's stands in their way, which means that they might move forward with tempi. The problem, however, is that White cannot use his rook yet.} 36.Rd1 {Shankland decided to slow the main pawn down.} ( {Nothing changes} 36.h4 c5 ) ( {The attempt to activate the rook falls short in the line} 36.Re1 c5 37.Re8+ Kf7 38.Rc8 d3 39.Rxc5 d2 40.Rd5 Rb5 $1 ) 36...c5 37.h4 Rxa2 38.h5 b5 {The most natural move is not the most accurate one.} ( {The winning plan is to bring the rook behind the pawns, ideally on the back rank to defend against checkmates with} 38...Ra6 $3 39.Kf5 Rd6 40.g5 d3 41.Ke5 Rd8 $1 ) 39.h6 b4 40.Re1 {Now or never, it is time to get active.} ( {The alternative would be} 40.Rc1 $5 {when a sharp and beautiful follow-up would be} 40...d3 41.Rxc5 Rc2 42.Rb5 Rc8 43.Rxb4 Rd8 44.Rb1 a5 45.Kf6 a4 46.g5 d2 47.Rd1 a3 48.g6 {Both sides have threats, and Black needs to be careful too.} 48...a2 $4 {For instance loses to} ( {However, the accurate} 48...Rf8+ $1 49.Ke7 a2 {would win in a study-like manner:} 50.Rg1 Ra8 51.g7 d1=Q 52.h7+ Kxh7 53.g8=Q+ Rxg8 54.Rxd1 Ra8 55.Ra1 Ra6 $1 {and it is a tablebase win.} ) 49.h7+ Kh8 50.g7+ Kxh7 51.Rh1+ Kg8 52.Rh8# ) 40...b3 $1 {A rook is not a great price for a future queen.} 41.Re8+ Kf7 42.h7 Rh2 43.h8=Q Rxh8 44.Rxh8 c4 {The pawns are unstoppable; however, White still has a lot of energy left in his remaining units.} 45.Kf5 c3 46.g5 b2 {Once again, the most obvious move (Black wants to promote with a check!) is a mistake!} ( {The other push would win} 46...c2 $1 {Then, in the analog line as the game} 47.g6+ Kg7 48.Rc8 b2 49.Rc7+ Kf8 50.Rc8+ Ke7 51.g7 b1=Q 52.g8=Q c1=Q+ {Black promotes with check but keeps the second queen alive and then quickly mates the opponent with his queen pair.} ) 47.g6+ Ke7 ( {To the same would have led} 47...Kg7 48.Rb8 c2 49.Rb7+ Kf8 50.Rb8+ Ke7 51.g7 b1=Q 52.g8=Q c1=Q+ 53.Rxb1 Qxb1+ 54.Ke5 ) 48.Rb8 $1 c2 49.g7 b1=Q 50.g8=Q c1=Q+ 51.Rxb1 {That is the difference, queen two is gone, and the resulting position is a draw.} 51...Qxb1+ 52.Ke5 d3 53.Qe6+ Kd8 54.Qd6+ Kc8 55.Qc6+ Kb8 56.Kd4 d2 {It is time to force perpetual.} 57.Qd6+ Kb7 58.Qe7+ Kb6 59.Qd8+ {Alas, in time trouble, Shankland hallucinates.} ( 59.Qc5+ $1 {would keep half the point instead.} ) 59...Ka6 60.Qc8+ Ka5 61.Qc5+ Qb5 {That is the problem. Aronian can use now the queen to shield his king and win.} 62.Qxa7+ Kb4 63.Qe7+ Ka4 64.Qa7+ Kb3 65.Qf7+ Kb2 0-1

[Event "Opera Euro Rapid | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.02.08"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[ECO "D48"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[Beauty "6670621105754"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.e3 Nbd7 {A relatively slow start of the opening, a solid Meran, but things are going to change very soon.} 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.O-O a6 10.e4 c5 11.e5 {Duda has prepared something...} ( {The main line remains} 11.d5 exd5 12.exd5 Bd6 13.Re1+ Kf8 14.Bg5 Qc7 15.Bf5 h6 16.Bh4 g5 17.Bg3 {as in Jobava,B (2603)-Sarana,A (2654) Online 2020} ) 11...Nd5 12.Ng5 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Be7 14.Nxe6 $1 $146 {That is the novelty by the Polish GM! Such a blow is very common when the enemy king is stuck in the center. The sacrifice is, as a rule, explosive by nature: White is searching for a quick mate. However here, Duda aims for a long-term attack.} ( {Previously} 14.f4 {had been tested:} 14...Bxg5 15.fxg5 Nb6 16.Rf2 Na4 17.Qh5 g6 18.Qh6 Qd5 19.Bd2 O-O-O 20.Bf1 {Kozul,Z (2595)-Gurevich,D (2575) Biel 1993} ) 14...fxe6 15.Qh5+ g6 ( {The other way to defend is} 15...Kf8 {which might lead by force to a favorable endgame for White with} 16.f4 Kg8 17.f5 Nxe5 18.dxe5 Qxd3 19.f6 Qd5 20.Qg4 Qxg2+ 21.Qxg2 Bxg2 22.Kxg2 gxf6 23.exf6 Bd6 24.f7+ Kg7 25.Bg5 {with good chances for a win.} ) 16.Bxg6+ hxg6 17.Qxg6+ $1 {The key behind the sacrifice.} ( {White does not need to be greedy} 17.Qxh8+ Nf8 ) 17...Kf8 18.Bh6+ Rxh6 19.Qxh6+ Kg8 20.Qg6+ Kh8 21.Qh6+ Kg8 22.Qxe6+ {For the three pieces, White has a rook and four pawns; enough material. In most cases, though, the pieces should prevail. Here the situation is far more complex. First of all, Black's king is in danger. Secondly, the white pawns are moving quite fast. We should not forget the psychological effect of the preparation, as well as the added time on the clock for White.} 22...Kg7 23.Rad1 ( {The other way to attack is more accurate} 23.Qg4+ Kh8 24.Qh5+ Kg7 25.d5 {Now Black cannot capture the pawn:} 25...Bxd5 ( {Also bad is} 25...Qh8 $2 26.Qg4+ ) ( {Therefore, he might need to defend with} 25...Qe8 26.Qg4+ Kh8 27.d6 Bf8 28.Rae1 {although this seems better for White.} ) 26.Qg4+ Kh8 27.Rad1 ) 23...Nf8 24.Qg4+ Kh8 25.d5 {The pawns start rolling, but that allows time for Dubov to consolidate his kingside.} 25...Nh7 ( {Also good is} 25...Qd7 26.Qh5+ Nh7 27.e6 Qe8 28.Qe5+ Bf6 29.Qf5 Be7 ( 29...Qf8 $5 ) 30.Rd3 Bd6 {Although White can mount more pressure with} 31.f4 ) 26.d6 ( {Here the computer suggests a better plan} 26.Rfe1 $3 {supporting both the pawns, thus moving them fast forward.} ) 26...Bh4 27.e6 Qf6 {Dubov keeps the queens and intends to counterattack.} ( {An endgame offer is available too:} 27...Qg5 {with the plan to block the passers after} 28.Qxg5 Nxg5 29.Rfe1 Ne4 30.g3 Bf6 31.d7 Be7 ) 28.e7 Bc6 29.g3 {Now it gets messy as the white king will be also exposed.} ( 29.d7 Qxe7 ) 29...Rg8 30.Qh5 Qxc3 ( {A better chance is} 30...Qg5 $1 {Even without queens Black can create threats.} 31.Qxg5 Nxg5 {Mate in one is on the agenda!} 32.Rfe1 Nf3+ 33.Kf1 Nxe1 {For the moment, Black is three pieces ahead.} 34.gxh4 Nf3 35.d7 Bxd7 36.Rxd7 Nxh2+ 37.Ke2 Ng4 38.Ra7 {The forcing sequence is over, and objectively this should be a draw.} ) 31.Rd5 $3 {A spectacular way to continue the attack.} ( {After} 31.Rfe1 {it is Black who can sacrifice} 31...Bxg3 $1 32.hxg3 Rxg3+ 33.Kf1 Bg2+ {when everything should end with perpetual:} 34.Kg1 Bf3+ ( {Or the immediate perpetual with} 34...Bc6+ ) 35.fxg3 Bxh5 36.e8=Q+ Bxe8 37.Rxe8+ Kg7 38.d7 Qxg3+ 39.Kf1 Qf3+ 40.Ke1 Qh1+ ) 31...Bxd5 32.Qxd5 {The threat is Qd5xg8!} 32...Nf6 {A blunder.} ( {The pawns are too dangerous, and spending a light piece for one of them is not that costly; therefore,} 32...Bxe7 $1 {is the way to do it. After} 33.dxe7 Re8 34.Qf7 Nf6 35.Rd1 Qe5 36.Rd8 {it seems as White is winning, but the queen can demonstrate true strength with} 36...Qe1+ 37.Kg2 Qe4+ 38.f3 {Then the king can escape the perpetual:} 38...Qe2+ 39.Kh3 Qf1+ 40.Kh4 {but at the price of a queen trade:} 40...Qc4+ 41.Qxc4 bxc4 42.g4 Kg7 43.g5 Rxe7 44.gxf6+ Kxf6 45.Kg3 {with an objective draw, which White still needs to prove.} ) 33.Qxg8+ $1 {Dubov might have missed this shot.} 33...Nxg8 ( {Or} 33...Kxg8 34.d7 Nxd7 35.e8=Q+ Nf8 36.gxh4 {still winning the exchange.} ) 34.e8=Q Bf6 35.Qh5+ Kg7 36.Rd1 Nh6 37.d7 Nf7 {Dubov stopped the pawn, but since his king is naked, he cannot save the game. Duda quickly organizes a decisive attack against it.} 38.Qg4+ Kf8 39.Qe6 c4 40.Rd5 $1 {The key move in the attack.} 40...b4 {Black's only chance.} 41.Rf5 Kg7 42.Kg2 b3 43.axb3 cxb3 44.Qxa6 {This obvious move misses the win.} ( {Correct is} 44.Rf4 $3 {with the brilliant idea} 44...b2 45.d8=Q Nxd8 46.Rg4+ $1 Kh6 47.Qf5 {and mate is inevitable.} ) 44...b2 45.Qb6 Bd8 {Forcing matters.} ( {The battle would have continued after} 45...Nd8 46.h4 Qc6+ 47.Qxc6 Nxc6 48.Rb5 Kf7 49.h5 Ke7 50.h6 Kxd7 51.g4 {when everything is still possible.} ) 46.Rxf7+ Kxf7 47.Qxd8 Qc6+ $1 {The only move.} ( {There is not enough counterplay after} 47...b1=Q 48.Qe8+ Kg7 49.d8=Q ) 48.f3 b1=Q {Dubov errs last.} ( {More checks would have saved the day:} 48...Qc2+ 49.Kh3 Qh7+ $1 {Probably missed by Black when perpetual is forced. There is no} 50.Qh4 $4 Qxh4+ 51.Kxh4 Ke7 ) 49.Qe8+ Kg7 50.Qe5+ $1 {It's time for some accurate in-between checks for Duda.} ( {The hasty} 50.d8=Q $4 {would lose for White after} 50...Qbc2+ 51.Kg1 Q6c5+ 52.Kh1 Qc1+ 53.Kg2 Q1g1+ 54.Kh3 Qf5+ 55.g4 Qxf3+ 56.Kh4 Qgxg4# {The number of pawns does not matter when two angry queens chase your king!} ) 50...Kh7 51.Qh5+ Kg7 52.Qg4+ Kh6 53.Qf4+ Kh5 54.g4+ Kg6 55.d8=Q Qcc2+ 56.Qdd2 1-0

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Invitational | Prelims"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2021.03.15"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "B46"]
[EventDate "2021.03.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Beauty "8179903373872"]
[EventType "game"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Nxc6 {Giri likes this approach against the Kan.} 6...bxc6 7.Qd3 {The idea of this maneuver is to slow down the development of the enemy kingside.} 7...d5 8.Qg3 d4 ( {Last year Giri faced a different move against another Russian super-GM:} 8...Ne7 9.h4 dxe4 10.Nxe4 Nf5 11.Qf4 c5 12.Bd3 Bb7 13.h5 Qd4 14.Rh3 c4 15.c3 Qd5 16.Bc2 Be7 {with approximate equality, Giri,A (2764)-Artemiev,V (2708) Chess. com INT 2020} ) 9.Nb1 {A funny position. Nine moves have been played and the only developed piece is the white queen.} 9...h5 {Which Nepomniachtchi tries to embarrass.} 10.h4 Nf6 {[#]} 11.e5 $146 {A novelty, which initiates further trades.} ( {White did well in the predecessor after:} 11.Nd2 Ng4 12.Nc4 Bb4+ 13.Kd1 $5 Qf6 14.f3 Ne3+ 15.Bxe3 dxe3 16.e5 Qd8+ 17.Bd3 a5 18.Qxg7 {Audi,A (2378)-Pniaczek,M (2211) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 11...Ne4 {The easiest way to equality.} ( 11...Ng4 $5 ) 12.Qf4 Bb4+ 13.Nd2 Nxd2 14.Bxd2 Bxd2+ 15.Qxd2 Qd5 {The number of developed queens is even. Black's queen is now placed ideally, hitting the central pawn, but also obstructing the white king from castling on both sides.} 16.f4 ( {An original way to fight for the initiative would have been:} 16.Qg5 $5 Qa5+ 17.Kd1 {In return for the spoiled castling, White will get the more powerful queen.} ) 16...a5 17.Be2 $1 Ba6 ( {Instead:} 17...Qxg2 $6 {is too risky after} 18.O-O-O {Black will have nothing else but to search for an endgame with:} 18...Ba6 19.Bxa6 Qxd2+ 20.Rxd2 Rxa6 21.Rxd4 {which is definitely more pleasant for White.} ) 18.Bf3 Qc5 19.O-O-O Rd8 20.Kb1 ( {Active play with:} 20.Be4 $5 O-O 21.Rh3 {was another option, when the rook controls the third rank and is ready to attack from in front of his g-pawn.} ) 20...O-O $1 21.Rhg1 {Giri rejects the pawn.} ( {Black has plenty of compensation after:} 21.Bxh5 a4 22.Bf3 {And now any of the three reasonable moves:} 22...a3 ( 22...Rb8 ) ( 22...Rd7 ) ) 21...Rd7 22.g4 Rb8 ( 22...d3 $5 {was already interesting enough, for example:} 23.cxd3 Bxd3+ 24.Ka1 Rfd8 $1 {With nasty threats. For instance:} 25.gxh5 $2 {loses at once} ( {Also bad is:} 25.Qg2 Bf1 $1 ) ( {Therefore White would have to settle for unpleasant endgame after:} 25.Qc1 Qxc1+ 26.Rxc1 hxg4 27.Rxg4 Rd4 ) 25...Bf1 $1 ) 23.Ka1 ( {However, objectively better might have been:} 23.gxh5 d3 24.Be4 Qd4 ( {Or an approximately equal endgame after:} 24...Rdb7 25.b3 a4 26.Qg2 Qxc2+ 27.Qxc2 dxc2+ 28.Bxc2 Be2 ) 25.cxd3 Rdb7 26.Rg2 {with unclear play.} ) 23...d3 $1 {Nepomniachtchi breaks through.} 24.cxd3 Rxd3 25.Qg2 hxg4 26.Bxg4 {The only move.} ( {Since:} 26.Qxg4 $2 Rxd1+ 27.Rxd1 Qb4 {already drops at least a pawn for White.} ) 26...a4 {But that is a blunder.} ( {Nepomniachtchi should have first traded a pair of rooks with:} 26...Rxd1+ $1 27.Rxd1 {Thus removing the attacker on the g-file and only then:} 27...a4 28.a3 Bc4 {would have promised him the better chances.} ) 27.Rxd3 Bxd3 28.Bxe6 {In time trouble, Giri goes for a seemingly winning line, but it does have a flaw.} ( {Instead, he could have simply won the black queen with the double-attack:} 28.Bf5 $1 Qxg1+ 29.Qxg1 Bxf5 30.Qd4 ) 28...g6 29.f5 Kf8 $3 ( {Everything else was losing for Black:} 29...fxe6 30.Qxg6+ Kf8 31.Qg8+ Ke7 32.Rg7# ) ( {Or:} 29...Kh8 30.Qg5 $1 Qf8 31.fxg6 fxe6 {and mate after both:} 32.Qh5+ ( {Or:} 32.g7+ ) ) 30.fxg6 fxe6 31.Rd1 ( 31.a3 Rb3 {would not have saved White.} ) 31...a3 32.Qf3+ Bf5 33.b3 {Blundering mate, but it was hopeless anyway.} 33...Qxe5+ 0-1

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Invitational Prelims 202"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.03.14"]
[Round "6"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[ECO "E32"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8181107440730"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O 5.Nf3 d5 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 {So is ready for a sharp battle and sacrifices a pawn in the spirit of the Moscow variation.} ( {A recent online top-GM game in this line saw} 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.a3 Bxc3+ 9.Qxc3 dxc4 10.Qxc4 Nc6 11.Qc3 Re8 12.Rd1 e5 13.d5 Nb8 14.e3 Bg4 15.Be2 Nd7 16.e4 Qd6 {and Black gradually equalized in Xiong,J (2709) vs. Nakamura,H (2736) 2020} ) ( {Five years ago, in another blitz game between the two, So tried to gain the advantage in a more therapeutic way:} 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.a3 Bxc3+ 9.Qxc3 dxc4 10.Qxc4 Bd7 11.e3 {Then Aronian slowly brought his pieces into the game with} 11...Rc8 12.Qb4 Bc6 13.Be2 Bd5 14.Rc1 Nd7 15.O-O a5 16.Qa4 c6 17.Nd2 {and equalized with the concrete maneuver} 17...Qg5 18.Bf3 Bxf3 19.Nxf3 Qb5 20.Qxb5 cxb5 21.Rfd1 b4 {and the game eventually ended peacefully, So,W (2770)-Aronian,L (2792) Leuven 2016} ) 7...dxc4 8.e4 g5 9.Bg3 b5 10.e5 Nh5 {Aronian plays as aggressively as he can, and this is born out of necessity. He is now ready to swap the opponent's bishop in case of h2-h4 and then eventually block the kingside with g5-g4.} 11.Qe4 $146 {A novelty which transfers the major attacker on the kingside with tempo.} ( {White did well in an earlier game:} 11.Be2 Bb7 12.Rd1 Kg7 13.O-O Nxg3 14.fxg3 Bxc3 15.bxc3 Nd7 16.h4 g4 17.Nh2 f5 18.exf6+ Nxf6 19.Nxg4 Be4 20.Qd2 Nxg4 21.Rxf8 Qxf8 22.Bxg4 {Debashis,D (2522)-Koustav,C (2365) New Delhi 2018} ) 11...Qd5 12.Qg4 Ng7 13.Be2 {Seemingly, just a normal developing move.} ( {Notice that the generally desirable} 13.h4 {does not work here for concrete reasons:} 13...f5 $1 14.exf6 e5 {embarrasses the white queen.} ) 13...f5 $2 {Aronian might have confused the ideas. Here this move is in fact a losing mistake $1} ( {Stronger was to continue his development with} 13...Nc6 $1 {which puts pressure on White's center. Then the attacking attempt} 14.Qh3 {can be met with} ( 14.h4 $2 {once more fails to} 14...f5 15.exf6 e5 ) 14...Nf5 $1 {This is why Black needs the f5 square: the knight would be superb there.} ) ( {Notice that the other developing move} 13...Bb7 $6 {is bad due to} 14.h4 $1 {and the bishop on c8 no longer has influence on the c8-h3 diagonal.} ) 14.Qh3 $1 g4 ( {There is no way back anymore} 14...h5 15.Nxg5 ) 15.Qxh6 gxf3 16.Bxf3 Qxd4 17.O-O $1 {Aronian might have underestimated this powerful idea. So sacrifices a piece, but safeguards his king and bring the rooks into the action.} ( {The greedy} 17.Bxa8 Bxc3+ 18.bxc3 Qxc3+ 19.Ke2 {leads to a situation where only Black can play for a win with} 19...f4 ( {Or may force a draw if he wishes with} 19...Qd3+ 20.Ke1 Qc3+ ) 20.Bxf4 Qb2+ 21.Bd2 c3 ) 17...c6 18.Rad1 Qb6 {Black won a piece, but almost all of his army is stalled on the queenside. What happens next is a textbook example of how to allocate the attacking forces closer to the enemy king with maximum speed.} 19.Ne4 $3 {Beautiful and effective.} ( {Although, there was a dual} 19.Bh4 Nd7 20.Rxd7 $1 Bxd7 21.Bf6 Rf7 {And now again} 22.Ne4 $1 ( {Or the simple} 22.Rd1 $1 {with decisive threats.} ) ) 19...fxe4 20.Bxe4 Rf5 {The only move.} ( {Since} 20...Nd7 21.Bh7+ Kf7 22.Bg6+ Ke7 23.Bh4+ {is an instant mate.} ) 21.Bxf5 exf5 {The first wave of the attack has ended. However, White has more reserves.} ( {After} 21...Nxf5 {the neat check} 22.Qg5+ $1 {allows White a chance to bring his rook into the action} 22...Kf7 23.Rd8 Bf8 24.Qf6+ {and mate again.} ) 22.e6 $3 {Clearance $1 So frees the diagonal for his bishop.} 22...Bf8 ( {Nothing changes} 22...Bxe6 23.Be5 ) 23.Be5 c5 24.Bxg7 {One more defender is removed.} 24...Bxg7 25.e7 $1 {And that frees the passer.} 25...Bd7 ( {Any capture on h6 drops at least a piece} 25...Bxh6 26.e8=Q+ ) 26.Qh5 Qc6 27.Rfe1 $1 {Bringing on the last reserves.} 27...Be8 ( {Since} 27...Na6 {loses to the tactical blow} 28.Rxd7 Qxd7 29.e8=Q+ ) 28.Rd8 Na6 {Finally Aronian brought everyone into the defense, but So is ready to deliver the final blow.} 29.Re6 $1 {The defenders aren't stable enough.} 29...Qd7 ( {And White will promote a new queen after} 29...Qxe6 30.Qxe8+ Kh7 31.Qh5+ Bh6 32.e8=Q ) 30.Rxa8 {So finishes the game with another brilliant tactic.} ( {The alternative was} 30.Rxd7 Bxh5 31.Rd8+ Be8 32.Rxa6 $1 {winning.} ( {But not} 32.Rxa8 $4 Nc7 {losing...} ) ) 30...Nc7 31.Rd8 Nxe6 32.Rxe8+ Nf8 ( 32...Bf8 33.Qg6+ Ng7 34.exf8=Q# ) 33.Rxf8+ $1 {A sweet finish of a great attacking game $1} ( {Underpromotion is not common in the games of the top GMs but here that would have been the end after} 33.Rxf8+ Bxf8 34.Qh7+ Kxh7 {exf8=$146+} ) 1-0

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Invitational | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.03.16"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2860"]
[ECO "B67"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[Beauty "7081885175860"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Netherlands"]
[BlackTeam "France"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 {Vachier-Lagrave doesn't want to reveal his Najdorf prep just yet. The Candidates are knocking on the door and we will have the opportunity to see his ideas soon.} 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.O-O-O Bd7 9.f3 Nxd4 10.Qxd4 Be7 11.Kb1 ( {Highly instructive play by Nakamura was demonstrated earlier this year:} 11.h4 Qc7 12.Qd2 b5 13.Kb1 b4 14.Ne2 a5 15.c4 bxc3 16.Nxc3 Rb8 17.a4 $1 {alas, White blundered badly later and spoiled a won position in Nakamura,H (2736)-Shankland,S (2691) Opera Euro Rapid 2021} ) 11...Qc7 12.g4 h5 {Almost a mandatory counter-strike these days. Black does not want to sit and wait passively in the Sicilian.} 13.gxh5 Nxh5 {Not a surprise for Giri of course. He himself once used a similar idea against Saric.} 14.Bxe7 $146 {A novelty, blitzed out instantly.} ( {Both players obviously studied the following game:} 14.Rg1 Qc5 15.Qd2 Bf6 16.Be3 Qb4 17.a3 Bxc3 18.axb4 Bxd2 19.Rxd2 Ke7 {Grischuk,A (2777)-Firouzja,A (2749) Online 2020} ) 14...Kxe7 {For the time being the king is relatively safe in the middle. But this does not mean that White would not try to get close to it.} 15.Rg1 g6 {A solid and good move.} ( {Vachier-Lagrave refrains from} 15...Bc6 16.Qb4 {with the threat of e4-e5.} 16...e5 17.Rg5 {which might further weaken his position.} ) ( {An obvious idea is to swap off the queens at once with:} 15...Qc5 {to which Giri likely intended} 16.Qd2 $1 {when the rook is invincible:} 16...Qxg1 $2 17.Qxd6+ Kf6 ( {White is also winning after} 17...Ke8 18.Qxd7+ Kf8 19.Qxb7 ) 18.e5+ Kg5 19.Ne4+ {And no matter where the king goes, White has a winning attack:} 19...Kh6 ( 19...Kg6 20.Qd2 $1 ) 20.Qd2+ g5 21.Bd3 {Forcing Black to trade his queen.} ) 16.Qd2 {White takes under control the f4 spot and supports the advance of his pawn.} ( {The direct} 16.e5 dxe5 17.Qb4+ Ke8 18.Ne4 {would be coldly met with} 18...Bc6 19.Nd6+ Kf8 {and it transpires that the knight cannot announce any decisive discovered check.} ) 16...Nf6 17.f4 Rh5 ( {Here it made sense to throw in the move} 17...Bc6 $5 18.Re1 Rh5 ) 18.Rg5 ( {Here Giri had the interesting idea} 18.Bg2 $5 {when the capture of the pawn} 18...Rxh2 {would be bad due to} ( {Therefore Black should opt instead for} 18...Rah8 $5 ) ( {Or} 18...Rc8 $5 {with playable position.} ) 19.e5 $1 dxe5 20.fxe5 Qxe5 21.Rge1 Qc5 22.Rf1 $1 {when Black cannot defend his pieces successfully:} 22...Qe5 23.Rde1 Qg3 24.Qd4 ) 18...Rah8 {Both sides prepared themselves as much as they could and Giri decided that the time for the central break had come.} 19.e5 ( 19.h3 {would have continued the maneuvering battle instead.} ) 19...Ne8 {However, this is too passive.} ( {Stronger was} 19...dxe5 $1 20.fxe5 Nd5 $1 21.Nxd5+ ( {Tactics don't work for White:} 21.Qxd5 $2 Rxg5 $1 ) 21...exd5 22.Rxh5 Rxh5 23.Qxd5 Rxe5 24.Qd4 Kf8 $1 {safeguarding the king with approximate equality.} ) 20.Ne4 $1 {White finally opens the dark squares around the opponent's king.} 20...d5 21.Rxh5 Rxh5 22.Qb4+ Kd8 23.Ng5 Bc6 24.Qf8 {Giri goes for the pawn.} ( {Here} 24.Bd3 $5 {might have been better. Then} 24...Qe7 ( {White's tactical point is revealed in the line} 24...Rxh2 25.Bxg6 $1 ) 25.Qb6+ Kc8 26.h3 {consolidates White's advantage.} ) 24...Qe7 {A mandatory defensive move.} 25.Nxf7+ Kd7 26.Qg8 Rf5 ( {Or} 26...Rxh2 27.Qxg6 {with an edge for White.} ) 27.Ng5 Ng7 {The game reached a critical point. Giri won a pawn, but Vachier-Lagrave managed to stabilize the situation and is ready for the counter-attack.} ( {Or} 27...Rxf4 28.Qxg6 {when Black does not have enough for the pawn.} ) 28.c4 {This obvious and logical continuation is not best. Although White opens the file for his rook, he also somewhat weakens his own king.} ( {The in-depth prophylaxis} 28.a3 $3 {would have fixed White's advantage. On the one hand, White is opening air for his king. On the other hand, he covers the vital b4 point, thus restricting the enemy's counterplay. Then} 28...Rxf4 ( {Nothing changes} 28...Rf8 29.Qh7 Rxf4 30.Bh3 Qxg5 31.Qxg7+ Qe7 32.Qxg6 ) 29.Bd3 Qxg5 30.Qxg7+ Kd8 31.Qg8+ Ke7 32.Qb8 {leaves White with both the initiative and the extra pawn.} ) ( {Another way to exploit the idea is} 28.Bh3 Rxf4 29.a3 $1 ) 28...Rxf4 ( {Objectively:} 28...Rf8 $1 {at first was better, and only after} 29.Qh7 Rxf4 {Then Black seems to hold} 30.Bh3 Qxg5 31.Qxg7+ Qe7 32.Bxe6+ Kxe6 33.cxd5+ Bxd5 34.Qxg6+ $1 ( {A rook endgame is almost always good for the defender:} 34.Qxe7+ Kxe7 35.Rxd5 Rh4 ) 34...Kxe5 35.Qh5+ Kd6 36.Qxd5+ Kc7 {with a likely draw.} ) 29.cxd5 ( {Here White could have tried} 29.Nxe6 $1 Nxe6 30.cxd5 Bxd5 31.Bg2 Rf8 32.Qxg6 Nf4 33.Qg4+ Qe6 ( 33...Kc7 34.Bxd5 Qxe5 ) 34.Bxd5 Qxg4 35.Bf3+ Ke6 36.Bxg4+ Kxe5 {when the chances for a win for White or a draw are approximately even.} ) 29...Bxd5 30.Bh3 ( {The weakness of the back-rank could be demonstrated in the line} 30.Nh7 Ne8 31.Bg2 Kc7 32.Bxd5 exd5 33.Qxd5 g5 ( {Not:} 33...Qxh7 $4 34.Qc5+ Kb8 35.Rd8# ) 34.Nxg5 Qxg5 35.Qd7+ Kb6 36.Qxe8 Qf5+ 37.Ka1 Rd4 $1 {and the active black pieces should keep him safe.} ) 30...Kc6 $3 {Brilliant $1 The king escapes from the danger zone and at the same time steps out of the possible capture on g7 with check.} ( 30...Kc7 {would have been also OK, but the move in the game is stronger.} ) 31.Qc8+ ( {In the line} 31.Nh7 Qb4 {Black uses the b4 spot to counter-attack.} ) ( {Therefore} 31.a3 $1 {still made perfect sense:} 31...Qxg5 32.Qxg7 Rd4 33.Rc1+ $1 ( {But not} 33.Rxd4 $2 Qg1+ 34.Kc2 Qxd4 {when Black wins.} ) 33...Rc4 {with approximate equality.} ) 31...Kb6 32.Nxe6 {Giri enters a forcing line, that wins a pawn for him and... loses the game.} ( {It was time to switch to the defense with} 32.Rc1 $1 Qb4 33.Qc7+ Ka7 34.a3 ( {But not} 34.Qxg7 $2 Rf2 35.Rc2 Bxa2+ $1 {with a win for Black.} ) 34...Qd4 35.Qc3 {when White should be able to hold.} ( 35.Qc5+ Qxc5 36.Rxc5 ) ) 32...Bxe6 33.Bxe6 Nxe6 ( 33...Qxe6 $2 34.Rd6+ ) 34.Rd6+ Ka7 35.Rxe6 {Had White had played the move a2-a3, this would have been won for White. Here it is Black who starts the checks first and the huge attacking potential leads him to a mating attack.} 35...Rf1+ 36.Kc2 Rf2+ ( 36...Qb4 $1 {would have won as well.} ) 37.Kb3 Rf3+ 38.Kc4 ( {Since:} 38.Kc2 Qb4 39.Rf6 Re3 {is deadly for White, e.g.} 40.Rf2 Qe4+ 41.Kd1 Re1+ 42.Kd2 Qe3+ 43.Kc2 Rc1# ) 38...Qh4+ 39.Kc5 ( 39.Kd5 Rd3+ 40.Kc5 Qd4# ) 39...b6+ 40.Kc6 Qc4+ {Vachier-Lagrave wins the queen and quickly wraps up the game.} 41.Kd7 Rf7+ 42.Ke8 ( 42.Kd8 Rf8+ ) 42...Qxc8+ 43.Kxf7 Qc4 $1 44.b3 Qf4+ 45.Kxg6 Kb7 46.Re8 Kc7 47.e6 Kd6 48.Kg7 Qxh2 0-1

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Invitational | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.03.17"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "D00"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[Beauty "6944022594110"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4 a6 4.e3 e6 5.g4 {Firouzja's win is a must in this game, thus this sharp opening line.} 5...Bb4 {This move not only develops the black bishop. First, it somewhat spoils the normal White development...} 6.Ne2 O-O ( {White does not mind:} 6...Nxg4 7.Rg1 ) 7.a3 {...and provokes this weakening. So understands that his opponent will sooner or later be forced to castle queenside and creates a hook in advance.} 7...Be7 8.g5 ( {Another top GM game from last year went:} 8.Ng3 c5 9.g5 Nfd7 10.Qh5 Re8 11.h4 Nc6 12.O-O-O b5 13.dxc5 b4 14.axb4 Nxb4 15.e4 Qa5 {and the results on the weakening were already visible on the queenside in Artemiev-Giri, Chess.com 2020} ) 8...Nh5 9.h4 Nxf4 10.Nxf4 c5 11.Bd3 $146 {A sharp opening concept by Firouzja. On his turn, he is provoking Black's next move.} ( {Black was also a fast attacker after} 11.Qf3 Nc6 12.O-O-O b5 13.dxc5 b4 14.Ncxd5 exd5 15.Nxd5 bxa3 16.bxa3 Rb8 {Akhmetov-Bocharov, Astana 2019} ) 11...c4 {This practically forces...} 12.Bxh7+ $1 {And this move was played in just two seconds.} ( {Indeed, White has no other choice, as} 12.Be2 b5 {followed by Nb8-c6 and then a6-a5 and b5-b4 in the proper moment would be everything that Black is dreaming of.} ) 12...Kxh7 13.Qh5+ Kg8 14.g6 {Firouzja keeps blitzing. The attack is purely fundamental. There is not any instant mate. It is only the better development and the extra space that keep the assault going.} ( {The text move is far more accurate than} 14.O-O-O Nd7 15.g6 Nf6 {which brings the black knight into the defense.} ) 14...fxg6 15.Nxg6 Rf5 $1 {The best move.} ( {The e5-square needs to be covered, as demonstrated by the line} 15...Rf6 16.Qh8+ Kf7 17.Ne5# ) ( {Another logical move is} 15...Nd7 {which is playable, and against it White would most likely have reacted with the same central break:} 16.e4 Nf6 17.Qh8+ Kf7 18.Ne5+ Ke8 19.Qxg7 Bd6 20.Qg6+ Ke7 21.O-O-O Qe8 22.h5 {when White should be keeping the initiative.} ) 16.Qh8+ Kf7 17.Qh7 {The idea behind the checks is to clear the h8-square... for the knight $1} 17...Bf6 ( {To similar consequences would have led} 17...Nc6 18.e4 dxe4 19.Nh8+ Ke8 20.O-O-O ) 18.e4 $1 {Opening more and more central files while the black queenside is idle.} 18...dxe4 19.Nh8+ Ke7 20.O-O-O Nd7 {So is catching up with development.} ( {The other plan was to run to the hills with} 20...Kd7 21.d5 Qa5 22.Nxe4 Kc7 23.Nxf6 Rxf6 24.Qxg7+ Nd7 25.Ng6 {but here too, it is White who has the better chances.} ) 21.Nxe4 Nf8 22.Qg8 $1 {Mate in one is always a serious threat $1} 22...Qe8 ( {Worse seems} 22...Kd7 23.Rhg1 ( {Or first} 23.Nf7 ) 23...Kc7 24.Nf7 Qe7 {when White's key idea is} 25.Nxf6 gxf6 26.Rg7 {gaining material on the seventh rank.} ) 23.h5 {Now White's attack slows down.} ( {Firouzja could have traded the important defender instead with} 23.Nxf6 $1 gxf6 ( {The other recaptures are inferior:} 23...Rxf6 24.Qxg7+ ) ( 23...Kxf6 24.Rhg1 ) 24.Qg7+ Kd6 {Then the outside passer becomes huge:} 25.h5 Bd7 26.Nf7+ Kc7 27.h6 {and So will have to suffer some painful minutes. Combine this with his time deficit, and that would further raise Firouzja's chances.} ) 23...Nd7 24.Ng6+ Kd8 25.Qxe8+ ( {Since against} 25.Nxf6 Rxf6 26.Qxg7 {Black has the defense} 26...Qf7 ) 25...Kxe8 26.Nd6+ Kd8 27.Nxf5 exf5 28.f4 {Finally Firouzja regained his material, but So can be happy with the endgame that he has reached. His king, which was under mating threats earlier, is now perfectly placed in the middle of the board, and the bishop pair has huge potential.} 28...a5 $1 {A nice maneuver that brings the rook into the game quickly and effectively.} 29.d5 Ra6 30.Rhe1 Nc5 ( {So is careful:} 30...Rd6 31.Nh8 $1 {would be awkward for him.} ) 31.Ne5 Bd7 {The development is finished.} ( {Also good is} 31...Ne4 $5 32.Nxc4 Bd7 ) 32.Rg1 Kc7 33.Nxc4 Ne4 34.Ne5 Kd6 35.h6 {The last chance to change the course of the match.} ( {Objectively, White had to repeat:} 35.Nc4+ Kc7 36.Ne5 Rd6 {but a draw would be a loss of the match anyway.} ) 35...gxh6 36.Rg6 h5 37.Rh6 Be8 $1 {One more super solid move.} ( {The dangers that Black is still facing can be demonstrated in the line} 37...h4 38.Rh7 Be8 $2 39.Nc4+ Kc5 40.Rc7+ Kb5 41.a4+ Kxa4 42.Rxb7 ) 38.Rh7 b5 39.a4 Nf2 {It is getting sharp once more, but So kept his composure and concentration until the very end.} 40.Rh6 Kc5 41.d6 {Best.} ( {Not} 41.Rd2 $2 Bxe5 42.Rxa6 Bxf4 ) 41...Bxe5 42.fxe5 Nxd1 43.d7 Ra8 $1 {Once more So finds the best continuation with a few seconds on the clock.} ( {His problems could have easily become unsolvable after} 43...Bxd7 44.Rxa6 Ne3 45.e6 Bc6 46.e7 Bd7 47.axb5 ( {Or:} 47.Re6 ) ) 44.Rh8 {Once more, avoiding the draw.} ( {Possible in the line} 44.dxe8=Q Rxe8 45.Kxd1 bxa4 ) 44...Bxd7 45.Rxa8 Ne3 46.Ra6 ( {The white pawn would be stopped in the line} 46.axb5 Bxb5 47.e6 Nd5 ) 46...Nc4 47.e6 Be8 48.e7 ( {Or:} 48.b3 Nd6 49.axb5 h4 50.b6 h3 51.Ra7 Kxb6 52.Rh7 Kc6 53.Rxh3 Kd5 54.Rh6 a4 {with a likely draw.} ) 48...bxa4 49.Ra8 ( {Once more:} 49.b3 axb3 50.cxb3 Nd6 51.Kd2 {might have ended with a draw.} ) 49...Nd6 50.Rxa5+ Kb6 51.Ra8 {A time-trouble blunder.} ( {Firouzja might have been able to save the game still after} 51.Re5 Kc7 52.c4 Kd7 53.c5 Ne4 54.Rxf5 Ke6 55.Rf3 Nxc5 {but not the match.} ) 51...h4 0-1

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Invitational | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.03.18"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "D24"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7289499033635"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 b5 ( 5...Bb4 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Bxc4 c5 9.O-O cxd4 10.e5 Qd8 11.Ne4 O-O 12.Qc1 Qc7 13.Nf6+ Kh8 14.Rd1 Nd7 15.Rxd4 Be7 {was tested this year in Caruana,F (2823)-Anton Guijarro, D (2679) Wijk aan Zee 2021} ) 6.e5 {A quick improvement over the first match game} ( {which saw Black comfortably equalizing after:} 6.Nxb5 Nxe4 7.Qa4 c6 8.Nc3 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Ba6 10.Bxc4 Bxc4 11.Qxc4 Bd6 12.O-O O-O 13.Rb1 Qc7 14.Qd3 Nd7 {Carlsen,M (2881)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2778) Online 2021.} ) 6...Nd5 {Only now} 7.Nxb5 Nb6 8.Be2 Nc6 9.O-O Be7 10.Qd2 $1 {This move is now considered more promising than 10.Be3. It is essential to overprotect the d4-pawn.} 10...Bb7 11.Rd1 Qd7 12.Nc3 Nb4 13.a3 N4d5 14.Ne4 {"I had a great position from the opening. I just spent too much time there." (Carlsen)} 14...Qc6 {"This line is not as brilliant (for Black) at all, but it is interesting." (Nepomniachtchi)} 15.Re1 $146 {Another overprotecting move and a novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw} 15.Qc2 h6 16.Bf1 Nb4 17.axb4 Qxe4 18.Qxe4 Bxe4 19.b5 c6 20.bxc6 Bxc6 21.Be3 O-O 22.Nd2 Bd5 23.Ra6 {Kiremitciyan,A (2281) -Goltseva,E (2306) Chess.com 2020} ) 15...O-O-O 16.Bf1 f5 {The only way to somewhat disturb White's central domination.} 17.exf6 gxf6 18.Qe2 {However, Carlsen keeps everything under control. Moreover, he hits the weak pawns on c4 and e6 and prepares the powerful Ne4-c5 jump.} 18...Kb8 19.Bd2 Rhg8 20.Rac1 {"I had so many good chances to play Nc5," complained the world champion later.} ( {This was one of them:} 20.Nc5 $5 Bxc5 21.dxc5 Qxc5 22.Qxe6 {leads to an edge for White, but the move in the game is good enough.} ) 20...Bd6 21.g3 f5 ( {The aggressive move} 21...Nf4 $6 22.Bxf4 Bxf4 23.Rc3 f5 24.Nc5 Rxd4 25.Qxe6 {leads Black nowhere.} ) 22.Nxd6 {Carlsen revealed later that this move has been connected with a blunder. "Otherwise, I would have never, ever allowed the pawn to capture." (Carlsen)} ( {The second good moment to play} 22.Nc5 $1 {was here, securing White an edge in the line} 22...Bxc5 23.Ne5 Qb5 24.dxc5 Qxc5 25.Nxc4 ) 22...cxd6 23.Bg2 {The analysis reveals that this might have been the actual mistake.} ( 23.Qxe6 $1 {was once again promising White the advantage. Carlsen likely feared} 23...Nf4 {However, here the nice zwischenzug:} ( {Perhaps Black should look for counterplay instead with} 23...f4 24.Bg2 Rde8 25.Qh6 {although this also does not seem enough.} ) 24.d5 $1 {clears the d4-square for the white knight, and he is in total control in all the lines:} 24...Nfxd5 ( {Or} 24...Nbxd5 25.Nd4 $1 Nxe6 26.Nxc6+ Bxc6 27.Rxe6 {when White is strategically winning.} ) ( 24...Qxd5 25.Qxd5 Bxd5 ( 25...Nfxd5 26.Nd4 ) 26.Bxf4 Bxf3 27.Rc3 {with an excellent endgame, thanks to the bishop pair and the better pawn structure.} ) 25.Nd4 {with a solid edge for White.} ) 23...Rde8 ( {From afar Carlsen thought that} 23...Nc7 {would be played here when} 24.b3 {leads to a collapse of Black's position.} ) 24.Nh4 ( {Now} 24.b3 c3 {does not make sense for White at all, which was Carlsen's main tactical oversight in this game.} ) ( {Neither does} 24.Ng5 {create a threat as} 24...h6 25.Nxe6 $2 Rg6 {self-pins.} ) 24...Qb5 25.Rb1 Qb3 26.Bc3 Nf4 $1 {Nepomniachtchi was surprised that his opponent allowed this idea. In fact, he considered sacrificing a pawn in some lines with c4-c3 only to get this opportunity.} 27.gxf4 Rg4 28.h3 Rxh4 29.Bxb7 Kxb7 30.Qf3+ Ka6 $1 ( {After} 30...Kb8 31.Qc6 {White can look for a saving perpetual check in the line} 31...Rg8+ 32.Kh2 Qc2 33.Qxd6+ Ka8 34.Qc6+ Kb8 35.Qd6+ {And Black cannot avoid the perpetual:} 35...Kb7 $4 36.Qe7+ ) 31.d5 {Apparently, the world champion considered his position desperately lost and tried to muddy the waters. Indeed, if Black manages to establish his knight to the central outpost d5, there will be nothing to play for. However, the sacrifice could have been postponed until a better moment.} ( {True,} 31.Qc6 {does not help here and is spectacularly refuted by} 31...Rg8+ 32.Kh2 Qb5 $1 33.Qxd6 Rxh3+ $1 34.Kxh3 Qe8 $1 {with inevitable mate.} ) ( {But} 31.Kh2 {was a useful move when the sacrifice might have worked a tad later, e.g.:} 31...Nd5 ( {Or} 31...Rh6 {which seems more promising, but there too} 32.d5 $1 {works far better than in the game and in the line} 32...Nxd5 33.Rbd1 Rc8 34.Rxe6 $1 Rxe6 35.Rxd5 Rc5 36.Rxc5 dxc5 37.Qd5 {White would have kept reasonable saving chances.} ) 32.Rxe6 $1 Rxe6 33.Qxd5 Reh6 34.Qc6+ Qb6 35.Qc8+ Qb7 36.Qxc4+ Qb5 37.Qc8+ {with perpetual check.} ) 31...Nxd5 32.Rxe6 Rxe6 33.Qxd5 Rg6+ 34.Kf1 ( 34.Kh2 {would have been similar to the game as the queens are again traded after} 34...Qb5 35.Qf3 Qb7 ) 34...Qb5 35.Rd1 Qxd5 36.Rxd5 Rxf4 {The rest for easy for Nepomniachtchi.} 37.Bd4 Rf3 38.Be3 f4 39.Rf5 Re6 40.Bd4 Re4 41.Kg2 Rd3 42.Bc3 d5 43.Rf6+ Kb5 44.Rf7 d4 45.Bb4 Re2 0-1

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Invitational | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.03.19"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "B40"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[Beauty "6669299887646"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Qb6 {A must-win situation for Carlsen and the world champion chooses an extremely rare, risky line.} 5.Nc3 {After a few minutes of reflection, Nepomniachtchi goes for the main move.} ( {A recent online game saw Black getting crushed in the sharp line} 5.Be3 Qxb2 6.Nd2 a6 7.Bd3 Qc3 8.O-O Qc7 9.f4 d6 10.e5 Nd7 11.Qg4 Nh6 12.Qg3 g6 13.Ne4 d5 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.exd6 Qxd6 16.Qh4 {Martinez Alcantara,J (2620)-Ibarra Jerez,J (2561) Online 2020} ) 5...a6 {Black avoids all the main lines.} ( {Here, the main line is considered to be} 5...Bc5 6.Na4 Qa5+ 7.c3 Bxd4 8.Qxd4 Nf6 9.Nc5 Nc6 10.Qe3 ) 6.a3 Qc7 {And ultimately a Kan with the extra tempo for White a2-a3 is on the board. In the process, though, Black prevented the main Bd3 line.} 7.g3 $146 {And the players are in uncharted territory after this move, exactly what Carlsen wanted $1} ( {An earlier game saw White doing great after} 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.O-O Nf6 10.f4 Bc5+ 11.Kh1 h5 12.e5 Ng4 13.Ne4 {Alvarez Ibarra,R (2421)-Pavia Miralles,J (2309) Valencia 2003, but I suspect that both players were completely unaware of its existence.} ) 7...Nf6 8.Bg2 Nc6 9.O-O h5 {The standard way of bothering the fianchetto.} 10.Nxc6 {A concrete approach, and typical for the fianchetto line.} ( 10.h3 {is also possible, but White tries to avoid this move as much as possible.} ) 10...bxc6 11.Bf4 e5 $1 {The only move. Otherwise, White would push his e-pawn.} ( {White's idea revealed in the line} 11...d6 $2 12.e5 $1 dxe5 13.Bxe5 {is winning.} ) 12.Bg5 Bc5 {The most active development.} ( {More solid is} 12...Be7 13.Qe2 {However, solidity is the last thing that comes to Carlsen's mind.} ) 13.Qf3 ( {Black is not afraid of} 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Qf3 Ke7 $1 ) 13...d6 14.h3 ( {Once more} 14.Bxf6 {does not damage the enemy position enough due to} 14...Bg4 15.Qd3 gxf6 ) 14...Nd7 $1 {An excellent maneuver. The knight is heading to the d4-outpost.} 15.Rad1 Nf8 16.Na4 {This turns out to be inaccurate.} ( {Better is the preliminary} 16.Be3 $1 {with the idea to meet} 16...Ne6 {with} 17.Bxc5 Nxc5 18.Qe3 Ne6 19.f4 {with unclear play.} ) 16...Ne6 17.Be3 Bxe3 {An automatic recapture, which misses a good opportunity. A few moments after this, Carlsen seemingly understood that he had missed his chance and started shaking his head in disbelief.} ( {Good is} 17...Nd4 $1 {gaining the bishop pair. Then Black might have feared} 18.Bxd4 Bxd4 19.Rxd4 exd4 20.e5 {but this can be well met with} 20...Ra7 $1 ) 18.Qxe3 h4 19.Nb6 $1 {A nice maneuver by Nepomniachtchi who is centralizing his knight.} 19...Rb8 20.Nc4 O-O $1 {Best. The king needs to be secured.} ( {After} 20...Nd4 21.c3 Be6 22.Nxd6+ $1 Qxd6 23.cxd4 Rxb2 {the black king remains in the center, and White can develop his initiative with} 24.d5 ( {or even better} 24.Qc1 Ra2 25.dxe5 Qxe5 26.Qxc6+ ) ) 21.Nxd6 hxg3 22.fxg3 Rxb2 23.Qc3 Qb8 ( {Objectively} 23...Rb6 {might be better, but then White can dry up the position with} 24.Qxe5 c5 25.Nc4 {but it is not about pure logic here anymore.} ) 24.Nf5 Rb5 {Carlsen tries to keep the position as complex as he can.} ( {Here too} 24...Nd4 25.Nxd4 exd4 26.Rxd4 Qb6 27.Rd1 Be6 {might be the objectively best idea, with sufficient compensation for the pawn, but with very few chances to play for the full point.} ) 25.Ne7+ {This, however, is illogical. Nepomniachtchi will not be delivering Anastasia's mate on the h-file and loses two tempi.} ( {Correct is} 25.Kh2 Qc7 {when White can use the extra tempo for something productive like} 26.Rf2 {in order to double his rooks.} ) 25...Kh7 26.Kh2 Qc7 27.Nf5 Rc5 28.Qd2 Rd8 {Now Black consolidates and is ready to take over the initiative.} 29.Qf2 ( {More solid seems} 29.Qe2 Rxd1 30.Rxd1 Kg8 31.Qd2 {with a holdable position.} ) 29...Rc3 30.a4 Nd4 {It starts to look really scary for White.} 31.Nxd4 {And now Carlsen definitely takes firm control over the position. Despite the lost tempi, Nepomniachtchi still had a chance to finish the match outright.} ( {White could have forced a draw instead with} 31.Nxg7 $3 Kxg7 32.Qf6+ Kg8 ( 32...Kf8 $2 33.Qh8+ ) 33.Qg5+ Kh7 34.Qh5+ Kg8 35.Qg5+ {with perpetual as} 35...Kf8 36.Qh6+ Ke8 37.Qh8+ Ke7 {loses to} 38.Rxf7+ $1 Kxf7 39.Qh7+ ) 31...Rxd4 32.Qe2 {A sad necessity.} ( {Perhaps from afar White intended} 32.Rxd4 exd4 33.e5 ( 33.Qxf7 Qxf7 34.Rxf7 Rxc2 {is hopeless for White.} ) 33...Qxe5 34.Qxf7 {with the idea to meet} 34...Rxc2 {with the strong} ( {But did he realize only here that} 34...Qxg3+ 35.Kg1 Qg6 {kills his initiative $2} ) 35.Rf4 $1 ) 32...Be6 33.Rxd4 exd4 34.Qh5+ ( {Missing the better defense} 34.Rf3 $1 Rc5 {with the same idea from before:} 35.Rf4 ) 34...Kg8 35.Rf4 Qe7 {The enormous pressure and the ridiculously low amount of time left on their clocks led to some inaccuracies by the players from here on. The move played in the game released the pressure against the opponent's kingside and allowed Nepomniachtchi another chance.} ( {The accurate} 35...c5 $1 36.Rh4 Qxg3+ 37.Kg1 Kf8 {would have effectively finished the game in Black's favor instead.} ) 36.Rh4 f6 37.e5 $1 {An excellent chance, which exposes the black king.} 37...fxe5 38.Qxe5 Rxc2 39.Re4 {And a missed opportunity $1 The pin is an obvious choice, it even wins a piece, but the pawns become way too dangerous.} ( {White could have still saved himself with the brilliant} 39.Qe4 $1 Rd2 40.Kg1 $3 {It is important to release the bishop from the pin and to prepare threats with it. Then a move like} 40...d3 {would lose to} ( {Therefore, Black needs to settle for a draw with} 40...Rd1+ $1 41.Kh2 Rd2 {but this is, of course, not a solution for him.} ) ( {Notice that Black cannot ever step on the f-file with his queen:} 40...Qf6 $2 41.Qh7+ Kf7 42.Rf4 ) 41.Qh7+ Kf8 42.Qh8+ Kf7 43.Rf4+ Kg6 44.Be4+ $1 {This is where the bishop is needed $1} ) ( {It should be added that the same idea works as well with the immediate} 39.Kg1 $1 ) 39...d3 40.Qxe6+ Qxe6 41.Rxe6 d2 42.Rd6 c5 {Seconds...} ( {A neat, study-like win is} 42...Kf7 $3 43.g4 Ke7 {winning a bunch of tempi for the pawn advance:} 44.Rd3 c5 45.Rd5 ( {Notice that White cannot use his king:} 45.Kg3 Rc3 $1 ) 45...c4 46.Kg3 c3 47.Bf3 Rc1 48.Kf2 c2 49.Rxd2 Rf1+ 50.Kxf1 c1=Q+ 51.Rd1 Qf4 {and this should be winning for Black.} ) 43.g4 c4 44.Kg3 c3 45.Kh4 {Seconds... Missing the last chance for the draw.} ( {The drawback of the king staying on the g8-square could have been revealed with} 45.Be4 $1 Rc1 46.Bd5+ $1 Kf8 47.Bb3 Rb1 48.Bc2 Rb2 49.Bd1 {and a draw because the bishop has enough room to maneuver.} ) 45...Kf8 46.Bf3 Rc1 47.Rd3 Ke7 $1 {Now it is over.} ( {Of course, not the hasty} 47...Rf1 48.Rxc3 Rxf3 49.Rxf3+ {Check $1} ) 48.Kg5 Rf1 49.Re3+ ( {Nothing changes} 49.Rxc3 Rxf3 50.Rxf3 d1=Q ) 49...Kd6 50.Rd3+ Ke5 51.Rxc3 Rxf3 52.Rxf3 d1=Q 53.Rf5+ Ke4 54.a5 Qd6 55.Kh4 g6 {An epic battle $1} 0-1

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Invitational | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.03.20"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "C47"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Beauty "8247012272168"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.a4 {After the popularity of a2-a3, it is now time for the more determined a2-a4 advance $1 Lucas Van Foreest plays this quite regularly, although his results are not spectacular so far.} ( {Last year, Carlsen also gave a try to the "Classical" Four Knights with} 4.Bb5 Nd4 5.O-O Nxb5 6.Nxb5 c6 7.Nc3 d6 8.d4 Qc7 9.Bg5 Be7 10.a4 h6 11.Bh4 Nh5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.a5 Nf4 {Carlsen,M (2862)-Dubov,D (2702) Online 2020} ) 4...Bb4 5.Bd3 ( {It is curious that the world champion actually does have a blitz game with this line, albeit from the 1.a4 move order $1 Nine years ago he defeated Radjabov with} 5.Bb5 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.d3 Bg4 8.Ne2 a6 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.Ng3 Nh5 11.h3 Nxg3 12.fxg3 Bd7 13.g4 {Carlsen,M (2837) -Radjabov,T (2788) Astana 2012} ) 5...d6 6.O-O O-O 7.Nd5 Bc5 ( {The venom of the move a2-a4 poisons Black's position in the line} 7...Nxd5 8.exd5 Ne7 9.c3 Bc5 10.b4 Bb6 11.a5 {and the bishop is trapped.} ) 8.c3 a5 9.Bc2 Nxd5 $146 {Only this is a novelty.} ( {Black defended well after} 9...Ba7 10.d4 h6 11.Qd3 Re8 12.Nxf6+ Qxf6 13.Be3 exd4 14.Bxd4 Ne5 15.Nxe5 dxe5 16.Bxa7 Rxa7 17.Rfd1 Ra6 $1 {and the rook entered the battle in Van Foreest,L (2531)-Naiditsch,A (2630) Germany 2020} ) 10.exd5 Ne7 11.Ng5 {The beginning of a blitzkrieg.} 11...h6 {So does not feel the danger yet, or maybe just does not believe it is dangerous enough.} ( {In hindsight} 11...Bf5 {looks definitely more solid, when play may continue} 12.Bxf5 ( {Or} 12.d4 exd4 13.Bxf5 Nxf5 14.Qh5 ( {Weaker is} 14.Qd3 Qf6 ) 14...h6 15.Ne4 Qd7 16.Qg4 Qc8 17.Re1 {transposing to the line below.} ) 12...Nxf5 13.Qh5 ( 13.Nxh7 $2 {does not work on the account of} 13...Kxh7 14.Qh5+ Nh6 ) 13...h6 14.Ne4 Qd7 ( {Or even} 14...Qc8 $5 ) 15.Qg4 Qc8 16.d4 exd4 17.Re1 {White has compensation for the pawn as the opponent's pieces are somewhat stuck, but whether he really has an advantage is another question.} ) 12.d4 Bb6 ( {Black is correctly avoiding} 12...hxg5 13.dxc5 f6 14.h4 $1 {with a strong initiative.} ) 13.Nh7 $3 {Two exclaims for the concept. Even if Black is saving himself, he has to solve an enormous number of practical problems with very limited time on the clock. And to multiply the effect of his play, Carlsen blitzed out his moves, a la Kasparov.} 13...Re8 14.Nf6+ $1 {The point. The black king is exposed.} 14...gxf6 15.Qh5 e4 $1 {So finds the best move.} ( {After} 15...f5 16.Bxh6 Nxd5 ( {Not} 16...Ng6 $2 17.Bg5 {followed by Bg5-f6.} ) 17.Bg5 Qd7 $1 {is the only move to keep Black in play, but here too, White is better after} ( {Instead:} 17...f6 {loses instantly after} 18.Qg6+ Kh8 ( {Please note that the king can never escape towards the center} 18...Kf8 19.Bh6+ Ke7 20.Qh7+ Ke6 21.Bxf5# ) 19.Qh6+ Kg8 20.Bb3 $1 c6 21.Bxf6 {with a crushing attack.} ) 18.Bb3 Nf4 {Again, an only move.} ( {Or unstoppable mate after} 18...c6 19.Bxd5 cxd5 20.Bf6 ) 19.Qh6 Re6 20.Bxe6 fxe6 21.dxe5 $16 {with a continuing attack with approximate material equality.} ) ( {Also a move like} 15...Ng6 $2 {only facilitates White's attack:} 16.Bxg6 fxg6 17.Qxg6+ Kh8 18.Qxh6+ Kg8 19.Qg6+ Kh8 20.Re1 $1 {and mate is about to happen.} ) 16.Re1 {The rook is ready to be lifted.} 16...f5 {One mistake is all White needs.} ( {Two other ideas could keep Black in the game. One is} 16...Bf5 {Then} 17.Re3 {is obvious when Black has two ways to defend:} 17...Qd7 {might lead to an approximately equal endgame in the line} ( {Or} 17...Bg6 18.Rg3 Qd7 19.Bxe4 Nf5 20.Rxg6+ fxg6 21.Qxg6+ Ng7 22.Qh7+ Kf8 23.Bxh6 Rxe4 24.Qxe4 f5 {when anything is possible.} ) 18.g4 ( {But White may also try to attack with} 18.Rg3+ Ng6 19.Be3 ( {or} 19.Bxh6 {with a hugely complicated game in both cases.} ) ) 18...Bg6 19.Qxh6 Qxg4+ 20.Rg3 Nf5 21.Rxg4 Nxh6 22.Bxh6 {and it is unclear.} ) ( {The other idea is} 16...c5 {which keeps the f5-square available for the black pieces as well as the c8-h3 diagonal. Then} 17.Rxe4 ( {The importance of the f5-square is revealed in the line} 17.Re3 Nf5 18.Rh3 Kf8 {when the king escapes towards the center.} ) 17...Bf5 18.Bxh6 Bxe4 19.Bxe4 f5 20.Bg5 {wins the black queen after} 20...fxe4 21.Bf6 Ng6 22.Bxd8 Raxd8 {Black has enough material for the queen, but his position remains difficult to play, especially in the rapid time control. White will keep harassing the enemy king, with his h-pawn about to bring additional concerns.} ) 17.Bxh6 $1 {After this the attack is irresistible.} 17...Nxd5 ( {Since now} 17...c5 {loses to} 18.Bg5 $1 ( 18.Re3 $1 {should also do.} ) 18...f6 19.Bxf6 Rf8 20.Qg5+ Kf7 21.Qg7+ Ke8 22.Bxe4 $1 {and the e-file explodes.} ) 18.Bg5 f6 ( {Or} 18...Nf6 19.Qh4 Kg7 20.Qh6+ ) 19.Bb3 c6 ( {After} 19...Be6 20.Qg6+ Kh8 {the most convincing win is} 21.Bxd5 fxg5 22.Qh6+ Kg8 23.Bxe6+ ) 20.Re3 $3 {So might have missed this. The rook joins forces with the queen, and that is the end for Black.} 20...Kf8 {This leads to mate, but there was no defense anyway.} ( {Since} 20...fxg5 21.Bxd5+ cxd5 22.Qg6+ Kf8 23.Rh3 $1 {also does not save Black.} ) 21.Qg6 f4 22.Bh6+ Ke7 23.Qh7+ 1-0

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Invitational | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.03.21"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "C02"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8248887359573"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 {Giri opts for the Alapin, but Nepomniachtchi chooses a different path.} 3...d5 4.e5 Nc6 5.d4 {And they end up in the French Advance. Last year the Russian GM used the French defense as part of his black repertoire at the Candidates and he keeps playing it regularly.} 5...Bd7 6.Be2 Nge7 7.Na3 {The knight is optimal on the c2 square.} 7...cxd4 8.cxd4 Ng6 ( {Deviating from the main line which is connected with the move} 8...Nf5 9.Nc2 Qb6 10.g4 Nfe7 11.O-O h5 12.g5 Nf5 13.a3 Be7 14.b4 f6 {and which may lead to extremely tense situations as in Vachier Lagrave,M (2789)-Sebenik,M (2562) Chess.com 2018} ) 9.Nc2 f6 {The logical follow up of the Ne7-g6 maneuver.} ( {Slow development is not to Nepomniachtchi's taste:} 9...Be7 10.g3 O-O 11.h4 f6 12.h5 Nh8 13.Bf4 Nf7 14.Bd3 Qb6 15.O-O Rac8 {Akhmetov,A (2438) -Agmanov,Z (2407) Almaty 2020} ) 10.exf6 gxf6 11.O-O Bd6 12.g3 $146 {A logical novelty which aims to restrict the black pieces. The outcome of the opening is an unbalanced situation both in the center and the kingside. Black's next move is obvious.} ( {An earlier game involved one of Carlsen's former coaches:} 12.b4 Qe7 13.Rb1 Qg7 14.Re1 Nce7 15.b5 h5 16.Nb4 Kf7 17.Bf1 Rag8 {where Black did well, Blomstrom,L (2167)-Agdestein, S (2576) Drammen 2018. Nepomniachtchi is following a similar kingside attacking plan.} ) 12...h5 {He aims to open the h-file as soon as possible.} 13.Bd3 Nce7 14.Ne3 h4 15.Ng4 {Giri, on his turn, forces the black king to stay in the center.} ( {He could have also tried to force the swap of the h-pawn with} 15.Ng2 {but then besides the obvious capture:} 15...hxg3 ( {He also had to reckon with the long castling plan:} 15...Qc7 16.Nfxh4 Nxh4 17.Nxh4 O-O-O {with a nice kingside initiative for Black.} ) ) 15...Kf7 16.Re1 ( {Or} 16.Bd2 Qf8 ) 16...Qf8 17.Nfe5+ $6 {This, or a similar sacrifice on the g5/e5 square, is the right thing to do, but the moment is not chosen accurately.} ( {The accurate way to implement it would have been} 17.Qb3 $1 Rb8 18.Bd2 {And only in case of the obvious} 18...Qg7 ( {After} 18...Rh5 {White can trade the excellent black bishop:} 19.Bb4 Bxb4 20.Qxb4 {and later use the dark squares for the attack.} ) ( {Whereas the preliminary trade} 18...hxg3 19.fxg3 Qg7 {allows White a chance to attack on the freshly open file with:} 20.Rf1 ) 19.Bg5 $3 fxg5 20.Nxg5+ Kg8 21.Rxe6 $3 Bxe6 22.Nxe6 Qf7 23.Ng5 Qg7 24.Be4 $1 {and despite the extra rook, Black is in trouble. Perhaps the Dutch player studied similar sacrifices in the past, knew that they are the way, but did not have the time to figure out when the good moment is.} ) 17...fxe5 18.dxe5 Bc5 19.Bg5 ( {Black is defending well after} 19.Qf3+ Nf5 20.Bxf5 exf5 21.Qxd5+ Be6 ) 19...hxg3 {Nepomniachtchi does want to defend passively and looks to mate the opponent first.} ( {There was nothing wrong with} 19...Nf5 $1 20.Rc1 Rc8 21.Bxf5 exf5 22.Qxd5+ Be6 23.Qxb7+ Be7 {repelling the attack, with a large advantage for Black.} ) 20.hxg3 Bc6 {Eyeballing the h1 square.} 21.Rc1 ( {The other way to attack is connected with} 21.Qf3+ {when Black has to be careful:} 21...Kg8 $1 {is the only move. Only, but sufficient as after} ( {Both} 21...Ke8 $2 22.Nf6+ Kd8 23.Rac1 $1 ( {But not the immediate} 23.Bxg6 Qg7 $1 ) 23...Bb6 24.Bxg6 Nxg6 ( {Here} 24...Qg7 25.Qa3 Qxg6 26.Qd6+ $18 {leads to mate.} ) 25.Nh7+ {wins for White.} ) ( {Also bad is} 21...Nf5 $2 22.Bxf5 exf5 23.Qxf5+ Kg7 24.Bf6+ {when once more Black is losing.} ) 22.Nf6+ Kg7 23.Qg4 Qf7 {Black once again repels the attack.} ) 21...d4 22.Be4 Bxe4 23.Rxe4 {The trade of the bishops stabilizes the light squares. Hence, Black's next move.} 23...Nf5 24.Qa4 {This aggressive move will eventually lead White to the win.} ( {Objectively} 24.Nf6 $1 {would have been more resilient. True, Black is clearly better here after} 24...Be7 25.g4 Nfh4 26.Rc7 Qd8 27.Rxb7 Rc8 ) 24...Rc8 ( {Safer was} 24...Be7 $1 25.Rc7 Qd8 26.Rd7 Qb6 {and Black is winning.} ) 25.Bf6 Rh7 $4 {A blunder, which loses on the spot.} ( {At least two other moves would have kept Black winning, either} 25...Rg8 $1 26.Qd7+ Be7 ) ( {Or even easier} 25...Qe8 $1 {controlling White's most important attacker.} ) 26.Qd7+ {As easy as that. Black's position collapses.} 26...Nge7 ( {Since} 26...Be7 27.Rxc8 ) 27.Bxe7 Qxe7 ( {Or} 27...Nxe7 28.Rf4+ ) 28.Qxc8 {White has now the extra material and the attack.} 28...Bb6 29.Nf6 Rg7 30.Qh8 d3 31.Qh5+ Rg6 32.Rg4 1-0

[Event "Magnus Carlsen Invitational | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.03.13"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "B36"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6531974176262"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteTeam "Netherlands"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 {One can never guess what opening the world champion will choose.} 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.Be2 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.O-O O-O 10.Qd3 {Still, the choice of the solid but passive Accelerated Dragon seems comfortable for Giri.} 10...a5 11.Be3 Bd7 ( {One of the major experts of the line as Black could not solve his opening problems completely after} 11...a4 12.Bd4 Qa5 13.Rad1 Re8 14.f4 e5 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.Be3 Be6 17.Nd5 {with pleasant central pressure for White in Wei,Y (2725) -Zvjaginsev,V (2627) China 2019} ) 12.Bd4 $5 {White is ready to swap the dark-squared bishops, although he often prefers not to do so in the Accelerated Dragon.} 12...Bc6 13.b3 $5 {Following the restrictive, small advantage line.} 13...Nd7 14.Bxg7 ( {White sometimes simply leaves the opponent's fianchettoed bishop on the diagonal and then clears it out from his pieces. But here} 14.Be3 {is connected with a pawn sacrifice:} 14...Nc5 15.Qc2 Bxc3 ) 14...Kxg7 15.Qd4+ Kg8 $146 ( {An earlier game witnessed a quick draw after} 15...f6 16.Nd5 ( 16.f4 Qb6 ) 16...e5 17.Qe3 Bxd5 18.cxd5 {1/2-1/2 (18) Gorbunov,E (2065)-Waerstad,L (2146) ICCF email 2018} ) 16.Rfd1 {An interesting choice.} ( {The other rook seems more suitable for this square:} 16.Rad1 $5 Qb6 17.Qxb6 Nxb6 18.f4 {as the f1 is already working on the kingside and the center.} ) 16...Qb6 {Black is happy to swap the queens off as without the fianchettoed bishop, he always risks to fall under tremendous kingside attack with f2-f4-f5.} 17.Qxb6 Nxb6 18.f4 f5 {However, this is a bit risky. Carlsen tries to solve his problems dynamically, concretely.} ( {Safer looks} 18...Nd7 $5 {intending Nd7-c5 and later in a proper moment, e7-e5. In this case, Black might have feared} 19.Nd5 {when} 19...Bxd5 ( {However, the patient} 19...Rae8 $1 {would have kept things in order for the second player.} ) 20.Rxd5 $1 Nf6 21.Rb5 {is indeed a pleasant edge for White.} ) ( {Also good seems the careful play for a dark-squared blockade with} 18...f6 $5 {followed by Kg8-f7 and the same knight maneuver.} ) 19.exf5 $1 {The correct reaction. Giri opens the central files for his rooks.} 19...Rxf5 ( {After} 19...gxf5 {White has pleasant pressure along the files with the immediate} 20.Re1 ( {Or the slightly more refined} 20.Rd3 ) ) 20.g3 g5 {The same dynamic policy.} 21.Bd3 ( {More accurate is} 21.Bg4 $1 Rc5 22.Re1 Re8 ( 22...gxf4 23.Rxe7 ) 23.Ne4 Bxe4 24.Rxe4 {with an edge for White.} ) 21...Rc5 22.Re1 Re8 ( {Here Carlsen missed} 22...gxf4 $1 23.Rxe7 fxg3 24.hxg3 Rh5 $1 {This is possible since the white bishop does not control the diagonal. Black is very close to equality, e.g.} 25.Be4 d5 26.cxd5 Nxd5 27.Nxd5 Bxd5 28.Bxd5+ Rxd5 29.Rxb7 Rd2 {In both cases, the active black rooks and the reduced material should be enough to maintain the balance.} ( {Or} 29...a4 ) ) 23.Ne4 $1 {Forcing a favorable endgame.} 23...Bxe4 24.Rxe4 gxf4 25.Rxf4 Nd7 26.Re1 Ne5 27.Be4 {The endgame is very unpleasant for Black. The bishop is clearly superior to the knight, and White's pawn structure favors him in almost all the endgames.} 27...b5 {More pawn trades are desirable for the defender.} 28.cxb5 Rxb5 29.Rh4 ( 29.Rf5 $1 {would also keep White in control.} ) 29...Rb4 {Carlsen decided to part with the pawn.} ( {Strong seems to be} 29...Ng6 $1 {with the idea} 30.Rg4 ( {However, White has instead} 30.Bc6 $1 {which forces a won pawn endgame after} 30...Nxh4 31.Bxe8 Nf3+ 32.Kf2 Rf5 33.Bd7 $1 Rf7 34.Be6 Nxe1+ 35.Kxe1 Kf8 36.Bxf7 Kxf7 37.a3 {This is what I mean when saying that White's pawns have a higher quality in the endgame. The distant passers are getting promoted by themselves.} ) 30...Re5 $1 31.Bxg6 Rxe1+ 32.Kf2 hxg6 $11 {and a draw.} ) 30.Bxh7+ Kg7 31.Be4 {White is up a pawn, plus he has kept all the other advantages of his position and, therefore, should be winning. But still, try winning this against the world champion...} 31...a4 ( 31...Rh8 $5 {at once also makes sense.} ) 32.bxa4 Rxa4 33.Re2 Rh8 34.Rxh8 Kxh8 35.Bd5 Ra5 ( {Perhaps the active approach} 35...Rd4 36.Bb3 Kg7 {would be more stubborn.} ) 36.Bb3 {Next, Giri carefully consolidates.} 36...Nc6 37.Rd2 Kg7 38.Kg2 Ne5 39.h3 Nd7 40.Re2 Kf8 41.Rf2+ Nf6 42.g4 Kg7 43.Rf4 d5 44.g5 {But here he rushed a bit.} ( 44.h4 $1 {keeping the pawns together would have been more technical.} ) 44...Ne4 45.Bxd5 Nxg5 46.Bb3 e5 {As strange as it sounds, this only helps White as the seventh rank is weakened.} ( {Instead, the powerful centralization} 46...Re5 $1 47.h4 Ne4 {would have offered Carlsen defensive chances.} ) 47.Ra4 $1 {Very nice $1} 47...Rc5 ( {Without the rooks, the a-passer is a Speedy Gonzales:} 47...Rxa4 48.Bxa4 Ne4 49.Bc6 Nc3 50.a3 $1 ( {not} 50.a4 $2 Nxa4 $1 {drawing instantly.} ) ) 48.Rc4 {Missing an instant win in the time-scramble.} ( {It was a good moment for a couple of intermediate moves:} 48.h4 $1 Nh7 49.Rg4+ Kf6 {and then} 50.Rc4 {winning.} ) 48...Ra5 49.h4 Ne6 50.Ra4 Nf4+ $1 {Now the knight has reached its optimal position.} 51.Kf3 Rc5 52.Rc4 Ra5 53.Rc7+ Kh6 54.Bc2 Ra3+ 55.Kg4 {However, Giri is still clearly on top, neatly surrounding the enemy king.} 55...Nd3 56.Kf5 Nb4 {Without the knight around, the black king goes down in flames.} ( {The last chance is} 56...e4 $5 57.Kxe4 Nb4 58.Ke5 Nxc2 59.Rxc2 {although this is also a textbook win, according to the tablebase.} ) 57.Be4 $1 Rxa2 58.Kg4 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.04.26"]
[Round "13.4"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[ECO "E16"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6943217287688"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 {Grischuk called his strategy for the game terrorism. He was basically aiming for a draw, while he did not mind playing against something risky. \"Nothing to be proud of.\" (Grischuk)} 4...Bb7 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 c5 7.Bxb4 cxb4 8.O-O O-O 9.Nbd2 {Grischuk revealed that he was very familiar with this position. First of all he had played it as Black and secondly, he analyzed it with Vishy Anand and even played some training games.} 9...d6 10.Qb3 a5 11.a3 Na6 12.Rfd1 Qe7 ( {To a similar position led} 12...Qd7 13.Qd3 Rfe8 14.Ne1 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 Qc7 16.Nc2 bxa3 17.bxa3 Nb8 18.Rab1 {Vidit,S (2689) -Akopian,V (2675) Doha 2016} ) 13.Ne1 Bxg2 14.Kxg2 $5 $146 {This obvious recapture is new.} ( {An email game saw went} 14.Nxg2 e5 15.Nf3 e4 16.Nfh4 Qd7 17.Ne3 Rfc8 18.Rac1 {Reis,C (2408)-Dieguez Vera,C (2466) ICCF email 2013} ) 14...h5 {The only way to build some pressure. Black is weaker on the kingside, and lacks space in the center.} 15.Nc2 bxa3 16.bxa3 Rab8 17.e4 e5 {If Black can only force White to push his pawn to d5, life would be wonderful. But he would never do that.} 18.Qd3 Nc7 ( {Here objectively best was the trade} 18...exd4 19.Qxd4 {followed by} 19...Nc5 {Giri might have rejected it because of the draw line} 20.Ne3 ( {Or because the simple} 20.f3 $1 {followed by Nc2-e3-f5(d5).} ) 20...Ncxe4 21.Nd5 Nxd5 22.Qxe4 Qxe4+ 23.Nxe4 {where only White can win.} ) 19.Rab1 Ne6 {So far White believed his opponent played well and managed to create certain kingside threats.} 20.Rb5 ( {Grischuk disliked} 20.h4 {because of} 20...Nd7 {which creates the threat of a capture on h4, for example after} 21.f3 ( {However} 21.Nf1 {looks fine for White instead.} ) 21...Qxh4 22.gxh4 Nf4+ ) ( {And against} 20.Re1 {Black can create threats with} 20...h4 21.Nf3 {And now not} 21...Nh5 {due to} ( {But rather} 21...h3+ 22.Kxh3 ( {Or} 22.Kg1 Ng4 {building kingside pressure.} ) 22...Nh5 {with a strong attack. (Grischuk)} ) 22.Kf1 {and White is fine. (Grischuk)} ) 20...Rfe8 ( {Objectively} 20...Nc7 21.Rb2 Ne6 {(Grischuk) might have been safer as it is not clear what did White achieve by placing his rook on b2, but Giri avoids the possible repetition and the draw lines.} ) 21.h4 g6 ( {Here, the highly unusual} 21...exd4 22.f3 Rbc8 $1 23.Nxd4 Nxd4 24.Qxd4 Rc5 25.Rxb6 d5 $3 {would have promised Black counterplay. True, good enough to maintain the equilibrium only.} ) 22.f3 $1 {Now White's plan becomes obvious. After covering all the central squares he is ready to re-route his d2 knight to the d5 outpost, a plan Giri has missed.} 22...Nd7 23.Nf1 $1 {Now White forces the central trades at last and this is favorable for him.} 23...exd4 24.Nxd4 Ne5 25.Qe2 Nxd4 ( 25...Rec8 26.Ne3 {keeps everything under control.} ) 26.Rxd4 {The d5-outpost is far more valuable than the e5-square, plus White's rooks attack on the half-open files which makes his position much better.} 26...Nc6 27.Rd1 Qe6 28.Ne3 Ne7 ( {Grischuk thought that Giri's last chance was} 28...f5 {to which he planned} 29.Qb2 {with the intention to meet} ( 29.Rbd5 $1 {looks even stronger.} ) 29...fxe4 {with} ( {The Russian GM also calculated the safe line} 29...Ne7 30.Rxb6 Rxb6 31.Qxb6 fxe4 32.f4 Nf5 33.Nxf5 Qxf5 34.Qxd6 e3 35.Qd5+ Qxd5+ 36.cxd5 e2 37.Re1 Re3 {when, of course, only White can play for a win.} ) 30.f4 Ne7 31.Rg5 {and f4-f5 is unstoppable.} ) ( {Perhaps Black needed to try} 28...Ne5 ) 29.Qd2 {\"Already he has no moves.\" (Grischuk)} 29...f5 ( {Against} 29...Red8 {White planned the spectacular} 30.Qb2 Nc8 31.c5 $1 {(Grischuk)} ) 30.Qxd6 Nc6 31.exf5 gxf5 {Practically resigning.} ( {However, the alternative was a mating attack which White had already calculated:} 31...Qxe3 32.Qxg6+ Kf8 33.f6 Qe2+ 34.Kh3 Qe6+ 35.g4 hxg4+ 36.Kg3 Rb7 37.Qh6+ Kf7 ( 37...Kg8 38.Rg5+ ) 38.Qg7# {(Grischuk)} ) 32.Qxe6+ Rxe6 33.Nxf5 {Two pawns down, without counterplay Black has nothing to hope for. Giri kept playing moves until finally accepting the bitter truth.} 33...Ne5 34.Rd6 Ree8 35.Rd4 Nc6 36.Rd2 Rbd8 37.Rxd8 Rxd8 38.Rd5 Rxd5 39.cxd5 Ne5 40.Nd6 Kf8 41.Kf2 Ke7 42.Nb5 Kf6 43.Ke3 Kf5 44.Nd6+ Kf6 45.Ke4 Nd7 46.Kd4 Ke7 47.Nb5 Kf6 48.Nc3 Kf5 49.Ne4 Kg6 50.g4 b5 51.Nc5 1-0

[Event "New In Chess Classic | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.04.27"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7907861104213"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 {Quite a fashionable line for rapid and blitz events these days.} 4...Nc6 5.Nbd2 Qb6 ( {Black can also challenge the knight at once with} 5...Nh5 6.dxc5 Nxf4 7.exf4 g6 8.c3 Bg7 9.Bb5 O-O 10.O-O d4 {Kamsky,G (2665)-Matlakov, M (2688) Online 2021} ) 6.dxc5 Qxb2 7.Rb1 Qc3 8.Bb5 {White's pawn structure is crippled, but he is ahead in development and that's definitely to the taste of Aronian.} 8...g6 9.e4 Bg7 {This might not be accurate, at least according to the engine.} ( {It makes sense to throw in the move} 9...a6 {first, forcing the bishop to a less stable position. After} 10.Ba4 ( 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 {should be OK for Black.} ) 10...Bg7 11.Be5 {Black can already capture the pawn with} 11...Qxc5 {as} 12.Bd4 {can be met with} 12...Qa3 $1 {hitting the white bishop.} ) 10.Be5 $1 $146 {A strong novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw a crazy attack after} 10.O-O Nxe4 11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.Ng5 Qxc5 13.Nxe4 Qf5 14.Bxc6+ bxc6 15.Nd6+ exd6 16.Qxd6 Qd5 17.Rfe1+ Be6 18.Rb8+ Rxb8 19.Qxb8+ Qd8 20.Qb4 a5 21.Qa3 Bf6 22.Bh6 Qb6 {which Black survived and eventually won in Demchenko,A (2632)-Le,Q (2709) Chess.com 2020} ) 10...Qa5 ( {Notice that with the bishop defended on b5} 10...Qxc5 $2 {loses to} 11.Bd4 Qd6 ( 11...Qa3 12.exd5 ) 12.e5 Qe6 13.Ng5 ) 11.exd5 a6 12.Bxc6+ bxc6 13.d6 $1 {In order to expose the king. So is careful though and answers} 13...O-O $1 14.dxe7 Re8 {Still, Black's position is not perfectly safe, and he needs a few tempi to collect the e7-pawn and finish the development. In the meantime, Aronian will create a lot of trouble.} 15.O-O ( {Also interesting is} 15.Bd6 $5 {trying to keep the pawn on e7 alive, even at the cost of an exchange:} 15...Ne4 16.O-O Nc3 17.Qe1 Nxb1 18.Qxb1 Bf5 {White has full compensation for the pawn, but Black also starts to bring his pieces out.} ) 15...Qxc5 {Best again.} ( {For after} 15...Rxe7 $2 {all the black major pieces will suffer the attacks of the annoying white knight.} 16.Nc4 Qxc5 17.Nb6 $1 ) 16.Re1 {Bringing the rooks in. But there is an even better idea.} ( {The other rook is also eager to jump in:} 16.Rb3 $1 {therefore deserves serious investigation with the point} 16...Qxe7 ( 16...Rxe7 17.Rc3 {looks good for White as well.} ) 17.Qa1 $1 {Now all the white pieces are very harmoniously developed, and he is better after something like} 17...Be6 18.Re3 ) 16...Bf5 ( {So misses a chance to equalize in full:} 16...Rxe7 $1 {would be accurate, for example} 17.Bd4 Rxe1+ 18.Qxe1 Qxc2 $1 {Now it seems as Black is in trouble after} ( 18...Qf5 {is not as convincing due to} 19.Nc4 ) 19.Qe7 {but there is the saving exchange combination} 19...Bg4 $1 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Qxf6 Bxf3 22.Qxf3 Qxd2 23.Qxc6 Qd8 {with a draw.} ) 17.Bd4 {Here and on the next moves, White could have played the h2-h3 prophylaxis.} ( {For example, in the line} 17.Rb7 $5 Rxe7 18.Rxe7 Qxe7 19.h3 ) 17...Qd5 ( {The endgame looks safer after} 17...Qxc2 $1 18.Qxc2 Bxc2 19.Rbc1 Bf5 20.Rxc6 Nd5 {The fewer pieces, the better the chance that the e7-pawn will drop.} ) 18.Rb3 ( 18.h3 $5 {is still there, but why it is so important is not that clear (see below).} ) 18...c5 19.Re5 {Aronian has a very concrete idea in mind.} ( {But he is missing a good chance to fix his advantage with} 19.c4 $1 Qc6 20.Bb2 ) 19...Qd7 20.Bxc5 Ne4 {And this allows White a chance to demonstrate his idea.} ( {Strong is} 20...Ng4 $1 {This is where we see why h2-h3 was a good idea for White!} 21.Re1 Rac8 {and according to the engine, Black should be fine!} ) 21.Rd3 Qb7 22.Nxe4 $1 {That's the point! For the exchange Aronian removes the two light pieces that could worry his e7-passer. But what's more, he opens the dark squares around the enemy king and launches an attack against it at once.} 22...Bxe5 23.Nxe5 Qxe4 24.Rd8 {Obvious and dangerous for Black.} ( {However,} 24.Re3 $1 {might have been even better, for example} 24...Qxc2 25.Qxc2 Bxc2 26.Nd7 f5 27.Nf6+ Kf7 28.Nxe8 Rxe8 {with excellent winning chances for White.} ) 24...Kg7 {This loses on the spot. Two other moves deserve serious attention.} ( {Both} 24...Qxc2 ) ( {And} 24...Rc8 {lead to positions that the machine claims it can hold.} ) 25.f3 {White opens air for the king and kicks away the queen from its strong position. What more can you expect from a move?} ( {It turns out, however, that the preliminary} 25.g4 $3 {would have solved the problem of the vulnerable white king. In the line} 25...Be6 26.f3 Qf4 27.Rxa8 Rxa8 28.Qd8 Qc1+ 29.Kg2 Qxc2+ 30.Bf2 {the checks are over, and White wins in a similar fashion as in the game after} 30...Qc8 31.e8=N+ $3 {with a decisive attack} 31...Kf8 32.Qd6+ Kxe8 33.Bc5 ) 25...Qxc2 26.Qd4 f6 27.Rxa8 Rxa8 28.Nc4 {Now So gets a chance to give a lot of checks:} 28...Qb1+ 29.Kf2 Qxa2+ ( {Also good is} 29...Re8 {The rook belongs to this square, as it is easier to defend it there. Then} 30.Nd6 Qxa2+ 31.Kg3 Bd7 {looks safe enough for Black.} ) 30.Kg3 Qe2 {So is playing for mate too! But that falls short by one move.} ( {Once more} 30...Re8 $1 {is mandatory in order to defend the rook after} 31.Qd8 Qa4 $1 {when White has enough for the exchange but does not seem to be winning.} ) 31.Qd8 {That is the difference: Black cannot simultaneously defend the rook on a8 and block the passer.} 31...Qe1+ 32.Bf2 Qc1 {But So saw this strong mating threat and obviously felt it should be OK for him.} 33.e8=N+ $3 {That's what Black missed! The unusual underpromotion quickly wins for White.} ( {It's a funny moment of the game that Aronian tweeted about as he was afraid that the system might automatically promote to a queen} 33.e8=Q {Which is not quite desirable for White} 33...Qg5# ) 33...Kh6 34.Qxf6 Rxe8 35.Nd6 $1 {Threatens mate.} 35...Qc7 {Pin is the only chance, but the neat} 36.Bb6 $1 {finishes all of Black's hopes.} 36...Qb8 ( {Since} 36...Qxb6 {provides a decent choice of mates:} 37.Nxf5+ ( 37.Nf7+ Kh5 38.Qg5# ) 37...Kh5 38.Qh4# ) 37.Bd4 {Mate on h4 is unstoppable.} 1-0

[Event "New In Chess Classic | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.04.28"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "D55"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[Beauty "6946056864346"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 e6 {Nakamura's super-solid symmetrical strategy as Black is no surprise for anyone.} 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.e3 O-O 8.Rc1 c6 9.h4 {A move once tried by Aronian against Carlsen.} ( {The main line remains} 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.O-O dxc4 11.Bxc4 c5 12.Qe2 cxd4 13.exd4 Nb6 14.Bd3 g6 15.Be4 {with a typical isolated queen's pawn position in Radjabov,T (2765)-So,W (2770) Online 2021} ) 9...g6 10.h5 {Le needs to win the second mini-match to make it to the blitz games and apparently spent a good amount of time preparing this super-sharp line. With his last move he opens up the b1-h7 diagonal.} 10...g5 11.Bd3 Nd7 12.Bb1 {and quickly builds an attacking battery.} 12...Bg7 13.cxd5 $146 {And that is a novelty.} ( {The predecessor was the following spectacular game by two top female players:} 13.Qc2 Re8 14.Ne5 Qf6 15.Qh7+ Kf8 16.f4 gxf4 17.exf4 Nxe5 18.fxe5 Qf4 19.Ne2 Qg5 20.Rc3 {Cmilyte,V (2503)-Zatonskih,A (2506) Tbilisi 2012} ) 13...cxd5 ( {Safer seems} 13...exd5 $1 {when Nakamura probably feared the hole on f5 after} 14.Ne2 {followed by Ne2-g3-f5.} ) 14.Qd3 Re8 15.Nb5 $1 {An important move in Le's strategy. The inclusion of this knight helps the kingside attack because the knight moves rapidly, thanks to the fork threats.} 15...Re7 ( {Initially, the computer suggests the preliminary check as a better defense, so} 15...Qa5+ 16.Ke2 {because the rook looks better on the d8-square. It does not obstruct the black king. However, if we prolong the line with} 16...Rd8 17.Nc7 Rb8 18.Nxg5 hxg5 19.Qh7+ Kf8 20.h6 Bf6 {we see that White keeps a huge attack with} 21.Bg6 $1 fxg6 22.Nxe6+ Ke8 23.Nc7+ Kf8 24.Qxg6 {and White seems winning.} ) 16.Nxg5 $1 {The point behind White's attack. The modest h-pawn joins the battle, and the rook behind it is peeking at the black king.} 16...hxg5 ( {This time} 16...Qa5+ {does not slow White down at all, and he is going to execute the same idea as in the game:} 17.Ke2 hxg5 18.h6 Bf6 19.Qh7+ Kf8 20.Nc7 Rb8 21.Rh5 $1 {That's the point. Rh5xg5 is unstoppable threat, e.g.} 21...Nb6 22.Rxg5 Bxg5 23.Qh8# ) 17.h6 {This pawn causes havoc in Black's camp.} 17...Bf6 18.Qh7+ Kf8 19.Rh5 {There comes the rook too. The pawn had opened its road towards the king's residency.} ( {However, the preliminary} 19.Nc7 $1 {might have been even better, keeping the black queen passive. Then} 19...Rb8 ( {Perhaps} 19...Nb6 {is more resilient, although here too White has a huge attack with} 20.Nxa8 Nxa8 21.Rh5 Re8 22.Rxg5 $1 {Then} 22...Bxg5 23.Qg7+ Ke7 24.Qxg5+ f6 25.Qg7+ Kd6 26.Ke2 $1 {leads to a position with a large edge for White.} ) 20.Rh5 Nb6 21.Rxg5 Rxc7 22.Rxc7 Qxc7 {White now has the stunning reinforcement} 23.Rg7 $3 Qc1+ 24.Ke2 {Checks are over and after} 24...Ke7 25.Rxf7+ Kd6 26.Rxf6 {White is winning.} ) 19...Qa5+ $1 {Nakamura does not miss his chance.} 20.Rc3 $3 {But Le is as cold as ice! A knight is not as important as a tempo!} ( {Retreat was never part of his mindset:} 20.Nc3 Re8 21.Rxg5 {allows Black the time to take a breath and consolidate with} 21...Ke7 22.Rg8 Rxg8 23.Qxg8 {Now} 23...Nb6 $1 {quickly brings in the black rook, and he is doing fine.} ( {But not} 23...Nf8 24.g4 $1 ) 24.g4 Bd7 ) 20...Qxb5 21.Rxg5 $1 Re8 $1 {The only defense.} ( {Everything else is mate} 21...Bxg5 22.Qh8# ) ( 21...Ke8 22.Rg8+ Nf8 23.Qg7 $3 ) 22.Bg6 $1 {Mate seems inevitable.} ( {Here} 22.Rg7 {does not work due to} 22...Bxg7 23.hxg7+ Ke7 24.g8=Q Rxg8 25.Qxg8 Qxb2 ) 22...Ke7 {But Nakamura's king is too slippery and escapes toward the center.} ( {Or mate after} 22...fxg6 23.Rxg6 ) 23.Qxf7+ Kd6 24.e4 {Very obvious, very dangerous.} ( {However,} 24.Qxe8 $1 {would have won instead. Perhaps Le only saw} 24...Bxg5 25.h7 Qxb2 26.h8=Q {which leads to a very complex position which the computer labels as approximate equality after} ( {However, the super-cool} 26.Rc2 $3 {would have won in study-like fashion:} 26...Qa1+ 27.Ke2 Bf6 {And now} ( {Here} 27...b6 {is not enough after} 28.Rxc8 Rxc8 29.Qxc8 Qxa2+ 30.Kf3 Bh4 31.g3 ) 28.h8=N $3 {Another super-underpromotion after Aronian's effort yesterday.} 28...Bxh8 29.Bf7 {and mate is inevitable.} ) 26...Qxc3+ 27.Ke2 b6 $1 28.Bd3 Bh4 {although one needs to spend some time digesting this position and figuring out why it should be equal.} ) 24...Bxd4 $1 {The only move. A super-defender like Nakamura finds the only moves with remarkable ease.} ( {Greed is punished:} 24...Bxg5 25.e5+ Nxe5 26.Qc7# ) 25.e5+ Bxe5 26.Rxe5 $1 {That was White's point.} 26...Qxb2 {It is time for Black to demonstrate that he can create threats too.} ( {With mate after} 26...Nxe5 27.Qc7# ) ( {Whereas the obvious capture loses to} 26...Kxe5 27.Qxe8 Qxb2 28.Qh8+ Kd6 29.Rc6+ $1 ) ( {However,} 26...Re7 $1 {might have repelled the attack in a good way} 27.Qxe7+ Kxe7 28.h7 Nxe5 29.h8=Q Nxg6 30.Qg7+ Kd8 31.Qxg6 Qd7 32.Qf6+ Qe7 {and Black keeps the extra piece.} ) 27.Ree3 Re7 28.h7 {Misses a chance to gain the advantage.} ( {With the powerful} 28.Qg8 $1 d4 29.Rcd3 b6 30.h7 Bb7 31.Rxd4+ Qxd4 32.Rd3 Qxd3 33.Bxd3 ) 28...Qa1+ 29.Ke2 Qb2+ 30.Kf1 Qa1+ 31.Re1 {Le rejects the draw, and this is a mistake!} ( {After} 31.Ke2 {Black can keep checking, or he may try first} 31...Rxf7 32.Bxf7 Qb2+ {when White can never escape from the perpetual:} 33.Ke1 ( 33.Kf3 $4 Ne5+ ) 33...Qa1+ ) 31...Qxc3 32.Qf4+ e5 33.Qh6 ( {Maybe here the Vietnamese GM spotted that} 33.h8=Q {loses to} 33...Qxe1+ $1 34.Kxe1 exf4+ ) 33...Rxh7 {The most practical move. The annoying pawn needs to be destroyed at once.} ( {However, the fantastic} 33...Re6 $3 {would have won instead. White would get a second queen, yes} 34.h8=Q b6 35.Q8g7 Ba6+ 36.Kg1 Qxe1+ 37.Kh2 Qxf2 {But does the white queen stand a chance fighting the many black pieces?} ) 34.Bxh7+ Ke7 35.Qg7+ {Now the attack rekindles once more.} 35...Kd8 36.Qg5+ Ke8 ( {Surely not} 36...Kc7 $4 37.Rc1 ) 37.Rc1 Qb4 {As strange as it seems, this loses.} ( {The queen needed to \"stick\" to the white rook with either} 37...Qa3 $1 38.Bg6+ ) ( {Or} 37...Qb2 $1 {when White would not have anything else but to force a perpetual check.} ) 38.Bg6+ Kf8 39.Qd8+ ( {Missing the last chance to finish this fabulous game with a direct attack:} 39.Qf5+ $1 {would have won. Then after} 39...Ke7 ( {Or} 39...Kg7 40.Qf7+ Kh6 41.Bf5 $1 {mating.} ) 40.Qf7+ Kd6 {White has a chance to bring in the bishop} 41.Bf5 $1 {This would not have been possible if the black queen was hitting the enemy rook! Now Black loses:} 41...Nc5 42.Qf8+ Kc6 43.Bxc8 ) 39...Kg7 40.Bf5 Qf8 41.Qg5+ Kf7 42.Rc3 {This seems decisive, but there is again a defense.} 42...e4 $1 43.Qg6+ Ke7 44.Qe6+ Kd8 45.Qxd5 ( {Once more the Vietnamese GM rejects the possible draw after} 45.Rxc8+ Kxc8 46.Qxd7+ Kb8 47.Qxd5 a6 {White has full compensation for the exchange, but it will likely end in perpetual sooner or later.} ) 45...Qg7 46.Qc4 {The decisive blunder!} ( {Le would have had enough compensation for the piece in case of either} 46.Rc1 $1 ) ( {Or} 46.Rc2 $1 {A piece is a piece, but the black king is in constant trouble and that makes White's position easier to play.} ) 46...Nb6 {Oh no, there are no checks available on the d-file!} 47.Qc5 Bxf5 48.Qd6+ Nd7 {Nakamura survived and once again proved that he is one of the best defenders of our time.} 49.Rg3 Qa1+ 50.Ke2 Qxa2+ 51.Ke3 Rc8 {A great game by both players!} 0-1

[Event "New In Chess Classic | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.04.29"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "A47"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[Beauty "5983963187744"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4 b6 4.e3 Bb7 5.Bd3 Be7 6.h3 {In a must-win situation, Aronian chooses to keep as many pieces on the board as he can.} 6...c5 7.c3 cxd4 ( {A similar play leads to} 7...O-O 8.O-O d6 9.Qe2 Nbd7 10.Nbd2 Re8 11.Bh2 Bf8 12.e4 cxd4 13.cxd4 e5 {Tari,A (2639)-Pichot,A (2630) Online 2021} ) 8.exd4 O-O 9.O-O d6 10.Re1 Nbd7 11.a4 $5 {White's plan is to gain as much space on the queenside and ideally provoke weaknesses there.} 11...a6 12.Bg3 $146 {A novelty.} ( {An earlier game demonstrated White's main idea:} 12.Na3 Re8 13.Bh2 Nf8 14.Nc4 Ng6 15.a5 {The b6-point has been opened for the white knight, but Black quickly got rid of it after} 15...b5 16.Nb6 Rb8 17.Nd2 Nd7 18.Nxd7 Qxd7 19.Qg4 {Vitiugov,N (2722)-Cordova,E (2592) Chess.com 2020} ) 12...Re8 13.Na3 Bf8 ( {Carlsen could have played like Cordova above with} 13...Nf8 $5 {followed by Nf8-g6, Be7-f8, eventually preparing e6-e5.} ) 14.Nc4 Qc7 15.Nfd2 b5 {This move will likely be played sooner or later.} ( {However, it made sense to postpone it for a while and try} 15...Bc6 {instead, e.g.} 16.Qe2 b5 17.axb5 ( {Although here too White can fight for the edge with} 17.Na5 $5 Bd5 18.axb5 axb5 19.Nab3 Rxa1 20.Rxa1 {but then Black may try for active counterplay in the center with} 20...e5 ) 17...axb5 18.Ne3 Qb6 {and Black's position seems solid enough.} ) 16.Na3 {Putting more pressure on Black.} ( 16.axb5 {seems to promise White less after} 16...axb5 17.Na3 b4 18.cxb4 Qb6 19.Nc2 Rxa1 20.Qxa1 Qc6 ) 16...bxa4 17.Qxa4 Bc6 18.Qc2 Qb7 {Carlsen played this obvious move very quickly, but it is a blunder.} ( 18...e5 19.dxe5 Nxe5 {with active play in returned for the ruined pawn structure was called for.} ) 19.Nac4 $1 {Blitzed instantly. After this the world champion started shaking his head in disbelief...} 19...Qc7 {...and accepted the loss of two important tempi as calmly as he could under the circumstances.} ( {Of course, not} 19...Bxg2 $4 20.Na5 ) 20.Na5 Ra7 21.Nxc6 {capturing the excellent bishop at once.} ( {And there was a second promising idea:} 21.c4 $5 Ba8 22.c5 ) 21...Qxc6 22.b4 ( {Also good was to put pressure on the weak a6-pawn at once with} 22.Ra5 $5 {when after the tripling of White's major pieces along the a-file the pawn is doomed.} ) 22...Rc8 23.c4 ( {Here too} 23.Ra3 $5 {is quite tempting as} 23...d5 $2 {is never an option due to} 24.b5 ) 23...e5 $1 {Carlsen fights fiercely for his life. This is the only way to demonstrate some activity and to bring the pieces into the game.} 24.dxe5 Nxe5 25.Bf1 {White's better pawn structure and bishop pair allow him the luxury to play without any rush. The move in the game prepares the queenside break.} ( {The other way to play is} 25.Bxe5 $5 dxe5 26.c5 {intending to put the knight on a5. Whether or not Black pushes his a-pawn} 26...a5 27.Nb3 a4 28.Na5 {the passers will soon move decisively to the promotional zone.} ) 25...Rb7 26.Qb3 Rcb8 27.b5 axb5 28.cxb5 {An outside passer has been added to White's assets. His advantage is growing.} 28...Qb6 29.Nc4 Nxc4 30.Bxc4 {Now the last thing Aronian needs to do is to clear the path for his passer. He can remove some of the blockaders with his rooks, but ideally, he needs his dark-squared bishop transferred on the g1-a7 diagonal.} 30...Rc8 31.Ra6 ( {Stronger seems} 31.Rec1 $5 d5 32.Bd3 Rxc1+ 33.Rxc1 {followed by Qb3-b1(a4) and Rc1-c6.} ) 31...Qc5 {Active defense again.} 32.Bd3 ( {Or the slightly safer} 32.Bf1 $5 d5 33.Rd1 ) 32...d5 33.Bf4 {Aronian is almost there, but Carlsen has...} ( 33.Qa4 $1 {would have been more accurate instead.} ) 33...Ne4 34.Be3 d4 35.Bf4 Nc3 {...finally bringing the knight into an optimal position and blocking the c-file. In the meanwhile, the g1-a7 diagonal has been locked and White's task became definitely more difficult. Have I also mentioned that Aronian was running very low on time?} 36.Re5 Qb4 {One more achievement for the world champion: the queens are swapped.} 37.Qxb4 Bxb4 38.g4 $1 {But White is still in control. With his last move, Aronian searches for a second weakness on the kingside, and his majesty looks like a promising candidate for that role!} 38...g6 39.Kg2 {An automatic, improving move in time trouble.} ( {However,} 39.h4 $1 {is a much more useful move here, when} 39...Rcb8 ( {Black cannot remove the annoying rook from the fifth rank that easily:} 39...Kg7 40.h5 f6 41.Rc6 $1 Rbc7 42.h6+ Kf7 43.Bc4+ $1 {and Black is mated.} ) 40.h5 Nxb5 {is not working for the second player due to} 41.Be4 $1 Rb6 42.Rxb6 Rxb6 43.Re8+ Kg7 {And now we see why the pawns were advanced. They can execute the final blows} 44.h6+ Kf6 45.g5# ) 39...Rcb8 $1 {It is dangerous standing against the bishop, but dealing with the passer on b5 is much more important.} 40.Re1 Rd8 ( {Not yet} 40...Nxb5 $2 41.Rb1 Nc7 42.Rc6 Ba5 43.Rbc1 ) 41.Bg5 ( {Missing the strong} 41.Rea1 $1 {with the idea to meet the capture} 41...Nxb5 {with} 42.Be4 {when the board is suddenly too narrow for the black rooks, and White wins the exchange after} 42...Rbd7 43.Bc6 Nc7 44.Ra7 Ne6 45.Rxd7 Rxd7 46.Bxd7 Nxf4+ 47.Kg3 Bd6 ) 41...Rdb8 42.Bf4 Rd8 43.Re5 Rdb8 44.Rc6 $1 {Taking under control the c7-spot.} ( {As in the line} 44.h4 Nxb5 45.Rd5 {The knight can retreat to} 45...Nc7 ) 44...Nxb5 {Ufff, finally one major pain is removed. However, the black pieces are still in trouble} 45.Rd5 Na7 $1 {But Carlsen skillfully maneuvers in a tight space.} 46.Rc1 Re8 47.Rb1 Rb6 $1 {With only a few seconds left on their clocks, both players intuitively find the best moves.} ( {Correctly avoiding} 47...Ree7 48.Bh6 ) 48.Bc7 {Now Carlsen almost escapes.} ( 48.Rxd4 {would not have promised White much after} 48...Bc5 ) ( {However,} 48.Bc4 $1 {would have kept strong pressure thanks to the perfect coordination of the white pieces.} ) 48...Rc6 49.Rd7 Re7 50.Rd8+ Kg7 51.Bf4 Ba5 ( {Safer is} 51...Rb6 52.Rd5 Nc6 {brining the knight in.} ) 52.Ra8 Rc8 $1 {Just in time trading one of the key attackers.} 53.Rbb8 Rxb8 54.Bxb8 Bb6 {This looks safe, but that actually allows one last attacking wave.} ( {Black would have been safe after} 54...Nc6 $1 55.Bd6 Rd7 56.Bf8+ Kg8 $1 {But who on earth would put his king in front of a discovered check in time pressure?} ( {Not} 56...Kf6 57.Re8 {as in the game.} ) ) 55.Bd6 $1 Rd7 56.Bf8+ {Pulls the king out.} 56...Kf6 57.Rb8 ( 57.Re8 $1 {at once is needed.} ) 57...Ba5 ( 57...Bd8 $1 {would save Black instead.} ) 58.Re8 $1 {There it is! The black king is in a mating cage again. All White wants now is to push his kingside pawns up: f2-f4 and then g4-g5, or h3-h4 and then g4-g5 would be mate. Carlsen is helpless.} 58...Bc7 ( {In case of the more resilient} 58...Bd2 59.h4 h6 {White can modify his attacking setup with} 60.Re2 Bf4 61.Kf3 g5 62.Ra2 Nc8 63.Ra5 {winning.} ) 59.h4 g5 ( {The endgame after} 59...Bf4 60.g5+ Bxg5 61.hxg5+ Kxg5 62.Be7+ {is lost for Black. White's bishops are too strong.} ) 60.Bf5 Rd5 61.Be7+ Ke5 62.Bc5+ {The most practical.} ( {There is no need to allow any complications, say after} 62.hxg5 Kf4 $1 ) 62...Kf6 63.hxg5+ Kxg5 64.Bxa7 d3 65.Be3+ Kf6 66.Bd2 h5 67.Be4 Rb5 68.g5+ 1-0

[Event "New In Chess Classic | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.04.30"]
[Round "15.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "6873424076359"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 Bd6 5.Nbd2 b6 6.Bg3 O-O 7.Bd3 Ba6 {The swap of the light-squared bishops is one of the safest ideas against the London.} 8.Rc1 ( {Another recent GM game saw players discussing the symmetrical position after:} 8.Bxa6 Nxa6 9.O-O c5 10.c4 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Nc5 12.Qe2 Rc8 13.Rac1 Bxg3 14.hxg3 Qd7 15.Rfd1 Rfd8 16.cxd5 Nxd5 17.N2f3 Qb7 {with a slight edge for White in Nihal,S (2620)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2784) Chess. com INT 2020} ) 8...Bxd3 $146 {It is interesting that in this line it is White who usually doubles the opponent's pawns after capturing on d6.} ( {The predecessor was:} 8...c5 9.dxc5 bxc5 10.c4 Bb7 11.Qb3 Bc6 12.Ne5 dxc4 13.Qxc4 Bxg2 {Kostelidou,D (1293)-Koutsouraki,A (1540) Patras 2019} ) 9.cxd3 c5 10.Qa4 {Aronian is trying to inhibit the opponent's normal development.} ( {After:} 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.Qa4 a5 12.O-O Nfd7 {Black has no problems at all.} ) 10...Be7 $1 {Carlsen moves the bishop away from the vulnerable position, thus preparing both Nb8-d7 and the move in the game.} 11.O-O Qd7 12.Qxd7 {After this trade White has no advantage at all.} ( {Or:} 12.Qb3 Nc6 {and the knight is out.} ) 12...Nbxd7 13.Rc2 a5 {In fact, Black's position is much easier to play. He has a clear play on the queenside, and the annoying white's bishop influence can be easily bypassed by the maneuver Ra8-a7-b7. Speaking of the white bishop, it might soon become a problematic, empty bishop: seemingly active, but in reality, ineffective.} 14.a4 {Probably missing Black's next move.} ( {Safer is:} 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.d4 {Initiating further trades as:} 15...c4 16.b3 {is equal.} ) 14...Nb8 $1 {A nice detour. The knights are very good with such maneuvers. They see an outpost and run towards it without worrying about the speed.} 15.Ra1 {After this White's position is really bad.} ( {Aronian should have adopted the following defensive setup:} 15.Bxb8 Rfxb8 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.b3 {Black is more pleasant still, but it looks quite solid for the first player.} ) 15...Nc6 16.Kf1 Rfc8 {There is no rush to place the knight on the outpost; it is not going anywhere.} 17.Ke2 Nd7 18.Nb3 {On the queenside, Carlsen achieved a lot. It is time to gain space on the opposite wing.} 18...h5 $1 {Instructive play by the world champion!} 19.h4 {That weakens the g4-point.} ( {Nothing changes:} 19.h3 g5 ) 19...f6 {Intending to lock up the bishop with e6-e5.} 20.dxc5 ( {Or:} 20.Rcc1 Kf7 {followed by e6-e5 and Kf7-e6.} ) 20...bxc5 21.d4 {Finally Aronian decided to clarify the queenside situation but in the process opened the b-file for the black rooks.} 21...Nb4 $1 ( {Not yet:} 21...c4 22.Nbd2 {followed by b2-b3 that helps White.} ) 22.Rc3 Kf7 {Carlsen is following his idea of a bishop exclusion.} ( {However, here:} 22...c4 $1 {would be accurate as:} 23.Nbd2 Nb6 $1 {Comes just in time, and if White wants to trade the pawns:} 24.b3 cxb3 25.Rxb3 {He would have to part with the open c-file:} 25...Rc6 {and this means a clear edge for Black.} ) 23.dxc5 e5 {The bishop on g3 is out of the game indefinitely, and the black rooks own the b-file in full.} 24.Nfd2 ( {Notice that there no way for the c-pawn to be defended:} 24.Rac1 $2 Na2 ) 24...Ke6 {Obvious but not accurate here.} ( {Carlsen would have secured a large advantage with:} 24...Nxc5 25.Rac1 Nxb3 26.Rxc8 Nxc1+ 27.Rxc1 Rb8 {White's weaknesses will be soon felt.} ) 25.f4 $1 {Aronian grabs the only chance to demonstrate activity. Otherwise, he knows he would be slowly squeezed on the queenside.} 25...Nc6 ( {Not letting the bishop out:} 25...exf4 26.Bxf4 ) 26.fxe5 {Now Black is in control again.} ( {There is a masked counterplay in the line:} 26.Rd1 Rab8 27.Nf3 Rb4 28.Rcd3 {The pawn on d5 is the only realistic object to attack. Then} 28...Nxc5 ( 28...e4 {leads Black nowhere after:} 29.Nfd4+ ) 29.Nxc5+ Bxc5 30.fxe5 $1 {Leaves White in the game.} ( {But not:} 30.Rxd5 Ne7 $1 {followed by Ne7-f5!} ) 30...Rxb2+ 31.R1d2 ) 26...fxe5 27.Nf3 Rcb8 ( {Stronger is:} 27...Rab8 $1 28.Rd1 Rb4 29.Rcd3 Nf6 ) 28.Rb1 {Missing the last chance to attack the d5-spot.} ( {This time the counterplay is extremely difficult to find, even in a classical game:} 28.Rd1 $1 Rb4 29.Rcd3 Nf6 {It seems as Black controls everything, but there is:} 30.Bxe5 $3 Nxe5 31.Nbd4+ Rxd4 32.Nxd4+ Kf7 33.Rb3 {and it is not quite clear.} ) 28...Rb4 $1 {Now it is more than obvious that Carlsen has completely outplayed Aronian.} 29.Nbd2 Rxa4 {The first pawn harvest of the season.} 30.e4 d4 ( {Also good is:} 30...dxe4 31.Ng5+ Kd5 $1 ( 31...Bxg5 32.hxg5 ) ) 31.Rc4 Ra2 {The most natural, obvious move. And one that gave Aronian one last amazing chance.} ( {Instead:} 31...Rxc4 32.Nxc4 Rb8 {would win at once.} ) 32.b3 ( {They both obviously saw that:} 32.Nb3 $1 {is threatening to trap the rook with Nb3-c1. They also, however, saw that Black has the double attack with:} 32...Rb8 {What they missed was that the white pieces can actually enter the game tactically with the stunning:} 33.Nfxd4+ $3 {All of a sudden, anything can happen again:} 33...exd4 ( 33...Nxd4+ $2 {might even lose to:} 34.Nxd4+ exd4 35.Bxb8 Nxb8 36.c6 $1 {and the pawn is unstoppable.} ) 34.Bxb8 Ndxb8 35.Nc1 $1 {The rook is trapped, but Black is still very active and has:} 35...Ne5 {But then:} 36.c6 $1 d3+ 37.Kd1 Na6 38.c7 Nxc7 39.Rxc7 Ra4 {and it is anyone's game.} ) 32...Rb8 {Back to control.} 33.Kd1 Rb5 34.Rbc1 Rxc5 35.R1c2 Ra1+ ( {Or the calm:} 35...Rxc2 36.Rxc2 Rxc2 37.Kxc2 Nc5 ) 36.Rc1 Ra2 37.R1c2 Ra3 38.Ng5+ Kf6 39.Ngf3 Rxc4 40.Rxc4 Nc5 {Aronian tries active play:} 41.Kc2 Ra1 42.Kb2 Rh1 43.b4 {But Carlsen neatly refutes his idea:} 43...Nd3+ ( {It is not too late to go wrong:} 43...axb4 $2 44.Nb3 $1 ) 44.Kb3 Ndxb4 45.Ka4 Ke6 46.Kb5 {And then finishes the game beautifully with:} 46...a4 $1 47.Rxc6+ ( {Or else:} 47.Kxa4 Ra1+ 48.Kb5 {leads to a forcing mate:} ( 48.Kb3 Na5+ ) 48...Ra5+ 49.Kb6 Bd8+ 50.Kb7 Ra7+ 51.Kc8 Rc7# ) 47...Nxc6 48.Kxc6 Rc1+ 49.Kb5 a3 50.Bxe5 Rc5+ 51.Ka4 {One final little trick:} 51...Rxe5 $1 52.Nxe5 a2 0-1

[Event "New In Chess Classic | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.04.24"]
[Round "3.7"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[ECO "E10"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[Beauty "8249982075431"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 b5 {The Blumenfeld gambit is not the most common opening at a top level, but something creative should definitely be expected by these two players!} 5.dxe6 fxe6 6.cxb5 d5 7.g3 a6 {A fresh approach.} ( {The main continuation is} 7...Bd6 ) 8.bxa6 Nc6 9.Bg2 ( {White did more than well in the following game:} 9.Bh3 Rxa6 10.O-O e5 11.Bxc8 Qxc8 12.Bg5 e4 13.Bxf6 exf3 14.Bc3 {with a large advantage for the first player in Korobov,A (2694)-Ponkratov,P (2613) Moscow 2015} ) 9...Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.Nc3 Bxa6 {The opening is more or less over, and Mamedyarov got the usual compensation for the line. Unlike the Benko gambit where Black mainly operates on the half-open a- and b-files, Black searches for a quick kingside attack in the Blumenfeld. He often succeeds in doing so, thanks to his solid center.} 12.b3 h6 ( {The immediate queen transfer is also possible} 12...Qe8 {As} 13.Ng5 Bd6 {is not dangerous for Black.} ) 13.Bb2 $146 {The obvious development is a novelty.} ( {The predecessor was not a huge success for White:} 13.Na4 Ne4 14.Bb2 Bf6 15.Nd2 Bxb2 16.Nxe4 Bxa1 17.Nexc5 Nd4 18.Qxa1 Qf6 19.Nxa6 Nxe2+ {and Black was close to winning in Michalik,P (2584)-Zwardon,V (2383) Czechia 2014} ) 13...Qe8 {Natural and good. That is the main idea of the line. The queen is transferred to the h5-square, next Nf6-g4 will follow and the half-open f-file would provide Black decisive attacking supplies.} 14.Rc1 ( {It made sense to block the light-squared bishop with something like} 14.a4 Rb8 15.Nb5 Bxb5 16.axb5 Rxb5 17.Bh3 {True, in that case Black does not seem to have too many problems either.} ) ( {The other restrictive idea would have been} 14.Na4 Ne4 15.Nd2 {and this time it makes more sense with the black queen no longer controlling the f6-square in comparison to Michalik-Zwardon above.} ) 14...Qh5 15.Re1 ( {In case of the immediate attack against the c5-pawn} 15.Na4 Ne4 16.Ba3 {Black would have likely reacted with} 16...Bb5 17.Bxc5 Bxc5 18.Nxc5 Rxa2 19.Nd3 d4 {with more than enough for the sacrificed pawn.} ) ( {However, in hindsight} 15.h3 {might have been the lesser evil.} ) 15...Rad8 ( 15...d4 $5 {would have been good too:} 16.Na4 Rad8 ) 16.Na4 Ne4 {For the time being Mamedyarov mounts more pressure while keeping his pawn.} ( {Here too} 16...d4 $5 {made a lot of sense with the key idea} 17.Ba3 Ng4 18.h3 Nxf2 $1 {when Black crashes through the center with} 19.Kxf2 d3 20.exd3 ( 20.e3 $2 d2 ) 20...Rxd3 {and the attack is irresistible.} ) 17.Ba3 Ne5 $1 {The time had come to sacrifice the c5-pawn. Since the first knight no longer has access to the g4-square, the Azerbaijani GM brings the second one there.} ( {However, the central break preparation might have promised him even more:} 17...d4 18.b4 {And once more} 18...d3 $1 {sees Black taking over the initiative:} 19.exd3 Rxd3 20.Qe2 Ng5 21.Nxg5 Qxe2 22.Rxe2 Bxg5 {with an edge for Black.} ) 18.Bxc5 Ng4 $3 {Beautiful final preparation. Now everything is ready for the decisive attack. Black only needs to get rid of the key defender on f3.} 19.Bxe7 {Duda thinks that this bishop will save the day, but that is an illusion.} ( {The only chance is} 19.h4 $1 {As ugly as this move is, it is at least buying some time for White to defend. The arising lines are very complicated; however, it seems as the game remains approximately even, e.g.} 19...Bxc5 20.Nxc5 Ngxf2 21.Qd4 Qg4 22.Qe5 Rf6 23.Nxa6 Nh3+ 24.Bxh3 Qxh3 25.Nc5 Nxg3 26.Kf2 Rxf3+ 27.exf3 Qh2+ 28.Ke3 Nf1+ 29.Kd4 Qf2+ 30.Re3 Qb2+ 31.Rcc3 Qd2+ 32.Red3 Qf2+ {with perpetual, because if White tries to deviate with} 33.Re3 Qd2+ 34.Nd3 $2 {he will lose to} 34...Nxe3 35.Qxe3 Qxe3+ 36.Kxe3 d4+ ) 19...Rxf3 $1 {This is what it was all about.} 20.Bh4 ( {The captures obviously lead to mate} 20.exf3 Qxh2# ) ( {Or} 20.Bxf3 Qxh2+ 21.Kf1 Qxf2# ) ( {However,} 20.h3 $1 {would still keep White in the game. Again, the lines are very complicated, but the verdict is that Black is calling the shots, whereas if White is creative enough, it should end in a draw, like} 20...Rxf2 21.Qd4 Rxg2+ 22.Kxg2 Ngf2 23.Bh4 e5 24.Qa7 Rf8 25.Qxa6 Qf5 26.Rh1 g5 27.Qxh6 Nxh1 28.g4 Qf4 29.Qg6+ ) 20...Rxf2 $1 21.Bxe4 ( {After} 21.Qd4 Rdf8 {every single black piece is in the action, and it is no surprise that White cannot withstand the pressure:} 22.Bxe4 dxe4 23.Qxe4 {Now to a beautiful win leads} 23...Bb7 $3 24.Qxb7 Ne3 {Once the knight occupies the e3-square, it is curtains as the simple threat of positioning the queen on the f-file followed by a back-rank mate cannot be prevented. And if} 25.Qe4 Qxe2 $1 {is a nice finish} 26.Rxe2 Rf1+ 27.Rxf1 Rxf1# ) 21...Rxh2 $1 22.Bf3 Rxh4 $1 {Amazing rook! It has cleared the road for the remaining major pieces.} 23.gxh4 Qxh4 24.Bxg4 Qxg4+ 25.Kh2 Qh4+ 26.Kg2 d4 $1 {Creating two threats at the same time. The more obvious one Duda stops:} 27.Nc5 {But after} ( {Nothing helps} 27.e4 dxe3 ) 27...Qg4+ {White resigned.} ( 27...Qg4+ {as he had no argument against the second threat} 28.Kh2 Rd5 ) 0-1

[Event "New In Chess Classic | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.04.25"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8180302094938"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Qb6 5.Nc3 Bd7 ( {The pawn is, of course, poisoned as} 5...Qxb2 6.Nb5 Na6 7.a3 {is known to be crushing.} ) 6.Rb1 e6 7.Be2 ( {Carlsen and Nakamura discussed instead an endgame arising after} 7.a3 Nc6 8.Be2 Nh5 9.Be5 cxd4 10.Bxd4 Nxd4 11.Qxd4 Qxd4 12.exd4 Nf4 13.Bf1 Bd6 {Carlsen,M (2863)-Nakamura,H (2736) Online 2020} ) 7...Nc6 8.O-O cxd4 9.exd4 Rc8 10.a3 Be7 11.Re1 $146 {A logical novelty. In the arising Carlsbad pawn structure, White is getting ready to attack on the kingside. For starters, he waits for his opponent to castle.} ( {An earlier game went} 11.Qd3 O-O 12.b4 Nh5 13.Bd2 Nf6 14.Na4 Qc7 15.Nc5 h6 16.c4 dxc4 17.Qxc4 {Wiesinger,J (2120)-Kukla,T (2158) ICCF email 2013} ) 11...O-O 12.Bd3 {Then he positions his bishop on the optimal diagonal.} 12...a6 {Aronian prepares his queenside play.} ( {However, it made sense to prepare against White's next move with} 12...Qd8 $5 {Then Nf3-e5 is no longer possible as the pawn on d4 hangs.} ) 13.Ne5 Rfd8 ( {The pawn is immune:} 13...Nxd4 $2 14.Be3 {pins the knight indefinitely.} ) ( {Whereas} 13...Qxd4 $2 {drops a whole piece after} 14.Nxc6 Qxf4 ( 14...Bxc6 $2 15.Bxh7+ {would be a queen instead.} ) 15.Nxe7+ ) 14.Bg5 Kf8 $5 {Leaving the danger zone at once.} ( {But there was a good argument for} 14...h6 {questioning the bishop about its intentions at once. Then} 15.Bh4 {leaves the pawn unprotected} ( {and in comparison to the game} 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Qh5 {does not win a pawn due to the simple} 16...Be8 ) ( {Perhaps Firouzja planned} 15.Be3 Be8 16.f4 {building on his kingside attack when the h6-pawn might become a hook.} ) 15...Nxd4 ) 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Qh5 {A double attack, which does not frighten Aronian.} 16...Be8 17.Ng4 $1 {Correctly playing for the attack.} ( {Black would be fine after} 17.Qxh7 Qxd4 ) 17...Bxd4 {But this is a mistake.} ( {Aronian should have thrown in the move} 17...g6 $1 18.Qxh7 {when after} 18...Qxd4 19.Nxf6 ( {Perhaps Black feared that in the line} 19.Nh6 Ne7 {his king is overcrowded, but there is nothing to worry about.} ) 19...Qxf6 {and Black is good.} ) 18.Qxh7 Ke7 ( {This time} 18...g6 {does not help due to} 19.Ne2 $1 {With the major threat} 19...Bg7 20.Bxg6 $1 fxg6 21.Nf4 Rd6 22.Nxe6+ Rxe6 23.Rxe6 {and White has a strong attack for free.} ) 19.Ne2 $1 {Again this powerful idea! The black bishop is not safe in the middle of the board.} 19...Kd6 ( {Or} 19...Bf6 20.Nxf6 gxf6 {when White has a strong attack after either} 21.Ng3 ( {or} 21.Qh4 ) ) 20.c3 Be5 21.Bc2 {With the threat Bc2-a4!} ( {Also good is} 21.b4 $5 Kc7 ( {Or} 21...Bd7 22.c4 ) 22.b5 axb5 23.Bxb5 Bd6 24.Nd4 Qc5 {When both} 25.Qxg7 ( {And} 25.Bxc6 Bxc6 26.Qxg7 {lead to a significant advantage for White.} ) ) 21...f6 {After this, Black's position quickly deteriorates.} ( {More resilient is} 21...Bd7 {although there too after} 22.Ba4 ( {or even} 22.Nxe5 Nxe5 23.Nd4 Rg8 24.Qh3 ) 22...Rh8 23.Qd3 Bf6 24.Qg3+ e5 25.Red1 {White's attack is running by itself, and it seems impossible that the king in the middle can survive.} ) 22.Qxg7 Bh5 23.Nxf6 Rc7 {Now Firouzja gets a chance to finish the game with a direct attack.} ( {Perhaps Aronian forgot that he cannot use the pin} 23...Rf8 24.Qd7+ Kc5 25.b4+ Kc4 ( 25...Kb5 26.a4+ ) 26.Bb3+ Kd3 27.Rbd1# ) 24.Ne4+ $1 dxe4 25.Rbd1+ Kc5 26.b4+ Kc4 27.Qh6 Nxb4 ( {Otherwise, there's an instant checkmate:} 27...Be8 28.Qxe6+ ) ( {Whereas} 27...Bf7 28.Qh4 {would be no better.} ) 28.Qxh5 Bxc3 ( {There is no way out} 28...Nxc2 29.Qxe5 Rxd1 30.Rxd1 Qc6 31.Rd6 ) 29.Nxc3 Nxc2 30.Rxe4+ Kxc3 31.Rxd8 Kb2 32.Qe5+ Kxa3 33.Rd3+ ( 33.Rd3+ Ka2 34.Ra4+ Kb1 35.Rd1# ) 1-0

[Event "New In Chess Classic | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.04.26"]
[Round "11.5"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Tari, Aryan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2531"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8251437485089"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 Bf5 4.e3 e6 5.c4 Bxb1 {Quite a tricky line which So used with both colors.} 6.Qxb1 ( {The other main options are} 6.Rxb1 Bb4+ 7.Ke2 ( {In my Megabase there are even some games featuring} 7.Nd2 $4 Ne4 ) 7...dxc4 8.Qa4+ Nc6 9.Ne5 a5 10.Nxc6 Qd7 11.a3 Bd6 12.g3 Qxc6 13.Qxc6+ bxc6 14.Bg2 {Carlsen,M (2863)-Giri,A (2764) chess24.com INT 2020} ) ( {And} 6.Qa4+ {which worked spectacularly well for Kamsky after} 6...b5 $2 7.cxb5 Be4 8.b6+ Nbd7 9.bxc7 Qe7 10.a3 {and White was already winning, Kamsky,G (2702) -Bortnyk,O (2348) ICC 2010} ) 6...Bb4+ 7.Kd1 Bd6 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bxf6 ( {Some of our readers probably followed this game live on the Chess.com server:} 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3 Ne4 11.Qc2 g4 {with a fighting draw later, Carlsen, M (2832)-So,W (2815) Chess.com 2017. Most likely both players analyzed extensively the arising positions before entering their game in Wijk an Zee next year (see below).} ) 9...Qxf6 10.cxd5 ( {There is also} 10.c5 Bf8 11.Qc2 c6 12.b4 a6 13.Bd3 Nd7 14.Ke2 g5 15.h3 Bg7 16.a4 Qe7 17.Rad1 O-O 18.g4 e5 {So,W (2822)-Wojtaszek,R (2745) Shamkir 2017} ) 10...exd5 11.e4 Be7 ( {In the line} 11...dxe4 $2 12.Qxe4+ {Now after} 12...Qe7 {White can grab the pawn:} 13.Qxb7 {The king's position on d1 helps White.} ) 12.Bb5+ ( {The immediate} 12.e5 {allows the queen to get on a better position with} 12...Qb6 ) 12...Kf8 $146 {Black is ready to castle by hand.} ( {Tari tries to improves... on So's play:} 12...c6 13.e5 Qf4 14.Bd3 c5 15.dxc5 ( {On} 15.Ke2 Nc6 $1 {is strong.} ) 15...Nc6 16.Qc1 Qb4 ( {On} 16...Qg4 {White was likely planning} 17.h3 Qxg2 $2 18.Ke2 ) 17.a3 Qxc5 18.Ke2 ( 18.Qxc5 Bxc5 19.Ke2 Bb6 {is equal instead.} ) 18...Nd4+ ( {Perhaps better is} 18...Qb6 $5 {keeping the knights on the board.} ) 19.Nxd4 Qxd4 20.f4 {Carlsen,M (2834)-So,W (2792) Wijk aan Zee 2018.} ) 13.exd5 g6 ( {Here and on the next moves, it made sense for Black to try and open up the d-file as soon as possible. For example:} 13...c6 $5 {with the idea} 14.Bc4 cxd5 15.Bxd5 Nc6 16.Qe4 Rd8 ) 14.Qe4 Bd6 {Tari decided to block the pawn and finish the development. But as we shall see this plan is too slow.} ( {Black might have feared that after} 14...Kg7 {there is} 15.d6 Qxd6 16.Qxb7 {However, it transpires that Black's initiative is worth the pawn in the line} 16...Nd7 17.Qc6 {and even a piece:} 17...Qb4 $1 18.Qxd7 Rad8 19.Qc6 Rd6 20.Qc4 Qxb2 {with a strong attack.} ) 15.Ne5 ( {The other way to attack is} 15.h4 $5 ) 15...Kg7 ( {The pawn is poisoned:} 15...Qxf2 $2 {loses to} 16.Nxg6+ fxg6 17.Rf1 ) 16.f4 {So managed to stabilize his position and is even ready to attack with f4-f5.} 16...a6 ( {Here} 16...c6 {is not as effective due to} 17.dxc6 Nxc6 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.Rc1 ) 17.Bd3 Rd8 ( {However, this is again a very good moment to search for counterplay with} 17...c6 $1 18.f5 ( {Or} 18.dxc6 Nxc6 ) 18...cxd5 19.Qxd5 Nc6 $1 {Any of the rooks is ready to seize the d-file, and if White goes for the tactics} 20.Nxf7 Qxf7 21.Qxd6 Rhd8 {and then the endgame} 22.Qxg6+ Qxg6 23.fxg6 Rxd4 24.Kc2 {Black's initiative persists after both} 24...Rd6 $5 ( {Or} 24...Rad8 {and Black seems to have enough to keep the equilibrium.} ) ) 18.Rf1 ( {The other way to attack was} 18.h4 c6 19.h5 cxd5 20.Qe3 {and this also seems great for White.} ) 18...Nd7 {Tari finally finishes the development.} ( {This time it is too late for} 18...c6 19.f5 cxd5 20.Qe3 Bxe5 21.dxe5 Qg5 22.Qxg5 hxg5 23.fxg6 fxg6 24.Rf6 {and White is close to winning the endgame.} ) 19.Kc2 {White is also castling by hand.} 19...Qe7 ( {If} 19...c6 20.dxc6 Rac8 21.Rad1 {hiding the king at once.} ) 20.Qf3 Nf6 21.Bc4 {Overprotecting everything.} ( {Even stronger is} 21.Rae1 $1 ) 21...Qe8 {Missing the last chance for counterplay.} ( {Stronger is} 21...b5 22.Bb3 a5 {building some pressure before White manages to coordinate his forces.} ) 22.Rae1 Qa4+ 23.Kb1 Rf8 ( {Alas, there is no time for} 23...b5 24.Bb3 Qxd4 25.Nc6 ) 24.Qd3 {Now everything is read,y and So methodically shatters the opponent's kingside.} 24...Qa5 25.g4 Nxd5 26.f5 g5 27.f6+ $1 {A neat finish.} 27...Kh8 ( {As} 27...Nxf6 28.Bxf7 $1 Rxf7 29.Qg6+ {is mate.} ) 28.Qh3 Nxf6 29.Qxh6+ Nh7 30.Bd3 f5 31.Ng6+ ( {And Black resigned due to} 31.Ng6+ Kg8 32.Bc4+ ) 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Yekaterinburg"]
[Date "2021.04.19"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2820"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "B97"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[Beauty "5640365805606"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 {Vachier-Lagrave lost two painful games in Wijk an Zee earlier this year in the Poisoned Pawn Variation. However, the point of having a reliable opening repertoire is that despite the occasional cracks, the foundation will remain solid and one can repair the building relatively fast and easy.} 8.Qd2 Qxb2 9.Rb1 Qa3 {The other main direction of the line was tested by Radjabov recently:} 10.e5 ( {One of the dreadful games of Vachier-Lagrave was exactly against Caruana. The American GM deviated from the main lines and scored an important victory after} 10.Be2 Nc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.e5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.e6 f6 15.Bh5+ Kd8 16.Bh4 d4 17.Bf2 Qc3 18.f5 Qxd2+ 19.Kxd2 {Caruana,F (2823) -Vachier Lagrave,M (2784) Wijk aan Zee 2021} ) ( {The other main direction of the line was tried against Vachier-Lagrave in the Netherlands and did not end well either:} 10.f5 Be7 ( {Another way to defend is} 10...Nc6 11.fxe6 fxe6 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Be2 Be7 14.e5 dxe5 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Bh5+ g6 17.Ne4 O-O 18.O-O Qe7 19.Bf3 Qa7+ 20.Kh1 Be7 21.Qc3 Rb8 22.h3 Rxb1 23.Rxb1 Qc7 {as in Karjakin,S (2752)-Duda,J (2757) Chess.com 2020} ) 11.fxe6 Bxe6 12.Nxe6 fxe6 13.Bc4 {A fashionable line, and a favorite choice of the Chinese top GM Wei Yi. White's play is very straightforward and logical.} 13...Nbd7 14.Bxe6 Nc5 15.Bb3 {That is an over-the-board novelty.} ( {Both Vachier-Lagrave and Nepomniachtchi defended against the Chinese GM after} 15.Bf5 g6 16.Bh3 Nfxe4 17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Qd4 Qc3+ 19.Qxc3 Nxc3 20.Bxe7 Kxe7 {Wei,Y (2721)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2774) chess.com 2019 and Wei,Y (2736)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2773) Moscow 2019} ) 15...Rc8 {Played without much hesitation.} ( {Another lesson learned by Caruana came in the following game:} 15...Ncxe4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Bf7+ $3 Kxf7 18.Qd5+ Ke8 19.Qxe4 Qa5+ 20.Kd1 Qxg5 21.Rxb7 {which transposes to the game from above. when White regained the piece and eventually won thanks to his superb preparation in Caruana,F (2819)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2779) Stavanger 2019} ) ( {The immediate capture of the bishop} 15...Nxb3 16.Rxb3 Qc5 17.Rxb7 {simply wins a pawn for White.} ) 16.O-O Nxb3 {It's a good moment to get rid of this beast and bring the queen back into the play.} 17.Rxb3 Qc5+ 18.Be3 Qc4 19.Rf4 {With the strong threat of e4-e5.} ( 19.Nd5 {is not dangerous for Black after} 19...Nxd5 20.exd5 Bf6 ) 19...Qe6 $146 {Technically speaking, only this is a novelty. But not a good one. Black spent 18 minutes on his clock and might have messed up the lines.} ( {Perhaps Vachier-Lagrave intended to defend like in the following email game where Black immediately attacked the annoying rook in return:} 19...Nh5 $1 20.Rf1 ( 20.Rf3 Nf6 ) ( 20.Rg4 O-O ) ( 20.Rf5 Nf6 ) 20...Rf8 21.Re1 b5 22.Nd5 Qxc2 23.Qd4 Nf6 24.Qa7 Nxd5 25.exd5 Rc7 26.Qxa6 Kf7 27.h3 Kg8 {and the game eventually ended peacefully, Rothman, I (2158)-Pessoa, F (2525) ICCF email 2010} ) ( {Notice that the queen cannot retreat easily on the c-file:} 19...Qc6 20.Nd5 Qxc2 21.Qxc2 Rxc2 22.Rxb7 {still wins a pawn for White.} ) ( {Whereas} 19...Qc7 20.Nd5 Nxd5 21.Qxd5 Rf8 22.Qh5+ {with a strong atatck would be even more unpleasant than the previous retreat.} ) 20.Rxb7 {Picking up a nice healthy pawnwhile occupying the seventh rank and eventually winning in Grandelius,N (2663)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2784) Wijk aan Zee 2021} ) 10...h6 11.Bh4 dxe5 12.fxe5 Nfd7 13.Ne4 {In this line White often sacrifices three to four pawns in the blink of an eye:} 13...Qxa2 14.Rd1 Qd5 15.Qe3 Qxe5 16.c3 {All of these were confidently blitzed by both the players, but Black's next move came after more than eighteen minutes on the clock.} ( {The Frenchman successfully defended after} 16.Be2 Bc5 17.Bg3 Qd5 18.c4 Bxd4 19.Rxd4 Qa5+ 20.Rd2 O-O 21.Bd6 {which means that Black is always ready to part with some material to slow down the opponent's initiative:} 21...f5 22.Bxf8 Nxf8 {with sharp and interesting play in Radjabov,T (2765)-Ding,L (2791) Online 2020} 23.Nd6 Nbd7 24.O-O ( {A recent top game from last year saw} 24.g4 {Radjabov,T (2765) -Ding,L (2791) Online 2020} ) 24...Qc5 25.Qd4 a5 26.g4 f4 27.Rxf4 a4 {and later Black even won in Giri,A (2779) -Vachier Lagrave,M (2775) Paris 2019} ) 16...Bc5 17.Bg3 Qd5 18.Bc4 $1 $146 {And in a blitz tempo Caruana bangs a nasty novelty.} ( {The online predecessor was won by White after} 18.Bd6 Bxd6 19.Nb5 Qxd1+ 20.Kxd1 Be5 21.Nbd6+ Ke7 22.Nc4 Rd8 23.Kc2 Bc7 {but this does not mean that he necessarily had the advantage in Beveridge,C (1963) -Milde,L (2075) ICCF email 2013} ) 18...Qxc4 19.Bd6 {Without the blink of his other eye, White sacrifices a piece on top the three pawns. All-in-all he is down six fighting units! Nevertheless, we should not forget that the aim of the game is to pronounce the enemy king checkmated and material only supports that task.} 19...Nf6 $1 {Correctly returning a big portion of the material in order to bring the reserves into the play. The main problem for Vachier-Lagrave was that he had to spend almost half-an hour more from his precious time.} ( {No doubt Caruana had a heavy file prepared against the greedy} 19...Bxd4 20.Rxd4 Qb3 21.Qg3 {It's pretty obvious that White has a strong attack against the king. For example:} 21...Qb1+ 22.Kf2 Qxh1 $4 {might lead to a modern Evergreen game after} ( {Instead the computer claims that Black can survive after} 22...Qc2+ 23.Ke3 g5 {but this looks suspicious due to the simple} 24.Ba3 ) 23.Qxg7 Nf8 24.Nf6+ Kd8 25.Bxb8+ Bd7 26.Qxh8 {and mate is inevitable.} ) ( {MVL briefly mentioned} 19...f5 20.Nxc5 Nxc5 21.Nxf5 Qe4 22.Nxg7+ Kf7 {but Caruana pointed out that} 23.O-O+ Kxg7 24.Be5+ {just wins.} ) 20.Nxc5 Nd5 {This is also needed. The knight blocks the important d-file, but above all prepares the queen swap.} ( {As the obvious development is not possible:} 20...Nbd7 $2 21.Nf5 Rg8 22.Be7 $1 ) 21.Qe5 Rg8 $1 {Once again, pretty much the only move. Black feels the position. Vachier-Lagrave practically forces an endgame.} ( {In the line} 21...Qxc3+ 22.Kf2 {the white pieces dominate and this can lead to quick detoriation of the enemy position. For example:} 22...Nd7 ( {Or:} 22...Rg8 23.Rhe1 Nf6 24.Qf5 $1 {with the unstoppable sacrifice on e6:} 24...Nc6 25.Ndxe6 {and White has a mating attack.} ) ( 22...Qb2+ 23.Kg3 Rg8 ( 23...Nf6 24.Rhf1 Nbd7 25.Nxd7 Bxd7 26.Rxf6 $1 ) 24.Rhe1 {with the obvious threat of Qxd5, which however is not that easily parried.} ) 23.Qxg7 {and White crashes through.} ) 22.Ndxe6 $1 {This is what White's set-up is designed for. And, yes, Caruana was still blitzing!} 22...fxe6 23.Nxe6 Qxc3+ {This is apparently what Black had calculated from afar. He is ready to part with another chunk of the extra material, just to liquidate into an endgame.} ( {Of course not:} 23...Bxe6 $4 24.Qxe6+ ) ( {Even with thorough preparation, one can hardly imagine Black choosing the computer-generated} 23...Nf6 $3 {The machine claims that Black is fine:} 24.Nf4+ Be6 {The main point is that:} 25.Nxe6 $2 ( {Objectively best is} 25.Qxe6+ Qxe6+ 26.Nxe6 Kf7 27.Nc7 Ra7 {And then:} 28.O-O $1 {with enough compensation for the pawns and approximate equality.} ( {Rather than} 28.Bc5 $2 b6 29.Bxb6 Rb7 30.Ba5 Nc6 {when Black is on top.} ) ) 25...Kf7 $1 {is actually winning for Black.} ) 24.Qxc3 Nxc3 25.Nc7+ Kf7 {Again, the human choice: as far away from the danger as possible, ideally, behind the pawn shield.} ( {In the quick analysis I could not find a win for White after} 25...Kd7 26.Rd3 Nb5 ( 26...Ne4 $5 {might be playable as well.} ) 27.Bg3+ Kc6 {True, Black still needs to survive a lot of pitfalls:} 28.Kd2 ( {White is better advised not to go for the rook:} 28.Nxa8 $6 Nd7 29.O-O Nc5 30.Rc1 Bf5 {with an advantage for Black.} ) 28...Nd7 29.Nxb5 {Now Black has to find the accurate} ( {Again:} 29.Nxa8 $6 Nc5 30.Rc1 Bf5 {works only for Black.} ) 29...Nc5 $1 {Then the accurate play by both leads to a perpetual:} ( {And definitely should not recapture the knight!} 29...Kxb5 $2 30.Rb1+ Kc6 ( 30...Kc5 31.Rc1+ {is equally bad.} ) 31.Rd6+ Kc7 ( {Or mate in the line:} 31...Kc5 32.Rc1+ Kb5 33.Rd5+ Kb4 34.Bd6+ Kb3 35.Rd3+ Ka4 36.Ra3+ Kb5 37.Rb3+ Ka4 38.Rb4+ Ka3 39.Ra1# ) 32.Rxa6+ {and wins.} ) 30.Rd6+ Kxb5 31.Rb1+ Ka4 ( {Or:} 31...Kc4 32.Rc1+ Kb5 ) 32.Rd4+ Ka3 33.Bd6 Ka2 34.Bxc5 Kxb1 35.Rb4+ Ka2 36.Ra4+ Kb3 37.Rb4+ {In comparison to the line from above White misses one rook in the attack.} ) 26.Rd3 Ne4 {Black made up his mind to sacrifice the exchange as well.} ( {But perhaps} 26...Ra7 {as Caruana pointed out as well, would have been more accurate. I suspect that Vachier-Lagrave feared White's initiative in case of} 27.Rxc3 Kg6 28.O-O Kh7 29.Nd5 {with enough initiative for the pawns, in a very sharp situation still.} ( {Or:} 29.Bc5 b6 30.Bxb6 {when the black pieces finally enter the battle.} ) ) 27.O-O+ {Castling on move 27! Somebody please check if this a record for a Candidates Tournament! And finally, Caruana retreats all his material and spends some time on his clock! Marvellous preparation.} 27...Kg6 28.Nxa8 Nc6 {The pressure takes its toll! This is inaccurate.} ( {White's pieces dominate in case of:} 28...Nxd6 $2 29.Rxd6+ Kh7 30.Nb6 ) ( {However, after the precise} 28...Rd8 $1 29.Rfd1 Bf5 30.Bxb8 Rxb8 31.Nc7 Nf6 {Black would have solidified his position and would have had an easier time than in the game.} ) 29.Nb6 Rd8 ( {Here} 29...Bf5 30.Ba3 $1 {does not solve all of Black's problems.} ) 30.Nxc8 $1 {That is the thing, the important bishop is gone.} 30...Rxc8 31.Ba3 {However, this is not optimal.} ( {Caruana should have inserted} 31.Re1 $1 {first as} 31...Nxd6 ( {Whereas} 31...Re8 32.Ba3 Nf6 33.Rxe8 Nxe8 34.Rd7 {is a much superior version of the game for White.} ) 32.Rxd6+ Kh7 33.Rd7 {is clearly favorable for him.} ) 31...Rc7 {Black can finally breathe more freely, although he is not yet completely out of the woods.} 32.Rf4 Nf6 33.Bb2 Ne7 34.Bxf6 {There is nothing concrete and White transforms one advantage into another.} 34...gxf6 35.h4 {With the threat of Rd6!} ( 35.Rd6 Rc1+ {does not seem convincing yet.} ) 35...h5 $1 {Nicely calculated by Vachier-Lagrave. If his knight ever lands on g4 he will be the only one to play for a win. Therefore Caruana chooses the forcing} 36.Rg3+ Kf7 37.Rg5 Rc1+ 38.Kh2 Ng6 39.Rf2 Nxh4 ( {Caruana expected} 39...Kg7 40.Rxh5 Ne5 {but MVL wasn't sure about} 41.Ra2 Rc6 42.Rf5 b5 43.Rf1 ) 40.Rxh5 Ng6 {But this trades another pawn and brings Black closer to a draw. Now all he needs to do is to swap off a pair of rooks and place his knight on g5. Even without his queenside pawns that would be a textbook draw.} 41.Rh7+ Ke6 42.Rxb7 Ne5 43.Rb6+ Rc6 $1 44.Rxc6+ Nxc6 45.Kg3 Kf7 {Mission almost accomplished! Next the king should go to g6 and the knight to e5 or g5.} 46.Rc2 Nb4 ( 46...Ne5 {would have been more in line with the fortress strategy.} ) 47.Rd2 Nc6 48.Kf4 Kg6 49.Rd6 Ne5 50.Rxa6 Nf7 {There it is, a fortress. However, that is not one of those text-book examples that everyone knows about. Most likely both players were aware that this might be the case, but it is a much more pleasant task proving that this is not a fortress than defending your point of view (and life).} 51.Ke4 Nh6 52.Ra5 Nf7 53.Ra3 {Caruana methodically squeezes his opponent, threatening infiltration from both sides.} 53...Nd6+ ( 53...Ng5+ {looked like a more solid defensive set-up. However then Black should have foreseen in advance the aggressive defense after:} 54.Kd5 Kf5 $1 55.Kd6 Kg4 56.Ke7 Ne4 $1 ) 54.Kf4 Nf5 55.Rd3 Nh6 {Not here!} ( {Both} 55...Ne7 $1 ) ( {And} 55...Ng7 $1 {would have kept the textbook draw evaluation.} ) 56.Rg3+ {Once that the king is expelled from the wonderful defensive spot on g6 things start to get dire for Black.} 56...Kf7 57.Ke4 Ng8 58.Kf5 ( {Only later in the game Caruana will find the winning setup:} 58.Ra3 Kg6 59.Rb3 Kf7 60.Kf4 Nh6 61.Rg3 Ng8 62.Kg4 ) 58...Ne7+ 59.Kf4 Nd5+ 60.Kg4 Kg6 $1 {It's again a draw, but extremely difficult to hold.} 61.Kf3+ Kf7 {The only move.} ( 61...Kf5 {for instance loses to} 62.Rg7 ) 62.Ke4 Ne7 {After this Black is losing again.} ( 62...Nc7 $1 {holds surprisingly!} ) 63.Kf4 Nd5+ 64.Kf5 $1 {Caruana found the way through!} 64...Ne7+ 65.Ke4 $1 Ng8 ( 65...Ke6 66.Rg7 Nc6 67.g3 Ne5 68.Ra7 {and Black is ready for the decisive sacrifice:} 68...Nc6 69.Ra6 Kd6 70.Rxc6+ Kxc6 71.Kf5 ) 66.Rh3 Kg6 67.Ra3 Kf7 68.Kf4 Nh6 69.Rg3 Ng8 70.Kg4 $1 {The infiltration is inevitable. This is why Vachier-Lagrave should have kept his king on g6.} 70...Ne7 ( 70...Kg6 71.Kh4+ Kh7 72.Kh5 {would not help Black neither.} ) 71.Kh5 Nd5 72.Rf3 Ke6 73.g4 Ke5 ( 73...Kf7 74.g5 {followed by 75.Rf5.} ) 74.Kg6 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Yekaterinburg"]
[Date "2021.04.20"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7768677288968"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteTeam "Netherlands"]
[BlackTeam "China"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CHN"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 {Giri's exceptional technique naturally leads him to the Catalan, an opening with which the Dutch GM achieves excellent results, consistently.} 4...Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 {The latest trend in the Catalan.} 8...Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bf4 ( 10.Bg5 {remains the main line, as the following top game:} 10...Bd5 11.Qc2 Be4 12.Qc1 h6 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Rd1 a5 15.Nbd2 Bxf3 16.Nxf3 Na6 {White tries to squeeze something out of his extra space and more solid center, whereas Black is super-solid, Dubov,D (2710)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2758) Online 2021} ) 10...Bd6 ( {The immediate} 10...a5 {has been played as well.} ) 11.Nc3 {Since White's play is related to kingside expansion he does not object to the opening of the g-file.} ( {Giri had a chance to experience the difficulties that Black is facing last year against another candidate:} 11.Be3 h6 12.Nc3 Qe7 13.Ne5 Bxg2 14.Kxg2 Nbd7 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.Rfd1 Qe7 17.d5 Rfe8 18.Rac1 exd5 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Rxd5 Qe4+ 21.Qxe4 Rxe4 22.b3 {with a slight advantage for White in this reversed Sicilian pawn structure, Ding,L (2791)-Giri,A (2764) Chess.com 2020} ) 11...Bxf4 12.gxf4 a5 {Wang needs to fix some squares for his pieces on the queenside.} 13.e3 Na6 14.Ne5 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 c6 16.h3 $146 {Only this is a novelty. White prepares a shelter for his king on h2, and once that the king is hidden he will not have to worry about the possible checks on the long diagonal.} ( {An earlier game went} 16.Rfd1 Qe7 17.Rac1 Rfd8 18.Qb3 Nb4 19.Na2 Nbd5 20.Qc2 Ne8 21.Qd2 Nd6 22.Qe2 Nf5 {with a solid position for Black in Akeya Price,R (1880)-Persson,A (2112) Hastings 2019} ) 16...Qb6 17.Qe2 c5 {Wang decided to solve all his problems once and for all, but this seems a tad premature.} ( 17...Nb4 18.Kh2 Nbd5 {passively defending his slightly cramped position should have been preferred according to the machine.} ) 18.Rfd1 {Keeping the tension.} ( {Since the aggressive} 18.Qb5 {sharply reduces the material in the line} 18...Qxb5 19.axb5 cxd4 20.bxa6 dxc3 21.axb7 Rab8 22.bxc3 Rxb7 23.Rxa5 {Temporarily, White is a pawn up, but will soon lose it after} 23...Ne4 ) 18...cxd4 ( {With the rooks facing each other after} 18...Rfd8 $6 19.Qb5 $1 {makes much more sense for White as the line} 19...Qxb5 20.axb5 cxd4 21.bxa6 dxc3 22.axb7 {loses on the spot for Black.} ) 19.Rxd4 Rad8 20.Rxd8 $1 {A moment of hesitation for Giri and the best continuation!} ( {He was apparently debating if the pawn is worth it:} 20.Qb5 Qxb5 21.axb5 Rxd4 22.exd4 Nc7 ( 22...Nb4 23.Rxa5 ) 23.Rxa5 Nfd5 24.Nxd5 Nxd5 25.Ra7 {but ultimately decided that the middlegame would promise him more chances.} ) 20...Qxd8 {A sad necessity.} ( {As} 20...Rxd8 21.Qb5 Qc7 22.Nc4 {drops a pawn for Black.} ) 21.Rd1 Qa8 {Black sometimes solves his problems with ambushes like this, but here it does not work.} 22.Kg1 {It's interesting that the Dutchman did not use the shelter.} ( {The immediate} 22.Qb5 {is an empty blow after} 22...Nc7 ) ( {The queen has better things to do than to defend the king after} 22.Qf3 {Then both} 22...Nb4 ( {And} 22...Nc5 {look OK for Black.} ) ) ( 22.Kh2 $5 {however, looked more in line with his previous play.} ) 22...Nb4 ( {Alas, Wang cannot even fight for the open file as in the line} 22...Rd8 23.Rxd8+ Qxd8 24.Qb5 $1 {his queen will suffer.} ) 23.Qb5 {White dominates. Ne5-c4 is a powerful threat, but the infiltration of the rook along the d-file is equally scary for the Chinese GM. Therefore he blocks the open file:} 23...Nbd5 24.Nxd5 Nxd5 {But Giri finds an even better one.} 25.Rc1 ( {After} 25.Nc4 {Black planned to sacrifice a pawn with} 25...b6 26.Nxb6 Nxb6 27.Qxb6 Rc8 {Black can still hope for a perpetual thanks to his active pieces.} ) 25...h6 26.Qd7 Nf6 {Black's position is very unpleasant to play and no wonder Wang commits a mistake soon.} ( {Instead} 26...Nb6 $1 {in order to attack the pawns seemed like the right choice. Black often loses in these situations without any counterplay, but here he somehow manages to stay in the game after} 27.Qd6 Qd8 28.Qxd8 ( {Or maybe from afar Black feared the sacrifice} 28.Nxf7 Kxf7 29.Rc7+ Kg8 30.Qxe6+ Kh7 31.Qxb6 {and missed that at the end can force a draw with} 31...Rf7 $1 32.Rxb7 Qd1+ 33.Kh2 ( 33.Kg2 $4 Qd5+ {loses for White.} ) 33...Qf3 $3 34.Rxf7 Qxf2+ 35.Kh1 Qf1+ ) 28...Rxd8 29.Rc7 f6 30.Rxb7 Nxa4 31.Nc4 Nc5 32.Rb5 Rd1+ 33.Kg2 Nd3 34.Rxa5 Rc1 {and Black should survive.} ) 27.Qd6 g6 {\"Very bad, but I couldn't find a move,\" said Wang as this weakens the kingside too much. But what was Black's choice?} ( 27...Nd5 $6 {is not stabilizing the position at all due to} 28.f5 $1 Rd8 29.Nd7 $1 {Wang} ) ( {The players also mentioned} 27...Qe8 28.b3 b5 {although there too, the chances of him ending down a pawn on the queenside is very likely.} ) ( {It's interesting to see how dominant the white pieces are in the line} 27...Rc8 28.Rxc8+ Qxc8 29.Qe7 {and Black cannot defend all his pawns.} ) 28.b3 $1 {The counterplay no longer exists.} 28...h5 29.Kh2 {So, the shelter finally paid off. The g-file is too tempting for the white rook, especially once that Black had weakened the g6 spot.} 29...Kg7 30.Qd4 {A nasty ambush.} 30...Rd8 31.Qb2 Qb8 ( {Maybe} 31...Rc8 {was a try although there too after} 32.Rc4 $1 Rxc4 33.bxc4 Qc8 34.Qb6 {White should soon win at least a pawn.} ) 32.b4 {Creating a second weakness. Giri's play is instructive, but as we shall see it allows an amazing opportunity to Black.} 32...axb4 33.Rc4 {Following the plan.} ( 33.Qxb4 {should have been objectively better under the circumstances, keeping the edge.} ) 33...b3 {In time trouble, and already desperate Wang fails to grasp the hidden opportunity.} ( {The beautiful counterplay} 33...Rd1 $3 34.Rxb4 Qd8 $1 ( 34...Qd6 $1 {should also do.} ) 35.Rxb7 Qd5 $1 {with the point} 36.Rxf7+ Kh6 37.Rxf6 Rh1+ 38.Kg3 Rxh3+ $3 39.Kxh3 Qh1+ {would have led to a perpetual.} ) 34.Rb4 {Once again, the most obvious positional move, but once more allowing a hidden tactical possibility.} ( {Objectively better was to attack the pawn sideways with} 34.Rc3 $1 {in order to be ready to parry the counterplay} 34...Qd6 {with} 35.Rd3 $1 {Then} 35...Qxd3 36.Nxd3 Rxd3 37.Kg2 {followed by a king march to e2 does not seem like a fortress.} ) 34...Qa7 {Resignation.} ( 34...Qd6 $1 {was Black's last chance. Then in the line} 35.Rxb3 ( {Therefore White should settle for} 35.Qxb3 $1 {instead, trying to trade the queens as soon as possible} 35...Qd2 36.Kg2 Qe2 37.Qc4 {but Black is still fighting there.} ) 35...Qd1 36.Rxb7 Rd2 37.Rxf7+ Kh6 {White has an equally amazing idea} 38.Rd7 $3 {Cross-pin. But this might not have been enough for a win in the line} 38...Rxb2 ( {Not} 38...Nxd7 $4 39.Nf7+ Kh7 40.Qh8# ) 39.Rxd1 Rxf2+ 40.Kg1 Ra2 41.Rd6 Nd5 ) 35.Rxb3 Qxa4 36.Rxb7 {There is no way to defend the vital f7 pawn.} 36...Qe8 37.Ra7 $1 {The neatest win.} ( {Why bother proving if} 37.Rxf7+ Qxf7 38.Nxf7 Kxf7 39.Kg3 {is a fortress or not?!} ) 37...Rd5 38.Qb7 Ne4 39.Nxf7 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Yekaterinburg"]
[Date "2021.04.21"]
[Round "10.3"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "C11"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "6052682715176"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e6 {Grischuk is sticking to his French strategy for this leg of the Candidates.} 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Nce2 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.f4 Be7 8.Nf3 f6 {Immediately challenging the center.} ( {The less principled} 8...a5 {was played last year by Caruana and he could not fully equalize after} 9.a4 O-O 10.h4 f6 11.Rh3 Nb6 12.Ng3 cxd4 13.cxd4 Nb4 14.Bd3 Nxd3+ 15.Qxd3 Bd7 16.b3 {Duda,J (2743)-Caruana,F (2823) Chess.com 2020} ) 9.Be3 {\"I prepared something else, but for some reason played this.\" (Wang)} 9...O-O 10.g3 Qb6 11.Qd2 {Grischuk said that he knew that this is not a very good move. But it is ambitious as White wants to hold on to his huge center and squeeze his opponent later on. This was the reason for the hour that he took on the clock now. 72 minutes to be precise.} ( {\"I know} 11.Qb3 {is the main move.\" (Grischuk)} ) 11...cxd4 $146 {A logical novelty. White's set-up is ambitious but shaky. Black needs to attack before the opponent manages to consolidate and castle.} ( {An earlier game went} 11...Kh8 12.Bg2 cxd4 13.cxd4 Bb4 14.Nc3 Qa6 15.Kf2 fxe5 16.fxe5 Ndxe5 17.dxe5 Nxe5 18.Rhf1 Nc4 19.Qe2 d4 20.Bxd4 e5 21.Nd5 exd4 22.Nxb4 Qb5 {Fedoseev,V (2667)-Morozevich,A (2676) Moscow 2016} ) ( {Black disliked} 11...a5 12.Bh3 {\"It's kind of unpleasant.\" (Grischuk)} ) 12.Nfxd4 ( {Why did the Russian GM spend so much time here? He was having trouble finding the right path after} 12.Nexd4 {Then he believed that the right idea was} 12...fxe5 ( {But later did not like this move and switched to the line} 12...Ncxe5 13.fxe5 fxe5 14.Nf5 {when the long think produced the following lines:} 14...Bc5 15.Bxc5 Qxc5 ( 15...Nxc5 16.Ne7+ Kh8 17.Nxe5 Ne4 18.Qd4 Qxb2 19.Rd1 Qf2+ 20.Qxf2 Nxf2 21.Rd4 Nxh1 22.N5g6+ hxg6 23.Rh4# {Yes, you have to be Grischuk to see that far!} ) 16.N5h4 {\"With compensation [for Black].\" (Grischuk)} ( {However, the Russian GM abandoned this line as he did not like} 16.b4 $1 Qb6 17.Ne7+ Kh8 18.Be2 {and indeed White is much better here.} ) ) 13.Nxe6 d4 14.Nxf8 dxe3 {Up to here all was good with Grischuk's calculation but then he noticed that in the line:} 15.Bc4+ ( 15.Qd5+ Kh8 16.Nxd7 Qxb2 ) 15...Kxf8 $2 ( {It was only a bit later when he checked the lines once again that he realized that he could go for} 15...Kh8 $1 {instead, with a better position. For example:} 16.Qd5 ( 16.Ng6+ hxg6 17.Qg2 Nf6 {\"and I think there is no mate and I am fine.\" (Grischuk)} ) 16...Nf6 ) 16.Qd5 $1 {\"and it is just bad because two mates are threatening.\" (Grischuk)} ) 12...Nc5 {The invested time demanded that Black speeds up a bit, and this is not optimal.} ( {Later Grischuk regretted hat he did not go for} 12...Bc5 {\"It's like in the game but 10 times better for me. You are fighting for equality.\" (Grischuk) The following lines were discussed at the press conference.} 13.b4 Nxb4 ( {Not:} 13...Bxd4 14.Nxd4 fxe5 15.Nxe6 d4 16.Nxf8 $1 dxe3 17.Qd5+ Kxf8 18.Bc4 {which is already good for White.} ) 14.Rb1 fxe5 15.fxe5 Nxe5 16.cxb4 Nf3+ {with a crushing attack.} ) 13.exf6 Bxf6 ( {Definitely weaker was} 13...gxf6 14.Nb3 Ne4 15.Qd3 Qc7 16.Bg2 {with a pleasant position for White.} ) 14.Nb3 Ne4 {Very active and aggressive play. Black is ready to part with the exchange.} ( {Perhaps Black did not even consider the passive} 14...Be7 {when the simplest road to a stable advantage is:} 15.Nxc5 Bxc5 16.Bxc5 Qxc5 17.O-O-O ) 15.Qd3 ( {Wang rejects the offer. In the line} 15.Bxb6 $5 Nxd2 16.Bc5 Nxf1 17.Bxf8 Ne3 18.Kf2 ( {Otherwise Black has a very pleasant positon thanks to his bishop pair:} 18.Bd6 Nc2+ 19.Kf2 Nxa1 20.Rxa1 e5 ) 18...Ng4+ 19.Kf3 {Grischuk planned} 19...Nge5+ ( {Whereas White could not figure out how strong the enemy attack is in case of} 19...e5 20.Bc5 b6 21.Bg1 Bf5 22.Nd2 {(Wang)} ) 20.fxe5 Nxe5+ 21.Kg2 Kxf8 {should be unclear according to both Grischuk and Wang.} ) 15...Qc7 16.Bg2 Nd6 ( {The other way to search for counterplay is related to} 16...a5 17.Bxe4 ( 17.O-O ) 17...dxe4 18.Qxe4 e5 ) 17.Bf2 {Preserving the important dark-squared bishop.} ( {Instead} 17.O-O $6 Nc4 {is awkward for White.} ) 17...Nc4 ( {Again:} 17...a5 $5 18.Nbd4 a4 {is interesting but Black wants to attack through the center.} ) 18.Qc2 Ne7 19.O-O {Finally castling. Grischuk considered this a provocation and decided to go all in.} ( {Safer was} 19.Nbd4 e5 20.fxe5 Bxe5 21.O-O {controlling the center with approximate equality.} ) 19...e5 $1 {As active as it can get.} ( {There was nothing wrong with the normal development:} 19...Nf5 20.Qc1 Bd7 ) 20.fxe5 Bf5 {The obvious point behind Black's move.} ( 20...Bxe5 21.Ned4 {\"You should be fine\" (Wang). \"Yes, maybe a little better for you.\" (Grischuk)} ) 21.exf6 $5 {The exclam is for the courage. We do not often witness positional piece sacrifices.} ( {Objectively, however:} 21.Qd1 $1 {was better. But then White needs to foresee in advance the amazing idea:} 21...Bxe5 ( {The greedy} 21...Nxb2 $2 {loses after} 22.Qd2 Nc4 23.Bxd5+ Nxd5 24.Qxd5+ ) 22.Ned4 Nxb2 23.Qe2 Nc4 24.Nc5 $3 {As weird as it is, but White dominates down a pawn and is better, e.g.:} 24...Rf7 25.Nxf5 Rxf5 {Now both} 26.Rae1 ( {and} 26.Bh3 {promise White a strong initiative.} ) ) ( {They both dismissed the obvious} 21.Bxd5+ Kh8 22.Be4 Qxe5 23.Bxf5 Nxf5 {\"This should be good for Black.\" (Wang)} ) 21...Bxc2 22.fxe7 Rfe8 ( {But not} 22...Qxe7 $2 23.Bxd5+ Kh8 24.Bxc4 Rac8 25.Ned4 ) 23.Nf4 Nb6 {\"A very precise move.\" (Wang)} 24.Nxd5 ( {Both players thought that} 24.Bxb6 $1 Qxb6+ 25.Nd4 Be4 {is not good for White, but this might not be the case. After} 26.Nxd5 Bxd5 27.Bxd5+ Kh8 28.Rf7 Qd6 29.Raf1 {White manages to hold on to the e7 pawn long enough to generate enough play for the draw, e.g:} 29...g6 30.Bxb7 Rab8 31.R1f6 Qc5 32.b4 Qxc3 33.Rf8+ Kg7 34.R8f7+ Kh6 35.Rf4 Qa1+ 36.Kg2 Qxa2+ 37.Kh3 Qxf7 38.Rxf7 Rxb7 39.Nc6 Rc7 40.Rf6 ) 24...Nxd5 25.Bxd5+ Kh8 26.Nd4 Qd7 {Missed by White.} ( 26...Bg6 $5 {as suggested by Grischuk also provided good winning chances:} 27.Ne6 Qd7 28.Rad1 Rxe7 {looks indeed in time for the second player.} ) 27.c4 Bg6 ( {The unhuman intermezzo:} 27...Bd3 $3 28.Rfd1 Bg6 29.Ne6 Rxe7 {would have spoiled the coordination of the white pieces, thus significantly lowering his attacking potential. Most likely Black is winning here.} ) 28.Ne6 Rxe7 29.Rae1 {The culmination of the sharp battle.} 29...Bf7 {\"If it was not for:\"} ( {In time trouble Grischuk was afraid that he might miss something in case of} 29...Rae8 $1 30.Bd4 {And now} 30...Rxe6 $2 {is indeed a blunder, due to the back-rank weakness.} ( {As well as} 30...h6 $4 31.Nf8 $1 {with the point} 31...Qd6 32.Nxg6+ Qxg6 33.Rxe7 Rxe7 34.Rf8+ Kh7 35.Bg8+ Kh8 36.Bf7+ {and wins.} ) ( {However:} 30...h5 $3 {opening enough air for the king might have done the job, as in the line} 31.Nf8 Qd6 32.Nxg6+ Qxg6 33.Rxe7 Rxe7 34.Rf8+ Kh7 35.Bg8+ {The king can escape:} 35...Kh6 ) 31.Rxe6 ) ( 29...Bf5 $1 {would have won too.} ) 30.Nxg7 $3 {Now Wang escapes.} 30...Bxd5 ( {\"First of all I can make a draw:\"} 30...Kxg7 31.Bd4+ Kg8 32.Rxe7 Qxe7 33.Rxf7 Qxf7 34.Bxf7+ Kxf7 {(Grischuk)} ) ( {The last chance to play on was} 30...Rxe1 31.Bxe1 {But then they both saw that} 31...Bxd5 ( 31...Kxg7 {would be a similar draw as above.} ) 32.Nh5 $3 {With the few seconds on his clock the Russian GM managed to calculate another amazing line:} ( 32.Bc3 Kg8 33.Nh5 Rf8 $1 {loses for White.} ) 32...Qh3 ( 32...Qc8 {might be safer.} ) 33.Bc3+ Kg8 34.Nf6+ Kf7 35.Nxd5+ {when the king does not have suitable square and it is only White who plays for the full point:} 35...Kg8 ( 35...Kg6 36.Nf4+ ) ( 35...Ke6 36.Nf4+ ) ( 35...Ke8 36.Nc7+ ) 36.Ne7# ) 31.Rxe7 ( {The winning attempt:} 31.Nf5 {with the nice point} 31...Rxe1 ( {should be met instead with} 31...Qxf5 $1 32.Bd4+ Kg8 33.Rxe7 ( {Or perhaps} 33.Rxf5 Rxe1+ 34.Kf2 Rh1 35.Rg5+ Kf8 36.Rxd5 {when only Black is playing for something.} ) 33...Bf3 {\"and it looks good for Black.\" (Wang, Grischuk)} ) 32.Bd4+ Kg8 33.Nh6# ) 31...Qxe7 32.Nf5 Qf8 ( {Correctly avoiding} 32...Qg5 33.Bd4+ Kg8 {And now not} 34.cxd5 ( 34.h4 $3 {\"I just lose.\" (Grischuk) But that's not entirely true as he may still hold on with} 34...Qxf5 35.Rxf5 Bxc4 ) 34...Rf8 35.h4 Qxf5 36.Rxf5 Rxf5 37.Bxa7 Rxd5 {when play keeps happening.} ) 33.Bd4+ Kg8 34.cxd5 {While Black is busy safeguarding his king White pushes up his passer:} 34...h5 35.d6 Kh7 36.Ne7 Qe8 37.Rf6 {And creates mating net after} 37...Rd8 38.Bc3 {The threat is Ne7-f5 and then mate along the h-file, therefore:} 38...Rxd6 39.Rxd6 Qxe7 40.Rd4 Kg6 41.a3 Qe3+ {And a draw as it is a fortress.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Yekaterinburg"]
[Date "2021.04.23"]
[Round "11.4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[ECO "C85"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8246605651475"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.d3 Bd6 8.Nbd2 Be6 {One of the most solid set-ups for Black in this line. You can call it aggressively-solid, as Black often intends to castle long and start kingside expansion.} 9.Nb3 $146 {A novelty which, in its turn, intends a speedy attack against the enemy's queenside.} ( {White did not achieve much after} 9.b3 Nd7 10.a4 a5 11.Nc4 Bxc4 12.bxc4 O-O 13.Rb1 Re8 14.c3 b6 15.Bg5 Be7 16.Be3 Bf6 17.Qc2 c5 {Le,Q (2694)-Jones,G (2709) Saint Louis 2019} ) 9...Qe7 10.Na5 O-O-O {Ding is not worried about White's attack. \"I did not expect long castle. I should have, of course, it's a very reasonable way of playing.\" (Giri)} 11.Qe2 {The queen side-steps the X-raying of the enemy rook and the eventual discovered attacks. \"I am not sure if this is necessary.\" (Giri)} ( {He suggested instead either} 11.c3 $5 ) ( {Or} 11.a3 $5 {in order to speed up his attack a bit.} ) 11...Bg4 12.c3 ( {Here} 12.Rb1 $5 {was a sneaky little move which intended to push the pawn even faster, as in the line} 12...h5 13.b4 $1 Bxb4 $2 14.Nxb7 $1 {and White is crashing through.} ) 12...c5 13.a3 {Now Ding finds a brilliant way to calm his opponent's queenside ambitions.} ( {The rude} 13.b4 $5 cxb4 ( {There is not time for} 13...c6 $6 14.bxc5 Bc7 15.Nc4 ) 14.Rb1 {might have been the way to play it. But such sacrifices are not everyone's cup of tea.} ) 13...c6 $1 {\"I was very surprised/confused/impressed (in this particular order) with c7-c6\" (Giri)} 14.b4 Bc7 15.Nb3 {The pressure against the c5 pawn is an illusion. White is hoping for a3-a4 and then b4-b5.} ( {Therefore} 15.Nc4 $5 {might have been the right thing to do, when} 15...Nd7 16.a4 {looks very promising for White as} 16...cxb4 17.cxb4 Qxb4 18.Ba3 {doesn't seem healthy for Black.} ) 15...Nd7 {Now Ding stabilizes his queenside and launches a strong kingside attack.} 16.h3 Bh5 17.Be3 f5 $1 {A very strong move. The pawn is not as important as the open files and diagonals for the black pieces.} ( {Giri thought that} 17...c4 $1 18.dxc4 f5 {might be equally good for Black.} ) ( {From afar he was only expecting} 17...cxb4 18.axb4 {followed by c3-c4 and b4-b5 but this is not going to happen.} ) 18.Bxc5 Qf7 19.Rab1 {\"and I think Black has all the trumps here\" (Giri)} 19...g5 {\"A little overambitious.\" (Giri)} ( {Instead the Dutchman was afraid of} 19...fxe4 20.Qxe4 ( {White clearly disliked} 20.dxe4 Nxc5 21.Nxc5 Rhf8 ) 20...Bxf3 ( {But:} 20...Nf6 $1 {might lead to an even better version of the endgame that Giri was afraid of after} 21.Qf5+ Qd7 22.Qxd7+ Rxd7 23.Nc1 Bxf3 24.gxf3 Nd5 {with an edge for Black.} ) 21.Qxf3 Qxf3 22.gxf3 {\"and the endgame is slightly better for him and I am not playing for advantage ever, although I may hold it.\" (Giri) In fact White was not even seeing a clear draw in the lines:} 22...Nxc5 23.Nxc5 Bb6 24.Ne4 ( {Or} 24.Rfd1 Bxc5 25.bxc5 Rd5 {and it is unpleasant for White.} ) ( {However} 24.Rfe1 $1 Bxc5 25.bxc5 Rd5 26.d4 $1 {should have held for the first player.} ) 24...Rxd3 25.Kg2 Rf8 {Picking up the f3 pawn as well.} ) 20.exf5 g4 {Only this is a mistake based on an oversight.} ( {Black would have kept instead excellent compensation for the pawn in the line} 20...Qxf5 21.Qe4 Qf6 22.Nfd2 Bg6 23.Qe2 g4 $5 24.hxg4 h5 {with mounting pressure on the kingside.} ) 21.Ng5 Qxf5 22.h4 $1 {\"He missed this thing. \"From here it was nice. You might think it was sort of a straightforward game but it really wasn't.\" (Giri)} 22...b6 {\"A small trap.\" (Giri)} ( {Against} 22...Nf6 {White planned} 23.Be7 g3 24.Qe1 $1 {As} ( {Although:} 24.fxg3 Qd7 25.Qf2 Ng4 26.Qf5 {(Giri) should work too.} ) 24...Bb6 {is always parried with} 25.Nc5 ) ( {And the desperate sacrifice} 22...e4 {leads Black nowhere after} 23.Qxe4 ) 23.Ne4 $1 {\"It's one of those cases where you feel like you have at least practical compensation [for the piece] but at these days usually when you feel you have practical compensation it's also objectively winning somehow.\" (Giri)} ( {The trap is visible in the tempting line} 23.d4 Kb7 ( {However Black has instead} 23...Nb8 $1 {(Giri)} ) ( {Or} 23...b5 $5 ) 24.Na5+ $1 {and White wins.} ) ( {There was nothing wrong with} 23.Be3 {when White saw} 23...e4 ( {But thought that Black can resist further thanks to} 23...Nf6 $1 ) 24.dxe4 Qe5 25.Qxa6+ Kb8 26.g3 ) 23...bxc5 24.bxc5 {\"It's so easy to play and my king is so much safer.\" (Giri)} 24...Nf6 ( {Perhaps Ding should have tried to run for his life as quick as possible:} 24...Nb8 {Although here too White is on top with} 25.Qb2 $1 Kd7 26.Nbd2 Ke7 27.Qb7 Rd7 28.Qa7 {followed by Rb1-b7.} ) 25.Nd6+ Bxd6 ( {Against} 25...Rxd6 {Giri planned} 26.cxd6 Bxd6 27.d4 $1 {crashing through.} ) 26.cxd6 Rxd6 27.d4 $1 {Again this move. Once that the queen gets involved it is all over.} 27...c5 ( {In case of} 27...Kd8 {White can even swap the queen with} 28.Qxe5 Qxe5 29.dxe5 ) 28.Nxc5 Re8 29.Qc4 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Yekaterinburg"]
[Date "2021.04.24"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2820"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[ECO "B45"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7287372555282"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "Netherlands"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NED"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.a3 {It is amusing that Caruana tries to deviate from the main theoretical lines as quick as he can.} ( {Otherwise, things may quickly transpose into a Sveshnikov; for example,} 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bf4 e5 ) 6...Be7 {Giri decided to switch to a Scheveningen.} ( {The most principled continuation to White's seemingly mundane development would be the central strike} 6...d5 {which would likely lead to an isolated queen's pawn position after} 7.Bb5 Bd7 8.exd5 exd5 9.O-O ) 7.Be3 O-O 8.Be2 d6 {Black also wants to keep things as complex as possible.} ( {Here too} 8...d5 {is possible, and it may lead to a slightly better endgame for White after} 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.O-O Nxd4 12.Qxd4 Qxd4 13.Bxd4 Bd7 14.Bf3 Bc6 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.Rfd1 {Chigaev,M (2613)-Korobov,A (2686) Skopje 2019} ) 9.Qd3 $146 {A novelty by Caruana. For the time being White does not choose a side to castle.} ( {An earlier game saw immensely sharp play after} 9.Qd2 a6 10.O-O-O Na5 11.Kb1 Qc7 12.g4 Nc4 13.Bxc4 Qxc4 14.Rhg1 d5 15.exd5 Rd8 16.Bg5 {Demchenko,A (2629)-Kovalenko,I (2657) Minsk 2017} ) 9...Bd7 10.f4 {Intending a quick g-pawn attack, to which Black strikes back in the center:} 10...e5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.O-O {As strange as it sounds, this obvious move might not be optimal here.} ( {The flexible} 12.Rf1 $5 {might have promised White more. The idea is to castle long, but to delay the castling as long as needed while preparing the kingside assault. For example,} 12...exf4 ( {Not} 12...Ng4 13.Bxg4 Bxg4 14.f5 {locking the bishop.} ) 13.Bxf4 Qb6 14.O-O-O {Caruana might have seen this and perhaps disliked the look of} 14...Rab8 15.b3 {but the machine claims White should be doing good.} ) 12...exf4 $1 {Whenever you push e6-e5 in the Scheveningen, you do want to swap this pawn!} 13.Bxf4 Be6 ( {Here Giri had an interesting counter-intuitive solution:} 13...Bg4 $5 {Black mostly wants to trade the other bishop in this line, but he is doing fine here as well after} 14.Rad1 Bxe2 15.Nxe2 d5 16.exd5 Qxd5 ) ( {Notice that in the coming moves, Black cannot touch the truly poisoned pawn on b2:} 13...Qb6+ 14.Kh1 Qxb2 $4 15.Rfb1 {trapping the queen.} ) 14.Qg3 Nd7 {A nice maneuver! The knight belongs to the e5-square, and the diagonal for the dark-squared bishop is opened.} 15.Rad1 ( {In the line} 15.Bxd6 Qb6+ 16.Kh1 Bxd6 17.Qxd6 {Black can already pick up the pawn} 17...Qxb2 ) ( {Also inaccurate is} 15.Kh1 {due to the immediate} 15...Ne5 {Black is happy to part with this pawn.} 16.Bxe5 dxe5 17.Qxe5 {when both} 17...Bd6 ( {and} 17...Bf6 {promise Black great compensation.} ) ) 15...Re8 {Also a necessary prophylaxis.} ( {Its importance can be illustrated by the line} 15...Qb8 16.Bh6 Bf6 17.Rxf6 ) 16.Kh1 Qb8 17.b4 {A very ambitious move. Caruana aims to clear the d5-outpost for his knight.} ( {However, the modest} 17.b3 {might have been more in the spirit of the position, intending to maneuver later with this same knight to the f5-square, as in the line} 17...Ne5 18.Bh5 g6 19.Ne2 {followed by Ne2-d4.} ) 17...Ne5 18.b5 Rc8 19.bxc6 Rxc6 20.Nd5 ( {It is equal after} 20.Nb5 Rxc2 21.Nd4 Rc5 ) 20...Qf8 $1 {Another powerful defensive maneuver by the Dutchman. \"Probably here Fabiano realized that he is no longer playing for the advantage.\" (Giri)} ( {Most likely White was hoping for} 20...Bxd5 21.exd5 Rxc2 {which indeed leads to a win for White after} 22.Bxe5 dxe5 23.Bd3 Rc7 ( {Or the spectacular line} 23...Rc8 24.Qh3 g6 25.Rxf7 $3 Kxf7 26.Qxh7+ Ke8 27.Qxg6+ Kd8 28.Qg8+ Kc7 29.d6+ Bxd6 30.Qc4+ Kd8 31.Qe6 $1 {when Black is helpless.} ) 24.d6 Bxd6 25.Be4 {(Giri)} ) 21.c3 {It's a do-or-die situation for Caruana, and he is ready to fight until the last pawn.} ( {Giri expected} 21.c4 Nxc4 22.Bxc4 Rxc4 23.Nxe7+ Qxe7 24.Bxd6 {with a draw instead, and this is what should have been played under normal conditions.} ) 21...Rac8 22.Rc1 ( {Here} 22.Bxe5 dxe5 23.Qxe5 Bxa3 {is even more pleasant for Black than before.} ) 22...Ng6 $1 {This prepares the trade of the dark-squared bishops, the most important theme in the Scheveningen. Once that they are swapped, the black knight firmly occupies the e5-outpost, and White suffers with his remaining bishop.} 23.Bd2 ( {It was probably not too late to switch to the defense with either} 23.Bg4 $1 ) ( {Or} 23.Bb5 $5 {(both suggested by Giri)} ) 23...Bh4 {\"Now I think I am slightly better. It is just very pleasant for me.\" (Giri)} 24.Qe3 Rc5 25.c4 h6 $1 26.Qb3 Bg5 27.Bxg5 hxg5 28.Qg3 Qd8 29.Rcd1 Bxd5 30.exd5 {Black achieved his dream scenario. He is winning from a positional standpoint.} ( {Nothing changes} 30.cxd5 Rc2 ) 30...Nf4 31.Qf2 R8c7 32.Rd4 Qe8 33.Bf3 Rxc4 {Picking up the ill pawn.} ( {Although it was not going anywhere and} 33...Ng6 $5 {followed by Ng6-e5 would have been even safer.} ) 34.Rxc4 Rxc4 35.Qxa7 Ra4 36.Qf2 ( {The crucial variation that Black foresaw was} 36.Qb6 Rxa3 37.Qxd6 Rxf3 38.gxf3 Qe2 ) ( 36.Qc7 {might transpose to the line from above.} ) 36...Rxa3 37.h4 Qe5 38.hxg5 Qxg5 39.Re1 Ra8 40.Be4 Ra2 {In time trouble, Black misses a detail.} 41.Rb1 $1 {The last chance is connected to the weak back rank.} ( {Or else White loses at once:} 41.Bb1 Qh5+ 42.Kg1 Ne2+ {(Giri)} ) 41...Ra8 {Giri admits his mistake, and this is enough for the win. Nothing has changed fundamentally; Black is up a pawn and completely dominating. The rest is easy.} ( {But not} 41...Qh5+ $4 42.Kg1 Ne2+ 43.Qxe2 $1 {when White wins.} ) 42.Re1 ( {Unfortunately for White there is no} 42.g3 Qh6+ 43.Qh2 Nh5 {(Giri)} ) 42...f5 43.Bb1 Kf7 44.Re3 Rh8+ 45.Kg1 Nxg2 0-1

[Event "E Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Yekaterinburg"]
[Date "2021.04.27"]
[Round "14.3"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[ECO "E60"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan, Peter,Doggers"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8041273494087"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 {Nepomniachtchi explained at the press conference that yesterday he was very motivated about this game, but this morning when he woke up he found that the motivation had disappeared. Or if we have to quote Vysotsky: \"Today, the muse came here to visit me, before I could relax, she had to go.\" It sounds even better in Russian.} 2.c4 g6 3.f3 e6 $5 4.e4 c5 5.d5 d6 6.Bd3 $5 {Not the main move here.} ( {Both players already had a discussion in this line where the Chinese GM went mainstream:} 6.Nc3 exd5 7.cxd5 Bg7 8.Nge2 O-O 9.Ng3 a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.Be2 Ne8 12.O-O Rb8 13.Re1 Bd4+ 14.Kh1 Qh4 15.Rf1 Ne5 {with normal Benoni play in Ding,L (2811)-Nepomniachtchi, I (2776) Chess.com 2019} ) 6...Bg7 ( {After} 6...exd5 7.cxd5 {White's knight on b1 can be maneuvered to c4.} ) 7.Ne2 exd5 8.cxd5 Nbd7 9.Nec3 $146 {This seemingly unusual move is a novelty and one might wonder why would the kingside knight stand on the road of its colleague and obstruct it? The thing is that White often finds little to no work for the e2 knight, whereas it will be tremendously strong on c4. The ambitious move in the game tries to solve this problem at once, leaving the c4 square available for the queenside knight. The only problem is that this wastes too much time and Black is immediately trying to make the best use of it.} ( {Previously} 9.a4 {has been tried in the folowing email game:} 9...O-O 10.O-O Ne5 11.Bc2 a6 12.Nd2 Re8 13.b3 Rb8 14.Bb2 Nh5 15.Ra2 b5 {Ugrinovsky,A (2084)-Franzen,T (2278) ICCF email 2017} ) 9...a6 10.a4 Nh5 11.O-O Bd4+ 12.Kh1 Ne5 {\"This is very strong.\" (Ding)} ( {The Chinese player expected} 12...Qh4 {threatening mate in one but there is} 13.Qe1 Qxe1 14.Rxe1 {with a slight edge for White.} ) 13.Ne2 ( 13.Be2 {is answered by the typical Benoni move} 13...g5 ) ( {But perhaps the other retreat} 13.Bc2 {was better with the idea to meet} 13...g5 {with} 14.Ne2 ) 13...Qh4 14.Nxd4 Nxd3 {Nepomniachtchi said he suffered from \"too much knowledge.\"} ( {He remembered things from similar positions but here the normal} 14...cxd4 {\"is absolutely healthy\" (Nepomniachtchi)} 15.Kg1 g5 {followed by Nh5-f4 was better and equal.} ( {Or} 15...O-O {followed by f7-f5 and \"it'll surely be fine for Black.\" (Nepomniachtchi)} ) ) ( {Nepomniachtchi thought} 14...Ng3+ 15.Kg1 Nxf1 16.Bxf1 cxd4 17.Qxd4 Qf6 {An important move. (Nepomniachtchi)} ( {They both knew that} 17...O-O {is risky due to} 18.f4 ) 18.Be3 g5 {was playable too but here White seems to be better after} 19.Nd2 $1 {followed by Nd2-c4. The dark-square superiority, the safer king and the bishop pair are more than enough for the exchange.} ) 15.Qxd3 Ng3+ 16.Kg1 Nxf1 17.Nc2 $1 {White is trying to trap the knight.} 17...Nxh2 ( {The problem with} 17...Qxh2+ 18.Kxf1 Qh1+ 19.Kf2 Qxc1 {is} 20.Qc3 $1 {winning a tempo on h8 and after} 20...O-O 21.Nd2 {wins the queen and White has an extra piece.} ) 18.Qe3 $1 {The most accurate and now indeed the black knight has nowhere to go.} ( {Black spent some time calculating the interesting line} 18.Qc3 Qg3 ( {But at some point dismissed the calculations as needless, since he has the simple} 18...O-O ) 19.Qxh8+ Ke7 20.Qc3 Bh3 21.Ne1 Bxg2 22.Bf4 ) 18...O-O ( {Perhaps the best try was} 18...g5 {but both} 19.e5 $5 ( {and} 19.Nd2 {are better for White.} ) ( 19.Qf2 Qxf2+ 20.Kxf2 f6 ( 20...Rg8 ) 21.Kg1 Nxf3+ 22.gxf3 h5 ) 19...Bf5 20.exd6+ Kf8 21.Qe7+ Kg7 22.Qxg5+ Qxg5 23.Bxg5 Bxc2 24.Kxh2 ) 19.Qg5 {\"I just missed this.\" (Nepomniachtchi)} ( {The Russian GM expected instead} 19.Qf4 Nxf3+ 20.gxf3 {and thought this to be playable after both} 20...Qh3 ( {Or} 20...Qe7 ) ) 19...Nxf3+ ( {If a tricky move like} 19...Qh3 20.Bf4 $1 ) 20.gxf3 Qh3 21.Bf4 $1 {Continuing energetically. Black is already lost here.} ( {Ding also calculated the lines} 21.Qf6 Qg3+ 22.Kf1 Bh3+ 23.Ke2 Qg2+ 24.Kd3 Qf1+ 25.Kc3 Qxc1 ( {And} 25...b5 26.Bh6 b4+ 27.Kb3 Qd3+ 28.Nc3 c4+ 29.Ka2 b3+ 30.Ka3 {with inevitable mate.} ) ( {However the Chinese GM dismissed the line due to} 25...c4 $1 ) 26.Nd2 {when the familiar queen trapping appears.} ) 21...Qxf3 22.Nd2 f6 23.Qxg6+ hxg6 24.Nxf3 {\"At first I thought this is playable, if I can trade a few pawns.\" (Nepomniachtchi) \"But you cannot.\" (Ding)} 24...Bg4 ( {Against} 24...Re8 {Ding thought about} 25.Re1 Bg4 26.Nd2 f5 27.Ne3 ) 25.Nd2 $1 {\"A very strong move.\" (Nepomniachtchi) The idea is not to trade the light pieces.} 25...Be2 26.Kf2 Bd3 27.Ne1 c4 28.Bxd6 {The white pieces help their pawns run towards the promotional rank.} 28...Rfe8 29.Nxd3 cxd3 30.Bc7 Kf7 31.Ra3 Rac8 32.d6 Ke6 33.Rxd3 Kd7 34.Nc4 Rxc7 35.Nb6+ {Although Nepomniachtchi lost his final encounter, he won the war and will be next WCC contender. We are looking forward to an exciting match!} 1-0

[Event "FTX Crypto Cup | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.05.26"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8249021564966"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.h3 h6 7.c3 d6 8.Re1 a5 {This line slowly outshines the older 8...a6.} 9.d4 ( {At the Candidates Alekseenko tried instead} 9.b3 {against the Chinese top GM, but Ding found a way to enter his favorite Marshall-type of positions after} 9...Bb6 10.Nbd2 Be6 11.Nf1 d5 12.exd5 Nxd5 13.Qc2 Qf6 14.Ng3 Qg6 15.Kh2 Rad8 16.Ba3 Rfe8 17.Nxe5 Nxe5 18.Rxe5 c6 {Alekseenko,K (2698)-Ding,L (2805) Yekaterinburg 2021} ) 9...Bb6 10.Be3 exd4 11.cxd4 d5 12.exd5 Ne7 13.Nc3 Nexd5 14.Qd2 {Carlsen is following his preparation and practically blitzes.} 14...c6 $146 {This novelty, on the other hand, was played after more than six minutes of thought.} ( {Nakamura knew that his opponent had prepared something nasty, as he had played this before:} 14...Nxe3 15.Rxe3 c6 16.Rd1 Nd5 17.Nxd5 cxd5 18.Bb3 Bf5 19.Ne5 a4 20.Bc2 Bxc2 21.Qxc2 Bc7 22.Rde1 Bxe5 23.Rxe5 {with a slight advantage for White in Caruana,F (2835)-Nakamura,H (2736) Online 2020} ) 15.Bxh6 $1 {Played without any hesitation. One can only imagine Nakamura's horror at this minute.} 15...gxh6 16.Qxh6 Bf5 {And this seemingly only move turns out to be decisive mistake!} ( {The only way to stay in the game was} 16...Nh7 $1 {Then} 17.Bd3 {can be met with} ( {The other way to develop the initiative was} 17.Bxd5 cxd5 18.Re5 Qf6 19.Qe3 Qg7 20.Nxd5 {Although here too, Black can defend with} 20...Bd8 $1 ( {Rather than} 20...Bxh3 $2 21.Nh4 ) ) 17...f5 18.Nxd5 cxd5 ( {However, not} 18...Qxd5 19.Re7 Rf7 20.Re8+ Nf8 21.Rxf8+ $3 Rxf8 22.Qg6+ Kh8 23.Ng5 {and White mates.} ) 19.Re3 ( {Or} 19.Qg6+ Kh8 ) 19...Qf6 20.Qf4 {White has compensation for the piece, but Black stabilized the situation.} ) 17.Re5 $1 {The rook lift is coming with tempo and this gains a decisive tempo for Carlsen's attack.} ( {However, also good was} 17.Nh4 $1 {with the idea to distract the bishop after} 17...Bc2 ( {Or} 17...Bh7 18.Re5 {which would be similar to the game.} ) 18.Bb3 $1 Bxb3 19.Nf5 {and mate follows.} ) 17...Bg6 18.Rg5 {Carlsen wants to keep the e5-outpost for his knight.} ( {There was an alternative win:} 18.Nh4 $1 Bxd4 19.Nxg6 fxg6 20.Nxd5 cxd5 21.Rg5 ) 18...Nh7 19.Rg4 Re8 20.Nxd5 {Forcing the win.} ( 20.Nh4 {was still good.} ) 20...cxd5 21.Bd3 Nf8 22.Ne5 Re6 23.Bf5 Rd6 ( {Nothing changes} 23...Qf6 24.Bxe6 Qxe6 25.h4 {and Black cannot stand the pressure.} ( {Or} 25.Re1 ) ) 24.Nxg6 fxg6 25.Bxg6 Rxg6 26.Rxg6+ Nxg6 27.Qxg6+ {Not only winning a third pawn for the piece but completely stripping the black king.} 27...Kh8 28.Qh5+ $1 {The last neat move. With a couple of checks Carlsen defends the central pawn.} ( {This is needed as after the immediate} 28.Re1 Bxd4 {the bishop comes to rescue the black king.} ) 28...Kg8 29.Qg4+ Kh7 30.Re1 {That is it! The rook supports the queen and the attack is irresistible.} 30...Rc8 31.Re6 1-0

[Event "FTX Crypto Cup | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.05.27"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7081327362650"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 {A clear indicator that Black wants to keep as many pieces on the board and is ready for risky play.} 4.Ba4 ( {An alternative is} 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.O-O Be7 7.a3 O-O 8.b4 a6 9.Bxd7 Nxd7 10.d3 b6 {Grandelius,N (2670)-Giri,A (2780) Online 2021} ) 4...Nf6 5.O-O a6 6.c4 e6 7.Nc3 Be7 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 {It all transposed into a Hedgehog setup with a slightly weird-placed light-squared white bishop.} 9...O-O 10.Qe2 Qc7 11.Bb3 {More or less necessary prophylaxis.} ( {The obvious development move} 11.Be3 {fails to} 11...Ne5 12.Bb3 Neg4 13.Bd2 d5 $1 {and Black takes over the initiative.} ) ( {The bishop cannot retreat to} 11.Bc2 $6 {due to} 11...Ne5 12.b3 b5 ) ( {However,} 11.Bd2 Ne5 12.b3 {is possible, although the a4-bishop looks strange in that case.} ) 11...b6 12.Be3 $146 {An obvious development and a novelty.} ( {An earlier game went} 12.f4 Bb7 13.g4 d5 14.cxd5 Bc5 15.Be3 e5 16.fxe5 Nxe5 17.Rxf6 gxf6 18.h3 Ng6 {Martin Duque,J (2438)-Bernadskiy,V (2600) Bassano del Grappa 2021} ) 12...Bb7 13.f3 Rac8 {Carlsen consistently prepares the Hedgehog d6-d5 and b6-b5 breaks in return.} 14.Rac1 Rfe8 15.Rfd1 Qb8 16.Ba4 {This is a positive side of the active placement of the bishop. It is normally safer on f1, but can never show activity from there. Nakamura also frees the road for his b-pawn.} ( {Further prophylaxis is possible as well:} 16.Kh1 $5 ) 16...Rc7 {The c-file is weakened for a moment, and the world champion puts pressure on it at once.} 17.b4 {Very consistent play by Nakamura. He already prepared a nice piece sacrifice.} 17...Rec8 18.Bb3 b5 {Carlsen is also very consistent, but this break is very risky.} ( {In case of} 18...Ne5 {White has} 19.Na4 ) ( {Safer is} 18...Ba8 $5 ) 19.Ncxb5 $1 {The point behind White's play. Nakamura wins a bit of material and above all gains a nice mobile pawn chain on the queenside.} 19...axb5 20.Nxb5 h5 {Black definitely needs kingside counterplay urgently.} ( {The rook cannot be saved:} 20...Rc6 21.Na7 ) ( {However, the central break} 20...d5 $5 {might have been even more interesting, with the main point to meet} 21.Nxc7 {With} ( {In this line White's best chance for an edge seems to be} 21.exd5 $5 Bxb4 22.dxe6 fxe6 23.Nxc7 Qxc7 24.Bf2 {keeping his kingside safe.} ) 21...dxe4 22.Nb5 exf3 23.gxf3 Bxb4 {with huge compensation for the exchange.} ) 21.a4 {Nakamura decided that the speed of the pawns is more important than the exchange.} ( {Here and on the next move, the simple solution} 21.Nxc7 $1 Rxc7 22.a4 {made good sense, when White looks better after, say} 22...h4 23.h3 d5 24.exd5 Bxb4 25.dxe6 fxe6 26.Bf2 ) 21...h4 22.a5 h3 {Now Carlsen definitely has enough counterplay.} 23.Ra1 hxg2 24.Nxc7 Qxc7 25.b5 ( {If} 25.a6 Ba8 26.Qxg2 Ne5 {and Black creates his own threats.} ) 25...Ba8 26.Rdb1 {More preparation is needed.} ( {The white pawns will be blocked in the line} 26.b6 Qb8 27.Qxg2 Nc5 ) 26...d5 $1 {But this means that Carlsen will have time to open up the center. Once the white kingside has been destroyed, this plan works great for Black.} 27.b6 Qe5 28.f4 ( {After} 28.Ba4 {Black is faster, especially if he makes one last prophylaxis:} 28...Rb8 ( {Rather than} 28...Rxc4 29.Bxd7 Nxd7 30.a6 Rc3 {when it is unclear.} ) 29.exd5 exd5 30.Qf2 Bd6 {and the attack outweighs the white queenside pawns.} ) ( {Alas} 28.a6 {does not lead White anywhere after} 28...Nxb6 $1 29.Bxb6 dxe4 30.fxe4 Nxe4 {with a strong attack for Black.} ( {Or} 30...Bd6 ) ) 28...Qc3 29.Qe1 ( {Once again} 29.a6 $1 {is met with} 29...Nxb6 30.Bxb6 Nxe4 {However, this might have been White's best chance thanks to the resource} 31.cxd5 Nd2 32.Ba2 $1 {The key move that keeps everything together. Black is better here too, but the game goes on after either} 32...Nxb1 ( {Or} 32...Bc5+ 33.Bxc5 Qxc5+ 34.Qf2 Qxf2+ 35.Kxf2 Nxb1 36.Rxb1 Rc2+ 37.Kg1 Rxa2 38.Rb8+ Kh7 39.Rxa8 {and this should be a draw.} ) 33.Rxb1 ) 29...Qd3 $1 {The queens should be kept.} ( {White's task is easier after} 29...Qxe1+ 30.Rxe1 dxc4 31.Bc2 ) 30.Ba4 ( {I suspect that Carlsen would have followed the same attacking policy after} 30.Qd2 Qxe4 ( {Although there is a strong argument for} 30...Qxd2 31.Bxd2 Nxe4 32.Be3 Nc3 ) ) 30...Nc5 31.a6 {At last.} 31...Nxa6 32.b7 Bxb7 33.Rxb7 Bc5 ( {Also good is} 33...Bb4 $1 34.Rxb4 ( 34.Qf2 Ng4 ) 34...Nxb4 {with Black's advantage.} ) 34.Rb3 ( {Nothing changes} 34.Bxc5 Nxc5 35.Rbb1 Ncxe4 ) 34...Qxc4 {The sharp battle is over, and White's position is left in ruins.} 35.Bxc5 Nxc5 {Carlsen is following a forcing line that leads him to an almost won endgame.} ( {However, even better seems} 35...Qxc5+ 36.Kxg2 Nxe4 ) 36.Rb4 Qf1+ 37.Qxf1 gxf1=Q+ 38.Kxf1 ( {Here a tad more resilient is} 38.Rxf1 Nfxe4 39.Bc2 ) 38...Nd3 39.Rd4 {After this, White cannot survive.} ( {The last chance is} 39.Rb5 $1 {trading some pawns after} 39...dxe4 ( {Or} 39...Nxe4 40.f5 $1 ) 40.f5 $1 e5 41.Bb3 ) 39...dxe4 40.f5 exf5 41.Bd7 Nxd7 42.Rxd7 Rc2 ( {Other moves are also winning:} 42...Ne5 ) ( {Or} 42...g6 ) 43.Ra8+ Kh7 44.Re8 ( {Since the forcing line} 44.Rxf7 e3 45.Re7 e2+ 46.Rxe2 Rc1+ 47.Kg2 Nf4+ 48.Kf3 Nxe2 49.Kxe2 Rc2+ {leaves Black two pawns up.} ) 44...Kg6 45.Ree7 Kg5 46.Rxf7 g6 47.Rd6 Rxh2 48.Rg7 Nf4 49.Re7 0-1

[Event "FTX Crypto Cup | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.05.28"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[ECO "C00"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[Beauty "5910277656072"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O Be7 5.d3 {Nepomniachtchi chose the King's Indian Attack for the decisive game.} 5...O-O 6.Nbd2 c5 7.e4 Nc6 {This can be considered Black's main line.} 8.Re1 b5 9.e5 Nd7 10.Nf1 a5 11.h4 {Those of you who followed my mini-course on Chess.com about the KIA are familiar with the ideas for both sides. White is quickly building a strong attacking setup on the kingside while maneuvering his queenside knight to g4, whereas Black tries to counter on the opposite wing and the center.} 11...b4 12.Bf4 a4 13.a3 {An important move for White, who needs to slow his opponent down on the queenside.} 13...bxa3 14.bxa3 Rb8 15.Ne3 {The knight can reach the g4-square from here too.} ( {The other way to attack was demonstrated in the following game:} 15.Bh3 Bb7 16.N1h2 Re8 17.Ng5 Bxg5 ( 17...Nf8 $1 {looks much better as this knight is a huge defender.} ) 18.hxg5 Ne7 19.Qh5 d4 20.Ng4 $1 Nf5 21.Nf6+ $1 gxf6 22.gxf6 {and White had winning attack in Haddouche,M (2505)-Van Wely,L (2654) Rabat 2014} ) 15...Bb7 $146 {An obvious developing move and a novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw unclear play after} 15...Nd4 16.c4 dxc4 17.Nxd4 cxd4 18.Nxc4 Nc5 19.Qg4 Kh8 20.Red1 Rb3 21.Bg5 f6 22.exf6 gxf6 23.Bh6 Rg8 {Pablo Marin,A (2383)-Aroshidze,L (2517) Barcelona 2017} ) 16.c4 {Nepomniachtchi fires back at the center while opening the road for his queen.} 16...Nb6 17.cxd5 Nxd5 {However, So keeps playing confidently and is not afraid to sacrifice a pawn.} 18.Qxa4 ( {After} 18.Nxd5 Qxd5 19.Qxa4 Nd4 {the white pieces are forced into passivity} 20.Re3 {And a simple move like} 20...h6 $5 {looks good for Black who is ready to embarrass the enemy bishop with g7-g5 at the proper moment.} ) 18...Nc3 {Playing for activity.} ( {So could have also regained the pawn at once with} 18...Ra8 19.Qe4 Nxf4 20.Qxf4 Qxd3 {which looks equal too.} ) 19.Qc4 Qa5 20.Rac1 Nb5 {Black achieved what he wanted. His pieces are active, and White cannot establish good communication between his forces.} 21.Nc2 Nxa3 {Time to regain the material.} ( {There is no need to suffer being down a pawn in the line} 21...Ncd4 22.Nfxd4 Nxd4 23.Nxd4 cxd4 24.Bxb7 Rxb7 25.Qxd4 Bxa3 26.Ra1 Bb2 27.Rxa5 Bxd4 ) 22.Nxa3 Qxa3 23.Bg5 {A typical move for the opening. Nepomniachtchi swaps the most important defender.} ( {It is equal after} 23.Ra1 Qb4 24.Reb1 Qxc4 25.dxc4 Nb4 ) 23...Rfd8 {However, Black is quick enough to underline the weakness of the white d3-pawn too. Everything perishes after} 24.Bxe7 Nxe7 25.Qxc5 Qxc5 26.Rxc5 Bxf3 27.Bxf3 Rxd3 28.Be4 Rd7 {This, of course, should be a draw, but Nepomniachtchi decided to press for a while.} 29.h5 g6 {An accurate move that frees Black from all back-rank mating threats.} ( 29...h6 30.Ra1 {leaves White a symbolic edge.} ) 30.Kg2 {Still pushing.} ( {The Russian GM avoids the drawish line} 30.h6 Nf5 31.Bxf5 exf5 32.e6 fxe6 33.Rxe6 Kf7 ) 30...Kg7 31.Rh1 Ng8 {Black has everything under control.} 32.Rhc1 gxh5 $5 {It is So's turn to try little something.} 33.Rh1 Rb4 34.Bc2 Kh6 ( {Avoiding the passive defense} 34...Ne7 35.Rxh5 h6 {which would have likely led to a draw.} ) 35.Bd1 h4 $1 {The point behind So's play. Black needs to break the opponent's chain too.} 36.Be2 {And this obvious move is a serious inaccuracy.} ( 36.Bc2 $1 {would have kept the game even.} ) 36...Ne7 37.Rxh4+ Rxh4 38.gxh4 Ng6 39.Kg3 Rd4 {Now Black wins a pawn and is in the driver's seat.} 40.Rc4 ( {White could have also defended with the rooks on the board:} 40.Rc7 $5 Nxe5 41.f4 Rd7 42.Rc5 Nd3 43.Rc4 {and this seems somewhat better from a practical perspective.} ) 40...Rxc4 41.Bxc4 Nxe5 42.Bb3 Kg7 {It all went upside down for Nepomniachtchi. Instead of pressing without any risk, he needs to defend a gloomy endgame, which So can grind for dozens of moves.} 43.f4 Nc6 44.Bc2 h6 45.Bb1 Ne7 46.Kg4 Nd5 47.Kg3 Kf8 $1 {The king is heading to the center.} 48.Kg4 Nf6+ 49.Kf3 Ke7 50.Bc2 Nh5 51.Kg4 Ng7 52.Bb1 f6 53.Ba2 Kd6 54.Kf3 h5 55.Kg3 Kc5 {Black is making more and more progress; White keeps standing.} 56.Bb3 ( {Nothing is changed after the computer suggestion} 56.Kf2 Kd4 57.Kf3 Kd3 58.Bb1+ Kc3 ) 56...Kd4 57.Kf3 Kd3 58.Ba4 {Finally, Nepomniachtchi decided to activate his bishop, and this turned out to be a mistake!} ( {The bishop is optimal on the diagonal where it was; therefore,} 58.Ba2 $1 {should have been played. The main point is that in the line} 58...Kc3 59.Ke4 Kb2 {White has the salvation} 60.Bxe6 $3 Nxe6 61.Kf5 {mopping up the enemy pawns with a draw.} ) 58...Nf5 59.Bb5+ Kd4 60.Be8 Nxh4+ 61.Kg3 ( {Alas, the f4-pawn cannot survive in the line} 61.Kf2 Nf5 62.Bxh5 Ke4 63.Bf7 Nd4 ) 61...Nf5+ 62.Kf3 Ng7 63.Bf7 Kd5 {Black consolidated his advantage and with his next move} 64.Bg6 f5 $1 {he locked up the white bishop permanently. The surrounding operation was conducted flawlessly by So after} 65.Bf7 Kd6 66.Kg3 Ke7 67.Bg6 Kf6 68.Bh7 Ne8 0-1

[Event "FTX Crypto Cup | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.05.29"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7631620015662"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 {So needed to hold in this game in order to wrap up the match, and his choice is the very well analyzed Improved Tarrasch Defense.} 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 c5 7.Rb1 {Nepomniachtchi decided to keep as many pieces as he can on board, for the aforementioned reason.} 7...Be7 ( {It is funny to see So facing the other main move, this time as White, in the following game:} 7...cxd4 8.cxd4 Nc6 9.Nf3 Bb4+ 10.Bd2 Bxd2+ 11.Qxd2 O-O 12.Bb5 Ne7 13.O-O b6 14.h4 Bb7 15.Rfe1 Rc8 16.h5 h6 17.Ne5 {and eventually White prevailed in So,W (2770)-Duda,J (2743) Online 2021} ) 8.Nf3 O-O 9.h4 {In the spirit of the Grunfeld Defense. Up to here the players followed another game of So, versus Ding Liren.} ( {In that game the Chinese GM chose} 9.Bc4 a6 10.a4 Qc7 11.Be2 b6 12.O-O cxd4 13.cxd4 Bb7 14.Bd3 Nc6 $146 {and then attacked the enemy king with a rook lift from the queenside:} 15.Rb3 {\"It was an idea I prepared some time ago. A very strong move I think.\" (Ding)} 15...Na5 {So prevents the rook shift on the opposite wing.} 16.Rb2 Nc6 17.Rd2 {But the rook finds another way to support the attack.} 17...Rfd8 {Probably already an inaccuracy.} ( {Better looks} 17...Nb4 18.Bb1 {Then} 18...Rfd8 {and if White tries to play the same way as in the game with} 19.d5 exd5 20.e5 g6 21.Bb2 {Black will have the important resource} 21...Bc8 $1 {which will bring the bishop into the defense.} ) 18.Bb2 Rac8 19.d5 $1 {\"I need to attack immediately.\" (Ding)} 19...Nb4 ( {In case of the preliminary} 19...exd5 20.exd5 Nb4 {White can defend the central pawn:} 21.Be4 ) 20.Bb1 exd5 21.e5 {and White won a spectacular game with a direct kingside attack in Ding,L (2805)-So,W (2754) Altibox Norway Chess 2019} ) ( {So also faced} 9.Be2 {against the world champion that same year} 9...b6 10.O-O Bb7 11.Qd3 Nd7 12.Re1 Rc8 13.Bf4 Nf6 14.Bd1 $5 {Carlsen,M (2861)-So,W (2754) Abidjan 2019} ) 9...b6 $5 {This is considered to be a side line.} 10.h5 h6 11.Bd3 cxd4 12.cxd4 Nc6 $146 {So plays in a similar fashion as in his game against Ding. Fun fact: Nb8-c6 was a novelty there as well.} ( {Good for White was} 12...e5 13.dxe5 Na6 14.Bc4 Qxd1+ 15.Kxd1 Nc5 16.Bd5 Rd8 17.Nd4 Bb7 18.Ke2 Bxd5 19.exd5 Rxd5 20.Nc6 Bf8 21.f4 {Aronian,L (2775) -Bosiocic,M (2623) Moscow 2019} ) 13.Be2 Bb7 14.Rh3 {The rook is lifted from the other side this time!} 14...Rc8 15.Rg3 Kh8 {Necessary prophylaxis.} 16.a3 {Whereas this one was not mandatory.} ( {The immediate} 16.Kf1 {might have been stronger. Then} 16...Na5 {can be met with either} ( {Black can be cunning as well, though, with} 16...Bd6 $5 {which provokes the blocking of the long diagonal:} 17.e5 Be7 ) 17.Bd3 ( {Or perhaps more interesting} 17.d5 $5 exd5 18.Bb2 Bf6 19.e5 {which looks dangerous for Black.} ) ) 16...Na5 {The knight is ready to chase the enemy bishop from the long diagonal. And not only that...} 17.Bd3 ( {Here} 17.d5 {is not that effective due to} 17...exd5 18.Bb2 Bf6 19.e5 Bh4 20.Rg4 Be7 21.e6 ( {Or else the knight enters the battle:} 21.Kf1 Nc4 ) 21...Bf6 {and Black looks safe.} ) 17...Nc4 $1 {Pressing the white pieces in time. Nepomniachtchi desperately needs open files and diagonals.} 18.Kf1 ( {Now} 18.d5 {does not work due to} 18...Bd6 $1 ) 18...Nd6 {The end of an excellent knight maneuver. The knight is not only putting pressure on the e4-pawn but is ready to help his own king and even counterattack.} 19.d5 {At last White opens the diagonals, but this idea is flawed with the super-knight around.} ( {Also wrong was the other advance} 19.e5 {when Black is better after both} 19...Nf5 ( {Or even stronger} 19...Ne4 $1 ) ) ( {However, Nepomniachtchi could have mounted more pressure with} 19.Qe2 $5 {patiently waiting for his window of opportunity.} ) 19...exd5 20.Bb2 {It seems as White threats are serious, however:} ( {For} 20.e5 {is an empty blow due to} 20...Ne4 $1 {and that is The knight.} ) 20...dxe4 $1 {was apparently a move that Nepomniachtchi had underestimated. No wonder, allowing the capture of the most important defensive pawn with a check is hardly ever a good idea. But here, it works!} 21.Bxg7+ ( 21.Rxg7 Bf6 $1 {wins for Black as well.} ) 21...Kh7 22.Bxf8 Bxf8 23.Rg4 ( {White cannot save the piece thanks to the pin} 23.Bc2 {due to} 23...Nf5 $1 {when the white bishop is overworked:} 24.Rh3 ( {Or} 24.Qxd8 Nxg3+ ) 24...Qxd1+ 25.Bxd1 exf3 {and Black wins.} ) 23...exd3 {The attack is over before it even started.} 24.Rd4 Rc3 25.Qd2 Qc7 {Now watch out how practical So is. First he gets rid of the potential attackers.} 26.Qf4 Bxf3 27.gxf3 Rc4 $1 28.Rd1 Rxd4 ( {The computer suggests instead} 28...Qc5 29.R1xd3 Rc2 {but what are these complications for?} ) 29.Qxd4 Qc4 30.Qe3 Nb5 31.Rxd3 Bxa3 32.Kg2 {Still looking for a final punch.} ( {Objectively better was} 32.Qe4+ Qxe4 33.fxe4 {although Black should still win here, above all without any risk.} ) 32...Bc5 33.Qd2 Nd4 {Super-centralization. Both black horses deserved good treats today!} 34.Re3 a5 35.Re5 f6 {Opening up the g-file for the queen.} 36.Re4 f5 {And securing the control over it.} 37.Re8 Qf7 38.Qe1 Qg7+ 39.Kh1 Nxf3 40.Qd1 Qf7 0-1

[Event "FTX Crypto Cup | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.05.30"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8178288820760"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 {The good old classical line that So already used to beat the world champion earlier this year.} 5...exd4 6.e5 d5 7.Bb5 Ne4 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 O-O 10.Be3 Bg4 {The pawn structure now is very much like the one in the Yates variation of the Ruy Lopez. White has a strong center, but Black's free piece play allows him a chance to eventually attack and destroy the center.} 11.h3 Bh5 12.Rc1 $5 {So deviates from the move that brought him success earlier, and chooses a promising side line which he obviously analyzed extensively as well.} ( {In the meantime, other top players discussed the consequences of} 12.Qa4 Ne7 13.Bd3 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Nxc3 15.bxc3 f5 16.f4 Rc8 17.Ke2 c5 18.h4 cxd4 19.cxd4 Nc6 {Jones,G (2670) -Mamedyarov,S (2770) Online 2021} ) ( {Earlier this year, So won a spectacular game vs. Carlsen after} 12.Qc2 Bg6 ( {Last year Carlsen had another discussion with a top player:} 12...Nxc3 13.bxc3 f6 14.Bxc6 bxc6 15.exf6 Bxf3 16.fxg7 Rf7 17.gxf3 Qd6 18.Rg1 c5 19.Rg5 cxd4 20.cxd4 Rxg7 21.Rxg7+ Kxg7 22.Ke2 Qg6 {and White is up a pawn but has too many weaknesses, which makes the position balanced, Giri,A (2764)-Carlsen, M (2862) Online 2020} ) 13.Qb3 Ne7 14.O-O c6 15.Bd3 Nf5 16.Qc2 Nxc3 17.bxc3 Nxe3 18.fxe3 Bxd3 19.Qxd3 f6 20.c4 Bc7 21.cxd5 Qxd5 22.exf6 gxf6 23.e4 Qd7 24.Rad1 Rad8 25.Nh4 Kh8 26.Nf5 c5 27.d5 Be5 28.Rb1 b6 29.Qc4 Rfe8 30.Kh1 Bd4 31.Rf4 Rxe4 32.Rxe4 Qxf5 33.Rbe1 Rxd5 34.Rg4 h5 35.Re8+ Kh7 36.Re7+ Kh8 37.Qc1 {1-0 So,W (2770) -Carlsen,M (2862) Opera Euro Rapid 2021} ) 12...Ba5 $146 {Carlsen bets on the \"outpost play.\" In the meantime, he frees himself from the passive bishop.} ( {A super-exciting game from last year went} 12...Kh8 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.Ne2 f6 15.g4 Ba5+ 16.Kf1 fxe5 17.Nxe5 Qh4 18.Rh2 Bd2 19.Kg1 Bxe3 20.fxe3 Nf2 21.Qe1 Nxh3+ 22.Kh1 Rf2 23.Nf4 Rxh2+ 24.Kxh2 Qxe1 25.Rxe1 {Ladron de Guevara Pinto,P (2450)-Arizmendi Martinez,J (2499) Alfafar 2020} ) 13.O-O Bxc3 14.bxc3 Na5 {That was the idea. The knight is about to step on the c4-square. In hindsight, this seems slow though.} ( {Perhaps a better idea was to slow the opponent down on the kingside with} 14...f5 $5 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.Bf4 {and then search for counterplay there, thanks to his strong knight, with} 16...Bxf3 ( {Or} 16...g5 $5 ) 17.Qxf3 ( {Nothing yields} 17.gxf3 Ng5 ) 17...g5 $1 ) ( {The other way to search counterplay was related to} 14...f6 $5 ) 15.g4 $1 {So's plan is clear: he needs to bring his huge kingside mass into motion.} 15...Bg6 16.Ne1 {The f-pawn is unleashed.} 16...f6 ( {Here} 16...f5 {does not work as well. White will continue with:} 17.Ng2 c6 18.Bd3 Nc4 19.Bxc4 dxc4 20.f3 Ng5 21.Bxg5 Qxg5 22.f4 Qe7 23.Ne3 {when White dominates.} ) 17.f3 c6 18.Bd3 Ng5 19.Bxg6 $1 {A very strong move. The tripled pawns will be huge targets.} ( {White should not allow this knight to come back in the center:} 19.f4 Bxd3 $1 ( {Not} 19...Nxh3+ $2 20.Kg2 {when the knight is trapped.} ) 20.Qxd3 Ne4 {and it is getting unclear.} ) 19...hxg6 20.Bxg5 fxg5 21.Qd3 Nc4 {Carlsen decided to sacrifice a pawn.} ( {In case of} 21...Qe8 {White would have slowly prepared the decisive f3-f4 break with} 22.Ng2 Nc4 23.Rf2 Rc8 24.Rcf1 c5 25.f4 $1 {and Black position collapses.} ) 22.Qxg6 Qe7 23.Rf2 $1 {So is accurate as usual.} ( {There is no point allowing any activity with} 23.Ng2 Nd2 $1 {Although White is clearly on top here too thanks to} 24.Ne3 $1 ) 23...c5 {The only counterplay, albeit slow.} 24.Ng2 Rac8 25.Rcf1 cxd4 26.cxd4 Rc6 27.Qd3 Ra6 {Now it all ends quickly.} ( {The last chance to put up some resistance was connected with the queen trade:} 27...Qa3 $1 28.Rd1 Qxd3 29.Rxd3 b5 {White still has a lot of work to prove the win.} ) 28.f4 Ra3 29.Qg6 Rxh3 ( {Or else the knight enters the attack with decisive effect:} 29...gxf4 30.Nxf4 ) 30.f5 ( 30.fxg5 {would have won as well after} 30...Rxf2 31.Rxf2 Rg3 32.Qh5 ) 30...Kh8 31.f6 $1 {Well calculated as usual.} 31...gxf6 32.exf6 Qh7 33.Qg7+ $1 {Picks up the rook and levels the first match.} ( 33.Qg7+ Qxg7 34.fxg7+ Kxg7 35.Rxf8 ) 1-0

[Event "FTX Crypto Cup | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.05.31"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7424790497333"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {Carlsen had the psychological advantage after winning the previous must-win game. He also opted for the Italian, just like So did earlier in the match.} 3...Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O h6 6.c3 O-O 7.b4 Bb6 8.a4 a6 9.Nbd2 d6 10.Re1 ( {Last year in another online game Nakamura faced instead} 10.h3 Ne7 11.Re1 Ng6 12.a5 Ba7 13.Nf1 Re8 14.Bb3 Be6 15.Ng3 Bxb3 16.Qxb3 d5 17.c4 c6 18.Bb2 d4 19.c5 {with approximate equality as the black bishop can enter the game relatively effortlessly, Onischuk,V (2633)-Nakamura,H (2736) Chess.com 2020} ) 10...Ne7 11.d4 {White is taking over the initiative, and So goes for a typical exchange operation.} 11...exd4 $146 {This is a novelty as well. Alas, based on a miscalculation.} ( {An earlier game saw Black calmly maneuvering on the kingside after} 11...Ng6 12.Bb2 Nf4 13.Bf1 Re8 14.Qc2 Ba7 15.h3 Nh7 16.Kh2 Ng5 {Polatel,A (2243)-Vivante Sowter,J (2257) ICCF email 2017} ) 12.cxd4 d5 {The point behind Black's play. This as usual leads to equality. However here Carlsen has the strong} 13.e5 $1 {It happens that the knight on e7 is particularly badly placed.} ( {Rather than} 13.exd5 Nexd5 {which was what So obviously expected.} ) 13...Nh5 {The most active way to keep the game going.} ( {If} 13...dxc4 14.exf6 gxf6 15.Nxc4 {is a large advantage for White.} ) ( {Whereas} 13...Nh7 14.Bf1 {is too passive for Black.} ) 14.Bf1 Nf4 {At least this knight is active. Nevertheless, the mistake that Black committed costed him dearly. White's advantage in the center is overwhelming.} 15.Nb3 Neg6 ( {The computer suggestion} 15...Nfg6 16.a5 Ba7 17.Nc5 {leaves White dominating.} ) 16.a5 Ba7 17.Bxf4 {Simple and good.} ( {The other way to fight the knights is:} 17.g3 Nh3+ 18.Kg2 {Then if Black retreats:} 18...Ng5 ( {However,} 18...Bg4 $1 {is getting messy.} ) 19.Nxg5 hxg5 20.Qh5 {White is winning.} ) 17...Nxf4 18.Qd2 Ng6 ( {Perhaps So should have tried} 18...Ne6 19.Re3 f6 20.exf6 Qxf6 21.Rae1 Ng5 {In order to put pressure upon the d4-pawn at once.} ) 19.Nc5 f6 {There is a natural desire to undermine the huge center.} ( {However, better is to try this from the other side with} 19...Bg4 $1 20.Ra3 Bxc5 21.bxc5 b6 {White is better here as well, but Black keeps fighting.} ) 20.Bd3 $1 {That's the problem. The knight does not have a good retreat square. Or defense. Therefore, So needs to abandon any hope for competition in the center.} 20...f5 ( 20...Ne7 21.e6 f5 22.Re3 {packs Black completely.} ) 21.Bc2 Re8 ( {Apparently} 21...b6 {no longer works for Black} 22.axb6 cxb6 23.Nxa6 ) 22.g3 Bxc5 {The last chance is to build some sort of blockade.} ( {After} 22...Nf8 23.Nh4 {Black is deprived of any counterplay. In particular} 23...f4 {is an empty blow due to} 24.Ng2 fxg3 25.hxg3 {and White has all the advantages.} ) 23.bxc5 Be6 24.Rab1 Rb8 25.Re3 Ne7 26.Reb3 Qc8 {It is obvious that Carlsen is strategically winning. He controls the center, has more space, better pieces, everything...} 27.Nh4 $1 {A nice maneuver. It is time to revert to the main kingside attack plan.} 27...Rf8 28.Ng2 Bd7 ( {The desperate try} 28...g5 {would only help White} 29.h4 f4 30.hxg5 hxg5 31.gxf4 {and Black's position collapses.} ) 29.h4 ( 29.Nf4 {is more accurate.} ) 29...Ba4 30.R3b2 Bxc2 31.Qxc2 ( {And here} 31.Rxc2 {would not have allowed Black's next chance...} ) 31...Nc6 {...which So missed.} ( {A good practical try is} 31...f4 $1 {Then} 32.Nxf4 ( {True,} 32.gxf4 $1 {still offers White winning chances as long as he manages to swap the queens off as in the line} 32...Qg4 33.Qd1 Rxf4 34.Qxg4 Rxg4 35.Rxb7 Rc8 {but Black too has some ideas now thanks to his active rook.} ) 32...Rxf4 $1 33.gxf4 Qg4+ 34.Kf1 Rf8 {offers at least enough compensation for the exchange. The computer suggests this drawing line:} 35.Rxb7 Qh3+ 36.Kg1 ( {As} 36.Ke2 Rxf4 {is bad for White.} ) 36...Qg4+ ) 32.Qc3 g5 ( {The last chance for} 32...f4 $1 {is here, although now White is in control with} 33.Nxf4 Qg4 34.Qe3 Nxa5 35.Nxd5 {As:} 35...Nc4 $2 {loses to the X-ray} 36.Qb3 ) 33.hxg5 hxg5 34.f4 Kg7 35.Kf2 ( {Maybe even simpler is} 35.fxg5 f4 36.Nxf4 Rxf4 37.gxf4 Qg4+ 38.Rg2 {White's rooks are great.} ) 35...Rh8 36.fxg5 Rh2 {So tries every single little chance to confuse his opponent.} 37.Qf3 {Once more things get complicated.} ( {The computer-generated} 37.Kf3 $3 Qh8 38.Nf4 {would have won cleaner.} ) ( {Or another surprising idea is} 37.Qd3 f4 38.Kg1 $1 ) 37...Nxd4 ( {Perhaps it was worth trying} 37...f4 {when White can still go wrong with} 38.Qxf4 $2 ( {True,} 38.Kg1 Nxd4 39.Qxf4 Qh3 40.Qxd4 {should have still won, although it looks scary. For example:} 40...Rh1+ 41.Kf2 Rh2 ( 41...Rf8+ 42.Nf4 Rh2+ 43.Kf3 Qh5+ 44.Ke3 {The king is safe.} ( {Please not} 44.g4 $4 Qh3# ) ) 42.e6+ Kg8 43.Rg1 Rf8+ 44.Ke1 {and White wins.} ) 38...Qh3 {and suddenly Black is on top.} ) 38.Qxd5 Nc6 ( {The last defensive line could have been built with} 38...Ne6 ) 39.e6 {Now it is quickly over, as Carlsen finally takes the tactical chances away from his opponent with a queen trade.} 39...Qd8 40.Qd7+ Qxd7 41.exd7 Rd8 42.Rd2 Ne5 43.Rxb7 Kg6 44.Rxc7 {Carlsen's reaction after So's resignation tells everything! So played amazing chess throughout the event, again. He managed to come back twice from a seemingly hopeless situation and even had a chance to win the match. Still, Carlsen proved once more what \"world champion\" means! The Bitcoin is stabilizing these days, guys. Keep hodling!} 1-0

[Event "FTX Crypto Cup | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.05.23"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "B76"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "6803651824158"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "3"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.f3 {It's not the first time that the world champion used this rare line.} 3...Nc6 ( {Firouzja chose instead} 3...Nf6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Nc6 6.Qf2 g6 7.Be3 Bg7 8.O-O-O O-O {but Black was under a tremendous attack after} 9.h4 Qa5 10.h5 Nxh5 11.Rd5 Qd8 12.Rdxh5 $1 gxh5 13.Qh4 {Carlsen,M (2862)-Firouzja,A (2749) Online 2021} ) 4.Bb5 g6 5.Nge2 Bg7 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Bd7 8.Be3 Nf6 9.Qd2 O-O 10.O-O-O Rc8 11.Be2 {Ultimately it all ended in a Dragon. White can be happy that he got his opponent out of his comfortable Najdorf zone, whereas Vachier-Lagrave can enjoy the relatively obscure position of the enemy light-squared bishop on e2 (it normally stands much more actively on b3) in this double-edged position.} 11...a6 {This looks like the right plan here. White is ready to swap the black knight any time it maneuvers to c4, and in this case it would not matter if the bishop stands on b3 or e2. However, the advance of the queenside pawns will highlight the fact that White does not have enough control over the d5-square.} ( {Another way to try and benefit from the bishop's absence along the a2-g8 diagonal is} 11...Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Qa5 13.Kb1 Be6 14.a3 a6 15.g4 b5 16.g5 Nd7 17.Nd5 Qd8 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Qd4+ Kg8 20.Ne3 Qb6 21.f4 Qxd4 22.Rxd4 f6 {as in Yu,Y (2709)-Can,E (2600) Chess.com 2020} ) 12.Kb1 b5 13.g4 Nxd4 14.Bxd4 e5 {Forcing matters.} 15.Be3 b4 16.Nd5 {This turns out to be a mistake.} ( {The principled continuation was} 16.Qxd6 bxc3 17.g5 Nxe4 18.fxe4 Bc6 19.Bxa6 Bxe4 20.Bxc8 Qxc8 {with compensation for the exchange and unclear play.} ) 16...Nxd5 17.exd5 ( {It seems as Carlsen realized only now that the other capture has issues. The generally desirable} 17.Qxd5 {that keeps the black pawns under pressure is met with} 17...Be6 18.Qxd6 {Now Black has the excellent idea} 18...Qa5 19.b3 Rxc2 $1 {Then the capture} 20.Kxc2 {leads to mate after} ( {However} 20.Qxa6 $1 Rxa2 21.Qxa5 Rxa5 22.Bc4 {might have been the lesser evil, although Black's position remains better.} ) 20...Qxa2+ 21.Kc1 Qa1+ 22.Kc2 ( 22.Kd2 Qc3# ) 22...Qc3+ 23.Kb1 Qxb3+ ) 17...e4 $1 $146 {A very strong move which immediately opens the files and the diagonals for the black pieces.} ( {An earlier game went} 17...Qa5 18.h4 Rc7 19.h5 Rfc8 20.Bd3 Qxd5 21.hxg6 hxg6 22.Bxg6 Qxd2 23.Bh7+ Kf8 24.Rxd2 Bc6 {Pallas,S (2199)-Reindl,A (2013) Willingen 2017} ) 18.fxe4 Re8 {White cannot keep the extra pawn.} 19.Bd4 ( 19.Bf3 $4 {loses at once due to} 19...Qf6 ) ( 19.Bd3 {was perhaps the lesser evil, although Black is doing more than fine after} 19...Bxg4 ) ( {The greedy} 19.Bxa6 $2 Ra8 20.Bd3 Qa5 {leads to a decisive attack for Black.} ) ( {Whereas} 19.Qd3 Bb5 $1 ( {Or the preliminary} 19...Ba4 {followed by Ba4-b5 is a clear edge for Black as well.} ) ) 19...Rxe4 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.h3 a5 {Vachier-Lagrave secured a large advantage.} 22.Rhf1 ( {A bit more accurate seems} 22.Ba6 Rc5 23.Rhe1 {although this can hardly change the assessment of the position as clearly better for Black.} ) 22...Qe7 {The control of the open file determines Black's advantage. Carlsen has problems with his central pawn.} 23.Bd3 Re5 ( 23...Re3 $5 {also looked good.} ) 24.Qf2 ( {Perhaps White could have done better swapping a pair of rooks.} 24.Rde1 Re8 25.Rxe5 Qxe5 26.Qf2 ) 24...Rxd5 {The pawn is won, the centralization kept. Black is on his way to the win.} 25.Rde1 Re5 26.Qd4 Rc5 27.Re4 Be6 ( 27...f6 {looked more accurate.} ) 28.b3 ( 28.Ref4 $5 ) 28...Kg8 ( {Here it made sense to determine White's queen's position with} 28...Rd5 29.Qb2 ) 29.Rfe1 Rxe4 {This allows White an extra possibility.} ( 29...Qc7 {was avoiding the chance in the game.} ) 30.Rxe4 Qc7 31.h4 {Which Carlsen misses.} ( {White could have tied up a bit the enemy pieces with} 31.Bc4 $1 d5 32.Re5 {when the survival chances remain alive.} ) 31...Re5 32.g5 Rxe4 33.Qxe4 ( {After} 33.Bxe4 Qc5 34.Qf6 Qe5 {Deciding the centralization.} ) 33...Qc5 34.Qa8+ Kg7 35.Qf3 Qg1+ 36.Kb2 Qd4+ 37.Kb1 h5 ( {The only thing Black needs to worry about is the perpetual:} 37...Qxh4 $2 38.Qf6+ ) 38.Qf1 ( {Or else the king will take care of h4 personally:} 38.gxh6+ Kxh6 ) 38...Bd5 {Now after one final centralization, Vachier-Lagrave finishes the game nicely.} 39.Qe1 Kf8 40.Qg3 Ke7 41.Qe1+ Be6 42.Qh1 Bd5 43.Qe1+ Qe5 44.Qf2 Be6 45.Qf1 Bf5 $1 {The decisive trade. It seems ugly to double pawns like this, but provided that the front-runner will be a queen, the aesthetic pain can be accepted.} 46.Bxf5 gxf5 $1 ( {Rather than} 46...Qxf5 47.Qe1+ Qe5 48.Qh1 {when there are still technical issues for Black.} ) 47.Qd1 f4 48.Qxh5 Qe1+ 49.Kb2 Qc3+ 50.Kb1 f3 51.g6 Qe1+ 52.Kb2 f2 53.Qg5+ f6 0-1

[Event "FTX Crypto Cup | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.05.24"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[ECO "A01"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[Beauty "8250095307331"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "3"]

1.b3 {Despite the poor start, Carlsen does not mind experimenting.} 1...e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.c4 {Switching to the reversed Sicilian.} ( {Instead of staying in Viking waters with} 3.e3 {like the great Bent Larsen loved to play.} ) 3...Nf6 4.Nf3 e4 5.Nd4 Bc5 6.Nf5 {This position is super-fresh, although there is one recent top-GM game.} 6...d5 $5 $146 {Grischuk played this novelty relatively fast. Apparently, the Russian GM had studied this line earlier at home.} ( {The earlier top game saw an exciting battle after} 6...O-O 7.e3 d5 8.cxd5 Bxf5 9.dxc6 bxc6 10.Nc3 Re8 11.Be2 Bd6 12.Rc1 h5 13.Bxh5 Nxh5 14.Qxh5 Bg6 15.Qg4 Re5 16.h4 Bh5 17.Qh3 f5 {Artemiev,V (2709)-Firouzja,A (2759) Chess.com 2021} ) ( {However, safer is} 6...d6 {when White cannot accept the sacrifice:} 7.Nxg7+ $2 Kf8 8.Nh5 {loses material due to the pretty interference sacrifice} 8...e3 $3 9.dxe3 ( {Nothing changes} 9.fxe3 Nxh5 10.Bxh8 Qh4+ 11.g3 Nxg3 ) 9...Bb4+ 10.Nc3 Nxh5 {and Black wins.} ) 7.Nxg7+ {Carlsen accepts the pawn without much hesitation.} 7...Kf8 8.cxd5 Bd4 {The point behind Black's play. He wants to trap the opponent's knight.} ( {After} 8...Nb4 {the white knight escapes either with} 9.a3 ( {or with the direct} 9.Nh5 Ng4 10.e3 Qh4 11.Ng3 Rg8 ) 9...Nbxd5 10.Nh5 {although Black keeps compensation for the pawn.} ) 9.Nc3 $1 {The best chance.} ( {Black is doing perfectly fine after} 9.Bxd4 Nxd4 10.e3 Kxg7 11.exd4 Qxd5 ) 9...Ne7 {But this is a mistake! It looks like Grischuk could not remember some important details.} ( {The knight belonged to a more aggressive position} 9...Nb4 $1 {Then, what Carlsen played in the game would not have worked:} 10.e3 ( {Therefore, White had to choose instead either the promising piece sacrifice} 10.a3 Nbxd5 11.Nh5 Nxh5 12.e3 Bxc3 13.dxc3 Qg5 14.c4 Ndf6 15.Qd8+ Kg7 16.Qxc7 {with sufficient compensation for the knight.} ) ( {Or the immediate} 10.Nh5 Nxh5 11.e3 Rg8 {where Black looks good, say} ( 11...Nf4 $5 12.exf4 Qf6 {also looks interesting.} ) 12.exd4 Bg4 $1 ) 10...Be5 11.Nh5 {Due to} 11...Bg4 $1 12.Be2 Nd3+ {That's the point!} ) 10.e3 {Now this is nasty, and Grischuk needs to part with the important bishop.} 10...Bxc3 ( {As} 10...Be5 11.Nh5 Bg4 12.Be2 {does not work for Black anymore.} ) 11.dxc3 $1 {It is important to open the road for the queen.} 11...Kxg7 12.c4 {For the piece Carlsen has two pawns, two bishops and, most importantly, an eternal attack against the enemy king.} 12...Ng6 ( {Nothing changes} 12...Kg6 13.g4 $1 {and} 13...Bxg4 {loses to} 14.Rg1 ) 13.g4 {The start the final uncovering of the black king.} ( {Even stronger is} 13.Qd4 $1 Re8 14.f4 exf3 15.gxf3 Qd6 16.O-O-O {with a decisive attack.} ) 13...h6 ( {More resilient seems} 13...Kf8 14.Be2 Qe7 15.Qd4 {although White still keeps huge pressure here.} ) 14.h4 c5 {Taking the d4-square under control, but there are too many things to worry about.} 15.Be2 ( {Also good is} 15.h5 Nf8 16.Bg2 Qe7 17.d6 Qe6 18.Bh3 ) 15...Kg8 ( {After} 15...Qd6 16.Kd2 Kf8 17.g5 Ne8 18.Bxh8 Nxh8 19.gxh6 Qxh6 {White continues his attack for free with either} 20.Qc2 ( {Or} 20.h5 ) ) 16.Qc2 Rh7 17.O-O-O {with the decisive threat g4-g5.} 17...Nxg4 {A desperate defensive try.} ( {However, there is no way to stop the attack after} 17...Qd6 18.g5 Ng4 19.h5 Nf8 20.Bxg4 Bxg4 21.Rdg1 ) 18.h5 Nf8 19.Qxe4 $1 {The neatest way.} ( {The world champion does not allow} 19.Rdg1 f5 ) 19...f5 ( {Of course, there is not} 19...Nxf2 20.Qg2+ ) 20.Qc2 ( {Stronger is} 20.Qf4 $1 Qg5 21.f3 Qxf4 22.exf4 Ne3 23.Rd3 {trapping the knight.} ) 20...Nxf2 21.Rhg1+ Kf7 22.Rdf1 Qh4 23.Be5 ( {Missing} 23.Bf3 $1 {that would trap the knight at once.} ) 23...Qe4 {This loses at once.} ( {The last chance is} 23...Qe7 $1 24.Qb2 Nh3 {although here too, Black can hardly survive.} ) 24.Qc3 Nh3 25.Rg4 $1 {Trapping the queen!} 1-0

[Event "FTX Crypto Cup | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.05.25"]
[Round "15.6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6876645298200"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 {In a must-win situation, Carlsen follows the advice of Sveshnikov and rejects the main lines.} 3...e5 4.Bc4 Be7 5.d3 Nf6 6.O-O O-O 7.Nd5 d6 8.c3 {It is effectively a Ruy Lopez/Italian now.} 8...Rb8 ( {Therefore,} 8...a6 {is a normal move too, threatening Nc6-a5. Then} 9.a3 Be6 10.Nxf6+ Bxf6 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.b4 b5 13.Be3 Qe7 14.Qb3 {led to approximately equal position in Karjakin,S (2754)-Le,Q (2713) Bucharest 2019.} ) ( {The other way to play it is} 8...Nxd5 9.Bxd5 Be6 ) 9.a4 Nxd5 10.Bxd5 Bf6 {Radjabov frees the e7-spot for his knight.} 11.Re1 Re8 $146 {A novelty. Apparently, the Azeri GM did not want to double his pawns on the e-file.} ( {Otherwise, he would have followed} 11...Be6 12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.b4 cxb4 14.cxb4 b5 {Mary,P (2114)-Sorcinelli,A (1753) LSS email 2012} ) 12.Bd2 {White's plan is clear: to expand on the queenside while the opponent is busy dealing with his central bishop.} 12...Ne7 ( {White is ready to gain queenside space after} 12...Be6 $5 13.Bxe6 Rxe6 14.b4 ) 13.Bc4 Ng6 14.b4 b6 15.b5 $1 {Carlsen wins the battle on the queenside. Next a4-a5 in the proper moment will help him open the game in his favor.} 15...Be6 16.Bxe6 Rxe6 ( {With the rook on e8, the other capture} 16...fxe6 {makes little sense, and White has the initiative:} 17.a5 ) 17.c4 Nf4 18.Qb3 ( 18.Qc2 $5 {is also good, keeping an eye on the f2-pawn, just in case.} ) 18...g5 {The kingside is the only place where Radjabov can show some activity. However, while pushing the pawns he weakens his light squares.} 19.Be3 {With the idea to maneuver his knight to the f5outpost.} ( {Also interesting is} 19.Kh1 g4 20.Ng1 Bg5 ) 19...g4 20.Nd2 h5 {Radjabov is trying to prevent that.} ( {After} 20...Bg5 21.Nf1 Rg6 22.Ng3 {the knight makes it to the excellent outpost.} ) 21.Nf1 h4 {The g3-square is covered, but the knight can use another route.} 22.Qd1 Bg7 23.Bc1 {Carlsen is consistent in his plan. The knight will make it to the f5-square, no matter what.} ( {The world champion is correctly avoiding} 23.Qxg4 $2 Rg6 24.Qf3 Nxg2 $1 {when Black has all the fun.} ) ( {However, the preliminary trade} 23.Bxf4 $1 exf4 {followed by an exchange sacrifice} 24.Qxg4 Rg6 25.Qxf4 Bxa1 26.Rxa1 {would have left White dominating thanks to his huge knight.} ) 23...Rg6 24.Ne3 Qd7 25.Nf5 {That is also good for an edge, though. White is about to open the queenside and penetrate there, thus Radjabov needs something creative, urgently.} 25...Bf6 26.a5 Kh7 27.axb6 axb6 28.Be3 {White is ready to double along the a-file, and Radjabov seizes his chance.} ( {The computer suggests to open the game on the kingside as well:} 28.h3 $1 gxh3 29.g3 Ne6 30.Kh2 {claiming a large edge for White.} ) 28...d5 $1 {The best practical try.} 29.Bxf4 {Now it is getting messy. Carlsen's exchange is fully compensated, no doubt about it, but the major black pieces start to work too.} ( {Another computer suggestion would fix a close-to-winning advantage for White with} 29.g3 Nh5 30.Bc1 $3 {The idea is to clear the e3-square for the knight from where it will either get to the d5-outpost or win the g4-pawn.} ) 29...exf4 30.cxd5 Bxa1 31.Qxa1 Re8 ( {Better is to keep the h-pawn alive with} 31...h3 $1 {thus securing some back-rank mating ideas. After} 32.g3 Re8 33.Rd1 Qxb5 {the position remains unclear.} ) 32.Nxh4 Rg5 33.g3 f3 ( {Nothing is fundamentally changed after} 33...Qe7 34.Qc1 fxg3 35.hxg3 Rxd5 36.Qf4 {White preserves his advantage.} ) 34.h3 $1 {It is essential to open air for the king.} 34...Rh5 35.Nf5 {But this is a mistake that almost lets Radjabov off the hook.} ( {Strong is} 35.Qf6 $1 Rxd5 36.Re3 Rd6 37.Qf4 gxh3 38.Rxf3 {when Black's position collapses.} ) 35...Rxf5 $1 {Once more Black seizes his chance.} 36.exf5 Rxe1+ 37.Qxe1 Qxd5 38.Qe7 Qxf5 39.hxg4 Qd5 40.Qf6 Kg8 $1 {To set the queen free.} 41.Qf5 Qb3 ( {But not the pawn endgame after} 41...Qxf5 42.gxf5 ) 42.Qxf3 Qxb5 43.Qd5 Qe8 {A step in the wrong direction.} ( {Best is to activate the queen at once with} 43...Qb1+ $1 44.Kg2 b5 {when the game should likely end in a draw after} 45.Qxc5 ( {Or} 45.g5 Kg7 $1 ) 45...Qxd3 ) 44.g5 Qe6 $2 {And this is the decisive mistake.} ( {Nothing is clear yet after either} 44...Qe1+ $1 45.Kg2 Kg7 ) ( {Or the immediate} 44...Kg7 $1 ) 45.Qxe6 fxe6 46.f4 Kf7 47.Kf2 b5 48.Ke3 Kg6 49.g4 b4 50.Kd2 {Intending Kd2-c2-b3 and then d3-d4 to separate the pawns.} 50...e5 51.fxe5 Kxg5 52.Kc2 {The e5- and g4-pawns are defending each other, whereas the c5 and b4 pair will soon perish.} 1-0

[Event "New In Chess Classic | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.05.01"]
[Round "22.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "180"]
[Beauty "4882161487388"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {No surprises so far by both players. Nakamura sticks to his classical Black strategy, as Carlsen searches for a small opening advantage.} 3...Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.O-O d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.a4 ( {The world champion deviates from his recent game against another top American GM:} 8.Re1 Bg4 9.Nbd2 Nb6 10.h3 Bh5 11.Bb3 Qxd3 12.Nxe5 Qf5 13.Nef3 Rad8 14.Qe2 Qc8 {Carlsen,M (2862)-So,W (2770) Online INT 2021} ) 8...Bg4 9.h3 Bh5 10.a5 Nf6 $146 ( {The predecessor was game by Ding:} 10...a6 11.Nbd2 b5 12.axb6 Nxb6 13.Bb3 a5 14.Ne4 Be7 15.Re1 {Ding,L (2805)-Plenca,J (2463) chess. com INT 2020} ) 11.b4 ( {If} 11.a6 {is allowed, then maybe it can be played?! White is a bit better too after:} 11...b6 12.Nbd2 ) 11...Bd6 12.Nbd2 a6 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.dxe4 {The opening is over, and White got his slight advantage. Albeit symmetrical, White's position is more pleasant, thanks to his more harmonious development. Especially impressive is his light-squared bishop, whereas the white knight also has better perspectives on the kingside.} 14...Kh8 {A useful move. One idea is to get his bishop back in the game after f7-f6.} 15.Qd3 {Carlsen also breaks the pin in order to release his knight.} 15...Qe7 16.Re1 Nd8 ( {The natural} 16...Rad8 {does not solve Black's problem in full. White can then continue:} 17.Bd5 Nb8 18.g4 {An important in-between move.} ( {But not} 18.Bxb7 {due to the spoiler:} 18...Bxf3 $1 19.Qxf3 ( 19.gxf3 c5 $1 ) 19...c6 {and the bishop is trapped.} ) 18...Bg6 19.Bxb7 Bxb4 ( 19...c6 20.Bxa6 ) 20.Qc4 {and White keeps his advantage.} ) 17.g3 Ne6 18.Nh4 {The difference in the knight's strength becomes obvious.} 18...Rad8 19.Nf5 Qf6 20.g4 Bg6 ( {There is no time for:} 20...Bxb4 $2 21.Qg3 ) 21.Qf3 ( {More natural seemed:} 21.Qg3 {However, there the queen might stand under annoying tempi:} 21...Bxf5 22.gxf5 ( {Here is the annoying tempo working for Black:} 22.exf5 e4 $1 ) 22...Nf4 {and Black equalizes.} ) 21...h6 ( {Perhaps} 21...c6 $5 {is a possible idea to save his bishop after} 22.Be3 Bc7 ) 22.Kg2 {The king is defending the queen, just in case. It is extremely important to have all the pieces defended, especially in blitz and rapid.} ( {There is nothing wrong with} 22.Be3 $5 {finishing the development with an edge.} ) 22...Nf4+ {The right idea, but not the optimal execution.} ( {Nakamura would have likely equalized instead with the preliminary} 22...Bxf5 $1 23.exf5 {And then} 23...Nf4+ 24.Bxf4 exf4 {It seems as White still enjoys an advantage after the capture of the important a-pawn in the line:} 25.Qxb7 Qxc3 26.Bxa6 {But Black is in time to regain it, thanks to a small tactic after:} 26...Bxb4 27.Rec1 Qd2 28.Rd1 Qc3 29.Rac1 f3+ $1 30.Qxf3 Qxf3+ 31.Kxf3 Bxa5 ) 23.Bxf4 exf4 24.Nxd6 $1 {A neat trade. Black is forced to weaken his pawn structure.} 24...cxd6 ( {Or else Nakamura would have dropped a pawn for no real compensation:} 24...Qxd6 25.e5 Qd2 ( {Nothing changes:} 25...Qe7 26.Qxb7 ) 26.Rad1 Qc2 27.Rc1 Qa4 28.Qxf4 ) 25.Bd5 {Carlsen's advantage grew. He still owns the better pieces, but he has also managed to completely destroy the enemy pawn chain. The impression is that Black's position will collapse at any moment.} 25...Rd7 26.Rad1 {One last preparation.} ( {It seems as the world champion already considered the tactical sequence:} 26.Bxb7 Rxb7 27.e5 {But did not quite like the opponent's counterplay against his king after:} 27...dxe5 28.Qxb7 e4 ( {Or:} 28...h5 ) ) 26...Re8 27.Bxb7 {Now he goes for it, but right now this blow is based on miscalculation.} ( 27.c4 $1 {would have kept comfortable advantage instead.} ) 27...Rxb7 28.e5 Qe7 $1 ( {Apparently, Carlsen expected:} 28...dxe5 29.Qxb7 e4 {When the extra rook moves allow him a chance to win a tempo for the defense with} 30.Qd7 Rg8 31.Qd4 ( {Or:} 31.Rd4 ) ) 29.exd6 Qd7 30.Rxe8+ Qxe8 {And oh, horror! It turns out that Nakamura not only improved his rook, but he did so on the best possible file!} 31.Rd4 {Luckily, Carlsen still has a lot of compensation for the piece.} ( {The planned} 31.Qxb7 $4 {loses to} 31...Be4+ ) 31...Rd7 32.Qxf4 Qb8 ( 32...Qc8 $5 {might be more accurate.} ) 33.Kg3 {White decided to prepare the kingside advance in order to open the enemy king. In the process though, he also weakens his own, and this could have backfired.} ( {More logical seems to bring the queenside pawns into motion:} 33.Qd2 $1 Qb7+ 34.f3 {with very unclear play.} ) 33...f6 34.h4 Kg8 35.Kg2 Bf7 $1 {A nice maneuver to bring the bishop to the optimal place. From here it both defends the black king and helps attack the enemy one.} 36.Kg3 ( {The possible pin after:} 36.g5 hxg5 37.hxg5 fxg5 38.Qxg5 Rxd6 39.Qg3 {leads White nowhere due to the simple:} 39...Qb7+ ) 36...Be6 37.g5 {Finally opening the kingside.} ( {Here it was still possible to switch to the queenside plan:} 37.Qd2 ) 37...hxg5 38.hxg5 fxg5 {Obvious, but not best.} ( {Nakamura missed a good chance to punish the world champion's overoptimistic play with} 38...Qb5 $1 {With the idea:} 39.gxf6 Rf7 {Qb5-f1 is a strong threat, and if:} 40.c4 Qh5 $1 {is a strong attack for Black.} ) 39.Qe5 Bf7 40.f3 Kf8 41.Kf2 Kg8 42.Kg3 Kf8 {The black king steps behind a potential pin, and Carlsen can try something new now.} 43.Qxg5 Rxd6 44.Qc5 Ke7 45.Qe5+ Kd7 46.Kf2 Qf8 {The decisive blunder!} ( {Both pawn moves:} 46...g6 $1 ) ( {and} 46...g5 $1 {would have led to a draw.} ) 47.Qf5+ Kc6 48.Qc5+ Kd7 49.Qf5+ Kc6 50.Rxd6+ {Picks up the bishop.} 50...Qxd6 ( {For} 50...Kxd6 $4 {is impossible:} 51.Qc5+ ) 51.Qxf7 Qd2+ 52.Kg3 Qxc3 53.Qe8+ Kc7 54.Qe4 {Centralization. White should be winning, despite the multiple checks from his opponent's queen. Carlsen confidently demonstrates the right idea.} 54...Kd6 55.Kg4 Qa1 56.Qd3+ Ke7 57.Qe3+ Kf7 58.Qc5 ( {Also good is to pick up the second pawn with} 58.Qa7+ Ke8 59.Qxa6 {Then the white king manages to escape the checks with a precise king dance:} 59...Qd4+ 60.Kh3 Qd7+ 61.Kg3 Qc7+ 62.Kf2 Qh2+ 63.Ke3 Qe5+ 64.Kd3 Qd5+ 65.Ke2 Qe5+ 66.Kf1 Qa1+ 67.Kg2 Qb2+ 68.Kh3 ) 58...Kg8 59.Kf4 $1 {That is the good plan. The king is moving towards the queenside pawns.} 59...Qd1 ( 59...Qb2 $1 {would be more stubborn.} ) 60.Ke5 Kh7 61.Qd5 ( 61.Qd4 $1 {is more precise.} ) 61...Qa4 ( {The last chance is:} 61...Qc1 $1 {although White should find a way to breakthrough here too.} ) 62.Qe4+ Kh8 63.Kd6 Qb5 64.Kc7 Kg8 65.Qe6+ Kh7 66.Qd6 {Once again the queen needs to be centralized. From here the most powerful piece does all the work.} 66...Qe2 67.f4 Qb5 68.Qc5 Qf1 69.Qh5+ Kg8 70.Qd5+ Kh7 71.Qe4+ Kh8 72.Kb6 Qb5+ 73.Ka7 Qf1 74.Qe8+ Kh7 75.Qh5+ Kg8 76.Qd5+ Kh7 77.f5 Qb1 78.Qd6 {It is time to bring the pawns into motion.} 78...Qxf5 79.Kxa6 g5 80.b5 {The pawns are unstoppable.} 80...Qf1 81.Kb6 Qf2+ 82.Qc5 Qf6+ 83.Ka7 Qf7+ 84.Ka6 g4 85.b6 g3 86.b7 {This also wins.} ( {A tad more precise would be:} 86.Qc7 Qxc7 87.bxc7 g2 88.c8=Q g1=Q 89.Qb7+ {trading the queens next on either the a7- or b6-square.} ) 86...Qf1+ 87.Ka7 Qf2 88.Qb6 Qf7 89.Qb1+ Kh6 90.Qe4 Qg7 {Nakamura resigned not waiting for the obvious check on h4.} 1-0

[Event "New In Chess Classic | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.05.02"]
[Round "26.1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2829"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "D31"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7768119446564"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 d5 {In a delicate match moment, Carlsen chooses to play a la Nakamura. The American GM had won the first game as White and was doing great in the second as well, probably missing a chance to increase his lead.} 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 a6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bf4 Nf6 6.e3 Bd6 7.Bxd6 {7.Bg5 is the modern continuation.} ( {Nakamura has also tested:} 7.Bg3 {In the Preliminaries, against Le. This very fresh game went:} 7...O-O 8.Bd3 Re8 9.Qc2 Nc6 10.Be2 Nb4 11.Qb3 c5 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.dxc5 Qxc5 14.Nf3 {but White hardly got anything out of the opening, Nakamura,H (2736) -Le,Q (2709) Online INT 2021} ) 7...Qxd6 8.Bd3 Bg4 $5 {A tricky idea and a promising side line.} 9.Qb3 Nc6 10.h3 Bh5 {Both Nakamura and Carlsen were once trained by Kasparov, a man who had his seal of approval on the Queen's Gambit, and this opening served him well all his life with both colors. Therefore, White's next move is a bit puzzling.} 11.Nge2 $146 {I do not like this novelty at all.} ( {The predecessor saw White play more accurately:} 11.g4 Bg6 12.O-O-O O-O-O 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Nge2 g5 15.Ng3 g6 16.Kb1 Rh7 17.e4 {Yakubboev,N (2591)-Tristan,L (2535) chess.com INT 2020} ) 11...Bxe2 $1 {Because of this move, Carlsen did not hesitate to trade his problematic bishop at once and to keep his valuable knights on board. As Kasparov proved in his games, a super-knight on the d6-square is a dream for the QGD player.} 12.Nxe2 O-O 13.Rc1 ( {Somewhat more natural seems:} 13.O-O Nd8 14.a4 $5 {With the idea Qb3-a3. In this case the queenside minority attack by White seems more chanceful.} ) 13...Nd8 {A nice maneuver. The knight is heading to the e6-square and from there, depending on the circumstances, it can attack on the kingside via g5, defend the queenside via c7, or continue maneuvering as in the game.} 14.Qa3 $5 {Nakamura is trying to distract his opponent from his general plan: a kingside attack.} ( {The computer suggests the curious:} 14.Ng1 $5 {heading to the e5-square at once.} ) 14...Qd7 $1 {Correctly avoiding the trade.} ( {After:} 14...Qxa3 15.bxa3 c6 16.a4 a5 17.Rb1 {the pressure along the half-open b- and c- files compensates with interest White's doubled pawns.} ) 15.O-O g6 {An useful move.} ( {And a move which demonstrates that Carlsen does not want to spend his knight for the enemy bishop:} 15...Ne6 16.Bf5 $1 ) 16.Nf4 {Black's ideas are obvious and straightforward, whereas Nakamura's task is much more difficult. For the time being, he stops the Nd8-e6 maneuver.} 16...Re8 ( {As:} 16...Ne6 17.Nxe6 fxe6 {weakens Black's kingside.} ) 17.Bc2 {And then keeps maneuvering.} ( {The other idea is to finally bring his queenside into motion:} 17.b4 c6 18.Qb3 Ne6 19.Nxe6 Qxe6 20.a4 {True, after:} 20...Qd6 {White does not really threaten:} 21.b5 {As Black has the standard reaction:} 21...cxb5 22.axb5 a5 ) 17...c6 18.Nd3 {That was the point, the knight makes it to the e5-square.} 18...Ne6 19.f4 {Attacking a la Pillsbury.} 19...Ng7 $1 {But Carlsen is ready. In fact this knight wants to keep moving towards the d6 super-spot.} 20.f5 {Nakamura understands that if the game continues in a slow mode, the knights will prevail, so he searches for activity. This would have worked against most players, but Carlsen is as cold as ice.} ( {Perhaps the more solid approach:} 20.Ne5 Qc7 21.Bd3 Re7 22.Qc3 {is more to the point.} ) 20...g5 $1 {It will be Black who attacks on the kingside.} 21.Ne5 Qc7 {The positional exchange sacrifice on e5 is in the air.} 22.h4 {This only helps Black.} ( {Stronger is the immediate:} 22.Qc3 $1 {In order to restrict the knights in case of:} 22...Ngh5 23.Rf3 ) 22...g4 23.Qc3 Ngh5 {Now Black is in full control. Nh5-g3-e4 is a strong positional threat.} 24.Qe1 {Which White stops, but now the other idea works.} ( {In case of:} 24.Rfe1 {With the idea to force matters after:} 24...Ng3 ( {Black may continue playing in improvement mode with:} 24...Re7 $1 ) 25.e4 ) 24...Rxe5 $1 {The problem! White's position slowly but surely collapses as the black pieces dominate from their invincible positions.} 25.dxe5 Qxe5 26.Qc3 Qg3 27.Qe1 Qd6 28.Qf2 Re8 29.Rcd1 {Nakamura does not give up without a fight and starts setting his opponent a trap after a trap.} ( {Instead:} 29.Bb1 Ng3 30.Rfe1 h5 {would have seen Black improving more and more.} ) 29...Qe5 30.Rd4 c5 $1 {Ignoring the bait.} ( 30...Qxe3 $2 {would have promised White counterplay after:} 31.Qxe3 Rxe3 32.Kf2 Re7 33.Re1 ) 31.Rd2 {Offering another bait.} ( {Or else Black simply improves.} 31.Rdd1 b5 ) 31...Ng3 32.Rfd1 Kf8 $1 {Rejected again!} ( {Carlsen avoids:} 32...Nge4 $2 33.Bxe4 Nxe4 34.Rxd5 Nxf2 35.Rxe5 Rxe5 36.Kxf2 Rxf5+ 37.Kg3 {when White has good chances to survive the rook endgame.} ) 33.Rd3 ( {Please notice that with his last move Carlsen actually prepared the Ng3-e4 fork, say:} 33.b3 Nge4 $1 34.Bxe4 Nxe4 35.Rxd5 Nxf2 36.Rxe5 Nxd1 ) 33...Nfe4 ( 33...Nge4 $1 {would be more accurate.} ) 34.Qe1 {This allows the final kingside attack.} ( {The last chance is:} 34.Rxd5 $1 Qxb2 35.Bxe4 Qxf2+ 36.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 37.Kf1 Nc3 {Although this should have been lost for White too.} ) 34...Qf6 $1 {Finally proving that h3-h4 is a mistake.} 35.Rxd5 Qxh4 36.Bxe4 Qh1+ 37.Kf2 Nxe4+ 38.Ke2 Qxg2+ 39.Kd3 {Nakamura resigned without waiting for his opponent's next move.} ( {Many roads lead to Rome, like the obvious material gainers:} 39.Kd3 Nf2+ ( {Or:} 39...Qxb2 ) ( {Or the play for mate:} 39...b5 ) ) 0-1

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2021.06.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Deac, Bogdan Daniel"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2627"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[ECO "D43"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "5705192987729"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 {The most dangerous continuation against the Moscow variation, as Anand once said.} 6...dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.Bg3 b5 9.Be2 {This line is again in the spotlights.} 9...Bb7 10.Qc2 ( {Deac deviates from a top game:} 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Nd2 Qb6 12.a4 a6 13.e5 Nd5 14.Nde4 c5 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Nc3 cxd4 17.Nxd5 exd5 18.Bh5 Nc5 19.Qxd4 {which both players obviously had analyzed heavily and was seen last year in Carlsen,M (2863)-Ding,L (2791) Online 2020} ) 10...Nh5 11.Rd1 {Not only overprotecting the d4-pawn, but looking for a good moment to bring his center into motion.} 11...Nxg3 ( {Giri noted that} 11...Nd7 12.d5 {is a \"forced draw.\"} ) 12.hxg3 Na6 13.a3 Bg7 $146 {An obvious move and a novelty.} ( 13...Qe7 14.d5 Bg7 15.d6 Qd8 16.Nd4 Nc5 17.f4 Qb6 18.e5 O-O-O {was Mokeev,V (1235) -Huerga,A (1787) LSS email 2012} ) 14.e5 {White's plan is clear. He immediately rushes with his knight toward the weakened d6-outpost.} 14...Qe7 {Giri played this after some thought. What happens next looks like the neatest way to deal with the knight.} ( {The most direct way to oppose Deac's plan is} 14...c5 {to which White's best move is the cool} 15.O-O $1 {Intending to meet} ( {Weaker is} 15.dxc5 Qa5 ) ( {Or} 15.Nxb5 Qa5+ 16.Nc3 cxd4 {when it is getting messy.} ) 15...Qb6 {with} 16.d5 {with a strong initiative.} ) ( {The other approach is to allow the knight on d6 but destroy the enemy center with} 14...Qb6 15.Ne4 c5 16.Nd6+ Ke7 {However, in this case} 17.d5 $5 {looks extremely dangerous for Black with the forcing line} 17...Bxd5 18.Rxd5 $1 exd5 19.Qf5 Raf8 20.Nxg5 $1 {which seems to lead to winning attack for White. It truly is after the natural} 20...hxg5 {As White will continue a la Anderssen} ( {And still, the defensive resources are so big, in any given position, and here too} 20...Qa5+ $1 {saves Black and likely leads to a repetition after} 21.Kd1 ( {But not} 21.Kf1 $2 Qd2 ) 21...Qa4+ 22.Ke1 ( {White can still try for more with} 22.Kc1 $5 b4 23.Bd1 ( {Or} 23.Ngxf7 ) ) 22...Qa5+ ) 21.Bg4 $3 Rxh1+ 22.Ke2 $3 Qc6 23.Qxg5+ {with mate.} ) 15.Ne4 O-O-O 16.Nd6+ Rxd6 $1 {That was the point.} ( {Such a knight cannot be tolerated for long:} 16...Kb8 17.b3 {promises White a nice initiative.} ) 17.exd6 Qxd6 {That's one of the main reasons why people accept the gambited pawns early in the opening. In a later stage, a chunk of the sacrificed material can be given back!} 18.O-O g4 {Giri tries to intimidate his young opponent.} ( {Bringing back the knight into the game} 18...Nc7 $5 ) ( {Or something prophylactic like} 18...Kb8 $5 {might have been more appropriate though.} ) 19.Ne5 $1 {Played without any hesisation.} ( {The retreat is a synonym of resignation here:} 19.Nh4 $2 h5 20.Qd2 Bf6 {is just horrible for White.} ) 19...Bxe5 20.dxe5 Qxe5 21.Bxg4 h5 22.Rfe1 $1 ( {Since otherwise} 22.Bh3 Nc7 {cements the position.} ) 22...Qf6 23.Bf3 h4 {Giri continues his risky strategy, going all-in for the attack.} ( {Now} 23...Nc7 24.b3 $1 {was not too good for Black.} ) ( {Giri wanted to include . ..h4, g4 before going} 23...Nc5 {which here would also have allowed} 24.b4 $5 Nd3 25.Rxd3 cxd3 26.Qxd3 {with ample compensation for the pawn. This might have been Black's best choice, though.} ) 24.b3 $1 {Giri hadn't taken into account the possibilty of allowing ...hxg3, but Deac also has his eyes on the enemy king. Who is faster?} 24...cxb3 ( {Nothing yields} 24...hxg3 25.bxc4 $1 gxf2+ 26.Qxf2 Qh6 27.Qg3 ) 25.Qxb3 hxg3 26.fxg3 Qg7 ( {After} 26...Qg5 {White may choose} 27.Qb2 ( {Or} 27.g4 $5 ) 27...Qc5+ 28.Kf1 {when his king is surprisingly safe in the center after} ( 28.Qf2 $4 Rh1+ ) 28...Rh1+ 29.Ke2 Rxe1+ 30.Kxe1 ) 27.Qd3 Nc7 {At least Giri remembers that he still has a knight on the board and tries to bring it back into the battle. This might be a tad late, though.} ( {The other knight maneuver} 27...Nc5 28.Qd6 Qf8 29.Qf4 Nd7 30.Rd6 {does not solve Black's problems at all.} ) 28.Qd6 c5 {This active attempt could have lost on the spot.} ( {Objectively best is} 28...Qf8 $1 29.Qe5 Rg8 30.Rd6 Qg7 31.Bxc6 Qxe5 32.Bxb7+ Kxb7 33.Rxe5 {when Black will have to suffer his draw still.} ) 29.Qd7+ {Deac is tempted by the black pawn on e6, and this is the most natural thing indeed.} ( {Alas, in the process he misses the bigger aim} 29.Re5 $3 {Transferring the rook for an attack against the black king would have won instead in the forcing line} 29...Qxg3 ( {Or else the pin kills Black} 29...Bxf3 30.Rxc5 f5 31.gxf3 ) 30.Rh5 $1 {A nice geometric motif! Giri had seen Re5, but not Rh5.} 30...Qxd6 31.Rxh8+ Kd7 32.Rxd6+ Kxd6 33.Bxb7 {and wins.} ) 29...Kb8 30.Bxb7 Kxb7 31.Rxe6 Qxg3 {Black not only regains his pawn but manages to cover his king while attacking the opponent's one.} 32.Qc6+ ( {After} 32.Re7 Qh2+ 33.Kf2 Rh6 34.Rxf7 Qh4+ {the white king is too naked for him to play for the win.} ) 32...Kb8 33.Qd6 {Trying his last chance: the endgame.} 33...Qxd6 34.Rexd6 Kb7 {Giri takes under control the c6-square and intends to advance the pawns, but this does not seem optimal.} ( {The priority should have been given to the rook activation. Both} 34...c4 ) ( {Or the other way to do this concept} 34...Rh5 35.Rf6 c4 {followed by Rh5-c5 would have been better with likely draw.} ) 35.Rf6 {Missing his last chance.} ( {The rooks would have dominated after} 35.Rf1 $1 Rh7 36.Rf5 c4 37.Rdf6 a6 38.Kf2 {Notice that in this line the black rook can no longer support his queenside pawns.} ) 35...Rh7 36.Rd7 b4 {The pawns are becoming dangerous.} 37.axb4 cxb4 38.Kf2 ( {Black's passers save him in a forcing lines like this:} 38.Rfxf7 Rxf7 39.Rxf7 a5 40.Kf2 a4 41.Ke3 a3 42.Kd2 a2 43.Rf1 Nd5 44.Ra1 b3 45.Kc1 Nb4 46.Kb2 Nc2 47.Rc1 a1=Q+ 48.Rxa1 Nxa1 49.Kxa1 Kc6 ) 38...a5 39.Ke2 Rg7 {Forcing the draw.} ( 39...Rh2 {would lead to the same.} ) 40.Rfxf7 Rxg2+ 41.Kd1 Rg1+ 42.Kc2 Rg2+ {The king keeps checking until the c-file is cleared for the defense of the knight.} 43.Kb1 Rg1+ 44.Kb2 Rg2+ 45.Kb1 ( 45.Kb3 Rg3+ 46.Ka4 Ra3# {is not the smartest way to play for the win.} ) 45...Rg1+ 46.Kb2 Rg2+ 47.Kb1 Rg1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2021.06.07"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Lupulescu, Constantin"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2656"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7769058970692"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e3 Bb4 {The reversed Rossolimo.} 5.Qc2 Bxc3 6.Qxc3 Qe7 7.d4 {This is the major trend nowadays.} ( {The other way to play it is} 7.a3 {to which} 7...d5 {is natural and} 8.d4 exd4 9.Nxd4 Nxd4 10.Qxd4 c5 11.Qh4 dxc4 12.Bxc4 {trades too many pieces.} 12...O-O 13.O-O Rd8 14.b4 Be6 15.bxc5 Bxc4 16.Qxc4 Rac8 17.Bb2 Qxc5 18.Qxc5 Rxc5 19.Bd4 Ra5 {and Black held comfortably in Howell,D (2658)-Donchenko,A (2659) Online 2021} ) 7...Ne4 8.Qd3 exd4 9.Nxd4 Nc5 10.Qd1 Nxd4 11.Qxd4 {\"This was all pretty normal,\" said Lupulescu who was still in his prep.} 11...O-O 12.Be2 {White is in a hurry to develop his kingside.} ( {An aggressive approach like} 12.b4 Ne6 13.Qc3 {would allow Black a hook for counterplay on the queenside:} 13...a5 ) ( {However, the alternative plan of fast queenside development} 12.b3 Ne6 13.Qd2 b6 14.Bb2 {looked more ambitious. True, in that case White would had to choose to play a double-edged position by castling long:} 14...Bb7 15.O-O-O {and this does not seem to be what the Romanian GM was looking for.} ) 12...b6 13.O-O ( {\"If I want to play it safe I can go for...\"} 13.Bf3 Bb7 14.Bxb7 Nxb7 {\"but then my winning chances are very slim to none.\" (Lupulescu)} ) 13...Bb7 {The opening is almost over. White has the bishop pair, however he has serious difficulties in deploying it.} 14.f3 $146 {Blunting both black minor pieces at once. The drawback of the move is that the e3-pawn is also weakened.} ( {An earlier game went} 14.Bd2 Ne6 15.Qc3 Nf4 16.exf4 Qxe2 17.Rae1 Qg4 18.f3 Qf5 {and the opposite-colored bishops determined the peaceful outcome later, Jakovenko,D (2704)-Motylev,A (2668) Izhevsk 2019} ) ( {As before} 14.b4 Ne6 15.Qd2 a5 {allows Black queenside play.} ) 14...a5 {Giri establishes a blockade. From here on the impression is that Black has all the play.} 15.Bd2 ( {Of course not} 15.e4 f5 $1 ) ( {In case of} 15.b3 {Black would have likely followed the same game plan:} 15...f5 ) 15...f5 {Black not only fixes the e-pawn, he is ready to lift his rooks for a kingside attack.} 16.Rad1 ( {In hindsight White regretted for not choosing} 16.Rae1 $5 {with the idea to transfer his bishop to c2.} ) 16...d6 17.b3 Rae8 18.Rf2 $1 {Correctly covering the second rank.} ( {After} 18.Rfe1 {both} 18...Rf6 ( {And} 18...Qg5 $5 {will promise Black the initiative.} ) ) 18...Rf6 19.Bd3 {A silent draw offer. Lupulescu sensed the danger.} ( {After} 19.Bf1 {Black simply keeps improving further} 19...Rg6 ( {Or} 19...Qf7 {followed by Qf7-h5.} ) ) 19...Qf7 {Giri rejects the offer.} ( {Anytime Black trades the knight for the bishop, the opposite-colored bishops will more or less predetermine the split of the point.} 19...Nxd3 20.Qxd3 ) 20.Re2 {This move, however, is an inaccuracy.} ( {White needed to prepare for the assault with} 20.h3 $1 ) 20...Qh5 21.Be1 ( {Now it is too late for} 21.h3 Rg6 {And surprisingly, White lacks a good defense, for example} 22.Kh2 ( {Or even worse:} 22.Kh1 $2 Bxf3 $1 23.gxf3 Qxh3+ 24.Rh2 Qxf3+ ) 22...Nxd3 23.Qxd3 Bxf3 $1 24.gxf3 Rh6 {with a winning attack.} ) 21...Be4 $1 {\"I somehow totally missed this idea.\" (Lupulescu) This sudden tactical blow puts a lot of pressure on White.} ( {However, the preliminary} 21...Rg6 22.Bg3 {And then the other sacrifice} 22...Ne4 $1 {would have been even stronger. Once more, White cannot pick up the piece for free:} 23.fxe4 ( {True, in this case White has an interesting counter-attacking resource:} 23.c5 $5 {In order to free a square for the bishop with tempo and then pick up the knight. Black has nothing better than} 23...Nxg3 24.hxg3 {when the various pawn captures do not yield advantage to Black:} 24...Rxg3 ( {Bad is} 24...dxc5 $2 25.Bc4+ Kh8 26.Qd7 ) ( {Whereas in case of the other capture} 24...bxc5 {White can create play in various ways:} 25.Qf4 ( {Or} 25.Qc4+ Kh8 26.g4 $1 ) ( {Or even} 25.g4 $5 ) ) ( {That is why instead of taking, Black needs to give first with} 24...Bxf3 $1 25.gxf3 Rxg3+ 26.Rg2 Qxf3 {when White is not out of the woods yet.} ) 25.cxd6 cxd6 ( 25...Qxf3 26.Rdd2 {might transpose.} ) 26.Qxd6 Qxf3 27.Rdd2 {and White is solid enough.} ) 23...fxe4 24.Rf1 exd3 25.Qxd3 {If anything, White can hope to survive once more thanks to the remaining opposite-colored bishops.} ) ( {Apparently, White was hoping to defend with} 21...Ne6 22.Qh4 ) 22.Bb1 ( {Certainly not} 22.fxe4 $2 fxe4 ) ( {However, the other retreat was slightly more precise:} 22.Bc2 Rg6 ( {Lupulescu feared} 22...Ne6 23.Qd2 Bxf3 24.gxf3 Ng5 {which does not seem to work due to} 25.Qd5+ Kf8 26.Kh1 ) 23.Bg3 Rge6 24.Rde1 {It is similar to the game, with the important difference that the white rook does not hang after} 24...Bxc2 25.Rxc2 {Then Black may choose something like} 25...g5 {fighting further for his kingside initiative.} ) 22...Rg6 23.Bg3 Bxb1 {Giri spotted that the rook on e2 is once again vulnerable.} ( {It was not too late for} 23...Rge6 24.Rde1 Bxb1 25.Rxb1 g5 ) 24.Rxb1 Ne4 $1 {And he did it again. Unfortunately for the Dutch GM, White has a surprising defense.} 25.Rbe1 Nxg3 26.Qd5+ $1 {The only move, but a sufficient one.} ( {It is important to give the check first as} 26.hxg3 Rxg3 27.Qd5+ Qf7 {simply drops a pawn for no compensation.} ) 26...Kh8 27.hxg3 Rxg3 28.e4 $1 {A very important move in White's counterplay which highlights the weakness of the back rank.} 28...Qxf3 ( {After} 28...Qg6 {White would have moved the king} 29.Kf1 $1 ( {Avoiding the tricks:} 29.exf5 $2 Rxg2+ $1 ) ( {And} 29.Qxf5 $2 Rxg2+ $1 ) ) 29.Qf7 $1 {\"I think he missed this. I had to see this in advance as otherwise it was quite bad.\" (Lupulescu)} ( {The Romanian GM was fully aware of the tactics} 29.exf5 $2 Rxg2+ $1 ) 29...Rg8 30.exf5 Qc6 {Not a very practical choice according to White. Giri was down to three minutes on his clock and could not adjust to the changing situation.} ( {White expected} 30...h6 31.Kh1 Rh3+ 32.Kg1 Rg3 {with a draw instead.} ) 31.Rf2 {\"Now I am playing for a win, I thought.\" (Lupulescu)} 31...Qc5 {The losing move, although White's initiative is extremely dangerous to repel in time-trouble. The thing is that the queen was optimal on c6, as it was both attacking and defending the back rank!} ( {White was hoping for} 31...h6 32.f6 Qc5 33.Qxg8+ $1 {with a spectacular win.} ) ( 31...d5 {does not work neither due to} 32.Re6 ) ( {However, the computer believes that Black could have still survived with} 31...a4 $1 32.Re7 ( {Black is super-solid in case of} 32.f6 gxf6 33.Qxf6+ R3g7 ) 32...axb3 33.axb3 Qa8 34.f6 Rg5 ( {Or} 34...Rg6 ) ) 32.Re7 $1 ( {Once more, Lupulescu is very careful and spots his opponent's devilish trick. The seemingly killing} 32.Re8 {leads only to a draw after} 32...Rxg2+ $1 33.Kh1 ( 33.Kxg2 Qc6+ ) 33...Rh2+ $1 34.Kxh2 ( 34.Rxh2 Qc6+ ) 34...Qxf2+ {with a perpetual.} ) 32...Qd4 33.Re8 $1 {Now he can.} ( {It should be noted that the Romanian GM saw the last trick by Giri:} 33.f6 Rxg2+ $1 {would have led to a perpetual after} 34.Kxg2 gxf6+ 35.Kf1 ( {Or} 35.Kf3 Qd3+ 36.Kf4 Qd4+ ) 35...Qd1+ 36.Re1 Qd3+ ) 33...Rxg2+ 34.Kxg2 Qg4+ 35.Kh2 Qh4+ 36.Kg2 Qg4+ 37.Kf1 {Now there is no repetition and Lupulescu wins big.} 37...Qh3+ 38.Ke1 Qc3+ 39.Rd2 1-0

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2021.06.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2820"]
[ECO "A20"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6874229374999"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 Bc5 {So revealed that he was somewhat surprised by this opening choice by Caruana.} 4.d3 c6 ( {Both players definitely studied this top game:} 4...O-O 5.Nc3 h6 6.Nf3 Re8 7.O-O d6 8.d4 exd4 9.Nxd4 c6 10.b3 a5 11.Bb2 Na6 12.Qd2 Qe7 13.Rad1 Bd7 {Ding,L (2791)-Carlsen,M (2863) Online 2020} ) 5.Nf3 d6 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 a5 8.d4 exd4 9.Nxd4 a4 $146 {Since the knight on d4 is loose, this is perfectly possible. Caruana is trying to obstruct the comfortable development of the opponent's dark-squared bishop and in the meantime gains more space for his pieces on the queenside.} ( {An earlier game witnessed lively play after} 9...Re8 10.h3 Nbd7 11.b3 Qe7 12.Bb2 Nb6 13.e3 a4 14.Rc1 Bd7 15.Qd3 Bb4 16.g4 d5 {Sakhabeev, R-Boecher,H ICCF email 2002} ) 10.Rb1 {\"I do not think that White is better in this opening, but it is very hard to get a sizeable advantage in the opening nowadays.\" (So)} 10...Re8 {A flexible and good move. Caruana keeps his queenside bishop opened.} ( {The other way to play it is} 10...Nbd7 11.b4 axb3 12.axb3 Ne5 {but this looks somewhat artificial.} ) 11.e3 {So defends his knight and now threatens to capture the pawn. The drawback of the move is that his queenside bishop is now deprived of the c1-g5 diagonal.} ( {Not much is achieved after} 11.b4 axb3 12.axb3 Na6 ) 11...Qa5 {An aggressive defense. Qa5-b4 is on the agenda.} ( {So spent about 20 minutes on his clock calculating the following line:} 11...Bg4 $5 {That's always an idea.} 12.f3 ( {After} 12.Qc2 {Black can support the bishop with either} 12...Qd7 {when} ( {Or} 12...Qc8 ) 13.Nxa4 $2 {does not work due to} 13...Bxd4 14.exd4 Bf5 {and Black wins.} ) 12...Be6 ( 12...Bh5 $5 ) 13.Nxe6 Rxe6 14.Nxa4 Bxe3+ 15.Bxe3 Rxe3 16.Qd4 Re8 17.Nc3 {\"It's probably equal\" (So).} ) 12.Bd2 Bg4 13.f3 {\"Probably this is not so good.\" (So) It might not be ideal from computer perspective indeed, but from a human standpoint the idea is brilliant. White is ready to sacrifice a pawn, in order to lock the opponent's pieces for long.} ( 13.Qc2 Qa6 {looks OK for Black.} ) 13...Bh5 14.Ne4 Qd8 ( {Neither player seriously considered the computer idea} 14...Qb6 15.Nxf6+ gxf6 16.Bc3 {Especially when seeing how dangerous Black's position is after} 16...Rxe3 ( 16...Nd7 {might be safer, but still look highly suspicious for Black.} ) 17.Qd2 ) 15.Nxc5 dxc5 16.Ne2 {So is ready to challenge the enemy bishop.} ( 16.Nf5 Bg6 17.Bh3 {\"I missed this; otherwise I would have gone for it as White is better due to the bishop pair.\" (So)} ) 16...Qd3 $1 {The best way to obstruct the enemy plan, based on tactics.} ( {White achieves everything that he wants after} 16...Bg6 17.e4 ) 17.Nf4 $1 ( {There is no time to defend the c4-pawn:} 17.Rc1 Ne4 $1 {(So)} ) 17...Qxc4 18.b3 ( {Another interesting idea is} 18.Bc3 Bg6 19.e4 Qxa2 20.b3 {when} 20...axb3 $2 ( {White is also better after} 20...Na6 21.Rf2 ) ( {However} 20...Nbd7 21.Rf2 Qa3 {is not as clear.} ) 21.Ra1 {traps the queen.} ) 18...axb3 19.axb3 Qb5 20.e4 Bg6 ( 20...Nbd7 21.Bc3 ) 21.Bc3 Na6 {\"After this I was quite confident with my chances as the Bc3 is a monster, and the Bg6 and Nf6 are quite passive.\" (So)} ( {But White still has a lot for the pawn after} 21...Nbd7 22.Qd2 ( {Or} 22.h4 {The black bishop is permanently locked on the g6-square, and White has a clear plan of squeezing his opponent on the kingside.} ) ) 22.h4 ( {Maybe here So already considered the concrete idea of a double piece exchange:} 22.Bxf6 gxf6 23.h4 h5 24.Nxg6 $5 fxg6 25.Qd2 {But it isn't ripe yet and Black can defend with} 25...Kg7 26.Qd7+ Kg8 27.Qd6 Rf8 ) 22...h5 {Now Caruana will be deprived of any counterplay.} ( {Since Black was losing the positional battle, he should have searched for concrete, dynamic play. The last chance therefore was} 22...Rad8 23.Qc1 Nd5 $1 24.exd5 Bxb1 25.Qxb1 cxd5 {although White should be better here too thanks to his bishop pair.} ) ( 22...h6 23.Qc1 Nh5 {was suggested by So as a better chance, but this does not seem enough either as White has serious initiative after} 24.Nxh5 Bxh5 25.g4 Bg6 26.h5 Bh7 27.g5 $1 ) 23.Qc1 $3 {A brilliant move and a great concept! So is ready to swap both his most active pieces for the horrible black ones, but to mate the enemy king!} 23...Kh7 ( {White's idea is revealed in the line} 23...Rad8 24.Bxf6 gxf6 25.Nxg6 $1 fxg6 26.Qh6 {when Black is helpless.} ) 24.Rd1 $1 {Another great move.} ( {White saw that the direct approach only leads to a draw after} 24.Qb2 Nb4 $1 25.Bxf6 Ra2 26.Qc3 Rc2 27.Qa1 Ra2 {(So)} ) 24...Rad8 ( {Here} 24...Nb4 {is coming short due to} 25.Bxf6 gxf6 26.Qc3 Kg7 27.Rd6 Re5 28.Nxg6 $1 fxg6 29.f4 {and Black's position collapses.} ) ( {Perhaps} 24...Red8 25.Qb2 Ne8 {(So) would have been the last chance, however here too Black should be close to lost due to} 26.g4 ) 25.Qb2 {That is it. Black cannot defend his kingside.} 25...c4 {The last try, Caruana needs to swap the queens at any cost. But that loses a couple of pawns.} 26.Bxf6 ( {So hesitated between the text move and} 26.bxc4 Qxb2 27.Bxb2 {which also looks great for White.} ) 26...gxf6 27.Qxf6 Rxd1+ ( {Or} 27...Qb6+ 28.Kh1 cxb3 29.g4 hxg4 30.h5 {\"and that just wins\" (So).} ) 28.Rxd1 Qc5+ ( {There is no time to capture the pawn obviously:} 28...cxb3 29.Nxg6 fxg6 30.Rd7+ ) ( {Or} 28...Qxb3 29.Rd7 {with mate coming.} ) ( {However} 28...Qe5 29.Qxe5 Rxe5 30.bxc4 Ra5 {to have the rook more active might have been a better try (So)} ) 29.Kh2 Qe7 30.Qxe7 Rxe7 31.bxc4 {White won a pawn, while keeping the enemy bishop arrested, the rest is a matter of technique for So.} 31...Kg7 32.Bh3 Nc5 33.Rd6 ( {The computer wants to convert with} 33.Bf5 Bxf5 34.exf5 ) 33...f6 34.Ne6+ Nxe6 35.Bxe6 Be8 36.c5 $1 {Fixes a weakness on b7, thus winning a second pawn.} 36...Bf7 37.Bc8 Re5 38.Bxb7 Rxc5 39.Rxc6 Rb5 40.Ba6 Rb2+ 41.Kg1 $1 {An accurate move. After this it is over.} ( {If anyone was wondering why Caruana was still playing two pawns down, then check this line:} 41.Kh3 $2 Rf2 42.f4 Bb3 $1 {The bishop is heading to the g4-square, the white pawns are stopped. The win is gone.} ) 41...Be8 42.Rc5 Kh6 43.Kf1 Bd7 44.Be2 Be8 45.Kf2 Rb3 46.Rd5 Ra3 47.Bd3 Kg7 48.Ke3 Rb3 49.Kf4 Rb4 50.Rc5 Bf7 51.Rc7 Kg6 52.g4 1-0

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2021.06.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Lupulescu, Constantin"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2656"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7766240407049"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[WhiteTeam "Romania"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ROU"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 e6 3.c4 Be7 {\"Today I wanted to play some interesting game, I took some risk, and I played some absolutely different line\" (Mamedyarov). Kasparov remembered that Romanishin used a similar idea in the past.} ( {Usually the knight stands there, of course} 3...Nf6 4.b3 c5 5.Bb2 Nc6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Bb5 Bd6 8.O-O O-O 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.Nc3 Bg4 {Carlsen,M (2862)-Giri,A (2764) Online 2021} ) 4.b3 Bf6 5.Nc3 Ne7 6.Bb2 ( {White could have also tried to obstruct the opponent's normal development with} 6.Ba3 $5 {However here Lupulescu might not have liked the change of the pawn structure with} 6...dxc4 7.bxc4 ( {Still} 7.Bxc4 {looks advantageous for White.} ) 7...Bxc3 8.dxc3 Qxd1+ 9.Rxd1 Nbc6 ) 6...c5 7.Qc2 Nbc6 8.Na4 $146 {Mamedyarov did not like this novelty and considered it a mistake.} ( {Black was doing fine after} 8.a3 b6 9.Be2 Bb7 10.cxd5 exd5 11.O-O O-O 12.Rac1 Rc8 13.Bd3 h6 14.Ne2 Qd6 15.Nf4 Bxb2 16.Qxb2 Rfd8 {Jorgensen,A (1803)-Bengtsson,J (1985) Helsingor 2018} ) ( {He suggested instead the preliminary trade} 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Na4 {and intended to play the irregular position after} 9...b6 ( {There was also} 9...Qd6 {which he missed.} ) 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.d4 {(Mamedyarov)} 11...cxd4 12.exd4 Bg4 $1 ) 8...b6 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.cxd5 Qxd5 {That is the point. Black transfers his queen to the kingside and starts pressuring from there.} 11.Nc3 Qh5 12.Ne4 {Active play by Lupulescu.} ( {The other active try is} 12.Qb2 $5 Qg6 13.a3 {intending b3-b4, which Black can easily stop} 13...a5 ) 12...Qg6 13.Nh4 ( {Mamedyarov liked the possible endgames} 13.Nd6+ Kf8 14.Qxg6 hxg6 {\"I think it is not easy to play it as White\" (Mamedyarov).} ) 13...Qh6 14.Nd6+ {Sooner or later White needs to trade the enemy bishop.} ( 14.g3 O-O {would be another way to play it.} ) 14...Kf8 15.Nxc8 ( {How dangerous the black bishop may become demonstrates the following line} 15.g3 Kg7 16.Bg2 Nb4 17.Qc3 Ba6 $1 18.Bxa8 Rxa8 {and the white king is permanently weak.} ) 15...Rxc8 16.g3 Rd8 17.Be2 Kg7 {Black consolidates and from here on will constantly create various threats and tricks to pressure his opponent.} 18.a3 Rd6 19.f4 Rhd8 20.Rd1 f5 21.Nf3 ( {In hindsight, an easier defense would have been} 21.Qb2+ {in order to try and force the queen swap} 21...Qf6 22.Qxf6+ Kxf6 23.Nf3 {The endgame should be a draw.} ) 21...Nd5 {First, there is the pressure along the d-file.} 22.O-O Kg8 23.Rb1 a5 24.Bb5 Nce7 25.Rfd1 ( {Here is a typical trick:} 25.Ne5 Nxe3 26.dxe3 Rd2 {(Mamedyarov)} ) ( {However, from a defensive standpoint the maneuver} 25.Rf2 Nf6 26.Rg2 {makes sense. The rook is fianchettoed, but White's kingside is safe. Black can still annoy the opponent with} 26...Ng4 {though.} ) 25...Nf6 26.Bf1 Ng4 27.h3 ( {There are more problems along the d-file if White is not careful:} 27.b4 axb4 28.axb4 cxb4 29.Rxb4 Nxe3 ) ( {Probably Lupulescu needed to defend with} 27.Rbc1 $5 {in order to free himself at a good moment.} 27...Kh8 ( {Although Black can add pressure further with} 27...Ng6 ) 28.b4 axb4 29.axb4 cxb4 30.Qb2+ ) 27...Nf6 28.d3 Nc6 29.Re1 ( {It was not too late to \"fianchetto\" the rook} 29.Rd2 Qg7 30.Rg2 ) 29...Qg7 30.Qf2 Kh8 31.Kh2 Rg8 32.Be2 {Lupulescu was getting low on time, and this affected his defense.} ( {Here} 32.Ne5 $5 Nd5 33.Nc4 Rdd8 34.Rbc1 {might have been a better choice.} ) 32...Nd5 {More and more tricks.} 33.Bf1 {And this turns out to be a mistake. The bishop blocks the rook for a moment, and that is all Mamedyarov needs.} ( 33.Rbc1 $2 {would allow Black's main idea} 33...Nxe3 34.Qxe3 Qxg3+ 35.Kh1 Qxh3+ 36.Nh2 Qxe3 {and wins (Mamedyarov).} ) ( {However} 33.Rg1 $1 {was called for, with a defendable position.} ) 33...e5 $1 {Opens the sixth rank for the rook at once.} 34.fxe5 {Lupulescu goes for a forcing line, but it has a flaw.} ( {After the only defense} 34.Nh4 {Black intended to mount pressure with} 34...Nce7 ( {Another way to gain some edge would be} 34...exf4 35.exf4 Qd4 36.Qd2 ) ) 34...Rg6 $1 35.Nh4 Rxg3 36.d4 {Capitulation.} ( {It was probably here when Lupulescu found out with horror that the planned} 36.Nxf5 {loses spectacularly to} 36...Rf3 $3 37.Nxg7 ( 37.Qxf3 Qg1# ) 37...Rxf2+ 38.Kg1 Rf3 39.Kg2 Nxe5 ) 36...Qg5 37.Ng2 cxd4 38.exd4 Nxd4 {White's position collapses, and he gives up.} ( 38...Nxd4 39.Qxd4 Rxg2+ ) 0-1

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2021.06.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2820"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Beauty "6598277772852"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[WhiteTeam "France"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Bc5 6.c3 b5 7.Bc2 d5 {Quite a sharp line that, according to Caruana, was considered dubious until recently, but the strong engines changed the assessment to playable for Black.} 8.a4 ( {Vachier-Lagrave had a whole mini-match a few weeks ago in this line:} 8.d4 dxe4 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.dxc5 Nd3 ( {Another game from the same match went} 10...Qe7 11.Nd2 Bb7 12.Qe2 Ng6 13.Nb3 O-O 14.a4 Rab8 15.axb5 axb5 16.Nd4 Bd5 17.Nxb5 Qxc5 18.Na3 Qc6 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2760)-Aronian,L (2781) Online 2021} ) 11.Bxd3 exd3 12.Re1+ Be6 13.Re3 Qd5 14.Rxd3 Qxc5 {and eventually this game ended a draw, just like the other two, Vachier Lagrave,M (2784)-Aronian,L (2781) Online 2021} ) 8...dxe4 9.axb5 Bg4 10.bxc6 exf3 11.gxf3 Bh3 {This is the new trend. The position is super-sharp, and Black tries to prove that the opponent's weakened king is worth the invested material.} 12.Re1 O-O 13.Ra5 Qd6 14.b4 Bxf2+ {This move made the big change.} 15.Kxf2 e4 16.Kg1 Rae8 17.Re3 Nh5 {\"It's a very dangerous line for Black. Black is basically making only moves not to lose.\" (Caruana)} 18.f4 $146 {However, White also needs to be very careful not to lose too! This move is a novelty, but Caruana suspected that his opponent simply reverted the move order (see below).} ( {The predecessor was a game of the American GM that they both apparently heavily analyzed:} 18.Rg5 Qh6 19.Rg3 ( {This is where Caruana thought that Vachier-Lagrave wanted to land, the position after} 19.f4 Nxf4 20.Reg3 {Then the American GM was curious what his opponent had prepared in the critical line} 20...f5 21.Rxg7+ Qxg7 22.Rxg7+ Kxg7 {A very unusual situation occurs where the white king often needs to go all the way to the d5-or c5-squares, according to Caruana.} ) 19...Nxg3 20.hxg3 exf3 21.Qxf3 Re6 22.Qf4 g5 23.Qd4 Rd6 24.Qe5 Re6 25.Qd4 Rd6 26.Qe4 Rf6 {Dominguez Perez,L (2758)-Caruana, F (2835) Online 2020} ) 18...Nxf4 19.Rg5 f5 $1 {\"This was easy to play and it was clear that White is in great danger, maybe borderline losing.\" (Caruana) The white rook is trapped, and without it his majesty suffers.} ( {Now Black could have transposed into the \"very critical line\" with} 19...Qh6 {but decided that it's not worth it.} ) 20.d4 {However, this obvious move might have, in fact, been the real mistake.} ( {There is another way to bring the white pieces out:} 20.Na3 $5 {might win an important tempo for White in some of the critical lines, for example} 20...Bg4 21.Qf1 {Here this is possible, with the point that} 21...h6 {can be met with} 22.Bb3+ Kh7 23.Nc4 $1 {The point! The queen needs to abandon the knight:} 23...Qf6 24.Qxf4 hxg5 25.Qg3 {with unclear play. If Black overpresses with} 25...f4 $2 {he may get in trouble due to} 26.Qxg4 fxe3 27.Qh5+ $1 {and White should prevail without the queens.} ) 20...Bg4 {Effectively trapping the rook.} ( {\"White's trick is\"} 20...exd3 21.Bxd3 Rxe3 22.Bc4+ {\"otherwise he just resigns.\" (Caruana)} ) 21.Rxg4 ( {Apparently} 21.Qf1 $2 h6 {works well for Black.} ) 21...fxg4 22.Qxg4 {The critical moment of the game.} 22...Nd3 {And Fabiano blunders an important defensive resource.} ( {Caruana also considered} 22...h5 23.Qg5 {\"and there is no clear follow-up.\"} ) ( {However:} 22...Qf6 $1 {would have almost forced a win. Black's main attacking idea is demonstrated in the line} 23.Bxe4 ( {Vachier-Lagrave intended to defend with} 23.Nd2 {to which} 23...Nd3 {is not as clear after} ( {They both missed, though, the other strong knight move:} 23...Nd5 $1 {when Black should win in the line} 24.Rxe4 ( {There is also the brilliant} 24.Rg3 e3 $1 {when the black pawn is unstoppable:} 25.Nf3 e2 26.Bd2 e1=Q+ 27.Bxe1 Rxe1+ 28.Nxe1 Qf1# ) 24...Qf2+ 25.Kh1 Nf6 ) 24.Qg2 Nxc1 25.Nxe4 ) 23...h5 24.Qg3 Ne2+ 25.Rxe2 Qf1# ) 23.Bxd3 $1 {The only move but a sufficient one.} ( {In case of} 23.Nd2 {Caruana intended the same old} 23...Qf6 ( 23...Nxc1 24.Nxe4 {\"is a bit of a mess.\" (Caruana)} ) 24.Qg2 Nxc1 25.Bxe4 Qf4 {with a clear edge for Black.} ) ( {The other logical moves also favor Black:} 23.Bd2 Qf6 ) ( {And} 23.Rxe4 Nf2 24.Qg2 Nxe4 25.Bxe4 {are both bad for White.} ) 23...exd3 24.Rxe8 Rxe8 25.Bf4 $1 {A strong intermediate move missed by Caruana.} 25...Qxc6 26.Be5 Qh6 {\"I am honestly kind of lucky that I have this.\" (Caruana)} 27.Bf4 {Forcing the draw.} ( 27.Qg3 {\"was just a draw.\" (Caruana)} ) 27...Qc6 28.Be5 Qh6 29.Bf4 Qc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2021.06.12"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[ECO "D40"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8251705924618"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.e3 Nc6 6.a3 {Aronian thought his opponent would not expect this.} 6...dxc4 7.Bxc4 a6 ( {Black can always switch to positions with an isolated central pawn with} 7...cxd4 8.exd4 Bd6 9.O-O {However, one should not forget that this pawn is eager to go forward, as this short game demonstrates:} 9...a6 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Ne4 Qf4 13.Nxd6+ Qxd6 14.d5 e5 {1-0 Rozentalis,E (2595)-Bernadet,P North Bay 1994} ) 8.O-O b5 9.Ba2 Bb7 10.d5 {\"Not particularly great move,\" said Aronian. \"It is important to take advantage of Sasha's desire to think.\" He had prepared this a couple of days ago, but as he said, he was \"not proud of it.\"} ( 10.Qe2 {\"is the main theoretical move.\" (Aronian)} ) 10...exd5 11.Nxd5 Be7 ( 11...Bd6 $1 {\"is the way to equalize \"} 12.e4 Nxd5 13.Bxd5 Qc7 {\"and Black has a very solid position.\" (Aronian)} ( {Or} 13...O-O ) ) 12.e4 O-O 13.Bf4 c4 14.Re1 {Aronian thought that his position is very pleasant and obviously enjoyed his centralized forces.} 14...Re8 $146 {This looks very smart, but it has a tactical flaw.} ( {An earlier game saw} 14...Rc8 15.Nxe7+ Nxe7 16.Qc2 Ng6 17.Rad1 Qb6 18.Bg5 Rfe8 19.Bxf6 Qxf6 20.Bb1 Rcd8 21.Rxd8 Rxd8 22.Qc3 Nf4 23.Qxf6 gxf6 24.Kf1 Nd3 {and Black was doing OK in Shimanov,A (2587) -Abdusattorov,N (2644) Moscow 2020} ) 15.Qd2 {Missing a clever counter-blow.} ( {Both players apparently missed the clever bishop retreat in the line} 15.Nc7 $1 Nh5 16.Bg3 $3 ( {They obviously only considered} 16.Nxe8 $6 Nxf4 17.Qxd8 Rxd8 18.Nc7 Nd3 19.Re2 Bf6 {when Black's super knight leads his initiative.} ) ( 16.Nxa8 $2 {is of course losing to} 16...Nxf4 17.Qxd8 Bxd8 ) 16...Nxg3 17.Nxe8 {\"and this looks like a big advantage for White.\" (Aronian) Indeed, in the line} 17...Qxd1 18.Raxd1 Rxe8 19.hxg3 {the strong black knight on d3 is missing in comparison to the line from above and White is a solid exchange ahead.} ) 15...Bc5 16.Bg5 {Provoking a weakening on the kingside.} ( {The immediate} 16.Bc7 Qc8 17.Nxf6+ gxf6 18.Qf4 Re7 19.Bd6 Bxd6 20.Qxd6 Qe6 21.Qg3+ Kh8 {is unclear.} ) 16...Be7 17.h4 {Logically trying to turn his central superiority into a strong kingside attack.} 17...h6 {This is not bad, but there was a simpler way to equalize in full.} ( {Grischuk could have reduced the attacking potential of his opponent with some trades:} 17...Nxd5 $1 18.exd5 Bxg5 19.Rxe8+ Qxe8 20.Nxg5 {\"I thought this is kind of interesting.\" (Aronian) One idea was to meet} 20...Ne5 {with} ( {But White missed that in the line} 20...Ne7 $1 21.Re1 {Black can get away from the pin with} 21...Qd7 22.Bb1 Qxd5 $1 ) 21.Re1 {when White is indeed on top.} ) 18.Bf4 Bc5 19.Bc7 {White decided to spoil the opponent's pawn structure.} 19...Qc8 20.Nxf6+ gxf6 21.Qf4 {\"I thought I am slightly better. I am slightly surprised that the computer thinks there is nothing for me.\" (Aronian)} 21...Nd4 {A serious mistake. As usual, Grischuk was running very low on time and this affected his play (this time).} ( {Correct was} 21...Re7 $1 22.Bd6 Bxd6 23.Qxd6 Qg4 24.Qxf6 Re6 25.Qf5 Qg7 $1 {with serious compensation for the pawn. The black pieces are very active. \"The time factor worked in my favor.\" (Aronian)} 26.Rad1 Rg6 ) 22.Nxd4 Bxd4 23.Rad1 $1 {This extra tempo is the difference. And it is crucial. White manages to bring every single piece into the attack at once.} 23...Bc5 {Hurry, the knight needs support!} ( {Pawns like this} 23...Bxb2 {do not count in such positions. The kingside castle is burning on the other side:} 24.Re3 Kh7 25.Bb1 ) ( {Perhaps the mos\A7t resilient was} 23...Be5 24.Bxe5 fxe5 25.Qxh6 Qg4 26.Rd6 Qf4 27.Qh5 {but White is winning here as well.} ) 24.Bb1 Bf8 25.Re3 Bg7 {The bishop came back to the rescue, but White included both his rook and light-squared bishop into the assault. The battle is uneven.} 26.Rg3 Kh8 27.e5 $1 Qe6 ( {Or mate on the light squares after} 27...fxe5 28.Qxf7 ) 28.Bf5 Qe7 ( {Since} 28...fxe5 29.Qg4 Qf6 30.Rd6 {overburdens the black queen.} ) 29.Rd7 ( {Grischuk resigned due to} 29.Rd7 fxe5 30.Qg4 Qf8 ( 30...Qf6 31.Rd6 ) 31.Bd6 ) 1-0

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2021.06.13"]
[Round "8.4"]
[White "Deac, Bogdan Daniel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2627"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[Beauty "6255754089480"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 {A somewhat unusual opening choice from the Armenian-American GM that clearly indicates his intentions.} 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 a6 6.Be2 ( {Aronian defended the position after} 6.Bxd7+ Bxd7 7.c4 e6 8.Nc3 Bc6 9.O-O Be7 10.Rd1 Nf6 11.Qd3 O-O 12.Nd4 Qa5 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Bd2 Qh5 {against the world champion himself in Carlsen,M (2847)-Aronian,L (2781) Online 2021} ) 6...Ngf6 7.O-O e6 8.Rd1 Be7 9.Nc3 Qc7 10.a4 {This is quite a strange version of the Scheveningen, favorable for White. Black did not manage to bring his pieces out, and the weakness of the b6-square will soon start to tell.} 10...O-O $146 {\"I was just trying to play, not necessarily playing for a win but just to get a game, but my opponent knew the opening very well and I think I got a slightly worse position.\" (Aronian)} ( {Perhaps Black should have chosen instead} 10...b6 {like in an earlier game:} 11.h3 O-O 12.Be3 Bb7 13.Nd2 Rac8 14.Nc4 d5 15.exd5 exd5 16.Bf4 Qc6 17.Ne5 Nxe5 18.Bxe5 Bc5 19.Qf4 Ne4 20.Nxe4 dxe4 {Hinrichs, L (2242) -Barrett,S (2214) Skopje 2015} ) 11.a5 {The b6-square is fixed.} 11...Rd8 12.Be3 Ng4 {Black is trying to relieve the pressure a bit.} ( {Black's normal development is obstructed, for example} 12...Ne5 13.Qb6 Nxf3+ 14.Bxf3 Qxb6 15.Bxb6 Rf8 16.g3 {leaves Black cramped.} ) ( {Similar problems arise after} 12...Nf8 13.Qb6 ) 13.Bg5 Ngf6 ( {The trade} 13...Bxg5 14.Nxg5 Nde5 {does not solve Black's problems. Both} 15.Bxg4 ( {and} 15.Na4 $5 {with the idea to meet} 15...Qxc2 {with} 16.Nc3 $1 {when the queen is in trouble.} ) 15...Nxg4 16.Na4 {and Black's problems remain.} ) 14.Qc4 {Deac chooses to play a somewhat better endgame.} ( {He had other good options too, like} 14.Bh4 $5 ) ( {Or} 14.Qb4 $5 ) 14...Qxc4 15.Bxc4 b5 {At last freeing himself a bit on the queenside.} ( 15...Nf8 16.Be3 {keeps the b6-point under control.} ) 16.axb6 Nxb6 17.Be2 Bb7 18.Nd2 Rd7 {\"I thought I need to start confusing myself and my opponent.\" (Aronian) Black is trying to prepare the freeing d6-d5 break.} 19.Bd3 {Deac misses a good chance.} ( {The idea was} 19.Be3 $1 Bd8 {\"Of course, it doesn't make any sense, but at least it's confusing!\" (Aronian) Indeed, after} 20.Bd4 $1 {Black is in a sort of a zugzwang; he hardly has any useful move.} ) 19...Rc7 20.f3 d5 {That is it, Black is just fine now.} 21.Be3 ( {Or} 21.exd5 Bc5+ 22.Kh1 Nfxd5 {and all looks good for Black.} ) 21...dxe4 22.Ndxe4 Nfd5 23.Bd4 f6 24.b3 Kf7 {Aronian simply improves his position. The weakness of the a6-pawn is well compensated by the centralized black pieces and the play along the half-open files. As usual in the Sicilian endgames, Black starts to slowly take over the initiative.} ( 24...e5 {does not yield Black anything after} 25.Bf2 Nxc3 26.Nxc3 Rxc3 27.Bxb6 ) 25.Nxd5 Nxd5 26.Bc4 a5 27.c3 g5 {That is the other reason why Black's prospects are better in the endgame. He can expand on the kingside too.} 28.Ra4 ( {After} 28.Kf1 {White has to reckon with} 28...a4 $5 ( {But Black can also expand further with} 28...h5 ) ) 28...f5 29.Ng3 Bc5 $1 {An important trade that softens White's position.} 30.Bxc5 Rxc5 31.Bxd5 Bxd5 32.c4 Bc6 33.Ra3 a4 {The bishop is clearly more superior than the knight, and with this move Aronian frees himself from the weakness while creating a weakness in the enemy camp. Deac has to concentrate all his energy into the survival.} 34.Rda1 ( {Here} 34.Nf1 $1 {looks more accurate as after} 34...axb3 35.Rxa8 Bxa8 36.Nd2 {the black b-pawn is not going anywhere.} ) 34...Rg8 $1 {Opening a second front.} 35.bxa4 g4 36.f4 ( {White's problems are not solved either in case of} 36.fxg4 Rxg4 37.R1a2 Rgxc4 38.a5 Rc1+ 39.Kf2 R1c2+ ) 36...Rxc4 37.Ne2 Rb8 38.R3a2 ( 38.a5 Rb2 39.R1a2 Rcc2 40.Rxb2 Rxb2 41.Re3 {would have been similar as in the game.} ) 38...Bd5 39.a5 Rcb4 {Since White needs to defend his second rank, he slowly loses the a-pawn.} 40.Rd2 Rb2 41.Rad1 Rxd2 42.Rxd2 Ra8 {There it is, the pawn is lost. However, not everything is decided yet as all the remaining pawns are on the same flank.} 43.Nc3 Rxa5 44.Kf2 ( {The other way to defend is} 44.Nxd5 exd5 45.Kf2 Ke6 46.Re2+ Kd6 47.Re5 Ra2+ 48.Kg3 d4 {Aronian thought that this is too risky, but the concrete line} 49.Rxf5 d3 50.Rf8 Ke7 51.Rf5 {saves White.} ) 44...Bc6 45.Nd1 Ra4 {Provoking another weakening.} 46.g3 Ra1 {The impression is that Black will sooner or later force the opponent into zugzwang and win the h2-pawn.} 47.Nb2 $1 {Deac, however, found a brilliant defensive idea.} 47...Rh1 48.Nd3 $3 {That was the whole idea! Deac sacrifices a second pawn but builds a fortress.} ( {In the after-game interview Aronian admitted that he underestimated his opponent. He expected} 48.Ke3 Bb5 {after which the advance of the h-pawn would likely put White on his knees.} ) 48...Rxh2+ 49.Ke3 Rxd2 50.Kxd2 {One of the black extra pawns is fully blocked by the white knight, whereas White's only vulnerable point, the pawn on g3, is nicely defended by the white king.} 50...Ke7 51.Ne5 Kd6 52.Ke3 Kd5 53.Kd3 Be8 54.Ke3 h5 55.Nd3 Kc4 {And still, Black finds a way to bother the opponent one last time.} ( {\"The problem is that\"} 55...h4 56.Kf2 $1 {\"is a dead draw.\" (Aronian)} 56...h3 57.Kg1 Ke4 58.Ne5 {followed by Kg1-h2 is a rock-solid fortress indeed.} ) 56.Ne5+ Kc3 57.Nd3 h4 $1 {That's the last chance.} ( {There is no progress after} 57...Kc2 58.Nc5 Kd1 59.Kf2 Bf7 60.Nd3 ) 58.gxh4 g3 59.Ne5 {Alas, the Romanian GM stumbles, just a step away from the draw.} ( 59.Nc1 $1 {instead would have saved the game, for example} 59...g2 60.Ne2+ Kc4 {\"Unfortunately this is nonsense.\" (Aronian)} 61.Kf2 Kd3 62.Ng1 Ke4 63.Nh3 g1=Q+ 64.Kxg1 Kf3 65.Ng5+ {and everything is traded.} ) 59...Bh5 $1 {This move Deac obviously saw. He also knew that his knight and king are limited by the bishop. Apparently, he believed that} 60.Nd7 {would save him and likely missed} 60...e5 $3 {Aronian wins a couple of tempi, and that's all he needs.} ( {After} 60...Kc2 61.Nf6 Bd1 62.h5 {it would be Black who needs to force the draw with} 62...e5 $1 63.h6 ( 63.fxe5 $4 {loses a decisive tempo instead} 63...f4+ 64.Kxf4 g2 {and wins.} ) 63...exf4+ 64.Kxf4 g2 65.h7 g1=Q 66.h8=Q ) 61.Nxe5 Kc2 62.Nd3 Kd1 {Zugzwang! The king makes it to the g2-pawn.} 0-1

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2021.06.14"]
[Round "9.5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Deac, Bogdan Daniel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2820"]
[BlackElo "2627"]
[ECO "A07"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[Beauty "4540854175277"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O Be7 5.d3 Nc6 {Not a very common idea against the King's Indian Attack.} ( {One of the main lines has been discussed recently in the following game:} 5...O-O 6.Nbd2 c5 7.e4 Nc6 8.Re1 b5 9.e5 Nd7 10.Nf1 a5 11.h4 b4 12.Bf4 a4 13.a3 bxa3 14.bxa3 Rb8 15.Ne3 Bb7 16.c4 Nb6 17.cxd5 Nxd5 18.Qxa4 Nc3 19.Qc4 Qa5 20.Rac1 Nb5 {with compensation for the pawn in Nepomniachtchi,I (2792) -So,W (2770) Online 2021} ) 6.Nbd2 e5 {Deac enters the Pirc, down two tempi. Even this approach seems playable.} 7.e4 d4 {As long as Black does not open the center!} 8.Nc4 Nd7 9.a4 {A solid approach by Caruana.} ( {He could have attacked the center at once with} 9.c3 $5 ) 9...O-O 10.b3 $146 ( {In an earlier game, White hurried to play on his flank:} 10.Ne1 Nb6 11.Nxb6 axb6 12.f4 f5 13.exf5 exf4 14.g4 Bd6 15.Be4 Qg5 16.h3 ( 16.Ng2 $1 ) 16...Qh4 17.Qf3 Ne5 18.Qg2 g5 {Mass,E (1926)-Dreiling,A (1774) Germany 2013} ) 10...Re8 ( {Deac could have played} 10...Bb4 $5 {at once.} ) 11.h4 {The plans for both sides are clear. Caruana will try to mate the opponent on the kingside whereas Deac would try to keep him busy on the opposite flank. Both players have problematic bishops, locked behind their pawn chains, and need to solve their problems too.} 11...Bb4 12.Bg5 {Slightly weakening the kingside.} 12...f6 13.Bd2 Rb8 $5 {In preparation of b7-b5.} ( {Black could have also developed a dark-squared strategy with} 13...a5 $5 14.Bxb4 Nxb4 15.h5 Nc5 ) 14.h5 a6 15.a5 {Once again, Caruana tries to force a small concession by his opponent.} ( {The other way to play it was the direct} 15.Nh4 b5 16.Bxb4 Nxb4 17.axb5 axb5 18.Nd2 {when Black would have continued with either} 18...c5 ( {Or} 18...Nf8 $5 ) ) 15...Nf8 16.Nh4 b5 17.axb6 cxb6 18.Bxb4 Nxb4 19.Qd2 $1 {The best development of the attack.} ( {Black's task is easier after} 19.f4 b5 20.Nd2 ( {Or} 20.Na5 h6 ) 20...h6 ) 19...Nc6 {Deac retreats, but overprotects his center in the process.} ( {After} 19...a5 {White could have developed the attack with} 20.h6 g6 ( {Or} 20...g5 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 {when the white bishop enters the battle.} ) 21.f4 ) ( {Similar would be} 19...Qe7 20.h6 g5 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 b5 ) 20.Nf5 {At the end of the day, White decided not to push the h-pawn further.} ( 20.h6 {was possible though, when Black would have likely defended as in the game with} 20...g6 21.f4 b5 22.Na5 Nxa5 23.Rxa5 Rb6 ) 20...g6 {This knight cannot be tolerated.} 21.Nh4 b5 22.Na5 Nxa5 23.Rxa5 Rb6 {Protecting the sixth rank.} 24.Raa1 Qe7 25.hxg6 hxg6 26.f4 {Everything is accordance with the grand strategy: open up the kingside and mate the black king. Deac however prepared well for the second wave of the attack.} 26...Qh7 27.fxe5 {Opening another file for the white major pieces.} ( {Nothing yields} 27.f5 g5 ) 27...fxe5 28.Rf2 Qg7 ( {Here it made sense to hit White's weakness on c2 with} 28...Rc6 $5 29.Raf1 Qc7 {keeping White's major pieces busy.} ) 29.c3 {Not letting Black a second chance to attack this pawn. The c-file could be quite useful for White as well.} ( {Caruana had a chance now to solve the problem of his problematic bishop with} 29.Raf1 $5 Rc6 30.Kh2 {followed by Bg2-h3.} ) 29...dxc3 30.Qxc3 Ne6 $6 {Deac does not intend to defend passively and transfers his knight instead to the beautiful central outpost. This move, however, has a concrete flaw.} ( {Black could have defended passively as well:} 30...Rf6 31.Raf1 Rxf2 32.Rxf2 Qe7 33.Qc6 Kg7 ) 31.Nf3 {Caruana prevents the maneuver and hits the e5-pawn at the same time. He practically wins that pawn now. How could this be wrong?} ( {There was a better idea though! If White could get rid of his light-squared bishop, then he would have all his pieces working nicely. Therefore} 31.Bh3 $1 {was a good try. Then they likely saw the line} 31...Nd4 ( 31...Bd7 32.Bxe6+ Rbxe6 33.Raf1 {is very good for White.} ) 32.Bxc8 ( {However, here White has a strong zwischenzug:} 32.Qc5 $1 {and then after} 32...Rc6 33.Qd5+ Be6 ( 33...Kh8 34.Bxc8 Rexc8 35.Rf7 {is lost for Black.} ) 34.Bxe6+ Rcxe6 35.Raf1 {a position arises where Black is defenseless.} ) 32...Rc6 {which is indeed OK for Black.} ) 31...Rd6 32.Rc1 {Not only seizing the file, but defending the queen.} ( {Why this is important is demonstrated in the line} 32.Nxe5 $4 Nd4 {when White loses his knight as he cannot step back due to the discovered attack.} ) ( 32.Qxe5 {does not promise White anything after} 32...Rxd3 ) 32...Bd7 33.Nxe5 ( {Stronger was the other way of winning the pawn:} 33.Qxe5 $1 Rxd3 34.Bf1 Qxe5 35.Nxe5 Rd4 36.Rf6 Nf8 37.Nxd7 Rxd7 38.Rxa6 {with winning chances for White.} ) 33...Nd4 {This was the whole point behind Deac's active defense. The super-knight compensates for the missing pawn as it blocks two white pawns and a bishop!} ( {Black is correctly avoiding} 33...Rc8 34.Qxc8+ $1 Bxc8 35.Rxc8+ Nd8 36.Nf7 {Although Comp Almighty claims that Black can defend here as well} 36...Rxd3 37.Nxd8 Rd1+ 38.Bf1 Qd7 39.Rfc2 ( {Or} 39.Nc6+ $5 Kg7 $1 ( 39...Qxc8 40.Ne7+ ) 40.Rd8 ( 40.Rff8 Qd6 41.e5 Qd3 ) 40...Rxf1+ 41.Rxf1 Qxc6 ) 39...Qd3 {Well, that's not for the human brains.} ) 34.Nxd7 Qxd7 35.b4 ( {Here Caruana missed a chance to properly arrange his major pieces with} 35.Rcf1 Qg4 36.Qd2 $1 {A very unusual coordination of the white pieces has been achieved. The point is that none of the pawn captures works for Black due to the same threat} 36...Qxg3 $2 37.Qh6 {with mate to follow.} ) 35...Qg4 {Now the black queen also blocks actively.} 36.Re1 ( {Not} 36.Kh2 Ne2 ) 36...Rd7 $1 {A neat defense! Black correctly covers the seventh rank, thus preventing any activity.} ( 36...Qxg3 37.Qc7 {seems scary for Black. Indeed} 37...Red8 ( {Also bad for Black is} 37...Rf8 38.Rxf8+ Kxf8 39.Rf1+ Ke8 40.Qf7+ Kd8 41.Qf8+ Kc7 42.Rf7+ {and White will pick up the knight with checks.} ) ( {However, here too, Black can defend himself with the nice move} 37...Nf5 $1 ) 38.Qf7+ Kh8 39.e5 {is bad for the second player.} ) 37.Re3 Qg5 38.Qc1 {Now surprisingly, Deac gets a chance to play for something.} 38...Kg7 ( {Strong was} 38...Rf7 $3 {which would have forced Caruana into passive defense:} 39.Rxf7 $4 {obviously loses to} ( {Also bad for White is} 39.Qe1 Rc7 $1 {when despite the pawn deficit Black dominates.} ) ( {Therefore the passive} 39.Re1 {should have been played, but then} 39...Qxg3 40.Rxf7 Kxf7 41.Qe3 Qxe3+ 42.Rxe3 Kf6 {regains the pawn for Black while keeping the blockade, and this promises him good winning chances.} ) 39...Ne2+ ) 39.Bh3 {The bishop is out just in time.} 39...Rde7 40.Kg2 {And the g3-pawn is safe. Nevertheless, White hardly has any realistic chances for a full point.} 40...Rh8 41.Re1 Qh5 42.Rh1 Qe5 43.Qb2 Nc6 ( {Also a good plan was to swap the rooks:} 43...Rc7 $5 44.Rc1 Rxc1 45.Qxc1 Rf8 {aiming for a position with a queen and a knight versus a queen and a bishop.} ) 44.Rc1 {Allowing the trade.} ( {Or else Black would start an attack against the enemy pawns:} 44.Qb3 Qd4 ) 44...Qxb2 45.Rxb2 Ne5 46.Rd1 Rd8 {Deac is forcing the pawns forward, after which he can attack them sideways.} 47.d4 Nc6 48.d5 Rd6 49.Rf1 Ne5 {A funny coincidence. Yesterday, Deac also built a rock-solid blockade with a knight versus a bishop. In today's game though he still has the rooks on board and defends actively. And he is down only one pawn.} 50.Be6 {This allows the activation of the black rooks, but Caruana hardly had any other choice.} ( {Or} 50.Rbb1 Nf7 51.Be6 Ng5 52.e5 Rd8 53.Rf6 Nxe6 54.dxe6 Rde8 {with an obvious draw.} ) 50...Rc7 51.Ra1 Rc4 52.Rba2 Rxe4 53.Rxa6 Rxa6 54.Rxa6 Rxb4 55.Kf2 {Almost everything disappeared and the game slowly peters out into a draw.} 55...Ra4 {Once again active defense.} 56.Rb6 Ra2+ 57.Kf1 Nc4 58.Rxb5 Kf6 59.Ke1 Nd6 60.Rb3 Ke5 61.Kd1 Rg2 62.g4 Ne4 63.Ke1 Rh2 64.Ra3 Rb2 65.Bf7 g5 66.Be6 Nf6 {It is time to trade everything.} 67.Ra5 Rb4 68.Ke2 Nxg4 69.Bxg4 Rxg4 70.Kf3 Rd4 71.Kg3 Rxd5 72.Rxd5+ Kxd5 73.Kg4 Ke4 74.Kxg5 {A nice way to finish a nice tournament!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Goldmoney Asian Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.06.29"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[ECO "E52"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7495544244262"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.e3 O-O 6.Bd2 {Quite a solid line.} 6...b6 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.O-O Be7 ( {This bishop may also occupy a somewhat more active position with} 9...Bd6 10.Rc1 c5 11.Ne5 Nc6 12.Ng4 Be7 13.Nxf6+ Bxf6 14.Qh5 g6 15.Qxd5 cxd4 16.exd4 Bxd4 {with approximate equality in Bluebaum,M (2672)-Navara,D (2697) OnlineT 2020} ) 10.Ne5 c5 11.Ne2 Nc6 12.Nxc6 $146 {A novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw White doing quite well after} 12.Ng3 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Ne4 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Qg4 g6 16.Bc3 Qc8 17.Qf4 {Johansson,L (2492)-Wachinger,N (2334) Bremen 2020} ) 12...Bxc6 13.dxc5 bxc5 {The arising hanging pawn structure looks quite alright for Black. The pawns are not under siege yet, and Aronian has clear prospects of a play along the b-file.} 14.Bc3 ( {Or} 14.Rc1 Rb8 ( 14...Qb6 ) 15.Bc3 ) 14...Qb6 15.Ng3 {Erigaisi weakens the opponent's kingside. Why? We shall see in a moment.} ( {The potential of the hanging pawns is revealed in the line} 15.Nf4 Rfd8 16.Be2 {intending to put the other bishop on f3 to pressure the center, but that falls short to} 16...d4 $1 ) 15...g6 16.b4 $1 {This is one of the ways to fight the hanging pawns. Separate them and use the squares that are opened for your own pieces. True, Erigaisi needs to sacrifice a pawn for these goods.} ( {White achieves nothing after} 16.Rc1 a5 ) 16...cxb4 17.Bd4 Qd8 $1 {Aronian is careful.} ( {The pseudo-active} 17...Qb7 {leaves the black queen too far away from the kingside, and White can make use of that with} 18.Qf3 Ne4 19.Nf5 $1 {The knight is obviously invincible:} 19...gxf5 $2 ( {However, even after the better} 19...Bf6 20.Bxf6 Nxf6 21.Qf4 {Black will be missing his queen in the defense.} ) 20.Bxe4 {and wins.} ) 18.Rc1 Bb7 19.Qf3 {This attacking setup is what Erigaisi was heading for. The inclusion of the white knight is always in the air.} 19...Qd6 ( {Sometimes in these situation the defenders are giving back the pawn at once in order to reduce the attacking potential of the opponent with something like} 19...Ne4 20.Nxe4 dxe4 21.Bxe4 Bxe4 22.Qxe4 {However, here White preserves some pressure on the open central files.} ) ( {How dangerous the white knight can be is visible after} 19...Kg7 $2 20.Nh5+ $3 gxh5 21.Qg3+ Kh8 22.Rc7 Rb8 23.Rxe7 $1 {removing the key defender.} 23...Qxe7 24.Qg5 {and wins.} ) 20.h4 {With the clear intention to soften the king's position.} ( {However, the immediate brutality} 20.Nf5 $5 {might have been even more dangerous for Black. Then Aronian would have had to find} 20...gxf5 21.Bc5 Qe5 ( {But not} 21...Qxc5 $2 22.Rxc5 Bxc5 23.Qg3+ Kh8 24.Qc7 $1 {and White wins more than enough material.} ) 22.Bxe7 Qxe7 23.Qg3+ Kh8 24.Rc7 Nh5 25.Rxe7 Nxg3 26.fxg3 Bc8 27.Bxf5 Bxf5 28.Rxf5 a5 {with a likely draw.} ) 20...Rfc8 {Aronian is challenging the opponent on the opposite wing in the meantime.} 21.h5 a5 22.Bf5 $5 ( {The other way to attack it is} 22.hxg6 $5 hxg6 23.Nf5 gxf5 24.Bxf5 Rxc1 25.Rxc1 {and in this fascinating position the computer flashes its favorite evaluation 0.00...} ) 22...Rxc1 $1 {Very accurate again.} ( {Here and for the next moves, the bishop is untouchable:} 22...gxf5 $2 23.Nxf5 Qd7 24.Nxe7+ Qxe7 25.Bxf6 {with a win.} ) 23.Rxc1 Ne8 {This maneuver, though, does not reinforce Black's defense. Actually it adds tactical chances for White as we are about to witness.} ( {Erigaisi would have needed all his creativity to develop enough attack in the line} 23...a4 $1 24.Bh3 Ra6 ) 24.Qg4 Ng7 25.Bxg6 {The right idea but the wrong execution.} ( {The young Indian could have won instead with} 25.Bxg7 $1 Kxg7 26.Bxg6 $3 {The knight fork is in the air, which means that the bishop will remain alive, orchestrating the attack. And it is decisive:} 26...Qf6 27.Bd3+ ( 27.Nf5+ {should win too.} ) 27...Qg5 28.Qd7 Rb8 29.Nf5+ Kf8 30.Rc7 {and Black can only resign.} ) 25...fxg6 26.Bxg7 Rc8 $1 {That is the difference. Aronian can ignore the enemy bishop and can still rely on his kingside pawn protection.} 27.Rd1 Rc2 ( {Somewhat more accurate is} 27...Rc4 $1 28.Bd4 ( {Not} 28.e4 $2 Bc8 $1 ) 28...Bc8 29.Qe2 Qc6 {with a solid position for Black.} ) 28.Ba1 Rc4 29.Qe2 ( {Here White could put more pressure on his opponent with} 29.e4 $5 Bc8 30.Qe2 ) 29...Qc6 30.Bd4 Bf6 {Aronian is playing with fire.} ( {Both} 30...Bc8 $5 ) ( {And} 30...Qe6 $5 {would be more to the point.} ) 31.hxg6 ( {Here} 31.Bxf6 Qxf6 32.e4 {would be annoying for Black as the white queen finds a way in the enemy camp} 32...Qe6 33.Qe3 ( {or} 33.Qd2 ) ) 31...hxg6 32.Kh2 $1 {The king is stepping away from the possible checks; thus White avoids the trade of rooks. Erigaisi still needs to look for a way to checkmate the opponent, while Aronian would love to see the major pieces traded that would eventually win the endgame for him.} 32...Bxd4 ( {As} 32...Rc1 33.Rxc1 Qxc1 {is no more bringing a check, and White can take the bishop.} 34.Bxf6 ) 33.exd4 ( {Of course not} 33.Rxd4 $2 Rxd4 34.exd4 Kf7 {when Black can obviously call the shots.} ) 33...Rc2 34.Qf3 ( {The other moves are not as good} 34.Qg4 Rxf2 ) ( {Or} 34.Qe3 Qf6 $1 ) 34...Qe6 ( {Whatever Black does, he should not forget to keep a close eye on the opposite major pieces} 34...Rxa2 $2 35.Re1 $1 {would decisively bring the rook into the attack.} ) 35.Qf4 Kg7 ( 35...Rxa2 {is still bad, this time due to} 36.Qb8+ Qc8 37.Qd6 $1 ) ( {However, Aronian missed a chance to look for counterattack with} 35...Qe7 $3 36.Rd3 Qh7+ 37.Kg1 Qf7 {when Black already stands better.} ) 36.Rd3 $1 {The rook is almost in, and this is very dangerous for Black.} 36...Qf6 {Not really a mistake but Aronian makes a step in the wrong direction.} ( 36...Bc8 $1 {is needed when} 37.Re3 ( 37.Rf3 Qe7 ) 37...Qf6 ) 37.Qg4 $1 Qxf2 {And this loses!} ( {Black could still survive with either the passive defense} 37...Qd6 $1 38.Rf3 Rc7 {which, however, is unpleasant to defend.} ) ( {Or, perhaps better with the aggressive sacrifice} 37...Bc8 $3 38.Nh5+ Kf7 39.Nxf6 Bxg4 40.Nxg4 Rxa2 41.Rb3 Ke6 {How badly Black needs the queens off the board is evident in this line. His two outside connected passers promise him enough play for the piece.} ) 38.Nh5+ Kh6 39.Nf4 $1 {The queen is separated from the king, and Black's position quickly deteriorates.} 39...Rc6 40.Rh3+ Kg7 41.Qd7+ Kf6 42.Rf3 Qxd4 ( 42...Qxa2 43.Nh3# ) 43.Ne2+ 1-0

[Event "Goldmoney Asian Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.06.30"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[ECO "D52"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[Beauty "6190121650732"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 Qa5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Rc1 h6 ( {Carlsen and Artemiev discussed the endgame after} 8...Bb4 9.a3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 b6 11.Qd2 h6 12.Bh4 c5 13.c4 Qxd2+ 14.Nxd2 Ne7 15.f3 Nf5 16.Bf2 {and eventually the world champion managed to capitalize on his bishop-pair advantage in Carlsen,M (2847)-Artemiev,V (2709) Online 2021} ) 9.Bh4 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Ba3 11.Rc2 b6 12.Be2 Ba6 13.O-O Bxe2 14.Rxe2 O-O 15.c4 $146 {Ding is slowly building his advantage in the center.} ( {An earlier game saw} 15.e4 Rfe8 16.c4 {but then Black managed to destroy the opponent's seemingly mighty construction with} 16...b5 17.d5 cxd5 18.cxd5 exd5 19.exd5 Bf8 20.Rfe1 Rxe2 21.Rxe2 Rc8 22.g4 {Martirosyan,H (2613) -Hovhannisyan,R (2641) Yerevan 2020} ) 15...Rfe8 16.Qc2 Rac8 17.Rd1 Bf8 {Duda, on his turn, prepares to strike back in the central area.} ( {Therefore, the Polish GM avoids the more active} 17...Bd6 {as after} 18.e4 {Black cannot push any of his central pawns.} ) 18.h3 ( {Whereas now} 18.e4 {will be successfully met with} 18...e5 19.dxe5 ( {Black also has enough counterplay after} 19.d5 Qb4 ) 19...Nxe5 20.Nxe5 Qxe5 ) 18...c5 {That was the point behind Black's play so far, but it looks risky anyway.} 19.d5 exd5 ( 19...e5 {would not have solved Black's problems at all as} 20.Rb1 a6 21.a4 Rb8 22.Qb3 {paralyzes Black's play on the queenside, and White can slowly bring his kingside pawns into motion.} ) 20.Rxd5 $1 {The most aggressive idea.} ( {After} 20.cxd5 c4 {Duda would enjoy his queenside counterplay.} ) 20...Nb8 {Played a tempo.} 21.Red2 {Ding brings into the game every single attacking unit.} ( {Already here the piece sacrifice is interesting:} 21.Ne5 Nc6 22.Nxf7 Kxf7 23.Qh7 ) 21...b5 {Duda believes that he has enough time to create threats on the opposite wing and that everything is defended in his camp. Therefore, he keeps the knight where it is as it protects the seventh rank. However, Ding has another powerful idea in mind.} ( 21...Nc6 $1 {would be the lesser evil, although there too White's initiative is annoying after} 22.Rd7 Qa6 23.Qf5 ) 22.Ne5 $1 {Just centralization, right?} 22...bxc4 ( {Perhaps it is not too late for} 22...Nc6 23.Nxf7 Kxf7 24.Qh7 Ne7 {Although White's attack remains strong after} 25.Rd7 ) 23.Nxf7 $3 {Nope! The knight has a very concrete idea on its mind: to lure the enemy king out of his safehouse.} 23...Qa6 {A sad necessity.} ( {As} 23...Kxf7 24.Qh7 $1 {exposes the black king and it cannot escape mate, say} 24...c3 25.Rf5+ Ke6 26.Qg6# ) 24.Rd6 $1 {Another powerful blow.} 24...Qb7 {And once again Duda rejects the offer.} ( {Rightly so, as Black's position is hopeless after} 24...Bxd6 25.Nxh6+ gxh6 ( 25...Kf8 26.Qf5# ) ( {Or} 25...Kh8 26.Nf7+ Kg8 27.Rxd6 ) 26.Qg6+ Kf8 27.Qxh6+ Kf7 28.Qf6+ Kg8 29.Qg6+ Kf8 30.Rxd6 {and decisive material losses for Black are on the way.} ) 25.Nxh6+ gxh6 26.Rg6+ Bg7 ( 26...Kf7 27.Qf5# {does not inspire.} ) 27.Bf6 Rc7 28.Qxc4+ {Up to here Ding's attack has been flawless. However, this natural human move throws away the largest portion of the advantage.} ( {The amazingly cool} 28.Rg4 $3 {would have left Black completely tied up, for example} 28...Qb6 ( {Or} 28...Rf7 29.Rd6 Nd7 30.Bxg7 Rxg7 31.Rxg7+ Kxg7 32.Qg6+ Kf8 33.Qxh6+ Ke7 34.Re6+ Kd8 35.Qh4+ {and wins.} ) ( {Or} 28...Kh8 29.Qg6 ) 29.Qc3 {and Black practically has no moves.} ) ( {Why the rook needs to step back is illustrated by this simple line:} 28.Qc3 $4 Qb1+ ) ( {The machine suggests another winning idea:} 28.f3 {but this is something that I will not be able to understand in the coming 27 years at least.} ) 28...Kh7 29.Rxg7+ Rxg7 30.Bxg7 Qxg7 31.Rd5 ( {Weaker is} 31.Qxc5 $6 Qa1+ 32.Kh2 Qe5+ ) ( {However, the preliminary check} 31.Qc2+ $5 {forces the king to step on the back rank, and then} 31...Kh8 32.Qxc5 {makes perfect sense.} ) 31...Rc8 ( {After} 31...Rg8 {White likely intended} 32.g4 $1 ) 32.Qd3+ ( {Maybe even stronger is} 32.Qe4+ Kh8 33.Re5 ) 32...Kh8 33.Qf5 {White's position is much easier to play as his king is safer and his major pieces more active. Duda, however, defends very tenaciously and manages to enter an endgame with precise play.} 33...Rg8 34.g3 Rf8 35.Qe6 c4 36.Rh5 Kh7 37.Qxc4 Nd7 38.Rd5 Nb6 ( {Maybe} 38...Ne5 39.Qe4+ Ng6 {to keep the knight closer to the king is even better.} ) 39.Qe4+ Qg6 40.Qxg6+ Kxg6 41.Ra5 Rf7 {Make no mistake, this endgame is far from equal no matter what the machine claims. The pawns are becoming far more dangerous than the light piece in the endgame, and it is extremely easy to go wrong as Black.} 42.Kg2 Nc4 43.Ra6+ Kg7 44.g4 Ne5 45.f4 Nc4 46.Re6 Rf6 47.Re4 ( {White could have also pushed for a win in the rookless endgame after} 47.Rxf6 Kxf6 48.e4 ) 47...Rc6 48.Kg3 a5 49.h4 a4 50.g5 h5 ( 50...Kg6 $1 {is correct.} ) 51.f5 Nd6 52.Re5 a3 {At some point Black needs to sacrifice the knight for a couple of the dangerous enemy pawns.} ( {This plan could have worked in case of} 52...Rc4 53.Rd5 Rg4+ 54.Kf3 Nxf5 ( 54...Nf7 {should be OK too.} ) 55.Rxf5 Rxh4 {and this should be a draw.} ) 53.Rd5 {It is already very dangerous for Black.} 53...Kf7 ( {The lines} 53...Ne4+ 54.Kf4 Rc4 55.Ke5 ) ( {And} 53...Rb6 54.Kf3 {are very unpleasant for Black.} ) 54.Kf4 Ke7 55.g6 ( 55.e4 $1 {might be even better.} ) 55...Rc4+ ( {At first the computer is excited about the line} 55...Kf6 56.e4 Nxf5 57.exf5 Rc4+ {but Black does not seem likely a survivor here.} ) 56.Kg5 Ne4+ 57.Kh6 Nf6 ( {The last chance is} 57...Kf6 $1 58.g7 Rc8 59.Rd7 Ng3 60.Kh7 Nxf5 61.g8=Q Rxg8 62.Kxg8 Nxh4 {although there too White should be able to convert somehow.} ) 58.Re5+ Kf8 59.Re6 Ng8+ 60.Kh7 Rxh4 61.f6 Rg4 62.Ra6 Nxf6+ 63.Rxf6+ Ke7 64.Rf2 1-0

[Event "Goldmoney Asian Rapid | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.06.26"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8249424248358"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.O-O Nge7 5.Re1 a6 6.Bf1 b6 ( {Giri apparently prepared something in the line} 6...d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.d4 Nf6 9.Be3 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Bd7 11.c4 Be7 12.Nc3 O-O 13.a3 {which was played just days ago in Svidler,P (2714)-Firouzja,A (2759) Paris 2021} ) 7.Nc3 $146 {An obvious developing move and a novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw} 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 Nc6 10.Qd2 Qc7 11.c4 Bd6 12.h3 Bb7 13.Nc3 Rd8 14.Qd1 O-O 15.Be3 {with approximate equality in Naiditsch,A (2626)-Anton Guijarro,D (2703) Biel 2020} ) 7...Bb7 {Firouzja continues with his development.} ( 7...d5 8.d4 {looks promising for White instead.} ) 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Ng6 {That is definitely risky.} ( {More in the Taimanov spirit was the trade of the knights:} 9...Nxd4 10.Qxd4 {followed by} 10...Nc6 11.Qd1 Qc7 {True, in this case too White has a promising piece sacrifice:} 12.Nd5 $5 exd5 13.exd5+ Ne5 {when both follow-ups} 14.f4 ( 14.Qh5 $5 {might be more precise although Black looks solid with} 14...d6 15.f4 g6 16.Qe2 Bg7 ) 14...Bc5+ 15.Kh1 ( {Or} 15.Be3 O-O ) 15...d6 {will lead to some slight edge for White.} ) 10.Nf5 $1 {That's more than unplesant for Black.} 10...d6 ( {As he cannot accept the sacrifice} 10...exf5 11.exf5+ Nge5 ( {Whereas} 11...Nge7 {is plain wrong and Black is lost after} 12.Nd5 f6 13.Qh5+ g6 14.fxg6 hxg6 15.Qxg6# ) 12.f4 {Looks grim for Black after} 12...Bc5+ 13.Be3 Bxe3+ 14.Rxe3 d6 15.Ne4 $1 ) 11.Nd5 $1 {Who said that Giri plays \"dry\" chess? That is definitely not the first time when he follows in Tal's footprints!} ( {Objectively} 11.Be3 $1 {would have been even stronger though as Black still cannot accept the sacrifice, for} 11...exf5 ( {The b6-point is vulnerable too in the line} 11...Qc7 12.Na4 $1 ( 12.Nd5 $5 ) 12...b5 13.Nb6 Rd8 14.c4 $1 {with a nasty initiative for White.} ) 12.exf5 Nge5 13.Nd5 {Highlighting the weakness on b6.} ) 11...Nce5 $1 {The best defense.} ( {It makes sense not to open the files for the white major pieces yet with} 11...exd5 12.exd5+ Nce5 13.f4 Qd7 14.Qd3 $1 Ne7 {as there is the strong} 15.fxe5 $1 Qxf5 16.exd6 Qxd3 17.Bxd3 Bxd5 18.dxe7 Bxe7 {with a pleasant endgame for White after both} 19.a4 ( {And} 19.Be3 ) ) 12.f4 exd5 ( {It made sense to capture with the piece instead:} 12...Bxd5 $1 {Then} 13.exd5 ( {Giri likely planned} 13.Nxg7+ $1 Bxg7 14.exd5 exd5 15.c4 $1 {But Black is solid here as well after} ( {Certainly not} 15.Qxd5 $2 Ne7 ) 15...O-O 16.fxe5 Bxe5 {despite the crippled pawn structure.} ) 13...exf5 14.fxe5 dxe5 15.Qh5 Bc5+ 16.Kh1 Qd7 {is very good for Black.} ) 13.exd5 Qd7 14.Qd3 $1 {An important resource for White.} 14...Bc8 $1 {Firouzja definitely needs to get rid of this knight in order to finish the development.} 15.g4 {Giri insists.} ( {White's desire not to retreat is understandable} 15.Nd4 Be7 16.fxe5 Nxe5 {This allows Black a chance to finish the development, although some problems remain after} 17.Qg3 ) ( {However, an alternative way to defend the knight} 15.Qc3 {was not just fancy, but strong. The knight is immune:} 15...Qxf5 ( {Therefore} 15...Qb7 {seems forced, when White will still opt for} 16.fxe5 dxe5 17.g4 {but that's much more favorable for him than in the game.} ) 16.Qc6+ ( {Or first} 16.fxe5 Nxe5 {and then} 17.Qc6+ ) ) 15...h5 {Black also opens the enemy king.} 16.fxe5 dxe5 ( 16...Nxe5 17.Bf4 f6 {was possible too.} ) 17.Bh3 ( {Here} 17.Qg3 {was tricky, intending to sacrifice the exchange after} 17...hxg4 ( {And second} 17...Bc5+ 18.Be3 Bxe3+ 19.Rxe3 Kf8 {looks fine for the second player.} ) 18.Rxe5+ {But first of all this is unclear after} 18...Kd8 ( {Rather than} 18...Nxe5 19.Qxe5+ Kd8 20.Be3 {which is really dangerous for Black.} ) ) 17...Bc5+ 18.Kh1 Kf8 ( {More accurate would have been} 18...hxg4 19.Bxg4 Kf8 ) 19.c4 ( {As now White could have fixed his advantage with} 19.g5 $1 {Which locks the black rook. Then} 19...Bb7 ( {Or} 19...Qc7 20.c4 ) 20.c4 b5 21.b3 {and Black can hardly move.} ) 19...hxg4 {The rook is opened again, and it is unclear.} 20.Bxg4 Qc7 {Natural, but not optimal according to the engine.} ( {The machine prefers instead} 20...Qd8 $5 21.Qe4 Bxf5 22.Bxf5 Rh4 {when Black is fine.} ) 21.Qe4 Bxf5 {A concrete solution.} ( {Perhaps Black should have kept his bishop.} 21...Bd7 $5 ) 22.Bxf5 Rh4 23.Qg2 Nf4 ( {Surprisingly, Black can even sacrifice a pawn here with} 23...Re8 $5 24.Bxg6 fxg6 25.Qxg6 Qf7 26.Qxf7+ Kxf7 {with compensation.} ) 24.Bxf4 Rxf4 25.d6 {That's the problem, the rook is hanging and Firouzja needs to play very accurately.} 25...Qd8 ( {Correct was} 25...Qb8 $1 {in order to meet} 26.Rad1 {with} 26...Bxd6 27.Rxd6 ( 27.Be4 Ra7 ) 27...Rxf5 ) 26.Rad1 ( {Apparently, the time deficit starts to tell.} 26.Rxe5 $1 {would have been strong of course as} 26...Bxd6 27.Rd5 {is plain bad for Black.} ) 26...Bd4 ( {Not} 26...Bxd6 $2 27.Rxd6 ) ( {But a safer option would have been} 26...Rb8 $1 27.Qh3 Rh4 ) 27.d7 {This pawn is dangerous.} ( {But the play along the f-file would have been even stronger} 27.Rf1 $1 Rxf1+ 28.Rxf1 Ra7 29.Qd5 Qa8 30.Be6 {as the light squares in Black's camp suffer.} ) 27...Rb8 {The rook finally steps on a safe square.} ( {However, it was mandatory to safeguard the king instead with} 27...g6 $1 28.Bh3 Rb8 ( {Or} 28...Kg7 ) ) ( {Giri's trick is revealed in the line} 27...Rxf5 28.Rxd4 exd4 29.Qh3 $1 {winning the queen.} ( {But not} 29.Re8+ Qxe8 30.dxe8=Q+ Rxe8 {when Black should win.} ) ) 28.Rf1 $1 {With the trade of this active piece Black's position suddenly collapses.} 28...Qf6 ( {However Firouzja's position seemed lost anyway. The point is that in the line} 28...Rxf1+ 29.Rxf1 Kg8 {The king walks into a mating net. True, it is not obvious, but it's pretty anyway:} 30.Bh7+ $3 Kxh7 31.Rxf7 Qg8 ( {Or} 31...e4 32.Qxe4+ Kg8 33.Qd5 {winning.} ) 32.Qh3+ Kg6 33.Rf5 $3 {with inevitable mate.} ) 29.Rxf4 exf4 30.Qd5 1-0

[Event "Goldmoney Asian Rapid | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.06.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[Beauty "6052682666505"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.d3 ( {Another way to play it was demonstrated in this recent game:} 5.O-O Nd4 6.Ba4 e6 7.Nxd4 cxd4 8.Nb5 Qb6 9.c3 Ne7 10.Nxd4 Bxd4 11.cxd4 Qxd4 12.d3 Nc6 13.Be3 Qb4 14.d4 {with an edge for White in Morozevich,A (2659)-Aravindh,C (2641) Online 2021} ) 5...d6 6.e5 {According to my Megabase this is a novelty, but this idea has been seen before, via a different move order.} 6...dxe5 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.O-O {If White manages to stabilize the poition he will soon start collecting the opponent's weaknesses on the queenside.} 8...c4 {Getting rid of one of the doubled pawns.} 9.Re1 Qd6 $146 ( 9...Bg4 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 Rc8 12.dxc4 Qc7 13.Bg5 Nf6 14.Qe3 h6 15.Bh4 Nh5 16.Bg3 Nxg3 17.Qxg3 O-O {Gasanov,E (2454)-Askarian,K (2253) Kharkov 2002} ) 10.Bg5 cxd3 11.cxd3 Bg4 12.Ne4 ( {In case of} 12.h3 {Black develops quickly with} 12...Bxf3 13.Qxf3 h6 14.Be3 ( {Or} 14.Bd2 Nf6 ) 14...Nf6 ) 12...Qd5 13.Rc1 Nf6 ( {Here, it made sense to throw in} 13...h6 14.Be3 Nf6 {with a good position for Black.} ) 14.h3 Nxe4 {Carlsen plays for the maximum, but his approach is overoptimistic.} ( {The game would have petered out into a draw in the line} 14...Bxf3 15.Qxf3 O-O 16.Bxf6 exf6 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.Qxf6 Qxa2 19.Qxe5 Rad8 20.Rxc6 Rxd3 ) 15.dxe4 Qxd1 16.Rexd1 Bd7 {This natural retreat leads to difficulties.} ( {Had the world champion felt the gravity of his problems he would have chosen instead} 16...Be6 $1 17.b3 f6 18.Rxc6 Kf7 19.Be3 a5 {followed by Rh8-b8 and a5-a4 with defendable position.} ) ( 16...Bxf3 17.gxf3 a5 18.Rxc6 {is not something that Black wants to defend.} ) 17.Ne1 $1 {A strong maneuver. Once that the knight reaches the powerful c5 square Aronian's strategy would be seen in its full glory.} 17...f6 18.Be3 a5 19.Nd3 Be6 20.b3 Kf7 ( {Black is one move short of getting rid of the weakness:} 20...a4 21.Nc5 ) 21.Nc5 Rhc8 22.Rc2 Rc7 23.Rdc1 {The perfect setup for the white pieces. Carlsen is forced into passive defense without any counterplay. His main problem, however, is that Aronian can keep maneuvering and improving.} 23...Bc8 ( 23...Rac8 {does not solve the problems after} 24.Bd2 ) 24.Na4 Bb7 ( {The computer suggests to sacrifice the pawn at once:} 24...h5 25.Rxc6 Rxc6 26.Rxc6 Bd7 27.Rc4 Bb5 28.Rc5 Bxa4 29.bxa4 {although this does not seem playable to the human eyes.} ) 25.Bb6 Rcc8 26.Nc5 Bh6 27.Rd1 $1 {No rush!} ( {At some point White should start thinking about capitalizing his advantage. One idea is to force matters with} 27.Nxb7 Bxc1 28.Rxc1 Rcb8 29.Nd8+ Rxd8 ( {However, Black has an even stronger continuation} 29...Ke8 $1 30.Ne6 Rxb6 31.Nc7+ Kd7 32.Nxa8 Rb8 {when he is the one to play for the win.} ) 30.Bxd8 Rxd8 31.Rxc6 {but Black has good chances to survive the rook endgame.} ) 27...Ba6 28.Bxa5 ( {Neater was} 28.a4 $1 {as the black pawn is not going anywhere:} 28...Rcb8 29.Bxa5 Be2 30.Rxe2 Rxa5 31.Rc2 ) 28...Bb5 ( {Missing a chance to pose problems to his opponent with} 28...Be2 $1 29.Rxe2 Rxa5 30.Rc2 Ra3 $1 ) 29.b4 ( 29.Bc3 $5 {pushing the pawns after was good as well.} ) 29...Rcb8 30.a4 {Aronian won his pawn back and now practically is the player ahead in material as the doubled black pawns do not count for much. He starts converting his advantage.} 30...Ba6 31.g3 ( 31.Rd7 $1 {looks better.} ) 31...Bc8 32.Kg2 f5 33.Rc4 Ra7 34.Rd8 ( {Here} 34.Bd8 $5 {looks interesting, intending a4-a5 and Bd8-b6. Although Black can stop this idea with} 34...fxe4 35.Rxe4 Bf5 36.Rc4 Ke8 ) 34...fxe4 35.Rxe4 ( {On the account of Black's next idea} 35.Rxc8 Rxc8 36.Bb6 Raa8 37.Rxe4 {might have been objectively better for White.} ) 35...Bg7 ( {Carlsen missed a great chance to survive. The tactical line} 35...Rxa5 $1 36.Rxc8 ( {Or} 36.bxa5 Bxh3+ ) 36...Rxc8 37.bxa5 Bd2 38.a6 Bc3 $1 {followed by Bc3-d4 would have likely led to a draw.} ) 36.g4 $1 {Now all is under contol and Aronian is back in the driver's seat.} 36...h5 37.Rc4 ( {Even stronger was} 37.Bb6 $1 Rxb6 38.Rxc8 {followed by a4-a5 and Rc8xc6 wth an easy win.} ) 37...hxg4 38.hxg4 Bf6 39.f3 ( 39.Bb6 $1 {was still winning as in the line above.} ) 39...Rba8 40.Ne4 Bb7 {Missing the last chance.} ( {The bishop belonged to the other diagonal} 40...Be6 $1 {was best as} 41.Rxa8 Rxa8 42.Rxc6 Bd7 {leaves Black drawing chances.} ) 41.Rd7 ( {Or} 41.Rxa8 Rxa8 42.g5 Bg7 43.Nc5 {and the pawns are starting to roll.} ) 41...c5 {A desperate sacrifice, but Carlsen knows that passive defense leaves him no hopes.} 42.Nxc5 Bc6 43.Rxa7 Rxa7 44.Bb6 Ra8 45.b5 Bd5 46.Rc2 Bg5 47.a5 {White is completely winning and Aronian confidently collects the full point.} 47...Be3 48.Nd7 Bf4 49.Re2 Ke6 50.Nc5+ {Another excellent knight maneuver.} 50...Kf7 51.Ne4 Rc8 52.a6 {Well calculated.} 52...Rb8 53.Bg1 Rxb5 54.Nc3 Ra5 55.Nxd5 Rxd5 56.Ra2 Rd8 57.a7 Ra8 58.Rb2 e4 59.fxe4 Ke6 60.Kf3 Bd6 61.Rb7 Ke5 62.Bh2+ Kd4 63.Bxd6 exd6 64.Kf4 Rf8+ 65.Kg5 Ra8 66.Re7 1-0

[Event "Goldmoney Asian Rapid | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.06.28"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Gukesh, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2578"]
[ECO "D32"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[Beauty "5502297740365"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 {Duda was in a must-win situation, whereas the young Indian talent Gukesh D. was mostly enjoying the opportunity to play against the world's elite.} 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Bg5 Be6 7.e3 c4 {The main line remains 7...Nc6.} 8.Qa4+ $5 {Gukesh felt that there is something wrong with this move, as indicated by more than three minutes spent on the clock.} ( {A couple of years ago Duda's compatriot and teammate did well against the world champion in the opening after} 8.Ne5 Be7 9.Be2 O-O 10.O-O Nfd7 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Bf3 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Rd8 14.Nxd5 Bxd5 15.Bxd5 Nc6 16.e4 Nb4 17.Rc1 Rac8 18.Qd4 b5 19.f4 {Wojtaszek,R (2725)-Carlsen,M (2872) Moscow 2019} ) 8...Nc6 ( {In hindsight} 8...Qd7 {is a must.} ) 9.Bxc4 $1 $146 {A beautiful novelty that might close the whole line for Black.} ( {Black did more after} 9.Ne5 Qb6 10.O-O-O Be7 11.Qb5 O-O 12.Qxb6 axb6 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.f3 b5 {Pashanov,S (2131) -Batsiashvili,N (2491) Online 2021} ) 9...dxc4 10.d5 Bxd5 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 {The only chance to muddy the waters.} ( {As} 11...gxf6 12.O-O-O {drops the piece anyway but leaves White the initiative too.} ) 12.Nxd5 Bb4+ $1 {Also best, at least from a practical point of view.} ( {There is nothing to play for after} 12...Qxb2 13.O-O $1 ) 13.Nxb4 Qxb2 14.Nc2 $1 {Duda is up to the task.} ( {While watching the game, I thought that he can mate the opponent in the line} 14.Nxc6 Qxa1+ 15.Ke2 Qb2+ 16.Nd2 bxc6 ( {However, the Polish GM obviously saw the spoiler} 16...c3 $1 {when it might well be Black who is better!} ) 17.Qxc6+ Ke7 18.Rb1 {and this indeed leaves Black defenseless.} ) 14...Qc3+ 15.Kf1 $1 {Very accurate again!} ( {More logical seems} 15.Ke2 {But here is another nasty trick up Gukesh's sleeve:} 15...b5 $1 16.Qxb5 Qxc2+ 17.Kf1 Rc8 {and it is anyone's game.} ) 15...O-O-O ( {Now} 15...b5 {falls short by a move:} 16.Qxb5 Qxc2 17.Qxc6+ {Check!} ) 16.g3 {What could be more natural than safeguarding the king? Nothing, except that logic is sometimes hidden between the lines.} ( {The rook should have moved out of the dangerous spot instead with either} 16.Rc1 $1 {As there is no back-rank checkmate in the line} 16...Qd3+ ( 16...Rd5 17.Qa3 $1 {wins for White.} ) 17.Kg1 Qd1+ 18.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 19.Nce1 ) ( {Or} 16.Re1 $1 {which is also winning after} 16...Rd5 17.Ncd4 {as the white rook is no longer hanging.} ) 16...Rd5 $3 {The white queen is almost trapped! How unfortunate it can be?} 17.Ncd4 {Giving up a whole rook, and that is the lesser evil...} ( 17.Kg2 Ra5 $1 {will lock Her Majesty forever.} ) 17...Nxd4 18.Nxd4 Qxa1+ 19.Kg2 Qc3 {Instead of a piece down, Gukesh is an exchange and a pawn ahead. How did Duda find the strength to carry on after this blow?!} 20.Rb1 {Even with reduced material Duda, finds a way to create mating threats.} ( 20.Qxa7 Qa5 {swaps the queens and leaves White no chances.} ) 20...Ra5 ( {Safer would have been} 20...Qa5 $1 21.Qxc4+ Qc5 {in order to secure the king.} ) ( {What might have happened if Black did not pay attention is demonstrated by the line} 20...Kb8 $4 21.Nc6+ Kc7 22.Qxa7 {and White makes it to the enemy king first.} ) 21.Qd1 Qd3 ( {Somewhat neater is} 21...Rd8 22.Qg4+ Rd7 23.Qxg7 Qd3 {when Black should win slowly.} ) 22.Qg4+ {The white pieces suddenly coordinate.} 22...f5 {Gukesh avoids the perpetual check.} ( {Which might have been the case after} 22...Kb8 23.Rxb7+ $1 ( 23.Qxg7 $2 Qe4+ $1 {wins with checks.} ) 23...Kxb7 24.Qd7+ {It is unclear, though, if the Polish GM would have entered this line. A draw is equal to a loss for him.} ) 23.Qxg7 Qe4+ 24.Nf3 $1 {The sign is for the courage to fight for the top eight.} ( {Objectively best is} 24.f3 $1 Rxa2+ 25.Kh3 Qxb1 26.Qxh8+ Kc7 27.Qe5+ {which looks like a perpetual, and no qualification for Duda.} ) 24...Rd8 $1 ( {Correctly avoiding the line} 24...Qxb1 25.Qxh8+ Kc7 26.Qxh7+ ) 25.Rb4 Rc5 {At last Gukesh cements his position, and nothing seems to stop him now.} 26.Qc3 Rc7 27.Rb5 a6 28.Re5 Qd3 29.Qa5 c3 30.Nd4 c2 {This rushed move suddenly adds fuel to the dying White's diesel.} ( 30...Qc4 $1 {is winning instead.} ) ( {As well as} 30...Kb8 $1 31.Re7 Rdc8 {when the pawn is indeed unstoppable.} ) 31.Rc5 $1 {The c2-passer will no longer bother Duda.} 31...Qe4+ 32.Kh3 {Risky, but what else?} ( 32.f3 Qe7 33.Rxc2 Rxc2+ 34.Nxc2 Qd7 {is just too solid for Black.} ) 32...Rxc5 33.Qxc5+ Kb8 34.Nxc2 Rc8 ( {Missing the winning} 34...Rd2 $1 35.Nb4 Rxf2 36.Qf8+ Kc7 37.Qf7+ Kb6 38.Nd5+ Ka7 ) 35.Qd6+ Ka8 36.Nd4 h5 37.Qd7 Rf8 {Gukesh is still much, much better, but his task is no longer easy at all. Still, the young Indian quickly orientates himself in what he needs to do:} 38.Ne6 Rg8 39.Qf7 Qg4+ 40.Kg2 h4 41.Nf4 hxg3 ( 41...h3+ $1 {might have been even better} 42.Nxh3 Qe4+ 43.f3 Qc2+ 44.Nf2 Rd8 {forcing White into passive defense and eventually winning.} ) 42.hxg3 Rh8 43.Qd7 Qg5 44.Kf3 Qh6 {Blundering (sacking?) a pawn.} ( 44...Rf8 $5 {would have been more practical, of course.} ) 45.Qxf5 Qh1+ 46.Ke2 Rd8 47.Qc2 Kb8 48.a4 Rc8 49.Qd3 Qa1 50.Qd6+ Ka8 ( 50...Ka7 51.Nd5 Rc2+ 52.Kf3 Rc6 {would have been better here.} ) 51.Nd5 {Now it is way easier to play as White. The queen and the knight are creating many threats, and the kingside passers are ready to go.} 51...Rc2+ 52.Kf3 Qh1+ 53.Kg4 $1 {The king is safe and supportive!} 53...Qd1+ 54.f3 Rc4+ 55.Kg5 Ka7 56.f4 Qb3 ( {The best defense would have been} 56...Qxa4 57.g4 Qe8 ) 57.f5 Rc6 58.Qe5 Rc5 59.e4 Qxa4 60.f6 {Speed decides now. But not without some further adventures.} 60...Rc4 61.Qe6 ( {Duda could have sealed the deal at once with} 61.f7 $1 Rxe4 62.Qd6 ) 61...Rxe4 62.Qb6+ Kb8 63.Qd8+ {Adding precious time on the clock.} 63...Ka7 64.Qb6+ Kb8 65.f7 ( {The win would have been} 65.Qc7+ $1 Ka7 66.Qc5+ Kb8 67.f7 ) 65...Qa3 66.Qc7+ Ka7 67.Nf6 {Now, amazingly, Black gets one last chance.} 67...Re3 ( {The study-like} 67...Qe3+ $1 68.Kg6 Re5 $3 {would be extremely hard to find even in a classical game, let alone with a few remaining seconds on the clock. But it was a draw thanks to this idea:} 69.f8=Q Qxg3+ 70.Kf7 Qb3+ 71.Kg6 Qg3+ 72.Kh7 Rh5+ $1 73.Nxh5 Qxc7+ ) 68.g4 Re7 69.Qc4 {It is still tricky.} ( 69.f8=Q $4 Qe3+ $1 {Not only missing the win, but the draw too.} ) 69...Re5+ 70.Kg6 Qd6 71.Qf4 $1 {Avoiding the last trick.} ( {Which would have worked in case of} 71.Kg7 Rg5+ 72.Kh7 Qf8 73.Ne8 Rxg4 74.Qxg4 Qxf7+ {and a draw.} ) 71...Qd3+ 72.Kg7 Re7 73.g5 a5 74.g6 Ka6 75.Kh6 Qd8 76.Nh7 Re1 77.Qf6+ {What a thriller!} 1-0

[Event "Paris Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2021.06.20"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "181"]
[Beauty "4815795013204"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Ba4 {An interesting side line. Nepomniachtchi does not shy away from sacrificing a pawn against anyone.} ( {Dozens of top-level games these days finish like this:} 6.dxe5 Nxb5 7.a4 Nbd4 8.Nxd4 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 d5 10.exd6 Qxd6 11.Qe4+ Qe6 12.Qd4 Qd6 13.Qe4+ Qe6 14.Qd4 Qd6 {e.g. Aronian,L (2781)-Radjabov,T (2765) Bucharest 2021} ) 6...exd4 7.c3 Be7 8.cxd4 b5 9.Bb3 O-O 10.Nc3 Bb7 11.Re1 Bf6 $146 ( {Black did OK after} 11...Na5 12.Bc2 f5 13.Qe2 b4 14.Qxe7 bxc3 15.bxc3 Be4 16.Qxd8 Rfxd8 {in Sulskis,S (2545)-Aleksandrov,A (2635) Dubai 2005} ) 12.Bf4 Na5 13.Bc2 b4 14.Na4 {So far Black has played well; however, his next obvious move will be the main reason for his future problems.} 14...g6 ( {Stronger is} 14...Bxf3 $1 15.Qxf3 Nc6 {Hitting the central pawn. True, Black cannot win it for free after} 16.Rad1 Nxd4 {As} ( {However, a normal development like} 16...Re8 $1 {would be just fine for Black.} ) 17.Rxd4 $1 Bxd4 18.Qd3 Bxf2+ 19.Kxf2 Qh4+ 20.Bg3 Qh6 {seems good for White.} ) 15.Ne5 {White's knights will dominate from here on.} 15...Nb5 16.Nc5 d6 {Now a beautiful tempo fight starts.} ( {Instead} 16...Bc8 {is ugly and does not solve Black's problems in full after} 17.Ba4 a6 18.Bxb5 axb5 19.Qf3 ) 17.Nxb7 Nxb7 18.Nc6 Qd7 19.Nxb4 {White regains the pawn for a moment.} 19...Nxd4 20.Nd5 {And then the knight lands on another brilliant position.} 20...Bg7 {However, now after} ( {After} 20...Qd8 21.Bh6 {the black rook is trapped} 21...Re8 $4 22.Rxe8+ Qxe8 23.Nxf6+ ) 21.Re7 Qd8 22.Bg5 $1 {Nepomniachtchi builds a nasty ambush, which Radjabov cannot block at all.} 22...Kh8 {Now look what Nepomniachtchi found:} ( {Obviously wrong is} 22...f6 $2 23.Qxd4 ) ( {Not as obvious is Black defeated in the line} 22...h6 23.Bxg6 $3 fxg6 ( {There is also the brilliancy} 23...hxg5 24.Nf6+ $3 Bxf6 25.Qh5 fxg6 26.Qh7# ) 24.Rxg7+ {This is the check.} ) ( {Finally} 22...Nxc2 23.Qxc2 Nc5 24.Bf6 {keeps White's attack strong.} ) 23.Bxg6 $3 fxg6 {Now what? The rook is not taking on g7 with check.} ( {Otherwise Black is mated:} 23...hxg6 24.Qg4 Nf5 25.Qh3+ Kg8 26.Nf6+ Bxf6 27.Bxf6 Ng7 28.Qh6 ) 24.h4 $3 {This! A silent move, which creates violent threats. This strength is what the world champion will be facing at the long-awaited match.} ( {It is tempting to capture at once} 24.Rxg7 {with the idea} 24...Qxg5 ( {However, the disruptive idea} 24...Nf3+ $1 25.Qxf3 Rxf3 26.Bxd8 Kxg7 27.gxf3 Rxd8 {would keep Black in the game.} ) 25.Qxd4 Qe5 26.Qxe5 dxe5 27.Rxc7 {when White's better in the endgame.} ) 24...Qxe7 $1 {The only idea. Everything else would lose without a chance.} ( {For example,} 24...h6 25.Rxg7 $1 hxg5 ( 25...Nf3+ 26.gxf3 {no longer helps.} ) 26.Qxd4 c5 27.Qc3 Qa5 28.b4 $1 cxb4 29.Qb2 {and the discovered check will soon lead to mate.} ) ( {The queen retreat should not save Black either:} 24...Qc8 25.Rxg7 $1 Kxg7 26.Qxd4+ Kg8 ( {Or mate} 26...Kf7 27.Qf6+ Kg8 28.Ne7# ) 27.Ne7+ ) 25.Nxe7 Rae8 26.Be3 {A pity.} ( {Another amazing idea would have wrapped up the game with} 26.h5 $3 Ne6 27.Qd5 $1 {The super-knight on e7 will lead the mating attack after} 27...Nxg5 28.Qxg5 Bf6 29.Qh6 $1 Bxe7 30.hxg6 ) 26...c5 27.Nd5 Re5 {At last showing some activity. Radjabov has significantly improved his chances.} 28.Nc3 ( 28.Nf4 $5 {might have been more accurate.} ) 28...Nd8 29.Qd2 {While Nepomniachtchi is moving in the wrong direction.} ( 29.Qa4 $1 {would preserve a strong edge after} 29...Re7 30.Qa6 ) 29...N8e6 30.Bh6 {After this trade, Black's position becomes comfortable.} ( {White would still be better after} 30.Bg5 $5 Rb8 31.Rf1 ) 30...Bxh6 31.Qxh6 Rf4 $1 {Forcing a kingside weakening.} 32.g3 Rf7 33.Qc1 Ref5 ( {Already here} 33...g5 $5 {makes sense, opening the files for counterplay after} 34.hxg5 Rxg5 ) 34.f4 h6 35.Qd1 g5 {Radjabov is following his plan.} ( {However, the sudden sacrifice} 35...Nxf4 $1 36.gxf4 Rxf4 {deserves serious attention too. The naked white king does not leave him chances to play for a win. In fact, he may need to demonstrate accuracy in the line} 37.Kg2 h5 38.Qe1 $1 Rg4+ 39.Kh3 Rf3+ 40.Kh2 Nf5 41.Qe8+ Kg7 42.Re1 $1 Rf2+ 43.Kh1 Ng3+ 44.Kg1 Ne4+ 45.Kh1 Ng3+ {with perpetual check.} ) 36.hxg5 hxg5 37.Ne4 Rh7 ( {Of course not} 37...gxf4 $2 38.Nxd6 ) 38.Nxd6 Rf6 39.f5 ( {Allowing the black knights in is deadly for White:} 39.fxg5 $2 Nxg5 40.Kg2 Ngf3 ) 39...Rfh6 40.Kf2 {Nepomniachtchi keeps playing for a win and slowly crosses the red line.} ( {Objectively best is} 40.fxe6 $1 Rh1+ 41.Kf2 R7h2+ 42.Ke3 Rxd1 43.Rxd1 Nxe6 44.Rd2 {with a likely draw.} ) 40...Rh2+ {Now Radjabov misses a great idea. True, the unthinkable coordination after} ( 40...Nc7 $3 {would be hard to find even in a classical time control. Then} 41.Qa4 Rh2+ 42.Ke3 Rd7 $3 {leads to problems for White in the line} 43.Qxd7 Nd5+ 44.Ke4 ( {Or yet another brilliancy in the line} 44.Kd3 Nb4+ 45.Kc4 ( 45.Ke4 Re2# ) 45...Rc2# {A very unusual mating picture.} ) 44...Nf6+ ) 41.Ke3 Nc2+ 42.Ke4 Ned4 43.f6 {The red line...} ( 43.Rc1 {would be a draw instead after} 43...Re7+ 44.Kd3 Rd7 45.Rxc2 Nxc2 46.Ke4 Re7+ 47.Kd3 Rd7 48.Ke4 ) 43...Re2+ 44.Kd3 Nxa1 {Now Nepomniachtchi will get his advantage back.} ( {The mating concept from above} 44...Nb4+ $1 {would have posed problems for White in the line} 45.Kc3 ( 45.Kc4 Rc2+ ) 45...Rc2+ 46.Qxc2 Nbxc2 {True, Black is not necessarily winning and the line} 47.f7 Kg7 48.Rf1 Kf8 49.Ne4 Rxf7 50.Rxf7+ Kxf7 51.Nxg5+ Ke7 52.Ne4 {might again lead to a draw.} ) 45.Qxa1 Re6 46.Ne4 Nf5 ( {More resilient is} 46...Nf3 $1 47.Ke3 Nd2 $1 48.Kxd2 Rxe4 49.Qf1 Re8 ) 47.Qc1 ( {Even better would be} 47.Qf1 $1 Rd7+ ( 47...Rxe4 48.Qxf5 ) 48.Kc3 ) 47...Rd7+ 48.Kc3 ( {Whereas now} 48.Kc2 $1 {is accurate. Then} 48...Nd4+ ( {As} 48...Nd6 49.Nxc5 Rc7 50.Qxg5 {wins for White.} ) 49.Kb1 Re5 50.Nxc5 {should win for White.} ) 48...Nd6 $1 {That's the difference.} 49.Qh1+ $1 {Best play by Nepomniachtchi once again.} ( {In the line} 49.Nxc5 Ne4+ $1 {White can no longer capture} 50.Nxe4 Rc7+ ) 49...Kg8 50.Nxg5 Rxf6 51.Qd5+ Kf8 52.Qe5 {White is pushing for the win, and with the clock close to seconds it is much more enjoyable to play with the queen, especially when the knight assists it.} 52...Ne8 ( {A more stubborn defense is} 52...Rf5 $1 53.Qh8+ Ke7 54.Qh7+ Kd8 55.Ne6+ Kc8 {when the king escapes somehow.} ) 53.Ne6+ Kf7 54.Nxc5 Re7 55.Qd5+ Kg7 56.Qg5+ Kf7 57.Qd5+ Kg7 58.b3 {With two extra pawns, White is winning. He slowly consolidates.} 58...Nd6 59.Kb4 ( 59.a4 $1 ) 59...Nf7 60.Ka3 Rd6 61.Qc4 Rg6 62.Qd4+ Kg8 63.Ne4 Ree6 64.g4 Kh7 65.Kb2 Rb6 66.Qd7 Kg7 67.Qxa7 Rge6 68.Ng5 Re2+ 69.Ka3 {Not the best square.} ( {The king would be safer on the other side:} 69.Kc3 ) 69...Rf6 70.Nxf7 {And this complicates matters.} ( {White would have done much better with the knights on} 70.Qc7 Kg6 71.Qc4 Rff2 72.Ne6 ( 72.Nh3 ) ) 70...Rxf7 71.Qd4+ Kg8 ( 71...Kh6 $1 {would be better} 72.Qh8+ Kg6 73.Qg8+ Rg7 {with good drawing chances.} ) 72.Qc4 Re5 73.b4 Kg7 74.Qd4 Re7 75.Kb3 Kg6 76.a3 {The pawns are moving again, and Nepomniachtchi finally grinds down his opponent.} 76...Kg5 77.Ka4 Re4 ( 77...Re8 $5 ) 78.Qb6 R4e6 79.Qf2 Kxg4 80.b5 Re3 81.Qg1+ Kf4 82.Qh2+ Kf5 83.Qh5+ Kf4 84.Qc5 R7e5 85.Qf8+ Ke4 ( {The last chance is} 85...Kg5 $5 {which keeps the rooks united and ready for the battle after} 86.Ka5 Re8 ) 86.Ka5 Rf3 87.Qb4+ Kf5 88.a4 {Now they are unstoppable.} 88...Rfe3 89.Ka6 Re8 90.b6 R3e4 91.Qb5+ 1-0

[Event "Paris Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2021.06.21"]
[Round "11.2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[ECO "B86"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[Beauty "8247947828259"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]

1.e4 {The game between the two legends of Russian chess cannot be missed. Especially when knowing that the former world champion has officially retired from active play. But look at his first move: Kramnik is as aggressive as before.} 1...c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 {Svidler is ready for the battle as well.} 6.Bc4 {The Fischer-Sozin is once again in the spotlight, especially in rapid and blitz!} 6...e6 7.Be3 Qc7 ( {An honorable mention of the recent game of one of the greatest Najdorf specialists of our time:} 7...b5 8.Bb3 Be7 9.a3 O-O 10.f3 Bb7 11.Qe2 Nbd7 12.g4 Rc8 13.g5 Nh5 14.Rg1 g6 15.O-O-O Rxc3 $1 16.bxc3 Qa5 17.Nxe6 $1 {with a total mess in Aronian,L (2781)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2784) Online 2021} ) 8.Bb3 Nbd7 9.f3 h5 {A modern-aggressive prophylaxis against White's kingside attacking plan.} 10.a3 $5 $146 {And an interesting novelty in return.} ( {Black did well after} 10.Qe2 Nc5 11.O-O-O Be7 12.Rhe1 b5 13.Bg5 b4 14.Nb1 Nxb3+ 15.axb3 Bb7 16.Nd2 Rc8 {Markgraf,A (2483) -Blohberger,F (2434) Germany 2020} ) 10...Ne5 {This might not be the most accurate solution.} ( 10...b5 $5 11.Qe2 Rb8 {seems more flexible, keeping the knight in reserve for the time being. It can always choose the correct maneuver later.} ) 11.Qe2 Bd7 ( {Here too} 11...b5 {seems more accurate with the idea to meet} 12.f4 {with} ( {Although White seems better in the line} 12.O-O-O Rb8 13.Bg5 b4 14.axb4 Rxb4 15.Rhe1 ) 12...Nc4 ) 12.f4 {Now this is unpleasant for Black as the knight has only one reasonable move.} 12...Neg4 13.O-O-O {Playing for the development.} ( {After} 13.Bg1 e5 14.fxe5 Nxe5 {Svidler's position will make perfect sense.} ) 13...Nxe3 14.Qxe3 g6 ( {Here} 14...e5 {is not as effective as after} 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.Nf3 $5 {Black has difficulties with his development} ( 16.Nf5 {also looks good for White.} ) 16...Bc5 17.Qg5 ) 15.Kb1 {The human move. The king steps out of the possible skewer.} ( {It is curious to see the computer insisting on} 15.Rd3 ) 15...Bh6 {Svidler is desperately trying to avoid the opening of the center, but comes short by one move.} ( {Also dangerous for Black was} 15...Bg7 16.f5 e5 17.fxg6 $1 exd4 ( {Or a positional nightmare in case of the trade} 17...fxg6 18.Ne6 Bxe6 19.Bxe6 ) 18.Bxf7+ Kd8 19.Rxd4 {with three pawns and an attack for the sacrificed piece.} ) ( {However,} 15...O-O-O {seemed mandatory.} ) 16.Qf3 $1 {The ideal square for the queen. The strongest piece stepped out of the pin and is now preparing the decisive assault.} 16...Rc8 ( {It is already too late for} 16...O-O-O 17.f5 gxf5 18.exf5 e5 19.Ne6 $1 fxe6 20.fxe6 Bg7 21.exd7+ Qxd7 22.Nd5 {with a typical, light-squared dominance in an opposite-colored bishop middlegame.} ) ( {Whereas} 16...O-O 17.f5 {is even more horrible for Black.} ) 17.f5 gxf5 ( {The utility of the white queen is demonstrated by the line} 17...e5 18.fxg6 exd4 19.Qxf6 ) 18.exf5 e5 {The center is locked.} 19.Ne6 $1 {But only for a moment. This is one of those moves that Kramnik plays by hand.} 19...Qc6 20.Nd5 {This almost misses the win.} ( {Correct was} 20.Qf2 $1 {when Black is helpless, for example} 20...Rg8 21.Qh4 fxe6 22.fxe6 Rg6 23.Rhf1 {and White prevails.} ) 20...Nxd5 21.Bxd5 Qxc2+ 22.Ka1 Rg8 {Svidler returns the favor.} ( {He could have reestablished his coordination in the line} 22...Bc6 $1 23.Qxh5 ( {Not} 23.Bxc6+ bxc6 24.Rxd6 $2 ( {However, a super-nice and logical line is} 24.Rhf1 Rb8 25.Rf2 e4 26.Nc7+ Kd7 27.Rxd6+ Kxc7 28.Rxc2 exf3 29.Rcxc6+ {with perpetual check.} ) 24...Bc1 $1 {and Black mates first.} ) 23...Bxd5 24.Rxd5 Qxg2 25.Rhd1 Bg7 {The queen on g2 is omnipresent.} ) ( {The capture of the knight was losing after} 22...fxe6 23.fxe6 Qh7 24.exd7+ Qxd7 25.Bxb7 ) 23.Qxh5 Bc6 {Now it is too late for this because there is a sudden retreat:} 24.Nd4 $1 ( {White is winning the house in the line} 24.Nd4 exd4 25.Qxf7+ Kd8 26.Qxg8+ Kc7 27.Qh7+ ) 1-0

[Event "Paris Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2021.06.22"]
[Round "21.3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "A33"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Beauty "6327426376713"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6 6.a3 Bc5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.e4 {From an English opening into a Hedgehog.} 8...O-O 9.Be2 b6 10.O-O Bb7 11.Be3 Rc8 12.f4 d6 13.Rc1 {White makes more or less the same moves and Be2-f3 would be played sooner or later. However, the move order chosen by So seems to discourage the standard development of the black pieces.} 13...Qc7 {Vachier-Lagrave is not afraid of ghosts.} 14.Bf3 {Overprotecting the pawn.} ( {Another way to develop was demonstrated in this game:} 14.Nd2 Qb8 15.b4 Rfe8 16.Bf3 Bf8 17.Kh1 g6 18.Nb3 Bg7 19.Qe2 {However here the little beast showed its spikes:} 19...e5 20.g3 Nd4 21.Nxd4 exd4 22.Bxd4 Nxe4 23.Nxe4 Bxd4 {and Black was doing fine in Lenderman,A (2624)-Xiong,J (2709) Chess.com INT 2020} ) ( {But why did White not go for the typical trick with:} 14.Nd5 {Well, the problem was that in the line:} 14...exd5 15.cxd5 Qb8 16.dxc6 Bxc6 {the pawn on e4 suffers.} ( {Or even better:} 16...Rxc6 17.Rxc6 Bxc6 {and White is in trouble.} ) ) 14...Rfd8 {[#]} 15.Nd5 $146 {So decided to go for it anyway, and this turned out to be a novelty.} ( {The predecessor was a game of the main specialist of the line:} 15.Qe2 Qb8 16.Rfd1 Bf8 17.Bf2 Ne7 18.Nd2 Ng6 19.g3 Qa8 20.Re1 d5 {Here White is better prepared for this spike:} 21.cxd5 exd5 22.e5 d4 23.Bxb7 Qxb7 24.exf6 dxc3 25.Rxc3 Rxc3 26.bxc3 gxf6 27.Bd4 {with an edge for White in Andersson,U (2541)-Steel,H (2175) Gibraltar 2007.} ) 15...exd5 16.cxd5 Qd7 17.dxc6 Bxc6 {The same old problems with the e4 pawn appear for White.} 18.Qd4 d5 {And Vachier-Lagrave tries to clarify the situation at once.} ( {He had however, to prepare this break with:} 18...Qb7 19.Nd2 {And then:} 19...d5 $1 {Which would have even led to an edge for Black in the line:} 20.e5 Bc5 21.Rxc5 {What else?} 21...bxc5 22.Qxc5 d4 $1 ) 19.e5 Ne4 {Black often solves his problems thanks to this monster knight in the center.} 20.Rfd1 Qe6 {Alas, a very unfortunate square for her majesty.} ( {The super-knight could have done its thing with:} 20...Nc5 $1 {when White's position suddenly becomes loose:} 21.Nd2 {is particular is bad due to:} ( {Therefore he would have needed to sacrifice an exchange in the line:} 21.Nxc5 Bxc5 22.Rxc5 bxc5 23.Qxc5 Ba4 24.Rxd5 Qxd5 25.Qxd5 Rxd5 26.Bxd5 Rc2 {with an unclear endgame.} ) 21...Ba4 ) 21.h3 ( {Already here:} 21.Qd3 $1 {was strong.} ) 21...f5 22.Qd3 $1 {So found it. The queen stepped back to open a square for the knight.} 22...Bb7 23.Nd4 Qf7 24.Rxc8 Rxc8 25.g4 $1 {Now White has a super-knight as it is nicely orchestrating White's attack, whereas the opponent's knight lacks support.} 25...g6 ( {Since otherwise the light-squared bishop will decide the outcome of the game:} 25...fxg4 26.Bxg4 ) 26.gxf5 gxf5 27.Kh2 {Once the Black position has been opened So starts a decisive kingside attack.} 27...Kh8 ( {In case of:} 27...Bc5 28.Rg1+ Kh8 {White will consistently clear the long diagonal for his bishop:} 29.e6 Qf6 30.b4 Be7 31.Nc6 $1 {and wins.} ) 28.Rg1 Rg8 29.Rxg8+ $1 {Practical, fast, and strong.} 29...Kxg8 30.Qb5 {Logical and beautiful at the same time. White was dominating the center at first, then launched a dangerous kingside attack thanks to this fact, and finally infiltrates on the opposite wing.} 30...Bc5 31.b4 {Blitz, blitzing.} ( 31.e6 $1 {would have finished the game instead, switching back to the center and promoting the pawn in the line:} 31...Qe7 32.Qd7 Qxd7 33.exd7 Be7 34.Ne6 ) 31...Bxd4 32.Bxd4 Kf8 $1 {Now Vachier-Lagrave stabilizes the position.} ( {The passive defense:} 32...Bc8 33.Qc6 Be6 34.Qa8+ Kg7 35.Qd8 {would not have been fun when playing on incerement.} ) 33.Qe2 Qg6 {Black's pieces wake up from the slumber.} 34.Qe1 Qh6 35.Qc1 Qg7 ( {Also good was to bring the bishop out with:} 35...Bc6 36.Bd1 Bb5 ) 36.Qg1 Qxg1+ {But that is a mistake.} ( {This queen would have been stronger than her counterpart had it had occupied the open file:} 36...Qc7 $1 ) 37.Kxg1 {Now So will definitely press with his bishop pair and defended passer.} 37...Bc6 ( {Similar would have been:} 37...Ba6 38.Kg2 ) 38.Be2 Ba4 39.Kg2 Ke7 40.Bd3 Ke6 41.Kf3 Nd2+ $1 {Active defense is best.} ( {Rather than the long suffering after:} 41...Ke7 {when White can try to infiltrate with his light-squared bishop and king for many, many moves.} ) 42.Kg3 Nc4 43.Kh4 {The last chance which suddenly works.} ( 43.Bxc4 dxc4 {is of course a draw.} ) 43...Be8 {With seconds on the clock Vachier-Lagrave tries to play it safe, but this loses.} ( {There was a narrow road to the draw in the line:} 43...Nxa3 44.Kg5 h6+ $1 {It is mandatory to keep the f5 pawn alive.} 45.Kxh6 ( 45.Kg6 Be8+ {would transpose.} ) 45...Bb5 {Here is the point, the white bishop is trapped and after:} 46.Bb2 Bxd3 47.Bxa3 d4 $1 48.Bb2 Kd5 {Black should survive.} ) 44.Kg5 {Once that the white king infiltrates, White's win is only a question of time.} 44...Bg6 45.a4 ( {Also good would have been:} 45.h4 Nd2 46.Kh6 ) ( {Or:} 45.Bc3 $5 Nxa3 46.h4 ) 45...Nd2 46.Kh6 Nf3 47.Bf2 {The h-pawn marches and destroys Black's last stand.} 47...Nd2 48.h4 Ne4 49.Be3 Nc3 50.a5 Na2 51.h5 Be8 52.axb6 axb6 53.Kg5 $1 ( 53.Bd2 $1 {would have been neater.} ) 53...h6+ 54.Kxh6 Nxb4 55.Be2 b5 56.Kg7 Bxh5 57.Bxh5 Nc2 58.Bf7+ Kd7 59.e6+ Kd6 60.Bc5+ Kxc5 61.e7 1-0

[Event "Paris Rapid & Blitz GCT"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2021.06.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7630567245378"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 ( {In order to understand better what happens later, please check the following game of Vachier-Lagrave from the World Cup 2017:} 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 a6 6.c3 d6 7.a4 h6 8.Re1 O-O 9.h3 Ba7 10.Nbd2 Ne7 11.Bb3 Ng6 12.d4 Re8 13.a5 c6 $146 14.Bc2 Be6 15.Nf1 Qc7 16.Ng3 Rad8 17.Be3 Qb8 18.Qc1 Qc8 {This move allows a for this line very typical sacrifice.} 19.Bxh6 $1 Bxh3 ( {The bishop is invincible.} 19...gxh6 20.Qxh6 {The threat Ng3-f5 is unstoppable. After} 20...Qc7 ( 20...Nh7 $2 21.Nh5 {and mate on the next move.} ) 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 {White regains the material with interest and wins easily.} ) 20.Bg5 Bg4 21.Bxf6 Bxf3 ( {Black is also doomed after} 21...gxf6 22.Qh6 {when one of the the white knights will land on f5 or h5 killing spots very soon.} ) 22.Nf5 $1 {with a decisive attack which Vachier-Lagrave converted quickly.} 22...Nf4 ( 22...gxf6 23.Qh6 ) 23.dxe5 ( 23.Qe3 {would do the job as well.} ) 23...dxe5 24.Bxe5 Ne2+ 25.Rxe2 Rxe5 ( 25...Bxe2 26.Qg5 ) 26.gxf3 Qxf5 27.exf5 Rxe2 28.Qg5 Rd5 29.Be4 Bxf2+ 30.Kf1 Be3 31.Kxe2 Bxg5 32.Bxd5 cxd5 33.Rd1 {1-0 Vachier-Lagrave,M (2804)-Khusenkhojaev,M (2455) Tbilisi FIDE World Cup 2017} ) 3...Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.Nbd2 d6 7.O-O Bb6 8.Bxc6 $5 {Choosing to play the grinding game.} ( {As a rule, White is reluctant to swap this bishop early:} 8.h3 Ne7 9.Ba4 Ng6 10.Nc4 Be6 11.Nxb6 axb6 12.a3 h6 13.Re1 c6 14.Bc2 Re8 15.d4 {Robson,R (2670) -Sjugirov,S (2662) Online 2020} ) 8...bxc6 9.h3 Ba6 10.Qc2 {White needs to protect the d3 pawn.} ( {In the line} 10.a4 Bxd3 11.a5 {he traps the black bishop, but pays a significant price for that:} 11...Bxf1 12.Qxf1 Re8 ) 10...c5 $146 {This is a novelty. Radjabov wants to open some room for his dark-squared bishop.} ( 10...Nh5 11.Nc4 ( 11.a4 $5 {first made sense, and then} 11...Nf4 12.Nc4 ) 11...Bxc4 12.dxc4 Qf6 13.Qa4 d5 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.exd5 e4 16.Nh2 Ng3 17.Ng4 Qd6 18.Re1 f5 {with an attack for Black in Soto Vega,J (2357)-Cervantes Landeiro,T (2087) Montevideo 2018} ) 11.Re1 ( {Now} 11.a4 c6 {does not make sense for White.} ) 11...h6 12.Nf1 {Black's bishops are tamed and Vachier-Lagrave has the time to transfer his knight to a more comfortable position.} 12...Re8 13.Ng3 Qd7 ( {It is remarkable that the computer suggests the retreat} 13...Bc8 {just not to let the knight too close to the black king.} ) 14.Be3 ( {Throwing in} 14.a4 $5 c6 15.Nf5 {is not part of Vachier-Lagrave's plan. As we will see later the a-file might be quite useful for White.} ) ( {White likely decided to postpone the immediate} 14.Nf5 {as the knight might be vulnerable there still, as in the line} 14...c4 15.d4 exd4 16.cxd4 Bb7 17.d5 c6 ) 14...c6 ( {Here} 14...c4 15.d4 {is pointless.} ) 15.Rad1 {No rush at all. This is how you play it when you have the horses.} 15...Qe6 16.b3 Rad8 17.Nh4 {Now the White's knights can't be stopped from landing on f5.} ( {The other way to play is} 17.d4 exd4 18.cxd4 c4 {but why bring the bishops out?} ) 17...d5 {That is not an attacking setup! The black center is in fact vulnerable.} 18.c4 {Finally landing into Nimzo-Indian waters, with colors reversed. White's pawns are perfectly located and his primary task is to force the center fixation.} 18...Rd7 ( {In hindsight} 18...d4 19.Bc1 {might have been the lesser evil for Black, although here too he will suffer on the kingside after f2-f4.} ) 19.Nhf5 {This is far more dangerous than it seems.} ( {No need for the complications after} 19.cxd5 cxd5 20.Bxc5 Rc7 ) 19...Red8 20.Qc1 {\"A nasty move.\" (Vachier-Lagrave) Black's position is already very, very bad.} 20...Bb7 ( {For starters} 20...Kh7 {obviously helps White:} 21.Bxh6 ) ( {The desperate} 20...h5 {would hardly be played by a human being. Besides} 21.Bg5 {leaves Black suffering for free.} ) ( {However} 20...Bc8 {was more accurate than the move in the game. Then in the line} 21.Bxh6 ( {However} 21.Nxg7 $1 {Promises White a huge attack here too:} 21...Kxg7 22.Bxh6+ Kh7 23.Qg5 Ne8 ( {Nothing changes} 23...Rg8 24.Qh4 ) 24.Nf5 f6 25.Qh5 {White's attack is crushing thanks to the lovely point} 25...Qf7 26.Qh4 Kg8 27.Bg7 $1 Nxg7 28.Nh6+ ) 21...gxh6 22.Qxh6 Ne8 23.Qg5+ Qg6 24.Ne7+ Rxe7 25.Qxe7 {The black bishop is not hanging on b7 and he can try to surround the white queen with} 25...f6 ) ( {\"If you start doing some prophylaxis\"} 20...Ne8 21.Qa3 {\"just wins the pawn on c5\" (Vachier-Lagrave)} ) 21.Bxh6 $1 ( 21.Nxg7 {Also led to a huge attack for White after} 21...Kxg7 22.Bxh6+ Kh7 23.Qg5 Ne8 24.Nh5 ) 21...gxh6 22.Qxh6 Ne8 23.Qg5+ Kf8 {More or less forced.} ( {As} 23...Qg6 24.Ne7+ Rxe7 25.Qxe7 {is a double attack and Black would lose another pawn after} 25...Bc8 26.Qxe5 ) 24.Qh4 ( {A tad more accurate was} 24.Qh5 $1 {In order to meet} 24...f6 {with} 25.Nh4 ) 24...f6 $1 {Best defense.} ( {There is no need to repeat after} 24...Kg8 {White can keep on bringing fresh forces in:} 25.Nh6+ Kf8 26.Ng4 ) 25.Re3 ( {Missing the win after} 25.Qh6+ $1 Kg8 26.Nh5 $1 Rh7 ( {Or} 26...d4 27.f4 ) 27.Qg6+ Kh8 28.Nh6 $1 {And there is nothing to do to stop the white pieces from flooding in} 28...d4 29.f4 ) 25...Qg8 $1 {Once again the best defense by Radjabov.} 26.Qh6+ Kf7 27.Qh5+ Qg6 {Played with only about fifteen seconds on the clock (according to MVL). Radjabov misses an important detail.} ( {After} 27...Ke6 $3 {\"suddenly I do not have an attack.\" (Vachier-Lagrave) White can win a pawn in the line} 28.exd5+ cxd5 29.Nh6 Qg5 30.Qxg5 fxg5 31.Ng4 Bc7 32.Rde1 Ng7 33.Nxe5 Bxe5 34.Rxe5+ Kf6 {but at the expense of the attack.} ) 28.Nh6+ Kg7 29.Ngf5+ Kh7 30.Qe2 $1 {This nasty retreat was missed by the Azeri GM.} ( {Radjabov apparently only calculated} 30.Qh4 Qg5 $1 ) 30...Rg7 {Black sacrifices the queen and never gets enough for it.} ( {Alas,} 30...Ng7 {does not save Black after} 31.Rg3 Qe8 32.Qg4 Nh5 33.Qh4 $3 {with inevitable huge material gains for White after, say:} 33...Nxg3 34.Ng4+ Nh5 35.Nxf6+ ) 31.Rg3 Qxh6 32.Nxh6 Kxh6 33.Rf1 {White has just too many pawn and the insecure black king does not help him either...} 33...Bc7 34.Qe3+ Kh7 35.Rxg7+ Kxg7 36.Qxc5 dxe4 37.Qxa7 Nd6 38.dxe4 Ra8 39.Qe3 Rxa2 40.Rd1 Ra8 41.c5 ( {It is either a piece gain or mate after} 41.c5 Nf7 42.Rd7 Rc8 43.Qg3+ Kf8 44.Qg6 ) 1-0

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "\]"]
[Date "2021.06.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Deac, Bogdan Daniel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2627"]
[ECO "C83"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7358352737843"]
[EventType "game"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {Deac joined the tournament as a last-minute replacement, which did not prevent him from demonstrating a new opening line. According to Megabase, this is the first time that the talented Romanian GM chooses the Open Ruy Lopez. Impressive!} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.c3 O-O 11.Bc2 f5 ( {The Guru of the line once chose here} 11...Bf5 12.Nd4 Nxd4 13.cxd4 f6 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Qb3+ Kh8 17.Be3 c6 18.Qe6 {but it did not work well for Black in Ivanchuk,V (2695)-Kortschnoj,V (2615) New York 1994} ) 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.a4 {According to the same Megabase, 13.Re1 is becoming the main line.} ( {As in the following fascinating game} 13.Re1 Bg4 14.h3 Bh5 15.Nf1 Bc5 16.Ng3 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Qd6 18.Kg2 Rae8 19.Rxe8 Rxe8 20.Bg5 Ne5 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.f4 Ng6 23.Bxg6 hxg6 24.f5 {White took over the initiative and eventually won in Giri,A (2776)-Anton Guijarro,D (2673) Online 2021} ) 13...b4 14.Re1 Bg4 15.Nf1 $146 {This is a novelty. Black's position looks active and aggressive, but as it often happens in the Ruy Lopez, White's hidden attacking potential should not be underestimated.} ( {Black achieved a comfortable position after} 15.h3 Bh5 16.Bf5 Bd6 17.Qc2 Re8 18.g4 Rxe1+ 19.Nxe1 Qe8 20.Ndf3 Bg6 21.Bxg6 hxg6 22.Be3 bxc3 23.bxc3 Na5 {followed by Na5-c4 and Black was doing fine in Firouzja,A (2749)-Fedoseev,V (2676) Chess. com 2020} ) 15...Bc5 {The same active policy.} 16.Be3 {Here Deac spent an enormous amount of time on his clock trying to figure out if he should force matters or not. At the end, after more than half an hour, he went for it.} ( {Nothing yields} 16.Ne3 Bh5 {when the white pieces obstruct each other.} ) 16...d4 ( {Objectively though} 16...Qd6 {might have been a more decent defense, when after} 17.Bxc5 Qxc5 18.h3 Bxf3 19.Qxf3 {Black indeed needs to avoid} 19...Ne4 $6 ( {And defend instead with} 19...Rae8 $5 ) 20.Qe3 $1 {with an edge for White.} ) 17.cxd4 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 Bxf3 19.Qxf3 Qxd4 20.Rad1 $1 {Vachier-Lagrave is prepared for the central break and sacrifices a pawn in return. This lures the queen to a dangerous spot.} 20...Qxb2 {Once again Deac decided to risk.} ( {Instead} 20...Qg4 21.Qc6 Qh5 22.Ne3 ( {The beasty comp suggests instead the machine-blooded} 22.h3 {which makes me sweat purely by the look of moves like} 22...Ng4 {but the cool guys says: \"No worries, I've got this covered.\"} 23.Qe6+ Kh8 24.Qxg4 ) 22...Bd6 23.g3 {looks better for White, thanks to his more active pieces.} ) 21.Re2 $1 {This ambush is the main point behind the sacrifices.} ( {If the French GM wanted to regain the material, he would have chosen instead} 21.Bxh7+ {which is unclear after} 21...Kxh7 ( {Or} 21...Nxh7 22.Qd5+ ) 22.Qf5+ Kh8 23.Qxc5 {as the black queenside passers are quite dangerous and compensate for their weakened king.} ) 21...Qc3 $1 {Now after a repetition, Vachier-Lagrave uncorks his true idea.} ( {The ambush works even without a check} 21...Kh8 $2 22.Bxh7 Nxh7 23.Qxf8+ Rxf8 24.Rxb2 {and White wins.} ) 22.Rd3 Qa1 23.Rd1 Qc3 24.Rd3 Qa1 25.g4 $3 {The French GM identified the knight as a key defender and wants to remove it at any cost. Black is on the verge of losing.} 25...b3 $3 {A colossally strong move! The bishop has to be removed from the b1-h7 diagonal at any cost. Deac might have found the idea using the exclusion method, as everything else was bad for him.} ( {To start with, the g4-g5 advance cannot be stopped:} 25...h6 {loses on the spot to} 26.g5 $1 hxg5 27.Bb3+ {This diagonal is also vulnerable!} 27...Kh8 {Now the neatest win is} 28.Qf5 $1 {with a double-attack against the black king and bishop.} ( {The ambush after} 28.Qh3+ Nh7 29.Bc2 {should also do.} ) ) ( {In case of the immediate} 25...Kh8 26.g5 Ng8 {White has to be careful. The obvious} 27.Qh5 {only leads to a draw after one more unbelievable black resource.} ( {However, the accurate} 27.Qh3 $1 {would likely win after} 27...g6 ( {or} 27...h6 28.Qh5 {intending Qh5-g6 is a decisive attack.} ) 28.Rd7 h6 {And now the simple} 29.Bxg6 $1 ( {or the cute} 29.Qh5 $3 {with a win in both cases.} ) ) 27...g6 $1 28.Rd7 {And now} 28...Nf6 $3 {to up open room for the king with tempo when White has nothing more than a perpetual} 29.gxf6 gxh5 30.Rxh7+ Kg8 31.Rg7+ ) 26.Bxb3+ ( {Not} 26.Rxb3 Qd4 $1 27.g5 Ng4 {when Black consolidates and starts to attack himself.} ) 26...Kh8 27.g5 Ng8 {Now he can. The attack will be delayed by a tempo, and this tempo is decisive.} 28.Qd5 {Vachier-Lagrave decided to centralize his queen.} ( 28.Qh5 {helps Black only after} 28...g6 ) ( {And in case of} 28.Qh3 {Black can use the extra tempo to lock the d-file with} 28...Bd6 $1 {True, White keeps somewhat better position with} 29.Bc2 g6 30.Rd1 Qg7 31.Ng3 ) 28...Bd6 29.Rh3 {The clouds are gathering around the black king again, but since his move is next, he can select} 29...g6 ( {But not the slow} 29...Rae8 $2 30.Qd3 h6 31.Bc2 {when the attack along the light squares decides.} ) 30.Qd3 {However, this is a mistake. White correctly attacks the g6-pawn but from the wrong side.} ( {Deac was looking at} 30.Bc2 Qg7 31.Re6 Ne7 {and Black is OK.} ) ( {Stronger is} 30.Qe6 $1 {when Black still needs to suffer for equality. Perhaps the best chance for him then would be} 30...Qg7 ( {The tricky} 30...Rf4 {with the idea to mate White after} 31.Qxg6 $4 ( {Will see Black suffering instead with} 31.Re4 $1 Rxe4 ( 31...Raf8 {does not help due to} 32.Qxg6 ) ( {Relatively best is} 31...Qg7 32.Rxf4 Bxf4 33.Qe4 Rf8 34.Rf3 Bd6 35.Rxf8 Qxf8 36.Qd4+ Qg7 37.Qa7 {although this still loses a pawn for Black.} ) 32.Qxe4 Rb8 33.Qxg6 {and White wins an important pawn.} ) 31...Rg4+ ) 31.Ng3 Rab8 32.Ne4 Rf5 33.Nxd6 Rxg5+ ( {Or the immediate} 33...cxd6 ) 34.Rg3 Rxg3+ 35.hxg3 cxd6 {and White still presses, although the draw seems likely the most likely outcome.} ) ( {The third way to attack the g6-pawn is} 30.Re6 {but it allows an additional resource} 30...Qb2 31.Qd2 Qxd2 32.Nxd2 Rae8 33.Rxg6 Re1+ 34.Kg2 Bc5 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) 30...Rf5 $1 {That simple. Deac defends and counterattacks at the same time.} 31.Qc3+ {Giving back the pawn at once.} ( 31.Qe3 Raf8 {also does not seems great for White at all.} ) 31...Qxc3 32.Rxc3 Rxg5+ 33.Ng3 Nf6 {Perhaps Vachier-Lagrave could have defended this endgame under more normal circumstances. Here, though, he quickly goes down in flames, frustrated by the missed opportunities.} 34.Kf1 ( {It definitely made sense to swap the active black rook instead with} 34.h4 $1 Rg4 35.Rc4 ) 34...Rb8 35.h3 ( {And here} 35.Re6 $5 {is more stubborn, hoping for some tricks in case of the obvious} 35...Kg7 ( {It is true, though, that Black can keep his advantage with} 35...Ng4 $1 ) 36.Rxf6 Kxf6 37.Ne4+ Kf5 {Now a double ambush after} 38.Bc2 $1 Kf4 39.Rc4 Rb4 {would be OK for White after both} 40.Rxb4 ( {Or perhaps even better} 40.Nxd6+ Rxc4 41.Nxc4 ) 40...Bxb4 41.Nxg5 Kxg5 {with a likely draw.} ) 35...Re5 36.Bc4 ( {White is correctly avoiding} 36.Rxe5 Bxe5 37.Rf3 Rb4 ( {Or} 37...a5 {when the white pieces are too passive.} ) ) ( {However,} 36.Bc2 $1 {is called for when Black still needed to prove the win.} ) 36...Rc5 37.Rcc2 {The last mistake.} ( 37.Rb3 $1 {would have kept White in the game} 37...Rxb3 38.Bxb3 Rc3 39.Be6 ) ( {And even} 37.Rec2 Rb1+ 38.Kg2 a5 {might have added more resistance than the move in the game.} ) 37...Ra5 $1 {That's it. White drops another pawn.} 38.Ne4 Nxe4 39.Rxe4 Rxa4 40.h4 Kg7 41.h5 gxh5 42.Re1 Rbb4 43.Be2 Rh4 44.Bf3 a5 {Will Deac repeat the Denmark case from the European football championship 1992?} 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.07.12"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Andersen, Mads"]
[Black "Salinas Herrera, Pablo"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2579"]
[BlackElo "2514"]
[ECO "D45"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[Beauty "8247414952530"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{History does not always repeat itself, but it often rhymes, and the footprints of the best players of the past, their ideas and brilliances are often seen in slightly modified form in games of modern players.} 
1.Nf3 ( {In order to better understand what happened in our annotated game, please check the following gem by the 11th world champion:} 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 c6 4.Bg2 d5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e3 O-O 8.Nge2 Nc6 9.O-O b6 10.b3 Ba6 11.Ba3 Re8 12.Qd2 e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Rfd1 $2 Nd3 15.Qc2 Nxf2 $3 16.Kxf2 Ng4+ 17.Kg1 Nxe3 18.Qd2 Nxg2 $3 19.Kxg2 d4 20.Nxd4 Bb7+ 21.Kf1 Qd7 {0-1 Byrne,R-Fischer,R New York 1963. This game is an excellent exercise both in strategical handling of the positions with isolated pawns as well as a great tactical puzzle to solve as Fischer's final attack is impeccable.} ) 1...d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 c6 4.Nc3 e6 5.b3 Bd6 6.d4 O-O 7.Qc2 Nbd7 8.Be2 b6 9.O-O Bb7 10.Bb2 Qe7 11.Rad1 Rad8 12.Rfe1 Rfe8 13.Bf1 c5 {Up to here, both players were practically blitzing, and Black was the first one to spend a lot of time on deciding on what to do next. Both sides are ready to fight for the center, and Salinas initiates freeing exchanges, typical for these setups.} 14.cxd5 exd5 15.g3 {In turn, Andersen is looking for the best moment to swap off his d4-pawn for the one on c5, thus achieving a position with either an isolated d5-pawn or a hanging central pair of pawns. The fianchettoed bishop would supposedly attack the potential weakness on d5 while safeguarding his own king.} 15...Rc8 16.Bh3 cxd4 $1 {Black voluntarily isolates his pawn. However, it seems as he already has noticed that the white kingside rook is not quite optimal.} ( {The other way to play the position was demonstrated by Giri:} 16...c4 17.bxc4 Rxc4 18.Nd2 Rc7 19.Qb3 a6 20.a4 h5 {An important idea.} 21.Rc1 h4 22.Ncb1 Rec8 23.Rxc7 Rxc7 24.Rc1 Rxc1+ 25.Bxc1 hxg3 26.hxg3 Bb4 {and Black did not experience any problems in Esipenko,A (2677)-Giri,A (2764) Wijk aan Zee 2021} ) 17.Nxd4 Bb4 18.Nde2 $146 {This move is a novelty, which will hardly attract any followers.} ( {White spotted the danger in an earlier game and chose the only move:} 18.f3 $1 {which defended him from what happened next but did not yield White anything, and the game quickly ended in a draw after} 18...a6 19.Rc1 g6 20.Qf2 h5 21.Rc2 Rcd8 22.Bf1 {1/2-1/2 (22) Standke,W (2493)-Dijon,J (2458) ICCF email 2018} ) 18...Ne4 {Yes, this is Black's main idea but a somewhat sloppy execution.} ( {Correct is} 18...Ne5 $1 19.Bg2 {and only then} 19...Ne4 ) 19.a3 {Andersen believes that the pins along the c-file and the a5-e1 diagonal are his only problems and forgets about his king!} ( {Black's last move allowed the Danish player a beautiful resource:} 19.Qxe4 $3 dxe4 20.Rxd7 Qf6 21.Rxb7 Bxc3 22.Bxc3 Rxc3 23.Nxc3 Qxc3 24.Rd1 {And even though White is down in material, he should have enough compensation to maintain the balance.} ) ( {The attempt to defend the weakness with} 19.Rf1 {would have been completely satisfactory for White because there would be} 19...Ng5 20.Bg2 Ne5 {with a clear edge for Black as} 21.f4 $2 {fails to} 21...Ng4 22.fxg5 Nxe3 23.Qd3 Nxg2 $1 {Perfect Fischer, right?!} 24.Kxg2 d4+ {and Black wins.} ) 19...Nxf2 $3 {Salinas played this very quickly. He was surely familiar with Fischer's win over Byrne from above! White's position deteriorates at once with the loss of the key defender.} 20.axb4 {Practically resigning, but there is nothing to be done.} ( {White is mated after} 20.Kxf2 Qxe3+ 21.Kf1 ( {Or} 21.Kg2 d4+ ) 21...Qf3+ 22.Kg1 Bc5+ 23.Nd4 Bxd4+ 24.Rxd4 Rxe1+ ) ( {Or loses loads of material in case of} 20.Bxd7 Nxd1 ) 20...Nxh3+ 21.Kf1 ( {The choice is forcing mate after} 21.Kg2 d4+ 22.Kxh3 Qe6+ 23.Kh4 ( {Or} 23.g4 Qh6+ 24.Kg3 Rxe3+ 25.Kf2 Qxh2+ 26.Kf1 Rf3# ) 23...Qh6+ 24.Kg4 Ne5+ 25.Kf5 Qf6# ) 21...Qxe3 22.Qf5 Nf6 $1 {The Chilean player finishes the job in style.} 23.Bc1 ( {Because} 23.Qxh3 Qf3+ 24.Kg1 Ng4 25.Rf1 Qe3+ 26.Kh1 d4+ {is once again a mating net.} ) 23...Ng4 {A super-nice addition to the attack.} 24.Rd3 ( 24.Bxe3 Nxe3# {is a mate not often seen in the tournament practice.} ) 24...d4 $3 {The bishop also joins the attack; it is time to upgrade Fischer!} 25.Red1 ( 25.Bxe3 Nxh2# ) 25...Qg1+ $3 {Brilliancy after brilliancy!} 26.Nxg1 {And Andersen appreciates the beauty and allows the mate:} 26...Nxh2# 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.07.14"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Iordachescu, Viorel"]
[Black "Murzin, Volodar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2589"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "6808600844308"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{This was one of the most interesting matches of the round, something that can be seen only in chess. Viorel Iordachescu, who has worked as a coach of promising young players in the UAE for many years, faces one of the rising stars of Russian chess Volodar Murzin, who is coached by GM Mikhail Kobalia.} 
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 {A solid choice in the final game.} 3...Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Ne7 6.c3 h6 7.O-O Nd7 8.a4 ( {Two other interesting players, a former prodigy and a current one, discussed the consequences of} 8.Nbd2 a5 9.a4 Bh7 10.Nb3 Qb6 11.Ne1 Nf5 12.Nd3 Be7 13.Re1 g5 {in Karjakin,S (2757)-Firouzja,A (2759) Online 2021} ) 8...a5 9.Na3 Bh7 10.Ne1 {A standard maneuver. The knight opens the road for the f-pawn.} 10...Ng6 $146 ( {Black survived after} 10...c5 11.Nb5 Nc6 12.Bd3 Na7 13.Bxh7 Rxh7 14.Nxa7 Rxa7 {However, it was evident that he was suffering after} 15.Be3 ( {And} 15.c4 $5 {seemed very dangerous for Black too.} ) 15...Ra6 16.c4 dxc4 17.Qc2 Rh8 18.Qxc4 Rc6 19.Nf3 cxd4 20.Qxd4 Bc5 21.Qg4 g6 22.Bxc5 Rxc5 {Pranesh,M (2317)-Ghosh,D (2550) New Delhi 2020} ) 11.Bd3 {There were other moves that would have prepared the kingside assault, like} ( 11.f4 $5 ) ( {And} 11.Nac2 $5 ) 11...Be7 12.Nac2 O-O {Murzin finished the development, but has a problem with the lack of space. There are too many black pieces on board, and they are obstructing each other.} 13.g3 {Restricting the mobility of the knight. Iordachescu plans to ramp up the pressure against the enemy position with his h-pawn.} ( 13.f4 {looked even better to me, intending g2-g4 and f4-f5 as soon as possible.} ) 13...c5 14.h4 c4 {In return, Black removes the bishop from its strongest diagonal.} 15.Be2 Nb8 {This manuever, though, seems a bit slow.} ( {The moment was good for central counterplay with} 15...f6 $1 {When} 16.h5 {can be met either with the perspective knight sacrifice} 16...Ngxe5 ( {Or the solid regroupment} 16...Nh8 17.f4 Nf7 {when Black seems OK.} ) 17.dxe5 fxe5 {with interesting play for the piece.} ) 16.Ng2 ( 16.h5 Nh8 17.Ng2 {might have transposed into the game.} ) 16...Nc6 17.h5 Nh8 ( {Now the sacrifice is no longer as appealing:} 17...Ngxe5 18.dxe5 Nxe5 19.Nd4 {As Black's center is not as superior as before.} ) 18.Nce3 Qd7 19.f4 {Finally this pawn makes a move.} ( {However, there was an argument for one last delay:} 19.Bg4 $1 {Then the planned pawn push} 19...f5 {can be met with} ( 19...f6 20.exf6 {is the same.} ) 20.exf6 Rxf6 21.Nf4 {and White is clearly better as the knight greatly benefits from the f4 square.} ) 19...f6 20.exf6 Bxf6 21.Bg4 {Iordachescu continues with the obvious and logical moves, and this allows his young opponent the precious time to bring his pieces back in the game.} ( {The energetic play along the light squares} 21.f5 $1 {would have been the logical follow up of White's kingside attack. Then} 21...Bxf5 ( 21...exf5 $2 22.Nf4 {drops the d5 pawn at once.} ) 22.Nxf5 exf5 23.b3 $1 cxb3 24.Qxb3 {With strong pressure would be clearly favorable for White.} ) 21...Nf7 22.b3 {This is still the best. White keeps some pressure, however his young opponent defends very accurately.} 22...cxb3 23.Qxb3 Ne7 24.Ba3 Be4 25.Qb5 Qc8 $1 {Correct!} ( {Otherwise White dominates in the endgame after} 25...Qxb5 $6 26.axb5 Nd8 27.Bc5 ) 26.Rac1 Ra6 $1 {A nice regroupment. It is time for Black to show some strength and he should be better on the queenside. The backward c3-pawn is an obvious counter-attacking candidate.} 27.Rfe1 {Too slow!} ( {This is the last good moment for} 27.f5 $1 {when} 27...exf5 ( {Therefore} 27...Nd6 {might have been a better defensive try, with blockade after} 28.Bxd6 Rxd6 29.fxe6 ) 28.Bxe7 Bxe7 29.Bxf5 {is better for White.} ) 27...Nd6 28.Qe2 Nef5 {Now Black stabilized almost completely the situation, but there is one more thing that White could have done.} 29.Kh2 ( 29.c4 $5 {was already on the agenda.} ) 29...Rc6 30.Qd2 {Going completely into a passivity.} ( {In blitz (and not only!) one could hardy find the amazing resource} 30.c4 $3 {White gets rid of his weakest pawn while at the same time he unleashes the power of his well-prepared attacking pieces. The concrete argument is the pretty line} 30...dxc4 ( {Therefore Black should defended with} 30...Nxd4 $1 31.Qa2 Bf3 ( {Or} 31...Bf5 {and in both cases the game remains unclear.} ) ) 31.Bxd6 Nxd6 32.d5 $1 {and Black's position collapses.} ) 30...Re8 31.Bxd6 Nxd6 32.Bh3 b5 ( 32...Qc7 $5 {looked good too.} ) 33.Ng4 {A nervous move.} ( {White needed to swap of the pawns first} 33.axb5 $1 Nxb5 34.Ng4 Nd6 35.Nxf6+ gxf6 36.f5 Nf7 37.fxe6 Ng5 {when it would have been unclear.} ) 33...bxa4 34.N2e3 ( 34.Nxf6+ gxf6 35.f5 Nf7 36.fxe6 Ng5 {no longer looks attractive for White without the queenside pawns.} ) 34...Qd8 {Murzin is in full control on the queenside and decides to pay attention to the opposite wing.} ( {Both} 34...a3 $5 ) ( {And} 34...Rb6 $5 {were good as well.} ) 35.Ne5 {Missing a good moment to regroup.} ( {Safer was} 35.Ra1 Qc7 36.Rec1 ) 35...Rb6 {Now Black infiltrates on the queenside.} 36.Ra1 Qb8 37.Re2 Rb1 $1 38.Qa2 Rxa1 ( {Even stronger was} 38...Qb3 $1 {with the idea to meet} 39.Nd7 {with} 39...Rxa1 40.Qxa1 Bxd4 41.cxd4 Qb5 {Double-attack!} ) ( {Or the direct} 38...Qb5 $1 ) 39.Qxa1 Qb3 40.Ra2 {And Iordachescu misses his last amazing chance.} ( {The sudden sacrifice} 40.Bxe6+ $3 Rxe6 41.Rb2 {would have beautifully trapped the black queen as} 41...Qxc3 ( {True, Black's position is so strong now that he can afford sacrificing the queen with} 41...Bxe5 $1 42.dxe5 Nc4 43.Rxb3 axb3 44.Nxc4 dxc4 {when Black is still in command.} ) 42.Rb8+ ) 40...Bxe5 41.dxe5 Nb5 ( {Or even better} 41...Nc4 $1 42.Nxc4 Qxc4 {as the pawn is immune:} 43.Rxa4 Qe2+ 44.Kg1 Qe3+ 45.Kh2 Qf2+ ) 42.Rxa4 d4 $1 {At the end of the day, while the white pieces are busy with the battle against the black passers, Murzin opens the enter and makes it to the white king.} 43.Bf1 Rc8 44.Rc4 Rxc4 45.Bxc4 Qxc3 46.Bxe6+ Kf8 47.Qa4 Qb2+ ( 47...Qd3 $1 48.Ng2 Qc2 {would have won at once instead.} ) 48.Kh3 Qb4 49.Qd1 ( {Perhaps the endgame was a chance:} 49.Qxb4+ axb4 50.Nc4 Ke7 51.Bg8 b3 52.Nb2 Bc2 {although here too, the black passers should decide.} ) 49...Nc3 50.Qd2 Qb1 51.Qxd4 {Now White is mated.} ( {But there was no hope for him in the line} 51.Kh4 Qd3 $1 ( 51...dxe3 52.Qd8# ) ) 51...Qh1+ 52.Kg4 Bf3+ 53.Kf5 Qxh5# 0-1

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Croatia Rapid & Blitz "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "25"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[ECO "B11"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[Beauty "5567754010662"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Ng8 $5 {A paradoxical move, reminding of some games of Nimzowitsch. Black welcomes a closed pawn structure, similar to the French, while accepting a loss of no fewer than three moves. What makes it playable is the early development of the white knights that takes away important pawn moves, c2-c3 and f2-f4.} 5.d4 ( {I wonder if avoiding the pin was worth giving one of the tempi back:} 5.h3 ) 5...Bg4 $1 {This is another important detail: Black won't get stuck with the bad Bc8.} 6.Be2 e6 ( 6...Bxf3 $6 7.Bxf3 e6 8.O-O c5 $6 {may be desirable positionally, but against a top player such as MVL one cannot count on indifferent play. Chances are he would look at} 9.dxc5 $1 Nc6 10.Be3 Nxe5 11.Bxd5 $3 exd5 12.Bd4 Nc6 13.Re1+ Nge7 14.Nb5 {with catastrophic consequences for Black.} ) 7.Ng5 $5 {An interesting decision. White doesn't give much value to the bishop pair and instead clears out for his f-pawn.} 7...Bf5 $5 {A reply in kind.} ( 7...Bxe2 8.Nxe2 h6 9.Nf3 c5 10.c3 Nc6 11.O-O cxd4 12.cxd4 Nge7 13.Ng3 {is what White is playing for: a safe center and kingside prospects.} ) 8.Bh5 ( 8.g4 Bg6 9.h4 $6 h6 10.Nf3 h5 $1 {is a typical treatment in the Advance Caro-Kann against White's premature attacks.} ) 8...Bg6 ( {The immediate} 8...Nh6 {is possible.} ) 9.O-O Be7 10.Nh3 c5 11.Nf4 cxd4 12.Nb5 Nc6 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.Qxd4 Nh6 15.Nxg6 hxg6 16.Be2 {Somehow Duda emerged with a decent position, and here I expected him to castle.} 16...Nf5 $5 {Instead, he decided to leave his rook on the h-file.} 17.Qa4+ Kf8 18.Bd3 Bc5 19.g3 Rc8 20.Qf4 Qb6 21.c3 {This reasonable approach to the position has been the key to success for Vachier-Lagrave. Throughout the whole 27 games, he kept his head on and patiently waited for chances.} 21...Be7 22.Re1 a6 23.a4 g5 24.Qf3 g6 25.a5 Qc5 26.Ra4 Kg7 27.Kg2 Rh7 28.h3 Rch8 29.Rh1 Qc6 30.Rg4 Rh5 31.Bd2 Qc7 ( {Duda knew he couldn't go after the white rook. In case of} 31...Nh6 32.Rd4 Bc5 $2 {would be a decisive error on account of} 33.Qf6+ Kg8 34.g4 ) 32.c4 {MVL is getting down to business. The real target is Black's queenside pawns.} 32...Rd8 ( {The line} 32...Qxe5 33.cxd5 Qxd5 34.Bc3+ Bf6 35.Qxd5 exd5 36.Bxf6+ Kxf6 37.Rb4 {well illustrates the point of Vachier-Lagrave's excellent play.} ) 33.cxd5 Rxd5 34.Bc3 b5 $6 {This wasn't forced, but it's hard NOT to do anything in chess and in blitz in particular.} 35.axb6 Qxb6 36.Ra4 {Just like that, White wins a pawn.} 36...Rh8 ( 36...a5 $4 37.Bxf5 {and both black pawns are overloaded.} ) 37.Rxa6 Qd8 38.Be4 Rd7 39.Ra8 Qb6 40.Rxh8 Kxh8 41.Rd1 Rc7 42.Ra1 Qb5 43.Rd1 Kg7 {Still, it's tough to come up with a plan of converting the advantage. MVL decided to simplify. Part of that decision was his good tournament situation: a draw would hardly be a disaster for him.} 44.Bxf5 gxf5 45.g4 fxg4 ( 45...f4 46.h4 ) 46.hxg4 Rc4 47.Rh1 $2 ( {Consistent with previous play would be} 47.Rd4 ) 47...Qd5 $1 {This should be enough to equalize the game, but it's blitz.} 48.Qxd5 exd5 49.Rd1 ( 49.Kf3 Bb4 $1 ) 49...Rxg4+ 50.Kh3 Rf4 51.Kg3 Bc5 ( {If Duda wanted a draw, it would be simpler to play} 51...Bb4 52.Bd4 Kg6 53.Be3 Re4 54.Rxd5 Kf5 55.e6+ Kxe6 56.Rxg5 {and here Black has} 56...Bd6+ 57.Kf3 Rb4 $11 ) 52.f3 d4 {This may work with engines moves, but in a practical game situation, it's rarely a good idea to get your rook tangled up.} 53.Bd2 Rf5 54.Re1 Kg6 55.Kg4 d3 56.Re4 $1 {Another one of those trademark blitz expert moves, the main purpose of which is to keep the opponent guessing.} ( {Duda was ready for} 56.e6 fxe6 57.Rxe6+ Rf6 58.Re5 Bd4 59.Rxg5+ Kf7 60.Rb5 Rc6 ) 56...Bf2 $2 ( {One solution to Black's problems is} 56...f6 57.b4 Bf8 ) 57.b4 Bb6 {Duda found himself adrift.} 58.e6 $1 {Finally, it is time for material gains.} 58...fxe6 59.Rxe6+ Rf6 60.Re5 Rd6 61.Rxg5+ Kf7 62.f4 Bd4 63.Kf3 Bf6 64.Rc5 Ke6 65.f5+ Kd7 66.b5 Bd4 67.Rc4 Bb6 68.Ke4 Ke8 69.Rc6 Kd7 70.Rxd6+ Kxd6 71.Bb4+ Kd7 72.Kxd3 Bd8 73.Ke4 Kc8 74.Kd5 Kb7 75.Bc5 {This may not seem to be a brilliant game, but to me it's a great example of how and why Vachier-Lagrave is the winner of the Zagreb stage.} 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.07.31"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2639"]
[BlackElo "2688"]
[ECO "D85"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7835094112289"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Netherlands"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NED"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 d5 5.h3 {A favorite line of German GM Bluebaum, used as well by a number of modern, young grandmasters. White takes control of the important g4-square in advance, thus securing his center.} 5...O-O 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.e4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 c5 9.Be2 cxd4 ( {The Grunfeld guru chose instead} 9...b5 10.Be3 Bb7 11.Qd3 b4 12.cxb4 cxb4 13.O-O a5 14.Rab1 e6 15.h4 h6 16.Rfd1 Nd7 17.e5 Ba6 18.Qd2 Bxe2 19.Qxe2 Nb6 {and Black did perfectly fine in Bluebaum,M (2672)-Svidler,P (2723) Online 2020} ) 10.cxd4 Nc6 11.Be3 Qa5+ ( {The recent play by another legend (Grunfeld and more!) legend is not convincing:} 11...f5 12.Bc4+ Kh8 13.O-O fxe4 14.Ng5 Nxd4 15.Nf7+ Rxf7 16.Bxf7 Qd6 17.Re1 Bxh3 18.Bxd4 Bxd4 19.Rxe4 e5 20.gxh3 Rf8 21.Rxd4 exd4 22.Bc4 {and Black resigned two moves later in Grischuk,A (2778)-Kasparov,G (2812) Zagreb 2021} ) 12.Bd2 Qa3 13.d5 {The most standard exchange sacrifice in this opening line, which Van Foreest wisely turns down.} 13...Ne5 ( {White's attack unfolds by itself after} 13...Bxa1 14.Qxa1 Nb4 15.O-O f6 16.Rc1 {as a few games have already demonstrated; here is one recent example:} 16...Bd7 17.Rc7 Rfd8 18.Rxb7 a5 19.d6 e5 20.Bc4+ Kg7 21.Nxe5 Nc2 22.Nxd7 Rxd7 23.Rxd7+ {1-0 (23) Quintiliano Pinto,R (2469)-Ozkan,E (2147) Chess.com 2021} ) 14.O-O $1 {This is the latest trend that now scores much better than the old 14.Nxe5 line, according to Megabase.} 14...Bd7 ( {Here too, the exchange sacrifice scores quite well for White, as in the following game:} 14...Nxf3+ 15.Bxf3 Bxa1 16.Qxa1 f6 17.Rb1 Qd6 18.Bb4 Qd8 19.e5 fxe5 20.Qxe5 {with ample compensation for the exchange in Nikolaidis,I (2512)-Erkhembayar,D (2301) Istanbul 2000} ) 15.Rb1 Qxa2 16.Rxb7 $146 {This obvious capture is a novelty.} ( {In a wild email game, Black managed to defend after} 16.Bg5 Ba4 17.Qe1 Bc2 18.Rxb7 Bxe4 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.Rxe7 Qxd5 21.Bf3 f5 22.Bxe4 fxe4 23.Qb4 a5 24.Qa4 Bd6 25.Qd7 Rfd8 26.Rg7+ Kf8 27.Bxd8 Rxd8 28.Rf7+ Kg8 29.Qxd8+ Kxf7 30.Qh8 h5 {Gedajlovic, M (2270)-Preotu,R (2487) Online 2021} ) 16...Ba4 {Chasing the queen under attack.} ( {In hindsight} 16...Rfb8 {might have been safer with a somewhat better endgame for White after} 17.Qb1 Nxf3+ 18.gxf3 Qxb1 19.Rfxb1 Be5 20.f4 Bd6 21.e5 Bf5 22.R1b3 Rxb7 23.Rxb7 Bc5 ) 17.Qc1 {Tari does not mind having the queen out. In fact, he sets a nasty trap.} ( {However, there is an argument for} 17.Qe1 $5 {as well, when Black needs to be precise in the defense:} 17...Rab8 18.Rxb8 Rxb8 19.Bf4 Nxf3+ 20.Bxf3 Rb5 $5 {Not letting the white queen on a5.} ) 17...Rfc8 {Van Foreest falls for it!} ( {Correct is to occupy the open file with the other rook:} 17...Rac8 $1 {Then} 18.Qe1 Rc2 19.Rxa7 ( {It is also equal after} 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.Bd3 Rb2 $11 ( {But not} 20...Rxd2 $6 21.Bb1 $1 ) ) 19...Nxf3+ 20.Bxf3 Rxd2 21.Rxa4 {Wins a pawn for White, but Black does not experience any problems whatsoever in the opposite-color bishop middlegame with his active bishop:} 21...Qb2 $1 ) 18.Rxa7 $3 {Gotcha! Played without hesitation.} 18...Rxc1 ( {Perhaps there are some chances to survive with=} 18...Nxf3+ 19.Bxf3 Rab8 ) ( {Or the other way to do it} 18...Rab8 19.Rc7 Nxf3+ 20.Bxf3 Bc2 {hoping for the best.} ) 19.Rxa8+ Bf8 20.Bxc1 {This wins material.} ( {Although neater would be the play for checkmate with} 20.Bh6 $3 Rxf1+ 21.Bxf1 Nd7 22.Ne5 f6 ( {Or} 22...Bb3 23.Rd8 $1 {which is the most convincing.} ( {Although White should be able to win even after} 23.Rxa2 Bxa2 ) ( {Or also} 23.Re8 $1 ) ) 23.Nxd7 Kf7 24.Rxf8# ) 20...Nd7 {The mate is saved; however, another pin is about to torture Black.} 21.Bd1 $1 Nb6 22.Ra6 Qc4 ( {Or} 22...Qb1 23.Bxa4 ) 23.Rxb6 Qxc1 24.Bxa4 {Tari has won plenty of material for the queen and quickly converts his advantage.} 24...Qc4 25.Bc6 e6 26.Ne5 Qd4 27.Nd7 Bd6 28.dxe6 fxe6 29.Rb7 ( {Instead} 29.Bd5 $1 exd5 30.Rxd6 {would finish it at once.} ) 29...Qc3 30.Ba4 Kg7 31.e5 Bc7 32.Nf6 {After the knight lands on this perfect outpost, mate becomes certain.} 32...Kh6 33.Ng4+ Kg5 34.f4+ Kh4 35.Rf3 Qc4 36.Kh2 g5 37.g3+ Kh5 38.Be8# 1-0

[Event "Goldmoney Asian Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.07.01"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[ECO "D00"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[Beauty "6049729881138"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 {In the decisive game of the mini-match, Carlsen chooses his beloved London System.} 2...d5 3.e3 Bg4 4.f3 {There is still plenty of room for investigation in this line. A bit more than a hundred games have been played so far.} 4...Bd7 5.g4 {The logical follow-up. White is not only gaining space; he is also safeguarding his bishop from the possible trade after the Nf6-h5 maneuver.} ( {Instead, a game between two young Americans went} 5.Nc3 c5 6.dxc5 Qa5 7.a3 Qxc5 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.b4 Qb6 10.b5 Na5 11.Be5 e6 12.Bd3 Rc8 13.Nge2 Bd6 14.Na4 Bxe5 15.Nxb6 axb6 {when Black did not have enough for the queen, Ostrovskiy,A (2655)-Checa,N (2828) Chess.com 2020} ) 5...c5 6.c3 Qb6 $146 ( {An earlier game was played by the main driving force behind the London resurrection, Mr. Kamsky himself:} 6...Nc6 7.h4 Qb6 8.Qb3 Qxb3 9.axb3 a6 10.Nh3 Bc8 11.Na3 Ra7 12.Nc2 e6 13.Be2 Be7 14.Bg3 b6 15.Kf2 {Kamsky,G (2670) -Inarkiev,E (2686) Sochi 2016. Apparently Carlsen did not mind grinding in this endgame.} ) 7.Qb3 e6 ( {Whichever queen blinks first gives something.} 7...Qxb3 8.axb3 {is good for White as he can use the half-open a-file later and his pawn structure is very compact.} ) 8.Nd2 c4 9.Qc2 ( {Likewise, White does not want to trade queens as} 9.Qxb6 axb6 {allows Black a chance to push his b-pawn next.} ) 9...Bd6 {As weird as this might sound, this obvious move leads to major difficulties for Black. It is, however, difficult to suggest a good plan for Black.} ( {Perhaps} 9...Qd8 {in order to free his b-pawn and to start queenside expansion is the way to do it.} ) 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.e4 Qc7 {Now it all ends in... a French Defense.} ( {The alternatives are not inspiring either:} 11...dxe4 12.g5 Nh5 13.fxe4 {helps White seize the center.} ) ( {The queen is in a dangerous spot after} 11...Qf4 12.e5 Ng8 13.Ne2 Qe3 ) ( {Whereas the forcing} 11...e5 12.g5 exd4 13.gxf6 d3 14.Bxd3 cxd3 15.fxg7 Rg8 16.Qxd3 {demonstrates that White is better prepared for the opening of the game.} ) 12.e5 Ng8 13.Ne2 {The perfect French Defense arose for White. He has managed to trade the opponent's good bishop and is already expanding on the kingside with full speed.} 13...Nc6 14.f4 h5 {Aronian is trying to somehow block the position.} ( {After} 14...Nge7 15.Ng3 {White's kingside attack unfolds without any problem.} ) 15.gxh5 $1 {White needs files for his pieces.} 15...Rxh5 16.Rg1 Kf8 ( {Tactics already start to lurk for the stronger side:} 16...g6 17.Rxg6 $1 ) 17.Nf3 Nge7 18.Ng3 Rh6 19.Qd2 b5 20.a3 a5 ( {Another blockading attempt} 20...Nf5 {will only make things worse for Black after} 21.Nxf5 exf5 22.Qg2 g6 ( 22...Rg6 23.Ng5 $1 {followed by the advance of the h-pawn would be bad for Black.} ) 23.Qg5 ) 21.h4 f5 ( {Sometimes the defender manages to hold these positions by evacuating his king on the opposite wing, where it would be safer. However} 21...Ke8 {allows} 22.f5 $5 exf5 23.Ne2 Ng6 24.Rg5 Nxh4 25.Nxh4 Rxh4 26.Rxg7 {when Black's position detoriarates.} ) 22.Be2 {A solid development.} ( {A more direct approach is possible as well:} 22.Qg2 $5 {as} 22...Ng6 {is refuted by} 23.Nxf5 $1 exf5 24.h5 ) 22...Nd8 23.Kf2 a4 {Aronian believes that his fortifications are solid enough, but this impression is wrong.} ( {Black definitely needs to keep his opponent busy on the opposite side with} 23...Qb7 24.Ng5 ( {Or} 24.Rg2 b4 25.axb4 axb4 26.Rag1 Ra2 {when Black already has concrete threats.} ) 24...b4 {with the hope to trade some of the nasty white attackers.} ) 24.Rg2 Nf7 25.Rag1 {In reality, Carlsen's position is strategically won. He consistently brings his pieces to their optimal squares and then prepares a sacrifice that will destroy the opponent's pawn chain.} 25...Rh8 26.h5 Nh6 27.Ng5 Ra6 ( {Once more Black cannot escape on the queenside:} 27...Ke8 28.Nf1 Kd8 29.Ne3 Kc8 30.Nh3 {as the g7-pawn would suffer.} ) 28.Nf1 Be8 29.Ne3 Neg8 30.Bf3 Qe7 31.Ke1 $1 {Sending the king into a safe place before the final storm. This is the reason why Aronian did not have to lock the queenside.} 31...Bf7 32.Kd1 Ra7 33.Kc1 Rd7 34.Nxd5 $1 {The time has come.} ( {Sure enough, Carlsen could have prepared even further with something like} 34.Rg3 {but the move in the game is decisive.} ) 34...Rxd5 ( {Or} 34...exd5 35.e6 Bxe6 36.Re2 Rd6 37.Rge1 {and White regains his material with interest.} ) 35.Nxf7 Nxf7 ( {The oher capture cannot keep the pawn chain intact:} 35...Qxf7 36.Rxg7 Qxg7 37.Rxg7 Kxg7 38.Qg2+ Kf8 ( {And if} 38...Ng4 39.Bxg4 $1 fxg4 40.Qxg4+ {brings the white pawns into motion as well.} ) 39.Bxd5 exd5 40.Qxd5 {All the black pawns will soon vanish.} ) 36.Bxd5 exd5 37.Rxg7 Ngh6 38.Qg2 Ng4 {The last slim blockading dream.} 39.Rxg4 $1 {A rude awakening. The road for the pawns needs to be cleared.} ( {Fine-tuning of the sacrifice} 39.Rg6 $5 Qb7 40.Rxg4 fxg4 41.Qxg4 {is not really needed.} ) 39...fxg4 40.Qxg4 Ke8 41.f5 Nxe5 $1 {The last chance.} 42.dxe5 Qxe5 43.f6 {Which suddenly worked!} ( {Carlsen had a pleasant choice instead between} 43.Kd1 $1 Kd8 44.Re1 {which would have brought the rook into the attack with decisive effect.} ) ( {Or the subtle in-between check} 43.Qg6+ $1 Kd7 ( {As} 43...Ke7 {does not work concretely due to} 44.f6+ Qxf6 45.Re1+ ) 44.Qf7+ Kd8 45.Rd1 {and once the rook joins forces with queen, it is all over for Black.} ) 43...Qe3+ 44.Kb1 Qe4+ $1 {This simple trade might have been missed by the world champion.} 45.Qxe4+ dxe4 46.Rh1 Kf7 47.h6 Kxf6 48.Kc1 Rd8 $1 {Or perhaps this is the concrete move that Carlsen missed in advance. Aronian cuts the white king away, and this should have saved him.} ( {The pawn endgame is completely winning for White:} 48...Kg6 49.Kd2 Rxh6 ( {And} 49...Kh7 50.Ke3 {does not help Black either.} ) 50.Rxh6+ Kxh6 51.Ke3 ) 49.Rd1 Rd3 $1 {Suddenly it is a draw.} 50.Rh1 Rd8 51.h7 Kg7 52.Rh5 Re8 {Alas, a decisive mistake.} ( {I am not sure what Aronian missed, but this time the pawn endgame after} 52...e3 $1 53.h8=Q+ Rxh8 54.Rxh8 Kxh8 55.Kd1 Kg7 56.Ke2 Kf6 57.Kxe3 Ke5 {would have been a draw, just in time.} ) 53.Kd2 {The king is out, and the black pawns start dropping like ripe pears.} 53...e3+ 54.Ke2 Kh8 55.Rxb5 Kxh7 56.Rb4 Kg6 57.Rxc4 Ra8 58.Kxe3 Kf5 59.Kd3 Ke5 60.Rb4 Kd5 61.c4+ Kc6 62.Kc3 Ra5 63.Rb5 $1 {Making it to the last black pawn.} 63...Ra7 ( {Nothing changes} 63...Rxb5 64.cxb5+ Kxb5 65.Kd4 ) 64.Kb4 Ra8 65.Ra5 Rb8+ 66.Kc3 1-0

[Event "Goldmoney Asian Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.07.02"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "254"]
[Beauty "2754210724383"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Bc5 {A somewhat unexpected choice by Black. One would normally expect the in-depth analyzed Marshall Attack by Aronian.} 6.c3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a4 Bb7 ( {Aronian has some pleasant memories from last week from this game:} 8...Rb8 9.d4 Bb6 10.a5 Ba7 11.h3 Bb7 12.Be3 Nxe4 13.d5 Bxe3 14.dxc6 Nxf2 15.Qe2 Nxh3+ 16.Kh1 Nf2+ 17.Rxf2 Bxf2 18.cxb7 Ba7 {Vachier-Lagrave,M (2760)-Aronian,L (2781) Paris 2021; however, one cannot expect this to be repeated without a thorough examination by the world champion as White.} ) 9.d4 Bb6 10.Bg5 O-O 11.axb5 axb5 12.Rxa8 Bxa8 13.d5 Na5 14.Ba2 {The black pieces are obviously misplaced, and he already finds it hard to defend against the simple threat Nb1-a3!} 14...c6 $146 {All of this was practically blitzed by Aronian, including this novelty. However, it seems as he somehow mixed his opening lines.} ( {White was doing more than fine after} 14...h6 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Na3 c6 17.b4 Nc4 18.Bxc4 bxc4 19.Nxc4 Bc7 20.Ne3 {Lubas,J (2061)-Alonso,R (970) LSS email 2014} ) 15.Na3 {Now, how to defend the queenside?} 15...cxd5 16.Bxd5 $1 {Of course! Carlsen needs this square for his pieces.} 16...b4 {At last Aronian thinks. And he thinks heavily. In fact, he spent almost all his time on the clock. What was he thinking about? Probably he was just trying to convince himself that it is worth to continue playing a bit more...} ( {After} 16...Bxd5 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.Qxd5 {Black is strategically lost.} ) 17.cxb4 Nc6 18.Nc4 {White is winning. He is up a pawn, and on top of that has indisputable positional advantage.} 18...Bc7 19.b5 {Obvious and good.} ( {Although there was a concrete way to wrap up the game with} 19.Bxf6 Qxf6 20.Qa4 {And the double attack against the black pieces decides. Perhaps Carlsen feared} 20...Nd4 21.Bxa8 Nxf3+ 22.gxf3 Qxf3 {But the retreat} 23.Ne3 $1 {keeps everything under control.} ) 19...Ne7 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Bxa8 Qxa8 22.b6 Bb8 23.Nfd2 {The weak black king is added to Black's problems. Aronian goes for the desperate} 23...f5 $1 24.exf5 d5 ( {Rather than} 24...Nxf5 25.Qg4+ Ng7 26.Ne3 f5 27.Qc4+ Kh8 28.Qd5 {when Black cannot even hope to muddy the waters.} ) 25.f6 {Once again good enough for a win.} ( {The alternative is the explosive attack after} 25.Qg4+ Kh8 26.f6 Ng6 {And now the beautiful} 27.Nf3 $3 dxc4 28.Ng5 Kg8 $1 {A cunning defensive move that sets a final trap. White still needs to be careful and choose either} 29.Nxh7 $1 {with winning attack.} ( {But just not the obvious} 29.Qh5 {when} 29...Qxg2+ $3 {would be a very, very cold shower for White.} ) ( {or} 29.g3 $1 {wins as well, preventing the sacrifice from above.} ) ) 25...Ng6 26.Ne3 ( {Here too the direct attack would have finished the job} 26.Qh5 $1 Kh8 27.Nf3 dxc4 28.Qh6 $1 {Stepping off of the explosive square.} ( {Again not} 28.Ng5 $2 Qxg2+ $1 ) 28...Rg8 29.Ng5 {and Black has no defense.} ) 26...Qc6 27.Qf3 ( {Stronger is} 27.Qh5 $1 {with the idea} 27...Qxf6 28.Nxd5 ) 27...Rd8 {Aronian got what he wanted. He might still be losing, but he prolonged the game, unbalanced it, and even managed to drain the opponent's time.} 28.g3 ( {Missing the nice ambush} 28.Rd1 $1 Qxb6 ( 28...e4 {is met, of course, with} 29.Nxe4 ) 29.Nxd5 {when the win is very close.} ) 28...Qxb6 ( {There is also} 28...e4 29.Qf5 d4 30.Ng4 {but White still stands close to the win.} ) 29.Nxd5 {Carlsen goes for a very concrete and strong attacking sequence.} ( {The other way to attack is positional. The queen could be transferred to striking distance from the enemy king with} 29.Qf5 Qe6 30.Qg5 e4 31.Ng4 {Then} 31...Be5 {requires once more super-precision by White:} 32.h4 {is obvious but does not win after} ( {The preliminary} 32.f4 $3 {is the way to do it, for example} 32...exf3 33.Nxf3 Bxb2 34.h4 h5 35.Qxh5 Bxf6 36.Ng5 $1 Bxg5 37.Qxg5 ) 32...h5 $3 {A spoiler!} 33.Qxh5 Bxf6 ) 29...Qe6 30.Ne7+ Nxe7 31.fxe7 Rxd2 {Take what you can; think about the consequences later!} ( {There are no chances at all after} 31...Qxe7 32.Ne4 ) 32.Qe3 Rd4 33.Qg5+ Kh8 {The pawn is almost a queen; the black king is almost mated. The world champion needs his rook and needs it now.} 34.Rc1 {Ugh, not the right square.} ( 34.Ra1 $3 {Would have done the job! For example} 34...f6 ( {Or my favorite line} 34...Rb4 35.Ra6 $1 {The rook finds a very original way into the enemy camp} 35...Qd7 36.Qf6+ Kg8 {And now the unthinkable} 37.Re6 $3 Qe8 38.Qg5+ Kh8 39.Rh6 {and the super-rook makes it to the black king!} ) ( {Please notice that the idea from the next note} 34...h6 {would not work here due to} 35.Qxh6+ Qxh6 36.e8=Q+ ) 35.Qxf6+ Qxf6 36.e8=Q+ {winning with the two extra pawns.} ) ( {Carlsen is correctly not forcing anything yet} 34.Qf6+ Qxf6 35.e8=Q+ Kg7 36.Qxb8 Qf5 {as the black major pieces are too active.} ) 34...Bd6 ( {Aronian misses a golden chance} 34...h6 $3 {is now excellent defense as after} 35.Qxh6+ ( {Therefore, Carlsen would have needed to revert to the forcing line from above with} 35.Qf6+ $1 Qxf6 36.e8=Q+ Kg7 37.Qxb8 Rd2 {although here too Black has very good defensive chances as we know.} ) 35...Qxh6 36.e8=Q+ Kg7 {The white rook hangs.} ) 35.Ra1 $1 {To the right file! Now Aronian is forced to part with his bishop.} 35...Rb4 36.Ra8+ Rb8 37.Rxb8+ Bxb8 38.Qf6+ Qxf6 39.e8=Q+ Kg7 40.Qxb8 Qf5 {The game enters its technical part, and at first Carlsen's technique is impeccable.} 41.h4 $1 {As the white king needs room to avoid the perpetual check.} 41...Qe4 42.Qb6 Qe1+ 43.Kh2 Qd2 $1 {Aronian keeps the opponent's pieces busy, constantly hitting the enemy pawns and threatening to push the e-pawn at the proper moment and trade it in return for the outside passer.} 44.b3 {Careful, slow motion.} ( {Although} 44.b4 e4 45.b5 Qd3 {might have also won, especially if White avoids} 46.Qc5 ( {And chooses instead} 46.g4 $3 ) 46...e3 $1 ) 44...h6 45.Qe3 Qb2 46.g4 $1 {Excellent! Carlsen knows that he needs the king on the queenside.} ( 46.Kg2 $5 {Intending to move all the way to b5 with the king also makes perfect sense.} ) 46...e4 47.h5 Qe5+ 48.Kg2 Qe6 49.Kh3 Qd5 50.Qc3+ Kg8 51.Qe3 ( {Too much optimism might easily turn the tables, especially with queens and passers alive} 51.b4 $4 Qd3+ ) 51...Kg7 52.b4 Qc4 53.Qc5 Qd3+ 54.Kh2 Qd2 55.Kg3 Qd3+ 56.Qe3 {In the time scramble, the world champion not only misses a chance to complete his plan but blunders his future queen.} ( 56.Kf4 $3 {is the way to do it} 56...Qf3+ 57.Ke5 Qxg4 58.b5 {and this pawn should decide the outcome of the game.} ) 56...Qd6+ 57.Qf4 Qxb4 {The key pawn is gone and with it the winning chances!} 58.g5 hxg5 59.Qxg5+ Kh7 60.Qf5+ Kg7 61.Qe5+ Kh7 62.Qf6 Qf8 63.Kh4 Qg8 64.Qf5+ Kh8 65.Qxe4 {This one is of little significance, and despite his prolonged efforts Carlsen had to split the pawn at the end} 65...Qd8+ 66.Kg4 Qb6 67.Qf4 Kg7 68.Qe3 Qb4+ 69.Kh3 Qb2 70.Qg5+ Kh7 71.Qf4 Kg7 72.Kh4 Qb6 73.Qe3 Qb4+ 74.f4 Kh7 75.Kg5 Qd6 76.Qe5 Qd8+ 77.Qf6 Qg8+ 78.Kh4 Qf8 79.Qf5+ Kh6 80.Qg5+ Kh7 81.Qf6 Qe8 82.Qf5+ Kh6 83.Qe5 Qf8 84.Qf6+ Kh7 85.Kg4 Qg8+ 86.Qg5 Qe8 87.Qf5+ Kh6 88.Qe5 Qc8+ 89.Kh4 Qf8 90.Qg5+ Kh7 91.Kg4 Qd6 92.Qf5+ Kh6 93.Kh4 Qf8 94.Qe5 Kh7 95.Kg5 Qh6+ 96.Kg4 Qc6 97.Kf5 Qh6 98.Qe2 Kg7 99.Kg4 Qc6 100.Qb2+ Kh7 101.Qe5 Qb6 102.Qe1 Qc6 103.Qb1+ Kg7 104.Qb2+ Kh7 105.Qd4 Qc8+ 106.f5 Qg8+ 107.Kf4 Qb8+ 108.Qe5 Qd8 109.f6 Qd2+ 110.Kg3 Qd3+ 111.Kh4 Qc4+ 112.Kg5 Qc1+ 113.Qf4 Qg1+ 114.Kf5 Qb1+ 115.Kg4 Qg1+ 116.Kh4 Qh1+ 117.Kg5 Qg2+ 118.Qg4 Qd2+ 119.Qf4 Qg2+ 120.Kf5 Qd5+ 121.Kg4 Qg2+ 122.Qg3 Qe4+ 123.Kg5 Qd5+ 124.Kh4 Qd4+ 125.Kg5 Qd5+ 126.Kh4 Qd4+ 127.Kg5 Qd5+ {The games between these two remarkable players of our time are never ever boring!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Goldmoney Asian Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.07.03"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[ECO "D06"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[Beauty "8247008304138"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Bf5 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Nh4 ( {White can also choose to play another pawn structure with} 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 c6 7.Qb3 Qb6 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.e3 {The question is if he can use the weakness of the doubled pawns or not? In this game he was not very effective:} 9...Nd7 10.Be2 Qxb3 11.axb3 a6 12.Nh4 Be6 13.Bd3 Nb6 14.Nf5 Nc8 15.Ne2 Bb4+ 16.Kd1 Ne7 {and Black was OK in Fressinet,L (2638)-Svidler,P (2714) Online 2021} ) 5...Bg6 6.Qb3 Nc6 {A very fresh position arose where Aronian tries to calm down the aggressive black pieces.} 7.cxd5 ( {Bad is} 7.Qxb7 $2 Nxd4 8.Nxg6 hxg6 9.Rb1 Bb4 $1 ( 9...Bc5 ) ) 7...exd5 ( 7...Nxd4 $2 8.Qa4+ ) ( 7...Nb4 $2 8.Nxg6 ) 8.e3 Bb4 ( {Simpler seemed} 8...a6 $5 {which secures the queenside followed by the development of the dark-squared bishop on d6 or e7.} ) 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Bd2 $146 ( {White quickly won material after} 10.Bb5 Qd6 11.h3 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Ne4 13.Ba3 Qf6 14.Qc2 a6 15.Bd3 Qf5 16.f3 {in Balogh,L (2061)-Kulcsar,M (1647) Eger 2008} ) 10...O-O 11.Bd3 Re8 12.O-O {Aronian completed his development and it is Artemiev's turn to make an important decision.} 12...Bxc3 {The Russian GM decided to play in the spirit of the Chebanenko line, for a knight blockade.} ( {Once again} 12...a6 {deserved serious attention, when} 13.a3 Bf8 14.Qxb7 $4 {is obviously impossible due to} 14...Na5 ) 13.Bxc3 Rb8 14.Rae1 {White's play is obvious and easy. He prepares the opening of the game and the e3-e4 break.} 14...g5 {Artemiev tries to challenge the pawns before they become too dangerous.} ( {However, the opposite-flank challenge would have been better. True, one needs to be a computer to find this amazing resource after} 14...Ne4 15.f3 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Na5 17.Qb4 c5 $3 {The point! Then} 18.Qxc5 ( 18.dxc5 Qc7 {is OK for Black.} ) 18...Rc8 19.Qb4 Qc7 20.Bb5 Re6 21.e4 dxe4 22.fxe4 a6 23.Ba4 b5 24.Bd1 Qxc3 {slowly equalizes for Black.} ) 15.f3 Qd6 16.a3 ( {There were other ways to prepare the central break, like} 16.Qd1 $5 ) ( {Or} 16.Bb1 Re6 17.Qc2 Rbe8 18.Qf2 ) 16...g4 $1 {This move is essential part of Black's plan.} 17.Qd1 gxf3 ( {After} 17...g3 18.hxg3 Qxg3 19.Qd2 {followed by Qd2-f2 White slowly lifts the blockade.} ( {He obviously should not rush though:} 19.e4 $2 dxe4 20.fxe4 Ng4 ) ) 18.Rxf3 {Artemiev managed to remove White's important f3 pawn and thus softened the e4 square. This spot can be an ideal place for both the black knights, and the rooks can benefit too. As usual, though, everything comes at a price and Black now needs to watch out for the direct White attack along the f-file and on the kingside.} ( {After} 18.gxf3 {Black would look for a blockade with} 18...Nh5 19.e4 Nf4 ( {Or} 19...Qh6 ) ) 18...Re6 19.Bf5 Re7 {A pity.} ( {A Petrosian-style exchange sacrifice would have been much more interesting and would have provided Black chances:} 19...Ne4 $3 20.Bxe6 Qxe6 21.Ref1 f6 {and as long as the white bishop is ineffective Black should do perfectly fine.} ) 20.Ref1 Rbe8 ( {Here} 20...Ne4 {comes a tad too late and White builds big attack with} 21.Bxe4 dxe4 22.Rg3 f6 23.Qh5 ) 21.Qe1 Ne4 ( {Perhaps this was the last moment to try the exchange sacrifice} 21...Re4 22.Bxe4 Rxe4 {Although after} 23.Qf2 {White is ready to sacrifice back, as in the line} 23...Ne7 24.Bb4 Qd7 25.Rxf6 gxf6 26.Qxf6 {and White is winning.} ) 22.Qh4 {Aronian's attack is crushing.} 22...g6 23.Rh3 Qf6 ( {Or} 23...Kg7 24.Qh6+ Kf6 25.Bxg6+ ) 24.Qh7+ Kf8 25.Bxe4 1-0

[Event "Goldmoney Asian Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.07.04"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[ECO "B07"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7973875231283"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nf3 d6 4.c3 {A very solid system.} 4...Nf6 5.Bd3 O-O 6.O-O c5 7.h3 Qc7 8.Re1 e5 ( {Black can also fight for the center with} 8...Nc6 9.Bf4 e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Bh2 Nh5 12.Nbd2 Nf4 13.Bc4 Bd7 14.Qc2 Rad8 {However, the second player should not forget that the d5-outpost is wide open for the white pieces, Wiewiora,E (2535)-Gabrielian,A (2684) Chess.com 2020.} ) 9.Be3 $5 {Another solid move.} 9...b6 10.Nbd2 Nc6 11.Rc1 Re8 $146 ( {Black managed to spice up things in the center after} 11...Bb7 12.a3 ( {However, here too} 12.d5 {deserved very serious investigation.} ) 12...Rac8 13.b4 cxd4 14.cxd4 Qb8 15.Bc4 exd4 16.Nxd4 Ne5 {Palko,A (2275)-Demeny,A (2210) Hungary 1998} ) 12.d5 {This is a very good moment to block the center, right after the black rook has abandoned the f-file. Thus, the usual kingside counterplay f7-f5 will start a couple of tempi later, and this will have an enormous impact on the game.} 12...Ne7 13.b4 {Aronian's playground is on the queenside.} 13...Nd7 {Naturally preparing the f7-f5 advance.} 14.Nf1 {A modest but excellent move. Aronian, however, only saw the hidden point later.} ( {There are other natural moves that would increase White's chances on the queenside like} 14.a4 $5 ) ( {Or} 14.Nc4 $5 {which is quite venomous as well. Then the obvious} 14...b5 {would lead Black into trouble after} ( {However, the patient} 14...a6 $5 {would be less clear.} ) 15.Nxd6 $1 Qxd6 16.Bxb5 cxb4 17.c4 $1 {and the white pawns become huge.} ) 14...c4 15.Bc2 {And Artemiev goes for his planned} ( 15.Be2 f5 $1 {helps Black only.} ) 15...f5 {A logical, obvious move, but Black is not quite prepared for it!} 16.exf5 $1 {Opens the game for his excellent pieces.} 16...gxf5 {And this is definitely a mistake!} ( {Artemiev needed to slow down and fight in the inferior position after} 16...Nxf5 17.Ng5 Nf6 18.Ne4 ( {In case of} 18.Ne6 {Black has the nice sacrifice} 18...Rxe6 $5 19.dxe6 Nxe3 20.Nxe3 Bxe6 ) 18...Nxe4 19.Bxe4 Nxe3 20.Nxe3 Bh6 $1 {Looking for a slow equalization.} ) 17.Bg5 $1 {It's hard to believe, but Black's position crumbles after this move.} 17...e4 {A bad sign. If the pawns need to move, then things are grim.} ( {But what else? The natural} 17...Nf6 {fails tactically to} 18.Nxe5 $1 dxe5 19.d6 Qd7 20.dxe7 Qxe7 21.Ne3 {and Black loses material.} ) ( {The other knight move is refuted even more spectacularly with the same idea} 17...Nf8 18.Nxe5 $1 Bxe5 19.Rxe5 $1 {Yes, a whole rook!} 19...dxe5 20.d6 {But then White takes back everything with heavy interest.} 20...Qc6 21.b5 $1 {Removes the queen from the long diagonal.} 21...Qc5 22.dxe7 {and White should win.} ) ( {Finally, one more knight sacrifice will occur after} 17...f4 18.Nd4 $1 ( 18.Nh4 $5 ) 18...Nf8 19.Qh5 Bd7 20.Ne6 ) 18.Ng3 $1 {Very energetic, in the spirit of Aronian! His next moves deserve exclamation marks as well.} 18...exf3 19.Nxf5 $1 {The right way to capitalize from the lead in the development.} ( 19.Rxe7 $6 {is too little and would have made Artemiev happy after} 19...Rxe7 20.Bxe7 Ne5 ) 19...Ne5 ( {Or else Black collapses after} 19...Nxf5 20.Rxe8+ Kf7 21.Rxc8 $1 Rxc8 22.Qxf3 ) 20.Nxg7 $1 {Removing one of the active black pieces.} 20...Kxg7 21.Rxe5 $1 {And then removing the last active piece.} 21...dxe5 {Aronian is temporary down a whole rook, but with} 22.d6 {the tax collector knocks on Black's door...} 22...Qd7 ( {Nothing changes the attempt to give back what was taken earlier with} 22...Qb7 23.dxe7 Rxe7 24.Bxe7 Qxe7 25.Qxf3 {as Black's position is beyond salvation.} ) 23.Qxf3 Ng6 ( {Instead} 23...Bb7 {would have saved the rook but not the king} 24.Qf6+ Kg8 25.Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 26.Qf7+ Kh8 27.Bf6# ) 24.Qxa8 {He keeps collecting.} 24...Bb7 25.Qxa7 Qc6 26.f3 Ra8 27.d7 $1 {The last neat move that had obviously been seen well in advance.} 27...Qxd7 ( 27...Rxa7 28.d8=Q ) 28.Qxb6 Ra6 29.Qe3 Rxa2 30.Rd1 {With two extra pawns and a powerful attacking position, Aronian confidently wraps up a brilliant tournament.} 30...Qe6 31.Qc5 Rxc2 32.Qc7+ Kg8 33.Qxb7 Nf8 34.Rd8 Rxc3 35.Be7 Rc1+ 36.Kh2 1-0

[Event "E Women's World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.23"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Muzychuk, Mariya"]
[Black "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2550"]
[BlackElo "2472"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Beauty "8044071096891"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.O-O d5 {This active approach against the Italian has gained more and more attention lately, mainly thanks to the efforts of the likes of Aronian, So and Nakamura.} 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 Bg4 {Active defense of the center.} 9.h3 Bh5 10.Nbd2 ( {Black is not afraid to sacrifice a pawn a la the Marshall Gambit after} 10.g4 Bg6 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Rxe5 c6 13.Qf3 Bd6 14.Re1 Kh8 {intending to push the f-pawn as in McShane,L (2640)-Sethuraman,S (2646) Riadh 2017} ) 10...Nb6 11.Bb3 {Previously, White was mainly putting more pressure against the black center with 11.Bb5.} 11...Kh8 {Once again a very concrete, aggressive move by Kosteniuk. She is ready for the kingside push. This was also the Russian's first long thought, almost a quarter of an hour spent on her clock.} ( {Black, however, may also choose to play on the other side:} 11...a5 12.Ne4 a4 13.Bc2 Ra5 14.b4 axb3 15.Bxb3 Be7 16.Ng3 Bg6 17.d4 Bf6 18.Be3 exd4 19.Nxd4 Nd5 {with unclear consequences in Anand,V (2753)-Mamedyarov,S (2782) Zagreb 2021} ) 12.Ne4 Bd6 13.g4 {The first long deliberation by Muzychuk. She needs to stop the black f-pawn. In fact, White does want to exploit the f5-square for her knight, but this is easier said than done.} 13...Bg6 14.Ng3 $146 ( {Giri managed to pressure his opponent after} 14.d4 exd4 15.Nxd4 Nxd4 16.Qxd4 Be7 17.Bf4 f5 18.Qxd8 Raxd8 19.Ng5 {Giri,A (2783)-Inarkiev,E (2693) St Petersburg 2018, and this seems like the right thing to do. In any case, playing without the queens is far more pleasant for White.} ) 14...Nd7 15.Bc2 {All eyes on the f5-square!} 15...a5 {Kosteniuk expands on the queenside just like Mamedyarov did against Anand.} ( {Instead} 15...h6 {deserves attention too, intending to meet} 16.h4 {with} ( {Black however might have feared} 16.b4 a6 ) 16...f5 $1 ) 16.h4 h6 ( {With the g5-square too soft, Black cannot afford} 16...f5 17.gxf5 Bxf5 18.Nxf5 Rxf5 19.Ng5 $1 ) 17.h5 {Muzychuk is also immensely aggressive on the kingside.} ( {Interesting is} 17.g5 {when} 17...hxg5 ( {But Black can react instead with} 17...h5 ) ( {Or perhaps even better} 17...f5 18.gxh6 f4 19.hxg7+ Kxg7 20.Ne4 Rh8 {trying to take over the initiative in similar fashion as in the game later.} ( {Or} 20...Nf6 ) ) 18.h5 $1 {looks good for White.} ) 17...Bh7 18.g5 {Obvious, but White is about to face a nasty surprise.} 18...f5 $1 {The game is opened in Black's favor.} ( {Instead} 18...hxg5 19.Nxg5 {would have led to White's dream position after} 19...Bg8 ( {or after} 19...Nf6 20.Kg2 ) 20.h6 gxh6 21.Qh5 ) 19.gxh6 ( {Stronger seems} 19.d4 $1 {Black is fine in all the lines, but the game remains unclear; for example,} 19...f4 ( {Or} 19...exd4 20.cxd4 f4 21.Ne4 ) ( 19...e4 20.Nh4 hxg5 $2 ( 20...Ne7 $1 ) 21.Ng6+ Bxg6 22.hxg6 ) 20.Bxh7 fxg3 21.Bc2 gxf2+ 22.Kxf2 exd4 23.Qd3 {It seems as White will soon mate, but the exchange sacrifice} 23...Rxf3+ $1 24.Qxf3 Nde5 {leaves Black perfectly fine.} ) ( {Of course not} 19.gxf6 Qxf6 {which only brings the black pieces in.} ) 19...gxh6 20.Bxh6 Rg8 {The white king is too exposed, and the pin along the g-file is more than nasty.} 21.Bb3 ( {After} 21.Kf1 Qf6 22.Bd2 Rg4 {Black's attack unfolds by itself.} ) 21...Qf6 $1 {Kosteniuk wants to keep the queens aboard.} ( {True,} 21...f4 22.Bxg8 Qxg8 23.Qb3 fxg3 {would be great for Back too.} ) 22.Bxg8 Rxg8 23.Bg5 {The lesser evil.} ( {Or else White drops a whole piece after} 23.Qd2 f4 ) ( {Or} 23.Bd2 f4 ) 23...Rxg5 24.Nxg5 Qxg5 {At the end of the day, an original piece ratio has appeared on the board. The three black light pieces are obviously mightier than the couple of white rooks, and as usual in these positions everything is decided by a direct attack.} 25.Kf1 ( {The king will not survive on the h-file for long:} 25.Kh1 Nf6 ) 25...Nf6 26.Qf3 Ng4 {This maneuver is obvious. Black increases her attacking potential easily.} 27.Qg2 ( {What is not that obvious is that the white king is stuck and the attempt to run away} 27.Ke2 e4 $1 28.dxe4 Nce5 29.Qg2 f4 {would have finished the game at once.} ) 27...e4 $1 {Still this break! Kosteniuk wants to clear the e5-square for her knight.} 28.d4 {The e5-square is rejected.} ( {Moreover, the capture is simply impossible due to} 28.dxe4 f4 $1 29.Nf5 f3 $1 ) 28...Nd8 $3 {But there is an even nicer square for the knight on f4!} 29.c4 $1 {Muzychuk squeezes one final chance out of nowhere!} 29...Ne6 30.c5 Bf8 $1 {But Kosteniuk is simply impeccable!} ( {The natural attack} 30...Nf4 {could have been met with} 31.cxd6 $3 Nxg2 32.dxc7 Qg8 33.Rac1 Qc8 34.Kxg2 {And although the machine still promises a serious edge for Black after} 34...Nf6 {it is obvious that complications can occur.} ) 31.Rad1 ( {If} 31.Ne2 f4 $1 {finishes the battle.} ) 31...Nf4 32.Qh1 {Who else is not yet enjoying itself?} 32...Bg8 $3 {Yes, this guy. This second one-step-back, two-steps-forward maneuver is the decisive reinforcement of Black's attack.} 33.Nxe4 ( {Nothing changes} 33.b3 Bd5 ) 33...Bc4+ 34.Kg1 fxe4 {And Muzychuk resigned as the multiple threats cannot be adequately met.} ( 34...fxe4 35.Qxe4 Nf6+ ) 0-1

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.15"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Delgado Ramirez, Neuris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2660"]
[BlackElo "2622"]
[ECO "E20"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[Beauty "8247951815704"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 d5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c6 7.e4 {After some thought, Adhiban chooses the sharpest continuation.} ( {Firouzja tried to bring his dark-squared bishop instead into game with} 7.a4 {However, Carlsen equalized easily with} 7...Qa5 8.Qd2 O-O 9.e3 Re8 10.Bd3 dxc4 11.Bxc4 b6 12.Bd3 Ba6 13.c4 {and even took over the initiative with} 13...c5 $1 {Firouzja,A (2728)-Carlsen,M (2863) Online 2020} ) 7...dxe4 8.fxe4 e5 {The safest reply. If Black manages to stabilize the position, he would enjoy the better game as all the white pawns would be horrible.} ( 8...Nxe4 {is risky as proved from this game} 9.Qg4 Nf6 10.Qxg7 Rg8 11.Qh6 Qa5 12.Ne2 Nbd7 13.g3 {Curi,G (2231)-Ibanez,J (2157) Montevideo 2017} ) 9.Nf3 Qa5 10.Bd2 {Adhiban argues that his pawns are bad. He simply sacrifices them.} 10...Nxe4 11.Bd3 Nxd2 12.Qxd2 exd4 13.O-O $1 {Offering a third pawn!} 13...O-O $146 {That is a novelty. It seems as the king will be safer on the kingside, but it turns out that Delgado castles into an attack.} ( {Black solved all his problems with} 13...Be6 14.Rab1 dxc3 15.Qf4 Nd7 16.Qh4 h6 17.Rxb7 O-O 18.Qe4 Nf6 19.Qxc6 Rfd8 {and even won later in Kuybokarov,T (2472)-Macieja,B (2550) Chess.com 2018. It would be interesting to see what the Indian GM had prepared in that case.} ) ( {The second pawn is not really tasty:} 13...Qxc3 14.Qe2+ Be6 15.Ng5 {leaves the black king desperately weak.} ) 14.Ng5 $1 {Dark clouds gather around the black king.} 14...f5 {There is no other way to stop the obvious capture on h7.} ( {Since after} 14...h6 $2 {The knight can offer itself for the other pawn:} 15.Nxf7 $1 Rxf7 {Then the attack through the center decides after} 16.Rxf7 ( {Actually White's position is so strong that he may choose to bring on the reserves in another way:} 16.Qe2 $1 Qd8 17.Rxf7 Kxf7 18.Rf1+ Kg8 19.Qe4 {transposing into the winning line below.} ) 16...Kxf7 17.Rf1+ Ke7 {Here the neat solution is} ( {Black can prevent the mate on the back rank} 17...Kg8 18.Qe2 $1 Qd8 {But not along the b1-h7 diagonal:} 19.Qe4 ) 18.Qe1+ $3 {Now} ( {As otherwise the black king escapes via the d6-square:} 18.Qe2+ Kd6 19.cxd4 Kc7 20.Rf7+ Nd7 21.c5 Kb8 {and it is not clear anymore.} ) 18...Kd6 {does not work due to} ( 18...Be6 19.Bf5 ) 19.Qg3+ $1 {This check is the difference from above.} 19...Qe5 ( {Or otherwise mate:} 19...Ke7 20.Qxg7+ ) 20.c5+ Kd5 {and White would win the queen with} 21.Bc4+ $1 ( {Or} 21.c4+ $1 ) ) ( {Neither does} 14...g6 {slow down the attack} 15.Nxf7 $1 {would once more decisively open the road for the white pieces.} ( {Here too, White has an alternative winning line:} 15.Rae1 Nd7 16.Qf4 Qxc3 17.Qh4 h5 18.Nxf7 $1 {With a mating attack} 18...Rxf7 19.Re8+ Nf8 ( {Or} 19...Rf8 20.Qe7 $1 ) ( {And} 19...Kg7 20.Rxf7+ Kxf7 21.Qe7# ) 20.Rxf7 {and mate is near.} ) 15...Rxf7 16.Rxf7 Kxf7 17.Rf1+ Ke7 ( 17...Bf5 18.Bxf5 gxf5 19.Qg5 {does not help Black at all.} ) 18.Qe2+ Kd6 ( {Nothing helps} 18...Be6 19.Re1 ) 19.Rf7 Be6 20.Rf6 Kc7 21.Qxe6 {and the attack is decisive.} ) ( 14...Qxc3 15.Qe2 {leaves Black no defenders on the kingside at all and is equally hopeless.} ) 15.c5 $3 {This might be what Delgado missed. An important diagonal is opened, and the white pieces crash through. Notice the idle black pieces on the queenside. Only the queen is quick enough to come to the rescue, but that is not enough.} ( {Instead} 15.Qe2 {would have given Black more defensive resources with} 15...Qd8 {Seemingly best, when} ( {Another move that deserves attention is} 15...dxc3 ) ( {And Black might be able to defend with} 15...Qc5 {Although there he still needs to survive nasty pressure after both} 16.g4 $5 ( {And} 16.Kh1 ) ) 16.Ne6 Bxe6 17.Qxe6+ Kh8 18.Bxf5 Rf6 {is already solid enough for Black.} ) 15...Kh8 {Now all Adhiban needs is to bring the queen in.} ( {Mainly because of the threats along the diagonal:} 15...Qxc5 16.Qa2+ Kh8 17.Nf7+ Rxf7 ( 17...Kg8 18.Nh6+ Kh8 19.Qg8+ Rxg8 20.Nf7# ) 18.Qxf7 dxc3+ 19.Kh1 Qd5 {Black saves the mate and has lots of pawns for the exchange, but his pieces are still idle and wouldn't have the time to come back into the game} 20.Qc7 Qg8 21.Rae1 Nd7 22.Bc4 $1 Qf8 23.Rxf5 Qxf5 24.Qd8+ Nf8 25.Rf1 {and wins.} ) ( 15...dxc3 {loses in a similar fashion} 16.Qa2+ Kh8 17.Nf7+ Rxf7 18.Qxf7 Qxc5+ 19.Kh1 Qd5 20.Qc7 ) ( {Whereas} 15...Qxc3 16.Qa2+ {is even an easier win for White.} ) 16.Qe2 $1 {And this incursion is decisive. The threats are 17.Qe2-h5 and 17.Ng5xh7, and they cannot be stopped.} ( {There is an alternative win here too:} 16.Qa2 Qc7 17.Rae1 h6 {And now comes the pretty} 18.Bxf5 $3 Bxf5 ( {Black is completely paralyzed after} 18...hxg5 19.Bg6 Rxf1+ ( 19...Rd8 20.Qe2 ) 20.Rxf1 Nd7 21.Qf7 {and mate is inevitable.} ) 19.Rxf5 {Here the only way to prevent mate is} 19...Na6 ( {Let's not forget about the back rank:} 19...Rxf5 20.Re8+ Rf8 21.Rxf8# ) 20.Nf7+ Kh7 21.cxd4 {but that leaves Black desperately lost.} ) 16...Nd7 {This attempt to bring the knight in loses quickly, but Black's position is beyond salvation anyway.} ( {I forgot to mention that the queen is threatening something else too:} 16...h6 17.Qe7 $1 {Traps the rook as} 17...Rg8 18.Nf7+ Kh7 {leads to yet another mate with} 19.Rxf5 $1 Bxf5 20.Bxf5+ g6 21.Ng5+ Kh8 22.Qh7# ) ( {The capture} 16...Qxc5 {seems like a chance, especially when one sees the line} 17.Nxh7 $2 ( {However,} 17.Qh5 $1 {is stronger and proves decisive.} 17...dxc3+ 18.Kh1 h6 19.Nf7+ Rxf7 ( {Or mate after} 19...Kg8 20.Nxh6+ $1 gxh6 21.Qg6+ Kh8 22.Qxh6+ Kg8 23.Qg6+ Kh8 24.Rf3 ) ( {Or another mate after} 19...Kh7 20.Rxf5 $1 Bxf5 21.Bxf5+ Kg8 22.Nxh6+ gxh6 23.Qg6+ Kh8 24.Qh7# ) 20.Qxf7 Qd5 {Here the simplest win is} 21.Qg6 $1 Bd7 22.Bxf5 Bxf5 23.Rxf5 Qg8 24.Rf7 {paralyzing Black for good.} ) 17...dxc3+ 18.Kh1 Kxh7 19.Qh5+ ( 19.Rf3 g6 ) 19...Kg8 {and Black repels the attack.} ) 17.Nxh7 ( {Not} 17.Qh5 $2 Nf6 ) 17...dxc3 ( {The capture is impossible:} 17...Kxh7 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Bc4+ Rf7 20.Qxf7+ Kh7 21.Qh5# ) ( {And the counter-sacrifice does not help either:} 17...g6 18.Nxf8 Nxf8 19.Qe5+ Kg8 20.Bc4+ ) 18.Qh5 Qxc5+ ( {Nothing helps} 18...g6 19.Qh6 ) 19.Kh1 Kg8 20.Bxf5 Qd5 ( {Or} 20...Rxf5 21.Rxf5 Qe7 22.Raf1 c2 23.Qg6 {and Black can only resign.} ) 21.Ng5 Nf6 {Finally the knight comes to the rescue...} ( {White wins everything in the line} 21...Rxf5 22.Qh7+ Kf8 23.Rxf5+ ) 22.Qh7+ $3 {But is nicely removed from its king!} ( 22.Qh7+ $3 Nxh7 23.Bxh7+ Kh8 24.Rxf8+ Qg8 25.Rxg8# ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.13"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Onischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Salih, Akar Ali Salih"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2274"]
[ECO "E16"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[Beauty "8251705930260"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 c5 {For many years, this move has been considered a mistake on account of White's next idea. However, with the rise of the machines, views are rapidly changing, and players are willing to follow the computer assessments and recommendations. Therefore, one can easily accept a pawn offer early in the opening.} ( 5...Be7 {is the main move.} ) ( {Whereas} 5...Bb4+ {is the second main.} ) 6.d5 {That is the idea. White wants to force an unfavorable Benoni.} 6...exd5 7.cxd5 {The freshest trend. Onischuk gambits the pawn.} ( {One more idea is} 7.Ng5 h6 8.Nh3 b5 9.cxb5 Qb6 10.O-O Be7 11.Nf4 {Black did OK after} 11...d4 12.Bxb7 Qxb7 13.a4 O-O 14.e3 dxe3 15.Bxe3 d5 {Laurusas,T (2836)-Janik,I (2718) Chess.com 2020} ) ( {Previously White mainly played:} 7.Nh4 {in order to regain the pawn as quickly as possible.} ) 7...Bxd5 8.Nc3 Bc6 {Salih wants to keep his bishop alive.} ( {After} 8...Bxf3 9.Bxf3 Nc6 {White can follow the footprints of the world champion:} 10.Bf4 Be7 11.O-O O-O 12.e3 Ne8 {and build a kingside attack with} 13.h4 $1 h6 14.h5 {Carlsen,M (2872)-Socko,B (2618) Moscow 2019} ) 9.O-O Be7 10.e4 $1 {Offering a second pawn, while Black is underdeveloped.} 10...Nxe4 ( {Otherwise, White would have developed the initiative with} 10...d6 11.Nh4 ) 11.Nd5 {Black's position is critical, Rf1-e1 is a deadly threat, and his next move} 11...d6 $146 {which is a novelty turns out to be a decisive mistake.} ( {For good or for bad, Black needs to castle at once:} 11...O-O 12.Re1 f5 13.Bf4 d6 14.Qb3 Kh8 15.Rad1 Bxd5 16.Qxd5 Na6 17.Nd2 {although here too White had exuberant compensation for the pawn and went on to win in Tomashevsky,E (2695)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2653) Dubai 2014} ) 12.Re1 {This one Black can cover with} 12...f5 {However, he apparently missed the decisive explosion of the center:} 13.Ng5 $3 Bxg5 ( {It is too late to castle now:} 13...O-O 14.Nxe4 fxe4 15.Bxe4 {with decisive threats.} ) 14.Bxe4 fxe4 ( {Once more} 14...O-O {does not help due to the concrete} 15.Bxg5 Qxg5 16.Ne7+ Qxe7 ( 16...Kh8 17.Bxc6 ) 17.Bd5+ {winning everything.} ) ( 14...Bxc1 {does not help either due to} 15.Bxf5+ ) 15.Rxe4+ {The king remains in the center, and Onischuk has enough resources to finish the job.} 15...Kf8 16.Bxg5 Qxg5 17.Qf3+ Kg8 18.h4 $1 {The neatest and most beautiful way.} ( {Certainly not} 18.Ne7+ Qxe7 19.Rxe7 Bxf3 ) ( {However} 18.Re7 $1 {at once would have also won, although White would need to find} 18...h5 19.Qf7+ Kh7 20.Nf6+ Kh6 21.Re6 $1 ) 18...Qd8 ( {Or otherwise White mops the house with} 18...Qxd5 19.Re8+ Bxe8 20.Qxd5+ ) 19.Re7 Qf8 20.Qb3 $1 {A brilliant ambush at the end! The discovered double-check is a mate; therefore, Salih throws in the towel.} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.16"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zherebukh, Yaroslav"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2620"]
[BlackElo "2662"]
[ECO "A01"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7975930435146"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.b3 {Zherebukh needs to win on demand, and he summons all his creativity right from the start.} 1...d5 2.Bb2 Bg4 3.f3 Bh5 4.h4 f5 $146 {After this, we are out of book as early as on move four! One could hardly believed that this can still happen at the prestigious World Cup!} ( {In an earlier game this year, the world title contender faced} 4...f6 5.d4 e6 6.e3 Bd6 7.Ne2 Ne7 8.Nbc3 c6 9.Qd2 Nd7 10.O-O-O Qc7 11.g4 Bf7 12.h5 {and White won a lot of space on the kingside, although Black managed to defend later in Nepomniachtchi,I (2789)-Grandelius,N (2670) Online 2021} ) 5.Nh3 {A nice maneuver. The knight is heading towards the e5-square like in the Stonewall.} ( {There is an argument for a gambit too:} 5.e4 $5 dxe4 6.g4 Bf7 7.Nc3 {with rich play for the pawn.} ) 5...Nf6 ( {Shirov could have also tried to carry out the e7-e5 advance with} 5...Nc6 {but White would definitely stop this with} 6.Nf4 Bf7 7.d4 ) 6.Nf4 Qd6 {Eyeballing the white king!} ( {Another way to exploit this idea is the line} 6...d4 $5 {when} 7.Ne6 $4 {would be lethal after} ( {Therefore, White would need to undermine the enemy center at once instead with} 7.e3 $1 e5 8.Nxh5 Nxh5 9.f4 $1 {which would be very unclear after} 9...Ng3 10.Rh3 Nxf1 11.Kxf1 ) 7...Qd6 8.Nxd4 Qg3# ) 7.e3 Bf7 ( {Here} 7...e5 {is less appealing for Black as the light squares would become severely weakened:} 8.Nxh5 Nxh5 9.f4 Qg6 {And} 10.Be2 $1 {would win a pawn for White after} ( {White definitely does not need the draw after} 10.Bxe5 Qg3+ 11.Ke2 Qg4+ 12.Ke1 Qg3+ ) 10...Ng3 11.fxe5 ( {Or} 11.Bxe5 ) ) 8.d4 {Fixing the e5- and c5-squares.} 8...Nbd7 {But Shirov certainly won't give those outposts without a fight.} 9.Nc3 a6 10.Nce2 {White increases the control over the central squares and gets ready to bother the enemy f5-pawn.} ( {The other way to play is} 10.Qd2 e5 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.O-O-O O-O-O {with a calmer, approximately equal game.} ) 10...g6 ( {After} 10...e5 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Ng3 ( {Or somewhat more accurate} 12.h5 {intending Ne2-g3, we have a strange form of a King's Indian Attack on the opposite flank!} ) ) ( {Shirov had another good choice} 10...c5 $5 11.dxc5 ( {Or} 11.Qd2 e6 ) 11...Qxc5 {which should be about equal as well.} ) 11.Nd3 Bh6 {As aggressive as possible!} ( {Here} 11...c5 {is a tad better for White in the endgame after} 12.dxc5 Nxc5 13.Nxc5 Qxc5 14.Qd4 Qxd4 15.Bxd4 ) ( {However, more solid seems} 11...Bg7 12.Qd2 c5 13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Nxc5 ( {Or} 14.Ne5 Nh5 ( {But Black should not get too fancy} 14...Nfe4 {As his opponent might get fancier with} 15.Nc4 $1 dxc4 16.Qxd6 Nxd6 17.Bxg7 {with an edge for White.} ) 15.Nxf7 Kxf7 {and looks fine for Black.} ) 14...Qxc5 {with a good position for Black.} ) 12.Qd2 c5 13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Ne5 ( {Shirov apparently did not fear} 14.Nxc5 Qxc5 15.Bxf6 exf6 ) 14...Ncd7 15.Nxf7 $1 {Zherebukh needs to unbalance, and a bishop pair could be a great asset for the future. Plus, the black king is getting exposed...} ( {... to a similar position from the previous note that leads} 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.Bxf6 exf6 {In both cases the doubled black pawns are compensated by the weakness on e3.} ) 15...Kxf7 16.O-O-O e5 {This obvious move is not the most accurate, though.} ( {The preliminary} 16...Qc5 $1 {would have been better, when} 17.Nf4 {does not yield White much due to} ( 17.Bd4 Qc6 ) 17...e5 18.Nxd5 Nb6 19.Qc3 Qxc3 20.Nxc3 Bxe3+ {is equal.} ) 17.Kb1 Qc5 18.f4 {Very risky play, but that is the only way to get to the enemy king.} 18...Rhe8 ( {Here Shirov had the nice idea of sacrificing a couple of pawns, purely positionally:} 18...Ne4 $5 19.Qxd5+ Qxd5 20.Rxd5 Ndf6 21.Rxe5 Rac8 {when the awkward-looking white pieces would promise Black compensation. Still, when leading in the match, this approach does not make too much sense.} ) 19.h5 $1 {Very nice, the light squares are vulnerable.} 19...Bg7 ( {Shirov is correctly avoiding the line} 19...Nxh5 20.Rxh5 gxh5 21.Ng3 {where White's attack is irresistible.} ) 20.Nc3 {A pity!} ( {The brick-walling attack} 20.g4 $3 Nxg4 {and then one more blow} 21.e4 $3 {would have pushed Black to the edge of defeat:} 21...Nf2 ( {Or} 21...fxe4 22.hxg6+ hxg6 23.Bh3 ) 22.hxg6+ hxg6 23.exf5 Nxh1 24.fxg6+ {and in all cases the computer promises White a huge attack for the sacrificed material.} ) 20...exf4 21.hxg6+ hxg6 22.exf4 Rad8 {Now Shirov has stabilized, but it ain't over yet.} 23.g4 $1 {It is not late for this chance.} ( {For the obvious capture leads White nowhere:} 23.Nxd5 Nb6 24.c4 Nbxd5 25.cxd5 b5 ) 23...Nxg4 {This is not bad.} ( {But maybe it would have been easier to defend without queens in the line} 23...fxg4 24.f5 gxf5 25.Qg5 Qe3 26.Qxf5 Qf3 27.Bd3 Qxf5 28.Bxf5 Nc5 {White has enough for the pawn, but does he have enough to win?} ) 24.b4 $1 {The exclamation is for bravery. Zherebukh needs to win, remember? And he is desperately trying to remove the queen from the d5-pawn.} ( {This time the capture is more interesting:} 24.Nxd5 {but leads only to equality in this fascinating line:} 24...Bxb2 25.Kxb2 Ndf6 26.Bc4 Nxd5 27.Qxd5+ $1 Rxd5 28.Rxd5 Qe7 $1 29.Rh7+ Kf8 30.Rxe7 Rxe7 ) 24...Qc6 ( {As} 24...Qxb4 25.Qxd5+ Kf8 26.Bc4 {leads to mate.} ) 25.b5 {Consistent!} ( {Black is fine after} 25.Nxd5 Bxb2 26.Kxb2 Ndf6 27.Bg2 Qc4 ) 25...Qe6 {And Shirov cracks under the pressure.} ( {White would have been also quite happy to see} 25...axb5 26.Bxb5 Bxc3 27.Bxc6 Bxd2 28.Bxd5+ Ke7 29.Ba3+ {when Black would hardly survive the endgame.} ) ( {However, had the black queen stayed away from the enemy knight with} 25...Qc5 $1 {Shirov would have likely avoided the tiebreak, e.g.} 26.Na4 ( {Or, as in the game:} 26.Nxd5 Bxb2 27.Kxb2 Ndf6 {and Black is on top.} ) 26...Qd6 ) 26.Nxd5 Bxb2 27.Nc7 $1 {This nasty in-between blow was probably missed by Black!} 27...Qe3 {This loses quickly.} ( {Still, despite the frustration of the blunder, Shirov might have had the chance to survive, if he had chosen instead} 27...Ndf6 $1 28.Nxe6 Rxd2 29.Ng5+ Kg7 30.Rxd2 Bc3 31.Re2 Ne3 32.Rh3 Bd4 {Who knows, the blockade seems strong.} ) 28.Bc4+ Kg7 ( {Or the same old mate on the light squares as before:} 28...Kf8 29.Qd5 $1 ) 29.Nxe8+ Qxe8 30.Kxb2 {Zherebukh has won material and kept his attacking formation intact. He quickly forces the win:} 30...Ne3 31.Qd4+ Ne5 32.Qxd8 ( {But not} 32.Qxe5+ Qxe5+ 33.fxe5 Nxd1+ ) 32...Nxd1+ 33.Rxd1 Nxc4+ 34.Kc3 Qxd8 ( {Alas, Black cannot exploit the vulnerable position of the opponent's king:} 34...Qe4 35.Rd7+ Kh6 36.Qh4# ) ( 34...Qe3+ 35.Kxc4 ) 35.Rxd8 axb5 36.Rd7+ 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.17"]
[Round "2.9"]
[White "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Black "Svane, Rasmus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2661"]
[BlackElo "2669"]
[ECO "C45"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Beauty "6327560590864"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{After a nerve-racking second blitz game which Cheparinov needed to win on demand, the psychological advantage was clearly on his side.} 
1.e4 e5 {Svane was consistent with his classical approach against the two main moves through the match, whereas Cheparinov was alternating 1.e4 and d4.} 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.h4 {It is no longer a secret that the Bulgarian GM firmly believes in this move.} 8...Qe6 ( {Last year, Aronian held the opposite-colored bishop position after} 8...d6 9.c4 Nb6 10.exd6 cxd6 11.Nc3 Be6 12.b3 d5 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.Bb2 Qb4 15.Qc4 Qxc4 16.Bxc4 Bb4 17.Bxd5 Bxd5 18.O-O-O Bxc3 19.Bxc3 f6 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Aronian,L (2781) Online 2020} ) 9.Nd2 {The more flexible move, which scores better than 9.g3.} 9...a5 10.g3 Ba6 11.c4 Nb4 12.Bh3 {White deviates from their earlier game, played just minutes prior to this one.} ( {After} 12.Nf3 Qg6 13.h5 Qc2 14.Rh4 Be7 15.Bg5 Bxg5 16.Nxg5 Rb8 17.a3 Qxe2+ 18.Kxe2 Nd5 19.Ke1 Ne7 20.b4 c5 21.b5 {White was better, but failed to convert, Cheparinov,I (2609) -Svane,R (2644) Sochi 2021} ) 12...Qg6 $146 {And this worked spectacularly well for Cheparinov! The novelty played by Svane is an obvious mistake.} ( 12...f5 13.O-O Nc2 14.Rb1 Nd4 15.Qd3 Bc5 16.b3 O-O 17.Ne4 Ba7 18.Bf4 Qg6 {and Black even won later in Vusatiuk,V (2372)-Stegariu,V (2594) Chess.com 2020} ) 13.Ne4 {Obvious but very strong. The black queen is in danger, h4-h5 being a decisive threat.} 13...h5 14.a3 {Not the only way to terrorize Black.} ( 14.Bg5 $1 {intending to jump with the knight to d6 is equally good:} 14...Nd5 {and White should be winning after castling either kingside or queenside.} 15.O-O-O ( 15.O-O ) ) ( 14.O-O {at once is excellent too.} ) 14...Nd5 15.O-O Nb6 16.Qf3 {Renewing the trapping threat. This time the bishop wants the queen.} ( {Even better might be} 16.b3 $1 a4 17.Qf3 {but that is a small detail.} ) 16...Qh7 {As ugly as this is, it's the only way to save the game.} ( 16...Nxc4 {does not work after} 17.Bf5 Nxe5 18.Qf4 ) ( {However, the tricky} 16...Bxc4 $1 17.Bf5 Be2 $1 {almost works when White needs to find} 18.Qf4 Nd5 19.Nd6+ $1 cxd6 20.Qe4 {finally trapping the queen. Still, this might have been a better practical chance for Svane.} ) 17.Bf5 {The simplest moves are best when blitzing.} ( {Another way to break open the king's castle is} 17.Ng5 Qg8 18.Rd1 Rd8 19.e6 fxe6 20.Bxe6 dxe6 21.Qxc6+ Rd7 22.Be3 {with a decisive attack.} ) 17...Qg8 18.c5 {White is completely winning. Black's position is a pain to watch, but Svane keeps fighting and it was almost a matter of seconds at the end.} ( 18.b3 a4 19.Re1 axb3 20.Bg5 {would have been great for White.} ) 18...Nd5 ( {As after} 18...Bxf1 19.cxb6 Bc4 20.bxc7 Bd5 21.Qd3 {Black cannot stop the deadly check on d6.} ) 19.Re1 {with the unstoppable threat of opening the e-file.} 19...Be7 20.Nd6+ Kd8 ( 20...cxd6 21.exd6 {is not playable at all.} ) 21.Bd2 $1 {The simplest. But White was running below a minute on the clock here in the search for a forcing win.} 21...Bc8 22.Ne4 {A sensible retreat.} ( {Although} 22.Rad1 cxd6 23.cxd6 {is a legit way to finish the battle.} ) 22...f6 23.exf6 gxf6 24.Rad1 Qg7 25.Nc3 $1 {Removing the last defender.} 25...Bb7 26.Be4 ( {Or} 26.Nxd5 cxd5 27.b4 ) 26...Nxc3 27.Bxc3 Kc8 28.Bf5 Rd8 {Everything is ready for the decisive blow.} 29.Rxd7 $1 {Here it is!} 29...Rxd7 30.Rd1 Kb8 31.Rxd7 {Svane knows that he is lost and understands that his only chance is to flag the opponent before he reaches move 60. A rapid sequence of moves follows with no one blundering anything.} 31...Qf8 32.Qf4 Bd8 33.Qd4 Be7 34.Qf4 Bd8 35.Bd4 Bc8 36.Rh7 Bxf5 37.Qxf5 Kb7 38.Qxh5 Be7 39.Qf7 Rd8 40.Qxf8 Bxf8 41.Bxf6 Rd1+ 42.Kg2 Bxc5 43.Be5 Bb6 44.h5 Rd2 45.Rf7 Rd5 46.f4 Rd2+ 47.Kh3 Bg1 48.Kg4 Kb6 49.h6 Rh2 50.h7 c5 51.Kg5 ( {Cheparinov does not even have time to promote to a queen:} 51.h8=Q Rxh8 52.Bxh8 {The promotion move is too laborious, and this may waste precious seconds on the clock, although White is winning, of course..} ) 51...Bd4 52.Bxd4 cxd4 53.Kg6 d3 54.Rd7 d2 55.Rxd2 Rxd2 56.h8=Q Rd6+ 57.Kg5 Rd5+ 58.f5 Rd8 {The last cheapo.} 59.Qxd8 Kb7 60.Qd5+ Kb6 61.b4 {Because the two-second increment had been triggered, Svane resigned here.} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.18"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Malakhov, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2666"]
[ECO "D15"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7699668405803"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 {The Chebanenko Slav has been Malakhov's bread and butter for many years now and its occurrence was definitely not a surprise for White. Or, as Dubov put it, it was as surprising as \"rain in England.\"} 5.g3 {A relatively rare line. White is trying to get his opponent away from his comfort zone and play positions typical for the Catalan or the Neo-Grunfeld.} 5...dxc4 6.Bg2 g6 {Neo-Grunfeld it is.} ( {Black can also choose to stick to Catalan gambit waters with} 6...e6 7.O-O b5 8.Ne5 Bb7 9.b3 cxb3 10.axb3 Nbd7 11.Qc2 Rc8 {with compensation for the pawn in Basso,P (2655)-Checa,N (2787) Chess.com 2020} ) 7.O-O Bg7 8.e4 O-O 9.Qe2 b5 10.a4 {A direct approach.} ( {Dubov also considered the natural moves} 10.Rd1 $5 {when Black has difficulties with the development} 10...Nbd7 ( {Or} 10...Bb7 11.e5 {followed by the same e5-e6.} ) ( {If} 10...e6 11.e5 {and then White will start a direct kingside attack by advancing his h-pawn.} ) 11.e5 {followed by e5-e6.} ) ( 10.Re1 $5 ) 10...b4 $146 {To which Malakhov reacts with a very solid novelty.} ( 10...Bb7 11.Rd1 e6 12.Bg5 Qb6 13.e5 Nd5 14.Ne4 Nd7 15.Nd6 {Karlic,Z (2206)-Ostojic,V (2005) Zagreb 2011} ) 11.Nd1 a5 {The c4-pawn is defended tactically.} 12.Re1 Ba6 13.e5 Nd5 14.e6 {White badly wanted to play this.} ( {Although he knew that} 14.h4 {might be quite good for him as well. Dubov was not afraid of} 14...c3 15.Qc2 cxb2 16.Bxb2 {as this would have opened the game for his pieces on the queenside.} ) 14...f5 15.Ne5 {This is what White wanted to do when advancing the pawn on e6, install the knight on f7, push the h-pawn and mate. However, he underestimated Black's next maneuver.} ( {Dubov also considered} 15.Ne3 {when he was once again pro-queenside opening:} 15...c3 ( {However, he seriously disliked} 15...b3 $1 {and could not find enough in the lines along} 16.Nxc4 ( 16.Ne5 $5 ) 16...Nb6 17.Nfd2 Qxd4 ) 16.Qc2 cxb2 17.Bxb2 Nxe3 18.Rxe3 {\"as the black queenside is in a mini-stalemate.\"} ) 15...Rf6 $1 {A strong maneuver that demolishes White's edge.} ( {Instead, White expected something along the lines} 15...Qb6 16.Ne3 Qxd4 17.N3xc4 Bxe5 18.Qxe5 Qxc4 19.Bh6 $1 {\"And I mate.\" (Dubov) Checking a bit further, he really does do so in the line} 19...Rf6 ( {White is also winning after} 19...Nf6 20.Bxf8 Kxf8 21.Rad1 ( 21.Rac1 ) 21...Kg7 22.Rd4 Qc2 23.Rd8 ) 20.Rac1 Qb3 21.Bxd5 Qxd5 22.Rcd1 $1 Qxe5 23.Rd8+ Rf8 24.Rxf8# ) 16.Nf7 Qc8 17.Ne3 {The most \"controlled\" move, according to the young Russian.} ( {He wanted badly to make the move} 17.Bg5 {work, but after} 17...c3 18.Qe5 {Then} ( 18.Qc2 Rxe6 {is obviously bad for White.} ) 18...c2 19.Bxd5 ( 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 {suddenly traps the white queen in the middle of the board!} ) 19...cxd1=Q ( {And indeed, Dubov's intuition did not let him down here as Black has a winning continuation instead:} 19...cxd5 $3 20.Qxd5 Bb7 21.Qd8+ Qxd8 22.Nxd8 Be4 {and White can resign.} ) 20.Raxd1 cxd5 21.Qxd5 {is in fact good for White, but Dubov felt that he might easily miss something and end up in a lost position.} ) 17...Rxe6 18.Ng5 c3 {Most likely the primary reason for Malakhov's defeat. The opening of the queenside works well again for the first player as his rooks are more mobile.} ( 18...Rxe3 $1 19.Bxe3 {would have been fine for Black instead.} ) 19.Qc2 Rxe3 ( {Black could have also kept the rook alive with} 19...Rd6 20.bxc3 {But this seemed too risky for him. In fact, Dubov thought he is mating with} 20...Nxc3 ( 20...bxc3 21.Ba3 ) 21.Qb3+ {But there is nothing clear-cut, at least after a primary analysis:} 21...e6 22.Nxf5 $1 gxf5 23.Nxe6 Ra7 24.Nc7+ Kf8 25.Re8+ Qxe8 26.Nxe8 Ne2+ 27.Kh1 Kxe8 28.Qg8+ Bf8 {and it is anyone's game.} ) 20.Bxe3 cxb2 21.Qxb2 Nd7 22.Rac1 N7b6 ( {After} 22...N7f6 {\"Black might have saved his king but could have easily lost his queenside pawns.\" (Dubov)} ) 23.Qb3 {It is interesting to know that Dubov considered his position winning at this stage, whereas Malakhov thought that he was OK.} 23...Bb7 24.Bf4 Bf6 25.Ne6 {Such a beast cannot be ignored for long.} 25...Kh8 26.Bh6 {As Larsen once said, the air around the enemy king might not be just empty.} 26...Qg8 27.h4 Rb8 28.Rc5 Ra8 29.Ng5 {Setting up a devilish trap in the arising time trouble.} ( {The other way to attack was connected with the swap of the important defender:} 29.Bg5 $5 Bxg5 30.hxg5 Ra7 31.Bxd5 Nxd5 32.Qb2 {and then White would remove the blockader on d5 searching for decisive infiltration.} ) 29...Ra7 {Malakhov sees it.} ( 29...Bxd4 {would have been a cold shower after} 30.Rxe7 $3 Nxe7 31.Nf7+ ) 30.Rc2 {Second time offer.} 30...Qe8 {Once again rejected.} ( 30...Bxd4 31.Rxe7 $1 ) 31.Re6 {The problem is that White keeps making progress, and Malakhov finally bites the bullet.} 31...Bxd4 ( {Had he stayed, White intended to attack this way:} 31...Qg8 32.Rce2 Ba8 ( 32...Bxd4 33.Rxe7 $1 {works again.} ) 33.Re1 {followed by Bg2-f3, Kg1-g2 and the familiar h-mate.} ) 32.h5 $1 Bf6 ( {Dubov's point was connected with the line} 32...gxh5 33.Qd3 ( {But once more Dubov's intuition was correct and} 33.Bh3 $1 {would have won instead.} ) 33...Bf6 34.Qxf5 {when he thought he was mating. Only at the press-conference did he realize together with commentating GM Sergey Shipov that Black has a defense:} 34...Qg6 {This was not a problem for him as he quickly produced a mating picture again with} 35.Rxf6 exf6 36.Re2 Ra8 37.Bxd5 $1 Qxf5 ( {But then he saw the defense} 37...Nxd5 38.Qd7 fxg5 39.Re6 Nf6 ) ( {And alas} 37...cxd5 $1 {is a defense too.} ) 38.Nf7+ Kg8 39.Nd8+ ) 33.Rce2 $1 {The capture on f6 cannot adequately be prevented.} 33...Bxg5 ( {A familiar trick is demonstrated again in the line} 33...Qg8 34.Rxe7 Bxe7 35.Rxe7 Nxe7 36.Nf7+ ) ( {Whereas after} 33...Qd7 34.hxg6 hxg6 35.g4 {White was ready to mate once more along the h-file.} ) 34.Qb2+ $1 {The neatest win.} ( {Not allowing any chance for the knight to interfere in the line} 34.Bxg5 Bc8 35.Qb2+ Kg8 36.Bh6 Nc3 ) 34...Nc3 ( {Or the posh mate} 34...Bf6 35.Rxf6 Nxf6 36.Qxf6+ exf6 37.Rxe8# ) 35.Bxg5 Nxa4 36.Qa1 Kg8 37.Re1 {Black is tied up, and the desperate counterplay does not work:} 37...Ba6 38.Bxc6 Qd8 39.Bxa4 Qd5 40.Bc6 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.19"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Krasenkow, Michal"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2591"]
[BlackElo "2608"]
[ECO "D24"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7427114196570"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.Nc3 {In a must-win situation, Krasenkow is ready to sacrifice a pawn. And not only one...} 4...a6 5.e4 b5 6.e5 Nd5 7.a4 {Just like Dubov yesterday, White tries to force concessions on the queenside before launching his kingside attack.} 7...e6 8.axb5 Bb4 {is the old line (8...Nb6).} ( {White did not mind repeating White's attack from this game:} 8...Nb6 9.Be2 Bb7 10.bxa6 Nxa6 11.O-O Be7 12.Qd2 O-O 13.Qf4 Nb4 14.Rxa8 Bxa8 15.Qg4 Kh8 16.Ng5 {Salem,A (2682)-Romanov,E (2599) Chess.com 2020} ) 9.Qc2 Nb6 {The first major thought by Praggnanandhaa.} 10.Qe4 Qd5 {Some more minutes were spent here. Apparently the young GM was wondering why Krasenkow was entering this line.} 11.Qg4 axb5 12.Rxa8 Qxa8 13.Qxg7 Bxc3+ ( {Nobody has ever tried} 13...Rf8 {and rightly so, as after} 14.Be2 {White will castle next, leaving black's king suffering.} ) 14.bxc3 Qa1 $1 {This counterplay is what the line is all about.} ( 14...Rf8 $2 15.Be2 {is once again grim for Black.} ) 15.Qxh8+ Kd7 {All of this is super-forced, and it would be naive to think that the players were not aware of the earlier game.} 16.Be2 $146 {A novelty, played after almost a quarter of an hour on the clock! This sacrifice is born out of necessity.} ( 16.Kd1 Qa4+ 17.Ke1 Qa1 18.Kd1 Qa4+ 19.Ke1 Qa1 20.Kd1 Qa4+ {1/2-1/2 (20) Otero Rodriguez,J (2218) -Dard,M (2257) ICCF email 2018} ) 16...Qxc1+ {Praggnanandhaa gladly picks up the bishop and the pawn with checks!} 17.Bd1 Qxc3+ 18.Nd2 Nc6 {The strongest continuation. The young Indian GM develops while keeping his queen active, constantly troubling the enemy king.} ( {The other way to play is} 18...Qxd4 19.Qxh7 Qxe5+ 20.Qe4 Nc6 {but since the black pawns are slow here, White seems somewhat better.} ) 19.Qxh7 Nxd4 20.Qxf7+ ( {The attempt to bring the rook into the game with} 20.h4 b4 21.Rh3 {would be met by} 21...Qa1 22.Qxf7+ Kc6 23.Qg6 b3 24.Qb1 b2 25.h5 Nd5 {when the black pawns are faster.} ) 20...Kc6 21.Qf4 $1 {Trying to unblock. In the process, White slows down the opponent's passers too.} ( {Objectively} 21.h4 {might be stronger, but Krasenkow rejected it as in the line} 21...b4 22.h5 b3 23.Qg6 {Black can first of all force a draw with} 23...Nc2+ ( {Or play for more with} 23...b2 ) 24.Ke2 Nd4+ {and this would be unacceptable for White due to the match situation.} ) 21...Nd5 $1 {Praggnanandhaa replies in the neatest way.} ( {The straightforward advance} 21...b4 {would be met with} 22.Qe3 $1 Nc2+ 23.Bxc2 Qxc2 24.O-O $1 {when the obvious} 24...b3 ( {Actually here too, the position remains unclear, especially if Black finds the amazing resource} 24...Kb5 $3 25.h4 Bb7 ) ( 24...c3 25.Ne4 {also blocks the black pawns at once.} ) 25.Nxb3 $1 Qxb3 ( 25...cxb3 26.Rc1 ) 26.Qxb3 cxb3 27.Rb1 {sees the black passers diminish with White having all the fun.} ) 22.Qe4 Kc5 $5 {A very smart move. Black breaks the pin, but what's more, he opens the road for his bishop and supports the pawns.} ( {And still, it makes sense to delay this and start with the pawn advance} 22...b4 $1 {The impression is that Black is faster, for example} 23.h4 Ba6 ( {Or} 23...b3 24.Rh3 Qa1 25.Nxc4 {and only now} 25...Kc5 $1 {when White has nothing better than} 26.Rd3 Kxc4 27.Rxd4+ Qxd4 28.Bxb3+ Kc5 29.Qxd4+ Kxd4 {when White needs to fight for his life.} ) 24.Rh3 Qa1 25.h5 b3 26.h6 Nc2+ 27.Ke2 c3+ 28.Nc4 Kc5 $1 {and the black pawns are too fast, too strong.} ) 23.h4 Bb7 {Praggnanandhaa follows his plan but misses an important detail.} ( {The accurate move order is} 23...Nb4 24.Qe3 ( 24.O-O Qxd2 {makes no sense here.} ) 24...Nd3+ 25.Kf1 Bb7 {when Black is doing great.} ) 24.h5 Nb4 {It seems as \"game over,\" but without a blink of an eye Krasenkow goes} 25.O-O $3 {Imagine, Kramnik trying to forbid castling!} ( {Everything else is losing:} 25.Qe3 Nd3+ 26.Kf1 Qa1 {and White is hopeless.} ) ( {Or} 25.Rh3 {when the simplest seems the forcing} 25...Nbc2+ 26.Bxc2 Nxc2+ 27.Ke2 Nd4+ 28.Kd1 Qxd2+ 29.Kxd2 Bxe4 ) ( {And of course} 25.Qxb7 Nd3+ 26.Kf1 Qxd2 {is plain bad for White too.} ) 25...Qxd2 ( {No only does this not win material, but it loses a bishop instead:} 25...Bxe4 26.Nxe4+ ) 26.Qxb7 Nd5 $1 {Despite the missed opportunity, Praggnanandhaa's position remains quite good, and one should expect the younger player to prevail in this highly irregular situation against the more experienced opponent.} 27.h6 $1 {Setting another trap.} 27...c3 $1 {Rejected!} ( 27...Qxh6 $2 {drops a knight after} 28.Qa7+ Nb6 29.Qxc7+ ) 28.h7 Qh6 29.Qa7+ Kc4 30.Bg4 {Krasenkow needs to risk once more to have a chance to continue this match.} ( {A draw is not a solution:} 30.Qa2+ Kc5 31.Qa7+ ) ( {Neither is the computer'esque} 30.f4 Qxh7 31.f5 {First of all, humans do not play this way, and secondly, Black has loads of perpetuals after} 31...Qh6 ) 30...c2 31.Qa2+ Kb4 {Into safety!} ( {But the king would have been even better in the center:} 31...Kd3 $1 32.Qa3+ Nc3 {Not only is the king safe, but it supports the knights and thus the attack so White can no longer move his queen:} 33.Qc1 Nde2+ 34.Bxe2+ Nxe2# ) 32.Qb2+ Kc4 33.Re1 Nf4 {A trap in return, but it is Praggnanandhaa who falls for it in the end.} ( {Instead, he could have still won the game with} 33...Qxh7 $1 34.Be2+ Kc5 35.Qa3+ Kb6 36.Bf1 Qe7 $1 {Without the queens, the black pawns are unstoppable.} ) 34.h8=Q $1 {Once again, Krasenkow outsmarts his opponent in tactics!} ( {Praggnanandhaa wanted to see} 34.Re4 Nh3+ $1 ) 34...Qxh8 35.Re4 {But instead of winning, Black is now losing.} 35...c5 36.Rxf4 Qxe5 ( {Alas} 36...Qh7 {leads to mate after} 37.Bxe6+ $1 Kd3 38.Qa3+ Ke2 39.Qe3+ Kd1 40.Rxd4+ cxd4 41.Bg4# ) 37.Qxc2+ Kd5 38.Qd2 c4 {Now White forces a win} 39.Rxd4+ Qxd4 40.Bxe6+ Kc5 41.Qxd4+ Kxd4 42.g4 Ke5 43.Bf7 Kf4 44.f3 {More than 20 years back, Krasenkow crossed the 2700 mark in the time when this was a sign of a super-GM. This game was a nice reminder of those glorious times!} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.20"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2501"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "A55"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[Beauty "5983963201573"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 {A must-win situation for the rating favorite, and Giri avoids the beaten tracks.} 3.Nc3 Nbd7 4.e4 e5 5.Nf3 Be7 6.Be2 O-O 7.O-O c6 8.d5 {This is, of course, possible but looks a bit premature. Instead, White is usually trying to keep the pawn structure in the center flexible, waiting for a concession.} ( {The main move is} 8.Re1 {when a possible move like} 8...Re8 {which prepares the capture on d4 is the concession White wants when playing} 9.d5 {Then the black rook is no longer supporting the f7-f5 advance.} ) ( {The other main moves are} 8.Be3 ) ( {Or the immediate} 8.Qc2 ) 8...Nc5 {This square is the difference.} 9.Qc2 a5 10.Be3 Qc7 11.a3 ( {Another plan is} 11.Nd2 Bd7 12.f3 Rfb8 13.Nb3 Nxb3 14.Qxb3 cxd5 15.cxd5 a4 16.Qb4 {Although here too, Black is not deprived of counterplay and may attack on the kingside with} 16...Nh5 {Hirneise,T (2452) -Nazaretyan,T (2316) Online 2020} ) 11...Ng4 {In order to unbalance as much as he can.} ( {An interesting idea is} 11...a4 $5 {when} 12.Bxc5 dxc5 13.Nxa4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 Rxa4 15.Qxe5 Qxe5 16.Nxe5 {provides Black compensation for a pawn.} ) 12.Bxc5 $146 {This is a novelty and a logical one.} ( {In an earlier game, White opted for the illogical} 12.Bg5 Bxg5 13.Nxg5 a4 {and Black was already better in Glodyan,D (1954)-Chelyadinsky,A Dagomys 2009} ) ( {The modest} 12.Bd2 {would be a good sign for Giri as he can choose between the kingside attack with} 12...f5 ( {or the positional approach} 12...a4 ) ) 12...dxc5 13.Ne1 Nf6 14.Nd3 {Abdusattorov wants to tame the enemy pieces, but the pawn breaks are just about to start.} 14...Bd7 15.b3 cxd5 16.cxd5 ( {Of course not} 16.exd5 Bd6 {when Black's play on the kingside unfolds by itself.} ) ( {However, the swap of the knight pair is a must if White wanted to be a successful blockader:} 16.Nxd5 $1 Nxd5 17.cxd5 b5 18.Nb2 ) 16...b5 17.Nb2 {Intending a3-a4, but the young Uzbek GM comes a move short.} ( {Abdusattorov likely considered} 17.a4 $5 {at once to which} 17...b4 ( 17...c4 $2 {is a mistake due to} 18.Nxb5 ) 18.Nb5 Bxb5 19.axb5 Nxe4 {Can be met with} ( {However, White might have feared} 19...c4 $1 {instead.} ) 20.Nxb4 $1 ) 17...c4 $1 {Giri crashes through with a typical anti-blocking sacrifice.} 18.bxc4 b4 19.axb4 axb4 20.Nca4 ( {Once more, a preliminary trade might have eased White's defense:} 20.Rxa8 $1 Rxa8 21.Nca4 Ra5 22.Bd1 ) 20...Ra5 $1 {The pin is more than annoying.} 21.Bd1 Rfa8 22.Qd3 ( {It made sense to try} 22.Re1 $5 {instead with the idea} 22...Bc5 23.Nxc5 Rxa1 24.Nb3 {when the white passers are ready to roll.} ) 22...Bc5 23.Bb3 ( {With the white queen misplaced,} 23.Nxc5 Rxa1 24.Nb3 {is no longer working, and Black would stop the opponent's pawns after} 24...R1a2 25.Qb1 Qa7 26.c5 Bb5 27.Re1 Nd7 ) 23...h6 {Giri has clearly outplayed his younger opponent, and this is the first moment when he could have levelled the score in the match.} ( {Strong is} 23...Bd4 $1 {winning material and the game after} 24.Rab1 ( {Or} 24.Ra2 Bxb2 ) 24...Bxa4 25.Nxa4 Rxa4 26.Bxa4 Rxa4 ) 24.Qc2 Qa7 25.h3 ( {The computer claims} 25.Ra2 {to be a better defense but does not say what would it play after} 25...Bd4 26.Rfa1 Ng4 ) 25...Bd4 26.Ra2 Ra6 {The second good moment to likely level the match is missed.} ( {The forcing line} 26...Bxb2 $1 27.Qxb2 Bxa4 28.Rfa1 Qd4 29.Qxd4 exd4 30.Rxa4 Rxa4 31.Rxa4 Rxa4 32.Bxa4 Nxe4 {followed by a king's march to c5 seems like a winning idea.} ) 27.Rfa1 Rc8 28.Nc3 $1 {Abdusattorov is shaking the boat! The young GM feels that this is a good moment to finally free himself from the pin.} ( {Although objectively} 28.c5 $1 Bxa4 29.Rxa4 Rxc5 30.Qe2 {might have been the right thing to do.} ) 28...Ra3 $1 {Precision!} ( {In the line} 28...Rxa2 29.Rxa2 Bxf2+ 30.Qxf2 Qxf2+ 31.Kxf2 bxc3 32.Nd1 Nxe4+ 33.Ke2 Nd2 {Black preserves the advantage, but the resources are quickly evaporating, and this may well end in a draw.} ) 29.Nd3 {Defending the pawn and moving from yet another pin. This is the human way to do it.} ( {The machine defends instead with} 29.Nb1 $1 Bxf2+ $1 30.Qxf2 Qxf2+ 31.Kxf2 Nxe4+ 32.Kf3 {but eventually comes to the conclusion that Black should still be close to a win, thanks to the amazing} 32...Rxb3+ 33.Kxe4 Re8 $3 34.g4 g6 $1 35.Nd3 f5+ 36.Ke3 e4 37.Rd2 exd3+ 38.Kd4 Re4+ 39.Kc5 fxg4 ) 29...Nxe4 $1 {It seems as White's position collapses.} 30.Nxe4 Bxa1 31.c5 $1 {The last chance!} ( {White would not survive after} 31.Nxb4 Rxa2 32.Bxa2 Bd4 ) 31...Rxa2 $1 {That should be good enough for the win.} ( {Although} 31...Bf5 $3 {would be neater, making use of one more pin in the lines} 32.Nxb4 ( {Nothing changes} 32.f3 Bd4+ 33.Kh1 Bxc5 ) 32...Bxe4 33.Qxe4 Rxa2 34.Bxa2 Qxc5 {and Black wins.} ) 32.Qxa2 Qxa2 33.Bxa2 Ra8 34.Bc4 {Abdusattorov stabilizes and seems ready to start pushing the passers. But it was once again about a tempo.} ( {Black should convert easier after} 34.Nxb4 Bf5 35.Ng3 Bc3 ) 34...Bf5 35.f3 Bd4+ 36.Kf1 Kf8 {Alas, Giri has passed another clear win. Unsurprisingly, the pins are involved again.} ( {If he had a minute more on the clock, Giri would have no doubt found} 36...Bxe4 $1 37.fxe4 Bxc5 38.Nxc5 {And now not} 38...Rc8 {which loses to} ( {But} 38...Ra1+ $1 39.Ke2 Rc1 {and this time the rook skewers, which can be interpreted as a pin, win for a change. Plus, the rook would stop the white pawn too.} ) 39.d6 Rxc5 40.d7 ) 37.d6 Bxe4 {Missing the last winning opportunity.} ( 37...b3 $1 38.Bxb3 Ra3 39.Bc4 Bxe4 40.fxe4 Rc3 {stops the pawns and attacks too.} ) 38.fxe4 Rd8 39.Ke2 {Now the white pawns will cost Black a piece.} 39...Bxc5 40.Nxc5 Rxd6 41.Nd3 f6 42.Bd5 $1 {The white pieces are super-solid, and he is out of danger.} 42...Rb6 43.Kd2 Ke7 44.Kc2 Kd6 45.Kb3 Rb8 ( 45...f5 {should have already been played.} ) 46.h4 f5 47.h5 f4 ( {The last micro-chance is} 47...Rc8 $1 48.Bc4 fxe4 49.Nxb4 Rf8 {although here too White should be able to survive with} 50.Nc2 Rf5 51.Ne3 ) 48.Ne1 Ke7 49.Nf3 {The white pieces are holding the enemy ones behind.} 49...Kf6 50.Bc4 Rb7 51.Bd5 Rb6 52.Bc4 Rb8 53.Bd5 Rb5 54.Bc4 {Finally, a desperate Giri sacrifices his passer:} 54...Ra5 55.Kxb4 Ra1 56.Kc5 Rh1 ( {Objectively, Black needs to force a draw with} 56...Rc1 57.Kd5 Rd1+ 58.Kc5 Rc1 ) 57.Kd6 Rxh5 {As now only White can win:} 58.Bd5 ( {Or also} 58.Be6 $5 ) 58...g6 59.Bc6 Kg7 60.Bd7 $1 {Very practical! Abdusattorov forces the opponent to give up his pawn in worse circumstances under the threat of a three-fold repetition.} ( {Although} 60.Nxe5 Rh2 61.Nd3 Rxg2 62.Nxf4 Rd2+ {would be fine for White too, after} 63.Bd5 {but unnecessarily complicated.} ) 60...Kf6 61.Bc6 Rh1 62.Nxe5 Rd1+ 63.Bd5 h5 ( {Or} 63...g5 64.Ng4+ Kg6 65.e5 ) 64.Nd7+ Kg7 65.e5 Re1 66.e6 {And the passer advances after} 66...g5 67.e7 g4 68.Ne5 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.22"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Ponkratov, Pavel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2678"]
[BlackElo "2629"]
[ECO "C15"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7427072216141"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Ne2 {I have not seen this line in a while. A lovely delight to my eyes.} 4...dxe4 5.a3 Be7 6.Nxe4 Nf6 7.Qd3 {One of the two best continuations. If I recall correctly, other French GMs like Degraeve and Bauer have used it in the past. The most curious part, however, is that it is a pet line of Ponkratov, who scores really well as White!} ( {The main move is still} 7.N2g3 {and it has been tried by the likes of Firouzja, Radjabov, Bronstein... Here is an old game by a hidden specialist of the line:)} 7...Nbd7 8.Bd3 c5 9.dxc5 Nxc5 10.Nxc5 Bxc5 11.O-O Bd7 12.Nh5 Nxh5 13.Qxh5 Qb6 14.Bf4 Bc6 15.Rae1 g6 16.Bxg6 $1 fxg6 17.Rxe6+ {with a crushing attack for White in Bojkov,D (2445)-Yasim,H (2217) Istanbul 2006} ) 7...Nc6 8.Be3 ( {Here is one success story of the Russian GM:} 8.Bf4 O-O 9.O-O-O b6 10.N2c3 Nd5 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Nc3 Be6 13.h4 {and White eventually prevailed in Ponkratov,P (2611)-Socko,B (2663) Moscow 2014} ) 8...O-O ( {Black can always release some pressure in the center with a trade} 8...Nxe4 9.Qxe4 O-O 10.O-O-O Qd5 11.Qd3 Qa2 12.Nc3 Qa1+ 13.Nb1 e5 14.d5 Nd4 {with interesting double-edged play in Philippe,C (2371)-Dgebuadze,A (2550) Vandoeuvre 2004} ) 9.O-O-O Ng4 $146 {A risky affair.} ( {An earlier game led to a position similar to the game of Ponkratov from above. The only difference is that the queens were traded:} 9...Nxe4 10.Qxe4 Qd5 11.Qxd5 exd5 12.Bf4 Bd8 13.h4 {and White is somewhat better in Campora,D (2505)-Maus,S (2280) Seville 2003} ) 10.h4 {Bacrot does not want to spend a tempo on h2-h3.} 10...f5 ( {In case of} 10...Nxe3 {White would have likely attacked in the spirit of the Rubinstein French with} 11.fxe3 h6 ( {Pawns like this one} 11...Bxh4 $4 {should not be taken, even if they offer you money:} 12.g3 Be7 13.Nf6+ ) 12.g4 ) 11.Ng5 h6 ( {Now} 11...Nxe3 12.Qxe3 {does not make sense anymore for Black due to the gaping hole on e5 and the bad e6-pawn.} ) 12.Nf3 Bd6 13.g3 {White fixes some squares for his pieces to play around.} 13...Rb8 {Ponkratov needs to find counterplay now.} ( 13...Nxe3 14.Qxe3 {is as before not good for Black.} ) 14.c4 {The most active play!} ( {Also interesting is the restrained approach} 14.Nf4 $5 {when White does not fear} 14...Bxf4 ( {Nor does he fear} 14...b5 15.d5 $1 ) 15.gxf4 ) 14...b5 ( {Perhaps the restrained} 14...b6 $5 ) 15.c5 Be7 16.Nf4 b4 {Consistent but now Black opens too many squares for the opponent's pieces.} ( {Stronger seems} 16...Bf6 {when a direct approach like} 17.d5 exd5 18.Qxd5+ Qxd5 19.Nxd5 {does not yield White much:} 19...Bb7 {and the pawn is not appealing:} 20.Nxc7 Nxe3 21.fxe3 Ne7 22.Be2 Rfc8 ) 17.a4 b3 {Practically giving up this pawn in the hope to open files against the enemy king.} ( {Perhaps} 17...Na5 $5 {is the way to play, although White is very comfortable with} 18.b3 Bf6 19.Bg2 ) ( {Or} 17...Bf6 $5 ) 18.Qc3 $1 {This simple maneuver is the problem! The white bishop is open and ready to seize the a2-g8 diagonal, thus causing havoc in the enemy camp.} 18...Nf6 ( {Or else White dominates completely:} 18...Bf6 19.Bc4 Re8 20.Rhe1 ) 19.Bb5 Ne4 20.Qxb3 {After a thorough calculation, Bacrot picks up the pawn. It is not about the material that much, though; it is about the diagonal that he seizes and from where he wants to mate the opponent's king first.} ( {There is also} 20.Qd3 $5 Qe8 21.d5 Nb4 22.Qc4 {with an edge for White.} ) 20...Na5 ( {Notice that} 20...a6 {does not win anything on the pin due to} 21.Ne5 $1 ( {or also} 21.d5 $5 ) 21...Nxe5 22.dxe5 ) 21.Qa2 a6 22.Nxe6 {Once more, the French GM follows the most principled path.} ( {Still, the more cautious} 22.Bc4 {might be better when White is in control after} 22...Nxc4 23.Qxc4 Qe8 24.Ne5 ) 22...Bxe6 23.Qxe6+ Kh8 24.Bd7 ( {White has to be careful not to part with his queen, as in the line} 24.Qxa6 c6 25.Bxc6 Nxc6 26.Qxc6 Rf6 27.Ne5 Qg8 $1 ) 24...Rf6 {The queen is trapped nevertheless?} ( {Here Black has a sudden and amazing way to coordinate his pieces with} 24...Bf6 $3 {The main idea is demonstrated by the line} 25.Ng5 ( {The main trick works in these lines too:} 25.Rd3 Rxb2 26.Kxb2 Nxc5 ) ( {Or} 25.Ne5 Bxe5 26.dxe5 Nb3+ {followed by a capture on c5.} ) 25...Nb3+ 26.Kc2 Nbxc5 $3 {When White has to be careful not to get mated:} 27.dxc5 Rxb2+ 28.Kd3 $1 ( {Rather than} 28.Kc1 Qb8 $1 ) 28...Qa8 $1 {And the machine suggests a handshake after} 29.Bc6 Qd8+ 30.Bd7 ) 25.Ne5 $3 {Nope, White has it all covered!} 25...Rxb2 ( {The white pieces are surprisingly flexible after} 25...Rxe6 26.Nf7+ Kh7 27.Nxd8 Rf6 28.Ne6 ) 26.Kxb2 {This obvious capture is not the best, though!} ( {The other capture is winning outright instead:} 26.Qxf6 $3 {But to play it, a player needs to have nerves of titanium because} 26...Qb8 ( {Or the instant loss} 26...Bxf6 27.Nf7+ ) ( {Or a similar escape of the king after} 26...Rb1+ 27.Kc2 $1 Rb2+ 28.Kd3 $1 ) 27.Qf7 $1 {does not lead Black anywhere, and the checks are useless:} 27...Rb1+ 28.Kc2 Rb2+ ( {Nothing changes} 28...Qb2+ 29.Kd3 ) 29.Kd3 {There is not even a perpetual!} ) 26...Qb8+ 27.Ka3 Rxe6 28.Bxe6 {One more move and White would lock up everything with Rd1-b1; however, Ponkratov does not give up without a fight.} 28...Qb6 $3 29.Bf7 Qf6 {The queen is out, and this is very dangerous.} 30.Bg5 {A beautiful way to attack, but as we know, not everything that glitters is gold.} ( {The neat path for the edge is} 30.Rhe1 $3 {when} 30...Bxc5+ 31.dxc5 Qxe5 32.Rd8+ Kh7 33.Bd4 Qe7 34.Rg8 Qxf7 35.Rxg7+ Qxg7 36.Bxg7 Kxg7 37.f3 {gives White a serious endgame advantage.} ) 30...Nxg5 {Alas, this loses.} ( {The stunning resource} 30...Bxc5+ $3 {would have saved Black instead, e.g.} 31.dxc5 ( {Or} 31.Ka2 Nc3+ 32.Kb2 Nxd1+ 33.Kc2 Qb6 34.Ng6+ Kh7 35.dxc5 Qxc5+ 36.Kxd1 {which is also equal according to the machine after both} 36...Nb3 ( {Or} 36...Nc6 ) ) 31...Qxe5 32.Rd8+ Kh7 33.Bg8+ {with perpetual check.} 33...Kh8 ( {Black cannot deviate:} 33...Kg6 $4 34.h5+ Kxg5 35.f4+ ) 34.Bf7+ ) 31.hxg5 Qxg5 32.Rb1 $1 {The white pieces infiltrate.} 32...g6 33.Rb8+ Kh7 34.Rd1 $1 {Not letting the queen out. Bacrot is showing no mercy.} ( 34.Re8 $1 {would also do the job.} ) ( {But not} 34.Bxg6+ Kg7 35.Rd1 Nc4+ $1 {when everything starts over again.} ) 34...Bf6 35.Bxg6+ Kg7 36.Bf7 Kh7 37.Bg8+ {A nice little maneuver to improve the bishop.} 37...Kg7 38.Bd5 {The black knight is trapped with tempo.} 38...Kh7 39.Rg8 Bg7 40.Re8 Bxe5 41.Rxe5 Qg4 42.Rd3 f4 43.Kb4 fxg3 44.Re7+ $1 {Winning the queen by force, therefore Black resigned.} ( 44.Re7+ Kh8 45.Re8+ Kh7 46.Be4+ Kg7 47.Rxg3 ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.24"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Ivic, Velimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2324"]
[ECO "A49"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "162"]
[Beauty "5293819570725"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.b3 g6 3.Bb2 Bg7 4.g3 O-O 5.Bg2 d6 6.d4 {The doubled fianchetto is an anti-KID line, which both Andreikin and Artemiev love and play with pleasure.} 6...a5 {One of the ways to fight for equality, in the spirit of the Grunfeld defense.} ( {The world champion chose instead} 6...b5 7.O-O Bb7 8.Qd3 a6 9.Nbd2 c5 10.dxc5 dxc5 11.a4 Qxd3 12.cxd3 Nbd7 {and did well in Artemiev,V (2709)-Carlsen,M (2847) Online 2021} ) 7.c4 a4 {Consistent.} ( {Black can also swap a pair of knights at once with} 7...Ne4 8.Nc3 Nxc3 9.Bxc3 {but Ivic will do this later. Another top game went} 9...c6 10.O-O Nd7 11.Qc2 Nf6 12.e4 d5 13.e5 Ne4 14.Nd2 Nxc3 15.Qxc3 e6 16.Rfe1 b5 17.cxb5 cxb5 18.a3 {Howell,D (2663)-Lagarde,M (2657) Online 2020} ) 8.Nbd2 a3 $1 $146 {This is a novelty that looks just fine.} ( {Although Black also did quite well after} 8...c5 9.O-O Qc7 10.Qc2 Nc6 11.Bc3 Bf5 12.Qd1 Ne4 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.e3 axb3 15.axb3 Qb6 {Jaferian,K (2163)-Shtembuliak,E (2620) Online 2021} ) 9.Bc3 c5 10.O-O ( {It is not easy to stabilize the position in the center as} 10.d5 e6 {opens it in Black's favor.} ) 10...Nc6 11.e3 ( {Here too} 11.d5 {allows Black a chance to counterattack with} 11...Nb4 12.Ne1 b5 $1 ) 11...Bf5 12.Qe2 ( {It is not that easy to bother the bishop:} 12.Nh4 Bg4 ) 12...Ne4 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 {Now that a pair of knights has been swapped, Black has enough room for his pieces to maneuver. The central pressure is also favorable for him. All in all, Ivic has equalized with ease.} 14.Rfd1 e6 15.Rac1 {We can now appreciate the young Serbian's novelty. With the a-file locked, Andreikin finds it hard to form an active plan. There is no b2-square for his queen, no doubling along the a-file, and the pawn on a2 is a potential weakness.} ( {The play a la the Queen's Indian} 15.Bf1 {which attempts to avoid the swap of the light-squared bishop can be met with} 15...Qe7 16.Ne1 g5 $1 {and Black is doing great.} ) 15...Qe7 16.Ne1 {Finally Andreikin agrees to swap another pair of pieces.} ( {If} 16.Bf1 e5 {is good for Black.} ) 16...Bxg2 17.Nxg2 cxd4 18.exd4 d5 {Ivic tries to fix the enemy pawns on the color of his own bishop, but this plan has a concrete flaw.} 19.Ne3 {But Andreikin misses the moment.} ( {Strong is} 19.cxd5 $1 exd5 20.Qxe7 Nxe7 21.Bb4 {when White would put pressure on the enemy pawns first after} 21...Rfe8 22.Ne3 Nc6 23.Bc5 Red8 24.Rc3 $1 {followed by Ne3-c2!} ) 19...Rfd8 20.c5 b6 $1 {Now Black takes over the initiative.} 21.Qb5 {A risky affair.} ( {As} 21.cxb6 Qb7 22.Qb5 Ra6 {regains the pawn with an excellent position.} ) 21...Na7 $1 {Ivic felt that the queen might get trapped in his camp.} 22.Qxb6 Rdb8 23.Qa6 ( {Safer is} 23.Qd6 Qxd6 24.cxd6 Nb5 {but then Black would be just much better, thanks to his better pawn structure and powerful light pieces.} ) 23...Nb5 24.Qc6 Qd8 {Overprotecting the d5-spot and keeping White from sacrificing his knight for a pair of central pawns.} ( 24...h5 $5 {at once is very good as well.} ) 25.Ba1 h5 $1 {That is an important part of Ivic's plan. The white knight is deprived of the g4-square.} ( {Why this is important is demonstrated by the line} 25...Nc7 26.Qd6 Qxd6 27.cxd6 Nb5 28.Rc6 Rd8 29.Ng4 $1 ) ( {And if Black tries to trap the enemy queen with} 25...Qa5 {then White would surely sacrifice his knight with} 26.Nxd5 $1 exd5 27.Qxd5 {for a pair of strong passers.} ) 26.Ng2 {For the moment, the knight releases the pressure from the d5-pawn, and this could have been lethal for White.} ( {The computer suggestion} 26.b4 Nc7 27.Qd6 Qxd6 28.cxd6 Nb5 29.d7 Kf8 {does not solve his problems at all.} ) 26...Bf8 $1 {Slowly surrounding the queen.} ( {However, there are even better alternatives:} 26...Qa5 $1 {intends to trap the queen after, say} 27.Ne3 Ra6 28.Qd7 ( {Therefore White should try instead} 28.Nxd5 Rxc6 29.Ne7+ Kh7 30.Nxc6 Qa8 {but it is obvious that White would not get enough for the queen.} ) 28...Ra7 29.Qc6 Rc7 $1 ) ( {And another way to trap milady is} 26...Bh6 $1 {Not letting her noble knight come to the rescue} 27.Ne3 Bxe3 28.fxe3 Qa5 {and wins as above.} ) 27.Ne3 $1 {Andreikin quickly realizes his mistake and finds a chance to keep fighting.} 27...Nc7 28.Nc4 $1 {That's the only way.} 28...dxc4 29.bxc4 Na6 ( {Strong is to deal with the pawns at once with} 29...e5 $1 {with the idea} 30.d5 ( {Or} 30.dxe5 Qc8 $1 ) 30...Ra6 $1 ) 30.Qf3 Qg5 ( {Here the passers could be tempted with} 30...Bg7 31.Bc3 Qf8 {preparing e6-e5!} ) 31.c6 Qf5 {In any case, Ivic is winning, but from here on the players are desperately lacking time.} ( 31...h4 $5 ) 32.Qxf5 gxf5 33.d5 exd5 34.cxd5 Bd6 35.Rc4 ( {Stronger is to try and bring the passers into motion with} 35.f4 Nc7 36.Be5 $1 ) 35...Rb4 ( 35...Nc7 $5 ) ( 35...Rb5 $5 ) 36.Rc3 Nc7 37.Rf3 Rab8 38.Kg2 ( {And here White needs to get rid of the potential passer with} 38.Rxa3 $1 Rb1 39.Rd3 Rxd1+ 40.Rxd1 Ra8 ) 38...Rb1 39.Rxb1 Rxb1 40.Bf6 Rb5 ( {A neater win would be} 40...Nxd5 $1 41.Rxf5 Nxf6 42.Rxf6 Be7 ) 41.Rxf5 Rxd5 42.Rf3 $1 {Andreikin knows that there are no chances for him without the rooks.} 42...Ne6 43.h4 Kh7 {Ivic feels the danger and safeguards his king.} ( 43...Kf8 $5 {would be good too.} ) ( {But Black should definitely avoid} 43...Rd2 44.Rf5 Rxa2 $2 ( 44...Kh7 $1 {still works for Black.} ) 45.Rxh5 Ng7 46.Rg5 Bf8 47.Bxg7 Bxg7 48.Rc5 $1 {and White is out of danger.} ) 44.Ba1 f5 45.Re3 $1 {Andreikin is one of the greatest rapid and blitz specialists in the world and would not give up without a fight. Every move he plays is a threat; every move improves something in his position.} 45...Nc7 46.Bf6 Rc5 ( {Here, though,} 46...Rd2 $1 {picking up the a2-pawn would be faster.} ) 47.Be7 Nb5 {Missing White's idea.} ( {Instead} 47...Nd5 $1 48.Bxd6 Nxe3+ 49.fxe3 Rxc6 50.Bxa3 Rc3 51.Bd6 Rxe3 {should still win for Black.} ) 48.Bxd6 Nxd6 {The more important of the minor pieces has been traded by White, and he now has a chance against the knight.} 49.Re7+ Kg8 50.c7 Kf8 51.Rd7 Ne8 52.Rh7 ( 52.Rd5 $1 Rxc7 53.Rxf5+ Kg8 54.Rxh5 Rc2 55.Ra5 Rxa2 56.g4 {would lead to the same.} ) 52...Rxc7 53.Rxh5 Rc2 54.Rxf5+ Kg7 55.Ra5 Rxa2 56.g4 $1 {Suddenly it is a draw as the white rook and pawns find common language.} 56...Nd6 57.g5 ( {Also good is} 57.h5 $1 Nc4 ( 57...Ne4 58.Kf3 Nxf2 59.g5 ) 58.Ra7+ Kf6 59.Ra6+ Kg7 ( {Black also has to be careful:} 59...Kg5 $4 60.Kg3 $1 {would mate him instead!} ) 60.g5 ) 57...Nc4 58.Ra7+ Kg6 59.Kg3 Rb2 60.Kg4 Ne5+ 61.Kf4 Nd3+ 62.Ke3 Rb3 63.Ra6+ Kf5 64.Ra5+ Ke6 ( 64...Kg4 $2 65.g6 ) 65.f4 a2 {The last try.} 66.f5+ ( 66.Rxa2 $4 Nb4+ ) 66...Kd6 67.f6 ( {Perhaps it is wiser to advance the more distant pawn instead, purely from a practical point of view:} 67.g6 Nc5+ 68.Kf2 $1 ( {But here White needs to avoid stepping on the fourth rank:} 68.Kf4 $2 {due to} 68...Rb4+ 69.Kf3 Na4 ) ) 67...Nc5+ 68.Ke2 Rb2+ 69.Kf3 Ke6 70.Kg4 $4 {The drama of time trouble! After an enormous fight for his life, Andreikin finally errs due to the time deficit.} ( {Both} 70.Kg3 $1 ) ( {Or} 70.Ra8 $1 {would lead to a draw.} ) 70...Rb4+ 71.Kh5 Ra4 $1 {This might have been missed by White!} ( {He likely only considered} 71...Na4 72.Ra6+ Kd5 73.f7 a1=Q 74.f8=Q {when White is safe.} ) 72.Rxc5 ( 72.Rxa4 Nxa4 {changes nothing.} ) 72...a1=Q {Now Ivic finally wins, but his opponent would not miss one last little chance.} 73.Rc6+ Kd5 74.f7 Qh8+ 75.Rh6 Qf8 76.Rf6 Ke5 77.Kg6 Rxh4 78.Re6+ $1 Kf4 $1 ( 78...Kxe6 $4 {Stalemate!} ) 79.Re8 Qd6+ 80.Kg7 Kxg5 $1 81.f8=Q Qg6# {The young Serbian GM has the tournament of his life!} 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.25"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Tabatabaei, M Amin"]
[Black "Martirosyan, Haik M"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2613"]
[BlackElo "2632"]
[ECO "E46"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[Beauty "6323399826439"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd2 c5 6.a3 Bxc3 {Martirosyan follows in the footsteps of his great countryman (well, soon-to-represent the U.S.) Aronian.} 7.Bxc3 Ne4 8.Ne2 ( {A few weeks ago, Aronian successfully defended after} 8.Rc1 b6 9.Nf3 Bb7 10.Be2 Nxc3 11.Rxc3 cxd4 12.exd4 d6 13.O-O Nd7 14.Qd2 Nf6 {Caruana,F (2820)-Aronian,L (2781) Paris 2021} ) 8...b6 9.d5 Ba6 10.b3 b5 11.Qd3 Nxc3 $146 {A novelty that limits the options of the opponent.} ( {In another game by Aronian, the Armenian number-one chose a slightly different move order:} 11...exd5 12.Qxd5 Nxc3 13.Nxc3 Qa5 14.Qd2 bxc4 {but this allowed his opponent an additional possibility that he used:} 15.Bxc4 {Still, Black did not experience any problems after} 15...Nc6 16.O-O Bxc4 17.bxc4 Ne5 18.Ne4 Qxd2 19.Nxd2 Rfb8 20.Rfb1 Kf8 21.Kf1 Ke7 {Yuffa,D (2566)-Aronian,L (2775) Moscow 2019} ) 12.Nxc3 bxc4 13.bxc4 exd5 14.Qxd5 {Tabatabaei wants to exploit the holes in the black pawn structure. Therefore, he keeps the queens alive, at least for now.} ( {After} 14.Nxd5 Nc6 15.Be2 Qa5+ 16.Qc3 Qxc3+ 17.Nxc3 Na5 {Black's lead in development promises him good play after} 18.Nb5 Rab8 19.Rb1 Rb6 ) 14...Qa5 {However, White has problems of his own, mainly the lag in development; thus, Black quickly brings everyone out.} 15.Qd2 Nc6 16.Be2 ( {The endgame after} 16.Nb5 Rab8 17.Qxa5 Nxa5 18.a4 Rb6 {is still good for Black.} ) 16...Rab8 17.O-O {If White gets a couple of tempi to stabilize his position in the center, Black will be sentenced to eternal suffering.} 17...Ne5 18.Rfc1 $1 {Well foreseen by White. The pawn is defended.} 18...Rb3 {Black's activity will soon net him a pawn. But after the capture, Martirosyan will have his pieces stuck on the queenside, so Black has to be very, very careful.} ( {Actually} 18...Bxc4 19.Bxc4 Nxc4 20.Qxd7 {is possible too. Black needs to be careful, though, and find the following moves:} 20...Nb2 {Intending c5-c4 and Nb2-d3.} 21.Nd5 {And now} 21...Kh8 $1 {equalizes.} ( {Rather than} 21...c4 22.Ne7+ Kh8 23.Nc6 ) ) 19.f4 {Setting a nasty little trap.} ( {There is one more idea to try and exploit the relatively shaky position of the black pieces:} 19.Qc2 $5 {with the idea} 19...Rxa3 ( {Not} 19...Rfb8 $2 20.Nb5 $1 ) 20.Qb2 Rxa1 21.Rxa1 Qb4 22.Qd2 $1 {Which may easily trap one of the black pieces if he is not careful. Like} 22...Bxc4 ( {Black can still hold with} 22...Bc8 $1 23.Qc2 d6 ) 23.Ra4 Qb3 24.Bd1 Qb6 25.f4 ) 19...Nc6 {when Black does not fall.} ( {It is easy to miss a sudden retreat in the attack like this one} 19...Nxc4 $2 20.Bxc4 Bxc4 21.Ne4 $1 Qxd2 22.Nxd2 {and White wins.} ) 20.Kf2 Rd8 {Once again, careful play by Martirosyan.} ( {The move in the game is better than} 20...Rxa3 21.Qb2 Rxa1 22.Rxa1 Qb4 23.Qd2 {when again more the black pieces are in danger.} ) 21.Ra2 Rxa3 {Finally picking up the pawn.} 22.Rxa3 Qxa3 23.Nd5 {With the clear intention to try and trap the black queen.} ( {However, stronger would be} 23.Ne4 $1 {to install the knight deeper into the enemy position. Then} 23...d6 ( 23...Bb7 24.Nd6 ) 24.Nxd6 Nb4 25.Rc3 Qa1 26.e4 {promises White the better chances.} ) 23...d6 24.Rc3 Qa1 25.Rc1 Qa3 26.Rc3 {White has a draw, but is there something more?} 26...Qa1 {Tabatabaei decided to play on.} ( {Notice that Black cannot deviate from the repetition:} 26...Qa5 27.Qc1 $1 {threatens to trap the black queen, and when he frees the air for her} 27...Rb8 28.Ra3 Qd8 29.Rxa6 {the bishop suffers.} ) 27.Qc1 Qxc1 28.Rxc1 Bc8 29.Ra1 Kf8 ( {Nothing changes} 29...a6 30.Bf3 ) 30.Bf3 a6 31.Rb1 ( {Stronger is} 31.g4 $1 {with a likely draw after} 31...Nb4 32.Nxb4 cxb4 33.Ra4 b3 34.Rb4 Be6 35.f5 a5 36.Rxb3 Bxc4 37.Ra3 ) 31...Be6 $1 {Now Black keeps the extra pawn, and it gets harder and harder for his opponent to prove compensation.} 32.Rb7 {Especially after this inaccuracy.} ( {Tabatabaei should have chosen instead} 32.Rb6 $1 Bxd5 33.Bxd5 Nb4 {when the activation of the bishop should keep White safe after} 34.Bf3 $1 Ke7 ( {And if} 34...g6 35.Rb7 {seizes the seventh rank.} ) 35.Bg4 ) 32...Na5 $1 33.Ra7 Nxc4 34.Nc7 ( {Or} 34.Rxa6 Nd2 ) 34...Nd2 ( {Even stronger is} 34...Rb8 $1 35.Rxa6 Rb2+ 36.Kg1 Nb6 $1 {Cementing the position with excellent winning chances.} ( {Rather than} 36...Nxe3 37.Nxe6+ fxe6 38.Rxd6 ) ) 35.Bd5 ( {Missing a good chance} 35.Nxe6+ $1 fxe6 36.Bg4 Re8 37.Ke2 Ne4 38.Rxa6 {when the strong bishop can help White hold.} ) 35...Bxd5 36.Nxd5 Rb8 37.Rxa6 {The time trouble starts to tell.} ( {However, since the pawn is not going anywhere} 37.Ke2 $1 {first would be better, preparing counterplay after} 37...Ne4 ( 37...Rb2 $4 38.Ra8+ ) 38.Kf3 f5 39.g4 g6 40.gxf5 gxf5 41.Ne7 ) ( {Likewise} 37.g4 $1 {would be great too.} ) 37...Ne4+ 38.Ke2 f5 39.Kd3 Rb7 ( {It makes sense to throw an intermediate check first, worsening the position of the white king:} 39...Rb3+ $1 40.Kc2 ( 40.Kc4 Nd2# ) 40...Rb7 ) 40.Kc4 ( {For White could now try his last chance with} 40.g4 $1 g6 41.Kc4 Kf7 {The point of the g2-g4 advance is to find counterplay on the kingside with} 42.gxf5 gxf5 43.Ra2 ) 40...Kf7 41.Ra8 h5 42.h4 g6 43.Rh8 Nd2+ 44.Kd3 Ke6 {Black has consolidated his advantage and slowly but surely converts his extra pawn.} 45.Nc3 Nb1 {First infiltration.} ( {Also good is} 45...Nf1 $1 46.Ke2 Nh2 ) 46.Nd1 Na3 47.Rg8 Rb3+ 48.Ke2 Kf7 49.Rd8 Nc4 50.Rd7+ Ke6 51.Rg7 Kf6 52.Rd7 Ra3 53.g3 Ra2+ 54.Ke1 Rg2 {That is it. White's position deteriorates.} 55.Rh7 Ke6 56.Rg7 Kf6 57.Rh7 Rxg3 58.Kf2 Rh3 59.Nc3 Nxe3 60.Nb5 Nd5 61.Nxd6 Rxh4 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.26"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[ECO "E60"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8247545168416"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4 {\"I had not checked this thoroughly until yesterday.\" (Shankland)} ( {Shankland revealed his respect for Svidler in the post-game interview, and one of the reasons for his respect is the opening repertoire of the Russian GM. This is the reason why he avoids the Grunfeld} 3.Nc3 d5 {which was also played by the great Kasparov a few weeks ago} 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.h3 O-O 9.Be2 cxd4 10.cxd4 Nc6 11.Be3 f5 {Grischuk,A (2778) -Kasparov,G (2812) Zagreb 2021} ) 3...Bg7 4.Nc3 d6 {Svidler surprisingly switches to the KID.} ( {Shankland was aware of his opponent's latest Grunfeld course and prepared something against the line that Svidler suggests there:} 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 d6 6.d5 Nb8 ) 5.e4 Nc6 6.Nge2 O-O 7.f3 e5 {Now it is a form of the Samisch, but with a pawn on h4 in return for the generally more useful Nb8-c6 move. Still, h2-h4 is not bad to have in this setup.} 8.d5 $146 {Shankland is confidently executing his moves, this novelty included.} ( 8.Be3 exd4 9.Nxd4 h5 10.Qd2 Re8 11.O-O-O a5 12.Kb1 a4 13.a3 Bd7 14.Nd5 {Ter Sahakyan,S (2640)-Guseinov,G (2665) Online 2020} ) 8...Nd4 9.Be3 ( {Every KID player knows that this pawn is poisoned:} 9.Nxd4 $2 exd4 10.Qxd4 Nxe4 $1 {wins for Black.} ) 9...c5 {Svidler will sacrifice it anyway.} 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.Nxd4 exd4 12.Bxd4 Rb8 {In return for the pawn, Black gets the half-open b-file for his rook and prolongs the diagonal for his dark-squared bishop. His presence in the center becomes more significant too.} ( {The other way to play it is} 12...c5 13.Be3 ( {or} 13.Bf2 Nh5 14.Qd2 {and here, besides the game transposition} 14...Rb8 ( {Black may also try} 14...Be5 ) ) 13...Nh5 ) 13.Qc2 c5 14.Bf2 Be6 15.O-O-O {The most natural move. Shankland is still in his prep.} ( {The machine prefers to keep the king in the middle with} 15.Rc1 ) ( {Or} 15.Rd1 {but having the king insecure is not a human trait.} ) 15...Nd7 {\"He was supposed to be worse after this move [according to the computer].\" (Shankland) The sacrifice of a second pawn is once more a no-brainer for a King's Indian player.} 16.Rxd6 Qa5 17.Be1 Ne5 {Svidler has rapidly improved his pieces, and his opponent decides to part with one of the pawns in order to lower their attacking potential.} 18.f4 ( {After the greedy} 18.b3 {White would do OK with} 18...Qa3+ ( {However} 18...Rfd8 $1 {is more accurate, not letting the king out with significant pressure for Black in the line} 19.Rxd8+ Rxd8 ) 19.Kd1 Rbd8 20.Rxd8 Rxd8+ 21.Nd5 $1 ) 18...Nxc4 19.Bxc4 Bxc4 20.e5 Rfd8 $1 {Svidler on his turn swaps off the active white rook.} 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.h5 $1 {Shankland needs to play on his own, and this brings his sweet fruits earlier than expected.} ( {White could keep the pawn, yes} 22.a3 {but} 22...Qb6 $1 {would permanently seize the light squares around the enemy king.} ) 22...Bxa2 {Now the pawns are equal, and White opens files on his own. The battle rapidly heats up...} ( 22...Bd3 $5 ) 23.hxg6 hxg6 24.Ne4 Qb6 {...and suddenly ends because of this blunder.} ( {Shankland expected instead} 24...Qb5 $1 {and thought that he is better in the line} 25.Nd6 Qb3 ( {Black is not forced to enter this line and could have chosen instead} 25...Qa6 26.Qxc5 ( 26.Bc3 Bd5 ( {Or} 26...Be6 ) ) 26...Be6 {when anything would be possible.} ) 26.Qxb3 Bxb3 27.Bc3 f6 28.exf6 Bxf6 29.Nb7 Rf8 30.Nxc5 {True, he then admitted, \"I think I end up a pawn, but it is very close to a draw.\" (Shankland)} ) ( {Also OK for Black is} 24...Qa6 $1 25.Bh4 Rc8 {when} 26.Nf6+ Kf8 27.Qd2 {creates various threats, but Black has the resource to swap off the active white queen with} 27...Qc4+ 28.Kd1 Bb3+ 29.Ke1 Qb4 $1 {and Black is fine.} ) 25.Bh4 Rd4 ( {The queen on b6 is losing the game in the line} 25...Rc8 26.Nf6+ Kf8 27.Nd7+ ) 26.Nf6+ Kf8 27.Bf2 $1 {This maneuver backwards might have been what Svidler missed!} 27...Bxf6 ( {Everything falls apart in the line} 27...Rc4 28.Qxc4 $1 Bxc4 29.Bxc5+ $1 Qxc5 30.Nd7+ ) 28.exf6 Qxf6 ( 28...Rc4 29.Rh8# ) 29.Qxc5+ Rd6 30.Qc8+ {And once more everything falls apart on the dark squares.} ( 30.Qc8+ Rd8 31.Rh8+ Qxh8 32.Qxd8+ Kg7 33.Bd4+ ) ( 30.Qc8+ Kg7 31.Qh8# ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.27"]
[Round "5.6"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2628"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[Beauty "6186900396040"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {After his sensational win against the world champion in Wijk an Zee earlier this year, the young star of Russian chess put up a great fight against Carlsen once again. The two classical games were drawn after a fierce battle, and after two more draws in the rapid, Carlsen finally won a game. Esipenko needed to win on demand now to stay in the match; therefore, the Berlin was out of the question.} 3...Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O h6 7.Re1 O-O 8.h3 Bb6 {Other ways to play it besides 8...a5 have also been tested by Carlsen:} ( 8...a6 9.Bb3 b5 10.Nbd2 Bb6 11.Nf1 Ne7 12.a4 Rb8 13.d4 Ng6 {was Harikrishna,P (2752)-Carlsen,M (2857) Baku 2016} ) ( {The world champion lost a game last year in the line} 8...Re8 9.Nbd2 a6 10.a4 Be6 11.Bxe6 Rxe6 12.b4 Ba7 13.Qc2 Qd7 14.Nf1 d5 15.Be3 Bxe3 16.Nxe3 Ne7 17.a5 {Ding,L (2791)-Carlsen,M (2863) Online 2020, but he would choose this path anyway for the second blitz game!} ) 9.Nbd2 Ne7 10.a4 $5 {A relatively rare line recently tried by Svidler.} 10...c6 ( {That game went} 10...a5 11.Bb3 c6 12.d4 Ng6 13.Nf1 d5 14.Ng3 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 dxe4 16.Rxe4 Bf5 17.Re1 e4 18.Nd2 Qh4 {when Black had nothing to complain about in Svidler,P (2714)-Caruana,F (2820) Online 2021} ) 11.d4 Ng6 12.Bf1 Re8 13.Qc2 Bc7 14.b4 $146 {A novelty in the spirit of the Ruy Lopez. White expands on the queenside rather than trying to attack on the opposite wing.} ( {Another game of Svidler went} 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 dxe5 16.Nc4 a5 17.Be3 Be6 18.b4 Bxc4 19.Bxc4 Bb6 20.Rad1 Qc7 21.Bc1 {with a small edge for White in Svidler,P (2714)-So,W (2770) Paris 2021} ) 14...Be6 {Here and on the next move, Black certainly had to consider the central break d6-d5.} ( {Black is very close to equality after} 14...d5 $5 15.exd5 Nxd5 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.Bb2 Nxf3+ 18.Nxf3 Rxe1 19.Rxe1 Be6 20.b5 {although the b-pawn pressures somewhat the second player's position.} ) 15.Bb2 a5 {It seems that this only helps White.} ( {It is not too late for} 15...d5 16.exd5 Bxd5 17.dxe5 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 ( 18.Nd4 $5 ) 18...Bxe5 19.c4 {Although White preserves some pressure, the symmetry should help the world champion to hold this position.} ) 16.b5 $1 {Now the b-file can be opened in White's favor, and the potential weakness left on the a-file can work nicely for him.} 16...Bb6 ( {In case of} 16...cxb5 17.Bxb5 Bd7 18.Bxd7 Qxd7 {White can gain space with} 19.c4 ) ( {This is the last moment for} 16...d5 $5 17.exd5 Bxd5 18.dxe5 Nxe5 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.Rad1 {although this is a better version for White in comparison to the lines above.} ) 17.Ba3 Qc7 18.Rab1 {The threat is to trade on c6 and capture a pawn on d6.} 18...cxb5 ( {Or} 18...Rad8 19.Rb2 $5 {Doubling on the b-file.} ) 19.Bxb5 $1 {Esipenko has achieved everything he wanted on the queenside. The b-file is in his hands, and he will use it to infiltrate into the opponent's camp and attack the pawn weaknesses on a5, b7, and d6.} 19...Rec8 20.d5 Bd7 21.Bf1 ( 21.Nc4 $5 {would be good for White as well, for instance after} 21...Bxb5 22.Nxb6 Qxb6 23.Rxb5 Qc7 24.Re3 ) 21...Rab8 {This only makes things worse for Black.} ( {It makes sense to protect the d6-pawn in advance with} 21...Ne8 22.Nc4 Ba7 23.Rb2 Rab8 24.Reb1 {although Black's position remains rather gloomy here too.} ) 22.Nc4 {Now the dark-squared bishops are being traded, and White gets his hands on the pivotal b6-point.} 22...Bc5 23.Bxc5 $1 Qxc5 24.Rb6 {The most direct approach.} ( {Or} 24.Nb6 Rd8 25.Nd2 {with domination.} ) 24...Ne8 25.Reb1 Qc7 26.Qb3 Qd8 27.Qa3 $5 {Going for the more valuable pawn on d6.} ( {Although there is nothing wrong with} 27.Nxa5 Ra8 28.Qb4 ) 27...Qf6 28.Nxd6 Nxd6 29.Rxd6 Qe7 ( {Black is simply down a pawn in the line} 29...Rxc3 30.Qxc3 Qxd6 31.Qxa5 {without any counterplay.} ) 30.Rbb6 ( 30.Rb3 $5 {might be simpler.} ) 30...f6 {A crafty move...} 31.Qa1 {...which Esipenko did not counter in the best possible way.} ( {The neatest win would be} 31.c4 Nh8 32.Nh4 Nf7 33.Ng6 Qe8 34.Rxd7 Qxd7 35.Ne7+ {and it is over.} ) 31...Nh8 $1 {Now the white rooks are in danger.} 32.Bb5 Bxb5 33.Re6 $1 {An excellent intermediate move.} ( {After} 33.axb5 Nf7 34.Re6 Qc5 {Black could survive by constantly attacking the white rooks with his knight.} ) 33...Qc5 34.Rxb5 Qc4 ( {There is no} 34...Qxc3 $4 {due to the typical trick} 35.Re8+ $1 ) 35.Qe1 ( {The computer suggests} 35.Qb2 Qxe4 36.Qb3 {but I doubt any human would play this way even with many hours on the clock.} ) 35...Nf7 36.Rxa5 Qxc3 {In the heat of time trouble, Carlsen allows the same trick he avoided a couple of moves ago.} 37.Qxc3 {And Esipenko forgets about it as well!} ( 37.Re8+ $1 {would have finished it at once.} ) 37...Rxc3 38.Rb5 Rc4 39.a5 {Still, White has a winning advantage and converts without any problems.} 39...Rf8 ( 39...Rxe4 40.a6 {and the pawn is unstoppable.} ) 40.Nh4 Nd8 ( {Here} 40...Rxe4 {would be met with} 41.Ng6 Ra8 42.Rxb7 Rxa5 43.Re8+ ) 41.Re7 Rf7 42.Re8+ Rf8 43.Rxf8+ Kxf8 44.f3 Rc7 45.Nf5 h5 46.Rb6 {White is getting ready to attack the kingside as well.} ( 46.h4 $5 ) 46...Ke8 47.g4 $1 {Looking for a second weakness.} 47...hxg4 48.hxg4 g6 49.Nh4 Rh7 ( {The second weakness is revealed in the line} 49...Kf7 50.g5 $1 fxg5 51.Nxg6 ) 50.Nxg6 Kf7 51.Rd6 Kxg6 52.Rxd8 Rc7 53.Kf2 Rc5 54.d6 Rc2+ 55.Kg3 $1 {The neatest win.} ( 55.Ke3 Rc3+ 56.Ke2 Rc2+ 57.Kd3 Rc6 58.Rd7 {still requires plenty of work by White.} ) 55...Rd2 56.d7 $1 {Forcing the rook trade.} 56...Kf7 57.Rh8 Rxd7 58.Rh7+ Ke6 59.Rxd7 Kxd7 60.g5 $1 {And opens the road for his king.} 60...fxg5 61.Kg4 Kc6 62.Kf5 Kb5 63.Kxe5 Kxa5 64.Kd6 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.28"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2678"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7354326194212"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.Bd2 {A tricky move order that deprives Black of the standard Nc6-a5 maneuver.} ( {The main line is} 10.Nc3 {when Black can reply with} 10...Na5 11.Ba2 b4 12.Ne2 c5 {Caruana,F (2492)-Adams,M (2735) Gibraltar 2007} ) ( {The other knight development} 10.Nbd2 {may be also answered with} 10...Na5 {which is what the specialist of this line, Tomashevsky, prefers} ( {or the modern treatment} 10...Nd7 11.axb5 axb5 12.Rxa8 Qxa8 13.c3 Nc5 14.Bc2 b4 {Grandelius,N (2691) -Giri,A (2780) Batumi 2019} ) 11.Ba2 c5 12.Nf1 bxa4 {Svidler,P (2734) -Tomashevsky,E (2749) Khanty-Mansiysk 2015} ) 10...Qd7 {Played after almost half an hour of reflection. Was Carlsen trying to remember something? Or was he deciding what to reveal and what to hide before the match? At the press conference he said \"I just did't know it very well.\"} ( {Tomashevsky likes instead to release the queenside pressure at once with} 10...b4 11.c3 Rb8 12.cxb4 Bc8 13.b5 axb5 14.axb5 Rxb5 15.Ra8 Rb8 16.Rxb8 Nxb8 {Vachier-Lagrave,M (2775)-Tomashevsky,E (2716) Tbilisi 2015} ) 11.Nc3 {Now the d7-square is no longer available for the kingside knight; therefore, Black switches back to} 11...Na5 ( {Curiously, Carlsen has positive experience with the line} 11...Nd4 12.Nxd4 exd4 13.Ne2 ( {The world champion also revealed that he was looking for a way to try and avoid the lines} 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 {which are \"just a little bit better for White but very limited of winning chances (for Black.)\"} ) 13...c5 14.Ng3 g6 15.c3 dxc3 16.Bxc3 d5 17.Qf3 d4 18.Bd2 {but as White, Carlsen,M (2625)-Pedersen,N (2516) Aalborg 2006} ) 12.Ba2 c5 ( {There is also} 12...b4 13.Ne2 c5 14.Ng3 Rab8 15.c3 b3 16.Bb1 Qc7 17.Nf5 Bc8 {Bjerre,J (2529)-Andersen,M (2601) Germany 2020} ) 13.Ne2 Nc6 14.Ng3 {The knight landed on g3 via a slightly different route, and Bacrot is ready for the usual kingside attack business.} 14...d5 {The most aggressive way.} ( {Both} 14...g6 ) ( {And} 14...Nd4 {have been tried before.} ) 15.exd5 Nxd5 16.c3 $146 {A novelty that was played instantly. But judging by the amount of time spent by both the players so far, the impression is that they both were already out of book.} ( 16.c4 Nc7 17.Bc3 b4 18.Nxe5 Nxe5 19.Bxe5 Qc6 20.f3 g6 21.d4 cxd4 22.c5 Rad8 23.Ne4 d3 {Louro,E (2194)-Giurgiu,N (2137) Online 2004} ) ( {The move in the game is needed, as otherwise White is not threatening to capture the e5-pawn:} 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Rxe5 Bf6 ) 16...Rad8 {In Marshall spirit!} ( {The timid} 16...Bf6 {would give the initiative to White:} 17.Ne4 Be7 18.Bg5 $5 f6 19.Be3 {when Black has obvious problems.} ) ( 16...f6 17.Nh4 {\"is unpleasant for Black\" (Carlsen)} ) 17.axb5 {It seems useful to open the a-file for the rook. However, Carlsen delicately criticized this move, mentioning that the bishop on a2 is in big trouble in many lines afterward.} 17...axb5 18.Nxe5 {And Bacrot takes the most principled decision.} 18...Nxe5 19.Rxe5 Bd6 20.Re1 ( 20.Rg5 $5 h6 ( 20...Be7 $5 21.Re5 Bd6 ) 21.Rxg7+ Kxg7 22.Bxh6+ Kxh6 23.Qh5+ ) 20...Nf4 21.Bxf4 Bxf4 {The end of the forcing line. Black has full compensation for the pawn, thanks to his excellent bishops and control over the d-file.} 22.Ne4 {Defending the pawn tactically.} ( {If White wanted a draw, he might have chosen} 22.d4 cxd4 23.Qxd4 {when} 23...Qxd4 24.cxd4 Rxd4 25.Ne2 {trades everything.} ) 22...Qc7 {A clever move that provokes a kingside weakening.} ( {Of course not} 22...Qxd3 $2 23.Qxd3 Rxd3 24.Nxc5 ) ( {The immediate} 22...Qc6 {can be met with} 23.Qh5 Rxd3 24.Qxc5 ) 23.g3 {Bacrot voluntarily weakens the light squares, a decision he would regret later.} ( {With the black queen hitting the pawn on h2, the line} 23.Qh5 g6 ( 23...Rxd3 24.Nxc5 ( {But} 24.g3 $1 {might spoil this plan.} ) 24...g6 25.Qh4 Bxh2+ 26.Qxh2 Qxc5 {\"and I should be completely fine.\" (Carlsen)} ) 24.Qxc5 ( {However, it still makes sense to have the queen actively placed on the kingside as White can hope to build pressure on his own with} 24.Qh4 {with the tactical point} 24...Rxd3 25.Nf6+ Kg7 26.Re7 $1 Qc6 ( 26...Qxe7 $4 27.Nh5+ ) 27.Rxb7 Qxb7 28.Qxf4 {winning some material.} ) 24...Bxh2+ {is no longer appealing for White.} ) 23...Be5 24.f4 {One more weakening.} ( {More practical is} 24.Qe2 Rfe8 25.Rad1 ) ( {Or} 24.Qh5 ) 24...Bd6 25.Qh5 ( {White cannot trade his light-square defender easily} 25.Nxd6 $2 Qxd6 26.Re3 Qc6 {and the white king is badly exposed.} ) 25...Qc6 ( 25...c4 $5 {at once looks also excellent for Black.} ) 26.Qh3 ( {Nevertheless, perhaps Bacrot should have tried} 26.f5 {which Carlsen anticipated:} 26...c4 27.f6 ( {Against} 27.d4 {the world champion had planned} 27...Ra8 $1 {ruining White's optimal setup, Ra1-d1 and Ba2-b1.} ) 27...Rfe8 $1 ( 27...cxd3 $2 28.Qg5 ) 28.fxg7 Re5 {\"I am playing with many more pieces there; that should be great.\" (Carlsen)} ( 28...Be5 ) ) 26...c4 $1 {\"I was already feeling very comfortable.\" (Carlsen) It is important to block the white bishop as it is always ready to do something malicious to the enemy kingside.} ( {As in the line} 26...Kh8 27.Bxf7 $1 Rxf7 28.Ng5 h6 29.Nxf7+ Kg8 30.Nxd8 {And Black needs to force a perpetual} 30...Qh1+ 31.Kf2 Qf3+ 32.Kg1 Qh1+ ) 27.d4 ( {As usual} 27.Nxd6 Rxd6 {does not help White.} ) ( {Nor does} 27.dxc4 bxc4 ) 27...Rde8 ( {The world champion could not see more than a perpetual in the line} 27...f5 $1 28.Ng5 ( 28.Nxd6 Rxd6 {is plain bad for White as the rook enters the attack via the h-file.} ) ( {After} 28.Nf2 Ra8 $1 {is very strong, simply paralyzing White. At a good moment, Black can even sacrifice the exchange, as in this line:} 29.b3 Rxa2 30.Rxa2 cxb3 31.Rae2 Qxc3 ) 28...h6 29.Ne6 Qh1+ 30.Kf2 Qf3+ 31.Kg1 {There is a beautiful inclusion of the black bishop in the line} 31...Rde8 $3 ( 31...Qh1+ $11 ) 32.Nxf8 Rxe1+ 33.Rxe1 Bxf4 $1 {when Black wins everything} 34.Ng6 Be3+ 35.Rxe3 Qxe3+ 36.Kf1 Qc1+ ) 28.d5 ( {Black did not mind} 28.Nxd6 Qxd6 {\"His bishop is dead, and his king is forever weak.\" (Carlsen)} ) 28...Qxd5 ( {Afterward, Carlsen believed he should have gone for} 28...Qb6+ 29.Kf1 {The world champion did not mention what he intended to do, but I suspect he had in mind the brilliant attacking maneuver} 29...Bb8 $3 ( {Carlsen and Skripchenko analyzed Nigel Short's suggestion in the studio} 29...Bxd5 30.Nf6+ $1 gxf6 31.Qg4+ Kh8 32.Qf5 {Hoping for a perpetual. Then the world champion found the following line} 32...Bxf4 33.Rxe8 ( 33.Qxd5 $1 {still keeps White in the battle, though.} ) 33...Rxe8 34.Bb1 Re1+ $3 35.Kxe1 Qg1+ 36.Ke2 Qg2+ 37.Ke1 Bd2+ 38.Kd1 Bf3+ ) ) 29.Rad1 Rxe4 {\"I didn't see a win after the queen sac, but I thought it would be very difficult for him.\" (Carlsen)} ( {Black also considered} 29...Bc5+ 30.Kf1 Qc6 31.Bb1 g6 32.Nxc5 Qxc5 33.g4 {and, of course, liked his position but thought that White has some chances to hold.} ) 30.Rxd5 Rxe1+ 31.Kf2 Rfe8 32.Re5 $1 {The only move.} ( {Otherwise it is mate:} 32.Rxd6 R8e2# ) ( {Or another one} 32.Rd2 Bc5+ 33.Rd4 R8e2# ) 32...Bxe5 ( {Instead} 32...R1xe5 33.fxe5 Bc5+ 34.Kf1 Be4 $1 {might be even stronger.} ) 33.Kxe1 Bxc3+ 34.Kf1 Bc8 $1 {Obviously seen well in advance.} ( {For} 34...Bxb2 $4 35.Qd7 {loses for Black.} ) 35.Qg2 {The queen is limited, which is one problem for Bacrot. The other is that his king is still in mortal danger.} ( {Stronger is} 35.g4 $1 Bxb2 36.Qg2 Bf6 37.Qc6 {with practical chances to survive.} ) 35...Bf5 ( {A study-like win is} 35...Rd8 $3 36.Qc6 Bd7 37.Qb7 Bh3+ 38.Ke2 Bg4+ 39.Kf1 Bd4 {setting up an unusual mating net. White can get easily mated in many lines:} 40.Qxb5 Be3 41.Kg2 Rd2+ 42.Kf1 Rd1+ 43.Kg2 Rg1# ) 36.Qd5 Be6 37.Qc5 $1 {The best defense.} ( {The pawn is immune} 37.Qxb5 Bh3+ 38.Kf2 Bd4+ 39.Kf3 Re3+ 40.Kf2 Rb3+ {and Black picks up the queen.} ) 37...Bxb2 38.Kg2 $1 {Bacrot found some amazing resources, but still this was not enough in the end.} 38...Bd7 39.Qd5 {Carlsen thought this to be the last mistake.} ( {Apparently, the computer is holding this after} 39.Qc7 $1 {Sticking to the black pieces.} 39...Bf5 40.Qc5 ( 40.Qb6 Bd7 41.Qc7 Bg4 42.h3 Re2+ 43.Kf1 Ba3 44.Bxc4 bxc4 45.hxg4 ) 40...Be4+ 41.Kh3 {Carlsen believed that he is winning in the line} 41...Rb8 42.Qc7 ( {However, there is the strong resource} 42.Qb4 $1 Bf6 43.Bxc4 $1 ) 42...Ra8 43.Qc5 g6 ) 39...Rd8 $3 {A beautiful ambush! \"It is just all over.\" (Carlsen)} 40.Qc5 ( {However, there is still a lot of play left after the most resilient} 40.g4 $1 Bf6 41.Kg3 ) 40...Bf6 41.Bb1 g6 42.g4 Bxg4 43.Qxb5 c3 44.f5 g5 $1 {A nice final touch. Everything is in order now on the kingside, and Black may take care of the enemy king now or advance his c-passer.} ( {Black has correctly avoided the direct} 44...c2 45.Bxc2 Rd2+ 46.Kg3 Rxc2 47.Kxg4 h5+ 48.Kg3 {and there is no mate.} ) 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.29"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[ECO "C00"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7973342330970"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e6 {A surprise for Karjakin, who mainly expected the Sicilian or the solid 1...e5 move.} 2.d3 {Therefore, the Russian GM decided to surprise his opponent in turn and avoid the long theoretical lines. Plus, this move is good, right?} 2...d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.Ngf3 Be7 5.g3 a5 {A possible move order, but Shankland soon reverts to a main line.} 6.Bg2 a4 7.a3 {This pawn needs to be stopped.} 7...c5 8.O-O Nc6 9.Re1 O-O 10.e5 Nd7 11.Nf1 b5 12.h4 Bb7 ( {Black can also put pressure along the c-file with} 12...Qc7 13.Bf4 Nd4 14.Nxd4 cxd4 {when} 15.Nh2 Bb7 16.h5 b4 17.axb4 Bxb4 18.Rf1 Nxe5 19.h6 g6 20.c3 {gave White the initiative in Naiditsch,A (2687)-Lalith,B (2587) Doha 2016} ) 13.h5 h6 {One of the possible ways to defend. Just like White has stopped the a-pawn, so does Black with the striker on the opposite wing.} 14.Bf4 Qb6 {Shankland has prepared for queenside expansion. However, his last move shifted one more of his pieces away from the kingside, and White immediately starts creating concrete threats.} 15.Qd2 $146 {With the clear intention to capture on h6 sooner or later.} ( {An earlier game saw another version of the sacrifice:} 15.Ne3 Rfb8 16.Ng4 Bf8 17.Qd2 Nd4 18.Nxd4 cxd4 19.Bh3 Ra6 20.Bxh6 gxh6 21.Nxh6+ Bxh6 22.Qxh6 Qd8 {when White's initiative turned out to be enough only for a draw later in Johansson,K (2264)-Hassim,U (2117) LSS email 2014} ) 15...Rfc8 {Shankland clears the f8-spot for his bishop. His plan seems perfectly reasonable. He wants to defend as economically as possible, and if just one Bf8 can do the job, then all would be great for him.} ( {Actually, White isn't yet threatening to sacrifice and} 15...b4 {is possible as} 16.Bxh6 gxh6 17.Qxh6 Qd8 {seems to defend sufficiently.} ) 16.g4 $1 {Karjakin thought that this is the only way to build a successful kingside attack. He aims to make use of the hook on h6 to break open the g-file.} ( {The standard way of attacking involves the pieces:} 16.N1h2 {Then Black will proceed with his queenside business} 16...b4 ( {Although the immediate knight swap with} 16...Nd4 $5 {also makes perfect sense and Black should be OK after} 17.Nxd4 cxd4 18.g4 b4 ) ( {Black needs to keep the bishop on its position for the time being, though, as} 16...Bf8 17.g4 $1 {makes the g-push plan more interesting.} ) 17.Ng4 {when a key defensive idea for Black is} 17...Nd4 $1 {Knocking down an important white attacker.} ( {Let's assume that Black ignores his opponent on the kingside. An illustrative line for White's attacking possibilities goes} 17...bxa3 18.bxa3 Ba6 {Now the programmed} 19.Bxh6 $1 gxh6 20.Nxh6+ {leads to winning attack for the first player:} 20...Kf8 ( {Or} 20...Kg7 21.Qf4 Rf8 22.c4 $1 {when White will soon crash through the center.} ) 21.Qf4 Nd8 22.Ng5 $1 {There is this knight coming with decisive effect!} ) 18.Nxd4 cxd4 {After the knights are off the board} 19.Bxh6 gxh6 20.Nxh6+ Kg7 21.Qf4 Rf8 {does not seem to work well for White anymore.} ) 16...Qd8 {The queen steps back for defense. That is once more very sensible.} ( {However, there is the aggressive defense too:} 16...Nd4 $1 17.Nxd4 cxd4 18.Nh2 b4 19.g5 {The problem with this approach is that Black risks being checkmated. Still} 19...Qc7 $1 {puts enough pressure on the queenside to challenge the white queen just in time. For example,} 20.gxh6 ( {or} 20.Re2 bxa3 21.bxa3 Qc3 ) ( {And if} 20.Rac1 bxa3 21.bxa3 Qc3 $1 {which is the human way.} ( {Although the computer dares to even take material with} 21...hxg5 22.Bxg5 Bxa3 ) ) 20...Qxc2 {and without the queens, White's attack fizzles out.} ) 17.N1h2 ( {With the queen in the defense} 17.g5 {can be well met with} 17...hxg5 18.Nxg5 Ndxe5 19.Nxe6 fxe6 20.Bxe5 Qf8 ) 17...Ra6 {The rook protects the e6-pawn and is ready to support the b5-b4 break.} ( {When the black queen is away,} 17...Nd4 $6 {does not work that well anymore:} 18.Nxd4 cxd4 19.Nf3 {as the d4-pawn is vulnerable.} ) ( {And if} 17...Nf8 {intending to block the g-pawn via the h7-square, then} 18.g5 $1 hxg5 19.Bxg5 {with White's attack.} ) 18.Kh1 $1 {The rook is the key piece in the attacking puzzle.} 18...b4 19.Rg1 Nf8 20.axb4 ( {It is early for the immediate} 20.g5 hxg5 21.Bxg5 Bxg5 22.Nxg5 Nxe5 ) 20...cxb4 ( {Any time the pressure on e5 is realized} 20...Nxb4 {White strikes with} 21.g5 $1 ) 21.d4 $1 {Not only does Karjakin defend the e5-spot, he opens the diagonal for his light-squared bishop too.} 21...Na5 ( {There is still not enough time to transfer the knight to the h7-square} 21...Nh7 22.Bf1 Ra5 23.g5 hxg5 24.Nxg5 Nxg5 25.Bxg5 Bxg5 26.Rxg5 {The files would be opened in White's favor, and his attack would be super-strong.} ) ( {However, Shankland might have still been able to survive with} 21...a3 $1 22.b3 ( {No time for} 22.Bf1 axb2 $1 ) 22...Nh7 {Then} 23.Bf1 Raa8 24.g5 {can be met with} 24...hxg5 25.Nxg5 Nxg5 26.Bxg5 Bxg5 27.Rxg5 Nxd4 {True, White can ignore the knight:} 28.Bd3 {But then Black will bring it closer for the kingside defense with} 28...Nf5 ) 22.g5 $1 {Now the grand strategy works well for Karjakin. As the Russian GM summarized it, it takes just one mistake to lose for Black.} 22...Nc4 {That is more accurate.} ( {Then} 22...hxg5 23.Bxg5 $1 Bxg5 ( 23...Nc4 24.Qf4 ) 24.Nxg5 {with an unstoppable attack.} ) 23.Qc1 hxg5 24.Bxg5 b3 ( {Or} 24...Bxg5 25.Nxg5 b3 26.Bf1 $1 {Bringing everyone together.} 26...bxc2 27.Ng4 $1 {With the unstoppable threat of a check on either h6- or f6-square next. A possible mating attack runs} 27...Qe7 28.Nh6+ gxh6 29.Ne4+ Ng6 30.Nf6+ Kg7 31.hxg6 fxg6 32.Rxg6+ Kxg6 33.Qxc2+ Kg5 34.f4+ Kxf4 35.Qf2+ Kg5 36.Qg3+ Kf5 37.Bd3# ) 25.Bxe7 Qxe7 26.Bf1 $1 {The file is opened; the end is near.} ( 26.Bh3 $1 {would also be good.} ) 26...a3 {The last mistake.} ( {More resilient is} 26...f5 27.exf6 Qxf6 28.cxb3 ( {Or the immediate} 28.h6 ) 28...axb3 29.Rxa6 Bxa6 30.h6 ) 27.Rxg7+ $3 {A brilliant way to get to the enemy king.} 27...Kxg7 28.Ng4 f5 29.exf6+ Qxf6 30.Nxf6 {Not only does Karjakin win the black queen, he continues the decisive attack as well.} 30...axb2 31.Qg5+ Kf7 32.h6 Ng6 33.Nh4 $1 {The final blow.} 33...bxa1=Q ( 33...Nxh4 34.Qg7# ) ( {A pretty finish would be} 33...Rg8 34.h7 Rg7 35.Nxg6 bxa1=Q 36.h8=N# ) 34.Qxg6+ Ke7 35.Qg7+ Kd6 ( 35...Kd8 36.Qd7# ) 36.Qd7# 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.07.30"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8045547489289"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 c5 {Karjakin is often labelled as the \"Minister of the Defense.\" People are forgetting, though, that he first proved himself as one of the strongest tacticians on Earth. In fact, a few years back, during his meteor-like rising years, even top players like Anand and Kramnik wisely preferred to avoid the Sicilian when facing him.} 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 Nc6 7.g4 ( {There are, of course, other ways to develop, like} 7.Be3 e6 8.g4 Be7 9.Bg2 Nd7 10.O-O O-O 11.f4 Nxd4 12.Qxd4 e5 13.Qd2 exf4 14.Bxf4 Ne5 15.Nd5 {Andriasian,Z (2926)-Savchenko,B (2848) Chess.com 2020} ) 7...g6 8.Be3 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 Bg7 {All of this was played fast by both, but Shankland is about to face a nasty surprise.} 10.e5 $5 $146 {Interesting and new, according to Megabase. And played very confidently by Karjakin, just like his next moves. In the post-match analysis with GM Sergey Shipov, Karjakin revealed that this was an idea of his second, the creative GM Denis Khismatullin. \"I rushed to prepare, and he showed me this between the games.\"} ( {In an earlier game, White went for the central break a tad later after} 10.Qb4 O-O 11.O-O-O b5 12.e5 Ne8 13.Bg2 Rb8 14.Ba7 a5 15.Qd4 Bb7 16.Bxb8 Bxg2 17.Qa7 Bxh1 18.Rxh1 Bxe5 {and this led to very unclear play in Karthikeyan,M (2606)-Sardana,R (2437) Gibraltar 2020} ) 10...Nd7 ( {Black cannot capture the pawn as} 10...dxe5 $2 11.Qxd8+ Kxd8 12.O-O-O+ {completely paralyzes him, and the initiative is irresistible:} 12...Kc7 ( {Or} 12...Bd7 13.g5 Nh5 14.Bg2 Rb8 15.Bb6+ Ke8 16.Nd5 {with complete domination.} ) 13.g5 Nh5 14.Nd5+ Kb8 {and White is close to winning after both} 15.Nb6 ( {and} 15.Nxe7 ) ) 11.O-O-O Bxe5 {The only possible capture.} ( 11...Nxe5 $2 {drops a piece after} 12.f4 ) ( {As before} 11...dxe5 $2 {leaves Black completely paralyzed and helpless} 12.Qb4 O-O 13.Nd5 e6 14.Nb6 Rb8 15.Qd2 ) 12.Qd2 Qa5 13.Nd5 $1 {The point behind the sacrifice! Shankland is facing a tough practical decision: Should I enter the in-depth analysis of my opponent who is still blitzing, or should I play it safe?} 13...Qxd2+ {He chose the latter.} ( {Karjakin said that he remembered a few of the forcing lines after the principled} 13...Qxa2 14.Qb4 {and he felt confident. Then Black obviously cannot sacrifice the rook:} 14...Qa1+ ( {Also grim for Black is} 14...O-O 15.f4 Bg7 16.Nxe7+ Kh8 17.Bd4 ) ( {And even worse seems} 14...Kd8 $2 15.f4 $1 {This move is the key to Black's castle in most of the lines.} ( {The black bishop should be chased away from its active position as the line} 15.Bb6+ Nxb6 16.Qxb6+ Ke8 17.Nc7+ $2 Kf8 18.Nxa8 $4 Bf4+ 19.Rd2 Qa1# {clearly illustrates why.} ) 15...Bg7 16.Bb6+ {and then win the rook.} ) ( {Best seems} 14...Rb8 15.f4 $1 ( {Rather than the immediate} 15.Ba7 Qa1+ 16.Kd2 Qxb2 17.Qxb2 Bxb2 ) 15...Bg7 16.Ba7 Qa1+ 17.Kd2 Qxb2 18.Qxb2 Bxb2 19.Rb1 Bg7 20.Bxa6 {with an edge for White, but perhaps Black can hold this?} ) 15.Kd2 Qxb2 16.Qxb2 Bxb2 17.Nc7+ Kd8 18.Nxa8 b5 19.Bg2 {as the white knight escapes.} ) 14.Rxd2 {\"I knew that the endgame is clearly better for White. Despite the pawn deficit, the white pieces are immensely active, and playing this as White is much easier.\" (Karjakin)} ( {Another capture is also possible:} 14.Bxd2 Rb8 15.f4 Bg7 {but then White needs to find the sharp idea} 16.Bb4 b6 17.Nxe7 $1 Kxe7 18.Bxd6+ Ke8 19.Bg2 Bb7 {with the beautiful point} 20.Bc7 $3 Bxg2 21.Rhe1+ Kf8 22.Bxb8 {and wins.} ) 14...Kd8 ( {The rook cannot be saved with} 14...Rb8 15.f4 Bg7 16.Ba7 ) 15.f4 Bg7 16.Bg2 a5 ( {Once more} 16...Rb8 {only helps White rearrange his pieces after} 17.Ba7 Ra8 18.Bf2 Rb8 19.Bh4 ) ( {Whereas} 16...e6 {opens the game favorably for the first player and he crushes through with} 17.Nb6 Nxb6 18.Bxb6+ Kd7 19.Rhd1 d5 20.c4 $1 ( {Or even} 20.Bxd5 $1 exd5 21.Rxd5+ Kc6 22.Rd6+ Kb5 23.R1d5+ Kc4 24.Rc5+ Kb4 25.a3+ Ka4 26.Ra5# ) ) 17.a4 $1 {Fixing the pawn on a5. White is dominating; he does not need to force anything yet.} 17...Ra6 $1 {The only chance.} 18.Bf1 $1 {A key move, which does not let the rook go out.} 18...Rc6 19.Bb5 h5 ( {Here and on the next move, Karjakin expected} 19...e6 $1 20.Bxc6 bxc6 {when he planned to pick up the-a5 pawn in the line} 21.Nb6 d5 ( {Or} 21...Kc7 22.Nc4 ) 22.Nxd7 Bxd7 ( {Nevertheless, this is Black's best chance, especially since the line} 22...Kxd7 23.Bb6 Bb7 24.Bxa5 $2 Ra8 25.b4 c5 $1 {is far from clear yet.} ) 23.Bb6+ ) 20.g5 h4 ( 20...e6 $1 {is still there.} ) 21.Re1 Nb8 {\"A terrible move.\" (Karjakin)} ( {Shankland misses his last chance to opt for} 21...e6 22.Bxc6 bxc6 23.Nb6 Kc7 24.Nc4 {with at least some practical chances for survival.} ) 22.Ba7 $1 {Now it is basically over.} 22...e6 ( 22...Nd7 23.Bxc6 bxc6 24.Nxe7 {loses everything for Black.} ) 23.Bxc6 Nxc6 24.Bb6+ Kd7 25.Ne3 ( {There are other ways to pick up the d6-pawn, like} 25.Nc7 Bf8 26.c4 ) 25...Ke7 26.Bc7 {The pawn is lost, and without it everything collapses.} 26...Nd4 ( 26...d5 27.Nxd5+ ) 27.Rd3 Bd7 28.Nd5+ Ke8 29.Nf6+ {White forces the win.} ( 29.Bxd6 {would have done too.} ) 29...Bxf6 30.gxf6 Nf5 31.Bxd6 Kd8 32.Red1 Bxa4 33.Be7+ $1 {Everything is precisely calculated despite the time deficit.} 33...Kc7 ( {Or else the key black pawn is lost after} 33...Kc8 34.Rd8+ Rxd8 35.Rxd8+ Kc7 36.Rf8 ) 34.Bd8+ Kc8 ( {There is literally no choice:} 34...Kc6 35.b3 Bb5 36.Rc3+ ) 35.Bb6 1-0

[Event "Croatia Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2021.07.09"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2543"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[ECO "C82"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[Beauty "6188150304337"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]

{Mamedyarov looked great winning the first leg of the Tour in Bucharest, but here on the first two days of the rapid he scuffled a bit. On the other side of the board, Van Foreest played better than his minus-two score would indicate. After witnessing rounds seven and eight go by without a single win, this matchup seemed the prime candidate to end the pattern.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {Of course, Mamedyarov can play anything, but the Open Spanish is not among his regular choices. Usually, it's the Steinitz with g7-g5!} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.c3 Bc5 10.Nbd2 ( 10.Qd3 {is an interesting option here.} ) 10...O-O 11.Bc2 Nxf2 12.Rxf2 f6 13.Nf1 Bxf2+ 14.Kxf2 fxe5 15.Kg1 Bg4 ( {Against Vachier-Lagrave in Biel 2018, Mamedyarov preferred} 15...Qd6 {I don't know of any other games of his in this line.} ) 16.Bg5 {Is that a novelty?} ( {I thought} 16.Ne3 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Ne7 18.Qd3 g6 19.Ng4 {is what White is supposed to do (Grandelius-Mikhalevsky, European Teams Online, 2021).} ) 16...Bxf3 17.Qd2 Qd6 18.gxf3 e4 $5 {This position is tricky, but, of course, Mamedyarov's solution is the most direct.} ( {Bad is} 18...Rxf3 $2 19.Bb3 ) ( {but engines suggest} 18...h6 19.Bh4 Rf4 20.Bg3 Rxf3 ) 19.fxe4 Ne5 20.Kh1 ( {On} 20.Bd1 {Black may consider the endgame:} 20...h6 21.Bh4 Qg6+ 22.Qg2 Qxe4 23.Qxe4 dxe4 24.Bg3 Rae8 {although I would be happier as White with the queens gone.} ) 20...Nf3 21.Qg2 Rae8 {A typical Mamedyarov move. Black brings his last piece into action, while avoiding exchanges.} ( {There is something to be said in favor of} 21...Nxg5 22.Qxg5 Rf2 23.Bb3 Kh8 {After all, what better use of an extra rook but to invade the second?} ) 22.Be3 $1 {Van Foreest's plan is correct. White needs to keep all minor pieces on the board to take away squares from the black rooks.} ( 22.exd5 $2 Ne1 ) 22...c5 $1 ( {On} 22...dxe4 23.Ng3 Re5 {the simple} 24.Bxe4 Qe7 25.Qc2 {might work for White.} ) 23.Ng3 d4 24.Rd1 Kh8 25.cxd4 cxd4 26.Bg1 ( {More consistent with the previous moves would have been} 26.Bf2 {but} 26...Nh4 27.Qf1 Nf3 {causes some problems. Van Foreest wanted more than a draw!} ) ( {Perhaps he had} 26.Bb3 {anticipating} 26...Qe5 27.Bf2 Nh4 ( 27...Qg5 28.Nf5 ) 28.Bxd4 {although the endgame after} 28...Nxg2 29.Bxe5 Ne3 $1 30.Re1 Rxe5 31.Rxe3 Rf2 {is completely unclear.} ) 26...Nxg1 27.Qxg1 Qf4 28.Qg2 ( {Again} 28.Qxd4 Qf3+ 29.Kg1 Rd8 $1 30.Qxd8 Qf2+ {is only a draw,} ) ( {White's best is} 28.Ne2 $1 Qf3+ 29.Qg2 {facing the loss of the d-pawn, Black might have to resort to} 29...d3 30.Qxf3 Rxf3 31.Rxd3 Rxd3 32.Bxd3 Rd8 {but here the accurate} 33.Nc1 $1 {is good enough to keep White on top.} ( 33.Nf4 Rf8 34.Nd5 Rf2 $1 ) 33...Rc8 34.Nb3 Rd8 35.Nc5 {In such a situation all White wants is a bit of time to bring his king up to keep the black rook at bay.} ) 28...Rc8 29.Qe2 Qe3 30.Bb3 Rf2 {Well, it didn't happen.} 31.Qxe3 dxe3 32.e5 g6 $1 {Mamedyarov keeps his cool. The rapid advance of White's passer doesn't faze him.} 33.e6 a5 34.Kg1 Kg7 35.Ne4 Rf4 $1 {Black is already playing for a win.} ( {His escape hatch was} 35...Rxb2 36.Nd6 Rc5 37.e7 Rg5+ 38.Kh1 Rh5 $1 39.Bd5 Rhxh2+ 40.Kg1 Rh3 41.e8=Q Rg3+ {with perpetual.} ) 36.Nd6 $6 ( {Van Foreest had too little time left to consider going back.} 36.Ng3 a4 37.Bd5 Kf6 38.Re1 Rd4 {slightly favors Black.} ) 36...Rc5 $1 {We can state that White's king is in big trouble.} 37.h4 ( 37.e7 Rg5+ 38.Kh1 e2 {and underpromoting} 39.e8=N+ {is no consolation at all:} 39...Kh6 {resigns.} ) 37...Re5 38.Nf7 ( {In case of} 38.Re1 a4 39.Bd5 Kf8 {removes the e-pawn, White's only hope to stay in the game.} ) 38...Rg4+ 39.Kh2 Ree4 $2 {This surprising error begins a new stage of the game.} ( {With near three minutes on his clock, Mamedyarov was expected to find} 39...Rh5 40.Ng5 Rgxg5 {dropping the curtain.} ) 40.Rd7 Rxh4+ $2 ( {Again, what's up with} 40...Kf6 ) 41.Kg3 Rhg4+ 42.Kf3 {Now the White king is close by, and the fight continues.} 42...Kf6 ( 42...e2 43.Ne5+ Kh8 44.Rd8+ Kg7 $11 ) 43.Nd6 e2 44.Rf7+ Kg5 $2 {Third error in a row, and Black's advantage is gone.} ( {Granted,} 44...Ke5 45.Nxe4 Rxe4 46.e7 Kd4 {is too unnerving to consider in the waning seconds. Easier wins were available earlier.} ) 45.Nxe4+ Rxe4 46.Kxe4 e1=Q+ 47.Kd4 {Now White shouldn't ever lose this.} 47...Qb4+ 48.Ke5 a4 49.Bd5 Qxb2+ 50.Kd6 Qh2+ 51.Kc6 b4 $5 {Mamedyarov never quits!} 52.Ra7 $2 ( 52.e7 Qe5 53.Rxh7 b3 54.axb3 a3 55.b4 {Perhaps Van Foreest overlooked the last move in this line.} ) 52...Qb8 $1 {This one is easy to miss.} 53.Rb7 ( 53.Rxa4 Qe8+ ) 53...Qa8 $2 ( {On his turn, Mamedyarov missed} 53...Qc8+ {which helps to separate the white pieces from the e-pawn. After} 54.Kb6 {Black proceeds with} ( 54.Kd6 b3 55.axb3 a3 56.b4 a2 {wins White's rook.} ) 54...Kf6 55.e7 b3 56.axb3 a3 57.b4 g5 58.b5 g4 {and he seems to be ahead in the race. Of course, one cannot blame the players for making mistakes in such a crazy position. Neither one of them had the time to calculate.} ) 54.e7 b3 55.Kd7 $2 {It all came to the final blunder.} ( {Again, correct is} 55.axb3 a3 56.b4 ) 55...bxa2 56.Rb5 Qa7+ 57.Bb7+ Kh6 58.e8=Q a1=Q {A new set of queens?! What else are we going to see in this show?} 59.Qe6 Qg7+ 60.Kc6 Qc3+ 61.Kd7 Qad4+ 62.Bd5 Qg7+ 63.Ke8 Qce5 {Despite this loss and the overall poor score of minus three, Van Foreest impresses with his fighting spirit. A bit more seasoning in rapid chess, and he will become a force. And Mamedyarov is just being Mamedyarov. Great game!} 0-1

[Event "Croatia Rapid & Blitz "]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2021.07.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Saric, Ivan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2650"]
[ECO "B33"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,Alex"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[Beauty "6188913674766"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]

{Up to this point Ian had a fantastic tournament, 4/5 and 14 rating points gained for the rapid list.} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 $5 {A clever choice from Saric, who was looking for a back door entrance to the Sveshnikov Variation.} ( {In case of the direct} 2...Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 {Nepomniachtchi might have gone for the modern treatment with} 7.Nd5 ) 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 {Possibly, a case of keeping his cards close to the chest.} ( {The type of position after} 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 {fits Nepo's style, albeit he never played it before (as far as I know). Of course, there's a lot of theory there, and some novelties might be found. We have to wait until November...} ) 6...d6 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5 a6 9.Na3 b5 10.Nd5 {The Karpov line. White abandons all ambitious thoughts of taking Black's position by storm and sends the game into a maneuvering stage. Despite Nepomniachtchi's experience in this line, somehow I don't think he would find success playing this way against Carlsen.} 10...Be7 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.c3 Bg5 13.Nc2 Ne7 14.Ncb4 ( {Also known is} 14.a4 bxa4 15.Ncb4 O-O 16.Qxa4 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 {and after} 17...Bd7 {Carlsen held comfortably against Jakovenko and Anand back in 2008-09. No new developments since then.} ) 14...O-O 15.g3 Be6 16.h4 Bh6 17.Bg2 {An inaccuracy, according to Saric, as it allows Black to expand on the queenside.} ( {The thematic} 17.a4 Nxd5 18.exd5 ( 18.Nxd5 bxa4 19.Rxa4 a5 20.Bc4 Kh8 21.Qe2 {Years ago I had a similar position with White against Khalifman, and I had no idea how to proceed.} ) 18...Bd7 19.Nc6 Qb6 20.Bg2 {is a concept, but I have my doubts about its efficiency. The great-looking Nc6 will be ignored, while Black has a clear-cut plan of attack with f7-f5. One question lingers on: why did White need to push his h-pawn forward?} ) 17...a5 $1 ( {\"After} 17...Nxd5 18.Nxd5 {I can't really attack the knight on d5 and everything is fine.\" - Saric} ) 18.Nxe7+ Qxe7 19.Nd5 ( 19.Nd3 Rac8 {Saric} ) 19...Qb7 {\"My queen is forced to a better square. He can't really defend the knight and will eventually have to capture on d5 with a pawn and that position is just strategically bad.\" - Saric} 20.g4 {I fail to see how this is going to help White. The only outcome of this pawn push is that it forces Black to trade down to a better endgame.} 20...Bxd5 21.Qxd5 Qxd5 22.exd5 Bf4 23.Ke2 Rab8 24.a3 g6 25.h5 Kg7 26.Rh3 Rfc8 27.Kd3 Kf6 {White's position is entirely devoid of any prospects. One consolation for Nepo: this wasn't Game 1 in Dubai.} 28.hxg6 hxg6 29.Rh7 $6 ( {The only positive development for White might be} 29.Kc2 b4 30.axb4 axb4 31.Ra6 {at least bringing that rook to c6.} ) 29...Rc7 30.Be4 Kg5 31.Ke2 b4 32.cxb4 axb4 33.a4 b3 $1 {Great timing!} 34.Kf3 ( {After} 34.a5 {Saric was planning} 34...Rc2+ $5 {Let's see:} 35.Bxc2 bxc2 36.Rhh1 e4 $1 ( {Too soon for} 36...c1=Q 37.Rhxc1 Bxc1 38.Rxc1 Rxb2+ 39.Kd3 Ra2 40.Rc6 {where White's activity may be enough for a draw.} ) 37.a6 Rxb2 {Curtains.} ) 34...Rb4 {Saric thought he was winning here but Nepomniachtchi still found something:} 35.a5 $5 Rxe4 36.a6 {This trick helps White to stay up the exchange, but from Black's point of view it's an OK development, as exchange sacrifices are often used to win endgames with rooks and opposite-colored bishops. Saric has a strong hand on the game.} ( 36.Kxe4 f5+ ) 36...Rd4 37.a7 e4+ 38.Kg2 Rxa7 39.Rxa7 Rd2 40.Kf1 Rxb2 41.Rb7 Kxg4 42.Rh8 ( 42.Rhxf7 Kf3 ) 42...Be5 43.Rhb8 Rb1+ 44.Kg2 b2 {It becomes clear that the only way for White to use his rooks is to sac back on b2 and head for a lost rook endgame.} 45.Rxf7 Rd1 46.Rfb7 Rxd5 47.Rb4 Kf5 48.Rf8+ Ke6 49.Re8+ Kd7 50.Reb8 Rd1 51.R4b7+ Ke6 52.Rxb2 Bxb2 53.Rxb2 d5 54.Rb8 d4 55.Rg8 Kf5 56.Rf8+ Kg5 57.Re8 Kf4 58.Rf8+ Ke5 59.Re8+ Kd5 60.Rg8 d3 61.Rxg6 d2 62.Rg8 Kc4 63.Rd8 Kc3 {A great, consistent game from the rating underdog. Saric sends a message that he plans to be more than a filler from the local ranks. To take things in perspective I have noticed that lately Nepo is having a hard time against the Sveshnikov. Something to work on before the World Championship match?} 0-1

[Event "Croatia Rapid & Blitz "]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2021.07.10"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[ECO "B40"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7219034722864"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 {Abandoning the Najdorf after three catastrophic losses was certainly a good idea.} 3.c3 d5 4.e5 {MVL is trying to take the game into the Advance Variation of the French, but Garry has plans of his own.} 4...d4 $1 {I always liked this move, as it leads to relatively unexplored positions.} 5.Bd3 Bd7 $1 {This \"bishops before knights\" development is superior} ( {to the standard} 5...Nc6 {where Bc8 stays behind and may become permanently bad in case of} 6.O-O Nge7 7.Be4 Ng6 $6 8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.c4 $1 ) 6.O-O Bc6 7.Re1 g5 $1 {Garry plays the best move!} ( {Black was not in such a bad shape after} 7...Ne7 8.Na3 Ng6 9.Be4 Be7 10.d3 dxc3 11.bxc3 O-O 12.g3 {as in the stem game Morozevich-Svidler, Tal Memorial Blotz 2014.} ) 8.h3 ( {Shimanov-Bukavshin, 2014 saw the wild} 8.b4 $5 g4 9.b5 Bd7 10.Nxd4 cxd4 11.Qxg4 {albeit, White's compensation didn't prove to be sufficient.} ) ( {Interesting is} 8.h4 $5 {where in reply to} 8...g4 ( 8...gxh4 9.cxd4 cxd4 10.Be4 ) 9.Ng5 h6 {White has to go for the speculative} 10.Nxf7 $5 ( 10.Ne4 Nd7 $1 ) 10...Kxf7 11.Qxg4 ) 8...h5 9.Na3 {Vachier-Lagrave's move surrenders the initiative to Black.} ( {Now} 9.h4 $1 g4 10.Ng5 {just has to be played.} ) 9...g4 10.Nh2 Nh6 11.Be4 d3 $5 {Throughout his illustrious career, Kasparov had many games featuring the same central pawn thrust. He described it as \"cutting the board in two,\" when the queenside pieces cannot come over to help the king. I began to feel optimistic about Kasparov's prospects.} 12.b4 {In such an adverse situation, Maxime decided to play his moves quickly, hoping to create confusion.} ( {A \"normal\" course of events, such as} 12.hxg4 hxg4 13.Nxg4 Bg7 14.Qf3 Nxg4 15.Qxg4 Bxe5 16.g3 Qf6 17.Nc4 Bc7 {doesn't seem satisfactory from White's point of view..} ) 12...Bxe4 13.Rxe4 Qd5 14.Qa4+ Nc6 15.bxc5 Bxc5 16.Nb5 O-O-O 17.Qc4 g3 18.Nf1 gxf2+ {An extra pawn for Black already, and it's a pretty good one!} 19.Kh2 Nf5 $6 {The beginning of the slide, while the knight move certainly fits into Black's plans,} ( {The more direct} 19...a6 {is simply winning, as in} 20.Nd6+ Rxd6 21.exd6 Qxd6+ 22.Kh1 Rg8 {where White is helpless against the threat of Nf5-g3.} ) 20.Ba3 {Somehow White manages to trade bishops and avoid getting mated.} 20...Bxa3 21.Nxa3 Kb8 22.Qxd5 Rxd5 23.Nc4 {As I watched Kasparov's clock run down to one minute, I had a sinking feeling he wouldn't be able to win this game.} 23...b5 24.Nce3 Nxe3 25.Nxe3 Rxe5 26.Rf4 f5 27.Kg3 Kc7 {There was no time to calculate everything,} ( {not even} 27...Ne7 28.Kxf2 Ng6 29.Rd4 f4 ) 28.a4 a6 29.axb5 axb5 30.Kxf2 Re4 31.Rxe4 fxe4 32.Kg3 Rf8 33.Re1 ( {Better is} 33.Rf1 Ra8 34.Kf4 Ra2 35.Rd1 $11 ) 33...Ne7 34.Rb1 Kc6 35.Rb4 Nf5+ 36.Kf4 Nd6+ $1 {The last seconds were spent on this good move.} 37.Ke5 $1 ( 37.Kg3 e5 38.Rb1 Nc4 {would be winning for Black.} ) 37...Rf2 38.Rd4 Nf7+ $2 ( {Unfortunately, the correct follow-up} 38...Nb7 39.Rxe4 Nc5 {escaped Kasparov's attention.} ) 39.Kxe6 Ng5+ 40.Ke5 Rxd2 41.h4 Re2 42.Rd6+ Kb7 43.hxg5 Rxe3 44.g6 Re2 $4 {and now this....} ( 44...Rg3 45.Kxe4 Kc7 46.Rxd3 Rxg6 $11 ) 45.g4 Rg2 46.gxh5 d2 47.Kxe4 {In conclusion, I have to say that I'm deeply saddened by what happened to Kasparov today. Nobody deserves to go out like this. I can only hope he will come back and play better tomorrow.} 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Chessable Masters "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.08.07"]
[Round "7"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[ECO "C90"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7495795623460"]
[EventType "game"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 {A popular line nowadays. White hopes to outplay his opponent in the arising lengthy maneuvering battle.} 6...b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a4 Bd7 9.c3 O-O 10.Bc2 Re8 11.Re1 h6 12.Nbd2 Bf8 13.Nf1 ( {The world's top players discussed recently:} 13.h3 Rb8 14.b4 Ne7 15.axb5 axb5 16.d4 Ng6 17.Nb3 Ra8 18.Bd2 Rxa1 19.Qxa1 Qc8 20.Kh2 Nh5 21.Bd3 Nhf4 22.Bf1 c6 {and eventually White prevailed in Carlsen,M (2847)-Ding,L (2799) chess24.com INT 2021} ) 13...b4 {All very logical, Le creates his own play on the center and the queenside.} 14.Ng3 bxc3 15.bxc3 d5 $1 16.exd5 Nxd5 17.Bd2 Rb8 18.a5 {So in his turn fixes some squares for his pieces on the queenside and an eventual target on a6.} 18...Nf6 19.Ba4 Bd6 {[#]} 20.h3 $146 {A novelty.} ( {The predecessor was a battle between the top Polish players:} 20.Qc2 Na7 21.Bb3 Be6 22.Bxe6 Rxe6 23.d4 Nc6 24.Rad1 exd4 25.Rxe6 fxe6 26.cxd4 {with pressure for White in Duda,J (2729)-Wojtaszek,R (2687) Prague 2021} ) 20...Na7 ( {Le could have also chosen to maneuver with his knight toward the center:} 20...Ne7 $5 {As:} 21.Nxe5 {does not win a pawn due to the concrete line:} ( {Therefore White should likely chose:} 21.Bb3 $5 {instead with similar play as in the game.} ) 21...Bxa4 22.Qxa4 Bxe5 23.Rxe5 Qxd3 ) 21.Bc2 Nb5 22.Qc1 {Clearly aiming at the h6-pawn and the black king.} 22...Bc6 23.Nh4 {The knight wants to be on f5 after which the sacrifice will become inevitable.} 23...Bf8 {Therefore Le takes the needed measures at once.} ( {However, another central blow:} 23...e4 $1 {would have been even better, when the lines favor Black, e.g:} 24.Nhf5 ( {Or:} 24.dxe4 Bxg3 25.fxg3 Nxe4 {and the centralized black army is superior.} ) 24...Bxg3 25.Nxg3 exd3 {winning a pawn.} ) 24.Nhf5 Qd5 {That was black's point, he is diverting the enemy active pieces.} 25.Ne3 Qc5 {The queen is very active here.} 26.Ra4 {But So creatively tries to remove it from it's active post.} 26...Nd6 ( {Of course not:} 26...Nxc3 $2 27.Rc4 ) 27.d4 Qa7 $1 {That is even better.} ( {Than:} 27...exd4 28.cxd4 Qa7 29.Bh7+ Kxh7 30.Qxc6 Qb7 {with equality.} ) 28.Ra1 {A fierce battle for the initiative!} 28...Qa8 {Le believes his opponent.} ( {But the pawn was edible:} 28...exd4 29.cxd4 Qxd4 30.Bc3 Qh4 31.Nef5 Nxf5 32.Nxf5 Rxe1+ 33.Bxe1 Qg5 {when Black consolidates.} ) 29.f3 ( {The more patient:} 29.Rb1 $5 {looked objectively better, with approximate equality.} ) 29...exd4 30.cxd4 Nb5 {Up to here, Le played extremely well, and with creative maneuvers he managed to weaken significantly the opponent's position.} ( {However, instead of this obvious move, a better idea might have been to leave this square available for the bishop instead with:} 30...Qa7 $1 31.Ne2 {When:} 31...Bb5 {puts White under significant pressure.} ) 31.Nef5 Bd7 32.Re5 {Before the final sacrifice White needs one last improvement.} ( {The immediate sacrifice:} 32.Rxe8 Rxe8 33.Bxh6 {would have led to a defendable position for the second player after:} 33...Bxf5 34.Nxf5 gxh6 35.Nxh6+ Bxh6 36.Qxh6 Re6 $1 {Plenty of perpetual checks are possible after that, with each player capable of forcing them, like in this line:} 37.Bf5 Qd5 38.Bxe6 Qxd4+ 39.Kh2 Qxa1 40.Qg6+ Kh8 41.Qh6+ Nh7 42.Bxf7 Qe5+ 43.f4 Qg7 44.Qxa6 Qxf7 45.Qxb5 Qxf4+ {and a likely perpetual check.} ) 32...Qa7 $1 {Suddenly Black creates threats on his own.} 33.Be3 c5 {But he rushed to capitalize on his threats, forgetting that the king is above all.} ( {Strong was:} 33...Bxf5 $1 {Instead, physically demolishing one of the annoying knights, and after:} 34.Nxf5 g6 $1 {Removing the other as well. Once the black king is secured:} 35.Nxh6+ Bxh6 36.Rxe8+ Rxe8 37.Bxh6 {He may start creating threats on his own:} 37...Nxd4 {And black's knights seem more valuable after:} 38.Kh1 ( {Whereas in the line:} 38.Kh2 $2 Nxf3+ 39.gxf3 Qf2+ 40.Kh1 Re2 {White is getting checkmated at once.} ) 38...Nh5 $1 ) 34.Nxh6+ $3 {So does not need a second invitation.} 34...gxh6 35.Bxh6 {The attack is unstoppable.} 35...Rxe5 {This removes the rook, but brings a white pawn into the asault.} ( {Or mating attack after:} 35...Bxh6 36.Qxh6 Rxe5 37.dxe5 ) 36.dxe5 c4+ 37.Kh2 Nh7 38.Bxf8 $1 {Simple and strong. The remaining white pieces quickly join the attack, whereas Black's are desperately lagging on the queenside.} 38...Nxf8 ( {Or:} 38...Rxf8 39.Bxh7+ Kxh7 40.Qg5 $1 {with the unstoppable Ng3-h5!} ) 39.Qg5+ Ng6 40.Nh5 Qd4 ( {Or:} 40...Be8 41.Qf6 ) 41.Bxg6 Qxa1 42.Bxf7+ Kxf7 43.Qf6+ {Another fabulous tournament for Wesley So, who once again had the best time management, was extremely straightforward following his plans, and merciless in execution!} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.08.05"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[ECO "D50"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8249155786249"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.cxd5 cxd4 6.Qxd4 exd5 7.Bg5 Be7 8.e3 {Duda admitted that despite the fact that Karjakin played the Semi-Tarrasch in the previous round, he actually did not expect it.} 8...O-O 9.Rd1 ( {That game of Karjakin went:} 9.Be2 Nc6 10.Qd3 h6 11.Bh4 Qb6 ( {Deac could not completely equalize after:} 11...Be6 12.O-O Qb6 13.a3 Rfd8 14.Rfd1 Ne4 15.Bxe7 Nxe7 16.Nd4 Nxc3 17.Qxc3 Rac8 18.Qd2 {Grischuk,A (2776)-Deac,B (2627) Bucharest 2021} ) 12.O-O Rd8 13.Nb5 Bg4 14.Nfd4 Bxe2 15.Qxe2 a6 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Nc3 Qb4 18.Bg3 Ne4 {and Black successfully defended in Fedoseev, V (2696)-Karjakin,S (2757) FIDE World Cup 2021} ) ( {Duda was aware that:} 9.Bd3 {is not the most accurate move order, although he already played it twice. One of these games was played here:} 9...h6 10.Bh4 Nc6 11.Qa4 Bd7 ( 11...Be6 12.O-O Qb6 13.Qb5 Qxb5 14.Nxb5 g5 15.Bg3 Ne4 {and Black equalized in Duda,J (2729) -Vidit,S (2726) Tornelo INT 2021} ) 12.Qd1 Bg4 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Qxf3 d4 {and Black was already great in Duda,J (2729)-Grischuk,A (2776) FIDE World Cup 2021. Perhaps this game gave the strength to Karjakin to repeat the Semi-Tarrasch.} ) 9...Nc6 ( 9...Be6 {\"might be a tad more accurate.\" (Duda)} ) 10.Qa4 Be6 11.Bb5 {White decided to develop his bishop more aggressively.} 11...Qb6 {The queen is stepping out of the rook's way.} ( {But maybe:} 11...Rc8 $5 {is a bit more accurate, when Black needs not to worry about:} 12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.Qxa7 Ra8 14.Qb7 c5 {when Black has enough for the pawn.} ) 12.Bxf6 $146 ( {In the predecessor, Giri managed to successfully blockade the opponent's isolated pair of pawns after:} 12.O-O a6 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.Qc2 Rfd8 15.Na4 Qa5 16.Nd4 Bd7 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Nc5 {and this looks very attractive for White, but it would have been naive to expect it once more from Karjakin, Giri,A (2714)-Wang,Y (2697) Beijing 2011} ) 12...Bxf6 13.Nxd5 Bxd5 14.Rxd5 {\"It is very simple for me to play, that was the main point.\" (Duda)} 14...Bxb2 15.Ke2 $1 {\"The king is better placed in the center for the endgame.\" (Duda)} ( {Although the computer suggestion:} 15.O-O Bf6 16.h4 $5 {looks very good for White too.} ) 15...Bf6 16.Rhd1 Rac8 17.Bc4 Qb4 {\"This move surprised me.\" (Duda)} ( {The Polish GM expected instead:} 17...Rfd8 $5 {However then:} 18.Rd7 Rxd7 19.Rxd7 Qb2+ 20.Nd2 {Still leads to serious problems for Black, for example in the line:} 20...Ne5 21.Bxf7+ $1 Nxf7 22.Rxf7 Kxf7 23.Qd7+ Be7 24.Qf5+ Bf6 25.Qxc8 Qxa2 26.Qxb7+ {when White wins a pawn.} ) ( {The other move that Duda expected was:} 17...Qb2+ $5 {but this might still transpose to the game after:} 18.R5d2 Qb6 19.Qb3 ) ( {Perhaps:} 17...Na5 $5 {was the most resilient. Then:} 18.Rxa5 ( {And:} 18.Bd3 Nc6 {at least kicks away the bishop from its ideal diagonal.} ) 18...Rxc4 19.Qxc4 Qxa5 20.Rd7 b6 {trades some of the active White pieces and promises more chances of a defense for Black.} ) 18.Qb3 Qxb3 19.Bxb3 {The endgame is clearly better for the first player thanks to his superior bishop. The f7 point is very vulnerable and White is ready to attack it.} 19...Nb8 {A very sad move.} ( {It seemed more logical to defend with:} 19...Rfd8 20.Rd7 Rxd7 21.Rxd7 Nd8 {but after:} 22.h4 $1 {Black is again paralyzed.} ) 20.g4 $1 {The right plan is kingside expansion. One pawn coming up to the g6 square will completely ruin Black's position.} 20...h6 {The Polish GM did not like this, as he thought that the light squares around the opponent's king were getting weak.} ( {Duda expected instead:} 20...Na6 21.g5 Bb2 {But then:} 22.Nd2 {still keeps everything under control for White.} ) 21.h4 g6 22.g5 ( {Also great was Short's suggestion:} 22.h5 g5 23.Nd2 {followed by a victorious knight leap to the f5 square.} ) 22...hxg5 23.hxg5 Be7 ( {Karjakin needed to try:} 23...Bc3 24.Nh4 Kg7 25.f4 {although that should not be completely satisfactory, but it was the lesser evil.} ) 24.Re5 Nc6 {A blunder, after which Black's position collapses.} ( 24...Bc5 {was Black's last chance.} ) 25.Rd7 $3 ( {\"My first thought was actually:\"} 25.Re4 {\"which might be also good, as I want Rd1-h1 and Re4-h4.\" (Duda) This is likely what Karjakin was hoping for when:} 25...Rfd8 $1 26.Rh1 Bf8 {followed by Bf8-g7 would have cemented his position.} ) 25...Bd8 $5 {Missed by White. But his position is nevertheless still won.} ( {After:} 25...Nxe5 26.Nxe5 {Nothing can save Black, for instance:} 26...Rce8 ( {Or:} 26...Bxg5 {when both:} 27.Nxg6 ( {And:} 27.Nxf7 Rxf7 28.Rxf7 ) 27...Rfd8 28.Rxf7 {should win for White.} ) 27.Nxg6 $1 {and that is it.} ) 26.Rb5 Na5 ( {Black is losing material in case of:} 26...b6 27.Ne5 Nxe5 28.Rxe5 Rc7 29.Bxf7+ $1 ) 27.Bd5 {A small hiccup before the victory.} ( {Both GMs were super-exhausted at the end of the chess marathon, and missed the simple:} 27.Rxd8 $1 Rfxd8 28.Rxa5 ) 27...Rc7 28.Bxf7+ $1 {A nice tactical shot that finishes the job at once.} ( {Now:} 28.Rxd8 $2 {no longer works due to:} 28...Rxd8 29.Rxa5 b6 30.Rb5 a6 ) 28...Kg7 ( 28...Rxf7 29.Rxd8+ {drops not only a pawn, but a piece as well.} ) 29.Rxc7 Bxc7 30.Bd5 {And in this hopeless situation Karjakin congratulated the new World Cup winner! As far as I remember, Duda is the most worthy champion ever. He did not lose a single game in the entire World Cup, did not even have to play a blitz match and had to decide only two of his matches in the rapid playoff, one of them against the world champion!} 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Saint Louis Rapid & Bl"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.08.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[Beauty "8247318696494"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {The Petroff defense is an important part of Mamedyarov's opening repertoire. Still, it feels somewhat unusual.} 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.O-O O-O 8.c4 c6 9.Qb3 ( {In a recent game, the Azeri defended a somewhat worse positon after:} 9.Nc3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 dxc4 11.Bxc4 Bf5 12.Bg5 Qa5 13.Nh4 Be6 14.Bxe6 Qxg5 15.Nf3 Qa5 16.Bb3 Nd7 17.Qd3 Rae8 {Van Foreest,J (2688)-Mamedyarov,S (2782) chess24. com INT 2021} ) 9...dxc4 $5 {Quite a fresh try.} ( 9...Na6 {at once is what Black is mainly choosing.} ) 10.Bxc4 {[#]} 10...b5 $146 {Fighting for the control over the d5 square with a novelty.} ( {The predecessor was this brilliancy:} 10...Nd7 11.Re1 Ndf6 12.Nbd2 Nxd2 13.Bxd2 Qb6 14.Qd3 Qxb2 15.Rab1 Qa3 16.Qc2 Nd5 17.Rb3 Qa4 18.Bxd5 cxd5 19.Ng5 g6 20.Nxh7 $1 Bf5 21.Nf6+ Kg7 22.Bh6+ $3 Kxf6 23.g4 $3 Bf4 ( 23...Bxc2 24.Rf3+ Bf5 25.g5# ) 24.Qc7 Bxh6 25.Qe5+ Kg5 26.h4+ Kxh4 27.Rh3+ $1 Kg5 28.Qe7+ {1-0 (28) Paravyan, D (2630)-Golubov,S (2470) St Petersburg 2018} ) 11.Bd3 Nf6 12.Re1 {Dominguez is looking for a way to occupy the e5-square as early as he can.} ( {More principled looked:} 12.Bg5 {fighting in return for the d5-spot when:} 12...Na6 13.a3 {Black may proceed with either the obvious:} 13...Nc7 ( {Or the more aggressive:} 13...c5 $5 ) ) 12...Na6 13.a3 {This knight definitely cannot be allowed on b4.} 13...Bg4 {Very natural play by Mamedyarov. He increases his lead in development.} ( {Speaking of a development advantage, Black could have also tried to attack the center at once with:} 13...c5 {For example:} 14.Bxb5 ( {Or:} 14.Qxb5 cxd4 {When White can never capture the central pawn:} 15.Nxd4 $2 {There are a lot of refutations to this now, the simplest being:} 15...Nc5 ) 14...cxd4 15.Qd1 Nc5 16.Nxd4 Ng4 17.g3 Qf6 {with rich compensation for a pawn.} ) 14.Bc2 {Dominguez continues with his aggressive strategy.} ( {Black is fine after:} 14.Nbd2 Re8 ) 14...Re8 15.Ne5 Qc7 ( {In case of:} 15...Bh5 {White can continue with:} 16.Bg5 {Then the central strike:} 16...c5 {Is still possible, but at least White catches up with his development.} 17.Nd2 cxd4 18.Nc6 {There are plenty ot tactical in the position possibilities like:} 18...Bxh2+ 19.Kxh2 Ng4+ 20.Kg1 Qxg5 21.Nf3 {But at the end of the day, whenever White consolidates, he is doing alright.} ) 16.Qg3 {Still this risky play! Why not develop the queenside.} ( {Like:} 16.Bf4 {True, Black is excellent here as well, for instance after:} 16...Nh5 17.Bg3 Nc5 $1 18.Qc3 Nxg3 19.hxg3 Bxe5 20.dxe5 Nd7 {Redeploying the knight, but that was the lesser evil for White.} ) 16...c5 {Of course! With the fall of the d4-pawn the White's position is on the verge of the collapse. Dominguez believes that he has it all covered and enters a forcing line.} 17.Bg5 cxd4 18.Bxf6 Qxc2 19.Qxg4 Qg6 $1 {The only move, but more than sufficient.} ( {Everything else loses, say for instance:} 19...g6 20.Qxd4 Bxe5 21.Bxe5 Rad8 22.Qf4 ) 20.Qxg6 ( {Better seemed to develop the queenside again, with:} 20.Nd2 Qxf6 21.Nef3 Nc5 22.Qxd4 Qxd4 23.Rxe8+ Rxe8 24.Nxd4 a6 {when Black is slightly better.} ) 20...hxg6 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Nf3 Rxe1+ 23.Nxe1 Bf4 {With the clear intention to not let the white queenside out.} ( {However:} 23...Rd8 {might have been more accurate, trading the other knight at once with:} 24.Nd3 Nc5 25.Nxc5 Bxc5 26.Kf1 Re8 $1 {when Black is better.} ) 24.Nd3 Rc8 {The bishop is defended tactically, but this is not everything.} 25.Kf1 {And this turns out to be a blunder. Dominguez obviously overlooked Black's next move.} ( 25.b4 $1 Rc2 26.Kf1 Bd6 27.Ke1 Nc7 28.Kd1 Rc6 29.Nd2 Nd5 30.Nf3 ) 25...Nc5 $3 {That is the problem. The White queenside is finally packed.} 26.Nxf4 ( {Or:} 26.Nxc5 Rxc5 {and White has no useful moves.} ) 26...Nb3 27.Ra2 Rc1+ 28.Ke2 Rxb1 29.Nd3 a5 {Once that the black knight is defended with this pawn, it is all over.} 30.g4 a4 31.Kf3 Rd1 32.Nb4 ( {Perhaps Dominguez should have tried this final little chance:} 32.Ke4 {When the obvious:} 32...Rxd3 ( 32...f5+ $1 {instead is winning at once.} ) 33.Kxd3 Nc1+ 34.Kxd4 Nxa2 35.Kc5 $1 {actually does not win for the second player.} ) ( 32.Ke2 Rd2+ $1 {is losing as well.} ) 32...d3 {The pawn is unstoppable.} 0-1

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Saint Louis Rapid & Bl"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.08.13"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2829"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[Beauty "7422911449623"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Bc5 6.c3 b5 7.Bc2 d5 {A very sharp line.} 8.d4 dxe4 9.dxe5 {Nakamura gets rid of the queens at once.} ( {A fascinating double-edged play occured recently in the game between two other participants of the St. Louis tournament:} 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.dxc5 Qe7 11.Bg5 Bb7 12.Nd2 O-O-O 13.Qe2 Nd3 14.a4 Qe5 15.Be3 h5 16.axb5 Ng4 {So,W (2772)-Le,Q (2709) chess24.com INT 2021} ) 9...Qxd1 10.Rxd1 exf3 11.exf6 gxf6 12.Be4 Bd7 13.Nd2 {Only a handful of games were played in this line, but both players are making their moves confidently and fast.} 13...fxg2 {Caruana is the first one to spend time on the clock.} ( 13...O-O-O {was the other option.} ) 14.Nb3 Bb6 15.Nd4 Bxd4 16.cxd4 {[#]} 16...O-O-O $146 {All of this has been seen before except for the last move by Black.} ( {In this predecessor, Black did well after:} 16...Rc8 17.Bf4 Ne7 18.Bb7 Rb8 19.Bxg2 Rc8 20.d5 Rg8 21.Bg3 Nf5 22.Rac1 Nxg3 23.fxg3 Ke7 {Hovhannisyan,R (2642)-Petrosyan,M (2628) Yerevan 2021} ) 17.Bf4 Rhe8 18.Bxg2 {The first think by Nakamura as well. Aparently he was contemplating the pros and cons of the capture on g2.} ( {Let's compare the lines. After:} 18.Bf3 {Black would have likely continued as in the game:} 18...Ne7 19.Rac1 c6 20.d5 Kb7 21.Rc5 cxd5 22.Bxd5+ Bc6 23.Bxc6+ Nxc6 24.Rxd8 Rxd8 25.Rh5 Rd4 {Now one of the differences is that in the pawn race after:} 26.Bg3 ( {However, more important is that in the line:} 26.Be3 Rg4 27.Rxh7 Ne5 $1 {The living g2-pawn is more than annoying for White.} ) 26...Rd2 27.Rxh7 Rxb2 28.Rxf7+ Kb6 29.a3 a5 {White will have to spend an extra tempo for:} 30.Kxg2 {And this tempo-spender could be too much of a luxury.} ) 18...Ne7 {If Nakamura manages to consolidate, he would find a way to make the best out of his wonderful bishop pair. Especially with the c-file opened for his rooks.} ( {Black cannot exploit the pin along the g-file:} 18...Rg8 19.Bg3 ) 19.Rac1 c6 20.d5 Kb7 21.Rc5 {Best move, played once again quickly by Nakamura.} ( 21.dxc6+ Bxc6 22.Bg3 Kb6 {only helps Black instead.} ) 21...cxd5 22.Bxd5+ Bc6 ( {No sensible man will ever permanently self-pin with:} 22...Nxd5 $2 23.Rcxd5 Re7 24.Bg3 {when sooner or later the pin will tell.} ) 23.Bxc6+ Nxc6 24.Rxd8 Nxd8 ( {Now the difference is visible. In the line:} 24...Rxd8 25.Rh5 Rd4 26.Be3 Rg4+ 27.Kf1 {there is no g2-pawn to torture White, and he is significantly better thanks to his more valuable pair of pieces. Still, this might have been the lesser evil for Caruana.} ) 25.Rc7+ Kb6 26.Rd7 b4 {And this turns out to be a poor choice. The pawns cannot survive on their own, as the black king also has other obligations.} ( {Stronger was:} 26...Kc6 $1 27.Rd6+ Kc5 28.Rxa6 Re2 {Black is much worse, but he has some chances to survive.} ) 27.Kf1 $1 {Not allowing any unpinning checks.} 27...Kb5 28.Be3 Kc6 {Here Caruana realized that the pawns cannot make it and decided to try a different approach.} ( {In the line:} 28...a5 29.Rd5+ Ka4 ( {And if:} 29...Ka6 30.Rd6+ Kb5 {White can win a pawn with:} 31.Rxf6 ( {However, even stronger is to pin the enemy pieces with:} 31.Rb6+ $1 Kc4 32.Rb8 {when Black is totally paralized.} ) ) 30.b3+ Ka3 31.Rxa5+ {Black is in trouble.} ) 29.Ra7 Kd5 ( 29...Kb5 30.Ra8 {changes nothing.} ) ( {However, the last chance seemed to be the immediate activation of the black rook with:} 29...Re5 $1 30.Rxa6+ Kd7 {With the idea to meet:} 31.Rxf6 {with:} 31...Ra5 {It is however unlikely that Caruana can survive in this line as Nakamura is not forced to capture on f6 and may prepare the adavance of his outside passer on the opposite wing.} ) 30.Ra8 Rf8 31.Bh6 $1 {A neat move which discombobulates the black pieces.} 31...Re8 32.Bd2 {Now the black knight can no longer move. White is winning.} 32...Kc5 33.Be3+ Kb5 ( {Nothing changes:} 33...Kd6 34.Bf4+ Kc5 35.Bc7 ) 34.Rb8+ Kc6 35.Rxb4 {The simplest and the best.} ( {Avoiding:} 35.Bb6 Kd7 ) 35...Ne6 36.Rb6+ Kd5 37.Rxa6 f5 {Caruana is trying his last chance to demonstrate some activity.} 38.Ra5+ Ke4 39.Ke2 $1 {But this is easily refuted by Nakamura. The mating threat forces:} 39...Nf4+ 40.Bxf4 Kxf4+ 41.Kf1 Rc8 42.Ra4+ Ke5 43.Rb4 Kd5 {And Black resigns as White has built the so-called self-walking pawns.} 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Saint Louis Rapid & Bl"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.08.14"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[ECO "B62"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6461107219495"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 d6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 {The Classical Siclian is becoming more and more common these days.} 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd3 Be7 8.O-O-O O-O 9.Kb1 ( {In a recent online game, Giri gained an opening advantage after} 9.f4 Nxd4 10.Qxd4 Qa5 11.e5 dxe5 12.Qxe5 Qxe5 13.fxe5 Nd5 14.Bxe7 Nxe7 15.Bd3 a6 16.Rhe1 Nc6 17.Na4 b5 18.Be4 bxa4 19.Bxc6 Rb8 20.Bxa4 {Giri,A (2764) -Korchmar,V (2451) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 9...Bd7 $146 ( {In a predecessor, Black first covered the b5-square with} 9...a6 10.f4 {and then developed} 10...Bd7 11.Be2 Qc7 12.Qg3 Rfc8 {Now the central break:} 13.e5 dxe5 14.fxe5 Nxe5 15.Bf4 Bd6 16.Bf3 Nc4 17.Bxd6 Nxd6 18.Nxe6 Bxe6 19.Rxd6 Rab8 {led to approximate equality in Stocek,J (2496)-Zvjaginsev,V (2641) Ubeda 2000} ) 10.Nb3 ( {Against} 10.Ndb5 {Shankland probably planned} 10...d5 ( 10...Ne5 {deserves attention as well.} ) 11.exd5 Nb4 12.Qg3 Nbxd5 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.h4 ) 10...a5 11.a3 ( {Stronger is:} 11.a4 $1 Nb4 12.Qg3 Bc6 13.f3 {keeping the Black queenside initiative under a lid.} ) 11...a4 12.Nd4 Qa5 {Thanks to the extra space, Shankland can play more aggressively on the queenside.} ( {He had another pleasant choice, though: the typical central tactic after:} 12...Nxd4 13.Qxd4 Nxe4 $1 {when Black is doing fine after:} 14.Nxe4 Bxg5 15.Nxg5 Qxg5 16.h4 ( {Or:} 16.Qxd6 Bc6 ) 16...Qd8 17.Qxd6 Bc6 ) 13.Bd2 ( {Another way to play it is:} 13.Bxf6 $5 Bxf6 14.Ndb5 {once more looking for a blockade.} ) 13...Qb6 14.Be3 Nxd4 ( 14...Qa5 15.Ndb5 $5 {looks a bit better for White.} ) 15.Bxd4 Qa5 16.Be2 ( {Caruana misses a better way to regroup his troops:} 16.f3 $1 Rfc8 {Then:} 17.Qe3 b5 ( {Or:} 17...Bd8 18.Na2 $1 ) 18.Na2 Qc7 {Would have promised White more after:} 19.Bd3 ) 16...Rfc8 17.Qe3 b5 18.Na2 $1 {The b-pawn should be blocked for good.} 18...Qc7 19.Bc3 ( {Also possible is the immediate:} 19.Nb4 {However, then after:} 19...d5 $5 {White needs to find the sharp} 20.Bb6 Qb8 21.e5 $1 Ne4 22.Bd4 Bxb4 23.axb4 {with a white edge.} ) 19...Qb7 20.Bf3 {This is not optimal.} ( {The obvious:} 20.f3 $1 {is called for when after:} 20...e5 21.Bb4 $1 {followed by Na2-c3 and the g-pawn advance, White is in complete control.} ) 20...e5 21.Nb4 {Not the proper piece placement.} ( {Had these two switched their places with:} 21.Bb4 $1 Be6 22.Nc3 {White have still be in control.} ) 21...Rc4 $1 {Now the white pieces are somewhat clumsy, and Shankland quickly mounts pressure along the c-file.} 22.Rhe1 Rac8 23.h3 Be6 24.g4 {There is nothing else to be done, but this is obviously very slow.} 24...Nd7 {Final preparations.} ( {The exchange sacrifice is already in the air:} 24...Rxc3 25.bxc3 h6 ) 25.Bg2 h6 26.Bf1 R4c7 ( {Once again:} 26...Rxc3 $1 {deserves serious attention when after:} 27.bxc3 Bg5 28.Qg3 Qb6 29.h4 Bf4 {Black's compensation is more than enough.} ) 27.Nd5 Bg5 28.Qf3 Rc5 29.Bd3 {Intending Bc3-b4, but there is no time for that.} ( {After} 29.Nb4 {Shankland would have finally gone for:} 29...Rxc3 $1 30.bxc3 Qb6 {and this is definitely the best version of the sacrifice.} ) 29...Bxd5 30.exd5 Rxc3 $1 {Finally! White's king is getting desperately weak.} 31.bxc3 Nf6 ( {Even stronger is:} 31...g6 $1 32.Kb2 Nb6 {with mountaing queenside pressure.} ) 32.Kb2 ( {For now, Caruana could have found some counterplay with:} 32.Ka2 $1 g6 33.c4 bxc4 34.Be4 ) 32...Qb6 33.Re4 {A desperate exchange sacrifice.} 33...Nxd5 $1 {Which Shankland correctly avoids.} ( {Black is significantly better after:} 33...Nxe4 34.Qxe4 g6 {but the move in the game promises him even more.} ) 34.h4 $1 {Caruana finds a chance in a completely hopeless situation.} 34...Bxh4 35.Qf5 Ne7 ( {Strong is:} 35...Qc5 $1 36.c4 Nb6 {with a winning advantage.} ) 36.Qd7 Rd8 {A blunder!} ( 36...Qc5 $1 37.f3 Nd5 {would have still won for Shankland.} ) 37.Qxb5 Qc7 ( {More resilient would be:} 37...Bxf2 38.Qxb6 Bxb6 39.Rxa4 {but White should be winning here as well.} ) ( 37...Qxb5+ 38.Bxb5 Rb8 39.Rb4 {does not help Black.} ) 38.Rc4 $1 Qa7 39.Rxa4 Qc7 40.Rb4 {And instead of mating the opponent on the queenside, it is Black who is lost there all of a sudden!} 40...Bxf2 41.Qb7 Qxb7 42.Rxb7 Nc6 43.a4 Bc5 44.Be4 Na5 45.Rb5 Nc4+ 46.Kb3 Ne3 47.Rd3 Rc8 48.a5 ( {The time trouble takes its toll:} 48.Rxc5 $1 Rxc5 49.Rxe3 {would have been simpler.} ) 48...Nxg4 49.a6 Nf2 50.Bb7 Rf8 ( {Or:} 50...Nxd3 51.Bxc8 {and the a-pawn is unstoppable.} ) 51.Rf3 e4 52.Rxc5 $1 {Time to convert.} 52...exf3 53.Rf5 Ng4 54.Rxf3 Rb8 55.Rf4 Ne5 56.Rb4 h5 57.a7 Rf8 58.Bd5 $1 {The a-pawn is worth more than a rook.} 58...g5 59.Rb8 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Saint Louis Rapid & Bl"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.08.15"]
[Round "26"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2861"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[ECO "A06"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7356876325899"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 c5 3.b3 {A very popular line in blitz.} 3...Nc6 4.Bb5 Bd7 5.Bb2 e6 ( {Black can also develop with:} 5...Nf6 6.O-O e6 7.c4 a6 8.Bxc6 Bxc6 9.Ne5 Qc7 10.cxd5 Bxd5 11.d3 Be7 {Anton Guijarro,D (2703)-Bu,X (2705) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 6.c4 Nge7 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.O-O a6 9.Be2 {[#]} 9...f6 $146 {An ambitious novelty. Caruana defends the pawn and wants to complete the development in the most optimal way, putting the dark-squared bishop on the b8-h2 diagonal.} ( {The predecessor was good for Black as well after:} 9...Nf6 10.d4 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Be7 12.Bf3 Qc7 13.Nd2 O-O 14.Rc1 Rfd8 15.Qc2 Rac8 {Tereshechkina,M-Drozdova,D (2149) Moscow 2008} ) 10.d4 $1 {The most ambitious strike. So needs to build his initiative while his opponent has has the king in the center.} ( {Black does not experience any problems after:} 10.Nc3 Nxc3 11.Bxc3 Bd6 12.d4 Qe7 ) 10...Be7 11.e4 {Consistent, but it transpires that Black has enough tactical resources here.} ( {Simple and good would have been:} 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.Nbd2 {gaining some important central squares with a slight edge.} ) 11...Nf4 12.d5 Nd4 $1 {That is the point. White has problem with his Be2.} ( {Instead:} 12...exd5 13.exd5 Nb4 14.Nc3 {seizes the initiative for White.} ) 13.Nxd4 cxd4 14.dxe6 ( {After:} 14.Bxd4 exd5 15.Bf3 ( {White also loses an exchange in the line:} 15.exd5 Nxe2+ 16.Qxe2 Bb5 17.Qh5+ g6 ) ( {Perhaps the lesser evil is:} 15.Nc3 $5 dxe4 16.Bc4 Bc6 {although, there too, Black is in full control.} ) 15...dxe4 16.Bxe4 Bb5 17.Re1 Ne2+ $1 {Black wins at least an exchange.} ) 14...Bxe6 15.Bf3 Bc5 {Caruana establishes central superiority; it is So who is somewhat lagging in development now.} 16.g3 {Once more ambitious, but very risky.} ( {After:} 16.Nd2 O-O {Black is doing fine, but that was to be preferred.} ) 16...Nh3+ 17.Kh1 {White thought that he would have enough time for the f2-f4 advance, but this is not the case!} ( {The lesser evil was:} 17.Kg2 Qd7 18.Nd2 O-O {when Black is better.} ( {And White had to reckon with:} 18...Ng5 {as well.} ) ) 17...O-O ( {Funny, but So cannot defend his f2-pawn after:} 17...d3 $1 18.Qd2 Qb6 {As:} 19.Kg2 Ng5 $1 {loses heavy material.} ) 18.Bg2 Qd7 ( {Once more:} 18...d3 $1 19.Qd2 Qb6 {would have won the key pawn, and the game at once.} ) 19.f4 {Well, he did it. But what about the queenside?} 19...Bg4 20.Qd3 ( 20.Bf3 h5 {was the lesser evil.} ) 20...Qb5 $1 {Removes the blockader and White's only active piece.} 21.Qd2 ( {Or:} 21.Qxb5 axb5 22.Nd2 d3 {when White is in trouble.} ) 21...Bb4 $1 {Very consistent, instructive play by Caruana. The queen has nowhere to hide.} ( 21...d3 22.Nc3 Qd7 23.Nd5 {would have given a chance to White to complete his development.} ) 22.Qxd4 Rfd8 23.Qc4+ Qxc4 24.bxc4 Rac8 ( {Even stronger was:} 24...Bc5 $1 25.Nc3 Rd2 26.Na4 Nf2+ 27.Kg1 Be3 {and a vicious discovered check would soon finish White off.} ) 25.Ba3 a5 $1 {Very nice! It is all about not letting the white queenside knight and rook out.} ( {Black would also been better after:} 25...Rxc4 26.Bxb4 Rxb4 27.Nc3 Rd2 {but the text move is far better.} ) 26.Bxb4 axb4 27.a3 Ra8 {A pity!} ( {The brilliant:} 27...b3 $1 {Would have kept the future queen alive, but what's more-the white rook is out of the game. The win is not trivial at all, but it exists:} 28.Nc3 Rxc4 29.Nd5 b2 30.Rab1 Rc2 31.Ne3 {It seems White is winning, but there is:} 31...Rxg2 $3 32.Nxg2 Rd2 33.Ne3 Be2 {first regaining the exchange, and then promoting his pawn!} ) 28.e5 $1 {So is back!} ( 28.Ra2 $5 {at once was already possible.} ) 28...Rd3 29.Bxb7 Ra7 30.Be4 ( {Stronger was:} 30.Bd5+ $1 Kf8 31.Ra2 bxa3 32.exf6 gxf6 33.Kg2 {and it gets unclear.} ) 30...Re3 31.Bd5+ Kf8 32.a4 {This pawn is strong, but it might have been more important to defend the second rank instead!} ( {After:} 32.Ra2 $1 {White should not fear:} 32...b3 ( {The computer claims Black's edge with:} 32...Be2 $1 33.Rc1 Nf2+ 34.Kg2 Nd3 35.Rg1 Bg4 36.h3 Bf5 {but this does not look convincing enough.} ) 33.Rb2 ) 32...Re2 33.Bf3 {This surprisingly loses.} ( {The pawn needed to make the next step:} 33.a5 {Thus securing the second rank! Then in the line:} 33...Rc2 34.Bf3 ( {Or even:} 34.Na3 $5 bxa3 35.Rxa3 {which might as well be defendable for White.} ) 34...Bxf3+ 35.Rxf3 Rd7 36.Rf1 Rd3 37.a6 {Black has nothing more than a perpetual:} 37...Nf2+ 38.Kg1 Nh3+ ) 33...Bxf3+ 34.Rxf3 Rd7 35.Rf1 Rd3 $3 {That is the difference, the a-passer is a move slower!} 36.a5 Rb3 $1 37.Nd2 ( {For:} 37.a6 Rbb2 {leads to a mate.} ) 37...Rxd2 38.Rab1 Ra3 39.Ra1 Rxa1 40.Rxa1 b3 41.a6 Ra2 {Caruana is of course winning, but in the scramble he alllows one last chance to his opponent.} 42.Rb1 b2 {Oops, this could have ended badly!} ( {Both:} 42...g5 $1 ) ( {And:} 42...fxe5 $1 {were securing the knight, with a win.} ) 43.a7 ( {For now, White could have trapped the horsey:} 43.Kg2 $1 Nxf4+ 44.gxf4 {with a draw.} ) 43...Nf2+ 44.Kg2 Nd3 {The knight is out, and So resigned.} 0-1

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.08.21"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "D27"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "6187458249250"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 ( {Funny, the position from the game after move 11 arose in the following game:} 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Nc3 Qd8 6.d4 e6 7.Nf3 a6 8.Bd3 Nf6 9.O-O Be7 10.Re1 O-O 11.Ne5 Nc6 {but with White to move in Becerra,J (2236)-Motta Leon,G Bogota 2010} ) 1...d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 a6 6.O-O c5 7.Re1 {Mamedyarov had something prepared for the game and chooses a relatively rare continuation. The rook belongs to the e-file once the c5- and d4-pawns are traded. According to my Megabase, 7.e4 is a critical line here.} ( {And Dominguez has had a very fresh game facing it in Saint Louis:} 7.e4 b5 8.Be2 Nxe4 9.a4 b4 10.Nbd2 Bb7 11.Nxe4 Bxe4 12.Be3 cxd4 13.Nxd4 Nc6 14.Rc1 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Bd6 {and Black comfortably help in Shankland,S (2709)-Dominguez Perez,L (2758) Saint Louis 2021} ) 7...Nc6 {Dominguez certainly knew that this line may appear on board.} ( {An earlier game of the Azerbaijani GM saw:} 7...b5 8.Bd3 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bb7 10.a4 b4 11.b3 Nbd7 12.Bb2 Be7 13.Nd2 Nc5 14.Bc2 O-O 15.f3 {with a slight pull for White in Mamedyarov,S (2764)-Anton Guijarro,D (2703) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 8.Bd3 cxd4 9.exd4 Be7 10.Nc3 O-O 11.Ne5 $5 {A very interesting sacrifice of the isolani. I remember that the computers were interested in similar sacrifices some 12 years ago when analyzing similar positions. It is amusing that in both the predecessors that reached this position, the sides' second moves now are different (see the comment on move one).} 11...Nxd4 {The principled continuation.} 12.Bf4 $146 ( {In the predecessor, White lost a valuable tempo after:} 12.Bg5 Nc6 13.Qf3 Qc7 14.Bf4 {And Black easily repelled the opponent's initiative with:} 14...Bd6 15.Qg3 Nh5 16.Qh4 g6 17.Nxc6 Nxf4 18.Ne4 f5 19.Nxd6 Qxd6 20.Ne7+ Kg7 {Riehle,M (2347)-Bluebaum,M (2670) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 12...Nf5 $1 {The knight is well placed around the black king.} ( {Here} 12...Nc6 {would be met with the regrouping:} 13.Qf3 Bd7 14.Rad1 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Qe8 16.Qh3 {already creating concrete kingside threats.} ) 13.Qc2 Nd4 {Played after almost 40 minutes on the clock! Disruption of White's coordination is indeed needed.} ( {It is funny that the machine suggests instead:} 13...Qd4 $5 {which provokes:} 14.g3 {And this move is good for Black as the third rank will no longer be useful for rook/queen lifts.} 14...Qa7 ) 14.Qd1 Nf5 {A silent draw offer.} 15.Qf3 {Which Mamedyarov has no intention of accepting anyway.} 15...Nh4 $1 {Another important maneuver. Dominguez starts to reduce the opponent's attacking potential at once.} 16.Qh3 Nd5 ( {No more retreats please:} 16...Nf5 17.g4 $1 {loses for Black.} ) 17.Bg3 ( {Or else the black bishop will enter the game:} 17.Nxd5 exd5 18.Qg3 Be6 {and Black will be doing fine.} ) 17...Ng6 {The king is secured for the time being.} 18.Rad1 {But how to solve the problems with the queenside development?} 18...Bf6 ( {There are no shortcuts:} 18...Bd7 $2 19.Nxd5 {loses at once.} ) ( {Ditto for:} 18...b5 $2 19.Bxg6 ( 19.Nc6 {would also do.} ) 19...hxg6 20.Nc6 Qe8 21.Nxd5 {and Black drops at least a piece.} ) ( {And after:} 18...Qa5 {White can consider:} 19.Qg4 {preparing the march of the h-pawn.} ( {Or:} 19.Nc4 Qc5 20.Ne4 {with initiative in both cases.} ) ) 19.Bb1 {Pinning.} 19...Qb6 {And unpinning at once.} 20.Qh5 ( {Interesting, though, is:} 20.Ne4 $5 {When the knight is immune:} 20...Bxe5 ( {Not:} 20...Nxe5 $2 21.Nxf6+ Nxf6 22.Bxe5 {with deadly attack.} ) 21.Bxe5 Nxe5 22.Rxd5 $1 {However, if Black is not greedy, he can defend well with:} 22...Ng6 ( {Now:} 22...exd5 $4 23.Nf6+ {is mate.} ) 23.Rd2 e5 ) ( {Letting his light-squared bishop out is everything Black wants.} 20.Nxd5 exd5 ) 20...Nxc3 21.bxc3 Bxe5 {Swapping another pair of dangerous attackers.} ( 21...Qc5 $5 ) 22.Bxe5 Rd8 {And offering more trades.} 23.h4 {This move is far more dangerous than it seems. If White can get just one more tempo to step back with the queen and push the h-pawn, it will be just horrible for Black.} ( {Another interesting way to attack would be:} 23.Bd4 {Then the right defense is to offer more trades with:} 23...Qb5 24.Qxb5 ( {Or the nice:} 24.Re5 $5 {With the idea:} 24...Nxe5 $4 ( {True, Black has:} 24...Qa4 $1 25.Ra5 Qc4 26.Rc5 Qa4 {When White can keep on repeating or may choose to continue mounting pressure with:} 27.Re1 Bd7 28.h4 ) 25.Qxh7+ Kf8 26.Bc5+ Qxc5 27.Qh8+ Ke7 28.Qxd8# ) 24...axb5 25.Bb6 Rd7 26.Bd3 {It seems very dangerous for Black, but he is holding the endgame, thanks to:} 26...Rd6 27.Bxg6 Rxd1 28.Rxd1 hxg6 29.Rd8+ Kh7 {The pin is nasty, but White cannot capitalize on it.} 30.f4 e5 $1 {In order to open his bishop.} 31.fxe5 Ra6 32.Rxc8 Rxb6 33.Rc7 Kg8 {with a draw.} ) 23...Rxd1 ( {The immediate} 23...Bd7 {is also possible, intending to meet:} 24.Bxg6 hxg6 25.Qg4 Bc6 26.h5 {with} 26...Rxd1 27.Rxd1 Qb5 28.Re1 Qd3 {when everything is covered.} ) 24.Rxd1 Bd7 25.Bxg7 $1 {No brainer for Mamedyarov. He regains the pawn and poses serious practical problems for his opponent.} ( {The line} 25.Bxg6 hxg6 26.Qg4 Bc6 27.h5 Qb5 28.Re1 Qd3 {transposes from the comment above.} ) 25...Kxg7 26.Bxg6 hxg6 ( {Not mate, please:} 26...fxg6 27.Rxd7+ ) 27.Qe5+ Kg8 28.Rxd7 Rd8 $1 {The neatest defense. Dominguez's play is an example of a successful initiative extinguished.} ( {It is hard to believe that Black will enjoy his time after:} 28...Qb1+ 29.Kh2 Qxa2 30.Qf6 ( {Or the immediate:} 30.h5 ) 30...Rf8 31.h5 ) 29.Re7 ( 29.Rc7 Qb1+ 30.Kh2 Qf5 {leads to the same.} ) 29...Qb1+ 30.Kh2 Qf5 31.Qxf5 exf5 {Everything quickly disappears.} 32.Rxb7 Rd2 33.f3 Rxa2 34.Ra7 Rc2 35.Rxa6 Rxc3 36.Ra8+ Kg7 37.Ra6 Kg8 38.Ra8+ Kg7 39.Ra6 Kg8 {The shield and the spear proved equal today.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.08.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "6391716644362"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 {This line was recently contested in the match between Aronian and Le Quang Liem, Chessable Masters 2021. No less than five games went this way with the score turning up even.} 7...Qe7 {It's not clear if Black really needs this queen move, but most likely it doesn't hurt.} ( {Le Quang Liem and some other players before him preferred} 7...a6 {right away.} ) 8.O-O a6 9.b4 Ba7 10.Nbd2 g5 11.Bg3 Nh7 12.a4 h5 13.h4 g4 14.Ne1 Nf8 {What we have here is a modern treatment of the Italian game. Should it still be called Giuoco Piano? To me it looks anything but.} 15.Nc2 Ng6 16.Ne3 Be6 {The last preparation before capturing on h4. White has no time to waste.} 17.b5 Nd8 {It wasn't easy to decide between this move} ( {and} 17...Na5 {Svidler must have looked at} 18.bxa6 bxa6 19.Bd5 $5 Rb8 20.d4 {and worried about the offside position of his knight.} ) 18.d4 Nxh4 19.dxe5 dxe5 20.Bxe5 O-O {Black's position looked rather dangerous to me, but Leniier's next brought a big relief to Peter's problems.} 21.Bxe6 $2 ( {I was looking at} 21.Qe1 {to prepare the f-pawn going forward, but Black has} 21...Ng6 22.Bh2 Bxc4 23.Nexc4 Ne6 {in reply.} ) 21...fxe6 {The opening of the f-file fully redeemed Black's seemingly suspicious strategy in the opening. I cannot offer any more explanations to what happened.} 22.Bd4 ( {It almost seemed as if Dominguez was planning} 22.Nxg4 {then saw} 22...Qg5 {and thought better of it.} ) 22...c5 23.bxc6 Nxc6 24.Bxa7 Rxa7 25.Ndc4 Rd8 26.Qb3 $2 {This casual move could have cost Dominguez the game.} ( 26.Qe2 Qg5 27.Rfd1 {would have kept it within reason, although Black is already better.} ) 26...Raa8 ( {Svidler had to be looking at} 26...Nf3+ {and concluded that White escapes after} 27.gxf3 gxf3 28.Rfd1 ) ( {Too bad he didn't think of factoring in his Ra7.} 26...b5 $1 {was a strong idea, that would have given Black a winning attack after} 27.axb5 Nf3+ 28.gxf3 gxf3 29.Rfd1 Qh4 30.Rxd8+ Nxd8 {with that Rg7 move coming up. Such misses are an indication of the poor form.} ) 27.Rfd1 Kh8 28.Rab1 Rxd1+ 29.Qxd1 Rd8 30.Qb3 Ng6 31.Rb2 Rd7 32.Nb6 Rd8 {Svidler decided to call it a day, and Dominguez couldn't have been happier to draw this game.} ( {Still,} 32...Rc7 33.Nbc4 Nf4 {and Black can push forward.} ) 33.Nbc4 Rd7 34.Nb6 Rd8 35.Nbc4 Rd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.08.24"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Swiercz, Dariusz"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8043018321928"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.Nbd2 Nd7 {This line has a good reputation.} 11.c3 Nc5 12.axb5 axb5 13.Rxa8 Qxa8 14.Bc2 b4 15.d4 bxc3 16.bxc3 Nd7 17.Nf1 ( 17.Nc4 Qa1 18.Bd2 Qxd1 19.Rxd1 Ra8 20.Rb1 Bc8 {was played in Grandelius-Giri, European teams, 2019. Black is only slightly worse after the queen trade.} ) 17...Qa1 {Same thing, right?} 18.Ne3 {Yeah, but Svidler played a new move, offering a pawn sacrifice, which Swiercz shouldn't have taken.} 18...Qxc3 $2 {I don't have access to the game record, so I cannot tell how much time Dariusz spent on this move. Whatever it was, it proved not to be enough to reject it.} ( 18...Bf6 19.Nd5 exd4 20.Nxf6+ Nxf6 21.cxd4 Nb4 {was the way to go.} ) 19.Nd5 Qa1 ( 19...Qc4 20.Bb3 Qa6 21.Nxc7 Qa5 22.Nd5 Bd8 {was the tough defense Black had to accept.} ) 20.Re3 Qa7 $2 ( {Again, some concessions had to be made:} 20...Qa8 21.dxe5 Bd8 22.exd6 cxd6 ) 21.Ba4 $1 {White's pieces unroll like a coiled spring. There's no defense already.} 21...Bd8 22.Ra3 Qa6 ( {On} 22...Qb8 23.Qc2 {skewers the black knights.} ) 23.Bc2 {There's something light and airy in the way Peter's pieces coordinate. Very stylish.} 23...Na5 ( 23...Qb5 24.Bd3 {traps the queen.} ) 24.Bd2 {This pin is decisive.} 24...c6 ( {Every line works for White like a charm.} 24...c5 25.dxe5 Bxd5 26.exd5 dxe5 27.Qa1 Qc4 28.Qb1 Nb7 29.Bd3 Qxd5 30.Bxh7+ Kh8 31.Be4 {If you ask me how Peter Svidler was able to calculate all this, my answer is, he didn't. It was all intuition, a firm belief that things will work out in the end.} ) 25.Ne3 Qb5 ( 25...c5 26.d5 Bb6 27.Bxa5 Bxa5 28.Bd3 Qb6 29.Nc4 Qc7 30.Rxa5 ) 26.Bxa5 Bxa5 27.Bd3 Qb6 ( 27...Qb4 28.Rb3 Qa4 29.Rxb7 {and the white queen is defended.} ) 28.Nc4 Qb4 29.Rb3 Qa4 {Now there's a simple follow-up.} 30.Nb2 Qa2 31.Rxb7 Nb6 32.Qb1 Qxb1+ 33.Bxb1 exd4 34.Nxd4 Bc3 35.Nxc6 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.08.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "D32"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "6463925790217"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 a6 $5 {The old Dawid Janowski's move is all the rage 120 years later.} 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bf4 Nf6 6.e3 c5 $5 {Shakh wanted a more combative pawn structure.} ( 6...Bd6 {is standard here.} ) 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.Be2 O-O 10.O-O Re8 ( 10...Be6 11.Ne5 $1 {was seen in the online game Nakamura-Le Quang Liem, NIC Classic 2021. After} 11...Bd6 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Na4 c5 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.Rc1 Rfc8 16.Qd2 {Hikaru eventually managed to prove that the hanging pawns can be weak.} ) 11.Rc1 h6 ( {In case of} 11...d4 {White may consider} 12.Nb5 $5 ) 12.Qc2 ( {The more active} 12.Qb3 {suggested itself.} ) 12...Ba7 13.Rfd1 Be6 {Now the d5-pawn is defended, and Jeffery switches to Nakamura's plan.} 14.Ne5 $1 Rc8 15.Bf3 Qa5 16.Qd3 ( {I'd prefer to clarify the situation:} 16.Nxc6 bxc6 ( 16...Rxc6 17.h3 Rec8 18.Qb1 ) 17.a3 Red8 18.Ne2 c5 19.Be5 ) 16...Ne7 $5 {Shakh avoids any trades, which is a good recipe of how to handle such positions.} 17.h3 Red8 18.Qe2 b5 19.a3 d4 $1 {Time to introduce some tactics.} 20.exd4 Rxd4 $6 ( 20...Bxd4 21.Ne4 Rxc1 22.Rxc1 Nxe4 23.Bxe4 Qb6 {was a clear path to equality. I'm sure it wasn't what Mamedyarov was looking for.} ) 21.Nd3 $1 Rdd8 22.Nb4 $1 {Excellent work by Xiong. Now the black queen is extremely short of squares.} 22...Ng6 {Shakh had already devised a plan of counterplay, involving an exchange sacrifice.} 23.Be3 Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Bb8 ( {Insufficient was} 24...Bxe3 25.Qxe3 Re8 26.Qa7 {and Black will soon lose his queenside pawns.} ) 25.Nc6 Rxc6 {Think what you want, but I admire this move.} ( 25...Qc7 26.Nxb8 Rxb8 27.Ne4 Nxe4 28.Bxe4 Rd8 29.Rxd8+ Qxd8 30.Qd2 Qxd2 31.Bxd2 {would leave Black defending a worse endgame, and it's not a fact that he would survive it.} ) 26.Bxc6 Qc7 27.f4 ( {The cool defensive move} 27.Qc2 {escaped Jeffery's attention. The point is that} 27...Nh4 {can be answered with} 28.Nxb5 $1 ( {Xiong must have seen} 28.g3 Bf5 {and didn't find it comfortable.} ) 28...axb5 29.Bf4 Qb6 30.Bxb8 Qxb8 31.Qd3 ) 27...Nxf4 28.Qd2 $6 {The second inaccuracy in a row allows Black to escape with a draw.} ( {According to computers,} 28.Qf3 {would keep the edge, but in a real game situation, low on time and facing a fearsome attacker, I cannot guarantee anything.} ) 28...Nd3 $1 {It took him some time, but Shakh found the right move.} ( 28...Nxh3+ {was analyzed by our commentators, who came to a conclusion that White can beat off the attack:} 29.gxh3 Qg3+ 30.Bg2 Bxh3 31.Qf2 Qh2+ 32.Kf1 ) 29.Qxd3 Qh2+ 30.Kf2 Qg3+ {No stepping on light squares for the white king, on account of Bc4.} 31.Kg1 Qh2+ 32.Kf2 Qg3+ 33.Kg1 Qh2+ 34.Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.08.26"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2806"]
[ECO "B44"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[Beauty "5021085263926"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Bf4 $5 {This is a rare move, but it goes along with some newly developed ideas that White currently tries in the Sicilian.} 5...d6 6.Nxc6 {That's one of those.} ( 6.Bg3 e5 $1 {leaves the bishop underemployed for many moves to come.} ) 6...bxc6 7.c4 {This is the structure White wants. Black has to decide how to place his central pawns.} 7...Rb8 8.Qc2 e5 $1 {I support Fabiano's decision, but I think he had something even better.} ( 8...c5 $5 9.Nc3 Ne7 $1 10.Rd1 Nc6 {is thematic. We recall seeing something similar in Caruana-Swiercz from round 3, but in that game White was way ahead of schedule with his kingside attack.} ) 9.Be3 Nf6 10.Nc3 Qc7 11.Be2 Be7 12.O-O O-O 13.Rac1 Be6 14.b3 h6 15.h3 a5 16.Rfd1 Rfd8 17.Bf3 {Rapport made his last preparation for the c4-c5 push by bringing enough pieces to deter Black's answer of d6-d5.} 17...Nh7 $1 {Caruana is in time with countermeasures.} 18.Qe2 {A new series of maneuvers.} ( 18.c5 Ng5 $1 19.Bxg5 ( 19.Bg4 d5 ) 19...Bxg5 20.cxd6 Rxd6 21.Rxd6 Qxd6 22.Rd1 Qc5 {is comfortable for the second player.} ) 18...Bg5 19.Rd3 Qe7 20.Rcd1 Rd7 21.Bd2 Bxd2 22.Qxd2 Ng5 23.Be2 Rbd8 24.Qe3 ( 24.h4 $1 Nh7 25.Qe3 {was the right idea. Black wouldn't think of taking on h4 and losing the d6-pawn in return.} ) 24...f5 25.c5 ( {Again,} 25.h4 {was worth a look. I'm not sure Caruana would be ready to burn his bridges with} 25...f4 $5 26.Qb6 Nf7 27.c5 Qxh4 28.cxd6 g5 {as his losses on the queenside would be catastrophic, unless he manages to deliver checkmate.} ) 25...d5 {Now Black is totally fine.} 26.exd5 Bxd5 27.f4 Ne4 28.Nxd5 cxd5 29.c6 $6 {In mutual time trouble Rapport seeks complications.} ( {He had a safe choice in} 29.fxe5 d4 ( 29...Nxc5 30.Rd4 Ne6 31.R4d2 ) 30.Rxd4 $1 Qxc5 31.Rxe4 Rxd1+ 32.Bxd1 Rxd1+ 33.Kh2 {with a draw being the likely outcome.} ) 29...d4 {Now some accuracy is required form White not to end up worse or even losing.} 30.Qc1 Rc7 31.fxe5 Qxe5 32.Qc4+ Kh7 33.Bf3 ( {Richard rejected the obvious} 33.Rxd4 Rxc6 34.Qxc6 Rxd4 35.Rxd4 Qxd4+ 36.Kh2 {Indeed Black's Q+$146 combo is a strong attacking force. However, in this case it may only be good for a draw by perpetual.} ) 33...Ng5 ( 33...Rd6 34.Bxe4 fxe4 35.Rxd4 Rcxc6 36.Qa4 Rg6 {was Caruana's other option. It was next to impossible to tell which way to go, because of the clock situation.} ) 34.h4 Nxf3+ 35.Rxf3 Rd5 36.h5 Qe4 {Fabiano skillfully maintained the pressure, trying to force an error from Richard.} 37.Rdf1 d3 38.Rf4 Qe6 39.Rxf5 $1 {Rapport has no aversion to tactics when he can calculate them.} 39...Qe3+ 40.Kh2 Rd4 41.Re1 $1 {It was all about this move White had to see from afar.} 41...Rxc4 {Caruana burned a lot of time here. It's not that he had any options, most likely it was due to a certain degree of frustration. He was hoping to get more out of the middlegame than this.} ( 41...Qxe1 $2 42.Qxd4 d2 43.Rd5 ) 42.Rxe3 Rd4 43.Rf1 {A sensible move.} ( {There was no need for Rapport to look for a miracle escape the computers find after} 43.Re8 Rxc6 44.g4 $3 Rxg4 45.Rd8 ) 43...d2 {It was funny to see some engines crediting Black with a large advantage. All it did was to raise hopes among Caruana's supporters. In reality, the best Black can get out of this is a harmless extra pawn on the queenside, with his king hopelessly cut off by the active white rook.} 44.Rd1 Rxc6 45.Re2 Rc2 46.a3 Rd5 47.Kg3 Rc3+ 48.Kh4 Rd4+ ( 48...Rxb3 49.Rexd2 Rxd2 50.Rxd2 Rxa3 51.Rd7 {case in point.} ) 49.g4 Rdd3 {Fabi gave it his best effort, but it wasn't meant to be.} 50.Rh2 Rc2 51.b4 a4 52.b5 Rb2 53.Rh3 $1 ( {The four rook ending reached after} 53.b6 Rxb6 54.Rhxd2 Rxa3 {offers Black good winning chances.} 55.Rd4 ) 53...Rd6 54.Rh2 Ra2 55.Rg2 {White simply sits and waits for Black to take on a3.} 55...Kg8 {Caruana didn't even bother with it.} 56.Rh2 Kf7 57.Re2 Rb2 58.Rf1+ Rf6 59.Rd1 Rd6 60.Rf1+ Rf6 61.Rd1 Rd6 62.Rf1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Aimchess U.S. Rapid"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.08.30"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2563"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "D55"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[Beauty "8251726896216"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 h6 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.Nc3 O-O 8.h4 ( {Another continuation was tried in a super-exciting top game recently:} 8.Rc1 c6 9.h4 ( {The main line remains} 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.O-O dxc4 11.Bxc4 c5 12.Qe2 cxd4 13.exd4 Nb6 14.Bd3 g6 15.Be4 {with typical IQP in Radjabov,T (2765)-So, W (2770) Online 2021} ) 9...g6 10.h5 g5 11.Bd3 Nd7 12.Bb1 Bg7 13.cxd5 ( {A spectacular game by two top female players went} 13.Qc2 Re8 14.Ne5 Qf6 15.Qh7+ Kf8 16.f4 gxf4 17.exf4 Nxe5 18.fxe5 Qf4 19.Ne2 Qg5 20.Rc3 {Cmilyte,V (2503)-Zatonskih,A (2506) Tbilisi 2012} ) 13...cxd5 ( {Safer seems} 13...exd5 $1 {when Nakamura probably feared the hole on f5 after} 14.Ne2 {followed by Ne2-g3-f5.} ) 14.Qd3 Re8 15.Nb5 Re7 ( {Initially, the computer suggests the preliminary check as a better defense} 15...Qa5+ 16.Ke2 {as the rook looks better on the d8 square where it does not obstruct the black king. However, if we prolong the line} 16...Rd8 17.Nc7 Rb8 18.Nxg5 hxg5 19.Qh7+ Kf8 20.h6 Bf6 {we see that White keeps a huge attack with} 21.Bg6 $1 fxg6 22.Nxe6+ Ke8 23.Nc7+ Kf8 24.Qxg6 {and White seems winning.} ) 16.Nxg5 hxg5 ( {This time} 16...Qa5+ {does not slow White down at all and he is going to execute the same idea as in the game:} 17.Ke2 hxg5 18.h6 Bf6 19.Qh7+ Kf8 20.Nc7 Rb8 21.Rh5 $1 {That's the point. Rh5xg5 is an unstoppable threat, e.g.} 21...Nb6 22.Rxg5 Bxg5 23.Qh8# ) 17.h6 Bf6 18.Qh7+ Kf8 19.Rh5 {Le,Q (2709)-Nakamura,H (2736) Online 202 0-1} ) 8...c5 9.g4 {Very aggressive, and the only move to support White's previous play.} ( 9.dxc5 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 Qa5 {is excellent for Black.} ) ( {Whereas} 9.cxd5 exd5 {opens up the black light-squared bishop.} ) 9...cxd4 10.exd4 g6 {In order to open room for his bishop. A finachettoed bishop is a great defender against the major pieces and can handle a major attack all by itself.} ( {The normal development} 10...Nc6 11.g5 hxg5 12.hxg5 Bxg5 {has been tried with success in a couple of games, but looks very risky due to} 13.Qd3 $146 g6 14.Nxg5 Qxg5 15.Qh3 ) 11.g5 hxg5 12.hxg5 Bg7 13.Qd2 $146 {Van Foreest prepares to castle, while his queen gets closer to the enemy king.} ( {In an earlier game White came to the conclusion that this square is best for his queen with a delay:} 13.Qc2 Nc6 14.O-O-O Qc7 15.Qd2 {Strinitz, H-Winkelmann, H Germany 1970} ) 13...Nc6 14.O-O-O ( {After} 14.Qf4 {Black would likely have opened an escape route for his king with} 14...Qe7 15.Qh4 ( 15.O-O-O $5 ) 15...Rd8 ) 14...Re8 {The king needs the f8-square.} 15.Rh4 ( {Or} 15.Qf4 Qa5 {with double-edged play.} ( {Or even the crazy computer suggestion} 15...b5 {to open files on the queenside at once.} ) ) 15...a6 16.Kb1 {So far White played superbly, however this last move puts his king in danger, rather than in safety.} ( {Strong was the normal development instead:} 16.Be2 $1 {when} 16...dxc4 {is met strongly with} ( {Therefore Black should choose} 16...Qd6 {instead when White is better after} 17.Rdh1 Rd8 18.Kb1 {and this time the white king is really safe.} ) 17.Qf4 $1 b5 18.Ne4 {And this super-knight decides the outcome of the attack with} 18...Bb7 19.Nf6+ Kf8 20.Rdh1 $1 {Notice that the knight is more valuable than the black rook!} 20...Ke7 21.Rh7 $1 {and White crushes through.} ) 16...dxc4 17.Bxc4 ( {This time} 17.Qf4 {is a bad idea due to} 17...e5 $1 18.dxe5 Bf5+ 19.Ka1 Qa5 {and Black attacks first.} ) 17...e5 $1 {Trademark power-play by Duda.} 18.Qc2 {A very serious mistake.} ( {White had to keep the opponent's bishops as locked up as possible with} 18.d5 {when} 18...Nd4 19.Nxd4 exd4 20.Ne4 Rxe4 21.Rxe4 Bf5 22.Bd3 {is equal after} 22...Bxe4 ( {Or after} 22...Qxd5 23.Re2 Be6 ) 23.Bxe4 Qd6 ) 18...Bf5 {The pin is too much for White to handle.} 19.Ne4 exd4 20.Ka1 ( {Maybe White planned to sacrifice the exchange after} 20.Rf4 {but saw later that} 20...Rxe4 $1 21.Rxe4 Nb4 22.Qe2 Qe7 23.Re1 Rc8 {leaves him completely tied up.} ) 20...d3 {This looks like an instant win, but in fact almost misses the full point.} ( {Two other continuations would have won instead. For example} 20...Rc8 21.Bd3 Nb4 22.Qe2 Nxd3 23.Qxd3 Qe7 ) ( {Or} 20...Nb4 21.Qb3 Rxe4 22.Bxf7+ Kf8 23.Rxe4 Bxe4 24.Nh4 Nc2+ {and wins.} ) 21.Rxd3 Nb4 22.Bxf7+ Kxf7 {And now White can escape!} ( {Black could have still won with the brilliant} 22...Kf8 $3 23.Qc5+ Qe7 24.Bxe8 Nxd3 ) 23.Qc4+ Re6 24.Rxd8 Rxd8 25.Rh1 {An automatic retreat, which however loses material.} ( {The amazing resource} 25.Qb3 $1 Rd3 26.Nd6+ $3 {would have saved White, e.g.} 26...Rxd6 ( {Or} 26...Kf8 27.Nxf5 Rxb3 28.axb3 gxf5 29.Rxb4 {with equality.} ) 27.Rxb4 Rd3 28.Rxb7+ Kg8 29.Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 30.Qb7+ {and the king will get his air on the next move.} ) 25...Bxe4 26.Qxb4 Rd3 {The back-rank weakness prevents White from regaining the material.} 27.Re1 ( 27.Qc4 Bxf3 28.Qxd3 Bxh1 {does not help either.} ) 27...Bxf3 28.Qf4+ Kg8 29.Qc4 Bd5 {The mighty bishops and rooks quickly mate the king.} 30.Qc8+ Kh7 31.Rb1 Re2 32.Qc1 Ra3 0-1

[Event "Aimchess U.S. Rapid"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.08.31"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[ECO "B06"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "7562632105004"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 {The choice of the Modern Defence makes sense as Artemiev needed to win as Black.} 5.g4 ( {Artemiev has also faced} 5.Qd2 b5 6.O-O-O Bb7 7.f3 Nd7 8.h4 h6 9.g4 e6 10.Kb1 Ngf6 11.Nh3 Nb6 12.a3 Nfd7 13.g5 hxg5 14.Bxg5 Bf6 15.Bd3 Qe7 16.Nf2 O-O-O {and Black held his own in So,W (2772)-Artemiev,V (2704) Online 2021} ) 5...b5 6.Bg2 Bb7 7.h4 {Quite an aggressive approach by Dominguez in return.} 7...h6 {This is needed, in order to block the opponent's expansion.} 8.h5 g5 9.Nge2 Nd7 10.Ng3 $146 {A good novelty. White frees the e2-square for the other knight with tempo.} ( {Black was doing more than fine after} 10.f4 e6 11.Qd2 b4 12.Nd1 gxf4 13.Bxf4 a5 14.Nf2 Ne7 15.O-O-O e5 16.Be3 Nb6 17.b3 a4 {Kosakowski,J (2431)-Martinez Alcantara,J (2620) Chess.com 2020} ) 10...e6 11.f4 ( {After} 11.Qd2 Ngf6 12.f3 {Black can start fighting for the center with} 12...c5 {switching to a Sicilian mode.} ) 11...gxf4 {Fixing some squares for his pieces.} ( {It seems that the preliminary} 11...c5 $5 12.dxc5 dxc5 13.Qd2 gxf4 14.Bxf4 Be5 {would have been a better choice.} ) 12.Bxf4 Nb6 {Artemiev is slowly bringing his pieces out.} ( {He certainly needs to watch out for} 12...Ngf6 13.g5 $1 ) ( {And} 12...Ne7 13.Nce2 {is somewhat better for White too.} ) ( {However} 12...c5 $5 {still deserved serious attention.} ) 13.Qd3 Nf6 ( {This was the last interesting moment for} 13...c5 $5 {when Black should not fear} 14.dxc5 dxc5 15.Qxd8+ ( {But White can play for the advantage with} 15.Qe2 $1 {instead.} ) 15...Rxd8 16.Bc7 {As he would be doing great sacrificing an exchange for a dark-squared bishop in the line} 16...Nc4 17.Bxd8 Kxd8 18.O-O-O+ Ke7 ) 14.g5 $1 {Gaining a hefty passer.} 14...Nfd7 15.gxh6 ( {Also interesting was} 15.g6 Qe7 16.gxf7+ Qxf7 17.Rf1 O-O-O {with some pressure for White.} ) 15...Bxh6 16.Bxh6 Rxh6 17.Qe3 {That is the optimal square for the queen. It attacks and defends at the same time.} 17...Rh7 18.b3 Qe7 ( {Artemiev probably did not even consider the computer-suggested} 18...Rg7 {as the h-pawn is too much of a force to be left unattended. Still} 19.h6 {can be successfully met with} 19...Qg5 20.Qxg5 Rxg5 {when} 21.h7 $6 Ke7 22.h8=Q $2 Rxh8 23.Rxh8 Rxg3 {loses material for White.} ) 19.a4 {Dominguez now fixes some queenside pawns to attack.} 19...b4 ( {Or} 19...bxa4 20.Nxa4 Nxa4 21.Rxa4 {with White's edge.} ) 20.Nce2 a5 21.O-O-O O-O-O 22.Kb1 {White is better. He is the only one capable to attack on the queenside, whereas Black can only wait patiently for his chance to come.} ( 22.Rdg1 $5 ) 22...Rg8 23.Bf3 Qg5 24.Qf2 $1 {It is important to keep the queens aboard.} ( {The endgame after} 24.Qxg5 $6 Rxg5 25.Rdg1 Nf6 {is pleasant for Black.} ) 24...Kb8 25.Rhg1 Qf6 26.Qe3 ( 26.Rdf1 $5 {to put pressure on the f-file made sense too.} ) 26...Ka7 {This does not really improve the position of the king.} ( 26...Rhh8 $5 {made more sense instead.} ) 27.c3 $1 {The time had come for White to open up the queenside.} 27...Qh6 ( {After} 27...bxc3 28.Qxc3 {Black has serious problems with the defense of his a5-pawn.} ) 28.Qf2 Kb8 ( {Objectively, best is} 28...Rhg7 29.cxb4 axb4 30.Rc1 Kb8 {when White is pressurizing but Black seems to hold tight.} ) 29.cxb4 axb4 30.Rc1 ( {There were other ways to build pressure, like} 30.a5 Nc8 31.e5 ( {Or} 31.Nc1 $5 ) ) 30...Rg5 31.Qe1 c5 32.dxc5 dxc5 33.Qd2 f6 {After Black's last inaccuracy the his position got too loose. However, this move was a nasty trap as well in which Dominguez felt.} ( 33...Qf6 $5 {stepping out of the pin was mandatory.} ) 34.Qd6+ {Dominguez goes for the most obvious line and picks up the pawn.} ( {White should have built more pressure instead with} 34.Nf4 $1 {when Black is on the verge of the defeat, for example} 34...e5 ( {Or} 34...f5 35.Qd6+ Ka7 {And now little tactics} 36.Nxf5 $1 exf5 37.Qxh6 Rxh6 38.Rxg5 {winning material.} ) ( 34...Re7 $4 35.Qd6+ {is of course not playable at all.} ) 35.Ne6 Rg8 36.Qd6+ {followed by Ng3-f5 and White is winning positionally.} ) 34...Ka7 35.Qxe6 ( {Here} 35.Nf4 Nc8 $1 36.Qd2 f5 {is not as effective for White as before.} ) 35...Re5 $1 {And it turns out that the pawn is poisoned, as now the white queen can no longer defend her own king.} 36.Qg4 Qe3 $1 {White's position quickly deteriorates.} 37.Ka2 ( {Nothing changes} 37.Kb2 c4 $1 ) 37...c4 $1 38.Rb1 ( {Or} 38.bxc4 Qa3+ 39.Kb1 Qb3+ 40.Ka1 Ra5 {with mate.} ) 38...Nc5 ( {Even faster was} 38...Ra5 $1 39.Qf4 Rxa4+ 40.bxa4 Qa3# ) 39.Qf4 Qd3 {Many roads lead to Rome and Artemiev concentrates on one of them.} ( 39...cxb3+ 40.Ka1 Qd3 {would have done too.} ) 40.Nc1 cxb3+ 41.Nxb3 Qc2+ $1 ( {And Dominguez resigned due to} 41...Qc2+ 42.Rb2 Qxb2+ 43.Kxb2 Nd3+ ) 0-1

[Event "Aimchess US Rapid | Prelims"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.08.29"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Naroditsky, Daniel"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2623"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8247276793886"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 {The inclusion of young and promising players is one of the best things about the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour. From the fresh additions Naroditsky impresses mostly, and this game is one of the main reasons.} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 7.d3 {A solid, but venomous line.} 7...d6 8.a4 Rb8 9.axb5 axb5 10.Be3 ( {White can also do without this move and opt for} 10.h3 h6 11.Nc3 O-O 12.Ne2 Re8 13.c3 Bb6 14.Ng3 Be6 15.Re1 d5 16.Be3 Bxe3 17.Rxe3 dxe4 18.dxe4 Qxd1+ 19.Bxd1 Ra8 20.Rc1 Ra2 21.b4 Bc4 22.Be2 Bxe2 23.Nxe2 Rb2 {with approximate equality in Nakamura,H (2736) -Dominguez Perez,L (2758) Online 2020} ) 10...Bxe3 {Probably not the optimal way to play this, especially in rapid and blitz. The clear play that White obtains on the kingside thanks to the half-open f-file makes his game much easier. I suspect this is the reason why this move loses popularity to the simpler 10...0-0.} ( {After} 10...O-O {Black certainly does not fear} 11.Bxc5 dxc5 12.Nbd2 Qd6 13.Qe2 Nh5 {with active play on the kingside in Baklan, V (2648)-Borisek,J (2506) Trieste 2007} ) 11.fxe3 O-O 12.Qe1 {White's play is straightforward and easy. The queen is shifted to the g3 square and the white knight is transferred to the f5 outpost.} 12...Qe7 $146 ( {White was also able to put kingside pressure after} 12...Be6 13.Bxe6 fxe6 14.Ng5 Qd7 15.Ra6 Ra8 16.Rxa8 Rxa8 17.Nc3 Ne7 18.Qg3 {and later h2-h4 led to problems for Black in Arribas Robaina,M (2243)-Coimbra,M (2068) Batumi 2018} ) 13.Nh4 g6 ( {The computer suggests the cunning defensive idea} 13...Qd8 $5 {The queen steps away from the tempo after} 14.Nf5 {when Black defends with} 14...Bxf5 15.Rxf5 Ne7 {and Ne7-g6.} ) 14.Nc3 Nb4 $1 {An important defensive resource.} ( {Otherwise White would make the best use of the d5 square, as in the line} 14...Kg7 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.Bxd5 {and White is better on both wings.} ) 15.Qg3 Kg7 16.Nf5+ Bxf5 17.Rxf5 {Naroditsky sticks to the half-open file.} ( {Here objectively better seems} 17.exf5 $5 d5 18.d4 exd4 19.exd4 {with an edge for White.} ) 17...Nd7 $1 {The pawn on f7 should move fast. This is the optimal defensive setup for Black.} 18.Raf1 f6 19.Nd5 {In order to keep the bishop active.} ( {If} 19.h4 c6 {locks the d5 square for good.} ) 19...Nxd5 20.Bxd5 Nb6 21.h4 c6 {So tries to take over the initiative, but falls short by a move. Up to here, Black played excellently and was able to equalize.} ( {But he had to get rid of the bishop at once:} 21...Nxd5 22.exd5 {when Black has two ways to keep the equilibrium:} 22...Kh8 {is one of them, getting rid of the pin at once} ( {Or the active play along the a-file with} 22...Ra8 23.h5 Ra2 {which is possible just because the white bishop has left the board.} ) 23.R5f3 f5 {and this looks OK for So.} ) 22.Bxc6 Qc7 23.Bxb5 ( {Black is obviously fine after} 23.Bd5 Qxc2 ) 23...Qxc2 24.h5 $1 {Going all into the attack and rightly so!} ( {In case of the retreat} 24.R5f2 {Black can regain his pawn with} 24...Qb3 ( {Or play for a Benko-type of compensation with} 24...Qc5 25.Ba6 Qa5 26.Bc4 Nxc4 27.dxc4 h5 ) 25.Bc6 Rbc8 26.Rc1 Qxd3 ) 24...Qxb2 {So follows his plan, completely unaware of his kingside vulnerability.} ( {However, it was too late to save the game, even if the king is saved for a moment in the line} 24...Qb3 25.h6+ $1 Kh8 26.Qg5 $3 fxg5 27.Rxf8+ Rxf8 28.Rxf8+ Qg8 29.Rxg8+ Kxg8 30.Bc6 {the endgame is lost for the second player.} ) 25.h6+ $1 {This pawn is as strong as a piece into the attack.} 25...Kh8 {It seems as the king is safe, but there is a beautiful way to get the white queen close enough to his Majesty.} ( {The capture leads to a forcing mate after} 25...Kxh6 26.Rxf6 Rxf6 27.Qh4+ Kg7 28.Qxf6+ Kg8 ( {Or} 28...Kh6 29.Qh4+ Kg7 30.Qe7+ Kh6 31.Rf7 ) 29.Qe6+ Kh8 30.Be8 ) 26.Qg5 $3 {Very nice!} ( {So was likely expecting} 26.Rxf6 Rxf6 27.Rxf6 Qxb5 28.Rxg6 Qe8 $1 {and the queen is just in time to the rescue.} ) 26...Qxb5 ( {Or else back-rank mate} 26...fxg5 27.Rxf8+ Rxf8 28.Rxf8# ) 27.Rxf6 Rfe8 28.Rxg6 $1 {The point. This time the black queen is too far to help and it all ends badly for the black king.} 28...Nd7 ( 28...hxg6 29.Qf6+ Kh7 30.Qg7# ) 29.Rg7 {With the unstoppable threat of Rg7xh7+!} 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Aimchess U.S. Rapi"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.08.28"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2696"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "B01"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8045551439441"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 d5 {The Scandinavian is a very unusual guest at the highest level, but Carlsen picks it often from his reserve tool box.} 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bf5 6.Ne5 {Quite an aggressive move.} ( {Both} 6.Bc4 ) ( {And} 6.Bd2 {are more common.} ) 6...c6 7.Bc4 e6 8.g4 Bg6 9.h4 Nbd7 10.Nxd7 Nxd7 11.h5 Be4 12.O-O {This is risky. The king can get easily under pressure on the kingside.} ( {In another recent online game Black suffered badly after} 12.Rh3 h6 13.Bd2 Bh7 14.Qe2 Bb4 15.O-O-O O-O-O 16.a3 Bxc3 17.Rxc3 Qc7 18.Rf3 $1 Nb6 19.Rxf7 $1 {and Black collapsed in Chigaev,M (2588)-Esipenko,A (2682) Chess.com 2020} ) 12...Bd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Bd3 Bd6 15.Qf3 O-O-O 16.Be3 $146 {Now both sides start competing on "who's faster" on the opposite flanks.} ( {An email game quickly ended peacefully after} 16.c3 Rde8 17.Kg2 g6 18.Bg5 h6 19.Bh4 Rhf8 20.a4 gxh5 {1/2-1/2 (21) Ballow,J (2416) -Biedermann,T (2409) ICCF email 2016} ) 16...g6 17.h6 {Sensibly blocking the kingside at the first given opportunity.} ( {However, there was an argument for immediate queenside action with} 17.b4 $1 Bxb4 ( 17...Qxb4 18.Rab1 Qa5 19.c4 {looks good for White as well.} ) 18.Rab1 {and only after} 18...gxh5 {to block the files with} 19.g5 ) ( {Notice that greed is punished in this position after} 17.Qxf7 $2 Rdf8 18.Qxe6 $2 ( 18.Qg7 {is the lesser evil, albeit bad for White as well after the queen swing} 18...Qd8 $1 ) 18...Rf6 {when the white queen is trapped.} ) 17...Rhf8 {Carlsen patiently prepares the central-kingside assault.} ( {He too could have played a bit more aggressively with} 17...e5 $5 18.dxe5 Nxe5 19.Qg2 f5 {when Black opens the files faster.} ) 18.a3 {Firouzja is ready for the queenside expansion. He is making a generally useful move, while delaying c2-c4 in order to slow down Black's f-pawn advance.} ( {This was the last moment for} 18.b4 $5 ) ( {The advance of the neighbor pawn} 18.c4 {would have been met with the blockading} 18...dxc4 19.Bxc4 Nb6 ) 18...f5 19.c4 e5 $1 {It all heats up pretty fast.} ( {White was ready to meet} 19...dxc4 {with pressure against the e6-pawn after} 20.Bxc4 Rde8 {Although this is fine for Black as well.} ) 20.b4 {White is looking forward to the knife fight! The move order of the game wins a valuable tempo.} ( {In the meantime he rejects the gloomy endgame after} 20.Qxd5 Qxd5 21.cxd5 e4 22.Bc2 Nf6 ) 20...Qc7 ( {Not} 20...e4 $6 21.bxa5 exf3 22.c5 {when White is great.} ) 21.c5 Be7 ( {Nor} 21...e4 $2 22.cxd6 Qxd6 23.Rac1+ {and White wins.} ) 22.Bb5 e4 ( 22...f4 {is a tad more accurate, transposing into the game after} 23.Bd2 e4 24.Qh3 ) 23.Qh3 ( {For now White had an extra choice:} 23.Qf4 Qxf4 24.Bxf4 g5 25.Bxd7+ Kxd7 26.Be5 ) 23...f4 {Still, Carlsen turned out to be faster than his opponent. However, with the kings so vulnerable, extreme precision was required by both players.} 24.Bd2 ( {Black would not budge in case of} 24.c6 Nb6 25.Rfc1 Kb8 ) 24...Bg5 {This move, however, is the beginning of a wrong plan.} ( {Stronger was} 24...g5 $1 {when Black is surprisingly stable on the queenside despite the many little pawn breaks:} 25.c6 Nb6 ( 25...bxc6 26.Rac1 Rf6 $1 27.Bxc6 Rxc6 28.Rxc6 Qxc6 29.Rc1 Bc5 $1 {Effectively winning for Black. In this line we see why it is important to keep the bishop on its central position.} ) 26.cxb7+ Kb8 27.Rac1 Qxb7 28.Bc6 Qa6 29.b5 Qa4 {and the black queen is feeling perfectly fine on a4, which is not the case with her counterpart on the opposite flank.} ) 25.c6 Nf6 {Wrong direction again!} ( 25...Nb6 $1 {was called for.} ) 26.cxb7+ Qxb7 ( {Without the black knight around to cover some critical squares} 26...Kb8 {is no more an effective defense due to} 27.Rac1 Qxb7 ( 27...Qb6 28.Bc6 ) 28.Bc6 Qa6 29.b5 $1 ( {Or} 29.Rc5 $1 {with a practically decisive attack in both cases.} ) ) 27.Rac1+ {It is Firouzja who starts concrete actions first.} 27...Kb8 28.Bc6 Qe7 29.Rc5 e3 $1 {Carlsen's only chance is in blocking the white major pieces' routes towards the queenside, at least for a moment.} ( {Instead} 29...a6 30.b5 {is not going to end well for him.} ) ( {Neither will} 29...Rd6 30.Rb5+ Kc8 31.Rc1 $1 {and this is a line where the white rook joins the attack unhindered.} ) 30.fxe3 fxe3 31.Be1 {Bringing the other bishop into the attack. Both players might have fought that it is already over for Black.} 31...Ne4 32.Qh2+ ( {Neater seemed} 32.Rb5+ $1 Kc8 33.Bb7+ Qxb7 ( 33...Kc7 34.Bxd5 ) 34.Rxb7 Kxb7 35.Rxf8 Rxf8 36.Qg2 {and the extra material should bring the win.} ) 32...Kc8 {Now it is indeed quickly over.} ( {The last chance was the study-like idea} 32...Nd6 33.Rxf8 Rxf8 34.Bg3 Rf6 35.Rxd5 Bf4 $3 {when White cannot touch the bishop:} 36.Bxf4 $4 ( {True, even here White should be able to win after the pretty} 36.Re5 $3 Qf7 37.Bxf4 Rxf4 38.Qg3 ) 36...e2 {and White wins.} ) 33.Bd7+ $1 Kxd7 ( 33...Kb7 34.Qc7+ Ka6 35.Bb5# ) 34.Rc7+ Ke6 {Allowing the mate.} ( {But Black was lost too after} 34...Ke8 35.Rxe7+ Bxe7 36.Qe5 ) 35.Qe5# 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Chessable Masters "]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.08.03"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2543"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Beauty "8249558441482"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bg5 {A relatively rare move.} ( {More common is} 5.c3 O-O 6.O-O d5 7.exd5 Qxd5 8.Bc4 Qd8 9.b4 Be7 10.Nbd2 Bf5 11.Qc2 a6 12.a4 Qd7 13.Ba3 Bd6 {as in Duda,J (2738)-Anand,V (2753) Zagreb 2021} ) 5...Ne7 $146 {So comes with a novelty right away! His idea is typical: the knight wants to get to g6 before the h-pawn advances.} ( {In an earlier game, Black played instead} 5...h6 6.Bh4 Be7 7.Nc3 d6 8.d4 Bd7 9.d5 Nb8 10.Qe2 O-O 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Bxd7 Nxd7 13.h4 Be7 14.O-O-O f5 15.exf5 Rxf5 16.Ne4 Qe8 17.Nfd2 Qf7 {when the control over the e4-square promises White some edge, Alekseenko,K (2699)-Heimann,A (2599) Chalons en Champagne 2021} ) 6.Bxf6 {Van Foreest ruins the opponent's kingside at once.} ( {The pawn is edible, but after} 6.Nxe5 c6 7.Bc4 d5 $1 {Black would take the initiative in the following forcing line:} ( {Weaker looks} 7...Qa5+ 8.Nc3 Bxf2+ 9.Kxf2 Qxe5 10.Bxf6 Qxf6+ 11.Qf3 Qd4+ 12.Qe3 {with slight advantage for White.} ) 8.exd5 Bd4 $1 {This double attack is the key idea for Black. It is not completely clear yet as White can sacrifice a knight:} 9.Nxf7 Kxf7 10.dxc6+ {But} 10...Kg6 $1 ( 10...Kf8 11.cxb7 Bxb7 {is also playable.} ) 11.Bxf6 gxf6 {looks good for Black.} ) ( {The immediate castling} 6.O-O {definitely makes sense when White is hoping for a quick d3-d4 push} 6...c6 ( 6...Ng6 7.d4 $1 {is good for White.} ) 7.Bc4 Ng6 8.d4 {with unclear play.} ) 6...gxf6 7.d4 {The correct strategy is to remove the e5-pawn ASAP.} 7...exd4 8.O-O $1 {An accurate move.} ( {White is not fully prepared for the open game} 8.Nxd4 c6 9.Be2 ( {Or} 9.Nb3 Bb6 10.Be2 d5 $1 {and Black is doing great.} ) 9...Qb6 {as the dark squares would suffer.} ) 8...c6 9.Bc4 O-O 10.Nxd4 d6 11.Nc3 f5 {Van Foreest has regained the pawn, whereas So has managed to advance one of his doubled pawns. Still, the open black king requires him to be very, very careful.} 12.Qd2 Kh8 {And this obvious move does not seem right.} ( {Strong is} 12...f4 $5 {gaining some stability when the line} 13.Nb3 ( {Notice that White cannot gain the weakness on d6 easily:} 13.Rad1 Ng6 14.Nb3 Bb6 15.Qxd6 $2 {As his queen is left out of the game in the line} 15...Qg5 $1 16.Kh1 Rd8 17.Qb4 f3 18.Rxd8+ Qxd8 19.g3 a5 20.Qa4 Ne5 {and Black would dominate.} ) 13...Ng6 14.Nxc5 dxc5 15.Qxd8 Rxd8 16.Rfd1 Be6 17.Bxe6 fxe6 {looks OK for Black, despite the doubled pawns.} ) ( {The trade in the center} 12...fxe4 $6 13.Nxe4 Ng6 14.Nf3 {only helps White bring his knights closer to the enemy king.} ) 13.Rad1 Bb6 14.Nf3 {Now there is a problem with the d6-pawn.} 14...fxe4 {o} ( {After} 14...Bc7 {White can attack with} 15.Ng5 ( {or} 15.Bd3 {but this is definitely the lesser evil.} ) ) ( {Or maybe Black has to part with the pawn in the line} 14...Ng6 15.Qxd6 Qxd6 16.Rxd6 Bc7 {There is not enough compensation for the material, but Black is at least not getting checkmated.} ) 15.Nxe4 Nf5 ( {No time for} 15...d5 $2 16.Qc3+ {Now that the knight has been centralized, Black is in constant mortal danger.} ) 16.g4 $1 Ng7 {leads to mate.} ( 16...Rg8 {does not help due to} 17.Qc3+ ) ( {The last chance is} 16...Qe7 17.Rde1 d5 18.Ng3 Qf6 19.gxf5 dxc4 20.Ne5 Rd8 {Although White is clearly better here as well and can build on his attack with} 21.Ng4 $1 ( {Or even} 21.Qg5 $1 ) ) 17.Qh6 Bxg4 18.Nfg5 Bf5 19.Nxd6 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Chessable Masters "]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.08.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[ECO "D00"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7427076192346"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.Nb5 Na6 {This position can occur with reversed colors from the Chigorin Defense.} 6.e3 Nh5 ( {Black can also castle at once} 6...O-O 7.h3 c6 8.Nc3 b5 9.Be2 b4 10.Na4 Qa5 11.b3 Nd7 12.O-O Nb6 13.Nb2 c5 {with good play for the second player in Xiong,J (2709) -Jones,G (2677) Chess.com 2021} ) 7.Bg5 c6 8.Nc3 Qb6 $146 {A novelty, but a typical move for the position. Black forces a concession.} ( {An earlier game saw another logical development} 8...Nc7 9.Be2 O-O 10.h3 b6 11.Bh4 Bb7 12.O-O c5 13.a4 Ne6 14.Ng5 Nxg5 15.Bxg5 h6 16.Bh4 Bf6 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 18.Qd2 Kg7 19.Rfd1 e6 20.a5 {1/2-1/2 Klauner,T (2437)-Williamson, D (2421) ICCF email 2018} ) 9.Rb1 f6 10.Bh4 O-O 11.h3 e5 {All of this is pretty logical, but Aronian's last move is not optimal.} ( {The immediate} 11...g5 12.Nd2 {is not excellent either.} ) ( {However,} 11...Bh6 $5 {looks good, when after} 12.g4 g5 13.Bxg5 ( {And in comparison with the game} 13.gxh5 gxh4 14.Nxh4 e5 {is a much better version of the game continuation as the black bishop is very active.} ) 13...fxg5 14.gxh5 {The position is unclear.} ) 12.g4 g5 13.gxh5 gxh4 14.Rg1 Kh8 15.h6 $1 {That is the difference: the h5-square is available for the queen, and Le can start attacking the opponent's king at once.} 15...Bxh6 16.Nxh4 Bg5 17.Qh5 Bxh4 {Sad, but needed. Otherwise, Nh4-g6 is unstoppable.} 18.Qh6 {A smart intermediate move.} ( {There is nothing wrong with} 18.Qxh4 Bf5 19.Qh6 Rf7 20.Qh5 Be6 21.Bxa6 Qxa6 22.Ne2 {with a clear edge for the first player.} ) ( {However, the other intermediate move} 18.Bd3 $1 {would be even better, for example} 18...e4 ( {If Black replies with an intermediate in turn} 18...Bxf2+ {then} 19.Kxf2 e4 ( 19...Qc7 20.Rg3 {and White's attack grows by itself.} ) 20.Bxa6 Qxa6 {And Black is surprisingly helpless after either} 21.Rg3 $1 ( {or} 21.Ne2 $1 ) ) 19.Bxa6 Qxa6 20.Qxh4 {and once the knight is transferred to the f4-square, Black is in obvious trouble.} ) 18...Rf7 19.Qxh4 Nb4 ( {A better idea is} 19...exd4 $1 20.exd4 Bf5 {when Black is having counterplay on his own.} ) 20.Kd2 c5 {Aronian blunders.} ( {It is not too late for} 20...exd4 21.exd4 Bf5 22.Bd3 Bxd3 23.cxd3 c5 $1 {with double-edged, unclear play.} ) 21.a3 Nc6 22.Bd3 $1 {Probably missed by Aronian.} ( {Black had likely considered only} 22.Nxd5 Qd8 23.c4 cxd4 {when he is in good shape.} ) 22...Qd8 ( {If} 22...e4 23.Nxd5 Qa5+ 24.b4 $1 Qd8 25.Bxe4 {White wins at once.} ) 23.dxc5 {Simple and good. Le gets enough time to consolidate his queenside and concentrate on his kingside attack.} 23...b6 ( {If} 23...a6 {then} 24.Qh5 ( {or} 24.Rbd1 {and Black is again under pressure.} ) 24...Be6 25.Bf5 Qd7 26.Bxe6 Qxe6 27.Rbd1 {consolidating White's advantage.} ) 24.Rbd1 bxc5 25.Kc1 Be6 26.Be4 $1 {That is the problem. The pawn on d5 cannot stand.} 26...Nd4 ( {For} 26...Ne7 {is spectacularly refuted with} 27.Bxh7 $1 ) 27.Bh1 ( {Missing a simpler solution:} 27.exd4 $1 dxe4 ( {Black is trouble also after} 27...cxd4 28.Bg6 ) 28.dxc5 {with a clear edge.} ) 27...Rb8 28.exd4 cxd4 29.Ne2 Qb6 {Now Black his own threats.} 30.b4 {In order to defend his a3-pawn along the third rank.} ( {Aronian would have had enough attacking power after} 30.b3 Qa6 31.Rd2 Qxa3+ 32.Kd1 Qa1+ 33.Nc1 Rc8 {and anything is possible.} ) 30...Qa6 31.Rd3 e4 {Probably missing White's next.} ( {Otherwise, Aronian would have chosen the natural} 31...Qc4 {He might have disliked} 32.Nxd4 $1 {Now the exceptional} 32...Rc8 $3 33.Kb1 a5 $1 ( 33...exd4 34.Rd2 ) 34.bxa5 e4 35.Rdd1 Qc3 {should likely lead to a perpetual check.} ) 32.b5 $3 {A brilliant spoiler!} ( 32.Rd2 $2 Qxa3+ 33.Kd1 Rxb4 {would give Black a decisive attack instead.} ) 32...Qa5 ( {As} 32...Rxb5 {blocks the queen's access to the Ne2, and White wins with} 33.Rdg3 Rb8 34.Nxd4 ) 33.Rxd4 Qxa3+ {Now comes a fabulous king march.} 34.Kd2 $1 Qa5+ 35.Ke3 $1 Rc8 36.c4 ( {Easier is} 36.Qf4 $1 {when the queen would forcefully use the squares along the diagonal} 36...Qa3+ ( 36...Rxc2 37.Qd6 ) 37.c3 Rxc3+ 38.Nxc3 Qxc3+ 39.Ke2 Qxd4 40.Qb8+ {and backrank mate.} ) 36...Qa3+ 37.Kf4 Qb2 ( {Missing the perpetual} 37...Qd6+ $1 38.Ke3 Qa3+ $11 ) 38.Qh5 dxc4 39.Bxe4 {Now White is in control, and everything ends dramatically in the time-scramble.} 39...f5 40.Bc6 c3 41.Qg5 Rcf8 42.Rd8 Qb4+ 43.Nd4 ( {A pity! Le could have finished the brilliant king walk with} 43.Ke5 $3 Rxd8 ( {The checks are also over in case of} 43...Qc5+ 44.Kxe6 Qc4+ 45.Bd5 Qxe2+ 46.Kd6 ) 44.Qxd8+ Rf8 45.Qg5 Qc5+ 46.Kxe6 Qc4+ 47.Kd6 {and Black is helpless.} ) 43...Bd7 {Uff, a mate blunder!} ( {Aronian would have even turned the tables with only} 43...Rxd8 $1 44.Qxd8+ Rf8 45.Be8 c2 46.Ke5 Ba2 47.Rc1 Qc5+ 48.Kf4 Bd5 {and White is in trouble.} ) 44.Qg8+ ( 44.Qg8+ Rxg8 45.Rgxg8# ) 1-0

[Event "Chessable Masters | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.08.04"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "A11"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7150873102426"]
[EventType "game"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.c4 c6 4.Qa4 d4 ( {An unlikely mixture of pawn moves happened in the following game:} 4...e6 5.h4 $5 Nf6 6.d3 Bg7 7.Nc3 O-O 8.Bg2 {The black pawns are quite strangely placed, but he can improve that:} 8...d4 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.dxe4 h5 {and Black was fine in Praggnanandhaa,R (2608)-Shirov, A (2662) Chess.com 2021} ) 5.b4 Bg7 6.d3 e5 7.Bg2 Ne7 8.O-O O-O 9.Nbd2 {A form of reversed Pirc appeared on board, and it will soon transpose into a reversed Benoni.} 9...Be6 $5 10.Bb2 h6 11.b5 $146 ( 11.Qc2 Na6 12.a3 c5 13.b5 Nc7 14.e3 b6 15.Rfe1 Qd6 16.exd4 exd4 17.a4 g5 18.a5 Ng6 19.axb6 {1/2-1/2 Kaid,A (2265)-Laubsch,B (2221) Germany 2011} ) 11...c5 12.Qc2 Nd7 13.e3 {Now it is a reversed Benoni, and Aronian hurries to play on his side with} 13...f5 ( {However,} 13...a6 {might be interesting with the idea to overburden the white rooks in the line} 14.a4 ( {And if} 14.exd4 exd4 15.a4 {Black can expand further on the kingside with} 15...g5 ) 14...dxe3 15.fxe3 Nf5 {and Black does not experience any problems.} ) 14.exd4 exd4 15.Rfe1 {That is the difference: Mamedyarov can use the open e-file at once.} ( {Perhaps even more accurate is} 15.Rae1 $5 Bf7 16.Nh4 {With the idea to meet} 16...g5 17.Bxb7 Rb8 18.Rxe7 Qxe7 19.Nxf5 {with an advantage for White.} ) 15...Bf7 16.h4 ( {Now} 16.Nh4 {is not as convincing as after} 16...g5 17.Bxb7 Rb8 18.Rxe7 Qxe7 19.Nxf5 Qf6 {White has problems with his f2-pawn.} ) 16...Nc8 {This maneuver is very logical, but Aronian might have missed an important detail.} ( {Here and on the next move} 16...f4 $5 {is called for.} ) 17.Nb3 Nd6 ( {It is not too late for} 17...f4 $5 ) 18.Bc1 $1 {That is what Black missed. Mamedyarov transfers his bishop on a better diagonal with tempo.} 18...Be8 19.Bf4 ( 19.Qe2 $1 {is equally good.} ) 19...Nf7 20.Qd2 b6 {Now that the center is under control, White can do his business on the queenside.} 21.a4 a5 22.Re6 {Quickly coordinating the troops to finally gain material.} ( {Another plausible idea is to infiltrate on the queenside with} 22.bxa6 $1 Rxa6 23.Re6 Kh7 24.a5 Ra7 25.Ra2 bxa5 26.Rxa5 Rxa5 27.Nxa5 {when White is clearly better.} ) 22...Nf6 23.Ne5 $1 {An excellent maneuver that opens the second bishop. Black is in huge trouble.} 23...Nxe5 24.Bxa8 {The simplest solution. Mamedyarov wins material and keeps his pieces stronger.} ( {There is also the fancy} 24.Bxe5 $1 Ra7 ( {The rook is still trapped in case of} 24...Rc8 25.Bb7 ) 25.Nxc5 bxc5 26.b6 Raf7 27.b7 Nd7 28.Bd6 $1 {and Black is helpless.} ) 24...Nxc4 $1 {The only way to somehow muddy the waters.} 25.dxc4 Bf7 26.Rc6 {Once again, the simplest, and this is a clever choice in blitz.} ( {Instead} 26.Nxc5 $1 {would win as well with the key point} 26...Bxe6 ( 26...bxc5 27.Ra6 ) ( {Or} 26...Qxa8 27.Rxb6 {are equally hopeless.} ) 27.Nxe6 Qxa8 28.Nxg7 $1 {destroying the strong black bishop.} ) 26...Qxa8 27.Bxh6 {White is winning. An extra exchange and active pieces should be more than sufficient. The only problem might be the clock.} ( {The other pawn might be yummier} 27.Rxb6 {when} 27...g5 28.hxg5 hxg5 29.Bxg5 Ne4 30.Qf4 Bxc4 {would backfire due to} 31.Bh6 $1 Bxb3 32.Bxg7 Kxg7 33.Qh6+ Kf7 34.Qh7+ Ke8 35.f3 {and the attack is irresistible.} ) 27...Qd8 28.Bxg7 Kxg7 29.Qf4 Re8 30.Nd2 Re2 31.Nf3 ( 31.Qg5 $1 {Gluing the black pieces to their knight would be simpler and better.} ) 31...Qe8 32.Rc7 {Active and imprecise!} ( {Mamedyarov would have won simpler with} 32.Rxb6 $1 {keeping that c7-spot for his queen} 32...Re4 33.Qc7 $1 {and White should win.} ) 32...Re4 {Now the white queen needs to retreat.} 33.Qd2 $1 {The correct retreat.} ( {After} 33.Qg5 Rg4 34.Qd2 {Black can once again exploit the position of the white rook with} 34...Qb8 $1 {eyeballing the white king as well.} ) 33...Qb8 34.Rxf7+ Kxf7 35.Qh6 $1 {Mamedyarov is again on the right track.} ( {The move in the game is much better than} 35.Ng5+ Kg7 36.Nxe4 fxe4 {when the black pawns become dangerous.} ) 35...Qg8 {The rook cannot escape.} ( {For then the knight would suffer, as in the line} 35...Re2 $2 36.Ng5+ Ke7 37.Qg7+ {and White wins.} ) 36.Ng5+ Ke7 37.Nxe4 fxe4 {Once more White is close to winning, but his next nervous move spoils all the advantage.} 38.Re1 ( {The rook could have come out later under more favorable circumstances. For instance in the line} 38.Rc1 $1 Kf7 39.Qf4 Qc8 40.Re1 {when the black queen is not active.} ) 38...Qxc4 {Now the black pawn trio is too scary. Besides} 39.Qg5 {Mamedyarov keeps playing nervously.} ( {He could have kept the enemy pieces busy instead with} 39.Qf4 Qe6 40.Qc7+ Nd7 ) 39...d3 40.Kg2 {And then it is easy for Aronian.} ( {White's last chance is} 40.Qe5+ Qe6 41.Qc7+ Ke8 42.Qb8+ Kf7 43.Qb7+ Qe7 44.Qxb6 d2 45.Rf1 e3 46.fxe3 Qxe3+ {although with some further checks, Black would collect the rook and likely win anyway.} ) 40...Qd4 41.Qxg6 c4 {The pawns are unstoppable, and Aronian wins a key point.} 42.Qg7+ Ke6 43.Qc7 d2 44.Rd1 c3 45.g4 e3 46.Qc6+ Ke7 47.Qb7+ Qd7 0-1

[Event "E Women's World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.08.01"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Black "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2596"]
[BlackElo "2472"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[Beauty "6187839923279"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Nf3 a6 6.O-O Nc6 7.Be3 {Quite a fresh idea.} ( {More common is} 7.a4 Rb8 8.a5 b5 9.axb6 cxb6 10.Bf4 Bd6 11.Ne5 Ne7 12.Bc6+ Kf8 13.Bg2 Nfd5 14.Bd2 b5 15.b3 {with huge complications in Giri,A (2776)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2792) Zagreb 2021} ) 7...Nd5 8.Qc1 Nxe3 $146 {An accurate move and a novelty.} ( {In an earlier game, Black tried} 8...Be7 {However, after} 9.Qxc4 Nxe3 10.fxe3 {the doubled white pawns provided them central stability and a little pull in the endgame after} 10...O-O 11.Nc3 Rb8 12.Ne4 Qd5 13.Ned2 Bd7 14.Rac1 Qxc4 15.Nxc4 {Sjugirov,S (2675)-Oparin,G (2652) Chess.com 2020} ) 9.Qxe3 {The correct choice.} ( {Otherwise Black will develop her dark-squared bishop aggressively with} 9.fxe3 g6 ) 9...Be7 10.Rc1 O-O {Going into slow developing mode.} ( {There's not enough compensation after} 10...b5 11.Ne5 ) 11.Rxc4 Bd7 12.a3 $1 {An accurate move. Despite Black's bishop pair, it is White that has the easier play. The position is closed, and the bishops cannot show their strength, whereas White can easily expand on the kingside, thanks to her strong center.} ( {Goryachkina prevents the active maneuver} 12.Nbd2 Nb4 ) 12...a5 13.Nbd2 a4 14.Ne5 {Prolonging the diagonal for the bishop.} ( {The manuever in the game cannot be prevented:} 14.Rac1 Na5 15.Rxc7 $2 {loses the exchange due to} 15...Bc6 ) 14...Na5 {Quite original, Black is bringing her pieces out.} ( {Instead} 14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 c5 16.Ne4 Bb5 17.Rcc1 Qd4 {would not have solved Black's problems due to} 18.Qxd4 $1 cxd4 19.Rc7 ) 15.Rc2 Bb5 16.Re1 {A smart move, which is overprotecting the e2-pawn.} ( 16.h4 $5 {at once is also quite good.} ) 16...Ra6 $1 {Once more an original maneuver by Kosteniuk!} 17.h4 Rd6 18.Qc3 c6 19.e3 f6 {This, however, is a very risky decision. Kosteniuk does not want to wait patiently and instead wants to open her bishops. But she needs to pay with a pawn for that.} ( {The other way to play it is the patient} 19...Qa8 $5 {although there White can proceed building a kingside initiative with} 20.h5 Rfd8 21.h6 ) 20.Nef3 ( {Kosteniuk thought that} 20.Nec4 $5 {would have been a better idea for White.} ) 20...e5 {The logical follow-up, but White has a strong counterblow at her disposal.} 21.b4 $1 {Now Goryachkina wins a pawn by force.} ( {Naturally, not} 21.dxe5 $4 Rd3 {trapping the queen.} ) 21...axb3 22.Nxb3 Nxb3 23.Qxb3+ Kh8 24.a4 ( {Another way to exploit her central superiority is connected with} 24.dxe5 Rd3 ( {Black can also play like in the game:} 24...fxe5 25.Nxe5 Qe8 ) 25.Qb1 Rxa3 26.Rd2 Rd3 ( {Or} 26...Qe8 27.Nd4 fxe5 28.Nxb5 cxb5 29.Rd5 {with an edge for White.} ) 27.Red1 Rxd2 28.Rxd2 Qe8 29.Nd4 {White has the initiative.} ) 24...Ba6 25.dxe5 Rd3 26.Rc3 Rxc3 27.Qxc3 fxe5 28.Qxe5 c5 {For the pawn Kosteniuk got the bishop pair and a strong outside passer. It was evident after the game that she enjoyed her compensation.} 29.h5 $1 {Goryachkina logically accomplishes her kingside expansion.} ( {White could have also taken care of the pawn with} 29.Rc1 $5 c4 30.Nd4 ) 29...c4 30.h6 Bf6 31.hxg7+ Bxg7 32.Qh5 Qf6 {This obvious move, however, fails concretely and should have led to a disaster.} ( {Kosteniuk needed to search for a queen swap instead with} 32...Qe8 $1 33.Qd5 Qf7 $1 {Without the queens on the board, Black can fully enjoy her compensation.} ) 33.Ng5 $3 {Going all-in. Goryachkina feels that this is the right thing to do.} 33...Qxf2+ ( {It is probably not too late to offer the queen swap with} 33...Qg6 $1 {Although this version is much better for White after} 34.Qxg6 hxg6 35.Be4 Rf6 36.Rd1 $1 {with a clear edge for White.} ) 34.Kh2 Qc2 $1 {The only move. The white bishop remains pinned. Both players were very low on time but found amazing resources.} ( 34...h6 {would lose after} 35.Rf1 Qc2 36.Rxf8+ Bxf8 37.Ne6 Kg8 38.e4 $1 {cutting away the queen from the defense with inevitable mate.} ) ( {And if Black defends the diagonal with} 34...Qf5 {then the bishop joins in the attack decisively:} 35.Be4 Qf2+ 36.Kh3 ) 35.e4 $1 {If Goryachkina manages to block the opponent's main defender, her attack should emerge victorious.} 35...h6 36.Nf7+ {Maybe White wanted to repeat the moves once in time trouble to reach the time control and only then find the accurate solution. Alas, she would not get a second chance after this.} ( {Goryachkina's brilliant attack would have been crowned with the decisive inclusion of the rook:} 36.Rd1 $3 {is winning with the decisive threat or Rd1-d6xh6, like in the line} 36...Rf2 ( 36...Kg8 {does not help either as the white rook finds another way in:} 37.Qg6 $1 hxg5 38.Rd7 ) 37.Rd8+ Rf8 ( {Or instant mate} 37...Bf8 38.Qxh6+ Kg8 39.Qh7# ) 38.Rd6 Kg8 39.Rxh6 $1 {And Rh6-h8! when mate is unstoppable.} ) ( {Notice that the other tempting move} 36.Ne6 {would not work for White after} 36...Rf2 $1 37.Rg1 Kh7 ) 36...Kg8 $1 {Once again the only move.} ( {The other king retreat loses after} 36...Kh7 $2 37.e5 c3 38.e6 $1 ) 37.Qd5 {A seemingly decisive ambush, however White is about to be shocked.} ( {If Goryachkina had more time on the clock, she might have noticed the change in the situation and settled for a draw instead with} 37.Nxh6+ Bxh6 38.Qxh6 Rf2 39.Rg1 {when Black can continue with either} 39...Qd2 $1 ( {Or} 39...c3 {and White has to force a perpetual check sooner or later.} ) ) 37...c3 $3 {A cold shower! There are so many discovered checks, a double check as well, but none of them leads White anywhere. Kosteniuk thought that her opponent missed this move.} ( 37...Rxf7 $2 {of course loses to} 38.Rf1 ) 38.Nxh6+ Kh7 39.Nf7 ( {Otherwise too, Black speculates with the queen trade} 39.Nf5 Qd2 $1 ) ( {However} 39.Ng4 $5 {might have still been a draw in the complicated line} 39...Qd2 40.Qh5+ Bh6 41.Re3 Bf1 $3 42.Qxh6+ Kg8 $11 {with a perpetual check.} ) 39...Qf2 {A double attack in time trouble!} ( {However, the offer to swap queens is still best:} 39...Qd2 $1 {with the key idea to escape with the king in the line} 40.Qh5+ ( {Therefore, White needs to accept the trade} 40.e5 $1 {When} 40...Qxe1 $4 {loses beautifully:} ( {But Black can take the queens off the board instead} 40...Qxd5 $1 41.Bxd5 Bd3 $17 {with a clear edge for the second player as the strength of the passer and the bishop pair increases in the endgame.} ) 41.Be4+ $1 Kg8 42.Nh6+ Kh8 43.Qg8+ $1 Rxg8 44.Nf7# {thanks to this study-like smothered checkmate.} ) 40...Kg8 41.Ng5 Rf6 $1 {and the black king is safe, which cannot be said for its colleague.} ) 40.Ng5+ {The last move before the time control and Goryachkina steps on the edge of the abyss again.} ( {It is a good moment to force a draw with} 40.Qh5+ Kg8 41.Nh6+ Bxh6 42.Qxh6 Qxe1 ( {Or} 42...Rf6 43.Qh4 Bd3 44.e5 {when again a perpetual is about to happen.} ) 43.Qg6+ Kh8 44.Qh6+ ) 40...Kg6 $3 {Suddenly it is Black who is attacking the opponent's king.} ( {In case of} 40...Kh8 41.Qd7 Qf6 $1 ( {Not allowing the mate after} 41...Qxe1 $4 42.Qh3+ ) 42.Ne6 Qh6+ 43.Kg1 c2 {The game would likely end in a draw in the forcing line} 44.Nxf8 c1=Q 45.Ng6+ Kh7 46.Rxc1 Qxc1+ 47.Kh2 Kxg6 48.Qf5+ Kh6 49.Qh3+ $11 {with yet another perpetual.} ) 41.Rh1 {Black felt that she should win somehow by force now; she has spent almost all her time.} ( {The computer suggestion} 41.Ra1 Qd2 $1 {is much better for Black.} ) 41...Qd4 ( {Stronger is} 41...c2 $1 42.Nh3 Qe3 {when Black is seemingly winning.} ) 42.Nh3 $1 {The only defense.} ( {The more central retreat leads to mate after} 42.Nf3 Rh8+ 43.Nh4+ ( 43.Bh3 Qf2# ) 43...Rxh4+ 44.gxh4 Be5+ 45.Kh3 Qe3+ {Funny, a symmetrical idea that White used earlier.} ) 42...Qxd5 43.exd5 Bh6 {The c-pawn is still a huge force, but Goryachkina has a path to the draw.} ( {Somewhat more accurate is} 43...Be5 $5 44.Nf4+ Kf6 ) 44.Re1 ( {A neater way to save the half point is} 44.Nf4+ $1 {Then White likely feared the line} 44...Rxf4 $1 ( {Or} 44...Bxf4 45.gxf4 c2 46.Rc1 Bd3 47.Kg3 {when White should hold.} ) 45.gxf4 Bxf4+ 46.Kh3 Bd3 {It seems as the black passer is unstoppable, and indeed it is, but White has a chance to snatch the opponent's last pawn in the line} ( {Not yet} 46...c2 47.Be4+ ) 47.Kg4 Bd2 48.d6 Bf5+ 49.Kf3 c2 50.Ke2 c1=Q 51.Rxc1 Bxc1 52.Bxb7 $11 {with a draw.} ) 44...Bd3 ( 44...Bd2 $1 {would be stronger, bypassing the white knight.} ) 45.Nf4+ $1 {Goryachkina found the drawing idea.} 45...Bxf4 $1 {But Kosteniuk keeps pushing for the win.} ( {Instead} 45...Rxf4 46.gxf4 Bxf4+ 47.Kh1 c2 48.d6 $1 $11 {leads to the draw from above.} ) 46.gxf4 Rxf4 47.d6 Rxa4 48.Bxb7 {Too many pawns have been traded, and now all White needs to do to achieve a textbook draw is to somehow trade the enemy passer for her bishop.} 48...Rd4 49.Kg3 {Missing a neat draw.} ( {The correct way is} 49.Rc1 $1 c2 50.Bc6 Rxd6 51.Ba4 $1 {with inevitable capture on c2. In this case White would lose the exchange but should be safe.} ) 49...Bf5 50.Bf3 c2 51.Rc1 Kf6 52.Kf2 Ke5 53.Ke3 {Missing her last chance to deal with the pawn once and for all.} ( 53.d7 $1 Rxd7 54.Bg4 $1 Bxg4 55.Rxc2 {would be a textbook draw. True, White still needs to prove it, at least for 50 more moves.} ) 53...Rd3+ 54.Ke2 Rxd6 55.Ke1 {Intending Bf3-d1!} ( {After} 55.Ke3 Rd3+ 56.Ke2 Kf4 57.Bh5 Rd8 {White is in zugzwang.} ) 55...Kd4 $1 {Activating her resources to the limit.} ( 55...Kf4 $1 {would be a bit more accurate when} 56.Bd1 Ke3 $1 {would transpose into the game.} ) 56.Bd1 ( {Maybe Goryachkina should have tried her last chance} 56.Bg4 $1 {although Kosteniuk still has a clear path to the win:} 56...Bd3 57.Kd2 Rh6 $1 ) ( {The black king cannot be stopped with} 56.Kd2 Kc4+ 57.Ke3 Kb3 ) 56...Ke3 $3 {The pawn is lost, but the white king is danger.} 57.Rxc2 ( {Or otherwise there is a study-like mate in the line} 57.Bxc2 Rg6 58.Kf1 Bh3+ 59.Ke1 Rg1# ) 57...Bxc2 58.Bxc2 {Normally, this endgame would be a draw, if the white king had a chance to sneak into the dark corner. Alas, she will never make it as Kosteniuk will chase the bishop constantly until it is simultaneously attacked with a back-rank checkmate threat.} 58...Rd2 ( {Missing the quickest win} 58...Ra6 $1 {but Kosteniuk will finds this later after all.} ) 59.Bf5 {The bishop tries to stay close to the black king.} 59...Rf2 60.Be6 Rf6 61.Bd5 Rd6 {But now it needs to step in the open air.} 62.Bb3 Rb6 63.Bc2 {And once that it blocks the king's sortie} 63...Ra6 $1 {Now she sees it and finishes it off. A hugely complicated, fighting game!} 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.08.02"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2696"]
[ECO "C93"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8179094127145"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.h3 Bb7 10.d4 Re8 {The Zaitsev variation is a very rare bird in Fedoseev's opening repertoire. He had played it in a couple of online games recently but also in one game in this tournament.} 11.Nbd2 ( {One of these games went} 11.a4 Bf8 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Bd5 Reb8 15.Na3 Ne7 16.Bxb7 Rxb7 17.axb5 axb5 18.Nc2 Rbb8 {Shirov,A (2662)-Fedoseev,V (2687) Chess.com 2021} ) 11...Bf8 12.a3 ( {The other online game of the Russian GM went} 12.Bc2 g6 13.a4 exd4 14.cxd4 Nb4 15.Bb1 c5 16.d5 Bg7 17.Nf1 Nd7 18.Ra3 Nb6 $146 {Hakobyan,A (2598)-Fedoseev, V (2687) Online 2021} ) ( {At this World Cup, we saw} 12.a4 h6 13.Bc2 exd4 14.cxd4 Nb4 15.Bb1 c5 16.d5 Nd7 {in Ivic-Fedoseev.} ) 12...h6 13.Bc2 d5 {However, the impression is that Black did not surprise his opponent. Karjakin knew a lot about this move, as he had used it a few years back as Black himself.} ( {\"I was mostly prepared for\"} 13...Nb8 {\"which is considered to be the main move.\" (Karjakin)} ) 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Rxe5 16.Nf3 ( {The story that the former world championship contender revealed is that he tried this line as Black when he was just 11 years old on ICC against Kamsky,and his far more experienced opponent chose} 16.f4 {to which Karjakin replied with a trick he knew:} 16...Bc5+ 17.Kh2 Bc8 $3 {with the point that} 18.fxe5 $4 ( {Another top example of this idea has witnessed} 18.Nf3 Rh5 19.Nd4 Bg4 20.Qd2 dxe4 21.Bxe4 Nxe4 22.Rxe4 Qd7 23.Kg1 Bf5 24.Re5 Bd6 25.Re1 Bg6 26.Qf2 Rd5 {and this game eventually finished in a draw, Kryvoruchko, Y (2602)-Cheparinov,I (2671) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009} ) 18...Ng4+ 19.hxg4 Qh4# {is mate. \"Somehow I got lucky and won quickly, and that was a great feeling.\" (Karjakin)} ) 16...Re8 17.e5 Ne4 18.Bf4 {Overprotecting his key pawn.} ( {An earlier game saw wild development:} 18.Qe2 c5 19.Nd2 Rxe5 20.f3 c4 21.fxe4 Bc5+ 22.Kh1 dxe4 23.Nf1 e3 24.Bxe3 Bxe3 25.Nxe3 Qh4 26.Qg4 Qe7 27.Qxg7+ Kxg7 28.Nf5+ Rxf5 29.Rxe7 Rf2 30.Rxb7 Rxc2 {Radjabov,T (2759) -Wojtaszek,R (2737) Dortmund 2019} ) 18...c5 19.a4 {\"I remembered that this position was somehow very critical, that with precise play White should be slightly better.\" (Karjakin)} 19...f5 20.h4 $5 $146 {Karjakin did not check the opening beforehand but was happy to find this new and interesting idea. The move is logical as White needs to attack on the kingside.} ( {Black is doing well after} 20.Nd2 Qh4 21.Nxe4 dxe4 22.Qd7 Qxf4 23.Qxb7 Rad8 24.Re2 Qxe5 25.axb5 axb5 26.Qxb5 Kh8 27.Qc4 {in Tari,A (2599)-Vidit,S (2718) Wijk aan Zee 2018} ) 20...Be7 {Fedoseev is quite ambitious and apparently believed that he would have enough time to grab the annoying white pawn.} ( {The queenside counterplay} 20...b4 21.cxb4 c4 {is not convincing after} 22.Nd4 ) ( {But perhaps Black needs to choose} 20...bxa4 21.Bxa4 ( {or} 21.Rxa4 a5 {followed by Bb7-c6, Ra8-b8 with queenside play.} ) 21...Re6 ) 21.h5 Rf8 {\"Maybe this was not the best, but it was logical, with the idea Qd8-e8 to attack the h5-pawn.\" (Karjakin)} ( {Instead} 21...Qb6 22.Qd3 Rf8 {looks more solid indeed, but Black needs to confess that he was wrong earlier, always a very difficult task!} ) 22.axb5 {White has decided that the trade of a rook pair is in his favor. In fact, he has already envisioned a possible scenario where he is winning the opponent's knight in the center and wants to deprive the opponent of any counterplay!} ( 22.e6 {\"was interesting too\" (Karjakin)} ) 22...axb5 23.Rxa8 Bxa8 ( {If} 23...Qxa8 24.e6 $1 {is still strong when} 24...Rf6 25.Ne5 Rxe6 26.Ng6 Bd6 27.Bxd6 Rxd6 28.f3 Nf6 29.Bxf5 {is winning for White, his attack being simply irresistible.} ) 24.e6 $1 {Opens the road for the knight and once installed on g6, it will deliver deadly threats.} 24...Re8 ( {Fedoseev lacks good advice} 24...Rf6 25.Nh4 Rxe6 26.Nxf5 Bg5 27.Qg4 {is a huge attack for White.} ) ( 24...Bd6 25.Bxd6 Qxd6 26.Nh4 {does not help either as the pawn is invincible} 26...Qxe6 27.f3 ) ( {It seems that the most resilient defense is to transfer the bishop to e8,} 24...Bc6 25.Ne5 Be8 {Then} 26.f3 ( 26.Ng6 Bxg6 27.hxg6 {also looks attractive for White.} ) ( {And} 26.g3 {is much better for White too.} ) 26...Nf6 27.Qd3 Nxh5 28.Nf7 $1 Nxf4 29.Qxf5 g6 30.Qxf4 {Wins material for White, and he should be able to convert.} ) 25.Ne5 Bg5 26.Ng6 {The knight is now close to the black king and is ready to support the passer. White's idea has worked perfectly well.} 26...d4 {A desperate try.} ( {As} 26...Rxe6 27.Bxg5 Nxg5 ( 27...Qxg5 28.f3 {drops a piece for Black.} ) 28.Rxe6 Nxe6 29.Bxf5 {\"is just lost for Black.\" (Karjakin)} ) 27.cxd4 Nxf2 ( {Against} 27...cxd4 {Karjakin considered many things, like} 28.Bb3 ( {But perhaps a simpler solution is} 28.f3 ) 28...Kh7 29.e7 Bxe7 30.Bf7 {winning the exchange.} ) 28.Kxf2 Bxf4 29.Nxf4 Qh4+ 30.Kg1 $1 {The neatest win.} 30...Qxf4 31.d5 {Blocking the black bishop while connecting the passers.} 31...Qg3 ( {Or} 31...Qd6 32.Bxf5 Qxd5 33.Qxd5 Bxd5 34.e7 {(Karjakin)} ) 32.Re2 Qg5 33.Qd2 $1 {The pawns are unstoppable, and Karjakin is the first finalist!} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.08.03"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[ECO "B52"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[Beauty "5636205053448"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 {Duda is not afraid to enter the sharp Sicilian lines.} 3.Bb5+ {Whereas Carlsen prefers a more positional approach.} 3...Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 ( {Last year the world champion won a highly instructive game, which I analyzed for Chess.com members, in the line} 4...Nxd7 5.O-O Ngf6 6.Re1 Rc8 7.c3 e6 8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 10.e5 Ne4 11.Nbd2 Nxd2 {This pawn structure was reached in the current game as well, but in his earlier one Carlsen found a nice attacking regroupment:} 12.Qxd2 $1 {A cool move! It had already been played in a game that apparently was not overlooked by the world champion.} ( {As a rule, White is automatically recapturing with the bishop:} 12.Bxd2 Be7 {Then activating the queen on the queenside:} 13.Qa4 {where it is not doing that much and is often traded as in this game:} 13...Ra8 14.Rac1 O-O 15.Ba5 Nb6 16.Qb5 Qe8 {Stean,M-Kortschnoj,V (2670) London 1976} ) 12...Be7 13.Qf4 {The point behind the capture. White's pawn chain highlights the kingside, and this is where White should be attacking.} 13...O-O 14.Qg4 {and White later won in Carlsen,M (2881)-Xiong,J (2730) Clutch Chess International 2020.} ) 5.O-O Nf6 6.Qe2 Nc6 7.c3 e6 8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 10.e5 Ne4 11.Nbd2 Nxd2 12.Bxd2 {The pawn structure is the same as in the game Carlsen-Xiong, except White does not have his pieces as nicely prepared for a kingside attack. Besides, Duda comes with a strong move:} 12...Bb4 $5 {The more pieces are traded, the easier Black's play will be.} ( {White has managed to put pressure on his opponent after} 12...Be7 13.g3 O-O 14.Kg2 Rac8 15.h4 f6 16.exf6 Bxf6 17.Bc3 Qf7 18.Rad1 Rce8 19.b4 a6 20.a4 {Giri,A (2780)-Grandelius,N (2670) Online 2021} ) 13.Bf4 $146 {A novelty. Carlsen certainly wants to keep all his pieces alive as he plans to attack on the kingside.} ( {Otherwise, everything might get traded, as in an earlier game between the two top African GMs:} 13.Bxb4 Nxb4 14.a3 Nc6 15.Rac1 Rc8 16.Rc3 O-O 17.Rfc1 Ne7 18.h3 Rxc3 19.Rxc3 Rc8 20.Qc2 h6 21.Rxc8+ Qxc8 22.Qxc8+ Nxc8 {\BD-\BD Adly,A (2603)-Amin,B (2654) Abu Dhabi 2016} ) 13...O-O 14.Qd3 {White wants to soften the opponent's kingside with Nf3-g5!} ( {But perhaps the immediate} 14.h4 $5 {is more to the point.} ) 14...Be7 $1 {Duda does not allow any active knight jumps.} 15.a3 Rac8 {Precisely this rook.} 16.g3 ( {With the other rook at its place, Black can meet} 16.h4 {with} 16...f6 $5 ) 16...Na5 {Black's play is very natural and obvious. White needs to be careful.} 17.b3 Qc6 $1 18.Bd2 $1 {A necessary move.} ( {Otherwise, Black may get full control over the queenside, thanks to the typical maneuver} 18.Rfc1 Qa6 $1 19.Qxa6 ( {Black is also much better after} 19.Qd1 Qb5 ) 19...bxa6 20.Rcb1 Rc3 {and White is in trouble.} ) 18...Qb6 19.Rfb1 a6 20.Kg2 {The impression is that Carlsen was somewhat slow to build his attack in this game.} ( {Still} 20.h4 $5 {looks good.} ) 20...Nc6 21.Re1 ( {Last call for} 21.h4 Qb5 22.Qe3 Rc7 23.h5 {with double-edged play.} ) 21...Qb5 22.Qb1 Rc7 23.h4 Rfc8 {Now Duda starts to threaten first.} 24.Ra2 ( {Perhaps it is time to play for equality with} 24.Rc1 Na7 ( {Or} 24...Na5 25.Rxc7 Rxc7 26.Qd1 {defending tactically on b3 and preparing more trades.} ) 25.Rxc7 Rxc7 26.Ra2 {followed by Ra2-c2 and further trades.} ) 24...a5 $1 25.Rh1 a4 {Duda opens some infiltration squares for his pieces.} 26.b4 ( {It is not too late to switch back to the trading track with} 26.Rb2 Bxa3 27.Ra2 Be7 28.bxa4 {with a likely further exhaustion of the queenside resources.} ) 26...h6 27.Be3 ( {Both} 27.g4 $5 ) ( {And} 27.h5 $5 {seem to promise White better practical chances.} ) 27...Na7 $1 {Now the major pieces threaten to infiltrate Carlsen's camp, and he needs to revert to defense.} 28.Bd2 ( {As} 28.Rc1 $6 Rxc1 29.Bxc1 Qc4 $1 {is plain bad for the first player.} ) 28...Qe2 ( {Maybe an even better attacking setup is} 28...Rc4 29.g4 Qc6 30.Qd3 Nb5 {putting both the c3-square and the d4-pawn under pressure.} ) 29.Re1 Qc4 30.Re3 Nb5 31.Rd3 Rc6 32.Rb2 Bd8 33.g4 {Finally, the world champion starts his kingside attack.} ( {However, there is a case for a Carlsen-like prophylaxis with} 33.Qf1 $1 Bb6 34.Rb1 $1 {when the d4-pawn is poisoned:} 34...Nxd4 $2 ( {Or} 34...Bxd4 $2 35.Rc1 {which also drops material for Black.} ) ( {Therefore, Black would have to agree to some threefold repetition, as in the line} 34...Qc2 35.Rc1 Qa2 36.Ra1 $11 ) 35.Nxd4 Bxd4 36.b5 $1 {and White wins a piece.} ) 33...Bb6 34.Be3 Nc3 35.Qf1 Qb5 {Duda is accurate.} ( {Indeed, there is no need to allow} 35...Ne4 36.b5 ) 36.Rc2 Ne4 37.Rxc6 {Carlsen spent a valuable half-minute on his clock.} ( {Obviously contemplating the consequences of the positional exchange sacrifice} 37.Rc5 $5 Bxc5 38.dxc5 Qc4 39.Nd4 R6c7 40.f3 Nc3 {Apparently, the world champion did not like what he saw.} ) 37...Rxc6 38.Rd1 {This is definitely a mistake. The endgame should be avoided like the plague!} ( 38.Qd1 $5 {would keep practical chances.} ) 38...Rc4 {And Duda believes his mighty opponent.} ( 38...Qxf1+ $1 39.Kxf1 Rc3 {would be a dream endgame for Black; he could do practically anything, like bringing his king all the way to c4, for example.} ) 39.Nd2 ( {Kingside, kingside!} 39.h5 $5 ) 39...Nxd2 40.Rxd2 Qc6 41.Qe2 Rc3 42.Ra2 {Going into a passive defense.} ( {With the queens on, White has good chances of constructing a perpetual check in some lines after} 42.g5 $1 Qc4 43.Qg4 h5 $5 ( {If} 43...hxg5 44.hxg5 Rc1 45.Rd1 Rxd1 46.Qxd1 Qc6 47.g6 $1 {also opens the black king.} ) 44.Qxh5 g6 45.Qf3 Rxa3 46.h5 $1 {and the black king becomes exposed.} ) 42...Bd8 $1 {Duda stops all these possibilities now.} 43.g5 hxg5 44.hxg5 Qc4 $1 {Endgame is the game here!} 45.Qxc4 dxc4 ( 45...Rxc4 $1 {is also great with the familiar king march towards the c4-square on the agenda, or even better: a march of the king towards the f5-spot.} ) 46.d5 $1 {Carlsen knew that if something is not changed urgently he would lose the battle slowly and risks} 46...exd5 47.Rd2 Rd3 {This looks like the most practical choice, but Duda allows some chances, just a move away from the overall win.} ( {Strong is} 47...Rxa3 $1 48.Rxd5 Rd3 49.Rc5 a3 50.Rxc4 a2 51.Rc1 Kh7 {effectively finishing the game.} ) 48.Rxd3 cxd3 49.f4 Kf8 {It seems as Black is in time, but he lacks one move...} ( {Here a neat win would be} 49...f6 $1 50.exf6 gxf6 {activating both his bishop and king urgently.} ) 50.Kf3 Ke7 ( {It is not too late for} 50...f6 $1 ) 51.Bc5+ Ke6 52.Ke3 Kf5 53.Kxd3 {Now it is suddenly a draw!} 53...g6 ( {As Black does not have the time to snatch the pawn} 53...Kxf4 {due to the breakthrough} 54.g6 $1 ) 54.Be3 {That is sufficient but more complicated.} ( {Simpler is} 54.Ke3 Kg4 55.Ba7 {just shuffling the bishop along the a7-d4 diagonal.} ) 54...Bc7 {On paper, Black's bishop should be way stronger that its counterpart. And indeed, if it had been in front of the white pawns (or rather behind them), it could and would have easily won them all. The problem is how to activate it?} 55.b5 {The natural desire of the world champion to demonstrate some activity will lead to his defeat.} ( {The little time on the clock prevented him from finding the cunning defense} 55.Bc5 $3 {with the tactical point} 55...Kxf4 $4 ( 55...b6 56.Be3 Bd8 ( 56...b5 57.Bc5 $1 ) 57.Kd4 ) 56.Bd6 Bd8 57.e6+ {when White even wins.} ) ( {White does not want to let the bishop out for sure} 55.Bd2 Bb6 {is letting the bishop out.} ) 55...Bd8 56.Kd4 Bb6+ 57.Kd3 Bd8 58.Kd4 Be7 {Not forcing anything yet.} ( {In the line} 58...Ke6 59.Kc5 $1 {White gets enough counterplay to hold the balance, e.g.} 59...Be7+ 60.Kb6 Bxa3 61.Kxb7 Bb2 62.b6 a3 63.Kc7 a2 64.b7 a1=Q 65.b8=Q Bxe5+ 66.fxe5 Qxe5+ 67.Kb7 Qxb8+ 68.Kxb8 f6 {and a draw.} ) 59.Bc1 Ke6 60.Bb2 Bd8 61.Kc5 $1 {Active defense is the only hope for Carlsen.} 61...Ba5 62.Bc1 {And, very low on time and under pressure, the world champion blunders.} ( {He would have still likely saved the match with} 62.Bd4 $1 {as} 62...Bd2 $2 {fails to} 63.Kb6 $1 ) 62...Bc3 $1 {The bishop is out, and White's moves are limited.} 63.b6 ( {Alas, White loses by a move in the line} 63.Kb6 d4 64.Kxb7 d3 65.Kc6 d2 66.Bxd2 Bxd2 67.b6 Bxf4 68.b7 Bxe5 ) 63...d4 64.Kc4 Kd7 65.Be3 $1 {The last desperate try.} 65...Bb2 $1 {Which is carefully refuted.} ( {Otherwise White wins, thanks to the familiar breakthrough} 65...dxe3 $4 66.Kxc3 Kc6 67.Kd3 Kxb6 68.f5 $1 Kc7 ( 68...gxf5 69.e6 $1 ) 69.e6 ) 66.Bxd4 Bxa3 67.Be3 Bb2 {The white king is too busy to save the kingside pawns.} 68.Kb4 a3 69.Kb3 Ke6 70.Ka2 Kd5 71.Kb3 Ke4 72.Bd2 Bd4 73.Kxa3 Bxb6 74.Kb4 Bf2 $1 {The last accurate move, and Duda can enjoy his Candidates' spot!} ( {Not the rushy} 74...Be3 $4 75.Bxe3 Kxe3 76.f5 ) 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2021"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2021.08.04"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2700"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[ECO "E60"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "7563168988708"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4 {A frequent Anti-Grunfeld line at the World Cup.} 3...Bg7 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 Nc6 6.d5 ( {An important game in this tournament saw} 6.Nge2 O-O 7.f3 e5 {Now it is a form of the Saemisch, but with a pawn on h4 in return for the generally more useful Nb8-c6 move. Still, h2-h4 is not bad to have at this setup.} 8.d5 $146 {Shankland is confidently executing his moves, this novelty included.} ( {An earlier game went} 8.Be3 exd4 9.Nxd4 h5 10.Qd2 Re8 11.O-O-O a5 12.Kb1 a4 13.a3 Bd7 14.Nd5 {Ter Sahakyan,S (2640)-Guseinov, G (2665) Online 2020} ) 8...Nd4 9.Be3 ( {Every KID player knows that this pawn is, of course, poisoned:} 9.Nxd4 $2 exd4 10.Qxd4 Nxe4 $1 {wins for Black.} ) 9...c5 {Svidler sacrifices it anyway.} 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.Nxd4 exd4 12.Bxd4 Rb8 {In return for the pawn, Black gets the half-open b-file for his rook and prolongs the diagonal for his dark-squared bishop. His presence in the center becomes more significant too, Shankland,S (2709)-Svidler,P (2714) Sochi 2021.} ) 6...Ne5 7.Be2 h5 {Carlsen is trying to benefit from the h2-h4 move. He secures the position of his centralized knight.} 8.Bf4 $146 {Fedoseev replies with a novelty. This is his way of fighting the knight: by trading it.} ( 8.Bg5 c6 9.Nf3 Nfg4 10.Nxe5 Bxe5 11.Qd2 Qb6 12.Bxg4 hxg4 13.Rc1 Bd7 14.b3 Rc8 {with an approximately balanced game, Adhiban,B (2659)-Starozhilov,L (2318) Chess.com 2020} ) 8...O-O 9.Nf3 Nxf3+ 10.gxf3 ( {Black is OK after the other capture with either} 10.Bxf3 c6 ( {or} 10...Bg4 ) ) 10...c6 11.Qd2 cxd5 12.cxd5 Kh7 {It is important to prevent the swap of this bishop. It might have a bright future...} 13.a4 ( {Fedoseev understandably does not want to castle into an attack:} 13.O-O-O a6 ) 13...Nd7 {But since the white king has remained in the center, Black would be happy to open the files for his pieces.} 14.a5 f5 ( {Carlsen could have also played on the other side with} 14...a6 15.Ra3 ( 15.Be3 b5 16.axb6 Nxb6 ) 15...b5 16.axb6 Nxb6 {but it is far more logical to play on the kingside instead.} ) 15.Ra3 {The rook protects the f3-pawn, while at the same time it is ready to add pressure on the queenside.} ( {In hindsight, the weird-looking} 15.exf5 {might have been a better idea.} ) 15...Ne5 16.Be3 {Black has made a lot of progress and now comes with a brilliant idea.} 16...f4 $3 {Carlsen opens the file, and this is just the beginning.} 17.Bxf4 {White has no choice.} ( {As otherwise he would have to suffer to be free.} 17.Bd4 e6 ) 17...Bd7 {A neat move! Now that the development is finished, Carlsen is ready to occupy the f-file.} ( {The immediate} 17...Rf7 $5 {makes sense as well.} ) ( {And Black, no doubt, was already considering the exchange sacrifice but decided to postpone it for a moment, as in the line} 17...Rxf4 $5 18.Qxf4 Bh6 19.Qg3 Qf8 {the white king might flee with} 20.Kd1 $5 ) 18.Nd1 Rxf4 $3 {Showing a profound understanding of the position and of the game itself.} 19.Qxf4 Bh6 20.Qg3 Qf8 21.Ne3 ( {The computer claims that} 21.Kf1 Bf4 22.Qg1 {is a more resilient defense; however, this should hardly change the assessment of the position.} ) 21...Bf4 22.Qg2 Rc8 23.Rc3 ( {White's position remains too dangerous after} 23.Kd2 Nc4+ 24.Bxc4 Rxc4 ) 23...Rxc3 $1 {Another deep decision. Carlsen has only a bishop for a rook and a pawn but nevertheless trades more pieces? Well, the linear, mathematical model does not work here anymore as the black blockading bishop on f4 is worth more than the opponent's rook on h1 at the moment. Speaking of that rook, it is completely out of the game; therefore, Black needs to swap pieces on the queenside in order to open more room for his queenside attack.} 24.bxc3 Qc8 25.c4 b5 $1 26.axb6 $1 {The only move.} ( {Otherwise, Black wins by force} 26.cxb5 Qc1+ 27.Nd1 ( {Mate is also inevitable in case of} 27.Bd1 Bxb5 ) 27...Qd2+ 28.Kf1 Bxb5 $1 {and mate is inevitable.} ) 26...axb6 27.Qg1 {After this, Fedoseev will be completely helpless until the end.} ( {The computer somehow claims that White can hold after} 27.Kf1 $1 b5 ( {As in the line} 27...Qa8 {the king might get away with} 28.Kg1 $1 ( 28.Qg1 $2 Qa2 $1 ) ) 28.Qg1 bxc4 29.Kg2 Qc5 {eventually bringing his pieces in the game. And even here White has problems surviving.} ) 27...Qa8 $1 28.Kf1 Qa2 {Keeps all the white pieces paralyzed.} 29.Ng2 Qa1+ {This is good enough.} ( {However, there is an instant win with} 29...Qb1+ $1 30.Ne1 b5 $1 31.Kg2 bxc4 ) 30.Ne1 Qb2 31.Ng2 ( {More resilient is} 31.Nd3 $1 Nxd3 32.Bxd3 Qc3 33.Be2 Qc2 34.Rh2 {although it is hard to believe that Black would not have something here too.} ) 31...Qc1+ 32.Ne1 Qd2 {Fedoseev is just waiting, and Carlsen only needs to find some way to bring into the game one more piece.} 33.Qg2 ( {Now it is too late for} 33.Ng2 Nd3 34.Bxd3 Qxd3+ 35.Ke1 Bd2+ 36.Kd1 Ba4# ) 33...Kg7 34.Rg1 ( {White is equally helpless after} 34.Qg1 Kf8 35.Qg2 e6 ) 34...Kf8 35.Qh1 e6 $1 {Aiming to open more space for the bishop.} 36.Rg3 ( {After} 36.dxe6 Bxe6 {and let's say after a waiting strategy} 37.Rg3 {Black can win with the following maneuver:} 37...Ke7 $1 38.Rg1 Kd7 $1 39.Rg3 Kc6 $1 40.Rg1 Kc5 $1 41.Rg3 Kd4 $1 42.Rg1 Kc3 $1 43.Rg3 Qd4 44.Rg1 Kd2 $1 45.Rg3 Qa1 {Finally picking up the frozen knight.} ) 36...exd5 $1 ( {Why allow White a chance to bring his queen out after} 36...Bxg3 37.fxg3 ) 37.exd5 ( {After} 37.cxd5 b5 {the b-passer decides.} ) 37...Bf5 38.Rg1 Kf7 39.Rg3 Nd7 $1 {This piece can also do better!} 40.Rg5 ( {Against the passive defense} 40.Rg1 {Black can win this time with a knight maneuver, for a change:} 40...Nc5 41.Rg3 Nb3 42.Rg1 Nd4 {trapping the bishop for a change too!} ) 40...Bxg5 41.hxg5 Ne5 {And up a pawn and seemingly facing no concrete threats, Fedoseev resigned! There are many ways to finish it, like placing the queen on the first rank, followed by a knight maneuver to the d3-square. A triumph of blockading play and Carlsen's understanding. A contender for the \"Immortal Blockading Game\" award!} 0-1

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2021.08.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2806"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[ECO "A48"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7839389105198"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bf4 Bg7 4.e3 d6 5.h3 c5 6.Nbd2 {The London system has the practical advantage of developing the pieces in a conventional way, no matter which opening the opponent chooses.} 6...cxd4 7.exd4 O-O 8.Be2 {A position typical for the Reti opening arose, with reversed colors.} 8...Qb6 {Lures the knight to the c4 square.} ( {Black can also opt for a faster e7-e5 break, as in the following game:} 8...Nc6 9.c3 e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.O-O Rd8 {Carlsen,M (2863)-Ding,L (2791) Online 2020} ) 9.Nc4 Qc7 10.Ne3 $146 {A logical move and a novelty.} ( {An earlier game saw White doing great after} 10.O-O Bf5 ( 10...b5 $5 ) 11.c3 Nbd7 12.Ne3 e6 13.Nc4 Ne8 14.a4 e5 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.Bg3 f6 17.Qd5+ Kh8 18.Nd4 Qc5 19.Qxc5 Nxc5 20.Nxf5 gxf5 21.f3 {Starke,R (1931)-Kamari,I (1562) Berlin 2017} ) 10...Nc6 11.c3 e5 $1 {That is the whole point behind Black's setup.} 12.Bh2 Qe7 {However, this logical move (the queen sidesteps the X-raying of the white bishop) is not optimal here.} ( {Shankland could have equalized instead with} 12...exd4 $1 13.Nxd4 ( {Here and on the next move} 13.cxd4 $6 Qa5+ $1 {is awkward for White.} ) 13...Nxd4 14.Qxd4 {And now the excellent move} ( 14.cxd4 $6 Qa5+ $1 ) 14...Ng4 $3 {When} 15.Bxd6 {is nicely met with} ( {The tactical justification is that the pawn is immune:} 15.Qxd6 $2 Bxc3+ $1 {and Black wins.} ) ( {Perhaps best is} 15.Qc4 Qxc4 16.Bxc4 Nxh2 17.Rxh2 {although there too, the bishop pair compensates Black for his damaged pawn structure after both} 17...Rb8 ( {Or the immediate} 17...b5 $5 ) ) 15...Nxe3 $1 16.fxe3 ( 16.Bxc7 Nc2+ {is even worse for White.} ) 16...Bxd4 17.Bxc7 Bxe3 {with an excellent position for Black.} ) 13.O-O e4 {Shankland gains space in the center, but in the process frees the opponent's dark-squared bishop.} ( {It is too late for} 13...exd4 14.Nxd4 {which only exposes the d6 pawn.} ) ( {However} 13...Rd8 {deserves attention, when White can develop further with} 14.Re1 ( {Or} 14.Bc4 ) ) 14.Ne1 $1 {The right square for the knight, which hurries to back up the other one.} ( 14.Nd2 d5 {is easier for Black to play.} ) 14...d5 15.N1c2 {White is now preparing the f2-f3 break.} 15...Be6 16.Qe1 ( {It is too early for} 16.f3 exf3 17.Bxf3 {as Black has} 17...Ne4 ) 16...Nd7 {But now that the knight retreats, White can pressurize the opponent's center.} ( {Perhaps a better idea was to keep the knight where it was, with something useful like} 16...h5 {When} 17.f3 exf3 18.Bxf3 Rae8 {Followed by Qe7-d8 looks OK for Black.} ) ( {Or even better, the immediate} 16...Rae8 $5 17.f3 exf3 18.Bxf3 Qd8 {when Black is once more doing well.} ) 17.f3 $1 {Now Caruana regroups comfortably.} 17...f5 18.fxe4 fxe4 19.Bf4 $1 {White's pieces are entering the battle with remarkable precision.} 19...Rf7 ( {Maybe this was a good moment to try and spoil their perfect job with} 19...g5 $5 20.Bh2 Rxf1+ 21.Qxf1 Rf8 22.Qe1 Nf6 {although White is better here as well after} 23.Qg3 ) 20.Qg3 Nf6 21.Rf2 {Caruana's moves are obvious and logical, whereas Shankland needs to look for disruptors.} 21...Qd7 22.Raf1 Raf8 23.Qh4 Ne8 {An interesting maneuver! Black is trying to maneuver his knight to the f5-square. However, since he loses control over the g4 square, this only makes White's task easier.} ( {Stronger seemed} 23...Kh8 $5 {in order to meet} 24.Ng4 {with} 24...Nxg4 ( {The Karpovian-like} 24...Ng8 {can be strongly met with} 25.Bb5 $1 ) 25.hxg4 Kg8 26.Ne3 Ne7 {with chances for a successful defence.} ) ( {The other way to maneuver the knight to f5 was ineffective as well} 23...Ne7 24.Bg5 Nf5 25.Nxf5 gxf5 26.Ne3 ) 24.Ng4 $1 {This knight is about to cause a lot of headache to Black.} 24...Nd6 ( {Otherwise the knight will force the swap of the important bishop in the line} 24...Ne7 25.Ne5 Bxe5 26.Bxe5 ) 25.Nce3 {The second knight came closer, just in time. Swiss-clock-precision-mastery-Caruana.} 25...Ne7 ( {The vulnerable dark-squares will keep haunting Black after} 25...Nf5 26.Nxf5 Rxf5 27.Nh6+ Bxh6 28.Bxh6 R8f7 29.Qg3 $1 {with dark-squared domination for White.} ) 26.Ne5 {Wining the important bishop, and this is just the beginning.} 26...Bxe5 27.Bxe5 Ndf5 {At last, the knight made it to the f5 square, but was late by few seconds!} ( {The last chance to defend was} 27...Rxf2 $1 28.Rxf2 Rxf2 29.Qxf2 Nf7 {hoping to hold.} ) 28.Ng4 $1 {As Larsen once said, \"the air around the enemy king can be quite valuable!\" Caruana threatens to take both the black knights with his rooks and use the air-square on h6.} 28...h5 ( 28...Nxh4 29.Nh6# ) 29.Qg5 $1 {This move only took 29 seconds on White's clock.} 29...hxg4 30.hxg4 Ng7 31.Qh6 {Black is paralyzed. The simple threat of Be5-g7 can be only stopped by a counter-sacrifice.} 31...Nef5 ( 31...Bxg4 32.Bxg7 {is mate.} ) 32.gxf5 Rxf5 ( {Or} 32...Bxf5 33.g4 $1 ) 33.Rxf5 Rxf5 34.Rxf5 Bxf5 35.g4 $1 Be6 ( {Or otherwise a neat dark-squared mate} 35...Bxg4 36.Bxg7 Bxe2 37.Qh8+ Kf7 38.Qf8+ Ke6 39.Qf6# ) 36.Qxg6 Qf7 37.Qh6 e3 38.Bf3 $1 {A nice final touch that forced resignation. The ease with which Caruana won the game is frightening!} 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2021.08.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[ECO "B38"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[Beauty "4948225957926"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 {The Accelerated Dragon is regaining popularity nowadays.} 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.f3 Bg7 8.Be3 O-O 9.Be2 Nh5 ( {Another GM game saw} 9...Bd7 10.O-O Qa5 11.Qd2 Rfc8 12.Rfd1 Qd8 13.Rac1 Ne5 14.b3 h5 15.h3 Nc6 16.f4 Qf8 17.Bf3 {with pressure for White in Cheparinov,I (2686)-Sevian,S (2660) Chess.com 2020} ) ( {The other idea is to trade a pair of knights at once with} 9...Nxd4 {Then after} 10.Bxd4 Be6 11.Rc1 Qa5 12.Qd2 Rfc8 13.b3 a6 14.Be3 b5 15.Nd5 {Things have developed more or less normally with White enjoying his usual slight space advantage until Black came up with the spectacular} 15...Nxd5 $1 16.Qxa5 Nxe3 17.Kf2 Bd4 {and White could not prove an advantage in Negi,P (2633)-Istratescu,A (2671) Graz 2014} ) 10.g3 Nf6 $146 {Once that the kingside was somewhat weakened, the knight may return, bringing a novelty with it.} ( {An earlier game was this fine effort by So:} 10...Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Be6 12.f4 Nf6 13.O-O Rc8 14.b3 Qa5 ( {Instead} 14...Bh3 15.Rf2 {and only then} 15...Qa5 {is somewhat better for White, but playable for the second player.} ) ( {Normally Black wants to trade the dark-squared bishop but here the straightforward attempt simply loses:} 14...Nd7 $4 15.f5 ) 15.f5 Bd7 ( {The pawn is poisoned:} 15...gxf5 $2 16.exf5 Bxf5 17.b4 Qxb4 18.Rxf5 {wins a piece for White.} ) 16.a3 e6 ( {For example} 16...e5 17.b4 Qc7 18.Be3 {with a huge hole on d5.} ) ( {And if} 16...b5 17.b4 Qc7 ( 17...Qd8 18.Nxb5 ) 18.Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 19.Nd5 Qd8 20.Nxf6+ exf6 21.cxb5 {will clear edge for White.} ) 17.b4 Qd8 ( {In case of} 17...Qc7 {White can continue in a similar way as in the game:} 18.fxe6 fxe6 19.e5 dxe5 20.Bc5 Rf7 21.Bd6 {with advantage.} ) 18.fxg6 fxg6 ( {White is also much better after} 18...hxg6 19.e5 dxe5 20.Bxe5 ) 19.e5 {and White won an instructive game in So,W (2788)-Mamedov,R (2658) Shamkir 2015} ) 11.Qd2 Bd7 12.O-O-O $1 {A rare, but strong approach. White rarely, if ever, castles long in the Maroczy bind, but Shankland already used this move to win a crucial game against Svidler at the World Cup, just a few days ago.} ( {More standard would have been} 12.O-O Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Bc6 {with a slight edge for White.} ) 12...a5 {One of the ways to search for counter-chances on the queenside.} ( {The other one was even sharper:} 12...h5 13.h3 a6 14.g4 b5 ) 13.g4 a4 14.Nxc6 {In order to stabilize the center.} ( {However, even stronger seems the blockading idea} 14.Ndb5 $1 {when Black has difficulties in building counterplay, for example} 14...a3 ( 14...Ne5 15.g5 Ne8 16.f4 {is plain bad for Black.} ) ( {If} 14...Be6 15.Kb1 Ne5 16.g5 Nh5 17.Nd5 {and White is ready to resume his kingside expansion.} ) 15.b3 Qa5 16.Kb1 {when White's chances are higher.} ) 14...Bxc6 {More or less a needed move.} ( {As otherwise the standard Dragon idea will work for White in the line} 14...bxc6 15.e5 $1 dxe5 ( {True, the computer claims that Black is not doing that bad after} 15...Ne8 16.exd6 a3 17.b3 exd6 {but that is hard to believe.} ) 16.g5 $1 ) 15.h4 ( {The immediate} 15.Bd4 $5 {would have likely transposed to the game after} 15...Qa5 16.h4 ) 15...Qa5 {The queen is out just in time to prevent the further advance of the white kingside pawns.} 16.Bd4 ( {For} 16.h5 $2 a3 17.b3 Nxg4 $1 {loses for White.} ) ( {And if Shankland tries to block the a-pawn with} 16.a3 Nd7 $5 {the b3-square would be weakened and the black knight may soon reach it.} ) 16...Rfc8 17.h5 ( {As before} 17.a3 Nd7 {allowing Black enough play and he is ready to block the opponent's attack with} 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.h5 g5 $1 ) 17...a3 18.b3 b5 {It is getting super hot now.} 19.hxg6 {The natural desire is to open the h-file at once.} ( {The greedy} 19.cxb5 {would have been a bad idea due to} 19...Bxe4 $1 20.fxe4 Nxe4 21.Qe1 Nxc3 {and Black crushes through.} ) ( {However, there was a strong argument for} 19.Kb1 $1 Rab8 20.Ka1 {moving the king out of the dangerous files, when White should be better.} ) 19...hxg6 20.Kb1 bxc4 21.Bxc4 Bb7 $3 {A very subtle move, which coordinates the black pieces just in time.} ( {In the case of the straightforward} 21...Rab8 22.g5 {Black falls under tremendous attack:} 22...Nh7 {in particular loses by force after} ( {Whereas} 22...Nh5 23.Rxh5 $1 Bxd4 24.Qxd4 gxh5 25.g6 $1 Qe5 26.gxf7+ Kh7 27.Qd2 {leads to an extremely unpleasant position for the second player.} ) 23.Rxh7 $1 Kxh7 24.Qh2+ Kg8 25.Bxg7 Kxg7 26.Qh6+ Kg8 27.Qxg6+ {and mate.} ) 22.g5 Nh5 $1 {Now he can.} 23.Bxg7 ( {As} 23.Rxh5 {is strongly met with} 23...Rxc4 $1 24.Bxg7 gxh5 25.bxc4 Kxg7 {when Black even seems better.} ) 23...Kxg7 24.Nd5 {The kingside attacking possibilities are more or less exhausted, therefore White searches for an endgame.} ( 24.Qd4+ {makes no sense after} 24...e5 25.Qd2 Ba6 ) 24...Qxd2 25.Rxd2 Rab8 ( {Also the immediate} 25...Bxd5 26.Rxd5 Nf4 27.Rd2 Rab8 {would have worked well for Black.} ) 26.Rc1 ( {The knight cannot avoid the trade as} 26.Ne3 Rc5 {hits the vulnerable pawn on g5.} ) 26...Bxd5 27.Rxd5 Nf4 {Once that this piece enters the battle, it should be good for Xiong. But he still needs to be careful as the rook and bishop pair, coupled with a strong outside passer might become huge.} 28.Ra5 Ra8 {And Black is not careful enough!} ( {Strong was} 28...Rc5 $1 29.Rxc5 dxc5 30.Rd1 ( {There is no effective way to attack the c5-pawn:} 30.Bf1 $2 Ne6 $1 ) 30...Rh8 {occupying an open file of his own with equal game.} ) 29.b4 $1 {Very strong! This might have been missed by Black.} ( 29.Rxa8 Rxa8 {is equal instead.} ) 29...f6 $1 {The best chance! Black needs to find play on his own. Ironically, the sides have switched the flanks on which they are playing now.} ( {After} 29...Rxa5 $2 30.bxa5 Ra8 31.a6 {the pawn is practically unstoppable.} ) 30.Rxa8 Rxa8 31.Kc2 {In order to slow down the opponent a bit.} ( {After} 31.gxf6+ Kxf6 32.Kc2 Ke5 33.Kb3 Kd4 {Black has enough play.} ) 31...fxg5 32.Kb3 {Next Shankland tries to advance his passer as much as he can, whereas Xiong centralizes his king.} 32...Kf6 33.b5 Ke5 34.Kb4 g4 $1 {Trading more and more pawns.} 35.fxg4 Kxe4 36.Re1+ Kd4 37.Rxe7 Rc8 $1 {Once that the bishop is removed from its comfortable spot the black knight can demonstrate what it is capable of.} 38.Bf7 ( {After} 38.Bb3 Nd3+ {White cannot touch the a3-pawn:} 39.Kxa3 $4 ( {Whereas} 39.Ka5 Ra8+ ( 39...Nc1 $5 {is OK for Black too.} ) 40.Kb6 Rb8+ {is equal.} ) 39...Ra8+ 40.Ba4 Nc5 ) 38...Nd3+ 39.Kxa3 Ra8+ 40.Kb3 Nc5+ 41.Kb2 Nd3+ 42.Kb3 Nc5+ 43.Kc2 {The last winning attempt.} 43...d5 44.Kb1 Na4 {Black has calculated that he has enough time to pick up both white pawns.} ( {Also good enough for the draw was to deal with White's most dangerous pawn at once with} 44...Ra5 45.Bxg6 Rxb5+ ) 45.Kc1 Nc3 46.b6 Nxa2+ 47.Kd2 ( {Or} 47.Kb2 Nb4 48.b7 Nd3+ 49.Kb1 Rb8 50.Be8 Kc5 51.Bxg6 Kd6 {with a draw.} ) 47...Rb8 48.b7 Nb4 49.Be6 Kc5 50.Bc8 Nc6 51.Rg7 g5 52.Ke3 Na5 53.Kd3 {It is almost a study-like position where Black will win the opponent's b7-pawn sooner or later. The question, however, is how exactly should he do it?} 53...Kd6 $1 {The correct move.} ( {The immediate rush} 53...Kc6 $4 {would have lost due to} 54.Kd4 $1 Nxb7 ( {Nothing changes} 54...Kd6 55.Rg6+ Kc7 56.Kc5 $1 ) 55.Bxb7+ Rxb7 56.Rxb7 Kxb7 57.Kxd5 {when White wins the g-pawn and the game.} ) 54.Rd7+ ( {Now} 54.Kd4 {does not work due to} 54...Nc6+ 55.Kd3 Ne7 ) 54...Kc6 55.Kd4 Nxb7 {This time the pawn is edible, as the white rook hangs. The rest of the game confirmed the inevitability of the draw:} 56.Rxb7 Rxc8 57.Rg7 Kd6 58.Rg6+ Ke7 59.Rxg5 Kf6 60.Rxd5 Re8 61.g5+ Kg6 62.Re5 Rxe5 63.Kxe5 Kxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2021.08.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[ECO "A37"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8251705925128"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.c4 {So's recipe against the Grunfeld defence this time: avoid it!} 1...g6 2.Nc3 c5 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.Nf3 e5 {The most ambitious setup by Svidler. Black seizes space and adds another pawn into the center. The drawback is that the d5 square is weakened for good.} 6.a3 a5 7.d3 Nge7 ( {Black's moves can be transposed and may start with} 7...d6 8.O-O Nge7 9.Rb1 O-O {Then a recent game saw Black in time to swap off everything on the queenside after} 10.Bd2 ( {However, So might have been inspired by another game:} 10.b3 Rb8 11.Bb2 h6 12.Nd2 Be6 13.Nd5 b5 14.e3 Qd7 15.Re1 $146 {A novely, which is the fruit of in-depth homework by Ding Liren.} ( {An earlier blitz game saw} 15.Qc2 Bh3 16.Ne4 Nxd5 17.Bxh3 Qxh3 18.cxd5 Ne7 19.Nxd6 Nxd5 20.Qxc5 Nf6 21.Qxe5 Rfd8 22.Ne4 Ne8 23.Qf4 g5 24.Qf3 Bxb2 25.Rxb2 Rxd3 {Ibrahimov,R (2518)-Tregubov,P (2575) Riadh 2017} ) 15...Bg4 16.Qc2 Rfc8 {This was all well prepared by the Chinese GM and he reaveled he did not see any idea for Black. \"Maybe this was a mistake as I can force the following position.\" (Ding)} 17.Ne4 Nxd5 18.cxd5 Ne7 19.Nd2 $1 {I am quoting the essence of Ding's words: \"Since I have found this idea I think I am much better. He does not have the rook on a8 and cannot play a5-a4, thus I can play a3-a4 myself and get the c4 square for my knight.\"} 19...Bh3 20.Bh1 $1 {and White later won in Ding, L (2801)-Vachier-Lagrave,M (2777) Grand Chess Tour Finals 2019.} ) 10...Be6 11.Na4 h6 12.Ne1 Rb8 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 cxb4 15.Nc2 b5 16.cxb5 Rxb5 17.Nxb4 Nxb4 18.Bxb4 Qd7 {and soon a draw was ageed in Pantsulaia, L (2593)-Moiseenko,A (2659) Batumi 2018} ) 8.Nd2 d6 9.Nf1 {A typical maneuver.} 9...O-O 10.Ne3 Rb8 11.Rb1 Nd4 12.Bd2 Bd7 {Svidler was already thinking heavily at this point.} ( {The attempt to free herself on the queenside in this game} 12...b5 {backfired after} 13.Nxb5 Nxb5 14.cxb5 Rxb5 15.a4 Rb8 16.Nc4 {winning the a5 pawn in Arutinian,D (2555)-Osmanodja,F (2326) Skopje 2019} ) 13.O-O Bc6 14.b4 axb4 15.axb4 {And after all the logical moves done it became clear that So did much better than his opponent. The b7-pawn in particular remained on the board, which the main strategical danger for Black in the English opening as a whole.} 15...cxb4 $146 {This is a novelty.} ( {White established a firm advantage after} 15...b6 16.Bxc6 Ndxc6 17.b5 Nd4 18.Ned5 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Ne6 20.Ra1 Nc7 21.Nxc7 Qxc7 22.Ra6 h5 23.e4 {when White owed the only open file and had the better bishop in Eljanov,P (2681)-Krivenko,S (2341) St Petersburg 2012} ) ( {There was an argument for the immediate} 15...Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Qd7 {which prepares the freeing b7-b5 move. However, there White can mount pressure with} 17.bxc5 ( {Rather than} 17.Ned5 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 b5 {when Black is seemingly freeing.} ) 17...dxc5 18.Qa4 {with White's edge.} ) 16.Rxb4 Bxg2 ( {Or} 16...Ra8 17.Ned5 {and White is in control.} ) 17.Kxg2 Qd7 {Black is ready to swap his problematic pawn.} 18.Ned5 $1 {But So will never allow this.} 18...Nec6 ( {After} 18...Nxd5 {I suspect White wanted to react with} 19.cxd5 $1 ( 19.Nxd5 b5 20.Qb1 Nxe2 21.Rxb5 Rxb5 22.Qxb5 Qg4 23.Qb6 Nd4 ) 19...h5 20.e3 Nf5 21.h3 {first limiting the black knight and only then trippling his major pieces against the defenseless b7-weakness.} ) 19.Rb6 {The object is fixed. White's play is obvious and easy.} 19...f5 {The only chance to create some counterplay is related to the kingside.} 20.f3 $1 {And So is alert!} 20...Rf7 ( 20...f4 21.Ne4 {is simply hopeless for Black.} ) 21.Be3 ( 21.Qa4 {also made sense, however the American GM wants to have his queen around, at least for a while.} ) 21...h5 ( {Or else after} 21...h6 22.Qd2 g5 23.Rfb1 {White would have continued with the additional pressure against the isolated pawn.} ) 22.Qd2 Ne6 23.Rfb1 Kh7 24.h4 {One last careful prophylaxis on the kingside. White is ready to tripple his major pieces and after the swap of a couple of light pieces he would quickly gain access to both the black queenside weaknesses (b7 and d6.)} 24...f4 {A desperate try which only makes things worse for Svidler.} 25.gxf4 exf4 26.Bf2 Ncd4 ( {The further opening of the kingside works well for White} 26...g5 27.hxg5 Nxg5 28.Rh1 ) ( {Whereas} 26...Qd8 27.Ne4 {changes nothing.} ) 27.Bxd4 Bxd4 28.Ne4 $1 {That is it! This domination is more than enough to force resignation.} ( {The resignation is not premature} 28.Ne4 {First of all it is obvious that the rook is immune:} 28...Bxb6 ( {And it is also clear that the d6-pawn cannot be defended for the same trick would work after} 28...Be5 29.Rxd6 $1 Bxd6 30.Nef6+ ) 29.Nef6+ ) 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2021.08.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Swiercz, Dariusz"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[ECO "B96"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[Beauty "6739877492314"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 {A sharp Najdorf! What else to expect from these young chess stars!} 6...e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.a3 Nbd7 ( {Black can also switch to Scheveningen waters with} 9...Nc6 10.Bf2 Qc7 11.Be2 Be7 12.O-O O-O 13.Qd3 e5 14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.Qg3 Rd8 17.Kh1 Be6 18.Be3 Kh7 19.Bd3 a5 20.Nd5 {with White's strong intiative in Grandelius,N (2670)-Giri,A (2780) Online 2021} ) 10.Bf2 Qc7 11.Bd3 b5 12.Qe2 Bb7 13.O-O-O Be7 14.Kb1 g6 $146 {This move is a novelty, but a very risky one. Xiong is obviously not planning to castle short, but the move in the game is nevertherless weakening the light squares, which seems unnecessary at this point.} ( {Black managed to equalize with the obvious} 14...Nc5 15.Rhe1 O-O 16.g4 d5 17.exd5 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Nf5 exf5 20.Qxe7 Qxe7 21.Rxe7 Nxd3 22.Rxd3 Be4 {in Alvir,A (2341)-Kiss,A (2383) Austria 2015} ) 15.Rhe1 {Asking the black king to choose a flank. With the e4-e5 and f4-f5 breaks in the air, this becomes an urgency.} 15...Nc5 ( {Of course} 15...O-O 16.f5 {castles into a deadly kingside attack and should be avoided.} ) 16.g4 {A logical kingside expansion.} ( {There was an argument for the immediate} 16.f5 $5 {made a lot of sense as well, especially with the black king still in the center. For instance} 16...e5 {Allows the strong} ( {Most likely Black planned} 16...gxf5 17.exf5 e5 18.Bh4 O-O-O 19.Nb3 {which also looks good for the first player.} ) 17.fxg6 $1 exd4 {when both} ( {Or} 17...fxg6 18.Nd5 $1 Nxd5 19.exd5 O-O 20.Ne6 {with a powerful kingside attack for White.} ) 18.gxf7+ ( {And} 18.Nd5 $1 {promise a huge attack for the first player.} ) ) 16...g5 $1 {A typical Najdorf idea, to fight for the e5-square.} 17.fxg5 $1 {And a nice reaction in return.} ( {Black's defense is much easier after} 17.f5 Nfd7 {followed by Nd7-e5.} ) 17...hxg5 18.Bg3 $1 {This was Swiercz's point: no time will be allowed to his opponent to install a knight on the central outpost.} 18...O-O-O {And Xiong believes his opponent's word, which turns out to be a mistake.} ( {However, as the computer indicates} 18...Nfd7 {was possible and likely needed. Black then seemingly feared the piece sacrifice with} 19.Bxb5 $5 axb5 20.Ndxb5 {but the cool-headed machine believes in Black's defensive resources after} 20...Qb6 21.Bxd6 ( {Or after} 21.Nxd6+ Kf8 22.Rf1 Rh7 $1 ) 21...Ba6 ) 19.Rf1 $1 {Now the knight will never make it to the e5-square and the e4-e5 threat is deadly for Black.} ( {Also promising was the immediate} 19.e5 $1 Nfd7 ( {Or} 19...dxe5 20.Bxe5 Qb6 {when White is better after} 21.Rf1 ( {Or} 21.Nb3 ) ) 20.Ndxb5 $1 axb5 21.exd6 Bxd6 22.Nxb5 Bxg3 23.Nxc7 Bxc7 24.Qe3 {with White's edge.} ) 19...Qb6 20.Nb3 $1 {An instructive blow! It is getting more and more difficult for Black to find reasonable moves.} 20...Ncd7 ( {Since after} 20...Nxb3 21.cxb3 {The black king is in cross-fire and cannot leave the danger zone} 21...Kb8 22.e5 $1 ) 21.Bf2 {Embarrassing the black queen.} ( {However, even stronger was the immediate} 21.a4 $3 b4 ( {If} 21...bxa4 22.Nxa4 Qc6 23.Nc3 Qb6 24.Bf2 {and Black is getting crushed.} ) 22.a5 Qc7 23.Na2 {winning the pawn and the queenside battle.} ) 21...Qc7 22.a4 $1 {This same idea works well again!} ( {Even} 22.Bg1 $5 {would have been good, preparing the a3-a4 advance, but the move in the game is more energetic.} ) 22...bxa4 {Xiong has no other choice but to let the white troops invade.} ( {After} 22...b4 23.Na2 Rxh2 24.Nxb4 a5 25.Na6 Qc6 {White's attack wins after both} 26.Bb5 $1 ( {Or} 26.Nxa5 $1 Qxa4 27.Qe1 ) 26...Qxe4 27.Qd2 ) 23.Nxa4 Qc6 24.Nc3 {Played a tempo! Swiercz has a winning idea and follows it strictly.} ( {Therefore he missed the even more convincing} 24.Nb6+ $3 Nxb6 25.Na5 Qc7 26.Bxa6 {and it is over for Black.} ) 24...Rxh2 25.Na5 Qc7 26.Nxb7 Kxb7 27.Bxa6+ {White won a pawn, the bishop pair and increased his attack. The rest should be a matter of technique, right?} 27...Ka8 28.Nb5 Qc6 29.Nd4 Qb6 30.Rd3 $1 {On the top of all his advantages Swiercz plays in the most energetic and beautiful way.} 30...Nc5 31.Ra3 Kb8 32.Nf3 {But one little inaccuracy in this sharp position can rekindle Black's hopes!} ( {A neat way to finish the game was the rook inclusion with} 32.Ra5 $3 Kc7 33.Rb5 Qxa6 34.Rxc5+ $1 ) ( {And the other square for the knight would have been better} 32.Nb3 $1 Rxf2 33.Qxf2 Nfxe4 34.Qe3 {with a much better version of the game continuation for White.} ) 32...Rxf2 $3 {No-one should ever underestimate the creative genius of Xiong! The game starts again with the young grandmasters skilfully fencing their way through.} ( {Rather than the gloomy} 32...Rg2 33.Bxc5 $1 ) 33.Qxf2 Nfxe4 {The most obvious move is not the best here.} ( {The inhuman} 33...Kc7 $3 34.Bd3 Nxg4 35.Qe2 Rb8 {would have coordinated the black pieces amazingly well, when anything would have been possible still.} ) ( {But not the immediate} 33...Nxg4 34.Qe2 Kc7 35.Nd2 $1 {when White regroups nicely.} ) 34.Qe3 Kc7 35.Nd4 Rb8 36.Bb5 {Swiercz is just in time to block the b-file.} 36...f5 37.c4 $1 {And release his knight. It is clear that White is close to consolidating and converting his advantage. But you did not forget the creative genius, did you?} ( 37.Qh3 $1 {in order to infiltrate the enemy camp was also interesting, but not so much in time-trouble!} ) 37...d5 $1 {Desperate counter-attack.} ( {The knight can show muscles after} 37...f4 38.Nxe6+ $1 ) 38.gxf5 e5 $1 39.Nc6 dxc4 $3 {An only move, but nevertheless impressive.} 40.Nxb8 Qxb5 41.Na6+ $1 {White is very accurate too!} ( {After} 41.Ra7+ Kxb8 42.Rxe7 c3 {Black may have enough for the exchanges!} ) 41...Nxa6 42.Rxa6 $1 c3 $1 {Everything is hanging, but Swiercz had this covered.} ( {Or else} 42...Qxa6 43.Qxe4 {is nothing to play for Black.} ) 43.Ra7+ Kb8 44.Ra8+ $3 {The only move which was obviously seen in advance.} ( {Otherwise White was even losing:} 44.Rf2 $4 Nxf2 45.Qxf2 Bc5 ) 44...Kxa8 45.Qxe4+ Ka7 46.Rf2 Bc5 47.Qd5 {Very tempting, but... So far everything was perfect.} ( {And} 47.Rc2 $1 Bd4 48.Qe2 {would have led to the desired consolidation and win.} ) 47...Kb6 48.Qe6+ ( {It was not too late for} 48.Rc2 $1 Qf1+ 49.Rc1 c2+ 50.Kxc2 Qxf5+ 51.Kb3 Qf8 52.Rc3 {with excellent winning chances.} ) 48...Ka5 $3 {King Power! Now Xiong almost escapes.} 49.Rc2 Ba3 {Alas, just a step away from the draw Black chooses a wrong idea. The bishop obstructs Black's counterplay from here. This square belonged to... the king!} ( {The study-like variation} 49...Bd4 $1 50.b3 ( {Nothing yields} 50.f6 Qf1+ 51.Ka2 cxb2 {when White will have to force a perpetual check.} ) 50...Kb4 $3 {would amazingly promise Black enough resources to hold, for example} 51.f6 ( 51.Ka2 Qa5+ 52.Kb1 Qb5 {changes nothing.} ) 51...Qd3 52.Qc4+ ( {Or} 52.f7 Bc5 53.f8=Q Bxf8 54.Qb6+ Ka3 55.Qa7+ Kxb3 {and White has to be accurate announcing the perpetual.} ) 52...Qxc4 53.bxc4 Kxc4 54.f7 Bc5 55.Rf2 {It seems as White can make it but} 55...Kd3 $1 56.f8=Q Bxf8 57.Rxf8 {And then either pawn advance} 57...g4 ( {Or} 57...e4 {would have led to a draw!} ) ) 50.b3 Qc5 51.f6 Bb2 52.Rxb2 $3 {A nice geometry-based combination to wrap up this exciting game!} 52...cxb2 53.b4+ $1 Kxb4 ( {Or otherwise the queens will be traded with} 53...Qxb4 54.Qa2+ Kb5 55.Qxb2 {when the f-pawn is unstoppable as well.} ) 54.Qe7 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2021.08.11"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2806"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[Beauty "6736790423049"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 {The London system is a fearsome weapon in the hands of the Vietnamise GM.} 3...e6 4.e3 Bd6 5.Nbd2 c5 {And Caruana cannot complain of practice in the line as well. In this game he decided to choose something more complex.} ( {Earlier this year the American GM equalized after choosing a French set-up against Aronian:} 5...O-O 6.Bd3 c5 7.c3 Bxf4 8.exf4 b6 9.Qe2 a5 10.O-O Ba6 11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.Ne5 Qd6 13.h4 cxd4 14.cxd4 Rfc8 15.Rfc1 Nb4 16.Ndf3 Nc6 17.Qb5 Qb4 18.Qxb4 Nxb4 {Aronian,L (2781) -Caruana,F (2820) Paris 2021} ) 6.c3 O-O 7.Bg3 b6 {The same idea to swap off his problematic bishop, borrowed by the French defense.} 8.Bd3 Ba6 9.Bxa6 Nxa6 10.Qe2 Nb8 {The knight has done it's job and is now moving towards the optimal square. 10...Nb8 scores better than 10...Nc7 and which should not be surpsing as it is left far away from the central squares.} 11.Ne5 Qc7 12.O-O Nc6 13.f4 {The pawn skeleton has been changed into a reversed Stonewall, where Le is happy with the aggressive position of his bishop, whereas Caruana managed to completely get rid of his weak one.} 13...Ne7 14.Bh4 {[#]} 14...Nd7 $146 {A natural novelty. This knight has a bright future.} ( {In the predecessor Black allowed the doubling of the pawns:} 14...Nf5 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Ng4 Be7 17.e4 dxe4 18.Nxe4 Kg7 {And then lost one of them:} 19.Ngxf6 $1 {Kamsky,G (2830)-Storme,I (2515) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 15.Rad1 ( {Nothing yields White the further trade of pieces:} 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Nf3 a5 {when Black has clear play on the queenside, but would not mind switching to a central play with f7-f6.} ) ( {More natural seemed:} 15.Rae1 {Intending to meet:} 15...f6 16.Nxd7 Qxd7 {With:} 17.dxc5 bxc5 18.e4 ( {Or:} 18.c4 {with fierce battle for the center and approximate equality.} ) ) 15...cxd4 16.exd4 {Now tha pawn structure has once more transformed, this time into a Carlsbad. The plans of the sides are clear- White wants to mate the opponent on the kingside, whereas Black is looking for a minority attack on the opposite wing.} 16...Nf5 {Therefore Caruana first tames the opponent's initiative on the kingside.} 17.Bf2 Be7 $1 {An important move that opens the road for the black knight.} 18.Nd3 ( {After:} 18.g4 Nd6 19.Rde1 Nf6 {Black seizes the central outpost anyway.} ( {Also good is:} 19...Rae8 $5 ) ) 18...Nf6 19.Rde1 Rae8 $1 {Another important move, which overprotects the e7 bishop, as well as the central pawn. Apparently Caruana wanted to provoke g2-g4.} ( {Otherwise he would have chosen the blockading:} 19...h5 {instead.} ) 20.g4 Nd6 {A black knight will be established in the center and once that the e-file is blocked Caruana may even start playing in the center himself.} 21.Bg3 ( {Black is also fine after:} 21.Bh4 Nfe4 22.Bxe7 Rxe7 {but perhaps it was time for Le to think for ways to equalize.} ) 21...Nfe4 22.Kg2 ( {The neat work that the American GM has done in the previous moves can be demonstrated by the following line:} 22.f5 {This is something that White wants to do anyway:} 22...Nxg3 23.hxg3 exf5 {The Be7 is defended.} 24.gxf5 Bg5 $1 {The black rook on e8 is now a key piece into the counter-attack.} 25.Qg2 Bxd2 26.Qxd2 Nxf5 $1 {Therefore Black can even win with concrete play.} 27.Rxe8 Qxg3+ 28.Kh1 Rxe8 29.Rxf5 Qh3+ ) 22...Nxd2 23.Qxd2 Ne4 {A super-knight was born.} 24.Qd1 Bd6 {Preventing Nd3-f2 for the time being.} 25.g5 {Le is trying to prevent f7-f5.} ( {Nothing chnages:} 25.Rf3 f5 $1 ) ( {Or:} 25.Nf2 f5 {with an edge for Black in both cases.} ) 25...f5 {If the knight is supported once again, White's position will become strategically hopeless.} 26.gxf6 Rxf6 27.Nf2 {The sacrifice of the pawn seems the lesser evil to White.} ( {Otherwise Blakc would ahve been in completely control after:} 27.Ne5 Rf5 28.Qd3 Bxe5 ( {Or perhaps even better:} 28...Rc8 {postponing the trade for the time being.} ) 29.fxe5 Ref8 {and the white bishop is poor.} ) 27...Nxf2 28.Rxf2 Bxf4 29.Rxf4 Rxf4 30.Qe2 ( 30.Rf1 $2 {loses to:} 30...Rxf1 ) ( {However more resilient was:} 30.Qd2 $1 Rg4 31.Kf3 Rxg3+ 32.hxg3 Rf8+ 33.Kg2 Rf6 {The pawn on g3 defends the white king better than in the game.} ) 30...Qf7 31.Bxf4 Qxf4 32.Rf1 Qd6 {Caruana won a pawn and converts the advantage in impeccable way.} ( 32...Qg5+ $5 ) 33.Qh5 Qe7 {First Black consolidates and stops all tactical ideas of his opponent.} 34.Qe5 b5 $1 {It is important to move the pawns away from their starting positions.} 35.Rf3 a6 36.a3 h6 37.h3 Rf8 $1 38.Re3 ( {Or:} 38.Rxf8+ Kxf8 39.Kg3 Qf6 40.Qb8+ {Now it is evident why the pawns have been removed from the seventh rank!} 40...Kf7 41.Qb7+ Qe7 42.Qxa6 Qg5+ 43.Kf2 Qd2+ {with similar consequences as in the game.} ) 38...Kh8 $1 {The best move again.} ( {The other option:} 38...Rf6 {was also intriguing, but things would have been complicated then after:} 39.Qxd5 Rg6+ 40.Kh1 Qf8 $1 41.Qf3 $1 ) 39.Qxe6 Qg5+ {Now a forcing sequence follows.} 40.Rg3 Qd2+ 41.Kh1 Rf1+ 42.Rg1 Rxg1+ 43.Kxg1 Qc1+ 44.Kg2 Qxb2+ 45.Kg1 Qc1+ {Checking if the opponent will go wrong, always a good strategy in the rapid and blitz time-controls!} 46.Kf2 Qd2+ 47.Kf1 {And Le blunder, stepping with the king on a poor square.} ( {The only defense was:} 47.Kg1 {when after:} 47...Qxc3 48.Qxd5 Qg3+ 49.Kf1 Qxh3+ {Black is ahead by a few pawns, but White still has chances of survival by either a perpetual, or thanks to his strong central passer.} ) 47...Qxc3 48.Qxd5 Qc4+ {That is it, the pawns are unstoppable.} 49.Qxc4 bxc4 50.Ke2 g5 51.d5 Kg7 52.Ke3 h5 53.Kd4 g4 54.d6 Kf7 ( {Even geometry works well for Caruana:} 54...Kf7 55.Kc5 ( 55.Kd5 gxh3 $1 ) 55...c3 $1 ) 0-1

[Event "Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2021.09.29"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[ECO "A14"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7697789359120"]
[EventType "game"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O Be7 5.c4 {After a short flirt with the open games against Carlsen, Artemiev returns to his bread and butter—the Reti.} 5...d4 ( {In another recent game of his, the Russian GM fixed an opening advantage after:} 5...O-O 6.b3 c5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Bb2 Nc6 9.d4 Ne4 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Nc3 Nxc3 12.Bxc3 d4 13.Bb2 Bf5 14.Rc1 Qd6 15.b4 Nxb4 16.Nxd4 Bxd4 17.Qxd4 Qxd4 18.Bxd4 {with a hefty bishop pair in an open position, Artemiev, V (2704)-Firouzja,A (2759) Chess24.com INT 2021} ) 6.e3 c5 7.exd4 cxd4 8.Ne5 $5 {It is a reversed Benoni and besides the first move advantage White has one more hidden tempo—the black e-pawn only moved to the sixth rank. Thus, why not play more actively?} 8...Qc7 $146 {Mamedyarov tries to fight the annoying knight at once and does it with a novelty.} ( {Black was not able to equalize in the predecessor neither:} 8...O-O 9.d3 Qc7 10.Re1 Bd6 11.Qe2 Nbd7 12.Bf4 Bxe5 13.Bxe5 Nxe5 14.Qxe5 Qb6 {Due to another typical Benoni maneuver:} 15.Qb5 $1 Qxb5 16.cxb5 {and Black's queenside was under pressure in Svane,R (2613)-Skuhala,J (2342) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 9.Re1 Bd6 10.Qe2 Nbd7 {This is where things really started to go downhill for the Azerbaijani GM.} ( {He might have rejected the obvious:} 10...Nc6 $1 11.Nxc6 bxc6 {Due to the strong:} 12.c5 $1 {Indeed, accepting the sacrifice:} 12...Bxc5 ( {But perhaps Black is not doing that badly after the modest:} 12...Be7 13.b4 O-O ) 13.Qc4 Nd7 14.b4 {leads Black to trouble.} ) 11.Nf3 $3 {Justified both tactically and positonally. The black pieces are stepping on each others' toes, therefore Artemiev does not plan to free them with trades.} ( {Plus White is tactically alert. The obvious:} 11.f4 d3 $1 12.Nxd3 Qxc4 {would have allowed Black an easy play.} ) 11...Qb6 12.Na3 {The d4 pawn is in huge danger, and the white pieces are entering the battle with clear aims.} 12...Bc5 ( {The bishop pair and the half-open b-file would promise White massive advantage in case of:} 12...Bxa3 13.bxa3 O-O 14.d3 ) ( 12...a6 {would have stopped the knight from jumping on b5, but White would still crush the opponent on that side of the board:} 13.Nc2 Bc5 14.b4 $1 ) ( {Perhaps the best practical chance was:} 12...O-O {Although White is better after:} 13.Nb5 ( {Or even the more powerful:} 13.b4 $1 ) 13...Bc5 14.b4 Bxb4 15.Nfxd4 ) 13.d3 {Once more White is tactically alert.} ( 13.Nc2 $2 d3 $1 {would have been a nasty surprise.} ) 13...O-O 14.Bf4 {Practically paralyzing his opponent with natural moves.} ( {It is a tad too early for:} 14.b4 Bxb4 15.Rb1 Qa5 {Although even here, White has tremendous compensation for the exchange after:} 16.Rxb4 Qxb4 17.Nxd4 ) 14...a6 ( {Maybe Mamedyarov should have tried:} 14...Re8 15.Qf1 Nh5 16.Bd2 Nhf6 {at least temporarily getting rid of the nasty bishop.} ) ( {Whereas the interesting maneuver:} 14...Nb8 {would have been too slow due to:} 15.Nb5 Nc6 16.Bc7 Qa6 17.a3 {and Black has nothing to move.} ) 15.Rab1 Bb4 16.Bd2 {Lifting the blockade.} 16...e5 {In his younger days Mamedyarov played countless games with his friend and Benoni expert Vugar Gashimov. He certainly knows what kind of a mess he is into, and tries to escape tactically.} ( {There is little to no hope for him instead in the line:} 16...Bxd2 17.Qxd2 Nb8 18.b4 ) 17.Bxb4 $1 {Very consistent play again.} ( {Avoiding the unnecessary complications after:} 17.Nxe5 Nxe5 18.Bxb4 Re8 ) 17...Qxb4 18.Nc2 Qa5 19.Nxe5 {After the burst of activity:} ( 19.b4 $1 {mgiht have been great as well as the pawn is immune:} 19...Qxa2 $2 20.Ra1 Qb2 21.Reb1 Qc3 22.Ra3 ) 19...Re8 20.f4 Nxe5 21.fxe5 Ng4 ( 21...Nd7 22.b4 {changes nothing.} ) 22.b4 $1 {Artemiev cools things off.} ( {But not:} 22.Nxd4 Qb6 23.Qe4 Rd8 ) 22...Qb6 ( {After:} 22...Qc7 {White can grab the second pawn:} 23.Nxd4 ) 23.Qe4 Qh6 ( {Or:} 23...Rxe5 24.Qxd4 {with a solid positional advantage on top of the pawn.} ) 24.h3 Nxe5 25.Qf4 $1 {Another little finesse to discombobulate the black pieces a bit.} ( 25.Qxd4 Bxh3 {is not desirable for White.} ) 25...Qd6 26.Qxd4 Qf6 27.Re3 {Covering everything. Artemiev calculated everything with precision.} 27...Bxh3 28.Rf1 $1 {Two seconds for this winning move.} ( {Rather than:} 28.Bxh3 Nf3+ 29.Rxf3 Qxf3 30.Qf4 Qxd3 {which complicates matters.} ) 28...Qe6 29.Rxe5 $1 {White wins even more material and calmly finishes the game.} 29...Qxe5 30.Qxe5 Rxe5 31.Bxh3 Rae8 32.Bg2 b6 33.Bd5 R8e7 34.Nd4 Rg5 35.Rf3 h5 36.Kf2 g6 37.Nc6 Rd7 38.d4 Kg7 39.Ne5 Re7 40.Bxf7 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Finals 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.09.25"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7628956632599"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.cxd5 cxd4 {The ultra-drawish variation, which So regularly uses as Black.} 6.Qxd4 exd5 7.Bg5 ( 7.e4 {is the main move and was recently covered in an article on the Pro Chess League's Semifinals, where Vidit played So and went 7.e4.} ) 7...Be7 8.e3 O-O 9.Be2 Nc6 10.Qd3 h6 11.Bh4 Qb6 12.O-O Rd8 13.Rfd1 Qxb2 {Black temporarily wins the pawn.} 14.Rab1 Qa3 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Nxd5 {White immediately gets it back, also trading the queens.} 16...Qxa2 17.Nxf6+ gxf6 18.Nd4 {This position looks somewhat dangerous for Black, whose kingside has been torn apart. However, So defends carefully, proving that White actually does not have much initiative.} 18...Be6 19.Rxb7 Rd6 20.Rd2 Qa1+ 21.Rb1 Qa5 22.Rdd1 Nxd4 23.exd4 Rad8 {The black queen is ready to intervene with ...Qg5 whenever needed.} 24.h4 {However, now Mamedyarov starts overpushing.} ( 24.Ra1 Qg5 25.Rxa7 Rxd4 {could be a way to draw the game, for example.} ) 24...Qf5 25.Qg3+ Qg6 26.Qf4 Qf5 $6 {Missing the chance.} ( 26...Rxd4 $1 {is very strong here, the point being that the b1-rook is unprotected.} 27.Rxd4 Qxb1+ $1 $17 {And Black is a healthy pawn up.} ) 27.Qxh6 Rxd4 28.Rbc1 Qe5 29.Rxd4 Rxd4 30.Bh5 ( 30.Ba6 $1 {is needed to stop the pawn.} ) 30...Rd8 31.Bf3 a5 $1 {Now the a-pawn starts quickly to approach the promotion square, unexpectedly causing White more trouble than he can handle.} 32.Qe3 a4 33.Qa7 ( 33.Qxe5 fxe5 34.Ra1 $15 {is still a way to save the game, even though the resulting position is rather unpleasant.} ) 33...Qd4 34.Qe7 Rb8 35.Rd1 Qxh4 36.Qa7 Rb2 37.Qc5 Qb4 38.Qxb4 Rxb4 39.Bd5 ( 39.Ra1 {is necessary, but still leaving White somewhat in the game.} ) 39...Bf5 {Now White is much worse, but moves like Ba2 or Kh2 would have still kept the game going. But, there followed...} ( 39...a3 40.Bxe6 fxe6 {appears winning for Black, given how passive the white rook will now be.} 41.Rd8+ Kf7 42.Ra8 Rb3 $19 ) 40.Rc1 $4 Rb1 {After the inevitable trade, Black queens the pawn by force, so White has to resign. Definitely an unnecessary loss for the Azeri player!} 0-1

[Event "Chess 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.09.09"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "A01"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[Beauty "6254474830919"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.b3 {A popular choice for top blitz games.} 1...e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.c4 Nf6 4.Nf3 e4 5.Nd4 Nxd4 {A straightforward and excellent continuation. Karjakin speeds up his development.} ( {Svidler chose instead} 5...Bc5 6.Nf5 O-O 7.e3 d5 8.cxd5 Nb4 9.Ng3 Nbxd5 10.Nc3 Re8 11.Nxd5 Nxd5 12.Bc4 c6 {and equalized in the recent game Rapport,R (2763)-Svidler,P (2714) Saint Louis 2021} ) 6.Bxd4 b6 7.g3 Bb7 8.Bg2 Bc5 $146 {Once more a very straightforward approach by the Russian GM.} ( 8...Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.Nc3 c5 11.Be3 d5 12.cxd5 Nxd5 13.Nxe4 f5 14.Nc3 Nxe3 15.dxe3 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Bf6 17.Rc1 {Fry,P (1752)-Palma,M (1529) Cammeray 2010} ) 9.Bb2 {And this is too much. Firouzja is certainly playing with fire, in order to keep more pieces on board and play for the win.} ( {White is a bit better after} 9.Bxc5 bxc5 10.Nc3 O-O 11.O-O Qe7 12.d3 ) 9...h5 $1 {In the spirit of Spassky! White is lagging in development thus Black can afford to play on the kingside.} 10.d4 ( {As} 10.h4 {opens a nice square for the black knight:} 10...Ng4 ) 10...Bb4+ 11.Nc3 ( {Black is better after} 11.Bc3 a5 $5 12.a3 Bd6 ) 11...h4 ( {Also good was the immediate} 11...d5 $5 12.a3 Bxc3+ 13.Bxc3 h4 ) 12.e3 ( {If White tries to block the d-pawn with} 12.d5 h3 13.Bf1 {he likely disliked the opening of the center with} 13...c6 $1 ) 12...d5 13.Qc2 ( {Similar would have been} 13.a3 Bxc3+ 14.Bxc3 Bc8 $1 ) 13...Bc8 {The correct idea, but a sloppy execution. The bishop has done its job on the long diagonal and needs to search for new adventures.} ( {However, the preliminary} 13...h3 14.Bf1 {and then} 14...Bc8 $1 {would have promised Black more. His constant threat would be to manuever the bishop to f3 and then just pick up the h2-pawn with the knight and promote.} ) 14.h3 hxg3 15.fxg3 c6 16.O-O-O Be6 17.Ne2 a5 {Karjakin keeps making the most obvious and logical moves. A very wise approach in an armageddon!} ( {More interesting would have been} 17...dxc4 18.bxc4 b5 $5 19.Bxe4 O-O {but who needs these complications when in need of a draw?} ) 18.Nf4 ( {Perhaps} 18.a3 {was better, although Black has nothing to complain about in the line} 18...Be7 19.Nf4 a4 20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.b4 Qb8 $5 ) 18...a4 19.Kb1 axb3 20.Qxb3 $1 ( {Since} 20.axb3 Qd7 {maneuvering the queen to a7 is passive and gloomy for White.} ) 20...Bd6 ( {A stronger plan was to trade the white queenside bishop with} 20...Qd6 $1 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.g4 Ba3 ) 21.cxd5 cxd5 22.g4 {Firouzja achieved what he wanted; the position is completely irrational.} ( {If} 22.Nxe6 fxe6 23.Bf1 $5 O-O {Black consolidates.} ( {Or} 23...Bxg3 24.Rg1 Qd6 25.Rc1 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) ) 22...O-O {Once more obvious, but this time imprecise.} ( {Karjakin would have controlled the kingside better with} 22...Bxf4 $1 23.exf4 O-O 24.f5 Bd7 25.Rc1 Qb8 26.g5 Ba4 27.Qe3 Nh5 $1 ) 23.g5 Bxf4 24.gxf6 ( {Certainly not} 24.exf4 Nh5 ) 24...Bh6 25.fxg7 Kxg7 {And the initiative brings fruits as Black blunders!} ( {Both} 25...Bxg7 $1 ) ( {And even} 25...Re8 $1 {would have left Karjakin in control.} ) 26.Bxe4 $1 {Not waiting for a second invitation.} 26...f5 {After taking his breath, Karjakin proceeds as if nothing happened.} ( 26...dxe4 27.d5+ Kh7 28.dxe6 {would have been devastating for the second player.} ) 27.Rhg1+ Kh7 28.Bd3 {Black's problem is not only that he lost a pawn; this bishop became a key attacker too.} 28...Qd6 29.Rg2 ( {The patient} 29.Bc1 $5 {might have been even better.} ) 29...Bxe3 $1 {If one is going to suffer, then let that be for something.} 30.Re1 Bh6 31.Qd1 $1 {This maneuver is what Firouzja was aiming for.} 31...Bd7 ( {Here the correct defense was} 31...Rf6 $1 32.Qh5 Bf7 33.Qh4 Rg8 {with good chances to survive.} ) 32.Qh5 Rf6 33.Reg1 {With the threat of a check on g7 followed by the same rook moving to g6 with a decisive pin. The game enters its most interesting part. It seems as Karjakin's positon will collapse at any moment, but he somehow resists!} 33...Qf8 $1 {Not letting the intruder in.} 34.Bc1 Qb4+ $1 {An only defense again.} 35.Bb2 ( {As in the line} 35.Ka1 Qc3+ 36.Bb2 Qxd3 37.Rg6 {Black has} 37...Qe3 $1 {This is still quite an interesting position but White has nothing more than a draw in the line} 38.Bc1 Qc3+ ( {Or the more complicated} 38...Qxd4+ 39.Bb2 Rxa2+ $1 40.Kxa2 Qc4+ {also with perpetual check.} ) 39.Bb2 Qe3 ) 35...Qf8 36.a3 {Taking the b4 spot under control.} ( {A study-like win would have been achieved with} 36.Qh4 $3 {The queen steps back but defends the key d4-pawn. Black has no way out, say} 36...Re8 37.Bc1 Qb4+ 38.Ka1 Qc3+ 39.Bb2 {and wins.} ) ( {Not as convincing is} 36.Ka1 $5 Be8 37.Qe2 Bg6 $1 {and Black somehow holds.} ) 36...Rc8 $1 {Stopping Bb2-c1! again.} 37.Rg6 $3 {Then once more Karjakin goes for an obvious continuation.} ( {As in the line} 37.Bc1 Rxc1+ $1 38.Rxc1 Qxa3 {Black has enough counterplay.} ) ( {But} 37.Ka2 $5 {looked good for White too.} ) 37...Be8 {And gets} ( {The most resilient would have been} 37...Rcc6 $1 38.Rxf6 Rxf6 39.Bc1 Qf7 40.Qh4 Rg6 {hoping for the best.} ) 38.Rxf6 $1 Bxh5 39.Rxf5 $3 {In return! A complete shocker!} 39...Kh8 $1 {But Karjakin is not considered one of the best defenders of our time for nothing!} ( {The meak} 39...Qxf5 40.Bxf5+ {loses on the spot.} ) 40.Rxf8+ {Oh, what a pity!} ( {The amazing combination would have been crowned with a couple of more stunners} 40.Rxh5 $3 {The Rg1-g6 threat can be only stopped with} 40...Rc6 {But then} 41.Rxd5 $1 {and Black is helpless against the rook-d5-somewhere-and-then-pawn push idea.} ) 40...Rxf8 41.Re1 Rf3 {Firouzja got too little out of his huge attack.} 42.Re6 Kg7 ( 42...Bd2 $1 {might have been even better.} ) 43.Be2 Rxh3 44.Bxh5 Rxh5 45.Rxb6 Be3 46.a4 Rh4 47.a5 {Not it is an instant draw, as White blundered his key pawn.} ( 47.Rb4 $1 {would be a chance still, although Black likely survives after} 47...Rh8 48.Kc2 Ra8 ) 47...Bxd4 48.Rb4 {A pin White saw when playing on increment.} 48...Rh1+ {But that was obviously missed. Now it is a draw, but White keeps pushing till the end.} 49.Ka2 Bxb2 50.Kxb2 Kf6 51.a6 Rh8 52.Kb3 Ke5 53.Rb6 d4 54.a7 Ra8 55.Ra6 Kd5 56.Kb4 d3 57.Kb5 ( {Rejecting the draw in the line} 57.Kc3 Kc5 58.Kxd3 Kb5 ) 57...d2 58.Ra1 Kd4 59.Kb4 Kd3 ( {Black could have even played for more} 59...Ke3 $1 ) 60.Ra3+ {Now White even loses.} ( {But the draw is equally a bad result for him in the line} 60.Kb5 Rxa7 61.Rxa7 d1=Q 62.Rd7+ ) 60...Ke2 61.Ra2 Ke1 62.Ra1+ d1=Q {Not Firouzja's Armageddon so far.} 0-1

[Event "Aimchess US Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.09.01"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "C01"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[Beauty "5911485625863"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[WhiteTeam "France"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 {A familiar situation. Firouzja only needed a draw to secure the match and he went for the Exchange Variation. Some of the older generation remember the story that happened in the last round of the 1990 Manila Interzonal. GM Mikhail Gurevich, needing a draw with White against GM Nigel Short, made the same opening choice. Ask Gurevich how it worked out for him (0-1, and no qualification for the Candidates).} 3...exd5 4.Nf3 Bd6 ( {That game went} 4...Bg4 5.h3 Bh5 6.Be2 Bd6 {and now Gurevich played the consistent (and bad)} 7.Ne5 $6 {After} 7...Bxe2 8.Qxe2 Ne7 9.O-O O-O 10.Bf4 Re8 11.Qg4 Bxe5 12.Bxe5 Ng6 {he already stood somewhat worse.} ) 5.c4 $1 {This move makes a lot of sense in any tournament situation. White aims to play like Black does in the Tarrasch Variation of the French.} 5...Nf6 6.Nc3 O-O $5 {Interesting plan from So. He's is offering a (temporary) pawn sacrifice,} ( {rather than help White to facilitate his development:} 6...dxc4 7.Bxc4 O-O 8.O-O Nc6 9.h3 h6 10.Re1 a6 11.a3 Bf5 12.Ne5 {was seen in the recent game Aronian-Carlsen, Goldmoney Rapid 2021.} ) 7.cxd5 {That's OK,} ( {but what about} 7.c5 $5 {I wonder if winning a tempo can justify giving Black a pawn majority in the center as it appears after} 7...Be7 8.Bd3 b6 9.cxb6 axb6 10.h3 c5 11.O-O {Optically, I like White's position. Going back to the match situation, this is about the best strategy for such cases: develop your pieces freely and let the opponent worry about how to create complications.} ) 7...Nbd7 8.Be2 Nb6 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bxf6 {I think Firouzja took a wrong turn here.} ( {Let's look at the position after the possible moves} 10.Bh4 g5 11.Bg3 Nbxd5 {One may think given the must-win situation Black could disregard the risks associated with weakening his king, but if we consider who played this game, I think Alireza would be more at home with exploring his attacking prospects, rather than to continue the maneuvering game, more suited for his opponent's style.} ) 10...Qxf6 11.O-O Re8 12.Re1 Bg4 13.Ne5 $1 Bf5 ( {So rejected} 13...Bxe2 14.Qxe2 {as simplifying, but Black appears to be fighting after} 14...Re7 15.g3 Rae8 16.f4 Qf5 ) 14.Bf3 $6 {Critical moment #2. Firouzja gave up his extra pawn, seeking simplifications.} ( {Normally he would have played} 14.f4 $1 {without any hesitation.} ) 14...Bxe5 15.dxe5 Rxe5 16.Rxe5 Qxe5 17.Qe2 Qxe2 18.Bxe2 Re8 19.Rd1 {Very careless.} ( 19.Kf1 {was indicated to stop Black's rather obvious threat.} ) 19...Na4 $1 {Now White is in real trouble. The position itself may still be repairable, but the psychological effect of realizing that he just drifted into a worse position was very unpleasant for Firouzja.} 20.Bb5 Nxc3 21.bxc3 Rd8 $1 {This is vintage Wesley. He will not rush things, preferring to build his advantage slowly.} ( {Anybody else would have jumped on an opportunity to make threats after} 21...Re5 22.f3 Re3 23.Rc1 Bd3 {but White would have still had} 24.c4 {in his disposal.} ) 22.Be2 Kf8 23.f3 Ke7 24.Kf2 Kd6 {A better king adds to the strength of Black's position.} 25.Rd4 a5 26.h4 Rd7 27.Bc4 Bc2 28.Ke3 Kc5 29.Kd2 Bg6 30.Bb3 f6 31.Ra4 Kb6 32.c4 ( {It is easy to say that White should have stayed put with} 32.Rd4 {Nobody likes doing nothing, particularly 18-year-olds.} ) 32...Re7 33.c5+ {A natural decision, given the time control. White follows through on his idea of reducing the number of pawns on the board.} ( {The patient} 33.Bd1 Be8 34.Ra3 $15 {is more in tune with longer time controls.} ) 33...Kxc5 34.Rxa5+ Kd6 35.Ra7 b6 36.a4 Bf7 37.a5 bxa5 38.Ra6+ Kc5 39.d6 ( 39.Rxa5+ $5 Kb4 40.Ra7 Kxb3 41.d6 Rd7 42.Ke3 {looks like total desperation, but, in fact, White would retain no fewer drawing chances than the actual game continuation brought in.} ) 39...cxd6 40.Bxf7 Rxf7 $2 {A surprising inaccuracy from So.} ( 40...Kb5 41.Bc4+ Kxc4 42.Rxa5 Rb7 {would be a much superior version of the rook endgame.} ) 41.Rxa5+ Kd4 42.Ra4+ Kd5 43.Ra5+ Ke6 {Now, as the black king has been driven back, White should be able to hold a draw.} 44.Ke3 Rb7 45.h5 d5 46.Kf4 ( {I don't see how} 46.g4 {could have hurt White's chances. Incidentally,} 46...Rb3+ 47.Kf4 Rb4+ 48.Ke3 Ke5 49.f4+ $1 Rxf4 50.Rxd5+ Kxd5 51.Kxf4 {is a draw.} ) 46...Rb4+ 47.Ke3 Ke5 48.f4+ Ke6 $1 {Clever. Keeping the game going and waiting for your chance is the right strategy in many endgames.} 49.Ra7 ( {The line} 49.g4 Rb3+ 50.Kf2 d4 51.f5+ Kd6 52.Ra7 {illustrates why the extra d-pawn is far less effective than more remote passers. The white king is still close by, while the rook is hitting the black pawns on the other side.} ) 49...Kf5 50.Rxg7 ( {In a similar vein,} 50.g3 Rb3+ 51.Kf2 {was to be considered.} ) 50...Re4+ 51.Kd3 Rxf4 52.Rg6 Rg4 53.Rxh6 Rxg2 {This is a more difficult situation. In most 2 versus 1 rook endgames with mutual passers both sides should carefully consider the consequence of exchanging pawns. A firm knowledge of basic R-p vs. R positions is a must.} 54.Rh8 Rh2 55.Kd4 Ke6 56.h6 Rh4+ 57.Ke3 d4+ 58.Kd3 $4 {The losing move.} ( {Dislodging the black rook from its ideal position as the key to success, as seen from} 58.Kf3 Kf7 59.Kg3 $1 Rh1 ( {In case of} 59...Re4 60.h7 Kg7 61.Rf8 $1 Kxh7 62.Rxf6 Kg7 63.Ra6 {the white king is cut off the black pawn on the e-file, but the same goes for his black counterpart who cannot cross the 6th rank. Draw.} ) 60.Rd8 $1 {getting the d-pawn, and remaining in front of the f-pawn with the king.} ) 58...Kf7 {Now Black is winning the h-pawn and the game.} 59.h7 Kg7 60.Rg8+ Kxh7 61.Rg1 f5 62.Kc4 Kh6 63.Kd5 Re4 64.Rg2 Kh5 65.Rg1 Kh4 66.Rg8 d3 67.Rg1 d2 68.Rd1 Re2 {It happened again - Black won on demand. The scenario was quite familiar: a series of questionable choices by the first player prolonged the game, and in the end he blundered it away. A great effort by Wesley So, and a good lesson for Alireza Firouzja.} 0-1

[Event "Aimchess US Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.09.04"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[ECO "D32"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8248484699727"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

{Going into the critical Game 2, Carlsen was in the pole position, having won Game 1 with Black.} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.dxc5 $5 {A challenging, yet a bit risky line.} 5...d4 $1 {The most principled move.} ( 5...Nf6 {leaves White a choice between} 6.Be3 {which, I think, Magnus intended to play.} ( {and a quiet path} 6.Bg5 Bxc5 7.e3 ) ) 6.Na4 {So far this move has scored well for White, but I tend to be sceptical about the database stats, until I can see enough games between top players.} ( 6.Ne4 {appears to be a safer path. White isn't without ambition to get some thing out of the opening. For example, in reply to} 6...Bf5 7.Ng3 Be6 8.e4 Bxc5 {he has a strange-looking move} 9.Nh5 $5 {the engines go gaga about.} ) 6...b5 $1 {Black makes it a real pawn sacrifice, which exactly suited Artemiev's match situation.} 7.cxb6 axb6 8.b3 b5 $1 ( 8...Nf6 {would give White time for} 9.e3 ) 9.Nb2 Bb4+ 10.Bd2 Bxd2+ ( {Perhaps, better was} 10...Nc6 {intending to answer} 11.g3 {with the resolute} 11...Bc3 12.Bg2 Nge7 13.Bxc3 dxc3 14.Qxd8+ Kxd8 15.Nd3 Bf5 {Black game plays itself, and White has to be careful not to get overrun. All in all, I suspect the line 6.Na4 is soon going to be relegated to a dusty shelf in the back room of the theoretical library.} ) 11.Qxd2 Nf6 12.e4 $1 {At times Carlsen's opening selections may be questionable, but once the game leaves theoretical paths, more often than not he finds the best moves.} 12...Nxe4 $5 {One has to admire the gutsy play by Artemiev.} ( {In case of} 12...O-O {White can give back the pawn in the sake of development.} 13.Bd3 ( {there's no real need to try the risky} 13.f3 ) 13...Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Re8 15.Ne2 Rxe4 16.O-O {reaching a comfortable position.} ) 13.Bxb5+ Bd7 14.Qb4 $6 {This is a bit iffy. I guess, Magnus got caught in the heat of the battle. Regardless of the objective value of this move, and this game as a whole, I think Carlsen is doing the right thing by practising his skills in irrational positions. His challenger, Ian Nepomniachtchi, is the master of such chess, and no amount of preparation and cautious play can keep him at bay over the 14-game match.} ( 14.Bxd7+ Qxd7 15.Qc2 O-O 16.Ne2 Re8 17.O-O Nc6 {probably favors White, but there still would be a lot of play left.} ) 14...Nc3 $1 15.Bxd7+ ( 15.Bd3 Nc6 16.Qd6 {may have been a better choice, but White can no longer keep the situation under control. Computers offer a strange line} 16...h5 17.Kf1 Rh6 18.Re1+ Re6 19.Rxe6+ Bxe6 20.Qxc6+ Bd7 21.Qc5 Rxa2 {where White cannot keep his extra piece.} ) 15...Qxd7 {Now the white king is going to have to move soon, and it's not going to be his usual castling.} 16.Kf1 Nc6 17.Re1+ Kd8 18.Qb6+ Qc7 19.Qc5 $5 {I understand it was a rapid game, but look how Carlsen strives to complicate matters rather than give the opponent an easy path.} ( {The endgame} 19.Qxc7+ Kxc7 {would mean a loss of the a-pawn, and White would still have to get his Rh1 out.} ) 19...Rxa2 20.Nd3 Re8 21.Nf3 Ra5 $6 {Vlad is a great blitz player, who can finish his games in long endgames, even with mere seconds on his clock. An important skill, as it is, but it tends to get him a bit cavalier about his general time management. One still needs time on the clock to figure out the middlegame. I'm afraid, in this case Artemiev was quite short of it.} ( {The rook was well-placed on the second rank, and all Black needed to do was to bring his queen over. That could have been accomplished by} 21...Rxe1+ 22.Nfxe1 Qd7 23.h4 Kc7 $1 {and Black is ready to answer} 24.Rh3 {with} 24...Qe6 {and we would have had a tied match.} ) 22.Qc4 Rxe1+ 23.Ndxe1 Qd7 24.h4 Qd5 $2 ( {The queens had to stay on:} 24...Ra1 25.Rh3 Qe8 ) 25.Rh3 Qxc4+ 26.bxc4 Ra4 27.Nxd4 $1 {I bet Vlad just didn't see it coming.} 27...Rxc4 28.Nf5 g6 $4 {Having witnessed his once great position crumble to dust Artemiev lost the handle completely.} ( {Black could still fight for a draw after} 28...Ne5 29.Nxg7 Nd5 ) 29.Nd6 {A somewhat lucky win for Carlsen, but the strong make their own luck.} 1-0

[Event "Aimchess US Rapid | Knockout"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.09.05"]
[Round "27.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[ECO "D36"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7009655067176"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.cxd5 {Having won the first set, Carlsen opened up the second with a solid opening choice.} 5...exd5 6.Qc2 c6 7.Bg5 {The Queen's Gambit Exchange Variation, leading to the Carlsbad pawn structure.} ( 7.Bf4 Nh5 ) 7...Be7 8.e3 Nh5 {The bishop exchange has the main point of getting a good square for the queen, which allows Black a certain flexibility when it comes to castling.} ( {There were times when practically every game continued with} 8...O-O 9.Bd3 Re8 10.O-O Nf8 {often leading to the minority attack scenario.} ) 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.O-O-O $1 {It's not a question of kingside attacking prospects. White simply doesn't have a better move.} ( {White has to look out for Nh5-f4, and the slow} 10.Be2 g6 11.O-O O-O 12.Rab1 Nb6 13.Bd3 {allows Black to complete the standard maneuver} 13...Ng7 {followed by Bc8-f5, bringing about full equality.} ) 10...Nb6 11.Bd3 $5 {The first important juncture. Carlsen disregards the threat of Bg4.} ( 11.Ne5 {was White's initial reaction. Anand-Kramnik, Zurich 2015 and some other games went} 11...Nf6 12.Bd3 Ng4 $1 13.Nf3 Be6 ) ( {then the attention switched to} 11.h3 Be6 12.Bd3 Nf6 13.Kb1 O-O-O 14.g4 Kb8 {Andreikin-Artemiev, Russian Team Championship 2015. The two games mentioned above were drawn, same as the majority of others in this line.} ) 11...Bg4 12.Kb1 g6 13.h3 $5 {Very direct play.} ( 13.Rc1 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Qh4 15.Ka1 f5 $5 16.Rhg1 Nf6 {was seen in Buhmann-Ivanchuk, Bundesliga 2016. It is interesting to watch Vasyl leaving his king in the center after} 17.f4 Kf7 {and getting away with that.} ) 13...Bxf3 14.gxf3 O-O-O ( {Perhaps, Vlad could have followed the same path, e.g.} 14...Qh4 15.f4 f5 16.Rdf1 O-O 17.Ne2 Rac8 18.Ng1 Qe7 19.Rc1 Nd7 20.Nf3 c5 {with a sharp game in the making.} ) 15.Qb3 $1 Kb8 ( 15...Qc7 16.Rc1 Kb8 17.a4 Nc8 {seemed more prudent. That way Black doesn't allow the white a-pawn to advance.} ) 16.a4 Qe6 17.a5 Nc4 18.a6 b6 19.Na4 Rc8 20.Ka1 Ka8 21.Rc1 Rc7 22.Nc3 {Magnus switched tracks} ( {as soon as he saw that} 22.Qb4 Rhc8 23.b3 {would be met by} 23...c5 ) 22...Rhc8 23.h4 Nf6 ( {I wonder why} 23...f5 {wasn't played here.} ) 24.Rc2 Nd6 25.Rhc1 c5 {OK, I see now what Artemiev's plan was all along.} 26.Nb5 Nxb5 27.Bxb5 Qd6 $2 {The second important point in the game.} ( {A logical continuation would be} 27...c4 28.Qb4 Ne8 29.b3 Nd6 30.e4 Kb8 {The situation is quite tense, and White has to be careful not to expose his own king to some kind of counterattack.} ) 28.Qa3 $1 {A typical pinning queen maneuver against the hanging pawns is very effective here.} 28...Kb8 29.Kb1 Qe7 30.Rc3 Ng8 {Played to protect the queen and unpin the c-pawn for the capture on d4.} ( 30...c4 31.Qxe7 Rxe7 32.b3 {and Black's position collapses.} ) 31.dxc5 $1 {Just in the right time!} 31...Rxc5 ( 31...bxc5 32.Qb3 ) 32.Rxc5 Rxc5 33.Rxc5 Qxc5 34.Qa4 {The a6-pawn plays a very important role from this moment on.} 34...Qd6 35.Qd4 f6 ( {On} 35...Nf6 {I can see the following three-step procedure.} 36.e4 {Decoy.} 36...Qe6 37.Qb4 Kc7 38.Qf8 $1 {Infiltration.} 38...dxe4 39.Qa8 {Hitting the the real target.} ) 36.h5 Ne7 37.hxg6 hxg6 38.Qh4 Kc7 39.Qh8 Qb4 {Practically speaking, the decisive mistake.} ( {Again, Artemiev got too low on time, and missed his last chance:} 39...d4 $1 40.Qa8 Nc8 ) 40.Qe8 Kd6 ( {The queen return} 40...Qd6 {was the only choice. Still,} 41.f4 Qd8 42.Qf7 Qd6 43.Bd3 {would leave Black with no constructive ideas left. The outcome of the game would hardly be in doubt, we know how good Carlsen is in such situations.} ) 41.Qd7+ Ke5 42.Bd3 f5 43.Qxa7 Qe1+ 44.Kc2 Qb4 45.Qc7+ Kf6 46.a7 Qa4+ 47.Kd2 Nc6 48.Qxb6 Kg5 49.Bc2 Qxa7 50.Qxc6 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Aimchess U.S. Rapi"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.09.02"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2696"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[ECO "C66"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7699131548180"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]

{At least, Alireza had White.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 $1 {First order of business is to make sure that the Berlin is out of the equation.} 4...d6 {Vladislav Artemiev is an original player, who likes to travel on less explored roads. As White he often delves into a b3-g3 kind of stuff, and as Black he doesn't mind conceding space in hope to keep the game complicated. Even in this game, only needing a draw to capture the first set, Artemiev chose a King's Indian-like setup.} 5.O-O Bd7 6.Re1 g6 7.Bxc6 $5 {Rather unusual.} ( {Most players split their sympathies between} 7.d4 Bg7 8.d5 Ne7 9.Bxd7+ Nxd7 10.Be3 O-O 11.c4 h6 12.Nfd2 f5 13.f3 {Caruana-Finegold, Pro League 2017} ) ( {and} 7.c3 Bg7 8.Nbd2 O-O 9.Ba4 Nh5 10.Nf1 Kh8 11.h3 f5 12.exf5 gxf5 13.d4 {Caruana-Kramnik, GCT Paris Blitz 2016. As you can see, Fabiano has been successful in both.} ) 7...Bxc6 8.c4 {The point of the trade on the previous move. Black no longer has the knight that could jump to d4, so White can take his time preparing to push the d-pawn forward. Such ideas for White in the Steinitz Variation of the Ruy Lopez were first introduced in the beginning of the 20th century by the Czech GM Oldrich Duras.} 8...Bg7 9.Nc3 O-O 10.d4 Re8 11.dxe5 $5 {Firouzja shows good understanding of the position.} ( {The seemingly natural push} 11.d5 {would lead to a typical King's Indian structure where White would surely be missing his light squared bishop, useful in both deterring Balck's counterplay with f7-f5, and White's own play on the queenside after the eventual c4-c5. Today's understanding of closed positions offers a different opinion on "bad" bishops.} ) 11...dxe5 12.Qc2 {Instead, White is intending to put his knight to d5, hoping to induce a trade, which would enable him to obtain strong play against the backward c7-pawn.} 12...Bd7 $1 {Artemiev alertly took radical measures against this plan.} 13.Be3 ( 13.h3 c6 14.Be3 Qc7 {would eventually lead to the same thing. Once Black protects his e5-pawn, he is ready for the Be6, Nd7 regrouping.} ) 13...Bg4 14.Nd2 c6 15.c5 ( {The bishop hunt} 15.h3 Be6 16.Na4 b6 17.Nf3 Qc7 18.Ng5 Bc8 {would not produce any tangible results.} ) 15...Be6 16.h3 Qc7 17.a3 Rad8 18.Rad1 Nd7 19.Qa4 Bf8 20.b4 a5 {I don't particularly like this move, because it offers White access to the b6-square.} ( {Alternatively,} 20...b6 21.cxb6 axb6 22.Qc2 Ra8 23.Rb1 Rec8 24.a4 c5 25.b5 c4 {was another plan of counterplay.} ) 21.Nf3 f6 22.Qc2 axb4 23.axb4 b6 $1 ( {In case of} 23...b5 {White can continue with} 24.Qc1 Ra8 25.Bh6 {intending to trade off the sole defender of the d6-square.} ) 24.Na4 bxc5 25.bxc5 {It is easy to criticize Alireza's decision based on the poor position of Na4 until we remember he had to win this game at any cost.} ( {What else did you expect him to do, trade pieces after} 25.Nxc5 Nxc5 26.Bxc5 Bxc5 27.Qxc5 {What chances would he have then? The weaknesses on c6 and b4 would likely cancel each other out, and if these pawns get traded there would be nothing left to play for.} ) 25...Rb8 26.Rd3 {The die is cast. Firouzja is about to burn his bridges before crossing them.} ( {Backtracking with} 26.Rb1 Rb5 27.Nd2 Reb8 {was the last thing on his mind.} ) 26...Rb4 27.Red1 Qa5 28.Nb6 $5 {The mark "!?" is not only applied to this particular move, but rather to the entire concept.} 28...Nxc5 29.Rd8 {The moment of truth.} 29...Rxd8 $4 {Vladislav's skills in rapid and blitz have gained him a lot of respect due to his good run in the Champions Chess Tour. He's a monster in long technical endgames, even when he only has seconds left. However, his time management is a bit cavalier, which may cost him in tactically charged positions here and there. The rook trade here is an example of such mistakes.} ( {I wasn't able to watch the game live, so I don't know exactly how bad Artemiev's clock situation was, but I'll hazard a guess he was real short. Otherwise, Vladislav would have made his choice among two acceptable alternatives. First, there was the tactical shot} 29...Bb3 {inviting White to trade his queen for two rooks:} 30.Rxe8 ( 30.Qc1 Bf7 31.Rxe8 Bxe8 32.Rd8 Qxb6 33.Rxe8 Rb1 {is the point of forcing the white queen back.} ) 30...Bxc2 31.Rdd8 {and now Black defends with} 31...Kg7 32.Rxf8 Ne6 {forcing the liquidation after} 33.Ra8 Rxb6 34.Rxa5 Rb1+ 35.Kh2 Kxf8 {It's moot to debate whether or not Black can win this endgame, because all Artemiev needed was a draw.} ) ( {Secondly, even better was the calm} 29...Kf7 $1 {preventing White's infiltration to the eighth rank and leaving Nb6 trapped. Again, there's no sense in analyzing} 30.Rxe8 Kxe8 31.Rc1 Qxb6 32.Bxc5 Qxc5 33.Qxc5 Bxc5 34.Rxc5 Kd7 {any deeper.} ) 30.Rxd8 {Fortune favors the brave. Suddenly Firouzja is winning.} 30...Nb7 31.Ra8 Qxb6 ( 31...Qb5 {saves the queen , but not the game after} 32.Bh6 ) 32.Bxb6 Rxb6 33.Nd2 Kg7 34.Nc4 Rb4 35.Ne3 Rb6 36.Nd5 $1 {Alireza wraps it up quickly and efficiently.} 36...Bxd5 37.exd5 c5 38.Qa4 Nd6 39.Qd7+ Nf7 40.Ra7 {Both semifinal matches go into the second set tied.} 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Aimchess U.S. Rapi"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.09.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7357815849510"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]

1.e4 {These days Levon Aronian plays as much 1.e4, as his usual closed openings, at least in online games.} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 {One of the ways of sidestepping the Marshall Attack.} 8...Bb7 ( {Aronian himself prefers} 8...b4 {and after} 9.d4 d6 10.dxe5 {he played both} 10...dxe5 ( {and} 10...Nxe5 ) ) 9.d3 {White is trying to keep Black's Bb7 bottled in.} ( {In case of} 9.c3 d5 $1 {is even stronger.} ) 9...Re8 $5 {A clever move order.} ( {Carlsen experimented with} 9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 {against Caruana at Norway Chess 2017, but this line doesn't have good reputation. Robson-Durarbayli, Ulaanbaatar 2018, proved White's advantage after} 11.axb5 axb5 12.Rxa8 Bxa8 13.Nxe5 Nd4 14.Nd2 Bd6 15.c3 Nxb3 16.Nxb3 Re8 17.d4 Nf6 18.Bg5 ) ( {Much more reliable is} 9...d6 {Among many games I can mention the recent encounter Bacrot-Carlsen, World Cup 2021 that saw} 10.Bd2 Qd7 11.Nc3 Na5 12.Ba2 c5 13.Ne2 Nc6 14.Ng3 d5 $1 15.exd5 Nxd5 {Black has already equalized thanks to a little detail,} 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Rxe5 {is met with} 17...Bf6 {winning the b2-pawn. All in all, I'm rather sceptical about the entire Bd2 concept.} ) 10.Bd2 {OK, we'll find out now.} ( {Against Grischuk, Chess.com Speed Chess 2017, Carlsen reacted to} 10.c3 h6 11.Ba2 {with the surprising} 11...b4 12.Nbd2 Bc5 $5 {taking the game into the Arkhangelsk variation, never mind the extra bishop move. My guess is that the modern treatment of the Ruy Lopez allows for a great degree of creativity from both sides.} ) 10...b4 $5 {Black insists on his Na5 idea.} 11.Bg5 ( {In light of the above comment} 11.a5 {makes sense, but then Black can try} 11...d5 $5 12.exd5 Nxd5 {The Marshall again, and what is White going to do about his Nb1?} ) 11...Na5 $1 12.Ba2 {Of course, the bishop has to be preserved.} ( {Black is perfectly happy with} 12.Nxe5 Nxb3 13.cxb3 h6 14.Be3 d5 $1 ) 12...h6 13.Bh4 d6 14.Nbd2 c5 15.Bxf6 $6 {A radical solution to the bishop problem from Aronian. He wanted to develop his play on the light squares, and figured that getting rid of the black knight would be in line with that.} ( {A different scenario can be offered by} 15.h3 g6 16.Nh2 Kg7 17.Nhf1 Nh5 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Ne3 Nf4 {but in this case Black's minor pieces seem to be sufficiently well-placed to meet White's plans.} ) 15...Bxf6 16.Nc4 Nxc4 17.Bxc4 a5 18.g3 ( {A logical continuation of White's precious play would have been} 18.c3 g6 19.Qb3 Re7 20.Bd5 Rb8 21.Bxb7 Rexb7 22.Qd5 {but placing the queen on d5 is not the optimal use of that square. In similar situations from the Najdorf Sicilian Black holds his own by making sure that White's Nf3 doesn't get to improve its position. Here it's accomplished by} 22...bxc3 23.bxc3 Rb2 ) 18...g6 19.h4 $6 {I don't see any sense in pushing the h-pawn forward, because Black is the only one here with kingside prospects.} 19...h5 20.Nd2 Bg7 21.Nf1 ( 21.Bd5 $2 Bxd5 22.exd5 f5 23.Nc4 Rf8 {illustrates the point well. After Ra7-f7 Black will push his f-pawn forward, and the beautifully placed white knight won't be able to help its monarch.} ) 21...Bh6 22.Qf3 Rf8 23.Ne3 Ra7 24.Nd5 ( 24.Bd5 Bc8 25.Nc4 Kg7 {is the same scenario - Black has f7-f5 prepared, while White isn't doing anything in particular.} ) 24...Kg7 25.Rf1 f5 $1 26.exf5 Rxf5 27.Qe2 ( {The only way to support Nd5 was} 27.Qe4 {but White would remain under the pin, and therefore unable to start his counterplay in the center, as seen from} 27...Bc6 28.c3 Raf7 29.d4 exd4 30.cxd4 Qa8 $19 ) 27...Bc6 $1 {Unlike his opponent's Carlsen's play is purposeful and strong.} 28.Rae1 Qa8 29.Ne3 $2 ( 29.Qe4 Raf7 30.f3 g5 $1 {with strong attack in the making.} ) 29...Bf3 30.Qd2 d5 {White might have as well resigned here.} 31.Ba2 Rf8 32.c3 d4 33.cxd4 exd4 34.Qc2 dxe3 35.fxe3 Rc7 36.Qc4 Bg4 37.Rxf8 Qxf8 38.d4 Kh7 39.e4 Bg7 40.Rf1 Bxd4+ 41.Kg2 Qc8 42.Rf7+ Rxf7 43.Qxf7+ Bg7 44.e5 Qf5 0-1

[Event "Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.09.26"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[Beauty "6669434100744"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 ( {The end of the following game is mentioned later in the annotations:} 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 d6 5.g3 c5 6.dxc5 dxc5 7.Bg2 Nc6 8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.Nf3 O-O 10.O-O Re8 11.Bg5 Bxc3 12.Qxc3 Ne4 13.Qe3 Nxg5 14.Nxg5 e5 15.Ne4 Qd4 16.b3 Bg4 17.Nc3 e4 18.Rad1 Qe5 19.Rd2 Rad8 20.Rxd8 Rxd8 21.Nxe4 f5 22.Nc3 Qxe3 23.fxe3 Rd2 24.Rd1 Rc2 25.Rd3 Bxe2 26.Rd8+ Kf7 27.Nxe2 Rxe2 28.Rd7+ Ke6 29.Rxa7 g5 30.Rxh7 Rxa2 31.Rh6+ Ke5 32.Rxc6 Ke4 33.Rxc5 f4 34.exf4 Kf3 35.h3 Ra1+ {1/2-1/2 (35) Lilienthal,A-Smyslov,V Leningrad/Moscow 1941} ) 3...d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 {In the Ragozin defence both players follow an earlier game of theirs, played six years ago.} 7...O-O 8.Rc1 dxc4 9.Bxc4 c5 10.O-O cxd4 11.Ne4 {That is still the previous game.} ( {A recent top-GM game saw a quick draw after} 11.Nxd4 Bd7 12.Qb3 Nc6 13.Nxc6 Bxc3 14.Rxc3 Bxc6 15.Bb5 Bd5 16.Bc4 Bc6 17.Bb5 Bd5 18.Bc4 Bc6 {1/2-1/2 (18) Radjabov,T (2765)-Caruana,F (2820) Bucharest 2021} ) 11...Qe7 12.Nxd4 {Only here does Mamedyarov deviate. He decided to try and win without any strategical risk, in a symmetrical position.} ( {In their earlier game Mamedyarov decided to play with an isolated pawn:} 12.exd4 Rd8 13.Qe2 Nc6 14.Rfd1 {But then Carlsen maneuvered nicely with} 14...Ba5 15.Ng3 Bb6 16.Qe4 Bd7 17.h4 Be8 {and Black had no problems at all, in fact White needs to be careful as it seems, Mamedyarov,S (2748)-Carlsen,M (2834) Doha 2015} ) 12...Bd7 13.Be2 Nc6 14.a3 Ba5 15.Nb3 Bb6 {All of this has been seen before and White comes with a logical novelty.} 16.Qd6 $146 ( {Although the other logical move} 16.Nbc5 Bc8 17.b4 {promised White some edge after} 17...e5 18.Qb3 Bf5 19.Ng3 Bg6 20.Bf3 Rac8 21.Bg4 Rcd8 22.Bf5 {Buhmann,R (2586)-Georgiadis,N (2522) Switzerland 2015} ) 16...Qxd6 17.Nxd6 {In this symmetrical position it is often all about the outposts on the sixth (third) rank. If White has enough time to support this knight with e3-e4-e5 he would secure serious edge. Therefore Carlsen needs to hurry and chase it away as soon as possible.} 17...Rab8 18.Rfd1 ( {After} 18.Nc5 {Black would have proceeded as in the game with} 18...Bxc5 19.Rxc5 Rfd8 ) ( {The other way to put queenside pressure} 18.Bf3 {can be met tactically with} 18...Ne5 $1 19.Bxb7 Nd3 {and Black regains the pawn with comfortable position.} ) 18...Rfd8 {All very logical; the black king is on route to the perfect e7-square.} 19.Nc5 Bxc5 20.Rxc5 Kf8 {No time do get deep into the details and Black follows his plan.} ( {However, the immediate} 20...Ne7 $1 {would have likely equalized at once. The point is that the knight on d5 cuts the support of the opponent's beast on d6 and thus Black can chase it much easier. The other point is that the b7 pawn is not in danger after} 21.Rc7 ( {Or} 21.b4 Nd5 22.e4 b6 23.Rcc1 Ba4 {and it becomes clear that the Nd6 did not get enough support.} ) 21...Nd5 22.Rxb7 Rxb7 23.Nxb7 Rb8 24.Ba6 Bc8 {and it is equal.} ) 21.b4 $1 {It is time to trouble the black pieces.} 21...Ne7 $1 {The best move despite the delay. True, the white pawn is no longer hanging on the b2-square, but there is nothing more constructive than this.} ( {Bad was} 21...Ke7 $2 22.b5 $1 Na5 23.Rc7 {simply paralyzing Black.} ) 22.e4 Ba4 23.Rd3 Nc6 {Carlsen is slowly bringing his pieces out, but he has to watch out for the e4-e5 plan carefully.} ( {He could have chosen instead the counter-attacking approach} 23...Rd7 $5 24.f4 Rbd8 25.e5 g5 $1 {eventually undermining the knight, but this looks too dangerous for the second player.} ) 24.f4 b6 {Possibly blundering White's next idea.} ( {The only way to maintain control of the situation was connected to} 24...e5 $1 25.Bd1 Bxd1 26.Rxd1 f6 {White is still more active, but that was the lesser evil.} ) 25.Rcc3 e5 26.Bd1 $1 {That is the difference, after} 26...Bxd1 27.Rxc6 $1 {Mamedyarov clears the more valuable piece, wins a pawn, and above all-gets an access to the seventh rank.} 27...Ba4 28.Rc7 exf4 29.Rxf7+ Kg8 30.Rxa7 Bc2 31.Rd2 Bb3 32.Kf2 Ra8 $1 {Activity is Black's only chance.} ( {Moves like} 32...g5 {can only make things worse for the second player as the white king can use the freshly opened highway towards the opponent's castle with} 33.Kf3 {Followed by Kf3-g4-h5.} ) 33.Rb7 $1 {Rightly keeping the active rook alive.} 33...Rxa3 34.Rxg7+ {Flashy, in Mamedyarov's style.} ( 34.Rxb6 $1 {would have been even more precise, keeping the solidity of the position. Next the b-pawn marches comfortably to the b7-square.} ) 34...Kxg7 35.Nf5+ Kf6 36.Rxd8 Be6 37.Nd4 Bg4 {As obvious as this move is, it does not bring the desired effect as the bishop can be chased away from the diagonal.} ( {More resilient would have been} 37...Bf7 $1 38.Nf3 Ra2+ {With the idea to meet} 39.Rd2 {With} 39...Rxd2+ 40.Nxd2 Ke5 $1 ) 38.h3 $1 {Mamedyarov not only opens room for his king, but gets rid of the annoying bishop.} 38...Ra2+ 39.Kg1 Bh5 40.Rd5 $1 {Very strong! White is perfectly coordinated.} 40...Bg6 41.Rd6+ ( {In the time-scramble Mamedyarov misses a chance to further spoil the opponent's position with} 41.e5+ $1 Ke7 42.Nc6+ Ke6 ( 42...Kf8 43.Rd4 {wins on the spot.} ) 43.Rd6+ Kf5 44.Rf6+ Kg5 45.Nd4 {and Black can resign.} ) 41...Kf7 {Carlsen is also playing on second and misses a good chance to save himself à la Smyslov!} ( {Had the world champion had half-an-extra minute on his clock he would have no doubt gone for the active defense} 41...Ke5 $1 {When the line} 42.Rxg6 Kxd4 43.Rxb6 ( 43.Rxh6 b5 {is also close to a draw.} ) 43...Kxe4 44.Re6+ Kf5 45.Rxh6 f3 $3 46.gxf3 Kf4 {A miraculous escape, similar to the one from the game Lilienthal-Smyslov, USSR 1941.} ) 42.Nf5 Bxf5 43.exf5 b5 44.Rxh6 {Mamedyarov is carefully finishing the game.} 44...Rb2 45.Rd6 Rxb4 46.Kf2 Rb3 47.Rd4 f3 48.g3 {Just in case!} ( {The more obvious} 48.g4 Kf6 49.h4 {would have won as well.} ) 48...Kf6 49.Rd5 Kg5 50.Rc5 b4 51.Rb5 $1 {Zugzwang! The white pawns are moving.} 51...Kh5 52.f6+ Kg6 53.Rb6 Kf7 54.h4 Kg6 55.h5+ Kf7 56.g4 1-0

[Event "Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.09.27"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[ECO "D85"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8040984086074"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bd2 Nb6 6.e3 Bg7 7.h4 $5 {Harry and George, Duda's favorite buddies. He uses any given moment to push them forward and these guys often help him discover the enemy king and mate it. If we have to be more serious, h2-h4 is a trendy idea in almost every single Semi-Open game and the fianchetto Gruenfeld definitely helps.} 7...c5 $146 {A novelty in return. This temporary pawn sacrifice is often a no-brainer for the Gruenfeld player.} ( {Another recent game of the Polish GM went:} 7...N8d7 8.h5 e5 9.h6 Bf6 10.d5 O-O 11.e4 c6 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.Be3 Bg5 14.Qd2 Bxe3 15.Qxe3 Qe7 16.Nf3 {and aparently White liked his position in Duda,J (2738)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2749) Zagreb 2021} ) ( {Svidler solves the kingside problems in the most cardinal way instead:} 7...h5 8.Nf3 Bg4 9.Qb3 O-O 10.Ng5 e5 11.d5 c6 12.f3 Bc8 13.dxc6 Nxc6 14.Nce4 Qe7 {although in this particular game he did not equalize, Anton Guijarro,D (2675)-Svidler,P (2723) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 8.dxc5 N6d7 9.Na4 {This might not be the most accurate though.} ( {The knight belonged in the center, therefore:} 9.Ne4 $1 {would have been better. Then White does not need to worry about:} 9...Bxb2 ( {Also good for White is:} 9...Nf6 10.Bc3 $1 ) ( {Whereas if Black plays as in the game:} 9...Nc6 {Then:} 10.h5 $1 O-O {Walks Black into a dangerous attack after:} 11.hxg6 hxg6 12.Qg4 Nf6 13.Qh4 {And the white knight is really handy in the center.} ) 10.Rb1 Bg7 11.h5 {with strong initiative.} ) 9...Nc6 10.h5 O-O {Now Mamedyarov can castle, his king is way safer.} 11.hxg6 hxg6 12.Qg4 {Duda still has no other plan but to mate.} 12...Nf6 13.Qh4 Qd5 {Centralization helps Black repel the attack and create threats on his own.} ( {How different we are with the machines illustrates their first choice here:} 13...g5 {Would this occur to you? The point is tactical:} 14.Qxg5 $4 ( {But what's the benefit of the move after the simple retreat:} 14.Qh2 {is hard to tell.} ) 14...Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2 Ne4+ ) 14.Nf3 ( {It was not too late to re-deploy the knight with:} 14.Nc3 $1 {With the idea:} 14...Qxc5 15.Ne4 Qh5 16.Nxf6+ Bxf6 17.Qxh5 gxh5 18.Bc3 {with White's edge.} ) ( 14.Bc3 $5 {looked better than the game too.} ) 14...Bg4 {Mamedyarov starts creating threats of his own.} 15.Bc3 ( {Notice that the white king is also in danger in the middle:} 15.Ng5 $2 Rfd8 ) 15...Rfd8 $1 {Frees the f8 square for the king with a tempo.} 16.Be2 Qe4 17.b3 {Now Black even takes over the initiative.} ( {The complex line:} 17.Ng5 $5 Qxg2 18.Bf1 Qd5 19.f3 {Might have been rejected by Duda due to the powerful discovered attack:} 19...Nh5 $1 {However, this was White's best on the account of the strong:} ( {Not:} 19...Bh5 $2 20.Bc4 ) 20.Kf2 $1 Bxc3 21.Nxc3 Qd2+ 22.Be2 Bf5 23.Nge4 {with unclear game.} ) 17...Nb4 $1 18.Kf1 ( 18.Bxf6 {is too gloomy for White after:} 18...Bxf6 19.Qh7+ Kf8 20.O-O Rd5 $1 ) 18...Rd5 $1 {That is the problem! The rook can be centralized as well and Mamedyarov is counter-attacking now.} 19.Kg1 {This solid move should have lost all of a sudden.} ( {White has to watch now for concerete threas, like:} 19.Qg3 Nc2 20.Rc1 Nxe3+ $1 21.fxe3 Qxe3 {followed by Nf6-e4 and Black's initiative seems crushing.} ) 19...Nc2 {But obsessed with the idea of a sacrifice on e3 Mamedyarov misses a clear win.} ( {Strong was:} 19...Rh5 $1 20.Qg3 Rxh1+ 21.Kxh1 {And now:} 21...Nh5 $1 22.Qh2 Bxc3 23.Nxc3 Qc2 $1 {Leaves White defenseless on the queenside. A piece would drop!} 24.Qe5 Nc6 ) 20.Rf1 Rad8 {A second miss, and this time things become grim for the Azeri GM.} ( {The move:} 20...Rh5 $1 {was still called for! True, it does not win, but neither does it lose and the curious line:} 21.Qg3 Rxh1+ 22.Kxh1 Nh5 23.Qh2 Nxe3 $1 24.fxe3 Qxe3 25.Bxg7 Qxe2 26.Re1 Qf2 27.Qg1 Qxg1+ 28.Kxg1 Bxf3 29.gxf3 Nxg7 30.Rxe7 b6 $1 {leads to an approximately equal endgame almost by force.} ) 21.Bc4 $1 {Finally, it will be the black king that will suffer.} 21...Rd1 ( {This time three is not a lucky charm:} 21...Rh5 {Leads to problems for Black after the beautiful:} 22.Ng5 $1 ( {Or the simple:} 22.Qg3 $1 ) 22...Rxh4 23.Rxh4 $3 Qf5 24.Nxf7 {With likely a winning attack, for instance:} 24...Rd5 25.Bxf6 Kxf7 26.e4 $1 Qxe4 27.Nc3 {and White wins material.} ) 22.Ng5 $1 {So far Duda is accurately conducting the attack.} ( {The impatient:} 22.Bxf7+ $6 {Would have made things more difficult for White due to the cool:} 22...Kf8 $1 23.Bc4 Nxe3 $1 {At last, a chance to sacrifice on e3!} 24.fxe3 Rxf1+ {And Black seems fine after both:} 25.Bxf1 ( {And:} 25.Kxf1 Bxf3 ) 25...Qxe3+ 26.Qf2 Qxf2+ 27.Kxf2 Ne4+ ) 22...Rxf1+ {At least diverting the bishop for a moment.} 23.Bxf1 ( {Of course not:} 23.Kxf1 $4 Rd1+ 24.Be1 Rxe1# ) 23...Qf5 24.Nb2 {White secures the back rank, but this allows Mamedyarov one final chance.} ( {There was no need to overprotect:} 24.Bc4 $1 {would have been better, not fearing:} 24...Rd1+ 25.Kh2 Rxh1+ 26.Kxh1 ) 24...Bh5 {Now Black stands no chance.} ( {But how can a human being find the following masterpiece line in blitz:} 24...Qxc5 $1 25.Bc4 {Now the familiar sacrifice is good:} 25...Nxe3 $1 {To which White has a seemingly convincing refutation:} 26.b4 {But here comes the Boogiman:} ( 26.fxe3 Qxe3+ ) 26...Qxc4 $3 27.Nxc4 Nf5 $3 {Trapping the white queen in return! Is White lost? Nope, there is an equally beautiful revenge:} 28.Qh8+ $3 Bxh8 29.Rxh8+ Kxh8 30.Nxf7+ Kh7 31.Nxd8 {and the contest of creativity should end peacefully!} ) 25.Bc4 e6 26.e4 {Decentralizing the queen and that is more than enough for Duda.} 26...Qxc5 27.Nxe6 $1 {The final blow.} 27...fxe6 28.Bxf6 Rd2 29.Bxe6+ Kh7 30.Bxg7 Kxg7 31.Qf4 {Forcing the queen trade, a practical convertion.} 31...Qd6 32.Qxd6 Rxd6 33.Bd5 Nb4 34.Nc4 Rd7 35.f3 {And finally trapping the bishop. It is always a pleasure watching these two compete against each other!} 1-0

[Event "Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.09.28"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "A85"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7427072204369"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c6 4.e3 Bd6 5.Nc3 f5 {In a must-win situation Giri chooses the Stonewall.} 6.Ne5 Nf6 7.Be2 O-O 8.O-O Bd7 {Giri chooses to maneuver his bishop on the kingside, the most aggressive option.} ( {The modern plan in the line develops this bishop with a finachetto:} 8...b6 9.Rb1 a5 10.a3 Ba6 11.b4 axb4 12.axb4 Bxc4 13.Nxc4 dxc4 14.Bxc4 Nd5 15.Bd2 {with solid position for Black in Yilmaz,M (2630)-Nisipeanu,L (2655) Playchess. com INT 2020} ) 9.f4 {The most unpleasant approach by Aronian, taking into consideration the match situation. The blocked nature of the position allows him a chance to develop pressure without too much risk.} 9...Be8 10.Bd2 Nbd7 11.Be1 $146 {That's a novelty, but it is quite an obvious move as well. The bishop is heading to a better position, just like the black Be8 earlier.} ( {In the predecessor White expanded on the queenside at once with:} 11.Rb1 Qe7 12.c5 Bc7 13.b4 a6 14.a4 Ne4 15.Nxe4 dxe4 16.b5 axb5 17.axb5 Nf6 18.Qb3 Bxe5 19.fxe5 Nd5 {But the black powerful knight held his position together, Frendzas,P (2390)-Tchantcev,C (2000) Kavala 1997} ) 11...a5 {Disrupts the queenside expansion.} 12.Rc1 {Prepares a timely trade on d5.} 12...Ne4 {And Giri finds nothing else but to try and seize some space in return.} 13.Nxe4 dxe4 14.c5 {So does Aronian.} 14...Be7 ( {Objectively:} 14...Nxe5 {Was a better choice, but how to play for a win after:} 15.dxe5 Be7 16.Qxd8 Bxd8 17.Bf2 ) 15.Qb3 Nxe5 {This is forced.} ( {Otherwise Black cannot defend his e6 pawn:} 15...Bf7 16.Nxf7 Kxf7 17.Bc4 ) 16.dxe5 Qc8 17.Bg3 h6 {Giri's plan is obvious. He prepares Kg8-h7(h8), followed by Rf8-g8 and finally g7-g5.} ( {After:} 17...Bf7 {White would have likely continued as in the game:} 18.Rfd1 Rd8 19.Rd6 $1 ) 18.Rfd1 Kh7 {While watching the game online I had no doubts what Aronian will play next.} 19.Rd6 $1 {The only surprising thing was that he took more than a minute on his clock to slam the rook deep into the opponent's camp. Giri will have to accept the sacrifice sooner or later, or else his pawn on e6 would be exposed once again.} ( {The computer suggestion:} 19.Rd4 Rg8 {leaves Black doing his kingside thing unhindered.} ) 19...Bf7 ( {The immediate capture:} 19...Bxd6 {Can be met as in the game:} 20.cxd6 ( {However, White had an additional choice:} 20.exd6 Bf7 21.Qc3 {and once that the long diagonal is seized he can combine the kingside threats with teh advance of his super-passer.} ) 20...Rg8 21.a4 $1 ( {Or the immediate:} 21.Be1 $1 ) ) 20.a4 $1 {An important move in Aronian's plan. He fixes a weakness on a dark square, knowing that Black will soon miss the bishop on that color.} 20...Bxd6 21.cxd6 ( {Not:} 21.exd6 e5 $1 ) 21...Rg8 22.Qb6 {White keeps his bishop on the kingside for the defense.} ( {Although he could have gone for the pawn with:} 22.Be1 g5 23.Rc5 ) 22...g5 {There is nothing else left.} 23.Rc5 Rg7 24.Rxa5 Rxa5 25.Qxa5 Qe8 $1 {All forces are joining the kingside efforts.} ( {The attempt to open files on the queenside:} 25...b5 $5 {would fail due to:} 26.Qc7 Qxc7 27.dxc7 Rg8 28.Be1 $1 {and White is complete control on the queenside.} ) 26.Qb6 ( {A tad more accurate seemed:} 26.Qd2 $5 {In order to divert the black queen from its active position first:} 26...Qd7 {Then gain queenside space with:} 27.b4 ) 26...Bh5 27.Bc4 {The most active choice as always.} ( 27.Bf1 Bd1 ) 27...Bd1 28.b3 Bc2 29.a5 gxf4 {Finally Giri opens the g-file and White has to be careful.} 30.exf4 $1 ( {The other capture might have led to a draw in the line:} 30.Bxf4 Qh5 31.Qd4 Bxb3 $1 32.Bxb3 Rxg2+ 33.Kxg2 Qe2+ {with a perpetual. Not that Aronian would have objected this result, but still...} ) 30...Qh5 {There is no more obvious an dlogical move than that, but it transpires that White can cover every single squre now.} ( {The computer somehow holds the fort with:} 30...Bd3 $1 31.Bxd3 exd3 32.Qd4 Qa8 $1 33.Qxd3 Qxa5 34.h3 c5 35.Bh4 Qa2 {For example:} 36.Qf3 Qd2 37.Bf6 Rf7 38.Kh2 Rxf6 $1 39.exf6 Kg6 {But this is not convincing, White should have better continuations along the lines.} ) 31.Qe3 $1 {Just in time. All Aronian needs is to swap the queens when his grand-d-passer-strategy would be finally crowned.} 31...Qd1+ 32.Qe1 Qd4+ ( 32...Qxe1+ 33.Bxe1 {is hopelss for Black.} ) 33.Bf2 Qb2 34.Bxe6 e3 $1 {The last try.} 35.Qxe3 $1 {Rejected.} ( {It was not too late for fall into the trap:} 35.Bxe3 Rxg2+ $1 36.Kxg2 Be4+ 37.Kh3 Qg2+ 38.Kh4 Qg4# ) 35...Be4 36.g3 Qb1+ 37.Be1 Qd1 ( {Or:} 37...Qc2 38.Qd2 ) 38.Bc4 h5 39.Qe2 Qd4+ 40.Kf1 Kh6 41.Qd2 {The queen swap is forced, and so is the win.} 41...Qxd2 42.Bxd2 h4 43.e6 hxg3 44.hxg3 1-0

[Event "Champions Showdown Chess 9LX"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2021.09.08"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2817"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "France"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1.b4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.d4 exd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 {Amazingly, this is a mistake. Excellent idea. The impression is that So will quickly regain the exchange with the b4-b5 move and the fork on e7. And now that everyone expect the fork on e7 there comes... What an amazing idea!! White is not mating instantly, and nevertheless his attack is crushing, despite the missing rook. The knight cannot be ignored. The dark squares cannot be defended. A silent, but violent inclusion. Besides the rook lift, White also threatens to push his h-pawn all the way to h6. Vachier-Lagrave is trying to clear the path for his queen as quickly as possible. Ironically, hadn't he castled yet he would have been safe as he could have still castled on the opposite wing. So is cashing in and starts converting the extra piece. Best defense. Unfortunately for Black it is once more his king that suffers badly. So did not feel at first how badly the black king is positioned. This only helps White build the mating net. That is it, the king will not escape!} ( {Somewhat more flexible seems Error reading move: Ne6 when the black queenside knight is flexible and ready to hop on the c5-square anytime White pushes his b-pawn.} ) ( {After White is also somewhat better, and this almost looks like a normal opening position.} ) ( {The fork is unstoppable: only works for White after and the additional asymmetry only helps the bishops.} ) ( {The obvious is also better for White.} ) ( {As in the line White's attack is surprisingly powerful, albeit positional. White simply wants to bring his pieces out when the opponent's kingside collapses. For instance and White regains everything with interest.} ) ( {The other way to attack was and that should also be sufficient.} ) ( {Black is lost after} ) ( {would have done the job as well.} ) ( {Even stronger was continuing the attack in the endgame.} ) ( {Neater would have been as the two bishops are in total command.} ) ( {As is too grim for Black.} ) ( {Stronger was} ) ( {The most resilient defense was bringing the king out with realistic chances for survival.} ) ( {Otherwise he would have caged it in for good with} ) ( {The king is still in prison in the line} ) ( {was more accurate instead.} ) ( {The last chance was to flee as quick as he can with when White's win is not a certainty any more.} ) 1-0

[Event "Champions Showdown Chess 9LX 2021"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2021.09.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 {The opening setup is ripe for a Slav Defense. Error reading move: Ne3 Kasparov challenges the knight at once but in the process weakens both his c-pawn and the square in front of it. That is likely what Black expected. Aronian is also playing for the initiative.} ( {The immediate could have transposed into the game.} ) ( {White could have also opted for a gain of queenside space with When Black is doing OK after say} ) ( {If leads to slightly unpleasant symmetrical Slav type of position for Black.} ) ( {The position without the knight pair after is comfortable for the second player.} ) ( {However, the sudden retreat promises a better chance of exposing the black weaknesses.} ) ( {He certainly could have kept material parity with but here Black looks too comfortable with his active pieces out.} ) ( {Since White is not yet threatening to take, there is an argument for when Black can choose from} ) 0-1

[Event "Champions Showdown Chess 9LX 2021"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2021.09.10"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

{After a fantastic performance on day two, Garry Kasparov could not hide his emotions and did not miss a chance to quip, slightly modifying the famous Mark Twain quote: \"The rumors of my (chess) death have been slightly exaggerated.\" The chess world stood still awaiting more from the Legend. And the next round did not disappoint.} 
1.c4 {The computer chose a position with two bishops aligned next to each other, ready to jump on the opponent's queensides, and perhaps Svidler had a better way to use them. And this can be qualified as an opening mistake in the future Chess960 books ;) Immediately putting pressure on the c4-pawn. Kasparov prepares for central massive pressure. Kasparov is consistent with his central strategy, which also promises him good play. Blocking his own bishop. Apparently Svidler believed that the other pawn push is weakening his king too much. Now Black has a perfect Dutch.} ( {He could have immediately launched a queenside assault with} 1.f4 {The pawn on a7 is under attack, and things could quickly escalate like in the line} 1...f5 {Error reading move: Ba7 and it is a total mess just after six moves!} ) ( {It is not too late for} ) ( {The play for domination also makes perfect sense:} ) ( {Once more makes sense.} ) ( {For now Black could have once more taken the initiative with with the point} ) ( {Nevertheless is stronger with approximate equality after} ) ( {Black could have also ignored the threat as does not work due to} ) 0-1

[Event "Chess 2021"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "5224961980959"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.O-O Nge7 5.Re1 b6 {Carlsen is in for a fast development.} ( {Korobov chose instead to challenge the white bishop at once with} 5...a6 6.Bf1 Ng6 7.c3 Be7 8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 10.e5 O-O 11.Nc3 f6 12.exf6 Bxf6 13.Be3 Bd7 14.Bd3 Rc8 {with a weird French in Giri,A (2776)-Korobov,A (2683) Zagreb 2021} ) 6.d4 $146 {An obvious novelty.} ( {An email game went} 6.c3 a6 7.Ba4 b5 8.Bc2 Bb7 9.d4 cxd4 10.cxd4 Ng6 11.Nc3 Na5 12.g3 Rc8 13.h4 {Nemchenko,V (2470)-Babic,D (2408) ICCF email 2014} ) 6...cxd4 {This is needed.} ( {As} 6...a6 7.Bxc6 Nxc6 8.d5 $1 {is strong for White.} ) 7.Nxd4 Bb7 {Also an accurate move. Black postpones the typical Taimanov trade.} ( {With both knights standing on each other's road Black wants to get rid of them as a rule with} 7...Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Nc6 {However here White can pressurize thanks to} 9.Bxc6 dxc6 10.Qc3 $1 ) 8.Nc3 a6 9.Bf1 Nxd4 {Now he can.} 10.Qxd4 Nc6 11.Qe3 Bc5 ( 11...Qc7 {is perhaps a tad more accurate.} ) 12.Qg3 O-O 13.e5 {Firouzja takes the f6- square away from the black queen, while opening the road for his knight.} ( {Since} 13.Bh6 {is met with} 13...Qf6 ) ( {There was an idea to capitalize on Black's last move with} 13.Na4 $5 {When} 13...Bd4 14.Be3 Bxe3 15.Qxe3 b5 16.Nc5 {promises White better chances thanks to his dark-squared control.} ) 13...f5 $1 {The white knight should not be allowed to e4 for free.} 14.exf6 Rxf6 15.Bg5 {Forcing matters.} ( {Black does not experience any problems in case of} 15.Ne4 Rg6 16.Bg5 Be7 17.Bxe7 Nxe7 ) 15...Rxf2 $1 {Everything else loses.} ( {For example} 15...Bxf2+ 16.Qxf2 Rxf2 17.Bxd8 Rxf1+ $1 ) 16.Bxd8 Rf3+ 17.Kh1 Rxg3 18.Bxb6 {Very natural, winning a pawn. And a mistake!} ( {After} 18.hxg3 Rxd8 19.Ne4 Be7 20.Rad1 {Black has decent compensation for the exchange but this was the way to play it.} ) 18...Bxb6 19.hxg3 Bf2 ( {The drawback of the pawn grabbing would have been revealed by the move} 19...Rf8 $1 {Unequivocally aiming at the h-file. Then} 20.Re4 ( {Mate is not a joke as the line} 20.Rad1 Rf6 21.Re4 g5 $1 {confirms.} ) 20...Nd4 21.Rf4 Nf5 $1 {Brings another attacker in, and Black is clearly on top} 22.Kh2 Rf6 ) 20.Re2 ( 20.Re4 $1 {was more accurate on the account of the above-mentioned threat.} ) 20...Bxg3 ( {This was the last moment for} 20...Rf8 $1 {True, this time White has} 21.Rd1 Rf6 22.Rxf2 $1 Rxf2 23.Ne4 Rxc2 24.Rxd7 Rxb2 25.Nc5 Na5 {which should be likely a draw.} ) 21.Ne4 {Now Firouzja consolidates and his extra exchange matters.} 21...Be5 22.Nc5 Bc8 23.c3 d6 24.Ne4 ( {Also interesting was the pressure against the black pawns with} 24.Nd3 Bf6 25.Nf4 Kf7 ) 24...Kf7 25.Rd1 ( {Here too, a sudden retreat} 25.Nd2 $1 d5 26.Nf3 Bf4 27.c4 $1 {would have successfully pressurized the black center.} ) 25...Ke7 26.g3 Rb8 27.Bg2 d5 {That is questionable. Firouzja wants to see these pawns fixed without a doubt.} ( 27...Nd8 $5 {followed by Nd8-f7 looked more in the spirit of the position.} ) 28.Nc5 Kd6 29.b4 {Putting pressure on the world champion.} 29...a5 30.a3 axb4 31.axb4 Ra8 32.Ne4+ Kc7 33.b5 dxe4 {Most likely a blunder.} ( {Carlsen had better chances surviving with} 33...Nd8 $5 34.Ng5 Bxg3 35.c4 Kb6 $5 ( {Or} 35...Ra3 $5 ) ) 34.Rxe4 $1 {This might have been missed by the world champion.} ( {He probably expected something along the lines of} 34.bxc6 Bxg3 35.Rf1 g5 36.Rf7+ Kd6 $1 ) 34...Ra3 35.Rc4 Rxc3 36.Rxc3 Bxc3 37.Rc1 $1 {Not even allowing the bishop pair to his mighty opponent!} ( {Strong enough seemed} 37.Bxc6 $5 Bf6 38.Kg2 Kb6 39.Kf3 e5 40.Ke4 {when the chances of a win for White and a draw seem about equal.} ) 37...Na7 {Best.} ( {Carlsen quickly figured out that his king will be in a mating cage after} 37...Bf6 38.Rxc6+ Kb8 39.b6 ) 38.Rxc3+ Kb6 39.Bc6 ( {Strong was the immediate infiltration with} 39.Rf3 $1 Nxb5 40.Rf7 {when White should be able to convert.} ) 39...e5 {It is Carlsen's turn to miss a resource.} ( {He could have saved himself a lot of trouble with} 39...Nxb5 $1 40.Bxb5 Bb7+ {This in-between check is the key!} 41.Kh2 Kxb5 {and the draw is inevitable.} ) 40.Kg1 Bf5 41.Be8 g6 42.Kf2 {Now after another consolidation Firouzja is winning.} 42...h5 43.Ra3 $1 {The invaders are coming.} 43...g5 ( 43...Nxb5 {is of course never possible due to} 44.Rb3 ) 44.Ra6+ Kb7 45.Rf6 Be4 46.Re6 h4 47.g4 $1 {Excellent technique! White wants to win both the enemy pawns.} ( {After} 47.gxh4 gxh4 48.Rxe5 Bh1 {Black can at least hope.} ) 47...Nc8 48.Rxe5 Nd6 49.Bd7 {Up to here Firouzja did a great job converting, but just a step away from the win starts missing the decisive continuations.} ( {There were two convincing wins} 49.Bc6+ $1 Bxc6 50.bxc6+ Kxc6 51.Kg2 {picks up both the black pawns.} ) ( {And the other is equally good:} 49.Re6 $1 Kc7 50.b6+ ) 49...Kc7 50.Be6 ( {Here and on the next move the maneuver} 50.Bf5 $1 Bb7 51.Bd3 {would have still won for White.} ) 50...Bb7 51.Ke3 {The last wrong step, made with just seconds on the clock. Now Carlsen escapes.} ( 51.Bf5 $1 ) 51...h3 52.Rxg5 ( {Firouzja likely missed that in the line} 52.Bd5 {Black does not need to go for} 52...Bxd5 ( {Neither will he try} 52...h2 53.Re7+ $1 Kd8 54.Rxb7 {when White is again winning.} ) ( {But he would rather save himself thanks to the pretty} 52...Nc4+ $3 53.Bxc4 h2 $11 ) 53.Rxd5 h2 54.Rd1 ) 52...h2 53.Rh5 h1=Q {And the draw became inevitable.} 54.Rxh1 Bxh1 55.g5 Be4 56.Kd4 Bh7 57.Ke5 Ne4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess 2021"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.08"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[ECO "C34"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[Beauty "8250384713272"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 e5 2.f4 {As expected, the armaggedon part is the most exciting in Stavanger. And what can be a better occasion than that to demonstrate and advertise your recent online course $1 This is what is Nepomniachtchi doing and Firouzja is either completely unprepared for what comes next, or had mixed up something in his preparation.} 2...exf4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e5 Nh5 5.d4 d6 6.Qe2 {This move is the reason to choose the Gambit of the Kings.} ( {Apparently Nepomniachtchi is not eager to repeat this game:} 6.Bc4 Nc6 7.d5 Nxe5 8.Nxe5 Qh4+ 9.Kf1 dxe5 10.Bb5+ Kd8 11.Qe1 Ng3+ {0-1 McShane,L (2674)-Indjic,A (2607) Online 2021} ) 6...dxe5 7.Nxe5 Qh4+ 8.g3 $1 {Not slowing down at all. It is better to sacrifice material than to slow down the attack.} 8...Nxg3 9.hxg3 Qxh1 10.Bxf4 {Up to here both players are following Nepomniachtchi's course.} 10...Be6 $146 {This move is a novelty, and... a losing mistake $1} ( {White also did great in an email game after:} 10...Bb4+ 11.Nd2 Bxd2+ 12.Bxd2 O-O 13.O-O-O Qd5 14.Bb4 {Marchisotti,M (2274) -Wettering,G (1972) ICCF email 2006} ) ( {\"One needs to know\"} 10...Bd6 $3 11.Ng6+ ( 11.Nc3 {is perhaps what White was planning anyway.} ) 11...Be6 12.Nxh8 {\"and this is much worse for White.\" (Nepomniachtchi) But he added that he was not planning to take the rook.} ) 11.Nc3 $1 {White's motto is initiative and initiative $1 The threat of d4-d5 is unstoppable.} 11...g5 $5 {A creative way to kick his opponent from the right plan.} ( {Even} 11...c6 {would not slow White down:} 12.d5 $1 cxd5 13.Qb5+ Nd7 14.Nxd7 Bxd7 15.Qxb7 Rd8 16.O-O-O {and White wins.} ) ( {Whereas} 11...Be7 12.O-O-O O-O {saves the king but leaves her Majesty exposed:} 13.Bg2 Qh2 14.Rh1 ) 12.d5 $1 {Just following the grand scheme of exposing the king and mating it.} ( 12.Bxg5 Bh6 {is not what Black was hoping.} ) 12...gxf4 13.dxe6 Bd6 ( {After} 13...fxe6 {the most precise is} 14.Qc4 Qh6 15.Qxc7 Qg7 16.Bb5+ {White always attacks with threats.} ) ( {The most stubborn defense was} 13...Bh6 {At least depriving the white king from castling, although here too Black should not survive after} 14.exf7+ Kf8 15.Rd1 Nc6 16.Rd7 ) 14.O-O-O $1 ( 14.Nxf7 {would have won as well, but the move in the game is far more aesthetic.} ) 14...Qh6 ( {Still, it made sense for Firouzja to try and secure his king with} 14...fxe6 {Then White at least had to find the brilliant} 15.Ng4 $3 O-O ( {After} 15...Kf7 {Many move win, like} 16.Bg2 ( 16.Re1 $1 ) ( 16.Ne4 $1 ) 16...Qh5 17.Rh1 Qg5 18.Ne4 Qg7 19.Nh6+ ) 16.Bg2 {and wins.} ) 15.Qb5+ {Suddenly the danger comes from the queenside.} 15...Nc6 16.Nxf7 Qxe6 17.Bc4 $1 {Once again beautiful and strong $1 The game is a model of the power of the development.} ( {It all gets very messy if White allows his opponent a chance to castle:} 17.Nxh8 O-O-O ) 17...Qe3+ ( 17...Qxf7 18.Bxf7+ Kxf7 19.Qf5+ {is hopeless for Black of course.} ) 18.Kb1 Qc5 ( {The rook cannot escape due to} 18...Rf8 19.Nxd6+ cxd6 20.Qxb7 ) ( {Neither does the desperate try} 18...O-O 19.Qg5# ) 19.Nxd6+ cxd6 20.Qxb7 Qxc4 ( 20...Rd8 21.Qf7# ) 21.Qxa8+ Nd8 {Nepomniachtchi quickly finishes the exposed black king:} 22.Re1+ Kf7 23.Qxa7+ Kg6 24.gxf4 Qc5 25.Rg1+ {A brilliant game in the spirit of the old masters $1} 1-0

[Event "Chess 2021"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.10"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "D78"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7629069890055"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.Nf3 {One of two long awaited pre-WCC clashes took place today and two major openings were discussed. The Berlin was Nepomniachtchi's choice against 1. e2-e4 and in this game the world champion tested his semi-closed preparation.} 1...Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.c4 c6 6.b3 Ne4 7.d4 {From the Reti into the Grunfeld, another opening we will likely witness in Dubai.} 7...O-O 8.Bb2 a5 {A typical relieving maneuver.} 9.Nc3 Bf5 10.e3 Nxc3 11.Bxc3 Be4 {It seems as Black is very close to the equality but some reefs still need to be avoided.} 12.Qe2 a4 ( 12...Nd7 $6 13.cxd5 $1 cxd5 14.Qb5 Qc7 15.Rfc1 {was nice for White in the very recent game Carlsen,M (2847)-Duda,J (2738) Online 2021} ) 13.Rfc1 axb3 ( {Black was suffering after} 13...Nd7 14.Bh3 $1 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 e6 16.Qe2 axb3 17.axb3 Rxa1 18.Rxa1 Qb6 19.Qc2 Qc7 20.Ra7 {in the recent game Oparin,G (2655)-Mamedov,R (2654) Online 2021} ) 14.axb3 Rxa1 15.Rxa1 Qb6 $5 $146 {Both sides are putting as much pressure on the queenside as they can. Carlsen called this a \"strange\" move.} ( {Curiously, in an earlier game Black took actions on the opposite wing and held the balance after} 15...c5 $1 {Carlsen remarked about this: \"I think I've been tricked like this before in some game!\"'} 16.Qb2 cxd4 17.Bxd4 Bxd4 18.exd4 Nc6 19.c5 e6 20.Nd2 Bxg2 21.Kxg2 Qf6 22.Nf3 g5 23.h3 h5 24.Qc3 Qf5 25.Re1 Ra8 {1/2-1/2 Nikolic,P (2648)-Kempinski,R (2586) Antalya 2004} ) 16.b4 Nd7 {This obvious move seems to be the reason for Nepomniachtchi's problems.} ( {Stronger was to separate the white pawn chain with} 16...dxc4 $1 17.Qxc4 {followed by either} 17...Na6 ( {Or} 17...Nd7 {and in both cases the knight will march forward the d5 outpost.} ) ) 17.c5 $1 {Carlsen wouldn't miss a chance to grind anyone.} 17...Qc7 18.Ra7 Qb8 {It seems as Nepomniachtchi was following a relatively forcing line where he believed he would equalize.} ( {The passive defense} 18...Rb8 {can be met with either} 19.Qa2 ( {Or even better, play à la Oparin:} 19.Bh3 $5 Bxf3 20.Qxf3 e6 21.Qd1 {with a pleasant edge for Black.} ) 19...Qc8 20.Nd2 ) 19.Qa2 Bxf3 {In order to clear the e5-square.} ( {The defense} 19...Bd3 20.Bh3 e6 {was the better choice in hindsight, as the constant threat of Bd3-a6 would force White to retreat. True, Carlsen is still better in the line but Black's resources are not exhausted.} ) ( 19...e5 {Peter,Doggers} 20.Nxe5 Nxe5 21.Bxe4 dxe4 22.dxe5 Rd8 23.b5 {is another overwhelming advantage.} ) 20.Bxf3 e5 21.b5 {Carlsen is not afraid of ghosts.} ( {Also interesting was} 21.Qa5 $5 exd4 22.Bxd4 Bxd4 23.exd4 Nf6 {with an edge for White.} ) 21...e4 {Based on an oversight.} ( {Black had to try} 21...exd4 22.Bxd4 Bxd4 ( {or} 22...Ne5 23.Bg2 Nc4 ) 23.exd4 Nf6 {although White is clearly better here too.} ) 22.Be2 Nxc5 {This trick is what Nepomniachtchi was hoping for, but it backfires.} ( {True, the passive defense} 22...Qc8 {would no longer help after} 23.bxc6 bxc6 ( {Or} 23...Qxc6 24.Qb3 ) 24.Ba5 {and Black's queenside crumbles.} ) 23.Bb4 $1 {Not sure what Nepomniachtchi missed, but now he is completely lost.} 23...Na6 24.Bxf8 Bxf8 25.Rxb7 $1 {Rude and effective!} ( {There was also the cute win} 25.b6 $1 Nb4 26.Rxb7 $1 Qxb7 27.Qa7 {and the pawn is unstoppable.} ) 25...Qxb7 26.Qxa6 Qb8 ( {No time for} 26...Qxa6 27.bxa6 ) 27.Qxc6 Qd6 28.Qxd6 {Carlsen quickly liquidates into an endgame which he knows he is winning. An elegant effectiveness.} ( {A tad more accurate seemed} 28.Qb7 $1 Be7 29.Bd1 $1 Bd8 30.Bb3 ) 28...Bxd6 29.Bd1 Bc7 30.Bb3 Kg7 31.Bxd5 f5 32.g4 $1 {Carlsen creates one more weakness.} 32...Kf6 ( {The most resilient} 32...h5 {would not have saved Black neither.} ) 33.h4 h6 34.Kg2 Bd8 35.h5 $1 {The point behind White's play, the e4 pawn falls.} 35...fxg4 36.hxg6 Kxg6 37.Bxe4+ Kg5 38.f4+ Kf6 ( {Or} 38...gxf3+ 39.Kxf3 {and the passers move with ease.} ) 39.Kg3 h5 40.Kh4 Ba5 41.b6 1-0

[Event "Chess 2021"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.12"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[ECO "B33"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[Beauty "6737214052390"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 {Carlsen goes for the Sveshnikov that he successfully used both in his match against Caruana and against Karjakin as well.} 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Nd5 Nxd5 8.exd5 Ne7 9.c4 Ng6 10.Qa4 Bd7 11.Qb4 Qb8 {The main move.} ( {The last time the two played, Carlsen slightly surprised his opponent with} 11...Bf5 12.h4 h5 {to which Karjakin came up with a novelty:} 13.Bg5 $146 {Karjakin improved on the previous game} ( {which was also one of the London WCC games:} 13.Be3 a6 14.Nc3 Qc7 15.g3 Be7 16.f3 Nf8 17.Ne4 Nd7 {Caruana,F (2832)-Carlsen, M (2835) London 2018} ) 13...Qb8 14.Be2 a6 15.Nc3 Qc7 16.g3 Be7 17.Be3 e4 {Carlsen did not dwell on the opening too much, but he mentioned that the computer almost always likes White. Apparently, the analysis of the world champion went quite deep and included the sacrifice of the h5-pawn.} 18.O-O O-O 19.Bxh5 Ne5 20.Be2 Qd7 {\"I quite like this as I am setting up some Bf5-g4 ideas.\" (Carlsen) Black's compensation is based on the weakness of the light squares around the enemy king. Later the pawn on e4 is a pivotal point around what the second players does. It provides wonderful outposts for the black knight, one of which is way too deep in White's position. Black won eventually.} ) 12.h4 {The principled continuation. Karjakin praised his opponent after the game for his great understanding of the arising positions, but nevertheless dared to enter the principled line.} 12...h5 13.Be3 a6 14.Nc3 Be7 ( {Another game that Carlsen won convincingly went} 14...f5 15.O-O-O Be7 16.g3 O-O 17.Be2 e4 {Van Foreest, J (2612)-Carlsen,M (2835) Wijk aan Zee 2019. As you can see Black is ready to sacrifice the h-pawn in these lines.} ) ( {Black won a crucial rapid game with} 14...a5 15.Qb3 a4 16.Qd1 Be7 17.g3 Qc8 18.Be2 Bg4 19.Rc1 Bxe2 20.Qxe2 Qf5 {Caruana,F (2832)-Carlsen,M (2835) London 2018} ) 15.g3 O-O 16.Be2 b5 $1 {\"Now he not only sacrifices the h- but the b-pawn as well.\" (Karjakin)} 17.cxb5 axb5 18.Bxh5 {\"I was not happy with Bxh5. I was not impressed, I would say.\" (Karjakin)} ( {But what else?} 18.O-O Bd8 {is very comfortable for Black.} ) ( {Whereas} 18.Bxb5 $6 Bg4 {leaves the white kingside unattended.} ) 18...Bd8 $146 {A strong maneuver that brings the black bishop out and a novelty at the same time.} ( 18...Rc8 19.Rc1 Bd8 20.Bxg6 fxg6 21.O-O Ba5 22.Qb3 Bxc3 23.Rxc3 Rxc3 24.bxc3 {1/2-1/2 (24) Pecka,J (2429)-Pravec,L (2380) ICCF email 2016} ) 19.O-O Ne7 $1 {The second point behind Carlsen's maneuver. The knight is threatening to sharply increase its power when it lands on the f5-square. Karjakin anticipated it and had in mind to defend with} 20.Bg5 ( 20.Bg4 {loses to} 20...Ba5 {(Karjakin)} ) ( {Whereas after} 20.Be2 Nf5 {White was afraid that he would lose his strong bishop after} 21.Bxb5 Nxe3 22.fxe3 {Indeed Black has a big attack on the kingside coming after} 22...Bh3 23.Rf2 f5 ) 20...Ba5 21.Qb3 Nf5 22.Ne2 {That was White's pawn. He is at least covering the d4-square. However, Carlsen finishes his development:} 22...Bb6 {And it became obvious that he has skillfully outplayed his opponent. All the black light pieces are excellent, and next the majors will follow.} 23.Rac1 ( {Or} 23.Qf3 Qb7 {and Black keeps mounting pressure.} ) 23...Ra4 $1 {Underestimated by Karjakin. Now the threat is to kick the bishop away with tempo with g7-g6, followed by the sharp e5-e4-e3 break.} 24.Rc6 $1 {\"I could not see a move.\" (Karjakin) Thus, the Russian GM came up with a brilliant sacrifice, the best practical chance in the situation.} ( {An example of the above-mentioned plan is seen in the line} 24.a3 g6 25.Bf3 e4 26.Bg2 e3 27.fxe3 Re8 28.Rxf5 Bxf5 ) 24...Bxc6 {\"Now instead of attacking, Black will have to defend.\" (Karjakin)} ( {Surprisingly, the materialistic machine considers the move in the game a mistake and suggests instead either} 24...Bc5 $1 ) ( {Or} 24...Qa7 $1 {ignoring the rook while concentrating on his attack.} ) 25.dxc6 Rc4 26.a4 Nd4 {A surprising decision.} ( {White expected} 26...Rxa4 27.Bg6 ( {Another plausible idea would be to bring the rook in with} 27.Rc1 Qa7 {with the idea} 28.c7 ( {Stronger is} 28.Kg2 $1 {with a possible amazing forcing line:} 28...Bxf2 29.c7 Rc4 30.Rxc4 bxc4 31.Qxc4 Bc5 32.Qxf7+ Rxf7 33.Bxf7+ Kxf7 34.c8=Q Nd4 {and suddenly it is equal!} ) 28...Bxc7 29.Qc2 {(Karjakin) However, in this line he missed} 29...g6 $1 ) ( {And a third idea was} 27.Nc3 Rc4 28.Qxb5 {But here too, he blundered in his preliminary calculations.} 28...Rc5 ( {For Black can with thanks to the little tactics} 28...Rxc3 $1 29.bxc3 Bxf2+ ) 29.Qd3 Nd4 {(Karjakin)} ) 27...Nd4 28.Nxd4 Bxd4 29.Be7 Rc4 30.Bd3 Rxc6 {(Karjakin) The computer evaluates the position as equal.} ) 27.Nxd4 Bxd4 28.axb5 d5 {Perhaps this pawn has to stay where it is. The position is hugely irrational, and Black's last move weakens the c-file.} ( {\"Of course, he had\"} 28...Rxc6 29.Be7 {\"with a draw\" (Karjakin), but apparently Black has to suffer for it.} ) 29.Rc1 $1 {...which White immediately uses. Without the super-rook on c4, the white pawns become enormously powerful. Karjakin felt that he is already better.} 29...Rxc1+ 30.Bxc1 Qb6 31.Be3 $3 {Also a very strong decision by Karjakin. He keeps limiting the opponent's counterplay.} 31...Bxe3 32.fxe3 Rd8 33.Kg2 g6 34.Be2 {White was not sure about this move.} ( {Indeed} 34.Bg4 {would be stronger in order to provoke a weakening of the opponent's king} 34...f5 35.Bf3 e4 36.Be2 Kh7 37.Qc3 {when White should be able to convert combining the pawn queenside play with an attack against the enemy king.} ) 34...Kg7 35.Qc3 d4 36.exd4 exd4 37.Qd3 $1 {Another very strong decision by the Russian GM. He does not want to let this pawn make a move as this will open the floodgates for the enemy major pieces.} ( {Even at the cost of the pawn itself, Black's play might become annoying:} 37.Qc4 d3 $1 38.Qc3+ f6 39.Bxd3 Qe3 {leads to conversion problems, e.g} 40.c7 Rxd3 41.Qxd3 ( {White may even lose if he is too greedy} 41.c8=Q $4 Qf3+ 42.Kg1 Rd1+ ) 41...Qxd3 42.c8=Q Qe2+ {and a perpetual.} ) 37...Qa5 38.Qc2 {This, however, misses the clear win.} ( {It is a good moment to weaken the black king with} 38.h5 $1 gxh5 39.Bxh5 {Then once more White can combine the threats of a queenside promotion with kingside mate as in the line} 39...Qc7 40.Qc4 $1 {Often one of the threats is to capture on f7.} 40...d3 41.b6 Qxb6 42.Qxf7+ Kh8 43.Qf6+ Kg8 44.Bf7+ Kh7 45.Qg6+ Kh8 46.Qh6# ) 38...Qb4 39.b3 Re8 $1 ( {Karjakin assumed that} 39...d3 $5 {is still Black's best option, but he is likely winning after} 40.Bxd3 Rd5 41.c7 ( 41.Kh3 $1 {might also do.} ) 41...Rc5 42.c8=Q Rxc8 43.Qxc8 Qd2+ 44.Kh3 Qxd3 45.Qc4 ) 40.Bc4 Re7 {Now Carlsen misses a strong continuation. He came on the open file, but stopped halfway through.} ( {Strong is} 40...Re3 $1 {Say} 41.Qf2 f6 {and White likely cannot make progress since the pawn is not going anywhere after} 42.c7 ( {and the queen cannot be activated with} 42.Qf4 Qd2+ 43.Qf2 Qb4 ) 42...Qc5 ) 41.Qf2 ( {The subtle maneuver} 41.Qd3 $1 Qc5 42.Qf3 Qa7 43.Qd5 $1 {would be better, and White is winning.} ) 41...Qc3 42.Qf3 Qb4 {Retreat is all White needs.} ( {The computer is amazingly holding after} 42...f5 $3 {This pawn will be used in the counteractions.} 43.Qd5 Qd2+ 44.Kh3 Qd1 $1 45.Qg8+ Kh6 46.Qf8+ Rg7 47.Bd5 Qg4+ 48.Kh2 d3 49.c7 f4 $1 {And somehow the machine found a perpetual:} 50.gxf4 Qxh4+ 51.Kg2 Qg4+ ) 43.Kh3 {Too careful, and this almost cost Karjakin the win.} ( {It is not too late for the decisive} 43.Qd5 $1 Qd2+ 44.Kh3 Qf2 45.c7 ) 43...Qd6 ( 43...Qe1 $1 {would have still made things extremely tough for White.} ) 44.Qf4 Qxf4 {Then the forcing} ( {After} 44...Qc5 {Karjakin intended to repeat once} 45.Qf3 Qd6 {but was not sure how would he win.} ) 45.gxf4 d3 46.Bxd3 Re3+ 47.Kg2 Rxd3 {led to a position where it was obvious that White would promote. But which pawn exactly is important.} 48.b6 $1 {Missed by Carlsen.} ( {He only expected} 48.c7 Rxb3 49.c8=Q Rxb5 {with a nice fortress.} ) 48...Rxb3 49.b7 Rb6 50.h5 $1 {One last accuracy, completely destroying any potential fortresses.} 50...gxh5 51.Kh3 Rxc6 52.b8=Q Rc5 53.Qb2+ f6 54.Kh4 1-0

[Event "Chess 2021"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.13"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6873021426184"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 {The Archangelsk/Moller variation was very popular at the beginning of this century and is famous for its forcing nature.} 7.a4 Rb8 8.c3 d6 9.d4 Bb6 10.a5 $1 {Carlsen, however, comes fully armed for the game. This move is more profitable than 10. axb5 at the moment according to Megabase.} 10...Ba7 11.h3 Bb7 12.Be3 Nxe4 13.Nbd2 $1 $146 {A novelty that was blitzed by the world champion. Apparently, he does not consider this line a likely defensive choice for Nepomniachtchi in the coming WCC and fires heavily at his younger opponent.} ( {An earlier game saw super-sharp middlegame play:} 13.d5 Bxe3 14.dxc6 Nxf2 15.Qe2 Nxh3+ 16.Kh1 Nf2+ 17.Rxf2 Bxf2 18.Qxf2 Bxc6 19.Nxe5 Bxg2+ 20.Kg1 Qf6 21.Nxf7 Qxf2+ 22.Kxf2 Rf8 23.Kxg2 Rxf7 24.Bxf7+ Kxf7 25.Nd2 {which finally ended with an endgame that the first player slowly won, Duda,J (2738) -Vidit,S (2726) World Cup 2021} ) 13...Nxd2 ( {The other direction was} 13...exd4 $5 14.cxd4 Nxd2 15.Qxd2 {when White has full compensation for the pawn thanks to his active pieces and play along the c-file.} ) 14.Qxd2 O-O ( {Now} 14...exd4 $2 {is no more playable due to} 15.Bg5 $1 f6 16.Rfe1+ {with a decisive attack.} ) 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.Qxd8 Rbxd8 17.Bxa7 Nxa7 18.Nxe5 {All of this was blitzed by Carlsen. After some thought, Firouzja finds the best defense:} 18...Bd5 $1 ( {Black is not prepared for aggressive play. An active move like} 18...Rd2 {would easily backfire:} 19.Rad1 $1 Rxb2 20.Bxf7+ $1 Rxf7 21.Nxf7 Kxf7 22.Rd7+ {and White wins everything back with interest.} ) 19.Bc2 $1 {The only way to preserve some advantage. The Spanish bishop will be always better than its counterpart, even though it stands in the center. The problem is not with the black bishop, but with the black queenside pawns, fixes on light squares.} 19...Nc6 ( {In hindsight, a better idea seemed to defend with a pair of rooks on the board as in the line} 19...Rfe8 20.Rfe1 Nc6 21.Nxc6 Bxc6 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.Rd1 Kf8 ) 20.Nxc6 Bxc6 21.Rad1 Rfe8 22.Rxd8 Rxd8 23.Rd1 $1 {Now Carlsen trades everything and plays without any risk for the full point.} 23...Rxd1+ ( {Even with the loss of a tempo} 23...Re8 $5 {deserves attention, although then White will bring his king out quickly after} 24.f3 ) 24.Bxd1 Kf8 25.f4 $1 {First of all, White opens a path for his king. Second of all, he expands on the kingside. One weakness alone on the opposite wing will not win the game for him. He needs a second weakness, and the only place to search for such is the kingside.} 25...Ke7 26.Kf2 Kd6 {Firouzja's moves are obvious and easy to understand. He does everything he can to improve his pieces.} 27.b4 Bd5 ( {In case of the aggressive} 27...Kd5 $5 {White likely planned} 28.Bf3+ Kd6 29.Be2 {to improve his bishop.} ) ( {However} 27...f6 $5 {made a lot of sense placing every single kingside pawn on a dark square. The bishop would then try to cover the holes on the light color.} ) 28.g4 h6 {This one does not seem right.} ( {The question is, can Black build a fortress after} 28...f6 29.g5 f5 {Then White can try pushing his pawn all the way to h6 to create a reserved passer (when the Be2-h5xg6 maneuver will become possible in some lines), whereas his king will be heading to the d4 square. But what is Black just waits with c7-c6 and shuffles the bishop along the a2-g8 diagonal then?} ) 29.g5 $1 hxg5 ( {Probably it was not too late for} 29...f6 $5 30.gxh6 gxh6 {with the idea to meet} 31.Kg3 f5 32.Kh4 {with} 32...Bg2 {sticking to the h3 pawn.} ) 30.fxg5 {Now Firouzja is on the verge of defeat. The h-pawn is soon to become a distant passer and it will act as a second weakness for Black. However, Firouzja trusts that his active king can save the day.} 30...c5 31.Ke3 cxb4 32.cxb4 Ke5 33.h4 g6 ( {Not} 33...Kf5 $2 34.Kd4 ) 34.Bg4 Be6 35.h5 $1 {The only idea that Carlsen had foreseen in advance. It somehow reminds me of an AlphaZero game.} ( 35.Bf3 Bd5 {yields White nothing.} ) 35...gxh5 ( {As} 35...Bxg4 $4 36.h6 ) 36.Bxh5 Kf5 37.Bf3 Bc8 ( {There is obviously no time for} 37...Kxg5 38.Bb7 ) 38.Kd4 Kxg5 39.Ke5 {Down a pawn and just just two pawns left, Carlsen pushes hard for the full point!} 39...f5 40.Kd6 f4 {And Firouzja succumbs to the pressure, after all the the pressure he had to live with.} ( {The active king would have saved him after all in the line} 40...Kf4 $1 41.Bc6 Ke3 42.Kc7 Be6 43.Bb7 f4 {and many lines lead to a draw now, like} 44.Bxa6 Bc4 45.Bb7 f3 46.a6 f2 47.Bg2 Bd5 48.Bf1 Bc4 49.Bh3 Be6 ) 41.Ke5 $1 {Zugzwang! The clock is ticking, Black needs to find a move.} 41...Kg6 {And he cannot calculate enough to grab his only chance.} ( {It seems as he could have still saved himself with} 41...Bh3 $1 42.Bb7 Bf1 43.Bxa6 f3 44.Bb7 f2 45.a6 Bh3 46.a7 f1=Q 47.a8=Q ) 42.Kxf4 Kf6 43.Bd5 $1 {It is a pretty zugzwang! Carlsen finishes the game in style.} 43...Bd7 ( {If the king moves} 43...Ke7 44.Ke5 Kd8 45.Kd6 {Black will be forced in a final zugzwang.} ) 44.Bb7 Ke6 45.Ke4 $3 {The brilliant idea that wins!} ( {Instead} 45.Bxa6 Bc6 $1 46.Ke3 Kd5 {would have been a draw.} ) 45...Kd6 46.Bxa6 Bc6+ 47.Kd4 Be8 48.Bb7 Bd7 49.Bf3 $1 {That is the difference. The king did not obstruct his own bishop.} ( {The rushed} 49.a6 $2 {would have spoiled Carlsen's victory after} 49...Bc6 $1 50.Bxc6 Kxc6 51.a7 Kb7 52.Kc5 Kxa7 53.Kxb5 Kb7 ) 49...Bc8 50.Be2 Bd7 51.Bd3 Bc6 52.Be4 1-0

[Event "Chess 2021"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.14"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "E32"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6464596875790"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 {Quite a decent line against the Nimzo-Indian.} 4...O-O 5.Qc2 d5 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bxf6 {More popular move nowadays in comparison to the older 7.Bh4.} 7...Qxf6 8.a3 Bxc3+ 9.Qxc3 dxc4 10.Qxc4 c6 {Now the position resembles a Queen's Gambit Declined, when Black is trying to free himself with the e6-e5 break ideally.} ( {However, Black may also use the c6-square more aggressively, as Nakamura did in this recent game:} 10...Nc6 11.Qc3 Re8 12.Rd1 e5 13.d5 Nb8 14.e3 Bg4 15.Be2 Nd7 16.O-O Bxf3 17.Bxf3 e4 18.Qxc7 exf3 19.Qxd7 fxg2 20.Rfe1 Qxb2 21.Rb1 Qxa3 22.Rxb7 Rf8 {and it eventually ended in a draw in Shankland,S (2709)-Nakamura,H (2736) St. Louis 2021} ) 11.g3 Nd7 12.Bh3 $1 $146 {A novelty, which rules out the e6-e5 possibility. \"I thought that this move was very clever.\" (Rapport)} ( {Wild complications arose after} 12.Qc3 c5 13.Bg2 b6 14.Ne5 cxd4 15.Qc7 Nxe5 16.Bxa8 Ba6 17.Qxa7 Bc4 18.f4 d3 19.fxe5 Qxe5 20.Bf3 Qe3 {and Black's initiative proved enough for the equality at the end in Zhao,X (2499)-Tan,Z (2508) China 2017} ) 12...c5 $1 {\"Also a fantastic move.\" (Polgar) And pretty much the only thing that Black can do. Otherwise Karjakin would be in a bind.} 13.dxc5 b6 14.c6 {\"Otherwise I allow him equality.\" (Rapport)} ( {As in the line} 14.cxb6 Nxb6 15.Qc3 Qxc3+ 16.bxc3 Ba6 {and White will not be able to preserve his extra pawn for long.} ) 14...Qxb2 15.O-O Nc5 16.Nd4 Rd8 {An obvious move.} ( {However, there seems to be instant equality thanks to a hidden computer resource:} 16...e5 $1 17.Bxc8 ( {Or a similar idea in the line} 17.Nf5 Kh7 $3 ) 17...Raxc8 18.Nf5 {The fork on e7 is a major threat but Qc4-g4 would also win for White if allowed. And still, Black can parry these two thanks to the pretty prophylaxis} 18...Kh7 $1 ) 17.e3 $1 {As Rapport explained, the position is extremely concrete. White chose not to fight for the open file also for concrete reasons.} ( {In case of the logical} 17.Rad1 {He saw} 17...Ba6 18.Qb4 {and the idea} 18...Nd3 $3 {\"I might be worse.\" (Rapport) Then he prolonged the line} 19.Rxd3 ( 19.exd3 Qxd4 {is indeed not looking great for White.} ) 19...Qxb4 20.axb4 Bxd3 21.Nxe6 Rd6 22.Nc7 Rad8 23.exd3 Rxc6 {\"And I felt like he has compensation.\" (Rapport)} ) 17...Ba6 18.Qb4 Nd3 ( {\"He cannot take the exchange.\"} 18...Qxb4 19.axb4 Bxf1 20.Bxf1 Ne4 21.Ba6 $1 {\"and I feel like I am very close to winning here.\" (Rapport) And then he explained why:} 21...Nd6 {loses to} 22.Bb7 $1 ( {Also good seems} 22.c7 $5 Rd7 23.Rc1 Rc8 24.Bxc8 Nxc8 25.f4 {when White is better too.} ) 22...Rab8 23.c7 Nxb7 24.Nc6 $3 {Just to realize that Black can actually defend with} 24...Ra8 25.Nxd8 Nxd8 26.Rxa7 Rc8 27.cxd8=Q+ Rxd8 {Rapport considered this a draw, but there is a long and windy road until it is achieved by Black.} ) 19.Qxb2 Nxb2 20.Rfb1 ( {Another plausible plan was} 20.Rfc1 $5 Nd3 21.Rc3 Nc5 22.a4 ) 20...Na4 21.f4 $1 ( {At first White wanted to play} 21.Rb4 {but then he disliked the counterplay} 21...Nc3 22.a4 Ne2+ {(Rapport)} ) ( {Interesting was} 21.c7 $5 {As the black rook lacks a safe square. Karjakin might have planned} 21...Rd7 22.Bg2 Rc8 23.Bc6 Rxd4 24.exd4 Nc3 25.Rb4 Rxc7 {hoping for a fortress.} ) 21...Nc3 {Black uses the chance to centralize his knight. The next moves are very logical as well.} 22.Rb2 Nd5 23.Kf2 Nc7 24.Rd1 {Both sides are fiercely fighting for the d-file. If White takes control of it he will use the d7 outpost for infiltration, and win.} ( {Although play like} 24.Bg2 Rd6 25.Bf3 Rad8 26.a4 {also looks good for White.} ) 24...Rd6 25.Rbd2 Rad8 26.Ke1 Bc4 ( {Not} 26...Nd5 27.Nf3 {(Rapport)} ) 27.e4 f6 28.Bg2 e5 $1 {Karjakin decided to bet on a fortress. A wise decision, especially taking into an account the arising time-trouble.} ( {Instead} 28...Rf8 $5 {was a cunning resource. \"I was not sure what am I doing here.\" (Rapport) The point of this ambush is revealed in the line} 29.e5 ( {However, White is not forced to fall into it and may choose instead} 29.Bf3 $5 ) ( {Or} 29.a4 {with an advantage in both cases.} ) 29...fxe5 30.fxe5 Rd5 31.Bxd5 Rf1# ) 29.fxe5 fxe5 30.Nf3 Rxd2 31.Rxd2 Rxd2 32.Kxd2 Bb5 33.Nxe5 Kf8 {All Black needs now is to swap his bishop for the enemy knight at a good moment to achieve a rock-solid position.} 34.h4 $1 {Securing a square for his own knight.} ( {After} 34.Ke3 {Black defends with} 34...Ke7 35.Ng6+ Kf7 ( 35...Kf6 36.Nf4 $1 ) ) 34...Ke7 35.Ng6+ Kd6 ( {The counterplay} 35...Kf6 36.h5 Kg5 {does not work after} 37.Ne7 Kxh5 ( 37...Kg4 38.Nd5 ) 38.Nd5 {(Rapport)} ) 36.e5+ Kc5 37.Ne7 Kd4 38.Nc8 {A tough choice for the first player. Which pawn to take?} ( {There is no clear answer, as} 38.Nf5+ Kxe5 39.Nxg7 Ba6 $5 40.g4 Bc8 {promises Black decent drawing chances as well.} ) 38...Kxe5 39.Nxa7 Kd6 {Rapport considered this a mistake.} ( {He suggested instead} 39...Ba6 40.Kc3 Kd6 41.Kb4 Ne6 42.a4 Nc7 43.Nb5+ Bxb5 44.axb5 Ke5 {(Rapport)} ) 40.Nc8+ $1 {\"He let my knight out and after that it is really unpleasant [for Black].\" (Rapport)} 40...Kc5 41.Ne7 Ne6 42.Kc3 {It should be noted that Karjakin was quite low on the clock at this point.} ( {The Hungarian GM also considered} 42.Bh3 Nc7 43.Bd7 Nd5 44.Nf5 {and was not sure if this was not even better than his game choice.} ) 42...Kd6 43.Kb4 Ba6 ( {This was the last moment when Black could have saved himself neatly with} 43...Nd4 $1 {to which White planned} 44.Nf5+ Nxf5 45.Kxb5 Kc7 46.g4 Nxh4 ( {But in the post-game analysis, Rapport spotted that} 46...Nd4+ $1 {would be a draw.} ) 47.Be4 {to trap the knight.} ) 44.Nf5+ Ke5 45.Bh3 h5 46.Ne3 Nc7 47.Bg2 g6 {\"After I provoked g7-g6 and h6-h5 it is practically over. I will take them in the long run\" (Rapport)} 48.a4 ( {With the two weaknesses fixed on the color of the White bishop} 48.Nc4+ Bxc4 49.Kxc4 {would have been even more effective than the game continuation.} ) 48...Kd4 49.Nc2+ Ke5 50.Kc3 {On top of everything, Karjakin blunders in time-trouble...} 50...Kd6 {...and quickly loses his pawns:} 51.Be4 Be2 52.Nd4 Ke5 53.Bxg6 Nd5+ 54.Kd2 Bg4 55.Nb5 Ne7 56.Be8 Bf3 57.c7 Bg4 58.Bf7 Nc6 59.Bxh5 $1 {A fantastic performance for the Hungarian GM so far!} 1-0

[Event "Chess 2021"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.15"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Beauty "8045547497021"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 {This was to be expected by Karjakin as he used the line to win two games on demand in the recent World Cup.} 6...e5 ( {In both those games, Sam Shankland chose} 6...Nc6 {as a defence and then} 7.g4 g6 8.Be3 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 Bg7 10.e5 $5 $146 {New and interesting according to the Megabase, and played very confidently by Karjakin, just like his next moves. In the post-match analysis with GM Sergey Shipov, Karjakin revealed that this was an idea of his second, the creative GM Denis Khismatullin. \"I rushed to prepare and he showed me this between the games.\"} ( 10.O-O-O Be6 11.f4 Qa5 12.f5 Bxa2 13.Bd2 O-O 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.Bxa5 Bxd4 16.Rxd4 Ne3 17.Kd2 Nxf1+ 18.Rxf1 Rfc8 19.b3 {Karjakin,S (2757) -Shankland,S (2709) World Cup 2021} ) 10...Nd7 11.O-O-O {Karjakin,S (2757) -Shankland,S (2709) World Cup 2021} ) 7.Nf3 ( {Recently, Nakamura preferred to retreat to} 7.Nde2 {instead, and got a pull after} 7...h5 8.g3 Be7 9.Bg2 b5 10.a4 b4 11.Nd5 a5 12.Nxe7 Qxe7 13.Bg5 Be6 14.O-O Qc7 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.c3 Na6 17.f4 {Nakamura,H (2736)-Martinez Alcantara,J (2620) Chess.com 2021} ) 7...Be7 8.g4 h6 ( 8...O-O 9.g5 Nh5 10.Bc4 Be6 11.Bb3 g6 12.Be3 Nd7 13.Qd2 Rc8 14.O-O-O Nc5 {was Giri,A (2764)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2784) Wijk aan Zee NED 2021} ) 9.Rg1 {Karjakin is ready to challenge the black knight in order to fight for the d5 square, a fundamental battle in the Najdorf.} 9...Qc7 $146 {Played after more than 25 minutes on the clock. The move is a logical novelty that deprives the white bishop of its ideal diagonal.} ( {It seems as White was following the footprints of a fellow countryman. That game went} 9...Nc6 10.g5 hxg5 11.Nxg5 Qc7 12.Bc4 Nd8 13.Bb3 Ne6 14.Qe2 Nxg5 15.Bxg5 Rxh3 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Nd5 {with strong initiative for White in Ponkratov,P (2619)-Drygalov,A (2500) Chelyabinsk 2021} ) 10.Nh4 {This is the fastest route towards the d5-point.} ( {Actually, White could have still put pressure on the f7-square with} 10.g5 $5 hxg5 11.Nxg5 {but Black has a nice way to parry his threats} 11...Nc6 $5 12.Bc4 Nd8 $1 13.Bb3 Ne6 {with an equality.} ) 10...g6 {Forced.} 11.Ng2 Be6 12.Ne3 Nbd7 {Black brought all his pieces out, whereas White practically only moved his knights so far.} 13.h4 {Insisting on his plan. One more move (g4-g5) and Karjakin will triumph positionally. However, since White delayed his development by a lot, Firouzja finds a way to delay it with threats.} ( {Perhaps more sensible was} 13.Qf3 O-O-O {but Black does not experience any problems here at all.} ) 13...Qc6 $1 {Not letting the knight on d5 at all.} ( {Another way to prevent the jump might have been} 13...Rc8 {However, here White may consider the positional pawn sacrifice} 14.g5 hxg5 15.hxg5 Nh5 16.Ned5 $5 Bxd5 17.Nxd5 Qxc2 18.Qxc2 Rxc2 19.Bd3 {with clear compensation for the pawn.} ) 14.Qf3 {More preparation is needed.} ( {As none of the knights can occupy yet the outpost:} 14.Ned5 $2 Nxe4 $1 ) 14...Nc5 15.Bg2 {Finally White is ready.} ( {Still not} 15.Ned5 Nfxe4 $1 ) ( {Firouzja preferred} 15.Bd3 {and thought White was slightly better.} 15...Nfd7 16.Ned5 Bxh4 17.Rh1 g5 {was a line he gave but wasn't sure about it.} ) 15...Na4 $1 {But it is Black who starts the concrete operation first! \"I think it's my only way to get counterplay.\" (Firouzja)} 16.Ned5 {A big blunder!} ( {Karjakin could not have been satisfied with the line} 16.Nxa4 Qxa4 17.Bd2 Rc8 {when Black is clearly on top.} ) ( {But perhaps, the lesser evil was some play like} 16.Ncd5 Bxd5 17.exd5 Qb6 ( 17...Qc5 {Firouzja} ) 18.Kf1 ) 16...Nxc3 {The simplest solution, chosen by Firouzja without much hesitation.} ( {Although} 16...Nxg4 {was also possible as in the line} 17.Nxa4 Bxd5 18.exd5 Qxa4 {the knight is defended.} ) 17.Nxf6+ {The only move.} ( 17.Nxc3 Bxg4 {is simply horrible for White.} ) 17...Bxf6 18.Qxf6 Kd7 $1 {Maybe Karjakin underestimated this move from afar. Firouzja also suggested Karjakin might have missed it.} ( 18...Rh7 $5 {was possible as well, but then White can at least hope that this rook is out of play.} ) 19.g5 {Stopping f7-f5.} ( {That move would have been possible in case of} 19.Be3 Nxe4 20.Qf3 f5 ) 19...Nxe4 {The human choice.} ( {Although the computer promises Black even more with} 19...Qc4 $1 20.Qf3 Nxa2 $1 21.Bd2 Nb4 ) 20.Qf3 d5 {Firouzja won a pawn and has built a solid central construction.} ( 20...Bd5 $5 ) 21.Qd1 ( {There was not time for} 21.gxh6 Qxc2 ) ( {And} 21.Qd3 Bf5 {was no picnic for White either.} ) 21...Qb6 $1 {Once more, Black uses his lead in development.} 22.Be3 {After this desperate try it is quickly over.} ( {The most resilient was} 22.Qe2 {although there too, Black is consolidating and should win after, say} 22...hxg5 ( {Or the computer} 22...Nd6 $1 ) 23.Bxe4 Qb4+ 24.Bd2 Qxe4 25.Qxe4 dxe4 26.hxg5 {although Firouzja didn't immediately see his advantage here.} ) 22...Qxb2 23.Bxe4 Qb4+ 24.c3 Qxe4 25.Rb1 hxg5 26.Rb4 ( {Or} 26.Rxb7+ Ke8 27.Rb4 d4 28.cxd4 Rc8 {with total domination.} ) 26...d4 27.cxd4 Ke8 $1 {A beautiful way to coordinate the pieces.} 28.hxg5 Rh3 {Threatening Rxe3!} 29.Kd2 Bf5 30.Qb3 Rc8 31.Rc1 Rxc1 32.Kxc1 Rh1+ 33.Kd2 b5 34.d5 Qf3 ( {Firouzja mentioned} 34...Qf3 35.Bc5 Bd3 $1 ) 0-1

[Event "Chess 2021"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.16"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6808617881115"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 {An Anti-Berlin. Carlsen is probably hiding what's in stock for the WCC.} 4...Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.O-O ( {A recent top game saw} 6.Nbd2 Nd7 7.Nc4 f6 8.c3 O-O 9.d4 exd4 10.cxd4 Nb6 11.Qb3 Be6 12.dxc5 Nxc4 13.Qc3 Ne5 14.Nxe5 fxe5 15.Be3 {and White was better in Vachier-Lagrave,M (2751)-Van Foreest,J (2698) Online 2021} ) 6...Nd7 7.c3 {The Megabase likes this move, claiming that it now scores much better than the old 7.Nbd2.} 7...h6 8.Nbd2 O-O 9.Nc4 Re8 10.b4 Bd6 11.Be3 Nf8 12.Nfd2 $146 ( {The earlier game was between two of the best Spanish GMs:} 12.h3 Ng6 13.a4 Bf8 14.Qc2 Qf6 15.Qe2 b6 16.Nfd2 Be6 17.a5 b5 18.Nb2 a6 {and Black held his own in Anton Guijarro,D (2703)-Salgado Lopez,I (2584) Online 2020} ) 12...Ng6 13.Nxd6 {Otherwise the bishop will step back to f8. \"I was feeling pretty bad about this (move) but I was feeling even worse about the alternatives.\" (Carlsen) In fact, the world champion was not sure why did he go for this line at all (the coming WCC is to blame).} 13...cxd6 {Once that the pawns are undoubled Black has nothing to be afraid of.} 14.a4 {White was hoping that he will fix some squares on the queenside.} 14...d5 {That is the thing, the black pawns are more fluid.} 15.Nb3 b6 $1 {\"A very nice move positionally speaking.\" (Carlsen) Karjakin is slowly outplaying his mighty opponent.} 16.a5 Rb8 17.Qc2 Be6 18.Rfb1 {\"The truth is already I might be a little bit worse.\" (Carlsen)} 18...Re7 {A very useful move which aims to double the rooks on either the open or half-open file.} 19.c4 ( {White was reluctant to play} 19.f3 {for the time being as he would weaken his king.} ) 19...d4 $1 {Karjakin cramps the white pieces further.} ( 19...f5 $5 {at once was good as well.} ) 20.Bd2 f5 21.axb6 axb6 22.f3 {At the end of the day, White was forced to defend with this move.} ( {Here the Norwegian GM, referencing similar positions in the Ruy Lopez, noted that his planned} 22.c5 b5 {\"desperately weakens my light squares, just f7-f5 and then the black knight lands on d5, and just toast!\" (Carlsen)} ) 22...Rf7 {Black wants to force the opening of the f-file.} ( {The other plan was to build a step-by-step attack with} 22...f4 23.Be1 Rf7 ) 23.Rf1 {White cannot afford to leave the first rank unprotected.} ( {This is illustrated by this nice model line:} 23.Ra3 Qf6 24.Rba1 fxe4 25.fxe4 Qf2+ 26.Kh1 Qf1+ 27.Rxf1 Rxf1# ) 23...Kh7 24.exf5 Bxf5 25.Be1 ( {Perhaps} 25.Nc1 $5 {to try and transfer the knight to e4 via the e2-g3-e4 route was a better idea.} ) 25...Qg5 26.Rd1 {According to Carlsen, a sad necessity.} ( {He planned from afar to hold tactically after} 26.Bg3 Qe3+ 27.Qf2 Bxd3 ( {He realized in time the strong refutation} 27...Rd8 $1 ) 28.Nxd4 Qxf2+ 29.Rxf2 Rc8 30.Nc2 Bxc4 31.Ne3 {\"I am still holding on. I am a pawn down, but I should be able to hold the draw.\" (Carlsen)} ) 26...h5 ( {White expected} 26...Ra8 27.Bd2 {when Black holds all the trumps.} ) 27.Bd2 Qh4 $1 {A somewhat puzzling choice to the world champion. But as we shall see, Karjakin's choice was a very good one.} ( {He speculated that his opponent dismissed} 27...Qf6 {due to the f3-f4 advance, either immediately, or after} 28.Rde1 Ra8 29.f4 ) 28.Rde1 Ra8 {A tricky move that lures the white rook away from home.} 29.Ra1 Raf8 $1 ( {Against} 29...Rfa7 {White planned} 30.Rxa7 Rxa7 31.Nc1 ) 30.Ra6 {And Carlsen embraces the provocation, hoping to cause crisis rather than waiting patiently.} ( 30.Rae1 {in hindsight was objectively better.} ) 30...e4 {This is what White expected and wanted to provoke.} ( {However, it turns out that} 30...Bh3 $3 {was tremendously strong! The two lines that Carlsen suggested after the game could have been refuted spectacularly. One runs} 31.Rf2 {To which} ( {The really beautiful line starts after} 31.Be1 {to which Carlsen quoted} 31...Qg5 ( {However, here is the hidden and exceptional} 31...Rxf3 $3 32.gxf3 Rxf3 33.Qg2 Qg4 $3 {and Black wins!} ) 32.Qd2 {with a chance to defend.} ) ( {Finally, the best line according to the computer} 31.Qd1 {also does not bring White relief due to} 31...Bxg2 $1 32.Kxg2 Rxf3 33.Rxf3 Qg4+ 34.Kf2 Nh4 35.Rxf8 Qxd1 36.Ra7 Qxb3 37.Rff7 Nf5 38.Rxf5 Qxd3 39.Rxh5+ Kg8 40.Rxe5 Qxd2+ {and Black should be winning again.} ) 31...Bxg2 32.Rxg2 Nf4 $1 {with the threat of Nf4-h3+! promises Black a huge attack, as} 33.Bxf4 Qe1# ) 31.Nxd4 $1 ( {Karjakin was hoping for} 31.fxe4 Bh3 $3 32.Rxf7 Rxf7 {and the mating threats force major material losses for White.} ) 31...exf3 32.Nxf3 Bh3 33.Rf2 $1 {A very cool move! \"I had seen that this does not lose.\" (Carlsen)} 33...Rxf3 34.gxf3 Rf5 {Black starts to lose the thread.} ( {White was not afraid of} 34...Ne5 35.d4+ Bf5 36.Qc3 Nd3 37.Rg2 {\"It seems like I am protecting everything and that the knight is poorly placed on d3.\" (Carlsen)} ) ( {However Karjakin could have still forced a draw with} 34...Bg4 $1 35.Bg5 Qxg5 36.fxg4 Qxg4+ 37.Kh1 Rxf2 38.Qxf2 Qd1+ ) 35.d4 Qxd4 36.Ra3 {\"I am kind of consolidating.\" (Carlsen) The problem was that White was down to a few minutes on the clock.} 36...Rf7 37.Re3 ( {Stronger was to offer the queen swap at once:} 37.Qd3 $1 Qh4 38.Qe4 ) 37...Bf5 38.Qc3 Qd8 39.Re1 Rd7 40.Qe3 Rd4 {Now things would be so much easier for White!} ( {After} 40...Re7 {\"I was going to repeat once\"} 41.Qc3 {\"And then, who knows...\" (Carlsen)} ) 41.Qg5 {\"I could not get the queens off any quicker. I can never lose.\" (Carlsen)} 41...Qxg5+ 42.Bxg5 Rxc4 43.Rb2 b5 ( {\"A massive conceptual mistake\" not to trade his knight for the bishop (Carlsen)} 43...Nf4 44.Bxf4 Rxf4 45.Kf2 h4 {Then the world champion quoted Botvinnik who said that a bishop defended by a pawn is as strong as rook and suggested that Black should hold this.} ) 44.Kf2 c5 {The frustrated Karjakin quickly loses the game.} ( 44...h4 $5 {was possibly still the move.} ) 45.bxc5 Rxc5 46.Rc1 $1 Rd5 47.Rd2 $1 {Once that the rooks are traded it is over according to the world champion.} 47...Rxd2+ 48.Bxd2 Ne5 ( {Or} 48...Nf8 49.Rc7 Nd7 50.Rb7 {when Carlsen quoted one of the games between Kasparov and Karpov where the former managed to win an identical endgame.} ) 49.Rc7 b4 50.Rb7 Be6 {A blunder, but there was no way out anyway.} 51.Re7 Nd3+ 52.Ke3 Bc4 53.Kd4 ( 53.Kd4 Bb5 54.Rb7 Bc6 55.Rb6 ) 1-0

[Event "Chess 2021"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.17"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8251705917989"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.Nc3 Nd4 5.e5 Nxb5 6.Nxb5 Nd5 7.O-O {A new trend in the line.} ( {This game might have inspired White to dig deeper into it:} 7.Ng5 {Thanks to this idea by the great analyst Igor Zaitsev the whole line was brought into the spotlight in the 1980s.} 7...f6 8.Ne4 f5 9.Nbc3 Nxc3 10.Nxc3 d6 11.O-O dxe5 12.Qe2 e6 13.Qxe5 Qd6 14.Qe2 Be7 15.b3 O-O 16.Bb2 Bd7 17.Rae1 {and White later won in Caruana,F (2819) -Carlsen,M (2875) Stavanger 2019} ) 7...a6 8.c4 {Both sides are fiercely fighting for the initiative; none of them wants to retreat first.} ( {There is nothing wrong with} 8.Nc3 {Which was tested in a recent top-GM game} 8...Nc7 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 g6 11.Re1 Bg7 12.Bf4 O-O 13.Qd2 {also looked good for White in Van Foreest,J (2685)-Le,T (2857) Chess.com 2018} ) 8...Nb4 9.Nc3 d6 {In hindsight, the fianchettoe might have been a safer idea.} ( {As in this game:} 9...g6 10.d4 cxd4 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.cxd5 Bg7 13.d6 exd6 14.Bg5 Qa5 15.exd6 O-O 16.Be7 Re8 17.Qb3 Qf5 18.Rad1 b5 {when the black queenside pieces slowly came back into the game in Kalezic,B (2448)-Skliarov,V (2376) Chess.com 2020} ) 10.d4 cxd4 {Black is underdeveloped, no question about that. But how to punish him?} ( {As} 10...dxe5 11.d5 $1 {leaves no retreat squares to the black knight.} ) 11.Qxd4 $1 $146 {Firouzja revealed that this was an over-the-board inspiration.} ( {White crushed his opponent in an earlier game, after} 11.Qa4+ Nc6 12.Nd5 dxe5 13.Nxe5 Bd7 $2 ( {However, there is a better move instead:} 13...b5 $1 14.Nxc6 bxa4 15.Nxd8 Kxd8 {which solves Black's problems at once.} ) 14.Nxd7 {And} 14...Kxd7 {was a sad necessity when} 15.c5 {left White with a huge attack practically for nothing in Whitehead,P-Rohde,M (2425) Memphis 1978} ) 11...Nc2 {Again, there is no way back, which is why Rapport picks up the rook quite quickly.} ( {After} 11...dxe5 {White is better both in the middlegame after} 12.Qxe5 ( {As well as in the endgame:} 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8 13.Nxe5 ) ) 12.Qe4 Nxa1 13.Bf4 {\"There is no way I could be worse here.\" (Firouzja)} 13...Be6 ( {The tricky} 13...Nc2 $5 {which aims to divert the queen from the center can be met besides with the obvious capture} 14.Qxc2 ( {Also with a far more convincing attacking idea:} 14.Rd1 $1 Nb4 15.exd6 {aiming to disrupt Black's development:} 15...e6 16.c5 Nc6 17.Nd5 $1 ) ) 14.Rxa1 Rc8 15.Nd5 {Probably not the most optimal according to Firouzja.} ( {Indeed} 15.b3 $5 {looks more confident, although nothing is clear after} 15...dxe5 16.Rd1 Qb6 17.Bxe5 f6 ) 15...dxe5 16.Nxe5 f6 {Played after a heavy think. Rapport had a lot to choose from, and the choice was not easy at all.} ( {To start with, the fianchettoe} 16...g6 $5 {deserved very serious investigation. After} 17.Rd1 Bg7 18.Bg5 f6 {is more or less forced and then the line continues} 19.Nxf6+ exf6 20.Rxd8+ Rxd8 21.Nd3 Kf7 22.Qxb7+ Rd7 23.Qf3 {Perhaps Black calculated this far, thought he would not have enough, but there is a little tactic at the end:} 23...Rxd3 24.Qxd3 fxg5 {when White should force a draw with} 25.Qf3+ Bf6 26.Qb7+ Be7 27.Qf3+ ) ( {There was also Polgar's recommendation to liquidate one of the annoying knights with} 16...Rxc4 $1 17.Qxc4 Qxd5 {while sharply activating the queen. Then} 18.Qc2 {\"I thought this was still very dangerous for him.\" (Firouzja) But the machine disagrees and likes Black after} 18...f6 19.Rd1 Qxa2 ) 17.Nf3 Bxd5 ( {The defence} 17...Kf7 18.Rd1 Qd7 {is not human.} ) 18.cxd5 Rc5 19.d6 $1 {\"I think he is in big trouble here.\" (Firouzja) A very smart move, which White carefully calculated.} ( {After} 19.Rd1 e5 $1 {Black looks in a good shape.} ) 19...Qd7 ( {The problem for Rapport is that here} 19...e5 {is not working due to something that Firouzja had seen in advance:} 20.b4 $3 {Removing the rook from the fifth rank.} 20...Rc6 {And then comes the decisive removal of the guards:} ( 20...Rb5 21.a4 {changes nothing.} ) 21.Nxe5 $1 fxe5 22.Qxe5+ Kf7 ( {Nothing helps} 22...Kd7 23.Qf5+ Ke8 24.Re1+ ) ( {Nor does} 22...Be7 23.dxe7 Qxe7 24.Qb8+ {save Black.} ) 23.Qd5+ Kg6 24.g4 $3 {with unstoppable mate.} ) 20.b4 $1 {The same move is still very strong.} 20...Rc6 ( {Perhaps more resilient was} 20...Rc8 {although White obviously enjoyed his position greatly after} 21.Re1 Kf7 22.h4 e6 23.Rd1 {\"He cannot go out.\" (Firouzja)} 23...g6 24.h5 ) 21.Re1 ( {After} 21.Nd4 {Black can defend still with} 21...e5 22.Nxc6 Qxc6 23.d7+ Kxd7 24.Qf5+ Qe6 ) 21...Kf7 {Now Black is in a huge trouble, even according to the machine.} ( {But to play something like} 21...e5 22.Bxe5 ( {Apparently there is not more than an initiative enough for the draw in the lines after} 22.Nxe5 fxe5 23.Qxe5+ Kd8 24.Qa5+ Kc8 25.b5 Rc5 26.Qb6 Qxb5 27.d7+ Qxd7 28.Qa7 Kd8 29.Qb6+ ) 22...Kd8 $1 {one needs to have some silicon implanted in the brain! It still very unclear, but defendable for Black, says the comp.} ) 22.Nd4 e5 ( {Or} 22...Rxd6 23.Bxd6 Qxd6 24.Ne6 {when Black is paralyzed.} ) ( {But maybe Black should have tried} 22...exd6 23.Qd5+ Kg6 24.Nxc6 bxc6 25.Qd3+ ) 23.Qd5+ {The neatest move.} ( {Although the move} 23.Bxe5 $1 {would have likely transposed into the game after} 23...fxe5 24.Qd5+ Kg6 ( {But here White also needs to calculate the line} 24...Ke8 25.Qxe5+ Kd8 26.Nxc6+ Qxc6 27.d7 $1 {with a winning attack.} ) 25.Nf3 $3 ) 23...Kg6 ( {Now} 23...Ke8 24.Nxc6 bxc6 25.Qc4 Qxd6 26.Be3 {is hopeless for Black.} ) 24.Bxe5 $3 {Everything falls apart!} 24...Rxd6 ( {Rapport missed from afar the brilliant retreat} 24...fxe5 25.Nf3 $3 ) 25.Bxd6 Bxd6 ( 25...Qxd6 26.Qe4+ Kf7 27.Qe8+ Kg8 28.Nf5 {is not playable at all.} ) 26.Qe4+ Kf7 27.Qd5+ Kg6 28.g3 $1 {Stopping the threat of a discovered attack. Now the pin decides.} 28...h6 ( {Or} 28...Rd8 29.Ne6 Re8 30.Nf4+ ) 29.Rd1 Re8 30.Nf3 Re6 31.Nh4+ Kh7 32.Qd3+ ( {Avoiding the last micro-chance} 32.Nf5 $2 Re5 {and suddenly it is a draw.} ) 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.10.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Najer, Evgeniy"]
[Black "Saric, Ivan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2654"]
[BlackElo "2644"]
[ECO "B92"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Beauty "5090610015245"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Be3 Be6 9.Nd5 Nbd7 10.Qd3 {There was a burst of popularity in this line four years back. Even the world champion gave it a try in a couple of games.} 10...Bxd5 {The most natural choice and the main line.} ( {Vachier-Lagrave chose instead:} 10...O-O {Against the world champion. Then:} 11.O-O Bxd5 12.exd5 Ne8 13.a4 Bg5 14.a5 Bxe3 15.Qxe3 Nef6 16.c4 {and eventually held in Carlsen,M (2838)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2803) Karlsruhe/ Baden-Baden 2017} ) 11.exd5 Rc8 12.O-O-O {Sacrificing a pawn.} ( {Another recent game saw:} 12.c4 O-O 13.O-O Ne8 14.Qd2 b6 15.Rac1 a5 16.Na1 f5 17.f3 f4 18.Bf2 Bh4 {and with the swap of the dark-squared bishop, Black hardly had anything to complain about, Georgiadis,N (2526)-Mamedyarov,S (2801) Biel 2018} ) 12...Nb6 13.Kb1 O-O {Which Saric decided to reject.} ( {After:} 13...Nbxd5 {White can develop his initiative with:} 14.Bd2 Qc7 15.g4 ) ( 13...Nfxd5 {Looks somewhat better with White developing his initiative in a similar fashion:} 14.Bd2 {It is important to keep this bishop alive.} 14...Qc7 15.g4 ( {Or:} 15.Rhe1 ) ) 14.Bf3 Nc4 15.Bc1 {[#]} 15...Qd7 $146 ( {The predecessors were a couple of games of Lobanov, which Najer apparently studied and liked:} 15...Nd7 16.Be4 ( {And:} 16.h4 f5 17.Be2 a5 18.g4 a4 19.Nd2 e4 20.Qh3 Nxd2+ 21.Bxd2 Bf6 22.gxf5 Qb6 23.Qa3 Qxf2 24.Bb5 Ne5 {with irrational position where White seems better, Lobanov,S (2435)-Tran,T (2538) Tarvisio 2017} ) 16...g6 17.g4 Bh4 18.Rdg1 Nf6 19.f3 b5 20.Rg2 a5 21.Nd2 Bg5 22.h4 Bxd2 23.Bxd2 Nxd2+ 24.Rxd2 Rc4 {Lobanov,S (2435)-Sarana,A (2543) Tarvisio 2017} ) 16.h3 {Preparing not only g2-g4, but often threatening with Bf3-g4!} 16...Qa4 {This stops the latter and creates a threat in return.} ( {After:} 16...Bd8 {White can opt for:} 17.Bg4 $5 ( {Or the direct:} 17.g4 $5 ) 17...Nxg4 18.hxg4 f5 19.Qh3 {with kingside initiative.} ) 17.Rhe1 $1 {Najer is aware of the danger.} ( {The simple-hearted:} 17.g4 $2 {would have turned into a disaster due to:} 17...e4 $1 18.Bxe4 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Na3+ ) 17...Bd8 ( 17...Rfe8 18.g4 {would likely transpose into the game.} ) 18.g4 {Next White's attack developed much more convincingly. After all, his pieces are not standing on the road of his pawns.} 18...Re8 19.Be4 g6 ( {Or:} 19...Nxe4 20.Rxe4 Qb5 21.h4 $1 {When:} 21...Bxh4 22.g5 Bxf2 23.Rf1 {risks too much for Black.} ) 20.f3 Nd7 21.h4 $1 {A purely positional pawn sacrifice. For the material Najer will build an attacking blockade.} ( {The alternative was quite tempting too:} 21.g5 $5 {Looks good for White as well as he is not parting with material. Any opening of the kingside seems extremely risky for Black, e.g.:} 21...f5 22.gxf6 Nxf6 23.Bxg6 $1 ( 23.h4 $1 {also looks good.} ) 23...hxg6 24.Qxg6+ Kh8 25.Re4 $3 {The rook is immune, but somehow Black can still defend with:} 25...Rc7 26.Rh4+ Nh7 {Although White's attack runs strong with:} 27.Rg4 ) 21...Bxh4 22.Rg1 $1 {Another neat move.} ( {Otherwise, the bishop might be reactivated with:} 22.Rh1 Bg3 $1 ) 22...Bf6 23.Rh1 {There is no rush, just pure smothering power.} ( {Rather than:} 23.g5 Bg7 24.Rg4 {which loses control of the position after:} 24...f5 25.gxf6 Nxf6 ) 23...Bg7 24.Rh3 Nf8 25.Rdh1 {Only the queen is left to join the kingside attack and is ready to follow with Qd3-e2-h2. Thus, Saric tries to prevent this with:} 25...Qb5 {Now comes another fabulous decision by the former European champion:} ( {Both:} 25...Rc7 ) ( {Are preferred by the machine, although these two moves should not change the assessment of the position as highly favorable for White.} 25...Qd7 ) 26.Nd2 $3 ( {That is a much better version of the:} 26.Qf1 Nb6 $1 {trade.} ) 26...Nb6 {Black does not have much of a choice.} ( {The line:} 26...Nxd2+ 27.Qxd2 Qd7 28.Qh2 {Illustrates the dangers that await Black on the kingside:} 28...b5 29.Rxh7 Nxh7 30.Qxh7+ Kf8 31.Bh6 Bxh6 32.Qxh6+ Ke7 33.Qg5+ {and wins.} ) 27.Qxb5 axb5 28.Nf1 {White simply follows his plan.} ( {However, it seems as:} 28.c3 $5 {might have been more accurate when:} 28...Rc5 {Can be met with:} ( {Whereas:} 28...Nfd7 {(see below) does not inspire due to:} 29.Rxh7 Nf6 30.R7h2 Nfxd5 31.Bxd5 Nxd5 32.Ne4 Rc6 33.Rd1 {with White's edge.} ) 29.Nb3 ) 28...Red8 ( {Here the hidden resource:} 28...Nfd7 $3 29.Rxh7 Nf6 30.R7h2 Nbxd5 {Could have solved many of the Black problems. True, White is still gaining more than enough for the pawn with:} 31.Ng3 ) 29.Bg5 Rd7 30.b3 {Najer wants to control everything, and this is a great thought, but the reality is slightly different.} ( {Instead:} 30.a3 Rdc7 {Followed by:} 31.c3 {would have fixed White's edge. The pawn on b5 is doomed in the long run.} ( {Or:} 31.Ng3 $5 ) ) 30...Rdc7 31.Bd2 Nbd7 {An important resource. The knight is back in the game.} 32.Bd3 ( {Or:} 32.Ne3 Nc5 ) 32...e4 $1 {Time to unblock! The black knights are starting to enjoy life again.} 33.fxe4 {The better choice.} ( {Black is just fine after:} 33.Bxe4 Nf6 ) 33...Nc5 {Next a forced sequence:} ( {The machine prefers:} 33...Ne5 {But does not say what to do after:} 34.Ne3 Nxd3 35.cxd3 Nd7 36.g5 $1 ( 36.Rxh7 Ne5 ) ) 34.Ba5 Re7 35.Nd2 Nxd3 36.cxd3 Nd7 37.Bb4 Nc5 38.Rxh7 {Leads to a pawn gain for White.} ( {But swapping the defender would have been even more awesome, especially with a fabulous maneuver like:} 38.Ba3 $3 Ra8 39.Bb2 $1 {with a clear edge for White.} ) 38...Nxd3 $1 39.Bxd6 Rd7 40.Bg3 b6 ( 40...Rc3 {at once also makes sense.} ) 41.g5 Rc3 {It seems as Black is out of the woods, but there comes:} 42.Nf3 $3 {That creates a concrete threat, and it is Saric's moment to be aware of the danger.} 42...Rd8 $3 {He is!} ( {White would have won instead after say:} 42...b4 43.Ne5 $3 Nxe5 ( 43...Bxe5 {is even easier:} 44.Bxe5 Nxe5 45.Rh8+ Kg7 46.R1h7# ) 44.Rxg7+ Kxg7 45.Bxe5+ {and wins.} ) 43.Ne5 $1 {Nevertheless the knight inches in closer to the enemy king.} 43...Re8 {The most natural move is a step in the wrong direction.} ( {Both players likely came to the conclusion that the retreat:} 43...Nc5 $1 {Is bad for Black after:} 44.Nxf7 Kxf7 $2 ( {However, the stone-cold computer discovery:} 44...Rd7 $3 {Would have saved Black instead:} 45.Rxg7+ Kxg7 46.Be5+ Kxf7 47.Bxc3 Nxe4 ) 45.Be5 {and this is indeed truth.} ) 44.Nc6 Rxe4 45.Bd6 Nf2 {This could have ended badly.} ( {As dangerous as it is:} 45...f5 $1 {is Siaric's best choice. The machine holds somehow after:} 46.gxf6 Bxf6 47.Ra7 g5 ) 46.Ne7+ Rxe7 47.Bxe7 Nxh1 48.Rxh1 Rc7 {A sad retreat...} ( {The pawn is unstoppable after:} 48...Rd3 49.d6 Be5 50.Kc2 Rd5 51.Rd1 ) 49.d6 Rd7 50.Rc1 Be5 51.Rc8+ Kg7 {White is winning. But the key idea is far from trivial. f7-f5 (f6) is a positional threat that might free Black. Therefore:} 52.Bf8+ ( {Black was not actually threatening to push the pawn as this line proves:} 52.Kc2 b4 53.Rc6 f5 54.Bf6+ $3 Bxf6 55.Rc7 $3 {and wins.} ) 52...Kh7 53.Be7 Kg7 54.Kc2 {Najer is back to the right track.} 54...f5 55.gxf6+ {No! Fatigue had the final word.} ( {The Russian GM missed a well-deserved win with the study-like:} 55.Bf6+ $3 Bxf6 56.Rc7 Bxg5 57.Rxd7+ Kf6 58.Rb7 ) 55...Kf7 56.Rc6 {This misses the last chance to wrap up the game.} ( {It is related to yet another unbelievable study-like concept:} 56.Rf8+ Ke6 57.Rg8 Bxd6 58.Bxd6 Rxd6 59.Rxg6 Rc6+ 60.Kb2 Kf7 61.Rg4 Kxf6 62.Ka3 $3 {and White picks up both opponent's pawns.} ) 56...Ra7 $1 {The rook is out; Black is safe!} 57.Rc8 ( {Or:} 57.Kb1 Bxf6 58.Bxf6 Kxf6 59.d7+ Ke7 60.Rxg6 Rxd7 61.Rxb6 Rd5 ) 57...Ke6 58.Rg8 Rxa2+ 59.Kd3 Rf2 60.Ke3 Rf1 61.Rxg6 {Grand battle!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.10.01"]
[Round "6.6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8180344029706"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Bg5 h6 5.Bh4 {In a must-win situation Nakamura chooses a relatively rare approach.} 5...dxc4 6.e3 ( {The legendary Latvian GM Sveshnikov sadly left us this year, but left a great number of excellent concepts, ideas, and games. In this one he managed to outplay a far younger and higher-rated opponent:} 6.Qa4+ Nbd7 7.e3 a6 8.Bxc4 Rb8 9.Be2 b5 10.Qc2 Bb7 11.a4 Be4 12.Qxe4 Nxe4 13.Bxd8 Bb4+ 14.Kf1 Kxd8 15.axb5 axb5 16.Bd3 Nd6 17.Ke2 c5 18.Rc1 c4 19.Bc2 Ke7 {Laznicka,V (2667)-Sveshnikov,E (2493) Jurmala 2017} ) 6...c5 7.Bxc4 cxd4 8.exd4 {Now a standart IQP appeared, with the white bishop already committed to the h4 square.} 8...Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.Nc3 {[#]} 10...b6 $146 {This might be a bit slow.} ( {More natural and strong seems:} 10...Nc6 {at once. It was played in a ladies predecessor which saw some other typical ideas for the pawn structure:} 11.Re1 Nh5 12.Bxe7 Nxe7 13.Qd2 Bd7 14.Ne5 Bc6 {And here White opted for the risky exchange operation:} 15.Nxf7 Rxf7 16.Bxe6 {with unclear play in Tsatsalashvili,K (2331)-Melia,S (2371) Tornelo INT 2020} ) 11.Qe2 $1 {That is the difference. The pawn on d4 is not hanging and White can arrange his pieces in the most optimal way.} 11...Bb7 12.Rad1 {Very obvious and natural.} ( {However, there was a strong argument for:} 12.Ne5 {When the complications after:} 12...Qxd4 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Nxf7 $1 {Seem to favor White, for instance:} 14...Rxf7 15.Qxe6 ( 15.Bxe6 $1 {might be even stronger, with strong initiative along the open files.} ) 15...Qd7 16.Nb5 $1 {With the tactical point:} 16...Qxe6 17.Bxe6 Nc6 18.Bxf7+ Kxf7 19.Nd6+ {Although this might not be entirely clear as the white knight gets trapped on the b7 square.} ) 12...Nbd7 {Already a bit awkward.} ( {However, after the more natural development:} 12...Nc6 {White would have had a pleasant choice between the positional:} 13.Ne5 $5 ( {And the tactical:} 13.Bxe6 $1 {Mamedyarov might have feared this and then the forcing line:} 13...fxe6 14.Qxe6+ Rf7 15.d5 Na5 16.Ne5 Qe8 ( 16...Qf8 {changes nothing.} ) 17.Rfe1 $1 {Looks good for White, e.g:} 17...Bc8 18.Qxf7+ Qxf7 19.Nxf7 Kxf7 20.d6 {leads to serious presusre for White in the endgame.} ) ) 13.Rfe1 Rc8 {A blunder! From here on, Mamedyarov's loss can be named after the e8 square!} ( {For good or for bad, but the only way to stay in the game longer was connected with the overprotection of the e7 bishop:} 13...Re8 $1 {But if we have to be realistic, this is also pretty bad for Black after:} 14.Ne5 $1 {Threatening with the Nxf7! sac.} 14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 Nd5 16.Bxd5 Bxd5 17.Nxd5 exd5 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Rxd5 {and White wins a pawn.} ) 14.d5 $3 {Right! Whenever this break works in the IQP, this spells trouble for the defender. Here his position simply falls apart.} 14...exd5 {The lesser evil.} ( {The other captures lose faster:} 14...Nxd5 {Drops a whole piece by force in the line:} 15.Bxd5 $1 Bxd5 16.Bxe7 Bxf3 17.Bxd8 Bxe2 18.Rxd7 ) ( {Whereas:} 14...Bxd5 15.Bxd5 Nxd5 16.Rxd5 $1 Bxh4 {Drops the piece slowly and painfully after:} 17.Rd3 $1 {and the pin is winning for White.} ) 15.Qxe7 Qxe7 ( {Not:} 15...dxc4 16.Bxf6 ) 16.Rxe7 dxc4 17.Bxf6 $1 {Energetic play by Nakamura.} ( {White should as well be winning with:} 17.Rdxd7 Nxd7 18.Rxd7 Bxf3 19.gxf3 {but there is plenty of technical work.} ) 17...Bxf3 18.Rdxd7 Bc6 19.Bh4 {Alas, in blitz it is easy to miss stuff. Even if you are Nakamura!} ( {A neat way to claim decisive advantage was:} 19.Rc7 $1 gxf6 20.Rxf7 $3 {The seventh-rank threat forces:} 20...Rxc7 21.Rxc7 Re8 22.f3 {and White not only wins a pawn for starters, but completely dominates.} ) 19...Bxd7 20.Rxd7 g5 $1 {Now things are not that clear.} 21.Bg3 Rfd8 ( {Stronger was to bring the other rook out:} 21...Rcd8 $1 22.Rxa7 Rd2 23.h4 {And then use his brother with:} 23...Re8 $1 {Remember this move? It is the best in the endgame as well, Black covers all the important squares along the e-file and prepares counter-threats.} ) 22.Rxa7 Rd2 23.h4 Rxb2 24.h5 $1 {A strong blitz move! White creats mating net, always a nasty thing when low on time.} ( {Objectively stronger might have been:} 24.Be5 {To which Blakc has nothing else but to chase the white bishop away from the diagonal with:} 24...Re8 25.Bd4 Rd2 26.Bxb6 Rd3 ) 24...Rd2 ( {Missing:} 24...Re8 $1 {For the third time. True, White is much better still thanks to:} 25.f3 f5 26.Rd7 $1 ( {But he has to be very careful:} 26.Nd5 {For instance only leads to a draw after:} 26...f4 27.Nf6+ ( 27.Bf2 Rd8 ) 27...Kf8 28.Bf2 Rd8 29.Nh7+ Kg8 30.Nf6+ {with perpetual.} ) ) 25.f3 ( 25.Be5 $1 {would have finished it thanks to the weakeness of the back-rank in the line:} 25...Re8 26.Bf6 Rd6 27.Ne4 $1 Rxe4 28.Ra8+ Kh7 29.Rh8# {Yes, the pawn on h5 is doing its job!} ) 25...Rd3 ( {Last call for:} 25...Re8 $1 ) 26.Be5 Re8 ( {Perhaps Mamedyarov needed to try:} 26...f5 $1 27.Rg7+ Kf8 28.Rb7 {although White should be winning here as well.} ) 27.Bf6 Kf8 28.Ne4 {Now Black is paralyzed. He tries a last chance.} 28...c3 $1 29.Rc7 $1 {But Nakamura is very accurate.} ( 29.Bxc3 $2 Rxe4 {would have been an instant equalizer.} ) ( {Whereas:} 29.Nxc3 $6 {Suddenly traps the bishop with:} 29...Rd6 $1 30.Bh8 Kg8 $1 {True, White would be still pushing after:} 31.Ne4 Rd1+ 32.Kf2 Kxh8 33.Rxf7 {but that's a different story.} ) 29...g4 30.Kf2 $1 {Once more precision to the detail.} ( {The g-pawn is very dangerous in the line:} 30.Nxc3 g3 $1 31.Kf1 Rd2 32.Ne4 Rxe4 33.fxe4 Rf2+ {and Black is out of the woods.} ) ( {Whereas:} 30.Bxc3 gxf3 {unnecessarily complicates matters.} ) 30...gxf3 {Now it is quickly over.} ( {The last good try was:} 30...g3+ $1 31.Nxg3 Rd2+ 32.Kg1 Re1+ 33.Kh2 c2 34.Ne4 c1=Q 35.Rxc1 Rxc1 36.Nxd2 Rc2 {when White still has to prove the win.} ) 31.gxf3 Ra8 32.Nxc3 {Everything is under control and the next blunder seals the deal:} 32...Rd6 33.Be7+ 1-0

[Event "Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7768387884558"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.d4 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bf4 {A relatively rare choice for the first player.} ( {The main continuation is:} 6.Bg5 {As tested by Topalov in this recent game:} 6...O-O 7.e3 h6 8.Bh4 Bf5 9.Qb3 Bxc3+ 10.Qxc3 Nbd7 11.Be2 c6 12.Nd2 Ne4 13.Bxd8 Nxc3 14.bxc3 Rfxd8 15.Nf1 b5 16.f3 Nb6 17.Kf2 a5 18.g4 Bd7 19.Ng3 {Black seemed fine out of the opening in Topalov, V (2730)-Bu,X (2705) Lichess.org INT 2021} ) 6...Ne4 ( {Aronian preferred a more direct approach against the world champion with:} 6...O-O 7.e3 c5 8.dxc5 Qa5 9.Nd2 Nc6 10.Nb3 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Qxc3+ 12.Qd2 Qxd2+ 13.Kxd2 Ne4+ 14.Ke1 g5 {Carlsen,M (2847)-Aronian,L (2781) chess24.com INT 2021} ) 7.Rc1 c6 8.e3 Nd7 9.Bd3 Ndf6 $146 {All of this seems very logical and now a strange version of the Carlsbad arose. It seems favorable for White, as it is not easy to challenge the white dark-squared bishop which is a common theme in the usual Carlsbad.} ( {White was also better in the predecessor after:} 9...Qe7 10.h3 O-O 11.O-O h6 12.Qc2 Re8 13.Rb1 Ndf6 14.Ne5 Ng5 15.Ne2 Bd6 16.Ng3 Nge4 17.Nxe4 dxe4 18.Bc4 {Li,X (2086)-Cramling Bellon,A (2009) Manavgat 2018} ) 10.O-O Bg4 {Another obvious move, and as Radjabov will soon prove—an empty threat.} ( {But:} 10...O-O 11.Ne5 {does not appeal at all neither.} ) 11.Qc2 $1 {That is the point. White does not mind doubling his pawns, his center will be too strong.} 11...Bxf3 ( {The alternative was:} 11...Nxc3 12.bxc3 Bd6 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Ne5 {but here too, White owes the center whereas his pawns remain intact.} ) 12.gxf3 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Bd6 {Vachier-Lagrave needs to swap the bishop pair of the opponent for sure. However after:} 14.Bg3 {Black will have to pay a price for this trade.} 14...Nh5 {Vachier-Lagrave decided to pay the price with a couple of tempi. In the process he slows down the motion of the white center.} ( {Which would have moved strongly after:} 14...O-O 15.e4 Bxg3 16.hxg3 dxe4 17.fxe4 ) ( {And:} 14...Bxg3 15.hxg3 h5 16.Kg2 h4 17.Rh1 {also favors White.} ) 15.c4 {However, the center can be attacked from this side too.} ( {Here:} 15.e4 {can be met with:} 15...Bf4 ) 15...dxc4 16.Qxc4 ( 16.Bxc4 O-O 17.Kg2 {was also good for White.} ) 16...Nxg3 17.hxg3 {As a result, a position with opposite-colored bishop appeared on the board. White's bishop is certainly the stronger one, and this is the major factor of the position. The strong center also helps Radjabov build a lasting attack.} 17...O-O ( {There is no major difference after:} 17...Qe7 18.Kg2 ) 18.Kg2 {There is no rush in these situations. Just bring the pieces to the right positions and attack the squares which the opponent cannot defend with his own bishop.} 18...g6 ( {Or:} 18...h6 19.Bc2 {and Black would be forced to play g7-g6 sooner or later.} ) 19.Rh1 Kg7 20.d5 $1 {Both the fourth rank and the long diagonal are now opened for the white pieces.} 20...c5 $1 {The best defence.} ( {After:} 20...cxd5 21.Qd4+ {White weakens the opponent's king and his attack runs by itself:} 21...f6 ( 21...Qf6 $2 22.Rxh7+ ) 22.Qxd5 {For example:} 22...Rb8 23.Rxh7+ $1 Kxh7 24.Qh5+ Kg7 25.Qxg6+ Kh8 26.Qh7# {Every move was on a light square, a typical pattern into the attack.} ) 21.Qc3+ f6 22.f4 ( {Even better seemed the plan with the frontal attack:} 22.Rh4 $1 {With a possible line:} 22...b6 23.Rch1 Rh8 24.Bxg6 $3 Kxg6 25.Qd3+ f5 26.Rh6+ Kg7 27.Qxf5 {and White is mating.} ) 22...Qe7 23.a4 $1 {Fixing some more weaknesses. Radjabov's play is model.} 23...Rac8 24.Qc4 {Fixing the pawn, thus the bishop too.} ( 24.Bc4 $5 {would have done the job too.} ) ( {But not:} 24.Rh4 c4 $1 25.Bxc4 Qe4+ ( 25...Rc7 ) 26.f3 Qe8 {when Blakc starts kicking again.} ) 24...f5 {Or else White might have pushed his pawn to f5 himself.} ( {As the line:} 24...b6 25.f5 g5 26.Qg4 Qf7 27.Bb5 $1 {With total domination on the light squares. White is never worried of:} 27...Qxd5+ 28.e4 Qf7 29.Bc4 {when his bishop becomes even stronger.} ) 25.Rb1 Rc7 26.e4 $1 {It is time to break open more files and reach the enemy king.} 26...fxe4 27.Rhe1 $1 Qf6 28.Rxe4 Re7 29.Re6 {Adding a strong passer to his assets.} ( 29.Rxe7+ Qxe7 30.Qc3+ Kg8 31.Re1 {would have been nice for White as well.} ) 29...Rxe6 30.dxe6 b6 31.a5 {Now it is the b-file which is up for grabs.} ( {More solid was:} 31.Re1 Be7 32.Qa6 {also with excellent posiiton for White.} ) 31...Re8 $1 {However after the forcing line:} ( {Or:} 31...Rb8 32.Qa6 Qe7 33.Rd1 {when Black has hardly anything to move.} ) 32.axb6 axb6 33.Rxb6 Qxe6 34.Qc3+ {The black king is getting exposed and this is always horrible, especially in short-time controls.} 34...Kh6 35.Bc4 Qe7 ( {Or else Black can quickly get checkmated:} 35...Qe4+ 36.f3 Qe7 37.Rb1 $1 ) 36.f5 Be5 {At last, Vachier-Lagrave cracks under the pressure.} ( {The last chance was:} 36...Rd8 $1 37.Qf3 Rf8 38.Qd3 {although it seems unlikely that Black can hold after:} ) 37.Qe3+ Kg7 38.Bb5 {Winning a whole bishop at least.} 38...Rc8 39.Ba6 {Rb6-e6 cannot be stopped, and Vachier-Lagrave resigns. A model game by Radjabov!} 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2021.10.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Chigaev, Maksim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2800"]
[BlackElo "2639"]
[ECO "B81"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8114266984004"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 {It is extremely hard to guess what will Caruana choose against the Najdorf, but this modest-looking move seems to suit his style well.} 6...e6 ( {A recent game of the American GM saw} 6...e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.g4 h6 9.Be3 Nbd7 10.a4 Nf8 11.Qf3 Ng6 12.O-O-O Bd7 13.a5 O-O 14.Kb1 {and White later won in Caruana,F (2822) -Saric,I (2655) Chess.com 2020} ) 7.g4 h6 ( {Grischuk preferred instead to avoid this move and opted for} 7...Be7 8.g5 Nfd7 9.Be3 b5 10.a3 Bb7 11.h4 Nc6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qd4 O-O 14.O-O-O Nc5 15.f3 Rb8 16.Rg1 a5 {Duda,J (2757)-Grischuk,A (2777) Chess.com 2020} ) 8.a3 $5 {A crafty little move, which still needs to prove later that it is useful. But since Black's main idea is to attack the center and the queenside with a b7-b5-b4 thrust, it certainly makes sense.} 8...Be7 9.Be3 Nc6 10.Rg1 Nd7 $146 {A typical maneuver and a novelty.} ( {In an email predecessor, Black chose instead} 10...Qc7 11.Qe2 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 e5 13.Be3 Be6 14.O-O-O Rc8 15.Kb1 Qc6 16.Bg2 Nd7 {Zolochevsky,V (2365) -Ermolaev,A (2431) ICCF email 2011} ) 11.Be2 g5 {\"Probably not really good for Black.\" (Caruana)} ( {Instead} 11...Rb8 $5 {looks more natural, when Black intends to trade on d4 and then start pushing his b-pawn.} ) 12.Qd2 Nce5 ( {After} 12...Nxd4 {White would have likely reacted with} 13.Bxd4 Ne5 14.O-O-O {and then h3-h4 as in the game.} ) 13.O-O-O b5 ( 13...Ng6 $5 {was an interesting attempt to slow the opponent's kingside initiative.} ) 14.h4 $1 {This is the reason why Caruana did not trust the g7-g5 push. White will be the one to capitalize on the opening of the h-file.} 14...Bb7 ( {Certainly not} 14...gxh4 $2 15.f4 Ng6 16.f5 {when Black's position collapses at once.} ) 15.hxg5 hxg5 16.Rh1 Rg8 $1 {Chigaev knows that this rook is a most important defender.} 17.Rh5 {Very logical and straightforward play by White.} ( 17.Nb3 $5 {looked interesting as well, gaining some extra control in the center. Then the maneuver Nd7-b6-(c4) can always be met with Nb3-a5.} ) 17...Rc8 18.Rdh1 Bf6 {The exchange sacrifice is in the air, and White prevents it with...} ( {Here} 18...Nb6 {is already interesting. Chigaev might have disliked} 19.Rh8 {but the black king feels surprising well in the center after} 19...Kd7 20.Rxg8 Qxg8 21.b3 ) 19.f3 {...to which Chigaev keeps maneuvering} 19...Qe7 ( {This, however, misses a good moment for a central strike with} 19...Nb6 $1 20.b3 d5 $1 {Black solves all his problems , although the position gets extremely messy.} ) 20.Kb1 {A useful move.} ( {The machine likes} 20.Nb3 {but a human would not like to allow anything like} 20...Rxc3 21.Qxc3 Nxf3 22.Qb4 ) 20...Nc4 ( {Here} 20...Nb6 {does not seem as effective after} 21.b3 d5 22.f4 $1 gxf4 23.Bxf4 Ng6 24.e5 $1 Bg7 25.Bxb5+ $1 axb5 26.Ncxb5 {with large attack for White.} ) 21.Bxc4 Rxc4 {\"When I played\"} 22.b3 {\"I pretty much decided on the sacrifice.\" (Caruana)} 22...Rc8 23.Nd5 $1 {Caruana called it an extremely risky sacrifice. \"It's not even like I have a very direct attack. I have some initiative, which could last you know, for a move.\"} ( {Caruana had a lot of other reasonable alternatives, like} 23.Rh6 ) ( {Or} 23.Rh7 ) ( {Or} 23.Nde2 ) 23...exd5 24.Nf5 Qe6 25.Bxg5 {For the piece, White got open files and diagonals. And a 100-million-Pegasus.} 25...Bc3 {A good move! It was, however, played after quite a significant amount of time spent on the clock. Chigaev was likely trying to put himself together.} ( {Instead} 25...Bxg5 $2 {would have left Black without enough defenders and losing due to} 26.Rxg5 Rxg5 27.Qxg5 ) ( {However, the other capture} 25...Rxg5 $5 {might have attracted Black. The dark-squared bishop is far more valuable than Rg8 as it covers more important squares and is good for both the defense and the counterattack. The game is unclear after} 26.Rxg5 Ne5 27.Rg8+ Kd7 28.Rxc8 Kxc8 ) 26.Qh2 {Aiming at the other significant black weakness.} 26...Ne5 {The best defense again.} ( {Not} 26...Be5 27.f4 ) 27.Rh6 Rg6 {This time Chigaev errs, and this is all that it takes for a side to lose instantly in this super-sharp position.} ( {Strong is} 27...Ng6 $1 28.Nxd6+ Kd7 29.Nxb7 Kc6 {regaining the knight in an original way. White then has enough for the piece, but Black can also be happy with his improved king safety.} ) 28.Rxg6 $1 {\"I think he missed this.\" (Caruana) White trades a key defender and then quickly infiltrates into the enemy camp.} ( {Black apparently expected} 28.Ng7+ Rxg7 29.Rxe6+ fxe6 30.Bf6 {with a messy position.} ) 28...Qxg6 29.Qf4 $1 {All the white pieces gain coordination, and Caruana converts in style.} 29...Nxf3 ( {Perhaps Chigaev should have tried} 29...f6 30.Nxd6+ Kd7 31.Bxf6 Rf8 {although here too, White is significantly better.} ) ( 29...Kd7 30.Rh6 $1 {loses on the spot.} ) 30.Qxf3 dxe4 ( {Or} 30...Qxg5 31.Nxd6+ Kd7 32.Nxc8 {and White wins material.} ) 31.Qe3 $1 {The decisive infiltration.} 31...Bg7 32.Qa7 $1 Qxg5 33.Qxb7 Rd8 34.Rh7 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2021.10.28"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Predke, Alexandr"]
[Black "Yakubboev, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2666"]
[BlackElo "2621"]
[ECO "E71"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8112656358482"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Bg5 {One of those smothering systems that the KID players need to face.} 6...Nc6 {After a lengthy deliberation, Yakubboev opts for an aggressive line that aims to benefit on the relevant weakness of the d4-pawn.} ( {Black can also go for the direct} 6...h6 7.Be3 e5 8.d5 Na6 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.a3 Nac5 11.Bc2 f5 12.b4 Nxe4 13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.Bxe4 {as in Vallejo Pons,F (2701)-Jones,G (2657) Online 2021} ) 7.Nf3 h6 {It is important to break the pin before the next move.} 8.Be3 e5 9.d5 Nd4 {That's the point behind Black's play. The central black pawn has been sacrificed earlier too, and as a rule White avoids capturing it.} ( {Instead} 9...Ne7 {looks too passive when White can opt for} 10.Qd2 ( {Or the immediate} 10.g4 $5 ) 10...Kh7 11.g4 {when White's main idea is to lock the kingside first with aggressive play and they play a one-sided game on the opposite wing. Knowing this, Black often risks and may fall into a proper kingside attack, as in this game} 11...c5 12.Bd3 a6 13.Ne2 b5 14.Ng3 bxc4 15.Bxc4 Bd7 16.g5 hxg5 17.Nxg5+ Kg8 18.Be2 Bb5 19.h4 Rb8 20.Kf1 Bxe2+ 21.Qxe2 Qb6 22.Kg2 Qb5 23.Qf3 Qd7 24.h5 {Pultinevicius,P (2501)-Mamedov,R (2654) Online 2021} ) 10.Nxd4 exd4 11.Qxd4 {Well, that is interesting. But how to react to} 11...Ng4 12.hxg4 $3 $146 {Aha, here it is! This novelty will likely take away Blacks desire to try and take the initiative that early.} ( {Instead, an earlier game offered Black a pleasant play on the dark squares after} 12.Qd2 Nxe3 13.Qxe3 f5 14.O-O-O a6 15.Bd3 b5 {and this is all that KID players dream about!} 16.exf5 bxc4 17.Bxc4 Bxf5 18.g4 Re8 19.Qg3 Be4 20.Rhe1 Qf6 21.f4 Rab8 22.Rd2 Qxc3+ {0-1 (22) Potapov,A (2399)-Goluch,P (2231) Pardubice 2014} ) 12...Bxd4 13.Bxd4 {Now instead of attacking, Yakubboev will have to think about the defense. Fun fact: it is Black who usually sacrifices his queen for a couple of light pieces and a pawn. And there too, one of the pieces must be the dark-squared bishop.} 13...Kh7 {Most likely not the best defense.} ( {The machine suggests evacuating his Majesty at once with} 13...f6 $1 14.Rxh6 Kf7 {with the point to meet} 15.g5 {with} 15...Rh8 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 $1 17.gxf6 Rxh6 {True, even here White is better.} ) 14.Be2 {Intending f2-f4 and then g4-g5 with inevitable mate along the h-file.} 14...f5 {Sooner or later Black will have to physically try and block the enemy pawns.} ( {If a normal development like} 14...Bd7 15.f4 $1 {threatens, as we know g4-g5 and then} 15...f6 16.O-O-O {once again creates the same threat, for example, after a neutral move like} 16...a5 ( {Therefore, Black would still need to push the pawn} 16...h5 {when White has a pleasant choice between} 17.gxh5 ( {And} 17.f5 $1 ) 17...g5 18.fxg5 fxg5 19.Bd3 {with a growing attack.} ) 17.g5 $1 {Leads to mate after} 17...fxg5 18.Rxh6+ Kxh6 19.Rh1+ Bh3 20.Rxh3# ) 15.exf5 $1 {Predke opens the diagonal for the light-squared bishop and crashes through.} 15...gxf5 16.Rh5 {Not just doubling the rooks, but also controlling the f5-spot.} 16...Kg6 ( 16...fxg4 17.Bd3+ {loses on the spot.} ) ( {And in case of} 16...Rg8 {White would bring more attackers with either} 17.O-O-O ( {Or} 17.Kd2 ) ) 17.Kd2 $1 {White's attack grows by itself.} 17...fxg4 18.Rah1 Bf5 {At last bringing a defender out.} ( {The assault cannot be slowed down with} 18...Rh8 19.Bd3+ Kf7 20.Bxh8 Qxh8 21.Rxh6 ) 19.Rxh6+ Kf7 20.R1h5 {So far Predke was impeccable, but this last move somewhat slows down his win. As we shall see, the Russian GM clearly understood that the black bishop needs to be removed, but he was trying to trap it.} ( {The defender should have been swapped instead:} 20.Bd3 $3 Bxd3 21.Kxd3 {when the black king would have been mated without a chance} 21...Ke7 ( 21...Ke8 22.Rh7 $1 ) ( 21...Qg5 22.Ne4 ) 22.Rh7+ Rf7 23.Re1+ Kf8 24.Rh8# ) 20...Ke7 21.Nd1 $1 {A nice maneuver. Predke is sticking to his plan of harassing the black bishop.} ( {It is not too late for} 21.Bd3 $3 Bxd3 22.Kxd3 {And this time the winning idea is different. After} 22...Kd7 {the black king escapes the mate, but nevertheless loses the game after} 23.Rh7+ Kc8 24.Rh8 $1 {Yes, it is more comfortable on c8 and his Majesty will not be mated, but the Ra8 cannot come to the rescue.} ) 21...c5 22.Bc3 {The most controlled continuation.} 22...Kd7 ( {After} 22...Qb6 23.Ne3 Bd7 24.Rh7+ Kd8 25.Rg5 {the white rooks make it to the seventh rank.} ) 23.Ne3 Bb1 24.Bxg4+ ( {Even easier is to hunt the bishop at once:} 24.Kc1 $1 {with the idea to clear the seventh rank again:} 24...Bxa2 ( 24...Be4 25.Re6 $1 {traps the bishop in the middle of the board!} ) 25.Rh7+ Kc8 26.Bxg4+ Kb8 27.Rd7 Qe8 28.Rhh7 {when Black is helpless.} ) 24...Kc7 25.f3 Qe8 $1 {The best defense by Black! Yakubboev wants to keep the bishop on the b1-h7 diagonal.} ( {Or else his key pawn would suffer after} 25...Bxa2 26.Nf5 $1 ) 26.Rh1 $1 {Another nice maneuver.} ( {Or} 26.Re6 Qf7 27.Rh1 Bh7 {Black's position is ugly but perhaps still playable.} ) 26...Bg6 27.Re1 {A second open file is seized with an ambush!} 27...Rg8 28.Be6 Qf8 {This is not the most resilient defence.} ( {Instead} 28...Rf8 29.Ng4 {lets the white knight go to f6.} ) ( {However, a better idea is} 28...Qa4 $1 29.Bxg8 Rxg8 {in order to try and find counter-chances on the light squares.} ) 29.Reh1 Re8 {This loses at once.} ( 29...Qe7 {is Black's last chance although there too} 30.f4 {would have likely led to White's slow win.} ) 30.R1h4 $1 {Back to the fourth rank, everything is set for more pins!} 30...Rxe6 {That means resignation, but there was nothing better than that.} ( {Or} 30...Kb8 31.Bxg8 Qxg8 32.Rg4 {and Black drops material.} ) 31.dxe6 Qe8 32.Nd5+ Kc6 33.Nf6 Qe7 34.Rg4 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Women's Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2021.10.31"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Batsiashvili, Nino"]
[Black "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8182986446370"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Bb4 {Kosteniuk has played the Ragozin Defense four times in the last two years, and its occurrence might have been a mild surprise for Batsiashvili.} 5.Qa4+ {A relative side-move. Kosteniuk had never faced it before. And Batsiashvili had never opted for it either!} ( {Instead} 5.Bg5 ) ( {And} 5.cxd5 {are far more popular continuations for White.} ) 5...Nc6 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 h6 ( {White got full compensation for his pawn after} 7...Ne4 8.e3 O-O 9.Bd3 Nxc3 10.Qc2 Ne4 11.O-O Na5 12.Ne5 Nf6 13.cxd5 exd5 14.Bd2 c6 15.Rab1 Be6 16.a4 {Giri,A (2776)-Van Foreest,J (2698) Online 2021} ) 8.e3 Bd7 9.Qc2 {White is ready to bring her center in motion, thus opening room for her bishop pair. That is not a scenario her opponent can allow, and Kosteniuk is looking for a blockade with the next move, a novelty:} 9...Na5 $146 ( {Black did well in after} 9...O-O 10.Bd3 dxc4 11.Bxc4 Na5 12.Be2 c5 13.a4 cxd4 14.cxd4 Rc8 15.Qb2 Nc4 16.Bxc4 Rxc4 {Miton,K (2596)-Bartel,M (2601) Prievidza 2009} ) 10.cxd5 exd5 11.a4 Ne4 {The first in-depth thought by the former world champion, and it seems she mixed up the ideas.} ( {Stronger seems} 11...O-O 12.Bd3 {and then} 12...c5 $1 13.dxc5 ( {White should not allow the Nimzo-Indian blockade} 13.O-O $2 c4 $1 ) 13...Ne4 {Then, in return for the two pawns, Black will develop strong play along the light squares after} 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Qxe4 Bc6 ) 12.Bd3 ( {Even better might have been} 12.c4 $5 {spoiling the opponent's blockade. Then White need not to worry about} 12...Bf5 {due to the strong reply} 13.cxd5 $1 Ng3 14.Qc3 Nxh1 15.Qxa5 {and the knight on the rim will be spooked on Halloween.} ) 12...Nd6 {The queenside is put in order, but what about the opposite side?} 13.O-O O-O 14.Ne5 {White's plan is clear: open the center, mate the king.} 14...Be8 {Taking under control the g6-point.} ( {Of course not} 14...f6 $2 15.Bh7+ Kh8 16.Ng6+ Kxh7 17.Nxf8+ ) 15.f3 f6 16.Ng4 ( {White also avoids a small trap:} 16.Ng6 $2 Bxg6 17.Bxg6 f5 ) 16...Qc8 {Dark clouds are gathering around the black king, and Black simply cannot afford to wait an extra move!} ( {A better try would have been} 16...Ndc4 17.e4 c5 $1 {in order to challenge the center.} ) 17.e4 $1 {Now that the center in open, the next phase you already know...} 17...dxe4 {And like a thunder...} ( 17...c5 {no longer helps due to} 18.e5 fxe5 19.dxe5 Ndc4 20.Nxh6+ $1 {Same idea as in the game.} 20...gxh6 21.Bxh6 Rf7 22.Qf2 {With unstoppable mating attack.} ) 18.Nxh6+ $3 {Without any further preparation or delay!} 18...gxh6 19.fxe4 Kg7 ( {Or} 19...Rf7 20.Bxh6 {when White practically attacks for free, and the rook lift along the third rank would be decisive.} ) 20.e5 $1 {Another energetic blow.} 20...Nac4 {The last slim hope to organize a defense, but Batsiashvili is on fire.} ( {Since} 20...fxe5 21.Bxh6+ $1 Kxh6 22.Qd2+ $1 {leads to mate at once.} ) 21.Qf2 $1 {Not even paying attention to the knight.} ( {Although there is nothing wrong with the obvious} 21.exd6 Nxd6 {when practically any sensible move wins for White} 22.c4 ( 22.Qf2 ) ( 22.Qd2 ) ) 21...f5 ( {Not that the knight is going anywhere} 21...Nf7 22.Qxf6+ Kg8 23.Qg6+ Kh8 24.Qh7# ) 22.exd6 Nxd6 23.Bf4 {White is dominating, and the rest is a perfect execution of dark-squares attacking strategy.} 23...Bg6 24.Qh4 Nf7 25.Rae1 Re8 26.Rxe8 {Simply adding more resources to the attack.} 26...Qxe8 27.Re1 Qxa4 28.Re7 {When the rook occupies the seventh rank, mate becomes inevitable.} 28...Qa1+ 29.Bf1 h5 ( {Or} 29...Rh8 30.Be5+ ) 30.Be5+ Kf8 31.Rxc7 Qc1 32.Qe7+ Kg8 33.Qf6 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2021.10.29"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "5568156731482"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 {The solid Caro-Kann is becoming a key weapon in the battle for the full point for Black.} 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.a3 ( {A few weeks ago two other top GMs discussed the consequences of:} 5.Bd3 Nd7 6.Nf3 Bxc5 7.O-O Ne7 8.Re1 Ng6 9.a3 O-O 10.b4 Bb6 11.Bb2 Nf4 12.c4 f6 {Svidler went for the sharp continuation:} 13.c5 fxe5 14.cxb6 e4 {A piece offer that Dominguez turned down and claimed advantage instead with:} 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Rxe4 Nxb6 17.Qxd8 Rxd8 18.Nc3 {Dominguez Perez, L (2758)-Svidler,P (2714) Saint Louis 2021} ) 5...Bxc5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.b4 Bb6 8.Bb2 {The players are in now in French waters with both sides fiercely fighting for the central squares.} 8...Nge7 9.Bd3 Ng6 10.b5 Na5 11.h4 Qc7 {This looks risky as the black knight is vulnerable after:} 12.h5 Nf4 13.Bf1 {However, Black has done his homework well.} 13...Nc4 14.Bd4 {All of this has been seen before but now Fedoseev comes with a strong novelty.} ( {Safer seems:} 14.Bc3 $5 g6 15.Nbd2 ) 14...Ba5+ $146 ( {Black did not do great in the predecessor after:} 14...g6 15.Bxb6 axb6 16.Qd4 Nxh5 17.Bxc4 Qxc4 18.Qxc4 dxc4 19.Nbd2 Ra4 20.Rh4 {Severiukhina,Z (2279)-Okun,E (2145) Moscow 2012} ) 15.c3 f6 $1 {Tari must have underestimated this undermining idea. His center crumbles, and his king is getting exposed.} 16.g3 {The only move.} ( {After:} 16.exf6 gxf6 17.Bxf6 Rf8 18.Bh4 Qg7 $1 {Black would quickly get to the enemy king.} ) 16...fxe5 17.Nxe5 Nxe5 18.gxf4 Nf7 $1 {Another strong maneuver. e6-e5 is all that Fedoseev wants.} 19.h6 ( {Nothing changes:} 19.Bxg7 Rg8 20.h6 Qxf4 {Black is in complete control.} ) 19...Qxf4 20.hxg7 Rg8 {The outcome of the opening is painful for Tari. His pieces lack coordination, the white king is in constant danger, and the feeling is that he should quickly succumb to the pressure.} 21.Be2 ( {There is no time for:} 21.Rxh7 $4 Qe4+ ) ( {And:} 21.Bd3 $4 Qxd4 {ain't better either.} ) 21...Bd7 22.Rh3 {At least the rook is activated.} ( {Perhaps:} 22.Qd2 $5 {is somewhat more stubborn, although Black has all the fun with:} 22...Qe4 23.f3 Qf5 ) 22...e5 23.Be3 Qf6 24.Rf3 Qe6 25.Qa4 Bb6 {Fedoseev decided that the white bishop is his main defender and is worth the trade.} ( {However, the black bishop was good at its spot and the simple:} 25...b6 $1 26.Rg3 Qf6 {would have fixed Black's large edge instead.} ) 26.Rg3 Bxe3 27.fxe3 Qh6 28.Nd2 Nd6 {Black is following an idea, but it has a tactical flow.} ( {It is not too late for a simple but good:} 28...Rxg7 29.Rxg7 Qxg7 30.O-O-O Rc8 ) 29.O-O-O Qh2 {After:} ( 29...Rxg7 30.Rxg7 Qxg7 31.Qb4 ) 30.Rg5 $3 {\"I immediately realized that draw would be a huge success for me.\" (Fedoseev)} 30...Rc8 ( {Black is indeed helpless after:} 30...Qxe2 31.Rxe5+ Kd8 32.Rxd5 Ne8 33.Qd4 ) ( {And the computer recommendation:} 30...O-O-O 31.Qxa7 Qxe2 32.Qc5+ Kb8 33.Qxd6+ Ka8 34.Qxe5 {cannot save the second player either.} ) 31.Qb4 $1 ( {The preliminary check:} 31.Bh5+ Kd8 {And the attack after:} 32.Qb4 Nxb5 33.Rf1 $1 {Also seems crushing. However, it transpires that the second player can hold with a nice sacrificial idea in the line:} 33...Rxc3+ 34.Kd1 Rxa3 35.Rf8+ Kc7 36.Qc5+ Bc6 37.Rxg8 {All of this forced. It looks as if the white king escapes the checks after:} 37...Ra1+ 38.Kc2 Ra2+ 39.Kb1 {However, there is:} ( 39.Kb3 Rb2+ $3 ) 39...Rb2+ $3 40.Kxb2 Qxd2+ {and a perpetual!} ) 31...Qxe2 32.Rxe5+ ( {After:} 32.Qxd6 Rxc3+ 33.Kb2 Rxe3 $1 {Black defends his pawn and is out of danger.} ) 32...Kd8 33.Qxd6 {Now Black gets a chance to escape!} ( {Tari might have disliked the line:} 33.Rxd5 Qxe3 34.Rxd6 ( {But in this line the computer move:} 34.Kb1 $3 {promises White the advantage. True, it is not obvious how big it is after the forcing:} 34...Qxc3 35.Qh4+ Kc7 36.Rc1 Bf5+ 37.Rxf5 Qxc1+ 38.Kxc1 Nxf5 39.Qf4+ Kd7+ ) 34...Qxc3+ 35.Qxc3 Rxc3+ 36.Kb2 Rc7 {with a likely draw.} ) ( {The other plausible attempt would have been:} 33.b6 $1 {When:} 33...axb6 {Loses to:} ( {However, nothing is yet certain after:} 33...Rc6 $3 34.bxa7 Kc7 ) 34.Qxb6+ Rc7 35.Rf1 $1 ) 33...Rxc3+ {Black's turn to attack.} 34.Kb2 Qd3 35.Nb1 Qc2+ {Incredible! Fedoseev wants to play for a win, still!} ( 35...Rb3+ 36.Ka1 Qxd1 37.Qb8+ Bc8 38.Qd6+ Bd7 39.Qb8+ {would have been a draw instead.} ) 36.Ka1 Qxd1 37.Re7 {Now Black is again in trouble.} 37...Qg4 ( {For:} 37...Rc7 {loses to.} 38.Rf7 $1 ) 38.Qf6 $3 {A brilliant ambush!} ( {Black would have been fine instead in case of:} 38.Nxc3 Rxg7 ) 38...Rc4 39.b6 {Once more this move! The idea is great. The problem is that somehow Black finds a way out.} ( {A pity for Tari who could have won thanks to:} 39.Re4+ $1 Kc7 ( 39...Kc8 40.Qf8+ ) 40.Rxg4 Rxg4 41.Nc3 $1 {The Q+N in the attack quickly win material or mate the black king after:} 41...R4xg7 42.Nxd5+ Kc8 43.Qc3+ ) ( {White's idea is understandable in the line:} 39.Rf7+ Kc7 40.Qe5+ Kb6 {where the black king escapes via exactly this square.} ) 39...Qg6 $1 {The only move.} ( {After:} 39...axb6 40.Rf7+ Kc7 41.Qe5+ Kc6 42.Rf6+ Kb5 43.Qxd5+ Ka6 44.Qxg8 {White should win.} ) 40.Qf8+ Be8 41.bxa7 Ra4 $1 {Another only move. The rook needs to stay active.} ( {There is no way Black can survive after:} 41...Rc8 42.Rxb7 ) 42.Rxb7 Qxg7+ $1 {That is it. Fedoseev can liquidate into a draw endgame and save the half-point.} 43.Qxg7 Rxg7 44.Rxg7 Bd7 $1 45.Rg8+ Be8 46.Rg7 Bd7 47.Nc3 Rxa3+ 48.Kb2 Rxa7 49.Nxd5 Rb7+ 50.Kc3 Bc6 51.Rxb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2021.10.02"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[ECO "B08"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8247679392775"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 g6 2.e4 d6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.Be2 O-O 6.O-O a6 {A must win situation, and Carlsen avoids the main theoretical lines.} 7.a4 Nc6 8.Be3 {The immediate 8.d4-d5 is becoming the main line according to my Megabase.} 8...b6 ( {The other plan is to organize pressure against the d4-point with:} 8...Bg4 {It is amusing to see another game of Radjabov against Carlsen's main rival played in the line this year. After:} 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Nd7 11.Ne2 Na5 12.c3 Nc4 13.Bc1 {Black's knight activity was only temporary, and Radjabov has pushed the horses back:} 13...c5 14.b3 Na5 15.Be3 cxd4 16.cxd4 Qb6 17.Rb1 Rac8 18.Qd2 {and White could already claim a stable advantage in Radjabov,T (2765) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2792) chess24.com INT 2021} ) 9.d5 {Simple and strong. White gains some more central squares with a tempo.} 9...Nb8 ( {Black sometimes plays for an equality with:} 9...Ne5 {But after:} 10.Nxe5 dxe5 11.a5 {White is in total control, not risking much.} ) 10.Nd4 $146 {A logical follow-up.} ( {White also had a bit of a pull in the predecessor after:} 10.Qd2 c6 11.Bh6 Bb7 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Rfe1 Nbd7 14.Bf1 Rc8 15.Rad1 cxd5 16.Nxd5 Rc5 17.Nxf6 Nxf6 18.e5 {Petrov,M (2512)-Nithander,V (2520) Sweden 2013} ) ( {Anotehr logical and useful move would have been:} 10.Re1 $5 ) 10...Bb7 11.f3 ( {Here:} 11.f4 $5 {seems more in the spirit of White's previous play, in order to additionally support the center after:} 11...c6 12.Bf3 $1 ) 11...c6 {Carlsen frees his position a bit and finally enters Dragon waters.} 12.dxc6 Nxc6 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.Qd2 {The most natural move. The rooks are connected, and White is ready to swap off the important black dark-squared bishop.} ( 14.Nd5 $5 ) 14...Re8 15.Rfd1 Nd7 16.Bd4 Bf8 {The same policy of avoiding the exchanges. The bishop also covers the d6-pawn, which prepares Black's next move.} ( 16...Bxd4+ {is objectively better when White is slightly better after:} 17.Qxd4 Qc7 18.Ra3 ) 17.Bc4 {Provocation.} 17...e6 {Granted.} 18.Bf1 Qc7 19.Be3 {Carefully watching the d6-pawn.} ( {Or else Black may get a chance to advance it, as in the line:} 19.Qf2 d5 $5 ) 19...Qb7 20.b4 {Radjabov spotted a vulnerable bishop and went for it!} ( {He could have also tortured the dark-squared bishop with:} 20.Bh6 Be7 21.Bg5 {as if traded, the pawn on d6 will get exposed.} ) 20...b5 {This only makes things more difficult for Carlsen.} ( {Safer seemed:} 20...Qc7 21.b5 axb5 22.Nxb5 Bxb5 23.Bxb5 {but then again, how to play for a win against the mighty white bishops?} ) 21.axb5 {The a-file is opened in White's favor, and from there he gains access to the other weakness on b5.} 21...axb5 ( {Or:} 21...Bxb5 22.Nxb5 axb5 23.Ra5 Rxa5 24.bxa5 {with a clear edge for White.} ) 22.Bf2 ( {Also good is:} 22.Ra5 Rxa5 23.bxa5 Qa6 24.Na2 {with White's edge.} ) 22...h5 23.Ra5 {Challenging the pawn. Radjabov's advantage is indisputable.} 23...Rxa5 24.bxa5 Ra8 {A blunder, but the match was likely over at this stage.} 25.Nxb5 d5 ( {Nothing changes:} 25...Bxb5 26.Rb1 ) 26.Nd4 Nf6 ( {Of course, there is no time for:} 26...dxe4 27.Nxc6 Qxc6 28.Qxd7 ) 27.a6 Qc7 {The last mistake.} ( {However:} 27...Qd7 28.e5 Ne8 29.Qa5 {is equally hopeless for Black.} ) 28.Qc3 1-0

[Event "Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2021.10.03"]
[Round "8.4"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8247029268500"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Qc2 {It is curious that a year ago in a similar must-win situation, Carlsen chose the same opening against Nakamura to try and level the score. For several moves, the two players followed that game.} ( {Caruana's preference is the more aggressive:} 6.Bb5 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Bd6 8.d4 Bd7 9.O-O O-O 10.Nd2 Na5 11.Bd3 Re8 12.Bb2 {Caruana,F (2835)-Karjakin,S (2752) chess.com INT 2020} ) 6...Ndb4 7.Qb1 f5 8.a3 Nd5 ( {An old predecessor saw White doing well after:} 8...e4 9.Nxe4 fxe4 10.Qxe4+ Qe7 11.Qxe7+ Bxe7 12.axb4 Nxb4 13.Ra5 {Samraoui, M-Demigha Algeria 1983} ) 9.d3 Be6 10.Be2 Be7 11.O-O O-O ( {When playing with reversed colors, the first player often prevents central trades with:} 11...Nb6 {But here after:} 12.b4 a6 13.Bd1 $1 {followed by Bd1-b3, White builds some slight advantage.} ) 12.Nxd5 ( {As:} 12.Bd2 {would be met with:} 12...Nb6 $1 ) 12...Bxd5 13.b4 a6 14.Bb2 Bd6 {[#]} ( {White is a tad better after:} 14...Bf6 15.e4 Be6 16.Bc3 Qd6 17.Re1 f4 18.a4 ) 15.Bc3 $146 {The novelty! Artemiev prepares b4-b5.} ( {The above-mentioned game Carlsen-Nakamura saw:} 15.e4 Be6 16.Bc3 fxe4 17.dxe4 Bg4 18.Qa2+ ( {In case of:} 18.Rd1 Qf6 19.Qb2 Bxf3 20.Bxf3 Nd4 21.Bxd4 exd4 {the game is completely even.} ) 18...Kh8 19.Ne1 Bd7 ( {After:} 19...Bxe2 20.Qxe2 Qg5 21.Rd1 Qg6 22.Nd3 {White is more than willing to see:} 22...Nd4 $2 23.Bxd4 exd4 24.f4 {when White's passers walk unobstructed.} ) 20.Rd1 Qf6 ( {And here Nakamura missed the strong:} 20...Qg5 {which was not allowing:} 21.Nd3 {easily as:} 21...Bh3 {forces the knight back.} ) 21.Nd3 {White got somewhat better position and eventually won Carlsen,M (2863)-Nakamura,H (2736) Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals 2020 [Bojkov,Dejan]} ) 15...Qe7 {Ignoring the threat.} ( {However, there is an argument for:} 15...Qf6 $5 {Intending to meet:} 16.b5 axb5 17.Qxb5 {with:} 17...Ne7 ) 16.b5 axb5 {Black sacrifices the pawn hoping to get it back quickly on the a-file.} ( {Here too:} 16...Nd8 $5 17.e4 Be6 {is more solid.} ) 17.Qxb5 Bf7 18.Qxb7 Na5 19.Qb2 {And Nakamura sank into thought, probably realizing that he had missed a few details in his preliminary calculations.} 19...Rfb8 ( {The immediate recapture:} 19...Nb3 20.Rab1 Bxa3 {leaves Black's position frothy after:} 21.Qc2 ) 20.Qc2 Nb3 21.Rab1 $1 {Best.} ( {Or else Black becomes tactically dangerous:} 21.Ra2 e4 $1 22.dxe4 fxe4 23.Ne1 Nc1 $1 {and it is the second player who is better.} ) 21...Rxa3 {This pawn is not going anywhere.} ( {Therefore, the immediate:} 21...Rb6 {looks stronger, both defending the rook and lifting it for some kingside action. True, White is also better after:} 22.d4 e4 23.Ne5 ) 22.d4 $1 {Just when Black is not sufficiently prepared.} 22...e4 ( {The opening of the center is advantageous for the better organized army:} 22...exd4 23.Nxd4 Qe5 24.g3 Qc5 25.Nxf5 Be5 26.Nd4 ) 23.Nd2 Rb6 $1 {Black's last hope is connected with the kingside. The Greek gift sacrifice is already in the air.} 24.Nc4 $1 {But Artemiev has calculated everything carefully.} 24...Bxh2+ {Nakamura goes for it.} 25.Kxh2 Qh4+ 26.Kg1 Rg6 {And now threatens a perpetual.} ( 26...Rh6 27.f4 {leaves no attack to Black.} ) 27.Ne5 $1 {Clearly best, Artemiev spent a good amount of time calculating the consequences of the various tactical blows.} ( {Something like would have led to a perpetual::} 27.Rxb3 $2 Rxg2+ 28.Kxg2 Qg5+ ) ( {However:} 27.f4 {would have kept some extra material in the line:} 27...Qg3 28.Bh5 Bxc4 29.Bxg6 hxg6 30.Qf2 ) 27...Rh6 ( {With the knight close enough:} 27...Rxg2+ 28.Kxg2 Qg5+ 29.Ng4 {no longer works.} ) 28.f3 {Well, White has calculated almost everything.} ( {The correct:} 28.f4 $1 {would have won instead, as the king escapes in the line:} 28...Qh1+ 29.Kf2 Qh4+ 30.g3 Qh2+ 31.Ke1 ) 28...Qg3 {But Black misses his chance!} ( 28...f4 $3 {would have forced a draw, as White cannot allow a black pawn on the e3-square, as in the line:} 29.exf4 ( {There are two draws instead:} 29.Ng4 Qh1+ 30.Kf2 Qh4+ 31.Kg1 Qh1+ ) ( {Or:} 29.Nxf7 Qh1+ 30.Kf2 Qh4+ 31.Kg1 Qh1+ {both leading to a perpetual.} ) 29...e3 $1 ) 29.Nxf7 Rh2 30.Bc4 $1 {Defending with tempi, just in time.} ( {But not:} 30.Rf2 $2 Qh4 31.Nh6+ Qxh6 32.Bc4+ Kh8 33.Kf1 Qxe3 34.Kg1 Qh6 {when White cannot stop the repetition.} ) 30...Qh4 31.Ng5+ {And not waiting the obvious Ng3-h3, Nakamura resigned.} 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.11.05"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Movsesian, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2674"]
[BlackElo "2618"]
[ECO "D15"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7907437463130"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 b5 6.Be2 e6 7.a4 $5 {Exploring less charted territory. There were just four games played so far in this line but since it got some exposure, Gelfand decided to uncork his novelty.} ( {Another super-exciting game in the line went:} 7.O-O Bb7 8.Rb1 Nbd7 9.b3 Bb4 10.Qc2 Bxc3 11.Qxc3 Nxe4 12.Qe3 c5 13.bxc4 b4 14.d5 exd5 15.cxd5 Bxd5 16.Rd1 O-O 17.Rxd5 Nc3 18.Bc4 Nxb1 19.Qd3 {with more tactical strikes to follow by both sides, which eventually ended in a draw, Li, C (2683)-Ma,Q (2630) Liaocheng 2021} ) 7...b4 ( {One of the very fresh games of the tournament went} 7...Bb7 8.axb5 cxb5 9.e5 Ne4 10.Nxb5 Bb4+ 11.Kf1 Bd5 12.Na3 Bxa3 13.Rxa3 O-O 14.h4 {Zhou,J (2629)-Cori,J (2655) FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss 2021} ) 8.e5 bxc3 9.exf6 cxb2 10.fxg7 bxa1=Q ( {An there was another game of Zhou in Riga:} 10...Bxg7 11.Bxb2 Qa5+ 12.Nd2 Ba6 13.Rc1 O-O 14.O-O Nd7 15.Bxc4 Bxc4 16.Nxc4 Qd5 17.Ne3 Qe4 18.a5 {with an edge for White in Zhou,J (2629)-Bartel,M (2597) FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss 2021} ) 11.gxh8=Q {A picturesque position! I am not sure, in which other opening line we get four queens as early as on move 11!} 11...Qa5+ 12.Nd2 $146 {\"I kind of prepared this sacrifice, but I could not remember so much.\" (Gelfand)} ( {The earlier game was equally wild and went} 12.Kf1 Q5xa4 13.Qxa4 Qxa4 14.g3 Nd7 15.Kg2 Bb7 16.Bf4 O-O-O 17.Qxh7 Qa2 18.Nd2 c5+ 19.Bf3 Qa6 20.Rb1 Bxf3+ 21.Nxf3 Qc6 {and Black managed to consolidate in Halkias,S (2553) -Heinemann,J (2255) Riga 2019. Interestingly, it seems as almost all the games in this line were played in Tal's birth city Riga!} ) 12...c3 13.O-O {The actual sacrifice, which was already forced.} 13...cxd2 14.Bxd2 Qxd1 15.Rxd1 {And, here we are, almost a \"normal\" position. At least from a queen count perspective.} 15...Qxa4 {Already a very risky decision by Movsesian. It is not about the pawn, rather the Armenian GM tries to keep the enemy pieces tied up.} ( {The computer believes that} 15...Qf5 {to keep the queen close to the kingside is the only defence. Then} 16.Bh6 $2 {leads White nowhere due to} ( {Black however, might have been afraid of the spectacular} 16.d5 $3 {The pawn is immune:} 16...cxd5 $2 {For} ( {Equally bad for Black is} 16...exd5 $2 17.Bb4 Nd7 18.Bd3 {and the check along the freshly opened e-file would be deadly.} ) ( {But, there was an equally amazing defence:} 16...Qg6 $3 {Black is threatening to swap the queens. Then one of the many amazing lines runs} 17.Qe5 Nd7 18.Qc7 {Rerouting the major attacker still leads to problems for Black. Somehow, it seems as he holds though with} 18...exd5 19.Bh5 $3 Qxh5 20.Re1+ Be7 21.Bb4 Qh4 $1 22.Bxe7 Qxe7 23.Rxe7+ Kxe7 24.Qxc6 Rb8 ( {A slightly tricky improvement is} 24...Bb7 $1 25.Qh6 Rc8 {when anything is possible.} ) 25.h4 {Although the same Tal would have loved to have the queen in this position.} ) 17.Bb4 Nd7 18.Bb5 {pins Black decisively.} ) ( 16.Bb4 $2 {is helping Black just as the other pin and he does well with} 16...Nd7 ) 16...Nd7 {With the simple but strong threat Qf5-f6!} ) 16.Qxh7 {Gelfand decided to try an original plan. Rather than mating the enemy king he wants...} ( {Actually, it seems as there was nothing wrong with the direct mating play:} 16.Bh5 $1 Nd7 {Then another bunch of brilliant moves} ( {Or} 16...Qb5 17.d5 $3 {To win again some time.} 17...cxd5 18.Qg8 Qb7 19.Rc1 Na6 {And now a move that a human being can hardly remember or understand:} 20.h3 $3 {with an edge for White.} ) 17.Bg5 $1 h6 18.Bh4 $3 Qb5 19.d5 $1 cxd5 20.Qg8 Ne5 21.Bf6 {lead to huge attack for White.} ) 16...a5 {Movsesian is trying to bring the rook out for the defence.} ( {Stronger was to sacrifice a pawn in return:} 16...e5 $1 {in order to bring the light-squared bishop out at once. After} 17.Bh6 ( {Or} 17.h4 Be6 18.h5 Nd7 19.h6 O-O-O {and the black rook can participate in the defense against the white passer.} ) 17...Qb4 18.dxe5 Be6 {the position is extremely complex, and White apparently has plenty for the piece.} ) 17.h4 $3 {This is what the Israeli GM had in mind. The pawn is extremely powerful.} 17...Ra7 {Waiting for the pawn to make another step.} ( {This time} 17...e5 {comes late due to} 18.h5 Be6 19.h6 Nd7 20.Bg5 $1 {when Black will not get a chance to castle.} ) 18.h5 Ba6 {Now there is no Be2-h5, but:} 19.Bf3 $1 {is equally good for White.} 19...Rd7 ( {The other try was} 19...Nd7 20.h6 Rb7 {when after} 21.Qg8 ( {However, the power move that we shall see later in the game} 21.Bg5 $1 {would push Black on the ropes.} ) 21...Bd3 22.h7 Bxh7 23.Qxh7 Nf6 24.Qh4 {the position seems unclear.} ) 20.h6 {Gelfand forces matters.} ( {The calm} 20.Be3 $1 {was surprisingly strong too.} ) 20...Rxd4 ( {The other capture} 20...Qxd4 {should not have saved Black either after} 21.Qg8 Bd3 22.Bg5 $3 {The same idea! The black bishop is pinned and in order to stop the h-passer Black needs to play} 22...Qe5 23.Bh5 Bg6 {When} 24.Rxd7 {wins in all lines, e.g.} 24...Qxg5 ( {Or} 24...Kxd7 25.Qxf8 Qxg5 26.Bxg6 Qxg6 27.Qg7 $1 ) ( {And finally} 24...Nxd7 25.Bxg6 fxg6 26.Qxg6# ) 25.Rxf7 $1 ) 21.Bh5 Rd7 ( {The last chance was} 21...Qxd1+ $1 22.Bxd1 Rxd2 23.Bh5 Rd7 {although here too, White should prevail thanks to the centralization:} 24.Qe4 $1 {when} 24...Bxh6 {loses to} ( {Whereas} 24...Bd3 {leads to large advantage for White after} 25.Qxe6+ Kd8 26.Qe5 Na6 27.Qxa5+ Nc7 28.Qg5+ $1 ( {Or} 28.Qe5 $1 ) ) 25.Qxe6+ ) 22.Qg8 Bd3 23.Bg5 $1 {One threat is to sacrifice the exchange for the bishop and promote.} 23...Bg6 ( {Another is to mate in case of any other bishop retreat:} 23...Bf5 24.Qxf7+ Rxf7 25.Rd8# ) 24.Re1 $3 {Suddenly, Gelfand switches back to the attack and this time it proves unstoppable as Movsesian also has a huge passer to deal with.} 24...Bxh5 25.h7 {The passer will be crowned!} 25...Qb4 ( {Or another sweet mate after} 25...Bg6 26.Qxf8+ Kxf8 27.h8=Q# ) 26.Rxe6+ ( {Not yet} 26.h8=Q $2 Qxe1+ 27.Kh2 Qb4 {when nothing is clear!} ) 26...fxe6 27.Qxe6+ Re7 28.Qc8+ Kf7 29.Qf5+ ( {Avoiding the temptation again:} 29.h8=Q $2 Re1+ 30.Kh2 Qd6+ 31.g3 Bg6 ) 29...Ke8 30.Qc8+ Kf7 31.Qf5+ Ke8 32.h8=Q {Finally! It was quite the run!} 32...Re1+ 33.Kh2 Bg4 ( {With the queen centralized} 33...Qd6+ {does not bother White:} 34.Bf4 ) 34.Qg6+ {The two queens quickly finish Black.} 34...Kd7 35.Qf7+ Be7 36.Qhe8+ Kc7 37.Bxe7 1-0

[Event "E World Championship 2021"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2021.11.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "5841558183433"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 {Greetings everyone! This is Sam Shankland, and I will be with Chess.com throughout the duration of the World Championship match, annotating each and every game. I was on Magnus Carlsen's team in the past, helping him prepare for his second match with Anand and his match with Karjakin, but this time around I have no role on any side whatsoever, which means I can speak entirely freely as a complete spectator. The first game was an interesting affair, where both sides have things to be satisfied with and not satisfied with. In general, modern World Championship matches almost always start with two draws. When you are playing White and you don't know what is comingb and Black gets to play his World Championship preparation for the first time, he almost always equalizes easily. Then, once games three and four come, the players tend to be able to put more pressure. This match has been different, as I don't believe Magnus fully equalized in game one. While this may be surprising and a bad sign for his preparation, it has to be said that before long, he was the only one who could think about winning. That has to speak in Magnus' favor and not be a confidence booster for Nepo. Without further ado, on to the game!} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 {Magnus chooses the classical Spanish, much like he did against Karjakin. In both of his last two matches, he stuck with the same black repertoire vs 1.e4 all the way through. Based on how today went, and that the match is a little longer, I suspect he may deviate later on.} 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.h3 {All of this has been seen before many times, and now Magnus is the first to play a somewhat unusual move.} 8...Na5 $5 {This move is not too common, for obvious reasons. Black goes down a pawn but quickly forces through ...d5 and hopes his activity and bishop pair will be enough for it. The main moves are ...d6 and ...Bb7.} ( 8...d6 ) ( 8...Bb7 ) 9.Nxe5 {Now play takes on a very forcing character.} 9...Nxb3 10.axb3 Bb7 11.d3 d5 12.exd5 Qxd5 13.Qf3 {This position had only seen play in four human games in the past, with White winning all four. But, it has been a much hotter topic in correspondence chess.} 13...Bd6 14.Kf1 {Nepo blitzed this move out, he was surely still in preparation. We have now left human practice.} 14...Rfb8 $1 {An important move. Black overprotects the bishop on b7, so now he is threatening to move his queen. White is forced to capture.} 15.Qxd5 ( 15.Nc3 $2 Qxe5 $1 {Since the bishop on b7 is defended, Black wins material, and the game.} ) 15...Nxd5 {This position has been seen eight times in correspondence chess, with White winning four of the eight games. That is actually a huge winning percentage in a computer vs computer world where nearly every game is drawn, and it really speaks volumes as to how difficult Black's defense might be. It's a bit surprising to me that Magnus would voluntarily force this position straight out of the opening, but he may be more confident in Black's holding chances than I am.} 16.Bd2 {Stopping ...Nb4.} 16...c5 17.Nf3 Rd8 {The first entirely unseen move of the game.} ( 17...Nb4 {This was the final correspondence game in the line. White eventually won. I suspect Magnus was in preparation up to this point and decided to play Rd8 instead.} ) 18.Nc3 Nb4 19.Rec1 {The machines are definitely giving White a slight edge here. Still, it's so hard to turn something like this into a win. He is a pawn up and very solid, but it will be a nightmare to untangle his pieces. His rooks are stuck, the pawn structure is not great, Black has more space, a pair of bishops... still, a pawn is a pawn and Black has no direct threats. It takes a lot to play this position well with Black.} 19...Rac8 20.Ne2 Nc6 {Now, if the timestamps are correct, Nepo spent two minutes on Bd2-e3, and then two minutes again on Be3-f4. Why not go there directly?} 21.Be3 ( 21.Bf4 $1 {This looked like a much better option to me. White will bully the d6-bishop back to f8 without allowing his kingside structure to get shattered. After} 21...Bf8 22.Ne1 $1 {White has everything protected, and he is ready for c2-c3 next to dominate the c6-knight. He looks pleasantly better to me, though it will take a lot of work to actually win the game.} ) 21...Ne7 $1 {Magnus sends the knight towards the f5- and d5-squares, where it will harass the e3-bishop.} 22.Bf4 $2 {This comes a move too late. Black will get a lot of play against the kingside pawns.} ( 22.Ne1 {Again, I'd like this move, but it seems like a tempo down compared to what it could have been. After} 22...Nf5 {Black has quite a bit more compensation than he did before. It's very close to equal.} ) 22...Bxf3 $1 23.gxf3 Bxf4 24.Nxf4 Rc6 {Around here, I was thinking that Nepo was really starting to lose the thread and that his position was getting dangerous. I was not running serious machinery at the time, and now that I am, it is telling me that the game was absolutely equal from here on out. Still, in human terms, I have to believe Black is more comfortable here. It feels like it will take a million years to set the queenside majority in motion, and White is one bad move away from his kingside collapsing.} 25.Re1 Nf5 26.c3 Nh4 27.Re3 Kf8 ( 27...g6 {The machines suggest this is best, as prophylaxis against Ng2. Still, I find it unimpressive. After} 28.Ke2 {White has all of his pawns well defended, and it is hard to believe he can be worse.} ) 28.Ng2 Nf5 29.Re5 g6 30.Ne1 $2 {I think the biggest edge Magnus has over Nepo as a player is that his intuition for where the pieces belong in quiet positions tends to be better. White only spent a minute on this move, but it really strikes me as not best.} ( 30.Ke2 $1 {Why not centralize the king and get ready for Ne3 next? Black might even be a little worse.} ) 30...Ng7 $1 {This move pair on move 30 is a perfect illustration. Ng7 strikes me as a very difficult move. The knight reroutes to e6, which is indeed a better square. It frees Black to advance his f-pawn to f5 and put his king on f6. It makes sense, but who looks at the previous position and thinks "My knight on f5 is misplaced, let's move it back to g7?" This is the kind of thing Magnus is much better than absolutely everyone at. If he can get more of these kinds of positions, I suspect he will have good chances in some of them.} 31.Re4 f5 32.Re3 Ne6 33.Ng2 b4 $1 {I like this move a lot as well. If for no other reason, it gives me a chance to plug my book! In Small Steps to Giant Improvement, I wrote that if you have doubled pawns and the forward doubled pawn cannot be defended by another pawn, it often will become a serious weakness. This is the case here with the b3-pawn. Black is aiming to open the b-file, and touching the c-pawn would allow Black's knight to d4. Still, it should not be enough to win the game. White is a pawn up and well within the drawing margin.} 34.Ke2 $1 {I like Nepo's choice to give the pawn back and activate his king.} 34...Rb8 35.Kd2 $1 ( 35.Rb1 $2 {Keeping the pawn is too greedy. After} 35...a5 $1 {Black is ready for some combination of ...bxc3, ...Rcb6, and ...a5-a4. The b3-pawn will drop anyway, and White is only losing time.} ) 35...bxc3+ 36.bxc3 Rxb3 37.Kc2 Rb7 38.h4 {Now material has been equalized, and White is ready to bring his knight to e3 and c4. Black's isolated queenside pawns are just as weak as White's isolated kingside pawns, and the position is balanced.} 38...Kf7 39.Ree1 Kf6 40.Ne3 Rd7 41.Nc4 Re7 42.Ne5 Rd6 43.Nc4 Rc6 44.Ne5 Rd6 45.Nc4 {There were not too many surprises in how game one played out. Magnus got the kind of position where I think he is most able to show why he is the better player, and he did play a better game once the players were on their own. That said, it is not all roses for the World Champion. I think it is a very bad sign for his preparation that he failed to equalize in his first black game. This is something that should be almost gauranteed. If Nepo can get more edges with white in the opening, and perhaps in more dynamic positions that suit his style better, I think he will get some very real chances. I think game two will be very important. I suspect Nepo will equalize easily and make a draw without any particular trouble. We certainly cannot draw any real conclusions this early, but if this happens, I would definitely start to worry if I was in charge of Magnus' preparation.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Championship 2021"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2021.11.27"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[Beauty "5225498808330"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 {Game two of the FIDE World Championship 2021 followed a very different script than game one. Rather than a nitty-gritty endgame, the players quickly reached a wild middlegame that was next-to-impossible to play well. Every other move was a mistake, but this had nothing to do with the players playing badly and everything to do with the position simply being complicated! It's really surprising to me that, so far, both players have really managed to show strong ideas with White as early as the first game. Normally, Black is equalizing easily at the start of these matches. I suspect this one will be more bloody than the last couple.} 1...Nf6 2.c4 e6 {The first minor surprise. Nepo has mostly relied on the Grunfeld in the past.} 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 {Magnus chooses the Catalan, and Nepo goes for the old mainline.} 4...Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 b5 $5 {A very enterprising move, and a suprising practical decision. Magnus was the one who put it back on the map in his first game, playing Black against the Catalan, after the 2018 World Championship match, where he only faced 1.e4. I suspect this is what he must have prepared for that match and likely would have some very deep analysis.} ( 7...a6 {This is much more common, and has been seen in endless top level games. I even chose it in my most recent classical game myself!} ) 8.Ne5 $5 {And now this is almost a novelty. There are no correspondence games, and just 15 OTB games, with none played by anyone too notable. But Magnus was still playing reasonably quickly and confidently. He was surely still in his preparation.} 8...c6 {This is a typical response. White does not want to take the pawn.} 9.a4 ( 9.Nxc6 $2 Nxc6 10.Bxc6 Rb8 $15 {White got the pawn back, but has an unpleasant position thanks to Black's extra space.} ) 9...Nd5 10.Nc3 ( 10.axb5 {The machine prefers this one, and I found some truly remarkable lines while poking around, but they didn't really work for White at the end of the day. Magnus' choice seems stronger.} ) 10...f6 11.Nf3 Qd7 {This is a safe looking move, and a very understandable choice against an opponent who is clearly still in preparation. Under other circumstances, Nepo might have considered 11...b4 as a feistier alternative.} ( 11...b4 {This has to be the critical move, hitting the knight with a gain of tempo, gaining space, and getting ready for Ba6 next. The position gets very messy very fast, for example after} 12.Ne4 Ba6 13.Nc5 $1 Bxc5 14.dxc5 {when White is ready for some e4 and Rd1, and he has obvious compensation for the missing pawn, but the game is still very messy. I let my computer run for a long time here, and it eventually settled on equal. I'm sure Magnus had checked it much further and found some ways to put a lot of pressure on Black's position. We may end up seeing these lines play out in subsequent games!} ) 12.e4 $1 {Now White is taking a lot of space in the center.} 12...Nb4 13.Qe2 Nd3 $5 {Very ambitious, and I like it! Nepo clearly is not playing scared, despite being caught in the opening by the World Champion. Black gets ready for b4 next. If he can pull this off, White will be worse.} ( 13...N8a6 {This was a reasonable alternative, but White has obvious compensation for the pawn after} 14.Be3 ) 14.e5 $1 {Clearing the e4-square for the knight.} 14...Bb7 {This feels like the most human move, although the machines prefer pushing f6-f5.} ( 14...f5 {This was a more solid alternative, but I do not mind Nepo's move.} 15.axb5 Bb7 $1 ( 15...cxb5 $6 16.d5 $1 {Black is rapidly losing control. After} 16...exd5 17.Ne1 $1 Nxc1 18.Rxc1 Bb7 19.e6 $36 {Black's position will soon start to crumble. Once Rd1 comes and d5 falls, things could get very bad very fast.} ) 16.Ne1 cxb5 17.d5 Nc5 $1 {Black has things more or less under control, and the machine claims he is fine. But this feels a bit inhuman to me, and I am not surprised that Nepo chose another direction.} ) 15.exf6 Bxf6 16.Ne4 Na6 {White has obvious compensation for the pawn, but now Magnus took a very aggressive decision. I really doubt he missed any basic tactics; I suspect he just overestimated his compensation for the exchange. Still, the position remained totally unclear to the human eye.} 17.Ne5 $6 {The machines really hate this move, particularly in connection with how Magnus played down the road, but to the human eye, the position is still totally unclear.} ( 17.Nxf6+ {This should have been preferred. After} 17...gxf6 ( 17...Rxf6 18.Ne5 $1 Nxe5 19.dxe5 {This leaves Black in a very bad way, with Be3 and a rook coming to d6 on the agenda.} ) 18.Bh6 Rf7 19.b3 $5 {White has excellent compensation for the missing pawn. It will be hard for Black to keep the position under control, and the machine is already saying he needs to find some only moves.} 19...Nab4 $1 20.Nd2 $1 {And apparently here, f6-f5 is the only clean equalizer, which I doubt I would even consider. In practice, it feels super hard for a human to play the black side of this position.} ) 17...Bxe5 18.dxe5 Nac5 19.Nd6 Nb3 20.Rb1 $5 {Magnus may have overestimated his compensation here, but this is very easy to do. Take the position after Black goes rook grabbing...} ( 20.Be3 {This was a fine alternative, and should be around equal.} ) 20...Nbxc1 21.Rbxc1 Nxc1 22.Rxc1 {I was watching without a machine running around here, and I was naive enough to believe White might even be better. The first question you always need to ask yourself when evaluating any exchange sacrifice is \"how good are the rooks\". For now, they are quite bad! Certainly, neither black rook is any better than the d6-knight. In the meantime, some combination of Rd1, Be4, and Qh5 looks incredibly dangerous, as Black's king will be super lonely without the help of the b7-bishop or h8 rook. The machine just laughs and claims Black is much better, but in human terms, I am not sure I believe he has any advantage at all, much less a big one.} 22...Rab8 $1 {Black needs to activate his rooks. Opening the b-file would solve that problem.} 23.Rd1 Ba8 24.Be4 c3 $2 {This one is a little mysterious to me. I guess Nepo wanted to give himself a passed a-pawn, but it's hard to believe he is ready to go make a queen anytime soon.} ( 24...g6 $1 {This should have been preferred. Black prevents Qh5 and could be getting ready for Qg7. The machines claim he is clearly better, but I'm not totally convinced. White can play Qg4 to threaten a sac on g6, or h4 instending h5, or just bishop back to g2 to go Ne4-f6. Lots of ideas, and it is very hard for black to keep all the balls in the air. It's very understandable why Nepo did not play this way.} ) ( 24...bxa4 {At some point, the machines suggested this move, but it's not enough for an edge.} 25.Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 26.Qh5+ Kg8 27.Rd4 $1 {Black faces a vicious attack, but should make a draw after} 27...Qe7 $1 28.Rh4 Qxh4 29.Qxh4 Rxb2 30.Qxc4 {I'd imagine White will have to give a perpetual sooner rather than later.} ) 25.Qc2 ( 25.bxc3 $5 bxa4 26.Qc2 {This also looked totally playable for White.} ) 25...g6 26.bxc3 {Apparently here, Black could have been better by letting White take on g6 and then just ignoring the bishop. Such things don't really occur to a human.} 26...bxa4 ( 26...a5 27.Bxg6 Qg7 {And Black is better? Whaddya know. This is not going to happen in human practice.} ) 27.Qxa4 Rfd8 {At this point, despite Stockfish's insistence on absolute equality, I think White is having a lot more fun in practice. Around here, I thought Magnus would have real chances to score the full point, but Nepo kept his head above water.} 28.Ra1 c5 29.Qc4 Bxe4 30.Nxe4 Kh8 $1 31.Nd6 Rb6 32.Qxc5 Rdb8 33.Kg2 $1 {An important move. White makes sure not to let a pair of rooks trade.} 33...a6 ( 33...Qc6+ $2 {This is too desperate. After} 34.Qxc6 Rxc6 35.Rxa7 $1 {Black will face a real uphill battle defending this endgame.} 35...Rxc3 36.Nf7+ Kg8 37.Ng5 $16 {White wins a second pawn, and this will be a nightmare to defend.} ) 34.Kh3 $1 {Avoiding the queen exchange.} 34...Rc6 35.Qd4 Kg8 36.c4 Qc7 37.Qg4 {This allows Black to bail out into a pawn-down but easily drawn ending.} ( 37.Kg2 {Perhaps this would have been a bit more patient. I like White's position, but breaking through is another story.} ) 37...Rxd6 38.exd6 Qxd6 39.c5 Qxc5 40.Qxe6+ Kg7 41.Rxa6 Rf8 {Black is holding easily despite the pawn deficit. 3 vs 2 is so dead that I'm even somewhat surprised Magnus played as long as he did once the queens came off the board.} 42.f4 Qf5+ 43.Qxf5 Rxf5 44.Ra7+ Kg8 45.Kg4 Rb5 46.Re7 Ra5 47.Re5 Ra7 48.h4 Kg7 49.h5 Kh6 50.Kh4 Ra1 51.g4 Rh1+ 52.Kg3 gxh5 53.Re6+ Kg7 54.g5 Rg1+ 55.Kf2 Ra1 56.Rh6 Ra4 57.Kf3 Ra3+ 58.Kf2 Ra4 {I think Magnus was the clear moral winner of the day. He really managed to get a fighting position, and while he misplayed it at some moments and gave Nepo some chances (at least according to the machine), I don't think he was ever particularly close to losing. This should give him more confidence that he can take risks, knowing that he is totally capable of fighting back in complicated positions where things have gone awry and the computer doesn't rate his chances too highly. His white preparation looks very practical and impressive so far. It will be interesting to see if he repeats the same endgame tomorrow. I did not get the impression that Black was easily equalizing, but he certainly will have studied the positions more and might have reached a different conclusion. For the last 2 matches, he kept the same black repertoire throughout, but I somehow suspect he will be the first to deviate in game 3. We find out tomorrow!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2021"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2021.11.28"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "6118315131913"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 {Game 3 saw another draw. I was curious who would be the first to deviate from game one, where Magnus voluntarily went for a pawn-down endgame with some compensation. It turned out to be Nepo—I suspect his team checked it closely and decided Black should be holding on and decided to go a different direction.} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 ( 8.h3 {This was seen in game one, when Magnus chose the very unusual response} 8...Na5 {which eventually reached a pawn-down ending. I felt White should be better, but Magnus seemed very at-home and never had any trouble.} ) 8...Bb7 {Magnus has chosen this move several times before, so it can't have come as a huge surprise.} 9.d3 d6 10.Nbd2 Re8 11.Nf1 h6 12.Bd2 {So far, both players are following well-established theory. This position has seen play at the top level as far back as the early 2000s.} 12...Bf8 13.Ne3 Ne7 14.c4 bxc4 ( 14...c6 {This has generally been preferred in ICCF, though it looks a bit passive to me. I like Magnus' choice better.} ) 15.Nxc4 Nc6 $146 {Finally, at long last, we are in fresh territory. In general, White's position looks a little more pleasant to me, though I don't love that the pawn on a4 looks a little overextended. Magnus was still playing pretty fast and was very likely still in his preparation, so he must have been more optimistic about his chances than the computers would indicate. When I let them run for awhile, they definitely gravitated towards equality.} 16.Rc1 {The machine gives this as best, but in light of how the game played out, Nepo could have considered another option.} ( 16.Na5 {Hindsight is 20/20, but I think not letting Black advance a7-a5 had to be considered. It means White will have fewer weaknesses on the b-file in the long run, and the a6-pawn is fixed. After something like} 16...Nxa5 17.Bxa5 Qd7 18.h3 {I'm not sure I love Black's position, but it is still very solid.} ) 16...a5 $1 {This was the first move Magnus spent a fair amount of time on, which is a little surprising to me. His last moves were played fast enough that I would think he was still in preparation, but Rc1 is the first choice of the machine! It would be really weird if Magnus had prepared to up to 15...Nc6 and then stopped. Perhaps he was just trying to recall all the lines. In any case, Black takes the a5 square under his control and is ready to re-route his bishop to e6 next. It has to be said that Stockfish is giving White a nagging edge, but it never looked like much during the game. Thus far, Magnus has clearly shown a willingness to enter lines the computer doesn't entirely approve of. I like the fighting spirit!} 17.Bc3 Bc8 $1 {The bishop had no good future on b7 and instead heads for e6 to head off the monster on b3.} 18.d4 exd4 19.Nxd4 Nxd4 20.Qxd4 Be6 {Optically, the position looks very nice for White, but there's nothing concrete for him to do. Black is ready to push d7-d5 next, and then the structure will not be as bad for him as it looks. The overextended a4 pawn weakens the b-file, particularly the b2-pawn, and White will have just as many weaknesses as Black.} 21.h3 ( 21.Nxa5 $2 {White cannot get away with going pawn grabbing. After} 21...c5 $1 22.Qd2 Bxb3 {White is losing his pawn back at the very least, and he could end up in serious trouble as Black's pieces spring to life.} ) ( 21.Qd3 {At high depths, this is my machine's recommendation. Still, it does not look impressive. After} 21...d5 22.exd5 Nxd5 $1 {Black can aim for a pawn-down endgame with a lot of activity—much like he did in game one.} 23.Bxa5 Nb4 24.Qxd8 Raxd8 {The threat of Nd3 more or less forces White to part with the bishop pair.} 25.Bxb4 Bxb4 26.Re4 Rb8 $5 $11 {The weaknesses on the b-file make themselves felt, and Black is ready to regoup with Be7-f6 and Rb4. He should be fine.} ) ( 21.Bc2 {This was also possible immediately, but it would have met a similar fate as the game continuation.} 21...d5 $1 22.e5 dxc4 23.Qxd8 Rexd8 24.exf6 {We would reach approximately the same ending we saw in the game.} ) 21...c6 22.Bc2 {Now, if White had another move, he could play Qd2-d3, threatening to take on f6 and play e5. This would be a nightmare to deal with, but Magnus is not one to miss threats.} 22...d5 $1 ( 22...Qc7 {A slow move like this one would allow White to reveal his plan. After} 23.Qd3 $1 $16 {Bxf6 is a very hard threat to deal with.} ) 23.e5 ( 23.exd5 Nxd5 $11 {Black is ready to bring the knight to b4 next, taking advantage of the weakened square. He certainly looks fine to me. He could also consider just taking on c3 and c4 to reach an opposite-bishops position.} ) 23...dxc4 24.Qxd8 Rexd8 25.exf6 {Black has to be a little careful here due to his pawn structure, but Magnus held without trouble.} 25...Bb4 26.fxg7 Bxc3 27.bxc3 Kxg7 28.Kf1 {The best White can hope for is to trade all the rooks, but as we see in the game, this does not gaurantee victory.} 28...Rab8 29.Rb1 Kf6 30.Rxb8 Rxb8 31.Rb1 Rxb1+ $1 {Full credit to Magnus for calling the bluff. This strikes me as a somewhat difficult move to make since it gets one step closer to a lost pawn-ending, but White is unable to get the bishops off the board or make any progress.} ( 31...Rd8 {I was expecting this in the game, which probably also holds, but the text is surely cleaner.} ) 32.Bxb1 Ke5 33.Ke2 f5 $1 {The last important move. Black needs to get his pawn to f4 to keep his king secure in the center and box White's king out.} ( 33...Bd7 {Marking time for a move is not to be recommended. After} 34.Ke3 {My computer claims this is still a draw, but I would definitely worry about b4, g4, Kf3, h4, etc. when White can make a passed pawn.} ) 34.Bc2 f4 $1 {White can make no progress. g3 is never possible due to the hanging h3 pawn, the king cannot touch f3 without allowing a check on d5, and there is nothing else to try.} 35.Bb1 c5 36.Bc2 Bd7 37.f3 Kf6 38.h4 Ke5 39.Kf2 Kf6 40.Ke2 Ke5 41.Kf2 {This was a pretty dull game, more consistent with the kind of chess I would have expected in games one and two, when Black normally draws without any trouble before White knows what's coming. It's a bit surprising to me that Black did not manage to equalize easily in games one and two, but then did in game three. In general, I think Magnus can be very happy with how the match is going so far. Game one looked a little shaky in the very early phases, but since then, his preparation has been excellent, and he has shown a willingness to take some strategic risks. Still, we are just getting started; only 3 games in and no decisive ones just yet. The real fight is yet to come!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2021"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2021.11.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2885"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "6531974172168"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{The fourth game of the World Championship match ended in a draw. While the result was not surprising to me, the game definitely did not go as expected. For starters, Magnus chose 1.e4 when he had played 1.d4 on the first move in game two. This is not a huge shocker, as he is capable of playing both moves and probably wants to test the water and see what Nepo has in mind in both cases. But I was very surprised by the response he received.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 $5 {The Petroff is a very good opening, but it has a notable contrast with what Nepo chose in game two. There, he played into a very sharp line of the Catalan, where things quickly get extremely messy, but against e4, he goes with one of the solidest and driest options available. It feels a bit strange to me—Magnus, now, will be able to choose his direction more easily, and if he decides he wants a sharper game, or a quieter game, he knows which first move to choose.} 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.O-O O-O 8.c4 c6 9.Re1 Bf5 10.Qb3 Qd7 ( 10...Na6 {In recent times this move has been tried a bunch, but the text is surely fine as well.} ) 11.Nc3 Nxc3 12.Bxf5 Qxf5 13.bxc3 ( 13.Qxb7 {A lot of games have seen this move. It quickly reaches an interesting endgame after} 13...Qd7 14.Qxd7 Nxd7 15.c5 Bxh2+ $1 16.Nxh2 Ne4 17.Bf4 {I never checked this position too closely, but I always felt like White should be somewhat for choice. With that said, the position is simplified enough that Black might just be able to brute-force his way to a draw with the machine. I would not be surprised if Nepo managed something to this effect.} ) 13...b6 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Qb5 Qd7 16.a4 Qxb5 17.axb5 a5 {So far, all of this has been seen in correspondence games. Now, Magnus found a new idea.} 18.Nh4 $5 {This is a somewhat risky decision. White allows Black to keep a protected passed pawn with a rook behind it, but hopes to improve his worst-placed piece and target the d5-pawn while Black's knight struggles to get into the game.} ( 18.bxa6 Nxa6 19.Ba3 Bxa3 20.Rxa3 Nc7 {The machine prefers this continuation and offers White a small edge, but Black is extremely solid and it is hard to imagine him losing if he is reasonably well prepared.} ) 18...g6 19.g4 $1 {The knight is heading for e3.} 19...Nd7 20.Ng2 Rfc8 $1 {The machine prefers 20...Nf6, but this feels super inhuman to me. I think this natural human move is a much more convincing route to an acceptable position. Nepo has impressed me in his black games—both times, he got outprepared to some degree, and both times, he reacted very well.} ( 20...Nf6 {Apparently this is fine for Black, but it looks scary. After} 21.Bh6 Rfc8 22.Ne3 $1 Rxc3 23.g5 Nd7 24.Nxd5 {I would be very uncomfortable on the black side of this position.} ) 21.Bf4 Bxf4 22.Nxf4 Rxc3 23.Nxd5 Rd3 $1 {Rook behind the passed pawn. Black has everything under control and now his a-pawn will start running. When I let the machines run, they claim Black is absolutely fine.} ( 23...Rb3 {The machine claims this is fine, too, but I much prefer Nepo's move for its simplicity.} ) 24.Re7 Nf8 25.Nf6+ {This is more ambitious than going pawn-grabbing, but I can't imagine Magnus was wildly optimistic about his winning chances.} ( 25.Nxb6 Rb8 $1 26.Nd5 Rxb5 {The position quickly simplifies to a draw.} ) 25...Kg7 26.Ne8+ Kg8 {The position looks a little dangerous for White to me, strategically, and I half-expected Magnus to just make a draw right here. He chose to continue the game, but Black is absolutely fine by making the most direct move every single time.} 27.d5 {Now, Black's a-pawn is coming. As long as he doesn't do anything too fancy and just starts shoving it down the board, I really can't imagine White getting any winning chances.} 27...a4 28.Nf6+ Kg7 29.g5 {Now, in theory, if Black were to fall asleep at the wheel here, he could get into some trouble. The computer gives h5 as a reasonable move, but there could be difficult decisions to make down the road in some lines. Much easier is to keep pushing the passed pawn, and there's nothing for White to do.} 29...a3 {I think most players would choose this move in a bullet game as well. The most natural decision for Black at every juncture is good enough.} 30.Ne8+ Kg8 31.Nf6+ ( 31.d6 {If White wanted to keep playing, he could have tried this one, but Black has more than one move that holds without particular trouble.} 31...Ne6 {This seems easiest. The d-pawn is still well under control and I don't see any reason for White to think he is better. Black is the one with his rooks behind the passed pawns, after all.} 32.h4 ) 31...Kg7 32.Ne8+ Kg8 33.Nf6+ {Magnus did not get much against the Petroff, and the moral victor of the day was certainly Nepo for making an easy draw with Black even when he was hit with a new idea. There wasn't even that much to say about the game, or that many variations to explain—it was all very straightforward. Still, I think Magnus has some practical advantage now in that he knows what to expect against both 1.e4 and 1.d4, while Nepo does not enjoy the same luxury. It will be interesting to see if he can leverage this later on by choosing to consistently go in one direction or the other, though I would not be surprised to see 1.c4 thrown out as well. Time will tell!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2021.11.01"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Saric, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2644"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7561289933859"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.O-O a6 5.Bd3 {Dubov gave this line a try earlier this year, and this was certainly noticed by Saric.} 5...Ngf6 6.c3 ( {The calmer continuation is} 6.Re1 e6 7.c3 Be7 8.Bc2 b5 9.d4 Bb7 10.Nbd2 Qc7 11.Nf1 O-O 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bd2 Rfc8 14.Rc1 Qb6 15.Ng3 cxd4 16.cxd4 b4 {as in Svidler,P (2714)-Shankland,S (2709) World Cup 2021} ) 6...b5 7.a4 Bb7 8.axb5 axb5 9.Rxa8 Qxa8 10.Na3 $5 {Trademark Dubov. All of this has been player earlier and White's last move initiates super-sharp complications.} ( {The obvious capture} 10.Bxb5 {is still the main line, but the impression is that it has been more or less exhausted with this game:} 10...Bxe4 11.d4 Bxb1 12.dxc5 Be4 13.Re1 e6 14.Rxe4 Qxe4 15.c6 Be7 16.Nd2 Qd5 17.cxd7+ Nxd7 18.Qa4 Qb7 19.Bc6 Qc7 20.Nc4 d5 21.Ne5 Qxe5 22.Bxd7+ Kd8 23.Qa8+ Kxd7 24.Qa4+ Kd8 25.Qa8+ Kd7 26.Qa4+ Kd8 27.Qa8+ Kd7 {1/2-1/2 Harikrishna,P (2732)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2784) Online 2020} ) 10...b4 {Surprisingly, this was played after a deep thought.} ( {Could Saric have missed Dubov's earlier encounter? It went} 10...Bxe4 11.Bxe4 Nxe4 12.Nxb5 Qb7 13.c4 e6 14.d3 Nef6 15.d4 {and Black later held in Dubov,D (2702)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2784) Online 2021} ) 11.Nb5 Qa5 12.cxb4 $146 {A novelty. Speed, give me what I need...} ( {The following game led White nowhere after} 12.Qe2 e5 13.Bc2 Bc6 14.c4 Be7 15.Nh4 g6 16.f4 Nh5 17.fxe5 Bxb5 18.cxb5 Bxh4 {Pogany,Z (2259)-Papadiamandis,E (2333) Budapest 2021} ) 12...cxb4 {Saric also saves tempi.} ( {For} 12...Qxb4 13.b3 Nxe4 14.Bb2 {speeds up White's development.} ) 13.Bc4 {Time for sacrifices.} 13...Nxe4 14.d3 d5 15.Bf4 {That was what White wanted: almost all his pieces are out, whereas the black king is still in the center.} 15...e5 $1 {Without a blink. That is the proper way to accept the sacrifice.} ( {After} 15...dxc4 16.Nc7+ Kd8 17.dxe4 Kc8 18.Nd5 {the black king would be left on the wrong wing, completely deprived of any pawn cover.} ) 16.Nxe5 dxc4 17.dxc4 {Dubov lost the piece but opened wide the gates towards Black's most precious piece.} ( {Certainly not} 17.dxe4 $2 Qxb5 ) 17...Nxe5 {And Saric sensibly initiates further trades.} ( {The fearless machine claims that Black can be greedy with} 17...Qd8 $1 {for instance} 18.Nxd7 ( {Or} 18.Qh5 Nxe5 19.Qxe5+ Be7 20.Qxg7 Bf6 ) ( {Finally, after} 18.Qe2 Nxe5 19.Bxe5 {Black can develop with} 19...Bc5 $1 {as if nothing happened.} ) 18...Qxd7 19.Nc7+ Kd8 20.Qh5 Kc8 {when the black king is again on the wrong side of the board, but White is missing some attackers.} ) 18.Bxe5 Bc5 {Very natural! Saric not only develops his bishop, but creates threats too.} ( {The defense} 18...f6 {was possible too, for after} 19.Bc7 Qa6 20.Qd8+ Kf7 {The king is surprisingly well positioned, e.g.} 21.Rd1 ( {Or} 21.Bb6 Be7 $1 22.Qxh8 Qxb6 {and White is poorly coordinated.} ) 21...Qc6 $1 ) 19.Bd6 $1 {As long as the black king stays in the middle, Dubov can always count on large compensation. Not only that his Majesty may get checkmated, the black rook is as well excluded from the game.} ( {Instead} 19.Bxg7 {might lead to the opposite mate} 19...Rg8 20.Be5 Nc3 $1 21.bxc3 Rxg2+ 22.Kh1 Rxf2+ 23.Kg1 Rg2+ 24.Kh1 Rg1# ) ( {In the process, White rejects a possible draw:} 19.Qg4 Nxf2 $1 20.Qxg7 ( 20.Rxf2 Qa1+ ) 20...Nh3+ 21.Kh1 Nf2+ {with a perpetual.} ) 19...Bxd6 {Saric risks in return and keeps the piece.} ( {Here too} 19...Bxf2+ {was possible, albeit far more dangerous for Black from the line above. Then} 20.Rxf2 Nxf2 21.Kxf2 Qb6+ 22.c5 {looks scary for Black at a glance, but eventually it should peter out to a draw:} 22...Qc6 ( {And the line} 22...Qxb5 23.Qe1+ Kd7 24.Qe7+ Kc6 25.Qc7+ Kd5 26.Qxf7+ Kc6 27.Qf3+ {leads to a perpetual check.} ) 23.Qg4 Qxb5 24.Qxg7 Qd3 25.Qxh8+ Kd7 26.Qe5 Qc2+ $11 {and a draw.} ) 20.Nxd6+ Nxd6 21.Qxd6 Bc8 22.Re1+ Be6 23.Rd1 ( 23.f4 g6 {seems to help Black.} ) 23...Qa8 24.c5 {All of this was pretty forcing and Black's position seems extremely unpleasant. Dubov has two obvious plans: to either advance his passer, or bring his rook close to the back ranks, whereas Saric needs to find a way to let his rook out. Urgently.} 24...Qc8 25.c6 $1 ( {White too, has to be careful:} 25.Rd4 f6 $1 26.Rxb4 Kf7 {and as the b7 square is defended, Black is out of any imminent danger.} ) 25...h5 $1 {The only move!} ( {After} 25...f6 26.Ra1 $1 {the king would not run too far away:} 26...Kf7 27.Ra7+ Kg6 28.Qg3+ ) ( {Whereas} 25...g6 26.Rd4 {followed by the rook infiltration on b8 should end Black's resistance.} ) 26.Re1 $1 {Freeze!} ( {As if} 26.Rd4 Rh6 27.Rxb4 Bf5 $1 {Black would not only be in time to defend, but will even be able to win.} ) 26...Rh6 27.Re5 Qd8 {In order to deal with the queen once and for all.} ( 27...b3 $5 {to keep this pawn alive also made a lot of sense. Then the likely continuation} 28.h4 Qd8 29.Qc5 {would lead to a much improved version of the game for Saric with} 29...Qc7 ) 28.Qxb4 Qc7 29.Qc5 Qe7 {The human move.} ( {The machine finds the following interesting counterplay:} 29...h4 $5 30.h3 ( 30.b4 h3 31.b5 Rg6 32.g3 Qd8 ) 30...g6 31.b4 {And now the point is} 31...Rh5 $3 32.Rxh5 gxh5 33.b5 Qa5 {with a likely perpetual to follow.} ) 30.Qc3 Qc7 31.b4 Ke7 {The king is out, while the white passers march forward.} 32.b5 Rh8 33.Qg3 {Setting up a trap.} ( {However, stronger was to defend the back rank in advance with} 33.Re1 $1 {with the idea to meet} 33...Rd8 {with} 34.Qc5+ ( {Worse is} 34.Qxg7 Rd5 $1 ) 34...Qd6 35.Qg5+ Kf8 36.b6 $1 ) 33...Rd8 $1 {Saric ignores the threat and creates an even stronger one!} 34.h4 ( {As the back-rank is weak in case of the greedy} 34.Rxe6+ $4 Kxe6 $1 35.Qxc7 Rd1# ) 34...Kf8 {And, just when everything seemed finally save for Saric, he relaxed a move too early, and this led to a disaster.} ( {The neatest way to the draw was} 34...Rd1+ 35.Kh2 Qd6 36.Qxg7 Rd5 37.f4 Rxe5 38.fxe5 Qc5 39.Qh8 Qf2 40.Qxh5 Qf4+ {and a perpetual is inevitable.} ) 35.Rxe6 $1 {That is it, White needs to swap the queens, nothing more, and nothing less. So far he was only trying to keep them alive to mate the opponent.} 35...Qxg3 ( {Nothing changes} 35...Rd1+ 36.Kh2 Qxg3+ 37.Kxg3 fxe6 38.b6 ) 36.fxg3 fxe6 37.c7 {The pawns advanced far enough not to need anyone's support.} 37...Ke7 38.cxd8=Q+ Kxd8 39.Kf2 Kc7 40.Ke3 Kb6 41.Kd4 Kxb5 42.Ke5 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2021.11.03"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Najer, Evgeniy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[ECO "C43"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6460436119561"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {The experienced Najer decided to tame the young talent with a solid Petroff. What's more, the last time he had played this opening was in 2004, when Firouzja was a one year old.} 3.d4 Nxe4 4.dxe5 d5 5.Nbd2 Nxd2 6.Bxd2 Be7 ( {On the other hand, Najer is an expert of this line, but as White. Here is a game of his:} 6...h6 7.b4 c5 8.Bb5+ Nc6 9.O-O Be7 10.bxc5 Bxc5 11.Rb1 O-O 12.Re1 Bg4 13.h3 Bh5 14.Bd3 {Najer,E (2648)-Andreikin,D (2726) Sochi 2020} ) 7.c3 ( 7.Bd3 c5 8.c3 {is the common move order.} ) 7...c5 8.Bd3 Nc6 9.O-O Bg4 10.Re1 {The pawn structure forces White to search for an attack on the kingside, whereas his opponent would try to keep him busy in the center.} 10...Qd7 11.h3 Bh5 12.Bf4 Qe6 {The pawn needs to be blocked. Another question is if the queen is the best piece for that purpose.} ( {The natural} 12...O-O {can be met with} 13.Qc2 Bg6 14.Bxg6 hxg6 15.Rad1 {with an advantage for White. In this line Black will always have to worry about the e5-e6 breaks. On the other hand, a solid blockade of the e-pawn will give Black a chance to recapture on g6 with the f7-pawn, thus eliminating the attack once and for all.} ) 13.Be2 $1 {Firouzja's play is very logical and straightforward. The queen is freed.} 13...O-O 14.Qd2 Bg6 {This also seems forced.} ( {For the natural} 14...Rad8 $2 15.Ng5 Bxg5 16.Bxg5 {wins material for White.} ) ( {But if Najer prepares the Ra8-d8 maneuver with} 14...h6 {then} 15.Nd4 cxd4 16.Bxh5 {wins a hefty bishop pair for White.} ) 15.Rad1 Be4 {A risky decision.} ( {However, Black cannot solve his problems with trades:} 15...d4 16.cxd4 cxd4 17.Nxd4 Nxd4 18.Qxd4 Qxa2 19.Bc4 Qa5 20.e6 $1 {and White's initiative is annoying.} ) 16.Ng5 {Still winning the bishop pair.} 16...Bxg5 17.Bxg5 d4 $146 {This is a novelty and it follows the general idea of striking in the center. However, since a lot of files and diagonals are opened, Najer has more problems to solve.} ( {In an earlier game, White preserved his advantage after} 17...h6 18.Be3 d4 19.cxd4 Rfd8 20.Qc3 Qg6 21.g3 cxd4 22.Bxd4 Qe6 23.Kh2 Rac8 24.Qe3 Bf5 25.Bc3 {So,W (2760)-Yu,Y (2738) Jerusalem 2019} ) ( {White is also significantly better in the possible endgame after} 17...Nxe5 18.f3 Bg6 19.f4 Nc6 20.Bg4 Qd6 21.Qxd5 ) 18.Bf1 ( 18.f4 $5 ) 18...Qg6 19.Qf4 {Once more, very logical and straightforward play from Firouzja who fights back in the center and proves that his pieces are better prepared for the task.} 19...Bc2 20.Rd2 Rae8 21.Bh4 Kh8 ( 21...a6 $5 {to prevent White's next idea is perhaps more accurate.} ) 22.f3 {Further limiting the bishop.} ( {As now Firouzja had the interesting resource} 22.Bb5 $5 {with a serious edge in all lines. The young GM might have worried about the liquidation into an opposite-colored bishop ending after} 22...Qf5 ( 22...dxc3 23.bxc3 ) ( 22...d3 23.Re3 ) 23.Qxf5 Bxf5 24.cxd4 cxd4 25.Bxc6 bxc6 26.Rxd4 {White is up a pawn, but the opposite-colored bishops certainly provide Black drawing chances.} ) 22...a6 23.Bf2 Rd8 24.Rc1 Bb1 ( {Or} 24...Bf5 25.cxd4 Nxd4 26.Bxd4 cxd4 27.Kh2 {and the d4-pawn is doomed.} ) 25.cxd4 Nxd4 26.Bxd4 cxd4 27.a3 Ba2 28.Rxd4 {Up to here, Firouzja has completely outplayed his opponent, but around here he rushed and almost missed the win.} ( {Both} 28.b4 ) ( {And} 28.Kh2 {were depriving Black of any chances.} ) 28...Qb6 29.Rd1 Rfe8 30.Kh2 {That is the real mistake.} ( {Instead} 30.b4 $1 {would have converted the advantage without any unpleasant surprises. In comparison to the game continuation, the line} 30...Rxd4 31.Qxd4 Qxd4+ 32.Rxd4 g5 33.Rd7 b5 34.Ra7 Rxe5 35.Rxa6 Bc4 ( 35...Bb3 36.Kf2 ) 36.Bxc4 bxc4 37.Kf2 $1 {leaves Black no chances.} ) 30...Rxd4 31.Qxd4 Qxd4 32.Rxd4 {It seems as there is no difference, but Najer has a nice resource now:} 32...g5 $3 {This quickly leads to a rook endgame, full of survival chances for the defender.} 33.Rd7 b5 34.Rd6 ( {With the king on h2, the line} 34.Ra7 Rxe5 35.Rxa6 Bc4 $1 36.Bxc4 bxc4 37.Rc6 Re2 $1 {leads White nowhere.} ) 34...Rxe5 35.Rxa6 Bc4 36.Bxc4 bxc4 37.a4 {This seems like White's best try. Firouzja wants to defend his passer sideways.} ( {Rather than} 37.Rc6 Rb5 {when the a-pawn would not make too many moves.} ) 37...Rc5 38.Rb6 c3 39.bxc3 Rxc3 40.a5 Kg7 41.a6 Ra3 {The a6-pawn is dangerous, but while bringing in the supporters White will have to part with his kingside pawns. Objectively, it is a draw.} 42.Kg3 Ra2 $1 {That forces White to abandon the pawn early.} 43.f4 gxf4+ 44.Kxf4 Rxg2 45.Ke5 Ra2 $1 46.Kd6 f5 $1 {The key resource. The f-passer is really dangerous.} ( {Not} 46...Kg6 47.Kc7+ Kg5 48.Kb7 f5 49.a7 Rxa7+ 50.Kxa7 f4 51.Rb5+ Kh4 52.Rb3 {when White wins.} ) 47.Kc7 f4 48.Kb8 f3 49.a7 f2 50.Rb1 f1=Q {But at the very final moment Najer succumbs to the pressure.} ( {Firouzja rightly pointed out that this pawn should not have been given up that easily and indeed, Black makes a draw after} 50...Kg6 $1 51.a8=Q ( {Or} 51.Rf1 Rb2+ 52.Kc7 Ra2 ) 51...Rxa8+ 52.Kxa8 Kg5 53.Rf1 Kh4 54.Rxf2 Kxh3 55.Kb7 h5 56.Kc6 Kg3 ) 51.Rxf1 Rb2+ 52.Ka8 Rb3 53.Rc1 Kg6 54.Rc7 h5 55.Rb7 {The king is out.} 55...Rxh3 56.Rb6+ Kg5 57.Kb7 Ra3 58.Ra6 Rb3+ 59.Kc7 {The king marches all the way to h7.} 1-0

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2021.11.04"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Tabatabaei, M Amin"]
[Black "Alekseenko, Kirill"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2639"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7903545142858"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Bb4+ {One of the plausible ways to meet the Catalan. There is a very long list of strong GMs who have it in their repertoires.} 5.Nbd2 {This move is a favorite of Dubov. White sacrifices a pawn in return for a strong center.} 5...dxc4 6.Bg2 b5 ( {Dubov won a top-GM miniature this year after} 6...a5 7.a3 Bxd2+ 8.Bxd2 O-O 9.Qc2 b5 10.a4 c6 11.h4 Nbd7 12.h5 h6 13.g4 Nxg4 14.axb5 Bb7 15.Nh2 Nxf2 16.Kxf2 Qh4+ 17.Kf1 Qf6+ 18.Bf3 {1-0 (18) Dubov,D (2710)-Ding,L (2791) Online 2021} ) 7.a3 Be7 8.Ne5 $146 ( {Black managed to consolidate after} 8.b3 cxb3 9.Nxb3 Bb7 10.O-O O-O 11.Bd2 Nbd7 12.Qb1 Be4 13.Qb2 Nb6 {in the game Karner,C (2372)-Zelcic,R (2555) Oberwart 2011} ) 8...Nd5 9.a4 {But this might not be the most accurate.} ( {Craftier seems} 9.O-O {at once, in order to provoke} 9...Bb7 {and only then to opt for} 10.a4 {which forces Black to block his own bishop with} 10...c6 {Then White has enough for the pawn with} 11.e4 Nf6 12.Ndf3 {as} 12...Nxe4 $2 {is a bit too much and is punished instantly:} 13.Nxf7 $1 ) 9...c6 10.O-O a5 {Alekseenko keeps his king in the center for the time being.} ( {After} 10...O-O {White typically expands on the kingside with} 11.h4 ) 11.e4 ( 11.h4 $5 ) 11...Nf6 {The knight is destined to defend the kingside.} 12.Ng4 {Until traded.} 12...Nxg4 13.Qxg4 h5 {This is what Alekseenko was waiting for!} 14.Qe2 ( {Surely not} 14.Qxg7 $4 Bf6 $1 ) 14...e5 {Instead of taking a pawn, Black offers one!} ( {After} 14...Qxd4 15.e5 $1 Ba6 16.Rd1 Qd3 17.Qe1 {White gets what he wants: his knight will soon land on the d6-square.} ) 15.dxe5 {After a lengthy thought, Tabatabaei decided that he can open files like that too.} ( {To an unclear situation leads} 15.d5 h4 16.Rd1 Qc7 {when the black king feels very safe in the center.} ) 15...Na6 16.e6 {But White does not want to keep the pawn at all, he needs the open files!} ( {Stronger seemed} 16.Rd1 Qc7 17.Nf3 Nc5 18.Nd4 {moving the knight closer to the enemy king's residence.} ) 16...Bxe6 17.e5 {Still, Tabatabaei underestimated Black's next move.} 17...Nb4 $1 {A powerful exchange sacrifice!} ( {Rather than} 17...Bd5 18.Ne4 {when a check on d6 or f6 is unstoppable and highly unpleasant for Black.} ) 18.axb5 cxb5 19.Ne4 {Initiative and only initiative!} ( {Black's initiative for the exchange is so powerful, that he can even afford playing down a full exchange as in the line} 19.Bxa8 Qxa8 20.Ne4 Bh3 21.Rd1 O-O $5 22.Qxh5 Qxe4 23.Qxh3 a4 {and it is even easier to play as Black here.} ) 19...Ra6 20.Nd6+ {Once again sacrificing a pawn!} ( {Not much is yielded after} 20.Rd1 Nd3 ) 20...Bxd6 21.exd6 Nd3 $1 {The pawn on d6 will go nowhere, therefore Alekseenko uses the time to build a blockade.} ( 21...Rxd6 22.Bf4 Rd3 23.Qe5 {would have been nice for White instead.} ) 22.Bd2 h4 {Alekseenko also thinks only about the initiative.} ( {Here better seemed} 22...b4 $5 23.b3 O-O 24.Qxh5 Qxd6 25.bxc4 Qc5 $1 {keeping the situation under control.} ) 23.Bc3 hxg3 ( {Here and on the next move} 23...O-O {was safer.} ) 24.hxg3 Qxd6 ( 24...O-O $5 ) 25.Bxg7 Rg8 26.Bc3 {Now that both kings are under fire the question is who will be more creative in the attack.} 26...Kf8 {The king steps out of the pin.} ( {However, stronger seemed the centralization with} 26...b4 27.Bd2 ( {Or} 27.Bf6 Rg6 28.Bh4 Qd4 ) 27...Qc5 ) 27.Qh5 $1 {Tabatabaei does not miss the chance to activate the queen.} 27...b4 28.Bd2 Bg4 29.Qb5 Be2 30.Qxc4 $1 {It is White's turn to sacrifice the exchange! It is funny how many times the players were offering material to each other.} ( {White could have also retreated with the rook} 30.Rfb1 {But then} 30...Nxf2 {could have forced a draw in the line} ( 30...Qf6 31.Be3 {looks better for White.} ) 31.Bxb4 axb4 32.Rxa6 Nh3+ 33.Kh1 Nf2+ ) 30...Rg4 {Now Black rejects a possible draw!} ( {This would have happened after} 30...Bxf1 31.Kxf1 Nxb2 32.Qc8+ Kg7 33.Qg4+ Qg6 34.Qd4+ Qf6 35.Qg4+ {with a perpetual.} ) 31.Qc8+ Kg7 32.Be3 Qe6 ( {Also interesting would have been} 32...Ne5 33.Qf5 Bd3 34.Qh5 Bxf1 35.Kxf1 Qd3+ 36.Kg1 Qb5 37.Kh1 Rag6 {when it is anyone's game.} ) 33.Qb8 {Once again, White wants to keep the queens on the board.} ( {Whereas the endgame after} 33.Qxe6 Rxe6 34.Rfb1 Rxe3 35.fxe3 Rxg3 36.Kh2 Rxe3 37.Rxa5 {should be about equal.} ) 33...Rd6 {Now that the white queen is excluded from the defence of the kingside, the threat 34...Nd3xf2 is in the air, and Tabatabaei panicks.} ( {The correct execution was} 33...Bxf1 $1 34.Rxf1 Rd6 {with an edge for Black, but Alekseenko believes that his centralized pieces will keep his king safe enough.} ) 34.Kh2 {This makes things worse.} ( {White missed a fantastic resource to turn the tables in his favour with the sudden rook maneuver} 34.Rxa5 $3 Bxf1 ( {And if} 34...Rxg3 {Another fabulous counter-attacking idea} 35.Bd4+ $3 Rxd4 36.Qxg3+ Rg4 37.Rg5+ $1 {and White is in control.} ) 35.Rh5 $1 {And in order to stop the checkmate Black will have to part with the queen.} ) ( {Alekseenko's main attacking idea is demonstrated in the line} 34.Rfb1 Rxg3 $1 35.fxg3 Qxe3+ 36.Kh2 Rh6+ 37.Bh3 Qf2+ 38.Kh1 {And a pleasant choice between} 38...Rxh3# ( {And} 38...Bf3# ) ) 34...Bxf1 35.Rxf1 ( {Still, it was worth trying} 35.Bxf1 {Although here too, Black should win with} 35...Nxf2 $1 36.Bxf2 Qe5 $1 37.Kg2 Rh4 $3 ) 35...Qe5 36.Bf3 Nxf2 $1 {White's position collapses, Tabatabaei resigns.} ( 36...Nxf2 $1 37.Rxf2 ( 37.Bxf2 Rh6+ ) 37...Qxg3+ 38.Kh1 Qg1# ) 0-1

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2021.11.06"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Black "Oparin, Grigoriy"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2659"]
[ECO "E24"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[Beauty "7218900521037"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.f3 {Whenever the name Samisch is concerned, the white f-pawn modestly moves to the f3-square. It does, however, help White build the strongest center possible, which might translate into a decisive kingside attack. At least, this is what White is dreaming about.} 6...Nc6 {Black, on his turn, realizes that the opponent has burned some bridges and that the pawn on c4 might well be attacked with every single black piece. More or less, this pawn is doomed, dreams Black, and he has visions of a won queenside battle.} 7.e4 d6 8.Be3 b6 9.Bd3 e5 {Kasparov named this the Portish-Hubner wall, and my database indicates that 9. ...0-0 is vanishing. Rightly so, why castle into White's attack?} ( {Black can, however, prepare the opposite castling with} 9...Qc7 10.Ne2 Na5 11.O-O Ba6 12.Bg5 Nd7 13.f4 Bxc4 14.f5 e5 15.f6 g6 16.dxe5 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 dxe5 18.c4 O-O-O 19.Nc3 Kb8 {and Black won the opening battle in Boyer,M (2465)-Dubov,D (3093) Chess.com 2020} ) 10.d5 Na5 11.Ne2 Kd7 $146 {A nice novelty! The king often walks toward the queenside on its own in the Nimzo-Indian Defense, not necessarily using the castling crutch.} ( {Although in an earlier game, Black did fine after} 11...Ba6 12.Ng3 Qd7 13.Qe2 O-O-O 14.a4 ( 14.Bg5 $5 ) 14...Rdg8 15.h4 g6 16.Kd1 Nh5 17.Nf1 f5 18.Kc2 fxe4 19.fxe4 Rf8 {Ang,A (2195)-Winkelman,A (2283) Melbourne 2019} ) ( {Once again, why castle into an attack with} 11...O-O {when besides the instant g2-g4, White can prepare the kingside assault with} 12.Ng3 ( {Or with} 12.Ra2 $5 ) ) 12.O-O Kc7 13.f4 {Vitiugov hurries to open the center.} 13...Ng4 {While Oparin tries to keep everything under blockade.} 14.Bd2 exf4 15.Bxf4 f6 {White's play seems done.} 16.Nd4 $1 {Not so fast, there is this sacrifice that intends to open up the black king's guard. The price of a knight to set the center in motion and open up the bishops is totally worth it.} 16...Ne5 $1 {At least the knight got closer to the black king.} ( {After} 16...cxd4 17.cxd4 Kb7 18.h3 Nh6 19.c5 $1 {Black will be quickly dismantled.} ) 17.Nb5+ ( 17.Bxe5 dxe5 18.Nb5+ Kb7 {would have likely transposed.} ) 17...Kb7 18.Bxe5 dxe5 {In any case, Vitiugov needs to demonstrate immense creativity in order to keep his initiative looming.} 19.d6 $1 ( {After} 19.a4 a6 20.Na3 Ka7 {Black consolidates and intends to reroute the knight to the d6-square.} ) 19...Rb8 $1 ( {Pushing the knight to where it wants to go.} 19...a6 20.Nc7 {does not make sense.} ) 20.Be2 Be6 21.Nc7 Bf7 {Black is just in time.} ( {In case of} 21...Qd7 {White can search for play with} 22.Nxe6 Qxe6 23.Ra2 Rbd8 24.Rd2 ) 22.Rb1 {Almost all the white pieces are active, but is it enough?} ( {The machine suggests instead the pretty drawish line} 22.Rf3 $5 Nxc4 23.Rd3 $1 Nb2 24.Rd2 $1 Nxd1 25.Ba6+ $1 Kc6 26.Bb5+ $1 ) 22...Qd7 $1 {Oparin also brings his pieces out and wants to deal with the d6-pawn once and for all.} ( {The capture is also possible:} 22...Nxc4 23.Bxc4 Bxc4 24.Rf2 Qd7 25.Rd2 {and it would have still led to interesting compensation for the pawn.} ) 23.Bg4 Qc6 24.Be6 {White bets on the power of his passer.} ( {The other idea is} 24.Nd5 $5 {when White once again is ready to part with a pawn in return for an initiative, this time, in the endgame:} 24...Qxd6 25.Nxf6 Qxd1 26.Rbxd1 Bxc4 27.Rd7+ Ka6 28.Nd5 {Here Black can try to play for more than half a point with} 28...Rhd8 $5 ( {Or else a forced draw:} 28...Bxf1 29.Nc7+ Kb7 30.Nb5+ Ka6 31.Nc7+ ) ) 24...Bxe6 25.Nxe6 Nxc4 26.Qg4 Rhg8 27.d7 {This, however, turns out to be wrong.} ( {A better try is} 27.Rfd1 Nxd6 28.Rd5 Ka8 29.Rbd1 {when anything is possible. Despite the two-pawn deficit, White has plenty of compensation thanks to his powerful pieces.} ) 27...Ne3 28.Qh3 ( {Maybe from afar, Vitiugov thought that the underpromotion line} 28.Qxg7 $5 Rxg7 29.d8=N+ $1 {is not just beautiful but effective but then saw that in the line} 29...Rxd8 30.Nxd8+ Kc7 31.Nxc6 Nxf1 32.Rxf1 Kxc6 33.Rxf6+ Kb5 {Black gets his dream endgame (see the opening phase...)} ) 28...Nxf1 29.Rxf1 Qxe4 ( 29...Qd6 $5 {also makes a lot of sense.} ) 30.Qh5 ( {Or} 30.Rd1 Rbd8 31.Nxd8+ Rxd8 32.Qe6 Qc6 33.Qe7 Kc7 {and the d7-pawn would vanish.} ) 30...Rgd8 {This is more or less it! White will get a portion of his material back but not everything.} 31.Rd1 g6 32.Qxh7 Qe2 33.Rb1 Qc2 34.Rf1 Qd3 35.Nxd8+ Rxd8 36.Qe7 Rxd7 37.Qxf6 Qxc3 38.Qxg6 Qe3+ 39.Kh1 c4 $1 {This passer decides. The grand strategy to win the c-pawn and promote his worked for Oparin.} ( {But not the flashy} 39...Qf2 $2 40.Qe4+ $1 {when White escapes.} ) 40.Qe6 Qd3 41.Kg1 c3 42.Qxe5 c2 43.Rc1 Qd1+ 44.Kf2 ( {Or} 44.Qe1 Qxc1 45.Qxc1 Rd1+ ) 44...Qd2+ 45.Kg3 Rd3+ 46.Kh4 Qxg2 0-1

[Event "E Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2021.11.07"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Sjugirov, Sanan"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2663"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[ECO "C90"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[Beauty "4815732149850"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.d3 {A modest move which, however, prevents the Marshall Attack.} 8...d6 9.c3 Na5 {Yesterday's loss was certainly a painful blow for Vitiugov, who missed a shot to play for a place in the Candidates. Nevertheless, the Russian champion managed to put himself together and went fully mobilized in this final encounter.} 10.Bc2 c5 11.Nbd2 Re8 12.h3 Bf8 13.Nf1 h6 14.d4 {White opens the center, despite the delay of a tempo.} 14...exd4 15.cxd4 cxd4 {The slightly compromised pawn structure will be compensated by the active black pieces.} 16.Ng3 Bb7 17.Nxd4 Nc4 ( {At the freshly finished U.S. championship, the following fascinating game was played:} 17...Qc7 18.Bf4 Nc4 19.Ndf5 Nxb2 20.Qc1 Nc4 21.Bxh6 gxh6 {Here Robson sacrificed a piece:} 22.Nxh6+ Bxh6 23.Qxh6 Re6 24.Nf5 Ne8 25.Qg5+ Kf8 26.Qh4 Rg6 {but his younger opponent managed to defend, Robson,R (2669)-Burke,J (2554) Saint Louis 2021} ) 18.b3 Ne5 19.Bb2 Rc8 20.Qd2 Qb6 $146 {Active play, and a novelty.} ( {In an earlier game, Black did just fine after} 20...Ng6 21.Rad1 d5 22.Ndf5 Nxe4 23.Nxe4 dxe4 24.Qe3 Qc7 25.Bb1 Bc5 {Pfeffer,R (2155)-Kiesekamp,M (2316) Berlin 2008} ) 21.Ndf5 {Sjugirov wants to maneuver his knight to a better square, but this costs him quite a lot of time.} ( {Perhaps} 21.Kh1 $5 {to pay respect to the queen is a better choice.} ) 21...g6 22.Ne3 h5 $1 {An important move in the battle for the e4-square.} 23.Bd4 Qd8 24.f3 {This modest move is more or less forced. Sjugirov needs to overprotect his most important pawn.} ( {Otherwise, White risks badly the crumbling of his position, as in the line} 24.f4 $2 h4 25.Ngf1 Bxe4 $1 {and White loses at least a pawn, as the line} 26.fxe5 dxe5 27.Bc3 Qxd2 28.Bxd2 Bxc2 {is not appealing at all.} ) 24...h4 {10 minutes on the clock indicate that Vitiugov might have been choosing between this aggression...} ( {...and the immediate attempt to get rid of the weak pawn with} 24...d5 $5 {which is not bad at all after} 25.exd5 Nxd5 ( 25...Bxd5 $5 ) 26.Nxd5 Bg7 $1 {and White needs to give the piece back.} ) 25.Ngf1 {The other retreats are worse.} ( 25.Ne2 {blocks the white rook and} 25...d5 $1 {gains strength.} ) ( {The knight is also too passive in case of} 25.Nh1 d5 $1 ) 25...Bh6 $1 {Bringing the bishop first to control the dark squares.} ( {Also good seems} 25...Nh5 $5 26.Rad1 Qg5 {and Black is adding pressure, but the move in the game is more powerful.} ) 26.Rad1 Bf4 27.Qf2 Nh5 28.Ng4 Qg5 {Black is in full control. The breaks d6-d5 and f7-f5 are in the air, and there is more to add to White's woes.} 29.b4 {However, now comes a very strong idea:} ( {Sjugirov probably did not even consider the computer suggestion} 29.Be3 {Indeed, Black is significantly better thanks to} 29...Rc3 ) 29...Nxg4 $1 30.hxg4 Bg3 $1 {That forces the next capture.} 31.Nxg3 ( {As a move like} 31.Qe3 {would lose material for White in the forced line} 31...Qxe3+ 32.Rxe3 Rxc2 33.gxh5 Bf2+ ( 33...gxh5 $5 {looks appealing for Black too.} ) 34.Kh2 Bxe3 ) 31...hxg3 {The wedge on g3 acts as a piece in Black's attack, and the impression is that White would be mated at any moment.} 32.Qd2 Nf4 {Many players would simply resign to the frustration if they were in White's shoes but not Sjugirov: he finds strength and squeezes resources to continue.} 33.Bb3 $1 ( {Avoiding the obvious move} 33.Be3 {which walks directly into the trap} 33...Qh4 34.Bxf4 Qh2+ 35.Kf1 Rxc2 $3 36.Qxc2 Qh1+ 37.Ke2 Qxg2+ 38.Kd3 Qxf3+ 39.Re3 Bxe4+ 40.Kd4 Qxe3+ {and Black wins a bunch of pawns.} ) 33...Qh6 {The human way! Good enough!} ( {And there is the \"compvine\" (computer divine) way} 33...d5 $3 {That is not a major surprise. Black would not mind opening the e-file and bringing in the last reserves. But observe now how's compy doing the job:} 34.exd5 Rxe1+ 35.Qxe1 Qh6 $1 36.Qd2 Rc3 $3 {with the unstoppable threat of Rc3-d3!!} ) 34.g5 $3 {The only way to fight on is to create problems! An amazing resource! Petrosian's thought about the one pawn-square difference comes to mind when following this unbelievably complex, marvelous game!} ( {Once more} 34.Be3 {falls short, for Black can use the trick from the line above} 34...Rc3 $3 {And it is all over} 35.Qxc3 ( 35.Bxf4 Qh2+ 36.Kf1 Qh1+ 37.Ke2 Qxg2# ) 35...Qh2+ 36.Kf1 Qh1+ 37.Bg1 Qxg2# ) ( {But what is Black actually threatening? Well, besides the constant mates along the h-file, there is the decisive file opening with d4-d5, and on top of everything, this idea:} 34.a3 Qh2+ 35.Kf1 Qh1+ 36.Bg1 Nh3 $3 {Then when the bishop is defended} 37.Qd4 ( 37.gxh3 Qxf3+ ) 37...Rc3 $3 {Yep, this guy again... And the players were obviously aware of this resource!} ) 34...Qh4 ( {Guess what, now the line} 34...Qh2+ 35.Kf1 Qh1+ 36.Bg1 Nh3 37.Qd4 Rc3 {only leads to a draw due to} 38.Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 39.Qf6+ {with a perpetual!} ) ( {And the other forcing continuation} 34...Qxg5 35.Be3 Qh6 36.Bxf4 Qh2+ 37.Kf1 Qh1+ 38.Ke2 Qxg2+ 39.Kd3 Qxf3+ 40.Qe3 Bxe4+ 41.Kd2 {would have seen the white king surviving!} ) 35.Kf1 Rc3 $3 {Wow, this happened! And the rook is invincible, yes! And the Rc3-d3 threat is deadly, right! And guess what, this is not the best!!!} ( {The machines wants to insert the rook into the action as well, but does not forget about the last piece which we have not involved yet into the attack: the bishop! Therefore} 35...a5 $3 {when} 36.a3 {softens the position of the bishop and Black will now go for} ( {Otherwise the bishop comes out on the a6-f1 diagonal with decisive effect} 36.bxa5 b4 $1 ) 36...Rc3 $3 {and wins.} ( {Or even} 36...a4 37.Ba2 Qxg5 38.Be3 Qh6 39.Bxf4 Qh1+ 40.Ke2 Qxg2+ 41.Kd3 Qxf3+ 42.Qe3 Bxe4+ 43.Kd4 Qh5 $1 {mating the king at the end.} ) ) 36.Qxf4 $1 {After Sjugirov eliminated the impossible, he decided that this must be the truth! (Sherlock Bojkov)} 36...Qxf4 37.Bxc3 Qxg5 {And this obvious move actually lets White off the hook!} ( {Strong is the attempt to bring the bishop out with} 37...a5 $3 {The main idea is} 38.bxa5 $2 ( 38.Bf6 {is better, but then Black would have taken the other pawn} 38...axb4 {when} 39.Ke2 {is no longer good due to} 39...Bxe4 $1 40.fxe4 Qxe4+ 41.Kd2 Qf4+ 42.Kd3 Qf5+ $1 {Now we see why the b4-pawn is needed!} 43.Kd2 Qf2+ {and wins.} ) 38...b4 39.Bxb4 Ba6+ 40.Kg1 Qh4 ) 38.Ke2 $3 {Suddenly, the white king is out of danger, and it is time for White's attack for a change.} ( {The move in the game is better than} 38.Rxd6 Qh6 39.Bd4 Bc8 $1 {followed by Bc8-e6!} ) 38...d5 {Give me more open files!} 39.Rh1 {No, give me more diagonals!} 39...f6 40.Rh3 Bc6 {The last move in the time control completely turns the tables.} ( {It would have been still unclear after} 40...Rc8 41.Bb2 Rc4 $3 {at least getting rid of one of the monstrous bishops.} ) 41.Rdh1 Kf7 42.Rh7+ Ke6 43.Rd1 {Now it is Sjugirov's moment to miss things.} ( {He should have surprisingly centralized the black queen instead with} 43.Bd2 $3 Qe5 44.Rc1 Ba8 45.Ra7 {and White's close to the win!} ) 43...f5 $3 {Wow! That's the only thing to say. WOW!} 44.Bd2 ( {Or else the king finds a safe haven:} 44.exd5+ Kd6+ 45.Kf1 Bd7 {with a messy position.} ( {But not the over-ambitious} 45...Qe3 $4 46.dxc6+ Kxc6 47.Bd5+ Kd6 48.Bb7+ Ke6 49.Re1 {when White wins.} ) ) ( {White also needs not to be overly ambitious} 44.exf5+ $4 {loses to} 44...Kd6+ 45.Kf1 Qe3 $1 ) 44...Qd8 {Who's going to blink first?} ( 44...f4 45.Rc1 {does not seem appealing at all, albeit being objectively better.} ) 45.Be3 ( {Time for White's compvine} 45.Rc1 $3 Ba8 46.Kd3 $3 {!!! I do not have enough exclams, sorry.} 46...Kf6 47.e5+ $3 Rxe5 ( 47...Ke6 48.Rcc7 ) 48.Rcc7 {would have led to a decisive white attack.} ) 45...Kf6 {Now the king is relatively safe...} 46.Rc1 Qd6 47.Ra7 $5 {Sjugirov rejects the draw and chases the full point!} ( 47.Bc5 Qe5 48.Be3 Qd6 $11 ) 47...fxe4 48.Bd4+ Kg5 ( {Correctly avoiding} 48...Kf5 $4 49.Rf7+ ) 49.f4+ $1 Kg4 $1 {Vitiugov tries to hide his king behind the pawn.} ( {After} 49...Kxf4 50.Rf1+ Kg4 {There is the fabulous ambush} 51.Bd1 $3 {and that is good enough to interrupt any further calculations. However, how to play after} 51...e3 $3 {It seems that with the best play the players will reach an approximately equal endgame (?? seriously??) with} 52.Raf7 Bd7 53.R1f6 Qxb4 54.Rf4+ Kg5 55.Bf6+ Kxf4 56.Bc3+ Bf5 57.Bxb4 d4 58.Bc2 {Yep, believe it or not!} ) 50.Rf7 $2 {Now White is losing again!} ( {Stronger is to try and tie the enemy pieces with pins} 50.Rxa6 $1 Rc8 51.Rc5 $1 Qd7 52.Ke3 {Although Black is still on top thanks to} 52...g5 $1 ) 50...e3 $1 {A very important resource!} 51.Bd1 $1 {The ambush again!} 51...Kh5 $2 {Have I said that Black is losing again? No, I mean Black is losing again...} ( {But that is because he missed the winning} 51...Qe6 $3 52.Ke1+ e2 ) 52.Rh7+ $2 ( {To the mate led} 52.Kf3 $3 e2 ( 52...Kh6 53.Bc2 $1 ) ( 52...g5 53.Bc2 $1 ) 53.Rh7# ) 52...Kg4 {Now the evaluation switch turns on and off a few times again.} 53.Rf7 Kh5 $2 54.Rh7+ $2 Kg4 55.Bxe3 d4 {Missing the last chance to win.} ( 55...Kf5 $3 56.Bc2+ Kf6 $1 {would have brought his majesty into safety.} ) 56.Kf1+ Kf5 {And after a bunch of forcing moves} 57.Rxc6 $3 Qxc6 58.Rf7+ Ke6 59.Bb3+ {Sjugirov first regained the queen.} 59...Qc4+ 60.Bxc4+ bxc4 {And then forced a draw rook endgame with} 61.Rc7 dxe3 62.Rxc4 Kd5 63.Rc5+ Kd4 64.Ke2 Rf8 65.Kf3 Re8 66.Ke2 Rf8 67.Kf3 Re8 {If someone ever asks you why do you play chess, just show them this game!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Vugar Gashimov Memorial 2021"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2021.12.20"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Mamedov, Rauf"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[ECO "B66"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7628688204350"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 {The Classical Sicilian is a rare guest at the top level, especially once Kramnik quit playing (it).} 6.Bg5 {Rauzer's plan is the main reason why this line did not become as popular as the Najdorf.} 6...e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.O-O-O Bd7 9.Kb1 h6 {Always a double-edged decision in the Sicilian. This pawn can easily become a hook and is often the main reason why Black is reluctant to castle kingside.} 10.Be3 b5 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.f3 Be7 13.Ne2 Bb7 ( {In another recent GM game, White attacked strongly after} 13...e5 14.Ng3 Bd7 15.Bd3 Be6 16.f4 Qc7 17.Nf5 {Solodovnichenko,Y (2546)-Moussard,J (2635) Chalons en Champagne 2021} ) 14.Nd4 Rc8 15.g4 Nd7 16.h4 {Both sides are playing in accordance with the requirements of the position, and Rapport is not shy to sacrifice a pawn to open the h-file.} 16...d5 {In return, Mamedov tries to solve his problems once and for all with the typical central break.} ( {The main line is} 16...Ne5 17.Be2 Qc7 {when White tries to mount more pressure with} 18.g5 h5 19.Rhg1 g6 20.Bf4 O-O 21.Qe1 Rfd8 22.Bg3 Bf8 23.f4 Nc4 {as in Vignesh,N (2436)-Cordova,E (2593) Moscow 2020} ) ( {In the only game in which Black accepted the pawn sacrifice with} 16...Bxh4 {he was quickly forced to give back the material with interest:} 17.g5 hxg5 18.Bxg5 Qxg5 19.Qxg5 Bxg5 20.Rxh8+ {and White went on to convert his extra material in Vettese,N (2203)-Liang,H (2150) Toronto 2018} ) 17.Bh3 $1 {A very powerful move that prepares a typical Sicilian sacrifice.} 17...Ne5 {And as we shall witness, this is already a losing mistake.} ( {There is no other choice but} 17...dxe4 $1 {when after} 18.g5 hxg5 19.Bxe6 $1 {Black certainly cannot capture the bishop:} 19...fxe6 $2 {As his queen is getting nicely trapped in the middle after the simple recapture.} ( {However, play like} 19...Rxh4 $1 20.Rhg1 Rc5 $5 {keeps Black in the game, with an unclear position.} ) 20.Nxe6 ) 18.g5 $1 {Now this is even stronger, as} 18...hxg5 19.hxg5 Nc4 ( {If} 19...Qc7 {White can save his important dark-squared bishop with} 20.Qg2 Nc4 21.Bc1 dxe4 {while preparing the final attack against the key black pawn:} 22.g6 $1 ) 20.Qe2 Nxe3 {Apparently Mamedov only expected an automatic recapture, however...} 21.Bxe6 $3 $146 {Revealing the enormous tactical talent that Rapport has! Black's position crumbles into pieces, as the dangers suddenly start to pop from every square of the board.} ( {In an earlier game Black was also suffering after} 21.Qxe3 Bxg5 22.f4 Be7 ( {But perhaps Mamedov intended to defend with} 22...Bh4 {when White has full compensation for the pawn with either} 23.Bg4 ( {Or} 23.e5 $5 ) ) 23.Bxe6 Rxh1 24.Rxh1 fxe6 25.Rh8+ Kd7 26.Rxd8+ Bxd8 27.f5 {Klauser,M (2362)-Nuri,K (2233) Lenzerheide 2010} ) 21...Rxh1 22.Rxh1 Nxc2 ( {Or} 22...fxe6 23.Rh8+ Bf8 24.Rxf8+ $1 Kxf8 25.Nxe6+ ) 23.Bxc8 $1 {The neatest capture!} ( 23.Rh8+ Bf8 24.Bxc8 Nxd4 {is not clear at all.} ) 23...Nxd4 24.Bxb7 $1 {The point behind the whole line.} 24...Qc7 ( {Now} 24...Nxe2 25.Bc6+ Kf8 26.Rh8# ) 25.Qd3 {That's it! Rapport is up a whole exchange and quickly converts his advantage.} 25...Qc4 26.Qxc4 dxc4 27.Bxa6 Bxg5 28.Rd1 ( {A tad more accurate seems} 28.Rh5 f6 29.f4 Bxf4 30.Bxb5+ ) 28...Nxf3 ( 28...Be3 {might have been more resilient.} ) 29.Bxb5+ Ke7 30.Kc2 Ne5 31.Kc3 Be3 32.Bxc4 g5 33.Bf1 g4 34.b4 g3 35.a4 Ng4 36.a5 Bf2 37.Bh3 Ne3 38.Rd7+ Ke8 39.a6 {And a checkmate for desert after} 39...g2 40.a7 Nd5+ $1 {The last little chance.} 41.Rxd5 {Black resigned.} ( {But not} 41.exd5 $2 Bxa7 {with a drawn opposite-colored bishop endgame.} ) ( 41.Rxd5 g1=Q 42.a8=Q+ Ke7 43.Qd8# ) 1-0

[Event "Vugar Gashimov Memorial 2021"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2021.12.23"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[ECO "A46"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7152060071967"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]

1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 {Apparently the London is an excellent choice for an armageddon game. Little pawn contact, lengthy maneuvering, and lots of strategical content.} 3...c5 4.e3 Be7 5.Nbd2 cxd4 6.exd4 O-O 7.c3 b6 8.Bd3 Ba6 {A good bishop to trade.} 9.Bxa6 Nxa6 10.O-O Nc7 11.a4 a6 12.c4 $146 {A logical novelty.} ( {Up to here both players were following another top game that went} 12.Re1 Ncd5 13.Bg3 b5 14.Ne5 Qc8 15.Qe2 d6 16.Nd3 Qb7 17.axb5 axb5 18.h3 h6 19.Qf1 Rfc8 20.Rxa8 Rxa8 21.Ra1 Nb6 {and both players kept fighting for another 130+ moves before splitting the point in Firouzja,A (2728)-Baklan,V (2587) online 2020} ) 12...d5 {This is the question: Can White keep his queenside majority intact?} ( {A somewhat more solid plan seems} 12...a5 {and White can maneuver his knight to the freshly opened outpost with the immediate} 13.Nb1 ( {Or may postpone this plan with something solid like} 13.b3 ) ) 13.b3 {Now Rapport gets what he wants.} ( {His plan could have been questioned with} 13.a5 $1 {when take it or not, but White will get a good defended passer after} 13...b5 ( {Worse is} 13...dxc4 $2 14.axb6 Ncd5 15.b7 {winning the exchange.} ) 14.c5 {when White looks better.} ) 13...dxc4 14.bxc4 b5 $1 {A typical way to fight the hanging pawns. Rapport equalizes swiftly.} 15.axb5 axb5 16.Rxa8 {Diverting the knight, at least for the moment.} ( 16.c5 Ncd5 {is even more comfortable for Black.} ) 16...Nxa8 17.c5 ( {Black has rich compensation for the pawn after} 17.cxb5 Nd5 18.Bg3 Qa5 ) 17...Nd5 18.Bg3 Nac7 {A very sound strategy in a blitz game. The pieces should stay together, helping each other, close to the center.} ( {Although} 18...Nc3 $5 {also makes sense when Black is good after both} 19.Qa1 ( {And} 19.Qe1 Nc7 ) 19...Ne2+ 20.Kh1 Nxg3+ 21.hxg3 Nc7 ) 19.Qb3 Qa8 20.Rb1 Rc8 {A nice move that protects both the knight and the c6-spot.} ( {Not yet} 20...Qa7 21.Ne5 ) 21.Ne4 ( {If} 21.Ne5 b4 {and Black proceeds as in the game.} ) 21...b4 22.h4 {Caruana needs to win and has to be creative. With his last move he is getting some air for the king and intends to use the g5-spot for his knights.} ( {Instead} 22.Qc4 {leads White nowhere after} 22...Qa6 ( {Or} 22...Qa4 ) ) ( {Whereas the instant} 22.Ne5 {can be met with} 22...Nb5 23.Qd3 ( {Not} 23.Qf3 f5 $1 ) 23...Nbc3 {when Black is doing fine.} ) 22...h6 {Rapport take measures against the annoying knights.} ( {Also good is the simple} 22...Nb5 23.Qd3 Nbc3 ) 23.Ne5 Nb5 24.Qf3 Rf8 ( {With the inclusion of the h4-h6 moves,} 24...Nxd4 {does not look right for Black due to} 25.Qxf7+ Kh7 26.Rd1 $1 ) ( {However, strong is} 24...f5 $1 {when after} 25.Qh5 {best is} ( {Caruana likely intended to continue} 25.Qd3 {But Black is doing great after} 25...Qa4 26.Nd2 Nbc3 ) 25...Rf8 $1 ( {Although Black can certainly accept a draw as in the line} 25...fxe4 26.Qf7+ Kh7 27.Qg6+ Kg8 ) ) 25.Qd3 Nbc3 {Forcing matters.} ( 25...Qa6 {looks more accurate.} ) 26.Nxc3 bxc3 27.Nd7 Rd8 {But this is a very big blunder.} ( {The rook belongs again on the c-file and} 27...Rc8 $1 {would have kept Black safe as} 28.Nb6 {is not as dangerous as in the game due to} 28...Nxb6 29.cxb6 c2 30.b7 cxb1=Q+ 31.Qxb1 Qa6 {and everything evaporates from the board with a draw.} ) 28.Nb6 $1 Qa5 {And this loses fast.} ( {The most resilient defense is} 28...Nxb6 29.cxb6 Qc6 $1 ( {Not} 29...Qb7 30.Qxc3 ) 30.Bc7 Rc8 {when Black is ready to sacrifice the exchange in either} 31.b7 ( {Or} 31.Qf3 Rxc7 32.bxc7 Qxc7 ) 31...Qxc7 32.bxc8=Q+ Qxc8 {True, Black's salvation is less then certain here too...} ) 29.Nxd5 Rxd5 ( {Nothing changes} 29...exd5 30.Rc1 ( 30.c6 ) ) 30.c6 {Now after the forcing} 30...Bd6 31.Bxd6 Rxd6 32.Rb8+ Rd8 33.Rxd8+ Qxd8 34.Qxc3 {White wins a pawn and quickly converts in an exemplary way} 34...Qc7 35.Qc5 f6 36.d5 exd5 37.Qxd5+ Kf8 38.Qe6 {Full domination with the queen.} 38...Qd8 39.g3 Qc7 40.h5 $1 {Fixing a route for the king.} 40...Qd8 41.Kg2 Qc7 42.Kf3 $1 {March towards the g6/h7 squares.} 42...Qd8 43.g4 Qc7 44.Ke4 Qd8 45.Qd7 Qb8 46.c7 Qa8+ 47.Kf4 Qa4+ 48.Qxa4 1-0

[Event "FIDE Women's World Rapid Chess Champion"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.12.26"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nomin Erdene, Davaademberel"]
[Black "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2188"]
[BlackElo "2441"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Beauty "8044205310547"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 {This is the most topical line in the Italian game nowadays!} 5...exd4 6.e5 d5 7.Bb5 Ne4 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 O-O 10.Be3 Bg4 11.Qc2 ( {Prior to their match, Nepomniachtchi and Carlsen discussed the consequences of:} 11.h3 Bh5 12.Qc2 Nxc3 13.bxc3 f6 14.exf6 Qxf6 15.Be2 Na5 16.O-O Bxf3 17.Bxf3 c6 {with a draw later in Nepomniachtchi, I (2792)-Carlsen, M (2855) Stavanger 2021} ) 11...Nxc3 12.bxc3 f6 13.Bd3 $146 {This is a novelty, but it most likely will not attract too many followers.} ( {The predecessor was another top-GM game from this year that went:} 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.exf6 Qxf6 15.Ne5 Bf5 16.Qa4 c5 {And then a forcing sequence:} 17.O-O cxd4 18.cxd4 c5 19.dxc5 Qxe5 20.cxb6 axb6 21.Qb4 Be4 22.Qxb6 Rf6 23.Qd4 Qxd4 24.Bxd4 Rfa6 {and led to an opposite-colored bishop ending and a draw later in Caruana,F (2806)-Svidler,P (2714) Saint Louis 2021} ) 13...Bxf3 {Goryachkina simply ignores the threat.} ( {The game move even deprives White of the additional choice:} 13...fxe5 14.Bxh7+ Kh8 15.Bg5 {Not that this is good for White, but still, why bother?} ) 14.Bxh7+ Kh8 15.gxf3 fxe5 {This is the thing- Black not only regains the pawn but has her king in a much safer position despite the missing h7 pawn.} 16.Rg1 ( {Alas, Nomin-Erdene cannot maintain control of the situation even after a desperate castling:} 16.O-O-O exd4 17.cxd4 Qh4 ) 16...Qh4 17.Bf5 {White is going for the enemy queen.} ( {The other way of doing it was:} 17.Bg6 exd4 18.Rg5 dxe3 19.Rh5+ Qxh5 20.Bxh5 exf2+ 21.Kf1 Ne5 {which is identical to the game, and practically changes nothing.} ) 17...exd4 18.Rg3 {The queen cannot be saved.} 18...dxe3 $1 {But Black does not intend to save it anyway.} 19.Rh3 exf2+ 20.Kf1 Qxh3+ 21.Bxh3 Ne5 {A rook, a knight and a couple of pawns are plenty of material compensation for the most powerful piece. On top of that, White's problem with her king was never solved and the f2-pawn is both ready to promote and willing to mate.} 22.Kg2 Nxf3 23.Qa4 ( {Or:} 23.Kh1 Rae8 ) 23...Rae8 24.Rf1 Re5 25.Kh1 c6 {Underlining the obvious, White's position is desperately weak.} ( {Not as accurate was:} 25...Rg5 26.Bg2 ) ( {However:} 25...Nd2 {was good enough.} ) 26.Bg2 Nd2 {The black pieces are too comfortable and that means more material losses for White.} 27.Qb4 Rf6 28.Qh4+ Kg8 29.Qg3 Re8 30.Rd1 f1=Q+ 31.Bxf1 Nxf1 32.Qh3 Ref8 33.Re1 Rh6 34.Qg2 Rxh2+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 202"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.12.30"]
[Round "24"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "7012205202952"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a3 {This is a line which Vachier-Lagrave successfully applied against Aronian at the World Cup in Tbilisi 2017.} 8...O-O 9.Nc3 Nb8 {Duda chooses a Breyer-like set up in return.} ( {Black could not equalize in the fresh top-GM game after} 9...Be6 10.Ne2 d5 11.Ng3 h6 12.Bd2 Re8 13.Bc3 Bd6 14.Re1 Qd7 15.exd5 Bxd5 16.Ne4 Nxe4 17.dxe4 Be6 18.Bxe6 Qxe6 19.Qd5 {Shankland,S (2708)-Le,Q (2709) Kolkata 2021} ) 10.Bd2 $5 {Modest, yet reasonable reply.} 10...Nbd7 11.a4 b4 12.Nd5 a5 {[#]} 13.c3 $146 {Up to today, this was a novelty. And after today's mini-match, it may be a deeply explored direction.} ( {The predecessor saw exciting battle after} 13.Be3 c6 14.Nxe7+ Qxe7 15.Nh4 Nc5 16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.f4 Ng4 18.Qe1 c4 19.Bxc4 Qa7+ 20.Kh1 Ne3 21.f5 Nxf1 22.Qxf1 Qe7 {with unclear play in Hovhannisyan,R (2634)-Halkias,S (2552) Skopje 2019} ) 13...bxc3 14.Bxc3 {Next, the question is if White will be able to fix his better pawn-structure or if his opponent will be able to trade a bunch of pawns before that. Curiously, pretty much the same structure was seen in one of the recent WCC games, rightly labeled as most 'precise game.'} 14...Nc5 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.Bd5 Ra7 {So far, obvious moves.} 17.Qc2 {A novelty, after the novelty. Kudos to Vachier-Lagrave who quickly figured out what might be most unpleasant for his opponent. He passes the ball to the opponent's court and lets him make a serious decision in a blitz-game. Quite a mean approach!} ( {Their first match game saw scenario two happening (Black trading a bunch of pawns) after} 17.d4 exd4 18.Nxd4 Bd7 {It should be added that Duda literally blitzed these moves, and was obviously very well prepared. After} 19.Qc2 Qe8 20.Nb3 Nxb3 21.Qxb3 Bxc3 22.Qxc3 c6 23.Qd4 Rb7 24.Ba2 Be6 25.Qxd6 Bxa2 26.Rxa2 Qxe4 {The game ended in a draw later. Vachier-Lagrave,M (2787)-Duda,J (2792) FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 2021} ) 17...Bg4 {And the Polish GM commits an inaccuracy at once!} ( {Correct seemed} 17...Ne6 $5 {when Black does not need to fear} 18.Bxe6 Bxe6 19.d4 exd4 20.Nxd4 Bxd4 21.Bxd4 c5 {with approximate equality.} ) 18.d4 $1 {Now this is stronger than before.} 18...exd4 ( {Not} 18...Bxf3 $2 19.dxc5 Bg4 20.c6 {when Black's queenside will soon collapse.} ) 19.Nxd4 Bd7 {The same positon from the previous game arose, with the slight difference that it is White to move!} 20.Nb5 ( {The other knight-jump was not as convincing} 20.Nc6 Bxc6 21.Bxc6 Bxc3 22.Qxc3 Ra6 {and Black looks solid enough.} ) ( {However} 20.Rfe1 $5 {looked good as well, mounting more pressure.} ) 20...Bxb5 {And this is a real mistake, after which the black knight loses stability.} ( {Black would have done better with} 20...Ra6 $1 {True, White can ignore the fork with} 21.b3 {as} 21...c6 {is well met with} ( {However} 21...Bxc3 22.Qxc3 Rb6 {looks OK for Black.} ) 22.Bxf7+ $1 Rxf7 23.Nxd6 {when White regains the material with interest.} ) 21.axb5 Bxc3 22.Qxc3 a4 {A needed move after the trade on b5.} 23.Qe3 ( {The immediate} 23.e5 $5 Qb8 24.Bc6 {was possible as well, and Vachier-Lagrave will return to this plan a bit later.} ) 23...Qb8 24.Bc6 Qb6 25.Rad1 $1 {The right rook to position in the center, as the other might be needed in case the center is open. The white bishop dominates the board, keeping both black rooks out of the game.} 25...Rb8 ( {The central break could not be stopped} 25...f6 26.f4 $1 ) 26.e5 $1 {Deprives the knight of its stable outpost.} 26...Ne6 {A desperate sacrifice, but Duda already had no choice.} ( {As} 26...dxe5 27.Qxe5 Ne6 28.Rd7 {would reveal the difference in the activity of the major pieces.} ) 27.Qxb6 Rxb6 28.exd6 cxd6 29.Rxd6 a3 30.bxa3 Rxa3 31.g3 {The extra pawn, superior rooks and still-much better minor piece is more than enough for Vachier-Lagrave to claim the world blitz title.} 31...g6 32.Rd7 Rb8 ( {Nothing changes} 32...Nc5 33.Re7 Kf8 34.Re8+ Kg7 35.Rd1 ) 33.Rb1 Rc3 ( {Or} 33...Nc5 34.Rc7 Rb3 35.Rxb3 Nxb3 36.Rb7 {and White should convert.} ) 34.Ra1 Nd8 35.Bd5 Kf8 36.Raa7 Rd3 37.Kg2 Kg7 38.Bc4 ( 38.b6 {would have sufficed too.} ) 38...Rxd7 39.Rxd7 Kf6 40.b6 Ne6 41.b7 g5 42.Bxe6 {The simplest. The white rook is too active.} 42...Kxe6 43.Rc7 h5 44.Kf3 f5 45.h4 Kd6 46.Rh7 gxh4 47.gxh4 Ke5 48.Ke3 Rd8 49.Rxh5 Kd5 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 2021"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.12.29"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2856"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[ECO "E10"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "6874363609111"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 h6 {This is not the first time Fedoseev chooses this strange-looking line. True, the Russian GM did it only in blitz so far.} 4.g3 ( {A previous game of Fedoseev saw} 4.e3 d5 5.Nc3 Nbd7 6.b3 b6 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Bb2 Bb7 9.Bd3 Bd6 10.O-O a6 11.Nh4 g6 12.g3 Qe7 13.Rc1 Qe6 14.Re1 Kf8 {Lysyj,I (2606)-Fedoseev,V (2687) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 4...Bb4+ 5.Nbd2 {[#]} ( {And here is another game of a young and talented Russian GM.} 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 d5 7.O-O O-O 8.Qc2 Nbd7 9.Nc3 c6 10.b3 a5 11.e4 dxe4 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Qxe4 Nf6 {when White enjoys his space advantage in Gelfand,B (2675)-Alekseenko, K (2699) Biel 2021} ) 5...d5 $146 ( {The predecessor witnessed something unthinkable for an email game.} 5...O-O 6.Bg2 b6 7.Ne5 d5 8.O-O Bb7 9.a3 Be7 10.b4 Nc6 11.Bb2 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nh5 13.Rc1 c5 14.bxc5 bxc5 15.e4 d4 16.Qxh5 {Johnston,A (2378)-Richter,W (2312) ICCF email 2018} ) 6.Qa4+ Nc6 {Now it is a strange-looking Ragozin Defence.} 7.a3 Bxd2+ 8.Bxd2 O-O 9.Bg2 Ne4 10.Bf4 {White enjoys some advantage from the opening.} 10...Qd7 {A tricky way to finish the development.} ( {In case of} 10...Bd7 {White would have likely retreated as in the game with} 11.Qc2 ) 11.Qc2 {Carlsen spots the little trick and steps away from it forever.} ( {He could not castle for sure} 11.O-O $2 Nxd4 $1 12.Qxd7 Nxe2+ ) ( {However, the immediate} 11.Rc1 $1 {would have spoiled Black's plans.} ) 11...b6 {Now Black finished the development.} 12.O-O Bb7 13.Rac1 a5 14.cxd5 exd5 15.Qa4 {A very natural move.} ( {Which, however, misses a chance to punish his opponent with} 15.Ne5 $1 Nxe5 16.Qxc7 $1 {And White wins a pawn. True, after} 16...Rac8 17.Qxe5 {the queen's situation looks delicate, but milady survives, e.g.} 17...Rfe8 18.Rc7 $1 ) 15...Rac8 16.Rc2 g5 17.Bd2 Ne5 {Once again, this trick. But otherwise, how to face the pressure along the c-file?} ( {There was a way, based on little tactic} 17...Qe6 18.Rfc1 Nd8 {when the black pawn is immune.} 19.Rxc7 $2 Bc6 ) 18.Qxd7 Nxd7 19.Rfc1 {Carlsen is better in the endgame too.} 19...c6 ( {As if Black chooses to play with hanging pawns with} 19...Nxd2 20.Nxd2 c5 {There are plenty of pieces traded, which favors White. And the black bishop is poorly placed, which can be exploited by White in many ways, like} 21.Nc4 $5 ) 20.Ne1 ( {Throwing in} 20.h4 $5 g4 21.Ne1 {also looks good for White as he fixes a weakness on h5-square.} ) 20...c5 21.f3 ( {White was also somewhat better with} 21.dxc5 Ndxc5 22.Be3 ) 21...Nxd2 22.Rxd2 c4 {Aggressive play by Fedoseev.} ( {There was an equalizer instead.} 22...cxd4 23.Rxc8 Rxc8 24.Bh3 Rc1 25.Bxd7 Rxe1+ 26.Kf2 Rb1 {when the active black rooks compensate for the inferior pawn structure.} ) 23.e4 Nf6 {However, this seems like the wrong way.} ( {Better was to start play on this flank at once with} 23...b5 24.e5 Nb6 25.f4 b4 {with unclear consequences.} ) 24.e5 {Carlsen is happy with the gifted tempo.} 24...Ne8 ( {Perhaps Black spotted only now that} 24...Nh5 {does not prevent the pawn advance} 25.f4 $1 gxf4 26.Bf3 $1 ) 25.Nc2 Ng7 ( {Maybe} 25...c3 {was worth a try, although White should be significantly better here too, thanks to his excellent coordination after} 26.bxc3 Rxc3 27.Rb1 ) 26.Ne3 b5 27.f4 {Now the white pieces are perfect. His knight and bishop are ideal, the rooks are ready to support the pawns, and such pawn-avalanche usually quickly cleans everything down its road.} 27...Rfd8 28.f5 h5 29.h4 ( {Stronger and simpler was} 29.f6 $1 Ne6 30.Nf5 {with won position.} ) 29...g4 30.Rf2 {Carlsen might have miscalculated.} 30...b4 31.f6 Ne6 32.Nf5 {He returns to this plan anyway, after giving back the tempi to his opponent.} ( {There is no clear mate after} 32.Rf5 c3 33.bxc3 Rxc3 34.Rxc3 bxc3 35.Rxh5 Nxd4 {whereas the black pawns are extremely dangerous.} ) 32...Kf8 ( 32...Kh7 {is brave and perhaps better.} ) 33.Ne7 Rc7 {Getting ready to sacrifice the exchange.} 34.axb4 axb4 35.Rd1 {A second and final miss.} ( {The world champion would have likely won with} 35.Rf5 $1 Rxe7 36.Rxh5 $1 Ke8 37.Rh8+ Kd7 38.Rxd8+ Kxd8 39.fxe7+ ) 35...Rxe7 $1 36.fxe7+ Kxe7 {Now it is unclear again and certainly easier to play as Black, as he has plenty of active maneuvers, whereas White lacks air for his pieces, and objects to attack.} 37.Bf1 Ra8 ( 37...Bc6 $5 {at once might have been even stronger.} ) 38.Rfd2 Bc6 39.Kf2 Ra2 {Fedoseev enjoys himself.} ( {Strong was instead} 39...Ng7 $1 {opening the e6-square for the king.} ) 40.Ke3 Ba4 41.Rc1 Bb3 42.Bg2 Nc7 43.Kf4 {Brave again, but this time this is a blunder.} ( 43.Bf1 {might have been holdable, albeit hugely unpleasant.} ) 43...Ne6+ ( {Fedoseev misses the win at first} 43...c3 $1 {would have done the job, for example} 44.Rf2 Bc4 45.Ke3 cxb2 46.Rb1 Ra3+ 47.Kd2 Nb5 {and White is helpless.} ) 44.Kf5 c3 $1 {But nails it at the second chance. The black passers are unstoppable.} 45.Rf2 Rxb2 46.Rcf1 Bc2+ {Solid, safe, and chanceless for the world champion!} ( 46...Bc4 $1 {would have been faster.} ) 47.Rxc2 Rxc2 48.Bxd5 Rd2 49.Ra1 c2 50.Ra7+ Kd8 51.Rxf7 Nxd4+ 52.Kf6 Rf2+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship 202"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.12.27"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2856"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6808617878048"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.e4 {Carlsen's latest interviews made the encounters between these two players even more exciting.} 1...c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.c4 e6 5.Nc3 Ne7 6.h3 ( {Another plan is the mirror-like advance on the opposite flank:} 6.a3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 Nd7 8.Nge2 Nb6 9.Bb3 h6 10.O-O Qd7 11.Be3 Ned5 12.Ng3 Bg6 13.h4 {as in Ponomariov,R (2631)-Sjugirov,S (2663) Riga 2021} ) 6...Nd7 7.Nf3 Bg6 8.b3 $146 {Carlsen wants to secure the d5-square with a pawn.} ( {That's not always the case in the Advanced variation, and the predecessor saw instead:} 8.Be2 dxc4 9.Bxc4 Nd5 10.O-O Be7 11.Re1 O-O 12.Ne4 h6 13.Bd2 N5b6 14.Ba5 Qb8 15.Bd3 {when the space advantage and the centralized white army was sufficient compensation for the d5 outpost in Radulski,J (2590)-Hafner,R (2125) Lienz 2011} ) 8...Nf5 9.Be2 Bb4 10.Bb2 O-O 11.O-O f6 {Entering French waters.} 12.a3 Ba5 13.cxd5 cxd5 {Firouzja insists on the French structure.} ( {Although there was a decent argument for:} 13...exd5 $5 14.e6 Bxc3 15.Bxc3 Nb6 {followed by Nb6-c8-d6 with interesting play.} ) 14.exf6 Qxf6 15.Rc1 {Not just bringing the rook on the open file, but overprotecting the knight. The position resembles the Tarrasch variation of the French defence with the black light-squared bishop already active on the g6 square.} 15...Nh4 {Softens the d4-point.} ( {The other plan was related to the consistent preparation of a central break with:} 15...Rae8 $5 ) ( {A similar idea to the game continuation was:} 15...Bb6 {But this a sloppy execution due to:} 16.Na4 ) 16.Nxh4 Qxh4 17.b4 Bd8 ( {still helps White:} 17...Bb6 18.Na4 ) 18.Bg4 Bf5 19.Bxf5 Rxf5 {Certainly an achievement for Black, who managed to get rid of his weaker bishop.} 20.Qe2 Nf8 21.Nd1 $5 {Carlsen is heading towards the e5 -outpost.} ( {Apparently, the world champion found his knight not more than decorative on the c5-square:} 21.Na4 Rf7 22.Nc5 Rc8 ) 21...Bb6 {A very natural move. However, it made sense to pay more attention on what White was doing.} ( {The machine is rudely depriving the knight of wings with:} 21...h5 $5 ) ( {The prophylactic:} 21...Rf7 $5 22.Ne3 {would have allowed Black a chance to activate his pieces as well, with either:} 22...Ng6 ( {Or even:} 22...Bc7 23.Ng4 Ng6 $5 24.Qxe6 Nf4 {when after:} 25.Qe3 Qg5 {Black seems to have enough compensation for a pawn, and a possible repetition might occur with:} 26.Qf3 Ne6 27.Qe3 Nf4 ) 23.Ng4 Nf4 24.Qf3 h5 25.Ne5 Rf5 {Black seems more than fine.} ) 22.Ne3 Rg5 {This active move too, seems like a step in the wrong direction.} ( {Safer looked:} 22...Rf7 23.Ng4 Re8 24.Ne5 Rf5 ) 23.f4 Rg3 {One more little help to White.} ( 23...Rg6 {at once was better.} ) 24.Kh2 {Intending Qf2 or Qe1 winning the rook.} 24...Rg6 25.Ng4 {White accomplishes his plan and fixes his advantage. Here already Carlsen had a pleasant choice.} ( 25.f5 $5 Qg3+ 26.Kh1 Rf6 27.fxe6 {was also quite interesting for White.} ) 25...Qd8 26.a4 $1 {Very instructive as usual! Carlsen plays on both wings.} 26...Bc7 27.b5 Bd6 28.Rc3 Rc8 29.Rxc8 Qxc8 30.Ne5 ( {More in the spirit of the position seemed:} 30.g3 $5 {which protects the f4 pawn and prepares Rf1-c1 with a chance to penetrate decisively on the c-file while the black rook is far away.} ) 30...Rf6 ( {Certainly not:} 30...Bxe5 $4 31.dxe5 $1 {which both blocks the black rook and unblocks the white bishop.} ) 31.Rc1 Qd8 32.g3 Rf5 ( {This time:} 32...Bxe5 $5 {was more tempering. Firouzja might have disliked:} 33.Qxe5 {but then:} ( 33.dxe5 Rf7 {is also a little better for White.} ) 33...Qa5 $1 34.Qe2 Qb4 {allows Black counter-chances.} ) 33.Qd3 ( {Better was to prevent the opponent's counterplay with:} 33.h4 $1 h6 34.Kh3 $1 g5 35.Ng4 Kg7 36.fxg5 hxg5 37.h5 {but this is less than obvious in rapid and blitz, even for Carlsen!} ) 33...g5 {Firouzja is also consistent with his plan.} ( {However, even better would have been the preliminary trade:} 33...Bxe5 $1 34.dxe5 g5 {when Black can even take over the initiative.} ) 34.Ng4 $1 {Back into a control mode.} 34...Kg7 35.Ne3 Rf7 36.f5 $1 {All of sudden the black pieces start to hang.} 36...Qd7 37.Rf1 h6 {Time-trouble does not help when under pressure...} ( {With seconds on the clock the tactical counterplay:} 37...Qc7 $1 38.Rf3 Ng6 $1 {with the point:} 39.Kg2 $2 Bxg3 $1 {is hard to find, even for Firouzja!} ) 38.Kg2 $1 Kg8 {The final blunder.} ( {Sitting put:} 38...Qc8 $5 {was still offering some chances for survival.} ) 39.Ng4 Kg7 40.f6+ Kh8 41.Nxh6 {White won a pawn and increased his positional advantage.} 41...Rh7 42.Ng4 Qe8 43.Ba3 $1 {Even when completely winning, the world champion does not forget to improve a bit his position.} 43...Bxa3 44.Qxa3 Qc8 45.Rc1 Qe8 46.Ne5 Kg8 47.Qf3 Qd8 48.Rf1 Kh8 49.Qe3 Qc8 50.Rf2 ( {Not allowing unnecessary checks after:} 50.Qxg5 Qc2+ ) 50...g4 51.h4 Rh5 52.Nf7+ Kg8 53.Ng5 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship 202"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2021.12.28"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2633"]
[BlackElo "2856"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "165"]
[Beauty "5223569427476"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.c4 {Abdusattorov has already build a serious fan mass, and he was closely following the footprints of Firouzja. Prior to this game he defeated three giants in a row— Aronian, Wojtaszek and Gelfand. But would he be able to stand the final exam, with the most rigorous professor?} 1...Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e4 Bb4 5.d3 d6 6.a3 Bc5 7.b4 Bb6 {Carlsen is certainly following the games of his main rivals.} ( {Just a few days ago the following game took place.} 7...Bd4 8.Nxd4 Nxd4 9.Be3 c5 10.Be2 O-O 11.O-O Be6 12.Rb1 b6 13.f4 exf4 14.Bxd4 cxd4 15.Nb5 Nd7 16.Rxf4 Qg5 {with White having an edge in Caruana,F (2792)-Karjakin, S (2743) Baku 2021} ) 8.Na4 Bg4 {Black is ready to soften the d4-point as much as necessary.} 9.Nxb6 axb6 10.Bb2 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 {In return, White got the bishop pair. It does not count for much yet, but there is always a chance that the pawns will clash, and then disappear.} 11...Nd7 {This knight is also heading to the d4-square.} 12.g3 {Therefore, White fianchettoes the bishop.} 12...Qf6 ( {After} 12...Nf8 13.Bh3 {White can demolish the black knight just in time with} 13...Ne6 14.Bxe6 fxe6 15.Qh5+ g6 16.Qe2 {and gain better chances.} ) 13.Qd1 ( {The endgame looks fine for Black.} 13.Qxf6 Nxf6 14.h4 ) 13...Nf8 14.Bg2 ( {This time} 14.Bh3 {is not as convincing as before and Black is doing fine with} 14...Ne6 15.Bxe6 Qxe6 ( {Or} 15...fxe6 ) ) 14...Ne6 15.O-O g5 $1 {The f2-f4-break should be stopped at any cost. Plus, Carlsen prepares a kingside expansion, thanks to the solid pawn construction he has the necessary time for that.} 16.Bh3 $146 {A novelty.} ( {White did well in the predecessor:} 16.Bc3 h5 17.Ra2 Ke7 18.a4 h4 19.Bh3 Ncd4 20.Bg4 Rh6 21.Kg2 Qg6 22.h3 {Harutyunian,T (2480)-Beradze,I (2437) Lagodekhi 2016} ) 16...h5 {No time to hesitate; the world champion follows the predetermined path.} ( {Somewhat more solid is} 16...Ncd4 $5 17.Bxe6 Nxe6 {which keeps everything under control.} ) 17.Bxe6 Qxe6 18.b5 {The young Uzbek tries to disrupt the coordination in the opponent's camp before the break. The problem is that this pushes the knight towards another comfortable outpost.} ( {The immediate} 18.f4 $5 {might have been more appropriate, with roughly even game after} 18...gxf4 19.gxf4 Rg8+ 20.Kh1 O-O-O 21.f5 ) 18...Nb8 $1 {The best reaction. Castling is obstructed for a moment, but the knight would enjoy itself on the c5-square.} ( {The knight has no job on the rim.} 18...Na5 ) ( {And is hardly standing well on any other square, like} 18...Ne7 19.f4 ) 19.f4 gxf4 20.gxf4 Nd7 21.Kh1 ( {Black looks better than before in the line} 21.f5 Qf6 ) 21...Qg4 {Carlsen starts to grind his opponent.} ( {Also good seems} 21...Nc5 $5 22.Qf3 O-O-O ) 22.Qf3 ( {Sure enough, the endgame after} 22.Qxg4 $2 hxg4 23.Rg1 Rh4 {is not appealing for White at all.} ) 22...f6 23.Qe3 O-O-O 24.f5 ( {Another endgame like} 24.Rg1 Qxf4 25.Qxf4 exf4 26.Raf1 Ne5 {should not make Abdusattorov happy either.} ) 24...h4 25.Rg1 Qh5 26.Rg6 {For a moment, it seems as White is taking over the initiative and can exploit the open file, but this is only an illusion.} 26...Rdg8 27.Rag1 Rxg6 28.fxg6 {Now this pawn is in danger.} ( {Since after} 28.Rxg6 Nc5 {The threat of Qh5-d1 forces White to retreat with} 29.Rg1 h3 {and Black obviously is in charge.} ) 28...Rg8 29.g7 ( {More accurate was} 29.Qh3 Rxg6 30.Rxg6 Qxg6 31.Qxh4 {with a similar position to the one in the game.} ) 29...Qh7 {Carlsen quickly got rid of the passer, missing an even better way in the process.} ( {Strong was instead} 29...Nc5 $1 30.Qh3+ Kb8 31.Bc1 Qh7 {with large advantage for the second player.} ) 30.Qh3 $1 {Keeping the pawn parity.} 30...Rxg7 31.Rxg7 Qxg7 32.Qxh4 Nc5 {Black is a little better in the endgame thanks to his more favorable piece pair, however the white ouside passer should not be underestimated.} 33.Bc1 c6 ( 33...Nxd3 $4 34.Qh3+ {often happens when low on time.} ) 34.bxc6 bxc6 35.Qh3+ Kb7 36.Qf3 {Next, both players skillfully maneuver with their kings in order to improve them to the maximum.} 36...Qh7 37.Bd2 Ka6 38.Kg2 Qg7+ 39.Kf1 Qh7 40.h3 d5 41.Qf5 Qg8 {It is Black's turn to avoid the trades.} ( {The bishop becomes a master and a commander when fighting the knight, thus} 41...Qxf5+ $6 42.exf5 Nxd3 $2 43.cxd5 cxd5 44.h4 $1 {strongly favors White.} ) 42.cxd5 cxd5 43.exd5 Qxd5 44.Ke2 {Solid, solid!} ( {Also avoiding the trick} 44.Qxf6 $2 Qxd3+ 45.Ke1 Qxd2+ $1 46.Kxd2 Ne4+ ) 44...Kb5 45.Be3 $1 Qg2+ 46.Bf2 Ka4 {That is the maximum Carlsen could extract from the position.} 47.h4 ( {There was nothing wrong with} 47.Qxf6 {as Black does not need to fear} 47...Qxh3 {due to} 48.Qc6+ Kxa3 49.Bxc5+ bxc5 50.Qxc5+ Kb3 51.Qxe5 ) 47...e4 ( 47...Qd5 $5 ) 48.dxe4 Nxe4 49.Qf3 $1 {Once again repeating his kind offer to swap off the queens.} 49...Qg6 $1 {Which is again rejected.} 50.h5 Qe8 {A nasty ambush in the time-scramble.} 51.Be3 f5 {And a miss by the world champion.} ( 51...Qxh5 $1 {would have won the dangerous pawn instead. True, this would led to a draw after} 52.Qxh5 Ng3+ 53.Kf3 Nxh5 54.Bxb6 ) 52.h6 Qe5 53.Kf1 Qd5 54.Kg2 Qg8+ 55.Kh3 Ng5+ {Now White gets a chance to grind.} ( 55...Qg6 $5 {might have been more in the spirit of the positon, and should be equal.} ) 56.Bxg5 Qxg5 57.Qc6+ Kxa3 58.Qc3+ {A perpetual there is!} 58...Ka4 59.Qc4+ Ka5 60.Qc3+ Ka4 61.Qg7 $1 {But there is also a good chance to play with no risk against the world champion, for the full point. And Abdusattorov plays for the maximum, just like Carlsen would have done himself!} 61...Qe3+ 62.Kh4 f4 {This pawn would only obstruct the checks.} ( {Has Carlsen had some more time on the clock, he had chosen instead} 62...b5 63.h7 Qe4+ 64.Kh5 Qh1+ 65.Kg6 Qg2+ 66.Kf7 Qd5+ {with a perpetual.} ) 63.Qd7+ b5 64.h7 Qe5 ( {Stronger was} 64...Qg1 $1 {with a draw.} ) 65.Kg4 {Instinctively moving the king closer to the pawns, but this misses a chance.} ( {The study-like} 65.Qd1+ $3 {Would have lured the black king onto a bad square} 65...Ka3 {after after} 66.Qd8 Qe1+ 67.Kg5 Qe5+ 68.Kg6 Qe4+ 69.Kg7 Qg2+ 70.Kf7 Qa2+ 71.Ke8 {White is winning as the can cover the checks on the e-file with countercheck from the e7-square!} ) ( {This is why} 65.Qd8 Qe1+ {is not as precise.} ) 65...f3 $1 {Now Black regains his perptual-check powers, but it ain't over yet.} 66.Kxf3 Qf6+ 67.Ke4 Qh4+ 68.Kd5 Qh5+ 69.Kc6 Qg6+ 70.Kc7 Qg3+ 71.Kb7 Qf3+ 72.Ka6 Qf6+ 73.Ka7 Qf2+ 74.Kb7 Qf3+ 75.Qc6 $1 Qf7+ 76.Qc7 Qf3+ 77.Ka6 Qa8+ ( {Avoiding} 77...Qf6+ 78.Qb6 ) 78.Kb6 Qh8 79.Qc2+ Ka3 80.Qd3+ Ka2 81.Kc5 ( 81.Qe4 $1 {might have been objectively stronger, but the move in the game turned to be more unpleasant for Black.} ) 81...b4 {As the world champion feels like he has enough time to bring this pawn into motion. Alas, this is a decisive blunder.} ( {Both} 81...Qc8+ ) ( {And} 81...Qf8+ {would have led to a perpetual check instead.} ) 82.Qd2+ Ka1 ( {There was no escape even after the most resilient} 82...Ka3 83.Qxb4+ Ka2 84.Qa4+ Kb1 85.Qe4+ Ka2 86.Kc4 $3 ) 83.Qd4+ {And the tournament became extremely exciting once again!} 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2021"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2021.12.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "5981949919238"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{Game five saw the fifth draw, but in my opinion, it was the most interesting one yet and one that should give Magnus a lot of confidence moving forward.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 Rb8 {Magnus is the first to deviate from game 3.} ( 8...Bb7 {This was his choice previously. He got an awkward-looking position but equalized without a ton of trouble. Given that he shifted gears as early as move eight this time, I wonder if he also would have shifted gears against 8.h3 and not repeated the ending from game one.} ) 9.axb5 axb5 10.h3 d6 11.c3 b4 {Magnus was playing fast enough that this was certainly still preparation. He is taking a very different route to preparing than I would have expected—the machine is reasonably enthuastic about White's chances here, and while eventually it calms down a bit, it does feel like he should be a little better. It's hard for me to imagine that Magnus did not reach the same conclusion, but he seems completely unfazed and not to care about what the computer is saying. This is quite a refreshing style to see sometimes!} 12.d3 bxc3 13.bxc3 d5 14.Nbd2 {Computers claim this is the best move, though White could also take on d5.} ( 14.exd5 Nxd5 15.Qc2 {I'm not the biggest expert on the Spanish or Italian, but this seems like a really dangerous version for Black to me. He is a very long way from solving the problem of the misplaced c6-knight and the e5-pawn is annoying to defend... This feels like real pressure to me.} ) 14...dxe4 15.dxe4 Bd6 16.Qc2 h6 17.Nf1 Ne7 18.Ng3 Ng6 $6 {This is a very automatic move, but probably also inaccurate. Black would have been well-advised to try to get his bishop to e6 as soon as possible.} ( 18...Bd7 $1 {Black is ready for Qc8 and Be6 next. He is still a bit worse but I like his chances of equalizing better than what occurred in the game.} ) 19.Be3 {Now White has the not-so-subtle plan of pushing c4-c5, gaining a ton of space and getting ready to cause direct problems on the d-file. Around here, I was sitting in a restaurant with a strong GM friend and watching the game without the machine running, and when we sparred a bit and played some sample moves, we felt the position was extremely uncomfortable for Black. This plan of c4-c5 is incredibly hard to stop, both white bishops are better than their black counterparts, black's queen has real trouble finding a sensible square—it all seems very unpleasant. But this is why Magnus is so strong. When he has a solid position without immediate weaknesses, it's almost like watching a magician the way he can coordinate his pieces. Not only did he hold—he made it look easy! I would imagine anyone else would have a really tough time on the black side of this position.} 19...Qe8 ( 19...Qe7 {The computer prefers this move, with the point that after} 20.Nf5 {The black queen can come back to d8, and apparently the knight on f5 could be misplaced because 21. c4 will be met with 21...Nxe4, pointing out the knight is no longer on g3 to take back. Humans do not play chess like this.} 20...Qd8 $1 21.c4 $2 Nxe4 $1 ) 20.Red1 $6 {This is too ambitious. I suspect Nepo wanted c3-c4, intending c4-c5 without allowing c7-c5 in response, but this was too slow.} ( 20.c4 {This should have been preferred, but now and only now, after White has blocked in his bishop, Black can respond with ...c7-c5.} 20...c5 $1 {Neither bishop is too great, and after} 21.Red1 Qc6 $1 {Black is ready for Be6 next. The machines still give White a nice plus, but Black is super solid and it will be very hard to make any further progress.} ) 20...Be6 $1 {Black now trades off one bad bishop for a good one.} 21.Ba4 Bd7 22.Nd2 Bxa4 23.Qxa4 Qxa4 $1 {And now he trades off the queens too. Two of his problem pieces have been traded for two of White's superior ones. Black now only has one bad bishop, and that bad bishop protects good pawns. There are no weaknesses and, just a few moves after, I thought Magnus could be in real trouble. It is very equal.} 24.Rxa4 Ra8 25.Rda1 Rxa4 26.Rxa4 Rb8 27.Ra6 Ne8 28.Kf1 Nf8 29.Nf5 Ne6 30.Nc4 Rd8 {White's position looks impressive, but all of his pieces are already on their best squares and it cannot be built up any further. It is a very bad sign for his winning chances that the machine recommends Nf5-g3.} 31.f3 f6 32.g4 Kf7 33.h4 Bf8 34.Ke2 Nd6 35.Ncxd6+ Bxd6 36.h5 Bf8 {Black has a clear fortress. No further progress will be made.} 37.Ra5 Ke8 38.Rd5 Ra8 39.Rd1 Ra2+ 40.Rd2 Ra1 41.Rd1 Ra2+ 42.Rd2 Ra1 43.Rd1 {Today was the first time that Nepo got a clear edge with no counterplay whatosever. I'm not convinced Magnus equalized in game 1, but the bishops offered good practical counter-chances and he quickly found himself better. Nepo was better in game 2, but it was a wildly complicated position and White's incredibly active pieces gave him plenty to fight back with. But today, Black's position just looked miserable. The fact that Magnus held almost effortlessly is a very good sign for the World Champion and should hopefully convince him that he can take more risks, knowing that his defensive skills will offer him good saving chances in case ambitious play backfires. Tomorrow is a rest day, and now that Magnus knows what team Nepo has planned for both 1.e4 and 1.d4, he will have a lot of time to choose a direction he feels appropriate and try to make trouble. Call me crazy, but I expect we will get a much more lively game in the 6th round.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2021"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2021.12.03"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "271"]
[Beauty "3232336214580"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{At the end of game five, I predicted that we would see a more eventful game six, as Magnus would probably double dip for the first time and play either 1. e4 or 1.d4 with a pretty good idea of what he would be facing. Given Nepo's repertoire, I was not too surprised to see Magnus aim for some kind of Catalan. While the opening and early middlegame certainly looked dull as Magnus wasn't able to apply much pressure, the game did liven up at some point, and my prediction came true as we finally saw a full point scored.} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.b3 {This is an interesting move order for White. He clearly is aiming to play c4 at a moment when he is ready to take back with the pawn.} 6...c5 7.dxc5 ( 7.c4 {This would lead to a more typical position, which I have actually played a bunch of times on the white side in rapid games. It is a little tricky, but generally, I think mostly harmless against a prepared opponent in classical chess. Still, I am somehow not impressed with what Magnus played either.} ) 7...Bxc5 8.c4 dxc4 9.Qc2 {Now, White will win back the lost c4-pawn without allowing his structure to become compromised. Then, he can hope to end up a little better if Black can't develop his queenside or find a way to get the c8-bishop into the game. But, I think this is too optimistic. In the time it takes White to grab the pawn back, Black will complete his development.} 9...Qe7 10.Nbd2 $5 {Magnus has showed a remarkable willingness to sacrifice pawns this match. I like this decision! The knight taking back on c4 will look a lot more sensible than the queen.} 10...Nc6 $1 {I like this decision. Black doesn't bother going pawn grabbing and instead makes sure to complete his development before he faces any issues on the long diagonal.} ( 10...cxb3 {The machine is not scared of grabbing the pawn, but after something like} 11.Nxb3 Bd6 12.Nfd4 {White has clear compensation as now Black was unable to develop his queenside before the pressure on the long diagonal become too problematic. I don't see a great way to get the bishop on c8 into the game. The machine calls it equal, but in human terms, White certainly seems more comfortable, and I find it unsurprising that Nepo did not go for it.} ) 11.Nxc4 {Now, Bd7 leaves the bishop on a still less than impressive square, though even there I imagine White can't hope for too much. Black has two ways to solve his problem piece, and Nepo chose the more direct one.} 11...b5 $1 {This looks like a scary move as Black seems like he is asking for trouble on the long diagonal, but the tempo he wins by hitting the c4-knight gives him enough time to get his bishop to b7. Structurally, White is surely not better. His only edge was hoping that the g2-bishop would be active, and the c8-bishop passive. This will no longer be the case, and we end up in a dry, symmetrical position where Black has no major issues.} ( 11...Bd7 ) ( 11...e5 $5 {This was fine too. Black's bishop will find a nice square on g4, or even f5 if he pushes e5-e4 first.} ) 12.Nce5 {Now, Black should be careful. He clearly wants to get the bishop to b7, but he needs to do it the right way.} ( 12.Nfe5 $2 {This might look tempting, but it only creates problems for White. After} 12...Nd4 $1 13.Qd1 Bb7 $1 {Black is taking over the initiative.} ) 12...Nb4 $1 {Black clears the knight off of the hanging square with a gain of tempo and is ready for Bc8-b7 next, equalizing.} ( 12...Bb7 $2 {This tempting move would lose material after} 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.b4 $1 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 {when Black has hanging pieces on both a8 and c5.} ) 13.Qb2 Bb7 14.a3 Nc6 $1 {Since the queen is no longer on c2, this move is safe as there is no b3-b4 thrust to skewer the bishops on the c-file. The position looks very equal, though soon enough some imbalance was found.} 15.Nd3 Bb6 16.Bg5 Rfd8 17.Bxf6 gxf6 $5 {This is not a bad move, but its a bit surprising to me. Given that the pawn structure will become crippled either way, why would we keep queens on? I suppose Black's king is not feeling any particular pressure.} ( 17...Qxf6 {This would have been my choice. I might even prefer Black.} ) 18.Rac1 Nd4 ( 18...e5 {The machine flashed this move briefly, but it seems super inhuman to me. Black is just begging for an invasion on f5.} 19.Nh4 Nd4 20.e3 Bxg2 21.Kxg2 Qb7+ 22.Kg1 Ne6 {Apparently, Black is a little better here with Ne6-g5 coming next. It looks super scary for a human though. Some Qb2-e2 and Nh4-f5 does not look like fun.} ) 19.Nxd4 Bxd4 20.Qa2 Bxg2 21.Kxg2 Qb7+ 22.Kg1 Qe4 23.Qc2 a5 24.Rfd1 Kg7 25.Rd2 {This was the first position I saw of the game, as inflight WiFi had not been working to that point. I just assumed it would end in a draw pretty promptly, but I did not expect Nepo to immediately change the character of the game.} 25...Rac8 $5 {This is surely not a bad move, and it does liven things up, but it strikes me as very risky. The computer insists that the position remains equal, but it looks much more double edged after the queen is traded for the two rooks. Black's position can become risky as his kingside pawns being split means that neither f7 nor h7 can be defended by another pawn. This being the case, having a greater number of pieces can be a really big deal, and two rooks have some potential to overpower the queen. Black is definitely still fine, but he should be looking for direct active counterplay on the queenside. Still, given how the game played out, I suspect Nepo may have found himself regretting this decision, even if it was not the one that objectively landed him in a bad position.} ( 25...f5 {Some simple move like this one, making room for the bishop on f6 and putting more pawns on light squares, was what I was expecting. It looks very equal and very drawn.} ) 26.Qxc8 Rxc8 27.Rxc8 Qd5 28.b4 a4 29.e3 Be5 $6 {The machine still claims the position is equal, but I believe this was a big step in the wrong direction. Black could have immediately gone for a line where White needs to find two only moves before a draw is agreed, and instead he sort of lazily brings the bishop back as if his position is not under any pressure and he has all the time in the world.} ( 29...Bb2 {This might have been a little more challenging, forcing White to find a couple good moves, but it can't be too tough.} 30.Rc5 $1 Qd6 31.Rxb2 Qxd3 {Now, White's position actually looks really dangerous since a3 is falling. He needs to find one only move, but then he is fine.} 32.Rbc2 $1 {Not too difficult. White moves his rook away so it will not be hanging when a3 is taken, and now he is ready to meet Qxa3 with Rxb5. It should be quite drawish. Still, Magnus was low enough on time that there was some non-zero chance he would not find his way with a couple only moves. But... non-zero, but not high either.} ) 30.h4 h5 $2 {Now White has real weaknesses to play against. The h5-pawn can certainly become a target, and once more Black missed his chance to directly equalize.} ( 30...Bb2 {This was still fine, but it is basically an admission that Be5 was a bad decision. This is not an easy thing for a human to do, especially if he still thinks the position is fine.} ) 31.Kh2 {Sesse claims Black is still fine here. In human terms, I think he has a lot of problems to solve. He is missing counterplay and will have to be very wary of the rooks suddenly invading the position. My onboard WiFi cut out here as well, and I knew it would be some time before we were over a land mass again. At this moment, despite being short on time, I thought Magnus would have a really good position by the time I got to see it again.} 31...Bb2 $2 {Now it is too late for this. White should be winning, but with the clock ticking down, Magnus did not find the way.} 32.Rc5 Qd6 33.Rd1 $2 {This let a big chance slip.} ( 33.Rcc2 $1 Bxa3 34.Nf4 $1 {White has a decisive attack, as his rooks will soon penetrate to the 7th or 8th rank, and h5 is a goner. I suspect Magnus saw this, but missed that after} 34...Qe7 35.Rc8 $1 {Would win. In fact, every other move loses!} ) 33...Bxa3 34.Rxb5 Qd7 35.Rc5 e5 ( 35...Bxb4 {I'm not sure why Nepo did not play this move, though I am not as optimistic as the machine about his winning chances.} ) 36.Rc2 Qd5 $6 ( 36...Bxb4 $1 {Again, this looked tempting.} ) 37.Rdd2 $1 {Now White has everything under control, and the a3-bishop is in some trouble.} 37...Qb3 38.Ra2 e4 $2 {With time control rapidly approaching, both sides missed an important idea.} ( 38...f5 {So says the machine, and apparently Black is fine. This is super tough for a human to play, particularly with no time.} ) 39.Nc5 Qxb4 {Now, Magnus had a move clear winner. It is super bad luck for him that the chance happened to present itself on move 40 rather than 41!} 40.Nxe4 $2 ( 40.Rdc2 $1 {This should win routinely. Black's queen and bishop are both completely stuck, and White is ready for Nxa4 next. After something like} 40...f5 41.Nxa4 Qxa4 42.Rc3 $18 {White should be technically winning. He will get his rooks to the seventh rank and take on f7. This is exactly the kind of position I was talking about earlier where Black's weak pawns means simply having a greater number of total pieces is a huge advantage, and the two rooks should easily beat the queen.} ) 40...Qb3 {Time control is reached, and Black is more or less okay.} 41.Rac2 Bf8 42.Nc5 Qb5 43.Nd3 a3 {Black's a-pawn is annoying enough though it is really hard for White to break through.} 44.Nf4 Qa5 45.Ra2 Bb4 46.Rd3 Kh6 47.Rd1 Qa4 48.Rda1 {Magnus is trying to reorganize his pieces to target the a3-pawn, but it will be really hard to get the knight to join as well.} 48...Bd6 49.Kg1 Qb3 50.Ne2 Qd3 51.Nd4 Kh7 {Case in point, it looks like Nc2 should pick up a3 and promptly win the game, but things are not so simple.} 52.Kh2 ( 52.Nc2 Qb3 $1 {White struggles to take on a3 thanks to Bd6-e5 hanging over his head. I don't see a great plan for him.} 53.Nxa3 $2 Be5 $1 ) 52...Qe4 $6 {This strikes me as a bit careless. Now, Magnus took the chance to change the position and get rid of the a-pawn, but it became a bit too simplified to seriously hope to play for a win against good defense.} 53.Rxa3 Qxh4+ $1 ( 53...Bxa3 $2 54.Rxa3 {White should be totally winning here despite the relative material balance. The queen's main strength is being able to attack multiple things at once, and here, Black has nothing to attack. White will maneuvre Ra3-a5-f5-f4, then knight around to e4 to force f6-f5, then knight comes to d4, and Black collapses.} ) 54.Kg1 Qe4 55.Ra4 Be5 $1 56.Ne2 Qc2 57.R1a2 Qb3 {The bishop on e5 is incredibly well placed. White somehow does not quite have the coordination he needs to finish the game off.} 58.Kg2 Qd5+ 59.f3 {The machine hates this move, but I don't see another great way to make progress.} 59...Qd1 60.f4 Bc7 {The pawn being forced off of f2 really weakens White's pawn chain, and his king's cover. It will be very hard for him to do something like double on the seventh and take on f7 as long as his kingside needs defenders.} 61.Kf2 Bb6 $1 {Targeting the weak e3-pawn.} 62.Ra1 Qb3 63.Re4 {White has coordinated his position about as well as possible, but it will still be a nightmare to break through. This was the first position I saw once my internet came back, and I was unsurprised that there were some missed chances along the way. The rook on e4 holds everything together but is also tethered to the defense of the e3-pawn. The knight on e2 is not wildly mobile either. Still, Magnus is head and shoulders above every player in history at grinding out positions like this one, and it showed.} 63...Kg7 64.Re8 f5 65.Raa8 {Even with the rooks invading like this, what is White's next move?} 65...Qb4 66.Rac8 Ba5 67.Rc1 Bb6 68.Re5 Qb3 69.Re8 Qd5 70.Rcc8 {White is not making any progress on the board, but progress on the clock is more important. The position is surely a draw objectively, but Black will have to defend it for 50 moves, and if anything ever drops, he will surely lose. White's best chance is to pressure Black on the clock, and here Nepo was down to 5 minutes.} 70...Qh1 ( 70...Qb3 {This was also fine.} ) 71.Rc1 Qd5 72.Rb1 Ba7 $2 {Case in point. This is a bad move, and the product of not having much time.} ( 72...Bd8 {Black keeps all unwanted guests off of the 7th rank and is ready for h4 next.} ) 73.Re7 $1 Bc5 74.Re5 {Now Black is in only-move territory.} 74...Qd3 75.Rb7 Qc2 76.Rb5 $1 Ba7 77.Ra5 ( 77.Rxf5 {Already this was possible.} 77...Qd3 78.Rxf7+ $1 Kxf7 79.Rb7+ {The computer still thinks this is a draw, but a human would almost certainly lose with Black.} ) ( 77.Re7 ) 77...Bb6 78.Rab5 Ba7 79.Rxf5 $1 {Magnus plays it the second time around.} 79...Qd3 80.Rxf7+ Kxf7 81.Rb7+ Kg6 82.Rxa7 Qd5 83.Ra6+ Kh7 84.Ra1 $1 {I like this move. No need to rush, start by preventing Qh1.} 84...Kg6 85.Nd4 Qb7 86.Ra2 Qh1 87.Ra6+ Kf7 88.Nf3 $1 {White's king is totally safe for the moment. The machine still claims Black is making a draw here, but for a human with no time... this feels impossible. There are no direct perpetuals, Black will have to sit and defend perfectly for 50 moves until a pawn moves, then for another 50 moves... even with time on the clock, I would expect a human to crack. Without it, no chance.} 88...Qb1 89.Rd6 Kg7 90.Rd5 Qb2+ 91.Rd2 Qb1 92.Re2 {Not subtle. The e-pawn is coming.} 92...Qb6 93.Rc2 Qb1 94.Nd4 Qh1 95.Rc7+ Kf6 96.Rc6+ Kf7 97.Nf3 Qb1 98.Ng5+ Kg7 99.Ne6+ Kf7 100.Nd4 Qh1 {White has made no progress for the last several moves, but the clocks just keep getting lower. Black cannot hold this forever.} 101.Rc7+ Kf6 102.Nf3 Qb1 103.Rd7 Qc2+ 104.Rd2 Qb1 105.Ng1 $5 {Finally, White sets up a different coordination.} 105...Qb4 106.Rd1 Qb3 107.Rd6+ Kg7 108.Rd4 Qb2+ 109.Ne2 Qb1 110.e4 $1 {Finally. Machine still says draw, but go play 50 more moves... and then e5 or f5 comes, and then 50 more...} 110...Qh1 111.Rd7+ Kg8 112.Rd4 Qh2+ 113.Ke3 h4 {Black trades off his last pawn, but this doesn't change much. He still has a practically impossible task.} 114.gxh4 Qh3+ 115.Kd2 Qxh4 116.Rd3 Kf8 117.Rf3 Qd8+ 118.Ke3 Qa5 119.Kf2 Qa7+ 120.Re3 Qd7 121.Ng3 {White has set up a very good coordination and the pawns are ready to go.} 121...Qd2+ 122.Kf3 Qd1+ 123.Re2 Qb3+ 124.Kg2 {No more checks. Black is done for.} 124...Qb7 125.Rd2 Qb3 126.Rd5 Ke7 127.Re5+ Kf7 128.Rf5+ Ke8 129.e5 $1 {Machine still says draw, even here. And again, go play 50 more moves! It just can't be done.} 129...Qa2+ 130.Kh3 Qe6 $2 {[Editor's note: 130...Qe6 was the losing mistake according to the tablebases. With engine-perfect play, ...Qb1 and ...Qc2 would be drawn.]} ( 130...Qb1 ) ( 130...Qc2 ) 131.Kh4 {Finally, at long last, the machine confirms what all the humans knew for awhile. Magnus is winning this game.} 131...Qh6+ 132.Nh5 Qh7 133.e6 $1 {A nice final touch. The rook cannot be captured.} 133...Qg6 134.Rf7 Kd8 135.f5 Qg1 136.Ng7 {Nepo had seen enough, and finally, the impasse was broken! Magnus won in his trademark style, not taking a ton of risks, but taking his chance to imbalance the game when it came, and then gradually grinding out a win from what was a defensible but unpleasant position for Black. I like that it came in phases, and that one phase was, "This position is technically still a draw, but there is no chance a human will hold it." Surely Nepo could have defended better before allowing Rxf5 and Rxf7 to transform the position, but after that, I doubt there was much he could do. Now that a point is on the scoreboard, we could see a very different looking match in the games to come!} 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2021"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2021.12.04"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "6117241389576"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{The seventh game of the match was one of the quietest yet, and Magnus certainly made his easiest draw so far with the black pieces.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 Rb8 {Magnus repeats the same line from game five. It shows a lot of confidence on his part to keep playing the same black openings over and over again, even when he is often getting somewhat uncomfortable positions.} 9.axb5 axb5 10.h3 d6 11.d3 ( 11.c3 {This was Nepo's choice in game five, and he got a nice position. I'm a little surprised he was the first to deviate.} ) 11...h6 12.Nc3 Re8 {This is a very typical Ruy Lopez regrouping.} 13.Nd5 Bf8 14.Nxf6+ Qxf6 15.c3 Ne7 16.Be3 Be6 {So far, both sides are following the first line of the machine pretty consistently. Stockfish offers White a small advantage, but Black is very solid, and all it takes is one slightly careless move for it to become totally equal.} 17.d4 $2 {This is a very natural idea, but a touch impatient, and just like that, Black is fine.} ( 17.Bc2 {I would suggest this as a possible improvement. Now, White is ready for d3-d4 next to take more central space without letting Black take on b3. As a result, Black is not able to trade pieces, and White will have no issue defending the e4-pawn. He looks a little better to me, though after} 17...Ng6 18.d4 Ra8 {Black's position is still very solid.} ( 18...exd4 19.cxd4 c5 {This kind of thing is much less effective when the light-squared bishops remain on the board. After} 20.Ra7 {White looks a bit better. c5-c4 is a non-starter here, unlike the game.} ) ) 17...exd4 $1 18.cxd4 Bxb3 19.Qxb3 Ng6 {Defending e4 turns out to be a bit annoying.} 20.Rec1 c5 $1 {Now, since the bishops are off the board, White can't just protect the e4 pawn and hope for some edge since c5-c4 is a real idea.} 21.e5 {This all but forces a draw, but White has nothing better. I think it shows some maturity on Nepo's part. Right after losing, it's hard to just admit you got nowhere with White and give your opponent an easy draw, and then play Black again the next day, but it's a lot better to do this than to get another bad position, which was the other option. His best hope is to hold with Black tomorrow and then hope to get more chances in his three remaining white games.} ( 21.Qc2 c4 $1 $15 {The same position where Black still has a bishop on e6 and White has a bishop on e2, for example, would be great for White thanks to some combination of d4-d5, Ra1-a7, Nf3-d4, b2-b3, etc. But without the bishops, d4-d5 does not gain time and Ng6-e5 in response sees Black quick to take over the initiative and pounce on the weakened d3-square.} ) 21...Qf5 22.dxc5 {Maybe someone more creative than me could find something interesting to say about the rest of the game, but I certainly cannot.} 22...dxc5 23.Bxc5 Bxc5 24.Rxc5 Nxe5 25.Nxe5 Rxe5 26.Rxe5 Qxe5 27.Qc3 Qxc3 28.bxc3 Rc8 29.Ra5 Rxc3 30.Rxb5 Rc1+ 31.Kh2 Rc3 32.h4 g6 33.g3 h5 34.Kg2 Kg7 35.Ra5 Kf6 36.Rb5 Kg7 37.Ra5 Kf6 38.Rb5 Kg7 39.Ra5 Kf6 40.Ra6+ Kg7 41.Ra7 {I'll be interested to see if Magnus can make any trouble for Nepo in the opening tomorrow. Yesterday's victory was certainly not due to superior preparation.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2021"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2021.12.05"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2856"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "C43"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7285740929033"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{I think Nepo tilted a little bit in game 8. He had thus far played a very good match, only losing a single game, and it took 136 moves for him to go down-the longest game in world championship history, in fact. But today, he looked like a shadow of himself, and made a lot of poor decisions, and Magnus more or less cruised through.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.Bd3 d5 5.Nxe5 Nd7 6.Nxd7 Bxd7 7.Nd2 $5 {This is a very rare move with basically no games played by anyone notable, but it's actually quite a bit more challenging than it looks. It's funny that White aims to make the game *more* symmetrical in the Petroff as an attempt to fight for an advantage, but in this particular case, it does seem quite challenging.} 7...Nxd2 8.Bxd2 {Now, Nepo played Bd6 very quickly, but I already think this is a mistake.} 8...Bd6 $2 ( 8...Qe7+ $1 {I think this surprising move is the best way to fight for equality. White has to move his king to avoid a queen exchange.} 9.Kf1 ( 9.Be3 {I suppose this is possible too, but after} 9...Qb4+ 10.Qd2 Qxd2+ 11.Kxd2 Bd6 $11 {Black should be totally fine in spite of the machine's insistence on +0.2.} ) 9...O-O-O {Black should be okay here. I suspect Magnus was aiming for this position and found some interesting way to coordinate his pieces that makes Black find some move or two, but it's hard to imagine Black can really have too many major issure here. At least the opposite-side castling allows for some dynamism.} ) 9.O-O {Now, suddenly things do not look so easy for Black. He cannot castle due to Qh5, winning a pawn, and otherwise Re1+ is coming.} 9...h5 $1 {This strikes me as the best practical decision. Black keeps the queen off of h5, and can hope for Qh4 to come next. Then, it will be a bit annoying for White to stop the mate threat since g2-g3 will eventually walk into h5-h4.} 10.Qe1+ $6 {This is soft. I was very surprised by this move pair—White allows Qe7, which should equalize easily, and then Black doesn't play it!} ( 10.c4 $1 {The machine gives this as clearly best. It makes a lot of sense—Black is not castling due to the hanging h5-pawn, so let's blow up the center.} 10...dxc4 11.Bxc4 Qh4 12.Re1+ Kf8 13.Qf3 $1 {This is one computer line that is not so easy for a human to spot. Qf3 is the only move for an advantage, and it is possible that Magnus missed it or misevaluated it once Black gets the h2-pawn.} ) 10...Kf8 $2 {This strikes me as very poor. Once the dark-squared bishops trade, Black will have no attack, and the rook on h8 will be out of play. Around here, I joined Hikaru's stream, and he thought that Nepo was already trying to be ambitious and not make a draw with Black, but instead trying to win on command with a kingside attack since he had already committed to h7-h5. But Qd8-e7 looked so natural and like it would equalize easily, and if Nepo was looking to get a sharper game with Black, why play the Petroff in the first place? It all did not seem to add up.} ( 10...Qe7 {This was best, and it looks very equal. Now that Black no longer has to worry about a rook coming to e1, he can castle on either side next and should be totally fine in the resulting symmetrical position.} ) 11.Bb4 $1 {This prevents Qh4 from forcing a kingside weakness. Now, Black is a little worse thanks to the difficulty of getting the h8-rook into play.} 11...Qe7 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.Qd2 Re8 14.Rae1 Rh6 $2 {According to the timestamp, Nepo played this move in under 2 minutes. It makes perfect sense to try to swing the rook to e6 to fight for the e-file, but the rook ends up frozen on h6 as the h5-pawn is loose.} 15.Qg5 $1 {Now, it will be a nightmare to get the h6-rook into play.} 15...c6 {Preparing for Qf6 by overprotecting d5. But this does not solve Black's problems.} 16.Rxe8+ Bxe8 17.Re1 Qf6 18.Qe3 ( 18.Qg3 $1 {Hikaru and I discussed this move a bit on his stream. It looks very powerful, but you have to notice that after} 18...Qxd4 {There is a silent killer in} 19.Bf5 $1 {When Re6 is prevented, and Black is helpless to prevent an invasion on b8.} ) 18...Bd7 19.h3 h4 ( 19...g5 {This looked more natural to me. Black can plan Kg7 and Rh8-e8 next. It's still not easy, but he should have reasonable holding chances.} ) 20.c4 $1 {White aims to open the center while the h6-rook remains sidelined. Black is undoubtedly a little uncomfortable here, but it is far from critical just yet. Around here, Nepo started to drift a lot.} 20...dxc4 {This is not a bad move, per se, but it is a very dangerous one since it allows the bishop to come to c4, lasering down on the f7-pawn, and it also frees the third rank for the queen to come to a3. It's a little strange to play this move and not have the next move ready—White is obviously taking back on c4. So I was surprised when Nepo took some time to play his next move, which lost the game immediately.} ( 20...g5 {In light of how things went, this might have been a better choice, again aiming for Kg7 next. After} 21.cxd5 cxd5 22.Rc1 {White is surely a little better, but Black is still very solid after either Qe7 or Bc6, and he has good defensive chances.} ) 21.Bxc4 b5 ( 21...Kg8 $1 {This was absolutely the only move, getting the king off of f8 so that Qa3 does not come with check and Black would be able to play Qxd4 in response. Still, it looks very scary after} 22.Qe7 Be6 23.Qe8+ Kh7 24.Bxe6 fxe6 25.Re4 $1 {The machine does not mind Black's position, but it looks very unpleasant for a human. Still, this was absolutely the only way, and if you want to take on c4, you need to see this in advance.} ) 22.Qa3+ $1 Kg8 23.Qxa7 {I suspect Nepo was planning on taking h3 here when he chose to play b5 but only now realized there would follow Qxf7+ and Re8+, with a pawn-up ending for White. This is not totally obvious to see, but it is not wildly difficult either and it's surprising that a player of Nepo's calibur would not notice it, particularly given his strong play in previous games, but I can't really find another explanation for b5.} 23...Qd8 ( 23...Bxh3 {This was still the best option. After} 24.Qxf7+ $1 Qxf7 25.Re8+ Kh7 26.Bxf7 Bf5 $16 {White is a clean pawn up, but there is still some work to do. I do think it should be technically winning though, at least if Black is unable to trade the bishops.} ) 24.Bb3 {The rest was an easy cleanup for Magnus. He is a pawn up, his pieces are much more active, and Black has no counterplay at all. Nepo found nothing better than transitioning into a hopeless queen endgame.} 24...Rd6 25.Re4 Be6 26.Bxe6 Rxe6 27.Rxe6 fxe6 28.Qc5 Qa5 29.Qxc6 Qe1+ 30.Kh2 Qxf2 31.Qxe6+ Kh7 32.Qe4+ Kg8 33.b3 Qxa2 34.Qe8+ Kh7 35.Qxb5 Qf2 36.Qe5 Qb2 37.Qe4+ Kg8 38.Qd3 Qf2 39.Qc3 Qf4+ 40.Kg1 Kh7 41.Qd3+ g6 42.Qd1 {A nice final touch. Black will never get another check once the king sits on h1, and White can shove the d-pawn down the board.} 42...Qe3+ 43.Kh1 g5 44.d5 g4 45.hxg4 h3 46.Qf3 {This was the first of the 8 games where I felt one of the players really just had a bad day. After scoring 0.5/3 in the last 3 games, Nepo is surely looking forward to the rest day tomorrow, when he can hope to regroup a little bit, press the reset button, and come back ready to fight on Tuesday. If I were on his team, I would suggest going for something sharper and more risky than what he has done so far—these slight advantages in the Spanish are playing right into Magnus' wheelhouse; he is easily holding every time. While on stream with Hikaru, we learned that the last time Magnus lost with Black in the Spanish in classical chess was 2015!} 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2021"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2021.12.07"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2856"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7698192011272"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{The ninth game saw Nepo avoid 1.e4 for the first time in the match. He actually got quite a nice position early on, but after White was somewhat outplayed to reach an equalish position, the game ended abruptly in one move.} 
1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 d4 {I was a little surprised to see this move, which sort of invites a kind of Benoni with two tempi less: one because of colors reversed, and a second because e6-e5 will come in two moves rather than one. The move is surely fine objectively, but it felt like it would lead to more dynamic positions than I would expect someone to want with the black pieces and a two-game lead. [During the press conference, Carlsen shared that this was his preparation although he was having trouble recalling all the subsequent lines.]} ( 3...Nf6 {This would be more typical. I don't really think White has anything better than transposing into a Catalan. With Magnus taking the white side of the Catalan twice already, I assume he would have checked it pretty closely. So it was a bit surprising to see 3...d4 instead.} ) 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.O-O Bc5 {This is a pretty unusual setup for Black, but it makes some sense. Black is never too worried about b2-b4 since he can always meet a2-a3 with a7-a5. And the bishop obviously does a good job of lessening the punch of e2-e3, which is the only real way for White to try to open the game.} 6.d3 Nf6 7.Nbd2 {Nepo was still playing pretty fast, if not immediately. I suspect he had checked this line a little but that he had not reviewed it too much and spent more of his efforts on other moves, but he still knew what to do.} 7...a5 8.Nb3 Be7 9.e3 dxe3 10.Bxe3 {Up to here, Magnus was taking some time, but I think he was still in his preparation. He certainly knew where to put his pieces and that he should not be castling right away.} 10...Ng4 $1 {Black harasses the e3-bishop. This is quite a good decision because White's best chance for an edge is to fix his one bad piece with Nf3-d4. This will be harder to pull off now that the bishop is destabilized.} ( 10...O-O {This looks like a more natural move, but White should be a bit better after} 11.Nbd4 $1 Bd7 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.d4 $14 ) 11.Bc5 O-O {Nepo took a long think here, aiming to find the best way to coordinate his pieces.} 12.d4 $1 {This is not an easy decision. First of all, White loses any hope of playing Nb3-d4 later, and also his knight will be forced to c5 and unable to retreat after. It takes a lot of confidence in your calculation to play this way.} 12...a4 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Nc5 {Now, Magnus needs to find a tough only-move in a very direct position to keep things under control. His ability to coordinate his pieces in a solid but uncomfortable situation is out of this world, and it really showed in just how easily he held these uncomfortable Spanish positions. Here, it is a different story. Black has to be very direct and calculate close lines in a shaky way.} 14...a3 $6 {This is a very human move, but it's also a serious mistake. White now has to be very energetic, but if he finds the way, he is clearly better. One thing I have often said is that Magnus is certainly not perfect, but if you want to beat him, you do have to be accurate. He rarely gives chances, and when he does, you have to be accurate all the way through.} ( 14...e5 $1 {This was the only way for Black, and even then, he remains a little worse.} 15.Re1 $1 Rd8 $1 {Now, White has a few tempting options, but none of them work too well.} 16.b4 $1 ( 16.Nxa4 Qb4 $1 17.b3 exd4 $1 {After a precise sequence, Black gets his pawn back, and looks more or less okay to me.} ) ( 16.h3 $2 Nxd4 $1 {Black emerges ahead, as the c5-knight is hanging.} ) ) 15.bxa3 $2 {Already now, the machine still gives some 0.2 for White, but in practice, I actually prefer Black. His position feels very easy to play, and White is the one with long-term weaknesses. The a-file will cause endless annoyances.} ( 15.b4 $1 {This was the way, and White is clearly better after some complications.} 15...Nxb4 {This has to be the most critical try for a human to worry about.} ( 15...Rd8 {This is the machine's choice, but after} 16.Rb1 {White is clearly better.} ) 16.Rb1 $1 b6 ( 16...Nc6 17.Nxb7 Rb8 18.Na5 $1 $16 {This is another only-move that White needs to see before pushing b4. It is not too hard, but having to find a bunch of easy-ish only-moves all in advance to justify playing the right way can be tough.} ) 17.Rxb4 bxc5 18.Rb5 $1 {An important only-move that White has to see before pushing b2-b4. Black cannot take on d4 and will lose his c5-pawn. The game then continues, but White is surely better due to his superior structure.} ) 15...Rd8 16.Nb3 Nf6 17.Re1 Qxa3 18.Qe2 h6 {This is exactly the kind of position where the a-file is a huge problem for White. He needs to play Ne5, and to do this, he needs to secure the d4-pawn. As such, he would very much like to get his a-rook to d1, but this would drop the a2-pawn.} ( 18...Bd7 {I would have preferred simply tucking the bishop away on e8, as the inclusion of h4 and h6 could allow some vague chances on the kingside. What Magnus did is fine too, of course.} ) 19.h4 Bd7 20.Ne5 Be8 {Now, I was somewhat surprised White did not take on c6.} 21.Qe3 {This is a solid and reasonable move, though I certainly would have tried something else.} ( 21.Bxc6 $5 Bxc6 22.g4 $5 {The machine is totally unimpressed with this idea, and claims Black is just better. But in human terms, this feels very scary. g4-g5 is not messing around and all of Black's pieces are on the queenside—I would be worried about getting mated. When I was following the game without the computer, I thought this could be very powerful. It would be interesting to know if Nepo saw this option and (correctly) chose to reject it—or if it did not occur to him.} 22...Nd7 $1 {Not an easy decision as this seems to just be begging for Nxf7.} 23.Nxf7 $1 {Let the fun begin!} ( 23.Nxc6 bxc6 24.g5 hxg5 25.hxg5 Nf8 $1 {Black prevents g6, and once his knight sits on g6, any queen and rook lift to the h-file doesn't do much either.} ) 23...Rf8 $1 {This is a very tough move.} ( 23...Kxf7 24.Qxe6+ Kf8 25.d5 Ba4 26.Re3 {Apparently, Black is fine here. I would be terrified.} ) 24.Nxh6+ gxh6 25.Qxe6+ Kh7 {The machine claims Black is better here, but it looks very unclear to me, and it is hard to get here in the first place.} ) 21...Qb4 $1 {A high-class move. As soon as White's queen no longer defends a2, this move is possible without allowing Rad1. Furthermore, it is prophylaxis against the plan of Qe3-f4 and g4-g5.} 22.Reb1 ( 22.Qf4 {This looks scary, but after} 22...Rxa2 $1 {it's all over already.} ) 22...Nxe5 $1 {I was surprised to see this move—it felt a little inhuman, but it is also best.} 23.dxe5 Ng4 $1 {It takes some guts to play this move since the knight is nearly trapped, but it is correct.} 24.Qe1 ( 24.Qf4 $2 h5 $1 {The knight can escape to h6. After} 25.Bf3 Qc3 $1 {Black's pieces are plenty active, and White can't win a pawn so easily.} ) 24...Qxe1+ 25.Rxe1 h5 26.Bxb7 Ra4 27.c5 $4 {I have a bit of sympathy for this decision, but I still have to give it two question marks. I suspect what happened is that Nepo saw the idea of c6, realized it is not a big deal because the bishop is easily defended by Nc5, and then sort of forgot about it. Once c4-c5 comes though, the c5-square is no longer available, and the bishop is straight up lost. [During the press conference, Nepo admitted he missed the idea of ...c6 entirely. He mentioned that ...c6 is easy to miss because it is never possible while the white pawn is on c4 because White would have Nc5 to defend the bishop.]} ( 27.f3 {This should be preferred, but after} 27...Nh6 28.Be4 Nf5 {White will not keep his extra pawn, and a draw looks super likely. Still, this is obviously better than what actually happened.} ) 27...c6 $19 {I have to give Nepo a little credit; he forced Magnus to find some only-moves later on, but they were all routine enough.} 28.f3 Nh6 29.Re4 Ra7 30.Rb4 Rb8 31.a4 Raxb7 32.Rb6 $1 {a4-a5-a6 is coming.} 32...Rxb6 {This is the only move, but hardly rocket science.} 33.cxb6 Rxb6 34.Nc5 {White gets the c5-square and the a-pawn is coming, but Magnus still has it under control.} 34...Nf5 35.a5 Rb8 36.a6 Nxg3 $1 {White will not be able to force the pawn through without moving the knight off of c5. Once this happens, c6-c5 comes and the bishop gets to c6. White can win a piece back but will be down several pawns and still have no hope.} 37.Na4 c5 $1 {The bishop gets to c6 and that is the end of that.} 38.a7 Rd8 $1 {The last important move, and it is all over.} 39.Nxc5 ( 39.Rb1 {This would have been more challenging, inviting Black to play Bc6, but I'd be beyond shocked if Magnus did not play it right.} 39...Ra8 $1 ( 39...Bc6 $2 {I suppose I could see a human messing this up.} 40.Rb8 Rf8 41.Nxc5 $1 {Black cannot prevent Nd7 and the tables have turned.} ) 40.Rb8 Rxa7 41.Rxe8+ Kh7 42.Nxc5 Nf5 {White got his piece back, but is obviously done for.} ) 39...Ra8 {Nothing more to say here.} 0-1

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2021"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2021.12.08"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2856"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "6116301865477"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{Game 10 was only interesting in that it showed some of the players' priorities and choices-the gameplay itself was an absolute snoozefest. Magnus predictably went for 1.e4, which is certainly the best move to play in a situation where a draw is a very welcome result.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {I was a little surprised to see the Petroff appear on the board. If Nepo wants to get back in this match and try to make use of whatever (admittedly meager) chances he has left to fight to become world champion, he will need to win at least one game with the black pieces. The Petroff is a fine opening to play for a win against an ambitious opponent, but if White wants to keep everything as solid and boring as humanly possible, Black will never have a chance. Of course, Magnus chose to exercise this option. I can only imagine two rationales for Nepo's opening choice. One is that he has just given up and wants the match to be over with. The other is that he needs to stop the bleeding, gain some confidence back, score an easy draw with the black pieces, and then look to aim for a real fight and play something more dynamic in his remaining two black games once he is in better shape and play for a win from move one with black against the GOAT. I actually think the second explantion is more likely, and I certainly hope this is the case as well. It would keep the match more interesting.} 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nd3 Nxe4 5.Qe2 Qe7 6.Nf4 Nf6 7.d4 Nc6 {I suppose this is a somewhat risky decision, as it would allow Bc1-e3, which the computer rates as slightly better for White. But this would keep queens on the board, potentially lead to opposite side castling, and not be without risk for White. Magnus had no interest in such a proposal.} ( 7...Qxe2+ 8.Bxe2 Nc6 {This would have prevented White's additional option.} ) 8.c3 d5 9.Nd2 Nd8 10.Nf3 Qxe2+ 11.Bxe2 {If there were no anti-draw rules, the players may as well have agreed here. The position is totally dry, balanced, boring, symmetrical, and neither side has any plan whatsoever to create any kind of imbalance.} 11...Bd6 12.O-O O-O 13.Bd3 Re8 14.Re1 Rxe1+ 15.Nxe1 Ne6 16.Nxe6 Bxe6 17.g3 g6 18.Ng2 Re8 19.f3 {Around here, the machine somehow gives White a slight edge. This is obviously nonsense; it is still very symmetrical with no weaknesses for either side. Anything other than a draw would be shocking.} 19...Nh5 20.Kf2 c6 21.g4 Ng7 22.Bf4 Bxf4 23.Nxf4 {Now, at least White has managed to put some pawns on the dark squares and can claim he has the better bishop. If he is allowed to advance h2-h4 next, I will concede he is slightly better. This was the only moment throughout the entire game where one of the players had to make a specific move to avoid being worse, when at any other moment they could probably play any of five decent moves, but Nepo found it easily.} 23...g5 $1 {White is not allowed to push h2-h4.} 24.Ne2 f5 25.h3 Kf7 26.Rh1 h6 27.f4 {The kingside will be liquidated shortly.} 27...fxg4 28.hxg4 Bxg4 29.Rxh6 Bf5 30.Bxf5 Nxf5 31.Rh7+ Ng7 32.fxg5 Kg6 33.Rh3 Kxg5 34.Rg3+ Kf6 35.Rf3+ Ke7 36.Nf4 Kd6 37.Ng6 Re6 38.Ne5 Ne8 39.Rf7 Rf6+ 40.Rxf6+ Nxf6 41.Ke3 {Who needs Ambien when you have games like these? Of course, the result is very welcome for Magnus, who now needs merely a single point from four games to keep his title. Given that he has not been particularly close to losing yet, it is very hard to imagine he won't get it. Still, I will be interested to see if Nepo plays a bit more sharply in his next black game... assuming it happens. I could easily imagine the match ending tomorrow if Nepo goes for broke with White and burns all the bridges. I think this is what he should do, and if he loses, so be it. But it is clearly time to start playing with a lot more risk.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2021"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2021.12.10"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2856"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2021.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "7010863029803"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{Game 11 turned out to be the final encounter of the match. It looked very equal throughout until Nepo's sense of danger completely eluded him and the game ended in one move.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {Unlike all of the previous games, Nepo chose the Italian. Hindsight is 20/20, but it looked to me like Magnus understood the resulting middlegame better.} 3...Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 d6 6.O-O a5 {The a7-a5 system is a very topical one, and is one of the big mainlines in the Italian today. The point is some prophylaxis against b2-b4, but I was a little puzzled by what happened next.} 7.Re1 Ba7 $5 {I had never seen this idea of playing a5 and then Ba7 before castling. I always thought one of the big points was to prevent b2-b4 so that the bishop can remain on c5 free of harassment, but it is a sensible waiting move.} 8.Na3 h6 {Now, I really dislike the idea Nepo came up with here. In general, the most ambitious thing White can do in the Italian is fight for d3-d4, turning the a7-bishop from a good piece into a bad piece. If White decides this cannot happen, Bc1-e3 is a sensible alternative, but I really think White should be taking back with the rook on e3 rather than the knight.} 9.Nc2 $6 ( 9.Nb5 {This surely must be more critical. White takes advantage of Black weakening the b5-square with a7-a5 and hits the bishop on a7 to win a tempo. After} 9...Bb6 10.Be3 Bxe3 11.Rxe3 {This looks like a more ambitious way for White. The rook on e3 is better than a knight would be since the e4-pawn is well-supported, and d3-d4 is coming next. White looks a little better to me, though of course Black is still very solid.} ) 9...O-O 10.Be3 Bxe3 11.Nxe3 Re8 {Now Black has a striaghtforward plan of Be6, taking back with the rook, and rerouting the c6-knight to g6. The pressure on the e4-pawn makes it very hard for White to advance d3-d4, and I don't see another credible plan.} 12.a4 Be6 13.Bxe6 Rxe6 14.Qb3 b6 15.Rad1 Ne7 {Of course. The knight heads for g6.} 16.h3 Qd7 {Now Black's position plays itself. Bring the rook to d8 or e8 as you see fit, knight to g6, and eventually push d5.} 17.Nh2 {This does not seem impressive, but I guess it makes some sense. bringing the knight to g4 to exchange for the f6-knight will make it easier to push d3-d4, but Black is well in time to get his peices ready to deal with it.} 17...Rd8 18.Nhg4 {Now, Black should be at least a little careful. Allowing White to take on f6 and push d4 would give him a good position, but it's almost hard to suggest a move for Black that makes any sense at all other than the best one.} 18...Nxg4 ( 18...Kh8 $2 {Some non-move like this would allow White to show his idea.} 19.Nxf6 Rxf6 20.d4 {This is indeed unpleasant for Black.} ) 19.hxg4 d5 $1 {Black beats White to the punch and makes his break first. White was just too slow to get d3-d4 in before d6-d5, all because the knight on e3 was misplaced and the e4-pawn was loose.} 20.d4 {Now there is some minor showdown in the center, but it should all fizzle out easily enough.} 20...exd4 $1 {Magnus had to see this Re4-f4 idea to justify this move, but it is hardly rocket science.} 21.exd5 {Now, Black cannot take back on d5 thanks to Rxd4, and he really should make sure the d-file remains closed, but this is not too hard to do.} ( 21.Rxd4 {This does not work too well. After} 21...Rxe4 $1 {Black wins a pawn, and White needs to be precise to maintain the balance.} ) 21...Re4 $1 {Good prophylaxis against Rxd4.} ( 21...Nxd5 $2 22.Rxd4 {Black loses material. The pin on the d-file is too powerful.} ) 22.Qc2 ( 22.Rxd4 {This could still be played, but after} 22...Rxd4 23.cxd4 {The d-file is closed, and Black can grab the pawn on d5. For example, after} 23...Nxd5 24.Nxd5 Qxd5 25.Re8+ Kh7 26.Qc2+ g6 27.Rxd8 Qxd8 28.Qe4 {This appears to be a dead draw.} ) 22...Rf4 {Now, the only explanation I have for the next move is that there are 2 versions of Nepo. He did not just blitz out g2-g3 without thinking and miss something obvious because he was not paying attention. He took 10 minutes, and still came up with a move that is very hard to understand from a player of his calibur. Sometimes he just seems to tilt really hard. I know from my own experience—I've played him twice. The first game I was on the black side of a Caro-Kann, and he played a fantastically energetic game. It was a wild fight with plenty of chances for both sides. He did not play perfectly, as nobody ever really does in super-complicated positions, but after a somewhat back and forth affair, he found a lot of best moves plenty of times, and eventually ground out a well-deserved win. The other time I played him, it was toward the end of a tournament, I guess he may have been struggling with stamina, and he played some d6/g6/a6/e6 setup, moving pawns around in the first few moves without developing his pieces, and I absolutely demolished him with almost no effort. It was a weird feeling afterward, that I had crushed a near-2800 so easily, and I can imagine this is probably how Magnus is feeling now. Every now and then, this seriously sub-optimal version of Nepo shows up, and unfortunately for him, it came at the worst possible time.} 23.g3 $4 {Not only does this move lose violently, it absolutely forces Black to play the winning continuation since everything else is tantamount to resigning.} ( 23.Rxd4 {This is just a draw.} 23...Rxd4 24.cxd4 Nxd5 25.Nxd5 Qxd5 26.Qxc7 Qxd4 27.b3 {There's not much to say here. 13 more moves to reach move 40.} ) 23...dxe3 {Of course. Moving the rook would allow Rxd4.} 24.gxf4 Qxg4+ 25.Kh1 {This move makes g2-g3 even harder to understand. It allows Black to make a draw immediately with perpetual check. This being the case, why not just go Rxd4 and make the draw without allowing Black extra options? Even if you have not thought about this position for half a second, it should be immediately clear from first glance that Black has a very dangerous attack and possibly could have a better move than forcing a draw. According to my machine, there are 9 winning moves.} ( 25.Kf1 Qh3+ 26.Ke2 exf2 27.Rf1 Nf5 {White is demolished.} ) 25...Qh3+ 26.Kg1 {From this point on, Magnus could have found easier wins in multiple places, but the final result was certainly never in doubt.} 26...Nf5 ( 26...exf2+ 27.Qxf2 Rd6 {This would have ended the match immediately.} ) 27.d6 {The best practical chance, but it's certainly over.} 27...Nh4 28.fxe3 Qg3+ 29.Kf1 Nf3 {Now, White is absurdly lucky to have not gotten mated and to be able to bail out into an endgame, but the ending is absolutely lost, so he can't really count his blessings.} 30.Qf2 Qh3+ $1 {The last important move.} ( 30...Qxf2+ $2 {This would be a grave error. After} 31.Kxf2 Nxe1 32.dxc7 $1 {White wins.} ) 31.Qg2 Qxg2+ 32.Kxg2 Nxe1+ {Now, this move comes with check, so White cannot take on c7.} 33.Rxe1 Rxd6 {Black is a clean pawn up and has full control over the only open file. It will take a little work to finish the game off and he certainly could have won faster when White's king was getting thrashed, but it should be routine enough.} 34.Kf3 Rd2 35.Rb1 {A very sad move, but what choice was there?} ( 35.b4 axb4 36.cxb4 Ra2 {Black wins a second pawn.} ) 35...g6 36.b4 axb4 37.Rxb4 {White can now imagine going Rb4-c4, aiming to provoke c7-c5, and then a4-a5 comes and White can start trading stuff. Black's next move prevents this idea.} 37...Ra2 {Now a4-a5 will never come, the rook is stuck defending the a4-pawn, and Black can bring his king to the center and start pushing his passed h-pawn.} 38.Ke4 {Now White has a simple plan. Ke4-d5-c6-xc7-xb6 and go promote the a-pawn. The problem is Black's h-pawn is much faster.} 38...h5 39.Kd5 Rc2 {This did not feel entirely necessary, but it doesn't spoil anything.} ( 39...h4 {Black wins the race by something like 6 tempi. It helps to have an extra pawn! He had a passed pawn right from the start of the endgame, while White has to spend ages bringing his king all the way to c6 and c7 and b6 to finally get a passer of his own.} 40.f5 {This is the best try, getting the rook behind the h-pawn.} ( 40.Kc6 h3 41.Kxc7 h2 42.Rb1 f6 {The g-pawn is coming.} ) 40...h3 41.Rh4 h2 {The g-pawn comes next and White is done for.} ) 40.Rb3 h4 {Move 40 is reached. Magnus has all the time in the world, and he easily wins the pawn race.} 41.Kc6 h3 42.Kxc7 h2 43.Rb1 Rxc3+ {I actually really dislike this decision. It is not enough to not win the game, but it really feels like it is going in the wrong direction.} ( 43...f6 {Why not just shove the g-pawn straight to g2?} 44.Kxb6 g5 ) 44.Kxb6 $1 ( 44.Kb7 {Avoiding taking the pawn does not help. After} 44...Rxe3 45.Rh1 Re4 $1 {White is relieved of his a-pawn, and Black wins the game routinely on the kingside.} ) 44...Rb3+ 45.Rxb3 h1=Q 46.a5 {Now, this a-pawn is coming, and it will be very annoying to stop. The rook and king coordinate well, and I could imagine an accident happening. Black's king is a long way away from the action and he does not have any passed pawns of his own yet. Still, it should win without a ton of trouble.} 46...Qe4 47.Ka7 $1 {The rook comes to a square like b6, and a6 comes after... I would be worried with Black here.} 47...Qe7+ 48.Ka8 {One can hope Magnus will play Qd8+ to fork the king and pawn. Of course, this is not a likely scenario.} 48...Kg7 $1 {An excellent move. Black's king gets off the back rank so that Qd8+ becomes a threat.} ( 48...Qd8+ $2 49.Rb8 {Oops!} ) 49.Rb6 ( 49.a6 Qe6 $1 {White loses his a6-pawn.} ) 49...Qc5 {Nepo called it a day here, as after Ra6 Qb5, he will never be able to get his rook out of the way from in front of the a-pawn. It really felt like two matches were played. Nepo A played match one, and in my opinion, Nepo A is the second-best player in the world. Nepo B showed up for match two, and that was a farce. I really think if he can manage to consistently bring Nepo A to the board, he can be very ambitious about playing in another world championship match and giving Magnus a better fight someday. I'd like to thank Chess.com for inviting me to annotate the games—I certainly enjoyed it and did my very best to bring the most fair and objective analysis I could, void of any of my own personal biases, and covering the games exactly as I saw them. Until next time!} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Challengers 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.01.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2632"]
[BlackElo "2627"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7559947749406"]
[EventType "game"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.e5 {Probably the most fashionable Italian line nowadays.} 6...d5 7.Bb5 Ne4 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 O-O 10.Be3 f6 ( {The world champion defended confidently by pinning the white knight at once with:} 10...Bg4 11.h3 Bh5 12.Qc2 Nxc3 13.bxc3 f6 14.exf6 Qxf6 15.Be2 Na5 16.O-O Bxf3 17.Bxf3 c6 18.Rae1 Nc4 19.Bc1 Qg6 {in Nepomniachtchi,I (2792) -Carlsen,M (2855) Stavanger 2021} ) 11.exf6 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Qxf6 13.O-O Bg4 {And this pin is still there.} 14.Be2 Bxf3 {This is the second most popular choice, although Black is not forced to part with his bishop pair.} ( {The most common continuation is} 14...Rae8 {when after} 15.h3 {Black often keeps his bishop alive.} 15...Bh5 ) 15.Bxf3 Rad8 16.Be2 $1 {The bishop has done its job, and now it is time to look for a better diagonal.} 16...Na5 $146 {This move is a novelty. The knight needs to step out of the pawn's way for the black bishop, which has also done its job and seeks a better diagonal.} ( {In the predecessor, however, a different route was chosen for the horse:} 16...Ne7 {The knight can indeed be more useful on the kingside and the online game ended quite uneventfully after} 17.Qd2 c6 18.Bg5 Qf7 19.Bh5 g6 20.Rfe1 Rd7 21.Bg4 {1/2-1/2 (21) Harshad,S (1939)-Ravi,T (2294) Rajapalayam 2018} ) 17.a4 c6 {That's the plan.} ( 17...Nc4 $2 18.Bxc4 dxc4 19.a5 ) 18.Bd3 Bc7 {Ganguly is following his path.} ( {However, it seems as if he needed to challenge the enemy bishop pair at once with} 18...Nc4 $1 ) 19.Qg4 Rde8 20.Rae1 {Now Erigaisi consolidates and starts building concrete threats. His bishops will soon prove priceless.} 20...Bd8 $1 {A prophylaxis against the Be3-g5 maneuver.} ( {Why this is important can be illustrated by the line} 20...Nc4 21.Bg5 Qf7 22.Qh4 h6 23.Be7 ) ( {The other way to stay away from the trouble was} 20...Qf7 $5 ) 21.g3 Qf3 {Ganguly must have miscalculated something. This move only helps White!} ( {Better was} 21...Nc4 22.Bf4 Qf7 {with defensible, albeit passive, position.} ) 22.Qh3 $1 {The queen communicates well with the bishops, and the black kingside is defended by just two pawns. So why trade?} ( {True, the endgame is also somewhat better} 22.Qxf3 Rxf3 23.h4 {but the move in the game promises White more.} ) 22...g6 ( {Perhaps Ganguly missed that in the line} 22...h6 23.Bg6 Re7 24.Bf4 $1 Rxf4 25.Rxe7 Bxe7 26.Bh5 $1 {he would lose material.} ) 23.Be2 Qf5 24.Bg4 {This is the more dangerous of the two bishops as it does not have an opponent.} 24...Qf6 25.Bf4 {Beautiful, harmonious play by the pair! Once the kingside has been softened, they look to occupy the free diagonals close to the enemy king.} ( {And} 25.Bd7 $5 Re4 26.f3 {looked good too.} ) 25...h5 ( {Had Black have given away the file at once with} 25...Rxe1 26.Rxe1 h5 {he would have suffered along the sixth rank} 27.Re6 $1 Qf7 28.Be2 $1 {as the bishop gets back to the b1-h7 diagonal with decisive effect.} ) 26.Bd7 $1 {This not only wins the open file, but Erigaisi is preparing the decisive infiltration.} 26...Rxe1 27.Rxe1 Kh7 ( {The most resilient defense was} 27...Nc4 28.Re6 Qg7 29.Be8 Bf6 {Although here, too, Black's position remains suspicious and White has a pleasant choice between the positional} 30.Qf1 $5 ( {And the more direct} 30.g4 $5 ) ) 28.Re6 Qf7 ( {Or} 28...Qg7 29.Be8 Bf6 30.Bd6 Rh8 31.Be5 {when Black is helpless.} ) 29.Rd6 $1 {Through the sixth rank, the rook get access to the seventh one!} 29...Qe7 30.Be6 {That is it; the light squares cannot be defended.} 30...Rxf4 31.Rd7 Rf6 32.Rxe7+ Bxe7 33.Bc8 {And there is even more pain on light squares.} 33...Rd6 34.g4 Nc4 35.gxh5 gxh5 36.Be6 Kg7 37.f4 Nd2 38.f5 Rxe6 39.fxe6 Ne4 40.Qxh5 Ng5 41.Qe8 Kf6 42.Qd7 {The seeming ease with which Erigaisi outplayed his creative compatriot was mind-boggling.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.01.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2672"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7427072196616"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 g6 7.O-O Bg7 8.Re1 O-O 9.Nbd2 Re8 10.Nf1 b5 {The alternative is 10...h6 and it seems as it pushes to become the main line.} ( {A recent top game went:} 10...h6 11.Ng3 d5 12.h3 b5 13.Bb3 Bb7 14.Qe2 dxe4 15.dxe4 Na5 16.Bc2 Qe7 17.b4 Nc4 18.Nd2 Nxd2 19.Bxd2 c5 20.a4 {with tremendous pressure on the queenside in Nakamura, H (2736)-Esipenko,A (2716) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 11.Bc2 a5 {Grandelius gains space on the queenside, thus limiting the opponent's light-squared bishop. [#]} 12.Bg5 $146 {A logical novelty that fights for the d5-spot.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 12.Ne3 a4 13.h3 {Then a fierce battle for the center emerged after} 13...d5 $1 14.exd5 Nxd5 15.Nxd5 Qxd5 16.d4 $1 e4 17.Ng5 f5 18.f3 e3 $1 19.Bxe3 ( 19.f4 $5 ) 19...h6 20.Ne4 fxe4 21.Bxe4 Qd7 ( 21...Qd6 $1 ) 22.Bxg6 {with unclear play in Chen,R (2085)-Repka,C (2488) Chesterfield 2020} ) 12...h6 13.Bh4 a4 14.Ne3 Bb7 ( 14...Ne7 {would have covered the d5-spot but weakened instead the d4-one, thus inviting} 15.d4 ) 15.c4 $1 {This is the major problem with the early a-pawn advance. The b5-pawn lacks defends and Van Foresst initiates complications.} 15...Nb4 $5 {Grandelius on his turn decided to sacrifice a pawn.} ( {The obvious} 15...bxc4 {was certainly a possibility, when} 16.Nxc4 ( {However, the Swedish GM might have disliked the more positional approach} 16.dxc4 g5 17.Bg3 a3 {when it is hard to assess the long-term vulnerability of the black pawn-structure.} ) 16...d5 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.exd5 Qxd5 19.Bxa4 e4 {promises Black good compensation for a pawn.} ) 16.cxb5 Qd7 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 ( {The other way of a counterplay quest was related to} 17...Nxc2 18.Qxc2 Bxf6 19.Rac1 ( 19.Qc4 Ra5 ) 19...Qxb5 20.Qxc7 Red8 {but this looks less clear than the game continuation.} ) 18.Bxa4 Nxd3 {That is the point: Black is grabbing a central pawn.} 19.Qxd3 Rxa4 {And Grandelius achieves an interesting Benko-style compensation. A couple of more useful moves and he may even take over the initiative on the queenside.} 20.Nd1 $1 {Therefore, Van Foreest solidifies his queenside. In the process, however, he loses control of the center, at least for a moment.} ( {Black seems to be fine in case of} 20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.Qxd5 Rea8 22.h3 R8a5 ) 20...Rb4 21.a4 d5 $1 {And Black grabs his chance. The pawns get into motion and the powerful bishops start to reveal their strength.} 22.Qd2 ( {The bishop might increase their strength toward the endgame, therefore Black has no fear of} 22.exd5 Qxd5 23.Qxd5 Bxd5 24.Nd2 ) 22...Qd6 23.exd5 e4 {An obvious move, but certainly not the only way.} ( {The simple} 23...Bxd5 {was possible. Then the complications after} 24.Nc3 ( {Perhaps White can squeeze a bit of an edge in the endgame after} 24.Ne3 $5 Be6 25.Qxd6 cxd6 26.b3 ) 24...Ba8 25.Qxh6 Bxf3 26.gxf3 Rh4 27.Qe3 e4 28.f4 Bxc3 29.bxc3 Rg4+ 30.Kh1 Rxf4 {seem perfectly fine for Black.} ) 24.Qxh6 Qf8 {Grandelius sensibly decided not to test the queen and knights' might.} ( {However} 24...Qxd5 25.Ne3 Qd8 26.Ng4 Bg7 27.Qf4 Qe7 28.Rad1 Bc8 {would not be something that Black can complain about.} ) 25.Qxf8+ Kxf8 26.Nd2 Bxd5 27.Re3 {The endgame should be OK for Black, but Grandelius gradually loses the thread.} 27...Bd4 ( {Certainly not} 27...Bxb2 $2 28.Rb1 ) ( {However, the trade of more queenside pawns with} 27...c6 $5 {made perfect sense. Then} 28.bxc6 Bxc6 29.Rea3 {can be met with} ( {Or} 29.a5 Rd8 30.Nf1 Bb5 {when the black pieces dominate.} ) 29...Bxa4 30.Rxa4 Rxa4 31.Rxa4 Rd8 32.Nf1 Rxd1 33.Rxe4 Bxb2 {with a likely draw.} ) 28.Rea3 f5 {Black decided that his pieces are strong enough and started pushing for more.} ( {This time} 28...c6 29.bxc6 Bxc6 30.a5 {does not promise Black easy living.} ) 29.g3 g5 30.Ne3 {The white knights are pretty good too!} 30...Bxe3 31.fxe3 Rxb2 32.Nf1 Bc4 {Too optimistic! This can be labelled as Black's major mistake.} ( {It was not too late to switch to a defense with} 32...Ra8 $1 33.Rc1 Rxb5 34.axb5 ( {Or} 34.Rxc7 Rb1 ) 34...Rxa3 35.Rxc7 Ra1 {when the active black pieces should keep him out of trouble.} ) 33.Rc3 Be2 {If the bishop makes it to the f3 square in time, Black would even win.} ( {The bishop did not come out only to be traded with} 33...Bxf1 34.Rxf1 ) 34.Rac1 $1 {But Van Foreest is just in time.} ( {Not} 34.Rxc7 $4 Bf3 ) 34...Ra8 ( 34...Bf3 35.R3c2 Rxc2 36.Rxc2 Ra8 37.Rc4 {transposes to the game.} ) 35.R3c2 Rxc2 36.Rxc2 Bf3 37.Rc4 {Now White finally consolidates his extra pawn.} 37...Ke7 {The last desperate attempt.} ( {But the truth is that} 37...Ra7 38.Nd2 Be2 39.Rc5 {should be hopeless too.} ) 38.Rxc7+ Ke6 39.Rc4 Be2 40.Rb4 Rc8 41.Nd2 Bd3 42.b6 Rc1+ 43.Kf2 Rc2 44.b7 {And the last-year champion starts with a win!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.01.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2865"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7975485840949"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 {The preparation for the world championship match keeps giving fruits for the world champion, and in this game he manages to demonstrate one more powerful Catalan idea.} 5...O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Na3 Bxa3 8.bxa3 Bd7 9.a4 $5 {An interesting side-line according to Megabase. White quickly brings his bishop out, but in the process risks to lose his gambited pawn permanently.} ( {Black managed to demonstrate equality in this recent top encounter:} 9.Qc2 Bc6 10.Qxc4 Bd5 11.Qc2 Be4 12.Qb2 Nbd7 13.Bf4 Rc8 14.Rac1 Re8 15.Rfd1 Nd5 16.Bg5 f6 17.Bd2 c5 18.dxc5 Nxc5 {Le,Q (2709)-So,W (2772) chess24.com INT 2021} ) 9...Bc6 10.Ba3 Re8 11.Qc2 {[#]} 11...Nbd7 $146 {Technically speaking, it is Giri that produces the novelty. However, an important detail: he does this after more than twelve minutes on the clock.} ( {The predecessor witnessed White achieing everything he wished for after:} 11...Bd5 12.Rfe1 Nbd7 13.e4 Bc6 14.Nd2 a5 15.Nxc4 Nb6 16.Nxb6 cxb6 17.Bb2 {Cordova,E (2571) -Slade,T (2124) Saint Louis 2019} ) ( {Instead of the move in the game, another idea is:} 11...Qd5 $5 12.Rac1 Qa5 {first transfering the queen for the attack against the a4-pawn before accomplishing development with} 13.Qxc4 Nbd7 ) 12.Rac1 {Carlsen eyeballs the c7-pawn. If White can win his pawn back, his advantage will be enormous. The pressure along the b- and c-files a la Benko, coupled with the nasty bishops and the nastier a-pawns would be too much for Black to cope with.} ( {Not the instant} 12.Qxc4 Nb6 ) 12...a6 13.Qxc4 Nb6 14.Qc3 {Played after a lenghty thought.} ( {The more obvious} 14.Qd3 Bxa4 {allows Ba4-b5 next, with a tempo, and might have been the reason for the rejection.} ) 14...Nxa4 15.Qb3 Qd5 {For now, the world champion does play} ( {Giri was evidently afraid of the positional exchange sacrifice after} 15...Nb6 16.Rxc6 $1 bxc6 17.Ne5 Qxd4 18.Nxc6 {when the white knight somehow manages to dominate both the rooks!} ) ( {However} 15...Bb5 $5 {might have been a safer alternative.} ) 16.Rxc6 $3 {anyway, and even though the black pawns are still intact after} 16...Qxc6 17.Ne5 Qb5 18.Qc2 $1 {Black has serious problems to solve. His queen is exposed, the knight on the rim is in mortal danger, and all the queenside pawns are hanging.} 18...Nd5 {The most natural move turns out to be a serious mistake.} ( {The best defense was connected with the cute tactical line} 18...Nb6 $1 19.Bxb7 Nc4 $3 20.Bxa8 Nxa3 {when Black is OK after both} 21.Qc6 ( {Interestingly, White can afford sacrificing a piece and entering an endgame with} 21.Qxc7 Rxa8 22.Qxf7+ Kh8 23.Rc1 Qe8 $1 24.Qxe8+ Rxe8 25.Rc6 {when White's initiative should soon net him another pawn} 25...a5 26.Ra6 Nb5 27.e3 Nc3 28.Rxa5 {and all of this leads to approximately even endgame.} ) 21...Qxe2 22.Bb7 Qxa2 ) 19.Rb1 Qa5 20.Bxd5 $1 {Perhaps Giri underestimated this idea.} ( {Wrong was instead} 20.Rxb7 $2 Nab6 21.Qc1 Qc3 $1 {when tables are turned in Black's favor.} ) ( {However, the capture might have worked even better with the inclusion of the moves} 20.Be4 $5 g6 21.Bxd5 exd5 {As now White has an additional idea} 22.Bb4 $1 Qb6 23.Bc3 Qxb1+ 24.Qxb1 Nxc3 25.Qxb7 Nxe2+ 26.Kg2 Nxd4 27.Qxc7 {and White's queen and knight crash through thanks to the weakened long diagonal.} ) 20...exd5 ( {There is not enough for the pieces after} 20...Qxd5 21.Qxa4 ) 21.Rxb7 $1 {A very precise move! Ba3-b4 is a mortal threat and that forces Black to weaken his seventh rank.} ( {The resource from above does not work with a black pawn on g7 as the line} 21.Bb4 Qb6 22.Bc3 Qxb1+ 23.Qxb1 Nxc3 24.Qxb7 ( {White does not achieve anything more than a balanced position after} 24.Qd3 Nxe2+ 25.Qxe2 f6 26.Qf3 fxe5 27.Qxd5+ Kh8 28.dxe5 Rad8 ) 24...Nxe2+ 25.Kg2 Nxd4 26.Qxc7 f6 {proves good for Black.} ) 21...c5 ( {Or} 21...Nc3 22.Bb4 Qxa2 23.Qxc3 ) 22.Qf5 Rf8 23.Nxf7 Qd8 {A passive defense, but there was nothing else.} ( {Or else Black can easily get smothered-mated after} 23...Qe1+ 24.Kg2 Qxe2 25.Qxd5 ) 24.dxc5 {Wins an inportant pawn, but above all, opens the long diagonal for the bishop.} 24...Qf6 25.Qxf6 gxf6 26.Nh6+ Kh8 27.c6 Rfc8 28.c7 {Next the white knight will come to either d6 or e7, and there is no way out.} 28...Nc3 ( 28...Kg7 29.Nf5+ ) 29.Bb2 d4 30.Nf7+ Kg7 31.Nd6 Kg6 32.Kf1 Nb5 33.Nxc8 Rxc8 34.a4 Nxc7 35.Bxd4 Ne6 36.Be3 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.01.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2865"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[ECO "D78"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "5498497692205"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.d4 Nf6 5.O-O O-O 6.c4 c6 7.b3 {Carlsen used a version of this solid line to defeat Nepomniachtchi in their final test before their world championship match.} 7...Bf5 {The main line.} 8.Bb2 Nbd7 9.e3 {This is the new trend, according to Megabase, that outshines the older 9.Nbd2.} 9...Ne4 {The most typical maneuver for the line. Black opens up his dark-squared bishop and prepares to swap a pair of light pieces.} ( {White definitely had a pull in another top game:} 9...b5 10.cxb5 cxb5 11.Nc3 b4 12.Na4 Rc8 13.Qd2 a5 14.Rfc1 Rxc1+ 15.Rxc1 Qa8 16.Ne5 Rc8 17.Nxd7 Rxc1+ 18.Qxc1 Nxd7 19.Qc7 {and Black's position is unpleasant due to the difference in activity of the queens, Artemiev,V (2704)-Aronian,L (2782) chess24.com INT 2021} ) 10.Nc3 Nxc3 11.Bxc3 Be4 {This is possible thanks to the previous maneuver.} 12.Qe2 e6 13.Rfd1 {In the meanwhile, the world champion clears the f1-square to avoid the trade of the light-squared bishops. Without them, there is no hope of an edge.} 13...a5 {Black uses the given time to prepare counterplay on his own.} 14.Bf1 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Nc5 {This maneuver is also possible thanks to the ...Nf6-e4-xc3 one. So many possibilities, just because a pair of light pieces have been traded!} 16.Be1 Ne4 17.Bd3 $146 {This is a novelty.} ( {In the predecessor:} 17.a4 f5 18.Qe2 Rf7 19.Bg2 Bf8 20.f3 Nf6 21.Bc3 Bb4 22.Bb2 Qe7 23.e4 fxe4 24.fxe4 Nxe4 25.Bxe4 dxe4 26.Qxe4 {White seemed to have a slight pull, but Bu quickly executed e6-e5 and the game petered out into a draw, Ganguly,S (2644) -Bu,X (2711) Liaocheng 2017} ) 17...f5 {Van Foreest is shifting into a Stonewall where Black has kept a valuable pair of light pieces alive.} 18.Rac1 {Still, Carlsen has a serious plan in stock: the preparation of the e3-e4 break. Black's next maneuver is designed to stop this for good.} 18...g5 19.Qe2 {And after some thought, Van Foresst went for} 19...g4 $3 {Thus sacrificing a pawn!} 20.Bxe4 fxe4 {The point.} ( {The move in the game is needed as} 20...dxe4 {would lead to a quick collapse in the center due to} 21.d5 $1 exd5 22.cxd5 cxd5 23.Rc5 d4 24.exd4 {and the game opens in White's favor. In fact, the machine evaluates this as a winning edge for the first player.} ) 21.Qxg4 {I browsed through the games at that point and a quick glance at the position, count of the pawns, and a peek at the computer bar made me think that Van Foreest had badly messed up.} 21...Qe8 {None of the above is true! Black has solid compensation thanks to the half-open files on the kingside, and the holes on the light-squares only facilitate his play.} 22.cxd5 {In order to open a file for his rooks.} ( {It also made sense to bring the bishop out as soon as possible.} 22.b4 $5 h5 ( {Black cannot lock the flank with} 22...a4 23.cxd5 exd5 {due to} 24.b5 $1 ) 23.Qh3 axb4 24.Bxb4 Rf6 25.Rd2 {There are two files on which the white rooks can work now, but what's more, he can eventually maneuver his bishop toward the e5 square.} ) 22...exd5 23.Rc5 {The logical follow-up.} ( {Though} 23.b4 $5 axb4 24.Bxb4 h5 25.Qh3 Rf6 26.Rc2 {was still possible.} ) 23...h5 ( {There was also} 23...b6 $5 24.Rc2 h5 25.Qh3 Rf6 {when Black can later shift his second rook toward the kingside via the a7-square.} ) 24.Qh3 Qf7 {Van Foreest keeps the queenside stable.} ( {Here} 24...b5 $5 {looked attractive and after} 25.Rdc1 Rf6 {the black rooks can attack along the sixth rank while defending the c6 weakness.} ) 25.Qg2 {Now the a5-pawn is in danger.} ( 25.Rc2 $5 ) 25...a4 26.b4 ( {It is only Black who can benefit from the opening on the queenside at the moment.} 26.bxa4 Rxa4 27.Rc2 Rfa8 ) 26...Qd7 27.b5 ( 27.Rdc1 Rf6 28.b5 {would have likely transposed.} ) 27...h4 $1 {Black is consistent with his plan.} ( {He should certainly avoid} 27...cxb5 28.Qf1 $1 ) 28.Rdc1 ( {Or another transposition after} 28.bxc6 bxc6 29.Rdc1 Rf6 30.g4 ) 28...Rf6 29.bxc6 bxc6 30.g4 $1 {A tough decision! Carlsen tries to seal the kingside, but his opponent is alert.} ( {After} 30.Bb4 hxg3 31.hxg3 Raf8 32.R1c2 Rh6 {Black will soon prepare infiltration along the h-file.} ) 30...h3 $3 {A second pawn is offered for even more files.} 31.Qxh3 Raf8 $1 ( {Correctly not craving the g4-pawn, as after} 31...Rg6 32.Qh5 $1 Rxg4+ 33.Kf1 {the white king escapes and Black's attack fizzles.} ) 32.Qg2 ( {Here} 32.Qh5 $2 Rh6 33.Qg5 Rff6 {makes no sense for White.} ) ( {And if the king leaves} 32.Kf1 Rh6 33.Qg2 Rh4 {the white pawns will be in trouble.} ) 32...Rg6 {The most obvious attempt gives Carlsen some addiitonal chances.} ( {The other file might have been more important! After} 32...Rh6 $5 33.h3 Rf3 {attacks the h3-pawn at once. True, White still has} 34.g5 {and may even win a third pawn at once after} 34...Rh4 35.Rxc6 {at least for a moment. Nevertheless, after} 35...Rfxh3 36.Rc8+ Bf8 37.R1c7 Qf5 {Black has enough threats to secure a draw, as in this pretty line} 38.Bb4 Rh1+ $1 39.Qxh1 Qg4+ 40.Qg2 Qd1+ 41.Qf1 Qg4+ ) 33.g5 $1 {Best! The pawns are further separated, but this bold move slows down Black's initiative.} ( {After the solid} 33.h3 {Black's attack may develop as in this line.} 33...Rf3 34.Ra5 Rh6 35.Rxa4 $2 {And now} 35...Rfxh3 36.Ra8+ Kh7 37.Rb1 R6h4 38.Kf1 c5 $3 {opens the a6-f1 diagonal, thus keeping the white king in mortal danger all the time. The threats may turn into a full point after, say,} 39.dxc5 Qc7 $1 40.Ra5 Rh2 41.Qg3 Qxg3 42.fxg3 Rh1+ 43.Ke2 R4h2+ ) 33...Rf5 {Once again, the most obvious move.} ( {However, there was a strong argument for} 33...Rf3 {The difference here, in comparison with the line from above, is that White can defend with} 34.h4 Rh3 35.Rxc6 Rxc6 36.Rxc6 Rxh4 {And with the rook on this exact square} 37.f3 $1 {becomes possible. Still, after} 37...Qxc6 38.Bxh4 Qc1+ 39.Kh2 Qxe3 {Black has very little to worry about in the arising endgame.} ) 34.h4 Bf8 35.R5c2 Be7 $1 {With the inevitable capture on g5, one way or the other!} 36.Rb2 $1 {Not just activating the rook, but avoiding the additional chances that the black queen might take. Also inviting Black to a self-pin.} ( {As in the case of} 36.Kf1 Bxg5 ( 36...Qc8 $5 ) 37.hxg5 Rfxg5 38.Qh2 Qb7 $1 ) 36...Bxg5 {Van Foreest errs!} ( {Strong was a rook capture} 36...Rfxg5 $1 {This, or the other one, it leads to the same after} 37.hxg5 Rxg5 38.Qxg5+ Bxg5 {With approximate equality, e.g} 39.Rb8+ Kf7 40.Rb6 Bxe3 ( {Or} 40...Bd8 41.Ra6 ) 41.fxe3 Qg4+ 42.Kf1 Qf3+ 43.Bf2 Qh3+ 44.Ke2 Qf3+ 45.Ke1 Qh1+ 46.Kd2 Qg2 $11 ) 37.Kf1 Qa7 ( {The computer claims that} 37...Qd6 {is the best defense, but then White escapes the threats with} 38.hxg5 Rgxg5 39.Qh3 Rh5 40.Qg4+ Rhg5 41.Qd1 $1 {and White keeps the extra material.} ) 38.Qg4 {Alas, Carlsen transposes the moves, and misses the win!} ( {In the line} 38.Ke2 $1 Qa6+ 39.Kd1 Qd3+ 40.Rd2 Qb5 {White does not have} 41.hxg5 $2 ( {However, the strong} 41.Qg4 $1 {spoils the rooks' coordination, and apparently it wins.} ) 41...Rfxg5 42.Qh3 Rg1 {and the threat of Rxe1+ and mate on the back rank forces White to give a perpetual.} 43.Qc8+ ) 38...Qa6+ $1 {Locks the king in!} 39.Kg1 {The world champion spots the deadly trap, just in time.} ( {The trap is revealed in the line} 39.Qe2 Qc8 $1 40.Rcb1 Bd8 $1 {Making sure the queen is not pinned} 41.Rb8 {And now the fabulous} 41...Rfg5 $3 {sacrificing almost every piece of his leads to a mate!} ) 39...Rg7 40.Rb8+ {Now the forcing line} 40...Bd8 41.Rxd8+ Rf8 42.Rxf8+ Kxf8 43.Bb4+ Kg8 44.Qxg7+ Kxg7 45.a3 {leads to a likely fortress.} 45...Kg6 46.Kg2 Kh5 47.Rh1 {White threatens to transfer his rook to the third rank, therefore with} 47...c5 {Van Foreest forces a perpetual} 48.Bxc5 Qg6+ 49.Kf1 Qa6+ 50.Kg2 Qg6+ 51.Kf1 Qa6+ 52.Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.01.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2612"]
[ECO "E36"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[Beauty "6668070952972"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 {Still the main choice against the Nimzo-Indian Defense.} 4...O-O 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 d5 7.Bg5 c5 ( {Another fashionable choice is:} 7...h6 8.Bh4 c5 9.dxc5 d4 10.Qf3 Nbd7 11.O-O-O e5 12.e3 e4 13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.Qf4 d3 {White can also undermine the opponent's center here with} 15.f3 Be6 16.fxe4 g5 17.Qe5 Bxc4 18.Qc3 Ba6 19.Bxd3 Bxd3 20.Qxd3 Qxd3 21.Rxd3 Nxe4 22.Nh3 Nxc5 {and Black was doing fine in Mamedyarov,S (2767)-Piorun,K (2640) Warsaw 2021} ) ( {The main line, however, remains} 7...dxc4 8.Qxc4 b6 9.Rd1 Ba6 {Here is an effort by Rapport from last year} 10.Qa4 h6 11.Bh4 Qe7 12.Nf3 Rd8 13.e3 Bxf1 14.Rxf1 c5 15.dxc5 Rxd1+ 16.Qxd1 g5 17.Bg3 Qxc5 18.Qd8+ Kg7 19.Be5 Qc1+ 20.Ke2 Qc4+ 21.Ke1 Qc1+ 22.Ke2 Qc4+ {1/2-1/2 (22) Rapport,R (2763)-Nakamura,H (2736) Saint Louis 2021} ) 8.dxc5 d4 9.Qg3 {Rapport has an opinion of his own. The move 9.Qf3 gained popularity, thanks to the efforts by the world champion.} ( {This is what the world champion played recently} 9.Qf3 Nbd7 10.e3 h6 11.Bxf6 Nxf6 12.O-O-O e5 13.Ne2 Bg4 14.Qg3 Ne4 15.Qxg4 Nxf2 16.Qf3 Nxd1 17.exd4 Nxb2 18.Kxb2 {Carlsen,M (2847)-Aronian,L (2781) chess24.com INT 2021} ) 9...Nbd7 10.Nf3 e5 11.Rd1 {A risky move. White postpones castling, thus putting his king in serious danger. On the other hand, in an over-the-board game, this is a novelty. It happened in an email game though.} ( {White dared to capture the second pawn in the following game} 11.Nxe5 Nxc5 12.Nd3 Nce4 13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.e3 Re8 15.O-O-O dxe3 16.fxe3 Bg4 17.Rd2 Qb6 {but Black had more than enough for the pawn in Georgiev,K (2669)-Kosintseva,N (2552) Caleta 2011. Mainly because of the loose white king.} ) 11...Re8 12.b4 a5 $1 {All is correct—the white king can be attacked from any open file.} 13.Nd2 axb4 14.axb4 Kf8 $146 {Only this, technically speaking, is a novelty, played after more than 20 minutes on the clock. Praggnanandhaa prepares the swap of the opponent's dark-squared bishop.} ( {An email predecessor saw:} 14...Qc7 15.e3 Nh5 16.Qh4 Nf4 17.Ne4 Ng6 18.Qg3 f6 19.Bd3 fxg5 20.O-O Nf6 21.Nd6 Re7 22.Bxg6 hxg6 23.exd4 exd4 24.Qxg5 Bf5 25.Rxd4 {with enough compensation for a piece in Lautenbach,W (2260)-Ugrinovsky,A (2167) ICCF email 2011} ) ( {The move in the game looks safer than} 14...Kh8 {which prepares the same idea, but the king is more exposed in the corner. For instance after} 15.Qb3 h6 {the bishop does not even need to leave, and White can try} 16.h4 {besides the simple retreat.} ) 15.Qb3 {Rapport also hesitates. And he keeps neglecting the development of the kingside.} ( {Had the Hungarian wanted to play it safe, he would have opted for} 15.e4 h6 16.Bxf6 Nxf6 17.Be2 Bd7 18.O-O Ra2 19.Qb3 {but Black seems to have enough activity after} 19...Qa8 {to compensate him for the slight material deficit.} ) 15...h6 16.Bh4 e4 $1 {A very logical follow-up, e4-e3 is a huge threat. Therefore} 17.e3 {Is forced, and now, unfortunately for him, Praggnanandhaa closed the position with} 17...d3 ( {A pity, as the bold} 17...Ne5 $1 {would have led to much more interesting play, when Black seems more than fine, for example} 18.Nxe4 ( {Worse seems} 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 19.Nxe4 ( {Or} 19.exd4 Nf3+ $1 {and White collapses at once.} ) 19...Qh4 {and Black crashes through.} ) 18...g5 19.Nd6 gxh4 20.Rxd4 h3 $1 {and Black mounts enough kingside pressure.} ) ( {Note that the preliminary} 17...g5 18.Bg3 {and then} 18...Ne5 {is not as effective due to} 19.Bxe5 ( {Or even} 19.Qb2 ) 19...Rxe5 20.Qb2 $1 ) 18.h3 {Finally preparing the kingside development with g2-g4 and a fianchetto.} ( 18.Bg3 Ne5 {is not as effective for White.} ) 18...g5 {Black prevents this plan.} 19.Bg3 Ne5 {But it also commits a serious inaccuracy at once.} ( 19...Kg8 $1 {is necessary, when Black is still in game after} 20.Bd6 b6 ) 20.Qb2 {Now Rapport makes the best out of his dark-squared supremacy to force massive trades.} ( 20.Qc3 $5 {would have been similar.} ) 20...Qe7 21.Ra1 $1 {Safeguards the king from the left.} 21...Rxa1+ 22.Qxa1 Bf5 23.Bxe5 Qxe5 24.Qxe5 Rxe5 25.g4 $1 {Both the white extra pawn and the iffy king survived the middlegame, and now it is Black's turn to suffer.} 25...Bg6 26.Bg2 {White's plan is obvious: bring the king out, ideally to c3 or even d4, and then get the open file for the rook. Since Rapport owns all the long-term trumps, Praggnanandhaa needs to find counterplay as soon as possible.} ( 26.Kd1 $5 ) 26...Re8 ( {In case of} 26...Re6 {White can parry the opponent's activity with} 27.Nb3 Ra6 28.Na5 Nd7 29.Nxb7 Ra1+ 30.Kd2 Ra2+ 31.Kc3 Rxf2 32.c6 $1 ) 27.Nb1 $5 {Looks like the fastest way to achieve the desired setup.} ( 27.Nb3 Ra8 28.Na5 Nd7 {would have likely transposed to the line from above.} ) 27...Nd7 {Black is wasting a precious tempo.} ( {The only chance is the dynamic play with} 27...Ra8 $1 28.Nc3 Nd7 {Then} 29.Nxe4 ( {Whereas the planned} 29.Kd2 {is not as clear as it seems as the line} 29...Ne5 30.Bxe4 Bxe4 31.Nxe4 Ra2+ 32.Kc3 Ra3+ 33.Kd4 Nc6+ 34.Kd5 d2 $1 {shows. Black is suddenly threatening mate in one, and a possible (but certainly not forcing) follow-up might be} 35.Kd6 Rd3+ 36.Kc7 d1=Q 37.Rxd1 Rxd1 38.Kxb7 Nxb4 39.c6 Rb1 40.c7 Nd5+ 41.Kc6 Ne7+ 42.Kd7 Rc1 43.c5 Rc2 44.c8=Q+ Nxc8 45.Kxc8 Ke7 {with a likely draw.} ) 29...Ra2 30.O-O Rb2 {should not scare Black too much.} ) 28.Kd2 Ra8 29.Kc3 {Now White is almost in time.} 29...Ra2 30.Rd1 ( {Nothing is clear yet in case of} 30.Kd4 Rxf2 31.Bxe4 Bxe4 32.Kxe4 Rb2 33.Kxd3 Rxb4 34.Kd4 Rb2 ) 30...Rxf2 31.Rd2 Rf6 {There is simply no time for this. After this, Black's central pawn pair cannot survive.} ( {It sounds counterintuitive, but the rook swap would have helped better.} 31...Rxd2 32.Nxd2 Nf6 33.Kd4 ( {Or} 33.Nb3 Nd7 34.Na5 Ne5 {when} 35.Nxb7 $2 {fails to} 35...Nxc4 $1 ) 33...Ke8 $1 {The neatest. We can see clearly now why the rooks are better off the board for Black—his pawn on e4 is immune. Furthermore, it seems that White cannot force zugzwang, say} 34.b5 ( 34.Ke5 Ke7 ) 34...Ke7 35.Ke5 Nd7+ 36.Kd5 Nf6+ 37.Kd4 Bh7 {shuffling the bishop back and forth.} ) 32.Kd4 Re6 33.Nc3 Nf6 34.b5 {Black has too many things to worry about as the a-file becomes another weakness.} 34...Kg7 35.Ra2 h5 36.gxh5 Bf5 37.Rb2 ( {Or} 37.Ra7 d2 38.Ra1 {liquidating the pawn.} ) 37...Kh6 38.Rf2 Bh7 39.Nd5 {Rapport does not want to rush in the time trouble.} ( {Also good is} 39.Rxf6+ $1 Rxf6 40.Bxe4 Bxe4 41.Nxe4 Rf1 42.Kxd3 {gradually winning.} ) 39...Nxh5 40.Rxf7 d2 41.Nc3 Ng3 {Black tries his last chance.} 42.Nd1 Ne2+ 43.Kd5 Re8 44.Kd6 ( {Actually} 44.Rxb7 {wins as well after} 44...Nf4+ 45.exf4 e3 46.Bf3 e2 47.fxg5+ Kxg5 48.Bxe2 Be4+ 49.Kd4 Bxb7 50.Bg4 ) 44...Bg6 45.Rd7 Nf4 $1 {That's the tactic Praggnanandhaa was looking for.} 46.Kc7 $1 {The simplest. The advanced passer quickly wrap up the game tahnks to the king support.} ( {The alternative is} 46.exf4 gxf4 47.Bxe4 Rxe4 48.Kc7 Rxc4 49.c6 bxc6 50.b6 Rb4 51.Rxd2 ) 46...Nxg2 47.Rxd2 Ne1 48.Kxb7 Nd3 49.c6 Bf5 50.c7 Re5 51.Nb2 Nc5+ 52.Kc6 Nb3 53.Rd8 Rc5+ 54.Kd6 g4 55.hxg4 Bxg4 56.b6 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.01.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "7012473657890"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {The Italian is as common nowadaysdays as the Ruy Lopez was before.} 3...Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.O-O d5 {The most direct try for an equality.} 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 {The immediate pressure against the e5-pawn is White's best chance.} 8...Bg4 9.Nbd2 ( {White can also throw in:} 9.a4 a5 10.h3 Bh5 11.Nbd2 Nb6 12.Bb3 Qxd3 13.Nxe5 Qf5 14.Nef3 Rad8 15.Qe2 {also with symmetrical position in Firouzja,A (2804)-Aronian,L (2772) Warsaw 2021} ) 9...Nb6 {That is the thing, Black can aslo attack the opponent's central pawn.} 10.h3 Bh5 11.Bb3 {According to Megabase, this retreat is recently more successful than 11.Bb5.} 11...Qxd3 12.Nxe5 Qf5 13.Nef3 Rfe8 $5 {\"This is a rare move, but people obviously know about it. It is on my course for White; I say White is slightly better in this game,\" said Giri, with mischievous smile on his face.} 14.g4 {Esipenko accepts the challenge.} 14...Bxg4 15.hxg4 Qxg4+ 16.Kh1 Ne5 17.Nh2 Qg6 18.Bc2 Nd3 19.Bxd3 Qxd3 {Up to here, everything was more or less forced. White needs to quench the opponent's initiative as quick as possible.} 20.Ndf3 $146 {Thus, the trade of the queens is offered, but at the price of a pawn. Giri, however, had memories that he offered another square for the knight.} ( {And this might be the b3-square, as in the email predecessor:} 20.Nb3 Qxd1 21.Rxd1 Bxf2 22.Ng4 Bh4 23.Rg1 Kf8 24.Kg2 {and the game eventually ended in a draw, Rohs,R (2318)-Larsson,M (2287) ICCF email 2016} ) 20...Qxd1 21.Rxd1 Bxf2 {Black has three pawns for the piece, and as a rule this translates into more pieces traded=the more valuable the pawns become. Their potential value can improve from three to thenty-seven pawns in theory, which means that Esipenko will need to wisely positon his pieces to actively suppress the pawns.} 22.Bf4 c6 23.Rd2 {\"This move is not critical.\" (Giri) And the Dutchman quickly proves why.} ( {More in the spirit of the position might have been} 23.Ng4 Bc5 24.b4 Re4 25.Be5 Rxg4 26.bxc5 Nd5 {with approximate equality. A white bishop on d4 will make a difference.} ) 23...Be3 $1 {\"After the trade of the bishops I was comfortable. Generally, if I trade the right pieces, and if White does not jump quickly on my king with some Nh2-g4 and Ra1-g1 then I am safe.\" (Giri)} 24.Bxe3 Rxe3 25.Nd4 Nc4 26.Rf2 Rae8 27.Raf1 ( {It made sense to centralize the knights at once with} 27.Nf5 $5 Re1+ 28.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 29.Kg2 Kf8 30.Nf3 {when it is still about even.} ) 27...Nd6 28.Nf5 ( {Here, too} 28.Ng4 {is possible, but without the bishop on board, not as impresisve and Black can fight for the initiative with either} 28...Rg3 ( {Or} 28...Re1 ) ) 28...Nxf5 29.Rxf5 f6 30.Kg2 Kf7 31.Rd1 h5 $1 {Using a small tactic Giri brings his pawns into motion. This is why Esipenko needed more pieces on board; it would have been riskier then, pushing the foot-soldiers in front of the king.} 32.Rf2 ( {The forcing line} 32.Rxh5 Re2+ 33.Kg3 Rxb2 34.Rd7+ Re7 35.Rxe7+ Kxe7 36.Ra5 a6 {forces White to a gloomy defense.} ) 32...g5 33.Rd7+ {\"I think this was his mistake. He should have freed the knight to either f1, or via f3-d4-square and then enter with the rook behind, and then I was not thinking I would be able to win this game.\" (Giri)} ( {But how exaclty? The line} 33.Nf3 Kg6 34.Nd4 Re1 $1 35.Rdd2 g4 $1 {looks more than fine for Black as his pawns keep moving.} ) ( {Whereas} 33.Nf1 {can be met with} 33...Re2 34.Ng3 Rxf2+ 35.Kxf2 h4 36.Nf5 Kg6 {once again lifting the loose White blockade.} ) 33...R3e7 34.Rd6 Re6 {Black would love to swap one pair of rooks, when his pawns would move effortlessly.} 35.Rd7+ R8e7 36.Rd8 $1 {Not allowing further trades.} 36...g4 $1 {But now the knight is depressed.} 37.Rh8 ( {Still, it was not too late to bring this piece back to the game with} 37.Nf1 $1 {Then in the forcing line} 37...h4 38.Rh8 g3 39.Rf4 Re2+ 40.Kg1 g2 41.Nh2 Rxb2 42.Rh7+ Ke8 43.Rxe7+ Kxe7 44.Rxh4 Rxa2 45.Rh7+ {White is just in time to hold on to the material equlibrum.} ) 37...Kg6 38.Rg8+ Rg7 39.Rf8 Kg5 {More progress is made by Black in the time-trouble.} 40.Nf1 h4 41.a4 a5 $1 {Another instructive decision by Giri. He wants to build a self-sufficient queenside setup, put the rook on e5-square and finally push f6-f5. Therefore, the pawn is ideally located on the fifth rank.} ( {Here and on the next move Black correctly avoids} 41...g3 42.Nxg3 $1 hxg3 43.Kxg3 {which should likely lead to a draw despite the extra pawn for Black.} ) 42.b4 b6 43.bxa5 bxa5 44.Ra8 Re5 {All set for f6-f5.} 45.Nd2 {And Esipenko blunders under pressure, practically blitzing this natural move.} ( {He should have improved the knight, no question about that, but only after the preliminary} 45.Rc8 Rc5 {and now} ( {Instead Black could have fought further with the cunning} 45...Rg6 $5 46.Rxc6 f5 47.Rc8 f4 {This looks very scary for the first player, but perhaps he might be able to survive. The key is to sacrifice the knight in the proper moment for a blockade, as in the following (non-forcing) line} 48.Rb2 h3+ 49.Kf2 Kh4 50.Rh8+ Rh5 51.Rxh5+ Kxh5 52.Ng3+ $1 fxg3+ 53.Kxg3 {and White seems to hold.} ) ( 45...Re6 46.Ra8 ) 46.Nd2 $1 ) 45...g3 $1 {Esipenko obviously missed an important detail in his calculations.} 46.Nf3+ Kf4 $1 {Under a discovered check! Such moves are easily missed, even by top-grandmasters.} ( {Maybe the Russian GM only saw} 46...Kh5 $2 47.Rh8+ {from afar, which is winning, but for White.} ) 47.Rf1 ( {Or else White loses too much material.} 47.Nxe5+ gxf2+ 48.Kxf2 fxe5 ) 47...h3+ $1 {The final, neat move! Black wins by force.} ( {Weaker was} 47...Re2+ 48.Kg1 g2 49.Rf2 {when White defends.} ) 48.Kxh3 ( {A prettier finish would have been} 48.Kg1 g2 49.Rf2 Kg3 50.Nxe5 h2# ) 48...g2 49.Rf2 Ke3 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.01.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2865"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8247276732435"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.g3 {Carlsen keeps milking his amazing Catalan WCC preparation.} 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+ {Mamedyarov chooses a line that was tested by Topalov in both his WCC matches against Kramnik and Anand—and which was also often a choice of Carlsen himself.} 6.Bd2 a5 7.O-O O-O 8.e3 {A very fresh line.} ( {Another try is:} 8.Bg5 c6 9.Ne5 b5 10.a3 Bd6 11.a4 Ra6 12.Nc3 h6 13.Bf4 Nd5 {when a recent top GM game witnessed unusual cruelty towards the pieces after} 14.axb5 Nxc3 15.bxa6 Nxd1 16.a7 Bb7 17.axb8=Q Bxb8 18.Rfxd1 Bxe5 19.dxe5 Qb6 {and White did not have enough for the sacrificed material, Caruana,F (2792) -Cheparinov,I (2664) Warsaw 2021} ) 8...Ra6 {Sensibly clearing the long diagonal, as the Catalan bishop is always a pain. Up to here, Mamedyarov was practically blitzing.} 9.Qc2 $146 ( {The only predecessor was a blitz game that finished quickly after a blunder:} 9.a4 c5 10.Qc2 cxd4 11.Nxd4 e5 12.Nb5 Be6 13.Rd1 Qe7 14.N1a3 Rc8 15.Rac1 h5 16.b3 Bxa3 {0-1 (16) Skatchkov,V (2242)-Korobov,A (2688) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 9...b5 10.a4 c6 11.Nc3 Rb6 12.e4 {Carlsen is happy with the compensation for the pawn. He intends to gain more space in the center and gradually shift his pieces toward the enemy kingside.} 12...Be7 {And Mamedyarov offers, in return, the pawn back.} 13.e5 {Not taking it.} ( {Black does not seem to experience problems after} 13.axb5 cxb5 14.Rxa5 Bb7 ) 13...Nd5 14.axb5 cxb5 {And Black does not stop with a pawn sacrifice only. \"I think the exchange sacrifice was quite expected. It was also his style, one hundred percent, but maybe in hindsight, there were other options there.\" (Carlsen)} ( {With the help of the in-between} 14...Nb4 {Black could have saved the exchange still, but he likely did not like the attack after} 15.Qe4 {\"followed by\"} 15...cxb5 16.Qg4 {\"and then Nc3-e4-g5, with an attack\" (Carlsen) Only the future analyses will prove how well can Black defend in the hypothetical line} 16...f5 17.exf6 Bxf6 18.Ne4 e5 ) 15.Nxd5 exd5 ( {Certainly not} 15...Qxd5 $4 16.Ng5 ) 16.Bxa5 Nc6 17.Bxb6 Qxb6 {\"I think he had reasonable compensation.\" (Carlsen)} 18.Ra8 h6 {Played without much thought. The air is useful for the black king, but this allows White a valuable tempo to co-ordinate his major pieces.} ( {Better was to attack the d4-pawn at once with} 18...Be6 19.Rxf8+ ( 19.Rfa1 Nxd4 ) 19...Bxf8 20.Qd2 {and only then go for} 20...h6 ) ( {The immediate} 18...Nxd4 {does not work so well for Black due to} 19.Nxd4 Qxd4 20.Rd1 Qxe5 21.Rxd5 Qe1+ 22.Bf1 Qb4 23.Rb8 {and Black would soon lose his queenside pawns.} ) 19.Rfa1 Be6 {A move too late, and that's all the world champion needs!} ( {However, in the line} 19...b4 {Mamedyarov might have feared the powerful opposite-colored bishop attack with} 20.Rxc8 $1 ( {Slow-grinding with} 20.h4 $5 {looks good for White too.} ) 20...Rxc8 21.Qf5 Rd8 22.e6 Bf6 23.exf7+ Kf8 $1 {The only move, but then White infiltrates along the e-file with} 24.Re1 ) 20.Qd1 $1 {White is perfectly coordinated and ready to improve the remainder of his army.} 20...b4 {And this activity only makes things worse.} ( {Maybe Black should have tried to hold passively with} 20...Qb7 21.Rxf8+ Bxf8 22.h4 {although this does not seem solid enough for Mamedyarov. White has too many improving maneuvers.} ) 21.b3 $1 c3 {\"Capitulation, but did not see what he could do there.\" (Carlsen)} ( {After} 21...cxb3 22.R8a6 $1 Qb7 23.Qxb3 Rb8 {the white pieces dominate.} ) 22.R8a6 Qc7 23.Ne1 $1 {A star maneuver! The knight opens the road for the bishop and the white kingside pawns, and it is also ready to block the enemy passer.} 23...f6 {A desperate try, but Carlsen is in control.} ( {Or} 23...Rb8 24.Nc2 Bd8 25.h3 {followed by a kingside expansion with g3-g4 and f2-f4-f5.} ( {Or the direct} 25.Ne3 ) ) 24.Nd3 {Very energetical play!} ( {The game move is even better than} 24.exf6 Bxf6 25.Nc2 ) 24...fxe5 {The opening of the position leads to further material losses for Black, but there was no way out.} ( {The central pawn is immune due to the little trick} 24...Nxd4 25.Rxe6 $1 Nxe6 26.Bxd5 {and the knight is lost on the pin.} ) 25.Nxe5 Nxe5 26.Rxe6 c2 27.Qe1 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.01.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2672"]
[ECO "B50"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "164"]
[Beauty "5222814450186"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]

1.Nf3 c5 2.e4 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Nxd7 5.c3 Ngf6 6.Qe2 e6 7.d4 cxd4 8.cxd4 {Let's quickly skip the opening, saying that the solid Rossolimo quickly led to an innocent-looking French pawn structure.} 8...d5 9.e5 Bb4+ 10.Bd2 Bxd2+ 11.Nbxd2 Ng8 {At least innocent-looking up to here, when there came...} 12.O-O-O $146 {\"Very interesting! And it took me completely by surprise. This is Daniil Dubov: he is going long-castle whenever possible\" (Grandelius)} ( {White got a slight edge after the conventional:} 12.O-O Ne7 13.Rac1 O-O 14.Qb5 Nb6 15.Rc3 Nc6 16.a3 Rc8 17.Rfc1 h6 18.h3 a6 19.Qb3 Rb8 20.Qc2 {in the predecessor Riazantsev,A (2634)-Matlakov,M (2674) Warsaw 2021} ) 12...Ne7 13.Kb1 Nc6 14.h4 {Dubov is not hiding his intentions at all. He wants to push all his pawns on the kingside and mate whenever the black king shows itself there. If not—well, he will have a kingside edge and potentially an open c-file.} 14...Qb6 ( {Definitely not castling into it yet.} 14...O-O 15.h5 ) 15.Qe3 Rc8 {Grandelius is somehow finding the most precise moves, gaining enough counterplay. But this comes at a price as he is burning loads of time on his clock.} 16.h5 h6 17.g4 Qb5 $1 {Just in time. The further advance of the white pawns is coming with a price, and Black is creating threats on his own.} 18.Rc1 $1 {Pinning the rook at once.} ( {As, otherwise, the knight has interesting routes like} 18.g5 Ne7 $1 ) ( {Or} 18.Rhg1 Nb4 $1 ) 18...O-O $1 {The rooks need to be defended to resume the threats!} 19.a3 $5 {This stops the Nc6-b4 maneuver and avoids the trade of the rooks.} ( {In case of} 19.g5 Nb4 $1 {Black is just in time if he chooses the proper trades in the line} 20.gxh6 Nd3 21.Nb3 Rxc1+ $1 {Trading both the white rooks is mandatory!} ( {But not} 21...Nxc1 22.Nxc1 {when White would soon mate.} ) 22.Rxc1 Nxc1 23.Nxc1 ( 23.hxg7 Kxg7 {is similar.} ) 23...gxh6 24.Qxh6 Rc8 {And this is somehow balanced, e.g.} 25.Qg5+ Kf8 $1 26.h6 Qc4 {Yes, Black also has threats and this forces White into a passive defense} 27.Qd2 Qf1 ( {Or even} 27...Kg8 ) ) 19...Ne7 $1 {The ideal square for the knight. Time to offer the rooks swap once again.} 20.Nh4 ( {As before} 20.g5 {is met with} 20...Nf5 ) ( {And} 20.Rhg1 Rxc1+ 21.Rxc1 Nb6 {will prepare Rf8-c8.} ) 20...Nb6 21.Ka2 {Dubov is still trying to deviate from the threats, but he apparently starts to burn the bridges.} ( {After} 21.f4 {Grandelius can proceed with the trades} 21...Rxc1+ ( {Or he can search for counterplay with} 21...Nc4 $5 22.Nxc4 dxc4 ) 22.Rxc1 Rc8 ) 21...Nc4 22.Qb3 {Maybe here Dubov realized that he miscalculated a thing or two.} ( {As in the line} 22.Nxc4 dxc4 $1 23.g5 c3 $3 {when it is Black who wins by force with tactical shots} 24.bxc3 Nd5 25.Qd2 Nxc3+ $1 26.Rxc3 Qd5+ ) 22...Qa6 {Black is playing for an attack now!} ( {Although he had quite a decent choice with} 22...Qxb3+ 23.Nxb3 g5 $1 ) 23.Nhf3 {A sad retreat.} ( {However} 23.Rcd1 Nc6 {was even worse.} ) 23...Rc6 {This is why Black avoided the trade of the queens, but as he was very low on time, Grandelius soon accepted a safe choice.} 24.Qd3 Qb5 25.Qb3 Qa6 26.Qd3 Rfc8 27.Rc3 {This only makes things worse.} ( {It is still not convincing to go for} 27.g5 $5 Qb5 28.Qb3 {due to} 28...Qa5 $1 ) ( {But perhaps White should have gone in full passive mode with} 27.Nb3 Qb5 28.Rc3 a5 29.Rb1 ) 27...Nxd2 28.Qxd2 ( {Black wins too many pawns in the line} 28.Qxa6 bxa6 29.Nxd2 Rxc3 30.bxc3 Rxc3 31.Nb3 Rc2+ ) 28...Rxc3 29.bxc3 Qc4+ {Now the white king is badly exposed.} 30.Kb2 Qb5+ 31.Ka2 Qc4+ 32.Kb2 Rc6 33.Qc2 Rb6+ ( 33...Qb5+ 34.Kc1 ) 34.Kc1 Ra6 35.Kb2 Rb6+ {Too bad that Grandelius was that low on time.} ( {The win, however, was far from trivial} 35...Nc6 $1 36.g5 Rb6+ 37.Kc1 Qa6 $3 ( {Or the equally hard, study-like maneuver} 37...Na5 38.gxh6 Nb3+ 39.Kd1 Na1 $3 ) 38.Kd2 ( {No time for} 38.gxh6 Qxa3+ 39.Kd2 Rb2 ) 38...Na5 $1 {and the threat of decisive infiltration with Rb6-b2! decides the outcome of the game.} ) 36.Kc1 Qb3 {\"This decision was heavily influenced by my [lack of] time.\" (Grandelius)} 37.Qxb3 Rxb3 38.Kc2 Rxa3 39.Kb2 Ra4 40.Nd2 {Now White is threatening to resume the motion of his kingside pawns, even in the endgame.} 40...Nc6 41.Nb3 b5 42.Rc1 Na5 43.Nd2 {A strange decision.} ( {After the natural} 43.Nxa5 Rxa5 44.f4 Ra4 45.Rg1 a5 46.g5 {Dubov had all the chances to survive.} ) 43...b4 44.cxb4 {It was not too late to enter the rook endgame once more.} ( {Strong was} 44.c4 dxc4 45.Nxc4 Nxc4+ 46.Rxc4 a5 47.Rc8+ Kh7 {with the following beautiful counterplay} 48.d5 $3 exd5 49.Rf8 b3 50.Rxf7 Rb4 51.e6 a4 52.e7 Re4 53.Rf4 $1 {and White should once again survive.} ) 44...Rxb4+ 45.Kc3 Nc6 {Now Black is once again winning.} 46.Kd3 ( {White is naturally avoiding the knight endgame.} 46.Nf3 Rc4+ 47.Kb2 Rxc1 48.Kxc1 f6 {which should be a technical win for the second player.} ) 46...Nxd4 {The next string of moves is quite forcing:} 47.Rc8+ Kh7 48.Rc7 a5 49.Rxf7 Nc6 50.f4 a4 51.Rc7 Rb6 52.Rc8 a3 53.Ra8 Nb4+ {And, Grandelius is once again short of time and rushes a bit.} ( {The neat} 53...a2 $1 {threatening the same maneuver as in the game, would have won as} 54.Kc3 ( {Or} 54.Ke3 Nb4 ) 54...Rb4 $1 {would mop up all the white pawns.} ) 54.Kc3 Na6 55.Nb3 a2 56.Na1 Rb1 57.Nc2 {Seems to be White's last chance.} ( {However, the rook endgame might have still worked} 57.Rxa6 $1 Rxa1 58.Kb2 Rf1 59.Kxa2 Rxf4 60.Rxe6 Rxg4 {Now White needs to see in advance the accurate counterplay} 61.Kb3 $3 {It is mandatory to activate the king.} ( {Or else White loses to} 61.Rd6 Rh4 62.Rxd5 Rxh5 ) 61...Rh4 62.Kc3 Rxh5 63.Kd4 $1 {And the white passer, nicely supported by both the rook and the king, should yield White enough play.} ) 57...a1=Q+ 58.Nxa1 Rxa1 59.f5 $1 {This breakthrough is obviously what Dubov was pinning his hopes on.} 59...exf5 60.gxf5 Rc1+ $1 {But this spoiler keeps Grandelius in charge!} ( {The Swedish GM correctly avoided} 60...Re1 61.f6 $1 gxf6 62.exf6 ) ( {As well as} 60...Rf1 61.Rxa6 Rxf5 62.Kd4 $1 ) 61.Kd2 ( {Or another spoiler after} 61.Kd4 Rd1+ $1 ) 61...Rf1 62.f6 {The last chance!} 62...Nc5 {The knight somehow survived.} 63.Ra7 Kg8 $1 ( {Not} 63...Ne6 64.Re7 ) 64.Rxg7+ Kf8 65.Rc7 Ne6 66.Rb7 Ng5 {Not a bad move, but a more central square would have worked better.} ( 66...Nd4 $1 {would have been a neat win after, say,} 67.Rd7 ( {Or} 67.Ke3 Nc6 $1 ) 67...Rf5 68.Rxd5 Nf3+ ) 67.Ke3 Rf5 {This, however, is a mistake, and Dubov, who had almost an hour more on the clock, gets a chance to survive once again.} ( {Pushing the enemy king toward his own seems suicidal, and yes, in time-trouble all sorts of scary mating pictures appear, but the line} 67...Re1+ $1 68.Kf4 ( 68.Kd4 Nf3+ ) 68...Ne6+ 69.Kf5 Nd4+ 70.Kg6 Nc6 $1 {was just winning.} ) 68.Rb8+ Kf7 69.Rb7+ Kf8 70.Rb8+ Kf7 71.Rb7+ Ke8 72.Re7+ $1 {That is the thing: this check now works for White!} ( {Not} 72.Rb8+ Kd7 ) 72...Kf8 73.Kd4 Nf7 74.Kxd5 Rxh5 75.Ke4 Rg5 76.Kf4 {Alas, Dubov became careless and let the half-point fly away.} ( {After} 76.e6 $1 Nd8 ( {Maybe the Russian GM missed that in the line} 76...Nd6+ {he has the only move} 77.Kd3 $3 Rd5+ 78.Kc2 Re5 79.Rh7 $11 ) 77.Rh7 Nxe6 78.Rxh6 $11 ) ( {even the neutral} 76.Re6 {would have been a draw according to the machine.} ) 76...Nh8 $3 {Or maybe White simply missed this non-obvious move! The knight is never shy to step back in order to jump to a better square.} 77.Ke4 Ng6 78.Rh7 ( {Or} 78.Re6 h5 ) 78...Rxe5+ 79.Kd4 h5 80.Rg7 Rg5 81.Rh7 Ne5 82.Rg7 Nf7 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.01.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[ECO "B31"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "7010191939089"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.c3 {This is what we call the Classical Rossolimo. In the beginning, it was all about White expanding in the center.} 5...Nf6 6.Re1 O-O 7.d4 d5 {Black naturally would not give the most vital part of the board without a fight.} 8.e5 Ne4 9.Be3 cxd4 10.cxd4 Qb6 11.Qe2 ( {Another way to play the position was demonstrated by Kryvoruchko:} 11.Bxc6 Qxc6 12.Nfd2 Be6 13.f3 Nxd2 14.Qxd2 Rfc8 15.Nc3 Qa6 16.Ne2 Rc7 17.Nf4 Rac8 {although Black was fine at the end in Kryvoruchko,Y (2686) -Shevchenko,K (2632) Riga 2021} ) 11...Bd7 12.Ba4 Rac8 13.Nc3 Nxc3 14.bxc3 Qd8 $1 {A brilliant move that defends the bishop, thus preparing the knight maneuver via a5 towards the c4-square, while creating the tactical threats of Nc6xd4! and/or Nc6xe5!} 15.Bb3 ( {Perhaps} 15.Rab1 {was to be preferred, when none of the tricks seem to work.} 15...Nxd4 ( {Similar is} 15...Nxe5 16.dxe5 Bxa4 17.Rxb7 ) ( {The other idea behind the move is to meet} 15...Na5 {with} 16.Bxd7 Qxd7 17.Qb5 $1 ) 16.Bxd4 Bxa4 17.Rxb7 ) 15...Na5 $146 {Carlsen is strictly following his plan, but this move is surprisingly a novelty.} ( {Interestingly, there is an email predecessor up to this point that went:} 15...Bf5 16.Nh4 Be6 17.Bd2 Na5 18.f4 Nc4 19.Bxc4 Rxc4 20.f5 gxf5 21.Rf1 {and it was unclear in Brundisch,V (2067)-Taksrud,V (2090) ICCF email 2019} ) 16.Rac1 Nxb3 {A hefty bishop pair has been acquired…} 17.axb3 {at the expense of the improved pawn structure for White. However, one should not forget that pieces almost always have priority to pawns.} 17...Qb6 {Carlsen is trying to discourage the c3-c4 break, thus gaining stability.} ( {The immediate} 17...a5 18.c4 a4 {was also possible but unclear.} ) 18.Qa2 a5 19.Qa3 ( 19.c4 a4 20.Rb1 dxc4 21.bxc4 Qa6 {would have been similar to the game.} ) 19...Rfe8 20.c4 dxc4 21.bxc4 Qa6 {At the end of the day, Black would provoke the advance of the c-pawn and this will promise his solid control of the light squares.} 22.c5 ( {However, after moves like} 22.Qa2 b5 ) ( {Or} 22.Nd2 b5 {White would have also experienced difficulties—as an outside passer(s) would be added as an asset to Black's treasure box.} ) 22...Bc6 23.Rb1 a4 {\"I went for a somewhat risky plan here, as I have to spend some time later for Qa6-a8-c8, bringing the bishop back into the game.\" (Carlsen)} ( {Wrong was the hunt for pawn weaknesses in the line} 23...Bxf3 $2 24.gxf3 Qe6 25.Qb3 Qh3 26.Qxb7 ) 24.Rec1 {Caruana has two major problems: his two minor pieces... None of them has any prospects—the bishop being particularly bad, but the knight too, does not have any good outposts. Take all the minors away and White would do great, but how to deal with them now?} ( {Perhaps} 24.Nd2 Rcd8 25.Qc3 Qa8 26.f3 {would have been a minor improvement in comparison to the game.} ) 24...Rcd8 25.Nd2 Qe2 {Black spots a chance and grabs it! The queen is heading toward the kingside.} 26.f3 ( {The line} 26.Re1 Qh5 27.f3 f6 {opens the black bishops in his favor.} ) ( {But} 26.Nf3 {seems mandatory when} 26...Bxf3 {does not win material due to} 27.Re1 ) 26...Rxd4 {\"The exchange sacrifice was screaming to be played.\" (Carlsen)} 27.Bxd4 Qxd2 28.Rd1 Qf4 {For the exchange, Black already got one pawn and is about to take a second one which, combined with his strong pieces, will promise him an edge. How serious that advantage would be is the question.} 29.Qb4 {The wrong plan according to the world champion.} ( {Carlsen suggested instead} 29.Qb2 $5 ) ( {Another idea was} 29.Bb2 $5 Bxe5 30.Bxe5 Qxe5 31.Rd2 {trying to survive the middlegame. With the queens on, White may make use of the open d-file and sometimes speculate with mating threats.} ) 29...e6 30.Bc3 Qxb4 {\"It's very much in my interest to exchange queens there. My bishops are so strong in the endgame that he stands no chance.\" (Carlsen) Indeed, the strength of the bishop pair increases in the endgame.} 31.Bxb4 Bxe5 32.Ba3 {For the time being, the white rooks control the open files, but their functions are purely defensive. Whereas Black can soon open a file for his rook as well while protecting all the entry squares.} 32...Bf6 33.Kf2 Be7 34.Rb6 Rc8 35.Rd2 f6 36.f4 e5 {Creates a passer at once while opening the f-file for his rook and the e6-square for the king.} ( 36...Kf7 $5 {Preparing h7-h6 and g6-g5 also looked great.} ) 37.fxe5 fxe5 38.Re2 Rf8+ 39.Ke1 Rf5 40.Rb1 e4 41.Rc1 Bh4+ 42.g3 Bg5 43.Rb1 Rf3 {The black pieces steadily put the situation under control.} 44.Bc1 Bf6 45.Rb6 Rf5 ( {Or the alternative win} 45...Bc3+ 46.Bd2 a3 ) 46.Ba3 Kf7 47.Rf2 Rf3 48.Rxf3 exf3 49.Kf1 Bd4 {And Caruana resigned as the second bishop is en route to the a6-f1 diagonal.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2022"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7839389059153"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 {A Giuoco Pianissimo by Dubov? There is something wrong here, the Russian GM usually sacrifices a pawn around here...} 4...Bc5 5.c3 d6 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 a5 8.Na3 $146 {Ah, that is a juicy novelty! Dubov surprises Vidit on his own territory.} ( {An earlier game of the Indian GM went} 8.Nbd2 Ba7 9.O-O g5 10.Bg3 O-O 11.a3 Nh7 12.Kh1 Kh8 13.b4 h5 14.b5 Ne7 15.Bxe5+ dxe5 16.Nxe5 Kg7 17.f4 g4 18.d4 {a true delight for the eye, Adhiban,B (2672)-Vidit,S (2727) Kolkata 2021} ) 8...Bxa3 {Vidit accepts the challenge and ruins the opponent's pawn structure.} 9.bxa3 Qe7 {In the spirit of the Four Knights defence. There are also doubled pawns there. True, on the c-file, but still, a blockade on the dark squares makes perfect sense.} 10.O-O Nb8 {The logical follow up.} 11.d4 {Dubov searches for a class. He's got the development, the bishops, the mood.} 11...Nbd7 12.Rb1 $1 {The rook is getting ready to torture the opponent, even if he stays in the center.} 12...g5 13.Bg3 Nxe4 {A most principled move!} 14.Qc2 f5 $1 {The exclamation mark is for the courage. One needs a lot of conviction to play like this.} ( {The alternative was} 14...Nxg3 {when} 15.fxg3 $1 {deprives Black of a short castle. How safe the black king is in the center is hard to say, but the impression is that there should be a strong storm gathering around it. True, in the line} 15...Nb6 {White cannot win on the spot with} ( {On the other hand} 15...f6 16.Qg6+ Kd8 {promises White a good choice between a knight transfer to e4, or the instant brick-walling} 17.h4 ) 16.Bxf7+ Qxf7 17.Nxe5 Qh7 18.Qe2 dxe5 19.Qxe5+ Kd8 20.Qf6+ Kd7 21.Rbe1 {because of} 21...Ra6 {when White does not seem to have more than perpetual with} 22.Qe6+ Kd8 23.Qf6+ ) 15.dxe5 {A file is opened.} 15...dxe5 {And this is correct!} ( {As after} 15...Nxe5 16.Bxe5 dxe5 17.Rb5 c5 18.Re1 {Black's situation is delicate, to say the least.} ) 16.Rfe1 {Dubov is already creating a bunch of threats: to attack the e5-pawn with Rb1-b5, remove the black knight with the help of Bc4-d5, or even better, a brutal exchange sacrifice.} 16...Nxg3 {Also a correct trade, but look how exposed now the black king becomes!} ( {The exchange sacrifice seals the deal after} 16...Kf8 $2 17.Rxe4 fxe4 18.Qxe4 ) 17.hxg3 e4 18.g4 $1 {Remember, courage and conviction! Strong, strong faith in yourself is needed to enter this position, which is about to collapse at any given moment!} 18...Nc5 {Vidit does not seem to tremble. This knight is his most valuable asset as we shall see.} ( {The other square for the knight was not good} 18...Ne5 19.Nxe5 Qxe5 20.Rb5 c5 21.gxf5 Bxf5 22.Rd1 {and White wins.} ) 19.Nd4 ( {Not letting the bishop improve:} 19.gxf5 Bxf5 20.Nd4 Bg6 ) 19...Rf8 $1 {Overprotecting the f5-pawn. Once more, an only move.} ( {After} 19...fxg4 {Dubov can remove the defender with} 20.Nb3 $1 {when a nice line that demonstrates how quickly Black's defense may crumble is} 20...Bf5 21.Nxc5 Qxc5 22.Rxe4+ Kf8 23.Rb5 Bxe4 24.Qxe4 {and Black is helpless with his dull rookies.} ) 20.gxf5 $1 {Once more, depriving Black of extra possibilities.} ( {After} 20.Bb5+ {the black king can run to the hills with} 20...Kf7 21.gxf5 Kf6 ) 20...Bxf5 {Everything seems protected, Black is ready to castle and his knight does the best of the jobs.} 21.Rxb7 $3 {Not so fast with castling, and yeah, this knight needs to go away from the center.} ( {Nothing yields} 21.Bb5+ c6 22.Nxc6 bxc6 23.Bxc6+ Kf7 ) 21...Rf6 $3 {Not so fast removing this knight!} ( {And indeed} 21...Nxb7 {loses after} 22.Bb5+ Kf7 23.Nxf5 {when all the queen retreats lead Black to trouble, e.g} 23...Qf6 ( {Or} 23...Qe6 24.Nd4 Qg6 25.Bc6 ) ( {Or finally} 23...Qe5 24.Nxh6+ ) 24.Qxe4 ) 22.Qb1 $5 {Dubov is strictly following his plan and wants to have his queen inside the enemy camp. In the process he sets up a nasty trap.} ( {Black is stabilizing his position in case of} 22.Bb5+ Kf8 23.Nc6 Qd6 ) ( {However} 22.Nxf5 $5 {seemed playable as well. Then, after} 22...Rxf5 23.Rb5 ( 23.Qb1 $5 ) 23...c6 $1 {The further trades might lead to an approximately even endgame} 24.Rxe4 Qxe4 25.Qxe4+ Nxe4 26.Rxf5 O-O-O ( {Or} 26...Kd7 ) ) 22...Nxb7 23.Qxb7 ( {For the moment rejecting the possible draw after} 23.Nxf5 Rxf5 24.Rxe4 Re5 25.Qxb7 Rxe4 26.Qxa8+ Kd7 27.Qd5+ Ke8 28.Qa8+ $11 ) 23...Rd8 24.Nxf5 Rxf5 25.Rxe4 Rd1+ $1 {Vidit spots the trap for just a bit more than a minute!} ( {The instant} 25...Re5 $2 {would have lost due to} 26.Qc6+ Rd7 27.Qg6+ Kd8 28.Qg8+ Qe8 29.Rxe5 $1 ) 26.Kh2 Re5 {Now he can. White has a bunch of checks and starts announcing them in the mutual time-deficit.} 27.Qc6+ Kd8 28.Qa8+ ( {A nice detail that once more proves why a good move works in multiple lines is} 28.Bb5 Qd6 {Now White wants to checkmate with} 29.Qe8+ {But is checked after} ( {Still, a draw is possible after} 29.Qa8+ Ke7 30.Qe8+ Kf6 31.Qh8+ ) 29...Rxe8+ $1 ) 28...Kd7 29.Bb5+ Ke6 ( {The endgame after} 29...Rxb5 30.Rxe7+ Kxe7 31.Qc6 {is more pleasant for White.} ) 30.Qc8+ Kf6 31.Qh8+ Kf5 {And just when Dubov was forced to give a perpetual, he suddenly hesitates...} 32.f3 {...and loses the game!} ( {Instead} 32.Qc8+ $3 {would have split the point as} 32...Kg6 {is more or less forced.} ( {The greedy} 32...Kxe4 $4 {leads to mate after} 33.Qg4+ Kd5 34.Qc4+ Kd6 35.Qc6# ) 33.Qg8+ Kf5 {with repetition.} ) 32...Rxe4 33.fxe4+ Kxe4 34.Qa8+ Ke3 {Ironically, the almost mated black king is leading Vidit's army towards the win!} 35.Bc6 Qe5+ 36.g3 g4 37.Qa7+ Kd2 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2022"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "6808596934178"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 {An unexpected opening choice by Duda, at least for his opponent.} 3...g6 4.e3 Bg7 5.Be2 O-O 6.Nbd2 c5 7.c3 b6 {\"I knew this line is playable. Black accepts a slightly worse position.\" (Caruana)} ( {Black can also play for an equality with} 7...Nc6 8.h3 Nd7 9.O-O e5 10.dxe5 Ndxe5 11.Nxe5 Bxe5 12.Bxe5 Nxe5 13.Nf3 Nxf3+ 14.Bxf3 Be6 {Kamsky,G (2662) -Andreikin,D (2728) Chess.com 2021} ) 8.Ne5 Nfd7 9.h4 {A very straightforward and logical attempt, but Black was not too worried about it.} ( 9.Ndf3 $5 {\"and then try to prepare h2-h4 more slowly\" (Caruana)} ) 9...Nxe5 $146 ( {In an earlier gamew Black did not defend as effectively after} 9...f6 10.Nxd7 Qxd7 11.e4 Bb7 12.h5 Rd8 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.Qb3 e6 15.e5 {Parramon Ros,F (2067)-Medina Masdeu,R (1923) Girona 2012} ) 10.Bxe5 Nc6 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.h5 Qd6 {\"After this I did not think I was any worse. He is only attacking with a pawn, the rest of his pieces are not attacking.\" (Caruana)} 13.Qa4 cxd4 14.exd4 Bf5 15.Nf1 g5 $1 {An important move that seals the kingside, in the spirit of the Sicilian Dragon.} 16.Ne3 Bd7 17.h6+ {Otherwise Black will place his pawn on this square.} ( 17.O-O-O h6 $1 ) 17...Kh8 18.Qb3 ( 18.O-O-O {was what Black expected with a typical double-edged game. Both sides will try and organize attacks against the opponent's kings and this was apparently the type of play that Black was aiming for.} ) 18...e6 19.Rd1 {A couple of strange moves, according to Caruana and now the white king remains in the center till the rest of the game.} 19...Rac8 20.Qc2 {Duda does not yet execute his idea.} ( {The immediate} 20.c4 {was already possible due to the little tactic} 20...Na5 ( {Black can as well react as in the game with} 20...Ne7 $5 ) 21.c5 bxc5 22.Qa3 Nc6 23.dxc5 {But it is not clear what did White achieve after say} 23...Qf4 ) 20...f5 $1 21.c4 Ne7 22.Qc3 Ng6 ( 22...Ng8 $5 ) 23.b3 Qe7 $1 {A nice maneuver! Black is occupying both long diagonals with his bishop and queen and gets ready for the opening of the center. That would certainly be most painful for the white king.} 24.g3 Bc6 25.Rh5 Qf6 26.Rd2 ( {Perhaps} 26.Qb4 {and then c4-c5 to somewhat close the position was objectively better, but that would have been an acknowledgement of a conceptual failure.} ) 26...Ne7 27.Nc2 f4 $1 {It is time to open up some files against the white king.} 28.gxf4 gxf4 29.Kd1 Be8 {The same policy of a gradual improvement before any forcing moves. Indeed, the white king is permanently weak, and there is no need to rush.} ( {Here} 29...Nf5 $1 {improving the knight looked even stronger, with ideas like} 30.Kc1 dxc4 31.bxc4 Nd6 32.f3 Bd5 $1 {and Black should be able to break through.} ) 30.Rh3 Bg6 31.Ne1 Bf5 ( 31...Nf5 $1 {bringing the knight to the optimal d6-square looked again as the way to make it, but Caruana has another plan for that piece.} ) 32.Rh1 dxc4 33.bxc4 b5 34.c5 Nd5 {This also looks great and Duda is completely outplayed, but the time-trouble is about to take its toll.} 35.Qb2 b4 36.Bd3 a5 {Solid, obvious and wise in time-trouble.} ( {However, the opening of another file would have been even stronger:} 36...e5 $1 {when the line} 37.Bxf5 ( 37.dxe5 Nc3+ 38.Qxc3 bxc3 39.exf6 cxd2 {wins material for Black.} ) 37...Qxf5 38.dxe5 Nc3+ {would have more or less finished the job as the white king cannot find peace.} ) 37.Kc1 $1 {Duda exploits the slightest hesitation.} 37...Nc3 ( 37...e5 38.dxe5 Rxc5+ 39.Rc2 {is not convincing any more.} ) 38.Nf3 Rfd8 ( {Apparently, Caruana did not have the time to evaluate the consequences of the tactical lines} 38...Ne4 39.Rc2 ( 39.Re2 Nxc5 ) 39...Nxf2 40.Rxf2 Bxd3 41.Ne5 {when White seems to have enough for the pawn.} ) 39.Qc2 Bxd3 40.Rxd3 Rd5 {The time-trouble is over, and it is evident that White made a lot of a progress. Duda's next move though turned out to be a mistake.} 41.Ne5 {\"I was kind of happy to see this.\" (Caruana)} ( {\"I was worried about\"} 41.Re1 {\"and then he sacrifices the exchange on c3 at some point and then we get a very messy position that goes on and on.\" (Caruana)} ) ( {The immediate exchange sacrifice} 41.Rxc3 {also made a lot of sense with very unclear play after} 41...bxc3 42.Qe4 {The knight getting on e5 would not be weaker than any of the black rooks.} ) 41...Nb5 $1 {\"After this it was a very straightforward calculation.\" (Caruana)} 42.Rhd1 {And this might be the last mistake.} ( {The threat of a capture on d4 was not as mortal as it looked and} 42.Qb2 $3 {might have still saved Duda thanks to the little tactical detail in the line} 42...Nxd4 43.Rxd4 Rcxc5+ 44.Kb1 Qxe5 45.Rxf4 $1 {and thanks to the back-rank mating threats White should be able to hold} 45...Qxb2+ 46.Kxb2 Rd2+ ) 42...Nxd4 $1 {Now it worked even better than in the line above.} 43.Rxd4 Rcxc5 44.Rxd5 Rxc2+ 45.Kxc2 exd5 46.Rxd5 Kg8 $1 {The king runs into safety and Black converts his material advantage.} 47.Rxa5 Qf5+ 48.Kb3 Qb1+ 49.Kc4 Qe4+ 50.Kb3 f3 $1 51.Nc4 Qb1+ 52.Ka4 Qxa2+ 53.Kb5 b3 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2022"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "E24"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7559679325224"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 b6 6.f3 {The Samisch line. As in all the relative lines that are named after the German GM, the modest f2-f3 move aims for a solid central occupation, followed by a monstrous kingside attack.} 6...Nc6 7.e4 Na5 ( {Instead} 7...d6 8.Nh3 Na5 {was recently tested in another hot game that went} 9.Bd3 Ba6 10.Rb1 Qd7 11.Qe2 c5 12.O-O Qa4 13.Bf4 Rd8 14.Bxd6 Rxd6 15.e5 Rd8 16.exf6 gxf6 17.d5 {and anything was possible in Carlsen,M (2855)-Aronian,L (2782) Online 2021} ) 8.Bd3 Ba6 9.Qe2 d6 10.f4 {\"I wanted to go for a fight today after my loss two days ago so I thought, let's give it a try.\" (Van Foreest) What the young Dutch meant was that he was basically burning the positional bridges behind him. If his kingside attack would not succeed, he was doomed to a miserable failure on the opposite wing.} ( 10.Nh3 {is certainly a move too.} ) 10...Qd7 {Giri started to burn quite a lot of time on the clock, but follows the most straightforward path towards the enemy weaknesses.} 11.Nf3 Qa4 12.Nd2 e5 $146 {A novelty, played after a lengthy thought.} ( {Black ran away from the fire as fast as he could in this game:} 12...O-O-O 13.O-O Nd7 14.Rb1 Nb8 15.Rb5 c5 16.Rb1 Rd7 17.f5 exf5 18.exf5 Nbc6 19.Ne4 Bxc4 {and that worked pretty well for the second player in Deze,V (2220)-Aleksic,N (2420) Barcelona 1991} ) 13.O-O O-O {Now that is certainly play with the fire game.} ( {This was the last moment for} 13...O-O-O ) 14.fxe5 dxe5 15.Rb1 {After a lot of hesitation, White finally declines the immediate sacrifice.} ( {The instant} 15.Rxf6 $3 {was great though, with the following out-of-the-space line to follow} 15...gxf6 16.Qf2 $3 {All of this is absolutely illogical to the human eye.} ( {The human way would be} 16.Qf3 Qc6 17.d5 Qd6 18.a4 c5 19.Nf1 $1 {which however leads to a very similar situation as in the game as the c4-pawn is immune due to the line} 19...Bxc4 20.Ne3 $1 Bxd3 21.Nf5 {and wins.} ) 16...Qd1+ 17.Nf1 $3 {Go figure!} 17...Qxd3 ( {Perhaps Black needs to try and defend with} 17...Qg4 18.Be2 Qg6 19.Ng3 {but his chances of a successful defense are very slim.} ) 18.Qh4 $3 {The main point is that the black queen cannot help her king.} 18...h5 ( 18...Bb7 19.d5 h5 20.Bh6 Kh7 21.Ne3 $3 Bc8 22.Qxh5 {and White wins according to the machine.} ) 19.Bh6 Kh7 20.Qxh5 Qxe4 21.Bxf8+ Kg8 22.Be7 {and wins. Luckily, people still do not see that much!} ) 15...c5 {But Giri invites the sacrifice once more! He desperately needs to win in the contest for the first place and this might explain the logic behind his decision.} ( {The move} 15...Ne8 $1 {was more or less mandatory. It does not even matter if White will win a pawn, or not, as in the line} 16.Nf3 f6 17.dxe5 fxe5 18.Nxe5 Rxf1+ 19.Qxf1 Nd6 {The king priority is all that matters.} ) 16.Rxf6 $3 {And White does not need a second invitation! From the times of Bronstein, this might be White's most famous sacrifice in the Nimzo-Indian. The first player often even sacrifices a pawn there with some f5-f6, lures the black knight back on the f6-square and then takes it.} ( {Instead} 16.d5 $4 Ne8 {would be the typical Nimzo-Indian failure for the first player once that the black knight reaches d6.} ) 16...gxf6 17.Qf3 $1 {The point behind the sacrifice is that the black king has been weakened forever. And that is a permanent weakness. Which, by the Dorfman theory, means that White needs not to rush; he holds the long-term trumps!} ( {The greedy machine wants its material back and suggests instead} 17.Nb3 Nxb3 18.Bh6 Kh8 19.Qf3 Qc6 20.d5 Qd6 21.Bxf8 Rxf8 22.Rxb3 {but this seems much easier to defend for Black as there will be no white Nf5.} ) ( {The inhuman sacrifice from above} 17.Qf2 {does not work this time as after} 17...Qd1+ 18.Nf1 Qxd3 19.Qh4 {Black would not take a second rook} 19...Qxb1 $2 ( {But would defend instead with} 19...Bb7 $1 20.d5 ( {Or} 20.Bh6 $2 Qxe4 ) 20...h5 21.Bh6 Kh7 22.Bxf8 Qxb1 23.Qxf6 Rxf8 24.Qf5+ {with a perpetual check.} ) 20.Bh6 ) 17...Qc6 18.d5 Qd6 19.Nf1 Kh8 {Giri is in a hurry to bring the rook out to defend the f6-pawn.} ( {We already know what happens after} 19...Bxc4 $2 20.Ne3 $1 Bxd3 21.Nf5 ) 20.Ne3 Bc8 ( {A more resilient defense was} 20...Rg8 $1 21.Bd2 ( {After} 21.Nf5 Qd8 {the white c4-pawn finally starts to hang.} ) 21...Rg6 22.Be1 Rag8 23.Bh4 Bc8 {and in comparison to the game the black queenside rook is where it is needed.} ) 21.Bd2 {No rush! Just bring everyone out there and the weaknesses will start dropping.} 21...Rg8 22.Be1 Rg6 23.Bh4 Rh6 ( {After} 23...Bd7 {White would have likely continued as in the game} 24.Qf2 $5 Kg7 25.Be2 ) 24.Qf2 Bd7 {Giri does everything that he can but the avalanche is about to move.} 25.Rf1 {Now almost all the white pieces are where they are needed, just one last reserve player is left behind.} 25...Kg7 {This can hardly be called a mistake.} ( {Although, bringing the knight into the game with} 25...Nb7 $1 {as Van Foreest suggested might have been better, True, Black needs to find a further pawn sacrifice:} 26.Be2 f5 27.exf5 f6 {and self-lock his rook which also lowers his chances for a survival, but that is another story.} ) 26.Be2 $1 {Last reserves en route.} 26...Rg6 ( {Or else the light squares will be cleared after} 26...Rg8 27.Bg4 Kf8 28.Bxd7 Qxd7 29.Bxf6 ) 27.h3 $1 {A pretty way to make it to the f6-pawn!} ( {The alternative was} 27.Bh5 $1 Rf8 28.h3 ) 27...Bxh3 28.Bh5 {It is not just the exchange that Black loses, it is mainly about the f6-pawn.} 28...Bd7 29.Bxg6 fxg6 30.Bxf6+ {and Black is due to collapse on the dark squares.} 30...Kg8 31.Qh4 ( {Or} 31.Qg3 Re8 32.Qg5 ) 31...Rf8 32.Rf3 ( {A tad faster was} 32.Qg5 $1 Re8 33.Nf5 Bxf5 34.exf5 ) 32...Rf7 33.Qg5 Qf8 34.Qxe5 Nb7 35.Qf4 Nd6 36.e5 Ne8 37.d6 ( {Here} 37.g4 $1 {followed by g4-g5 would have been nice too.} ) 37...Nxf6 38.exf6 Qe8 39.Nd5 Qe1+ 40.Kh2 Qd1 41.Ne7+ Kh8 {For a moment Van Foreest is frustrated, but then finds the last brilliancy:} 42.Rh3 $3 ( {Giri resigned as in the line} 42.Rh3 Bxh3 43.d7 $1 {the back rank is opened and the only way to prevent the mate from there is} 43...Rf8 {which allows} 44.Nxg6+ $1 hxg6 ( 44...Kg8 45.Nxf8 ) 45.Qh6+ Kg8 46.Qg7# ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2022"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.30"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2612"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[ECO "E29"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6462046736420"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 {The Nimzo-Indian defense was quite popular in The Netherlands in the past couple of weeks.} 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 {The first mini-thought by Esipenko. Which line would be most unpleasant for his lesser experienced opponent?} 6.e3 Nc6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.Ne2 b6 9.e4 Ne8 {A notable maneuver that aims to attack c4 whenever a chance is given, but also intends to meet the dangerous f2-f4 thrust with an identical f7-f5 block.} 10.O-O Ba6 11.f4 f5 {There it is.} 12.exf5 exf5 13.dxc5 {Better a damaged pawn structure, with diagonals for the bishops, than a blocked one!} 13...bxc5 14.Be3 d6 15.Ng3 Ne7 {Here and on the next few moves, Esipenko will try to avoid the weakening g7-g6 move.} ( {Nakamura did not try to be that sophisticated and was eventually successful against the world champion after} 15...g6 16.Re1 Nf6 17.Bf2 Qd7 18.Nf1 Na5 19.Bh4 Rae8 20.Rxe8 Qxe8 21.Bxf6 Rxf6 22.Qf3 Re6 {Carlsen,M (2863)-Nakamura,H (2736) Online 2020} ) 16.Qf3 $146 {This is a novelty.} ( {In an earlier game, the queen traveled to the wrong side of the board:} 16.Qa4 Nc7 17.Rfd1 Qe8 18.Qc2 Rb8 19.Re1 Qf7 20.Bf2 Rbe8 21.Qa4 Ng6 {and Black did not experience any difficulties in Chiong Zacarias, R (2373)-Zarnicki,P (2536) Dos Hermanas 2003} ) 16...Nc7 {Still avoiding g7-g6.} ( {Although there does not seem to be anything particularly wrong with} 16...g6 17.Bf2 ( 17.Rfe1 Nf6 ) 17...Nf6 18.Rab1 Qd7 ) 17.Rab1 ( 17.Rad1 $5 ) 17...Qd7 {The queen is heading to the a4-square. Therefore...} 18.Rfe1 g6 {Finally, Esipenko decided that he cannot go without this push.} ( {The pawn is immune:} 18...Qa4 $2 19.Bxc5 ) ( {And} 18...Rfe8 {leaves the f5-pawn unattended, as in the line} 19.Bf2 Qa4 20.Bxf5 ) ( {Last, but not least, the idea that happened in the game} 18...Nc8 {does not seem to work here due to} 19.Nxf5 $1 ( {Or the alternative capture} 19.Bxf5 $1 ) 19...Rxf5 20.Bxf5 Qxf5 21.Qc6 Qf7 22.Bf2 {when Black is paralyzed.} ) 19.Bf2 Nc8 {Black wants to keep more pieces on the board and put pressure, at last, on the weak c4-pawn.} ( {However, it made sense to trade a pair of rooks first with} 19...Rab8 20.Nf1 Rxb1 21.Rxb1 {and then go for} 21...Nc8 ) 20.Nf1 $1 {After provoking a kingside weakness, the horse steps back to open the road for the bishop. In the meantime, it gets closer to the fabulous d5-outpost.} 20...Nb6 21.Ne3 Rae8 22.Bh4 Qg7 23.Rbc1 Re6 24.a4 $1 {A strong move! In return for the pawn, the bishop on h4 gets a couple of strong supporters.} 24...Nxa4 25.Nd5 {Black already faces serious problems.} 25...Bb7 ( {It seems like the idea} 25...Rxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Bb7 $1 {promised better drawing chances to Black, for example} 27.Ne7+ Qxe7 28.Bxe7 Bxf3 29.Bxf8 Kxf8 30.gxf3 Nxc3 {with a much better version of the exchange sacrifice than the game continuation.} ) 26.Rxe6 Nxe6 27.Re1 Qd7 ( {It was not too late to switch to the line from above with} 27...Nc7 28.Ne7+ Qxe7 29.Bxe7 Bxf3 30.Bxf8 Kxf8 31.gxf3 Nxc3 32.Ra1 d5 33.Rxa7 Ne6 {when a draw seems like the most likely outcome.} ) 28.Qg3 ( {Also good was} 28.Qf2 $5 {with the idea to meet} 28...Bxd5 {with} 29.cxd5 Ng7 30.Re7 Qc8 31.Qa2 $1 {But Praggnanandhaa is not afraid of losing this pawn.} ) ( {Certainly not} 28.Nf6+ $4 Rxf6 ) 28...Rf7 {And Black finds nothing better but to sacrifice the exchange!} ( {In case of} 28...Kg7 29.Ne7 $1 {"...his king is just very weak." (Praggnanandhaa) And a line like} 29...Kh8 30.Bxf5 gxf5 31.Bf6+ Rxf6 32.Qg8# {can prove his statement.} ) ( {Black also barely moves after} 28...Bxd5 29.cxd5 Ng7 30.Re7 Qc8 31.Bb5 ) 29.Nf6+ Rxf6 30.Bxf6 Kf7 31.Qh4 h5 32.Bg5 $1 {It is important to set the white queen free. Black does not have enough for the exchange.} 32...Qc6 33.Qh3 $1 {A very accurate move.} ( {Not} 33.Qg3 Nxc3 $1 ) 33...Nxg5 ( {Now} 33...Nxc3 {loses on the spot due to} 34.Bxf5 $1 ) 34.fxg5 Bc8 35.Qe3 ( {Here the inhuman breakthrough} 35.g4 $3 {would have finished the game faster.} ) 35...Qd7 36.Qe2 $1 Qd8 ( {Here and in the future, the c3-pawn is never an option for Black:} 36...Nxc3 $2 37.Qb2 ) 37.Qa2 {Once the queen is successfully transferred to the queenside, Black needs to part with yet another pawn.} 37...Bd7 38.Bc2 Nb6 39.Qxa7 Nc8 40.Qb7 {"I think I played well until move 40 and then I think my technique wasn't that good. I think I should have finished much earlier." (Praggnanandhaa)} 40...Ne7 41.h4 Be6 42.Ra1 ( 42.Qa6 {was somewhat more accurate.} ) 42...Qc8 {Esipenko's last chance is the fortress.} 43.Qxc8 Nxc8 44.Bb3 Ke7 45.Ra6 Kd8 46.Kf2 {However, after a few maneuvers, Praggnandhaa finally finds a way to break through.} 46...Kc7 47.Ra1 Bf7 48.Ke3 Be6 49.Kf4 Kd8 50.Ra8 Kc7 51.Ra2 Bf7 52.Ra1 Kd8 53.Ke3 Be6 54.g3 Kc7 55.Kf4 Bf7 56.Ba4 $1 {"When I got [this] I was sure I would win." (Praggnanandhaa)} 56...Nb6 ( {The point is that} 56...Bxc4 57.Be8 Ne7 58.Ra7+ Kd8 59.Rxe7 Kxe7 60.Bxg6 {leads to a kingside collapse.} ) 57.Bb5 Nc8 ( {Or} 57...Bxc4 58.Be8 ) 58.Ke3 Be6 59.Be8 {And the counter-exchange sacrifice as in the line above is unstoppable.} 1-0

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 1 2022 | KO Finals"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2022.02.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[Beauty "5360656068140"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "GER"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.h3 {Very few people dare to enter the Marshall Attack against Aronian these days.} 8...Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3 Qd7 11.Nc3 {The first major thought by White.} 11...Nd8 {The first critical moment of the game. After some more thought, Nakamura played a novelty.} ( {Aronian himself used this same line to defeat Black in the following recent game:} 11...Rfe8 12.Ne2 Nd8 13.Ng3 Ne6 14.Ng5 Nxg5 15.Bxg5 h6 16.Bd2 c5 17.Qf3 Bd8 18.Nf5 {with an advantage for White in Aronian,L (2782)-Ding,L (2799) Chess. com INT 2021} ) 12.Nh2 $146 ( {The predecessor saw:} 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.exd5 c6 14.c4 cxd5 15.cxd5 f6 16.a4 Nf7 17.d4 {with approximate equality in Maghsoodloo,P (2676)-Svidler,P (2723) Chess.com INT 2020} ) ( {This moment was interesting as White could have used the somewhat softened center and moved aggressively forward with} 12.d4 {It was not quite clear what Nakamura did not like (perhaps the fact that Aronian once again guessed the opening fine and practically blitzed his moves). The interesting pawn sacrifice in the line} 12...Ne6 $5 {might have been the issue, for example after} 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Nxe5 ( {However} 14.Bd5 {wins the pawn, although after} 14...c6 15.Nxe5 Qc7 16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.Nd3 c5 {Black seems to have good compensation thanks to his potent bishop pair.} ) ( {It is also equal in case of} 14.Qxd7 Nxd7 15.Bd5 Rfb8 $1 ) 14...Qxd1 15.Rxd1 Nxe4 {it is even.} ) 12...Ne6 13.Ng4 {The point of the maneuver, but Black is well prepared for it.} 13...Kh8 ( 13...c6 $5 ) 14.Nxf6 Bxf6 15.Qg4 ( 15.Nd5 Bd8 {only helps Black regroup nicely.} ) 15...Rae8 $1 {A nice move that overprotects the knight and sets free the black queen. The opening was quite a success for Aronian. His play is easy, he has a lot of interesting maneuvers, and he has a clear plan of a kingside expansion once the f7-f5 break is prepared.} 16.a4 {An attempt to occupy the open file.} ( {Black's last move also prevented.} 16.f4 {would be nicely met with} 16...exf4 17.Bxf4 Qd8 $1 18.Bg3 Nd4 ) 16...b4 $1 {Aronian plays for the initiative with his usual creativity and optimism.} 17.Ne2 {And Nakamura decides once again to reject the pawn sacrifice.} ( {In the line} 17.Nd5 Bd8 18.Nxb4 {The white knight is poorly misplaced on the queenside which provides White extra possibilities on the opposite wing and} 18...f5 {comes just in time, for example} ( 18...g6 $5 ) 19.exf5 Nd4 20.f6 Qxg4 21.hxg4 c5 22.fxg7+ Kxg7 23.Na2 Rxf2 $1 24.Kxf2 Bh4+ 25.g3 Rf8+ 26.Kg1 Nf3+ {and White needs to fight fiercely for his skin.} ) 17...Qd8 {Black just follows his plan.} ( {Although there were a couple of nice alternatives like} 17...g6 $5 ) ( {Or} 17...Bd8 $5 ) 18.c3 bxc3 19.bxc3 g6 20.Bd5 {Nakamura found a way to create counterplay. He clears the fourth rank for the queen and starts looking at the black weaknesses on the queenside.} 20...Bxd5 21.exd5 Nc5 22.Bh6 $1 {Time for Nakamura to be creative $1 It is his turn to sacrifice a pawn.} ( {Perhaps the immediate} 22.Qc4 $5 {was safer, when} 22...e4 {looks fearsome, but White is OK after} 23.Ng3 $1 exd3 ( 23...Nxd3 24.Rxe4 ) 24.Be3 ) 22...Nxd3 {And Aronian needs no second invitation.} ( {However, here} 22...Bg7 $5 23.Bxg7+ Kxg7 24.Qc4 e4 {looked more promising for Black than before.} ) 23.Bxf8 Nxe1 24.Rxe1 Rxf8 25.Qc4 Qa8 26.Rb1 {Playing for domination. For his sacrificed pawn, White got some extra air for his pieces—open files and squares—and a clear shot at the c7- and a6-pawns. The latter is especially important for both sides. White can also hope for a perfect pair of a queen-and-a-knight versus queen-and-a-bishop.} ( {Nakamura is correctly rejecting} 26.Qxc7 {on account of} 26...Qxd5 27.Ng3 Bd8 $1 {A neat move that wins a tempo against the white queen.} ( {Not the immediate} 27...Bh4 28.Ne4 {with the threat of a g2-g3 $1} ) 28.Qd7 Bh4 29.Ne4 Rd8 {and Black is much better.} ) 26...Rb8 {Here and in the future, it seemed as if Aronian helped his opponent a bit.} ( {My feeling is that the rooks should have been kept on the board, for example with} 26...Rc8 $5 27.Ng3 ( 27.Qc6 Qxc6 28.dxc6 d5 $1 {does not bother the second player.} ) 27...Kg7 {then Black can prepare the c7-c6 advance in a good moment.} ) 27.Rb4 {A very solid construction was built by White, but he is starting to feel the time deficit.} 27...Kg7 28.Ng3 h5 {Aronian needs to bring his pawns into motion.} 29.Ne4 Bd8 30.a5 Qa7 ( {There was still} 30...Rc8 $1 31.g3 h4 32.g4 Be7 {with c7-c6 to follow soon.} ) 31.g3 $1 {In order to secure some more squares for the knight, but also to hide the king from the possible double-attacks.} ( {Like this one} 31.Rxb8 Qxb8 32.Qxa6 $4 Qb1+ ) 31...f5 32.Nd2 Rxb4 {In the opponent's time trouble, Aronian tries to complicate matters as much as possible.} ( {Or else White will win the a-pawn, say in this line} 32...Bf6 33.Rxb8 Qxb8 34.Qxa6 Qb2 35.Nf1 Qxc3 36.Qb5 {and, with outside passer, Nakamura will risk nothing.} ) 33.cxb4 e4 {But this softens the important d4-square.} 34.Nb3 Bf6 35.Kg2 {A curious position $1 The white queen is watching both black weaknesses, whereas the black bishop is very aware of the opponent's knight’s intention to jump all the way to the e6- or c6-outposts. Nakamura now owns the better pair of pieces and this should have made Aronian more alert.} 35...h4 {Nope, he tries to push further for a win.} ( {It was time to consider some} 35...e3 {and eventually look for a perpetual once that the diagonal for the queen is cleared later.} 36.f3 ( 36.f4 ) ) 36.gxh4 $1 {This one is for free.} 36...Kf7 ( {The d4-square is important for Black.} 36...Bxh4 $4 37.Qd4+ Qxd4 38.Nxd4 {followed by b4-b5 makes the a-passer a queen.} ) ( {It was about time to force a draw with something like} 36...e3 37.f4 e2 38.Qxe2 Bxh4 39.Qd2 Bf6 40.Qd3 Qb7 41.Qc4 Qa7 ) 37.h5 {Short on time, Nakamura feels that this is the moment and spends his last seconds to see the best continuation.} ( {It seems as if White missed a golden chance. The move} 37.Qc6 $3 {would have allowed him almost decisive infiltration, for example in the beautiful line} 37...Bxh4 ( {Black's last chance in this line would have been} 37...Kg7 {However, it is not clear if he can survive after} 38.h5 ( {Or} 38.Qd7+ $5 ) 38...gxh5 39.Qd7+ Kg6 40.Qe8+ Kg7 41.b5 axb5 42.Qxb5 {and in comparison to the game, White is a few tempi ahead.} ) 38.Qd7+ Kg8 39.Nc5 $3 {wins on the spot after} 39...dxc5 40.d6 cxb4 41.Qc8+ Kf7 42.Qxc7+ Qxc7 43.dxc7 {yet another passer reaches the final row.} ) 37...gxh5 38.b5 e3 $1 {Time to bail out. Her majesty would do the job, with a little help from her friends. (the bands Queen and Beatles have nothing to do with the story.)} 39.f4 ( {Or} 39.bxa6 exf2 40.Nd2 Kg6 ) 39...Qb8 40.Kf1 ( {After} 40.bxa6 {it is only White who risks, although the machine claims this to be a draw as well after something like} 40...Qg8+ 41.Kh1 Qg3 42.Qf1 e2 43.Qxe2 Qxh3+ 44.Kg1 Qxb3 45.Qe6+ Kg7 46.Qd7+ ) 40...axb5 41.Qc6 e2+ 42.Kxe2 Qa7 $1 43.a6 {This passer is still huge, and will finally become a queen, but Aronian finds some study-like ideas to survive just in time.} 43...Qg1 44.Qxc7+ Kg6 45.Nd2 Qh2+ 46.Kd1 Qxf4 47.a7 Bg5 48.Qa5 ( {Nothing changes.} 48.Qc2 Qd4 49.a8=Q Qg1+ 50.Ke2 Qe3+ 51.Kf1 Qxh3+ ) 48...b4 49.Qa2 b3 $1 50.Qa5 Qe3 51.a8=Q Qg1+ 52.Ke2 Qe3+ 53.Kd1 Qg1+ 54.Ke2 Qe3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.02.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2022.02.17"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[Beauty "6323265607688"]
[EventType "game"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {Nakamura decided to stick to the Ruy Lopez, but today his approach will be different.} 3...a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d5 {Aronian is ready to play the Marshall, even against the Anti-Marshall. According to Megabase, this move is recently more successful than 9...d6.} 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.a4 ( {Aronian himself had experience in the line with reversed colors:} 11.Nbd2 Qd7 12.Nf1 Rae8 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.Rxe5 Bf6 15.Rxe8 Rxe8 16.Ng3 c5 17.Ne4 Be7 18.c3 Bf8 19.Bc2 Qc6 20.Qf1 Nb6 {Aronian,L (2782) -Ding,L (2799) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 11...Nd4 12.Nbd2 Nxb3 13.Nxb3 Nb4 14.Nxe5 Qd5 15.f3 Bd6 16.d4 Rae8 {All of this is theory, and as usual, Black is getting enough for the pawn thanks to his active pieces and the bishop pair.} 17.axb5 axb5 18.Bd2 {On the other hand, Nakamura's approach is very pragmatic. Take the pawn and let the opponent be creative in finding counter-play, when also low on time.} 18...Nc6 $146 {Aronian banged out this novelty, but it will remain a secret if he had intended to do so, or simply if he messed up the lines.} ( {The predecessor saw Black doing well enough after:} 18...Bc8 19.Ng4 h5 20.Nf2 Bf5 21.Rxe8 Rxe8 22.Bxb4 Bxb4 23.c3 Be7 {Saidashev,A (2397)-Steinkellner,P (2339) ICCF email 2014} ) 19.Bf4 Kh8 {Prophylaxis against the possible fork on the e7-square.} ( {Which is demonstrated by the line} 19...f6 20.Nxc6 Bxf4 $2 {But otherwise White can swap off the opponent’s bishop pair.} 21.Ne7+ ) 20.Bh2 {Prophylaxis in return, as the bishop needs protection.} ( {The alternative was} 20.Qd2 $5 {when White should not fear} 20...Nxe5 21.dxe5 Qxd2 22.Nxd2 ) 20...Nxe5 {And Black regains the pawn.} 21.dxe5 Bxe5 22.Bxe5 ( 22.Qxd5 Bxh2+ 23.Kxh2 Bxd5 24.Rxe8 Rxe8 25.Nd4 c6 {would be similar to the game.} ) 22...Rxe5 23.Rxe5 Qxe5 24.Qd4 $1 {Nakamura's opening plan becomes clear. Without the queens on the board, his rook will dominate on the most distant file. The knight will be way more comfortable than the light-squared bishop, as the latter is biting on granite on the long diagonal.} 24...Qg5 25.Qc5 $1 Qxc5+ 26.Nxc5 Bd5 27.Ra7 {A very unpleasant endgame arose for Black. The play goes for two results only and the lack of time only multiplies the defensive issues.} 27...c6 28.Nd3 ( {A tad better version of White's idea seems to be} 28.Nd7 Rd8 29.Rc7 f6 30.Nb6 ) 28...g6 ( {For now, Aronian could have tried to save the pawn with} 28...Rc8 29.Ne5 Kg8 ) 29.Rc7 Ra8 {Black is abandoning the pawn in search of activity. In principle, this is the best strategy.} 30.Nb4 Kg7 ( {However here} 30...Ra1+ $1 {would have been more accurate, when after} 31.Kf2 Rc1 32.Nxd5 ( 32.c3 Rb1 ) 32...cxd5 33.Ke3 b4 {Black has reasonable chances to survive.} ) 31.Nxc6 Bxc6 32.Rxc6 Rd8 $1 {The best try $1 Aronian needs to cut the enemy king along the second rank or to trade a pair of pawns on the queenside.} ( 32...Ra2 33.b3 {does not suit Black well.} ) 33.g4 {A nervous move that almost spills all the advantage away.} ( {White needed to try his chances in the endgame after} 33.b4 Rd2 34.c3 Rc2 35.Rc5 h5 {The b5- and c3-pawns will be soon swapped and Black will have his rook behind the passer. But since the b-passer is the most dangerous one in these endgames (Dvoretsky believed this position to be won for the stronger side), White would have kept at least decent winning chances.} ) 33...Rd2 34.h4 h5 $1 {Trading a pair of pawns and winning a pawn.} 35.gxh5 ( 35.g5 Rd4 {changes nothing.} ) 35...gxh5 36.b4 Rd4 37.c3 Rxh4 38.Kg2 Rf4 39.Kg3 ( {It is remarkable to note that the possible pawn endgame after} 39.Rc5 Kg6 40.Rxb5 Rc4 41.Rc5 Rxc5 42.bxc5 {is a draw by force with} 42...Kf5 43.Kh3 Ke5 44.Kh4 Kd5 45.Kxh5 Kxc5 46.Kg5 Kc4 47.Kf6 Kxc3 48.Kxf7 Kd3 $11 ) 39...Rf5 {Aronian should be out of the woods, but the drama is only about to start.} 40.f4 ( 40.Rc5 {here makes even less sense than before.} 40...Rxc5 41.bxc5 Kf6 {as the black b5-pawn is also alive.} ) 40...h4+ {One more pair of pawns goes west.} 41.Kxh4 ( {Or} 41.Kg4 h3 ) 41...Rxf4+ 42.Kg5 Rf3 43.Kg4 Rd3 {Very inaccurate, at least from a practical point of view.} ( {Why not just keep the enemy king cut off with} 43...Rf2 $1 ) 44.Rc5 Kf6 45.Kf4 {Now Aronian has to solve concrete problems as he is about to lose the b5-pawn and Nakamura would enjoy two connected passers.} 45...Ke6 46.Ke4 Rd8 {Already losing.} ( {Correct was} 46...Rh3 $1 47.Kd4 Rh4+ 48.Kd3 Rh3+ 49.Kc2 Rh2+ 50.Kb3 f5 $1 51.Rxb5 f4 {when Black is in time to create enough counter-play. Amusingly, Nakamura saved a similar endgame against Vachier-Lagrave as Black some years back.} ) 47.Rxb5 {An automatic capture.} ( {However, the in-between check} 47.Re5+ $1 {would have won White at least a couple of tempi, and thus the game after} 47...Kf6 ( {Whereas the pawn endgame is completely lost for Black.} 47...Kd6 48.Rd5+ Ke7 49.Rxd8 Kxd8 50.Kd5 ) 48.Rxb5 ) 47...Rd1 48.Rb6+ Kd7 49.Rf6 {It is time for Nakamura to relax, just a few steps away from the win.} ( 49.c4 {looked simpler, and stronger.} ) 49...Ke7 50.Rf3 ( {Here better seemed} 50.Rc6 $1 ) 50...Ke6 51.Rd3 f5+ {The time scramble continues and both players try to advance their passers as soon as they can.} 52.Kd4 Rb1 53.Re3+ Kf6 54.Re8 f4 ( {More stubborn would have been} 54...Kf7 55.Rh8 Kg7 56.Rh4 Kf6 ) 55.Rb8 {Missing a neat win.} ( {Which was} 55.Rf8+ $1 Kg5 56.Kc5 Kg4 57.c4 f3 58.b5 Kg3 59.Kb6 $1 {White needs to first promote the closest pawn to the black king so that the remaining passer cannot be reached by his majesty.} ) 55...Kf5 56.b5 f3 57.Ke3 Rb3 $1 {Now Aronian almost escapes again.} 58.Kd3 ( {Certainly not} 58.Kxf3 Rxc3+ ) 58...Kg4 {A huge step in the wrong direction.} ( {Twenty more seconds on the clock might have helped Black find the draw which was} 58...f2 $1 59.Rf8+ Ke6 60.Rxf2 Rxb5 {And if White tries to cut the enemy king with} 61.Rd2 {then the simple} 61...Rd5+ 62.Kc2 Rxd2+ 63.Kxd2 Kd5 {would be a draw.} ) 59.Kc2 f2 {Now it is completely lost.} ( {However, the draw was far from ordinary to find and included a few amazing study-like ideas} 59...Ra3 $3 60.b6 f2 61.Rg8+ Kh3 62.Rf8 Ra8 $3 63.Rf7 Kg2 64.c4 Rb8 $1 65.c5 Rc8 $1 ) 60.Rf8 Rxb5 61.Rxf2 Rc5 {I am not sure if Aronian resigned or lost on time, but in either case his defeat was inevitable.} ( {The frontal defense does not work with the black king cut that far away as this line demonstrates} 61...Rc5 62.Kb3 Rc8 63.c4 Rb8+ 64.Ka4 Rc8 65.Kb5 Rb8+ 66.Ka6 $1 Rc8 67.Rc2 ) 1-0

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 1 2022 | Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.02.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[ECO "A07"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[Beauty "6600425209865"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.Nf3 {Rapport needs only a win and, therefore, decides to avoid the classical theoretical lines on which his opponent has built his opening repertoire.} 1...d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O Be7 5.d3 O-O 6.Nbd2 {There is revived interest in the King's Indian Attack.} 6...Nc6 {Which, in turn, forces Black to search for new resources. The move in the game prepares e6-e5, effectively entering into a reversed Pirc.} 7.d4 {Rapport had already played like that in the past. He is trying to make use of the fact that c7-c5 is not possible at the moment.} ( {Nakamura, too, has experience in the line as the following game suggests} 7.e4 dxe4 8.dxe4 e5 9.c3 Be6 10.Qe2 a5 $5 11.Rd1 $146 Qc8 12.Nc4 Bg4 13.Ne3 Bc5 14.Nd5 Ne8 15.Be3 Bd6 {with approximate equality in Mamedyarov,S (2770)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess24.com INT 2021} ) 7...Ne4 {Black also makes use of the given opportunity.} ( {In the after-match encounter, the world champion and the contender discussed the consequences of the immediate bishop development} 7...b6 8.b3 Bb7 9.Bb2 Na5 10.Ne5 c5 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.c4 Rc8 13.Rc1 Qe7 14.cxd5 Bxd5 15.Nd3 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Bd6 {and at this point of the game, Black had little to complain about, Carlsen,M (2856) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2782) Warsaw 2021} ) 8.c3 f5 {And builds a Stonewall setup. It is amusing how often a pawn chain can be readapted in semi-closed openings.} 9.Ne1 {A typical pirouette in the Stonewall. Knight on the right frees the spot for its colleague while heading towards the d3-square in order to take the vital e5-point under a firm control.} 9...e5 {Not giving the square without a fight.} 10.Ndf3 Bf6 11.e3 b6 $146 {This is a novelty. So far both players have followed an earlier game of the Hungarian GM.} ( {There he quickly got everything that he wanted with:} 11...Kh8 12.Nd3 exd4 13.exd4 Be6 14.h4 Ne7 15.Re1 Bg8 16.Nfe5 {Rapport,R (2726)-Coenen,M (2364) Germany 2019} ) 12.Nd3 {Following his main plan.} ( {The immediate} 12.dxe5 {is cheeky when} 12...Nxe5 $2 {may suddenly bring Black into trouble after} ( {However, the other recapture} 12...Bxe5 $1 {is perfectly safe for Black.} ) 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.f3 {and the knight has no retreat square, for example} 14...Nc5 ( 14...Nd6 15.Qxd5+ ) ( 14...Nf6 15.f4 ) 15.f4 ) 12...Re8 {The center deserves to be overprotected.} 13.Re1 Ba6 14.Bh3 {And before forcing the situation in the center Rapport decided to provoke a weakening. Alas, he does not have the time for it.} ( {Therefore, stronger is the immediate capture with} 14.Ndxe5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Bxe5 16.Nxe5 Rxe5 {The position is balanced, but on the long run White can hope to make use of the power of his bishop pair. Also here} 17.b3 $1 {is possible since} 17...Nxc3 $4 {fails to} 18.Qd4 ) 14...Bxd3 $1 {Effective thinking by Nakamura $1 He destroys one of the most important pieces in the opponent's camp and fixes as much as he can the position for his knights.} ( {The other move is} 14...g6 {when in comparison to above the line} 15.Ndxe5 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Bxe5 17.Nxe5 Rxe5 18.b3 {promises White more chances to play for a win thanks to the weakened black kingside.} ) 15.Qxd3 Qd7 {Also solid and good. It is all about the solid central control.} 16.Rd1 ( {Rapport already has to be careful, for instance} 16.b3 {is unpleasantly met with} 16...g5 $5 ) 16...Rad8 ( {Here} 16...g5 $2 {might backfire after} 17.dxe5 Bxe5 ( {White is also significantly better in case of} 17...Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Rxe5 19.f4 $1 ) 18.Qxe4 $1 ) 17.b4 {One final effort to seize the center, but it won't be enough.} ( {The straightforward} 17.dxe5 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Rxe5 {should be equal, and there are not too many ways to unbalance the situation.} ) 17...Qe6 $1 {Again the strongest continuation by the American GM.} ( 17...g5 {would have been OK too, as after} 18.b5 Na5 19.dxe5 Bxe5 20.Nxe5 Rxe5 21.Bf1 Qf7 {Black controls a lot of key squares for his knights.} ) 18.b5 Na5 19.dxe5 Bxe5 20.Nd4 Qh6 21.Bg2 Qf6 22.a4 {Intending Ra1-a2 and then to slowly prepare something in the center.} 22...Bxd4 $1 {But the second proper trade of a bishop for a knight leaves Black dominating.} ( 22...Rd7 {is possible as well, slowly preparing Na5-c4, but then Black would always have to consider some Nd4-c6 maneuvers} 23.Ra2 g6 ) 23.cxd4 ( {Or} 23.exd4 Nc4 {when the white bishops have no career at all.} ) 23...c5 {The threat is c5-c4; White's next is forced.} 24.bxc6 Qxc6 25.Bd2 Nc4 {And the knights look far better than the bishops. After a few more maneuvers} 26.Rdc1 Rc8 27.Be1 Qe6 28.Rcb1 ( 28.f3 Nf6 {loses the e3-pawn.} ) 28...a6 29.Rb3 Rc6 30.Rab1 g5 {Nakamura offered a draw, and Rapport accepted his match defeat.} ( {As the Hungarian GM clearly knew that it is only Black who can play for the full point after say} 30...g5 31.f3 Nf6 32.Bf2 g4 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 1 2022 | Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.02.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[ECO "D20"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7633251606598"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 b5 {One can only admire Dominguez's spirit $1 After an extremely tense and tiring tiebreaker, he is not afraid to enter one of the most complex and sharp lines in the Queen’s Gambit Accepted.} 4.a4 c6 5.axb5 cxb5 6.Nc3 Qb6 {This is now more promising than 6... Bd7, at least according to Megabase.} 7.Nd5 {The most aggressive move. It should be noted that not only did the white pieces rapidly create threats while developing but they were moved at a very rapid speed by their commander too.} ( {Another highly creative player had chosen instead:} 7.Be2 e6 8.Nh3 Bb7 9.O-O Nf6 10.e5 Nd5 11.Nxd5 Bxd5 12.Nf4 Nc6 13.Be3 Rd8 14.b3 {and the sharp battle eventually ended in a draw in Duda,J (2760) -Karjakin,S (2743) Wijk aan Zee 2022} ) 7...Qb7 8.Bf4 e5 {A key resource to bring the idle pieces out.} 9.Bxe5 Nd7 10.Bf4 Ngf6 {Black needs to sacrifice the exchange but at least is gaining the initiative back.} 11.Nc7+ Kd8 12.Nxa8 Qxe4+ {Another important, subtle move that destroys White's coordination.} 13.Ne2 Qxa8 14.f3 {Aronian intends to castle by hand.} ( {Previously, White had tried to develop with} 14.Nc3 {but did not get much after} 14...Bb4 $146 ( {The predecessor was:} 14...a6 15.f3 Nd5 16.Bg5+ f6 17.Bd2 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Bd6 19.Kf2 h5 20.Qc2 Qa7 {1/2-1/2 (36) Skonieczna,B (2361)-Karasova,E (2315) ICCF email 2011} ) 15.f3 Re8+ 16.Be2 a5 17.O-O Qc6 18.Re1 Bxc3 19.bxc3 Nd5 20.Qd2 b4 {Fodor,B (2120)-Dev,S (2243) Budapest 2021} ) 14...Nd5 ( {The other knight would not stand so well in the center.} 14...Nb6 15.Kf2 Nbd5 $6 16.Bd2 $1 {as Black has problems with the king.} ) 15.Bg5+ $146 {And the former Armenian and now American defends once again his reputation as an extremely well-prepared player by banging out a novelty.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 15.Bd2 Bd6 16.Nc3 b4 17.Ne4 Re8 18.Be2 Bb8 19.O-O N7b6 20.Ra5 h6 {Nechaeva,M (2372)-Dev,S (2248) Chess.com INT 2022} ) 15...f6 {An obvious reply, but it cost Black a precious [almost] half-an-hour on the clock.} ( {In the future, the ugly self-pin} 15...N7f6 $5 {might be tested.} ) ( {As well as something wild like} 15...Be7 16.Bxe7+ Kxe7 17.Nc3 Re8 18.Kf2 Kf8 19.Nxb5 Qc6 20.Nc3 Nc5 $3 ) 16.Bd2 Bd6 17.Ng3 {This is the first moment in which White slightly slowed down and took some time on the clock. b2-b3 is a threat, and therefore Black's next is best.} ( {The other way to accomplish his plan was} 17.Kf2 {when} 17...Qb8 {is not good due to} ( {Therefore Black likely would have answered with} 17...Qc6 $1 ) 18.b3 ) 17...Qb8 18.Kf2 {White's plan is obvious: accomplish the development of pieces and castle by hand. After some more thought, Dominguez went for} 18...Re8 ( {Here it appears that the maneuver} 18...Bc7 $1 {intending Bc7-b6 is strong, when} 19.Ba5 {can be met with} ( {And if} 19.Be2 {then Black would have an extra choice in comparison to the game in the line} 19...Bb6 20.Ba5 Qf4 $5 21.Bxb6+ N7xb6 22.Rxa7 Re8 $1 {with a strong initiative for the exchange.} ) 19...Bxa5 20.Rxa5 Qb6 21.Ra1 Ne5 $1 {and another nice maneuver will be completed with Ne5-c6 $1} ) 19.Be2 Bc7 $1 {The same maneuver is still excellent; however, Aronian managed to escape the danger zone.} 20.Re1 Bb6 21.Kg1 Ne5 {And this maneuver is still there; Black is heading for the d4-pawn. But… this is the moment in which the computer goes bananas, and it falls in love with White's position.} ( {Something solid like} 21...Qc7 22.Kh1 Bb7 23.Bf1 {seemed normal.} ) ( {It is clear why Black is reluctant to open the d-file at once.} 21...Bxd4+ $6 22.Kh1 Bb6 23.Qc2 {The black king is about to catch a cold along the d-file.} ) 22.Kh1 $1 {This was part of his plan anyway.} 22...Nc6 23.b3 $3 {Aronian knows that the opening of the files can only serve him well.} 23...c3 {The only reasonable move.} ( {Or} 23...cxb3 24.Qxb3 {which is simply horrible for Black.} ) 24.Bxb5 $1 Bd7 {It seems as if the c3-passer is too big to fall.} ( {After} 24...Rxe1+ 25.Bxe1 Nxd4 {White has} 26.Bc4 c2 27.Qd2 Qd6 28.Ne4 {followed by Be1-f2 $1, eventually reaching the c2-pawn.} ) 25.Rxe8+ Bxe8 26.Be1 {And White starts to play around the passer.} ( {A pity $1 The forcing lines after} 26.Bxc6 $1 Bxc6 27.Bxc3 $3 {would have won the game on the spot. The lines are super-complicated, but the machine confirms that Black cannot hold on to the extra pieces, say} 27...Nxc3 28.Qc2 Bxd4 29.Qd3 Qe5 ( {Or:} 29...Nb5 30.Ne2 Qd6 31.Nxd4 Qxd4 32.Qxd4+ Nxd4 33.Rd1 ) 30.Nf5 {And most lolvely followup is} 30...Ne2 31.Rd1 Bb5 32.Nxd4 $3 Bxd3 33.Nc6+ {A nice geometrical combination $1} ) 26...Nxd4 27.Bxe8 {Most likely Aronian simply believed that this is the easiest route to victory.} ( {However, stronger seemed to get rid of both black knights at once with} 27.Bc4 $3 Qe5 28.Bxd5 c2 29.Qd2 Qxd5 30.Bf2 Bc6 ( 30...Bg6 $2 31.Ne2 ) 31.Bxd4 Qxd4 32.Qxd4+ Bxd4 33.Rc1 {when White should convert his material advantage.} ) 27...c2 $1 {The only move $1} ( {White certainly liked the prospect of} 27...Kxe8 28.Bxc3 $1 Nxc3 29.Qe1+ Nce2 {And now the fine finishing touch} 30.Ra2 $1 ( {Rather than} 30.Nxe2 Nc2 $1 ) ) 28.Qd3 Kxe8 29.Bd2 ( {It was not too late to convert with} 29.Ne2 $1 Qe5 30.Nxd4 Bxd4 31.Rc1 {when, despite the scary passer, White is somehow always in time.} 31...Bb2 ( {Or} 31...Ne3 32.Bg3 Qc5 33.Bf2 ) 32.Bg3 Nb4 33.Bxe5 Nxd3 34.Bxb2 {and White wins.} ) 29...Qe5 30.Rc1 ( {Not:} 30.Re1 $4 Qxe1+ 31.Bxe1 c1=Q ) 30...f5 $1 {Dominguez finds the only idea to stay in the game.} 31.Qc4 Ne3 {But the time trouble finally takes its toll.} ( {The knight entry should have been prepared with the preliminary} 31...f4 32.Ne4 ( {Or} 32.Qc8+ Kf7 33.Ne4 h6 ) 32...Ne3 {Then} 33.Qc8+ Ke7 34.Bb4+ Kf7 35.Qf8+ Kg6 36.Bd6 Qf5 37.Qe8+ Qf7 38.Qxf7+ Kxf7 39.Bxf4 Nd5 40.Bd2 Bd8 {Leads to a very peculiar endgame where White cannot find a proper way to swap the knight on d4. Therefore, nothing would have been clear yet $1} ) 32.Qc8+ {Now Aronian wins by force} 32...Kf7 33.Qd7+ Kg6 ( 33...Kf6 {loses even faster after} 34.f4 $1 ) 34.f4 $1 {Nevertheless, the queens are traded.} 34...Qe6 ( {Since} 34...Qxf4 35.Qe8+ {drops the knight.} ) 35.Qxe6+ Nxe6 36.Ne2 $1 {Precision $1 The c2-pawn is not going anywhere, so why give Black another pawn in return $2} ( {would have won as well.} 36.Bxe3 Bxe3 37.Rxc2 ) 36...Ng4 37.g3 Nc5 38.b4 Nd3 39.Rxc2 Ngf2+ 40.Kg2 Ne4 41.Nc1 {The new-American is delivering $1} 1-0

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 1 2022 | Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.02.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Beauty "6601767391260"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 {So far, a very classical match.} 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {Aronian's choice is the Italian instead of the Ruy Lopez.} 3...Bc5 {The most aggressive development of the bishop.} 4.d3 Nf6 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6 7.a4 {Nowadays, this advance is more popular than 7.Bb3.} 7...Ba7 8.Na3 {A flexible development and one more route for the knight to reach the f5-outpost.} ( {Although the standard} 8.Nbd2 {is still White's more common choice, as in this recent game.} 8...O-O 9.h3 h6 10.Re1 Re8 11.b4 Be6 12.Bxe6 Rxe6 13.Bb2 Ne7 14.Nf1 Ng6 15.c4 {And White got a bit of a pull in Karjakin,S (2743)-Amin,B (2680) Warsaw 2021} ) 8...Ne7 9.Nc2 Ng6 {Both sides are nicely re-deploying their knights.} 10.Be3 Bxe3 11.Nxe3 O-O 12.a5 {Now, in the case of the hypothetical swap of d-pawns, White's pawn structure will be always somewhat better.} 12...c6 13.Bb3 h6 14.Bc2 Re8 15.Re1 {Both sides are shifting their troops toward the center, where the opening outcome will be finally determined.} 15...Qc7 $146 {Played after more than half an hour of thought $1 Apparently, Nakamura was carefully checking if his active play will work.} ( {They both were likely aware of the email predecessor:} 15...d5 16.exd5 cxd5 17.d4 e4 18.Nd2 Nf4 19.f3 Bd7 20.Kh1 Qc7 21.fxe4 dxe4 22.Ndc4 Bc6 23.Nb6 Rad8 24.Rf1 N4d5 {when, after the central trades, the game petered out into a draw, Keuter,K (2421)-Bastos,P (2460) GER email 2016} ) 16.d4 {The only way to question Black's strategy. If Black does not strike in the center, White will.} 16...exd4 {This is more or less forced positionally, as mentioned above.} 17.Qxd4 c5 {Nakamura's play is very aggressive but risky. If Aronian could manage to fix the weaknesses, Black would suffer till the end of the game.} ( {The immediate} 17...Bg4 {is not convincing due to} 18.Nxg4 Nxg4 19.h3 N4e5 20.Nd2 {when White can later Prepare the f2-f4 advance.} ) 18.Qd2 {This obvious retreat does not promise White anything.} ( {The other two retreats might have promised more. First of all} 18.Qd3 $5 {does not lose a pawn due to the line} 18...Rxe4 $2 ( {However, Nakamura can opt for} 18...Bd7 $5 {when} 19.Red1 ( 19.Rad1 Bc6 20.Qxd6 Qxa5 {is equal.} ) 19...Re6 {Looks fine for Black, one point being that} 20.Bb3 {is plain bad due to} 20...Nf4 $1 ) 19.Nd5 $1 Rxe1+ 20.Rxe1 Nxd5 21.Re8+ $1 {when Black is suddenly not capable of defending.} 21...Kh7 ( 21...Nf8 22.Qh7# ) 22.Qxd5 {Here a freeing} 22...Be6 {is needed but does not work due to the neat} 23.Rxe6 $1 fxe6 24.Qxe6 ) ( {Perhaps the best option was to retreat to the initial square.} 18.Qd1 $5 {Then,} 18...Bg4 {can be met with} ( {And here} 18...Bd7 {could be answered with} 19.c4 $1 Bc6 20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.cxd5 {looking for a favorable Benoni-type structure. Still, it is not quite certain if White has achieved that much.} ) 19.Nxg4 Nxg4 20.Nd2 {followed by Nd2-c4, with a white edge.} ) 18...Bg4 $1 {An equalizer.} ( {Correctly avoiding} 18...Bd7 19.Red1 Re6 20.Bb3 $1 Nxe4 21.Qc2 Ree8 22.Nd5 $1 {with obvious White domination.} ) 19.Nxg4 Nxg4 20.Qd1 {Aronian admits his mistake, but the given tempo can be used by his opponent.} 20...b5 {Once again demonstrating activity.} ( {The other way was} 20...N4e5 21.Nd2 Nf4 {although here Black still has to maneuver carefully.} ) 21.axb6 Qxb6 22.Nd2 {Aronian does not see any advantage for himself and opts for a draw.} ( 22.Rb1 $5 {was the last fighting try.} ) 22...Qxb2 {Carefully calculated, as always.} 23.Nc4 Qxc3 24.Nb6 Rab8 25.Nd5 Qb2 {The only square, but sufficient. The queen needs to stick to the white bishop.} ( 25...Qc4 $2 {loses material after} 26.Ra4 ) 26.Rb1 Qa2 27.Ra1 Qb2 28.Rb1 Qa2 29.Ra1 Qb2 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 1 2022 | Pool B"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.02.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2686"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6530766210570"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+ 3.Bd2 a5 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.g3 {Wojtaszek is one of the greatest experts of the Catalan in the world, and he is notorious for his quality opening preparation.} 5...d5 6.Bg2 dxc4 7.Qc2 ( {Apparently, Rapport was not intimidated by the hot line that the world champion had chosen to practically seal Tata Steel this year:} 7.O-O O-O 8.e3 Ra6 9.Qc2 b5 10.a4 c6 11.Nc3 Rb6 12.e4 Be7 13.e5 Nd5 14.axb5 cxb5 15.Nxd5 exd5 16.Bxa5 {Carlsen,M (2865)-Mamedyarov,S (2767) Wijk aan Zee 2022} ) 7...c5 8.a3 Bxd2+ 9.Nbxd2 cxd4 10.Nxc4 O-O 11.Qd3 $5 $146 {Here comes the novelty $1 Wojtaszek makes sure that his queen will remain on the board, at least for the time being.} ( {In the predecessor, Black managed to defend the endgame after:} 11.Rd1 Nc6 12.O-O Rb8 13.Rd2 Re8 14.Nfe5 Bd7 15.Rfd1 Qc7 16.Nxc6 Bxc6 17.Bxc6 Qxc6 18.Rxd4 b5 19.Ne3 Qxc2 20.Nxc2 Nd5 {Vidit,S (2711)-Melkumyan,H (2660) Douglas 2018} ) 11...Nc6 12.O-O Ra6 {Rapport moves the rook off of the major diagonal, a pure human reaction.} ( {Surprisingly, the seeming blunder} 12...b6 {was in fact playable with the point that after} 13.Nxd4 Qxd4 14.Qxd4 Nxd4 15.Bxa8 Ba6 16.Nxb6 Rb8 {Black somewhat manages to regain his material, for instance} 17.Rfd1 Nb3 18.Rab1 Bxe2 19.Bg2 Bxd1 20.Rxd1 {Nevertheless, White keeps better prospects even at the end of the line thanks to his Catalan bishop.} ) 13.Rfd1 b5 14.Nce5 Bb7 15.Nxc6 Bxc6 16.Qxd4 {And White obtained a certain advantage.} 16...Qa8 {More or less forced, but this means that White is in charge in the center.} ( {The major point behind the Polish GMs prep: in his version, the trade of the queens.} 16...Qxd4 17.Nxd4 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Rb6 19.Rac1 {Keeps White in full control as he would soon establish a monstrous knight on the c6-square.} ) 17.Rac1 h6 18.Bf1 $3 {A brilliant idea $1 White is going to slowly smother the black minor pieces.} ( {After} 18.Nh4 Bxg2 19.Nxg2 Rc6 {Black would be able to equalize.} ) 18...Bd5 ( {Or else after} 18...Bxf3 19.exf3 Qxf3 20.Bxb5 {the white bishop would dominate as already seen.} ) 19.Ne5 Qb8 {Rapport is very resourceful in the defense and is about to set a devilish trap.} ( {The machine finds an even more amazing defense in the spectacular line} 19...Ra7 $3 20.f3 Nd7 $1 {The first point is to self-pin $1} 21.e4 Nxe5 22.Qxe5 Bc4 $1 {And the second point is to give up a pawn.} 23.Bxc4 bxc4 24.Rxc4 Rd8 25.Rcd4 Rxd4 26.Qxd4 Rb7 $1 {And finally Black generates almost enough play for the sacrificed material.} ) 20.f3 $1 {This is what the Bg2-f1 maneuver was all about $1 The pawn wedge on e4-f3 will completely deprive both the black bishop and knight of any reasonable squares—while opening the d-file for the major white pieces $1} 20...Rd6 $1 {The trap $1} 21.Qc5 $1 {Is rejected $1} ( {The neat point would have been seen in the line} 21.e4 Rdd8 $3 ) 21...Ra6 {Sad, but best.} ( {Black would suffocate badly after} 21...Rfd8 22.e4 Ba8 23.Rxd6 Rxd6 24.Qc8+ Rd8 25.Qxb8 Rxb8 26.Rc7 {and White wins.} ) 22.Qc7 Bc4 $1 {Here too, the sacrifice of a pawn is Black's best try.} 23.Qxb8 Rxb8 24.e4 $1 {And this restriction remains White's best as well. White wants to keep his dominant knight alive, and this would net him the pawn no mater what Black does.} ( {After} 24.Nxc4 bxc4 25.Rxc4 Rab6 $1 {Black would be suddenly alright $1} ( {Rather than} 25...Rxb2 $2 26.Rd8+ Kh7 27.Rc7 ) ) 24...Rab6 ( {Black is suffering in case of} 24...Bxf1 25.Kxf1 ) 25.Rd2 {Wojtaszek knows that his opponent has nowhere to go.} ( 25.Rd4 $5 {looked good as well.} ) ( {That is why White is not in a rush to cash in the pawn with} 25.Bxc4 bxc4 26.Nxc4 Rb3 27.Kf2 {Then Black would have likely sought counterplay with} 27...g5 {anyway.} ) 25...g5 $1 {The nasty pawn pair in the center needs to get unpaired $1} 26.g4 ( {Since} 26.Bxc4 bxc4 27.Nxc4 Rb3 28.Kf2 ( 28.Nxa5 Rxf3 ) 28...g4 {complicates matter for White, to put it mildly.} ) 26...Kg7 27.Bxc4 bxc4 28.Nxc4 {White won a pawn and kept control on both the open files. And still, it is not over.} 28...Rb3 29.Kf2 a4 30.Rcc2 h5 31.h3 hxg4 {Surprisingly, this makes White's task easier.} ( {Stronger was to fix some weaknesses on the kingside with} 31...h4 $1 32.Ne5 R3b5 33.Nd3 Nd7 34.Rc7 Ne5 35.Nxe5 Rxe5 36.Rdd7 Rf8 {And despite the pawn deficit, and the passive rook, Black still holds on $1} ) 32.hxg4 Rh8 33.Ne5 Rb5 ( {The computer-generated} 33...Rh2+ 34.Kf1 Rxd2 35.Rxd2 Nh7 {would hardly occur to any human brain.} ) 34.Nd3 Rh2+ {Now, after some trades in time trouble...} 35.Kf1 Rxd2 36.Rxd2 Nd7 37.Ke2 Kf6 38.Rc2 Rb8 39.Rc4 Ne5 40.Rb4 Rxb4 41.Nxb4 {White reaches a position which should be technically won. After all, as Botvinnik summarized, knight endgames are pawn endgames in disguise...} 41...Nc4 ( 41...Ke7 {was more stubborn.} ) 42.Nd3 ( {For now, White missed a study-like win} 42.Nc6 $3 Nxb2 43.e5+ $1 Kg6 44.Na5 $1 {trapping the black knight $1} ) 42...Ke7 43.Kd1 Kd6 {This is just hopeless.} ( {The last chance was related to the massive pawn trades—as in the line} 43...f5 $1 44.exf5 exf5 45.gxf5 Kf6 46.Kc2 Ne3+ 47.Kc3 Nxf5 48.Kb4 Nd4 {and it is not yet clear if White wins.} ) 44.Kc2 Kc6 45.Kc3 Kb5 46.Kd4 $1 {Centralization cannot be bad.} ( {The alternative was} 46.b3 $1 Nxa3 47.bxa4+ Kxa4 48.Ne5 $1 {winning as well.} ) 46...f6 47.e5 $1 {Wojtaszek is breaking through and the rest is pure technique.} 47...f5 48.gxf5 exf5 49.e6 g4 50.e7 Nd6 51.Kd5 Ne8 52.f4 g3 53.Ne1 Ng7 54.Ng2 Kb6 55.Kd6 Kb5 56.Ne3 Kb6 57.Kd7 Kc5 58.e8=Q ( 58.e8=Q Nxe8 59.Kxe8 Kd4 60.Nxf5+ ) 1-0

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 1 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.02.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[ECO "B23"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7770690554917"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 {Dominguez mainly uses the solid open games against strong opposition, but today he decided to play big and opted for his beloved Sicilian.} 2.Nc3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 {Probably this line was the reason. Shirov had used it quite a bit lately, and Black had prepared well for it.} 4...Nc6 5.Qd2 g6 6.b3 Bh6 {Asking White the awkward question: do you trade the dark-squared bishops, which would be an opening failure, or do you self-pin $2} 7.f4 Nf6 ( {Another recent game of Shirov's went:} 7...f5 8.Bb2 Nf6 9.O-O-O Rf8 10.exf5 Bxf5 11.Bb5 Qb6 12.Re1 O-O-O 13.Nf3 e5 {Shirov,A (2704)-Santos Latasa,J (2639) Salamanca 2021} ) 8.Bb2 O-O 9.O-O-O e5 {Black is practically blitzing and Shirov starts to take time on his clock. In fact, for the next three (still known moves) the Latvian-born-Spanish GM would spend more than an hour of his precious time.} 10.g3 Re8 {An obvious and strong move. It is Dominguez who is better developed, thus he is the one seeking a quick opening of the center.} ( {Another interesting top-level game went} 10...exf4 11.gxf4 Re8 12.Bd3 Bg4 13.Nge2 Qa5 14.Kb1 Bxe2 15.Qxe2 Bxf4 16.Bc4 Be5 {Andriasian,Z (2887)-Firouzja,A (3053) Chess.com INT 2019} ) 11.Kb1 Nd4 12.Bg2 Bg4 13.Rf1 d5 $1 {Of course $1 Black is hardly trying to take over the initiative. And notice: he does this while heavily on top on the clock.} 14.h3 $1 $146 {This logical move is a novelty.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 14.exd5 Bf5 ( 14...Rc8 $5 {at once also looks appealing.} ) 15.Rc1 b5 16.Nge2 b4 {With an initiative for Black, who emerged victorious after} 17.Na4 Nxd5 ( {Perhaps even stronger was} 17...Nxe2 $1 18.Qxe2 exf4 ) 18.Nxd4 exd4 19.Bxd4 Qa5 {Di Nicolantonio,L (2408)-Lamard,G (2452) Paris 2019} ) ( {Also} 14.Nxd5 {changes little due to} 14...Nxd5 15.exd5 Rc8 16.Rc1 Bf5 {with Black's edge.} ) 14...Be6 {Black also starts to think a lot and this would soon lead to mutual time-trouble.} 15.g4 {Fire on board $1} ( {After} 15.exd5 {Black could have switched back to the predecessor with} 15...Bf5 $1 ) 15...Nxe4 ( {Certainly not} 15...Bxf4 $2 16.Rxf4 exf4 17.Qxd4 ) 16.Nxe4 dxe4 17.Bxe4 Rc8 {The center has been opened and both sides start their walk into the minefield.} 18.Qd3 {Unpinning seems best.} ( {The other logical move was to develop at once with} 18.Ne2 Nxe2 19.Qxe2 {with the idea} 19...Bxf4 ( {However} 19...exf4 $1 {is stronger, and better for the second player.} ) 20.Bxb7 ) 18...Qa5 {A risky affair.} ( {Safer was to deprive White of his next resource with} 18...f5 $5 19.gxf5 Nxf5 {The threat of a fork on the g3-square practically forces White to swap the queens after} 20.Ne2 Qxd3 21.cxd3 exf4 22.Nxf4 Ng3 23.Nxe6 Nxe4 24.dxe4 Rxe6 {which should be approximately equal.} ) 19.f5 $1 {The logical follow-up which, however, has a hidden flaw.} 19...Bd5 {The most logical move.} ( {But there was this amazing, unbelievable resource instead} 19...Nxc2 $3 20.fxe6 Nb4 $1 21.exf7+ Kh8 $3 {In the spirit of the Spassky-Bronstein game, Black can sacrifice a rook with a check, adding a knight and a pawn on the road. Still, after} ( {Notice that} 21...Kg7 $2 {does not work due to the underpromotion} 22.fxe8=N+ Rxe8 23.Qd7+ {and White wins.} ) 22.fxe8=Q+ Rxe8 {White, who is up heavily on material, will have to part with loads of material to safeguard his king. First, the queen would leave after} 23.a4 Nxd3 24.Bxd3 {But then there is also the double-attack} 24...Qd5 $1 {that wins a whole rook more for Black and then} 25.Bc4 Qe4+ $1 26.Ka1 Qxh1 {should be big edge for the second player.} ) 20.Rh2 ( {Apparently, Dominguez was not afraid of} 20.Bxd5 Qxd5 21.Ne2 Rxc2 22.Nxd4 Rxb2+ 23.Kxb2 exd4 {as he lost a similar situation with the white pieces against the world champion.} ) 20...Bxe4 21.Qxe4 Nb5 {Again the most logical continuation. This knight is looking for glory $1} ( {Here} 21...Qa6 22.Re1 Bf4 23.Rf2 g5 {might be better according to the machine.} ) 22.Qxb7 {Shirov decided to risk it and snack on the pawn.} ( {This was the last good moment to finally bring the knight into the game with} 22.Ne2 {when White needs not to fear} 22...Na3+ ( {Perhaps Shirov disliked} 22...Nd6 {but there, too, he has good play with} 23.Qh1 $1 Bf4 24.Nxf4 exf4 25.fxg6 hxg6 26.a4 ) 23.Bxa3 Qxa3 24.fxg6 fxg6 25.g5 Bxg5 26.h4 {with nice attacking prospects for the first player.} ) 22...Nd6 {The point behind the maneuver. Dominguez wants to bring his passer into motion while opening the important long diagonal.} ( {Although there was nothing wrong with} 22...Nc3+ 23.Bxc3 Qxc3 24.Qe4 Red8 25.Ne2 Qc5 {when Black should have enough for the pawn.} ) 23.Qf3 e4 24.Qd1 {Stepping on a mine...} ( {Correct was} 24.Qf2 $1 {hitting the f7-pawn and thus preventing} 24...Nb5 ( {True, there is the highly dangerous idea} 24...e3 $1 25.Qh4 Bg7 26.Bxg7 Ne4 $3 {when the forcing play} 27.fxg6 fxg6 28.Bd4 Nd2+ 29.Rxd2 exd2 30.Nf3 Rxc2 $3 {leads, as strange as it looks, to a draw, at least after a quick engine tackling} 31.Kxc2 Qxa2+ 32.Kc3 Rc8+ 33.Kd3 Qc2+ 34.Ke3 Re8+ 35.Be5 Qc1 36.Rxc1 dxc1=Q+ 37.Kf2 g5 38.Qh6 Rxe5 39.Nxe5 Qc5+ ) 25.fxg6 $1 ) 24...Nb5 $1 {Back to the c3-spot $1 Once the diagonal has been opened, both sides want to have it, no matter the price.} 25.c4 ( {Alas, it is too late for} 25.Ne2 Qc7 26.Rg2 Red8 $1 {when White cannot defend his c2-root-pawn.} ) 25...Nc3+ 26.Bxc3 Qxc3 {Practically, it is over. The huge battery on the long diagonal leaves the white pieces horribly fragile.} 27.Rc2 Qe5 $1 {Luring the white queen away from the first rank.} ( {Correctly avoiding} 27...Qf6 28.fxg6 $1 ) 28.Qd5 Qf6 {Now the rook on f1 is hanging.} 29.a3 ( {Once more, there is no time to activate the knight with} 29.Ne2 Bg7 30.Nc3 Rcd8 31.Qb5 a6 32.Qb7 Re7 33.Qb4 e3 {and Black should destroy the opponent's defenses soon.} ) 29...Bg7 ( 29...Rcd8 $1 {would have been equally good.} ) 30.Ka2 Rcd8 31.Qa5 Rd3 {The decisive infiltration begins. The Cuban-born-American GM will force more weaknesses first.} 32.Ne2 Rb8 33.b4 Rbd8 {Both players are in horrible time trouble, but it is far easier to attack than to defend when low on time.} ( {There was also the beautiful idea} 33...Rc8 34.c5 Qc6 35.Nf4 e3 $3 ) 34.b5 {Missing his last chance.} ( {Which was connected with} 34.g5 $1 {and if the automatic} 34...Qxg5 {White can get rid of the queens with} ( {Black should be still able to win with} 34...Qd6 $1 35.f6 Rd2 ) 35.fxg6 Qxa5 36.gxf7+ Kf8 37.bxa5 ) 34...e3 35.Rfc1 Rd2 {With the threat of Qf6-b2+ above all.} 36.Kb3 R8d3+ 37.Rc3 ( {Or} 37.Nc3 Rxc2 38.Rxc2 e2 $1 ) 37...Qd6 {All the black pieces are involved and Shirov's position collapses.} 38.Qxa7 Rxe2 {A pretty attack by Dominguez $1} 0-1

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 1 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.02.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2664"]
[ECO "B13"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7562229455367"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 {The Exchange line that Fischer revived in the 1970s lives a new life thanks to the rise of the London System. A lot of positions transpose from both the openings and the pawn chains are quite similar.} 4...Nf6 5.h3 {Underlining Black's major problem in the position: the future of his light-squared bishop.} 5...Nc6 ( {One way to solve the problem is connected with the instant fianchetto:} 5...g6 6.Nf3 Bg7 7.O-O O-O 8.c3 Qc7 9.Re1 Nc6 10.Be3 Re8 11.Nbd2 Bd7 12.Rc1 Rac8 13.Nb3 Ne4 {as in Grandelius,$146 (2670)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2758) chess24.com INT 2021} ) 6.Nf3 Nb4 7.Nc3 $5 {This is quite an interesting sideline, but should not have come as a major surprise. Aronian is playing his Ragozin with colors reversed.} 7...g6 $146 {Still trying to solve the bishop problem.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 7...e6 8.Bf4 Nxd3+ 9.cxd3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.Rc1 O-O 12.O-O Bd7 13.Qb3 {Rodriguez Redondo,A (1314)-Ramos Aguilar,J (2176) Tenerife 2012} ) ( {However, this might have been the right moment to swap off the bishop.} 7...Nxd3+ 8.cxd3 ( 8.Qxd3 ) ) 8.Ne5 a6 ( {Now} 8...Nxd3+ {can be met with} 9.Qxd3 Bf5 10.Qb5+ {picking up a pawn.} ) 9.O-O Bg7 ( {Here} 9...Nxd3 {would have been certainly met with} 10.cxd3 ) 10.Re1 O-O ( {In case of} 10...Nd7 {White has a pleasant choice between} 11.Bf4 ( {And} 11.Nf3 $5 ) ) 11.Bg5 {White's plan is very easy and straightforward: bring the queen out, trade the dark-squared bishop, and mate on the kingside.} ( {If he wanted, White could have already saved the bishop with} 11.Bf1 $5 {as} 11...Bf5 {is ineffective due to} 12.g4 $1 {when both captures do not work well for Black.} 12...Bxc2 ( {Or} 12...Nxc2 13.gxf5 {winning material as well.} ) 13.Qd2 {and one of the black pieces will fall.} ) 11...Nxd3 {Lines like the above-mentioned forced Keymer to make up his mind.} ( {Instead} 11...Bf5 12.Bxf5 gxf5 13.Qd2 {leaves the black king poorly defended.} ) ( {Whereas} 11...h6 12.Bf4 {only helps White.} ) 12.cxd3 $1 {Played without any thought $1 Aronian is already envisioning perfect domination with the beautiful knight pair on the c5- and e5-outposts.} ( {Sure enough} 12.Qxd3 {was not what the line was all about, as then the black pieces come back into life with} 12...Bf5 13.Qd2 Ne4 ( {Or} 13...Rc8 ) ) 12...Qb6 ( {Here} 12...Bf5 {weakens the b7-pawn and can be met with} 13.Qb3 ) 13.Nf3 $1 {A strong reaction $1} 13...e6 ( {And Black correctly abandons the thought of a free pawn as the lines after} 13...Qxb2 14.Na4 Qb4 ( {Somewhat safer seems} 14...Qb5 15.Rb1 Qe8 16.Nb6 Ra7 17.Nxc8 Qxc8 18.Rxe7 {although White totally dominates here as well.} ) 15.Rb1 Qa5 16.Nb6 Ra7 17.Qc2 {underline how vulnerable the black pieces are. Not only is the bishop hanging, but the queen also cannot be saved from the Bg5-d2 threat.} ) ( {And} 13...h6 {can be answered with the in-between} 14.Na4 ) 14.Na4 Qd6 15.Qd2 {Aronian's opening choice was a huge success. He managed to smother the opponent's light-squared bishop and is in full charge of the dark-squares.} 15...a5 ( {After} 15...Bd7 16.Bf4 Qe7 17.Nb6 {the white pieces start to occupy powerful outposts, too close to the enemy camp.} ) 16.Rac1 Bd7 {Keymer was counting on this natural development to force the active knight back, but he was about to be unpleasantly surprised.} ( {How powerful the dark-squared domination can be is demonstrated by the line} 16...Qb4 $2 17.Qxb4 axb4 18.Nb6 Rb8 19.Bf4 ) 17.Nc5 b6 {It seems the knight needs to retreat...} ( {Perhaps the young German should have chosen the ugly, but solid defense} 17...Bc6 18.Ne5 Ra7 ) 18.Bf4 Qe7 19.Nxd7 $3 {But no, Aronian plays instead in the spirit of the famous Fischer-Petrosian game and is voluntarily parting with his amazing knight.} 19...Nxd7 ( {Even worse might have been} 19...Qxd7 20.Rc7 Qa4 21.Rec1 {As Black is not really threatening the pawn} 21...Qxa2 {would lose to} 22.Bd6 Rfe8 23.Ne5 $1 ) 20.Rc7 Rfc8 21.Rec1 Qd8 22.Qc2 {That is the price for the good knight: the only open file is in Aronian's hands and he infiltrates with his major pieces.} 22...Rxc7 23.Qxc7 Qxc7 24.Rxc7 Rd8 25.Rb7 {The black pawns are beautiful, but it is the activity of the pieces that comes first when evaluating these positions, and the difference there is horrendous.} 25...Kf8 26.Bd6+ ( {It is too early to cash in the advantage} 26.Bc7 $2 Rc8 27.Bxb6 Nxb6 28.Rxb6 Rc1+ 29.Kh2 Rf1 {would have let Black off the hook.} ) 26...Ke8 27.Ne5 {Another strong move, completely paralyzing the opponent.} 27...Bxe5 ( {Or else} 27...Nxe5 28.dxe5 Bf8 29.Bc7 {would lose too much material for Black.} ) ( {Black would be also helpless in case of} 27...f6 28.Nxd7 Rxd7 29.Rxb6 ) 28.dxe5 {Ironically, instead of a pair of perfect knights White got the domination of a bishop versus a knight, and perfect pawn structure $1} 28...Rc8 {After this Keymer stands no chance.} ( {The last try was the couter-intuitive} 28...Nc5 $1 29.Re7+ Kf8 30.Rxe6+ Kg8 31.Re7 {and now} 31...Rc8 $1 ( {Rather than} 31...Nxd3 32.Bc7 Rc8 33.Bxb6 {which does not leave Black too much to play for.} ) ) 29.d4 Kd8 ( {Alas, the lonely warrior will have to retreat empty-handed in the line} 29...Rc1+ 30.Kh2 Rc2 31.Ra7 $1 ) 30.Ra7 {Now after some final preparation} 30...Rc4 31.b3 Rc1+ 32.Kh2 {White improves his king.} 32...h6 33.Kg3 Rc3+ 34.f3 Rc6 {And finally creates a second weakness with} 35.h4 $1 Rc8 ( {Or else the white king will make it into the enemy castle.} 35...h5 36.Kf4 ) 36.h5 Rc6 37.Kh4 Rc8 38.g4 Ke8 39.f4 Kd8 40.hxg6 fxg6 {And White finished the game in the most artistic way with} 41.g5 ( 41.f5 $1 {would have been equally good.} 41...gxf5 42.gxf5 exf5 43.e6 ) 41...h5 42.f5 $1 {An unstoppable passer will be the next weakness, and therefore Black resigns.} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 1 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.02.07"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Oparin, Grigoriy"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2681"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "7564511151194"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 {Anti-Sveshnikov. The author of the system considered the lines that avoid the Sveshnikov the only lines playable.} 3...e5 4.Bc4 d6 5.d3 Be7 {Now it is almost an Italian but with a black pawn placed on the c5-square. This certainly weakens the d5-spot, but the question is, can White profit from that $2} 6.a4 ( {The more modest:} 6.a3 {is also possible as this recent top-GM game} 6...Be6 7.Nd5 Nf6 8.O-O O-O 9.c3 Rb8 10.b4 b5 11.Nxf6+ Bxf6 12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.Be3 Qe7 14.Nd2 Bg5 {Grischuk,A (2778)-Maghsoodloo,P (2698) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 6...Nf6 7.Bg5 Nd7 $5 {Not a novelty, and certainly a move to know in this line. The knight can control the d5-square; therefore, Fedoseev preserves it. It is also generally desirable for Black to swap off his dark-squared bishop.} 8.Bd2 $146 {That is the reason why Oparin keeps the dark-squared bishops alive. He did play this novelty though after a lengthy thought.} ( {In the predecessor, Short got an interesting kingside play with:} 8.Bxe7 Qxe7 9.Nd5 Qd8 10.c3 O-O 11.Nd2 Nf6 12.Nxf6+ Qxf6 13.Nf1 Qg5 14.Ne3 Kh8 15.h4 Qd8 16.g4 a6 17.Qf3 Be6 {but Black eventually held his own, Short,$146 (2690) -Illescas Cordoba,M (2591) Sestao 2010} ) 8...O-O 9.Nd5 Nb6 {This is why the knight is kept alive.} 10.Nxb6 axb6 $1 {Black is getting ready for a kingside attack, and the move in the game does two things. It stabilizes the center and opens a file in case that White decides to hide his king there.} 11.c3 ( {After} 11.O-O Kh8 {would have been played anyway.} ) 11...Kh8 12.b4 Qe8 {Thanks to the central stability, Fedoseev is ready to break open the kingside with f7-f5. His game seems far more straightforward and simpler.} 13.b5 {Oparin finds a clever plan to counteract.} ( {Castling does not seem appealing} 13.O-O {due to} 13...f5 14.b5 Na5 {with a tempo $1} 15.Bd5 f4 $1 {when Black is ready to throw all his kingside pawns forward and it is pretty one-sided.} ) ( {The immediate} 13.h4 {is not good either due to} 13...cxb4 14.cxb4 Bg4 $1 ) 13...Nd8 14.h4 $1 {That is White's point: he may also fight back for the kingside.} 14...f5 15.h5 ( {Also interesting is} 15.exf5 Bxf5 16.Ng5 ) 15...Be6 ( 15...h6 $5 ) 16.Qb3 {There is one serious issue that Oparin did not solve yet: where to hide his king.} ( {Black is obviously not worried about} 16.h6 g6 ) 16...Qd7 17.Kd1 {An attempt to hide his majesty on the queenside, but this is a mistake.} ( {Stronger is} 17.h6 g6 18.Bd5 $1 {when White seems to keep things under relative control. The important detail is that} 18...f4 {does not work that well due to} 19.d4 ) 17...fxe4 18.dxe4 Bxc4 19.Qxc4 Qg4 $1 {Double attack.} 20.Qd3 {And this makes things even worse.} ( {Instead} 20.Rh2 $2 {would not have been a defense due to} 20...Rxf3 $1 21.gxf3 Qg1+ ) ( {It is not clear what Oparin missed. Maybe something in the line} 20.Kc2 Qxg2 21.Nh4 Bxh4 22.Rag1 {Did he simply calculate} 22...Qxf2 $2 {only when White is on top with} ( {Did White miss the simple retreat} 22...Qf3 $1 23.Rxh4 Qxf2 24.Rhg4 Qf7 {when Black has it all well defended $2} ) 23.Rf1 ) 20...c4 ( {The alternative} 20...Qxg2 21.Ke2 c4 $1 {is equally good.} ) 21.Qe3 Ne6 {When the knight comes on the freshly created d3-outpost, the white king will have nowhere to hide.} 22.Rg1 ( {Perhaps he should have kept this pawn alive at least} 22.h6 ) 22...Nf4 23.Kc1 Qxh5 {Black won a pawn while building a huge positional advantage. The game is essentially over.} 24.Kc2 Qg6 25.g3 Nd3 26.Nh4 Qe6 27.Nf5 {The only active try, but} 27...Rxf5 $1 {Opens a crucial diagonal against the white king, and this quickly translates into a mating attack.} 28.exf5 Qxf5 29.g4 Nb4+ 30.Kd1 Qc2+ 31.Ke1 Qb2 32.Rc1 Nd3+ 33.Ke2 Rf8 $1 {Bringing everybody into the action.} ( {The move in the game is even stronger than the prosaic} 33...Nxc1+ 34.Rxc1 h6 ) 34.f3 e4 ( 34...d5 {would do too.} ) 35.Rh1 ( {Or} 35.Rcf1 Nf4+ {when the white king still has nowhere to hide.} 36.Kf2 ( 36.Kd1 Qb3+ ) 36...Bh4+ ) 35...d5 36.fxe4 Rf2+ 37.Kd1 Qb3+ 38.Rc2 Qb1+ 39.Rc1 Nxc1 40.Qxf2 Nd3+ 41.Ke2 Qxh1 0-1

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 1 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.02.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "E73"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7561826800214"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Be3 {A form of the Averbakh system, where the bishop is provocatively placed on the g5-square. The oldest living GM just turned 100, and this is a good occasion to honor him $1} 6...e5 {6...Na6 is the other main line.} 7.d5 Na6 ( {More common is} 7...a5 ) 8.h4 {That is the major point behind the Averbakh system. By delaying the development of his kingside knight, White keeps the path for his pawns opened.} ( {The other pawn can also get straight into motion.} 8.g4 Nc5 9.Bf3 Bd7 10.b4 Na6 11.Rb1 Qc8 12.g5 Ne8 13.h4 f6 14.Be2 fxg5 15.hxg5 Rf7 16.c5 Nb8 17.Nf3 a5 18.a3 axb4 19.axb4 {and White achieved everything he wished for in Aronian,L (2773)-Firouzja,A (2728) Lichess.org INT 2020} ) 8...Nc5 {After some thought, Grischuk deviated from an earlier game of his.} ( {That game went:} 8...h5 9.Qd2 Nc5 10.f3 Bd7 11.Bd1 a5 12.b3 Qb8 13.Nge2 b5 14.cxb5 Bxb5 15.Nxb5 Qxb5 {and Black got enough counterplay in Aronian,L (2773)-Grischuk,A (2777) Lichess.org INT 2020} ) 9.Qc2 {Nakamura is practically blitzing his moves.} 9...c6 10.h5 cxd5 11.cxd5 Qa5 ( {Nobody had yet tested} 11...Qc7 $5 {here, or on the previous move with the rude threat Nc5xe4 $1} ) 12.h6 {A modern treatment of the position. In the past, the Averbakh adherents used their kingside pawns to try and completely seal that part of the board. Nakamura tries \"only\" to lock the bishop—ideally forever.} 12...Bh8 13.f3 Bd7 ( {The active move} 13...Nh5 {simply begs for} 14.Rxh5 {and an active player like Gunina could not stand the temptation. After} 14...gxh5 15.Qd2 Bf6 16.f4 Nb3 17.axb3 Qxa1+ 18.Kf2 Kh8 19.Bxh5 Bd7 20.fxe5 dxe5 21.Bg5 Qa6 22.d6 Qb6+ 23.Kf1 Qd8 24.Nf3 {it was as crazy as it may get, Gunina,V (2471) -Kashlinskaya,A (2490) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 14.Rb1 Na4 {Grischuk creates some queenside trouble, just in time.} 15.Qd2 ( {There was also the interesting computer suggestion} 15.Bd3 $5 Nxc3 16.Qxc3 Qxa2 17.Ne2 {but judging by the speed with which the American GM was blizting his moves, it was not interesting enough.} ) 15...Nxc3 16.bxc3 Qc7 {[#]} 17.g4 $146 {This novelty was also blitzed out. White enjoys more space and better perspectives on both flanks.} ( {Black held his own in the predecessor:} 17.c4 b6 18.g4 Bc8 19.Nh3 Nd7 20.Nf2 Nc5 21.Nd3 Bf6 22.Nxc5 bxc5 23.O-O Bd7 24.Rb3 Rab8 25.Rfb1 Rb6 {Eljanov,P (2676)-Demchenko,A (2679) Germany 2019} ) 17...Bc8 $1 {A nice regrouping.} ( {The typical opening of a file on the kingside} 17...Ne8 18.Nh3 f5 $2 {would have backfired} 19.gxf5 gxf5 20.Rg1+ Kf7 21.Ng5+ {and White wins.} ) 18.Nh3 Nd7 19.Nf2 {At last some thought by the American GM, who as expected was way ahead on the clock.} ( {The move in the game was certainly stronger than} 19.g5 Nc5 20.Nf2 f6 {and White cannot seal the kingside.} ) 19...Bf6 {Out, in freedom $1} ( {However, there was an argument for} 19...Nc5 20.Nd3 Nxd3+ 21.Bxd3 Bf6 22.a4 Bd7 {although here too White keeps an edge.} ) 20.O-O Be7 ( {And here there was an even stronger argument to transfer the knight to a better square first with} 20...Nc5 $5 21.Nd3 Na4 22.c4 b6 ) 21.Kh2 Nc5 22.Nd3 {The black knight is a key piece and needs to leave.} 22...b6 $1 {Ultimately Grischuk decided to defend as Demchenko did, allowing the opening of the b-file.} ( {Instead} 22...Nxd3 23.Bxd3 Bd7 24.c4 b6 25.Ra1 {followed by the a-pawn advance looked clearly better for White.} ) 23.Nxc5 bxc5 ( {Certainly not} 23...dxc5 24.a4 ( 24.f4 $5 ) 24...Bd6 25.Bb5 $1 ) 24.f4 $1 {That is the difference in comparison to the above-mentioned stem game. White can open a second front on the kingside. It turns out that the h-pawn was not only good for blocking the black dark-squared bishop.} 24...exf4 $1 {Black cannot afford to let a pawn get to the f5-square.} ( {As the line} 24...f6 25.f5 g5 26.Qb2 {looks horrible for Black.} ) 25.Bxf4 Bd7 {Now it is all about the long diagonal; who will have it $2} ( {Unfortunately for Black, he is a move short in establishing the e5 outpost in the line} 25...Bf6 26.Qe3 Re8 27.Qf3 Qe7 28.Bb5 $1 ) 26.c4 Rab8 {Only this move seems like a serious inaccuracy by Black.} ( {So far Grischuk defended with great precision and} 26...Bf6 $1 {would have brought him very close to equality. For example} 27.Qe3 ( {Perhaps the Russian GM disliked the typical sacrifice} 27.e5 $5 {but it seems he is in time after} 27...dxe5 28.d6 Qd8 29.Be3 e4 $1 ) 27...Rae8 $1 {As we shall see, Black often needed both his rooks to hold the fort.} ) 27.Qc3 $1 {Now the long diagonal is in White's hands.} 27...f6 28.Rb3 {Nothing should be forced yet. Plus, both sides are trying to force the opponent to make a concession and capture first.} ( {A premature clash might make things easier for the defender.} 28.g5 Rxb1 29.Rxb1 Qd8 ) 28...Rb6 {One more inaccuracy. Grischuk might have missed White's next idea.} ( {Here, a better choice seemed to be} 28...Rf7 $5 29.Bc1 Re8 30.Bb2 ) ( {Or even} 28...Rxb3 29.axb3 Rf7 ) 29.g5 Rf7 30.Bc1 $3 {The long diagonal it is $1} 30...Qd8 31.Bb2 Qf8 32.Kg2 $1 {One more accurate move. Grischuk will be soon running out of moves.} 32...Bd8 33.Qf3 Bc8 ( {Definitely not} 33...fxg5 $4 34.Qc3 ) ( {Whereas the computer suggests as more resilient} 33...Rxb3 34.axb3 a5 {but does not say how will it defend both the f6- and a5-weaknesses.} ) 34.Qe3 $1 {One last preparation.} 34...Rxb3 ( {Maybe Grischuk should have tried} 34...Be7 35.Rxb6 axb6 36.Qc3 Bd8 {although here too} 37.Rf4 $1 {should be winning somehow. A plausible plan seems to be to bring the light-squared bishop to c2, thus threatening further infiltration via the a4-e8 diagonal, then capture the f6-pawn, and breakthrough with a timely e4-e5 to finally sacrifice on g6 and make it to the enemy king.} ) 35.axb3 fxg5 {Now it is all happening by force.} 36.Qc3 Rxf1 37.Qh8+ Kf7 38.Qxh7+ Ke8 39.Qxg6+ ( {Not falling into the trap} 39.Bxf1 $4 Bh3+ ) 39...Ke7 ( {After} 39...Rf7 {both} 40.h7 $1 ( {And} 40.Bh5 $1 {win outright.} ) ) 40.Qxg5+ Rf6 {Now the pawn is unstoppable.} ( {But Grischuk would not have saved himself after} 40...Kd7 41.Bg4+ Kc7 42.Qg7+ Kb8 43.Qxf8 Rxf8 44.Bxc8 Kxc8 45.h7 {either, as after regaining the rook White has a clear plan of trading his e4-pawn for the one on d6 and winning while playing against the two black weaknesses.} ) 41.h7 Kd7 42.Qg8 {The pawn is unstoppable and Nakamura wins an excellent game $1} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 1 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.02.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[ECO "C55"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8178288821768"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 h6 {A modern, aggressive line with which Shirov scored quite well.} 5.O-O ( {Here is Black's latest successful effort in the line.} 5.c3 d6 6.Nbd2 g5 7.h4 g4 8.Nh2 h5 9.Qb3 Qd7 $146 10.Nhf1 Na5 11.Qc2 Nxc4 12.Nxc4 d5 {and Black eventually prevailed in Esipenko,A (2720)-Shirov,A (2652) Struga 2021} ) 5...d6 6.c3 g5 {That is the modern treatment—when Black is in fact currently scoring better than the usual 6... g6.} ( {Although, of course, Black can always switch to the normal lines with:} 6...Be7 7.Nbd2 O-O 8.a4 Be6 9.a5 a6 10.Re1 Bxc4 11.dxc4 b6 12.axb6 cxb6 13.Nf1 {as in Firouzja,A (2759)-Le,Q (2709) chess24.com INT 2021} ) 7.Nbd2 {So far Dominguez is confidently executing his moves.} ( {One more blitz game of Shirov was quite short} 7.Re1 Bg7 8.Nbd2 g4 9.Nh4 Nxe4 10.dxe4 Qxh4 11.Nf1 f5 12.exf5 Bxf5 13.Ne3 Bd7 14.Nd5 O-O-O 15.Be3 g3 {0-1 (15) Salem,A (2682) -Shirov, A (2647) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 7...Bg7 8.Bb3 g4 {In a fierce battle for the center, Black is trying to stop the opponent from his central break with d3-d4.} 9.Ne1 {The problem with this approach is obvious—Black is burning his bridges on the kingside and his king might become vulnerable in the center.} 9...h5 10.f4 {Therefore, White is aiming for the f7-pawn.} 10...exf4 11.Rxf4 d5 ( 11...Be6 $5 ) 12.Rf1 $146 {Dominguez's first major expenditure on the clock produces a novelty.} ( {But he was certainly aware of the predecessor between the young American GMs:} 12.exd5 Nxd5 13.Rf1 f5 14.Nc4 O-O 15.d4 f4 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Be6 {Burke,J (2538)-Yoo,C (2479) Saint Louis 2021} ) 12...Be6 ( {After} 12...dxe4 {White can temporarily sacrifice a piece with} 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Bxf7+ Kf8 {when the simplest solution is} ( 14...Ke7 15.Qe2 ) 15.dxe4 Qxd1 16.Bb3+ {with a solid extra pawn.} ) 13.d4 ( {Also} 13.exd5 $5 {looks like a good attempt for an edge} 13...Bxd5 ( 13...Nxd5 14.Ne4 ) 14.Nc4 $1 O-O 15.d4 {when White looks prettier.} ) 13...dxe4 14.Qe2 Qd7 {Shirov hurries to castle long.} ( {However, it made sense to slow down a bit before regaining the pawn with} 14...Bxb3 15.axb3 Qe7 ) 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 O-O-O {The king is safe, or so it seems.} 17.Nc2 $1 {A nice move that solidifies the center.} ( {The more obvious} 17.Bg5 $5 Bxb3 18.axb3 Rde8 19.Qd3 {also looks good for White at first sight; however, there might be some future problems with his d4-pawn, like in this line} 19...h4 20.Qc4 Nxd4 $3 21.cxd4 b5 22.Qc2 Bxd4+ 23.Kh1 Rh5 24.Bf4 Rc5 25.Qd2 Rd5 {and it is extremely messy, exactly what Shirov would have loved.} ) 17...Bxb3 18.axb3 Rde8 ( {The strange computer suggestion} 18...Qe6 {can be simply met with} 19.Qxe6+ $1 ( {Or as in the game} 19.Qf5 $1 ) 19...fxe6 20.b4 ) 19.Qf5 {White firmly follows his policy of a better endgame with no tactical chances at all.} ( 19.Qd3 $5 {also looks fine.} ) 19...Qxf5 20.Rxf5 f6 {Not a desirable move, but what else $2} ( {The side-defense} 20...Re7 21.Bg5 Rd7 22.b4 {cannot succeed.} ) 21.Bf4 $1 {Even though this is not objectively the best move, the concept that Dominguez was heading for was extremely powerful and beautiful.} ( 21.b4 $5 {would have been en edge for White.} ) 21...Re2 {Shirov would not miss a chance to demonstrate activity, but as we shall see, this works nicely into White's plan. The key to the position is the proper coordination of the rooks, and Black's last move leaves them separated.} ( {The amazingly beautiful} 21...Ne7 $3 {would have equalized in full as the obvious pawn gain} 22.Rc5 ( 22.Rfa5 a6 {yields nothing to White.} ) 22...c6 23.Rxa7 Nd5 {would leave the white rooks uncoordinated and Black may even take over the initiative after} 24.Bg3 Re2 ) 22.Ne3 $1 {Separating the black rooks while heading to the optimal d5-square..} ( {Not} 22.Rc1 $2 Ne7 ) 22...Rxb2 23.b4 b6 ( {After} 23...a6 24.Re1 {looks like the neatest reply, with Ne3-d5 to come.} ( {Although} 24.Nd5 {also looks great for the first player as Black cannot counter-attack quickly enough with} 24...Re8 25.Rxh5 Ree2 26.Rh7 Rxg2+ 27.Kh1 Bf8 28.Rh8 {trapping the bishop.} ) ) 24.Nd5 {Complete domination $1} 24...h4 {The last active try.} ( {Otherwise, the second white rook will occupy the open e-file anyway—as in the line} 24...Rc2 25.b5 Na5 26.Re1 $1 ) ( {Or} 24...Rb3 25.Re1 Kb7 26.Nxc7 Rxc3 27.Nb5 Rc2 28.d5 {winning a piece.} ) 25.Re1 {With the inclusion of the last piece into the attack, Dominguez is ready for the final infiltration.} 25...h3 26.gxh3 Rxh3 ( {Nothing changes.} 26...gxh3 27.Ne7+ Nxe7 28.Rxe7 Rg8 29.Rxc7+ Kd8 30.Rxa7 Bh6+ 31.Bg3 ) 27.Bg3 $1 {The neatest move. The black rooks will never be connected.} 27...a5 ( {Or} 27...Rb3 28.Nxc7 $1 Rxg3+ 29.hxg3 Kxc7 30.b5 ) 28.bxa5 bxa5 29.Ne7+ $1 {Now the white rook will occupy the seventh rank.} 29...Nxe7 30.Rxe7 Bh6 31.Rxc7+ Kb8 ( {Or} 31...Kd8 32.Rd5+ Ke8 33.Rxa5 ) 32.Re7+ Rxg3+ 33.hxg3 1-0

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 1 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.02.11"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8109841728547"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {Two major Italian experts clash $1} 3...Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O ( {Their latest encounter in the line went} 5.c3 d6 6.O-O h6 7.b4 Bb6 8.Nbd2 O-O 9.Re1 Ne7 10.Bb3 c6 11.a4 Ng6 12.a5 Bc7 13.d4 Re8 {and Black held his own later in Dominguez Perez,L (2758)-So,W (2772) Saint Louis 2021} ) 5...O-O 6.h3 d6 7.c3 a5 8.Re1 Be6 {A solid move.} ( {Unsurprisingly, So has experience in the line with the reversed colors as well.} 8...h6 9.Bb3 Be6 10.Ba4 Ba7 11.d4 Bd7 12.Bc2 exd4 13.cxd4 Nb4 14.Nc3 Nxc2 15.Qxc2 c5 16.Be3 cxd4 17.Bxd4 Bxd4 18.Nxd4 Qb6 {as in So,W (2780)-Nakamura,H (2777) Chess. com INT 2018} ) 9.Bb5 Ba7 10.Nbd2 Ne7 11.d4 Ng6 12.Ba4 ( {The world champion faced instead:} 12.Nf1 c6 13.Bd3 a4 14.Ng3 b5 15.Be3 Qc7 16.Qc2 Bb6 17.b3 h6 18.Rac1 {Alekseenko,K (2702)-Carlsen,M (2856) Warsaw 2021} ) 12...Nh5 13.Nf1 Nhf4 14.Ng3 c6 15.Bc2 Qd7 16.Nf5 {All these opening moves were very logical, but still, the speed with which they were executed by both players was remarkable. They were practically blitzing $1} 16...f6 17.Be3 $5 $146 {After spending more than seven minutes on the clock (half of the time allowance) So went for} ( {The predecessor saw:} 17.h4 d5 18.Bxf4 Nxf4 19.dxe5 dxe4 20.Qxd7 Bxd7 21.Bxe4 fxe5 22.Ne3 Rae8 {with a bishop pair to compensate for the weakened pawn structure, Sjugirov,S (2680) -Hovhannisyan,R (2643) Warsaw 2021} ) 17...Kh8 {But this did not solve Black's problems.} ( {Stronger was the immediate central break} 17...d5 $1 {when Black was seemingly solving his opening problems, say after} 18.dxe5 ( 18.N3h4 dxe4 19.Bxe4 exd4 {getting rid of the central pawns and the pressure.} ) 18...fxe5 ( 18...Bxe3 $5 {might well work as White cannot gain material with} 19.fxe3 {due to the little trick} 19...Nxg2 $1 20.Kxg2 dxe4 ) 19.Bxa7 Rxa7 20.Ng5 {This also seems scary for Black, as the light-squared bishop is vulnerable, but the machine claims enough compensation after} 20...a4 $3 {I swear I will never understand these moves $1} 21.Nxe6 Qxe6 22.Bxa4 Qf6 ) 18.dxe5 fxe5 ( {Certainly not the endgame} 18...dxe5 19.Qxd7 Bxd7 20.Red1 Rfd8 21.Nd6 $1 {when White clearly dominates.} ) 19.Ng5 d5 ( {The logical followup of the king maneuver would have been} 19...Bg8 {to save the bishop. However, after} 20.Bxa7 Rxa7 21.g3 {Black's knight will be miserable.} ( {Or} 21.h4 $5 ) ) 20.Nxe6 ( {There was also the interesting pawn sacrifice} 20.g3 dxe4 21.Qxd7 Bxd7 22.Nd6 Nxh3+ 23.Nxh3 Bxh3 24.Bxe4 {when White has more than enough for the sacrificed material.} ) 20...Qxe6 {The only move.} ( {Otherwise Black's center will collapse after} 20...Nxe6 21.Bxa7 Rxa7 22.exd5 cxd5 23.Ne3 ) 21.Bxa7 {Slightly discombobulating the black pieces.} ( {The immediate} 21.Qg4 {was there too, when Black can trade massively with} 21...Bxe3 22.fxe3 dxe4 23.exf4 Qxf5 24.Qxf5 Rxf5 25.Bxe4 Rxf4 26.Bxg6 hxg6 27.Rxe5 {and although White still keeps some edge, Black should be able to hold.} ) 21...Rxa7 22.Qg4 Qf6 {A key moment of the game $1 So goes for an aggressive idea which will cost him two valuable tempi.} ( {He should have brought the queenside rook into the game at once instead with} 22...b5 $1 ) ( {Or} 22...b6 {followed by Ra7-f7.} ) 23.Rad1 {Obvious and good. The center should be pressurized. And just like yesterday, Dominguez makes sure that all his pieces will be participating.} ( {With little time on the clock one tries not to burn any bridges, although} 23.g3 $5 {would have been still an excellent idea. Say,} 23...h5 24.Qf3 Nxh3+ 25.Kh2 Ng5 26.Qxh5+ {when White is on top.} ) 23...h5 ( {It was not too late for} 23...b6 ) 24.Qf3 Qg5 25.Qg3 $1 {Very strong $1 Black needs to retreat.} 25...Qf6 ( {As} 25...Qxg3 26.fxg3 $1 {leads to an immediate central collapse.} ) 26.Kh2 $1 {An excellent preparation.} 26...Raa8 ( 26...h4 {only helps White improve his queen with} 27.Qg4 ) 27.Qf3 Nh4 {So forces matters, but unfortunately for him, Dominguez has enough resources to repel the assault.} ( {With the white king away from the pin} 27...Qg5 {backfires due to} 28.g3 dxe4 29.Qxe4 Nd5 30.h4 {and White is close to winning.} ) 28.Nxh4 Qxh4 29.exd5 Nxg2 {This was the point $1} 30.Qd3 $1 {So had this covered.} ( {Certainly not} 30.Qxg2 $2 Rxf2 ) 30...e4 {But White also has something up his sleeve.} 31.Rxe4 $1 Qxf2 {But the cold-blooded} ( {Unfortunately for Black, the line} 31...Nf4 32.Qe3 cxd5 {does not work due to the timely in-between checks} 33.Rxd5 Nxd5 34.Rxh4 Nxe3 35.Rxh5+ $1 Kg8 36.Bb3+ Rf7 37.fxe3 ) 32.Kh1 $3 {settles the dust and it becomes obvious whose king is safer. The attacking pair of a queen and knight needs two tempi to coordinate, but there is no time for that.} ( {Anything else was losing, for instance} 32.Re2 Ne1+ 33.Rxf2 Rxf2+ 34.Kg1 Nxd3 {and Black wins material.} ) 32...Nh4 ( {Or} 32...g6 33.Re2 ) 33.Rxh4 {And White mated after} 33...g6 34.Rxh5+ 1-0

[Event "Airthings Masters Prelim"]
[Site "Online"]
[Date "2022.02.22"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2022.02.19"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[Beauty "6461534781502"]
[EventType "game"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e4 {Quite popular these days.} 4...Bb4 5.d3 a6 {Black intends to keep his dark squared bishop.} ( {A more common line,} 5...d6 6.a3 Bc5 7.b4 Bb6 8.Na4 Bg4 9.Nxb6 axb6 10.Bb2 {led to a sensational win for White in Abdusattorov-Carlsen, World Rapid 2021} ) 6.Be2 d6 7.h3 Bc5 8.O-O O-O 9.Be3 Nd4 ( {The problem with} 9...Bxe3 10.fxe3 {is that White will have the half-open f-file to operate on (Qe1, Nh4 etc.) while Black is lacking a plan.} ) 10.Qd2 h6 11.Bd1 Nh7 12.Bxd4 {Parting with the dark suared bishop while the light squared one has no obvious prospects may seem illogical, but Ding intended to hit the d4-pawn.} 12...exd4 $5 {Very principled again. It's nice to see young players of today not backing out of big strategic battles.} ( 12...Bxd4 13.Nxd4 exd4 14.Ne2 c5 15.b4 b6 16.Ng3 {is nice for White, who has prospects on both sides of the board.} ) 13.Ne2 Qf6 14.Ng3 ( {It's hard to tell what made Ding reject the obvious} 14.b4 ) 14...b5 15.Rc1 ( {Same story here:} 15.b4 Ba7 16.Bb3 {looked natural.} ) 15...bxc4 16.Rxc4 Be6 17.e5 {Ding decided to secure a pawn majority on the queenside.} ( {On} 17.Rc1 {Black had} 17...a5 ) 17...Qe7 18.exd6 cxd6 19.Ra4 Bd7 20.Re1 Qd8 21.Rc4 a5 $1 {It's amazing how Black manages to stay afloat with the help of little tactics.} 22.a3 Be6 23.Rc2 Nf6 24.b4 axb4 25.axb4 {So, White got his poassed pawn going, but it's hardly a very important factor in the middlegame.} 25...Bb6 26.Ne4 Nxe4 ( {I'd prefer to keep the pawn structure the way it is. After} 26...Ra3 27.Nxf6+ Qxf6 28.Rc6 Qd8 {Black plans to hit the d3-pawn, while White is still looking for ways of making his Bd1 fully employed.} ) 27.dxe4 {The d4-pawn is a target.} 27...Qf6 28.Rc6 Ra2 29.Qd3 Qd8 30.Bb3 ( {but the immediate} 30.Nxd4 $2 {runs into} 30...Qf6 {hitting f2. I can imagine how difficult it is to keep any kind of degree of control when facing such inventive defensive play.} ) 30...Ra3 31.Rb1 Qb8 32.Qb5 {It seemed that Ding had finally been able to solve the riddle, but at the cost of taking alot of time off his clock.} 32...Bxb3 33.Rxb6 Qa8 34.Re1 {It's not clear to me why that rook had to abandon the b-file, where it was supporting the pawn.} ( 34.Qc6 Qa7 35.b5 Bc2 {must have been the reason for that.} ) 34...Bc2 35.Nxd4 Bxe4 {The bishop managed to find its way around to capture an important pawn. The game remains roughly balanced.} 36.f3 Ra1 37.Qf1 Rxe1 38.Qxe1 Qd8 39.Ra6 Bb7 40.Ra3 Qb6 41.Qe3 Bc8 42.Nc2 Qb8 $1 {Esipenko wisely avoids a queen trade to make life difficult for his opponent.} 43.Qd4 Be6 44.Ne3 Rc8 45.Ra6 Rc1+ 46.Kf2 d5 47.f4 $2 {A big error. Ding wanted to cover the dark squares, but his king becomes too exposed.} ( {Perhaps, more practical was to take a draw after} 47.Nxd5 Bxd5 48.Qxd5 Rc2+ 49.Kg1 Rc1+ 50.Kf2 {but Ding needed a win to improve his chances of qualification.} ) 47...Rb1 48.Rb6 Qc7 49.b5 Qc1 50.Rb8+ $2 ( {Only the clever move} 50.Qd3 $1 {could help White to maintain the balance. It would make f7-f5 impossible, and that's the key.} ) 50...Kh7 51.Qd3+ f5 52.Kf3 d4 $1 {The classic central pawn push decides the game in favor of Black.} 53.Qxd4 ( 53.Nxf5 Rb3 ) 53...Rb3 54.Kf2 ( {Or} 54.Re8 Qf1+ 55.Kg3 Qe1+ 56.Kf3 Rxe3+ 57.Qxe3 Bd5+ ) 54...Rb2+ 55.Kf3 Rd2 $1 56.Qe5 Qe1 57.Nxf5 Qf2+ 58.Kg4 Qxg2+ 59.Kh4 g5+ 0-1

[Event "Airthings Masters KO 2022"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2022.02.23"]
[Round "1.13"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2022.02.23"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7701950108197"]
[EventType "k.o."]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.cxd5 {This is an old method of sidestepping the Cambridge Springs Variation.} 6...exd5 {The game has transposed into the Exchange Variation with one little twist: the white knight is already on f3.} 7.e3 Be7 8.Bd3 {Ding has his own taste.} ( {There are a lot of games following} 8.Qc2 Nh5 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.O-O-O {and among them a Carlsen win over Artemiev at Aimchess 2021.} ) 8...Ne4 ( {Now} 8...Nh5 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 {gives White time to castle short and avoid the move Nf4.} 10.O-O Nhf6 11.Qc2 O-O 12.Rab1 {is a standard pawn minority attack issue.} ) 9.Bf4 Ndf6 10.O-O O-O 11.Ne5 Bf5 12.Qc2 g6 ( {Another plan is} 12...Nxc3 13.Bxf5 Nce4 14.f3 Nd6 15.Bd3 g6 {but Artemiev didn't want to give Ding a bishop pair.} ) 13.f3 Nd6 14.g4 {An important improvement.} ( {Against Duda at Goldmoney 2021 Ding chose} 14.Bxf5 Nxf5 15.g4 {which allowed Black to bring his wandering knight to a good defensive position after} 15...Ng7 ) 14...Bxd3 15.Nxd3 Nfe8 16.e4 {White is making progress.} 16...dxe4 ( {I wonder whether the paradoxical} 16...Nb5 $5 {was worth a look. After} 17.Nxb5 cxb5 {Black gets a bit more freedom for his pieces.} ) 17.fxe4 Ng7 18.Rad1 Ne6 19.Bh6 Re8 {Black is very short of space.} 20.d5 $1 {Aided by a large advantage on the clock, Ding didn't hesitate to strike the iron while it was hot.} 20...cxd5 21.Nxd5 Nxe4 22.Ne5 Nd6 23.Qf2 Ng5 {Strange things begin to happen here.} 24.Kh1 {Was this move really needed $2} ( 24.Bxg5 Bxg5 25.Nxf7 Nxf7 26.Qxf7+ Kh8 27.Nc7 {would win the game on the spot.} ) 24...Nge4 25.Qf3 f6 26.Nc4 Rc8 27.Nxd6 Bxd6 28.Qb3 Kh8 29.Qxb7 Rg8 30.Rde1 $4 {This is a bad error, allowing Black to turn the tables.} ( {Again, a not too difficult to find shot} 30.Nxf6 $1 Nxf6 31.Bg5 {would end the game and set right there.} ) 30...Rc2 {Counterattack.} 31.Rxe4 Rxh2+ 32.Kg1 Rxh6 33.Rxf6 Rh3 {Vlad was very low on time.} ( {Otherwise, he would have spotted the winning move} 33...Qa5 {Once the queen gets out there will be no defense for the white king.} ) 34.b4 $2 ( {An attack on Bd6 was necessary to keep the balance.} 34.Qc6 Rd3 35.Qxd6 Rxd5 {drawing the game, which would keep Ding in the lead.} ) 34...Rd3 $1 {Surprisingly, White cannot stop the threat to his knight that, in turn, has to keep Rf6 safe.} 35.Rf7 Qh4 {A nice way to combine attack and defense. Ding played it out,} 36.Rxh7+ Qxh7 37.Qxh7+ Kxh7 38.Nf6+ Kg7 39.Nxg8 Kxg8 {but it was pointless to continue down a piece in the endgame.} 0-1

[Event "Airthings Masters KO 2022"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2022.02.24"]
[Round "2.14"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E61"]
[EventDate "2022.02.23"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8045547487292"]
[EventType "k.o."]

1.c4 {Carlsen seems to be comfortable playing the English Opening these days.} 1...e5 2.g3 Nc6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e3 {A tried and true method of development.} 5...Nf6 {It's a bit surprising to see that knight stepping ahead of the f-pawn.} ( {The thing is, the old line} 5...d6 6.Nge2 Be6 {is being challenged by the sharp move} ( {Black tried} 6...h5 {recently, including Artemiev-Chigaev, 2020, so Vladislav wasn't exactly out of his depth yet.} ) 7.d4 $1 ) 6.Nge2 O-O 7.O-O d6 8.d4 {Magnus prefers to go through the center.} ( {There is always an old plan,} 8.d3 Be6 9.Nd5 Qd7 10.Rb1 {preparing a queenside offensive.} ) 8...exd4 9.exd4 Re8 10.h3 Ne7 11.Re1 c6 12.Bf4 d5 13.c5 {The game had already left theoretical paths, but the clocks were showing a large advantage to Carlsen, and it proves that he was better prepared.} 13...Ne4 $6 {A rather nervy attempt to seize the initiative. I think Artemiev misjudged the resulting position.} ( {Black could have tried to develop his play gradually,} 13...Nf5 14.Be5 h5 15.b4 Bh6 {was one possibility.} ) 14.Bxe4 $1 {Carlsen was not afraid of parting with the fianchettoed bishop, because he knew his other minor pieces would soon assume commanding positions in the center. Bravo $1} 14...dxe4 15.Nxe4 Nf5 $2 ( {For better or worse, Artemiev had to take the pawn. Yes, Black suffers a bit after} 15...Bxh3 16.Be5 Nd5 17.Nd6 Re6 {but there's always hope of exploiting the weakness of the king, should White overplay his hand.} ) 16.N2c3 $1 {Magnus' play is very energetic and precise at the same time.} 16...Be6 ( {Perhaps, Vlad missed that} 16...Nxd4 {would be answered by} 17.Bg5 ) 17.Be5 b6 ( 17...Nxd4 {is busted by} 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Nd6 ) 18.b4 $6 {Perhaps, the only mistake coming from the world champion, and a minor one at that.} 18...bxc5 {It's all smooth sailing after this submission.} ( {The only chance was} 18...f6 {planning to answer} 19.Bd6 {with} 19...Nxd4 $1 20.Qxd4 f5 {Still, White is well on top after} 21.Qe3 fxe4 22.Rad1 Bxh3 23.Be5 Qe7 24.Bxg7 Qxg7 25.Nxe4 ) 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.dxc5 a5 21.b5 $1 cxb5 22.Nxb5 Bd5 23.Nbd6 Re5 24.Nxf5+ gxf5 25.Qd4 f6 26.Nd6 Bc6 27.Rxe5 fxe5 28.Qxe5+ Qf6 29.Nxf5+ Kf7 30.Qc7+ Kf8 31.Re1 Qc3 32.Qxc6 Qxe1+ 33.Kg2 Ra7 34.Qf6+ Ke8 35.c6 1-0

[Event "Airthings Masters KO 2022"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2022.02.25"]
[Round "3.12"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2022.02.23"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[Beauty "4468150120018"]
[EventType "k.o."]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.O-O Nd4 {Another rare line issued by Carlsen.} ( {Usually this move is played after} 4...Nge7 5.Nc3 {where} 5...Nd4 6.Nxd4 cxd4 {makes the white knight move again.} ) 5.Nxd4 cxd4 6.c3 a6 7.Bd3 $5 ( {GM Jorden Van Foreest, who brought 4...Nd4 back into the spotlight, only had to face} 7.Be2 ) 7...Bc5 {Black's plan is to hold his pawn on d4 as long as he can.} ( 7...dxc3 $2 8.dxc3 {gives White better development and easy play.} ) 8.b4 Ba7 9.Na3 ( 9.Bb2 {may be answered by} 9...Ne7 10.cxd4 d5 ) 9...Ne7 10.Nc2 dxc3 11.dxc3 Qc7 12.c4 {Now White has no more than a slight advantage.} 12...O-O 13.Be3 Bxe3 14.Nxe3 b6 15.Rc1 a5 16.a3 axb4 17.axb4 Bb7 18.Qd2 Qf4 19.Rfd1 Rfd8 ( {Ian would be happy to see} 19...Bxe4 20.Bxe4 Qxe4 21.Qxd7 ) 20.Bb1 {Now, it's a real pawn sacrifice,} 20...h6 {but Magnus turned it down.} ( {Let's see what the deal was with that.} 20...Bxe4 21.Bxe4 Qxe4 22.Qd6 {would win the b6-pawn, because} 22...Nc8 23.Qc7 {is no improvement for Black.} ) 21.Qd4 Qc7 {Carlsen's choice forced him to bring his queen back—an accomplishment on Nepo's part.} 22.e5 $5 ( {If the roles were reversed, we would have seen} 22.Qd6 {played. Such stylistic differences between top players make chess fun to watch.} ) 22...Ra4 $6 ( {I thought Black absolutely had to try} 22...Nc6 {and I was wondering what White would do then. The choice seemed to be between} 23.Qd6 ( {and the sharper} 23.Qe4 Qxe5 24.Qh7+ Kf8 ) 23...Qxd6 24.Rxd6 Nxe5 25.Rxb6 Rab8 {This endgame would slightly favor White.} ) 23.Qh4 $6 {perhaps taking my advice to attack Calsen's king at every opportunity too close to the heart, Nepo embarked on a speculative pawn sacrifice.} ( {when the positional solution} 23.b5 $1 {was perfectly fine. Restricting Ne7 would have kept the e5-pawn safe, and what is Black to do then $2} ) 23...Kf8 24.Ng4 Rxb4 25.Nxh6 Rxb1 $1 {The refutation.} 26.Rxb1 Ng6 27.Qg5 gxh6 28.Qxh6+ Ke8 {The black king is safe and the counterattack is coming. Everybody thought Carlsen was going to take this game.} 29.Rd6 Qxc4 30.Rdxb6 Be4 31.R6b4 Qe2 32.Rc1 Bc6 33.h4 Qxe5 34.h5 Ne7 35.Rg4 {Yet, the position remained tough to play, especially under time pressure.} 35...Ra8 $6 ( {It was a difficult decision to make, but} 35...Nf5 36.Rg8+ Ke7 37.Qg5+ f6 38.Qg6 Rxg8 39.Qxg8 Nd4 {would quickly give Black a decisive attack.} ) 36.Rg7 Kd8 $2 {There must have been some kind of hallucination involved on Magnus' part.} 37.Rxf7 {The tables have turned, now it's White who's winning, but this wasn't the last twist in this convoluted tale.} 37...Ra1 38.Rxa1 Qxa1+ 39.Kh2 Nf5 40.Qg5+ $2 {Ian, who had over three minutes against Magnus' mere seconds, could have used some of his clock advantage to find a better move.} ( 40.Qf4 {would keep the black king in the mating net and ensured the win of a piece for the h-pawn.} ) 40...Kc7 41.h6 Qe5+ {Now Black has enough resources to bother the white king.} 42.Kh3 Qa1 43.Qf4+ Nd6 44.Rg7 Qh1+ 45.Qh2 Qc1 46.Kg4 Qc4+ $6 ( {Accurate was} 46...Qd1+ 47.f3 Qd2 $1 {not letting the white queen out.} 48.h7 $4 Qd4+ ) 47.Qf4 Qe2+ 48.Kh3 e5 {At this moment neither player had time to think.} 49.Qg4 $2 ( 49.Qg5 $1 Qxf2 50.h7 {winning.} ) 49...Qxf2 50.h7 Qe3+ {It was all about this check, now it's either a draw by perpetual or an awkward position for the white rook.} 51.Kh2 Qh6+ 52.Qh3 Qf4+ 53.Rg3 {Ian gamely presses on.} 53...Nf7 54.h8=Q Nxh8 55.Qxh8 d5 56.Qg7+ Kd6 57.Qg6+ Kc5 58.Qc2+ Kd6 59.Qc3 d4 60.Qa3+ Ke6 61.Kg1 Qe4 62.Qc1 Kd6 63.Rg7 d3 64.Qa3+ Kd5 65.Qa5+ Kc4 66.Qa2+ Kc3 67.Qa3+ Kc2 68.Qa2+ Kd1 $5 {Same decision from Carlsen—fight to the end.} ( 68...Kc3 ) 69.Rf7 $1 {Now Magnus had to use near all of his remaining seconds to find the only way to draw.} 69...Qxg2+ $1 70.Qxg2 Bxg2 71.Kxg2 Ke2 72.Rf2+ Ke3 73.Rf3+ Ke2 74.Rf2+ Ke3 75.Rf3+ {All resources have been exhausted in this thriller of a game. Bravo $1} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Airthings Masters KO 2022"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2022.02.26"]
[Round "3.23"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[EventDate "2022.02.23"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[Beauty "8248082050130"]
[EventType "k.o."]

1.e4 c5 $5 {Magnus didn't seem to be affected by the changed match situation. He sticks to his Sicilian, rather than run to the safety of the Ruy Lopez.} 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.g4 $1 {The English Attack is a perfect fit to Ian's style (and to this particular must-win situation). This move was already played in Grandelius-Carlsen, Tata Steel 2022.} 7...Nxd4 8.Qxd4 b5 9.O-O-O Bb7 10.Kb1 {Nepo doesn't mind spending a tempo on a useful king move. The thing with the English Attack is not its speed, but rather its inevitability. Sooner or later the white kingside battering ram will get going.} 10...Nf6 11.f3 $1 {Again, patience is key.} ( {Against Caruana in Crypto Cup 2021, Nepomniachtchi went} 11.g5 Ng4 12.Bf4 e5 13.Nd5 {but the cool defense by Fabiano,} 13...O-O-O 14.f3 exd4 15.Bxc7 Re8 {kept Black in the game.} ) 11...Rc8 12.g5 Nh5 13.Qd2 Be7 $6 ( 13...Bb4 {wouldn't distract White from his plans,} 14.Bh3 Bxc3 15.bxc3 O-O 16.Bg4 {Still, I'd rather try to defend this cheerless position, rather than allow White to develop his attack as in the game.} ) 14.Bh3 b4 15.Ne2 d5 16.Bg4 g6 17.Bxh5 gxh5 18.Nf4 dxe4 19.Nxh5 exf3 {19 moves into the game, and Black is totally busted. Are those classic Sicilians even playable anymore $2 The world champion spent 10 minutes of his time to get here, while his former challenger needed only the additional 10 seconds per each move.} 20.Bf4 $2 {Ian begins to go wrong.} ( {The bishop move wasn't needed, when the direct} 20.Nf6+ Bxf6 21.gxf6 {would work just fine. There's no safe spot for the black king anywhere on the board.} 21...b3 {This computer suggestion is no solution at all.} ( {but} 21...a5 {meets with} 22.Bb6 $1 Qxb6 23.Qd7+ Kf8 24.Qe7+ Kg8 25.Rhg1+ ) ( {neither} 21...Bd5 22.Qxb4 Qxc2+ 23.Ka1 {helps Black any.} ) 22.cxb3 f2 23.Rhf1 O-O 24.Qxf2 Be4+ 25.Ka1 {Black may be able to drag it a bit longer, but his situation remains grim.} ) 20...Qd8 21.Qe3 Bd5 {White is no longer winning by force, but his advantage is still significant,} 22.Nf6+ $2 {This error sinks White's ship.} ( {Despite Black's material advantage and the strong f3-pawn, his game is going nowhere after} 22.b3 Rg8 23.h4 Qa5 24.Be5 {The reason for that is two-fold: a bad king and disconnected rooks.} ) 22...Bxf6 23.gxf6 Rg8 $1 {No matter how bad those Sicilians may look under the cold eye of engines, in a practical game there are chances. Here Carlsen's rook quickly gets to hit the c2-pawn, and it changes the evaluation of the position heavily in Black's favor.} 24.Rhe1 Rg2 25.Qa7 Qd7 26.Qd4 Rcxc2 27.Bc1 Rxc1+ 28.Kxc1 Qc6+ 29.Kb1 Qa4 30.Rd2 Bxa2+ 0-1

[Event "Airthings Masters Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2022.02.19"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2664"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2022.02.19"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[Beauty "4536425056264"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.d4 Nf6 5.O-O e6 6.c4 dxc4 7.dxc5 Qxd1 8.Rxd1 Bxc5 9.Nbd2 b5 $5 {It's a real treat to watch Levon Aronian play these days. Since he opened a new chapter of his life by relocating to the U.S. and settling down in St. Louis, it seems his game has soared to new heights.} ( 9...c3 {is considered more reliable but rather boring.} ) 10.a4 Ba6 11.Ng5 $5 ( {Clearly, Black was inviting} 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.Bxa8 ( 12.axb5 Rd8 13.Rxa6 O-O {leaves White awkwardly pinned on the d-file.} ) 12...b4 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Ke7 {Only practice can tell if he has enough for the exchange here.} ) 11...Nd5 12.Nde4 Bb4 13.Nc3 $1 {Well-played by GM Vincent Keymer. Did he analyze this line with his esteemed coach, GM Peter Leko $2} 13...Bxc3 14.bxc3 b4 15.Ne4 $1 {Another strong move.} ( {White eschews the obvious} 15.Bxd5 exd5 16.Rxd5 {where the timely} 16...O-O 17.Rc5 Rfd8 $1 {may help Black equalize the chances.} ) 15...O-O 16.Nc5 Bc8 17.cxb4 Ncxb4 18.Ba3 Nc2 19.Ra2 Nxa3 20.Rxa3 Rb8 21.e4 Nf6 22.Rc3 {White has emerged with some advantage. The position of Nc5 vs. Bc8 is telling.} 22...Rb4 23.Bf1 e5 24.f3 h5 25.Bxc4 Bh3 26.Nd3 {Perhaps, a critical point.} 26...Rd8 {Aronian went for a tactical move,} ( {Keeping four rooks on the board made sense in view of the open 2nd rank near the white king. A sample line,} 26...Rxa4 27.Nxe5 Be6 28.Bxe6 fxe6 29.Rc6 Ra2 30.Rxe6 Rb8 {illustrates th point.} ) 27.Rcc1 Rxa4 28.Nxe5 Rxd1+ 29.Rxd1 Be6 30.Bxe6 fxe6 31.Rd8+ Kh7 32.h4 $1 {A different picture now. The white king has room to roam, while his black counterpart is dangerously boxed in.} 32...Ra5 33.Nd3 Ra3 ( {It's hard to tell if} 33...e5 {was a better choice.} ) 34.Kf2 Nd5 {More tactical trickery from Levon, but the young Vincent stays the course.} 35.Nc5 Ra2+ 36.Ke1 Ra1+ 37.Kd2 Ra2+ 38.Kc1 Ne3 39.Nxe6 Rc2+ 40.Kb1 Rc6 41.Nf8+ $5 ( {Keymer must have rejected} 41.Ng5+ Kg6 42.f4 a5 43.Rf8 {on account of} 43...Rf6 44.f5+ Nxf5 45.exf5+ Kxf5 {where, indeed, White's task of preserving his pawns is not easy.} ) 41...Kh6 42.e5 Rb6+ 43.Ka2 Nf5 44.g4 $1 hxg4 45.fxg4 Nxh4 46.e6 Ng6 47.Rd5 $3 {Such elegant play, with only seconds left on the clock, deserved a victory.} 47...Ra6+ 48.Kb3 Rb6+ 49.Ka4 Nf4 ( 49...Nxf8 50.e7 {queens the pawn.} ) 50.e7 Rb4+ $1 51.Ka3 Re4 52.Rd4 $4 {Oh, what a shame.} ( 52.Rd6+ Kg5 53.Ne6+ {would be a fitting finish to an excellent game.} ) 52...Re3+ 53.Ka4 Kg5 {The win is gone, and now White has to be careful not to lose.} 54.Rd7 Kf6 55.Nh7+ Kg6 56.Nf8+ Kf7 57.Rxa7 Rxe7 58.Rxe7+ Kxe7 59.Nh7 Ne6 60.Kb4 Kf7 61.g5 Kg6 62.Nf6 Kxg5 63.Ne8 g6 64.Kc3 Kf4 65.Nf6 Kf3 66.Kd2 g5 67.Ke1 Nd4 68.Kf1 Nc6 69.Kg1 Ne5 70.Nh7 g4 71.Nf6 g3 72.Nh5 g2 73.Nf4 Kxf4 74.Kxg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Airthings Masters Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2022.02.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2865"]
[BlackElo "2612"]
[ECO "D32"]
[EventDate "2022.02.19"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7699823596554"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.e3 Nc6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Bb5 cxd4 8.exd4 {This capture would be unthinkable for many players of the past, but Magnus Carlsen made his skills in symmetrical position into a great success.} 8...Bd6 9.O-O O-O 10.h3 ( 10.Bg5 Bg4 $1 {is Black's method of defense, first discovered by the late GM Lembit Oll and recently used by GM Vishy Anand.} ) 10...h6 {No pins anymore. What's next $2} 11.Re1 Bf5 12.Ne5 Rc8 13.Bf4 Re8 14.Rc1 Qb6 15.Bxc6 {Magnus likes to get his hands on a structural weakness, but there are too many pieces left on the board for White to be comfortable with his plan of pressure on the c-file.} 15...bxc6 16.Na4 ( {Interesting was} 16.Qd2 Bb4 17.Bxh6 {but Black can counter with} 17...Ne4 $1 18.Qf4 Qxd4 {Who is better here and why $2} ) 16...Qa6 17.Re3 ( {I'll hazard a guess that} 17.Nc5 Bxc5 18.Rxc5 Qxa2 19.Qa1 {would be more up Carlsen's alley.} ) 17...Ne4 18.f3 Ng5 19.Rec3 Qb7 20.Bh2 Ne6 $1 {White has already passed the point of no return. His d4-pawn is weak.} 21.Nxc6 {At least, Carlsen's play is consistent.} 21...Nf4 ( {Stronger was} 21...Bxh2+ 22.Kxh2 Nf4 {and the coming invasion to e2, either by the rook or knight would put White on the brink.} ) 22.Ne5 $1 {Now White is more or less OK.} 22...Bxe5 23.dxe5 Nd3 24.Rxc8 Rxc8 25.Rxc8+ Qxc8 26.Bg3 d4 $1 {Still, he gets very little joy out of his extra pawn. That stray Na4 represents a particular problem for White.} 27.b3 Qc6 28.Qd2 Kh7 29.Kh2 ( 29.Nb2 Qc3 30.Qxc3 dxc3 31.Nxd3 Bxd3 32.Be1 c2 33.Bd2 {is not really a winning attempt, and Carlsen wanted more than a draw.} ) 29...Bg6 30.Qa5 Qc1 31.Qxa7 {Magnus won the second pawn, but at the cost of allowing a dangerous infiltration by the black queen.} 31...Qe3 32.Nc3 $2 {Cute, but wrong.} ( 32.Qa5 Nc1 33.Qe1 Ne2 {is about equal.} ) 32...Nf4 33.Nd1 {Oh, that poor knight.} ( {Surprisingly,} 33.Ne4 Bxe4 34.fxe4 Ne2 {traps the white bishop and ends the game right there.} ) 33...Qd2 34.Nf2 Ne2 35.h4 Qe1 $1 {Black's attack cannot be denied.} 36.Qd7 ( 36.Qe7 Bf5 {threatening mate on g1.} ) 36...Nxg3 37.Qxd4 ( {Now White loses his queen in case of} 37.Kxg3 Qxe5+ 38.Kh3 Bf5+ ) 37...Nf1+ 38.Kh3 Ne3 39.Qb2 Bc2 $1 {What a finish. A great game by the 16 year-old talent from India.} 0-1

[Event "Airthings Masters Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2022.02.21"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2664"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[ECO "D12"]
[EventDate "2022.02.19"]
[Annotator "yermo"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[Beauty "6943372485129"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 ( {Sometimes Black induces a pawn move before retreating the bishop.} 6...Be4 7.f3 Bg6 {It's largely a matter of taste.} ) 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.Qb3 Qc7 ( 9...Qb6 ) 10.cxd5 exd5 11.O-O-O a5 $5 {Artemiev seeks immediate play against the white king} ( {This complex position offers both sides a choice of plans. Black handled it in a more restrained fashion in Predke-Fedoseev, Russian Championship 2021.} 11...Ng4 12.Be1 Bd6 13.Kb1 Ndf6 14.h3 Kf8 15.Bd3 Re8 16.Rg1 Nh6 17.g4 Nhg8 18.g5 Nd7 {and eventually prevailed in deep endgame.} ) 12.Qc2 Bb4 13.h4 Nf8 14.f3 Ne6 15.Bd3 {It's not clear to me if White needed this move at all.} ( {The immediate} 15.g4 {looked more to the point.} ) 15...c5 $5 16.dxc5 Qxc5 17.Kb1 O-O 18.a3 Rfc8 19.Qb3 {So far, so good.} ( {White would quickly come to regret the greedy} 19.axb4 $2 axb4 20.Na4 Qa7 21.Qb3 {on account of} 21...Nc5 ) 19...Bxc3 20.Bxc3 Qxe3 21.Rhe1 {Perhaps, too academic.} ( {A more hands-on approach,} 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.h5 {would be easier for White to handle.} ) 21...Qf4 22.Be5 Qxh4 {Vladislav calmly collects the sacrificial offerings, with no attack on his king in sight.} 23.Bb5 $6 ( {Better was} 23.g4 {hoping for} 23...a4 24.Qb5 Qf2 25.Bxf6 gxf6 26.Bxg6 ) 23...Qf2 24.Re2 Qb6 25.a4 Nd7 $1 {Excellent judgement from Artemiev. He didn't mind giving up the d5-pawn for the price of one of White's bishops.} 26.Bg3 $2 ( 26.Rxd5 Nxe5 27.Rexe5 Rd8 28.Bc4 {would still be about equal.} ) 26...Ndc5 27.Qa3 d4 $1 {The formerly weak pawn now represents a major strength.} 28.Rc2 Rd8 29.Bf2 Qd6 30.Bc4 b6 31.Rcd2 Qe5 32.g4 Qf4 33.Bb5 d3 34.Bxd3 {I'm sure Vincent was fully aware of the problem created by the pin on the d-file, but there was nothing else to do.} 34...Rd5 35.Be1 Rad8 36.Qc3 Qxf3 37.Bc2 Qxc3 38.bxc3 Rxd2 39.Rxd2 Rxd2 40.Bxd2 Kf8 {No problems for Vlad in converting his two pawn advantage.} 41.Kc1 Ke7 42.Kd1 Kd6 43.Ke2 Kd5 44.Kf3 g5 45.Bd1 Kc4 46.Ke3 Nf4 47.Kf3 Kd3 48.Be1 Nd7 49.Bb3 Ne5+ 50.Kg3 Ne2+ 51.Kh3 Ke3 0-1

[Event "E Grand Prix 2 Playoff"]
[Site "Belgrade SRB"]
[Date "2022.03.12"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C47"]
[EventDate "2022.03.09"]
[Annotator "cahan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7903008265735"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 ( {The Petroff. The previous Andreikin-Rapport encounter went} 2...Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.Nc3 d6 7.a3 Be6 8.Nd5 Qd7 9.Bg5 Bxd5 10.exd5 Nd4 11.Nxd4 exd4 12.Qf3 Rae8 13.Rae1 Bd8 14.h3 Qa4 15.Qd1 Qd7 16.Bd2 h6 17.b4 Re5 18.Qa1 Nxd5 19.Qxd4 Rxe1 20.Rxe1 Nb6 21.Bb3 Re8 22.Rxe8+ Qxe8 23.Qe4 Qxe4 24.dxe4 Nd7 25.g3 b5 26.a4 {(White has a clear advantage in the endgame thanks to paying with a pair of bishops against knight + bishop.)} 26...Ne5 27.Kf1 bxa4 28.Bxa4 Nc4 29.Be1 c5 30.Ke2 cxb4 31.Bb3 Nb6 32.Bxb4 Bc7 33.f4 Nd7 34.Kd3 g5 35.Kd4 a5 36.Bd2 Bb6+ 37.Kc4 Nf6 38.e5 Ne4 39.Be1 gxf4 40.gxf4 dxe5 41.fxe5 Ng5 42.Bd2 Kg7 43.h4 Nf3 44.Bc3 Kg6 45.h5+ Kf5 46.Kb5 Bc7 47.Bxf7 Bxe5 48.Bg6+ Kg5 49.Bxa5 Nd4+ 50.Kc4 Nxc2 51.Kd3 Nd4 52.Ke4 Kf6 53.Kd5 Kg7 54.Bc3 Bf6 55.Bxd4 {1/2-1/2 (55) Andreikin,D (2736)-Rapport,R (2702) Wijk aan Zee 2017} ) 3.Nc3 Nc6 {The Four Knights is one of the oldest openings in chess. It had a renaissance in the 1980s when particularly the English top players such as Short and Nunn played it with some success. The fact that it is still being contested in top -level chess shows the versatility of the opening.} 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5 8.Bd2 ( {This bishop move is a relatively recent discovery at grandmaster level. It only came to prominensce in 2018 when Andreikin's countrymen Vitugov, Nepomniachtchi and Motylev started playing it. More recently, it has been played by other world-class players such as Karjakin and So. Objectively speaking, it should not lead to any kind of significant problems for Black, but some precision is required. The main line, of course, is} 8.exd5 {which Rapport has faced in an earlier game:} 8...O-O 9.O-O cxd5 10.Bg5 c6 11.Qf3 Bd6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Qxf6 gxf6 {(despite his inferior pawn structure, Black has the slightly better chances on account of his bishop pair.)} 14.Ne2 Rb8 15.Rab1 Re8 16.Ng3 h6 17.Nf5 Bxf5 18.Bxf5 Rb7 19.Bd3 Be5 20.Rfe1 Kf8 21.b3 Rbe7 22.Kf1 Bc3 23.Rxe7 Kxe7 24.Rd1 Kf8 25.Be2 d4 26.Rd3 Re5 27.Rh3 Kg7 28.Rh5 Kg6 29.Rxe5 fxe5 30.Bd3+ f5 31.f3 {1/2-1/2 (31) Ni, H (2674)-Rapport,R (2707) China 2017} ) 8...O-O 9.O-O Bxc3 ( {A solid choice, which has been played by Magnus Carlsen as well as in that previous game by Andreikin against Matlakov. Rapport, however, has also tried} 9...Rb8 10.Re1 Re8 11.a3 Bxc3 12.Bxc3 dxe4 13.Bxe4 Qxd1 14.Raxd1 Nxe4 15.Rxe4 Bf5 16.Rxe8+ Rxe8 17.h3 Bxc2 {(At this point, White has no more than a small plus but Black's defensive task is a dull affair and mistakes can easily sneak in)} 18.Rd7 Rc8 19.Rd4 Bb3 20.Rg4 g6 21.Rb4 Bd5 22.Ra4 Ra8 23.Ra6 c5 24.Ra5 c6 25.Rxc5 f5 26.Ra5 a6 27.Ra4 Kf7 28.Rb4 Ra7 29.f3 a5 30.Rb8 a4 31.h4 Ke6 32.Kf2 f4 $2 ( {Impatient defense. Black should have settled for} 32...Rf7 ) 33.Rb4 Kf5 34.Bd2 Bb3 35.Rxf4+ Ke6 36.Bc3 Re7 37.Kg3 Rf7 38.Re4+ Kd7 39.Rb4 Ke6 40.Rb6 Kd5 41.Ra6 c5 42.h5 gxh5 43.Rh6 Bc2 44.Rxh5+ Kc6 45.Kf2 Bg6 46.Re5 Kd6 47.Re1 Re7 48.Rd1+ Ke6 49.g4 h5 50.Kg3 hxg4 51.fxg4 Kf7 52.Rd5 Rc7 53.Rd6 Bc2 54.g5 Re7 55.Rf6+ Kg8 56.Rc6 Re3+ 57.Kf4 Re4+ 58.Kg3 Re3+ 59.Kf2 Re7 60.g6 Re8 61.g7 Bb3 62.Rxc5 Kf7 63.Rf5+ Kg8 64.Rh5 Kf7 65.Rh8 Rg8 66.Ke3 Ke7 67.Kf4 Re8 68.Kg5 Bg8 69.Rh6 Ra8 70.Rf6 Bf7 71.Bb4+ {1-0 (71) Karjakin,S (2750)-Rapport,R (2747) Saint Louis 2019} ) 10.Bxc3 dxe4 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Bxe4 Qxb2 13.Bxc6 Rb8 14.Rb1 Qxb1 15.Qxb1 Rxb1 16.Rxb1 Rd8 17.Bf3 Bf5 ( {Here Black typically has given preference to} 17...Kf8 18.Rb8 Re8 19.h4 ( {Andreikin tried} 19.h3 Ba6 20.Rb4 Re5 21.Ra4 Be2 22.Ba8 $6 a5 23.g4 $6 Rc5 {(Black has taken over the initiative at this point.)} 24.Be4 Bd1 25.Kg2 g6 26.Ra3 Bxc2 27.Bxc2 Rxc2 28.Rxa5 c5 29.a4 c4 30.Kf3 c3 31.Ke3 Ra2 32.Ra8+ Kg7 33.g5 h6 34.h4 hxg5 35.hxg5 c2 36.Kd2 Kh7 37.f4 Kg7 38.a5 Kh7 39.a6 Kg7 40.Ra7 Kg8 41.Kc1 Kg7 42.Ra8 Kh7 43.Kd2 Kg7 44.Ra7 Kg8 45.Rc7 Rxa6 46.Rxc2 Ra3 47.Rc3 Ra2+ 48.Ke3 Ra4 49.Rd3 Rb4 50.Rd4 Rb3+ 51.Ke4 Kg7 52.f5 gxf5+ 53.Kxf5 Rb5+ 54.Kg4 Ra5 55.Rd7 Rb5 56.Kh5 Ra5 57.Rc7 Rb5 58.Ra7 Rc5 {1/2-1/2 (58) Andreikin,D (2724)-Csonka,B (2474) Chess.com INT 2022} ) 19...Ba6 ( {In the other prior game of Andreikin's, he faced} 19...Bf5 20.Rb7 Bxc2 21.Rxc7 Be4 22.Rxa7 Bxf3 23.gxf3 {(White is a pawn up in the endgame, but it is a stone-cold draw.)} 23...Rc8 24.Kg2 Rc4 25.Kg3 g6 26.Ra5 Kg7 27.f4 Kf6 28.a4 h5 29.Ra7 Ke6 30.Ra6+ Kf5 31.Ra5+ Kf6 32.Ra7 Ke6 33.a5 Ra4 34.a6 f6 35.Ra8 Kf5 36.a7 Ra3+ 37.Kg2 Kxf4 38.Rf8 Rxa7 39.Rxf6+ Kg4 40.Rxg6+ Kxh4 41.f4 Ra2+ ( {Black had a fun alternative in} 41...Rg7 $1 42.f5 ( 42.Rxg7 {is a stalemate.} ) 42...Rf7 43.f6 Rg7 $1 {with a draw.} ) 42.Kf3 Ra3+ 43.Ke4 Ra4+ 44.Ke5 Ra5+ 45.Kf6 Ra6+ 46.Kg7 Rxg6+ 47.Kxg6 Kg3 48.Kxh5 Kxf4 {1/2-1/2 (48) Andreikin,D (2728)-Matlakov,M (2682) Ufa 2021} ) 20.Rb3 Be2 $1 ( 20...Re1+ $6 21.Kh2 Re5 22.Rc3 Be2 23.Bxe2 Rxe2 24.Kg3 Re4 25.Rxc7 Ra4 26.c4 Rxa2 27.c5 a5 28.Ra7 a4 29.c6 Rc2 30.c7 Ke8 31.Rxa4 {1/2-1/2 (31) Mastrovasilis,D (2619)-Grischuk,A (2773) Terme Catez 2021} ) ( 20...Re5 $6 21.Rc3 Re7 22.Ra3 Re6 23.Bd5 Rb6 24.Bb3 c5 25.Ra4 g6 26.f3 Rd6 27.c4 Ke7 28.Ra5 Kd8 29.Rxc5 {with a won edgame which Karjakin duly converted, 1-0 (64) Karjakin,S (2743)-Vidit,S (2727) Wijk aan Zee 2022.} ) 21.Bxe2 Rxe2 22.Rc3 Re7 23.f3 Ke8 24.Kf2 Kd7 25.Ra3 Re5 26.Rxa7 Rc5 {with an eventual draw in So,W (2765)-Carlsen,M (2872) Wijk aan Zee 2020.} ) 18.Rb7 Bxc2 19.Rxc7 ( {The first new move. In the only other game in my database, White instead opted for} 19.h3 f5 $2 ( {Very weakening and difficult to understand. as it forces Black to enter an unpleasant and clearly worse endgame; instead, Black should have played} 19...c5 20.Rc7 Bd3 21.Bd5 Kf8 22.Bxf7 ( 22.Rxc5 Rd7 {should be impossible for Black to lose.} ) ( {whereas} 22.Rxf7+ $4 Ke8 $1 {wins for Black.} ) 22...Rd4 23.f3 a5 24.Kf2 Bc4 {with an endgame that should be a draw.} ) 20.Rxc7 Be4 21.Bxe4 fxe4 22.Kf1 Rd2 23.Rxa7 {(This endgame should be lost for Black, whereas if the e4-pawn would be on f6, it would be a draw.)} 23...h6 24.a4 Kh7 25.a5 Ra2 26.a6 Kg6 27.Ra8 Kg5 28.Ke1 Kh4 29.Rg8 $4 ( 29.a7 {wins for White.} ) 29...e3 $1 30.fxe3 g5 $4 ( {A blunder, but apparently McShane missed that after} 30...Rxa6 $1 31.Rxg7 h5 $1 {White cannot win because the black king is stalemated on h4, for instance,} 32.g4 ( {if} 32.Kf2 {then Black has a perpetual check after} 32...Ra2+ 33.Kf3 Rf2+ 34.Ke4 Rf4+ {, the rook cannot be captured because of the stalemate.} ) ( {also} 32.Rf7 Kg3 33.Rf5 ( {or} 33.Rg7+ Kh4 $1 ) 33...Kxg2 34.Rxh5 Kf3 35.Re5 Ra2 {is a draw.} ) 32...hxg4 33.hxg4 Ra2 34.Rg8 Kg3 35.g5 ( 35.e4 Kf4 ) 35...Kg4 36.g6 Kg5 37.g7 Kg6 {with a draw.} ) 31.Ra8 Kg3 32.a7 $4 ( 32.e4 $1 {is a trivial win for White.} ) 32...Kxg2 33.e4 Kxh3 34.e5 g4 35.e6 Ra6 36.Kd2 Rd6+ 37.Kc3 Rxe6 38.Rh8 Ra6 39.Rxh6+ Rxh6 40.a8=Q Kh2 $1 41.Qa2+ Kg3 42.Qf7 Rh2 43.Kd3 Rf2 {(Black has set up a fortress that held up despite White trying to break through for another 44 moves): 1/2-1/2 (87) Heimann,A (2617) -McShane,L (2680) Karlsruhe 2020} ) 19...Be4 20.Be2 g5 21.h3 $6 ( {After the text move, Black is allowed to hang on to the pawn. Objectively speaking, a better winning attempt was} 21.Rxa7 Rd2 22.Bg4 {but Black does not have any issues after} 22...Bf5 23.Ra8+ Kg7 24.h3 Bxg4 25.hxg4 {with an endgame that Rapport will not lose.} ) 21...a5 22.Ra7 Ra8 23.Re7 Bd5 24.Bf3 ( {Andreikin tries to create an imbalance. After} 24.a3 h6 {, the endgame is completely even.} ) 24...Bxf3 25.gxf3 {This endgame is completely drawn, but, of course, the rules dictate that the players have to reach move 30 before a draw can be agreed upon.} 25...f6 ( {Most moves should lead to a draw at this point, but the decision to play the text move nevertheless surprised me as it ties the black king to the back rank. It seemed more obvious to play} 25...Kg7 {, letting the king out.} ) 26.Kg2 Rc8 27.Ra7 Rc5 28.f4 $5 {White's only try for an advantage, trying to find a path through for the white king.} ( 28.Kg3 Rf5 29.Kg4 ( 29.a3 Kh8 {does not lead anywhere for White} ) 29...Rf4+ 30.Kg3 ( 30.Kh5 $4 Rh4# ) 30...a4 ( {or} 30...Rf5 ) 31.a3 Rd4 {and neither side can make any progress.} ) 28...gxf4 29.Kf3 Rc3+ {Rapport chooses to defend with an active rook rather than holding the fifth rank, but that too would have been sufficient for a draw.} 30.Kg4 Ra3 31.Kf5 Rxh3 {Black has an extra pawn, but the activity of White's king and rook means that it is still Black who has to hold the draw.} 32.a4 ( {White has to keep in mind that} 32.Rxa5 $4 Rh5+ {will cost White the rook.} ) 32...f3 33.Kxf6 {Now White is threatening mate with Ra8, so the king has to be checked away from the f6-square.} 33...Rh6+ 34.Kg5 Rh2 $1 35.Kf6 Rh6+ 36.Kg5 Rh2 37.Kf6 {and draw by repetition.} 1-0

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 2 2022 | Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[ECO "B40"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "6529692478503"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 {A nice side-line to avoid the heavy theory.} 3...b6 {This is considered to be one of the most plausible replies for Black. The reason: White does not seem to have a convenient way to defend his e4-pawn after the coming Bc8-b7 development.} ( {Another direction is} 3...Nc6 4.Bb2 a6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Qa5+ 7.Nd2 Nf6 8.Nxc6 dxc6 9.Bd3 Bb4 10.Ke2 {Carlsen, M (2847)-Duda,J (2738) Chess24.com INT 2021} ) 4.Bb2 Bb7 5.Nc3 {More or less forced, but now the knight blocks his own bishop.} 5...Nf6 ( {Giri certainly was aware of the following game:} 5...Nc6 6.g3 d6 7.Bg2 Nf6 8.O-O Be7 9.e5 dxe5 10.Nxe5 Qc8 11.f4 {Onischuk,V (2622)-Andreikin,D (2724) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 6.e5 Ne4 ( 6...Nd5 {is more common.} ) 7.Nxe4 Bxe4 8.Qe2 Bb7 {Andreikin achieved what he wanted: he locked the long diagonal, but at the expense of a few tempi. Giri's next move is a novelty.} 9.h4 $146 {An idea borrowed from the French defense. Even though the black pawn is on the d7 rather than the d5-square, the kingside attack plan remains White's primary idea.} ( {The predecessor witnessed some interesting maneuvers:} 9.Qe3 Nc6 10.Bd3 Nb4 11.Be4 Be7 12.O-O Nd5 13.Qe1 Qc7 14.c4 Nf4 15.Qe3 g5 {Meszaros,T (2438)-Gara,A (2326) Zalakaros 2014} ) 9...Nc6 10.h5 $1 {Postponing castling for the time being. That is the most unpleasant strategy for Black, who seems to lack many useful moves.} ( 10.O-O-O Qc7 11.d4 {was the other way to play it, but White wants to strengthen his pieces before opening the game.} ) 10...Nb4 11.d3 b5 {All of this seems logical as Black needs to do something on the opposite wing, but this pawn may turn itself into a weakness.} ( {The bishop swap} 11...Bxf3 12.gxf3 Nc6 13.f4 Nd4 14.Qd1 Be7 15.Bg2 {promises White long-term pressure on the light squares.} ) ( {On the other hand, it made sense to accomplish the development with} 11...Be7 {and wait for White to show his cards, for example} 12.Rh3 ( {If} 12.a3 {then} 12...Bxf3 13.gxf3 Nc6 14.f4 Nd4 {and the extra tempo matters.} ) 12...O-O 13.a3 Bxf3 14.Rxf3 Nc6 {White seems better here as well, but not as much as in the game.} ) 12.a3 Nc6 {Finally abandoning the idea of a bishop swap.} ( {As before} 12...Bxf3 13.gxf3 Nc6 14.f4 {favors White.} ) 13.Qd2 {An accurate move.} ( 13.Rh3 {allows an unpleasant check} 13...Qa5+ ) 13...Rc8 {Black is getting ready to meet long castling.} ( {It is more and more evident that Andreikin will have difficulties freeing himself. For instance} 13...d6 14.exd6 Qxd6 {can be met with either} 15.d4 $1 ( {Or} 15.a4 $1 ) ) 14.Rh3 $1 {Once again, the nastiest way to play it. The rook would be working perfectly along the third rank.} ( 14.O-O-O Nd4 {is what Black's last move was all about.} ) 14...Qc7 15.O-O-O {The time had come.} ( {There were no more useful preparatory moves as} 15.Rg3 {is parried with} 15...Ne7 16.Nh4 Nc6 ) 15...Na5 {A difficult decision to make.} ( 15...Nd4 {looked like the logical way to play it, but apparently Black figured out that his d4-pawn might be lost in the long run after something like} 16.Nxd4 cxd4 17.Re1 Be7 18.Kb1 O-O ) 16.Ng5 {The knight is heading to the e4-outpost and then might land very, very close to the enemy king.} ( 16.Kb1 $5 ) 16...Be7 {At last, the kingside is moving, but this might be a bit too late.} ( {It is hard to help Black with good advice though. The line} 16...h6 17.Ne4 Bxe4 18.dxe4 c4 19.Kb1 {clearly favors White.} ) 17.Rg3 {The black kingside is on the verge of collapse.} 17...c4 {Last chance. Andreikin needs to muddy up the waters.} 18.dxc4 bxc4 19.b4 $1 h6 ( {Or else White completely dominates after} 19...Nc6 20.Ne4 $1 ) 20.Nxf7 {Giri went for the most tempting line.} ( {A pity for the Dutchman, as the simple retreat,} 20.Nh3 $1 {would have been more or less decisive. The white knight does not make it (yet) to the e4-square, but as a consolation White would win at least a pawn in the line} 20...Nc6 21.Bxc4 {Now any discovered attacks would backfire, for instance} ( 21.Rxg7 Nxe5 {is not as clear.} ) 21...Nxb4 22.axb4 Qxc4 23.Qxd7+ Kf8 24.Rc3 $1 {Which means that once the c4-pawn is captured White has not just an extra pawn but better pieces, and a safer king.} ) 20...Kxf7 21.bxa5 {Obvious, and not optimal.} ( {The other capture would have preserved some edge for White after} 21.Qxd7 $1 Qxd7 ( {No time to save the knight} 21...Nc6 22.Rf3+ Kg8 23.Qxe6+ Kh7 24.Qg6+ Kg8 25.Bxc4# ) 22.Rxd7 Rhd8 23.Rxe7+ Kxe7 24.bxa5 Kf7 25.Bc3 $1 {two pawns for an exchange should make White happy, especially thanks to his solid grip on the position.} ) 21...Bd5 22.Qf4+ Kg8 {The king looks safer here, but it blocks the rook from entering the battle.} ( {It is very messy after} 22...Ke8 23.Rxg7 Rf8 24.Rxe7+ $1 ( {But not} 24.Qxh6 {when White should look for a draw with} 24...c3 25.Rxe7+ Kxe7 26.Qg5+ Ke8 27.Bd3 cxb2+ 28.Kb1 Rf5 29.Qg8+ Ke7 30.Qg7+ $11 ) 24...Kxe7 25.Qh4+ Ke8 26.Bc3 $1 ) 23.Rxd5 {A nice concept $1} ( {But still, objectively better would have been} 23.Qg4 $1 Rh7 24.Be2 Rb8 25.Bc3 Bxa3+ 26.Kd2 {and with the black rook stuck on -h7 indefinitely, White's chances should be higher.} ) 23...Bg5 $1 {The only move.} ( {Or else Black is mated after} 23...exd5 24.Rxg7+ Kxg7 25.e6+ ) 24.Rxg5 hxg5 25.Qd4 ( {A better version of the sacrifice seems to be} 25.Qxc4 Qxc4 26.Bxc4 exd5 27.Bxd5+ Kh7 28.Bd4 Rc7 {with three pawns for the two exchanges. Wow $1} ) 25...exd5 26.Qxd5+ Kf8 {Andreikin believes that his king is safe enough and leaves the h-file open for his rook.} ( {The other retreat} 26...Kh7 {leads to a similar situation as in the game, but with the queens on the board, which might have worried the Russian player, say after} 27.e6 Qf4+ 28.Kb1 Rb8 29.Bxc4 Rxb2+ 30.Kxb2 Rb8+ 31.Ka2 Qf6 32.Qe4+ Kh6 33.Bb3 dxe6 34.g4 {and it is unclear $1} ) 27.Bd4 {A highly unusual situation arose at the top-GM level. Andreikin is two exchanges ahead, but the bishops are often no worse than the major pieces in open positions. Add to that the two pawns that White possesses and the clock situation (both players down to 2-3 minutes on the clocks) and you can get a vague idea of the complexity of the situation.} ( 27.Bc3 {would have been met with} 27...Qc6 ) 27...Qc6 $1 {The most practical solution. There will hardly be any mate.} 28.Qxc6 Rxc6 29.Be2 {Not letting the rook out.} ( {Although} 29.Bxa7 Rxh5 30.Be2 Rh4 {is playable too.} ) 29...a6 30.Kd2 Ke7 31.Kc3 Rb8 32.a4 $1 {In these positions, the side that owes the minor pieces should be always considering the exchange counter-sacrifices.} ( {Here, for instance, the obvious} 32.Bb6 $1 {would have allowed} 32...Rcxb6 33.axb6 Rxb6 34.Bxc4 a5 35.Bd3 Rb1 {when Black gets serious chances to at least torture his opponent for very, very long.} ) 32...Rb1 33.Bf3 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} ( {Giri decided to check what his opponent is playing for, and Andreikin declared he is happy with the draw. Indeed, the position is approximately balanced and a computer-generated drawing line could have been} 33.Bf3 Rc8 34.Bb6 Ra1 35.Bb7 Rb8 36.Bc5+ Ke6 37.Bxa6 Rxa4 38.Bd6 Ra8 39.Bxc4+ Rxc4+ 40.Kxc4 Rxa5 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 2 2022 | Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[ECO "B40"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "6529692478503"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 {A nice side-line to avoid the heavy theory.} 3...b6 {This is considered to be one of the most plausible replies for Black. The reason: White does not seem to have a convenient way to defend his e4-pawn after the coming Bc8-b7 development.} ( {Another direction is} 3...Nc6 4.Bb2 a6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Qa5+ 7.Nd2 Nf6 8.Nxc6 dxc6 9.Bd3 Bb4 10.Ke2 {Carlsen, M (2847)-Duda,J (2738) Chess24.com INT 2021} ) 4.Bb2 Bb7 5.Nc3 {More or less forced, but now the knight blocks his own bishop.} 5...Nf6 ( {Giri certainly was aware of the following game:} 5...Nc6 6.g3 d6 7.Bg2 Nf6 8.O-O Be7 9.e5 dxe5 10.Nxe5 Qc8 11.f4 {Onischuk,V (2622)-Andreikin,D (2724) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 6.e5 Ne4 ( 6...Nd5 {is more common.} ) 7.Nxe4 Bxe4 8.Qe2 Bb7 {Andreikin achieved what he wanted: he locked the long diagonal, but at the expense of a few tempi. Giri's next move is a novelty.} 9.h4 $146 {An idea borrowed from the French defense. Even though the black pawn is on the d7 rather than the d5-square, the kingside attack plan remains White's primary idea.} ( {The predecessor witnessed some interesting maneuvers:} 9.Qe3 Nc6 10.Bd3 Nb4 11.Be4 Be7 12.O-O Nd5 13.Qe1 Qc7 14.c4 Nf4 15.Qe3 g5 {Meszaros,T (2438)-Gara,A (2326) Zalakaros 2014} ) 9...Nc6 10.h5 $1 {Postponing castling for the time being. That is the most unpleasant strategy for Black, who seems to lack many useful moves.} ( 10.O-O-O Qc7 11.d4 {was the other way to play it, but White wants to strengthen his pieces before opening the game.} ) 10...Nb4 11.d3 b5 {All of this seems logical as Black needs to do something on the opposite wing, but this pawn may turn itself into a weakness.} ( {The bishop swap} 11...Bxf3 12.gxf3 Nc6 13.f4 Nd4 14.Qd1 Be7 15.Bg2 {promises White long-term pressure on the light squares.} ) ( {On the other hand, it made sense to accomplish the development with} 11...Be7 {and wait for White to show his cards, for example} 12.Rh3 ( {If} 12.a3 {then} 12...Bxf3 13.gxf3 Nc6 14.f4 Nd4 {and the extra tempo matters.} ) 12...O-O 13.a3 Bxf3 14.Rxf3 Nc6 {White seems better here as well, but not as much as in the game.} ) 12.a3 Nc6 {Finally abandoning the idea of a bishop swap.} ( {As before} 12...Bxf3 13.gxf3 Nc6 14.f4 {favors White.} ) 13.Qd2 {An accurate move.} ( 13.Rh3 {allows an unpleasant check} 13...Qa5+ ) 13...Rc8 {Black is getting ready to meet long castling.} ( {It is more and more evident that Andreikin will have difficulties freeing himself. For instance} 13...d6 14.exd6 Qxd6 {can be met with either} 15.d4 $1 ( {Or} 15.a4 $1 ) ) 14.Rh3 $1 {Once again, the nastiest way to play it. The rook would be working perfectly along the third rank.} ( 14.O-O-O Nd4 {is what Black's last move was all about.} ) 14...Qc7 15.O-O-O {The time had come.} ( {There were no more useful preparatory moves as} 15.Rg3 {is parried with} 15...Ne7 16.Nh4 Nc6 ) 15...Na5 {A difficult decision to make.} ( 15...Nd4 {looked like the logical way to play it, but apparently Black figured out that his d4-pawn might be lost in the long run after something like} 16.Nxd4 cxd4 17.Re1 Be7 18.Kb1 O-O ) 16.Ng5 {The knight is heading to the e4-outpost and then might land very, very close to the enemy king.} ( 16.Kb1 $5 ) 16...Be7 {At last, the kingside is moving, but this might be a bit too late.} ( {It is hard to help Black with good advice though. The line} 16...h6 17.Ne4 Bxe4 18.dxe4 c4 19.Kb1 {clearly favors White.} ) 17.Rg3 {The black kingside is on the verge of collapse.} 17...c4 {Last chance. Andreikin needs to muddy up the waters.} 18.dxc4 bxc4 19.b4 $1 h6 ( {Or else White completely dominates after} 19...Nc6 20.Ne4 $1 ) 20.Nxf7 {Giri went for the most tempting line.} ( {A pity for the Dutchman, as the simple retreat,} 20.Nh3 $1 {would have been more or less decisive. The white knight does not make it (yet) to the e4-square, but as a consolation White would win at least a pawn in the line} 20...Nc6 21.Bxc4 {Now any discovered attacks would backfire, for instance} ( 21.Rxg7 Nxe5 {is not as clear.} ) 21...Nxb4 22.axb4 Qxc4 23.Qxd7+ Kf8 24.Rc3 $1 {Which means that once the c4-pawn is captured White has not just an extra pawn but better pieces, and a safer king.} ) 20...Kxf7 21.bxa5 {Obvious, and not optimal.} ( {The other capture would have preserved some edge for White after} 21.Qxd7 $1 Qxd7 ( {No time to save the knight} 21...Nc6 22.Rf3+ Kg8 23.Qxe6+ Kh7 24.Qg6+ Kg8 25.Bxc4# ) 22.Rxd7 Rhd8 23.Rxe7+ Kxe7 24.bxa5 Kf7 25.Bc3 $1 {two pawns for an exchange should make White happy, especially thanks to his solid grip on the position.} ) 21...Bd5 22.Qf4+ Kg8 {The king looks safer here, but it blocks the rook from entering the battle.} ( {It is very messy after} 22...Ke8 23.Rxg7 Rf8 24.Rxe7+ $1 ( {But not} 24.Qxh6 {when White should look for a draw with} 24...c3 25.Rxe7+ Kxe7 26.Qg5+ Ke8 27.Bd3 cxb2+ 28.Kb1 Rf5 29.Qg8+ Ke7 30.Qg7+ $11 ) 24...Kxe7 25.Qh4+ Ke8 26.Bc3 $1 ) 23.Rxd5 {A nice concept $1} ( {But still, objectively better would have been} 23.Qg4 $1 Rh7 24.Be2 Rb8 25.Bc3 Bxa3+ 26.Kd2 {and with the black rook stuck on -h7 indefinitely, White's chances should be higher.} ) 23...Bg5 $1 {The only move.} ( {Or else Black is mated after} 23...exd5 24.Rxg7+ Kxg7 25.e6+ ) 24.Rxg5 hxg5 25.Qd4 ( {A better version of the sacrifice seems to be} 25.Qxc4 Qxc4 26.Bxc4 exd5 27.Bxd5+ Kh7 28.Bd4 Rc7 {with three pawns for the two exchanges. Wow $1} ) 25...exd5 26.Qxd5+ Kf8 {Andreikin believes that his king is safe enough and leaves the h-file open for his rook.} ( {The other retreat} 26...Kh7 {leads to a similar situation as in the game, but with the queens on the board, which might have worried the Russian player, say after} 27.e6 Qf4+ 28.Kb1 Rb8 29.Bxc4 Rxb2+ 30.Kxb2 Rb8+ 31.Ka2 Qf6 32.Qe4+ Kh6 33.Bb3 dxe6 34.g4 {and it is unclear $1} ) 27.Bd4 {A highly unusual situation arose at the top-GM level. Andreikin is two exchanges ahead, but the bishops are often no worse than the major pieces in open positions. Add to that the two pawns that White possesses and the clock situation (both players down to 2-3 minutes on the clocks) and you can get a vague idea of the complexity of the situation.} ( 27.Bc3 {would have been met with} 27...Qc6 ) 27...Qc6 $1 {The most practical solution. There will hardly be any mate.} 28.Qxc6 Rxc6 29.Be2 {Not letting the rook out.} ( {Although} 29.Bxa7 Rxh5 30.Be2 Rh4 {is playable too.} ) 29...a6 30.Kd2 Ke7 31.Kc3 Rb8 32.a4 $1 {In these positions, the side that owes the minor pieces should be always considering the exchange counter-sacrifices.} ( {Here, for instance, the obvious} 32.Bb6 $1 {would have allowed} 32...Rcxb6 33.axb6 Rxb6 34.Bxc4 a5 35.Bd3 Rb1 {when Black gets serious chances to at least torture his opponent for very, very long.} ) 32...Rb1 33.Bf3 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} ( {Giri decided to check what his opponent is playing for, and Andreikin declared he is happy with the draw. Indeed, the position is approximately balanced and a computer-generated drawing line could have been} 33.Bf3 Rc8 34.Bb6 Ra1 35.Bb7 Rb8 36.Bc5+ Ke6 37.Bxa6 Rxa4 38.Bd6 Ra8 39.Bxc4+ Rxc4+ 40.Kxc4 Rxa5 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 2 2022 | Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[ECO "C72"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[Beauty "4882459278381"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {In a must-win situation Vachier-Lagrave chooses the most complex opening, the Ruy Lopez.} 3...a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.O-O Bg4 {Rapport's choice, on the other hand can be called anything but solid. The Improved Stenitz could not have been expected by him, as the Hungarian GM tries for the first time, at least according to Megabase $1} 6.h3 h5 7.d4 {After some hesitation, White opts for the main line. The pawn is offered in return for the control over the -g5 square.} 7...b5 8.Bb3 Nxd4 9.hxg4 {Now White can grab the piece as he can block the black queen access towards his king.} 9...hxg4 {The older line.} ( {The Guru of the line, GM Yandemirov preferred instead} 9...Nxb3 10.axb3 hxg4 ) 10.Ng5 Nh6 {All of this was blitzed by Rapport, and his opponent sank into deep thought.} ( {The position is razor-sharp and any of the sides might easily err, for example} 10...Nxb3 $4 {loses to} 11.Qd5 $1 Nh6 12.Qc6+ Ke7 13.Nc3 $1 ) 11.g3 {After more than half-an-hour on his clock, Vachier-Lagrave deviates from the main theory.} ( {A few years back Short won a complex game thanks to:} 11.f4 c6 12.g3 Nxb3 13.cxb3 exf4 14.gxf4 Qd7 15.f5 d5 16.Bf4 O-O-O 17.Nc3 Bd6 18.Qd4 {Short,$146 (2675)-Timman,J (2650) Pamplona 2000} ) 11...Be7 12.f4 {[#]} 12...Qd7 $146 {But Rapport was not taken by surprise and quickly fired a novelty.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 12...c6 13.Be3 Nxb3 14.cxb3 d5 15.Qc1 Rc8 16.fxe5 d4 17.Rd1 dxe3 18.Rxd8+ Rxd8 19.Qxc6+ Kf8 20.Nc3 Bxg5 21.e6 Kg8 {Kindermann,S (2565)-Jussupow,A (2680) Germany 1996 GER-chT} ) ( {Another direction might be} 12...gxf3 13.Nxf3 Qd7 14.Kg2 O-O-O ) 13.f5 {Only now did Black start to think.} ( {Rapport likely concentrated his preparation on the move} 13.Qd3 {when White does not fear} 13...f6 {due to} 14.Ne6 $1 {anyway and Black is left empty-handed in the line} 14...Nxe6 15.Qd5 ) 13...c6 {More than half-an-our thought for Black too.} ( {There was also} 13...Qd8 $5 14.Qd2 a5 ( 14...c6 ) ) 14.Nc3 ( {Maybe} 14.Kg2 {makes more sense as White can eventually exploit the h-file. The game would be unclear then after say} 14...d5 15.Nc3 O-O-O ) ( {The importance of the h-file is demonstrated by the line} 14.c3 Nxb3 15.axb3 Qd8 $1 16.Qd2 Ng8 $3 {with inevitable Rh8-h5 $1} ) 14...Qd8 ( {It also made sense to throw-in} 14...a5 $5 15.a3 Qd8 16.Nxf7 Nxf7 17.Qxg4 Nxb3 18.cxb3 {slightly hampering White's pawn structure.} ) 15.Nxf7 {More or less forced.} ( {As seen from above, White cannot defend his knight any more} 15.Qd2 Nxb3 16.axb3 Ng8 $1 ) 15...Nxf7 16.Qxg4 Nxb3 17.axb3 Bg5 $1 {The opening was a big success for Rapport, he equalized in full.} 18.Kg2 Qf6 {However, this is a slight inaccuracy.} ( {Safer looked the instant queen swap attempt with} 18...Bxc1 19.Rfxc1 Qg5 20.Qf3 Ke7 {which is still even.} ) 19.Nd1 $1 {A pretty move $1 The knight lands on the optimal f2-square from where it will guard the white king forever.} 19...Bxc1 ( 19...Qh6 $6 20.Nf2 Qh2+ $2 21.Kf3 {only works for White.} ) 20.Rxc1 Qg5 {There is nothing better.} 21.Nf2 Qxg4 22.Nxg4 Ng5 {The beginning of a poor plan.} ( {The black king stood well in the center and accurate play like} 22...a5 $5 23.Ra1 Ke7 24.Ra3 Ng5 {would have kep the balance, for example} 25.Rfa1 Nxe4 26.Rxa5 Rxa5 27.Rxa5 Rh5 28.Ra7+ Kf8 {and White has a perpetual, but does he have anything more $2} ) 23.Nf2 O-O-O 24.c4 $1 {Now Vachier-Lagrave skillfully starts to create problems.} 24...Kc7 25.Rh1 bxc4 ( {It is curious that the machine suggests the ugly} 25...Rh6 26.Rxh6 gxh6 27.Rh1 Nf7 ) 26.bxc4 a5 27.Ra1 Kb6 {An automatic move, and a mistake. Rapport created a weakness on the queenside, and now allows a maneuver that would highlight the weakness.} ( 27...Rxh1 $1 {was caled for and after} 28.Rxh1 Kd7 {Black seems to be in time to defend both sides.} ) 28.Rhd1 $3 {A move of a great master $1} 28...Rh7 29.Rd3 $1 Rdh8 30.Rb3+ {This is why this rook should have been traded earlier. The white major pieces do whatever they want on the queenside, whereas the black rooks are easily stopped by the white only knight.} 30...Ka6 31.Rba3 Rh2+ 32.Kf1 Kb6 33.Rxa5 Nf3 34.c5+ $1 {One more excellent decision in the time-trouble. Vachier-Lagrave is almost winning.} ( 34.Ra6+ Kc5 35.R1a5+ Kd4 {lets the black king slip away.} ) 34...dxc5 35.Ra6+ Kb5 {Now after a few checks in the zeitnot} 36.R1a5+ Kb4 37.Ra4+ Kb5 38.R6a5+ Kb6 39.Ra6+ Kb5 40.R4a5+ Kb4 {White finds} 41.Ra3 $1 {which not only attacks the knight, but sets a mating net around the black king.} 41...Nd2+ {The knight rushes to the resque.} ( 41...Nd4 $5 ) ( {Or else Black may get checkmated after say} 41...Ng5 $2 42.Rb6+ Kc4 43.Ra4# ) 42.Kg1 $1 ( 42.Ke2 {does not create a threat instead and Black can still go for} 42...Nc4 ( {Or may choose} 42...c4 ) ) 42...Nc4 ( 42...c4 $2 43.Rxc6 ) 43.Rd3 $1 {The proper square for the rook, b2-b3 is a major threat.} 43...R2h6 44.Ra7 {But that is a step in the wrong direction.} ( {Both players definitely studied the critical line} 44.b3 $1 {when the knight is forced to step on a poor square} 44...Nb2 {Then, after few changes of the angle of the attack} 45.Rd7 Kc3 46.Ra1 $1 Kc2 47.Ra5 $1 {White would have unbalanced the opponent's defense} 47...c4 48.bxc4 Nxc4 49.Rc5 Kc3 {And the study-like} 50.Kg2 $3 {A pretty position $1 Black lack a good move, e.g:} ( {Certainly not} 50.Rxg7 $2 Kd4 {which traps the white rook.} ) ( {Nor} 50.Ng4 Kb4 51.Nxh6 Kxc5 52.Nf7 Rg8 {would make as much of a progress as the calm king move.} ) 50...Rg8 ( {Or} 50...Kb4 51.Nd3+ Kb3 52.Rb7+ Kc3 53.Nxe5 Kd4 54.Rxc4+ Kxe5 55.Kf3 {and White should win in both cases.} ) 51.Ng4 ) 44...Rb8 $1 {Yet another piece comes to the resque.} 45.b3 {Missing one more chance.} ( 45.Rxg7 Nxb2 {yield White nothing.} ) ( {However, the immediate} 45.Ng4 $1 {might have worked better, as in the line} 45...Nxb2 46.Rdd7 Rhh8 47.Nxe5 {white pieces are too strong.} ) 45...Na5 46.Ng4 Nxb3 {The culmination of the game, and the match. Rapport managed to organize his defense and is now looking for a speedy promotion. His previously iffy king is leading the army. And still, Black was not yet out of the woods.} 47.Rxg7 {Only this finally lets Black off the hook.} ( {The last chance was} 47.Nxh6 $1 c4 48.Rd6 gxh6 49.Rxc6 Nd4 50.Rxh6 c3 51.Rc7 Nb5 52.Rcc6 Nd4 53.Kf2 $1 {is it a win, or not would be proved by further, extensive analyzes, but that was all the Vachier-Lagrave was left with.} ) 47...c4 $1 {This passer will cost White deerly.} 48.Rd1 Rhh8 49.Nxe5 Rhc8 50.Rg6 c5 $1 {The passer's speed is worth the exchange.} 51.Nc6+ Rxc6 52.Rxc6 c3 53.f6 c2 54.Rf1 c1=Q 55.Rxc1 Nxc1 {One rook taken, one more passer available.} 56.e5 Ne2+ 57.Kf2 Nd4 58.Rd6 Nb5 59.Rd7 c4 60.e6 {White is just as fast as the opponent and that leads to a perpetual.} 60...c3 61.e7 c2 62.f7 c1=Q 63.e8=Q Qc5+ 64.Kg2 Qc6+ 65.Kh3 Qh6+ 66.Kg2 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 2 2022 | Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.11"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[ECO "B46"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[Beauty "6187747673123"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 {The Taimanov Sicilian is Andreikin's main weapon; therefore it was easy to predict its appearance, especially in rapid and blitz.} 5.Nc3 a6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5 8.O-O Nf6 9.Qf3 ( {The other main move is:} 9.Re1 Be7 10.e5 Nd7 11.Qg4 g6 12.Na4 h5 13.Qe2 c5 14.c4 d4 15.b3 {as in Anand,V (2753)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2792) Zagreb 2021} ) 9...Bb7 10.Re1 Be7 11.Qg3 h5 $1 $146 {A top-notch novelty. This is the reason why the top players play \"their openings\" in short time controls. They know them perfectly well, with all the nuances, and have enormous experience in the arising structures.} ( {The predecessor was the recent GM game:} 11...O-O 12.Bh6 Ne8 13.Bf4 g6 14.Rad1 Rc8 15.Na4 Nf6 16.Bh6 Re8 17.e5 Nh5 18.Qg4 c5 19.c4 d4 20.b3 Ng7 21.Be4 Qc7 22.Bxb7 Qxb7 23.Rd3 Nf5 24.Bg5 {½-½ (24) Zwirs,$146 (2461)-Fedorchuk,S (2605) Cappelle la Grande 2022} ) 12.h3 {Giri is not taken by surprise and reacts quickly. After all, there is a Dutch connection present from the predecessor.} ( {It is risky to accept the pawn sacrifice} 12.Qxg7 {would be likely met with} 12...Rg8 13.Qh6 Qb6 {The threat is Nf6-g4 and after} 14.e5 ( {Black also has plenty of compensation in case of} 14.Qf4 O-O-O ) 14...Ng4 15.Qf4 c5 {White's position looks scary, to say at least} ) 12...Kf8 {Once the g4-square has been taken under control, White already threatened to capture the pawn, thus the move in the game.} ( {For instance} 12...h4 13.Qxg7 Rg8 14.Qh6 Qb6 15.e5 $1 {here looks good as Nf6-g4 does not exist anymore.} ) 13.Bf4 {Giri can be happy with the opening outcome. Andreikin's king will have to suffer for a while.} ( 13.Bg5 $5 ) 13...h4 14.Qf3 Kg8 15.Rad1 $1 {White is preparing the maneuver Nc3-a4 followed by c2-c4, and playing in the center makes perfect sense with the idle black kingside.} 15...Nh5 16.Bh2 Bd6 ( {Or} 16...Rh6 17.Na4 {as planned.} ) 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.e5 $1 {Giri wants to keep the queens alive.} ( {Another interesting possibility was} 18.Na4 $5 {but then White might have disliked} 18...Qf4 {However, White seems better here as well with} ( {It is also difficult to assess if the center will be an asset or liability in the line} 18...e5 19.exd5 cxd5 20.c4 {However, it seems as White is in control, say} 20...Bc6 21.Nc3 d4 22.Be4 {and the pawns become targets.} ) 19.Be2 $5 ( 19.Qe2 $5 {to keep the queens is an option.} ) 19...Qxf3 20.Bxf3 Nf4 21.Nc5 ) 18...Qb4 19.Ne2 g6 20.c3 {Giri switches to a blockading play.} ( {Even stronger seemed} 20.c4 $1 Kg7 ( 20...dxc4 21.Be4 ) 21.cxd5 cxd5 22.Qe3 {planting a super-knight on the d4-outpost.} ) 20...Qe7 21.b4 a5 $1 {Andreikin is alert and quickly gets rid of a potential weakness, and a relatively bad bishop.} 22.a3 Ba6 23.Nd4 Bxd3 24.Qxd3 ( {The machine claims an edge for White in the line} 24.Rxd3 axb4 25.axb4 c5 26.bxc5 Qxc5 27.g3 {but I personally cannot digest this evaluation.} ) 24...Qb7 {This allows White a chance to finally open a file for his rooks and launch a serious attack against the opponent's king.} ( {Safer was to finish his plan with} 24...axb4 25.axb4 ( {Weaker is} 25.Nxc6 Qc7 26.Nxb4 Rxa3 ) 25...c5 26.bxc5 Qxc5 {with approximate equality.} ) 25.Rb1 Qa6 26.b5 ( 26.Qf3 $5 {eyeballing the black king might have been equally good.} ) 26...cxb5 27.Rxb5 Ng7 ( {Here} 27...Kg7 $5 {seems more to the point.} ) 28.Reb1 Qc8 ( {If} 28...Nf5 29.Nxf5 gxf5 30.Qd2 {and the black king is in major danger.} ) 29.Rb6 Qc5 ( {However, now} 29...Nf5 {was possible and needed and after} 30.Nxf5 gxf5 31.Qd2 Rh5 {Black has good chances to repel the attack.} ) 30.Qf3 $1 {A powerful move $1 Giri is ready to sacrifice two pawns but get to the enemy king.} 30...Rf8 {A wise decision $1 Somewhere around here, both players entered the under-five-minute zone.} ( {Andreikin correctly rejects} 30...Qxa3 31.Qf6 $1 Qxc3 32.Nf3 $1 {when White attacks practically with an extra rook and dominates completely, e.g.} 32...Rf8 33.Rb8 Ne8 34.Qe7 {and Black's position in on the verge of the collapse.} ) 31.Rb8 Qxa3 32.Rxf8+ {A pity $1 Up to here Giri's play was inspiring and almost perfect. The Dutchman felt that he needed to bring his knight closer to the opponent's king, but did not have the time to figure out the correct route.} ( {Instead} 32.Nb5 $3 Qc5 33.Nd6 $1 {would have transferred the knight on the optimal square and that would have been all that White could have hoped for. White is winning, for example} 33...Rxb8 ( {Or} 33...Nf5 34.Rxf8+ Kxf8 35.Rb7 {and Black is in trouble.} ) 34.Rxb8+ Kh7 35.Rb5 Qc6 36.Qxf7 {and it is basically over.} ) 32...Qxf8 33.Nc6 ( {It was not too late for} 33.Qf6 $1 {keeping some edge.} ) 33...Qc5 34.Rb7 Nf5 $1 {Now Black is out of trouble and it is Black who needs to prove the draw.} 35.Ne7+ Kg7 {Giri saw a seemingly forcing draw line and went for it} 36.Nxg6 ( {The draw would have been achieved with} 36.Nxf5+ $1 gxf5 ( 36...exf5 37.e6 Rf8 38.Rd7 ) 37.Qf4 Rh5 38.g4 hxg3 39.Qxg3+ {It is even Black who needs to find the correct idea here} 39...Kh6 $1 40.Rb8 Rg5 41.Rh8+ Kg7 42.Qxg5+ Kxh8 43.Qh6+ {with a perpetual check.} ) 36...Qc6 $1 {A cold shower $1 In-between moves like these are the best blitzers’ bread-and-butter.} ( {Giri likely only expected} 36...Kxg6 37.Qg4+ Kh6 38.Qf4+ {with inevitable perpetual.} 38...Kg6 ( {Black cannot deviate} 38...Kh7 $4 39.Rxf7+ Kg8 40.Rd7 {as it is White who mates here.} ) 39.Qg4+ ) ( {Also great would have been} 36...Qc8 $1 ) 37.Rxf7+ ( {Or} 37.Ra7 Qb6 38.Rd7 Qb5 39.Ra7 Qb8 40.Rd7 Qe8 $1 {and once the f7-point is defended Black can finally pick up the knight} 41.Ra7 Kxg6 42.Qg4+ Kh6 43.Qf4+ Kh7 ) 37...Kxf7 38.Nxh8+ Kg7 {While freeing his knight, White will have to part with a bunch of pawns.} 39.Qh5 Qxc3 40.Nf7 ( {No perpetual after} 40.Qf7+ Kxh8 41.Qf8+ Kh7 42.Qf7+ Ng7 ) 40...Qe1+ 41.Kh2 Qxf2 42.Ng5 ( {Once more, the black knight is a perfect defender against the checks in the line} 42.Qh8+ Kxf7 43.Qf6+ Ke8 44.Qxe6+ Ne7 ) 42...Qg3+ 43.Kg1 Qe1+ 44.Kh2 Qxe5+ 45.Kg1 Qe3+ 46.Kh2 Qg3+ 47.Kg1 Qe1+ $1 {The most practical decision.} ( {Black would have also won with} 47...Ne3 {but why allow the many checks after} 48.Qf7+ Kh6 49.Qxe6+ Kxg5 50.Qe7+ Kf5 ) 48.Kh2 Qh1+ $1 {The point $1 The knight endgame is easily won.} 49.Kxh1 Ng3+ 50.Kg1 Nxh5 51.Nxe6+ Kf6 52.Nc5 Ke5 53.Kf2 d4 54.Ke2 Nf4+ 55.Kf3 Kd5 $1 56.Na4 ( 56.Nb3 a4 ) 56...Ne6 57.g3 hxg3 58.h4 ( 58.Kxg3 Kc4 ) 58...d3 59.Kxg3 Kc4 60.h5 Kb3 61.h6 Nf8 62.Nc5+ Kc2 63.Ne6 d2 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 0-1

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 3 2022 | Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Tabatabaei, M Amin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2623"]
[ECO "D36"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7490825618952"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.Qc2 {The famous Carlsbad pawn structure has been reached, named after the current town Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic.} 6...h6 {A modern treatment of the position.} ( {The main move is, of course,} 6...Be7 ) 7.Bh4 Be6 ( {The world champion implemented a rare but quite logical plan instead recently:} 7...Be7 8.e3 O-O 9.Bd3 Ne8 $5 {Looks strange at a glance, as if Carlsen is setting back his pieces for a new game. However, since in the Carlsbad the most optimal square for the black knight is usually the d6-one, this plan makes perfect sense and Black did well after} 10.Bg3 Nd6 11.Nge2 Re8 12.O-O Bf8 13.Bf4 Be6 14.f3 Nd7 {Grischuk,A (2764)-Carlsen,M (2856) Warsaw 2021} ) 8.e3 Nbd7 9.f3 {A flexible idea that can be attributed to Botvinnik. The great champion liked to play aggressively in the center in this system, rather than following the routine path of the minority attack.} 9...Bd6 10.Bd3 c5 {Tabatabaei modifies the pawn structure, using the drawback of the f2-f3 advance. Since the capture on c5 is not desirable for White at the moment (e3-pawn being exposed) So has to concede some queenside space to his opponent.} 11.Nge2 c4 12.Bf5 O-O 13.O-O Qe8 14.Bxe6 fxe6 {The first moment about which one can argue. The black king is getting exposed in the long run. Still, this is not yet relevant, at least for the foreseeable future.} ( {More solid is} 14...Qxe6 {when White would have likely switched to central play with} 15.Bf2 Rfe8 16.Rae1 ) 15.a4 $146 {A novelty that intends to keep the black pawns separated. So hopes to swap his b-pawn for his opponent’s c4-one, thus exposing a potential weakness on the b-file.} ( {Predecessor:} 15.b3 Rc8 16.Bg3 Bxg3 17.Nxg3 Nb8 18.bxc4 Rxc4 19.Qd2 Qf7 20.Nge2 Ne8 21.Nd1 Nd6 {Fekih,B (2296)-Ben Fredj,J (2317) ICCF email 2019} ) 15...a6 16.b3 Rc8 17.Rab1 $1 {For the time being, neither of the sides wants to make a concession and improve the opponent's rook.} ( {Black is doing fine after} 17.bxc4 Rxc4 18.a5 e5 ) 17...Bb4 ( {Perhaps} 17...Nb6 $5 {at once was even better.} ) 18.Be1 Nb6 19.Qa2 {The first major thought by So, who spent almost half an hour on his clock. It is indeed hard to suggest a more useful move than the one in the game. The queen simply side-steps the pin, protects the a4-pawn, and supports its further advance.} ( {Black is perfectly fine after} 19.bxc4 Rxc4 20.Qb3 Rf7 ) 19...Rf7 $5 {A solid move that protects the b7-pawn and prepares the doubling of the rooks on the c-file.} ( {However, even better seemed} 19...Bxc3 $1 20.Nxc3 cxb3 21.Rxb3 ( 21.Qxb3 Nc4 ) 21...Nc4 22.Ne2 b6 {with such a knight on c4, Black can never be worse.} ) 20.bxc4 Rxc4 21.a5 Bxc3 {And this is a serious inaccuracy.} ( {The time had come to transfer the knight a la Petrosian with} 21...Nc8 $1 22.Ne4 Bxe1 23.Nxf6+ Rxf6 24.Rfxe1 Nd6 {just like Carlsen did in his game against Grischuk from above. Black does not have to worry about a thing.} ) 22.Nxc3 Na4 {And that completes the wrong plan.} ( {It was not too late for} 22...Nc8 $1 23.Rb3 Nd6 ) 23.Nxa4 Rxa4 ( {The endgame is also poor for Black} 23...Qxa4 24.Qxa4 Rxa4 25.Rf2 {as the second knight would never enjoy the c4-outpost.} 25...Ne8 26.Rb6 $1 ) 24.Qd2 $1 {A very neat move $1 So protects the a5-pawn in advance and prepares the maneuver Be1-g3, after which his rooks would be soon doubled on the b-file and his whole strategy would triumph.} ( {The more logical-looking} 24.Qb2 {allows Black a defense} 24...Rc7 25.Bg3 Rcc4 26.Qxb7 Rxa5 {and White is only a bit better.} ) 24...Rc7 {Tabatabaei decided to sacrifice the ill pawn at once.} ( {The computer suggestion} 24...e5 25.dxe5 Qxe5 26.Bg3 {leaves all the black weaknesses aboard while exposing the king.} ) ( {Whereas the attempt to ruin White's plan with} 24...Nh5 {can be met with} 25.g4 $5 Nf6 26.Bg3 ) 25.Bg3 Rc6 ( {Surely enough, Black did not play his previous move only to lose a couple of tempi after} 25...Rd7 26.Rb6 ) 26.Rxb7 Qg6 {There is a typical burst of energy once one sacrifices a pawn in Black's position, but this would not last for long.} 27.Rc7 $1 {It is instructive how neat So is when repelling the opponent's initiative.} 27...Rxc7 28.Bxc7 Rc4 29.Rc1 $1 Qe8 30.Bg3 Qb5 31.Rxc4 dxc4 32.e4 Qb3 33.Be1 $1 {The initiative is gone, the extra pawn remains, and the frustrated Tabatabaei quickly collapses under the pressure.} 33...Ne8 ( 33...Kf7 {would have been more stubborn.} ) 34.d5 $1 {With the activation of the white queen, all of Black's hopes quickly fade away.} 34...exd5 35.Qxd5+ Kh7 ( {Nothing changes} 35...Kh8 36.Qd4 ) 36.Qf5+ Kg8 37.Qd5+ Kh7 38.Qf5+ {A practical decision to reach the time control.} 38...Kg8 39.Qe6+ Kf8 40.h4 $1 ( {Or equally good} 40.Kf2 $1 Qb2+ 41.Kg3 Qb1 42.Bd2 ) 40...Qd1 41.Kf2 Qd4+ 42.Kg3 c3 43.Bf2 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} ( {The only way to prevent the mate is} 43.Bf2 Qb4 44.Qd5 Qd6+ 45.Qxd6+ Nxd6 {But then Black loses the knight in the pin and White is just in time to stop the pawn.} 46.Bc5 Ke7 47.e5 c2 48.Bxd6+ Ke6 49.Ba3 ) 1-0

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 3 2022 | Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.31"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Tabatabaei, M Amin"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2623"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "E24"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8250497990690"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 {The Nimzo-Indian is an essential part of almost every top player's repertoire.} 4.Nf3 O-O 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 7.g3 ( {A recent online game witnessed a wild turn after:} 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 b6 9.e4 g5 10.Nxg5 Nxe4 11.Nf3 Qc7 12.Ne5 f5 13.Qh5 d6 {and the black king was too exposed in Gormally,D (2479)-Rudd,J (2331) Lichess.org INT 2020} ) 7...b6 8.Bg2 Bb7 9.d5 {Tabatabaei occupies as much space as he can before his pawns stall.} 9...d6 {So is placing his pawns on the opposite color of the bishop he is left with, a classical strategy in the Nimzo-Indian.} 10.O-O Qe7 11.Nh4 Nbd7 {All these logical developing moves have been seen before and Black now starts to threaten concretely the more exposed of the doubled c-pawns.} 12.Re1 $5 $146 {Tabatabaei decided not to defend it, with a novelty $1} ( {In the predecessor, White traded the annoying black knight with} 12.Bf4 Ne5 13.Bxe5 dxe5 {and then the first player tried to attack the kingside with} 14.e4 Rfd8 15.Re1 Qc7 16.g4 Ne8 17.g5 {but this whole concept seems somewhat artificial, Kharmunova,$146 (2137)-Akhtariev,A (2008) Kazan 2017} ) ( {The other way to obstruct the knight} 12.f4 {can be met with} 12...b5 $5 13.e4 bxc4 14.Rb1 Nb6 {when White still has to solve the central problem.} ) ( {It is important to mention that even though White wins a pawn in the line} 12.dxe6 Bxg2 13.exf7+ Qxf7 14.Nxg2 {Black should not experience even a hint of a problem after, say,} 14...Ne5 ) 12...Ne5 {So principally accepts the pawn.} ( {The other way to attack the center} 12...b5 {is not as effective here as White has} 13.dxe6 Bxg2 {And now that the white rook is not hanging on the f1-square he can go for} 14.exd7 Bc6 15.cxb5 Bxb5 16.e4 {with an edge to White.} ) 13.e4 Nxc4 14.Bf1 Ne5 ( {White would be happy to see} 14...Na5 15.c4 ) 15.c4 {The center has been Solidified and Tabatabaei is ready for the f2-f4 advance.} 15...Ng6 $1 {Black is correctly fighting the opponent’s active pieces.} ( {The line} 15...Rad8 16.f4 Ng6 17.Nf3 {favors White.} ) 16.Ng2 $1 {More pieces mean more chances and Tabatabaei is in a must-win situation.} ( {Instead} 16.Nxg6 hxg6 17.a4 {promises White compensation for the pawn as well, but it is less complex.} ) 16...b5 $1 {The center needs to be destroyed $1} ( {Or else White will be too comfortable after} 16...Rfe8 17.Bb2 e5 18.f3 {followed by Ng2-e3-f5.} ) 17.cxb5 exd5 18.exd5 Qd7 19.Ne3 Rfe8 {A curious moment. So wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way.} ( {Simpler was} 19...Ne7 {when after} 20.a4 Nexd5 21.Nxd5 Nxd5 22.Bb2 {White has a lot for the sacrificed material thanks to his bishop pair, but Black should not be worse after something like} 22...Nc7 {followed by Nc7-e6.} ) 20.Bb2 {White insists on the pawn sacrifice $1} ( {The weird-looking} 20.Re2 $5 {could have kept the pawn alive though, for example} 20...Ne7 21.Rd2 Ne4 22.Rd3 {and White should be somewhat better then.} ) 20...Nxd5 21.Nxd5 Rxe1 22.Qxe1 Bxd5 {Not only did So win the pawn back, but he also opened a strong diagonal for his bishop. Still, Tabatabaei has plenty for the material and brings his last piece into the game with} 23.Rd1 {And just when So seemed to control the situation he blunders with} 23...Nh4 ( {Both} 23...Be6 $1 24.Qd2 Rd8 ) ( {And} 23...Qe6 $1 {would have led to approximately balanced positions.} ) 24.Rd3 $1 {An only move, but one that not only defends but wins $1} ( {Certainly} 24.gxh4 $4 Qg4+ 25.Bg2 Qxg2# {would not have happened even in blitz.} ) ( {Nor} 24.Rxd5 $4 Nf3+ ) ( {White is also losing after} 24.Qc3 $2 Nf3+ 25.Kg2 Nd4+ 26.Kg1 Qg4 ) 24...Qg4 ( {There is no} 24...Nf3+ 25.Rxf3 $1 Bxf3 {due to the double-attack} 26.Qc3 ) 25.Qc3 $1 Be4 ( {Perhaps the American GM missed that in the line} 25...Nf3+ 26.Rxf3 Bxf3 27.h3 $1 {his queen is overworked $2} ) 26.Be2 Qg5 27.Rxd6 ( {Even faster was} 27.f4 Qg6 28.Rxd6 ) 27...Nf5 28.Qe5 Qe7 29.Qxe7 Nxe7 30.a4 {The material is equal, but Tabatabaei's pieces dominate and he is about to start munching the black pawns soon. Therefore, So resigned. PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1-0

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 3 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.23"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "159"]
[Beauty "4261433870346"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Bc5 {The Arkhangelsk Variation, one of the favorite lines of the likes of Aronian, Caruana, Anand, and Shirov.} 6.c3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.d4 {The main direction.} ( {The other direction is} 8.a4 {as in a couple of recent games of Aronian’s:} 8...Bg4 ( 8...Bb7 9.d3 h6 10.Nh4 Rb8 $5 {Leaves trodden paths.} 11.axb5 axb5 12.Nd2 $146 ( {The predecessor:} 12.Nf5 O-O 13.Qf3 Bc8 14.Nd2 Bxf5 15.Qxf5 Ne7 16.Qh3 b4 17.Bc4 bxc3 18.bxc3 {½-½ (25) Grandelius,$146 (2670)-Aronian,L (2781) Meltwater 2021} ) 12...O-O 13.Ndf3 Ne7 14.h3 Bb6 15.Nh2 Kh8 16.Ng4 Nfg8 {Carlsen,M (2847) -Aronian,L (2781) Meltwater 2021} ) ) 8...Bb6 9.Be3 O-O 10.Nbd2 h6 11.h3 Re8 {All of this has been seen before with Black planning to put the opponent's center under concrete pressure.} 12.Re1 exd4 {A very concrete approach, typical for the line.} 13.cxd4 Nb4 {Keymer went into the think tank from here and spent almost an hour on his next three moves.} 14.Qe2 {The first major thought by White. Dominguez deviates from a known top-game.} ( {That game went:} 14.d5 Nd3 15.Re2 Nh5 16.Bxb6 cxb6 17.Re3 Nxb2 18.Qc2 Nc4 19.Bxc4 bxc4 20.Qxc4 b5 21.Qd4 {with some advantage for White, Caruana,F (2820)-Giri,A (2780) Meltwater 2021} ) 14...c5 {Now it gets very messy since Keymer has no choice but to challenge the enemy center.} ( 14...Bb7 15.a3 Nc6 {is very comfortable for White.} ) 15.a3 c4 16.axb4 cxb3 17.Qd3 Nxe4 {A temporary sacrifice and the center is at last ruined.} 18.Bxh6 $146 ( {The email predecessor witnessed the quick exhaustion of resources after} 18.Nxe4 Bf5 19.Bxh6 gxh6 20.Nfd2 Bg6 21.Qc3 Rc8 22.Qxc8 Qxc8 23.Nf6+ Kg7 24.Nxe8+ Kh7 {1/2-1/2 (24) Visigalli,C (2178)-Bailey,M (2246) ICCF email 2021} ) 18...Bf5 19.Rxe4 $1 {Apparetly, an over-the-board novelty.} ( {Black does not experience any difficulties instead after} 19.Bg5 Nxd2 20.Qxf5 Nxf3+ 21.gxf3 Qc7 ) ( {And} 19.Nxe4 gxh6 {transposes to the email game from above.} ) 19...Rxe4 $1 {I think Keymer chose right $1 Now the forcing line continues further.} ( {In the line} 19...Bxe4 20.Nxe4 gxh6 21.g4 $1 {the black king is permanently weak. Besides, let's be honest, which piece is worth more here: a white knight on f5-square or a black rook in the corner $2} ) 20.Nxe4 d5 ( 20...gxh6 21.Qe3 {favors White.} ) 21.Bg5 Qd7 ( {But not} 21...f6 $2 22.Nxf6+ Qxf6 23.Qxb3 {when White wins.} ) 22.Nc5 Bxc5 23.Qxb3 Bf8 {The end of the tactical skirmish. White won a pawn, but Black has ample compensation thanks to his bishop pair. Still, White can push, relatively risk-free and this is what he is doing.} 24.Ne5 Qe6 25.Re1 {Th correct approach. If White wants to play for a win, he will need some major pieces alive.} ( {Instead} 25.Rc1 Rc8 26.Rxc8 Qxc8 27.g4 Qc2 $1 {would be exactly what Black needs and is very close to a draw.} ) 25...Rc8 26.Bd2 Bc2 ( 26...Bd6 $5 ) 27.Qg3 Bd6 28.Qa3 $1 {A nasty transfer from one side to another. It seems as if White managed to disrupt the harmony in the enemy camp.} 28...Be4 {But Keymer quickly consolidates.} 29.f3 ( 29.Qxa6 {is too risky, say} 29...Rc2 30.Bc3 $2 Qf5 ) 29...Bf5 30.Nc4 $1 {At least depriving the opponent of the bishop pair.} ( {Here} 30.Qxa6 Rc2 31.Bc3 $2 Bxh3 $1 {is even less appealing than before for White.} ) 30...Qg6 31.Nxd6 Qxd6 32.Qe3 Qg6 33.g4 Bd7 34.Qf4 Re8 {Black swaps off one of the majors.} 35.Rxe8+ ( {As} 35.Rc1 Qd3 {allows Black too much.} ) 35...Bxe8 36.h4 {That's the best that White can do: expand on the kingside and eventually break open the black king.} 36...Qe6 37.Be3 Kh7 38.h5 f5 $1 {A nice defensive touch by the young German; the more pawns are swapped, the better the chances.} 39.Kh2 $1 {An accurate decision.} ( {After} 39.gxf5 Qf7 40.h6 Bd7 41.hxg7 Qxg7+ 42.Kf2 Qf6 {the draw will soon become inevitable.} ) 39...fxg4 40.fxg4 Bd7 41.Kg3 Kg8 42.Qf3 {Now, if White could only bring his bishop to the e5-outpost...} 42...Bc8 43.Kh3 Kh7 44.Bd2 ( {Alas, there is no} 44.Bf4 {due to} 44...Qe1 ) 44...Qf6 {But that change of the scenery seems like a mistake $1} ( {Sitting put should have been sufficient, like} 44...Bd7 ) ( {Or} 44...Kg8 ) 45.Qxf6 gxf6 46.Kh4 Kg7 47.Kg3 Be6 48.Kf4 {Next, White will create an outside passer and will win the a6-pawn—that is a certainty. The question is if Black will be able to hold the zone.} 48...Kf8 49.g5 {Dominguez wants to have a distant passer, as distant as he can get. But he misses an important detail.} ( {He could have created, instead, a distant g-passer with} 49.Be1 $1 Kg7 50.Bh4 Kf7 51.h6 Kg6 52.h7 Kxh7 53.Bxf6 Kg6 54.g5 {Then, in comparison to the game, his pawn would be further away from the center. This fact seems sufficient for the win. As we know, White will win the a6-pawn first.} 54...Bf7 55.Ke5 {Then let's assume that Black defends as in the game} 55...Bg8 56.Kd6 Bf7 57.Kc6 Kf5 58.Kb6 Be8 59.Kxa6 Ke6 60.Kb6 Kd6 61.Be5+ Ke6 62.Kc5 Kf5 {Now, it is mandatory that White captures the d5-pawn when his bishop is NOT on the e5-square, like this.} 63.Bf6 $1 ( {But not} 63.Kxd5 Kxg5 64.Ke6 Kg6 65.d5 Bf7+ 66.Kd6 Kf5 $1 {and after Kf5-e4, Black is just in time.} ) 63...Ke6 64.Bh8 $3 Kf5 {Finally} 65.Kxd5 $1 Kxg5 66.Ke6 Kg6 67.d5 Bf7+ 68.Kd6 {and White wins.} ) 49...Kg7 50.Be1 Bf7 $3 {The key defense.} 51.Kg4 ( {There is no way to break through after} 51.g6 Be6 52.Bh4 ) 51...Be6+ 52.Kf4 Bf7 53.Bh4 Bxh5 54.gxf6+ Kf7 {Now, in comparison to the line from above, the white kingside passer is closer to the d5-pawn and the black king can keep in the zone.} 55.Ke5 Bf3 56.Kd6 Be4 57.Kc6 Ke6 58.Kb6 Bg6 59.Kxa6 Be8 ( 59...Bd3 {should work too.} ) 60.Kb6 Kf7 61.Kc7 Ke6 {It is a fortress and Keymer proves that.} 62.Bg5 Bh5 63.Kd8 Bg6 64.Bh4 Bh5 65.Kc7 Be8 66.Kb7 Bh5 67.Kb6 Be8 68.Kc5 Bd7 69.Bg5 Be8 70.Kb6 Kf7 71.Bh4 Ke6 72.Ka7 Bg6 73.Ka6 Be8 74.Kb6 Kf7 75.Kc5 Ke6 76.f7 Kxf7 77.Kd6 Kf8 78.Be7+ Kf7 79.Bg5 Kf8 80.Kxd5 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} ( 80.Kxd5 Bd7 81.Kd6 Ke8 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 3 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[ECO "E52"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Beauty "8249290006098"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.e3 O-O 6.Bd2 b6 {A super-solid line of the Nimzo-Indian Defense, is it not $2} 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.Qc2 {That is already rare—what does Aronian have on his mind $2} ( {White also did well recently in another top-GM game after:} 9.Rc1 a6 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Ne5 h6 12.f4 c5 13.Be1 Bxc3 14.bxc3 Ne4 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Nxd7 Qxd7 17.f5 f6 18.Qb3+ Bd5 19.c4 Bf7 20.Qxb6 cxd4 21.Qxd4 Qxd4 22.exd4 {with a solid extra pawn for White in Maghsoodloo,P (2701)-Duda,J (2760) Warsaw 2021} ) ( {In the majority of the games White was mainly castling here} 9.O-O {and later applying Pilsbury's idea from the game from above.} ) 9...Re8 10.a3 Bf8 11.Ng5 $146 {That is the idea $1 He wants to first weaken the opponent's kingside, provoking Black's next move.} ( {In the predecesso,r White also launched a serious attack, albeit losing a couple of tempi in the process after:} 11.O-O-O Nbd7 12.Rhg1 {What is this for $2} 12...Rc8 13.Ng5 g6 14.g4 c5 15.h4 c4 16.Be2 a6 17.h5 b5 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.Rh1 Bc6 20.Rh8+ Kg7 {Abbas,T (2007)-Jabr,B Beirut 2011} ) 11...g6 ( {The other pawn push is pretty sad} 11...h6 12.Bh7+ Kh8 13.Nxf7# ) 12.h4 $1 {And that is the idea $1 Aronian wants to get to the opponent's king ASAP. No need to shift the rook as White did in the predecessor on the g-file—just open a file for it, and mate.} 12...c5 {Esipenko was apparently feeling uneasy at this point. The Russian GM was lagging half an hour on the clock, against an angry and well-prepared opponent, who on top of that loves to attack. But how to slow down the attack $2} ( {A move like} 12...h5 {was only pouring more gasoline in White's attacking engine and} 13.g4 $1 {would have opened every single line against the black king. For instance} 13...hxg4 ( {Or if:} 13...Nxg4 14.Bxg6 fxg6 15.Qxg6+ Bg7 16.Qf7+ Kh8 17.Qxh5+ {and it is immediately over.} ) 14.O-O-O Bg7 15.f3 $1 gxf3 16.h5 $1 {and White crashes through in the line} 16...Nxh5 17.Nxf7 Kxf7 18.Bxg6+ ) ( {In all these lines, the key piece in the assault is the white bishop; therefore, it makes sense to swap it off at once with} 12...Ba6 $1 13.h5 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 Bg7 15.hxg6 hxg6 {and even though Black's position is not sweet at all, he may still try and survive somehow.} ) 13.h5 $1 {Of course $1 No need even to think about that.} 13...h6 {After this, Esipenko loses practically by force $1} ( 13...Nxh5 {does not even win the pawn due to} 14.Nxh7 $1 ) ( {More resilient was} 13...Bg7 {when White can try to open up the king at once with} 14.hxg6 ( {Or first bring on the reserves with} 14.O-O-O {and wait for an even better moment to sacrifice on the f7-square.} ) 14...hxg6 15.Nxf7 Kxf7 16.Bxg6+ Kf8 17.O-O-O {with a strong attack in both cases.} ) 14.hxg6 $1 {Did I mention that Aronian was still blitzing $2} 14...hxg5 15.gxf7+ Kxf7 16.Bg6+ Ke7 17.Qf5 {The black king is heavily exposed and the threat of Rh1-h7+ is too strong $1} 17...Bg7 ( {For instance} 17...Nc6 {leads to a beautiful mate after} 18.Rh7+ Nxh7 19.Qf7+ Kd6 20.Nb5# ) ( {Whereas} 17...Nbd7 {would be met in a similar way as in the game with} 18.Nb5 Bg7 19.Rh7 Rg8 {and now} 20.e4 $1 dxe4 21.Bxg5 {and the pins decide the outcome of the game.} ) 18.e4 $3 {More and more files and diagonals are opened.} 18...Nc6 ( {There is no place to hide} 18...dxe4 19.Bxg5 Nd7 20.O-O-O Kf8 21.Bh6 $1 {would swap a key defender and expose the king completely.} ) 19.Bxe8 {That was not optimal but was nevertheless good enough.} ( {Instead} 19.Bxg5 {would have finished the game neater, for example} 19...Nxd4 ( {If} 19...Kf8 {then} 20.Bxe8 ) 20.Bxf6+ Bxf6 21.Rh7+ Kd6 {For a moment it seems as if Black has found a safe shelter, but} 22.Nb5+ $3 {ruins his hopes and leads to mate after} 22...Nxb5 23.Bxe8 Bc6 24.Qf4+ Be5 25.Qf8+ Ke6 26.Qf7+ Kd6 27.Rh6+ ) 19...Qxe8 {Now it works perfectly well for Aronian.} ( {But even in the case of the most resilient} 19...Kxe8 $1 20.Bxg5 Qd7 $1 ( {Rather than} 20...Nxd4 21.Qg6+ Kf8 22.Rh7 $1 {and Black is helpless.} ) 21.Bxf6 Qxf5 22.exf5 Bxf6 23.Nxd5 Bxd4 ( {Worse is} 23...Bd8 24.Rh8+ Kd7 25.dxc5 bxc5 26.O-O-O {and White is winning.} ) 24.Nc7+ Kf7 25.Nxa8 Bxa8 26.O-O-O {the extra material should tell in the end, although White will still have to sweat a bit.} ) 20.Nxd5+ $1 {Opening the floodgates, with tempi.} 20...Nxd5 ( {Or} 20...Kf7 21.Nxf6 Bxf6 22.Bxg5 {with a deadly pin.} ) 21.Bxg5+ Kd6 ( {Nothing helps.} 21...Nf6 {would have been met with} 22.Bxf6+ Bxf6 23.Rh7+ Kd8 24.Qxf6+ Kc8 25.Qf5+ Kd8 ( {Or mate after} 25...Kb8 26.Qf4+ ) 26.dxc5 {and the second rook joins the fray decisively.} ) 22.Qxd5+ Kc7 23.Rh7 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1-0

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 3 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.28"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[ECO "C28"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7766508835353"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Nc6 4.Nc3 {Quite a rare line in Esipenko's practice.} 4...Na5 5.Qf3 {\"A specialty of the Australian grandmaster Ian Rogers.\" (Emms)} 5...Nxc4 {That's too good of a bishop to be neglected $1} ( {Another interesting line is:} 5...Bc5 6.Nge2 d6 7.h3 h6 8.a3 Nxc4 9.dxc4 Be6 10.b3 a5 11.Be3 Nd7 12.Bxc5 Nxc5 13.O-O-O O-O 14.Kb2 a4 {and Black was already better in Xiong, J (2687)-So,W (2772) Chess.com INT 2021} ) ( {Black can also postpone this capture for a move, but after} 5...c6 6.a4 {Black still needs to capture the bishop before it leaves} 6...Nxc4 7.dxc4 d6 8.Nge2 Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.h3 Be6 11.b3 a6 12.Rd1 Qc7 {with an equal game in Adhiban,B (2659)-Karjakin,S (2752) Chess. com INT 2020} ) ( {Esipenko has faced} 5...h6 {in an earlier games of his which went} 6.Nge2 Nxc4 7.dxc4 Bc5 8.h3 d6 9.O-O a6 10.b3 Be6 11.Ng3 Bd4 12.Rb1 {Esipenko,A (2682)-Belyakov,B (2481) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 6.dxc4 d6 7.Nge2 {Both sides make all the mandatory moves to finish the development.} 7...Be6 8.b3 Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.a4 Nd7 {Nakamura would be happy to open up the position with either d6-d5 or (more likely) the f7-f5 break, and those require preparation.} 11.a5 $146 {This is a novelty. White is threatening to push this pawn even further; however, he risks ending up with a queenside weakness.} ( {So far, both players followed a top-level predecessor:} 11.Ng3 Bg5 12.Nf5 Bxc1 13.Raxc1 g6 14.Ne3 a5 15.Rcd1 Nc5 16.Qg3 Qf6 {and Black was doing fine in Artemiev,V (2692)-Radjabov,T (2742) Tbilisi 2017} ) 11...a6 {Fixing the pawn.} 12.Ng3 {White needs to take measures against the f7-f5 move.} ( {The other way to do it was} 12.Nd5 $5 {indending to meet} 12...g6 {with} ( {Worse is} 12...c6 13.Nxe7+ Qxe7 14.Ba3 {when the d6-point is vulnerable.} ) 13.Nxe7+ Qxe7 14.Qg3 f5 15.exf5 {which forces Black to recapture on f5 with a piece} 15...Bxf5 ) 12...Bg5 13.Nf5 Bxc1 14.Raxc1 g6 15.Ne3 c6 {Not just to cover the d5-square, but also to shield the b7-pawn.} ( {Although the pawn sacrifice} 15...f5 $5 16.exf5 gxf5 17.Qxb7 Nc5 18.Qf3 f4 19.Ned5 Bf5 {was quite interesting as well.} ) 16.Ra1 Qe7 17.Qd1 {Preparing for the inevitable.} ( {The alternative was} 17.Qg3 Kh8 18.Rad1 {in order to meet} 18...f5 {with} 19.exf5 gxf5 20.f4 $1 ) 17...Rad8 {Played without much hesitation. Nakamura obviously decided to postpone the f7-f5 advance.} ( {He could have obtained a good position, though, with} 17...f5 18.exf5 gxf5 19.f4 $1 {and now} 19...exf4 $1 20.Rxf4 Ne5 {looking for active, dynamic kingside play.} ) 18.Qd2 Nf6 {Nf6-h5-f4 is on the agenda. Therefore} 19.f4 exf4 20.Rxf4 Nh5 21.Rf3 ( 21.Rf2 $5 ) 21...Qg5 22.Raf1 $1 {A very creative idea by the young Russian $1 He is ready to sacrifice a pawn in order to let his knights get closer to the enemy king.} 22...Qxa5 {And Nakamura accepts the challenge $1} ( {White's position looks more pleasant after} 22...f5 23.exf5 gxf5 24.Qf2 ) 23.g4 $1 {The final preparation.} 23...Ng7 ( {Not} 23...Qg5 24.h4 $1 ) 24.Nf5 $1 {And the knights go wild $1} 24...Qe5 $1 {The best defense. The queen is needed close to the kingside.} ( {Black risks to get mated in the line} 24...gxf5 25.exf5 Bc8 ( {Safer is} 25...f6 26.fxe6 Nxe6 {although White has full compensation after} 27.Kh1 $1 ) 26.Qh6 f6 27.Rh3 Kf7 28.Qxh7 {and the attack seems decisive.} ) 25.Nh6+ Kh8 26.Nd5 $1 {The second knight jumps through a defended square, ready to fly close to the black king.} 26...g5 {And Nakamura decided not to take it. Yet. But this is risky.} ( {The line} 26...cxd5 27.exd5 {leads to a situation in which Black cannot save the bishop, say with} 27...Bd7 ( {However} 27...Bxd5 $1 {leads to an unclear situation where White enjoys plenty of compensation for the pawn after} 28.cxd5 f5 29.Re1 Qb2 30.g5 ) 28.Rxf7 Rfe8 29.Qf2 $1 {and the mating threat is too big to be ignored.} ) 27.Qf2 {Now it works for Black.} ( {The stunning improvement} 27.c3 $3 {was suggested by the machine. White keeps his queen on the optimal central square for the time being. Then} 27...Qxe4 ( {Also bad for Black is} 27...cxd5 28.exd5 Bxd5 29.cxd5 ) ( {And, generally, it is difficult to offer him good advice as} 27...f5 28.gxf5 Bxd5 29.exd5 Nh5 {also fails due to the simple} 30.Qxg5 ) 28.Nf6 Qg6 29.Rh3 {is bad for the second player.} ) ( {Another good idea for White would have been} 27.Nf6 $1 Ne8 28.Nh5 ) 27...f5 $5 {Vintage Nakamura $1 He is complicating the position to the maximum in the approaching time trouble.} ( {Objectively better was} 27...cxd5 $1 {with a possible mass exchange after} 28.exd5 Bxd5 29.cxd5 f5 30.Nxf5 Nxf5 31.Rxf5 ( 31.Qd2 $5 ) 31...Rxf5 32.Qxf5 Qxf5 33.Rxf5 {and a draw in the rook endgame.} 33...Rc8 $1 34.c4 b5 ) 28.gxf5 ( {Black's idea is revealed in the line} 28.exf5 Bxd5 29.cxd5 Qf6 $1 {when the knight is suddenly trapped $1 Although this is still not entirely clear after} 30.dxc6 Qxh6 31.cxb7 ) 28...Bxd5 29.exd5 Nh5 30.Re1 {Now it is dynamically balanced as the black knight gets back in the game.} ( 30.dxc6 $5 bxc6 31.Kh1 {is also interesting.} ) 30...Qg7 31.Ng4 Nf4 32.f6 Qd7 33.Rxf4 $1 {No one can tolerate such a beast $1} 33...gxf4 34.Qxf4 Rde8 ( {Or} 34...Qf7 35.Re7 Qg6 36.h3 {and it is anyone's game.} ) 35.Rf1 {White abandons the only open file at the worst possible moment $1} ( {It was time to force a draw with the help of the spectacular line} 35.Rxe8 $1 Qxe8 ( 35...Rxe8 $4 36.f7 ) 36.Qxd6 Rg8 37.h3 h5 38.Qe6 hxg4 39.f7 Qxe6 40.dxe6 gxh3+ 41.Kh2 Kg7 42.fxg8=Q+ Kxg8 43.Kxh3 Kg7 44.Kg4 Kf6 45.Kf4 Kxe6 46.Ke4 {and a draw $1} ) 35...Qf7 {Nakamura quickly seizes the opportunity for an epic comeback $1} 36.Kh1 ( {Perhaps} 36.dxc6 bxc6 37.Qh6 Rg8 38.h3 {was worth a try.} ) 36...Qg6 ( 36...cxd5 $1 ) 37.Rg1 ( {The last chance was} 37.c5 cxd5 38.cxd6 Qe4+ 39.Qxe4 Rxe4 {although Black should be able to convert here too.} ) 37...h5 38.Ne3 Rxf6 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 0-1

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 3 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.29"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7908108538924"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 {It is remarkable how solid Mamedyarov's openings are. But, actually, let's not get ahead of ourselves.} 3...Bb4+ 4.Nd2 d5 5.Bg2 O-O 6.Nf3 dxc4 {Both sides are confidently blitzing their moves and following an earlier game of Keymer’s.} 7.Qc2 a5 8.a3 Bxd2+ ( {Another plan is:} 8...Be7 9.Nxc4 b5 10.Nce5 Bb7 11.Bg5 Be4 12.Qd2 h6 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 {when White tried to gain an advantage with the help of} 14.Qf4 {in Dubov,D (2714)-Korobov,A (2683) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 9.Bxd2 b5 10.a4 c6 11.h4 h6 12.g4 $146 {Yes,a novelty. And if there is one name to be associated with a g4-attack nowadays, that would be Mamedyarov $1} ( {The predecessor was an earlier game of the young German star, which followed the forcing path:} 12.Ne5 Qxd4 13.Nxc6 Nxc6 14.Bxc6 Rb8 15.axb5 Bb7 16.Bc3 Qc5 17.Bxb7 Rxb7 18.Rxa5 Rxb5 19.Rxb5 Qxb5 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.O-O Rb8 {and eventually the game peter out in a draw, Wojtaszek, R (2691)-Keymer,V (2630) Riga 2021} ) 12...Nxg4 {Forced and played quickly, but after White's next move, Keymer had to start burning precious time.} 13.Ne5 ( {There was also} 13.axb5 {when Black cannot recapture.} 13...cxb5 $4 {due to} ( {However} 13...f5 $1 {solidifies Black's position and it is totally unclear after} 14.Qxc4 cxb5 15.Qxb5 Bd7 ) 14.Ng5 $1 ) 13...f5 {Choosing from many options is a curse, especially in rapid and blitz. It seems, however, as there were a couple of more accurate options.} ( {The preliminary trade} 13...Nxe5 14.dxe5 {followed by} 14...f5 {seems perfectly playable for Black after} 15.axb5 ( {Or} 15.exf6 Qxf6 16.Be3 {where White also has compensation for the pawns.} ) 15...Bb7 ) ( {Another interesting choice was} 13...Qxd4 {It looks risky due to the forcing line} 14.Nxg4 Qxg4 15.Bf3 Qg6 16.Qxg6 fxg6 17.axb5 {when it seems as if White dominates; however, there is} 17...Rxf3 $1 18.exf3 cxb5 19.Rxa5 Rxa5 20.Bxa5 Bb7 {and it is again unclear.} ) 14.Nxg4 fxg4 15.axb5 Qf6 ( {Worse is} 15...Qxd4 16.Be3 Qe5 17.bxc6 ) 16.O-O-O {This is what the g3-g4 sacrifice is all about. Occupy the open files on the kingside and mate, just like Aronian already did a couple of days ago.} ( {It is amusing to see that the machine prefers the materialistic} 16.O-O $1 {castling into an attack, but gaining an important pawn in the line} 16...Qxh4 17.bxc6 {After} 17...Ra7 18.Qe4 {White's powerful centralization keeps the mates away from him.} ) 16...Bd7 {But this seems too slow $1} ( {Keymer needed to challenge the opponent's light-squared bishop as soon as possible, and therefore} 16...Bb7 $1 {was called for, when a line like} 17.Rhg1 Rf7 18.Be4 ( {Or} 18.b6 Na6 $1 19.Qe4 c5 ) 18...cxb5 19.Rxg4 Nc6 $1 {seems more than reasonable for Black.} ) 17.Rhg1 $1 {Mamedyarov wastes no time counting the pawns but instead quickly brings his rooks on the half-open files.} 17...Ra7 {The rook is ready to guard his king along the seventh rank. However, ...} ( {Or} 17...Qxh4 18.Be4 Rxf2 19.Qxc4 {and Black is in trouble.} ) 18.b6 $1 {A nasty spoiler that completely disorganizes the black defensive attempt.} 18...Ra6 ( 18...Rb7 19.Be4 ) 19.Be4 Qxh4 ( {Nothing changes.} 19...Qxf2 20.Rxg4 ) 20.f3 $1 {Opening every single file against the black king. Keymer tries to control the situation as much as he can with} 20...g3 ( {As} 20...gxf3 21.exf3 Be8 22.Rg4 Qf6 {promises White decisive attack with simple moves like} 23.Rh1 $1 ( {Or} 23.Bf4 $1 ) ) 21.Rh1 Qe7 22.Rdg1 Rf6 23.Rxg3 {The floodgates have been open and the rooks find perfect coordination with their long-range brothers to wrap up the game.} 23...Kf8 24.Rhg1 Rxb6 ( {Or} 24...Be8 25.Qxc4 Rxb6 26.Rxg7 Qxg7 27.Qc5+ {and White wins material.} ) 25.Bxa5 Rb5 ( {Instead} 25...Ra6 {would have led to a similar line as in the game with} 26.Rxg7 $1 Qxg7 27.Bb4+ Kf7 28.Rxg7+ Kxg7 29.Bd6 ) 26.Rxg7 $1 {The decisive blow.} 26...Qxg7 27.Rxg7 Kxg7 28.Bc7 {Wins material and with the black king still open White should obviously be winning.} 28...Be8 29.Be5 Nd7 30.Bxc6 Nxe5 31.Bxe8 Nd3+ 32.exd3 Rg5 33.Qxc4 Rxf3 34.Qxe6 Rf2 35.Kb1 Rgg2 36.Qe7+ Kh8 37.Qb7 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 2 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Tabatabaei, M Amin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2643"]
[ECO "C24"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6531860929546"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O O-O 6.h3 d5 {In the past, such aggression was deemed premature; however, the strong computers nowadays prove over and over that practically anything can be played.} 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Nbd2 Be6 9.Ne4 Bb6 {Tabatabaei chooses to stay on the more active diagonal while still blitzing. Giri's next move, though, made him revise his beliefs about the situation.} ( 9...Be7 10.Nfg5 Bxg5 11.Nxg5 Qd6 12.Nxe6 Qxe6 13.f4 {Guadamuro Torrente,A (2107)-Tamajon Castilla,F (1960) Campillos 2007} ) 10.b4 $146 {Quite a novelty $1 Giri is coming armed to the teeth for the game. White attacks the opponent's center from the flank, while opening the long diagonal for the bishop.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 10.a4 f6 11.b4 a6 12.a5 Ba7 13.Bd2 Kh8 14.Re1 Nce7 15.Nc5 Bxc5 16.bxc5 Bf7 {with White eventually emerging victorious in Nepomniachtchi,I (2773)-Abdusattorov,$146 (2651) chess24. com INT 2022} ) ( {Please note that the immediate assault} 10.Nfg5 Bf5 11.Qf3 {is parried by the simple and effective} 11...Nd4 $1 ) 10...Ndxb4 ( {After} 10...Ncxb4 {White likely did not intend to take the pawn at once with} 11.Nxe5 {due to} ( {However, without the black knight close to the center, the maneuver} 11.Nfg5 $1 Bf5 12.Qf3 {makes perfect sense as} 12...Bg6 {is bad due to} 13.c3 {when White wins a piece} 13...Nc6 14.Bxd5 Qxd5 15.Nf6+ ) 11...Bd4 ) 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.Rb1 {As a result of his fruitful preparation, Giri managed to spoil the opponent's pawn structure, and besides the weakness of the e-pawns, he can also enjoy a powerful attacking outpost on the e4-square.} 12...h6 {Tabatabaei decided to part with the extra pawn at once.} ( {However, it made sense to keep it, at least for the time being, especially when} 12...Nd5 $5 13.Nfg5 {does not yield White anything significant in the line} 13...Qe7 14.Qg4 Nf6 ) 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.Rxb4 a5 {This looks suspicious. Why voluntarily weaken the queenside $2} ( {Both} 14...Qd7 $5 ) ( {And even the immediate} 14...Qh4 $5 {looked better, as White has no way of exploiting the x-raying power of the rook.} ) 15.Rb1 Qh4 {Black does not have enough power to create trouble on the kingside, and after some preparation, Giri starts to show who is in charge.} 16.Qe2 Rad8 ( {The drawbacks of the queenside weakening may easily start to be felt. For example, the obvious} 16...Rf7 {leads to White's huge edge after} 17.Rxb6 $1 cxb6 18.Nd6 ) 17.Kh2 Qe7 18.f4 Nd7 19.Rf3 {The white pieces constantly find beautiful working places.} 19...Nf6 20.Bd2 ( 20.Rb5 $5 {to provoke another weakness also made sense.} ) 20...Qa3 21.Nc3 ( {The other way to play it was} 21.Bc3 Nxe4 22.dxe4 Qa4 23.Rg3 ) 21...Rde8 22.Qe5 $1 {A very neat queen maneuver $1} 22...Nd7 23.Qb5 Qe7 ( 23...c6 24.Qc4 {is actually what White wants.} ) ( 23...Re7 24.Qc4 ) 24.Qc4 {The queen is perfect on the c4-square. Once the black queen has been removed from the active position, White can start working on the enemy's weaknesses.} 24...Kh8 25.Ne4 c6 {And, as strange as it sounds, this is a decisive weakening. It is, however, difficult to find a way to avoid this move.} 26.d4 $1 {Tabatabaei might have missed this. The kingside rook immediately rushes toward the now weak b7-pawn.} ( {Black probably expected something along the line of} 26.Bc3 Kh7 27.Rg3 Rf7 {and here, too, Black suffers.} ) 26...Rb8 27.Rfb3 Qd8 28.Qxe6 Bxd4 29.Rxb7 {Plain and simple, White nets a pawn.} ( {Aparently, Giri did not like the complications after} 29.Rd3 c5 30.c3 Nf6 31.cxd4 ( {But there is a winning move in this line for White.} 31.Nd6 $1 ) 31...Re8 ) 29...Rxb7 30.Rxb7 Nc5 31.Nxc5 Bxc5 32.Rd7 Qf6 33.Qxf6 Rxf6 34.Bc3 {This was a bit rushy though.} ( {The patient} 34.Kg3 $1 Bb4 35.Be3 {would have saved White some energy.} ) 34...Rxf4 35.Bxg7+ Kg8 36.Bxh6 Ra4 37.g4 $1 {The quality of the pawns is by far more important than their quantity.} 37...Rxa2 38.g5 Rxc2+ 39.Kg3 {The white pawns are moving fast while threatening mate and, therefore, Black's position remains gloomy.} 39...Be3 ( {Nothing changes.} 39...Rc4 40.g6 Rd4 41.Rg7+ Kh8 42.Rf7 Kg8 43.h4 ) 40.Rd8+ Kh7 41.Kg4 Rd2 42.Re8 Bc5 43.Kh5 Rd5 44.Ra8 Bd4 45.h4 Bc3 46.Bf8 $1 {Takes the sixth rank under control.} ( 46.Rc8 Rd6 47.Kg4 {should have worked too.} ) 46...Bd4 47.Rc8 a4 ( {Or else} 47...c5 48.Rc7+ Kg8 49.Be7 ) 48.Ra8 c5 49.Rxa4 Rd8 50.Ra7+ Kg8 51.Be7 Rc8 52.Kg6 ( {The other winning way was} 52.Bf6 $1 Bxf6 53.gxf6 c4 54.Kg6 c3 55.Rg7+ Kf8 56.Rh7 {when White is also in time.} ) 52...c4 53.Rd7 $1 {Everything is well calculated, Giri is in time to capture the black rook.} 53...Bh8 ( {Or mate in case of} 53...Bb2 54.Bf6 c3 55.Rh7 ) 54.Bf6 c3 55.Rh7 Bxf6 56.gxf6 Rc6 57.Rd7 Rc8 58.Rg7+ {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 2 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8247008305201"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {Just like yesterday, Giri pins his hopes on the fashionable Italian game.} 3...Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 h6 7.Re1 O-O 8.Nbd2 a5 {The modern treatment.} ( {Although Esipenko was super-successful last week with:} 8...Bb6 9.Bb3 Ng4 10.Re2 Na5 11.Bc2 f5 12.h3 Nf6 13.d4 fxe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Rxe4 Bf5 16.Re1 Bxc2 17.Qxc2 exd4 18.Bxh6 Rxf3 19.gxf3 Qh4 20.Bc1 d3 {0-1 (20) Aronian,L (2772)-Esipenko,A (2714) chess24.com INT 2022} ) 9.h3 Be6 10.b3 {And a flexible move in return by Giri. This idea has already been tested twice by his compatriot Van Foreest.} 10...d5 11.exd5 Nxd5 12.Ne4 Bb6 $146 {Only to see his opponent reacting in a flash with} ( {The predecessor was comfortable for White after:} 12...Ba7 13.Bd2 Re8 14.a3 Nf6 15.Nxf6+ Qxf6 16.Bxe6 Rxe6 17.b4 Rd8 18.Qc2 Qg6 19.Be3 Qxd3 20.Qxd3 Rxd3 21.b5 {Van Foreest,J (2613)-Van den Doel,E (2615) Amstelveen 2018} ) 13.Qd2 $3 {It appears that this is the perfect square for the queen. For starters, it eyeballs the opponent's kingside.} ( {Her Grace is also away from some annoying knight kicks, as in this line.} 13.Qc2 Qd7 14.Bb5 Ncb4 $1 ) 13...Qc8 ( {Black is not well-prepared to fight for the center. The line} 13...f5 14.Ng3 Qd6 {backfires after} 15.a4 Bc5 16.Bb5 Nde7 17.Nxe5 $1 ) ( {Perhaps the best move was} 13...Qd7 {intending to enter huge complications in the line} 14.Bb5 ( 14.Ng3 {is still possible though.} ) 14...Bxh3 15.Nxe5 Qe6 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.d4 f5 18.Nc5 {but launching this unprepared sequence should be suicidal.} ) ( {After} 13...Re8 14.Bb5 {might be annoying.} ) 14.Ng3 {Giri, once more, managed to pressurize the center, causing the black pieces to obstruct each other.} 14...f6 15.d4 $1 {Judjing by the speed with which the Dutch GM was executing his moves, the impression is that this was all standing on his home table for some time before the event.} 15...Qd7 ( {Plenty of amusing lines arise in case of the capture} 15...exd4 16.Nh5 $3 ( {Also good seems} 16.Qd3 $1 {with the major idea} 16...Qd7 17.Bxh6 $3 gxh6 18.Rxe6 $1 Qxe6 19.Qg6+ Kh8 20.Qxh6+ Kg8 21.Ng5 $1 {winning.} ) 16...Qd7 ( {Or} 16...dxc3 17.Qd3 Rf7 18.Bxh6 $1 {with decisive attack.} ) 17.Nxg7 $3 {One more proof that the white queen is ideally placed on the c1-h6 diagonal $1} 17...Kxg7 18.Qxh6+ Kf7 ( 18...Kg8 19.Rxe6 $1 {transposes to the winning line from above.} ) 19.Qh5+ Kg8 20.Rxe6 Qxe6 21.Qg6+ Kh8 22.Qh6+ Kg8 23.Ng5 Qe1+ 24.Kh2 fxg5 25.Bxd5+ ( {Or} 25.Qxg5+ ) 25...Rf7 26.Be3 $3 {cutting the black queen away from the defense and thus Black is helpless.} ) 16.Ba3 $1 {Not just finishing the development, but also aiming to remove the rook from the f-file.} ( {As, otherwise, it will work like crazy there.} 16.dxe5 fxe5 ) 16...Rf7 17.Re4 {Giri was tempted by a direct kingside attack.} ( {But there was a simpler and more convincing way} 17.Rad1 $1 a4 ( {Or} 17...Rd8 18.Qc2 {and the x-raying along the d-file is unbearable for the second player.} ) 18.b4 exd4 19.cxd4 {with a large edge for White.} ) 17...a4 $1 {Vitiugov forces a concession.} ( {Of course not} 17...f5 $2 18.Nxe5 ) ( {Or} 17...exd4 18.cxd4 {when White dominates.} ) 18.b4 Nf4 {And he gets rid of the pin, at last.} 19.Bxe6 Nxe6 20.Rae1 ( {Still, stronger was to play in the center.} 20.d5 Ng5 21.Nxg5 hxg5 22.Rd1 Ne7 23.c4 {with an edge.} ) 20...Ng5 21.Nxg5 hxg5 22.b5 ( {Here} 22.d5 Ne7 23.c4 Rd8 {does not seem as convincing for White.} ) 22...Na7 23.h4 {That was Giri's inspiring point $1 The rook on e4 quickly joins efforts with the relentless queen and the threats quickly start to mount.} 23...Nxb5 ( {Vitiugov correctly avoids} 23...gxh4 24.Rxh4 Nxb5 25.Qd3 g5 26.Rh6 $1 Nxa3 27.Nh5 {when White crashes through.} ) ( {However,} 23...g4 $5 {to keep the h-file locked, made perfect sense too.} ) 24.hxg5 fxg5 ( {Not} 24...Nxa3 $2 25.g6 Re7 26.Qe2 {with mate to come.} ) 25.Qxg5 Nxa3 {What can be more obvious than that $1 Not only does Vitiugov win a piece, but he also gets rid of a strong attacker while opening a safety road for his king.} ( {But, it was the modest pawn that needed to be taken instead.} 25...Nxc3 $1 {Black seems to hold everywhere, somehow.} 26.Rxe5 ( {Or} 26.Rh4 Bxd4 $1 ) 26...Bxd4 27.Re7 ( {And if} 27.Rf5 Re8 $1 ) 27...Bf6 $1 ) 26.Rh4 Re8 27.Qh5 Rf6 ( {There is no time to run.} 27...Kf8 28.Rxe5 Rxe5 29.Qxe5 Kg8 30.Qe4 ) 28.Ne4 Rf5 {Getting ready to get rid of the knight.} 29.Ng5 Rxg5 30.Qxg5 c5 {The last mistake.} ( {The Russian GM should have tried to bring his knight close to the king ASAP.} 30...Nc4 $1 31.Qg6 Nd6 {Then, White would have had a pleasant choice between play for an attack with} 32.Qh7+ ( {Or playing an advantageous endgame with} 32.Rxe5 Rxe5 33.dxe5 Qf5 34.Qxf5 Nxf5 35.Rxa4 ) 32...Kf7 33.Re3 ) 31.Qg6 Bd8 32.Rh7 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} ( {Qg6-h5 and Rh7xg7+ threats cannot be stopped adequately. The final moves could have been} 32.Rh7 Bf6 33.Qh5 Kf8 34.dxe5 Rxe5 35.Rh8+ Ke7 36.Rxe5+ ) 1-0

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 2 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.03"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[ECO "E48"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7699265749026"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.a3 Bd6 8.Qc2 {Rapport and Vidit are entering one of the most complex structures, a Carlsbad with a white dark-squared bishop behind the pawn chain.} 8...a6 ( {The Indian GM has experience with the other main continuation in the first GP tournament:} 8...c6 9.Nge2 Re8 10.Bd2 b6 11.O-O Ba6 12.Kh1 c5 13.Rad1 g6 14.Qb1 Bb7 15.Nf4 {and White eventually prevailed in Aronian,L (2772)-Vidit,S (2727) Berlin 2022} ) 9.Nge2 Re8 10.O-O {10.0-0 is the recent fashion according to Megabase.} 10...b6 ( {Sure enough, Rapport knows that the Greek gift sacrifice} 10...Bxh2+ $2 11.Kxh2 Ng4+ {would not work due to} 12.Kg3 $1 Qg5 13.f4 Qh6 14.Bd2 Qh2+ 15.Kf3 {and the king escapes.} ) 11.b4 {First and foremost, White needs to take the teeth out of the c7-c5 break.} 11...Nbd7 $146 {Rapport sank into deep thought and, after more than thirty minutes on the clock, came up with a good plan.} ( {The predecessor witnessed highly instructive play by White:} 11...Bb7 12.Rb1 Qe7 13.h3 Nbd7 14.b5 a5 15.a4 Rac8 16.Qb3 Nf8 17.Nf4 Rcd8 18.Ra1 $1 {the white problematic bishop is about to be traded while the opponent's bad one on b7 will suffer till the end of the game, Milov, V (2680)-Riff,J (2474) Kemer 2007} ) 12.Nf4 {First and foremost, the Hungarian GM lures the opponent's bishop on b7 anyway.} ( 12.b5 $5 {like in the above-mentioned predecessor also made a lot of sense.} ) 12...Bb7 13.Rb1 $1 {Now c7-c5 would be difficult to execute.} 13...Nf8 ( {One other classical idea in the Carlsbad} 13...b5 {intending to transfer the knight via the b6-square to the c4-outpost would be met with the timely} 14.a4 {Notice that the white rook defends the b4 pawn.} 14...c6 15.a5 {with White's edge.} ) 14.f3 {Now that c7-c5 is out of the question, Rapport can concentrate on Botvinnik's idea of preparing e3-e4 $1} 14...Ng6 {Vidit hopes to swap some pieces and reduce the attacking potential of his opponent.} ( {Here, and on the previous move, the trade} 14...Bxf4 15.exf4 {never works for Black as the black knights will lack good outposts, whereas White will find a way to transfer his only horsie all the way to the vulnerable e5-point.} ) 15.Nfe2 $3 {But his offer is rejected $1 The white knight has far better perspectives.} ( {Further on, the straightforward} 15.Nxg6 hxg6 16.e4 {would have failed tactically due to} 16...dxe4 17.fxe4 Nxe4 $1 18.Nxe4 Bxe4 19.Bxe4 Qh4 {when Black wins material.} ) 15...Qe7 16.Ng3 {The knight found an even better career, and his salary would raise after reaching the f5-square.} 16...Qd7 ( {The attempt to stop the knight with} 16...Nh4 {releases the e-pawn} 17.e4 ) ( {However, the machine claims that Black could have defended better with the passive} 16...Bc8 {Its main point is that in the line} 17.e4 dxe4 18.fxe4 {There is} 18...Ng4 {and Black somehow gets enough play against the enemy king. This is hard to believe, but the machine insists and prints the following line:} 19.e5 Qh4 20.h3 Qxg3 21.hxg4 Rxe5 $3 22.dxe5 Bxe5 23.Ne2 Qh2+ 24.Kf2 Bb7 {It seems as Black has enough for the rook, somehow, and should be able to find a perpetual with} 25.Be4 Qh4+ 26.Ke3 Qg5+ 27.Kf2 Qh4+ {I honestly do not buy any of this...} ) 17.Nf5 Bf8 18.Kh1 $1 {The final preparation. And a move of a true master $1 Why rush when the opponent is forced to sit and wait for your decision $2} 18...Ne7 ( {The active attempt} 18...c5 19.bxc5 bxc5 20.dxc5 Bxc5 21.Na4 {only makes things worse for Black.} ) 19.Ng3 $1 {A second retreat $1 And, once again, it is the black knight that looks silly, clumsily blocking his own pieces.} 19...Rad8 ( {There will be no repetition after} 19...Ng6 20.Bd2 ) ( {And, in the case of the pseudo-active} 19...h5 {White can finally go for} 20.e4 $5 dxe4 21.fxe4 Qxd4 {Without a check.} ( 21...h4 22.Rxf6 $1 ) 22.Nce2 {with a massive attack.} ) 20.Nce2 Ng6 21.e4 {The time had come.} ( 21.Bd2 $5 ) 21...dxe4 22.fxe4 Re6 {Vidit is apparently afraid of the exchange sacrifice on f6, but the move in the game will soon lead to complete White domination.} ( {Maybe it was worth trying} 22...c5 23.bxc5 bxc5 24.Rxf6 $1 gxf6 25.d5 {at least hoping for some practical chances.} ) 23.Bb2 ( {Apparently, the Indian GM hoped to sacrifice an exchange himself in the line} 23.d5 Re5 24.Bb2 ( 24.Nd4 $1 {is a big advantage for White though.} ) 24...Ng4 25.Bxe5 N6xe5 {when the dark-squared domination indeed compensates Black somewhat.} ) 23...Ng4 24.Qb3 b5 ( {Or} 24...Nh4 25.Bc2 $1 ) 25.Bc2 $1 Rc6 26.Nf5 {A picturesque position $1 Just like that, Rapport is completely winning. Vidit's pieces are scattered all over the place, completely oblivious to reality.} 26...Re8 ( {Maybe it was worth at least trying for the last time to trade THAT knight with} 26...Ne7 27.Neg3 ( {But, since the knight was insulted so many times, Black might have feared the third retreat:} 27.Nfg3 $5 ) ( {Or the retreat forward} 27.Nxg7 $1 Bxg7 28.Rxf7 ) 27...Nxf5 28.Nxf5 {although it will be immediately replaced by the other.} ) 27.Neg3 a5 {Desperation.} 28.Bd3 ( {Nothing wrong with the immediate} 28.bxa5 ) 28...Rce6 29.bxa5 c6 30.e5 Be7 31.Nh5 {Rapport is winning as he likes and chooses his way.} ( 31.Qd1 $1 {would have been another solution} 31...Nh6 32.Nxh6+ gxh6 33.Be4 ) 31...Bf8 32.h3 Nh6 33.Nxh6+ gxh6 34.Nf6+ Rxf6 35.Rxf6 Bg7 36.Rf2 Rb8 37.Be4 c5 38.Bxb7 c4 39.Qf3 Rxb7 40.Bc3 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 2 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "C02"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[Beauty "6323936703006"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 {The Advanced French visits the top-GM level tournaments nowadays mainly thanks to the efforts of Grischuk.} 3...c5 4.c3 Qb6 5.Nf3 Bd7 {Rapport tries a sound positional idea that, however, requires perfect timing as Black will be seriously lagging in development.} 6.Be2 cxd4 7.cxd4 Bb5 8.Bxb5+ ( {White may also allow a chance to the opponent to capture with:} 8.O-O Bxe2 9.Qxe2 Nc6 10.Nc3 Nge7 11.Qd3 Rc8 12.Rd1 h6 13.Bd2 Ng6 14.h4 Bb4 {as in the recent game Grandelius,$146 (2663)-Harikrishna,P (2732) Wijk aan Zee 2021} ) 8...Qxb5 9.Nc3 Qa6 {As a result of his operation, Black managed to get rid of his \"poor\" bishop but at the expense of his pieces being stuck on the back rank. The nature of the position is indeed closed, but this does not mean that Vidit will not try to make use of the time factor.} 10.a4 {Nc3-b5 is a concrete threat; therefore} 10...Bb4 11.Bd2 Bxc3 12.Bxc3 Ne7 13.b4 $1 {Black should be tortured; otherwise, he will catch up with the development, and his position would be sound.} ( 13.Qe2 {to offer an endgame would be a concession, as White will part with his hopes for an edge.} ) 13...Qc4 $146 {A novelty, and a very risky move. The queen is moving bravely closer to the opponent's pieces, provoking weaknesses.} ( {The predecessor ended peacefully after:} 13...O-O 14.b5 Qb6 15.Qd3 h6 16.Bb4 Re8 17.h4 a6 18.Qa3 Ng6 19.Bc5 Qa5+ 20.Bb4 Qb6 21.Bc5 Qa5+ 22.Bb4 {1/2-1/2 (22) Tkac,P-Hagara,V (1967) Tatranske Matliare 2008} ) ( 13...Qc6 {is best, according to the engine, but looks way too passive to be good.} ) 14.Rc1 Nbc6 {This, on the other hand, might have ended badly for the Hungarian GM} ( {Safer is} 14...Nd7 15.Nd2 ( {Or} 15.Bd2 Qd3 ) 15...Qd3 16.h4 O-O 17.Rh3 Qf5 {when the queen has enough room on the kingside.} ) 15.Bd2 {The most natural move does not pose that many problems $1} ( {Strong is the other attack} 15.Nd2 $1 Qd3 16.b5 $1 {A key difference. Now after} 16...Nd8 17.h4 $1 {the rook is again entering the battle but has strong support from the other side and} 17...O-O 18.Rh3 Qf5 ( 18...Qg6 19.Kf1 {followed by the same maneuver.} ) 19.Bb4 $1 {adds more fuel to White's initiative, and he is much better.} ) 15...Qd3 16.Qe2 Qa3 $1 {The right decision is to continue playing cat-and-mouse with the enemy pieces.} ( {Black is correctly rejecting} 16...Qxe2+ 17.Kxe2 Nf5 18.Kd3 {when White has the better endgame.} ) 17.O-O {Now Black finally consolidates, and everything starts to make perfect sense for him.} ( {Stronger is the active} 17.b5 Na5 18.Rc7 $1 {Then after} ( {Or even} 18.O-O $1 Qxa4 19.Rc7 ) 18...Nc4 19.O-O Kd8 20.Rxb7 Kc8 {Black would trap the enemy rook, but White should have enough compensation for it with} 21.Rxe7 Qxe7 22.Rb1 ) 17...Nf5 18.Bc3 Rc8 $1 {Now the opening experiment works more than well for Rapport. He starts creating threats on his own, and in the long run the white bishop might become a liability.} 19.g4 {One more weakening, but what else $2} ( 19.Rfd1 {does not save anything} 19...Ncxd4 ) 19...Nfe7 $1 {Same policy, play for a win $1} ( {The alternative} 19...Ncxd4 20.Bxd4 Rxc1 21.gxf5 Rxf1+ 22.Kxf1 Qxb4 {would lead to a messy situation.} ) 20.Bd2 ( {Perhaps the solid} 20.Rc2 {is somewhat better, to which Black needs to continue as in the game with} 20...Qb3 ( {since the pawn capture} 20...Qxa4 21.Ra1 Qb3 22.Rcc1 Qc4 23.Qxc4 dxc4 24.b5 {is comfortable for White.} ) 21.Rfc1 h5 ) 20...h5 $1 {Black destroys the enemy defenses.} ( {Not yet} 20...Qxa4 21.Ra1 ) 21.gxh5 ( {After} 21.h3 Qxa4 22.Ra1 Qc2 23.Rfc1 Qg6 {the queen retreats with a crucial tempo.} ) 21...Qxa4 22.Ra1 Qc2 23.b5 {Vidit knows that things have gone wrong for him and looks for active counterplay.} 23...Nd8 24.Rfc1 Qf5 25.Rxc8 ( {A somewhat better alternative is} 25.Nh4 Qxh5 26.Qxh5 Rxc1+ 27.Bxc1 Rxh5 28.Nf3 {which only speaks how bad White's position actually is.} ) 25...Nxc8 26.Rc1 Ne7 {A slip in the approaching time scramble.} ( {Safer is} 26...Nb6 27.Rc7 Rxh5 ) 27.Rc7 ( {For now Vidit missed a golden chance to at least get rid of the powerful black knight with} 27.Bb4 $1 Rxh5 28.Bxe7 Kxe7 29.Qe3 ) 27...Rxh5 28.Bb4 Ng6 {Phew, just in time $1 Black is dominating, although some accuracy is still required.} 29.b6 $1 {A practical shot.} 29...Qb1+ {But Black is careful.} ( {But not} 29...axb6 30.Qb5+ Nc6 31.Rxc6 $1 {and it is White who is mating.} ) 30.Qe1 ( {A better chance is} 30.Qf1 $5 Qxf1+ 31.Kxf1 axb6 32.h4 ) 30...Qxe1+ 31.Nxe1 axb6 32.Nc2 {Vidit hopes to transfer his knight all the way to the d6-square, but that would not happen.} 32...Rh3 $1 33.Bd6 ( {If} 33.Na3 Nc6 34.Bd6 Nxd4 {wins for Black.} ) 33...Nc6 34.Rxb7 {The next moves were played in severe mutual time trouble. Vidit did not want to repeat moves and let his opponent reach move 40 easily.} ( {However} 34.Rc8+ $1 {is mandatory when} 34...Nd8 35.Rc7 {forces Black to try something different, like} 35...Rh4 ( {Or} 35...Rd3 {with excellent winning chances in either line.} ) ) 34...Rc3 35.Ne3 Nh4 {Good enough for the win.} ( {Although} 35...Rc1+ $1 36.Kg2 Nf4+ 37.Kg3 Rg1+ $1 38.Kxf4 g5+ 39.Kf3 Nxd4# {would be even faster.} ) 36.Kf1 Rb3 37.Nc2 Rb2 38.Na3 Nf5 {Rapport consolidates and wins the key game in the group.} 39.Bc5 Nfxd4 40.h4 ( {Nothing changes} 40.Rxb6 Rxb6 41.Bxb6 Nf3 ) 40...Nf5 41.Bd6 Rb3 42.Nc2 d4 43.Ke1 Nxh4 44.f4 Nf3+ 45.Kf2 Nfxe5 {Many roads lead to Rome, but the Hungarian GM chooses the most practical one, the one that deprives his opponent even the slightest chance.} ( 45...d3 {is a win as well.} ) 46.fxe5 Rb2 47.Kf3 Rxc2 48.Rxb6 Rc3+ 49.Kf4 f6 50.exf6 gxf6 51.Rb7 Rc4 52.Ba3 Ra4 53.Bc1 Ra7 54.Rb6 Kd7 55.Ke4 f5+ 56.Kd3 e5 57.Kc4 Kd6 58.Bd2 Ra2 59.Bb4+ Kc7 60.Bc5 Rc2+ 61.Kd5 Ne7+ {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 0-1

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 2 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.07"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2642"]
[ECO "D27"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7563169011281"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 Nf6 5.Bxc4 c5 {The solid QGA.} 6.O-O a6 7.Nbd2 {Andreikin, known for his original thinking, found an unbeaten path to fight against one of the most reliable black openings.} 7...cxd4 ( {The Russian was nevertheless not the first top GM to use the line:} 7...Nc6 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.a3 b5 10.Be2 Bb7 11.b4 Be7 12.Bb2 O-O 13.Nb3 a5 14.Nc5 Bxc5 15.bxc5 Qxd1 16.Rfxd1 b4 17.axb4 axb4 18.Nd2 Na5 {was the course of Ding,L (2791)-Yu,Y (2709) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 8.Nxd4 Bc5 9.N4b3 $146 ( {The predecessor witnessed a fascinating draw after:} 9.b3 Bxd4 10.exd4 b5 11.Ba3 Nc6 12.Rc1 bxc4 13.Nxc4 Ne7 14.Nd6+ Kf8 15.Qf3 Bd7 16.Rc7 Rb8 17.Rfc1 Kg8 18.Nb7 Qe8 19.Nd6 Qd8 20.Nb7 Qe8 21.Nd6 {½-½ (21) Theodorou,$146 (2577)-Shlyakhtenko,R (2364) New York 2022} ) 9...Be7 10.Be2 b5 11.a4 ( {Black is also successfully solving his opening problems after} 11.Bf3 Ra7 12.Ne4 Qxd1 13.Rxd1 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Bb7 ) 11...bxa4 12.Rxa4 O-O 13.Nc4 Bd7 {Once Bacrot catches up with his development, he should have nothing to complain about.} 14.Ra1 Nc6 15.Nbd2 $5 {The game has been equalized and Andreikin needs to find something interesting if he wishes to win the group outright.} ( {Normal play like} 15.Bd2 Qb8 16.Bc3 Rd8 17.Bf3 Be8 {would lead to a normal draw once that the players clash their major pieces along the open files.} ) 15...Nd5 16.Nf3 {The point behind the maneuver: the knight reaches the almost-perfect e5-square. The ideal one would be the c6 square, but how to get there $2} 16...Ncb4 {Bacrot also improves his situation on the queenside.} ( 16...Bf6 {is less appealing due to} 17.e4 ) 17.Bd2 ( {If} 17.Nfe5 Bb5 {regroups nicely for Black.} ) 17...Qb8 18.Nce5 Bb5 {Once the problem of this bishop is solved, it seems as if the game would soon peter out in a draw.} 19.Bxb5 Qxb5 20.Nd4 Qb7 21.Qb3 Qc7 ( {Here the active} 21...Bf6 $5 {was interesting as White cannot exploit the pin after} 22.Nec6 Qb6 23.Nxb4 Bxd4 24.exd4 a5 $1 ) 22.Ndf3 {Black's only minor problem could be the c-file and, in particular, the c6 square.} ( {If} 22.Nef3 {both} 22...a5 ( {And} 22...Nc6 {look good for Black.} ) ) 22...Rfb8 {A natural move.} ( {On the other hand, had Bacrot wanted a draw, he could have gone for the solid} 22...Qc2 $5 23.Qxc2 Nxc2 24.Ra4 Rfc8 {with full equality.} ) 23.Rfc1 Qd6 24.e4 {That is the chance that White was searching for $1 Now things get spicy.} 24...Nc6 $1 {Black accepts the challenge $1} ( {White would have squeezed some edge after} 24...Nf6 25.Qe3 ( {Or} 25.Rc4 ) ) 25.Qxb8+ $3 {And even spicier $1 Andreikin spent a bit over a minute on this move, and it is strictly his only way to play for something. Moreover, it was evident that he was heading for this sacrifice in advance, and his intuition did not fail him.} ( {It is only White who risks losing after} 25.Rxc6 Rxb3 26.Rxd6 Bxd6 27.exd5 Bxe5 28.Nxe5 Rxb2 29.Bc3 Rc2 {as Black will also pick up the d-pawn.} ) 25...Nxb8 $1 {An only move.} 26.Rc8+ Bf8 $1 {And an only move again.} ( {The other retreat would have lost in a study-like fashion after} 26...Bd8 27.exd5 Qxd5 28.Ra5 $3 {It is mandatory to spoil the coordination between the black queen and rook.} ( {In comparison,} 28.Ra3 Nc6 $3 {works well for Black as after} 29.Rxa8 Nxe5 {the white rook on a8 hangs.} ) 28...Qd6 29.Ra3 $1 {And there is no adequate way to meet the threat of Ra3-d3 $1} ) 27.exd5 exd5 {Bacrot spent valuable ten minutes from his remaining time for the capture, but did not guess right.} ( {Two other ideas, both connected with an exchange sacrifice, would have worked better. First} 27...Qxd5 28.Ra4 Nd7 $1 {would have likely led to a draw after} 29.Rxa8 Nxe5 30.R4xa6 Nxf3+ 31.gxf3 Qxd2 32.Rb8 g6 33.Raa8 ) ( {And the cunning} 27...f6 28.Nc6 Nxc6 $1 {might have also led to a perpetual in the semi-forcing line} 29.Rxa8 Qxd5 30.R1xa6 ( {Black seems OK in the posiiton after} 30.R8xa6 Bc5 ) 30...Ne5 31.Bb4 Nxf3+ 32.gxf3 Qg5+ 33.Kh1 ( {Not} 33.Kf1 $2 Qb5+ ) 33...Qc1+ $11 ) 28.Rac1 {But this time Andreikin did not guess right $1} ( {The rook belonged on the other open file} 28.Re1 $3 {and thus both the white major pieces would have united their efforts along the eighth rank as quickly as possible. It seems Black has no defense, e.g.} 28...f6 ( {If} 28...Qe6 29.Rec1 f6 30.Bb4 $1 {exploits the pin.} ) ( {If} 28...a5 {to cover the -b4 square} 29.Nd3 {opens the file for the white rook.} ) 29.Nd3 Kf7 30.Ree8 Be7 31.Bb4 {And Black loses material.} ) 28...f6 29.Nc6 {And this, too, only plays into Black's hands.} ( {White would have still kept control, and an advantage, with} 29.Nd3 a5 30.Re1 Kf7 31.Ree8 Be7 32.Bf4 Qa6 33.Nfe1 ) 29...a5 ( {The exchange sacrifice} 29...Nxc6 $1 {is still recommended by the machine} 30.Rxa8 Qd7 31.Rxa6 Ne5 {It is not clear why White does not dominate after} 32.Nd4 {but the compy says it's all right after} 32...Qb7 ) 30.Rd8 {All very natural, very scary, and well off the mark $1} ( {The unhuman move backward} 30.Ncd4 $3 {leads to a position where Black does not seem to have a good move, say} 30...Qa6 ( {Or} 30...Qb6 31.Re8 ) ( {Or} 30...Kf7 31.R1c7+ Nd7 32.Rxd7+ $1 ) 31.Rd8 {would have preserved White's edge.} ) 30...Qc7 31.Nfd4 ( 31.Rc8 $5 {is objectively better} 31...Qb7 32.Nxa5 Qxb2 {when it is anyone's game.} ) 31...Qb7 {Bacrot gets very close to complete consolidation but also-very short of time. Now the real drama starts.} ( {The exchange sacrifice} 31...Nxc6 $1 {would have been still interesting when Black seems fine in the line} 32.Rxa8 Qb7 33.Rxf8+ Kxf8 34.Rxc6 Qxb2 35.Nf3 a4 ) 32.Nxa5 Qxb2 33.Ndb3 $5 {The danger in the game influenced Andreikin.} ( {This should be the reason why he rejected the obvious} 33.Ne6 Kf7 34.Nxf8 Qxd2 35.Rc7+ {It seems like a win, but Black actually has} 35...Nd7 $3 {and White needs to force a draw with} 36.Rdxd7+ ( {Or else the back-rank weakness will tell} 36.Rcxd7+ $2 Kg8 $1 ) 36...Kxf8 37.Rf7+ ) 33...Kf7 {The king is on the run. Once it is out, the black extra material should finally prevail.} 34.Bf4 Bb4 35.Rc7+ ( {Or else why did White reject the draw $2 The line} 35.Rxd5 Na6 {is good for Black.} ) 35...Kg6 36.Rg8 Bxa5 37.Nxa5 {The culmination of this incredible thriller. Bacrot played the most obvious} 37...Rxa5 ( {But $1 Since the king was on the run} 37...Kf5 $3 {to safeguard, it would have worked better $1 Black wins after} 38.Bc1 Qb4 {Back-rank weakness $1} 39.g3 Na6 40.Rxa8 Nxc7 ) ( {Speaking of the back-rank weakness, the beautiful intereference} 37...Nc6 $3 {would have won for Black as well.} ) 38.g4 $3 {A nasty move in the time trouble. The black king is in a mating net. Black spent his last seconds for} 38...Nd7 ( {But} 38...f5 $1 {to cover the g7-spot would have been better when it is again Black who should play for the full point. Perhaps Bacrot saw} 39.Rxb8 Qxb8 $4 ( {However, there was a defense} 39...Qa1+ $1 40.Kg2 Ra6 {and Black should be more than fine.} ) 40.Rc6+ {which indeed wins for White.} ) 39.Rxd7 {When short of time, the human gives checks. So did Bacrot} 39...Qb1+ ( {It was not too late for} 39...f5 $1 ) 40.Kg2 Qe4+ 41.Kg3 Ra3+ 42.Kh4 $1 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} ( {And he resigned as the mate is inevitable after} 42.Kh4 f5 43.Rgxg7+ Kf6 44.g5+ Ke6 45.Rde7# ) 1-0

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 3 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.22"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[ECO "D20"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[Beauty "6119678300725"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 b5 4.a4 c6 5.axb5 cxb5 6.Nc3 Qb6 {Nakamura did not mind repeating a line which Aronian used at the first Grand Prix event that took place in Berlin as well.} 7.Nd5 {The most aggressive move. It should be noted that not only did the white pieces rapidly create threats while developing, but they were moved in a very rapid speed by their commander too.} 7...Qb7 8.Bf4 e5 {A key resource, to bring the idle pieces out.} 9.Bxe5 Nd7 10.Bf4 Ngf6 {Black needs to sacrifice the exchange but at least is gaining the initiative back.} 11.Nc7+ Kd8 12.Nxa8 Qxe4+ {Another important, subtle move that destroys White's coordination.} 13.Ne2 Qxa8 14.Qd2 {It is, however, Aronian who fires a novelty again. This move is obvious and logical: White speeds up his development and makes sure he will castle properly this time.} ( {In the above-mentioned game Aronian also came up with a novelty after} 14.f3 {White did not mind castling by hand. Then} 14...Nd5 15.Bg5+ {That was brand new, some weeks ago.} ( 15.Bd2 Bd6 16.Nc3 b4 17.Ne4 Re8 18.Be2 Bb8 19.O-O N7b6 20.Ra5 h6 {Nechaeva,M (2372)-Dev,S (2248) Chess.com 2022} ) 15...f6 {An obvious reply, but it costed Dominguez a precious (almost) half-an-hour on the clock. As we shall witness today, Nakamura was also forced to spend serious amount of time on the clock. This posiiton was already critical, with Black having a bunch of interesting options at his disposal.} ( {For example, Black might have wanted to give a try to} 15...N7f6 $5 ) ( {Or something wild like} 15...Be7 16.Bxe7+ Kxe7 17.Nc3 Re8 18.Kf2 Kf8 19.Nxb5 Qc6 20.Nc3 Nc5 $3 ) 16.Bd2 Bd6 17.Ng3 {Or perhaps Nakamura wanted to improve here.} 17...Qb8 18.Kf2 {White's plan is obvious: accomplish the development and castly by hand. After some more thought Dominguez went for} 18...Re8 ( {Here it appears that the maneuver} 18...Bc7 $1 {intending Bc7-b6 is strong, when} 19.Ba5 {can be met with} ( {And if} 19.Be2 {then Black would have an extra choice in comparison to the game in the line} 19...Bb6 20.Ba5 Qf4 $5 21.Bxb6+ N7xb6 22.Rxa7 Re8 $1 {with strong a initiative for the exchange.} ) 19...Bxa5 20.Rxa5 Qb6 21.Ra1 Ne5 $1 {and another nice maneuver will be complete with Ne5-c6 $1} ) 19.Be2 Bc7 $1 {The same maneuver is still excellent, however Aronian managed to escape the danger zone.} 20.Re1 Bb6 21.Kg1 {and White eventually won in Aronian,L (2772) -Dominguez Perez,L (2752) Berlin 2022} ) ( {Previously White had tried to develop with} 14.Nc3 {but did not get much after} 14...Bb4 ( 14...a6 15.f3 Nd5 16.Bg5+ f6 17.Bd2 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Bd6 19.Kf2 h5 20.Qc2 Qa7 {½-½ Skonieczna,B (2361)-Karasova,E (2315) ICCF email 2011} ) 15.f3 Re8+ 16.Be2 a5 17.O-O Qc6 18.Re1 Bxc3 19.bxc3 Nd5 20.Qd2 b4 {Fodor,B (2120)-Dev,S (2243) Budapest 2021} ) 14...Nd5 {Nakamura played his next obvious developing moves quickly.} 15.Nc3 Bb4 16.Be2 Re8 17.Bg3 {However, from here on the American GM started burning time, whereas Aronian kept blitzing, in a most-annoying (for the opponent) manner.} 17...N7f6 18.O-O Ne4 {All of this is pretty obvious, and at a glance looks good for Black.} 19.Qc2 {But now what $2 To grab the pawn or to develop even further $2} 19...Bf5 {Nakamura opted for the second and created a concrete threat. This, however, has a flaw....} ( {The machine is a fan of the position that arises after} 19...Ndxc3 20.bxc3 Bxc3 {but for a human being it is clear that the black king will be permanently weak, after say} 21.Rab1 ) 20.Bh4+ $1 {It is essential to move the bishop from the knight's attack.} 20...f6 21.Bf3 $1 {A nice move $1 White is not afraid of the discovered attacks as he needs to untie the central knot.} 21...Bxc3 ( {The discovered blow from before} 21...Ng3 {is now nicely refuted with} 22.Bxg3 $3 Bxc2 23.Nxd5 $1 {and Black will have to part with at least another light piece.} ) ( {Whereas} 21...Nexc3 {is plain bad due to} 22.Qxf5 ) 22.bxc3 g5 {The bishop is trapped, but Aronian had something in mind.} ( {Instead} 22...Ndxc3 {does not work due to} 23.Qxc3 Nxc3 24.Bxa8 ) ( {White is clearly better after} 22...Qb8 23.Rfe1 ) 23.Rfe1 ( 23.Qb2 $5 {also looks fine.} ) 23...Nf4 ( {More resilient seems} 23...Ndxc3 {although after} 24.Bg3 b4 25.Qb2 Qb7 26.h4 $1 {Black's central construction should not stand longterm.} ) 24.Qa2 $3 {The queen makes it to the enemy king, with tempo.} ( {Amazingly, White could have even afforded} 24.Bg3 {as in the line} 24...Nxg3 25.Rxe8+ Kxe8 26.Qb2 $1 Nge2+ 27.Kh1 $1 {White creates a double-attack, while standing still $1} ) 24...Qb7 {A sad necessity for Nakamura.} ( {However, once the queen enters the battle} 24...gxh4 25.Qa5+ Kc8 26.Qxb5 {Black does not have much to play for, the most accurate win being} 26...Bd7 27.Qa6+ $1 Kd8 28.Qa5+ Kc8 29.Bxe4 Rxe4 30.Qc5+ Kd8 31.Qf8+ Re8 32.Rxe8+ Bxe8 33.Qxf6+ {and everything falls apart.} ) 25.Qxa7 {Simple and strong. Aronian needs the enemy king on the back rank.} ( {The machine claims that} 25.Qa5+ $1 {was even more accurate on the account of} 25...Kd7 ( 25...Kc8 26.Bg3 ) 26.Qxa7 Qxa7 27.Rxa7+ Kc6 28.Ra6+ Kb7 29.Rxf6 $1 ) 25...Qxa7 26.Rxa7 Re6 ( {Why White kept the enemy rook on the back rank is illustrated by the line} 26...gxh4 27.Ra8+ ) 27.Bxe4 ( {Not} 27.Bg3 Nxc3 ) 27...Rxe4 28.f3 Re2 29.Bf2 {White's superb preparation and energetic middlegame play has netted him an extra exchange.} 29...b4 $1 {But Nakamura never resigns without a fight and finds another chance.} 30.cxb4 c3 31.Rxe2 Nxe2+ 32.Kh1 ( 32.Kf1 $5 ) 32...c2 33.Be3 c1=R+ 34.Bxc1 Nxc1 {At least Black won some material back. It is still lost for him though, as the rook and the pawns are dominating.} 35.b5 Kc8 36.b6 ( 36.Rf7 $1 {at once might have been even stronger.} ) 36...Kb8 ( 36...Nd3 $5 ) 37.d5 Nd3 38.g4 Bc8 39.Rf7 ( 39.Rxh7 Ne5 ) 39...Ba6 40.Rxf6 Kb7 41.Kg1 {Avoiding the knight fork.} ( {Although} 41.Kg2 Nf4+ 42.Kg3 Nxd5 43.Rf5 {would have been faster.} ) 41...Bb5 42.Rf5 Nf4 {At least consolidating as much as he can.} 43.h4 $1 {But not for long...} 43...Bd3 44.Rf6 ( 44.Rf7+ Kxb6 45.hxg5 Nxd5 46.Kf2 {would have led to similar consequences.} ) 44...Bb1 45.hxg5 Nxd5 46.Rf8 Nxb6 47.f4 Kc6 48.Kf2 Nd7 49.Rf7 Nc5 ( 49...Kd6 $5 {looks a bit more resilient.} ) 50.Kg3 Bg6 51.Rf8 ( 51.Rf6+ Kd5 52.f5 {would have been faster.} ) 51...Ne6 52.Rg8 {The opponent's time-trouble made Aronian less attentive and this allowed Nakamura one last chance.} ( 52.Rh8 $5 Bb1 53.Rg8 {was the proper way to do the job.} ) 52...Kd6 $1 {A trap $1} 53.Ra8 {Fortunately for White, he spotted it and calmed down quickly.} ( 53.f5 $2 Bf7 54.Ra8 Nxg5 {would be a draw.} ) 53...Bb1 54.Ra1 Be4 55.Rd1+ Bd5 ( 55...Ke7 56.Re1 ) 56.Rd2 {Zugzwang.} 56...Nc7 57.Kh4 {The king infiltrates and finally Aronian managed to grind down his opponent.} 57...Ne6 58.f5 Nc5 59.Kh5 Ke5 60.Kh6 Ne4 61.Rb2 Bc4 62.Rb4 Bd3 63.Rxe4+ Bxe4 $1 64.Kxh7 Kf4 65.Kh6 1-0

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix 3 All Pools 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.25"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7011668332040"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 d5 {You can bet that Aronian will go for this move as soon as possible, either in the Ruy Lopez, or the Italian game.} ( {Instead, the more solid} 5...O-O 6.O-O Re8 7.Bg5 a6 8.Ba4 h6 9.Bh4 d6 10.Re1 Ba7 11.Nbd2 g5 12.Bg3 b5 13.Bc2 Ne7 14.Nf1 Ng6 15.d4 {was discussed in Caruana,F (2781)-So,W (2778) Chess.com INT 2022} ) 6.exd5 Qxd5 7.Bc4 Qd6 8.Nbd2 ( {Nakamura deviates from an earlier game of the two that went} 8.b4 Bb6 9.a4 O-O 10.Nbd2 Bf5 11.Ba3 {Looks very good for White, but after a very forcing line} 11...e4 12.dxe4 Nxe4 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.Qxd6 cxd6 15.O-O-O Rac8 16.Bb3 Rfd8 17.Bxf7+ Kxf7 18.Ng5+ Kg6 19.Nxe4 d5 20.Nc5 Bxc5 21.bxc5 Na5 {Black managed to hold the endgame convincingly.} 22.Kc2 Nc4 23.Kb3 Nxa3 24.Kxa3 Rxc5 25.Rd3 b5 26.a5 Rb8 27.Rb1 Rbc8 28.Kb3 Rb8 29.Ka3 Rbc8 30.Kb3 Rb8 31.Ka3 {1/2-1/2 (31) Nakamura,H (2745)-Aronian,L (2758) Douglas 2019} ) 8...O-O 9.b4 {Nevertheless, the bishop should be bothered somehow.} 9...Bb6 10.O-O Bf5 11.Qc2 Rad8 12.a4 a5 13.b5 Ne7 14.Qa2 {All of this is very logical and has been tested before. Nakamura is blitzing his moves.} 14...Ng6 15.Ba3 Bc5 16.Bxc5 Qxc5 17.d4 Qd6 18.Rfe1 exd4 19.cxd4 {A typical position with an IQP arose on the board. If Black can maneuver well with his pieces and place them on the optimal squares, he would be greatly enjoying the position. However, right now White has the initiative, both on the board thanks to his more active pieces and better presence in the center and on the clock as he keeps pressurizing his opponent by moving rapidly. After some thought, Aronian came up with what seems to be an over-the-board novelty.} 19...Nd5 $146 ( {Black did quite well in the predecessor after:} 19...Nf4 20.Rac1 N6d5 21.Qb3 Nb6 22.Bf1 Be6 23.Qc2 {And now came the strong} 23...Bd5 $1 24.Qxc7 Qxc7 25.Rxc7 Ne6 {with ample compensation for the pawn for Black in Caruana,F (2799)-Grischuk,A (2782) Saint Louis 2017} ) 20.Bxd5 $1 {And after more than twenty minutes of thought, Nakamura went for a concrete solution.} ( {Black is rerouting his knights to their optimal squares in case of} 20.Rac1 Ngf4 21.Qb3 Nb6 ) 20...Qxd5 21.Qxd5 Rxd5 22.Nc4 {The pawn on the a5-square drops. The question is: how strong is Black's compensation $2} 22...Bg4 ( {Certainly not} 22...b6 $2 23.Ne3 ) 23.Nxa5 b6 {The human choice that leaves White in the driver's seat.} ( {The machine is not afraid to go for the very concrete} 23...Bxf3 $1 24.gxf3 c6 25.Nxb7 cxb5 26.a5 Ra8 {line which seems so scary for Black. However, thanks to the threats of Rd5xd4, Ng6-h4, and the fact that the white knight is not stable enough, Black seems to hold.} ) 24.Nc6 Bxf3 25.gxf3 h6 {Air will be needed for the king.} ( {Although this same machine recommends to even lure the opponent to try and use the back rank with the move} 25...Ra8 26.a5 bxa5 27.Rxa5 {when Black simply retreats.} 27...Rc8 ) 26.Rac1 $1 {With a nice maneuver, the rook finds its optimal square.} 26...Kh7 27.Rc4 {Releasing the knight, which in turn will open up the c-file for some material gains.} 27...Rg5+ $1 {Black needs to show some activity ASAP.} 28.Kf1 ( 28.Kh1 {is weaker due to} 28...Nh4 ) 28...Rh5 29.Ne7 Rxh2 30.Re4 $1 {The second rook finds an optimal square. White's position improved even aesthetically.} ( {Greed is a sin, at least here after} 30.Rxc7 $2 Rh1+ 31.Ke2 Rxe1+ 32.Kxe1 Re8 ) 30...Rh1+ 31.Kg2 ( 31.Ke2 Ra1 {promises Black more chances.} ) 31...Ra1 ( {The other way to defend it was} 31...Rh5 32.Rxc7 Nxe7 33.Rexe7 Rg5+ 34.Kf1 ) 32.Nxg6 {As we shall see, this is not optimal.} ( {The knight was more valuable than the opponent's one and could have helped White's attack after} 32.Nf5 $1 ) 32...fxg6 $1 {The only move. The f-file is opened for the second rook for counterplay. True, the black king is getting exposed as well, but it was far more important to have the rook out.} ( {After} 32...Kxg6 33.Rxc7 Rxa4 34.Rc6+ Kf5 35.Rxb6 {White has both the pawn and the initiative.} ) 33.Rxc7 Rxa4 {Aronian misses a great chance $1} ( {Both players certainly calculated the critical line} 33...Rf5 $3 34.Ree7 Rg5+ 35.Kh2 {and then likely believed that the white king would escape the danger zone after} 35...Rh5+ ( {However, the subtle} 35...Ra2 $1 {would have equalized the chances, as in the line} 36.Rxg7+ Kh8 37.Rgf7 Rxf2+ 38.Kh3 Kg8 ) 36.Kg3 Rg5+ 37.Kf4 {and this is indeed good for White.} ) 34.d5 ( {Or} 34.Ree7 Rg8 35.d5 Rd4 ) 34...Raa8 {And now it becomes really bad for the second player.} ( {The rook needed to stand behind the passer, and therefore} 34...Ra3 $1 {was called for when Black had all the chances to survive, e.g} 35.Ree7 ( 35.d6 Raxf3 {threatens perpetual besides winning a pawn.} ) ( 35.Re3 Ra4 36.d6 Rd4 ) 35...Rg8 36.d6 Rd3 {and it seems Black should hold.} ) 35.Ree7 ( 35.d6 $1 {would have been equally good} 35...Rad8 36.Ree7 h5 ) 35...h5 ( {The passive defense no longer works.} 35...Rg8 36.d6 g5 37.d7 Rad8 38.Re6 ) 36.d6 Rf5 {Most likely based on a miscalculation.} ( {The last chance was to place again the a-rook behind the pawn with} 36...Ra2 37.Rxg7+ Kh6 38.d7 Rd2 39.Re7 Kg5 40.Rc6 Rf6 {although it is unlikely that Black survives here.} ) 37.Rxg7+ Kh6 38.Rh7+ ( {Or} 38.d7 $1 Rd8 39.Re7 ) 38...Kg5 39.d7 Rd5 40.f4+ $3 {A nasty in-between blow $1} ( {Aronian was apparently hoping for the trick} 40.Rc8 Rxd7 $1 ) ( {Or} 40.Re7 Rd8 {with chances to hold.} ) 40...Kh4 ( {Alas} 40...Kxf4 {does not work, as now comes} 41.Rc8 $1 Rxd7 42.Rc4+ $1 ) ( 40...Kg4 41.Rg7 {is equally hopeless for Black.} ) 41.Rg7 Ra4 ( {Or} 41...Rd8 42.Kf3 ) 42.Rc8 {It's over; White wins all the most valuable pawns and quickly pushes his own to become a queen.} 42...Rad4 43.Rxg6 Rxd7 44.Rc1 $1 Rd1 45.Rxd1 Rxd1 46.Rxb6 Kg4 47.Rb8 $1 {All is calculated with precision.} 47...Kxf4 48.b6 Rd7 49.Rf8+ $1 {Sending the rook behind the passer, Tarrasch should be listened to well $1} ( {But not} 49.b7 $4 Rf7 {and it is a draw as the black king slowly marches towards the g7-square.} ) 49...Ke4 50.Rf3 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Chess Prix Belgrade"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.03.04"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Predke, Alexandr"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[ECO "B95"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7354460440588"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qf3 {A rare line, which became popular thanks to the efforts of the unforgettable Bronstein. Recently Nepomniachtchi added it to his repertoire as well.} 7...Be7 ( {The above-mentioned players ended up in identical positions, separated apart by almost seventy years of chess development and a modest pawn advance (on a3)} 7...Nbd7 8.O-O-O Qc7 9.a3 ( 9.Qg3 b5 10.Bxb5 axb5 11.Ndxb5 Qb8 12.Nxd6+ Bxd6 13.Qxd6 Qxd6 14.Rxd6 {as in Bronstein,D-Najdorf,M Buenos Aires 1954} ) 9...Be7 10.Qg3 b5 11.Bxb5 axb5 12.Ndxb5 Qb8 13.Nxd6+ Bxd6 14.Qxd6 Qxd6 15.Rxd6 {interestingly both White players won in these games, Nepomniachtchi, I (2784)-Abdusattorov,$146 (2627) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 8.O-O-O Qa5 {Vachier-Lagrave is as always perfectly prepared in his beloved Najdorf.} ( {In the majority of the cases Black prefers to develop his knight on d7, here, or on the next move. Here is an example:} 8...Nbd7 9.Be2 Qc7 10.Qg3 b5 11.a3 Bb7 12.Rhe1 Rc8 13.f4 Nxe4 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Bxe7 Kxe7 16.Bd3 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 Nc5 18.Nf5+ Kf6 19.Qg3 Ne4 20.Qxg7+ Kxf5 21.g4+ Kxf4 22.Rf1+ {1-0 (22) Yoo,C (2647)-Drygalov,S (2838) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 9.h4 Bd7 $5 {Black indicates that he would like to develop his knight to c6.} ( 9...Nbd7 ) 10.Bc4 $146 {After a heavy thought, Predke decided to switch to Sozin-like development.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 10.g4 Nc6 11.Nb3 Qc7 12.Qe2 b5 13.Be3 h5 14.g5 Ng4 15.a3 Rb8 16.Bd2 b4 {with active counter-play for Black, Sedlak,$146 (2524)-Ljubicic,F (2406) Pula 2003} ) ( {Critical seems} 10.e5 $5 dxe5 {when} 11.Qxb7 $2 {certainly does not work due to} ( {However} 11.Nxe6 $1 {leads to interesting complications and unclear play after} 11...fxe6 12.Bxf6 O-O 13.Qxb7 gxf6 14.Rxd7 ( {But not} 14.Qxa8 $2 Bc6 15.Qa7 Bc5 {when the queen is suddenly trapped.} ) 14...Nxd7 15.Qxd7 Kf7 {and it is anyone's game.} ) 11...exd4 12.Qxa8 Qb6 {and Black wins material.} ) ( {The machine likes Bronstein's} 10.Qg3 $5 ) 10...Nc6 11.Bb3 h6 ( {Another way to play it is} 11...Nxd4 12.Rxd4 Bc6 {but Vachier-Lagrave wants to keep this knight alive for greater deeds.} ) 12.Be3 ( {Perhaps the computer's} 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Bf4 {is an improvement $2} ) 12...Ne5 13.Qe2 ( {The queen can be left in front of the pawns with} 13.Qg3 {but from here it does not threaten anything yet, and Black can proceed as in the game} 13...Rc8 14.Qxg7 $2 Rg8 15.Qxh6 Neg4 {and Black will win a piece.} ) 13...Rc8 14.Kb1 $1 {Careful play by Predke.} ( {The immediate} 14.f4 {is spectacularly refuted with} 14...Rxc3 $1 15.Bd2 ( 15.bxc3 Nxe4 {is plain bad for White.} ) 15...Nd3+ 16.Kb1 Qh5 $1 {and Black is clearly on top.} ) 14...b5 15.f4 {Another major decision point. The Russian GM decided to force matters in the center.} ( {The alternative was the doubled-edge position after} 15.a3 b4 16.axb4 Qxb4 17.f3 ) 15...Neg4 ( {This time} 15...Rxc3 16.Bd2 $1 {does not work for Black.} ) 16.e5 ( {After} 16.Bg1 b4 $1 {suddenly embarrasses the white knight.} ) ( {However} 16.a3 {was still possible.} ) 16...dxe5 17.fxe5 Nxe5 18.Bxh6 Rxh6 19.Qxe5 {As a result, Vachier-Lagrave won a hefty bishop pair and from here on every endgame he enters would be close (if not perfectly) winning for him. But before that he needs to solve the problem of his king in the middle. Right now Predke threatens various knight jumps, like Nd4-f5, or even Nd4xe6 $1} 19...Qc7 $1 {Very useful $1 The white queen is removed from her optimal position.} 20.Qe2 ( {As we know, the endgame after} 20.Qxc7 $2 Rxc7 {is horrific for White.} ) 20...Qf4 {Black finds a clever idea to insert the second rook into the assault.} ( {There was an interesting alternative} 20...b4 21.Na4 Rh5 22.g4 Re5 $1 ( 22...Ra5 23.g5 ) 23.Qg2 Ra5 {with Black's edge.} ) 21.Rh3 ( {Here} 21.Rhe1 $1 {looked stronger, when White can consolidate his kingside thank to small tactics, like} 21...Kf8 ( {Or} 21...Qxh4 $2 22.Nf5 ) ( {Or} 21...Rxh4 $2 22.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 23.Bxe6 Bxe6 24.Qxe6 Qc7 25.Nd5 $1 ) 22.g3 {capitalizing on the extra tempo to defend.} ) 21...Rc5 $1 {The point behind Vahcier-Lagrave's play. The second rook enters the battle.} ( 21...Qg4 $5 22.Qe1 b4 {looks good for Black too.} ) 22.Re3 Qg4 23.Nf3 Bc6 24.a4 {This turns out to be a weakening.} ( {Safer looked} 24.a3 {with the idea to meet} 24...Bxf3 25.gxf3 Qxh4 {with} 26.Bxe6 $3 fxe6 27.Rxe6 Nh5 28.Rxh6 gxh6 29.Qe6 $1 {when the same old machine claims that White has enough initiative for a perpetual.} ) 24...Kf8 25.axb5 axb5 26.g3 b4 {Black took full control and now pushes the knight to the edge.} 27.Na2 ( 27.Na4 Rf5 {is awkward for White.} ) 27...Rf5 {The pin is unbearable and Predke goes for a forcing line.} 28.Nd4 Qxe2 29.Rxe2 ( {As we already know the endgame after} 29.Nxe2 Ng4 {is practically unplayable for White.} ) 29...Bf3 30.Rxe6 {This was White's point. Alas, there is a drawback.} ( {However, the endgames were pretty bad for White as well} 30.Nxf3 Rxf3 31.Rd3 Rxd3 32.cxd3 Bd6 ) ( {Or} 30.Nxf5 Bxe2 31.Re1 ( 31.Nxh6 Bxd1 ) 31...exf5 32.Rxe2 Ne4 {with massive Black advantage in both cases.} ) 30...Bxd1 31.Rxe7 ( {No time for} 31.Nxf5 fxe6 ) 31...Bxc2+ $1 {A decisive in-between spoiler $1} ( {Predke likely only saw} 31...Kxe7 32.Nxf5+ Kf8 33.Nxh6 gxh6 {when White should be the one to win.} ) 32.Kxc2 ( 32.Bxc2 Rf1+ {changes nothing.} ) 32...Rc5+ {Vachier-Lagrave keeps the rook alive and quickly converts his advantage.} 33.Kd3 Kxe7 34.Nxb4 Nd7 35.Nd5+ Kf8 36.Nf5 Rg6 37.Nde3 Rb6 38.Nd4 Ne5+ 39.Ke4 Nc6 40.Bd5 Ne7 41.b3 Rg6 42.b4 Rc3 43.Bc4 Rxg3 44.Ndc2 Rg4+ $1 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 0-1

[Event "E Chess Grand Prix 3 2022 | Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.04.01"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[ECO "D04"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7629338316838"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.b3 d5 3.Bb2 c5 4.e3 {For the rapid, Nakamura chose to play the Queen’s Indian Defense with an extra tempo.} 4...Nc6 5.d4 Bg4 6.Be2 e6 7.Nbd2 cxd4 8.exd4 {It is quite tempting to follow a straightforward scheme as early as possible in rapid and blitz and this position is indeed one of those situations. White's plan is clearly to attack the kingside and his moves are more or less the same. It is Mamedyarov who needs to choose a plan in most of cases and this costs him time on the clock.} 8...Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.a3 Rc8 11.h3 Bh5 12.Bd3 Bd6 13.Re1 ( {Black did not have any problems after:} 13.Qe2 Bf4 14.Rad1 Qc7 15.Rfe1 Rfd8 16.b4 a5 17.b5 Ne7 18.Nb3 b6 {Ingebretsen,J (2309)-Xiong,J (2686) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 13...Re8 ( {There is also} 13...Qc7 $5 {but then White can react as in the game with} 14.g4 Bg6 15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.Ne5 ) 14.g4 {Kingside expansion. But White is also opening his king, indefinitely.} 14...Bg6 15.Bxg6 $146 {Only this obvious move is a novelty.} ( {Black did well in the predecessor after:} 15.Qe2 Bb8 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Nd7 18.Rad1 Qh4 {Korkmaz,$146 (2101)-Musovic,A (2207) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 15...hxg6 16.Ne5 g5 {Stopping f2-f4.} ( {Mamedyarov had a couple of interesting alternatives, like} 16...Qb6 $5 {and if} 17.Ndf3 Ne4 ) ( {Or perhaps even better} 16...b5 $5 {which obstructs White's next move. Then Black should not fear} 17.f4 {due to} 17...Qb6 18.Ndf3 Ne4 $1 {and the black knights are more potent.} ) 17.c4 Nd7 {One of the many good ideas. Black does not have to worry about his position; in fact, he is the one who has more clear targets to attack.} ( 17...Bb8 $5 {was OK too.} ) ( {And if Black wanted something simpler, he could have swapped some things with} 17...dxc4 $5 18.bxc4 Bxe5 19.dxe5 Nd7 ) 18.Nd3 $1 {This knight is too good to be traded $1} 18...Nf8 $1 {And this one is to become even better $1} 19.c5 {Nakamura at least grabs some space on the queenside.} 19...Bb8 20.b4 Ng6 21.Nf3 f6 22.Qc2 Kf7 {Both kings are heavily exposed now and one mistake might be the end of the game for either side.} 23.Re2 Qc7 {Setting up a nice battery.} ( {However} 23...a6 {might have been more precise and after} 24.Rae1 Rh8 {the e6-pawn would be immune as} 25.Rxe6 $2 Rxh3 {is crushing.} ) 24.Re3 {Stepping away from the knight fork.The position is extremely tricky and both sides need to be extremely careful, but aggressive too.} ( {Nakamura most likely quickly calculated the move} 24.Nde5+ $5 {when Black has an only move} 24...Ncxe5 ( {The piece cannot be taken.} 24...fxe5 {loses to} 25.Nxg5+ Kf6 26.dxe5+ $1 Ncxe5 ( 26...Kxg5 $4 27.Bc1+ Kh4 28.Qxg6 {is mate.} ) 27.f4 $1 {and Black collapses.} ) 25.dxe5 {Perhaps White did not like} 25...Nf4 $1 {here, but this is anything but clear after} 26.Re3 Nxh3+ 27.Kf1 Nf4 28.exf6 ) 24...Rh8 {Now Mamedyarov is the first one to get to the opponent's kingside.} 25.Rae1 Kf8 {Stepping away from the checks, but this square is not optimal.} ( {Not yet} 25...Rxh3 $4 26.Nxg5+ ) ( {However} 25...Kg8 $1 {would have been more accurate as Nakamura's idea from the game} 26.Qe2 $2 {would have failed to} ( 26.b5 {is better, although Black is still in charge there.} ) 26...Rxh3 27.Rxe6 Nh4 $1 28.Re8+ Kh7 $1 ) 26.Qe2 $1 {A tricky resource $1} 26...Rxh3 {It is getting extremely messy.} ( 26...Nd8 $5 ) 27.Rxe6 ( {Not} 27.Nfe5 Rh6 $1 ) 27...Kg8 $1 {The only move.} ( {This time} 27...Nh4 $4 {loses to} 28.Re8+ Kf7 29.Qe6+ Kg6 30.Nde5+ ) 28.Re8+ Kh7 29.Re3 {A one-move threat.} 29...Kg8 30.Re8+ Kh7 31.Re3 {And a silent draw offer ...} 31...Rh6 $5 {... which is rejected by Mamedyarov $1} ( {But there was an even stronger square for the rook.} 31...Rh4 $1 {when} 32.Nxh4 $4 {is impossible due to the mate} 32...Qh2+ 33.Kf1 Qh1# ) 32.b5 Na5 {Missing an almost instant win.} ( 32...Qd7 $1 {would have won at least a pawn, as in the line} 33.Nd2 Na5 34.a4 $2 {and the white king would be severely open on the diagonals with} 34...Nc4 $1 35.Nxc4 dxc4 ) 33.Re6 Rh3 ( 33...Nc4 $5 34.Bc1 Rh3 {might have been more controlled.} ) 34.Re3 ( {Perhaps} 34.Qe3 $5 Rh6 35.Bc1 {was worth a try.} ) 34...Rh4 $1 {The second time Mamedyarov does not miss his chance and Nakamura is suddenly in trouble $1} 35.Qc2 ( {As we know} 35.Nxh4 $4 Qh2+ 36.Kf1 Qh1# ) 35...Rxg4+ 36.Kf1 {Down a pawn, and under attack, White needs to fight for his life. But look what happens in the time trouble next...} 36...Nc4 ( {Once more} 36...Qd7 $1 {would have been fabulous, when Black should be winning, for example after} 37.a4 Re4 38.Rxe4 Qh3+ $1 ) 37.Re6 $1 {The rook is eyeballing Ng6, among other things.} 37...Qd7 ( {It appears that the best way to tame the raging white pieces was} 37...Re4 $1 38.R1xe4 dxe4 39.Qxc4 ( 39.Rxe4 Qf7 ) 39...exf3 40.Ke1 {when it is anyone's game.} ) 38.c6 $1 {A powerful blow that frees an outpost for the knight $1} 38...bxc6 ( {The last chance was} 38...Qf7 $1 39.Nc5 Kh8 {getting out of the pin as soon as possible.} ) 39.Nc5 Qc7 ( {Or} 39...Qf7 40.Bc1 $3 cxb5 41.Qf5 {and White fully dominates.} ) 40.Bc1 $3 Kh6 41.Qf5 {and just like that, Nakamura's pieces magically gained superpowers and trapped the enemy pieces $1 PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1-0

[Event "The American Cup 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.04.20"]
[Round "1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[ECO "E48"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7903297674330"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.a3 Bd6 ( {The other main plan is connected with the trade after} 7...Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 c5 9.Ne2 Nc6 10.f3 Re8 11.O-O h6 12.Ra2 Qd6 13.Ng3 Bd7 14.Re2 {as in Grischuk,A (2758)-Kovalenko, I (2674) Chess.com 2022} ) 8.Qc2 c6 {Instead both players are entering the Carlsbad pawn structure, with a white dark-squared bishop behind the pawn chain.} 9.Nge2 {Without the bishop, this seems the most sensible plan for So. He is preparing a kingside attack as soon as he can.} 9...Re8 10.Bd2 Nbd7 11.f3 {Botvinnik's plan, which is best met with} 11...c5 $1 {Now the e3-e4 break is out of the question, but White can go for} 12.h4 {Or the immediate 12.0-0-0 which is a critical line as well.} 12...h5 $146 {In the spirit of the Najdorf Sicilian $1 This move will either slow down the opponent considerable, or will add rocket fuel to his attack. It was a also a novelty, played after serious thought.} ( {An earlier game saw} 12...c4 13.Bf5 Nf8 14.g4 Rb8 15.h5 h6 16.O-O-O b5 17.Rdg1 N8h7 18.f4 {when White seemed faster in Predke,A (2682) -Donchenko,A (2636) Warsaw 2021} ) 13.O-O-O a6 14.g4 $1 {Of course. In open files we trust.} 14...hxg4 15.fxg4 Nxg4 16.h5 ( {Weaker seems} 16.Rdg1 {as Black can consolidate with} 16...Ndf6 ) ( {However} 16.Nxd5 $5 {was a serious alternative when the forcing line} 16...Nf2 17.Bh7+ $1 {puts Black on the verge of the defeat. He needs first to choose the correct side with his king.} ( {Or} 17.Rhf1 $5 Nxd1 18.Qxd1 {with compensation for the material.} ) 17...Kh8 $1 ( {As} 17...Kf8 $2 {leads to a crushing attack after} 18.Rdf1 Nxh1 19.Rxf7+ Kxf7 20.Qg6+ Kf8 21.Qxd6+ ) 18.Qf5 Nxh1 19.Qh5 {Now it seems as Black is mated, but he has a beautiful defense:} 19...Nf6 20.Nxf6 Qxf6 21.Bd3+ Qh6 22.Qf3 Bg4 $3 {Somehow, this works, geometrically $1} 23.Qxg4 Nf2 {and Black takes over.} ) 16...Nf8 {Covering the vital h7- and g6- points.} ( {The machine prefers the more active} 16...Ndf6 $5 ) 17.Rdg1 {The most obvious move is not the strongest here.} ( {Better was} 17.h6 $3 {with the idea to meet} 17...Nxh6 ( 17...g6 18.Nxd5 ) 18.Rdg1 Kh8 {with} 19.e4 $1 {when Black's kingside is about to collapse at any moment.} ) 17...Nf2 18.dxc5 {Again, the most obvious move is not ideal.} ( {Correct seemed to be the caveman approach} 18.h6 $1 {when} 18...Nxh1 {does not help due to} ( {Or} 18...g6 19.Rh5 $1 {a major difference in comparison to the game.} ) 19.Bh7+ $3 Nxh7 20.Rxg7+ Kf8 21.Qxh7 Be6 22.e4 $3 {and White should get to the enemy king quickly.} ) 18...Be5 $1 {Sevian immediately grabs his chance. The bishop is omnipresent in the center.} ( {White has a huge attack in case of} 18...Nxh1 19.cxd6 Nf2 20.h6 ) ( {And} 18...Bxc5 19.Rh2 {also looks fine for So.} ) 19.h6 g6 $1 {Thank you, Nf8 $1} ( {Otherwise Black once more risks a mating attack, as in the line} 19...Nxh1 20.hxg7 Nf2 21.gxf8=Q+ Kxf8 22.Bh7 ) 20.h7+ ( {An important difference is that} 20.Rh5 Bg4 $1 {is no longer appealing for White.} ) 20...Kh8 ( {Definitely not} 20...Nxh7 $2 21.Bxg6 $1 ) 21.Rh6 ( 21.Rh5 Bg4 22.Rxe5 Rxe5 23.Be1 Nxd3+ 24.Qxd3 Bf5 25.Qd4 f6 ) 21...Bg7 22.Rh2 Ng4 $1 {Once more wonderful job by Sevian in the defense. The knight is in a hurry to get back to the center.} ( {In case of the obvious} 22...Nxd3+ 23.Qxd3 Bf5 {White would have had a brilliance at his disposal:} ( 23...Re5 $1 {however keeps Black in charge.} ) 24.Qxf5 $3 gxf5 25.Rxg7 Ne6 26.Rxf7 {and the black king is too weak and should be reached by the white pieces soon.} ) 23.Rh3 ( {In case of} 23.Rhh1 {Black can opt for} 23...Nxe3 ( {Or transpose to the line from above} 23...Nf2 ) 24.Bxe3 Rxe3 ) 23...Ne5 {The bishop was perfect on this square, but the knight is even better $1} 24.Rhg3 Ne6 25.Nf4 Nxf4 26.exf4 Nxd3+ 27.Qxd3 d4 {Black in complete control and quickly proves decisive advantage.} 28.Ne4 Qd5 29.Ng5 Qxc5+ ( 29...Bf5 $5 ) 30.Kd1 Qd5 31.Qf3 {Until...} 31...Qa2 {A slip that allows So a wonderful chance.} ( 31...Be6 $1 ) 32.Nxf7+ $3 {He grabs it $1 Everything else was quickly losing.} 32...Qxf7 33.Rxg6 d3 {It all got way too open and every mistake now is the last one. Certainly, White can commit more of those, but there was still a narrow saving path for So...} ( {Certainly not} 33...Bf6 $4 34.Rg8+ Kxh7 35.Qh1+ ) 34.Be3 {Not this one. It loses quickly after} ( {White is also mated in case of} 34.Bc3 $4 Qb3+ 35.Kd2 Qc2# ) ( {Or} 34.Rxg7 $4 Qb3+ 35.Kc1 Qc2# ) ( {However, the amazing line} 34.Qxd3 $1 Bf5 35.Rxg7 $3 {should have saved the first player, for example} 35...Qh5+ ( {Not} 35...Bxd3 $4 36.Rxf7 ) ( {Maybe} 35...Qxg7 {is a practical chance, but White should still survive after} 36.Rxg7 Bxd3 37.Rc7 Bxh7 38.Bc3+ Kg8 39.Rg7+ Kf8 40.Rxh7 ) 36.Kc1 Bxd3 37.Rc7 $3 {A whole queen up, Black needs to find the only salvation now $1} ( {Not the other order though} 37.Bc3 Qc5 $1 38.Rc7+ {due to} 38...Qxc3+ $1 ) 37...Re7 $3 38.Bc3+ ( 38.Rxe7 $2 Rc8+ 39.Bc3+ Rxc3+ 40.bxc3 Bxh7 ) 38...Kxh7 39.Rxe7+ Kh6 40.Bg7+ Kh7 {with a perpetual to follow.} ) 34...Qb3+ 35.Ke1 d2+ 36.Kf2 d1=Q ( {As} 36...d1=Q 37.Rxd1 Qc2+ ) 0-1

[Event "The American Cup 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.04.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Robson, Ray"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2681"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[Beauty "5704832285712"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 e5 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nc3 Nb6 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.O-O Be7 {A very classical approach against the English Opening.} 8.b3 {And a move that is gaining popularity of late in turn. The double fianchetto is common for the Dragon defense (which we have with reversed colors).} ( {The main move remains} 8.d3 O-O 9.Be3 Be6 10.Rc1 Nd5 11.Nxd5 Bxd5 12.Qc2 Re8 13.a3 Qd7 {as in Carlsen,M (2863)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess24. com INT 2020} ) ( {And the other main option is} 8.a3 {which also intends to fianchetto the bishop but in a more aggressive way.} ) 8...O-O 9.Bb2 Re8 10.Rc1 Bf8 11.Ne4 {Robson is preparing Ne4-c5, d2-d4, and something more. ..} 11...a5 {Aronian in turn wants to disturb the white queenside, but he underestimates White's major point.} ( {In hindsight, Nakamura's approach seems more prudent:} 11...f6 {overprotecting the vital e5-pawn.} 12.d3 a5 13.a3 Be6 14.Nc5 Bxc5 15.Rxc5 e4 16.Ne1 Qd6 17.Qc2 a4 18.b4 Bb3 19.Qc1 exd3 20.Nxd3 Rxe2 {as in Ding,L (2791)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 12.Rxc6 $1 $146 {A standard exchange sacrifice a la Petrosian, which turns out to be a novelty $1} ( {Black did more than well after} 12.Qc2 f5 13.Nc3 e4 14.Ne1 Nd4 15.Qd1 Nc6 16.d3 e3 17.fxe3 Rxe3 18.Nb5 a4 {in the game Vakhidov,J (2552)-Mikhalevski,V (2562) Warsaw 2021} ) 12...bxc6 13.Nxe5 {For the exchange, Robson gets a powerful central pawn, and he has spoiled the opponent's pawn structure for good. More gains are inevitable.} 13...Bb7 ( {If} 13...c5 14.Qc2 {and White will slowly mount pressure against the doubled pawns.} ) 14.e3 f6 ( {Or} 14...Nd7 {when White has a pleasant choice between} 15.Nxd7 ( {And} 15.f4 ) 15...Qxd7 16.Qc2 {followed by Rf1-c1 and Bb2-d4.} ) 15.Nxc6 $1 {A second powerful blow on the c6-square $1} ( {The retreat is out of the question:} 15.Nc4 f5 16.Nc3 Qd3 {provides Black too much activity.} ) 15...Qd7 ( {In the line} 15...Bxc6 16.Nxf6+ gxf6 17.Bxc6 ( {Or} 17.Qg4+ Bg7 ) 17...Bg7 {White gets three pawns for the piece, a safer king, and a huge advantage in the pawn \"haircuts.\"} ) 16.Qc2 Nd5 ( {Still, it makes sense to opt for the line from above in a somewhat more active version after} 16...Bxc6 $1 17.Nxf6+ gxf6 18.Bxc6 Qe6 19.Bxa8 ( {To the same leads} 19.Bxe8 Rxe8 20.Qxc7 Rc8 ) 19...Rxa8 20.Qxc7 {This time White has four pawns for the piece; however, Black can show activity with} 20...Rc8 21.Qa7 Rc2 22.Bd4 Nd5 23.Qxa5 Nb4 {and although White is obviously in the driver's seat, Black has at least practical chances.} ) 17.Rc1 a4 18.bxa4 $1 {It is not just the pawn; Robson is gaining access to the light squares.} 18...Re6 {Aronian keeps trying to get rid of the annoying knight and misses one last tactic on the long diagonal.} ( {He should have moved the king out of the way instead with} 18...Kh8 $1 {and then a possible line would have been} 19.a5 Bxc6 20.Qxc6 Qxc6 21.Rxc6 Rxa5 22.Nc3 Nxc3 23.Bxc3 Rxa2 24.Rxc7 {when White has all the fun, but maybe Black can hope to hold on the one flank.} ) 19.Qb3 $3 {Power blow $1 The X-raying against the black king decides $1} 19...Rxc6 ( {The skewers work in case of} 19...Bxc6 20.Nxf6+ $1 Rxf6 21.Rxc6 $1 Rxc6 22.Qxd5+ Qxd5 23.Bxd5+ ) 20.Nxf6+ $1 {The point.} ( {Although White already has a pleasant alternative:} 20.Qxb7 Rxc1+ 21.Bxc1 Nb6 22.Nc3 ) 20...Rxf6 21.Qxb7 Ra5 22.Bxf6 Nxf6 23.Qb3+ {The safest.} ( {Another good idea is} 23.Rxc7 Qxa4 24.Rc8 ) 23...Kh8 24.Qb8 Qd6 25.Rc6 Qb4 26.Qxb4 Bxb4 27.Rxc7 {For the piece, Robson has five pawns this time $1} 27...h5 ( {There is no time to regain material with} 27...Bxd2 {due to} 28.Rc8+ Ng8 29.Rd8 {followed by Bg2-d5.} ) 28.d4 h4 ( {Neither is} 28...Rxa4 {possible, due to the other pin} 29.Rc4 ) 29.gxh4 $1 {What a principled man Robson is $1 He takes every single pawn he sees, regardless of how they look. Now there are six of them for the piece, quite a unique situation.} 29...Kh7 30.Rc4 Be7 31.Bf3 Ra7 32.e4 Nd7 33.h5 {This is why this one was taken; it now starts to bother the black king.} 33...Nb6 34.Rc6 Bd8 ( {Or} 34...Nxa4 35.e5 {and the black king is in trouble.} ) ( {Whereas} 34...Rxa4 35.Rxb6 Rxd4 {is indeed an opposite-colored bishop endgame, but without drawing chances for Black.} ) 35.Bd1 Rc7 ( {Nothing changes} 35...Nxa4 36.Bb3 ) 36.Rxc7 Bxc7 {Without the rooks on board, it is time for the white king to perform his part.} 37.Kg2 Kh6 38.e5 Nd5 39.Kf3 Nc3 40.Bb3 {Nicely limiting the knight.} 40...Kxh5 41.e6 Bd6 42.Ke3 Kg6 43.Kd3 Nb1 44.a5 Na3 45.Ba4 Kf6 46.a6 Bb8 47.d5 g5 48.h3 {A very safe approach. None of the white pawns will be within the reach of the black bishop.} ( {There is also the direct} 48.Kc3 g4 49.Kb4 Bd6+ 50.Kb3 Bc5 51.a7 ) 48...Ba7 49.f3 Ke7 50.Bc6 Bb6 51.Bd7 Ba7 52.Ba4 Bb6 {Time for his majesty to show strength.} 53.Kc3 Nb1+ 54.Kc2 Na3+ 55.Kc3 Nb1+ 56.Kb4 Kd6 {For a moment, it seems as Aronian has built a fortress.} 57.e7 $1 {Nope, it cracks.} 57...Kxe7 58.Kb5 Be3 59.Kc6 Nc3 60.Bb3 ( {Or} 60.d6+ Kd8 61.Bb3 ) 60...Kd8 61.a4 Kc8 62.d6 Bf2 63.Bc2 Be3 64.Bb3 Bf2 65.a5 Kd8 66.Bc4 Na4 {The last try to stop the king.} ( {As} 66...Kc8 67.d7+ Kd8 68.Kb7 Kxd7 69.a7 {wins easily for White.} ) 67.f4 $1 {There are just way too many passers $1} 67...gxf4 68.h4 Nc3 69.h5 Ne4 70.h6 Nf6 71.Bd3 Kc8 72.h7 Nxh7 73.d7+ ( 73.d7+ Kd8 74.Bxh7 {followed by Kc6-b7 would win the bishop and the game.} ) 1-0

[Event "The American Cup 2022 | Open Championsh"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.04.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "5498229238804"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {It seems as the Italian is benching the Ruy Lopez at least for the moment.} 3...Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O O-O 6.h3 d6 7.c3 a5 8.Re1 h6 9.Nbd2 Be6 10.Bb5 Ba7 {Caruana is consistently clearing the road for his pawns.} ( {An alternative plan is:} 10...Nd7 11.Nf1 d5 12.Be3 Bd6 13.Ng3 dxe4 14.dxe4 Qf6 {When White gains his usual slight advantage in the following game with some nice little trades and maneuvers} 15.Qe2 Rfd8 16.Bc4 Ne7 17.a4 Bxc4 18.Qxc4 Qe6 19.Qxe6 fxe6 20.Nf1 $1 Nc6 21.N1d2 Bc5 22.Nc4 {Giri,A (2773)-Maghsoodloo,P (2699) Chess.com INT 2022} ) 11.Nf1 Ne7 12.Ng3 c6 13.Ba4 b5 {That is the essence of Black's plan. He is playing an Italian on his own.} 14.Bb3 $146 {And a novelty. Aronian wants to try and challenge the black center at once.} ( {Black had good game in the predecessor after:} 14.Bc2 a4 15.d4 Ng6 16.Be3 Re8 17.b3 axb3 18.axb3 Qc7 19.Qd2 Bb6 20.b4 Ra7 21.Rxa7 Qxa7 22.Bb1 Qc7 23.Bd3 Ra8 24.Rc1 Ra2 {So,W (2772)-Xiong,J (2687) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 14...a4 15.Bxe6 fxe6 16.d4 {But in the process the f-file is opened for the black pieces and especially the juicy f4-square; therefore} 16...Ng6 17.Be3 ( {Nothing yields} 17.b3 Bb6 ) 17...Nd7 {Caruana not only targets the f4-outpost.} 18.Nh5 $1 {A very original solution.} ( {A generally desirable move like} 18.Qd2 $2 {would reveal that none is safe along the f-file and} 18...Rxf3 $1 19.gxf3 Nh4 20.Qd1 Qf6 {leads to a huge step-by-step attack for Black.} ) 18...Nf4 19.Bxf4 {The point $1 It is risky to leave the knight cut away from the remaining pieces on the rim, but White sees a concrete way to back it up.} ( {Instead} 19.Nxf4 exf4 20.Bc1 e5 21.b3 Bb6 22.Ba3 Rf6 {is very comfortable for the second player.} ) 19...exf4 20.e5 $1 {And Caruana plunged into deep thought, for there is plenty to choose from.} 20...Qe8 $5 {It is Black's turn to be resourceful.} ( {He could have gone for the knight instead at once with} 20...g6 {to which} 21.Qd3 Qe8 {Leads to interesting positions with compensation for the material after} ( {Not} 21...Rf5 $2 22.Nxf4 $1 ) 22.Nf6+ ( {But White may even sacrifice a piece instead with} 22.exd6 $5 gxh5 23.c4 ) 22...Nxf6 23.exf6 Rxf6 {And now both} 24.b3 ( {and} 24.Rac1 ) 24...Bb6 25.c4 {promise White compensation along the half-open c- and e-files.} ) ( {The other way to challenge the knight} 20...Rf5 {does not seem as strong, and Black risks entering an unfavorable knight vs. bishop middlegame as in the line} 21.g4 fxg3 22.Nxg3 Rf7 ( {Or} 22...Rf4 23.Nh5 Rf7 24.exd6 ) 23.exd6 Qf8 24.Ne5 Nxe5 25.Rxe5 Qxd6 26.Qg4 {There is a major danger that the black bishop will prove ineffective.} ) 21.Nh4 f3 $1 {That was Caruana's point $1 Instead of grabbing a pawn, he sacrifices one but opens good files, diagonals and squares for his pieces.} ( 21...g6 $6 22.Qg4 {is plain bad for Black.} ) 22.Ng3 ( {Black is fine after} 22.g4 dxe5 23.Qd3 exd4 24.cxd4 Rd8 25.Rad1 Bb8 26.Qe4 Nf6 ) 22...dxe5 23.Nxf3 Qf7 {Not even thinking to stop halfway through.} ( {Instead} 23...exd4 24.Nxd4 e5 25.Re2 {is comfortable for White.} ) 24.dxe5 Nb6 {The knight is en route to the f4- and maybe later even the d3-square, the bishop owns the diagonal, and the major pieces do an excellent job along the f-file. Black's play is plain and straightforward. How to tame his pieces is not as clear.} 25.Ne4 {The obvious choice.} ( {However, it seems as both players missed a better set-up} 25.Qc2 $1 Nd5 26.Ne2 $1 Qe7 27.Qe4 {would have arranged his pieces in a way that stops any invasion. White is then going to prepare c3-c4 and slowly start to repel the opponent's pieces with an edge.} ) 25...Nd5 ( {It makes sense to throw in} 25...a3 $5 26.b3 Nd5 ) 26.a3 {No more a4-a3.} 26...c5 {Caruana is trying to fix an outpost on the d3-square.} ( {However, a stronger alternative is the immediate activation of the knight with} 26...Nf4 $1 27.Nd4 Rad8 28.Nd6 Qg6 {when} 29.Qg4 {would lead to an equal endgame by force with} 29...Qxg4 30.hxg4 Nd3 31.Re2 Nxe5 32.N6xb5 cxb5 33.Rxe5 Bxd4 34.cxd4 Rxd4 ) 27.Nd6 Qg6 28.Nh4 {Playing it safe.} ( {But} 28.Nxb5 $1 {seems perfectly good, when White is on top after} 28...Nf4 29.Nh4 Qg5 30.Qg4 ) 28...Qg5 29.Qg4 Qxg4 30.hxg4 c4 31.Nf3 ( {Not} 31.Re2 $6 Nf4 ) 31...Rf4 {Once more betting on activity.} ( {There is no immediate urgency to sacrifice more} 31...Rab8 32.Rad1 Nf4 {would have been enough of a compensation.} ) 32.Nxb5 Rxg4 33.Kf1 ( {There are a couple of better alternatives} 33.Nh2 $1 Rf4 ( {Or} 33...Rg6 34.Nxa7 Rxa7 35.Re4 {with White's edge.} ) 34.Re2 {and White has a chance to eventually convert his extra pawn.} ) ( {Or} 33.Nxa7 Rxa7 34.Rad1 ) 33...h5 {Here and on the next moves White could and likely should have traded the bishop.} ( 33...Bc5 $5 ) 34.Rad1 ( 34.Nxa7 Rxa7 35.Nh2 Rf4 36.Rad1 Rb7 37.Rd2 {still keeps some winning chances alive.} ) 34...Bc5 35.Nbd4 Nf4 {Finally, the knight will make it to the beautiful outpost.} 36.g3 Nd3 {Here it is.} 37.Rxd3 $1 {Gone $1 No one can tolerate such a piece.} 37...cxd3 38.Nxe6 Be7 39.Rd1 Kf7 ( {Missing a chance to activate his pieces with} 39...h4 $1 40.Kg2 ( {Or} 40.Nxh4 Bxh4 41.gxh4 Re8 $1 ) 40...hxg3 41.fxg3 Re4 {with enough counterplay.} ) 40.Nf4 Rd8 41.Nd4 {Everything is under control now for Aronian.} 41...h4 42.Rxd3 {But this reflexive capture misses an excellent chance.} ( {White could have trapped the rook instead with} 42.Kg2 $1 g5 43.Kf3 $1 ) 42...hxg3 43.Rf3 gxf2 $1 {And Caruana seizes his chance $1} ( {Another way to search for counterplay is} 43...Rh8 $1 44.fxg3 Rh2 ) 44.Nfe6+ Ke8 45.Nxd8 Bh4 $1 {The f2-pawn is the key to Black's survival.} 46.N8e6 {After this, Caruana finally escapes.} ( {Aronian could have still kept his winning chances with} 46.Ne2 $1 {with the point to meet} 46...Kxd8 {with} ( 46...Bxd8 47.Kxf2 {should be good enough for White's win too.} ) 47.Rd3+ Ke7 48.Rd4 $1 {And once the rooks are gone, White has excellent winning chances} 48...Rxd4 49.cxd4 Ke6 50.Nc3 g5 51.Nxa4 Kd5 52.Nc3+ Kxd4 53.e6 g4 54.a4 {with a win.} ) 46...Rg1+ 47.Ke2 Re1+ 48.Kd3 g6 $1 {No rush anymore.} ( 48...f1=Q+ 49.Rxf1 Rxf1 50.Nxg7+ {is something Black correctly avoids.} ) 49.Nc7+ Kd8 ( {Nothing much to be done:} 49...Kd7 50.Rf7+ Kd8 51.Nc6+ {is also a draw as} ( 51.e6 f1=Q+ 52.Rxf1 Rxf1 53.Nd5 ) 51...Kc8 52.Na7+ Kb7 53.Nd5+ {leads to Black's problems.} ) 50.Nce6+ Ke8 {Agreeing to the draw.} ( {As} 50...Kc8 51.Rf8+ Kd7 52.Rxf2 Bxf2 53.Nf8+ {is also equal.} ) 51.Nc7+ Kd8 52.Nce6+ Ke8 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR $1} 1/2-1/2

[Event "The American Cup 2022 | Open Championsh"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.04.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6803765068295"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Nd4 {A relatively rare line, which Caruana also used some time ago. It seems as it is coming back into fashion these days at the top level.} 5.Bg2 Nxf3+ 6.Bxf3 Bc5 {The second main move.} ( {Caruana's reading of the line was} 6...Bb4 7.d4 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 e4 9.Bg2 h6 10.c5 O-O 11.c4 b6 12.O-O Re8 13.Qa4 bxc5 14.dxc5 Bb7 {Romanov,E (2625)-Caruana,F (2767) Sochi 2012} ) 7.d3 {The main move is 7.0-0.} ( {Vachier-Lagrave tried instead:} 7.O-O O-O 8.e3 d6 9.d4 Bb6 10.Bg2 Re8 11.b3 Bg4 12.Qd3 c6 13.h3 Be6 14.d5 cxd5 15.cxd5 e4 16.Qd2 Bf5 {with approximate equality in Vachier Lagrave,M (2749) -Paravyan,D (2625) Krasnaya Polyana 2021} ) 7...O-O 8.O-O a5 $146 {Obstructing the opponent's queenside expansion well in advance with a novelty.} ( {The predecessor saw Black holding the line with:} 8...Re8 9.Bg2 c6 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Ne4 Qe7 13.Nxc5 Qxc5 14.Qd2 a5 15.b3 d6 16.a3 Bf5 17.b4 axb4 18.axb4 Qb6 19.Qc3 Qd4 20.Qxd4 exd4 21.Bf3 g5 {Dubov,D (2699) -Mamedyarov,S (2764) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 9.Bg2 c6 10.Bd2 {Both sides accomplish their development and try to build play where they are stronger. Caruana intends queenside expansion, whereas Aronian is looking for a way to equalize in full with the help of the d7-d5 break.} 10...d6 11.a3 Be6 12.Qc2 h6 {Last preparation.} ( {The central advance is already tempting} 12...d5 $5 13.cxd5 cxd5 {but perhaps Aronian disliked the possible pin after} 14.Bg5 ( {And no, White cannot win a pawn with} 14.Nxd5 Bxf2+ ) ) 13.Na4 Ba7 14.c5 {White strikes first.} ( 14.b4 {achieves nothing after} 14...b5 ) 14...dxc5 {After some thought, Aronian decided to concede the bishop pair.} ( {Otherwise, after} 14...d5 15.e4 {there would be a serious danger that his Ba7 remains locked out of the game for quite a long time.} ) 15.Nxc5 Bxc5 16.Qxc5 Bd5 {The point. Without the bishop pair, it should be equal.} 17.f3 $1 {Therefore Caruana keeps both his bishops alive in a slightly awkward-looking way.} ( {Instead, the more direct} 17.e4 {can be met tactically with} 17...Bxe4 $1 18.dxe4 Qxd2 19.Qxe5 Rad8 {and Black is fine.} ) ( {Whereas} 17.Bxd5 cxd5 {is equal.} ) 17...a4 {Fixing some pitstops for both his pieces.} 18.e4 Nd7 19.Qe3 Bb3 20.f4 {White's plan is obvious. He will try to knock the e5-pawn down and clear the road for his unique bishop.} ( {Or} 20.Bc3 c5 21.f4 Qe7 {trying to hold on to the black squares.} ) 20...Qb6 {Aronian decided that he will be better without the queens, but as we shall see, his dark squares will be in a greater danger in the endgame.} ( {Better seems} 20...c5 $1 21.Rf2 b6 22.Bc3 Qe7 23.f5 f6 {consistently building a dark-squared blockade.} ) 21.Qxb6 Nxb6 22.Rac1 $1 {Caruana plays in the most unpleasant way, consistently preventing the blockade. For the time being, the c6-c5 move is stopped.} ( {White cannot easily win a pawn in the line} 22.fxe5 Rfe8 23.Bc3 Nd7 24.d4 c5 ) 22...Rfd8 23.Rf3 Nd7 {A new blockading attempt.} ( {If} 23...Be6 24.Bc3 Nd7 25.d4 {and the white bishops break free.} ) 24.Bh3 $1 {Nope, it will not work. The second white bishop enters the field.} 24...Be6 ( 24...exf4 25.gxf4 {is everything that wishes for. His bishops will feel most comfortable with the broken symmetry, and the strong central passers will soon come into motion.} ) 25.Bxe6 fxe6 26.Kf2 $1 {Patience is a virtue in the endgame $1 The king rushes to put the center in order.} ( {The hasty} 26.Bc3 {can be met with} 26...Nc5 27.Rd1 Nxe4 ) 26...c5 27.Ke2 b6 {Now that everything is defended, White increases the tension on the dark squares.} 28.Bc3 Rac8 29.Rff1 $1 {Patience again.} ( {White does not achieve much with the immediate captures, neither} 29.Bxe5 Nxe5 30.fxe5 Rd4 ) ( {Nor} 29.fxe5 Nb8 $1 {promise White anything substantial.} ) 29...Rf8 ( 29...exf4 30.gxf4 {we know that this is White's dream.} ) 30.Ke3 Rc7 31.fxe5 {The time has come; Aronian's pieces are misplaced.} 31...Rxf1 ( {This time} 31...Nb8 {is nicely answered with} 32.d4 ) 32.Rxf1 Nb8 ( {Or} 32...Rc8 33.Rd1 {with d3-d4 to follow.} ) 33.d4 $1 {The key behind Caruana's strategy. It is not just the extra pawn that he is happy about. It is the nicer pair of pieces left on the board that will decide the outcome of the game. Some more files and diagonals are needed for these two to show their strength, and White presents them.} 33...cxd4+ 34.Bxd4 Rc2 35.Rd1 $1 {One last beautiful preparation.} ( {Although} 35.Bc3 Rxh2 36.Rd1 {would have been good for White too.} ) 35...Nc6 ( 35...Rxh2 36.Bc3 Nc6 37.Rd6 {would have transposed to the game.} ) 36.Bc3 Rxh2 37.Rd6 {White is wining. All his pieces are better than their counterparts, and he is about to start the harvest along the sixth rank.} 37...Na5 38.Kf3 $1 {Precision till the end $1} ( {Blunder alert $1} 38.Rxe6 $4 Kf7 {drops a whole rook for White.} ) 38...Kf7 ( {Or} 38...Nc4 39.Rxe6 Nxb2 40.Rxb6 Nd1 41.Bd4 {with complete domination of the white pieces.} ) 39.Rxb6 Nc4 40.Rb7+ Ke8 ( 40...Kg6 {loses to} 41.Re7 ) 41.Rxg7 Nxb2 42.Bb4 {The rest is easy for Caruana. The knight is not a match to the white bishop.} 42...Kd8 43.Re7 Nc4 44.Rxe6 h5 45.Bd6 h4 46.Rg6 Rh3 47.Rg8+ Kd7 48.Rg7+ {A couple of checks to improve the position of the rook.} 48...Ke8 ( 48...Ke6 49.Re7# ) 49.Rc7 Rxg3+ 50.Kf4 Nxd6 ( {Or else mate after} 50...Nd2 51.e6 ) 51.exd6 Rxa3 52.Kf5 Rg3 53.e5 {Fabiano Caruana is the deserved winner of The American Cup $1 PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR $1} 1-0

[Event "The American Cup 2022 | Open Eliminatio"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.04.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Robson, Ray"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2681"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7355286691361"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 d4 4.d3 ( {At the FIDE World Chess Championship 2021, the contender chose a different setup:} 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.O-O Bc5 6.d3 Nf6 7.Nbd2 a5 8.Nb3 Be7 9.e3 dxe3 10.Bxe3 Ng4 11.Bc5 O-O 12.d4 a4 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Nc5 {and White seemed to have a more pleasant position in Nepomniachtchi,I (2782)-Carlsen,M (2855) Dubai 2021} ) 4...c5 5.e3 Nf6 $146 {As early as move five, this obvious and logical move is a novelty already $1} ( {The predecessor was a game between two young and promising German GMs where Black managed to solve his opening problems with:} 5...Ne7 6.exd4 cxd4 7.Nf3 Nec6 8.O-O Be7 9.Re1 O-O 10.Bf4 Nd7 11.Ne5 Ndxe5 12.Bxe5 f6 13.Bf4 e5 14.Bd2 Bf5 {Donchenko,A (2646) -Keymer,V (2558) Playchess.com INT 2020} ) 6.f4 $1 {A fresh approach by Aronian, in the spirit of Larsen $1 The extra couple of tempi in this reversed Benoni-type of position allows White a chance to play more aggressively and fight for the d4-square. e6-e5 is out of the question now.} 6...dxe3 ( {There was also the normal development with} 6...Be7 7.Nf3 Nc6 ) 7.Bxe3 Bd6 8.Nc3 O-O 9.g4 $1 {A fierce central battle—using the flank pawns $1} ( {Instead, the obvious} 9.Nf3 {would have allowed Robson a chance to regroup nicely with} 9...Ng4 10.Bg1 Nc6 11.h3 Nh6 $1 {and the knight is en route to the d4-outpost.} ) 9...Nc6 10.g5 Nd7 {So far, so good. It seems Black will have time to regroup and will even be able to challenge the opponent's optimistic play. However, here comes the instructive} 11.Bxc6 $3 {When all the drawbacks in Robson's camp become permanent.} ( {The black knight was way too strong to be left alive, as the line} 11.Nge2 Nd4 $1 12.O-O Nf5 {demonstrates.} ) 11...bxc6 12.Nf3 {And from a reversed Benoni, White transposed into a reversed Nimzo-Indian with permanent black weaknesses on the c-file} 12...f5 {It seems illogical to block the position for Black, but this move is actually needed if Robson is to get any counterplay.} ( {Instead} 12...e5 13.f5 $1 {is a positional failure for Black.} ) ( {Whereas} 12...f6 13.Ne4 Be7 14.Qe2 {stabilizes the position for the first player and thus solidifies his advantage.} ) 13.Qd2 e5 $1 {The only chance to bring the light-squared bishop out, or else it will have a rather inglorious destiny.} 14.O-O-O Re8 {Prepares Black's next idea.} ( {Which was not working at once after} 14...Qc7 15.fxe5 Nxe5 16.Nxe5 Bxe5 17.Bxc5 Bf4 18.Be3 ) 15.Rhe1 $1 {White is, in return, overprotecting the e3-square and is well prepared for the opening of the center.} ( {Also good was the cunning} 15.Rhf1 $5 {intending to meet} 15...Qc7 {with} 16.fxe5 Nxe5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Bf4 {gaining a tempo in comparison with the game.} ) 15...Qc7 16.fxe5 Nxe5 17.Nxe5 {Aronian decided to keep his long-term advantage rather than chase after any extra pawns.} ( {Instead} 17.Bxc5 {would have won a pawn after} 17...Bxc5 ( {Not} 17...Nxf3 $2 18.Rxe8+ Kf7 19.Bxd6 Qxd6 20.Qe3 {and White wins.} ) 18.Nxe5 {and there does not seem to be enough compensation for Black, whereas} 18...Rxe5 ( 18...Bd4 19.Nf3 ) ( 18...Bd6 19.d4 ) 19.Rxe5 Qxe5 20.d4 Bxd4 21.Qxd4 Qxd4 22.Rxd4 {leads to an ugly endgame for the second player, with a poor bishop and weaknesses. White's next plan would be to maneuver the knight to the f4-heaven.} ) 17...Rxe5 18.Kb1 {Sensibly moving away from the tactical problems along the c1-f4 diagonal.} ( 18.Rf1 $5 {might have been even better though, intending to meet} 18...Bd7 {with} 19.d4 $1 ) 18...Bd7 19.Rf1 {White's advantage is obvious. He has a clear plan of trading the dark-squared bishops, followed by pressure against the c5-pawn. Since the opponent's bishop is not useful in the defense of this weakness, Black is practically doomed. Robson's only chance is in the dynamic play and Aronian is carefully taking away the tactical possibilities from his opponent.} 19...Rae8 ( {It was time to activate the bishop instead with} 19...Be8 $5 {intending to meet} 20.Bf4 Re6 21.Bxd6 Qxd6 22.Rxf5 $6 {with} 22...Bg6 23.Rff1 Rd8 {with some counterplay.} ) 20.Bf4 R5e7 21.h4 Be5 ( {Here} 21...Be6 {is not as effective as before} 22.Qh2 Bxf4 23.Qxf4 Qd8 24.Rfe1 {and White is in control.} ) 22.Qf2 {Aronian follows his grand plan.} ( {It made sense to transfer the knight to the optimal square at once with} 22.Ne2 $1 Qd6 23.Bxe5 Rxe5 24.Nf4 {with a huge positional advantage for the first player.} ) 22...Qd6 23.Rd2 ( 23.Ne2 $5 {was still good, but White apparently thinks that the knight is excellent where it is.} ) 23...Bxf4 24.Qxf4 Qd4 ( {Better was to try something active, like} 24...Re1+ 25.Kc2 Qxf4 26.Rxf4 Kf7 ) 25.Kc2 Re5 26.h5 {Aronian's plan is to shut the kingside completely, lock the bishop in a cell, trade the right pieces, and then use his pawn majority on the queenside. In the game, this works perfectly well.} ( 26.Qh2 $5 ) 26...R8e6 {But only because Robson keeps maneuvering positionally.} ( {This was the last chance for dynamic play with} 26...Re1 $1 {trying to make use of the vulnerable white kingside pawns after} 27.h6 ( {Or} 27.Qf2 Rxf1 28.Qxf1 Re3 {and Black is still in the game.} ) 27...Qxf4 28.Rxf4 Rg1 ) 27.Qh2 $1 {Now Aronian finds the optimal setup for his pieces and his advantage proves decisive.} 27...Be8 28.Ne2 $1 {What a great maneuver $1} 28...Qd8 29.Nf4 Re7 30.g6 h6 31.Ne2 ( 31.Re2 $5 ) 31...Qa5 32.Nc3 Qd8 33.Qf4 Qd4 34.Na4 ( {There was also the tactical idea of attacking the f-pawn with} 34.Ne4 $5 {and then Ne4-g3.} ) 34...Bd7 {The job is almost done, White only needs to trade the proper piece(s) and convert his advantage. Aronian is not in a rush.} 35.a3 ( 35.Qxd4 $1 {was already strong with a won position after} 35...cxd4 36.b4 ) 35...a5 36.b3 $1 {A cunning little trap, taking advantage of the opponent's time trouble.} ( 36.Qxd4 $1 {was still good} 36...cxd4 37.b4 {but since this resource is always there, Aronian decided to give his opponent one more possibility to go wrong.} ) 36...Kf8 $4 {A blunder in a lost position.} ( {After} 36...Re8 {White would have sooner or later have gone for} 37.Qxd4 cxd4 38.b4 ) 37.Nxc5 $1 {That is the trick $1 Black's position collapses.} 37...Qxc5 ( {Aronian's point becomes obvious in the line} 37...Qxf4 38.Rxf4 Rxc5 39.d4 $1 ) 38.d4 Qxa3 39.dxe5 a4 40.Rf3 Qa2+ 41.Kd1 Qa1+ 42.Ke2 a3 ( {Or} 42...Bc8 43.bxa4 Be6 44.Rd8+ Re8 45.Qd4 {and White wins.} ) 43.Rxd7 $1 {This little tactic crowns White's strategy.} 43...Qb2+ ( {Or else mate after} 43...Rxd7 44.Qxf5+ Ke7 45.Qf8+ Ke6 46.Qe8+ Re7 47.Qxc6+ Kxe5 48.Qd5# ) 44.Rd2 Rxe5+ 45.Re3 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR $1} 1-0

[Event "The American Cup 2022 | Open Eliminatio"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.04.26"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[Beauty "6597069766660"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {Dominguez has no reason to deviate from the Petroff, an opening that served him so well in their first match.} 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Be3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nd7 9.O-O-O Nf6 ( {The other approach, as we already know, is:} 9...Re8 10.Kb1 Nf6 11.Bd3 d5 12.h3 c5 13.c4 b5 14.cxd5 c4 15.d6 cxd3 16.dxe7 dxc2+ 17.Qxc2 Qxe7 {Fedoseev,V (2704)-Vidit,S (2727) Belgrade 2022 and Black did not experience any difficulties in Fedoseev, V (2704) -Vidit,S (2727) Belgrade 2022} ) 10.Bd3 Re8 11.Rhe1 {It is Aronian who deviates first from their previous encounter.} ( 11.h4 {That is the essence of the line. White hopes to be faster than his opponent in the opposite-castling battle.} 11...d5 {But Black has his own arguments. His center is strong, and if he manages to trade off the queens, his pawn chain might prove more efficient.} 12.Ng5 {Aronian played this after some thought and Dominguez, in turn, took almost half an hour on his clock for his next move.} ( {Speaking of trades, the following game between the top Chinese GMs is instructive} 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Qf4 Be6 15.g4 Qd6 $5 {Black is OK to damage his pawn structure as long as he can secure his king.} 16.Qxd6 cxd6 17.Rdg1 Kf8 18.Nd4 Bd7 19.g5 {then more trades slowly led to a draw after} 19...Bxd4 20.cxd4 h5 21.Kd2 g6 22.Re1 Rxe1 23.Rxe1 Re8 24.Rxe8+ Kxe8 25.f4 Bf5 26.Bxf5 gxf5 {Wei,Y (2741)-Yu, Y (2738) Danzhou 2019} ) 12...h6 13.f3 {The point behind the maneuver. Aronian wants g2-g4, but will he have the time for it $2} 13...c5 $1 {Classical response $1 The central counter-attack keeps White busy and the constant danger of his bishops being removed from the attacking diagonals is unnerving.} ( {White's dreams would come true after} 13...hxg5 $4 14.hxg5 Nd7 15.g4 {threatening both the simple Qd2-h2 and the forcing Rh1-h8+ mates.} ) 14.Bb5 $146 {Aparently, an over-the-board novelty. And a moral victory for Dominguez, who is most happy to get rid of the light-squared bishops.} ( {Black, however, also did great in the predecessor after:} 14.g4 Qa5 15.Kb1 c4 16.Be2 Bc5 17.Bxc5 Qxc5 18.Nh3 Qe3 $1 {and once again, without the queens on, Black is doing great, Borisek,J (2578)-Bogner,S (2619) Batumi 2018} ) 14...Bd7 15.Bxd7 Qxd7 16.Nh3 {A sad retreat, but there is no other choice without the big helper on the b1-h7 diagonal.} 16...Rad8 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "The American Cup 2022"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2022.04.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[Beauty "8250363745290"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {The Petroff defence, which always had a reputation of a drawish opening, is slowly turning into a silent counter-attacking tool. Remember how Caruana won the Berlin Candidates in 2018 $2} 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 {This is considered to be the most aggressive way nowadays.} 5...Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Be3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nd7 9.O-O-O Nf6 ( {The other approach is} 9...Re8 10.Kb1 Nf6 11.Bd3 d5 12.h3 c5 13.c4 b5 14.cxd5 c4 15.d6 cxd3 16.dxe7 dxc2+ 17.Qxc2 Qxe7 {and Black did not experience any difficulties in Fedoseev,V (2704) -Vidit,S (2727) Belgrade 2022} ) 10.Bd3 Re8 11.h4 {That is the essence of the line. White hopes to be faster than his opponent in the opposite-castling battle.} 11...d5 {But Black has his own arguments. His center is strong and if he manages to trade off the queens his pawn chain might prove more efficient.} 12.Ng5 {Aronian played this after some thought and Dominguez in turn took almost half-an-hour on his clock for his next move.} ( {Speaking of trades, the following game between the top Chinese GMs is instructive:} 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Qf4 Be6 15.g4 Qd6 $5 {Black is OK to damage his pawn structure as long as he can secure his king.} 16.Qxd6 cxd6 17.Rdg1 Kf8 18.Nd4 Bd7 19.g5 {then more trades slowly led to a draw after} 19...Bxd4 20.cxd4 h5 21.Kd2 g6 22.Re1 Rxe1 23.Rxe1 Re8 24.Rxe8+ Kxe8 25.f4 Bf5 26.Bxf5 gxf5 {Wei,Y (2741)-Yu, Y (2738) Danzhou 2019} ) 12...h6 13.f3 {The point behind the maneuver. Aronian wants g2-g4, but will he have the time for it $2} 13...c5 $1 {A classical response $1 The central counter-attack keeps White busy and the constant danger of his bishops being removed from the attacking diagonals is unnerving.} ( {White's dreams would come true after} 13...hxg5 $4 14.hxg5 Nd7 15.g4 {threatening both the simple Qd2-h2 and the forcing Rh1-h8+ mates.} ) 14.Bb5 $146 {Apparently, an over-the-board novelty and also a moral victory for Dominguez who is most happy to get rid of the light-squared bishops.} ( {Black, however, also did great in an earlier game after} 14.g4 Qa5 15.Kb1 c4 16.Be2 Bc5 17.Bxc5 Qxc5 18.Nh3 Qe3 $1 {and once again, without the queens on the board Black is doing great, Borisek,J (2578)-Bogner,S (2619) Batumi 2018} ) 14...Bd7 15.Bxd7 Qxd7 16.Nh3 {A sad retreat, but there is no other choice without the big helper on the b1-h7 diagonal.} 16...Rad8 {Dominguez is not just overprotecting his most precious pawn, he is already thinking about the d5-d4 break. Black's strategy was a huge success.} 17.Nf4 ( {Nothing changes} 17.Kb1 Qa4 18.Nf4 Bd6 ) ( {Whereas an aggressive flank attack} 17.g4 {fails to the central measures again} 17...d4 $1 18.cxd4 Nd5 19.Kb1 ( {Not} 19.dxc5 Qa4 20.Kb1 Nb4 {when Black wins at once.} ) 19...c4 $1 {with a powerful attacking set-up on the queenside for Black.} ) 17...Bd6 $1 {Creates tactical possibilities.} 18.Kb1 ( {For instance} 18.g4 Qa4 19.Kb1 Rxe3 $1 {reveals the usefulness of the bishop.} ) 18...Qb5 {Dominguez is very consistent with his queenside attack.} ( {Although he had a pleasant choice here and could have attacked instead with his queenside pawns} 18...b5 $5 ) 19.Qc1 {Aronian decided to solidify his queenside a bit.} ( {Perhaps a better try was the centralization} 19.Rhe1 $5 {when} 19...d4 {can be met with} 20.cxd4 Bxf4 ( {True} 20...c4 $1 {is still very dangerous for White here, as} 21.c3 $2 {fails to} 21...Qf5+ 22.Ka1 Rxe3 $1 {and this line might have been the reason why White dropped the queen back.} ) 21.Bxf4 Rxd4 22.Rxe8+ Qxe8 23.Qc1 ) 19...d4 $1 {The center is moving and clears the road for the pieces.} 20.cxd4 c4 $1 {The point $1 The d5 square is cleared for the knight, but above all, this pawn will soon open wide the white king's residence.} 21.g3 ( {As we have already seen} 21.c3 $2 {fails due to} 21...Qf5+ 22.Ka1 Rxe3 $1 ) ( {White is also under attack after} 21.Ka1 c3 22.b3 Qa5 ) ( {And after} 21.g4 Bxf4 22.Bxf4 Nd5 {the play is pretty one-sided.} ( {Or} 22...c3 ) ) 21...c3 22.b3 ( {Or} 22.Rd3 Bxf4 23.Bxf4 Nd5 {when Black is in charge.} ) 22...Qa5 {Dominguez wants to mate with pieces. His plan is... actually, wait, he will reveal it himself.} ( {Nothing wrong with} 22...a5 23.a4 Qa6 ) 23.Rde1 Ba3 24.Qd1 Rd6 {That is the plan. Ba3-b2 comes next and then the queen will capture the a2-pawn $1} 25.Bf2 {Loses at once.} ( {However, it is hard to believe that White has any hopes after} 25.Bc1 {the machine quickly flashes out the line} 25...Ra6 26.Rxe8+ Nxe8 27.Qe1 Nf6 28.Qe5 b5 29.Qe3 Bxc1 30.Kxc1 Qxa2 31.Qxc3 Qa1+ 32.Kd2 Qxh1 33.Qc8+ Kh7 34.Qxa6 Qxf3 35.Qxa7 Ne4+ 36.Kc1 Nxg3 {but first of all, even this looks winning for Black, and secondly, there should have been mate somewhere along the lines earlier.} ) 25...Rxe1 26.Rxe1 Bb2 27.Qd3 ( {Or} 27.a4 Qb4 ) ( {And if any other move, like} 27.g4 Qxa2+ $1 28.Kxa2 Ra6+ 29.Kb1 Ra1# ) 27...b5 28.a4 Qb4 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR $1} 0-1

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2022.05.07"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[ECO "D17"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[Beauty "5017213924391"]
[EventType "game"]

1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 {According to Megabase, the first time this complex Slav line occurred was back in 1929 (see below.)} 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2 g5 $1 {11...g5 is better than 11...f6, claims the base.} ( {The stem game went} 11...f6 12.O-O Be6 13.Nxe5 fxe5 14.Be3 Bc5 15.Bxc5 Nxc5 16.b4 Nb3 17.Ra3 Rd8 18.Qc2 Nd4 19.Nb5 Nxc2 20.Nxc7+ Ke7 21.Nxe6 Nxa3 22.Nxd8 Rxd8 {1/2-1/2 (22) Capablanca,J-Vidmar,M Karlovy Vary 1929} ) 12.Ne3 ( {White can certainly capture the knight as well:} 12.Bxe5 Nxe5 13.Qd4 f6 14.a5 a6 15.h4 Be6 16.Nxe5 fxe5 17.Qe3 g4 18.O-O O-O-O 19.Ne4 Kb8 20.Qc3 Rd4 {with unclear position in Kovalenko,I (2651)-Mamedov,R (2654) Kiev 2021} ) 12...gxf4 13.Nxf5 O-O-O 14.Qc2 Kb8 15.gxf4 Nc4 16.e3 Nc5 {All of this was practically blitzed by Firouzja, whereas Aronian was taking some time on the clock.} 17.Rd1 {\"I remember I analyzed this line with GM Andriasian in 2004, and I remember that it was playable but passive.\" (Aronian)} 17...Rxd1+ 18.Nxd1 Qa5+ 19.Ke2 $146 {\"I kind of forgot that I was analyzing it and thought that this is playable.\" (Aronian)} ( {It seems as Aronian has mixed his analysis with the continuation in the predecessor:} 19.Nc3 Qb6 {Now Black got excellent position after} 20.O-O ( {However instead} 20.Ne4 {looks stronger with chances to obtain an edge after} 20...Qb4+ 21.Ke2 Qxb2 22.Qxb2 Nxb2 23.a5 ) 20...Qxb2 21.Qxb2 Nxb2 22.Rb1 Ncd3 23.Be4 Kc7 24.Kf1 a5 25.Bxd3 Nxd3 26.Ke2 Nc5 {Wang,H (2726)-Nakamura,H (2778) Istanbul 2012} ) 19...Qa6 $1 {Strong $1} 20.Kf3 Qxa4 {Just winning a pawn.} 21.Qxa4 {And here Aronian seemed to set a new record of thinking for more than an hour for a move. I doubt this record will be beaten, at least at this tournament.} ( {The overthought was largely due to frustration, for the American quickly saw the refutation of his refutation after} 21.Qc3 Rg8 22.Qf6 Ne6 $1 {\"and bye-bye, because of\"} 23.Qxf7 Ne5+ $3 24.fxe5 Qg4# {(Aronian)} ) 21...Nxa4 22.Ke2 Ncxb2 23.Nxb2 Nxb2 {Black is winning, but Firouzja still needs to prove the win.} 24.Rb1 ( {Tactics do not work for White} 24.Bxc6 bxc6 25.Rb1 Ba3 ) 24...Na4 {The fork threat leaves White no time to snatch the pawn back.} 25.Kd2 Nb6 {Overly solid.} ( {The knight was not too bad on the rim, as it was supporting the advance of the pawns. Therefore} 25...Kc7 $5 {followed by a7-a5 might have been even stronger.} ) 26.Bf3 Bc5 27.Nh6 {The only way to play on is to keep Black busy before he pushes his pawns too far.} 27...f6 28.Rg1 a5 29.Rg8+ $1 {At least some opposite-colored bishops get a chance.} 29...Rxg8 30.Nxg8 f5 31.Kc2 ( {Stepping away from the tempo.} 31.Nh6 Nc4+ 32.Kc2 Nd6 ) 31...a4 32.Nh6 Nc4 33.Be2 ( {No time to capture the pawn, the black passers are too fast after} 33.Nxf5 $2 a3 ) 33...Nd6 34.Bd3 Ne4 {Firouzja played this without much hesitation. He is convincing that fast.} ( {Aronian believed that he is lost even in the pure opposite-colored bishop ending after} 34...Kc7 35.Nxf5 Nxf5 36.Bxf5 h6 37.Be6 b5 ) 35.Bxe4 fxe4 36.Ng8 b5 37.Nf6 Kc7 38.Nxh7 {\"Just a practical chance.\" (Aronian)} ( {As after the more obvious} 38.Nxe4 Bf8 {Black should win easily, for example} 39.f5 c5 40.f6 a3 41.Kb3 c4+ 42.Ka2 b4 {and the bishop proves far more useful in the battle from the opposite flanks.} ) 38...b4 39.Ng5 b3+ {A good signal for White $1} ( {Had Firouzja remembered about his king, his task would have been way easier.} 39...Kb6 $1 40.Nxe4 Bf8 {followed by Kb6-b5 and eventually b4-b3+ and Kb5-b4(c4) would have avoided any blockade.} ) 40.Kb2 Bb4 41.Nxe4 {The knight is almost there and...} 41...c5 {Suddenly leads to a draw by force $1} ( {\"Actually, I am pretty surprised that this line:\"} 41...Kb6 $3 42.Nc3 Ka5 {followed by c6-c5-c4 and then the a-pawn runs \"is winning. It is pretty deep.\" (Aronian) For example,} 43.h4 c5 44.h5 c4 45.Nb1 Be7 46.e4 Kb4 {and Black is in time.} ) 42.Nc3 $1 {The pawn is en prise; therefore, Firouzja needs to enter a pawn endgame.} 42...Bxc3+ 43.Kxc3 c4 {Aronian speculated that Firouzja believed that the arising queen endgame would be won by him, but he missed a detail (see below).} 44.Kb2 $1 {The only move.} ( {Otherwise, the black pawns get promoted by themselves} 44.h4 $4 a3 45.h5 a2 46.Kb2 c3+ ) 44...Kd6 45.f5 $1 {Once again, strictly an only move. The black king should be slowed down.} ( {Or else the black pawns are getting promoted with checkmates} 45.h4 Kc5 46.h5 Kb4 47.h6 c3+ 48.Kb1 c2+ 49.Kb2 a3+ 50.Kc1 Kc3 51.h7 b2# ) 45...Ke5 46.f3 $1 {Again an only move $1} ( {Since otherwise the black king will find the pawns with} 46.h4 Ke4 $1 47.f6 Kd3 48.f7 c3+ 49.Ka3 c2 50.f8=Q c1=Q+ 51.Kxa4 b2 {and wins.} ) 46...Kxf5 47.h4 Ke5 48.h5 $1 {The final precision.} 48...Kf5 49.f4 Ke4 50.h6 Kd3 51.h7 c3+ 52.Ka3 c2 53.h8=Q ( {Not} 53.Kb2 $4 Kd2 $1 ) 53...c1=Q+ 54.Kxa4 b2 ( {From afar Aronian saw that} 54...Qc3 {leads to a draw only thanks to the study-like} 55.Qh7+ Kd2 56.Ka3 $3 ) 55.Qh7+ Kxe3 56.Qh3+ $1 {And a draw that was sealed in a spectacular way after} 56...Kxf4 57.Qh4+ Kf5 58.Qh3+ Ke5 59.Qh5+ Kd6 60.Qg6+ Kc7 61.Qg7+ Kb6 62.Qxb2+ Qxb2 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic 2022"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2022.05.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Deac, Bogdan Daniel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[Beauty "5983963194420"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 {The free day was most welcomed by all the participants and Dominguez used it to prepare an interesting side line for this game.} 6...e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f3 h5 9.Nd5 Bxd5 10.exd5 Nbd7 11.Qd2 g6 12.O-O-O Nb6 13.Kb1 Nbxd5 14.Bg5 Be7 15.a3 $5 {\"This is [an] unusual (move), probably a novelty. The idea is to make an useful move and see where Black is going.\" (Dominguez) 15.Bd3 is the main line.} ( {So far both players followed another game of Deac that went} 15.c4 Nf4 16.Bxf4 exf4 17.Qxf4 Qc7 18.Bd3 O-O-O 19.Rhe1 Rhe8 20.Rc1 Kb8 21.Qd4 Nd7 22.Be4 Bf6 23.Qd2 Nc5 {and the Romanian GM eventually emerged victoriously in Esipenko,A (2723)-Deac,B (2679) Chess.com 2022} ) 15...Qc7 16.g3 $146 {\"It is supposed to be compensation [for the pawn] because the black king is always weak. Even if he castles short, the I will have some attack with g3-g4 at some point.\" (Dominguez)} ( {An email game ended peacefully after} 16.c4 Nb6 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Qxd6 Qxd6 19.Rxd6 Na4 20.Rd5 {1/2-1/2 (20) Jose Queralto,D (2412)-Thomas,T (2301) ICCF email 2021} ) 16...Rd8 ( {\"I think Black can also play with\"} 16...O-O-O {(Dominguez)} ) 17.Bd3 {\"It looks a bit weird to play this after g2-g3, but since he cannot castle 0-0-0 I thought I can do it.\" (Dominguez)} ( {\"I considered\"} 17.f4 Nb6 18.Bg2 Nc4 {\"but I did not like it as the Nc4 is hard to kick out.\"(Dominguez)} ) 17...Nb6 18.Rhe1 ( {Here too} 18.f4 {was a move, but White did not like} 18...e4 19.Bxf6 ( {Or} 19.Be2 d5 ) 19...Bxf6 20.Bxe4 Nc4 ) 18...d5 {\"It was a tense game, he played extremely well, especially in the first part of the game. He got a better position at some point.\" (Dominguez)} 19.Qe2 {White was pinning his hopes with his next idea.} 19...Nbd7 ( {In case of} 19...Nfd7 {the American GM planned} 20.Bxe7 Kxe7 21.f4 e4 22.Bxe4 dxe4 23.Qxe4+ Kf8 24.Qe7+ Kg7 ( 24...Kg8 25.f5 ( {Or} 25.Rd6 ) ) 25.Nd4 Kg8 {with a strong attack in all cases.} ) 20.c4 $1 {The correct approach. The bishops need air, especially the light-squared one.} 20...O-O {\"I could not find a promising way here to play.\" (Dominguez)} 21.cxd5 Nxd5 22.Bh6 Rfe8 23.Rc1 ( {Apparently, a better idea would have been the computer-generated} 23.Qc2 $1 {with the cunning tactical point to meet} 23...Qd6 {with} ( {Therefore, Black should opt for an endgame} 23...Qxc2+ 24.Bxc2 N5f6 25.Na5 {where the active white pieces fully compensate him for the missing pawn.} ) 24.Bxg6 $1 fxg6 25.Rxd5 $1 Qe6 ( {Not} 25...Qxd5 26.Qxg6+ Kh8 27.Qg7# ) 26.Red1 {with an edge for White.} ) 23...Qd6 24.h4 b5 ( 24...Qe6 $5 ) 25.Nd2 {\"Basically, Black is just better, and I was hoping that I can turn it around in time-trouble.\" (Dominguez)} 25...Nc5 26.Ne4 Nxe4 {But here Deac missed a chance to fix his advantage.} ( {He could have kept the enemy pieces away from him with} 26...Qb6 $1 27.Nxc5 Bxc5 28.Be4 b4 {when Black is significantly better.} ) 27.Bxe4 Qe6 28.Bc2 $3 {A beautiful maneuver $1} 28...Bxa3 29.Bb3 {This diagonal is worth the two pawns $1 In order to break the pin Deac will have to allow too much activity to the opponent's pieces.} 29...Bf8 30.Bg5 Rd6 31.Red1 Qf5+ 32.Qe4 Nb6 ( {This was the first time in which Deac could have opted for an endgame with} 32...Qxe4+ 33.fxe4 Nb6 34.Rxd6 Bxd6 35.Rc6 Nc8 36.Rxa6 {which should be objectively equal (but much easier to play as White $1)} ) 33.Rxd6 Bxd6 34.Rc6 {\"I now felt I was out of danger since the black pieces are so passive now. Actually, I was thinking I am much better\" (Dominguez)} 34...Nc8 35.Rxa6 Kg7 36.Rc6 Qd7 {\"I was very surprised and happy to have the queens on.\" (Dominguez)} ( {Instead} 36...f6 37.Bd2 Qxe4+ 38.fxe4 Bb8 {should be again about even.} ) 37.Qd5 e4 $1 {A nice tactical blow in time-trouble $1 Dominguez saw it from afar, but underestimated it.} 38.Be3 $1 {The best reaction.} ( {Not} 38.fxe4 $4 Re5 ) ( {After} 38.Bf4 exf3 39.Bxd6 Nxd6 40.Rxd6 Qf5+ 41.Qxf5 gxf5 {the black passer cannot be stopped easily. (Dominguez)} ) 38...exf3 39.Bd4+ f6 40.Qxf3 Rf8 ( 40...Qf5+ 41.Qxf5 gxf5 {\"I thought it should be a draw somehow.\" (Dominguez)} ) 41.Qd5 Qe7 42.Qe6 $1 ( {\"I was very close to playing\"} 42.Qxb5 $4 Qe4+ ) 42...Qd8 {This is a blunder $1} ( {Instead Dominguez suggested} 42...Qxe6 43.Bxe6 Bxg3 44.Rxc8 Rxc8 45.Bxc8 Bxh4 {\"I thought there are some chances for a draw (for Black) as he can put the bishop on the g3-square.\" (Dominguez)} ) 43.Rxc8 Qxc8 44.Qxd6 Qd8 ( {Maybe Deac missed from afar} 44...Qf5+ 45.Kc1 Rc8+ 46.Bc3 Qf1+ 47.Bd1 ) 45.Qe6 Kh7 46.Bd5 {Now White is completely winning, but the second time-trouble is about to show its ugly head.} 46...Qe8 47.Qb6 Qd7 48.Be6 Qd8 49.Qa7+ ( {The neatest win was} 49.Qb7+ $1 Kh8 50.Bd5 {not letting any queens out.} ) 49...Kh8 50.Ka2 Qd6 51.Bb3 Qc6 $1 {Now Black starts to create threats on his own $1} 52.Bc3 $1 {A beautiful way to prevent the pin.} 52...Qf3 ( 52...Ra8 $2 53.Bxf6+ $1 ) ( {Also bad was} 52...b4 53.Qe3 $3 {with a powerful mating threat.} ) 53.Be6 ( 53.Ka3 $3 {was apparently winning still.} ) 53...b4 ( {Short on time, Deac misses a study-like defense with} 53...Re8 $3 54.Bb3 b4 $1 55.Bd4 Qc6 $3 {And apparently White does not have a way to pass the move to the opponent $1 For example} 56.Ka1 Re1+ 57.Ka2 Re8 58.Ba4 Qc4+ 59.Bb3 Qc6 {A very original positional draw $1} ) 54.Bd4 Rd8 55.Bc4 {Dominguez is back in control and this time finishes the game mercilessly.} 55...Rf8 56.Be6 Rd8 57.Bc4 Rf8 ( {It is late now for} 57...Re8 58.Qf7 $1 ) 58.Qe7 Ra8+ 59.Ba7 Qc6 ( {Or else} 59...Rc8 60.Qd7 $1 Rxc4 61.Qe8+ Kg7 62.Qe7+ {and White picks up the rook with checks.} ) 60.Kb3 Rc8 61.Qe6 Qxe6 62.Bxe6 Rd8 63.Kxb4 Rd3 64.Bb8 Kg7 65.Kc4 Re3 66.Bd5 Re8 67.Bf4 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1-0

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic 2022"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2022.05.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[ECO "E48"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6529558297666"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.a3 {A trendy line of late.} ( {Instead} 7.Ne2 Re8 8.Bd2 Bf8 9.O-O Nbd7 10.Rc1 c5 11.Nf4 c4 12.Bb1 Nb6 13.h3 Bd7 14.g4 {was tried in Navara,D (2693)-Maghsoodloo, P (2699) Chess.com 2022} ) 7...Bd6 8.Qc2 {Both players are entering one of the most complex structures, a Carlsbad with a white dark-squared bishop behind the pawn chain. So far they are following the game So-Mamedyarov that was played a few days ago.} 8...c6 {But Dominguez deviates first and jumps into another game of So.} ( 8...a6 9.Nge2 Re8 10.O-O b6 11.b4 Nbd7 $146 12.Nf4 Bxf4 $146 {This is a novelty, but likely, an over-the-board one. In these positions this capture usually works well for White.} 13.exf4 {\"I was very surprised when he took. I think White was better here.\" (So)} 13...c5 {The point. Otherwise Black will be smothered.} 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.Rd1 $1 {White needs to tame the enemy hanging pawns, and White was later victorious in So,W (2766) -Mamedyarov,S (2770) Bucharest 2022} ( 15.bxc5 Nxc5 {only helps Black.} ) ) 9.Nge2 Re8 10.Bd2 b6 ( {So's previous game went} 10...Nbd7 11.f3 c5 12.h4 h5 13.O-O-O a6 14.g4 hxg4 15.fxg4 Nxg4 16.h5 {So,W (2778)-Sevian,S (2693) St. Louis 2022 it was sharp and messy, and eventually Black prevailed.} ) 11.f3 $146 {This is a novelty.} ( {The earlier game went} 11.O-O Ba6 12.Kh1 c5 13.Rad1 g6 14.Qb1 Bb7 15.Nf4 {and White eventually prevailed in Aronian,L (2772)-Vidit,S (2727) Berlin 2022} ) 11...c5 12.g4 c4 13.Bf5 Bxf5 14.Qxf5 g6 15.Qg5 Nc6 ( {Black may also start with} 15...Bf8 $5 ) 16.O-O ( {The far advanced black queenside pawns make the long castling unattractive for White:} 16.O-O-O Bf8 17.h4 b5 $1 18.Nxb5 Rb8 19.Nbc3 Qb6 {and Black is way faster.} ) 16...Bf8 17.Qh4 h6 18.Rad1 {\"Until here I knew the moves and then I know some plans, but it is very sharp, either player can win.\" (Firouzja)} 18...b5 $1 {\"A great move to not waste time and start attacking.\" (Firouzja)} 19.Qf2 ( {White is certainly not tempted by} 19.Nxb5 Rb8 20.Nbc3 Rxb2 ) ( {Whereas after} 19.e4 dxe4 20.Bxh6 Nh7 $1 {Black would be able to swap the queens off with} 21.Qh3 Bxh6 22.Qxh6 exf3 23.Rxf3 Qg5 {\"and there is nothing here.\" (Firouzja)} ) 19...Qd7 20.Qg2 Bg7 21.h4 Ne7 $1 {\"Here he is better I think.\" (Firouzja) Indeed, so far Dominguez maneuvered well and his queenside attack looks better prepared.} 22.Nf4 ( {Nothing yields} 22.g5 hxg5 23.hxg5 Nh5 24.e4 a5 ) ( 22.Ng3 $5 ) 22...a5 23.Nce2 Qb7 {But this does not look like the best idea.} ( {Firouzja believed that the queen should have been kept in the center with} 23...Reb8 $5 {and indeed, White's attack would not be as strong here after} 24.g5 hxg5 25.hxg5 Nh7 26.Kf2 b4 27.Rh1 Qa4 28.Qh3 ( {Unlike the game} 28.Rh3 $2 {is not possible as the other rook hangs:} 28...Qxd1 ) 28...Nf8 {both black minor pieces successfully repel the attack of the two major white ones.} ) 24.g5 hxg5 25.hxg5 Nd7 26.Kf2 $1 {White needs to attack as soon as he can.} 26...b4 27.Rh1 Nf5 {A blunder $1} ( {Better was to defend with} 27...Nf8 {True, here White can triple his major pieces with} 28.Rh3 bxa3 29.bxa3 Qb2 30.Bc3 Qxa3 31.Rdh1 ( 31.e4 $5 ) 31...Qd6 32.Qh2 {and the defensive set-up of the black pieces would not hold, but he can still survive with} 32...f5 ) 28.Qh3 Ne7 {After spending a third of his time, Dominguez admits his mistake and parts with two important tempi $1} ( {However, the alternative was horrible:} 28...Nf8 29.Nh5 $1 Ne6 30.Nxg7 Kxg7 31.Ng3 $1 {and White crashes through.} ) 29.Ng3 Ra6 {In order to cover the sixth rank.} ( {After the obvious} 29...Nf8 {Dominguez likely feared} 30.Nfh5 gxh5 31.Nxh5 {but Black actually has a defense here with} 31...Qd7 $1 {when the forcing line} 32.Nxg7 Qxh3 33.Nxe8 $3 {may lead to a fancy perpetual with} 33...Qf5 ( {Or} 33...Qc8 34.Nf6+ Kg7 35.Nh5+ {And Black too, cannot avoid the repetition as the greedy} 35...Kg6 {loses to} 36.Nf4+ Kxg5 37.e4 $3 ) 34.Nf6+ Kg7 35.Nh5+ {with perpetual as} 35...Kg6 36.Nf4+ Kxg5 $2 {loses to} 37.e4 $3 ) 30.axb4 axb4 31.Bxb4 Qxb4 32.Qxd7 {All of this forcing and Black finds the best defense} 32...Raa8 $1 ( {This is better than} 32...Qxb2+ 33.Nfe2 ) 33.Nfe2 ( {White cannot defend the pawn anyway:} 33.Rb1 $2 Qd2+ 34.Nfe2 Nf5 $1 35.Nxf5 gxf5 {even loses for the first player.} ) 33...Rad8 34.Qg4 Qxb2 35.Qf4 Nc6 {The last blunder, in severe time-trouble. \"Here it is very difficult to spot this...\"} ( {Instead} 35...Ra8 {would have been still not clear at all.} ) ( {Whereas the endgame after} 35...Qb8 36.Rb1 Qxf4 37.Nxf4 {\"I am still slightly pushing for a win, it is very unpleasant for Black.\" (Firouzja)} ) 36.Rh7 $3 {(Firouzja) A powerful blow $1 And even though Dominguez found the best defense, with just one second on the clock ( $1) he could not survive it.} 36...Re6 $1 ( 36...Kxh7 37.Qxf7 {is mate of course.} ) 37.Qh4 $1 {Very, very precise.} ( {The more obvious} 37.Rdh1 Nxd4 $1 38.Rxg7+ Kxg7 39.Qxd4+ Qxd4 40.Nxd4 {would have led to an inferior position to the one in the game.} ) 37...Nxd4 {The only way to stop the mate.} ( {Which would have happened after} 37...Rde8 38.Rxg7+ Kxg7 39.Qh6+ Kg8 40.Rh1 ) 38.Rxg7+ Kxg7 39.Qxd4+ Qxd4 40.Rxd4 {\"This endgame is winning I think, technically.\" (Firouzja)} 40...Red6 41.Nc3 f6 42.gxf6+ Kxf6 43.Nge2 {First the knights occupy the best outposts.} 43...Ke5 {Finally the rook moves to the optimal file.} 44.Rg4 ( {Not yet} 44.Nf4 g5 45.Nfxd5 Rxd5 46.Nxd5 Rxd5 47.Rxc4 {with a draw.} ) 44...Rg8 45.Nd4 Rd7 46.Rg5+ Kf6 47.f4 Rgd8 48.Re5 ( 48.Nc6 $5 {would have won too.} ) 48...Kf7 49.Rg5 Rh8 50.Nf3 Kg7 51.Rg1 Rb7 52.Ra1 Rd8 53.Nd4 Rdd7 54.Ra5 {Black cannot hold all the weaknesses.} 54...g5 55.f5 Rb2+ 56.Kf3 Rd2 57.Nxd5 c3 58.Ne6+ {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1-0

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic 2022"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2022.05.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "170"]
[Beauty "4056730860058"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.O-O d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 Bg4 9.Nbd2 ( {Another fashionable plan is} 9.h3 Bh5 10.a4 a5 11.Nbd2 Nb6 12.Bb3 Qxd3 13.Nxe5 Qf5 14.Nef3 Rae8 15.g4 Bxg4 16.hxg4 Qxg4+ 17.Kh1 Bxf2 18.Nh2 Rxe1+ 19.Qxe1 Qg3 {with a position which the engines seem to have exhausted, Dominguez Perez,L (2756)-Shankland,S (2709) Saint Louis 2022} ) 9...Nb6 10.h3 Bh5 11.Bb3 $1 {is more profitable than 11.Bb5 at the moment according to Megabase.} 11...Qxd3 {Aronian is the first one to deviate from an earlier game between the two.} ( {That game followed a sharp road:} 11...Kh8 12.Ne4 Nd7 13.Bd5 Bb6 14.Ng3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 f5 16.d4 f4 17.Ne4 exd4 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.Bxf4 dxc3 20.bxc3 Ne5 21.Qg3 Nd3 22.Rad1 Nxe1 23.Rxd8 Raxd8 {and eventually led to White's success, Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Aronian,L (2781) chess24.com 2020} ) 12.Nxe5 Qf5 13.Nef3 Rad8 14.Qe2 Nd5 15.Qe4 {The only try for an advantage is the symmetrical endgame.} 15...Qxe4 16.Nxe4 Be7 $146 {A novelty, and a good one. This bishop has a career in the long-diagonal business.} ( {An earlier game saw} 16...Bb6 {\"also possible\" (Aronian)} 17.Bg5 f6 18.Rad1 Bf7 19.Bc1 Nde7 20.Bc2 Rxd1 21.Rxd1 Rd8 22.Re1 Ng6 23.b3 Nge5 24.Nxe5 Nxe5 25.Bf4 Bg6 26.Bxe5 fxe5 27.Re2 {and White eventually converted his slight advantage in Vachier Lagrave,M (2774)-Jakovenko,D (2681) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019} ) 17.Rd1 Nf6 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.g4 Rxd1+ 20.Bxd1 Bg6 21.Bf4 {Up to here everything was more or less obvious, but Aronian's next move was a nice one.} 21...Nb4 $1 {\"I felt this is the most practical, it should be equalizing.\" (Aronian)} ( {Instead, the passive} 21...Rc8 22.Ba4 Be4 23.Nd2 Bd5 24.Re1 {would have left Black struggling to prove the equality.} ) 22.cxb4 Bxb2 23.Rc1 ( {Svidler's recommendation} 23.Be5 Bxa1 24.Bxa1 Rd8 25.Nd4 a5 26.a3 axb4 27.axb4 {\"It should be a draw somehow after Bg6-e4 and b7-b6\" (Aronian) And actually} 27...c5 28.bxc5 Rd5 {taking care of the queenside pawns would be even simpler.} ) 23...Bxc1 24.Bxc1 Rd8 25.Be2 ( {Or} 25.Bb3 Be4 26.Bg5 Rd6 {(Aronian)} ) 25...Bd3 $1 {An important part of Black's plan, he needs the bishop pair off the board.} 26.Kf1 Rd5 27.Be3 a5 {Ideally, Black needs to take away all the queenside pawns.} 28.a3 axb4 29.axb4 Bxe2+ 30.Kxe2 f6 31.Nd4 {No other plan for Nepomniachtchi but to centralize as much as he can.} 31...Kf7 ( {This was a good moment to swap another pair of pawns with} 31...h5 $5 {but apparently Black believed he can do it anytime.} ) 32.Kd3 h5 {That is another step in the wrong direction.} ( {The accurate move order was} 32...c6 $1 {in order to meet} 33.Kc4 {with} 33...b5+ 34.Kb3 c5 35.Nxb5 cxb4 36.Kxb4 Rd1 37.h4 h5 $1 38.gxh5 Rh1 {and a draw.} ) 33.Kc4 c6 {And finally, a real blunder $1 \"I get a good position and then I relax, and then, I completely forgot about this b4-b5-b6 $1\" (Aronian)} 34.b5 $1 {There it goes, this pawn quickly becomes a monster.} 34...hxg4 35.hxg4 Ke8 36.b6 {Creating a potential passer.} ( {But perhaps} 36.Ne6 $5 Rd6 37.Nxg7+ Kf7 38.Nf5 {was an even better chance for Nepomniachtchi, with a clear edge.} ) 36...Kd7 37.Nb3 Rd1 38.Nc5+ {Nevertheless, the endgame remains extremely difficult to play for Black, as both his flanks can be easily attacked and his king needs to stay passive.} 38...Kc8 39.Bf4 ( {Here a better way to execute his ideas was} 39.Ne4 $5 Kd7 40.f4 {eventually fixing a second weakness on the g7-square with f4-f5 $1} ) 39...Rg1 40.Bg3 Rc1+ 41.Kd4 Rd1+ {Aronian tortures the opponent with checks. The position remains extremely difficult for both players. It seems as White would be able to crack the enemy defense at any moment with his light pieces, but the rook somehow holds the fort.} 42.Nd3 Ra1 ( {Apparently, this was a good moment to activate the king with} 42...c5+ $1 43.Kc4 Kd7 44.Nxc5+ Kc6 {and the activity would be worth the pawn.} ) 43.Bd6 Ra6 44.Bf8 Ra4+ 45.Bb4 Ra6 46.Kc5 Ra1 47.Kd4 Ra6 48.Bf8 Ra4+ ( {Not} 48...Rxb6 49.Bxg7 {when the passers will be unstoppable.} ) 49.Nb4 Kd7 50.f3 g6 51.Bc5 Ke6 52.Kc4 f5 {A somewhat overoptimistic try.} ( {Safer looked} 52...g5 $1 {when White likely is not able to make a progress.} 53.Kd3 Ra3+ 54.Ke4 Ra4 ) 53.g5 f4 54.Bd4 Kd6 {Now Black would be in real trouble.} ( {Correct was} 54...Kf5 $1 {to which Black was afraid of} 55.Kc5 ( {Or} 55.Bf6 Ke6 ) 55...Kxg5 56.Nxc6 {but then there is the nice resource} 56...Ra8 $3 {and a draw becomes most likely.} ) 55.Bg7 Kd7 56.Be5 {The weakness on f4-drops and Nepomniachtchi is on his route to the win.} 56...c5 57.Kxc5 Ra3 58.Nd5 Rxf3 59.Nxf4 Rf1 60.Kd5 Rf3 61.Bc7 Rg3 62.Ne6 Rg1 63.Nc5+ Kc8 64.Ne4 Rd1+ 65.Ke5 Re1 66.Kf4 Kd7 67.Nd6 Kc6 68.Nc4 {Final preparations, White is ready to snatch the pawn with his knight.} 68...Rf1+ 69.Ke4 Re1+ 70.Kd4 Kb5 $1 {And Aronian tries his last chance.} 71.Nd6+ Kc6 72.Nf7 Kd7 73.Ne5+ {A step in the wrong direction, this time by White.} ( {Instead} 73.Kd5 $1 {would have won at once (Aronian)} ) 73...Ke6 74.Nxg6 Kf5 75.Ne5 {And as strange as it seems, the centralization only leads to a draw here $1 \"I thought, if I am losing this, it ought to be some kind of a puzzle, it is so close, so risky.\" (Aronian)} ( {Nepomniachtchi could have still won with} 75.Nh4+ Kg4 76.Ng2 {\"and my rook has to let his king enter and then king goes to e6.\" (Aronian)} ) 75...Rd1+ 76.Kc5 Kxg5 {One last pawn left to take...} 77.Nf7+ Kf6 78.Nd6 Rc1+ 79.Kb5 Rb1+ 80.Ka4 Ra1+ 81.Kb3 Ke6 82.Nxb7 Rc1 $3 {There it is, just in time. White cannot save his potential queen.} 83.Kb4 ( {Neither} 83.Bf4 Rb1+ ) ( {Nor} 83.Bd8 Kd7 {work for White anyway.} ) 83...Rxc7 84.Nc5+ Kd6 85.bxc7 Kxc7 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.05.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[ECO "E48"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "6877316387346"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.a3 ( {Instead,} 7.Ne2 Re8 8.Bd2 Bf8 9.O-O Nbd7 10.Rc1 c5 11.Nf4 c4 12.Bb1 Nb6 13.h3 Bd7 14.g4 {was tried in Navara,D (2693)-Maghsoodloo,P (2699) Chess.com INT 2022} ) 7...Bd6 8.Qc2 {Both players are entering one of the most complex structures, a Carlsbad with a white dark-squared bishop behind the pawn chain.} 8...a6 ( {Just a few days ago, So faced the other main line:} 8...c6 9.Nge2 Re8 10.Bd2 Nbd7 ( 10...b6 11.O-O Ba6 12.Kh1 c5 13.Rad1 g6 14.Qb1 Bb7 15.Nf4 {and White eventually prevailed in Aronian,L (2772)-Vidit,S (2727) Berlin 2022} ) 11.f3 c5 12.h4 h5 13.O-O-O a6 14.g4 hxg4 15.fxg4 Nxg4 16.h5 {It was sharp and messy, and eventually Black prevailed in So,W (2778)-Sevian,S (2693) Chess.com 2022} ) 9.Nge2 Re8 10.O-O {10.0-0 is the recent fashion according to Megabase.} 10...b6 ( {Sure enough, the Greek gift sacrifice} 10...Bxh2+ $2 11.Kxh2 Ng4+ {does not work due to} 12.Kg3 $1 Qg5 13.f4 Qh6 14.Bd2 Qh2+ 15.Kf3 {and the king escapes.} ) 11.b4 {So prepared quite well, whereas Mamedyarov was already taking time on the clock. White is following the footprints of another participant of the Superbet Classic, Richard Rapport. The Hungarian GM won a spectacular game against Vidit, which you can see below. First and foremost, White needs to take the teeth out of the c7-c5 break.} 11...Nbd7 $146 {In Belgrade, Rapport came up with a good plan.} ( {The predecessor of that game witnessed highly instructive play by White:} 11...Bb7 12.Rb1 Qe7 13.h3 Nbd7 14.b5 a5 15.a4 Rac8 16.Qb3 Nf8 17.Nf4 Rcd8 18.Ra1 $1 {the problematic white bishop is about to be traded while the opponent's bad one on b7 will suffer till the end of the game, Milov, V (2680)-Riff,J (2474) Kemer 2007} ) 12.Nf4 {Which So also follows. Importantly, White tries to lure the opponent's bishop on b7 anyway.} ( 12.b5 $5 {Like in the above-mentioned predecessor, this also made a lot of sense.} ) 12...Bxf4 $146 {This is a novelty, but likely an over-the-board one. In these positions, this capture usually works well for White.} ( {The highly-interesting predecessor instead went:} 12...Bb7 13.Rb1 $1 {Now c7-c5 would be difficult to execute.} 13...Nf8 ( {One other classical idea in the Carlsbad} 13...b5 {intending to transfer the knight via the b6-square to the c4-outpost would be timely met with} 14.a4 {Notice that the white rook defends the b4-pawn.} 14...c6 15.a5 {with an edge for White.} ) 14.f3 {Now that …c7-c5 is out of the question, Rapport can concentrate on Botvinnik's idea of preparing e3-e4 $1} 14...Ng6 {Vidit hoped to swap some pieces and reduce the attacking potential of his opponent.} ( {Here and on the previous move, the trade} 14...Bxf4 15.exf4 {never works for Black, as the black knights will lack good outposts. Meanwhile, White will find a way to transfer his only horsie all the way to the vulnerable e5-point.} ) 15.Nfe2 $3 {But his offer is rejected $1 The white knight has far better perspectives. And after repeating this maneuver later again, White won a masterpiece in Rapport,R (2763)-Vidit,S (2727) Belgrade 2022} ) 13.exf4 {\"I was very surprised when he took. I think White was better here.\" (So)} 13...c5 {The point. Otherwise, Black will be smothered.} 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.Rd1 $1 {White needs to tame the enemy’s hanging pawns.} ( 15.bxc5 Nxc5 {only helps Black.} ) 15...Bb7 {Whereas Mamedyarov needs to keep the tension as much as he can.} ( {Both} 15...c4 16.Be2 ) ( {and} 15...d4 16.Na4 cxb4 17.axb4 {are weaker for Black and would lead to the opponent's edge.} ) 16.Na4 {\"Maybe not the best.\" (So)} ( {\"I can, of course, take on c5.\"} 16.bxc5 {\"with a slightly better position, but far away from the win,” So explained. For example} 16...Nxc5 17.Be3 Nxd3 18.Qxd3 Qc7 ) 16...c4 {Not an easy decision to make, as Mamedyarov now risks having his bishop locked behind his pawns forever.} ( {Alas, there was no other way} 16...Rc8 $6 17.Nxc5 Nxc5 18.bxc5 Ne4 19.Be3 d4 20.Bf1 {is plain bad for the second player.} ) 17.Bf5 ( 17.Bf1 $5 {trying to keep the bishop pair. (So)} ) 17...a5 {In order to swap his isolated and weak pawn. It is interesting to know that the engine loved Black's play so far. But this last move apparently wastes two valuable tempi and, after that, So manages to bring the situation under control.} ( {Instead, the concrete} 17...Qc7 $1 18.Be3 Nf8 {would have helped Black keep the game close to even.} 19.Rac1 ( {One key point being that} 19.g3 $4 {cannot be played due to the weakness of the long diagonal after} 19...d4 $1 ) 19...Ng6 ) 18.Be3 axb4 19.axb4 Qe7 ( {Here} 19...Qc7 {can be strongly met with} 20.b5 $1 ) 20.Rab1 g6 ( {Or} 20...Nf8 21.Bd4 $1 {when White is in full control.} ) 21.Bxd7 $1 {More or less forced, but good $1} ( {Actually, the retreat also does not lead to any problems for White, even though he loses the exchange after} 21.Bh3 d4 22.Rxd4 Be4 23.Rxe4 Qxe4 24.Qxe4 Rxe4 25.Nc3 Ree8 26.g3 {White still has healthy compensation for it.} ) 21...Nxd7 22.Nc3 ( {Less precise seems to be} 22.Bd4 Bc6 23.Nc3 Nf8 ) 22...Nf6 23.Bd4 {As a result of his strategy, So can enjoy an aggressive blockade with better play on both flanks.} ( 23.h3 $5 ) 23...Nh5 ( {Another interesting idea was suggested by the American GM.} 23...Ne4 {but then White seems to be better with} 24.Re1 Qh4 25.Nxe4 dxe4 26.Qxc4 Qxf4 27.Be3 ) 24.Qd2 f6 {\"Too passive, basically just playing for a draw.\" (So)} ( {It seems} 24...Qh4 $1 {was mandatory, looking for some activity on the light squares after} 25.g3 Qh3 26.Re1 Ng7 {White would definitely need to be more careful and resourceful here while proving his edge.} ) 25.h3 Ng7 26.Bc5 {Time to swap the roles of the blockaders.} 26...Qf7 27.Nb5 Nf5 28.Nd4 Qd7 ( {Mamedyarov avoids} 28...Nxd4 29.Bxd4 Re4 30.f3 Re7 31.b5 {when the white bishop dominates.} ) 29.Re1 Kf7 30.Rxe8 Rxe8 31.Ra1 Ra8 32.Re1 Re8 {But later the Azeri GM would regret spoiling his pawn structure.} ( {Instead, a better defense seemed to be} 32...Nxd4 33.Bxd4 ( {No time for} 33.Re7+ $4 Qxe7 34.Bxe7 Nb3 {when Black wins too much material.} ) 33...Re8 ) 33.Rxe8 Qxe8 34.Nxf5 gxf5 35.Bd4 {So remained in full control and can bother, as before, the opponent on both flanks. Still, with perfect defense, this should be somehow holdable for Black, but in a real game, the practical problems that Mamedyarov faced proved to be way too many.} 35...Bc6 36.f3 h5 37.Qf2 Qf8 38.Qb2 Qb8 39.Qd2 Kg6 40.Qe3 Kf7 ( 40...Qd6 $5 ) 41.Bc3 Bd7 42.Kh2 {So is shuffling his pieces left and right until he realizes his king can actually take part in the event...} 42...Qd6 43.Kg3 $1 {Toward the weakness $1} 43...Kg6 ( {Or} 43...Qe6 44.Qd2 Kg6 ) 44.Kh4 Bb5 45.Qd4 Bd7 46.Qd2 Bc6 47.Bd4 Bd7 48.g3 Be8 49.Qb2 Qc6 {The losing mistake.} ( {Black could have still kept the line with} 49...Bb5 $1 50.Qa3 Qa6 ) 50.Qa3 $1 {Now the white queen infiltrates.} 50...Qa4 51.Qe3 Qd7 52.b5 Qxb5 {And not waiting for So's next idea, Mamedyarov resigned. PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} ( {Black understood that} 52...Qxb5 53.Qe6 Qc6 54.Qg8+ Kh6 55.g4 $1 {would lead him to checkmate.} ( 55.Bc3 {with the idea Bc3-b4-f8 should also do.} ) ) 1-0

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.05.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[ECO "C24"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[Beauty "6671157959717"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 {\"Probably the only sensible way to avoid the Petroff.\" (Nepomniachtchi)} 2...Nf6 3.d3 c6 4.Nf3 d5 5.Bb3 a5 6.a4 Bb4+ 7.c3 ( {There is also the more restrained:} 7.Bd2 dxe4 8.Nxe5 O-O 9.O-O Bxd2 10.Nxd2 exd3 11.Nxd3 Bf5 12.Ne5 Nbd7 13.Qf3 Be6 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.Bxe6 Qxe6 {but that only led to equality in Piorun,K (2640)-Bluebaum,M (2642) Germany 2022} ) 7...Bd6 8.exd5 cxd5 9.Bg5 Be6 10.Na3 Nbd7 11.Nb5 Bb8 12.d4 e4 {You get similar positions more commonly in the Italian but with colors reversed. Black has the strong center, whereas White tries to put strong pressure on it.} 13.Nd2 O-O 14.Nf1 {\"A nice idea to gain some time. Normally White castles here.\" (Nepomniachtchi)} 14...h6 15.Bh4 Bf4 {\"I could not remember any lines; that is why I decided to play by common sense.\" (Nepomniachtchi)} 16.h3 $146 ( {The predecessor saw:} 16.Bg3 Bxg3 17.fxg3 Nb6 18.Ne3 Ne8 19.O-O f5 20.Qh5 Kh7 21.Rf2 g5 22.Raf1 {with eventual draw in Oratovsky,M (2462)-Postny,E (2623) Israel 2019 ½-½} ) 16...Re8 {In order to transfer the knight to the g6-square. The Russian GM was not certain about this move as the rook can be quite useful on the f8-square too, supporting the f7-f5-f4 advance.} ( {Black also considered} 16...g5 $5 17.Bg3 Nb6 ) 17.g3 {Firouzja plays very concretely in turn and surrounds the central black pawn.} 17...Bb8 18.g4 Nf8 19.Ne3 Ng6 20.Bxf6 ( {The computer prefers} 20.Bg3 Nf4 21.Bxf4 Bxf4 22.Qe2 {but this means that the whole concept by White is flawed.} ) 20...Qxf6 21.Bxd5 Bxd5 {A moment of hesitation for Black.} ( {Nepomniachtchi liked instead} 21...Nf4 22.Bxb7 ( {Not} 22.Bxe4 Bd5 $3 ) 22...Nd3+ 23.Kd2 {but could not see anything concrete in the line, for example} 23...Nxb2 ( {Not} 23...Qxf2+ $2 24.Qe2 {as the endgame is won for White.} ) ( {The machine, however, finds the amazing} 23...Bf4 $3 24.Bxa8 Rxa8 {with huge compensation for the exchange.} ) 24.Qf1 ) 22.Nxd5 Qg5 23.c4 {Black has obvious compensation for the pawn, especially if he manages to break open the central files and launch an attack against the white king. However, Black's next move slows him down.} 23...Bf4 ( {Black voted against the logical} 23...Nf4 $1 24.Nxf4 Bxf4 25.Qe2 {\"It should be obviously good (for Black), but it looks like a fortress.\" (Nepomniachtchi)} ) ( {Nepomniachtchi also could not make the line} 23...e3 24.fxe3 Nf4 25.h4 ( {Or even} 25.Nbc3 {work for Black either.} ) ) 24.Qb3 {An obvious move, which controls the third rank.} ( {But the machine again provides an even better idea} 24.Qe2 e3 25.Kd1 $3 {and the king escapes on the queenside. \"That's what I probably missed.\" (Nepomniachtchi)} ) 24...h5 25.Ne3 Qh4 26.gxh5 Qxh5 {\"A pawn is a pawn, and all the endgames are kind of decent (for White). There is also the threat of Nb5-c7, and I was not sure about the exchange sacrifice.\" (Nepomniachtchi)} 27.Qd1 $1 Qh6 28.Nf5 ( {Firouzja misses a chance to hide his king better with} 28.Qe2 $1 Rad8 29.O-O-O ) 28...Qh7 29.Qg4 {\"I was short of time, and I did not really like my position.\" (Nepomniachtchi)} 29...Ra6 ( {Here too} 29...e3 {is logical. It might lead to a curious draw if we follow with} 30.fxe3 Bxe3 31.Kd1 Rad8 32.Ra3 Bxd4 33.Nbxd4 Ne5 34.Qf4 Nc6 35.Rg1 Nxd4 36.Nh6+ Kh8 37.Nxf7+ Kg8 ) 30.Kd1 ( {In case of} 30.Nc3 {Black already planned do or die} 30...e3 ) 30...Rf6 31.Re1 Nf8 ( {\"It is never too late to blunder,\" said Nepomniachtchi who tried to show the line} 31...Ne5 $1 32.Ne7+ Rxe7 ( {However, the omnipresent machine quickly flashed a refutation to the refutation with} 32...Kf8 33.dxe5 e3 34.Ng6+ Qxg6 35.Qxg6 Rxg6 36.fxe3 Bxe5 {and Black has an edge.} ) 33.Qc8+ Re8 34.Qxe8# ) 32.Ne3 {Both players were in time trouble but kept the level of the play quite high.} 32...Bb8 33.Qe2 Qh4 ( {A tad more accurate is} 33...Rf3 $5 34.Nd5 Qf5 ) 34.Rf1 Rf3 {Black is, however, having the easier play and slowly outplays his opponent.} 35.Kc2 Ne6 36.Nd5 Ng5 ( {After} 36...Rxh3 37.Rae1 e3 {White should defend with} 38.Kb1 ) 37.Rae1 ( {Whereas now} 37.Ra3 $1 {to swap a pair of rooks would have been beneficial for Firouzja.} ) 37...Re6 38.Ndc3 Ref6 39.Nd1 ( {Stronger is to repeat with} 39.Nd5 {to which Black intended to make it to the time control with} 39...Re6 40.Ndc3 Ref6 41.Nd5 {and then keep playing with} 41...Rh6 ) 39...R3f4 40.Qe3 Nf3 {Black wins an exchange, but the win is not yet there.} 41.d5 ( 41.Re2 Qxh3 {is even worse for the first player.} ) 41...Be5 42.c5 Nxe1+ {Nepomniachtchi found a brilliant idea and went for it.} ( 42...Qxh3 43.Kb1 {\"Then if he plays calmly with some $146(d1)-c3 and d5-d6, he would always have some counterplay.\" (Nepomniachtchi)} ) 43.Rxe1 Rxf2+ ( {After} 43...Rf3 44.Qxe4 Rxf2+ {White is not forced to take and might go for} 45.Kb1 $1 ) 44.Nxf2 Rf3 $1 {The point $1} 45.Nxe4 {\"A good practical chance.\" (Nepomniachtchi)} ( {However, the cold-blooded machine found a draw instead with} 45.Qxe4 $1 Rxf2+ 46.Kd1 $1 Qxh3 {\"This looks ugly for White\" (Nepomniachtchi), but} 47.Re2 Qb3+ 48.Ke1 Rxe2+ 49.Kxe2 Qxb2+ 50.Kf3 {could have saved the day for Firouzja.} ) 45...Rxe3 46.Rxe3 f5 47.Nec3 Bxc3 48.Nxc3 Qf2+ {and Nepomniachtchi went on to convert his advantage.} 49.Kd3 ( {Nothing works, including} 49.Re2 Qxc5 50.Rd2 Kf8 51.d6 Ke8 52.d7+ Kd8 ) 49...f4 50.Re4 Qg3+ 51.Kd2 f3 52.d6 Qg2+ 53.Ne2 f2 54.Re8+ Kf7 55.Re7+ Kf6 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 0-1

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.05.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[ECO "C82"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7770669580868"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {Caruana prepared thoroughly and managed to surprise his opponent with a rare line in the Open Ruy Lopez.} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.c3 Bc5 10.Nbd2 O-O 11.Bc2 Nxf2 {A typical sacrifice in these lines that has been tried by the great Botvinnik against the great Smyslov.} 12.Rxf2 Bxf2+ ( {Black can also try to exploit the file at once with:} 12...f6 13.Qe2 fxe5 14.Nb3 Bxf2+ 15.Qxf2 e4 16.Qe1 Bg4 17.Bg5 Qd6 18.Nfd4 Ne5 19.Qg3 Rae8 20.Be3 {as in the fresh, hot game Van Foreest,J (2714)-Le,Q (2709) Oslo 2022} ) 13.Kxf2 f6 {Black cannot go without this anyway.} 14.Nf1 $1 {Apparently, White is more successful recently with this move than with 14.exf6.} 14...fxe5 15.Kg1 Qd7 {A surprise for Vachier-Lagrave. Black defends his bishop in advance.} ( {The Frenchman knew that the main line is} 15...Qd6 {but then after the normal development with} 16.Be3 {Black is reluctant to play} 16...Bg4 {due to the trick} 17.Bxh7+ Kxh7 18.Ng5+ ) 16.Bg5 {A good development move, which aims the d5-pawn.} 16...Rae8 {[Also blitzed by Caruana.]} ( {Not yet} 16...Bg4 17.Bb3 {(Vachier-Lagrave)} ) 17.Qd2 $146 {That is a novelty.} ( {The predecessor quickly ended peacefully after:} 17.Bh4 d4 18.Ng3 Bd5 19.Ne4 Rf4 20.Qe1 Ref8 21.Bg3 Rxf3 22.gxf3 Rxf3 23.Ng5 Rf5 24.Ne4 Rf3 25.Ng5 Rf5 26.Ne4 {½-½ (26) Chen,Q (2479)-Bai,J (2600) Liaocheng 2021} ) 17...d4 {Not only a strong reply in return to the novelty, but an instant reaction by Caruana.} ( 17...Kh8 $5 {(Vachier-Lagrave)} ) 18.Ng3 ( {White also considered} 18.Re1 {to which} 18...h6 19.Bh4 Bf5 {seems like a natural reaction.} ) 18...h6 19.Bh4 dxc3 20.Qxc3 {A risky decision.} ( {White was contemplating the possible endgame after} 20.Qxd7 Bxd7 21.bxc3 g5 22.Nxg5 hxg5 23.Bxg5 {\"I felt it should be holdable. I have two bishops; I have passed pawns.\" (Vachier-Lagrave)} ) 20...Rxf3 {\"This came as a big surprise.\" (Vachier-Lagrave) And most likely was connected with a blunder.} ( {Vachier-Lagrave saw} 20...b4 $1 {and was \"concerned\" as the line} 21.Qc5 ( {The French GM also saw the line} 21.Qe3 Nd4 22.Bg6 Rxf3 23.gxf3 Rf8 24.Be4 Rf4 $1 {where he is in trouble too.} ) 21...Nd4 22.Nxe5 $2 {does not work due to} ( {However, White should be able to hold on with} 22.Nxd4 Qxd4+ 23.Qxd4 exd4 24.Ba4 $1 {\"I did not see Bc2-a4, I must say.\" (Vachier-Lagrave)} ) 22...Qd5 $1 {and Black wins.} ) ( {Black would also be better with} 20...Nd4 $5 21.Nxe5 Qd5 22.Ng6 Nxc2 23.Qxc2 Rf7 {because the black rooks are very comfortable on the open files.} ) 21.gxf3 Nd4 {Black's position looks frightening, but} 22.Bd1 $1 {covers everything. Still, White has to be very accurate.} 22...Rf8 ( {There is no time to trap the bishop.} 22...g5 23.Ne4 $1 ) 23.Ne4 Bc4 24.Kg2 ( {Vachier-Lagrave also considered} 24.Bf2 Be2 25.Bxd4 exd4 {but found it less clear.} ) 24...Rf4 $1 {Preparing a nasty trick.} ( 24...Qh3+ {does not work after} 25.Kxh3 Bf1+ 26.Kg3 Nf5+ 27.Kf2 ) 25.Be1 $1 {\"It came out of necessity.\" (Vachier-Lagrave) All the other more natural retreats would lead White to a beautiful disaster.} ( {For instance} 25.Bg3 Qh3+ $3 26.Kxh3 ( {Nothing changes} 26.Kf2 Qf1+ 27.Ke3 Rxf3+ 28.Bxf3 Qxf3+ 29.Kd2 Qe2+ 30.Kc1 Qxe4 {with decisive attack for Black.} ) 26...Bf1# ) ( {Or} 25.Bf2 Qh3+ $3 26.Kxh3 ( 26.Kh1 Bf1 {is mate as well.} ) 26...Bf1+ 27.Kg3 Nf5# ) 25...Qf5 ( {No time for} 25...Bd5 26.Bg3 ) 26.Nd2 e4 $1 {The last desperate try before White consolidates in full.} ( {Or} 26...Bd5 27.Bg3 ) 27.Bg3 $1 {Precision until the end $1} ( {It is never too late to get checkmated after} 27.Nxe4 $4 Rxe4 28.fxe4 Qf1+ 29.Kg3 Qg1+ 30.Kh4 Qg5+ 31.Kh3 Bf1# ) 27...exf3+ 28.Kf2 $1 {One more accurate move puts an end to Caruana's active tries. The king hides behind the pawn, and that provides White time for some important trades.} ( {Certainly not} 28.Nxf3 $4 Qh3+ $3 29.Kxh3 Bf1# ) ( {or} 28.Bxf3 $2 Rxf3 $1 29.Nxf3 $2 Nxf3 30.Qxf3 Bd5 ) 28...Rg4 29.Nxc4 bxc4 30.Bxf3 Nxf3 31.Qxf3 {The attacking potential is gone, and Vachier-Lagrave converts in style.} 31...Qc2+ 32.Qe2 Qf5+ 33.Kg1 h5 34.Rf1 Qg6 35.Kh1 h4 36.Bxc7 h3 37.Qf3 Qd3 38.Be5 Rg2 39.Bc3 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1-0

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.05.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Deac, Bogdan Daniel"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[ECO "E73"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[Beauty "4747012622877"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 {\"He is a very solid player, so the King's Indian was a normal choice I think.\" (Firouzja)} 5.Be2 O-O 6.h4 {\"Very fresh [approach].\" (Firouzja)} 6...Nc6 ( {The mind-boggling game between Oparin and Nakamura was analyzed for the Chess.com readers recently. It went} 6...c5 7.d5 e6 8.h5 exd5 9.exd5 Re8 10.h6 Bh8 11.Bg5 Qb6 12.b3 Ne4 13.Nxe4 Rxe4 14.Kf1 Na6 15.Bd3 Bg4 16.f3 Rd4 17.Qe2 Bd7 18.Re1 Nb4 19.Bxg6 $1 {and White was winning, but somehow Nakamura made a Houdini-like comeback both in the game, and in the tournament to make it into the Candidates, Oparin, G (2674)-Nakamura,H (2750) Berlin 2022} ) 7.d5 Ne5 8.h5 c6 9.h6 Bh8 10.Nf3 Neg4 $146 {A novelty. Black keeps all the pieces and pawns on board, making it as complex as it can be.} ( {An earlier game led to big complications after} 10...Nxf3+ 11.Bxf3 Nd7 12.Be3 c5 13.Be2 Qb6 14.Qd2 Ne5 15.f4 Ng4 16.Bg1 Bd7 17.Rc1 a6 18.Nd1 f5 19.exf5 Bxf5 20.Rh4 Nf6 21.g4 {Aravindh,C (2641)-Adhiban,B (2660) chess24.com INT 2021} ) 11.O-O Qb6 12.Qb3 {A very solid aproach by Deac.} ( 12.Ne1 $5 {transferring the knight to the d3-square also makes sense.} ) 12...Nh5 13.Nh2 Nhf6 14.Nf3 ( {Correctly avoiding} 14.Nxg4 Nxg4 {with f7-f5 to follow.} ) 14...Nd7 $1 {A sign of courage $1 Black knows that he is worse, but shows fighting spirit.} 15.Qc2 Nc5 16.Bf4 a5 ( {If Firouzja wanted to play f7-f5, this seems like a better moment:} 16...f5 17.exf5 Bxf5 18.Qd2 Rae8 {with e7-e6 to follow seems playable for Black.} ) 17.Rae1 f5 {\"I am not very sure about this move. It is very risky, but probably I should play it.\" (Firouzja)} 18.exf5 Rxf5 {Bringing more energy into the battlefield.} ( {Or} 18...Bxf5 19.Qd2 Rae8 20.Bg5 {with an interesting, double-edged position.} ) 19.Bg5 Qd8 20.Qd2 Qf8 21.Bd1 $1 {But Deac skilfully maneuvers. Once that this bishop gets a working diagonal, White can claim an advantage. However, the problem for the Romanian GM was that he was fast approaching time-trouble.} 21...Rf7 22.b3 {Loosening the position of the knight and Firouzja needs no second invitation.} ( {A better choice seems} 22.Ne4 $1 Nxe4 23.Rxe4 Bf5 24.Re2 {with an edge.} ) 22...Nxh6 $1 {A pawn is a pawn.} 23.dxc6 ( {Here it made sense to fight for the light squares with} 23.Be3 $5 Ng4 24.Bxc5 dxc5 25.Ne4 ) 23...bxc6 24.Nd4 {\"A blunder.\" (Firouzja)} ( {Indeed} 24.Na4 $1 {\"is a very good move\" which Firouzja saw. Now} 24...Nxa4 $4 {loses to} ( {Therefore Black needs to try} 24...Ng4 25.Nxc5 {but then} 25...dxc5 26.Bc2 $1 {looks fine for Black as the typical exchange sacrifice} 26...Rxf3 27.gxf3 Ne5 {does not hurt White after} 28.Be4 Bh3 29.f4 Bxf1 30.fxe5 Bh3 31.Qe3 ) 25.Bxh6 ) 24...Nf5 25.Nxc6 ( {Or} 25.Nxf5 Bxf5 26.Bf3 Ra6 {with a solid extra pawn for Black.} ) 25...Bb7 26.Bf3 {This only makes things worse for the knight.} ( {If Deac wanted to escape with it} 26.b4 {was called for, although Black is calling the shots there after} 26...axb4 27.Nxb4 e6 ) 26...Ra6 27.Nxe7+ {The best chance $1} ( {The cure is worse than the disease in the line} 27.g4 $2 Bxc6 28.Bxc6 Rxc6 29.gxf5 gxf5 {when the opened white king should not survive for long.} ) 27...Nxe7 28.Bxb7 Bxc3 29.Qxc3 {\"I was winning, a piece up, but it was never easy as the king was always open.\" (Firouzja)} 29...Nxb7 30.Re2 h6 ( 30...Nf5 $5 ) 31.Bc1 $1 {Occupying the long diagonal. Now Black will always need to appoint someone to protect his king.} 31...Ra8 32.Bb2 Kh7 33.Rfe1 Nc5 34.Qd2 Nf5 ( {With this powerful bishop present, it might have been wise to even offer a pawn for it, just to remove it from the board with} 34...Nc6 $5 35.Re3 Ne5 36.Bxe5 dxe5 37.Rxe5 Rd8 {with good winning chances for Black.} ) 35.Qd5 h5 36.Bc3 Nd7 37.Re6 ( {Not yet risking with} 37.Bxa5 Nf6 38.Qd2 Nd4 $1 39.Qxd4 Rxa5 {and Black makes it to the bishop.} ) 37...Rc8 $1 ( {For a moment Black thought that} 37...a4 {is the way to do it, but then he saw that there will be more trouble for his king after} 38.g4 $3 hxg4 39.Qh1+ Nh6 40.Qe4 {(Firouzja)} ) 38.Bxa5 Nf6 {This natural move throws the win away.} ( {Firouzja could have trapped the white rook with the cunning} 38...Rc5 $3 39.Qd2 Ne5 $1 {when the line} 40.Bc3 Qc8 41.Bxe5 Qxe6 42.Bd4 Qxe1+ 43.Qxe1 Nxd4 {leaves White little to hope for.} ) 39.Qd2 Re8 ( {Perhaps} 39...Ng4 $5 40.Qg5 Qg8 41.Bc3 Rd7 {was worth a try.} ) 40.Bc3 Rxe6 41.Rxe6 Nd7 ( {This was the last chance for} 41...Ng4 $5 42.f3 Ne5 ) 42.Qg5 Qg8 43.g4 $1 {Very strong $1 Deac not only trades more pawns but also exposes the enemy king, thus more or less provokes the queen swap.} 43...hxg4 44.Qxg4 Ne5 45.Qh3+ Nh6 $1 {The only move.} ( {Black also needs to be careful as the line} 45...Kg7 $4 46.Rxd6 $1 Nxd6 47.Bxe5+ Rf6 48.Qd7+ {proves, and White wins.} ) 46.Rxd6 Qe8 47.Qe6 Re7 48.Qd5 {White got enough play and now all he needs to do is get rid of the queens.} 48...Nef7 49.Rf6 Rd7 50.Qe6 Rd1+ 51.Kg2 Qxe6 ( {\"I completely blundered\"} 51...Qa8+ 52.Qc6 {\"I am very happy this endgame is not losing.\" (Firouzja)} ) 52.Rxe6 {Indeed, without the queens, White can hardly get checkmated, and he might even get a chance to promote his passers.} 52...Nf5 53.Re1 Rd3 $1 54.Rc1 Ng5 $1 {But Firouzja found an aggressive set-up that stopped the pawns once and for all.} 55.Kf1 ( {Since} 55.c5 $2 {might lead to a loss after} 55...Ne6 56.c6 Nf4+ 57.Kf1 Rh3 $1 {and well, the king is actually in trouble even in the endgame $1} ) 55...Ne6 56.Be5 Rd2 57.b4 {Forcing matters.} 57...Rxa2 58.c5 Ra4 59.c6 Rxb4 60.c7 Nxc7 61.Rxc7+ Kg8 62.Bg3 Ra4 63.Kg2 Rb4 64.Ra7 Rc4 65.Rb7 Kf8 66.Ra7 Kg8 67.Rb7 Kf8 68.Ra7 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.05.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[ECO "D78"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[Beauty "5639292075015"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 c6 5.Bg2 d5 6.O-O O-O 7.Ne5 {This line should not have come as a surprise for Vachier-Lagrave as Firouzja is the driving force behind this interesting concept.} 7...dxc4 ( {Instead Aronian defended with} 7...Ng4 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.Bf4 Nxe5 10.Bxe5 Nc6 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Nc3 e6 13.Qd2 b6 14.Rad1 Bb7 {Firouzja,A (2728)-Aronian,L (2767) Stavanger 2020} ) 8.Nxc4 Be6 9.b3 ( {The retreat back in the center:} 9.Ne5 {did not yield White much after} 9...Qc8 10.Nc3 Rd8 11.e3 c5 12.Qa4 Nbd7 13.Nxd7 Rxd7 14.Rd1 Nd5 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.dxc5 Bc6 17.Qc2 Rxd1+ 18.Qxd1 Bxg2 19.Kxg2 Qxc5 {and Black was definitely in charge in Van Foreest,J (2671)-Salgado Lopez, I (2593) Los Cancajos 2020} ) 9...Bd5 10.Bb2 Nbd7 $5 {The second main move in the position, although there are only a handful of games anyway.} ( {The main path is} 10...Bxg2 11.Kxg2 Nbd7 12.Nbd2 Nb6 13.e3 Qd7 14.Rc1 Nbd5 15.a3 Rad8 16.Qf3 Qe6 17.b4 Rc8 18.h3 Rfd8 {as in Nielsen,P (2628) -Radjabov,T (2670) Tripoli 2004} ) 11.Nc3 Bxg2 12.Kxg2 b5 $146 {A novelty, and a good one $1 Vachier-Lagrave is about to free himself in full.} ( {The predecessor was a game between two amateur players:} 12...Nb6 13.e4 Qc7 14.Qe2 Rfd8 15.Rfd1 Nfd7 16.Rac1 Nxc4 17.bxc4 Qb6 18.f4 Nf8 19.d5 cxd5 20.cxd5 Rac8 {and probably neither Firouzja nor Vachier-Lagrave were aware that Bodyagin,A (1942)-Erastov,S (1692) Nizhnij Novgorod 2015 first played this.} ) 13.Nd2 ( 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Ng4 {cannot be recommended for White.} ) 13...e5 {The point $1 Black clears the most annoying white central pawn and modifies the pawn structure in his favor.} 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nde4 Neg4 $1 {Also a good choice. Black generally wants to trade pieces but wants to trade them on his own terms.} 16.Nxf6+ Nxf6 17.Qc2 ( {The queen swap is generally desirable for Black as he possesses the pawn structure for the endgame.} 17.Qxd8 Rfxd8 18.Rfd1 Ne4 {and this looks excellent for Black.} ) 17...Qe7 {Not letting e2-e4. Perhaps Firouzja should have played it earlier when he had a chance $2 On move one $2} 18.Rfe1 Qc5 {Same policy.} ( {Instead} 18...Rac8 {looks interesting for White.} 19.e4 ) ( {Although the machine says Black can do} 18...Nd7 19.e4 Rfd8 ) 19.Rac1 ( {Not} 19.e4 $4 b4 ) 19...Rfe8 20.Nd1 {A tough decision. Firouzja took it after some thought.} ( {There was the tricky idea} 20.e4 b4 21.Nd5 $5 {when the massive trades} 21...Qxc2 22.Nxf6+ Bxf6 23.Rxc2 Bxb2 24.Rxb2 a5 {seemingly lead to a drawish rook endgame.} ) 20...Qxc2 21.Rxc2 Re6 {Black does not have any problems. In fact, he is already pressing.} 22.Ne3 Rd8 23.Nf1 {Very artificial.} ( {Safer seems} 23.Rec1 Nd5 24.Nxd5 Rxd5 25.Bxg7 Kxg7 {and, as before, the rook endgame should be equal.} ) 23...Nd5 24.Bxg7 Kxg7 25.a3 a5 26.Nd2 b4 $1 {Vachier-Lagrave goes for the full point. The c3-outpost is definitely more valuable than the c4-one, and there is something more to it.} ( {Nothing yields} 26...Nc3 27.Nb1 ) 27.a4 Re3 $1 {A beautiful transition $1 As we shall see, this is more a courageous decision than objectively a good one.} ( {The obvious} 27...Nc3 28.Nb1 Nxb1 29.Rxb1 {would have been again even. For instance} 29...c5 30.Kf3 c4 31.Rxc4 Rd2 32.e3 g5 {leads to a position with full compensation for the pawn for Black.} ) 28.Rxc6 {Almost an instant recapture, but perhaps Firouzja needed to take some time on the clock and relax a bit before executing it.} ( {For there was a cooler and better solution} 28.Rb2 $3 {suddenly forces the black rook to retreat as} 28...Rc3 ( {And} 28...Re7 29.Nc4 {is not something Black would be happy to play.} ) 29.Ne4 {suddenly traps the shameless rooky.} ) 28...Rc3 29.Nc4 ( {White avoids} 29.Rxc3 bxc3 30.Nc4 c2 31.Rc1 Nb4 32.Ne3 {when his pieces are paralyzed. It could well end up forcing a win for the second player. But the machine says all is in order actually.} ) 29...Rxb3 30.e4 {Firouzja also wants the full point $1} ( {Otherwise, he would have rather forced a draw with} 30.Nxa5 Ra3 31.Nb7 Rb8 32.Nc5 b3 33.Rb1 b2 34.Nd3 Nb4 35.Nxb4 Rxb4 36.Rc2 ) 30...Re8 31.Nd6 Re6 32.Rd1 Nf6 33.e5 {That is already a mistake.} ( {White should have taken the square away from the knight first with} 33.Rd4 $1 {For example} 33...Rb2 ( {Or the more entertaining} 33...Ng4 34.Rc7 Ne5 35.Nxf7 Nxf7 36.Rdd7 Rf6 37.e5 Rf5 38.e6 Rbf3 {with equality after} 39.Rc2 ( {Or} 39.Rd2 ) ) 34.e5 Nd7 35.Nf5+ gxf5 36.Rxe6 fxe6 37.Rxd7+ Kg6 38.Ra7 Ra2 39.Rxa5 f4 {which should be still equal.} ) 33...Ng4 $1 {The central pawn cannot be defended.} 34.Rc7 Nxe5 35.f4 Rd3 $1 {Another key move for Vachier-Lagrave. Without the second pair of rooks, his king will be safe and the outside passer will become the key factor.} 36.Rxd3 Nxd3 37.Rxf7+ Kg8 38.Rd7 b3 39.Rd8+ Kg7 40.Rd7+ Kf8 ( {But not} 40...Kh6 $4 41.Nf7+ Kh5 42.Rd5+ ) 41.Nc4 b2 {Winning the knight and the game $1} ( {Vachier-Lagrave correctly avoids} 41...Nc5 42.Rd8+ Kg7 43.Rb8 Re2+ 44.Kh3 Rc2 45.Na3 Ra2 46.Nb1 Rxa4 47.Rb5 {when White should be able to survive.} ) 42.Nxb2 ( {Alas, Firouzja cannot stop the pawn with} 42.Rb7 Re2+ 43.Kf3 Rf2+ 44.Ke3 Nb4 $1 ) 42...Nxb2 43.Ra7 Nxa4 44.Rxa5 Nb6 {White can trade one more set of pawns, but that would be it.} 45.g4 Nd7 46.Kg3 ( {Or} 46.f5 Re5 47.Ra7 Rd5 48.fxg6 hxg6 ) 46...Re3+ 47.Kh4 Nf6 ( {Even easier would have been} 47...Kg7 48.f5 Ne5 49.Ra7+ Nf7 ) 48.Ra8+ Kf7 49.Ra7+ Re7 50.Ra5 Ne4 {Vachier-Lagrave consolidates his position and confidently converts the advantage.} 51.f5 Rd7 52.fxg6+ hxg6 53.Ra4 Re7 54.Ra5 Kf6 55.g5+ Kf7 56.Kg4 Nd6 57.Ra4 Nf5 58.h4 Ng7 59.Kf3 Nh5 60.Rb4 Rd7 61.Kg4 Rd6 62.Re4 Rd1 63.Ra4 Ke6 64.Ra6+ Rd6 65.Ra4 Ke5 66.Ra3 Rd4+ 67.Kh3 Kf5 68.Ra5+ Ke4 69.Kg4 Ke3+ 70.Kh3 Re4 71.Ra1 Kf2 72.Ra2+ Kf3 73.Ra3+ Re3 74.Ra4 Nf4+ {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 0-1

[Event "Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland 2022 | Gr"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.05.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[ECO "E48"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[Beauty "8249424216112"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.a3 Bd6 8.Qc2 {A very topical line, in part because of Wesley So's contribution to it.} 8...c6 {Anand does not mind following Sevian's steps.} 9.Nge2 Nbd7 10.Bd2 Re8 11.f3 Nf8 {However, the former world champion has an opinion of his own.} ( {Instead:} 11...c5 12.h4 h5 13.O-O-O a6 14.g4 hxg4 15.fxg4 Nxg4 16.h5 {was the course of the highly entertaining game So,W (2778)-Sevian,S (2693) Saint Louis 2022} ) 12.O-O-O $146 {No time to think and So sticks to his original plan.} ( {Although safer seems:} 12.O-O {as in the predecessor, which went} 12...Bc7 ( {But perhaps Anand intended} 12...c5 $5 {which is a standard idea against White's setup.} ) 13.Rf2 Ne6 14.Rd1 b6 15.b4 Bb7 16.Ng3 a5 17.Nce2 axb4 18.axb4 Qd6 {and White eventually emerged victorious in Sasikiran,K (2650)-Roulet Dubonnet,E (2050) Fagernes 2022} ) 12...b5 {Now the former world champion argues that he is faster on \"his\" queenside, as So has created a \"hook\" for the black pawns.} 13.e4 {Play in the center is White's chance.} 13...b4 ( {Rather than} 13...dxe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.fxe4 ) 14.axb4 Bxb4 ( {There was also the interesting pawn sacrifice with} 14...dxe4 $5 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.fxe4 Rb8 {when Black enjoys full compensation for the pawn.} ) 15.e5 N6d7 16.Na4 {White is trying to keep the opponent's pieces under the lid, but in vain.} ( {After} 16.f4 {Black can react in various ways, like} 16...Nb6 $5 ( {Or} 16...Rb8 ) ( {Or even} 16...a5 ) 17.f5 c5 ) 16...Rb8 $1 {None should be shy to sacrifice a pawn when playing against in opposite-side castling positions.} 17.Qxc6 {And So reacts as expected, as he almost never misses a chance to grab material. He might be the modern Korchnoi $1} ( {But what else did White have $2 The preliminary trade} 17.Bxb4 Rxb4 {and then} 18.Qxc6 $2 {would have only made things worse for White after} 18...Qa5 $1 {for example} 19.Nc5 ( {The other retreat is horrible} 19.Nac3 Bb7 20.Qd6 Re6 $1 {as the white queen gets trapped.} ) 19...Rb6 20.Qxd5 Bb7 21.Qc4 Rc8 {and Black's attack on the opened files is huge.} ) 17...Bxd2+ {Anand is following a clear path.} ( {Perhaps even better was the unhuman} 17...Nb6 $3 18.Bxb4 Bd7 19.Qd6 Nxa4 ) 18.Rxd2 Bb7 ( {Or} 18...Nb6 $5 19.Nxb6 Rxb6 20.Qc3 Bd7 {with nice compensation for the pawn.} ) 19.Qd6 ( {Maybe White should have tried to defend with} 19.Qc2 Rc8 ( {Or also interesting} 19...Bc6 20.Nac3 Rb4 ) 20.Nac3 Nb6 {although here, too, Black should have interesting play.} ) 19...Re6 $1 {A nice maneuver.} 20.Qa3 {It seems So is in control, but ...} 20...Ba6 $1 {The key move in Anand's strategy $1 He will be able to seize the a-file as well.} 21.Bc2 ( {The instant trade} 21.Bxa6 Rxa6 {only helps Black.} ) ( {The machine still finds a defense with} 21.Rc2 {but its line is, as usual, far from obvious} 21...Qe8 ( 21...Bxd3 22.Qxd3 ) 22.Rd1 Bxd3 23.Rxd3 Ra6 24.b3 Nb6 25.Qd6 Ra5 26.Qc6 {and White is somehow in time.} ) 21...Bxe2 {Once again, a neat, clear path.} ( {Had this been a normal game, though, Anand no doubt would have considered the even more aggressive} 21...Nb6 $5 22.Nc5 Bxe2 $1 23.Nxe6 Nxe6 24.Rxe2 Nc4 {with a decisive attack.} ) 22.Rxe2 Ra6 {The pin is more than annoying for White.} 23.Qd3 ( {Instead} 23.b3 Nb6 24.Bd3 Ra5 {cannot be recommended for White.} ) 23...Qa5 {The impression is that White's position is about to crack at any second, but So finds a nice resource.} 24.e6 $1 {Blocks the e6-square for the knight, thus keeping it away from the queenside.} ( {The troubles this piece can create is illustrated by the line} 24.b3 g6 $1 ( 24...Rc6 25.Kd1 ) 25.f4 ( 25.Qc3 Rb4 $1 ) 25...Ne6 26.Rf2 Rb4 {and White's position falls apart.} ) ( {Or similarly} 24.Rd1 g6 $1 {followed by Nf8-e6 with a decisive attack.} ) 24...fxe6 25.Rhe1 {But this is not the optimal follow-up $1} ( {The last chance was} 25.Rd1 $1 Rc6 26.Qa3 Rc4 27.Rd3 Rbb4 {although here, too, Black should prevail.} ) 25...Rc6 26.Nc3 {Practically, resignation.} ( {But} 26.b3 g6 {should also lose on the long run for the first player.} ) 26...Qa1+ 27.Kd2 Qxb2 28.Rb1 Qa3 29.Rxb8 Nxb8 30.f4 Na6 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 0-1

[Event "Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland 2022 | Gr"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.05.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[ECO "C24"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Beauty "8247029276188"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 {The Bishop’s Opening will soon transpose into a normal Italian.} 2...Nf6 3.d3 Bc5 4.Nf3 d6 5.O-O O-O 6.c3 Bb6 7.Nbd2 ( {White can also pin the enemy knight with} 7.Bg5 {but this move might backfire and leave the white bishop out of play for a while after h7-h6 and timely g7-g5. Still, White did well in the following encounter.} 7...h6 8.Bh4 Nbd7 9.Nbd2 Re8 10.Re1 Nf8 11.d4 Ng6 12.Bg3 Nh7 13.a4 a6 14.Bb3 Qf6 15.Nc4 Ba7 16.Ne3 {Fier,A (2573) -Jarmula,L (2434) Reykjavik 2022 ½-½} ) 7...c6 8.Bb3 Re8 9.Re1 Be6 {Probably the safest way to fight the Spanish (pardon me, Italian) bishop.} 10.Bc2 {If White wants to play for something, he needs to preserve this bishop.} 10...Nbd7 11.d4 $146 {A novelty $1 Aronian decided to show who is the big boss in the center.} ( {White preferred to maneuver further in the predecessor:} 11.h3 h6 12.d4 Qc7 13.Nf1 Nf8 14.Ng3 Ng6 15.Be3 Red8 16.Qc1 Qe7 17.a4 Bc7 18.a5 a6 19.Nf5 Bxf5 20.exf5 Nf8 21.dxe5 dxe5 22.Nd2 {Ermenkov,E (2465) -Stefanov,K (2376) Borovetz 2008 ½-½} ) 11...Bg4 {Anand has his own arguments. The pressure on the d4-square is unpleasant, to say at least.} 12.h3 Bh5 13.g4 {And, in order to secure the center, White needs to weaken his kingside.} 13...Bg6 14.dxe5 {Too risky.} ( {Instead Aronian suggested after the game that he should have continued with} 14.Nc4 {when something like} 14...exd4 15.Nxd6 Re6 16.Nf5 dxc3 17.bxc3 Nc5 {is indeed unclear.} ) 14...Nxe5 {The most direct approach. Black wants to prove that the opponent's kingside is too shabby.} ( {There is nothing wrong with} 14...dxe5 {but Anand's dynamic choice is even stronger.} ) 15.Nxe5 ( 15.Nd4 {\"was still not clear to me.\" (Anand) Then the former world champion intended to sacrifice a piece with} 15...d5 $1 {When} ( {There are a couple of other sacrifices available, like} 15...h5 $1 16.g5 Nh7 17.f4 Nxg5 18.fxg5 Qxg5+ 19.Kh2 Qf4+ 20.Kg2 Qg5+ {when Black has a perpetual check guaranteed, but hardly more.} ) ( {And perhaps the best one} 15...c5 $1 {looks dull, but in reality, Black wants to lure the enemy knight on the f5-square, thus safeguarding his own bishop from the possible f-pawn forks.} 16.Nf5 d5 17.f4 Bxf5 18.gxf5 Nd3 $1 19.Bxd3 c4+ {and Black looks better.} ) 16.f4 dxe4 17.fxe5 Bxd4+ 18.cxd4 Qxd4+ 19.Kh1 Qxe5 {indeed promises Black enough, with three pawns and an attack for the piece.} ) 15...Rxe5 {\"I do not see a defense for him.\" (Anand) The main threat is to break open the center with d6-d5.} 16.Nc4 {Now it is really bad.} ( {Aronain needed to try} 16.Kg2 {to which Anand planned} 16...d5 17.f4 Nxe4 ( {And, if he did not want to enter the main line, Black could have simply won a pawn for the exchange instead with} 17...Rxe4 18.Nxe4 Bxe4+ 19.Bxe4 Nxe4 {with compensation for the small material deficit.} ) 18.fxe5 Nf2 19.Qf3 Bxc2 {\"We both hallucinated here as we thought it is completely over (for White),\" stated Anand, but there is} 20.Rf1 $1 Nd3 21.Qxf7+ Kh8 22.Nf3 {and it is White who is actually much better. Anand explained the missed idea with the unusual nature of the combination, combined with the lack of the black bishop on the g6-square, which stood there for most of the time.} ) 16...Nxe4 $1 {Everything is hanging, but it is Black who is winning.} 17.Nxb6 ( {In case of} 17.Bxe4 {Black has a pleasant choice between the materialistic} 17...Rxe4 ( {and the attacking} 17...Bxf2+ 18.Kxf2 Qh4+ 19.Kg2 Rxe4 {with excellent winning chances in both cases.} ) 18.Nxb6 axb6 ) ( {And if} 17.Nxe5 {then Black can continue his decisive attack with extra material with} 17...Nxf2 18.Qe2 Qh4 19.Be3 Nxh3+ 20.Kg2 Bxc2 21.Qxc2 dxe5 ) 17...Nxf2 $3 {Simply crushing $1} ( {Even better than} 17...axb6 ) 18.Qd2 ( {Alas, there is no} 18.Kxf2 Qh4+ 19.Kf1 Bxc2 ) 18...Qxb6 {And the unleashed black knight cleared everything after} 19.Rxe5 Nxg4+ 20.Kg2 Nxe5 21.Bxg6 hxg6 22.Qxd6 Qb5 23.Qd1 Nd3 24.b3 Qd5+ {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 0-1

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2806"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "A20"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7973472588371"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{Greetings, everyone! This is Sam Shankland, and I will be annotating one game of each round of this Candidates Tournament. I've enjoyed working with Chess.com on annotated games in the past and look forward to showing some exciting chess! One thing I like about the Candidates is that the standard winner-takes-all element of the tournament provokes the players into playing a bit more combatively than you might see in other events. In round one, the most exciting game was between Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniatchtchi. The game itself was a serious deja vu to last year's candidates—Ding, who in my opinion was the pre-tournament favorite both times, went down hard with the white pieces in the English, and Nepo started with a win with Black against the same English.} 
1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.Nf3 e4 4.Nd4 d5 5.cxd5 Qxd5 6.Nc2 Nf6 7.Nc3 Qe5 8.Bg2 Na6 9.O-O Be7 10.Ne3 {Up to here, everything has been pretty well-known theory. Now, while Ian's next move is very natural, I think it is not best.} 10...O-O ( 10...h5 $5 {I remembered looking at this position in some detail and deciding that Black had enough counterplay after h5. The position is very messy, but Black gets some attacking chances.} ) 11.a3 $1 {Simple, but strong. White plans b4, Bb2, and once Black's queen is destabilized, the e4-pawn can become a target.} 11...Re8 ( 11...Nc7 {I doubt Nepo regrets much about this game in hindsight, but it was probably better to regroup the knight directly and remain flexible with the rook.} ) 12.b4 Ng4 {Black is playing very energetic chess, but at some point, bluffs need to be called.} 13.Bb2 ( 13.Nxg4 $5 Bxg4 14.Bxe4 {I'm really not sure what Ding could have missed here. This is not the cleanest extra pawn in history and Black has some counterplay in the center, but there is nothing direct and I think the pawn could have been taken.} ) ( 13.Bxe4 {The computer's top choice is also pretty convincing. I don't think Black has nearly enough for a pawn.} ) 13...Qh5 14.h4 $6 {This seems to be asking for trouble.} ( 14.Nxg4 Bxg4 15.Bxe4 {I really don't get why White doesn't go take this pawn. Black has some compensation, but in the game, he got the compensation without the pawn less!} ) 14...Bf6 15.Qc2 Nxe3 16.dxe3 Bf5 {The machine still likes White's position here, provided he plays a couple of good moves. But, I really dislike the way the last few moves have gone for him. Now the e4-pawn will survive. As such, Black's kingside attack is much scarier and White's g2-bishop is stuck out of play.} 17.Na4 $2 {I did not love Ding's earlier decisions, but this was somewhat a matter of taste. I wanted to take the pawn. But this move is just a mistake.} ( 17.b5 $1 Nc7 18.bxc6 bxc6 {According to the machine, White is still a little better here. That certainly would not be obvious to me at all at first glance and I find this much less convincing than taking the e4-pawn would have been. Had Ding blitzed out b5, bxc6, and now Na4! afterward and gone on to grind out a victory, I would think any earlier criticism would be unwarranted. But this is not what happened.} ) 17...Bxb2 ( 17...Bxh4 $5 {This looks incredibly scary.} 18.gxh4 Re6 {The computer insists every legal move here ends with 0.00. Does it look like that for White?! I'd be very worried about getting checkmated.} ) 18.Nxb2 Nc7 19.Nc4 Re6 {Now, Black has a very simple plan. Overprotect the e4-pawn to keep all of White's pieces from coming back to the kingside, and then at some moment, g5 will come and quickly end the game. White can probably hold the position together with extremely precise play, but even the world number-two was not up to the task.} 20.Rfd1 Nd5 21.Rd4 {Now, here the machines claim that ...g5 won the game. I'm sure they are right... but does it matter? Nepo played it slower, but I don't really see this as some shortcoming on his part.} 21...h6 $5 {Now, Black is ready for g5 next. If he is allowed to take on h4, the game is over. If White takes on g5, then …hxg5 will come, …Rh6 will follow, and the game is over too. My computer claims White can hold on here, and with more moves than one, but this is the kind of mistake that I think would have been completely ignored in the pre-computer era.} ( 21...g5 22.hxg5 Qxg5 {Apparently Black is mating here.} 23.Rad1 Qh5 24.Nd2 {It's easy to see this far and get spooked by Nf1 keeping it all together, though grabbing on e2 does finish the job.} 24...Qxe2 $1 {Black should win.} ) 22.Qd2 $2 {This is way too slow, and a surprising mistake from a player of Ding's caliber. You need to activate all the pieces.} ( 22.Bxe4 $2 {surely Nepo saw this does not work.} 22...Rxe4 $1 23.Rxe4 Qg6 $1 24.Nd2 Nf6 {White cannot avoid the loss of a piece, as f2-f3 is not to be recommended.} ) ( 22.Rad1 $1 {This was the move. White needs to be ready to sacrifice on d5 right away. It's desperation time, but it does seem like he is just barely hanging on. For example, after} 22...g5 23.Rxd5 $1 cxd5 24.Rxd5 gxh4 25.Nd6 $1 hxg3 26.fxg3 Rxd6 27.Rxd6 Bg6 {White is just about okay here, though, to my human eye, I'd still take Black.} ) 22...Rae8 {Black overprotects e4 hard, and now g5 is coming. White is crushed.} 23.Kh2 Bg4 24.Na5 Rf6 25.Kg1 g5 $1 {It is time.} 26.Nxb7 ( 26.b5 {This might have put up a better fight, but I can't imagine it changing the result.} 26...gxh4 27.bxc6 hxg3 28.fxg3 Qe5 29.Nc4 Qxg3 30.Qe1 Qxe1+ 31.Rxe1 bxc6 {This position is the best the machine can find for White. The ending looks more or less lost to me, but at least he is not mated right away.} ) 26...gxh4 27.Nc5 h3 $1 {Everything wins, but this was particularly elegant.} 28.Rxe4 ( 28.Bxe4 h2+ $1 29.Kg2 Qh3+ 30.Kh1 Rxf2 ) ( 28.Bh1 {Normally, this would be the saving grace, but Black's pieces are too active.} 28...h2+ 29.Kf1 Bh3+ 30.Ke1 Bg2 {Time to resign. Black had other wins, but I like this one the most, highlighting the deficiencies in White's pawn structure. His king is unable to evacuate.} ) 28...hxg2 $1 {Well calculated.} 29.Rxe8+ Kg7 30.f4 ( 30.f3 Bxf3 $1 {This line is easy, but nice all the same.} 31.exf3 Qh1+ 32.Kf2 Rxf3+ $1 33.Ke2 ( 33.Kxf3 g1=Q+ $19 ) 33...Qf1+ 34.Rxf1 gxf1=Q# ) 30...Qh1+ 31.Kf2 Qxa1 32.Kxg2 Bh3+ $1 {Ding resigned rather than face the mate that was sure to come shortly. For example, after} 33.Kxh3 Qh1+ 34.Kg4 h5+ 35.Kg5 Qh3 {White's king is done for.} 0-1

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "6532376830476"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 {Round two of the Candidates was a quieter affair than round one, though there were some missed chances. The most notable game was between Nepo and Caruana, since they had jumped out to an early lead by winning the previous day.} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6 7.a4 Ba7 8.Re1 h6 9.Nbd2 g5 $5 {The first surprise. This move is far from unheard of and has been played dozens of times, including a Magnus game, but it was not supposed to have the best reputation as of late. I have noticed that in the last couple years, Caruana has been more willing to play somewhat shakier looking lines with the Black pieces for practical value, and this game it nearly paid dividends.} ( 9...O-O {Of course this is the main move, though I also quite like Be6.} ) ( 9...Be6 $5 {This was almost a novelty before I dumped it on MVL and got a better position with Black. I ultimately lost the game anyway, but it has become a hot trend as of late.} ) 10.b4 Ng4 {In general, Nh7 is considered to be best, but I can't imagine Caruana going for this line if he did not have some new idea to change the current state of theory.} 11.Re2 Qf6 12.Qe1 Qg7 13.Nf1 O-O 14.Ng3 Ne7 {Up to here, Nepo has been playing the best moves, including the odd-looking Qe1. I suspect he was still in preparation. Now though, the machine evaluations start to drop, and Black's position looks more playable.} 15.d4 $5 {Of course this is the most principled, but it also involves a fair amount of risk.} ( 15.Bb3 {My computer suggests this calm move might be enough for a slight edge. I'm not sure I buy it.} ) 15...exd4 16.cxd4 $2 {Funnily enough, this incredibly natural and obvious recapture seems to be a mistake! White will lose his d-pawn anyway, and it would have been better to get the bishop to b2 directly.} ( 16.Bb2 $1 Nc6 17.Rc1 $1 {White slowly plays prophylaxis against any knight coming to e5 by overprotecting the c4-bishop, and the rook will be generally useful on the c-file. It feels a bit inhuman to play chess like this, but it should be best.} ) 16...Nc6 $1 {White will lose d4 and will have to show his compensation. It should be there, but something in Nepo's play in the coming moves left a bit to be desired.} 17.Ra3 Nxd4 18.Nxd4 Bxd4 19.h3 Ne5 20.Ba2 c5 21.bxc5 Bxc5 22.Rb3 b5 {All of the last moves have been very logical. Either side probably could have deviated with any number of reasonable alternatives, but I have nothing major to say about this past phase. What comes next though is where things get interesting.} 23.Nf5 $2 {One of my helpers recently told me that absolutely everyone in the world apart from Magnus constantly misevaluates the consequences of piece exchanges. I thought he was being a bit harsh at the time, but games like this make me wonder if he has a point. The last two world championship challengers both constantly made the wrong calls about what piece exchanges would be favorable.} 23...Qf6 $6 ( 23...Bxf5 $1 {Black absolutely should get rid of this knight.} 24.exf5 bxa4 $17 {White does not have enough attacking pieces, and Black looks safe enough.} ) 24.Kh2 ( 24.h4 $1 {The machine is not too enthusiastic about this, but I think Nepo could have tried tearing open the king a bit more forcefully. This feels more thematic than playing for f4, which is the only point I can dream up behind Kh2.} ) 24...bxa4 25.Rg3 Kh7 ( 25...Bxf5 $1 {Again, this was very strong.} ) 26.Qd1 Bd7 ( 26...Bxf5 $1 ) 27.Rc2 Bxf5 $1 {Finally.} 28.exf5 Rab8 29.Qh5 Rg8 30.Bb2 Rge8 31.Bc1 Rg8 32.Bb2 {Now, Caruana repeated moves here, missing his chance. It was not easy, but it was there.} 32...Rge8 ( 32...Rxb2 $1 {This would have won but only with a precise sequence. Again, making the right exchanges...} 33.Rxb2 a3 $1 34.Rb7 Bxf2 35.Rxa3 {I'm sure Caruana saw the line to here and probably stopped, thinking he is losing control and should make the draw instead. Black needs one more good move.} 35...d5 $1 {This move does it all. It cuts off the a2-bishop, defends a6, it is safe from capture due to Qd6, and otherwise Qc6 is on the way. Black should win.} 36.Bxd5 Qd6 $1 $19 ) 33.Bc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "E36"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[Beauty "5429241347619"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 {The third round saw four draws but some interesting games. Ding Liren showed more good preparation with White and clearly looks like he came ready with a lot of ideas, but his actual gameplay has been lackluster. The most interesting game of the day saw Firouzja play his first game with the white pieces. He managed to put Hikaru under a lot of pressure, but ultimately was unable to win against an extremely good defense.} 1...Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 d5 7.Bg5 {All of this is very topical. Now, in the past, Hikaru has preferred h6, which he has clearly analyzed very well.} 7...dxc4 ( 7...h6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.Nf3 dxc4 10.Qxc4 Nc6 11.Qc3 Re8 12.Rd1 e5 13.d5 Nb8 14.e3 Bg4 15.Be2 Nd7 16.O-O Bxf3 17.Bxf3 e4 18.Qxc7 exf3 19.Qxd7 fxg2 20.Rfe1 Qxb2 $1 {Hikaru once blitzed out all of these moves with Black against me at the 2021 Grand Chess Tour. He held the game very easily, and in the time since then, I was not able to find much in the way of improvements for White. I'm not totally sure why he decided to deviate.} ) 8.Qxc4 b6 9.Rd1 Ba6 10.Qa4 h6 11.Bh4 Qe7 12.Nf3 Rd8 {We are still following a heavy mainline of theory. Hikaru has had this position some 5 times in the past, though generally from a different move order.} 13.Qc2 {But now this is rare. In the upcoming moves, Hikaru really spent a lot of time, and I was a bit worried. The position is certainly not bad yet, but it is very sharp, and Firouzja had clearly come well-prepared.} 13...c5 14.e4 Bxf1 15.Rxf1 g5 16.Nxg5 hxg5 17.Bxg5 Nc6 18.Qc1 {Firouzja was still blitzing to here. According to the machine, everything holds for Black. But this is very deceptive and in human terms, it looks quite challenging to play.} 18...Rxd4 ( 18...e5 19.d5 Nd4 20.Rd3 {For example, the computer swears this position is dead equal. With Black, I would seriously worry about losing in 3 more moves.} ) 19.Rxd4 Nxd4 20.Qf4 Nc2+ $1 {I like this decision a lot. It is not the best move, and White has a little pull in the endgame, but I think it should be defensible. Simplifying down a bit will help the defense become easier.} ( 20...Qd7 {The computer, with nerves of steel, shows this is a draw.} 21.Bxf6 Nc2+ $1 22.Ke2 Qb5+ 23.Kd2 Qxf1 $1 {By some miracle, White is not giving mate here.} 24.Qg5+ {But the game goes on all the same!} 24...Kf8 25.Qg7+ Ke8 26.Qg8+ Kd7 27.Qxf7+ Kc6 28.Qxe6+ Kb5 29.Kxc2 {And apparently this is equal. No human can play chess like this.} ) 21.Kd1 Qd7+ 22.Kxc2 Qa4+ 23.Kb1 Qxe4+ 24.Qxe4 Nxe4 25.Bf4 {Black's position is a bit unpleasant thanks to White's potential for an outside passed pawn mass on the kingside, but it should be defensible. From here on out, Hikaru started to play really well.} 25...Nf6 $1 {Regrouping the knight to d5 is a good place to start.} 26.h4 Nd5 27.Bd2 f5 28.g3 Kf7 29.f3 Rh8 30.Bg5 c4 ( 30...e5 $5 {This may have been easier.} ) 31.g4 b5 {White surely has better chances, but it is very hard for him to coordinate the kingside pawns. The bishop is stuck on g5, but h4-h5 is not really a thing if Black can respond with Rh8-g8.} 32.Rd1 $1 {I like this decision a lot. White's best plan will be to threaten gxf5, forcing Black to exchange the f-pawns. Then, the king on f7 will become less secure.} 32...fxg4 33.fxg4 a5 34.h5 $1 {Now, this move becomes possible. It looks like there is an issue on the g-file, but because Black was forced to exchange the f-pawns, the check on f1 messes up his coordination.} 34...Rg8 35.Rf1+ $1 {Black's position is really difficult, but Hikaru played amazing to keep it together. One of his must underappreciated traits is how good a defender he is. I've only ever gotten one bad position against him in classical chess, and I got crushed. I've gotten a lot of good positions... but whenever his position becomes close to critical, it is like playing against a tablebase. I've drawn every other time.} 35...Ke8 $1 {Now, White's pawn is forced forward to h6 to avoid losing material. But, this allows Black to set up a light square blockade.} ( 35...Kg7 {The machine prefers this one, and I despise the move. After} 36.Bc1 $1 {Black is unable to exchange the rooks, g5 is coming, and the position looks critical.} ) 36.h6 Rf8 $1 {The reason my computer disliked Ke8 was that it thought White wins after trading rooks here. Only when I let it run in this position did it realize that will be a draw.} 37.Rxf8+ ( 37.Rc1 {In hindsight, Firouzja could have tried this, hoping to open another front with a3-a4 someday. But I doubt he would win the game.} 37...Kf7 38.a4 Kg6 39.Bd2 bxa4 40.Rxc4 Rf1+ {Black has some work to do, but he should hold with good defense.} ) 37...Kxf8 38.Bd8 a4 $3 {This takes serious nerves. It feels like allowing White's pawns to g6 and h7 should lose routinely as the bishop can come to the long diagonal to force the h-pawn through, but somehow Black is holding it together.} ( 38...Kf7 {It feels much more natural to pitch the a-pawn and try to blockade on the light squares instead, but now White can win on the queenside.} 39.Bxa5 Kg6 40.Bd2 {White's king will eventually walk to f3 and e4 and d4 to win the game on the queenside. If Black had his a-pawn here on a4, then at some moment b5-b4 would come for counterplay.} ) 39.g5 Kf7 40.h7 Kg7 41.g6 {This looks so hopeless. Black's knight is forever stuck guarding f6, and the king can't move. All White needs to do is bring in the king to win the game, but this proves impossible.} 41...c3 $1 {A final important move but a natural one. Black needs to trade off a pawn before he can sit and wait.} ( 41...Kh8 42.Ba5 $1 {White wins with a check on c3.} ) 42.bxc3 Nxc3+ 43.Kc2 Nd5 {Now, funnily enough, it turns out White has no way to bring his king in. As soon it touches d3 or e2, a check on f4 will ruin his day. Black can put his pawn on e5, stopping any hope of the bishop reaching the long diagonal before Nf4 can come. I have to imagine Firouzja was incredibly frustrated that the position is not winning.} 44.Bg5 {White is ready for Bc1-b2.} ( 44.Ba5 e5 $1 {White does not get to c3.} 45.Bc3 $2 Nxc3 $1 {Now Black even wins.} 46.Kxc3 e4 $1 47.Kd4 {And here we see why trading the b-pawn for the c-pawn was so important.} 47...b4 $1 {With b2 and c4 still onboard, Kxc4 would win routinely. As is, White even loses!} ) 44...e5 $1 {Just in time. Now, the diagonal will remain blocked for one critical move, and Black is in time to meet Bc1 with Ne7.} 45.Kd2 Kh8 46.Ke1 {Allowing the king to e4 would certainly lose, but this is a slow plan for White, and now Black can mobilize the queenside.} 46...b4 $1 47.axb4 a3 {White has to bring the bishop back.} 48.Bc1 Nxb4 $1 {No more check on f6.} 49.Kd2 Nd5 $1 {The final only move. Black's knight makes it to f4 just in time.} 50.Bxa3 Nf4 $1 51.Bb2 Nxg6 52.Bxe5+ Nxe5 53.Kc3 Kxh7 54.Kd4 {A great defense from Hikaru.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7766374642741"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{The fourth round of the Candidates Tournament saw Ian Nepomniatchtchi score a big point. He was the only guy with serious chances on the day—at some point, Caruana had to find some only moves to hold on, but they were not too difficult and he managed without major trouble.} 
1.e4 c5 {Props to Firouzja for willingly entering super sharp territory. This is the attitude needed to win an event like this one, even if it backfired in this particular game.} 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3 Be7 9.Qd2 O-O 10.O-O-O Nbd7 11.g4 b5 12.g5 {All of this has been seen many times before, and it is one of the biggest mainlines of the Najdorf. Now, in modern times, people have been trying …Nh5 here, with interesting complications to follow—I played this move myself once against Areschenko in a tiebreak game at last year's World Cup. But, Firouzja goes for the old mainline.} 12...b4 $6 {Objectively, there is nothing wrong with this move, but in practice, it strikes me as a poor choice. Black's position is very hard to play and one missed detail in preparation review, or one mistake over the board, can lead to an immediate disaster. I actually had this position myself last year against Duda, and he went down even harder than Firouzja did. Somehow it feels like the choice is impractical, even if it doubtlessly holds objectively.} ( 12...Nh5 {This has been the main move as of late. As far as I am aware, Black's position is supposed to be okay.} ) 13.Ne2 Ne8 14.f4 a5 15.f5 Bc4 $5 {A very rare move, which Firouzja quickly blitzed out, surely indicating he was still in his preparation.} ( 15...a4 {This is the main move by a wide margin, and nowadays people are trying fxe6. This was my choice in the aforementioned game with Duda.} ) 16.Kb1 ( 16.Ng3 $5 {This is the main move in ICCF, and was the mainline of my own analysis from when I last covered 15...Bc4 many years ago. It is a hard move to play since the knight gets sidelined on a1, but as far as I know, White is supposed to be better.} 16...Bxf1 17.Rhxf1 a4 18.Na1 {White's knight on a1 is dreadful, but the rest of his position is fantastic. I'm sure Firouzja had gone into some detail on this position and had some plans in mind to fight for equality. But, this is why the line is so impractical for Black. When my machine offers +0.7 in this position, it's certainly potentially possible to find ideas and analyze it out to something defensible. But there will be a ton of analysis and memorization, which leads you to not covering the less computer-approved moves like 16.Kb1 followed by f5-f6 later on in as much detail as is necessary to handle a position like this one.} ) 16...a4 17.Nbc1 d5 18.f6 $1 {This is surely the most challenging move. Black is okay but has to defend very carefully.} ( 18.exd5 $2 {Patzer sees pawn, patzer takes pawn. White has absolutely no time for this and Black gets a lot of counterplay. Only an absolute idiot with no chess education or understanding whatsoever would ever play such a move, as we see in the following encounter.} 18...Nd6 19.f6 gxf6 20.gxf6 Nxf6 21.Bh6 Kh8 22.Bxf8 Qxf8 23.Bg2 Rb8 24.Qe3 Ng4 25.Qg3 h5 26.h3 Nf5 27.Qf3 Nge3 28.Ng3 Nxg3 29.Qxe3 Qg7 30.Rhe1 Bd6 31.Nd3 f6 32.b3 Bb5 33.Bh1 h4 34.Nc5 axb3 35.axb3 f5 36.Ne6 Qf6 37.Qf2 Be8 38.Rd3 f4 39.Be4 Bh5 40.Qa7 Nxe4 41.Rxe4 Bg6 42.Rc4 Bxd3 43.cxd3 Qg6 44.Qd7 Qxd3+ 45.Kb2 Rg8 46.Rc8 Qd2+ 47.Rc2 Qxd5 48.Qf7 Rg2 49.Qh5+ Kg8 50.Qe8+ Kh7 51.Qf7+ Kh8 52.Qe8+ Kh7 53.Qh5+ {1/2-1/2 (53) Rensch,D (2413) -Mohandesi,S (2164) Tempe 2012} ) 18...gxf6 19.gxf6 {Firouzja started burning time here. His position is not bad yet, but it is difficult to play.} 19...Ndxf6 20.Ng3 Bxf1 $6 ( 20...Kh8 $1 {This seems like the cleanest route to equality. Get the king out of the kill zone! There is no reason to take on f1 and drag White's rook to a better square.} ) 21.Rhxf1 a3 {The machine claims this is the best move by a wide margin. In a higher chess sense, I am sure this is true. But, that is a very, very bad sign for Black as now after the natural b2-b3, White's king is safe on the queenside and Black has no notable counterplay.} ( 21...Kh8 {Presumably Firouzja first considered this natural move but disliked} 22.Nd3 Nd6 23.Nxe5 $1 Ndxe4 24.Nxe4 Nxe4 25.Qg2 {When White's control over the c3-square gives him an easily winning position. Including a4-a3 and b2-b3 for Black would make this variation work.} ) 22.b3 Kh8 23.exd5 $1 {Now, the machine claims Black can keep things somewhat complicated (though he is still clearly worse) with the only move Qc7. Good luck finding that—in practice, this feels crazy difficult for a human to do.} ( 23.Nd3 Nd6 {Now this is not so clear anymore. The knight coming to c3 is pretty annoying.} ) 23...Nd6 24.Qxb4 $1 {Nice and simple. White grabs the pawn, and since Black has played a4-a3 and White got b2-b3 in, he never has to worry in the slightest about the b-file. Black is absolutely busted and White has no shortage of ways to finish off the game.} 24...Rc8 25.Bb6 $1 Qd7 26.Qe1 $1 {A rather sadistic move. Black is unable to protect e5. The rest requires no commentary.} 26...Rb8 27.Ba5 Nc4 28.d6 Bd8 29.Bc3 Qe6 30.Nd3 Nd5 31.Nf4 Nxf4 32.Rxf4 f6 33.Qe2 Nb2 34.Rdf1 Re8 35.Rh4 f5 36.Rxh7+ {Totally unnecessary, but a nice way to finish off the game.} 36...Kxh7 37.Qh5+ Kg8 ( 37...Qh6 38.Qxe8 ) 38.Nxf5 Bf6 39.Rg1+ {Firouzja threw in the towel. Nepo has been looking very good so far, but this is normal for him—he nearly always starts tournaments well. His biggest issue in the past has always been stamina, and I think last year he was very fortunate that the Candidates was two seven-round events (where he lost round seven both times) rather than one 14-rounder. Time will tell if he can buck this trend and keep up his good form deep into the tournament. While he is the early leader, it is still very early, and there has never been a single Candidates since it moved to this format when the winner went undefeated. So don't count out the guys at the bottom of the crosstable just yet. Before the tournament began, I always said that I don't believe there are any 2 players whose combined chances of winning exceed 50\%, and through four rounds, I am of the same opinion.} 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "B46"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[Beauty "6600156777549"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{The fifth round of the Candidates saw all draws again, but with a lot of missed chances. Ding is clearly very strong and very off form-this is really the only explanation for a guy who is coming better prepared than everyone, getting good positions, chances to win, and then squandering them. Even though he is on a minus-one score, I could easily see him staging a comeback if he can start cashing in when those moments come. In what was a painful game for me to witness, Hikaru also let some chances slip today against the leader, and a win against Nepo would have blown the standings wide open. But, for today's game, I'll be covering an interesting Sicilian between Caruana and Rapport.} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 a6 $5 {The first surprising move. Rapport has always preferred Qc7 here in the past, which is far and away the main move in modern times.} 6.g4 {Bold, but probably not best. Caruana's time management suggested that he hadn't checked 5...a6 much.} ( 6.Nxc6 {This has to be the critical line. I've never really believed Black is equalizing here, but Rapport probably had some ideas. He seems to be doing his homework pretty well here.} ) 6...Nge7 7.Be3 b5 8.Nb3 Na5 {Rapport was still playing pretty fast at this point, but we are already well outside of normal theory. This position had only been seen once before, in an Ulf Andersson game from 2000.} 9.Qd2 ( 9.h4 {If White has already pushed g4, it feels consistent to continue with the kingside pawn advances. Black's position optically looks fine to me, but the machine does claim White is a little better.} ) 9...Nxb3 $6 {This feels unnecessary to me. The knight on b3 was not going anywhere, so did we need to take it right away $2 It means White no longer has to ever worry about Nc4 and can put the bishop on g2 more comfortably.} ( 9...Bb7 {This would be my choice. I guess Rapport was worried about} 10.Nc5 {But Black seems happy enough after} 10...Bc6 ) 10.axb3 Bb7 11.Bg2 ( 11.f3 {This move feels more consistent with the English Attack setup that Caruana is playing. I presume he disliked d5 here, as otherwise I can't see much reason to put the bishop on g2.} 11...d5 12.O-O-O $1 dxe4 13.Qf2 $1 {White still has some pressure.} ) 11...Ng6 12.Rf1 {This weird-looking move has clear merit. The bishop can hide on h1 after Nh4, White is ready for f4-f5 later, and he can still castle long.} 12...Bc6 13.g5 $6 ( 13.f4 $1 {It's always easy to sacrifice other people's pawns, especially when the computer tells you to.} 13...Qh4+ 14.Rf2 Qxg4 15.Bf3 Qh4 16.O-O-O {Apparently White is better here despite the pawn less. I would not necessarily have come to that conclusion without the engine running, since Black still looks pretty solid.} ) 13...a5 $1 {It turns out White's king will have nowhere safe to hide. Already Black is a bit better.} 14.f4 a4 $1 15.Rd1 Bb4 {Not a bad move by any stretch. The machine gives Black a slight edge after a lot of continuations, but one in particular stands out most to me.} ( 15...axb3 $5 16.cxb3 Nh4 $1 17.Bh1 h6 $1 {This looks really unpleasant for White to me.} ) 16.Qd4 Qa5 {This forces a draw.} ( 16...Bxc3+ $5 {Black could have continued the game.} 17.Qxc3 O-O $15 {It's a very unusual position and a hard one to evaluate, and I can understand why Rapport might not have been too confident in his chances here. With the computer running it's easy to criticize him for not going for it, but he is a human being after all.} ) 17.Qxg7 a3 18.Kf2 axb2 19.Ne2 e5 $1 {White's queen is cut off and will be hit with a perpetual.} 20.f5 Bf8 21.Qf6 Be7 22.Qg7 Bf8 23.Qf6 Be7 24.Qg7 {A short but interesting game $1} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[ECO "A07"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8040736640083"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.Nf3 d5 {Duda was probably caught by surprise in the opening. It seemed so natural to expect 1.e4, which is Ian's main move. Also, Nepo has been playing the Petroff a lot with Black as of late, so he probably has some sense of where to put the most pressure. Duda's other option is the Najdorf, which Ian has crushed once already this tournament. I myself was also not expecting anything else on move 1, but the surprise clearly paid off.} 2.g3 Bg4 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O Nd7 5.h3 Bh5 6.d4 Ngf6 7.c4 c6 8.cxd5 exd5 {All of this is reasonably well known and has been played a bunch of times before. I never fully trusted these positions for Black though.} 9.Ne5 {Bold, and I like it $1} ( 9.Nh4 {This is another decent option that I always thought gave White a slight edge. Ian's move is much more direct.} ) 9...Nxe5 {A human response, but not a great one.} ( 9...Ne4 $1 {According to the machine, this move is by far Black's best chance at fighting for equality. I cannot imagine it even entering a person's mind as a candidate move if they did now already know it in advance.} ) 10.dxe5 Ne4 11.Nd2 Nxd2 12.Bxd2 {Already, Black's position is very difficult. I like White's kingside and central space, and the h5-bishop is going to get harassed once the pawns get moving.} 12...Bc5 13.Rc1 $1 {The first new move of the game, and a good one. I have to imagine Nepo was prepared at least up to this point.} 13...Qe7 14.Kh2 O-O 15.g4 Bg6 16.f4 {White is threatening f5, and Black has no good options. Duda found the least bad one.} 16...h6 ( 16...f6 17.f5 Be8 18.e6 $18 {The protected passed pawn on e6 should easily decide the game.} ) ( 16...f5 17.Qb3 $16 {Black's position remains very difficult, though I don't think it is as terrible as the computer claims.} ) ( 16...Be4 17.Bxe4 dxe4 18.Qa4 $1 e3 19.Bc3 {White's queen will centralize on e4 and then the kingside advance is coming.} ) 17.Qe1 {Ian took a very long time on this move, which is not something he is known to do. The machine is not a fan, but I like it quite a lot. White has this nice and simple plan of bringing the queen to g3, and one could imagine b2-b4-b5 coming as well.} ( 17.Qa4 {So says the computer.} ) 17...Rfe8 18.Qg3 Bh7 19.h4 $1 {Simple and incredibly effective. White has a big kingside pawn mass, so put it in motion $1 The attack is coming and is very hard to stop.} 19...Rad8 ( 19...Bd4 $1 {Apparently, this was Black's best. I still seriously dislike his position after something like} 20.g5 h5 21.Bc3 Bxc3 22.Qxc3 {But the computer thinks he is okay.} ) 20.g5 $1 {So simple. Black is already in trouble and has to find an only move to not die immediately.} 20...hxg5 ( 20...Kh8 $1 {This was the only way. White does not have a direct win, but so what $2} 21.a3 {b4 and b5 might be coming next. Black can barely move, has no counterplay at all, and it's hard to imagine a human will hang on for too long.} ) 21.hxg5 Bb4 22.Bxb4 Qxb4 23.f5 $1 {Of course the b2-pawn is of little consequence.} 23...Qxb2 24.e6 {Not the most precise, but certainly good enough.} ( 24.Rc3 $1 {My machine gives +6. I won't argue with such an evaluation.} ) ( 24.g6 $2 {It's important not to get too materialistic. Black already has one pawn for the piece, White's structure is in shambles, and Black can sacrifice some material to get a defensible position.} 24...fxg6 25.fxg6 Bxg6 26.Qxg6 Qxe5+ $14 {Black should be okay now. The attack is over and white's extra piece does not look that much better than the three pawns.} ) 24...fxe6 25.g6 $2 {This seems a bit careless.} ( 25.Rb1 $1 {This was a more accurate move order.} 25...Qxe2 26.g6 {This would look something like the game, but Black would have lost out on options of Qb2-e5 or Qb2-f6.} 26...exf5 27.gxh7+ Kxh7 28.Rxb7 {White should win.} ) 25...exf5 26.gxh7+ Kh8 $2 ( 26...Kxh7 $1 {Good or bad, Black had to go for this. He is a piece down and should be taking as many pawns as possible.} 27.Rb1 Qe5 $1 28.Rxb7 Qxg3+ 29.Kxg3 Rxe2 {Black will suffer, but he has reasonable drawing chances.} ) 27.Rb1 $1 {Now, since Black did not take the h7-pawn, he is unable to transition to an endgame with Qe5.} 27...Qf6 ( 27...Qe5 {Now this move does not work because Black did not take on h7.} 28.Rxb7 Qxg3+ 29.Kxg3 Rxe2 30.Rxf5 {The threat of Rg5 is decisive. Black has to take on h7 anyway, but the lost tempo means that White will be in time to grab a7.} 30...Kxh7 31.Rxa7 $1 {The a-pawn should eventually win.} ) 28.Rxb7 $1 Rxe2 29.Rxf5 $1 {Not too difficult, but nice all the same. White's extra piece keeps his own king safe, while Black's is clearly done for with all the heavy pieces on an open board.} 29...Qh6+ 30.Kg1 Rxa2 31.Rbf7 Ra1+ 32.Bf1 d4 33.Rg5 Qd6 34.Qf2 Qa3 35.Rg3 {Duda resigned rather than waiting for a capture on g7. Nepo surely deserved the win, but his play felt shakier than it did in his earlier games. The length of a tournament has always been his worst enemy, and it might just be starting to show—not enough to affect the result, but enough to notice from afar. We will see if he can keep up this form moving forward. If he can, I expect him to win the event easily. If not... things will get interesting.} 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[ECO "B28"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[Beauty "6670373618244"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 $1 {Radjabov has gotten a lot of very understandable heat in the past few years for showing no ambition, forcing draws with White in well known lines, never trying to win, drawing nearly all his games, you name it. In my opinion, much of this heat is fully justified. That said, I do have to give him props for showing a willingness to fight today as early as the first move 1.} 2.Nf3 a6 {I can't remember analyzing this move in the last 10 years $1} 3.c4 ( 3.c3 {I always thought this was supposed to be the best way to punish the line, but that may be outdated.} ) 3...Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e5 6.Nf5 d5 {Radjabov was still blitzing to here, suggesting he was still in his preparation. The position is not great though.} 7.cxd5 Bxf5 8.exf5 Nd4 9.Bd3 $1 {I like this decision from Caruana. The computer wants to try to hang onto the d5-pawn with Nc3, but this feels more human and less risky.} 9...Qxd5 10.Nc3 $1 {Another good move. White makes sure to grab a tempo on the queen before castling.} ( 10.O-O O-O-O $1 {Now it is too late for Nc3, as it can be met with a check on f3. Black should be fine.} ) 10...Qd7 11.O-O Nf6 $6 {This is not a bad move, but I think it was played with the wrong plan in mind. Given that Black ended up castling long in the game, he probably should have done so right away.} ( 11...O-O-O {If Black was going to castle long, he should have done so immediately. Still, he looks a little worse to me after} 12.Be3 Kb8 13.Rc1 $14 ) 12.Bg5 Be7 13.Re1 O-O-O ( 13...O-O $1 {Had Radjabov found this idea, I would not think to criticize Be7. But, if you play Be7 and don't go for this... I don't like it.} 14.Rxe5 Rfe8 {White is a little better with the pawn up, but he struggles to coordinate and Black has some counterplay with Rad8 coming next. In the game, Black's kingside got ransacked because it lacked defenders, while now the king can keep it safe.} ) 14.Rxe5 Nc6 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Rd5 Qe7 17.Bc4 Kb8 18.Qd3 $6 {This allows Black a bunch of extra options.} ( 18.g3 {More pawns on dark squares, make room for the king. White is much better but the game goes on.} ) 18...Qb4 {Not bad, but not best either. The computer wants Qc7, but I think Nb4 looks best to a human eye.} ( 18...Nb4 $5 {This would have been my choice and looks like a pretty convincing route to a defensible position. White is forced to give Black the d-file.} 19.Rxd8+ Rxd8 20.Qf3 Qc7 {Black is ready for Rd2 next. He looks fine to me.} ) 19.Bb3 Nd4 20.Qc4 Qxc4 21.Bxc4 Rc8 22.Bd3 Nc6 {White is a pawn up, but with a doubled pawn and opposite bishops, the win is not certain. Caruana found the best plan by far: Put the bishop on e4 and anchor it with f3.} 23.Be4 $1 Rhe8 24.f3 $1 {White's extra pawn is on full display. He has one f-pawn anchoring his bishop on a fantastic square, and another f-pawn ruining any hope of dislodging it with f7-f5. Now, Radjabov defended passively. This will absolutely not work, he needs counterplay.} 24...Re7 $2 {Way too passive.} ( 24...Ne5 $1 {The only try. The knight is coming to c4, and Black gets some counterplay. He is worse but the game goes on.} ) 25.Rad1 h6 26.Kf2 Rcc7 27.R5d2 Bxc3 28.bxc3 Ne5 29.Rc1 {The computer claims that Caruana's last few moves were a little careless because now Black can go Ng4+ and Nf6. This is true in theory, but I don't think it's as big a deal as the machine implies.} 29...f6 $2 {Eschewing the last chance. Now White's king runs straight to g6 and he wins the game on the kingside.} ( 29...Ng4+ $1 30.Kg3 Nf6 $1 31.Kf4 {In human terms I still think Black is very likely to lose here to h2-h4 and g2-g4-g5. Stockfish might hold it... but flesh and blood beings, I don't see it happening.} ) 30.Kg3 Ka7 31.Rd4 Rc5 32.Kh4 Rec7 33.Kh5 {Around here Radjabov stopped trying to defend and started looking for queenside counterplay. It's the right call to make, but it is way too slow.} 33...b5 34.f4 Nd7 35.Rcd1 Nb6 36.R1d3 Na4 37.Kg6 Nxc3 {Now, Caruana needed to find a couple only moves to win the game. But, they were not particularly difficult, and even with the clock ticking down on the last few moves before time control, he found them easily.} 38.Bf3 $1 Nxa2 39.Rd7 $1 {White's pawns will be much better than Black's, and White's king and bishop are both much more active than Black's king and knight.} 39...Nc3 40.Kxg7 b4 41.Kxf6 b3 {Sadly for Radjabov, right around the moment when White's moves become a little harder was when he got another hour. I think had that hour been absent, Caruana very likely still would have won the game, but the certainty would not be 100\%. With that hour, it's game over.} 42.Rd2 $1 a5 43.Ke6 Rxd7 44.Rxd7+ Ka6 45.f6 ( 45.Rd8 {Getting the rook behind the b-pawn worked too, but the position with both sides queening wins easily.} ) 45...b2 46.f7 b1=Q 47.f8=Q {Without time on the clock, it's easy to see this position from afar with Black to move and get spooked since he gets the first check. But, with even not that much time to calculate, it becomes clear that the checks rapidly run out, and White is winning.} 47...Qg6+ 48.Qf6 Qe8+ ( 48...Qxf6+ 49.Kxf6 $18 {The f-pawn will win the game.} ) 49.Kd6 $1 {A final accurare move. It's not even that stressful since Black has no checks.} ( 49.Re7 $2 {It was still not too late to blunder.} 49...Rc6+ 50.Bxc6 Qxc6+ 51.Kf7 Qxf6+ 52.Kxf6 Nd5+ 53.Ke6 Nxe7 54.Kxe7 a4 {Suddenly, Black can reach a drawn queen endgame, though even this might be hard to hold in practice.} ) 49...Rc4 50.Rc7 {Just one winning move among many.} 50...Kb5 51.Qe5+ Qxe5+ 52.fxe5 Rxc7 53.Kxc7 {There is no stopping the e-pawn.} 53...Kc5 54.e6 Nb5+ 55.Kd7 a4 56.e7 {Radjabov called it a day. Coming into the tournament, I had two main hopes. One would be that it would be a compact event with a lot of excitement and a lot of guys fighting for first, and the other (and bigger one) was that Hikaru would be one of those guys and that he would eventually win the tournament. This was not a great day for either of those hopes. But, it has to be said that the two guys atop the leaderboard have clearly been playing the best chess of the tournament by a wide margin, which always feels better than someone winning because they are getting lucky. I'm hopeful that the guys who are struggling will be able to find the best versions of themselves in the second half. I can't really see anyone catching the leaders barring some really bizarre circumstances, but I hope they face a tougher challenge in the remaining rounds.} 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.26"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[ECO "C82"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[Beauty "5637815670334"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.c3 Bc5 {Nothing up to here can be considered a huge surprise. Hikaru has only been playing e4 with White, and Caruana repeated the same Bc5 Open Spanish that he recently chose against MVL.} 10.Nbd2 O-O 11.Bc2 Nxf2 12.Rxf2 Bxf2+ 13.Kxf2 f6 14.Nf1 fxe5 15.Kg1 {All of this is well known theory, but I think Caruana fell into the same practical trap that Firouzja did against Nepo. I'm quite confident Black's position is objectively fine here, but in practice, it feels so much easier to play the White side.} 15...Qd6 ( 15...Qd7 {This was Caruana's choice against Maxime in the aforementioned game. He certainly equalized, but still went on to lose.} ) 16.Be3 Bf5 17.Bb3 Rad8 18.Qe1 Na5 19.Qf2 Nb7 {Both sides were still playing very fast.} 20.Re1 c5 21.Ng3 ( 21.Bg5 $5 {This was an interesting option, but my suspicion is that Black's position is better than the computer suggests. After} 21...c4 $1 ( 21...Rde8 $2 22.Rxe5 $1 Rxe5 23.Bf4 $18 ) 22.Bxd8 cxb3 23.Bh4 bxa2 24.Ra1 Bb1 {I have a lot of trouble evaluating the position, and once I let the computer run here, it became less and less optimistic for White's chances. I think Hikaru was right to avoid it.} ) 21...Bd3 22.Qd2 c4 $2 {In my opinion, this is the move that lost Caruana the game. The position is incredibly hard to understand, but I think the main point is that Black will not be able to maintain his pawn on e5. It will inevitably have to move to e4. When this happens, Black will really regret having pushed c5-c4 because he loses any hope of fighting for the dark squares, plus the light squared bishop can end up stuck on d3 and unable to fight on other relevant parts of the board. White is only a bit better still, but Black's position feels nearly impossible to play.} ( 22...e4 $1 {This should be preferred. The position is messy and balanced. I would prefer the White side, but the machine insists upon total equality.} ) 23.Bd1 $1 {White does not exchange the bishops. He has already seen that d3 will become a piece of dead wood.} 23...Rd7 24.Bf2 Rdf7 25.Nh1 $1 {An excellent decision from Hikaru. The move is not at all subtle, White wants to take on e5, or to play Bg3 next. Black clearly will have to move the e-pawn.} 25...e4 26.Nd4 {This is exactly the kind of position that I think is a practical nightmare for Black. Long term, he will face huge issues as his pawns are blockaded in the center, and White will eventually take them by having a larger total number of pieces on the board. Black's compensation is that one of his pieces is bigger than White's, but the main power of a larger piece over a smaller piece, such as a rook over a bishop, is being able to attack multiple targets at once. And what do we have here $2 Black's rooks are both clearly on their best squares already. In fact, all of his pieces look nice and active. But what is there to target $2 White has no weaknesses. Slowly but surely, he will activate his pieces and organize them to attack the pawns. Caruana surely could have defended better from here, but in human terms, I think the game is already more or less lost, even though the machine gives White only a 0.5 advantage or so. I think his big mistake was c4.} 26...Qg6 27.h4 Nc5 ( 27...h5 $1 {According to the machine, this was the only move. But who makes such a move, putting yet another pawn on a light square and weakening g5 $2 It feels like Black's task is impossible, and even here, he is still suffering after} 28.Qg5 Qxg5 29.hxg5 $14 ) 28.h5 $1 Qd6 29.Bg4 $1 {White's pieces are springing to life, and he is now winning. The bishop on d3 might look nice and anchored, but it is not doing much, and it is unable to help Black fight for squares like f5 or e6.} 29...h6 30.Qe3 Qf4 31.Qxf4 ( 31.Bf5 {This may have been even faster.} ) 31...Rxf4 32.Ne6 {In my opinion, Caruana only made two serious mistakes all game. One was to play c4. But, the second one was to not resign here. At this point, I really cannot imagine Hikaru ever not converting this with White. Under other circumstances, I would not criticize continuing the game; Black is not totally out of practical hope. But in this particular case, Caruana has a huge game with White against Nepo tomorrow, now a full point ahead of him. It's about as clear of a must-win scenario as one could imagine, and it is clearly the most important game of the tournament. Caruana will have White, and he should definitely get his chances. But having a couple extra hours to rest and prepare for the Petroff would have been a huge asset, and in my opinion, a much larger one than hoping for the 1\% chance of Hikaru not winning this position.} 32...Nxe6 33.Bxe6+ Kh7 34.Bxd5 R8f5 35.Bc6 Rxh5 36.Bd4 Rhf5 37.Nf2 Rf7 38.b4 h5 39.a4 ( 39.Be8 {This seems rather convincing. Black loses the h-pawn.} 39...R7f5 {Trying to save it will lead to a trapped rook.} 40.Be3 $1 Rh4 41.g3 ) 39...bxa4 40.Bxa4 h4 41.Be3 R4f5 42.Ra1 {Hikaru made his life a little tougher here and had to find some only moves, but they were pretty straightforward. He did not take long to find all of them.} 42...h3 43.Ra2 $1 {Luckily for White, there wasn't much choice. This was the only way to prevent h2+.} ( 43.gxh3 $2 {This would fall for Black's trap.} 43...Rf3 $1 44.Re1 Rg3+ $1 {Black is turning the tables.} ) 43...hxg2 44.Bd1 $1 {Another good move, stopping Rf3.} 44...R7f6 {Now, last up is not letting Black defend the pawn with Rg6.} 45.Bg4 $1 Rd5 46.Kxg2 $1 Rg6 47.Kg3 {White has reached an ideal coordination again with no counterplay, and now the game wins itself.} 47...Bf1 {Finally that bishop gets to move... but it still isn't doing anything on f1 and has to come back to d3 the next move anyway.} 48.Bd4 Bd3 49.Kf4 Kg8 50.Bf5 Rh6 51.Ng4 Rhd6 52.Ne3 Rb5 53.Bc5 Rf6 54.Ke5 Kf7 55.Nd5 {I'm not sure it was necessary to let Black get the pawn to e2, but Hikaru kept it all under control.} ( 55.Rf2 $18 {Time to resign.} ) 55...Rxf5+ 56.Kxf5 e3+ 57.Ke5 e2 58.Bf2 Rb8 59.Be1 Re8+ 60.Kf4 g5+ {Now again, White needed a couple only moves... but they are not hard.} 61.Kg3 $1 Re6 62.Kf2 Rh6 63.Ke3 Re6+ 64.Kf2 Rh6 65.Ne3 {Of course, White does not repeat a second time.} 65...Rf6+ 66.Kg3 Rf1 67.Ng2 {White has re-coordinated, and Black's e-pawn is firmly stopped. The rook can now go and start taking the other ones.} 67...Rf6 68.Bf2 Kg6 69.Ra5 $1 Re6 70.Ne1 $1 Bf5 71.Nf3 Rd6 72.Nd4 Bd3 73.Re5 Kf6 74.Nf3 {Facing the loss of the g5-pawn, Caruana finally resigned. The game lasted over six hours and finished past 9pm local time. I have to imagine this will not do him any favors tomorrow. Hikaru's technique was not perfect, and honestly not even that great, but the win was still never in doubt. I really think resigning earlier was the best call given the tournament situation.} 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2806"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[Beauty "6327560577102"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 {The 10th round of the Candidates saw the fight for second place blow wide open. Ding's effort with Black against Rapport put him in a reasonable spot, and I am actually not sure the tournament is as over as it might look on paper. Nepo clearly is cruising—for a second white game in a row, he didn't really try much and was happy to make a draw. But he suffered a lot with Black yesterday. With 3 guys chasing him, I would not be surprised if he needs 2.0/ 4 to take clear first. If he's super confident in his ability to draw with Black, I guess cruising is fine. But... it seems a little shaky. In any case, let's get to the game! It was a wild fight.} 1...e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 {I always thought this was an inaccurate move order for White if he wants a d3 Spanish. Now, Black can put his bishop on a better square than e7— either c5 or g7 is quite reasonable. I guess it does have the added benefit of avoiding the Open Spanish.} ( 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 {This would be the normal way, forcing Black's bishop to commit to e7.} ) 5...b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 {The Archangel should be an excellent opening for Black if White is unable to play c3 and d4. It just looks like a good Italian for the second player.} 7.Bg5 $5 {This is very bold. It is not a bad move, but strategically it’s a very risky one. In general, I never really liked these positions where White's dark squared bishop ends up on g3. I often find that if it ever gets taken, Black's unopposed dark-squared bishop on a7 often wins him the game.} 7...h6 8.Bh4 d6 9.c3 Ba7 10.O-O {All of this is relatively normal so far. Ding kept matching the computer, suggesting he was still in his preparation.} 10...Na5 11.Bc2 c5 $1 {I like this move, being a little patient before chasing the bishop.} ( 11...g5 12.Bg3 Nh5 {This is probably playable too, but I dislike allowing} 13.b4 $1 {When Black is unable to retreat the knight back to the ideal c6-square without getting his pawn to c5 first.} ) 12.Nbd2 g5 $1 {Now and only now.} 13.Bg3 Nh5 14.a3 Rb8 $1 {This move convinced me that Ding may well be the best player in the world on the black side of Italian structures. It absolutely blows my mind that the computer says this is best, but it is. I would not have even considered it! Black plans to leave the king in the center and develop his rook along the seventh rank. Furthermore, after the inevitable b2-b4 coming, a2-a4 will be much less dangerous when the rook is off of the a-file. [After the game, Ding stated that this move was part of old preparation that was not for this game. - ed.]} ( 14...Qf6 {A move like this looks pretty automatic to me. It's not bad, but Ding's choice is stronger.} ) 15.Kh1 Rb7 $1 {Black is nothing if not consistent.} 16.b4 Nc6 17.Bb3 Rc7 18.Bd5 {Up to here, the game has been dynamic and tense, but mainly strategic with some understanding of where the pieces are supposed to go, and not with too many concrete lines to consider. Now it starts heating up fast.} 18...g4 $5 {The chaos begins!} ( 18...O-O {This was also possible. Black can plan for …Kg7 and …f5.} ) 19.Bh4 ( 19.Nh4 {This feels more natural to me, but White still has some problems to solve.} 19...Ne7 $1 {My computer claims White is okay here... but only if he lets Black take on d5! That is bizarre to me.} 20.Bb3 $2 ( 20.bxc5 Nxd5 21.exd5 Bxc5 {Apparently White is fine. That would most definitely not be my instinct!} ) 20...cxb4 $1 21.cxb4 O-O $15 {...Kh7 and …f5 are coming.} ) 19...Ne7 20.Ng1 cxb4 21.axb4 Rxc3 $5 {This strikes me as a bit greedy. I don't think the c3-pawn was the most important factor.} ( 21...Qd7 $1 {Time is of the essence. Now, Black is threatening to take on d5 and go …f5, which looks like an absolute nightmare for White. …Ng6 is also a huge threat, so one would expect White to take on e7.} 22.Bxe7 Qxe7 {But this is exactly what I am talking about with the unopposed g7-bishop. White cannot play f3 because of …Qh4, and he does not have another great way to get counterplay. c3 is weak, d4 won't come, at some point …Nf4 and the h-pawn starts shoving. Despite my computer's insistence on equality, I would definitely take Black here.} ) 22.Ne2 $1 Rc7 23.f4 $1 {White is a pawn down, so setting the board on fire makes perfect sense. Black's king can end up in real trouble.} 23...f6 $1 {The most human move.} ( 23...O-O {The machine wants this one, but this is a very hard move for a human.} 24.f5 $1 {The space is a huge problem and …Ng3 is on the way. Miraculously, Black just barely holds together with the only move} 24...Be3 $1 25.Ng3 Nxg3+ 26.hxg3 h5 {When his bishop can regroup to h6 and keep the king safe. Even here I would surely take White and I can understand why Ding didn't like it.} ) 24.fxe5 ( 24.Qe1 {The computer likes maintaining the tension here. No human plays such a move.} ) 24...dxe5 25.Ng3 $1 {Removing the guard of f6. Black's position looks very dangerous.} 25...Nxg3+ $1 26.hxg3 Rf8 $1 {Cold blooded.} 27.Rxf6 ( 27.Bxf6 $2 Rxf6 28.Rxf6 Nxd5 $1 {Black wins.} ) ( 27.Rc1 $5 {Maintaining the tension was an interesting option, though it is hard to imagine a human not taking on f6.} ) 27...Rxf6 $1 28.Bxf6 Qd6 $1 {Ding has the position more or less under control, though it still looks very scary.} 29.Qf1 Bd4 ( 29...Ng6 {Computers are so silly. Who brings the knight from e7 to g6 where it is blunted by the g3-pawn? Apparently this was best, so Black can go …Be6 and …Rf7 next.} ) 30.Bf7+ $1 Kd7 ( 30...Kxf7 {Of course the bishop cannot be taken.} 31.Bxe5+ ) 31.Rd1 Rc2 {I didn't really get this move. Apparently, moving the rook back and forth could lead to a repetition... But I don't see why Black needs to worry so much just yet.} ( 31...Qxb4 $5 {I think Black could have grabbed this pawn.} 32.Nb3 ) 32.Bb3 Rc7 {My suspicion is that if Rapport played Bf7 here, Ding may have taken b4 and continued the game. But, we will never find out, since Richard has never been shy about pushing the chaos button.} 33.Nc4 $5 {Very enterprising! But this is the kind of thing that does not work as well against 2800s.} 33...bxc4 34.dxc4 {c5 is coming next and Black's position looks very scary, but Ding finds the right coordination.} 34...Rc6 $1 {White's biggest threat was c4-c5, kicking the queen off of the d-file and getting ready for Bxe5 next. Black hits the f6 bishop with a gain of tempo and clears the c7-square for his king to escape. Losing the exchange is hardly the most relevant factor.} ( 34...Qxb4 $2 {Of course this tempting move has to be considered, but it's no good.} 35.Bxe5 $1 {White wins.} ) ( 34...Ke8 {This might look tempting to escape the pin, but...} 35.c5 $1 Qc6 36.Bxe5 $1 {... It turns out Black cannot take back on e5 anyway on pain of mate on f7. White wins.} ) 35.Ba4 Kc7 $1 {Black escapes the dangerous d-file. White should be careful to maintain the balance.} 36.Bxc6 Nxc6 37.b5 Nb4 $1 {Black wants to keep the c-file closed...} ( 37...axb5 38.cxb5 Na5 {This was also possible, but I prefer the game continuation.} ) 38.c5 $1 {But White insists.} 38...Qe6 39.Bh4 ( 39.b6+ $2 {It might be tempting to get connected passers, but Black has them nicely blockaded.} 39...Kb7 $19 {Black sticks his knight on c6, and White's pawns are going nowhere. Conversely, the a-pawn will win the game.} ) 39...Bxc5 $1 {Brave, but well calculated. Black had other good moves, but I like this one the most by far. Ding grabs the pawn, and this set him on the path to victory.} 40.Rc1 $1 Qd6 $1 ( 40...Kb6 $2 {Not to be recommended!} 41.Bd8+ $1 $18 ) 41.Qc4 {It is incredibly easy to get this far in your calculations and just call it quits. Black's position looks like it is about to collapse on the c-file, but Ding had seen it further.} 41...Nd3 $1 ( 41...Kb6 $2 42.Bd8+ {This would have led to a very different result!} ) 42.Rc3 $2 {A very natural human move, but it loses the game.} ( 42.Be7 $1 {White had to play this move. It's not that hard a move to find once you realize that Rc3 loses... but noticing that Rc3 is losing is hard to do!} 42...Qxe7 43.Qxd3 Kb6 44.bxa6 Bxa6 45.Qd5 $11 {Black's king is a bit too open here. Despite my computer insisting on dead equality, I do think Black can push a bit, but in a higher chess sense, this should be drawn.} ) 42...axb5 $1 43.Qxd3 ( 43.Qxb5 Nf2+ {Black keeps his piece, consolidates his position, and wins.} 44.Kh2 Nxe4 $19 ) 43...Qxd3 $1 44.Rxd3 Bd4 $1 {Now, White is an exchange up... but dead lost. His king is forever shut out of play on h1 and unable to come to g1. So, Black basically just pushes the b-pawn down the board. There is no way White's bishop can come around in time to challenge the a7-g1 diagonal. We are a long way from the opening, but that same ideal held true- Bg5-h4 allowed Black to dominate the most important diagonal.} 45.Bf6 {It's understandable to aim for the opposite-bishop ending, but Black wins by one tempo.} ( 45.Bg5 {Even if Black's pawn had been back on h7 and this move did not hang a piece, Black would still win. It takes too long to get the king into play.} 45...Kc6 46.Be3 Bxe3 47.Rxe3 b4 {The b-pawn is coming and White's king may as well be on another planet.} ) ( 45.Rd1 {This offers a bit more resistance, but Black should definitely still be winning.} 45...Bb7 $19 ) 45...Kb6 $1 46.Rxd4 exd4 47.Bxd4+ Ka5 48.Kg1 b4 49.Kf2 Ka4 $1 {Just in time.} 50.Ke3 Kb3 {Again, just in time.} ( 50...Bd7 {Burning one move allows White to set up a fortress.} 51.Kd2 Kb3 52.Bc5 $1 $11 {Black needs Kc3 here, and White's king got the tempo it needed to get in position.} ) 51.Kf4 ( 51.Kd2 {Passive defense does not hold.} 51...Ka2 52.Kc1 b3 53.e5 Be6 {Black will play …Bd5, …Bxg2, bring the bishop back to stop the e-pawn, and then …h5 and …g3 wins as White's bishop is unable to stop both the g-pawn and the b-pawn.} ) ( 51.Bc5 Kc3 $1 {Nice that White's king did not make it to d2!} ) 51...Kc2 52.Ke5 b3 53.Kd6 Kd3 $1 {Nice and clinical. Black does have the time to grab the e4-pawn.} ( 53...b2 {This wins, but there is no need to calculate variations.} ) 54.Ba1 Kxe4 55.Kc5 Kd3 {Rapport resigned. Had he continued, this is what the end would have looked like.} 56.Kb4 Kc2 57.Ka3 Bb7 58.Bb2 Bxg2 59.Ba1 h5 60.Bb2 h4 61.gxh4 g3 {White's bishop cannot stop both pawns.} 0-1

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.06.30"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7973606809690"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.c4 {This move is not known to be wildly dangerous, and while Firouzja was playing very quickly to a point, I have to believe there was a better choice available against the Petroff.} 5...Nc6 6.d3 Nf6 7.d4 Be7 8.d5 Ne5 9.Nd4 O-O 10.Nc3 Bg4 11.f3 {Firouzja played this move very quickly, suggesting he was still in preparation, but I'm not quite sure what he had in mind. Black's position already looks very comfortable to me and f2-f3 makes some weaknesses. “After f3 White shouldn't fight for something because of this weakness.” (Nepomniachtchi)} ( 11.Be2 {My computer is pretty insistent that this is the best move, so it's a little surprising Firouzja played something else so fast—if he was still in preparation, I'd expect him to play Be2. And if he was out of preparation and played something that's not best, you'd think he would have spent a bit more time doing it.} 11...Bxe2 12.Qxe2 Re8 {I suppose White is somewhat for choice due to having a little extra space, but it looks very marginal to me. The main thing that a space advantage gives you is more squares for your pieces, and having less space means your pieces can often end up with a shortage of good squares and competing for the same ones. Here, despite Black having a little less space, his pieces are fine. Nfd7 and Bf6 or Bg5 could come next, and he looks more or less fine to me.} ) 11...Bd7 12.Be2 c6 $1 {I like it $1 Black opens the center and hits back at the space advantage at the source.} 13.O-O cxd5 14.cxd5 Qb6 {“After Qb6 I didn't check Qb6, so I think I am a little better there, but I couldn't find a way to be better.” (Firouzja)} 15.Kh1 {“I thought he had to play something like Rb1.” (Nepomniachtchi)} 15...Rac8 {This was the first move Firouzja spent any substantial amount of time on, and he burned his bridges right away. I don't really blame him. It's very easy to go nuts when you are having a rough tournament and he is an aggressive player in his nature, but it really looked like tilt to me. It's hard to imagine that White can launch a direct kingside attack when the center is open and Black's pieces are all active and on good squares.} 16.g4 $2 {Brazen, but this can't be right.} ( 16.f4 $1 {Simple strategic chess was best. After} 16...Nc4 17.b3 Ne3 18.Bxe3 Rxc3 19.Bg1 {White can still pretend to have a little pull thanks to his extra space, though again I think it's really not much. I suspect Firouzja saw this option, thought Black will draw easily, and decided to be more aggressive almost by default.} ) 16...h6 $1 {A very strong response. Black wants to make sure that if White launches an attack, he has to throw all of his kingside pawns, leaving his own king unsafe. White will not be able to make use of the open h-file.} 17.h4 {Not best, but I can't imagine any other move. Nobody plays g4 and then after h6 says: \"Well, that didn't work. Let's make a more normal move and ignore the fact that I just compromised my kingside.\"} 17...Rfe8 $1 {Black had other moves, but I really like this one. It is bold but very strong—Black allows g5 and f4 to come but just doesn't care.} ( 17...Nh7 $5 {Black could borrow a theme from the Scheveningen as well. When Nepo played h6, I thought this was what he had in mind—White's h-pawn is harassed, and he is more or less forced to sacrifice a kingside pawn.} ) 18.g5 ( 18.a4 {Apparently this was best, but again, nobody would ever go g4 and h4 and then just stop when Black ignores their \"threat.” Still, Black is much better here as well.} ) 18...hxg5 19.hxg5 Nh5 $1 {Now the point of including h6 and h4 for Black is on full display. Since White lacks his h2-pawn, he is not in time to play f4.} 20.Kg2 {I was thinking about the position without a computer for Black, and I saw it to here. At the moment, Nepo was thinking about Rfe8. It looked unclear—f4 is coming after all, and Rh1 could be on the way too. This is why I sort of gravitated towards Nh7. Of course, that was not a bad move, but Nepo showed excellent nerves and calculation to see it a step further and know exactly what to do.} ( 20.f4 $2 Ng3+ $1 ) 20...Ng6 $1 {Absolutely devastating. Black is ready to slam into f4 next, more or less forcing f4 from White right now. But, then the position collapses.} 21.f4 Nhxf4+ $1 {The right knight.} ( 21...Ngxf4+ 22.Bxf4 {The hanging knight on h5 forces Black to take on f4, transposing to the not-as-ideal line on move 22.} ) 22.Bxf4 {Now, it feels so natural for Black to grab f4 and g5, winning a second pawn, getting a monster dark-squared bishop, and watching the pieces spring to life. This was not bad, but Nepo's choice was stronger.} 22...Qxb2 $1 {All of White's pieces are hanging and something will fall.} ( 22...Nxf4+ 23.Rxf4 Bxg5 24.Rf3 {Black is better here but the fight continues.} ) 23.Ne4 {The best move in a bad position. Now, I really like Nepo's next move as well. The computer sees something stronger, but the human move is quite sufficient.} ( 23.Bd2 Rxc3 $1 24.Rb1 Rg3+ $1 25.Kxg3 Qxd4 {White is done for.} ) 23...Rc4 $1 ( 23...Bd8 {The machine offers this one, which is completely ridiculous. You will be strip-searched if you play it. Nepo's choice is so human and so natural, and certainly enough to win the game.} ) 24.Be3 {Otherwise White loses a piece on the spot. Now, basic calculation—always examine all checks and captures, and the details here are actually pretty straightforward.} 24...Bxg5 $1 25.Rb1 ( 25.Nxg5 Rxe3 $19 {White loses the house.} ) ( 25.Bxg5 Rxd4 {Again, White loses the house.} ) 25...Qxa2 $1 {Before anything else, Black grabs another pawn. He now has four pawns for the piece, and White's pieces in the center are hanging.} 26.Ra1 Rxd4 $1 {The simplest.} ( 26...Bxe3 27.Rxa2 Rxd4 {This would have been fun and interesting, but when you are winning, you don't want fun and interesting. You want clean, crisp, and convincing.} ) 27.Rxa2 Rxd1 {For the moment, Black is up four pawns. The most material White can take back here is an exchange, and that clearly will not cut it.} 28.Bxd1 {The best try.} ( 28.Nxg5 Rxf1 29.Kxf1 Rxe3 {A head count will not be fun for White.} ) 28...Bxe3 29.Nxd6 Re7 {A final, accurate move, but a very easy one. Black defends his f7-pawn and is totally winning due to his material advantage, piece activity, and the looseness of White's position, particularly around his king.} 30.Bb3 ( 30.Nxb7 {I would have tried just grabbing a pawn and clearing way for the d-pawn and hoping for the best, but against best play it certainly would not change the result.} 30...Bb5 $1 31.Re1 Bc4 $1 {Black wins material.} ) 30...Bc5 $1 31.Nxb7 Bb6 {Black need not fear d5-d6 due to the check on c6, and his pieces will shortly throttle white's king.} 32.Bc4 Re3 33.Kh1 Bh3 34.Rc1 Bf5 35.Bf1 ( 35.Nd6 {This would have forced Black to find one more idea, but it is very easy.} 35...Rh3+ 36.Rh2 Rxh2+ 37.Kxh2 Bc7 $1 {Black wins the knight, and the game.} ) 35...Be4+ {With d5 falling next and b7 after that, Firouzja gave up. After the last game of the 2021 match with Carlsen, I wrote that, in my opinion, Nepo A is the second-best player in the world. Well, he has brought Nepo A all throughout this event, and I would revise my statement and instead say that Nepo A is far and away the second-best player in the world, well ahead of Ding, Caruana, and Firouzja, all of whom are higher rated. I suspect he will clear 2800 and beyond in no time if he can keep bringing Nepo A to the board, as he has done here. But you can't ever draw such sweeping conclusions from one event, and if Nepo B starts showing up again at some point, leaving the board constantly and blundering every other game, then I think the aforementioned trio will remain higher rated. The last few rounds feel like a formality at this point, but there is still some excitement in the fight for second since Magnus has said he is not certain he will play the next match.} 0-1

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Madrid"]
[Date "2022.06.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "6121402139658"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]

1.e4 e5 $5 {A bold decision. In general, the Petroff is a very safe opening and the best choice Black has to try to keep solid and hopefully make a draw. Still, I might have chosen something else. Caruana played the Petroff himself some years back, at the 2018 World Chess Championship and had that level of preparation. Nepo did this too, of course, but I think Caruana did it better, and his Petroff has looked like the better prepared and better understood one over the years. Against any other opponent, I'd think the Petroff would be an obvious choice. Here, I don't know.} 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.O-O O-O 8.c4 c6 {All of this is today's modern mainline. In an earlier round, Rapport chose Qb3, which is more or less a known draw, though he went off the deep end and ended up losing. Caruana chose a more challenging move.} 9.Re1 Bf5 10.Qb3 Qd7 11.Nh4 $5 {The first new move of the game, and I think a very dangerous one in practice. Nepo had to know he would be walking into some kind of preparation, but one has to admire his confidence.} ( 11.Nc3 {This is the main move by far, as was played by Magnus in the match.} ) 11...Be6 {Nothing else makes any sense.} 12.Qc2 Na6 {This move looks obvious enough, but I actually think it becomes difficult to fix the knight later on once it is frozen in place with a3.} ( 12...f5 {It may have been better to bolster the e4-knight directly. For example, after} 13.Nc3 Bc7 $1 {Black is reasonably solid and can remain patient. I could easily imagine him setting up with …Qf7 and …Nbd7 in the coming moves. Of course, this is much easier to say with the machine running.} ) 13.a3 $1 {Of course.} 13...f5 14.cxd5 $1 cxd5 15.Nc3 {Caruana was still blitzing. The machine insists on equality, but I think Black is under some pressure to figure out how to fix his pieces.} 15...Rac8 ( 15...Nb8 $1 {The computer does not mind Rac8, but I do. This looks like a much easier way for Black to coordinate. Burning two tempi on …Nb8-a6-b8 is not ideal, but once White has taken on d5, the knight finally has a reasonable square on c6. I think Black looks okay enough.} ) 16.f3 {In my opinion, the hardest pieces of practical preparation to face are the ones where you have to sacrifice material. I think it's much easier if an opponent sacrifices a piece—you just calculate until you see a line that does not lose. But when the only way to equalize is to give material for long-term compensation... I almost never see a human get this right. The computer still insists Black is totally fine, but I think his task is more or less impossible in human terms.} 16...Be7 17.g3 Nd6 ( 17...Bf6 $1 {This was the way, but nobody would do it.} 18.fxe4 fxe4 $1 19.Bxa6 Bxd4+ 20.Be3 Bxe3+ 21.Rxe3 bxa6 {I would be surprised if Nepo did not calculate this far. But, to a human eye, it is not hard to imagine the position being completely lost. Black is a piece down, his pawns are not moving anywhere anytime soon, and it takes White like two moves to go Rd1, Rd4... and then you resign $2 The machine claims this is equal. In my opinion, it is more or less impossible for a human to go for this line with g3 on the board. Black now needs a bunch of only moves in a row that miraculously hold together.} 22.Rd1 Qf7 $1 23.Ree1 {Case in point. Black has exactly one move here to not lose immediately.} 23...Bg4 $1 24.Rd4 Qf6 $1 {And another only move $1} 25.Qd2 e3 $1 {And another $1} 26.Qxe3 Rce8 $1 {One more…} 27.Nxd5 Qxd4 $1 28.Qxd4 Rxe1+ {... And finally a draw. Absolutely no human being can play chess like this, and anyone who does should be immediately stripped for a wire. This was fantastic practical preparation from Caruana.} ) 18.Qa4 $1 Bf6 ( 18...Rc6 {This was a better try, but Black's position is very unpleasant after} 19.Bxa6 $1 Bxh4 20.gxh4 Rxa6 21.Qxd7 Bxd7 22.Bf4 $14 {White's bishop is so much better than his counterpart.} ) 19.Qxd7 Bxd7 20.Nxd5 Bxd4+ 21.Kg2 $1 {Be3 was fine too, but I prefer Caruana's choice. More pieces should remain on the board. Now, I've always believed that it is very rare for someone to be slightly better based on piece activity in a symmetrical pawn structure. It is almost always much better or very close to equal. Here, it is much better. Black is facing too many threats. That said, White needs the utmost precision as one mistake will immediately see the game fizzle to sterile equality.} 21...Rce8 $1 {Ne7+ was threatened, and this was the only move not to lose the game immediately.} 22.Bf4 $1 Nc5 23.Ne7+ $1 Kf7 {Now, this is a perfect example of what I was saying. There really is no slightly better option for White in this position with a mostly symmetrical structure. The best move is more or less winning, and the second-best move is just about a draw.} 24.Bxf5 $2 {This lets the opportunity slip. White's route to victory was narrow and incredibly difficult, but it was there.} ( 24.Bf1 $1 {This was the way. It's a very hard move to make, tucking the bishop away passively like this, and there is a lot of hard calculation to do, but White seems to be on top in all lines. This is the level of difficulty you tend to see in what will decide who challenges for a World Championship match.} 24...Nc8 {This is Black's most resilient defense, but it's not great.} ( 24...Rxe7 25.Bxd6 Rxe1 26.Rxe1 Re8 {It looks like Black might be holding on. But...} 27.Rd1 $1 {... A subtle and difficult move to spot from afar, even if it is obvious once the position after 26...Re8 is on the board. Black may as well resign.} ) 25.Bc4+ $1 Be6 26.Rxe6 $1 {A very important move, without which White would not have much. The initiative flows very powerfully.} 26...Nxe6 27.Nhxf5 $1 Kf6 {I suspect Caruana may have seen it this far and then got stuck here, as Black looks okay. But...} 28.Nd5+ $1 {... Black is unable to take on f5 thanks to mate.} 28...Kg6 ( 28...Kxf5 29.Bd3# ) 29.Nxd4 Nxd4 30.Rd1 $16 {Black is in big trouble.} ) 24...Nxf5 $1 ( 24...Bxf5 $2 25.Bxd6 $1 {And White wins.} ) 25.Nhxf5 Bxf5 $1 26.Nxf5 {This position looks so tempting for White from afar. Black is a pawn down, facing massive threats. But somehow he just barely holds together.} 26...Rxe1 $1 27.Rxe1 Nd3 $1 {Black is just in time to hold.} 28.Re4 ( 28.Re7+ Kf6 $1 {Everything is hanging, but it seems like White's pieces are hanging more painfully than Black's are. [Caruana said that during earlier calculations he \"missed one detail\" which is that he thought he could play} 29.Bg5+ {here but at some point he realized the knight is hanging. - PD]} ) ( 28.Nd6+ {This does not help.} 28...Kg8 $11 ) 28...Bxb2 $1 {Black is out of danger. The absolute worst-case scenario I could imagine for him is a 3 vs. 2 endgame on the kingside, which would be unpleasant but still a draw.} 29.Be3 ( 29.Nd6+ Kg8 30.Nxb7 Nxf4+ {Black takes on a3 next and holds.} ) 29...Bxa3 30.Bxa7 Ra8 31.Bd4 Bf8 {The rest of the game was a formality. Caruana came very close to blowing the tournament open, showing excellent preparation, but he did not quite manage to see it all the way through when a very, very difficult chance was given to him. Nepo remains a full point in the lead, and thanks to wins from the struggling Radjabov and Firouzja, it seems Caruana is the only player for him to worry about once again. Surviving this game was a huge deal.} 32.Re2 g6 33.Ne3 Rd8 34.Bb6 Rd6 35.Nc4 Rc6 36.Re4 Bg7 37.f4 Re6 38.Kf3 Ne1+ 39.Ke3 Nc2+ 40.Kf3 Ne1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.07.01"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2806"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[ECO "E48"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[Beauty "8251705932832"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.a3 {This variation has become a very hot trend as of late, and I have no idea why. Vidit has lost this position three times with the black pieces, but he always seemed better out of the opening in all three games $1 In more recent times, it seems like the variation is one you choose when you want to lose with White to a lower-rated player, and badly—the So-Sevian game comes to mind as well. According to my understanding of chess, it cannot be right to go for a Carlsbad structure with the c1-bishop looked inside the pawn chain.} 7...Bd6 8.Qc2 Na6 {This move has already been tried by Oparin in 2022, and he is generally very well prepared. It looks a bit weird to me and I certainly don't think it is the only way to a comfortable position, but Black should be fine.} ( 8...c6 {This move looks incredibly obvious to me, and no recent games or engine analysis have done anything to convince me that Black does not have the more comfortable side of equality.} ) 9.Nge2 ( 9.Nf3 {In hindsight, this may have been a safer way to develop the knight, though Black is surely fine here as well.} ) ( 9.Bxa6 $2 {Doubling the pawns plays right into Black's hands. The bishop was White's best piece, and he is in no position to make use of Black's weakened queenside structure.} 9...bxa6 {With …Re8 and …Ne4 coming soon, Black has a built-in kingside attack and looks clearly for choice.} ) 9...c5 10.Bxa6 bxa6 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.b4 ( 12.O-O {In light of the calamity that came later, Ding was well advised to get castled here. It was actually his last moment to do so $1 I presume he did not like that after} 12...a5 $11 {He is unable to push b2-b4 as he did in the game, and Black should be fine here. But White is not going to get crushed and it's just a normal game.} ) 12...Bd6 $1 13.Bb2 {Ding's reluctance to castle into an attack is understandable, but his king will not be any safer in the center.} ( 13.O-O {I suppose White could castle here as well. …Bxh2+ looks very scary but does not quite work.} 13...Bxh2+ ( 13...Re8 {A simple developing move like this one should be preferred. Black can look to sac on h2 in a move or two, and h2-h3 always can be met with some kind of …Bd7, …Qc8, and sac on h3. The machine claims this is equal, but it looks very scary for White to me.} ) 14.Kxh2 Ng4+ 15.Kg3 Qg5 16.f4 Qh5 17.Nd4 $1 {With a bunch of only moves, White beats back the attack and should be much better.} ) 13...a5 14.b5 $6 {This feels way too ambitious.} ( 14.O-O {Even at the cost of a pawn, I think White needed to evacuate. After} 14...axb4 15.axb4 Bxb4 16.Ba3 {White has fair compensation and should not be worse.} ) 14...a6 $1 {Now it truly is too late. White never got another decent moment to castle.} 15.h3 ( 15.O-O Qc7 $1 {Black gains a tempo by hitting h2, and will take the b5-pawn next.} ) 15...Bd7 16.bxa6 Rxa6 17.Rd1 ( 17.O-O Qc8 $1 {There is not a thing White can do about a sac on h3 coming on the next move, and in time, the rook on a6 can even lift to g6 or h6. In human terms, White should be done for here.} ) 17...Rb6 18.Rd2 {I'm not sure what this move was all about—I guess maybe Ding wanted to castle and then be able to move the c3-knight after …Qc8. But it feels way too slow. Still, there were already no good moves $1 It's hard to play an open position with your king in the center and your rook out of play.} ( 18.O-O Qc8 $1 {Again, this would lead to a deadly sacrifice on h3.} ) 18...Qc8 {Apparently …Qb8 was even stronger, but who cares. White cannot castle, ever, and Black should win routinely.} 19.f3 {I guess if White really can't castle, it makes some sense to try to play Kf2, but it's hard to imagine this working. Radjabov did not hesitate with the punishment.} ( 19.O-O {It's very sad that this is White's best chance.} 19...Bxh3 20.Qd3 $1 {By some miracle, Black does not have a direct win here, and is only up a pawn for nothing. Fine, he will win on move 45 instead of 25.} ) 19...Re8 $1 20.Kf2 Qb8 {Black is now threatening to take on e3, and there is more or less nothing White can do about it. Ding allowed the threat to be executed, but other moves would not have saved him.} ( 20...Rxe3 $2 {Black is not ready for this yet.} 21.Kxe3 Bc5+ 22.Nd4 $18 {The winning move in this position is Qe5+. So, Radjabov put the queen on b8 before going for the sac.} ) 21.Qc1 ( 21.Nd1 {This looks like the most resilient defense to me, overprotecting e3 and looking to anchor the bishop on d4. There is no direct breakthrough for Black, but after a simple move like} 21...Nh5 {My computer gives a -3.5 evaluation. Still, this felt like the way to go since Black can't just start taking stuff.} ) 21...Rxe3 $1 {The rook is immune from capture. I can't think of a compelling reason for White to continue this game any further, but Ding played a few more moves.} 22.Nd1 ( 22.Kxe3 Bc5+ 23.Nd4 Qe5+ {White is done for.} ) 22...Re8 {Nice and simple, no need to anything messy. …Rxe2+ worked, but retreating the rook and continuing the devastating attack with extra material is the professional way to go.} 23.Ne3 Rb3 24.Ng4 ( 24.Bd4 Bxa3 $5 {Why not $2 White is getting killed in the center and is also down two pawns for dead nothing.} ) 24...Bxg4 25.hxg4 Rc8 26.Qa1 Bf4 {White had seen enough. The rook on h1 never moved once, and playing an open game with a lot of open lines without five points of material is not a recipe for success. A tough loss for Ding, especially after he really found his form and played very well to score three wins in a row, but I don't think he would have had any serious chance of winning the tournament at this point anyway.} 0-1

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.07.03"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "samsh"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6875437353493"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nf3 {The Najdorf is a great opening for Black, and White surely has no advantage anywhere. But, the burden of memorization is extremely high, and there are a ton of lines you need to know. As such, most people jump around a lot with the white pieces and look to poke and prod in different spots. I would know firsthand—I actually beat the Najdorf twice myself in the recently concluded Prague Masters, but I chose a different line the second time around. It surprises me a little that Hikaru repeated the same variation that he played with Firouzja a few days ago, but you can't argue with success $1} 7...Be7 {The main move.} ( 7...Nc6 {This was Alireza's choice, and is also playable, though he got into trouble later on when he was a little too ambitious.} ) 8.h3 {This has been something of a trend as of late, though it doesn't strike me as that challenging for Black.} 8...h6 9.Bc4 Be6 10.Bb3 {This position is extremely common without h3 and /h6 included, and I don't think their inclusion should change much.} 10...Nc6 {Probably fine, but might not be totally necessary.} ( 10...O-O {Castling looks quite acceptable to me.} ) 11.Nh4 Na5 $6 ( 11...O-O {Call me old-fashioned, but I like castling $1} ) 12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.Ng6 {Once the knight gets to g6, White should be able to put some pressure. Still, it's nothing too amazing since Black's king will be fine on f7.} 13...Rg8 14.O-O Nc4 15.Bc1 Rc8 16.h4 $2 {I think this was a misunderstanding of the position. White's knight on g6 is not really worth maintaining—it did its job by preventing castling. Its highest and best use will be to take e7 once it is attacked.} ( 16.b3 $1 Ne3 ( 16...Na5 17.Bb2 Kf7 18.Nxe7 $1 {White's proud knight has been exchanged, but he is trading one advantage for another.} 18...Qxe7 19.f4 $1 {The attack is coming and Black has some real problems to solve.} ) 17.Bxe3 Rxc3 18.Bd2 $1 {White is ready for c4, Bb4, and f4. Black will really regret the center being so loose.} ) 16...Rc6 ( 16...Kf7 $1 17.h5 Qc7 {Black should be fine here. He has typical Najdorf counterplay with /b5-b4 coming soon.} ) 17.Qf3 Kf7 18.h5 Qc7 19.Nd1 Nb6 20.Ne3 Nd7 21.c4 {The last several moves have been fine enough, but again, I think Hikaru made the wrong choice when the g6-knight was attacked.} 21...Nf8 22.Nh4 $6 ( 22.Nxe7 Qxe7 23.b3 {White can plan for Ba3 and rooks on the d-file. He might be a little better here, he might not. Still, it looks much better than the game continuation.} ) 22...Nh7 $1 {Now all of a sudden White is more or less losing a pawn by force. /Ng5 is coming and White cannot move the knight on e3 without losing c4. Still, he retains compensation since Black's position is a bit loose, his structure is not great, and White has more space.} 23.b3 Ng5 24.Qe2 Ngxe4 25.Bb2 {It's not that hard to imagine an f2-f4 advance coming and causing trouble in the coming moves, but Black should be a bit better if he plays it right. Duda played it well to a point.} 25...Re8 $1 26.Ng6 Kg8 {Castling by hand is a good start.} 27.Rad1 a5 28.Ng4 Bd8 29.Nxf6+ Nxf6 30.Rd2 Nd7 31.Rfd1 $2 {An uncharacteristic blunder from Hikaru. I suspect he may have just completely missed /Bg5.} ( 31.Ba3 $1 {This should be preferred. White has reasonable pressure against d6 and more active pieces to compensate for the missing pawn. My machine screams draw, but in practice this position looks rich and can be playable for both sides.} ) 31...Bg5 $1 32.Rd3 b5 $1 {Well spotted. Now White's space advantage is attacked at the source, and the b5-pawn is immune from capture. To here, I think Hikaru was largely outplayed and he is close to lost. But one of the things that makes him Hikaru is that, somehow, whenever he gets a lost position, he has this incredibly frustrating habit of matching the machine every move for the rest of the game $1 I've played him a bunch of times in classical chess. I've only lost once, and I've outplayed him in at least three or four games and gotten really nice positions, even with Black. And every single time, he defended perfectly and not only made a draw, but almost made it look easy.} 33.Ba3 d5 $2 ( 33...b4 $1 {Black needed to blunt the bishop.} 34.Bb2 e4 $1 {Very nice. The pawn is immune from capture thanks to ...Nc5, and ...d5 can come next. still, the position is not totally routine. After something like} 35.Rg3 d5 36.Rg4 $1 {White is ready for f4 next, and in human terms, this is not easy at all. Just thinking about having to beat Hikaru with Black here gives me nightmares.} ) 34.cxd5 Rc2 {It looks like b4 will trap the bishop next, and I'm sure this is what Duda had in mind when going for this line. But...} 35.Bd6 $1 {... Hikaru never misses shots like this. Just two moves after the machine claims White is lost, Black should be careful to maintain the balance.} 35...Rxe2 ( 35...Qxd6 $2 36.Qxc2 ) 36.Bxc7 Nc5 ( 36...exd5 {Given how problematic the d-pawn became, I think Black should have just taken it here.} 37.Rxd5 Nf6 38.Rxb5 Nxh5 {Anything other than a draw would be pretty surprising.} ) 37.d6 Nd7 {This really feels like capitulation. The d-pawn is incredibly powerful.} ( 37...Nxd3 $1 {With more time, I'm sure Duda would have evaluated this position better.} 38.Rxd3 {The d-pawn will cost Black his bishop, but he should be okay. He takes some pawns, trades some stuff, and makes a passer on the a-file.} 38...Rxa2 39.d7 Ra8 40.d8=Q+ Bxd8 41.Bxd8 a4 $1 {Black has fair counterplay here.} ) 38.Bxa5 $1 Rxa2 39.Bb4 {Now the d-pawn is the boss of the board. Material is equal and Black's position is in shambles.} 39...Bd8 40.Rc3 $1 Bb6 41.Kh2 {The f-pawn is of little consequence, and White is ready for Rc7.} 41...Kh7 ( 41...Rxf2 42.Rc7 $1 Rf7 ( 42...Bxc7 43.dxc7 {White's rook will reach d8 and the pawn promotes directly.} ) 43.Rb7 {Black is completely powerless to stop Ne7 from ending the game next move.} ) 42.f3 $1 {Nice and simple. Everything is safe and protected, material remains equal, and Black is strategically busted. Despite the balance in raw pieces on the board, my machine offers +5 for White.} 42...Ra7 43.Rc6 Be3 44.Bd2 Bd4 45.Bc3 Be3 46.Rc7 Rea8 47.Kh3 $1 {A sadistic move. Black is nearly in zugzwang, and e5 will hang sooner rather than later.} 47...b4 48.Bxb4 Rb8 49.Bc3 Rxb3 50.Rc8 Rb8 51.Rxb8 Nxb8 52.d7 {The fork on f8 decides the game. This was far from Hikaru's cleanest effort, but he immediately grabbed his chance once it came. He moves into clear second place going into the last round. I honestly think he got unlucky that Nepo was on such massive form— under other circumstances, Hikaru could really be fighting for first by bringing this quality of play to the Candidates.} 1-0

[Event "E Chess Olympiad 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.07.29"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Toczek, Grzegorz"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2287"]
[ECO "C41"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8251705944095"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{Shirov's games are famous for their entertainment value and this one is no different. We have a brave opening idea, a very complicated middlegame with chances for both sides, some inaccuracies, combinations, and a beautiful final touch. This legendary player never ceases to amaze us.} 
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nf3 Nbd7 5.g4 $5 {Shirov is fond of playing the g4-move in the opening. White can consider this idea without sacrificing the pawn, playing 5.Rg1 first.} ( 5.Bc4 {is the classical move.} ) ( 5.Rg1 $5 ) 5...Nxg4 $1 {Accepting the gift.} 6.Rg1 Ngf6 7.Bc4 {The g-file is opened and Black has to lose time before finishing the development. The position looks good for White, but it's actually not easy to break Black's defense.} 7...h6 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.Be3 c6 10.Qd3 b5 11.Bb3 ( 11.Bxf7+ $2 {This move finds a neat refutation.} 11...Kxf7 12.Nxe5+ Nxe5 $1 13.Qxd8 Nf3+ 14.Kd1 ( 14.Kf1 Bh3+ ) 14...Nxg1 {with a big advantage for Black.} ) 11...Qa5 12.O-O-O Ba6 13.Nd2 $1 {A difficult but necessary move. White defends against the …b5-b4 advance and prepares to break with f2-f4.} 13...Rd8 ( 13...O-O-O {This is an important alternative.} 14.Bxf7 Nc5 ( 14...b4 $6 15.Nb3 $1 Bxd3 16.Nxa5 Ba6 17.Nb1 {with advantage for White. Todorovic-Solak, Cetinje 2010.} ) 15.Qf1 b4 16.Ne2 Kb8 {with a roughly equal position.} ) 14.Qf1 $1 c5 $2 {A new move.} ( 14...g6 {is possible since White can't advance the f-pawn yet.} 15.f4 $6 b4 16.Nc4 Bc5 $3 {A fantastic resource $1} 17.Bxc5 Qxc5 18.Nd6+ Qxd6 19.Qxa6 Qc5 {and Black was much better in Cmor-Kodric, Ptuj 2014.} ) ( 14...b4 15.Nc4 $1 bxc3 16.Nxa5 cxb2+ 17.Kxb2 Bxf1 18.Rdxf1 {with good compensation for the pawn.} ) ( 14...Nc5 15.Bxc5 Bxc5 16.Rxg7 b4 17.Nc4 Qc7 $1 ( 17...bxc3 $2 18.Nxa5 cxb2+ 19.Kxb2 Bxf1 20.Rxd8+ Kxd8 21.Nb7+ Ke8 22.Nxc5 {with a clear advantage for White in Kuybokarov-Vakhidov, Penang 2016.} ) 18.Rxd8+ Qxd8 {with a complicated game.} ) 15.Nd5 $2 {Shirov doesn't resist a sacrifice, but this is not the best. He had two better moves.} ( 15.f4 $1 {is the most brutal. After} 15...c4 16.fxe5 Nxe5 17.Qf5 $1 {White is winning in all the lines.} 17...Nc6 ( 17...Bd6 18.Rxg7 cxb3 19.Qxf6 bxa2 20.Nxa2 Qxa2 21.Nb3 {with a decisive attack.} ) 18.Nd5 $1 Nxd5 19.exd5 Ne7 20.Qe5 $1 cxb3 21.Nxb3 Qxa2 22.d6 {winning.} ) ( 15.a4 $5 {is more positional, but also good.} 15...bxa4 ( 15...b4 16.Nb5 $18 ) ( 15...c4 16.axb5 $18 ) 16.Bc4 $16 {with a clear advantage.} ) 15...c4 16.Nxc4 bxc4 17.Bxc4 Bb7 $6 ( 17...Bxc4 {is better.} 18.Qxc4 Bd6 $1 {The only move to keep Black's position together.} ( 18...Nxd5 $2 19.Rxd5 Qb4 20.Qc7 {with a strong initiative.} ) 19.Rxg7 Nxd5 20.Rxd5 Qc7 21.Qxc7 Bxc7 22.Bxa7 {White has three pawns for the piece, but objectively Black has the advantage in this endgame.} ) 18.Bd2 ( 18.Nxf6+ $1 Nxf6 19.Bb5+ Nd7 20.Qc4 {with a dangerous initiative.} ) 18...Qc5 19.Bb4 Qc8 20.Ba5 ( 20.Nxf6+ {leads to a draw, but Shirov, naturally, wants more.} 20...Nxf6 21.Bb5+ Bc6 22.Rxd8+ Kxd8 23.Ba5+ Ke7 24.Bb4+ Kd8 $11 ) 20...Nxd5 $2 {White's compensation for the piece is too strong after this mistake} ( 20...Bxd5 $1 21.Bxd5 Be7 22.Bxd8 Bxd8 {and Black is holding. The computer evaluates this as 0.00, as always.} ) 21.Bxd5 Ba6 22.Qh3 Nb6 23.Qh5 $1 {Shirov conducts the initiative with his typical flair.} 23...Rd7 ( 23...Nxd5 24.Qxe5+ Qe6 25.Qd4 $1 Bb7 26.exd5 Rxd5 27.Qxa7 {with a decisive attack.} ) 24.Qxe5+ Re7 25.Qd4 ( 25.Qf4 $18 ) ( 25.Qd6 $18 ) 25...Nxd5 26.Qa4+ $1 ( 26.Qxd5 $6 {is not so clear.} 26...Rd7 27.Qe5+ Be7 ) 26...Qd7 $2 ( 26...Rd7 {was necessary, but White has a winning initiative after} 27.exd5 ) 27.Rxd5 $1 {Beautiful $1} ( 27.Rxd5 Qxa4 28.Rd8# ) 1-0

[Event "E Chess Olympiad 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.07.30"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Black "Sipila, Vilka"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2642"]
[BlackElo "2416"]
[ECO "E56"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8251709854254"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{Nisipeanu is a great player, and his games are full of creative ideas. I once faced him in a dramatic match in the world championship in Las Vegas, 1999, when he eliminated me in the rapid tiebreaker.} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 {The old main move. 6.cxd5 and 6.a3 are very popular now.} 6...dxc4 {This move-order prevents White from capturing on d5 first.} ( 6...c5 7.cxd5 $1 {The critical move.} 7...exd5 8.dxc5 {with chances for both sides.} ) 7.Bxc4 c5 8.O-O Nc6 ( 8...cxd4 {is a reliable choice and leads to a very important position, not only to learn opening theory, but also to understand how to play positions with an isolated queen's pawn.} 9.exd4 b6 ) 9.a3 Ba5 10.Bd3 $5 ( 10.Qd3 {is the main move.} ) 10...h6 {Black plays a useful waiting move before deciding whether to take on d4.} ( 10...cxd4 11.exd4 {and now it's necessary to play 1...h6 anyway in order to avoid a pin with Bg5.} ) 11.h3 {White decides to play a useful waiting move.} 11...Re8 {A new move.} ( 11...Qe7 12.Qe2 Rd8 13.Rd1 e5 $1 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Qxe5 16.Bd2 Be6 {gave Black a good game in Meskovs-Banikas, Athens 2021.} ) ( 11...cxd4 {is also possible.} 12.exd4 Bc7 {with equal chances.} ) 12.dxc5 {Nisipeanu decides to force matters. He could keep the central tension with a move like} ( 12.Bc2 ) 12...Bxc3 13.bxc3 Qa5 {This is not the best, but the position is still fine.} ( 13...e5 $6 {seems logical to open the diagonal for the c8-bishop and to give some work for the e8-rook, but it's not enough to solve the problems after} 14.e4 {, for instance:} 14...Nd7 15.Be3 Qe7 16.Bb5 $1 Nxc5 17.Qd5 {with advantage for White.} ) ( 13...Nd7 $1 {is the best move. Black will take on c5 with the knight and has excellent chances to equalize.} ) 14.Qc2 Qxc5 15.a4 {A typical move, preparing to play Ba3.} 15...Na5 $2 {The first real mistake. Black is in trouble after this move. Let's remember again that \"a knight on the rim is dim.\"} ( 15...b6 $1 16.Ba3 Qh5 {and Black is ok.} ) 16.Ba3 Qc7 17.Rfd1 {Now White has the bishop's pair and better development.} 17...Nc4 $2 ( 17...Bd7 $2 18.Bd6 $1 {is very unpleasant.} ) ( 17...Rd8 {is the best chance, avoiding the Bd6 trick.} ) 18.Bxc4 Qxc4 19.Rd4 $1 Qa6 20.Ne5 {Now the c8-bishop is completely out of play. The presence of opposite colored bishops increases the strength of the attack.} 20...b6 21.Rad1 Bb7 {This loses after a pretty combination, but it's hard to suggest good moves for Black.} 22.Nxf7 $1 {Demolishing the king's position. The absence of the queen, far away from the kingside, is now felt.} 22...Kxf7 23.Rd7+ Nxd7 24.Rxd7+ Kf6 ( 24...Kg8 25.Qg6 {and mate is unavoidable.} ) 25.Qh7 $1 {I really enjoy long-range attacking moves.} 25...Rg8 26.Be7+ Kf7 ( 26...Ke5 27.f4# ) 27.Bh4+ {Sipila decides to play until checkmate is delivered, and we are grateful for his sportsmanship.} 27...Kf8 28.Qg6 Qxa4 29.Be7# {A more “accurate” checkmate than 29.Qf7, since in the game all the pieces are engaged and this is more aesthetically pleasing.} 1-0

[Event "E Candidates Chess Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Madrid"]
[Date "2022.07.04"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2806"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "D40"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Sam Shankland"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6532376821768"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 {The Semi-Tarrasch is becoming more common nowadays, particularly now that people have found that the 5...cxd4 line is pretty good at forcing a draw.} 5.e3 {This move is well known to be what White plays when he is trying to avoid theory and just get a game, but Hikaru was clearly well prepared.} ( 5.cxd5 {This is the main move. Now, both cxd4 and Nxd5 are playable for Black.} ) 5...Nc6 6.a3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 a6 8.Bd3 {This is uncommon.} ( 8.O-O {This is the main move. After} 8...b5 {There are some sharp lines, but as far as I know, Black is supposed to be okay.} ) 8...b5 ( 8...cxd4 $5 {Now that the bishop has voluntarily left the a2-g8 diagonal, playing an IQP position should be pretty reasonable for Black. After} 9.exd4 Be7 10.O-O O-O {He will never need to fear the d4-d5 advance and can complete his development with b7-b5 and Bc8-b7. He looks fine to me.} ) 9.dxc5 {The computer seems to think White has a little pull here. I don't really buy it. Normally, for White to be better in this symmetrical structure, he should have better coordination (i.e. a knight on d2 vs. a knight on c6, for example). Even then, it tends to be pretty thin. With all the pieces on the same squares as well as all the pawns, it is hard to believe Black is not totally fine.} 9...Bxc5 10.b4 Be7 11.O-O Bb7 12.Bb2 O-O 13.Ne4 {According to the machine, this move is best. But this is a very bad sign for White- it leads to mass exchanges in a symmetrical position.} 13...Nxe4 14.Bxe4 f5 ( 14...Na5 $5 {This was a decent way to trade even more pieces.} ) 15.Bb1 Qxd1 16.Rxd1 Rfd8 17.Ba2 Kf7 {This was the position on the board when I woke up and first checked the games, and I thought it was already all but over. Somehow it is hard to imagine it not ending in a draw, and particularly hard to imagine someone as strong as Hikaru losing, but credit goes to Ding for finding ways to create little imbalances and putting Black's position under some pressure.} 18.h4 h6 19.Rdc1 $1 {Now, all of a sudden, Rxc6 is a threat and Nd4 would be an idea as well.} 19...Bd6 $6 {The first step in the wrong direction.} ( 19...Bf6 $1 {This was the most obvious move, and there was nothing wrong with it.} 20.Nd4 Nxd4 $1 21.Rc7+ Kg6 22.Bxd4 Bxd4 23.exd4 Bd5 $11 {After some brief fireworks, Black should be totally fine here.} ) 20.Rc2 $1 {With the not-so-subtle intention of Rac1 coming next, when the pressure on the c-file is a bit annoying. The bishop on d6 is not a great piece and should have been exchanged for its superior counterpart on b2.} 20...Ne7 ( 20...a5 $1 {This was the cleanest route to equality. Now, I suspect Hikaru disliked} 21.Rac1 $5 axb4 22.Rxc6 Bxc6 23.Rxc6 bxa3 24.Be5 {When it seems like the position is getting messy and Black is rapidly losing control, but after the computer's cold blooded} 24...Bxe5 $1 25.Nxe5+ Kg8 $1 26.Bxe6+ Kf8 {White doesn't have anything more than a draw. However, this looks scary to a human $1} ) 21.Nd4 $1 Bd5 22.Bxd5 Nxd5 23.Rac1 {Now, the open d-file is clogged and not wildly useful, and White has full control of the open c-file. This should be holdable for Black, but it is definitely a bit unpleasant.} 23...Rd7 ( 23...Ne7 $5 {Getting ready for a rook to c8 next $2} ) 24.Nb3 $1 Be7 {Black aims to trade off the dark-squared bishops, correcting his earlier error, but it's a little too late for that. The weakened c5-square beckons.} 25.h5 Bf6 26.Bd4 $2 ( 26.Bxf6 $5 Nxf6 27.Rc6 {With Nc5 coming next, Black's position is under a lot of pressure.} ) 26...e5 $1 {A good choice from Hikaru. Black takes central space and after the obvious} 27.Bc5 {It becomes clear that the bishop on c5 is actually rather terrible. It clogs White's c-file, cannot get out of the way, and is depriving the knight of its best square. Black should surely be fine here.} 27...Bd8 $6 {I don't know what this move was about—Na5 does not look that scary. I guess Hikaru was starting to feel ambitious and was hoping for Nf6 to scoop up the h5-pawn. The computer does not mind this move, but I would have preferred something simpler.} ( 27...Rc8 {How about putting a rook on the open file $2} ) 28.Rd2 $1 Nf6 29.Rxd7+ Nxd7 30.Rd1 Nf6 31.Bd6 $1 {This is exactly the kind of position I would want to avoid. Black's rook is so passive... The machine still claims he is fine, but I would be worried.} 31...Ng4 32.Bc5 Bh4 ( 32...Nf6 {I wonder why Hikaru did not repeat moves. I suspect he was scared of Rd6. I can't imagine he wanted to avoid a draw.} ) 33.Rd7+ Kg8 34.g3 {Black is still fine here, but the position is starting to feel very shaky. The queenside is lacking defenders.} 34...Bg5 ( 34...Rd8 $1 {Apparently, this was fine.} 35.Ra7 Bg5 36.Rxa6 Rd3 {Black has enough kingside counterplay.} ) 35.Kf1 Bd8 $2 {Too passive.} ( 35...Rd8 $1 {This was the last chance.} 36.Rxd8+ Bxd8 37.Bd6 {Nc5 is coming, and this looks scary to a human with clocks dwindling down, but Black is fine. For example, after} 37...Kf7 38.Nc5 Be7 $1 39.Bxe7 Kxe7 40.Nxa6 Kd6 {Black lost a queenside pawn but will not lose the second one. White is a long way from making a passer or any kind of trouble really, and Nf6 is coming next to equalize material.} ) 36.Rb7 $1 {A very powerful move. White plays prophylaxis against Nf6. By getting the rook out of dodge, he will be ready with Bd6 in response.} 36...f4 {Desparation. This is actually the best move, but Black will not be saved.} ( 36...Nf6 37.Bd6 $1 {Nice that the rook is not hanging $1 Black is done for.} ) 37.gxf4 exf4 38.e4 ( 38.exf4 $5 $18 {The difference in activity should be decisive.} ) 38...Bf6 $2 ( 38...f3 $1 {Good or bad, this had to be tried. White's king is shut out. After} 39.Nd4 Ne5 40.Kg1 {Kh2-g3 is coming. Black has a miserable position with a long defense ahead, but it might not be totally over just yet.} ) 39.Nd4 Re8 40.Kg2 $1 {White plays a final good move to reach time control. The pawn on e4 is immune thanks to the fork with Kf3, and with the extra time on the clock, he should win.} 40...Ne5 ( 40...Rxe4 41.Kf3 $18 ) ( 40...Bxd4 {The machine wants this one. I would be shocked if Hikaru even considered it.} 41.Bxd4 Nf6 42.Bxf6 gxf6 43.Kf3 Re5 {Black trades some pawns and should have some drawing chances, though I have to believe he should eventually lose after something like} 44.Kxf4 Rxh5 45.Rb6 $16 ) 41.Nf5 $1 f3+ 42.Kg3 {Black has too many weaknesses and is totally done for. White can scoop up a6 or f3 whenever he sees fit.} 42...Nc4 43.Be7 $1 Bb2 44.Kxf3 Bxa3 45.Kg3 {Black can barely move, and the e-pawn is coming.} 45...Ne5 ( 45...a5 46.Bc5 $1 {Black is about to collapse on g7.} 46...Bb2 47.bxa5 Nxa5 48.Rxb5 Bc3 49.f3 $18 {White's technical task will not be hard.} ) 46.Bc5 Nf7 47.f3 {A rather sadistic move. Black is basically stalemated.} ( 47.Ne7+ Kh7 48.f4 {Shoving the e-pawn would have won faster, but there was no need for Ding to calculate variations.} ) 47...Bc1 48.Ra7 Bd2 49.Rxa6 {No rush. Black is totally stuck and can do nothing while White starts harvesting pawns.} 49...Be1+ 50.Kg2 Bc3 51.Ra7 Ng5 52.Ne7+ Kh8 53.Ng6+ Kg8 54.Ne7+ Kh8 55.Nd5 Bb2 56.Ra2 Bc1 57.Rc2 Ba3 58.Be3 {Black's bishop is trapped on a3 and will be taken by Ra2 next. Hikaru could have resigned some moves before, but here there was really no reason to keep playing. I'd like to thank Chess.com for inviting me to do the daily annotations for this tournament. I did my best to bring the most high-quality, fair, and objective analyses I could, void of any of my own personal biases, and I hope I was able to shine some light on some very interesting games from the most important event of the year. That's all from me, until next time $1} 1-0

[Event "WCO"]
[Site "Chennai, India"]
[Date "2022.08.01"]
[Round "4.13"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Batsuren, Dambasuren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2864"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic,Davorin"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8180842909779"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IND"]

{The world's number one played a perfect and instructive attacking game against Mongolian GM Dambasuren Batsuren. Let's hope Carlsen is just getting started and has more such performances in store for the remainder of the Olympiad $1} 
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.d4 d5 4.Nc3 {The players reached a popular Queen's Gambit tabiya by a less common move order. The Mongolian first board opts for the Ragozin Defense out of many reasonable possibilities.} 4...Bb4 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 $5 {A clever choice by Carlsen. It was safe to assume that his young opponent was booked up in the main lines after 6.Bxf6 Qxf6, so the Norwegian deviates early. With this move, he tries to steer the game into less explored territories.} 6...O-O {Judging by the time spent on this move, it seems Batsuren was surprised by the world champion's move and decided to play it safe instead of going for the critical continuation.} ( {The principled reply is} 6...dxc4 {since White cannot play 7.e4 (due to 7...g5). Carlsen would probably continue} 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 {as he did in a similar position against Aronian in the Aimchess Rapid last year. White can undoubtedly show compensation for the pawn in the arising positions, although Black should be fine with correct play, as demonstrated by the following super-GM game:} 8...c5 9.e3 cxd4 10.cxd4 Qa5+ 11.Nd2 Ne4 12.Bxc4 Bd7 13.Bd3 Bc6 14.Bxe4 Bxe4 15.O-O Bc6 16.Rc1 O-O 17.Nc4 Qd5 18.f3 Bb5 19.e4 Qh5 20.Bf2 Nc6 {1/2-1/2 (30) Ding,L (2805)-Karjakin,S (2750) Saint Louis 2019} ) 7.e3 Nbd7 {Black continues developing in a relatively passive fashion.} ( {It would have been more in the spirit of the chosen opening to play} 7...c5 {instead, preparing counterplay against the c3-knight with ...Qa5 and ...Ne4. For example:} 8.cxd5 exd5 9.dxc5 Nbd7 10.Rc1 Qa5 {with interesting play.} ) 8.cxd5 {This is a good moment to make this exchange for two reasons: (1) White doesn't want to lose a tempo developing his light-squared bishop to d3, so he eliminates the dxc4 possibility. (2) Having put his knight on d7, Black has blunted the c8-h3 diagonal for his light-squared bishop, so we don't have to worry about moves like ...Bg4 anymore.} 8...exd5 9.Bd3 c6 {Black is going for the classical QGD setup with the Carlsbad structure, although that means his bishop on b4 is misplaced.} ( 9...c5 {is the last opportunity to play in the spirit of the Ragozin Defense. However, after the standard} 10.O-O Bxc3 11.bxc3 c4 {White would have an important extra option compared to a similar Ragozin line,} 12.Bb1 $1 {and with Qc2 to follow, he would have a pleasant attacking position.} ) 10.O-O Bd6 11.Qc2 Re8 {Interestingly, we have reached a position from the 4.Qc2 Nimzo-Indian Defense by transposition. White wins over 70\% in the Mega database, so it's not something I'd recommend for Black. It is instructive to see how Carlsen increased the advantage in the game.} 12.Rfe1 {With this move, he indicates that the e4-break is in the cards. This idea makes sense considering the pin on the f6-knight.} ( {The other typical plan is} 12.Rab1 {preparing the minority attack with b2-b4, etc.} ) 12...Be7 {It's not a good idea to play so often with the same piece in the opening, but Black can almost get away with it here since the position is relatively closed. Still, he is facing problems with his development.} 13.Bg3 {A strong prophylactic move that avoids 13...Ne4.} ( {If White had played anything else, such as} 13.h3 {Black would have had an opportunity to alleviate his development woes by exchanging some pieces after} 13...Ne4 ) 13...Nf8 ( {It is important to note that Black cannot win the bishop pair with} 13...Nh5 $2 {due to one of the oldest tricks in the book} 14.Nxd5 $1 Nxg3 15.Nxe7+ {and White emerges with an extra pawn.} ) 14.h3 b6 $6 {Batsuren's previous play wasn't particularly inspiring, but this is where his real troubles start. This move weakens the c6-pawn, and Carlsen will exploit it to the fullest.} ( {It would have been more prudent to complete his development with} 14...Be6 {followed by ...Rc8. Black would have a very passive yet quite solid position where Carlsen would have to put his positional skills to display. Then again, he's beaten Mamedyarov in a similar position once, so it probably wouldn't be too difficult for him :)} ) 15.e4 $1 {A move that yells, \"Play me $1\" Carlsen doesn't miss his chance to open the center at the right moment.} 15...dxe4 {It is difficult to criticize this natural reply, but it's probably already a decisive mistake.} ( {Black had to keep the position closed at all costs and, thus,} 15...Be6 {is required. His position doesn't look great after} 16.e5 Nh5 17.Bh2 g5 {but he's still holding on.} ) 16.Nxe4 Bb7 17.Ne5 $1 {The side with the isolated queen's pawn should strive to attack the king, and this knight sortie is the first step toward this goal. The f7-pawn is an immediate target.} 17...Ne6 ( {Interestingly, this exact position was reached more than 20 years ago in the game Thorsteins,K (2493)-Kristjansson,O (2245) Reykjavik 1999, 1-0 (31). Black played} 17...Rc8 $6 {which allowed his opponent to carry out a decisive combination:} 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 20.Bc4+ Ne6 21.Rxe6 Rxe6 22.Re1 Qd5 23.Rxe6 {and White won shortly after.} ) ( {I should also note that the greedy} 17...Qxd4 $2 {is refuted, among other things, by} 18.Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 19.Bc4+ Nd5 20.Rad1 {and the black queen meets its fate by getting trapped in the center of the board.} ) 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.Bh7+ $1 {An essential check that uses the poorly defended f7-pawn to force the black king to move to f8. The point is that it will be much more exposed here than on h8. I'd like to point out that Carlsen carried out a similar attack against GM Granda Zuniga in the Isle of Man, 2017, where Bh7+ $1 was equally instrumental.} 19...Kf8 20.Rad1 {You have to admire the elegancy with which Carlsen solves minor problems, such as the hanging isolani on d4. Black cannot take it for tactical reasons, meaning he has no real counterplay left.} 20...Bxe5 {This seems like a sad necessity.} ( 20...Nxd4 {fails to} 21.Qe4 {and Black loses material.} ) 21.dxe5 {The most natural recapture. White creates a powerful kingside majority with a tempo.} 21...Qe7 22.f4 c5 {Black was approaching time trouble, so he tried at least to create some semblance of counterplay with ...Nd4. However, it's all too little too late.} ( {Unfortunately for him, the endgame after} 22...Qc5+ 23.Qxc5+ Nxc5 24.f5 {is just as gloomy as the game since White is simply going to push e5-e6 next to threaten the decisive Bd6+.} ) 23.f5 Nd4 24.Qf2 Qd7 {This move invites white pawns to continue advancing, though it's difficult to suggest anything better for Black.} 25.e6 Qc6 26.Be5 {There are many ways to prepare for the final blow. Magnus, as usual, chooses the most aesthetic one, hitting Black's strongest (d4) and weakest point (g7) simultaneously. He also clears a square for his next move.} ( {Another way to secure the victory is} 26.exf7 Rxe1+ 27.Rxe1 Kxf7 28.Bh4 {when the black king would be defenseless against the concentrated attacking effort of white pieces.} ) 26...Rad8 27.Qg3 $1 {The most clinical. Carlsen gives away the exchange to finalize the attack.} 27...Ne2+ 28.Rxe2 Rxd1+ 29.Kh2 Ke7 ( 29...f6 {wouldn't save Black in the view of} 30.Bxf6 ) 30.Bf6+ $1 {Among many winning continuations, Carlsen delivers this pretty check and forces his opponent's immediate resignation. Let's consider the possible variations:} 30...gxf6 ( 30...Kxf6 31.Qe5+ Ke7 32.exf7+ Kxf7 33.Bg6+ {with mate on e8 to follow.} ) 31.exf7+ {and Black either loses a decisive amount of material or gets checkmated after} 31...Kxf7 32.Qg6+ Kf8 33.Qg8# 1-0

[Event "WCO"]
[Site "Chennai, India"]
[Date "2022.08.02"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Gukesh, D."]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic,Davorin"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7354191971849"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IND"]

{Dommaraju Gukesh is currently one of the most exciting young players in the world of chess. The third-youngest grandmaster in history has recently crossed the super-GM 2700 barrier. Thanks to his excellent performances in the Olympiad, he currently stands at 2714 (#27) on the live rating list. Today, he showed his positional prowess and strong endgame technique to beat the legendary Alexey Shirov, who was already featured in GOTD with his flashy first-round win.} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 {Shirov uses a well-known move order designed to avoid the infamous Sveshnikov Sicilian. This variation of the Sicilian is one of Gukesh's favorite weapons with the black pieces; his recent, brilliant win over Nodirbek Abdusattorov in Biel is the best example.} 3...e5 {This is the most principled reply, ensuring that White can no longer get the open Sicilian.} 4.Bc4 d6 5.d3 h6 $5 {Some decades ago, this would have been considered a second-rate move. However, almost everything Magnus Carlsen touches turns to gold, so this approach recently gained traction among the strong players.} ( 5...Be7 {is the main line, when White typically has two directions: the positional one with} 6.Nd2 ( {or a sharper one with} 6.O-O Nf6 7.Ng5 $5 O-O 8.f4 ) 6...Nf6 7.Nf1 {The idea behind Gukesh's useful pawn move is to remain flexible and send the ball into White's court. Black can still choose how to continue developing, depending on what his opponent does.} ) 6.Nd5 {A rare but reasonable continuation.} ( {Let's understand what happens if White follows the two most common plans. Firstly, in the event of the positional maneuver} 6.Nd2 {Black could develop more flexibly with} 6...g6 $5 7.Nf1 Bg7 {when his knight could go to e7 instead of f6. This is the plan that Carlsen popularized back in 2018.} ) ( {On the other hand, if White goes for} 6.O-O {then after} 6...Nf6 {he would not have the dangerous Ng5 sortie, as in the main line.} ) 6...Nf6 7.c3 Be7 8.a3 {Shirov's play is logical—he is preparing to seize space on the queenside with b2-b4. Gukesh decides to stop this plan in its tracks with} 8...a5 {This is a novelty.} ( {Previously,} 8...O-O {was played and White was for preference after} 9.b4 Be6 10.O-O {in the game Gruenfeld,Y (2505)-Grivas,E (2425) Tel Aviv 1991, 0-1 (63)} ) 9.Rg1 $5 {Shirov's trademark approach $1 He plans to exchange the f6-knight and push g2-g4, which usually gains in strength with the presence of the h6-hook.} ( {However, a more classical response} 9.a4 $1 {would have been objectively better, fixing the queenside structure and planning to exploit the b5/d5 weaknesses in the long run. This way, White could claim a slight edge.} ) 9...Nxd5 10.Bxd5 Be6 {While it is vital to deal with the strong d5-bishop, this move could wait.} ( 10...a4 $1 {was more urgent as Black could fix the queenside in his favor.} ) 11.Bxe6 $6 {There are instances when this exchange works well for White (the game Santos Latasa-Praggnanandhaa from the same match is a case in point), but this is not one of them.} ( {It would have been better to play} 11.a4 {again, when} 11...Bxd5 12.exd5 Nb8 13.Nd2 {would lead to a position where, in the long run, Black still might have some issues with his weak light squares and pawns on the dark squares.} ) 11...fxe6 {As a result of the exchange, Black gets an open f-file and stabilizes the center, but what does White get in return $2 Shirov tries to take the initiative with} 12.g4 Qd7 {Gukesh opts for the most pragmatic move, preparing queenside castling.} ( 12...g5 $5 {was an interesting alternative. White would have to look for a different plan.} ) 13.g5 hxg5 14.Bxg5 Bxg5 15.Rxg5 O-O-O {Shirov got what he wanted—he opened the g-file. However, this whole plan seems doubtful in hindsight since his opponent obtained semi-open h- and f-files, and two is more than one $1} 16.Qe2 Rdf8 17.O-O-O Rf7 {Gukesh plays logically—not only does he overprotect the g7-pawn, but he also threatens to double his rooks on the f-file to put pressure on white pieces. This virtually forces Shirov to play} 18.Rg2 {to cover these weaknesses on the second rank. So far, the game has been more or less balanced. Here comes the turning point as Gukesh plays} 18...a4 $1 {With this move, he indicates that he is ready to fight for the initiative on both fronts.} 19.Rdg1 b5 $5 {The young Indian player continues with the plan but also sets up a small psychological trap for his legendary opponent.} ( {It would have been “safer” to start with} 19...Na5 20.Nd2 {and play} 20...b5 {only when the pawn is protected. That said, Gukesh's choice turned out to be even stronger.} ) 20.Ng5 Re7 21.d4 $6 {True to his style, Shirov tries to create fire on the board, using the fact that the b5-pawn is hanging. Unfortunately for him, this double-edged idea will be neutralized, and I have a feeling that Gukesh saw this in advance.} ( {It is no fun to sit and wait with something like} 21.Kb1 {but that's probably what White has to do at this point.} ) 21...exd4 22.Qxb5 Ne5 $1 {That's the key move that kills White's ambitions. Shirov won't be able to avoid the queen trade, and the resulting endgame will be in Black's favor because of his big pawn center.} 23.Qa6+ ( {Alternatively,} 23.Qe2 d3 {looks pretty miserable for White.} ) 23...Qb7 24.Qxb7+ ( 24.Qxd6 {fails to} 24...Nd3+ 25.Kc2 Rd8 ) 24...Kxb7 25.cxd4 cxd4 {Black has a protected passer in the center, whereas White's pawn structure holds much less potential. Not everything is lost for White, but he needs to play precisely to keep chances in this endgame.} 26.Rd1 ( {The trouble is that} 26.f4 {is not possible due to} 26...Nd3+ ) 26...Nc6 27.f4 e5 ( 27...Rf8 $1 {would have been even more accurate since after} 28.Nf3 e5 {White could not capture on e5 and he would be forced to play} 29.f5 Na5 {which would be similar to the game.} ) 28.f5 $2 {A decisive mistake. Searching for counter-chances, Shirov underestimated the strength of the black pawn center.} ( {Instead, he would have kept realistic drawing chances with} 28.fxe5 dxe5 29.Nf3 Na5 30.Rdg1 ) 28...Na5 29.Ne6 Nb3+ 30.Kb1 Kb6 $5 {Gukesh is in no hurry. It makes sense to activate the king.} ( {Many other moves were winning, including directly attacking the e4-weakling with} 30...Rh4 ) 31.Rc2 {This move is equivalent to strategic resignation. Shirov probably realized too late that his plan to capture the g7-pawn was conceptually flawed.} ( {We can see this in the following two lines where Black blocks the kingside pawns first and then pushes his central passers.} 31.Nxg7 Rg8 32.f6 Rf7 33.Rg6 Nc5 34.Re1 d3 ) ( 31.Rxg7 Rxg7 32.Nxg7 d5 $1 33.exd5 Kc5 34.f6 Kxd5 {Black has a winning endgame in both cases.} ) 31...Rh4 {The e4-pawn is beyond salvation. Shirov captures the a4-pawn as a consolation, but it is clear that this is not a fair exchange.} 32.Rc4 Rxe4 33.Rxa4 Nc5 {The simplest. By exchanging the e6-knight, Gukesh eliminates his opponent's last-minute tricks and ensures that his central pawns have smooth sailing toward the first rank.} 34.Rb4+ Kc6 35.Rc1 Re2 36.h4 Kd5 $1 {Of course $1 We should play actively with our king in the endgame when we have a chance.} 37.Rb5 Ke4 38.Nxc5+ dxc5 39.Rcxc5 d3 40.Kc1 Kf3 $1 {The king joins to support the connected passers; there is nothing White can do anymore to save the game.} 41.Rc3 e4 42.Rd5 Ke3 43.b4 {Shirov's connected passed pawns are miles away from their destination while Gukesh is just about to promote his.} 43...Re1+ 44.Kb2 Ke2 {and there is no good defense against 45...d2, so Shirov resigned.} 0-1

[Event "WCO"]
[Site "Chennai, India"]
[Date "2022.08.03"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Sargissian, Gabriel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2698"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic,Davorin"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7629204128799"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IND"]

{The 16-year-old Gukesh is the man of the hour in the Olympiad $1 Today he scored his sixth consecutive win, which makes him the only player with a hundred percent score before the second half of the tournament. And what a win it was, as he demolished a super-solid GM Gabriel Sargissian with a powerful attack.} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bb4 {Sargissian is an expert in the Queen's gambit declined (4...Be7), but he has recently added the slightly more dynamic Ragozin defense to his repertoire.} 5.Qa4+ {This check forces Black to put his knight in front of the c-pawn, which could be considered a small opening achievement for White. Nevertheless, practice has shown that Black obtains good counterplay by focusing on …e6-e5 instead of the usual …c7-c5 break in this type of position.} 5...Nc6 6.e3 O-O 7.Bd2 {White prepares to play 8.a3 when he could recapture with the bishop on c3 if Black goes 8...Bxc3.} ( 7.Qc2 {is the other extensive line when Black has several additional options, such as} 7...b6 ( {and} 7...Ne7 {The text narrows down Black's choices.} ) ) 7...dxc4 {This is the main line. Usually, Black waits with this capture until White moves his light-squared bishop, but here he wants to secure the d6-retreat for his bishop.} ( {The other important line goes} 7...Re8 8.a3 Bf8 {etc.} ( {However,} 8...Bd6 $6 {would be a mistake in view of} 9.c5 Bf8 10.Bb5 {when Black would find it extremely difficult to break with e6-e5. This is why it's crucial to exchange the white c-pawn.} ) ) 8.Bxc4 Bd6 9.Qc2 {There is no way to prevent Black's central break, so Gukesh recentralizes his queen. All this is well-known opening theory, anyway.} 9...e5 10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.Be2 $5 {A prudent, practical choice. This sideline surprised the Armenian grandmaster, who spent 20 minutes on his next move.} ( {Sargissian was undoubtedly well-acquainted with the positions arising after} 11.Nxe5 Bxe5 {, particularly since his opponent played like this only a few weeks ago in Biel against Le Quang Liem.} 12.O-O b6 13.f4 Bd6 14.Be2 Bb7 15.Bf3 Bxf3 16.Rxf3 Qd7 17.e4 Rad8 18.Be1 Bb4 19.e5 Nd5 {Black equalized in ½-½ (65) Gukesh,D (2684)-Le,Q (2722) Biel 2022} ) 11...Nxf3+ {A principled yet double-edged choice. Gukesh was probably looking forward to this move since it provides a dynamic game with attacking chances.} ( {In my 2018 Ragozin course for Modern Chess, I recommended} 11...Qe7 {which still strikes me as a more reliable option than the text. After} 12.Nd4 c5 13.Nf5 Bxf5 14.Qxf5 {Kjartansson,G (2456)-Sebenik,M (2534) Heraklion 2017, 0-1 (29), Black gets good counterplay with} 14...Rad8 $5 {etc.} ) ( 11...c6 $5 {is another reasonable option.} ) 12.gxf3 $1 {This is the point. Thanks to this ''anti-positional'' recapture, White gets action on the g-file, and the game suddenly becomes very sharp.} ( 12.Bxf3 {is too bland. Black has no problems after} 12...Qe7 13.O-O c6 ) 12...a6 13.O-O-O b5 {Logically, Sargissian counter-attacks on the other flank.} 14.Rhg1 b4 {This is another move that took some time off the Armenian's clock. It's not wrong according to the engines, though it looks a bit loose.} ( {It seemed more natural to complete development with} 14...Bb7 {White could continue} 15.e4 $1 Qe7 16.Bg5 {with a position where both sides would have their chances.} ) 15.Ne4 {Gukesh decided to exchange the main defender of the opponent's kingside.} ( {It's worth noting that he had another attractive option in} 15.Bd3 $5 bxc3 16.Bxc3 {This piece sacrifice leads to a scary position for Black. India 2's first board probably didn't want to take too many risks at such an early point of the game.} ) 15...Nxe4 16.fxe4 $1 {Another recapture that might seem counter-intuitive at first. However, this structural transformation only increases the dynamic potential of white pawns.} ( {Conversely, the ''normal'' recapture} 16.Qxe4 $6 {would be worse since after} 16...Rb8 17.Bd3 g6 {the white queen is misplaced on e4.} ) 16...Qe7 17.f4 {The pawns are rolling, and Black needs to start making some difficult decisions.} 17...a5 $6 {Sargissian played this natural move relatively quickly, but it turns out to be an inaccuracy.} ( 17...f6 {is not the move you usually want to make when attacked since the general rule of thumb says that you should not advance the pawns around your king. However, in this particular position, weakening the kingside was a lesser evil than allowing White to push e4-e5. White would have two promising attacking continuations:} 18.Rg3 ( {and} 18.e5 fxe5 19.Bd3 Kh8 20.Bxh7 exf4 21.exf4 Bxf4 {although it seems like Black should be able to fend off the attack eventually.} ) 18...Kh8 19.Rdg1 g6 20.h4 Bb7 21.Bd3 {While the engines claim equality, I believe that everyone would take White here.} ) 18.e5 Bc5 19.Rg5 $5 {This unexpected move took a big chunk of Gukesh's clock.} ( {I happened to spend some time on this position during the live transmission and thought that} 19.Qe4 {was the simplest to win a tempo for f4-f5. Indeed, after} 19...Ba6 20.Bxa6 Rxa6 21.f5 g6 22.Qf4 $1 {Black is facing difficulties.} ) 19...Ba6 ( 19...h6 $2 {would be naive. After} 20.Rg3 {, Black could hardly defend with ...g7-g6 ever again.} ) ( {On the other hand,} 19...g6 {would have probably been a better defense than the game continuation since it is not clear who launches their attack faster after} 20.h4 a4 $1 ) 20.Rdg1 $1 {A stylish intermezzo. The bishop on e2 is taboo due to the mate in 2 threat.} 20...g6 21.Bxa6 Rxa6 22.f5 {The critical position of the game. Both players were down to their last 30 minutes before the time control on move 40. This should be enough time to figure out the proper continuation. However, it is significantly more challenging to find accurate defensive than attacking moves, and, upon a 13-minute think, Sargissian errs with} 22...Ba7 $2 {Presumably, he wanted to prepare the queen trade on c5 to take the sting out of White's attack.} ( 22...Rc6 $1 {was the only way to keep the balance, although it is not immediately obvious why this move works. Let's consider some logical continuations:} 23.Kb1 ( {In the event of} 23.Qe4 {Black has an unexpectedly strong reply} 23...Qd7 $1 {when} 24.Kb1 {loses to} 24...Qxd2 25.Qxc6 Bxe3 ) 23...Rd8 $1 {and now if White goes} 24.e6 {Black can neutralize the attack with} 24...fxe6 25.fxg6 h6 $1 {Well, good luck finding all these precise defensive moves in a game $1} ) 23.e6 $6 {Surprisingly, this natural advance gives Black a lifeline.} ( {Sometimes, when we attack, quiet prophylactic moves like} 23.Kb1 $1 {can be immensely powerful. In this case, Black would not have a good reply. For example:} 23...Rd8 ( {Black doesn't get far if he tries to chase the white queen around with} 23...Qc5 24.Qe4 Qc6 {because of} 25.Qh4 $1 {with a mating attack.} ) ( {and} 23...a4 {loses on the spot to} 24.Qc4 $1 Rb6 25.fxg6 hxg6 26.Rxg6+ ) 24.e6 $1 fxe6 25.fxg6 h6 26.Rh5 {Compared to a similar line that could happen in the game, White should win here since Black doesn't have the …Rf2 counterplay.} ) 23...Kh8 $2 {Sargissian misses the last chance to try to save the game.} ( {As already mentioned earlier, Black could at least partially neutralize the white attack with} 23...fxe6 24.fxg6 h6 $1 {when the opponent's g6-pawn would protect his king. White could still keep pressing with} 25.g7 $1 ( 25.Rh5 {would allow nasty counterplay with} 25...Rf2 $1 ) 25...hxg5 26.gxf8=Q+ Kxf8 27.h4 $1 {but this is far from a foregone conclusion as Black would have resources to fight.} ) 24.Kb1 $1 {Gukesh finally realizes the importance of this quiet move. With his king safe, the attack should unfold on its own.} ( {A more reckless attacking move like} 24.h4 $6 {would be met by} 24...f6 25.R5g3 gxf5 $1 26.Rg7 Qxe6 {with a complete turnaround $1} ) 24...gxf5 {Gukesh finds a winning tactic:} ( {However, Black could hardly resist even after the relatively most solid} 24...h6 25.R5g4 g5 {h2-h4 is coming sooner or later, but White is winning on the positional grounds, as well, after} 26.Rc4 $1 ) ( {It is important to note that} 24...f6 25.R5g3 gxf5 {would not save Black because this time} 26.Rg7 {wins due to} 26...Qxe6 27.Qxc7 {and thanks to 24.Kb1, Black does not have 27...Rc6+.} ) 25.Bxb4 $3 {A beautiful clearance sacrifice. White prepares to swing his queen over to the g-file with a tempo, and Black has no defense against this threat.} 25...Qxb4 ( {In the event of} 25...axb4 {White forces a win with} 26.Qg2 Qd8 27.e7 Qd3+ 28.Qc2 $1 ( 28.Ka1 $2 {would allow Black to escape with a perpetual check after} 28...Rxa2+ $1 29.Kxa2 b3+ 30.Ka1 Qa6+ 31.Kb1 Qd3+ ) 28...Qxc2+ 29.Kxc2 Re8 {and White wins thanks to the same tactic as in the game:} 30.Rg8+ $1 Rxg8 31.Rxg8+ Kxg8 32.e8=Q+ ) 26.Qg2 ( {A wise man once said that mistakes are always there in chess, waiting to be made. In this position, the attractive combination} 26.Qxf5 $4 Rxe6 27.Qxf7 {fails to} 27...Qe1+ $1 28.Rxe1 Rxf7 {and Black wins.} ) 26...Qe4+ {The queen trade only postpones the inevitable.} ( {Passive defense with} 26...Qb8 {would be easily refuted:} 27.exf7 Rg6 28.Rxg6 hxg6 29.Qxg6 {with checkmate to follow.} ) 27.Qxe4 fxe4 {There is no checkmate in sight. Did Gukesh miss something $2 No, he had foreseen a promotion combination:} 28.e7 $1 ( 28.exf7 $4 {would be wrong because of} 28...Rg6 ) 28...Re8 29.Rg8+ $1 Rxg8 30.Rxg8+ Kxg8 31.e8=Q+ {The queen was absent only for a couple of moves. It reappears at the right moment, while the remaining black pieces sit around, uncoordinated. In similar endgames, Black often tries to create a fortress with his rook and bishop, but here the black pawns are an easy pray for the dominant queen. Gukesh made the rest look easy.} 31...Kg7 32.Qe5+ $1 {White doesn't care about the e4-pawn; he is rather after the c7-, a5-, and h7-pawns.} ( 32.Qxe4 $6 {would allow Black to consolidate somewhat with} 32...Re6 ) 32...Rf6 ( 32...Kg8 {meets} 33.Qxc7 ) 33.Qg5+ Rg6 34.Qxa5 Rg1+ ( {The board geometry works in White's favor, which is not surprising considering the lack of coordination among the black pieces. For example,} 34...Bxe3 35.Qc3+ ) 35.Kc2 Rg2+ 36.Kb3 Bb6 37.Qe5+ Kf8 38.Qh8+ Ke7 39.Qxh7 {Black pawns are falling one after another like dominoes.} 39...Re2 40.Qxe4+ Kf8 41.Qb4+ {Black resigns, as he loses the rook or a bishop to a double attack.} 1-0

[Event "WCO"]
[Site "Chennai, India"]
[Date "2022.08.05"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Melkumyan, Hrant"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2634"]
[ECO "B11"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic,Davorin"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8249021592097"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IND"]

{Wesley So is renowned for his positional finesse and endgame technique, but he reminds us of his exceptional attacking and combinational talent every once in a while. His opponent's grave blunder marked today's game, but it was a spectacular game, nevertheless. As they say, it takes two to tango.} 
1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 {Wesley goes for the flexible Two Knights variation against the Caro-Kann.} ( {Recently So mostly played} 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nd2 $5 {, an interesting positional line that he suggested in his 1.e4 Lifetime Repertoire course.} ) 2...d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 {Melkumyan goes for the classical line.} ( {In modern times,} 3...dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 $5 {has been a popular alternative for Black, inviting White to capture} 5.Nxf6+ {when} ( 5.Qe2 {is better.} ) 5...exf6 {leads to a dynamic pawn structure where Black usually scores well.} ) 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 {Having exchanged his problematic light-squared bishop, Black sets up a super-solid pyramidal structure in the center. It allows him to develop his pieces to their natural squares and complete the opening smoothly. On the other hand, White's bishop pair may prove to be an asset in the long run, but it isn't simple to open up the position to maximize its potential. Moreover, the knight is not placed ideally on c3, and White usually needs to reroute it to a better square in the future. In short, both sides have something to look forward to in the ensuing middlegame.} 6.Be2 {This simple developing move is probably the most popular among several reasonable options.} ( {Bobby Fischer used to play} 6.d3 {, often in combination with g2-g3,} ) ( {while} 6.d4 {is a more direct approach.} ) 6...Bc5 {Black takes control of the d4-square since White might want to go d2-d4 at some point.} 7.O-O Nd7 8.exd5 {Typically, White doesn't release the tension in the center so early, but Wesley wants to prepare the d4-break without worrying about his opponent pushing the pawn to d4 himself.} ( {In the event of the immediate} 8.Rd1 {Black has a strong tactical retort:} 8...d4 9.Nb1 Ne5 10.Qg3 d3 $1 11.Qxe5 ( {If White takes the pawn} 11.Bxd3 Nxd3 12.cxd3 {Black has a typical positional compensation for the pawn after} 12...Ne7 $1 ) 11...Bd4 $1 12.Qg3 dxc2 13.Re1 cxb1=Q 14.Rxb1 Nf6 {Black returned the sacrificed material and had a pleasant position in Sarana,A (2649)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2784) Chess.com INT 2021, 0-1 (48)} ) ( {I should mention another relevant alternative} 8.Qg3 $5 Bd4 9.exd5 exd5 {when White can carry out a cool regrouping maneuver:} 10.Bd1 $1 Ne7 11.Ne2 Be5 12.Qf3 O-O 13.d4 Bc7 14.c3 Nf6 15.Bc2 {and he appears to have a tiny edge in this symmetrical structure thanks to the bishop pair. Tomczak,J (2584)-Socko,B (2636) Kruszwica 2022, 1-0 (83)} ) 8...cxd5 ( {If Black recaptures with the e-pawn} 8...exd5 {, White can achieve something similar to the abovementioned line by playing} 9.Re1 Ne7 10.Na4 Bd6 11.d4 O-O 12.Bd3 {with a slight positional edge.} ) 9.Rd1 Ngf6 10.d4 {We are about to enter the reversed Carlsbad structure, quite typical of the Caro-Kann Defense. Because both sides have some pieces on suboptimal squares, adjustments are needed; over the next few moves, Black will reroute his knight to c6, while White will bring the bishop to the b1-h7 diagonal and transfer the knight from c3 to e2.} 10...Be7 ( {Black wouldn't mind placing his bishop on a more active diagonal with} 10...Bd6 {in principle. However, in this position, it runs into} 11.Nb5 $1 Bb8 12.c4 {and White will open up the position for his bishops.} ) 11.Bd3 O-O 12.Bf4 {A sensible novelty. With the bishop on f4, the position starts to resemble some lines of the London System.} ( {A previous game in this position saw} 12.Ne2 Qb8 13.Nf4 b5 14.h4 {with double-edged play. Dragnev,V (2535)-Fridman,D (2626) Katowice 2021, ½-½ (64)} ) 12...Nb8 13.Ne2 Nc6 14.c3 Re8 {Black slowly prepares the e5-break.} ( {He had decent alternatives in} 14...Bd6 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bh4 Be7 {, trying to exchange the dark-squared bishops;} ) ( {and} 14...a6 15.Re1 Rc8 {, preparing queenside counterplay with ...Nc6-a5-c4, ...b7-b5, etc.} ) 15.Re1 {Wesley slides his rook to the e-file, preparing for the upcoming kingside battle.} 15...g6 {It is not uncommon for Black to set up a sort of a Stonewall on the light squares in this type of position. This way, he diminishes the attacking power of the light-squared bishop and covers some critical squares like f5 and h5. On the flip side, this move weakens the dark squares around the king. It also creates a hook for piece sacrifices on e6, f7, or g6.} 16.Ng3 Nd7 {A multi-purpose move, giving Black options like ...e6-e5 and ...Be7-f6/g5.} 17.Re3 {This is a controversial choice of a square for the rook. White should double the rooks on the e-file, but it feels more exposed here than on e2.} ( 17.Re2 Bf6 18.Rae1 {would have been simpler as Black will find it difficult to push ...e6-e5.} ) 17...e5 $5 {Melkumyan takes the bull by the horns. Instead of waiting for White to pile up his pieces on the kingside and start the attack, he opens the center, hoping to obtain active counterplay. A quiet maneuvering struggle transforms into a double-edged affair in an instant $1} 18.Bh6 $6 {It is difficult to decide whether this move is a blunder or a perfect trap. It took Wesley 10 minutes to make it, so there was certainly a significant element of the latter.} ( {Objectively speaking, it would have been better to respond with} 18.dxe5 {and after} 18...Bc5 19.e6 $1 Rxe6 20.Rxe6 fxe6 {White could claim a slight plus thanks to a better pawn structure.} ) 18...e4 $4 {It is difficult to say what Melkumyan thought when he played this move. Perhaps he analyzed only positions where White sacrifices a bishop or knight on e4, but he forgot about} ( {So surely saw that 18. ...e4 doesn't work before making his 18th move, so he probably thought that his opponent would play} 18...exd4 19.cxd4 Nxd4 20.Qxd5 Nc5 {which leads to roughly balanced play.} ) ( {However, he missed an equally devilish intermezzo} 18...Bf8 $1 19.Bxf8 {which makes} 19...e4 $1 {work since White cannot sacrifice on e4 anymore. After} 20.Qf4 Nxf8 {Black would have a clear advantage thanks to the space gained over the last few moves.} ) 19.Rxe4 $3 {This may easily end up being the move of the Olympiad $1 The rook sacrifice is stunning, but its follow-up is even more brilliant.} 19...Nf8 {It is difficult to recover from such a shock, but Melkumyan managed to pull himself together and continue the game. Unfortunately, without the pawn, his position is hopeless.} ( 19...dxe4 {would lead to a forced checkmate in six moves after the queen sacrifice} 20.Qxf7+ $1 {to lure the black king out in the open.} 20...Kxf7 21.Bc4+ Kf6 22.Nxe4+ Kf5 23.g4+ Kxe4 24.Re1+ Kf3 {and White would have a tough choice between} 25.Re3# ( {and} 25.Bd5# {Such king-chase combinations were much more common in romantic 19th-century chess than today, so it's always refreshing to see them in modern grandmaster games $1} ) ) 20.Rf4 $1 {Some people would start retreating after winning material, hoping to trade into a winning endgame. But not Wesley. He wants to finish the game in style $1} 20...f5 21.Nxf5 $1 {Of course, he did not put the rook on f4 to just stand there; this piece sacrifice was planned so that he could utilize his attacking momentum.} 21...gxf5 22.Rxf5 Qd6 23.Qg4+ Ng6 {Forced,} ( {since} 23...Qg6 {loses the queen to} 24.Rxf8+ ) 24.Rxd5 $3 {White king's rook is the star piece of the game. This is the second time it is sacrificing itself for the greater good. Just like in the first instance, Black shouldn't capture it.} 24...Qf6 ( 24...Qxd5 {would lead to a checkmate or decisive loss of material after} 25.Bxg6 Kh8 26.Bxe8 {etc.} ) 25.g3 {White is already winning on all possible grounds: attacking, positional, material, so he is in no rush.} ( {Wesley wanted to ensure that Black cannot exchange the queens after} 25.Rf5 Qh4 ) 25...Bf8 26.Rf5 {The lively rook returns to the f-file, where it can do the most damage.} 26...Qe7 27.Bc4+ Kh8 28.Bg5 {Melkumyan resigned because he would be losing a lot of material soon. For example,} 28...Qd6 29.Rf6 Qc7 30.Rf7 {and he would have to give up the queen to avoid the checkmate on h7.} 1-0

[Event "WCO"]
[Site "Chennai, India"]
[Date "2022.08.07"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Durarbayli, Vasif"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2638"]
[ECO "E15"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic,Davorin"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[Beauty "6052703685722"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IND"]

{The fate of the India 2-Azerbaijan match was decided in arguably the most dramatic game of the tournament. It was a rollercoaster of missed opportunities, beautiful chess, and emotions. It is everything a chess spectator can hope for.} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 {Durarbayli decided to defend with the Queen's Indian Defense, a solid and flexible choice for this important match.} 4.g3 Ba6 {This is considered to be the main line of the 4.g3 variation. White has many ways to protect the c-pawn, and Pragg goes for the classical one.} 5.b3 ( 5.Qc2 {is another popular option. White is ready to sacrifice a pawn for a lead in development after} 5...Bb7 6.Bg2 c5 7.d5 $5 exd5 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.O-O {etc.} ) 5...Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Bxd2+ {A sideline.} ( 6...Be7 {is much more common. Black tries to prove that the white dark-squared bishop is placed awkwardly on d2.} ) 7.Qxd2 c6 {Black wants to attack the c4-pawn with ...d7-d5, but first, he wants to ensure that he can meet cxd5 with ...cxd5.} ( {In the case of the immediate} 7...d5 {White could force a slightly favorable pawn structure with} 8.cxd5 exd5 ) 8.Bg2 {Praggnanandhaa continues in the classical spirit.} ( {He had a more aggressive approach at his disposal:} 8.Nc3 d5 9.e4 $1 Nxe4 10.Nxe4 dxe4 11.Ng5 {White will regain the pawn eventually, although he needs to know what to do after} 11...c5 $5 12.Bg2 Nc6 13.dxc5 Qxd2+ 14.Kxd2 f5 {It is possible that the young Indian was not fully prepared to play this position, so he chose a less risky option. I would assume that his opponent was.} ) 8...d5 9.O-O ( {With the pawn on c6, Black can always meet} 9.cxd5 {with the symmetrical} 9...cxd5 ) 9...Nbd7 10.Rc1 ( {The 13th world champion once chose a different plan} 10.Qb2 O-O 11.Nbd2 {although he did not succeed in creating problems for his opponent.} 11...c5 {1/2-1/2 (17) Kasparov,G (2640)-Huebner,R (2620) Bugojno 1982} ) 10...O-O 11.a4 $1 {A principled pawn advance. The bishop can become vulnerable on a6 if the a-file opens up. Importantly, Black cannot respond in kind with ...a7-a5.} 11...Bb7 12.Nc3 {A slightly confusing choice.} ( 12.a5 {seems virtually automatic, and if} 12...c5 {then} 13.Ne5 {gives White a slight positional pressure. White can later opt for a5-a6 or axb6 depending on the circumstances.} ) 12...Rb8 {This is as equally inaccurate as White's previous move. It seems like the players did not appreciate the importance of the a5-push.} ( 12...a5 {is more to the point. Perhaps Durarbayli disliked} 13.cxd5 cxd5 {when the white knight gets a nice outpost on} ( {However, he would get a very reasonable Carlsbad-like position after} 13...exd5 {and, for example,} 14.Ne1 Re8 15.Nc2 h5 $1 16.Rab1 h4 {with Alpha-Zero-like counterplay.} ) 14.Nb5 ) 13.Ne1 {I suppose that both players had given up on trying to make a5 ...a5 work. Pragg's move makes sense as it opens the diagonal for the Catalan bishop.} ( 13.a5 {is objectively stronger.} ) 13...c5 {The Azerbaijani grandmaster wants to take advantage of white knight moving away from the center, so he strikes at the d4-pawn.} 14.cxd5 cxd4 15.Qxd4 Nc5 {Black activates the knight with a nice little intermezzo.} 16.Rab1 exd5 {The isolated queen's pawn middlegames are very common on the highest level. The side playing against it has good chances in the endgame. On the other hand, Black's task is to utilize the outposts around the pawn such as e4 to create dynamic counterplay in the middlegame. This following stage of the game is quite interesting from that point of view.} 17.Nf3 {The knight returns closer to the d4-square in order to block the isolani. It is well-known that the queen is not a good blocker.} 17...Ne6 18.Qd1 Ne4 ( 18...d4 {would be too optimistic. After} 19.Nb5 Bxf3 20.Bxf3 {the white pieces look much more active than the opponent's.} ) 19.Nb5 {Pragg decides to ignore the e4-knight and establishes an outpost on d4 instead.} ( {Alternatively,} 19.Nd4 Qf6 20.Nxe4 {would probably not yield much to White after} 20...dxe4 21.Nc6 Bxc6 22.Rxc6 Rbd8 ) 19...Qf6 20.Rc2 a5 $1 {A useful positional move, fixing white queenside pawns and securing c5 and b4 outposts for black pieces.} 21.e3 Rbc8 22.Rbc1 N6c5 {An interesting choice.} ( {I would have played} 22...Rc5 {without giving it a second thought since c5 looks like such a natural outpost for the rook with Rfc8 and Ba6 coming next. However, Durarbayli had different ideas.} ) 23.Nfd4 g6 24.Qf3 {A correct decision $1 White would like to exchange the queens since most endgames are slightly in his favor.} 24...Qe7 {Naturally, Black does not oblige. He will look for his chances in the middlegame.} 25.Bf1 Ng5 26.Qd1 Qf6 27.Qg4 Nge4 28.Qf4 $1 {This move gives Karpov vibes. White doesn't mind compromising his pawn structure to reach the endgame.} 28...Qe7 ( {Black wouldn't be doing too badly after} 28...Qxf4 29.gxf4 Na6 {but this was probably too passive for Durarbayli's liking.} ) 29.h4 $1 {A nice move. The g6-pawn provides a hook for the advance of the h-pawn. Overall, it feels like White has been improving his position over the last few moves, whereas Black hasn't. While the position remains complex, White can claim a slight edge thanks to a broader array of good options.} 29...Ba6 30.h5 Bxb5 {Durarbayli's decision to swap his \"bad\" bishop seems sensible. On the flip side, his isolated pawn will become weaker now.} 31.axb5 {This is a thematic recapture with the idea to secure the c6-outpost for the knight.} ( {There is nothing wrong with} 31.Bxb5 {, either. White keeps a stable advantage.} ) 31...Rce8 32.Rd1 Qd7 33.Bg2 $6 {A somewhat abstract move. However, both players were down to their final five minutes before reaching the time control after move 40. This explains mutual inaccuracies and mistakes in the next stage of the game.} ( 33.Nc6 {is the most straightforward continuation. White could combine the initiative on both sides of the board, for example} 33...Re6 34.h6 $1 Kh8 35.b4 $1 axb4 36.Nxb4 {and Black would be in serious trouble.} ) 33...f5 $1 {Durarbayli takes advantage of Pragg's hesitation to launch his counterplay.} 34.Qf3 ( {The alternative is} 34.Qh6 {but Black would get a decent version of the endgame after} 34...Qg7 35.Qxg7+ Kxg7 {thanks to his activity and a vulnerable b3-pawn.} ) 34...g5 35.Rb2 $6 {Praggnanandhaa completely loses the thread of the game in the time pressure. This is a wrong way to prepare the b4-break.} ( {Once again,} 35.Nc6 {is the right way to do it. The position would remain dynamically balanced after} 35...Kh8 36.b4 axb4 37.Nxb4 Qxb5 38.Nxd5 ) 35...Kh8 36.b4 $2 {Continuing with the wrong plan. This move could have been refuted.} 36...axb4 $6 ( {Black could have obtained a nearly winning position by force with tempo-play:} 36...Na4 37.Rb3 Nac3 38.Rd3 axb4 39.Rxb4 f4 $1 {The key breakthrough.} 40.exf4 gxf4 41.gxf4 Ng5 $1 42.Qg3 Re1+ 43.Kh2 Nce4 {with a decisive attack. However, to find this variation, a player must possess a powerful attacking intuition and be in top form. It is virtually impossible to calculate all the details with only a few minutes on the clock.} ) 37.Rxb4 Nc3 38.Rd2 N3e4 39.Rd1 Nc3 {It is natural to repeat the position to get closer to the time control.} 40.Rd2 N5e4 $2 {The notorious 40th move $1 Durarbayli does not want to repeat the position again with 40...N3e4 to avoid the three-fold repetition. However, this way, his knights get tangled up.} ( {Instead,} 40...Ra8 {is strong, taking control of the a-file and keeping N3e4 as an option for later. Black would be clearly better.} ) 41.Rc2 Ra8 42.Rb3 Ra1+ 43.Bf1 {Black's problem is that his knight is rather loose on c3, so he needs to spend two tempi retreating it to its natural square, c5. Meanwhile, White will be in time to consolidate.} 43...Na4 44.Rd3 Re1 $2 {It is difficult to explain this move.} ( {Durarbayli could have simply played} 44...Nac5 {and preserve his control over the crucial open file.} ) 45.Ra3 $1 Nac5 46.Rca2 {Now it's White who takes control over the a-file and the initiative. Probably realizing the extent of his mistake on move 44, the Azerbaijani grandmaster decides to go all-in with} 46...f4 $5 47.exf4 g4 {The best practical chance. White's queen is pushed back, and the g4-pawn can potentially play a role in the kingside attack.} ( 47...Qh3 {would not work due to} 48.Qg2 Qxg2+ 49.Kxg2 {White would have a winning endgame thanks to his rooks on the a-file.} ) 48.Qh1 $1 {This is an awkward square for the queen, but strangely enough, it is more active here than on g2 as it can also join the game via h4 or h5 (after h5-h6).} 48...Ne6 {The tension in the match is rising, and it doesn't help that the position is getting more complicated while the time is slipping away with each move. Right around this point, the players entered the second time trouble. Durarbayli made this move with less than four minutes on the clock, while Praggnanandhaa responded with less than three minutes. However, his reply} 49.Ra8 $2 {is quite impractical. It is a well-established guideline that when converting an advantage, it is better to avoid misbalancing the game as this favors the defender. However, Pragg does just that, and, as a result, we get a complete mess on the board.} ( {Instead,} 49.Nxe6 Qxe6 50.Qh4 {(or 50.h6 $5) is much simpler. Black has no threats; with Ra8 coming next, White should win quite comfortably.} ) 49...Nxd4 50.Rxf8+ Kg7 51.Rfa8 {A crazy position. Who is better $2 Which king is more vulnerable $2 Will White be able to coordinate his rooks or Black his knights $2 Will the white queen ever see the light of the day again $2 I am sure both players were stressed trying to figure all this out.} 51...Nf3+ $2 {This natural check is supposed to be losing.} ( {A prophylactic move} 51...Kh6 $1 {would apparently solve Black's problems. If White goes after the king with} 52.R2a7 ( 52.Kg2 $1 {in turn, is the best, according to the engine, with an approximate balance. Go figure $1} ) 52...Qe6 53.Rh8 {then Black could execute a mating attack with} 53...Rxf1+ $1 {and this is why Black should not have given a check on f3. Now everything unfolds by force:} 54.Kxf1 Nd2+ 55.Kg1 Qe1+ 56.Kg2 Qe4+ 57.Kh2 N2f3+ 58.Kg2 Nh4+ 59.Kh2 Ndf3+ {Black takes the queen first and checkmates later.} ) 52.Kg2 Kh6 53.Rc2 $2 {Pragg wanted to continue the attack with Rc6+, but this idea is not the best.} ( 53.R2a7 $1 {is the right attacking continuation, cutting the king off the seventh rank.} 53...Qe6 ( {If} 53...Qf5 {then} 54.Rb8 $1 Nf6 55.Rxb6 {leads to a winning position.} ) 54.Rh8 Nf6 {and now, the spectacular} 55.Bd3 $3 {seals the deal as} 55...Rxh1 {is checkmate after} 56.Rhxh7+ Nxh7 57.Rxh7# ) 53...Qe7 54.Rc6+ Nf6 {Black is holding on, but not only that. He clears the e-file for his queen, so White has to watch for 55...Qe4. With only three seconds remaining on the clock, the Indian star makes a shocking move} 55.Ra3 $2 {This looks like an outright blunder. I doubt he missed that his rook is hanging on a3 and prefer to believe that he left it en prise to lure the black queen away from e4.} ( {However, he could have parried Black's threat with} 55.Rg8 $1 {taking away the g7-square from the king and threatening to capture the g4-pawn. After the best reply} 55...Re6 $1 {this would still be anyone's game or, in the computer language, 0.00.} ) 55...Qxa3 ( 55...Qe4 {does not work due to} 56.Rxf6+ Kg7 57.Rxb6 $1 {and the black king proves to be more exposed after} 57...Nd2+ 58.Kh2 Nxf1+ 59.Qxf1 Rxf1 60.Ra7+ {A fascinating variation $1} ) 56.Rxf6+ Kg7 57.Rxb6 h6 $1 {Durarbayli ensures that his opponent cannot activate his queen with 58.h6+ and Qh5 next. Even though he is down two pawns, his position is winning because all white pieces other than the rook are completely tied down. How in the world did White win this $2 Let's see.} 58.Rg6+ Kh7 $2 {This is a wrong square for the king because of the Bf1-d3 idea in some lines. With mere seconds on the clock, it is difficult to figure out such tactical details.} ( {The right move is} 58...Kf7 {and Black would be winning a piece after} 59.Rxg4 Nd2 60.Kh3 Qc5 $1 ) 59.Rxg4 d4 $2 {Azerbaijan's third board probably realized too late that 59...Nd2 doesn't work, and he played this active move to prepare ...Qa3-a8 in some lines. However, it turns out to be a losing one.} ( 59...Nd2 {meets a refutation} 60.Bd3+ $1 Qxd3 61.Qxe1 Qf3+ 62.Kg1 Qxg4 63.Qxd2 {Nevertheless, Black could keep a delicate balance with 59... Qc3 or any other \"pass-move.\" Easy for an engine but extremely difficult for a human under all sorts of pressure.} ) 60.Rg6 $1 {Pragg's calculation is razor-sharp. He realized he could obstruct the long diagonal by bringing the rook to c6 while also preparing to activate the queen via h3.} ( {In the event of} 60.Kh3 Qa8 $1 {would be totally unclear.} ) 60...Qe7 {With his seconds ticking, Durarbayli decides to recycle the Qe4 threat. However, this move meets an elegant refutation.} ( 60...Qa8 {wouldn't work either because of} 61.Rc6 $1 ) ( {but things would still not be that clear if he had played} 60...Nd2 {threatening both 61...Qf3+ and 61...Qa8. The following moves have study-like quality, and we can only marvel at the beauty of this variation.} 61.Kh3 $1 Ne4 62.Qg2 Qc5 63.Rg4 $1 {For the record, White is supposed to be winning.} ) 61.Bd3 $1 {The killer move, preparing a discovered check on e6. Only now did the Azeri realize that it is all over.} 61...Qa3 {White has many ways to win now. The Indian star choses the most ''praggmatic'' one :)} ( 61...Rxh1 {runs into} 62.Re6+ ) ( 61...Kh8 {avoids material losses, but White can simply release his queen with} 62.Qh3 {and} 62...Rg1+ 63.Kxf3 {is curtains.} ) 62.Re6+ Qxd3 63.Rxe1 Nxe1+ 64.Qxe1 Qxb5 65.Qe4+ Kg8 66.Qg6+ {Black loses all his pawns, so he resigns. A heartbreaking loss for Durarbayli, but he deserves praise for a valiant fight just as much as Praggnanandhaa, who got from a hopeless position to a winning one in just three moves. This game is a testament to the adage that we should never give up.} 1-0

[Event "WCO"]
[Site "Chennai, India"]
[Date "2022.08.08"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2688"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Kujasevic,Davorin"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[Beauty "5705524319768"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IND"]

{In a clash of two chess stars on the first board of the Olympiad, we witnessed a shocking turnaround that might prove to have a significant impact on the final standings.} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Qa4+ {Gukesh repeats the move that he used successfully in round six against Sargissian.} 5...Nc6 6.e3 O-O 7.Bd2 a5 {Abdusattorov deviates quite early. This move is not very popular, although it is very reasonable. The idea behind supporting the b4-bishop is to prepare the ...Nc6-e7 maneuver.} ( {In round six Game of the Day, we saw} 7...dxc4 8.Bxc4 Bd6 9.Qc2 e5 10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.Be2 {Gukesh D. (2684)-Sargissian Gabriel (2698) Chennai, India 2022, 1-0 (41)} ) 8.a3 Bxc3 9.Bxc3 Ne7 10.Qc2 b6 {Black has given up his dark-square bishop, so his strategy is to fight for the light-square complex. With his last move, he prepares to hit the c4-pawn with ...Ba6.} 11.b3 {A typical prophylactic move that strengthens the c4-pawn.} ( {Perhaps the alternative} 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Bd3 {should get more attention in the future. It appears that White has a slight positional edge after} 12...Ba6 13.Bxa6 Rxa6 14.O-O {due to the pressure along the c-file.} ) 11...Ba6 12.a4 {This move is consistent with Gukesh's general strategy to preserve control over the light squares in the center. Its drawback is that Black can exploit the weakening of the b4-square.} ( 12.Be2 {is a more solid choice. The young Indian probably disliked the fact that Black can compromise his queenside structure with} 12...a4 13.bxa4 Bxc4 14.Bxc4 dxc4 {with good counterplay.} ) 12...Ne4 13.Bb2 Nc6 14.Ba3 {It feels like White has wasted precious time over the last few moves, trying to evade Black's threats.} ( {Objectively speaking, it would have been better to play} 14.cxd5 Bxf1 15.Kxf1 Qxd5 16.Qc4 {However, this position is equal, and Gukesh was more ambitious.} ) 14...Nb4 15.Bxb4 axb4 16.Bd3 {This was Gukesh's idea. The knight cannot jump on c3 because the h-pawn is hanging. Or can it $2} 16...Nf6 $6 {Abdusattorov trusts his opponent.} ( {However,} 16...Nc3 $1 {is not only possible, but also very strong since} 17.Bxh7+ Kh8 18.Bd3 dxc4 19.bxc4 Bb7 {leaves White struggling to complete his development. Black has a big initiative for a pawn because of ideas like Bxf3, Qg5, and c5. The c3-knight is untouchable, and it paralyzes the white pieces.} ) 17.O-O {The position is balanced now. Uzbekistan's first board decides to play the thematic} 17...c5 {which looks okay,} ( {although} 17...dxc4 $5 18.Bxc4 Bb7 {might have been more accurate since it stops White from pushing the e-pawn. Black will gradually prepare ...c7-c5 in slightly better circumstances.} ) 18.dxc5 bxc5 19.e4 $1 {Gukesh puts pressure on his opponent with this central break. How should Black resolve the central tension $2} 19...dxe4 $6 {A tempting yet suboptimal choice. The arising structure is superior for White because the c5-pawn is weak, and the protected passer on the a-file is potentially a significant asset in the endgame. On the other hand, Black will find it difficult to make his kingside majority count.} ( {It would have been better to play} 19...dxc4 {again, when} 20.Bxc4 Bb7 {would be more balanced since White would not have a queenside majority, as he did in the game.} ) 20.Bxe4 Ra7 $2 {Abdusattorov plays this move \"a tempo,\" but he probably regretted not spending more time on it in hindsight. The rook would like to go to d7 and support Bb7, but it will prove completely misplaced after Gukesh's reply.} ( 20...Rc8 {would have been better, and if White goes} 21.Ne5 {then} 21...Qc7 {would have given Black a slightly worse but manageable position with much better piece coordination than he had in the game.} ) 21.Ne5 Qd6 22.Rfe1 $1 {Gukesh defends the mighty knight most efficiently. On top of that, he threatens to bring his rook to the crucial d-file with a tempo.} 22...Nxe4 ( 22...Qxe5 {drops the queen to a discovered attack} 23.Bxh7+ ) 23.Qxe4 Rd8 {Black fights for the d-file with all his might. However, Gukesh's quiet queen retreat} 24.Qf3 $1 {leaves him defenseless against Rad1.} 24...Qc7 ( {To make things worse, he cannot play} 24...Bb7 {because of} 25.Qxf7+ ) 25.Rad1 Raa8 {The young Uzbek has to admit his hasty mistake on move 20 when he misplaced his rook. It's better late than never, but his position is already very suspicious.} 26.Rxd8+ {Gukesh wants to exchange all the heavy pieces to eliminate defenders of the c5-pawn. The minor piece endgame is lost for Black since the bishop cannot perform this duty.} 26...Rxd8 27.Rd1 $1 Rc8 $6 {This move only postpones the inevitable. Black cannot give White control over the open file.} ( {It would have been better to exchange the rooks immediately} 27...Rxd1+ 28.Qxd1 {and after} 28...h6 {For example,} ( {White's previous move was based on the back-rank tactic} 28...Qxe5 29.Qd8# ) 29.Nd3 Qd6 30.Qf3 Qd4 {promises Black some counterplay.} ) 28.Qg3 h5 {Black needs to give some \"luft\" to his king, and White does the same.} ( {Gukesh planned to refute} 28...f6 {with} 29.Rd7 ) 29.h3 ( 29.Rd7 {wouldn't work here due to White's own back-rank issues after} 29...Rd8 ) 29...Rd8 30.Rxd8+ Qxd8 31.Nd3 {This is a much worse version of this endgame compared to 27...Rxd1 since White's pieces coordinate much quicker to capture the c-pawn.} 31...h4 ( {Black's main problem is that} 31...Qd4 {is strongly met by} 32.Qe3 $1 {and the c5-pawn falls, one way or another.} ) 32.Qe3 Bb7 {Abdusattorov realized that he could not save the c-pawn. His only chance is to pester his opponent with real or imaginary threats to confuse him and make his conversion job more difficult.} 33.f3 {The idea behind this cautious move is to limit the light-square bishop. The pawn will not run away.} ( 33.Nxc5 {is possible, when Black would probably continue} 33...Qd1+ 34.Kh2 Qd6+ {in order to provoke} 35.f4 {White is winning, but his king is potentially a little vulnerable on g2 and g3, so Gukesh's choice is understandable.} ) 33...Qd6 34.Kf1 e5 35.Nxc5 {This is a good moment to take the pawn since the white king is safe in the center.} 35...Bc8 ( 35...Qd1+ {amounts to nothing after} 36.Kf2 Qc2+ 37.Qe2 ) 36.Ke1 {In similar situations, we usually write: \"And the rest is a matter of technique.\" Gukesh has a healthy extra pawn in the endgame, a protected outside passer, and perfect piece coordination. He only needs to make the time control and avoid a couple of tricks, and victory will be at hand. However, as we will see, things are not always that simple in practice.} 36...Bf5 ( 36...Qg6 {would be safely met by} 37.Qd2 ) 37.a5 {A timely decision. Black is preparing to create counterplay with ...Bc2, so Gukesh uses his trump card to tie the black pieces in defense.} 37...Qc7 38.a6 Bc8 39.Nd3 {A good transformation of advantage. White trades his a-pawn for one of the opponent's but, more importantly, improves his piece coordination.} 39...Bxa6 40.Qxe5 $1 {This is the right capture. The white queen is dominant in the center of the board, and it seems like capturing one of the b4/ h4 pawns is only a matter of time.} ( 40.Nxb4 $6 Bb7 {is not as simple since Black might generate counterplay with his e-pawn.} ) 40...Qb6 41.Nc5 Qa5 42.Kd1 {Perhaps this king run toward the queenside was not necessary, but it's still fine.} ( {The king actually seems safer on the kingside after} 42.Kf2 ) 42...Qd8+ 43.Kc2 Bc8 {White is up a pawn and has everything under his control. At this point, everyone saw Gukesh extending his dream-like Olympiad run. Alas, his nerves took the best of him as he became indecisive and began drifting.} 44.Ne4 $6 {Not a mistake per se, but a step in the wrong direction.} ( {It is difficult to understand why the Indian prodigy rejected a simple move} 44.Nd3 {It does not seem like Black has a good way to defend the b-pawn or create meaningful counterplay. For instance,} 44...Be6 ( {or} 44...Qf8 45.c5 ) 45.Nxb4 Qb6 46.Nd3 Qg1 47.Nf4 {has to be winning for White.} ) 44...Be6 45.Kb2 $4 {A complete blackout $1 Gukesh lets his opponent back in the game.} ( {Instead, he could have kept a winning position with} 45.Qd6 {eyeing the b4-pawn. After} 45...Qa5 46.Kd3 $1 {Black would be stuck since} 46...Qa3 {runs into} 47.Qd8+ Kh7 48.Qxh4+ ) ( {Alternatively,} 45.Qg5 $5 Qd4 46.Qd2 $1 {would have a similar effect. It's crucial that the white queen have access to the d8-square. Gukesh might have missed this in his calculation.} ) 45...Qa8 $1 {Suddenly, the counterplay on the a-file is real.} 46.Nc5 Qa3+ 47.Kb1 g6 $1 {Abdusattorov prepares to activate his bishop on f5, which means that the white knight will have to retreat to e4.} 48.Kc2 ( {Sadly for White,} 48.Nxe6 {doesn't work because} 48...Qxb3+ 49.Qb2 Qd1+ {leads to a draw by perpetual.} ) 48...Qa2+ 49.Qb2 Bf5+ 50.Ne4 Qa7 $1 {Black's queen can demonstrate its full range of mobility. Due to the pinned knight, 51...Qf2+ is a threat, and White cannot advance the c-pawn.} 51.Kd3 Qg1 52.Qc2 Qc5 53.Qd2 Qg1 {White's progress has been stalled because of the weak pawns on g2 and b3. What's worse, the black queen is too active. It probably dawned on Gukesh around here that his position is not objectively winning anymore.} 54.Kc2 Qa1 55.Kd3 Qg1 56.Qe2 Qa7 57.Qe3 $6 {I can remember more than one game in my life when, having let a winning advantage slip, I continued playing for a win by inertia and completely underestimated the fact that I could actually lose the game $1 The same thing happens here to Gukesh, who, for some reason, didn't pull the breaks and called it a draw even though his teammate on board 3 had a winning endgame. After this move, there is no going back.} 57...Qa2 58.Kd4 Qxg2 {It's anyone's game now. However, the psychological advantage is clearly on the side of Abdusattorov, who has escaped from a hopeless position and, unlike his frustrated opponent, continues the game with a new-found vigor.} 59.Ng5 f6 $1 {Black's king will be safe despite the checks.} 60.Qe8+ Kg7 61.Qe7+ Kh6 62.Nf7+ Kh5 63.Kc5 $6 ( 63.Qe3 g5 64.Qe8 $1 {is a much better try, when Black would have to be more careful about keeping the balance.} ) 63...Qxf3 64.Qxf6 Qe3+ 65.Kxb4 Bxh3 {Black covers all the critical squares around his king, and, given the open nature of the position, he has better practical chances with his queen and bishop vs. White's queen and knight pair.} 66.Ne5 Qd2+ 67.Kb5 Bd7+ 68.Kc5 ( {It is safer to go for the pure queens' endgame with} 68.Nxd7 Qxd7+ 69.Kb6 h3 70.c5 {and White shouldn't be losing this in a million years.} ) 68...Qe3+ 69.Kb4 Bf5 70.Qh8+ Qh6 71.Qd8 Qg7 {With only several seconds on the clock, Gukesh makes a fatal blunder} 72.Nf3 $4 {forgetting about} ( {Draw would still be the most likely result after} 72.Qd1+ Kh6 73.Qd6 ) 72...Qb7+ {Gukesh loses a piece, so he resigned. His historical run was stopped in the most disheartening way, but credit has to be given to Abdusattorov for defending resourcefully and not giving up despite the odds.} 0-1

[Event "WCO"]
[Site "Chennai, India"]
[Date "2022.08.09"]
[Round "11.3"]
[White "Warmerdam, Max"]
[Black "Vakhidov, Jahongir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2564"]
[ECO "B31"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic,Davorin"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[Beauty "6391985140233"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IND"]

{In team competitions, a well-performing board four often makes a difference in close matches. With 6.5 points from eight games and a rating performance of 2813, the 27-year-old Jakhongir Vakhidov was one of the main drivers behind Uzbekistan's first Olympiad gold medal. In the final round, he showed excellent conversion technique and calmness to secure a crucial victory for his team.} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {Warmerdam goes for the reliable Rossolimo Variation, avoiding deep opening theory in the Sveshnikov, Rauzer, and other sharp Sicilians after 3.d4.} 3...g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.c3 Nf6 6.d4 $5 {The Dutch grandmaster gambits a central pawn. This rare move took his opponent by surprise. These days, it is often more practical to play an offbeat opening line that takes your opponent out of the book than an objectively better continuation that everyone and their cat have already studied. However, one better be sure that the sideline they've chosen doesn't backfire $1} ( {The well-known main line is} 6.Re1 ) 6...cxd4 {Vakhidov declines the offer after some thought, possibly recollecting his home analysis.} ( {If Black accepts the challenge with} 6...Nxe4 {White takes the initiative with} 7.d5 Nb8 8.Re1 Nf6 9.d6 e6 10.Ne5 {with full compensation for the pawn due to the restricted black pieces. Christiansen,J (2609)-Gukesh,D (2599) Struga 2021, 0-1 (37)} ) 7.e5 Nd5 8.cxd4 Nc7 {This move was not mandatory.} ( 8...O-O $5 9.Nc3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 a6 {seems pretty good for Black, who would like to prepare the freeing ...d7-d6 soon.} ) 9.Nc3 a6 {A novelty, although not a great one, objectively speaking.} ( {Previously,} 9...Nxb5 ) ( {and} 9...O-O {were tried in grandmaster practice. Both seem more straightforward than Vakhidov's move.} ) 10.Bc4 {It is clear that both players were on their own at this point. This retreat is less to the point} ( {than} 10.Ba4 {, which keeps an eye on the c6-knight. This becomes important in lines where Black attacks the white center with ...d7-d6, for example} 10...O-O 11.Bg5 d6 ( {Alternatively,} 11...b5 {doesn't solve Black's opening problems either, since} 12.Bb3 d6 13.exd6 Qxd6 14.Ne4 {looks a little suspect due to the weaknesses along the c-file.} ) 12.Re1 dxe5 {and now White can make a favorable exchange on c6} 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.Nxe5 {with a typical small advantage.} ) 10...O-O 11.Bg5 $6 {Playing this aggressive move is not the wisest decision White could make.} ( 11.Bf4 {was a better way to address Black's next move, keeping the center stable.} ) 11...d6 {White has no choice but to capture on d6 now. He plans to put pressure on the e7-pawn with d4-d5, Re1, etc. However, Black obtains a lot of counterplay against his isolated queen's pawn in return.} 12.exd6 Qxd6 13.d5 ( {The alternative was} 13.Ne4 Qb4 14.Rc1 Bf5 {with a complicated battle where Black's chances are not worse.} ) 13...Na5 14.Qa4 $2 {Warmerdam wants to activate his queen via the fourth rank, but this only plays into Black's hands.} ( 14.Bb3 {would have been much safer as after} 14...Nxb3 15.Qxb3 {the queen is placed quite well on b3, and the d-pawn is well-defended.} ) 14...Nxc4 {Vakhidov spent more than 20 minutes on this move,} ( {which indicates that he probably seriously considered the alternative} 14...b6 {as well. His final choice is better.} ) 15.Qxc4 b5 {Black is happy to play this move with a tempo because it allows him to take the initiative on the queenside.} 16.Qe4 ( 16.Qh4 {would lead to exchanges in the center after} 16...Nxd5 17.Nxd5 ( 17.Rad1 Bxc3 $1 ) 17...Qxd5 18.Bxe7 Re8 {Black has a clear advantage in this open position thanks to his active bishop pair.} ) 16...Re8 $1 {After this move, it becomes clear that White's opening strategy has failed. Black defends his e-pawn, while the one on d5 is much more vulnerable. Moreover, he efficiently neutralizes White's Bg5-f4 threat.} 17.Rad1 ( 17.Bf4 {would be strong if it weren’t for} 17...e5 $1 18.dxe6 Qxe6 {with a comfortable long-term advantage for Black thanks to the bishop pair.} ) 17...Bf5 18.Qh4 b4 {Vakhidov decides to utilize his main asset on the queenside and dislodge the knight from c3.} ( {A greedier approach} 18...Bxc3 19.bxc3 Nxd5 {was also possible. The d5-knight is safe, and after} 20.c4 bxc4 21.Qxc4 Be6 {, followed by 22...f6, White could hardly prove any compensation for the pawn.} ) 19.Ne4 Bxe4 20.Qxe4 Bxb2 21.Rfe1 $2 {Warmerdam seems to have no regard for material, but he won't be able to generate enough initiative to justify this move.} ( {He could still keep the material balance with} 21.Bf4 Qc5 22.Bxc7 Qxc7 23.Qxb4 {In this position, Black would have a risk-free positional advantage due to the vulnerable d5-pawn and the fact that the bishop is a better piece than the knight. Still, this was a lesser evil than the game continuation.} ) 21...Bc3 $1 {Well calculated $1 This intermezzo is helpful not only to protect the b4-pawn but also to disrupt the coordination of White’s pieces.} 22.Re3 ( 22.Bxe7 {fails tactically to} 22...Bxe1 23.Bxd6 Rxe4 24.Bxc7 Bc3 25.d6 {and Black is in time to catch the pawn with} 25...Bf6 26.d7 Bd8 ) 22...f6 23.Qh4 {Warmerdam uses special effects to protect the bishop, but Black simply ignores it.} ( 23.Bh6 {wouldn't save the pawn in the view of} 23...e6 $1 ) 23...Nxd5 24.Red3 e6 {White is down two pawns and has nothing to show for them. However, in matches with such high stakes, it's never over 'till it's over, as they say. We already previously saw two unbelievable turnarounds in similar situations in Gukesh-Abdusattorov and Praggnanandhaa-Durarbayli.} 25.Bxf6 Bxf6 {This is not a big mistake, although it complicates Black's conversion task a bit.} ( 25...Qf4 $1 {would decide the outcome much more quickly, as shown by the following lines:} 26.Bg5 ( 26.Qxf4 Nxf4 27.Bxc3 Nxd3 ) ( 26.Bxc3 Qxh4 27.Nxh4 bxc3 ) 26...Qxh4 27.Bxh4 a5 {The key difference compared to the game is that the d5-knight blocks the entrance to the d-file for the white rooks. Without this counterplay, White can do nothing about Black advancing his queenside pawns.} ) 26.Qxf6 Qxh2+ $1 {This desperado tactic is the point behind Vakhidov's previous move. He keeps his two extra pawns, although after} 27.Kxh2 Nxf6 {White obtains some mildly annoying activity with} 28.Rd6 {Of course, the endgame is winning for Black, but he should not slack off while converting his advantage.} 28...Ne4 29.Rb6 Nxf2 $6 {This is not the most efficient solution because it allows the opponent to capture the b-pawn.} ( {It was more important to keep the queenside majority with} 29...a5 {than take the f-pawn. After} 30.Rd4 Nc3 31.Rd7 Red8 {Black should gradually neutralize the opponent's threats on the seventh rank and convert his advantage on the queenside.} ) 30.Rd7 $6 {Warmerdam misses an important opportunity to increase his drawing chances.} ( {Instead,} 30.Rd2 Ng4+ 31.Kh3 $1 Nf6 32.Rxb4 {would have been much trickier for Black in the absence of connected passers on the queenside.} ) 30...Ng4+ 31.Kh3 Nf6 32.Rdd6 a5 33.Ng5 Rad8 $1 {The best technical solution. Trading a pair of rooks significantly reduces White's chances of stirring some trouble around the black king.} 34.Rxd8 Rxd8 35.Rxe6 Rd3+ 36.g3 ( 36.Kh2 Ng4+ {leads to the back-rank mate.} ) 36...Nh5 {Black should be winning simply now.} 37.Kh4 Ng7 $6 {Vakhidov played this move too quickly, probably trying to get closer to move 40.} ( {However, there was nothing wrong with the simple} 37...Rxg3 {White's checks are harmless after} 38.Ra6 ( {or} 38.Re8+ Kg7 39.Re7+ Kf6 40.Re6+ Kf5 ) 38...Ra3 39.Ra8+ Kg7 40.Ra7+ Kf6 41.Nxh7+ Ke5 {Black wins the a-pawn and the game.} ) 38.Ra6 Nf5+ 39.Kg4 Rxg3+ 40.Kf4 {The effect of the previous two moves was that White has improved his king. Nevertheless, three extra pawns should suffice for the full point.} 40...Re3 {This was the last move before the time control. Vakhidov chose a safe move, preferring to keep his kingside majority.} ( {The alternative was} 40...Ra3 {when he would lose the h-pawn after} 41.Ra8+ Kg7 42.Ra7+ Kf8 43.Nxh7+ {However, this endgame is also winning for Black after} 43...Ke8 44.Nf6+ Kd8 45.Rd7+ Kc8 46.Rd2 Kc7 {etc.} ) 41.Rxa5 Re7 42.Rb5 h6 43.Rb8+ Kg7 {The dust has settled, and Black's two extra pawns on the kingside should decide the issue. Vakhidov converts the advantage with a steady hand.} 44.Nf3 Ne3 $1 {The pawn is defended by an implicit fork on d5.} 45.Kg3 Re4 46.Rb7+ Kf6 47.Rb6+ Kf7 48.Rb7+ Ke8 49.Nd2 Rd4 50.Nb3 Nf5+ 51.Kf3 Rc4 52.Nd2 Rd4 53.Ne4 {Interestingly, Warmerdam didn't repeat the position.} ( 53.Nb3 {wouldn't save him, anyway, since Black could go to} 53...Rh4 {where the rook cannot be disturbed. Black wins by advancing his pawns gradually.} ) 53...g5 54.Nc5 {This allows Black to run his g-pawn down the board.} ( {However, even after} 54.Nf6+ Kd8 {Black's win would only be a matter of time.} ) 54...g4+ 55.Ke2 g3 56.Kf3 Rc4 {Vakhidov wins a tempo to give a check on the third rank.} 57.Ne6 Rc3+ 58.Kf4 g2 59.Ng7+ Kd8 $5 ( 59...Nxg7 60.Rxg7 Rc2 {also wins.} ) 60.Rb8+ Kd7 $1 {Vakhidov finishes the game in style. There is nothing White can do to prevent Black from promoting the pawn into a new queen. Warmerdam resigns, and it's \"Game, set, match\" for Uzbekistan $1} 0-1

[Event "44th E Chess Olympiad 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.08.06"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Gukesh, D."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B31"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7286143610934"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{I have played nine Olympiads as a member of the Brazilian team, and I never saw anything even close to what Gukesh is achieving. I have witnessed outstanding performances by team leaders such as Kasparov, Ivanchuk, and Aronian, but to score 8 out of 8, in his first Olympiad, as board one, this is beyond words.} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {The Rossolimo variation is nowadays nearly as important as the Open Sicilian.} 3...g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Bxc6 bxc6 {This is not the main move, but in general you are fine if you capture toward the center.} 6.Re1 Qc7 {A subtle idea and only the seventh most popular move. Black plays a useful move before developing the knight or playing d7-d6. The queen is always useful on c7.} ( 6...Nh6 {is played more often.} ) 7.h3 {A smart idea. This move is useful in many ways: to give the king some air and to take the g4-square from the opponent's knight or bishop.} ( 7.Na3 {was played in a recent and important game, featuring another young star and hero of this Olympiad.} 7...d6 8.Nc4 e5 9.c3 Be6 10.Qa4 Ne7 11.d4 cxd4 12.cxd4 exd4 13.Bf4 Bxc4 14.Qxc4 c5 15.Rac1 O-O {and here White could achieve an advantage with 16.Nxd4 $1 instead of} 16.e5 $6 {that was played in Naiditsch-Abdusattorov, Biel 2022.} ) ( 7.c3 {is the most popular.} ) 7...d6 8.e5 $5 {A typical positional sacrifice to disrupt Black's pawn structure.} 8...dxe5 9.d3 c4 $1 {Gukesh gives the pawn back before Caruana can play Nbd2. Either the c5- or the e5-pawn will be lost in the long run. It's better to sacrifice one of them immediately to improve the pawn structure.} 10.Nc3 ( 10.dxc4 $2 {is a horrible move. After} 10...f5 {the pawns start moving.} ) 10...cxd3 ( 10...Be6 {was played in a recent email game:} 11.Qe2 cxd3 12.cxd3 Nf6 13.Nxe5 O-O 14.b3 Rac8 15.Bb2 c5 16.Rac1 Rfd8 {with a balanced position in Dmitriev-Borstnik,ICCF email 2020.} ) 11.cxd3 Nh6 {This is a novelty, but not a successful one.} ( 11...Be6 {had been played before.} ) 12.Nxe5 Nf5 13.Bf4 {Material equality is now restored. White has the better development and the initiative.} 13...Qb7 14.Na4 f6 15.Nf3 O-O 16.d4 ( 16.Nc5 {This seems the most unpleasant move to face. Capturing on b2 is very dangerous.} 16...Qb6 ( 16...Qxb2 17.Qa4 $1 Qb6 ( 17...Qb5 18.Qa3 Qb6 19.g4 {and White is much better.} ) 18.d4 $16 ) 17.d4 {with a clear advantage.} ) 16...g5 $5 {Gukesh plays very resourcefully in a difficult position. He advances the kingside pawns so that he can have the option of playing g5-g4. Of course, this is very dangerous; after all, these pawn moves weaken the king, but drastic measures are sometimes necessary.} 17.Bh2 h5 18.Re4 $6 {From now on, Caruana's play is marked by indecision. Little by little, Black starts improving the position.} ( 18.Nc5 $1 {is more accurate, since now the queen needs an extra move to reach d5.} 18...Qb5 19.Re4 Qc4 20.Rc1 Qd5 21.Qe1 {with advantage for White.} ) 18...Qd7 19.Qc2 Rf7 20.Rae1 Bf8 21.Qe2 {Those queen moves don't make a good impression.} 21...Qd5 22.Nc3 Qd7 {The famous \"tacit draw offer.\" Black is not against move-repetition.} 23.Qc4 {Caruana decides to play on, but his plan is not very convincing.} ( 23.Nxg5 $5 {is a radical way of changing the character of the game. White has good compensation in a double-edged position after} 23...fxg5 24.Qxh5 Ng7 25.Qxg5 Qf5 26.Qd2 ) 23...Qb7 24.b4 e6 25.Rb1 Qd7 26.Rbe1 Qb7 27.Rb1 Qd7 {Another silent draw offer.} 28.a3 $2 {Another refusal, but now Black gets the initiative and never looks back.} 28...a5 $1 {Now the bishop’s pair shows its colors. The c8-bishop, in particular, has an important role from now on.} 29.Na4 ( 29.bxa5 Rxa5 30.a4 Ba6 $1 31.Qxe6 Bd3 {wins the exchange.} ) ( 29.b5 cxb5 30.Nxb5 Bb7 {and the monster bishop decides the game.} ) 29...Qd8 30.bxa5 Rxa5 31.Nc5 ( 31.Qc2 {is necessary, although Black is much better.} ) 31...Qd5 $1 32.Qe2 ( 32.Qxd5 cxd5 33.Ree1 g4 {And White's position falls apart.} ) 32...Rxa3 {The complete success of Gukesh's play. A pawn up, bishop pair, better pawn structure. He finishes the game without mercy.} 33.Rd1 Rfa7 34.g4 hxg4 35.hxg4 Nh6 36.Bg3 e5 $1 37.Nxe5 {A desperate sacrifice.} 37...fxe5 38.Rxe5 Bxg4 $1 39.Qd2 Qf3 40.Rxg5+ Rg7 41.Re1 Bh3 42.Bd6 Bxd6 43.Rxg7+ Kxg7 44.Qg5+ Kh7 45.Ne4 Qxe4 $1 {The coup de grace, and White resigns. Another impressive display by the Indian prodigy.} ( 45...Qxe4 46.Rxe4 Ra1+ 47.Re1 Rxe1# ) 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.08.26"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "A14"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "7012205211144"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.b3 {This is usually Nakamura's weapon of choice in blitz and rapid events.} 4...Be7 5.Bb2 O-O 6.g3 $5 {A funny move, as we are usually told that you should not combine e3 and g3 in the opening. But, to be honest, it does not make a huge difference in the evaluation of the position. Of course White can play more pragmatically with moves like 6.c3 or 6.Be2. Duda even tried the crazy 6.Rg1 followed by 7.g4 in a rapid event this year. Not something you should do, unless you are 2700+ and want to have fun in a dubious position.} ( 6.Be2 ) ( 6.Rg1 $6 ) ( 6.Nc3 ) 6...b6 7.Bg2 Bb7 8.O-O c5 9.Qe2 Qc8 ( 9...Nc6 {is more popular, but Firouzja's plan is good, too. He wants to play …Rd8 next.} ) 10.Nc3 Rd8 11.Rac1 Nc6 12.d3 {Since the central exchange gives White no advantage, Nakamura decides to play this restrained move. But now Black can simplify the position.} 12...d4 $1 13.exd4 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Bxg2 ( 14...cxd4 {is bad due to the tactical} 15.Nd5 $1 ) 15.Kxg2 cxd4 ( 15...Rxd4 {Taking with the rook is also perfectly possible. The position is equal after} 16.Ne4 ( 16.Nd5 $2 Qb7 $1 {wins material.} ) ( 16.f4 {followed by 17. Rf3 is a more combative plan.} ) 16...Rd7 17.Rfd1 Qc6 18.Qf3 {with equality.} ) 16.Nb1 $5 {An interesting winning attempt, preparing Nd2-f3.} ( 16.Ne4 {is good enough for equal play and a probable draw.} ) 16...Qb7+ ( 16...Bc5 17.Nd2 Re8 $1 {followed by …e5 is the computer's favorite plan. Black is slightly better in this case.} ) 17.Kg1 h5 $5 {An interesting plan to prevent Nd2-f3.} 18.Nd2 h4 19.gxh4 {I don't know what to say about this move. Probably it would not even cross the minds of most chess players. But, of course, Nakamura is special, and that's why he wins so many times in these positions, although his play backfires in this game.} ( 19.Nf3 $2 h3 $1 {is the point of Black's h-pawn advance.} ) ( 19.Qf3 {is the natural move. I guess Nakamura didn't want to exchange queens.} 19...Qxf3 20.Nxf3 hxg3 21.hxg3 Bc5 {with a roughly equal endgame.} ) 19...Rac8 20.Qf3 $6 {White's position gets very difficult to play after this move since he must find some strange computer moves to stay in the game.} ( 20.Nf3 {is better.} 20...Rc5 $1 ( 20...Nh5 $2 {At first I thought this was good for Black, but actually White is much better after} 21.Ne5 $1 ) 21.Nxd4 {And this position is a complete mess where anything can happen. Take a look at the computer's next moves:} 21...Ra5 $1 22.Bc3 Bb4 $3 {with the traditional 0.00 evaluation.} ) 20...Qa6 $1 {Of course Firouzja is not interested in a queen exchange now.} 21.Kh1 $6 {This seems like a clever move, since taking on a2 is not so good for Black, but it's a mistake.} ( 21.Qe2 Qxa2 22.Nf3 {with a complicated game.} ) ( 21.Rc2 Rc5 22.Bc1 {This is a good move according to the computer. It defends the a2-pawn and brings the bishop back to the game. As I wrote before, not so easy to find.} ) 21...Rc5 $1 ( 21...Qxa2 {is tempting, but after} 22.Rc2 $1 Qa5 23.Ra1 {the a7-pawn falls.} ) 22.Rg1 Rf5 23.Qg2 Nh5 24.a3 Bxh4 25.Rcf1 g6 {Black's pawn structure is much better.} 26.Ne4 Be7 ( 26...b5 $1 {It's more precise to play the typical pawn break immediately.} ) 27.Ng3 $1 {Now Nakamura manages to improve his position.} 27...Nxg3+ 28.fxg3 b5 $1 {Black is still better since it's not easy to protect white's queenside.} 29.g4 $1 Rxf1 30.Rxf1 bxc4 31.bxc4 ( 31.Qf3 $5 Rf8 32.bxc4 ) 31...e5 32.Bc1 Rb8 $1 ( 32...Bxa3 33.Bg5 {gives some counterplay.} ) 33.Qf3 $2 ( 33.Kg1 $1 {This prophylactic move was necessary to avoid the queen exchange we will see in the game.} ) 33...Qb7 $1 {Now it's impossible to defend the weaknesses on the queenside.} 34.Kg2 Qxf3+ 35.Kxf3 Rb1 36.Ke2 f5 $5 ( 36...Ra1 {is also enough to win.} ) 37.gxf5 gxf5 38.Kd2 Bxa3 ( 38...f4 39.Kc2 Ra1 $19 ) 39.c5 $1 {As we all know, Nakamura is incredibly resourceful. He manages to create problems even in seemingly hopeless positions.} 39...Bxc5 $2 {This throws away the win. Truth be said, this is a tricky endgame to play, especially in time trouble.} ( 39...Bxc1+ 40.Rxc1 Rxc1 $4 {Of course it's not possible to go for this endgame since White's pawns are faster.} 41.Kxc1 Kf7 42.c6 Ke6 43.h4 $18 ) ( 39...Kf7 $1 {This accurate move is the right way. Black manages to control the advance of White's passed pawns.} 40.Rxf5+ ( 40.c6 Ke6 41.Kc2 Ra1 42.h4 Bd6 $1 43.h5 Ra6 {and the rook is in time.} ) ( 40.h4 f4 $1 41.c6 Bd6 $1 {followed by Rb6.} ) 40...Ke6 41.Rf1 Bxc5 42.Kc2 Ra1 {with a winning position.} ) 40.Rxf5 Bd6 41.Kc2 Rb7 42.h4 ( 42.Bd2 {is probably more accurate.} ) 42...Rc7+ 43.Kd1 $2 {This loses.} ( 43.Kb1 {is forced. The point is} 43...Rc3 44.Rf3 e4 45.Rf6 $1 Be7 46.Re6 $1 {with a miracle escape.} ) 43...Rc3 44.Rf6 $1 {The last rick.} 44...Ba3 $2 {Now it's a draw again $1} ( 44...Bf8 $1 {It's always easy to find these when the engine is on.} 45.Rf3 a5 $1 ( 45...e4 $2 46.Rg3+ Kf7 47.Bb2 {is a draw.} ) 46.Bd2 Ra3 $1 {and the a-pawn should decide the game.} ) 45.Bg5 $2 ( 45.Bd2 $1 {Nakamura had to find this study-like move.} 45...Rxd3 46.Kc2 Rh3 47.Re6 $1 {Now White gets a draw because Black won't be able to defend the pawns.} ) 45...Rxd3+ {Now it's really over.} 46.Ke2 Rh3 47.Rg6+ Kf7 48.Rf6+ Kg7 49.Kf2 Be7 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.08.27"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "E11"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7770669590061"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 {The Catalan has become a powerful weapon for Nepomniachtchi. After all the work he had to do in order to play it with Black in the match against Carlsen, no wonder he decided to try it with the other color.} 4...Bb4+ {This check is one of the most reliable options for Black.} 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 O-O 7.O-O Nbd7 {The point is that the bishop is not well placed on d2 in the lines where Black refrains from taking on c4. With the bishop on c1, White can play b3-Bb2 or Qc2-Nbd2, plans that are not available now.} 8.Qc2 c6 9.h4 $5 {This incredible idea is only White's 16th most popular choice in this position $1 This shows that it's still possible to find fresh ideas even in the most studied openings. But what's the idea of this mysterious move $2 From what I understand, the reasoning is this: 9.Nc3 is premature because Black can take the c4-pawn and then defend it with b7-b5. That's why White makes an useful move and intends to answer 9...b6 (the most natural move) with 10.Nc3. If Black captures the c4-pawn and plays b6-b5 in this case, then White has an extra tempo and the pawn is quite useful on h4.} ( 9.Nc3 dxc4 10.e4 b5 {and Black is ok.} ) 9...b6 10.Nc3 {This is the point. The pawn is useful on h4 in case Black now decides to take on c4.} 10...Ba6 ( 10...Bb7 {is a bit passive, but also playable.} 11.e4 dxe4 ( 11...Nxe4 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Qxe4 Nf6 14.Qe2 {is slightly better for White.} ) 12.Ng5 $5 ( 12.Nxe4 c5 $1 {equalizes.} ) 12...c5 13.d5 $1 exd5 14.cxd5 Nxd5 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Rad1 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) ( 10...dxc4 11.e4 b5 {This is still unclear, but the h4-pawn helps the attack.} ) 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.Rfc1 Bb7 $146 {A new move.} ( 12...Qb8 {was tried before,} ) 13.Bf4 Rc8 14.Qb3 a6 15.a4 $1 {Preventing the typical move b5 that gives Black more space on the queenside.} 15...h6 {A useful move, giving some air to the king and taking the g5-square from the white pieces.} 16.e3 {This is a very difficult move to play, but this pawn on e3 will be very helpful for White in a few moves. The problem is that the f4-bishop doesn't have many squares now; it must be ready to be sacrificed in some variations.} ( 16.Rc2 {Is a normal move, but it's not enough for an advantage. Black can try 16...Nh5 or even 16...Nb8 followed by 19...Nc6.} 16...Nb8 $5 ( 16...Nh5 17.Bd2 Rc4 ) ) ( 16.Na2 $5 {Is interesting, planning either Nb4 or the exchange of rooks on the c-file followed by Rc1.} ) 16...Nh5 $6 {It's curious that all moves with this knight are possible and good. Actually this one is my least favorite. The capture on f4 helps White because after he takes with the e-pawn, he gets more space and a clear plan of action.} ( 16...Ne4 {is the most natural. A possible line is:} 17.Nxe4 dxe4 18.Ne5 g5 ( 18...Bd5 {is also good.} ) 19.hxg5 hxg5 20.Rxc8 Qxc8 21.Qd1 $1 gxf4 22.Qg4+ {and the game ends in perpetual check.} ) ( 16...Nh7 {is strange but interesting. The idea is to give some primitive support to the advance g7-g5 and simply try to capture the bishop.} 17.Bh3 $1 {is necessary in order to keep an eye on the e6-pawn.} 17...g5 18.hxg5 hxg5 19.Be5 {with a complicated position.} ) ( 16...Ne8 {This move prepares both the g5 advance and also Nd6, improving the knight's position.} 17.Qd1 $1 {A necessary retreat to avoid 17.. .g5.} 17...Nd6 ( 17...g5 $2 18.hxg5 hxg5 19.Nxg5 $1 Bxg5 20.Qg4 f6 21.Qxe6+ {with a big advantage for White.} ) 18.Rc2 {with chances for both sides.} ) 17.Bh3 ( 17.Qd1 {This move immediately is more accurate, avoiding 17...g5.} 17...g5 $2 18.hxg5 hxg5 19.Nxg5 $1 Bxg5 20.Qxh5 ) 17...Rc4 $6 ( 17...g5 $1 {is a better try.} 18.hxg5 hxg5 19.Be5 Ng7 $1 {Black brings the knight back, defends e6, and prepares f7-f6. In order to save the bishop, White must either capture the knight or play 20.g4. I think Black is fine in both cases.} ( 19...f6 $2 {But not this greedy move.} 20.Bxe6+ Kg7 21.Bxd5 Bxd5 22.Nxd5 Rxc1+ 23.Rxc1 fxe5 24.Nc7 {and White wins.} ) ) 18.Qd1 $1 {Now g5 is avoided because the h5-knight is hanging.} 18...Nxf4 19.exf4 {The pawn structure is now favorable for White. Black has no pawn breaks and is suffocated without an active plan.} 19...Bd6 20.Bf1 $1 {Improving the bishop.} 20...Rc7 21.Bd3 Nf6 22.Qe2 Qa8 23.Ne5 Rfc8 24.f3 {A solid move, taking the e4-square from Black's knight. White's is plan is to attack on the kingside with g4-g5 and so on. Black is helpless against this plan and should seek some desperate counterplay. Notice the awkward placement of the queen on a8, far away from the action. This piece would be much better placed on e7.} 24...h5 25.Qe3 Bb4 26.Rc2 {Nepomniachtchi plays very carefully, reinforcing the position before going for the attack.} 26...g6 ( 26...a5 {with the idea of playing Ba6 is probably the last chance.} ) 27.Rac1 Kg7 28.Bxg6 $1 {A flashy move, well in Nepomniachtchi's style. He has great feeling for the initiative. Both 28.g4 and even 28.f5 are also good.} ( 28.g4 ) ( 28.f5 $5 exf5 29.g4 {and the computer indicates that the attack is winning, but no human plays like this.} ) 28...fxg6 29.Qd3 Ne4 {This is forced. The attack is just too strong if the queen captures the g6-pawn, for instance:} ( 29...Kh8 30.Qxg6 Rf8 31.Ne4 {There are other winning moves.} 31...Rg7 ( 31...Rxc2 32.Nxf6 Rxc1+ 33.Kg2 Rc2+ 34.Kh3 {and White mates.} ) 32.Qh6+ Rh7 33.Ng6+ Kg8 34.Nxf6+ Rxf6 35.Qg5 Qd8 ( 35...Rff7 36.Rc7 $18 ) 36.Ne7+ Kf7 37.Ng8 $1 {A nice final touch.} 37...Qxg8 38.Rc7+ $18 ) 30.fxe4 dxe4 31.Qe3 {Now the material balance is restored, but the attack continues. White is ready for f5 or g4, the e5-knight is a monster, and Black's queen is still out of place on a8.} 31...Bd5 32.g4 {A matter of taste. 32. f5 and 32.Nxd5 also wins.} ( 32.f5 exf5 33.Nxd5 Rxc2 34.Rxc2 Rxc2 35.Nxb4 $18 ) ( 32.Nxd5 Rxc2 33.Rxc2 exd5 ( 33...Rxc2 34.Nxb4 Rxb2 35.Qc1 $1 Rxb4 36.Qc7+ Kh8 37.Qf7 $18 ) 34.Rf2 {followed by f5 and an easy win.} ) 32...hxg4 33.Rg2 $1 Kh7 34.Rxg4 Rg8 35.Kh2 Qc8 36.f5 $1 {The final breakthrough.} 36...gxf5 ( 36...exf5 37.Nxd5 Rxc1 38.Nf6+ {wins.} ) 37.Rxg8 Kxg8 38.Qg5+ Rg7 ( 38...Kf8 39.Qf6+ Ke8 40.Rg1 {and the attack is decisive.} ) 39.Nxd5 $1 {A nice conclusion to a well-played game. Nepomniachtchi is in great form.} ( 39.Nxd5 Qxc1 40.Qd8+ ) 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.08.28"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E11"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[Beauty "6121402181713"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 {Nepomniachtchi goes once again for his now favorite Catalan Opening.} 4...Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 O-O 7.O-O c6 8.Qc2 {Shankland repeats the system Mamedyarov played in this same tournament, but now he decides to develop the bishop first, instead of playing 8...Nbd7.} 8...b6 ( 8...Nbd7 9.h4 $5 {was played in Nepomniachtchi vs. Mamedyarov.} ) 9.Rd1 Bb7 ( 9...Nbd7 {is more popular.} ) 10.b3 Nbd7 11.Nc3 Ba6 $5 {It looks strange to move the bishop again, but this is a typical idea. Let's not forget that White had to play the not-so-useful b2-b3 move in order to defend the c4-pawn, so it's not a big deal if Black decides to move the bishop again. This poses a problem for White: he will either capture on d5 and give Black space or sacrifice the pawn.} ( 11...Rc8 12.e4 {has been played many times.} ) 12.e4 $5 ( 12.Bf4 {is more popular.} ) 12...dxc4 13.e5 {This has only been played before in a blitz game. Probably Nepomniachtchi is still following his preparation.} 13...Nd5 14.Ne4 c3 {Black decides to give the pawn back, but this is a debatable position.} ( 14...cxb3 $1 {This new move is the critical test.} 15.axb3 Be2 $1 ( 15...Bb7 $6 16.Neg5 $1 {is very unpleasant.} ) 16.Neg5 $1 ( 16.Re1 Bxf3 17.Bxf3 c5 {and Black has no problems.} ) 16...g6 17.Re1 Bxf3 18.Nxf3 c5 {With a complicated position. White has good compensation for the pawn, but it's not clear if it's enough for an advantage.} ) 15.Bg5 ( 15.Nxc3 {This simple move was played in the mentioned blitz game. White had some advantage in Cheparinov-Faydi, Europe Echecs INT 2021.} ) 15...h6 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Nxc3 Nxc3 $2 {This natural move leads to trouble.} ( 17...Rac8 {is better. It's understandable to be afraid of} 18.Ne4 {but Black has reasonable play after} 18...c5 19.Nd6 Rc7 ) 18.Qxc3 Rac8 19.Nd2 $1 {A very strong move. The knight is heading to d6, and it's now clear why Nepomniachtchi decided to exchange the dark-squared bishops.} 19...c5 20.Ne4 cxd4 21.Qxd4 Rfd8 22.Nd6 {White is already winning. One more big success for Nepomniachtchi's preparation in the Catalan. But the game is not over yet.} 22...Rc5 23.f4 ( 23.b4 $1 Rxe5 24.Rac1 {Black is paralyzed.} ) 23...f6 24.exf6 $2 ( 24.b4 $1 {Leads to a pretty win.} 24...fxe5 25.fxe5 Rxe5 26.b5 $1 Bxb5 27.Nxb5 Rxb5 28.Bc6 Rc5 ( 28...Re5 29.Rd2 $1 ( 29.Qd6 $4 Re1+ ) ) 29.Qd6 $1 {This move had to be foreseen as it's the only way to win.} ( 29.Bxd7 $2 Rd5 ) 29...Qxd6 30.Rxd6 Rxc6 31.Rxc6 Nc5 32.Rc7 {After all these precise moves, it's still not so clear, at least for me, that White is winning. But the computer has no doubts about it.} 32...Rd7 33.Rxd7 Nxd7 34.Rd1 Nc5 35.Kf2 Kf7 36.Rd8 {with a winning endgame.} ) 24...Qxf6 $6 ( 24...Nxf6 $1 {seems to lose after the tactical} 25.Nf5 {but Black has the surprising} 25...Qd7 $1 {and the worst is over.} ) 25.Qa4 ( 25.Nb7 $1 Bxb7 26.Bxb7 {and Black has to endure a lot of suffering in this endgame.} ) 25...Ra5 ( 25...Bd3 $5 {is an idea we will see later in the game. The bishop cannot be captured because of the a1-rook. After} 26.Ne4 Bxe4 27.Qxe4 Nf8 {White is slightly better.} ) 26.Qc6 Nb8 ( 26...Nc5 $1 {is a fantastic computer move.} 27.Ne4 ( 27.b4 $2 Nd3 $1 ) 27...Nxe4 28.Rxd8+ Qxd8 29.Qxe6+ Kh8 30.Qxe4 Bb7 $1 31.Qe3 ( 31.Qxb7 $2 Qd4+ ) 31...Bxg2 32.Kxg2 {and Black has good drawing chances.} ) 27.Qc7 Rc5 28.Qxa7 {Black's position seems to be collapsing, but Shankland fights like a lion.} 28...Bd3 $1 {A great move, disrupting the harmony of White's pieces.} 29.Nb7 {It's always very tempting to execute a double attack. The computer indicates} ( 29.Kh1 $1 {as the best move. The variations are pretty now.} 29...Rd5 $1 {A wonderful move. The g2-bishop is well worth a rook.} 30.Bxd5 exd5 31.Rxd3 ( 31.Qxb6 Be4+ 32.Kg1 Qxd6 33.Qxd6 Rxd6 {with an unclear endgame.} ) 31...Qxa1+ 32.Kg2 Qb2+ 33.Kh3 Qf6 $1 34.Rxd5 Kh7 $1 ( 34...Qe6+ $2 35.Nf5 ) 35.Qxb6 Qe6+ 36.f5 Qxd5 37.Qxd8 Nc6 38.Qd7 Nd4 {with good drawing chances, despite the three pawns deficit. I apologize to the reader for showing so many computer moves that are impossible to find in a rapid game, but chess is not easy.} ) 29...Qd4+ 30.Kh1 Rc2 $1 {Shankland continues to show amazing resourcefulness.} 31.Nxd8 Rxg2 $1 32.Qf7+ ( 32.Kxg2 Qd5+ 33.Kg1 Qd4+ {is a draw.} ) ( 32.Rxd3 Rg1+ $1 33.Rxg1 Qe4+ 34.Rg2 Qe1+ {with perpetual check.} ) 32...Kh7 33.Kxg2 Qd5+ $1 {It transpires that the game is equal after this move.} ( 33...Qb2+ {is also possible.} 34.Kh3 Bf5+ 35.Qxf5+ exf5 {and the position is balanced, according to the computer.} ) 34.Kf2 Qd4+ 35.Kg2 Qd5+ 36.Kh3 $6 {This is a dangerous move, but who can blame Nepomniachtchi for trying to win the game $2} ( 36.Kf2 {is a draw.} ) 36...Bf5+ $1 37.Qxf5+ {Forced.} ( 37.Kh4 $4 Qg2 $1 {This is the point of Black's play.} ) 37...Qxf5+ 38.Kg2 Qe4+ 39.Kf2 e5 $1 {Another great move. I can't praise Shankland highly enough for all he did in this game.} 40.fxe5 $2 {This move loses.} ( 40.Ne6 $1 {is necessary.} ) 40...Nd7 $1 {One more brilliant move. It's well known that a queen and knight combine very well when attacking an unprotected king. To make things worse, White's knight is out of the game.} 41.Re1 ( 41.Rxd7 Qf5+ {wins not only the rook but also the knight.} ) 41...Qf5+ 42.Ke2 ( 42.Kg1 Nxe5 {with a winning attack.} ) 42...Qxe5+ 43.Kd3 {White goes for a desperate king ride, but the game is lost.} 43...Nc5+ 44.Kc4 Qc7 $1 45.b4 Na4+ {Other moves also win, but this is pretty.} 46.Kb5 ( 46.Kb3 b5 $1 47.Rac1 Qxd8 ) 46...Nc3+ 47.Ka6 Qxd8 {Now Black has a decisive material advantage. The rest is easy.} 48.a4 Nd5 49.Rec1 Nxb4+ 50.Kb5 Nd3 51.Rd1 Qd4 52.Ka6 Nc5+ 53.Kxb6 Qb4+ 54.Kc6 Nxa4 55.Rac1 Nc3 56.Re1 Qd4 57.Ra1 Qd5+ 58.Kc7 Nb5+ 59.Kb6 Nd4 60.Rac1 Qd6+ 61.Kb7 Nb3 62.Rb1 Nc5+ 63.Ka7 Qc7+ 64.Ka8 Na4 {I want to thank both players for such a great fight. This is my favorite game of the tournament so far.} 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.08.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "A06"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8179094172729"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "180+2"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 {Nakamura is faithful to his blitz repertoire.} 2...c5 3.b3 Nc6 4.Bb5 {This is a Nimzo-Indian played with White. These variations where you play a popular position with colors reversed are always confusing. It's usually difficult to know how good it is to have an extra move. The computer is not impressed with this setup for White, but this is a blitz game so what the computer thinks about the opening is not so important.} 4...f6 $1 {The best move, according to the computer (even though I just wrote that what the machine thinks is not so important in a blitz game).} 5.c4 d4 6.b4 $5 {Tension builds pretty fast in this game. White tries to break the pawn chain, but for that it's necessary to move the b-pawn again.} 6...e5 $1 ( 6...dxe3 {is too greedy. White has excellent compensation for the pawn after} 7.fxe3 cxb4 8.d4 ) 7.bxc5 {Nakamura decides to break the chain immediately.} ( 7.O-O $5 e4 8.Ne1 {leads to a complicated game.} ) 7...Bxc5 8.exd4 Bxd4 $1 {The right move to fight for an advantage.} ( 8...exd4 {is just equal after} 9.O-O Ne7 ) 9.Nxd4 Qxd4 10.O-O $5 {Provoking Aronian into taking the a1-rook. This time he correctly resists.} ( 10.Nc3 Ne7 {is slightly better for Black due to the better pawn structure.} ) 10...Nh6 ( 10...Ne7 {is a more natural and better development.} ) ( 10...Qxa1 $2 {is bad since the queen is trapped.} 11.Nc3 Ne7 12.Qh5+ g6 13.Qf3 O-O 14.Ba3 Qxf1+ 15.Kxf1 {and the queen is stronger that the two rooks. White is winning.} ) 11.Ba3 $1 Qxa1 $2 {Oscar Wilde once wrote: \"I can resist anything except temptation.\" It looks like the temptation to take the rook was just too much for Aronian, but this move costs the game.} ( 11...Bf5 12.Nc3 Kf7 $1 {leads to a double-edged position. The knight is badly placed on h6, but Black's pawn structure is better.} ) 12.Bxc6+ bxc6 13.Qh5+ $1 Kd8 ( 13...g6 14.Qxh6 ) ( 13...Nf7 14.Nc3 {doesn't change much.} ) 14.Nc3 Qxf1+ 15.Kxf1 {Unbalanced positions are very hard to evaluate, especially in a blitz game. Usually two rooks are better than a queen, so it might seem surprising that the computer evaluates this as totally winning for White. The key here is Black's exposed king and the presence of opposite-colored bishops, something that favors the attacking side considerably. White just needs to open the king's position and gather the pieces around him. Nakamura manages this very swiftly.} 15...Bg4 16.Qh4 Bf5 17.Kg1 Bg6 18.f4 $1 {Opening the position. Black's pieces lack coordination.} 18...Nf5 19.Qf2 Nd4 20.fxe5 fxe5 21.Qh4+ Kc8 22.Qe7 {It's all over after this queen invasion.} 22...Re8 23.Qxg7 Nf5 24.Qf6 Kb7 25.Ne4 Rad8 26.g4 $1 Nd4 27.Qg7+ Kc8 28.Nd6+ Rxd6 29.Bxd6 Ne6 30.Qxa7 Rd8 31.c5 Be4 32.a4 Bd5 33.a5 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.08.30"]
[Round "27"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[ECO "A36"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7908112471603"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "180+2"]

1.c4 {Firouzja achieved an insane score playing the English Opening in the blitz part of the tournament.} 1...c5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.d3 d6 6.Qd2 {This move looks funny, but it's typical in this line. White wants to develop with b3 followed by Bb2.} 6...e6 {All types of development are possible here: …e6-Nge7, …e5-Nge7 or simply …Nf6. All roads lead to equality, but in a blitz game that doesn't matter so much.} ( 6...e5 ) ( 6...Nf6 ) 7.b3 Nge7 8.Bb2 O-O 9.Nf3 d5 $1 {White's opening system is somewhat passive and this central push, even though the d-pawn is moved for the second time, fights for the initiative. Other plans are possible as well.} ( 9...b6 10.O-O Bb7 ) ( 9...a6 10.O-O Rb8 ) 10.O-O $6 {Black is already better after this move. Since White's b2-bishop will be out of play in the coming moves, it's better to exchange it right now with} ( 10.Na4 $1 {The position is equal after} 10...Bxb2 11.Qxb2 ) 10...d4 $1 11.Na4 b6 $15 {Both the b2-bishop and the a4-knight are misplaced. Black has a clear plan with …Bb7,...e5 and so on.} 12.e3 e5 13.exd4 exd4 14.a3 a5 {Black is understandably worried with the b4-push, since this gives White counterplay. But after} ( 14...Bb7 15.b4 Qd7 $1 {The knight loses its protection. If now} 16.bxc5 $2 Nd8 $1 17.Qc2 $6 Bc6 {Black wins a piece.} ) 15.Rfe1 Rb8 16.Bc1 $1 {A very good plan, especially for blitz, where it's useful if you have a clear path of action. Firouzja wants to play Qd1 followed by Ra2-e2 and improve his pieces.} 16...h6 17.Qd1 $6 ( 17.h4 $1 {It's important to avoid Black's next move.} ) 17...g5 $1 {Gaining space, taking the f4-square from the bishop and giving an extra square for the knight on g6. Yes, it weakens the king a little. But there is always a price to pay, although it seems to be a small one for all the benefits.} 18.Ra2 Bd7 $6 ( 18...Qd6 $1 {is better, bringing the queen to the action before developing the bishop.} 19.h4 f6 $1 {and Black is fine because the sacrifices on g5 are not dangerous with the queen nearby.} ) 19.h4 $1 g4 ( 19...f6 {Now the sacrifices are very dangerous to meet. White can choose to sacrifice the bishop or the knight.} 20.hxg5 fxg5 21.Bxg5 $1 ( 21.Nxg5 hxg5 22.Bxg5 {also gives some compensation.} ) 21...hxg5 22.Nxg5 {and the computer gives the classic 0.00 (equal) evaluation, but in a blitz game anything can happen. I would prefer to play with the white pieces.} ) 20.Nh2 h5 21.f3 $2 ( 21.Bf4 $1 {is better.} ) 21...Ne5 $2 ( 21...Be5 $1 {gives Black a nearly winning positional advantage. White will be forced to play f3-f4 and his pieces are very poorly placed.} 22.Nf1 ( 22.fxg4 Bxg3 $19 ) 22...Qc7 {and White has to play the sad 23.f4, giving Black a much better pawn structure and more active pieces.} ) 22.fxg4 hxg4 ( 22...Nxg4 23.Nxg4 Bxg4 24.Bf3 $14 ) ( 22...Bxg4 {is better.} 23.Nxg4 Nxg4 {with equal chances.} ) 23.Rae2 ( 23.Rxe5 $1 {White gets some chances to execute the exchange sacrifice before it's finally played in the game.} 23...Bxe5 24.Nxg4 {with good compensation.} ) 23...f6 24.Re4 ( 24.Rxe5 $5 {Again this is interesting.} 24...fxe5 25.Nxg4 Bc6 $1 26.Nh6+ Kh8 27.Qh5 Qe8 $1 {and Black is able to maintain equality.} ) 24...Bc6 $2 {Now Firouzja gets to play the best possible version of the exchange sacrifice.} ( 24...Qc8 $1 {defending the g4-pawn is necessary. But this is a very difficult move to play in a blitz game.} ) 25.Nxg4 $1 {Here it goes. What a delicious move to play $1} 25...Bxe4 26.Rxe4 {White has excellent compensation for the exchange, with a pawn, the light squares and attacking chances.} 26...Nxg4 27.Rxg4 f5 28.Rg5 Rf6 29.Bf4 Rc8 30.Be5 {Firouzja's play is effortless. His moves are natural and good.} 30...Rg6 31.Bd5+ Kf8 ( 31...Nxd5 32.Rxg6 $18 ) 32.Qh5 $1 Bxe5 ( 32...Rxg5 33.Qf7# ) 33.Rxg6 Nxg6 34.Qxg6 Qc7 35.Nxb6 Rd8 36.Qg8+ Ke7 37.Qf7+ {A great game to crown a monumental performance by Firouzja.} 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Muradli, Mahammad"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2555"]
[ECO "E11"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7147362451464"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 c6 7.Qc2 b6 8.O-O Nbd7 {Black decides to postpone castling and this can lead to original play.} ( 8...O-O {is the most popular move.} ) 9.Nc3 $5 {This pawn sacrifice is not considered dangerous in the normal lines with 8. ..0-0.} 9...Ba6 ( 9...dxc4 {This is the critical test, since it's not entirely clear what's the best way to gain compensation. Probably Nepomniachtchi would follow a correspondence game where White achieved an advantage after} 10.Bg5 $5 Bb7 11.Rfd1 ( 11.Bxf6 {is not convincing.} 11...Nxf6 12.Ne5 Qxd4 13.Nxc6 Qc5 14.Na4 Qb5 15.Nc3 Qc5 {and the game was soon drawn. Wang - Movsesian, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010.} ) 11...b5 12.Ne5 Nd5 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Ne4 O-O 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.Nc5 $14 {and White has excellent compensation in an over-the-board game, although not enough to win a correspondence duel. Leite - Repanic, ICCF email 2018.} ) 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.Rfc1 O-O {Let's take a look at what's happening on the board in this typical Catalan position. The pawn structure is symmetrical and it looks like White doesn't have much. The dominance of the c-file, by itself, is not capable of causing big headaches for Black. In fact, the most important element of the position is the difference between the knights: White's knight on c3 is far superior to Black's knight on d7. Imagine that Black had the bishop on b7 and the knight on c6: his position would have no serious problem. To be honest, this is a very small detail, but in this opening White has to exploit that kind of advantage. The next move is a fantastic concept and one that was used by Nepomniachtchi in his recent game against Mamedyarov. I'm sure it's an impossible move to think about before studying this type of position for dozens of hours.} 12.h4 $5 {The idea is to plant a bishop on f4, sometimes even followed by e2-e3. The bishop is outside the pawn chain and the pawn on h4 helps to avoid the advance g7-g5 that can cause problems for the caged bishop.} 12...b5 {A new move, gaining space on the queenside.} ( 12...Bb7 {was played by Mamedyarov against Nepomniachtchi in a rapid game a few days ago. White won this duel, but not because of the opening.} ) 13.a3 ( 13.a4 $1 {is an interesting alternative.} 13...b4 14.Nb5 {And it seems that White can emerge on top after the following complications:} 14...Rc8 15.Qb3 Qa5 16.Nxa7 $1 Rxc1+ ( 16...Bc4 $2 17.Nxc8 Bxb3 18.Nxe7+ Kh8 19.Nc6 {and White wins.} ) 17.Rxc1 Bc4 18.Nc6 Bxb3 19.Nxa5 Bxa4 20.Nc6 Bxc6 21.Rxc6 {with a clear edge for White in the endgame.} ) 13...Qb6 14.Bf4 Rfc8 15.Qd1 h6 {Always a useful move. My six-year-old son started playing chess recently and after learning what a back-rank mate is, he always makes sure the king has some air to breathe.} 16.e3 {White completes the concept started with the move 12.h4. Is it winning $2 No, actually it's probably not enough even for a tiny advantage, but it doesn't fail to make an impression on those who have preconceived thoughts about locking a bishop like this. The point of this later move is to bring the g2-bishop to the action on the queenside, with a possible Bf1 in the future.} 16...b4 17.axb4 Bxb4 18.Nd2 $1 {Another sophisticated move. The knight is heading to the queenside.} 18...Bd3 19.Nb3 Bc4 20.Nd2 Bd3 {The famous \"tacit draw offer\". Nepomniachtchi is not in a hurry to accept it.} 21.Qb3 Bxc3 $6 {I have my doubts if this move is really necessary. It seems that Black has no problems after} ( 21...Bf5 $1 22.Na4 Rxc1+ 23.Rxc1 Qa5 24.Nf3 Ne4 ) 22.Rxc3 Qxb3 23.Rxb3 {Now White has a small advantage. The bishop pair strikes again.} 23...Bg6 24.Rc3 ( 24.Nf3 {My computer is very enthusiastic about this move.} ) 24...Nb6 25.Bd6 Rxc3 26.bxc3 Rc8 $6 ( 26...Bd3 $1 {is better.} ) 27.Bb4 Rc7 28.f3 $1 {Very good technique, restricting the f6-knight and preparing to bring the king to the center.} 28...Bd3 29.Kf2 Bb5 30.g4 $1 {Gaining space on the queenside.} 30...Na4 31.Bf1 $1 {Now White exchanges the advantage of the bishop pair to bring the king to the wonderful d3-square.} 31...Bxf1 32.Kxf1 Nb6 ( 32...Nxc3 {fails to a nice tactic:} 33.Ba5 $1 Rc6 34.Rc1 {and the knight is lost.} ) 33.Ke2 h5 34.g5 Nfd7 35.Kd3 {The torture continues. White has a bishop, the better pawn structure, and a powerful centralized king.} 35...f6 36.gxf6 ( 36.g6 $1 {is the computer solution.} 36...Nf8 37.Bd6 Rb7 38.Bxf8 Kxf8 39.Nb3 Ke7 40.Nc5 Rc7 41.e4 {and it turns out that Black's position is worse than it looks. My computer already claims +3.} ) 36...gxf6 37.Bd6 Rb7 38.e4 $1 Kf7 39.Rb1 {Preparing c3-c4.} 39...Nf8 40.c4 $1 dxc4+ 41.Nxc4 Ng6 42.Bg3 Ke7 43.Rb5 $1 {Now Black loses material.} 43...f5 44.exf5 exf5 45.Nd6 Rd7 46.Nxf5+ Kf6 47.Ne3 Rh7 48.Ra5 {A brilliant technical game by Nepomniachtchi.} 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Mitrabha, Guha"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2471"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Beauty "8178426989628"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

{Duda had no problem winning his match with a perfect score. I consider the young Polish GM one of the favorites to win the tournament.} 
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e4 {This system is very popular nowadays. It was used, for instance, by Niemann in his victory against Mamedyarov in the Sinquefield Cup.} 4...Bb4 {Mamedyarov chose 4...Bc5, a more combative move that leads to complicated positions. The move played by Duda is more reliable.} 5.d3 d6 6.a3 Bc5 $1 {I played many online games with White in this system, and many of my opponents preferred to play 6...Bxc3. Of course, it's too much criticism to call this capture a mistake, but it makes White's play much easier with the bishop pair, good central control, and a clear plan of attack on the kingside.} 7.b4 Bb6 8.Be3 Bg4 9.Be2 O-O 10.O-O Bxf3 11.Bxf3 Nd4 12.Na4 c6 {I found just one game with this move.} ( 12...Nxf3+ {is the main line.} 13.Qxf3 Bxe3 {And now White can capture with the pawn (the move I prefer) or with the queen with equal chances in both cases.} 14.fxe3 ( 14.Qxe3 ) ) 13.Nxb6 axb6 {A new move.} ( 13...Qxb6 {was played in Raahul - Aditya, Abu Dhabi 2022.} ) ( 13...Nxf3+ {This is probably the best option.} 14.Qxf3 axb6 15.d4 Qe7 {with a small advantage for White because of the bishop against knight and more space, but since Black has the open a-file, it's not such a big deal.} ) 14.Bxd4 exd4 15.Qd2 ( 15.g3 {Followed by Bg2 and f4 is very natural.} ) 15...Nd7 16.Bg4 Ne5 17.Bd1 $6 {An unfortunate square for the bishop. Black's plan is to play g7-g5, so the bishop should be ready to land on f5.} ( 17.Bh3 g5 18.Bf5 $1 {And this is a much-improved version for White of the position we will have in the game.} ) 17...g5 $1 {The knight must be secured on its excellent post. Of course, generally, we should not advance the pawns in front of our king, but there is a good reason for this concession. This idea is also very common in the Benoni Defense, among others.} 18.f4 {White decides to open the kingside immediately. The problem with this plan is that now the knight can never be dislodged from e5. It's reasonable to try 18.g3 before playing f4, but this doesn't give an advantage.} ( 18.g3 f5 $5 ( 18...Kh8 {is also possible.} 19.f4 gxf4 20.gxf4 Rg8+ 21.Kh1 Qf6 $1 {with active play for Black.} ) 19.f4 gxf4 20.gxf4 Ng6 {with a good position for Black.} ) 18...gxf4 19.Rxf4 Kh8 20.Rf5 Rg8 21.a4 Rg7 22.Be2 Qh4 23.Rh5 Qe7 {Despite the open g-file and the monster e5-knight, it's not easy for Black to make progress. The computer assesses the position as equal. But Mitrabha had lost the first game, so he evidently was not in the mood for playing safely and making a draw. His attempt to create active play on the queenside, however, will cost him the game.} 24.Qb2 $6 {The queen is better placed on d2, controlling the dark squares around White's king.} ( 24.g3 ) 24...c5 25.a5 $2 {This is too optimistic. Black is ready to start a devastating kingside attack now.} 25...Qf6 ( 25...Rag8 26.g3 f5 $3 {leads to a pretty win, for instance:} 27.Rxf5 ( 27.exf5 Nxd3 $1 28.Bxd3 Qe3+ 29.Qf2 Rxg3+ $1 30.hxg3 Rxg3+ 31.Kf1 Qxd3+ 32.Qe2 Rf3+ 33.Ke1 Qc3+ {and Black wins.} ) 27...Rxg3+ 28.hxg3 Rxg3+ 29.Kf1 Qh4 {and White's king is helpless.} ) 26.Rf5 ( 26.bxc5 Rxg2+ $1 27.Kxg2 Rg8+ 28.Kh1 Qf2 {and Black wins.} ) 26...Qh6 27.axb6 $2 {This allows a decisive combination.} ( 27.bxc5 {is more stubborn.} ) 27...Qe3+ 28.Kf1 ( 28.Kh1 Rxa1+ {This is the reason why 27.axb6 is bad: Black benefits from the opening of the a-file.} 29.Qxa1 Qxe2 ) 28...Rag8 29.g3 ( 29.Rf2 Qxf2+ $1 {Black wins after:} 30.Kxf2 Rxg2+ 31.Ke1 ( 31.Kf1 Rg1+ 32.Kf2 R8g2# ) 31...Nxd3+ 32.Bxd3 Rxb2 ) 29...Rxg3 $1 {This move was begging to be played.} 30.hxg3 Qxg3 {The combined attack of queen, rook, and knight is too strong.} 31.Bf3 Qg1+ 32.Ke2 Qe3+ 33.Kd1 Rg1+ 0-1

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Hansen, Eric"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2613"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "C48"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7289230591009"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 {Needing the win to equalize the match, Hansen decides to run away from a theoretical battle in the main lines of the Petrov Defense.} 3...Nc6 4.Bb5 Nd4 {This is probably the most reliable move for Black. I've seen Dominguez play since the beginning of his international career in the early 2000s and at that time he already had a reputation for having a well-studied opening repertoire.} 5.O-O c6 6.Ba4 $6 {This is inaccurate.} ( 6.Bd3 {is a better try.} ) 6...a5 $1 {A very good move that makes the bishop feel awkward on the queenside. A very similar idea was tried in a game that I analyzed previously from this same tournament (Bortnyk - Xiong, CGC KO 2022).} 7.Bb3 {Hansen spent a long time on this move, a clear indication that he wasn't feeling very comfortable.} 7...d6 8.Ng5 $6 {This is not a good move, but Hansen certainly didn't like his position and was trying to change the trend of the game. 8.Nxd4 or 8.h3 are better, although Black has the advantage in both cases.} ( 8.Nxd4 exd4 9.Ne2 ) ( 8.h3 ) 8...Nxb3 ( 8...d5 $1 {is even better. My computer claims that Black is already close to winning after} 9.exd5 Nxd5 $1 {This was actually played in an email game: Wilshusen - Rekhtman, ICCF email 2017.} ) 9.axb3 h6 10.Nf3 Bg4 $6 {This a very natural move, but the pin is not so dangerous.} ( 10...Be7 {gives a clear advantage for Black, thanks to the bishop pair.} ) 11.h3 Bh5 12.d3 $6 ( 12.d4 $1 {White can fight for the initiative with this move. It's a pawn sacrifice, but it's better for Black not to accept it, since after} 12...Bxf3 ( 12...Qc7 {is better:} 13.Qd3 Be7 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Nh4 {with a small advantage for White.} ) 13.Qxf3 exd4 14.Ne2 c5 15.c3 $1 dxc3 16.Nxc3 {White has excellent compensation for the pawn.} ) 12...Be7 13.Kh1 {A useful move in order to play g4 or Ne2, as in the game.} ( 13.Ne2 $5 {is also possible:} 13...Bxf3 14.gxf3 {Followed by 15.f4.} ) 13...Nd7 14.Ne2 $5 Bxf3 ( 14...O-O {What is more important: a better pawn structure or the bishop pair $2 Not an easy answer and it's very tempting to capture the knight. But the machine prefers to keep the bishop.} 15.g4 Bg6 16.Ng3 d5 {with a slight advantage for Black.} ) 15.gxf3 Bg5 16.Rg1 $2 {Hansen was already very low on time and this is probably the reason why he played this losing move.} ( 16.f4 $1 {is forced: the pawn structure needs to be improved while there is still time.} 16...exf4 17.Bxf4 Bxf4 18.Nxf4 {with chances for both sides.} ) 16...Qf6 $1 {Now the pawn is stuck on f3 and White is completely paralyzed.} 17.Ng3 Bxc1 18.Rxc1 g6 19.Ra1 Nf8 $1 {Improving the knight's position.} 20.Nf1 Ne6 21.Nd2 b5 $1 22.Rg3 h5 23.Nf1 O-O 24.Ne3 Kh7 25.Ng2 a4 {Black dominates the entire board. A dream position, especially if you only need to make a draw to win the match.} 26.b4 Rad8 27.c3 d5 $1 28.Qe2 d4 29.Rg1 Ra8 ( 29...Nf4 {wins on the spot after} 30.Nxf4 exf4 31.Rg5 dxc3 32.bxc3 Qxc3 ) 30.Qc2 a3 $1 31.c4 a2 32.Ra1 h4 33.Rg4 Qxf3 {Black's position is totally winning, but both players had only a few seconds left. Anything can happen in these situations.} 34.Kh2 Qf6 ( 34...bxc4 {is the most clear-cut way of winning.} 35.Ne1 ( 35.Qxc4 Qxf2 36.Rxa2 Rxa2 37.Qxa2 Nf4 ) 35...Qf6 36.dxc4 d3 $5 37.Nxd3 Rfd8 {and white's position is collapsing.} ) 35.cxb5 cxb5 36.Nxh4 Nf4 37.Nf3 Rac8 ( 37...Kg7 {is better.} ) 38.Qd2 Kg7 $2 {But now this is a blunder.} ( 38...Nh5 $1 {is necessary, in order to prevent the next move.} ) 39.Nxe5 $1 {Hansen exploits a tactical idea to equalize the game.} 39...Qxe5 40.Qxf4 Qxf4+ 41.Rxf4 Ra8 42.e5 $2 {The last mistake. White needed to go back with the rook immediately. A normal game would likely end in a draw, but who knows what would happen with each player down to mere seconds on the clock.} ( 42.Rg4 $1 Rfc8 43.Rg2 Rc2 44.f4 Rxg2+ 45.Kxg2 {With a probable draw.} ) 42...Rfc8 $1 {Now the rook goes to c2 and the game is decided.} 43.Rxd4 Rc2 44.Kg3 Rxb2 45.Rd7 Rb1 0-1

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.23"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sarana, Alexey"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2662"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[ECO "D27"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8249155797556"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

{The elimination of an elite player like Mamedyarov may come as a surprise, but make no mistake: I've been following Sarana's career in online tournaments and he's got extraordinary results in this format.} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 {The Queen's Gambit Accepted is experiencing a new surge in popularity and is regularly employed by elite players.} 2...dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 {A critical position. White has several possibilities here.} 7.Nc3 {This isn't the most popular move, but it's been played by several super grandmasters recently, including Carlsen.} 7...b5 8.Bb3 ( 8.Be2 {This withdrawal is also possible.} ) 8...Bb7 9.e4 $1 {The fashionable move and the choice of all the most important games for recent theory.} ( 9.Qe2 {is the old move. I played it a few times, including the best game of my career (Leitao x Baburin, Bermuda 1998). However, after a loss to Ponomariov in 1999, I gave up on that system for White. Maybe it's time to play it again, but this time using the modern move.} ) 9...Be7 ( 9...cxd4 {In 2019 I was on Black's side of this line and chose this move.} 10.Nxd4 Nc6 ( 10...Nbd7 {is also possible.} ) 11.Nxc6 Qxd1 12.Rxd1 Bxc6 13.f3 Bc5+ 14.Kf1 {and White has a good performance in the games played in this endgame, although it doesn't look like much. Mekhitarian - Leitao, Teresina 2019 - the game ended in a draw.} ) 10.e5 Ne4 ( 10...Nd5 $2 {is not good. White is much better after} 11.Nxd5 Bxd5 12.dxc5 Bxb3 13.Qxb3 Bxc5 14.Ng5 ) 11.Nxe4 Bxe4 12.Qe2 Bb7 $2 {The bishop goes back to the wrong diagonal.} ( 12...Bg6 $1 {is the correct move. As always, correspondence games show the right way.} 13.Bc2 ( 13.dxc5 $2 {This move loses the exchange and that's why the black bishop must go to g6.} 13...Bd3 $1 ) 13...c4 {with a balanced position. Fischer - Brorens, ICCF email 2019.} ) 13.dxc5 $1 {Now this capture is possible and White has a big advantage. Black's king is in an insecure position.} 13...Nd7 ( 13...Bxc5 14.Ng5 {with a very strong attack. Ponomariov - Malakhov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2009.} ) 14.c6 $1 {The first new move of the game.} ( 14.Be3 {is also good, but not as good as the move played in the game.} 14...Nxc5 $6 ( 14...Rc8 {is better.} ) 15.Rfd1 Qb8 16.Bxc5 $1 Bxc5 17.Ng5 {with a decisive attack in Costachi - Wagh, New Delhi 2019.} ) 14...Bxc6 15.Nd4 $1 {That's the idea: the knight goes to the center winning a tempo, enforcing a sacrifice on e6, and clearing the queen's path to the kingside.} 15...Bb7 16.Rd1 Qb6 17.Be3 Nc5 18.Bc2 {Now White is threatening 19.b4, which forces Black to lose more time.} 18...Qc7 ( 18...b4 {doesn't help much.} 19.Rac1 O-O 20.Nb3 $1 Rac8 21.Bb1 {And the c5-knight's pin guarantees a decisive advantage for White.} 21...g6 22.Rd6 $1 Bxd6 23.exd6 $18 ) 19.Bf4 ( 19.Rac1 {is also very strong, but it's necessary to play with computer precision.} 19...Qxe5 20.f4 $1 Qf6 ( 20...Qc7 21.b4 Nd7 22.Nxe6 fxe6 23.Bg6+ {wins the queen.} ) ( 20...Qb8 21.Nf5 $1 {with a winning attack.} ) 21.Nxb5 $1 O-O 22.Nd6 Bxd6 23.Rxd6 Ne4 24.Rd4 Qg6 ( 24...Nc5 25.b4 {and the knight has no squares.} ) 25.Rb4 $1 Bd5 26.Bc5 $1 {And finally White gains material.} ) 19...Rd8 ( 19...Bd5 {Reinforcing the e6-pawn and freeing the b7-square for the queen was a more tenacious defense despite White's overwhelming advantage.} ) 20.Rac1 Qb8 21.b4 $1 Nd7 {The position is ripe for a tactical solution.} 22.Nxe6 $1 fxe6 23.Qh5+ Kf8 ( 23...g6 {White now wins elegantly after} 24.Bxg6+ hxg6 25.Qxg6+ Kf8 26.Bh6+ Rxh6 27.Qxh6+ Kf7 ( 27...Kg8 28.Qxe6+ ) 28.Qh7+ Ke8 29.Qh5+ $1 Kf8 30.Rxd7 $1 Rxd7 31.Qh8+ Kf7 32.Qxb8 ) 24.Bb3 $1 {A devastating blow. There is no defense for the e6-pawn and the bishop enters the attack with deadly effect.} 24...g6 25.Qh6+ Ke8 26.Bxe6 Nf8 27.Bb3 Rxd1+ 28.Rxd1 Qc8 29.Qg7 Qf5 30.e6 {A nice shot to end the game. A convincing victory for Sarana.} ( 30.e6 Nxe6 ( 30...Qxf4 31.Qf7+ Qxf7 32.exf7# ) 31.Bxe6 Qxe6 32.Qxh8+ ) 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.28"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7220242713135"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

{Radjabov missed an incredible chance in the third game, which would have ended the match. He showed a lot of mental strength to bounce back after the loss in the next game and play excellently at armageddon.} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 {The Ragozin Defense is one of the most popular at the high level right now.} 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bf4 {A less popular move than the more natural development with 6.Bg5, but which also has its supporters at the highest level. Radjabov has played this system a few times.} 6...O-O ( 6...Ne4 {is a serious alternative.} ) 7.Rc1 Bf5 {This is a rare move.} ( 7...c6 {is the main try.} ) 8.a3 Bxc3+ {This move is a novelty, but it had been suggested by GM Krasenkow in his analysis of the game Svidler-Giri, 2015, in which 8...Ba5 $6 was played.} 9.Rxc3 c6 ( 9...Ne4 {This is more accurate, as it avoids the move that will be played by Radjabov.} 10.Rc1 c6 {with balanced position.} ) 10.e3 ( 10.Nd2 $5 {is the machine's suggestion, guarding against a possible Ne4. The move is unnatural for a human; after all, we want to finish the development of the pieces as soon as possible.} 10...Qb6 11.Rb3 Qxd4 12.e3 Qa4 13.Rxb7 Qxd1+ 14.Kxd1 Nbd7 {and the computer keeps trying to demonstrate an advantage to White in this endgame, which seems hard to believe since Black has the best development.} ) 10...Ne4 11.Rb3 $5 {A curious move that poses some problems for Black.} ( 11.Rc1 Nd7 {with a good position for Black.} ) 11...Nd7 {Erigaisi decides to sacrifice the pawn. That will be the reason for his misfortune a few moves later.} ( 11...b5 {If Black decides to advance the b-pawn, then it is better to move two squares.} 12.Nd2 Nxd2 13.Qxd2 Nd7 {With the idea of Nb6-c4, with an acceptable position.} ) ( 11...b6 {is not so accurate because White has an inconvenient move putting the bishop on a6:} 12.Nd2 Nxd2 13.Qxd2 Nd7 14.Ba6 $1 ) ( 11...c5 $1 {is the best.} 12.dxc5 ( 12.Rxb7 {is very risky here.} 12...c4 13.Be2 Qa5+ 14.Nd2 g5 15.Bg3 Nc6 {with strong compensation for the pawn.} ) 12...Nxc5 13.Rb5 ( 13.Rc3 Ne4 14.Rd3 Nc6 $1 15.Rxd5 Qf6 {with a dangerous initiative.} ) 13...b6 14.Be2 {with chances for both sides.} ) 12.Be2 ( 12.Rxb7 {There's actually nothing much wrong with capturing this pawn, but it's certainly not the easiest move to make in a rapid game. Radjabov avoids this capture until he is literally forced to by his opponent.} 12...c5 13.Bd3 {and Black doesn't have enough compensation.} ) 12...c5 ( 12...b5 {followed by Nb6-c4, is better.} ) 13.O-O c4 $2 ( 13...b6 {It is better to defend the pawn once and for all.} 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.Nd2 Nef6 {with a small advantage for White because of the bishop pair, but nothing from another planet.} ) 14.Rxb7 {White's rook is not in as grave danger as it appears at first glance.} 14...Nb6 ( 14...g5 {is brutally refuted by} 15.Nxg5 $1 Nxg5 16.Bg4 {and White gains more material.} ) 15.Ne5 $1 Qc8 16.Re7 c3 ( 16...Qd8 $2 17.Nc6 ) ( 16...f6 {I imagine that was Erigaisi's initial intention, but White gets the advantage with a series of precise moves.} 17.f3 $1 Nd6 ( 17...fxe5 18.fxe4 exf4 19.exf5 fxe3 20.f6 $1 {and Black's king is homeless.} ) 18.e4 $1 {The most incisive.} 18...dxe4 19.fxe4 Nxe4 20.Qc1 $3 {and White gets a big advantage since accepting the gifted knight is bad:} 20...fxe5 $6 21.Bxe5 {with a decisive attack.} ) 17.bxc3 ( 17.g4 $5 ) 17...Nxc3 18.Qd2 f6 $2 {This move loses to Radjabov's brilliant response.} ( 18...Nxe2+ 19.Qxe2 Re8 20.Rxe8+ Qxe8 {and Black would have to fight for a draw in this difficult position a pawn down.} ) 19.Bf3 $3 {A brilliant move, sacrificing the knight but taking advantage of the tactical themes associated with the Rc1 move and exploiting the pin on the c3-knight.} 19...fxe5 20.Bxe5 Rf7 21.Rxf7 Kxf7 22.Rc1 Nba4 23.Bxd5+ $1 {The justification of White's play.} 23...Be6 ( 23...Nxd5 24.Rxc8 Rxc8 25.h3 {with an easy win.} ) 24.Bf3 {Here and in the next moves White has several alternatives that are also winning. Radjabov plays it safe and converts his advantage smoothly.} 24...Bg4 25.Bxa8 Ne2+ 26.Qxe2 Qxc1+ 27.Qf1 Qc2 ( 27...Qxa3 28.Qc4+ Be6 29.d5 $18 ) 28.Bd5+ Ke7 29.f3 Nc3 30.Qc4 Qc1+ 31.Kf2 Nd1+ 32.Ke2 Qxc4+ 33.Bxc4 Nb2 34.Bb3 Bd7 35.d5 Bb5+ 36.Kd2 Nc4+ 37.Bxc4 Bxc4 38.e4 Bf1 39.g3 g6 40.Ke3 a6 41.Bc3 Kd6 42.Bb4+ Kd7 43.e5 Bh3 44.e6+ Kc7 45.Kd4 Bg2 46.d6+ Kc6 47.d7 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Melkumyan, Hrant"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7835249283112"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

{Kramnik showed in the first few knockout games that retirement hasn't taken his class away.} 
1.e4 {Playing chess for fun, the veteran legend is now free to play open and uncomprimising chess, something he became adept in the final years of his outstanding career.} 1...c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 {This is a very popular way to meet the Caro-Kann nowadays.} 4...h5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 Qa5+ 7.b4 $5 {An interesting pawn sacrifice to open the b-file and leave Black's king without shelter. That said, it's also risky—a pawn is a pawn.} ( 7.Nd2 {was Caruana's choice in his already famous win against Firouzja in the Grand Swiss in 2021.} ) 7...Qa6 ( 7...Qxb4+ {I would say that, out of honor, you have to accept this pawn. After all, you are taking it with check and at least getting something in return for the usual Caro-Kann suffering. That's not to say, obviously, that I would actually grab this pawn in my own game.} 8.Nd2 e6 9.Rb1 Qe7 {This is a critical position to evaluate the merits of the pawn sacrifice. A recent high-profile example followed:} 10.Ne2 Qc7 ( 10...b5 $1 ) 11.O-O ( 11.c4 $1 ) 11...Nd7 12.c4 $1 {with excellent compensation in the rapid game Van Foreest - Carlsen, Oslo 2022.} ) 8.Qd1 {This move has never been played in this position, although we will get a transposition later. Does this mean Kramnik is still working seriously on his openings—or is this just over-the-board inspiration $2 I would bet on the first choice.} ( 8.e6 {is more popular, but it doesn't offer much.} 8...Qxd3 9.cxd3 fxe6 10.Nd2 {with a complicated game.} ) 8...e6 9.c3 {This is a dangerous position for Black, and that's why I'd rather take the pawn on b4 on move 7. The counterplay in the queenside, which typically happens with the move c6-c5, is now slowed down. White's queenside pawn advance also helps to support an assault on Black's king, in case he tries to find comfort on this side of the board. Black must act quickly.} 9...Ne7 ( 9...Qb6 {is an interesting option, with the idea of playing 10...a5 and creating some counterplay.} ) 10.Ne2 Nd7 11.a4 $1 {An excellent move. Now Black has no time for Qb6-a5 anymore and is left without a reasonable plan.} 11...Nf5 ( 11...Qb6 12.a5 ) 12.Nd2 ( 12.Bg5 {was played in a blitz game between Burke and Nyzhnyk, but Kramnik's move is better.} 12...f6 $1 ( 12...Nb6 {was played in the aforementioned blitz game.} ) 13.exf6 gxf6 14.Bf4 Be7 {with an unclear position.} ) 12...Be7 13.Nf3 b6 {A desperate attempt to play c5 and get some play.} 14.g3 {Defending the h4-pawn so White can castle.} ( 14.Bg5 f6 15.Bf4 {is also clearly better for White.} ) 14...c5 15.b5 Qb7 16.O-O ( 16.Bg5 {is a bit more accurate since the rook is useful on h1 in case Black decides to capture the bishop.} 16...f6 ( 16...Bxg5 {Now White can take with the pawn and make use of the h1-rook immediately, or take with the knight and try to play Nf4 and g4 later, when the rook is again useful on its initial square.} 17.hxg5 ( 17.Nxg5 ) ) 17.Bf4 a6 18.O-O axb5 19.axb5 Rxa1 20.Qxa1 O-O 21.Re1 Ra8 22.Qb1 {This position is still tricky for Black to play because of the kingside weaknesses. White has a clear plan: take on f6, remove the bishop from f4 and replace it for a knight.} ) 16...a6 17.Bg5 axb5 ( 17...Bxg5 {This capture is possible now.} 18.Nxg5 axb5 19.axb5 Rxa1 20.Qxa1 O-O {with a similar position to the one we will see later in the game. The difference is that the Qc1-g5 maneuver is not available now—more about this in the next comments.} ) 18.axb5 ( 18.Bxe7 {is more accurate, with the idea:} 18...Nxe7 19.axb5 Rxa1 20.Qxa1 O-O 21.Qc1 $1 {and the queen will land on g5 with devastating effect.} ) 18...Rxa1 19.Qxa1 O-O ( 19...Bxg5 $5 ) 20.Bxe7 Nxe7 21.Nf4 ( 21.Qc1 $1 {The same position we saw previously. This move is beautiful. Chess authors like to say that queen + knight is a deadly combination when attacking the opponent's king. In this case, we would have a queen, two knights, and Kramnik as the commander. It doesn't get much better than this.} ) 21...Ra8 22.Qd1 g6 23.Ng5 Nf8 {Now Black somehow manages to protect the king.} 24.g4 $1 hxg4 25.h5 ( 25.Qxg4 {This doesn't make much difference since h5 will be played sooner or later.} ) 25...cxd4 26.cxd4 Qc8 27.Qxg4 Qc2 $1 {bringing the queen to the defense.} 28.hxg6 Nexg6 $2 {Black is in trouble after this move because the defensive resource Qf5 is no longer available.} ( 28...Nfxg6 $1 {This is the right choice. I suppose Melkumyan was afraid of the sacrifice on e6, but the cold-hearted computer shows the path to salvation.} 29.Nfxe6 ( 29.Nh5 {is not so dangerous now.} 29...Qf5 ) 29...Qf5 $1 {The only move.} ( 29...fxe6 $2 30.Qxe6+ Kg7 31.Qf6+ Kh6 32.Kg2 $18 ) 30.Qxf5 Nxf5 31.Nc7 Ra4 32.Nxd5 Rxd4 33.Nf6+ Kg7 {and the position is close to a draw.} ) 29.Nh5 {Now, my previous comment about the strength of the queen, two knights, and Kramnik commander is valid again.} 29...Nd7 $2 {Black avoids 30.Nf6, but this allows a decisive combination.} ( 29...Ra4 $1 {The computer says this is the only move for Black. Good luck finding this one in an online rapid game.} 30.Nf6+ Kg7 {Somehow White is not mating the king yet.} ) 30.Nxe6 $1 {The decisive blow.} 30...fxe6 31.Qxe6+ Kh8 32.Qxd7 Rg8 33.Ng3 Nf4 34.Kh2 $1 {The only move, but more than enough.} 34...Qg6 35.Rh1 $1 {Again, the only move.} 35...Qh6+ 36.Kg1 Ne2+ 37.Kg2 Nf4+ 38.Kf1 {A magnificent game for rapid play standards.} 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ponkratov, Pavel"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2593"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7976828013601"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900"]

{Considering that Anand is a former World Champion known for his skill in rapid time controls, it's a bit of a surprise to see him eliminated in the first knockout stage. But Ponkratov is a creative and dangerous player who can beat anyone. His games are never boring, and I can tell he likes to play with the initiative and enjoys seeing chaos on the board. It's also clear, in retrospect, that Anand gave up too much of his time to play with the Black pieces in the armageddon.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 {A topical alternative to the Giuoco Pianissimo that arises after 5.d3.} 5...exd4 6.e5 d5 7.Be2 $5 {A sideline.} ( 7.Bb5 {This move is much more popular.} ) 7...Ne4 8.cxd4 Bb6 ( 8...Bb4+ {is a serious alternative.} ) 9.Nc3 O-O 10.O-O {A typical and important position to understand in the system with 5.d4. As so often is the case, the pawn structure dictates the plans for both sides. Black, sooner or later, will have to play f7-f6 to brake White's advanced post and create some room for his pieces. White then can take the pawn or allow Black to take, or even play f5. Another important idea for White is to play Na4 and grab the bishop pair. The game is full of complex positional ideas.} 10...Be6 {Of course, there are interesting alternatives to this move, like 10...Bg4 or the immediate 10...f6.} 11.Na4 $5 ( 11.Be3 {is more popular.} ) 11...f6 $1 12.Be3 Kh8 {A new move. It's not really clear if this move is necessary. 12...Bg4 has been tested and approved in correspondence games.} ( 12...Bg4 $1 ) 13.a3 {A mysterious pawn move, but if White is going to capture on b6, then it's useful to have the pawn protected on a3.} 13...fxe5 $6 {A mistake, since this opens the position for the bishop pair and allows White to advance the kingside pawns. 13...f5 or 13...Bg4 are better.} ( 13...f5 ) ( 13...Bg4 ) 14.Nxb6 axb6 15.Nxe5 $1 {The correct way to capture, so the kingside pawns are free to walk.} 15...Nd6 $5 ( 15...Nxe5 16.dxe5 {and the e4-knight is unstable.} ) 16.f4 {A very natural move. Also possible is} ( 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Qc1 Nc4 18.Bg5 Qd7 19.Re1 {with some advantage due to the bishop pair.} ) 16...Bf5 ( 16...Nc4 {is tempting.} 17.Nxc4 ( 17.Bc1 {is also interesting.} ) 17...dxc4 18.f5 Rxf5 19.Rxf5 Bxf5 20.Bxc4 Qd7 {is slightly better for White.} ) 17.Qb3 Be4 18.Rac1 ( 18.Qc3 $1 {is more accurate.} ) 18...Na5 ( 18...Nf5 $1 {solves Black's problems.} 19.Qc3 ( 19.Nxc6 bxc6 20.Rxc6 $2 Qe8 21.Rc3 c5 $1 {with a decisive initiative.} ) 19...Nxe5 20.fxe5 c5 $1 {with counterplay.} ) 19.Qc3 Nac4 $5 {Anand offers a pawn to set up a fortress in a position with opposite-colored bishops.} 20.Rcd1 $2 {This allows a nice tactical idea.} ( 20.Nxc4 dxc4 21.Bxc4 Nxc4 22.Qxc4 c6 {This is the idea. It's not easy to break Black's position because of the firm control of the light squares.} ) ( 20.Rce1 {If White is not going to accept the pawn, then this move is better.} ) 20...c6 $2 {Anand misses the chance.} ( 20...Bc2 $1 {wins the exchange.} 21.Bxc4 ( 21.Rde1 $2 Ne4 $19 ) ( 21.Qxc2 $2 Nxe3 $19 ) 21...Bxd1 22.Bd3 ( 22.Bxd5 $2 Nb5 23.Qc4 Be2 $1 24.Qxe2 Qxd5 {and Black is winning.} ) 22...Ba4 {and the compensation is not enough—Black is better.} ) 21.Bc1 $1 {Now White is ready to start pushing the kingside pawns.} 21...b5 22.g4 Qe7 23.Qg3 ( 23.Rde1 {is better.} ) 23...Bc2 $1 24.Rde1 Ne4 25.Qh3 Kg8 26.Qg2 $5 {Trying to exploit the unstable position of the c2-bishop.} 26...Bb3 27.Rf3 Nxe5 28.dxe5 Qc5+ $2 {This natural check leads to trouble. The queen is necessary on e7, defending the king and preventing the f4-f5 advance.} ( 28...Bc4 $1 29.Bd1 b4 {with a chaotic position.} ) 29.Kh1 Bc4 ( 29...Rae8 $5 ) 30.Bd1 ( 30.f5 $1 Bxe2 31.Qxe2 {is much better for White since the kingside pawns are too dangerous.} ) 30...b4 31.f5 bxa3 32.bxa3 b5 ( 32...Qa5 {is a better try.} ) 33.g5 $6 ( 33.e6 $1 {With a dangerous initiative. A possible (and pretty) variation is:} 33...b4 34.g5 $1 bxa3 35.f6 a2 36.f7+ Kh8 37.g6 $1 a1=Q 38.Qh3 $18 {and even with two queens on the board, Black cannot avoid mate.} ) 33...b4 $2 ( 33...Qe7 $1 {This is better, with the idea of breaking the pawn chain after} 34.e6 g6 $1 ) 34.g6 {Now the attack is unstoppable.} 34...bxa3 ( 34...hxg6 35.Qxg6 $18 ) 35.f6 $1 h5 ( 35...gxf6 36.Bh6 $18 ) ( 35...h6 36.f7+ Kh8 37.Bxh6 $18 ) 36.f7+ 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.20"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Bortnyk, Olexandr"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2604"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[ECO "C48"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[Beauty "7217155685921"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Nc3 {One of the hundreds of ways to play the Anti-Berlin system. This is only the fifth most popular move.} 5...O-O 6.O-O Re8 7.Be3 $2 {Curiously, this move, natural as it seems, is a serious mistake.} ( 7.Bg5 {is the main move.} ) 7...Nd4 $1 {Now Black is already clearly better. The problem is that the b5-bishop is in trouble. This knight jump gains strength because White cannot capture with the f3-knight due to the fork, a common pattern in many opening variations. This is one of the reasons why everyone should study games from different openings—it improves your pattern recognition, a crucial ability to achieve chess mastery.} 8.Ba4 ( 8.Bxd4 exd4 9.Ne2 c6 {is also better for Black. This was played in Neiksans-Malakhov, Warsaw (rapid) 2012.} ) 8...c6 $1 {Black prepares both b7-b5 and d7-d5.} 9.h3 {This move is useful to avoid Bg4 in some lines.} ( 9.Bxd4 {This doesn't solve White's problems. There is a very instructive variation:} 9...exd4 10.Ne2 d5 11.e5 ( 11.exd5 Nxd5 $1 {is better for Black since} 12.Nexd4 $2 Bg4 {gives a winning initiative for the sacrificed pawn.} ) 11...Nd7 12.c3 ( 12.Nexd4 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Bxd4 {wins material.} ) 12...Nxe5 $1 13.Nxe5 Rxe5 14.cxd4 Rxe2 $1 15.Qxe2 Bxd4 {With tremendous compensation for the exchange. The computer already evaluates the position as winning for Black.} ) 9...a5 10.Bb3 b5 {Now, White's pawn structure needs to be damaged because he is forced to advance the a-pawn to give room for the b3-bishop.} 11.a4 $2 {This makes things worse. 11.a3 is better.} ( 11.a3 Nxb3 12.cxb3 Bxe3 13.fxe3 {White has better chances to defend here since b5-b4 is not possible now.} ) 11...Nxb3 12.cxb3 Bxe3 13.fxe3 b4 14.Ne2 d5 $1 15.Qc2 Ba6 {White's position collapses. But the adventure is far from over.} 16.Rfd1 Qb6 17.Kf2 Bxd3 $1 {A nice winning blow.} 18.Rxd3 dxe4 19.Rd6 Nd5 $2 {Xiong surely missed something in his calculation. The simple capture on f3 was enough for a winning advantage.} ( 19...exf3 20.Rxc6 Qb7 21.gxf3 Qd7 22.Rh1 Rac8 23.Rc4 Red8 {and Black has a winning positional advantage, with better pieces, a better pawn structure, and a safer king.} ) 20.Qxe4 {Now, the situation is far from clear.} 20...Qc5 21.Rd7 Nf6 22.Qf5 Nxd7 23.Qxd7 Rad8 24.Rc1 $6 ( 24.Qf5 {leads to a complicated endgame after} 24...g6 25.Qe4 f5 26.Qc4+ Qxc4 27.bxc4 {The position is difficult to play, but White is somewhat better.} ) 24...Qxe3+ $1 {The famous trainer Mark Dvoretsky liked to call this tactical theme a \"desperado.\"} 25.Kxe3 Rxd7 26.Rxc6 ( 26.Nd2 $5 {is a more subtle move. The knight heads to c4.} ) 26...Red8 {The computer claims equality here, but the position seems to me to be easier for Black to play. Material imbalances are usually difficult to evaluate, and this position is no exception.} 27.Nc1 $6 ( 27.Ke4 f6 28.g4 $1 {In general, it seems that White should be fast to advance the kingside pawns to achieve counterplay.} 28...Rd3 29.Nc1 Rd1 30.Ne2 {with equal chances.} ) 27...f6 28.Rc5 ( 28.g4 $1 ) 28...Rd1 29.Rc2 Kf7 30.Ne2 $5 {A tricky move, offering Back the chance to check on d3.} 30...R1d3+ 31.Ke4 $2 {The losing mistake.} ( 31.Kf2 Ke6 {Black is slightly better, but two knights are very dangerous when there are only a few minutes left on the clock.} ( 31...Rxb3 $2 32.Nc1 {and the rook is trapped.} ) ( 31...e4 32.Nfd4 $1 R3xd4 33.Nxd4 Rxd4 34.Ke3 {and White has an easy draw in this rook endgame, for instance:} 34...Rd5 ( 34...Rd3+ 35.Kxe4 Rxb3 36.Kd5 {and the king is too active.} ) 35.Kxe4 Re5+ 36.Kf3 ) ) 31...Ke6 32.Rc6+ R3d6 33.Rxd6+ Rxd6 {The exchange of rooks clearly favors Black. Now it's difficult for White to protect the queenside weaknesses.} 34.Ke3 ( 34.g4 g6 {doesn't make much of a difference. Black will play f6-f5 anyway.} ) 34...f5 $19 35.Nc1 Rd1 36.Nd3 {This allows a liquidation to a winning king and pawn endgame, but the position is lost anyway.} ( 36.Ne2 Rb1 {and the b2-pawn falls.} ) 36...Rxd3+ $1 37.Kxd3 e4+ 38.Ke3 exf3 39.gxf3 g5 {A textbook example of the merits of having a superior pawn structure. White is essentially a pawn down.} 40.Kd4 h5 41.Kd3 Kd5 42.Ke2 Kd4 43.Kd2 g4 44.hxg4 fxg4 45.Ke2 gxf3+ 46.Kxf3 Kd3 0-1

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[ECO "A20"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8247276762634"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.Nf3 e4 4.Nd4 d5 5.cxd5 Qxd5 6.Nc2 {This variation of the English Opening is very popular these days, being played by many strong players. It was in this line that Nepomniachtchi scored a brilliant win with Black against Ding Liren in the first round of the 2022 Candidates Tournament.} 6...Nf6 7.Nc3 Qe5 8.Bg2 Be7 ( 8...Na6 {This move was Nepomniachtchi's choice. It seems to be a more accurate move order because the bishop retains the option to be developed to c5.} 9.O-O ( 9.Ne3 Bc5 $1 ) 9...Be7 10.Ne3 O-O {with a complicated struggle. Ding - Nepomniachtchi, Madrid 2022.} ) 9.Ne3 Na6 10.a3 ( 10.Qc2 $5 {This is an attempt to exploit Black's move order.} 10...Nb4 ( 10...Nc5 {seems to be weaker because of the new move} 11.b3 $1 ( 11.b4 $6 {The problem is that the knight is heading for e6 anyway, and in this case the b4-pawn remains attacked.} 11...Ne6 ) 11...Ne6 12.Bb2 Nd4 13.Qb1 {with a clear advantage for White as the e4-pawn is about to fall.} ) 11.Qb1 {A few games have been played in this position. Black will lose the e4-pawn and it's not clear whether the compensation is enough.} ) 10...O-O 11.b4 Re8 12.Bb2 Qe6 $6 {This is a new move. A couple of correspondence games featured the more precise 12...Bf8 $1 To be honest, I find this position difficult to play with Black, from a human perspective. White has a very clear plan (Qc2, 0-0, f3) and Black has to find some incredible computer resources to stay in the game. This is impossible to do in a real game, unless the position is very well analyzed beforehand.} ( 12...Bf8 13.Qc2 ( 13.O-O Qh5 $1 {and the queen goes to a more active square.} ) 13...Qe7 $1 {Computer precision number one.} 14.O-O Nc7 15.f3 a5 $1 {Computer precision number two.} 16.bxa5 exf3 17.Rxf3 Rxa5 18.Raf1 {Somehow my machine insists that this position is equal and suggests some very difficult moves to defend this evaluation. I'd rather play White.} ) 13.O-O Nc7 14.Qc2 Bd6 ( 14...Bf8 15.f3 a5 $5 {This interesting idea is again an option, but it doesn't solve the problems.} ( 15...exf3 16.Rxf3 {and the attack plays by itself.} ) 16.fxe4 axb4 17.axb4 Rxa1 18.Bxa1 Bxb4 19.Nf5 {with strong pressure, for instance:} 19...Bf8 20.e5 $1 Qxe5 $2 21.Ne4 $18 ) 15.f3 $1 {15.d3 is also possible, but I prefer the move in the game. White's next few moves are easy, strong, and natural, a good combination in any time control, but even better in an armageddon game.} 15...exf3 16.Rxf3 Be5 $6 {The position is lost after this move.} ( 16...Ng4 $1 {Is the best chance to survive, but it's clear that White is better and there are many tempting continuations now. 17.Bh3, 17.Nxg4 and 17.Raf1 all look strong.} 17.Bh3 ( 17.Raf1 ) ( 17.Nxg4 Qxg4 18.Raf1 ) 17...h5 18.Raf1 {with a clear advantage.} 18...Qg6 $1 19.Qxg6 fxg6 20.Bxg4 hxg4 21.Rf7 Rf8 22.Rxf8+ Bxf8 {No one likes to have tripled pawns, but this is better than being mated. Black is still fighting here.} ) 17.Raf1 Qe7 18.Nf5 Bxf5 19.Rxf5 {The plan is simple and effective: e3-d4, sacrifice on f6 at some point, and calculate well. Sevian makes it look easy.} 19...Qd7 20.e3 $1 Rad8 21.d4 Bd6 22.e4 $1 {It's too soon to sacrifice the exchange on f6.} 22...Ne6 23.Ne2 Be7 {White has an overwhelming advantage, but the position is not ripe for a tactical solution yet. Black is paralyzed and with a few preparatory moves his defense collapses.} 24.Qc1 {This move is meant to prevent Ne3 in the following line:} ( 24.e5 Nd5 25.Rxf7 $2 Ne3 ) ( 24.Qb3 {is probably even better. After} 24...Rf8 25.Qf3 $1 {The queen comes to the attack.} ) 24...Rf8 25.Kh1 {Since Black can barely move, Sevian improves his position a little by hiding the king.} 25...Rde8 26.d5 $1 {Now it's time.} 26...cxd5 27.exd5 Nc7 28.Rg5 $1 {Preparing to sacrifice.} 28...h6 29.Rxg7+ $1 {As I like to tell my students: \"Who says A has to say B.\"} 29...Kxg7 30.d6 $1 {A fantastic final touch. It's hard not to be impressed by Sevian's play in this game. 30.d4 immediately is also winning, but the move he played is much more subtle.} ( 30.Nd4 Kh7 31.Qc2+ Kg8 32.Nf5 {is also enough for a decisive attack.} ) 30...Qxd6 ( 30...Bxd6 31.Rxf6 {with checkmate very soon.} ) 31.Nd4 $1 {The knight will land on f5 with deadly effects. A superb performance.} 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sadhwani, Raunak"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2620"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "B31"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7837375822346"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

{Giri's play was very convincing in this match. Any of his three victories could be chosen as the game of the day. I decided on the second one: a nice demonstration of positional play with a nice finish.} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 {Probably with the intention of playing the Sveshnikov Variation. I've noticed that this is the choice of the most solid elite players when they don't want to play 1...e5, which is by far the most popular move among them these days.} 3.Bb5 {Demonstrating an advantage against the Sveshnikov has proved to be an inglorious task. Sadhwani decides to try the Rossolimo Variation.} 3...g6 {The choice between 3...g6 and 3...e6 is a matter of taste; both moves are equally good. I've played a lot of games in the position that comes after 3...d6, but my impression is that Black has more problems there.} 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 e5 6.Bxc6 {The main move. 6.b4 was played in the world championship match between Caruana and Carlsen.} ( 6.b4 $5 Nxb4 7.Bb2 a6 8.a3 axb5 9.axb4 Rxa1 10.Bxa1 d6 11.bxc5 Ne7 {and the game later ended in a draw. Caruana-Carlsen, London 2018.} ) 6...dxc6 {It's not always easy to choose which pawn to capture the piece with in this type of situation. The move played is the most popular, and this is understandable: the c8-bishop gains freedom, and the c3-d4 plan becomes difficult to carry out.} ( 6...bxc6 7.c3 {followed by 8.d4 and White has a good performance in the games played in this position.} ) 7.a4 {This is just the fifth most popular move, but this year it was played twice by GM Esipenko. Sadhwani himself had already tried this move, in a game last year against my friend, GM Fier. Certainly Giri was not surprised.} 7...Qe7 ( 7...g5 {This curious and optimistic move was tried in a rapid game this year. But Black didn't have enough attack to justify his weaknesses after} 8.d3 g4 9.Nfd2 Be6 10.Nc4 Ne7 11.Be3 b6 12.a5 {in Esipenko-Praggnanandhaa, 2022.} ) ( 7...a5 {Limiting White's expansion on the queenside is a natural choice.} 8.d3 Qc7 9.Be3 b6 10.Na3 Ne7 11.Nc4 Be6 {with a complex position. The computer has a slight preference for White's position. Sadhwani-Fier, Peniche 2021.} ) 8.a5 {This natural move has never been specifically played here, but we will have a transposition a move later.} ( 8.Na3 {was Esipenko's choice.} 8...Nf6 ( 8...Be6 $5 ) 9.Nc4 Nd7 10.d3 O-O 11.Bg5 f6 12.Be3 {Esipenko-Gukesh, Biel (rapid) 2022.} ) 8...Nf6 9.d3 {The game is back on the theoretical track.} 9...O-O {This is a good time to look at the merits of each player's position. Black has the good old pair of bishops, a positional advantage that every grandmaster appreciates. What does White get in return $2 A better pawn structure on the queenside, with the a5-pawn annoying the opponent. White should try to play on that side of the board, and a natural plan is to try the b4 break at some point. My machine \"thinks\" that White is slightly better, but I'd rather play as Black. Naturally, I am influenced by my predilection for the bishop pair and the outcome of this game.} 10.h3 {It's not clear to me that this move is really necessary.} ( 10.Nbd2 ) ( 10.Be3 ) 10...Ne8 $1 {Black's traditional plan: take the knight to the e6-square.} 11.Na3 Nc7 12.Nc4 f6 13.Be3 Ne6 14.c3 Rd8 15.Qc2 Bd7 {The last moves of both parties were very natural. Now Sadhwani plays a novelty.} 16.Reb1 {No one can accuse White of hiding his intentions.} ( 16.Rad1 {it is a radically different plan. White chooses to break the structure in the center.} 16...Be8 17.b3 Bf7 18.d4 cxd4 19.cxd4 exd4 20.Nxd4 Nxd4 21.Bxd4 c5 22.Bc3 Rxd1 23.Rxd1 Rd8 {with equality. Raja-Frolyanov, Moscow 2020.} ) 16...Be8 17.b4 cxb4 18.Rxb4 $6 ( 18.cxb4 {is better, preventing the expansion of Black's pawn structure.} ) 18...c5 19.Rb3 Bc6 {Now Giri has excellent control of the center and plans to play f5 soon.} 20.Nb2 $2 {The typical \"ugly\" move. I guess Shadwani didn't find a satisfactory plan. Probably if it was White's move here, the best thing would be to get the knight back to c4.} ( 20.a6 {My computer suggests sacrificing a piece after} 20...b6 21.Nxb6 axb6 22.Rxb6 {I really don't know what to say about it, other than the obvious: few flesh-and-blood chess players would play like that (perhaps none).} ) 20...f5 $1 {Taking advantage of the fact that now the e5-pawn doesn't need protection.} 21.exf5 $6 {This move is also a mistake, but I understand that White tries at least to complicate the game to get chances.} 21...gxf5 {Now the bishop pair cuts the board.} 22.Qe2 Re8 ( 22...Kh8 {would be quite logical with the plan of 23...Rg8.} ) 23.Re1 Qc7 24.Nc4 Rad8 25.Ng5 {Desperately trying to create some mess on the board.} 25...Nf4 $1 26.Bxf4 exf4 27.Qd2 Rxe1+ 28.Qxe1 Re8 {A very didactic position to demonstrate the superiority of the pair of bishops against the pair of knights. Black's bishops are devastating, while the g5-knight is misplaced. To be honest, he's not White's only bad piece; the comparison between the rooks is also thankless.} 29.Qd2 Bf6 $1 {A clinical move, preparing to bring the queen into play as well, via g7.} 30.Nf3 Kh8 $1 {Another accurate move. Now the rook can go to g8.} 31.Ne1 Qg7 $1 32.Kf1 {It is not surprising that there is now a tactical solution to ensure Black's victory.} 32...Bxg2+ $1 33.Nxg2 f3 34.Nce3 ( 34.Ne1 {ends in checkmate:} 34...Rxe1+ 35.Kxe1 ( 35.Qxe1 Qg2# ) 35...Qg1# ) ( 34.Nge3 Rg8 35.Ke1 Qg1+ 36.Nf1 Re8+ 37.Ne3 f4 38.Rxb7 fxe3 39.fxe3 Bh4+ {and Black wins material.} ) 34...Qh6 {Other moves also win, but this one is the most elegant. The threat is to capture the h3-pawn.} 35.h4 Bxh4 36.Qd1 ( 36.Nxh4 Qxh4 {and it's impossible to avoid mate.} ) 36...fxg2+ 37.Nxg2 Bg3 $1 {White resigns, as there is no defense against 38...Qh1. Note the importance of the bishop on g3, controlling the h2-square in case of 39.Kg1 Qh2+.} ( 37...Bg3 38.Kg1 Qh2+ 39.Kf1 Qh1# ) 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2864"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7491094052871"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.cxd5 {The first important moment. Nepomniachtchi has been confidently playing the line with 4. Nc3 c5, which sometimes leads to long forced draws. This system was played by So in this round. Instead of getting into a theoretical battle, Carlsen tries to take the game into his own turf.} 4...exd5 5.Nc3 c6 {The problem for White in this line is that there is no way to prevent the black bishop from developing to f5. Usually in the Queen's Gambit exchange variation it's possible to avoid this by placing a bishop on d3 or the queen on c2. In this game's move order, Black can force the development of the bishop, even if he has to play g6 first.} 6.Bf4 {The third most popular move, simply ignoring 6...Bf5.} ( 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Qc2 g6 {is hugely theoretical.} ) ( 6.Qc2 {is also popular. Now Black can choose between 6...Be7, 6...g6 or 6... Bd6.} ) 6...Bf5 ( 6...Bd6 7.Bxd6 Qxd6 8.e3 {was played in Caruana-Karjakin, Wijk aan Zee 2022.} ) 7.e3 Nbd7 8.h3 $5 {With this move White plans to play g2-g4 and create some annoyance for the f5-bishop.} 8...Be7 ( 8...Qb6 {is a critical test.} 9.Bd3 {And now Black can choose between the bishop exchange or grabbing the b2-pawn.} ( 9.Qc1 {is also possible, but looks harmless.} ) 9...Qxb2 $5 ( 9...Bxd3 ) 10.Bxf5 Qxc3+ 11.Kf1 {with a double-edged position.} ) ( 8...h6 {also looks reasonable.} 9.g4 Bh7 ) 9.g4 Be4 $5 {Curiously this move was tried before by Carlsen himself in a blitz game against Anand.} ( 9...Bg6 {is the most popular move.} ) 10.Be2 {The first new move.} ( 10.Bg2 O-O {was Anand-Carlsen, Moscow 2009 (blitz).} ) 10...Qb6 ( 10...O-O {As I like to say my students: if you are in doubt, just castle. But I don't think this applies to 2790+ players as they don't have too many doubts.} 11.g5 {and now 11...Nh5, 11...Ne8 or 11...Bxf3 are possible, with equal play in all cases.} ( 11.O-O Bxf3 $5 {The idea is to exchange the knight before it starts to jump.} 12.Bxf3 Nb6 {followed by 12...Bd6 with an equal position.} ) 11...Ne8 ( 11...Nh5 ) ( 11...Bxf3 ) ) 11.Qb3 Qxb3 12.axb3 {White doesn't have any particular advantage, but Carlsen thrives in this type of position.} 12...Bg6 ( 12...h6 {with the idea of going back with the bishop to h7, is interesting. A fine point is that after} 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Bd3 {Black has the accurate} 14...Bd6 $1 {with equality, since after} 15.Bxe4 {he has the intermediate check} 15...Bb4+ $1 16.Ke2 dxe4 ) 13.Nh4 $1 {Going after the bishop. From now on, Nepomniachtchi starts to play small inaccuracies.} 13...Bb4 $6 {White gets a small plus after this move. 13...Ne4 or 13...Bc2 are more dynamic moves.} ( 13...Bc2 $5 14.Nf5 ( 14.Kd2 $5 {this pawn sacrifice is also interesting.} 14...Bxb3 15.Nf5 Bf8 ) 14...Bxf5 15.gxf5 g6 {is close to equality, althought White looks a bit more comfortable.} ) ( 13...Ne4 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.f3 Bh4+ 16.Kf1 Ng3+ 17.Bxg3 Bxg3 18.b4 $1 {And again the position is close to equal, but White can try to press with the plan of b4-b5.} ) 14.Nxg6 ( 14.Rc1 {Delaying the bishop's capture is also possible.} ) 14...hxg6 15.f3 $1 {Taking the e4-square from the knight and preparing Kf2-g2.} 15...Nf8 16.Kf2 Ne6 17.Bg3 {White has the bishop pair and a small advantage in this endgame.} 17...Ke7 18.h4 a6 19.Kg2 Rad8 20.Bf2 {The problem with Black's position is that he has no active plan. I suspect this is particulartly difficult for Nepomniachtchi, being such an agressive player that thrives in positions where he has the initiative.} 20...Bd6 {The computer suggests the strange 20...Kd7 followed by a plan with Ng8-e7. This is simply unintelligible for humans. With this retreat, Nepomniachtchi wants, I suppose, to prepare c6-c5 in some way, as this is his only active attempt. But Carlsen is going to neutralize this idea.} ( 20...c5 $2 21.Na2 {and the bishop is badly placed on b4.} ) 21.Bd3 Bb8 ( 21...c5 $2 22.g5 $1 {and the d-pawn falls.} ) 22.Na4 $1 Bd6 23.Be1 $1 {White wants to play b4, as this will shut the c5 break forever. Maybe Black should accept this fate, but he decides to act.} 23...c5 $6 24.Nxc5 Nxc5 25.dxc5 Bxc5 26.Bd2 Rhe8 27.b4 Bb6 28.b5 $1 {Chess looks simple in the hands of such a magnificent player. White not only improves the pawn structure, but actually might start an attack on Black's king.} 28...a5 {Black decides to sacrifice a pawn.} ( 28...axb5 29.Bxb5 {and Black's king is now shaky in the center of the board. White has plans with Bb4+, g5 and then trying to open the center and attack the king.} ) 29.Bxa5 Bxa5 30.Rxa5 Kd6 31.Kf2 Re7 ( 31...Ra8 32.b4 Nd7 {is the lesser evil.} ) ( 31...Nd7 32.Ra7 $1 Nc5 33.Rd1 Nxd3+ 34.Rxd3 {and the rook endgame is very unpleasant for Black.} ) 32.Rd1 Rh8 33.g5 $1 Nd7 34.Ra4 Nc5 ( 34...Nb6 35.Rd4 {and White is ready to open the position with e4, with a decisive advantage.} ) 35.Rg4 {The threat now is 36.Bc4.} 35...Kc7 ( 35...Nxd3+ 36.Rxd3 {and the rook endgame is easily winning, for instance:} 36...Rd7 37.Rgd4 Kc5 38.b4+ Kxb5 39.Rxd5+ Rxd5 40.Rxd5+ Kxb4 41.Rd7 b5 42.Rxf7 {and the kingside pawns decide the game.} ) 36.Bb1 $1 Re5 37.Ba2 {Now the d5-pawn is lost.} 37...f6 38.gxf6 gxf6 39.Rxd5 Rxd5 40.Bxd5 Nd3+ 41.Kg3 Ne5 42.Rf4 Rd8 43.b6+ {The kingside pawns are about to fall and it's time to resign. As in Karpov's best games, it's even hard to point out exactly where the losing side went wrong. The advantage grew steadily until it was impossible to defend. A textbook victory by Carlsen.} 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2687"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "7010749780027"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{Hans Niemann is a very popular figure right now in the chess world. He gave some hilarious interviews during the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz Championship, and those were always a joy to watch. He is young, confident, and plays all his games to win; he is never afraid even when facing the absolute elite of chess. More than all this, what strikes me as particularly interesting about this player is that he seems to work very hard on his chess, and his rise to the top has been meteoric. His opponent in this game is the already legendary Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, a player who is admired all over the world for his fearless style. This clash promised and delivered fireworks.} 
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e4 {This is currently a fashionable variation of the English Four Knights Opening. It's curious that I have become a sort of \"specialist\" in this line, although I have never played it in an official over-the-board game. But times have changed, and when searching in an online database, I found no fewer than 16 of my own games, all played in Titled Tuesdays. Of course, the reader can find more qualified players to follow in case they decide to study this variation, but I must say my score is not bad at all. Given my poor Titled Tuesday record, this shows that this line must be really very good for White.} 4...Bc5 ( 4...Bb4 {is a more reliable move.} ) 5.Nxe5 $1 {This is the point; otherwise, Black has very comfortable play.} 5...Nxe5 ( 5...Bxf2+ $2 {is a typical resource, but here it's just losing.} 6.Kxf2 Nxe5 7.d4 {and White has an overwhelming advantage. I played a few online games in this position, but since they were not played in any official event, they cannot (luckily) be found.} ) ( 5...O-O $5 {Nakamura played this against me in a Titled Tuesday once. I was surprised and reacted poorly with} 6.Nxc6 $2 ( 6.Nf3 $1 {is better.} 6...Nxe4 7.Nxe4 Re8 8.d3 f5 9.Be2 fxe4 10.dxe4 {with the advantage.} ) 6...dxc6 {Black has great compensation for the pawn.} ) 6.d4 Bb4 7.dxe5 Nxe4 {Now White has a difficult decision between 8.Qd4 and 8.Qf3. To me, it's not clear which is better, but the latter is more popular these days.} 8.Qf3 ( 8.Qd4 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Be7 10.Qg4 {with a complicated game.} ) 8...Nxc3 ( 8...Qh4 $2 {loses after} 9.g3 Ng5 10.Qe2 Qe4 11.Bxg5 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Qxh1 13.f3 {and the h1-queen will soon be captured.} ) 9.bxc3 Ba5 ( 9...Bc5 {This was played against me by German GM Rasmus Svane.} 10.Qg3 g6 $2 ( 10...Kf8 {is necessary.} ) 11.Bd3 {and I had such a good position that even my poor play was unable to spoil it.} ) 10.Bf4 O-O 11.O-O-O $5 {It looks crazy for the untrained (or unprepared) eye to direct the king toward such a scattered pawn structure. But if the computers say it's good, we have to study it. More conservative (or lazier) players might consider 11.Rd1 or 11.Be2 and castling short.} 11...Qe7 12.Kb2 {This is necessary to avoid a queen invasion.} 12...Rb8 $1 {An excellent move, creating an x-ray with the king and getting ready for counterplay with b7-b5. This is still mainstream opening theory.} 13.Qe3 $1 {A strong prophylactic move. White gets ready to meet 13...b5 with 14.c5. If White manages to stop Black's counterplay on the queenside, then he is ready for a devastating kingside attack. Let's not forget that Black's king is completely abandoned by his pieces. When the bishop gets to d3, checkmate is going to be a real possibility.} ( 13.Bd3 {This was played by Carlsen against Caruana, when all this was still new to everyone. Black has good counterplay after} 13...b5 $1 14.cxb5 Bb7 {Carlsen - Caruana, Douglas 2019.} ) 13...b6 $6 $146 {This is a new and strange move. Black's counterplay is usually connected with b7-b5, so why advance this move only one square $2} ( 13...b5 {was tried in a few games.} 14.c5 $1 b4 15.c4 b3 16.a3 $1 {and it seems Black still has problems to solve.} ( 16.axb3 $6 Bb4 ) ) ( 13...Bb6 {was played in a recent email game and is the first suggestion of the computer. I guess future games will say whether this move is enough to solve Black's problems.} ) 14.Bd3 ( 14.h4 $1 {is a typical plan and also very strong. White prepares 15.Rh3, and the rook is useful both on attack and defense.} ) 14...Qe6 ( 14...f6 {Maybe Black should try this move. With the bishop on d3, 15.exf6 is not so good because the c3-pawn will be hanging after 15...Qxf6.} ) 15.Qg3 {Not the most accurate. I think 15.Qe4 or 15.h4 is better.} ( 15.Qe4 g6 16.Bh6 Re8 17.Rhe1 {with the advantage.} ) ( 15.h4 $5 {and the idea of Rh3 is also promising.} ) 15...Re8 {The idea of this move is to avoid Bg5.} ( 15...b5 {is interesting. Play might continue:} 16.c5 ( 16.cxb5 {This move is not what White usually wants to play.} 16...Bb7 {With the idea of Bc6 followed by a6 with good compensation.} ) 16...Ba6 {with a very complicated position. One of the computer lines goes} 17.Bg5 b4 18.c4 b3 $1 19.axb3 Bxc4 20.Bxc4 Qxc4 21.Bh6 Qe2+ 22.Ka1 g6 23.Bxf8 Kxf8 24.Qe3 Qxe3 25.fxe3 Bc3+ 26.Ka2 Ke7 {and the e5-pawn will fall, and Black has good drawing chances.} ) 16.Rhe1 {Preparing Bg5 again now that the e5-pawn is protected.} 16...b5 {Mamedyarov starts his counterplay. This is a critical position.} 17.c5 $2 {This is a mistake because the e1-rook will be hanging. I understand Niemann probably saw this and decided to sacrifice the exchange, but the stone- hearted computer is not impressed.} ( 17.cxb5 $1 {is better with big complications.} ) 17...b4 18.c4 b3 $1 {This is the point.} 19.axb3 Bxe1 20.Rxe1 a5 $2 {After this move, the exchange sacrifice is fully justified, and White achieves enormous compensation. Black should open the center with 20...d6 or 20...d5.} ( 20...d6 $1 {20...d5 is the same.} 21.cxd6 cxd6 {and White has some compensation for the exchange, but objectively Black is better.} ) 21.Bd2 $1 {A very good move, preparing to meet 21...a4 with 22.b4.} ( 21.Qh4 g6 22.Bd2 $1 {is also good with the same idea.} ) 21...Ba6 ( 21...a4 22.b4 {with a winning position for White due to the big space advantage. The rooks have no columns to control, and the king is very insecure.} ) 22.Qh4 g6 23.Qd4 $1 {I like this move a lot, centralizing the queen.} ( 23.Bxa5 $6 {is not so clear after} 23...Qc6 $1 ) 23...Rb7 {This is the only plan for counterplay. The game flows logically.} 24.Bxa5 Reb8 25.b4 Rxb4+ $1 {Otherwise Black can resign.} 26.Bxb4 Rxb4+ 27.Kc3 Rb8 28.Be4 Qe8 ( 28...Bxc4 $5 {is an interesting try to complicate the game. After} 29.Qxc4 Qxe5+ 30.Kd3 Qb2 $1 {White has to find the precise} 31.Bd5 $1 Qxf2 32.Qc3 $1 {Everything is protected, and the position is winning.} ) 29.Bd5 ( 29.Rd1 $1 {is more accurate.} ) 29...Bb7 30.Rb1 Ba8 $2 {This move loses.} ( 30...Bxd5 $1 {is the only chance. After} 31.Rxb8 Qxb8 32.cxd5 ( 32.Qxd5 Qe8 $14 ) 32...Qb5 {Black can fight for the draw.} ) 31.Rxb8 Qxb8 32.Bxa8 Qxa8 33.Qxd7 Qa1+ 34.Kb4 Qxe5 35.Kb5 {The c7-pawn will fall, and White has an easy winning position. This is a good time to pay respect for the doubled pawns, an often-misunderstood positional element of chess. Doubled pawns are usually not as bad as people think. Here, for instance, this extra pawn on c4 serves as a shelter for the king against the checks.} 35...h5 36.Kc6 Qxh2 37.Qd8+ Kh7 38.Qf6 Qxg2+ 39.Kxc7 {The rest is easy.} 39...Qe4 40.Qxf7+ Kh6 41.Qd5 Qe7+ 42.Kb6 Qf6+ 43.c6 Qxf2+ 44.Kb7 Qb2+ 45.Qb5 Qg2 46.Kb8 h4 47.c7 Qg3 48.Kb7 Qf3+ 49.Qd5 Qb3+ 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2864"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[ECO "E20"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6529424038921"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{Last time Niemann with the black pieces beat Carlsen. This was just a few days ago, and he granted us one of the most iconic sentences in modern chess history. Will he be up to the challenge in future interviews after repeating the feat, this time in a classical game $2 But what he says, as we know, is not so important as chess speaks for itself.} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 {Of all the world champions, Carlsen is the one of with the most flexible opening repertoire. He can play anything. I wonder how his opponents prepare against him.} 3...Bb4 4.g3 {Not the most popular move against the Nimzo.} 4...O-O 5.Bg2 d5 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 dxc4 8.Nf3 c5 9.O-O {Carlsen uses his usual strategy of going for a sideline with not so much theory and not so much advantage either. This worked like a charm in his first-round game, but it's going to backfire in this game. I admired his cleverness when he won, and I am going to criticize the same strategy now that he lost, since, as we say jokingly, \"The same hands that clap are the ones that boo.\"} 9...cxd4 {9...Bd7 and 9...Nc6 are also possible.} 10.Qxd4 {Already a new move.} ( 10.cxd4 {was tried before.} ) 10...Nc6 11.Qxc4 e5 $1 {A good move, preparing to develop the bishop to an active square.} 12.Bg5 h6 13.Rfd1 $6 {It seems smart to play this before capturing the knight, but this move is wrong for tactical reasons.} ( 13.Bxf6 {It's better to take immediately, although White has nothing special after} 13...Qxf6 14.Nd2 Qe7 ) 13...Be6 $1 {An accurate move.} ( 13...Qe7 $6 {is exactly what White wants, as he wins a tempo compared to 13. Bxf6.} 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Nd2 {and now it's possible to fight for the advantage.} ) 14.Rxd8 {The best move to fight for equality.} ( 14.Qc5 Qa5 15.Be3 Nd5 {is unpleasant.} ) 14...Bxc4 15.Rxa8 Rxa8 16.Bxf6 gxf6 {The opening phase is over, and the conclusion is clear: a sad outcome for Carlsen, who now must fight for a draw, after no more than 16 moves, without any winning chances whatsoever. This must have depressed him, as his play in this endgame is not up to his very high standards.} 17.Kf1 {A solid move. White can also sacrifice the e2-pawn in different ways with good drawing chances in all cases.} ( 17.Rd1 $5 Bxe2 18.Rd7 ) ( 17.Nd2 Bxe2 18.Ne4 ) ( 17.Nh4 Bxe2 18.Nf5 ) 17...Rd8 18.Ke1 Na5 19.Rd1 Rc8 $1 {It's necessary to keep the rooks in order to play for a win; otherwise, it will be much easier for White to protect his queenside weaknesses.} 20.Nd2 Be6 21.c4 $5 ( 21.Ne4 f5 22.Nd6 Rxc3 {The computer indicates drawing chances here with precise play, but it looks very scary for human eyes as the compensation for the missing pawn is not clear.} ) ( 21.Rc1 {is too passive.} 21...f5 {followed by bringing the king to the center with a better pawn structure and more active pieces.} ) 21...Bxc4 ( 21...Kf8 {followed by Ke7 is also possible.} ) 22.Nxc4 ( 22.Ne4 {is the natural move and gives good drawing chances. Maybe Carlsen missed the correct reply after 22...Bb3.} 22...Bb3 23.Nd6 $1 {An important move.} ( 23.Nxf6+ {is dangerous, although it's still possible to defend after} 23...Kg7 24.Bh3 $1 ( 24.Nh5+ $2 Kg6 25.Rd6+ Be6 $1 {and Black wins.} ( 25...Kxh5 $4 {It's always possible to lose a winning game.} 26.Bf3+ Kg5 27.h4+ Kf5 28.e4# ) ) 24...Rc2 25.Rd6 {with drawing chances.} ) ) 22...Rxc4 23.Rd8+ Kg7 24.Bd5 {Otherwise, Black closes off the bishop with e5-e4.} 24...Rc7 {Black is a pawn up, but with an active rook and bishop against knight, it should be possible for White to secure a draw.} 25.Ra8 ( 25.f3 {This seems good technique, preparing Kf2 and hindering the advance of Black's central pawns.} ) 25...a6 26.Rb8 f5 27.Re8 {Carlsen provokes the advance in order to break Black's pawn structure, but this is not a good strategy.} ( 27.f3 {This move, avoiding e5-e4, is useful again.} ) 27...e4 28.g4 $2 {It's better to break the structure with 28.f3 or wait with 28.Rd8.} ( 28.f3 ) ( 28.Rd8 ) 28...Rc5 $1 29.Ba2 Nc4 $6 ( 29...fxg4 $1 {is the best. After} 30.Rxe4 f5 {Black should win with an extra pawn.} ) 30.a4 $2 ( 30.Bxc4 $1 {\"All rook endgames are drawn.\" This quote is attributed to Siegbert Tarrasch, and even if it's not entirely true, it gives us some guidance to search for salvation in rook endgames.} 30...Rxc4 31.gxf5 {And it's probably possible to escape, for instance:} 31...b5 32.Rb8 $1 Ra4 33.Rb6 Rxa3 34.Kd2 ) 30...Nd6 $1 {Niemann now uses a nice tactical idea to achieve a winning position.} 31.Re7 ( 31.Rd8 e3 $1 {This is the point.} 32.fxe3 Ne4 33.Kf1 Rc1+ 34.Kg2 Rc2 {and the e2-pawn falls.} ) 31...fxg4 {This doesn't spoil anything, but 31...Rc2 wins immediately.} ( 31...Rc2 $1 32.Bb3 ( 32.Bd5 Rc1+ 33.Kd2 Rc5 34.Bb3 fxg4 {and Black is simply two pawns up.} ) 32...Rc3 33.Ba2 fxg4 34.Rd7 Nc4 $1 {and the b7-pawn cannot be captured because of mate.} ) 32.Rd7 e3 $1 33.fxe3 ( 33.Rxd6 Rc1+ 34.Rd1 exf2+ $19 ) 33...Ne4 34.Kf1 Rc1+ $6 ( 34...Rf5+ $1 {is better.} 35.Kg1 b5 36.axb5 axb5 37.Bb1 Re5 {with a winning position.} ) 35.Kg2 Rc2 36.Bxf7 Rxe2+ 37.Kg1 Re1+ 38.Kg2 Re2+ 39.Kg1 Kf6 {White still has drawing chances here, but it's nearly impossible to find it.} 40.Bd5 $2 ( 40.Rxb7 {is the best move. But after} 40...Ng5 {It looks like the game is over, since the knight is too dangerous. But the machine indicates} 41.Bh5 $1 Nf3+ 42.Kf1 Ra2 {And now the fantastic (and forced)} 43.h4 $3 {is close to a draw, according to my PC. No human can play like this yet.} ) 40...Rd2 $1 41.Rf7+ Kg6 42.Rd7 $6 ( 42.Rf4 {Going for a rook endgame is the best chance.} 42...Rxd5 43.Rxe4 ) 42...Ng5 $1 {Now it's over.} 43.Bf7+ Kf5 44.Rxd2 Nf3+ 45.Kg2 Nxd2 46.a5 Ke5 $1 {A fine move, as the king must control the bishop's active attempts connected with Be6-c8.} 47.Kg3 Nf1+ 48.Kf2 ( 48.Kxg4 Nxh2+ 49.Kh5 Nf1 50.Kxh6 Nxe3 {followed by Kd4 and Nc4.} ) 48...Nxh2 49.e4 Kxe4 50.Be6 Kf4 51.Bc8 Nf3 52.Bxb7 Ne5 53.Bxa6 Nc6 54.Bb7 Nxa5 55.Bd5 h5 56.Bf7 h4 57.Bd5 Ke5 {A convincing win. GM Niemann must be very proud of his efforts in this game.} 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "183"]
[Beauty "4810896065556"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{Round four was a strange day for the chess world. Magnus Carlsen made the surprising decision to withdraw from the tournament, leaving everyone dumbfounded. Fortunately, the day was not only made up of controversies; we also had great chess. This game is very interesting in all its phases and also had its share of drama.} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f3 {Vachier-Lagrave is faithful to his Najdorf Defense and Caruana to his English Attack. A theoretical battle appears on the board.} 6...e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3 Be7 9.Qd2 O-O 10.O-O-O Nbd7 11.g4 b5 12.g5 Nh5 ( 12...b4 13.gxf6 bxc3 14.Qxc3 Nxf6 15.Na5 {and Caruana achieved an important win in the Olympiad. Caruana-Maghsoodloo, Chennai 2022.} ) 13.Kb1 Nb6 14.Na5 Rc8 15.Nd5 ( 15.a3 {was played by Caruana against the same opponent last year.} ) 15...Nxd5 16.exd5 Bxd5 17.Qxd5 Qxa5 18.c4 Nf4 19.Bxf4 exf4 {All this is still well-known theory.} 20.h4 Qa4 21.Rc1 ( 21.Bd3 {gave Dominguez a win against Vachier-Lagrave last year. The Frenchman certainly has some improvement up his sleeve.} ) 21...Rc5 {A novelty in my human database, but there are still computer games with this move. The Najdorf theory can go very far.} ( 21...Rfe8 {seems more reliable.} ) 22.Qe4 {From now on, I suspect Vachier-Lagrave's preparation ended, or maybe he forgot his analysis.} 22...Re5 $6 ( 22...Re8 $1 {is better. The idea is to sacrifice a pawn and achieve good compensation after} 23.Bd3 g6 24.Qxf4 Bf8 ) 23.Qxf4 f6 $2 {Black wants to activate his bishop, but this move creates weaknesses around the king and loses. 23...Rb8 or 23... Qb4 are better alternatives, although Black's position is already difficult.} ( 23...Rb8 ) ( 23...Qb4 ) 24.Qh2 {Caruana thought for a long time to play this move. It still gives White a big advantage, but 24.Qd2 is even better.} ( 24.gxf6 $2 Bxf6 {is what Black wants.} ) ( 24.g6 {is tempting, but not clear after} 24...d5 $1 ( 24...hxg6 $2 25.Qg3 {with a strong attack.} ) ) ( 24.Qd2 $1 {This is a very strong move and will be played later in the game with the difference that the rook is on e5 here and on c5 in the game. White simply prepares f3-f4.} 24...fxg5 ( 24...bxc4 {is better but has an overwhelming advantage after} 25.Bxc4+ Kh8 26.f4 ) 25.hxg5 {Now White is winning in all variations.} 25...Bxg5 ( 25...Rxg5 26.Bd3 h6 27.Bc2 $1 {and the queen has no squares.} ) 26.Qxd6 Bxc1 ( 26...Rfe8 27.Bd3 h6 28.Bc2 $1 Qa5 29.f4 $3 {This strong move is given by my computer.} 29...Bxf4 ( 29...R5e6 30.Qd5 $18 ) 30.Rcd1 bxc4 31.Rhf1 Rf8 32.Qg6 {with a deadly attack.} ) 27.Bd3 $1 Bh6 28.Qxe5 bxc4 29.Qe6+ Kh8 30.Qe4 g6 31.Qh4 $1 {and White wins.} ) 24...Rc5 ( 24...bxc4 {is a better try, although White is much better after} 25.Bxc4+ Kh8 ) 25.Qe2 Re5 26.Qh2 ( 26.Qd2 {transposes to the lines we checked before.} ) 26...Rc5 27.Qd2 $5 {This is also very effective with the rook on c5.} 27...bxc4 ( 27...fxg5 $2 {Loses in a similar way to the variations previously analyzed.} 28.hxg5 Bxg5 ( 28...Rxg5 29.Bd3 ) 29.Qxd6 Bxc1 30.Bd3 $1 ) 28.Bxc4+ Kh8 29.Qe2 Re5 30.Qd3 d5 31.f4 {A human move, but not the most accurate, according to the machine.} ( 31.Bb3 $6 Qb5 ) ( 31.Bxd5 {is possible, with a better endgame after} 31...Rd8 32.Bb3 ) ( 31.Bxa6 {is the computer's favorite.} ) 31...dxc4 32.Rxc4 Re3 $1 33.Qxe3 Qxc4 34.Qxe7 Kg8 35.Qe3 fxg5 36.fxg5 Rf1+ 37.Rxf1 Qxf1+ 38.Kc2 {After all this logical play, the game arrives at a queen endgame with good winning chances for White. I firmly believe queen endgames are the most difficult in chess, even more than rook endgames. Even the very best can make mistakes, as we will soon see.} 38...Qc4+ 39.Kd2 {The nuances in queen endgames are very hard to understand and even more to explain. Play is very concrete, and sometimes you must check on some exact squares that only a computer can find. For this reason, I will indicate sometimes what the machine think is best, but the reader should not believe that I know why.} 39...Qb4+ ( 39...Qd5+ {is better.} ) 40.Kd3 ( 40.Kd1 $1 {is better. Chess is difficult.} ) 40...Qb5+ 41.Kc3 Qc6+ 42.Kd2 h6 ( 42...Qd5+ {is better.} ) 43.gxh6 Qd5+ 44.Kc2 Qg2+ $6 ( 44...Qc6+ {is more accurate.} ) 45.Qd2 Qc6+ 46.Qc3 ( 46.Kb3 {is more precise.} 46...gxh6 47.Qd3 ) 46...Qxh6 ( 46...Qg6+ {For some mysterious reason, it's better to give this check before capturing the pawn.} 47.Kb3 Qxh6 {Maybe it's because now White can't play b4 like in the game $2} ) 47.Qc4+ Kf8 48.b4 $1 {Now the king hides behind the pawn.} 48...Ke7 49.Kb3 Kd7 50.Ka4 {It's finally clear that White is winning. But the adventures are not over.} 50...Qh5 51.a3 g6 52.Qxa6 Qxh4 53.Qxg6 {The position is easily winning with tablebases on, but not so much when actually playing the game.} 53...Kc7 54.Kb5 Kb7 55.a4 Qe7 56.Qc6+ Kb8 57.Qd5 Qe8+ 58.Kb6 Qe3+ 59.Ka6 Qa7+ 60.Kb5 Qe7 61.Qc6 Qe2+ 62.Ka5 Qe7 63.Qc5 Qf7 64.Qc6 ( 64.b5 {wins easily. It's finally time to push the pawn.} ) 64...Qa7+ 65.Kb5 Qe7 66.Qb6+ Ka8 67.Qc5 $2 {This move throws away the win.} ( 67.Qa6+ Kb8 68.Qc6 {With this triangulation, White forces the black queen to move to a worse square, since she is ideally placed on e7. Chess is easy to explain when you have tablebases at your side.} ) 67...Qb7+ 68.Ka5 Qc7+ $1 {This is the trick.} 69.Kb5 Qb7+ 70.Kc4 Qe4+ 71.Kc3 Qe1+ 72.Kb2 Qd2+ 73.Kb3 Qd1+ 74.Qc2 Qd5+ 75.Kb2 Qd4+ 76.Qc3 Qf2+ 77.Ka3 Qf7 78.Qd3 Qf6 79.a5 Qa1+ $2 ( 79...Qe6 $1 {and tablebases indicate a draw.} ) 80.Kb3 Qe1 81.Kc4 Kb8 82.Qd6+ Ka7 83.Qd4+ Kb7 84.Qd7+ Kb8 85.Qd4 Kb7 86.Qd7+ Kb8 87.a6 $2 {Now it's a draw again.} ( 87.Qd6+ {is one of the winning moves.} ) 87...Qe2+ 88.Qd3 Qe6+ ( 88...Qe7 $1 {is the only move to make a draw. As I wrote earlier, these endgames are impossible for a human to play precisely.} ) 89.Kc5 Qe5+ 90.Qd5 {Now it's over.} 90...Qe3+ 91.Kb5 Qe7 92.a7+ $1 {Caruana forces the exchange of queens.} 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2688"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "5705461404680"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{It must be difficult for the participants to just focus on playing the games right now. It's no wonder that the level of play and combativeness of the tournament has dropped in the last two rounds. Fortunately, tomorrow is a free day and I hope everyone's energies are renewed and tempers calmed so that the tournament continues with great games in its final phase.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6 7.a4 Ba7 8.Nbd2 O-O 9.h3 h6 10.Re1 Ne7 {An interesting attempt in this heavily theoretical position. 10...Re8 and 10...Be6 are more common.} ( 10...Re8 ) ( 10...Be6 ) 11.Bb3 ( 11.Nf1 {is the main move.} ) ( 11.d4 {is not so good here because of the wise} 11...Nc6 $1 {and White's center is under attack.} ) 11...c5 {This move is ugly because it closes the a7-bishop, but it's point is to make the d4-advance harder for White.} ( 11...Ng6 {is the natural move.} ) 12.Nf1 ( 12.a5 Nc6 13.Nc4 Be6 {and White will have to sacrifice the a5-pawn.} ) ( 12.Nc4 Be6 13.Ne3 {transposes to the game.} ) 12...Be6 13.Ne3 Qd7 14.Bd2 Rad8 $6 {I don't see how this move is useful for Black.} ( 14...b5 $6 {is also not very good after} 15.axb5 axb5 16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.Ng4 $1 Nxg4 18.hxg4 {and this position is me more unpleasant for Black than it seems at first sight. White will push g4-g5 and start some pressure on the kingside.} ) ( 14...Bb6 $5 {Trying to improve the bishop's position is the computer suggestion, although I prefer White.} 15.a5 Bc7 ) 15.a5 $1 {Gaining space on the queenside.} 15...Bb8 ( 15...Ng6 16.c4 {followed by Nd5 with a similar position to what happens in the game.} ) 16.Ba4 Qc8 17.c4 {With natural moves, Dominguez achieves a big positional advantage. White is ready to place a knight on d5 and b2-b4 will open the queenside.} 17...Ng6 18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.cxd5 Bd7 20.b4 cxb4 $6 ( 20...Ba7 {is more stubborn.} ) 21.Rc1 Bxa4 22.Qxa4 Qd7 23.Qxd7 Rxd7 24.Rc4 {A nice touch, although the simple 24.Bxb4 is simple and good.} 24...Ba7 25.Be3 $1 Bxe3 26.fxe3 {This position is objectively lost for Black because of the weaknesses on b7/d6 and the lack of space and counterplay.} 26...f5 {A desperate attempt.} ( 26...Ne7 27.Rxb4 Rc8 28.Reb1 Rcc7 29.g4 {and White is winning in the long run as he can slowly improve the position.} ) 27.exf5 Rxf5 28.Rb1 Rff7 29.Nd2 $1 Ne7 30.e4 Kf8 31.Rcxb4 ( 31.Rbxb4 {is also good.} ) 31...Nc8 32.Nf3 Na7 33.d4 $1 exd4 34.Nxd4 g6 35.R1b3 Kg7 36.h4 {An interesting move, improving the pawn structure., although it's not really necessary.} ( 36.Ne6+ Kf6 37.Rf3+ Ke7 ( 37...Ke5 38.Nf8 $18 ) 38.Rg3 g5 39.h4 $1 gxh4 40.Rg6 {is winning.} ) 36...Nb5 37.Nxb5 $2 {A horrible mistake.The knight belongs to the e6-square.} ( 37.Ne6+ Kf6 38.Rf3+ Ke7 ( 38...Ke5 39.Nf8 $18 ) 39.Rg3 {is easily winning since Black is paralyzed.} 39...Rf6 ( 39...Kf6 40.Rc4 $18 ) 40.Rc4 Na7 {To avoid Rc8.} 41.h5 $1 gxh5 ( 41...g5 {weakens the f5-square and White can win in many ways.} ) 42.Rg7+ Rf7 43.Rg8 {with complete domination.} ) 37...axb5 38.Rf3 $6 {Another bad move. Dominguez loses control of the game.} ( 38.Rxb5 Kf6 39.Rg3 {Still give some winning chances, although Black should make a draw after} ( 39.Kf2 $6 Ke5+ 40.Ke3 Rf4 $1 {with counterplay.} ) 39...g5 40.hxg5+ hxg5 {As his king and rooks can become active in the next moves.} ) 38...Rfe7 39.Kf2 Rc7 40.Ke3 Rc2 {Now Black has enough counterplay for a draw.} 41.Rf2 Rc1 42.Kd3 Rd1+ 43.Rd2 Re1 44.Re2 Rd1+ 45.Rd2 Re1 46.Rf2 Rd1+ 47.Rd2 Re1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.09.11"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2688"]
[ECO "A21"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitão"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[Beauty "5361058714118"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.c4 {The English Opening is very popular right now at top level.} 1...e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 {Hans played this same position yesterday, with the white pieces, against Caruana.} 3.Nd5 Be7 {Caruana played the slightly less popular 3...a5.} 4.d4 exd4 ( 4...d6 {is considered the main move, but probably without good reason.} 5.e4 Nf6 6.Nxe7 Qxe7 7.f3 {and White has chances to achieve a better position due to the bishop pair.} ) 5.Qxd4 Nf6 6.Nxe7 Qxe7 7.Bg5 Nc6 8.Qc3 d6 9.Nf3 Be6 {All this is still theory.} 10.g3 {A new move. White played 10. e3 in a high profile recent game.} ( 10.e3 Rg8 $5 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Qxf6 gxf6 13.g3 {and White won this endgame in Donchenko - Ter Sahakyan, Jermuk 2022.} ) 10...h6 {A logical move, forcing White to take on f6 and simplifying the position.} 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Qxf6 gxf6 13.Nd2 $6 {This move is wrong. Maybe Nepomniachtchi confused his opening prepartion, since Black can achieve comfortable equality now.} ( 13.b3 {is the best move. After} 13...d5 14.cxd5 Bxd5 15.Bg2 O-O-O 16.O-O-O {it remains to be seen whether white's better pawn structure is enough for any serious winning attempt, but he certainly can try.} ) 13...d5 $6 ( 13...Nb4 $1 {forces White to move the king and this gives Black a good game after} 14.Kd1 d5 $1 15.a3 Nc6 16.cxd5 Bxd5 17.e4 Be6 18.Bb5 Bd7 ) 14.Bg2 ( 14.cxd5 {is a good option and was suggested by Firouzja in the interview after his game.} 14...Bxd5 15.e4 Be6 16.Bb5 O-O-O ( 16...Bd7 {is also playable.} ) 17.Bxc6 bxc6 18.Ke2 {with an unbalanced endgame where Black's activity should be enough to compensate the damaged pawn structure.} ) 14...dxc4 ( 14...O-O-O {This move seems more logical, since Black is not really afraid of a capture on d5 and he can decide later whether to take on c4 or not.} 15.O-O-O {Now Black can decide if he captures on c4 or if he plays a move 15...Rhe8 or 15...f5. The position remains equal.} ( 15.cxd5 Bxd5 16.Bxd5 Rxd5 {This is an easy equality because black's pieces are very active.} ) ) 15.Bxc6+ bxc6 16.O-O-O ( 16.Rc1 {leads to simplification and a possible draw after} 16...Rb8 17.Nxc4 Bxc4 18.Rxc4 Rxb2 19.O-O Rxa2 20.Rxc6 Rxe2 ) 16...c3 {This is not necessary, but it it's not easy to evaluate that Black is ok with such a bad structure. It was crucial to see that White cannot force the exchange of all the rooks on the d-file.} ( 16...O-O-O 17.Nb1 ( 17.Ne4 {The computer suggest this, but I think no human player would ever allow 17... Bd5.} 17...Bd5 18.f3 Bxe4 19.fxe4 ) 17...Rd6 $1 {This is a very important move. If White exchanges rooks, than the position can become very unpleasant for Black because it will be difficult to defend the weaknesses.} 18.Nc3 f5 {and it seems that White can't make progress here - at least that's what my computer thinks.} ) 17.bxc3 Ke7 ( 17...Bxa2 $2 {Of course this is not possible since the bishop is trapped after} 18.c4 ) 18.Kc2 Rhb8 19.Rb1 Rb6 $1 {This is the point of the move 16...c3. Since White can't exchange rooks, Black is able to activate the rook and attack the a-pawn. This is enough for equal chances.} 20.c4 Ra6 ( 20...Bf5+ 21.e4 Be6 {This bishop dance is interesting, because White doesn't really want to place the pawn on e4. Now it's possible to play f6-f5 at some point, activating the bishop and improving the pawn structure.} ) 21.Rb2 Rg8 $5 {Attempting an interesting rook maneuver that is similar to the one employed in the famous rook ending of the game Capablanca x Alekhine, New York 1924 (in that game the maneuver was Rh8-h5). By the way, I have a short story to tell about this reference game. The endgame played by those giants of chess history is so complex, that once the famous coach Mark Dvoretsky gave it as an analytical task to a young Garry Kasparov, during one of the camps of the Botvinnik School. Dvoretsky told me that, upon studying the analysis written in the young player's notebook, he was sure that Kasparov would be World Champion one day.} ( 21...Ra4 22.Kc3 c5 {and Black is ok. It's not easy for White to improve the knight's position.} ) 22.h4 $5 {White avoids the Rg5-a5 maneuver. Incidentally, a similar approach should have been taken by Capablanca in the aforementioned game. I'm sure Nepomniachtchi knows everything about it.} ( 22.Ra1 Rg5 $1 {leads to a draw after} 23.a4 Rga5 24.Rba2 c5 $1 25.Kc3 ( 25.Nb3 Bxc4 ) 25...Bd7 26.Nb3 Rxa4 27.Rxa4 Rxa4 28.Rxa4 Bxa4 29.Nxc5 Bc6 ) 22...Ra4 23.Kc3 Rg4 $5 {Niemann's rook is persistent $1} ( 23...c5 ) 24.Kb3 Ra5 $6 {After this move White gets a large advantage.} ( 24...Ra6 $1 {is necessary. If White now conitnues} 25.a4 {then} 25...c5 $1 {and White is not in time to stabilize the position, since after} 26.Ra1 Rb6+ 27.Kc3 Rxb2 28.Kxb2 Bxc4 29.f3 Rd4 {the d4-rook is protected and 30.Kc3 is not a double attack.} ) 25.Rc2 $6 ( 25.a4 $1 {This is very strong. The a4 idea will be a common recurrence in this endgame. If now} 25...Ra6 26.Ra1 Rb6+ 27.Kc3 Rxb2 28.Kxb2 Bxc4 $2 29.f3 Rd4 30.Kc3 {and White wins a piece.} ) 25...Rb5+ 26.Kc3 Rc5 $6 {The rook is not well placed here.} ( 26...Ra5 {is necessary.} ) 27.Kb2 $6 ( 27.a4 $1 {Once again this move $1 White wants to improve the position with Ra1 and to limit black's rook activity. If he manages that, the better pawn strucutre is going to te felt and Black will have a hard time defending the endgame.} 27...Bxc4 28.Kb2 $1 {This is the tactical justification.} 28...Bd5 29.Rxc5 Bxh1 30.Ra5 {and Black has a painful defence ahead.} ) 27...Re5 ( 27...Ra5 $1 28.Ra1 Rf5 29.Rf1 Ra5 {And Black holds.} ) 28.e3 Rf5 29.Rf1 Rg8 $6 ( 29...Ra5 $1 {The common pattern is that Black should leave the rook on the a-file before White can shut it down with a4 and Ra1. An interesting variation is} 30.Ra1 Ra4 31.Kb3 Ra6 32.a4 c5 33.Kc3 Bf5 $1 34.Rb2 Rd6 $1 {and Black saves the game.} ) 30.Kc3 {Both 30.a4 and 30.Nb3 are also very good.} ( 30.a4 ) ( 30.Nb3 ) 30...Ra5 31.Rb1 $1 {Now White can play 32.Rb3 in case Black checks on a3.} 31...Rg4 $6 {This makes things worse because white's rook can attack from the rear with a possible Rb8.} ( 31...c5 ) 32.Rb4 c5 33.Rb7 Kd7 34.Rb8 $1 Ra3+ $6 35.Kb2 Ra6 36.Rh8 {Now the h6-pawn falls and White is winning.} 36...Ra4 37.a3 {A refined move, but the pawn could be taken immediately.} ( 37.Rxh6 {Black cannot take on c4 and the check on b4 is not dangerous.} 37...Rb4+ ( 37...f5 38.Rh8 Bxc4 ( 38...Rb4+ 39.Kc3 $18 ) 39.f3 $1 Rxa2+ 40.Kb1 Rxc2 41.Kxc2 {and White wins material.} ) 38.Kc3 {The c4-pawn is taboo because the bishop is lost after} 38...Bxc4 39.f3 ) 37...f5 38.Rc3 {White misses another chance of taking the pawn.} ( 38.Rxh6 Rg8 39.Rc3 {with a winning position.} ) 38...Ke7 39.Rb8 $2 {This gives up the idea of taking on h6 altogether and this deserves a question mark. I suspect Nepomniachtchi was uncomfortable leaving the rook on h6 more or less trapped after} ( 39.Rxh6 Rg8 {but the rook will soon start to play again after} 40.e4 {White is winning easily (for Nepomniachtchi standards, at least).} ) 39...Ra6 40.Kc2 Rb6 {Now things are not clear anymore.} 41.Ra8 Ra6 42.Kb2 Rb6+ 43.Kc1 ( 43.Rb3 {leads to a rook endgame that is probably not enough for a White win after} 43...Bxc4 44.Nxc4 Rxc4 45.Rxa7 Rc6 ) 43...Ra6 44.Kc2 Bd7 $1 {An excellent move, activating the bishop now that 46.Nb3 is not so dangerous.} 45.Kb2 ( 45.Nb3 {After this move Black can choose between taking the a3-pawn or playing 45...Ba4.} 45...Ba4 ( 45...Rxa3 ) ) 45...Be6 $6 ( 45...Rgg6 $1 {It's more accurate to activate the rook now. As my former coach liked to say, the rooks should always be enamored.} ) 46.Rh8 Rd6 ( 46...Bd7 $1 ) 47.Kc1 Bd7 48.Nb3 $2 {This leads to a forced draw. White still has the advantage here.} ( 48.a4 $5 {Is one of the computer's suggestions, but if Nepomniachtchi didn't play it before, I guess it's too late to play it now.} ) ( 48.Ra8 Ra6 49.Rb3 $1 {And White is still pressing.} ) 48...Ba4 $1 49.Nxc5 Rd1+ {White can't escape perpetual check now.} 50.Kb2 Rd2+ 51.Kb1 Rd1+ 52.Kb2 Rd2+ 53.Kb1 Rd1+ 54.Kb2 Rd2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2022.09.08"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2688"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[Beauty "6461912516139"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {So noticed that his opponent has thousands of games against 2...Nc6 in the database, but very few with 2...Nf6. \"We had a rest day yesterday and Hans prepares extremely well the openings, so why not the Petroff $6\"} ( {Despite the fact that So rarely plays the Petroff he should have felt pretty confident, as the arising pawn structures were familiar to him thanks to his Berlin experience. One example:} 2...Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 Nf5 8.Nf3 d5 9.d4 O-O 10.c3 Bd6 11.Bd3 Re8 12.g3 Rxe1+ 13.Qxe1 Nfe7 14.Nbd2 Bf5 15.Qe2 Qd7 16.Nf1 Re8 17.Ne3 Bxd3 18.Qxd3 Nd8 19.Bd2 c6 20.Re1 f6 21.Nf5 Nxf5 22.Rxe8+ Qxe8 {and a draw later in Tari,A (2639)-So,W (2772) chess24.com 2021} ) 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bf5 {Black solves the problem of his most problematic piece. A very good sign for the second player.} 7.O-O Be7 8.Re1 O-O 9.Nbd2 {Main theory so far as expected.} 9...Nd6 10.Nf1 c6 ( {Instead:} 10...Bg6 11.Bf4 Nd7 {has been tried in another top-GM game and after} 12.Ng3 Re8 13.c3 Nf8 14.Bxg6 hxg6 15.Qc2 Qc8 16.Qb3 Nc4 17.Nf1 Ne6 18.Bg3 c5 {it was dynamically balanced in Aronian,L (2775)-Xiong,J (2690) Saint Louis 2022} ) 11.Bf4 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 Na6 {Looks like the best path for the knight.} ( {A creative GM chose instead} 12...Nd7 13.Qb3 Nb6 14.a4 Nbc4 {and Black held this, although the knight's position seemed a tad artificial in Esipenko,A (2677)-Duda,J (2743) Wijk aan Zee 2021} ) 13.Ne3 Nc7 {[#]} 14.b3 $146 {This is a novelty, and a logical one. Niemann prepares the c2-c4 advance, the only realistic chance to put the opponent's center under pressure.} ( {Black felt confidently in the predecessor:} 14.Re2 Ne6 15.Bxd6 Bxd6 16.g3 Qd7 17.Rae1 Rae8 18.b3 Nc7 19.c4 Bb4 {Anand,V (2767)-Yu,Y (2738) Stavanger 2019} ) 14...Ne6 15.Be5 {So assumed that his opponent's opening preparation ended here.} 15...Ne4 $1 {A nice maneuver $1 \"Black's only problem is the d5 -pawn.\"} 16.c4 Nf6 {\"I thought this equalizes well.\" (So)} 17.Rad1 ( {Another idea was} 17.Qf5 g6 18.Qh3 {(So) in order to try and organize some play on the kingside, but Black should be very solid there as well.} ) ( 17.g3 $5 {at once also made sense.} ) 17...g6 18.g3 {Covers the f4 square in advance, and prepares the double trade on f6 and d5.} ( {Black carefully checked if he is not mated after} 18.Nf5 gxf5 19.Nh4 Ne4 20.Nxf5 {and came to the conclusion that the attack is insufficient after both} 20...Bf6 ( {Or} 20...f6 ) ) ( {And in case of} 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.cxd5 Nf4 20.Qe4 {\"completely equal.\" (So)} ) 18...a6 19.Re2 Re8 20.h4 {A very risky attempt to play for the win. \"I thought this move a blunder because after:\"} ( {If Niemann was content with the draw, he would have instead chosen} 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.cxd5 cxd5 22.Ng4 Bg7 {with approximate equality.} ) 20...Nh5 {\"his bishop is getting trapped.\" (So)} 21.cxd5 {Played after more than twenty-three minutes of thought. It was evident that Niemann had missed something.} ( {After} 21.Ng4 {Black planned} 21...f6 22.Rde1 Bf8 $1 {with an edge.} ( {But not the other move suggested by So} 22...Qd7 {due to} 23.c5 $1 {and the bishop is immune} 23...fxe5 $2 24.Nfxe5 Qc8 25.Nxg6 $1 {simply crushes Black.} ) ) 21...cxd5 22.Ng2 {The most natural reaction is not the best one.} ( {The fabulous defense} 22.b4 $3 {was suggested by the engine and the online commentators (Svidler, Seirawan, Ramirez), with the main points that after} 22...Qd7 ( 22...f6 23.Qb3 $1 fxe5 24.Nxd5 {is fact more than dangerous for Black.} ) 23.Qb3 Rad8 24.Rde1 f6 {The bishop suddenly goes numb} 25.Bb8 $3 {with equality, since none can do anything to it} 25...Rxb8 $2 26.Nxd5 $1 {and again White takes over.} ) 22...f6 23.Bb8 {Same trick here is simply ignored with} 23...Kf7 {And White has no other choice but to weaken his kingside with} 24.g4 Qxb8 25.gxh5 Nf4 26.Nxf4 ( {Once again So calculated everything neatly and was not afraid of the aggressive} 26.hxg6+ hxg6 27.Ne5+ fxe5 28.Nxf4 exf4 29.Rde1 {Due to the cool} ( 29.h5 Rg8 $1 ) 29...Qc8 $1 {\"probably the only move that wins.\" (So)} ( {Indeed} 29...Qd6 30.h5 $1 {is likely a draw according to the quick machine check.} ) ) 26...Qxf4 27.hxg6+ hxg6 28.Rde1 Bd6 {Now that Black relives the pressure along the d-file, he is clearly better in the endgame.} 29.Rxe8 Rxe8 30.Rxe8 Qg4+ 31.Kf1 Kxe8 32.a4 Kf7 {\"I thought the endgame was unpleasant (for White) but it was not clear if was gonna win.\" (So)} 33.Qe3 Bf4 {Missing his best plan, for which So regretted later.} ( {He realized later that the knight should have been controlled with} 33...Bb4 $1 {(intending Qg4-e4 and Kf7-e6-f5 $1), when a possible line like} 34.Ke2 Qe4 35.Qxe4 dxe4 36.Ng1 Ke6 37.Ke3 {would have led to an endgame, similar to the actual game.} ) 34.Qd3 Qh3+ 35.Ke2 Qe6+ 36.Kf1 Qe4 37.Qc3 $1 {That is the difference, if the black bishop stood on b4-square, this counterplay would not have been possible.} 37...Bd6 38.Kg2 ( 38.Ne1 $1 {might have been more precise as White needs not to worry} 38...Qxh4 39.Qc8 $1 ) 38...Qg4+ 39.Kf1 Ke7 40.Ng1 Qf5 41.Qe3+ Qe4 {And just when Niemann came that close to the draw...} 42.Ke2 {\"I thought this is a serious blunder.\" (So)} ( {White would have likely survived after} 42.Ne2 $1 Ke6 43.Qh3+ f5 44.h5 $1 ) 42...Bh2 $3 {So needs to trade the queens but he needs them out on his own terms. The move in the text looks very illogical as it chases the knight towards the center, but it is far more important that this same knight will block its own pawn.} ( {Apparently the younger player only concentrated on the line} 42...Bf4 43.Qxe4+ dxe4 44.f3 {with chances to hold.} ) 43.Nf3 ( 43.Nh3 Kd6 $1 44.Kf1 Qg4 {is equally hopeless for White as all his pieces are dominated.} ) 43...Bf4 $1 {Now this is good.} 44.Qxe4+ dxe4 45.Ne1 Ke6 46.Ng2 ( {In comparison to the line from above Black won a couple of valuable tempoes and} 46.f3 {is well met with} 46...Kd5 ) 46...Bb8 {A very concrete approach.} ( 46...Bh6 47.Ne3 f5 {should also do.} ) 47.Ne3 Ba7 {White cannot hold all his weaknesses.} 48.d5+ Kd6 49.Ng2 Ke5 50.d6 Kxd6 51.Nf4 g5 52.hxg5 fxg5 53.Nh3 g4 54.Ng5 Ke5 55.Nf7+ Kf4 56.Kf1 ( 56.Nd8 e3 $1 ) 56...Bb6 $1 57.Nd6 ( 57.Kg2 Bc7 $1 {traps the knight.} ) 57...Kf3 58.Nc4 Bxf2 {A nice finish $1} 59.Nd2+ Kf4 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2022.09.09"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[Beauty "5361771759164"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "France"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 Ng4 {This move remains one of the most reliable ways to fight the English attack.} 7.Bc1 Nf6 8.Be3 Ng4 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 g5 11.Bg3 Bg7 12.h3 Ne5 13.Nf5 Bxf5 14.exf5 Nbc6 {The arising positions can hardly be called Najdorf, but they are full of tactics and in-depth strategy due to the piece imbalances.} 15.Nd5 e6 16.fxe6 fxe6 17.Ne3 Qa5+ 18.c3 Nf3+ 19.gxf3 ( {In another game Vachier-Lagrave defended successfully after:} 19.Qxf3 Bxc3+ 20.Kd1 Qa4+ 21.Nc2 Bxb2 22.Qb3 Qxb3 23.axb3 Bxa1 24.Nxa1 Ne5 {and later the game ended a draw, Bologan,V (2690)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2721) Sibenik 2010} ) 19...Bxc3+ 20.bxc3 Qxc3+ 21.Qd2 Qxa1+ 22.Nd1 {It is not surprising that one of the key Najdorf specialists has played this position already twice. Vachier-Lagrave might have been quite curious following the neighboring board.} 22...Qd4 {The \"old\" main line.} ( {A couple of years back the French GM came with the novelty} 22...Qf6 $5 $146 {and after a fierce fight managed to take home the whole point after} 23.Bg2 ( {The machine prefers} 23.Be2 {when} 23...Nd4 ( {Also possible is the game move} 23...Rd8 {when White has a vast choice of reasonable continuations:} 24.f4 ( 24.Ne3 ) ( 24.O-O ) ) 24.O-O Rc8 ( {But not} 24...Nxf3+ $2 25.Bxf3 Qxf3 26.Qxd6 {with a crushing attack for White.} ) 25.Ne3 e5 26.Bd1 {This allows the bishop a chance to find a new working diagonal.} ) 23...Rd8 {An extremely complex position arose after the opening. White's king looks safer for the time being, whereas the black will be always exposed as he does not have a good hiding spot. On the other had Vachier-Lagrave has a lot of pawns and a possible endgame might be quite a success for him.} 24.f4 Nd4 25.Ne3 {So bravely enters complications.} ( {More to the point was} 25.fxg5 $1 {Then White does not need to worry about:} 25...Nf3+ ( 25...hxg5 26.Qd3 ) 26.Ke2 Nd4+ 27.Kf1 $1 ) 25...gxf4 26.Ng4 Qf5 27.Qxd4 Qb1+ 28.Ke2 Qxa2+ 29.Kf3 {Rejecting the possible perpetual check.} 29...Qb3+ 30.Ne3 ( {Courage should not be confused with reckless play:} 30.Ke4 $2 Rf8 31.Bxf4 d5+ 32.Ke5 Qc2 {would mate the white king.} ) 30...Rf8 {Vachier-Lagrave decided to keep the queens on the board in order to bother the white king. Black was successful later in So,W (2741)-Vachier-Lagrave,M (2860) Airthings Masters 2020. Curiously, none repeated this line ever after.} ) 23.Bd3 Ne5 ( {Vachier-Lagrave chose instead} 23...Rf8 24.O-O Rxf3 25.Ne3 Kd7 26.Rd1 {but lost later in Giri, A (2779) -Vachier Lagrave,M (2775) Paris 2019} ) 24.Bxe5 Qxe5+ 25.Kf1 O-O {Finally, the blitzing is over and Firouzja takes 15 minutes on the clock to prepare for the emerging fight.} 26.Be2 {Technically speaking, Black has more than enough material for the two pieces. It is the position of his king which demands care.} 26...Rac8 ( {Black has also tried the solid} 26...Rf4 {which stops White's next idea and then} 27.Ne3 Rc8 28.Kg2 Qd4 29.Bd3 h5 30.Rd1 Qc3 31.Qe2 Rcf8 32.Nf1 {is another attempt to reach the black king. This should be dynamically balanced after} 32...Qf6 33.Nh2 d5 34.Bb1 Rf7 35.Rc1 e5 36.Qd3 e4 37.Qxd5 Rxf3 38.Qxe4 Rxf2+ 39.Kg1 Qd8 40.Nf1 R2f6 41.Ne3 Qd7 42.Rc5 Re7 43.Qc4+ Qe6 {½-½ Wei,Y (2732)-Lu,S (2615) Xinghua 2020} ) 27.h4 $146 {The most direct approach to make it to the black king. Dominguez spent approximately 44 minutes on this move $1} ( {A balanced email game went} 27.Qd3 Rf7 ( 27...Rc7 $5 ) 28.Ne3 Kg7 29.Kg2 b5 30.a4 Rc3 31.Ng4 Qc5 32.Qe4 Qd5 33.Qxd5 exd5 34.axb5 axb5 35.Bxb5 d4 {Boehme,S (2323)-Schmidt,J (2236) FICGS email 2020} ) 27...Rf4 $1 {Firouzja understands well what might happen once his king is exposed.} ( {White's attack is not easy to repel after} 27...gxh4 $2 28.Rxh4 Rf6 29.f4 ) 28.Qd3 {Sneaking towards the king.} ( {After} 28.hxg5 hxg5 29.Ne3 {Black can defend with} 29...Qd4 $1 ) 28...Rxh4 $1 {The rook swap eliminates the immediate kingside danger.} 29.Qg6+ Kf8 30.Rxh4 gxh4 31.Qxh6+ Ke7 32.Qxh4+ Kd7 {At the price of a pawn, Black managed to escape to the safer flank.} ( {Similar would have been} 32...Qf6 33.Qh7+ Qf7 34.Qb1 ) 33.Qh7+ Kc6 34.Qc2+ Kd7 35.Qh7+ Kc6 36.Qc2+ Qc5 {And Firouzja rejects the repetition of moves.} 37.Qb2 {So does Dominguez.} ( {If he wanted a draw, he would have opted for} 37.Qg6 Qe5 ) 37...Kc7 38.Bd3 d5 {The pawns are moving but cannot realistically worry the white king.} 39.Ke2 Qd6 40.Ne3 {The lack of material points towards equality.} 40...e5 ( 40...Rf8 $5 ) ( 40...Qf4 $5 ) 41.Qb3 ( {Once again White can more or less force repetition with} 41.Nf5 Qf6 42.Ne3 Qd6 ) ( {Or put pressure against the center with} 41.Bf5 Rf8 42.Qc2+ Kb8 43.Qb3 Rd8 ) 41...Rd8 42.Bc2 Qc5 ( {One thing that Black needs to be careful about is the opening of solid outposts for the enemy light pieces. A move like} 42...d4 $2 {would allow White a chance to occupy such outposts forever, with devastating effect after} 43.Be4 b5 44.Nd5+ Kd7 45.Nb4 $1 ) 43.Qd3 Kb8 44.Bb3 d4 45.Ng4 Ka7 46.Qc4 d3+ {The last try to gain more than half-a-point from the position.} ( {Firouzja too, could have stayed put with something like} 46...Qa5 47.Qd3 Rc8 48.Qd2 Qc5 49.Qd3 ) 47.Kd2 Qe7 48.Ne3 {The most solid reaction.} ( {Dominguez did not want to risk with} 48.Qe4 Rd4 49.Qxe5 ( 49.Qe3 $5 ) 49...Qb4+ 50.Kd1 d2 51.Ne3 Qc3 {Although this line, too should end with some form of a peace after} 52.f4 Qa1+ 53.Ke2 Qe1+ 54.Kf3 Qh1+ 55.Kg4 Rd7 56.Qc5+ Kb8 57.f5 {and now a perpetual with} 57...Qg1+ ) 48...Rd4 49.Qc3 Kb8 50.Qa5 Qf6 51.Nd5 Qd6 ( {Perpetual check would have been the other form of a draw after} 51...Qxf3 52.Qd8+ Ka7 53.Qb6+ ) 52.Ne3 Qf6 53.Nd5 Qd6 54.Ne3 Qf6 55.Nd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2022.09.10"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8248371445793"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[WhiteTeam "France"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {The Italian is the new Ruy Lopez in complexity and a chance to play for a win nowadays.} 3...Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.O-O d6 6.c3 O-O 7.h3 h6 8.Re1 a6 ( {So deviates from an earlier game of theirs that went} 8...a5 9.Bb3 Be6 10.Ba4 Bb6 11.d4 Bd7 12.Be3 exd4 13.cxd4 Re8 14.d5 Ne5 15.Nxe5 Bxa4 16.Qxa4 Bxe3 17.Rxe3 Rxe5 18.Nd2 Qd7 19.Qc2 Rae8 20.Rae1 R5e7 21.Qc3 Qa4 {and Black won later, Firouzja,A (2759) -So,W (2770) chess24.com 2021} ) 9.a4 {9.Nbd2 is the topical line these days.} ( {And has been tried by So, with reversed colors:} 9.Nbd2 Na5 10.b4 Nxc4 11.bxc5 Nxd2 12.Qxd2 Re8 13.cxd6 cxd6 14.a4 d5 15.exd5 Qxd5 16.c4 Qd6 17.Ba3 Qc7 18.Bb2 Nd7 19.Qc3 f6 20.d4 {and this was another success for the American GM, So,W (2773)-Sjugirov,S (2696) Chess.com 2022} ) 9...a5 {\"He surprised me [with this move], of course. I knew the move, but there are better tries for Black\" (Firouzja). So spent his rest day well and as we shall see got more than he could have dreamt for from the opening.} 10.Nbd2 Be6 11.b3 Re8 12.Bb2 $146 {A top novelty, but most likely we shall not see it too often... In hindsight, White regretted playing this, and felt that he should have played better.} ( {Giri did not get much after} 12.Qc2 Ba7 13.Nf1 Nh5 14.Ne3 Bxe3 15.Bxe3 Qf6 16.Qe2 Nf4 17.Bxf4 Qxf4 18.Nd2 Qf6 19.Qf3 Qxf3 20.Nxf3 Nb8 21.Nd2 Nd7 {Giri,A (2761) -Praggnanandhaa,R (2642) chess24.com 2022} ) ( {The main line is} 12.Bb5 ) 12...d5 $1 {Forcing an immediate resolution in the center. That is Black's key resource.} 13.Bb5 dxe4 14.dxe4 {Only this is the real mistake.} ( {Had Firouzja known how bad things might get, he would have still bailed out with} 14.Nxe4 $1 Nxe4 15.Rxe4 {Then the forcing continuation} 15...Bd5 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Rxe5 Rxe5 18.Nxe5 Qg5 19.Nf3 Bxf3 20.Qxf3 Qd2 21.Rf1 Bd6 22.Qxc6 Rb8 {would soon lead to a mass annihilation of the queenside pawns and a draw. One funny line to prove this runs} 23.Bc1 Qxd3 24.b4 axb4 25.cxb4 Rxb4 26.Qe8+ Kh7 27.Qxf7 Rb1 28.g4 Qxh3 29.Qf5+ Kg8 30.Qe6+ ) 14...Nh5 $3 {\"I completely underestimated this move. I felt kind of stupid, as it is an only move. If he backs up, he is worse. Then I felt I should hold here, but with very precise play.\" (Firouzja)} ( {Indeed, White would have been happy after} 14...Nd7 15.Qe2 ( {Or} 15.Nc4 ) ) 15.Nc4 {Played after a bit more than five minutes on the clock. It seems as Firouzja did not yet feel how bad the situation is.} ( {Otherwise he would have tried to defend with} 15.Ba3 Bxa3 16.Rxa3 {Although Black is doing more than fine after} 16...Qf6 ( {Or} 16...Nf4 ) ) ( {Or even} 15.b4 $5 axb4 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.cxb4 {and the complications after} 17...Bxb4 18.Bxe5 Bxh3 {clearly favor Black, but at least it is still playable.} ) 15...Qf6 $1 {So does not back up and launches a decisive attack.} 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Ncxe5 Bxh3 {Not bad at all, but that was the first moment when the inclusion of the reserves could have settled the game at once.} ( {The move} 17...Rad8 $1 {could have led Black to the win as} 18.Nd3 {is spectacularly refuted with} 18...Bxb3 $3 ( {Firouzja mainly expected} 18...Nf4 19.Nd4 {and then} 19...Bxb3 $1 {but here White manages to consolidate with} 20.Qf3 Nxd3 21.Qxd3 ) 19.Qxb3 Rxd3 20.Qc4 {This is how far Firouzja saw, but it seems as they both missed} 20...Rxf3 21.Qxc5 Nf4 $3 {with unstoppable attack.} ) 18.Nd3 $1 {The knight are covering a lot of squares, but will this be enough $2} 18...Qg6 {The second most obvious move throws away the largest chunk of the attack.} ( {So could have still won spectacularly with} 18...Rad8 $3 {first and only after} 19.Nd4 Qg6 20.Qf3 Bg4 21.Qe3 Bb6 $3 {\"Because I don't have\"} ( {And even better might have been} 21...Ba7 $3 {with the idea to meet the defense} 22.Nf4 Nxf4 23.Qxf4 c5 24.Nb5 {with an amazing inclusion back in the game} 24...Bb8 $3 ) 22.c4 ( {It seems as they both missed the stunning} 22.Ba3 Rxd4 $3 23.cxd4 Bxd4 24.Qxd4 Bf3 $3 {and mate follows $1} ) ( {Therefore White needs to try} 22.Nf4 Nxf4 23.Qxf4 {which is clearly better for the second player, but not yet over.} ) 22...Bxd4 $1 ( {The already familiar resource} 22...Rxd4 23.Bxd4 Bxd4 24.Qxd4 Bf3 $3 {works again} 25.g3 Nxg3 ) 23.Bxd4 Qd6 {\"This is what I blundered.\" (Firouzja)} ) 19.Nh4 Qg5 20.Nxc5 Qxh4 {Missing his last chance for an advantage.} ( {This was the last moment for} 20...Rad8 $1 21.Qf3 Bg4 22.Qe3 Qxh4 23.Nd3 Rd5 $1 {and Black should be still better.} ) 21.gxh3 {A lot of pieces have been swapped and White does not risk to be mated anymore. On the other hand, the possibility of an ugly endgame (for Black) with a strong bishop versus a poor knight starts to frighten the second player.} 21...Qg5+ ( {Here a better try seemed} 21...Re5 $1 22.Bc1 {And here White expected} ( {More precise looks} 22.Qf3 $5 Rxc5 23.Bc1 ) 22...Rxc5 ( {But} 22...Qxh3 $1 {is better when after} 23.b4 ( 23.Be3 $2 Rxc5 $1 24.Bxc5 Nf4 ) 23...Rae8 {with serious attack for Black.} ) 23.Qg4 ( 23.Qd4 $5 ) 23...Qxg4+ 24.hxg4 Nf6 25.c4 ( 25.f3 ) 25...Nxg4 26.Bf4 {\"I am not better, but I am playing.\" (Firouzja)} ) 22.Qg4 ( {White can already feel safe, and has a good choice, for instance} 22.Kh1 Qxc5 23.Qf3 ) 22...Qxc5 23.c4 {\"Here I felt it is getting very tricky for him.\" (Firouzja)} 23...Rab8 {\"I thought this is correct, actually.\" (Firouzja)} ( {It was time to think about equality, but how exactly $2 A move like} 23...Re6 24.Qf5 Rg6+ 25.Kh2 Qxf5 26.exf5 Rg5 {Looks too risky for Black, as both his rook and knight might end up stranded on the kingside. Nevertheless, it seems as Black can fix a draw with some cunning knight hocus-pocus:} 27.Re5 f6 28.Rc5 Nf4 $1 29.Bd4 Nd3 30.Rxc6 Nb4 31.Rxc7 Nc2 {A relentless knight $1} 32.Rd1 Rd8 33.f4 Rxf5 34.Rg1 Nxd4 35.Rgxg7+ {and perpetual.} ) ( {Maybe the safest was} 23...Qg5 24.Bc1 Nf6 25.Qxg5 hxg5 26.e5 Nd7 27.Bxg5 Rxe5 28.Rxe5 Nxe5 {with a likely draw.} ) 24.e5 g6 {\"This is really bad. When he played it, I thought for about one minute and then I saw... \"} ( {Firouzja felt that his opponent should have gone for} 24...Rxb3 25.Bd4 Qxc4 26.Be3 Qxg4+ 27.hxg4 Rxe5 28.gxh5 Rxh5 {\"At first I thought I was winning with\"} 29.Rec1 {\"but then I saw\"} ( {Then White switched to} 29.Reb1 $1 Rd3 30.Rb7 {\"I thought, I am a little better, but I should be equal at the end.\" (Firouzja) But the machine claims a large advantage for White.} ) 29...Rb4 $1 {\"and if\"} 30.Rxc6 $4 Rg4+ 31.Kf1 Rh1+ {(Firouzja)} ) 25.Ba3 $3 {The black queen is removed from the kingside and this is suddenly deadly for the second player.} ( {From afar White was thinking of bailing out with} 25.e6 {when indeed White has nothing to worry about after} 25...Rxb3 ( {White is better in the line} 25...Qg5 26.exf7+ Kxf7 27.Rxe8 Rxe8 28.Bc3 ) 26.exf7+ Kxf7 27.Rxe8 Rg3+ 28.Qxg3 Nxg3 29.Rae1 Nh5 30.Rc8 Qg5+ 31.Kh1 Qf4 {with unclear play.} ) 25...Qb6 26.e6 $1 c5 {Trying to block the bishop, but in vain.} 27.exf7+ Kxf7 28.Qd7+ Kf8 29.Qd5 Kg7 30.Bxc5 {White wins a bunch of pawns and the game.} 30...Nf6 31.Bxb6 Nxd5 32.Rxe8 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.02"]
[Round "3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[ECO "B13"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8041789404168"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

{So and Xiong are two great chess players and the match between them was very close with two wins each during normal time. So's victory in the first game was his best in the match.} 
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 {When Bobby Fischer played this variation, no one paid much attention to it, but it looks like he was many years ahead of his time. Check the wonderful game Fischer vs. Petrosian, Belgrade 1970.} 3...cxd5 4.Bd3 Nf6 5.c3 Bg4 6.Qb3 Qc7 {A natural move, although the queen will have some problems on that square, as we will see later.} 7.h3 Bh5 {A pawn sacrifice.} ( 7...Bd7 {has been played by some very strong chess players.} ) 8.Ne2 {So decides to play solid.} ( 8.g4 {is a critical move. Computers like White's position, but Black's results in practice are excellent.} 8...Bg6 9.Bxg6 hxg6 10.g5 Nfd7 11.Qxd5 Nc6 12.Ne2 e5 13.Be3 {with a complicated game. Black has decent compensation for the pawn.} ) 8...Bxe2 {A natural move, after all the h5-bishop may have some problems with the g4-advance or an attack with the knight. White's surprising next move, however, guarantees an advantage. The alternatives 8...Nc6 and 8...e6 are better.} ( 8...Nc6 ) ( 8...e6 ) 9.Bf4 $1 {A new move. Is it possible that So had this move prepared $2 This is a nice intermediate move that develops the bishop exploiting a tactical idea.} ( 9.Bxe2 e6 {With a normal position.} ) 9...Qd7 ( 9...Qxf4 $2 10.Qxb7 Bxd3 $2 11.Qc8# ) 10.Bxe2 Nc6 11.Nd2 {The opening was a success for White. So has the bishop pair and better development. The knight now heads towards the e5-square, causing problems for the queen on d7.} 11...e6 12.Nf3 {The position is difficult and Xiong decides to sacrifice a pawn. Objectively, however, there is not enough compensation.} 12...Bd6 $2 ( 12...Be7 13.Ne5 {is unpleasant.} ) ( 12...a6 {This is a better move, minimizing the effects of Ne5, but White has an advantage after} 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Ne4 15.c4 $1 ) 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Qxb7 Rb8 15.Qa6 O-O ( 15...Rxb2 $2 {This move loses material due to} 16.Bb5 ) 16.Rb1 Ne4 17.O-O f5 18.Qa4 ( 18.Qd3 {It seems best to bring the queen closer to the king with this move.} ) 18...Ne7 ( 18...g5 $1 {is possible, trying a desperate attack.} ) 19.Ne5 $6 ( 19.c4 $1 {is correct, starting the advance of the pawns on the queenside.} 19...Ng6 20.c5 ) 19...Rb7 $6 ( 19...Nd2 $2 20.Nd7 ) ( 19...Ng6 $1 {is the best move.} 20.Nxg6 ( 20.Nd7 $2 Nf4 ) 20...hxg6 21.Qc2 Qf4 $1 22.Rbd1 g5 {followed by g4, with some compensation.} ) 20.Qc2 Ng6 21.Nxg6 hxg6 22.Bd3 $1 {Now White is ready to capture the knight that is so disturbing. The position is winning, since Black is a pawn down and has a damaged pawn structure.} 22...g5 23.Rbe1 Rfb8 24.b3 Rc7 25.Bxe4 dxe4 ( 25...fxe4 26.f3 {with a winning position.} ) 26.Qd2 Qf4 27.Re3 Rbc8 28.Rd1 Kh7 29.Qe1 g4 30.hxg4 Qxg4 31.Rh3+ Kg8 32.f3 $1 Qg6 33.fxe4 fxe4 34.c4 Qg4 35.Rh4 {The e4-pawn falls.} 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.03"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "D26"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7422777242632"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

{The Nakamura-Dominguez match promised high-level games. The first one was the best: an opening with new ideas and a very complex knights endgame.} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O Nc6 ( 6...a6 {is the old main move.} ) 7.Nc3 a6 8.d5 $1 {A critical move and only the sixth most played. The game now enters tactical territory that, judging by the quality and speed of play, was known to both parties.} 8...Nxd5 $1 {An accurate move.} ( 8...Na5 9.b3 b5 10.Bd3 {This position has been discussed in some recent games, and White has shown compensation for the pawn that will be sacrificed, for example:} 10...exd5 ( 10...Nxd5 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Bb2 {with the initiative, since it's hard for Black to complete their development. Bluebaum-Borisek, Chennai 2022.} ) ( 10...b4 11.Ne4 exd5 12.Nxf6+ Qxf6 13.Rb1 {followed by Bb2, with a complicated position. Esipenko-Van Foreest, Prague 2020.} ) 11.e4 d4 12.e5 $1 {gave White a strong initiative in Gelfand-Inarkiev, St Petersburg (blitz) 2018.} ) ( 8...exd5 9.Nxd5 Be7 10.e4 {is better for White. Bluebaum-Demchenko, Reykjavik 2021.} ) 9.Nxd5 b5 $1 {This is Black's idea.} 10.Bb3 $1 {Both sides were playing very quickly.} ( 10.e4 bxc4 11.Re1 Bb7 $2 ( 11...f6 $1 {followed by Kf7 is necessary.} ) 12.Bf4 Rc8 13.Qa4 {with a big advantage for White. Aditya-Vardan, Budapest 2022.} ) 10...c4 11.Bxc4 bxc4 12.e4 $1 Bb7 ( 12...exd5 $2 {Accepting the knight is suicide.} 13.exd5 Ne7 14.Re1 Qd6 15.Ng5 {with a decisive attack.} ) 13.Re1 Bb4 $1 {Very precise and, again, played quickly.} 14.Bg5 $1 f6 15.Bd2 Bxd2 16.Qxd2 Rc8 {It turns out that only this move is a novelty.} ( 16...O-O 17.Nf4 e5 18.Nd5 Ne7 19.Nxe7+ Qxe7 20.Rac1 Rac8 {and the players agreed to a draw in Zvjaginsev-Dreev, Biel 1995.} ) 17.Ne3 Qxd2 18.Nxd2 Ne5 19.Rec1 Ke7 20.f3 c3 $1 21.Rxc3 Rxc3 22.bxc3 {Finally, we can pause to assess the position. White has an extra pawn, but the chances of a draw are considerable.} 22...Rd8 23.Nb3 ( 23.Ndc4 {is an alternative, but Black should get the draw after} 23...Nxc4 24.Nxc4 Rc8 25.Na5 Ba8 26.Rc1 f5 $1 27.exf5 exf5 {The knight is not well placed, and Black's king is closer to the center.} ) 23...Rd3 24.Nd1 Bc6 25.Kf1 g5 $1 {A very good move, securing the knight on e5 and expanding on the kingside.} 26.Rc1 Ba4 27.Ke1 g4 ( 27...Rd6 {is even better. After} 28.Nc5 Bxd1 29.Rxd1 Rc6 30.Na4 h5 {Black has a lot of activity in exchange for the pawn.} ) 28.f4 Nc4 29.Ke2 Rd8 30.Ne3 Bxb3 $6 ( 30...Nd6 $1 {is more accurate.} 31.e5 fxe5 32.fxe5 Nf7 33.Nxg4 h5 34.Ne3 Nxe5 {with a likely draw.} ) 31.axb3 Nd2 ( 31...Rd2+ $2 {Of course this move loses material to} 32.Ke1 ) 32.Nxg4 Nxb3 33.Rd1 Rxd1 34.Kxd1 {This endgame is very tricky to play. Dominguez was down to seconds, so it's impossible to play it well.} 34...Nc5 $2 ( 34...h5 $1 {is the right way, avoiding White's idea.} 35.Nf2 Nc5 {and the draw is within reach.} ) 35.e5 $1 {Now Nakamura is winning.} 35...fxe5 36.Nxe5 h5 ( 36...Kf6 37.g4 $1 ) 37.Ke2 $2 {Surprisingly, this move throws away the win. The right path for the king is d2-c3, so 37.Kd2 or 37.c3 are better.} ( 37.Kd2 Kf6 38.c4 ) ( 37.c4 ) 37...Kf6 38.Nd3 ( 38.Ke3 a5 39.Kd4 a4 $1 40.c4 a3 41.Kc3 Kf5 42.g3 h4 {with a draw.} ) ( 38.c4 a5 39.Kd2 Kf5 {Now Black's counterplay is in time.} ) 38...Ne4 ( 38...Nb3 {is also a draw.} ) 39.c4 a5 40.Ke3 Nd6 41.c5 Nf5+ 42.Kd2 Nh4 $2 {The final blunder.} ( 42...Ne7 $1 {is still enough for a draw.} ) 43.Ne5 $1 Nxg2 ( 43...Ke7 44.g3 Nf5 45.Nc6+ {and Black loses another pawn.} ) ( 43...Nf5 44.Kc3 {followed by Kc4-b5.} ) 44.c6 {The pawn is unstoppable.} 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Sarana, Alexey"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2662"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "D52"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "6052724659290"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

{Readers will surely understand why the GOTD is a draw. This was a dramatic battle, with interesting moments right from the opening and a huge missed opportunity for Sarana.} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 Qa5 7.Nd2 dxc4 8.Bxf6 Nxf6 9.Nxc4 Qc7 10.g3 {The first important moment. This isn't the most popular move, but Sarana has an ace up his sleeve.} ( 10.Be2 ) ( 10.Rc1 ) ( 10.Bd3 ) 10...c5 $6 ( 10...Be7 {is too passive. White is slightly better after} 11.Bg2 ) ( 10...b5 $5 ) ( 10...Bd6 $1 {is the machine's recommendation, with the idea of playing e5 and releasing the pieces.} 11.Bg2 e5 {with an acceptable position.} ) 11.Nb5 $1 ( 11.Bg2 {Grischuk played this move in a blitz game against Duda but didn't get the upper hand.} 11...cxd4 12.Qxd4 Bd7 {Grischuk-Duda, Chess.com INT 2020.} ) 11...Qc6 $6 ( 11...Qd8 {This move is better, although White has a more comfortable position after} 12.Bg2 a6 13.Nc3 cxd4 14.exd4 ) 12.Ne5 $1 {This is the idea. White is not worried about the h1-rook.} 12...Qxh1 $6 ( 12...Qb6 {This is a difficult move to play, but it gives better saving chances.} 13.Qa4 {Engqvist - Thorell, Sweden 1996.} ) 13.Nc7+ Ke7 14.Nxa8 {The king on e7 is very insecure and White has a winning position.} 14...g6 {This move makes things worse, but it's hard to suggest anything. Interestingly, this is the first new move of the game.} ( 14...Nd5 15.Qc2 $18 {Taschian - Pratt, Toronto 1983.} ) ( 14...Nd7 15.Qa4 ) 15.Qa4 $1 {The queen comes into play attacking the a7-pawn.} 15...Bh6 16.Qxa7 Ne4 17.Nb6 Nxf2 $5 {A desperate attempt to complicate the game.} 18.Kxf2 Qxh2+ 19.Bg2 Bxe3+ 20.Kf3 Qh5+ 21.g4 Qh2 22.Nxc8+ Kf6 ( 22...Rxc8 23.Qxb7+ {followed by mate.} ) 23.Rf1 $2 {Chess is a cruel game: it's possible to lose everything with just one move.} ( 23.Kxe3 {is the simplest way to win.} 23...Rxc8 ( 23...cxd4+ 24.Qxd4 ) ( 23...Qxg2 24.Qxc5 ) 24.Rf1+ {With two pieces up and a winning attack.} ) 23...Bf4 $1 {Surprisingly now Black is no longer worse $1} 24.Qa3 $5 {Resourceful play.} ( 24.Kf2 {leads to a draw after} 24...Qg3+ 25.Kg1 Qh2+ ) 24...Rxc8 ( 24...Qg3+ $2 25.Ke4 Qxg2+ 26.Qf3 {and White wins.} ) 25.Rf2 $1 {Sarana shows great composure to continue the fight after his blunder.} 25...cxd4 26.Ke4 Kg7 $2 {It's Duda's turn to make a mistake.} ( 26...g5 $1 {is the correct move, with an unclear position. My machine, as usual, evaluates it as 0.00.} ) 27.Qe7 $1 {Duda certainly missed this move.} 27...Bxe5 28.Rxf7+ Kg8 29.Qxe6 $2 {Sarana had one last problem to solve to win the game. Just one move would lead to the desired result.} ( 29.Rf2 $1 {This move defends the bishop and Black is helpless against the threat of capturing the e6-pawn.} ) 29...Qxg2+ 30.Rf3+ Kg7 31.Qxe5+ Kh6 {Now White has nothing more than a perpetual check.} 32.Qf4+ Kg7 33.Qf6+ Kh6 34.Qh4+ Kg7 35.Qe7+ Kh6 36.g5+ Kh5 37.Qxh7+ Kxg5 38.Qe7+ Kh5 39.Qh7+ Kg5 40.Qe7+ Kh5 41.Qh7+ Kg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[ECO "E20"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[Beauty "8250095351835"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 {One of the most aggressive variations to face the Nimzo-Indian Defense.} 4...c5 {This is a very popular move these days, although there is nothing wrong with the old 5...d5 move.} ( 4...d5 ) 5.d5 d6 6.e4 O-O ( 6...b5 $5 {is also a move with many supporters.} ) 7.Bf4 $2 $146 {A strange new move, which immediately leads to trouble for White. It's hard to say why Nepomniachtchi chose it.} ( 7.Ne2 {is the main move. A recent example:} 7...b5 8.Nf4 exd5 9.Nxd5 Nxd5 10.Qxd5 Qb6 $1 11.cxb5 Bb7 12.Qd2 d5 {with a chaotic position and chances for both sides. Caruana - Sevian, Riga 2021.} ) 7...Re8 ( 7...exd5 {is even better. Black has a powerful initiative after} 8.cxd5 Nh5 9.Be3 f5 ) 8.dxe6 {Another compromising move.} ( 8.Ne2 {looks more solid, although Black is doing very well after} 8...exd5 9.cxd5 Nh5 {followed by 10...f5.} ) 8...Bxe6 9.Bd3 {Taking the pawn on d6 doesn't help White either.} ( 9.Qxd6 Qa5 {with brutal compensation for the pawn.} ) ( 9.Bxd6 Nc6 ) 9...Nc6 10.Ne2 Ne5 $6 ( 10...Nh5 {is more accurate, avoiding the exchange of the bishop for the knight.} ) 11.b3 $6 ( 11.Bxe5 $1 {This is an ugly and difficult move to play, but it's the best option to neutralize Black's initiative.} 11...dxe5 12.Qc2 {With chances to balance the game, since White is close to installing the knight on d5.} ( 12.O-O Bxc3 $1 13.Nxc3 Qd4+ 14.Rf2 Bxc4 {and Black wins a pawn.} ) ) 11...Nh5 12.Bg3 $2 ( 12.Bxe5 {once again, it's necessary to resort to this ugly move.} ) 12...Nxg3 13.hxg3 Qg5 {Black could immediately play two ideas that will be shown later: put the queen on f6 or blow up the position with the b5 and d5 breaks.} ( 13...Qf6 14.Rc1 b5 $1 {With similar play to the game.} ) ( 13...b5 $1 {is the most forceful.} 14.cxb5 c4 15.bxc4 Qb6 {with a devastating initiative, thanks to the dark squares.} ) 14.Qd2 ( 14.f4 $2 Bxc3+ 15.Kf1 ( 15.Nxc3 Qxg3+ ) 15...Qf6 16.Nxc3 Nxc4 $1 17.bxc4 Qxc3 {and Black wins material.} ) 14...Qf6 15.Rc1 ( 15.O-O {The white king finds no refuge even after castling.} 15...b5 $1 16.cxb5 $6 c4 $1 17.bxc4 Bc5+ {and the black bishop enters the attack, deciding the game.} ) 15...b5 $1 {It's necessary to destroy the white center to exploit the advantage in development.} 16.cxb5 ( 16.f4 {would be better.} ) 16...d5 $1 17.exd5 Nxd3+ 18.Qxd3 Bf5 19.Qd2 Re5 $1 {A very accurate move.} 20.O-O ( 20.Kf2 Rae8 ( 20...c4 {This is also very good.} 21.bxc4 Bc5+ 22.Nd4 Rae8 23.Rhd1 Re3 $1 {with a decisive attack.} ) 21.Rhe1 c4 $1 22.bxc4 Bc5+ 23.Kf1 Be3 {with a massacre.} ) ( 20.f4 Ree8 {and now the bishop has the g4-square.} ) 20...Rxe2 $1 21.Qxe2 Bxc3 22.Rxc3 {Otherwise, the bishop is brought to d4.} 22...Qxc3 {Black has a decisive material advantage, and Radjabov doesn't give his opponent any chance of redemption.} 23.Rd1 Kf8 $1 {With the idea of taking the rook to e8.} 24.d6 Re8 25.Qf2 Bd7 26.Kh2 Re6 27.g4 g5 $1 {A classy move, avoiding the f3-f4 advance.} ( 27...Qe5+ 28.f4 ) 28.a4 Qe5+ 29.Kg1 Rxd6 30.Rc1 Rd4 31.Qc2 Kg7 32.Qxc5 Rd1+ {A well-known tactical shot decides the game.} ( 32...Rd1+ 33.Rxd1 ( 33.Kf2 Qe1# ) 33...Qxc5+ ) 0-1

[Event "European Chess Club Cup 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Elsness, Frode"]
[Black "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2468"]
[BlackElo "2678"]
[ECO "A04"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[Beauty "8249558435848"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.d4 $6 {This move is not a good attempt to gain an advantage.} 4...cxd4 5.Nxd4 h5 $5 {What a curious move! Out of nowhere Black decides to advance the h-pawn instead of developing the pieces. Of course this is an exotic move and not the most popular in this position. In fact, it's only the seventh most played, quite a feat considering that Black doesn't have many moves available. The idea is to get the pawn to h4, but should White worry about that?} ( 5...e5 $1 {This is the best move and it will be played soon in the game, with the inclusion of pawns on h5 and h3. That doesn't change the character of the game much.} 6.Nxc6 ( 6.Nb5 $2 d5 $1 {is similar to what we will see in the game.} ) 6...dxc6 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 {and Black has no problems in this endgame.} ) 6.h3 {To me, advancing the h-pawn, whether to h3 or h4, is losing the psychological battle, if such a thing exists. I think White should be fearless and choose 6.c4 or 6.Nc3.} ( 6.h4 ) ( 6.c4 h4 7.Nc3 g6 8.Bg5 {Tomashevsky - Carlsen, Moscow 2012 (blitz).} ) ( 6.Nc3 h4 7.Bg5 {Hovhannisyan - Beerdsen, Chess.com INT 2022.} ) 6...e5 $1 7.Nb5 $2 {This is a new move in this position and it is no exaggeration to say that it's already a losing mistake.} ( 7.Nxc6 dxc6 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 {with a roughly equal endgame.} ) 7...d5 $1 8.Bxd5 {This move is the only justification for white's previous play, but black's initiative is devastating now.} 8...Qa5+ 9.N1c3 ( 9.N5c3 {Doesn't help White after} 9...Nd4 $1 10.Bg2 Bf5 {with a decisive advantage.} ) 9...Nxd5 $1 10.Qxd5 Be6 {Black's moves are natural and good.} 11.Nd6+ Bxd6 12.Qxd6 Nd4 13.Kf1 {A sad move, but what to do?} ( 13.O-O Rd8 14.b4 Rxd6 15.bxa5 Bxh3 16.Rd1 Nxe2+ $1 17.Kh1 Rxd1+ 18.Nxd1 h4 {and the attack continues.} ) 13...Rd8 14.b4 ( 14.Qa3 {loses to} 14...Qc7 $1 {with the idea of playing Qc6 followed by capturing the c2-pawn.} ) 14...Rxd6 15.bxa5 Rc6 $1 {White's position collapses.} 16.Bd2 O-O 17.Rb1 Rfc8 18.Nb5 Rxc2 19.Nxd4 exd4 20.Bf4 Bc4 {White will likely lose e2, a2 and a5.} 0-1

[Event "Fischer Random World Championship Final"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2856"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[TimeControl "600+2"]

1.h4 {The problems start right from the first move. A chess opening that begins with 1.h4 h5 seems absurd, but in this setup it's not that bad. Of course, even here, this move is exotic. I like to start by opening the game to my bishops or my queen, and in that sense 1.b4 or 1.c4 is more natural.} ( 1.b4 ) ( 1.c4 ) 1...h5 {With Carlsen and Nakamura facing off, I'm never sure if they really believe in these opening moves or if they're just having fun.} ( 1...b5 ) ( 1...c5 ) 2.d4 {Interestingly, a move that looks natural, dominating the center, is considered inaccurate by the machine (yes, it also criticizes Fischer Random moves).} 2...b5 $1 3.c4 c5 $5 {Contact starts early and it's already time to start calculating. After this move it's clear that Black has the advantage. Nakamura has managed to create a curious battery with the queen and the bishops and the white king is insecure. Advancing the majority on the queenside and preparing the bishop's development on b3. Now Black is in trouble. Missing a wonderful combination that wins the game. Magnus probably missed this resource, as this is the only move that saves Black.} ( 3...bxc4 {also looks very sensible. Error reading move: Rc4} ) ( {is better.} ) ( {and Black has a very good position.} ) ( {It seems better to develop the knights and then castle, but I think Nakamura had the idea of developing the rook on h6.} ) ( {gives adequate counterplay.} ) ( {is better, with advantage for White.} ) ( {is the only move. With good chances of equality.} ) ( {A deep move. If Black doesn't capture the knight, the combined attack of almost all white pieces will be decisive, with a possible sacrifice on e5. And if it is captured, then after Black can resign.} ) ( ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Fischer Random World Championship Final"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2856"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[TimeControl "1500+5"]

{Error reading move: Ng3 Undoubtedly the most unpleasant move for Black. As I've written before, I usually like to start my games by opening the path for my bishops or queen, and in that sense 1.f4 or 1.c4 is the most natural. In this position, however, it's possible to exploit the weakness of the g7-pawn.} 
0-1

[Event "Fischer Random World Championship Finals 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.30"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "*"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "1500+5"]

1.b4 b5 2.a4 bxa4 {Error reading move: Qa4 Nakamura has won the opening battle and pushed White's forces backward. Can Nepomniachtchi hold on $2 Nakamura's advantage grows with each passing move as he gains more and more initiative. Black ignores White's threat and finds a way to win the e5-pawn for free. Nepomniachtchi found himself in a dire situation here. He can cling to a small amount of hope given that Black's pawn structure isn't perfect but against a rampant Nakamura, the prospect of a draw seems unlikely. A slight misstep by Nakamura. Nepomniachtchi misses Nakamura's tactic here. Better is A brilliant sacrifice forcing White to give up material. A last attempt by Nepomniachtchi to stir the pot, but Nakamura was practically on autopilot at this point. A tough move to swallow for Nepomniachtchi as Black wins material.} ( {Escaping the bishop pin is crucial for White.} ) ( {Instead of snapping up the pawn, Stockfish prefers a defensive setup that allows Black to start focusing on the passed c-pawn.} ) ( {Attempting to trade into the endgame seems odd but is White's best chance at holding.} ) ( {This is not an equal trade as Black has} ) ( {White's rook on c1 is doomed and so is the position.} ) ( ) *

[Event "U.S. Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Yoo, Christopher Woojin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2563"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[Beauty "7079448293970"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{The famous coach Mark Dvoretsky liked to call \"irrational\" the games in which the tactical complications are so great that players cannot guide themselves simply with calculation, having to rely on intuition, too. This is one of these games.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {The Petroff has always been a reputable defense, but lately it's appearing more and more in elite games, having been GM Nepomniachtchi's main weapon in the 2022 Candidates Tournament.} 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.O-O O-O 8.c4 c6 9.Re1 Bf5 10.Qb3 Qd7 {All this is the latest fashion in opening theory. Here Caruana played the now famous novelty 11.Nh4 and got a great position against Nepomniachtchi in the Candidates Tournament, despite the game ending in a draw.} 11.c5 ( 11.Nh4 Be6 12.Qc2 Na6 13.a3 {Caruana - Nepomniachtchi, Madrid 2022.} ) ( 11.Nc3 ) 11...Bc7 12.Qc2 {This move is a theoretical novelty. 12.Nc3 and 12.Nbd2 are more common. The idea is to challenge the e4-knight.} ( 12.Nc3 ) ( 12.Nbd2 ) 12...Na6 13.a3 Bg6 {A natural move, setting up …f7-f5 to secure the knight on e4.} ( 13...Rae8 $5 {is recommended by the computer.} 14.Nc3 Bg4 $1 15.Ne5 Bxe5 16.dxe5 Naxc5 17.Nxe4 dxe4 18.Bxe4 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Be6 {Followed by Bd5, with an equal game.} ) 14.Nc3 f5 15.Ne2 $1 {Taking the knight to the kingside, where it protects the white monarch.} 15...Bh5 16.Ng3 Bg6 17.Ne2 Bh5 18.Ng3 Bg6 19.b4 {So refuses the draw offer.} 19...Rae8 20.Bb2 {The position is difficult to evaluate, as both sides have their strengths. White wants to put the knight on e5 and then kick out the black knight with the f2-f3 move. Black, on the other hand, has a problem with the a6-knight, which is completely out of the game. There is a move that struggles to solve both problems.} 20...Re6 ( 20...Qd8 $1 {This is my favorite move, preparing …Nb8-d7 and gaining the option to move the queen to h4 if White plays Ne5.} 21.Ne5 Qh4 {with chances for both sides.} ) 21.Ne2 $1 {The knight dance continues.} ( 21.Ne5 $6 {Black's idea appears after this move.} 21...Bxe5 22.dxe5 Nxg3 23.hxg3 f4 $1 {and the g6-bishop is protected. Black has a good position.} ) 21...Qe7 22.Ne5 {Now is the right time.} 22...f4 23.Nxg6 ( 23.f3 {This move deserves consideration.} 23...Bxe5 24.dxe5 Ng5 25.Nd4 Bxd3 26.Qxd3 Rg6 {with a complicated game.} ) 23...Rxg6 24.f3 Qh4 $1 25.Nc3 ( 25.fxe4 $4 f3 ) 25...Rh6 $1 26.h3 $2 ( 26.fxe4 $4 {Of course this move can't be played.} 26...Qxh2+ 27.Kf1 f3 {with a decisive attack.} ) ( 26.Nxe4 $1 {is the right way to play.} 26...dxe4 27.Bxe4 Qxh2+ 28.Kf1 Bd8 29.d5 $1 {And Black doesn't have time to create an attack on white's king. The position opens up to the bishops and that is the preponderant factor. White is much better.} ) 26...Ng5 27.Qf2 Qh5 ( 27...Qxh3 {Even this move is possible.} 28.gxh3 Nxh3+ 29.Kf1 Nxf2 30.Kxf2 Rh2+ 31.Kf1 Rxb2 32.Re7 {White gets enough counterplay, despite being two pawns down.} ) 28.b5 ( 28.Nd1 {My computer suggests this move, but don't ask me why. As I wrote before, this is an \"irrational\" position.} ) 28...Nb8 29.a4 Bd8 {Controlling the rook invasion on the seventh rank and also preparing to activate the bishop.} 30.Re2 Qf7 {Black is eyeing a sacrifice on h3.} 31.Kf1 $2 ( 31.Qf1 $1 {would give a more solid defense to the h3-pawn.} ) 31...Nd7 32.a5 Nxh3 $1 {We knew this move would come sooner or later.} 33.gxh3 Rxh3 34.Qg2 Qh5 {The attack is deadly.} 35.Rf2 Rg3 36.Qh2 Rh3 37.Qg2 Re8 $1 38.Ne2 Re3 $1 39.Ra3 ( 39.Kg1 Rxe2 $1 40.Bxe2 Rg3 {and Black should win.} ) 39...Rh1+ ( 39...Bxa5 $3 {This phenomenal tactical theme will appear now and on the next move and would be the perfect prize for Black's extraordinary play. That said, it's a very difficult move to spot.} 40.Rxa5 Rexf3 {White position collapses. The threats are many.} ) 40.Ng1 Nf6 $2 ( 40...Bxa5 $3 {Once again, this move would do the trick.} 41.Rxa5 Rxd3 {with a winning attack.} ) 41.Bc1 ( 41.Bf5 $1 {Another irrational move appears. This one saves White. A possible continuation is} 41...Qxf5 42.Qxh1 Qb1+ 43.Kg2 Qg6+ {with perpetual check.} ) 41...Qh4 $1 {Preparing Nh5-g3.} 42.Bxe3 fxe3 43.Bxh7+ $1 ( 43.Re2 $6 Nh5 $19 ) 43...Qxh7 44.Rxe3 Bc7 45.Re7 $2 {The fatal mistake. White needed to avoid the invasion of black's queen. At least that's what my computer tells me. I would probably need at least ten hours to come to this conclusion only by myself.} ( 45.Rb3 $1 {And the machine claims the good old 0.00. Want to understand the difficulty level of the position $2 One of the possible lines continues:} 45...Rh2 46.Qg5 Rxf2+ 47.Kxf2 Qc2+ 48.Ne2 Qxb3 {It looks like White has to give up. But not yet.} 49.Qf5 $1 Bxa5 50.b6 $3 axb6 51.Qc8+ Kf7 52.Qc7+ {And a miraculous perpetual check appears.} 52...Kf8 53.Qd6+ Ke8 54.Qe5+ Kd8 55.Qb8+ Ke7 56.Qd6+ ) 45...Qb1+ ( 45...Nh5 {is also good.} 46.Rxc7 Qb1+ 47.Ke2 Nf4+ ) 46.Re1 Qd3+ 47.Rfe2 Rh2 48.Qg5 Nh5 {The knight, which was once so distant and forgotten, appears to decide the battle. A fantastic game, which the young Yoo will certainly never forget.} 0-1

[Event "U.S. Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Yoo, Christopher Woojin"]
[Black "Moradiabadi, Elshan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2563"]
[BlackElo "2534"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7770690589722"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 {Here we have, once again, the ever-present Catalan Opening.} 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 c5 6.Qa4+ ( 6.O-O {is more common.} ) 6...Bd7 {All coverages are possible here. It'ss quite possible that this is not the best of them.} ( 6...Nbd7 ) ( 6...Nc6 ) 7.Qxc4 Bc6 8.dxc5 Nbd7 9.Be3 Rc8 ( 9...Bd5 $1 {is more accurate.} 10.Qc2 ( 10.Qa4 Bc6 ) 10...Be4 11.Qc1 Bxc5 ( 11...Ng4 {Ding-Aronian, Berlin 2018.} ) 12.Bxc5 Rc8 13.b4 b6 14.O-O bxc5 15.b5 {Leads to a position similar to that of the game but in a slightly favorable version for Black.} ) 10.b4 b6 11.O-O $6 ( 11.Nc3 $1 {is more accurate, since it avoids a tactical possibility for Black, as we will see.} 11...bxc5 12.b5 Bb7 13.O-O {with a small advantage for White in Maghsoodloo-Sadhwani, Chess.com INT 2021.} ) 11...bxc5 12.b5 Bb7 $6 ( 12...Nb6 $1 {Black misses this move, which is clearly the best. The b5-pawn now falls, and White's compensation is just enough for equality.} 13.Qb3 ( 13.Qc2 {may be a better try, but the compensation is not very convincing after} 13...Bxb5 14.Nc3 Bc6 ) 13...c4 14.Qb2 Na4 $1 {This is the point.} 15.Qc2 Bxb5 16.Nd4 Bd7 17.Nc6 Bxc6 18.Bxc6+ Rxc6 19.Qxa4 Qd7 {and White's compensation is enough for equality but not more.} ) 13.Rd1 Be7 14.a4 O-O 15.a5 {The pawn structure favors White with his threatening pawns on the queen flank.} 15...Nb6 {An ingenious attempt but not enough.} 16.Qc2 ( 16.Rxd8 {is probably the simplest path to an advantage.} 16...Nxc4 17.Rxc8 Rxc8 18.Ne5 $1 Bxg2 19.Nxc4 {with a clear advantage due to the better pawn structure.} ) 16...Nbd5 17.Bd2 Qe8 18.Qc4 $6 {This is a clear mistake.} ( 18.Na3 {is better. Probably Yoo didn't like 18...c4, but he still gets some pressure after this.} 18...c4 19.Nxc4 Qxb5 20.Nfe5 {with some advantage.} ) 18...Nb4 $1 {Now Black gets good counterplay.} 19.Na3 Ne4 20.Bf4 Bd5 21.Qc1 c4 $1 22.Ne5 $2 {This is actually a losing move.} ( 22.Nd4 {is better.} ) 22...Nc5 $2 ( 22...c3 $1 {As the saying goes: \"Passed pawns must be pushed.\" Easier said than done.} 23.Bxe4 {It's hard to suggest anything for White.} 23...Bxe4 24.Nec4 Nc2 $1 25.Nxc2 Rxc4 {and my computer evaluates the position as winning for Black. The bishop pair and the passed c-pawn certainly help to influence the machine.} ) 23.Nexc4 $1 {Based on an accurate calculation.} 23...Bxg2 $6 ( 23...Nb3 $1 {This move leads to a forced draw after} 24.Qb2 Nxa1 25.Nd6 $1 Bxd6 26.Bxd6 Nac2 27.Nxc2 Nxc2 28.Bxf8 Kxf8 29.Rc1 Bxg2 30.Kxg2 {and here almost all moves lead to a draw, for example:} 30...Qd8 31.Rxc2 Rxc2 32.Qxc2 Qxa5 ) 24.Nd6 $1 {Intermediate moves are the most difficult in chess.} 24...Bxd6 25.Bxd6 Nb3 $2 {A decisive miscalculation.} ( 25...Ne4 $1 26.Qb2 Nxd6 27.Rxd6 Bd5 28.Qxb4 f5 {Securing the d5-bishop. Despite being a pawn down, Black has good chances of saving the game, since the white pieces are not well coordinated.} ) 26.Qb2 Nxa1 27.Bxb4 Ba8 28.Rxa1 Qd7 29.Bxf8 Rxf8 30.Rc1 {White has emerged from the complications with a solid extra pawn.} 30...a6 31.b6 Qd5 32.f3 Qxa5 33.Nc4 {Material is now equal, but the b-pawn decides the game.} 33...Qd5 34.Ne3 Qg5 35.Kf2 Qf6 ( 35...Bb7 36.Rc7 Rb8 37.Qd4 {wins easily.} ) 36.Qb4 a5 ( 36...Bb7 37.Rc7 ) 37.Qxa5 Qh6 38.h4 f5 39.Qxa8 $1 {An elegant finish.} ( 39.Qxa8 Rxa8 40.b7 {followed by 41.Rc8.} ) 1-0

[Event "U.S. Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "E36"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "160"]
[Beauty "5291823333898"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 d5 7.Bg5 h6 {7...dxc3 and 7...c5 are popular alternatives.} ( 7...dxc4 ) ( 7...c5 8.dxc5 d4 ) 8.Bxf6 ( 8.Bh4 {is imprecise because Black gets a good game after} 8...c5 $1 9.dxc5 d4 {and the insertion of h6-Bh4 favors Black, compared to normal lines.} ) 8...Qxf6 9.Nf3 dxc4 10.Qxc4 Nc6 11.Qc3 {This move is necessary to fight the e6-e5 advance. All this is still theory.} 11...Re8 12.Rd1 e5 $1 13.d5 Nb8 14.e3 ( 14.Qxc7 {Of course, accepting the pawn is not a good idea.} 14...Na6 {with a lot of compensation.} ) 14...Bf5 {The computer's favorite move. Caruana, as always, shows impeccable preparation.} ( 14...Bg4 15.Be2 Nd7 16.O-O Bxf3 17.Bxf3 e4 18.Qxc7 $1 exf3 19.Qxd7 fxg2 20.Rfe1 Qxb2 {and Black can probably equalize.} ) 15.Be2 Nd7 16.O-O Rac8 17.a4 {A new and somewhat strange move. Niemann spent some time here, so I believe this was not preparation.} ( 17.Bb5 {Has already been played.} 17...a6 18.Bxd7 Bxd7 19.Nd2 {with equal chances.} ) 17...c6 18.d6 {A brave move. The d6-pawn is passed, but it can also become a weakness.} ( 18.dxc6 Rxc6 19.Qb4 {and Black's position is a little more comfortable, but nothing too worrisome.} ) 18...Rcd8 19.a5 {White's idea pops up. The pawn heads for a6, breaking Black's structure.} 19...Bg4 20.h3 $2 {This move leads to problems.} ( 20.Qb4 $1 {is necessary with an equal position after} 20...e4 21.Nd4 ) 20...Bxf3 $1 21.gxf3 {A sad necessity. The endgame is much better for Black after 21.Bxf3.} ( 21.Bxf3 e4 $1 {The d6-pawn will be lost sooner or later.} ) 21...Nf8 22.Qb4 $2 ( 22.a6 $1 {is the best chance, for example:} 22...bxa6 23.Qxc6 Re6 24.Qxa6 Rexd6 25.Qxa7 Qh4 26.Rxd6 Rxd6 27.Kh2 Rd2 28.Qa6 Rxb2 {and the material is greatly reduced. White must get the draw.} ) 22...Rd7 {Now Caruana has a much better position.} 23.Rd2 Ng6 $2 {Here and in the next moves, it would be better to play a7-a6 and avoid White's counterplay on the queenside.} ( 23...a6 $1 ) 24.Rfd1 ( 24.a6 $1 {White should have taken the chance to advance the pawn.} ) 24...Nh4 ( 24...a6 $1 ) 25.Qg4 Re6 26.Kf1 Nf5 27.a6 $1 bxa6 28.Bxa6 $6 ( 28.Qe4 $1 {Is a pretty straight path to equality.} 28...Rdxd6 29.Rxd6 Nxd6 30.Qxc6 ) 28...Rdxd6 29.Rxd6 Nxd6 30.Bd3 $2 ( 30.Qb4 {is better.} ) 30...g6 31.h4 h5 32.Qg3 Kg7 {Black has a solid extra pawn, and White's queen is misplaced. The position is winning, but we still have some adventures.} 33.e4 Qe7 ( 33...Nb5 {is the clearest path to victory.} ) 34.Qg5 Qb7 35.Qc1 Qb4 ( 35...Rf6 $1 36.Kg2 Qb3 {with a winning position.} ) 36.Qd2 Qxd2 37.Rxd2 Kf6 $6 ( 37...Nb5 $1 38.Bxb5 cxb5 {and the computer indicates Black's victory. Not all rook endings are drawn $1} ) 38.b4 g5 $6 {now the win becomes problematic.} ( 38...Nb5 $1 ) 39.Ra2 $1 {White finally gets some counterplay.} 39...Nc8 40.Ba6 Nd6 41.Be2 Nc8 42.f4 $5 {Niemann surprisingly decides not to repeat moves.} ( 42.Ba6 Nb6 {Caruana would probably try this, but White has good drawing chances.} ) 42...gxh4 43.Bxh5 Nd6 44.Rxa7 ( 44.fxe5+ {is more accurate.} 44...Rxe5 45.Bf3 Nxe4 46.Kg2 {and the draw is close.} ) 44...exf4 45.f3 Re5 46.Bg4 Nc4 47.Kg2 $2 {After this mistake Black is winning again, and this evaluation doesn't change anymore. A theoretical draw could be reached after} ( 47.Ra6 $1 Ne3+ 48.Kf2 Nxg4+ ( 48...Rb5 49.Rxc6+ Kg7 50.Bh3 Rxb4 51.Rc5 ) 49.fxg4 Rxe4 50.Rxc6+ Kg5 51.Rc7 Rxb4 52.Rxf7 Kxg4 53.Rg7+ {and this position is a famous draw, even though Black has two extra pawns.} ) 47...Rb5 {Now Black has time to bring the knight to e5, defending the c6-pawn.} 48.Ra4 Ne5 49.Kh3 Kg5 50.Ra8 Rxb4 51.Rh8 Kf6 52.Rh5 Rb5 53.Rf5+ Ke7 54.Bh5 ( 54.Rxf4 Nd3 55.Rf5 Rxf5 56.Bxf5 c5 {and the c-pawn decides the game.} ) 54...Ng6 ( 54...Ke6 {with the idea of advancing the c-pawn that leads to an easy victory, for example:} 55.Rxf4 Nd3 $1 56.Bxf7+ Ke7 {and the bishop is lost.} ) 55.Bxg6 fxg6 56.Rxf4 g5 57.Rg4 {You always have to be careful in rook endings, but Caruana shows good technique.} 57...Kf6 58.f4 Rb3+ 59.Kh2 Rb2+ 60.Kh3 Rb3+ 61.Kh2 gxf4 62.Rxf4+ Ke5 63.Rxh4 Re3 {As the tablebase is quick to show, Black is winning.} 64.Rh6 Rc3 65.Kg2 ( 65.Rh4 Kd4 66.Kg2 Re3 $1 {and white's king is too far away.} ) 65...Kxe4 66.Rd6 Ke3 67.Re6+ Kd2 68.Rd6+ Kc2 69.Kf2 c5 70.Rc6 Kd2 71.Rc8 c4 72.Rc7 Rc2 73.Rd7+ Kc3+ 74.Ke1 ( 74.Ke3 Rc1 75.Ke2 Kc2 $19 ) 74...Rh2 75.Kd1 Rh1+ 76.Ke2 Kc2 77.Rd2+ Kb3 78.Rd8 c3 79.Rb8+ Kc2 80.Ra8 Rh7 {The game will soon arrive at the famous Lucena position. Niemann decides to resign before that.} 0-1

[Event "U.S. Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Liang, Awonder"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2608"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[ECO "C44"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8248639887435"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{Who would have thought that an old gambit could surprise the most expert 1.e4 e5 player in the world, GM Aronian $2 Chess opening theory is far from exhausted; you just need to to dig in the right place and have a little luck. \"Just that.\"} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bc5 5.Ng5 $5 {This is called the \"Sarratt Variation.\" I learned this from my friend, GM Mekhitarian.} 5...Nh6 6.Nxf7 Nxf7 7.Bxf7+ Kxf7 8.Qh5+ g6 9.Qxc5 d5 $1 {This move is considered the most accurate.} ( 9...d6 {has also been tried many times.} ) 10.c3 ( 10.O-O dxe4 11.c3 {Transposes to the game.} ) 10...dxe4 11.O-O Re8 $6 {[%emt 0:00:05] Played after some thought. I was pretty sure I'd seen a position like this played in a major tournament recently. After straining my not-prodigious memory a lot, I remembered the game Mamedov vs. Anand, played on October $1} ( 11...Qd6 {is probably the clearest path to equality. A recent example followed:} 12.Qxd6 cxd6 13.cxd4 Nxd4 14.Nc3 Bg4 15.Nxe4 Nc2 16.Nxd6+ Ke6 17.Bf4 Nxa1 18.Rxa1 Rhf8 19.Bg3 {Samsonkin-Narayanan, Ottawa 2022.} ) ( 11...Bf5 {is also playable.} ) 12.cxd4 Qxd4 ( 12...Nxd4 {was played in Kovalev-Kramnik, Dortmund 2018. I read the analysis of this game by legendary GM Mekhitarian, and I admit that's why I know the name of the gambit.} 13.Be3 $1 {This is a clear improvement for White, and my computer is quite happy.} ) 13.Qg5 Nb4 $2 {A novelty that was clearly not prepared in a home laboratory.} ( 13...Bf5 {In his analysis of Kovalev-Kramnik, the legendary Mekhitarian shows a game from 1853 with this move.} 14.Nc3 $1 {with interesting compensation for the pawn.} ( 14.Bd2 $6 {Shumov-Urusov, St. Petersburg 1853.} ) ) ( 13...Qf6 {was Anand's choice, but he got in trouble after} 14.Qg3 Nd4 15.Nc3 c6 $2 16.Bg5 {Mamedov vs. Anand, ECC 2022.} ) 14.Bd2 $1 {Finally Liang started to think, indicating that he hadn't analyzed Black's preceding move. But he finds the refutation.} 14...Qd6 $2 ( 14...Nc2 {The point is that this move loses after} 15.Bc3 Qd6 16.Qh6 Nxa1 17.Qxh7+ Ke6 18.Na3 {With a devastating attack in exchange for a minimal material investment.} ) ( 14...Kg8 {is a better defense.} ) 15.Nc3 {White is already winning.} 15...c6 ( 15...Qf6 16.Qg3 ) 16.Rad1 {Other moves also lead to victory.} ( 16.Rae1 Bf5 17.g4 $1 h6 18.Qxh6 Rh8 19.Bf4 $3 {This difficult move is the only way to win.} 19...Rxh6 ( 19...Qf6 20.Qg5 Qxg5 21.Bxg5 Bxg4 22.Rxe4 {and White wins material.} ) 20.Bxd6 Nd3 21.Re3 Bxg4 22.Nxe4 {and the attack continues even in the endgame.} 22...Nxb2 23.Rb1 Nc4 24.Rxb7+ Kg8 25.Nf6+ Kh8 26.Ree7 $1 Nxd6 27.Rh7+ Rxh7 28.Rxh7# ) ( 16.f3 exf3 17.Rxf3+ Kg8 18.Raf1 {is also very good.} ) 16...Bf5 ( 16...Qf6 17.Qh6 Qg7 ( 17...Kg8 18.Nxe4 $1 Rxe4 19.Bc3 {is winning.} ) 18.Qh4 {and the attack continues.} ) ( 16...Qe7 17.Qh6 Kg8 18.Bg5 Qg7 19.Qh4 {with a strong attack.} ) 17.g4 h6 18.Qh4 $1 {Now Black's position collapses.} ( 18.Qxh6 $2 Rh8 ) 18...Bc8 19.Bxh6 Nd3 20.Bg5 Qe5 21.f3 $1 {Opening the f-file.} 21...Rh8 22.fxe4+ Kg8 ( 22...Ke8 23.Rxd3 $1 Rxh4 24.Rd8# ) 23.Bh6 Qd4+ 24.Kh1 Be6 25.Qg5 Bf7 26.Rxf7 $1 Rxh6 ( 26...Kxf7 27.Rf1+ Ke8 ( 27...Nf2+ 28.Kg2 ) 28.Qxg6+ Kd8 29.Bg7 {and the game is decided.} ) 27.Rxd3 $1 {Other moves also win, but this one is elegant.} 27...Qxd3 28.Qf6 {Surprisingly Black's queen has no check.} 28...Rxh2+ 29.Kxh2 Qd2+ 30.Kg1 Qc1+ 31.Kf2 Qh6 ( 31...Qd2+ 32.Ne2 ) 32.g5 {A convincing victory.} 1-0

[Event "U.S. Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Moradiabadi, Elshan"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2534"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[ECO "B46"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7354057758218"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{Chess authors like to use a catchphrase stating that a chess player \"made the game look easy.\" This certainly cannot be said of Caruana's play in the present game. Virtually all of his moves were deep and difficult to understand.} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 ( 5.Bf4 {This move was played by GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda in the Candidates Tournament and is a dangerous line with not so much theory behind it.} ) 5...a6 {The most popular move is 5...Qc7, but my favorite has always been 5...a6. I've played this position so many times with Black that I've lost count.} 6.Bf4 {White has many different attempts here. This move is only the eighth most popular.} 6...d6 7.Bg3 ( 7.Nxc6 {This was played in an important game played by the World Champion Magnus Carlsen.} 7...bxc6 8.Qd2 e5 9.Bg5 Nf6 10.O-O-O h6 11.Bh4 Be6 {Black is fine and later achieved an impressive win. Tari - Carlsen, World Cup 2021.} ) 7...Be7 8.Be2 Bd7 {This move defends the c6-knight and prepares the development of the kingside.} ( 8...Nf6 {is bad due to} 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.e5 $1 {with an advantage for White.} ) 9.Nb3 ( 9.O-O Nf6 {and Black manages to complete development without any problems.} ) 9...e5 $5 {A new move and the first of a series of extremely difficult moves that Caruana will play in this game. If I had a thousand lives, in none of them would I have ever played this move, as my prejudice against weakening the d5-square is far too great. Naturally, Caruana has a superior understanding of chess and knows quite well the risks of this move.} ( 9...Qc7 {is a much easier move to understand. Black simply defends the d6-pawn. This was played in Prraneeth - Puranik, Biel 2022.} ) 10.Bg4 $2 {Probably surprised by Black's daring strategy, Moradiabadi immediately makes a mistake.} ( 10.Nd5 {is the natural move, and I don't see any problems with it.} 10...Be6 $1 ( 10...Nf6 11.Nxf6+ Bxf6 12.Qxd6 Be7 13.Qd2 {and Black doesn't have enough compensation for the pawn.} ) 11.f3 $5 Nf6 12.c4 a5 {With a slightly more comfortable position for White, but with a lot of life on the board.} ) 10...Bxg4 11.Qxg4 h5 $1 {Advancing the pawns in front of the king is always difficult, although here, this move is quite tempting, as the white bishop is uncomfortable on g3.} 12.Qh3 h4 13.f3 {Taking advantage of the pin to save the bishop.} 13...Bg5 $1 14.O-O Rh6 $1 {With his last two fantastic moves, Caruana uniquely activates both the bishop and the rook, even at the cost of giving up his castling rights. We see Caruana breaking a number of classical concepts in this game, which makes it particularly interesting.} 15.Bf2 Nf6 {Perhaps the most important aspect of the position is the poor placement of the queen on h3, a consequence of White's 10th move.} 16.Rad1 Qc7 17.Nc1 Kf8 18.a3 ( 18.N1e2 {is better.} ) 18...Na5 $1 {Another clinical move. It's true that my computer suggests 18...Nd8 here, heading for e6, but we'd better leave that kind of move to the machines.} 19.Nd3 Nc4 20.Nb4 $2 {Moradiabadi enters desperation mode, but that was not necessary. 20. Rfe1 was possible, but to play that, you need to see a fantastic machine-like resource.} ( 20.Rfe1 Nxb2 21.f4 $3 {An incredible move that complicates the game. The idea is to bring the queen into the game.} 21...Nxd1 ( 21...exf4 $4 22.Nxb2 {and the queen protects the c3-knight.} ) 22.fxg5 Nxc3 23.gxh6 {with complete mess over the board.} ) 20...Qc8 $1 {Another good and difficult move. I would never have resisted taking on b2 right away.} ( 20...Nxb2 21.Ncd5 Nxd5 22.Nxd5 Qc8 23.Rb1 Qxh3 24.gxh3 Nc4 25.Rxb7 Nd2 26.Rd1 Nxf3+ 27.Kg2 Nd2 {Truth be told, Black also has an advantage in this position.} ) 21.Qxc8+ Rxc8 22.Na4 ( 22.Nbd5 Nxd5 23.Nxd5 Nxb2 24.Rb1 Rxc2 {and the rook protects the knight.} ) 22...a5 $1 {One more accurate move, taking away the protection of c2.} 23.Na2 ( 23.Nd5 Nxd5 24.Rxd5 Ne3 25.Bxe3 Bxe3+ 26.Kh1 Rxc2 27.Rxa5 Rg6 $1 {and the rook finally shows its worth $1} ) ( 23.Nd3 Ne3 ) 23...Ne3 {Now Black wins material.} 24.N2c3 ( 24.Bxe3 {is totally hopeless after} 24...Bxe3+ 25.Kh1 Rxc2 26.Rxd6 Rg6 ) 24...Nxd1 25.Rxd1 Rc6 26.Kf1 Bf4 ( 26...b5 $1 {is even better.} 27.Nxb5 Rxc2 28.Nxd6 Nh5 $1 {with an easy win.} ) 27.h3 Kg8 {Another move that I have a hard time understanding, but this one I'm not sure is the best.} ( 27...b5 28.Nxb5 Rxc2 29.Nxd6 Ne8 $1 {Not an easy move to find.} 30.Nf5 Rhc6 31.Nxh4 g6 $1 {and the computer indicates that Black is winning.} ) 28.Bb6 $6 ( 28.Nb6 {is a better try.} ) 28...Rg6 ( 28...Nh5 $1 {is more accurate.} 29.Bxa5 Be3 {with a winning position.} ) 29.Bxa5 Be3 ( 29...Nh5 $1 ) 30.Rd3 ( 30.Bd8 $1 {This machine-like move, with the idea of eliminating the f6-knight, is the best chance.} ) 30...Bd4 31.Bd8 b5 $1 {Now white's position collapses.} 32.Bxf6 ( 32.Nxb5 Rxc2 ) 32...gxf6 33.Nd5 Rxc2 $1 {This is the idea. Black returns the exchange to capture White's pawns.} 34.Ne7+ Kh7 35.Nxg6 Kxg6 36.Nc3 Rf2+ 37.Ke1 Rxb2 38.Nd5 Bc5 39.f4 Rxg2 40.Ne7+ Kh5 41.fxe5 fxe5 42.Rf3 Rg3 43.Rf5+ Kh6 44.Rf6+ Kg7 {A difficult and beautiful game by Caruana.} 0-1

[Event "U.S. Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Robson, Ray"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[ECO "E50"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8042057830427"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{In my opinion, this is the best game from the tournament so far. A textbook example of how to play with the initiative.} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3 Bxc3+ ( 5...d5 ) ( 5...c5 ) 6.bxc3 d6 7.Bd3 e5 {So employs a rare system, which was played against him by Aronian this year in a blitz game.} ( 7...Re8 8.O-O e5 {This position can transpose to the game and this move order also occurred in one of So's game this year.} ) 8.e4 ( 8.Nd2 {was the move played in the aforementioned game. So - Aronian, St. Louis 2022 (blitz). The move played by Robson is more incisive.} ) 8...Re8 9.O-O $1 exd4 {Boldly accepting the sacrificed pawn, but we are still in both players' prep.} 10.cxd4 Nxe4 11.Re1 Nf6 12.Rxe8+ $1 ( 12.Bg5 {was played by So himself in a game that reached this position with a slightly different move order. Perhaps he was not convinced of White's compensation, and for that reason, he decided to switch sides.} 12...Rxe1+ 13.Qxe1 Nbd7 14.Nd2 h6 {So - Sarana, Chess.com INT 2022.} ) 12...Qxe8 ( 12...Nxe8 13.Bg5 f6 $6 ( 13...Nf6 ) 14.Bd2 Nd7 15.Qc2 Nf8 16.Re1 {with clear compensation for White. Ivanchuk - Ding Legends of Chess (rapid) 2020} ) 13.h3 $1 {This seems like a slow move, but it's important to prevent the development of the black bishop.} ( 13.Qc2 Bg4 $1 ) 13...Nbd7 14.Qc2 {A new move. White has excellent compensation, with the bishop pair pointing toward the black king and all his pieces in the game. The computer finds resources for Black to maintain balance, but I think most chess players would choose White here.} ( 14.Bb2 d5 15.Qb3 Qd8 16.Re1 Nf8 {Kolpak - Jugl, ICCF email 2019.} ) 14...b6 {A natural move to finish development.} 15.Bb2 Bb7 16.d5 $1 Qf8 ( 16...c6 $6 {is premature.} 17.Re1 Qf8 18.dxc6 Bxc6 19.Nd4 {with a strong initiative.} ) 17.g4 $1 {White needs to create an attack on the kingside. I love moves that advance pawns in front of the king (when they are good).} 17...h6 18.Kh2 {The critical moment of the game.} 18...c6 $2 {This move loses. Black has two acceptable alternatives.} ( 18...Re8 19.g5 $5 ( 19.Rg1 Ne5 ( 19...b5 $5 ) 20.Nxe5 dxe5 21.g5 e4 $1 {And, incredibly enough, Black's position is playable.} 22.gxh6 ( 22.gxf6 exd3 23.Qxd3 ( 23.Rxg7+ $4 Qxg7 ) 23...Qd6+ 24.Rg3 g5 {and the computer evaluates the position as equal.} ) 22...g6 $1 23.Be2 Qxh6 $1 24.Rg3 ( 24.Bxf6 $2 Qf4+ ) 24...Nd7 {with chances for both sides.} ) 19...hxg5 20.Rg1 $1 ( 20.Nxg5 $6 Qe7 $1 ) 20...g4 $5 {Closing the g-file.} 21.hxg4 Ne5 22.Nxe5 dxe5 23.g5 Nh5 24.Bh7+ Kh8 25.Bf5 {and the pressure continues.} ) ( 18...b5 $5 {is an interesting attempt to distract the white pieces from the kingside attack.} 19.g5 bxc4 {with complete chaos on the board. I still prefer White.} ) 19.g5 $1 hxg5 20.Nxg5 {Now the attack is too strong.} 20...cxd5 21.Bh7+ $1 {Robson develops the initiative with enviable precision.} 21...Kh8 22.Bf5 Ne5 23.f4 $1 Ng6 ( 23...Nxc4 24.Bxf6 gxf6 25.Qe2 {And the queen comes to the attack.} ) 24.Bxf6 ( 24.Rg1 {is also decisive.} 24...Nxf4 25.Qf2 ) 24...gxf6 25.Nxf7+ $1 Qxf7 26.Bxg6 Qe7 27.Qf2 f5 28.Rg1 Rg8 29.Rg5 $1 {All white pieces participate in the attack.} 29...Rg7 30.Qh4+ Kg8 31.Qh5 $1 Bc8 ( 31...dxc4 {leads to a pretty finish:} 32.Bh7+ Kf8 ( 32...Kh8 33.Bxf5+ Kg8 34.Qh7+ ) 33.Rxf5+ Rf7 34.Bg6 $1 Rxf5 35.Qh8# ) 32.cxd5 a5 33.Qh6 b5 34.Bh7+ Kf8 35.Rg2 $1 {A beautiful move to end the game. White avoids the check on e2 and prepares to capture the f5-pawn.} ( 35.Rg2 b4 36.Bxf5 $1 Bxf5 37.Qh8+ ) 1-0

[Event "U.S. Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Moradiabadi, Elshan"]
[Black "Robson, Ray"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2534"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7766798237727"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {Robson has a very dynamic and aggressive style, his games tend to attract the attention of spectators. Considering this, it's curious that he has the Berlin Defense in his repertoire, such a solid defense. Luckily, that didn't stop him from creating one of his usual entertaining attacks.} 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nbd2 Nd7 7.Nc4 f6 8.Be3 ( 8.Bd2 {was played by Carlsen in a recent online tournament.} 8...Nb6 9.Na5 Qe7 {Carlsen - Navara, Charity Cup 2022.} ) 8...Bxe3 9.Nxe3 Nc5 10.O-O Ne6 ( 10...O-O {was played in Duda - Grischuk, World Cup 2021.} ) 11.c3 {This move was tested in a few email games. The intention is unequivocal: dominate the center with d3-d4.} 11...c5 {Avoiding White's plan.} 12.Qc2 b6 13.Rfd1 Qd7 {A new move.} ( 13...O-O {This has been played before.} ) 14.a4 $5 {Truth be told, White doesn't have much. Black's position is very solid, with good central control. This is the best way to create problems.} 14...Ba6 ( 14...a5 $2 {It's important to note that this natural move is a mistake. The point is that Black loses the option to drive the white knight out of d5 with the c7-c6 move.} 15.d4 $1 exd4 16.cxd4 cxd4 17.Nd5 {and White has the initiative.} ) ( 14...O-O 15.d4 {leads to a drawn position after} ( 15.a5 Ba6 $1 {and Black is fine.} ) 15...cxd4 16.cxd4 exd4 17.Nxd4 Nxd4 18.Qc4+ Qf7 19.Qxd4 f5 {and all pieces are about to be exchanged.} ) 15.b4 $5 {Dynamic and interesting play.} 15...Rd8 ( 15...cxb4 {is also possible.} 16.d4 $5 ( 16.cxb4 Rd8 {is not so dangerous for Black.} ) 16...exd4 17.Nxd4 bxc3 {White's position looks promising, but the computer indicates equality.} ) 16.b5 Bb7 17.Qb3 {A logical move, preparing the a5 advance.} ( 17.Rd2 O-O 18.Rad1 {is another natural plan, preparing d4.} ) 17...Qf7 ( 17...O-O 18.a5 ( 18.d4 $6 Bxe4 19.dxc5 Qf7 {is advantageous for Black.} ) 18...Kh8 19.axb6 axb6 20.Ra7 Rb8 {with a balanced position.} ) ( 17...a5 $5 ) 18.g3 $6 {This move unnecessarily weakens the light squares. It's better to follow the normal plan.} ( 18.a5 ) 18...a5 $1 {A very precise move, stopping White's initiative on the queenside.} 19.bxa6 Bxa6 20.a5 b5 $1 21.Nf5 O-O ( 21...g6 {deserved consideration, preventing White's next move.} 22.Nh6 Qe7 ) 22.Qc2 $2 {From now on, White loses control of the game.} ( 22.d4 $1 {This move is necessary to fight for equality. It's scary to go into an endgame with two passed pawns for the opponent, but White has enough resources to defend.} 22...cxd4 23.cxd4 exd4 24.N3xd4 Nxd4 25.Nxd4 c5 26.Qxf7+ Kxf7 ( 26...Rxf7 27.Ne6 Rc8 28.Rd6 Ra7 29.Rc1 c4 30.Rb6 {and the pawns are controlled.} ) 27.Nb3 {with good chances of a draw.} ) 22...Kh8 ( 22...Qh5 {is also pretty good.} ) 23.d4 {Perhaps this hastens the defeat, but White has to do something.} 23...Qh5 24.d5 Nf4 $1 25.N5h4 $2 {This move loses on the spot.} ( 25.Ne1 {is a better try, although Black is much better after} 25...Nh3+ 26.Kg2 g6 {followed by f5.} ) 25...g5 $1 26.gxf4 gxh4 27.Qe2 exf4 {White's king has no refuge, and the bishop begins to play an important role in the attack.} 28.Kf1 ( 28.Kh1 b4 $1 {decides the game.} ) 28...Rg8 ( 28...Bc8 {is also tempting, but the move played is even better.} ) 29.c4 {Desperation, but there is no longer any hope.} 29...bxc4 30.Ra3 Rb8 ( 30...Rde8 {also wins.} ) 31.Rc3 Qg4 32.Ke1 Rge8 33.Nd2 Qg1+ 34.Qf1 Qg7 $1 {An elegant move. The queen backs off just for a moment.} 35.Rdc1 f5 $1 36.f3 Qd4 {Back to the center stage $1} 37.Qf2 Rg8 38.Qxh4 Rb2 {Yet another convincing victory for Robson, who remains on the heels of tournament leader Caruana.} 0-1

[Event "U.S. Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.15"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Moradiabadi, Elshan"]
[Black "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2534"]
[BlackElo "2699"]
[ECO "E61"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7766374616076"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 O-O 5.Bg5 {This move is a specialty of GMs Mamedyarov and Dubov, who often use it in blitz games.} 5...c5 6.d5 d6 7.e3 {There's nothing wrong with advancing the pawn two squares.} ( 7.e4 ) 7...Nbd7 {Black usually chases the white bishop immediately with} ( 7...h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Bg3 Nh5 {with a position similar to the one we will have in the game.} ) 8.Be2 ( 8.Nd2 {is an interesting possibility to avoid Black's plan.} ) 8...h6 9.Bh4 g5 $1 10.Bg3 Nh5 {This is thematic in the King's Indian Defense. Black's bishop is a monster, especially now that it has no rival. Of course, there is a price to pay for it with the frailty of the structure on the kingside. But this price is not so expensive, and Black's position is comfortable.} 11.Qc2 Ndf6 12.Nd2 a6 13.a4 Bd7 14.a5 {The first new move of the game. I don't quite understand the purpose of this move, as Black was not threatening b5. Whenever I'm in doubt, I like castling; this move was played in the only previous example.} ( 14.O-O Ng4 $6 ( 14...Nxg3 15.hxg3 Ng4 {is better, similar to the game.} ) 15.Nde4 Bf5 16.Nf6+ Ngxf6 17.Qxf5 {with a clear advantage for White in Agrest-Bologan, Istanbul 2003.} ) 14...Rb8 15.O-O Nxg3 ( 15...b5 {is another possible plan and also gives Black a good game.} 16.axb6 Rxb6 ) 16.hxg3 Ng4 $1 {Preparing the f-pawn advance. Black has possibilities on both flanks.} 17.Qd1 f5 18.e4 $1 {It's necessary to activate the pieces. Capturing the knight would be very bad; White is practically paralyzed in the resulting position.} ( 18.Bxg4 fxg4 ) 18...Ne5 19.exf5 ( 19.f4 $2 Ng4 20.Bxg4 fxg4 {and the bishop pair is very strong.} ) 19...Bxf5 20.Nf3 $1 Qe8 {This move doesn't seem to be the most accurate. There are two interesting alternatives: avoid the exchange with 20...Ng6 or open the queenside with 20...b6. Black has a small advantage in both cases.} ( 20...Ng6 ) ( 20...b6 ) 21.Nxe5 Bxe5 22.Bh5 Bg6 23.Bxg6 Qxg6 24.Qe2 {With the exchange of one of the bishops and the chances of taking a knight to e4, White's position becomes acceptable.} 24...Rf7 25.Ne4 ( 25.g4 {is interesting with the idea of g3-Kg2.} ) 25...Bd4 26.Ra3 ( 26.g4 {Now this move is not very good.} 26...b5 27.axb6 Rxb6 28.Ra2 h5 $1 29.gxh5 Qf5 {and the white pieces are very passive.} ) 26...g4 $1 27.Rd3 Rf5 $6 {This move is slow. Black should finally open the b-file.} ( 27...b5 $1 28.axb6 Rxb6 {with a clear advantage.} ) 28.Qd2 $1 {Avoiding a pin after Re5 and preparing an exchange sacrifice on d4.} 28...Rbf8 29.b4 $1 {The game becomes very sharp.} 29...Re5 ( 29...Qg7 {is an attempt to minimize the effect of the exchange sacrifice. A possible line ends in perpetual check:} 30.bxc5 dxc5 31.Rxd4 Qxd4 ( 31...cxd4 $6 32.Nc5 ) 32.Qxh6 Qxe4 33.Qg6+ Kh8 34.Qh6+ ) 30.bxc5 dxc5 31.Rxd4 $1 cxd4 32.Nc5 {The computer still evaluates the position as equal, but White's position is much easier to play.} 32...Ref5 $2 ( 32...Qf5 $1 {is the best move, according to the machine.} ) 33.Qxd4 h5 34.Ne6 ( 34.Qe4 $1 {is even better.} ) 34...R8f6 $6 ( 34...R8f7 {The rook is better positioned on f7, defending the e7-pawn.} ) 35.Nf4 $2 ( 35.Qb6 $1 {is much stronger, attacking the b7-pawn and also threatening a check on d8. Now we can see why it would be better to have the rook on f7.} ) 35...Qh7 36.Qa7 ( 36.Ne6 $1 {It's more accurate to return the knight, admitting the mistake of the previous move. In this case White still has the advantage.} ) 36...h4 $1 37.Qxb7 $2 ( 37.Re1 {is better. The position remains extremely complicated, but there is a dynamic balance. A possible variation goes:} 37...hxg3 38.fxg3 Rxf4 $5 39.gxf4 g3 40.Qe3 Qh2+ 41.Kf1 Qh1+ 42.Ke2 Qxg2+ 43.Kd3 Qb2 44.Qxg3+ Kf8 45.Qe3 Qb3+ 46.Kd4 Qb2+ 47.Kd3 {with a draw.} ) 37...hxg3 38.fxg3 $2 {The final mistake. Now Black can exploit a nice tactical theme.} ( 38.Qc8+ {is forced. Black has an advantage after} 38...Kf7 39.fxg3 Rh6 40.Kf2 Re5 $1 {as White's king is very insecure.} ) 38...e5 $3 {A pretty move, winning immediately. White doesn't have time to capture \"en passant\" and loses material.} ( 38...e5 39.Qc8+ ( 39.Qxh7+ Kxh7 ) 39...Rf8 40.Qe6+ Qf7 ) 0-1

[Event "U.S. Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.17"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Swiercz, Dariusz"]
[Black "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2652"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[ECO "C83"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[Beauty "7495791683615"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{This game illustrates well how opening preparation has reached the highest level in some variations. A new move appears only on move $1} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {The Open Ruy Lopez is one of the most reliable possibilities for Black and has been used by several super GMs.} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.c3 Nc5 {A variation that is in vogue and in which White has not yet been able to prove an advantage, despite the dangers for Black and the need to remember many lines.} ( 10...O-O {was played by Sevian on round nine against Dominguez. He suffered a little but was able to make a draw.} ) 11.Bc2 d4 12.Nb3 d3 13.Bb1 Nxb3 14.axb3 Bf5 15.Re1 ( 15.Be3 {is the most popular move.} ) 15...O-O 16.h3 Qd7 17.b4 Rfd8 {An important position for the theory of this line. There are over 100 games in my database; most are played in correspondence chess.} 18.Bf4 ( 18.g4 {is also possible and might transpose to the game.} ) 18...a5 $1 {A thematic move that is necessary to give life to Black's pieces.} 19.g4 Bg6 20.bxa5 Rxa5 21.Ba2 $1 {The good old Spanish bishop comes to haunt Black's king, but no one is afraid of these things when the preparation is well done.} 21...Rf8 {An exotic move but necessary. The rook releases the d8-square for the queen and anticipates the opening of the f-file after the e5-e6 move. Everything is still well-known. Many correspondence games prove the correctness of Black's position.} ( 21...Rda8 {is also possible.} 22.e6 Qd8 23.exf7+ Kh8 24.Ng5 $1 {and the position looks scary for Black, but it's OK if you know all the computer moves, it seems.} ) 22.b4 ( 22.e6 {transposes to the game after} 22...Qd8 23.exf7+ Kh8 24.b4 Ra4 ) 22...Ra4 23.e6 Qd8 24.exf7+ Kh8 {Sorry to be repetitive, but everything is still theoretical. Unbelievable $1} ( 24...Bxf7 {has also been played.} 25.Bxf7+ Rxf7 26.Rxa4 bxa4 27.Bc1 {and the d3 pawn will fall, although Black can get compensation thanks to the passed pawn on a4.} ) 25.Be6 {A new move, at last.} ( 25.Bd2 {was played in dozens of correspondence games.} 25...h6 $1 26.Be6 Rxa1 27.Qxa1 Bxf7 {with equality.} ) 25...Rxa1 26.Qxa1 Bxf7 27.Qa2 Bg6 $1 {The best move to pose problems for White.} ( 27...Bxe6 28.Qxe6 d2 $1 ( 28...Rxf4 $2 29.Qxc6 ) 29.Rd1 Qe8 30.Qe4 Qf7 31.Qxc6 Qxf4 32.Kg2 {with equality.} ) 28.Qd2 h6 29.Kg2 Bd6 30.Bxd6 Qxd6 31.Nh4 $6 {The first step in the wrong direction.} ( 31.Bb3 {is better.} ) 31...Bh7 32.Nf5 ( 32.f4 {This difficult move is suggested by the computer.} 32...Rxf4 ( 32...Qxf4 33.Qxf4 Rxf4 34.Bd5 g5 $1 35.Nf3 {will likely end in a draw.} ) 33.Nf5 Bxf5 34.Bxf5 Qd5+ 35.Kg1 Rxf5 36.gxf5 Ne5 37.Rxe5 Qxe5 38.Qxd3 {with a draw.} ) 32...Bxf5 33.Bxf5 $6 ( 33.gxf5 {is the best move.} 33...Ne5 ( 33...Ne7 34.Re3 Nxf5 35.Bxf5 Rxf5 36.Qxd3 {with a draw.} ) 34.Re4 $1 {and White is holding.} ) 33...Ne5 ( 33...Ne7 $1 {is more accurate.} 34.Be4 ( 34.Bxd3 $2 Ng6 {and the knight arrives at f4 with unpleasant effects.} ) ( 34.Rxe7 Qxe7 35.Qxd3 Qf6 {White will hardly be able to hold this endgame.} ) 34...Nd5 {with a big advantage for Black.} ) 34.f4 $1 {Now the game is close to a draw.} 34...Rxf5 35.fxe5 $4 {A blunder, losing immediately.} ( 35.gxf5 $4 {is also bad.} 35...Qd5+ 36.Kg3 Qf3+ 37.Kh2 Nc4 $19 ) ( 35.Rxe5 $1 {is the only move but an adequate one.} 35...Rf8 ( 35...Rxe5 36.fxe5 {is a draw.} ) 36.h4 $1 {White is out of danger after this nice move, preparing h4-h5 stabilizing the structure on the kingside.} ) 35...Qd5+ {Black now creates a decisive attack with the heavy pieces.} 36.Kg1 Rf3 37.Qg2 d2 38.Rd1 Qd3 39.Rxd2 Qe3+ 40.Kh2 Qf4+ 41.Kg1 Rg3 42.Re2 Qf3 0-1

[Event "U.S. Women's Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.10.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Cervantes Landeiro, Thalia"]
[Black "Foisor, Sabina Francesca"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2272"]
[BlackElo "2203"]
[ECO "D46"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7148436211739"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bd3 Nbd7 6.Nc3 Bd6 {This is a not very popular variation of the Semi-Slav Defense.} ( 6...dxc4 {is better.} ) 7.O-O O-O 8.e4 $1 dxe4 {It's difficult to say which pawn Black should capture. The move played is a little passive.} ( 8...dxc4 9.Bxc4 e5 {With a small advantage for White. There's a lot of theory here.} ) 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 Nf6 ( 10...c5 {is more accurate.} ) 11.Bc2 c5 12.dxc5 {This is not the most dangerous move for Black. There are two very promising alternatives.} ( 12.Qd3 h6 13.Rd1 Qc7 14.dxc5 Bxc5 15.b4 $1 {followed by the development of the bishop on b2 with a strong initiative. Krasenkow-Krzyzanowski, Warsaw 2020.} ) ( 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bh4 cxd4 14.Qd3 Re8 15.Nxd4 {with advantage for White. Andreikin-Klukin Chess.com 2022.} ) 12...Bxc5 13.Qe2 h6 $6 {Too slow. It's best to start queenside development right away.} ( 13...b6 ) 14.Bf4 $6 ( 14.Ne5 $1 {leads to a very strong attack with a maneuver similar to the one played in the game.} 14...b6 15.Rd1 Qc7 16.Rd3 ) 14...b6 15.Rad1 Qe7 16.Ne5 Bb7 17.Rd3 {Only this is a new move. Opening theory is really far advanced in some variations. This move is very natural, taking the rook to the attack.} 17...Be4 18.Rh3 Bxc2 19.Qxc2 Qb7 $2 {This move allows the typical sacrifice on h6 in circumstances favorable to White.} ( 19...Nd7 {doesn't solve the problems either.} 20.Nxd7 Qxd7 21.Rg3 ( 21.b4 $5 {is even better, according to the machine.} ) ( 21.Bxh6 {is premature:} 21...gxh6 22.Rd1 Qe7 23.Rxh6 f5 24.Rd3 Rf7 {and the attack can apparently be parried.} ) 21...Kh8 22.Qc1 {with strong pressure.} ) ( 19...Rfc8 $5 {is an interesting attempt, preparing the king's escape.} ) 20.Qc1 $2 ( 20.Bxh6 $1 {wins mathematically:} 20...gxh6 21.Qd2 $1 {An important move.} ( 21.Rxh6 $2 Qe4 ) 21...Nh7 22.b4 $1 ( 22.Qxh6 {is not so clear, since Black has an incredible escape after} 22...f6 23.Rg3+ Ng5 24.h4 Qh7 $1 ) 22...f6 ( 22...Be7 23.Qxh6 Qe4 24.f3 Qf5 25.g4 Qc2 26.Rc1 {wins.} ) 23.Rg3+ Ng5 24.bxc5 fxe5 25.h4 {White recovers material and the attack continues.} ) 20...h5 ( 20...Qe4 $2 21.Bxh6 $1 Qxe5 22.Bxg7 ) ( 20...Nh7 {is more solid.} ) 21.Bh6 {A flashy move and almost irresistible for any human, but the computer is not impressed.} ( 21.Bg5 Ne4 22.Nd3 $1 {with an advantage.} ) ( 21.Bd2 {is the machine's favorite move, with the idea of placing the bishop on c3. This is a very difficult move.} ) 21...Ne4 $1 {For now Foisor defends very well.} ( 21...gxh6 $2 22.Qxh6 {with a decisive attack.} ) 22.Rxh5 f6 $1 23.Ng4 Qf7 $1 ( 23...gxh6 $2 24.Nxh6+ Kg7 25.Nf5+ $1 exf5 26.Qh6+ Kf7 27.Qh7+ {winning the queen.} ) 24.Rh4 Rfd8 $2 {This move loses.} ( 24...Qg6 $1 {The situation is not so clear after} 25.Be3 Rad8 {White is a pawn up, but her pieces are a bit clumsy, and Black is no longer going to be mated.} ) 25.Bxg7 $1 Qxg7 ( 25...Kxg7 26.Qh6+ Kg8 27.Qh8# ) 26.Nh6+ Kf8 27.Rxe4 {The game is over. White is two pawns up, and the attack persists.} 27...e5 28.Rg4 Qh7 29.Rg8+ Ke7 30.Rg7+ $1 Qxg7 31.Nf5+ {The rest is easy.} 31...Kf7 32.Nxg7 Kxg7 33.Qc3 a5 34.Qg3+ Kf7 35.Qf3 Ra7 36.Rd1 Rxd1+ 37.Qxd1 Ke7 38.h4 Rd7 39.Qe2 Rd4 40.g3 Ke6 41.h5 Kf5 42.Kg2 Kg5 43.Kh3 Kh6 44.Qf3 Kg5 45.g4 Rf4 46.Qb7 Rxf2 47.Kg3 Kh6 48.Qf7 1-0

[Event "European Chess Club Cup 2022"]
[Site "Mayrhofen"]
[Date "2022.10.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Naumann, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2856"]
[BlackElo "2513"]
[ECO "C45"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8251705923594"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.Nd2 $5 {This isn't the most popular move, but it was played a few days ago by Erigaisi in a rapid online game, which certainly hasn't escaped Carlsen's team's attention.} 8...Nf4 $5 ( 8...g6 {This is the main move. The aforementioned game followed} 9.c4 Nf4 10.Qe3 Ne6 11.b3 Bg7 12.Bb2 O-O 13.Ne4 {and Erigaisi later won this complicated position against Le Quang Liem.} ) 9.Qe3 ( 9.Qe4 {is an important alternative. This prevents Black's next move, but the queen can become a target on e4.} 9...Ng6 10.f4 ( 10.Nf3 $6 d5 $1 {gives Black good counterplay.} ( 10...f6 $6 {Surprisingly, this is a mistake. White gets a lot of compensation after} 11.Bd2 $1 fxe5 12.O-O-O ) ) 10...d5 11.Qa4 Qc5 12.Nf3 {with chances for both sides.} ) 9...Nd5 ( 9...Ng6 $6 {is weaker with the queen on e3.} 10.Nf3 ) 10.Qe4 f6 ( 10...Nb4 $5 {is a serious alternative. Black got the upper hand after} 11.Nf3 $6 d5 $1 12.Qe2 Bf5 13.Nd4 Nd3+ $1 {in De la Riva Aguado - Linster, Monte Carlo 2013.} ) 11.c4 $146 {A new move, played after a long think. This indicates that Carlsen was out of his preparation. His move is an interesting pawn sacrifice.} ( 11.exf6 Nxf6 12.Qxe7+ Bxe7 13.Bd3 O-O 14.O-O d5 {and the position is equal. Fier-Gupta, Cappelle la Grande 2014.} ) 11...Nb4 12.Kd1 ( 12.a3 $2 {There is no time to drive the knight away.} 12...d5 $1 {and Black wins.} 13.exd6 Qxe4+ 14.Nxe4 Nc2+ ) 12...Qxe5 13.a3 Qxe4 14.Nxe4 Na6 15.b4 {Carlsen's idea is very interesting. In exchange for the pawn, he left the a6-knight out of play. If White manages to complete his development with Bd3, Bb2, and Re1, his initiative can make a big difference.} 15...c5 $6 {An inaccuracy because now Black loses the chance to play d7-d5, an important move to give his pieces a little more life. Of course, this is easy to say with the computer on, but the position is very difficult to play for a human.} ( 15...Nb8 $1 16.Bd3 d5 $1 17.Nc3 dxc4 18.Re1+ Kd8 19.Bxc4 Nd7 {This is the best option for Black, even with doubled pawns and the king on d8. Most important is that the knight is alive, something that will not happen in the game. The position is balanced.} ) 16.b5 Bb7 17.Bd3 Nb8 18.Re1 Kf7 19.Nc3 $1 {A deep move, which I really liked. The idea is to prevent Black's development with d6-Nd7. Karpov, the king of prophylaxis, would be proud.} 19...Bd6 ( 19...d6 {doesn't work now because of} 20.Bf5 $1 {and the bishop destroys Black's position.} ) ( 19...Bxg2 20.Bf4 {is much better for White.} ) 20.f4 $1 {Avoiding Be5, even at the cost of another pawn.} 20...Bxg2 {At least now Black has two pawns in exchange for his suffering.} 21.Kc2 g6 $6 {This move weakens the kingside and is the decisive mistake. It would be better to go back with the bishop immediately, but the position is still very difficult to play. After all, how will the b8-knight enter the game $2} ( 21...Bb7 ) 22.Bb2 $1 Bxf4 $6 ( 22...f5 {This is my computer's favorite move, I imagine to avoid White's f4-f5 move. But how can someone open the diagonal after the opponent places a bishop on b2 $2} ) ( 22...Re8 23.Rxe8 Kxe8 24.f5 $1 {and White destroys the pawn structure on the kingside.} ) 23.Re2 $1 {An elegant move. White gets ready to bring the a1-rook into the game.} 23...Bb7 24.Rf1 {The success of Carlsen's strategy. All his pieces are in the game, while Black's queenside is sleeping.} 24...g5 25.h4 $1 d6 26.hxg5 Be5 ( 26...Bxg5 {There are several winning moves here.} 27.Rfe1 ( 27.Be4 ) ( 27.Ne4 ) ) 27.Ne4 Nd7 28.Nxf6 {It's time to reap the rewards.} 28...Nxf6 29.Bxe5 dxe5 30.Rxe5 {The c5-pawn is about to fall, and the position collapses. An excellent game.} ( 30.Rxe5 Rae8 31.Rxc5 ) 1-0

[Event "European Chess Club Cup 2022"]
[Site "Mayrhofen"]
[Date "2022.10.06"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2856"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[ECO "A20"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7490980828680"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 {A variation of the English Opening that is being discussed a lot these days.} 3.d4 {This move is usually Carlsen's choice, while Ding prefers 3.Nf3. As it turns out, some opening choices are a matter of taste.} ( 3.Nf3 {Ding lost a painful game in the first round of the Candidates Tournament with his favorite move.} 3...e4 4.Nd4 d5 5.cxd5 Qxd5 6.Nc2 Nf6 7.Nc3 Qe5 {Ding-Nepomniachtchi, Madrid 2022.} ) 3...Bb4+ ( 3...e4 {is the main move.} ) 4.Bd2 Bxd2+ 5.Qxd2 d6 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.e4 {Interestingly, only one game had been played with this move. It's not surprising that almost everyone prefers to develop the bishop on g2—what could be more natural than that $2 But Carlsen doesn't play like us mere mortals.} ( 7.Bg2 ) 7...O-O 8.Nge2 ( 8.Bg2 {Now the game gains an original character. 8.Bg2 still transposes to the known lines.} ) 8...b5 $1 {An excellent reaction. Harikrishna takes advantage of the fact that the e4-pawn needs protection.} 9.cxb5 cxb5 10.a3 {Played after a long deliberation. The alternatives don't promise an advantage.} ( 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Qxd8 Rxd8 12.Nxb5 Nc6 {and Black has excellent compensation for the sacrificed pawn.} ) ( 10.Bg2 b4 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 exd4 13.O-O d3 $1 14.Qxd3 ( 14.Nd4 Qb6 ) 14...Ba6 15.Qd2 Bxe2 16.Qxe2 Nd7 {and the knight arrives on c5. Black has a great position.} ) 10...a5 ( 10...Nc6 {is a good alternative.} 11.Bg2 Qb6 {with a balanced position.} ) 11.Bg2 Bb7 $6 ( 11...Nc6 {is more accurate.} 12.d5 Na7 13.O-O Bd7 14.b4 Nc8 $1 {Followed by Nb6, with a good position.} ) 12.O-O b4 {Black's plan to advance the b-pawn quickly creates some weaknesses.} 13.axb4 axb4 14.Nd5 Nxd5 {It is difficult to say which piece should be used to capture the d5-knight. I would have played the same move Harikrishna played, but the computer prefers to take it with the bishop.} ( 14...Bxd5 15.exd5 Rxa1 16.Rxa1 Qb6 {with a slight advantage for White.} ) 15.exd5 Qb6 16.Rxa8 Bxa8 17.dxe5 dxe5 {It's time to evaluate the position. White has a strong passed pawn on d5, but it can also become a target. It's not clear that there is an advantage until we look at the wonderful move that is played now.} 18.g4 $3 {Maybe it's an exaggeration to assign two exclamation marks, but I love this kind of move. The idea is to bring the knight into the game. Chess players don't like to advance pawns in front of the king, but sometimes it's necessary.} 18...Nd7 19.Ng3 g6 {This move is necessary to give the king some air and prevent the white knight from jumping.} 20.Rc1 ( 20.Rd1 $1 {is more accurate, as becomes clear if we continue the analysis in a similar way to what happened in the game.} 20...Rd8 21.Ne4 Nf6 $6 22.Nxf6+ Qxf6 23.Qxb4 {and here White has a decisive advantage because the d5-pawn is protected.} ) 20...Rd8 21.Ne4 Nf6 $5 ( 21...Qd4 $6 {Another advantage of the rook on d1 is to prevent this move.} 22.Qxd4 exd4 23.Rd1 Bxd5 24.Rxd4 Bxe4 25.Bxe4 Re8 26.Rxb4 {and White should win this endgame.} ) ( 21...Kg7 $5 {is also a good try.} ) 22.Nxf6+ Qxf6 23.Rc5 ( 23.Qxb4 $6 {Black's idea is that this move is now a mistake.} 23...Bxd5 ( 23...e4 $5 {is probably even better.} ) 24.Bxd5 Rxd5 {with a probable draw.} ) 23...Qb6 ( 23...Qd6 $1 {is an excellent try.} 24.Qe3 ( 24.Qxb4 e4 $1 {Of course, this is a computer idea, nearly impossible to find. Black now has enough counterplay.} 25.Rb5 ( 25.Bxe4 Qf4 $1 {is Black's idea.} ) 25...Bxd5 {and Black should escape.} ) 24...f5 25.gxf5 gxf5 26.Ra5 Rc8 {with good drawing chances.} ) 24.Qe3 ( 24.Qc1 {is also possible.} ) 24...Qa7 25.Qc1 Bb7 26.h4 $1 {Another excellent move, creating problems for Black on the kingside.} 26...Qb6 27.h5 h6 {A sad but necessary move—otherwise, White puts the pawn on h6 and creates mating threats.} 28.Qe3 ( 28.hxg6 {looks very promising.} 28...Qxg6 ( 28...fxg6 29.Qc4 {and the black king is in trouble.} ) 29.Rb5 $1 {threatening 30.Rxb4 and 30.Qc7.} ) 28...gxh5 $2 {This move loses thanks to a nice tactical theme.} ( 28...Rd6 $1 {is the best chance.} ) 29.Rc8 $1 {Now White wins material.} 29...Qd6 ( 29...Qxe3 30.Rxd8+ ) 30.Rxd8+ Qxd8 31.Qxh6 $1 Bxd5 ( 31...hxg4 32.Be4 Bxd5 33.Qh7+ Kf8 34.Qh8+ Ke7 35.Qxd8+ Kxd8 36.Bxd5 {wins the bishop.} ) 32.Qd2 $1 {White's queen has played a tremendous role and will finally reap the reward.} 32...hxg4 33.Qxd5 Qxd5 34.Bxd5 {The endgame is easily winning.} 34...Kg7 35.Kg2 f5 36.Kg3 Kf6 37.Kh4 e4 38.Bc6 Ke5 39.Kg3 Kd4 40.Kf4 Kd3 41.Kxf5 e3 42.fxe3 Kxe3 43.b3 $1 {The only winning move. Another great game in Carlsen's trademark style.} ( 43.Kxg4 $4 b3 $1 {and the game would finish in a draw as the b-pawn cannot be protected.} ) ( 43.b3 $1 g3 44.Kg4 Kf2 45.Kh3 $18 ) 1-0

[Event "European Chess Club Cup 2022"]
[Site "Mayrhofen"]
[Date "2022.10.07"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6873424068616"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{It's interesting to have a duel between two Indian GMs in the European Club Cup. These days a chess player friend asked me how Anand was playing in the tournament. My answer was: the same way Neymar plays the Champions League $1} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 {No major tournament passes without the Catalan Opening being played.} 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 c5 {There are many ways to face the Catalan and Anand's choice is considered one of the best.} 6.O-O Nc6 7.Qa4 {Much more interesting, at least for viewers, than 7.dxc5, which leads to an endgame with a lot of draws. 7.Ne5 is also an interesting move.} ( 7.dxc5 Qxd1 8.Rxd1 Bxc5 9.Nbd2 c3 10.bxc3 O-O ) ( 7.Ne5 $5 ) 7...Bd7 ( 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 Qxd4 9.Bxc6+ Bd7 10.Rd1 {is considered better for White by current opening theory.} ) 8.Qxc4 b5 $1 9.Qc3 $5 {Much less played than 9. Qd3, but the c3-square has been the choice of several strong GMs recently.} ( 9.Qd3 c4 10.Qd1 Rc8 {The opening theory is just getting started in this position. There are more than 200 games in my database.} ) 9...b4 10.Qd3 {The queen's dribble has the undeniable merit of avoiding the c4 move for Black.} 10...Rc8 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.Nbd2 O-O 13.Nb3 Bb6 14.Be3 {Up to now Harikrishna played very fast, indicating he was still \"in book.\"} 14...Ne7 {A new move. Based on the time Anand took to play it, I suppose it was more of an over-the-board inspiration than a prepared novelty.} ( 14...Bxe3 15.Qxe3 Nd5 {This is a natural and critical sequence.} ( 15...Qb6 {This move also occurred to me. As in the game, it's difficult to say how weak the doubled pawns are.} 16.Qxb6 axb6 17.Rfc1 {with a slight advantage for White.} ) ) ( 14...e5 {was played in Shankland-Aronian, Kolkata (rapid) 2021.} ) 15.Ne5 Ba4 $1 16.Qxd8 ( 16.Qa6 $5 {is a serious alternative.After} 16...Bxb3 17.Bxb6 axb6 18.axb3 {Black should play} 18...Qd2 $1 {and White has only a slight advantage.} ) 16...Rfxd8 17.Bxb6 axb6 18.Rfc1 {An interesting endgame. White has a clear plan: switch rooks and maneuver a knight to attack the b4-pawn.} 18...Nd7 19.Rxc8 Rxc8 20.Nxd7 Bxd7 21.Rc1 $1 {Following the plan.} 21...e5 22.Rxc8+ Nxc8 23.Nc1 Nd6 {Anand decides to sacrifice the b4-pawn, but I have my doubts if this is necessary.} ( 23...Bb5 {looks better, avoiding 24.Nd3.} 24.f4 exf4 25.gxf4 Kf8 26.Kf2 Ke7 {with a slightly better endgame for White, but it should be defensible.} ) 24.Nd3 b3 25.axb3 f6 ( 25...e4 {also deserves consideration.} ) 26.Bd5+ Kf8 27.e4 ( 27.f4 {is more accurate.} ) 27...Ke7 28.f4 {this move is a bit rushed, and now Black has excellent drawing chances.} ( 28.Nb4 ) 28...exf4 29.Nxf4 ( 29.gxf4 {now Black has a forced draw.} 29...Be6 $1 30.Nb4 Kd7 31.Kf2 Bxd5 32.Nxd5 Nxe4+ 33.Ke3 Nc5 34.Nxb6+ Kc6 35.Nc4 Nxb3 {with a draw.} ) 29...g5 $1 30.Ne2 f5 ( 30...Nc8 $5 {followed by Kd6 should be enough for a draw.} ) 31.e5 Ne8 $2 {This is the only real mistake in the entire game. Unfortunately for Anand, the game is now lost.} ( 31...Nf7 $1 32.Bxf7 Kxf7 33.Nd4 {The endgame seems lost, but the computer is here to save us.} 33...f4 $1 34.gxf4 gxf4 35.Kf2 Bg4 $1 {The bishop is activated, and Black has a fortress.} ) 32.Nd4 {Black has no active plan, and Harikrishna, a player with sublime endgame technique, has no problems converting the advantage.} 32...Ng7 33.Kf2 h6 34.Ke3 Be8 35.Bc4 Bd7 36.b4 $1 Bc8 37.Bd5 Bd7 38.Bb3 Kd8 39.Bc2 Ke7 40.Bd3 Kf7 41.b5 $1 {Ensuring a strong point for the knight on c6.} 41...Ke7 42.Nc6+ Ke8 43.Nb4 Be6 44.Nc6 ( 44.Kd4 $1 {with the idea of 45.Bc4. is even better, according to the machine.} ) 44...Kd7 45.Nd4 Ke7 46.Bc2 Bd7 47.Bb3 Kd8 48.Nc6+ Kc7 49.Bd5 Ne6 50.Bxe6 $1 Bxe6 51.Nd4 Kd7 52.h4 $1 {The last detail. White will break Black's pawn structure on the kingside, place the king on f4, and gain more material.} ( 52.h4 Ke7 53.Nf3 $1 ) 1-0

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Monaco"]
[Date "2022.10.28"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Black "Muzychuk, Mariya"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2535"]
[BlackElo "2527"]
[ECO "D11"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[Beauty "5086046587402"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 {When I was a tournament player I loved playing this opening with both colors. It leads to the kind of long-term strategic battle that I've always enjoyed. That's exactly what we'll see in this game.} 4...Bg4 {Of course there are other options here. Against 4...e6, White usually tries to prove the advantages of not having the knight already developed on c3, although I have never quite understood what those advantages are. In any case, the Black players can hardly resist the temptation to develop the c8-bishop, something they cannot do most of the time in the normal lines of the Semi-Slav Defense. The other very popular option is 4...Bf5, and that was usually my choice back in the days when I played this variation.} ( 4...e6 ) ( 4...Bf5 ) 5.h3 Bh5 6.Qb3 {This move is far less popular than 6.Nc3. It's clear that Lei came well prepared.} ( 6.Nc3 ) 6...Qb6 7.cxd5 {For some reason this natural move is almost new here. Considering that Black has to play very carefully, I expect new battles soon in this position.} ( 7.Nc3 ) 7...cxd5 $6 {This move is inaccurate and leads to an inferior position. It's necessary to exchange the queens first and then capture the d-pawn with the knight.} ( 7...Qxb3 8.axb3 Bxf3 ( 8...Nxd5 {is also possible and is probably the best choice.} ) 9.gxf3 Nxd5 10.Bd2 {Belous - Raznikov, Kenner 2016.} ) 8.Qxb6 axb6 9.Bb5+ Nfd7 {The first new move in the game.} ( 9...Nc6 10.Ne5 Rc8 $2 ( 10...Nd7 {is necessary and we will see this position later in our analysis.} ) 11.Nc3 {White has a winning plan with the knight going to a4 and attacking the b6-pawn. Belous-Deleon, 2021.} ) 10.Nc3 {This is not a bad move, but White has interesting alternatives.} ( 10.g4 Bg6 11.Nc3 e6 12.Ne5 Bd6 13.Nxg6 hxg6 {This position is better for White but it seems to me that it's possible to achieve more than this.} ) ( 10.Ne5 {is a dangerous move to meet.} 10...Nc6 $1 {is necessary and we will see this position later in our analysis.} ( 10...f6 $6 11.Nxd7 Nxd7 12.Nc3 e6 13.O-O {This position is much better for White because of the pin and the plan of opening the position with e3-e4.} ) ( 10...e6 11.Nxd7 Nxd7 12.Nc3 Bd6 13.Bd2 Ke7 14.Na4 {This plan is very unpleasant and highlights the weakness of the b6-pawn.} ) 11.Nxd7 $1 ( 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bxc6 Rc8 13.Bxd7+ Kxd7 14.Nc3 e6 {and Black has good drawing chances as the bishop pair somehow compensates the missing pawn.} ) 11...Kxd7 12.e4 $1 e6 13.exd5 exd5 14.Nc3 Bb4 15.O-O Bxc3 16.bxc3 {White is better due to the bishop pair and safer king.} ) 10...Bxf3 $1 {It's good to eliminate this knight once and for all.} ( 10...e6 11.Ne5 ) 11.gxf3 e6 {It is undeniable that White has the advantage in this endgame, with the bishop pair and better pawn structure. My impression is that Lei should have played more actively to increase the advantage.} 12.Bd2 ( 12.e4 $5 Nc6 13.Be3 Bb4 14.Ke2 {with an advantage for White.} ) 12...Nc6 13.Ke2 Bd6 14.Rac1 Ke7 {For now, both players develop the pieces naturally.} 15.Na4 Rac8 16.Kd3 {I definitely don't like this move, as I don't see how it helps White.} ( 16.Rc3 {Followed by doubling the rooks in the c-file, it looks better.} ) 16...f5 17.Rhg1 g6 18.f4 Rhg8 19.Rc2 Rc7 20.Rcc1 {A strange move. There is nothing wrong with continuing the plan to double down on the column.} ( 20.Rgc1 Rgc8 21.Be1 {White has the advantage and can continue to maneuver without risk.} ) 20...Kf7 21.Ke2 Rgc8 22.f3 Ncb8 23.Rxc7 Rxc7 24.Bc3 ( 24.Rc1 Rxc1 25.Bxc1 Nc6 {and Black must get the draw.} ) 24...Rc8 25.Kd2 h6 $5 {Starting a plan with / Be7 followed by the pawn advance to g5.} 26.b3 ( 26.h4 Be7 27.Rh1 {Avoids Black's plan, although the rook for now is tied to the protection of the h-pawn.} ) 26...Be7 27.Nb2 g5 $1 28.Nd3 Nc6 29.Rc1 $6 {Yielding the g-file. White could start a queenside pawn advance with a4-b4-a5, while keeping the rook on a better square.} ( 29.a4 Rc7 ) 29...gxf4 30.Nxf4 Rg8 {Now Black not only equalizes but can even play for a win.} 31.Ke2 Ba3 32.Rd1 Bd6 33.Nd3 $6 {It's dangerous to let the rook enter on g2.} ( 33.Kf2 Bxf4 34.exf4 {and I don't see how Black can exploit White's damaged pawn structure.} ) 33...Rg2+ 34.Nf2 Nf6 35.Rc1 $2 ( 35.Be1 $1 {is better, although the position is already pretty dangerous.} ) 35...f4 $1 {Now Black is winning.} 36.Bd2 fxe3 ( 36...Ne7 $1 {is also very good.} ) 37.Bxe3 Ne7 38.Bd3 Nh5 39.Kf1 Rg3 40.Ke2 Nc6 ( 40...Nf4+ 41.Bxf4 Bxf4 42.Rd1 h5 {also wins. White is paralyzed and has too many weaknesses.} ) 41.Rd1 Nf4+ 42.Bxf4 Bxf4 43.Bb5 Ke7 $2 {Black must not allow the capture of the c6-knight.} ( 43...Nb4 $1 {leads to a pretty win after} 44.a3 ( 44.Nd3 Nxd3 45.Bxd3 Rxh3 {with an easy win.} ( 45...Rg2+ 46.Kf1 Rxa2 $19 ) ) 44...Na2 $1 {and this proves that not all knights on the rim are dim.} ) 44.Bxc6 $1 bxc6 45.b4 Bd6 46.Rc1 Kd7 47.Nd3 $5 {When defending a strategically difficult position, you should be aware of the possibility of activating the game at the cost of material. Often this is the only practical chance to escape.} 47...Rxh3 $2 {Now White gets good drawing chances.} ( 47...Rg2+ $1 {is better.} 48.Ke3 ( 48.Nf2 $2 Bxb4 ) 48...Rxa2 49.Rg1 Ke7 $1 {With accurate play Black should win this position, although it won't be that easy.} ) 48.a4 $1 Rh2+ 49.Ke3 Ra2 50.b5 cxb5 ( 50...c5 {is the last attempt to win, but the resulting position is a theoretical draw (which does not mean a draw in practice).} 51.dxc5 bxc5 52.Nxc5+ Bxc5+ 53.Rxc5 Rxa4 54.b6 Rb4 55.Rc7+ Kd6 56.Rh7 Rxb6 57.Rxh6 ) 51.axb5 Ra5 52.Rh1 $1 Rxb5 53.Rxh6 {White has enough activity for a smooth draw.} 53...Rb1 54.Rh7+ Ke8 55.f4 $1 b5 56.Rh6 Kd7 ( 56...Ke7 57.Rh7+ Kf6 58.Rd7 ) 57.Rh7+ Kc6 58.Rh6 Kd7 59.Rh7+ Kc6 60.Rh6 Kd7 ( 60...b4 61.Rxe6 b3 62.Kd2 $1 {The only move, but good enough.} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Monaco"]
[Date "2022.10.30"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Muzychuk, Anna"]
[Black "Koneru, Humpy"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2534"]
[BlackElo "2574"]
[ECO "C43"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Beauty "6533740031554"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {Here we have the good old Petroff again. Is this defense taking the Berlin's place as Black's bulletproof option against 1. e4 $2} 3.d4 Nxe4 4.dxe5 d5 5.Nbd2 Nxd2 ( 5...Qd7 {was played by Nepomniachtchi in the last round of the Candidates Tournament against Duda.} ) ( 5...Nc5 {is also a popular move.} ) 6.Bxd2 Be7 7.Bd3 c5 8.c3 Bg4 ( 8...Nc6 {is more common.} ) 9.h3 Bh5 10.Bf5 $5 {Muzychuk had put her bishop on f5 also in the first game and now tries it six moves earlier. It's a new and interesting idea. In combination with g2-g4, the bishop on f5 creates discomfort for Black. I remember analyzing a similar idea in the Open Ruy Lopez.} ( 10.Qe2 {was played in Dichev-Stoyanov, Primorsko 2016.} ) ( {The first game of the tiebreak went} 10.O-O Nc6 11.Re1 Qd7 12.Bf4 a6 13.a4 Nd8 14.g4 Ne6 15.Bg3 Bg6 16.Bf5 Qc6 17.a5 h5 {with a draw after 32 moves.} ) 10...Nc6 11.g4 $1 Bg6 12.Qe2 {This is the idea. White plans to castle queenside and then play h4-h5. Black needs to be fast.} 12...Qb6 $6 {Too slow.} ( 12...O-O $1 {is better, with the idea of playing Re8 quickly and exploiting the pin on the e-pawn.} ) 13.O-O-O Bxf5 {A sad necessity.} ( 13...O-O 14.h4 $1 {White's attack is very strong.} ) 14.gxf5 O-O-O 15.Rhg1 Rhe8 $6 {A move that looks interesting, sacrificing a pawn, but White gets the advantage. I must remember that this was a rapid game, so this move was a good practical chance.} ( 15...Rhg8 16.Bf4 {With a clear advantage.} ( 16.Ng5 {is tempting, but not so strong since Black has drawing chances in the endgame after} 16...Nxe5 $1 17.Qxe5 Bxg5 18.Bxg5 f6 19.Qe6+ Qxe6 20.fxe6 fxg5 21.Rxg5 Rge8 22.Rgxd5 Rxd5 23.Rxd5 Rxe6 24.Rxc5+ Kd7 ) ) 16.Rxg7 Bf6 17.Rxf7 Bxe5 ( 17...Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Rxe5 19.Qg4 {White is much better.} ) 18.Qf1 $2 {The machine indicates a greedy continuation that gives White a winning advantage.} ( 18.Nxe5 Nxe5 19.Rxh7 $1 {Not afraid of a discovered attack.} 19...Nc4 20.Be3 $1 {and White defends everything.} ) 18...Qa5 $2 ( 18...Na5 $1 {is a better chance to create counterplay; the knight heads to c4. The position is unclear after} 19.Nxe5 Rxe5 20.Bg5 Rde8 ) 19.Kb1 Qa4 20.Bg5 $2 {This move allows Black an incredible resource, as the c3-pawn is now susceptible to a sacrifice from the black bishop.} ( 20.Re1 $1 {is much better for White.} ) 20...Rd6 $2 {Missing the chance, but to be honest the idea is nearly impossible to find.} ( 20...Bxc3 $3 21.bxc3 d4 $3 {Believe it or not, the computer indicates a draw by perpetual check now.} 22.cxd4 ( 22.Bxd8 $2 dxc3 {and Black even wins.} ) 22...Qb4+ 23.Ka1 Qc3+ 24.Kb1 Qb4+ ) 21.Rxh7 $2 ( 21.Re1 $1 {Again this move is necessary, pinning the e5-bishop.} ) 21...Bxc3 $1 {This time Koneru seizes the opportunity.} 22.b3 $6 ( 22.bxc3 {is scientifically the best move, but no one can blame Muzychuk for not playing like that, as Black's attack looks deadly.} 22...Ne5 ( 22...Na5 $6 23.Rh6 $1 {This is a critical and very-difficult-to-find resource.} ) ( 22...Nb4 23.Rd2 ( 23.cxb4 $2 Qxb4+ 24.Kc2 Rb6 $19 ) 23...Rb6 24.Rh6 $1 ( 24.Rb2 $2 Nxa2 $1 25.Rxb6 Nxc3+ 26.Kb2 axb6 27.Kxc3 Qa3+ 28.Kc2 Qa2+ $17 ) 24...Nxa2+ 25.Rxb6 Nxc3+ 26.Kb2 axb6 27.Kxc3 Qa3+ 28.Kc2 Qa2+ 29.Kc3 Qa3+ ) 23.Rh6 $1 ( 23.Nxe5 $2 Rb6+ 24.Ka1 Qc2 {followed by mate in a few moves.} ) 23...Rxh6 24.Bxh6 Qe4+ 25.Ka1 Qxf3 {and I prefer Black.} ) 22...Qa5 ( 22...Qa3 23.Bc1 Qb4 {is possible. We will soon see this variation again.} ) 23.Bf4 Nb4 $2 ( 23...Qa3 $1 24.Bc1 Qb4 {White's dangerous bishop is driven back, and Black has the advantage due to more active pieces, better pawn structure, and safer king.} ) 24.a4 Rc6 $2 {This move loses.} ( 24...Rd7 $1 {is necessary:} 25.Rxd7 Kxd7 {with an unclear position.} ) 25.Qb5 $1 {A surprising and spectacular move.} 25...Qxb5 ( 25...Qb6 {This move doesn't save Black.} 26.Rg1 c4 27.Ne5 $1 Bxe5 28.Bxe5 {with a winning advantage since the bishop cannot be captured.} 28...Rxe5 29.Rg8+ ) 26.axb5 Re2 {The last chance.} ( 26...Rb6 27.Rc7+ Kd8 28.Rxc5 {and the position falls apart.} ) 27.Bd2 ( 27.Rd2 {is also winning.} 27...Bxd2 28.Rh8+ $1 Kd7 29.bxc6+ Kxc6 30.Bxd2 Rxf2 31.Ne5+ Kd6 32.Bxb4 cxb4 33.Nd3 Rxf5 34.Nxb4 {And White won't have problems converting this endgame with an extra piece.} ) 27...Bxd2 28.bxc6 Bc3 29.cxb7+ Kb8 30.Rg1 $2 {This move allows perpetual check.} ( 30.Nd2 $1 {is the correct winning move. It's not hard to spot since it's very logical, but the resulting variations are quite complicated.} 30...Bxd2 31.Rg1 ( 31.Rxd2 Rxd2 32.f6 {The computer shows this is also winning, but I imagine a human being scared of a perpetual check here.} ) 31...Bg5 {This position reminds me of the famous Dvoretsky's exercises: many tempting moves but only one of them is winning and the right one is very difficult to find.} 32.h4 $3 ( 32.Rxg5 $2 Re1+ 33.Kb2 Re2+ 34.Kc1 Na2+ {with perpetual check.} ) ( 32.f4 $2 Na2 $1 33.Rg3 ( 33.Rxg5 Nc3+ 34.Kc1 Na2+ 35.Kd1 Nc3+ {with a draw.} ) 33...c4 $1 34.bxc4 dxc4 35.fxg5 c3 {and surprisingly Black creates counterplay.} ) 32...Na2 ( 32...Bd8 33.f6 Rxf2 34.Rg8 Rf1+ 35.Kb2 Rf2+ 36.Kc1 {Here Black has no perpetual check.} 36...Nd3+ 37.Kb1 ) 33.Rg3 c4 {Here White is able to win because of the f2-pawn $1} 34.hxg5 c3 35.Re3 $3 {The only winning move.} 35...c2+ 36.Kxa2 Rxe3 ( 36...c1=Q+ 37.Rxe2 $18 ) 37.Kb2 {Black's resources are finally exhausted.} ) 30...Rb2+ 31.Kc1 Nd3+ 32.Kd1 Nxf2+ 33.Kc1 Nd3+ {A fascinating game $1} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Women's Candidates"]
[Site "Monaco"]
[Date "2022.10.25"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Koneru, Humpy"]
[Black "Muzychuk, Anna"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2574"]
[BlackElo "2534"]
[ECO "D27"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[Beauty "8249021566985"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 {The quest for the world title is a long and winding road, extremely demanding from every aspect of the game. Preparation is the first layer and as such players often come with brand-new concepts for the matches. Muzychuk, for example, has never opted for the solid QGA, but apparently came thoroughly prepared for this game.} 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.b3 Nbd7 ( {Both players no doubt knew the recent top-GM encounter which saw} 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 Be7 9.Bb2 O-O 10.Nd2 b5 11.Be2 Bb7 12.Rc1 Qd7 13.a4 Nc6 14.axb5 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 axb5 16.Nf3 {Two weeks ago So defended the position with} 16...Rfc8 17.Bxf6 Qxd1 18.Rxc8+ Rxc8 19.Rxd1 Bxf6 20.Bxb5 Bxf3 21.gxf3 Rc2 {Xiong,J (2690)-So,W (2774) Saint Louis 2022} ) 8.Be2 b6 9.Ne5 {Koneru's concept is clear. White will try to create problems for her opponent before she completes the development.} 9...Bb7 10.Bf3 Bxf3 $146 {Up to here, Muzychuk is demonstrating her preparation, flashing her moves quickly. This novelty included $1} ( {Black could not completely solve his opening problems in another top-GM predecessor after:} 10...Qc7 11.Bb2 Rd8 12.Bxb7 Qxb7 13.Qe2 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Nd5 15.Nd2 Be7 16.Ne4 {Ding,L (2799)-Aronian,L (2782) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 11.Qxf3 Bd6 ( {The preliminary pawn swap} 11...cxd4 $5 12.exd4 Bd6 {also made a lot of sense and was definitely studied by both the players.} ) 12.Nxd7 {Koneru is in the think tank, slowly getting into the game.} 12...Nxd7 13.Ba3 {The most aggressive continuation.} ( {Safer (and thus likely easier to be answered) were both)} 13.Rd1 $5 ) ( {And} 13.Bb2 ) 13...Qb8 {The last blitzed move by Muzychuk.} ( {In hindsight, however, Black might regret not choosing the safest} 13...O-O 14.Nd2 {And only now} 14...Qb8 15.dxc5 Nxc5 {with approximate equality.} ( {Somewhat better for White is} 15...Bxc5 16.Bb2 ) ) 14.dxc5 $1 {The most principled continuation $1 It is Black's turn to get into deep thought.} ( 14.Nd2 O-O {would have transposed to the line from above.} ) 14...Nxc5 $1 {A good move. There is plenty to choose from.} ( {First and foremost, Black needs to understand why the obvious move} 14...Be5 {does not win material. Well, then comes the strong} 15.c6 $1 {and if} 15...Nc5 ( {There is certainly no time for} 15...Bxa1 16.cxd7+ Kd8 17.Qxf7 ) 16.Nc3 $1 {Is very strong when the black king is a problem in the line} 16...Bxc3 17.c7 $1 {and White wins in all lines, for instance} 17...Qb7 ( {Or} 17...Qc8 18.Qc6+ Kf8 19.Bxc5+ bxc5 20.Qxc5+ {mopping up a few pawns.} ) 18.Qxb7 Nxb7 19.Rac1 {And the pawn makes it to the end.} ) ( {However, the preliminary (and greedy)} 14...Bxh2+ $5 15.Kh1 {And then} 15...Be5 $1 {Was more interesting. The point is that this time} 16.c6 Nc5 17.Nc3 {can be met with} ( {The other try is} 17.b4 Qd8 $1 18.bxc5 b5 $1 {when nothing is clear at all.} ) 17...Qd8 $3 {That's the difference. The white king is somewhat vulnerable too and Black can force the queen swap.} 18.Rac1 Qh4+ 19.Qh3 Qxh3+ 20.gxh3 Nd3 {With an unclear game after both} 21.Rc2 ( 21.f4 {Or} 21...Bxc3 22.Rxc3 O-O-O ) 21...O-O-O ) ( {The other capture is a concession.} 14...Bxc5 {leads to White's edge after both} 15.Bb2 ( {Or} 15.Rd1 Bxa3 16.Nxa3 ) 15...O-O 16.Nd2 ) 15.Qc6+ {This is the maximum that Koneru could extract from the position. She at least ruined the enemy's chance to caste. However, Black can often live with that and needs only a couple of tempi to escape into safety.} ( {Weaker was} 15.Bxc5 Bxc5 16.Qc6+ Ke7 17.Nc3 Rc8 {and Black should be comfortable.} ) 15...Ke7 16.Nd2 $1 {Initiative is everything $1} 16...Rc8 {This is definitely needed.} ( {Although} 16...Bxh2+ {at once was an option when after} 17.Kh1 Rc8 18.Bxc5+ bxc5 19.Qe4 {Koneru has enough for the pawn.} ) 17.Qf3 Bxh2+ 18.Kh1 Bd6 {But that is wrong $1 Black cannot afford to lose even a single tempo.} ( {She needed to defend the slightly unpleasant position after} 18...Be5 $1 19.Rac1 Kf8 $1 20.Ne4 Kg8 21.Bxc5 bxc5 22.Rxc5 Rxc5 23.Nxc5 Ra7 ) 19.Nc4 Kf8 ( {The machine is somehow claiming a defendable position after} 19...Ke8 20.Rad1 Bf8 21.b4 Nd3 22.Qe4 Nxb4 23.Bxb4 Bxb4 {but finally admits that White is much, much better with} 24.f4 ) 20.Rad1 {Now the white pieces are way too fast.} 20...Be7 ( 20...Rd8 21.Nxd6 {drops a piece.} ) 21.Bxc5 $1 {Removing the key defender. The attack is as smooth as butter.} 21...bxc5 ( {Or} 21...Rxc5 22.Nxb6 $1 {and the knight wins whatever it wants.} ) ( {Whereas} 21...Bxc5 {allows} 22.Rd7 {Mate threat $1} 22...Be7 23.Rb7 {Queen trap.} ) 22.Rd7 Ra7 23.Nd6 $1 {The key double attack.} 23...Qxd6 24.Rxa7 $1 {And a neat capture at the end. There will be not even a hint of a fortress.} ( 24.Rxd6 Bxd6 ) 1-0

[Event "Women's Candidates"]
[Site "Monaco"]
[Date "2022.10.26"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Muzychuk, Anna"]
[Black "Koneru, Humpy"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2534"]
[BlackElo "2574"]
[ECO "C43"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "6600559441982"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.dxe5 d5 5.Nbd2 Qd7 {A very fresh line, invented by Caruana back in 2018. What adds educational value to the story is the fact that the American found the idea after honestly analyzing his own epic win against Grischuk at the Berlin Candidates.} ( {One understands Black's reluctance to allow the trade on e4 (and then on the d8-square) after a game like this:} 5...Be7 6.Nxe4 dxe4 7.Qxd8+ Bxd8 8.Nd4 O-O 9.Bf4 Re8 10.Bc4 a6 11.O-O-O c5 $2 12.e6 $1 {and White was already winning in Guseinov,G (2661)-Savic,M (2525) Budva 2009} ) ( {Against Grischuk, Caruana chose the straightforward} 5...Nxd2 6.Bxd2 Be7 {but experienced some problems in the opening.} ) 6.Bd3 {The most natural development.} ( {Although the other moves like} 6.Be2 ) ( {and} 6.Nb3 {make sense too.} ) 6...Nc5 7.Be2 Ne6 {This can be labeled a new trend.} ( {The first game of the line saw} 7...g6 8.Nb3 ( {Black expected something like:} 8.O-O Bg7 9.Re1 O-O 10.Bf1 Rd8 ) 8...Ne6 9.Be3 c5 10.Ng5 ( {On} 10.Qd2 {Caruana planned} 10...h6 ( 10...d4 11.Bh6 ) 11.c3 b6 12.O-O-O Bb7 {and although Black lacks development, it is difficult to see how will White profit from this fact.} ) 10...b6 ( {There is no need to allow squares for the white knight with:} 10...d4 11.Ne4 Be7 12.Bh6 Nc6 13.O-O Nxe5 ( 13...b6 14.Nf6+ Bxf6 15.exf6 Bb7 16.Re1 O-O-O 17.Bg4 {\"and I felt it is easier for White to play.\" (Caruana)} ) 14.f4 Nc6 15.f5 gxf5 16.Rxf5 {and White's initiative is dangerous, (Caruana)} ) 11.Nxe6 ( {Nothing yeilds:} 11.Bf3 Bb7 12.c4 d4 ) 11...fxe6 ( {The American player believed that} 11...Qxe6 {is also playable, with the idea:} 12.Bf3 Bb7 13.c4 Bg7 14.cxd5 Qxe5 {But this might not be the case after:} 15.d6 $1 ) 12.a4 ( 12.c3 $5 {was more natural, as suggested by Carlsen.} ) 12...Bb7 13.O-O ( 13.c3 {again is possible.} ) 13...Nc6 14.f4 Bh6 {Vitiugov $146 (2735)-Caruana,F (2784) Karlsruhe/ Baden-Baden 2018} ) 8.O-O Be7 9.Re1 {White's plan is clear. She needs to attack on the kingside.} 9...O-O 10.Nf1 c5 11.Ng3 $146 {This natural move is a novelty.} ( {A top-GM game saw instead:} 11.Bd3 Rd8 12.Ng3 g6 13.c3 Nc6 14.h4 c4 15.Bc2 a5 16.h5 Ra6 17.Be3 d4 18.cxd4 Ncxd4 19.Ne4 {with complex play after} 19...Nxf3+ 20.Qxf3 Nd4 21.Bxd4 Qxd4 22.Rad1 Qxb2 23.hxg6 hxg6 24.Rxd8+ Bxd8 25.Nd6 {Duda,J (2750)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2766) Madrid 2022} ) 11...Rd8 {It did not take too long for Koneru to decide to keep her valuable bishop alive.} 12.Nf5 Bf8 ( {The machine is happy with} 12...Nc6 13.Nxe7+ Qxe7 {instead.} ) 13.c3 {The bishop needs to get back on the b1-h7 diagonal, and therefore White frees a retreat path for it.} 13...Nc6 14.Bd3 Qc7 ( {In case of} 14...d4 {White would happily block the center with} 15.c4 {concentrating on the kingside attack.} ) ( {However} 14...c4 {was interesting, with the idea to clarify the situation in the center at once after} 15.Bc2 ( {However, White has a more cunning retreat instead} 15.Bb1 $1 {stopping the breakthrough as} 15...d4 16.cxd4 Nexd4 17.N3xd4 Nxd4 {Now loses to} 18.Bg5 $1 {and Black loses material.} ) 15...d4 16.cxd4 Nexd4 17.N3xd4 Nxd4 18.Nxd4 ( {Here} 18.Bg5 $2 {loses to} 18...Nxc2 ) 18...Qxd4 19.Qxd4 Rxd4 20.Be3 {and this should be about equal.} ) 15.Bg5 {Now comes a forcing sequence.} ( {Stronger was the meticulous play in Ruy Lopez style with} 15.Bc2 $1 {when} 15...b5 {can be met with the annoying} ( {Or} 15...c4 16.Qe2 ) 16.a4 ( {Black defends against} 16.Qd3 g6 ) ) 15...Nxg5 16.Nxg5 g6 17.e6 $1 {A do-or-die situation. The retreat would be deadly for White.} 17...fxe6 18.Rxe6 {Muzychuk brings a ton of pieces around the enemy king. The only problem is that many of them are hanging. The critical position of the game so far.} 18...Ne7 {Koneru's moves are always as practical as they can be.} ( {Another practical decision would have been} 18...Bxe6 $5 19.Nxe6 Qf7 20.Nxd8 Rxd8 {when Black looks fine.} ) ( {But the greedy} 18...gxf5 19.Bxf5 Bxe6 $2 {was correctly rejected by Black. White's attack is decisive after} 20.Bxe6+ Kh8 ( {Nothing changes} 20...Kg7 21.Qd3 $1 Qe5 22.f4 $3 Qxf4 23.Rf1 {and order to avoid mate Black would have to part with her queen.} ) 21.Nf7+ Kg7 22.Qg4+ Kf6 23.Qf5+ Ke7 {Now many roads lead to Rome. Like the simple} 24.Re1 $1 ( {Or the more spectacular} 24.Bd7 $3 ) ) ( {Still, Koneru did not choose the most optimal move. Instead} 18...Ne5 $3 {might have led to a decisive lead in the match for the Indian player. The attack is repelled and in all the lines Black would preserve a winning material advantage. First and foremost, White has nothing without the light-squared bishop after say} 19.f4 ( {But there is also no time to retreat with} 19.Bc2 {as Black can now take everything with} 19...gxf5 20.Bxf5 Bxe6 21.Bxe6+ {and as the f7-point is defended} 21...Kh8 22.Qh5 Qg7 {repels all the threats.} ) ( {And if a move like in the game} 19.Nh4 {then the simplest is} 19...Bxe6 20.Nxe6 Qe7 21.Nxd8 Qxh4 22.Ne6 Ng4 {with decisive counterattack.} ) 19...Nxd3 20.Qxd3 gxf5 21.Qxf5 Qg7 {and there is not enough attack for the material.} ) 19.Nh4 $1 {The only move $1 The pieces need to somehow open the black king.} ( 19.Nxe7+ $2 Bxe7 {loses material for White.} ) 19...c4 ( {Here too} 19...Bxe6 {is possible and after} 20.Nxe6 Qb6 21.Nxd8 Rxd8 22.Qd2 c4 23.Be2 Qf6 {Black would conduct d5-d4 at some point, fully equalizing.} ) 20.Bxg6 $1 {Not a moment of hesitation for Muzychuk.} ( {Instead} 20.Bc2 Bxe6 21.Nxe6 Qb6 22.Nxd8 Rxd8 23.Rb1 d4 {leads to an unfavorable version of the subline from above.} ) 20...hxg6 $1 {Koneru is also accurate in her calculations.} ( {The other captures lose, for instance} 20...Bxe6 $2 21.Bxh7+ Kh8 ( 21...Kg7 22.Qd4+ ) 22.Qh5 ) ( {Or} 20...Nxg6 $2 21.Nxg6 Bxe6 22.Nxe6 Qf7 23.Ngxf8 ) 21.Nxg6 Bxe6 22.Qh5 {Forcing the perpetual.} ( {The machine finds a way to extract something out of the position with typical computer moves} 22.Nxe6 Qd6 23.Ngxf8 Rxf8 24.Qg4+ ( 24.Nxf8 $2 Rxf8 ) 24...Kf7 {And now} 25.Re1 $3 {As cool as that. Yes, but the machine does not risk losing the match at once. Plus even here after} 25...Rg8 26.Qh5+ Rg6 27.Qh7+ Ke8 28.Nf4 Rf6 29.Nxd5 Rf7 30.Qh8+ Kd7 31.Qxa8 Qxd5 32.Qxa7 Ng6 {things are not clear at all.} ) 22...Nxg6 23.Qxg6+ Kh8 ( {Or} 23...Qg7 24.Qxe6+ Kh8 25.Qh3+ {which also be a draw.} ) 24.Qh5+ Kg8 25.Qg6+ Kh8 26.Qh5+ Kg8 27.Qg6+ Kh8 28.Qh5+ {The spear and the shield proved equal today.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Fischer Random World Championship Finals"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2022.10.25"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2688"]
[BlackElo "2856"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]

1.f4 {The opening position is begging for a Stonewall and Fedoseev quickly builds one as White.} 1...d5 2.e3 Nc6 3.d4 e6 {Error reading move: Nf2 One of the good options. Carlsen on his turn is fighting for the center at once. And now it is a weird-looking French construction. The optimal position for the knight. From here it stops the central e6-e5 breakthrough, protects the f4-pawn, and is ready to visit the c5-square some time in the future. Or some other square $2 This knight does not have a problem finding a good spot. Carlsen has achieved a more or less equal position, but it somehow feels itchy as his other knight does not have a career. Gaining the bishop pair, and maybe a tempo or two for the improvement of the other knight. For now Fedoseev finds a way to complicate matters. Spectacular $1 Carlsen spent more than two valuable minutes on this decision.} ( {The other one was to look for a quick castling with} ) ( {The bishop could have been worried at once with} ) ( {More or less similar would have been} ) ( {However, the straightforward might have been easier.} ) ( {There was an alternative choice which would have led to a complicated situation after} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Fischer Random World Championship Finals"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2022.10.26"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2688"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]

1.e4 e6 {The starting position reveals a relative queenside weakness. Especially vulnerable is the a7-pawn and an important detail is that neither of the sides can defend it even after it castles long.} 2.f4 d5 {Error reading move: Ng3 Nakamura wants to win a tempo to develop his light-squared bishop, while fighting for the center. The only drawback of the move is that it pushes the white knight where it wants to be. The continuation of the strategy.} ( {Just like in \"regular\" chess to disturb g3-knight made good sense here.} ) ( {However, more accurate seemed} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "U.S. Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2022.10.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Yoo, Christopher Woojin"]
[Black "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2563"]
[BlackElo "2699"]
[ECO "D00"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[Beauty "6671157995604"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4 e6 4.Nb5 {I must admit that I never quite understood the point of White's game in this opening, with this far-fetched knight-jump. Which is not to say that the variation is bad, as it's played by many strong chess players.} 4...Na6 5.e3 {The idea is to leave the knight poorly placed on a6, although White loses some time with this and his own knight is no Pegasus.} 5...Be7 6.Nf3 O-O 7.Be2 {Yoo doesn't mind trading the f4-bishop. Other moves avoid this and are very common.} ( 7.Ne5 ) ( 7.h3 ) ( 7.h4 ) 7...Nh5 $1 8.Be5 f6 9.Bg3 c6 10.Nc3 c5 11.O-O Nxg3 12.hxg3 {A critical position after the opening. White's play is unimpressive - there doesn't seem to be enough compensation for losing the pair of bishops, a positional advantage beloved by all grandmasters. White will certainly try e3-e4 at some point to bring his pieces to life. Black's next move is very interesting and surprises those with obsolete strategic convictions.} 12...c4 $5 {A new move. It seems strange to close the center with the bishop pair. Haven't we been taught that what's best for them is an open position $2 But there is another advantage that must be taken into account: having more space. The idea becomes clear with the next move.} ( 12...Bd7 13.e4 {was played in Suyarov - Prraneeth, Stavanger 2022.} ) 13.e4 Bb4 $5 {Black tries to force a definition in the center. Which is better, taking on d5 or advancing the pawn $2 This question is very difficult to answer.} 14.exd5 ( 14.e5 {definitely had its merits, keeping the position tightly closed.} ) 14...exd5 15.Nb1 {A rather sad move, but White needs to rearrange his pieces.} 15...Nc7 16.c3 Bd6 17.Nbd2 b5 {We can declare Black the winner of the opening battle: his position is clearly more comfortable.} 18.Ne1 $6 {It's better to get some life on the queenside.} ( 18.a4 $1 {is the best move to fight for equality.} 18...a6 ( 18...b4 {This move is tempting, but White has a good answer.} 19.b3 $1 bxc3 20.Nb1 {And after capturing the c3-pawn, White will finally have a little more activity.} ) 19.axb5 axb5 20.Rxa8 Nxa8 {I still prefer Black, but with the exchange of rooks White is not as suffocated as in the game.} ) 18...Be6 19.Nc2 Qd7 20.Re1 a5 {Now Black has a clear advantage, as he has the bishop pair and more space.} 21.a3 g6 $5 {The beginning of an interesting plan: to play h5-Kg7-Rh8 and break on the kingside with h5-h4.} 22.Nf1 h5 23.Qd2 Kg7 24.f4 {If White stands still, defeat is certain. This move seems positionally dangerous, but at least it gains some space.} 24...Rh8 25.Bf3 f5 {This move is surprising to me. I expected the natural 25...h4 or doubling the rooks on the h-file before that. Black instead plans to move the knight to the juicy e4-square, but this allows White to use the e5-neighbor for an exchange sacrifice.} ( 25...h4 {Actually this move is not so dangerous for White.} 26.gxh4 Rxh4 27.g3 $1 Rh3 28.Re2 {And for now, everything is protected.} ) ( 25...Rh7 $5 {This is my favorite move, doubling the rooks before playing h4.} ) 26.Re2 ( 26.Re5 $1 {is better, basically winning a tempo compared to the game.} ) 26...Ne8 $1 27.Rae1 Bf7 28.Re5 Nf6 ( 28...Bxe5 $2 {Of course, this move is a crime, as it gives White everything he wants: a passed pawn and a wonderful knight on d4.} 29.dxe5 ) 29.Nfe3 h4 {Perhaps Black could wait a little longer before making this move, as White doesn't have an active plan.} 30.Qf2 $1 h3 31.Re2 $6 ( 31.Nxd5 {It seems crazy to capture this pawn, but the computer is not afraid.} 31...Bxd5 32.Bxd5 Bxe5 33.Bxa8 h2+ 34.Kh1 Bxf4 35.Qxf4 Rxa8 36.d5 $5 {And White has enough counterplay for equality.} ) 31...Rad8 {Now capturing on d5 is no longer possible.} 32.Qe1 Ne4 {Black has a clear advantage.} 33.g4 Bxe5 ( 33...hxg2 {This move is more accurate.} 34.Rxg2 Rh3 $1 {with a very strong attack, for example:} 35.Bxe4 dxe4 36.gxf5 Rdh8 $1 37.Kf2 R8h4 $1 {and the f4-pawn falls, with fatal consequences.} ) 34.dxe5 hxg2 35.Rxg2 Rh3 {The difference with the variation we saw earlier, in which Black doesn't capture on e5, is that White can now use the d4-square for his knight.} 36.e6 $2 {The losing move and from now on White has no chance.} ( 36.Bxe4 dxe4 37.Nd4 $1 {The position is very complicated. A possible line follows:} ( 37.gxf5 $2 Rdh8 38.Kf2 {It doesn't seem so simple to win here, but the computer shows the way.} 38...Kf8 $1 ( 38...Rf3+ 39.Kg1 ) 39.Nd4 gxf5 {and, according to the machine, Black wins here, although it's still necessary to play some difficult moves.} ) 37...fxg4 ( 37...Rdh8 38.Qd2 $1 ) 38.Nxg4 Rdh8 39.Qxe4 Bd5 40.e6 Bxe4 41.exd7 Rh1+ 42.Kf2 Bxg2 43.Ne6+ Kf7 44.d8=Q Rxd8 45.Nxd8+ Ke8 46.Kxg2 Rb1 47.Nb7 Rxb2+ 48.Kf3 {with good drawing chances for White.} ) 36...Bxe6 37.gxf5 Bxf5 38.Nxf5+ Qxf5 {White has surrendered his pawn for no good reason.} 39.Nd4 Qf6 40.Bxe4 Re8 $1 41.f5 Rxe4 42.Qf2 Reh4 {The game is over.} 43.Rxg6+ Qxg6+ 44.fxg6 Rh1+ 45.Kg2 R4h2+ 46.Kg3 Rxf2 47.Kxf2 Rh2+ 48.Ke3 Rxb2 49.Kf4 Kxg6 50.Ke5 b4 51.axb4 axb4 52.cxb4 c3 53.b5 Rxb5 {A nice finishing touch.} 54.Nxb5 c2 55.Kd4 0-1

[Event "U.S. Women's Championship"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2022.10.18"]
[Round "12.6"]
[White "Yu, Jennifer"]
[Black "Krush, Irina"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2297"]
[BlackElo "2432"]
[ECO "E76"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7767045705227"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 {Krush does not hide her intentions. This is a must-win situation for her, the color of the pieces does not matter.} 5.e4 d6 6.f4 {Nor does Yu hide her intentions. She is transposing into the Four Pawns Attack, one of the most aggressive ways to fight the KID.} 6...O-O 7.Nf3 e6 8.dxe6 fxe6 9.Be2 ( {A more common development is} 9.Bd3 {as preferred by the modern specialist of the line, Pavel Ponkratov. White is overprotecting the center and intends to launch a quick kingside attack. A typical development then is} 9...b6 10.O-O Bb7 11.Qe1 Nc6 12.Ng5 Qd7 13.Qh4 h6 14.Nf3 Rae8 15.Bd2 Nh5 $1 {when the direct} 16.f5 {led White to promising complications after} 16...Ne5 $1 17.fxg6 Nxd3 18.Qxh5 Nxb2 19.Bxh6 Bxh6 20.Qxh6 Qg7 21.Qh5 Rf6 {Ponkratov,P (2641)-Theodorou $146 (2577) Warsaw 2021 And now} 22.Ne5 $3 {would have been immensely strong.} ) 9...Nc6 10.O-O b6 {Played after serious thought. The long diagonal is very tempting for the bishop, especially now that the white one is not taking care of the e4-pawn.} ( {However, a more common move is} 10...a6 11.Qd3 Qe7 12.Ng5 Nd4 13.Be3 e5 14.fxe5 dxe5 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.Rxf8+ Bxf8 17.cxd5 Bh6 18.Nf3 c4 19.Qd2 Bxe3+ 20.Qxe3 Nc2 21.Qb6 Nxa1 {when White did not have enough for the rook in Williams,S (2485)-Jones,G (2576) Sunningdale 2010 (But the caveman attack later succeeded.)} ) 11.Ne1 $146 {And this novelty has been played after an even heavier thought (more than 22 minutes on the clock).} ( {Other moves here are} 11.Kh1 Bb7 12.Be3 Qd7 13.Qd2 Ne7 14.Bd3 d5 15.e5 Ng4 16.Bg1 Bh6 17.Ne2 d4 18.Qe1 Nf5 {and Black did not have anything to complain about in Dubov, D (2660)-Pichot,A (2544) Doha 2016} ) ( {Or} 11.Ng5 Nd4 12.Bd3 Qe7 13.Qe1 Bd7 14.Bd2 Rad8 15.Kh1 Nh5 {with approximate equality in Fridman,D (2637) -Conquest,S (2536) Liverpool 2008} ) ( {And finally, the centralization} 11.Qd3 {Here a nice example of White's attacking possibilities was the following game:} 11...Bb7 12.Ng5 Nd4 13.Qh3 e5 14.Bg4 Bc8 15.Bxc8 Qxc8 16.f5 $1 h6 17.Ne6 Nxe6 18.fxe6 Kh7 19.Bg5 $1 {and White was winning in Kouatly,B (2515)-Minasian,A (2545) Tehran 1992} ) 11...Bb7 {With the white knight away from the g5-square this is more than justified.} ( {Yu's main idea was to meet} 11...e5 $6 {with} 12.f5 $1 ) 12.Be3 ( {White is not prepared for} 12.Bf3 Nd4 13.e5 $2 Nxf3+ 14.Nxf3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 dxe5 16.fxe5 Qd4+ {the game opened in Black's favor and she is already winning.} ) 12...Nd4 {Krush is comfortably developing and does not experience any problems whatsoever.} 13.Bd3 ( {Of course not} 13.Bxd4 cxd4 14.Qxd4 Nxe4 ) 13...Qe7 {A natural move. The rooks are connected.} ( {But it would have been even more cunning to place the queen on the neighbouring square} 13...Qd7 $5 {when} 14.Nc2 {(What else $2) can be nicely met with} 14...e5 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.cxd5 Ng4 $1 ) 14.Nc2 Nd7 {Both sides are preparing for the grand central battle.} ( {The drawback of Black's queen development can be seen in the line} 14...e5 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.Bg5 ) 15.Rb1 {Overprotecting the b2-pawn. Yu likely believed that she will have the time to deal once and for all with the active black knight and removed from the scene with Nc3-e2, but that is too slow.} ( {More accurate would have been} 15.Qd2 $1 Rf7 {And now White can launch into complications with} ( 15...a6 16.Rae1 ) 16.Rae1 ( {Or defend the center with} 16.Rf2 Raf8 17.Raf1 ) 16...Raf8 17.f5 $5 ) 15...Rf7 16.Qd2 $1 {Yu is demonstrating her mental power and admits her mistake. Unfortunately for her, this costed her another 11 minutes on the clock.} ( {The planned} 16.Ne2 {would have led White to a bad position after} 16...e5 $1 17.fxe5 Rxf1+ 18.Qxf1 Rf8 19.Qd1 Nxe2+ 20.Bxe2 Bxe5 {and Black is clearly better.} ) 16...Raf8 17.Rbe1 e5 {Krush decided that the time had come.} ( {But she could have further strengthened her position instead with} 17...Bh6 $5 ) ( {Or} 17...Qh4 $5 {trying to provoke a kingside weakness after g2-g3.} ) 18.Nd5 {The most obvious move is not the best one here. Now Black would claim large advantage.} ( {The machine finds the only path} 18.f5 $1 gxf5 19.Bg5 $1 Qe8 ( {Or the beautiful line} 19...Qe6 20.Nxd4 cxd4 21.exf5 dxc3 22.fxe6 Rxf1+ 23.Rxf1 cxd2 24.exd7 Rxf1+ 25.Bxf1 {Which leads to mutual queen promotion} 25...d1=Q 26.d8=Q+ Bf8 27.Qf6 {and a position in which only White can play for the full point.} ) 20.exf5 Nxf5 21.Bxf5 Rxf5 22.Rxf5 Rxf5 23.Nb5 Bf8 24.g4 $1 Rf7 25.Nxd6 Bxd6 26.Qxd6 Rg7 27.h4 {with dynamical equality.} ) 18...Bxd5 19.exd5 ( {Worse is} 19.cxd5 Nxc2 20.Bxc2 exf4 21.Rxf4 Rxf4 22.Bxf4 Bxb2 {when White is down a pawn, and as a compensation is worse strategically.} ) 19...Nxc2 20.Bxc2 exf4 21.Rxf4 {A critical moment.} 21...Rxf4 {Krush chooses a complicated way.} ( {Stronger was the simple-hearted} 21...Bxb2 $1 22.Rxf7 Qxf7 23.Ba4 Bg7 {with Black consolidating her advantage.} ) 22.Bxf4 Bd4+ 23.Kh1 Qf6 ( {Here} 23...Ne5 {at once would have been stronger as Black not afraid of the opposite-colored bishops} 24.Bxe5 ( {And if} 24.g3 {as in the game, Black can do something more useful, like} 24...Qd7 ) 24...Bxe5 {as Black has the more valuable bishop.} ) 24.g3 Ne5 25.Qe2 $1 ( {Yu is correctly avoiding} 25.Bxe5 Bxe5 26.Qe2 Qf2 {which is indeed terrible for White.} ) 25...Bxb2 {Finally Krush won the pawn, but Yu managed to consolidate her position and White's active pieces control a lot of squares.} 26.h4 Bd4 27.Kg2 Qe7 28.Rf1 ( 28.Ba4 $5 {at once would have been more accurate.} ) 28...Qd7 $1 {Immediately trying to capitalize on the inaccuracy.} 29.Bxe5 $1 {Once again Yu demonstrates flexible thinking. So far it has never been a good idea to swap off this bishop for the knight as Black was always enjoying the better bishop and therefore the better attacking chances. But the last few moves have changed the situation and it is White who can start an attack before the opponent in many lines.} 29...Re8 {Krush keeps playing for the win. But this is a blunder, which suddenly leads to...} ( {Objectively best was} 29...Bxe5 30.Rxf8+ Kxf8 31.h5 {when White is out of danger, say} 31...Kg7 ( {Or} 31...Qe8 32.hxg6 hxg6 33.Qg4 ) ( {Or} 31...gxh5 32.Qxh5 ) 32.hxg6 hxg6 33.Qe4 Qf7 34.a4 {at some point the queens will be traded and this would lead to a draw endgame.} ) ( {Definitely not} 29...Rxf1 $2 30.Bxd4 $1 ) 30.Qf3 Bxe5 31.Ba4 {And it all ended with an even bigger blunder. Yu deflected the queen from the defense of the f7-square, that is true, but in time-trouble she forgot that the black queen defends the rook from afar.} ( {After the correct} 31.h5 $1 Qg7 ( {Bad for Black is} 31...g5 32.h6 $1 ) ( {And also bad for Black is} 31...Kg7 32.hxg6 hxg6 33.Qe4 ) 32.hxg6 hxg6 33.Qg4 {it would have been White who is clearly better, likely crushing $1} ) 31...Qxa4 32.Qf7+ Kh8 {Everything is defended and the desperate time-trouble attack does not help.} 33.h5 gxh5 34.Rf5 ( 34.Rh1 Qc2+ ) 34...Bd4 35.Rg5 Qc2+ 36.Kh3 Qe4 37.Rxh5 Qh1+ 38.Kg4 Re4+ 0-1

[Event "U.S. Women's Championship"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2022.10.19"]
[Round "13.2"]
[White "Cervantes Landeiro, Thalia"]
[Black "Yu, Jennifer"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2272"]
[BlackElo "2297"]
[ECO "E17"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6530229340681"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Re1 a5 {A rare continuation, and as GM Krasenkow explained it: \"One of the useful moves. Black waits for Nb1-c3 to reply with ...Nf6-e4.\" It should be added that Rapport likes playing like this and it certainly carried the effect of the surprise.} ( {Another useful move is} 7...Qc8 8.Nc3 Ne4 9.Nxe4 Bxe4 10.Ne5 Bxg2 11.Kxg2 c5 12.Nf3 cxd4 13.Qxd4 Bf6 14.Qe4 Qc6 15.Qxc6 Nxc6 {Matlakov,M (2674)-Andreikin,D (2729) Chess.com 2022} ) 8.Bg5 {Cervantes delays the development of the knight.} 8...Ne4 {But the knight visits the center anyway.} 9.Bxe7 {Played after some hesitation.} ( {The Ukranian GM Moiseenko demonstrated a better treatment of the position with} 9.Nfd2 $1 {Then} 9...f5 ( 9...Bxg5 10.Nxe4 {also looks better for White.} ) 10.Nxe4 fxe4 {Can be met with} ( {Black cannot solve all her problems with} 10...Bxe4 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Bxe4 fxe4 13.Nc3 {and the e4-pawn is vulnerable.} ) 11.Bf4 {White wants to keep more pieces on the board due to her space advantage. Now} 11...d5 {is well met with} ( {But perhaps Yu intended an improvement here with something like} 11...Bf6 $5 ) 12.Bh3 $16 {Moiseenko,A (2673)-Parligras,M (2598) Aix les Bains 2011} ) 9...Qxe7 10.Nfd2 f5 11.Nxe4 fxe4 12.Nc3 d5 13.cxd5 $146 {A logical novelty.} ( {White won seemingly convincingly after} 13.Qb3 a4 14.Nxa4 Qf6 15.e3 Qxf2+ 16.Kh1 dxc4 $2 ( {But instead Black could have opted for} 16...Nd7 $1 {and only White should be worried here.} ) 17.Qxc4 Bd5 18.Qxc7 Rf7 19.Qd8+ Rf8 20.Qd6 Rxa4 21.Rf1 {Loiseau,Q (2443) -Nielsen,R (2339) Zadar 2018} ) 13...exd5 14.Qb3 {But that is premature.} ( {Better was to start at once with} 14.f3 $1 {and only after} 14...e3 15.Qb3 {as now} 15...Qb4 {is met with} 16.f4 {and White has clear play against the opponent's weaknesses.} ) 14...Qb4 {\"I just started feeling pretty good about my position, because this endgame is very comfortable for me. I feel like I can't basically lose it.\" (Yu)} 15.Red1 ( {The daring} 15.Qxb4 axb4 16.Nb5 c6 {looks too risky to be true.} ) 15...Na6 ( {More accurate was} 15...Qxb3 16.axb3 Na6 ) 16.Rac1 {But Cervantes misses her chance.} ( {White could and should have avoided the queen swap with} 16.Qc2 $5 Qd6 17.a3 ) 16...Qxb3 17.axb3 {The endgame is indeed very pleasant for Black and she plays it neatly.} 17...Rad8 $1 {A nice prophylaxis $1} ( {Although the simple} 17...Rae8 18.Nb5 Re7 {looks good too.} ) 18.Nb5 c6 {The d6-point is covered and the knight needs to retreat ingloriously.} 19.Nc3 Nb4 20.Na4 Ba6 {Everything is coming just in time and Yu keeps the opponent's counterplay under a lid.} 21.Bf1 ( {Black is also much better after} 21.Nxb6 Bxe2 22.Rd2 Bb5 ) ( {But perhaps} 21.Rd2 Rb8 22.Rc3 {In order to prepare to organize some counterplay was White's best try. True, even here} 22...Bc8 $5 23.f3 exf3 {followed by Bc8-f5 at some point would have been very pleasant for the second player.} ) 21...Rb8 22.Kg2 g5 $1 {After putting everything in order on the queenside, Yu indicates where she will really like to attack. The half-open file as well as the space advantage will help her in the quest.} 23.e3 ( 23.f3 e3 {is too bishop-sad.} ) 23...Bd3 {A small slip that allows Cervantes one more chance to complicate her opponent's task.} ( {More determined was} 23...Bxf1+ $1 24.Rxf1 Rf3 ) 24.Rd2 {Missing it.} ( {White should have used the fact that the Nb4 has too many obligations at the moment and opted for} 24.Bxd3 $1 exd3 ( 24...Nxd3 25.Rxc6 ) 25.Nc3 {It is much more difficult for Black here to break through.} ) 24...Rf6 $1 {Protecting the c6-pawn $1} 25.Kg1 Kf7 26.Bxd3 Nxd3 27.Rf1 Rf3 $1 {No more counterplay. Yu fixed a large advantage, the position is very one-sided and nevertheless, watching the young American's technique is pleasant and instructive.} 28.Rc2 Nb4 29.Rd2 Ke7 $1 {Sending the weaker piece for the defense and thus releasing the more valuable attackers.} ( 29...h5 $5 {to open up the kingside at once would have been the aggressive method.} ) 30.Rc1 Kd6 31.Rf1 Kc7 {The rook is released. Yu knows she has no reason to hurry as she is strategically winning.} 32.Nc3 Rbf8 33.Ne2 h5 34.Kg2 c5 {Time to bring her majority into motion.} ( {If} 34...h4 35.Ng1 ) 35.h4 {This only makes things easier for Black.} ( 35.Nc3 Kc6 $1 ) 35...gxh4 36.gxh4 Rg8+ 37.Ng3 Rg4 38.Rh1 Kd6 39.dxc5+ bxc5 40.Ra1 Nc6 {The last move before the time control is a safe one.} ( {Instead} 40...Nd3 $1 {was winning at once with the idea} 41.Rxa5 ( {And if} 41.Rxd3 Rfxg3+ 42.fxg3 exd3 ) 41...Nxf2 42.Rxf2 Rgxg3+ 43.Kf1 Rxe3 ) 41.Rc1 d4 {Energetic, and not optimal this time.} ( {Some more preparation would have been more appropriate, like} 41...Ne7 $1 ) ( {Or} 41...Nb4 $1 ) 42.exd4 ( {In her preliminary calculations Yu saw White's best move} 42.Rc3 $1 {but missed the tricky} 42...d3 $2 ( {Still, after} 42...Rf7 $1 {Blakc would have been much better.} ) 43.Rcxd3+ $1 exd3 44.Kxf3 ) 42...cxd4 43.Rc4 ( {Now} 43.Rc3 {loses to} 43...d3 $1 ) 43...d3 44.Ra4 Ne5 45.Rxa5 Ng6 {The safest.} ( {Black avoids both} 45...e3 46.Rxd3+ ) ( {And} 45...Rfxg3+ 46.fxg3 e3 47.Rxd3+ Nxd3 48.Kf3 ) 46.Ra6+ Kc7 47.Ra4 Nxh4+ 48.Kh3 Nf5 49.Rc4+ Kd6 50.Kh2 Nxg3 51.fxg3 Kd5 52.Ra4 Rgxg3 53.Ra5+ Kd4 54.Rxh5 Ke3 55.Rd1 Ke2 56.Ra1 d2 57.Rh4 e3 0-1

[Event "U.S. Women's Championship"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2022.10.20"]
[Round "14.1"]
[White "Yu, Jennifer"]
[Black "Krush, Irina"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2297"]
[BlackElo "2432"]
[ECO "E72"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7289637196825"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 {Krush has no reasons to deviate from her winning strategy from a couple of days ago, right $2} 3.d5 e5 {Nope, the more experienced player chooses a solid setup for the rapid time control, while avoiding any specific preparation.} 4.Nc3 d6 5.g3 g6 6.Bg2 Bg7 7.e4 O-O 8.Nge2 Nbd7 9.O-O Ne8 {As a rule, White wants to attack on the queenside in the KID, whereas Black looks for a kingside attack. But this pawn structure is more specific and in reality both sides can play on either flank.} 10.h3 ( {The immediate} 10.Be3 {is more common as in the following games:} 10...a6 ( 10...Nc7 11.Qd2 Qe7 12.Rae1 b5 13.cxb5 a6 14.bxa6 Bxa6 15.b3 Nb5 16.Nxb5 Bxb5 17.a4 Ba6 18.Rb1 {and Black did not seem to have enough for the pawn in Chatalbashev,B (2530)-Janev,P (2234) Kiten 2021} ) 11.a4 Nc7 12.Nc1 Ne8 13.N1e2 Nc7 14.Nc1 Ne8 15.N1e2 {1/2-1/2 Borhy,M (2382)-Czebe,A (2413) Balatonlelle 2019} ) 10...f5 11.f4 Nc7 $146 {A solid, common-sense move and a novelty.} ( {White did well after} 11...Qe7 12.Qc2 Nef6 13.exf5 gxf5 14.Qxf5 Nb6 15.Qd3 e4 16.Nxe4 Bf5 17.N2c3 Rae8 18.Re1 {as Black could not make anything concrete out of the pin, Carstensen,J (2305)-Jacobsen,B (2337) Ballerup 2012} ) ( {It makes sense, however, to start with} 11...Ndf6 $5 {as Black should not fear the central trades} 12.exf5 gxf5 13.fxe5 $6 dxe5 {gives the black knight direct access to the super d6-square.} ) 12.Be3 {A common-sense move in return.} ( {More prudent seems} 12.a4 $5 {when the obvious maneuver} 12...Na6 {can be met with} 13.Nb5 Qe7 14.exf5 ( 14.a5 $5 ) 14...gxf5 {with the idea to bring the queenside rook in the game with} 15.Ra3 $5 ) 12...exf4 {Now Black equalizes with ease.} 13.Bxf4 ( {Correctly avoiding} 13.Nxf4 $6 Bxc3 $1 14.bxc3 fxe4 ) 13...Ne5 14.b3 Bd7 {Krush wants to prepare the b7-b5 advance with all the conveniences.} ( {However,} 14...b5 $5 {is at once as in comparison to Chatalbashev-Janev from above, Black has excellent play in case of} 15.cxb5 a6 16.bxa6 Bxa6 ) 15.Qd2 {Yu is not careful enough.} ( {Better is} 15.exf5 $1 Bxf5 16.Qd2 ) 15...b5 $1 {Now Black takes the initiative.} 16.exf5 gxf5 17.cxb5 Nxb5 18.Rae1 Qf6 ( {It makes sense to trade a pair of knights:} 18...Nxc3 $5 19.Nxc3 {and then} 19...Qf6 {would have been pleasant for Black. The knight swap would have opened more room for the slightly cramped black pieces.} ( {Or even} 19...Rc8 $5 20.Bh6 Qf6 21.Bxg7 Qxg7 ) ) 19.Nd1 $1 {A strong reply by Yu. This knight will play an important role in the middlegame.} 19...a5 ( {Or} 19...Nd4 20.Nxd4 cxd4 21.Nb2 {which would be similar to the game.} ( {But not} 21.Nf2 $2 Bb5 ) ) 20.a4 Nd4 21.Nxd4 cxd4 22.Nf2 Rfb8 {Losing a tempo.} ( 22...Rab8 $1 23.Nd3 Rfe8 {would be still better for Black.} ) 23.Nd3 {In faster time controls, the players are as a rule trying to follow their plans without much hesitation.} ( {That is the main reason why the tricky} 23.Ng4 $5 {was rejected (or missed) by White. The game gets sharper after} 23...Qe7 24.Bg5 Qf8 25.Nh6+ Kh8 26.g4 Rxb3 27.gxf5 {and anything can happen.} ) 23...Re8 $1 {Krush is bringing her rooks back to their optimal squares.} ( {White controls the entry squares after} 23...Nxd3 24.Qxd3 Rc8 25.Bd2 ) 24.Rc1 Rab8 25.Rc7 Bc8 ( {Safer is} 25...Qd8 26.Rfc1 Rc8 {with approximate equality.} ) 26.Nc1 {The nerves start to play a major role from here on.} ( {Otherwise, Yu would have simply defended the b3-pawn while developing with} 26.Rfc1 $1 ) 26...Rb4 ( {Strong is} 26...Ba6 $1 27.Rf2 Qd8 28.Qxa5 Bf6 29.Rfc2 Re7 {when the pin is more than annoying for White.} ) 27.Re1 Qd8 28.Rc2 Ba6 {Krush is regaining the initiative and puts severe pressure on her opponent.} ( {Also excellent is} 28...d3 $1 {when} 29.Nxd3 {looks horrible for White after} 29...Rd4 30.Bxe5 dxe5 ) 29.Kh2 Qb6 {For a moment, the black pieces start to hang in the air. And as John Nunn famously said once, Loose Pieces Drop Off (LPDO).} 30.Qf2 {Missing a great chance $1} ( {If Yu had more time, she would have definitely found} 30.Rc6 $3 {LPDO $1 This would have been the case here as after} 30...Nxc6 31.Rxe8+ Kf7 32.dxc6 Kxe8 33.Bxd6 $1 {Black cannot save her king.} ) ( {The second best choice is} 30.Bxe5 $1 Bxe5 31.Rc6 Qa7 32.Rxd6 $1 {and here too, Black's position falls apart.} ) 30...d3 31.Be3 Qb7 {The queen has nothing to do there.} ( {Her majesty belonged on the kingside and} 31...Qd8 $1 {is called for. After} 32.Rd2 Re4 $3 {White is suffering for} 33.Qxf5 Rxe3 34.Rxe3 Bh6 {wins on the spot for Black.} ) 32.Rd2 Qd7 ( {Better is} 32...Qf7 $1 {followed by} ) 33.Bf4 $1 {Yu finally gets rid of the huge passer on d3.} 33...Rbb8 34.Bxe5 Bxe5 35.Nxd3 Bxd3 $1 ( {Definitely not} 35...Rxb3 $2 36.Nxe5 dxe5 37.d6 e4 38.Rd5 {when Black's position collapses.} ) 36.Rxd3 Kh8 37.Rf3 {Ironically, there is a similar, opposite-colored bishop middlegame on the board as a couple of days ago.} 37...Rg8 {The most obvious move allows White a chance.} ( 37...Qg7 $1 {is needed.} ) 38.Rxe5 $3 {Which she does not miss $1 An excellent practical decision $1} 38...dxe5 39.Rxf5 Rxb3 {And a decisive blunder.} ( {After either} 39...Qg7 $1 ) ( {Or} 39...Qd6 $1 {it would have been still unclear.} ) 40.Rf7 {Now Black is getting mated.} 40...Qd6 41.Be4 Rg7 42.Rf8+ Rg8 43.Rf7 Rg7 44.Rf8+ Rg8 45.Qf7 Qxf8 46.Qxh7# 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship 2022 - Fi"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.02"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8247679390217"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 d5 ( 5...O-O {This move is more popular and is usually Nakamura's choice when playing the black side of this variation. Duda, however, has played 5...d5 a few times before.} ) 6.exd5 Qxd5 7.Bc4 Qd6 8.Nbd2 Bf5 9.b4 ( 9.Qe2 {was played in Hansen-Duda, Oslo (rapid) 2022.} ) 9...Bb6 10.Ng5 {Now the game takes on a forcing character and simplifications are inevitable. All is still well-known for both players.} 10...O-O 11.Nde4 Nxe4 12.dxe4 Qxd1+ 13.Kxd1 Bg4+ 14.Kc2 h6 15.Nf3 {White sacrifices a pawn but expects good compensation thanks to the bishop pair. The bishop on c4 is particularly dangerous.} 15...Bxf2 {Here or on the next move, Black could capture the knight on f3, avoiding the novelty that will be played by Nakamura. This has been tried before and White has managed to get adequate compensation, though it's not entirely clear that it's enough for the advantage. Anyway, it's clear that the move played in the game is superior.} ( 15...Bxf3 16.gxf3 Bxf2 17.Rf1 Bh4 18.a4 {Matlakov - Goryachkina, Ufa 2021.} ) 16.Rf1 Bb6 17.a4 a6 18.Nh4 $1 {Here's Nakamura's opening novelty. As usual, the computer is able to find equality, but the task is not easy when you are surprised in the game. It's no wonder that Duda now spent about 3 minutes and played an inaccuracy.} ( 18.Ba3 Rfe8 $1 {No fear of leaving the f7-pawn unprotected.} 19.Rad1 Be6 20.Bxe6 Rxe6 {was OK for Black in Grandelius - Duda, Aimchess Rapid 2022.} ) 18...Nd8 $6 {After this move White has the advantage.} ( 18...Be6 {I believe this is the most practical solution.} 19.Bxe6 fxe6 20.Nf3 ( 20.Ba3 $2 Rf4 $1 {and Black has the advantage.} ) 20...Nd8 $5 {Other moves are also possible, but I like this one, taking the knight to f7. Black is close to equality.} ( 20...Ne7 ) ( 20...Rf6 ) ) 19.a5 Ba7 20.Nf5 Ne6 $2 {Now White has a tactical chance.} ( 20...Re8 {is better, although White has a very pleasant compensation for the pawn.} ) 21.Bxh6 $1 {Nakamura never misses these tactical shots.} 21...Bxf5 ( 21...gxh6 22.Nxh6+ Kg7 23.Nxg4 ) 22.exf5 gxh6 23.fxe6 fxe6 24.Bxe6+ Kg7 25.Rad1 {As is well-known, bishops of opposite colors usually offer good chances of a draw in endgames, but interestingly here Black's position is lost. This is mainly due to the pawn structure, as we will see in some moves.} 25...Rxf1 ( 25...Kg6 26.Rxf8 Rxf8 27.Rd7 Bb8 28.Bd5 {The position is winning for White. Poor b8-bishop.} ) 26.Rxf1 Rf8 {This is forced, otherwise White invades the seventh rank. But now the real problem of the position appears...} 27.Rxf8 Kxf8 28.Bc8 $1 {White gains a pawn on the queenside. Often a pawn advantage is not enough to win in opposite-colored bishop positions, but here it's important to note the pawn structure on the kingside as well. White manages to create passed pawns on both sides of the board and this is fatal.} 28...b6 29.Bxa6 c5 ( 29...bxa5 30.bxa5 {And after stabilizing the position and advancing the kingside, White wins easily, for example:} 30...e4 31.Bb7 e3 32.Kd3 Ke7 33.Ke2 Kf6 34.Kf3 Ke5 35.Ba6 Bc5 36.Bd3 Ba7 37.a6 Bb6 38.g4 Ba7 39.h4 {and so on.} ) 30.Bb5 cxb4 31.a6 $1 bxc3 32.g4 {White will capture the c3-pawn, advance the pawns on the kingside, and march with the king to the queenside.} 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship 2022 - Fi"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2673"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[Beauty "6258304221714"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {My impression is that the Rossolimo Variation already surpasses the Open Sicilian in popularity, at least among the elite. This happens because White is failing to pose serious problems for Black in the Sveshnikov Defense.} 3...e6 ( 3...g6 {is the other critical move. Which one is the better $2 Impossible to answer—it's a matter of taste.} ) 4.O-O Nge7 {Preparing to recapture on c6 with the knight if necessary.} 5.d4 ( 5.Re1 {is the most popular move.} ) ( 5.c3 {is also critical.} ) 5...cxd4 6.Nxd4 Ng6 7.Be3 Be7 8.c3 {This is the most popular move among elite players nowadays. The idea is to prepare the capture with the pawn on d4.} 8...O-O 9.Nd2 a6 10.Bd3 b5 11.Qh5 $5 {Both players are following a very high-level game played less than a month ago. The queen is often very well placed on h5 in positions with a knight on g6, as it cannot be chased away easily. The white bishop points to the king, and there is the prospect of an attack.} 11...Bb7 12.Nxc6 {A theoretical novelty and the fruit of home preparation, judging by the speed with which it was played by Giri.} ( 12.Rad1 Nxd4 13.cxd4 Qe8 14.f3 f6 15.Nb3 {was slightly better for White in Navara - Gelfand, Czech Republic 2022.} ) 12...dxc6 {Taking with the bishop is also possible.} ( 12...Bxc6 13.f4 d5 $1 14.e5 b4 {with a complicated game.} ) 13.Bc2 c5 14.f4 {It's time to evaluate what's going on. Watching the game during the broadcast, I saw that the computer judged the position as roughly equal, but it seems to me that it's easier to play with White, as his moves are more natural. Surely this is better than trying to face the Sveshnikov.} 14...c4 $2 {This move loses a pawn, and the compensation is not enough. Let's check some alternatives:} ( 14...Re8 {This is a solid move, freeing the f8-square for the knight, defending the h7-pawn, and preventing the f4-f5 advance. But this strategy is passive and White is better.} 15.Nf3 ) ( 14...f5 {White cannot capture the f5-pawn for tactical reasons, so Black takes the opportunity to gain space and prevent the advance of White's f-pawn. But this move creates weaknesses.} 15.Rf2 ( 15.exf5 exf5 16.Bxf5 $4 Qd5 {and Black wins.} ) ) ( 14...Qc7 $1 {Is the best move. It lessens the strength of the f5-advance, as the knight is protected on e5. Also, now the rooks are connected, and the queen helps a c4-Bc5 plan in the future.} ) 15.f5 $1 Ne5 ( 15...exf5 $2 {loses after} 16.exf5 Ne5 17.f6 ) 16.fxe6 f6 ( 16...Bf6 17.Nf3 {is also very unpleasant for Black.} ) 17.Nf3 g6 ( 17...Qc7 {gives better saving chances.} ) 18.Qh3 Nd3 19.Qg4 $1 {A subtle and very strong move, preparing to exploit the weaknesses around the black king.} 19...Bc5 ( 19...Nxb2 20.Nh4 $1 {The attack is too strong. White is ready to sac the knight on g6.} ) 20.Bxc5 Nxc5 21.Nd4 Qe7 22.b4 $1 {White is just in time.} 22...cxb3 $6 {This move loses, although it's hard to criticize it since leaving the e6-pawn protected by the powerful knight seems hopeless.} ( 22...Nd3 23.Bxd3 cxd3 24.h4 {White has a nearly winning advantage.} ) 23.axb3 Bc8 24.b4 $1 Bxe6 ( 24...Nxe6 25.Bb3 Re8 {Black is tied up, and it's not surprising that White has many winning moves.} 26.e5 $5 ( 26.Bd5 ) 26...fxe5 27.Qe4 ) 25.Qd1 $1 {These long backward moves are indeed very beautiful. White wins material.} ( 25.Nxe6 {also wins, using the same idea.} 25...Qxe6 ( 25...Nxe6 26.Bb3 Rfe8 27.e5 $1 fxe5 28.Rae1 {and Black's king won't survive long.} ) 26.Qd1 $1 Rad8 27.Qb1 $1 {The last two moves are of rare beauty. White wins a piece as the knight cannot move because of the pin with 28.Bb3.} ) 25...Bc4 ( 25...Nd7 26.Nxe6 Qxe6 27.Bb3 {This is the point of White's play.} ) 26.bxc5 Bxf1 27.Kxf1 f5 ( 27...Qxc5 28.Bb3+ Kh8 29.Ne6 Qxc3 30.Nxf8 Rxf8 31.Rxa6 {White wins easily.} ) 28.Bb3+ Kh8 29.Ne6 {White is completely won, but Giri was in huge time trouble.} 29...Rad8 30.Nxd8 ( 30.Bd5 {is even better.} 30...fxe4+ 31.Ke2 ) 30...Rxd8 31.Bd5 Qxc5 32.Qf3 ( 32.Qd4+ {This is a good move to play in time trouble, exchanging queens with a simple win after} 32...Qxd4 33.cxd4 fxe4 34.Bxe4 Rxd4 35.Bc6 {The a6-pawn falls.} ) 32...Qd6 33.Kg1 ( 33.Qe3 $1 ) 33...Qe5 34.Rf1 fxe4 35.Bxe4 Rc8 36.Qf6+ {It's always good when you are a piece up in time trouble and manage to exchange queens.} 36...Qxf6 37.Rxf6 a5 38.Rb6 Rc5 39.Bf3 a4 40.Be2 a3 41.Ra6 Rxc3 42.Bxb5 {The rest is simple.} 42...Rc1+ 43.Bf1 Rc3 44.h3 Kg7 45.Kh2 Rb3 46.Bc4 Rc3 47.Ra7+ Kf6 48.Bg8 h5 49.Ra6+ Kg7 50.Bd5 h4 51.Be4 Rg3 52.Bf3 Rg5 53.Ra7+ Kf6 54.Rxa3 Rc5 55.Ra6+ Kg7 56.Rc6 Re5 57.Rc4 g5 58.Rd4 Kf6 59.Rd6+ Kf5 60.Rd5 Rxd5 61.Bxd5 g4 62.hxg4+ Kxg4 63.Bf3+ 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship 2022 - Fi"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "A50"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8247276746298"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Bf4 $5 {When we start playing chess, we are taught that we should normally develop knights before bishops. It's no surprise, then, that this move isn't popular. Normally it would be possible to transpose to well-known lines, but in a curious way the game quickly takes unique contours.} 3...d5 ( 3...b6 4.Nf3 {That would transpose to a variation of the Queen's Indian that has its supporters for White and was a favorite of the late GM Tony Miles.} ) ( 3...Bb4+ 4.Nd2 $5 {This is one of the ideas of White's creative move order.} ) 4.cxd5 {Another rare move. 4.e3, 4.Nf3 or 4.Nc3 would leave possible transpositions in the air.} 4...Nxd5 $1 {Black usually captures with the pawn in such structures, but this is a different case, as he can win a tempo by attacking the bishop. This opening looks strange, but there is a modern theory being developed here, and some high-level games have been played recently.} 5.Bg3 c5 $1 6.e4 Nf6 7.Nd2 $1 {This pawn sacrifice is the only way to fight for the initiative.} ( 7.e5 $2 Ne4 {is much better for Black.} ) 7...cxd4 ( 7...Nc6 {is also possible and was chosen by a few very strong GMs.} 8.dxc5 ( 8.e5 {was Carlsen's choice, but he got no advantage after.} 8...Nd7 $1 9.Ngf3 cxd4 {Carlsen-So, Aimchess Rapid 2021.} ) 8...Bxc5 9.e5 Nd5 10.Ngf3 O-O {with a complicated game: Niemann-Robson, U.S. Championship 2022.} ) ( 7...Qxd4 {Nobody had the courage to capture the pawn greedily with the queen, but it's certainly a move that needs to be analyzed. The computer is not impressed by White's compensation after} 8.Ngf3 Qd8 {But I must say that the position looks interesting for White from a human perspective, especially in a rapid game.} ) 8.e5 Nd5 9.Ngf3 Nc6 10.a3 {A useful move to avoid the knight jumps to b4 and thus be able to develop the bishop on d3. Playing with the d4-pawn down is thematic and not too scary for White. The plan is to finish development and set up a battery with Bd3-Qe2-e4, and it's quite possible that the pawn will be captured sooner or later.} 10...Nde7 $6 {A new move. The idea is to get the knight to f5 and get a firmer defense for the d4-pawn. The drawback is that Black moves the knight too many times.} ( 10...Be7 {was played in Materia-Milikow, Heraklion 2022. A possible continuation is:} 11.Bd3 O-O 12.O-O f5 $1 13.exf6 gxf6 14.Nxd4 Nxd4 15.Bxh7+ ( 15.Qg4+ {is not good since Black has the initiative after} 15...Kh8 16.Qxd4 Nb4 $1 17.Qxd8 Rxd8 ) 15...Kxh7 16.Qh5+ Kg7 17.Qg4+ {with perpetual check.} ) 11.Bd3 Nf5 12.Bf4 Be7 13.g4 $6 ( 13.Ne4 $1 {is more accurate, for instance:} 13...O-O 14.O-O f6 15.exf6 gxf6 16.Ng3 $1 Nxg3 17.fxg3 $1 {With great compensation for the pawn, thanks to the attacking prospects.} ) 13...Nh4 14.Nxh4 Bxh4 15.Nf3 Be7 16.Qe2 a5 17.h4 h5 $2 {This move is the reason for Black's problems, as now White's attack on the kingside is very strong. 17...a4, 17...Bd7 or 17...Qb6 are better alternatives.} ( 17...Qb6 ) ( 17...a4 ) ( 17...Bd7 ) 18.gxh5 Rxh5 19.Rg1 {Now White's play is natural and easy.} 19...Kf8 ( 19...g6 $2 20.Rxg6 $1 ) 20.O-O-O Qd5 21.Kb1 Rf5 $5 {A desperate attempt to complicate the game.} ( 21...g6 22.Be4 Qc5 23.Rxg6 $5 fxg6 24.Bxg6 Rh8 25.Qd2 Bd8 26.Bg5 {And White wins. Of course, this variation is not forced, but it illustrates White's attacking possibilities. The black king is very unprotected.} ) ( 21...Rh8 22.h5 {With a winning attack.} ) 22.Be4 ( 22.Bxf5 $2 exf5 {And suddenly Black has a lot of compensation with the bishop coming to e6 and the attack on the queen flank.} ) 22...Qb3 ( 22...Rxf4 $5 {is an interesting queen sacrifice. The compensation is not enough, but at least now Black can try to attack.} 23.Bxd5 exd5 24.h5 Bf5+ 25.Ka1 {and White should win without much trouble.} ) 23.Nd2 d3 {Accelerating defeat, but the position was already desperate.} ( 23...Qxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Rxf4 25.Qb5 {with a winning position.} ) 24.Bxd3 Nd4 25.Qe3 Qa4 26.Nc4 $1 {Everything is hanging and, apart from this, the attack on Black's king continues.} 26...Nc2 27.Bxc2 Qxc4 28.Bh6 $1 {A nice final touch.} 28...Ke8 ( 28...gxh6 29.Qxh6+ Ke8 30.Rg8+ Bf8 31.Qxf8# ) 29.Rxg7 {Mate is inevitable.} 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship 2022 - Fi"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8111318119434"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bf5 {This is a popular variation of the Petroff these days, being a specialty of super GM Duda, who played it in the candidates tournament. GM So also knows this line well, having scored an important victory with black against Niemann in the Sinquefield Cup with it.} 7.O-O Be7 8.Re1 O-O 9.Nbd2 Nd6 10.Nf1 c6 11.Bf4 ( 11.Ng3 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 Na6 {this was played in Firouzja - Duda, Candidates Tournament 2022.} ) 11...Bxd3 12.Qxd3 Na6 13.Ne3 ( 13.Re2 Nc7 14.Rae1 Ne6 15.Bxd6 Bxd6 16.g3 Qd7 17.Ne3 Rae8 {with a slight plus for White in Anand - Caruana, Warsaw (rapid) 2022.} ) 13...Nc7 {Black's position is very solid but also quite passive. There are no weaknesses, but White's pieces are better developed, and it's easier for the first player to double rooks on the open e-file. Of course, at the elite level, players usually manage to defend this type of position, but for us mere mortals I think there are opening choices that lead to less suffering.} 14.b3 $5 {The plan with c2-c4 is typical and poses some problems for Black.} 14...Ne6 15.Be5 f6 {A new move.} ( 15...Ne4 {This move looks better and was played by So himself recently. Naturally he has his own ideas about it and some improvement on White's play.} 16.c4 Nf6 ( 16...Bb4 $5 ) 17.Rad1 g6 {Niemann - So, Sinquefield Cup 2022.} ) 16.Bg3 ( 16.Bxd6 {leads to forcing play. White has just a tiny edge after} 16...Bxd6 17.Nxd5 Bxh2+ 18.Kxh2 Qxd5 19.Re4 Rae8 20.Rae1 Nc7 ) 16...Nc7 ( 16...Ne4 {is a more natural move. Play might continue:} 17.c4 Nxg3 18.hxg3 Nc7 19.Nf5 Re8 {and Black has good chances of equalizing.} ) 17.c4 Qd7 18.Re2 {Another typical plan in this position.} 18...Rfe8 19.Rae1 Bf8 20.h4 $5 {An interesting idea. So wants to take the pawn to h5, gaining space, and then head the knight to f5 with Nh4. This pawn on h5 will be critical to White's victory, as we will see later.} 20...Rad8 ( 20...Qf7 {doesn't change much, since Black cannot capture the pawn after 21.h5.} 21.h5 Qxh5 $2 22.c5 Ndb5 23.a4 {and White wins material.} ) 21.h5 Qf7 22.a4 $1 {A subtle move that surprised me during the broadcast. White wants to remove the b5-square from the d6-knight, making the c4-c5 push more dangerous in some lines.} ( 22.Nh4 {This variation illustrates the idea of 22.a4.} 22...dxc4 $1 23.bxc4 Qxh5 24.c5 Ndb5 ) 22...a6 $6 {While White's a-pawn advance has a clear idea, it is not so simple to understand the merits of Black's move. It's more useful to protect the c7-knight, and for this reason I like 22...Rd7.} ( 22...Rd7 $1 ) ( 22...Ne4 $2 {It's useful to mention that this move loses a pawn for no compensation after} 23.Bxc7 Qxc7 24.cxd5 cxd5 25.Nxd5 Rxd5 26.Rxe4 ) 23.Nh4 dxc4 $2 {It's not a good idea to release the central tension, as the white pawns are too menacing.} ( 23...Ne4 $1 {is the right move and gives Black drawing chances after some simplifications.} 24.Bxc7 Qxc7 25.cxd5 cxd5 26.h6 $1 ( 26.Nxd5 {The immediate capture is less accurate.} 26...Rxd5 27.Rxe4 Rxe4 28.Qxe4 Qd7 {with good play for Black since both d4 and h5 are hanging.} ) 26...g6 27.Nxd5 Rxd5 28.Rxe4 Rxe4 29.Qxe4 Qf7 30.Qf4 Rd6 $1 {Black has good chances since the position has simplified, his pieces have more freedom, and the h6-pawn is weak. There is enough compensation for the pawn.} ) ( 23...Qxh5 $2 24.c5 {wins a piece.} ) 24.bxc4 Ne6 ( 24...c5 {Is an idea to block White's c-pawn, but the problems are far from over after} 25.d5 Qxh5 26.Nhf5 ) 25.c5 Nc8 {After this move, Black is lost, and So conducts the attack with machine-like precision. Black had two bold moves to complicate the game, although no one can blame the young Indian prodigy for not choosing them.} ( 25...Nb5 26.Nef5 $1 ( 26.axb5 Nxd4 {White is still able to gain an advantage after some precise moves.} 27.Bd6 $1 Bxd6 28.cxd6 Rxd6 29.Rd2 Nf3+ 30.Nxf3 Rxd3 31.Rxd3 axb5 32.h6 g6 33.Red1 {With a strong attack in this unbalanced position.} ) 26...Nbxd4 27.Nxd4 Nxc5 ( 27...Rxd4 28.Qxd4 Nxd4 29.Rxe8 {and White wins.} ) 28.Qf3 {White is much better.} ) ( 25...Ne4 $1 {is the best practical chance, although White has a clear advantage after} 26.Qxe4 Nxd4 27.Qg4 $1 Nxe2+ 28.Rxe2 Bxc5 29.Nef5 Kf8 30.Rxe8+ Rxe8 31.Nd6 ) 26.Nef5 $1 Nxc5 27.Qf3 {A strong double-pawn sacrifice. A queen and two knights are enough to mate Black's poor king.} 27...Rxe2 28.Qxe2 Nxa4 29.Qg4 $1 {Threatening 30.Nh6+.} 29...Qd7 ( 29...Kh8 30.Ng6+ $1 ) 30.Ng6 $1 {A delightful move.} 30...hxg6 31.hxg6 Ne7 32.Rxe7 $1 {The final detail.} 32...Qxe7 ( 32...Bxe7 33.Qh3 $1 Qe6 34.Nxe7+ Qxe7 35.Qh7+ Kf8 36.Qh8# ) 33.Nxe7+ Bxe7 34.Qe6+ 1-0

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship 2022 - Fi"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "A50"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[Beauty "7422932422665"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Bf4 {Nihal repeats the same variation that gave him an important win in his match against Giri in the semifinals.} 3...d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bg3 c5 6.e4 Nf6 7.Nd2 Qxd4 {So is prepared and plays this critical move. In my analysis of Sarin vs. Giri, I wondered why nobody had ever tried this.} ( 7...cxd4 {was the move chosen by Giri in the aforementioned game.} ) 8.Ngf3 Qd8 9.e5 Nd5 {Where does White's compensation come from $2 Mainly in the space advantage granted by the pawn structure and in the possibility of an attack on the kingside. If the attack works, then the pawn won't be missed. But So is one of the best defenders in the world (if not the best).} 10.a3 {White could develop the bishop on d3 immediately, without worrying about the knight jump to b4. Honestly, it won't make that much of a difference, as a3 will come in handy sooner or later.} ( 10.Bd3 ) 10...Be7 11.Bd3 Bd7 $1 {Castling before White would be dangerous because of the possibility of an attack with h2-h4. So plays a useful move and waits for White to castle.} ( 11...O-O $6 12.h4 $1 {Now there are ideas related to Bxh7 followed by Ng5 and the h1-rook comes to play.} ) 12.Qe2 a6 $1 {I really like this move. The main idea is to play Bb5 at some point, even if it's giving the pawn back. With that, Black avoids a mating attack because, without the d3-bishop, it doesn't exist. Perhaps White, recovering the pawn, will achieve equality, but let's remember that So needed only two more draws to decide the match. For him, the most important thing was to play solid chess.} 13.O-O O-O ( 13...Bb5 {immediately was also possible.} 14.Bxb5+ axb5 15.Qxb5+ Qd7 16.Qe2 O-O {with a roughly equal position.} ) 14.Rad1 Bb5 $1 15.Nc4 {Risky, but the best chance to fight for a win. In case of} ( 15.Bxb5 axb5 16.Qxb5 {Black can force the exchange of queens with} 16...Qb6 $1 ) 15...Nc6 ( 15...Nd7 $1 {is more accurate since the knight is going to b6.} 16.h4 Bxc4 $1 17.Bxc4 N7b6 18.Bd3 c4 $1 19.Bxc4 ( 19.Bb1 c3 {with a clear advantage.} ) 19...Nxc4 20.Qxc4 Rc8 {The triumph of Black's strategy: Giving the pawn back and playing a game with a clear positional advantage (thanks to the knight on d5) and without risks.} ) 16.h4 Na5 17.Qe4 g6 18.Ne3 $2 ( 18.Nd6 $1 {Is the only way to fight for compensation.} 18...c4 $5 ( 18...Bxd3 19.Rxd3 c4 20.Rxd5 $1 {It is better to sacrifice than to accept the material.} ( 20.Nxc4 Nxc4 21.Qxc4 Rc8 {and Black has a comfortable advantage.} ) 20...exd5 21.Qxd5 {with an unclear position, but White has compensation for the exchange.} ) 19.Bb1 $1 ( 19.Nxc4 Bxc4 20.Bxc4 Nxc4 21.Qxc4 Rc8 $15 ) 19...c3 20.Rfe1 cxb2 21.h5 Nc3 22.Qg4 Nxd1 23.hxg6 hxg6 {It seems that White has nothing more than a draw.} 24.Bxg6 fxg6 25.Qxg6+ Kh8 26.Qh6+ {with a perpetual check.} ) 18...Nxe3 19.Qxe3 ( 19.fxe3 {Doesn't help since Black can force the exchange of queens after} 19...Qd5 $1 {The endgame after} 20.Qxd5 exd5 21.Bxb5 axb5 22.Rxd5 Rfd8 {is close to winning because of the better pawn structure.} ) 19...Qc7 {Black is now a clean pawn since White cannot create dangerous threats in the kingside. So plays the remainder of the game with admirable precision.} 20.Nd2 {Trying to bring the knight to e4 and then f6, but So keeps a cool head.} 20...Bxd3 21.Qxd3 Rfd8 22.Qe3 Nc6 $1 23.Ne4 Nd4 $1 {The knight heads to f5.} 24.Nf6+ Kg7 25.Bf4 Nf5 26.Qh3 Kh8 {Black has other good options, but the move played is more than enough. Now 27...Bxf6 is threatened.} ( 26...Rxd1 27.Rxd1 Rd8 ) ( 26...h5 ) 27.Ne4 Rxd1 28.Rxd1 Rd8 29.Nd6 ( 29.Rd6 $1 {The computer gives this flashy move as the only chance, but I doubt it would have changed the final result.} ) 29...Kg8 $1 30.h5 g5 $1 {Now the game is over. The d6-knight can be captured, and Black can even play h7-h6 if he wants to close the kingside. Nihal decides to sacrifice a piece in desperation.} 31.h6 gxf4 32.Qg4+ Kf8 33.Nxf5 Rxd1+ 34.Qxd1 exf5 {Since a loss in this game means the match is over, White decides to play a few more moves.} 35.Qd3 Qxe5 36.Qd7 Qd6 37.Qc8+ Bd8 38.Qxf5 Qxh6 39.Qxc5+ Kg7 40.Qd5 Qb6 41.b4 h6 42.Qe5+ Qf6 43.Qd5 b6 {Congratulations to GM Wesley So for yet another achievement in his brilliant career $1} 0-1

[Event "Chess.com Global Championship Finals 20"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.03"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Black "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2673"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "6258904031817"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 h6 {A cunning line, played regularly by Carlsen among other top players.} 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.e3 {Sevian decided to keep his dark-squared bishop behind the pawn chain.} ( {White's main idea is to develop his dark-squared bishop more aggressively with} 5.Bf4 Bd6 ( {Although Esipenko's} 5...dxc4 $5 {is also quite interesting.} ) 6.Bg3 O-O 7.e3 c5 8.cxd5 Bxg3 9.hxg3 cxd4 10.Qxd4 exd5 11.Bb5 Nc6 12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.O-O Re8 {as in Radjabov, T (2765)-Carlsen,M (2847) chess24.com 2021} ) 5...Bd6 {Here too, the bishop can be developed more powerfully.} ( {Black can also postpone the development of the bishop and play something more flexible like} 5...Nbd7 6.b3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 a6 8.a4 Bb4 9.Bb2 b6 10.O-O Bb7 11.Qe2 O-O 12.Rfd1 Qe7 13.Rac1 Rfd8 14.h3 c5 15.Na2 Ba5 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.Nc3 Bc7 18.Nb1 {1/2-1/2 (18) Tomashevsky,E (2700)-Artemiev,V (2706) Cheboksary 2022} ) 6.b3 O-O 7.Bb2 b6 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.O-O Nbd7 {In a symmetrical position both players start to prepare for the inevitable central clash. The c7-c5 and e6-e5 breaks are on the agenda and both sides try to anticipate the future.} 10.Rc1 a6 {Nihal prefers to keep his options open and takes away the b5-square from the enemy knight.} ( {The immediate} 10...c5 {was also possible, when White could have fought for a small edge with} 11.Nb5 Bb8 12.cxd5 Nxd5 13.Bb1 a6 14.dxc5 Nxc5 15.Nbd4 ) 11.Rc2 $146 {That is a novelty. The rook move can be used for doubling on either the c- or the d-files. Or maybe even for a kingside attack.} ( {In an earlier game, Giri preferred to connect the rooks at once with} 11.Qe2 Qe7 12.e4 dxe4 13.Nxe4 Ba3 14.Bxa3 Qxa3 15.Rc2 Rad8 16.Rd1 c5 {but the game quickly petered out into a draw, Giri,A (2760)-Erigaisi,A (2689) chess24. com 2022} ) 11...Re8 {Another flexible move.} ( {After} 11...c5 {White could have tried} 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Ne2 ) ( {However} 11...dxc4 $5 12.bxc4 c5 {deserved attention too.} ) 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Ne2 Nf8 {The beginning of a wrong idea.} ( {Nihal would have done better if he had chosen to overprotect the e5-point with} 13...Qe7 14.Ng3 g6 ) 14.Ng3 ( 14.Ne5 $5 {at once looked good too.} ) 14...Ne6 15.Ne5 $1 {Now Sevian builds Pillsbury's favorite QGD attacking set-up which will give him a large advantage.} ( {Or also} 15.Nf5 Bf8 16.Ne5 ) 15...c5 16.f4 {The central attacking ring is build and White can quickly transfer his pieces towards the kingside.} 16...Rc8 17.Nf5 {Dark clouds are gathering around Nihal's king and he cannot afford another inaccuracy any more.} ( {The move} 17.Rcf2 $5 {illustrates that the rook could have been useful for the kingside action too.} ) 17...Bf8 {Now Black is losing at once.} ( {The most resilient defense was} 17...cxd4 18.exd4 Rxc2 19.Bxc2 Bf8 {waiting for a good moment to lock the white light-squared bishop with Nf6-e4 $1} ( {But not the immediate} 19...Ne4 $2 20.Qg4 $1 ) ) 18.Qe1 $1 ( 18.Qf3 $1 {was equally good.} ) 18...cxd4 19.Qg3 {More or less decisive. The mating threats can be stopped only temporarily, with a desperate weakening move.} 19...g5 $1 {Bold, but needed.} ( {For a line like} 19...Rxc2 20.Nxh6+ Kh8 21.Nexf7# {speaks about the quality of White's position.} ) 20.fxg5 Nxg5 ( {After} 20...hxg5 21.Rxc8 Bxc8 22.Nxd4 {White easily crashes through.} ) 21.Bxd4 {White is winning.The black king's residence is completely destroyed. It is only a question of time when the countless white pieces will pay his Majesty one final visit.} ( 21.h4 {is not winning a piece yet, due to} 21...Nh5 22.Qg4 Nf6 ) 21...Rxc2 22.Bxc2 Bc8 {Somehow Nihal finds the strength to keep playing.} 23.Nc6 $1 {Good enough for the full point.} ( {Here} 23.h4 $1 {was already winning simply, as in the line} 23...Nh5 24.Qf2 {the black knight cannot retreat} 24...Ne6 25.Nxh6+ Bxh6 26.Qxf7+ Kh8 27.Ng6# ) 23...Nh5 24.Qh4 Qc7 25.Qxh5 Qxc6 26.h4 Qxc2 ( {Once more the knight cannot move:} 26...Ne6 27.Nxh6+ Bxh6 28.Qxf7# ) 27.hxg5 {And short on time, Sevian misses a small detail and unbelievably, the win $1} ( {The simple} 27.Nxh6+ $1 Bxh6 28.Qxh6 Qh7 29.Qxg5+ Kf8 30.Bxb6 {would have wrapped up the game.} ) 27...Bxf5 28.gxh6 Be6 $1 {Perhaps White missed this retreat $2} ( {Did Sevian expect only the other retreat} 28...Bg6 $2 {with a pretty finish after} 29.h7+ Bxh7 30.Qxf7# ) 29.Qe5 Qh7 $1 {Or did the young American miss this retreat $2} 30.Rf3 Bg4 $1 {After catching his breath, Nihal forces a perpetual.} ( {The machine claims that he was already safe with any move that was opening air for his king, like} 30...Bc5 ) ( 30...Bb4 ) ( 30...Ba3 ) 31.Qxe8 ( {Not} 31.Qg3 $2 f5 ) 31...Bxf3 32.gxf3 Qg6+ {And the white king has nowhere to hide.} 33.Kf2 Qc2+ 34.Kg3 Qg6+ 35.Kf2 Qc2+ 36.Kf1 Qb1+ 37.Kg2 Qg6+ 38.Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Black "Muzychuk, Anna"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2535"]
[BlackElo "2534"]
[ECO "D85"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7560484620809"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Qa4+ {The Grunfeld Defense is probably the toughest variation against 1.d4. This move is one of many possible attempts to confuse the opponent. While it's impossible to prove a scientific advantage, at least White can try to pose practical problems. This strategy will succeed in the present game.} 7...Nd7 ( 7...Qd7 {is also a popular move.} ) 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Be2 Nb6 {This is the first important moment for opening theory. 9...c5 is also possible and was played in 2019 in a game of the highest caliber. But the move played is an even better way to equalize.} ( 9...c5 10.O-O ( 10.Qc2 Qc7 11.d5 Ne5 12.O-O Nxf3+ 13.Bxf3 c4 14.Bg5 h6 15.Be3 b5 {Lei Tingjie (2444)-Li,Y (1916) China C $146 2015} ) 10...Nb6 ( 10...cxd4 11.cxd4 Nc5 {This might be dangerous for Black, since White's compensation for the exchange looks threatening after} 12.dxc5 $1 Bxa1 13.e5 ) 11.Qa3 cxd4 12.cxd4 Bg4 {Black eventually managed to equalize, although it's always possible to look for improvements.} 13.Rd1 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Bxd4 15.e5 Nc4 16.Qb4 Rc8 17.Bh6 Bxa1 18.Rxd8 Rfxd8 19.e6 Ne5 20.exf7+ Nxf7 21.Be3 {with a roughly equal position in Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi, St. Louis 2019.} ) 10.Qb4 Qd6 $1 11.O-O ( 11.Be3 {was tried in a recent super GM game.} 11...Qxb4 12.cxb4 Bd7 ( 12...f5 ) 13.Rc1 Rfc8 14.O-O a6 {followed by 15...Bb5, and the position is close to equal. Harikrishna-Shankland, Prague 2022.} ) 11...Bg4 $6 {This move is rightly criticized by GM Yermolinsky in his analysis of the game Inarkiev-Li Chao.} ( 11...Qxb4 12.cxb4 Bg4 {This is probably the best way to get an equal game.} ( 12...Bd7 {is also possible:} 13.Be3 Bc6 14.Nd2 a6 15.Rac1 e6 {with equality. Suleymenov-Vakhidov, Tashkent 2021.} ) 13.Be3 Rfd8 14.Rfd1 f5 {and Black is fine.} ( 14...c6 {is also good.} ) ) 12.Qb3 $1 {Avoiding the queen exchange.} 12...Be6 {The first new move of the game. It looks strange to go back with the bishop, but Black is luring White into playing d4-d5, as this will increase the scope of the g7-bishop.} ( 12...c6 $6 13.Rd1 Qc7 14.Ba3 {with a clear advantage for White in Inarkiev-Li, Palma de Mallorca 2017.} ) ( 12...c5 13.Ba3 Qc6 {is suggested by Yermolinsky as a better try. A possible continuation is:} 14.Bxc5 ( 14.d5 Qa4 $1 ) 14...Na4 $1 ( 14...Qxe4 $6 15.Rfe1 {White is clearly better.} ) 15.Bxe7 Nxc3 16.Bc4 Bxf3 17.Bxf8 Rxf8 18.Qxc3 Be2 $1 ( 18...Bxe4 19.Qb3 Bxd4 20.Rad1 {With winning chances for White.} ) 19.Rfc1 Rc8 20.Bxe2 Qxc3 21.Rxc3 Rxc3 {with drawing chances for Black due to the presence of opposite-colored bishops.} ) 13.d5 Bg4 14.h3 $6 {This is not the most accurate. White can fight for an advantage with 14.Rb1 or 14.Rd1.} ( 14.Rb1 $1 {This is my favorite move, preparing to play c2-c4, with a comfortable advantage.} ) ( 14.Rd1 ) 14...Bxf3 15.Bxf3 c6 16.Ba3 Qc7 $6 {Too passive. Muzychuk misses the chance to setup a battery with queen and bishop that threatens the white king. Of course, it's always easy to decide on such matters with an engine turned on, as there is an important and difficult to find detail in the following variation.} ( 16...Qf4 $1 17.Bxe7 Be5 18.Rfd1 Qh2+ 19.Kf1 Rfe8 20.d6 {The previous moves are natural, but now Black must find an incredibly difficult resource to stay alive.} 20...Nd5 $3 {This move saves the day.} 21.exd5 ( 21.g3 Bxg3 $1 22.fxg3 Ne3+ 23.Ke1 Nc2+ 24.Kf1 Ne3+ {with perpetual check.} ) 21...Bxd6 22.g3 ( 22.Bxd6 $4 Qh1# ) 22...Rxe7 23.dxc6 Bc5 24.Rd2 bxc6 25.Bxc6 Qxh3+ 26.Bg2 Qh6 $1 {and Black solves all the problems.} ) 17.Rae1 $5 {A subtle move, anticipating the capture on d5. However, this is not the best attempt.} ( 17.Rac1 cxd5 18.exd5 Nc4 19.Bxe7 $1 {White wins a pawn, but Black has considerable drawing chances.} 19...Qxe7 ( 19...Nd2 {is worse:} 20.d6 $1 Nxb3 21.dxc7 Nxc1 22.Bxf8 Rxf8 23.Bxb7 Ne2+ 24.Kh1 Nxc3 25.c8=Q Rxc8 26.Bxc8 Nxa2 27.Rd1 {with excellent winning chances for White in the endgame.} ) ( 19...Rfe8 20.d6 Nxd6 21.Bxd6 Qxd6 22.Qxb7 Rac8 $16 ) 20.Qxc4 Rac8 21.Qb3 b6 {With opposite-colored bishops and a good blockade, Black can be confident in achieving a draw.} ) 17...cxd5 ( 17...c5 $6 18.c4 {This type of position is a nightmare for Black. White will slowly prepare to advance pawns on the kingside and should eventually win.} ) ( 17...Be5 $5 18.c4 cxd5 19.cxd5 Nc4 20.Bc1 ( 20.Rc1 b5 $1 ) 20...a5 {Black's position is playable.} ) 18.exd5 Bf6 ( 18...Rfe8 $2 {is a blunder:} 19.Rxe7 $1 Rxe7 20.d6 {and White wins.} ) ( 18...Be5 $1 {This is the best move, preparing a blockade with Bd6. Maybe Muzychuk was afraid of an exchange sacrifice, but it's not clear whether White gets an advantage with it.} 19.Rxe5 $5 Qxe5 20.c4 Rac8 21.c5 Nd7 {and Black is alive, for instance:} 22.Rc1 ( 22.c6 bxc6 23.dxc6 Nf6 ) 22...Qd4 $1 ) 19.Re4 $5 {A nice move, preparing to double rooks on the e-file and also supporting the advance of c3-c4. Moves with more than one idea are usually the best in chess, unless you analyze the position deeply with the computer. The machine crushes all dreams of a logical explanation and usually shows the way to equalize, no matter what.} ( 19.c4 $5 {Is an interesting try.} 19...Qxc4 ( 19...Nxc4 20.Rc1 b5 ( 20...Rac8 $2 21.Bg4 ) 21.d6 $1 exd6 22.Bxa8 Rxa8 23.Bb2 Bxb2 24.Qxb2 {And the computer is happy with White's winning chances.} ) 20.Bxe7 Qxb3 21.axb3 Bxe7 22.Rxe7 Rab8 {Black is slightly worse in this endgame, but it should be a draw with perfect play.} ) 19...Rfc8 $2 ( 19...Nc8 $1 {is an important move and the only to fight for equality. It's necessary to prepare a blockade on the dark squares before White starts advancing the c-pawn.} 20.Rc4 ( 20.c4 Nd6 ) 20...Qb8 21.Re1 Nd6 22.Rf4 {Black has not solved all the problems, but this is much better than what happened in the game.} ) 20.Bg4 $1 Rd8 ( 20...Nc4 {Sacrificing the exchange is a better practical chance, although the compensation is not enough to save the game.} 21.Bxc8 Rxc8 22.Bc1 ) 21.c4 {Now White is positionally winning. Lei has everything she could ever dream of achieving against the Grunfeld: bishop pair, more space, and moving pawns.} 21...h5 22.Be2 Rac8 23.Re1 ( 23.Qe3 {is also very good.} 23...Re8 24.Rd1 Rcd8 25.g4 $1 ) 23...Rd7 ( 23...Nd7 $5 {This is the last time I recommend a saving attempt for Black. When things are not going your way, you should desperately try to change the trend of the game, even if it's necessary to sacrifice material.} 24.g4 $1 {The most precise.} ( 24.Bxe7 {Black's idea can be seen in this line:} 24...Nc5 25.Bxc5 Qxc5 26.Qxb7 Rb8 27.Qc6 Bd4 {With drawing chances due to the blockade on the dark squares.} ) 24...h4 ( 24...hxg4 25.Bxg4 $18 ) 25.Rxe7 $1 Bxe7 26.Bxe7 Re8 27.d6 {With a winning position. But at least White's moves are not easy to find.} ) 24.g4 $1 {A lovely move. I enjoy these pawn advances in front of the king very much, since they usually come as a surprise.} 24...h4 ( 24...hxg4 25.Bxg4 ) 25.Qe3 ( 25.g5 {leads to a computer-like win. I'm showing this only to delight the reader, but notice that during the game you should try to find the simplest possible win. In this practical sense, Lei's move is better.} 25...Bxg5 26.Bg4 f5 27.Re6 $1 Bf6 ( 27...fxg4 28.Rxg6+ ) ( 27...Kf7 28.Bxf5 $1 {Thanks, Stockfish.} 28...gxf5 29.Qf3 Rg8 30.Qxf5+ Bf6+ 31.Kh1 {with a decisive attack.} ) 28.c5 Nxd5 29.Bf3 Rcd8 30.Rd1 {White wins material.} ) 25...g5 {Necessary, in order to avoid 26. g4-g5.} 26.Bd3 {Now the e7-pawn falls.} 26...Na4 ( 26...Re8 27.d6 $18 ) ( 26...Kf8 27.Qf3 $18 ) 27.Bxe7 {The simplest.} ( 27.Qf3 {also wins, neglecting material in order to start a mating attack using the weaknesses on the light squares surrounding Black's king.} 27...Nc5 28.Bxc5 Qxc5 29.Qf5 Rcc7 30.R4e3 Kf8 31.Qh7 Rd6 32.Rf3 Bg7 33.Re6 $1 {and Black has no defense against (among many things) the threat of 34.Bg6.} ) 27...Rxe7 28.Rxe7 Qxe7 29.Qxe7 Bxe7 30.Rxe7 Nc5 31.Bf5 Kf8 ( 31...Rd8 32.Rc7 $18 ) 32.Rxf7+ $1 Kxf7 33.Bxc8 {White is two pawns up, and the rest is easy.} 33...b6 34.Bf5 Kf6 35.d6 Nb7 36.d7 Ke7 37.f4 gxf4 38.Kf2 Nd6 39.Kf3 Nxc4 40.Kxf4 Nd6 41.g5 Nb7 42.Ke4 1-0

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Black "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[ECO "D52"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7697005025290"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 Qa5 {The Cambridge-Springs Variation is a more solid choice for Black than the complications of the Botvinnik System with 6...dxc4. For those interested in classic games with this system, I suggest studying games 7, 9 and 11 of the match Capablanca vs. Alekhine.} 7.cxd5 ( 7.Nd2 {is also a popular choice.} ) 7...Nxd5 8.Rc1 h6 {It's usually difficult to know if the ...h6 move is useful; I have doubts about this in several defenses. Many players prefer to take on c3 right away. Others choose 8...Bb4.} ( 8...Nxc3 9.bxc3 Ba3 10.Rc2 b6 {is similar to the game.} ) ( 8...Bb4 9.a3 Bxc3+ ( 9...Nxc3 10.axb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 10.bxc3 {with a complicated fight ahead.} ) 9.Bh4 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Ba3 11.Rc2 b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This plan is essential for Black: playing the bishop to a6 and simplifying the position a bit.} 12.Nd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A relatively rare move, but one that has been tried in some correspondence games.} ( 12.Be2 Ba6 13.O-O Bxe2 14.Rxe2 O-O 15.c4 {leads to a typical middlegame for this variation. Black is solid, but White has more space. Ding-Duda, Goldmoney (rapid) 2021} ) 12...Ba6 13.c4 {The most natural move.} ( 13.Nc4 Qa4 ) ( 13.Bc4 O-O 14.O-O c5 {In the only game played in this position, the GM of White tried an interesting quality sacrifice with} 15.d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15...exd5 16.Bxd5 Bxf1 17.Nxf1 {with the idea of bringing the knight to the kingside and creating an attack since Black's queen and bishop are out of play. This worked in the game, but the computer always finds some path to equality. Iturrizaga Bonelli-Ghazarian, Castelldefels 2021.} ) 13...O-O ( 13...Be7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14.Bxe7 Kxe7 15.Be2 c5 16.O-O cxd4 17.exd4 Rhd8 {with a roughly equal position in Barkov-Martynov, ICCF email 2017.} ) 14.Bd3 c5 15.O-O cxd4 16.exd4 Rfe8 17.Qe2 Rac8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is inaccurate and leads to problems. The correct path is shown in one of the correspondence games.} ( 17...Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Rd1 Rac8 {with equality in Haapamaeki-Raivio, ICCF email 2018.} ) 18.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There are two possible doubles for the d2-knight: one on c4 and one on d6.} 18...Qa4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move makes things worse.} ( 18...Nb8 {is also not enough:} 19.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong computer suggestion.} ( 19.Bxa6 Qxa6 20.Qxa6 Nxa6 21.Nc4 Bxc5 22.dxc5 Rxc5 {Black has some drawing chances.} ) 19...Bxd3 20.Qxd3 {The point is that Black cannot capture on c5:} 20...bxc5 21.Nf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...gxf6 22.Bxf6 {with a decisive attack.} ) ( 18...Bxd3 19.Qxd3 Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move is probably what Goryachkina missed.} ( 19...b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20.Ne4 ) ( 19...bxc5 20.Nc4 Qa6 21.Qxa3 Qxa3 22.Nxa3 cxd4 23.Rfc1 {with good winning chances for White.} ) 20.Nc4 Qa6 21.a3 Ba5 ( 21...bxc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 22.axb4 cxb4 {is also possible. This a better version for Black of the piece sacrifice that occurs in many lines.} ) 22.Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...bxc5 23.Qa4 Nb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Qxa5 Qxa5 25.Nxa5 cxd4 {Black has two pawns for the piece and drawing chances, although White is happy with this position.} ) 19.Bxa6 Qxc2 20.Bxc8 Rxc8 21.Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very unpleasant move. Black has no good squares for the rook.} 21...Rc7 ( 21...Rb8 22.c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Qxc6 23.Qxa3 {wins a piece.} ) ( 21...Ra8 22.Qb7 Rf8 23.Qxd7 Qxd2 24.c6 {and the c-pawn decides the game.} ) ( 21...Re8 22.Qb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Qxd2 23.Qxd7 {again followed by the advance of the c-pawn.} ) ( 21...Rf8 22.Qxa3 ( 22.Nf3 {is probably even better.} ) 22...Qxd2 23.c6 Qxd4 24.cxd7 Qxd7 {This endgame is winning for White.} ) 22.Bg3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22.Bd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a better way to convert the advantage.} 22...Nb8 ( 22...Nxc5 23.dxc5 Rxc5 24.Nb3 Rd5 25.Qxa3 Rxd8 26.Qxa7 {with a winning position.} ) ( 22...Rc6 23.Qb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black loses material.} ) 23.Qxa3 Rc8 24.Qxa7 Rxd8 ( 24...Qxd2 {doesn't solve the problems.} 25.Bxb6 Qxd4 26.c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.Qxb6 Rf8 26.Nf3 Qxa2 27.Ne5 {with an easily winning endgame a pawn up.} ) 22...e5 23.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best.} ( 23.Nc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23...Qd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 23...Bxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has to sacrifice a piece.} ( 23...Qxa2 24.Nxe5 Nxe5 25.Bxe5 {and White wins since Black's pieces are poorly placed and the c-pawn is ready to advance.} ) 24.dxc5 Nxc5 25.Qa3 f6 {Let's pause and assess the position. White has a material advantage (bishop for two pawns), but it is not easy to convert: the bishop on g3 is not good.} 26.Rc1 Qg6 27.Nh4 {I don't like this move. A knight on the rim is dim, someone said.} ( 27.h3 {I'd rather play a simple move giving some air for the king.} ) 27...Qf7 ( 27...Qe4 {is an interesting alternative.} ) 28.Rd1 ( 28.f4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Maybe this is a better way to justify White's previous move.} ) 28...Rd7 29.Rxd7 Qxd7 30.h3 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the h4-knight is in trouble. Black prepares g5.} 31.Bb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very good, practical decision. White gives back material to capture Black's queenside. The computer suggestion is absurd for a human.} ( 31.Ng6 Kf7 32.Nf4 g5 {Every time I analyze games for the Game of the Day, I go through the game on my physical board, thinking about what happened and writing some notes. Only after that I check the game with the computer. I analyzed this variation and stopped here, since the knight is lost. But the machine continues.} 33.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Qd1+ 34.Kh2 Qxe2 35.Qxa7+ Kg6 36.Qxb6 {Somehow the computer is happy with this position for White. Not very human.} ) 31...g5 ( 31...a5 32.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And now h4-knight is no longer in danger.} ) 32.Qxa7 gxh4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Now Black is in deep trouble again.} ( 32...Qxa7 {leads to an endgame that is probably winning for White after} 33.Bxa7 gxh4 34.Bxb6 Na6 35.Kf1 Kf7 36.Ke2 Ke6 37.a4 {with bishop against knight, the passed a-pawn, and the weaknesses on the kingside, I believe White is going to win.} ) ( 32...Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This subtle move is the best.} 33.Ng6 Nd7 {It turns out the knight is lost anyway.} 34.Nf4 ( 34.h4 {This attempt to defend the knight doesn't work.} 34...Kg7 35.h5 Qd5 {and Black is ready to play Qd1 with a draw.} ) 34...gxf4 35.Bxf4 {White still has some advantage in this endgame, but the drawing chances are good.} ) 33.Qxb6 Ne6 ( 33...e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a desperate attempt to activate the knight and generate some counterplay.} 34.fxe3 Ne4 ) 34.a4 {The a-pawn decides the game. White's moves are easy now.} 34...Kf7 35.a5 Nd4 36.Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Not allowing the counterplay after} ( 36.a6 Ne2+ 37.Kh2 Qd1 {Even though White is probably still winning after} 38.f3 ) 36...Ke8 37.Qc4 Qb7 38.Qg8+ {Winning material and the match.} 38...Kd7 39.Qf7+ Kc6 ( 39...Kc8 40.Qe8# ) 40.Qc4+ 1-0

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.29"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2521"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "6118449350150"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nbd2 Nd7 7.O-O O-O 8.Nc4 Re8 9.Kh1 $5 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Not a very popular move, but it was played in two important games in 2022 by Ukrainian GM Kirill Shevchenko. GMs Viswanathan Anand and Fabiano Caruana, among others, have also tried this move in older games. The main idea of the mystery king move is to prepare the f-pawn advance and also vacate the g1-square for the white knight, which can maneuver via g1-e2-g3, as will happen in the game. Of course, it's hard to believe that this plan gives White an objective advantage, but what is sought in this line is a middlegame position that allows for the creation of imbalance.} 9...b6 {A theoretical novelty. The move is natural, as the pawn on b6 is useful to reinforce the structure after the c6-c5 move, something that will inevitably happen sooner or later. Furthermore, the bishop can be developed on b7 in some cases.} ( 9...f6 10.Nh4 Nf8 11.Be3 {was Shevchenko - Mekhitarian, Chennai 2022.} ) ( 9...a5 10.a4 b6 11.g3 Qe7 12.Be3 {was Shevchenko - Seo, Mayrhofen 2022.} ) ( 9...Bf8 10.Ng1 $5 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Caruana showed the way in a Titled Tuesday game. Online blitz games of elite players are also part of opening theory nowadays.} 10...Nc5 11.Ne2 {Caruana - Petrosyan, Chess.com 2020.} ) 10.Ng1 {Kosteniuk sticks to the expected plan.} 10...Nf8 {Continuing the dance with the knights.} 11.Ne2 ( 11.f4 {is premature.} 11...exf4 12.Bxf4 Ng6 13.Bg3 Be6 {With a comfortable position for Black.} ) 11...Ng6 12.Ng3 {White gives up the f4 break.} ( 12.f4 exf4 13.Nxf4 Nxf4 14.Bxf4 Be6 {The position is equal.} ) 12...Be6 13.Ne3 f6 14.Ngf5 {This move is the beginning of White's problems, as it won't be easy to execute a promising plan after this. It seems correct to take the other knight to f5: in that case, White could transfer the queen to g4 and then play h4-h5. It's always nice when we know what our next moves will be in an ideal world.} ( 14.Nef5 {A possible continuation is:} 14...Bf8 15.Qg4 Kh8 16.h4 Ne7 17.h5 Qd7 18.Be3 c5 19.b3 {and the position is still roughly equal, but it seems better for White than in the game. He can try to play f2-f4 and build up some play on the kingside.} ) 14...Qd7 15.Qf3 Kh8 16.Rg1 {Kosteniuk clearly wants to advance the g-pawn.} 16...Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.g3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Now White's position is worse.} ( 17.Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, preparing to play d4. After} 17...Ng6 {White can decide whether to offer a move repetition or to keep fighting.} ) 17...Nh3 18.Rf1 Ng5 19.Qe2 Nf7 {The knight now defends the king and can still maneuver up to d4. Also, now the way is clear to play g6 and drive out the white knight. It's worth remembering that, without the light-squared bishop, White can have serious problems if the position opens up since his king won't be safe.} 20.b3 Nd6 21.Nh4 ( 21.g4 {White is not able to protect the knight since Black can always play g6.} 21...g6 ) 21...Nb5 {This knight is a real worker $1} 22.Bb2 Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's useful to exchange the bishop so the pawn can move to c5.} 23.Bxd4 Nxd4 ( 23...exd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also possible, but after} 24.Nd1 f5 25.a4 Nd6 26.f3 {the white knights will be placed on g2 and f2 with a solid position, despite Black's advantage.} ) 24.Qd1 c5 25.c3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Removing the knight from d4 is very costly, as the pawns are weakened.} ( 25.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, creating immediate counterplay.} ) 25...Nc6 26.Qe2 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has a comfortable advantage, thanks to the better pawn structure.} 27.f4 a4 28.Rab1 axb3 29.axb3 Red8 30.Rfd1 Ra3 31.Qc2 b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Preparing Qf7 without White being able to put the knight on c4. Furthermore, a plan with b5-b4 is also possible.} ( 31...Qf7 32.Nc4 ) 32.Nf3 Qf7 33.Nd2 ( 33.c4 {Perhaps this move is better, but it further weakens the position.} ) 33...exf4 34.gxf4 f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] From now on Black starts to lose the advantage.} ( 34...Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is devastating. Black threatens an invasion with the queen on e2.} 35.Re1 Qh3 {The white pieces are paralyzed, and the position will soon collapse. A possible plan is to advance b5-b4 and create more weaknesses. Black can prepare this plan by moving the rook from a3 to a8 first. White's pawn structure is horrible.} ) 35.exf5 Bxf5 36.Nxf5 Qxf5 37.Ne4 {Now White is back in the game.} 37...Ne7 ( 37...Qxf4 38.Qg2 $5 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] and Black needs to start watching out for the attack White can generate after bringing the rooks to the game.} ) 38.Qf2 Ng6 39.Qxc5 Qxc5 40.Nxc5 Nxf4 41.Ra1 {The position is simplified and with a great tendency for a draw. The players decide to call it a day.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Team Championship Playoffs 2"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.23"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vokhidov, Shamsiddin"]
[Black "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2568"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8043265801237"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "2700+10"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 {This and 3...Bd7 are the most popular moves. My old favorite, 3... Nc6, is not enough for equality.} 4.a4 {White has many possible plans in this system. This is one of the popular choices right now. The pawn push is useful because the bishop will go back after a7-a6, and Black will not have the chance to play b7-b5.} 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 g6 7.O-O Bg7 8.d4 {This natural move brings back the typical Open Sicilian pawn structure. I like it, but for some reason, it's not the most popular.} ( 8.a5 O-O 9.d3 {Some very strong players prefer this more restrained plan.} ) 8...cxd4 9.Nxd4 b6 ( 9...O-O {is played more often.} 10.Be3 {with chances for both sides in this typical position.} ) 10.Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A new and interesting move, exploiting the weakness of the c6-square to improve the knight's position.} ( 10.f4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] gave nothing for White after:} 10...Bb7 11.Bf3 Qc7 {Blatov - Kadatsky, Samara 2007.} ) 10...Qc7 11.Nb4 Bb7 12.Nbd5 {The knight completes its journey. Of course, it's not the end of the world for Black.} 12...Qd8 13.Be3 O-O 14.Qd2 e6 {It's necessary to remove the unpleasant knight.} 15.Nxf6+ Nxf6 16.Bf3 Qc7 17.Rfd1 Rfd8 {The opening play was natural and good for both sides. White might have a tiny advantage, but nothing serious. In any case, the next move is not the most accurate, since Black manages to equalize completely. This is a good moment to look for an improvement.} 18.Bd4 ( 18.Bg5 {This looks like a good move, preparing Qf4.} 18...Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Getting out of the pin. It's not clear how White can improve the position now.} ) ( 18.Bf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 18...Ne8 19.Ra3 {is another possible try. White forces the opponent's knight into a passive position. Ra3 is necessary to protect the c3-knight and also to attack the queenside with Rb3.} ) 18...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The classical Sicilian break solves Black's problems.} 19.exd5 Nxd5 20.Bxd5 ( 20.Nxd5 {leads to a nearly drawn position after} 20...Bxd5 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 ( 21...Bxf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Not this one...} 22.Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Bxd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23.Bf6 {and White mates.} ) 22.Bxd5 Rxd5 23.Qe2 ) 20...Bxd5 21.Qe3 Bxd4 22.Rxd4 Bb7 23.Rad1 {The position is balanced. While it's true that Black has a bishop against a knight in an open position with pawns on both sides, his dark squares near the king are somewhat weak, and White controls the only open file.} 23...Rxd4 24.Qxd4 Rc8 25.h4 h5 26.Rd2 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Exploiting a tactical idea to gain space on the queenside.} 27.axb5 axb5 28.f3 ( 28.Nxb5 $4 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] loses the knight after} 28...Qc6 {[%c_arrow c6g2;keyPressed;none;from;c6;opacity;0.8;to;g2;persistent;false,c6b5;keyPressed;none;from;c6;opacity;0.8;to;b5;persistent;false] because of the double threat (mate on g2 and taking the knight).} ) 28...e5 {I have a feeling that Volokitin, a very aggressive player, was playing for a win at this point. If he wanted a draw, he could achieve it without any trouble.} ( 28...Qc5 {is one of the paths to equality.} 29.Qxc5 Rxc5 30.Rd7 Bd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 31.Nxd5 exd5 32.c3 b4 33.cxb4 Rb5 {with a draw.} ) 29.Qe3 Ra8 $2 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] But this move is already too ambitious and based on a miscalculation.} ( 29...Qc5 {was enough.} 30.Rd8+ Kg7 {with equality.} ) 30.Nxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Ra1+ 31.Kh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 31.Kf2 Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a much better version for Black.} ) 31...Qc4 {This is Volokitin's idea. He threatens the c4-knight and the h4-pawn. Obviously, this looks very dangerous for Black as well since White can now exploit the weaknesses on the dark squares.} 32.Rd8+ Kh7 ( 32...Kg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33.Qxe5+ ) 33.Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Defends h4 and prepares Qf6.} 33...Bxf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] I'm curious to know whether this was planned in advance and White's next move was missed.} ( 33...Qxb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34.Qf6 ) 34.Nd4 $3 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This wonderful move is the only winning one. It's curious that yesterday's game of the day also featured a stunning knight move with the same tactical idea (obstruction or interference).} ( 34.gxf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34...Qxb5 35.Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35...Qe2+ ) ( 34.Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black has a devastating tactical blow after this obvious try.} 34...Rh1+ $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.Kxh1 ( 35.Kg3 Qg4+ ) 35...Qf1+ 36.Kh2 Qxg2# ) ( 34.Nd6 {leads only to perpetual check after} 34...Qf1 35.Rh8+ Kxh8 36.Qf6+ Kg8 37.Qxf7+ Kh8 ) 34...Be4 ( 34...exd4 {Now White demonstrates the point of the knight sacrifice with an accurate move.} 35.Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black cannot avoid mate.} ( 35.Qf6 $4 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] But not this one—always pay attention to your opponent's resources.} 35...Qc7+ ) 35...f6 36.Qe7+ Kh6 37.Rh8# ) 35.Qf6 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Winner]} 1-0

[Event "E World Team Championship Pool"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vasyl"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[ECO "D40"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[Beauty "6736656220232"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nf6 {Van Foreest is renowned for his creativity and fresh ideas in the opening. This version of the Tarrasch Defense, in which White can pin the f6-knight with Bg5, was formerly believed to be better for White, but he has his own ideas on the matter.} 6.e3 {Ivanchuk can play any position at a high level, so he decides not to check his opponent's preparation against the critical move.} ( 6.Bg5 {A recent example followed:} 6...Be6 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.e3 Nc6 9.Bb5 {Carlsen - Van Foreest, Chessable Masters 2022.} ) 6...a6 $5 {A clever move, avoiding White's Bb5.} ( 6...Nc6 7.Bb5 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bd7 {This is a well-known position.} ) 7.b3 $5 {A rare move.} ( 7.Be2 ) ( 7.g3 $5 ) 7...Nc6 8.Bb2 Bg4 9.Be2 Bxf3 $1 {A good and difficult move, as it's never easy to exchange a bishop for a knight before being provoked with h3.} ( 9...cxd4 10.Nxd4 {The point of Black's move becomes clear. He wants to avoid this option.} 10...Bxe2 11.Ncxe2 Bb4+ 12.Kf1 $5 O-O 13.g3 {The king will go to g2, and White has a small advantage, with a good version of the fight against the isolated queen's pawn.} ) 10.Bxf3 cxd4 11.exd4 Bb4 12.O-O {Here, I think Black should use the same strategy of exchanging the bishop before being provoked.} 12...O-O ( 12...Bxc3 $1 13.Bxc3 O-O {On the board, we have a beautiful fight between a pair of bishops and a pair of knights. Grandmasters usually prefer bishops, but the computer indicates equality.} ) 13.Na4 $1 {Now the knight will go to c5, creating some problems for Black.} 13...Re8 14.Nc5 b6 {The first new move.} ( 14...Ne4 $5 {This move leads to interesting complications.} 15.Nxb7 ( 15.a3 {is not so good and was played in Shlyakhtenko - Amburgy, Cherry Hill 2021.} ) 15...Qe7 16.Bxe4 ( 16.Nc5 {This is a more human move.} 16...Nd2 $1 {with great complications.} ) 16...dxe4 17.d5 Qxb7 18.dxc6 Qxc6 19.Bxg7 $1 Rad8 ( 19...Kxg7 $2 20.Qd4+ ) 20.Bd4 $1 {I wonder who could possibly play like this with White. The computer is happy, but I doubt Black has problems after} ( 20.Qg4 $2 h5 21.Qg3 h4 22.Qg4 f5 23.Qg5 Bd2 24.Qf6 Rd6 $19 ) 20...Qg6 $1 ) 15.Nd3 Bd6 16.Rc1 {White can fight for the advantage with this nice knight on d3 and the bishop pair.} 16...Rc8 ( 16...Nb4 $5 {This is a suggestion that will appear many times in the next moves. It's important to exchange this d3-knight as it will be a source of problems for Black.} 17.Nxb4 Bxb4 {The position is close to equal.} ) 17.Re1 Ne4 {Exchanging rooks is better, considering Ivanchuk's next move.} 18.Re2 $1 {Preparing to double rooks on the c-file.} 18...Qd7 ( 18...Nb4 $1 ) 19.Rec2 Nf6 {From now on, until he gets into a decisive advantage, Ivanchuk makes some incredible moves. To understand their subtlety, we need to consider that chess is played between humans, not machines. For humans, it's important to have a plan; one move has to be in harmony with the others, and that's what we'll see here. Are these the best moves according to the cold logic of the machine $2 Hard to say, but for this commentator, a self-confessed Ivanchuk fan, the next moves are pure magic.} 20.g3 $1 {This seems just a normal move, nothing special, but let's see the next ones.} 20...g6 21.Bg2 $1 Rc7 22.Qf1 $1 {This is just brilliant. See how the last three moves connect perfectly now $2 White prepares Bh3, a very unpleasant move to face.} 22...Re7 23.Bh3 Qe8 24.Ne5 $1 {Tactical play starts.} 24...Nb8 ( 24...Nxe5 $2 25.dxe5 Rxc2 26.Rxc2 Bxe5 27.Bxe5 Rxe5 28.Rc8 {White wins Black's queen.} ) 25.Ba3 $1 {Another great move.} 25...Qd8 ( 25...Rxc2 26.Rxc2 Bxa3 27.Rc8 ) ( 25...Bxa3 26.Rxc7 Bxc1 27.Rc8 ) 26.Nd7 $3 {A wonderful move, using the tactical theme of obstruction.} 26...Rexd7 {White also wins material against the alternative moves.} ( 26...Rxc2 27.Nxf6+ Kg7 28.Rxc2 Bxa3 ( 28...Kxf6 29.Rc8 ) 29.Rc8 Qd6 30.Ne8+ Rxe8 31.Rxe8 ) ( 26...Nbxd7 27.Rxc7 Bxc7 28.Bxe7 Qxe7 29.Rxc7 ) 27.Bxd6 Rxc2 28.Rxc2 Rxd6 {Van Foreest decides to sacrifice the queen to create some practical chances. This is a good decision.} 29.Rc8 Qxc8 30.Bxc8 {White has a decisive material advantage, but let's not forget that this game was played with a shorter time control and that under these circumstances, knights are the most dangerous pieces in chess.} 30...Nc6 $1 {The best chance, Black must be quick to create some activity with the knights.} 31.Qxa6 Nxd4 32.Kg2 {White has many alternatives in this and the next moves, but I will concentrate the analysis on the moments where clear mistakes were made.} 32...Kg7 33.b4 Nc2 34.Qa4 Ne1+ 35.Kf1 Nf3 36.Qd1 Ne5 37.Qd4 Nf3 38.Qf4 $2 ( 38.Qe3 $1 {This move controls the tricky knights.} 38...Ne4 ( 38...Rc6 39.Qxf3 Rxc8 40.a4 {White should win this endgame without problems.} ) 39.Kg2 $1 {This is the difference. Now there is no knight jump to e1.} 39...Rf6 40.Bb7 {White wins.} ) 38...Ne4 $1 39.Kg2 ( 39.Qxf3 $2 Nd2+ ) ( 39.Ke2 $1 {is a difficult move to play, and White should still win after} 39...Nd4+ 40.Kd3 Nc6 41.b5 ) 39...Ne1+ 40.Kf1 Nd3 $2 ( 40...Rf6 $1 {is better:} 41.Qe5 Nf3 42.Qxd5 Nfd2+ 43.Kg1 Rxf2 44.Qd4+ Kf8 45.Qxf2 $1 Nxf2 46.Kxf2 Nc4 {and Black has excellent drawing chances.} ) 41.Qe3 Ndxf2 42.Qd4+ Kg8 43.a4 $2 ( 43.b5 $1 {It's essential to avoid Black's counterplay connected with the move Rc6. Now White is completely winning.} 43...Rf6 44.Kg2 ) 43...Rc6 $1 {Now the rook joins the attack with both knights, and anything can happen.} 44.Ba6 Rc1+ 45.Kg2 Ng4 $2 ( 45...Rd1 $1 {This move gives better saving chances.} 46.Qb2 ( 46.Qxb6 Rd2 {is very dangerous.} ) 46...Ng4 ( 46...Rd2 $2 47.Qxd2 Nxd2 48.Kxf2 {The endgame is winning for White.} ) ) 46.Bd3 $2 ( 46.h3 $1 {leads to a win for White, for example:} 46...Rc2+ 47.Kg1 Rc1+ 48.Bf1 {And finally the bishop joins the defense.} ) 46...Rd1 $1 {Now Black is winning, although the situation is still not easy.} 47.a5 Rd2+ ( 47...bxa5 {It's more accurate to clear the situation on the queenside immediately.} 48.bxa5 Rd2+ 49.Kf3 Nxh2+ 50.Kf4 Nf2 51.Ke3 Rxd3+ 52.Qxd3 Nxd3 {Now, White's lonely pawn is not able to promote.} 53.Kxd3 ( 53.a6 Ne5 54.a7 Nc4+ 55.Kd4 Nb6 $19 ) 53...Nf3 54.a6 Ne5+ 55.Kd4 Nc6+ 56.Kc5 Na7 57.Kb6 d4 58.Kxa7 d3 59.Kb6 d2 60.a7 d1=Q 61.a8=Q+ Kg7 {With a winning endgame.} ) 48.Kg1 ( 48.Kf3 {is a better saving chance.} 48...Nxh2+ 49.Kf4 bxa5 ( 49...Nf2 50.Ke3 $1 {The difference is that now the a-pawn is really dangerous, for instance:} 50...Rxd3+ 51.Qxd3 Nxd3 52.a6 $1 {And no knight can stop the promotion.} ) 50.Qxd5 Nf2 51.Qa8+ Kg7 52.Ke3 Rxd3+ 53.Kxf2 Ng4+ 54.Kg2 axb4 {Black is winning.} ) 48...Nef2 ( 48...bxa5 49.bxa5 Rd1+ 50.Kg2 h5 $1 {A very difficult move to find over the board. The idea becomes clear after} 51.a6 Rd2+ 52.Kg1 Ng5 $1 {The g4-knight is protected and the attack is decisive.} ) 49.Qxd5 $2 ( 49.Qxb6 $1 {This move still gives some chances.} 49...Nxd3 50.h3 $1 {The only move—the dangerous knight must be removed.} ( 50.a6 $2 Nde5 $19 ) 50...Nge5 51.Qd8+ Kg7 52.Qxd5 {The last two moves were also forced. The position is still winning for Black, anyway.} 52...Rd1+ 53.Kh2 Ra1 {The pawns are stopped.} ) 49...Nh3+ 50.Kf1 ( 50.Kh1 Rxh2# ) 50...Ne3+ {Now it's over.} 51.Ke1 Rd1+ 52.Ke2 Nxd5 53.Kxd1 Nf2+ 54.Kd2 Nxd3 0-1

[Event "Knockout | E World Team Championship"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.25"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Yakubboev, Nodirbek"]
[Black "Lu, Shanglei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2563"]
[BlackElo "2627"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2022.11.25"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "162"]
[Beauty "4193364509218"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

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1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 e6 3.Bg2 d5 4.Nf3 d4 5.d3 Nc6 6.O-O Be7 {The most popular continuation, although 6...Bc5 is gaining popularity lately.} ( {Here is one recent example:} 6...Bc5 7.Nbd2 Be7 8.Nb3 O-O 9.e3 dxe3 10.Bxe3 Ng4 11.Bc5 Bxc5 12.Nxc5 b6 13.Nb3 Bb7 14.h3 Nf6 15.d4 {with a somewhat more pleasant position for White in Gelfand,B (2668)-Keymer,V (2693) chess24.com INT 2022} ) 7.e3 e5 8.exd4 exd4 {That's not exactly a reversed Benoni, but rather a reversed Pirc, with a couple of extra tempi for White. Stil, the ideas are similar to the Benoni and the battle around the d4-pawn are crucial for the opening outcome.} 9.Na3 O-O 10.Nc2 h6 {Lu is opening a square for his light-squared bishop.} 11.Rb1 $146 ( {In the predecessor Black managed to demonstrate one of the key points behind his setup:} 11.Re1 Re8 12.a3 a5 13.b3 Bg4 14.Bb2 Nd7 15.h3 Bh5 {Now it seems as White is winning a pawn, but after} 16.g4 Bg6 17.Ncxd4 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 {Black had} 18...Nc5 19.Re3 Nxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black was already better in Bocharov,D (2611)-Iljin,T (2279) Sochi 2016} ) 11...a5 12.b3 Bf5 {Black is following the same policy from the game above.} ( {Lu is correctly refraining from} 12...Bc5 13.a3 ) ( {It's curious that the machine claims enough play for Black in the line} 12...Bb4 13.Bb2 Bc3 14.Bxc3 dxc3 15.d4 {Now the c3-pawn should be doomed, but Stockfish says Black is doing ok after} 15...Bg4 ( {Or} 15...Bf5 ) ) 13.a3 Bh7 14.b4 axb4 15.axb4 {Now the d4-pawn is in real danger and Black has to be extremely resourceful.} 15...Nd7 16.Re1 {An accurate move by Yakubboev.} ( {Not yet} 16.b5 Nce5 ) 16...Bf6 17.b5 Na5 ( {Now} 17...Nce5 {can be met with} 18.Nxe5 Nxe5 19.Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when the vital d3-point is covered, and Black is forced into passive defense.} ) 18.Bf4 ( {And again, any capture on d4 does not work after} 18.Nfxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18...Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 18...g5 {An aggressive move but likely born out of necessity.} ( {The natural move} 18...Nc5 {does not work due to the familiar} 19.Nb4 ) ( {Or} 18...Re8 {fails for obvious reason} 19.Rxe8+ Qxe8 20.Bxc7 ) 19.Be5 {White decided to build his play against the excluded Na5.} ( {But also interesting was playing for the attack with} 19.Bc1 $5 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19...Re8 20.Rxe8+ Qxe8 21.h4 ) 19...Nxe5 20.Nxe5 Re8 21.Nf3 Qd6 ( {Perhaps} 21...c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was a better try. The knight can later try to enter the game via the b7-d6 route.} ) 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.Nb4 Bg7 24.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice regrouping $1 Yakubboev is in full control of the situation.} 24...b6 25.Bd5 {Trapping the knight.} 25...Bg6 26.Ne4 Qe5 27.h4 {And then shifting for a kingside attack. Black's reaction seems as the only reasonable one.} ( 27.Qg4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 27...gxh4 28.Qg4 Qh5 ( {Or else Black will still have to try and swap the queens off, but under far less favorable circumstances} 28...Kh7 29.Qxh4 ) 29.Qxh5 Bxh5 30.gxh4 {Black managed to repel the attack, but the trade of the queens exposed his missing knight even further.} 30...Kf8 31.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent idea $1 Not only is the black knight out of the game, the whole black queenside is in danger.} 31...Bg6 ( {No, the knight won't fall after} 31...bxc5 32.Nxc5 Re2 33.Ra1 ( {But the c7-pawn will fall after} 33.Nba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black loses.} ) 33...Rb2 34.Rxa5 Rxb4 ) 32.f4 {A move which worked perfectly well.} ( {Objectively better was} 32.cxb6 cxb6 33.f4 f5 34.Ng3 {preserving his advantage.} ) 32...f5 {But only because Black missed his chance.} ( {Lu should have taken the pawn with} 32...Bxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when after} 33.Bxe4 bxc5 34.Nd5 c4 35.Nxc7 Rxe4 $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 36.dxe4 c3 37.Nd5 d3 38.Nxc3 Bxc3 39.b6 Nb7 40.Kf2 {the most likely outcome would have been a draw.} ) 33.Ng3 ( {Even} 33.Nd6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is possible thanks to the power-pawns} 33...cxd6 34.cxb6 ) 33...h5 34.Na6 Re7 {Yakubboev managed to completely outplay his opponent. That is the first moment in which White missed a clear win.} 35.Kf2 ( {The brilliant} 35.Nxc7 $3 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 35...Rxc7 36.cxb6 Rd7 37.Ra1 {would have highlighted both the weakness of the black knight and the power of the white pawns in the line} 37...Rxd5 38.Rxa5 Rd7 39.Ra8+ Be8 40.Nxf5 {when Black is helpless.} ) ( {There was an alternative way to reach this line with} 35.Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 35...Bf6 36.Rh1 Ke8 ( {More stubborn was} 36...Re3 37.Nxc7 bxc5 ) 37.Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Winning the key pawn.} ( {There was also the curious knight inclusion with} 37.c6 Kd8 38.Nb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] an idea that we shall see again later.} ) 37...Kd7 38.Bxh5 Bh7 39.c6+ Kd6 40.Bd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Yakubboev does not forget about the enemy knight. Despite the low-time control White's play is model so far.} 40...Re3 41.Bc2 Bg7 42.h5 {Everything is under control, it is time to advance the passer.} 42...Bh6 43.Ne2 Re8 44.Rh4 {Releasing the knight.} ( {Although even better was} 44.Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Which also threatens the pawn and} 44...Rf8 ( {if Black defends the seventh rank} 44...Re7 {then we have the familiar resource} 45.Nb8 $3 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ) 45.Nxd4 Bxf4 {loses to} 46.Rg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 44...Bg7 45.h6 Bf6 46.Rh5 {The time factor starts to tell and Yakubboev loses control of the situation.} ( {The rook belonged on the first rank} 46.Rh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been best in order to meet} 46...Ra8 {with} 47.Nb4 Kc5 48.Rb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 46...Nxc6 $3 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Lu grabs his chance $1} 47.bxc6 Ra8 {Both the bad knights disappear from the board.} 48.Nxc7 Kxc7 49.Bb3 Kxc6 50.Ng3 Ra5 {Instinctively defending the pawn.} ( {Which was not necessary} 50...Kd7 51.Nxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 51...Bg6 ) 51.Be6 {Now Black's situation is again critical.} 51...Bg6 52.Rh1 Kd6 53.Bg8 Bh8 54.h7 {White's play remains practical and extremely logical.} ( {There was an alternative way to infiltrate into the opponent's camp with a study-like maneuver} 54.Rb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54...Kc7 55.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 55...Kd7 56.Be6+ Kc7 57.Bf7 $3 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ) 54...Ke7 55.Rh6 Be8 56.Rxb6 Bd7 57.Rb7 Kd6 58.Rb8 ( {Speaking of study-like wins, how about a'la Ivanchuk with} 58.Bd5 $3 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 58...Rxd5 59.Rb8 Bf6 60.Nh5 {and White wins $1} ) 58...Rb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only chance.} 59.Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Rejected $1 The rook is too powerful of an anti-blocker to be traded.} ( {Not} 59.Rxb5 Bxb5 60.Nxf5+ Kc7 {when Black might hold.} ) 59...Bc6 60.Rf8 Rb2+ 61.Ne2 Ke7 62.Rf7+ Ke8 63.Rxf5 {Nooo $1 This move throws away the deserved win.} ( {Which would have been achieved after} 63.Rc7 Bd7 64.Ra7 Rb8 65.Bc4 {and since Black is paralyzed, everything wins. Like a knight maneuver all the way to the g5-square.} ) 63...Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Oh, the horror $1 The pawn cannot be defended.} 64.Bf7+ Ke7 65.Bg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The last witty try, but insufficient.} 65...Bxd3 66.Rf7+ ( {Alas} 66.Re5+ {does not win due to the nice line} 66...Bxe5 67.fxe5 Rxe2+ 68.Kg3 Rxe5 69.h8=Q Rg5+ 70.Kf4 Rxg6 {with a draw.} ) 66...Ke6 67.f5+ Bxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Lu suffered the half-pawn with amazing fighting spirit.} 68.Rxf5 d3 69.Rf8 Bd4+ 70.Kf3 dxe2 {And a few moves later, a draw was agreed after} 71.Re8+ Kd7 72.Re4 Bc3 73.Bf5+ Kd6 74.Re6+ Kd5 75.Re8 Kc4 76.Rc8+ Kb4 77.Rb8+ ( {No time for} 77.Rxc3 e1=Q $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 77...Kc4 78.Rc8+ Kb4 79.Re8 Kc4 80.Rxe2 Rxe2 81.Kxe2 Bh8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2022 - Evento"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[ECO "C09"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7289633253961"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.d4 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd6 {This system is a reliable way of meeting White's anti-Sicilian choice, as long as you don't mind an isolated queen's pawn, a position that can also arise from the French Defense.} 7.O-O Ne7 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.Nbd2 O-O 10.Nb3 Bb6 11.h3 {This natural move doesn't seem the most accurate here. I prefer 11.Re1, as the f3-knight's pin isn't very dangerous.} ( 11.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11...Bg4 12.Be3 Bxe3 13.Rxe3 Nf5 14.Re1 Nh4 15.Be2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White can fight for a small advantage.} ) 11...Qd6 12.Re1 Nf5 {Andreikin is a fantastic blitz player, and one of his strengths is that he is very practical and doesn't get into unnecessary trouble. For a more romantic heart, it would be hard to resist the temptation to sacrifice the bishop on h3. In fact, some players have already succumbed to this temptation.} ( 12...Bxh3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 13.gxh3 Qg3+ 14.Kh1 Bxf2 {This looks scary, but White can defend and keep an advantage, for instance:} 15.Rf1 Nf5 ( 15...Qxh3+ 16.Nh2 Bg3 17.Qe2 ) 16.Nh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Qh4 17.Qf3 Ng3+ 18.Kg2 Nxf1 19.Qxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Qxf2+ 20.Kxf2 Nxh2 21.Bf4 {With some advantage in the endgame, since the bishops are stronger than a rook and two pawns.} ) 13.Bd3 Bc7 ( 13...Bd7 {is also possible.} ) 14.Bxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] After this move, Black gets the bishop pair and finishes development easily.} ( 14.Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better and was tested in a game by two legendary players.} 14...g6 15.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15...Bb6 16.Bf4 Qf6 {with a small advantage for White in Beliavsky - Vaganian, Sochi 1986.} ) 14...Bxf5 15.Be3 b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding 16.Bc5.} 16.Nbd4 Nxd4 17.Bxd4 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding 18.Be5.} 18.Be3 {Aronian anticipates Black's plan to place a bishop on e4.} 18...Be4 19.g3 Qd7 20.Nd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White misses a difficult tactical shot for a blitz game.} ( 20.Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] solves White's problems since he can exploit the pin after} 20...Bxf4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 21.Rxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20...Bg6 21.h4 Rae8 22.Qf3 Qb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's better to create some space for the g6-bishop.} ( 22...h6 23.Bf4 Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is better because of the light-square weaknesses around White's king.} ) 23.Nb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to generate counterplay, for instance:} 23...Bf7 24.h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Qxb2 25.hxg7 Kxg7 26.Nb3 {The knight is heading to d4, and White has compensation for the pawn.} ) 23...Be4 24.Qe2 Qd7 25.Kh2 {Black has a clear advantage with the bishops pointing to White's unprotected king. In a classical game, Andreikin would certainly convert his advantage, but many things can happen in a blitz game.} 25...f5 ( 25...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to destroy the king's protection.} 26.hxg5 fxg5 27.Nd2 Bf5 {with a strong attack.} ) 26.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Rf6 27.Nd4 ( 27.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better chance.} 27...Rfe6 28.Nxe4 Rxe4 29.Qd3 {with a small advantage for Black.} ) 27...Rh6 28.Nf3 Qe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 28...Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] When you have such a strong bishop, it's really hard to make this exchange. But this is the best way to attack the white king.} 29.Qxf3 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.fxg5 Rxh4+ 31.Kg2 Rg4 32.Bf2 Ree4 {with a clear advantage.} ) 29.Ng5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows a brilliant tactical move.} ( 29.Bf2 {is better, defending everything for now.} ) 29...Qxg5 $3 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 30.fxg5 Rxh4+ 31.Kg1 Bxg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Andreikin gets carried away with the idea of mating. There is no direct win—he should have gone for a better endgame.} ( 31...Rh1+ 32.Kf2 Rh2+ 33.Kf1 Rxe2 34.Rxe2 Bxg3 {With two pawns for the exchange, a monster bishop on e4, and the plan of Kf7-g6, Black is much better.} ) 32.Kf1 {Now there is no mate, and as a wise man once said: \"A queen is a queen.\"} 32...Rh2 ( 32...f4 {is an interesting try, but White keeps a winning advantage after} 33.Qb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Rf8 34.Bd4 Rh1+ 35.Bg1 f3 36.Rxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...dxe4 37.Qd5+ Kh8 38.Qxe4 ) 33.Qb5 Rf8 34.Re2 Rh1+ 35.Bg1 f4 36.Rxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the attack is over.} 36...dxe4 37.Kg2 Rh4 38.Qd5+ Kh8 39.Rf1 Rg4 40.Kh3 Rh4+ 41.Kg2 Rg4 42.Qe6 ( 42.Qxe4 {is also good.} 42...f3+ 43.Rxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 42...Rxg5 43.Qxe4 h6 44.Kf3 Rd8 45.Bd4 Rf8 46.Rh1 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2022 - Evento "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.23"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7152194289671"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "60+1"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {Caruana played the Petroff in several games during the match. This is one of the most reliable defenses for Black and it's no wonder that many elite players are happy playing it.} 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 {This line has a good reputation. Caruana has great experience in it, having played this position with both White and Black, including a game in the World Championship match against Carlsen.} 5...Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Bd3 ( 7.Be3 {The aforementioned game followed:} 7...O-O 8.Qd2 Nd7 9.O-O-O Nf6 10.Bd3 c5 11.Rhe1 Be6 12.Kb1 Qa5 13.c4 Qxd2 14.Bxd2 h6 {and the game was later drawn. Carlsen - Caruana, London 2018.} ) 7...O-O 8.O-O Nd7 9.Re1 Nc5 10.Bf4 {If it had been a game at normal time control, Erigaisi would probably have moved the d3-bishop to avoid the exchange. In a bullet game, this is just a minor detail. Or is it not $2 As we will see, the pair of bishops was crucial to Caruana's victory.} 10...Nxd3 11.Qxd3 Re8 12.h3 h6 13.Re2 Bf6 14.Rae1 Rxe2 15.Rxe2 Bd7 {The position is objectively equal, although it's usually better to be the one with the bishops.} 16.Nd2 {Trying to activate the knight.} 16...Qf8 {A nice move, preparing to bring the rook to e8.} 17.Qf3 ( 17.Ne4 {is better.} 17...Be7 18.c4 Bc6 19.b3 {with equal play.} ) 17...Bc6 18.Ne4 Be7 19.Qg3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Pushing the knight back.} 20.Nd2 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Nb3 Re8 ( 21...Bf6 {is more accurate.} 22.Nd4 Kh7 23.Bd2 {with roughly equal play.} ) 22.Nd4 Bd7 23.Bd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is unpleasant for Black due to a nice tactical idea after} 23...Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 23...g4 {is better.} ) 24.hxg5 hxg5 25.Bxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This was probably missed—it was a bullet game, after all.} 25...Qxg5 26.Rxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Qxg3 27.Rxe8+ Bxe8 28.fxg3 {and White wins a pawn.} ) 23...Bf6 24.Qf3 Rxe2 25.Qxe2 c6 26.Qd3 Bg7 27.c4 {The characteristic of the game doesn't change: Black has the pair of bishops, but the white knight is well-placed. The position is balanced.} 27...Qf6 28.Bc3 Qg6 29.Ne2 Bf8 $5 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A good move, avoiding the exchange. It looks dangerous to grant White the diagonal, but there is no reason to worry.} 30.Qd4 b6 31.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Creating threats on the queenside.} 31...Kf7 32.a5 c5 33.Qd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Now Black gets some advantage.} ( 33.Qd5+ Qe6 34.Qb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position is equal. An illustrative variation ends in a draw by perpetual check:} 34...bxa5 35.Bxa5 Be7 36.Nc3 Qe1+ 37.Kh2 Qe5+ 38.Kg1 Qe1+ ) 33...Qe6 ( 33...f4 {is also good.} ) 34.axb6 axb6 35.b3 Bc6 {Black's position is more pleasant, but White holds everything until a fatal blunder is made.} 36.Ng3 f4 37.Nf1 d5 38.cxd5 Qxd5 39.f3 Qxd2 40.Nxd2 b5 41.Kf2 Ke6 42.Bb2 b4 43.c3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The only big mistake in this game—quite an achievement considering the bullet time control. It's not clear how Black can win if White just makes a waiting move.} 43...Bg7 {Suddenly it's all over.} 44.Nb1 Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queenside collapses.} 45.c4 Bxb2 46.cxd5+ Kxd5 47.Nd2 ( 47.Ke2 c4 48.bxc4+ Kxc4 {and the b-pawn decides.} ) 47...Kd4 0-1

[Event "Speed Chess Championship Main Event"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.28"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[Beauty "6738132598792"]
[EventType "game"]

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5 4.e3 Nf6 5.a3 Be7 {One of the ways to react to White's reversed Kan Sicilian.} ( {Although the immediate} 5...d5 {looks more natural, and therefore is Black's main choice. A recent top-GM example is} 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Qc2 Be7 8.Nxd5 Qxd5 9.Bc4 Qd6 10.b3 Qg6 11.Qxg6 hxg6 12.d3 {Georgiev,K (2589)-Deac,B (2625) Lichess.org 2021} ) 6.d4 exd4 7.exd4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 d5 {A risky line. White is getting a very favorable endgame, almost by force.} 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Nxd5 Qxd5 12.Qxd5 cxd5 13.Be3 ( {Also good is to swap the bishop off directly with} 13.Bb5+ Bd7 14.Bxd7+ Kxd7 15.Be3 Rhc8 16.Rd1 Kd6 17.Bf4+ Ke6 18.O-O Rc4 19.Rfe1+ {with White's edge in Kozul,Z (2608)-Postny,E (2651) Tromsoe 2014} ) 13...O-O 14.Bd4 $146 {A novelty, which does not change the character of the endgame. It is clearly favorable for Nepomniachtchi, no matter the time control.} ( {An earlier game also saw White doing well after} 14.O-O-O Rd8 15.Bd4 a5 16.Bd3 Ba6 17.Rhe1 Rd7 18.Kb1 Bxd3+ 19.Rxd3 {with clear egde for the first player in Nikcevic $146 (2411)-Djukic $146 (2516) Podgorica 2020} ) 14...Re8 15.O-O-O Bf5 16.Bd3 Rac8+ 17.Kb1 Bxd3+ 18.Rxd3 Bc5 {Black's best chance apparently is the rook endgame.} 19.Rhd1 Bxd4 20.Rxd4 {Such endgames typically emerge from the Panov Attack in the Caro-Kann. But there is a major difference: the white pawns are doubled on the f-file in that opening line and represent clear objects for Black's counterplay. Therefore, the second player proved again and again that he is able to hold those endgames. However, here the situation is much different as White's kingside pawns are more flexible and can defend each other. And, at the same time Black has two obvious weaknesses: both his isolated pawns. Plus, any pawn endgame is desperately lost for Black as White can easily create an outside passer. One last thing: Nepomniachtchi used the Panov Attack quite regularly on his stellar rise to the top.} 20...Re2 21.R1d2 {But for some reason White makes a slip in a simple position.} ( {The pawn was perfectly edible due to the back-rank weakness:} 21.Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Rxf2 $4 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} ( {Whereas} 21...g6 22.R1d2 {is the same as in the game, but with a solid extra pawn for White, just winning.} ) 22.Rd8+ Rxd8 23.Rxd8# ) 21...Rxd2 22.Rxd2 Rd8 23.Rc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best chance to play for the full point.} ( {The obvious} 23.Kc2 {would have provided a chance to Black to solidify his position with} 23...Kf8 24.Kd3 Ke7 25.Kd4 Kd6 ) 23...Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Away from the back-rank mates and closer to the centralization $1} ( {It makes no sense to push the pawn:} 23...d4 24.Kc1 d3 25.Rc3 d2+ 26.Kd1 {as it becomes an easy prey for the white pieces.} ) 24.Rc7 {Which Nepomniachtchi prevents.} ( {However it was better to start with} 24.Kc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] as Black does not really threaten} 24...Ke7 {as we know that the pawn endgame is lost for White after} ( {And if} 24...Re8 25.Kd2 {prevents Black from any counterplay.} ) 25.Rc7+ Rd7 26.Rxd7+ Kxd7 27.Kd2 Kd6 28.Kd3 {and the outside passer decides.} ) ( {Another solution was the computer suggestion} 24.b4 Re8 25.Kb2 {but this is too complex for the humans.} ) 24...a6 25.Kc2 ( {Not much yields} 25.Ra7 Rd6 ) ( {Whereas the straightforward} 25.Rc6 {would have given a chance to Black to activate his rook in return for the pawn after} 25...a5 26.Ra6 d4 27.Rxa5 d3 28.Kc1 Rc8+ 29.Kd2 Rc2+ 30.Kxd3 Rxb2 {when the most likely outcome of the game should be a draw.} ) 25...Rd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Kd3 {Now Black finally gets an opportunity to demonstrate some activity.} ( 26.b4 {would have still preserved large advantage for White.} ) 26...Rf6 27.f3 Rh6 28.h3 Rg6 {Forces White to retreat.} 29.Rc2 ( {Not} 29.g4 Rh6 ) 29...Ke7 {The king is out. Vachier-Lagrave achieved a lot. His rook and king became more active, and what's more, he managed to open some holes for infiltration on the kingside.} 30.Kd4 Kd6 31.b4 Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Rc5 Rf4+ 33.Kd3 {Playing for Zugzwang.} ( {However} 33.Ke3 $5 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would have been better, with some winning chances after} 33...Rf6 34.Ra5 Ke5 35.f4+ Rxf4 36.Rxa6 Rf1 ) 33...Rf6 34.Ke3 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The f4-g3 path is secured and Black is doing OK now.} 35.Kd4 Rf4+ 36.Kd3 Rf6 37.Rc8 Ke5 38.Ke3 {Not letting the king in.} ( {But Vachier-Lagrave was not threatening to infiltrate yet, therefore} 38.Re8+ $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been better as} 38...Kf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 39.Kd4 Kg3 40.Re2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 38...Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black reached his optimal set-up.} 39.Ra8 h5 40.Ra7 f5 41.Rd7 h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And it is even Nepomniachtchi who has to be careful now.} 42.Rd8 Re7 43.Rg8 d4+ 44.Kf2 {The wrong direction $1 The king does not cover all the important squares from here.} ( {Safer was} 44.Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a likely draw after} 44...Kf4 45.Rg6 Re3 46.Rxa6 Kg3 47.Ra5 Kxg2 48.Rxf5 Kxh3 49.Rxg5 Rxa3 ) 44...Kd5 {Cutting the white king away from the d-passer which is ready to roll.} ( {Although} 44...Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been even faster, for example} 45.Rxg5 Rc2+ 46.Ke1 Kf4 47.Rg6 Ke3 48.Re6+ Kd3 49.Rxa6 Rxg2 {and the active black pieces should prevail.} ) 45.Rxg5 d3 46.Rxf5+ Kd4 47.Rf8 {In blitz (and not only) it is close to impossible to find the accurate defense.} ( {Which was} 47.Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and after} 47...d2 48.Rd6+ Kc3 49.Rc6+ Kb2 50.Rd6 Kc2 51.Rc6+ Kd1 {not the greedy} 52.Rxa6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( {But} 52.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White should survive.} ) 52...Re2+ 53.Kf1 Re1+ 54.Kf2 Kc2 {when Black promotes and is in time to take care of the white pawns.} ) 47...d2 {Missing an instant win.} ( {With the subtle} 47...Re2+ $3 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 48.Kf1 Ke3 49.Re8+ Kd2 50.Ra8 Re6 {the black pawn reaches the second rank comfortably and White does not have any counterplay at all.} ) 48.Rd8+ Kc3 49.Rc8+ Kd3 50.Rd8+ Kc2 51.Rc8+ Kd1 {It is still difficult to find a reasonable move for White. Nepomniachtchi goes for direct counterplay with} 52.f4 {And this loses on the spot $1} ( {White could have still survived with} 52.Rc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 52...Re2+ 53.Kf1 Re6 54.a4 Rd6 55.Rc4 Rd3 56.f4 Re3 57.Kf2 Re1 58.b5 ) 52...Re2+ 53.Kf1 Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] That is the problem $1 Vachier-Lagrave got access to this wonderful square and an opportunity to build a bridge.} 54.Rf8 Rd4 ( {White resigned due to} 54...Rd4 55.Rc8 Rxf4+ 56.Kg1 Ke2 57.Re8+ Kd3 58.Rd8+ Rd4 ) 0-1

[Event "Speed Chess Championship Main Event 202"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.27"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "A49"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Beauty "8246760840717"]
[EventType "game"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 c5 4.O-O g6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Bg7 7.Nb3 O-O 8.Nc3 e6 9.e4 {An interesting Anti-Grunfeld line that Ding had used successfully in the past. He is in fact playing the Grunfeld himself now, with reversed colors, and an extra tempo.} 9...Nc6 10.exd5 Nxd5 {Since Black is getting an isolani, it makes sense to preserve more pieces on board, but Grischuk has a concrete idea on his mind.} ( {Ding's previous game saw} 10...exd5 11.Bg5 h6 12.Be3 Re8 13.Qd2 Ng4 14.Bc5 Be6 15.Nxd5 Bxb2 16.Rad1 Bxd5 17.Bxd5 Qg5 18.Qxg5 hxg5 19.c4 {and the Chinese GM eventually emerged victorious in Ding,L (2812)-Adams,M (2708) Astana 2019} ) 11.Nxd5 ( {Another plan is:} 11.Ne4 Ne5 12.h4 h6 13.Qe2 Qc7 14.Rd1 a5 15.Nd4 Bd7 16.a4 Rad8 {but Black did not seem to have problems in Firouzja,A (2728)-Caruana,F (2828) Stavanger 2020} ) 11...exd5 12.c3 d4 {That is the point. Black quickly gets rid of the isolated pawn. But not from all the problems.} ( {Throwing in} 12...a5 {provides White extra options, as he may proceed as in the game with} 13.a4 ( {Or the immediate blockade with} 13.Be3 $5 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 13...d4 14.cxd4 Nxd4 15.Be3 ) 13.cxd4 {More or less forced.} ( {As} 13.c4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 13...Be6 {embarrasses the c4-pawn.} ) 13...Nxd4 14.Be3 {[#]} 14...Nc6 $146 {Up to here all has been seen in an email game. Only this move is a novelty. Grischuk blocks the enemy bishop and intends to develop his own light-squared one.} ( {The predecessor saw a quick draw after:} 14...Nf5 15.Bc5 Re8 16.Qxd8 Rxd8 17.Rad1 {1/2-1/2 (17) Tyutyunnik,R (2204)-Misericordia,A (2363) LSS email 2019} ) 15.Nc5 {Highlighting Black's main problem. How to develop the queenside $2} 15...Qe7 ( {The pawn grabbing} 15...Bxb2 16.Rb1 Qf6 17.Qa4 {provides White more than enough compensation for the pawn.} ) ( {Perhaps the best defense was} 15...Qxd1 $5 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 16.Raxd1 {and then} 16...Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] to bring the bishop out at once. In some situations Black can happily sacrifice a queenside pawn in return for piece activity, for instance} ( {Black is not fine after} 16...Bxb2 17.Nxb7 Bxb7 18.Rb1 Ba6 19.Rfd1 Bg7 20.Bxc6 ) 17.Rd6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] and now a complex computer idea} 17...Ne7 18.Bxb7 Nf5 19.Bxa8 Nxd6 20.Bd5 Bxb2 ( {The machine assumes that Black can hold with} 20...Nf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 21.Rb1 {when Black did not manage to equalize in full yet.} ) 16.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] X-raying her majesty is three times more unpleasant in a blitz game than in a normal one.} ( {Also interesting was} 16.Qa4 Bxb2 17.Rab1 Bg7 18.Rfd1 {with a similar compensation for the pawn as the line from above.} ) 16...Rd8 ( {Grischuk probably did not even consider} 16...Bf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] which would have likely been met with} 17.Bd4 {when Black has the interesting queen sacrifice in disposal} 17...Qxe1+ 18.Qxe1 Nxd4 19.Bxb7 Nc2 20.Qf1 Rae8 {and although the machine promises an edge to White it is not clear at all, especially in blitz.} ) 17.Qb3 Qc7 ( {After something neutral like} 17...h6 {White cannot win material at once but may increase the pressure with} 18.Rac1 ) 18.Rac1 {The poor queen cannot find a safe square.} 18...Qb6 {The most natural move is a blunder.} ( {If} 18...Rb8 {in a vain attempt to complete the development, then} 19.Bf4 {wins by force for White in the line} 19...Be5 20.Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Nxe5 21.Qe3 Re8 22.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Qd8 23.Bg5 ) 19.Nxb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The winning combination.} 19...Qxb3 ( {Or else Black loses prosaically after} 19...Qxb7 20.Bxc6 ( {Rather than} 20.Qxb7 Bxb7 21.Bxc6 Bxc6 22.Rxc6 Bxb2 ) 20...Qxb3 21.axb3 Rb8 22.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when the black rooks cannot find squares now, e.g.} 22...f6 ( 22...Rf8 23.Be7 ) 23.Bf4 Rxb3 24.Bd5+ $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Rxd5 25.Rxc8+ Kf7 26.Rc7+ Kf8 27.Ree7 {and White wins.} ) 20.Nxd8 $3 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A star move $1 Many GMs would have been proud of finding it in a normal game. Ding spent a couple of seconds on it $1} ( {Grischuk likely only expected the natural} 20.axb3 Bxb7 21.Bxc6 Bxc6 22.Rxc6 Bxb2 {with equality.} ) 20...Qxb2 {The minute spent on the clock best describes the shock that the Russian GM experienced.} ( {Nothing changes} 20...Qxa2 21.Nxc6 {The rook on a8 cannot be saved and Black loses after} 21...Bxb2 22.Ne7+ Kf8 23.Bh6+ Bg7 24.Bxa8 ) 21.Nxc6 Bb7 ( {Or} 21...Bf8 22.Nxa7 Rxa7 23.Rxc8 Rxa2 {with a pretty finish} 24.Rxf8+ $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Kxf8 25.Bh6+ Kg8 26.Re8# ) 22.Rb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins a whole piece and the game.} ( {Rather than just a pawn, as in the line} 22.Ne7+ Kf8 23.Rb1 Qxb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Rxb1 Bxg2 25.Nxg6+ hxg6 26.Kxg2 ) 22...Qc3 23.Rec1 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship Main Event Qua"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Paravyan, David"]
[Black "Le, Tuan Minh"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2586"]
[BlackElo "2542"]
[ECO "B29"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[Beauty "5568693538825"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 d5 4.exd5 Nxd5 5.Bb5+ {The players had a theoretical debate in this variation during this dramatic match.} 5...Bd7 6.Ne5 $1 Nf6 ( 6...Bxb5 {This move leads to some complications in which it appears that White has the upper hand.} 7.Qf3 $1 f6 8.Nxb5 Na6 ( 8...fxe5 9.Qxd5 $1 Qxd5 10.Nc7+ Kd7 11.Nxd5 {The endgame is better for White due to the superior pawn structure.} ) 9.Qh5+ g6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qxh8 Qd7 12.Nc3 Qe6+ 13.Kf1 {Here the computer doesn't see enough compensation for Black.} ) 7.Qf3 Qc8 8.b3 {A new move, not just in the match, but in the whole theory of this line (although we can still have transpositions). Has this been \"kept away,\" especially for the armageddon, or are we going too far into thinking about this sort of thing $2} ( 8.d3 {This was Paravyan's attempt in the previous games and he has a good record with this move.} 8...Bxb5 9.Nxb5 a6 10.Nc3 Nbd7 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.Bg5 {This position was played in the match, with a White win.} ) 8...a6 ( 8...Bxb5 {This is the best way, for instance:} 9.Nxb5 a6 10.Nc3 Qc7 11.O-O $1 e6 ( 11...Qxe5 $2 12.Qxb7 ) 12.Re1 Bd6 13.Bb2 O-O ( 13...Bxe5 $2 14.Rxe5 $1 ) 14.Ng4 Nxg4 15.Qxg4 g6 $1 {and Black's problems are solved, according to the machine.} ) 9.Bxd7+ ( 9.Nxd7 {is also possible, transposing to a known position after} 9...Nbxd7 {Now White can choose between 10.Bxd7 and 10. Be2.} 10.Bxd7+ $1 ( 10.Be2 ) 10...Qxd7 11.Bb2 {with a slight advantage. This happened, by a different move order, in the game: Yu-Kovalev, Douglas 2019.} ) 9...Nbxd7 10.Nc4 {Now we are really in uncharted territory.} ( 10.Nxd7 Qxd7 11.Bb2 {trasnposes to the game above.} ) 10...b5 11.Ne3 e6 12.Bb2 Bd6 ( 12...Be7 {is more prudent.} ) 13.Ne4 $6 ( 13.a4 $1 {This move is thematic in many positions: before jumping with the knight, we try to improve the structure on the queenside. Here White fights for advantage.} ) 13...Nxe4 14.Qxe4 O-O {Now Black has a comfortable position.} 15.Qg4 $6 ( 15.O-O ) 15...Be5 16.Bxe5 Nxe5 17.Qg3 Nc6 18.O-O Qd7 19.d3 Nd4 {Black has a small advantage in this position, thanks to the better pawn structure, which gives him more space.} 20.Rae1 Rad8 21.f4 f5 22.Rf2 Rfe8 23.h3 Qd6 24.Nf1 Re7 {The players keep maneuvering and now Paravyan decides to drive the unpleasant knight out of its outpost.} 25.c3 {It's a little scary to create weaknesses in the pawn structure, but this knight needs to be removed. The computer approves the decision.} 25...Nc6 26.Re3 e5 27.fxe5 Rxe5 28.Qg5 {White needs to take risks, so the natural sequence, which leads to simplifications, cannot be chosen.} ( 28.Rxe5 Qxe5 29.Qxe5 Nxe5 30.Rxf5 Nxd3 {With a likely draw.} ) 28...g6 29.Rff3 ( 29.Rfe2 {This keeps the game equal.} ) 29...b4 {By now Black was ahead on the clock.} ( 29...Rde8 {Black has the advantage.} ) 30.Ng3 $2 {Paravyan blunders.} ( 30.cxb4 cxb4 31.Rxe5 Nxe5 {The game ends in a draw after} ( 31...Qxe5 {is also good.} ) 32.Rxf5 Nf7 $1 33.Qg4 Ne5 34.Qg3 Nxd3 35.Qxd6 Rxd6 ) 30...Rxe3 31.Rxe3 Rf8 $1 {This move defends f5 and threatens a fork with the pawn advance.} ( 31...bxc3 32.Nxf5 {This was White's intention. While the position is still defensible, the queen and knight are an explosive combination in fast-paced games.} ) 32.Rf3 ( 32.cxb4 f4 ) 32...Qe5 $2 ( 32...bxc3 $1 {would give the victory in the game and in the match.} 33.Nxf5 Qe5 34.Nh6+ Kg7 {and White's attack is over.} ) 33.cxb4 {Now there is life for White again.} 33...cxb4 34.Re3 Qf6 ( 34...Qa1+ 35.Nf1 ( 35.Kh2 $2 f4 ) 35...Qd4 {with advantage for Black.} ) 35.Qxf6 ( 35.Qf4 ) 35...Rxf6 36.Re8+ Kf7 37.Rh8 Kg7 38.Ra8 {The endgame is even, but both players had about a minute on the clock and anything can happen in these situations.} 38...a5 39.Ne2 Rd6 $6 ( 39...f4 $1 40.Kf2 Ne5 {with an equal position.} ) 40.Ra6 {This move is very unpleasant for Black, nailing the knight and setting up d4-d5.} 40...Kf6 41.Kf2 $6 ( 41.d4 {is better.} 41...Ke6 42.Nf4+ Kd7 43.d5 Ne7 44.Rxa5 {and Black has to fight for a draw.} ) 41...g5 $1 {Taking the f4-square off the knight.} 42.g3 h6 43.d4 ( 43.Nd4 Rxd4 44.Rxc6+ Ke5 45.Ke2 h5 {and the draw is the correct result.} ) 43...Ke7 $2 {A blunder.} ( 43...Ke6 {is the correct move. The king avoids the d5-advance and it's Black who has the advantage.} ) 44.d5 $1 {Now the a5-pawn falls and White has a winning position.} 44...Ne5 45.Rxa5 Kf6 46.Ke3 h5 47.Kd4 h4 {This move accelerates the defeat, but the position was already very difficult.} 48.gxh4 gxh4 49.Nf4 {Now White is completely winning. Paravyan shows great technique and speed to convert it without problems, as long as this is possible with seconds on the clock.} 49...Nf3+ 50.Kc5 Rd8 51.Ra6+ Ke5 52.Ng6+ Ke4 53.Re6+ Kd3 54.d6 Ng5 55.Nf4+ Kc3 56.Re3+ Kb2 57.Re2+ Kc3 58.Kc6 Ne4 59.d7 Nf6 60.Re7 Ra8 61.Nd5+ Nxd5 62.Kxd5 Rd8 63.Ke6 Ra8 64.Re8 Ra6+ 65.Kxf5 Rxa2 66.d8=Q Rf2+ 67.Kg4 Rc2 68.Re3+ Kb2 69.Qf6+ Ka2 70.Qa6+ Kb2 71.Re1 Kxb3 72.Rb1+ Kc3 73.Qc6+ Kd2 74.Qg2+ Kc3 75.Qf3+ Kd2 76.Rd1# {Congratulations to both players for such a fun and hard-fought match $1} 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship Main Event Qua"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2701"]
[ECO "D78"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[Beauty "4879753978375"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

{Grischuk is a cult figure in the chess world and one of the greatest blitz players in history—his world titles in this modality speak for themselves. In the post-match interview, he mentioned that he usually loses a lot of games to Artemiev in online chess, and therefore his victory came as a surprise to him. One of the things I appreciate about this great player is that you never know when he's joking and when he's serious.} 
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.d4 Nf6 5.O-O O-O 6.c4 c6 7.Qb3 {Artemiev himself has played this variation with White in a classical game.} 7...a5 {An aggressive move that is one of Black's popular choices.} ( 7...Qb6 8.Nc3 Bf5 9.Qxb6 axb6 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.Bd2 Nc6 13.e3 {And the game is equal, but Artemiev is a supreme master at winning this kind of position. Artemiev-Murzin, Sochi 2017.} ) 8.cxd5 a4 9.Qd1 cxd5 10.Nc3 Qa5 11.Bd2 Nc6 12.e3 Qa6 13.Re1 {13.Ne5 is another attempt to get the upper hand. It was played in a correspondence game and this is usually a good indication that the move is good.} ( 13.Ne5 Rd8 14.Rc1 ( 14.f4 {is a possible improvement.} ) 14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 Ne4 16.f4 Bf5 {and Black is fine. Grott-Wittal, email 2014.} ) 13...a3 {A new move.} ( 13...Bf5 14.Bf1 Qa7 15.h3 h5 {with an equal position. Nakamura-Svidler, St. Louis (rapid) 2021.} ) ( 13...Rd8 14.Bf1 Qa7 15.h3 h6 {Svidler-Ding, Legends of Chess (rapid) 2020.} ) 14.bxa3 ( 14.Bf1 {It seems logical to bother the queen on a6.} 14...Qb6 15.bxa3 Rxa3 16.Rb1 Qd8 {White has a slight advantage.} ) ( 14.b3 {is also possible.} ) 14...Qxa3 15.Qb3 ( 15.Nb5 {This doesn't offer much either.} 15...Qa4 16.Qxa4 Rxa4 {with an equal endgame.} ) 15...Qxb3 16.axb3 Bf5 17.Ne5 e6 18.Nxc6 bxc6 {Now the position is a bit unpleasant for White, as the b3-pawn can be attacked.} 19.Rxa8 $6 ( 19.b4 {This should be enough for a draw.} 19...Nd7 ( 19...Rfb8 20.Ra5 $1 ) ( 19...Rab8 20.Ra6 ) 20.Bf1 ) 19...Rxa8 20.Rc1 $6 ( 20.Na4 {is better.} ) 20...Rb8 21.Na4 $6 {Another inaccuracy and now Black has good winning chances.} ( 21.f3 $1 {leads to some simplifications and White has drawing chances in the endgame a pawn down after:} 21...Rxb3 22.e4 dxe4 23.fxe4 Rb2 $1 24.exf5 Rxd2 25.fxe6 fxe6 26.h3 ) 21...Rxb3 22.Rxc6 Rd3 $1 {White has problems with the back rank.} 23.Rc2 ( 23.Be1 $2 Rd1 ) 23...Bf8 $1 ( 23...Rxe3 $4 {Of course this is bad because White has an intermediate check before capturing the rook.} 24.Rc8+ ) 24.Ra2 $2 {This move loses due to a nice tactical shot.} ( 24.Rb2 $2 {loses to} 24...Ra3 $1 25.Nc5 Ra1+ 26.Bf1 Bh3 ) ( 24.Nc5 Rxd4 25.Nb3 Bxc2 26.Nxd4 Ba4 {Black has good winning chances, but the game is not over—with pawns on only one side of the board, it is possible to fight for a draw.} ) 24...Bb4 $1 25.g4 {The only chance.} ( 25.Bxb4 Rd1+ 26.Bf1 Bh3 {and Black mates.} ) 25...Bxg4 26.h3 Rxd2 27.Rxd2 Bxd2 28.hxg4 Nxg4 29.Kf1 Nxe3+ $1 {The best way to convert the advantage.} 30.fxe3 Bxe3 31.Nc5 Bxd4 32.Nd3 f5 {With five pawns for the piece, Black has an \"easy\" victory ahead, under normal circumstances. Grischuk mentioned in the interview that he had even considered resigning. But in blitz games, anything can happen.} 33.Bf3 Kf7 34.Bd1 Ke7 35.Ba4 Kd6 36.Be8 Ke7 37.Bc6 g5 38.Bb7 h5 39.Bc8 Kd6 40.Ne1 Bf6 41.Nc2 g4 42.Na3 Bd8 43.Nb5+ Ke5 44.Na7 Bb6 45.Nc6+ Kd6 46.Nb4 h4 47.Kg2 h3+ 48.Kg3 f4+ 49.Kh2 Bd4 50.Nd3 Be3 51.Ne1 Bf2 52.Nd3 Bg3+ 53.Kh1 f3 54.Nb4 {Artemiev methodically advanced his pawns and the game is nearing its end, but now the unbelievable happens.} 54...e5 {This move still doesn't spoil anything.} ( 54...Be5 {Followed by the advance of the g-pawn, is probably the simplest.} ) 55.Bxg4 f2 $4 {The real blunder.} ( 55...e4 56.Nc2 ( 56.Bxh3 e3 ) 56...Ke5 57.Bxh3 d4 58.Kg1 e3 {and the pawns decide.} ) 56.Bxh3 e4 57.Kg2 Bh4 58.Nxd5 Kxd5 59.Bg4 Kd4 60.Kf1 Ke3 61.Be2 Kd2 62.Ba6 e3 63.Be2 Bg3 64.Bh5 e2+ 65.Bxe2 Bh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Rapid 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.11.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "E11"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7973069946426"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Bb4+ {The Bogo-Indian Defense is not very popular among the elite, but it's a great defense, especially for club-level players, as the plans are easier to understand than, for example, the Queen's Indian, one of the most positionally complex openings in chess.} 4.Nbd2 d5 {This move has a dubious reputation, but Mamedyarov played it in the first round of the tournament and in the Olympiad as well, so it's clear he has his own opinion.} 5.Qa4+ {This is the critical move.} ( 5.e3 {Gukesh played this in the aforementioned game. Mamedyarov managed to win this one as well—surely a great advertisement for the Bogo.} ) 5...Nc6 6.a3 Be7 7.e3 {The problem with Black's position is the knight on c6, which is why this line is not popular. This poor knight has such a bad reputation because it hinders the c-pawn advance and Black's development. But is this bad reputation justified $2} 7...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move. Maybe White will move the queen to c2, and now Black is ready to advance the pawn to a4 and improve the pawn structure on the queenside. If you find this too abstract, remember that this is not a Sicilian, where the plans are usually geared toward checkmating: the game is more subtle and delicate in some defenses against the queen's pawn openings.} 8.b4 {Again, the most critical.} ( 8.Bd3 O-O 9.O-O Bd7 10.Qc2 a4 11.Ne5 Na5 {and Black was fine in Yilmaz - Mamedyarov, Chennai 2022.} ) ( 8.Qc2 a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 9.cxd5 exd5 10.Bb5 O-O 11.Bxa4 Bd7 12.Bxc6 Bxc6 13.O-O {Here, Black has to demonstrate the compensation for the pawn, although, with the light-squared bishop and active pieces, there is certainly something. Korobov - Kuzubov, Lvov 2014.} ) 8...dxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Mamedyarov's idea, leading to an underexplored position that will, I believe, become popular after this game.} ( 8...O-O $6 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 9.c5 {and Black's position becomes very passive.} ) 9.Nxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A novelty and also a rare opening error by So, one of the elite grandmasters with the best theoretical preparation out there.} ( 9.b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary. Now Black has a difficult decision.} 9...Na7 $5 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] I believe this move is the most accurate, simply due to the fact that it was played in a recent correspondence game and Black survived.} ( 9...Nb8 10.Nxc4 O-O 11.Bd3 {White has some advantage. The difference in development is clear.} ( 11.Bb2 {Aditya - Jumabayev, Sharjah 2022.} ) ) 10.Nxc4 O-O 11.Bd3 b6 {Diaz - Nekhaev, ICCF email 2020. The position of the knight on a7 is awkward, but Black will try to break through on c6 and bring that knight back into play at some point. This seems to be a critical position for evaluating Black's opening.} ) 9...b5 $3 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Now Black has a very strong counterplay.} 10.Qxb5 Bd7 11.Qg5 {This move seems forced to human eyes, but actually, there is an alternative.} ( 11.bxa5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Only a computer would have the courage to play such a move.} 11...Nb4 ( 11...Nxd4 12.Qb2 Nxf3+ 13.gxf3 {leads to an unclear position.} ) 12.Qxb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. Crazy, But I've seen Kasparov play similar sacrifices before.} 12...Bxb4+ 13.axb4 {A queen is a queen, but maybe White has some compensation. I'd never play this anyway.} ) 11...axb4 12.Qxg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now White is lost.} ( 12.Bd3 {This is the lesser evil.} ) 12...Rg8 13.Qh6 bxa3 {The queen is out of play, and the g8-rook makes it difficult for White to complete his development, as we will see.} 14.Be2 ( 14.Bxa3 {Here, Black has many ways to win. One of them is:} 14...Rg6 15.Qf4 Nb4 16.Rc1 Rxa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Nxa3 Nbd5 {and the a3-knight is lost.} ) 14...Rxg2 {White's king has nowhere to hide.} 15.Nfe5 Nxe5 16.Nxe5 ( 16.dxe5 {Again, Black has many winning continuations. Let's see one of them:} 16...Ne4 17.Qxh7 Bb4+ 18.Bd2 ( 18.Kf1 Rxf2+ 19.Kg1 Qg5+ ) 18...Nxd2 19.Qh8+ Ke7 20.Qf6+ Kf8 21.Qh8+ Rg8 {and there is no perpetual check.} ) 16...Rg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Bf3 Qb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Mamedyarov plays with great precision. He brings the queen to the attack and is not afraid of sacrificing the exchange.} 18.e4 ( 18.Bxa8 Qxa8 19.f3 Qa4 {With a devastating attack.} ) 18...Qb3 19.Qe3 Bb4+ 20.Bd2 Qb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Nxd7 Nxd7 22.Bxb4 ( 22.Rd1 a2 {The a-pawn decides the game.} ) 22...Qxa1+ 23.Ke2 Qb2+ 24.Qd2 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another blow.} 25.e5 ( 25.dxc5 Ne5 {and the knight comes to the party.} ) 25...Rb8 26.Bc3 Qxd2+ 27.Kxd2 cxd4 28.Bxd4 Rb3 29.Rc1 Ke7 30.Bd1 Rb5 31.Rc7 Rd5 32.Ke3 Rb8 33.Bc2 Kd8 34.Ra7 Nxe5 35.Be4 Ra5 {A beautiful victory for Mamedyarov.} 0-1

[Event "E World Team Championship"]
[Site "Jerusalem"]
[Date "2022.11.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Sindarov, Javokhir"]
[Black "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2654"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6874363617311"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Nc3 {It is fascinating to see our child openings coming into the spotlight.} 4...Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.Na4 Bb6 7.a3 {White is basically opting for an somewhat improved Italian where his knight will trade the black dark-squared bishop via a faster route (rather than the standard Nb1-d2-c4 one, which requires a tempo for the Bc4 retreat.)} 7...h6 8.h3 O-O 9.O-O Be6 10.Bxe6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Nowadays more popular than 10.Nxb6. In the not-so-distant past, Black was always considered to get an easy kingside game with the maneuver Qd8-e8-g6, Nf6-h5-f4, and an attack along the f- and g-files.} 10...fxe6 11.b4 ( {A top GM game saw instead} 11.Nxb6 axb6 12.Be3 d5 13.Qe2 Qe8 14.Rad1 Qg6 15.Nh4 Qh7 16.Nf3 {1/2-1/2 Nepomniachtchi,I (2792)-So,W (2773) Chess.com 2022} ) 11...Qe8 12.c3 Ne7 $146 {Nihal took some time on his clock before producing this novelty.} ( {An earlier game was with Nihal's great countryman, which went very well for Black after} 12...Nh5 13.Nxb6 axb6 14.Be3 ( {But I suspect that Sindarov would have deprived his opponent fom easy queenside pressure with} 14.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] as in the game.} ) 14...Nf4 15.Kh2 Qh5 16.Ng1 Qxd1 17.Rfxd1 Ra4 {and Black was already somewhat better in Tari,A (2654)-Anand,V (2751) Stavanger 2022} ) 13.Re1 Ng6 14.Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice, semi-waiting but useful move. The rook is overprotecting the f2-pawn and is ready to join the battle along the second rank. Black is in a mini-zugzwang, longing for alternative improvement moves.} 14...Rd8 ( {The line} 14...Nh5 15.d4 Nhf4 16.Nxb6 axb6 17.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] demonstrates that the black knights are not as scary as they seem without the queen's support. White is not afraid of} 17...Nxh3+ 18.Kg2 ) 15.Nxb6 {Now that the black rook has abandoned the a-file the bishop is removed.} 15...axb6 16.a4 Qf7 ( {Nothing yields} 16...Nh5 17.g3 ) 17.Nh2 {Why is White better $2 It is the pawn structure $1 His pawns are more elastic and he has a pleasant choice on how to modify the situation in the center and the kingside. The main drawback of the double-pawns is that they are static, they can only wait for the opponent to attack them.} 17...Kh7 ( {Perhaps Nihal needed to change the central situation himself with} 17...d5 18.Qe2 ( 18.Qc2 Nh4 ) 18...Qd7 {looking for a way to create threats on his own along the d-file and the queenside.} ) 18.g3 Qd7 19.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Sindarov initiates a central fight.} ( {Also good was} 19.b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19...d5 20.Rd2 ) 19...d5 20.Rd2 Rf7 21.Qc2 {Now White's plan is to force the central fixation. He does not mind having the black d5-pawn neither traded nor fixed on the d4-square.} 21...c5 ( {Maybe} 21...c6 22.Kg2 b5 {was a better try.} ) 22.b5 {Closing the queenside. White is also moving toward a one-sided kingside play.} 22...Qd6 23.Kg2 Rdf8 24.Qd1 Qd7 25.Rf1 {Sindarov's patient play has been exemplary. He knows that the opponent's position cannot be improved and carefully avoids any random tactics.} ( 25.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] To attack the sitting duck on e5 was also great.} ) 25...Rd8 26.Qe2 Ra8 27.Qd1 Rd8 28.Qc2 Qe8 29.Re2 dxe4 {At last, the center is locked $1} ( {From a practical perspective, it made sense to try and sweat the opponent with} 29...Qd7 {although we saw that Sidarov was not in a rush and would have found a way to force the pawn move anyway.} ) ( 29...d4 {was equally bad for Black.} ) 30.dxe4 Rfd7 31.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The same smothering policy.} ( {Not allowing any activity with} 31.Bb2 Rd3 ) 31...Nh5 32.Kg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Not that} 32.Nf3 Nhf4+ {works for Black after} 33.gxf4 Nxf4+ 34.Kh2 Qh5 35.Ng1 {No, Black has nothing here. But why bother calculating it $2} ) 32...Qf7 33.Nf3 {White's plan is clear: pressurize the e5-pawn with every piece that he has, and if needed, use the h-pawn too. If this does not work, then White can open up the kingside with f2-f4 and thus clear the bishop's road toward the g7-pawn and the black king.} 33...Kg8 34.Kh2 ( {Also good was} 34.Bb2 Qf6 35.Bc3 {when the typical exchange sacrifice} 35...Rd4 {does not work due to} 36.Bxd4 cxd4 37.Ra3 ) 34...Nf6 35.Bb2 Qf8 36.Bc3 Nh7 37.Qe2 Qf6 38.Kg2 Ng5 39.Nh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] No trades at all $1 Sindarov intends to push the black knights back instead with tempi.} ( 39.Nxg5 Qxg5 40.Kh2 Qf6 41.f4 Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] only makes White's task easier.} ) 39...Nf7 40.h4 Nf8 41.Ng4 Qg6 42.h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Launching the decisive kingside attack that was brewing ever since the center was locked.} ( 42.Nxe5 Nxe5 43.Bxe5 Rd2 44.Qf3 {was the greedy way to play it.} ) 42...Qg5 ( {Certainly not} 42...Qxh5 $4 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 43.Nf6+ ) 43.f4 Qe7 ( {White gets what he wants after} 43...exf4 44.gxf4 Qe7 45.Rg3 ) 44.f5 ( {A tad more accuare seemed} 44.Rf2 $5 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 44...exf4 45.gxf4 {with a soon-to-be-decise attack.} ) 44...Nh7 ( 44...exf5 45.exf5 {makes things worse for Black.} ) 45.f6 Nxf6 {Now Nihal stands no chance at all.} ( {He should have tried} 45...gxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46.Ref3 Kg7 {with the hidden resource} 47.Nxf6 ( {If} 47.Qf2 Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is coming just in time.} ) 47...Nxf6 48.Rxf6 Qxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 49.Rxf6 Kxf6 50.Qg4 Rd2+ $3 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 51.Bxd2 Rxd2+ 52.Kg1 Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when suddenly the white queen lacks entry squares and Black is doing fine.} ) 46.Nxf6+ gxf6 47.Ref3 Ng5 ( {This time} 47...Kg7 48.Qf2 Rd3 {does not work due to} 49.Rxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 48.Rxf6 Rd3 49.Qe1 Kh7 50.Bxe5 {White is up a pawn, but has a decisive attack as compensation.} 50...Rg8 51.Qe2 Qd7 52.Qxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An artistic finish of another great match of the young Uzbek team $1} ( 52.Qxd3 Qxd3 53.Rf7+ Nxf7 54.Rxf7+ Rg7 55.Rxg7+ Kh8 56.Rd7+ ) 1-0

[Event "E World Team Championship Pool"]
[Site "Jerusalem"]
[Date "2022.11.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2686"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8248484742694"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Bc5 {This variation has become popular since Caruana used it in his 2018 match against Carlsen. Of course there is nothing wrong with the main line, 6...Nb6.} 7.O-O O-O 8.Qc2 $5 {A new try. This move was played by Carlsen in a rapid game this year.} ( 8.d3 {was Carlsen's choice in two games from the world championship match against Caruana. Both games ended in a draw.} ) 8...Nd4 $5 {The game quickly goes down little-trodden paths.} ( 8...Nf6 9.a3 Bb6 10.e3 a5 11.b3 Bg4 12.Bb2 {With chances for both sides. Carlsen-Le, Airthings Masters 2022.} ) 9.Qe4 {The first new move.} ( 9.Nxd4 {This move was played in a blitz game.} 9...Nb4 10.Qb1 exd4 11.Ne4 Bb6 12.a3 Nd5 {with a roughly equal position in Sarana-Lazavik Chess.com 2022.} ) 9...Nxc3 10.dxc3 Nxf3+ 11.exf3 $1 {The precise way to capture. Otherwise Black can try a plan with f5-e4, gaining space. Now White can press on the e-file and play f3-f4 at some point.} ( 11.Bxf3 Bd6 {Followed by f5-e4.} ) ( 11.Qxf3 Qe7 {Black has a comfortable position.} ) 11...Re8 12.Re1 c6 13.f4 ( 13.Be3 {is more cautious. The position is equal after} 13...Bf8 $1 14.f4 exf4 15.Qxf4 Be6 ) 13...Qb6 $1 {Now it's not so easy to protect the f2-pawn.} 14.Be3 {The exchange of the b2-pawn for the e5-pawn leaves the position unbalanced and sharp.} ( 14.Re2 $6 Bg4 $1 ) 14...Bxe3 15.Qxe3 Qxb2 16.fxe5 Bf5 $1 {An important move, developing the bishop and controlling the b1-square, preventing one of the rooks from threatening the black queen.} 17.a4 {Gaining space on the queenside and removing the pawn from a potential capture by the opponent's queen.} 17...f6 18.f4 Rad8 ( 18...fxe5 {is slightly more accurate, since it avoids the intermediate check we will see in the game.} 19.fxe5 Rad8 20.Bf1 Kh8 {Black has a good position.} ) 19.Bf1 fxe5 20.Bc4+ $5 Be6 $6 {This is not the best. The game finishes in perpetual check after the correct} ( 20...Kh8 $1 21.fxe5 Rd2 22.Ra2 $1 Rg2+ 23.Kh1 ( 23.Kf1 $2 {leads to disaster after} 23...Bd3+ $1 24.Bxd3 Rf8+ ) 23...Rxh2+ 24.Kg1 Rg2+ ) 21.Rab1 $1 {Now the position is dangerous for Black.} 21...Qc2 22.Bxe6+ Rxe6 23.Rxb7 Rh6 {The most natural move, especially in a rapid game. Computer analysis shows many subtleties in this position and it would be impossible to calculate everything in such a short time. To begin with, the best moves according to the machine, 23...a5 or 23...h6, are very difficult to play.} ( 23...Rd2 $2 {This loses after} 24.Qxa7 Rg2+ 25.Kf1 ) ( 23...Qxa4 $2 {also loses:} 24.f5 Rf6 25.Qg5 $1 {with a mating attack.} ) ( 23...h6 $5 {This is a computer move that only the most brilliant human minds can understand (not my case).} ) ( 23...a5 $1 {This one I can understand. Black loses the e-pawn but has some compensation due to his active pieces.} 24.fxe5 Rf8 ) 24.Rxg7+ $6 {This looks like a winning tactical shot, but actually it's not the best move. To prove this, however, requires machine-like precision.} ( 24.h4 $1 Rd3 {This looks scary, but White gets an advantage after some interesting complications.} ( 24...exf4 $4 25.Qe8+ Rxe8 26.Rxe8# ) ( 24...Qg6 $5 25.f5 $1 ( 25.fxe5 Rxh4 26.e6 Rg4 $1 {and Black is in time to generate counterplay.} ) 25...Qxf5 26.Qxe5 Qxe5 27.Rxe5 {with a better endgame for White.} ) 25.Rb8+ Kf7 26.Qxa7+ Kg6 27.f5+ Kh5 $1 {It's a pity that this brave king march doesn't get the deserved reward.} ( 27...Kxf5 $2 28.Qxg7 $18 Rg6 29.Qxe5+ Kg4 30.Re2 $1 {and somehow White defends everything and gets a winning position.} ) 28.Qf2 $1 ( 28.Qxg7 $2 {leads to a pretty win for Black after} 28...Rg6 $3 29.Qxh7+ ( 29.fxg6 Rxg3+ ) 29...Kg4 30.Qxg6+ Kh3 {What an epic counterattack $1 White cannot avoid mate.} ) 28...Qxf2+ ( 28...Qxc3 $2 29.g4+ $1 Kxg4 30.Re4+ Kh5 31.Qe2+ Rf3 32.Kg2 {and the rook is lost.} ) 29.Kxf2 Rxc3 30.Rg8 $1 {The endgame is winning for White.} ) ( 24.Re2 Rd1+ 25.Kg2 Qf5 26.Qxe5 Qh3+ 27.Kf3 Qf1+ 28.Ke3 Qg1+ 29.Kf3 Qf1+ ) 24...Kh8 $2 ( 24...Kxg7 $2 25.Qxe5+ Rf6 26.Qe7+ {White picks up the d8-rook and wins.} ) ( 24...Kf8 $1 {This precise move saves Black.} 25.h4 ( 25.Qc5+ Rdd6 ) 25...Rd1 $1 {This is the difference, compared to the game. This is the only saving move. The king is better placed on f8 than on h8.} 26.Qxe5 ( 26.Rb7 Rxe1+ 27.Qxe1 Rd6 $1 {This is actually dangerous for White now that the e5-pawn cannot be captured with check.} ) 26...Rxe1+ 27.Qxe1 Kxg7 28.Qe7+ Kg8 29.Qe8+ {with perpetual check.} ) 25.h4 {Now it's all over.} 25...Re6 ( 25...Rd1 26.Re7 {White wins because the black's king is poorly placed.} ) 26.Rg5 ( 26.Qxa7 {is also winning. The point is} 26...exf4 27.Rxh7+ $1 Qxh7 28.Qxh7+ Kxh7 29.Rxe6 ) 26...e4 27.f5 Re7 28.f6 Rf7 29.Qxe4 Qxc3 ( 29...Qxe4 30.Rxe4 Rxf6 31.Re7 {The endgame is hopeless for Black.} ) 30.Qe8+ Rf8 31.f7 $1 {A nice final tactical move.There is no defense to the threat of 32.Rg8+.} 31...Qd4+ 32.Kh1 1-0

[Event "Pool B | E World Team Championship"]
[Site "Jerusalem"]
[Date "2022.11.20"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2599"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[ECO "C80"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6533781914687"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {Definitely not a surprise by Mamedyarov. The Open Ruy Lopez was his bread and butter long before he reached Niemann's age.} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 Nc5 10.Qe2 {And Niemann chooses a rare continuation in order to avoid the Azeri's heavy preparation.} ( {The main line remains} 10.c3 {and has been tested in numerous top-GM games, one recent example being} 10...d4 11.Bxe6 Nxe6 12.cxd4 Ncxd4 13.a4 Bb4 14.axb5 Nxb5 15.Qa4 c5 16.Nc4 O-O 17.Be3 Nbd4 18.Bxd4 Nxd4 19.Nxd4 Qxd4 {with White's serious edge in Giri,A (2764)-Le,Q (2728) chess24.com 2022} ) 10...g6 $5 {Taken by surprise Mamedyarov chooses \"an interesting sideline,\" at least according to Chessbase.} ( {The main continuation} 10...Be7 11.c3 O-O 12.Rd1 Qd7 13.Bc2 Bf5 14.Nf1 Bxc2 15.Qxc2 Qe6 {has been discussed recently in Vachier Lagrave,M (2784) -Anton Guijarro,D (2675) chess24.com 2020} ) 11.c3 {The most logical reply, and some thought.} 11...Bg7 {That's the point, but White is not too concerned about the pawn.} 12.Nd4 $1 Nxe5 13.f4 {The game has been opened in White's favor, and Niemann launches a nasty attack against the black king.} 13...Ned3 14.f5 {Anand, who was annotating for the official site, could not hide his amazement about Mamedyarov's opening choice. White has more than enough compensation for the pawn.} 14...Nxc1 $5 {Black was also burning time on his clock.} ( 14...gxf5 15.Nxf5 {does not seem great for the second player either.} ) 15.Raxc1 gxf5 16.Nxf5 Bf6 $146 {Aaaand, this is a novelty $1 But it is very likely that neither player was aware of it.} ( {An earlier game ended unhappily for Black:} 16...Rg8 17.Bc2 Kd7 18.Qe3 Qf8 19.b4 Nb7 20.Nb3 a5 21.Bd3 axb4 22.cxb4 Rxa2 23.Kh1 Bh8 24.Qf4 Qd8 25.Bxb5+ Kc8 26.Rf2 {1-0 Siebel,D (1945)-Herzog,K (1869) email 2014} ) 17.Bc2 {Niemann's desire to keep this piece alive is perfectly understandable. With the bishop on the b1-h7 diagonal, Black can never even think about castling short.} ( {On the other hand} 17.Rce1 $5 {might have been even better, as} 17...Nxb3 18.Nxb3 O-O {does not solve Black's problems. His position is leaking after} 19.Nbd4 Bxd4+ 20.Nxd4 Qg5 21.Rf3 Kh8 22.Qf2 $1 ) 17...Nd7 ( {After} 17...Qd7 {Anand quickly suggested the strongest reply} 18.Qe3 $1 ) 18.Nd4 {All of this looks logical, but actually releases the tension.} ( {Strong is} 18.Nb3 $1 {White likely was bothered by} 18...c5 {and then} 19.Rcd1 Qc7 20.Rxd5 $6 {indeed leads him nowhere due to} ( {However, there is an amazing computer move instead} 20.Ne3 $3 {and only after} 20...O-O-O ( {And} 20...Qe5 {would not defend Black due to} 21.Qf3 ) 21.Nxd5 Bxd5 22.Rxd5 {with huge, likely decisive advantage for White.} ) 20...O-O-O $1 ) ( {Moreover, the knight on f5 is so strong that the machine even suggests the prophylactic} 18.Kh1 $5 {instead when Black can barely do anything to improve his situation.} ) 18...Qe7 {Taking half a breath.} 19.Rce1 {This piece also stood too well to be moved.} ( {White would have preserved a serious edge with the accurate} 19.Rf2 $5 Bxd4 20.cxd4 O-O-O 21.Bd3 {and the black king is not perfectly safe.} ) 19...Bxd4+ 20.cxd4 O-O-O {The king escaped the guillotine, and it is anyone's game.} 21.Nb3 ( {More accurate seems} 21.a4 $5 Qb4 22.Nb3 $1 {when} 22...bxa4 {is met with} 23.Qxa6+ ) 21...Qd6 22.a4 bxa4 $1 {White might have underestimated this.} ( {Instead} 22...c6 {would have left Black suffering permanently on the dark squares after} 23.Qd2 Kb7 24.Na5+ Ka7 25.b4 ) 23.Na5 Qb6 {A double attack. The next moves are more or less forced.} ( {There is also the cunning} 23...Nc5 $5 24.Qe3 ( 24.dxc5 Qxc5+ ) 24...Nb7 {which would have traded the important attacker.} ) 24.Qd2 Rdg8 25.Bxa4 Rg4 {Both players are on the attack.} 26.Nc6 {As obvious as this move is, it is not optimal. The knight is too valuable to be traded easily.} ( {After} 26.Nb3 $1 Rhg8 27.Re2 Re4 {the game would have been unclear and approximately even.} ) 26...Nb8 $1 {That's the problem. White loses his stability and has to follow a forced sequence:} 27.h3 ( 27.Nxb8 $4 {loses on the spot due to} 27...Rxd4 ) 27...Nxc6 $1 {The best move. Mamedyarov wins two pawns for the exchange and opens all the windows into the enemy king's castle.} ( {Both} 27...Re4 28.Ne7+ Kb7 29.Rxe4 dxe4 30.Bc2 ) ( {And especially} 27...Rh4 28.Ne7+ Kd8 $2 ( 28...Kb7 29.Rd1 ) 29.Nf5 Bxf5 30.Qg5+ $1 {are favorable for White.} ) 28.hxg4 Nxd4 {After brief hesitation Black opts for the attack.} ( {It is way easier for White to play the endgame after} 28...Qxd4+ 29.Qxd4 Nxd4 30.Rf4 ) 29.Qe3 {Now White's king is slowly getting cold feet.} ( {Perhaps White could have still survived after} 29.Kh1 $1 Rg8 30.g5 ) 29...Rg8 ( {Not yet} 29...Bxg4 30.Rxf7 ) 30.Bd1 ( {In case of} 30.Rf4 {Black can now grab the pawn} 30...Rxg4 31.Rxg4 Bxg4 ) 30...Bxg4 31.Rf2 ( {Nothing changes} 31.Bxg4+ Rxg4 32.Rf2 f5 ) 31...Bxd1 ( 31...f5 $5 ) 32.Rxd1 Rg4 {The central knight deserves all the support it might be given.} 33.Rd3 Re4 34.Qh3+ {Pushing the black king into safety.} ( {The last try is} 34.Qg5 $1 Qb5 35.Rh3 ) 34...Kb7 35.Re3 ( {Last chance for} 35.Qd7 $5 {The active queen can still do a lot of damage to the opponent's position.} ) 35...f5 $1 {When everything is defended, Mamedyarov is ready to bring his pawns into motion.} 36.Kh1 ( {Nothing changes} 36.Rxe4 fxe4 37.Kh1 Nb5 ) 36...Nb5 $1 {A nice maneuver that places the knight optimally, both for the passers' support and for the defense of the king.} 37.Rxe4 fxe4 38.Rf8 Nd6 39.Qxh7 Qxb2 {All is set for the baby queens to start moving.} 40.Qg8 Qa1+ 41.Kh2 Qe5+ 42.Qg3 Qh5+ ( {Not yet} 42...Qxg3+ 43.Kxg3 d4 44.Kf2 ) 43.Kg1 ( {Whereas after} 43.Qh3 {Black would have traded} 43...Qxh3+ 44.Kxh3 d4 45.Kg3 c5 ) 43...Qd1+ ( 43...d4 $1 {at once would have deprived Black of the additional chance.} ) 44.Kh2 {Which Niemann did not use.} ( {The most resilient defense is} 44.Rf1 Qd4+ 45.Kh2 {although here too, Black should find a way to win.} ) 44...Qh5+ 45.Kg1 d4 46.Rf1 Qc5 $1 {The pawns are unstoppable, Mamedyarov confidently converts his advantage.} 47.Rb1+ Ka7 48.Qf2 Nb5 49.Ra1 Nc3 50.g4 e3 51.Qf6 Qc4 52.Qe5 e2 53.g5 d3 54.Qe3+ Kb7 55.Qf3+ Ne4 56.Rb1+ Kc6 57.Qf8 Qc5+ 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Rapid 2022"]
[Site "Kalkata"]
[Date "2022.11.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "A30"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7218497858057"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.e3 g6 3.b3 {Nakamura is very familiar with this development scheme from his online rapid and blitz games. It doesn't look scary, but the American genius gets an impressive amount of wins out of it.} 3...Bg7 4.Bb2 c5 5.c4 O-O 6.Be2 b6 7.O-O Bb7 8.Qc2 {8.d4 and 8.Nc3 are more popular choices.} ( 8.d4 ) ( 8.Nc3 ) 8...Nc6 9.Rd1 {I only found one game with this move. The vast majority prefer 9.a3, avoiding the knight jump to b4—the computer, however, criticizes this move. Another possibility is 9.d4, but Black can achieve equality esily.} ( 9.a3 d5 {Black is fine.} ) ( 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Rc8 {with equal play.} ) 9...d5 10.cxd5 {After this move, Black has a good and easy position to play.} ( 10.d4 {offers more chances of an advantage, but after} 10...cxd4 11.Nxd4 Qc8 {Black doesn't have problems.} ) 10...Nb4 ( 10...Qxd5 {is also good. After} 11.Nc3 Qf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 12.Qxf5 gxf5 {Black has nothing to fear.} ) 11.Qc1 Qxd5 {This natural move is the first new one.} ( 11...Rc8 12.Nc3 Nbxd5 {was Gronn - Tjoelsen, Oslo 2011.} ) 12.Nc3 Qf5 13.d4 Rac8 14.dxc5 Bxf3 {I don't like this decision. The immediate capture of the c5-pawn is better, either with the queen or the rook. The position is equal in both cases.} ( 14...Rxc5 15.Qd2 ) ( 14...Qxc5 15.Qd2 ) 15.Bxf3 Nd3 16.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Maybe Mamedyarov missed this move, although I'm not sure he did. Now we go for an endgame that is still equal but not as comfortable as the position he had before.} ( 16.Qc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16...Nxb2 17.Qxb2 Qxc5 {The position is very comfortable for Black.} ) 16...Qxf3 {The only move.} 17.gxf3 Nxc1 18.Raxc1 Rxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] After this, White has the advantage.} ( 18...Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This subtle intermediate move is the best. Now White must concede the c-file since 19.Rc2 leads to an unpleasant pin.} 19.Rb1 ( 19.Rc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19...Rxc5 ) 19...Rxc5 20.Rd3 {and the game would probably end in a draw.} ) 19.Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the problem. Now White gets the c-file.} 19...Rg5+ 20.Kf1 ( 20.Kh1 {Can also be considered. Of course, it's better to go toward the center, but the king might have to defend the h2-pawn.} ) 20...Re8 21.Rc2 {The point of this move is to defend the a2-pawn and prepare to maneuver the knight.} ( 21.Ne2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21...Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21...Rh5 22.Kg1 Bf8 ( 22...Rg5+ 23.Kh1 ) 23.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Ra5 24.Bb4 ( 24.Bc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, taking the g5-square away from the rook. This is similar to what we will see later in the game.} ) 24...Rb5 ( 24...Rg5+ $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Kf1 e6 {This gives Black a good chance of surviving.} ) 25.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black is doomed to defend passively.} 25...Rc5 {A compromising move, but Mamedyarov creates a weakness to close the c-file.} ( 25...e6 26.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move, avoiding 26...Rc5.} ) 26.Rxc5 bxc5 27.Bc3 ( 27.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the machine's favorite move.} 27...e6 28.Nc3 {The plan is to play e5 and then put the knight on e4 and invade on the d-file. Black will hardly survive.} ) 27...Rc8 28.e5 Ne8 29.Rd7 a6 30.Ra7 Rc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this mistake, it's very difficult to defend the endgame. Black needs to seek salvation by activating his pieces, even if it costs a pawn. 30...Nc7 or 30...c4 are better choices.} ( 30...Nc7 {Now if White goes after the a6-pawn with} 31.Ba5 {Black gets drawing chances after:} 31...Nd5 32.Rxa6 Bg7 33.f4 Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 30...c4 {is also interesting:} 31.bxc4 ( 31.Rxa6 cxb3 32.axb3 Rb8 33.Nd4 Nc7 ) ( 31.b4 Nc7 ) 31...Rxc4 32.Ra8 Ng7 33.Rxa6 Nf5 {with good activity and drawing chances.} ) 31.Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Ng7 ( 31...Nc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32.Rc8 ) 32.Nf4 e6 33.Ng2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very nice move, preparing to go with the knight to c4 or g4.} 33...Nf5 34.Ne3 Nxe3 {Black decides to exchange knights, but now he has no counterplay, and White can start bringing the king to the game.} 35.fxe3 Kg7 36.Kf2 c4 {Otherwise, White will place the king on c4.} 37.b4 {Now White can create a passed pawn with a4-b5 at the right moment.} 37...Be7 38.Ke2 h5 39.Rb8 g5 40.h3 Kg6 41.a4 Rc7 42.Rb6 ( 42.b5 {is also good enough.} 42...axb5 43.axb5 Rd7 44.b6 {The b-pawn decides the game.} ) 42...Rd7 43.Rc6 Kf5 44.Rxc4 Rb7 45.Kd3 Bf8 46.a5 Be7 47.Kc2 {White wants to play 48.Kb3 and then attack the a6-pawn with 49.Rc6.} 1-0

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Monaco"]
[Date "2022.11.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Muzychuk, Anna"]
[Black "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2534"]
[BlackElo "2535"]
[ECO "B24"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "5841692393480"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 {These Sicilian sidelines are particularly interesting when Black plays 2...e6. Against 2...d6 or 2...Nc6 it's not as effective, since Black can set up the structure with d6-e5 and achieve equality without any problems.} 3...Nc6 4.Bg2 Nf6 5.Nc3 d5 $1 6.exd5 exd5 7.d4 {This position has been discussed in recent games.} 7...cxd4 ( 7...Bg4 {is also possible.} 8.h3 $5 ( 8.O-O {This has been played in some games, but it poses no danger to Black.} 8...Nxd4 9.Qe1+ Be7 10.Nxd4 cxd4 11.Ne2 {And here Black has a few options to get a good game.} 11...d3 $5 ( 11...Qb6 ) ( 11...Bxe2 12.Qxe2 O-O ) 12.cxd3 O-O ) 8...cxd4 $1 ( 8...Bxf3 $6 9.Qxf3 Nxd4 10.Qd3 {White will play 11.Be3 and regain the pawn, with an advantage.} ) 9.hxg4 dxc3 10.bxc3 {with an unclear position.} ) 8.Nxd4 Bg4 $1 9.Qd3 {This is probably not the best move. GM So tried both 9.Nde2 and 9.f3 in recent games.} ( 9.Nde2 ) ( 9.f3 ) 9...Bc5 10.Nb3 {A rare move. The alternatives also fail to give White an advantage.} ( 10.Be3 Qb6 ( 10...Bxd4 11.Bxd4 Qe7+ {is also good.} ) 11.Nxc6 Bxe3 12.Qxe3+ Qxe3+ 13.fxe3 bxc6 {with an equal endgame.} ) ( 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.O-O O-O 12.Na4 Bd6 {The position is equal after 13.Be3 or 13.c4.} ) ( 10.Qe3+ Ne7 11.O-O O-O 12.Qd3 Bxd4 $1 13.Qxd4 Nc6 {Followed by d5-d4 with a good position for Black.} ) 10...Qe7+ 11.Be3 ( 11.Kf1 {was tried in Safarli - Vega Gutierrez, Minsk 2017. It's clear that White cannot realistically think of an advantage in this position with the king on f1 and a good development for Black.} ) 11...Bxe3 12.Qxe3 Qxe3+ 13.fxe3 O-O-O 14.h3 Bf5 ( 14...Bh5 {is also possible and was played in a game that later transposed to our main game.} ) 15.O-O-O Rhe8 16.g4 Bg6 17.g5 {The first new move.} ( 17.Rhe1 Re5 {was later drawn in Mustonen - Kochyev, Jyvaskyla 2004.} ) 17...Ne4 18.Bxe4 Bxe4 19.Rhf1 Bg6 $1 {An accurate move.} ( 19...Re7 $6 20.Nxe4 dxe4 21.Rxd8+ Kxd8 22.h4 {with a slight advantage for White.} ) ( 19...Ne5 $2 {is even worse, since Black loses a pawn after} 20.Nxe4 dxe4 21.Rxd8+ Kxd8 22.Rf4 ) 20.Nxd5 Re5 $1 {Now we enter a forced drawing variation.} 21.Nf4 Rxd1+ 22.Kxd1 Rxg5 23.Nxg6 fxg6 24.Rf7 ( 24.Rf8+ {is also possible, but the move played is more logical, cutting the black king on the last rank.} ) 24...Rg1+ ( 24...Rh5 25.Nd4 {is also a likely draw.} ) 25.Kd2 Rg2+ 26.Kd1 ( 26.Kc3 {also leads to a draw.} 26...Rg3 27.Kd2 Ne5 28.Rxg7 Rxh3 29.Nc5 Nc4+ 30.Kc3 Nxe3 31.Rxb7 $1 {and here the computer indicates several drawing variations.} ) 26...Ne5 27.Rxg7 Nc4 28.Rxh7 Nxe3+ ( 28...Nxb2+ {gives more chances for Black, although the final result is never really in doubt.} 29.Ke1 $5 ( 29.Kc1 Nc4 30.Kb1 Rg1+ 31.Nc1 Nxe3 32.h4 {Should also be enough.} ) 29...Rxc2 ( 29...Nc4 30.Nc5 b6 31.Ne6 Nxe3 32.Rxa7 ) 30.Rg7 ) 29.Kc1 Rxc2+ 30.Kb1 Rg2 31.Rh4 Rh2 32.Kc1 g5 33.Rh5 Rc2+ 34.Kb1 Rg2 35.Kc1 Nc4 36.h4 Nxb2 ( 36...gxh4 {sets a small trap.} 37.Rh8+ $1 ( 37.Rc5+ $2 Kb8 38.Rxc4 h3 39.Rh4 h2 {and Black wins.} ) ( 37.Rxh4 Nxb2 {Of course this should also be a draw.} ) 37...Kc7 38.Rh7+ Kb6 39.Rh6+ ) 37.hxg5 ( 37.Rxg5 Rh2 38.h5 Nd3+ 39.Kb1 ) 37...Nd3+ 38.Kb1 Nf4 39.Rh4 Ne6 40.Rc4+ Kd7 41.Nc5+ Nxc5 42.Rxc5 Kd6 43.Rf5 a6 44.Rf7 Rxg5 45.Rxb7 Rb5+ 46.Rxb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Campeonato Mundial de Xadrez Rápido da E 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "A45"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[Beauty "6258841121826"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A poisonous version of the London System, often used by Erigaisi.} 2...g6 3.Nc3 {In the traditional London System this move is unthinkable, since it's the pawn that occupies this square. But they don't make London players like they used to—this variation was once the choice of those who wanted a solid position to make a draw, and nowadays it's used by people who like to play for mate.} 3...d5 {A principled move.} ( 3...Bg7 4.e4 d6 {And we have a transposition for the Pirc Defense. The impression is that this is much better for White than he can get against 3...d5.} ) 4.e3 Bg7 5.h4 ( 5.Nb5 {Many play this move to displace the black knight. I must admit that I never understood this move very well. After all, the white knight is not looking great either. But dozens of super-GMs can't be wrong.} 5...Na6 ) 5...h5 {Stopping the advance of the h-pawn.} ( 5...O-O $6 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 6.h5 Nxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 7.Rxh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 7...gxh5 8.Qxh5 {This position is basically a white player's dream when he chooses this line. A deadly attack for a cheap price.} ) 6.Nf3 Bg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] I'm not a big fan of this move, as the bishop isn't particularly well placed here and the f3 exchange can help White's attack by opening up the g-file.} ( 6...O-O {This is the main move and has already been attempted against Erigaisi.} 7.Qd2 c5 8.Ne5 Nc6 9.f3 cxd4 10.exd4 Bf5 11.Bb5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd7 13.O-O-O Nxe5 14.Rhe1 {The Indian GM has had this position on his board twice in 2022, winning both games.} 14...d4 ( 14...Nc6 15.Bh6 Bxh6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16.Qxh6 e6 17.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With a strong attack in Erigaisi-Paravyan, Chess.com (rapid) 2022.} ) 15.Bxe5 Bxe5 16.Rxe5 dxc3 17.Qxc3 Qb6 18.Qd4 Rac8 19.c3 Qxd4 20.Rxd4 Rc7 {White has a tiny advantage. Erigaisi-Giri, Meltwater Final (rapid) 2022.} ) 7.Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An unpleasant move, preparing to take the knight off f3.} 7...Bxf3 {Necessary, to avoid 8.Ne5 or 8.Ng5.} 8.gxf3 c6 9.O-O-O Nbd7 10.e4 {White's position is comfortable and easy to play. Black, on the other hand, has problems with his king, who has no safe haven.} 10...e6 11.Rg1 {A theoretical novelty that doesn't change the character of the game.} ( 11.Kb1 {is the known move. You are never far wrong when you play Kb1 after long castling.} ) 11...Nb6 12.Kb1 O-O {A brave move, but it's not easy to recommend a safe path for the black king, as he's not happy on the queenside either.} ( 12...Qe7 13.Bg5 ) 13.Bg5 Qc7 14.Bd3 ( 14.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is natural and good. White's plan is to stack pieces on the kingside, sacrifice, and mate.} 14...Nh7 ( 14...Nfd7 15.Bh6 ) 15.Bh6 {With a very strong attack.} ) 14...Nc4 15.Bxc4 dxc4 16.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 16.e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now this move is not good, as the black knight can jump to the d5-square, which has become available.} 16...Nd5 ) 16...Kh7 {It's necessary to take the king from the column.} 17.f3 ( 17.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more incisive.} 17...b5 ( 17...Ng8 18.e5 ( 18.Qxc4 f6 19.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] also gives White the advantage, according to the computer, but there is no need for drastic measures.} ) 18...b5 19.Ne4 {With the simple plan of putting the knight on g3 and sacrificing on h5 at some point.} ) 18.Bxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Bxf6 19.e5 Be7 ( 19...Bxh4 {is suicide.} 20.Rh1 Be7 21.Rxh5+ Kg7 22.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And White breaks black's defense in style.} 22...cxd5 23.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...exf5 24.Nxd5 Qb7 25.e6 gxh5 26.Rg1+ Kh6 27.Nf4 {followed by mate.} ) 20.Ne4 {With a very strong attack. The following line illustrates the dangers.} 20...Rad8 21.Ng3 Kh6 22.f5 exf5 23.Nxf5+ gxf5 24.Qe3+ Kh7 25.Qf3 Kh6 26.Qf4+ Kh7 27.Qxf5+ Kh6 28.Rg5 Bxg5 29.Qxg5+ Kh7 30.Qxh5+ Kg7 31.Rg1# ) 17...b5 18.Qg2 Qd7 {A prophylactic move, minimizing the strength of the break at f5.} 19.Qh3 b4 ( 19...a5 {The computer is not afraid of White's threats and recommends advancing the pawn to a4.} 20.d5 cxd5 21.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position is dangerous for Black, but the machine indicates the traditional equality.} ( 21.exd5 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 20.Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] That's the problem: the knight is now active.} 20...Ng8 $6 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Vachier-Lagrave threatens to capture the white bishop with f7-f6. The problem is that this threat is not that strong.} ( 20...Qc7 ) ( 20...c3 ) 21.Nc5 Qc8 22.e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22.Qf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...c3 ( 22...f6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The detail is that this move leads to defeat.} 23.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...exf5 ( 23...fxg5 24.Nxe6 ) 24.Bf4 {and Black's king is too weak.} ) 23.b3 a5 ( 23...f6 24.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...bxa3 25.Ka2 {This subtle sequence kills Black's counterplay and guarantees a nice positional advantage.} ) 22...a5 ( 22...Nh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} ) 23.Qf1 $5 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Most chess players would be thinking of using the queen in the attack and in sacrifices like 23.f5, but Erigaisi is now starting a deep plan to gain the advantage on the other side of the board.} 23...c3 24.bxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point.} ( 24.b3 Nh6 {Black has counterplay.} ) 24...Nh6 $5 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] In his typical style, Vachier-Lagrave sacrifices material.} ( 24...bxc3 25.Ka1 Nh6 26.Qc4 ( 26.Bxh6 Bxh6 {and the f4-pawn is threatened.} ) 26...Nf5 27.Qxc3 {The position looks much better for White, but the computer evaluates it as equal after} 27...Bh6 ) 25.Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now this capture is the best, preventing the knight from reaching f5.} 25...Bxh6 26.c4 Bxf4 27.Ne4 ( 27.Qd3 a4 {with a complicated position. I prefer White, but the computer still thinks it's even.} ) 27...c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move is a serious mistake and the reason for Black's defeat.} ( 27...a4 28.Qd3 Qc7 {And Black will try to counterplay with Rfb8 followed by b4. Anything can happen.} ) 28.Qd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's position collapses.} ( 28.Nxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 28...Bxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 28...Qc7 ( 28...cxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] leads to mate after} 29.Nf6+ Kh8 ( 29...Kh6 30.Qxd4 {and the bishop has no salvation.} ) 30.Rxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...fxg6 31.Qxg6 Rxf6 32.Qxf6+ Kh7 33.Qf7+ Kh6 ( 33...Kh8 34.Qxh5+ Kg7 35.Rg1+ ) 34.Qxf4+ ) 29.Nf6+ Kh8 30.Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Bh6 31.dxc5 ( 31.d5 {is tempting and also wins.} 31...exd5 32.Rxd5 {with total domination.} ( 32.cxd5 {is also good enough.} ) ) 31...Rad8 ( 31...Qxc5 {This is an important move.} 32.Rxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Much better than playing to win the exchange.} ( 32.Nd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32...Qa7 33.Nxf8 Bxf8 {with compensation.} ) 32...fxg6 33.Qxg6 Rxf6 34.exf6 Qe3 {Here Erigaisi would have to pass a test of fire, as there is only one winning move and it's not an easy one to find.} 35.f4 $3 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] It's essential to divert the black queen from the e3-square.} ( 35.Rg1 $2 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Against this move Black arrives with his counterplay in time.} 35...b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.axb3 Rb8 37.f7 Rxb3+ 38.cxb3 Qxb3+ 39.Ka1 Qa3+ ) 35...Qxf4 36.Rg1 {There's no defense against 37.f7.} 36...Qe3 ( 36...Rf8 37.f7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Qxf7 ( 37...Rxf7 38.Qg8# ) 38.Qxh6+ Qh7 39.Qxf8+ ) 37.f7 Qxg1+ 38.Qxg1 {with an easy win.} ) 32.c6 Bg7 33.Nd7 Rfe8 34.Rd6 {Black is completely paralyzed. Both players only had seconds on the clock, but Erigaisi never loses control of the position, always choosing solid moves.} 34...Rc8 35.c5 Qa7 36.f4 a4 37.Nb6 b3 {Desperately trying some activity.} 38.Qxa4 bxa2+ 39.Qxa2 Qe7 40.Rg5 ( 40.Nxc8 {is enough.} 40...Rxc8 41.Qa6 Rb8+ 42.Ka2 ) 40...Rc7 41.Qc4 Rb8 42.c3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Opening the path for the king.} 42...Qe8 43.Qe4 Bf8 44.Kc2 Ra7 ( 44...Bxd6 45.exd6 Rxc6 46.d7 {White wins material.} ) 45.Rg1 Be7 46.Rh1 Bd8 47.Qd4 Rc7 48.Qa4 Qe7 49.Nd7 Rbc8 50.Nf6 Qf8 51.Rb1 Be7 52.Rb6 Ra8 53.Ra6 Rac8 54.Kd3 {It's very rare to see a player like Vachier-Lagrave without an active plan, while his opponent calmly improves his position. That says a lot about Erigaisi's current level of play.} 54...Kg7 55.Ke2 Rb8 56.Kf3 Qc8 57.Nd7 Bxh4 ( 57...Bxd6 58.Nxb8 {The simplest.} 58...Bxc5 59.Nd7 Be7 60.Ra8 {winning the queen.} ) 58.Nxb8 {It's finally time to reap the rewards.} 58...Qxb8 59.Rb6 Qh8 60.Rb7 Bd8 61.Qa8 h4 62.Rxd8 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2688"]
[ECO "C27"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[Beauty "8249042544138"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "180+2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Bc5 4.Nc3 c6 5.Bb3 {A useful prophylactic move, withdrawing the bishop before a possible attack after d7-d5.} ( 5.Nf3 {is natural and has been played several times.} ) ( 5.f4 {is very risky and not recommended.} 5...d5 ( 5...exf4 {might be even better.} ) 6.exd5 O-O $5 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 7.fxe5 Ng4 {with wild complications in Fier-Merario Alarcon, Linares 2021.} ) 5...d6 ( 5...d5 {can lead to some problems due to the knight's pin on f6. Nakamura had this position in a blitz game before, in which he played the timid 6.Qe2. Probably he would choose a more incisive move this time.} 6.exd5 ( 6.Qe2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 6...O-O {was Nakamura-Ding, Speed Chess Championship (Blitz) 2021.} ) 6...cxd5 ( 6...Nxd5 7.Nf3 {White has a slight advantage.} ) 7.Bg5 {With an unpleasant pin.} ) 6.h3 Qe7 {This is a new move. In a World Blitz Championship played many years ago, Anand decided to castle, a good idea when you don't know what's the most accurate move.} ( 6...O-O 7.Qf3 b5 8.Nge2 a5 9.a3 Be6 {with equality in Morozevich-Anand, Moscow 2009.} ) 7.Nge2 a5 8.Ng3 h6 {I'm not sure this move is very useful here. Black has good alternatives like 8...Be6 or simply 8...0-0.} 9.a3 b5 ( 9...Be6 {Is a perfectly good alternative.} 10.Bxe6 fxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is right capture, contolling the f5-square. After} ( 10...Qxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 11.Nf5 {White's knight is very annoying.} ) ) 10.Qf3 Na6 11.O-O Bb6 {Preparing to activate the knight placing it on c5.} ( 11...Be6 {is a good alternative, with chances for both sides.} ) 12.Be3 Bd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Fedoseev loves creative moves, but this one is a bit ugly.} ( 12...Bxe3 {is the natural move.} 13.Qxe3 ( 13.fxe3 O-O {and the position is not dangerous for Black.} ) 13...Qa7 $5 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14.Qd2 Nc5 15.Ba2 {with a tiny advantage for White.} ) 13.Nf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 13.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, immediately striking at the center.} ) 13...Bxf5 14.Qxf5 Qd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 14...Nc5 {Black should bring the knight to the game quickly.} 15.Ba2 Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Controlling the d4-square.} ) 15.Qf3 O-O 16.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...exd4 17.Bxd4 {With the bishop pair and better-placed pieces, White is clearly better.} 17...Re8 ( 17...Nc5 {is an interesting try.} 18.Bxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 18.Ba2 {is not so good after} 18...Ne6 19.Be3 Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 18...dxc5 19.e5 Nh7 20.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with advantage for White.} ( 20.Nxb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a piece after} 20...Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 18.Rfe1 Qc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder in a difficult position.} ( 18...Nh7 {is a defensive move, taking the strength of the e4-e5 advance but the position remains very unpleasant after} 19.Rad1 ) 19.Nxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nakamura, as usual, is quick to spot tactical solutions.} 19...cxb5 20.e5 {Black's position falls apart.} 20...dxe5 21.Qxa8 Nc5 {Losing even more material.} ( 21...exd4 22.Rxe8+ Nxe8 23.Qxa6 ) 22.Bxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Rxe5 23.Rxe5 Qxe5 24.Qxd8+ Kh7 25.Qxa5 Nfe4 26.Qe1 {Nakamura plays safe moves to convert his advantage.} 26...Qxb2 27.a4 bxa4 28.Rxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Nf6 29.Rb4 Nxb3 30.cxb3 Qc2 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.30"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2859"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7836570488330"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "180+2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 {Probably Ruy Lopez variations are Carlsen's biggest specialties in openings, having played them with both colors in the most important tournaments, including world championships.} 5...b5 6.Bb3 Be7 7.a4 b4 {7...Bb7 and 7...Rb8 are also possible.} 8.O-O O-O 9.Nbd2 d6 ( 9...Bc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting move, activating the bishop before playing d7-d6. It has been played a few times by top players.} ) 10.c3 {Carlsen had tried this line before in two games, one rapid and one blitz.} 10...Rb8 11.Re1 Na5 12.Ba2 c5 13.d4 bxc3 {Here Abdusattorov changes what had already been tried before against Carlsen.} ( 13...cxd4 14.cxd4 Qc7 15.Nb3 Nxb3 16.Bxb3 {was slightly better for White in Carlsen-Karjakin, Monte Carlo (rapid) 2011.} ) ( 13...Qc7 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Nc4 Rd8 16.Qe2 b3 17.Nxa5 Qxa5 18.Bb1 Qc7 ( 18...c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is the best move, sacrificing a pawn.} 19.Qxc4 Bc5 {Black has decent compensation due to his more active pieces.} ) 19.Bd3 {with some advantage for White in Carlsen-Adams, Moscow (World Blitz Ch) 2007.} ) 14.bxc3 cxd4 15.cxd4 Nc6 16.d5 {This natural move is a novelty.} ( 16.Ba3 exd4 ( 16...Nxd4 17.Nxd4 exd4 18.Nf3 Bb7 19.Qd3 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Bxe7 Qxe7 21.exd5 ( 21.e5 {is the critical move.} ) 21...Qd8 {The position was equal in Dominguez-Pelletier, Biel 2008.} ) 17.Nb3 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Nfxd4 Nb4 19.e5 Ne4 {with a complicated game: Kyhos-Crielesi, ICCF email 2017.} ) 16...Nb4 17.Bc4 Nh5 ( 17...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight on b4 will be Black's biggest problem in this game. Knowing this, my recommendation is to protect it immediately.} ) 18.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent positional move, leaving the black knight somewhat loose on b4. Prophylaxis is my favorite chess theme.} 18...Nf4 19.Nf1 ( 19.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, controlling the d3-square, bringing the rook to the game and avoiding Black's counterplay.} ) 19...Bg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Ne3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This nice move gives Black an active game. This idea will also appear later in the game.} 21.exf5 e4 {Now Black's knights can jump to d3, and we have chaos on board.} ) 20.Ne3 Bh5 21.Ra3 {The knight on b4 is a constant source of headache for Black.} 21...Qc7 22.Bd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows the idea we've seen before. It's necessary to remove the bishop from c4.} ( 22.Bf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 22...Bxf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.exf5 ( 23.Nxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses material after} 23...Rxf5 24.exf5 Qxc4 ) 23...e4 {A possible continuation is:} 24.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Bxg4 25.Nxg4 Qxc4 26.Bxf4 exf3 27.Qxf3 Nxd5 {with a roughly equal game.} ) 23.Qxf3 Nc2 24.Nxc2 Qxc4 25.Ne3 ( 25.Rc3 {is very good for White.} 25...Qa2 26.g3 Nh3+ 27.Kg2 Ng5 28.Qd3 {Black has misplaced pieces and weaknesses on a6 and c6.} ) 25...Qd4 26.Rd1 Qc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Controlling the f5-square is Black's only chance of survival.} ) 27.Nf5 {White is winning now.} 27...Bg5 28.h4 Bf6 29.Rc3 Qxa5 30.g3 Nxd5 {A desperate attempt to complicate the game.} ( 30...Ng6 {After this move, White has several ways to win.} 31.Rc6 {This is probably the simplest.} 31...Qb5 32.Rxd6 ) 31.Ra3 ( 31.exd5 e4 32.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Bxc3 33.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This leads to a pretty win for White, but when you are totally winning, it's better to play safe than to look for beauty, especially if this is the decisive game of a world championship.} ) 31...Qc5 32.Rc1 Qb6 33.exd5 {White is a piece up, and the rest is simple.} 33...Qb2 34.Rd3 Rfd8 35.Kg2 Qb5 36.Rc6 Re8 37.Nxd6 e4 38.Nxe4 {Congratulations to Carlsen for winning the triple crown again $1} 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2859"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[ECO "A01"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8041386741299"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]

1.b3 {Carlsen played this move, usually associated with legendary Danish GM Bent Larsen, in his two White games on day one. A welcome breath of fresh air for those who enjoy more creative openings.} 1...e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 Nf6 {Abdusattorov chooses one of the variations with the best reputation for Black.} 4.Nf3 Bd6 {This is a perfectly normal move, but it's not the most popular one.} ( 4...e4 {is the most frequently played move.} ) 5.c4 O-O 6.d3 Re8 7.a3 a5 8.Be2 Bf8 9.O-O d5 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nbd2 f6 12.Qc2 {The game ended up falling into a very typical pawn structure, which can occur in several variations and also with inverted colors (in several Sicilian lines, for example, Black is in a position similar to the one that White has here). This structure is known as the \"Hedgehog\" and there is a legendary game always associated with the plan that Carlsen will try later on. This game was played by Fischer in 1970 and shows how the American genius was many years ahead of his time: he was the first to employ the plan that is traditional today.} 12...Bf5 ( 12...Be6 {This was the move chosen in the aforementioned game.} 13.Kh1 $5 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Here begins the revolutionary plan.} 13...Qd7 14.Rg1 Rad8 15.Ne4 Qf7 16.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With this move, White holds the position of the knight on e4 and prepares an attack on the kingside.} 16...g6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17.Rg3 Bg7 18.Rag1 {And White has strong pressure. I leave the complete game to the readers; after all, this is one of the great works in chess history.} 18...Nb6 19.Nc5 Bc8 20.Nh4 Nd7 21.Ne4 Nf8 22.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Be6 23.Nc5 Ne7 24.Nxg7 Kxg7 25.g5 $18 Nf5 26.Rf3 b6 27.gxf6+ Kh8 28.Nxe6 Rxe6 29.d4 exd4 30.Bc4 d3 31.Bxd3 Rxd3 32.Qxd3 Rd6 33.Qc4 Ne6 34.Be5 Rd8 35.h4 Nd6 36.Qg4 Nf8 37.h5 Ne8 38.e4 Rd2 39.Rh3 Kg8 40.hxg6 Nxg6 41.f4 Kf8 42.Qg5 Nd6 43.Bxd6+ {and Black resigned in Fischer-Andersson, Siegen 1970.} ) 13.Rfe1 Bg6 14.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The first new move of the game and a curious version of Fischer's plan, as Carlsen doesn't even make preparations with Kh1-Rg1. The move causes even more impact in this modern version. The idea is to gain space on the kingside, follow with Kh1-Rg1-Rg3-Rag1 and the entire script already shown by the legendary American.} ( 14.Rac1 {was played in Matijasevic-Mihic, Belgrade 2019.} ) 14...Qd7 ( 14...a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a very interesting move to change the character of the game. Instead of plans, we go for concrete moves and variations. If White captures or fails to capture on b3, then we can argue that Black has gained a positional advantage. If White plays 15.b4 then comes the traditional sacrifice on b4 and chaos on the board.} 15.b4 ( 15.bxa4 Nb6 {Regaining the pawn.} ) 15...Ndxb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.axb4 Nxb4 {With a complicated position and chances for both sides, for example:} 17.Qc4+ ( 17.Qc3 Bxd3 ) 17...Bf7 18.Qc3 Nd5 19.Qc1 b5 {and the pawns march dangerously.} ) 15.Kh1 Rad8 ( 15...Qxg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Of course the pawn cannot be captured.} 16.Nxe5 ) 16.Ne4 Kh8 17.Rad1 {A prophylactic move to avoid a possible knight sacrifice on b4.} ( 17.Rg1 Ndb4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 18.axb4 Nxb4 19.Qc3 Nxd3 {with good compensation for the piece, for instance:} 20.Bxd3 Qxd3 21.Qxd3 Rxd3 22.Nc3 Bb4 23.Rgc1 c6 ) 17...Bf7 18.Rg1 Nb6 {Setting up queenside activity with the next move.} 19.Rg3 {Carlsen follows Fischer's plan.} 19...a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black starts the counterplay on the queenside. The tension grows.} 20.bxa4 Na5 21.Rdg1 $6 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21.g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The computer shows that this brave move has its interest.} 21...Bb3 22.Qc1 Bxd1 23.Bxd1 f5 24.Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important theme that we will see in the continuation of the game as well.} 24...gxf6 25.gxf6 {White is a rook down, but the position is unclear, as the black king is insecure, especially because of the a1-h8 diagonal and the g-file. For example:} 25...Nc6 26.Bb3 {White's attack looks violent, but the computer indicates equality with its traditional accuracy.} ) ( 21.Qb1 {is a more solid and well-behaved move.} 21...Nxa4 22.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...f5 23.g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 23.Nxe5 Rxe5 24.Bxe5 Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Bxc7 Ra8 {with chances for both sides.} ) 23...Bxg6 24.Neg5 Nxb2 25.Qxb2 {White plans 26.Nh4, with a threatening attack.} ) 21...Bd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21...Nxa4 {is better. Probably Abdusattorov was afraid of the following variation:} 22.g5 f5 23.Nxe5 {but Black's position is OK after} 23...Rxe5 24.Bxe5 fxe4 25.dxe4 Nc5 ) 22.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...f5 23.Nc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 23.Nf6 $3 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This fantastic move crowns White's strategy.} 23...gxf6 24.gxf6 {It looks somewhat surprising, but the attack is very strong.} 24...Qc6 ( 24...f4 {doesn't help:} 25.R3g2 Nc6 26.a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 26...Nc8 27.d4 {And the attack continues. A pretty variation is:} 27...e4 28.Ne5 Nxe5 29.dxe5 f3 30.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...fxg2+ 31.Rxg2 Qxe6 32.f7+ Qe5 33.Rg8# {Nice $1} ) 25.Qb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Qxf6 26.e4 Bf7 27.Rg5 {Black is unable to hold the position.} ) 23...Bc6 ( 23...Bb3 {is also possible, but White still has pressure.} 24.Qb1 ) 24.e4 ( 24.g6 {It was possible to start with this move, which Carlsen will play later.} 24...h6 25.e4 ) 24...Nxa4 25.Nxa4 Bxa4 26.Qc3 Nc6 27.g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Nd4 ( 27...h6 28.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point $1} 28...hxg5 ( 28...Re7 {is more stubborn.} ) 29.Rh3+ {Other moves also win.} 29...Kg8 30.d4 {And White threatens both 31.Rh8+ and 31.Bc4+.} ( 30.Rxg5 {is also good.} ) 30...g4 31.Bc4+ Re6 32.Rxg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 32.exf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 32...Nxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 32...fxg4 33.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...gxh3 34.Qxh3 {with a decisive attack.} ) 28.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This beautiful move leaves White with a big advantage, but the adventures continue.} 28...Nxe2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 28...Re7 {is more resistant, although White's position is still much better.} 29.Bh5 ) 29.Nf7+ $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A rare tactical error by the world champion.} ( 29.Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins immediately.} 29...Re7 ( 29...Nxg3+ 30.Rxg3 ) 30.gxh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Re6 {Otherwise White mates on g8.} 31.Nxe6 Nxg3+ 32.Rxg3 {with a winning advantage.} ) 29...Qxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black is back in the fight.} ( 29...Kg8 {is worse:} 30.Qc4 Nxg3+ 31.Rxg3 Qe6 32.gxh7+ Kxf7 ( 32...Kxh7 33.Ng5+ ) 33.Qxe6+ Kxe6 34.h8=Q {with a winning position for White.} ) 30.gxf7 Nxc3 31.fxe8=Q Bxe8 ( 31...Rxe8 32.Bxc3 Bc6 33.f3 Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move, preparing 34...Rd8. Black has compensation for the exchange.} ) 32.Bxc3 Bg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Abdusattorov follows the plan started with the previous capture, but it contains a tactical problem.} ( 32...f4 {is better.} 33.Rh3 Bd6 ) 33.exf5 Bxf5 34.Bxe5 Bxd3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 34...Rd7 {is necessary.} 35.Rf3 Rf7 {Although White should be able to convert the material advantage.} ) 35.Rxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A pretty finale for a memorable game.} ( 35.Rxg7 Bxg7 36.Rxg7 Rd5 37.Rg5+ Rxe5 38.Rxe5 {With an easily winning endgame.} ) 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2859"]
[BlackElo "2719"]
[ECO "B67"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8248216268328"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 {The Classical Variation of the Sicilian is very popular again and, if we think about it, it is one of the most reliable, taking into account the opening principles of chess such as prioritizing development, starting with the knights. That said, following these principles is no guarantee of not getting mated in the Sicilian, as we shall see.} 6.Bg5 {The Richter-Rauzer Variation is the best and most popular option against the Classical Sicilian.} 6...e6 7.Qd2 a6 {This system is the most played in the elite right now, surpassing 7...Be7 followed by 8...0-0, which was played a lot by Kramnik in the '90s.} ( 7...Be7 8.O-O-O O-O ) 8.O-O-O Bd7 {Here White needs to decide whether to play with 9.f4 (the most popular move) or 9.f3, following the English Attack plan. This last option seems to me to be the most dangerous for Black and is Carlsen's choice.} 9.f3 ( 9.f4 Be7 10.Nf3 b5 {Leads to a position with much theory and is currently being discussed at the top level.} ) 9...Nxd4 {This capture is played by almost everyone these days.} 10.Qxd4 Be7 11.Kb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] As I always say: you are never far wrong playing Kb1 after long castling. This move is always important sooner or later, so why not start with it $2} 11...b5 ( 11...Qc7 {is the most played move. A recent game followed:} 12.h4 b5 13.Qd2 b4 14.Ne2 a5 15.c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15...bxc3 ( 15...Qxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16.e5 ) 16.Nxc3 Rb8 17.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...O-O 18.Nb5 {with some pressure for White in Sethuraman-Vidit, 2022 Tata Steel India (Rapid) 2022.} ) 12.h4 Rb8 $6 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 12...Qc7 {Transposes to the game we saw above.} ) 13.g4 b4 14.Ne2 {My impression is that White's attack on the kingside arrives much faster than Black's on the queenside.} 14...a5 15.Ng3 Qc7 {The development of the queen on c7, so natural a few moves ago, is new in this position. A correspondence game followed with 15...0-0.} ( 15...O-O 16.Be3 a4 17.g5 Ne8 18.f4 {White's attack is scary, but in a correspondence game almost everything is defensible and the game ended in a draw. Bauer-Sikorsky, email 2009.} ) 16.Be3 {A thematic move, taking the bishop out of the pawns' way.} 16...Rc8 ( 16...O-O {is probably better, although the position is not pretty after} 17.g5 Ne8 ) 17.Rh2 ( 17.Qd2 {would be the choice of many players.} 17...Bc6 18.g5 Nd7 {Now at least Black manages to place the knight in a decent square. But White is much better anyway.} ) ( 17.Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer indicates this difficult move as the most accurate, sacrificing the c2-pawn. If Black accepts the gift, then after} 17...Qxc2+ 18.Ka1 Ra8 19.Rc1 Qg2 20.Rhg1 Qh2 21.Bb7 Rb8 22.Qa7 O-O 23.g5 {Black's position collapses.} ) ( 17.g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Even this is possible.} 17...Qxc2+ 18.Ka1 e5 19.Qd3 Qxd3 20.Bxd3 Ng8 {White has some monster compensation, but at least the queens are not on the board anymore.} ) 17...d5 {A desperate attempt to complicate the game.} ( 17...O-O 18.g5 Ne8 {is a bit sad, since the knight is misplaced.} ) 18.e5 O-O {This is the idea.} 19.Ba6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An elegant move.} ( 19.exf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19...Bxf6 20.Bf4 ( 20.Qd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20...Qxg3 ) 20...e5 21.Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...exd4 22.Nxf6+ gxf6 23.Bxc7 Rxc7 24.Rxd4 {White is better, but this is a dream for Black compared to the game.} ) ( 19.g5 {is also good.} 19...Ne8 ) 19...Ra8 ( 19...Rb8 {is a better option since the rook is better placed here and the capture on f6 is still not winning.} 20.exf6 ( 20.g5 ) ( 20.Bd3 ) 20...Bxf6 21.Bf4 e5 22.Nh5 {Maybe Maghsoodloo was afraid of this move and I can understand him.} 22...exf4 23.Nxf6+ gxf6 {This looks horrible for Black, but it's not losing yet.} ) 20.Bd3 Rfc8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The rook was needed in the defense of the kingside. To be honest, it's hard to suggest improvements for Black—the position is just bad.} 21.Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Ne8 22.g5 {All the white pieces are ready to attack. The f7-pawn is now also weakened.} 22...Bc5 23.Bxc5 Qxc5 24.h5 ( 24.Nh5 {is also very tempting, followed by the knight sacrifice on f6.} ) 24...Bb5 25.Bxh7+ $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position is ready for a sacrifice.} 25...Kxh7 26.g6+ fxg6 27.Qf7 {The simplest.} ( 27.hxg6+ Kxg6 28.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is also a nice finish.} 28...dxe4 29.Rg2+ Kh7 30.Qf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move, but not so difficult to spot.} ) 27...g5 28.h6 {Mate is unavoidable. Congratulations to Carlsen for yet another magnificent performance $1} 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2022 - Evento"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[Beauty "8248484710434"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 {This variation against the Caro-Kann is known as the \"Short Variation,\" named after GM Nigel Short. It's one of the most popular ways to counter Black's solid defense.} 5...Nd7 6.O-O Bg6 {The bishop move is useful as it vacates the f5-square for the kingside knight. This move, however, has not been very popular lately.} ( 6...Ne7 ) ( 6...h6 ) ( 6...f6 ) 7.c3 ( 7.Nbd2 {is the most played move.} ) 7...Nh6 {And now, to take this knight or not to take it $2} ( 7...Ne7 {is another possible move, as the knight prepares to go to f5 without allowing White to capture it.} ) 8.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Playing for a queenside space advantage is typical in this line.} ( 8.Bxh6 {This is the most popular move in my database. On the one hand, White weakens Black's pawn structure. On the other hand, Black's development is now easier, and it's not so clear how White can exploit the newly-created weaknesses.} 8...gxh6 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.Nb3 O-O 11.Qd2 Kg7 12.Nc1 {The knight starts the walk toward f4. White has a small advantage. Lagarde-Laznicka, Brest 2018.} ) 8...a5 ( 8...Nf5 9.a5 a6 10.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This sequence illustrates White's idea of minimizing the opponent's counterplay by avoiding the c5 break.} 10...f6 11.Bf4 {With advantage for White in Vachier Lagrave-Liang, Aimchess Rapid 2021.} ) 9.Nbd2 ( 9.Bxh6 {Once again, the capture deserves consideration.} 9...gxh6 10.Qd2 {Salnaitis-Mickevicius, ICCF email 2018.} ) 9...f6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A new move.} ( 9...Be7 10.Ne1 f6 11.exf6 gxf6 12.Ndf3 Nf7 13.Nh4 {With an advantage for White in Movsesian-Polak, Czech Republic 2011.} ) 10.exf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 10.Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to play.} 10...Nf7 11.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11...Be7 12.exf6 gxf6 ( 12...Bxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 13.Bd3 ) 13.Nh4 {With some advantage for White.} ) 10...Qxf6 ( 10...gxf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black's position is very loose with this capture.} 11.Nh4 ) 11.Nb3 Nf7 {Now Black has an acceptable position.} 12.Be3 {A bit slow.} ( 12.g3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting move, with the idea of playing Nh4} ) 12...Bd6 13.Qd2 O-O 14.Rae1 h6 ( 14...e5 {leads to equality after} 15.dxe5 Nfxe5 16.Nxe5 Qxe5 17.f4 ) 15.Qd1 ( 15.Nc1 $5 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15...e5 16.dxe5 Nfxe5 17.Nxe5 Qxe5 18.g3 {with just a small advantage for Black.} ) 15...b6 {Defending the a5-pawn and preparing to bring the a8-rook to the action.} 16.h3 {White's king is not as safe after this move.} ( 16.g3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 16...Bf5 17.Nh4 Bh3 18.Ng2 {with chances for both sides.} ) 16...Rae8 {Now e5 is coming with more force.} 17.Nh2 {This is Giri's plan.} 17...e5 18.Ng4 Qh4 19.dxe5 Nfxe5 20.Nd4 Be4 {Nihal continues to accumulate pieces near the opponent's king, and now there is only one possible move for White—a tough one to find even for a GM in a classical game. In a blitz game, it's simply impossible.} 21.Nxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21.Nxc6 $3 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Starting insane complications. the idea is} 21...Nxc6 22.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And White recovers material because the bishop is protecting the d5-pawn.} 22...Nce5 23.Bf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 23.fxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23...Nxg4 24.Bxg4 Qg3 {with a winning attack.} ) 23...Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Bxc5 Nxf3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 24...Nxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25.fxe4 {wins for White.} ) 25.gxf3 Nxc5 26.fxe4 Qg3+ 27.Kh1 Qxh3+ 28.Nh2 Nxe4 29.Qxd5+ Kh8 30.Rxf8+ Rxf8 31.Qxe4 Rf2 32.Qe8+ Kh7 33.Qe4+ {With a perpetual check. Chess is simple, isn't it $2} ) 21...Nxe5 {Now, all the black pieces are pointing toward the white king, and the end is near.} 22.f3 ( 22.f4 Qg3 ) ( 22.Qd2 Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Followed by Rg6.} ) 22...Ng4 $3 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A brilliant finish $1} 23.fxg4 ( 23.hxg4 Qh2+ 24.Kf2 Bg3# ) 23...Bxg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Played right away. Nihal saw everything.} 24.Rxf8+ Rxf8 25.Nf5 ( 25.Kxg2 Qg3+ 26.Kh1 Qh2# ) 25...Rxf5 ( 25...Qxh3 {also wins.} ) 26.gxf5 Qg3 0-1

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2022 - Evento"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Paravyan, David"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2586"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[ECO "C46"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[Beauty "7014755341864"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]

1.e4 Nc6 {An exotic start, but the game seems to return to normality in the next move.} 2.Nf3 {Interestingly, some elite players prefer this move to facing Black's provocative system with the critical move: 2.d4.} ( 2.d4 d5 ) 2...e5 3.Nc3 f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] We will not have a \"normal\" game $1 A small relief from the Italians and Berlins we are so used to these days. This move is bad, and of course, Nakamura knows that better than you and me, but he has confidence in his incredible ability to calculate in complicated positions.} 4.d4 ( 4.exf5 {was played by Xiong against Nakamura in a Titled Tuesday and he won that game too.} 4...Nf6 5.d4 e4 6.Ne5 {White is better. Xiong-Nakamura, Chess.com 2022.} ) 4...fxe4 5.Nxe5 Nf6 6.Bc4 d5 7.Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move refutes Black's system.} 7...Nxd5 8.Qh5+ g6 9.Nxg6 hxg6 ( 9...Nf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 10.Bf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10...Kxf7 11.Ne5+ Ke6 12.Qf7+ Kd6 13.Nc4# ) 10.Qxg6+ $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 10.Qxh8 $6 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] I found a game from 1918 played by a van Foreest with Black—certainly a family with a lot of chess tradition, and it seems the old generation, just like the new one, liked to be adventurous over the board.} 10...Qf6 ( 10...Ndb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 11.Qxf6 Nxf6 12.Bg5 {with advantage for White in Marchand-van Foreest, Amsterdam 1918.} ) 10...Kd7 11.Qf7+ $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A new move and not the best one.} ( 11.Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} 11...Nxd4 12.Bg5 Qe8 ( 12...Be7 13.Be6+ Nxe6 14.Rd1+ Bd6 15.Bxd8 Rxd8 16.O-O {The queen and two pawns are much stronger than three pieces.} ) 13.Bf7 Qe5 14.O-O-O ( 14.Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better.} ) 14...c5 15.c3 {With a winning initiative for White in Esserman-Zaikov, ICC INT 2009.} ) 11...Nce7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 11...Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way.} 12.Qxd5+ Ke8 {with a double edged position.} ) 12.Bxd5 Bh6 ( 12...c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.Bxe4 Qe8 {is a better way to defend.} ) 13.Be6+ {White has other promising continuations.} ( 13.Bxh6 Rxh6 14.O-O-O ) ( 13.Qe6+ Ke8 14.Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...Qxd5 15.Qxh8+ Bf8 16.O-O ) 13...Kc6 14.d5+ Kb6 15.Bxh6 Rxh6 16.Qf4 Qh8 ( 16...Bxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the correct move.} 17.Qe3+ {The best. White has only a small advantage with the alternatives.} ( 17.Qxh6 Qxd5 ) ( 17.O-O-O Nxd5 18.Qxh6 Qf6 ) 17...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.dxc6+ Kxc6 19.Qxh6 Qa5+ 20.c3 Qe5 21.O-O-O {White has the advantage, but the game is far from over.} ) 17.Qe3+ c5 18.dxc6+ ( 18.Qb3+ $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is very promising. After} 18...Ka6 ( 18...Kc7 19.O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 19.O-O-O {White is ready to play Rhe1 and bring the rook to the attack. The computer is very optimistic.} ) 18...Kxc6 19.Qxe4+ Kc7 20.Qf4+ Kc6 21.Qc4+ {I think this was the right time to capture on c8 since Black is not able to check on e5.} ( 21.Bxc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Rxc8 22.O-O-O {Four pawns and a strong attack as \"compensation\" for the knight. This should be enough to win the game.} ) 21...Kb6 22.Qb4+ Kc6 23.Bxc8 Qe5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Namakura seizes the chance to activate his queen and stop his opponent from castling.} 24.Kf1 Nxc8 ( 24...Rxc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Re1 Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Maybe Nakamura missed this move, the only way of saving the knight.} 26.Qe4+ Kd7 27.Qxb7+ Rc7 {Despite White's numerous pawns, Black has good chances of surviving because his pieces are well-placed.} ) 25.Re1 Qf6 26.Qc4+ $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Is a dangerous way of continuing the attack.} 26...Nd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This natural move now loses.} ( 26...Kc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only chance.} ) 27.Rc3+ Kd7 28.Qg4+ {with a winning attack, for instance:} 28...Nf5 29.Rd3+ Ke7 30.Qe4+ Kf8 31.Rf3 ) 26...Kd7 27.Qb5+ Kc7 28.Re3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 28.Qe5+ {It's time to exchange queens and start advancing the kingside.} 28...Qxe5 29.Rxe5 {with good winning chances.} ) 28...Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black is back into the game.} 29.Qa5+ Kd7 30.Qa4+ b5 31.Qb4 ( 31.Qg4+ {is better.} ) 31...Rh4 ( 31...Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 32.Qa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Here, the queen is misplaced.} ( 32.Qc3 {is a better chance.} ) 32...Rf4 {The alternatives are equally good.} ( 32...Rd4 ) ( 32...Qxb2 ) 33.Qd2 Rf8 34.f3 Qxb2 35.Kf2 Rd4 36.Qe2 Rc4 ( 36...Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins immediately since} 37.c3 {loses the queen to} 37...Rd2 ) 37.c3 Qxe2+ 38.Kxe2 Ra4 {The endgame is easily winning in Namakura's hands.} 39.Kf2 Rxa2+ 40.Re2 Ne4+ $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41.Ke3 Rxe2+ 42.Kxe2 Nxc3+ 43.Kd3 b4 44.Kc4 a5 45.h4 Rc8+ 46.Kb3 Rb8 47.h5 a4+ 48.Kc4 a3 49.h6 a2 50.h7 Nb1 0-1

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2022 - Evento "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Gukesh, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2859"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8043534221319"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 Nxe5 8.Rxe5 O-O 9.d4 Bf6 10.Re1 Re8 11.Bf4 Rxe1 12.Qxe1 Bxd4 {A dangerous move, which is not the most popular. In exchange for the pawn White gets a superior pawn structure and it will be difficult for Black to finish development. Carlsen has some experience in this position, but all his previous opponents preferred the main move, 12...Ne8. The fact that Carlsen didn't win any of those games says a lot about the solidity of Black's position.} ( 12...Ne8 {Black returns the knight, avoiding the exchange on d6 and preparing to play …d7-d5 and then take the bishop from c8. Carlsen's main game here was played in the world championship match in 2016, but he has tried this variation several times.} 13.c3 ( 13.Bd3 d5 14.Be5 g6 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.Nd2 Qe8 {with a close to equal position. Carlsen-Wang Hao, Riadh (rapid) 2017.} ) 13...d5 14.Bd3 ( 14.Nd2 c6 15.a4 a5 16.Bd3 g6 17.Nf3 Nd6 18.Qe3 Bg4 19.Re1 Qf8 20.h3 Bd7 21.g4 Re8 22.Ne5 {White was marginally better in Carlsen-So, Meltwater Tour Final 2022.} ) 14...g6 15.Na3 ( 15.Nd2 Ng7 16.Nf3 Bf5 17.Bxf5 Nxf5 18.Qe2 c6 19.Re1 Ng7 20.Be5 Bxe5 21.Nxe5 Qd6 ( 21...Qe7 22.Qd2 Re8 23.Nd3 Qd8 24.Rxe8+ Nxe8 {The position is equal. Carlsen-Radjabov FTX Crypto Cup 2021.} ) 22.Qf3 f6 23.Nd3 Re8 24.Rxe8+ Nxe8 {The game ended in a draw in Carlsen-So Goldmoney (rapid) 2021.} ) 15...c6 16.Nc2 Ng7 17.Qd2 Bf5 18.Bxf5 Nxf5 19.Ne3 Nxe3 20.Qxe3 Qe7 21.Qxe7 Bxe7 {and the game was soon drawn in Carlsen-Karjakin, New York 2016.} ) 13.Bxd6 cxd6 14.Nc3 Bxc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black is in trouble now.} ( 14...Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the right move and was recently played in a high-level game.} 15.Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 15.Rd1 b6 16.Nd5 Bb7 17.c3 g6 18.g3 {With the strong knight on d5, White certainly has compensation for the pawn, but the computer doesn't think it's enough for an advantage.} ) 15...Bxc3 16.bxc3 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Qxd5 d6 ( 17...Qe7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 18.Re1 Be6 19.Qxb7 {with a slight advantage for White. Wang Hao-Radjabov, Shusha (rapid) 2022.} ) 15.Qxc3 {The extra pawn doesn't count for Black—in fact it even hinders the development of the bishop.} 15...b6 ( 15...d5 {is the other way of trying to finish the development, returning the extra pawn immediately.} 16.Qd4 d6 17.Qxd5 {The problem is that Black will soon lose another pawn, as White will follow with 18.Rd1.} ) 16.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Rb8 17.Bc4 ( 17.Qa3 {is more accurate as it recovers the pawn immediately.} 17...Ra8 ( 17...Qc7 {doesn't work:} 18.Re1 Bb7 19.Qxa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Ra8 $4 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 20.Qxa8+ Bxa8 21.Re8# ) 18.Qxd6 Bb7 19.Re1 {with a clear advantage.} ) 17...Qe7 18.Bd5 a5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is not good and White's next two moves demonstrate why.} ( 18...Ba6 {is better.} ) 19.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Ba6 20.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] What a sublime technique $1 Carlsen plays prophylactically, restricting the a6-bishop.} 20...Qf6 {This move is necessary sooner or later as Black has no other plan. The only attempt is to exchange queens and then exchange bishops.} ( 20...Re8 {This move doesn't help Black's position at all.} 21.g3 Qf6 22.Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the torture continues.} ) 21.Qxf6 gxf6 22.Rd1 Kf8 23.Kf1 ( 23.g3 {is more accurate, but let's not be so critical.} ) 23...Ke7 ( 23...Bb7 $5 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] gives some drawing chances after} 24.Bxb7 Rxb7 25.Rxd6 Ke7 26.Rd4 Rc7 27.b3 Rc5 ) 24.Ke2 Bb7 25.b3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25.Bxb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With very precise moves, White achieves a decisive advantage in this endgame.} 25...Rxb7 26.Rd5 Rc7 27.Kd3 Rc5 28.Kd4 Ke6 29.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The kind and pawn endgame is lost, so Black is paralyzed.} ) 25...Bc6 ( 25...Bxd5 26.Rxd5 Rg8 $3 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A thematic maneuver to activate the rook. I don't need to mention again the difficulty of finding something like this with little time on the clock.} 27.g3 ( 27.Rb5 Rxg2 28.Rxb6 Rxh2 29.Rb5 Rh3 {Black is active enough to save the draw.} ) 27...Rg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea. Now Black has good chances of saving the game.} ) 26.Rd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Rg8 27.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This subtle idea constrains the black rook.} ) 26...Rg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.g3 Rg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.f4 Rh5 {Black can get a draw now.} 29.h4 Bxd5 30.cxd5 ( 30.Rxd5 Rxd5 31.cxd5 f5 32.Kd3 Kd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Kc4 Kc7 {with a draw.} ) 30...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 30...Rh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31.f5 Rh5 32.Rf4 {Black's rook is in an embarrassing situation.} ) 31.Kd3 Rh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After a defense with so many resources, a blunder decides the game.} ( 31...Kd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Kc4 Kc7 33.Kb5 Kb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With a draw. The good old opposition.} ) 32.Kc4 Kd8 33.Kb5 Kc7 34.Ka6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Here's the difference. The queenside collapses.} 34...Rg6 35.Rc4+ ( 35.Rc4+ Kd8 36.Rc3 ) 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2022 - Evento "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2859"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7561155706887"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

{I followed the match between Carlsen and Caruana from the beginning, and I was very impressed with what I saw. In addition to not losing a game, Carlsen almost never made a tactical error and was incredibly fast when calculating. Even his bullet games were played at a high level. This game illustrates well his style and what was the trend in the match: victory in an endgame with a small advantage, playing with surgical precision. A game played at a five-minute time control, but which, due to the quality of the moves, could easily be \"disguised\" as a classical one.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bf5 7.O-O Be7 8.Re1 O-O 9.Nbd2 Nd6 {This is a fashionable line for Black these days, but I'm sure Carlsen doesn't mind playing for a small advantage with White here.} 10.Nf1 c6 11.Bf4 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 Na6 13.Ne3 Nc7 {Until now the players are following a game from the 2022 US Championship, but now Carlsen plays a different move.} 14.Bxd6 {Not a new move, but played with more ambition than the original game. Why give up a bishop for a knight here $2 White wants to play a position with his two knights bothering Black's kingside. Black will need to play g7-g6 at some point, and White can then advance the h-pawn to create some weaknesses.} ( 14.b3 {was Niemann-So, St. Louis 2022.} ) 14...Bxd6 15.g3 {This is the novelty. A move in the style of the world champion, patient, improving the position.} ( 15.Nf5 g6 16.Nxd6 Qxd6 17.g3 Rfe8 {and the game soon ended in a draw in Buhmann-Bindrich, Magdeburg 2019.} ) 15...Re8 16.Kg2 Bf8 17.Re2 {Doubling the rooks on the e-file, a typical plan for White. Truth be told, Black's position is very solid, and Caruana would probably have no trouble defending it in a game played with a classical time control.} 17...Ne6 ( 17...g6 {is possible. Black has a very solid position.} 18.Rae1 Bg7 ) 18.Rae1 Ng5 {Caruana exchanges a pair of knights, but this is not enough to equalize completely.} 19.Nxg5 Qxg5 20.h4 Qg6 21.Nf5 Rxe2 22.Rxe2 Qf6 23.h5 g6 24.Nh4 Bd6 25.Qe3 {The evaluation of the position has not changed: Black remains solid and must wait. I don't like Caruana's decision here.} 25...gxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black had acceptable waiting moves. Maybe he believed that the position would be more active after Kh8-Rg8, but Carlsen finds the right way to counter this plan.} ( 25...a5 ) ( 25...Rd8 ) 26.Qd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Controlling the f5-square.} 26...Kh8 27.Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is not an easy move. It's tempting to keep the queens, after all don't they say queens and knights go well together $2 But it's not easy to attack the king, and the black queen is active. Carlsen correctly judges that it's best to exchange queens and open the way for the white king to enter the game.} ( 27.Nf5 Rg8 ) 27...Qxf5 28.Nxf5 Bf8 29.Kh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king is activated and will capture the pawn on h5. Now the white knight is very well placed, and Black has no active plan.} 29...a5 ( 29...Kg8 {is probably more accurate, bringing the king immediately to the game.} 30.Kh4 f6 31.Kxh5 Kf7 ) 30.Kh4 a4 {While watching the game, I asked myself if White should play a2-a3 to avoid a possible advance. Carlsen doesn't make that move, and that's a good decision, as we'll see later.} 31.Kxh5 Kg8 32.Kg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding the plan with f6-Kf7.} 32...c5 {Caruana decides to try some active play, even if this costs an isolated pawn on d5.} 33.dxc5 Bxc5 34.Rd2 Rd8 35.c3 Kf8 36.f4 {White calmly reinforces his position, taking advantage of the opponent's lack of counterplay.} 36...Rd7 37.Kg4 f6 38.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the winning plan, and it's only possible because White's pawn is still on a2.} 38...Bb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Now the position collapses. The classic rule is to trade pawns whenever you are worse in the endgame. This position is no exception.} ( 38...axb3 39.axb3 Kf7 40.b4 Bf8 {The bishop is better on this square, avoiding the c3-c4 move, as the b4-pawn is a target. In any case, it would be practically impossible to defend this position: White can take the knight to d4, the king to f5, and keep pressing.} 41.Nd4 {The torture continues.} ) 39.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The d-pawn falls and White is easily winning.} 39...d4 40.c5 Bc7 41.Rxd4 Ke8 42.b5 {Resistance is unnecessary if your opponent is Carlsen.} 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2022 - Evento "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "141"]
[Beauty "5774453259859"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 {Vachier-Lagrave is one of the few elite grandmasters still trying to break the Berlin by playing the endgame. He is a player with well-defined convictions—for this reason his opening repertoire is predictable, but very well-studied.} 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Nc3 Bd7 {The most classical line, as it was played at the time of the famous match between Kasparov and Kramnik. Lately players have preferred 9...Ke8.} 10.h3 h6 11.b3 b6 12.Bb2 Kc8 13.Rad1 {A well-known position.} 13...a5 ( 13...Ne7 {is the most popular move.} ) ( 13...c5 {is also possible.} ) 14.a4 c5 15.Nd5 c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black decides to advance before White plays c2-c4.} ( 15...Ne7 16.c4 Bf5 17.Rd2 Kb7 {This position is known from correspondence games, all of them ending in draws.} ) 16.Nf4 {A new move, but Vachier-Lagrave probably confused the move order.} ( 16.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Ne7 17.Nf4 {is the right way to go.} ) 16...Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the difference. Now the knight jump to d4 is not so strong, since it can be captured.} 17.e6 ( 17.Nd4 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 Kb7 {The bishop pair gives Black the advantage.} ) 17...cxb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17...Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} 18.gxf3 Bd6 19.Rd5 Ne7 20.Rd4 cxb3 21.cxb3 Kb7 22.exf7 Rhf8 {with a clear advantage for Black due to the better pawn structure.} ) 18.exf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The French grandmaster is always very quick to find tactical possibilities. His games often turns chaotic all of a sudden, as we'll see in a few moves.} 18...bxc2 19.Rd2 Bb4 20.Rxc2 Bxa4 21.Rcc1 Rf8 22.Ne5 Bb3 23.Nfg6 Rxf7 24.Nxf7 Bxf7 {After this sequence of logical moves, we have an endgame with an advantage for Black, who has an avalanche of pawns on the queenside.} 25.Ne5 Bb3 26.Bc3 Ba3 ( 26...Bxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Rxc3 Nd4 {Black is ready to advance the a-pawn and this should be decisive.} ) 27.Ra1 Bd6 28.Rfb1 Bd5 29.Rd1 Bb3 30.Rdb1 Bg8 31.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] White seeks counterplay by advancing the pawns on the kingside.} 31...Nh4 32.f4 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Rf1 ( 33.f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33...Bxe5 34.Bxe5 Nf3+ ) 33...Kb7 34.f5 Bd5 ( 34...Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer indicates a decisive advantage for Black, but the lines are too complex for a blitz game, for example:} 35.Rae1 Bd5 36.f6 Ng2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.f7 Rf8 38.Nd7 Rxf7 39.Rxf7 Nxe1 {with a winning advantage.} ) 35.Rad1 c6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35...Bb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 36.f6 Bxe5 37.Bxe5 Nf3+ 38.Rxf3 Bxf3 39.Rd7+ Ka6 40.f7 Bd5 {We arrive at the most fascinating part of the game. The endgame that follows can be analyzed for hours and has variations that resemble compositions.} 41.Rxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses.} ( 41.Bg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...Bxf7 42.Rxf7 {Here we have an amazing race between the queenside and kingside pawns.} 42...b5 43.Bxh6 b4 ( 43...Rg8 $5 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 44.Bxg5 a4 45.Rf1 {White prepares Bf6 and has winning chances.} ) 41...cxd5 42.Bg7 b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 42...a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a study-like win.} 43.Bxh6 ( 43.f8=Q Rxf8 44.Bxf8 Kb5 45.Bxh6 Kc4 46.Bg7 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the pawns cannot be stopped.} ) 43...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44.f8=Q Rxf8 45.Bxf8 Kb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46.h4 {The only way to create counterplay.} 46...gxh4 47.g5 d3 48.Kf2 h3 49.g6 d2 50.g7 d1=Q 51.g8=Q h2 52.Qg5+ Ka6 {White ran out of checks.} ) 43.Bxh6 b4 44.f8=Q Rxf8 45.Bxf8 Kb5 ( 45...d4 {is more precise, although the position is still drawn.} 46.Kf2 ( 46.h4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 46...gxh4 47.g5 d3 48.Kf2 h3 49.g6 d2 50.g7 d1=Q 51.g8=Q Kb5 {Black's pawns decide the game.} ) 46...Kb5 47.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47...gxh4 48.g5 b3 49.Ba3 h3 50.g6 h2 51.Kg2 d3 52.g7 d2 53.g8=Q h1=Q+ 54.Kxh1 d1=Q+ 55.Kg2 {with a draw.} ) 46.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...a4 47.hxg5 a3 48.g6 Kc4 ( 48...a2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 49.Bg7 Kc4 50.Ba1 $18 ) 49.g7 a2 50.g8=Q a1=Q+ 51.Kg2 {The machine never misses the right checks, indicating a draw. In a practical game, Black's situation is not so simple. The players had seconds on the clock and they did what was possible with such limited time.} 51...Qb2+ 52.Kg3 Qc3+ 53.Kh4 Qe1+ 54.Kh5 b3 55.Bg7 Qh1+ 56.Kg5 Qc1+ 57.Kg6 Qc2+ 58.Kf7 Qf2+ $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 58...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a draw.} ) 59.Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 59...b2 60.Qc8+ Kb4 61.Qb7+ Ka3 62.g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 62.Qa6+ {wins after some accurate checks.} 62...Kb4 ( 62...Kb3 63.Qb5+ Ka3 64.Qa5+ Kb3 65.Qxd5+ ) 63.Qd6+ $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 63...Kc4 64.Qc6+ Kb4 65.Qc3+ Ka4 66.Qxb2 ) 62...d4 63.g6 Ka2 ( 63...Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right path to the draw.} ) 64.Qa6+ Kb3 65.Qb5+ $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 65.g7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 65...b1=Q 66.g8=Q {Positions with four queens on the board are very rare and usually fascinating $1 Black has no checks available and will not be able to defend the attack of two queens and a bishop.} ) 65...Ka2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 65...Kc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black again escapes with a draw.} 66.Qc4+ Kd1 ) 66.Qa4+ Kb1 67.g7 Kc1 68.g8=Q b1=Q 69.Qg5+ Kb2 70.Qb4+ $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It's just impossible to play such a position with seconds on the clock.} ( 70.Qgb5+ $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 70...Kc1 71.Qbc4+ Kd2 ( 71...Qfc2 72.Bg5+ Kb2 73.Qcb4+ ) ( 71...Qbc2 72.Qa1+ Kd2 73.Qxc2+ Kxc2 74.Qa2+ Kd3 75.Qxf2 ) 72.Qa5+ Kd1 73.Qh5+ Kd2 74.Qh6+ Kd1 75.Qh1+ Kd2 76.Qxb1 $18 ) 70...Ka2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The last mistake.} ( 70...Ka1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It looks incredible, but this is still a draw.} 71.Qxd4+ ( 71.Qga5+ Qfa2+ ) 71...Qxd4 72.Bxd4+ Ka2 {and there is no mate.} ) 71.Qga5# {What a fight $1} 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2022 - Evento "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2859"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7904622817288"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 {The choice of the Catalan Opening shows how seriously Carlsen was taking this match. That was his main opening in the world championship duel against Nepomniachtchi.} 4...Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 ( 7...b5 {Nakamura is an expert in this variation, but he decided not to test Carlsen's preparation.} ) 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bg5 {This is one of the most important positions in the Catalan.} ( 10.Bf4 {is also popular.} ) 10...a5 {A rare move in Nakamura's games. The two most popular alternatives, 10...Bd5 and 10...Nbd7, had already been tried by him.} ( 10...Bd5 ) ( 10...Nbd7 ) 11.Nc3 Nbd7 ( 11...Na6 {Previously the development of the knight on a6 was almost automatic here. I have an old game in this position that brings back good memories.} 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.e4 Nb4 14.Rfd1 b6 15.Rd2 Bb7 16.Rad1 c6 {Akesson-Leitao, Cappelle la Grande 2000.} ) 12.Rfd1 h6 13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.Ne5 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 c6 16.e4 Bb4 ( 16...Qb6 {is quite natural.} 17.Qe2 Rfd8 18.Nc4 Qc7 19.e5 Nd5 20.Ne4 Nb6 {with chances for both sides in Yip-Mendonca, Gelfand Challenge (rapid) 2021.} ) 17.Qe2 Qb6 {The first new move.} ( 17...Qc7 {Nechaeva-Ovod, Ufa 2021.} ) 18.Rac1 ( 18.Rd3 {During the Portuguese broadcast, I suggested this natural move, preparing to double rooks, protecting the d4-pawn. The rook might also be useful on the third rank if White starts an attack with g3-g4. Needless to say, the computer is not impressed, indicating the usual 0.00 evaluation.} ) 18...Rad8 19.Nf3 Rd7 20.Qc2 ( 20.e5 {is a risky plan. After} 20...Nd5 21.Ne4 Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is solid and ready to attach the d4-pawn with Nf5.} ) 20...Bxc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a very difficult move for me and I guess for most players. Doubling rooks on the d-file or playing a waiting move seems easier. Instead, Nakamura first parts with the bishop and then undermines White's center. It's usually very difficult to evaluate changes in the positional elements during the middlegame. Supposing this was not home preparation, it shows a deep chess understanding.} 21.bxc3 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Rb1 Qc7 23.Qe2 Rfd8 24.Rb5 cxd4 25.cxd4 b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is in time to get counterplay by attacking White's e4-pawn.} 26.Rdb1 Qb7 27.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 27.Rxb6 {Doesn't give any advantage.} 27...Qxe4 ) 27...exd5 28.Rxb6 Qa8 $6 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is inaccurate due to a tactical idea that is simply impossible to stop during a blitz game.} ( 28...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.e5 Ne4 {And chances are roughly equal.} ) 29.e5 Ne4 30.Ra6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 30.Nd4 $3 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This wonderful move gives White the advantage. Of course, centralizing the knight is very natural and good, but what happens if Black plays 30...Nc3 $2 Let's see:} 30...Nc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 31.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Nxb1 32.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. Surprisingly Black cannot defend the combined attack of queen, rook, knight, and pawn.} 32...d4+ 33.Kh3 g6 34.Nxh6+ Kf8 ( 34...Kg7 35.Nf5+ Kf8 36.Qh4 gxf5 37.Rh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Mate is unavoidable.} ) 35.Rf6 $3 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] White brings the rook to the attack, threatening 36.Qxg6. A possible finish is:} 35...Ke8 36.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Rxf7 37.Qe6+ Re7 38.Qg8+ Kd7 39.Rd6+ Kc7 40.Qc4+ Kb7 41.Qc6+ Ka7 42.Qb6# ) 30...Qc8 31.Rbb6 Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A pawn sacrifice and a very good practical decision.} ( 31...Rc7 32.Nd4 Ng5 {This is the computer's suggestion and it also seems OK for Black.} ) 32.Rxa5 d4 {The pawn starts rolling and the position looks scary for White.} 33.Qc4 ( 33.Rd6 {is a good alternative.} 33...d3 ( 33...Rxd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 34.exd6 Rxd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 35.Qc4 ) 34.Qe3 Nb7 35.Rxd7 Rxd7 {with a complicated position, but Black has enough compensation for a draw.} ) 33...Rc7 34.Qb4 Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Carlsen has just one way to escape.} 35.Qb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses immediately.} ( 35.Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Nxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The world champion certainly saw this move and didn't like his position. But the defensive resources are not exhausted.} 36.Qxf2 Rc2 37.Nd2 Qc3 38.Rd5 $3 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The only move.} 38...Rxd2 ( 38...Rxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 39.Rb8+ Kh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 40.Qf5+ g6 41.Qxf7# ) 39.Rxd8+ Kh7 40.Rbd6 Rxf2+ 41.Kxf2 {And the game ends in a draw.} ) 35...Nf4+ $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suddenly Nakamura has a mating attack.} 36.Kh1 ( 36.gxf4 Qg4+ 37.Kf1 Qxf3 38.Qb1 d3 {Threatening mate.} 39.Kg1 d2 {and the d-pawn decides the game.} ) 36...Qh3 {The quickest way to decide the game. Congratulations to both players for this incredible match, especially to Nakamura for achieving something that seemed impossible. It was an unforgettable Sunday.} 0-1

[Event "Speed Chess Championship Main Event 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7839393011794"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 h6 {Fedoseev's pet line, and a modern, tricky move order.} 4.Nf3 ( {Nihal already has experience in the line, as the following game suggests} 4.Bf4 Bd6 5.Bxd6 Qxd6 6.e3 Nf6 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Bd3 O-O 9.Qc2 Qe7 10.Nf3 b6 11.O-O c5 12.dxc5 bxc5 13.e4 d4 14.e5 dxc3 15.exf6 Qxf6 16.Qxc3 Qxc3 17.bxc3 Nd7 {1/2-1/2 (17) Van Foreest,L (2572)-Nihal,S (2646) Sharjah 2022} ) 4...Nf6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.b3 {Quite an aggressive way to develop his pieces. Especially taking into account the inevitable central clash.} 6...Be7 ( {Safer looks:} 6...dxc4 {which was recently played by another h6-QGD guru} 7.Bxc4 a6 8.a4 Bb4 9.Bb2 b6 10.O-O Bb7 11.Qe2 O-O 12.Rfd1 Qe7 {and soon a draw was agreed in Tomashevsky,E (2700)-Artemiev,V (2706) Cheboksary 2022} ) 7.Bb2 O-O 8.Bd3 b6 9.O-O Bb7 10.Qe2 {[#]} 10...c5 $146 {A logical novelty.} ( {Black did not manage to completely solve his opening problems in the predecessor after:} 10...Ne4 11.Rac1 f5 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Ba6 Bxa6 14.Qxa6 c6 15.Ne2 {Kuljasevic,D (2562) -Petrov,J (2403) Mali Losinj 2021} ) 11.cxd5 Nxd5 {Nihal certainly likes to avoid the isolated/hanging pawn(s) structure.} ( {As White is perfectly prepared to face it after} 11...exd5 12.Rfd1 Re8 13.Rac1 ) 12.Nxd5 Bxd5 13.Rfd1 {X-raying along the d-file. Pretty dangerous in a bullet game $1} 13...Rc8 ( {If} 13...Qc7 14.Rac1 {embarrassing hitting her majesty.} ) 14.Ba6 {Not a bad one.} ( {But even better would have been} 14.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] in order to clear the d-file and win at least a pawn after} 14...Bb7 15.dxc5 {As} 15...Nxc5 {might lose even more after} ( {And} 15...bxc5 16.Bb5 Rc7 17.Ne5 {would lose more than a pawn for the second player.} ) 16.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Qc7 17.Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] completely embarrassing Black's pride.} ) 14...Rc7 {Some support along the seventh rank.} 15.e4 Ba8 ( {Perhaps safer was the ugly} 15...Bb7 16.Bxb7 Rxb7 17.Rac1 Qa8 {with chances to repel the opponent's initiative.} ) 16.Bc4 ( {Missing another chance to win material with} 16.dxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Bxc5 17.Be5 {when Black has nothing better than} 17...Nxe5 18.Rxd8 Nxf3+ 19.gxf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19...Rxd8 {with chances for a fortress.} ) 16...Qc8 ( {More resilient is} 16...Bf6 {in order to meet} 17.dxc5 {with} ( {However, Ding might mount more pressure with} 17.Rd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 17...Bxb2 18.Qxb2 Bxe4 {which Black should hold.} ) 17.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Blocks the opponent's pieces, while opening his own. Ding is on fire $1} 17...exd5 18.exd5 Bd6 {Nihal's only slim chance is related to this blockade.} ( {This time} 18...Bf6 {loses at least the exchange after} 19.d6 Bxb2 20.Qxb2 Rc6 21.Bb5 ) 19.Re1 {Nimzovich has taught us to combine the kingside attack with the power-push of the central passer.} ( {The great hypermodernist would have chosen instead the immediate} 19.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with huge, probably decisive attack after} 19...Re8 20.Qh5 Be5 21.Bxe5 Rxe5 22.Nf5 {say} 22...g6 23.Qxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Rxf5 24.d6 {and both Black's rooks are hanging.} ) 19...Qd8 20.Qe4 Nf6 21.Qf5 Qd7 {Missing his chance.} ( {Black could have used the time to bring his pieces out with} 21...Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Re2 Bc8 23.Qc2 Re7 ) 22.Qd3 {Ding misses a second chance.} ( 22.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have still been close to won, even in the endgame after} 22...Qxf5 23.Nxf5 Rd7 {Not only can White win a pawn at once with} 24.Nxh6+ ( {It might be even more interesting for White to mount even more pressure with} 24.Rad1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 22...Qd8 {Nothing better.} ( {As} 22...Bxd5 {would have opened the central files in White's favor after} 23.Bxf6 Bxc4 24.Qxc4 gxf6 25.Rad1 ) 23.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Third time's the charm and Ding quickly builds a winning attack.} 23...Bb7 24.Nf5 Rd7 25.Qf3 {There was a better square $1} ( 25.Qh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have created the crude threat of Nf5xh6+ $1 For instance} 25...Bxd5 {would allow the sacrifice} ( {And} 25...Bf4 {would not have stopped the assault due to} 26.Nxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Kxg7 27.Qg4+ Bg5 28.h4 ) 26.Nxh6+ gxh6 27.Qxh6 Bxc4 28.Bxf6 {with a win for White.} ) 25...Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best practical chance $1 For a moment Black is still losing.} 26.Bxg7 {And the moment is gone $1} ( {This was Ding's last chance to wrap up the game with} 26.Nxh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...gxh6 27.Qg4+ Qg5 28.Qxd7 {and Black's threats are not enough.} ) 26...Nf4 27.Qg4 {I think anyone would have played this in a heartbeat.} ( {But believe it, or not, White's best was} 27.Re4 $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 27...Bxe4 28.Qxe4 Re8 29.Qf3 Qg5 30.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when anything was still possible.} ) 27...h5 $3 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The tables have turned $1 Ding has a ton of checks, and none of them work $1} 28.Nh6+ Kh7 29.Bd3+ {Last chance to keep the queen in a striking distance.} 29...Nxd3 30.Qxh5 Nf4 31.Qg4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] One can only admire Nihal's sense of danger $1} ( {It was not too late to blow the game away with} 31...Nxg2 32.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Nf4 33.Bxf8 Qxf8 34.Re8 $3 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] and it is White who wins.} ) ( {Or to blow the advantage away with} 31...Bxg2 32.Bxf8 Qxf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Qxd7 Kxh6 34.Rad1 {with a peculiar piece ratio and a total mess.} ) 32.Nxf5 Rxf5 33.Qxf5+ Kxg7 {Now that there is none to help the queen Black quickly consolidates his advantage and wins.} 34.Rad1 Rf7 35.Qg4+ Kf8 36.g3 Qf6 37.Re3 ( {Or} 37.gxf4 Rg7 ) 37...Nh3+ $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 37...Nh3+ 38.Qxh3 Qxf2# ) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Blitz 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.03"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7903276702755"]
[EventType "blitz"]

{[%evp 0,73,20,20,24,31,28,-7,21,14,18,19,18,18,28,-4,14,6,85,45,79,-41,33,25,49,46,87,84,109,100,118,124,149,125,186,135,136,131,136,158,164,161,174,95,76,70,67,32,64,76,60,60,60,52,85,20,9,47,47,32,58,73,69,60,88,-27,110,126,299,305,306,311,611,601,635,635]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c3 {In blitz, a good strategy is to play opening systems that one knows best. The little details, the small tricks and traps, and the overall strategy save the experts load of valuable time and minimize the risk of blunders.} 3...c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.Be3 {Funny, I used this system against So 10 years ago with colors reversed and without the tempo for the c2-c3 move.} ( {The extra tempo allows White some extra possibilities, like} 5.Bg5 Bxc5 6.e3 O-O 7.Nbd2 Nbd7 8.Qc2 Be7 9.Bd3 h6 10.Bh4 Nc5 11.Be2 b6 12.O-O Bb7 13.Rfd1 Rc8 14.Rac1 Nfe4 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 {and Black was doing more than fine in Radjabov,T (2747) -Vidit,S (2710) Shusha 2022} ) 5...Nc6 6.b4 Be7 7.g3 Ng4 8.Bd2 {All of this had already been played by Nihal, and So tries to improve upon that game with a novelty.[#]} 8...b6 $146 ( {The predecessor saw wild complications after:} 8...a5 9.a3 axb4 10.cxb4 Bf6 11.Ra2 ( 11.Nc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 11...e5 12.h3 Nxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.Kxf2 e4 14.Bf4 exf3 15.exf3 O-O 16.Rd2 {when White seemed better and eventually managed to win in Nihal,S (2677)-Ganguly,S (2589) chess24.com INT 2022} ) 9.h3 ( {The machine likes} 9.Qa4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 9...Nf6 10.cxb6 Qxb6 {This looks easier to face.} ( {But it looks as if the play for compensation in the spirit of the QGA with} 10...axb6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is more to the point. After} 11.Bg2 O-O 12.a4 Ne4 {Black's impressive central presence would have promised him compensation.} ) 11.Be3 Qb7 12.Nbd2 a5 {And this is a blunder $1} ( {First} 12...Bd7 13.Bg2 {and then} 13...a5 14.a3 {would have still been normal for Black after} 14...e5 ) 13.b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Easy to miss with less than three minutes on the clock $1} 13...Nb8 ( {The pawn is poisoned} 13...Qxb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14.Rb1 Qa6 15.Rb6 {drops the knight.} ) 14.a4 {Nihal has not only consolidated his queenside but has managed to move the pawns aggressively and cramp the black pieces.} 14...Nbd7 15.Bg2 O-O 16.O-O ( {Better is the immediate infiltration with} 16.Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Qc7 17.Nc6 ) 16...Nb6 ( {As now So could have completed his development with} 16...Qb8 17.Nd4 Bb7 ) 17.Rc1 {A tad slow.} ( {The immediate} 17.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been practically game over, say} 17...Nxc4 18.Nxc4 dxc4 19.Ne5 Nd5 20.Nxc4 {and Black can barely move.} ) 17...Ba3 {So is trying to divert his opponent from the correct idea.} 18.Rb1 ( {Stronger is} 18.Rc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] insisting on the c3-c4 break.} ) 18...Bd7 ( {More resilient is developing the bishop on the long diagonal with} 18...Qc7 19.c4 Bb7 {when Black should not fear} 20.c5 Bxc5 21.Rc1 Nfd7 22.Nb3 Nxa4 ) 19.Qb3 Be7 20.Ne5 Qc7 21.Nxd7 ( {Missing the powerful} 21.Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Bxc6 ( {Or} 21...Bd6 22.Rfc1 {and the imminent break c3-c4 would soon lead to Black's collapse.} ) 22.bxc6 Nc8 23.Qb7 ) 21...Nfxd7 22.Rfc1 Rac8 23.Qa2 ( {The machine claims that} 23.c4 dxc4 24.Nxc4 Nxc4 25.Rc2 {is working...} ) 23...Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nihal missed the moment, and his opponent has managed to build a solid blockade. A pawn is pawn, but still...} 24.Bxc5 Nxc5 25.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Better late than never $1} 25...Ncxa4 {Who would not have taken the pawn back at the first opportunity $2} ( {However} 25...Qe5 {might have been more stubborn; for example, after} 26.Nf3 Qf6 27.cxd5 exd5 28.Qd2 Ncxa4 {White cannot reclaim his pawn} 29.Qxa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] due to} ( {Still, White's edge is indisputable after} 29.Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 29...Nc3 ) 26.Qa3 ( {Strong is} 26.Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...dxc4 27.Nxa5 ) 26...d4 {But So missed his last chance.} ( {After} 26...Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Qa1 Qe7 {Black would have kept his survival chances intact.} ) 27.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now they are finally moving $1} 27...Qe7 28.Nb3 ( {Even faster would have been the other version of the exchange sacrifice} 28.Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Nc3 29.Rxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...dxc3 30.Qxc3 ) 28...Nc3 29.Qxa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The same idea $1 The pawns need comfort, and an exchange is a minor price for that.} 29...Nxe2+ 30.Kh2 Nxc1 31.Rxc1 Nd5 32.b6 Nc3 ( {Well, it was worth trying a swindle} 32...Qd7 {might have worked after} 33.Nxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( {But most likely, it would not have worked due to something like} 33.Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Ra8 34.Qc4 {and the passers should soon cost Black a rook.} ) 33...Nxb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 33.c6 Ra8 34.Qc5 Qxc5 35.Nxc5 Ra5 36.Nd7 Re8 37.c7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Blitz 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.04"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[ECO "C45"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[Beauty "5430512199178"]
[EventType "blitz"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.Nd2 {Not the most ambitious line, but one which Vidit had used earlier this year.} 6...d5 7.exd5 cxd5 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Qxd7 10.O-O {Move the c7-pawn to the b7-square, and this will be the French Tarrasch. With the more \"centralized \" pawn, though, Black has fewer problems to solve, most likely because the other isolani cannot be attacked that easily.} 10...Be7 11.b3 O-O 12.Bb2 Rfe8 ( {Earlier this year Vidit faced:} 12...a5 13.a4 Qf5 14.Re1 Bc5 15.Nf3 Ne4 16.Re2 Rfe8 17.Qd3 {Vidit,S (2710)-Tari,A (2656) Mayrhofen 2022} ) 13.Qf3 {[#]} 13...a5 $146 {This move happens so often in the line that it is hard to call it a novelty. Although technically speaking, it is.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 13...c5 14.Rad1 Rad8 15.Rfe1 h6 16.Nf1 d4 17.Ng3 ( 17.c3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 17...Bd6 18.Nf5 Be5 {with approximate equality in Matlakov,M (2698)-Tang,A (2538) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 14.a4 Ra6 15.Rad1 Bb4 {An inaccuracy.} ( {Better is to fulfill his plan with} 15...Re6 16.Nc4 c6 {as the pawn has too high a price at this moment. After} 17.Nxa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] the white knight might not be lost at once but would be excluded for very long time.} ) 16.Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice maneuver and Vidit takes over the inititive.} 16...Qe6 ( {Safer looks} 16...Ne4 17.Ne5 Qe6 18.Nd3 ) 17.Ne3 c6 18.Nf5 Raa8 ( 18...Bf8 $5 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 19.Qf4 ( {White could have already opted for a better endgame with} 19.Nh6+ Kf8 20.Bxf6 Qxf6 21.Qxf6 gxf6 22.Nf5 ) 19...Nh5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A small trick.} ( {Again} 19...Bf8 $5 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] to solidify the kingside was called for.} ) 20.Qf3 ( {The obvious} 20.Qg5 {would have helped Mamedyarov equalize with} 20...Qg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20...Nf6 21.Rd3 {White's play is very clear--kingside attack.} 21...Bf8 22.Nh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The time has come for this blow.} 22...gxh6 {Now White's attack would be extra strong.} ( {An endgame is a better alternative} 22...Kh8 $5 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 23.Bxf6 Qxf6 24.Qxf6 gxf6 25.Nf5 {although this is a much better version for White than the similar line from above.} ) 23.Bxf6 Bg7 24.Bxg7 Kxg7 25.Qf4 {King safety is always the main factor in positions with all the major pieces on the board. And here Mamedyarov's kingside is eternally damaged.} 25...Kh8 ( {Instead} 25...c5 {would have covered the d4-square but would not have solved Black's issues after} 26.Re3 Qc6 27.Rg3+ Kf8 28.Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A neat maneuver $1} 26...Qg6 27.Rg3 ( 27.Rfe1 $5 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would have been great for White too with total domination.} ) 27...Qe6 ( {Black should not survive after} 27...Re4 28.Rxg6 Rxf4 29.Rxc6 ) 28.Qd4+ f6 29.Re3 Qf7 30.Rfe1 Rxe3 31.Rxe3 {The domination has been achieved. It soon costs Black material.} 31...Rf8 32.Qc5 Re8 33.Qxc6 Rxe3 34.fxe3 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Mamedyarov's last chance is connected with his queen activity and an eventual perpetual check.} 35.Kf2 Qe5 36.Qc8+ Kg7 37.Qg4+ Kh8 38.Qf4 {And from here on, Vidit would experience the famous blitz problem: how to control all the checks from the enemy queen $2} ( {Easier would have been} 38.Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...Qxh2 39.Qxf6+ Kg8 40.Qd8+ Kg7 41.Qxa5 ) 38...Qc3 39.Qf5 Qd2+ 40.Kf3 Qd1+ 41.Kg3 Qe1+ 42.Qf2 ( {Very few are brave enough to play} 42.Kg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] in the blitz games, but here it is winning after} 42...Qxe3 43.Qxf6+ Kg8 44.Qd8+ Kg7 45.Qxd5 ) 42...Qc3 43.Qf4 Kg7 44.Qg4+ Kh8 ( {Mamedyarov is correctly avoiding} 44...Kf7 45.Qd4 Qxc2 46.Qxd5+ ) 45.Qd4 Qc7+ 46.Kf3 Qc6 47.c3 Kg7 48.h3 {In order to offer a safe house for the king.} 48...h5 49.Ke2 Qb7 50.b4 axb4 51.cxb4 Qc6 52.b5 {The pawns are moving, and it seems as if everything will end soon.} 52...Qc2+ 53.Kf3 h4 54.Qg4+ ( {Once more, the neatest win is connected with a brave king march after} 54.b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54...Qb1 55.a5 Qf1+ 56.Kg4 Qxg2+ 57.Kf5 Qg6+ 58.Ke6 Qe8+ 59.Kd6 ) 54...Kf7 55.Qh5+ Kg7 56.Qxh4 Qd1+ 57.Kf2 Qd2+ 58.Kf1 Qxe3 59.Qg4+ Kh6 60.Qd1 ( {Here} 60.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would be as good as the checks} 60...Qc1+ 61.Kf2 Qc2+ 62.Kg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] are soon over, and Black cannot capture the pawns.} 62...Qxa4 63.Qf4+ $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 60...d4 61.b6 d3 ( {More stubborn seems} 61...Qf4+ 62.Kg1 Qe3+ 63.Kh2 d3 {although White should still preserve serious winning chances with} 64.b7 Qf4+ 65.Kh1 d2 66.b8=Q Qxb8 67.Qxd2+ ) 62.b7 Qf4+ 63.Kg1 ( {In queen endgames, the mating motifs often appear out of thin air like here:} 63.Qf3 $3 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 63...Qc1+ 64.Kf2 Qb2+ 65.Ke3 d2 66.b8=Q $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 66...Qxb8 67.Qxf6+ Kh5 68.g4# ) 63...Qe3+ ( {It is not too late for} 63...d2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 64.b8=Q Qxb8 65.Qxd2+ ) 64.Kh2 Qe5+ ( {Again} 64...Qf4+ 65.Kh1 d2 66.b8=Q Qxb8 67.Qxd2+ {is keeping survival chances for Black.} ) 65.Kh1 Qb2 66.Qxd3 ( 66.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 66...Qxb7 67.Qxd3 ) 66...Qxb7 67.Qe3+ ( {The winning plan is} 67.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 67...Qa7 68.Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 68...Kg7 69.Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Then push the pawn to the a7-square and use the b8-square for the queen. In all the lines, her majesty will have a chance to cover the king in case the checks still support the pawn.} ) 67...Kg6 68.Qg3+ Kh6 69.Qf4+ Kg6 70.Qg4+ Kh6 ( {Most stubborn is} 70...Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 71.Qc4+ Kg7 {as this time White cannot easily make progress with} 72.a5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 72...Qb1+ 73.Kh2 Qb8+ 74.Kg1 Qa7+ ) 71.Qf5 Qc6 72.Qf4+ Kg6 73.a5 Qb5 ( {The perpetual might have still worked after} 73...Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 74.Qe4+ Kf7 75.Qb7+ Kg8 76.a6 ( {Or} 76.Qb6 Qe1+ 77.Kh2 Qe5+ 78.g3 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 76...Qe1+ 77.Kh2 Qe5+ ) 74.Qg3+ Kh6 75.Qe3+ Kg6 76.Qa3 Qf1+ {No, this is not perpetual...} ( {The last chance is} 76...Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 77.Kh2 ) 77.Kh2 Qf4+ 78.Qg3+ $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Rapid 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2022.12.01"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[Beauty "6599640877105"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Bd6 ( 4...Be7 {is more common.} ) 5.d4 b6 6.cxd5 {I don't like this move very much, as Black's development is easier after this exchange.} ( 6.Bd3 {was played a few times by Andreikin and is my favorite move.} ) 6...exd5 7.Bd3 O-O 8.Bd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A strange move, as the bishop is not well developed here. It seems better to castle and then develop the bishop with b3-Bb2.} ( 8.O-O ) 8...c5 {This natural move is a novelty.} ( 8...Bb7 ) ( 8...Re8 ) 9.dxc5 bxc5 10.O-O Nc6 {On the board we have a position with hanging pawns (this formation with the black pawns on d5 and c5), but in a very good version for Black. His pieces are free and active, while the same cannot be said for White's pieces.} ( 10...Bg4 {Flesh-and-blood chess players love this sort of pin, but the computer isn't too impressed. And it still suggests White should advance the pawns on the kingside.} 11.h3 Bh5 12.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12...Bg6 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Re1 {with the idea of playing e4, with chances for both sides.} ) 11.h3 {Nakamura decides to avoid Bg4.} 11...h6 {Erigaisi wants to develop the bishop to e6 and this move is useful to avoid Ng5. Something to consider is White's advance with e3-e4, a typical idea in these structures and that gives chances of equality—after all, Black is already a little better. Perhaps it would be more useful to put the rook on e8 first.} ( 11...Re8 ) 12.Rc1 ( 12.e4 {deserves consideration.} 12...Nb4 ( 12...c4 13.exd5 cxd3 14.dxc6 {with chances for both sides.} ) ( 12...d4 13.Nb5 {and White gets some activity.} ) 13.Bb1 dxe4 14.Nxe4 Bb7 15.Nxd6 Qxd6 16.Bc3 {with equality.} ) 12...Be6 13.Ne2 ( 13.e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] this seems like an interesting move here, too.} 13...Nb4 14.Bb1 dxe4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 ( 16.Bxb4 cxb4 17.Bxe4 Rc8 {Here Black has a slight advantage due to the bishop pair.} ) 16...Rb8 ( 16...Nxa2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17.Bxa8 Nxc1 18.Bxc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Qxa8 19.Qxd6 {and White wins a piece.} ) 17.a3 Nd5 {Black's position is a little more comfortable.} ) 13...Ne4 14.a3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Too slow.} ( 14.Nf4 {is better.} ) 14...Qb6 ( 14...Rb8 {is also good.} ) 15.Nc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15...Nxd2 {This is certainly not an easy decision, as keeping the knight on e4 is very tempting.} ( 15...f5 {This is my favorite move: the knight on e4 gives White a lot of headaches.} ) 16.Qxd2 c4 {This advance is necessary because White was threatening 17.Na4.} 17.Bb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17.Bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the correct move. Surely Nakamura saw this idea, but maybe he wanted to maintain a little more tension to have winning chances. A possible continuation is:} 17...dxc4 18.Qxd6 Rfd8 19.Qg3 Qxb2 20.Ne4 Qxa3 21.Nf6+ Kh8 22.Nh5 {with compensation for the pawn, but objectively White is playing for a draw here.} ) 17...Rfd8 18.Rfd1 Rab8 {Now the position is very uncomfortable for White, who lacks space. It never hurts to remember and by now my most assiduous readers already know how I like it: Black has the pair of bishops.} 19.Na4 Qb7 20.Bc2 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I like this move, improving the queen's position.} 21.Rb1 Qf6 22.Qe2 g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another good move. Black has a long-term positional advantage, so it's possible to calmly improve the position.} 23.Rd2 Kg7 24.Qd1 Bc7 {The game gets tactical now: the idea is to play /Ba5. Black could continue to suffocate White with a move like /a5 (useful to avoid a possible pawn advance to b4) and then follow up with a plan of attack on the king-flank with /h5-g5-g4.} ( 24...a5 ) 25.Nc5 ( 25.Nc3 {is also possible. I wonder whether Nakamura was afraid of the exchange sacrifice with} 25...Rxb2 $5 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 26.Rxb2 Qxc3 {but White is still in the game after} 27.Ba4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Ne5 28.Nd4 ) 25...Bc8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25...Ba5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Nd4 ( 26.Re2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26...Bxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.gxh3 Qxf3 ) 26...Nxd4 27.Rxd4 Bb6 28.Rf4 Qe5 29.Nxe6+ Qxe6 {Despite the simplifications, White has no respite. Black's position is clearly superior.} ) 26.b4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26.Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] solves White's problems.} 26...Rxd5 27.Qxd5 Rxb2 28.Qxc4 ( 28.Rc1 $4 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 28...Rxc2 29.Rxc2 Qa1+ {leads to mate.} ) ( 28.Rxb2 Qxb2 29.Qxc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29...Qc1+ ) 28...Rxb1+ 29.Bxb1 Qb2 30.Qc2 Qxa3 ( 30...Qxc2 31.Bxc2 Bd6 32.Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 31.Ne4 {White has excellent drawing chances.} ) 26...Ne5 27.Ne1 {It's strange to choose this square instead of the more active d4.} ( 27.Nd4 {This move, however, doesn't solve all the problems.} 27...a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with pressure for Black.} ) 27...Qd6 28.Na4 ( 28.Ne4 {is a better chance.} ) 28...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Creating weaknesses on the queenside.} 29.b5 Be6 30.f4 {A desperate attempt to create counterplay.} 30...Nd7 31.Nf3 Qxa3 {Black is winning, but in a rapid game anything is possible when the players get low on time.} 32.Qe1 Nb6 33.Ra1 Qe7 34.Nc3 Ra8 ( 34...Bd6 {with the idea of Bb4 is also winning.} ) 35.f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 35.Nd4 Bd7 ) 35...gxf5 36.Ne2 {Nakamura is a player with many resources and you have to be very careful against him, even with a decisive advantage. Erigaisi continues to play at the highest level, but the game will still have some adventures.} 36...Bd7 37.Ned4 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.e4 Re8 ( 38...dxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate:} 39.Bxe4 Ra7 {and the computer claims that Black is easily winning.} ) 39.Re2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39...dxe4 40.Bxe4 Rad8 {It's necessary to give up the a5-pawn.} ( 40...Ra7 $2 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 41.Bc6 {wins for White.} ) 41.Rxa5 Qf6 {Black is still much better with a pawn up and a safe king.} 42.Ra6 {The rook is not well placed here, as the next move shows.} 42...Bc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43.Qa1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43...Kg8 ( 43...Bxa6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 44.Nf5+ ) ( 43...Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better because it's important to keep the e8-rook protected. This seems hard to believe, but just follow the analysis:} 44.Nc6 Qxa1+ 45.Rxa1 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46.Nxd8 fxe4 {The position is winning because both knights are attacked. The e-pawn is not pinned since the king protects the rook.} ) 44.Nc6 Qxa1+ 45.Rxa1 Rd6 ( 45...f5 {The same idea is not so strong here.} 46.Nxd8 fxe4 47.Nc6 {Black is better, but not winning.} ) 46.Ra7 Rd1+ 47.Kh2 ( 47.Kf2 {is more stubborn, but Black should win after} 47...Bd6 48.Bh7+ Kf8 49.Rxe8+ Kxe8 ) 47...Bd6 48.Nce5 ( 48.Bh7+ Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 48...Bxe5 ( 48...Rxe5 49.Nxe5 Bxe5 50.Bh7+ Kxh7 51.Rxe5 Kg7 52.Rc5 Be6 {Black is winning.} ) 49.Bc6 Re6 50.Nxe5 c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The c-pawn decides the game.} 51.Bf3 Rd2 ( 51...Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the simplest way.} 52.Rxe5 c2 ) 52.Re4 ( 52.Rxd2 {gives no hope:} 52...cxd2 53.Nxf7 Bd7 54.Nd8 Rd6 55.Bd1 Bxb5 ) 52...Nd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder that throws away the win.} ( 52...c2 53.Rc7 Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move.} 54.Rxf4 Rxe5 55.Bxb7 Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 56.Rxc2 Rxb7 {with a decisive material advantage.} ) 53.Nxf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 53.Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a draw.} 53...Nb6 ( 53...Rxe5 54.Rxc8+ Kg7 55.b6 Nxb6 56.Rxc3 ) 54.Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54...c2 55.Rac7 c1=Q 56.Rxc1 Rxe5 57.Rxc8+ Nxc8 58.Rxc8+ Kg7 59.b6 ) 53...Rxe4 54.Bxe4 c2 55.Nd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake. White still had drawing chances.} ( 55.Nxh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 55...Kf8 56.Rf7+ Ke8 57.Bg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 57...Kd8 ( 57...c1=Q $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 58.Rc7+ ) 58.Bxc2 Rxc2 59.Nf5 {And it's not clear whether Black can win this endgame.} ) 55...c1=Q {Unfortunately for Nakamura, there is no mate, nor perpetual check.} 56.Bh7+ Kh8 {A great fight $1 Erigaisi is playing some fantastic chess and he is one of my favorite players to watch.} ( 56...Kf8 $4 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Blunder;persistent;true] This would be embarassing.} 57.Rf7# ) 0-1

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Khiva"]
[Date "2022.12.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2521"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[Beauty "6254143473671"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {Kosteniuk is the first one to change the \"plate.\"} 3...Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3 h6 6.h3 d6 7.Na4 Bb6 8.a3 {Quite a topical line. We have recently annotated a topical game from the World Team Championship's semifinals.} ( {White can also grab the bishop in an earlier stage of the game, as in the following game:} 8.Nxb6 axb6 9.a3 Be6 10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.c3 O-O 12.O-O Qe8 13.Be3 Ne7 14.g3 Qb5 {Alekseenko,K (2687)-Duda,J (2731) Chess.com 2022} ) 8...Be6 9.Bxe6 fxe6 10.O-O O-O 11.b4 {This is cutting edge theory nowadays. White delays the capture of the bishop as long as she can, in order to force a concession.} ( {Here too, White can take on b6:} 11.Nxb6 axb6 12.Be3 d5 13.Qe2 Qe8 14.Rad1 Qg6 15.Nh4 Qh7 16.Nf3 {1/2-1/2 Nepomniachtchi,I (2792)-So,W (2773) Chess.com 2022} ) 11...Qe8 12.c3 Kh8 $5 $146 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Goryachkina did not come empty-handed for the game and flashed an interesting novelty in return.} ( {An earlier game went instead} 12...Nh5 13.Kh2 ( 13.Nxb6 axb6 14.Be3 ( {Here} 14.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was in the spirit of the game.} ) 14...Nf4 15.Kh2 Qh5 16.Ng1 Qxd1 17.Rfxd1 Ra4 {and Black was already somewhat better in Tari,A (2654)-Anand,V (2751) Stavanger 2022} ) 13...Qf7 14.Nxb6 axb6 15.a4 Nf4 16.Ra2 b5 17.Ne1 Qh5 18.f3 Ra6 19.c4 Rxa4 20.Rxa4 bxa4 21.Qxa4 Nd4 {Abdusattorov $146 (2688)-Oparin,G (2683) Chess.com 2022} ) ( {Whereas the above-mentioned game from the World Teams saw} 12...Ne7 $146 {Nihal took some time on his clock before producing this novelty.} 13.Re1 Ng6 14.Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice semi-waiting but useful move. The rook is overprotecting the f2-pawn and is ready to join the battle along the second rank. Black is in a mini-zugzwang, suffering for alternative improvement moves. And only when the rook abandoned the a-file} 14...Rd8 {Did White capture the bishop at last} ( {The line} 14...Nh5 15.d4 Nhf4 16.Nxb6 axb6 17.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] demonstrates that the black knights are not as scary as they seem without the queen support. White is not afraid of} 17...Nxh3+ 18.Kg2 ) 15.Nxb6 {Now that the black rook has abandoned the a-file the bishop is removed.} 15...axb6 16.a4 Qf7 ( {Nothing yields} 16...Nh5 17.g3 ) 17.Nh2 {White got the better game thanks to the pawn structure $1 His pawns were more elastic and he has a pleasant choice on how to modify the situation in the center and the kingside. The main drawback of the double-pawns is that they are static, they can only wait for the opponent to attack them. All in all, Sindarov went on to win an important game after} 17...Kh7 ( {Perhaps Nihal needed to change the central situation himself with} 17...d5 18.Qe2 ( 18.Qc2 Nh4 ) 18...Qd7 {looking for a way to create threats on his own along the d-file and the queenside.} ) 18.g3 Qd7 19.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Sindarov managed to tame the opponent's doubled pawns and eventually won the game, Sindarov,J (2654)-Nihal,S (2670) Chess.com 2022} ( {Also good was} 19.b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19...d5 20.Rd2 ) ) 13.Ra2 $5 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The same idea, in honor of one of the young Uzbeki chess heros.} 13...Qf7 ( {After} 13...Nh5 {White would have likely continued as in the game with} 14.Re1 ( {Although there is nothing wrong with} 14.Nxb6 axb6 15.a4 ) ) 14.Re1 Rad8 {Just as Nihal did. It looks as that this move is needed.} ( {Otherwise White could have seized the center in case of} 14...Nh5 15.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 15.Nxb6 {The semi-waiting strategy worked. Kosteniuk got what she wanted.} ( {Whereas now} 15.d4 {can be met with} 15...exd4 16.cxd4 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 15...axb6 16.a4 Ne7 {And this is almost exactly the same position as in the game Sindarov-Nihal, with the only difference that Black has her knight on e7 still, instead of the g6-square, and instead made the Kg8-h8 move.} 17.a5 {And White wants to extract the maximum out of the situation and crush the opponent's queenside.} ( {There was an argument for the preliminary} 17.Be3 {though, connecting the rooks. This would have been important in the line} 17...Ng6 18.a5 Ra8 19.Qb3 bxa5 20.Rea1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with an edge for White.} ) ( {White is not interested in further prophylaxis:} 17.Nh2 $5 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 17...Ra8 {Goryachkina needs to fix the queenside situation before even thinking about anything else.} 18.Qb3 bxa5 19.Rxa5 ( {The capture did not seem as appealing to Kosteniuk:} 19.bxa5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Presumably because of} 19...Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Qxb7 Qd7 21.Qb1 Rxa5 22.Rxa5 Nxa5 23.Be3 Nc6 {White is not risking to lose. But she is not risking to win much either...} ) 19...Ng6 20.d4 {Perhaps a tad premature.} ( {Somewhat better for White seemed} 20.Be3 b6 21.Ra2 ) 20...Nd7 21.Be3 b6 22.Ra2 Rxa2 23.Qxa2 exd4 24.cxd4 ( {It is about equal after} 24.Nxd4 d5 25.exd5 exd5 ) 24...Nf6 {Goryachkina stabilized the queenside and now the center is on the agenda.} 25.Qc2 ( 25.Nd2 Nh5 ) 25...Nh5 ( 25...Ra8 $5 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 26.Rc1 {It is tempting to attack the backward pawn at once, but here Black has a way to resolve the central tension.} ( {Therefor, stronger seemed} 26.Ra1 Nhf4 27.Ne1 {when} 27...d5 {can be met with} 28.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26...Nhf4 27.Ne1 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is trying to fix some squares for her knights in the center.} 28.Kh2 ( {And still, White should have tried} 28.e5 {with unclear play after} 28...Nh4 29.Kh2 ( {or} 29.b5 ) ) 28...dxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And now everything is in order for the second player. With an outpost like the d5 one, she may never be worse. In fact, White has to be careful not to end up in a situation with poor bishop versus a good black knight.} 29.Qxe4 Nd5 30.Nd3 ( {Maybe it made sense to fix the draw with something like} 30.Rc6 Nge7 31.Rxe6 Nf6 32.Qe5 Ng6 33.Qf5 Ne7 34.Qe5 Ng6 ) 30...Qf5 31.Qxf5 exf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Having improved the pawn structure, Black is already somewhat better.} 32.Rc6 Rf6 33.Rxf6 {And this trade too, makes Black's life easier. It seems as Kosteniuk lost the thread here.} ( {Better was to keep the rook alive with} 33.Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] intending b4-b5 after which the white rook may find a job to do along the a-file, which means that the black Nd5 can be challenged later.} ) 33...Nxf6 34.Bd2 Kg8 {Goryachkina's obvious plan is to bring her king to the d5-square.} 35.f3 Kf7 36.Ne5+ $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This trade looks better. Kosteniuk gets a defended passer instead of an isolani. True, the problem of the worse minor piece remains.} 36...Nxe5 37.dxe5 Nd5 38.f4 {Or else Black will put her pawn there.} 38...Ke6 39.Kg3 Ne7 40.Kf3 Kd5 {The time-trouble is over and Kostenuik has a lot of problems to solve. Black's intention is clear: bring the king even further to the d3-spot and then push the c-pawn till the end. This would be ideally done with a nice blockader on e6, therefore, White's next move is practically forced} 41.g4 {And this is White's only play. However after} 41...g6 {Kosteniuk failed to find the best defense and opted for...} 42.Be1 {...which quickly led her to a lost position.} ( {The counter-intuitive} 42.Kg3 $3 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] would have likely saved the game. It looks as a beginner's move, as White does allow the enemy king to infiltrate even further, but the white monarch actually needs to demonstrate activity, as in the line} 42...Nc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( {If} 42...Ke4 {then White has} 43.b5 Nd5 44.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...Nf6 45.Bc3 Ne8 46.e7 {and with such an active bishop White should be perfectly fine, e.g.} 46...Kd5 47.gxf5 gxf5 48.Kh4 ) ( {Also in case of} 42...Kd4 {White seems to gain sufficient counterplay with} 43.gxf5 Nxf5+ 44.Kg4 Ng7 45.h4 c5 46.bxc5 bxc5 47.h5 gxh5+ 48.Kh4 {with a likely draw.} ) 43.gxf5 gxf5 44.Kh4 ) 42...Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the knight makes it to the e6-square with tempo.} 43.gxf5 gxf5 44.Ke3 ( {Alas, there is no time for} 44.Kg3 Nd4 45.Bf2 Ne6 ) 44...Kc4 45.Ke2 ( {Nothing changes} 45.Bd2 Nd4 46.Be1 Ne6 ) 45...Nd4+ 46.Ke3 Ne6 47.Bd2 Kb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Excellent technique $1 Before advancing the pawn, Goryachkina activates here pieces to the maximum. The end is near.} 48.Ke2 Kc2 49.Ke1 c5 50.b5 Kd3 51.Ba5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The last little chance.} 51...Kc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Which fails.} ( {Certainly not} 51...bxa5 52.b6 Nd8 53.e6 {when the result would have been the opposite.} ) 52.Bxb6 Kxb5 53.Ba7 Nxf4 {White's position collapses. The rest was easy for Goryachkina.} 54.Kd2 Kc4 55.Bb8 Kd5 56.h4 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 57.Ba7 Kd4 58.Bb8 Ne6 59.Kc2 Ke3 60.Kc3 f4 61.Kc4 f3 62.Kd5 Nf4+ 0-1

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Khiva"]
[Date "2022.12.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Black "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2521"]
[ECO "E80"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "6254277734422"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.c4 d6 {Kosteniuk is in a must-win situation, thus the appearance of the KID could have been predicted.} 4.Nc3 Nd7 5.Be3 Ngf6 6.f3 {Switching to the solid Saemisch line.} 6...a6 {One of the rare continuations. Black's strategy becomes clear: she wants her opponent out of the opening books as early as possible.} 7.Bd3 Rb8 ( {Kamsky tried instead} 7...c6 8.Nge2 b5 9.a3 Rb8 10.b4 bxc4 11.Bxc4 a5 12.b5 Nb6 13.Bd3 cxb5 14.Nxb5 {but this led only to a solid advantage for White, and what's more important- almost no winning chances for Black in Ivanchuk,V (2678) -Kamsky,G (2674) Lichess.org 2020} ) 8.Nge2 c6 9.a4 {There is a reason why certain opening continuations are off the beaten path. They provide the opponent easy play, as in this case. Goryachkina completed her development comfortably and even got a chance to block the opponent's queenside ambitions.} 9...O-O 10.a5 $146 {A logical novelty.} ( {White also did well after} 10.O-O Ne8 11.Qc2 Nc7 12.Rfe1 e5 13.d5 c5 14.Rab1 a5 15.Nb5 Nxb5 16.cxb5 {Torosyan,L-Kantor,R (1780) Kemer 2007} ) 10...b5 {Kosteniuk has to weaken her structure, otherwise the whole setup makes no sense.} 11.axb6 ( 11.cxb5 cxb5 12.b4 {would have been interesting for White too.} ) 11...Qxb6 12.Na4 Qc7 13.O-O e5 {After this White stabilizes the center in her favor.} ( {In hindsight it seems as the Benoni approach} 13...c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] might have offered Black more practical chances, for example} 14.d5 Ne5 15.b3 e6 ( {Or first} 15...Nxd3 16.Qxd3 Nd7 {intending to undermine White's center with e7-e6 and f7-f5 in the future.} ) ) 14.d5 Nh5 {Kosteniuk feels that she needs to hurry with her counterplay.} ( {Or else White can completely stop it before it even starts} 14...c5 {with something cruel like} 15.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( {Or something more cunning like} 15.Ng3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15...h5 16.Ne2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] depriving the black knight of the h5-square.} ) ) 15.Qc2 {A solid approach which stops the planned f7-f5.} ( {Also good was} 15.dxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15...Qxc6 16.Nec3 Nf4 17.Nd5 {with White's edge.} ) 15...Kh8 ( {Objectively, play like} 15...cxd5 16.cxd5 Qxc2 17.Bxc2 f5 18.Nec3 Nf4 {might have been best, when Black has good chances to equalize, but barely any to win...} ) ( {There was also the typical pawn sacrifice} 15...Nf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 16.Nxf4 exf4 17.Bxf4 cxd5 18.cxd5 Qxc2 19.Bxc2 Ne5 20.Ra2 f5 {when again Black has probably enough for the pawn, but it is an endgame...} ) 16.Rfc1 {Not just overprotecting the queen, but already threatening c4-c5 $1 That leaves Black no chance and...} 16...f5 {She goes all in $1} 17.exf5 {After some thought Goryachkina coldly took the pawn.} ( {The other version of the capture might have been even better} 17.dxc6 Qxc6 18.exf5 gxf5 19.Bxf5 Ndf6 20.Bxc8 Rfxc8 21.Qd2 ) 17...gxf5 18.Bxf5 Ndf6 19.Bxc8 ( {Here} 19.dxc6 {is less precise due to} 19...Bxf5 20.Qxf5 Qxc6 ) 19...Rfxc8 20.Qd2 {Once again, a most solid continuation.} 20...Rb3 ( {Black could have also tried} 20...e4 21.fxe4 {and then the tricky} 21...c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] However} ( {Rather than} 21...Nxe4 22.Qd3 Re8 23.Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the knight makes it to the e6-square.} ) 22.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] deprives the second player of any hopes.} ) 21.Nac3 {Centralizing the pieces is almost always a great strategy, no matter what the material is like.} ( {Although there was also} 21.Rc3 {when Black's compensation is dubious, say} 21...Rb4 22.dxc6 Qxc6 23.b3 {Most importantly, White is never afraid of any long-diagonal issues} 23...e4 24.f4 Ng4 25.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21...Qb7 22.Rc2 cxd5 23.cxd5 {With a bunch of consolidation moves and g2-g4 threat in the air, Kosteniuk has no choice but to enter the forcing line} 23...Nxd5 24.Nxd5 Rxc2 25.Qxc2 Qxd5 {Goryachkina took her time, and once more chose the most reliable way.} 26.Rd1 ( {There is no need to enter any complications like} 26.Rxa6 Rxe3 27.Qc8+ Qg8 28.Ra8 {True, this also should lead to a draw after some entertaining play} 28...Qxc8 ( {Or} 28...Nf6 29.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Qxc8 ( {Nothing changes} 29...Re1+ 30.Kf2 Rc1 31.Qxg8+ Nxg8 32.Nd5 ) 30.Rxc8+ Ng8 31.Nd5 ) 29.Rxc8+ Bf8 30.Rxf8+ Kg7 31.Rf5 Kg6 ( {But Black can still push a bit with} 31...Rxe2 32.Rxh5 Rxb2 ) 32.Kf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Rxe2+ 33.Kxe2 Kxf5 34.g4+ {and White is in just in time.} ) ( {If White needed to play for a win, she would have definitely chosen instead} 26.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with an edge in all the lines, for instance} 26...Qb7 ( 26...Qc4 27.Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27.Qd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 27.Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is equally good.} ) 27...Rxb2 28.Qxd6 ) 26...Rxb2 {Once more, no choice for Black.} ( {Or else she risked to lose, as in the line} 26...Qb7 27.Rxd6 Rxe3 28.Rd8+ Bf8 29.Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27.Rxd5 Rxc2 28.Rxd6 Kg8 ( {Correctly avoiding} 28...Rxe2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29.Rd8+ Bf8 30.Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 29.Kf1 {Almost everything disappeared from the board and the draw and the end of the match is fast approaching.} 29...Ra2 30.g4 Nf6 ( {Or} 30...Nf4 31.Nxf4 exf4 32.Bxf4 ) 31.Ng3 Kf7 ( {In case of} 31...Rxh2 32.Bf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] traps the rook.} ) 32.g5 Ne8 33.Rb6 Bf8 ( 33...Rxh2 34.Bf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 34.Rb7+ {Forcing a perpetual.} ( {This was the last moment when Goryachkina could have played for the full point with} 34.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] the pawns are too fast} 34...a5 35.h5 a4 36.g6+ hxg6 37.hxg6+ Kg8 38.Rb8 {and White wins.} ) 34...Kg8 35.Rb8 Kf7 {There is no way to deviate from the perpetual.} ( 35...Nd6 $4 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] loses to} 36.Bc5 Kf7 37.Ne4 ) 36.Rb7+ Kg8 37.Rb8 Kf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Khiva"]
[Date "2022.12.04"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Black "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2514"]
[BlackElo "2563"]
[ECO "D23"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[Beauty "4678293189158"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.Qa4+ {This is line would become the tabiya for the rapid portion of the match.} 5...Nc6 6.a3 ( {White did not achieve much after} 6.Qxc4 Nb4 7.Qb3 c5 8.a3 cxd4 9.axb4 dxc3 10.bxc3 Bd6 11.Bg5 O-O 12.e3 b6 13.Be2 Bb7 14.O-O Qc7 {in Lalith,B (2563)-Adhiban,B (2648) Kanpur 2022} ) 6...Bd6 {After taking her breath and a supposedly quick consultation with her trainer's team, Lagno changes the plate.} ( {She did well in the previous game, at least the beginning, after} 6...Bd7 7.Qxc4 Bd6 8.Bg5 {Here the Russian player came with the novelty} 8...h6 $146 ( {Whereas an earlier game saw} 8...O-O 9.e3 e5 10.d5 Ne7 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Ne4 Ng6 13.Nfd2 Be7 14.g4 {Dreev,A (2655)-Smirnov,P (2623) Ramenskoe 2006} ) 9.Bh4 O-O ( {Also interesting is the computer suggestion} 9...e5 10.d5 Ne7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.e4 ( 12.Ne4 Ng6 ) 12...f5 ) 10.e4 e5 11.d5 Na5 12.Qd3 ( 12.Qa2 {looks to ugly to be truth, and Black is indeed fine after} 12...c5 13.Be2 a6 14.a4 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when} 15.Bxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] even leads to Black's massive initiative after} 15...b5 16.axb5 Nxc4 17.Qxc4 axb5 18.Rxa8 Qxa8 19.Qd3 b4 20.Nd1 Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 12...Nb3 13.Rd1 a5 14.Be2 Qe7 15.O-O a4 {Black was fine at this stage of the game but erred later and lost, Tan,Z (2514)-Lagno,K (2563) Chess.com 2022} ) 7.g3 $146 {A novelty, which does not impress.} ( {White had more chances to fight for the advantage after} 7.e4 Be7 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.Be2 a6 10.O-O Rb8 11.Rd1 b5 12.Qc2 Bb7 13.Be3 Na5 14.Ne5 {Mozharov,M (2558)-Sadhwani,R (2479) Chess.com 2019} ) 7...O-O 8.Bg2 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Equalizing at once.} 9.Qxc4 exd4 10.Nxd4 Ne5 11.Qa4 Bc5 {The lack of development should have flashed a warning signal to Tan. However, her reaction} 12.Be3 {albeit obvious, turned out to be almost a decisive mistake $1} ( {The only move is} 12.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when after} 12...Nxf3+ 13.Bxf3 {White should not worry about} 13...Bh3 ( {True, Black is doing just fine after} 13...c6 {but White can castle $1} ) 14.Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 12...Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Not just development, this is also a prophylaxis against the opponent's tactics $1} ( {The immediate} 12...Nfg4 {could have been met with} 13.Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And this is already a reason to interrupt the calculation. But if we dive deeper, we may notice the beautiful queen sacrifice} 13...Nxe3 $3 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 14.Nxd8 Nxg2+ {Then White's only move is} 15.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {But not} 15.Kd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 15...Rxd8+ 16.Kc1 Bf5 {and Black is winning.} ) 15...Bh3 {Now it seems as if White is in trouble, but the fearless machine suggests that it is White who is in control after the cold-blooded} 16.Nxb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Nh4+ 17.Ke1 ) 13.Qd1 Nfg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black's attack is running like a snowball on a steep slope.} 14.Bf4 Ng6 15.e3 ( {Objectively better is} 15.O-O $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Although here too, Black has significant advantage with} 15...Nxf4 16.gxf4 Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 16...Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is also great for the second player.} ) 17.Nf3 Bxf2+ 18.Kh1 Qe7 ) 15...Nxf4 16.gxf4 ( {The other capture does not suffice} 16.exf4 Re8+ 17.Kf1 {Due to} 17...Nxf2 $3 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 18.Kxf2 Qf6 19.Ne2 Rxe2+ $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Kxe2 Bxd4 {and Black's attack is crushing.} ) 16...Qh4 {The black pieces are entering the play with ease, while the white king remains in the center. Both the f2- and e3-pawns are now under fire.} 17.Qd2 ( {Nothing changes} 17.Qf3 Rae8 ) 17...Bxd4 18.exd4 Rfe8+ 19.Kf1 Bf5 {Same ease. Lagno has created the deadly threat Bf5-d3+ followed by Re8-e2 $1} 20.Re1 {The e2-square is covered...} ( {Or} 20.Nd1 Rad8 {and White can barely move a thing.} ) 20...Bd3+ 21.Kg1 Nxf2 $3 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] But here is another problem $1 The e1-square is opened for the black pieces to infiltrate.} 22.Re3 ( 22.Qxf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22...Rxe1+ ) 22...Rxe3 23.Qxe3 Ng4 {Incredible $1 After conducting the attack with such ease and elegance, Lagno stumbles at the very final step $1} ( {The simple capture would have won outright, as Tan would not have been able to defend the e-file in the line} 23...Nxh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Qxd3 Qf2+ 25.Kxh1 Re8 {And while saving her king} 26.h3 ( {Or} 26.Be4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26...Re1+ 27.Kh2 Qg1+ 28.Kg3 Re3+ {White would have lost her queen.} ) 24.Qg3 Qf6 {An instinctive reaction: keep the queens alive, mate the king.} ( {Black apparently forgot that the material is equal after} 24...Qxg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.hxg3 Rd8 {and as the pawn on d4 is about to fall, Black is still close to winning.} ) 25.Qxd3 Qxf4 26.Bf3 {Now Tan has managed to stabilize her situation and escaped the worst. Black still has plenty of compensation but is not winning anymore.} 26...Re8 ( 26...Qc1+ 27.Nd1 Nf6 {might have been more accurate, keeping the important knight alive.} ) 27.Ne2 Qg5 28.Bxg4 ( {Missing the strong} 28.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] which would have forced the queen swap, after say} 28...Ne5+ 29.hxg5 Nxd3 30.Kf1 {and it is only White who can play for the win here.} ) 28...Qxg4+ 29.Kf2 Qh4+ ( {Or} 29...Re6 30.Rg1 Qh4+ 31.Kg2 {and the king escapes in the corner.} ) 30.Kg2 {Missing another chance to play for the win.} ( 30.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Qf6+ 31.Qf3 {would have been stronger for White.} ) 30...Qg5+ 31.Ng3 {From here on, both players play extremely accurately.} 31...Re3 32.Qc4 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important in-between move.} ( {Or else it might be Tan who has the decisive attack in the line} 32...h5 33.Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...h4 34.Qxf7+ Kh7 35.Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 33.Qc6 h5 34.Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Having the rook out is far more important than the knight.} 34...h4 35.Qxc7 hxg3 36.Qxf7+ Kh7 37.Qf5+ {Forcing a more or less drawish rook endgame.} 37...Qxf5 38.Rxf5 gxh2 39.Rxb5 Re2+ 40.Kh1 Kh6 41.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] But White still had to be careful $1} ( {One tempo could have been one too many in the line} 41.Ra5 $4 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 41...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42.Rxa7 g4 ) 41...g5 42.d6 g4 ( {Or instant draw after} 42...Rd2 43.d7 g4 44.d8=Q Rxd8 45.Kxh2 ) 43.Rd5 g3 44.Rd1 {Just in time $1} ( 44.d7 $4 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 44...Re1+ ) 44...Re8 45.Kg2 Rg8 46.d7 Rd8 47.Kxg3 Rxd7 48.Rh1 Rd3+ 49.Kxh2 {It is a draw which is proved with accurate play by both players.} 49...Kg5 50.Rg1+ Kf4 51.Rg2 a5 52.Kg1 Rd1+ 53.Kf2 Rd2+ 54.Kf1 Rd5 55.Ke2 Kf5 56.Ke3 Ke6 57.Ke4 Rb5 58.Rd2 a4 59.Ke3 Ke5 60.Ke2 Ke4 61.Kd1 Ke5 62.Kc1 Rc5+ 63.Rc2 Kd4 64.Kd1 Rxc2 {Demonstrating impeccable endgame knowledge.} ( 64...Rh5 {would have been a draw too.} ) 65.Kxc2 Kc4 66.Kc1 Kb3 67.Kb1 Kc4 68.Kc2 Kd4 69.Kd2 Ke4 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Khiva"]
[Date "2022.12.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Black "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2022.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "195"]
[Beauty "3643466062346"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a popular variation these days. The idea is to threaten the capture of the c4-pawn, similar to what happens in the Semi-Slav Defense, which occurs after 4...c6. The difference is that, it seems, the move 5.Bg5 is worse for White in this case: Black can confidently take the c4-pawn. So how should White defend the pawn $2 If they capture on d5 (the most popular choice), then Black clears the way for the bishop on c8. It's worth mentioning that the move a7-a6 is not a waste of time in this case, since the move has some use (for example, if White tries the famous minority attack). If White plays 5.c5, as she does in the game, then Black can immediately break the structure with b7-b6. In short: this move is better than it looks $1} 5.c5 ( 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 Be6 {This is the main line of the system.} ) ( 5.Bg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 5...dxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 6.e4 b5 {Black's position is good. This is a better version of the c4-capture than what happend when Black's pawn is on c6: now the bishop can go to b7 and enjoy a much better life.} ) ( 5.e3 {This is playable, but a bit passive.} ) 5...b6 6.cxb6 ( 6.b4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a typical mistake. White cannot sustain the structure after} 6...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 6...cxb6 ( 6...c5 {is also possible and this is what GM Supi played against me in a rapid game this year. Now the best is} 7.Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] (I played the the timid 7. e3).} 7...Bd6 8.Bxd6 Qxd6 9.dxc5 Qxc5 10.Qd4 {White will fight for a small advantage.} ) 7.Bf4 Bd6 8.e3 O-O ( 8...Bxf4 9.exf4 {Despite the doubled pawns and the isolated d4-pawn, White's structure is good. Black doesn't have any possible break and that's the most important thing.} ) 9.Bd3 Bb7 10.O-O Nc6 11.Rc1 {A natural move; how can you resist putting the rook on an open file $2 It's worth mentioning, however, that the creative GM Dubov tried another move and got a victory in 2021.} ( 11.Bg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 11...h6 12.Bh4 Be7 13.Rc1 Rc8 14.Qe2 Nb4 15.Bb1 a5 ( 15...Ne4 {looks of for Black.} ) 16.Rfe1 Ba6 17.Qd1 Ne4 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Ne5 {with a small advantage for White in Dubov-Motylev, Sochi 2021. Looking at this position, where 19...f6 is not possible due to weakness on g6, I wonder whether Black should have played 11...h6 in the first place.} ) 11...h6 {A clever move, avoiding Bg5 once and for all.} 12.a3 {This move, however, doesn't seem convincing to me. I offer some alternatives:} ( 12.Bb1 ) ( 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.Na4 Nd7 14.Bb1 ) 12...Bxf4 {The first new move.} ( 12...Re8 {was played in Wang-Jacobson, Charlotte 2019.} ) 13.exf4 Qd6 {Black's play is natural. She attacks the f4-pawn and connects the rooks.} 14.g3 ( 14.Na4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black needs to react accurately after this move.} 14...Na5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 14...Nd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 15.Ne5 {gives White a big advantage.} ) 15.Ne5 Rfc8 {with equal play.} ) 14...Rac8 15.Re1 ( 15.Na4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move fails for tactical reasons.} 15...b5 16.Nc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16...Nxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Nxb7 Rxc1 18.Qxc1 Nxf3+ 19.Kg2 Qb6 {and Black wins a pawn.} ) 15...Ne7 {A bit passive. Taking the knight to c4 seems more attractive.} ( 15...Na5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.Ne5 b5 {with a fine position.} ) 16.Ne5 Rc7 17.Qe2 b5 18.Na2 Rfc8 19.Rxc7 Rxc7 20.Nc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Goryachkina wants to exploit the dark-square weaknesses on the queenside. The knight will be a monster on c5, but Black is in time to avoid the journey.} 20...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move, but it's enough.} 21.Nb3 ( 21.a4 {looks very good, since the knight is about to touch the magical b3-square.} 21...b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] But this move gives Black counterplay.} 22.Nxb3 Qb4 ) 21...bxa3 22.bxa3 ( 22.Nc5 {leads to a position we will analyze later after} 22...Ne4 23.bxa3 ) 22...Ne4 ( 22...Qxa3 23.Nc5 Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's not possible to live with this c5-knight.} 24.Nxb7 Rxb7 25.Bxe4 dxe4 26.Qxe4 {with a likely draw.} ) 23.Qb2 ( 23.Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a trickier move. Black must be careful now.} 23...Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 23...Nxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Accepting the pawn leads to disaster.} 24.dxc5 Qxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 24...Qd8 {This is better, but it's an admission that something went wrong.} 25.Rb1 ) ( 24...Rxc5 25.Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...g6 26.Qxh6 {with a decisive attack.} ) 25.Nxf7 $3 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The typical sacrifice decides the game.} 25...Kxf7 26.Qxe6+ Ke8 ( 26...Kf8 27.Bg6 $1 $18 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. Black cannot avoid mate.} 27...Nxg6 28.Qe8# ) 27.Qg8+ Kd7 28.Qxg7 {with a winning advantage.} ) 24.Nxb7 Rxb7 25.Bxe4 dxe4 26.Qxe4 Rc7 27.Qd3 f6 28.Nf3 Qd5 {The position is equal.} ) 23...Qb6 24.Rb1 f6 25.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best square. The knight is heading to e3.} 25...Nf5 26.Ne3 Nfd6 27.Bxe4 Nxe4 28.f3 Nc3 29.Rc1 ( 29.Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} 29...Qxb2 30.Rxb2 Bc8 {with a balanced endgame.} ) 29...Na4 30.Qd2 Rxc1+ 31.Nxc1 {The position is still close to equality, but it's more comfortable for Black. The bishop can be activated with ...a5 and ...Ba6 and the d4-pawn is a weakness.} 31...a5 32.Kg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move is useful, taking the king off the g1-a7 diagonal and thereby setting up counterplay with the f4-f5 move.} 32...Nb2 33.Qc3 ( 33.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, activating White's position.} 33...Nc4 ( 33...e5 34.dxe5 d4 ( 34...fxe5 35.Nxd5 {Now we finally see why the king should be on g2.} ) 35.exf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...dxe3 36.Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...gxf6 ( 36...Qxf6 37.Qxb7 ) 37.Qe8+ Kg7 {Now White can even play for a win with} 38.Ne2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 34.Nxc4 dxc4 35.fxe6 Qxe6 36.Ne2 {with an equal position.} ) 33...Nc4 ( 33...a4 {is another option, but White should be able to defend.} ) 34.Nxc4 dxc4 35.Ne2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35.Qxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35...Qb2+ 36.Ne2 Qxa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Qxe6+ Kf8 38.d5 Qe7 {and White is in serious trouble because of the a-pawn.} ) ( 35.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again this is the best move.} 35...Bd5 ( 35...exf5 36.Qxc4+ Kh7 37.Ne2 ( 37.a4 {is also OK.} ) 37...Ba6 38.Qc2 Bxe2 39.Qxe2 Qxd4 40.h4 {This endgame is an easy draw.} ) 36.fxe6 Bxe6 37.Ne2 ) 35...Bd5 36.Kf2 a4 37.h4 Qb1 38.Qc1 Qb7 39.Qc3 h5 40.Qe3 Kf7 41.Qc3 {White's position is passive, but looks very difficult to break.} 41...Qb1 42.Qc1 Qa2 43.Ke3 Qb3+ 44.Nc3 Bc6 45.Kf2 Kf8 46.Ke3 Be8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very nice plan by Tan. She is ready to activate the bishop.} 47.Kf2 Bg6 48.d5 {Goryachkina decides to do something instead of just waiting. I think this is a good decision.} ( 48.g4 {is another interesting try.} ) 48...exd5 49.Nxd5 Qa2+ 50.Ke3 Bd3 51.Nc3 Qg2 52.Qe1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move gives Black winning chances.} ( 52.Nxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} 52...Qe2+ ( 52...Qxg3 53.Nb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This important move secures the draw.} ) 53.Kd4 Bg6 ( 53...Qxf3 54.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 54.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54...Qxf3 55.Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now everything is defended and White escapes.} ( 55.Qe3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 55...Qc6 56.Nd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 56...Bf7 {and suddenly White is in big trouble.} ) ) 52...Qb2 53.Nxa4 Qxa3 54.Nc3 {This endgame is extremely difficult to evaluate correctly. Objectively, Black has a decisive advantage, but a few hours' study is needed to begin to understand what the winning plan is.} 54...Qb2 ( 54...Qc5+ 55.Kd2 Kf7 {My computer is very happy with Black's position here, evaluating it as winning (+3). It's very difficult to understand exactly how Black wins, but it seems that White cannot avoid the penetration of the black queen due to zugzwang. Even with the computer on, it's difficult to understand this, so imagine how hard this task is during the game. A possible sequence is:} 56.Nd1 Qb4+ 57.Nc3 Kg6 58.Kc1 Kh6 59.Kd2 Qb2+ 60.Ke3 Qb6+ 61.Kd2 Bf5 62.Qe3 Qb2+ 63.Ke1 Bd3 64.Qd2 Qb6 65.Qf2 Qb4 66.Qd2 Qc5 67.Qf2 Qa3 68.Qd2 Qa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 55.Nd5 Kg8 56.Nc3 Kh7 57.Nd1 Qb6+ 58.Kd2 Qb4+ 59.Nc3 Qb2+ 60.Ke3 Qb6+ 61.Kd2 Bg6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The same previous comment is still valid here. No one can blame Tan for not finding a plan that is difficult to understand even with computer analysis.} ( 61...Kh6 $3 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] It seems that White is enable to keep the fortress and the king is better placed on h6. I think I still need a dozen more hours to understand the position completely, but here goes a sample line.} 62.Nd1 Qb4+ 63.Nc3 Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 64.Qe3 ( 64.Ke3 Qb6+ 65.Kd2 Qd4+ 66.Kc1 Qd3 {and wins.} ) 64...Qb2+ 65.Ke1 Bd3 66.Nd1 Qb1 67.Qd2 Bc2 68.Ke2 Bxd1+ 69.Qxd1 Qb2+ {and the queen endgame is winning due to the strength of the c-pawn and the fact that the king is on h6 and not h7 $1} 70.Ke3 Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 70...c3 {is premature.} 71.Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White is time for a perpetual check.} ) 71.Qd5 Qe1+ $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 72.Kd4 Qxg3 {winning.} ) 62.Qe3 Qb2+ 63.Ke1 Bd3 64.Nd1 Qb4+ ( 64...Qb1 65.Qd2 Bc2 66.Ke2 Bxd1+ 67.Qxd1 Qb2+ 68.Ke3 {This is very similar to the position we saw in the analysis before, but with the king on h7 and not on h6, the computer indicates a draw. Chess is definitely not an easy game.} 68...Qb4 69.Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 69...Kh6 70.Ke2 c3 71.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 65.Qd2 {Now the computer thinks it's finally a draw.} 65...Qc5 66.Qe3 Qa5+ 67.Qd2 Qa1 68.Qb2 ( 68.Kf2 {is more accurate.} ) 68...Qa8 ( 68...Qa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 69.Qf2 f5 {Very compromising. After this move, Black has no more chances.} 70.Qe3 Bc2 71.Nc3 Qa1+ 72.Kd2 Qb2 73.Ke1 Bd3 74.Nd1 Qb4+ 75.Qd2 Qb1 76.Kf2 Qb6+ 77.Qe3 Qa5 {Tan keeps trying, but the result is not in doubt anymore.} 78.Qe1 Qa2+ 79.Ke3 Bb1 80.Nc3 Qa7+ 81.Kd2 Qd4+ 82.Kc1 Bd3 83.Kb2 Qb6+ 84.Kc1 Qb7 85.Qf2 Qb3 86.Qb2 Kg6 87.Qxb3 cxb3 88.Kb2 Bc2 89.Nb5 Kf6 90.Nd4 Bd1 91.Kc1 Bc2 92.Nxc2 bxc2 93.Kxc2 Ke6 94.Kc3 Kd5 95.Kd3 g6 96.Kc3 Kc5 97.Kd3 Kd5 98.Kc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[ECO "E15"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7770669612096"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

{The first round of the Tata Steel tournament had great games and fulfilled the expectations of chess fans all over the world. Perhaps this impression is also accentuated because we've been a few days without elite chess tournaments and, as they say, hunger is the best seasoning.} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 {The Queen's Indian has been somewhat absent from elite tournaments lately, in my opinion for no good reason other than the \"opening fashion.”} 4...Ba6 5.b3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Be7 7.Bg2 O-O 8.O-O d5 9.Nc3 {This move doesn't seem to promise much for White.} ( 9.cxd5 {is the most popular move. After} 9...exd5 10.Nc3 {we have a classic Queen’s Indian position that has been discussed in many games.} ) 9...c6 10.Bf4 Nbd7 ( 10...dxc4 $2 {is premature.} 11.bxc4 Bxc4 12.Bxb8 $1 {An important detail.} ( 12.Ne5 $6 Ba6 ) 12...Rxb8 13.Ne5 {With a big advantage for White.} ) 11.cxd5 exd5 $5 {I was surprised by this way of recapturing the pawn, but it had been tried before. With this move Ding shows that he is willing to take risks to play for the win. The c-pawn capture, now or after the knight exchange, leads to an even position, but in which Black would not have much chance of winning due to the symmetrical pawn structure.} ( 11...Nxd5 {was played in correspondence games and solves Black's problems, for instance:} 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Qd2 Rc8 {with equality in Dunlop-Morrow, ICCF email 2021.} ) ( 11...cxd5 {is also playable.} ) 12.Ne1 {A theoretical novelty. This is a thematic maneuver in these positions, taking the knight to d3.} ( 12.Rc1 {was tried in Bogner-Sevian, Titled Tuesday (blitz) 2020.} ) 12...Re8 13.Nd3 Nf8 {Another typical knight maneuver.} 14.Bg5 {Gukesh wants to exchange on f6 and then play e2-e3, continuing the slow play characteristic of these positions, but this plan has a small problem.} ( 14.Re1 {is possible, taking the rook out of the x-ray rook from the a6-bishop. The game can follow:} 14...Ne6 15.Be5 Nd7 {Of course this move is not forced.} 16.e4 $5 dxe4 17.Bxe4 Bxd3 18.Qxd3 Nxe5 19.Bxh7+ Kf8 20.dxe5 Qxd3 21.Bxd3 Bb4 22.Rac1 Ba3 23.Rb1 Bb4 {with a draw. It's always a success for the commentator when his analysis ends in some random move repetition.} ) 14...Ne6 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.e3 Nc5 $1 {This move solves all of Black's problems. Not just that—his position becomes more comfortable. It's quite possible that the Indian GM missed this resource.} 17.dxc5 Bxc3 18.Rc1 Qf6 19.Qc2 d4 20.cxb6 axb6 21.Rfd1 Rad8 22.exd4 Bxd4 {The bishop pair is frightening and we know hundreds of historical games in which they were devastating—this will be another one of them. That said, it was still possible to fight for equality, but the position requires machine precision.} 23.Nf4 $2 {An error that will be masterfully exploited by the Chinese grandmaster.} ( 23.Bxc6 $1 {is the only way to keep the balance. It's scary to voluntarily put yourself in a pin, but the computer isn't afraid.} 23...Rc8 24.Nf4 $1 {And White is saved in all variations, oddly enough. A possible continuation is:} 24...Bb5 ( 24...Re2 25.Nxe2 Qxf2+ 26.Kh1 Bxe2 27.Rxd4 Bf3+ 28.Bxf3 Qxf3+ 29.Kg1 Qe3+ 30.Kg2 Rxc2+ 31.Rxc2 h5 {with a likely draw.} ) ( 24...Re5 25.b4 $1 {avoiding 25..Rc5.} ) 25.Bxb5 ( 25.Bxe8 Rxc2 26.Rxc2 Bxe8 27.Rc8 Kf8 28.Re1 Be5 $1 29.Nd3 Qe6 $1 30.Rxe8+ Qxe8 31.Rxe5 Qc6 {should also end in a draw.} ) 25...Rxc2 26.Rxc2 Rd8 {White has enough for the missing queen. The position is equal.} ) 23...g5 $1 {Forcing the knight to the edge of the board.} 24.Nh5 Qh6 25.Bf3 {Defending the knight and the rook invasion on e2.} 25...c5 {A knight on the rim is dim. A good commentator should never miss a chance to use this saying, as I have done dozens of times.} 26.g4 {Gukesh prepares to bring the knight back to the game.} 26...f5 $3 {The best move of the game. Black breaks through on the kingside, sacrificing a few pawns along the way.} 27.Ng3 ( 27.gxf5 g4 $1 28.Bxg4 Qg5 ( 28...Qc6 {with idea of playing Bb7, might be even stronger.} ) 29.h3 Re2 30.Rxd4 Rxd4 31.Qc3 Rd3 {with a winning position.} ) ( 27.Qxf5 Bc8 $1 28.Qc2 Rf8 29.Qe2 Qd6 $1 {An accurate move.} ( 29...Rde8 {is not so good.} 30.Qc4+ Be6 31.Bd5 ) 30.Ng3 Rde8 {with a winning attack.} ) 27...fxg4 28.Nf5 ( 28.Bxg4 Bb7 {Look at those bishops. As I like to say, this is a position that deserves a picture!} ) 28...Qf6 29.Be4 ( 29.Nxd4 cxd4 30.Bxg4 d3 {Black loses the bishop pair but gains another strong asset: the d-pawn decides the game.} ) ( 29.Bxg4 Bc8 {is also winning for Black.} ) 29...h5 $6 {An inaccuracy.} ( 29...Qe5 $1 {leads to an ending with likely decisive advantage for Black after} 30.Nxd4 Qxe4 31.Qxe4 Rxe4 32.Nf5 Rxd1+ 33.Rxd1 h5 ) 30.b4 $1 {The best chance. White needs to create some active play.} 30...Kf8 {A prophylactic move, taking the king off the a2-g8 diagonal.} ( 30...h4 {is also possible.} ) 31.a3 $6 {Too slow. Now White is definitely lost.} ( 31.a4 $1 {is the computer's suggestion, with the idea of playing b4-b5 or a4-a5.} 31...Bb2 32.Rxd8 Rxd8 33.Rd1 cxb4 34.Rxd8+ Qxd8 35.a5 $1 ( 35.Qxb2 $2 {leads to a pretty mate after} 35...Qd1+ 36.Kg2 Qf1+ 37.Kg3 Qh3# ) 35...Bf6 ( 35...bxa5 $2 36.Qc5+ ) 36.axb6 Qxb6 37.Bd5 {with some drawing chances for White, despite being two pawns down.} ) 31...h4 {Preparing g3, sacrificing a pawn but mortally opening up White's position.} 32.Re1 {It loses on the spot, but it's hard to make recommendations.} ( 32.Nxd4 Rxd4 33.Rxd4 cxd4 {The d-pawn decides the game.} ) ( 32.bxc5 Bxc5 {is also easily winning for Black.} ) 32...Rxe4 $1 {The most clearcut way to win.} ( 32...g3 {also wins and I will show this variation so the reader has an idea of how Black could win If White had played some random move instead of 32.Re1.} 33.hxg3 hxg3 34.Nxg3 ( 34.Nxd4 cxd4 35.fxg3 d3 {wins material.} ) 34...Qf4 $1 {Threatening to take the g3-knight.} 35.Kg2 ( 35.Nf5 Be5 ) 35...Bxf2 $1 36.Qxf2 Rd2 37.Ne2 Qxf2+ 38.Kxf2 Rxe4 {The e2-knight is captured and Black wins.} ) 33.Qxe4 ( 33.Rxe4 Bd3 $1 ) 33...Bd3 $1 {This is the point. I don't want to sound repetitive, but look at these bishops!} 34.Qe6 ( 34.Qxd3 Bxf2+ 35.Kxf2 Rxd3 ) 34...Qxe6 35.Rxe6 Bxf5 36.Rxb6 g3 37.hxg3 hxg3 38.bxc5 Bh3 {A brilliant game by the world title contender.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Gukesh, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8246895088684"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 O-O 8.Rc1 dxc4 9.Bxc4 c5 10.O-O {This is a popular line of the Ragozin Defense, played in hundreds of games, including the highest level. As is often the case, the white player needs to show a new idea in these variations, as the known paths lead to equality. That's exactly what Giri will do in this game.} 10...cxd4 11.Ne4 ( 11.Nxd4 {is also possible, but White has been unable to prove an advantage after} 11...Bd7 ) 11...Qe7 12.a3 Ba5 13.exd4 {This rare capture was tried in two high-profile games in 2022. We have a position on the board with one of the most important structures in chess, the isolated queen's pawn. Every good chess player needs to know how to play this type of position. Roughly summarized, White has more space and more active pieces, but needs to play quickly to build up some attack before Black finishes development.} ( 13.Qxd4 {is more popular.} ) 13...Rd8 14.Rc2 $5 {A very interesting theoretical novelty. White intends to develop the rook on the second rank, either on d2 or e2. These are the most dangerous novelties, the ones that don't appear in a tactical, forced variation, moves that aren't the computer's first choices. The idea will work as a charm.} ( 14.Ba2 {was played in the two games mentioned previously.} 14...Bd7 15.b4 Bb6 16.Re1 Bc6 17.Qc2 Na6 $1 ( 17...a5 18.h4 Bxe4 19.Rxe4 Nd7 {with a complicated game in Mamedyarov-Dominguez Perez, Berlin 2022.} ) 18.h4 Nc7 {and Black later won in Mamedyarov-Erigaisi, FTX Road to Miami 2022.} ) 14...Bd7 {The question is how Black should finish development. Other attempts are also possible.} ( 14...Na6 {This weird move has the idea of getting the knight to d5 via c7, but it's not the most accurate.} 15.Ne5 Nc7 16.Be2 $1 {with the idea of playing Bh5, with unpleasant pressure.} ) ( 14...Nc6 {This is very natural.} 15.b4 Bb6 16.Rd2 {Here we see one of the benefits of White's plan. The rook protects the d-pawn and is ready to support its advance.} 16...Qc7 $1 {This is an important move to fight for equality.} ( 16...Bd7 {is dubious because the queen is poorly placed on e7.} 17.Re1 {With advantage for White.} ) ) ( 14...Nd7 {I think this is the best move. The idea is to send the knight to f6 and against 15.d5 the computer helps us find the right way.} 15.d5 ( 15.Re2 Nf6 {Black has nothing to worry about.} ) 15...exd5 16.Qxd5 Nb6 $1 17.Qxa5 Qxe4 18.Bb3 Be6 {with equality.} ) 15.Re2 Bc6 16.Qc2 {Suddenly the position becomes dangerous for Black. Themes with the knight jumping to g5 begin to appear. White might even support this plan by playing h2-h4. The x-ray of the rook with the queen on e7 is also cause for concern.} 16...Bb6 $6 {The first clear mistake.} ( 16...Nd7 $2 {This move loses.} 17.d5 $1 exd5 18.Neg5 ) ( 16...Bxe4 {This is the best. It's necessary to remove the menacing knight and develop as soon as possible.} 17.Rxe4 {The most dangerous.} ( 17.Qxe4 Nc6 18.Bb5 Rac8 19.Rc2 Bb6 20.Bxc6 Rxc6 21.Rxc6 bxc6 {and Black is close to equality.} ) 17...Nd7 18.d5 e5 {White's position still looks threatening, but objectively Black manages to hold the balance.} ( 18...Nf6 $2 19.dxe6 $1 Nxe4 20.Qxe4 {with a winning attack.} ) ) 17.Rfe1 {Now White's pieces are ready for a decisive assault and extreme measures are necessary.} 17...Kh8 $2 {The losing move. Gukesh wants to remove the king from the unpleasant a2-g8 diagonal, but he has no time for that.} ( 17...Bd5 $1 {Black has to exchange the dangerous opponent's bishop.} 18.Bxd5 Rxd5 19.Nc3 {This is the problem. White will push the d-pawn forward.} 19...Rd6 $1 20.d5 Nd7 {It's clear that White is better, but the position is not winning and Black won't be mated anytime soon.} ) 18.Neg5 $3 {Giri executes a brilliant combination to finish the game in style.} 18...hxg5 19.Rxe6 $1 {The natural continuation of the previous move. When analyzing a sacrifice, it's usually useful to look at the relative strength of the pieces left on the board, that is, what they are actually doing. Notice that Black's rook and knight haven't moved yet. It's emblematic that a rook and a knight are precisely the pieces sacrificed by Giri. Of course it's always easier to come up with theories to justify a combination when it's not our pieces that are being sacrificed.} 19...fxe6 20.Rxe6 {If the queen moves then the g5-pawn is captured and the attack is irresistible.} 20...Qxe6 ( 20...Qf7 21.Nxg5 Qh5 22.Rh6+ $1 {The cleanest.} 22...Qxh6 ( 22...gxh6 23.Qh7# ) 23.Nf7+ Kg8 24.Nxh6+ Kh8 ( 24...Kf8 25.Qf5+ Ke7 26.Qe6+ Kf8 27.Qf7# ) 25.Bg8 $1 {This one hurts.} 25...Rxg8 26.Nf7# ) 21.Bxe6 Bxf3 22.Qf5 $1 {The queen and bishop are enough to create a mating attack. 23.Qh3 is threatened.} 22...Be4 {A desperate attempt to slow down the attack.} 23.Qxe4 Rxd4 24.Qf3 $1 {The only move, but it’s more than enough.} 24...g4 25.Qf8+ Kh7 26.Bf5+ Kh6 ( 26...g6 27.Qf7+ Kh8 28.Qf6+ ( 28.Bc2 {is also easily winning.} ) 28...Kg8 29.Qxg6+ Kf8 30.Qf6+ Ke8 31.g3 {The attack continues and Black still cannot move the queenside.} ) 27.Bc2 {27.Qh8 is threatened and the queenside is paralyzed. Gukesh decided to resign. A brilliant game by Giri.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2681"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7289633255976"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {The Petroff Defense seems too boring for a player with as fun a style as Van Foreest, but he has new ideas to play it more dynamically. The truth is that the old prejudices that players of my generation have against the Petroff, the Berlin, the London System, must be put aside, as the newer generation shows nearly every day. Well, maybe not in the case of the Berlin.} 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Be6 $5 {I have to admit I've never seen this move before. In fact, it's only been played a handful of times, at least compared to the vast amount of theory that goes into the Petroff Defense. This move is only Black's tenth most popular choice. Van Foreest once again lives up to his fame as an explorer of little-known paths.} 7.O-O f5 {It's important to note that the theory in this position is composed almost exclusively of correspondence games. Of course, the pawn advance creates some weaknesses in Black's camp, and pawn structure will be the main strategic theme of this game. But the knight is reinforced in his position on e4 and he has no intention of leaving, not even if attacked.} 8.Qe2 {Played after a long thought, indicating that even Caruana can be surprised in the opening.} 8...Be7 9.Ne5 {A natural move for a human, but a theoretical novelty, which in this case implicitly means that it is not the most recommended move by the machine.} ( 9.c4 c6 10.Nc3 O-O {This is a critical position and has been tested in several correspondence games.} ) 9...Nd7 {The Dutch GM was clearly still in his preparation, judging by the speed with which he executed this move.} 10.Nxd7 ( 10.Bf4 {is also possible.} ) 10...Qxd7 11.f3 O-O $1 {It's always a joy when we don't have to retreat a piece attacked by a pawn.} 12.Bf4 ( 12.fxe4 $2 {Accepting the gift is a mistake.} 12...fxe4 $1 {Black should play for an attack and not to try to win the bishop.} ( 12...dxe4 $2 {This move is tempting, but now White achieves an advantage.} 13.Bb5 c6 ( 13...Qxd4+ 14.Kh1 ( 14.Be3 Qxb2 15.Nd2 {is also better for White.} ) 14...c6 15.c3 $1 {With a material advantage.} ) 14.d5 $1 {An easy move to miss. Now the bishop escapes and White is better.} 14...Qxd5 15.Nc3 Qd4+ 16.Be3 Qb4 17.a3 $1 Qxb2 18.Bc4 {With a clear advantage.} ) 13.Rxf8+ Rxf8 14.Bb5 $6 ( 14.Bxe4 {is the best defensive chance, although Black is better.} 14...dxe4 15.Be3 ) 14...c6 15.Ba4 Bg4 16.Qe1 Bd6 {The attack is decisive, with ideas of …Qc7 or …Qf5-h5. Remember that to evaluate sacrifices we must understand what the pieces are doing on the board, not outside it.} ) 12...Bf6 13.c3 {Finally White threatens to take the knight for real.} 13...g5 {A double-edged pawn advance.} ( 13...Ng5 $6 {is not a good retreat.} 14.Nd2 Rae8 ( 14...Nf7 $2 15.Bxc7 $1 {wins a pawn.} ) 15.Bxg5 $1 Bxg5 16.f4 Bf6 17.Nf3 {The knight heads to e5 and White has a clear positional advantage.} ) ( 13...Nd6 {is also perfectly possible.} 14.Be5 f4 $5 {Black has nothing to fear, for instance:} ( 14...Rae8 15.f4 Ne4 {is rougly equal.} ) 15.Bxf4 Bxd4+ 16.cxd4 Rxf4 ) 14.Be5 Nd6 ( 14...Bxe5 {leads to a complicated game after} 15.dxe5 Nc5 16.Bc2 Qg7 ) 15.f4 $1 {A good move. Caruana wants to prevent Black from playing f4.} ( 15.Nd2 f4 $1 {This move is strategically good because it frees up the f5-square for the bishop or knight. The tactical justification can be seen after} 16.Bxf6 $6 Rxf6 17.Qe5 Qg7 $1 {defending the rook and the pawn.} ) 15...g4 $2 {The \"pawn advance\" theme is important in this game. Van Foreest played two dangerous but acceptable advances, taking a pawn to f5 and another to g5. This, his third, is a mistake. \"One is good, two is enough, three is too many.” The problem is that now the capture on e5 is compromised: White recaptures with the f-pawn and a hole opens on f4.} ( 15...Bxe5 $1 {is the right way to keep the game balanced.} 16.fxe5 ( 16.dxe5 Ne4 ) ( 16.Qxe5 g4 $1 ) 16...Ne4 {Black's pawn structure on the kingside is safe, with no clear weakness. The game is even.} ) 16.Na3 Rae8 ( 16...Bxe5 17.fxe5 Ne4 18.Rf4 {This shows the problem with Black's 15th move. White prepares to double the rooks on the f-file and play Nc2-e3.} ) 17.Nc2 {White has a comfortable advantage, precisely because Black cannot capture on e5. Without this capture there is no clear plan, while White can, among other things, play Ne3 and then h3, opening up the kingside.} 17...Bd8 {A difficult move to make and an admission that the position is not good. Black wants to eliminate the possibility of exchanging the bishops and start his advance on the queenside, as we will see. The fact is that White's position is more comfortable, thanks to the better pawn structure. The problem with advancing pawns is this: they are the only piece in chess that cannot go back.} 18.Rad1 ( 18.Ne3 $1 {is more accurate, with the idea of playing h3, opening the kingside. For example:} 18...c6 19.h3 $1 h5 ( 19...gxh3 20.Qf3 ) 20.hxg4 {Now both captures are bad for Black.} 20...hxg4 ( 20...fxg4 21.Bg6 Bf7 22.Qd3 {With a strong attack.} ) 21.Kf2 $1 {Followed by Rh1.} ) 18...c6 19.Ne3 b5 {Probably played to avoid a plan with c3-c4.} 20.a4 ( 20.h3 $1 {Again this move is very unpleasant for Black.} 20...gxh3 ( 20...h5 21.hxg4 hxg4 ( 21...fxg4 22.Bg6 ) 22.Kf2 ) 21.Qf3 $1 {With a much better position.} ) 20...bxa4 21.Qc2 ( 21.Ra1 {is also good.} ) 21...h5 22.Kh1 {A mysterious move, which I don't quite understand.} ( 22.Qxa4 ) ( 22.Ra1 ) 22...a3 $5 23.bxa3 Nc4 24.Bxc4 dxc4 25.Kg1 {The king goes back to g1. This move is easier to understand. Caruana is preventing the h4-h3 advance before performing any operation to capture the c4-pawn.} 25...h4 $2 {A blunder. The game is basically over after this move.} ( 25...Bd5 {is the best chance, although Black won't have a happy life after:} 26.Nxd5 $5 cxd5 ( 26...Qxd5 {is also possible, with a similar evaluation after} 27.Rb1 ) 27.Rb1 {White definitely has a positional advantage, but the game is not over yet.} ) 26.Nxg4 $1 {The g-pawn falls and Black's position is ruined.} 26...Bd5 ( 26...fxg4 27.Qg6+ {ends in mate.} ) 27.Ne3 Be4 28.Qe2 Bd3 29.Rxd3 $1 {This is a move that the World Champion Tigran Petrosian would play with his eyes closed.} ( 29.Qh5 $6 Qh7 30.Qxh7+ $6 Kxh7 31.Rf2 Ba5 {Black has compensation for the pawn.} ) 29...cxd3 30.Qxd3 {White has a decisive advantage. He has two pawns for the exchange, but in addition, there is an immortal bishop on e5, a well-placed knight and a much superior pawn structure.} 30...Re6 31.Rb1 ( 31.Nxf5 $2 {It's never late to spoil a winning position.} 31...Qh7 {The knight is lost.} ) 31...Rg6 {31...Bf6 or 31...Bb6 are more stubborn.} ( 31...Bf6 ) ( 31...Bb6 ) 32.Rb8 $1 Qf7 33.c4 ( 33.Qxf5 {is easily winning after} 33...Qxf5 34.Nxf5 Rxf5 35.Rxd8+ Rf8 36.Rxf8+ Kxf8 37.Kf2 ) 33...c5 {Trying to get some counterplay, but Caruana gives no chances.} 34.dxc5 Be7 35.Rb7 Qe6 36.Rc7 $1 Rc8 37.Rxc8+ Qxc8 38.Qd5+ Kf8 39.Bd6 {The rest is simple.} 39...Qe6 40.Qxe6 Rxe6 41.Nxf5 Bxd6 42.cxd6 Re1+ 43.Kf2 Rc1 44.Ke3 Ke8 ( 44...Rxc4 45.d7 ) 45.Kd4 Rc2 46.c5 {The avalanche of pawns starts to advance and Black decides to resign.} ( 46.c5 Rxg2 47.c6 Rxh2 48.Ng7+ Kf7 49.c7 Rc2 50.d7 ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2859"]
[ECO "E15"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8045547496457"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 {In my analysis of the Gukesh-Ding game, played in the first round, I mentioned that the Queen's Indian was no longer as popular among the elite simply because of \"opening fashion.\" Is this a good time to humbly acknowledge that I was wrong $2 Or is it still too early to condemn this once popular defense $2} 4.g3 Ba6 5.Qc2 {Historically one of the most dangerous lines for Black. To fight for equality, he has to face a variation in which White sacrifices a pawn but gets good compensation.} 5...Bb7 6.Bg2 c5 {This is the natural move and the only way to fight for equality. More than that, it's a matter of logic: if you're not going to play like this, it's better not to play the move 4...Ba6. To be honest, when I was a kid, I had great difficulty understanding the logic of putting the bishop on such a strange square: why not put it directly on the most natural diagonal with 4...Bb7 $2 One of the ideas is precisely this: moving the white queen to c2, so that in this position, the 6...c5 move is stronger since now the pawn is without queen protection after 7.d5. But white players discovered that it was possible to sacrifice this pawn, and a new chapter in opening theory began.} 7.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 7.O-O $6 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bxg2 9.Kxg2 {This position does not offer any advantage to White, as the exchange of bishops helps Black, who can now complete his development.} ) ( 7.dxc5 {is better than 7.O-O and worse than 7.d5.} ) 7...exd5 8.cxd5 Nxd5 ( 8...Bxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is considered inaccurate and stopped being played in high-level games.} 9.Nc3 ) 9.O-O Be7 10.Rd1 Nc6 {I have defended this position with Black three times, once in a correspondence game, a variant in which I became a grandmaster, to my complete surprise, before abandoning it completely.} ( 10...Qc8 {is also playable.} ) 11.Qf5 ( 11.a3 Nc7 12.Nc3 O-O 13.Bf4 Ne6 14.e3 Nxf4 15.exf4 d6 16.Rd2 h6 17.Rad1 Qc8 18.Nb5 Rd8 19.Nxd6 Bxd6 20.Rxd6 Rxd6 {½-½ Martin Clemente,J (2645)-Leitao,R (2572) W-ch26 email ICCF email 2010 and the players agreed on a draw.} ) ( 11.Qa4 Nf6 12.Nh4 Qc8 ( 12...O-O 13.Nf5 d5 14.Nc3 Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is considered the best path to equality according to theory.} ) 13.Nf5 Nd4 14.Nxg7+ $6 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 14.Nxd4 {is the best. After} 14...cxd4 15.Qxd4 O-O 16.Nc3 Re8 {White fights for a small advantage.} ) 14...Kd8 {0-1 Valenzuela Gomez,F (2226)-Leitao,R (2636) Antofagasta Zicosur op 1st 2015 (1) With a complicated position, but one that is already more pleasant for Black.} ) 11...Nf6 12.e4 d6 {Not a popular move. This reminded me of a game by the legendary Judit Polgar in which she had lost after this move. Carlsen himself played this position as White in a 2008 game—it seems like a century ago, but he already had a rating of 2775 back then. The theory here has not developed since 2010.} ( 12...g6 {is the critical move.} 13.Qf4 O-O 14.e5 Nh5 15.Qc4 Na5 {½-½ Mareco,S (2526)-Leitao,R (2620) Vanderley Cason Melo Memorial Campinas 2010 (11) My opponent and I were guilty of agreeing to a draw and ending the fight before it even started. But luckily, we have examples of braver players.} ( 15...d5 16.exd6 Bxd6 17.Nc3 Qb8 ( 17...Na5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 18.Bh6 Re8 {1-0 Kantor,G (2575)-Karjakin,S (2743) Wch Rapid Warsaw 2021 (4) This was played in Kantor-Karjakin, Warsaw (rapid) 2021. Now} 19.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives excellent compensation for White.} ) 16.Qd3 f6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 16...Qc7 {is better.} ) 17.Bh6 Rf7 18.Nc3 {1-0 Donchenko,A (2639)-Vavulin,M (2550) CRO-chT1A 30th Porec 2022 (2.4) With an advantage for White in Donchenko-Vavulin, Porec 2022.} ) 13.e5 Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only justification for Black's previous move. Now White has the option of exchanging queens and recovering the pawn or avoiding this exchange and continuing to fight for compensation in a sharp position.} 14.Qxd7+ ( 14.Qf4 Nh5 15.Qc4 O-O 16.Nc3 {1-0 Topalov,V (2803)-Bacrot,E (2716) Nanjing Pearl Spring 3rd 2010 (7) With a complicated game: Topalov-Bacrot, Nanjing 2010.} ) ( 14.Qc2 {Is an interesting try.} 14...Nb4 15.Qe2 Ba6 16.Qe1 Nc2 17.Qd2 Nxa1 18.exf6 Bxf6 19.Re1+ Be7 20.Nc3 O-O-O 21.Qd5 Bb7 22.Qd3 {½-½ Joppich,U (2429)-Kharlamov,V (2487) W-ch35 sf02 email ICCF email 2011 This was played in the correspondence game Joppich-Kharlamov, ICCF email 2011. The position is very complicated, and anything can happen.} ) 14...Nxd7 15.exd6 Bf6 16.Re1+ Kf8 17.Nc3 Nb4 18.Ne5 ( 18.Bg5 {was Carlsen's choice when he had this position.} 18...Nc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 18...Bxf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19.Bxf3 Rd8 20.Bxf6 Nxf6 21.Re7 Nc2 22.Rd1 Nd4 23.Kg2 {1-0 Bareev,E (2643)-Polgar,J (2727) Candidates sf Elista 2007 (1.2) was better for White in Bareev-Polgar, Elista 2007.} ) 19.Re7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 19.Bxf6 Nxf6 20.Re7 Bxf3 21.Bxf3 Re8 22.Rxe8+ Kxe8 23.Rd1 Nd4 24.Bg2 Kd7 25.Bh3+ Kxd6 26.Nb5+ {with a likely draw.} ) 19...Bxf3 ( 19...Bxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. White has good compensation, but probably not more than that after} 20.Bxe7+ Kg8 21.Rc1 Nb4 ) 20.Bxf3 Bxg5 21.Rxd7 Rd8 22.Rxd8+ Bxd8 23.Rd1 Nd4 24.Bg2 h5 {1-0 Carlsen,M (2775)-Pelletier,Y (2569) Biel GM 41st 2008 (1) With the idea of 25...Rh6. Black is close to a draw, but Carlsen's technique was already known in 2008, and he won the game.} ) ( 18.Rd1 {1-0 Dias,P (2406)-Lee,S (2109) Olympiad-38 Dresden 2008 (3) is also possible and was played in Dias-Lee, Dresden (Ol) 2008.} ) 18...Nxe5 19.Bxb7 Rd8 20.Rd1 Nc4 21.d7 {All this is still a theory, but I'm not sure if the players knew about it. The next move is a novelty.} 21...Nc2 ( 21...Ke7 {was played in a correspondence game, always a good indication of the correct path.} 22.Bc8 Nc2 23.Rb1 Nd6 24.Nd5+ Ke6 25.Nxf6 gxf6 26.Ba6 Rxd7 27.Bf4 Ke7 28.Rbc1 Nd4 29.b4 Rhd8 30.bxc5 bxc5 31.Bd3 Ne6 {½-½ Verhaeren,G (2310)-Jørgensen,P (2300) WS $146/144 email ICCF email 2016 and the game later ended in a draw. Verhaeren-Jorgensen, ICCF email 2016.} ) 22.Rb1 Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake since it allows White to open the game.} ( 22...Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Nb5 Rxd7 24.Rxd7 Nxd7 25.Nxa7 {and White has only a tiny advantage.} ) 23.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An exceptional move. Now Black's position is unstable and difficult to defend.} 23...Rxd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake never comes alone, a poet once wrote. Now Black is lost.} ( 23...Ne5 {is better, although the position is quite dangerous.} ) 24.Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Nd6 25.bxc5 bxc5 26.Ba3 {Black's position collapses.} 26...Ke7 27.Bxc5 Ne6 28.Bb4 {A solid and human move. The computer finds other ways to win as well.} ( 28.Ne4 Nxc5 29.Nxc5 Rdd8 ( 29...Rc7 30.Re1+ Kd8 31.Na6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Rc8 32.Bxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] winning an important pawn. Black is mated after} 32...Nxf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33.Rbd1+ ) 30.Rd3 {The machine is quite happy with White's position, although this doesn't seem like a clear choice for a flesh and blood player.} ) ( 28.Bc6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Here we have some brutal calculation.} 28...Bxc3 ( 28...Nxc5 29.Nd5+ Ke6 ( 29...Kd8 30.Rb8+ Nc8 31.Bxd7 Nxd7 32.Nxf6 gxf6 33.Rb7 Nb6 34.a4 Kc8 35.Rxa7 {with a winning position.} ) 30.Rbc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Nce4 31.Bxd7+ Kxd7 32.Rc7+ Ke6 33.f3 Ng5 34.Nf4+ {White wins material.} ) 29.Bxd6+ Rxd6 30.Rb7+ Nc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Rxc7+ Kd8 32.Rd7+ $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Rxd7 33.Rxd7+ Kc8 34.Rxa7 Rd8 35.Rxf7 {This nice variation ends in a technically winning endgame for White.} ) 28...a5 ( 28...Bxc3 {is the best chance, even though Black's position hurts the eyes.} 29.Bxc3 {With this magnificent pair of bishops, Giri would have no trouble winning.} ) 29.Bxa5 Rc8 30.Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Nc4 31.Rbc1 Be5 32.Bb4+ Kf6 33.Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Nxc5 34.Rxc4 Rdc7 35.Ba5 {Another exceptional example of great opening preparation and a beautiful win by Giri.} ( 35.Ba5 Rd7 36.Bb6 Bd6 37.Bf3 {Further material losses are inevitable.} ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2859"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[Beauty "6392048002079"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.e3 e5 {One of the most critical moves, but Black has other popular options.} ( 4...e6 ) ( 4...g6 ) ( 4...d5 ) 5.Be2 ( 5.d4 {is the most popular move, and Magnus had played it before.} 5...e4 ( 5...cxd4 6.exd4 e4 7.Ne5 Bb4 {was played in the recent high-profile game Erigaisi-Maghsoodloo, Tata Steel India (blitz) 2022.} ) 6.d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 6...exf3 7.dxc6 fxg2 8.cxd7+ Bxd7 9.Bxg2 g6 {and the game was later drawn in Carlsen-Vachier-Lagrave, Baden-Baden 2018.} ) 5...d5 6.cxd5 ( 6.d4 {After this move, we get a transposition to a position that can occur from a different move order.} 6...exd4 7.exd4 {I remember studying this position a long time ago before a game against GM Rublevsky. But my study came from a different move order: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Nc6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Be2 d5 6.exd5 exd5 7.d4. This is a well-known position, played in hundreds of games.} ) 6...Nxd5 7.O-O {The game begins to drift away from the paths already trodden. But Magnus still had experiences here.} 7...Be7 ( 7...Nc7 {was played by Grischuk against Carlsen in an online blitz game in 2017.} ) 8.Bb5 {Threatening to win the e5-pawn, which can even be sacrificed after 8...0-0, but Abdusattorov prefers to play solidly.} 8...Nxc3 ( 8...O-O $5 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.Nxe5 Bd6 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) 9.bxc3 ( 9.dxc3 Qxd1 10.Rxd1 f6 11.e4 Be6 {was equal in Carlsen-Vachier-Lagrave, Riyadh (blitz) 2017.} ) 9...Qc7 10.d4 cxd4 11.cxd4 exd4 12.Nxd4 Bd7 {A new move.} ( 12...O-O {was played in the only previous game in this position.} 13.Qc2 ( 13.Bb2 {is the best way to fight for a small advantage.} ) 13...Bd6 14.Bxc6 bxc6 15.h3 Bd7 {with an equal position in Vakhidov-Sjugirov, Abu Dhabi 2015.} ) 13.Nf3 {This somewhat strange move is intended to avoid exchanging knights and keep some life in the position. After the most natural} ( 13.Bb2 {the game is close to a draw:} 13...Nxd4 14.Bxd7+ Qxd7 15.Bxd4 O-O ) 13...Bf6 ( 13...O-O {is also possible. White has nothing special after} 14.Bb2 Rfd8 ) 14.Ba3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A very brave move, changing the character of the game. White sacrifices the exchange to force Black into castling queenside. Objectively he creates more problems than solutions for White, who now has to play very precisely and doesn't have much hope of an advantage. But I understand that Carlsen wanted to complicate the game and that the most normal move doesn't give chances to win.} ( 14.Rb1 O-O 15.Bb2 Bxb2 {The most solid.} ( 15...Bf5 {is also possible, but here White has compensation for the exchange after} 16.Bxf6 Bxb1 17.Bxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Kxg7 18.Qxb1 ) 16.Rxb2 Ne5 {with simplifications and a likely draw.} ) 14...Bxa1 {Accepting the gift.} ( 14...Qa5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also possible.} ) 15.Qxa1 O-O-O {Black has no choice; the king must go to the queenside. Now White can try to exploit the c-file to create attacking chances, but it's not enough for an advantage.} 16.Rc1 ( 16.Qxg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is too optimistic.} 16...Rhg8 17.Qxh7 ( 17.Qxf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17...Rxg2+ $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Kxg2 Bh3+ {winning the queen.} ) 17...Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and now White is forced to capture on c6, and this gives Black a winning position.} ) 16...Kb8 ( 16...f6 {This is a natural move, avoiding the capture of the g7-pawn. After} 17.Nd4 Kb8 {White has compensation for the exchange but not more.} ) 17.Qxg7 Rhg8 18.Qb2 $6 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] After this move, Black grabs the initiative.} ( 18.Qxh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is correct, although White must be ready to part with the h2-pawn.} 18...Bg4 19.Be2 Rh8 20.Qc2 Bxf3 21.Bxf3 Qxh2+ 22.Kf1 Rc8 23.Qb2 {White has a pawn and the pair of bishops for the exchange. His king is relatively safe. The computer, as usual, evaluates the position as even.} ) 18...Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Ne1 ( 19.Nd2 {During the live broadcast, I suggested this move, although it's clear that something has gone wrong.} ) ( 19.Be2 {This move defends the knight but removes the attack on c6.} ) 19...Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. If you are an exchange up, trading your opponent's remaining rook is usually a good strategy.} 20.Rxd1 Bxd1 21.Bf1 Ne5 22.h3 Bf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not the most accurate.} ( 22...Nc4 {is a very natural try. After} 23.Qd4 Nxa3 24.Qxd1 Nc4 {Black has the advantage, but White has drawing chances.} ) ( 22...Bh5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Taking the bishop off its odd square and moving it to g6 is a good alternative.} ) 23.Qd4 ( 23.Qb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a good try. After} 23...Bd5 ( 23...Rg6 24.Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24.Qxh7 Rd8 25.Bb2 {The position is totally unclear. White will try to push the h-pawn, and anything can happen.} ) 23...Rd8 24.Qh4 Bd5 25.Qxh7 Bc4 {A solid move, exchanging bishops and creating space for a queen invasion.} ( 25...Bxa2 26.Bb2 {again leads to an unclear position. Objectively Black should be better, but the h-pawn, supported by the b2-bishop, will be a constant headache.} ) 26.Bb2 Bxf1 27.Kxf1 Qc4+ 28.Kg1 Nc6 ( 28...f6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting move that creates big practical problems for White.} 29.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 29.Qe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 29...Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Bxe5+ fxe5 31.Qxe5+ Qc7 32.Qh8+ Qc8 33.Qxc8+ Kxc8 34.Kf1 Ra1 {The endgame is winning for Black.} ) 29...Qe2 30.Qb1 {with some advantage for Black.} ) 29.Nf3 Qxa2 30.Bf6 Rd1+ 31.Kh2 a5 {The position becomes very sharp. A possible race begins between the a-pawn and the h-pawn.} 32.Nd4 ( 32.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the critical move.} 32...Qxf2 33.Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Centralizing the queen and preparing the pawn to advance.} ( 33.Qxf7 Qxe3 34.Bg5 {is also possible.} ) 33...Qf1 {Avoiding 34.h5 because of the check on h1. The position remains unclear.} ) 32...Qd5 {A good move, bringing the queen to both defense and attack.} 33.Qc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 33.Qg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This difficult move, protecting d4 and clearing the path of the h-pawn, is the best. The computer evaluates the position as equal.} ) 33...Qd6+ 34.f4 ( 34.g3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34...Qxf6 35.Qxd1 ( 35.Nxc6+ bxc6 36.Qxd1 Qxf2+ 37.Kh1 Qxg3 ) 35...Nxd4 36.exd4 Qxf2+ 37.Kh1 Qxg3 {with a winning endgame for Black.} ) 34...Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.Bxd4 Nxd4 36.exd4 Qxf4+ 37.g3 Qxd4 {Now just two outcomes are possible: either a draw or a Black win. The former seemed far more likely at this point, judging by the world champion's renowned endgame technique.} 38.h4 a4 39.Qa2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A precise move.} ( 39.h5 Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives Black good winning chances.} ) 39...f5 ( 39...Qb4 {is not enough for a win.} 40.Qxf7 a3 41.Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...Qb2+ 42.Kh3 a2 43.Qd8+ Ka7 44.Qa5+ {with perpetual check.} ) 40.h5 Qh8 41.Qxa4 ( 41.Qf7 $5 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a draw, according to the computer.} 41...a3 42.Qxf5 ( 42.Kh3 {is also enough.} 42...a2 43.Qxa2 Qxh5+ 44.Kg2 {White is able to reach a draw in this endgame.} ) 42...Qb2+ 43.Kh3 a2 44.Qf8+ Ka7 45.Qc5+ {The computer indicates a draw after all the most accurate checks. Of course, this looks scary for White during an actual game.} ) 41...Qxh5+ {With seven pieces on the board, I can finally use the tablebase, the tool that saves all commentators from being embarrassed by their analysis. To be honest, nowhere is this tool as useful as it is in a queen endgame, the hardest type of endgame in chess. These endings are so difficult that the variations are often almost unintelligible: you simply need to check in the right square, something only the computer can do. For that reason, I apologize in advance to the reader for not trying to explain the unexplainable in some lines.} 42.Kg1 Qf3 43.Kh2 $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a losing move.} ( 43.Qe8+ {Only this move is a draw, according to the tablebase.} 43...Kc7 44.Qe5+ Kb6 45.Qd6+ ) 43...Qe2+ 44.Kg1 Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move, centralizing the queen and avoiding White's checks. Abdusattorov shows great endgame technique to convert his advantage.} 45.Kf2 b5 46.Qb4 Kb7 47.g4 fxg4 48.Qxg4 Kb6 {One of the peculiarities of queen and pawn vs. queen endings is the positioning of the king of the defending side. Contrary to conventional logic, it's often best to have the king far away. For example, if you put this position in the tablebase with White's king on h7, you see that the endgame is a draw. This exercise, by the way, can be repeated in other positions: try putting the white king on different squares and see if that changes the evaluation. What's the logic of that, why a king on a farther square might be better $2 In queen endgames, checks are often enough to draw even with the opponent's pawn very advanced. For this to work, it's important that the check is not answered with another check; for this, it's important that the king is far away.} 49.Qg8 b4 50.Kf3 Kb5 {If it were on h7, White would have an \"easy\" draw.} 51.Kg2 Qe2+ 52.Kg3 Qe3+ 53.Kg2 b3 54.Qb8+ Kc4 55.Qg8+ Kc3 56.Qc8+ Kd2 {The win is easy now.} 57.Qh8 Kc2 58.Qc8+ Kd1 59.Qh8 Qd2+ 60.Kg3 b2 {A fantastic victory for the young Abdusattorov, proving once again that his name will be a constant presence in the chess elite for many years to come.} ( 60...b2 61.Qh7 ( 61.Qh1+ Qe1+ ) 61...Qc3+ 62.Kh4 ( 62.Kf2 Qc2+ ) 62...Qb4+ {and Black queens.} ) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Gukesh, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7973606785545"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 {The Ragozin Defense always makes its appearance in elite tournaments.} 5.Qa4+ {This was my favorite move when I faced the Ragozin. The idea is to bring the black knight to c6, where it is well known that it is not well placed, in front of the c-pawn, in positions with this structure.} 5...Nc6 6.e3 O-O 7.Qc2 ( 7.a3 {One of the great treasures of my chess career was the chance I had to play and analyze with World Champion Anatoly Karpov over two afternoons in 2006. On one of them, we were analyzing this position and he asked me why not play 7.a3 right away, an idea I used three years later. I won that game, even if not because of the opening. Leitao-Lafuente, Mar del Plata 2009.} ) 7...Ne7 {As I wrote before, Black's knight is not well on c6 and making sense of this piece is critical for Black. Many try this by setting up the e5-break, either with 7...Re8 or capturing on c4 and then removing the bishop to d6. Others ignore this problem for the time being and develop the queenside with 7...b6. 7...Ne7 is a bit more difficult to explain, but I think the idea is to also play with b6, but having the option to capture with the knight on d5 or simply not leave the knight unprotected on c6. If that doesn't sound very convincing, it's because I really don't understand this move well enough.} ( 7...Re8 ) ( 7...dxc4 8.Bxc4 Bd6 ) 8.Bd2 b6 9.a3 Bxc3 10.Bxc3 Ba6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is superficial and it's strange that Gukesh gets in trouble so quickly in one of the most important lines of the Ragozin—something went terribly wrong in his preparation.} ( 10...a5 {is more interesting because Black might try to play …a4 at some point.} 11.cxd5 ( 11.b3 Ba6 12.Nd2 a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was Sevian-Bok, FIDE World Cup 2021.} ) 11...exd5 12.Bd3 Ba6 {with a slight advantage for White in Iniyan-Pichot, Tashkent 2022.} ) 11.b3 Rc8 12.Rd1 {A new move.} ( 12.Bd3 {also gives an advantage to White and was played in Grachev-Bluebaum, Moscow 2016.} ) 12...c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Opening that diagonal for the white bishop with the knight still on f6 is almost suicide.} ( 12...Ne4 {is a better option.} 13.Bb2 c5 14.Bd3 f5 ) 13.dxc5 Rxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 13...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Is a better chance to complicate the game.} 14.cxd5 ( 14.Ba1 $5 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Maybe this simple move is the best option.} 14...Nxc5 15.Qb1 {With a clear advantage due to the bishop pair and Black's awkward pieces.} ) 14...Nxc3 15.Bxa6 Nxd1 16.Bxc8 Nxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.fxe3 Qxc8 18.d6 Nf5 19.c6 Nxd6 20.O-O {And White has some advantage due to the passed c6-pawn, but it's not so much.} ) 14.Qb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After this accurate move, Black is completely lost. White has many tactical themes with the diagonals, pins, and the exposed rook on c5.} 14...Qc8 ( 14...Ne8 {This is the option not to lose material, but it's a move you play while tears come out of your eyes.} ) 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Qxf6 Ng6 17.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Caruana not only has an extra pawn, but he also has a strong attack on the dark squares.} 17...dxc4 18.h5 Rf5 19.Qc3 Ne7 20.bxc4 {White has many tempting moves and Caruana's choice is good enough, but not the most incisive.} ( 20.Rh4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 20...f6 {Forced, as 21.Rg4+ was threatened.} 21.e4 Rc5 22.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Rc7 23.Rg4+ Kh8 24.Rf4 {With a dream position. A nice line follows:} 24...e5 25.Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...fxe5 26.Qxe5+ Kg8 27.Rxf8+ Kxf8 28.Qf6+ Kg8 29.h6 Nc6 30.Rd5 Rf7 {Black defends with only moves, but now comes a beautiful finish.} 31.Bxc4 $3 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 31...Rxf6 ( 31...Bxc4 32.Rg5+ Kf8 33.Qh8+ Ke7 34.Qxc8 {winning the queen.} ) 32.Rd8# {The most beautiful mates are those in which all pieces participate, as is the case here.} ) ( 20.e4 {is probably the simplest way to win.} 20...Rf4 21.Qe5 ( 21.Qe3 {is also good.} 21...Qc7 22.g3 Rg4 23.Bh3 Rg7 24.h6 Rg6 25.Nh4 {winning the exchange.} ) 21...Rg4 22.Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Rg7 ( 22...Rxh4 23.Qg5+ Kh8 24.Qf6+ Kg8 25.Nxh4 {Followed by h6 and mate.} ) 23.Qf6 Qc7 24.Ne5 {With total domination. Black can resign with a clear conscience.} ) 20...f6 21.Be2 Rc5 22.Nd2 {White is a pawn up with an attack and better structure, so there's not much to complain about.} 22...Bb7 23.Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The typical rook maneuver we've seen before in the analysis.} 23...e5 24.Ne4 Bxe4 25.Rxe4 Qe6 ( 25...Rd8 {is more stubborn.} ) 26.Qd2 Ra5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The final mistake.} ( 26...f5 27.Rh4 Ra5 ) 27.Rg4+ Kf7 ( 27...Kh8 28.Qd7 ) 28.h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Ng6 29.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice move, with the idea of bringing the white bishop to life and taking the rook out of the a7-pawn's defense.} 29...Rxc5 30.Qd7+ Qxd7 ( 30...Ne7 31.Rg7# ) 31.Rxd7+ Kg8 32.Rxa7 Rc1+ 33.Kd2 Rh1 34.Rb4 Rxh6 35.Rxb6 Rh2 36.Rbb7 {The a-pawn will soon decide the game, for instance:} ( 36.Rbb7 Rd8+ 37.Rd7 Rxd7+ 38.Rxd7 Rxg2 39.a4 {And nothing can stop this pawn from reaching the eighth rank.} ) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[ECO "C43"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[Beauty "7424140404818"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.dxe5 d5 ( 4...Bc5 {This aggressive move is also possible and leads to very confusing positions in which White's advantage has yet to be proven.} 5.Bc4 Nxf2 6.Bxf7+ Kxf7 7.Qd5+ Kg6 8.Qxc5 Nxh1 9.Nc3 h6 {A recent game ended in perpetual check after} 10.Qc4 Nc6 11.Nd5 d6 12.Nf4+ Kh7 13.Qe4+ Kg8 14.Qd5+ Kh7 15.Qe4+ Kg8 16.Qd5+ Kh7 17.Qe4+ {Anton Guijarro-Vidit, Prague 2022.} ) 5.Nbd2 Nxd2 ( 5...Qd7 {This move is much less common but was played by Nepomniachtchi against Duda in the Candidates Tournament.} ) 6.Bxd2 Be7 7.Bd3 c5 8.c3 Nc6 9.O-O {The position is still known by theory. Black has good central control and free piece development, but the advanced pawn on e5 gives White some chances on the kingside.} 9...Bg4 {Usually Black plays 9...0-0 or 9...Bg4. This will be the first time a combination of these two moves is played.} ( 9...O-O 10.Re1 Be6 11.Qc2 h6 12.Rad1 Qd7 {With rough equality in Guseinov-Markus, Olympiad 2022.} ) 10.Re1 O-O {This is probably inaccurate due to Erigaisi's following play.} ( 10...Qd7 11.h3 Bh5 12.Bf4 {was tried in Firouzja-Najer, Riga 2021.} ) 11.h3 Bh5 12.Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very unpleasant move to face. The bishop on f5 prevents the normal development of the queen on d7 and supports an e5-e6 advance. If Black plays with Bg6, then it's possible to capture the bishop, with two possible consequences: 1- Black captures with the f-pawn, leaving White with a superior pawn structure; 2- Black captures with the h-pawn, after which White advances e5-e6 and tries to exploit Black's kingside weaknesses.} 12...Kh8 {A difficult prophylactic move. The idea is probably to anticipate a possible e5-e6 advance.} ( 12...Bg6 13.Bxg6 fxg6 {It's clear that White is better with a superior pawn structure.} ( 13...hxg6 14.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 13.Qe2 Qb6 14.Bf4 Rae8 15.Rad1 d4 {Play by both sides is quite logical and the tension grows.} 16.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Bg6 17.Qc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move doesn't seem to flow naturally with what's expected from White's position and it's the beginning of Erigaisi's problems.} ( 17.h4 {is logical, but a bit rushed. Black manages to equalize after} 17...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Ng5 Bxg5 19.hxg5 Ne7 ) ( 17.Bg3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a good prophylactic move, taking the bishop off the f-file, which makes the Bxg6 move stronger.} ) 17...Rd8 18.h4 Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With his last two moves Abdusattorov sets up the …d4-d3 advance.} 19.cxd4 cxd4 20.Qb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20.Qe4 {is better and White manages to keep the game balanced, for example:} 20...Qxa2 21.Nxd4 Nxd4 22.Rxd4 Qxb2 23.Rxd8 Rxd8 24.Rb1 ) 20...d3 {Passed pawns must be pushed $1 But if chess were that simple, it probably wouldn't have so many fans.} 21.h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21.Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better try, avoiding Black's following knight move.} ) 21...Bxf5 22.gxf5 Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Nxd4 Rxd4 24.Bg3 d2 {With this monstrous pawn on d2 and White's weaknesses on the kingside, Black is already firmly in control of the game.} 25.Re3 Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking the h5-pawn. Abdusattorov plays the rest of the game with great precision.} 26.Qxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White is much worse after this move.} ( 26.Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary, as eliminating the d2-pawn is a priority.} 26...Rxd3 27.Qxd3 Rd8 28.Qe3 Qxh5 ( 28...Bg5 29.f4 ) 29.Rxd2 Rxd2 30.Qxd2 Qxf5 31.Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with excellent drawing chances for White.} ) 26...Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop now gives extra support to the passed pawn.} 27.Rc3 Qxh5 28.Qf3 Qh3 {Continuing the attack is a human and natural reaction, but the computer indicates a decisive advantage for Black in the endgame after} ( 28...Qxf3 29.Rxf3 Re4 30.Kf1 Rc8 31.Rc3 Rxc3 32.bxc3 h5 {The white rook is paralyzed and the bishop isn't much help either.} ) 29.Bh2 Rg4+ 30.Bg3 ( 30.Kh1 Qxf3+ 31.Rxf3 Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and there is no defense against rook invasion on e1.} 32.Rg3 Re1+ 33.Rg1 Rxd1 34.Rxd1 Rc8 {followed by 35...Rc1.} ) 30...h6 {The computer suggests other moves, but I like this one. It's useful to give the king some air.} 31.Qg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now it's over.} ( 31.Qh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only chance, although it's very hard to defend after} 31...Rxg3+ $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 31...Qxh1+ 32.Kxh1 {is also much better for Black.} ) 32.fxg3 Qxf5 33.Qd5 Re8 34.Rf3 Qh3 {The d2-pawn is well defended and the white king is very exposed. The compensation for the exchange should be enough for victory.} ) 31...Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.f3 ( 32.Qf3 Re8 33.Kf1 Qh3+ 34.Ke2 Rd4 {White's position is close to collapsing.} ) 32...Rd4 33.Qh2 Bh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Kf1 Rfd8 35.Bf2 Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A beautiful move. Abdusattorov is implacable in conducting the initiative.} 36.f6 ( 36.Qh3 Rd5 {The e5-pawn falls.} ) 36...gxf6 37.Qh3 Rf4 38.Bxa7 Qxe5 39.Be3 Qb5+ 40.Kg1 Qe2 41.Qf1 Rg8+ 42.Kh1 Qxf1+ 43.Rxf1 Rxf3 {Another masterpiece by Abdusattorov.} ( 43...Be1 {is also a nice way to win:} 44.Bxf4 d1=Q ) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2859"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Beauty "8182986453004"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O {This variation is Carlsen's main weapon as Black and the one he used in his last world championship match against Nepomniachtchi. Interestingly, in the match he played against Caruana in 2018, Carlsen chose the Sicilian Sveshnikov as his main weapon.} 8.a4 b4 9.a5 d6 10.c3 ( 10.d3 {is also a popular move.} ) 10...Rb8 11.h3 {A rare move. 11.Bc4 is the most played.} ( 11.Bc4 Bg4 ( 11...bxc3 12.dxc3 {and White can fight for a small advantage. Caruana-Niemann, Chess.com (rapid) 2022.} ) 12.h3 Bh5 13.Bxa6 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has enough counterplay. A recent game continued:} 14.exd5 Qxd5 15.d3 Bxf3 16.Qxf3 Qxf3 17.gxf3 bxc3 18.bxc3 Ra8 19.Bb7 Rxa5 20.Rxa5 Nxa5 21.Rxe5 Nxb7 22.Rxe7 Nc5 23.Rxc7 Nxd3 {and the game later ended in a draw. Moussard-Harikrishna, Chennai (Ol) 2022.} ) 11...h6 {A solid, typical move, which is hardly a bad one in the Ruy Lopez. It's useful to prevent White from playing the annoying Ng5, attacking the f7-pawn in some lines.} ( 11...Rb5 {attacks the a5-pawn and is a critical move. A few correspondence games were played here, and White was unable to demonstrate any advantage. Certainly Caruana has some new idea to show.} 12.d4 Rxa5 13.Rxa5 Nxa5 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Nxe5 Qxd1 ( 15...Nxb3 16.Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Qe8 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.Qxb3 {This also leads to equality.} ) 16.Bxd1 Rd8 {Black has nothing to fear.} ) 12.d4 bxc3 13.bxc3 exd4 14.Nxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move is stronger than the pawn capture.} ( 14.cxd4 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.e5 Ne4 {And Black has no worries.} ) 14...Bd7 ( 14...Nxd4 15.cxd4 d5 {Now there is a difference, as White can capture on d5, and Black cannot recapture. This gives more chances for an advantage.} 16.exd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 15.Bf4 {Only now a new move is played. This is a very natural try, developing the bishop on a good square.} ( 15.Nd2 Re8 16.Bc2 Bf8 {With chances for both sides. Nguyen-Wojtaszek, POL-chT 2022.} ) 15...Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very accurate move, preventing the natural development of the knight on d2.} ( 15...Re8 16.Nd2 Bf8 17.Bc4 Qc8 18.Qc2 {White finishes development and has the pieces well placed, being able to fight for the advantage.} ) 16.Na3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] I don't like this move. My coach told me so many times, \"A knight on the rim is dim\" that it caused a certain trauma in my childhood. Now, as an adult, I try to blame a knight in the corner for the defeat in every game I analyze.} ( 16.Nd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16...Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point of Carlsen's previous move. Black wins material.} ) ( 16.Bg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is my favorite move. It avoids the double attack of the black knight on d3 and prepares the pawn advance to f4. Moves with more than one objective are usually the best.} 16...c5 ( 16...Re8 17.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 17.Bxe5 ( 17.Nf5 Bxf5 18.exf5 c4 19.Bc2 Qc7 {Black is ok.} ) 17...dxe5 18.Nf3 Qc7 19.Bc4 Bb5 20.Na3 {With a tiny advantage for White.} ) 16...Re8 17.Bg3 {Caruana decides to advance the kingside pawns, but Carlsen will show a flaw in this plan.} ( 17.Nc4 {is very natural, but Black has two good options.} 17...Bf8 ( 17...Rxb3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 18.Qxb3 Nd3 19.Bg3 Nxe1 20.Rxe1 Bf8 {with a balanced game.} ) ) 17...Bf8 18.f4 ( 18.Bc2 {it is safer and better.} 18...c5 19.Nf3 Qxa5 20.Nc4 Qc7 21.Ncxe5 dxe5 22.Rxa6 {with equality.} ) 18...Nc6 19.e5 dxe5 20.fxe5 {Truth be told, White's plan looks very promising. The knight is attacked, and the bishop has an eye on the f7-pawn. But Carlsen finds a tactical way to solve all of his problems.} 20...Nxd4 21.cxd4 Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea. Caruana probably didn't see this move in his analysis. Now he plays a losing move.} 22.Bc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 22.exf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22...Rxe1+ 23.Bxe1 ( 23.Qxe1 Rxb3 $19 ) 23...Rxb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Qxb3 Qxd4+ {The a1-rook falls, and White's position collapses.} ) ( 22.Bh4 g5 23.Bf2 Nd5 {with some advantage for Black.} ) ( 22.Rc1 Bd5 23.Bxd5 Nxd5 {Black manages to establish a good blockade and has a more comfortable position.} ) ( 22.Qd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's an interesting move that leads to a chaotic position, with chances for both sides, after:} 22...Be4 23.Bxf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Kxf7 24.Rxe4 Nxe4 25.Qxe4 {White has good compensation for the exchange.} ) 22...Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Re2 Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move is devastating. White still cannot capture on f6, and there is no defense for the d4-pawn. The rest is easy for Carlsen.} 24.Kh2 ( 24.exf6 Rxe2 25.Qxe2 Qxd4+ {The a1-rook falls again.} ) 24...Rxd4 25.Qb1 Ne4 {True to his style, Carlsen takes the game to a technical endgame where the conversion is simple.} ( 25...Rd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more brutal:} 26.Qf1 ( 26.Qe1 Qxg2+ $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Rxg2 Rxg2+ {With a delightful version of the windmill tactic.} ) 26...Rxe2 27.Qxe2 Nh5 {and White can resign.} ) 26.Bxe4 Rxe4 27.Rxe4 Qxe4 28.Qxe4 Bxe4 29.Nc4 Rb8 30.Rc1 ( 30.e6 {is a bit more stubborn, but the endgame is easily winning after} 30...fxe6 31.Bxc7 Rc8 32.Nd6 Rxc7 33.Nxe4 Rc4 34.Nd2 Rd4 35.Nf3 Rd5 ) 30...Rb5 31.e6 fxe6 32.Bxc7 Rc5 33.Bf4 Bd5 {A surprisingly easy victory for Carlsen.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[ECO "A33"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7697810331167"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6 6.a3 {This is the second most popular move in this well-known variant of the English Opening. 6.g3 is the most played, but White has several other tries.} 6...Be7 7.e4 O-O 8.Nf3 Qa5 $5 {A modern move, played several times by elite players. The idea is quite concrete: Black's queen heads to an exotic location on h5, from where it will support the d7-d5 advance.} 9.Bd2 Qh5 10.Rg1 $5 {An interesting idea that was created in the laboratory of GM Giri, a player with phenomenal opening preparation. It has been played only once before, but both players were clearly well prepared.} ( 10.Be2 d5 $1 {And Black achieves equality, as has been proven in several games.} ) 10...d5 $1 {The critical test.} ( 10...a6 11.h3 Ne5 $6 12.g4 Nxf3+ 13.Qxf3 Qc5 14.g5 {White is clearly better: Giri-Nepomniachtchi, Legends of Chess 2020.} ) 11.g4 $1 Nxg4 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Nxd5 {Both players got into this position quickly, evidently relying on their respective computer's analysis.} 13...Bc5 14.Qe2 $1 {An important move, defending the f2-pawn by tactical means, as well as setting up long castling.} 14...f5 $1 {The best move, opening the game and securing a square for the queen on f7.} ( 14...Bxf2+ $2 {loses material after} 15.Qxf2 Nxf2 16.Nf6+ ) 15.Nf4 {Gukesh thought for a long time before playing this move. His preparation was either over or forgotten.} 15...Qf7 16.Rg2 $2 {After this move it was Praggnanandhaa's time to think for a long time. He clearly didn't expect this move and there is a reason for this, as the computer shows decisive advantage for Black. Both 16.Ng5 and 16.0-0-0 are better moves and leads to very complex positions that will certainly be deeply analyzed by opening experts.} ( 16.Ng5 Qb3 ( 16...Qe7 17.O-O-O $1 {with chances for both sides.} ) 17.Qc4+ Qxc4 18.Bxc4+ Kh8 {with a chaotic position, despite the exchange of queens.} ) ( 16.O-O-O Nd4 17.Nxd4 Bxd4 18.Qc4 Bxf2 19.Qc3 $1 {Threatening 20.Bc4, with complicated play. The position should be equal with good play by both sides.} ) 16...Qe7 $2 {Black misses the winning continuation.} ( 16...fxe4 $1 17.Ng5 Qf5 $1 {with a decisive advantage in all the lines, for instance:} 18.Rxg4 ( 18.Nxe4 Nd4 19.Qc4+ Kh8 20.Nxc5 Qe5+ 21.Kd1 Rxf4 $1 22.Nd3 ( 22.Bxf4 Qxf4 {with a deadly attack.} ) 22...Qh5 $1 {and Black wins.} ) 18...Qxg4 19.Qc4+ Kh8 20.Qxc5 Rf5 $1 21.Nd5 Bd7 $1 {White's pieces are misplaced and his king is insecure.} ) 17.e5 $1 {A deep move, sacrificing a pawn and not allowing black's pieces to activate. Furthermore, White will attack with the bishops on the a2-g8 and a1-h8 diagonal, with the support of the rook on the g-file.} ( 17.exf5 Bxf5 {leads only to equality.} ) 17...Ncxe5 ( 17...Ngxe5 18.O-O-O $1 Nxf3 19.Qxf3 {White is ready to start the winning attack with Bc4 and Bc3.} ) 18.O-O-O $1 Bd6 ( 18...Nxf3 19.Qxf3 {is also hopeless. The bishops will come into play and the development advantage will make the difference.} ) 19.Bc3 Nxf3 20.Qxf3 Be6 21.h3 $2 {That move almost throws away a sure win.} ( 21.Nxe6 $1 Qxe6 22.h3 Nf6 23.Qxb7 Bf4+ 24.Kc2 Qe4+ 25.Qxe4 fxe4 26.Bc4+ Kh8 27.Rd7 $1 Nxd7 28.Bxg7# ) 21...Be5 $2 {He probably thought the position was just losing, but there is a miracle escape.} ( 21...Bxf4+ $1 22.Qxf4 Nf6 23.Re1 {This looks pretty ugly to Black, but amazingly it's still possible to fight if you find all the forced moves.} 23...Rf7 $1 24.Bc4 Ne4 $1 25.Bxg7 $1 {The best chance to fight for an advantage.} ( 25.Bxe6 Qxe6 26.f3 Nc5 $1 {This is the point of black's defense. There is a double on d3.} ) 25...Rxg7 26.Rxg7+ Kxg7 27.Rg1+ Kh8 28.Qe5+ Qf6 29.Qxf6+ Nxf6 30.Bxe6 f4 {After all this confusion we arrive at an endgame with advantage for White thanks to the bishop against knight and the king closer to the center, but there are drawing chances.} ) 22.Nxe6 Qxe6 23.hxg4 {White wins a piece, but the game still has some adventures.} 23...Bxc3 24.bxc3 Rad8 ( 24...Qb3 25.Qd5+ {Exchanging queens and forcing resignation.} ) 25.gxf5 {A brave move, which shows how Gukesh confidence in his analysis. There is a much safer way to win.} ( 25.Rxd8 Rxd8 26.Qe2 {This leads to a simple win.} ) 25...Rxd1+ {Now White wins easily. The critical moves are 25...Qb3 or 25...Qa2. In both cases only one move win. Gukesh, evidently, had seen it.} ( 25...Qb3 26.Rxg7+ $1 {A nice idea that wins by force.} 26...Kxg7 ( 26...Kh8 27.Rxh7+ Kxh7 28.Qh5+ Kg7 29.Qg6+ Kh8 30.Qh6+ Kg8 31.Bc4+ Qxc4 32.Qg6+ Kh8 33.Rh1+ {and mate.} ) 27.Qg3+ Kf6 ( 27...Kf7 28.Qc7+ Kf6 29.Rxd8 Qxa3+ 30.Kd2 {The checks will soon be over.} ) ( 27...Kh8 28.Qe5+ Kg8 29.Bc4+ $1 Qxc4 30.Rg1+ Kf7 31.Rg7# ) 28.Qh4+ Kg7 ( 28...Kf7 29.Bc4+ ) ( 28...Kxf5 29.Bh3+ {with a mating attack.} ) 29.Qe7+ Kh6 30.Rd3 $1 Rxd3 31.Qxf8+ {With an easy win.} ) ( 25...Qa2 26.Rxg7+ $1 {The same idea.} 26...Kxg7 ( 26...Kh8 27.Rxh7+ ) 27.Qg3+ Kh6 28.Qh4+ Kg7 29.Qe7+ ( 29.Qg5+ {is also winning.} 29...Kf7 30.Rxd8 Rxd8 31.Qxd8 Qa1+ 32.Kd2 Qxf1 33.Qd5+ {with a winning queen endgame.} ) 29...Kh6 30.Rxd8 Rxd8 31.Qxd8 Qa1+ 32.Kd2 Qxf1 33.Qh4+ Kg7 34.f6+ Kg6 35.f7 Kxf7 36.Qxh7+ {And White wins because he will be able to pick another pawn, for example:} 36...Kf6 37.Qh4+ Kf7 38.Qf4+ Kg6 39.Qe4+ Kf6 40.Qd4+ {and the a7-pawn falls.} ) 26.Qxd1 Qa2 {Now White is just a piece up and there are several winning methods. Gukesh has no problem converting the advantage.} 27.Bd3 Re8 28.Rg4 $1 Qxa3+ 29.Kd2 Qb2+ 30.Qc2 Qb6 31.Qa2+ Kh8 32.Rd4 {Nice centralization!} 32...Qh6+ 33.Kc2 Qh2 34.Qf7 {The winning attack begins.} 34...Qxf2+ 35.Kb3 Rg8 36.Bc4 Rb8 37.Qe7 h5 38.Qg5 Qf3 39.Rh4 Qd1+ 40.Kb2 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2719"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "6873713520690"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nf3 {Only the third most played move in this position. The original idea of the move 6.h3 is to withdraw the knight to e2 and then play g4-Ng3. Many players also turn the knight back to b3 and then try to play in English Attack style, with Be3 and the g4-g5 push. But the 7.Nf3 move is more difficult to understand, despite having been played in many games. Praggnanandhaa will make his intentions clearer with his next move.} 7...Qc7 {A thematic move, aimed at avoiding the development of the white bishop on c4.} ( 7...Be7 8.Bc4 {This position was played in a recent game of importance to opening theory.} 8...O-O 9.O-O Be6 10.Bb3 b5 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.Bxd5 Bxd5 13.Qxd5 Nd7 {with a balanced game Naiditsch-Saric, Hungary 2022.} ) 8.Nh2 $5 {A creative move, which has only been attempted once before. I'm always happy when I see new ideas even in openings as studied as the Najdorf Defense, as it shows that chess is very much alive. The idea of the knight returning to h2 is perhaps more associated with Ruy Lopez positions. Here the plan is to take the knight to g4 and then to e3, reinforcing control of the d5-square.} ( 8.g4 ) ( 8.Bg5 ) ( 8.Bd3 ) 8...Nbd7 {A novelty.} ( 8...Be6 9.Be2 Nbd7 10.a4 Be7 11.Ng4 {was played in Nestorovic-Lazov, Paracin Summer Open 2017.} ) 9.Ng4 b5 {A natural move—the b5 advance is part of Black's strategy in almost all of the Najdorf's positions.} 10.Ne3 Nb6 11.a3 {...Avoiding the b5-b4 move and stabilizing the knight's position on c3.} 11...Be7 12.Bd3 Be6 13.Qf3 g6 14.O-O {Moves by both sides have been pretty logical so far, each player developing their pieces or avoiding the opponent's plan. Now Black commits an inaccuracy.} 14...Nfd7 $6 ( 14...O-O {When in doubt, just castle! It was not yet time to move this knight.} ) 15.Bd2 Nc5 16.Be2 O-O 17.Nf5 $2 {A nice tactical move, but one that only gives White a headache.} ( 17.b4 $1 {This move was suggested by my colleague GM Quintiliano during the live stream and is the machine's choice.} 17...Ncd7 ( 17...Nca4 18.Nxa4 Nxa4 19.c4 $1 bxc4 20.Rfc1 c3 21.Nd1 $1 {With pressure on the queenside.} ) 18.a4 $1 bxa4 19.Nxa4 Nc4 20.Nxc4 Bxc4 21.Ra3 {White has a better pawn structure and can try to hammer the a6-pawn. It's possible to fight for a small advantage.} ) 17...Bxf5 {It's hard to choose between this move and 17...gxf5. Both give Black an advantage.} ( 17...gxf5 18.exf5 Kh8 $1 {During the broadcast I believed that Black should play like this.} ( 18...Bd7 $2 19.f6 {This is White's idea: the piece is recovered with a decisive attack.} ) 19.b4 $1 ( 19.fxe6 fxe6 {And the black rooks will use the g- and f-files to attack the white king.} ) 19...Ncd7 20.fxe6 fxe6 21.Qg4 Rf6 ( 21...Rf5 {is also possible:} 22.Bd3 Rg8 23.Bxf5 Rxg4 24.Bxg4 Nf8 {Two rooks versus queen positions are often difficult to assess and this one is no exception.} ) 22.Bd3 Rg8 23.Qh5 Nf8 {With an advantage for Black, since the white king is not very comfortable.} ) 18.exf5 d5 $1 {This is the move that justifies Black's play and I believe it was not seen by Praggnanandhaa.} 19.Bh6 ( 19.Nxd5 $2 Nxd5 20.Qxd5 Rad8 {and the d2-bishop is lost.} ) 19...Rfd8 {Black's center pawns are advancing and White's position becomes difficult to play.} 20.Rad1 $6 ( 20.Qg3 $1 {is a better try. The idea is to sacrifice a pawn after} 20...d4 {(this move is not forced.)} 21.b4 $1 dxc3 22.bxc5 Qxc5 23.Bd3 {With compensation thanks to the pair of bishops pointing to the black king.} ) 20...e4 $1 {The pawns keep marching.} 21.Qg4 Nca4 $1 22.Nxa4 Nxa4 {The queenside is under attack and White tries a desperate counterplay on the opposite flank.} 23.fxg6 {Here or on the next move 23.Rb1 would be a sad but possible way to defend.} ( 23.Rb1 Qe5 {With only a small advantage for Black.} ( 23...Qxc2 $2 {Evidently this is very bad.} 24.Rfc1 Qb3 25.Rc7 ) ) 23...hxg6 24.f4 $2 {This is a move you play hoping for the best, even though you know it won't work. A refutation of the attack is not difficult to find.} ( 24.Rb1 ) 24...Qb6+ 25.Kh1 f5 $1 26.Qg3 Nxb2 {With an extra pawn, a powerful center, and the white bishops neutralized, Black's position is easily winning.} 27.Rb1 Nc4 ( 27...Na4 {is also possible.} ) 28.a4 Kh7 $6 {Not the most accurate.} ( 28...Rd6 ) ( 28...b4 ) 29.Bxc4 $6 ( 29.Bg5 $1 {Gives some practical chances.} 29...Bxg5 30.fxg5 {White can now try a plan with Qh4-h6. Black needs to play with precision.} 30...Rac8 31.axb5 axb5 32.Qh4+ Kg8 33.Qh6 Rd6 34.Rf4 Ne5 $1 {The knight is the king's best friend, this is clear.} 35.Rh4 Nf7 36.Qh7+ Kf8 {The attack is repelled.} ) 29...Kxh6 $1 {Any White chance of counterplay disappears.} 30.Bb3 Rac8 31.axb5 axb5 32.Rfd1 d4 33.Qf2 Rc3 34.Ra1 Qf6 35.Ra7 Qh4 36.Qf1 d3 37.g3 dxc2 ( 37...Qxg3 {The computer indicates this move as even more accurate.} 38.Rxe7 d2 39.Qg2 Qxf4 {Followed by 40...Rg3.} ) 38.Rxd8 ( 38.gxh4 Rxd1 39.Qxd1 cxd1=Q+ 40.Bxd1 Bxh4 {With a winning endgame for Black, almost the same as what we will see in the game.} ) 38...Bxd8 ( 38...c1=Q {is even better.} 39.Rd1 ( 39.Rh8+ Kg7 ) 39...Rxg3 40.Rxc1 Rxh3+ 41.Qxh3 Qxh3+ 42.Kg1 Qe3+ {And literally all white's pieces are attacked.} ) 39.gxh4 c1=Q 40.Qxc1 Rxc1+ 41.Kg2 Bxh4 {The endgame presents no technical difficulty.} 42.Ra6 Rc3 43.Be6 Rc2+ 44.Kh1 Bf6 ( 44...Kg7 {also wins easily.} 45.Ra7+ Kf8 ) 45.Bd7 ( 45.Bxf5 gxf5 46.Rxf6+ Kg7 47.Rxf5 e3 48.Re5 e2 49.Kg1 b4 50.Kf2 b3 {The pawns decide the game.} ) 45...Kg7 46.Bxb5 Rf2 ( 46...e3 {is also possible:} 47.Re6 Bd4 {followed by the king advance down the h-file.} ) 47.Ra7+ Kh6 48.Ra6 Bd4 49.Be8 e3 $1 50.Rxg6+ Kh7 51.Rg1 e2 52.Bb5 Rh2+ $1 {The only winning move.} ( 52...Rh2+ 53.Kxh2 Bxg1+ 54.Kxg1 e1=Q+ ) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"]
[Black "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2719"]
[BlackElo "2722"]
[ECO "D85"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7216639786074"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h3 {Who would have thought that after so many years of analysis, the Grunfeld Defense would be refuted by such an innocent move $2 Of course, I'm kidding. Everything still works fine with this excellent option for Black. But White's move is still curious, especially in this move order. We will get a transposition to more conventional lines in a few moves, and the idea of the pawn advance will become clearer.} 5...O-O 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.e4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 c5 9.Be2 {Now White's idea is easier to understand. The pawn on h3 prevents the development of the bishop on g4. Both players follow a very theoretical line.} 9...Nc6 10.Be3 cxd4 11.cxd4 Qa5+ 12.Bd2 Qa3 13.d5 Ne5 14.O-O {Sacrificing an exchange that is not accepted by Erigaisi.} 14...Bd7 ( 14...Nxf3+ 15.Bxf3 Bxa1 16.Qxa1 f6 17.Rb1 {This position has already been tested. White has the typical compensation with the dark-squared bishop and the e4-e5 break. Black needs to play carefully.} ) 15.Rb1 Ba4 16.Qe1 Nd3 17.Bxd3 Qxd3 18.Bg5 {All this was played at lightning speed. Now Erigaisi finally began to deliberate.} 18...Rfe8 {\"O mais preciso\" (the most accurate).} ( 18...Bc3 {Prepares to play f6 without closing the bishop, but it's insufficient after} 19.Qc1 ( 19.Qe3 Bc2 20.Qxd3 Bxd3 21.Bxe7 {is also advantageous for White.} ) ) ( 18...e6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Be7 {followed by 20.d6, with a dangerous passed pawn.} ) ( 18...f6 {is an ugly move and one that is done with tears in our eyes, as it closes the g7-bishop.} ) 19.Qb4 {A novelty played quickly, certainly the result of preparation.} ( 19.Rxb7 Bb5 20.Bxe7 Qxf1+ 21.Qxf1 Bxf1 22.Kxf1 {This endgame was played in two online games of strong chess players in 2022, one in rapid and the other in blitz.} 22...Rab8 ( 22...Bf8 23.Bxf8 Kxf8 24.Ng5 h6 25.Nxf7 Rab8 26.Rxb8 Rxb8 {The computer evaluates this ending as equal, but it needs to be studied further to understand the details of this evaluation.} 27.Ne5 Rb1+ ( 27...Rb4 {is more accurate.} 28.f3 Ra4 ) 28.Ke2 Rb2+ 29.Ke3 Rxa2 30.Nxg6+ {and White's pawns prevailed in Grischuk-Antipov, Titled Tuesday 2022.} ) 23.Rxa7 Bf8 24.Bxf8 Kxf8 25.Ng5 h6 26.Nxf7 Rxe4 27.g3 Re7 28.Rxe7 Kxe7 29.Nxh6 Rd8 30.Ng4 Rxd5 31.Kg2 Ra5 {With a drawn position in Sevian-Vachier-Lagrave, Chess.com Rapid 2022.} ) 19...b5 {Forced.} ( 19...Bc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20.Ne1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Qxe4 21.Nxc2 Qxc2 22.Bxe7 {The d-pawn is too strong.} ) 20.Rbc1 a5 21.Qc5 Qxe4 {Black has options, but this is good enough.} ( 21...Bb2 22.Bxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Bxc1 23.Rxc1 {with excellent compensation for the exchange, thanks to the d-pawn and the dark squares.} ) ( 21...b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 22.Bxe7 Qxe4 23.d6 Qe6 {with a complicated game and chances for both sides.} ) 22.Rfe1 Qf5 23.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Maghsoodloo continues with his fantastic preparation.} ( 23.Bxe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23...Rac8 {It's certainly not what White wants.} ) 23...Qc8 {This move is the computer's first choice, but I think it came as a surprise, as the Iranian GM finally started to contemplate.} ( 23...Qxf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.Re3 {loses the queen.} ) ( 23...Qd7 24.Rxe7 Rxe7 25.Bxe7 b4 26.d6 {White retains the initiative, although Black can keep the balance with accurate play.} ) 24.Bxe7 ( 24.Qxc8 Raxc8 25.Rxc8 Rxc8 26.Rxe7 b4 {with an even endgame.} ) 24...b4 {Erigaisi is a very combative player and is not afraid of a fight. He gives the queens a chance to stay on the board, certainly also thinking about his chances of winning.} ( 24...Qxc5 {leads to a draw after} 25.Rxc5 Rxe7 26.Rxe7 Bf8 27.d6 Bxe7 28.dxe7 f6 29.Nd4 b4 30.Nb3 Kf7 31.Nxa5 Kxe7 ) 25.Qe3 Qb7 26.d6 Rac8 27.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move, pressing the f7-point and also preparing the knight maneuver for e4.} 27...Rxc1 28.Rxc1 Qd5 {Centering the queen is rarely a bad idea.} 29.Qf4 {We are reaching the climax of this magnificent battle. This position is great for chess students who would like to practice calculating variations.} 29...Qxa2 $6 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move gets Black into trouble. There are safer options.} ( 29...h6 30.Ne4 f5 31.gxf5 gxf5 32.Ng3 Bd7 33.Rc7 Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Qxh6 Rxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black escapes.} 35.dxe7 Bxc7 {White has no more than a draw.} ) ( 29...Be5 {is also possible:} 30.Qe4 Qxe4 ( 30...Qd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 31.Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 31.Qxe5 {is not dangerous after} 31...Qxc1+ 32.Kh2 Bc6 ) 31...Qf4 32.Qxf4 Bxf4 33.Rc5 {with an unpleasant endgame for Black.} ) 31.Nxe4 f5 32.Nc5 Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Re1 Rxc5 34.d7 Bxd7 35.Bxc5 Bc3 {Black should be able to make a draw without big problems in this endgame an exchange down.} ) ( 29...Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a solid option:} 30.Rc5 Bxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Qxg5 Qxa2 32.Qd5 Qxd5 33.Rxd5 Bd7 34.Rxa5 Rb8 35.Ra7 b3 36.Bf6 Be6 37.d7 Bxd7 38.Rxd7 b2 39.Bxb2 Rxb2 {with a draw.} ) 30.Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Cutting off the f7-pawn defense.} 30...f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses, but the position is so difficult to calculate that both players are more than forgiven for not always choosing the best moves.} ( 30...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way to play.} 31.Ne4 {The most dangerous reply. Maybe Erigaisi thought he was losing here, missing the incredible resource showed by the computer.} ( 31.Ne6 {Black has to play very accurately after this move.} 31...Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forced and good.} ( 31...Qa1+ $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32.Rc1 Qe5 33.Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Kh8 34.Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White suddenly creates a decisive attack.} ) 32.Nxg7 ( 32.Rc5 Qxe6 33.Rxb5 Bf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black achieves a draw.} ) 32...Qxc4 33.Qxc4+ Bxc4 34.Nxe8 Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.Nxf6 b3 36.Ne4 b2 37.Nd2 Bd3 38.Bd8 Ke6 39.Bxa5 Kxd6 40.Kg2 b1=Q 41.Nxb1 Bxb1 {With a drawn endgame.} ) 31...g5 $3 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Forced.} ( 31...Qa1+ $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32.Rc1 Qe5 33.Qxe5 fxe5 34.Rc7 {White wins.} ) 32.Qc1 $5 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 32.Nxf6+ Bxf6 33.Qxf6 Qxc4 34.Qxg5+ Kf7 35.Qf6+ {with perpetual check.} ) 32...b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black escapes in this wild position. The narrow path to a draw shows that it is better for Black not to capture the a2-pawn.} 33.Nc3 ( 33.Nxf6+ Kh8 34.Rxa4 b2 35.Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...b1=Q+ 36.Kg2 Qf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.d7 Rb8 {Such an irrational position is obviously impossible to calculate. Just look at the following computer line:} 38.Qc8+ Bf8 39.Rb4 $3 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Unbelievable $1} 39...Qxb4 40.Bxb4 Rxc8 41.dxc8=Q axb4 42.Ne4 {With a draw.} ) ( 33.Bxf6 b2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Bxb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...Bxb2 35.Qxg5+ Kh8 36.Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Qxc4 37.Qxb2+ Kg8 38.Nf6+ Kf7 39.Nxe8 Bxe8 40.Qb7+ Kg8 41.d7 Bxd7 42.Qxd7 a4 {and White has no more than a perpetual check.} ) 33...b2 34.Nxa2 bxc1=Q+ 35.Nxc1 Bd7 36.Rc7 Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Rxd7 Rxc1+ 38.Kg2 Kf7 39.Ra7 Rd1 {Black still suffers in this endgame, but the draw can be achieved.} ) 31.gxf5 h6 ( 31...gxf5 32.Qxf5 Qxc4 33.Qxh7# ) 32.f6 {Tempting, but not the best. There are two winning moves, one more difficult than the other.} ( 32.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...gxf5 ( 32...Qa1+ 33.Kg2 Qe5 34.Qxe5 Bxe5 35.fxg6 {The endgame is lost for Black as the f2-pawn is about to be advanced.} ) ( 32...g5 33.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack.} ) 33.Nf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Bxf6 34.Bxf6 Kf7 35.Bb2 $3 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Another fantastic move in the analysis of this game $1} 35...Qxb2 ( 35...Qb1+ 36.Bc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White's attack is decisive.} ) 36.Qxf5+ Kg8 37.Rc7 Re1+ 38.Kg2 {White wins.} ) ( 32.Qe4 Qa1+ $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Kg2 Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The black queen comes back into the game. This line is important to understand the other winning idea.} ) ( 32.Kg2 $3 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Another unbelievable computer suggestion. The lines that appeared in the analysis of this game are some of the most magnificent I have ever seen. This move is a prophylaxis against the black queen's checks.} 32...hxg5 33.Qe4 $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Bringing the queen into the game with deadly effects.} 33...gxf5 34.Qe6+ Kh8 35.Rh4+ $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...gxh4 36.Qxa2 Bc6+ 37.f3 {with a decisive advantage for White.} ) 32...hxg5 33.f7+ Kh7 34.fxe8=Q gxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Capturing the right queen.} ( 34...Bxe8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35.Bxg5 {with a winning position.} ) 35.Qf7 Be8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The decisive mistake.} ( 35...Qa1+ $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way to play.} 36.Kh2 ( 36.Kg2 Bb3 37.Qxf4 ( 37.d7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 37...Bxc4 38.Qxc4 f3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Kxf3 Qd1+ {and the d7-pawn falls.} ) 37...Bxc4 38.Qh4+ Bh6 39.Qxc4 Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.Qd3 Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41.Qg3 Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another amazing getaway by Black.} ) 36...Bb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.d7 Qf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move to save the game.} 38.Rxf4 ( 38.Qxf4 Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Qxe5 Qxf2+ {with perpetual check.} ) 38...Bxf7 39.Rxf7 Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.Rxg7+ ( 40.Rf4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 40...Qd3 41.d8=Q+ Qxd8 42.Bxd8 Be5 ) 40...Kxg7 41.Bh4 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another forced move $1} 42.d8=Q gxh4 {with a draw.} ) 36.Qxf4 b3 37.d7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Bxd7 38.Qf7 {Now White's attack is unstoppable.} 38...Qa1+ 39.Kg2 Bxh3+ 40.Kh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The checks are over, and White gets a decisive material advantage.} ( 40.Kxh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 40...Qh1+ ) 40...Qe5+ 41.Kxh3 Qf5+ 42.Qxf5 gxf5 43.Rc7 Kg6 44.Ba3 Be5 45.Rc5 Bd4 46.Rxa5 Bxf2 47.Rb5 {I can't praise this game highly enough. I will get back to this analysis from time to time, refining and showing it to friends and students.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2681"]
[ECO "B48"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "7014621121567"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 {The Sicilian Taimanov is one of my favorite defenses, and I'm happy whenever I see it in elite tournaments.} 6.Be3 a6 7.Qf3 {A modern move and currently considered one of the most dangerous ways to face the Taimanov.} 7...h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Only Black's eighth most popular move. Once again van Foreest lives up to his reputation as a creative player and a finder of new ideas even in well-known openings. This pawn advance is usually played only after 7...Ne5 8.Qg3.} 8.O-O-O ( 8.Qg3 d6 9.f4 b5 10.a3 Bb7 {with chances for both sides in Kuybokarov-Predke, Abu Dhabi 2022.} ) 8...b5 9.Qg3 $146 ( 9.Nxc6 Qxc6 10.Bd3 Bb7 11.Rhe1 Be7 12.Bd4 b4 ( 12...Nf6 {is possible.} ) 13.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...exd5 14.Bxg7 Rh6 15.exd5 Qxd5 16.Qxd5 Bxd5 17.Bxh6 Nxh6 18.Be4 Bxe4 19.Rxe4 {with a slight advantage for White in Hakobyan-Kavutskiy, Las Vegas 2022.} ) 9...Qxg3 10.hxg3 {White is usually better in this type of endgame, and I think this position is no exception. There are two breaking points that will be constant sources of concern for Black, the g4 advance and the a4 advance.} 10...Bc5 11.g4 {Other moves are also possible.} ( 11.Kb1 {As I always say to my students, the Kb1 move is almost never bad after long castling.} 11...Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Bxd4 13.Rxd4 Ne7 14.Be2 Nc6 15.Rd2 {White has a tiny advantage.} ) ( 11.Nf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 11...Bxe3+ 12.Nxe3 Nf6 13.f3 {The position is more or less equal.} ) ( 11.Be2 ) 11...Bb7 12.f3 ( 12.gxh5 Nf6 {Black regains the pawn due to the threat of 13...b4 followed by capturing on e4.} ) 12...g6 ( 12...h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is the favorite move of the machine, which considers the position OK for Black. The move is hardly human, as the pawn seems to be abandoned to its own luck.} ) 13.Nf5 ( 13.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] We will see this typical move in many lines. It creates weaknesses in Black's queenside and should always be considered.} 13...b4 14.Nce2 d6 15.Kb1 Nf6 16.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Nh7 17.Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is under pressure since} 17...hxg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] fails to} 18.Bg7 ) 13...Bxe3+ 14.Nxe3 Ke7 15.Be2 d6 16.g5 ( 16.a3 Nf6 17.g5 Nd7 18.f4 f6 19.gxf6+ Nxf6 20.Bf3 {with an even position.} ) 16...f6 17.f4 {A risky move, as the pawn structure will be damaged. But White tactically justifies his plan.} ( 17.gxf6+ Nxf6 {with an equal position.} ) 17...fxg5 18.fxg5 Ne5 19.Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good move, setting up the counterplay with a2-a4.} 19...Rd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move order is imprecise.} ( 19...Nc6 20.Rd2 Ne5 {may lead to move repetition and a draw, something van Foreest usually avoids.} ) ( 19...Nf7 20.Rhd1 ( 20.a4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Is not so good here, since the a8-rook comes into play after White captures on b5.} 20...Nxg5 ) 20...Rd8 21.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Nxg5 22.e5 Nf7 23.axb5 axb5 24.exd6+ Rxd6 25.Nxb5 Rxd4 26.Nxd4 {with a likely draw.} ) 20.Rhd1 $6 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the correct move to exploit Black's inaccuracy.} 20...Nc6 21.Rd2 b4 22.Ncd1 {The knight goes to h3, defending the g5-pawn, while the other knight can go to c4. White has the advantage.} ) 20...h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Too ambitious.} ( 20...Nc6 21.R4d2 Ne5 {With a probable move repetition.} ) ( 20...Nf7 21.a4 {leads to the variation seen above.} ) 21.Ng4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again this move leads to an advantage for White.} 21...Nc6 22.R4d2 b4 ( 22...bxa4 23.Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the d-pawn falls.} ) 23.Na2 {Black will have a hard time defending the weaknesses on the queenside.} ) 21...Nc6 22.R4d2 ( 22.R4d3 {This move gives White additional options after} 22...Rh5 23.e5 d5 {since now the rook can move across the third rank, either to h3 or c3.} 24.Ne4 ( 24.Rh3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 24...Bc8 25.Ngf6 Rh8 26.Rc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a difference compared to the game.} 26...Nxe5 27.Rc7+ Bd7 28.Nxd5+ $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...exd5 29.Rxd5 Ke6 30.Rcc5 Nc6 31.Bg4+ Ke7 32.Rxd7+ Rxd7 33.Rxc6 Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Re6+ Kf7 35.c3 {with excellent compensation for the exchange.} ) 22...Rh5 23.e5 d5 24.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Abdusattorov shows his great tactical vision and manages to activate the knight in a creative way.} 24...Bc8 ( 24...dxe4 {This seems to be losing for Black, but the computer finds some incredible resources.} 25.Rxd8 Nxd8 26.Nf6 {Many (if not all) humans would rule out this variation for Black here, but the machine plays along.} 26...Rxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 26...Nxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27.exf6+ Ke8 28.Bxh5 gxh5 29.g6 {and the pawns decide the game.} ) 27.Rd7+ Kf8 28.Rxd8+ Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.Rxg8 e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the computer continues with incredible variations showing a draw.} ) 25.Ngf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25.Ngf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a difficult move and better than the one played in the game.} 25...Rh8 ( 25...dxe4 26.Rxd8 Nxd8 27.Bxh5 gxh5 28.Nxe4 {White has some advantage in this unbalanced endgame.} ) 26.Nd6 Nxe5 27.Nxc8+ Rxc8 28.Re1 {With good compensation for the pawn, as Black has difficulties defending the central pawns.} ) 25...Rh8 26.Nxg8+ Rdxg8 27.Nf6 Rd8 28.Re1 h3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 28...Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to an advantage for Black:} 29.Bxb5 h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move was probably missed by van Foreest.} 30.Bd3 ( 30.gxh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30...Nf3 ) ( 30.Rxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30...h2 $19 ) 30...h2 31.Rh1 Bb7 {with a clear advantage.} ) 29.gxh3 Rxh3 30.Bg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 30.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} 30...Rdh8 ( 30...Kf7 $6 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 31.Rf2 Kg7 32.b3 {Black has no active plan since} 32...Rdh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33.Ref1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Nxe5 {loses to} 34.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea:} 34...Nxg4 35.Rf7+ Kg8 36.Rf8+ Kg7 37.R1f7# ) 31.Bxg6 Rg3 32.Nh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Bd7 {and the game will likely end in a draw, for instance:} 33.Rd3 Rxd3 34.Bxd3 Rg8 35.g6 Rg7 36.Nf6 Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Nxd5+ Kd6 38.Nf4 Nxd3+ 39.cxd3 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The g-pawn falls and the players can shake hands.} ) 30...Rh4 31.b3 Rdh8 32.Kb2 Rh2 33.Ree2 Rxe2 34.Rxe2 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position is very unpleasant for White because of the weaknesses on g5 and e5. Black's move is intended to activate the bishop.} 35.a3 Ba6 36.Re1 b4 37.a4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 37.axb4 {Gives better drawing chances.} 37...Nxb4 ( 37...axb4 {This is also possible, but in this case it's clear that the pawn exchange was helpful for White, as usually the case when defending a worse endgame.} ) 38.Be2 Bxe2 39.Rxe2 ) 37...Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. The knight heads to f7, attacking both weaknesses.} 38.Be2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 38.Bf3 {is a better try, with the idea of sacrificing the bishop on d5 if the knight goes to f7.} ) 38...Bxe2 39.Rxe2 Nf7 {Now the pawns fall, and the position is undefendable.} 40.c3 bxc3+ 41.Kxc3 Nxg5 42.b4 Rh3+ {The rest is easy.} 43.Kb2 axb4 44.Rc2 Nf3 45.Ng4 Nd4 46.Rc8 Rb3+ 47.Ka2 Ra3+ 48.Kb2 Rxa4 49.Nf6 b3 {A heartbreaking loss for Abdusattorov and a great victory for van Foreest, a player whose games are always entertaining.} 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Airthings Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[ECO "E16"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7078395514384"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ {The Bogo-Indian Defense is an excellent choice for blitz games and also a great idea when you want to teach a beginner an opening. What could be more natural than developing a piece with check $2} 4.Nbd2 b6 5.g3 ( 5.a3 Bxd2+ 6.Qxd2 {This position is considered the greatest theoretical test for Black and what I imagine would be played in a classic game between the same players. But Gukesh decided not to enter a theoretical battle in a blitz game.} ) 5...Bb7 6.Bg2 O-O 7.O-O Be7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 7...d5 {Transposes to a position that can also appear in the order of moves of the Catalan Opening.} ) 8.b3 ( 8.Qc2 d5 9.b3 c5 10.Bb2 Nbd7 {was played in Dubov-Carlsen, Mr. Dodgy Online blitz 2022.} ) 8...c5 9.Bb2 cxd4 ( 9...Qc7 {Studying correspondence games is always a good way to discover the best way to play the opening. Here is a recent example of a world championship in this modality.} 10.Re1 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Bxg2 12.Kxg2 Nc6 13.e4 d6 {with normal play in Neto-Dronov, ICCF email W-ch31 2019.} ) 10.Bxd4 ( 10.Nxd4 Bxg2 11.Kxg2 Nc6 {this was played in Carlsen-Karjakin, Shamkir 2014. The game ended in a draw. It should be noted that this position arrived through a different move order.} ) 10...d6 ( 10...Nc6 {is also possible.} ) 11.Qc2 Nbd7 12.Rfd1 Qc7 13.Rac1 Rac8 14.Qb1 Qb8 {This is a typical position for pawn structures that appear in variations such as the Queen's Indian or Bogo-Indian. This is a very comfortable version for Black, as his pieces are well developed and there are good prospects of breaking through on d5 or b5.} 15.h3 h6 16.Ne1 $5 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 16.e4 Qa8 17.Re1 a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black prepares b6-b5 and has no problems.} ) 16...Nc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16...Bxg2 {is more accurate.} 17.Nxg2 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] By now the reader must have realized that I am a fan of this move. Black has no problems.} ) 17.Bxb7 Qxb7 ( 17...Nxb7 {Considering what White could have done on the next move, this odd move looks better.} ) 18.Ng2 ( 18.Bxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Taking a tactical chance to weaken Black's position. The pawn capture is forced in order not to lose a pawn and after that there is no question of White's advantage.} 18...gxf6 ( 18...Bxf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19.b4 Nd7 20.Ne4 {wins the d6-pawn.} ) ) 18...Rfd8 19.Ne3 Nce4 ( 19...b5 {is again possible:} 20.b4 Ncd7 21.a3 {with equal chances.} ) ( 19...d5 {The other break is not bad either.} 20.cxd5 Nxd5 21.Nxd5 Rxd5 22.Nf3 {with an equal position.} ) 20.Ng4 e5 {Kramnik knows much better than I do the problems this move can have, weakening the structure without having the light-squared bishops. What can I say $2 For players of my generation, it's even difficult to comment on Kramnik's games, a player with such a vast knowledge of chess. He and Anand are almost demigods, chess players that we have revered since teenage years.} ( 20...Nxg4 21.Qxe4 Qxe4 22.Nxe4 {leads to a slightly better endgame for White.} ) ( 20...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] seems to be the easiest way to equality.} 21.cxd5 Rxc1 22.Qxc1 Qxd5 ) 21.Bb2 Ng5 ( 21...Nxd2 {is also ok:} 22.Nxf6+ Bxf6 23.Rxd2 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Hi again $1} 24.cxb5 Rxc1+ 25.Qxc1 Qxb5 {with a likely draw.} ) 22.Nxf6+ Bxf6 23.Qf5 Be7 24.Kh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A necessary move.} ( 24.h4 $4 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 24...g6 25.Qd3 Nh3+ 26.Kf1 Qh1# {I suspect this is not the best option for White.} ) 24...g6 25.Qd3 d5 26.h4 Nh7 27.cxd5 Rxc1 28.Rxc1 Rxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black's real problems start now.} ( 28...Qxd5 {is the right way to capture.} 29.Qxd5 Rxd5 30.Nf3 e4 31.Rc8+ Rd8 32.Rxd8+ Bxd8 {with a draw.} ) 29.Qf3 Qd7 30.Nc4 Nf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 30...Qe6 {is better.} ) 31.Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the black rook needs to stay out of play to defend the e5-pawn.} ( 31.Nxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31...Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Bxe5 Ng4+ 33.Kg2 Nxe5 {This was Kramnik's idea.} ) 31...Ra5 ( 31...Rc5 32.Rxc5 bxc5 33.Bxe5 ) 32.a4 ( 32.b4 {That move leads to a win; we'll see something similar later in the game.} 32...Rxa2 33.Bxe5 Qe6 34.Bd4 {White has too many threats, be it invasion with the heavy pieces on the eighth rank or a rook entering c6.} ) 32...h5 33.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Back on track.} 33...Rxa4 34.Bxe5 Qe6 35.Bb2 $6 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An inaccuracy.} ( 35.Qa8+ Kh7 ( 35...Bf8 36.Bf4 {The bishop can go to h6. White has a winning initiative.} ) 36.f4 {37.Rc8 is coming.} ) 35...Ra2 $6 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most stubborn defense.} ) 36.Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Rxb2 $6 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The final mistake.} ( 36...Qxc6 37.Qxc6 Rxb2 {offers some small drawing chances.} ) 37.Rxe6 fxe6 38.Qb7 {The rest is simple for Gukesh.} 38...Kf8 39.Qxa7 Rxb4 40.Kg2 Bc5 41.Qa2 Re4 42.Nc4 Nd5 43.e3 b5 44.Qa8+ Kg7 45.Qb7+ Be7 46.Qxb5 g5 47.hxg5 Bxg5 48.Nd6 Re5 49.Qb2 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Airthings Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2701"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "A48"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6808617882679"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 {This is a modern way of playing the London System. The subtlety of moving the bishop on move 2 is that against 2...g6 White can try 3.Nc3, as Erigaisi has played sometimes.} 2...b6 ( 2...g6 3.Nc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 3...d5 4.e3 Bg7 5.h4 {Erigaisi-Giri, Meltwater Tour (rapid) 2022.} ) 3.e3 Bb7 4.Nd2 d6 5.h3 Nbd7 6.Ngf3 {Erigaisi develops the pieces in the London System's typical way, but in his games, there's no place for boredom. We know that sooner or later, we will have confusion on the board.} 6...g6 7.Be2 Bg7 8.O-O O-O 9.a4 a6 {A typical move to reduce the feat of the a4-a5 advance, which can now be answered with b6-b5.} ( 9...a5 {to stop the white pawn's advance is also possible and has been played a good number of times.} ) 10.c3 ( 10.a5 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 10...Re8 11.Bh2 e5 {On the board, we have a typical position of the London System—solid and annoying, but not very dangerous from a theoretical point of view.} 12.Nc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] White has other options:} ( 12.Qb3 ) ( 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Nc4 Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is fine here.} ) ( 12.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This might be the best chance of fighting for an advantage, advancing the queenside.} 12...Ne4 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.Qb3 Qe7 15.Rfd1 Bb7 16.Rac1 {Kamsky-Demchenko, Moscow 2016.} ) 12...exd4 {This move appears to be a slight positional concession, as it opens up the bishop's diagonal and also the c-file for the white rook.} ( 12...e4 13.Nfd2 d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14.Ne5 c5 {With equal play.} ) ( 12...Ne4 {is a typical move and also leads to a balanced position.} ) 13.cxd4 a5 {A new move, fixing the queenside pawns.} ( 13...Nd5 {This is the most natural move and gives Black a fine position.} ) ( 13...Ne4 {is also possible.} ) 14.Rc1 Nd5 15.Bxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] As we all knew it would happen, Erigaisi decides to change the character of the position and complicate the game.} 15...cxd6 16.Nxd6 Qb8 ( 16...Re7 {This is a critical move, as the knight has no way back from b7.} 17.Nxb7 Qb8 18.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Nb4 19.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Nf6 ( 19...Qxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20.d6 Ree8 21.Rc7 ) 20.d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 20.Bc6 Rxb7 21.Bxb7 Qxb7 {This is good for Black.} ) 20...Rxb7 21.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a strong initiative for the piece, as the pawns are very dangerous, for instance:} 21...Nxe4 22.d7 Qf8 23.Re1 Nf6 24.Ne5 ) 17.Nxe8 Qxe8 18.Bb5 {White has a rook and two pawns against a bishop and knight. Positions with material imbalances are difficult to assess. The computer believes the position is equal, but in practice, it's easier to play White.} 18...Rd8 ( 18...Qd8 {is more accurate, leaving the pin straight away.} ) 19.Qb3 ( 19.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing e4 right away looks better.} ) 19...h6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is too slow, and now White gets the initiative.} ( 19...Qe7 20.Rfe1 N7f6 {with chances for both sides.} ) 20.Rfe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Rc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 20...Qe4 {is better, although the position is very shaky after} 21.Nd2 ) 21.e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21.Rxc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Qxc8 22.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...N7f6 23.Ne5 {This wins immediately since Black cannot defend the f7-pawn after the move e3-e4.} ) 21...Nf4 22.Qe3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22.Rxc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again, this move is better.} 22...Qxc8 23.Bc4 ) 22...g5 {This sharpens the game even more. Firouzja is a very active player, and he is seeking attacking chances. A more solid option is to withdraw the knight to e6, either now or after exchanging rooks.} ( 22...Ne6 ) ( 22...Rxc1 23.Qxc1 Ne6 ) 23.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the tension builds, and we see the best of both these excellent tactical players.} 23...Rxc1 24.Qxc1 Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Heading to g4.} 25.hxg5 Qg4 ( 25...Nxg2 $5 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a good chance, although White is better after some very precise moves.} 26.Kxg2 Qg4+ 27.Kf1 Qxf3 28.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 28.Bxd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28...Bxd4 ) 28...Qh1+ 29.Ke2 Qh5+ 30.Kd3 {The white king is surprisingly safe now.} ) 26.g3 Nh3+ 27.Kg2 hxg5 28.Nh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Bxe4+ 29.Rxe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 29.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, but it's not easy to evaluate its consequences in a rapid game.} 29...Bxf3+ 30.Nxf3 Nf4+ 31.Kf2 Nh3+ 32.Ke2 Qxg3 33.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Nf4+ 34.Kd2 {The computer claims a good advantage for White here, but I must admit I'd be scared to play this position with either color.} ) 29...Qxe4+ 30.Kxh3 Qxd4 31.Qxg5 {After all the fireworks, White ends up in an endgame with an extra pawn, but the position is close to equality because it's not easy to defend the b2-pawn.} 31...Nc5 32.Ng4 Ne6 ( 32...Qxb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33.Nh6+ Kf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34.Qd8# ) 33.Qf5 Qd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now White manages to stabilize the queenside.} ( 33...Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the righ way to reach a draw.} 34.Qxc5 Nxc5 {The b2-pawn cannot be defended.} ) 34.Bc4 Qh1+ 35.Nh2 Qc6 36.b3 {White has a winning advantage now.} 36...Nd8 37.Bd5 Qd6 38.Ng4 Kf8 39.Kg2 Bd4 40.Qe4 Qc5 41.Qf3 Ke7 42.Bc4 Qc6 43.Bd5 ( 43.Qxc6 {is the simplest way to win.} 43...Nxc6 44.Nh6 f6 45.Nf5+ Kd7 46.Nxd4 Nxd4 47.g4 {Followed by the advance of the kingside pawns.} ) 43...Qc5 44.Nh6 Bxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good chance.} 45.Nxf7 Bd4 ( 45...Nxf7 46.Qxf7+ Kd6 {White is winning in this endgame with accurate play, but there's always some hope when there's little time left on the clock.} ) 46.Qe4+ Kd7 47.Qf5+ ( 47.Ne5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47...Kc7 48.Nd3 Qc2+ 49.Kh3 {with a winning position.} ) 47...Ke7 ( 47...Kc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 48.Qe4+ Kd7 49.Qg4+ Ke7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 49...Kc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king should go to the queenside.} ) 50.Qh4+ Bf6 51.Qe4+ Kd7 ( 51...Kf8 52.Nxd8 Bxd8 53.Qf5+ Kg7 54.Qf7+ Kh6 55.Be4 {Mate is unavoidable.} ) 52.Qf5+ Ke7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 52...Kc7 53.Qf4+ Kd7 54.Ne5+ Ke7 55.Qe4 {White sholdn't have problems converting the advantage.} ) 53.Nxd8 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Airthings Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2852"]
[BlackElo "2701"]
[ECO "A30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7009655064073"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.b3 {Carlsen is a player who can literally choose any opening variation. I believe it's the first time he plays this line. It takes great confidence and exceptional memory to do this, qualities he doesn’t lack. Among world champions, none can be compared to him in this versatility. Of elite players, only Ivanchuk manages a similar feat.} 3...Nc6 4.Bb2 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Nc3 e5 7.Qb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A theoretical novelty already. This is a thematic move in positions with this pawn structure, and it's curious that it has never been played. This probably happened because nobody saw the need to look for such a move.} ( 7.e3 Nxc3 8.Bxc3 Bd6 9.Qc2 Qe7 10.Bd3 h6 {with an equal position in Artemiev-Vidit, Aimchess Rapid 2021.} ) ( 7.Nxd5 Qxd5 8.e3 Be7 9.Bc4 Qd6 {So-Dominguez Perez, Zabreb (blitz) 2022.} ) 7...Be7 ( 7...Nxc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 8.Bxc3 ( 8.dxc3 {Perhaps one of White's ideas with the queen move to b1 is to be able to capture with the pawn without exchanging queens, but honestly I don't see much here.} ) 8...Bd6 {Black is fine.} ) 8.e3 Be6 9.Bb5 f6 10.O-O Nxc3 ( 10...O-O {is also possible.} 11.Nxd5 ( 11.Bd3 g6 {and it's not clear that White has more than perpetual check after 12.Bxg6. This is a theme that we will see again and again.} ) 11...Bxd5 12.e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 12.Bd3 g6 ) 12...Be6 13.Bxc6 bxc6 {I understand that this is not the best position to play against Carlsen, although the computer is not that bothered by the doubled pawns.} ) 11.dxc3 {White decides to change the pawn structure.} 11...Qc7 12.Rd1 O-O 13.Bd3 f5 {An ambitious move, in the style of Erigaisi. Against 13...g6 White has perpetual check. I doubt this would be his choice, but there's no advantage anyway.} ( 13...g6 14.Bxg6 hxg6 15.Qxg6+ Kh8 16.Qh6+ ) 14.e4 f4 15.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop has done its job and now returns to capture the knight.} 15...Bf6 ( 15...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an interesting move to avoid c3-c4, which will open the game for the b2-bishop. A possible continuation is:} 16.Bxc4 Bxc4 17.bxc4 Na5 {with good play for Black.} ) 16.Bxc6 Qxc6 17.c4 {White can fight for a small advantage here, as Black's bishops aren't as dangerous with the center closed. Also, the pawn on e5 is a headache. I must admit that during the game I thought the only way to break Black's position would be an exchange sacrifice by putting the rook on d5 at some point. But let's see what happened.} 17...Qc7 18.Bc3 Rae8 19.Qb2 Bf7 {This is probably not the best square for the bishop.} ( 19...Bd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the idea of taking the bishop to c6.} 20.Nxe5 {If White tries to win a pawn with this tactical move, Black gets counterplay after} ( 20.Rd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20...Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Rxc5 b6 {White loses quality and the compensation is not clear.} ) 20...Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Rxd7 Qxd7 22.Bxe5 f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.gxf3 Qd3 ) 20.Rd3 Re7 21.Rad1 {White has a small advantage and, even better, it's exactly in Carlsen's style.} 21...Bg6 ( 21...b6 {Black's next moves don't help the position much; maybe it would be better to wait with a move like this. Either way, White will continue his plan with Qe2, h3 and Nh2, trying to get the knight to g4.} ) 22.Qe2 Qc6 23.Rd5 Rfe8 24.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...a6 25.Nh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight prepares to go to g4.} 25...h5 {Erigaisi avoids this, but weaknesses are created and will be masterfully exploited.} 26.Nf3 Re6 27.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fixing the structure on the kingside and securing the g5-square for the knight.} 27...b5 {Black is looking for some activity, although this move creates yet another weakness, the pawn on c5.} 28.Ng5 Bxg5 {After this exchange we arrive at an opposite-colored bishop position that is very dangerous for Black, as he can potentially lose three pawns quickly, those on c5, e5, and f4, fixed on dark squares.} ( 28...R6e7 {This is not a good option as Black is paralyzed after} 29.Rd6 Qb7 30.Ba5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nobody can live a calm life with such a knight on g5.} ) 29.hxg5 Bf7 30.Qf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is White's only clear inaccuracy in this game. It allows some counterplay.} ( 30.f3 ) ( 30.Qd3 ) 30...bxc4 31.bxc4 g6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Erigaisi misses his chance.} ( 31...Rg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move changes the character of the game, something you should seek when defending.} 32.Rxe5 ( 32.Qxh5 {Here Black must not accept the rook's offer.} 32...Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 32...Bxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33.cxd5 Qd6 34.Rb1 {With massive compensation for the exchange.} ) ) 32...Rxe5 33.Bxe5 Rxg5 34.Bxf4 Rg4 {Black has managed to activate and has chances of a draw.} ) 32.Ba1 {A useful move, preparing to pass the queen through the third file.} ( 32.Rd7 {It's interesting to mention that the computer considers the endgame winning for White after} 32...R6e7 33.Rxe7 Rxe7 34.Rd8+ Re8 35.Qd3 Qe6 36.Rxe8+ Bxe8 37.f3 {This might sound confusing; after all, isn't it a rule that opposite-colored bishops offer drawing chances even in positions with a pawn down $2 What about this one, where the material is still equal $2 The problem is that Black's pawns on e5 and f4 are not going to survive very long. For instance:} 37...Kf7 38.Qd8 Qxc4 39.Qf6+ Kg8 40.Bxe5 {with a decisive attack.} ) 32...R6e7 33.Rd6 Qa4 ( 33...Qc8 {is more stubborn.} ) 34.Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice move. White's pawn structure is improved after the exchange.} 34...Qxb3 35.axb3 Re6 {The pawns will fall sooner or later.} ( 35...a5 36.Ra6 Rb7 37.Rd3 ) ( 35...Rb7 36.R1d3 ) 36.Rxe6 Bxe6 ( 36...Rxe6 37.Rd5 ) 37.Rd6 Kf7 38.Bxe5 ( 38.Rxa6 {is also winning.} ) 38...Bg4 39.Rf6+ Kg7 40.Bc3 {The rest is trivial. Erigaisi graciously plays a few more moves and allows a nice finish.} 40...Kh7 41.Rf7+ Kg8 42.Rg7+ Kf8 43.f3 Rb8 44.fxg4 Rxb3 45.gxh5 Rxc3 46.h6 Rg3 47.Rxg6 f3 48.h7 Rxg2+ 49.Kf1 Rh2 50.Rh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Airthings Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.08"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2852"]
[ECO "A08"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[Beauty "5086583462933"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.O-O d5 5.d3 e5 6.e4 d4 {On the board, we have a position of the King's Indian Defense with reversed colors. The computer is unimpressed with White's position; it likes the space advantage guaranteed by the pawn structure and is not afraid of an attack. After all, the machine doesn't have a heart like us scared humans.} 7.a4 Be7 8.Na3 Be6 9.Ng5 Bg4 10.f3 Bh5 11.Nc4 ( 11.h4 Nd7 12.Bd2 O-O 13.Qe1 {was Grischuk-So, Norway Chess (blitz) 2019.} ) 11...Nd7 12.Nh3 f6 13.Nf2 {So far, everything is more or less normal. White prepares to advance the f-pawn and also to play the bishop to h3. Here a thematic idea is to castle on the queenside and avoid a direct attack. But Carlsen doesn't seem to fear the attack all that much: another resemblance between him and a computer.} 13...O-O ( 13...Qc7 {Followed by 14...0-0-0 deserves consideration.} ) 14.h4 Bf7 15.Bh3 Nb6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Not very conventional. The classic plan is to try to advance the pawns on the queenside.} ( 15...b6 16.f4 Rb8 {With the idea of a6-b5.} ) 16.b3 Nxc4 17.bxc4 Bd6 18.f4 exf4 {Otherwise, White plays f5-g4-g5 in typical King's Indian fashion.} 19.gxf4 Qc7 ( 19...Kh8 {is a better prophylactic move.} ) 20.Nh1 ( 20.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I like this idea very much.} 20...fxe5 21.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] For a measly pawn, White won the dream square for the knight on e4, and his position is much easier to play.} ) 20...Kh8 21.Ng3 g6 22.Qf3 Rae8 23.Kh1 ( 23.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, since the same plan of the game won't work. After} 23...Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.Bxe6 Rxe6 25.hxg6 hxg6 26.Kf2 {White brings the rooks to the h- and g-files with a devastating attack.} ) 23...Be6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black is in time to get counterplay.} 24.Bxe6 Rxe6 25.Bd2 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.e5 ( 26.Rae1 {This move, keeping the tension, is also possible.} ) 26...Be7 27.h5 gxh5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's always difficult to weaken your own pawn structure, but Carlsen wants to activate the e6-rook.} 28.Rg1 ( 28.Qxh5 {This move creates more problems for Black.} 28...Rg6 29.Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 29.Nxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29...Qd7 {with a decisive attack, for instance:} 30.Nh6 Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Qxe5+ ( 31.fxe5 Qc6+ ) 31...Bf6 32.Qh5 Qc6+ 33.Rf3 Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.fxg5 Rxf3 ) 29...Qd7 30.Kg2 Rfg8 {with equal chances.} ) 28...Rg6 29.Qxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses.} ( 29.Nxh5 ) 29...Nb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Carlsen misses the chance to finish the match immediately.} ( 29...Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.fxe5 Qc6+ 31.Kh2 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening to either capture the knight or win the queen with Rh6.} ) 30.Qf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 30.Nxf5 {is necessary, after which we have a draw:} 30...Qc6+ 31.Kh2 Rxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Qxf5 Rh6+ 33.Kg3 Rg6+ 34.Kh2 ( 34.Kf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This leads to mate:} 34...Bh4+ 35.Ke2 Rg2+ 36.Rxg2 Qxg2+ 37.Kd1 Qf1+ 38.Be1 Qxe1# ) ) 30...Nxc2 31.Rab1 Nb4 {Black is a pawn up and has a big advantage. Analysis of the remainder of the game is hampered by two factors: The first is the little time both players had on the clock. The second factor is that Carlsen needed only a draw to win the match.} 32.Rg2 Qc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An overly safe move.} ( 32...Rfg8 33.Rbg1 Qd7 ) 33.Qxc6 bxc6 34.Ne2 Nxd3 35.Rb7 Re8 {White has a good chance of a draw now, but what good is that when you have to win the game $2} 36.Nc1 ( 36.Rxg6 hxg6 37.Kg2 ) ( 36.Rxa7 Nb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 36...Nxc1 37.Bxc1 a6 38.Rb6 a5 ( 38...Rh6+ {Is the simplest.} 39.Kg1 Rh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Activating the rook.} ) 39.Bd2 d3 ( 39...Rxg2 40.Kxg2 Kg7 41.Rxc6 Rb8 42.Bxa5 Rb2+ 43.Kg3 ( 43.Kf3 $4 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] leads to a surprising mating pattern after} 43...Bh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 43...Rb3+ {with a draw.} ) 40.Rxg6 ( 40.Rb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} ) 40...hxg6 41.Kg2 ( 41.Bxa5 Ra8 42.Bc3 Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43.a5 Bd8 44.Rxc6 Bxa5 45.Bxa5 Rxa5 {leads to a drawn rook endgame.} ) 41...Kg7 42.Rxc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 42.Kf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...Rd8 43.e6 {is a better try.} ) 42...Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black is in time to bring the rook to d4.} 43.Kf3 ( 43.e6 Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44.Bc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 44...d2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45.Bxd4+ cxd4 {This is the difference: the king is not in time to stop the pawn.} ) 43...Rd4 44.Ra6 Rxc4 45.Rxa5 Rc2 46.Be3 c4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 46...Rh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to prepare the pawn advance. White is helpless.} 47.Ra7 Rh3+ 48.Kf2 Kf8 {With a decisive advantage.} ) 47.Ra7 Kf8 48.a5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 48.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Gives White a draw. Again I have to say, this wouldn't make any difference in the match result, so it feels unfair to criticize Nakamura's play.} 48...Bb4 49.Rb7 Ba3 50.Rd7 Bb4 51.Rb7 ) 48...Ra2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Carlsen could simply advance the pawns.} ( 48...c3 ) ( 48...d2 49.Ke2 c3 50.a6 Ra2 ) 49.a6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 49.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] If you like fun variants, get ready for a ride:} 49...d2 50.Ke2 c3 51.Ra8+ Kg7 52.Bd4+ Bf6 53.Ra7+ ( 53.e7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 53...Ra1 ) 53...Kh6 54.Bxf6 Ra1 55.Rd7 c2 56.Rxd2 c1=Q 57.Bxa1 Qxa1 58.e7 Qa4 59.Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And White amazingly escapes with a draw in this position.} ) 49...c3 50.Rd7 Rxa6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 50...d2 {wins easily:} 51.a7 Rxa7 $5 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 52.Bxa7 c2 ) 51.Rxd3 Rc6 52.Bc1 Kf7 53.Rd7 c2 54.Rb7 Ke6 55.Ke2 g5 56.fxg5 Bxg5 57.Bxg5 c1=Q 58.Re7+ Kd5 59.Bxc1 Rxc1 60.Kf3 Rc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Second Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Abdumalik, Zhansaya"]
[Black "Dzagnidze, Nana"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2496"]
[BlackElo "2517"]
[ECO "B96"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7701413245524"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 {Once 6.Bg5 had the undisputed status of being the main line against the Najdorf Variation. This predilection is now shared with the English Attack, starting with 6.Be3. But the old move remains one of the most dangerous weapons at White's disposal. If you're going to play the Najdorf as Black, it's good to start your studies here: in these lines, one careless move is fatal.} 6...e6 ( 6...Nbd7 {is a modern move with a lot of theory.} ) 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 ( 8.Bxf6 {is also possible, when White trades the important bishop for a development advantage. A recent game continued:} 8...Qxf6 9.Qd2 Bd7 10.O-O-O Nc6 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Bc4 {with complicated play in Asadli-Durarbayli, Baku 2023.} ) 8...Nbd7 ( 8...Qb6 {is also an important move and has been played many times by Najdorf's greatest contemporary specialist, GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.} ) 9.Qf3 ( 9.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The modern way of playing this variation involves developing the queen on e2 as opposed to the classic development on f3.} 9...e5 10.fxe5 ( 10.O-O-O {is a thematic and dangerous move for Black, who needs to play with precision.} 10...exd4 11.e5 dxe5 12.fxe5 Be7 13.exf6 Nxf6 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Qe4 f5 16.Qe5 O-O 17.Nd5 Bg5+ 18.Kb1 Re8 19.Qxd4 Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Qf2 Be6 21.c4 Re5 {and Black successfully defended this position in a couple of correspondence games.} ) 10...dxe5 ( 10...Nxe5 {is also possible.} ) 11.Nf5 Nb6 12.Qf3 Bxf5 13.Qxf5 Be7 {This was played in Anand-Nepomniachtchi, Tata Steel 2019. The game later ended in a draw.} ) 9...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] In the early days of the Najdorf, such a move would have been unthinkable—moving a pawn again instead of developing the bishop on f8, inviting the white knight to jump to the dangerous square on f5. But computers have shown that in chess, almost anything is possible.} 10.fxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 10.Nf5 {is the critical move to test Black's system.} 10...exf4 11.Bxf6 ( 11.O-O-O $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 11...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.Bf2 Ne5 {with an advantage for Black.} ) 11...Nxf6 12.O-O-O Bxf5 13.exf5 Be7 {White should fight for an advantage in this position as the game continuation is just good for Black.} ) 10...Nxe5 11.Qe2 Be7 12.O-O-O Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Taking the opportunity to gain time in development. It's already clear that something went wrong for White in the opening.} 13.Nf3 Rc8 14.h3 ( 14.Qe3 Bxf3 15.gxf3 Nfg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.fxg4 ( 16.Bxe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16...Nxe3 17.Bxd8 Nxd1 {wins the exchange.} ) 16...Bxh4 {with a stable advantage for Black.} ) ( 14.Be1 {avoids the exchange sacrifice on c3, but it's just too slow and too ugly of a move.} ) ( 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nd5 O-O {is also better for Black.} ) 14...Bxf3 15.gxf3 Rxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A typical exchange sacrifice in the Sicilian Defense. This is one of those rare sacrifices that you can play without thinking.} 16.bxc3 Qa5 ( 16...O-O {As I like to say: when in doubt, just castle. The computer also likes this principle.} ) 17.Qe3 ( 17.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] leads to a draw by perpetual check after:} 17...Qxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 17...Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, with a clear advantage.} ) 18.Be1 Qa1+ 19.Kd2 Qd4+ {Luther-Delgado Ramirez, Havana 2004.} ) ( 17.Kb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another principle I'm a fan of: After castling long, when in doubt, play Kb1. I must admit that I didn't expect that principle to work here, but who am I to disagree with the machine $2} 17...Qxc3 ( 17...O-O $5 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 18.Be1 Qxf3 19.Qxf3 Nxf3 20.Bb4 Kd7 21.Be2 Ne5 22.Bc3 {White's idea is to fight for equality in this endgame, a task that will prove to be successful.} ) 17...Qxa2 {Only now are we in uncharted territory.} ( 17...Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Bf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 18.Be1 Qxa2 {is also advantageous for Black.} ) ( 18.e5 {is the machine's attempt to complicate the game, but Black is better after capturing on e5, with either the knight or the pawn.} ) 18...Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.hxg4 Bg5 {Black won a few moves later in Salina Herrera-Delgado Ramirez, Paraguay 2012.} ) 18.Rg1 ( 18.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White needed to take the opportunity to look for some kind of complication.} 18...Ng6 19.Bxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Bxf6 20.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer indicates equality after this move. The lines are complicated, but the spirit is easy to understand: change the character of the game and try to attack too.} 20...dxe5 21.Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Qa1+ ( 21...Ne7 22.Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing Bc4.} 22...Nd5 23.Qc5 ) 22.Kd2 Qa4 23.Kc1 {It's not clear whether Black has more than a perpetual check.} ) 18...O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the position is a nightmare for White, who is attacked without mercy.} 19.Rd4 ( 19.Qxh6 {loses to} 19...Qa1+ 20.Kd2 Nxf3+ ) 19...Rc8 20.Kd2 Qa3 ( 20...Nfg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.hxg4 Bxh4 {with a decisive advantage, for instance:} 22.f4 Qa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight is immune and 23...Rxc3 24.Qxc3 Be1+ is threatened.} ) 21.Be2 b5 ( 21...Nfg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is again very good.} 22.hxg4 Bxh4 ) 22.f4 Ng6 23.Bg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 23.Bf2 {is a better try since Black cannot play in the same way as in the game.} 23...d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23...Bd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 24.exd5 Bc5 25.Rxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Bxd4 26.Rxg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Kxg7 27.Qxd4 {Now White is the one playing an exchange down, but the position has improved considerably.} ) 23...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Bringing the bishop to the attack.} 24.exd5 Bc5 25.Bf3 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's position collapses, but the adventures are far from over.} 26.Bf2 ( 26.cxb4 Bxb4+ 27.Rxb4 Qxb4+ 28.Kd1 Rc3 {wins easily.} ) 26...Bxd4 27.Qxd4 Rxc3 ( 27...bxc3+ 28.Ke2 Qa2 {This is also winning.} ) 28.Be4 Nxe4+ $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An inaccurate move.} ( 28...Qa5 {wins easily. If White captures on g6, the attack on the c2-pawn is decisive.} 29.Bxg6 fxg6 30.Rxg6 Qa2 ) 29.Qxe4 Rf3 30.Be3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 30.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Rxf4 31.Qe3 {With good chances of defending as the d-pawn advance is unpleasant for Black.} ) 30...Qc3+ 31.Ke2 Rxh3 {Now Black is winning again.} 32.d6 Rh2+ 33.Kf3 Nh4+ $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder.} ( 33...Qc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Defends against the d-pawn advance and brings the queen to the attack at the same time.} 34.f5 Rh3+ 35.Ke2 Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.Qd3 Ne5 {With an easy win.} ) 34.Kg3 Re2 35.Kxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake. White has a surprising draw after} ( 35.Qe8+ $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Kh7 36.Kxh4 Rxe3 37.Qxf7 Rh3+ 38.Kg4 {I suspect Abdumalik thought she would be mated here, but the attack is not as dangerous as it seems.} 38...Rh2 ( 38...Qf3+ $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move even loses:} 39.Kf5 Rh5+ 40.Ke6 Qd5+ 41.Ke7 {and the brave king has escaped.} ) 39.Qf5+ Kh8 40.Qf8+ {with a draw.} ) 35...Rxe3 36.Qf5 Re2 37.Kg4 g6 38.Qd5 Rd2 ( 38...h5+ 39.Kg5 Kg7 {also wins.} ) 39.Qe5 f5+ 0-1

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Second Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Wagner, Dinara"]
[Black "Muzychuk, Anna"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2413"]
[BlackElo "2522"]
[ECO "D85"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[Beauty "5846008339473"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.Bb5+ Nc6 9.O-O O-O 10.d5 {This advance is just the third most popular move. 10.Be3 and 10.Bxc6 are played in roughly equal measure.} ( 10.Be3 ) ( 10.Bxc6 ) 10...Ne5 {Maybe Muzychuk was surprised by Wagner's opening choice. The text move is not the most accurate.} ( 10...Na5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is also not enough for equality. White has a big advantage after:} 11.Be3 Qc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 12.Qd2 {in Gunina-Nepomniachtchi, Moscow (rapid) 2018.} ) ( 10...Qa5 11.Rb1 Ne5 12.Nxe5 Bxe5 13.Bg5 {is better for White in Pein-Forintos, Manchester 1982.} ) ( 10...a6 {is an interesting option.} 11.Be2 Bxc3 12.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 12.Bh6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 12...Nd4 13.Rc1 Nxf3+ 14.Bxf3 Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.Bxf8 Kxf8 {with excellent compensation for the exchange in Florescu-Petrisor, Baile Felix Cup 2011.} ) 12...Bxa1 13.Qxa1 Nd4 14.Nxd4 cxd4 15.Qxd4 f6 {White has the typical compensation for the exchange known in many Grunfeld variations.} ) ( 10...Bxc3 {is the clearest path to an equal game.} 11.Be3 ( 11.Bh6 Nd4 12.Nxd4 Bxd4 13.Bxf8 Qxf8 {with good compensation for the exchange. Gerzhoy-So, Quebec 2012.} ) 11...Nd4 12.Nxd4 cxd4 13.Bxd4 Bxa1 14.Bxa1 Bd7 15.Bc4 Rc8 16.Bb3 Bb5 17.Qd4 f6 18.Rb1 e5 19.dxe6 Qxd4 20.e7+ Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.exf8=Q+ Kxf8 22.Bxc4 Bxc4 {with a drawn position in Vitiugov-Matlakov, Ufa 2021.} ) 11.Nxe5 Bxe5 12.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12...Bd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] After this, White gets a stable advantage due to the strong pawns in the center.} ( 12...a6 13.Be2 Bxc3 14.Rc1 Qa5 15.Bxc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15...Qxc5 16.Qd3 Qd4 17.Rxc3 Qxd3 18.Bxd3 {White has a pleasant edge, but Black still has defensive resources.} ) ( 12...e6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is my favorite move, fighting for central control.} ) 13.Bxd7 Qxd7 14.Qd2 ( 14.Rc1 {is also good and led to an advantage in Vitiugov-Svidler, World Cup 2021.} ) 14...Rac8 15.Rac1 {Wagner's plan is understandable. She wants to reinforce the center with c3-c4, and the rook is useful on c1 to protect this pawn. Other plans are also interesting.} ( 15.Bh6 Bg7 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Rad1 {This is a classical Grunfeld-type of advantage for White. Black has no compensation for White's pawn superiority in the center.} ) ( 15.f4 Bg7 16.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a nice prophylactic move, removing the a4-square from the queen and also restricting the move b7-b5.} ( 16.e5 Rfd8 17.c4 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives Black some counterplay.} ) ) 15...Bg7 16.f4 Rfd8 17.c4 ( 17.f5 {is tempting, taking advantage of the fact that the black rook is no longer on the f-column.} ) 17...e6 18.Rfd1 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black is fighting back.} 19.Rf1 exf4 20.Rxf4 Qd6 {The queen is not a good blockader, so the alternatives are probably better.} ( 20...Qe8 ) ( 20...b6 ) ( 20...Be5 ) 21.Rcf1 Rc7 22.Qf2 Rf8 23.Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Leaving the f4-square to the bishop.} 23...Be5 24.g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is a bit optimistic, but it will work well.} ( 24.h4 h5 25.Bf4 {gives White a slight advantage.} ) 24...f6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 24...Qd7 25.h3 Qa4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black must always seek active play in the Grunfeld, and this seems a good try. Play may continue:} 26.Bxc5 Qxc4 27.Bxf8 Bd4 28.Re3 Kxf8 {with chances for both sides.} ) 25.g5 {Now Black needs to be careful.} 25...f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 25...b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way to achieve equality. The game might end in a draw after:} 26.Bf4 Rcf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Qg3 ( 27.Bxe5 Qxe5 28.gxf6 Qxe4 {is also equal.} ) 27...Bxf4 28.Rxf4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.exf5 Rxf5 30.Rxf5 Qxg3+ 31.hxg3 Rxf5 32.Rxf5 gxf5 33.Kf2 Kf7 34.Ke3 Ke7 {This pawn endgame ends in a draw.} ) 26.exf5 Rxf5 27.Rxf5 gxf5 28.Qxf5 Bxh2+ 29.Kh1 {White has a decisive advantage in this position. Black's pieces are unhinged, the d-pawn is a monster, and the f-file is tightly controlled.} 29...b6 30.a4 Be5 31.Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Swapping bishops accentuates the weaknesses in Black's position.} 31...Bxf4 32.Rxf4 Qe7 33.Kg2 Qe8 34.d6 $4 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] An unfortunate blunder by Wagner. She had a forced win at this point.} ( 34.Qe6+ $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...Qxe6 35.dxe6 {The rook endgame is easily winning since Black is unable to stop the king march.} 35...a6 ( 35...Kg7 36.Kf3 {followed by Ke4-d5.} ) ( 35...Re7 36.Rf6 ) 36.Kf3 b5 37.axb5 axb5 38.cxb5 c4 39.b6 Rb7 40.Rxc4 Rxb6 41.Rc8+ Kg7 42.e7 ) 34...Qc6+ 35.Re4 {Mistakes never come alone in chess; this a harsh reality. White will go from winning to losing very quickly.} ( 35.Qd5+ Qxd5+ 36.cxd5 {Black still has to play precisely to get a draw here.} 36...Rf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 36...Rd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 37.Kf3 ( 37.Rf6 {is also good.} ) 37...Rxd6 38.Ke4 {with an easy win.} ) 37.Re4 Kf8 38.Kg3 a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is in time to play b6-b5 and get a draw.} ) 35...Qxd6 36.Rf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 36.Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has enough activity for a draw a pawn down.} 36...Qd2+ 37.Kg3 Qc3+ 38.Kg4 Rf7 39.Qe4 ) 36...Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the endgame is winning for Black, since White can't create threats.} 37.Rf2 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Kh2 Rd4 39.Kg1 Re4 ( 39...Kg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is slightly more accurate, avoiding the queen endgame.} ) 40.Qd5+ Kg7 41.Rf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Queen endgames are notoriously difficult to play, so this is the best chance.} 41...Qxf7 42.Qxe4 Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43.Kg2 Qd2+ 44.Kh3 Qxg5 45.Qb7+ Kg6 ( 45...Kf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, since Black manages to keep a two-pawn advantage,} 46.Qc6+ ( 46.Qxa7 Qh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47.Kg4 Qg7+ {This is the point. The queens are exchanged.} ) ( 46.Qxh7 Qf5+ ) 46...Kf7 47.Qd7+ Qe7 ) 46.Qxa7 Qe3+ 47.Kg2 Qe4+ 48.Kg3 Qe5+ 49.Kg2 Qb2+ 50.Kg3 h5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move lets victory slip away.} ( 50...Qe5+ 51.Kg2 Qe6 {The best plan is to centralize the queen and then prepare to take the king to the queenside.} ) 51.Qb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 51.Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] activates the queen, and the desired draw might be achieved.} ) 51...Qb3+ 52.Kg2 Qc2+ 53.Kg3 Qd3+ 54.Kg2 Qe2+ 55.Kg3 Qe3+ 56.Kg2 Qd2+ 57.Kg3 Qd6+ 58.Kg2 h4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 58...Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again this is the right plan.} ) 59.Qe4+ Kg5 60.Qe3+ Qf4 61.Qe7+ Kf5 62.Qd7+ Ke4 63.Qc6+ Kd4 64.Qxb6 Qg3+ 65.Kh1 Qf3+ {White is close to a draw; it remains only to take the king to the right square.} 66.Kh2 $4 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Blunder;persistent;true] Now the game is over.} ( 66.Kg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 66...Kxc4 ( 66...h3 67.Qb2+ ) ( 66...Qg3+ 67.Kh1 ) 67.Qb5+ Kd4 68.Qb2+ ) 66...Qf2+ $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 67.Kh1 h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the problem. The queen remains on the ideal f2-square, controlling the opponent's check on b2.} 68.Qd6+ Kc3 69.Qe5+ Kb4 70.Qb8+ Ka3 {A typical device: to use the opponent's pawn as a shelter against the checks. Dvoretsky liked to call this theme \"The Umbrella.\" White resigned.} ( 70...Ka3 71.Qg8 Qg2+ 72.Qxg2 hxg2+ 73.Kxg2 Kxa4 74.Kf3 Kb3 75.Ke3 Kxc4 76.Kd2 Kb3 {with a winning pawn endgame.} ) 0-1

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Second Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Abdumalik, Zhansaya"]
[Black "Zhu, Jiner"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2496"]
[BlackElo "2486"]
[ECO "B33"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7289654257191"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 {If you want to play the Sveshnikov Variation but don't want to allow White to play the Rossolimo (3.Bb5), then this is the move order to choose. White gets another option, as we'll see.} 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 {Here White has an important choice to make: face Sveshnikov, one of the lines with the best reputation in the Sicilian, or else capture on c6. I'm not an expert on either of these two lines, but it looks like Black is holding up well on both.} 6.Ndb5 ( 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 ) 6...d6 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5 a6 9.Na3 b5 {Here White has another important decision to make: capture on f6 or play 10.Nd5. Both are very popular. In my king pawn days, I used to choose the second option, influenced by one of my favorite opening books and which I studied with dedication as a child: \"Beating The Sicilian\" by John Nunn.} 10.Nd5 ( 10.Bxf6 ) 10...Be7 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.c3 {This is the move suggested by Nunn in the aforementioned book. And that's as far as I can remember: unfortunately, I lost the book in one of my many residence changes since the early 1990s.} ( 12.c4 {is a move that has become very popular in recent years.} ) 12...Bg5 13.Nc2 Rb8 14.Be2 ( 14.a4 {is a thematic move, but everything here has already been studied a lot.} 14...bxa4 15.Ncb4 Nxb4 16.cxb4 ( 16.Nxb4 Bd7 {Black also equalizes. Here is a recent example:} 17.Bxa6 Qa5 18.Qxd6 Rb6 19.Qd3 Be6 20.O-O O-O 21.Bc4 Rd8 22.Bd5 Bxd5 23.exd5 Be7 {Ter-Sahakyan-Wang, Abu Dhabi 2022.} ) 16...O-O 17.Rxa4 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Here, as usual in the Sveshnikov, we have long forced lines in which Black achieves equality.} ) ( 14.a3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Taking the knight to b4 and then capturing it with a pawn is a recent idea.} ) 14...O-O 15.O-O Be6 16.Ndb4 ( 16.Qd3 {is the most common.} ) 16...Nxb4 17.Nxb4 Qb6 18.Qd3 ( 18.a4 a5 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.Qxd5 bxa4 {It seems that Black achieves a forced draw here.} 21.Rfb1 Rfc8 22.Bc4 Qc5 23.Rxa4 Qxd5 24.Bxd5 Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Raa1 Rc5 {Uecker-Loeffler, email 2017.} ) ( 18.Bg4 a5 19.Bxe6 fxe6 20.Nd3 {This is also possible, but not very dangerous for Black, since he doesn't need to worry about the d5-square anymore, and that's a huge relief.} ) 18...Bc4 19.Qd1 ( 19.Qf3 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 19...Be6 20.Qd3 a5 {An ambitious decision, refusing to repeat moves.} 21.Nd5 Qb7 22.Rad1 ( 22.Rfd1 {is more popular.} 22...Rfc8 {There's still a lot of theory here, but Black is fine. One possible plan is to activate the dark-squared bishop with Bd8 and then take it to b6, just in time.} ) 22...b4 {A pretty straightforward move, but still nothing new. A recent correspondence game followed with the more natural 22...Rfc8.} ( 22...Rfc8 23.a3 Bd8 24.h3 Rc5 25.b4 Rcc8 {and the game later ended in a draw. Wosch-Perez, email 2019.} ) 23.c4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move puts White in an uncomfortable position.} ( 23.cxb4 {is better:} 23...axb4 24.Qg3 Bh6 {It is not clear that this is the best square for the bishop.} 25.Bc4 {and White can fight for a small advantage, since he has stabilized the knight on d5. All this was played in Boskovic-Vuckovic, Palic 2014.} ) 23...b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.a3 Rfc8 {Black changed the pawn structure on the queenside, and this is clear to her benefit as she gains a square on d4, which in a distant dream can be occupied after the Bd8-b6 maneuver. White's position will quickly collapse in the next few moves, so we can consider this position as critical: Abdumalik needs a good plan.} 25.Qg3 ( 25.h3 {Looks good, preparing to play Bg4, but Black gets a clear advantage after} 25...Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing to capture the d5-knight without allowing White to recapture with the queen.} ) 25...Bd8 {Only now does a new move appear on the board.} ( 25...Bh6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] was played in Pineda-Bouaziz, Tripoli 1976.} ) 26.Kh1 $6 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] One of my favorite concepts in positional play is \"harmony,\" which means making sense of your moves, one flowing with the other. Smyslov, for example, was a harmony genius. White's next move doesn't make a good impression in this regard; it doesn't seem to flow naturally and White's plan of advancing the pawn to f4 is hardly effective. This is what we call an \"ugly\" move. I must be honest: there are many instances where ugly moves are the best ones. Alas, to Abdumalik's bad luck, this is not one of them.} ( 26.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best attempt. White must desperately try to change the trend of the game.} 26...Qc6 ( 26...Bxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 27.Bxc4 Rxc4 28.Rxd6 {This is what White wants.} ) 27.Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Qxe4 28.Bf3 Qf4 29.Nxd6 Rc7 30.Rfe1 {Although Black retains a minimal advantage, it's very clear that this is better than the game continuation.} ) 26...Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate move. By the way, I was impressed by Zhu's precision in carrying out her initiative.} ( 26...Bb6 {is natural, but Black's advantage is not so big after} 27.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 27.Qxb3 Bd4 ) 27...Bxd5 ( 27...Bd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] leads to a surprisingly lethal attack after} 28.Nf6+ Kh8 29.Nxh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Kxh7 30.f5 Bd7 31.f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...gxf6 32.Rxf6 ) 28.Rxd5 Bd4 ) 27.Nc3 ( 27.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27...Bxd5 28.exd5 Bf6 {with a dream position for Black.} ) 27...Qc6 28.f4 Bxc4 ( 28...exf4 29.Qxf4 Re5 {This is also very good for Black.} ) 29.Bxc4 Rxc4 30.fxe5 {It's hard to recommend anything.} ( 30.f5 Rxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The typical Sicilian sacrifice must always be analyzed.} 31.Qxc3 Qxc3 32.bxc3 b2 33.Rb1 Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And the bishop goes to c1 with a clear advantage.} ) ( 30.Nd5 exf4 ( 30...Rxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives White counterplay.} ) 31.Qxf4 Qe8 32.Qxd6 Rbc8 {again with a clear advantage for Black.} ) 30...dxe5 31.Qxe5 {White regains the pawn but opens the game to Black's bishop.} 31...Bc7 32.Qh5 Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Getting ready to take the bishop to his ideal square, e5.} 33.Rd5 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Rb5 Rd4 ( 34...Rxb5 35.Qxb5 Rd4 {is also very good.} ) 35.Rxb8+ Bxb8 36.Qxa5 Rd2 37.Qh5 ( 37.Rb1 {leads to a pretty checkmate after} 37...Qg4 38.Rg1 Qh4 39.h3 Qxh3+ 40.gxh3 Rh2# ) ( 37.Qb5 Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Qxe5 ( 38.Qxb3+ Kh8 39.g3 Rxh2+ 40.Kxh2 Qxg3+ 41.Kh1 Qh2# ) 38...Bxe5 39.Rb1 Bxc3 40.bxc3 b2 41.h3 Kf7 {The endgame is winning for Black, even a pawn down. White's rook is very passive, and the king will march to the queenside.} ) ( 37.Rd1 $5 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is the best chance. Precision is required now.} 37...Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 37...Rxd1+ 38.Nxd1 Qxe4 39.Qd2 {Here White has good drawing chances.} ) 38.Qh5 ( 38.Rxd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 38...Qf1# ) 38...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Qf3 Rxd1+ 40.Nxd1 Be5 {White is tied up; Black should win this endgame with accurate play.} ) 37...Rxb2 38.Rd1 Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Nb5 Qxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very well calculated.} 40.Qf7+ Kh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Of course, this was seen in advance by the Chinese player.} ( 40...Kxf7 $6 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Of course, this was not the intention, but, just for readers' curiosity, it's possible that even this position is winning.} 41.Nxd6+ Ke6 42.Nxe4 Rc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43.Nd2 b2 44.Nb1 Rc1 45.Rg1 Ke5 {White is paralyzed, and the king is going to the queenside.} ) 41.Rg1 Bc5 42.h3 h6 ( 42...Rb1 43.Rxb1 Qxb1+ 44.Kh2 Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is also a nice way to win. The white queen must feel bad being so close to the king and not being able to give a check.} ) 43.Nc3 Qa8 44.Nd5 Bxg1 45.Kxg1 Rxg2+ $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A beautiful ending to a game masterfully handled by Zhu.} ( 45...Rxg2+ 46.Kxg2 b2 ) 0-1

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Second Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2519"]
[BlackElo "2530"]
[ECO "B27"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "6461375646765"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 {This Sicilian Variation is not very popular at the highest level. After 3.d4 the game can go to what we know as the \"Maroczy Bind\" or else to lines of the \"Accelerated Dragon.\" But the game quickly takes an original road.} 3.c3 d5 ( 3...Bg7 4.d4 cxd4 5.cxd4 d5 6.e5 {This is the main line, and there's a lot of theory here.} ) 4.e5 ( 4.exd5 {is also a popular move.} ) 4...Nc6 5.Bb5 {An interesting move and far less played than 5.d4.} ( 5.d4 {A recent game continued:} 5...cxd4 6.cxd4 Bg4 7.Bb5 Rc8 {Wang-Guseinov, Shusha (blitz) 2022.} ) 5...Bg4 6.O-O Qb6 7.c4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A very optimistic move that puts White in serious trouble.} ( 7.Bxc6+ {is the natural move and had been played previously:} 7...Qxc6 8.d4 {with chances for both sides in Mammadova-Movileanu, Batumi 2019.} ) 7...O-O-O ( 7...dxc4 {is also very good for Black.} 8.Na3 ( 8.Bxc4 Nxe5 {Black wins a pawn for no compensation.} ) 8...a6 9.Qa4 Bxf3 10.gxf3 Rc8 11.Bxc6+ Qxc6 12.Qxc6+ Rxc6 13.Nxc4 Nh6 {White will suffer in this endgame since Black's pawn structure is much better.} ) 8.Bxc6 Qxc6 9.h3 Be6 {Black already has an almost winning advantage here, although with kings on opposite sides there is always hope of complicating the game. That's what Kosteniuk starts trying now.} 10.Ng5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Sacrificing a pawn.} ( 10.cxd5 Bxd5 {Black has an advantage in development and a monster light-squared bishop.} ) 10...dxc4 11.Nxe6 Qxe6 12.Re1 Nh6 13.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White does everything to open files on the queenside.} 13...Nf5 14.Ba3 b6 15.b4 cxb4 16.Bxb4 Qc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] An imprecise move that gives chances to White. The queen is less useful than it looks on this diagonal. The priority is to develop the bishop on f8 and to remove the king from the c-file.} ( 16...Bh6 17.Na3 Kb8 {White has very little to show in exchange for the pawn.} ) 17.Na3 {Now 18.Nxc4 is threatened, and the rook is coming to c1, positioning itself in an x-ray with the black queen.} 17...Rd4 ( 17...Kb8 18.Rc1 {and the c4-pawn will fall. It should be mentioned that the attempt to defend with 18...b5 leads to disaster.} 18...b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Nxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Qxb5 20.Rb1 {With a decisive attack against the naked king.} ) 18.Nc2 Rd3 19.Rc1 Bh6 20.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen is very well positioned here, keeping an eye on the c4-pawn.} 20...Kb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20...Kb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There is a subtle difference in the placement of the king on b8 or on b7. This is the correct square, and the main reason is to leave a way back to the queen.} 21.Re4 {If White continues as in the game, then the idea appears:} 21...c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move only works with the king on b8.} 22.Rc4 ( 22.Bxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22...Rxc3 23.dxc3 Bxc1 {wins a piece.} ) 22...Qb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Bxc3 ( 23.Rxc3 Rxd2 {with a sound pawn up.} ) 23...Rxc3 24.Rxc3 Bxd2 25.Nb4 Bxc3 26.Rxc3 Rc8 {with excellent winning chances for Black.} ) 21.Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...b5 ( 21...c3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move doesn't work now.} 22.Bxc3 ( 22.Rc4 {is also good.} ) 22...Rxc3 23.dxc3 Bxc1 24.Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Surprisingly the attack is decisive now.} 24...Qxc3 25.Rc4 Qe1+ 26.Kh2 Qxe5+ 27.g3 {There is no good way to avoid a mortal queen check.} ) ( 21...Rc8 22.Ne1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Rdd8 23.Rexc4 Qd5 24.Rxc8 Rxc8 25.Rxc8 Kxc8 26.Bc3 Qxa2 27.Qe4 {White has good compensation for the pawn and good chances of achieving a draw.} ) 22.Rb1 {Bringing the rook into the attack and also setting up Bc3, freeing up the b4-square for the knight.} ( 22.a4 {is also possible.} ) 22...Rc8 ( 22...Ka8 $6 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 23.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is very unpleasant for Black.} ) 23.Bc3 {Black only has one move now. The trend of the game is not good, and the evaluation of the position has changed from \"comfortable advantage\" to \"very dangerous.\" In these cases, it's very difficult to be cold-blooded enough to find the best moves.} 23...a5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 23...Bxd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to embark on this complication.} 24.Nb4 Qb6 25.Nxd3 Bxc3 {The position is very complicated, but with accurate play the balance is maintained.} 26.Qf3 Kb8 ( 26...cxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 27.Rxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Qxb5 28.Rb4+ Kb6 29.Rxb5+ Kxb5 30.Qb7+ ) 27.Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Rxc5 28.Qxc3 Qc6 29.Re2 {With chances for both sides in this position with material imbalance.} ) 24.Na3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's position completely collapses now. All pawns on the queenside pawns will be captured.} ( 24.Bxa5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 24...Bxd2 {This was Tan's idea, I believe.} ) 24...Ka6 ( 24...b4 25.Nxc4 ) 25.Rxb5 Rxc3 ( 25...Qxb5 26.Nxb5 Kxb5 27.a4+ {The c4-pawn falls.} ) 26.dxc3 Bc1 27.Rxc4 Qxc4 28.Rxa5+ Kxa5 29.Nxc4+ Kb5 30.a4+ Kc5 31.Na5 Rb8 32.Qc4+ Kb6 33.Qb5+ Kc7 34.Qc6+ 1-0

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Second Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Muzychuk, Mariya"]
[Black "Kashlinskaya, Alina"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2523"]
[BlackElo "2491"]
[ECO "C24"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[Beauty "5981413057559"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The belief in the old days was that this very fast advance is bad for Black, but as I've written a few times, the computer shows that everything is more or less playable.} 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.h3 {This move is much less played than the main line 6.0-0, and it does seem a little slow.} ( 6.O-O {is the critical test.} 6...Nb6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Mamedyarov played this move a few times recently.} ( 6...Be7 {is also possible and a recent game went:} 7.Re1 f6 8.d4 Nb6 9.Bb5 {Esipenko-Vidit, Mayrhofen 2022.} ) ) 6...Be7 {Whether this is the best way to develop is something open to question.} ( 6...Bc5 7.O-O O-O 8.Re1 Be6 {Vidit-Duda, Aimchess (rapid) 2022.} ) ( 6...Bf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a move the computer approves, though it's nearly untried.} ) 7.O-O Nb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 7...O-O 8.Re1 {Black has some problems in defending the e-pawn. In general, this is the problem with the quick d5-advance.} ) 8.Bb3 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an important move for Black, but it's not easy to understand what's the big advantage over the direct 8...Qd6. I think this is clear in the following line:} ( 8...Qd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 9.Nc3 Qg6 10.Kh1 Be6 11.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11...Bxb3 12.axb3 {This is the point: White is able to recapture with the pawn, an option that will be lost in the game continuation.} 12...f6 13.Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the initiative.} ) 9.a3 Qd6 10.Re1 ( 10.Nc3 Qg6 11.Kh1 a4 12.Ba2 Be6 {This position is now acceptable for Black.} ) 10...a4 {This natural move is a novelty. It's hard to say without a deeper study whether this is better than the immediate 10...Be6.} ( 10...Be6 11.Bxe6 Qxe6 12.Qe2 f6 13.d4 O-O-O $5 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14.dxe5 fxe5 15.Nc3 {With chances for both sides in Demchenko-Aditya, Sitges 2022.} ) 11.Ba2 Be6 12.Bxe6 Qxe6 13.Qe2 O-O $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black doesn't have adequate compensation for the lost pawn. 13...f6, 13...Bd6 or 13...Bf6 are better.} ( 13...f6 14.d4 O-O 15.dxe5 Nxe5 16.Nxe5 fxe5 17.Be3 Nd5 {with a balanced position.} ) ( 13...Bd6 ) ( 13...Bf6 ) 14.Nxe5 Nd4 15.Qd1 Rae8 16.Nd2 Bf6 17.Nef3 Nxf3+ 18.Nxf3 {White has consolidated and is a clear pawn up.} 18...Qd5 19.Nd2 ( 19.c3 {is good, preparing to develop the bishop.} ) 19...Be5 20.Ne4 Re6 ( 20...h6 {is better, avoiding White's next move.} ) 21.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight continues to dance. It's funny that this piece will go back to f3, where it was in the first place, but even so White's position has improved.} 21...Ree8 22.c3 h6 23.Nf3 Bd6 24.Be3 c5 25.c4 Qf5 26.Rc1 ( 26.b4 {Opens the queenside and is immediately winning, but the move played is also OK.} ) 26...Re6 27.d4 Rfe8 $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This loses more material, although it's hard to give any advice.} 28.dxc5 Bxc5 29.Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 29.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins immediately, as the queen cannot protect the c5-bishop anymore.} 29...Rg6 30.Nh4 ) 29...Bxd4 30.Qxd4 Rg6 31.Kh1 ( 31.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, bringing the king closer to the center in anticipation of a queen exchange.} ) 31...Kh7 $6 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 31...Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move gives chances of a draw in a slightly worse endgame for Black after} 32.f3 Qxd4 33.Bxd4 Rxe1+ 34.Rxe1 Nxc4 35.Re8+ Kh7 36.Re7 Nd6 ) 32.Red1 Qe6 33.Rd3 ( 33.c5 {is more natural. Black intended} 33...Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] but White is able to keep a better position after} 34.f3 Nd5 35.Bf2 ) 33...Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.f3 $4 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] An unfortunate mistake that completely changes the course of the game.} ( 34.Qc3 {and the position is still clearly better for White.} ) 34...Rd7 35.Qc3 Rxg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] That's it. A nice \"Puzzle Rush\" tactic that gives a nearly decisive advantage for Black.} 36.Kxg2 Qg6+ 37.Kf2 Rxd3 38.Qe5 Nd7 39.Qf4 ( 39.Qe4 {The exchange of queens brings no relief for White.} 39...Qxe4 40.fxe4 Ne5 {with a technically winning endgame due to the better pawn structure and the monster knight.} ) 39...Qe6 40.Rg1 g5 ( 40...Ne5 {is also very good.} ) 41.Qe4+ Qxe4 42.fxe4 Ne5 {White's queenside falls apart, and the rest is easy.} 43.Ke2 Rb3 44.Bd4 Nf3 45.Rd1 Nxd4+ 46.Rxd4 Rxb2+ 47.Kf1 Rb3 {It turns out that not all rook endgames are drawn.} 48.Rd7 Kg6 49.Kg2 Kf6 50.c5 h5 51.Rc7 h4 52.c6 bxc6 53.Rxc6+ Kg7 54.Rc5 f6 55.e5 fxe5 56.Rxe5 Kf6 57.Ra5 Rxa3 58.Kh2 Kg6 59.Ra8 Kf5 60.Rf8+ Ke4 61.Re8+ Kf3 62.Rf8+ Ke2 63.Ra8 Ra2 64.Ra5 Kf3+ 65.Kg1 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 66.hxg4 Kg3 {A nice final touch. The g4-pawn gives shelter against the checks. It works like an umbrella.} 67.Kf1 h3 0-1

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Second Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Abdumalik, Zhansaya"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2519"]
[BlackElo "2496"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "6120194186791"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.g4 {An ultra-aggressive option against the Caro-Kann Defense.} 4...Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate move, provoking the white pawn to f3.} 5.f3 Bg6 6.h4 ( 6.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] My impression is that this move order is more accurate.} 6...fxe6 7.h4 ) 6...h5 7.e6 {This move is the point of White's opening idea: a pawn sacrifice to create weaknesses around the opponent's king. But now Black is not obliged to accept the gift.} 7...Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 7...fxe6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Qd6 {leads to a chaotic position with chances for both sides.} ) 8.exf7+ Kxf7 $6 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Probably Abdumalik was already out of preparation, as the computer doesn't like this move and the capture with the bishop was played almost unanimously before.} ( 8...Bxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has a fine position, for instance:} 9.Be3 hxg4 10.fxg4 Nf6 11.Nc3 Qe6 {Vallejo Pons-So, Tbilisi 2017.} ) 9.g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 9.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best way to fight for the initiative.} 9...hxg4 ( 9...Qg3+ $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 10.Kd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is not afraid to play the king in the center in this line.} ) ( 9...Nd7 10.Nh3 ) 10.fxg4 Nf6 11.Nf3 {with good attacking chances for White.} ) 9...e5 ( 9...Qg3+ {is also very good.} 10.Kd2 ( 10.Ke2 Nd7 ) 10...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Playing with a king on d2 is not very pleasant. Black has a clear advantage.} ) 10.Ne2 Ne7 11.Bh3 Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.Bxf5 Nxf5 {It's clear that the opening was a complete success for Black. Her king, even on f7, is safer than White's, the knight on f5 is very well placed, and her remaining pieces have free development, while White has barely left the first rank. Quite a result for just over 10 moves in the Caro-Kann $1} 13.dxe5 Qxe5 14.Bf4 Qe6 15.Qd2 g6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It doesn't seem necessary to lose time before developing the bishop.} ( 15...Bc5 16.Nc3 Re8 17.O-O-O Nd7 {with a clear advantage.} ) 16.Nc3 Bg7 17.O-O-O d4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 17...Nd7 {is better:} 18.Rhe1 Ne5 ) 18.Ne4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Missing a golden chance to sacrifice a piece for the initiative. Now it's White's turn to play with better development.} ( 18.Rhe1 $3 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 18...Qc4 {Accepting the sacrifice leads to a dangerous position.} ( 18...dxc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19.Nxc3 Qc4 20.Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Na6 ( 20...Rf8 21.Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Qc5 22.Bxg7 Kxg7 23.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Qb6 24.Na4 {Followed by 25.Nc5 with a strong attack.} ) 21.Qd7+ Kg8 22.Qxb7 {Black is in trouble.} ) 19.Ne4 Qxa2 20.Qb4 {with the same position as in the game, but with White's rook already on e1.} ) 18...Qxa2 19.Qb4 {The game becomes sharp.} 19...b6 20.Nxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Offering material to open the position.} 20...Na6 {A solid and good reaction.} ( 20...c5 21.Nxc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 21.Qb3+ Qxb3 22.Nxb3 {leads to an equal endgame.} ) 21...bxc5 22.Qb7+ Ne7 23.Rhe1 Re8 24.Bd6 {After the storm comes the calm. The game ends in perpetual check.} 24...Qa1+ 25.Kd2 Qa5+ 26.Kc1 Qa1+ ) ( 20...Nxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 21.Rxd4 c5 ( 21...Bxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is just suicide.} 22.Qxd4 {With a decisive attack due to the dark squares.} ) 22.Qa4 Qxa4 23.Rxa4 Nc6 24.Nd6+ Kg8 25.Re1 {With some advantage for White in the endgame.} ) 21.Qb3+ Qxb3 22.Nxb3 {The endgame is roughly equal.} 22...Rad8 23.c3 c5 ( 23...Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Ke6 {This is fine for Black.} ) 24.Kc2 ( 24.Nbd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a better attempt to gain an advantage, although the game remains equal after} 24...Nb8 25.Nc4 Rxd1+ 26.Rxd1 Nxh4 27.Ned6+ Ke7 28.Re1+ Kd7 ) 24...Nb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight heads to c6.} 25.Nbd2 Nc6 26.Nc4 Rxd1 27.Rxd1 Rd8 28.Ned6+ Nxd6 29.Nxd6+ Ke6 30.Re1+ Kd7 31.Rd1 Ke6 32.Re1+ Kd7 {It seems that everything will end in a draw, but Kosteniuk decides to continue the fight.} 33.Nc4 Rf8 34.Re4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This creates some problems for White.} ( 34.Rd1+ Ke8 35.Re1+ {with a draw.} ) 34...b5 35.Ne3 Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.Nd5 Ne6 {Now only Black can play to win.} 37.b3 Rf5 38.c4 b4 39.Kd3 Bc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 39...Rf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move defends the seventh rank and prepares to take the knight to d4. White would have an arduous task ahead, fighting for a draw.} ) 40.Ke3 {The game is equal again, and the players decided to call it a day.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Second Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Dzagnidze, Nana"]
[Black "Kashlinskaya, Alina"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2517"]
[BlackElo "2491"]
[ECO "E92"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7081214121993"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 {This is a typical King Indian pawn structure, and the space advantage is why the computer likes White so much against this defense. A good suggestion for the brave King's Indian players, eternal optimists, is to do their opening analysis with the machine turned off: it's a little depressing to see the computer always giving White the advantage.} 7...Na6 8.Nf3 Nc5 9.Nd2 a5 10.Be2 Bd7 ( 10...Ne8 {GM Amin is a huge KID fan and played this move recently (on my 43th birthday, to be more exact):} 11.g4 f5 12.gxf5 gxf5 13.Rg1 Kh8 {with chances for both sides in Grischuk-Amin, Wch Rapid Almaty 2022.} ) 11.Qc2 {White gets ready to send the king to the queenside.} 11...a4 ( 11...b6 {This was tried in 2022 by a strong GM.} 12.g4 a4 13.a3 c6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14.f3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 14.O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 14...Rc8 15.O-O h5 {with a good position for Black in Assaubayeva-Demchenko, Novi Sad 2022.} ) 12.a3 Ne8 $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 12...c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the right way to get counterplay. If White castles short, then prepare f5.} ) 13.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 13...Bf6 {This is interesting, with the idea of exchanging the dark-squared bishops with Bg5.} ) 14.exf5 {A new move. The position is already quite bad for Black.} ( 14.gxf5 gxf5 15.O-O-O {also led to an advantage in Goryachkina-Fominykh, Khanty-Mansiysk 2012.} ) 14...gxf5 15.O-O-O {This is a typical advantageous position for White in the King's Indian and one of the reasons why this defense is positionally dangerous. White will sooner or later have the juicy square on e4 available for a knight.} 15...Qh4 16.Rdf1 ( 16.Kb1 {As I always say, you're never too wrong playing Kb1 after a long castle. But White will play this on the next move anyway.} ) 16...Kh8 17.Kb1 Ra6 {Black doesn't have a good plan and probably for that reason she played this creative move.} ( 17...e4 18.f3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] In this line we see how the f1-rook can come into play.} ) 18.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good move, cutting the black queen out of the game.} 18...f4 19.Bxc5 Bf5 20.Bd3 Bxd3 21.Qxd3 dxc5 22.Nde4 Ra5 23.Qf3 Nd6 24.Nxd6 cxd6 {For King's Indian players, this position is the perfect description of a nightmare or a horror movie. The white knight is a chess version of Freddy Krueger.} 25.Qg4 ( 25.Ne4 {is also good.} ) 25...Qxg4 26.hxg4 {The endgame is hopeless.} 26...f3 27.Re1 ( 27.Ne4 Ra6 28.g6 {This leads to an immediate win.} 28...Rf4 ( 28...h6 29.g5 ) 29.Re1 Rxg4 30.gxh7 {White will now haunt the f3-pawn, and Black has too many weaknesses.} ) 27...Kg8 28.Rh3 Raa8 29.Kc2 Rf4 30.Re4 Rf7 31.Kd3 {The only possible counterplay is to attack the g5-pawn, but it's difficult to realize this plan.} 31...Bf8 32.Re3 Rf4 ( 32...Be7 33.Rexf3 Rxf3+ 34.Rxf3 Bxg5 35.Ne4 {Black won't resist long.} ) 33.Re4 Rf7 34.Re3 Rf4 35.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Be7 36.Rexf3 Rxg4 37.Rh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a serious mistake and shows that chess has so many resources and that it's important to be accurate even in the so-called \"easily winning positions.\"} ( 37.Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] We can see why this move is better in the following line:} 37...b5 ( 37...Rxe4 38.Kxe4 Bxf6 39.gxf6 {White king will march decisively to f5.} ) 38.cxb5 c4+ 39.Ke3 Rb8 40.Kf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the difference. Now White is winning.} 40...Rg1 ( 40...Rxg5 41.Nxg5 Bxf6 42.Ne4 Be7 43.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 41.Re6 ) 37...Ra6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 37...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the only possible chance. It seems incredible, but after only one bad move, Black is back in the game, even in such a difficult endgame.} 38.cxb5 c4+ $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Ke3 Rb8 {With adequate counterplay. The computer evaluates the position as equal.} ) 38.Re6 Bxg5 39.Rf5 ( 39.Rg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the simplest.} 39...Rxg3+ 40.fxg3 {The d6-pawn will fall.} ) 39...h6 40.Nxd6 Rd4+ 41.Kc3 Bd2+ 42.Kc2 Bf4 ( 42...Bg5 {is more stubborn.} ) 43.Nxb7 ( 43.Re8+ $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43...Kg7 44.Re7+ Kg8 ( 44...Kg6 45.Re6+ Kg7 46.Rf7+ Kg8 47.Re8# ) 45.Rf6 {with decisive mating threats.} ) 43...Rxc4+ 44.Kb1 Rc1+ 45.Ka2 Rxe6 46.dxe6 Bg5 47.Nd6 Rd1 48.Rxg5+ $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48...Kf8 ( 48...hxg5 49.e7 ) 49.Rg8+ ( 49.Rg8+ Ke7 50.Re8+ Kxd6 51.Rd8+ {Black's rook is captured.} ) 1-0

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Second Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.10"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Muzychuk, Anna"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2519"]
[BlackElo "2522"]
[ECO "B23"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6529155599366"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 {A popular subvariation for those who don't like opening the game against the Sicilian.} 3...Nd4 4.Bc4 ( 4.Nf3 {is also possible.} ) 4...e6 5.Nge2 a6 ( 5...Nf6 {immediately is also popular.} ) 6.a4 Nf6 7.O-O d5 8.exd5 exd5 {It's clear that Black has absolutely no problems in this position.} 9.Ba2 Nxe2+ ( 9...Bg4 {was played by Carlsen before he became the world champion. This seems like ages ago, but he was already over 2800, so it's not such a long time.} 10.f3 ( 10.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 10...Be6 11.d3 Nc6 {Black was fine in Radjabov-Carlsen, Bazna 2010.} ) ( 9...Bd6 {is also fine.} ) 10.Qxe2+ Be7 11.d3 O-O $6 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This allows White to win a pawn.} ( 11...Be6 12.Bg5 O-O {This transposes to a position we will see later in the analysis.} ) ( 11...Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is probably the most accurate.} 12.f3 Be6 13.f4 Qd7 {with a good position.} ) 12.Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 12.Bg5 Be6 13.Qf3 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a balanced position.} ( 13...d4 {is also close to equal after} 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Ne4 Bxa2 16.Rxa2 Be7 ) ) 12...Nxd5 13.Bxd5 Qxd5 14.Qxe7 {Black is close to equality thanks to his activity and the opposite-colored bishops. But I'd rather have equality being a pawn up than a pawn down.} 14...Be6 ( 14...Bf5 15.Re1 {was played in Gu-Pogonina, Istanbul 2005.} ) ( 14...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate and was played in Magem Badals-Van der Stricht, France 2005.} ) 15.Qg5 ( 15.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a subtle move, avoiding the c5-c4 advance. This is the best chance for an advantage.} ) 15...Qxg5 {Only now does the game take a unique character.} ( 15...c4 16.Qxd5 Bxd5 17.dxc4 Bxc4 18.Rd1 {This is similar to what we will see in the game. Excellent drawing chances, but White is playing risk-free.} ) 16.Bxg5 f6 17.Be3 c4 18.dxc4 Bxc4 19.Rfe1 {The endgame has a great tendency for a draw, but White can press without any risk. That's a pleasant feeling for a chess player—you know you're going to have your opponent defending for hours, and the worst that can happen is to get a draw.} 19...b5 20.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] When you have a material advantage in an endgame, keep the pawns on the board. This is a classic rule that has multiple exceptions, but it's still good to know.} 20...Rfe8 21.Rad1 ( 21.Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This prophylactic move is important to avoid the b5-b4 advance.} ) 21...Rad8 22.Rxd8 Rxd8 23.f3 Kf7 {Black will play the endgame very passively, and that will be the problem. In the next few moves, it's possible to try an active plan, playing b4 and then b3 or Rd5.} ( 23...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24.Kf2 h5 ( 24...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.h4 Be6 ( 25...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26.Rc1 Rc8 27.Ke2 Rc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 27...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 28.g3 Rc8 29.Bd4 Re8 30.Ke3 Bd5+ 31.Kf2 Be6 ( 31...b4 {Again $1} ) 32.Rg1 Bf5 ( 32...b4 {Once more $1} ) 33.c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Even after this move, Black might consider playing b4, as it's not so bad to lose the pawn as long as the bishop can blockade the queenside pawns.} 33...Bc8 34.Bb6 Re7 35.Be3 Be6 36.g4 hxg4 37.fxg4 Rc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Muzychuk keeps waiting, but this strategy costs her the game.} ( 37...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again $1} 38.cxb4 ( 38.Bc5 Rd7 39.Bxb4 Rd2+ 40.Kg3 Rxb2 {with some counterplay.} ) 38...Bc4 {with excellent drawing chances.} ) 38.g5 {Now it's getting really dangerous.} 38...Rc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The decisive mistake.} ( 38...fxg5 {is necessary with good chances to save the game.} 39.Rxg5 ( 39.hxg5 Kg6 ) 39...g6 ) 39.g6+ $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After this move, the pawn structure on the kingside is annoying for Black, and it's no longer possible to save the game.} 39...Ke7 40.Bd4 Rc8 41.Kg3 ( 41.h5 {is also winning. A nice variation is:} 41...Rh8 42.Bc5+ Kd7 43.Rd1+ Kc7 44.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...Rxh5 45.Bf4+ Kc8 ( 45...Kb7 46.Re1 ) 46.Rd6 {The a6-pawn will be captured and White wins.} ) 41...Bd5 42.Re1+ Kd7 43.Rd1 Ke6 44.Be3 ( 44.h5 Rh8 45.Kg4 $18 ) 44...Rc4 45.Bd4 Rc8 46.Kg4 Rh8 47.h5 f5+ 48.Kg5 Rxh5+ {This tactical trick is not enough to save the game.} 49.Kxh5 Bf3+ 50.Kg5 Bxd1 51.b4 Bb3 52.Bxg7 Bc4 53.Bd4 {A key factor in opposite-colored bishop endgames is being able to create passed pawns on both flanks, as is the case here.} 53...f4 {This pawn would be lost anyway.} 54.Kxf4 Bb3 55.Kg5 Bc4 56.Kh6 Kd7 ( 56...Bd3 57.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This variation illustrates White's strategy of creating passed pawns on both sides of the board.} 57...bxc4 ( 57...Bxc4 58.g7 Kf7 59.Kh7 ) 58.b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 58...axb5 59.a6 Be4 60.a7 b4 61.g7 Kf7 62.a8=Q $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 62...Bxa8 63.Kh7 {The pawn promotes.} ) 57.Kg7 Bd3 58.Kf7 1-0

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Second Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.11"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Muzychuk, Anna"]
[Black "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2530"]
[ECO "B81"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7630030377040"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 {The Scheveningen Variation is not a regular guest in elite tournaments these days, mainly because of the Keres Attack, which we see in the game.} 6.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Clearly the most uncomfortable move for Black. White does not need to ask for permission to make this move, as is often the case against Najdorf, for example.} 6...h6 7.Rg1 {White has other promising options.} ( 7.g5 {is a little out of fashion.} 7...hxg5 8.Bxg5 Nc6 {With hundreds of games in this position.} ) ( 7.h3 {is a solid move, planning the development of the bishop on g2 and in no hurry to advance the pawns. The position is normal, but I still think White can get more out of the h4-g5 plan.} ) ( 7.h4 Nc6 8.Rg1 h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 8...d5 {is also a popular move.} ) 9.gxh5 ( 9.g5 Ng4 {with an acceptable position for Black.} ) 9...Nxh5 {White definitely has the advantage here, but I got a key win with Black at the 2008 World Correspondence Chess Championship. This victory helped me to achieve the title of GM in this modality.} 10.Be3 a6 11.Qd2 Bd7 12.O-O-O b5 {Lanc-Leitao, ICCF email 2008.} ) 7...Nc6 8.Be3 Be7 {A critical position. Karpov had great games against the Scheveningen and three of them in this position.} 9.Qd2 ( 9.h4 d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 exd5 ( 11...Qxd5 {This is the computer's favorite move.} ) 12.g5 hxg5 13.hxg5 Rh4 14.Qd2 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Kf8 16.O-O-O {White has a clear advantage. Bacrot-Hou, Cap d'Agde 2019.} ) ( 9.Qe2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 9...Nxd4 ( 9...Bd7 10.h4 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 e5 12.Be3 Bc6 13.Qd3 Qa5 14.O-O-O Nxe4 15.Nxe4 d5 16.Qb3 dxe4 17.Bc4 Rf8 18.Rd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 18...Bxd5 19.Bxd5 {with excellent compensation for the exchange. This is one of Karpov's best games. Karpov-Sax, Linares 1983.} ) 10.Bxd4 e5 11.Be3 Be6 12.O-O-O Nd7 13.Kb1 {with some advantage for White in Karpov-Andersson, Turin 1982.} ) ( 9.Be2 a6 10.Qd2 Nxd4 11.Qxd4 e5 12.Qd2 Be6 13.Bf3 Nd7 14.Nd5 Bg5 15.O-O-O Rc8 16.Kb1 Bxd5 17.exd5 Nc5 {Black was fine in Karpov-Timman, Mar del Plata 1982.} ) 9...Nxd4 10.Qxd4 e5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black changes the character of the game.} 11.Qa4+ Kf8 ( 11...Bd7 12.Bb5 {The position looks bad for Black, as the exchange of bishops accentuates the weakness on d5. But Black managed to draw a messy correspondence game.} 12...a6 13.Bxd7+ Qxd7 14.Qb3 ( 14.Qxd7+ Kxd7 15.O-O-O {is slightly better for White.} ) 14...Nxg4 15.Nd5 Nxe3 16.fxe3 Bh4+ 17.Kd2 O-O 18.Nb6 Qh3 19.Nxa8 Rxa8 20.Qxb7 Rc8 21.c3 Bf2 22.Rgd1 d5 23.exd5 Qxe3+ {with perpetual check in Moll-Banet, ICCF email 2012.} ) 12.f3 {With Black's uncastled king in a typical English Attack position, White has to have the upper hand. But things are never easy in the Sicilian.} 12...a6 13.O-O-O Be6 14.Nd5 ( 14.Kb1 {I like to test the Kb1 move in random positions, with the aim of proving my principle that this move is never too bad. Interestingly, this is one of the machine's favorite moves.} 14...b5 15.Qa3 d5 16.Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 14...b5 {Only this move is new.} ( 14...Bxd5 15.exd5 Rc8 16.Kb1 {was Abedeji-Alvarez Abejon, Madrid 2005.} ) 15.Qb4 Bxd5 16.exd5 Nd7 {Black's dream is to play Bg5 and exchange bishops, but White avoids this with her next move.} 17.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Qc7 ( 17...Bxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The pawn cannot be taken.} 18.Qxd6+ Be7 19.Qc6 {with a winning positional advantage for White.} ) 18.Rd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] With this move, White loses all the advantage. There's no need to surrender the h-pawn.} ( 18.g5 {is the most natural.} 18...hxg5 19.hxg5 g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With the idea of Kg7, connecting the rooks.} ( 19...Rh2 {is not good.} 20.Rd2 ) 20.f4 ) ( 18.Rh1 $5 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( 18.Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is my favorite move, defending the pawn and waiting to advance it at the best moment.} ) 18...Bxh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Rh2 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A difficult move to play, but now White can no longer advance the dangerous g-pawn.} ( 19...Be7 20.g5 {is unpleasant.} ) 20.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake never comes alone...} ( 20.c4 {I thought this move could be interesting, preparing to bring the rook into the game via c2. But the computer is unimpressed.} 20...Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With the idea of playing a5-b4.} ( 20...bxc4 21.Rc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) ( 20.Kb1 {is possible, as always. White has some compensation for the pawn, thanks to weaknesses on the light squares.} ) 20...Rc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black should immediately follow the plan that she will carry out later in the game.} ( 20...exf4 21.Bxf4 ( 21.Bd4 f6 ) 21...gxf4 22.Rxh4 Rc8 {And the knight will jump to e5 with advantage for Black.} ) 21.Bd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21.fxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...hxg5 22.Bd3 {The bishop goes to f5, and now White has great compensation.} ) 21...exf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Bxf4 ( 22.Bd4 {Perhaps Muzychuk counted on this move, but it looks better than it actually is.} 22...f6 ( 22...Rg8 {is also possible, sacrificing the exchange.} 23.Bh7 $6 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 23...Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Bxg8 Kxg8 {With excellent compensation.} ) 23.Bf5 ( 23.Re2 Ne5 24.Bxe5 fxe5 25.Rxe5 Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Qxc5 Rxc5 {with a winning endgame for Black. The h4-bishop has become a monster.} ) 23...Kg7 {White doesn't have enough compensation for the two pawns.} ) 22...gxf4 23.Rxh4 Ne5 {Considering what happened in the opening, this position seems like a sweet dream for Black. The knight on e5 is such a strong piece in this pawn structure.} 24.Qe4 ( 24.Bf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24...Qxc2+ $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Bxc2 Nd3+ {wins more material.} ) 24...Qc5 25.Rgh1 ( 25.Rf1 {is a better try.} ) 25...Re8 26.R4h3 f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Rf1 Rg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Qh7 Qe3+ 29.Kd1 h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Tan was in severe time trouble and plays a pretty move that objectively is not the best.} ( 29...Nxd3 30.Qxd3 Qe2+ 31.Kc1 {This is similar to what will happen in the game later but not so effective.} 31...Re3 32.Qxe2 fxe2 33.Rxf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Kxf7 34.Rxe3 ) ( 29...Rg6 $3 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is a superb computer move. The queen is cut from the game.} 30.Re1 ( 30.Bxg6 Qe2+ ) 30...Qd4 {White's position collapses.} ) 30.g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 30.gxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30...Rg2 {followed by mate.} ) ( 30.Rxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30...Nxg4 {and now White cannot capture on f3.} ) ( 30.Qxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30...Nxd3 ) ( 30.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the only move to keep the fight.} ) 30...Nxd3 ( 30...Rg6 {is also good.} ) 31.Qxd3 Qe2+ 32.Kc1 Qxd3 ( 32...Re3 {also wins:} 33.Qxe2 fxe2 34.Rxf7+ Kxf7 35.Rxe3 Rxg5 36.Rxe2 Rxd5 ) 33.cxd3 Rxg5 34.Rhxf3 Re7 {The d5-pawn will fall. The endgame is winning.} 35.Kd2 Rxd5 36.Rc1 Ree5 ( 36...Kg7 ) 37.Rc7 ( 37.Rcf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more stubborn.} ) 37...Rf5 38.Rxf5 Rxf5 39.Rc6 h4 40.Rxd6 Rh5 ( 40...Rh5 41.Rf6 h3 42.Rf1 h2 43.Rh1 Ke7 ) 0-1

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Second Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.12"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Koneru, Humpy"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2519"]
[BlackElo "2572"]
[ECO "C84"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "156"]
[Beauty "4331650678792"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 Be7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A not-so-popular move but interesting to play as a surprise factor. It has been employed a few times by Carlsen, among others.} ( 6...b5 {This is the main variation of the Open Ruy Lopez with thousands of games.} 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 ) 7.dxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A harmless move, indicating that Kosteniuk was surprised by Koneru's opening choice.} ( 7.Re1 b5 8.Rxe4 d5 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.Rxe5 bxa4 {This is the critical position of the system, and White must look for an advantage here.} ) 7...Nc5 8.Bxc6 dxc6 9.Qe2 ( 9.Qxd8+ Bxd8 {This ending is a better version for Black compared to the Berlin Defense, as it's still possible to castle.} ) 9...Bg4 ( 9...Qd7 {it's an interesting move, preparing to take the queen to g4.} ) 10.h3 ( 10.Rd1 ) 10...Bh5 {This move, surprisingly, is innacurate.} ( 10...Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11.Qxf3 Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black trades the advantage of the pair of bishops for a quick and harmonious development. This \"exchange of advantages\" is one of the hardest strategies to understand in chess.} 12.Qe2 ( 12.Qg3 Ne4 13.Qxg7 O-O-O {with a strong initiative.} ) 12...O-O-O 13.Nc3 Qe6 {with a comfortable position for Black.} ) 11.Rd1 {This natural move is a novelty.} ( 11.Nc3 {I am amazed at how many games relevant to opening theory are played on Titled Tuesdays.} 11...Qc8 12.Re1 O-O 13.Be3 {Bologan-Khanin, Titled Tuesday 2021.} ) ( 11.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to fight for the initiative.} 11...Bg6 12.Rd1 Qc8 13.Nd4 h5 14.Nc3 {with a complicated game.} ) 11...Qc8 12.Be3 ( 12.g4 {Now Black has the option to sacrifice the bishop and execute perpetual check.} 12...Bxg4 13.hxg4 Qxg4+ 14.Kh2 Qh5+ {with a draw.} ) 12...Ne6 ( 12...O-O {is also possible, following the principle: \"When in doubt, just castle.\"} ) 13.Nbd2 Bg6 14.Qc4 c5 15.a4 O-O {The position is a little more comfortable for Black, thanks to the pair of bishops.} 16.Nf1 $6 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16.Ne1 {keeps the game more or less balanced. The move is useful to prepare the advance of the kingside pawns and also to protect the c2-pawn.} ) 16...Rd8 ( 16...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black can play this pawn advance immediately. Now we see why it's important to have the c2-pawn defended.} 17.axb5 axb5 18.Qe2 ( 18.Qxb5 Bxc2 19.Rxa8 Qxa8 20.Rd2 Be4 {with a clear advantage. We will have a similar position in the game later.} ) 18...Qb7 {with a better position for Black.} ) 17.Ng3 Rxd1+ 18.Rxd1 Qe8 ( 18...b5 {Again this move is possible, but the move played is also good.} ) 19.h4 b5 20.Qe2 h6 21.h5 Bh7 22.axb5 axb5 23.c4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes things worse.} ( 23.Ne1 $15 ) 23...bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Qxc4 Rb8 {Now the rook is more active and can go to b4. The b-pawn becomes a target.} 25.Qa2 Qb5 26.Rd2 Qc6 27.Qa3 Rb4 ( 27...Ra8 28.Qc3 Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Once again in this game we see a case in which it's interesting to surrender the advantage of the bishop pair. In this case, the explanation is the attack on the h5-pawn, which will inevitably be captured.} 29.Nxe4 Qxe4 ) 28.Rd1 Ra4 29.Qc3 Qb5 30.Rd2 Bf8 31.Ne2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows Black to improve the bishop. It is better to make a random waiting move.} ( 31.Kh2 ) 31...Be4 32.b3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 32.Ng3 ) 32...Rb4 33.Nc1 Bxf3 34.gxf3 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has a decisive advantage. Her pieces are more active, White's pawns are too weak, and the king is exposed.} 35.Rb2 Qb7 36.Bd2 Bc5 37.Rb1 Nd4 ( 37...Bd4 {is a nice way to finish the game:} 38.Qxb4 Qxf3 39.Be3 Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack.} ) 38.Kg2 Nxb3 ( 38...cxb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate. Black decides the game with a mating attack.} 39.Qxc5 Qxf3+ 40.Kh2 Qxh5+ 41.Kg2 Qg4+ 42.Kf1 ( 42.Kh2 Nf3+ ) 42...Qh3+ 43.Ke1 Qh1# ) 39.Be1 Nxc1 40.Rxb4 Bxb4 41.Qxc1 Bxe1 42.Qxe1 {I've written in previous analysis that queen endgames are the most difficult in chess. \"A queen gives a lot of checks\" is a common saying among chess players. But no reason for Black to worry so much, as the position is still winning.} 42...Qd5 43.Qb4 Qxe5 44.Qb8+ Kh7 45.Qb1+ f5 46.Qb7 Qc5 47.Qa6 c3 ( 47...Qe7 {wins easily. We will see this same pattern later.} 48.Qxc4 Qg5+ 49.Kf1 Qxh5 {with a two-pawn advantage.} ) 48.Qg6+ Kg8 49.Qe8+ Qf8 50.Qc6 {Now Black only has one winning move.} 50...Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 50...Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51.Qxc3 Qg5+ 52.Kf1 Qxh5 53.Qxc7 Qxf3 {with an easy win.} ) 51.Qxc7 Kh7 ( 51...Qg5+ 52.Kf1 Qxh5 53.Qxc3 {This is the difference: the queen captures the pawn and protects f3 at the same time. It turns out that this endgame is a draw.} ) 52.Kh3 {Sooner or later Black will have to exchange the c3-pawn for the h5-pawn.} 52...f4 53.Qc5 Kg8 54.Qc8+ Kf7 55.Qd7+ Kf8 56.Qc8+ Ke7 57.Qc7+ Ke6 58.Qc6+ Ke7 59.Qc7+ Kf8 60.Qc8+ Kf7 61.Qd7+ Kg8 62.Qc8+ Kh7 63.Qc5 Qg5 64.Qxc3 Qxh5+ 65.Kg2 Qg6+ 66.Kh2 {The endgame is an easy draw, as Black has no plan to advance the pawns and escape from the checks.} 66...Qf5 67.Qa1 Kg6 68.Qd4 Qh5+ 69.Kg2 Qg5+ 70.Kh2 Kh5 71.Qd7 Kg6 72.Qe8+ Kh7 73.Qe4+ g6 74.Qb7+ Kg8 75.Qc8+ Kf7 76.Qc7+ Ke6 77.Qc6+ Kf7 78.Qc7+ Ke6 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Second Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.13"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Zhu, Jiner"]
[Black "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2486"]
[BlackElo "2519"]
[ECO "E49"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[Beauty "6185423997962"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 c5 9.Ne2 {The advantage of this move over the more natural development of the knight on f3 is that it can now go to g3, supporting the advance of the e-pawn.} ( 9.Nf3 ) 9...Qc7 10.Ba2 ( 10.Bd3 {This retreat is more popular these days, but 10.Ba2 was played twice by Caruana this year.} ) 10...b6 11.O-O Ba6 {An excellent diagonal for the bishop.} ( 11...Bb7 {This development is also natural, but the bishop is somewhat limited when White plays f3.} 12.Ng3 ) 12.Re1 Nc6 13.Ng3 Rfd8 14.Rb1 {This move was a novelty by Caruana, and the idea becomes clear in a moment.} 14...Rac8 15.Rb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea: the rook prepares to travel to d2 and defend the d4-pawn, thus enabling the e3-e4 advance. This idea is known from many openings, including the Nimzo-Indian itself, although the rooknormally travels from a2. This is one of the secrets of high-level chess—using similar ideas in different positions. Giri used the same pattern in his excellent win against Gukesh in the Tata Steel tournament.} 15...e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Only now does the game deviate from Caruana's previous experiences, but this novelty is a mistake.} ( 15...h6 16.f4 Na5 17.e4 cxd4 18.cxd4 Qd7 19.Rd2 Bc4 20.Bxc4 Rxc4 21.Bb2 Qa4 {Caruana-Sevian, St. Louis 2022.} ) ( 15...Na5 16.e4 cxd4 17.cxd4 {with some initiative for White in Caruana-Nepomniachtchi, St. Louis (rapid) 2022.} ) 16.d5 e4 {Otherwise White plays e4. Black prepares to drive the knight to d3, but White avoids this with her next move.} 17.Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Na5 {A sad necessity. This is the only way to defend both attacked pieces.} 18.c4 {Strategically, the position is very dangerous for Black, as White has the bishop pair and a protected passed pawn. Furthermore, the black pieces on the queenside find it difficult to participate in the game. White's plan is simple: take the rook off b2 and put a bishop in its place. Black needs to act quickly.} 18...h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 18...Ng4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is another attempt, but it seems insufficient to solve the problems after} 19.Bd2 ) 19.f4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] I liked this move very much the first time I saw it. Black cannot capture this pawn, and as a result, White's structure improves even further. But the computer disagrees and proves this to be a mistake.} ( 19.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the correct move as White manages to organize a surprisingly strong attack, for instance:} 19...h4 ( 19...Re8 20.Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20.Nxe4 Nxe4 21.fxe4 Re8 ( 21...Qe5 22.Rf2 Qxe4 23.Rf4 {is also much better for White.} ) 22.Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Rxe4 23.Bb1 Rxc4 24.Qd1 {The white pieces have enormous potential, even though they are on seemingly harmless squares. After all, this is precisely one of the advantages of the bishop pair: they are long-ranged pieces.} ) 19...Qd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not such a bad move, but there is a better option.} ( 19...exf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is suicide. After} 20.gxf3 {The rook is ready to go to g2, supporting troops that might include a knight on f5, a bishop on b2, a queen on c2, and a bishop on b1. It's scary just thinking about it.} ) ( 19...h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] solves all the problems.} 20.Nf5 Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Qxd7 Rxd7 22.Rc2 ( 22.Nxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22...Bxc4 ) 22...b5 {Black has adequate counterplay as the pawn chain is broken.} ) 20.Qxd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20.Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's better to keep the queens on the board since there's attacking potential.} 20...Re8 21.Bd2 h4 22.Nf1 ( 22.Nh1 $5 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 22...Nb7 23.Bc3 {with an advantage for White.} ) 20...Rxd7 21.Rc2 h4 ( 21...b5 {is a typical move, breaking the pawn structure. After} 22.Bb2 h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Nf5 ( 23.Bxf6 hxg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 23...Nxc4 24.Bxc4 bxc4 25.Bxf6 gxf6 26.d6 Rb8 {we arrive at a complex endgame where Black's chances are not worse.} ) 22.Nf5 Ne8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight heads to d6 to attack the c4-pawn.} 23.Bb2 ( 23.Nxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23...Nd6 ) 23...f6 24.Rec1 Kf7 25.Kf2 ( 25.Nxh4 Nd6 26.g4 {Similar to the game, but now Black has} 26...Rh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Ng2 Bxc4 28.Bxc4 ( 28.Rxc4 Ndxc4 29.Rxc4 Nxc4 30.Bxc4 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Ba2 ( 31.Bxb5 Rb7 ) 31...c4 {The d5-pawn falls and Black is winning.} ) 28...Ndxc4 29.Rxc4 Nxc4 30.Rxc4 Rxd5 {This exchange on c4 is Black's main idea. This endgame is winning, as the rooks are much better than the minor pieces.} ) 25...Rcc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a clear mistake. This is a very unfortunate square for the rook.} ( 25...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate. The idea is} 26.Nxh4 ( 26.Nh6+ {is better.} ) 26...Nd6 27.g4 Bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is similar to the game, but we can see the difference in the variation:} 28.Rxc4 Naxc4 29.Rxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 29.Bxc4 Nxc4 30.Rxc4 Rxd5 {is better for Black.} ) 29...Nxc4 30.Bxc4 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And now, compared to the game, the b5-pawn cannot be taken.} ) ( 25...Nd6 {is a simple solution.} 26.Nxd6+ Rxd6 {A draw is the most likely result, but I'd rather play Black.} ) 26.Nxh4 Nd6 27.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Naxc4 28.Rxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's vital for White to capture this knight the right way.} ( 28.Bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28...Nxc4 29.Rxc4 Bxc4 30.Rxc4 Rxd5 {with a double-edged endgame. Positions with a rook against two minor pieces can be hard to evaluate correctly.} ) 28...Bxc4 29.Rxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Kosteniuk probably underestimated this move.} 29...Nxc4 30.Bxc4 {The three pieces, together with the d-pawn, create dangerous threats.} 30...b5 31.Bxb5 {If the black rook were on c8, as it had been for a long time, then 31...Rb7 would win here. There are so many \"ifs\" in life—this is just one more.} 31...Rb7 32.Bxd7 Rxd7 33.Nf5 Rxd5 34.Ke2 {The endgame is easily winning. Kosteniuk has escaped many difficult positions throughout the tournament, but this time she finally fails. But she still ended up achieving what really mattered—the tournament victory.} 34...g6 35.Nh6+ Ke6 36.f5+ gxf5 37.gxf5+ Ke7 38.h4 c4 39.Ng8+ Kf7 40.Nxf6 Rxf5 41.Nxe4 Rh5 42.Nd6+ Ke6 43.Nxc4 Rxh4 {The best that could happen for Black here would be to end up with a king, bishop, and knight versus king endgame. What do you do in these positions $2 Do you continue playing to see if your opponent knows how to mate $2 I would resign right away, but I've always been a pessimist.} 44.Bd4 Kd5 45.Kd3 Rg4 46.Nd2 Kc6 47.Ne4 a5 48.Nc3 Rg1 49.Kc4 Ra1 50.Kb3 Kb7 51.Ka4 Ka6 52.Ne4 Rb1 53.Nc5+ Kb6 54.Nb3+ Ka6 55.Bc3 ( 55.Nxa5 $4 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] In chess, there's always room for one more blunder.} 55...Rb4+ $3 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] with a curious stalemate.} ) 55...Rh1 56.Bxa5 Rh5 57.Bb4 Kb6 58.Nd4 Rh3 59.Nc2 Kc6 60.Kb3 Kd5 61.Kc3 Ke4 62.Bc5 Rh8 63.a4 Kd5 64.Bb6 1-0

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Heinemann, Josefine"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2336"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[ECO "A82"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7906363707450"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

1.e4 d6 2.d4 f5 {This is not a popular option, of course. Advancing the f-pawn is one of the worst things Black can do in a defense against the king's pawn opening. But, surprisingly, it's not as bad as it looks. Let's not forget this is a rapid game—some liberties are allowed.} 3.exf5 ( 3.Nc3 {is also a popular reaction.} ) 3...Bxf5 4.Bd3 Qd7 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Bxf5 ( 6.O-O {is more accurate, as White doesn't need to exchange bishops so quickly. But that's a minor detail.} ) 6...Qxf5 7.O-O Nc6 8.c3 {Too timid.} ( 8.c4 {This is a better and more natural move.} ) 8...e5 {A new move.} ( 8...O-O-O {was played in Wagner-Wojdyla, Ruhrgebiet 2003.} ) 9.dxe5 dxe5 {Black has a good position now. In exchange for an isolated pawn, he has good piece development.} 10.Re1 Bd6 11.h3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is too slow. White should control the e4-square as soon as possible.} ( 11.Nbd2 O-O-O 12.Qe2 {White now prepares 13.Ne4.} 12...Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.b4 ( 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 Qxe4 15.Rxe4 Rd1+ 16.Re1 Rxe1+ 17.Nxe1 Rf8 18.Be3 Bxe3 19.fxe3 e4 {Black has a slight advantage in this endgame, due to having more space.} ) 13...Bb6 14.a4 {with a complicated position that the computer evaluates as equal.} ) 11...O-O-O 12.Qe2 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suddenly, Black has a considerable advantage, as the pawn has ceased to be a weakness and has become a strength.} 13.Nh2 Ne5 ( 13...Bxh2+ $5 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an alternative plan.} 14.Kxh2 g5 {The kingside pawns advance will generate a decisive attack.} ) 14.Be3 Nd3 15.Rd1 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Restricting the knight and preparing the decisive pawn march.} 16.Na3 g5 {Other moves are also good:} ( 16...Ng4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 17.Nxg4 ( 17.hxg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17...Bxh2+ 18.Kxh2 hxg4+ 19.Kg1 Qh5 {with a decisive attack.} ) 17...hxg4 18.Qxg4 Qxg4 19.hxg4 Nxb2 {winning the exchange, as both the rook on d1 and the knight on a3 are attacked.} ) ( 16...Nd5 {is also very tempting.} 17.Nc4 N5f4 ) 17.Nc4 Bxh2+ 18.Kxh2 g4 19.h4 Nd5 ( 19...g3+ $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more incisive.} 20.fxg3 Rhg8 {Black's attack through the g-file is very strong.} ) 20.Kg1 a6 {A sign that Nakamura lost a bit of momentum in carrying out the initiative. But Black's position is still much better.} 21.Rd2 ( 21.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better defense.} 21...Rd7 22.Ne3 {Simplifying the position.} ) 21...Rhg8 22.Rad1 g3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The right idea, but the wrong execution.} ( 22...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] it's important to get the knight out first.} 23.Na5 g3 24.fxg3 ( 24.f3 Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now this move works.} 25.Bg5 Rxg5 26.hxg5 Qb6+ 27.Kf1 Ne3+ {Forcing resignation thanks to these beautiful knights.} ) 24...Rxg3 {with a strong attack.} ) 23.f3 Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A rare oversight by Nakamura.} ( 23...Nf2 {looks dangerous, but White escapes.} 24.Bxf2 gxf2+ 25.Kxf2 {The attack is not so dangerous since} 25...Rxg2+ $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 26.Kxg2 Nf4+ 27.Kf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Nxe2 28.Rxd8# ) ( 23...Rde8 {Apparently, Black has nothing better than going to a drawn endgame after this move.} 24.fxe4 Qxe4 25.Qxd3 Nxe3 26.Qxe4 Rxe4 27.Nxe3 Rxe3 28.Rd3 ) 24.Bg5 Rxg5 25.hxg5 Qxg5 26.Qxe4 N3f4 {The American genius probably calculated this far and expected victory, but White has a defense.} ( 26...N5f4 27.Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White defends with the same maneuver.} ) 27.Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight heads to f1, defending against the black queen's invasion. The game is decided.} 27...Qh4 28.Nf1 c6 29.c4 {Gaining more material.} 29...Rd7 30.cxd5 Re7 31.Qf5+ Kb8 32.dxc6 Ne2+ 33.Rxe2 Rxe2 34.Qf8+ Kc7 35.Qd6+ Kb6 36.c7+ Ka7 37.c8=Q 1-0

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[ECO "D49"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Beauty "8249021588053"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 a6 9.e4 c5 10.e5 {It's been a while since I've seen a game in this line, which is one of the most critical of the Semi-Slav Defense and was crucial for Anand's victory in the world championship match against Kramnik in 2008.} 10...cxd4 11.Nxb5 axb5 12.exf6 gxf6 13.O-O Qb6 14.Qe2 Bb7 {This is the move that Anand's team analyzed in detail and that surprised Kramnik.} 15.Bxb5 Rg8 ( 15...Bd6 {In the third game of the match, Anand chose this move.} 16.Rd1 Rg8 17.g3 Rg4 {With an extremely complicated game, which ended in victory for Black. Further analysis has shown that White has the upper hand here with the difficult move 18.b4 !. Kramnik-Anand, Bonn 2008.} ) 16.Rd1 ( 16.Bf4 {This move was played in the fifth game of the Kramnik-Anand match, when the players continued their theoretical battle. Once again the Indian GM emerged victorious.} 16...Bd6 17.Bg3 f5 18.Rfc1 f4 19.Bh4 Be7 {With a tense position. Kramnik-Anand, Bonn 2008.} ) 16...Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Sevian had played all this before in a 2016 game.} 17.a4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Mamedyarov must have been surprised at the opening as this move is refuted.} ( 17.Bxd7+ {is required, and the game ends in a draw after} 17...Kxd7 18.Rxd4+ Qxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Nxd4 Bxg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This was played in the correspondence game Ramponelli-Kroes, 2011. Perpetual check is unavoidable, for example:} 20.Qd2 ( 20.Qe3 {Is another attempt, but I'm showing this line just because of a nice checkmate I found in the analysis.} 20...Bh3+ 21.Kh1 Bg2+ ( 21...Rag5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22.Ne2 $4 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} ( 22.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is winning.} ) 22...Rg1+ $3 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This hurts.} 23.Nxg1 Bg2# {An exotic mate !} ) ( 21...Re5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also possible.} ) ) 20...Bh3+ 21.Kh1 Bg2+ {with a draw.} ) 17...Rxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Black's idea. The bishop is captured so that the knight can go to e5.} 18.axb5 Ne5 19.Ne1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Only now is there a change from Sevian's previous game.} ( 19.Nxe5 Rxg2+ 20.Kf1 fxe5 21.Qxe5 Bc5 {Black had a strong attack in Andersen-Sevian, Stockholm 2015.} ) 19...Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This natural move is a novelty and wins the game.} ( 19...Qc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20.Bf4 {was played in Sarkar-Wang, Washington 2012.} ) 20.Bd2 d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Qh5 {Other queen moves also lose.} ( 21.Qe3 Bc5 22.Qf4 Bxg2 {There are other winning moves as well.} 23.Nxg2 Qb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Qg3 Rxg3 25.hxg3 Nf3+ 26.Kf1 Qxb5 {Black wins.} ) ( 21.Qf1 Bxd2 22.Rxd2 Rxg2+ $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Qxg2 ( 23.Nxg2 Nf3+ 24.Kh1 Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black wins.} ) 23...Bxg2 24.Kxg2 Qxb5 {with a winning position.} ) 21...Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Qh4 {The lesser evil.} ( 22.Bxb4 Qxf2+ 23.Kh1 Qf1# ) ( 22.Nxd3 Nxf2 23.Nxf2 Rxg2+ ) 22...Nxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Be3 ( 23.Qxf2 Bc5 {loses the queen.} ) 23...Qxe3 24.Qxf2 Qe4 ( 24...Qe2 {is also very good.} ) 25.Rd2 Rg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Another black rook that acts in a curious way in this game.} 26.Ra4 Bc5 ( 26...Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a bit more accurate, but the move played in the game is a natural human reaction.} 27.Nf3 ( 27.Rxb4 Rxf2 28.Rxe4 Rxd2 {with an easily winning endgame.} ) 27...Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The attack continues.} ) 27.Rxe4 Bxe4 28.Nxd3 ( 28.Qxc5 {is more stubborn.} 28...Rxc5 29.b6 ( 29.Nxd3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 29...Rd5 30.b6 Kd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.b7 Kc7 32.Rc2+ Kb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the knight is lost.} ) 29...Rb5 30.Nxd3 Rxb6 {Black still has some work to do before taking home the point.} ( 30...Bxd3 {gives White some chances in the rook endgame after} 31.Rxd3 Rxb2 32.Rh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 28...Bxf2+ 29.Kxf2 ( 29.Nxf2 {is the last chance, although the endgame is totally lost after} 29...Bxg2 30.h4 Rg8 31.Kh2 Ke7 ) 29...Rxg2+ {Black can liquidate into a winning pawn endgame.} ( 29...Rxg2+ 30.Ke3 Rxd2 31.Kxd2 Bxd3 32.Kxd3 Kd7 {-+} ) 0-1

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Liang, Awonder"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2643"]
[BlackElo "2852"]
[ECO "C13"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[Beauty "6735716680245"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Nbd7 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Nf3 c5 8.c3 a6 {The idea of this move is to avoid a check on b5.} ( 8...cxd4 {is also possible.} 9.Nxd4 Be7 ) ( 8...Be7 9.dxc5 ( 9.Bb5+ {is not dangerous.} 9...Bd7 ) 9...Qxd1+ 10.Rxd1 Bxc5 11.Bb5+ Ke7 12.Ne5 {It's not clear that White has a big advantage, but his position is certainly more comfortable.} ) 9.Bd3 ( 9.Ne5 {This move leads to a position well known to theory. My friend GM Vescovi once won a rapid game against Karpov in a tournament we played in São Paulo.} 9...Qd5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Nc4 cxd4 12.Nb6 Qe4+ 13.Be2 Rb8 14.O-O dxc3 15.bxc3 Bc5 16.Rb1 Qc6 17.Bf3 Qc7 18.Qa4+ Ke7 19.Qa5 Bd6 20.Rfe1 Bxh2+ $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 20...Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21.Kh1 Be5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21...Kf8 ) 22.Nd5+ $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black resigned. Vescovi-Karpov, Sao Paulo (rapíd) 2004.} ) 9...cxd4 10.Nxd4 h6 11.Bh4 Bc5 12.O-O O-O 13.Nb3 {This move doesn't create big problems for Black.} ( 13.Re1 ) 13...Be7 14.Qe2 Qc7 {A new move.} ( 14...Nd5 15.Qe4 ( 15.Bg3 {is better.} ) 15...g6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.Bxe7 fxe4 17.Bxd8 exd3 18.Bh4 Nf4 {with a good position.} ) 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Rfe1 {White had a slight advantage in Pedashenko-Shemeakin, Gelendzhik 2015.} ) 15.Bg3 ( 15.Rad1 {seems more natural, but there's no advantage after:} 15...Rd8 16.Bg3 ( 16.Bc2 Rxd1 17.Rxd1 b5 {is also equal.} ) 16...Bd6 17.Bxd6 Rxd6 18.Qe5 Rd7 ) 15...Bd6 16.Rad1 Bxg3 17.hxg3 {This is a typical pawn structure in the French Defense when Black plays dxe4. Black has an improved version of what usually happens, as two pairs of minor pieces have already been exchanged, which favors those with less space. It only remains to develop the c8-bishop to have a comfortable position. This bishop, who causes so much headache for French players, will get into trouble again in this game. This time not by being stuck at home, as usually happens, but by venturing out more than usual.} 17...e5 {Making way for the bishop. It could also be developed on the h1-a8 diagonal.} ( 17...b5 ) ( 17...b6 ) 18.Rfe1 Re8 19.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good move, bringing the knight into battle.} 19...Bg4 20.f3 Be6 21.Ne4 Qb6+ {This and the next move are based on a miscalculation.} ( 21...Nxe4 {leads to a draw after} 22.Qxe4 g6 23.Qxe5 Qxe5 24.Rxe5 Bxa2 ) 22.Kh2 Bxa2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 22...Nxe4 23.Qxe4 g6 24.b3 {White has a small pressure now, but it should end peacefully.} ) 23.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Carlsen certainly missed this one. The poor french bishop is in trouble again.} 23...Bxb3 {The only chance.} ( 23...Qxb3 24.Nxf6+ gxf6 25.Rd2 {The bishop is lost.} ) ( 23...Nxe4 24.Qxe4 g6 25.Bc4 {with a winning position.} ) 24.Rb1 a5 {Necessary in order to support the bishop with …a5-a4.} 25.Nxf6+ gxf6 26.Qe4 Rac8 {Another miscalculation.} ( 26...Kf8 27.Qh7 a4 {transposes.} ) ( 26...a4 27.Qh7+ Kf8 28.Qxh6+ Ke7 29.Rxe5+ Kd6 30.Qxf6+ Kc7 31.Qxb6+ $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's a pity to exchange queens when attacking, but that's for a good reason.} 31...Kxb6 32.Rxe8 Rxe8 33.Bc4 Re1 34.Rb2 $3 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A very important detail. White is winning in the resulting rook endgame.} ( 34.Rxe1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34...Bxc4 {is not clear, as the a-pawn is dangerous.} ) ) 27.Qh7+ Kf8 28.Qxh6+ Ke7 29.Rxe5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] When Eric Hansen said the last round was a \"near-death experience,” this position certainly contributed to that feeling. White is totally winning.} 29...Kd7 30.Bb5+ Kc7 31.Rxe8 ( 31.Bxe8 {is simpler.} 31...fxe5 32.Qxb6+ Kxb6 33.Rxb3+ ) 31...Qxb5 32.Rxc8+ ( 32.Qf4+ Kd7 33.Re4 {This is very strong, as White keeps the attack going.} ) 32...Kxc8 33.Qf8+ Kc7 34.Qxf7+ ( 34.Qe7+ {is also winning.} ) 34...Bxf7 35.Rxb5 a4 36.Ra5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is the move that throws away the win.} ( 36.Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...a3 ( 36...Bb3 37.Kg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the king comes to the rescue.} ) 37.Ra4 a2 38.c4 {White wins easily, for instance:} 38...Kd6 39.Rxa2 Bxc4 {White is certainly winning, although with seconds on the clock, the b-pawn could still try some tricks.} ) 36...Bb3 37.g4 b6 ( 37...Kb6 {leads to a draw:} 38.Ra8 Kb5 39.f4 Kc4 40.g5 fxg5 41.fxg5 Bc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42.g6 Bxg6 43.Rxa4+ Kxc3 ) 38.Ra7+ Kc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 38...Kb8 {is necessary.} 39.Re7 a3 40.Kg3 a2 41.Re1 Kc7 {The king comes to the game in time and Black will escape with a draw in this complicated endgame.} ) 39.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 39.Kg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is winning, but the endgame is much trickier than it seems at first sight.} 39...Kc5 ( 39...b5 40.Ra6+ $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...Kc5 41.Kf4 Kc4 42.Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an important defensive configuration against Black's plan.} ) 40.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...b5 41.g5 fxg5 42.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...Kc4 43.Ra5 Kxc3 44.Rxb5 a3 45.Kg4 a2 46.Rc5+ $3 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The last finesse.} ( 46.Ra5 Kb4 {Here Black is in time.} 47.Rxa2 ( 47.Ra8 $4 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 47...Ba4 ) 47...Bxa2 48.Kxg5 Kc5 ) 46...Kb2 47.Ra5 a1=Q 48.Rxa1 Kxa1 49.Kxg5 {The pawns are too fast.} ) 39...b5 40.g5 fxg5 41.fxg5 Kb6 {Now it's a draw again.} 42.Ra8 Kb7 43.Re8 a3 44.g6 a2 45.Re1 Kc6 46.g7 Bg8 47.Kg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 47.Re8 $5 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting attempt:} 47...a1=Q 48.Rxg8 Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move $1} 49.Rc8+ Kd7 50.g8=Q Qh4+ 51.Kg1 Qe1+ {with perpetual check.} ) 47...Kd5 48.Ra1 Ke4 {Suddenly the position becomes dangerous for White. There's only one way to make a draw.} 49.Kg4 ( 49.Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There are some very intricate drawing lines here and it's not in the scope of this review to go into so much detail. I will point out one of the possible variations and the reader will have an idea of the difficulties. A careful analysis of this endgame certainly will enrich your calculation ability.} 49...Ke3 ( 49...Bb3 50.Kf2 Bxd1 51.g8=Q a1=Q 52.Qe8+ {The b5-pawn falls and the game is drawn.} ) 50.Kh4 Ke2 51.Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51...a1=Q 52.Rxg8 Qh1+ 53.Kg5 Qxg2+ 54.Kh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has no more than a perpetual check.} ) 49...Kd3 {Now Black is winning.} 50.c4 Bxc4 51.Kf5 b4 52.Rc1 Bg8 53.Kf6 b3 54.Rc8 a1=Q+ 0-1

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2722"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[Beauty "8249424231946"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

{This game has one of the most exotic maneuvers I've ever seen in my entire career.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 Bc5 6.c3 d6 7.Bg5 {These Bg5-pins are now played in all positions. In my day this was considered superficial, an amateur move that can't resist a pin. Times have changed; I must refresh my chess knowledge.} 7...h6 8.Bh4 Ba7 9.Nbd2 Bd7 10.O-O Qe7 11.b4 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is exactly why the pin was formerly considered bad for White. Black advances the pawns on the missing king to gain time, and what is the bishop doing on g3 $2 Even more so after the white king is castled. But the explanation is simple: the computer shows that everything in this life is possible, and the players are making the dogmas of the past more flexible.} 12.Bg3 h5 {A new move.} ( 12...Nh7 13.d4 h5 {This also looks pretty good for Black and was played in Asis Gargatagli-Fressinet, Barcelona 2017.} ) 13.h4 g4 14.Ne1 {This move isn't pretty, but it's necessary.} ( 14.Ng5 Ng8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight is in a reckless position, and Black threatens f7-f6.} ) 14...d5 15.Nc2 O-O-O 16.Rb1 $2 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A strange move, as the threats on the queenside are not dangerous for now, and taking the queen out of the x-ray with the d8-rook seems a priority.} ( 16.Qe2 ) 16...dxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.dxe4 Be8 ( 17...Nb8 $5 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a curious and very strong move, indicated by the computer.} 18.Bxd7+ Rxd7 19.Qe2 {Now it's too late to get out of the pin.} 19...Rxd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Qxd2 Nxe4 21.Qd3 f5 {With brutal compensation for the exchange.} ) 18.Qe2 b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move brings White back into the game.} ( 18...Rxd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This one you can play without calculating. In some cases in chess, the sheer aesthetic of the position tells you what you need to do.} 19.Qxd2 Nxe4 20.Qd3 {This is a position to fall in love with, if you're playing Black. Now you must decide whether to play f5 directly or take on g3 and play f5 later. Both leads to a massacre.} 20...Nxg3 ( 20...f5 ) 21.Qxg3 f5 {The pawns will decide the battle soon.} ) 19.Bb3 ( 19.Rbd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move is not easy, truth be told. It avoids the sacrifice on d2, but sacrifices the bishop on a4.} 19...bxa4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Actually this is not good as after} 20.Qxa6+ Kb8 21.b5 {The knight has no squares.} ) 19...Qd7 ( 19...Rxd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move again is very good.} ) 20.Rfd1 Qd3 21.Kf1 ( 21.Qxd3 Rxd3 22.Kf1 {Necessary because of the threat of 22...Rxg3.} 22...Rxc3 23.a4 {Black is better, but in a rapid game there are plenty of chances.} ) 21...Qxc3 22.a3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Too slow. But we should be thankful for this move, as now starts one of the most ingenious maneuvers in the whole history of chess. And I'm not exaggerating.} ( 22.Rbc1 Qd3 {with advantage for Black.} ) 22...Rd3 $3 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The rook joins the battle and wants to be sacrificed. The intention is to play 23...Rxg3.} 23.Bh2 {The bishop tries to hide from the crazy rook, but the best is still to come.} 23...Rh3 $3 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Other moves are good as well, but none has the same impact. I will attach a double exclamation mark to all the moves of this rook. It's deserved.} 24.Bg1 {The bishop keeps running.} ( 24.Kg1 {is a better chance, but obviously it's still losing.} 24...Rxh4 {The simplest.} ) 24...Rh1 $3 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 25.Ne3 Nd4 {This final position is amazing. If you look at this, you might think something is wrong. This rook cannot possibly be on h1, right $2 Not only all this is right, but this game was played by two 2700+ players. A game that will remain in history.} ( 25...Nd4 26.Qe1 Qd3+ ) 0-1

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2852"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[ECO "A06"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[Beauty "6465020500513"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

1.b3 {The Larsen Variation shows up from time to time in elite games, although only in tournaments with rapid time controls. It seems they don't consider this starting move reliable enough for a classical game.} 1...d5 ( 1...e5 {Is the critical move and the biggest reason 1.b3 isn't too popular.} ) 2.Bb2 c5 3.e3 a6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is meant to avoid the pin on the c6-knight.} ( 3...Nc6 4.Bb5 ) 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.d4 Nf6 6.dxc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Taking the c5-pawn in these positions is always a difficult move for me, even more so when the plan is to play a3-b4, moving the b-pawn once more. But the world champion knows what he's doing.} 6...e6 7.a3 Bxc5 8.b4 Ba7 9.Nbd2 O-O 10.c4 dxc4 11.Nxc4 b5 {The first new move of the game. Once more the theory was dictated by a game played on Titled Tuesday.} ( 11...Qe7 12.Qd6 Rd8 13.Qxe7 Nxe7 14.Be2 {with a very slight edge for White in Terry-Svane, Titled Tuesday 2017.} ) 12.Nd6 Bd7 ( 12...Nd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's possible to allow White to capture the c8-bishop in order to play a6-a5 with all the pieces developed.} 13.Nxc8 Rxc8 14.Bd3 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queenside pawns will be swapped, and Black is close to a draw.} ) 13.Bd3 Qe7 14.O-O Nd5 ( 14...Qxd6 $4 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 15.Bxh7+ Kxh7 16.Qxd6 ) 15.Ne4 Rfd8 16.Rc1 Be8 17.Qe2 {Now White has a small advantage, with the bishops pointing to the black king and the knight being able to jump to c5.} 17...h6 18.Rfd1 Rac8 19.h3 Bb6 {Black decides to await events.} ( 19...f5 {is a natural move, trying to activate the light-squared bishop, taking it to h5. But it's the kind of move you're not comfortable playing against Carlsen.} 20.Ned2 Bh5 21.Bb1 {White can try Nf1-g3 later, and the pawn structure is weakened.} ) 20.Ng3 Nf6 21.Bb1 Rxd1+ 22.Rxd1 Rd8 23.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's important to keep a pair of rooks so as not to oversimplify the position.} 23...Kf8 {Prophylaxis against a possible check on h7, as we will see in the game.} 24.Ne4 Nd5 25.Nc3 {White's knight is working hard $1 It is natural to take it to c5, but Carlsen probably didn´t like 25...a5.} ( 25.Nc5 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25...Nf6 ( 25...Nxc3 26.Bxc3 {White prepares a battery taking the queen to b2, and Black will be forced to weaken his kingside.} ) 26.Qc2 Rc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 26...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It is necessary to strive for activity immediately.} 27.Nxb5 ( 27.bxa5 Nxa5 {and the knight goes to c4.} ) ( 27.Ne4 Nxe4 28.Qxe4 f5 {followed by the capture on b4.} ) 27...axb4 {with an equal position.} ) 27.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's essential to remove the knight from f6 to attack the black king.} 27...Nd5 ( 27...Nxe4 28.Qxe4 f5 29.Qd3 {The kingside is too weak, and White has a clear advantage.} ) 28.Nc5 {The advantage is already decisive.} 28...Bxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows an immediate finish.} 29.Qh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Not that this move is too bad, but mate in three is even better. It's surprising that Carlsen let this go.} ( 29.Bxg7+ Kxg7 30.Qh7+ Kf6 ( 30...Kf8 31.Qh8# ) 31.Qxh6# ) 29...f6 30.Qh8+ ( 30.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This threatens mate in two and keeps the attack going strong.} 30...Bb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31.Qh8+ Kf7 32.Bg6# ) 30...Kf7 31.Rxc5 Qb7 ( 31...Qf8 {is a better chance.} ) 32.e4 {This is still winning, but the computer indicates a wonderful way to finish the game.} ( 32.Bg6+ $3 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This one is really difficult. The variation is lovely.} 32...Kxg6 33.Qg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's king is stuck at a dead end. White sets up the final hunt, starting with 34.Nh4. A possible line is:} 33...Qf7 34.Nh4+ Kh5 ( 34...Kg5 35.Qh7 ) 35.Qh7 Kxh4 ( 35...f5 36.Bxg7 $18 ) ( 35...g5 36.g4+ Kxh4 37.Qxh6+ ) 36.Qe4+ Kh5 37.Qg4# ) 32...Nf4 33.Qh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Wasting the last chance to settle the game.} ( 33.Bxf6 $3 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 33...Kxf6 ( 33...gxf6 34.Qh7+ Kf8 35.Qxb7 {wins the queen.} ) 34.Qf8+ {White is winning in all lines.} 34...Bf7 ( 34...Qf7 35.e5+ Nxe5 36.Qxf7+ Bxf7 37.Rxc8 {with an endgame an exchange up.} ) 35.e5+ Nxe5 36.Qxc8 Nxf3+ 37.gxf3 Qxf3 ( 37...Qxc8 38.Rxc8 ) 38.Qd8# ) 33...Ne7 {Now the game is unclear. Carlsen decides to sacrifice at the wrong moment.} 34.Ne5+ $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This just loses.} 34...fxe5 35.Bxe5 Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The world champion probably missed this move. Black is a piece up for no compensation.} 36.g4 Rxc5 37.bxc5 Nf6 38.Bxf6 Kxf6 39.g5+ hxg5 40.e5+ Kf7 41.Qh5+ Kf8 42.Qxg5 Qf3 43.Qg4 Bc6 44.Qxf3+ Bxf3 45.Kh2 Nc6 46.Kg3 Bd5 ( 46...Nxe5 {also works:} 47.Kf4 Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48.Kxf3 Nd2+ ) 47.f4 Ke7 48.Kf2 Na5 49.h4 Nc4 50.Bd3 Nxa3 51.Ke3 a5 52.Kd4 Bc6 53.h5 b4 54.f5 exf5 55.Bxf5 a4 56.e6 b3 57.Kc3 Nb5+ 58.Kb4 Nd4 0-1

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.22"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Henderson de la Fuente, Lance"]
[Black "Mishra, Abhimanyu"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2505"]
[BlackElo "2548"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Beauty "8247142520375"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 c6 4.e3 e6 5.Nbd2 Be7 6.b3 O-O 7.Bb2 Nbd7 8.Bd3 dxc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black usually delays this capture and plays b6, but there's nothing wrong with it.} ( 8...b6 ) 9.Nxc4 ( 9.bxc4 {is also possible.} 9...c5 10.O-O cxd4 11.exd4 b6 {With a classical middlegame fight with the \"hanging pawns\" on the center.} ) 9...c5 10.O-O b6 11.Qe2 Bb7 12.Rfd1 {Both players develop the pieces naturally. The black queen is in a rather uncomfortable situation with the white rook on the same file.} 12...cxd4 ( 12...Qc7 13.Rac1 {The position is slightly better for White due to the better development.} ) 13.Nxd4 Nc5 14.Bc2 Qd5 {Only here we have a new move.} ( 14...Qc7 {was played in Rodriguez Landa-Arias Duval, ICCF email 2016.} ) 15.f3 ( 15.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This advance may seem not very good positionally, as it weakens the e4-square, but it's tactically justified.} 15...Qh5 {The only way to remove the queen from the x-ray with the rook on d1.} 16.Qxh5 {Now this exchange is available.} 16...Nxh5 17.b4 {Forcing the other knight to the edge.} 17...Na6 ( 17...Ne4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 18.Nxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...fxe6 19.Rd7 {Both bishops are attacked, and White is much better.} ) 18.a3 {White's knights are much better placed.} ) 15...Qh5 16.e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Ncd7 17.Ba4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This poses problems, as the d7 knight is attacked and the c6-square is weak.} ) 16...Rfd8 {Now Black's position is acceptable.} 17.Qf2 ( 17.b4 ) 17...Rac8 18.Qg3 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Ne5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19.Nxb5 Ncxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.fxe4 Qxb5 {Black has a better pawn structure, but White's activity compensates after} 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Rf1 ) 19...a6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 19...Ncd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a very strong move. If White exchanges knights, then after} 20.Nxd7 Rxd7 {His pieces are very vulnerable with the misplaced bishop on c2 and an unstable knight on d4.} ) 20.h4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder in reply.} ( 20.Nec6 $3 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] is a nice tactical move that exploits Black's mistake in the previous move.} 20...Bxc6 21.Nxc6 Rxc6 ( 21...Rxd1+ $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22.Rxd1 Rxc6 23.Bxf6 Bxf6 24.Qb8+ {This is the point of White's combination.} ) 22.Rxd8+ Bxd8 23.Bxf6 Qg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is lucky to have this defense.} ( 23...Bxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.Qb8+ ) 24.Bxd8 Qxg3 25.hxg3 Nb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Both bishops are attacked, and Black escapes with a miraculous draw.} ) 20...Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now this simple move is possible and White's position starts to fall apart.} 21.Ne2 Ncxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Bxe4 ( 22.fxe4 Rxc2 ) 22...Nxe4 23.fxe4 Qxe2 24.Rxd6 {The only chance.} 24...Qxb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 24...Rxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] But not this one:} 25.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Qxb2 26.Nh6+ Kh8 27.Nf7+ {with perpetual check.} ) 25.Rxd8+ Rxd8 26.Rf1 f6 {Mishra is a healthy pawn up, and the game doesn't last long.} 27.Rxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 27.Ng4 {is a better chance.} ) 27...Rd1+ 28.Kh2 Qc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is unable to defend the attack of Black's heavy pieces.} 29.Qg4 Rh1+ 30.Kg3 Qc3+ 31.Kf4 ( 31.Nf3 Qxf6 ) 31...Rf1+ 0-1

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2555"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[Beauty "8113461692963"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Qa4+ Nc6 6.e3 O-O 7.Bd2 {This is one of the most reliable options for White against the Ragozin Defense.} 7...Re8 ( 7...dxc4 {is a popular move.} 8.Bxc4 Bd6 {with the idea of playing e5.} ) ( 7...Qe8 {is a creative move that was played by Aronian recently.} 8.Qb3 a5 9.a3 Bxc3 10.Bxc3 b6 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Bb5 Ba6 {With only a small advantage for White in Gukesh-Aronian, Tata Steel 2023.} ) 8.a3 Bxc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This exchange gives a positional advantage to White. It's better to return the bishop.} ( 8...Bf8 {Again we have Aronian defending Black's side.} 9.h3 a6 10.Rd1 Ne7 11.Qc2 b6 12.Be2 Bb7 {with a roughly equal position in Nihal-Aronian, Chennai Olympiad 2022.} ) 9.Bxc3 Ne4 10.Qc2 a5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's better to capture the bishop straight away, although this doesn't solve the problems.} ( 10...Nxc3 11.Qxc3 {White has a clear positional advantage, as this is an advantageous version of this typical structure. Black has a not-very-good bishop, and the knight is poorly placed on c6. The break-e5 is not easy to make, and White's moves are natural. This was played in Shankland-Pichot, Banter Blitz Cup (Online) 2020.} ) 11.Bd3 f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is active but creates further weaknesses. It was probably better to take on c3.} ( 11...Nxc3 ) 12.O-O Bd7 13.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has everything she could hope for in the opening, but of course this is a rapid game, and anything can happen.} 13...Qe7 14.b5 Nd8 15.Bb2 c6 16.cxd5 {Another option is to simply play 16.a4, followed by 17.Ba3.} ( 16.a4 ) 16...cxd5 ( 16...exd5 17.bxc6 Nxc6 {The computer suggests this as a better option for Black. In fact, the black pieces are more active here, although leaving the pawn isolated on d5 looks too big a concession for human eyes.} ) 17.Qc7 ( 17.a4 {Again this move is a good idea. We will come back to a3-a4 later (and also to a5-a4).} ) 17...Nf7 18.Rfc1 $6 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is inaccurate.} ( 18.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Rec8 19.Qb6 {This is similar to what will happen in the game.} ) 18...Nfd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 18...Rec8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Qb6 ( 19.Qxb7 {leads to a draw after} 19...Rcb8 20.Qc7 Rc8 ) 19...a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an important move, avoiding the plan with a4-Ba3. Black has serious drawing chances after} 20.Rxc8+ Rxc8 21.Rc1 Rxc1+ 22.Bxc1 Ned6 23.Bd2 Qd8 ) 19.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now it's even worse, as the bishop will come to a3 with added power.} 19...Rec8 20.Qb6 Nc4 ( 20...Qd8 {is more stubborn, although the endgame is positionally lost after} 21.Qxd8+ Rxd8 22.Ba3 ) 21.Bxc4 dxc4 22.Ba3 Qf6 23.Ne5 Be8 24.Rxc4 {The pawns start falling.} 24...f4 25.Rxc8 Rxc8 26.Qxb7 fxe3 27.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The safest. No one wants to give any tactical chance to Vachier-Lagrave. But the capture on c8 also wins.} ( 27.Qxc8 exf2+ ( 27...Qxf2+ 28.Kh1 ) 28.Kf1 Nd2+ 29.Ke2 f1=Q+ 30.Rxf1 Qxf1+ 31.Kxd2 {There's no perpetual.} ) 27...Rc3 28.Qxe4 Qd8 29.Bc5 h6 30.Re1 Qg5 31.Qa8 Qh5 32.g4 Qh4 33.Qxe8+ Kh7 34.Qh8+ $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A beautiful move, reminiscent of the famous Petrosian-Spassky game from the 1966 match for the world championship.} ( 34.Qh8+ Kxh8 35.Ng6+ ) 1-0

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.28"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Santos Latasa, Jaime"]
[Black "Moradiabadi, Elshan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2657"]
[BlackElo "2507"]
[ECO "C47"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8044209252439"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.h3 {A funny move, but if we consider that Carlsen has played 4.a4 here, this one is not so exotic. I imagine the idea is to see how Black will develop. If he plays 4...d5, then the white bishop soon goes to b5, and Black doesn't have the option of Bg4. If 4...Bc5, then White can play 5.Nxe5. 4...Be7 is too passive.} 4...Bb4 {The natural try.} ( 4...d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Bb5 ) ( 4...Bc5 5.Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 5...Nxe5 6.d4 Bd6 7.dxe5 Bxe5 8.Bd3 {with advantage for White.} ) 5.a3 {Not the most popular move, but it has been played a few times by Spanish GM Vallejo Pons. Maybe he studied it with his countryman $2} ( 5.Nd5 Nxd5 6.exd5 e4 7.dxc6 exf3 8.Qxf3 dxc6 9.Bc4 O-O {was equal in Antipov-Praggnanandhaa, Airthings Masters (rapid) 2023.} ) 5...Bxc3 6.dxc3 d6 ( 6...Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the critical move.} 7.Nxe5 Nxe5 8.Qd4 O-O 9.Qxe4 Re8 ( 9...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} ) 10.Be3 d5 11.Qf4 {White had a slight advantage in Martinez Alcantara-Alekseenko, Chess.com (rapid) 2022.} ) 7.Bd3 {Now White has the pair of bishops and a comfortable position. It may not seem like much, but it's better than nothing.} 7...h6 {Played in order to avoid the pin with Bg5 or the move Ng5 if the bishop goes to e6.} 8.Qe2 Ne7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 8...Be6 {It's possible to develop the pieces with this natural move.} 9.Be3 Qd7 {Preparing to castle on the queenside.} ) 9.Be3 a6 10.O-O-O Ng6 11.Nd2 Qe7 12.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It turns out the knight is not well placed on g6. White prepares f2-f4.} 12...b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 12...Bd7 13.f4 Bc6 {This is more solid, although Black's position is very unpleasant.} ) 13.c4 ( 13.f4 {is tempting.} 13...Bb7 14.f5 Nf8 15.c4 {with a clear advantage.} ( 15.g4 {This one is also good.} ) ) 13...c6 ( 13...bxc4 {is the best chance, at least opening a file and gaining time to develop.} ) 14.f4 Rb8 15.c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A creative move.} ( 15.f5 {is simple and good.} 15...Nf8 16.g4 {followed by the advance of the kingside pawns with an overwhelming advantage.} ) 15...dxc5 16.Qf2 c4 17.Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea. This bishop prevents the black king from castling.} 17...Qc7 18.Be2 Nd7 ( 18...exf4 {After this move, White continues to pour gasoline on the fire with} 19.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a strong initiative, for instance:} 19...fxg3 ( 19...Qxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20.Rhe1 fxg3 21.Qg1 {with a decisive attack.} ) 20.Qxg3 Qxe5 21.Qf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a strong attack.} ( 21.Qxe5+ {This is also possible, but exchanging queens in a such position brings tears to the attacking eyes.} 21...Nxe5 22.Bd6 Ned7 23.Rhe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 19.Bh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake, and now Black's position is defensible.} ( 19.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger.} 19...Nxc5 20.Qxc5 Ne7 21.Rhf1 O-O 22.g4 {White just pushes the pawns, and it's difficult for Black to untangle his pieces. This is hard to judge, but it's easier when I see the engine's evaluation.} ) 19...Nxc5 20.Qxc5 Ne7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses.} ( 20...Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] saves the day, as White can't escape a queen exchange after} 21.Qd6 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a balanced position.} ) 21.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...exf4 22.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Santos Latasa conducts the initiative with great precision from now on.} 22...g6 ( 22...O-O 23.gxf4 {There's a nice winning variation after:} 23...f6 24.Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Bxd7 25.Qxe7 Qxf4+ 26.Kb1 Be8 27.Rhg1 Bf7 28.Rd7 {and the attack decides.} ) 23.Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The exchange of bishops highlights the weakness of the d7-square that can be used by a rook or a knight.} 23...Qb6 ( 23...O-O 24.Bxc8 Nxc8 ( 24...Rbxc8 25.Rd7 ) 25.Nd7 {wins material.} ) 24.Qd6 c5 25.Bd7+ Kf8 26.Bc6 ( 26.Nxg6+ {is also winning after} 26...fxg6 27.Qxf4+ Kg7 28.Rhf1 ) 26...b4 27.Nxg6+ $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Kg7 ( 27...fxg6 28.Qf6+ Kg8 29.Qxe7 Qxc6 30.Rd8+ ) 28.Nxe7 ( 28.Qe5+ {is also good.} 28...Kxg6 29.Rd6+ Kh7 30.Rxh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Kxh6 31.Qxh8+ Kg6 32.gxf4 Qxc6 33.Rg1+ Bg4 34.Rxg4# ) 28...bxa3 29.Qe5+ f6 30.Nf5+ Kg6 ( 30...Bxf5 31.Qe7+ Kg6 32.exf5+ $18 ) 31.Nh4+ ( 31.Be8+ {is a quicker way to deliver mate.} ) 31...Kf7 32.Bd5+ Kf8 33.Ng6+ Kg7 34.Qe7+ Kxg6 35.Qf7+ {A very good attacking game by Santos Latasa.} ( 35.Qf7+ Kg5 36.Qg7+ Kh5 37.Bf7# ) 1-0

[Event "Pro Chess League Main Event 2023 Week 1"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[ECO "B50"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7563034760201"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3 Nf6 4.Bd3 {This is not the most popular of the Anti-Sicilians, but it still has close to 5,000 games in my database. White's idea is simple: the bishop goes back to c2 and then the d-pawn will be advanced one or two squares. The problem with this variation is that Black manages to develop the pieces without any problems, so it's not difficult to equalize.} 4...Nc6 5.Bc2 Bg4 6.d3 e6 7.Nbd2 Qc7 ( 7...Be7 {is the most played move, but Shankland has aggressive intentions. He wants to send the king to the queenside.} ) 8.h3 Bh5 9.Qe2 Be7 10.Nf1 O-O-O $5 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A bold move. 10...d5 or 10...0-0 is safer.} ( 10...d5 ) ( 10...O-O ) 11.Ng3 Bg6 12.O-O d5 {We have a double-edged position on the board. Positions with kings on opposite sides are always tense.} 13.Nh4 {This is not an easy move. Nakamura prepares to capture the bishop on g6, even though this opens up the h-file. Another option is to release the central tension, but Black has no problems after} ( 13.e5 Nd7 14.d4 Bxc2 15.Qxc2 Kb8 {The black king is relatively safe, and the pawn structure is typical of the French Defense but with the light-squared bishop already exchanged.} ) 13...Kb8 ( 13...Nxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] That's a move to keep an eye on, but here it doesn't work.} 14.Nxg6 Nxg3 15.Nxe7+ ) 14.Nxg6 ( 14.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14...Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 14...hxg6 15.Ba4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice move, activating the bishop.} 15...d4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The wrong way to define the situation in the center.} ( 15...dxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 16.dxe4 ( 16.Nxe4 Ne5 {is also ok.} ) 16...Ne5 {With the idea of playing c4 followed by Nd3.} ) 16.c4 ( 16.Bxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate:} 16...Qxc6 17.cxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Rxd4 ( 17...cxd4 18.Bf4+ Ka8 19.Rfc1 {White has a clear advantage.} ) 18.Be3 Rd7 19.Rfc1 {With the idea of playing Rc4-Rac1 and later a break with d4 or b4 with some pressure.} ) 16...Nd7 17.f4 Ka8 ( 17...Bh4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( 17...e5 18.f5 $14 ) 18.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has time to prepare the activation of the knight via e4.} 18...Nb6 19.Bd1 $6 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19.Bxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's generally difficult to evaluate the exchange of a bishop for a knight, but here the idea would be a good one. White buys time to finish the development and without the knight on c6, it's easier to prepare the b2-b4 break.} 19...Qxc6 20.Bd2 ) 19...g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Shankland correctly judges that it's necessary to advance the pawns on the kingside, but the execution of the plan is not the best.} ( 19...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 19...f6 is the same.} 20.exf6 gxf6 21.Qxe6 f5 {An interesting pawn sacrifice to start the kingside attack.} 22.Qe2 Bh4 23.Qf3 Rdg8 {With good compensation. The idea is to pass the queen to h7 and then break through with g6-g5.} ) 20.fxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Nxe5 21.Bf4 Bd6 22.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Nexc4 {The only move; of course, Nakamura had seen this.} 23.Nxd6 Nxd6 24.Bb3 ( 24.g6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting move to disrupt the kingside.} 24...Nd5 ( 24...fxg6 25.Qxe6 ) 25.Bxd6 Qxd6 26.Rxf7 Ne3 27.Qf3 {White maintains the advantage.} ) 24...Nd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this move White has a nearly winning advantage.} ( 24...Rhe8 {is better.} ) 25.Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...exd5 26.Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Either the d5 pawn or the g7 pawn will fall.} 26...Qc6 ( 26...g6 {is not an improvement. The bishop is very strong, and the f7-pawn is weak.} 27.Qxd5 ) 27.Qxg7 Nf5 28.Qxf7 Rhf8 29.Qc7 Qb5 30.Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Simplifying the position. Now the passed pawns on the kingside will be fatal.} 30...Nxd6 ( 30...Rc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31.Rxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins material.} ) 31.Rxf8 Rxf8 32.Qxd6 Re8 33.Rf1 Qxd3 34.Rf8 Qe3+ 35.Kh2 a6 36.g6 Rxf8 37.Qxf8+ Ka7 38.Qxc5+ Ka8 39.Qd6 {Avoiding unpleasant checks.} 39...Qg5 40.Qf8+ Ka7 41.Qc5+ {Nakamura takes the safer route.} ( 41.g7 {is also winning.} 41...Qe5+ 42.Kg1 Qe1+ ( 42...Qe3+ 43.Qf2 ) 43.Qf1 ) 41...Ka8 42.Qxd4 ( 42.Qxd4 Qxg6 43.Qxd5 $18 ) 1-0

[Event "Romanian Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Szabo, Gergely Andras"]
[Black "Stepanencu, Nicodim Cosmin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2514"]
[BlackElo "2283"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7493513974362"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 {This is a very popular system against the Caro-Kann these days.} 4...h5 {This is the best answer, stopping the advance of the white pawns.} ( 4...h6 5.g4 Bd7 6.h5 {White's space advantage on the kingside has proved unpleasant.} ) 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 Qa5+ 7.Nd2 ( 7.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a bold sacrifice that has been tried by very strong players.} ) 7...e6 8.Nf3 Nh6 9.O-O Nf5 {It's necessary to improve White's game in the next moves, since Black will manage to solve all the opening problems.} 10.c4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 10.Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better attempt. A recent game followed:} 10...Qb5 11.Qd1 c5 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.a4 Qc6 {Praggnanandhaa-Carlsen, Meltwater Tour (rapid) 2022. Here 14.Bg5 gives White the advantage.} ) 10...Be7 {That's the problem: now White has to waste time defending the h4-pawn.} 11.g3 O-O 12.b3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's better to prepare the advance b4 to hinder the move c6-c5, as we will see in the game.} ( 12.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 12...Rd8 13.Rd1 ( 13.Bb2 c5 {is also fine for Black.} ) 13...c5 {This is a dream position for Black after the opening. This is a pawn structure that we often see in the French Defense, with the difference that here the light-squared bishop has already been exchanged.} 14.dxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A new move, but this makes things worse.} ( 14.Bb2 {was played in Villegas-Fiorito, Buenos Aires 2022.} 14...Nc6 {with a clear advantage for Black.} ) ( 14.cxd5 {is the lesser evil.} 14...Rxd5 15.Nc4 Qa6 16.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The d4-pawn is sacrificed but there are some attacking chances.} ( 16.Ne3 Qxd3 17.Rxd3 Nxe3 18.fxe3 {with a clear positional advantage for Black in Zha-Meiwes, Willingen 2022.} ) ) 14...Qxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true]} ( 14...Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. White's position is already near collapse.} 15.Bb2 Bxc5 ) 15.Nf1 $6 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15.Bb2 ) 15...dxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Stepanencu cannot resist the temptation to gain material, but this is a conceptually bad decision. It's clear that White has compensation for the queen after the forced sacrifice, but not only that: now the character of the game changes and chaos reigns on the board, with black's king in great danger. This could be avoided with the natural 15...Nc6, which would conserve a positional advantage without risk.} ( 15...Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 16.Qxd8+ {This is a consequence of White's last move.} 16...Bxd8 17.Rxd8+ Kh7 {White has rook and bishop against queen and pawn. The compensation is clear, as the knight on b8 is pinned and the black king is in danger. Objectively neither side has the advantage (at least that's what the computer believes), but in practice, I prefer to play with White here.} 18.Ne3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 18.bxc4 {is better. A possible sequence is:} 18...Qc7 19.Rf8 Qc5 20.Ng5+ ( 20.Rxf7 $6 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20...Nc6 ) ( 20.Rd8 Qc7 {with a strange draw.} ) 20...Kg6 21.Rh8 Qxe5 22.Rb1 {with a sharp game.} ) 18...Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening the rook on d8 and preparing to capture on b3.} ( 18...Nxe3 19.Bxe3 Qa5 20.Rad1 {with good compensation.} ) 19.Ng5+ Kg6 20.Ng2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A brilliant and desperate resource.} 20...Nxg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A smart move. Too smart, to be honest. Black needs to release the f5-square to the king, but there's a better way to do this.} ( 20...Qxd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21.Nf4+ Kh6 22.Nxf7+ Kh7 23.Nxd8 ) ( 20...Nh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Here White is lost. A possible continuation is:} 21.Nf4+ Kf5 22.Ngxe6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 22...fxe6 23.Rf8+ Ke4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king needs to sidestep the mines.} ( 23...Kxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.Bb2+ Ke4 25.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack.} ) 24.f3+ Kd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king is almost completing the march across the board in search of a safe place.} ) 21.Nf4+ ( 21.fxg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21...Qxd8 22.Nf4+ Kf5 ) 21...Kf5 22.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] What a crazy position $1} 22...Qc3 ( 22...Qe1+ $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] gives nothing.} 23.Kg2 ) 23.Kg2 $3 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] I have a peculiar taste. In the midst of so many spectacular sacrifices, for me this is the best move of the game. A delicate king move, ignoring attacked pieces.} ( 23.Rb1 {is a mundane move. According to the computer, the game can end in a draw in many ways. One of them is:} 23...Qc2 24.Ra1 Qc3 {Another really strange repetition, but there's nothing normal in this game.} ) 23...Ne4 ( 23...Qxa1 $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.Nd6+ Kxe5 ( 24...Kg4 25.f3+ Kxh4 26.Ng6# ) 25.Nxc4+ Kf5 26.Rf8+ Ke4 27.f3+ Kd4 28.Bb2+ {winning material.} ) ( 23...Nc6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A wise man once said that one of the advantages of having a material advantage is that you can try to return some pieces at the right time.} 24.Rxa8 Nd4 {The stage is set for a perpetual check draw.} 25.Rf8 Qf3+ 26.Kh2 Qh1+ 27.Kxg3 Qf3+ 28.Kh2 Qxf2+ 29.Kh3 Qf3+ ) 24.Rf8 Kg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses spectacularly.} ( 24...Qxa1 $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25.Nd6+ Kxe5 26.Nxc4+ Kd4 27.Bb2+ Qxb2 28.Nxb2 $18 ) ( 24...Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a draw.} 25.Nh6+ ( 25.Rxa8 $2 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25...Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 25...Qxa1 {is not so clear after} 26.Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26.Nxe5 Qxa1 ( 26...Kxe5 27.bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the clever idea:} 27...Qxa1 $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28.Bb2+ $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Qxb2 29.Nd3+ ) 27.Nxc4 Qxc1 28.Rf8+ Nf6 29.Nxh5 {The knights are tricky and White has drawing chances, but not more than that. Let's see a selfmate variation:} 29...Kg6 30.Ne5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25...Kxe5 26.Nf7+ Kf5 ( 26...Kd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27.Be3+ $18 ) ( 26...Kf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27.Nd6+ Ke7 28.Nxe4 Qxa1 29.Ba3+ $18 ) 27.Nh6+ ) 25.Be3 {Not bad, but there's an even better solution that seems to be taken straight from a composition.} ( 25.Nh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...gxh6 26.Nd3 $3 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] What a fantastic move $1 The knight gives way to the rook.} 26...Kxh4 ( 26...Qxd3 27.Rf4# ) 27.Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move $1 The bishop must go the whole way in order to remove the g5-square from the king.} 27...Qxa1 28.Rf4# ) 25...Nxf2 {A desperate attempt. to avoid the inevitable.} ( 25...Qxa1 26.Nh6+ gxh6 27.f3+ Kxh4 28.Ng6# ) 26.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another wonderful move. Again the idea is to release the f4-square for the rook.} 26...Qxa1 ( 26...exd5 27.Nh6+ Kxh4 ( 27...gxh6 28.Rf4# ) 28.Rf4+ Kg5 ( 28...Ng4 29.Rh1+ Kg5 30.Rxg4# ) 29.Rg4# {This game has so many beautiful mating lines $1} ) 27.Nh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Kxh4 ( 27...gxh6 28.Rf4# ) 28.Bxf2+ ( 28.Rf4+ {doesn't work now:} 28...Ng4 ) 28...Kg5 29.Be3+ Kg6 ( 29...Kh4 30.Rf4+ Kg5 31.Rg4# ) 30.Ne7+ Kh7 31.Nf7 Nc6 32.Ng5+ Kh6 33.Nf7+ Kh7 34.Ng5+ Kh6 35.Nxe6+ Kh7 36.Ng5+ Kh6 37.Nf5+ Kg6 38.Nh4+ Kh6 39.Nf7+ Kh7 40.Ng5+ Kh6 41.Rxa8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A pity there's no way to mate without taking the rook, but life isn't perfect.} 41...g6 42.Rg8 Nxe5 43.Rxg6+ $3 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A worthy coronation of the attack. Black resigned.} ( 43.Rxg6+ Nxg6 44.Nf5# ) 1-0

[Event "WR Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "201"]
[Beauty "4400483431463"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 c6 {The game begins as a Catalan opening, but now we have a transposition to a line that often occurs in the Semi-Slav move order where White sacrifices the pawn on c4. This leads to extremely complicated and risky positions.} 6.O-O b5 7.a4 Bb7 8.Ne5 a6 9.b3 cxb3 10.Qxb3 Qxd4 11.Bb2 Qb4 12.Qc2 Qc5 13.Qd3 Be7 14.Nd2 {This is all theory, and it's best not to go too deep in the moves leading to this position since there's a lot to analyze in the rest of the game. The only thing I can say is that after the move is played, the advantage is already firmly in White's hands, so this is a good moment to look for an alternative.} 14...Nd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 14...Qb6 {is better and leads to a complex game after:} 15.axb5 axb5 16.Rxa8 Bxa8 17.Ne4 Nd5 {Wagner-Murphy, Terme Catez 2022.} ) 15.Rfc1 {There is a very tempting alternative as well. Judging by the time Esipenko thought here, it's clear he was already out of prep.} ( 15.axb5 axb5 ( 15...cxb5 16.Nb3 Qd6 17.Na5 {Black is in trouble.} ) 16.Rxa8 Bxa8 17.Ra1 {The a-file will give Black a headache.} 17...Bb7 18.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Qd6 19.Ra7 Qc7 20.Nb3 {and White has a dangerous initiative, for example:} 20...O-O 21.Na5 c5 22.Rxb7 Qxa5 23.Bxd5 exd5 ( 23...cxd4 24.Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24.Rxe7 cxd4 25.Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a strong attack.} ) 15...Qb6 16.Nec4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent knight sacrifice. The queenside is exposed, and the g- and h-pawns will fall, meaning the black king no longer has a safe haven.} 16...bxc4 17.Nxc4 Nb4 {This move gives the piece back and has the appearance of a desperate attempt to get into an endgame, whatever the cost.} ( 17...Qd8 {is more natural, but the initiative is very strong after} 18.Bxg7 Rg8 19.Qxh7 Rxg7 20.Qxg7 ) 18.Qb1 {This is a mystery moment for me. Esipenko could enter an endgame with a pawn up and great winning chances, but instead he preferred to play with the initiative in a material-less position.} ( 18.Nxb6 {This is a simple move and leads to a nearly winning endgame. I'm not sure why Esipenko didn't go for this. Granted, he still has a strong attack with his choice, but 18.Nxb6 is safe and efficient.} 18...Nxd3 19.exd3 Ra7 20.Bxg7 Rg8 21.Bd4 c5 22.Bxc5 {All this is forced. White is a pawn up.} 22...Bxg2 23.Bxe7 ( 23.Kxg2 {is also good.} ) 23...Nc6 24.Bh4 Bf3 25.d4 {The endgame should be winning for White.} ) 18...Qc5 19.Bxg7 Rg8 20.Qxh7 $6 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is an inaccuracy.} ( 20.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] To be honest, this move justifies White's decision on move 18. But it's not an easy move to find.} 20...Qxc1+ $8 ( 20...Rxg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21.Rxc5 Bxc5 22.Nd3 $1 $18 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 20...Qd6 21.Qxh7 Rxg7 22.Qxg7 $18 ) 21.Qxc1 Rxg7 22.Qh6 ( 22.Qe3 ) 22...Bf8 23.Rd1 $16 {In practice, a decisive advantage here. There's no way anyone can escape this.} ) 20...Rxg7 21.Qxg7 Nd7 {Black's position remains difficult, but not as much as it was before.} 22.Qh8+ Bf8 23.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important prophylactic move, avoiding a6-a5 and thus leaving the knight on b4 in an unstable situation.} 23...Rb8 24.Rab1 Bc8 25.Rb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I love this kind of move. White wants to bring the rook to the d-file.} 25...Qg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The position is very complicated, and mistakes are inevitable. It is even more difficult to play with Black, as any error is fatal.} ( 25...Kd8 {is a better try, although the position is not a bed of roses.} ) 26.Rd2 ( 26.Nd6+ $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer indicates this move as winning on the spot.} 26...Ke7 27.Rd1 {Black is paralyzed.} 27...Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It's important to note that this move loses to} 28.Nxc8+ Rxc8 29.Rxd7+ $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26...Nd5 27.e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A natural move but not the best.} ( 27.Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads by force to a better position for White after:} 27...exd5 ( 27...cxd5 28.Nd6+ ) 28.Nd6+ Ke7 29.Rxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good resource.} ( 29...Qxd2 30.Qh5 $3 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This wonderful move wins.} 30...Kd8 31.Nxf7+ Ke7 32.Nd6 {Black has no adequate defense to the mating threats.} ) 30.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Bxc6 31.fxg5 Kxd6 {White is much better in this materially unbalanced position.} ) 27...Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Qa1 $6 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Again, not the best continuation.} ( 28.Qxh6 {is not great either. Black breathes a sigh of relief in the endgame.} 28...Bxh6 29.exd5 Bxd2 30.Nxd2 cxd5 ) ( 28.Qg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Is the most dangerous, as the queen keeps an eye on f7.} 28...Ke7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A difficult move but the only chance.} 29.exd5 cxd5 30.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is threatening 30...Nf6, winning the queen. The attack remains very strong.} ) 28...N5f6 29.Nd6+ Bxd6 30.Rxd6 c5 {Black is fully back in the game.} 31.Rb1 ( 31.e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Against this move Black has the knight jump to g4. For this reason, it makes sense to play a Karpovian h3 here and in other moments, although this looks too subtle to be true.} 31...Ng4 ) ( 31.h3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 31...Rb4 {This is inaccurate, as the b4-pawn will become a serious weakness.} ( 31...Rxb1+ 32.Qxb1 Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of playing Qe2 at some moment.} ) 32.Rxb4 cxb4 33.Rc6 Kd8 {This is forced.} ( 33...Bb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34.Rc7 Bxe4 35.Rc8+ Ke7 36.Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black loses material, as the b4-pawn is under attack.} ) 34.Qb2 Ng4 35.h3 Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 35...Nge5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary.} 36.Rc2 Nd3 37.Qb1 N7c5 {with chances for both sides.} ) 36.Rc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 36.Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Ne5 37.Rc1 {Black is in serious trouble here, as he needs to defend the b-pawn and also a possible invasion on the c-file.} ) 36...Qxb2 37.Rxb2 Nge5 38.Rxb4 {Both players can breathe a little now as the fireworks are over. White has the advantage in this endgame of a rook and two pawns against a pair of knights. But there are drawing chances.} 38...Nc6 39.Ra4 e5 40.f3 Ke7 41.Bf1 Nc5 42.Ra3 Be6 43.h4 ( 43.Rc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is poisonous as it forces Black's king away from the dangerous h-pawn.} 43...Kd6 44.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position is difficult for Black, for example:} 44...Nxa5 45.h5 Nc6 46.h6 Ne7 47.h7 Ng6 48.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48...exf4 49.gxf4 Nxe4 50.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This sequence seems to be taken from a composition. The h-pawn continues to force its way to the coronation.} ) 43...Nd4 44.Kf2 Bb3 45.Ra1 Bc2 46.g4 Kf6 47.Kg3 Kg6 48.Re1 Ncb3 49.Bxa6 ( 49.h5+ {is a good try.} 49...Kg5 ( 49...Kg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is better, according to the computer, but blocking the pawns is more natural for a player with flesh and bones (and a heart).} ) 50.Bc4 f6 51.Rh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51...Kh6 52.Bxb3 Nxb3 53.f4 {with good winning chances.} ) 49...Nxa5 50.f4 exf4+ 51.Kxf4 {White has some practical chances, but Black should be able to make a draw.} 51...Ne6+ 52.Ke3 Nb3 53.Bc4 Nbd4 54.Rf1 Ba4 55.g5 Bb5 56.Rf6+ Kg7 57.Bxb5 Nxb5 58.h5 Nf8 ( 58...Nxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses one of the knights after} 59.Rf5 ) 59.Rc6 Ne6 60.g6 {The pawns are disappearing from the board, and it is surprising that White still has real chances to win.} 60...Nbc7 ( 60...Nbd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The following lines show how the knights can be tricky.} 61.Rd6 fxg6 62.hxg6 Nc2+ $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 62...Kxg6 $4 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 63.Rxd4 Nxd4 64.Kxd4 {with a winning pawn endgame.} ) 63.Kd2 Ncd4 64.Kd3 Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 65.Kc4 ( 65.Rxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 65...Nc5+ ) 65...Nbc5 66.Kd5 Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's impossible to deal with a pair of dancing knights.} 67.e5 Nd3 {Black finally achieves a draw.} ) 61.gxf7 Kxf7 {Once again, when analyzing a game by Keymer, a player who seems to have a magical attraction for endgames, I can say: we arrived in a tablebase position, that technological tool that is the joy of chess commentators. Every time I indicate a move with an exclamation mark, it means it's the only way to win or draw. I now focus on the moments where mistakes are made.} 62.e5 Nd5+ $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 63.Ke4 Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 64.Rd6 Nc8 65.Rd1 Ne7 66.Rf1+ Kg7 67.h6+ Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 67...Kxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 68.Rf6+ ) 68.Rf6 Ng5+ 69.Kf4 Nh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 70.Rd6 Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 71.Kg4 Ke8 72.Kh5 Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 73.Ra6 Nf8 74.Rb6 Nh7 75.Rd6 Nf8 76.Kg5 Nh7+ 77.Kg4 Nf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After so many accurate moves, finally a mistake is made. All the following moves are enough for a draw, according to the tablebase.} ( 77...Ng8 ) ( 77...Nc8 ) ( 77...Ke8 ) ( 77...Kf8 ) ( 77...Kg8 ) 78.Ra6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake in return.} ( 78.Rf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only winning move.} 78...Kg8 79.Kh5 Nh7 80.Rf1 Nf8 81.Re1 Ne6 82.Rg1+ Kh7 83.Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook goes to the seventh rank with decisive effect.} ) 78...Nh7 79.Kf4 Nf8 80.Ke4 Ne6 81.Ra7 Ng5+ 82.Kf4 Nh7 83.Ra6 Nf8 84.Kg5 Nh7+ 85.Kh5 Nf8 86.Rf6+ Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 87.Rf1 Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 88.Rf5 Nd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The losing move. Both 88...Nb4 and 88...Nb8 are enough for a draw. These types of moves can only be found through an elimination process. The idea of the two moves is to wait with a non-committal move and prevent White from advancing his pawns.} ( 88...Nb4 ) ( 88...Nb8 ) ( 88...Ne6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 89.Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 89...Ncd8 90.Kg6 Nf8+ {Now White has a nice combination.} 91.Rxf8+ $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 91...Kxf8 92.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 92...Nxe6 93.h7 {and the pawn promotes.} ) ( 88...Nd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] I thought this move is a draw, but I was wrong.} 89.Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 89...Nde6 90.Kg4 {And the tablebase indicates a win for White here. If it's hard to understand it, imagine having to play it.} ) 89.e6 {Now Esipenko gives no chances.} 89...Nf8 90.Rc5 Ne7 91.Rc7 Nd5 92.Rg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 92...Kh8 93.e7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 93...Nxe7 94.Rxe7 {The rest is easy.} 94...Kg8 95.Kg5 Nh7+ 96.Kf5 Nf8 97.Rg7+ Kh8 98.Rf7 Kg8 99.Kf6 Nh7+ 100.Kg6 Nf8+ 101.Rxf8+ ( 101.Rxf8+ Kxf8 102.h7 ) 1-0

[Event "WR Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8250632196144"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 {The Italian is a mandatory guest at all elite tournaments. This time we won't have a slow maneuvering game, as usually happens. Complications will set in quickly.} 3...Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.b4 Bb6 7.a4 {The queenside pawn advance is a classic plan, but it hasn't been played much lately.} 7...a5 8.b5 Ne7 9.O-O Ng6 10.Nbd2 O-O 11.Bb3 c6 12.Nc4 Bc7 13.Bg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare move, played in some correspondence games. Gukesh clearly had this move ready as he played it all so quickly.} ( 13.Re1 {is the most played.} ) 13...d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A very interesting novelty. One of the goals of Bg5 is precisely to make this advance less attractive, but Black is not afraid to go for complications.} ( 13...h6 {The big question is what Gukesh's idea is against this natural move. Capturing at f6 doesn't seem to offer any advantage. I imagine he would play in his dynamic style with 14.b6.} 14.b6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14...Bxb6 ( 14...Bb8 {is also possible, despite appearances.} 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Ne3 {with a complicated game.} ) ( 14...hxg5 15.bxc7 Qxc7 16.Nxg5 {A knight on g5 is a constant source of trouble for Black, although nothing serious is happening at the moment.} ) 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.d4 {White has compensation for the pawn because of the damaged pawn structure on the kingside. He went on to win in Goreczny-Luers, email 2015.} ) 14.Bxf6 {Played after lengthy reflection. Gukesh probably hadn't analyzed Black's bold previous move.} ( 14.exd5 {The option was to take immediately, avoiding the idea that will be used in the game.} 14...cxd5 15.Ne3 Be6 {Black is fine as he doesn't have to worry too much with the double pawns after 16.Bxf6.} 16.Bxf6 gxf6 ) 14...Qxf6 ( 14...gxf6 15.Ne3 Be6 {This is an improved version for White, as the f5-square is controlled with the pawn on e4. Even so, the position is fully playable for Black.} ) 15.exd5 Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent pawn sacrifice.} ( 15...cxd5 16.Ne3 {This is good for White, as the knight heads to d5.} ) 16.Ne3 Bh5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Another bold move, keeping the pin and further complicating the game.} ( 16...Bxf3 {is enough for more or less equal play after} 17.Qxf3 Qxf3 18.gxf3 cxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.axb5 Nf4 ) 17.dxc6 bxc6 18.bxc6 ( 18.g4 {This is a move no sane human would ever play, although the computer keeps evaluating this as equal. If I didn't know that, I'd say with confidence that Black is winning after} 18...e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 18...e4 {Black has many attacking options in the next few moves. The position is very rich. I will try to summarize some of the most interesting alternatives.} ( 18...Nh4 19.Bd5 {The d5-square is vital for White, whether for a bishop or a knight.} 19...e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 19...Qf4 {is also very interesting.} ) 20.Bxe4 Bxf3 21.Bxf3 Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea.} 22.Re1 ( 22.g3 Qxf3 ( 22...Nxf3+ $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23.Kh1 Qf6 24.Nd5 ) 23.d4 {leads to a complex and unbalanced endgame.} ( 23.gxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23...Qh3 {with a winning attack.} ) ) 22...Qxh2+ 23.Kf1 {With an unclear position. Black has compensation for the two sacrificed pawns.} ) 19.dxe4 Nh4 ( 19...Rad8 {is natural and good. A possible line ends in perpetual check after:} 20.Nd5 Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Bxd5 Ne5 22.Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way to defend.} 22...Bxd1 23.Nd7 Bxh2+ $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 23...Qd6 24.Rfxd1 Qxh2+ 25.Kf1 {is better for White.} ) 24.Kxh2 Qh6+ 25.Kg1 Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.gxf3 Qg5+ 27.Kh1 Qh5+ ) 20.Nd5 Qh6 ( 20...Nxf3+ $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 21.Qxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21.Re1 ( 21.Nxc7 Bxf3 {is very dangerous for White.} ) 21...Bxh2+ $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] What a phenomenal game of attack, defense, counterattack, with both chess players showing the best of their abilities. They keep playing the best moves.} ( 21...Bxf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 22.gxf3 Qg6+ {is tempting, but the king escapes more or less without scars.} 23.Kf1 Qg2+ 24.Ke2 Qxf3+ 25.Kd2 ) 22.Kf1 Ra7 $6 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] From now on, the balance begins to tip in White's favor.} ( 22...Kh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a subtle move, defending against a possible knight check on e7.} 23.Qd3 Bxf3 24.gxf3 Rac8 {I somewhat prefer White, but both players have chances.} ) 23.Qd3 Bxf3 24.gxf3 Qxc6 25.f4 {Now the black pieces are displaced on the h-file, and the white pawns are threatening.} 25...Qh6 26.f5 Rb7 27.Rab1 Rfb8 28.Bc2 Qg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 28...Rxb1 {is better.} 29.Rxb1 ( 29.Bxb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 29...Qg5 {with counterplay.} ) 29...Rxb1+ 30.Bxb1 Qc1+ 31.Ke2 h5 {Black is still fighting well.} ) 29.Rxb7 Rxb7 30.e5 Rb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 30...Qg2+ 31.Ke2 g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the only chance of survival.} ) 31.Ne7+ $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice final combination for such a wonderful game.} 31...Qxe7 32.f6 {The double attack is fatal.} ( 32.f6 gxf6 33.Qxh7+ Kf8 34.Qh8# ) 1-0

[Event "WR Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[ECO "C84"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7494315297811"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.Bd2 {A curious move, considering we learn early on that it's better to develop knights before bishops in the opening. White has several more natural moves, but the bishop on d2 has its uses and the Ruy Lopez is such a well-researched opening that you have to break the most conventional rules to try to outwit your opponent.} 8...O-O 9.h3 h6 10.Re1 Rb8 11.a3 Re8 12.Nc3 Bf8 {The last moves by both sides were all very reasonable.} 13.Nd5 ( 13.Ba2 {A difficult and subtle move, played by Carlsen in 2020. The idea of this retreat, I think, is to prevent the traditional plan of Na5 followed by c7-c5. The position remained balanced after} 13...Ne7 14.Nh4 g5 15.Nf3 Ng6 16.Nh2 {in Carlsen-Vitiugov, Wijk aan Zee 2020.} ) 13...Nxd5 14.Bxd5 Ne7 15.Bb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right square, as now White has the plan of playing a3-a4 and using the a-file.} ( 15.Ba2 {led to an equal position after} 15...Ng6 16.d4 c5 {Adams-Wahls, Germany 1996.} ) 15...c5 {A new move that was probably prepared beforehand, as Keymer played it quickly. It was predictable that this position could happen, since Praggnanandhaa played all of this in a 2023 game.} ( 15...Ng6 {was played in the two previous games:} 16.a4 Be6 17.Bxe6 Rxe6 18.axb5 axb5 19.Ra7 ( 19.Qe2 d5 {with equality in Caruana-Carlsen, Almaty (Wch Blitz) 2022.} ) 19...Ra8 20.Qa1 {with a very slight advantage for White in Praggnanandhaa-Salem, Airthings Masters (rapid) 2023.} ) 16.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Bb7 {The right way to develop the bishop.} ( 16...Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move looks natural, in order to exchange the strong bishop on b3, but the position is dangerous for Black after} 17.Bxe6 fxe6 18.axb5 axb5 19.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Followed by Qg4. This is the same plan that we will see later in the game. That's why it's so important to analyze typical ideas in the openings you play. It's quite possible that you will be able to use them in similar positions.} ) 17.Nh4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Here it is.} 17...Qc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Played after a long thought. Probably Keymer was out of book at this point. It's better to play 17...d5 and fight for counterplay immediately.} ( 17...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.axb5 axb5 19.exd5 Nxd5 ( 19...Bxd5 {is also possible, with equality.} ) 20.Qh5 Qc7 {Black is preparing …c5-c4 and has a decent position.} ) 18.axb5 axb5 19.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the position becomes dangerous as there is no way to defend the h6-pawn.} 19...Qc8 ( 19...c4 20.dxc4 bxc4 21.Ba4 {This is similar to the game continuation.} ) 20.Qg3 c4 21.dxc4 bxc4 22.Ba4 Bc6 23.Bxh6 {Without the h-pawn, Black's position seems insecure, even though nothing serious is happening at the moment.} 23...Rxb2 ( 23...Bxa4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is possible to remove the defense of c2. This involves sacrificing the c4-pawn after} 24.Rxa4 Rxb2 25.Qc3 Qb7 26.Bc1 Rb1 27.Rxc4 {but Black gets enough compensation after} 27...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.exd5 Nxd5 ) 24.Bc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop performs a dribble. First he expels the rook from b2, which could capture the c2-pawn. But the plan is to go back to the attack.} 24...Rb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a serious inaccuracy. Black should sacrifice the exchange.} ( 24...Rb4 {is also dangerous after} 25.Bxc6 Qxc6 26.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 24...Bxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the move. I fell in love with this idea when I saw it. For the cost of an exchange, Black is almost sure not be checkmated. A nice deal, if you ask me.} 25.Bxb2 Bxc2 {With a strong light-squared bishop and the passed c-pawn, the compensation is adequate. And, more importantly, the character of the game is changed. I love exchange sacrifices (when I'm not the one playing the game).} ) 25.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The annoying bishop is back.} 25...Bxa4 26.Rxa4 Qc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black needs to start taking drastic measures to get active play before it's too late.} 27.Bxe7 Rbxe7 28.exd5 e4 {For the price of a pawn, the position has become sharp, and the knight on h4 is no longer so dangerous.} ) 27.Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right square, preventing …d6-d5.} ( 27.Ra3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27...Qc7 28.Ra6 {Black's position is very dangerous now, and it will get worse soon.} 28...Nc6 ( 28...d5 {The computer indicates this move as a better chance, but it doesn't look so pretty now.} ) 29.c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] What an irresistible move $1 One of the best feelings in chess occurs when we make a move that makes our opponent's knight sad.} 29...Rb3 30.Nf5 {The white pieces are concentrated around the black king and are ready for the final assault.} 30...Nd4 31.Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Ne6 ( 31...Nxf5 32.exf5 {This leads to a winning attack. The threat is 33.Bxg7 followed by 34.f6.} 32...Kh7 33.Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...gxf6 34.Rh4+ Bh6 35.Qe3 {with mate in four moves.} ) 32.Rxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I love games where there's a sense of harmony, where one move leads to another naturally. This game is one of them. Note that when Praggnanandhaa played 15.Bb3, he intended to bring this rook to life via the a-file with a3-a4. That's exactly what happened in the game, and the culmination of that plan comes now. Of course, he didn't imagine that this rook would be sacrificed on d6 on move 32; after all, you can't predict everything. But the sacrifice did not come out of the blue; it is a consequence of all the precise previous play by White.} 32...Rxc3 {A nice move to distract the queen from g3, but this piece will come back in a moment.} ( 32...Bxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33.Nxg7 ) 33.Qxc3 Bxd6 34.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...Bf8 ( 34...g6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35.Qh4 ) 35.Bxe5 {White is a pawn up and the attack continues. Furthermore, the pawn on c4 is more of a weakness than a strength.} 35...Qd7 36.Kh2 Qb7 37.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good move, preparing either Ne3 or a plan with Re3-g3.} 37...Rd8 38.Rc1 Qa7 ( 38...Rc8 39.Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The result of the game is not in doubt.} ) 39.Rc2 {Defending the f2-pawn.} 39...Qc5 {This loses immediately, but it's hard to suggest.} ( 39...Rc8 40.Nxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...Bxg7 41.Bxg7 $18 ) 40.Nh6+ Kh7 41.Nxf7 Re8 42.f4 Kg8 43.Qg6 1-0

[Event "WR Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "6121423141412"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nb3 {When people started trying 6.h3 against the Najdorf, the idea was to take the knight to e2 and then try to play g4-Ng3. Currently two other withdrawals are also popular, either 7.Nb3 or 7.Nf3.} 7...Be6 8.Be3 Nbd7 9.g4 {If the position had originated from the English Attack (6.Be3 or 6.f3), then we would have almost this same position on the board with the difference that there would be a pawn on f3 and not on h3. Who has the advantage when we change this pawn for the one on h3 $2 Like almost everything in life, there is a good side and a bad side. In the case of the game, the queen has the option of being developed on f3 and the bishop has the option of being developed on g2 without a pawn in front of it. On the other hand, the plan with h4-g5 becomes less attractive.} 9...h6 10.Qd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A creative choice of square for the queen. The most popular is 10.Qd2.} ( 10.Qd2 ) ( 10.Qf3 ) ( 10.Bg2 ) 10...Nc5 {A new idea. This is a rarity after just 10 moves in the Najdorf.} ( 10...Rc8 {was played in an important correspondence game.} 11.O-O-O Be7 12.Kb1 b5 13.f4 exf4 14.Bxf4 Ne5 15.Qg3 Qc7 {with an equal position in Panitevsky-Firnhaber, ICC email 2018.} ) 11.Nxc5 dxc5 12.Qe2 {An ambitious move, keeping the queens on the board.} ( 12.Qxd8+ {This is also possible, trying to gain some advantage in the endgame.} 12...Rxd8 13.a4 c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] With the idea of developing the bishop on b4. Black has enough for equality.} ) 12...Be7 13.Bg2 O-O 14.O-O Qb6 15.Nd5 {Now comes the Sicilian Defense's eternal doubt: what is the best way to capture the knight on d5 $2} 15...Nxd5 ( 15...Bxd5 {This move has a lot of merit. In exchange for the pair of bishops, Black maintains a solid blockade and the possibility to activate the pieces with Rfe8 followed by e4.} 16.exd5 Bd6 ) 16.exd5 Bd7 17.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice move to open the game on the queenside.} 17...Qxb4 {Accepting the challenge.} ( 17...Qc7 {is also possible. After} 18.bxc5 Bxc5 19.Bxc5 Qxc5 20.Qxe5 Rae8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has good counterplay. The move f7-f5 will disturb White's kingside.} ) 18.d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Keeping the flame burning.} ( 18.Rab1 Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This will be a recurring theme in this game.} ) ( 18.Rfb1 {This move has the advantage of taking the rook out of the b5-bishop's possible attack, but the a1-rook is now in the queen's range. As I wrote before: everything in life has a good side and a bad side.} 18...Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 18...Bg5 ( 18...Bxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is not a good idea, as the bishops on d-file are attacked after} 19.Rfd1 ) ( 18...Bf6 {is less accurate because after} 19.Rab1 Bb5 20.Rxb4 Bxe2 21.Rxb7 Bxf1 22.Kxf1 {White has a dangerous compensation for the exchange. Note that now the c5-pawn is attacked. In the game continuation, with the black bishop on g5, the dark-squared bishops can be exchanged, and the pawn is no longer in danger.} ) 19.Bxg5 ( 19.Rab1 Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 19.Rfb1 Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 19...Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now we start a series on ingenious tactical moves.} ( 19...hxg5 {is not so good because of} 20.Rab1 Bb5 21.Qxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20.c3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Both players show great creativity.} ( 20.Qxe5 Bxf1 21.Be7 Bxg2 22.Bxf8 ( 22.Kxg2 {also leads to a draw after} 22...Qd4 ( 22...Qd2 ) 23.Qxd4 cxd4 24.Bxf8 ( 24.Rd1 Rfe8 25.Rxd4 f6 {is not dangerous.} ) 24...Kxf8 25.Rd1 Ke8 26.Rxd4 Kd7 {Black will soon regain the pawn with a draw.} ) 22...Rxf8 23.Kxg2 Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Qxc5 Rd8 {with an equal position.} ) 20...Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 20...Bxe2 21.cxb4 Bxf1 22.Kxf1 hxg5 23.bxc5 {This position is very dangerous for Black due to the menacing white pawns.} ) 21.Qxe5 Bxf1 22.Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] One more intermediate move. That's the main tactical theme of this game.} 22...gxh6 23.Rxf1 Rae8 24.Qxc5 Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Bd5 Rg6 26.Rb1 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 26...Qf4 {is also possible with a more or less equal game after} 27.Rxb7 Rxd6 28.c4 ) 27.d7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 27.f3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White can't defend the g-pawn, as now} 27...Qf4 {is very unpleasant.} ) 27...Qxd7 28.Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another precise move.} ( 28.Rxb7 Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better for Black.} ) 28...hxg4 {Keymer decides to give back the exchange and steer the game toward a draw.} ( 28...Rg7 {is also possible but dangerous. The position is double-edged after} 29.Qxh5 b5 ) 29.Bxg6 fxg6 30.Qc4+ Qf7 31.Qxf7+ Rxf7 32.hxg4 b5 {This rook endgame is a draw, since all pawns on the queenside are going to be exchanged, and White's material advantage is not enough after that.} 33.Kg2 Rc7 34.Rd1 ( 34.Rb3 Rc4 35.Kg3 Ra4 {Black is too active.} ) 34...Rxc3 35.Rd6 Kf7 36.Rxa6 b4 37.g5 b3 38.axb3 Rxb3 39.Rf6+ Kg7 40.f3 1/2-1/2

[Event "WR Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.21"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[ECO "E48"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6876779528754"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Ne2 Re8 8.O-O Nbd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare move, involving a pawn sacrifice, that took Keymer by surprise. It's difficult to say whether this move was prepared in the laboratory or not.} ( 8...Bd6 ) ( 8...Bf8 ) ( 8...b6 ) 9.Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The critical move, which practically forces Black to sacrifice the d5-pawn.} 9...Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 9...Bxc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is a big positional concession, as White has the bishop pair, a good center, and the knight is strange on d7.} 10.bxc3 ( 10.Nxc3 {is also good.} ) ) 10.Nxd5 {Taking up the gauntlet $1} 10...Nxd5 11.Qxd5 Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best way to fight for the initiative.} ( 11...Nf6 {is inaccurate.} 12.Qf3 {This was Keymer's intention. Black has no adequate compensation. 12.Qb3 is also good.} ( 12.Qg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is not very good, as Black can regain the pawn.} 12...Bxh2+ $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.Kh1 ( 13.Kxh2 $4 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 13...Ng4+ ) 13...Bd6 ) ( 12.Qb3 Bxh2+ $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The Greek Gift sacrifice doesn't work this time.} ( 12...Be6 {is better.} ) 13.Kxh2 Ng4+ 14.Kg3 Qg5 15.f4 Qh5 16.Bd2 Qh2+ 17.Kf3 Qh4 18.g3 {White was winning in Watanabe-Gonzalez Garcia, Merida 2001.} ) ) 12.Bxh7+ {A natural move and a novelty.} ( 12.Qc4 {was played previously and was mentioned by Keymer in the post-game analysis.} 12...Nxd3 ( 12...Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 13.Bxh7+ $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Kh8 ( 13...Kxh7 14.Qc2+ ) 14.Qc2 Qh4 15.Nf4 {with a big advantage for White in Kambrath-Ramirez Alvarez, Merida 2019. It looks like the Mexican city of Merida (which I visited a long time ago, in 1993) is the place where this 8...Nbd7 variation was subjected to the most critical tests $1} ) 13.Qxd3 Qh4 {With some compensation for the pawn.} ) 12...Kxh7 13.Qh5+ Kg8 14.dxc5 Re5 {Black gets one of the pawns back.} 15.Qf3 Rxc5 {White is a pawn up and has a good pawn structure, while Black has the bishop pair and a crazy attacking rook.} 16.Ng3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A precise move.} ( 16.e4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 16...Bxh2+ $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Kxh2 Qh4+ 18.Kg1 Rh5 ) ( 16.h3 Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Qe4 Re5 18.Qf3 Rf5 {with a move repetition.} ) 16...Bd7 17.e4 Qh4 {Bringing the queen to the game and avoiding 18.Bf4.} 18.Bd2 Rb5 ( 18...Bg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19.Qe3 Rh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This aggressive attempt doesn't work.} 20.h3 Bxh3 21.Nxh5 Bxg2 22.Ng3 {The attack is over.} ) 19.Bc3 ( 19.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move is probably the best attempt for an advantage, as now the rook cannot go to g5, as will happen in the game.} ) 19...Re8 20.Rae1 {The eternal question: which rook to play $2 Capablanca once advised wisely: think which rook is the most natural for you to move, and then play the other one.} ( 20.Rfe1 Rg5 {Black has enough compensation for the pawn.} ) 20...Rg5 21.e5 Bc6 22.Qd3 ( 22.Qe3 Bxe5 23.Bxe5 Rgxe5 24.Qc3 ( 24.Qxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 24...Rxe5 25.Rxe5 Qd4 {Positions with queen against two rooks can be hard to evaluate. Here, however, the b2-pawn will fall and this gives Black a clear advantage.} 26.Re2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26...Bb5 ) 24...Rxe1 25.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 26.Qxe1 Qd4 {Black can play for a win because the bishop is stronger than the knight.} ) 22...Bc5 ( 22...Bxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the main reason why Keymer left the rook on f1.} 23...Bxf4 24.Rxe8+ Bxe8 25.Qe4 {White wins material.} ) 23.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A nice practical decision to simplify the game and remove one of the attacking bishops from the board.} ( 23.Ne4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23...Rg6 {With a very strong attack.} ) ( 23.Re2 {This is the computer move, indicating equality. But a human player is certainly not comfortable after} 23...Re6 ) 23...Bb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Abudasattorov makes a bad decision, embarking on a risky line in which White has the draw at hand if he wants to. With 23...Bxb4, it would be Black who would fight for the win.} ( 23...Bxb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After the natural sequence:} 24.Bxb4 Qxb4 25.f4 Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Qe4 Qxe4 27.Nxe4 Bxf1 28.Nxg5 Bc4 {An imbalanced ending appears on the board, in which Black's chances are slightly better.} ) 24.b5 {This seems to lose a piece, but of course, Abdusattorov had seen this.} 24...Re6 {The only justification.} 25.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move refutes Black's play.} ( 25.Qd8+ {is enough for an immediate draw, if Keymer wanted.} 25...Re8 ( 25...Be8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26.Re4 Qh6 27.Bd2 {wins material.} ) 26.Qd3 ) ( 25.bxc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 25...Rh6 {This line justifies the sacrifice.} 26.h3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26.Qd8+ Kh7 27.Qd3+ Kg8 28.Qd8+ {with perpetual check.} ) 26...Rxg3 27.Qxg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 27.Qf5 ) 27...Qxg3 28.cxb7 Rxh3 29.b8=Q+ Kh7 {White is mated.} ) 25...Rxg2+ $6 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move loses, but the alternatives are not pretty for Black, who would have to defend with a pawn down.} ( 25...Qg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26.Qd8+ ) ( 25...Rh5 26.h3 {everything is defended.} ) ( 25...Bxe4 26.Rxe4 {White is a healthy pawn up.} ) 26.Kxg2 Rg6+ 27.Kh1 Rh6 28.h3 Bxb5 29.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move, but enough.} 29...Bd7 30.e6 {A good practical decision, opening the diagonal of the c3-bishop.} ( 30.Qg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30...Bxh3 31.Qxh4 Rxh4 32.Kg1 Rg4+ $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black wins.} 33.Kh2 Bxf1 34.Rxf1 Rxe4 ) ( 30.Rg1 {This is a nice refutation.} 30...Bxh3 31.Rxg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Kh8 {Keymer showed this line in the post-game analysis, but he missed a nice computer move here.} ( 31...Kxg7 32.e6+ f6 33.Bxf6+ Rxf6 34.Qxf6+ Qxf6 35.Nxf6 Kxf6 36.e7 Bd7 37.e8=Q Bxe8 38.Rxe8 {The endgame should be winning for White. The point is that the f2-pawn cannot be captured.} 38...Bxf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 39.Rf8+ {winning the bishop.} ) 32.Rh7+ $3 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] White wins easily now.} 32...Rxh7 ( 32...Kxh7 33.Qxf7+ Kh8 34.e6+ ) 33.e6+ Rg7 ( 33...Kg8 34.Nf6+ Qxf6 35.Qxf6 $18 ) 34.Bxg7+ Kxg7 35.Qxf7+ ) 30...Bxe6 31.Rg1 Qxh3+ 32.Qxh3 Rxh3+ 33.Kg2 {Black's three pawns are no match for the rook. White is winning.} 33...Rh5 34.Kf3 Rf5+ 35.Ke2 g6 {A sad necessity, opening the diagonal.} 36.Rh1 Kf8 37.Bf6 Ke8 38.Rh8+ Kd7 39.Rd8+ Kc6 40.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Exchanging the strong b6-bishop.} 40...Bxd4 41.Rxd4 b6 42.a3 Kb7 43.Rc1 Rh5 44.Ke3 a5 45.f3 Rb5 46.Rc3 Rh5 47.Rd1 a4 48.Rd4 Ra5 49.Rb4 Re5 50.Kf2 c6 51.Nc5+ Kc7 52.Nxe6+ 1-0

[Event "WR Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[ECO "E48"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "6460993995815"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 c5 6.Ne2 Nc6 7.O-O d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.a3 {A critical opening position.} 9...c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 9...cxd4 {is also possible.} 10.axb4 ( 10.Nb5 {To my utter surprise, I found a game of mine in this position, played last year on a Titled Tuesday.} 10...Bc5 11.exd4 Be7 {with a more or less equal position in Al Hosani-Leitao, Titled Tuesday 2022.} ) 10...dxc3 11.b5 Ne5 12.Nxc3 Nxd3 13.Qxd3 {White can fight for a small advantage here. Meskov-Barseghyan, Cannes 2022.} ) ( 9...Bxc3 10.bxc3 {leads to a typical position from the Nimzo-Indian.} ) 10.Bxh7+ ( 10.Bc2 Bd6 11.Ng3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 11.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, preparing to play e3-e4.} ) 11...Rb8 12.Nb5 Be7 13.f3 a6 14.Nc3 b5 {Black was better in Sarana-Caruana, Airthings (rapid) 2023.} ) 10...Nxh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A new move, clearly prepared beforehand by Aronian. The merits of this way of capturing will become clear on the next move.} ( 10...Kxh7 11.axb4 Nxb4 12.f3 {This was Georgiev-Neimer, Chicago 2013.} ) 11.axb4 Nxb4 12.b3 {The natural way of fighting for the initiative, breaking the pawn chain.} 12...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A wonderful move that secures the knight on b4 and prepares the creative development of the rook by a6. This piece can lift to h6, and the knight might even help the attack by going to g5 in some cases. A clear case of chess harmony, when all the pieces of the puzzle come together. I'd praise Aronian even more if this was not the computer's first choice and if the position was not studied by him previously as I am almost sure it was.} 13.bxc4 dxc4 14.Rb1 ( 14.Ba3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's dangerous to remove the bishop from the diagonal, as the rook now gets an easy road to h6.} 14...Ra6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 14.e4 {This is a natural move and similar to what will happen later in the game.} 14...Ra6 ) 14...Ra6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The idea is revealed.} 15.e4 Re8 ( 15...Bd7 {is also very logical, preparing b7-b5.} ) 16.d5 {A natural move, advancing the pawn mass, but the computer is not impressed.} ( 16.Ba3 {is again not very good, as the rook can go to h6.} ) ( 16.f3 {is an improvement, reinforcing the center and freeing the f2-square in case the king needs to start running.} ) 16...Bd7 17.Qd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The intention of this strange-looking move is probably to bring the queen to the defense via the f4-square.} ( 17.Nd4 {is more natural.} ) 17...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Ba3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move, surprisingly, loses.} 18...Nf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 18...Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This pawn sacrifice grants Black a decisive attack after} 19.Nxb5 Rh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is helpless against the threat of 20...Qh4 followed by a piece sacrifice. For instance:} 20.Qe3 ( 20.Nd6 Qh4 21.h3 Ng5 22.Nxe8 Bxh3 {with mate soon to follow.} ) 20...Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 20...Qh4 21.Qg3 ) 21.Nd6 Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Qf3 Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Qg3 Rg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Qf3 Ne5 25.Qh5 Bg4 {The queen is lost.} ) 19.Ng3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19.f3 {This is the best, but it certainly looks crazy to open the g1-a7 diagonal in the heat of the battle.} 19...Qb6+ 20.Kh1 Nd3 21.Nxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Nf2+ ( 21...Bxb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 22.Nc3 {The b5-bishop is lost, and White is better.} ) 22.Rxf2 ( 22.Kg1 {The computer considers this move playable, too. That's too much for me.} ) 22...Qxf2 23.Nd6 {Black is better in this complicated position.} ) 19...Ng4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19...Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Nxb5 Nxe4 21.Nxe4 Rxe4 {The monster knight on d3 gives Black a much better position.} ) 20.Bxb4 axb4 21.Rxb4 Nxh2 {This was probably Aronian's intention when he played his 19th move, but now White manages to escape.} ( 21...Ne5 {still gives Black good pressure, with the idea of taking the knight to d3 again. The tactical justification is visible after} 22.Nxb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 22...Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Nd4 Nd3 ) 22.Kxh2 Qh4+ 23.Kg1 Rh6 24.Rfb1 Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point of Aronian's play. The bishop avoids the white king's escape route and prepares mate.} 25.Qxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} ( 25.Rxb5 $4 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 25...Qh2+ 26.Kf1 Qh1+ 27.Nxh1 Rxh1# ) ( 25.f3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25...Qxg3 26.fxg4 Qh2+ 27.Kf2 Rf6+ {The attack is decisive.} 28.Ke3 ( 28.Ke2 Qxg2+ 29.Kd1 Rf2 30.Qe1 Rf1 {The queen is lost.} ) 28...Qf4+ 29.Ke2 Rxe4+ 30.Nxe4 Qxe4+ 31.Qe3 Qxg2+ 32.Kd1 Rf1+ 33.Qe1 c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Qxf1 Qd2# ) 25...Qxh6 26.Nxb5 {White has a rook, knight, and the strong d5-pawn in exchange for the queen. Better than that, the attack is over. The position is now balanced.} 26...Rc8 27.R4b2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 27.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary. The game ends in a draw after:} 27...c3 28.Nxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Rxc3 29.Rxg4 Rc1+ 30.Rxc1 Qxc1+ 31.Nf1 ( 31.Kh2 Qh6+ 32.Kg1 Qc1+ {with perpetual check.} ) 31...Qd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Re4 Qxd5 33.Ng3 ) 27...Rb8 $6 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black had a nice combination at his disposal.} ( 27...c3 28.Rc2 Qd2 $3 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] What a sweet move $1} 29.Rbc1 ( 29.Rxd2 cxd2 {There is no defense against 30...Rc1.} ) 29...Qd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Nxc3 Bd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Rxd1 Qxc2 32.Nge2 Rxc3 33.Nxc3 Qxc3 {After all these blows, we arrive at an interesting endgame. White will try to set up a fortress, but his position will probably break down at some point, for example:} 34.g3 ( 34.f3 {Maybe this is a better try.} ) 34...Qc2 35.Re1 Kf8 36.Re3 Ke7 37.Kg2 Kd6 38.Kg1 Ke5 39.Kg2 g5 40.Kg1 Qd1+ 41.Kg2 g4 {White is in zugzwang and the e4-pawn falls.} ) 28.Nf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move, improving the knight's position.} 28...Rb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 28...Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] still gives Black a clear advantage.} ) 29.Ne3 Qh5 30.d6 ( 30.Nxg4 Qxg4 31.d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Qxe4 32.Rd1 Qg4 33.Rbd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is enough for a draw.} ) 30...Bd7 31.Nd5 ( 31.Na3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 31...Rxd6 32.Naxc4 Rh6 33.f3 ) 31...Rxb5 ( 31...Ra6 {This is the last chance to keep the game going.} ) 32.Rxb5 Bxb5 33.Rxb5 Qd1+ 34.Kh2 Qh5+ 35.Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "WR Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "6808617939524"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 {The Queen's Gambit Declined is the most classic of all variations that start with the queen's pawn. It has stood the test of time and has been played by virtually every great chess player in history for about two centuries. Yes, sometimes it's not the most exciting defense, and if you need to win with Black, maybe it's not the most recommended—but we all have flaws, right $2 At the end of the day, there's no better defense than this.} 5.Bf4 O-O 6.e3 c5 ( 6...Nbd7 {is the most popular move nowadays.} ) 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.cxd5 ( 8.Qc2 {is the main move.} ) 8...Nxd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Bd3 ( 10.a3 {is the move played most often, to avoid the check on b4.} ) 10...Bb4+ 11.Nd2 Nc6 ( 11...Qf6 {This was Carlsen's choice in a recent rapid game.} 12.Rb1 ( 12.a3 {is better.} ) 12...Bf5 13.Bxf5 Qxf5 14.O-O Nc6 15.Nf3 Rfd8 {with an equal position in Keymer-Carlsen, Julius Baer GenCup (rapid) 2022.} ) 12.O-O Be7 {This is a typical maneuver. Black takes the bishop to f6.} 13.Qb3 {A novelty that will not have much success. Interestingly, the queen, the piece that executes the first new move of the game, will be a constant concern for White during this game.} ( 13.Rc1 {Nepomniachtchi himself has already played this position as White.} 13...Qb6 14.Qc2 Nb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 14...g6 ) 15.Bxh7+ Kh8 16.Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Qxc7 17.Rxc7 Bd8 18.Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Bxc7 19.Bxf8 a5 20.Bb1 {White later won in Nepomniachtchi-Nakamura, St. Louis 2019.} ) ( 13.a3 g6 14.Rc1 Bf6 15.b4 Qe7 16.Nf3 Rd8 {Black was close to equality in Caruana-Anand, St. Louis 2018.} ) 13...Bf6 14.a3 Qe7 15.Rac1 Be6 {Aronian probably confused his opening preparation since Black played natural moves and already has a comfortable position.} 16.Qb5 {Removing the queen from the x-ray.} 16...Rac8 17.Rc2 a6 18.Qb6 Qd7 19.Nb3 Bd8 20.Qc5 Be7 21.Qb6 Bd8 22.Qc5 Be7 23.Qb6 {Nepomniachtchi now has the option to make a draw with a move repetition, and many players would choose that route. A quick draw with Black isn't a bad day's work, right $2 Hats off to his fighting spirit.} 23...g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 24.Bg3 Bd8 25.Qc5 Be7 26.Qb6 {The draw is still at hand, but Black decides to play on.} 26...f5 {A risky decision that will be rewarded. As they say, \"fortune favors the bold.\"} 27.f3 ( 27.Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move. After} 27...Bxc5 28.Rxc5 f4 29.exf4 gxf4 30.Bh4 Ne5 31.Rxc8 Rxc8 32.Bb1 d4 {The position is double-edged. Black has active pieces and a passed d-pawn, but his king is open, and White has a dangerous bishop pair.} ) 27...Bd8 28.Qc5 Be7 29.Qb6 Bd8 30.Qc5 f4 {No draw $1} ( 30...Qf7 {is an interesting try since White's queen is in an uncomfortable situation and Black is preparing to move the knight.} ) 31.exf4 gxf4 32.Bf2 Be7 33.Qb6 Bd8 {This is the last time the repetition of moves with Bd8-e7 was played. Time to move on $1} 34.Qc5 Bf6 35.Rfc1 ( 35.Qb6 ) 35...Qg7 36.Qd6 Rce8 37.Re1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is innacurate.} ( 37.Nc5 {is not the best:} 37...Bh3 38.Bf1 Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Qxd5+ Kh8 40.Bxd4 Bxd4+ 41.Kh1 Be3 {with the initiative.} ) ( 37.Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an improvement—the position is very sharp. The machine shows some crazy variations, one of them featuring a wonderful combination. Disclaimer: The following moves are not forced, but they illustrate the complexity of the position.} 37...Ne5 ( 37...Be5 38.Qc5 Bxb2 39.Bxa6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 39...Ne5 40.Rxb2 Nxf3+ 41.Kh1 Qxb2 42.gxf3 Qxb3 43.Rg1+ Kf7 44.Qc7+ Re7 45.Qxf4+ ( 45.Rg7+ Kxg7 46.Qxe7+ Bf7 {This also ends in a draw.} ) 45...Ke8 46.Qb8+ {With perpetual check. Typical computer sense of humor.} ) 38.Nd4 Bh3 39.Bf1 Kh8 40.Kh1 Rg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41.Bg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 41.gxh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses in spectacular fashion.} 41...Nd3 $3 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Black goes on to remove the defenders of the g-file.} 42.Rxd3 ( 42.Bxd3 Qg2# ) 42...Re1 $3 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 43.Bxe1 Qg1# ) 41...Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Blow after blow $1} ( 42.Rxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 42...Re1 {with a decisive attack.} ) 42...Bxf5 43.Bxd3 Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Trying to remove the g2-pawn's defense.} 44.Re2 Rce8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45.Rc2 Rc8 {With a draw by repetition. Chess really is inexhaustible for the human mind.} ) 37...Ne5 {White's position is now on the brink of collapse.} 38.Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses immediately.} ( 38.Kh1 {is the move suggested by the computer, but it's nearly impossible to play like this.} ) 38...Bh3 39.Bf1 Nf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A subtle move that wins material.} 40.Qxd5 Rxe1 41.Bxe1 Bxd4+ {Black is a piece up for only one pawn. The rest is easy for Nepomniachtchi.} 42.Kh1 Bc8 43.Bc4 Re8 44.Bb4 Qf6 45.Bd3 Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice move, exploiting the back-rank weakness.} 46.Bxc3 Qxc3 47.g4 ( 47.Rxc3 Re1+ 48.Bf1 Rxf1# ) 47...Qf6 48.Rc7 Re1+ 49.Kg2 Be6 50.Qh5 Qxb2+ 51.Kh3 h6 52.Qg6+ Qg7 53.Kh4 Rh1 0-1

[Event "WR Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[Beauty "7012607877660"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 a6 6.O-O Ba7 7.a4 O-O 8.h3 d6 9.Re1 h6 10.Nbd2 Be6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is an old idea that is making a comeback. In the beginning, players weren't afraid of getting their pawns doubled on the e-file. But later, playing Re8 (here or in similar positions) became the most reliable plan, with the idea to capture with the rook on e6. But the old idea is back in vogue and is being played in the most important tournaments.} ( 10...Re8 ) 11.Bxe6 fxe6 {To be honest, I think this position will appear to be comfortable for Black for most amateur players, as it's simply easier to play with the black pieces. Black dominates the f-file, can play Nh5-f4, and so on. Unfortunately, life is not easy for those at the top, so White can still pose some problems in elite games.} 12.b4 Ne7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting idea, bringing the knight to the kingside.} ( 12...Qe8 {This position was played in the Candidates Tournament last year.} 13.Nf1 Nh5 14.Ra2 Nf4 15.Kh2 Qf7 16.Be3 Bxe3 17.Nxe3 Kh8 {with an equal position in Firouzja-Radjabov, Candidates Tournament Madrid 2022.} ) ( 12...Nh5 {is also very natural.} 13.Ra2 Qf6 14.Nc4 b5 15.Ne3 Bb6 16.Ng4 {White was better in Anand-Carlsen, Stavanger 2017.} ) 13.Nf1 Ng6 14.Ra2 {This is a classic prophylactic move in these positions, defending the f2-pawn and preparing to bring the rook into play. In his postgame interview, Keymer didn't seem convinced that this move was the most accurate.} 14...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fighting for central control.} 15.Ng3 ( 15.exd5 Nxd5 {leads to a sharp game, where Black's activity compensates for the doubled pawns. Keymer, evidently, had all this prepared.} ) 15...c6 16.a5 {The first new move.} ( 16.d4 {led to an equal position after} 16...exd4 17.cxd4 dxe4 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.Rxe4 Rf6 20.Rae2 Qd5 21.Qc2 Raf8 {Vodicka-Csiba, ICCF email 2020.} ) ( 16.exd5 cxd5 17.Nxe5 Nxe5 18.Rxe5 Qc7 19.d4 Qxc3 20.Rxe6 Qxd4 21.Qxd4 Bxd4 {with an equal endgame.} ) 16...Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The start of a nice plan to activate the rook.} 17.c4 ( 17.d4 {leads to an equal position, similar to the one analyzed a move before.} ) 17...Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.exd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a very difficult move to understand, as it improves Black's pawn structure. Of course, So knows this. He must have thought of some tactical reason that didn't work out in the game. The computer isn't as critical of this move, but what the machine can't see is what I call the \"human factor\": This move makes the position much harder for a human to play with White, even if the objective assessment points to equality.} ( 18.c5 Rcf7 19.Nh2 {with an equal game.} ) 18...exd5 19.c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19.b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] this is a computer move that probably didn't cross the mind of both players. The point is} 19...axb5 20.cxb5 cxb5 21.Nxe5 {Now this move is possible.} 21...Nxe5 22.Rxe5 Bd4 23.Ree2 {with a balanced position.} ) ( 19.Rae2 {is also possible:} 19...Rcf7 20.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...e4 21.Ne5 Nxe5 22.dxe5 Nd7 23.cxd5 Nxe5 24.Nxe4 cxd5 25.Nc5 {with equality.} ) 19...Re7 20.Nf5 ( 20.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] With the idea of playing h4-h5, is a way to complicate the game, although Black is better after} 20...e4 21.dxe4 dxe4 22.Nd4 Bb8 ) 20...Re6 21.N3d4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21.N3h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This was the last chance to fight for equality.} 21...Nxh4 22.Nxh4 Rfe8 ( 22...Bb8 23.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 23.Rae2 Bb8 24.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move. The position is complicated, but I still prefer Black after} 24...e4 ) ( 21.Nd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 21...Ne8 ( 21...Qe7 {was mentioned by Keymer in the postgame interview and is also good.} ) 22.Nxb7 Qd7 23.Nd6 Nxd6 24.cxd6 Ref6 {Black is ready for a decisive exchange sacrifice on f3.} ) 21...Ree8 22.Nb3 Qd7 23.Nd6 Re6 24.Rae2 Ne8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to remove the intruding knight.} ( 24...Bb8 $6 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 25.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.Nxe8 Qxe8 26.g3 Bb8 {Black has an overwhelming advantage. On the board, we have a textbook example of everything that could go wrong for White: A bad pawn structure with no breaks in the queenside. A knight out of play. A bad bishop. An unsafe king. Given the circumstances, it's almost a miracle that the game lasted as long as it did. Keymer could have been more direct in developing the attack, but he didn't lose control of the game.} 27.Re3 Qf7 28.Rf1 Rf6 29.Re2 Nh4 ( 29...e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is overwhelming:} 30.dxe4 Bxg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack.} ) 30.Nd2 Qg6 ( 30...Nf3+ 31.Nxf3 Rxf3 {Despite the exchange of knights, the position is still a massacre for Black.} ) 31.Re3 Nf5 ( 31...e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 32.dxe4 Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Ra3 dxe4 {With many threats, especially that of a fatal break with e4-e3.} ) 32.Rf3 Re6 ( 32...Nd4 33.Re3 ( 33.Rxf6 Rxf6 {The d3-pawn is doomed.} ) 33...h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Reinforcing the attack with h5-h4.} ) 33.Re1 Rfe8 34.Nf1 e4 35.dxe4 dxe4 36.Ra3 Nh4 37.Nh2 e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Raxe3 Bxg3 {This is the point of the previous move.} 39.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move to keep fighting.} ( 39.fxg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 39...Rxe3 40.Rxe3 Rxe3 41.Bxe3 Qxg3+ $19 ) 39...Rxe3 40.Rxe3 ( 40.Bxe3 Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 40...Rxe3 41.Nxe3 Bf4+ 42.Qg4 ( 42.Kf1 {is a better try.} ) 42...Nf3+ ( 42...Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more precise. The knight is coming to f3, and if White captures it, then:} 43.Qxh4 Bh2+ {wins the queen.} ) 43.Kg2 Qxg4+ 44.hxg4 Ne1+ 45.Kf1 Nd3 {White managed to avoid mate, but the weakness of the pawns on the queenside is felt.} 46.Bd2 Ne5 47.Ke2 ( 47.Nc4 Bxd2 48.Nxd2 Nxg4 {The knight endgame is easily winning.} ) 47...Bxe3 48.Kxe3 Nxg4+ 49.Kf4 ( 49.Kf3 h5 $19 ) 49...Nxf2 50.Ke5 h5 0-1

[Event "WR Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[ECO "E61"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "164"]
[Beauty "5223393281580"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.e3 {This shy move is used by some elite chess players as an Anti-Grunfeld weapon.} 4...O-O 5.Be2 d6 ( 5...d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.e4 {This is the idea. Black doesn't have the option of taking a knight on c3, as he normally does.} ) ( 5...c5 6.d5 {This leads to a Benoni-type position, which is not to everyone's taste.} ) 6.Nc3 Nbd7 {Nepomniachtchi plays in typical King's Indian style, putting the knight on d7 and then playing e5. It can't be too bad.} 7.h3 {The game will quickly take an original course. I think Keymer's idea was to postpone castling and thus make the e5-e4 advance less pleasant for Black.} ( 7.O-O {This is the most common move, here and on the next move.} ) 7...e5 8.b4 exd4 {A new move.} ( 8...c6 {was played in Finckh-Hinteregger, Wallersee 2010.} ) ( 8...Re8 9.Bb2 {and White can keep the plan of delaying castling.} ) 9.exd4 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10.O-O {White cannot avoid the isolated pawn structure.} ( 10.c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 10...a5 11.b5 Nxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.dxc5 Ne4 13.Nxe4 dxe4 {Both the knight and the rook are under attack, and Black has a clear advantage.} ) ( 10.cxd5 Nb6 ) 10...dxc4 11.Bxc4 Nb6 12.Bb3 Nbd5 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 {Black equalized without any problems and, in practice, his position is even a little more comfortable to play. White's opening strategy clearly didn't work. But the situation is not serious either. As is known from modern chess strategy, the isolated pawn is not as bad as was formerly believed.} 14.b5 a6 15.bxa6 Rxa6 16.Bg5 Qd6 17.Qd2 Be6 18.Rfe1 c6 {Both sides make natural moves, and the game remains balanced for a long time.} 19.Rab1 Raa8 20.Bh6 Rfe8 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Re5 h6 23.Rbe1 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A curious pawn structure. It's important to remove the rook.} 24.R5e4 Bf7 25.Nh2 ( 25.Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I don't know if Keymer was still trying to win, but it was time to play for a draw and this move serves that purpose.} 25...Qxd5 26.Rxe8 Rxe8 27.Rxe8 Bxe8 28.Qb4 {White is active, and the draw is close.} ) 25...Rxe4 26.Rxe4 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Restricting the h2-knight and improving the pawn structure.} 27.Nf1 Rd8 28.Qe1 Rd7 29.Ne3 Nb6 ( 29...f5 {is an interesting move to force matters. The game becomes sharp, but equality is sustained.} 30.Re5 ( 30.Nc4 {leads to a slightly better endgame for Black after} 30...Qf6 31.Re5 Nf4 32.Nb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Rxd4 33.Re7 Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Rxe4 Nd3 35.Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Nxe1 36.Nxf6 fxe4 37.Nxe4 Bxb3 38.axb3 Nc2 {A typical computer line with many blows for both sides.} ) 30...Nf4 31.Rxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Bxb3 32.axb3 Qxd4 33.Rg5 Qf6 {The isolated pawn is gone, but Black gets activity and a queenside pawn majority.} ) 30.Qc3 Nd5 31.Qe1 Nc7 {Nepomniachtchi needs to win, so he is not interested in repeating moves.} 32.Bxf7 Rxf7 33.Nc2 {Giving room for the rook in case of f6-f5.} 33...Rd7 34.h4 Kf7 35.Qe3 Ne6 36.a3 Ng7 37.Qb3+ Qd5 38.Qd3 Ne6 39.Nb4 Qd6 40.Qb3 Re7 41.Nc2 Kf8 42.Qe3 Ng7 43.Rxe7 Qxe7 {The game is getting closer and closer to a draw.} 44.Qg3 Qe4 45.Qd6+ Kf7 46.Ne3 Qe7 47.Qb8 Qd7 48.a4 Ne6 49.Nc4 Ke7 50.Na5 {White's pieces are active and at this point it was hard to believe that Black could win this endgame.} 50...Nd8 51.Qf4 Qd6 52.Qe4+ Kf7 53.Qb1 Qc7 54.Qb4 Qe7 55.Qb3+ Kg7 56.Qb6 {Keymer probably saw no risk in allowing the check on e1, but 56.Kf1 is safer.} ( 56.Kf1 ) 56...Qe1+ 57.Kh2 Nf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move creates practical winning chances. Of course, it's dangerous to abandon the b7-pawn and leave White with a passed pawn, but it's possible to create a mating attack, and now Keymer needs to be careful.} 58.Nxb7 ( 58.d5 {defends the f2-pawn and is quite natural, but after} 58...Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 59.Qxb7+ Kh6 {White need to find the only drawing move.} 60.Qb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Surprisingly, Black has no more than a draw.} 60...Ng4+ 61.Kg3 Qc3+ ( 61...Qxf2+ 62.Kh3 ) 62.f3 Qe1+ 63.Kf4 Qd2+ 64.Kg3 {with perpetual check.} ) ( 58.Kg3 {is also enough for a draw, but again accurate play is necessary.} 58...g5 59.hxg5 ( 59.Nxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 59...gxh4+ $19 ) 59...h4+ 60.Kh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 60...Nxg5 ( 60...fxg5 61.Nxb7 Qxf2 62.Qc7 g4 63.Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 61.Qxb7+ Kh6 62.Qxc6 Qxf2 63.Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 63...h3 64.Qg3 Qxd4 65.Nb3 {with a draw.} ) 58...Qxf2 59.a5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] In fact, this is the only serious mistake of the game. In high-level chess, a single mistake can be fatal.} ( 59.Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 59...Qxh4+ 60.Kg1 {The counterplay is enough for a draw, since the a-pawn is running fast.} ) 59...Qxh4+ 60.Kg1 Qe1+ 61.Kh2 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I believe that Keymer didn't see this move and believed that the game would end in perpetual check, but now White is lost. The excellent move played in the game brings the pawn to the attack but, above all, guarantees a refuge for the king on g6. The main plan of attack is Nh6-g4, and White has no defense.} 62.Qc7 ( 62.a6 Nh6 63.a7 Ng4+ 64.Kh3 Qh4# ) 62...Qh4+ 63.Kg1 Qxd4+ 64.Kf1 ( 64.Kh1 {is also not enough.} 64...Qd1+ 65.Kh2 Kg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing to bring the knight to e5.} 66.Qxc6 ( 66.a6 Ne5 {with decisive threats.} ) 66...Ne5 67.Qe8+ Kf5 68.Qc8+ Kf4 69.g3+ Ke4 70.Nc5+ Ke3 {The checks are finally over.} ) 64...Qd1+ 65.Kf2 Qd2+ 66.Kf1 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn can also help the attack.} 67.a6 Qd3+ 68.Kf2 Kg6 ( 68...Qxa6 {This move is also possible, and I imagine it would be chosen by a fair amount of players, since it's natural to capture the passed pawn. But Nepomniachtchi likes to attack and is confident in his calculation ability.} ) 69.Qxc6 ( 69.a7 Qd4+ ) 69...Ne5 {The knight finally joins the party.} 70.Qc1 ( 70.Qe8+ Kg5 {The king hides easily from the checks.} 71.Qg8+ Kh4 ( 71...Kf4 ) ) 70...g3+ 71.Ke1 ( 71.Kg1 Qd4+ {ends in mate quickly.} ) 71...Qe4+ 72.Kf1 Qf5+ 73.Kg1 Qf2+ 74.Kh1 Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 75.Qc5 Qh4+ 76.Kg1 {We can forgive Nepomniachtchi for not finding the most accurate way to checkmate, indicated by the machine:} 76...Nf3+ ( 76...Qa4 77.Qc1 Nf3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 78.gxf3 Qd4+ 79.Kh1 Qh4+ 80.Kg1 Qh2+ 81.Kf1 Qf2# ) 77.Kf1 ( 77.gxf3 Qh2+ 78.Kf1 g2+ ) 77...Qh1+ 78.Ke2 Qxg2+ 79.Ke3 Qf2+ 80.Ke4 Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 81.Qd5 ( 81.Qxf2 gxf2 82.a7 f1=Q 83.a8=Q Qd3+ 84.Kf4 Qf3# ) 81...Qf3+ 82.Kd4 Nc6+ ( 82...Nc6+ 83.Kc5 Qxd5+ 84.Kxd5 g2 85.Kxc6 g1=Q ) 0-1

[Event "Airthings Masters Div 3 Winners"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.02.09"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa"]
[Black "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2587"]
[BlackElo "2582"]
[ECO "E48"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Beauty "8247545188387"]
[EventType "game"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Ne2 {I must admit that I have a certain prejudice with those lines in the Nimzo-Indian in which White has the dark-squared bishop inside the pawn chain and not outside (on f4 or g5), as would be ideal. Considering the level of chess players who play this variation with White, I think it's time to review my prejudices. White's main plan is to play f3-e4 at some point, but Black also has a possible break on c5.} 7...Re8 8.Bd2 ( 8.O-O {is the most popular move.} ) 8...Bd6 {Just because the bishop went to b4 one day doesn't mean it should capture on c3. This withdrawal is useful, in order to point the bishop toward the white king, which will go to g1.} 9.Qc2 ( 9.O-O {I'm mentioning this move just because of the eternal curiosity: does the bishop sacrifice on h2 work $2} 9...Bxh2+ $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] In this case, the sacrifice would be optimistic even for a blitz game.} 10.Kxh2 Ng4+ 11.Kg3 {and there is no good follow-up to the attack.} ( 11.Kg1 $4 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 11...Qh4 ) ) 9...a6 {A useful move to avoid 10.Nb5. The c-pawn stays on its starting square to be advanced all at once to c5.} 10.O-O ( 10.f3 {is an interesting move because it prevents Black from further preparing the …c7-c5 advance, as will happen in the game. This move must be played immediately, before White pushes the pawn to e4.} 10...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12...d4 13.Nd5 Nbd7 14.Bg5 Qa5+ $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.Bd2 Qd8 {No one is too happy to go back and forth with the queen proposing a draw, but White had not been able to demonstrate the advantage in Bluebaum-Wojtaszek, Riga 2021.} ) 10...Nbd7 ( 10...b6 {This is also possible.} ) 11.Rad1 {A new move.} ( 11.f3 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Compared to the line we saw earlier, Black's position is better after the exchange on c5.} 12.Rad1 g6 13.Qc1 b5 {With an excellent position for Black in Milanovic-Ivanisevic, Vrnjacka Banja 2012.} ) ( 11.Nf4 {is a better attempt and was played in Moradiabadi-Zhou, Dulles Cherry Blossom op 2019.} ) 11...b6 {This move gives White some options. Another idea is to advance …c7-c5 immediately.} ( 11...c5 12.dxc5 Nxc5 {With a good version of the isolated queen's pawn for Black.} ) 12.a3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is a bit slow.} ( 12.Nxd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting move, changing the character of the game.} 12...Nxd5 13.Qc6 {This is the idea. The double attacks on the a8-rook and the d5-knight guarantee that White will recover material. But Black has enough resources, for example:} 13...Qh4 14.g3 Qh5 15.Qxa8 N7f6 16.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Bh3 17.Qxa6 Bxf1 18.Rxf1 Nxe3 19.Bxe3 Rxe3 {with reasonable compensation for the pawn.} ) ( 12.e4 {is also playable, but the position is equal after} 12...dxe4 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 Bxh2+ $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.Kxh2 Qh4+ 16.Kg1 Qxe4 17.Qxc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Note that Black cannot capture the knight:} 17...Qxe2 $4 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 18.Rde1 ) 12...c5 13.dxc5 bxc5 {We now have a classic hanging pawns structure, this formation in which two \"friends\" are in the middle of the board, without the possible protection of other pawns. This friendship often leads to many adventures. Sometimes one of these pawns is lost or sacrificed along the way. This is a good version for Black, as the white pieces are somewhat passive.} 14.Na4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This makes things worse. \"A knight on the rim is dim.” I never get tired of this quote.} ( 14.Ng3 g6 {with a slight advantage for Black.} ) ( 14.Bf5 g6 15.Bh3 Nb6 16.Bxc8 Rxc8 {This is also pleasant for Black.} ) 14...g6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is always a useful move, giving some air to the king, restricting the d3-bishop and taking away his square on f5.} 15.b3 Bb7 16.h3 Ne5 17.Bc3 Rc8 18.Qb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a fatal mistake, although White's situation is already very dangerous. Black has a position typical of a book chapter \"Hanging Pawns,” in which the author explains the ideal development for the pieces and shows games in which the …d5-d4 advance is executed to open the position of the bishops and start a devastating attack. A pity that when we play our games things are not as easy as they are in book chapters, real or imaginary. Sevian makes everything look simple.} 18...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's not the first and it won't be the last time that this advance decides a game in a hanging pawn's position.} 19.exd4 Nf3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The attack is crushing.} 20.gxf3 ( 20.Kh1 {Here Black has many winning moves.} 20...Nh4 {This is a natural one.} 21.f3 Rxe2 22.Bxe2 Nh5 {with an easy win.} ) 20...Nh5 {As I always say, when evaluating a material sacrifice think of the pieces left on the board, not the ones that left. Black has more pieces attacking than White defending. Of course, it helps if, in addition to the abstract evaluation, you calculate a forced win.} 21.Qc1 Qh4 22.d5 {Desperately trying to limit the b7-bishop, but the other pieces do the trick.} 22...Qxh3 23.f4 Rxe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Be5 ( 24.Bxe2 Nxf4 ( 24...Bxf4 ) ) 24...Rxe5 ( 24...Rxe5 25.fxe5 Bxe5 26.f4 Qg3+ 27.Kh1 Bxd5+ ) ( 24...Bxd5 {This move also mates very quickly.} ) 0-1

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.31"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Black "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2526"]
[BlackElo "2545"]
[ECO "D32"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "6116838740998"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.dxc5 ( 6.g3 {is by far the main move and leads to the main line of the Tarrasch Defense.} ) 6...d4 7.Na4 Bxc5 8.Nxc5 Qa5+ 9.Bd2 Qxc5 10.b4 ( 10.Rc1 {is the most popular move.} ) 10...Qb6 {A solid move, but Black has other interesting choices.} ( 10...Qf5 11.Rc1 Nf6 12.Rc5 {was played in Ding-Bai, Hangzhou 2022.} ) ( 10...Nxb4 $5 {This seems risky, but White has been unable to prove an advantage.} 11.Rc1 Qd6 ( 11...Qe7 12.Qa4+ Nc6 13.Nxd4 Qe4 14.e3 Bd7 {This position was played in some correspondence games, all of them ended in a draw.} ) 12.e3 $1 Ne7 ( 12...dxe3 {Even this move, which apparently walks right into a trap, is possible.} 13.Bc3 $1 Qxd1+ 14.Kxd1 {The knight and the pawn on g7 are attacked, but the fight is not over.} 14...Nxa2 15.Bxg7 Nxc1 16.Kxc1 Bd7 17.fxe3 Rc8+ 18.Kd2 f6 19.Bxh8 Kf7 20.Bd3 Ne7 {After this crazy sequence, the bishop is trapped, and Black has good drawing chances.} ) 13.Nxd4 O-O {Black's advantage in development compensates White's bishop pair.} ) 11.Qa4 a6 12.e3 dxe3 13.fxe3 Rb8 14.b5 axb5 15.Qxb5 Qxb5 16.Bxb5 Nf6 {All of this was played quickly, so I suppose both players were still on preparation territory.} ( 16...Bd7 17.Bc3 Nf6 18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.O-O Ke7 {Black held his higher-rated opponent to a draw in Shevchenko-Song, Biel 2015.} ) 17.Ne5 {A new move.} ( 17.Bc3 {was played in some correspondence games. The most recent continued:} 17...O-O 18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.a4 Be6 {with the inevitable draw in Susla-Martin, email 2019.} ) 17...O-O $1 {Played after some thought. This is an excellent pawn sacrifice that gives Black good compensation.} ( 17...Bd7 $6 {Trying to hold the pawn is worse. White has a positional advantage, with a pair of bishops against a pair of knights.} 18.Nxd7 Nxd7 19.Ke2 ) 18.Nxc6 {Tan took a long time before playing this move. She was certainly considering whether to take on c6 with the knight or with the bishop.} ( 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.Nxc6 Rb2 $1 {This is the clearest path to equality.} 20.Bc3 Rxg2 21.Ne7+ Kh8 22.Bxf6 gxf6 23.Nxc8 Rxc8 24.a4 Rcc2 25.a5 {The rooks execute a perpetual check, and the game ends in a draw.} ) 18...bxc6 19.Bxc6 Ba6 ( 19...Rb2 {is also good:} 20.Bc3 Rc2 21.Bxf6 Rxc6 22.Bd4 {Black has enough compensation for a draw. This is similar to what will happen later in the game.} ) 20.Bf3 {A good defensive move.} ( 20.Kf2 Rb2 {with excellent compensation.} ) 20...Rfe8 ( 20...Rb2 {Again this move is possible:} 21.Bc3 Rc2 {with an equal position.} ) 21.Kf2 Rb2 22.Rhd1 Ne4+ 23.Bxe4 {It's better to capture the knight immediately.} ( 23.Ke1 f5 {Black is very active and prepares f5-f4 next.} ( 23...Nxd2 24.Rxd2 Rxe3+ 25.Kd1 Rb8 {This also ends in a draw.} ) ( 23...Nc3 {is not so good after} 24.Rdc1 ) ) 23...Rxe4 24.Rab1 Reb4 $1 25.Rxb2 Rxb2 26.a4 {White is a pawn up, but with an active rook and the presence of opposite-colored bishops, Black has an easy draw.} 26...f5 27.Ke1 Bd3 28.a5 g5 29.Ra1 ( 29.Rc1 {doesn't change much. Black can exchange rooks or simply play 29...Ra2, with a draw in both cases.} 29...Ra2 ( 29...Rb1 ) ) 29...Rb1+ {The simplest. In endgames with opposite-colored bishops, one of the players tries to build a fortress while the other tries to break it. The game becomes schematic, and it's possible to calculate many moves ahead until reaching a mathematical conclusion. Of course, this isn't always easy to do, especially with little time left on the clock, as we saw in the dramatic second game of the match.} 30.Rxb1 Bxb1 31.Bb4 Be4 32.g3 g4 33.Kd2 Kf7 34.Kc3 Ke6 35.Kd4 Kd7 {A curious move. The result doesn't change, but normally the simplest plan is to follow the white king without letting it penetrate the position, for example:} ( 35...Bf3 36.a6 Be4 37.a7 Bf3 38.Kc5 Kd7 {with a simple fortress.} ) 36.a6 Kc6 37.Bc5 Kb5 38.a7 Ka6 39.Ke5 Kb7 {White has no winning plan available since the h7-pawn cannot be captured.} 40.Kd6 ( 40.Kf6 Ka8 41.Kg7 Kb7 42.Kxh7 $4 {This even loses after} 42...f4+ 43.Kh6 f3 ) 40...Bd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022-23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Black "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2526"]
[BlackElo "2545"]
[ECO "A20"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "pigle"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7836302054409"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.c4 e5 2.d3 {With his opening choice, Tan shows a desire to play a simple Sicilian with reversed colors rather than engage in a theoretical battle.} 2...Bb4+ {By the same logic, the Sicilian with the check on b5 has been a headache for Black, so why not try it with reversed colors $2 I promise to stop making these comparisons from now on, otherwise, this analysis may be harder to understand than the movie \"Inception.\" Judging who gets the better of inverted color openings is very difficult in chess.} 3.Nd2 c5 {A creative move. Black gains control in the center but seals the bishop's fate on b4.} 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.g3 d6 {A novelty on move five. I love when this happens in high-level games, as it shows everyone that chess is more than over-preparing openings.} ( 5...f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] led to trouble for Black in a recent game.} 6.Bg2 Nf6 7.O-O Ba5 8.a3 O-O $6 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 8...d6 ) 9.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] 1-0 Supi,L (2608)-Roebers,E (2361) Tata Steel-B 85th Wijk aan Zee 2023 (11) with a clear advantage for White in Supi-Roebers, Wijk aan Zee 2023.} ) 6.Bg2 Nge7 7.O-O Bxd2 {Black has to play this as soon as the pin on the d2-knight is undone.} 8.Bxd2 h6 {I believe Lei wanted to speed up the Be6-Qd7 plan, and that's why she made this move, avoiding the knight jump on g5. Of course, castling is almost never bad, and in this position, this is no exception.} ( 8...O-O {is the most natural.} ) 9.a3 a5 10.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting pawn sacrifice to speed up the attack on the queenside.} ( 10.b3 {Setting up Rb1 and then b4 is possible, although it seems a bit slow.} ) ( 10.Rb1 a4 11.b4 axb3 12.Qxb3 O-O {This is a natural sequence. The position is balanced.} ) 10...axb4 11.axb4 Rxa1 12.Qxa1 Nxb4 13.Bxb4 cxb4 14.Rb1 Nc6 {The previous moves were pretty straightforward, but now White has a choice.} 15.d4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15.Ne1 {is a classic plan, taking the knight to c2. Black needs to play with precision.} 15...O-O ( 15...h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is too optimistic.} 16.Nc2 h4 17.Nxb4 {Black's attack is not strong.} ) ( 15...Be6 16.Nc2 d5 17.cxd5 Bxd5 18.Nxb4 {This is the dream position for White, with the better pawn structure.} ) 16.Nc2 Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right move to achieve equality.} 17.e3 Bf5 18.Nxb4 Nxb4 19.Rxb4 Bxd3 20.Bd5 Qc8 {The position is roughly even.} ) 15...Bf5 16.Rc1 $6 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16.Rb3 {is better, to regain the pawn on b4. But White has no advantage after} 16...O-O 17.d5 Nb8 18.Rxb4 Qc7 ) 16...O-O 17.d5 ( 17.dxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] doesn't work:} 17...dxe5 18.Nxe5 b3 {The b-pawn is very strong.} ( 18...Nxe5 {is also good.} 19.Qxe5 Qd2 ) ) 17...Nb8 18.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White needs to act quickly.} 18...dxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Nxe5 ( 19.Rxc5 Na6 {leads to a clear advantage for Black.} ) 19...f6 {Not the most accurate, according to the machine. The position is very complicated, and it's hard to evaluate if White's compensation for the pawn is enough.} ( 19...Na6 20.e4 ) ( 19...Qf6 20.e4 Bc8 21.Nc4 Qxa1 22.Rxa1 b5 23.Nd6 Ba6 {Black is somewhat better with the dangerous pawns on the queenside.} ) ( 19...Qe7 {is also good for Black after} 20.e4 Bh7 ) 20.Nc4 ( 20.Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, as the knight has a brighter future on f4.} 20...b6 21.e4 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) 20...Nd7 ( 20...Bd7 {is more accurate: the bishop supports the b5 advance and is safe from a pawn or knight attack.} ) 21.Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 21.e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is not good because the central advance is not so simple, and the e4-pawn can be attacked.} 21...Bg6 22.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22...b5 ) 21...Bg6 {It's hard to say whether the bishop is better on g6 or h7. To me, the move played is the most natural.} ( 21...Bh7 ) 22.d6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22.Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen comes to the game, and White has enough compensation.} ) 22...Kh7 $6 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22...Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right path to the advantage.} 23.Bd5+ Kh7 24.Nc4 Qb5 ) 23.Nd5 ( 23.Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again, this queen move is the best option.} ) 23...Qa8 ( 23...Qb8 {is also possible:} 24.Nc7 Rd8 {with a slight advantage for Black.} ) 24.Qb2 Qa6 ( 24...Qa3 {is not enough for an advantage in the endgame:} 25.Qxa3 bxa3 26.Ra1 Ra8 ( 26...b5 27.Rxa3 b4 28.Ra7 Rd8 {this is also even.} ) 27.Nc3 ) 25.Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White surrenders the pride of her position, the d6 pawn, but Black's king is surprisingly unsafe after the exchange on g6.} 25...Qxd6 26.Nxg6 Kxg6 27.Qc2+ f5 ( 27...Kf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28.Rd1 {the attack on the light squares is very strong.} ) 28.Rd1 ( 28.e4 {is also interesting.} ) 28...Qe7 ( 28...Qe6 29.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with good counterplay.} ) 29.Bh3 {We have reached the climax of the game. Many beautiful and difficult variations can be found from now on. With both players in serious time trouble, mistakes are to be expected.} 29...Ne5 ( 29...Nb6 30.Bxf5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an important idea in many variations.} 30...Rxf5 ( 30...Kf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31.Bh7 $18 ) 31.g4 Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now White has to find the only saving move.} 32.Kh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's pawns are a key factor now.} ( 32.Qxf5+ Qxf5 33.gxf5+ Kxf5 {with a winning endgame.} ) ( 32.Rd6+ Kh7 33.Qxf5+ ( 33.Rxb6 Qxg4+ ) 33...Qxf5 34.gxf5 Nc4 {Black wins.} ) 32...Qxg4 33.Rg1 {This is the point.} 33...Qxg1+ 34.Kxg1 c4 {The pawns are dangerous, but a queen is a queen. The game ends in perpetual check.} 35.Qe4 b3 36.Qe8+ Rf7 37.Qe4+ Rf5 ) ( 29...b3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a recurring theme. The pawn can be sacrificed to distract the queen from the attack.} 30.Qxb3 Nf6 {The knight goes to e4, but White retains compensation for the missing pawn.} ) 30.Rd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 30.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move.} 30...b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 30...Nc6 31.Bxf5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again, this idea.} 31...Rxf5 32.g4 Qe3+ 33.Kh1 ( 33.Kg2 Kh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Qxf5+ Kh8 35.Qf8+ Kh7 {with perpetual check.} ) 33...Qxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 33...Kh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now this move doesn't work.} 34.Qxf5+ Kh8 35.Rd7 {White is able to bring the rook to the attack since the pawn cannot be captured with check on e2.} ) 34.gxf5+ Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the game remains complicated.} ( 34...Qxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses in a pretty way.} 35.Rd6+ Kg5 36.h4+ Kg4 ( 36...Kf4 37.e3+ Ke5 ( 37...Kg4 38.Rg6+ ) 38.Qxc5+ Ke4 39.Qc2+ Ke5 40.Rd5+ {winning the queen.} ) 37.Rg6+ Kf4 38.Qd2+ Ke5 ( 38...Ke4 39.Qd3+ Kf4 40.Qg3+ Ke4 41.Rg4+ Kd5 42.e4+ $18 ) 39.Qd6+ Ke4 40.Re6+ Ne5 41.Rxe5+ $3 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 41...Qxe5 42.Qd3+ Kf4 43.Qf3# {A nice king hunt $1} ) ) 31.Qxb3 Nc6 {Black has a small advantage.} ) 30...Qe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder in time trouble.} ( 30...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a win.} 31.Bxf5+ Rxf5 32.g4 Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again, the same pattern.} 33.Qxf5+ Qxf5 34.gxf5+ Kf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An accurate move.} ( 34...Kxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is not good, as the knight is now pinned. We can see the difference after} 35.Kf1 c3 36.Ke1 {Now, Black can even lose if she continues pushing the pawns.} 36...b3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 37.Rb5 b2 38.Kd1 {The move Ne5-c4 is not available.} ) 35.Kf1 c3 36.Ke1 b3 37.Kd1 Nc4 {and the pawns march forward.} ) 31.Qxc5 {The knight and the rook are threatened, and White can also play Rd6 to win the queen. Black's position collapses, but the fight is not over.} 31...Nd7 ( 31...Re8 32.Rd6 {wins the queen.} ) 32.Rxd7 ( 32.Qd4 {is a precise computer move, threatening the knight and also 33.Rd6. But the move played is good enough.} ) 32...Qxd7 33.Qxf8 Qd1+ 34.Bf1 b3 {White still needs to be careful about the advance of the b-pawn.} 35.Qe8+ $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Both 35.e4 and 35.g4 are winning.} ( 35.e4 fxe4 36.Qe8+ Kf6 ( 36...Kf5 37.Qf7+ Ke5 38.Qxg7+ Kf5 39.Qxb7 {White is able to control the pawn. The game might continue:} 39...Qc2 40.Qd5+ Kf6 41.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...b2 42.Qe6+ Kg7 ( 42...Kg5 43.h4+ Kh5 44.Qf5# ) 43.Qf7+ Kh8 44.Qg8# ) 37.Qa4 {The queen comes back and the b-pawn is controlled.} ) ( 35.g4 {has similar ideas:} 35...fxg4 36.e4 h5 37.Qf5+ Kh6 38.Qb5 {White wins.} ) 35...Kh7 36.Qb5 f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The last mistake.} ( 36...Qb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is enough for a draw since White is not in time to bring the bishop to the game.} 37.e4 ( 37.e3 b2 38.Qd3 Qc1 39.Qxf5+ Kh8 {with a draw.} ) 37...b2 38.Qxf5+ Kh8 {White has nothing more than a perpetual check.} ) 37.e3 fxe3 38.Qd3+ {The queens are exchanged, and the game is over. A thrilling battle to start the match.} ( 38.Qd3+ Qxd3 39.Bxd3+ Kg8 40.fxe3 ) 1-0

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022-23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Black "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2526"]
[ECO "D31"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "pigle"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[Beauty "5365487903241"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,55,26,26,26,6,4,4,29,8,8,4,4,3,4,3,3,3,25,-1,41,-14,27,34,34,36,36,36,36,38,38,38,33,19,32,34,47,47,47,47,121,121,121,100,99,74,77,85,85,82,85,85,104,94,94,102,108,108]} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 dxc4 4.e4 ( 4.e3 {is more popular and solid, heading for the main line of the Queen's Gambit Accepted. The move played in the game leads to sharper positions.} ) 4...b5 5.a4 c6 6.Nc3 {A rare move, but the game will quickly transpose to a well-known position.} ( 6.axb5 cxb5 7.b3 Bb7 {This position was played in a great game from Kasparov's last tournament before announcing his retirement.} ( 7...Nf6 {is also possible.} ) 8.bxc4 Bxe4 9.cxb5 Nf6 {Vallejo Pons-Kasparov, Linares 2005.} ) 6...Bb4 {Now we're back to a position with more than a thousand games played. It makes sense for Black to try to exploit White's move order with the move 6...b4. Considering the time spent, it's likely Tan didn't expect this opening and was improvising from this moment on.} ( 6...b4 ) 7.Bd2 Qb6 {Another rare move, this time leading to truly unexplored positions already on move eight, something we also saw in the first game of the match.} ( 7...a5 ) ( 7...Nf6 ) 8.Be2 Ne7 {A new move. It makes sense to develop the knight here, to escape from the move e4-e5.} ( 8...Nf6 9.e5 ( 9.Qc2 {was Gromovs-Zimina, Campobasso op 2007.} ) 9...Nd5 10.Ne4 {and White has the typical compensation for the pawn.} ) 9.Qc2 {By protecting the knight, White prepares the thematic break on b3.} ( 9.b3 {is premature due to} 9...Bxc3 10.Bxc3 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 9...Bb7 ( 9...a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Accelerating play on the queenside makes sense. Black is better prepared to face 10.b3 now.} 10.b3 {This move is not forced, but it illustrates Black's idea.} 10...cxb3 11.Qxb3 Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a good position.} ) 10.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10...cxb3 ( 10...Bxc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 11.Qxc3 {This is the point, now the b5-b4 push is not available.} ) 11.Qxb3 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to return the pawn. Exchanging the dark-squared bishop would be positional suicide.} ( 11...Bxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 12.Bxc3 ) ( 11...bxa4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This spoils the pawn structure.} 12.Nxa4 Bxd2+ 13.Nxd2 Qxb3 ( 13...Qxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14.Qxb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...Qxa1+ 15.Bd1 {White wins material.} ) 14.Nxb3 {With a clear positional advantage for White.} ) 12.axb5 cxb5 13.Bxb5+ Bc6 14.Bd3 {Keeping the bishops gives more chances for an advantage.} ( 14.Bxc6+ Nbxc6 15.d5 exd5 16.exd5 Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Qa4+ Kf8 {Black has a good position despite the king on f8.} ) 14...Nd7 15.O-O O-O 16.Rab1 ( 16.d5 {is usually not good because the d7-knight can jump to c5.} 16...Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 16...Rfb8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move puts Black in trouble.} ( 16...Rfc8 {is better: the queen can go to d8 next, so the b4-bishop is not pinned anymore. The position is balanced.} ) 17.Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the problem—the bishop attacks the rook, and White gains precious time to prepare Na2.} 17...Rd8 18.Na2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This bishop cannot move, and White is much better.} 18...Nf6 19.Bg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19.Rfe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate. White will capture the bishop on b4 and win a pawn, with not enough compensation for Black.} ) 19...Rab8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 19...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This difficult move is the best defense. The point appears after the natural continuation:} 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Nxb4 axb4 22.Qxb4 Qxb4 23.Rxb4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with enough counterplay for a draw.} 24.exf5 Bxf3 25.gxf3 Nc6 ) 20.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The thematic central advance is possible thanks to a tactical detail.} 20...Be8 ( 20...exd5 21.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White wins a piece.} ) ( 20...Nexd5 {is a desperate measure, but the compensation for the piece is not adequate after} 21.exd5 Bxd5 22.Bc4 ) 21.Qb2 $6 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White has many tempting moves, and it's hard to pick the most accurate. This has always been a flaw in my game: being an indecisive person by nature, I find it difficult to choose just one of several tempting moves. Of course, many other chess players also suffer from this.} ( 21.Nxb4 {seems to be the simpler road to a nearly winning position.} 21...Qxb4 {This is probably the best chance.} ( 21...axb4 22.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Qb7 23.dxe6 fxe6 24.Ng5 {The e6-pawn falls and White has a winning advantage.} ) 22.Qa2 ( 22.Qc2 {is also very good.} ) 22...Qa4 ( 22...Qc3 {meets a beautiful refutation:} 23.dxe6 $3 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 23...Qxd3 24.Ne5 {with a decisive double attack on the queen and the pawn on f7.} ) 23.Qxa4 Bxa4 24.Rxb8 Rxb8 25.Ra1 Be8 26.dxe6 fxe6 27.Rxa5 {With an extra pawn (even though the structure is all on the same flank) and the bishop pair, White has a technically won position.} ) 21...Ng6 22.Rfc1 $6 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Again, White has many interesting moves, and this is not the most impressive.} ( 22.e5 Nxd5 23.Bxd8 Qxd8 {This is Black's idea: sacrifice the exchange to get active play.} ) ( 22.Nxb4 axb4 23.Rfe1 $5 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] White keeps a dangerous initiative with calm play.} ) 22...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Be3 ( 23.Bxf6 gxf6 24.Nxb4 ( 24.Qxf6 exd5 ) 24...axb4 {Here, the advantage is not so clear anymore, although I still prefer White.} ) 23...Qb7 24.Nxb4 axb4 25.Ra1 Rbc8 {This move is criticized by the computer, although its suggested refutation is not so clear to my eyes.} ( 25...Ra8 26.Rxa8 Qxa8 27.Qxb4 exd5 28.e5 Ne4 {This is similar to what will happen in the game.} ) 26.Rxc8 Qxc8 ( 26...Rxc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27.Ba6 ) 27.Qxb4 ( 27.Bb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer is very happy with this move, but let's examine it more closely:} 27...Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forced.} ( 27...Rd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28.Qxb4 {is very bad for Black.} ) 28.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Rd6 ( 28...Rb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29.Ba6 ) 29.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the machine's idea. The bishop will go to c7, and White wins the exchange. But I think Black has good practical compensation after} 29...Qa8 30.Bc7 Bxb5 31.Bxd6 Nxe4 32.Qxb4 Qxd5 33.Bg3 {My engine evaluates this as a clear advantage for White, but with active pieces, a pawn for the exchange, and all pawns on the same flank, I think Black has realistic drawing chances. But no doubt, long suffering lies ahead.} ) 27...exd5 28.e5 Ne4 ( 28...d4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting sacrifice to activate the pieces.} 29.Bxd4 ( 29.exf6 {Black is saved by a miracle in this line:} 29...dxe3 30.Bxg6 exf2+ 31.Kxf2 fxg6 {and Black escapes with equality.} ) 29...Nd5 ) 29.Rc1 Qe6 {White has some advantage, but not enough for a win. This evaluation will not change for a long time.} 30.Qa5 Rb8 31.Qc7 Ra8 32.h3 Qe7 33.Qxe7 Nxe7 34.Nd4 Ng6 35.e6 ( 35.f4 {is also possible, but Black is still defending.} 35...Bd7 ( 35...Ra3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It's important to note that this natural move loses after} 36.Bxe4 dxe4 37.Rc8 Rxe3 38.Rxe8+ Kh7 39.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39...Nf4 40.e6 {The e-pawn marches to victory.} ) 36.Rc7 Nf8 ) 35...fxe6 36.Nxe6 Bf7 37.Nc7 Rd8 38.Bd4 Nf4 39.Ba6 Ng5 40.Be5 Ng6 41.Bd4 Nf4 42.h4 Nge6 43.Nxe6 Nxe6 {For now, Tan is defending very well.} 44.Be5 h5 ( 44...Bg6 {is also possible, not committing the pawn structure.} ) 45.Bd3 Re8 46.f4 Rd8 47.Kf2 Nf8 48.Rc6 Ra8 49.Bf5 Nh7 50.Ke3 Ra3+ ( 50...Nf8 ) 51.Bc3 ( 51.Bd3 {is more dangerous:} 51...Ra8 52.f5 {with some pressure.} ) 51...Ra8 52.Rd6 Re8+ 53.Be5 Nf6 54.Ra6 Ne4 {Sacrificing a pawn to arrive in a position with opposite colored bishops, where drawing chances are usually very high.} 55.Kd4 {White declines the offer.} ( 55.Bxe4 dxe4 56.Kxe4 {This endgame should be a draw without much trouble.} ) 55...Ng3 56.Bd3 Ne4 57.Ra7 Rc8 58.Bc7 Re8 59.Be5 Rc8 60.Ra3 Kf8 61.Rb3 Ra8 62.Rb8+ {With this move, White practically accepts that there's no way to avoid a draw. But there's still a surprise to come.} 62...Rxb8 63.Bxb8 g6 64.Ke5 Kg7 ( 64...Nf2 65.Be2 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 66.Kxd4 Be6 {This is an easy draw since Black can set up a fortress on the light squares.} ) 65.Ba7 Ng3 66.Bd4 Kf8 67.Kd6 Nf5+ 68.Bxf5 gxf5 69.Ke5 Be8 70.Kxf5 Bd7+ 71.Kg5 Bg4 $4 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] Chess is a cruel game sometimes. After conducting a difficult defense for many moves, Tan blunders, and now the game is lost.} ( 71...Be8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White can't make progress, for instance:} 72.f5 Kg8 73.g4 hxg4 74.Kxg4 Bf7 75.Kg5 Be8 76.h5 Bf7 77.h6 Be8 78.Kf6 Kh7 79.Ke7 Bh5 {with a draw.} ) 72.Kg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 72...Be2 73.f5 Bd3 {The bishop needs to prevent the advance of the f-pawn, but now White captures on h5, and the pawns decide the game.} 74.g3 Kg8 75.Kxh5 Bxf5 76.g4 Bd3 77.Kh6 Kf7 78.h5 Ke6 79.Kg7 {Another great fighting game. The match started in the best possible way for the spectators.} 1-0

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.01"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bortnyk, Olexandr"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2852"]
[BlackElo "2605"]
[ECO "B04"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7835094090246"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 dxe5 {One of the most solid options for Black in the Alekhine Defense. Both the alternatives, 4...Bg4 and 4...g6, were played in the iconic Spassky-Fischer match.} ( 4...Bg4 ) ( 4...g6 ) 5.Nxe5 c6 {Bortnyk is an expert on this system, having played it dozens of times in online games. By the way, Carlsen has also played this a few times.} 6.Bd3 ( 6.Be2 Bf5 7.O-O Nd7 8.Nf3 e6 9.c4 N5f6 {This is the main line of the variation.} ) 6...Nd7 7.O-O ( 7.Nf3 N7f6 8.h3 Nb4 9.Bc4 Bf5 10.Na3 e6 {was equal in Adams-Carlsen Wch Blitz 2007.} ) ( 7.Nxd7 Bxd7 8.O-O g6 9.Nd2 Bg7 10.Nf3 O-O 11.Re1 Bg4 12.c3 c5 {and Black later won a nice game in Topalov-Carlsen, Morelia/Linares 2008.} ) 7...Nxe5 8.dxe5 {Both players had already faced each other in this position but in a bullet game. Bortnyk chose 8...g6, but this time he plays a move that Carlsen knows well, since he played it in his teenage years.} 8...Nb4 ( 8...g6 ) 9.Be4 Qxd1 10.Rxd1 g6 ( 10...f5 {was played by the young Carlsen.} 11.a3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 11...Na6 12.Bf3 g6 13.Nd2 Be6 14.Be2 Nc7 15.Nf3 {White has a tiny advantage and later won in Sutovsky-Carlsen, Rethymno 2003.} ) 11.Na3 {A new move.} ( 11.a3 Na6 {White hasn't been able to prove an advantage in the games played in this position.} ) 11...Bg7 12.c3 Na6 13.Nc4 {On the board we have a typical position in which the world champion feels good. Objectively, White doesn't have much, but with his magnificent endgame technique, he manages to exert pressure.} 13...O-O ( 13...Nc5 14.Bc2 Bg4 15.f3 Be6 16.Na5 Bxe5 17.Be3 Nd7 18.Nxb7 Rb8 19.Na5 Rxb2 {with a sharp but balanced position.} ) 14.Be3 Nc7 15.a4 Nd5 16.Bd4 b6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is an error that will be exploited immediately. Black keeps the disadvantage to a minimum after} ( 16...Be6 17.Na5 Rab8 ) 17.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop on d4 turns into a monster now. He will be the main piece responsible for White's victory.} 17...b5 18.Ne3 Be6 19.a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move, fixing the a7-pawn as a target.} ( 19.Bxd5 {is another option. The game might follow:} 19...cxd5 ( 19...Bxd5 20.Nxd5 cxd5 21.Bc5 {with good winning chances.} ) 20.Bc5 ( 20.a6 {is possible in this version, too.} ) 20...Rfc8 21.Bxe7 Bxe5 22.Nxd5 {White wins a pawn, but the bishop pair offers drawing chances.} ) 19...Rfc8 20.Nxd5 Bxd5 {The best. After} ( 20...cxd5 21.Bd3 {Black is left with a bad bishop.} ) 21.Bxd5 cxd5 22.Ra3 Rc7 23.Rb3 Rb8 24.Ra1 {Black is doing what he can to defend the queenside, but now White threatens 25.Ra5, and the situation is critical.} 24...e6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses.} ( 24...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only chance. Black desperately needs to fight against the bishop on d4. The idea is revealed after} 25.f4 ( 25.exf6 Bxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25...Kf7 26.Ra5 fxe5 27.fxe5 Ke6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Just in time for the counterplay.} ) 25.Ra5 Rc6 26.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Giving some breathing space for the king and preparing to collect a pawn on the queenside.} 26...Bf8 27.Bxa7 Ra8 28.Bd4 Rcxa6 29.Rxa6 Rxa6 30.Rxb5 {White is a pawn up with the b-pawn ready to roll. Against Carlsen, the position can be resigned.} 30...g5 31.Kg2 g4 32.Rb7 Bh6 33.b4 Ra3 34.b5 Rb3 35.b6 Bd2 36.Rc7 Kg7 37.b7 Bxc3 38.Bxc3 {The bishop had to move from the throne, right on the last move of the game, but for a good cause.} 1-0

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.02"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2555"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[ECO "E16"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7628801445900"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "600+2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is an interesting variation of the Bogo-Indian Defense, a favorite of the legendary GM Viktor Korchnoi. I played this move many times during my career, but I must admit that my results were not as good as Korchnoi's and Nakamura's, which is not so surprising, to be honest.} 5.Bxb4 cxb4 {It seems strange that Black accepts to keep doubled pawns. After all, isn't this a weakness from a strategic point of view $2 I believe that \"doubled pawns\" is one of the most misunderstood topics in chess, but this philosophical conversation needs to be continued on another occasion. As compensation, the pawn on b4 causes some discomfort in White's position, gaining space and restricting his play on the queenside. It's not surprising that in many cases White plays a2-a3 at some point, voluntarily giving up this so-called strategic advantage.} 6.g3 b6 7.Bg2 Bb7 8.O-O a5 9.Qd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A natural plan, intending to bring the knight to d2 and then playing e2-e4.} ( 9.a3 {is the most popular move.} ) 9...O-O 10.Nbd2 d6 11.e4 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black needs to fight for the center.} 12.a3 {This move is probably not the most accurate.} ( 12.Rfe1 {was played in a recent and important game.} 12...Re8 13.Rad1 Nbd7 14.a3 bxa3 15.Qxa3 Qc7 {The position is more or less balanced, but White later won in Muradli-Safarli, Baku 2023.} ) ( 12.Ne1 {starts an interesting plan to improve the knight.} 12...Nc6 13.Nc2 Re8 {This was played in Postny-Romanov, Teplice 2018.} ) 12...Na6 13.Rfd1 $6 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] I don't like this move. The e4-pawn needs protection, and the rook is more useful on e1.} ( 13.Rfe1 ) 13...Re8 14.d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Another concession and now Black has a comfortable game, as the knight gets a dream square on c5.} ( 14.Qe3 ) 14...Nd7 15.a4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The problem with this move is that it makes Nakamura's life easier, as now he doesn't need to worry about the queenside tension.} ( 15.Bh3 {This is a classical idea, to activate or exchange bishops.} 15...Ndc5 16.Qe3 Bc8 17.Bxc8 Rxc8 18.Nh4 {Black has only a tiny advantage.} ) 15...Ndc5 16.Qe3 Bc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop has done its business and gets ready for a new role, supporting the f7-f5 advance.} 17.b3 f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is natural, but a little rushed, as it gives White a plan. It would be more accurate to maneuver with moves like Rf8, Ra7, and maybe even f6-Rf7 before advancing.} ( 17...Rf8 ) 18.exf5 Bxf5 19.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the knight can jump to e4 or even e6.} 19...h6 20.Nge4 {The most circumspect, but not the only move.} ( 20.Be4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a computer move:} 20...Nxe4 21.Ngxe4 Nc5 {with a slight pressure for Black.} ) ( 20.Ne6 {is a human move:} 20...Qf6 21.Ne4 Bxe4 22.Bxe4 Nxe4 23.Qxe4 Nc5 24.Qe3 {Again Black has only a small plus.} ) 20...Rf8 21.Rf1 Ra7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I love these rook lifts $1} 22.Rae1 Raf7 23.h4 {A good move, gaining space and preparing the typical plan Kh2-Bh3.} ( 23.f4 {The computer suggests this active move, a brave decision for any human facing Nakamura.} 23...exf4 ( 23...Bxe4 24.Nxe4 exf4 25.gxf4 Nxe4 26.Bxe4 Nc5 27.Bg6 Rxf4 {This looks very good, but the machine is not impressed, claiming a draw after} ( 27...Rf6 28.f5 ) 28.Rxf4 Qg5+ 29.Qg3 Qxf4 30.Qxf4 Rxf4 31.Re8+ Rf8 32.Re3 ) 24.Rxf4 Bg6 {with a slight advantage for Black.} ) 23...Nb7 {Nakamura probably didn't see a meaningful plan for now and started to shuffle the knight a little bit, since the position is closed and he is allowed to maneuver.} 24.Kh2 Nac5 25.Re2 Nd7 26.Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Taking the chance to exchange bishops, which improves White's position. On the other hand, this exchange will be responsible for the defeat later on, as it weakens the f3-square, but to criticize this move because of an error that occurs four moves later would be unfair.} 26...Bxh3 27.Kxh3 Nf6 28.Nxf6+ ( 28.f3 {is also possible.} ) 28...Rxf6 29.Kg2 Nc5 30.Ne4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder, losing immediately.} ( 30.f3 {is a solid move. Everything is protected, and the game is roughly equal.} ) 30...Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nakamura rarely misses tactical chances.} 31.Qxf3 Rxf3 32.Kxf3 Nxb3 {This is the problem. The b3-pawn falls, and it's the base of White's pawn chain, and the next victims are c4 or a4.} 33.Kg2 Qc7 34.Rc2 Nc5 35.Nxc5 Qxc5 36.Rb1 ( 36.Rd1 b3 37.Rcc1 Qb4 $19 ) 36...Qd4 {The queen invades.} 37.Kh2 Qd3 38.Rbb2 Kf7 39.Kg2 Kf6 40.Rc1 Qa3 {The a4-pawn falls, and further resistance is futile.} 0-1

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.03"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Foisor, Sabina Francesca"]
[Black "Ghosh, Diptayan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2185"]
[BlackElo "2553"]
[ECO "D05"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7839389064223"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "600+2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3 Be7 5.b3 b6 6.Bb2 Bb7 7.Nbd2 Nbd7 8.O-O O-O 9.Ne5 c5 10.f4 Qc7 11.Qf3 c4 12.Nxd7 Qxd7 13.Be2 c3 14.Bxc3 Rac8 15.Nb1 Ne4 16.Be1 Rxc2 17.Bd3 Rc1 18.Bd2 Rxf1+ 19.Qxf1 Rc8 20.Bxe4 dxe4 21.Nc3 Ba3 22.Rb1 a5 23.Be1 h6 24.h3 Rc6 25.Rd1 Qc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Pressing on the c3-knight, which blocks the black rook from entering the white position down the c-file. Black is happy to give up the e4-pawn to break through with the rook and open the a8-h1 diagonal for his fianchettoed bishop.} 26.Nxe4 Rc2 27.Nd2 Rxa2 28.Bf2 Qc2 29.e4 Bb4 {Every black piece adds to the pressure on White's center, queenside, kingside, and second rank.} 30.Nc4 Qxe4 {The queen and light-squared bishop eye the white kingside with delight.} 31.Nxb6 Qxf4 32.d5 Bd6 {Now the dark-squared bishop joins the black queen's mischievous kingside intentions.} 33.g3 Qf3 34.Rd3 Qe4 35.Re3 Qf5 36.dxe6 fxe6 37.Nc4 Qd5 {The black queen returns to the h1-a8 diagonal, this time with fatal effects for the white king.} ( 37...Qd5 38.Kh2 Rxf2+ 39.Qxf2 Qh1# ) 0-1

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Santos Latasa, Jaime"]
[Black "Moradiabadi, Elshan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2657"]
[BlackElo "2507"]
[ECO "C47"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8044209252439"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.h3 {A funny move, but if we consider that Carlsen has played 4.a4 here, this one is not so exotic. I imagine the idea is to see how Black will develop. If he plays 4...d5, then the white bishop soon goes to b5, and Black doesn't have the option of Bg4. If 4...Bc5, then White can play 5.Nxe5. 4...Be7 is too passive.} 4...Bb4 {The natural try.} ( 4...d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Bb5 ) ( 4...Bc5 5.Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 5...Nxe5 6.d4 Bd6 7.dxe5 Bxe5 8.Bd3 {with advantage for White.} ) 5.a3 {Not the most popular move, but it has been played a few times by Spanish GM Vallejo Pons. Maybe he studied it with his countryman $2} ( 5.Nd5 Nxd5 6.exd5 e4 7.dxc6 exf3 8.Qxf3 dxc6 9.Bc4 O-O {was equal in Antipov-Praggnanandhaa, Airthings Masters (rapid) 2023.} ) 5...Bxc3 6.dxc3 d6 ( 6...Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the critical move.} 7.Nxe5 Nxe5 8.Qd4 O-O 9.Qxe4 Re8 ( 9...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} ) 10.Be3 d5 11.Qf4 {White had a slight advantage in Martinez Alcantara-Alekseenko, Chess.com (rapid) 2022.} ) 7.Bd3 {Now White has the pair of bishops and a comfortable position. It may not seem like much, but it's better than nothing.} 7...h6 {Played in order to avoid the pin with Bg5 or the move Ng5 if the bishop goes to e6.} 8.Qe2 Ne7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 8...Be6 {It's possible to develop the pieces with this natural move.} 9.Be3 Qd7 {Preparing to castle on the queenside.} ) 9.Be3 a6 10.O-O-O Ng6 11.Nd2 Qe7 12.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It turns out the knight is not well placed on g6. White prepares f2-f4.} 12...b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 12...Bd7 13.f4 Bc6 {This is more solid, although Black's position is very unpleasant.} ) 13.c4 ( 13.f4 {is tempting.} 13...Bb7 14.f5 Nf8 15.c4 {with a clear advantage.} ( 15.g4 {This one is also good.} ) ) 13...c6 ( 13...bxc4 {is the best chance, at least opening a file and gaining time to develop.} ) 14.f4 Rb8 15.c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A creative move.} ( 15.f5 {is simple and good.} 15...Nf8 16.g4 {followed by the advance of the kingside pawns with an overwhelming advantage.} ) 15...dxc5 16.Qf2 c4 17.Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea. This bishop prevents the black king from castling.} 17...Qc7 18.Be2 Nd7 ( 18...exf4 {After this move, White continues to pour gasoline on the fire with} 19.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a strong initiative, for instance:} 19...fxg3 ( 19...Qxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20.Rhe1 fxg3 21.Qg1 {with a decisive attack.} ) 20.Qxg3 Qxe5 21.Qf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a strong attack.} ( 21.Qxe5+ {This is also possible, but exchanging queens in a such position brings tears to the attacking eyes.} 21...Nxe5 22.Bd6 Ned7 23.Rhe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 19.Bh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake, and now Black's position is defensible.} ( 19.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger.} 19...Nxc5 20.Qxc5 Ne7 21.Rhf1 O-O 22.g4 {White just pushes the pawns, and it's difficult for Black to untangle his pieces. This is hard to judge, but it's easier when I see the engine's evaluation.} ) 19...Nxc5 20.Qxc5 Ne7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses.} ( 20...Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] saves the day, as White can't escape a queen exchange after} 21.Qd6 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a balanced position.} ) 21.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...exf4 22.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Santos Latasa conducts the initiative with great precision from now on.} 22...g6 ( 22...O-O 23.gxf4 {There's a nice winning variation after:} 23...f6 24.Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Bxd7 25.Qxe7 Qxf4+ 26.Kb1 Be8 27.Rhg1 Bf7 28.Rd7 {and the attack decides.} ) 23.Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The exchange of bishops highlights the weakness of the d7-square that can be used by a rook or a knight.} 23...Qb6 ( 23...O-O 24.Bxc8 Nxc8 ( 24...Rbxc8 25.Rd7 ) 25.Nd7 {wins material.} ) 24.Qd6 c5 25.Bd7+ Kf8 26.Bc6 ( 26.Nxg6+ {is also winning after} 26...fxg6 27.Qxf4+ Kg7 28.Rhf1 ) 26...b4 27.Nxg6+ $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Kg7 ( 27...fxg6 28.Qf6+ Kg8 29.Qxe7 Qxc6 30.Rd8+ ) 28.Nxe7 ( 28.Qe5+ {is also good.} 28...Kxg6 29.Rd6+ Kh7 30.Rxh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Kxh6 31.Qxh8+ Kg6 32.gxf4 Qxc6 33.Rg1+ Bg4 34.Rxg4# ) 28...bxa3 29.Qe5+ f6 30.Nf5+ Kg6 ( 30...Bxf5 31.Qe7+ Kg6 32.exf5+ $18 ) 31.Nh4+ ( 31.Be8+ {is a quicker way to deliver mate.} ) 31...Kf7 32.Bd5+ Kf8 33.Ng6+ Kg7 34.Qe7+ Kxg6 35.Qf7+ {A very good attacking game by Santos Latasa.} ( 35.Qf7+ Kg5 36.Qg7+ Kh5 37.Bf7# ) 1-0

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Supi, Luis Paulo"]
[Black "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2608"]
[BlackElo "2560"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7908108545618"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "600+2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 O-O 7.Bd3 Re8 8.Nge2 {Developing the knight on e2 was Kasparov's favorite plan in these positions. It can't be too bad.} 8...c6 9.O-O a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The Orthodox Defense is Black's most traditional choice against the Queen's Pawn, played by almost all the greatest chess players in history. Naturally, its theory has undergone a great deal of evolution during all these years. Computers are also playing their part in this process: many new plans are being tested, far beyond the traditional Nbd7-f8, which was automatic in this type of position. In this modern version, tested by Lagno in this game and tried earlier by GM Dubov, the knight seeks an alternative route via a6.} 10.Rc1 {It's not clear to me that this is the best square for the rook. If White is going to try the plan with f3-e4, then the rook might be more useful on d1 or e1.} ( 10.Qc2 g6 11.Rad1 Na6 12.a3 Nc7 13.f3 Ne6 14.Bh4 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn advance on the queenside is an active and interesting attempt for Black. It was played in Bluebaum-Dubov, Wch Blitz Almaty 2022.} ) ( 10.f3 {is a natural and critical move.} 10...h6 11.Bh4 Na6 12.Kh1 {White had a slight advantage in Milikow-Olenik Campa, Terme Catez 2022.} ) 10...Na6 11.h3 Nc7 12.Bf4 {A new move.} ( 12.Qc2 g6 13.Bf4 Ne6 14.Be5 Bd6 15.Bxd6 ( 15.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better attempt.} ) 15...Qxd6 {with an equal position in Rakhmanov-Dubov, Cheboksary 2022.} ) 12...Bd6 13.Na4 Ne6 14.Be5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.Nb6 Ra7 {Followed by 16...Qd8 and White has only a tiny advantage.} ) 14...Bxe5 {The critical move, capturing the bishop before White can play f2-f4.} ( 14...g6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a good prophylactic move. If now} 15.f4 {Black can play} 15...Ng7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Controlling the advance of the f-pawn.} ) 15.dxe5 Nd7 16.f4 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Nac3 Qb6 18.Rf3 ( 18.Qd2 {is also possible.} ) 18...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Necessary to create counterplay. This is a critical position.} 19.exf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19.Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives White the initiative. The idea is:} 19...Nef8 20.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Maybe Supi missed this nice and difficult move.} 20...Rxe6 21.Nd4 Re8 22.Bxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...cxb5 23.Nxd5 Qb8 24.Nc7 {White will regain some material and has a strong attack.} ) 19...Nxf6 20.Kh1 Bb7 {Now the initiative is in Black's hands.} 21.Nd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21.Ng3 ) 21...c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A bold sacrifice, but it isn't necessary.} ( 21...Kh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, threatening to capture on d4.} ) ( 21...Nxd4 22.exd4 Qxd4 $4 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 23.Bxh7+ ) 22.Ndxb5 d4 23.Na4 Qd8 24.Rg3 dxe3 ( 24...Ne4 {is not enough.} 25.Bxe4 Bxe4 26.Nxc5 {Black has no compensation for the material deficit.} ) ( 24...Kh8 $5 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 25.Nxc5 Nxc5 26.Rxc5 Rxe3 27.Rxe3 dxe3 {Black has good compensation for the pawn in this complicated position.} ) 25.Rxe3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses.} ( 25.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Gives White the advantage.} 25...Qc7 ( 25...Nxf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26.Bc4+ Bd5 27.Nxe8 Qxe8 28.Qf3 {Black's position collapses.} ) ( 25...Qxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26.Bxh7+ ) 26.Nxb7 {There are other promising moves as well.} 26...Qxb7 27.Rxe3 Nxf4 28.Bc4+ Kh8 29.Qf3 Qxf3 30.Rxf3 {with a clear advantage for White in the endgame.} ) 25...Bxg2+ $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Kxg2 ( 26.Kg1 Nxf4 $19 ) ( 26.Kh2 Nxf4 $19 ) 26...Nxf4+ 27.Kf2 Rxe3 28.Bc4+ ( 28.Kxe3 {There are several ways of winning after this move. The most natural is:} 28...N6d5+ 29.Kf3 Nxd3 30.Qxd3 Qf6+ 31.Kg3 ( 31.Kg2 Nf4+ {wins the queen.} ) 31...Qf4+ 32.Kg2 Ne3+ {with a decisive attack.} ) 28...N6d5 {The rest is simple. Black has a material advantage and a monster attack.} 29.Qg4 Qf6 30.Nac3 Nd3+ 31.Kg2 Qf2+ 32.Kh1 Nxc1 33.Bxd5+ Kh8 34.Bg2 ( 34.Bxa8 Re1+ ) 34...Re1+ 35.Kh2 Qg1+ 36.Kg3 Re3+ 0-1

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ghosh, Diptayan"]
[Black "Bortnyk, Olexandr"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2565"]
[BlackElo "2605"]
[ECO "A50"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[Beauty "5705192964615"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "600+2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 b6 3.g3 Bb7 4.Bg2 g6 5.O-O Bg7 6.c4 O-O {This variation with the double fianchetto is original and risky, as it gives away the center to White. Bortnik is an expert in this line, also played recently by Carlsen in an important game.} 7.d5 {This is the machine's favorite move. The plan is simple: to play Nc3 followed by e4.} ( 7.Nc3 Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black manages to exchange knights, and the position becomes easier to play.} ) ( 7.Re1 e6 8.Bf4 d6 {This was played in Nakamura-Carlsen, Airthings Masters (rapid) 2023.} ) 7...b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 7...Na6 {This was Carlsen's choice in 2023.} 8.Nc3 Nc5 9.Nd4 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10.Nc2 a5 11.b3 d6 12.e4 Bc8 {Black has the typical position he wants when choosing this system. The f6-knight will move to allow the f-pawn's advance soon. Erigaisi-Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 2023. The World Champion won an excellent game.} ) 8.Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Exploiting the pin.} 8...a6 ( 8...c6 9.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 9.dxc6 {Black has decent compensation for the pawn after this move.} 9...Nxc6 10.cxb5 ( 10.Qxb5 Rb8 ) 10...Na5 11.Qd3 a6 ) 9...cxd5 10.cxb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 10.cxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives White the advantage.} ) 10...a6 11.Nd4 e6 {and Black went on to win in Shevchenko-Carlsen, MrDodgy Online (blitz) 2022.} ) 9.Nc3 c6 ( 9...Qc8 {Bortnik had played this position before.} 10.cxb5 ( 10.Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 10...axb5 11.Qxb5 c6 12.dxc6 Nxc6 {with some compensation for the pawn in Andreikin-Bortnyk, Titled Tuesday 2021.} ( 12...Bxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better.} ) ) 10.Rd1 {A new move.} ( 10.e4 Qc8 11.cxb5 axb5 12.Rd1 Na6 13.Be3 {This was Fridman-Iturrizaga Bonelli, Wch Blitz Berlin 2015. White has a small plus.} ) ( 10.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a new move that wins a pawn and makes my computer very happy.} ) 10...cxd5 ( 10...Qc8 {doesn't solve the problems since White can play} 11.d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 11.cxd5 d6 12.a4 ( 12.Nd4 {is also tempting.} ) 12...Nbd7 13.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate move.} ( 13.axb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13...Nc5 14.Qb4 axb5 {Black has a fine position.} ) ( 13.Nd4 Nc5 14.Qa3 {This is also possible, but the move played in the game is more promising.} ) 13...Nc5 {After this move, the game goes to an endgame by force where White has an extra pawn, and Black fights for a draw.} ( 13...Ng4 {is the alternative.} 14.Bd4 Bxd4 15.Nxd4 Nc5 16.Qa3 {Here White keeps an unpleasant pressure on the queenside. The knight will soon go to c6.} ) 14.Bxc5 dxc5 15.axb5 axb5 16.Qxb5 Rxa1 17.Rxa1 Bxd5 18.Rd1 Qa8 19.Qxc5 ( 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Ne1 e6 21.Bxd5 exd5 22.Qxc5 Bxb2 23.Qxd5 Qxd5 24.Rxd5 {This is an interesting endgame. I believe that Black should draw with accurate play, but the task will certainly not be easy. Anyway, I'm not the most qualified person to talk about this ending: I once lost a similar position to GM Bologan.} ) 19...Bxf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 19...e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the correct move. Black has good reasons to dream of a draw.} ) 20.Bxf3 Qb8 21.Rd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Passed pawns must be pushed, a wise man once said. It's always easy to give advice after looking at the computer's moves. But the fact is that Black is lost here: the bishop goes to c6, the pawn to b5, and the conversion is easy.} ) 21...e6 22.Kg2 h5 23.h4 Rc8 24.Qb5 Qxb5 25.Nxb5 Rb8 26.Nd4 {Another endgame that should be drawn with perfect play. But perfection is impossible, even more so in a rapid game.} 26...Rb6 ( 26...Ne8 27.e3 Kf8 {The computer already claims a draw here, I'm not sure why.} ) 27.Nc6 Bf8 28.e3 Kg7 29.Ne5 Rb5 30.Nc4 Be7 31.Rc2 Nd5 ( 31...Rc5 {it's also possible to simply wait.} ) 32.Bxd5 exd5 33.Ne5 Bf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this, the defensive task is really difficult.} ( 33...Rb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, taking the d3-square from the knight.} 34.Rd2 Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.Rxd5 Rxb2 {And again, we have this endgame where White will press for many moves, but Black can dream of drawing.} ) 34.Nd3 Rb3 35.Rd2 d4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35...Be7 {is more stubborn.} ) 36.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the position is winning. The king will go to e2, the rook is free to become active, and then White can start advancing the kingside pawns.} 36...Bd8 37.e5 ( 37.Kf1 ) 37...Ba5 38.Rd1 Bc7 39.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 39.Kf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 39...Bxe5 ) 39...f6 40.exf6+ ( 40.Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins immediately.} 40...Rb6 41.exf6+ Rxf6 ( 41...Kxf6 42.Nd7+ ) 42.Rxd4 ) 40...Kxf6 41.Ke2 Bd6 42.Rc1 Ke6 43.Rc8 Rb6 44.Rg8 Kf7 45.Ra8 Ke6 46.Kf3 Kd5 47.Ra5+ Kc4 48.Ke4 {The d-pawn is doomed.} 48...Bb4 49.Rd5 Re6+ 50.Ne5+ Kb3 51.Rxd4 Be1 52.f4 Kxb2 53.Kf3 Kb3 54.Rd7 Bc3 55.Rg7 Bxe5 56.fxe5 Rxe5 57.Rxg6 {The rest is easy: Black's king is too far away, and the h5-pawn will soon fall.} 57...Kc4 58.Rg5 Kd4 59.Kf4 Re4+ 60.Kf5 Re3 61.Kg6 Ke4 62.Kxh5 Kf3 63.g4 Re8 64.Rg7 Kg3 65.Rh7 Re4 66.Ra7 Re8 67.g5 Rh8+ 68.Kg6 Kxh4 69.Ra4+ Kg3 70.Kg7 Rb8 71.g6 Rb7+ 72.Kh6 Ra7 73.Rxa7 1-0

[Event "Pro Chess League Main Event 2023 Week 1"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Pranav, Vijay"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2701"]
[BlackElo "2545"]
[ECO "A45"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[Beauty "7426535332932"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 {The Trompowsky. A few years back it was in the spotlight, with all the top GMs rushing to invent something new in it. Then came the London...} 2...Ne4 3.Bf4 c5 4.f3 Qa5+ 5.c3 Nf6 6.d5 Qb6 7.Bc1 {Yes, this is the main line. And no, White is not setting up the pieces for a new game.} 7...e6 8.e4 exd5 9.exd5 Bd6 ( {Black can also develop more modestly with} 9...Be7 10.c4 d6 11.Bd3 Nbd7 12.f4 O-O 13.Nc3 Re8 14.Nge2 Nf8 {as in Mchedlishvili,M (2600)-Melkumyan,H (2664) Batumi 2018} ) 10.Na3 {Modern strategy in action. On move 10 White is finally developing his knight...on the rim. But, there is a serious reason for White to be capable of playing this way: his super center. Still, Tarrasch might have had hard time analyzing the modern games.} 10...O-O 11.Ne2 ( {Playing for the bishop pair does not make much sense here as White is already severely lagging in development. For instance:} 11.Nc4 Qc7 12.Nxd6 Qxd6 13.c4 b5 14.Nh3 bxc4 15.Bxc4 Ba6 16.Bxa6 Nxa6 17.O-O Qxd5 {had left White pawnless in the recent encounter Fedoseev,V (2701)-Sarana,A (2675) Chess.com INT 2022} ) 11...Re8 {Black's play, on the other hand, is pretty straightforward. [#]} 12.g4 $146 {An active way to develop the kingside.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 12.Nc4 Qc7 ( 12...Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] looks more accurate.} ) 13.Nxd6 ( 13.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] could have fixed an edge for White.} ) 13...Qxd6 14.c4 b5 15.b3 bxc4 16.bxc4 Qe5 17.Bd2 d6 {with a double-edged position in Ovod,E (2380)-Nikolenko,O (2490) Moscow 2017} ) 12...Bf8 13.Nc4 {This is needed, or else White risks to see the game opened.} ( {As in the line} 13.Bg2 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.Nxc4 Qc5 {which is favorable for Black.} ) 13...Qa6 14.Ne3 b5 15.Ng3 {Move 15, and White has only played with the pawns and the knights. This should have been a warning sign for Erigaisi.} ( {Indeed, White's last move was a serious inaccuracy. Instead} 15.Kf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is called for in order to secure the center after} 15...Bb7 16.c4 bxc4 17.Nc3 {when it is anyone's game.} ) 15...Bb7 16.Kf2 Rxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong move $1 For a small chunk of material, Pranav gains control of the center and a clear shot to the enemy king.} ( {The preliminary} 16...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.g5 {and only then} 17...Rxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Bxe3 Nxd5 {would have been an even better version for Black.} ) 17.Bxe3 Nxd5 18.Bc1 ( {Or else White would suffer permanent damage on the dark squares after} 18.Qd2 Nxe3 19.Qxe3 Qb6 ) 18...c4 {Whereas now it is the white king that suffers permanently.} 19.Ne4 Qb6+ 20.Kg2 ( {In case of} 20.Qd4 Qc7 21.Bg2 {Black can proceed as in the game with} 21...Na6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {But it is curious that the machine offers even} 21...Nc6 $3 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 22.Qxd5 Ne5 23.Qd2 d5 {A pure positional rook sacrifice now, and this is clearly in Black's favor $1} ) ) 20...Na6 {Black is calmly finishing the development. The opponent's king has nowhere to hide.} 21.a4 ( 21.Be2 {might have been more stubborn.} ) 21...Nc5 {Consistently clearing the road for the bishops.} 22.Nxc5 Bxc5 23.axb5 Qxb5 ( {Even stronger seems} 23...Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Bxc4 Nf4+ 25.Kf1 d5 26.Bb3 Re8 {with total domination.} ) 24.Qe2 ( {In case of} 24.Ra4 {Black has a pleasant choice between winning a second pawn with} 24...Qxb2+ $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {or playing for the attack with} 24...Nb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.Bxb2 Ne3+ 26.Kg3 Nxd1 ) 24...Qc6 25.Qe4 Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The human decision. The threat is obvious, and it is served with a trap.} ( 25...Qc7 26.Qxc4 Re8 {should be crushing too.} ) 26.g5 ( {The little trap is} 26.Qxc4 Ne3+ $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Bxe3 Qxf3+ {with instant mate.} ) 26...Qd6 27.Kh3 ( {In case of} 27.Qxc4 {Black had prepared} 27...Be3 $3 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ) 27...Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Defending the bishop. The end is near.} 28.Qxc4 ( {The last try is} 28.Bxc4 Nb6 29.Qg4 Nxc4 30.Qxc4 Bxf3 {although here, too, Black should not have any problems converting.} ) 28...Be3 $3 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Without the dark-squared bishop, the defensive task becomes impossible.} 29.Bxe3 Nxe3 30.Qd3 Qf4 31.Be2 Bxf3 32.Rhg1 Be4 33.Qd4 ( {Or} 33.Raf1 Nxf1 34.Rxf1 Qxf1+ 35.Bxf1 Bxd3 ) 33...Re8 {Many roads lead to Rome, and Pranav chooses the most aesthetic, bringing all the pieces in. How can you go wrong with that $2} ( {There are plenty of alternatives, like} 33...Bf5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Bg4 Qxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 34.Bg4 Nxg4 35.Rxg4 Qf3+ 36.Kh4 Qe2 {White is helpless.} 37.h3 Bf5 38.Rf4 g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice little touch. Not only is the bishop defended, but there is also air for the king.} 39.Rxa7 Qh5+ 40.Kg3 Qxh3+ 41.Kf2 Qh2+ 42.Kf3 Qe2+ 43.Kg3 Re3+ 0-1

[Event "Pro Chess League Main Event 2023 Week 1"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Deac, Bogdan Daniel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[ECO "D40"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7354997278729"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "600+2"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 c5 3.Nf3 e6 4.e3 d5 5.d4 a6 {This is a popular move to keep the central tension and avoid a possible development of White's bishop on b5.} ( 5...Nc6 ) 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Bd3 {This is only the fourth-most-played move. The bishop normally goes to e2 or even g2 after 7.g3. Capturing on c5 is also a popular choice.} 7...Nc6 8.O-O {Why is bishop development on d3 not so popular $2 Mainly for two reasons: Black can now play c5-c4 and attack the bishop, or else play the Bg4 with an unpleasant pin.} 8...Bg4 ( 8...Be6 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.b3 O-O 11.Bb2 {This was played in Caruana-Carlsen, Speed Chess Chess.com 2022 (blitz).} ) ( 8...c4 {This move has the clear disadvantage of relieving central tension and giving a free pass so that White can play with e3-e4 soon.} 9.Bc2 ) 9.Be2 {Modern times. White plays Bd3 and returns with the bishop to e2 soon. What's the logic of that $2 Caruana's idea will soon become clear.} 9...Rc8 ( 9...Bd6 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. It turns out that the bishop on g4 also has its problems because after the exchange on e2, White is happy with the pressure on the isolated pawn. This was played in Ivanisevic-Indjic, Bajina Basta 2022. Now Black should have exchanged bishops.} 11...Bxe2 12.Ncxe2 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 O-O 14.b3 {With maybe a tiny advantage for White, although I don't think the position is dangerous for Black.} ) 10.Ne5 {A new move, again trying to exploit the bishop on g4.} ( 10.h3 Be6 11.Bd3 Bd6 ( 11...c4 {Maybe now is the time for this move.} 12.Bc2 Bb4 ) 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.Ne2 O-O 14.b3 Ne4 15.Bb2 {With a slight advantage for White in Gukesh-Carlsson, Stavanger 2021.} ) 10...Be6 ( 10...Bxe2 {Of course, exchanging bishops also deserves consideration.} 11.Qxe2 cxd4 12.exd4 Be7 ( 12...Nxd4 {leads to a complicated game after} 13.Qd1 Bc5 14.Bg5 ) 13.Nxc6 Rxc6 {The computer is not impressed with White's position here.} ) 11.Bf3 ( 11.Nxc6 {This capture looks natural because now Black is forced to capture with the rook.} 11...Rxc6 ( 11...bxc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 12.Bxa6 ) 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.Bf3 O-O {Black has a fine position. The isolated queen's pawn also has its benefits: here Black's pieces enjoy free play.} ) 11...Qc7 ( 11...Bd6 {is more accurate.} 12.Nxc6 bxc6 {with more or less equal play.} ) 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Ne2 ( 13.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more decisive.} 13...cxd4 14.exd5 cxd5 15.Qxd4 Bd6 16.Qa4+ $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Qc6 17.Qxc6+ Rxc6 18.Be3 {with a small advantage for White in the endgame.} ) 13...Bd6 14.h3 cxd4 ( 14...c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is usually a positional mistake because White can break the pawn structure with b2-b3, but here matters are not so clear.} 15.b3 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Surprisingly Black starts an attack on the kingside, and for this reason the move c5-c4 is useful, closing the center. The position becomes very sharp. If White plays} 16.bxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] the attack is very strong after} 16...h5 ) 15.exd4 ( 15.Nxd4 {is a natural recapture.} 15...Bd7 {with an equal position.} ( 15...c5 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 17...dxe4 18.Be2 {with excellent compensation for the pawn, due to the damaged pawn structure.} ) ) 15...O-O 16.Qd3 Qb7 {The computer is not worried about the a6-pawn and suggests sacrificing it.} ( 16...Rce8 $5 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 17.Qxa6 Ne4 {with excellent compensation. Maybe Black will follow up with f7-f5 and even g7-g5 in the future.} ) 17.Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Be7 18.b3 Qb5 19.Qe3 Rfe8 20.Nc3 Qa5 21.Na4 {A useful square for the knight, avoiding the c7-c5 break. They say, \"A knight on the rim is dim,\" but every rule has an exception.} 21...Bf5 22.Qc1 Nd7 ( 22...Ne4 {is more active and looks fine.} ) 23.Re1 Bf6 24.Rxe8+ Rxe8 25.Be3 {Caruana keeps trying to control the c5-break, but it comes anyway.} 25...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 25...Re6 {is also possible, avoiding any complications, but the move played in the game is objectively fine.} ) 26.Nxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent exchange sacrifice.} 26...Nxc5 27.dxc5 Bxa1 28.Qxa1 {As compensation for the exchange, White has a dangerous pawn on c5 and the dark-squared bishop. If he manages to consolidate the position, then Black is in danger.} 28...Be4 29.Bg4 Qb5 ( 29...d4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A computer move that starts an interesting counterplay.} 30.Qxd4 ( 30.Bxd4 Bg6 {is dangerous for White, as the rook invasion on e1 can't be stopped easily, for instance:} 31.Be3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 31...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Bf3 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 30...Qe1+ 31.Kh2 Qf1 32.f3 Bc6 {According to the computer, Black has enough counterplay to equalize. A strange variation and a difficult assessment for a human.} ) 30.Qc3 ( 30.Qd4 ) 30...Qc6 31.Bd4 f6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Now the position becomes dangerous for Black.} ( 31...Qg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} 32.Qg3 {Necessary in order to protect g2.} 32...f5 33.Be2 Qxg3 34.fxg3 Re6 35.Kf2 Bb1 36.a3 Bc2 37.b4 Kf7 {with a balanced endgame.} ) 32.a4 Bg6 33.b4 h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 33...Qxa4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 34.c6 ) ( 33...Re7 {is better, although White has easier play after} 34.Bd1 ) 34.Bd1 Bf7 35.Bc2 {White has managed to stabilize his position and has a comfortable advantage.} 35...Qe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move allows a fatal advance of the white pawns on the queenside.} ( 35...Kf8 ) 36.b5 axb5 37.axb5 Qe1+ 38.Qxe1 Rxe1+ 39.Kh2 Be8 40.c6 {The pawns are unstoppable.} 40...Rc1 41.Bb3 Kf7 42.Bxd5+ Ke7 43.Be3 ( 43.b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is also good.} 43...Kd8 ( 43...Rxc6 44.b7 ) ( 43...Bxc6 44.Bxc6 Rxc6 45.b7 ) 44.b7 Kc7 45.Ba7 Rb1 46.Kg3 {Black is paralyzed.} ) 43...Rc3 ( 43...Kd6 {is the best chance, although the endgame with opposite-colored bishops is winning for White.} 44.Bxc1 Kxd5 45.Ba3 Kc4 46.Bf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...g6 ( 46...Kxb5 47.c7 Bd7 48.Bxg7 Kb6 49.Bxf6 Kxc7 50.Kg3 Kd6 51.Kh4 Be8 52.Kg5 Ke6 53.Bc3 {Followed by the advance of the pawns.} ) 47.Be7 Kxb5 ( 47...f5 {White wins in nice fashion:} 48.Kg3 Kxb5 49.c7 Bd7 50.Kf4 Kc6 51.Bd8 Kb7 52.Kg5 Be8 53.f3 Kc8 54.h4 Kd7 55.Kf6 {Black is in zugzwang.} 55...Kc8 56.Ke7 Bb5 57.Kf7 Bf1 58.Kxg6 Bxg2 59.f4 {And White wins.} ) 48.c7 Bd7 49.Bxf6 {with an easily winning endgame.} ) 44.b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...Rxc6 45.b7 1-0

[Event "The American Cup | Group A 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6872081895945"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c4 {One of many possible variations for White on the Ruy Lopez with an early d3.} 6...Bg4 ( 6...g6 {is the most popular move and, judging by what happened in this game, is the most reliable.} ) 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 Nd7 9.Be3 Be7 10.Nc3 Nf8 {A move that seems quite logical, taking the knight to e6. However, this position is yet another case that when in doubt, castling is best.} ( 10...O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 11.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong new move, almost certainly discovered by Nakamura over the board and not as a result of home preparation. White is ready to play d3-d4 and will get a comfortable advantage.} ( 11.Nd5 Ne6 12.Nb4 Qd7 13.Nxc6 bxc6 {This gave no particular advantage in Bokros-Brunello, Antalya 2017.} ) 11...Ne6 12.d4 exd4 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.Bxd4 O-O 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.Rd1 {White's advantage is not decisive, far from it, but it's the kind of position that grandmasters love. A pressure \"for free\" without risks. The worst that can happen, if Black defends very well, is a draw. Based on this, we can say that the opening was a success for Nakamura. The advantage is due to what will be the main strategic theme throughout the game: pawn structure. For now, White has a space advantage and a more compact structure with only two islands.} 16...Re8 ( 16...Bf6 {This leads to an endgame similar to what we see later.} 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.Qxf6 gxf6 {White has a small advantage.} ) 17.O-O Bf6 {During my analysis I looked for alternatives, but it's very likely that Sevian's move is really the best.} ( 17...Bf8 18.e5 Qd7 {This is also possible, although White keeps the pressure.} ) ( 17...Qc8 18.e5 c5 19.Bc3 Bf8 20.Rfe1 {with a clear positional plus.} ) 18.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] More accurate than the immediate exchange on f6.} ( 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 19.Qxf6 gxf6 {The e4-pawn is threatened, and Black can play Re5 next.} ) 18...Re6 ( 18...Bxd4 {is also possible. It's very hard to evaluate which defensive option is the best.} 19.Rxd4 Re6 20.Rc1 {White is better in this heavy-piece endgame.} ) 19.Bxf6 Qxf6 20.Qxf6 gxf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This one I really don't like, although I'm certainly biased by what will happen later in the game.} ( 20...Rxf6 21.f3 Kf8 {I think this gives better chances of defending, as there are fewer weaknesses.} ) 21.f3 Rb8 22.Rf2 Rb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The situation gets more serious after this mistake. Better chances are given by} ( 22...dxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The structure is not very good looking, I admit, but it's not clear what's the best way for White to exploit it, for instance:} 23.Rc1 Rb5 24.Rc4 Rd6 25.Rfc2 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Kf2 Rd4 27.b3 a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and suddenly Black has some counterplay.} ) 23.Rc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...dxc5 24.Rd7 Rd6 25.Rxc7 {With such a horrible pawn structure, I think it's safe to say that Black is already lost.} 25...c4 26.Kf2 Rb6 27.Ke3 Kg7 28.Ra7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nakamura plays with computer precision. This move enslaves the black rook and guarantees a possible plan with a2-a4.} 28...Rd3+ 29.Kf4 Rd4 30.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There's no reason to rush, as there's no counterplay for Black. Advancing the kingside pawns is a good idea.} 30...Kg6 31.h5+ Kg7 ( 31...Kxh5 32.Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The nicest way to win. The rook goes to g8, and the king is in a mating net.} ( 32.Kf5 {This simple move is also good.} ) ) 32.Ra8 ( 32.h6+ {is also enough for a win.} 32...Kxh6 ( 32...Kg6 33.Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 33.Rxf7 Kg6 34.Ra7 {White's plan is to play g4 followed by Rh2.} ) 32...h6 33.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...c5 34.a5 Rc6 35.Rb8 Kh7 {The rook is ready to go to b6.} 36.Ke3 Kg7 37.Ke2 {The point of this king withdrawal becomes clear in a moment.} 37...Re6 ( 37...f5 {is a desperate attempt to get some counterplay, but it's not enough. White is winning easily after} 38.exf5 Kf6 39.g4 ) 38.g4 Rc6 39.Rd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. White plays without prejudice: the rooks will be exchanged, and this theoretically improves Black's structure, but in chess, calculation takes precedence over aesthetics.} 39...Rc7 40.Rb6 Rcd7 41.Rxd4 cxd4 42.Rxa6 {White wins a pawn, but not only that: the horrible structure on the kingside means the king cannot move. This will be exploited, and Black will soon find himself in zugzwang. This term is very well known in chess and signifies a situation in which every possible move worsens your position. You would prefer to pass, something that is not allowed in chess. I never get tired of admiring the genius of those who create and improve the rules of our beloved game.} 42...Rc7 43.Rd6 Rb7 ( 43...c3 44.bxc3 dxc3 45.Kd1 c2+ 46.Kc1 Ra7 47.a6 Rc7 48.Rd3 Ra7 49.Ra3 {The c2-pawn falls and White wins.} ) 44.Rb6 Rc7 45.a6 c3 46.bxc3 Rxc3 ( 46...dxc3 47.Kd1 ) 47.a7 Ra3 48.Rb7 {That's it: zugzwang is approaching. The king cannot move, either to a check on b8 or because the f7-pawn falls. If the rook leaves the third rank, then White's king advances.} 48...Re3+ 49.Kd2 Ra3 50.Rc7 f5 ( 50...d3 51.Rb7 ) 51.e5 fxg4 52.fxg4 {A game played perfectly by Nakamura that serves as a didactic model for the topic of pawn structure.} 1-0

[Event "The American Cup | Group A 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Robson, Ray"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[Beauty "6739877437449"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Bb4+ 5.Nd2 {This is a more ambitious line than the main move, 5.Bd2.} ( 5.Bd2 ) 5...O-O 6.Nf3 dxc4 {A critical move that fits Robson's aggressive and concrete style. 6...b6 is a more positional choice.} 7.Qc2 ( 7.O-O b5 {This was played in the first game of the match, and Caruana got nothing out of the opening. Of course, he had something prepared for this encounter. We have to admire Robson's courage in repeating the variation without fearing his opponent's preparation, but in retrospect it was a dangerous choice.} ) 7...c5 ( 7...b5 {is dubious now, since Black is unable to keep the pawn structure intact. A recent example followed:} 8.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 8...bxa4 ( 8...c6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 9.axb5 cxb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 10.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The difference is this: the knight can't jump to d5 because of mate.} ) 9.O-O Bb7 10.Nxc4 {White had the advantage in Andreikin-Dardha, Titled Tuesday 2022.} ) ( 7...a5 {is considered the best move. The idea of this strange move is to give extra squares for the rook so Black can play b7-b5 without fear.} 8.a3 Bxd2+ 9.Bxd2 b5 10.a4 Bb7 11.axb5 Qd5 {There are three games by the young German GM Keymer, one of them against Carlsen. Carlsen-Keymer, Julius Baer GenCup (rapid) 2022.} ) 8.O-O {This is a rare move. Caruana's famous home preparation strikes again. This is something I can comment on with knowledge of the facts: in 2010, at the Olympiad, I lost a famous game in which the young Caruana had prepared a beautiful queen sacrifice in his laboratory.} ( 8.dxc5 {This was played previously against Robson.} 8...Nc6 9.O-O e5 10.Ne4 Nxe4 11.Qxe4 Bxc5 12.Ng5 g6 13.Qxc4 Be7 {Black had no problems in van Foreest-Robson, Abu Dhabi 2022.} ) 8...cxd4 ( 8...Bxd2 {is a good move, suggested by the computer. For a human, it seems unnatural to exchange the bishop so quickly.} 9.Qxd2 cxd4 10.Qxd4 Qxd4 11.Nxd4 Rd8 12.Nb5 Nc6 {Despite pressure from the white bishops, Black is still a pawn up and has good chances to equalize the game.} ) 9.Nxc4 Nc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 9...d3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a clever idea: return the pawn, which will fall sooner or later, and make White's pawn structure a little worse.} 10.exd3 Nc6 ) 10.Rd1 {A new and natural move.} ( 10.a3 {was played in Fridman-Gajewski, Wch Blitz Warsaw 2021.} ) 10...Qe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this move, White regains the pawn in an ideal situation.} ( 10...Bc5 {is a better try.} ) 11.a3 Bd6 12.Nxd4 Nxd4 13.Rxd4 {This is the typical nightmare position for Black in the Catalan Opening. The g2-bishop is mortal. In the hands of an elite chess player, it's no exaggeration to say that Black is already strategically lost.} 13...Bc7 14.Rd1 {A good and safe move: the rook returns and the bishop is ready to be developed on d2. The computer shows a brilliant idea:} ( 14.Bd2 a5 {Necessary in order to avoid 15.Bb4.} 15.Nxa5 $3 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A fantastic resource.} 15...Bxa5 ( 15...Rxa5 16.Bb4 {wins material.} ) 16.Ra4 {Surprisingly, the bishop on a5 will be captured, and White will be left a pawn up.} ) 14...Rb8 $6 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 14...Bd7 {It's better to sacrifice material straight away. If White captures on b7, at least there will be some active play on the b- and c-files.} ) 15.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15...Rd8 16.Bb4 Qe8 17.Nd6 Bxd6 18.Bxd6 {A textbook example of the strength of the bishop pair.} 18...Ra8 19.Bc7 Rd7 20.Rxd7 Nxd7 21.Rd1 {Black's queenside is paralyzed.} 21...a5 22.Qb3 h6 23.Qb5 {Caruana brings the queen closer to the action and is not ready to collect material.} 23...a4 24.Rd4 Qe7 25.Bxb7 {The rest is simple. Robson tries some desperate resistance; after all, this is a rapid game, and a loss means elimination.} 25...e5 26.Bxe5 Ra7 27.Bxc8 Nxe5 28.Re4 f6 29.Rxa4 Rc7 30.Bf5 g6 31.Ra8+ Kh7 32.Qb8 Qg7 33.Be6 h5 34.b4 f5 35.b5 h4 36.gxh4 Kh6 37.Qh8+ {It's always a relief when you have a material advantage and the queens are exchanged.} 37...Qxh8 38.Rxh8+ Kg7 39.Rc8 Rb7 40.a4 Kf6 41.Bd5 Rd7 42.Rc5 Ke7 43.b6 Kd6 44.Rb5 Rh7 45.a5 Nd7 46.Bf3 Nb8 47.Rd5+ Ke7 48.Rd4 Rh8 49.Kg2 Ke6 50.e3 Ke5 51.Bb7 f4 52.a6 fxe3 53.fxe3 Nxa6 54.Bxa6 1-0

[Event "The American Cup | Group A 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.19"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7355399945818"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 Bc5 6.c3 b5 7.Bb3 ( 7.Bc2 {Returning the bishop to this square is also possible. In this case, Black usually takes the opportunity to play in the center.} 7...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 7...d6 8.Bg5 {This is a treacherous move. White invites the opponent to play the classic plan with h6-g5, leading to a sharp position.} 8...h6 9.Bh4 Bd7 {A rare choice. Two of the best chess players in the world decided to move the dark-squared bishop in this position, but they played it on different squares.} ( 9...Bb6 {This was Carlsen's choice, but he was worse after} 10.a4 Rb8 11.axb5 axb5 12.Na3 g5 13.Bg3 Na5 14.Bc2 b4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 15.cxb4 Nc6 16.Ba4 {Praggnanandhaa-Carlsen, Chessable Masters 2022.} ) ( 9...Ba7 {This was played in the Candidates Tournament.} 10.O-O Na5 11.Bc2 c5 12.Nbd2 g5 13.Bg3 Nh5 {with a complicated position that resulted in an important win for Black in Rapport-Ding, Candidates Tournament Madrid 2022.} ) 10.Nbd2 Qe7 11.O-O ( 11.Nf1 {was the choice of a big expert in the Spanish Opening. After} 11...g5 12.Bg3 Nh5 13.Ne3 Bxe3 14.fxe3 Nxg3 15.hxg3 Na5 16.Bc2 c5 17.Qd2 {The position was even in Adams-Anton Guijarro, Heraklion 2017.} ) 11...g5 12.Bg3 Bb6 {A new move, although the bishop retreat is necessary sooner or later.} ( 12...O-O 13.Re1 Bb6 14.d4 {was played in Sirosh-Sinitsina, Viljandi Raud Memorial 2022.} ) 13.a4 {A typical move in the Spanish, opening the a-file.} 13...Rb8 14.axb5 axb5 15.Re1 {These positions are difficult to play for both sides. Here, for example, Black has a dilemma: should he advance the kingside or castle $2 Apparently we have yet another case of the \"when in doubt, just castle\" principle.} 15...h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15...Nh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a blunder:} 16.Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 15...O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.d4 {with a double-edged position.} ( 16.Nf1 {is also possible.} ) ) 16.h4 g4 17.Nh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right square. Sometimes you have to go back before going forward.} ( 17.Ng5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The knight is not very safe on this square. There is always the possibility of Black moving the knight from f6 and placing a pawn on that square, fatally attacking the adventurous white knight. However, patience is necessary: attempting to hastily apply the plan of attack to the knight can have serious consequences. Let's see:} 17...Nd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17...O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best, with a good position for Black.} ) 18.d4 Ng8 19.Nf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...f6 20.Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...fxg5 21.Nf5 {White gets monstrous compensation for the lost piece.} 21...Qf6 22.dxe5 dxe5 23.hxg5 Qxg5 24.Bh4 Qg6 25.Qd5 ) 17...Nh7 $6 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17...Be6 {is better, with only a small advantage for White after} 18.Nhf1 O-O 19.Ne3 Qd7 ) 18.Nhf1 Nf8 19.Ne3 Bxe3 20.fxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Reinforcing the center and opening the f-column.} 20...Ng6 21.Rf1 Be6 ( 21...O-O $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22.Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a beautiful and didactic exchange sacrifice.} 22...Bxf5 23.exf5 Nh8 ( 23...Nxh4 24.Qf1 {Black's knight is trapped.} ) 24.Ne4 {With a winning position for White. The knight on h8 is depressing.} ) 22.Bd5 ( 22.Bxe6 {This move leads to a big advantage without much trouble.} 22...Qxe6 ( 22...fxe6 23.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's king has no safe place to hide.} ) 23.d4 ) 22...Nd8 23.Ra7 $5 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Starting a very creative idea. Aronian is one of my favorite chess players; he has very deep strategic ideas.} ( 23.d4 c6 24.Bb3 $16 ) 23...Nxh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Sevian rightly accepts the complications.} ( 23...O-O 24.Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] We already know this idea.} 24...Bxf5 25.exf5 Nxh4 ( 25...Nh8 26.Ne4 ) 26.Qf1 {with a winning position.} ) 24.Rxc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A beautiful tribute to Tigran Petrosian, the king of the exchange sacrifice.} 24...Nf3+ ( 24...Qxc7 {Taking the rook immediately is also possible. White has good compensation, but the game remains complicated.} 25.Bxh4 Rh6 26.d4 ) 25.Nxf3 Qxc7 26.Nh4 {White doesn't have even a pawn for the exchange, but his pieces are well placed, and the black king is in danger. It is worth noting the weakness of the dark squares.} 26...Nc6 27.Nf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] There are better alternatives. Both 27.Rf6 and 27.d4 are very promising.} ( 27.Rf6 Bxd5 28.exd5 Ne7 29.e4 {with excellent compensation.} ) ( 27.d4 ) 27...Bxf5 ( 27...Bxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is the wrong piece to capture.} 28.exd5 Ne7 29.Ng7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Kd7 ( 29...Kf8 30.Ne6+ ) 30.Rxf7 {with a decisive attack.} ) 28.Rxf5 h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another accurate move.} ( 28...Rh7 29.Qf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...h4 30.Bxh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This leads to a pretty win.} 30...Rxh4 31.Rxf7 Ne7 32.Be6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Rh8 33.Qf6 Rg8 34.Rh7 Rf8 35.Qg7 {Despite having an extra rook, Black cannot avoid the threat of 36.Rh8.} ) 29.Rxf7 $6 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 29.Be1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more precise. White still has a dangerous initiative after} 29...g3 30.Qg4 ) 29...Qxf7 30.Bxf7+ Kxf7 31.Be1 h3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Sevian advances the wrong pawn, and now his position becomes not defendable.} ( 31...g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is not worse after this move. White's king is also not very safe now, and a draw is the most likely result. A possible variation is:} 32.Qb3+ Ke7 33.d4 Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Qxb5 Ra1 {with adequate counterplay.} ) 32.Bg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's king is well protected now, and the bishop becomes active, especially after the move d3-d4. Black's king and pawns, on the other hand, are vulnerable.} ( 32.Qxg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32...Rbg8 ) 32...Ne7 33.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...hxg2 34.Kxg2 Rh5 35.Qb3+ Kf6 36.c4 {Black's position breaks into pieces.} 36...Ng6 37.Qb4 Ke6 38.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...exd4 39.Qb3+ Kf6 40.exd4 Re8 41.cxd6 Rxe4 42.Qc2 Nf4+ 43.Bxf4 Rxf4 44.d7 Rh8 45.Qc8 1-0

[Event "The American Cup | Group A 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[ECO "B32"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "7010195873296"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 {A risky variation that shows that Nakamura was willing to play for the win with Black. This choice certainly surprised his opponent, who was probably expecting the Berlin.} 5.Nb5 d6 6.N1c3 ( 6.c4 {is a more positional choice.} ) 6...a6 7.Na3 Be6 ( 7...Be7 {In the only Nakamura game I found in this line, this is the move played.} 8.Nc4 b5 9.Ne3 {Neeloptal-Nakamura, Isle of Man 2017.} ) 8.Nc4 Rb8 {This mysterious move is a specialty of GM Maghsoodloo. I won't pretend to understand the idea. Let's say it's a kind of super protection to play b7-b5 at some point.} 9.Nd5 Bxd5 10.exd5 Nce7 11.g3 ( 11.g4 {During the interview, Nakamura commented that this is the computer's suggestion and that it's the best move. I agree with him that it's impossible for a human to play like this without knowing the move beforehand. In my case, I wouldn't play this even knowing it's the computer's recommendation $1 But a braver player tried it ... and lost. Garrido Outon-Lobanov, Vrnjacka Banja 2023.} ) 11...b5 12.Ne3 g6 13.a4 Nf6 ( 13...Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} ) 14.axb5 ( 14.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It seems this is the best move for White to fight for an advantage. The bishop is still useful on f1, pointing to the queenside.} ) 14...axb5 15.Bg2 Bh6 16.O-O O-O 17.Qd3 Nd7 {With the knight going to c5 and the pawns on the kingside ready to roll, Black has a fine position.} 18.Bd2 Nc5 ( 18...f5 {The immediate advance is also possible.} ) 19.Qe2 Qc7 ( 19...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move secures the c5-square for the knight.} ) 20.b4 {A natural move, but placing the bishop on this square is also interesting.} ( 20.Bb4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] White's idea is to play 21.Ra5 and attack the b5-pawn or double the rooks on the a-file.} ) 20...Nd7 21.Ra5 Bxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very difficult move to make; after all, exchanging this dark-squared bishop is a pain in the chest. Now we have a nice fight between a pair of bishops and a pair of knights. The capture is necessary for the black knights to start jumping.} 22.Bxe3 Nf5 {This is the point.} 23.Ra7 ( 23.Rxb5 {Nakamura mentioned that he expected this move. I think he has more compensation than he believed after} 23...Nxe3 24.fxe3 Nb6 {If Black manages to play f5-e4, the bishop is shut out from the game and White's pawns are weak.} ) 23...Rb7 24.Rxb7 Qxb7 25.Bd2 Ra8 26.Qd3 Ra2 27.Rd1 Nf6 28.Bg5 Kg7 29.Bh3 {Both players demonstrate their high class. The position remains balanced.} 29...Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nakamura takes his knight on a strange journey.} ( 29...Ne7 {is worse, although the computer is not afraid to dance with the king after} 30.Bxf6+ Kxf6 31.f4 Qa7+ 32.Kh1 exf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Qc3+ Kg5 ) 30.c3 Nc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight appears to be in danger, but it prepares to go to c4. Another route is also possible, as we will see shortly.} 31.Qf3 ( 31.Rd2 {White's best option is to repeat moves with this move, but the position is difficult to assess, and perhaps Dominguez Perez was playing to win.} 31...Ra1+ 32.Rd1 Ra2 ( 32...Rxd1+ {is also possible.} 33.Qxd1 Na3 34.Qc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...Nc4 35.Bh6+ Kg8 36.Qg5 Qe7 {with an equal position.} ) 33.Rd2 ) 31...Ng8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Remember this move.} 32.Bf1 Ra3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Instead of taking the knight to c4, Nakamura decides to create the tactical threat of capturing on b4. His pieces are clumsy on the queenside, but his calculation skill is so great that everything works.} ( 32...Na3 ) 33.Bc1 ( 33.Qd3 {leads to an equal position.} 33...Nxb4 34.Qb1 Na6 35.Qb2 Ra5 36.Bd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the detail: the b5-pawn falls.} 36...Ra4 37.Qxb5 Qxb5 38.Bxb5 Ra2 {with a likely draw.} ) 33...Rb3 34.Qe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White's problems will begin now.} ( 34.Qd3 {There's a nice drawing line here:} 34...Nxb4 35.Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Na6 36.Qc2 Nc5 37.Be3 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.cxb4 ( 38.Bxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 38...Rxc3 ) 38...Rxb4 ( 38...Qxb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 39.Bxc5 dxc5 40.d6 ) 39.Bxc5 dxc5 40.Qxc5 Qb6 41.Qxb6 Rxb6 42.d6 Rb8 {The game should end in a draw.} ) 34...Rxc3 35.Bb2 Nf6 36.Qh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 36.Qe2 {is better.} ) 36...Rb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 36...Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a beautiful victory. Black has the tactical theme of sacrificing the rook on f2 or winning the white queen with Rf5-h5.} 37.Be2 ( 37.Rd2 Rf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 38.Rxc2 Rh5 {The queen is trapped.} ) ( 37.Bg2 Rxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Kxf2 Qa7+ 39.Ke2 Qa2 {with a winning attack.} ) 37...Rxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Kxf2 Qa7+ 39.Kg2 Ne3+ 40.Kf3 Nxd1 41.Bxd1 Qg1 {There's no defense against the attack. That's why they say a queen and knight work so well $1} ) 37.Bc1 Ng8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again the Ng8 move. Black's king is well protected.} 38.Qd8 Qe7 39.Qa5 ( 39.Bg5 Qxd8 40.Bxd8 Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41.Bxb5 Rxb4 {Black is a pawn up and has excellent winning chances.} ) 39...Nd4 40.Be3 Nf3+ 41.Kg2 Qf6 42.Be2 e4 43.Qxb5 Qb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 43...Rxe3 $3 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This wins nicely after} 44.fxe3 Nh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] They say a queen and knight are dangerous; now imagine if there are two knights on the attack $1 No wonder White has no way out. Giving back material brings no relief:} 45.Rf1 Ng4 46.Rxf3 exf3+ 47.Bxf3 Nxe3+ 48.Kf2 Qd4 {with a winning position.} ) 44.Qa6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 44.Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives excellent saving chances.} 44...Rxb4 ( 44...Nd4 45.Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45...Qxd4 46.Bxd6 {and anything can happen.} ) 45.Qa6 Rb6 46.Qc4 ) 44...Nf6 45.h3 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn goes to h4, helping the attack.} 46.Kf1 Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47.Kg2 Rxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice finish.} 48.fxe3 h4 49.gxh4 ( 49.Bxf3 Qxg3+ 50.Kf1 exf3 {wins easily.} ) 49...Qh2+ ( 49...Qh2+ 50.Kf1 Qg1# ) 0-1

[Event "The American Cup | Group A 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.21"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "A14"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[Beauty "8249558440997"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.d3 {A rare move, although later, the game will transpose to a better-known position.} 4...Be7 ( 4...dxc4 {is a typical move. The game is even after} 5.Qa4+ Bd7 6.Qxc4 c5 7.Ne5 Nc6 8.Nxd7 Qxd7 9.Bg2 ) 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O c5 7.Ne5 {Another rare move.} ( 7.cxd5 exd5 8.d4 {Interestingly, White will have a version of the Tarrasch Defense a tempo down, so I suppose Black gets a good game here.} ) 7...Qc7 8.f4 Nbd7 ( 8...Rd8 {was played in Makarian-Lazavik, Titled Tuesday 2023.} ) 9.Nxd7 Bxd7 10.e4 dxe4 11.dxe4 Bc6 12.Nc3 a6 13.Qe2 Rfd8 ( 13...b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's natural to go for this kind of counterplay immediately. Accepting the pawn is not good for White.} 14.e5 ( 14.cxb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14...axb5 15.Nxb5 Bxb5 16.Qxb5 c4 {The white queen is uncomfortable on b5.} ) 14...Bxg2 15.Kxg2 Nd7 16.cxb5 axb5 17.Nxb5 Qc6+ {Black seems to get decent counterplay for the pawn. It looks better than the Benko Gambit.} ) 14.g4 ( 14.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, avoiding b7-b5.} ) 14...h6 ( 14...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again this looks like the best chance for counterplay.} 15.g5 Nd7 16.cxb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16...axb5 17.Nxb5 Bxb5 18.Qxb5 c4 {with excellent compensation.} ) 15.h4 ( 15.g5 {Is possible. The game is unclear after} 15...hxg5 16.fxg5 Nh7 ) 15...h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a typical device in the Sicilian Defense when White starts advancing the kingside pawns. But usually, the rook is still on h8 when this is played so that the pawn can be recaptured. A very creative idea by Aronian.} 16.gxh5 ( 16.g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16...Ng4 ) 16...b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16...Kh8 $5 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The computer suggests this subtle idea so that the knight can go back to g8. It's impossible to think about such details in a blitz game.} 17.e5 Ng8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. The knight can go to h6 and then f5.} ) 17.h6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to play. White's knight can go to e4 now, while its counterpart is forced to move into a passive position.} 17...Ne8 18.h6 {with a much better version of the game.} ) 17...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the knight has to go back.} 18.Nd1 g6 19.Bf3 Kh7 20.Nf2 Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent pawn sacrifice.} 21.Bxh5 gxh5 22.Qxh5 Rg8+ 23.Kh2 Rg6 {Black has a promising position, with the light-squared bishop playing an important role. White's king is in danger.} 24.Be3 Rf8 {Defending the f7-pawn so that the h6-pawn can be captured.} 25.Qf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 25.Rg1 {Is necessary, although not pretty.} 25...Rxh6 26.Qe5 Rxh4+ 27.Kg3 {Black's position is better, but White fights for equality. Not a good prospect since Caruana had to win the game.} ) 25...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.h5 Rxh6 27.Rg1 Be8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The h5-pawn falls, and Black is winning.} 28.Rg3 Bxh5 0-1

[Event "The American Cup | Group A 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.22"]
[Round "13"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[Beauty "8248216265737"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e5 {This is only the ninth most popular choice for Black against the Rossolimo.} 4.O-O Bd6 5.c3 a6 6.Ba4 b5 7.Bb3 c4 8.Bc2 Nf6 9.d4 cxd3 10.Qxd3 Be7 ( 10...Bc7 {is also possible. A recent game followed:} 11.Rd1 O-O 12.Bg5 {Brkic-Dardha, Neum 2022.} ) 11.Rd1 d6 12.Bg5 Nh5 {The players are following their own theory. All of this had been tried in the first tiebreak game. It's worth mentioning that So has an opening course in which he recommends the Rossolimo. The move 12...Nh5 is not mentioned in the course; only 12...0-0 is analyzed.} 13.Be3 ( 13.Bxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was played in the first game of the rapid tiebreak. Despite having lost the game, So had some advantage in the opening.} 13...Kxe7 14.a4 Rb8 15.axb5 axb5 16.Na3 ( 16.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate with advantage for White.} ) 16...Nf4 {So-Nakamura, American Cup 2023.} ) 13...O-O 14.Nbd2 ( 14.a4 {is also very logical, opening the game on the queenside.} ) 14...Rb8 15.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The idea is to play a4 without Black being able to respond with b4.} 15...Kh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nakamura prepares his counterplay with the move f7-f5.} 16.Bb3 ( 16.a4 {is not convincing, since Black is coming fast on the kingside.} 16...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 16...Qc7 ( 16...f5 {is not enough to equalize after} 17.exf5 Bxf5 18.Qd5 Qd7 19.Ne4 Bxe4 20.Qxe4 Nf6 21.Qc2 {The pair of bishops guarantees some advantage for White.} ) 17.Nf1 $6 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better attempt to play for the advantage, since Black's counterplay is slowed down.} ) 17...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Ng3 fxe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 18...Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best, but it's a very difficult move for a blitz game. The point is:} 19.exf5 ( 19.Nxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses a piece after} 19...Bxf5 20.exf5 e4 ) 19...e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Nxe4 Bxf5 21.Bd5 Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has very good counterplay due to the pin on the e4-knight.} ) 19.Qxe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19.Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to get an advantage.} 19...Bf5 20.Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has the advantage since the queen on d5 cannot be attacked and his pawn structure is better.} ) 19...Nf6 20.Qd3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20.Qc2 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives Black good play since White cannot capture the pawn.} 21.Bxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21...Nxd5 22.Rxd5 Nxb4 ) ( 20.Qb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, as 20...d5 is not good anymore. Needless to say, who is going to play such a move in a blitz game $2} ) 20...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Qe2 {Although Black has a good position, nothing too serious is happening to White.} ( 21.Bxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad due to the pin:} 21...Rd8 ) 21...e4 22.Nd4 Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.f3 exf3 24.gxf3 Bh3 25.Nxc6 Qxc6 26.Bd4 Rbe8 {The position is more or less equal, but now So blunders.} 27.Re1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This simply loses a pawn.} ( 27.Qd2 {is necessary.} ) 27...Bxb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Qd3 Bc5 29.Kh1 Bxd4 30.Qxd4 Qc7 31.Qh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Another blunder, this time in a difficult position.} 31...Rxe1+ 32.Rxe1 Qxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A second pawn falls, and both the rook and the f-pawn are attacked.} 0-1

[Event "The American Cup | Group A 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.23"]
[Round "16"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[Beauty "4403436209183"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.e3 Be7 6.b3 O-O 7.Bb2 b6 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.Qc2 {So has experience in this position, as he has played it three times previously. The last time was in 2015 in a game that ended in defeat. His opponent chose the more common 9...c5.} 9...h6 {A rare move. Aronian, as usual, has his own creative ideas. The plan is to be able to capture with the knight after a pawn exchange on d5. This will not work well in the game.} ( 9...c5 10.cxd5 exd5 11.O-O {was So-Naiditsch, Dortmund 2015.} ) 10.Rd1 c5 11.cxd5 Nxd5 {This is the point.} 12.Nxd5 Bxd5 13.dxc5 Bxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 13...bxc5 {This capture is probably better, although White keeps a small edge due to the better pawn structure.} ) 14.O-O $6 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 14.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, since the bishop cannot go to b7 now.} 14...Bc6 ( 14...Bb7 15.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 15.O-O {With advantage for White because the bishop on c6 is misplaced.} ) 14...Qe7 15.Bh7+ ( 15.e4 Bb7 16.Bb5 {This is harmless now, since the knight is not pinned.} 16...Nf6 ) 15...Kh8 16.Be4 Bxe4 17.Qxe4 a5 18.Qf4 {Threatening 19.Qxh6+.} 18...Kh7 19.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A lovely move that will work as a charm. Pawn advances in front of the king are difficult to evaluate: they usually work very well in elite player games and very poorly in amateur games. The plan is to keep advancing the g-pawn, and surprisingly a strong attack is initiated.} 19...Nf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This adds fuel to the fire.} ( 19...f6 {is better, as the weaknesses on the light squares are not so dangerous after} 20.Qe4+ Kg8 ) 20.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...hxg5 21.Nxg5+ Kg8 22.Kh1 {White has a very strong attack using the g- and h-files.} ( 22.Qh4 {is also very tempting.} ) 22...Rfd8 ( 22...Rad8 {is a better move, as the rook is useful on f8 after} 23.Rxd8 Qxd8 24.Rg1 Be7 {White has a clear advantage anyway, but Black is not losing.} ) 23.Rxd8+ Qxd8 24.Rg1 Be7 25.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the absence of the rook on f8 is felt: the f7-pawn is weak.} 25...Qe8 26.Qh4 ( 26.Nf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also winning:} 26...Qd8 ( 26...Nh5 27.Qh6 f6 28.Rg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Qb5 29.e5 Qf1+ 30.Ng1 Qxf2 31.exf6 Bxf6 32.Bxf6 {Black loses material.} ) 27.Qh6 g6 28.Ne5 {with a very strong attack.} ) 26...Qc6 27.f3 {Preparing 28.e5.} ( 27.Rg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better. The threat is 28.Rh3 and mate on the h-file.} ) 27...e5 {Desperation.} ( 27...Qc2 {loses after} 28.Bxf6 Bxf6 29.Qh7+ Kf8 30.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White wins a piece after} 30...Qxh7 31.Nxh7+ Ke7 32.exf6+ ) 28.Bxe5 Ra7 {Aronian had a few seconds left, while So had more or less four minutes. The fact that Black doesn't lose this position redefines the concept of \"miraculous escape.\"} 29.Bxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This eases Black's task.} ( 29.Bb2 {is easily winning with the threat of 30.e5. A possible continuation is} 29...Qc2 30.Bxf6 Bxf6 31.Qh7+ Kf8 32.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] winning a piece.} ) 29...Bxf6 30.Qh7+ Kf8 31.Qf5 Bxg5 ( 31...Kg8 {is the computer suggestion. Apparently the position is equal.} ) 32.Qxg5 f6 33.Qh5 Kg8 34.Rd1 Ra8 {The worst is over for Black, but with little time on the clock and a pawn down, some danger persists.} 35.h4 Qe6 ( 35...Rc8 ) 36.Kg2 Rc8 37.Kg3 Qe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 37...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. A draw is in sight in the rook endgame after} 38.Qxf5 ( 38.exf5 Qe2 {with counterplay.} ) 38...Qxf5 39.exf5 Rc2 40.Rd6 Rxa2 41.Rxb6 Kf7 ) 38.Qd5+ Kh8 39.Qd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 39.Kg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} ) 39...Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.Qxb6 Qe5+ 41.Kh3 Rc3 42.Kg4 Rc2 43.Qd8+ Kh7 44.Rd2 Qe6+ 45.Kg3 Qe5+ 46.Kh3 Rc3 47.Kg2 Qf4 48.Rf2 Rc5 ( 48...Qxh4 {is better with enough counterplay for a draw.} ) 49.Qd7 Qxh4 50.Qh3 Qxh3+ 51.Kxh3 {We all know that rook endgames are extremely difficult. Both players had less than a minute in this position, which complicates things even further. Objectively Black should be able to get a draw, but we have many adventures ahead. A very important factor when evaluating these endgames is the activity of the rooks. Here the black rook is active enough.} 51...g5 52.Rd2 a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53.bxa4 Rc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 53...Kg6 {is necessary. If White tries to defend the pawns with} 54.Rd3 Ra5 55.Ra3 {then his rook has no squares.} 55...f5 56.exf5+ Kxf5 57.Kg3 Kf6 {White can't make progress.} ) 54.Rd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 54.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] \"Passed pawns must be pushed.\" I love aphorisms after the computer shows me the right move.} 54...Ra4 55.Rd6 Kg7 56.a6 Rxa2 57.Kg4 {This position will occur in the game.} ) 54...Kg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 54...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 55.exf5 Rxa4 {This is enough for a draw.} ) 55.a5 Ra4 56.a6 Rxa2 57.Kg4 Ra5 58.Kh5 {The king invades the black position; White has a decisive advantage.} 58...Kf7 59.Rb6 Ra4 60.Rb7+ Ke6 61.a7 Ke5 62.Re7+ $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A costly blunder with seconds on the clock.} ( 62.Kg6 {wins after} 62...Kf4 63.Kxf6 Kxf3 64.e5 g4 65.e6 g3 66.e7 g2 67.Rb1 ) 62...Kf4 {Now Black is in time.} 63.Rf7 ( 63.Kg6 Kxf3 64.Kxf6 g4 ) 63...Kxf3 64.e5 Ke4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 65.exf6 Kf5 66.Kh6 g4 67.Kg7 g3 68.Rb7 g2 69.Rb1 Rxa7+ 70.f7 Kf4 71.Kg8 Ra8+ 72.f8=R+ Rxf8+ 73.Kxf8 Kg3 74.Ra1 Kh2 75.Ra2 Kh1 76.Rxg2 Kxg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "The American Cup | Group A 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.25"]
[Round "17"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[Beauty "6050266744362"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O Nd4 6.Nxd4 Bxd4 7.c3 Bb6 8.Na3 c6 9.Ba4 d6 10.Bc2 {So has experience in that position with both colors, but the Berlin is tough to break, and he won't achieve much in the opening.} 10...Be6 ( 10...O-O 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bh4 g5 13.Bg3 Bg4 14.Qd2 Nh5 15.Nc4 Be6 16.Rad1 Kg7 17.Qe2 Nxg3 18.hxg3 {with a complicated middlegame in So-Navara, St. Louis (rapid) 2019.} ) 11.Qe2 h6 $5 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Avoiding the pin with Bg5.} 12.Nc4 {This natural move is a novelty.} ( 12.Kh1 $6 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is inaccurate and was played by Caruana against So. This error could have been immediately exploited with the knight's leap to g4.} 12...Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 12...g5 {was played in the game. To be honest, Black also had a fine position after} 13.Nc4 Bc7 14.Ne3 d5 {Caruana-So, Stavanger 2018.} ) 13.h3 ( 13.f3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] falls into a typical trap:} 13...Nxh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.Kxh2 Qh4# ) 13...Qh4 {Black has a clear initiative.} ) 12...Bc7 13.f4 exf4 14.Bxf4 Bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Clearly the best move, as Black disrupts White's pawn structure.} 15.dxc4 Qe7 {Considering that soon Black will have an excellent position, it's time for the opening experts to start looking for an improvement.} 16.Rad1 ( 16.c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an option.} 16...O-O-O ( 16...dxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17.Bxc7 Qxc7 18.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White gets a dangerous attack.} ) 17.cxd6 Bxd6 18.e5 Bc7 19.Bg3 {The position has opened up for the bishops, but the pawn on e5 is isolated. I don't know if White has much, but this looks better than what we'll see in the game.} ) 16...O-O-O 17.Kh1 Rhe8 18.Rfe1 Kb8 {Here and in the next moves, taking the knight to e5 is also a position with comfortable play.} ( 18...Nd7 ) 19.Qf3 g5 ( 19...Nd7 ) 20.Bg3 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Qf5 h4 ( 21...Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives a clear advantage to Black.} 22.h3 h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Bxh4 ( 23.Qxg4 hxg3 24.Qxg3 d5 {with a strong attack on the dark squares.} ) 23...gxh4 24.Qxg4 d5 {Black has a strong attack in this position of opposite-colored bishops.} ) 22.Bf2 Nh5 23.Kg1 f6 24.b4 {White's plan is to create a queenside attack.} 24...Nf4 25.Bd4 Rf8 26.a4 {The worst is over for White. The computer indicates equality, but in practice his position is already easier to play.} 26...Qf7 27.Bb3 Rde8 28.a5 Ne6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a blunder.} ( 28...a6 ) ( 28...Re7 ) 29.Be3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] So misses his chance.} ( 29.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is very strong, opening the position for the bishops. The point is that capturing the bishop loses material.} 29...Nxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30.Bxf7 Nxf5 31.Bxe8 ) 29...Nf4 30.Bd4 a6 31.Rd2 Ka8 {With a complex position, both strategically and tactically, and with both players short on the clock, the game becomes chaotic. I feel a little embarrassed having to criticize moves in this situation, but it's my duty as an analyst to show the readers the mistakes.} 32.Ba2 $6 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The idea is to protect the bishop and prepare c4-c5, but this is not dangerous.} 32...Qe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 32...Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Followed by Qe8, pressures the e4-pawn and also guards the b5-square.} 33.c5 {is not so good after} 33...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] For instance:} 34.Rf1 Qe8 35.exd5 Re2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the initiative.} ) 33.Bb3 Rd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 34.Rdd1 Bb8 $6 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move releases the pressure on the a-pawn and helps White.} ( 34...Rde8 ) 35.b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Ba7 36.Ba4 ( 36.bxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...bxc6 37.Ba4 {White has some advantage since the black king is not safe.} ) 36...Bxd4+ 37.cxd4 cxb5 38.cxb5 Rc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 38...Qf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to fight. The point is that White cannot capture on a6, since he loses material after:} 39.bxa6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 39...Qa2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.axb7+ Kb8 {Both the bishop and mate on g2 are threatened.} ) 39.bxa6 bxa6 40.Rb1 {The attack is too strong now.} 40...Rb8 41.Rb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 41.Bc6+ Ka7 42.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White wins in all variations.} 42...dxe5 ( 42...fxe5 43.Rxb8 Rxb8 ( 43...Rxf5 44.Ra8# {There's no such thing as an \"ugly checkmate,\" but this one is nicer than usual.} ) ( 43...Kxb8 44.Rb1+ Kc7 ( 44...Ka7 45.Qxf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45...Qxf8 46.Rb7+ Ka8 47.Rf7+ {The windmill strikes again.} ) 45.Qc2 {with a decisive attack.} ) 44.dxe5 dxe5 45.Rxe5 Qc7 46.Qe4 {Black's king will soon perish.} ) 43.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening d6 at some point. The position is worse than it looks for Black. The machine claims White is winning.} ) 41...Rxb6 42.axb6 Kb8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 42...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way to keep fighting, since the queen cannot go to the queenside.} ) 43.Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43...Qb7 44.Bd1 $6 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 44.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...Qc8 45.Bc6 Qg4 46.Qd2 {The monster bishop on c6 decides the game.} ) 44...h3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 44...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance. The position remains chaotic.} ) 45.g3 Ng2 46.Re2 {Surprisingly, the g2-knight is the piece that seals Black's fate.} 46...Rc8 47.Bb3 Rc1+ 48.Kf2 Rb1 49.Bd5 ( 49.Be6 {is also winning.} ) 49...Qxb6 50.Qxb6+ Rxb6 51.Be6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The h3-pawn falls, and the knight is trapped. White is winning.} 51...f5 52.Bxf5 ( 52.exf5 {is even easier.} ) 52...Rb3 53.Be6 ( 53.e5 {is also winning.} ) 53...Rc3 54.Bxh3 Nf4 {This is Nakamura's trick to save the knight, but it's not enough.} 55.gxf4 Rxh3 56.Kg2 ( 56.fxg5 Rxh2+ 57.Kf3 {This is also easily winning.} ) 56...Rh4 57.fxg5 Rg4+ 58.Kf3 Rxg5 59.h4 {The h-pawn decides the game.} 59...Rg8 60.h5 Kc7 61.h6 Kd7 62.h7 Rh8 63.Rh2 Ke7 64.Rh5 Kf7 65.Rh6 d5 66.Rxa6 1-0

[Event "The American Cup | Group B 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.03.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Krush, Irina"]
[Black "Lee, Alice"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2432"]
[BlackElo "2362"]
[ECO "A22"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7149799344730"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A very interesting gambit that is popular among the chess elite these days.} 4.Ng5 c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 4...b5 {In the past, the b-pawn was sacrificed with this move with the idea of defending the center pawn, which is theoretically more important. The computer, however, modernizes the variation by prioritizing development, not the quality of the pawn.} ) 5.Ngxe4 Nxe4 6.Nxe4 d5 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.Ng3 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is one of the ideas: the knight is chased.} 9.e3 {Necessary to release the e2-square for the knight.} 9...h4 10.Bb5+ $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Krush was probably surprised in the opening, and now she makes a natural move, developing the bishop before putting the knight on e2. This move, however, is imprecise: the bishop needs to help the white king.} ( 10.Ne2 {is more popular and better.} ) 10...Nc6 11.Ne2 Bd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A natural development move but a little slow for what the position asks for.} ( 11...h3 12.g3 a6 13.Bxc6+ bxc6 14.Qa4 Qf6 15.Qf4 Qe6 16.Nd4 Qg6 {Black had excellent compensation in Nyzhnyk-Sevian, St. Louis 2022.} ) ( 11...a6 12.Bxc6+ bxc6 13.Qc2 Bd7 14.b3 Qg5 {with good play for Black in Dardha-van Foreest, Germany 2022.} ) 12.O-O Qf6 13.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move, as the f3-square is a weakness that needs to be protected. The best is to place a pawn there.} 13...Bd7 {Perhaps it would be better to place the bishop on a more active square. In order to achieve this, it's necessary to speed up the Bc7-Qd6 plan.} ( 13...a6 14.Ba4 Bc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.d4 Qd6 16.f4 h3 17.g3 Bg4 {The compensation for the sacrificed pawn isn't enough for equality, but in practice Black has plenty of play.} ) 14.d4 O-O-O 15.Bd2 Bc7 16.Bd3 {A useful move, sooner or later. The bishop gives way to White's plan, which is to advance the queenside's pawns.} 16...Qd6 17.f4 g5 {Lee tries to open the game on the kingside.} 18.Qb3 Rhg8 19.Kh1 ( 19.Qa3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is possible, accelerating the counterplay.} 19...Qf6 20.b4 ) 19...g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a difficult move to evaluate: on one hand, Black loses the possibility of opening the g-file, but on the other hand, she gains tactical ideas related to the pawn advance. I don't normally like to relieve tension in the pawn structure, so I prefer to make a useful move here, like 19...Kb8.} ( 19...Kb8 ) 20.Rfc1 Qf6 {Preparing 20...Bf5.} ( 20...Kb8 ) 21.Qxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A fearless move in the style of the legendary Viktor Korchnoi who, if he were alive, would have turned 92 on March 23. Did Krush want to pay homage $2 Consciously, I don't think so, but she ended up doing it with her moves. This game is very reminiscent of the great player who became known for accepting the sacrifices that were offered to him.} 21...g3 22.Qf3 {A natural move, bringing the queen closer to the king. The computer is unimpressed by Black's attack and assesses White's position as far superior after the cold 22.Be4.} ( 22.Be4 ) 22...Bg4 23.Qf1 Bxe2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is the move that really loses. Surrendering the light-squared bishop automatically kills the attack. This is a common theme in King's Indian positions too, when Black is trying to mate on the kingside. If you lose this bishop, then the white king's life is much smoother. 23...Kb8 or 23...gxh2 are better alternatives.} ( 23...Kb8 ) ( 23...gxh2 24.Be4 ) 24.Bxe2 h3 25.Bf3 {The attack with the pawns is an illusion.} 25...hxg2+ 26.Bxg2 gxh2 {Now White uses a known technique: she uses Black's pawn as a shelter for the attack.} 27.Qf3 {Preparing the queen and bishop battery eyeing the queenside. The king is safe, and the pawns are ready to be advanced. White has a decisive advantage.} 27...Rg6 28.Rc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Rdg8 29.Be1 Kb8 30.Rac1 ( 30.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better.} ) 30...Qf5 31.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Bd6 32.a4 f6 {Losing immediately, but it's hard to suggest something.} 33.b5 Ba3 34.bxc6 Rxg2 ( 34...Bxc1 35.c7+ Kc8 36.Qxb7+ ) 35.Rxg2 Rxg2 36.c7+ $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice intermediate move that wins a piece.} 36...Kc8 37.Qxg2 Bxc1 38.Qg8+ $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...Kxc7 39.Qc4+ $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39...Kd7 40.Qxc1 Qh3 41.Bd2 Qf3+ 42.Kxh2 Qf2+ 43.Kh1 Qf3+ 44.Kg1 Qg3+ 45.Kf1 Qf3+ 46.Ke1 f5 47.Qc4 Qg3+ 48.Kd1 1-0

[Event "Pro Chess League"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.03.09"]
[Round "17.1"]
[White "Shimanov, Aleksandr"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2852"]
[ECO "B21"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6946039792724"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteTeam "FID"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.Qxd4 {A Center Game against the Sicilian $2 Not a common one $1} 3...Nc6 4.Qd3 g6 {After a tempo gain, Carlsen decided to opt for a Dragon setup. This is one of the many ways to achieve a good position out of the opening.} 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.Be2 O-O 8.O-O ( {It is fascinating to see one of Carlsen's seconds also trying this as White in the following game:} 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 d6 10.O-O Be6 11.Rad1 Rc8 12.a3 Nd7 13.Qe3 Qb6 {and Black did not have any problems to say in the least in Van Foreest,J (2702)-Deac,B (2683) Chess.com INT 2022} ) 8...d6 9.Nd5 {The only way to justify the early sortie of the white queen. If the knights are traded, White would enjoy a nice space advantage and easy play along the half-open e-file. However} 9...Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] spoiled White's plans, and Black is doing great out of the opening after} 10.c3 Nc5 11.Qc2 e6 12.Ne3 {White's pieces look ugly, but as we shall witness Shimanov knows how to bring them together.} 12...Qc7 ( {Stronger seems the immediate battle for the center with} 12...f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 13.Rd1 $146 ( {Black did fine in the predecessor after:} 13.b4 Nd7 14.Rb1 b6 15.Rd1 Rd8 16.Bb2 Bb7 17.a3 Nf6 18.c4 a5 {Skvortsov,A (2249)-Radovanovic $146 (2407) Paracin 2023} ) 13...Rd8 ( 13...f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is again the way to play it.} ) 14.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point: the white bishop would feel great on the long diagonal.} 14...Nd7 15.a3 Nde5 16.Bb2 Nxf3+ 17.Bxf3 a5 {Carlsen adds additional pressure on the b4-pawn, thus, trying to keep the long diagonal closed for the time being.} 18.Rac1 Bd7 19.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] But a little tactic solves the minor queenside issues that White has experienced.} 19...axb4 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.axb4 e5 {A common idea after the bishop swap, but here it was a tad premature.} ( 21...Ne5 {is more to the spot.} ) 22.Nd5 Qb8 23.Qb2 {Shimanov is heading to the correct idea but drops a tempo in the process.} ( {The immediate} 23.b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have fixed White's edge after} 23...Nd4 ( 23...Na5 24.Nb6 {is awful for Black.} ) 24.Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...exd4 25.Qd2 {with a powerful attack on the dark squares.} ) 23...Be6 24.h4 {White's chances are connected with the kingside.} 24...h5 25.b5 {Same idea, but...} 25...Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Not the same result now.} ( {Naturally, Carlsen is not falling for} 25...Nd4 26.Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...exd4 27.Qxd4+ {with the strong attack mentioned above.} ) 26.cxd5 {Another inaccuracy. As we shall see, the open c-file plays well for Black.} ( {After the correct capture} 26.exd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's position would not be worse. In comparison to the game, the line} 26...Nd4 27.Rxd4 exd4 28.Qxd4+ Kg8 29.Bxh5 $3 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 29...gxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 29...Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is still playable, although White should have enough for the exchange here too.} ) 30.Rc3 $1 $18 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins for White.} ) 26...Nd4 27.Rxd4 {This knight cannot be left onboard.} 27...exd4 28.Qxd4+ Kg8 {Black's position seems scary, but as it often happens, Carlsen's pieces arrive in time.} ( 28...f6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 29.g4 ( {The bishop sacrifice} 29.Bxh5 {is no longer appealing due to the counterplay along the open files after} 29...Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Re1 Qa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black takes over the initiative.} ) ( {However, the preliminary inclusion of} 29.Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And then} 30.Bxh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been a better try when after} 30...Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Rxc7 Qxc7 32.Bg4 Re8 {Black is better, but White at least got back his material.} ) 29...Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] All Black needs is to get rid of the major pieces.} 30.Re1 ( {Wrong is} 30.Rxc8+ $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30...Qxc8 31.gxh5 Qc1+ 32.Kg2 Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 30...hxg4 31.Bxg4 Rc2 32.h5 {Now Black needs to decide how to cover the dark squares.} 32...Qa7 {Carlsen errs.} ( {After the accurate} 32...Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] it is Black who is attacking. Both Qd8-h4 $1 and Qd8-g5 $1 are strong threats, and if} 33.h6 ( 33.hxg6 Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Rather than} 33...Qg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 34.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 34.Bf3 fxg6 {and Black is winning.} ) 33...Qf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] keeps everything under control.} ) 33.Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Qa5 34.Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Remember this rook; his time has not come yet.} ( {Not} 34.Re3 Qa1+ ) 34...Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Back to the right place.} ( {Black is no better after} 34...Qc3 35.Qxd6 Rc1 36.Rxc1 Qxc1+ 37.Kg2 {for example} 37...gxh5 38.Bxh5 Ra1 39.Bxf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a perpetual check.} ) 35.Qf4 Qe7 ( {It is not too late to safeguard the king and secure an advantage with} 35...Qf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 36.hxg6 fxg6 37.Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the difference $1 The white queen gets within a striking distance of the enemy king.} 37...Qg7 38.Be6+ Kf8 39.Qg5 Rc4 40.Kg2 $3 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Shimanov plays for the win $1 White's last piece joins the attack, and the time scramble as always benefits the attacker.} ( {Technically speaking, there is nothing wrong with the defense of the pawn with} 40.Re1 {except that White would have had an attacker in.} ) 40...Rxe4 41.Rh1 {THAT rook $1} 41...Re5 ( {The other defense is} 41...Ke8 {to which White could choose to mount pressure with} 42.Rh3 ( {Or with} 42.Bf5 ) ) 42.Qf4+ Ke7 43.Rc1 {The correct idea, to attack from both sides.} ( {However, a neater execution would have been} 43.Qh4+ $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] first weakening the light squares and only after} 43...g5 44.Qc4 Kf6 45.Rh3 {when the black king should not survive for long.} ) 43...Ke8 44.b6 g5 {Black voluntarily weakens himself, and this cannot be good $1} ( {Better defenses are both} 44...Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {And} 44...Qf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 45.Qg4 Qh6 ( {The last chance is to try and block the white queen with} 45...Qg6 46.Qh3 Qe4+ 47.Kg1 Qh4 {although even this is unlikely to succeed after} 48.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 46.Rc7 ( {Missing the instant win with} 46.Rh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...Qg7 47.Qh5+ Ke7 48.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 46...Ra1 {But Carlsen errs last in the time scramble.} ( {Black could have survived, had he spotted that the queen swap is possible after} 46...Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47.Qf3 Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48.Rxb7 Qxf3+ 49.Kxf3 Ra3+ 50.Kg4 Rb3 {with a likely draw.} ) 47.Bf7+ {Now it is a forcing mate.} 47...Kf8 48.Qc8+ Kg7 49.Be6+ Kf6 50.Qd8+ Kg6 51.Qe8+ 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Chessable Masters"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[Beauty "7078777194586"]
[EventType "game"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Nd4 {A solid line which served Black well in the past.} 5.Bg2 Nxf3+ 6.Bxf3 Bb4 7.Qb3 a5 8.O-O Bc5 9.d3 O-O 10.Bg2 ( {Nakamura also faced:} 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Ne4 Qe7 13.Nxc5 Qxc5 14.Qc3 c6 15.Rab1 d6 {with equality in Dubov,D (2702)-Nakamura,H (2768) Chess. com INT 2022} ) 10...d6 11.Qc2 h6 {[#]} 12.Na4 $146 {A novelty, and a start of a capital anti-dark-squared bishop plan.} ( {The predecessor was another game of Dubov:} 12.a3 c6 13.Rb1 Bd7 14.b4 axb4 15.axb4 Ba7 16.b5 Rc8 17.Ba3 Be6 {with some pressure for White in Dubov,D (2690) -Esipenko,A (2642) Moscow 2019} ) 12...Ba7 13.Bd2 c6 14.c5 {That is the point, Caruana wants to exclude the enemy dark-squared bishop from the game for as long as he can.} 14...d5 ( {There is a more aggressive way to fight White's intentions} 14...Bg4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] looks nice with the idea to meet} 15.Rfe1 {with} 15...Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.cxd6 Qf6 17.e3 Qxd6 {with equality.} ) ( {At the same time} 14...dxc5 {looks like a concession as it allows the white knight to occupy a better square} 15.Nxc5 Qe7 16.Rac1 Nd7 {but this should be also playable for Black.} ) 15.e4 {This is an essential part of Caruana's plan. Or else Black might be willing to play e5-e4 later himself, thus opening the diagonal for his Ba7 and building a kingside attack.} 15...Be6 16.h3 ( 16.a3 {would have been somewhat more accurate.} ) 16...Bb8 {Nakamura quickly brings his pieces to their optimal squares.} ( {Black had an interesting maneuver in his disposal as well} 16...Nd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] That deprives White of the Na4-b6 maneuver and is as well is a cunning tricky move. White needs to overprotect the vital d-file with} 17.Rad1 ( {As} 17.Rac1 $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] allows the shot} 17...dxe4 18.dxe4 Nxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 17...d4 18.a3 Bb8 19.b4 axb4 20.axb4 Bc7 {with an interesting reversed Ruy Lopez structure, which looks pretty good for Black.} ) 17.Nb6 {White has managed to establish his knight on the outpost, from where it is putting annoying pressure on Black's center.} 17...Ra6 18.b4 axb4 19.Bxb4 Qe7 ( 19...Bc7 20.a4 ) 20.Rfb1 {Caruana's play is straightforward and easy, he has a clear plan of improving on the queenside, and that means that his opening was a success.} ( 20.a4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20...Rxb6 ) 20...Rd8 21.a4 d4 {The pressure against the d5-point would have forced that move sooner or later.} 22.a5 ( {Perhaps it made sense to delay this move and do something useful like} 22.Kh2 {and only after} 22...Nd7 23.a5 {It is a separate question if the Kh2 is really helping White, though...} ) 22...Ne8 {Heading to the freshly liberated b5-outpost.} ( {The plan of a knight trade} 22...Nd7 23.Qc1 Nxb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.axb6 Rxa1 25.Rxa1 {only helps White improve his queenside situation. At the same time the Bb8 remains stuck, this time permanently.} ) 23.Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And while his opponent is busy finding his optimal squares on the queenside, Caruana makes a point that he is now stronger on the kingside. Remember the excluded Bc7 $2} ( {The other way to prepare the assault is} 23.Rb2 $5 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 23...Nc7 24.Rf1 ) 23...Nc7 24.f4 exf4 25.gxf4 f6 {Or else the white pawn will run all the way to the f6-square.} 26.Rae1 ( {It also made sense to send her majesty toward the black king with} 26.Qf2 {followed by Qf2-f4.} ) 26...Nb5 27.e5 {A nice-looking, but in reality premature positional sacrifice, which Nakamura, of course, would not accept.} ( {However, grinding further with} 27.Qc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would be more unpleasant for Black when White can later choose which pawn to advance further, and both e4-e5 and f4-f5 breaks look equally scary for Black.} ) 27...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {And definitely not} 27...fxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Bf7 29.f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...gxf6 {When Black is in trouble after both} 30.Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 30.Qf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Or} ) ) 28.Kh1 Bc7 {Now Black doesn't have to worry about any nasty breaks and can finally bring his pieces into the game.} 29.Rb1 Kh8 30.Rb2 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nakamura is pushing $1 The new pawn structure justifies this attempt. If he could only get a chance to bring his Ra6 to the kingside, it would be perfect $1} 31.fxg5 hxg5 32.Qd1 Qh7 {g5-g4 is a threat, and it is White who needs to switch to the defense.} 33.Qe1 Rg8 34.Nc4 g4 {A perfect storm is about to start as both the players are very low on time.} ( {This might have been a good moment for} 34...Raa8 $5 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 35.Nd6 g3 {Now it is Black who releases the pressure a bit too early.} ( {Strong is} 35...Bd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] finally releasing the bishop from its prison cell, and once that it comes close to the white king, say at e3-square, dark clouds would gather around White's residence.} 36.Bd2 {can be then met with} 36...Bh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Qc1 Bg3 {and White is in trouble.} ) 36.Rf4 ( 36.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] in order to surround the g3-pawn would be better.} ) 36...Bd8 37.Bd2 Bg5 38.Rf1 Qh6 ( {White is in control after} 38...Bxd2 39.Qxd2 ) ( {However} 38...Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would be more resilient.} ) 39.Nxf5 Qh7 ( 39...Bxd2 40.Rxd2 Qg5 {looks more resilient, but White should be capable of converting here.} ) 40.Nd6 ( 40.Bxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...Rxg5 41.Nxg3 {would be simpler.} ) 40...Bxh3 {Now Nakamura loses by force.} ( 40...Raa8 {is Black's last try, but again, it is unlikely that he can survive here.} ) 41.Nf7+ Kg7 42.Nxg5 {Brave, but well calculated.} 42...Bxg2+ 43.Kxg2 Qh2+ 44.Kf3 {The white king is perfectly safe.} 44...g2 ( {Or} 44...Rf8+ 45.Bf4 Qxb2 46.Qxg3 {with mate to follow.} ) 45.Rg1 Rf8+ 46.Kg4 {There are no more checks. White is winning.} 46...Nc7 47.Rxb7 Kh6 48.Rxc7 Rxa5 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Chessable Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2852"]
[BlackElo "2701"]
[ECO "A11"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[Beauty "6666191898121"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.O-O O-O 5.c4 c6 6.b3 Ne4 7.d4 d5 8.Bb2 {An opening system that leads to positional play and a technical position that appeals to both players. By the way, Carlsen and Artemiev have a very similar style of play.} 8...a5 {The plan with a5-a4 is typical in these positions. Black has other viable alternatives.} ( 8...Bf5 ) ( 8...Nd7 ) 9.Nc3 ( 9.e3 {was played when Artemiev had the white position. After} 9...a4 10.Nfd2 Nxd2 11.Qxd2 axb3 12.axb3 Rxa1 13.Bxa1 Be6 {The position was roughly equal in Artemiev-Mamedyarov, Airthings Masters 2022.} ) 9...Nxc3 ( 9...Bf5 10.e3 Nxc3 11.Bxc3 Be4 12.Qe2 a4 13.Rfc1 {this was Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi, Stavanger (blitz) 2021.} ) 10.Bxc3 Nd7 11.cxd5 {This is a debatable decision since Black's position is a little freer now.} ( 11.Rc1 {was tried in Inarkiev-Vachier-Lagrave, Germany 2019.} ) 11...cxd5 12.Rc1 Nf6 13.Ne5 Ne4 14.Bb2 Bf5 {Black has no problems. All of his pieces are well developed and the a5-a4 break can bother White.} 15.e3 Re8 {This move isn't bad, but it's a little mysterious. Perhaps the idea is to avoid a knight leap to d7 after the queen goes to b6.} ( 15...Qb6 ) 16.a4 {A good move, preventing a5-a4.} 16...Qb6 17.Ba3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is inaccurate.} ( 17.f3 Nd6 18.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Be6 19.Nd3 {White has knocked the black pieces out of their good positions and prepares to put the knight on c5. The position is balanced.} ) 17...Rac8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is not worried about the e7-pawn.} 18.Bxe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 18.Rxc8 {It's more precise to exchange rooks first.} 18...Rxc8 19.Bxe4 ( 19.Bxe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19...Nc3 {The queenside pawns fall.} ) 19...dxe4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 19...Bxe4 20.Nd7 Qc7 21.Nc5 Bf5 22.g4 Bd7 {with a slight advantage for Black.} ) 20.Nc4 {White is in the game, although I prefer Black.} ) 18...Rxc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Qxc1 Bxe4 20.f3 ( 20.Nd7 Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 20...Qxb3 {is not so good because of} 21.Nc5 ) 21.Nc5 Bf3 {The light-squared bishop is very dangerous.} ) 20...Bf5 21.g4 Rc8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] After this move Carlsen gets good drawing chances in a rook endgame.} ( 21...Bxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger.} 22.dxe5 ( 22.gxf5 Bd6 23.Bxd6 exd6 24.fxg6 hxg6 25.Qc3 Qd8 {Black is much better since white's pawn structure is very weak.} ) 22...Bd3 23.Rf2 Qxb3 {Black is a pawn up, although with bishops of opposite colors things are never easy.} ) 22.Bc5 Qc7 23.gxf5 Bxe5 24.dxe5 Qxc5 25.Qxc5 Rxc5 26.f6 ( 26.fxg6 {is also enough for a draw.} 26...fxg6 {I like this capture to open the path for the king.} 27.Rb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by b4 and White should have no problems to achieve a draw.} ) 26...exf6 27.exf6 Rc6 28.Rd1 ( 28.Kf2 {gives White enough counterplay after} 28...Rxf6 29.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Rd6 ( 29...Rb6 30.Rc5 Rxb3 31.Rxa5 ) 30.Rc5 b6 31.Rb5 Kg7 32.b4 axb4 33.Rxb4 Kf6 34.Rb5 Ke6 35.a5 bxa5 36.Rxa5 {with excellent drawing chances.} ) 28...Rxf6 29.Rxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 29.Kf2 {is good again:} 29...Rd6 30.Rd4 f5 ( 30...Kf8 31.e4 Ke7 32.b4 ( 32.exd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 32...Rb6 {is dangerous for White.} ) 32...b6 33.exd5 {with a draw.} ) 31.b4 b6 32.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...fxe4 33.fxe4 Rf6+ 34.Kg3 dxe4 35.Rxe4 {and the draw is near.} ) 29...Rxf3 30.Rxa5 Rxe3 31.Rb5 Re7 {This is much more difficult for White to defend, although the computer still claims a draw. The players were in big time trouble at this point, so it was impossible to play correctly.} 32.Rb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a bad square for the rook.} ( 32.a5 Kg7 33.b4 f5 34.Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's counterplay is connected with b5-b6-Rc7.} ) 32...Kg7 33.a5 f5 34.b4 Kh6 {Black's position is winning now.} 35.Kf2 Kh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.b5 ( 36.Kg3 g5 ) 36...g5 37.a6 ( 37.Rd6 {gives better practical chances.} ) 37...bxa6 38.bxa6 Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The classic rule \"place the rook behind the passed pawn\" applies here.} 39.a7 Ra5 40.Rb7 h6 41.Rh7 Kg6 42.Rb7 Ra3 43.Rc7 {The only thing left is to advance the passed pawns. But the adventures are not over.} 43...f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 43...g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way.} ) 44.Rb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Missing a golden chance.} ( 44.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...Kh5 ( 44...h5 45.Rc6+ Kf5 46.Rc5+ Ke4 47.Rxg5 Rxa7 48.Rxh5 Ra2+ 49.Kg1 Kf3 50.Rf5 {with a known theoretical draw.} 50...Ra1+ 51.Kh2 Ke3 52.Kg2 ) 45.Rh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawns cannot easily advance and the king cannot hide from the checks. White sets a fortress since there's no winning plan.} ) 44...Kh5 45.Rh7 Kg6 ( 45...g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins easily.} ) 46.Rb7 Kf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 47.Rh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 47.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a draw again.} ) 47...Ra2+ 48.Kf1 ( 48.Kf3 g4# ) 48...Kg6 49.Rb7 Kh5 50.Rh7 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Artemiev finally goes the right way.} 51.Rf7 Kg5 52.Kg1 h5 53.Rg7+ Kh4 54.Rf7 Ra1+ 55.Kf2 Kh3 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Chessable Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2701"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "5499839866923"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

{[%evp 0,103,18,15,11,20,13,-10,27,21,45,4,0,-12,-3,-17,-9,-44,-5,-11,-5,-16,-2,-10,19,-4,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,24,15,41,30,67,89,72,78,103,97,102,101,101,101,123,106,123,45,77,58,82,83,90,79,73,75,90,87,53,52,45,26,20,-345,-345,-375,-373,-375,-375,-367,-325,-358,-287,-299,-299,-330,-327,-326,-343,-385,-395,-395,-378,-395,-284,-302,-302,-302,-302,-420,-302,-295,-302,-323,-345,-335,-323,-351,-361,-370]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c3 c6 4.Bf4 Nh5 {A provocative and rare move.} 5.Bg5 ( 5.Be5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 5...Nd7 6.e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Perhaps this is the most accurate sequence to fight for an advantage. White wants to capture with the pawn on e5 and exploit the displaced knight on h5.} ) 5...h6 6.Bh4 Bf5 {A new move. Caruana had the chance to play g5 a few times, a natural move, but he probably wanted to avoid weaknesses as he just needed a draw.} ( 6...g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 7.Bg3 Nxg3 8.hxg3 Bg7 {With a typical positional struggle, Black has the pair of bishops for the price of the over-advanced g-pawn.} ) 7.e3 Nd7 8.Be2 Nhf6 {A solid move instead of the aforementioned g7-g5.} 9.c4 e6 10.Nc3 Bd6 ( 10...dxc4 {Capturing the pawn immediately is possible to avoid what Artemiev played in the game.} ) 11.c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Changing the character of the match. White now wants to advance on the queenside.} 11...Be7 {It's hard to say if the bishop is better on e7 or c7.} ( 11...Bc7 {This looks more natural to me, whatever this means.} 12.b4 ) 12.Nd2 ( 12.b4 {is more accurate.} ) 12...O-O ( 12...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black can seize the opportunity to play this typical breakthrough with equality.} ) 13.Bg3 b6 14.b4 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a very good plan, exchanging queenside pawns to reduce weaknesses.} 15.a3 axb4 16.axb4 bxc5 17.bxc5 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Nf3 {The most dangerous move in a rapid game, as Black needs to find a tactical solution.} ( 18.dxe5 Nh7 {Black will capture on c5 with a good position.} ( 18...Ne8 {is also possible.} ) ) ( 18.O-O exd4 19.exd4 Re8 {Followed by Nf8-e6 with good play.} ) 18...e4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Of course, Caruana knows the risks of opening the g3-bishop, but he probably didn't see an alternative.} ( 18...exd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Nxd4 Bxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] He probably missed this move, which solves the problems.} 20.Nxf5 Bb4 {This is the point: the knight is pinned.} 21.O-O ( 21.Rc1 Bxc3+ 22.Rxc3 Qa5 {is dangerous for White.} ) 21...Bxc3 22.Rxa8 Qxa8 23.Qc2 {White has enough compensation to equalize the game.} ) 19.Nd2 {Now Artemiev has a clear advantage, as his pieces can invade the queenside and the c6-pawn is a big weakness.} 19...Re8 20.O-O Nf8 21.Qb3 Qd7 22.Na4 {White's moves are natural and easy.} 22...Qe6 23.Nb6 Rxa1 24.Rxa1 h5 {Caruana desperately needs to create some attack.} 25.Ra6 ( 25.Na8 $5 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a curious move suggested by the machine. The knight can go to c7 and gives space to the queen as well.} 25...Qd7 26.Qb6 ) 25...Ng6 26.h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn should go to h3. It's understandable that Artemiev was wary of sacrifices on h3 at some point, but the computer is unimpressed.} 26...Bxh3 27.gxh3 Qxh3 28.Qd1 {White should convert the material advantage.} ) 26...Ng4 27.Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best chance, otherwise Black has serious counterplay.} 27...Qxd5 28.Bc4 Qd7 29.Bxf7+ Kh7 30.Bxe8 Qxe8 {A position with a material imbalance that is difficult to assess and play. White has the advantage but needs to play with great precision.} 31.Qb7 ( 31.Qa2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, preparing the invasion of the heavy pieces with Ra8 and Qg8.} ) 31...Bxh4 {Now Black has enough play to keep the game balanced.} 32.Bxh4 {The alternatives are not enough for an advantage.} ( 32.Qxc6 Qe7 ) ( 32.Ra7 Bf6 ) 32...Nxh4 33.g3 ( 33.Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better chance, although the endgame is more or less equal after} 33...Qe6 34.Qb3 Nf6 35.Qxe6 Bxe6 ) 33...Qf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent tactical move that poses difficult problems for White.} 34.Qc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a blunder. White has two ways to achieve a draw, although this wouldn't have been enough anyway.} ( 34.gxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 34...Bc8 {with a double attack on the queen and the f2-pawn.} ) ( 34.Qxc6 Bc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.Qxe4+ Kh8 36.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Nxf3+ 37.Qxf3 Qxf3 38.Nxf3 Bxa6 39.d5 {The pawns save the position, and the game should end in a draw.} ) ( 34.Ra8 Qf6 35.Qb8 Ng6 36.Qg8+ Kh6 37.Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Qf7 38.Qg8 {with move repetition.} ) 34...Bc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] In a normal game, Artemiev would resign right here, but this is the last one in the match, and a victory for Black and a draw mean the same thing.} 35.Qf4 Qxf4 36.exf4 Bxa6 37.gxh4 Nf6 38.f5 Bc8 39.Nc4 Bxf5 40.Ne5 Bd7 41.Kg2 Be8 42.Kg3 Nd5 43.Nc4 Kg6 44.Nd6 Nf6 45.Kf4 Bf7 46.Nc8 Bd5 47.Ke5 Kf7 ( 47...Ng4+ {Wins easily, as the f2-pawn falls.} ) 48.Nd6+ Ke7 49.Nf5+ Kf7 50.Nd6+ Ke7 51.Nf5+ Kf7 52.Nd6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Chessable Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2853"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[Beauty "6186539683851"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d4 {Carlsen likes the English Opening and plays it often, but the text move is a new weapon in his arsenal, as I haven't found any games of his with this move.} 4...exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.g3 O-O 7.Bg2 Re8 ( 7...Bxc3+ {Capturing on c3 is a critical move.} 8.bxc3 Ne5 9.c5 Qe7 {with a complicated middlegame.} ) 8.O-O h6 {This is a new move. Black normally captures the knight as soon as it's unpinned.} ( 8...Bxc3 9.bxc3 {We arrive at a typical position: White has the bishop pair and better development, while Black has the better pawn structure. I prefer to play with White.} ) 9.Nd5 Nxd5 {Black has to capture the knight.} ( 9...Bf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 10.Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a much better position for White after} 10...Nxd5 11.cxd5 Ne5 12.d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 10.cxd5 Nxd4 11.Qxd4 {This position is strategically dangerous for Black, who runs the risk of becoming passive, while White exploits the better pawn structure and the semi-open c-file.} 11...Qe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 11...Bf8 $6 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is too passive.} ) ( 11...a5 12.a3 Be7 {Black's position is acceptable. One idea is to advance the c-pawn:} 13.Be3 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And Black gets rid of the main potential problem: the backward pawn on c7.} ) 12.Be3 Bd6 13.Rfd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very good prophylactic move, avoiding the advance of the c-pawn.} ( 13.Rac1 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 13...b6 ( 13...Be5 14.Qd2 d6 15.Rac1 {Here we can clearly see the problem with Black's position: the pawn on c7 will be a constant source of headache.} ) 14.Qd2 a5 15.Rac1 Rb8 {An odd move, but Nakamura takes the rook off the dangerous diagonal and has his eye on Bc5 or Bb4.} 16.Bf4 ( 16.Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A subtle move, defending the e2-pawn and preparing to reinforce the position with Bd4 followed by e3. White has the advantage.} ) 16...Ba6 ( 16...Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} 17.Qc2 d6 {The bishop will go back to c5, and the position is not so bad anymore.} ) 17.e4 ( 17.Bxd6 {is possible to avoid the bishop from getting away.} ) 17...Bxf4 ( 17...Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again, this is the best chance. Black needs to sacrifice a pawn.} 18.Qc2 Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Bxc7 Rbc8 20.d6 Qf6 {With good compensation since the bishops are active and there are tactical chances. But it's very hard to evaluate this position in a rapid game.} ) 18.Qxf4 d6 19.Rc3 {White now has a comfortable advantage, with more space, a better pawn structure, and endless pressure on the c7-pawn. To be honest, I think Nakamura is the only player in the world capable of defending a position like this in a rapid game against Carlsen.} 19...Qd8 20.Rdc1 Re7 21.h4 Bb5 22.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White won't win just by attacking c7: more weaknesses need to be created. The kingside advance fulfills this purpose.} 22...f6 23.g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is a bit rushed. White could better reinforce his position before playing it.} ( 23.Bh3 Qe8 24.f3 {Maybe followed by Kh2, Rg1 and so on.} ) 23...fxg5 24.hxg5 Rf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Qg3 hxg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A difficult decision. Taking the pawn with the queen leads to a rook endgame with good drawing chances.} ( 25...Qxg5 26.Qxg5 hxg5 27.Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 27.Rxc7 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is not dangerous.} ) 27...Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Bxd7 Rxd7 29.Rxc7 Rxc7 30.Rxc7 Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Rc6 Rf4 32.Rxd6 Rxe4 33.Rxb6 Kf7 {Black is likely to escape.} ) 26.Bh3 Bd7 27.Rxc7 Bxh3 28.Rxf7 Kxf7 29.Qxh3 {With the queens on the board, the position is more difficult to defend since the black king is insecure.} 29...Qf6 ( 29...Qe7 30.Qh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the same idea that we will see in the game. Black's king is left without a refuge.} ) 30.Qh7 $6 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Chess is a difficult game. Carlsen finds this subtle idea, but in this position, a more prosaic move would be better.} ( 30.Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] If now Black tries to run with the king, then:} 30...Kg8 31.Qe6+ $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Qxe6 32.dxe6 {with excellent winning chances.} ) 30...Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only possible defense, trying to counterattack on f2. Nakamura's resources are legendary, and he will prove his skill once again.} 31.Rc7+ ( 31.e5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This treacherous move gives good practical winning chances.} 31...dxe5 ( 31...Qxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses after} 32.Rc7+ Ke8 33.Qc2 $3 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A brilliant move, attacking and defending simultaneously. The queen heads to c6 and guards f2.} ) 32.Rc7+ ( 32.Rc6 {is also interesting:} 32...Qd8 33.Qg6+ Kg8 34.Qe6+ Kh7 {The only move for Black to survive.} ( 34...Kh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35.d6 Qf6 36.Qxf6 gxf6 37.d7 Rd8 38.Rc8 {loses because the d7-pawn cannot be captured.} ) 35.d6 Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.Qxf6 gxf6 37.d7 Rd8 {with a draw.} ) 32...Ke8 33.Qc2 Qd6 {Absolutely forced. The computer keeps finding defensive moves, but it's hard to believe Black can escape this with just a few minutes on the clock—although, Nakamura is used to proving that nothing is impossible.} ) 31...Ke8 32.Rc8+ Ke7 33.Rxf8 Kxf8 {The endgame is a draw, but Carlsen now shows us his specialty: supreme endgame technique.} 34.Qh8+ Kf7 35.Qc8 Qe5 ( 35...Qf4 {is also good.} ) 36.Qg4 ( 36.Qc7+ Kg8 37.Qxb6 Qxe4 38.Qxd6 Qg4+ 39.Qg3 Qd1+ {with a draw.} ) 36...Kg6 37.Kg2 Kf6 38.a4 Ke7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is inaccurate, and now the position becomes dangerous.} ( 38...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Kf3 Qd4 40.Qe6+ Kg7 {and the position remains equal.} ) 39.Kf3 g6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses in a didactic and spectacular way. The mistake is understandable: Nakamura probably wanted to avoid the queen exchange after 39...Kf7 40.Qf5+. But he allows the exchange in another square.} ( 39...Kf7 40.Qf5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The endgame is interesting. After:} 40...Qxf5+ 41.exf5 Kf6 42.Kg4 g6 43.fxg6 Kxg6 44.f4 gxf4 45.Kxf4 Kf6 46.b3 Kg6 47.Ke4 Kf6 48.Kd4 Kf5 49.Kc4 Ke5 50.Kb5 Kxd5 51.Kxb6 Kd4 52.Kxa5 Kc3 53.b4 d5 54.b5 d4 55.b6 d3 56.b7 d2 57.b8=Q d1=Q {The position is a tablebase draw, but queen endgames like this are hard to defend.} ) ( 39...Kf6 40.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is still annoying for Black to defend.} ) 40.Ke3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 40.Qe6+ $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn endgame is won in fantastic fashion. The variations are reminiscent of compositions by Troitsky, Checkover, Grigoriev, and many other geniuses who gave us their brilliant studies in king and pawn endings.} 40...Qxe6 41.dxe6 Kxe6 42.Kg4 Ke5 43.f3 Kf6 ( 43...Kd4 {loses in a straightforward way:} 44.Kxg5 Ke3 45.Kxg6 Kxf3 46.Kf5 Ke3 47.Ke6 Kxe4 48.Kxd6 Kd4 49.Kc6 Kc4 50.Kxb6 Kb4 51.b3 Kxb3 52.Kxa5 Kc4 53.Kb6 ) 44.b3 Kf7 ( 44...Kg7 {This makes White's life easier:} 45.Kxg5 Kf7 46.Kh6 Kf6 47.f4 Kf7 48.Kh7 Kf6 49.Kg8 g5 50.fxg5+ Kxg5 51.Kf7 Kf4 52.Ke6 {Again, White wins the race.} 52...Kxe4 53.Kxd6 Kd4 54.Kc6 Kc3 55.Kxb6 Kxb3 56.Kxa5 Kc4 57.Kb6 ) 45.Kxg5 Kg7 46.f4 Kf7 47.f5 gxf5 48.exf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48...d5 49.Kg4 $3 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is the only winning move. White needs to triangulate. Not even Carlsen can calculate this far to make a decision within seconds.} ( 49.Kf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 49...Kf6 ) 49...Ke7 ( 49...Kf6 50.Kf4 d4 51.Ke4 d3 52.Kxd3 Kxf5 53.Kc4 {White is in time to attack the pawns.} ) 50.Kf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 50...Kd6 51.Kf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51...d4 52.Ke4 {with an easy win.} ) 40...Qf6 {Now the position is drawn again.} 41.Kd3 Kd8 42.Qg3 Kc7 43.Kc2 Kb7 44.Kb3 Qd4 {Other moves are possible, but this is good enough.} 45.Qxd6 Qd3+ 46.Ka2 Qc4+ ( 46...Qxe4 {is also a draw.} ) 47.Ka3 Qd3+ 48.b3 Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 49.Qc6+ Ka7 50.Qc7+ Ka8 51.Qc1 g4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this move, White again gets good winning chances.} ( 51...Qxf2 {is possible, as Black is in time to control the pawns with a few precise moves.} 52.e5 ( 52.d6 Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 52...g4 53.d6 ( 53.e6 Qf8+ $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54.Ka2 Qf2+ {with a draw.} ) 53...Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black defends.} ) ( 51...Qxe4 {is also possible:} 52.Qc6+ Ka7 53.Qc7+ Ka8 ( 53...Ka6 $4 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 54.Qc4+ Qxc4 55.bxc4 {with an easily winning endgame.} ) 54.Qxb6 Qe1 {Black should be able to draw, although the game is not over.} ) 52.Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The checks are under control, and the e-pawn is ready to advance.} 52...Kb7 ( 52...Qe5 53.Ka2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Necessary to avoid check on a1.} 53...Kb7 54.Qe2 {Black cannot sustain the e4-pawn blockade.} ) 53.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53...Qxd5 54.e6 Qc5+ 55.Kb2 Qe7 56.Qe4+ $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This natural move squanders the advantage.} ( 56.Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger. White's plan is to take the king to the other flank, attacking the g4-pawn. Black is without counterplay.} 56...Kc6 57.Kc3 {White has a winning advantage.} ) 56...Kc7 57.Qe5+ ( 57.Qxg6 Kd6 58.Qxg4 Qf6+ {The f2-pawn is captured.} ) 57...Qd6 58.Qg7+ Kc6 59.Qxg6 Qe5+ 60.Ka2 Qe2+ 61.Ka3 Kd6 62.e7+ Kxe7 63.Qf6+ $4 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] Many will remember this game for this mouse slip, but to be honest, it didn't make much difference in the outcome of the match, as Nakamura would certainly manage to draw after} ( 63.Qxb6 Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 64.Qb7+ Kd8 ) 63...Kxf6 {A wonderful match between two legendary players.} 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Chessable Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.07"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[Beauty "6464328442452"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e4 Bb4 5.d3 d6 6.a3 Bc5 7.b4 Bb6 8.h3 {A very rare move. The intention is to avoid …Bg4 and the exchange on f3, which accentuates the weakness of the d4-square.} ( 8.Na4 ) ( 8.Be3 ) 8...Nd4 9.Be3 Nxf3+ 10.Qxf3 Bxe3 11.Qxe3 O-O 12.g3 {It's also possible to speed up development by placing the bishop on e2. The advantage of the move played in the game is that the bishop on g2 prevents the c6-d5 advance and supports the kingside advance with f2-f4.} ( 12.Be2 ) 12...c6 13.Bg2 Qb6 ( 13...a5 {The computer considers the position equal after this move, but in my opinion, White has the easier game after 14.0-0 followed by the f2-f4 advance.} 14.O-O ) 14.Qd2 {More combative than allowing the exchange of queens.} ( 14.O-O $6 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 14...Qxe3 15.fxe3 Be6 {with an equal endgame.} ) ( 14.Qxb6 axb6 {White has a small advantage here, but the character of the game has changed.} ) 14...a5 15.b5 cxb5 ( 15...a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best plan to fight for equality. The knight should go to c5 and the pawn on a4 supports a possible jump to b3, granting counterplay.} 16.O-O Nd7 ) 16.Nxb5 Bd7 17.Nc3 ( 17.Rb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate. White has a small advantage after} 17...Bxb5 18.Rxb5 Qc7 19.O-O Nd7 20.Rfb1 Nc5 21.d4 exd4 22.Qxd4 ) 17...Bc6 18.O-O Nd7 19.Rab1 Qc5 20.Rb3 Rfe8 21.Kh2 Nf8 22.f4 f6 ( 22...Ne6 {Taking the knight to d4 is natural, but White has the advantage after} 23.f5 Nd4 24.Rb2 f6 25.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Stabilizing the pawn structure on the queenside. White will prepare the pawn advance on the kingside and Black has no active plan.} ) 23.f5 Nd7 24.g4 Ra6 {Preparing to take the rook to b6 and start the counterplay.} 25.Ne2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25.g5 {It's better to start advancing the pawns immediately.} 25...Rb6 26.Rxb6 Qxb6 27.h4 {With chances for both sides. White's attack isn't very strong, but the a-pawn won't be captured like in the game.} ) 25...Rb6 26.Rxb6 Qxb6 27.h4 Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very cold-blooded plan. Nakamura correctly judges that White's attack is not decisive and that there's time to capture the pawn on a3 and return with the queen. It takes tremendous knowledge of chess to play like this. Most chess players would bring the queen to the defense immediately.} 28.g5 Qxa3 29.Ng3 Qb4 30.Qe2 Qb6 31.Nh5 Qd8 {It transpires that White has no clear way to increase the attack and now Black is a pawn up and it's a passed one.} 32.Rg1 ( 32.g6 {is not dangerous after} 32...Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 32...h6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move is dangerous because of the surprising} 33.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of bringing the queen to the attack after} 33...Nxc5 34.Qa2+ Kh8 35.Nxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Kxg7 36.Qf7+ Kh8 37.Qh7# ) 33.gxh7+ Kh8 {with a safe position.} ) 32...Kh8 33.Bf3 Rg8 34.Qd2 a4 35.Bd1 Qe7 36.Qa5 {Trying to recover the pawn on a4, but now it's Black who starts the attack on the kingside.} 36...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.fxg6 hxg6 38.Ng3 ( 38.Nxf6 {is hopeless:} 38...Nxf6 39.gxf6 Qxf6 ) 38...fxg5 39.h5 g4 {A smart move, paving the way for the queen.} ( 39...gxh5 {is the machine's suggestion.} 40.Nf5 Qd8 41.Qxd8 Rxd8 42.Rxg5 Nc5 43.Rxh5+ Kg8 {and White should lose the endgame, as the counterplay is not enough.} ) 40.Kg2 $6 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 40.Rh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives better chances to muddy the waters after} 40...Kg7 41.hxg6 Kxg6 42.Nf5 Rh8+ 43.Kg3 Qf6 44.Rxh8 Qxh8 45.Bxg4 ) 40...gxh5 41.Nxh5 Rg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move allows White to recover the pawn.} ( 41...Qd8 {is better, as the a-pawn is protected.} 42.Qe1 ( 42.Qd2 Qg5 ) 42...Rg6 {with a clear advantage.} ) 42.Ng3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 42.Bxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Caruana should have taken the pawn. White has enough compensation after} 42...Bxa4 43.Qxa4 Nc5 44.Qa8+ Rg8 45.Qa2 {with a double-edged position. White wants to play 46.Rh1 and Black's king is not very safe.} ) 42...Qf8 43.Rh1+ ( 43.Bxa4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 43...Qf3+ ) 43...Kg8 44.Rh5 Nc5 45.Rf5 Qe7 {Black has stabilized the position and has two more pawns, with a decisive advantage.} 46.Be2 Ne6 47.Kf2 Nd4 ( 47...Qh4 {leads to a simple win.} ) 48.Rh5 Bd7 49.Bd1 Kg7 50.Kg2 Kg8 $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Both players were in severe time trouble and Nakamura hesitated.} ( 50...Rh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51.Rxh6 Kxh6 52.Bxa4 Bxa4 53.Qxa4 Qh4 {The queen invades and Black wins.} ) 51.Bxa4 Qf8 ( 51...Bxa4 {still keeps some pressure after} 52.Qxa4 Ne6 ) 52.Bd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 52.Bxd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the correct move. The game ends in a draw after:} 52...Qf3+ 53.Kh2 Qf2+ 54.Kh1 Qf3+ 55.Kh2 Qf2+ ) 52...Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight heads to f4 and Nakamura is winning again.} 53.Kg1 Nf4 54.Rh2 Nh3+ 55.Kh1 Rh6 56.Qd2 Qf4 ( 56...Nf2+ {wins a piece after} 57.Kg2 Rxh2+ 58.Kxh2 Nxd1 59.Qxd1 Qf2+ 60.Kh1 Qxg3 ) 57.Qe1 ( 57.Qxf4 exf4 {is also hopeless.} ) 57...Nf2+ 58.Kg2 Rxh2+ 59.Kxh2 Nxd1 ( 59...Nxd1 60.Qxd1 Qf2+ 61.Kh1 Qxg3 ) 0-1

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022-23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.02"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Black "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2526"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6531881902658"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qa4 {7.Qc2 is the most popular move. The idea of the move played is to avoid 7...b5.} ( 7.Qc2 b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a currently fashionable move.} ) 7...a6 {The downside is that now White cannot play 8.a4, an option that is possible when the queen is on c2.} 8.Qxc4 b5 9.Qc2 Bb7 10.Bd2 Be4 11.Qc1 {One of the most important positions in the Catalan Opening, with thousands of games.} 11...Nc6 ( 11...c6 {Nowadays this is the move most often played in the elite. The idea is to develop the knight on d7 and then prepare the thematic c5 break. 11...Nbd7 immediately is also possible, but Black has to deal with the annoying reply 12.Ba5 $1} ) ( 11...Nbd7 12.Ba5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 12.Be3 {Defending the d-pawn and preparing to develop the knight on d2.} 12...Rc8 {The idea is to get the rook off the unpleasant diagonal and support the future c7-c5 push.} 13.Rd1 Nd5 14.Nbd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Accepting a change in the pawn structure.} 14...Nxe3 15.fxe3 Bxf3 16.exf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate way of recapturing.} ( 16.Nxf3 {Black proved adequate counterplay in some correspondence games after} 16...Nb4 17.a3 Nd5 18.e4 Nb6 19.b4 c6 20.e3 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 16...Nb4 {This new move was played after some thought; maybe Tan's preparation was over at this point.} ( 16...Na5 {is the critical move.} 17.Ne4 f5 18.Nc5 ( 18.Nc3 Qd6 19.e4 c5 {with a good position for Black in Eljanov-Van Foreest, Wijk aan Zee 2020.} ) 18...Bxc5 19.dxc5 Qf6 {with a lot of draws in several correspondence games.} ) 17.a3 {A good move, dispatching the knight. It's also possible to control the c5-square immediately.} ( 17.Nb3 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Here Black equalizes.} 18.dxc5 ( 18.Nxc5 Qb6 {Black will capture on c5 before White can play a3-b4.} ) 18...Qc7 ) ( 17.Ne4 Nd5 {leads to a complex positional game.} ) 17...Nd5 18.Nb3 f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Tan wants to make it difficult for the e-pawn to advance, but this move creates weaknesses.} ( 18...c5 {This is an interesting pawn sacrifice suggested by the machine, but it's hard to evaluate Black's compensation after} 19.Nxc5 e5 20.b4 exd4 21.exd4 Bf6 ) ( 18...c6 {is the most solid choice.} 19.e4 Nb6 {White's position is a bit more comfortable, but nothing special.} ) 19.Rd3 ( 19.e4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is the move that Black wanted to avoid.} 19...fxe4 20.fxe4 Bg5 21.Qc6 Ne3 22.Qxe6+ Kh8 {with an active position and excellent compensation for the pawn.} ) ( 19.Re1 {is another way of protecting the e3-pawn and freeing the queen.} ) 19...Kh8 $6 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19...c6 {is better, avoiding the next move.} ) 20.Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position becomes dangerous for Black.} 20...Nb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move, preparing counterplay before the position becomes passive.} ( 20...Qd6 21.Na5 {And Black starts to get suffocated.} ) 21.Na5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21.Qxe6 $4 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] loses the queen after} 21...Rf6 ) ( 21.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate move, avoiding the move e6-e5 forever. White has a clear advantage.} ) 21...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the game becomes sharp.} 22.Rc1 $6 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22.Qc2 {is better, clearing the c6-square for the knight.} 22...exd4 23.Nc6 Qd6 24.f4 {White will capture on d4 with the pawn and has some advantage due to the better pawn structure.} ) 22...Bf6 23.Bh3 g6 24.d5 Bg7 $6 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 24...e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the way to go. The game becomes chaotic after} 25.fxe4 Bxb2 ) 25.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is better again since the center is stabilized and Black has many weaknesses.} 25...Qg5 26.Qc2 ( 26.Rc2 {is also possible, but the move played is a natural human reaction, bringing the queen to the defense.} ) 26...Rf7 27.Rf1 $6 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is the wrong square for the rook.} ( 27.Re1 {And White can follow the plan of improving the a5-knight. The attack on the f-file is not dangerous for now.} ) 27...Rcf8 28.b3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a blunder that should lose the game.} ( 28.Qe2 ) 28...Nc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black misses a golden opportunity.} ( 28...fxe4 29.fxe4 Rxf1+ 30.Bxf1 Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This nice tactical shot decides the game. If the knight is not captured, it's coming to the attack, and Black is a pawn up.} 31.exd5 ( 31.Rxd5 Qe3+ 32.Kg2 Qf3+ 33.Kg1 Qxf1# ) 31...e4 {with a decisive attack.} 32.Rd1 Qe3+ 33.Kg2 ( 33.Kh1 Rf2 ) 33...Qf3+ 34.Kg1 ( 34.Kh3 Rf5 ) 34...Bd4+ $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.Rxd4 Qxf1# ) 29.Nb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight is heading to e6.} 29...fxe4 30.fxe4 Rxf1+ 31.Bxf1 Qf6 32.Bh3 Qb6+ 33.Nc5 Nd6 34.Kh1 Rf7 35.Be6 Rf1+ $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The last moves were quite logical, but this is a mistake. Black needs to play with precision to keep the balance.} ( 35...Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.Kg2 ( 36.Nd7 $4 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] loses to} 36...Rf1+ 37.Kg2 Qg1+ 38.Kh3 Rf2 ) 36...Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The game peters out to a draw after} 37.b4 ( 37.bxc4 Qxc5 ) 37...a5 38.Nd7 Ne3+ 39.Rxe3 Qxe3 40.Nxf8 Bxf8 41.bxa5 Bc5 ) 36.Kg2 Ra1 ( 36...Rf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is not possible anymore.} 37.Nd7 ) 37.Qf2 ( 37.Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a more accurate way of controlling the open file.} 37...Rxa3 38.Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The point is that this move is possible now.} 38...Qa7 39.Qb2 b4 40.Nxe5 {White threatens 41.Rf8+ and has a decisive attack.} ) 37...Rxa3 38.Rf3 Qb8 $6 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 38...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way to defend, but it's a computer-like defense. No human wants to allow the check on f8.} 39.Rf8+ ( 39.g4 Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is in time to create counterplay.} 40.Kh3 Ra2 41.Qg3 Qd2 42.gxh5 Rc2 {with a total mess on board.} ) ( 39.Kh3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a cunning prophylactic move.} 39...Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.Qxa2 Qxc5 {Black has some practical chances after the exchange sacrifice.} ) 39...Kh7 40.Bg8+ Kh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Surprisingly Black is not losing immediately.} ) 39.Bd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 39.Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a simpler way of winning.} 39...Qe8 40.Nxe5 ) 39...h6 40.Ne6 Qb6 41.Qb2 $6 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 41.Qf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a study-like win after} 41...Ra2+ 42.Kh3 Nxe4 43.Rf8+ Kh7 44.Qf7 Qxe6+ ( 44...Nf2+ 45.Kh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45...g5+ 46.Kh5 {The checks are over.} ) 45.dxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45...Ng5+ 46.Kg4 Nxf7 47.Rxf7 {The passed pawn decides the game.} ) 41...Qa5 42.Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to avoid 42...Ra2.} 42...Nxe4 ( 42...Qb4 {is probably a better chance, but White eventually wins after} 43.Nxg7 Rxb3 44.Qxe5 Qxe4+ 45.Qxe4 Nxe4 46.Rf7 Rb2+ 47.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only square available. The endgame is winning after some accurate moves, for instance:} 47...b4 48.Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48...b3 49.Rxe4 Rxh2 50.Ne6 b2 51.Rb4 b1=Q+ 52.Rxb1 Rh1+ 53.Ke2 Rxb1 54.Nxc7 {Black will be unable to stop the d-pawn.} ) 43.Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43...Qe1 ( 43...Nxf2 44.Qxg6 {leads to a winning attack.} ) ( 43...Qb4 44.Re2 Nf6 45.Qxg6 Qe7 ( 45...Qg4 46.Qxg4 Nxg4 47.Nxc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 47.Nxg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Not this one.} 47...Nf6 {Black regains the piece.} ) 47...Nf6 48.Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Followed by the advance of the d-pawn.} ) 46.Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...Qxd7 ( 46...Nxd7 47.Rf7 ) 47.Rxf6 Bxf6 48.Qxf6+ Kg8 49.Qg6+ Kh8 50.Qxh6+ Kg8 51.Qg5+ Kh8 52.Qxe5+ Kg8 53.Qg5+ Kh8 54.Qh6+ Kg8 55.Qf8+ Kh7 56.Ng5+ Kg6 57.Qxa3 Kxg5 58.h4+ $18 {With a winning queen endgame.} ) 44.Re2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...Qc3 45.Qxe4 {White has a material advantage and a mating attack.} 45...Rxb3 46.Qxg6 Qf3+ 47.Kh3 Qf1+ 48.Rg2 Qf6 49.Qxf6 Bxf6 50.Rf2 Bg5 51.Kg4 e4 52.Rf8+ Kh7 53.h4 ( 53.d6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 53...cxd6 54.Bc6 {Black will soon be mated.} ) 53...Bd2 54.Nd4 Kg7 55.Nxb3 Kxf8 56.Nxd2 e3 57.Nf3 Ke7 58.Bc6 {What a fantastic match we're witnessing. All games so far have been hard-fought and interesting, some of them so complex that they need many hours of analysis to be understood. I can hardly wait for the next games.} 1-0

[Event "E Women's Candidates Tournament 2022-23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.03"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Black "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2526"]
[BlackElo "2545"]
[ECO "D05"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7769864282188"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

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1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3 c5 5.b3 {Many strategies are possible when you desperately need to win playing with the white pieces. One of them is to avoid a theoretical discussion in the opening and play something that keeps tension on the board. While this strategy will fail in today's example, it has been used many times successfully. Perhaps the most emblematic case is Kasparov's victory to save the 1987 match against Karpov in Seville.} 5...Nc6 6.Bb2 cxd4 7.exd4 g6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move, preparing the development of the bishop on g7, where it will be well placed if Black manages to castle. The conventional 7...Bd6 is the most popular move.} ( 7...Bd6 ) 8.O-O Bg7 9.Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the only possible problem for Black's plan. If she wants to castle quickly, then the bishop needs to get back to f8. But a more aggressive plan is possible.} 9...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10.Re1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a new move, and I'm not sure it helps White very much, since Black wants to play f5 anyway, and the rook is not going to do anything particularly useful on e1.} ( 10.Bb5 Bd7 11.c4 a6 {Black was fine in Edouard-Cornette, Chartres 2019.} ( 11...Qb6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ) ( 10.c3 {is too passive for my taste, although it was played by a legend.} 10...f5 11.Bb5 Bd7 12.Qe2 Rc8 13.Bxc6 Rxc6 ( 13...Bxc6 {is better.} ) 14.Qe3 Qb6 {with a good position for Black in Petrosian-Sunye Neto, Las Palmas 1982.} ) ( 10.c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is my favorite move. Interestingly, it has never been tried before.} 10...f5 ( 10...Nxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is too greedy. White gets a decisive initiative.} 11.cxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11...Nxf3+ 12.Qxf3 exd5 ( 12...Bxa1 13.Bb5+ Bd7 14.dxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...fxe6 15.Qxe4 {with a winning attack.} ) 13.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is winning in all lines.} 13...Bxa1 ( 13...Nxd2 14.Rfe1+ Be6 15.Bb5+ ) 14.Nxe4 {Black will soon resign.} ) 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Bb5 {with a complicated fight.} ) 10...f5 11.c3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Petrosian's plan is tried in a slightly worse situation.} ( 11.Bb5 {is better. It's important to understand that this move is fundamental for White. It guarantees an active game and gives the possibility to capture the knight and then play Ne5. Without this plan, White runs the risk of becoming passive, which will happen in the game.} 11...Bd7 12.c4 {with chances for both sides.} ) 11...Bd7 ( 11...a6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move deserves consideration, avoiding Bb5 forever.} ) 12.Qc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 12.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] again this is necessary.} ) 12...Rc8 13.Qb2 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black won the opening battle and has easy play on the kingside. White, on the other hand, is out of counterplay.} 14.Nfd2 g4 15.Nxe4 fxe4 16.Bf1 {Desperate situations call for desperate measures. Perhaps it was a case of changing the pattern of the game by sacrificing a piece. Is the compensation enough $2 Certainly not, but the position is much more fun to play.} ( 16.Bxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...dxe4 17.Nd2 Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Necessary in order to castle.} 18.Nxe4 O-O 19.Rad1 {White has some practical chances.} ) 16...Qf6 ( 16...Ne7 {This is a good move, preparing to castle.} ) 17.Qe2 ( 17.Nd2 {is better.} ) 17...h5 18.Nd2 Bf8 {A good move, exchanging bishops in order to castle.} ( 18...Ne7 {also keeps a much better position.} ) 19.Bb2 ( 19.Bxf8 {I'd rather exchange bishops, although it doesn't help much, as White is still without a plan after} 19...Rxf8 ) 19...Bd6 20.Rad1 O-O ( 20...g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is an immediate kill. Black sacrifices a pawn to create a decisive attack.} 21.f3 ( 21.hxg3 h4 {The h-file is deadly.} ) ( 21.fxg3 h4 22.gxh4 ( 22.g4 Qf4 23.g3 hxg3 24.h3 O-O 25.Bg2 Qf2+ 26.Kh1 Ne7 {White is paralyzed.} ) 22...Bxh2+ {The simplest, but anything wins.} 23.Kxh2 Qxh4+ 24.Kg1 Qh2+ 25.Kf2 O-O+ 26.Nf3 ( 26.Ke3 Qf4# ) 26...Rxf3+ {winning the queen and the game.} ) 21...e3 22.Qxe3 Bf4 23.Qd3 gxh2+ 24.Kh1 Ne7 $19 ) 21.g3 Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong nice maneuver. Black improves her position while White can't do much.} 22.Bg2 ( 22.h4 {This is another desperate attempt.} 22...gxh3 23.Bxh3 Nf7 {Now White can try to sacrifice a pawn with} 24.f4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] but Black has a decisive advantage after} 24...exf3 25.Nxf3 Bxg3 26.Rf1 Ng5 27.Nxg5 Qxg5 ) 22...Nf7 23.Nf1 Ng5 24.Ne3 Nf3+ 25.Bxf3 gxf3 26.Qf1 h4 27.g4 h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 27...Qf4 28.Qh3 ) 28.Kh1 ( 28.Qxh3 {loses after} 28...Rf7 {Followed by placing the rook on the h-file.} ) 28...Rf7 29.c4 Qh4 {The plan is to double rooks on the g-file and then capture the g4-pawn.} 30.Bc1 Rg7 31.Qg1 Kh7 32.cxd5 ( 32.Nf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only chance left is to try to defend sacrificing the g4-pawn and bringing the knight to g3.} 32...Rxg4 33.Ng3 {Black certainly has a winning position, but there's no mating attack in the short term.} ) 32...exd5 33.Nxd5 Rxg4 34.Rxe4 {One last attempt, but Lei settles the match with some precise moves.} 34...Rxg1+ 35.Rxg1 Qxf2 {The only move, but another one is not necessary.} ( 35...Qxe4 $4 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 36.Nf6+ ) 36.Bf4 ( 36.Nf6+ Kh8 ) 36...Qg2+ {A safe and good decision.} ( 36...Rc1 {is the quickest road to mate.} 37.Nf6+ ( 37.Rxc1 Qg2# ) ( 37.Bxc1 Qxh2# ) 37...Kh8 ) 37.Rxg2 hxg2+ 38.Kg1 Bxf4 {The rook is coming to c1.} 0-1

[Event "E World Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[ECO "C85"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "5636070839303"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Bxc6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] No surprises in Ding's opening choice—we were all expecting a classic 1.e4 e5. But Nepomniachtchi shows his weapons already on move six. He had never played the \"Delayed Exchange Variation\" before.} 6...dxc6 7.Re1 $5 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The move played in the game is just the fourth most popular, despite having, even so, vast theory behind it. The idea will become clear in the next move: White wants to advance his pawn to d4. Ding has faced this system three times, but in all the games his opponents played 7.d3.} ( 7.d3 ) 7...Nd7 ( 7...Bg4 {is a critical move, leading to unbalanced positions. Perhaps not the best choice when you are surprised in the opening,} 8.h3 Bh5 ( 8...Bxf3 9.Qxf3 {gives White a comfortable small advantage.} ) 9.g4 Nxg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 9...Bg6 10.Nxe5 Bc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is new and is the best way for Black to fight for compensation.} ( 10...Bxe4 11.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With a tricky position, in which White can fight for an advantage.} ( 11.g5 Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.gxf6 gxf6 13.Ng4 f5 {with good compensation for the piece in this chaotic position.} ) ) ) 10.hxg4 Bxg4 {Some games were played in this position and the computer evaluates it as equal. But Nepomniachtchi certainly has new ideas here.} ) 8.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. White seeks a more open game, rather than the typical maneuvers that result from slower play with the pawn on d3.} 8...exd4 9.Qxd4 O-O 10.Bf4 Nc5 11.Qe3 {This is more dangerous than the queen exchange.} ( 11.Qxd8 Bxd8 ) 11...Bg4 $6 $146 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A new move and not an accurate one.} ( 11...Ne6 {is more reliable and ended in a draw after:} 12.Bg3 Bc5 13.Qc3 Qe7 14.Nbd2 Re8 15.Rad1 {in Groszpeter-Pinter, Hungary 2015.} ) 12.Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The problem with the bishop move is that the knight is not pinned, so it can move and the bishop is not in a stable position.} ( 12.Ne5 {is also possible.} 12...Bh5 13.g4 Bg6 14.Nc3 {White also has the initiative in this position, with the rook coming to d1 and the queen to g3. But it seems the move played in the game is even better.} ) 12...Qd7 {The natural reaction, preparing to bring the rook to d8.} 13.Nc3 Rad8 {A critical moment where white's play can be improved.} 14.Nf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows Black to equalize.} ( 14.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This tricky move creates big practical problems for Black.} 14...Rfe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best. It's necessary to protect the bishop on e7 in order to be able to capture on d4.} ( 14...Qxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 15.Nd5 $3 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is White's idea. This surprising tactical shot wins material.} 15...Bf6 ( 15...Qxe3 16.Nxe7+ Kh8 17.Bxe3 {White wins a piece as two pieces are attacked.} ) ( 15...Rxd5 16.exd5 Qxe3 17.Rxe3 {Again Black loses material as both bishops are attacked.} ) 16.Nxf6+ gxf6 ( 16...Qxf6 17.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 17.Qg3 {the bishop will be captured and White has a winning advantage.} ) ( 14...Bxh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses after} 15.Rad1 Be6 16.Nb3 {winning material.} ) ( 14...Bh5 15.Nf5 Ne6 16.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Bc5 ( 16...Bg6 17.Rad1 Qe8 18.Nxe7+ Qxe7 19.Bg3 {Followed by f2-f4 with a huge advantage.} ) 17.Qf3 Bg6 18.Rad1 {Black is under pressure.} ) 15.Qg3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 15.hxg4 {Black has compensation for the pawn after} 15...Qxd4 16.Qxd4 ( 16.Nd5 Qxe3 17.Nxe7+ Rxe7 {Black has no problems.} ) 16...Rxd4 17.Bxc7 Ne6 ) 15...Qxd4 16.Bxc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Rd7 ( 16...Bh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17.Be5 ) 17.hxg4 Bf8 {Black has practical compensation for the pawn.} ) 14...Ne6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 14...Bxf5 {is better.} 15.exf5 Rfe8 {Black has no problems here.} 16.f6 {Maybe Ding was afraid of this pawn advance.} 16...Bd6 ( 16...Bf8 {is also enough.} ) 17.Qg3 Rxe1+ ( 17...g6 ) 18.Rxe1 Ne6 {with an equal position.} ) 15.Nxe7+ ( 15.Bh6 $5 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a flashy move, but Black can defend.} 15...Bh5 16.Bxg7 Nxg7 17.Qh6 Nxf5 18.exf5 Bg6 ( 18...Qxf5 {is dangerous after} 19.Rxe7 Rd6 20.Qe3 Qxc2 21.Re1 ) 19.fxg6 hxg6 20.Ne4 Rfe8 {White is slightly better, but the position is defensible.} ) 15...Qxe7 16.Bg3 {Now the game goes into a slow maneuvering phase.} 16...Bh5 ( 16...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, since Black gets a more active position.} 17.exf5 Bxf5 ) 17.f3 {White is slightly better because of the pawn structure. He can prepare the pawns’ advance on the kingside and press without any risk of defeat, so the opening can be considered a success for Nepomniachtchi.} 17...f6 18.h3 h6 19.Kh2 Bf7 20.Rad1 b6 21.a3 a5 {Both players improve their structure and their pieces in the last few moves.} 22.Ne2 ( 22.f4 {is a natural way of putting pressure, with the idea of advancing the pawns to f5 and e5.} ) 22...Rxd1 ( 22...c5 23.Nf4 {The idea is to bring the knight to the attack. If the knights are exchanged, then it's not so easy to defend the queenside.} 23...Nd4 ( 23...Nxf4 24.Qxf4 ) 24.Qf2 ) 23.Rxd1 Rd8 24.Rd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move to fight for the d-file.} 24...c5 25.Qd2 c6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Positionally very dangerous, as it allows the invasion of the white queen.} ( 25...Rxd3 26.Qxd3 {White has a small advantage and can press for many moves, but Ding would have a much easier life than what will happen in the game.} ) 26.Rxd8+ Nxd8 ( 26...Qxd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses material after} 27.Qxd8+ Nxd8 28.Bc7 ) 27.Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The white queen enters the game and Black's position becomes more dangerous. It's impossible to defend all pawns on the queenside.} 27...b5 28.Qb8 Kh7 {From now on, Nepomniachtchi's game will be hesitant and he starts losing the advantage. To be honest, it's hard to say whether it's possible to win here against an accurate defense. More likely, White will win a pawn but Black will have enough resources to defend. But it was possible, at the very least, to make Ding suffer for a long time.} 29.Bd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 29.Bc7 {is the most natural move, winning the a5-pawn. This pawn is more important than the one on c5. Black faces a long fight for a draw, for instance:} 29...Ne6 30.Bxa5 Qd7 31.Nf4 Nxf4 ( 31...Nd4 {is also possible.} ) 32.Qxf4 ) 29...Qd7 30.Ng3 ( 30.Qc7 $5 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 30...Qxc7 31.Bxc7 Nb7 {White has the advantage in this endgame, but it's understandable that Nepomniachtchi prefers to keep the queens to have attacking chances.} ) ( 30.Bxc5 Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Nf4 Ne6 32.Nxe6 Bxe6 {Despite the pawn down, Black manages to escape with a draw.} 33.Qc7 a4 34.Bf8 ( 34.Qxc6 Qf4+ 35.Kh1 Qc1+ 36.Bg1 Bb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a likely draw.} ) 34...Qd7 {White cannot break the fortress. As it's well known, endgames with opposite-colored bishops are difficult to win.} ) 30...Ne6 31.f4 ( 31.c3 {Deserves consideration, controlling the knight.} ) 31...h5 ( 31...Nd4 {is the computer's suggestion. A human is worried about taking the knight away from the king and suffering an attack.} 32.c3 Nb3 {and the machine evaluates this as equal.} ) 32.c3 c4 ( 32...h4 {is more accurate.} 33.Nf5 Bg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Ne7 Be8 {Black is holding.} ) 33.h4 Qd8 34.Qb7 ( 34.Qxd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the last real chance to fight for the win.} 34...Nxd8 35.f5 {White can still try to win, since Black's position is passive, for example:} 35...Nb7 36.Be7 Kg8 37.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Be8 38.Nf4 {The knight comes to rescue the bishop, going to g6 if necessary. White can try to bring the king to the game or to play the pawn break on g4. But I believe Ding would make a draw here as well.} ) 34...Be8 ( 34...Qxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35.Qxf7 {White wins by force.} 35...Qxf4 ( 35...Nxf4 36.Nf5 ) 36.Qxe6 Qxh4+ 37.Qh3 ) 35.Nf5 Qd7 36.Qb8 Qd8 37.Qxd8 Nxd8 38.Nd4 Nb7 {Ding has no problems defending the endgame now.} 39.e5 Kg8 40.Kg3 Bd7 41.Bc7 Nc5 42.Bxa5 Kf7 {The knight heads to d3.} 43.Bb4 Nd3 44.e6+ Bxe6 45.Nxc6 Bd7 ( 45...Nxb2 $4 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 46.Nd8+ ) 46.Nd4 Nxb2 47.Kf3 Nd3 48.g3 Nc1 49.Ke3 ( 49.Ke3 Nb3 {The position is totally drawn after the exchange of knights. Nepomniachtchi must be frustrated having squandered an excellent position, but confident because he showed the strength of his preparation. Ding, for now, breathes a sigh of relief for having escaped, but his game showed weakness in the opening. It's just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting duel.} ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Beauty "8248216266255"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.h3 {Much will be said about this curious and rare choice as early as move four, probably an influence of the creative GM Rapport, one of Ding's seconds. Of course, the idea didn't work in the game, but let's not be too quick to judge its merits. The job of studying openings for those who play White at the highest level is very difficult: you have to come up with ideas that your opponent hasn't studied much with the computer. In chess, as in other sports, it is easier to destroy than to create. For this reason, more and more exotic ideas are sought after. The move has no specific idea, but now we have to think about how the h2-h3 move affects Black's choice for different moves and transpositions, such as 4...c6, 4...Bb4+, 4...Be7, 4... c5 and so on.} 4...dxc4 {Nepomniachtchi decides to take the game to typical Queen's Gambit Accepted positions. The next moves are very natural and I believed that at some point the game would transpose to some position well known by theory, but it didn't.} 5.e3 c5 6.Bxc4 a6 7.O-O Nc6 8.Nc3 b5 9.Bd3 Bb7 ( 9...cxd4 10.exd4 Nb4 {is also possible.} ) 10.a4 b4 11.Ne4 Na5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Interestingly, Ding had this position with White against Aronian in a blitz game in 2021, with the difference that the rook was on e1 and the pawn on h2. The move 11...Na5 works much better in the case of the present game, as this version is better for Black. Nepomniachtchi was evasive during the press conference when asked if he was familiar with this blitz game between Ding and Aronian, but my impression is that he was familiar with it and that helped him in making his decision. Black has other options as well:} ( 11...cxd4 12.exd4 Be7 13.Be3 {followed by 14.Rc1 and White tries to exploit the weaknesses on the queenside, compensating for the isolated pawn.} ) ( 11...Nxe4 12.Bxe4 f5 {it's always risky to advance pawns this way. White can fight for an advantage after} 13.Bxc6+ Bxc6 14.Ne5 Qd5 15.Nxc6 Qxc6 16.dxc5 Bxc5 17.b3 O-O 18.Bb2 ) 12.Nxf6+ $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Opening the g-file is a risky decision, as the combination of this file with a bishop on b7 can be very dangerous.} ( 12.Nxc5 {is the best move. That was Ding's choice in the aforementioned game against Aronian.} 12...Bxc5 13.dxc5 Nd7 {The most natural move, seeking to recover the pawn immediately.} ( 13...Be4 {is also an interesting option.} ) 14.c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 14.Bd2 {leads to a position of approximate equality after} 14...Nxc5 15.Bxb4 Nxd3 16.Bxa5 Qxa5 17.Qxd3 Bxf3 18.gxf3 O-O {Black has enough compensation for the pawn.} ) 14...Nxc6 15.Qe2 O-O 16.Rd1 Qe7 17.e4 Nde5 {With a normal position, roughly equal and safe for White.} ) 12...gxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Perhaps Ding underestimated the strength of this move, which weakens Black's structure for a good reason. This is a difficult move for chess players with a very positional style, but it's a natural one for someone who likes the initiative like Nepomniachtchi.} 13.e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes things worse.} ( 13.dxc5 {is necessary, since in that case, Black's king will have no refuge on the queenside.} 13...Bxc5 14.e4 Rg8 {With a complicated position, with chances for both sides.} ) 13...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Despite handing over central control to the opponent, Black can now take the king to the queenside and start a threatening attack with all his pieces playing.} 14.Bc2 Qc7 15.Bd2 Rg8 ( 15...O-O-O {is also good.} ) 16.Rc1 O-O-O 17.Bd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A bad decision. Ding probably wanted to bring the bishop to f1 and secure the king's defense, but he won't have time for that.} ( 17.Qe1 {it is better. Play can continue:} 17...f5 18.Kh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black's initiative persists, but White has much more resources than in the game.} ) 17...Kb8 18.Re1 ( 18.b3 {loses to} 18...c3 ) ( 18.Bxc4 {doesn't work:} 18...Nxc4 19.b3 ( 19.Qe2 Rc8 20.b3 Nxd2 21.Rxc7 Nxf3+ 22.Qxf3 Rxc7 {with a decisive material advantage for Black.} ) 19...Nb2 ( 19...Nxd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is not clear now:} 20.Rxc7 Nxf3+ 21.Qxf3 Kxc7 22.Qxf6 ) ( 19...Bxe4 {is also very good.} 20.Rxc4 Qb7 ) 20.Rxc7 Nxd1 21.Rxb7+ Kxb7 22.Rxd1 Bd6 {And White doesn't have enough compensation for the exchange.} ) 18...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move received high praise from Ding at the press conference.} 19.Bc2 ( 19.exf5 {is brutally refuted.} 19...Rxd4 $3 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] and White's position collapses:} 20.Nxd4 Rxg2+ 21.Kf1 Rxf2+ 22.Kxf2 Qh2+ 23.Ke3 ( 23.Kf1 Qg2# ) 23...Bh6# ) 19...Nc6 ( 19...f6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also very good and was mentioned by Nepomniachtchi during the interview. The plan is to move the queen to g7. But the knight is Black's worst piece and he decided to bring it into the game.} ) 20.Bg5 {There's not much to recommend for White. I suspect that both players knew that the fate of the game was already sealed by this point. There is no proper way to defend the d4-pawn.} ( 20.exf5 Nxd4 {with a winning attack.} ) ( 20.Be3 f4 {sends the bishop back home.} ) ( 20.d5 exd5 21.exd5 Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a winning attack, for example:} 22.dxc6 Qg3 ) 20...Rxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A player of Nepomniachtchi's class plays this move by intuition.} 21.Nxg5 Nxd4 {For the exchange, Black has a pawn, active pieces, and an attack, while White is totally uncoordinated.} 22.Qh5 f6 {The simplest path to victory.} 23.Nf3 ( 23.Nxh7 Bc5 24.Nxf6 Qf4 {All the black pieces take part in the attack.} 25.Bb1 Nb3 26.Rc2 Nd2 ) 23...Nxc2 24.Rxc2 Bxe4 25.Rd2 Bd6 26.Kh1 c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.bxc3 bxc3 28.Rd4 c2 29.Qh6 e5 {The rook doesn't have a proper square. An excellent game from Nepomniachtchi, who showed to be in great shape. Ding's performance in these first two games is worrying, but now he will have a free day to rest and continue the fight in the third game.} 0-1

[Event "E World Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[ECO "D36"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[Beauty "6597875073542"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 {The Queen's Gambit is an essential guest at world championships, with memorable games in the legendary clashes between Capablanca vs. Alekhine, Spassky vs. Fischer, and Karpov vs. Kasparov, among others.} 4.cxd5 {The exchange variation was Kasparov's favorite.} 4...exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 h6 {In the 90s, moving the h-pawn in the Exchange Orthodox positions like this was considered an opening mistake. This is one of the clearest changes in theory in recent years. The computer showed that it's OK to play like this and also started to indicate more active plans for Black, like advancing the queenside pawns with b7-b5 and a7-a5, which was also considered anti-positional.} 7.Bh4 Be7 8.Bd3 O-O {Ding has some experience in this position, so it didn't come as a surprise to Nepomniachtchi. Two of the Chinese GM's opponents decided not to put the queen on c2 so quickly, but he had no trouble equalizing in those games.} 9.Qc2 ( 9.Nge2 Re8 10.O-O Nbd7 {Black's plan is connected with the advance of the queenside pawns: b5-a5-b4 and so on.} 11.f3 ( 11.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting prophylactic move.} 11...Nh5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.a5 Nf8 {Black later won in Praggnanandhaa-Ding, Chessable Masters (rapid) 2022.} ) 11...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.Bf2 a5 {with a complicated game in Grischuk-Ding, Speed Chess (blitz) 2022.} ) 9...Re8 10.Nge2 Nbd7 11.O-O a5 {Ding repeats what he had played in a rapid game against Giri last year. Black has options that are more popular.} ( 11...Ne4 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Rae1 ) ( 11...Nf8 ) ( 11...Nh5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 ) 12.a3 {This is not an easy move. I think the idea is to already prevent the …b5-b4 advance, although it's a bit curious that this is done before the pawn reaches b5.} 12...Nh5 {A classic Queen's Gambit move, exchanging bishops and relieving the position.} ( 12...b5 {is possible here too. A recent game followed with} 13.Rae1 Bb7 14.f3 b4 {with good play for Black in Novikov-Korobov, Titled Tuesday (blitz) 2023. I think Nepomniachtchi would have played differently before.} ) 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Rae1 {White goes to the center. The plan is Nc1, f3, and play e4 at an opportune moment, but Black will avoid this in the game.} 14...Nf8 15.Nc1 Nf6 16.f3 Ne6 {Ding had played all this before and only here a novelty is played. Nepomniachtchi didn't get any advantage and will need a better idea if he wants to repeat this opening.} 17.N1e2 ( 17.Qf2 c5 ( 17...b5 {is also interesting.} ) 18.Bb5 Rd8 19.dxc5 Qxc5 20.Nb3 Qb6 21.Rd1 Bd7 22.Bxd7 Rxd7 23.Nd4 Re8 {with equality in Giri-Ding, Chessable Masters 2022.} ) 17...c5 {Ding follows the same plan as his game against Giri.} ( 17...b5 {is the option.} ) 18.Bb5 ( 18.Nf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting alternative to fight for an advantage. Black is probably better off ignoring the knight and simply defending the d5 pawn.} 18...Rd8 ( 18...Nxf4 19.exf4 Qf8 ( 19...Qxe1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 21.Kf2 {the c5-pawn falls and White has a big advantage.} ) 20.dxc5 Qxc5+ 21.Qf2 {Despite the doubled pawns, White has a more comfortable position.} ) ) 18...Rd8 19.dxc5 Qxc5 20.Qd2 Bd7 ( 20...d4 {is enough to fully equalize the game, but I suppose Ding was playing to win.} 21.Nxd4 Nxd4 22.exd4 Qxd4+ 23.Qxd4 Rxd4 {with a likely draw.} ) 21.Bxd7 ( 21.Nd4 {is more accurate.} ) 21...Nxd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A great way to recapture. The knight goes to b6. Black's position is more comfortable, but Nepomniachtchi plays with precision to preserve the balance.} 22.Nd4 Nb6 23.Rd1 ( 23.Rc1 {is also possible, avoiding the problems with the unprotected knight on c3.} 23...Nc4 24.Qf2 ) 23...Nc4 24.Qf2 Rac8 ( 24...Nxa3 {It's necessary to calculate this move that seems to win a pawn, but White has a resource to restore the material balance.} 25.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Nxd4 ( 25...Nc4 26.Nxd5 ) 26.Rxd4 Nb5 27.Nxb5 Qxb5 28.Rfd1 {the d5-pawn will be captured.} ) 25.Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It seems strange to place the knight in the corner, but in this case, the move is useful for expelling the queen.} 25...Qe7 26.Rfe1 Qf6 ( 26...Nxd4 {is also not enough for any pressure.} 27.Rxd4 b5 28.Nc3 Qc5 29.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...axb4 30.axb4 Qxb4 31.Nxd5 Qc5 32.e4 {with a strong knight on d5.} ) 27.Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another knight that leaves the center and goes to the corner. It's the best move.} 27...Nc7 28.Nd4 ( 28.Nxc7 Rxc7 29.Rd3 {also ends in a possible repetition.} 29...Ne5 30.Rd2 Nc4 31.Rd3 ) 28...Ne6 29.Nb5 Nc7 30.Nd4 Ne6 {An important draw to restore Ding's confidence. He didn't have any problems in the opening and can now try to press with White in the next game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7219571596319"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]

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1.c4 {After the unsuccessful result in an attempt to take the game to more exotic terrain in the second game, Ding chooses the English Open, one of his favorites.} 1...Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e3 Bb4 5.Qc2 Bxc3 {This is the move considered most accurate by theory.} ( 5...O-O {is also possible, but now White has the option to play} 6.Nd5 ) 6.bxc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move. It seems exotic to capture with the pawn. After all what is the queen on c2 for $2 But the idea is now to play with e3-e4 and try to assert the strength of the center with the pair of bishops.} ( 6.Qxc3 Qe7 {Black plans to play d7-d5 quickly. There's a lot of theory here.} ) 6...d6 ( 6...e4 {is a critical move, preventing White from stabilizing the center.} 7.Ng5 Qe7 8.f3 exf3 9.Nxf3 {This position was discussed a few days ago in a very high-level game. White got the upper hand after} 9...O-O 10.d4 d5 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Kf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12...Nf6 13.Bd3 Ng4+ 14.Ke2 {in Yakubboev-Sevian, Spring Chess Classic 2023.} ) 7.e4 O-O 8.Be2 ( 8.g3 {is the most played move. It avoids the plan that will be executed in the game, but it takes a little longer to finish the development. Black has several possible ideas, and the game remains balanced.} ) 8...Nh5 {A normal reaction, activating the knight. The Ne7-g6 plan is also interesting and has been tried in two recent games.} ( 8...Ne7 9.O-O Ng6 10.d4 b6 11.Re1 {Tabatabaei-Giri, Chessable Play In Match (rapid) 2023.} ) ( 8...h6 9.O-O Ne7 10.d4 Ng6 11.c5 Re8 12.cxd6 cxd6 {Tabatabaei-Caruana, PRO League (rapid) 2023.} ) 9.d4 Nf4 {A rare move that changes the character of the position. This type of change is very difficult to evaluate, but my computer is not very happy with this move, despite the high probability that it's still Nepomniachtchi's preparation. Ding, in turn, said at the press conference that he was out of preparation after this, which is curious since in the only game it was tried, his coach was playing White.} ( 9...Qf6 {is the popular move in correspondence games, which means it must be the best.} ) 10.Bxf4 exf4 {White has lost the advantage of the bishop pair, but now has an imposing pawn center.} 11.O-O $146 ( 11.h4 {This mysterious move was played some time ago by Ding's second, GM Rapport. He was young and impetuous back then. He knows that Ding's style is more classic. Anyway, he got an interesting position after} 11...Re8 12.Bd3 Bg4 13.Ng1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...f5 14.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...fxe4 15.Bxe4 {Rapport-Zaragatski, Germany 2012.} ) 11...Qf6 12.Rfe1 Re8 {A critical moment.} 13.Bd3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move doesn't seem to me to be the most accurate. White has a few alternatives.} ( 13.h3 {seems to me to be the most natural. White avoids the bishop development to g4.} 13...Bd7 ( 13...Qg6 14.Kh2 {and the pawn on e4 cannot be captured.} 14...Rxe4 $4 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} ( 14...Qxe4 $4 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 15.Bd3 ) 15.Bd3 {winning material.} ( 15.Nh4 {also wins.} ) ) 14.Bd3 ) ( 13.c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] it is an immediate version of the sacrifice that will be played later.} 13...dxc5 14.e5 Qh6 15.Rad1 {With a complex position. White has compensation in the form of his moving center pawns.} ) 13...Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.Nd2 Na5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A natural plan in these structures and is normally played in the Nimzo-Indian Defense. The idea is to play b6 and then c5. Here, however, it's not the most accurate.} ( 14...f3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is too optimistic, as it only creates weaknesses after} 15.g3 ( 15.h3 Bxh3 16.Nxf3 {is also very good for White.} ) ) ( 14...Rad8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best plan, anticipating any central advance by White.} 15.h3 Bc8 {If the knight tries to go back to f3, then after} 16.Nf3 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is ready to start a kingside counterplay. Kh8-Rg8 can be played if needed.} ) 15.c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A brave decision, this is a long-term pawn sacrifice in order to get mobility for the central pawns. It's even more commendable if we consider that White has other safer (and maybe even better) possibilities.} ( 15.f3 Bd7 16.Nb3 Nxb3 17.axb3 {This is a natural sequence, but it seems that White's beautiful pawn structure does not offer a special advantage after} 17...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] preventing the advance of the b-pawn.} ) ( 15.h3 {White can start with this move.} 15...Bh5 {This is the right square, since after} ( 15...Bd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight returns to the game, and White prepares e4-e5.} ) ) ( 15.Qa4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Perhaps this is the most surgical move.} 15...b6 16.f3 Bh5 ( 16...Be6 {This move isn't as bad as it looks, as 17.d5 is not dangerous.} 17.Nb3 ( 17.d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17...Qxc3 ) ( 17.e5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 17...Nxb3 18.axb3 {with some advantage for White.} ) 17.Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Nxb3 18.axb3 {The queen can now try to invade the queenside. White's position looks better, but the game is complicated, for example:} 18...c5 19.Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...cxd4 20.Rxa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Rad8 21.Qd5 Qh4 22.Rc1 dxc3 23.Bf1 {and the c3-pawn will fall with better structure for White.} ) 15...dxc5 16.e5 Qh6 17.d5 {The center pawn pair certainly commands respect, but Black is solid.} 17...Rad8 ( 17...b6 {is quite natural. Black can try to speed up the plan of doubling on e-file after} 18.c4 Re7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 18.c4 b6 19.h3 Bh5 {The right square, so the white knight cannot return to f3.} ( 19...Bc8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20.Nf3 ) 20.Be4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting plan: get the bishop to f3 in order to double rooks on the e-file.} 20...Re7 {It's not easy to find a plan for Black, so Nepomniachtchi decides to double on the e-file, a good decision.} ( 20...Rxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 21.Bxh7+ Qxh7 22.Qxh7+ Kxh7 23.Rxe5 ) 21.Qc3 Rde8 22.Bf3 Nb7 23.Re2 f6 {This move is not forced, but it's interesting to bring the knight, although the pawn on e6 is unpleasant.} 24.e6 {Forced.} ( 24.Rae1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24...fxe5 25.Rxe5 Qf6 {wins material.} ) 24...Nd6 25.Rae1 Nf5 ( 25...Bg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is an interesting option, keeping the bishops. My impression is that White doesn't have a plan to break Black's position. To be honest, I'd rather be Black here, as I have a long-term plan (advance the pawns on the kingside despite the dangers). The computer evaluates the position as equal.} ) 26.Bxh5 Qxh5 27.Re4 Qh6 28.Qf3 Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] That move is the only serious mistake of the game, and from now on the final result is never in doubt.} ( 28...g5 {is necessary.} 29.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Nd6 ( 29...Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30.Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...cxd4 31.Nb3 {is an even better version of the game.} ) ( 29...Nh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30.Qd3 {and the knight is misplaced.} ) 30.R4e2 {White has enough compensation for the pawn, thanks to his formidable pawn on e6. But I don't really know what the plan would be to try to win in this position.} ) 29.Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nepomniachtchi clearly underestimated the strength of this fine exchange sacrifice.} ( 29.Qd3 {Ding mentioned that he was planning this move initially until he realized that 29.Rxd4 works.} ) ( 29.Qxf4 Qxf4 30.Rxf4 c6 {with a good endgame for Black.} ) 29...cxd4 30.Nb3 {The knight captures the d4-pawn, and the position becomes a strategic massacre.} 30...g5 ( 30...c5 {This doesn't work for tactical reasons.} 31.d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Rxe6 32.Rxe6 Rxe6 33.d7 {and the d-pawn decides the game.} 33...Rd6 34.Qa8+ Kf7 35.Qe8# ) 31.Nxd4 Qg6 {Trying to keep the knight from jumping to f5.} 32.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] What a beautiful move to execute. Aesthetic and efficient. The knight secures its place on f5.} 32...fxg3 33.fxg3 h5 34.Nf5 {White's position is so beautiful that it makes you want to take a picture of it.} 34...Rh7 35.Qe4 Kh8 36.e7 Qf7 37.d6 {The pawns perform the final work.} 37...cxd6 38.Nxd6 Qg8 ( 38...Qxe7 39.Nxe8 {wins a piece.} ) 39.Nxe8 Qxe8 40.Qe6 Kg7 41.Rf1 Rh6 42.Rd1 f5 43.Qe5+ Kf7 44.Qxf5+ Rf6 45.Qh7+ Ke6 46.Qg7 Rg6 47.Qf8 {A magnificent victory for Ding, who showed the best version of his chess. The match is tied, and at this moment it's impossible to make a prediction about who will be the next world champion.} ( 47.Qf8 Qxe7 ( 47...Rg8 48.Rd8 ) 48.Re1+ ) 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[ECO "C84"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7148704629798"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]

1.e4 {Nepomniachtchi returns to his favorite move after failing to gain an advantage in the third game with the queen's pawn.} 1...e5 {It's hard to imagine Ding playing anything against 1.e4 in the match other than 1...e5.} 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 {The Ruy Lopez is the most classic of all chess openings and I was curious to know what ideas Nepomniachtchi had prepared for the match. 6.Bxc6 was played in the first game and gave him an edge, but it was a one-game attempt and worked well for that purpose. 6.Re1 was the chosen move in the match against Carlsen. 6.d3 is a popular and modern option.} 6...b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.h3 Bb7 {In these Ruy Lopez positions there are many possible plans for both sides, with many details and subtleties.} ( 9...Na5 {is the most popular move.} 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 {The Chigorin Variation with more tempo for Black, but even so equality is not so easy.} ) ( 9...h6 ) ( 9...Nb8 ) ( 9...Be6 ) 10.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare move, played by Firouzja last year.} ( 10.Re1 ) ( 10.Nbd2 ) 10...Na5 11.Ba2 {This is the idea, now the bishop can stay on the dangerous diagonal.} 11...c5 12.Bg5 {A new move. Nepomniachtchi certainly has a good stock of ideas in the opening against his opponent's more predictable choice.} ( 12.Na3 Qd7 13.Bg5 ( 13.axb5 {is more accurate.} 13...axb5 14.Bg5 ) 13...bxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a position full of resources in Firouzja-Giri, Miami (rapid) 2022.} ) 12...h6 {A curious move, as White probably wants to take on f6 anyway.} ( 12...Nd7 {is possible, but then White can retreat the bishop to e3 and Black has nothing better than retreating the knight as well.} 13.Be3 Nf6 ) ( 12...c4 {is premature, as White has the initiative after} 13.axb5 axb5 14.Na3 ) ( 12...Qd7 {is very natural.} 13.Nbd2 {And certainly Nepomniachtchi has a lot of lines analyzed here.} ) 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.axb5 axb5 15.Nbd2 Nc6 ( 15...d5 {is a critical move, since the break improves Black's pawn structure. A possible continuation is} 16.exd5 ( 16.b4 {gives nothing after} 16...dxe4 17.Nxe4 cxb4 18.cxb4 Nc6 ) 16...Bxd5 17.Qe2 Nc6 18.Bxd5 Qxd5 {Black's position looks acceptable.} ) 16.Bd5 Rxa1 17.Qxa1 Qd7 18.Re1 {Nepomniachtchi was blitzing all his moves, indicating he was still in preparation.} 18...Ra8 {A natural move, although it's not so clear whether forcing the queen back to the game is the most precise move.} ( 18...Ne7 {Black can accelerate the plan of exchanging bishops.} 19.Bxb7 Qxb7 ) ( 18...Bc8 $5 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a very interesting plan. The point is to bring the knight to e7 without allowing the exchange of bishops. We will see different versions of this idea in the analysis.} 19.Nf1 Ne7 20.Bb3 ( 20.Ne3 Nxd5 21.Nxd5 Bd8 {is also OK for Black.} 22.Qa2 Bb7 ) 20...Bb7 {with a good position.} ) 19.Qd1 Bd8 {I don't like this move, although deeming it dubious might be excessive criticism. There are several possible plans.} ( 19...Ne7 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 ) ( 19...Nd8 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 ) ( 19...Ra6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the idea of playing Bc8-Ne7.} ) ( 19...g6 {A typical move to bring the bishop to g7.} ) 20.Nf1 Ne7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] After this White definitely has the upper hand.} ( 20...Ra7 $5 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is better:} 21.Ne3 Bc8 {with the idea of Ne7 and at some point the bishop will go to b6.} ) 21.Bxb7 Qxb7 22.Ne3 {Nepomniachtchi got what he wanted from the opening. A good position, attacking chances, and an advantage on the clock.} 22...Bb6 23.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I'm not sure if this move is still part of the preparation or if it was thought up on the board, but it's a great decision. It reminds me of a great Kasparov game I watched live, when he played a similar plan against Van Wely, in Wijk aan Zee 1999, achieving a magnificent victory. Bringing the pawn to h5 helps White both in attacking chances on the middlegame and also in the endgame.} 23...Qc6 24.h5 {This is a critical moment. Nepomniachtchi said at the press conference that he was torn between this and 24.c4.} ( 24.c4 {is very sensible, since it stops c5-c4, but the computer is not impressed.} 24...Ba5 25.Re2 h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] avoiding h4-h5.} ) ( 24.Qe2 {Queen moves don't really avoid c5-c4.} 24...c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 25.dxc4 Bxe3 26.cxb5 Bxf2+ 27.Kxf2 Qb6+ 28.Kf1 f5 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) ( 24.Qb3 c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 24...Rc8 ) 25.dxc4 Bxe3 26.cxb5 Bxf2+ 27.Kxf2 Qc5+ 28.Kg3 Rb8 29.c4 Ng6 {with activity in return for the pawn.} ) 24...c4 {This is better than capturing on c4.} 25.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 25.dxc4 Bxe3 ( 25...bxc4 26.Ng4 {is more dangerous.} ) 26.Rxe3 bxc4 {with an equal position.} ) 25...exd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not the most accurate move, although Ding had to calculate some difficult lines in order to choose the best move.} ( 25...Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Nh4 {This seems very dangerous for Black, but he is still alive.} 26...exd4 ( 26...d5 {is also possible:} 27.Nxd5 ( 27.exd5 Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 27...Nxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28.Nhf5 ) 28.Nf3 exd4 29.Ng4 Qd6 30.Nxd4 Nxd5 {with an active position.} ) 27...Nxd5 28.exd5 Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point.} 29.Re4 exd4 30.cxd4 b4 {The machine indicates that Black's activity is enough for equality.} ) 27.Nef5 Nxf5 28.Nxf5 Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] a difficult move, bringing the queen back to defend.} 29.cxd4 ( 29.Qg4 Qe5 ) 29...Qe6 {The queen goes to f6 and Black is alive. All this is very hard to calculate and even harder to evaluate.} ) 26.Nxd4 {The right way.} ( 26.cxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 26...Ba5 27.Re2 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a good position.} ) 26...Qc5 ( 26...Bxd4 27.Qxd4 {White has a comfortable advantage, with more active pieces and the better pawn structure.} ) 27.Qg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Nepomniachtchi's only inaccuracy in the entire game.} ( 27.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to conduct the initiative.} 27...Re8 ( 27...Qe5 28.Ng4 Qg5 29.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...d5 30.Nxb5 {with a big advantage.} ) 28.Qg4 {It's weird to move the queen again, but now the invasion on d7 is more annoying.} 28...Qe5 29.Qd7 Kf8 30.Rd1 {with strong pressure.} ) 27...Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Nf3 ( 28.Qd7 {is not dangerous now.} 28...Bxd4 29.cxd4 Qxe4 ) 28...Qe6 29.Nf5 Nxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Ding regretted playing this move.} ( 29...Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Nxe7+ Qxe7 31.Qf5 Bc5 {White's position is still more comfortable in practice, but the worst is over.} ) 30.exf5 Qf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 30...Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the right square for the queen, but it's more natural to a human to bring it closer to the king.} 31.Qf4 Bd8 {with only a slight plus for White.} ) 31.Qe4 Rb8 32.Re2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent prophylactic move, defending b2 and thus avoiding the counterplay with b5-b4.} 32...Bc5 ( 32...b4 33.cxb4 ) 33.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another great move, mixing attack and defense. The f5-pawn is protected and this is important to free the queen.} 33...Qd8 ( 33...b4 34.Qxc4 ) 34.Qd5 Kf8 35.Kf1 {A difficult move. On the broadcast, Giri said that this is the kind of move that wins games. The idea is to improve the king's position, taking it away from the bishop's diagonal, thus preparing the decisive plan to pass the rook to the attack. 35.Kg2 is also possible, with a similar idea.} ( 35.Kg2 ) ( 35.Re4 Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Here we see one of the benefits of the move played in the game, as Black now threatens to capture on f2 with check.} ) 35...Rc8 ( 35...Qc8 {with the idea of bringing the queen to b7, is the only chance to defend, but taking the queen out of the defense from f5-f6 and g4-g5 advances is difficult in the heat of the game.} 36.f6 ( 36.g5 Qb7 ) 36...gxf6 37.Qe4 {Black's position remains very difficult, albeit not yet lost.} ) 36.Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook supports the decisive kingside break with f6 or g5.} 36...Rb8 {For lack of a better option, Ding decides to wait out the inevitable.} 37.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...hxg5 ( 37...Qd7 {is more stubborn.} ) 38.Rg4 Ra8 ( 38...Qf6 39.Nxg5 {wins easily.} ) ( 38...f6 39.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the beautiful point of White's previous moves.} 39...gxh4 40.h6 gxh6 41.Qg8+ Ke7 42.Rg7# ) 39.Nxg5 Ra1+ 40.Ke2 ( 40.Kg2 {is also winning:} 40...Qa8 41.Qxa8+ Rxa8 42.f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...gxf6 43.Nh7+ Ke7 44.Re4+ Kd7 45.Nxf6+ Kc6 46.Re8 Rxe8 47.Nxe8 Kd7 48.h6 Kxe8 49.h7 {The poor bishop is not able to do anything.} ) 40...Qe7+ 41.Ne4 Qe8 42.Kf3 Qa8 43.Qxa8+ {I expected Nepomniachtchi to play on his style, keeping the queens and winning by attack. But he made the most \"professional\" decision, bringing the game to an easily winning endgame.} ( 43.Qd2 {the queen goes to g5 with a winning attack.} ) 43...Rxa8 44.f6 g6 ( 44...gxf6 45.Nxf6 Ke7 46.Ng8+ Kf8 47.h6 {The h-pawn is unstoppable.} ) 45.hxg6 fxg6 46.Rxg6 Ra2 47.Kg4 Rxb2 48.Rh6 {The king goes to f5 and White has a mating net. With the third decisive game out of five, each better than the other, this is one of the best starts to a world championship match in history. If before the event started there was doubt about the true interest of the public due to Carlsen's absence, the games spoke for themselves and I imagine that chess fans all over the world can't wait for the next battle.} ( 48.Rh6 Bxf2 49.Rh8+ Kf7 50.Kf5 {with mate next move.} ) 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7424790511133"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]

{[%evp 0,53,41,21,19,19,15,17,39,41,54,-9,6,19,6,0,28,3,3,3,3,3,5,-6,14,14,14,18,14,3,13,9,16,6,7,-21,0,-23,7,14,8,8,25,9,21,19,64,41,79,83,82,82,97,97,89,34]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 {The long-awaited moment has arrived when the London System makes its first appearance in a world championship match. If I have criticized London players, here I demonstrate my complete regret for doing so. This is not a very common weapon in Ding's repertoire, but he has used it before, and Nepomniachtchi said he expected it at some point.} 3...c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 cxd4 ( 5...Bg4 {was played against Ding in 2021.} 6.Bb5 e6 7.O-O cxd4 8.exd4 Bd6 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.c3 O-O 11.Re1 {With the same position as in the game, with the difference that the bishop is on g4 and not on f5. It's hard to say whom this favors, but the game's character doesn't change much. Ding-Hovhannisyan, Online Olymp 2021.} ) 6.exd4 Bf5 ( 6...Bg4 {was played by Nepomniachtchi in 2022.} 7.c3 e6 8.Qb3 Qc8 {Aravindh-Nepomniachtchi, Wch Rapid Almaty 2022.} ) 7.c3 e6 8.Bb5 {Not the most popular choice.} ( 8.Qb3 {is the main line.} ) 8...Bd6 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.O-O O-O 11.Re1 {There are not many games in this position, and most of them are by GM Gata Kamsky, a great expert in the London System. The position looks calm and even monotonous; it is difficult to predict the fireworks that we will see later. White's plan is to try to exert some pressure on the queenside, advancing the a-pawn and trying to get the knight to c5. Black's position is very solid, but there is no clear game plan.} 11...h6 {A useful move, giving the bishop a square and the king some air. However, due to White's next move, this move may not be the most accurate.} ( 11...a6 12.Bxc6 Qxc6 13.Ne5 Qc7 14.a4 a5 15.g4 Bg6 16.h4 {This was played in Kamsky-Matlakov, Titled Tuesday 2023. Here, instead of 16...Nd7, Black should advance the h-pawn with equal chances.} 16...h6 ( 16...h5 ) ) 12.Ne5 {A new move.} ( 12.a4 {was played in Kamsky-Marcus, Titled Tuesday 2020.} ) 12...Ne7 {Necessary to avoid the exchange on c6.} ( 12...a6 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.Nb3 {with a positional advantage for White.} ) 13.a4 a6 14.Bf1 Nd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 14...a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This prophylactic move, preventing White from fixing the structure on the queenside, has its value.} 15.Nb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Another subtle move, bringing the knight to b5.} 15...Nd7 {White's position is a bit more comfortable, but no big deal.} ) 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With the structure on the queenside fixed and Black with weaknesses on the dark squares, White has a small advantage.} 16...Qc7 17.Qf3 Rfc8 18.Ra3 {A sophisticated move. The rook will come in handy on the third rank later in the game, but more conventional moves are available.} ( 18.Rec1 {with the idea of playing b4 and then Nb3-c5.} ) ( 18.Nb3 Nc6 19.Qg3 {similar to the game, also with some advantage.} ) 18...Bg6 {Black's problem is that there are no active moves available.} 19.Nb3 Nc6 20.Qg3 Qe7 ( 20...Qxg3 {Maybe it's better to exchange queens, even though White maintains his pressure in the endgame after} 21.hxg3 Rc7 22.Nc5 ) 21.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A great move, gaining space on the kingside and showing the opponent that he is not in a hurry. Interestingly, in the previous game, it was Nepomniachtchi who executed an excellent pawn advance to h4.} ( 21.Nc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is premature and allows a tactical shot.} 21...Nxa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Nxe6 ( 22.Rxa5 b6 ) 22...Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the worst is over for Black.} ) 21...Re8 {Nepomniachtchi decides to prepare a plan with e6-e5. The computer shows that this makes things worse, but it's hard to play without an active plan.} 22.Nc5 e5 23.Rb3 ( 23.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better, since Black has less counterplay than in the game. White defends the knight and threatens to capture on e5. After} 23...e4 24.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White will get an imposing pawn structure after the capture on e4.} ) 23...Nxa5 24.Rxe5 Qf6 25.Ra3 Nc4 26.Bxc4 dxc4 {This is a critical moment in the game.} 27.h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a mistake due to a clever tactical resource.} ( 27.Nxb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} 27...Qb6 28.Nd6 Rxe5 29.Qxe5 ( 29.dxe5 {is also better for White.} ) 29...Qxb2 30.Nxc4 {with the advantage.} ) 27...Bc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 27...Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.dxe5 Qd8 $3 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is the point.} ( 28...Qc6 {is not good:} 29.hxg6 Qxc5 30.gxf7+ Kxf7 31.e6+ Kg8 32.Ra1 {Followed by 33.Re1 with a big advantage, thanks to the passed e-pawn.} ) 29.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right way to keep some pressure.} ( 29.hxg6 {leads to a draw by perpetual check after} 29...Qd1+ 30.Kh2 Qh5+ ) 29...Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.hxg6 Qe1+ 31.Kh2 Qxe5+ 32.g3 Qxc5 33.Qxf7+ Kh8 34.Ra4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...Rc8 {White is still better, but Black is fighting.} ( 34...b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 35.Rxa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Rf8 36.Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Qxf2+ 37.Qxf2 Rxf2+ 38.Kg1 Rf8 39.Rb6 {with a winning rook endgame.} ) ( 34...Rf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35.Rxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) ( 27...Bd3 {was suggested by Nepomniachtchi as an improvement in the press conference, but he clearly missed the following computer move:} 28.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with an overwhelming advantage for White.} ) 28.Nxb7 Qb6 ( 28...Rxe5 29.Qxe5 Qxe5 30.dxe5 Rb8 31.Nd6 Rxb2 32.Rxa6 {The endgame is hopeless for Black.} 32...Rb8 33.Ra7 ) 29.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Rxe5 ( 29...Qxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30.Rxe8+ Rxe8 31.Qxd6 ) 30.Qxe5 {This is clearly better than taking with the pawn.} ( 30.dxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 30...Qxb2 31.Nxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 31.Ra5 {is better.} ) 31...Qc1+ 32.Kh2 Rc8 33.Nd6 Qxa3 34.Nxc8 a5 {and Black is fine.} ) 30...Qxb2 31.Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Ding rightly praised this move at the press conference.} ( 31.Nxc4 {is much worse, since it's not clear whether White can win in the endgame after} 31...Qc1+ 32.Kh2 Bd3 33.Qe3 Qd1 34.Ne5 Qxh5+ 35.Qh3 Qxh3+ 36.gxh3 ( 36.Kxh3 ) ) 31...Kh7 ( 31...Qxc3 {The point is that this natural capture loses after} 32.Ne8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...f6 ( 32...Rxe8 33.Qxe8+ Kh7 34.Rd5 {Followed by Rd8 with a mating attack.} ) 33.Qd5+ Kh7 34.Nxf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...gxf6 35.Qb7+ $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Kh8 36.Qxa8+ ) 32.Rc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 32.Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is an absurdly difficult move, indicated by the computer. White has a clear advantage as the pawn on c4 will fall.} 32...Bd3 33.Nxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 33.Nxf7 {is also possible.} ) 33...Bxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 34.Qe4+ f5 35.Qxa8 Qc1+ 36.Kh2 Qf4+ 37.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and there's no perpetual check.} 37...Qxf2+ 38.Qg2 $18 ) 32...Qc1+ $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 32...Qxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives Black good saving chances if he manages to find some fantastic ideas on the way.} 33.Nxf7 ( 33.Ne8 $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 33...Rxe8 34.Qxe8 Qa1+ 35.Kh2 Qxd4 {White is not in time to checkmate.} ) ( 33.Rc7 Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Rxf7 Qg5 35.f4 Qxe5 36.dxe5 {This is an interesting endgame, but Black manages to save it by playing with precision.} ) 33...Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Rc7 Qc1+ 35.Kh2 Re8 $3 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A fantastic resource $1} 36.Qg3 ( 36.Qxe8 Qf4+ {leads to perpetual check.} ) 36...Re1 37.Qg4 Rh1+ 38.Kg3 Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39...Bg6+ 40.Qf3 Qxf3+ 41.Kxf3 Bxh5+ 42.g4 Be8 43.Rxc4 {After all these unbelievable moves from the computer, we reach an endgame with good drawing chances for Black.} ) 33.Kh2 f6 34.Qg3 {From now on, there's no possible salvation for Nepomniachtchi.} 34...a5 ( 34...Bd3 35.Nxc4 Bxc4 36.Rxc4 {The exchange of the bishop for the knight doesn't bring relief.} ) 35.Nxc4 a4 36.Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate. Ding plays for mate.} ( 36.Rc7 Qg5 37.Qxg5 hxg5 38.Na3 {The endgame should be winning due to the passed pawns, but the move played in the game is better.} ) 36...Bb1 ( 36...a3 37.Rc7 Rg8 38.Nd5 Kh8 39.Ra7 {Black is not in time to support the advance of the a-pawn.} 39...Bb3 40.Ne7 ) 37.Rc7 Rg8 38.Nd5 Kh8 39.Ra7 a3 40.Ne7 Rf8 41.d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Ding finds a wonderful mating pattern and finishes the game in style.} ( 41.Rb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is also pretty and efficient. The game might continue:} 41...a2 42.Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea.} 42...a1=Q ( 42...Rxb8 43.Qxb8+ Kh7 44.Qg8# ) 43.Rxf8+ Kh7 44.Qg6+ Bxg6 45.hxg6# {A checkmate with a pawn is always attractive.} ) ( 41.Qc7 {It's important to show this move, so the reader understands the point of Ding's move.} 41...Kh7 ( 41...a2 42.Ng6+ Bxg6 43.Qxg7# ) 42.Ng6 Rg8 {In this position, the pawn is important on d5 so that a beautiful mate is possible. We will see this in a minute.} ) 41...a2 42.Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...Kh7 43.Ng6 Rg8 44.Qf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now it's clear why the pawn is needed on d5. It takes the e6-square from the king. Such a pretty finish for another great game in the match. I'm already out of words to praise this duel. I started following world championship matches in the early '90s, and so far this has been the best.} ( 44.Qf7 Qg5 ( 44...Bxg6 45.hxg6+ Kh8 46.Qxg8+ Kxg8 47.Ra8# ) 45.Qxg8+ $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45...Kxg8 46.Ra8+ Kf7 ( 46...Kh7 47.Rh8# ) 47.Rf8# ) 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.18"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[ECO "C07"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "pigle"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7838986405415"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]

1.e4 e6 {Yesterday it was the London System and today it's the French Defense, which was missing for a long time in world championship matches. Did Ding Liren finally show the best opening repertoire for chess players of all levels $2} 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 {Nepomniachtchi decides not to test his opponent in the most critical lines, instead aiming for a small and safe advantage.} 3...c5 {Definitely Black's best move in this position.} 4.Ngf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 ( 5...Nc6 {is more popular, but Ding's move has been tried by many strong players.} ) 6.exd5 Nxd5 7.N2f3 Be7 ( 7...Bb4+ {is also frequently played.} ) 8.Bc4 Nc6 {This is a new move in this position, although there will be a move transposition later on. In any case, the position becomes unfamiliar very soon, something of a trend in this match. Although Black now gets three \"pawn islands,\" he gets the b-file and good piece development in return. The usually bad French bishop now can be developed on b7.} ( 8...O-O 9.O-O Bf6 10.c3 Nc6 {later ended in a draw in Kramnik-Illescas Cordoba, Dos Hermanas 1996.} ) 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.O-O O-O 11.Qe2 Bb7 12.Bd3 $146 {This sensible move, preparing the typical queen and bishop battery, is a novelty.} ( 12.Ne5 Qc7 13.Bd2 Bd6 14.f4 c5 {This was played in Kruppa-Dokhoian, Uzhgorod 1987. At the press conference, Ding said he didn't know this game.} ) 12...Qc7 13.Qe4 {This is the idea. Black has to either allow the queen to h4 or give the h6-square to the bishop.} 13...Nf6 ( 13...g6 {is the option.} 14.Bh6 Rfe8 {with a complicated game.} ) 14.Qh4 c5 15.Bf4 Qb6 16.Ne5 Rad8 17.Rae1 {It's not clear whether this is the right square for the rook.} ( 17.Rad1 {Without some hours of analysis it's impossible to determine whether the rook is better placed here. Black's options are, just like in the game, 17...g6 or 17...Ba6.} 17...g6 ( 17...Ba6 18.c4 {In this case Black cannot sacrifice the exchange on d3.} 18...Rd4 {with a complex game.} ) 18.Qh3 ) ( 17.Ng4 {Asked about his intentions against this move, Ding said he would reply with 17...h5. Not a bad move, but the exchange sacrifice on d3 is better.} 17...Rxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 17...h5 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.Qxh5 g6 20.Qg4 Rd4 {Black has decent compensation for the pawn.} ) 18.cxd3 Nd5 19.Qg3 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Ne3 h4 21.Nxd5 Bxd5 22.Qe3 Qb7 23.f3 h3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with excellent compensation for the exchange.} ) 17...g6 ( 17...Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a very good move, exchanging White's dangerous bishop. The main point is that after} 18.c4 ( 18.Bxa6 {is not dangerous for Black, as without this bishop there's no attack.} ) 18...Rxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Nxd3 Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move. The immediate capture on c4 meets a pretty refutation.} ( 19...Bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20.Bd6 $3 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A wonderful move that seems taken from Dvoretsky's exercises card. I'd say this is a level four exercise (five was the maximum and it usually meant the exercise was impossible to solve, at least for me).} 20...Qxd6 ( 20...Bxd3 21.Bxe7 Bxf1 22.Bxf8 Kxf8 23.Rxf1 Qxb2 24.Qc4 {with an easy win for White.} ) 21.Qxc4 {Black's compensation is not enough for the exchange.} ) 20.Bg5 Bxg5 21.Qxg5 Bxc4 22.Rd1 {Black has a good position and many possibilities now.} ) 18.Bg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This doesn't look very impressive due to Black's next move.} ( 18.Ng4 {is very tempting, but enough only for equality.} 18...Nd5 19.Bg5 ( 19.Be5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19...f6 ( 19...Bxh4 $4 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 20.Nh6# ) 20.Qh6 fxe5 ( 20...Rf7 {Black can also play for a win with this move.} ) 21.Bxg6 hxg6 22.Qxg6+ Kh8 {There's no more than perpetual check.} ) 19...f6 20.Qh6 fxg5 21.Bxg6 hxg6 22.Qxg6+ Kh8 {with a draw.} ) ( 18.Bh6 {is possible:} 18...Rfe8 19.Qh3 {White retains some initiative.} ) ( 18.Qh3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is probably the most cunning move, preventing Rd4, eyeing the pawn on e6, and retaining all options open.} ) 18...Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forced and good. The f-pawn naturally cannot move due to the problems with the king on the diagonal, so the queen has to move.} 19.Qh3 ( 19.Qh6 {The queen is not as dangerous here as it looks. A possible variation, if the reader doesn't mind its obvious computer nature, is:} 19...Ng4 {This now starts a fantastic line with many forced moves for both sides.} 20.Nxg4 Rxg4 21.Bxe7 Rxg2+ 22.Kh1 {The windmill is not decisive this time.} 22...Rxf2+ 23.Be4 Rxf1+ 24.Rxf1 Bxe4+ 25.Kg1 c4+ ( 25...Rd8 $5 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 26.Rf2 Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Otherwise Black is mated on the dark squares.} 27.Bxd8 Qxd8 {And again the machine laughs at us, showing the 0.00 evaluation.} ) 19...Qc7 {The queen returns to protect the bishop on e7, freeing the knight. It also prepares the c5-c4 advance.} ( 19...Nd5 {leads to equality, thanks to a nice tactical detail.} 20.Nd7 ( 20.Bxe7 Nxe7 {is roughly equal.} ) 20...Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is it.} 21.Bxf4 Rxd7 ) 20.b3 {Nepomniachtchi avoids c5-c4. The position is extremely complex and there are many possibilities for both sides on each move.} ( 20.Bh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake. After} 20...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Bxf8 Kxf8 22.Bxc4 ( 22.Be2 Qxe5 ) 22...Rxc4 23.Nxc4 Qxc4 {The three pieces are much stronger than two rooks.} ) ( 20.c3 {is very natural.} 20...Rd5 21.f4 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an important move according to the machine. Black has to sacrifice a pawn to get counterplay.} 22.Nxc4 ( 22.Bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22...Rd2 ) 22...Rfd8 23.Ne5 Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Bxe7 Qxe7 {With adequate compensation for the pawn, since Black's pieces are very active and f7-f6 is a threat.} ) 20...Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.f4 {A double-edged move typical of Nepomniachtchi's dynamic style.} ( 21.Bxe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] plays into Black's hands.} 21...Qxe7 {The knight is going to f4 and Black's position is preferable.} ) ( 21.Bh6 Re8 {The position remains complicated. I'm a big fan of pretty drawing lines, so here I offer one:} ( 21...Rh4 {is also possible, with a tense position after} 22.Qe3 ) 22.Bc4 ( 22.Nxf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This typical sacrifice has a tactical refutation.} 22...Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] winning immediately.} ) 22...Rh4 23.Qxe6 fxe6 24.Bxe6+ Kh8 25.Nf7+ Kg8 {with perpetual check.} ) 21...Bd6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is based on some very accurate calculation.} ( 21...Bxg5 {is interesting and leads to a draw after a nice forcing variation.} 22.fxg5 Nf4 23.Qh6 ( 23.Rxf4 Rxf4 {White's dark-square compensation is not enough for the exchange, although even so it looks a bit scary after} 24.Qe3 Rd4 25.c3 Rdd8 26.Ng4 ) 23...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Maybe this difficult move was missed.} ( 23...Nxg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.Bxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 23...Bxg2 24.Rxf4 Rxf4 25.Kxg2 {is better for White.} ) 24.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has to be fast.} ( 24.bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24...Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a winning attack.} ) 24...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only defense.} 25.Nf6+ Rxf6 26.gxf6 cxd3 27.Rxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Rxf4 28.f7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Qxf7 ( 28...Kxf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29.Qxh7+ ) 29.Qxf4 dxc2 {The bishop will come to e4 and the c2-pawn gives enough compensation for the exchange. The game will likely end in a draw.} ) 22.c3 Nxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the justification of the previous move.} 23.Bxf4 ( 23.Rxf4 {is safer. It's not clear to me whether Nepomniachtchi was still trying to win, but most probably he missed White's next move, 24.Bxg6, in his analysis.} 23...Bxe5 24.Bxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This difficult resource is forced.} 24...hxg6 ( 24...fxg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25.Qxe6+ ) 25.cxd4 cxd4 {with chances for both sides. Again I offer the reader a nice drawing variation:} ( 25...Bxf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26.Bf6 ) 26.Rxe5 Qxe5 27.Bf6 Qe1+ 28.Rf1 Qe3+ {Black is saved by the queen exchange.} 29.Qxe3 dxe3 30.Re1 Rc8 31.Rxe3 Rc1+ 32.Kf2 Rc2+ 33.Re2 ( 33.Ke1 Bxg2 ) 33...Rxe2+ 34.Kxe2 Bxg2 {with a drawn endgame.} ) 23...Rxf4 24.Rxf4 Bxe5 {Black has excellent compensation for the exchange: a pawn, active bishops, and mobile pawns on the kingside.} 25.Rh4 Rd8 ( 25...h5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is tactically refuted by} 26.Bxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26.Be4 {The best strategy when your opponent has the bishop pair is trying to exchange one of them. The sum is greater than the parts.} 26...Bxe4 {It's interesting to retain this bishop even at the cost of the h-pawn.} ( 26...Bc8 $5 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 27.Rxh7 Bg7 ) ( 26...Ba6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 27.Rxh7 Bg7 {In both cases, the rook is out of place on h7 and Black's initiative might become dangerous. Maybe White should just give the exchange back by taking on g7 at some point, playing for equality.} ) 27.Rhxe4 Rd5 28.Rh4 {Other moves are possible.} ( 28.R4e2 ) ( 28.Rf1 ) 28...Qd6 29.Qe3 ( 29.Rxh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is suicide as you can´t misplace such a piece just for the sake of capturing a pawn.} 29...Rd1 ) 29...h5 {Black has a comfortable position, with adequate compensation for the exchange. His position is slightly better, but from now on the main character of the game will be the clock and not the pieces.} 30.g3 Bf6 31.Rc4 h4 {Ding burned a lot of time on this move. Maybe it would be wiser to play a simple move like 31...Kg7. But let's be honest: it's always easier to give advice once the game is over.} ( 31...Kg7 ) ( 31...Bg5 ) ( 31...Re5 32.Qf2 Rf5 ) 32.gxh4 ( 32.Qf4 {is also possible, fighting for equality.} ) 32...Rd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A step in the wrong direction.} ( 32...Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives Black some unpleasant pressure.} 33.Qf2 ( 33.Qe2 Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] preparing Rd2.} ) 33...Rd2 34.Re2 Rd3 {Preparing Rh3 or simply taking on c3. Black has the initiative. It's important to note that the c5-pawn is immune.} 35.Qxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 35.Rxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35...Bxh2+ ) 35...Bxh2+ $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.Rxh2 Qg3+ 37.Rg2 Rd1# ) 33.Re2 ( 33.Qg3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 33...Rd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The rook had to go back to d5. In deep time trouble, Ding completely loses the thread of the game.} ( 33...Rd1+ 34.Kg2 Rd5 ) ( 33...Rd5 {The position is still balanced.} ) 34.Qxc5 {There's no attack and the game is over after losing this important pawn with only a few seconds on the clock.} 34...Rd1+ ( 34...Qxc5+ 35.Rxc5 Bxc3 36.Kg2 {The endgame is easily winning.} ) 35.Kg2 Qd3 36.Rf2 {White's king is well protected.} 36...Kg7 37.Rcf4 Qxc3 {Ding resigned. A heartbreaking loss and another decisive game in one of the bloodiest matches in chess history. The point might be argued that the level of defense has been poor and this is the main reason why there are so many decisive games. I agree with this argument, but that's exactly what I like to see as a spectator. Tense games where one of the players can crack under pressure. I'd rather watch this than a streak of perfect games all leading to a draw.} ( 37...Qxc3 38.Qxc3 Bxc3 39.Rxf7+ Kh6 40.Rxa7 Bd4 41.Rd7 ) 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[ECO "E28"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "5845182106690"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 {Another interesting feature of this duel is that, contrary to what usually happens in matches, the openings are not being repeated, which makes the games even more fun.} 4...O-O 5.a3 {A move Ding has never played and Nepomniachtchi has never faced, at least in the database I searched. But it's a hot line in current theory, so Nepomniachtchi was prepared.} 5...Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 d6 7.Ne2 ( 7.Bd3 {is more popular.} ) 7...c5 8.Ng3 Nc6 9.Ra2 $5 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A very interesting idea that was played in two recent games. This can be called \"a mysterious rook move,\" something that is not uncommon in chess, and there's even a chapter in one of Dvoretsky's books with this title. But what is the point of this idea that Ding was clearly so proud of $2 White makes a useful move, since the rook can travel through the second rank, before committing himself to playing e3-e4, which is premature at this point. As I understand it from the press conference, this move came as no surprise to Nepomniachtchi.} ( 9.Bd3 b6 {Here White has to play at a slower pace since e3-e4 leaves the d4-pawn hanging.} ) ( 9.e4 {This is inaccurate since now Black can play in the center.} 9...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move has never been played, but it's the best.} 10.e5 Ne4 {with good counterplay.} ) 9...b6 {The most natural move and also a novelty. Again in the match, opening theory ends early.} ( 9...e5 10.d5 Na5 11.e4 Nd7 12.Bd3 Re8 13.O-O Nf8 14.f4 {and White is already close to winning. We can see here how the rook on f2 can quickly go to the kingside, an idea that will happen many times during the game. Hakobyan-Maghsoodloo, Airthings Masters 2023.} ) ( 9...Na5 10.e4 Nd7 11.Bd3 {is good for White. Burke-Nyzhnyk, Spice Cup 2022.} ) 10.e4 Ba6 {Black follows the standard plan, based on an attack on the c4-pawn.} 11.Bg5 h6 12.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop is not going anywhere. This is all part of Ding's preparation.} 12...hxg5 {A good move and possibly also prepared beforehand.} ( 12...Re8 {We will still hear many stories about the possible leak of secret games from Ding's preparation. In one of them, this move was played. Its idea is not very clear to me and I prefer the move played in the game.} 13.Rd2 ) ( 12...cxd4 {Here and on the next move, Black has the option to capture on d4 first. It seems that it's also enough to retain a balanced game in a complex position.} 13.cxd4 hxg5 14.hxg5 g6 15.gxf6 Qxf6 16.Rd2 {and here Black has many possible ideas, but the position is not so easy: White can lift the rook to the attack via d3, sacrificing the knight in some variations.} ) 13.hxg5 g6 14.gxf6 Qxf6 15.e5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A very interesting and bold idea, sacrificing a pawn in order free the e4-square for the knight. It's not the first time that Ding plays a creative pawn sacrifice in this match.} ( 15.Rd2 {is natural.} ) 15...dxe5 16.d5 ( 16.Ne4 {is also a critical move, but not so dangerous for Black.} 16...Qf5 {The simplest.} ( 16...Qg7 {is dubious because of} 17.d5 ) ( 16...Qf4 {is also fine.} 17.Bd3 ( 17.f3 exd4 18.g3 Qe5 19.Rah2 f5 20.Rh8+ Qxh8 21.Rxh8+ Kxh8 {Black is OK.} ) 17...Bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 17.Nd6 ( 17.f3 Kg7 ) 17...Qf6 18.Ne4 {with move repetition.} ) 16...Ne7 {This is a difficult moment of the game, as both players have many options on every move.} ( 16...exd5 17.cxd5 Bxf1 18.Kxf1 Ne7 {White has compensation for the pawn but not enough for an advantage.} ) ( 16...Rad8 17.Rd2 exd5 18.cxd5 Bxf1 19.Kxf1 Ne7 20.Rh3 {again with enough compensation, but not more.} ) ( 16...Na5 {is scary, as it puts the knight away from the defense. Even so, the computer defends Black's position after} 17.Ne4 Qf5 18.f3 Kg7 ) 17.d6 ( 17.Ne4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is not good:} 17...Qf4 18.Bd3 Bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.g3 Qf5 {with an advantage for Black.} ) 17...Nf5 ( 17...Rad8 {During the game, I thought this move just loses as piece as White can attack the bishop and unpin the d-pawn with 18.Qa4, but as it turns out there's compensation for the piece.} 18.Ne4 ( 18.Qa4 Bb7 19.dxe7 Qxe7 {The computer indicates compensation, as now white's king is insecure in the center.} ) 18...Qg7 19.Qa4 f5 {with an insanely complicated position.} ) ( 17...Nc6 {is also playable:} 18.Ne4 Qf5 {The only move.} ( 18...Qf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.f3 {Followed by g3 and the rook comes to the game.} ) ( 18...Qg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...f5 20.gxf5 gxf5 21.f3 {again the rook joins the party.} ) 19.f3 Kg7 20.g3 Rh8 21.Rah2 Rxh2 22.Rxh2 Rh8 ) 18.Ne4 Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right square. It's important to keep an eye on the d5-pawn and on the h4-square.} ( 18...Qg7 19.g4 Bb7 20.Bg2 {with the initiative.} ) 19.Qd3 ( 19.g4 Bb7 20.Bg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20...Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now we can see why the queen is useful on d8.} ) 19...Kg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.g4 Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's two last moves are forced.} 21.Rh3 ( 21.gxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21...exf5 {The knight is pinned.} ) 21...Nh4 {Black has two worthy options.} ( 21...Rh8 $5 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting piece sacrifice.} 22.Rxh8 Qxh8 23.gxf5 exf5 {Black has excellent compensation for the piece with a mobile center and a safe king.} ) ( 21...Bxe4 22.Qxe4 Nxd6 23.Qxe5+ f6 24.Qh2 Nf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is absolutely forced, but it's enough.} 25.Bg2 ( 25.Rh7+ Kg8 26.Bg2 Qd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Here the game likely ends in perpetual check.} ( 26...Rc8 27.Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is dangerous.} ) ) 25...Rh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Bxa8 Rxh3 27.Qxh3 Qxa8 {with good compensation for the exchange.} ) 22.g5 Bxe4 $4 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] A blunder that leads to a lost position.} ( 22...Nf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is also bad:} 23.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Rh8 ( 23...Bxe4 24.Rah2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Bxd3 25.Rh7+ Kg8 26.Rh8+ Kg7 27.R2h7# ) 24.Rah2 Rxh3 25.Qxh3 Qh8 26.Qxh8+ Rxh8 27.Rxh8 Kxh8 28.d7 {The pawn decides the game.} ) ( 22...Rh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right move.} 23.Qg3 ( 23.Nf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23...e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Nxe4 Bxe4 25.Qxe4 Qxg5 ) 23...Bxe4 24.Rxh4 ( 24.Qxe5+ f6 25.Qxe4 fxg5 {leads to a roughly equal position.} ) 24...Rxh4 25.Qxh4 Bf3 26.Qg3 e4 27.Rd2 {The position looks dangerous for Black, but the computer is not worried.} 27...Qh8 28.d7 Rd8 {with adequate defense.} ) 23.Qxe4 Nf5 ( 23...Qxg5 24.Rxh4 {Black has no compensation for the piece.} ) 24.Rd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move was missed by Nepomniachtchi.} ( 24.Qxe5+ f6 ) 24...Rh8 ( 24...Qxg5 25.Qxe5+ f6 26.Qe4 Rad8 27.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Qg4 28.Rdh2 {with a winning attack on the h-file.} ) 25.Rxh8 Qxh8 26.d7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 26.Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins immediately. It would be a fitting end to this game, with the rook completing its journey and scoring the goal.} 26...Rd8 27.Rh3 Qf8 28.Qxe5+ f6 29.gxf6+ Kf7 ( 29...Qxf6 30.Rh7+ ) ( 29...Kg8 30.Qxe6+ Qf7 31.Rh8+ ) 30.Rh7+ Kg8 31.Re7 {with a crushing position. What a hard-working rook.} ) 26...Rd8 {Black is still lost, but not as lost as before.} 27.Qxe5+ Kh7 28.Qh2+ Kg7 29.Qe5+ Kh7 30.Qh2+ Kg7 31.Qc7 Qh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Half blunder, half bluff.} ( 31...Qf8 {gives better chances, but White should win without big problems.} 32.Qxa7 ( 32.Kd1 {is my machine's favorite move.} ) 32...Qe7 33.Qxb6 Rxd7 34.Rxd7 Qxd7 35.Qxc5 {the passed pawns decide the game.} ) 32.Kd1 $4 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Blunder;persistent;true] Ding calculated a few lines, but probably believed his opponent more than he should have.} ( 32.Qxd8 {There's no perpetual check.} 32...Qe4+ 33.Re2 Qb1+ 34.Kd2 Qb2+ 35.Kd3 Qb1+ 36.Rc2 Qd1+ ( 36...Qxf1+ 37.Kd2 $18 Qxf2+ 38.Kc1 ) 37.Ke4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Qxc2+ ( 37...Nd6+ 38.Ke5 ) 38.Bd3 Nd6+ 39.Ke5 Qxd3 40.Qf6+ Kh7 41.d8=Q Nxc4+ 42.Kf4 e5+ 43.Kg4 {The checks will soon be over and the extra queen will remain.} ) 32...Qxg5 33.Kc2 Qe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 33...Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, keeping the queen active.} ) 34.Bg2 $6 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This allows a nice saving resource.} ( 34.Kb3 ) ( 34.Bh3 ) 34...e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 34...Nd4+ $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This wonderful move saves the game, as Black gets three pawns for the piece and eliminates the dangerous d-pawn.} 35.cxd4 Rxd7 36.Qf4 ( 36.Qe5+ f6 ) 36...cxd4 37.Rxd4 Qxa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Rxd7 Qa4+ 39.Kc3 Qxd7 {with a drawn position.} ) 35.Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Nh6 36.Qxa7 {Ding is winning again.} 36...Ng4 {A desperate move that will work well.} ( 36...f5 37.Bc6 e4 38.Qxb6 f4 {The pawns are not fast enough.} 39.Qc7 e3 40.fxe3 fxe3 41.Re2 ) 37.Bf3 $4 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] Missing Black's reply.} ( 37.Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best, defending the d7-pawn. The position is trickier than the computer evaluation suggests, but White should eventually win.} 37...e4 38.Qxb6 Ne5 ( 38...e3 39.fxe3 Nxe3+ 40.Kb3 {The king is safe.} ) 39.Bb5 Nd3 40.Qc7 {The computer is not overly impressed by the d3-knight and prepares the final pawn march with Bc6-a4-a5 and so on.} ) 37...Nxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Rxf2 e4 {Black has excellent counterplay now and may even think of playing for a win.} 39.Re2 f5 40.Qxb6 {Ding nearly lost on time before making this move. It almost generated a heart attack for many people watching the broadcast.} ( 40.Bxe4 fxe4 41.Qxb6 Qxd7 42.Kb2 {leads to an equal position.} ) 40...Rxd7 ( 40...Qxd7 41.Rg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the tactical justification of the previous move. White must still play carefully to guarantee the draw.} 41...Qd3+ 42.Kb2 Qd6 43.Qxd6 Rxd6 44.Bxe4 fxe4 45.Kc2 Kf6 46.Rd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This important move activates the rook and prepares the king walk, with a drawn endgame.} ) 41.Qb8 ( 41.Bxe4 fxe4 42.Qc6 {The e4-pawn falls and we get a similar endgame to the game.} ) 41...Qd6 42.Qxd6 Rxd6 43.Bxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's better to sacrifice the bishop before black's king arrives on e5 and the pawns become unstoppable.} ( 43.Bg2 Kf6 ) 43...fxe4 44.Rxe4 Kf6 45.Re8 {Exhausted by all the tension, the players agreed a draw at this point. This is certainly one of the most dramatic world championship games ever.} ( 45.Re8 g5 {Many variations lead to a draw. Let me show one of them.} 46.Rf8+ Ke5 47.Rc8 g4 48.Rxc5+ Kf4 49.Rd5 Rg6 50.Rd1 g3 51.Kb3 g2 52.Rg1 Kf3 53.c5 Kf2 54.Rxg2+ Kxg2 55.Kc4 Kf3 56.Kd5 Ke3 57.c6 Kd3 58.c7 Rg8 59.Kd6 Kxc3 60.Kd7 Kb3 61.c8=Q Rxc8 62.Kxc8 Kxa3 ) 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.21"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "163"]
[Beauty "4193364518944"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]

{[%evp 0,163,32,23,23,23,23,22,19,13,17,7,-11,6,8,30,25,6,12,12,12,0,5,-6,-14,-8,0,12,16,9,15,24,24,-2,0,-5,-5,2,29,17,15,-11,26,0,0,0,0,11,11,-13,24,48,64,75,56,-16,-4,-15,-17,-30,-21,0,17,-9,0,0,0,0,47,31,46,36,36,39,33,33,33,33,103,105,105,97,93,99,99,86,89,89,137,81,94,67,81,78,84,84,90,82,86,87,101,97,97,92,118,124,119,129,137,103,107,105,153,146,146,120,130,121,118,104,103,104,104,108,108,108,107,108,103,103,92,104,103,104,103,103,108,108,108,103,108,108,108,108,108,108,108,103,112,108,108,38,108,38,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {The Berlin Defense, widely considered Black's most reliable option against 1.e4, makes its first appearance in this duel. This is impressive, as a feature of world championship matches is that the openings are usually repeated. This is yet another feature that makes this match unique.} 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.O-O d5 7.Nbd2 dxe4 8.dxe4 a5 {All of this is a critical variation of the Anti-Berlin and was played in an important game of the Candidates Tournament. The idea of this move is to gain space on the queenside and prevent b2-b4.} ( 8...Qe7 {was played by Ding in a blitz game.} 9.b4 Bd6 10.Bb2 a5 11.a3 Be6 12.Qc2 h6 {Nakamura-Ding, Speed Chess (blitz) 2021.} ) 9.a4 {A good option, fixing the pawn structure on the queenside.} ( 9.Bxc6 {is a critical move, but this has been worked out by the computers, as it often happens in forcing lines in the opening.} 9...bxc6 10.Nxe5 Re8 {and some games by elite players prove that Black manages to equalize.} ) 9...Qe7 10.Qc2 Nb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a typical maneuver, improving the knight's position. The pawn will go to c6, and the knight can choose whether to go to a6 or d7.} ( 10...Na7 {was played by Nakamura in the Candidates Tournament, but it's less accurate.} 11.Be2 Nc6 12.Nb3 Ba7 $6 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13.Bb5 {with an advantage for White in Radjabov-Nakamura, Candidates Tournament Madrid 2022.} ) 11.Re1 Rd8 {Not the easiest move to play since Black has natural alternatives, but Ding surely was still following his preparation.} 12.h3 {A typical move, avoiding problems with Bg4 or Ng4.} 12...h6 13.Nf1 c6 14.Bc4 Na6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A surprising route for the knight, as Nd7-b6 is a simple alternative. But Ding's plan is more active and better.} ( 14...Nbd7 ) 15.Ng3 Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's plan becomes clear. He wants to retreat the bishop to f8, protect the king, and bring the knight to c5.} 16.Ba2 {Nepo thought for a long time before playing this mysterious and not very convincing move.} ( 16.Qe2 {was tried in a recent correspondence game. The plan is to bring the queen to the attack with Nh4-Qf3, but Black is in time.} 16...Bf8 17.Be3 ( 17.Nh4 Nc5 18.Qf3 Nh7 $5 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Other moves are possible as well.} ) 17...Nc5 18.b4 Ncxe4 19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.Bb6 Qxb6 21.Qxe4 Re8 22.Nxe5 Be6 23.Bd3 f5 {De la Rosa Solorzano-Genga, email 2021.} ) ( 16.Nh4 Bf8 17.Ng6 Bd6 {is not dangerous for Black, despite the intruding knight.} ) 16...b5 ( 16...Bf8 {is also natural and good, following the plan.} 17.Be3 Nc5 18.Rad1 Rxd1 ( 18...Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] as Caruana showed during the broadcast, here we can see a possible idea of the Ba2 move.} 19.Bxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Bxc5 ( 19...Bxa2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20.Bxf8 Kxf8 21.b3 {the bishop is trapped.} ) 20.Bxe6 fxe6 {Black's pawn structure is spoiled.} ) 19.Rxd1 b5 20.axb5 cxb5 {Black has a good position.} ) 17.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White attacks the b5-pawn while preparing the attack with Nh4-Qf3. This is a critical moment in the game.} 17...Rb8 $6 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An inaccuracy that leads to a difficult position for Black. This move is too slow.} ( 17...b4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is a positional mistake, giving up control of the important c4-square.} 18.Bc4 ) ( 17...bxa4 {is possible, although it's a move one usually wants to avoid, as it may weaken the queenside.} 18.Bc4 Bf8 ( 18...a3 19.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Qe7 20.Nh4 {with the initiative for White.} ) 19.Rxa4 Nc5 20.Ra2 {White's position is more comfortable due to the better pawn structure.} ) ( 17...Bf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move. A dynamic pawn sacrifice to activate the pieces.} 18.Be3 {It's better not to accept the pawn.} ( 18.axb5 cxb5 19.Qxb5 Nc5 {with excellent compensation, as the knight is going to d3 and the bishop to a6.} ) 18...Nc5 ( 18...bxa4 19.Bc4 Nc5 20.Bxc5 Bxc5 21.Rxa4 {with a roughly equal game.} ) 19.axb5 cxb5 20.Bxc5 Bxc5 21.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Ba7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 21...axb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22.Bxf7+ {loses material.} ) 22.Qxb5 Qxc3 {with enough counterplay for a balanced game.} ) 18.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suddenly, the attack on the kingside gets serious.} 18...Bf8 19.Qf3 ( 19.axb5 {This capture is a move White generally wants to avoid, as now it's easier for Black to defend the kingside through the sixth rank.} 19...cxb5 20.Qf3 Rb6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 20...b4 {The computer prefers this move, defying my positional explanation for not capturing on b5.} ) 21.Be3 Bc5 {with an acceptable position.} ) 19...bxa4 {It's necessary to go for some counterplay, as defensive moves are not enough.} ( 19...Nh7 $6 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20.Ng6 {with a dangerous attack.} ) ( 19...Kh7 $6 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20.Ngf5 Ng8 21.Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...g6 22.Nxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...fxg6 23.Bxg8+ Kxg8 24.Qxg6+ Kh8 25.Nxh6 {with a decisive attack.} ) ( 19...Nc5 {is also possible, likely transposing to the game after} 20.Bxh6 bxa4 ) 20.Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Nc5 ( 20...gxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21.Qxf6 ) ( 20...Rxb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21.Bg5 ) 21.Ng6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 21.Bg5 {is very tempting and enough for an advantage.} 21...Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the only possible defense.} 22.Qe2 Nh7 23.Be3 {Black is suffering in this position.} ) 21...Rxb2 22.Nxf8 Rxf8 {White has many interesting options now.} 23.Bg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not the best one.} ( 23.Bxg7 {is a direct attempt to mate, but it backfires.} 23...Kxg7 24.Qe3 Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Nf5+ Kh8 26.Qh6+ Nh7 27.Bxe6 fxe6 {Everything is defended by miracle.} ) ( 23.Bc1 Rb5 24.Ba3 {is similar to the game, but it's an improved version for Black with the knight on f6.} 24...Rd8 25.Bc4 Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Bxb5 cxb5 {with compensation for the exchange.} ) ( 23.Qe3 $5 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is natural and good.} 23...gxh6 ( 23...Ne6 24.Bxe6 ( 24.Nf5 {is also very dangerous.} ) 24...fxe6 ( 24...Bxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25.Bxg7 Kxg7 26.Qg5+ {wins.} ) 25.Qc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Rb3 26.Be3 {with a much better position for White due to Black's horrible pawn structure.} ) 24.Qxc5 ( 24.Qxh6 {is enough only for a draw.} 24...Ne8 25.Qg6+ ( 25.Re3 Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25...Kh8 26.Qh6+ {with perpetual check.} ) 24...Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black manages to exchange queens.} 25.Qxb6 Rxb6 26.Bc4 Be6 27.Bxe6 fxe6 28.Rxa4 Ra8 {Black has good drawing chances, despite the bad pawn structure.} ) ( 23.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an unpleasant move to face. White avoids the threat of Nb3 and maintains all the advantages of his position.} 23...Be6 24.Nf5 Bxf5 25.Qxf5 {with a strong initiative.} ) 23...Nh7 24.Bc1 Rb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 24...Rc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, although it's really difficult to place the rook on such a strange square.} 25.Bc4 ( 25.Ba3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 25...Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25...Nb3 26.Rxa4 Nxc1 27.Qe3 Be6 28.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 29.Qxc1 Bxc4 30.Rxc4 Ra8 {with a likely draw.} ) 25.Ba3 Re8 {Ding prepares an exchange sacrifice.} 26.Bc4 Be6 {Another critical moment of the game.} 27.Bxe6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes things easier for Ding.} ( 27.Bxb5 cxb5 28.Qe3 Nd7 {Black has some compensation for the exchange, but the position is still dangerous.} ) ( 27.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is an interesting way to continue, playing for a positional advantage instead of material.} 27...Bxc4 28.Qxc4 {The queenside pawns are weak, and White's knight is ready to jump to f5. Black has a tough defense ahead.} ) 27...Nxe6 28.Nf5 c5 {Necessary to protect the d6-square.} 29.Qe2 ( 29.Bc1 {is more accurate, preparing to take on a4 immediately.} ) 29...Rb3 30.Qc4 Qc6 31.Bc1 Nf6 32.Qxa4 Qxa4 33.Rxa4 Rxc3 34.Bb2 Rb3 35.Bxe5 Rb4 36.Rxa5 Rxe4 37.Rxe4 Nxe4 38.Ra4 {The game simplified a lot and it's clear that a draw is on the way.} 38...Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A practical and safe option, leading to an ending that is easily defensible for a player of Ding's stature.} ( 38...Nf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 39.Nxg7 Kxg7 40.Rg4+ {winning a pawn.} ) ( 38...N4g5 39.h4 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 39...Nh7 40.Bxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...Nxg7 41.Rg4 {loses a pawn.} ) 40.hxg5 fxe5 41.g6 {Black should make a draw, but it's not so easy.} ) ( 38...Nd2 {is objectively the best, according to the machine, but it's necessary to foresee some brilliant and inhuman variations.} 39.Rg4 Nf4 $3 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This wonderful resource leads to a draw. No human can play this and calculate the following variations.} ( 39...g6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 40.Bc3 {is dangerous.} ) 40.Nh6+ ( 40.Rxg7+ Kh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] No fear $1} 41.Bxf4 Re1+ 42.Kh2 Nf1+ {with perpetual check.} ) 40...Kh7 41.Nxf7 Ne2+ 42.Kh2 Kg8 43.Nh6+ Kh7 44.Bxg7 Nf1+ 45.Kh1 Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46.Bxd4 Re1 {The computer claims a draw is inevitable.} ) 39.Bxd4 cxd4 40.Rxd4 g6 41.Ne3 {The presence of the knights gives some winning chances, but it's still a safe draw since there are not many pawns remaining.} 41...Kg7 42.Rb4 Ng3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 43.Rb7 Nf5 44.Ng4 ( 44.Nxf5+ gxf5 {leads to an easy draw in the rook endgame.} ) 44...Re7 45.Rb5 ( 45.Rxe7 Nxe7 {If this was a four-against-three-pawns endgame, the winning chances would be considerable. But one pawn less makes the task much easier.} ) 45...Re1+ 46.Kh2 Re2 47.Rb7 Nd6 48.Ra7 Kf8 49.Kg3 f5 50.Kf3 Re7 51.Ra8+ Re8 52.Rxe8+ Kxe8 {Finally we get to the knight endgame.} 53.Ne5 g5 54.h4 gxh4 55.Kf4 h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 56.gxh3 Ke7 57.Nc6+ Kf6 58.Nd4 Ne4 59.f3 Nf2 60.h4 Nd3+ 61.Kg3 Kg6 {Now the draw is simple, since White cannot make progress.} 62.Ne6 Kf6 63.Nf4 Nb4 64.Kf2 Ke5 65.Ke3 Nc2+ 66.Kd2 Nd4 67.Nd3+ Kf6 68.Ke3 Nc2+ 69.Kf4 Nd4 70.Kg3 Ne2+ 71.Kf2 Nd4 72.Nf4 Ke5 73.Ne2 Ne6 74.Kg3 Kf6 75.Kg2 Kg7 76.Kf2 f4 77.Kg1 Kg6 78.Kg2 Kh6 79.Nc1 Kh5 80.Kh3 Nd4 81.Nd3 Nxf3 82.Nxf4+ {A well-played game with interesting ideas in all its phases, leading to a fighting draw. This match is as good as it gets.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.23"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "5841423969801"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]

{[%evp 0,90,21,-10,-9,-18,-14,-3,-3,-1,37,26,31,31,23,34,34,18,11,31,40,50,57,30,56,43,47,15,62,23,38,36,78,78,71,78,78,78,70,65,65,66,84,90,70,60,67,58,45,57,53,51,57,57,60,55,52,51,51,37,35,36,65,71,75,75,61,53,83,83,64,41,41,39,37,24,24,17,15,12,7,8,8,5,3,2,2,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e4 {Another new opening in the match. This is a popular line in the English these days and one of my favorites for playing with White. A curious feature of modern chess is that you can quickly become an opening specialist just by playing online. It's my case with this English System: despite never having played it over the board, I've already played it in 61 online games, facing Caruana, Nakamura, and Kamsky, among other notable grandmasters. Maybe after so many games, my charm with this line has been a little broken, but the truth is that I don't consider it good enough to be used in the world championship.} 4...Bc5 ( 4...Bb4 {is the main line and it leads to a more positional game after} 5.d3 d6 6.a3 Bc5 7.b4 Bb6 ) 5.Nxe5 {This is White's only decent attempt, and it leads to forcing play.} 5...Nxe5 6.d4 Bb4 7.dxe5 Nxe4 8.Qf3 {Nowadays nearly everyone plays this move.} ( 8.Qd4 {is also possible, but after} 8...Nxc3 9.bxc3 Be7 {Grandmaster practice shows that Black has no problems.} ( 9...Ba5 {is dubious because of} 10.Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 8...Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Ding confessed to being surprised by this move; even so it has been seen several times, even in a blitz game by Nepomniachtchi with the white pieces.} ( 9...Ba5 {is the main move, when the critical position from the modern theory standpoint arrives after} 10.Bf4 O-O 11.O-O-O $5 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 10.Qg3 {The critical move: Black cannot castle, so how to defend the g7-pawn $2} 10...Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another move that took Ding by surprise. He was expecting 10...g6.} ( 10...O-O $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is clearly bad due to} 11.Bg5 ( 11.Bh6 {is also good.} ) 11...Be7 12.Bh6 ) ( 10...g6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Ding said in the press conference that he expected this move, but it's clearly worse than the move played in the game. I have faced 10...g6 twice on Titled Tuesday and won both games, a true testament of how bad Black's position is after it.} 11.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate.} ( 11.Bh6 Bf8 12.Bg5 Be7 {was not so clear in Leitao-Pesotskiy, Titled Tuesday 2022.} ) 11...d5 ( 11...d6 12.Bg5 {White is already nearly winning: Sarana-Ognean, Titled Tuesday 2021.} ) 12.Bg5 {with an overwhelming advantage in Leitao-Svane, Titled Tuesday 2021.} ) 11.Be2 ( 11.Bf4 {This is the move Nepomniachtchi played when he had this position, but we will have a move order transposition.} 11...d6 12.Rd1 Qe7 13.Be2 h5 ) 11...d6 12.Bf4 Qe7 {Other options are available and certainly Nepomniachtchi considered them, but this move seems the most precise road to equality.} ( 12...dxe5 13.Bxe5 f6 14.Bxc7 Qe7 {This is another version of the c7-pawn sacrifice and is also enough to hold the game.} 15.Rd1 Bf5 16.Bd6 Bxd6 17.Qxd6 {Black should make a draw without problems in the endgame.} ) ( 12...h5 {This dynamic advance is also possible immediately.} ) 13.Rd1 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black wants to bother the white queen with h5-h4. In some lines the rook can be developed through the h6-square. Nepomniachtchi knew this well, as when he played the white side of this position, he soon got a lost position after this move. But to me it's very surprising that Ding was out of book at this point. Shouldn't he study all of his opponent's recent games, including the blitz ones $2} 14.O-O {This novelty is the best attempt to achieve an advantage.} ( 14.h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 14...dxe5 15.Bxe5 Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is another interesting idea of the h5-move. Black gets a fine position, for instance:} 16.O-O ( 16.Bxg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16...hxg4 {was unpleasant for White in Nepomniachtchi-Cardoso Cardoso, Titled Tuesday 2020.} ) ( 16.f3 Re8 17.fxg4 Qxe5 18.Qxe5 Rxe5 19.Rd8+ Re8 20.Rxe8+ Kxe8 21.gxh5 Rh6 {with a likely draw in this endgame with opposite-colored bishops.} ) 16...Rh6 $5 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 16...Re8 17.Rd5 {and now} 17...c6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a mistake due to} 18.Rxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Qxc5 19.Bd6+ ) 17.Bxg4 hxg4 ( 17...Rg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is bad after} 18.Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 18.Bxc7 Rc8 19.Bf4 Qxh4 20.Qxh4 Rxh4 {with an equal endgame.} ) 14...h4 15.Qd3 g5 {It's always difficult to advance the pawns in front of the king, but this is a decent move since it invites White to go to an endgame a pawn up, but with excellent drawing chances.} ( 15...h3 {is also possible, although it doesn't change the character of the game after 16.g3 and it also gives White other options.} 16.Bf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 16.g3 Be6 {is more or less equal.} ) 16...hxg2 17.Rfe1 {with big complications.} ) ( 15...Be6 {is also an option.} ) 16.exd6 cxd6 17.Bxd6 ( 17.Be3 {White can play this to keep the queens on the board, but it doesn't lead to an advantage after} 17...Bxe3 18.fxe3 Be6 ) 17...Qxd6 18.Qxd6+ Bxd6 19.Rxd6 {White wins a pawn, but his queenside pawn structure is weak.} 19...Be6 20.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the only chance, trying to exploit Black's kingside. But Nepomniachtchi defends with confidence.} 20...Ke7 21.Rd4 gxf4 22.Rfxf4 h3 23.g4 Rac8 24.Kf2 {The king heads to g3, keeping the h3-pawn under pressure.} 24...Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing to attack the queenside.} 25.a4 ( 25.Bf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a possible plan, trying to bring the bishop to d5. Black should be careful, but a draw is in sight after} 25...Ra5 26.Rd2 Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Bxb7 ( 27.Rc2 Rc8 ) 27...Rxc3 28.Bd5 Rg8 29.Bxe6 fxe6 {White is unable to exploit the material advantage because Black's rooks are very active.} ) 25...Ra5 26.Bd1 b6 27.Kg3 Rh6 {Black has a fortress. White is unable to improve the position.} 28.Rfe4 Kf8 29.Rd8+ Kg7 30.Ra8 Rc5 31.Rxa7 ( 31.Be2 Ra5 ) ( 31.Bb3 Rc7 ) 31...Bxc4 32.Rae7 Rhc6 ( 32...Be6 33.Re3 Rc4 {is also good enough for a draw.} ) 33.R7e5 ( 33.Kxh3 Be6 34.Re3 Rxc3 35.Rxc3 Rxc3+ 36.Kg2 Rd3 37.Bf3 Rd4 {is also a draw as White cannot keep a material advantage.} ) 33...Rxe5 34.Rxe5 Bb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final touch.} 35.Bxb3 Rxc3+ 36.Kh4 Rxb3 37.Rb5 Ra3 38.Rxb6 Rxa4 39.Kxh3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.gxf5 Rf4 41.Rb5 Kf6 42.Kg3 Rxf5 43.Rxf5+ Kxf5 44.h4 Kg6 45.h5+ Kxh5 {A good result for Nepomniachtchi, showing once again his excellent preparation and drawing without major problems. Time is running out for Ding, but a lot can happen in four games.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.24"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[ECO "C84"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "6189584744456"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]

{[%evp 0,77,25,16,10,25,17,16,31,-6,3,8,20,-2,36,30,12,0,30,29,32,31,32,33,33,30,14,25,26,17,8,-1,6,2,14,0,14,2,38,54,39,47,51,40,40,38,47,47,50,54,40,45,38,32,48,51,39,39,42,27,41,30,28,30,28,28,28,28,67,57,57,64,64,64,57,53,57,57,57,57]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 {Together with 8.a4 and 8.c3, this is one the main lines of this Ruy Lopez system.} 8.a3 Na5 {A known move, but much rarer than the most natural castling.} ( 8...O-O {This was played in a game by the same opponents in the Candidates Tournament in 2020, when Nepomniachtchi scored an important victory after} 9.Nc3 Na5 10.Ba2 Be6 11.b4 Nc6 12.Bg5 Bxa2 13.Rxa2 {Nepomniachtchi-Ding, Ekaterinburg 2020.} ) 9.Ba2 c5 10.Nc3 Be6 11.Bg5 {A solid and typical move. The plan is to capture the knight and gain control of the d5-square.} ( 11.Nh4 {Nepomniachtchi has played this move a few times before, one of them against Carlsen.} 11...O-O 12.Nf5 Bxf5 13.exf5 d5 14.Qf3 c4 {The game later ended in a draw in Nepomniachtchi-Carlsen, Skilling op (rapid) 2020.} ) 11...O-O 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Nd5 g6 ( 13...Nc6 {is more popular.} ) 14.Qd2 Bg7 {A new move, but as usual in this match, it's never clear to me if Ding has the position prepared or if he's improvising on the board.} ( 14...Nc6 ) 15.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the problem. Now this unpleasant knight move is possible.} 15...c4 {Quite a risky move, unless it was prepared beforehand; as I wrote before, this is not clear to me.} ( 15...Nc6 {During the game I expected this.} 16.f4 {This looks like a scary move to meet, but the computer finds a good defense.} ( 16.c3 {is possible, but after} 16...Ne7 {Black will simplify the position.} ) 16...Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black is fine since} ( 16...exf4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Nxf4 ) ( 16...Bh6 17.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] keeping the strong knight on g5.} ) 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.Nxe6 fxe6 19.f5 gxf5 20.exf5 d5 {is not dangerous.} ) 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Ne3 {Black's position looks a bit shaky with some potential weaknesses.} 17...Bh6 18.Rad1 Rb8 {Anticipating an exchange on c4, as the rook can now capture on b2.} 19.dxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move takes the game into a drawing line. Nepomniachtchi's decision is understandable, as each draw brings him closer to winning the match, but perhaps it was possible to press without too much risk with 19.Qe2.} ( 19.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A possible continuation is:} 19...Qc7 20.dxc4 Bxe3 21.Qxe3 Nxc4 ( 21...bxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is worse:} 22.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...cxb3 23.cxb3 {followed by 24.b4, with a clear advantage.} ) 22.Bxc4 bxc4 23.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...cxb3 24.cxb3 {White's pawn structure is better and there is an attacking plan on the kingside with h4-h5. It's possible to play for two results.} ) 19...Nxc4 20.Bxc4 bxc4 21.Qxd6 {Now a draw is inevitable.} ( 21.Qe2 {is the only chance to keep some fight on the board.} 21...Bxe3 22.Qxe3 Rxb2 23.Qc3 Rb6 ( 23...Rb5 24.Qxc4 d5 {This is the computer suggestion, but advancing this pawn and damaging the structure has its dangers. The machine is not so worried and evaluates the position as equal.} ) 24.Qxc4 Qc8 25.Qe2 {Followed by h4-h5 and trying some attack on the kingside.} ) 21...Qxd6 22.Rxd6 Bxe3 23.fxe3 Rxf1+ 24.Kxf1 Rxb2 25.Rxe6 Rxc2 26.Rxa6 Ra2 27.Rc6 Rxa3 28.Rxc4 Rxe3 29.Kf2 Ra3 30.Rc5 Ra2+ 31.Kf3 Ra3+ 32.Kg4 Ra2 33.Kh3 Re2 34.Rxe5 Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is unable to hold the extra pawn.} 35.Kg3 Kf6 36.Re8 Kf7 37.Re5 Kf6 38.Re8 Kf7 39.Re5 {Certainly the dullest game of the match. The players now have a rest day, and we will certainly have fireworks again in the final part of the duel, as Ding is forced to take risks.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.26"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[ECO "D04"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7836704706058"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 c5 4.Nbd2 {After the London System and the French Defense, now Ding tries the Colle. Fair enough. Nepomniachtchi said in the press conference that he wasn't surprised.} 4...cxd4 5.exd4 Qc7 ( 5...Nc6 {is also possible, but as it will become clear, Nepomniachtchi wanted to avoid the chance of White's bishop being developed on b5.} 6.Bb5 ) 6.c3 Bd7 {This is a new move in this position and it's hard to understand its merits, although it was clearly part of the preparation.} ( 6...Nc6 7.Bb5 {The only point I can see in the way Nepomniachtchi plays the opening is that he wanted to avoid this move. In any case, from my interpretation of Ding's words in the press conference, he would just play 7.Bd3 and play in the same way as the game, a tempo down.} ( 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.O-O {It's the same position we will have in the game, but here it's Black to move.} ) ) 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.O-O Bg4 {I don't want to sound harsh, but the fact that Black can play this position even a tempo down says a lot about the merits of White's opening.} 9.Re1 ( 9.Qa4 {with the idea of playing Ne5. This is an attempt to explore Black's move order, but it's not a big deal.} 9...e6 10.Ne5 Bd6 11.Nxg4 Nxg4 12.h3 Bh2+ ( 12...Nf6 {There's also nothing wrong with this move.} ) 13.Kh1 Bg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.f4 Nf2+ 15.Kxg1 Nxd3 16.f5 O-O {with approximate equality.} ) 9...e6 10.Nf1 Bd6 11.Bg5 O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Not afraid of doubling pawns.} 12.Bxf6 {Ding thought for half an hour before taking the knight. He was evaluating the consequences of 12.Ng3.} ( 12.Ng3 Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Otherwise White plays 13.h3 and gets a comfortable position.} 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Qxf3 Nxg3 15.fxg3 Bxg3 16.Re3 Bd6 {White's compensation for the pawn is not good enough.} ) 12...gxf6 13.Ng3 f5 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Ne7 {A nice maneuver, bringing the knight to the kingside, where it protects the king and also helps a potential attack on the g-file.} 16.Nh5 Kh8 17.g4 {A double-edged move, but risks are necessary when one desperately needs to win.} ( 17.Nf6 {The game might end in a draw after this move, a result that obviously didn't suit Ding.} 17...Ng8 ( 17...Kg7 18.Nh5+ Kh8 ) 18.Nh5 Ne7 ) 17...Rg8 18.Kh1 Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nepomniachtchi reacts very well. To be fair, he played the first part of the game excellently.} 19.Bc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black gets a clear advantage after this slow move.} ( 19.Nf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad after} 19...Nh4 20.Qe2 Rg6 ) ( 19.gxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19...Nh4 20.Qe3 exf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The point is that if now} 21.Rg1 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is winning, for instance:} 22.Qe2 f3 23.Qe3 Rg2 24.Rxg2 fxg2+ 25.Kg1 Bh2# ) ( 19.Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move.} 19...Nh4 20.Qe2 {with a balanced game.} ) 19...Nh4 20.Qe3 ( 20.Qd3 Rg6 ) 20...Rg6 {Nepomniachtchi prepares to double rooks on the g-file. The attack is very strong.} 21.Rg1 ( 21.gxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses on the spot after} 21...Rg2 ) 21...f4 22.Qd3 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another strong move. Black's plan is to bring the queen to g5, the rooks to g8 and h6, and then to play f5 with a crushing attack.} 23.Rae1 Qg5 24.c4 {Desperation. Ding seeks counterplay. It's incredible to even think that he ended up winning this game.} 24...dxc4 ( 24...Rc8 {Nepomniachtchi mentioned this move at the press conference, but the move he played is even better.} 25.c5 Bb8 {His idea is to keep the queenside closed so he can turn his attention to the kingside.} ) 25.Qc3 ( 25.Qxc4 {The pawn cannot be recaptured:} 25...Nf3 26.Bxg6 hxg6 {winning material.} ) 25...b5 {Now Black is a clean pawn up and the attack persists.} 26.a4 ( 26.Bxg6 hxg6 {The h5-knight is lost almost everytime the rook on g6 is taken.} ) 26...b4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An impractical decision, although Black is still winning.} ( 26...a6 {is much simpler.} ) 27.Qxc4 Rag8 $4 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Blunder;persistent;true] The game begins a tense phase where every move is a blunder.} ( 27...Nf3 {is winning but it requires accurate play.} 28.Qc6 Nxe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way.} 29.Qxa8+ ( 29.Rxe1 Rd8 30.Bxg6 hxg6 {wins the knight.} ) ( 29.Bxg6 Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Bxf7 Qh4 {with a decisive attack.} ) 29...Rg8 30.Qe4 Nxc2 31.Qxc2 Qh4 32.Qd3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Qf3 fxg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Rxg4 Rxg4 35.Qxg4 Qxg4 36.hxg4 b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move.} 37.Nf6 Ba3 {The b-pawn decides the game.} ) 28.Qc6 $4 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} ( 28.Bxg6 hxg6 29.Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...gxh5 ( 29...Bb8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a line we will see later on.} ) 30.Qxd6 Nf3 31.Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with drawing chances for White.} ) 28...Bb8 $4 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} ( 28...Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This difficult move leads to a winning position.} 29.Bxf5 ( 29.Rd1 Qh4 30.Qf3 Ng3+ $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.fxg3 Qxh3# ) ( 29.gxf5 Qxh5 ( 29...Qxg1+ {is also good.} ) 30.Rxg6 Qxh3+ 31.Kg1 hxg6 {winning.} ) 29...exf5 {with a decisive attack.} ) 29.Qb7 $4 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} ( 29.Bxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...hxg6 30.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move certainly was missed by both players.} 30...gxh5 ( 30...exd5 31.Nf6 ) ( 30...Qxd5+ 31.Qxd5 exd5 32.Nf6 ) 31.dxe6 fxe6 32.gxh5 Qxh5 33.Rxg8+ Kxg8 34.Qxe6+ {White wins easily.} ) 29...Rh6 $4 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} ( 29...Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again this move leads to a big advantage for Black.} ) 30.Be4 {White’s position is more pleasant now.} 30...Rf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The mistakes continue.} ( 30...f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best:} 31.Qxf7 Ng2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Qxf3 Nxe1 33.Rxe1 {with chances for both sides. The computer evaluates it as 0.00, as usual.} ) 31.Qxb4 Qd8 32.Qc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 32.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} ) 32...Ng6 33.Bg2 Qh4 34.Re2 f5 $4 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] The final blunder. It's hard to understand what Nepomniachtchi missed.} ( 34...Qg5 ) 35.Rxe6 {Ding simply takes the pawn and Black's position collapses.} 35...Rxh5 ( 35...fxg4 {loses to} 36.d5+ Be5 37.Rxe5 ) 36.gxh5 Qxh5 37.d5+ Kg8 38.d6 {A dramatic turn of events in both this game and the match. To make things worse, Nepomniachtchi doesn't have a free day to recover from this loss.} 1-0

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.27"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[ECO "C84"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "6254277690889"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "7200+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 {Nepomniachtchi returns to the variation he employed in the fifth game of the match.} 8...O-O 9.h3 Bb7 10.Be3 {This natural development move is rare and has never been played in grandmaster games. It deviates from conventional opening theory at the same moment as in their previous duel in this line.} ( 10.Re1 {is the main move.} ) ( 10.a4 {was played in game five of the match.} ) 10...Na5 11.Bc2 c5 {This is the standard Spanish plan.} 12.Nbd2 Re8 13.a4 {This move is officially a novelty. Once again we see one of the hallmarks of this match: a battle outside the most well-known opening lines. It's quite a feat to find a new position in the Ruy Lopez so early without playing any eccentric move.} 13...h6 {A usual move, avoiding a possible pin with the bishop on g5 after the planned Be7-f8.} 14.d4 {It's debatable whether it's better to capture on b5 before playing this.} ( 14.axb5 axb5 15.d4 {Let's suppose Black plays in the same way as in the game, although this is not forced at all.} 15...exd4 16.cxd4 cxd4 17.Nxd4 Nc4 18.Nxc4 bxc4 {Now White has an interesting option available:} 19.Ba4 {Although it seems not even this is enough for an advantage after Rf8} ) 14...exd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 14...Bf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a clear positional mistake, as after} 15.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White gets a dream position, shutting the b7-bishop from the game.} ) 15.cxd4 cxd4 16.Nxd4 Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This accurate move gives Black a good position.} 17.Nxc4 {The computer also considers other moves, but for a human, it's almost automatic to capture such a knight.} 17...bxc4 18.f3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This leads to an unpleasant position.} ( 18.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Rc8 19.f3 {is similar to the game but an improved version for White.} ) 18...Bf8 {Now Black is ready to play d6-d5.} 19.Bf2 ( 19.Bf4 {Nepomniachtchi mentioned he wanted to make this work but didn't like the position after} 19...d5 20.e5 Nd7 21.Re1 Qc7 ) ( 19.Nf5 {this move was also discussed in the press conference.} 19...d5 20.Bd4 dxe4 21.fxe4 Nxe4 {The compensation for the pawn is not enough.} ) 19...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.exd5 Nxd5 {White's pawn structure is not good, especially on the kingside, as the knight can jump to f4 and attack the king. Careful play is necessary.} 21.Be4 {A natural move, pinning the unpleasant knight.} 21...Re5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A strange move.} ( 21...Nf4 {is interesting, but the sacrifice is not enough for an advantage.} 22.Bxb7 Qg5 23.g3 Nxh3+ 24.Kg2 Nxf2 25.Rxf2 Rad8 26.Qc1 {The simplest.} 26...Rxd4 27.Qxg5 hxg5 28.Bxa6 {Obviously Black didn't sacrifice a piece to go into this endgame.} ) ( 21...Rb8 {is a good move. The knight gets ready to go to f4, so it must be captured.} 22.Bxd5 Bxd5 23.Qd2 {Black has some advantage due to the pair of bishops.} ) ( 21...Qg5 22.Bxd5 Bxd5 {is also slightly better for Black.} ) 22.Rc1 Rc8 23.Ne2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The knight offers the d4-square to the king or bishop while getting ready to go to c3. But the move is a bit passive.} ( 23.Qd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a better option.} ) 23...Qe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is an important moment, as the move played throws away the advantage. It's likely that Ding missed White's next move.} ( 23...f5 {is not dangerous since White can remove the bishop.} 24.Bb1 ) ( 23...Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to keep the initiative. The queen is better placed here as it doesn't interfere with the bishop on f8. The position is dangerous for White, as he can't play in the same ways as the game since the queen is lost after} 24.Qd4 f5 25.Bg3 $4 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 25...Bc5 ) 24.Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...f5 {The natural followup, but now White has a forced saving move.} 25.Bg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Rxe4 ( 25...fxe4 {This way of capturing is also possible.} 26.Qxe5 ( 26.Bxe5 {is also possible, although it's scary to leave the queen on d4 with the danger of Bf8-c5 coming.} 26...exf3 27.Rxf3 Qe6 28.Rxf8+ $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] One of the advantages of being up an exchange is that you can give it back at the right moment.} 28...Rxf8 29.Ng3 {with an equal position.} ) 26...Qxe5 27.Bxe5 Bc5+ 28.Kh2 ( 28.Bd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 28...Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 28...Ne3 29.Rfe1 exf3 30.gxf3 Rd8 {Black has good compensation, enough for equality.} ) 26.fxe4 Qxe4 27.Qxe4 fxe4 {Black has good compensation for the exchange, but it's clear that he didn't get the most out of the promising position achieved before.} 28.Rfd1 Nb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes things a bit harder for Black.} ( 28...Bc5+ ) ( 28...Be7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 29.Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Bc5+ 30.Kh2 Bc6 31.Rc7 {Exchanging a pair of rooks is usually a good strategy when you are an exchange up.} 31...Rxc7 32.Bxc7 Bd5 {The computer is initially quite happy with White's position, but for human eyes, the compensation is decent with a knight coming to d3, the king ready to be centralized, and two strong bishops.} 33.Nc3 ( 33.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a good possibility, giving the b6-square to the bishop. The game can continue:} 33...Nd3 34.Rb1 Kf7 35.Bb6 Bd6+ 36.Kg1 {and my machine continues to claim an advantage for White.} ) 33...Nd3 34.Rc2 Bc6 35.a5 Kf7 36.Re2 ( 36.Ne2 {is a way to keep fighting for an advantage.} 36...Bd5 37.Nf4 Nxf4 38.Bxf4 Ke6 {Black should be able to make a comfortable draw.} ) 36...Nc1 {The players decide to repeat moves and this is an understandable decision.} ( 36...Ke6 {is also possible, playing for a win. If White captures on e4 the game may end in perpetual check after} 37.Nxe4 Bxe4 38.Rxe4+ Kd5 39.Re8 Nxb2 40.Rd8+ Ke4 ( 40...Kc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 41.Be5 ) 41.Re8+ Kd5 ( 41...Kd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 42.Be5 c3 43.Rd8+ Kc4 44.Bxg7 ) 42.Rd8+ ) 37.Re1 Nd3 38.Re2 {A nervous game in which both players had some chances, but Ding probably could have pushed harder from the position he got in the opening. The tension grows and now we have a rest day before the final classical game. Will Ding play aggressively to fight for a win with White or is it better not to risk it and continue the battle in the tiebreaks $2 We'll know soon enough.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.29"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[ECO "E46"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "180"]
[Beauty "3849901329417"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd2 {Once again a new opening is played in the match.} 5...d5 6.a3 {A somewhat offbeat move order, but it has been played by Ding and other elite players. 6.Nf3 is more popular.} ( 6.Nf3 ) 6...Be7 7.Nf3 c5 {Nepomniachtchi chooses the second most popular move, immediately hitting the center and inviting exchanges.} ( 7...b6 {was played against Ding in a rapid game in 2022.} 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Rc1 c5 10.dxc5 bxc5 11.Bd3 Bg4 {Black has a good position, but White eventually won the game. Ding-Praggnanandhaa, Chessable Masters (rapid) 2022.} ) 8.dxc5 Bxc5 {This is a typical position from the Queen's Gambit when White's bishop is on f4, obviously a better square. With the bishop on d2, the chances of an advantage are more limited.} 9.Qc2 dxc4 {This natural move is a new one. The trend of the match is seen once again: the game is out of the known theoretical paths early on, even when a major opening is played.} ( 9...Nc6 10.Rd1 Qe7 {was played in Donchenko-Wojtaszek, Terme Catez 2021.} ) 10.Bxc4 Nbd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An accurate move. This is the best way to develop the pieces.} ( 10...b6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 11.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is unpleasant.} ) ( 10...Nc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 11.Rd1 Qe7 12.Ne4 {is better for White. This plan with Ne4-Bc3 is a good way to give life to the bishop on d2.} ) 11.Rd1 Be7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is not the best. Black should not lose time before finishing development.} ( 11...b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} 12.Ne4 Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black allows the bishop to be captured in order to accelerate the development.} 13.Nxc5 Nxc5 14.Bc3 Qe7 {The knight goes to e4 and the position is equal.} ) 12.Ng5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The start of a superficial plan. The best way to fight for the initiative is to play with e3-e4, either immediately or after castling.} ( 12.e4 {White opens the diagonal of the bishop and prepares e4-e5.} 12...Qc7 {This is nearly forced, in order to avoid the advance of the e-pawn.} 13.Nb5 Qb8 {Here White has many possible ways to play. The position is very rich.} ) ( 12.O-O {Maybe this is even more accurate, following my motto: \"when in doubt, just castle.\" The plan is e3-e4 next.} ) 12...h6 13.h4 {Ding has already played a similar plan in this match, when in the eighth game, also a Nimzo-Indian, he left a bishop hanging on g5. In that game, the h4-move was more dangerous. Here the knight on g5 is not particularly dangerous and Black can develop the pieces without major worries.} ( 13.Nge4 b6 {is good for Black as well.} ) 13...Qc7 14.Be2 ( 14.Bb3 {looks more natural, keeping some pressure on e6 and threatening some Nd5 tricks. However, after} 14...Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has a good position.} ( 14...b6 $4 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 15.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 14...Rd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A natural defending move, planning to bring the knight to f8 and to protect the king. But there's a better option.} ( 14...b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.Rc1 Qb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an important and difficult move since it places the queen in an unnatural square. If White follows the attack with} 16.Nce4 Bb7 17.Nxf6+ Nxf6 18.Bc3 {Black gets a good position after} 18...Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 15.Rc1 {Unpinning the c3-knight.} 15...Nf8 {Following the plan started with the previous move.} ( 15...b6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 16.Nge4 Nxe4 17.Nxe4 ( 17.Qxe4 {Capturing with the queen is also possible.} 17...Qd6 18.Rc2 Bd7 19.Qxb7 Bc6 20.Qa6 Bxg2 21.Qxd6 Bxd6 22.Rg1 Bb7 {with an equal endgame.} ) 17...Qxc2 18.Rxc2 Bd7 19.Bb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19.Rc7 Rab8 20.Nc5 Rbc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Rxc8 Bxc8 {is close to a draw, but Black has the more comfortable position.} ) 19...Bxb4+ 20.axb4 Bc6 21.Nc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White is in trouble after this move.} ( 21.Bf3 Ng6 22.Nd2 Ne5 23.Bxc6 Nxc6 24.b5 {The position is better for Black and it looks dangerous to the human eyes, but the machine shows a draw can be achieved.} ) 21...Bxg2 22.Rg1 Bd5 ( 22...Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most precise way to continue.} 23.b5 Bd5 24.e4 b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point.} 25.exd5 bxc5 26.Rxc5 exd5 {with good winning chances for Black.} ) 23.e4 Bc6 24.b5 Be8 25.Nxb7 Rd4 {White has not equalized yet and the position is still dangerous.} 26.Rc4 ( 26.Nc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26...Rb4 {loses a pawn.} ) 26...Rd7 27.Nc5 Rc7 ( 27...Rd6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also possible.} 28.e5 ( 28.Rc3 Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 28...Rd5 29.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with good drawing chances, for instance:} 29...Ng6 ( 29...Rxe5 30.Nf6+ Kh8 31.Nxe8 Rxe8 32.Rc7 ) 30.h5 Nxe5 31.Nf6+ Kf8 32.Nxd5 Nxc4 33.Nc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Rc8 34.Nxe8 Kxe8 35.Rxg7 ) 28.Rc3 Rac8 29.b4 Nd7 30.Rcg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A serious mistake.} ( 30.Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Nxc5 31.bxc5 Rxc5 32.Rgc1 Rxc3 33.Rxc3 Rb8 ( 33...Rxc3 34.Kxc3 {White's king is too active and guarantees a draw.} ) 34.Rc5 {White can continue with f4,e5,Kc3 with an active position and a likely draw.} ) 30...Nxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 30...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. Black wins a pawn and gets serious chances in the endgame. If White decides to exchange knights, then after} 31.Nxd7 Rxd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Bd3 Rd4 {the position falls apart.} ) 31.bxc5 Rxc5 32.Rxg7+ Kf8 33.Bd3 Rd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 33...Ke7 {is a natural way to play.} 34.Rg8 Rc3 35.Kd2 Ra3 {White still has to solve some problems before getting a draw.} ) 34.Ke2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This mistake places Ding on the verge of defeat.} ( 34.Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...Bxb5 35.Rg8+ Ke7 36.Rxd8 Kxd8 37.Bxb5 Rxb5 38.Rg8+ Ke7 39.Ra8 {with the same ending we will see later in the game.} ) 34...Rc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.Rg8+ Ke7 36.R1g3 e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This throws away a big portion of the advantage.} ( 36...Rdxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The idea is to capture on b5 on the next move, but it doesn't work due to} 37.Rxe8+ $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Kxe8 38.Rxd3 {with a draw.} ) ( 36...Rb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black improves the rook and prepares to bring the other one with Rd4. The position is probably lost for White, for example:} 37.Rh8 Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Rxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 38...Rdxd3 39.Rxd3 Bxb5 ) 37.Rh8 Rd6 ( 37...Rb3 38.Rgg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...Rb2+ 39.Ke3 Rb3 40.Ke2 {White is saved.} ) 38.b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move, forcing a rook endgame that should be a draw.} 38...Rxb6 ( 38...axb6 {is possible, but also a draw.} 39.Rxe8+ Kxe8 40.Bb5+ Rcc6 41.Rg8+ Ke7 42.Bxc6 Rxc6 43.Rb8 {White's rook is too active.} ) 39.Rxe8+ Kxe8 40.Bb5+ Rxb5 41.Rxc3 {With an active rook and some weaknesses to attack, White should be able to make a draw. This is never very easy in practice, but Ding certainly was relieved when this endgame arrived on the board.} 41...Kd7 42.Rf3 Ke7 43.Rc3 a5 44.Rc7+ Kf6 45.Rc6+ Kg7 46.Ra6 {As every schoolboy knows, the rook should be placed behind the passed pawn.} 46...Rb2+ 47.Kf3 Ra2 48.Kg3 ( 48.h5 {Deserves consideration.} ) 48...h5 49.Ra8 Ra1 50.Kg2 a4 51.Ra5 f6 52.Kf3 a3 53.Ra6 Kf7 54.Ke3 ( 54.Kg2 {I expected the king to go back to this file, but I guess it doesn't make much difference.} ) 54...Ke8 ( 54...Rh1 55.Rxa3 Rxh4 56.Ra8 {This endgame is very easy for White to defend.} ) 55.Ke2 Ke7 56.Kf3 Ra2 57.Ke3 Ra1 58.Ke2 Kf7 59.Kf3 Ra2 60.Ke3 Ke7 61.Kf3 {At this moment I thought the game wouldn´t last long, but there are some practical chances left.} 61...Kd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nepomniachtchi gives the f6-pawn as a last attempt to create winning chances.} 62.Rxf6 Rb2 63.Ra6 Rb3+ 64.Kg2 Kc7 65.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only drawing move. White must create counterplay before the opponent's king comes to the queenside.} 65...exf4 66.e5 Kb7 67.Ra4 Kc6 68.Ra6+ {Also leads to a draw. A possible continuation is:} ( 68.Rxf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 68...Kd5 {is winning for Black.} ) ( 68.e6 Kd6 69.Ra6+ Ke7 70.Kf2 Kf6 71.Kg2 Re3 72.Kf2 Kf5 73.e7 Rxe7 74.Rxa3 Kg4 75.Ra8 Kxh4 76.Rg8 {with a theoretical draw.} ) 68...Kb5 69.Ra7 Kb6 70.Ra8 Kc5 71.Ra6 Kb5 72.Ra7 Kb6 73.Ra8 Kc6 74.Ra6+ Kd7 75.Kf2 Ke7 76.Kg2 Re3 77.Kf2 {Black is unable to make progress.} 77...Rg3 78.Kf1 Rc3 79.Kf2 Re3 80.Kg2 Kd7 81.Kf2 Kc7 82.e6 Kd8 83.Ra7 Ke8 84.Kg2 {The draw is clear now.} 84...Rxe6 85.Rxa3 Rg6+ 86.Kf2 Rg4 87.Ra5 Rxh4 88.Kf3 Ke7 89.Rf5 Ke6 90.Rxf4 Rxf4+ {A fitting end to the magnificent classical part of the match. The games had many mistakes, this is true, but both players went for the win in every game, they gave their hearts and won many fans around the world during this duel. To me it's a pity that all this will come to an end with rapid games, but I suppose there's no better way to decide the winner. I'm sure tomorrow will be full of thrillers and I want to say thanks and good luck to both players.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.30"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "6461107221523"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]

{[%evp 0,69,23,19,16,22,27,-5,23,6,6,0,18,8,8,12,8,16,19,8,11,10,10,10,10,10,10,9,7,7,7,11,11,11,8,-28,-24,-29,22,13,32,43,22,43,43,43,55,33,-32,-32,-32,-35,-35,-14,-35,-29,0,14,14,0,0,0,0,-6,-7,-7,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c3 {Another interesting try by Ding to escape from mainstream theory when playing with White.} 3...c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.Be3 ( 5.b4 a5 6.e3 axb4 7.cxb4 b6 {leads to the Noteboom Variation with reversed colors.} ) 5...Be7 {Black has interesting alternatives that have been tried in grandmaster practice.} ( 5...a5 ) ( 5...Nc6 ) ( 5...Qc7 ) 6.g3 {When searching my database for games in this position, it becomes clear who is the mind behind this opening choice, as this has been played before by Richard Rapport.} 6...Nc6 ( 6...O-O 7.Bg2 a5 8.O-O Na6 9.c4 dxc4 10.Na3 {led to a small advantage for White in Rapport-Shankland, St.Louis (rapid) 2019.} ) 7.Bg2 O-O ( 7...Ng4 8.Bd4 e5 9.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea, a pattern that is also very common in some lines of the Grunfeld Defense. As I like to say to my students, a chess player should study games from all openings, as the ideas can be repeated even in very different situations.} ) 8.b4 Ng4 9.Bd4 Qc7 ( 9...e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 10.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10...exd4 11.hxg4 dxc3 12.b5 {with the initiative for White.} ) ( 9...b6 {was played in an email game and is probably the best move.} ) 10.O-O e5 11.h3 exd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 11...Nf6 {is better, leading to a double-edged position after} 12.Be3 ) 12.hxg4 dxc3 13.Nxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 13.b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13...Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.bxc6 c2 15.Qxc2 Bxa1 {White has some compensation for the exchange, but the move played in the game is much better.} ) 13...Nxb4 14.a3 Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.Rc1 Bxc3 16.Rxc3 Nc6 17.Qxd5 Bxg4 18.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very strong move, attacking the kingside and also preparing to bring the knight to d6.} 18...h6 ( 18...Bxe2 $4 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 19.Qe4 {loses a piece.} ) 19.Ne4 ( 19.Qe4 hxg5 20.Qxg4 {leads to a slightly better position for White.} ) 19...Rae8 ( 19...Bxe2 20.Re1 Bg4 21.Nd6 {This looks very unpleasant for Black.} ) 20.e3 Re5 21.Qd2 Rd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21...Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This difficult move is the best.} 22.Bxh3 ( 22.Nd6 Bxg2 23.Kxg2 Ne7 {is OK for Black.} ) 22...Rxe4 {with only a tiny advantage for White.} ) 22.Nd6 Rh5 23.Rb1 $2 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 23.Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move removes the queen from the pin and prepares to centralize it on e4. White is clearly better.} ) 23...Ne5 24.e4 b6 $3 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Ding most certainly missed this brilliant move.} 25.cxb6 ( 25.f4 Nf3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Bxf3 Rxc5 ( 26...Bxf3 27.cxb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Qxd6 28.Qxd6 Rxd6 29.Rxf3 Rxb6 {with a draw.} ) 27.Rxc5 Qxc5+ 28.Qf2 Qxf2+ 29.Kxf2 Bxf3 30.e5 {with a slightly better endgame for Black.} ) 25...axb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point.} ( 25...Qxd6 26.Qxd6 Rxd6 27.bxa7 $18 ) 26.Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 26.Rxc7 {The queen cannot be captured.} 26...Nf3+ 27.Bxf3 Bxf3 {With mate.} ) 26...Rxd2 ( 26...Qe7 {is an interesting option, preserving the queens.} ) 27.Nxc7 Bh3 ( 27...Nd3 {is the last chance to pose some problems.} ) 28.Bxh3 Rxh3 29.Kg2 Rh5 30.Rb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Rd1 31.Nd5 Rdh1 32.Ne7+ Kh7 33.Rxe5 R1h2+ 34.Kg1 Rh1+ 35.Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.30"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[ECO "C84"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "5704656095240"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]

{[%evp 0,94,22,22,22,7,15,17,34,8,7,16,16,12,15,11,8,9,11,7,0,0,-3,-3,-3,-18,0,0,25,31,31,31,54,56,56,56,72,49,43,24,34,27,79,43,28,50,50,23,50,39,47,60,60,60,60,35,32,34,34,24,29,35,40,40,26,5,5,2,2,0,33,29,28,30,29,19,18,0,0,0,36,42,40,40,53,54,51,25,51,25,37,32,46,25,32,32,40]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a4 {Nepomniachtchi had played 8.c3 and 8.a3 before in the match. For the rapid games, he was armed with the main move, 8.a4.} 8...Bd7 9.h3 {A very rare option.} 9...O-O 10.Be3 Na5 11.Ba2 bxa4 12.Bd2 ( 12.Nc3 {was played in the decisive game of the match.} ) 12...Nc6 {Already a new move.} ( 12...c5 13.Bxa5 Qxa5 14.Nc3 Qb6 {was played in the correspondence game Silin-Biedermann, email 2013.} ) 13.Nc3 Rb8 ( 13...Nd4 {is more natural, although White fights for the advantage with} 14.Bc4 ) 14.Nxa4 Nd4 15.Bc4 {Nepomniachtchi's opening experiment is a success: White has the more comfortable game.} 15...c6 16.Nxd4 exd4 17.Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Be6 18.Re1 a5 19.Qf3 {White has many promising continuations.} ( 19.Bg3 {is a good prophylactic move.} ) ( 19.e5 Nd5 20.Bg3 {leads to an advantage similar to the game.} ) 19...Rb7 20.e5 Nd5 ( 20...Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer indicates this move as the best.} ) 21.exd6 ( 21.Bg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, not allowing too many exchanges.} ) 21...Bxd6 22.Bxd6 Qxd6 23.Qe4 Nf4 ( 23...Nb4 {is enough for equality.} 24.Bxe6 Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24.Qe5 ( 24.b3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is the last chance to try for some advantage.} 24...Bxc4 25.bxc4 Ne6 26.Qe5 ) 24...Qxe5 25.Rxe5 Bxc4 26.dxc4 Rb4 27.Rc5 ( 27.g3 Ne6 28.b3 d3 29.cxd3 Rxb3 30.Nc5 Nxc5 31.Rxc5 Rxd3 32.Rxc6 {White wins the a-pawn, but Black should have no problems holding this endgame.} ) 27...d3 28.cxd3 Nxd3 29.Rxc6 Ne5 30.Rc7 Nxc4 {Now a draw is inevitable.} 31.Nc5 Nxb2 32.Nd7 Re8 33.Rxa5 Nd3 34.Rg5 Rf4 35.f3 h6 36.Rd5 Nb4 37.Rd6 Rf5 38.Rb7 Rd5 39.Rdb6 Rd8 40.Nf6+ gxf6 41.Rxb4 Rd4 42.Rxd4 Rxd4 43.Kh2 Kg7 44.Rb2 Rd5 45.Ra2 Rd4 46.Rb2 Rd5 47.Ra2 Rd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.30"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[ECO "A14"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "6528752947207"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]

{[%evp 0,65,22,16,23,-10,-7,-7,9,6,6,9,9,-13,-7,3,3,3,25,25,19,22,32,38,38,44,53,56,48,44,49,24,54,19,23,18,42,38,40,45,48,48,43,44,43,45,45,41,44,41,44,40,39,42,42,42,42,41,36,33,36,33,39,33,32,34,41,33]} 
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O Be7 5.c4 O-O 6.b3 c5 ( 6...d4 {is a more aggressive option.} ) 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bb2 Nc6 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Nxd4 11.Qxd4 Bf6 12.Qd2 Nf4 {The opening strategies for both sides during the match were pretty clear. Ding was the one trying to run away from mainstream theory and searching for some offbeat variations even if there's no advantage, as long as there's something to play for. Nepomniachtchi, on the other hand, is not against an opening battle in the main lines and is ready to go with forcing, computer variations.} 13.gxf4 Qxd2 14.Nxd2 Bxb2 15.Rad1 Bf6 ( 15...Rb8 16.Nc4 Bf6 {transposes to the game.} ) 16.Nc4 {White has some slight pressure, but if Black knows what to do, a draw is very likely.} 16...Rb8 17.Ne5 Rd8 18.Rxd8+ ( 18.e3 Kf8 19.Rxd8+ Bxd8 20.Rd1 Bf6 21.Rc1 Bxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21...Ke8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 22.fxe5 {White had the advantage in Artemiev-Duda, Pepe Cuenca Invitational 2020.} ) 18...Bxd8 19.Rd1 Be7 20.Nd7 Bxd7 21.Rxd7 Kf8 22.Bxb7 Rd8 23.Rc7 a5 {White is a pawn up, but due to the presence of opposite-colored bishops, there are no realistic winning chances. The game soon ends in a draw.} 24.Rc4 Bb4 25.Rc2 Rd2 26.Rxd2 Bxd2 27.e3 Bb4 28.Kf1 Ke7 29.Ke2 Kd6 30.Kd3 Be1 31.Ke2 Bb4 32.Kd3 Be1 33.Ke2 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.30"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[ECO "C84"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[Beauty "5911661783599"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{[%evp 0,63,22,15,15,15,15,22,22,7,9,16,3,8,9,9,23,10,8,0,0,0,-3,-3,-11,0,0,-2,4,11,33,40,33,0,41,32,32,17,16,15,15,5,17,17,44,3,20,7,7,1,7,7,52,26,28,15,31,23,43,37,60,60,44,44,57,42]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a4 Bd7 9.h3 O-O 10.Be3 Na5 11.Ba2 bxa4 12.Nc3 {Deviating from 12.Bd2, played in the second rapid game.} 12...Rb8 13.Bb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A weird move, with the simple idea of attacking the a4-pawn. This has been played before by strong GMs.} 13...Qe8 {A new move.} ( 13...c5 {was played in all the three games I found.} ) ( 13...Rxb2 14.Nxa4 Rb8 15.Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15...Nc6 16.Nxd7 Qxd7 17.Rxa6 {White has the bishop pair and some chances of an advantage.} ) 14.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...c5 15.Nxa4 Nc6 16.Nc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16.c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, giving some life to the bishop.} 16...Be6 17.Bc2 ) 16...a5 17.Nd2 Be6 18.Nc4 d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 18...Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger, since White cannot capture the pawn.} 19.Nxa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19...Ra8 {loses the exchange.} ) 19.exd5 Nxd5 20.Bd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 20.Nxd5 {White should exploit the chance to exchange knights and again play c2-c3 to free the bishop.} 20...Bxd5 21.c3 ) 20...Nxc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20...Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. Black has strong threats on the kingside, and the b1-bishop is just a passive spectator.} ) 21.Bxc3 Bxc4 22.bxc4 Bd8 23.Bd2 Bc7 24.c3 f5 {The position is more pleasant for Black, especially in a rapid game.} 25.Re1 Rd8 26.Ra2 Qg6 ( 26...e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The computer is not impressed by this move, but it looks interesting to my human eyes.} 27.dxe4 f4 28.e5 Nxe5 {With the initiative.} ) 27.Qe2 Qd6 28.g3 Rde8 29.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nepomniachtchi manages to hold everything.} 29...e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A bold decision, although I think the move should have been played before.} ( 29...Ne7 {is the machine's suggestion, avoiding Qd5.} ) 30.dxe4 Ne5 31.Qg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Nd3 32.Bxd3 Qxd3 33.exf5 Rxe1+ 34.Bxe1 Qxc4 35.Ra1 $6 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35.Rd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate. In this case, White can fight for the advantage, since capturing on f5 is dangerous for Black after} 35...Rxf5 36.Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 35...Rxf5 36.Bd2 h6 37.Qc6 Rf7 38.Re1 {The a-pawn is always dangerous, but it's well controlled, and the game is equal.} 38...Kh7 39.Be3 Be5 ( 39...Qxc3 {leads to an immediate draw after} 40.Qe4+ Kg8 41.Rc1 Qe5 42.Qxe5 Bxe5 43.Rxc5 Bc7 ) 40.Qe8 ( 40.Qxc5 Qxc5 41.Bxc5 Bxc3 {This also leads to a draw.} ) 40...Bxc3 {A mark of Ding's play is that he is never afraid of calculating variations. I suppose most players would not bother capturing this pawn.} 41.Rc1 Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move to justify the capture on c3. White cannot exploit the pin due to tactical reasons.} 42.Qd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting practical try.} ( 42.Bd2 {ends in perpetual check after} 42...Qd4 43.Bxc3 Qxf2+ 44.Kh1 Qf3+ 45.Kh2 ) 42...Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} 43.Qd5 ( 43.Rxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 43...Qe1+ ) 43...Bb4 44.Qe4+ Kg8 45.Qd5+ Kh7 46.Qe4+ Rg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This may be the decision that gave Ding the title. Nobody expected him to play for a win in this position, and this probably also took Nepomniachtchi by surprise.} 47.Qf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White is in danger now, as this allows Black to advance the c-pawn.} ( 47.h4 {is a good move.} 47...h5 ( 47...a4 48.Qf5 Qg4 49.Qc2 a3 50.Rd1 {with good counterplay.} ) 48.Rc2 Qg4 ( 48...Qd1+ 49.Kh2 ) 49.Qd3 {White has enough compensation for the pawn.} ) ( 47.Rc2 Qd1+ 48.Kh2 Qd6 49.h4 {is also enough for a draw.} ) 47...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48.h4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 48.Qf4 {The computer points out this is the only move, but it's totally not human, and I don't even understand it.} ) 48...Qd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 49.Qf3 Rf6 50.Qg4 c3 51.Rd1 Qg6 52.Qc8 Rc6 53.Qa8 Rd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 53...c2 {wins on the spot:} 54.Rd8 c1=Q+ 55.Bxc1 Rxc1+ 56.Kh2 Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 57.Rh8+ Kg6 ) 54.Rxd6 Qxd6 55.Qe4+ Qg6 56.Qc4 Qb1+ 57.Kh2 a4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 58.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 58...a3 59.Qc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final part of the game is full of drama, and this is the last mistake.} ( 59.Bxg7 {I couldn't believe my eyes when the computer suggested this move.} 59...Kxg7 60.Qc7+ Kf6 61.Qc6+ {It's unbelievable, but White has perpetual check.} 61...Ke5 62.Qe8+ Kd5 63.Qa8+ Kc4 64.Qg8+ Kb5 65.Qe8+ ) ( 59.h5 {Maybe the most human, taking the g6-square from the queen.} 59...Bf8 ( 59...a2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] even loses after} 60.Qf7 ) 60.Qf7 Qd3 61.Be5 Qe4 62.Bxc3 Qe7 63.Qd5 {with a draw.} ) 59...Qg6 {Now the game is over. The pawns are unstoppable.} 60.Qc4 c2 61.Be3 Bd6 62.Kg2 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 63.Kf1 Be5 64.g4 hxg4 65.h5 Qf5 66.Qd5 g3 67.f4 a2 68.Qxa2 Bxf4 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour ChessKid Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.22"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7080853381210"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

{[%evp 0,97,18,16,18,18,18,18,20,62,48,25,25,31,37,28,36,12,36,29,28,26,25,21,16,19,21,19,33,31,31,36,35,31,39,32,33,45,44,43,46,33,34,31,32,9,7,-26,-45,-38,-37,-44,-36,-36,-18,0,17,-67,-62,-69,-70,-70,-89,-88,-39,-107,-70,-80,-49,-76,-70,-85,-85,-136,-65,-245,-217,-265,-86,-171,-216,-256,-72,-66,-109,-115,0,-361,-380,-361,-380,-404,-410,-887,-896,-896,-493,-29989,-29990,-29991]} 
1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 e6 5.Nbd2 Qb6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting way to meet the London System.} 6.Rb1 {Black won't have many problems in the game continuation, so maybe White should seek a more active way to play.} ( 6.c4 {was tried by Erigaisi, and he quickly got into a winning position.} 6...Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best reply.} ( 6...cxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 7.exd4 dxc4 8.Nxc4 Bb4+ $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 9.Bd2 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 Qd8 11.Qb4 {White was winning in Erigaisi-Xiong, FTX Road to Miami 2022.} ) ) 6...cxd4 7.exd4 Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A plan that is very typical in the French Defense. Black wants to exchange light-squared bishops.} 8.Be2 ( 8.c3 {leads to an equal endgame after} 8...Bb5 9.Qb3 Bxf1 10.Qxb6 axb6 11.Rxf1 Nc6 12.a3 ) 8...Bb5 9.O-O Bxe2 10.Qxe2 Nc6 11.c3 Be7 {Black has no problems, but White is solid. I think it's because of these types of positions that the London System has the reputation of being a dull opening.} 12.Ne1 $5 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The knight heads to d3. A slow maneuvering game starts.} 12...O-O 13.Nd3 a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Gaining space on the queenside.} 14.a4 Qa6 15.Rfe1 Rfe8 16.h3 Nd7 17.Nf1 Nb6 18.Ra1 Nc4 19.b3 {This gives Black a few targets to aim at.} ( 19.h4 {is interesting, planning to gain some space on the kingside. Accepting the pawn is very dangerous, as we can see after} 19...Bxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20.Nc5 Qa7 21.b3 Nb6 22.Qh5 Be7 23.Re3 {White has a strong attack.} ) 19...Nb6 ( 19...Nd6 {is also possible.} ) 20.Ng3 Nd7 21.Red1 g6 22.Be3 Bd6 23.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A very commital move.} ( 23.Rac1 {is better, preparing c3-c4.} ) 23...Nf6 24.Bf2 Rac8 {Black's position is easier to play now, but Nakamura is always resourceful.} 25.Rac1 Ne7 26.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way, otherwise the knight goes to f5 and White is too passive.} 26...dxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is not the best move, but the details are difficult to work out in a rapid game.} ( 26...h5 {It's better not to release the central tension just yet.} ) 27.bxc4 Nf5 ( 27...Rxc4 {This version of the sacrifice is also possible, but it doesn't grant an advantage.} 28.Nc5 Rxc1 29.Nxa6 Rxd1+ 30.Qxd1 bxa6 {The compensation is enough for equality.} ) 28.Nf1 $6 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 28.Nxf5 exf5 29.Qa2 {leads to a double-edged game. The central pawns are dangerous.} ) 28...Rxc4 $3 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A brilliant queen sacrifice.} 29.Nc5 Rxc5 30.Qxa6 Rxc1 31.Qd3 {Black has a rook, knight, and pawn for the queen. His pieces are very active, and White has many weaknesses, so the sacrifice is fully justified.} 31...Rec8 ( 31...Rc6 {is probably more accurate.} ) 32.g3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Too slow. White desperately needs counterplay.} ( 32.Rxc1 Rxc1 33.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Ne7 34.Bh4 Nfd5 {Here, there are many attempts to get counterplay, one of them is} 35.f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with good drawing chances, for instance:} 35...gxf5 36.Bxe7 Nxe7 37.Qd2 {The a5-pawn falls and Black's king is open, so a perpetual check is likely.} ) 32...R1c3 33.Qb5 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Getting ready to destroy the pawn chain on the kingside.} 34.Qxb7 Nd5 35.Be1 Rc2 36.Bxa5 h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Be1 ( 37.g4 Ng3 {with a decisive attack.} ) 37...hxg3 38.Nxg3 Nh4 39.Bf2 Nxf4 40.Ne4 Nf3+ ( 40...Nxh3+ {is simpler:} 41.Kf1 Nf5 {with a winning position.} ) 41.Kh1 Nxh3 42.Rf1 {In a rapid game, it's impossible to be accurate in the final moments. Here there's a fantastic move that wins for Black, but good luck finding this with no time on the clock.} 42...Kg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Van Foreest wants to bring the rook to the h-file.} ( 42...R8c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a great move, bringing the rook to the game.} 43.a5 {Let's see what happens if White ignores everything and just pushes the pawn:} ( 43.Nxc3 {The rook cannot be captured:} 43...Nxf2+ 44.Rxf2 ( 44.Kg2 Nh4+ 45.Kg1 Nh3+ 46.Kh1 Rh2# ) 44...Rxf2 {White has to give up the queen in order not to get mated.} ) 43...Nxf2+ 44.Nxf2 ( 44.Rxf2 Rc1+ 45.Kg2 Nh4# {The c3-rook is doing its job.} ) 44...Nxd4 45.a6 Rh3+ $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46.Nxh3 Rh2+ 47.Kg1 Ne2# ) 43.Nxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 43.Kg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives White good escaping chances.} ) 43...Nxf2+ 44.Kg2 ( 44.Rxf2 Rxf2 45.Qxf7+ Kh6 46.Qf4+ g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47.Qf6+ Kh5 {The checks are over.} 48.Nxc8 Rh2# ) 44...Ne4+ 45.Kxf3 Nxd6 46.Qb1 R8c3+ 47.Kf4 f6 {Mate is inevitable.} 48.Rg1 Rf2+ 49.Kg4 ( 49.Kg4 f5+ 50.Kh4 Rh2+ 51.Kg5 Nf7+ 52.Kf4 Rf2# ) 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour ChessKid Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.23"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "E06"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6805644127241"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.Qd3 {A rare move that Abdusattorov had already tried before.} 6...b6 ( 6...c5 {is a possible alternative.} 7.O-O b6 ( 7...Nc6 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.Nc3 Nxc3 11.Qxc3 Qe7 12.Bf4 {with a tiny advantage for White in Abdusattorov-Lazavik, Chessable Masters 2023.} ) 8.cxd5 Ba6 9.Qc2 exd5 ( 9...Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 10.Nc3 Nc6 11.Rd1 {with a slight advantage for White in Abdusattorov-Lazavik, Chessable Masters 2023.} ) 7.cxd5 Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is more accurate than taking with the pawn.} ( 7...exd5 8.Nc3 {leads to a typical structure from the Queen's Indian Defense where White can fight for a small advantage.} ) 8.O-O Bb7 ( 8...Ba6 {is also possible:} 9.Qc2 Nd7 10.Nc3 c5 11.Nxd5 exd5 {with a good position for Black in Ding-Giri, Legends of Chess (rapid) 2020.} ) 9.Nc3 Nd7 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.Bf4 c5 12.b3 a5 13.Rfd1 ( 13.a4 {was played in an online rapid game between Grischuk and Aronian, but it doesn't promise an advantage.} ) 13...a4 14.Rac1 axb3 15.axb3 {White has no advantage objectively, but his position is more comfortable to play. Black always has to be careful with the center.} 15...Ra3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 15...Re8 {is more natural, but the move played is interesting to gain control of the a-file.} ) 16.Qc2 Re8 ( 16...Qa8 {I prefer this move, as now Black controls the a-file.} ) 17.h4 {Thematic. White gives air to the king, gains space on the kingside, and prepares Ng5 at some point.} 17...h6 {Also thematic. This has similar ideas to 17.h4 and avoids the knight jump to g5.} 18.Qb2 Ra8 19.Ne5 Bf6 {This is not objectively a mistake, but Black has to find a very good resource to stay alive.} ( 19...Nf6 {is probably safer, although White's position is easier to play.} ) 20.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true]} 20...cxb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true]} ( 20...cxd4 $3 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This fantastic move is the only way to play.} 21.Ng4 ( 21.Nxd7 Qxd7 22.Rc7 {It seems that White is winning a piece, but this is far from true.} 22...Qxc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 22...Qf5 {Even this is possible:} 23.Rxb7 d3 {with a messy position.} ) 23.Bxc7 d3 {This is the justification. The point is that Black gets the queen back after} 24.Qd2 ( 24.Be5 {The computer suggests this as better, but then it's clear that Black is fine.} ) 24...dxe2 25.Re1 Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forcing the march of the e-pawn.} 26.Bf3 Rxe1+ 27.Qxe1 Bc3 28.Qxe2 Rxe2 29.Bxe2 {With a pawn up for Black in the endgame.} ) 21...d3 22.Nxf6+ Qxf6 23.Qxf6 Nxf6 24.exd3 Ra4 {with a roughly equal endgame.} ) 21.Nc6 {Simple and good.} ( 21.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better:} 21...Kxf7 22.Rc7 {Black's position collapses.} ) 21...Bxc6 22.Rxc6 Ra5 23.Bh3 ( 23.Qxb4 {leads to an overwhelming advantage after} 23...Rxe2 24.Rdc1 Re8 25.Bh3 {The bishop pair is devastating.} ) 23...Nf8 ( 23...Nc5 {is a nice try, but it doesn't offer much relief:} 24.Qxb4 Ne6 25.Be3 ) 24.Rc8 Qe7 25.Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White wins the exchange. The rest, as they say, is a matter of technique, something that Abdusattorov is not lacking.} 25...Qxd6 26.Rxe8 Ra3 27.e3 g6 28.Rb1 Be7 29.Bg2 Qd7 30.Rxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Good technique, making the conversion easier.} 30...Qxe7 31.Bxd5 Ra5 32.Bc4 b5 33.Bf1 Ne6 34.Qxb4 Qxb4 35.Rxb4 Nc7 36.Rb1 Kf8 37.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Ra7 38.Rc5 b4 ( 38...Rb7 39.Bg2 Ra7 40.Bc6 b4 41.Rc4 Na6 42.Ba4 {Black's pieces are tied to the defense of the b-pawn and now White can bring the king to center and start advancing the e and d-pawns.} ) 39.Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39...Nd5 40.Rc8+ Ke7 41.Rb8 {The rook should go behind the passed pawn.} 41...Ra1 42.Kg2 Rc1 43.Bd3 Rc3 44.Be4 Nf6 45.Rb7+ Kf8 46.Bf3 {The b-pawn finally is going to be captured.} 46...Rc4 47.Bd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47...Ne4 48.Bb3 Rc3 49.Rxb4 g5 50.hxg5 hxg5 51.Rb7 f6 52.Bd5 Nd6 53.Rd7 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour ChessKid Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.24"]
[Round "52"]
[White "Moussard, Jules"]
[Black "Kollars, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2644"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[ECO "C83"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "pigle"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7564511150113"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {The Open Variation is one of Black's best choices in the Ruy Lopez.} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.c3 Be7 10.Bc2 {Only the fourth most popular move and much rarer than the main line 10.Nbd2.} 10...Bg4 11.h3 ( 11.Qe1 {was played in an important GM game in 2023.} 11...Nc5 12.Nd4 Nxd4 13.cxd4 Ne6 14.Qd2 O-O 15.Nc3 Bh5 16.f4 f5 {with a balanced position in Esipenko-Narayanan, Jermuk 2023.} ) 11...Bxf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a mistake. It's better to keep this bishop with} ( 11...Bh5 {for instance:} 12.g4 Bg6 13.Nd4 {with a complicated game in Caruana-Wei, Wijk aan Zee 2016.} ) 12.gxf3 Nc5 13.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting theoretical novelty.} ( 13.f4 {is also good for White and was played in Polgar-Huebner, Munich 1991.} ) 13...Na4 {A knight on the rim is not always dim. The knight gets ready to go to b6 and protect the important d5-pawn.} ( 13...Ne6 14.f4 {This is just winning as White's center is strong, and the knight is not so well placed on e6. White can also play to attack the d5-pawn.} ) 14.f4 ( 14.Bxa4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a horrible positional mistake.} 14...bxa4 15.Qxa4 Qd7 ) 14...Qd7 15.Qf3 ( 15.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, preparing to advance the f-pawn. White has the advantage after} 15...O-O 16.f5 f6 17.e6 ) 15...O-O ( 15...O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a bold move, but it's actually the computer's first choice.} ) 16.Rd1 Rad8 17.Nd2 f6 {a good move, trying to break White's pawn chain.} 18.Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forcing Black to release the tension.} 18...f5 ( 18...g6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 19.Bxg6 hxg6 20.Qxg6+ Kh8 21.Qh5+ Kg8 22.Kh2 Rf7 23.Rg1+ Rg7 24.Rxg7+ Kxg7 25.Ba3 {followed by 26.Rg1.} ) 19.Qf3 Kh8 ( 19...d4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a possible way to fight for counterplay.} 20.Bxa4 bxa4 21.Bb2 dxc3 22.Bxc3 Nxb4 {with an equal position.} ) 20.Nf1 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black can't wait any longer.} 21.Bxa4 bxa4 22.Be3 Qe6 ( 22...d3 {is also possible:} 23.Rd2 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Rad1 Rg8 25.Ng3 Qe6 {with a complicated position.} ) 23.Bxd4 ( 23.cxd4 Nxb4 {is good for Black as the knight goes to the excellent d5-square.} ) 23...Bxb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 23...Nxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.cxd4 {followed by the advance of the d-pawn.} ) 24.Ne3 Be7 {The game is played at a very high level. The position is balanced.} 25.Qe2 Na5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It turns out we never really know when the knight on the rim is really dim.} ( 25...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is very good, starting counterplay on the kingside. The computer evaluates the position as equal, but I feel it's easier to play with Black.} ) 26.c4 Nc6 27.Bc3 Bc5 28.Nd5 Ne7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now the game goes downhill for Black. The position is still acceptable after} ( 28...Rd7 29.Rd3 Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Rad1 Qg6+ 31.Kh2 Ne6 ) 29.Nxc7 Qc6 30.Ba5 Rxd1+ ( 30...a3 {My computer screams this as the best move, so it's clear something is very wrong with Black's position.} ) 31.Rxd1 Qh6 32.Qf3 {White is a pawn up and has a better pawn structure. The bishop is ready to go back to c3 and the knight to d5. The position is winning, and Moussard plays good moves until the end.} 32...Nc6 33.Bc3 Ne7 34.Rd7 Rb8 35.Kh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Ng6 36.e6 Bf8 37.Nd5 Nh4 38.Qg3 Re8 39.e7 Bxe7 40.Rxe7 Rxe7 41.Nxe7 a3 42.c5 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour ChessKid Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.24"]
[Round "52"]
[White "Moussard, Jules"]
[Black "Kollars, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2644"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[ECO "C83"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "pigle"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7564511150113"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {The Open Variation is one of Black's best choices in the Ruy Lopez.} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.c3 Be7 10.Bc2 {Only the fourth most popular move and much rarer than the main line 10.Nbd2.} 10...Bg4 11.h3 ( 11.Qe1 {was played in an important GM game in 2023.} 11...Nc5 12.Nd4 Nxd4 13.cxd4 Ne6 14.Qd2 O-O 15.Nc3 Bh5 16.f4 f5 {with a balanced position in Esipenko-Narayanan, Jermuk 2023.} ) 11...Bxf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a mistake. It's better to keep this bishop with} ( 11...Bh5 {for instance:} 12.g4 Bg6 13.Nd4 {with a complicated game in Caruana-Wei, Wijk aan Zee 2016.} ) 12.gxf3 Nc5 13.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting theoretical novelty.} ( 13.f4 {is also good for White and was played in Polgar-Huebner, Munich 1991.} ) 13...Na4 {A knight on the rim is not always dim. The knight gets ready to go to b6 and protect the important d5-pawn.} ( 13...Ne6 14.f4 {This is just winning as White's center is strong, and the knight is not so well placed on e6. White can also play to attack the d5-pawn.} ) 14.f4 ( 14.Bxa4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a horrible positional mistake.} 14...bxa4 15.Qxa4 Qd7 ) 14...Qd7 15.Qf3 ( 15.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, preparing to advance the f-pawn. White has the advantage after} 15...O-O 16.f5 f6 17.e6 ) 15...O-O ( 15...O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a bold move, but it's actually the computer's first choice.} ) 16.Rd1 Rad8 17.Nd2 f6 {a good move, trying to break White's pawn chain.} 18.Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forcing Black to release the tension.} 18...f5 ( 18...g6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 19.Bxg6 hxg6 20.Qxg6+ Kh8 21.Qh5+ Kg8 22.Kh2 Rf7 23.Rg1+ Rg7 24.Rxg7+ Kxg7 25.Ba3 {followed by 26.Rg1.} ) 19.Qf3 Kh8 ( 19...d4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a possible way to fight for counterplay.} 20.Bxa4 bxa4 21.Bb2 dxc3 22.Bxc3 Nxb4 {with an equal position.} ) 20.Nf1 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black can't wait any longer.} 21.Bxa4 bxa4 22.Be3 Qe6 ( 22...d3 {is also possible:} 23.Rd2 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Rad1 Rg8 25.Ng3 Qe6 {with a complicated position.} ) 23.Bxd4 ( 23.cxd4 Nxb4 {is good for Black as the knight goes to the excellent d5-square.} ) 23...Bxb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 23...Nxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.cxd4 {followed by the advance of the d-pawn.} ) 24.Ne3 Be7 {The game is played at a very high level. The position is balanced.} 25.Qe2 Na5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It turns out we never really know when the knight on the rim is really dim.} ( 25...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is very good, starting counterplay on the kingside. The computer evaluates the position as equal, but I feel it's easier to play with Black.} ) 26.c4 Nc6 27.Bc3 Bc5 28.Nd5 Ne7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now the game goes downhill for Black. The position is still acceptable after} ( 28...Rd7 29.Rd3 Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Rad1 Qg6+ 31.Kh2 Ne6 ) 29.Nxc7 Qc6 30.Ba5 Rxd1+ ( 30...a3 {My computer screams this as the best move, so it's clear something is very wrong with Black's position.} ) 31.Rxd1 Qh6 32.Qf3 {White is a pawn up and has a better pawn structure. The bishop is ready to go back to c3 and the knight to d5. The position is winning, and Moussard plays good moves until the end.} 32...Nc6 33.Bc3 Ne7 34.Rd7 Rb8 35.Kh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Ng6 36.e6 Bf8 37.Nd5 Nh4 38.Qg3 Re8 39.e7 Bxe7 40.Rxe7 Rxe7 41.Nxe7 a3 42.c5 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour ChessKid Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.25"]
[Round "53"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Moussard, Jules"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2644"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7217289890335"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bd6 {This variation of the Petroff Defense is very popular nowadays. Nepomniachtchi had great success with it in last year's Candidates Tournament.} 7.O-O O-O 8.c4 c6 9.Re1 Bf5 10.Qb3 Qd7 11.Be3 ( 11.Nh4 {Caruana played this interesting novelty against Nepomniachtchi in their crucial game of the Candidates Tournament, achieving an excellent position, although the game ended in a draw. Caruana-Nepomniachtchi, Madrid 2022.} ) 11...dxc4 12.Bxc4 b5 {A new and good move. It guarantees the a6-square for the knight.} ( 12...Qc7 13.Nc3 {White probably should search for a better move instead of this one.} 13...Nxc3 14.bxc3 Nd7 {with an equal position in Leko-Anand, Leon (rapid) 2001.} ) ( 12...Na6 13.Ne5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was played in Vachier Lagrave-Deac, Bucharest 2022.} ) 13.Bd3 Na6 14.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding 14...Nb4.} 14...Bg6 ( 14...Rfe8 {is also possible for Black.} ) 15.Nh4 Rfe8 16.Nxg6 hxg6 17.Nc3 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Kf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move is the beginning of Black's problems because it loses an important tempo. Moussard probably was concerned with the tactical idea of Bxg6, but Black also has his own trick.} ( 18...Nc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to an equal position. If White captures on g6, then} 19.Bxg6 Bxh2+ $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] regains the pawn:} 20.Kxh2 Qd6+ 21.Kg1 Qxg6 {with a good position.} ) 19.a4 Nc7 20.axb5 cxb5 21.Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move, avoiding a7-a5 and paralyzing Black's queenside.} 21...a6 22.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] No hurry.} 22...Rab8 23.Rea1 Qg4 24.Kg2 Qd7 {Black has no active plan. The knight on c7 is tied to the defense of the a6-pawn, and White has a passed pawn and the bishop pair.} 25.Be2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another excellent move: the bishop goes to a better diagonal.} 25...Kg8 26.Bf3 Red8 27.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] White's natural plan is to play c4 at some point, but Caruana is patient and improves his position before that. This strategy is ideal when your opponent has no active plan, as it's very difficult and torturous to keep moving the pieces back and forth. Your opponent wants you to do something so he can calculate concrete variations, and when that doesn't happen, they often decide to do something themselves—often worsening their position. That's exactly what will happen in this game.} 27...Bf8 28.Rh1 {Speculating with the advance of the h-pawn.} 28...Qe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This hopelessly damages the pawn structure. Black should continue the waiting strategy.} 29.Qxe6 fxe6 ( 29...Nxe6 30.Rxa6 b4 {This attempt doesn't work after the accurate} 31.Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and if} 31...bxc3 {White wins a piece after} 32.d5 {The point of the rook on c6 is made clear: the knight cannot go to c5.} ) 30.Bg5 Rdc8 31.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Caruana prepares the decisive advance of the c-pawn.} 31...Bd6 32.c4 bxc4 33.Rxc4 Kf7 34.Rc6 Nb5 {This loses material, but the position is already lost.} ( 34...Bb4 35.Ra4 a5 36.Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's pieces can barely move.} ) 35.Rxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...axb5 36.Rxd6 {White has a winning material advantage and powerful bishops. The game is over.} 36...b4 37.Rd7+ Kg8 38.Bf4 Rb6 39.Be5 b3 40.Be4 b2 41.Bxg6 b1=Q 42.Bxb1 Rxb1 43.Rxg7+ Kf8 44.h5 Rcc1 45.h6 Rg1+ 46.Kf3 Rh1 47.h7 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour ChessKid Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[Beauty "6254948789257"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

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1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 {This line has always been one of my favorites, and I played many games with it. It was also played in the decisive fourth game of the match.} 4.O-O Bd7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.c3 a6 7.Ba4 ( 7.Bf1 {is the most popular move and was played in game four.} 7...Bg4 8.h3 ( 8.d4 {is a critical try.} ) 8...Bxf3 9.Qxf3 g6 10.d3 {and Abdusattorov later won, although not because of the opening.} ) 7...b5 8.Bc2 Rc8 {A rare move. Usually, the choice is between 8...Bg4 or 8...e5.} 9.a4 ( 9.d4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The idea of Black's previous move becomes clear after this:} 9...cxd4 10.cxd4 e5 11.d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 11...Nb4 12.Bb3 Rxc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point.} 13.Qxc1 Nd3 14.Qe3 Nxe1 15.Qxe1 Be7 {Black has the pair of bishops and an excellent position.} ) 9...g6 10.axb5 axb5 11.d4 cxd4 12.cxd4 Bg4 13.Be3 ( 13.Nc3 {This was played in a critical game that decided the fate of an important tournament in 2004 that some even call a world championship, although I definitely don't agree with that.} 13...b4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Adams-Kasimdzhanov, Tripoli 2004. Here White can achieve a virtually winning position with 14.d5 $1, for instance:} ( 13...Bg7 {It is better to sacrifice the pawn with this move with some practical compensation after} 14.Nxb5 O-O ) 14.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...bxc3 15.dxc6 cxb2 ( 15...Rxc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16.Ba4 ) ( 15...Bg7 16.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 16.Bxb2 Bg7 17.e5 dxe5 18.Qxd8+ Rxd8 19.c7 Rc8 20.Nxe5 {with a winning initiative.} ) 13...Bg7 14.Nbd2 {Caruana's plan is also good enough for an advantage. White controls the center with the pawns. Isn't this supposed to be good enough to be happy in the opening $2} 14...O-O 15.h3 Bd7 {Better than surrendering the bishop with} ( 15...Bxf3 16.Nxf3 ) 16.d5 {White has other options, and his play in the next moves should be improved since Black manages to equalize.} ( 16.Nb3 ) ( 16.Bb3 ) 16...Nb4 17.Bb1 Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Rxa8 Qxa8 19.Bd4 Rc8 20.Nf1 Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move to exchange queens.} 21.Ne3 Qxd1 22.Rxd1 Bh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The start of a strange plan. Exchanging the dark-squared bishop for a knight needs a miracle to be good, although miracles sometimes happen.} ( 22...Na6 23.e5 Ne8 {Despite the lack of space, Black is fine.} ) ( 22...Be8 {with the idea of 23...Nd7 is the most natural.} ) 23.g4 Bxe3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23...Bg7 {is objectively better.} ) 24.Bxe3 Nc2 25.Bh6 b4 {In the next moves, White will have many roads to a nearly winning advantage.} 26.e5 ( 26.Nd4 Nxd4 27.Rxd4 {White has the bishop pair and can gradually attack the b-pawn. The position should be winning with precise play.} ) ( 26.Bxc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the most accurate. Black's position is very unpleasant after} 26...Rxc2 27.Ra1 {since the pawn cannot be captured:} 27...Nxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28.Ra7 Nf6 29.g5 {winning material.} ) 26...dxe5 ( 26...Ne8 {is more stubborn.} ) 27.Nxe5 ( 27.Bxc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Rxc2 28.Nxe5 {This is winning for White. The dark-squared bishop is too strong.} 28...Bb5 ( 28...Rxb2 29.Ra1 {with a mating attack.} ) 29.Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight cannot be captured, and the e-pawn falls.} ) 27...Ba4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.d6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White misses the last chance to achieve a big advantage.} ( 28.Nc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is refuted by} 28...Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.Rxd5 Bxc6 ) ( 28.Bxc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way.} 28...Bxc2 ( 28...Rxc2 29.Ra1 {wins.} ) 29.Rd4 b3 30.Nc6 Re8 31.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong move, limiting the movements of Black's knight and preparing the path for centralizing the king. Black's pieces are too passive.} ) 28...Na3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Abdusattorov fights with all his creativity in a difficult position.} 29.Rd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 29.Ba2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This difficult move still gives some advantage for White.} 29...b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 29...Bxd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} 30.Bxf7+ Kh8 31.Be6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Ra8 32.dxe7 {White's initiative is decisive. During the game, it helps to know that in the worst-case scenario, you always have perpetual check with Nf7+ and so on. But there's even more, for example:} 32...Nc2 33.Nf7+ Kg8 34.Nd8+ Kh8 35.Bg5 Ne8 36.Bf7 {winning.} ) 30.Bxb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Bxb3 31.Rd3 exd6 32.Rxb3 dxe5 33.bxa3 {White has a passed distant pawn and a strong bishop. Black still has some suffering to achieve a draw.} ) 29...Nxb1 30.dxe7 Ne8 ( 30...Rc7 {is also possible with a messy position. A possible variation is:} 31.Rxb4 Rxe7 32.Rxa4 Rxe5 33.Kf1 {The b1-knight is trapped.} 33...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] But the h6-bishop is also locked.} 34.Rd4 Nd5 ( 34...Rd5 35.Rxd5 Nxd5 36.Bxg5 Nbc3 37.bxc3 Nxc3 {with an easy draw.} ) 35.Rd1 f6 36.Rxb1 Kf7 {with a likely draw.} ) 31.Rxb4 ( 31.Rd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] leads nowhere since the knight on e8 is protected.} 31...Rc7 ) 31...Bc2 32.Rd4 ( 32.g5 {with the idea of Bf8 and Ng4 should be good enough for a draw.} ) 32...Rc7 33.Rd8 ( 33.g5 Rxe7 34.f4 {The computer evaluates the position as equal. The knight on b1 is out of play, and it's not easy to bring it back.} ) 33...Rxe7 34.Nd7 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is just in time to create some space for the king.} 35.Nf6+ Kf7 36.Nxh7 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Brilliant tactical play by Abdusattorov. Here Caruana had to find a very difficult move in order to exchange all of Black's pawns.} 37.Bxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 37.f4 $3 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The only path for a draw.} 37...fxg4 ( 37...gxf4 38.Bxf4 fxg4 39.Ng5+ Kg6 40.hxg4 ) 38.Nxg5+ Kg6 39.Bf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39...Re1+ 40.Kf2 gxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41.Nxh3 {Black has no pawns left, and the knight is still stuck on b1: the draw is not difficult.} ( 41.Kxe1 $4 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 41...h2 ) ) 37...Re1+ 38.Kh2 ( 38.Kg2 {loses after} 38...fxg4 39.Rd7+ Kg8 40.Nf6+ Nxf6 41.Bxf6 gxh3+ {This capture is made with check; this is an important detail. If} 42.Kxh3 Bf5+ {wins the rook.} ) 38...f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Study-like precision.} ( 38...fxg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is no longer enough for a win.} 39.Rd7+ Kg8 40.Nf6+ Nxf6 41.Bxf6 gxh3 {Now this is not a check, and White has time to escape.} 42.Rg7+ Kf8 43.Kxh3 {with a draw.} ) 39.Rd7+ Kg8 40.Bxf4 ( 40.Nf6+ {now loses due to a nice mating net:} 40...Nxf6 41.Bxf6 Be4 {followed by 42...Rh1#.} ) 40...Bxh7 {White still has some drawing chances in this strange endgame. In a club game, this most probably would end in a draw with Black failing to checkmate with a bishop and knight against a lonely king. This, however, is an elite game, and such a failure won't happen.} 41.Kg3 Nf6 42.Rd8+ Kf7 43.Be3 Re2 44.Rb8 Nd2 45.Rb7+ Ke8 46.g5 Nf1+ 47.Kf4 ( 47.Kf3 Rxe3+ $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48.fxe3 Be4+ 49.Kf4 Bxb7 50.gxf6 Kf7 {All the pawns will fall sooner or later.} ) 47...Nxe3 48.fxe3 Nd7 49.h4 Bg6 {Two pieces against four pawns is not a material imbalance we see every day. Unfortunately for White, not all the pawns are connected: the only brothers are the h- and g-pawns; the other two are distant relatives.} 50.b4 Ke7 51.Ra7 Rb2 52.Rb7 Bh5 53.e4 Ke6 54.Ke3 Rh2 {The harvest begins.} 55.Ra7 Rxh4 56.Ra6+ Ke7 57.Rh6 Rh3+ 58.Kd4 Bg4 59.b5 ( 59.Rxh3 Bxh3 {As a spectator, I'm frustrated this move didn't happen. I always love to see a bishop and knight endgame played to the end.} ) 59...Rb3 60.Kc4 Rb1 61.Rh7+ Kd6 62.Rh6+ Be6+ {The pawns will fall, and with rooks on the board, the win is even easier.} 0-1

[Event "Chess 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2853"]
[ECO "C11"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8041118317575"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e6 {The French Defense is rarely played by Carlsen in classical games, although he had beaten Karjakin and Ivanchuk with it a long time ago.} 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 a6 8.Ne2 {Caruana has played this before in a blitz game, so it hardly came as a surprise. It's also the first move of the engine I used.} ( 8.Qd2 {is by far the most popular move.} ) 8...Qb6 9.Qc1 ( 9.Rb1 {was played by Caruana in the mentioned game.} 9...Be7 10.c3 O-O {Caruana-Vachier Lagrave, Chess.com (blitz) 2021.} ) 9...Be7 10.c3 O-O 11.g3 ( 11.h4 {is a typical move in the French and it's my computer's favorite. The rook can join the game through the h3-square.} ) 11...f6 ( 11...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move has been tested in correspondence chess and was tried by Nepomniachtchi.} 12.Qc2 ( 12.Bg2 cxd4 13.Nexd4 ( 13.cxd4 Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The point of Black's play becomes clear. The queen becomes active and the knight can go to b4.} ) 13...Nc5 {with a playable position for Black.} ) 12...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a complicated game.} ( 12...cxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13.Nexd4 {was better for White in So-Nepomniachtchi, FTX Crypto Cup 2021.} ) ) 12.Bg2 cxd4 13.cxd4 Qa5+ ( 13...fxe5 {is also possible:} 14.fxe5 Qb5 ( 14...Qa5+ 15.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 15.Kf2 $6 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is bad due to a nice piece sacrifice:} 15...Ndxe5 16.dxe5 Nxe5 {with excellent compensation for the piece in Van Foreest-Werle, Netherlands 2017.} ) ) 15.Qd1 $5 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15...Qxb2 16.O-O {with good compensation for the pawn in Raijmaekers-Terreaux, ICCF email 2020.} ) 14.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A new move.} ( 14.Bd2 Qd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 14...Qb5 {is necessary.} ) 15.O-O {with advantage for White was played in Vallejo Pons-Danielsen, Porto Carras 2011.} ) 14...Nb6 {Carlsen prepares the development of the light-squared bishop.} ( 14...fxe5 {is not enough to solve the problems after the accurate} 15.dxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best way to capture.} ( 15.fxe5 Nb6 {with a better version of the plan implemented in the game.} ) 15...Bc5 16.Qd2 Qb6 17.Bf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the advantage for White. This is the type of position that highlights the nightmares of the French Defense: problems with the dark squares and a bad bishop on c8.} ) 15.exf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A capture that changes the pawn structure is always a difficult one to choose.} ( 15.b3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is not good with the bishop in the a3-f8 diagonal.} 15...Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.Qd2 Na7 {Followed by Bd7-Rac8 with a good position.} ) ( 15.O-O {is also possible.} ) 15...Bxf6 ( 15...Rxf6 {is a possible alternative.} 16.O-O Bd7 17.Bf2 Rc8 {with a slightly better position for White.} ) 16.b3 {Now this move is possible.} 16...Bd7 17.O-O Rac8 18.Qd2 ( 18.Qe1 {is an interesting computer suggestion.} 18...Nxd4 19.Bxd4 Bxd4+ 20.Nxd4 Qxc3 21.Nxe6 {with advantage for White after the exchange of queens.} ) 18...Be7 ( 18...Nxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move doesn't work:} 19.Bxd4 Bxd4+ 20.Qxd4 Rxc3 ( 20...Qxc3 21.Qxb6 ) 21.b4 {winning a piece.} ) 19.Ne2 Qxd2 20.Bxd2 {White has a slightly better endgame. The backward e-pawn is always a concern for Black, but the position is not the end of the world.} 20...Rc7 {The plan is to double rooks on the c-file.} ( 20...Nb4 21.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding Bb5.} 21...Rc2 22.Bh3 {with advantage for White.} ) ( 20...Ba3 21.Bh3 Rfe8 {is also a little better for White.} ) 21.Rac1 Rfc8 22.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very good move, seizing a tactical chance. The pawn cannot be captured because the c7-rook has no squares.} 22...Ba3 ( 22...exf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23.Bf4 ) 23.Rce1 Bb4 24.Bxb4 Nxb4 25.fxe6 Bxe6 26.Nf4 Bf5 27.Ne5 {A good and natural human move.} ( 27.Re5 {is the computer suggestion and is probably more accurate.} 27...g6 28.Ng5 h6 29.Nf3 {Black's kingside is weakened. Needless to say, no human plays like this.} ) 27...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very good defense by Carlsen. The bishop is protected.} ( 27...Nc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} 28.Bxd5+ $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 28.Nxd5 {gives some drawing chances after} 28...Nxe1 29.Nxc7 Nxg2 30.Rxf5 Rxc7 31.Kxg2 Nd5 ) 28...Nxd5 29.Nxd5 Nxe1 30.Rxf5 Nc2 ( 30...Rc1 $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31.Ne7+ Kh8 32.Nf7# ) 31.Nxc7 Rxc7 32.d5 Ne3 33.Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Nxd5 34.Rd3 {A study-like position. The knight cannot move.} 34...Rc5 35.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Rb5 ( 35...Nxb4 36.Rd8# ) 36.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] winning the knight.} ) 28.g4 Be4 29.Bxe4 dxe4 30.a3 ( 30.Rxe4 Nxa2 {Black is ok.} ) 30...N4d5 ( 30...Nc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right path to achieve a draw.} 31.Rxe4 Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is ready to play 32...Nxd4 and the game is close to a draw.} ) 31.Rxe4 Rc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A very high-level game is suddenly decided after this mistake.} ( 31...Nxf4 {offers Black good drawing chances after} 32.Rexf4 Nd5 33.R4f3 Rc3 ) 32.Nd7 $3 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A fantastic move that poses unsolvable problems for Black.} 32...Rxb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This loses on the spot, but the situation was already very difficult.} ( 32...Nxd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 33.Nxd5 ) ( 32...Nxf4 33.Nf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 33.Nxb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33...Nh3+ 34.Kg2 Rd8 {with a probable draw.} ) 33...Kg7 34.Rexf4 {with a very difficult endgame for Black.} ) ( 32...Rc1 {Maybe this is the best chance, but White has a winning position with a pawn advantage.} ) 33.Nxd5 Nxd5 34.Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...Nc3 ( 34...Ne3 35.Nf6+ Kf7 ( 35...Kg7 36.Re7+ Kh6 37.Rxh7+ Kg5 38.h4# ) 36.Rxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move.} 36...Rxe3 37.Nd5+ {White wins a piece.} ) 35.Nf6+ ( 35.Nf6+ Kf7 {White has many ways to win. One possibility is:} 36.Nxh7+ Kg7 37.Re7+ Kg8 38.Nf6+ Kf8 39.Rfe1 {with mating threats and a decisive d-pawn that is ready to march.} ) 1-0

[Event "Chess 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.31"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2642"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[Beauty "7218497857114"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 {Abdusattorov has been playing this variation against the Rossolimo lately.} 4.O-O Bd7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.h3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move to prevent Black's bishop from going to g4.} ( 6.c3 a6 7.Bf1 Bg4 {This is the main line.} ) 6...a6 7.Bf1 Rg8 {A bold and risky move that shows how far Abdusattorov is willing to go to play for a win with the black pieces. 7...e6, 7...g6, or 7...e5 are the normal development moves. Black, however, wants to play g5 and start an attack on the kingside.} ( 7...g6 8.c3 {Black has no good way to counter White's plan of controlling the center with d4.} ) ( 7...e5 8.c3 Be7 9.d4 {with a pawn structure that resembles the Ruy Lopez opening.} ) ( 7...e6 8.c3 Be7 9.d4 cxd4 10.cxd4 d5 11.e5 Ne4 12.Nbd2 {with a slight advantage for White.} ) ( 7...g5 {This has been tried by some very strong players. A recent example followed:} 8.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 8...g4 9.d5 gxf3 10.dxc6 Bxc6 11.Qxf3 {with an advantage for White in Carlsen-Nakamura, Airthing Masters 2023.} ) 8.d3 {Avoiding g5. This is a new move.} ( 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 g5 10.g3 {was played in Saydaliev-Asgari, Konya 2022.} ) 8...h6 {Preparing g5 again, not in the most subtle way.} 9.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The first choice of the computer.} ( 9.e5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 9...dxe5 10.Nbd2 {This is the human way of playing, with the idea of Nc4 and then capturing on e5.} ) 9...cxb4 ( 9...Nxb4 10.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10...cxd4 11.c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11...dxc3 12.Nxc3 {White has excellent compensation for the sacrificed pawns with an advantage in development and a safer king.} ) 10.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10...b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Accurate play by both sides. Considering all these moves are recommended by the machine and that they didn't take long before making all these difficult decisions, it's possible that they were still in preparation.} 11.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Going for the center.} ( 11.cxb3 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the desired counterplay.} ) 11...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.Qxb3 g4 13.hxg4 Nxg4 14.d4 {The position is very sharp, and it will become chaotic in the next moves.} 14...Qa5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] I suppose Abdusattorov's plan was to bring the queen to h5 and then deliver checkmate somehow, but it doesn't work.} ( 14...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 15.d5 Nd4 16.Nxd4 exd4 {with a sharp position that can go either way.} ) 15.Nc3 Bg7 ( 15...Qh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The attack is not as strong as it looks.} 16.Bf4 ( 16.Ne2 {is also good.} ) 16...e5 17.Bg3 {Everything is defended and Black's position will collapse.} ) 16.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...dxe5 ( 16...Nxd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] While watching the game live, I thought Abdusattorov would try this move, whose consequences were not very clear to me. But everything became easier to understand with the click of a button.} 17.Nxd4 Bxe5 18.Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} 18...dxe5 ( 18...Qxe5 19.Nf3 {is also better for White.} ) 19.Nc2 {An unbalanced position that is better for White because Black's king is vulnerable.} ) 17.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Qd8 ( 17...exd4 18.Nd5 Qd8 {Here, White has many moves to develop the initiative. My favorite is} 19.Bf4 ) 18.d5 Nd4 19.Nxd4 exd4 20.Ne4 Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good try.} 21.f4 Bh8 {At least now the knight is secure on g4, and White can't place a bishop on f4. The computer is very optimistic about White's position, but in practice, things are not so clear.} 22.c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22.Nd6+ $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} 22...Kf8 23.Nxb7 Qc8 24.c5 d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop enters the game with decisive effect. This is going to be a recurring theme in the next moves.} ) ( 22.Qxb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is too optimistic.} 22...d3 ) ( 22.Rab1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, getting the rook into the game.} 22...Kf8 23.Be2 {Another good prophylactic move, preparing to exchange the dangerous knight. White is better.} ) 22...Kf8 23.Rac1 $6 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23.Rab1 {The rook is better placed on b1, as becomes clear in the following line:} 23...d3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 24.Qxd3 Bb5 25.Rxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...axb5 26.Bb4 {With monster compensation for the exchange.} ) 23...d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now this move is good.} 24.Bc3 ( 24.Qxd3 Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24...e6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It's nearly impossible to play well in such an irrational position.} ( 24...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a good try. Play can continue:} 25.Nd2 Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Bxh8 Qxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Nf3 d2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Bb2 dxc1=Q 29.Bxc1 Qc7 {with great complications, but at least Black is up an exchange and a pawn.} ) 25.c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Bxc3 26.Qxc3 Qh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a blunder.} ( 26...bxc6 {is necessary, although Black has to play a sad and probably losing endgame after} 27.dxc6 Qb6+ 28.Qc5+ Qxc5+ 29.Rxc5 Bc8 30.Bxd3 Ke7 ) 27.Qc5+ $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Another blunder in return.} ( 27.Qb4+ {wins with a nice geometric motif:} 27...Kg7 28.Qb2+ $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Kh7 29.g3 {The queen protects the h2-square and it's all over.} ) 27...Kg7 28.Bxd3 Qh2+ 29.Kf1 Qxf4+ 30.Ke2 exd5 31.Rf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this, White is losing. It was still possible to defend with} ( 31.Qd4+ $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] For instance:} 31...Ne5 32.cxd7 dxe4 33.Qxe4 {with good drawing chances.} ) 31...Qe5 32.cxd7 Rad8 $19 33.Qc3 dxe4 34.Bxe4 Rxd7 {Black is two pawns up, and surely Tari knew that he missed good chances in the game. He went down without a fight.} 35.Rf4 Qxc3 36.Rxc3 Ne5 37.Rg3+ Ng6 38.Rfg4 Re8 39.Kf2 Re6 40.Bd3 a5 41.a4 b6 {I have the impression that Abdusattorov's endgame technique is excellent. I can recall several games he won with impeccable play, most notably the queen endgame against Carlsen in the Tata Steel tournament this year.} 42.Kg1 Rd5 43.Bc4 Rd1+ 44.Kh2 Ree1 45.Rf3 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46.Rg5 h4 ( 46...h4 {A sudden mating attack decides the game.} 47.Kh3 Rh1+ 48.Kg4 Rd4+ {Bye bye, bishop.} ) 0-1

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Fourth Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Wagner, Dinara"]
[Black "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2417"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[ECO "E04"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "161"]
[Beauty "5295178781219"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 a6 {This is one of the most aggressive options against the ultra-solid Catalan Opening. Black intends to protect the c4-pawn with b7-b5.} 6.O-O Nc6 7.Nc3 Rb8 8.e4 Be7 9.d5 {It's clear that both players are well prepared with the latest developments of this opening line since all these moves were played very quickly.} ( 9.Qe2 {is also popular.} ) 9...exd5 10.exd5 Nb4 11.Ne5 Bf5 ( 11...O-O {is also possible, although White regains the pawn and gets a more comfortable position due to his space advantage after} 12.a3 Nd3 13.Nxd3 cxd3 14.Qxd3 ) 12.Nxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate move order.} ( 12.a3 {This is also popular, but it gives Black an extra option.} 12...Nd3 13.Nxc4 Nxc1 ( 13...O-O {transposes to the game.} ) 14.Rxc1 O-O {With a balanced position. There are many games played in this position.} ) 12...O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black must resist the temptation to gain material.} ( 12...Bd3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13.b3 Bxf1 14.Kxf1 {The knight on b4 is misplaced and White gets excellent compensation for the exchange after} 14...a5 15.a3 Na6 16.Nxa5 ) 13.a3 Nd3 14.Be3 Qd7 15.b4 Rfe8 {This is a popular position in correspondence chess.} 16.h3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 16.Ra2 {is the most popular move, with the idea of bringing the rook to the game.} ) 16...b5 {The first new move, and it's safe to say that both players are out of book by now. The move works, but it demands accurate play, and it's not the best practical choice.} ( 16...c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Is a strange move that was played in a correspondence game. After} 17.g4 ( 17.dxc6 bxc6 {with an unclear position.} ) 17...Bg6 18.f4 b5 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.fxe5 cxb4 21.axb4 Bxb4 {a chaotic position arises where Black's chances are not worse. Sukhachev-Kolpak, ICC email 2010.} ) ( 16...h5 {is natural, avoiding g4.} 17.Ra2 Bd6 18.Bd4 Ne5 19.Nxd6 cxd6 20.Kh2 {with a balanced position in Pranav-Prraneeth, Budapest 2022.} ) 17.Na5 Bd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17...Nb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way to justify Black's previous move.} 18.Qe2 Nc4 {Now White has two options, but Black has good counterplay in both cases.} 19.Nxc4 ( 19.Nc6 Rbc8 20.g4 Bg6 21.g5 Nh5 22.Qg4 f5 23.gxf6 Nxf6 24.Qxd7 Nxd7 {with an equal position.} ) 19...bxc4 20.Qxc4 Bxh3 {with chances for both sides.} ) 18.Bd4 Nb2 19.Qb3 Na4 20.Nc6 {Now White has a clear advantage. The knight on c6 is a monster.} 20...Ra8 21.Nxa4 ( 21.Bxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. White has a clear positional advantage after} 21...gxf6 22.Kh2 ) 21...bxa4 22.Qb2 ( 22.Qxa4 Bxh3 23.Bxf6 gxf6 {Black has good counterplay.} ) 22...Bf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 22...Bxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move works due to a fantastic tactical resource.} 23.Bxf6 ( 23.Bxh3 Qxh3 24.Bxf6 gxf6 25.Qxf6 Re4 {The position remains difficult to evaluate, but the computer thinks Black is ok.} ) 23...Bxg2 24.Kxg2 Qf5 $3 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is the point $1 A move that is easy to miss. Black attacks the bishop and the d5-pawn.} ( 24...gxf6 25.Qxf6 ) 25.Bxg7 ( 25.Rad1 gxf6 {with equal play.} ) 25...Qxd5+ 26.Kg1 Qxc6 27.Bh8 Bf8 {Everything is defended, and Black has good chances of equalizing.} ) 23.Bxf6 gxf6 24.Kh2 ( 24.Qxf6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting positional exchange sacrifice.} 24...Bg7 25.Qh4 Bxa1 26.Rxa1 {With excellent compensation due to the dark squares and the many weaknesses in Black's position.} ) 24...Bg7 25.Rad1 Bg6 26.Qa2 {It's not clear to me whether this is the best square for the queen, but it probably doesn't make much of a difference.} ( 26.Qd2 ) 26...Qd6 27.Rfe1 Bh5 28.Rb1 Bg6 29.Rbd1 Bh5 30.Rc1 Bh6 31.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a tactical mistake.} ( 31.Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best, hiding the rook from further persecution and maintaining all the trumps of the position.} ) 31...Bg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 31...Bxf4 $3 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] is a brilliant tactical stroke.} 32.gxf4 Qxf4+ 33.Kh1 Re2 $3 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is the idea. White must be careful not to end up worse.} 34.Rxe2 ( 34.Qxe2 {The computer suggests the queen sacrifice, with an unclear position after} 34...Bxe2 35.d6 ) 34...Qxc1+ 35.Kh2 Qf4+ 36.Kg1 {Black can decide whether to accept a draw with perpetual check or to play for a win after 36...Bxe2.} ) 32.Qc4 {White is much better again.} 32...Bf8 33.Bf3 Bf5 34.Nd4 Rxe1 35.Rxe1 Bd7 36.Nc6 Kg7 37.h4 Kg8 38.Kg2 Kg7 39.Qc2 {The a4-pawn is doomed.} 39...Re8 40.Rxe8 Bxe8 41.Qxa4 Bxc6 {An important moment.} 42.dxc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 42.Qxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right move. Opposite-colored bishop endgames are difficult to evaluate sometimes: is White able to win, or can Black set up a fortress $2 It seems to me that the position is winning, and the main line is very instructive.} 42...Qxc6 43.dxc6 f5 44.Be2 a5 45.bxa5 Kf6 ( 45...Bxa3 46.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is in time to create another passed pawn after} 46...Kf6 47.a6 Bc5 48.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48...fxg4 49.Bxh7 {with an easy win.} ) 46.Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...Bxa3 47.Bc8 Bc5 {At first sight, it looks like Black has a fortress, but this is an illusion.} 48.Kf3 Ba7 49.Ke2 Bc5 50.Kd3 Bf2 51.a6 Ba7 52.Kc4 Bb6 53.Kd5 Ba7 54.Bd7 Bb6 55.Be8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 55...Ba7 56.Bxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The winning plan.} 56...Kxf7 57.Ke5 {and White breaks through.} ) 42...Qd2+ 43.Kh3 Qd3 44.Bg2 ( 44.Qd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better attempt.} ) 44...Bd6 45.Kh2 f5 46.Qa5 Kf6 47.a4 h6 ( 47...Qc4 {leads to a draw after some computer precision:} 48.b5 Bxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 49.gxf4 ( 49.bxa6 Bd6 {with counterplay, since 50...Qxh4 is threatened.} ) 49...Qxf4+ 50.Kg1 Qd4+ 51.Kf1 Qc4+ {and apparently Black escapes with a draw.} ) 48.b5 axb5 49.axb5 Bc5 50.Qe1 Kg6 51.Qe8 Bf2 ( 51...Qd1 {is enough for a draw.} ) 52.Qg8+ Kf6 53.Qh8+ Ke7 ( 53...Kg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 54.h5+ $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54...Kxh5 55.Qg7 {wins.} ) 54.Qe5+ Kf8 55.Qh8+ Ke7 56.Qg7 h5 ( 56...Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is safer.} ) 57.Qe5+ Kf8 58.Qh8+ Ke7 59.Qg7 Ke8 ( 59...Qxb5 60.Qg5+ Ke6 61.Qxh5 {This looks totally lost for Black, but the computer always finds some way to defend.} 61...Qd3 62.Qh6+ Ke7 63.Qg5+ Ke6 64.h5 Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only defense $1} 65.h6 Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After the queen exchange, the bishop comes to d4, and Black is saved.} ) 60.Qe5+ Kf8 61.Qh8+ Ke7 62.Qg7 Ke8 63.Qg5 Kf8 64.b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice winning try.} 64...Bxb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 64...Qd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate.} 65.Qxf5 ( 65.bxc7 Bg1+ 66.Kh1 {with a draw.} ( 66.Kh3 $4 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 66...Qg4+ 67.Qxg4 fxg4# {is embarassing.} ) ) 65...Bxb6 {Black's defensive task is easier because White has no passed pawn.} ) 65.Qxh5 Kg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake.} ( 65...Bf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's still possible to save the game with precise maneuvering.} 66.Qg5 Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move. The idea is clear after} 67.h5 {Not the best attempt.} 67...Be7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 68.Qh6+ Kg8 {White's queen has nowhere to go, but Black also has no plan. A curious positional draw.} ) 66.Qg5+ Kh7 67.Qh5+ Kg7 68.Qg5+ Kh7 69.Qf6 Kg8 70.h5 {The h-pawn marches, and the game is over.} 70...Bc5 71.h6 Bd4 72.Qd8+ Kh7 73.Qxc7 Kxh6 74.Qxf7 Bg1+ $5 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 75.Kh3 ( 75.Kxg1 $4 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Blunder;persistent;true] It's never too late to make a mistake.} 75...Qf1+ 76.Kxf1 {Stalemate.} ) 75...Bf2 76.Qg8 Qc2 77.Qg5+ Kh7 78.Qe7+ Kh6 79.c7 Qc3 80.Qg5+ Kh7 81.Qxf5+ 1-0

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Fourth Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Assaubayeva, Bibissara"]
[Black "Shuvalova, Polina"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2464"]
[BlackElo "2484"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6533739972133"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 h6 {The Queen's Gambit Declined is probably the classical defense that has changed the most in recent years, with new plans for the black side being discovered.} 7.Bh4 Bg4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A surprising and fresh idea. In the long history of this defense that has been played for ages, this is not an easy feat. This move was played by Carlsen in 2023, and no doubt its theory will develop quickly.} 8.Qb3 {The critical reply, threatening the pawns on b7 and d5. If White is not going to take on b7, however, it probably makes more sense to develop the queen on c2 immediately.} ( 8.Qa4+ c6 9.Bd3 O-O 10.h3 Bh5 11.Qc2 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with good play for Black in a complicated position. Maghsoodloo-Carlsen, Tata Steel 2023.} ) ( 8.f3 Be6 9.Bd3 c5 {with equality.} ) ( 8.Qc2 O-O 9.h3 Bh5 ( 9...Be6 ) 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Qf5 Bg6 12.Qxd5 Nc6 {with compensation for the pawn in Malek-Bartel, Warsaw 2023.} ) 8...Nbd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 9.h3 ( 9.Qxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Taking the pawn is bad as White has no development.} 9...Rb8 10.Qxa7 Rxb2 {with a much better position for Black.} ) ( 9.Bg3 {is a move the computer likes in order to take on b7 later.} 9...O-O 10.Bd3 c5 ( 10...Nb6 {is also possible.} ) 11.Qxb7 cxd4 12.exd4 Ne4 13.Bxe4 dxe4 14.Nge2 {with a complicated position.} ) 9...Be6 10.Bd3 c5 11.Qc2 {It's clear that something didn't work well for White in the opening. Black has a fine position.} 11...c4 {This advance is never an easy decision in this structure.} ( 11...cxd4 {is also possible, but less adventurous.} 12.exd4 O-O 13.Nge2 {with equality.} ) 12.Bf5 Bxf5 13.Qxf5 O-O ( 13...b5 {This move can be played here or in the next move.} 14.a3 ( 14.Nxb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14...Qb6 ) ) 14.Nge2 g6 {It's natural to remove the queen from its advanced post, but Black can seize the chance to advance the queenside.} ( 14...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.a3 a6 {with a balanced position.} ) 15.Qf3 ( 15.Qc2 {is also possible.} ) 15...Qb6 16.O-O g5 17.Bg3 Qe6 {An interesting plan to defend the d5-pawn.} 18.Bh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very nice move, preparing Ng3 to exploit the weakness of the f5-square.} 18...Ne4 19.Nxe4 dxe4 20.Qh5 Kh7 21.Nc3 {White is a bit better because of the passed d-pawn and Black's overextended pawn structure.} 21...f5 22.Qe2 Nf6 23.Rad1 ( 23.d5 {is not enough for an advantage.} 23...Nxd5 24.Qxc4 Nf4 ( 24...Rad8 {This is also good.} 25.Rad1 Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 23...Rad8 24.Be5 ( 24.f3 {is also a possible plan.} 24...exf3 25.Qxf3 Nd5 26.Be5 {with a slight advantage for White.} ) 24...Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Bxf6 ( 25.a3 {Maybe it's better to ask for Black's intentions straight away. If the knight is captured, White is slightly better after} 25...Bxc3 26.bxc3 ) 25...Rxf6 26.Qc2 ( 26.d5 Qe5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 26...Qa6 ) 27.Qxc4 Bd6 28.g3 h5 {with good compensation for the pawn.} ) 26...h5 {An agressive move. The game is high-level.} 27.Ne2 b5 28.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good move, getting the f4-square for the knight.} 28...Rg8 ( 28...gxh4 29.Nf4 Qf7 30.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...exf3 31.Rxf3 {with good play for White.} ) 29.hxg5 Rxg5 30.Nf4 Qc6 {A curious square for the queen, not afraid of the d-pawn advance.} ( 30...Qe8 {is possible.} ) 31.Qe2 Bd6 32.d5 Qb6 33.Ne6 Rg4 34.f3 exf3 35.Qxf3 ( 35.Rxf3 {Capturing with the rook seems more logical, as it can go to h3 and White can also double rooks on the f-file.} ) 35...Be5 36.Rf2 Kg6 {The idea of this move is to protect the h5-pawn and prepare the move Rg3.} 37.Nf4+ ( 37.Nd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 37...Bxd4 38.Rxd4 Rxd4 39.exd4 Qxd4 40.Qg3+ Qg4 41.Qe5 {White's compensation is enough for a draw, for instance:} 41...Qe4 42.Qg3+ Qg4 ) 37...Kh6 38.Kf1 ( 38.Ne6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 38...Rg3 {Now the h5-pawn is defended.} ) ( 38.Qe2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is interesting, avoiding the advance b5-b4. If Black captures on f4, then after} 38...Bxf4 39.exf4 Rxf4 40.Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...Qxf2+ 41.Qxf2 Rxf2 42.Kxf2 {White has excellent compensation for the pawn as the king is marching very quickly toward the center.} ) 38...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Re2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 39.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, preparing Rh2.} ) 39...a5 40.Rc2 c3 41.Nd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A losing mistake.} ( 41.bxc3 {It's better to capture the pawn.} 41...bxc3 42.Rf2 ) 41...Rg3 42.Qf2 Qb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 42...f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins on the spot. The point is} 43.exf4 Rxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44.Rxd3 Rxf4 45.Rf3 Qxf2+ 46.Kxf2 Rxf3+ 47.Kxf3 cxb2 {The b-pawn decides the game.} ) 43.Qe2 Qxd5 44.Nxb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 44.Nf4 {is better, although the position remains difficult after} 44...Qf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 44...Qe4 45.Nd5 Rfg6 46.Nf4 Bxf4 47.exf4 Qxf4+ 48.Qf2 Qg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move throws away the win.} ( 48...Qc4+ $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 49.Kg1 ( 49.Qe2 Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 50.Qf2 Qh1+ 51.Qg1 Rf3+ {with a nice win.} ) 49...Qe4 {Now 50.Qd4 is not possible because the g2-pawn is captured with check.} 50.bxc3 Rxg2+ 51.Qxg2 Qxc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Winning material.} ) 49.Re1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 49.Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move saves White since the queens are exchanged.} ) 49...cxb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Giving White another chance.} ( 49...h4 ) 50.Rxb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 50.Qd2+ $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move again forces the exchange of queens.} 50...Qg5 51.Rxb2 {with excellent drawing chances.} ) 50...Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is winning again.} 51.Qc5 Qh1+ 52.Qg1 Rf3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53.Rf2 Rxf2+ ( 53...Rxg2 $3 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This move gets extra points for the pretty finish.} 54.Re6+ ( 54.Qxh1 Rfxf2# ) 54...Kg5 55.Qxh1 Rfxf2+ 56.Ke1 Rxa2 57.Kf1 Rgf2+ 58.Kg1 Ra1+ 59.Kxf2 Rxh1 {with a winning rook endgame.} ) 54.Kxf2 Qh4+ 55.g3 ( 55.Kf1 Qc4+ ) 55...Qd4+ 56.Kf3 Qd5+ 57.Kf2 f4 0-1

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Fourth Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Shuvalova, Polina"]
[Black "Mammadzada, Gunay"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2449"]
[ECO "B42"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[Beauty "5429375533574"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,154,25,16,58,58,56,49,26,35,56,49,42,33,37,15,63,58,45,35,42,26,54,54,58,46,58,39,41,39,37,25,30,21,42,18,24,25,3,7,16,2,36,39,66,64,81,74,78,88,87,102,126,109,107,101,101,93,93,94,96,90,92,109,100,100,117,105,105,102,100,100,99,97,120,81,92,92,91,91,90,91,91,81,96,96,94,94,94,94,94,94,94,94,94,101,147,152,196,158,150,161,208,157,147,147,148,143,142,143,143,143,143,150,142,137,137,145,142,162,168,147,153,138,143,139,139,146,149,135,146,166,156,177,175,180,184,226,225,227,227,209,238,231,251,253,267,229,232,228,232,527,537,547,1012,1012,1022]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 {The Paulsen Variation of the Sicilian is not a frequent guest in strong tournaments anymore. It's not that there's something particularly bad with it. It's just that other options are simply better.} 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.O-O Qc7 7.c4 d6 8.Nc3 Nbd7 {Black's opening choice is playable but passive. There's no doubt White has the advantage in this so-called \"hedgehog\" setup.} 9.a4 {A rare move.} ( 9.Be3 ) ( 9.f4 ) 9...Ne5 ( 9...b6 10.a5 {In the hedgehog, the best strategy is to play with patience. I don't like this plan.} 10...bxa5 11.Nb3 a4 12.Rxa4 Rb8 {with chances for both sides in Garriga Cazorla-Bellon Lopez, Stockholm 2022.} ) 10.b3 Nxd3 11.Qxd3 Be7 12.Rd1 {A positional plan. White can also play for an attack advancing the pawn to f4 and later to f5. For this plan, the rook is useful on its initial square.} ( 12.f4 O-O 13.Bd2 ) 12...O-O 13.Nde2 b6 14.Ba3 Rd8 15.Qg3 Bb7 16.f3 Rac8 17.Rd2 {The problem with Black's position is that there's no active plan available. The pawn breakthroughs on d5 and b5 are well protected.} 17...Nh5 {A nice move. Mammadzada's play is very creative.} ( 17...Nd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It would be very good to bring the knight to c5, but it loses a pawn on the way.} 18.Bxd6 ) ( 17...Ne8 18.Rad1 {With a normal position. White is better, but it's not easy to break the resistance.} ) 18.Qf2 Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Inviting White to play f4, when the b7-bishop will have more life.} 19.Rd3 ( 19.f4 Be7 ) 19...Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Nxf4 Bxf4 21.Ne2 ( 21.Rad1 Be5 22.Ne2 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The game becomes sharp since the h2-pawn is attacked.} ) 21...Bg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The wrong square. After} ( 21...Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has an acceptable position. Without the knight on c3, it's easier to achieve the breaks on d5 or b5.} 22.Rc1 ( 22.Rad1 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.cxb5 axb5 24.axb5 Qa5 {with counterplay.} ) 22...h6 ) 22.Rad1 Be7 23.Qg3 {Now, Mammadzada is forced to make a huge positional concession to protect the d6-pawn.} 23...e5 {Fatally weakening the d5-square.} 24.Nc3 {White has a strategically winning position.} 24...Bf8 25.Qf2 Bc6 26.Nd5 Bxd5 27.Rxd5 Rd7 28.Qd2 Rcd8 29.Bb2 ( 29.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate way to play. Black loses a pawn.} 29...f6 ( 29...exf4 30.e5 {is decisive.} ) 30.fxe5 ( 30.f5 {is also winning, followed by the advance of the kingside pawns.} ) 30...fxe5 31.Bb2 {The e5-pawn will be captured due to the pin.} ) 29...f6 30.h4 Re8 31.Ba3 Re6 32.Qf2 Qc6 33.Kh2 Rf7 34.Qd2 Rd7 35.Qd3 h5 36.a5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] There's no reason to rush. White can improve the position further. A possible plan is to place the queen behind the rooks.} ( 36.Qe3 ) 36...Rb7 37.Bxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] And this is just bad. It wins a pawn but offers the opponent excellent drawing chances in the rook endgame.} ( 37.b4 bxa5 38.Rxa5 {keeps a clear positional advantage.} ) 37...Bxd6 38.Rxd6 Rxd6 39.Qxd6 Qxd6 40.Rxd6 bxa5 41.Rxa6 Rxb3 42.Rxa5 Rc3 43.Rc5 Kh7 {This endgame should be a draw, but we all know how rook endings are difficult to play.} 44.Kg3 Kh6 45.Rc8 Rc2 46.c5 Kh7 47.c6 g6 ( 47...Kg6 {is also good.} ) 48.c7 {This is always a difficult move to play, as now the king loses its hiding spot from the checks if it marches to the queenside.} 48...Kg7 49.Kh2 Rc1 50.g3 Kh7 51.Kg2 g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] There's always a mistake waiting to be made in rook endgames.} ( 51...Kg7 {is the right move, and there's no winning plan for White. The best she can achieve is a theoretically drawn endgame after} 52.f4 Rc2+ 53.Kf3 Rc5 54.fxe5 fxe5 55.Re8 Rxc7 56.Rxe5 ) 52.Rf8 Rxc7 53.Rxf6 gxh4 54.gxh4 {The endgame is winning now. The e5-pawn will fall, leaving White with two strong passed pawns.} 54...Rc5 55.Rf5 Kg6 56.Kf2 Ra5 57.Ke3 Ra3+ ( 57...Rc5 58.Kd3 Kh6 59.f4 {wins.} ) 58.Ke2 Ra5 59.Kd3 Kh6 60.Kc3 Ra1 61.Kd3 Rh1 ( 61...Ra5 {is not enough:} 62.Kc4 Kg6 63.Kb4 Ra1 64.Kc5 Rh1 65.Kd5 Rxh4 66.Kxe5 {with a similar position to what we get in the game.} ) 62.Rxe5 Rxh4 63.Ke3 Kg6 64.Ra5 Kf6 65.Kf2 Kg6 66.Kg2 Kh6 67.Ra6+ Kg7 68.Ra1 Rf4 69.Kg3 Rf7 70.f4 Re7 71.Kf3 Rb7 72.f5 Rb2 73.Kf4 Rg2 74.Kf3 Rg5 75.Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An elegant move. There's no defense against 76.Rg2, exchanging rooks.} 75...Kf6 76.Rg2 h4 77.Rxg5 Kxg5 78.Kg2 1-0

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Fourth Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kiolbasa, Oliwia"]
[Black "Harika, Dronavalli"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2422"]
[BlackElo "2501"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7285606711325"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Bc5 {A tricky move order in the Arkhangelsk Variation. I remember this was recommended to me by my friend GM Ivan Morovic in 2001, but I was too lazy to study it and I was happy playing the Sicilian.} 6.c3 b5 7.Bb3 ( 7.Bc2 {is the alternative and in this case Black usually plays} 7...d5 ) 7...d6 8.d4 Bb6 9.h3 ( 9.a4 {White normally plays a4 in this line and the idea of the earlier …Bc5 is that now, instead of 9...Rb8 transposing to the normal positions of the Arkhangelsk, Black can play 9...Bg4. Whether this is so good, I don't know.} 9...Bg4 ) 9...Bb7 10.Re1 h6 $5 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move to avoid the annoying pin with Bg5.} ( 10...O-O 11.Bg5 {with a complicated position that has been tested many times.} ) 11.Be3 O-O 12.Nbd2 Re8 ( 12...exd4 13.cxd4 Nb4 {This has been tried by Black in many games, but it's bad after} 14.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Bxe4 16.Bd2 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 c5 18.Qg3 {with a very strong attack. The pair of bishops is ready to point at Black's lonely king. This was played in Azarov-Kolesnik, Minsk 2010.} ) 13.d5 Ne7 ( 13...Bxe3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a piece after} 14.dxc6 Bxd2 15.cxb7 ) 14.Bxb6 cxb6 15.Nh4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a superficial move. I think that, in general, the absence of the move a2-a4 was the reason for White's downfall in this game.} ( 15.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to fight for an advantage.} 15...bxa4 16.Bxa4 b5 17.Bc2 Ng6 18.Bd3 {with a slight advantage for White in Vitiugov-Firouzja, Wijk aan Zee 2020. White is ready to attack Black's queenside with b4 followed by c4.} ) ( 15.Nf1 {is also playable.} ) 15...Bc8 ( 15...g5 {Even this move is interesting for Black.} 16.Nf5 Nxf5 17.exf5 Rc8 18.Ne4 Nxe4 19.Rxe4 Qf6 20.Qf3 Rc5 21.Rd1 Bc8 22.g4 Bd7 {and the game later ended in a draw. Vachier Lagrave-Bachmann, Wch Rapid Berlin 2015.} ) 16.Nf1 Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A new move. It reminds me of the famous Ng6 from the fifth game of the Spassky-Fischer 1972 match.} ( 16...Bd7 {was played in Vokhidov-Kairbekove, (rapid) 2022.} ) ( 16...g5 {is also good:} 17.Nf3 Ng6 {with counterplay.} ) 17.Nxg6 {Considering how easy Black's position is to play after this move, maybe it's worth considering the sad retreat of the knight, although this is an admission of failure.} ( 17.Nf3 ) 17...fxg6 18.Ng3 Rf8 {The best thing in chess happens when you have a clear plan and just know what to do if your opponent sits and waits. Dronavalli is ready to play Nh7-Ra7-Raf7-Ng5 and then sacrifice something on the kingside. White desperately needs to create some play and trying to open the queenside with a quick c4 or a4 is the only hope. In the game the advantage soon becomes winning.} 19.Qd2 Nh7 20.Qe3 Ra7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Nf1 ( 21.Nh1 {My computer suggests this move to protect f2. It's ugly, but sometimes pretty moves are not enough to save the game.} ) 21...Raf7 22.Nd2 {The position is so bad that White offers the f2-pawn in order to get some defensive chances.} ( 22.Re2 Ng5 ) 22...Ng5 ( 22...Rxf2 {This is also very good.} 23.Rf1 ( 23.Qxf2 Rxf2 24.Kxf2 Qh4+ {Black's pieces are too active and the position is easily winning.} ) 23...R2f4 {with a sound pawn advantage.} ) 23.Bd1 Rf4 ( 23...Rxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now this is even better than in the previous move.} 24.Qxf2 Rxf2 25.Kxf2 Bxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate.} 26.gxh3 Nxh3+ 27.Ke3 Qh4 28.Rf1 g5 {The advance of the g-pawn, combined with the attack of queen and knight, gives Black a decisive advantage.} ) 24.Rf1 Bd7 {This doesn't spoil anything, but it is a bit slow. The position screams for a sacrifice.} ( 24...Bxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best.} 25.gxh3 Qd7 {Black's attack is winning:} 26.Bg4 ( 26.Qg3 Nxh3+ 27.Kg2 Rxf2+ 28.Rxf2 Rxf2+ 29.Qxf2 Nxf2 30.Kxf2 Qh3 {followed by the advance of the g-pawn.} ) ( 26.Kg2 Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This tactical theme is known as \"interference.\" The h3-pawn falls.} ) 26...Rxg4+ 27.hxg4 Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Nxf3 Qxg4+ 29.Kh1 Nxf3 {with a decisive advantage.} ) 25.a4 {The counterplay comes too late.} 25...bxa4 26.c4 ( 26.Bxa4 {It's clear that both sacrifices on h3 should win for Black. The best road is} 26...Nxh3+ $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.gxh3 Bxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Qxh3 Qg5+ 29.Qg3 Rg4 {with a winning position as the knight on d2 is also hanging.} ) 26...b5 27.cxb5 axb5 {Apart from the attack, Dronavalli now is a pawn up.} 28.b3 axb3 ( 28...Nxh3+ 29.gxh3 Rh4 {gives Black a decisive attack.} ) 29.Rb1 Rh4 30.Rxb3 Rff4 {Maybe not the most accurate, but the position is still easily winning.} ( 30...Nxh3+ $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the simplest.} 31.gxh3 Rxh3 32.Nf3 ( 32.f3 Qh4 $19 ) ( 32.Bf3 Qh4 $19 ) ( 32.Qxh3 Bxh3 33.Rxh3 Qg5+ {and the knight is lost.} ) 32...Bg4 33.Kg2 Rhxf3 34.Bxf3 Bxf3+ 35.Qxf3 Rxf3 36.Rxf3 Qc8 {with an easy win in this position with queen and three pawns against two rooks.} ) 31.g3 Rxe4 32.Nxe4 Rxe4 33.Qd2 Nxh3+ 34.Kg2 Ng5 {Black has three pawns and an attack for the exchange.} 35.Re1 Rc4 36.Be2 Rd4 37.Rd3 Ra4 38.Bd1 Rc4 39.Bb3 Rc5 40.Qe3 Qc8 {Dronavally plays good moves and has no trouble converting the advantage.} 41.f3 Bf5 42.Rdd1 Bc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 42...Rc3 {also wins using the same idea:} 43.Rc1 Bc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44.Rxc2 Qh3+ $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 43.Bxc2 Qh3+ 44.Kg1 Qxg3+ 45.Kf1 Qh3+ ( 45...Qh3+ 46.Kg1 Rxc2 ) 0-1

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Fourth Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Dzagnidze, Nana"]
[Black "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2513"]
[BlackElo "2535"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Beauty "8043802661898"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Bb4 {The Ragozin Defense has taken the place of the Queen's Indian as the top repertoire choice for anyone looking for a variation to match the Nimzo-Indian.} 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bf4 {One of White's many options against the Ragozin.} 6...Ne4 7.Rc1 Nc6 8.g3 {A rare move, with only a few games in the database.} ( 8.Nd2 {is the main try.} ) 8...Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate reply, threatening to win the exchange.} 9.Qa4 ( 9.Bg2 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Ba3 {wins the exchange.} ) ( 9.Qb3 a5 {gave Black a good position in Bu-Hou, Shenzhen 2022.} ) 9...Qe7 {A difficult decision as this allows White's knight to go to e5.} ( 9...O-O {is possible:} 10.Bg2 a6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 10...Qe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] was played in Khademalsharieh-Serarols Mabras, Gibraltar 2017.} ) 11.O-O Bxc3 12.bxc3 b5 {with a good position.} ) 10.Ne5 O-O 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bg2 Nxc3 ( 12...c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] leads to a double-edged position after} 13.O-O Bxc3 14.bxc3 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.Be3 c4 ) 13.bxc3 Ba3 14.Rd1 Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.Bxd6 ( 15.Qxc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Accepting the pawn leads to a dangerous position for White after:} 15...Bxf4 16.gxf4 Rfe8 17.e3 Rad8 {Black will play 18...Rd6, and White's king is in danger.} ) 15...Qxd6 16.O-O {At first sight, it seems White should be better with a more compact pawn structure, but this is compensated by Black's control of the b-file. The bishop on f5 plays a very important role, taking the b1-square away from White's rook.} 16...Rfb8 17.Rd2 Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black prepares to double rooks on the important open file.} 18.Rc1 a5 19.h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] At this point it's impossible to foresee how important the h-file is going to be in this game, but considering what will happen maybe White should play the pawn to h3 and not to h4. For instance:} ( 19.e3 h6 20.h3 {It's not easy for Black to exploit the b-file, and there's no clear plan to improve the position. The game is more or less equal.} ) 19...h6 20.e3 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very nice move, opening the h-file and gaining a clear plan of action.} 21.hxg5 hxg5 {White cannot wait any more, as Black is ready to play Rg7-Rh8-Qh6 and start an attack on the h-file.} 22.Qd1 $6 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} 22...Rb4 23.Qd1 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 23...Rxc4 24.Rxc4 dxc4 25.e4 {with chances for both sides.} ) 24.cxd5 cxd5 {Black's position is more pleasant, but the game has opened and White is not without counterplay.} ) 22...Qa3 23.c4 Rab8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook is ready to go to b1.} 24.Kh2 ( 24.cxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24...Rb1 {wins material.} ) 24...g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Restraining the white queen.} ( 24...Rb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 25.Rxb1 Rxb1 26.Qh5 ) 25.Qf1 ( 25.cxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25...Rb1 26.Rxb1 Rxb1 27.Qe2 Qc1 {with a mating attack.} ) 25...Rb1 26.Rdd1 ( 26.Rcd1 {is possible but doesn't change the evaluation:} 26...Rxd1 27.Rxd1 ( 27.Qxd1 Rb1 28.Qe2 Qc1 {wins.} ) 27...Qxa2 28.cxd5 cxd5 29.Ra1 Qd2 30.Rd1 Qb2 31.Bxd5 a4 {The a-pawn is very dangerous.} ) 26...Rxc1 27.Rxc1 Rb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Even better than 27...Qxa2.} 28.cxd5 cxd5 29.Qe1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 29.Bxd5 {gives better chances to escape, but the position is also lost after} 29...Qxe3 30.Kg1 Qxd4 ( 30...Rxf2 {is less accurate:} 31.Qxf2 Qxc1+ 32.Kg2 {with some drawing chances.} ) ) 29...Qxa2 30.Ra1 Qc4 31.Rxa5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This loses in elegant fashion.} ( 31.Qxa5 {is also bad:} 31...Rxf2 ) ( 31.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best practical chance. Kosteniuk would have to find the only winning move:} 31...Bg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 31...dxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32.Qxa5 {White gets counterplay.} ) ( 31...Bxe4 {is also not good:} 32.Bxe4 dxe4 33.Qxa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Rxf2+ 34.Kg1 Qxd4 35.Qg5+ Kh7 36.Qh5+ {with perpetual check.} ) 32.Rxa5 ( 32.exd5 Qxd4 {is also winning for Black.} ) 32...Re2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive advantage.} ) 31...Rb1 32.Qd2 Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Mate on the h-file is inevitable.} 33.e4 Qg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Ra8+ ( 34.exf5 Qh5+ 35.Bh3 Qxh3# ) 34...Kg7 {A very good performance by Kosteniuk. The control of the b-file in an exotic pawn structure, the h6-g5 advance, and the mating combination using the h-file make this a very didactic game.} 0-1

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Fourth Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Assaubayeva, Bibissara"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2535"]
[BlackElo "2464"]
[ECO "B31"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7837912669212"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.c3 e5 6.d4 cxd4 7.cxd4 exd4 8.Na3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 8.Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is considered the best move, with the idea of placing the bishop on d6 quickly. Kosteniuk probably got her preparation confused and will get a difficult position in a few moves.} ) 8...Nge7 9.Bf4 a6 ( 9...O-O 10.Bd6 {Transposes to a known position.} ) ( 9...d5 {is also possible. White has to prove the compensation for the pawn after} 10.exd5 Qxd5 11.Bc4 Qf5 ) 10.Bc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 10.Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This surprising piece sacrifice forces a transposition to the main lines, as capturing the bishop on b5 is too dangerous.} 10...O-O ( 10...axb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 11.Nxb5 Ra5 ( 11...O-O $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 12.Bc7 Qe8 13.Nd6 {traps the queen.} ) 12.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 12.Bc7 Rxb5 13.Bxd8 Nxd8 {Black gets three pieces for the queen.} ) 12...Qb6 13.Qd3 O-O 14.b4 Ra8 15.Rfc1 {The computer is very happy with White's position, despite being a whole piece down for the moment. Black's pieces can barely move.} ) 11.Bc4 b5 12.Bb3 {Transposing to a position that is known by theory.} ) 10...d6 ( 10...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better. White doesn't have enough compensation for the pawn after} 11.exd5 Nxd5 ) 11.Ng5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This premature attack is going to be refuted. It's better to try to capture one of the pawns on the d-file.} ( 11.Nc2 O-O 12.Ncxd4 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 d5 14.exd5 Nxd5 {Material is equal, but Black will get the bishop pair and is clearly better.} ) ( 11.Bb3 {is the best chance:} 11...O-O 12.Nc4 ( 12.Nc2 Bg4 {with the advantage.} ) 12...d5 13.Nd6 Be6 14.Nxb7 Qb6 15.Nd6 {with a slight advantage for Black.} ) 11...O-O 12.Qb3 {The f7-pawn is attacked, but Assaubayeva finds a good defense.} 12...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.Bxd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Ne7 ( 14...Na5 15.Qf3 b5 {is also better for Black.} ) 15.d6 {It's crazy to think that all this has been played before. I doubt any of the players knew about it, judging by the time they spent to get here.} 15...Nf5 ( 15...Nc6 {is less accurate, although Black was also better after} 16.Rfe1 Qf6 {in Paksa-Mann, Hungary 1998.} ) 16.Qd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16.Ne4 {is better, but Wwhite's position remains difficult after} 16...h6 {avoiding Bf4-g5. Black has the bishop pair, White's knights are not well placed, and the d6-pawn will probably fall sooner or later.} ) 16...h6 17.Ne4 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Bd2 Rb8 {The best practical choice, as the d6-pawn is lost.} ( 18...Be6 {is also very good:} 19.Qxb7 Nxd6 20.Nxd6 Qxd6 {Black has so many positional trumps that it's safe to say that the position is winning. The tactical justification is} 21.Bb4 Qb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 19.Rfe1 Be6 20.Qa5 ( 20.Qc5 {doesn't change the evaluation.} 20...b6 21.Qc6 d3 {opening the diagonal for the bishop and preparing a knight jump to d4.} ) 20...Nxd6 21.Nxd6 Qxd6 {Black has the bishop pair and is a pawn up. To makes thing worse, it's a passed and well-protected pawn. White is lost, and Assaubayeva wins confidently.} 22.h4 g4 23.Bb4 Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Qh5 Re8 25.Nc2 Rc8 26.Rec1 Qf6 27.Ne1 Rcd8 28.Qa5 Qxh4 29.Rc5 g3 30.fxg3 Qxg3 31.Nf3 d3 32.Be1 Qd6 33.Rh5 Bg4 34.Rh2 b6 35.Qa4 Bxf3 36.gxf3 Rxe1+ $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice final combination.} 37.Rxe1 Qg3+ 0-1

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Fourth Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Assaubayeva, Bibissara"]
[Black "Khotenashvili, Bela"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2464"]
[BlackElo "2478"]
[ECO "D87"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7561826799675"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 O-O 9.O-O Qc7 {A rare and dubious move.} ( 9...Nc6 10.Be3 b6 {Nowadays this is the main line.} ( 10...Bg4 {When I was a kid, almost everyone played this move.} ) ) 10.Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the problem. Since 10...e5 is not good for Black, the move 10...Qc7 doesn't make much sense.} 10...Qa5 ( 10...e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 11.dxe5 Bxe5 12.Bxe5 Qxe5 13.Bd5 Nd7 14.f4 {led to a clear advantage for White in Pantzar-Fedoseev, Titled Tuesday 2020. After the exchange of dark-squared bishops, Black's king is very unsafe.} ) 11.Rb1 {Threatening 12.Rb5, winning a pawn.} 11...Nd7 12.Qd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A new move. I don't like it because now Black can exchange queens, which brings some relief to her position.} ( 12.Rb5 {was played in a correspondence game in which White eventually won.} 12...Qd8 13.Qd2 b6 14.Rbb1 Bb7 15.e5 e6 16.f3 Qc7 17.Bd3 a6 18.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of playing h4-h5 with strong pressure in Molzahn-Hempel ICCF email 2018.} ) 12...a6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 12...cxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black should have seized the chance to exchange queens.} 13.cxd4 Qxd2 14.Bxd2 Nb6 {Black has good chances of equalizing.} ) 13.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's difficult for Black to complete the development, and her pieces are not well coordinated.} 13...Nb6 ( 13...e5 {leads to a winning attack for White after} 14.Bxe5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Bxe5 16.f4 Bg7 17.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 13...cxd4 14.cxd4 e5 15.dxe5 Nxe5 16.Bd5 {is also much better for White.} ) ( 13...Re8 {Maybe this is the best move, but it's clear that the position is bad.} ) 14.Bb3 ( 14.Bc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} 14...Nxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 14.Bxf7+ {This move wins a pawn, but of course, White doesn't want to exchange queens.} 14...Rxf7 15.Bc7 Nc4 16.Bxa5 Nxe3 17.fxe3 b5 ) 14...c4 {The justification of the previous move, but surrendering the center is not positionally desirable.} 15.Bc2 Nd7 ( 15...Qxa2 16.Qd2 Nd7 17.Ra1 Qb2 18.Rfb1 {loses the queen.} ) 16.Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has many tempting continuations, but I like the move played in the game because it has a clear idea and makes it easier to play. Assaubayeva wants to exchange bishops and play f4-f5 with a mating attack.} ( 16.e5 Nb6 ( 16...Qxa2 17.Be4 ) 17.Be4 Nd5 18.Bxd5 Qxd5 19.Bh6 {with the idea of playing Nf4 and advancing the d-pawn, with a clear advantage.} ) ( 16.a4 e5 17.Bg3 {Followed by f2-f4, with strong pressure.} ) 16...Qxa2 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Rbc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Simple and effective. Black is underdeveloped, and the queen is out of play.} 18...b5 19.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The attack on the dark squares is decisive.} 19...Rb8 20.f5 b4 {A desperate attempt to get some counterplay.} 21.cxb4 Qb2 22.e5 Bb7 {There are many winning moves for White now.} 23.Ba4 {A nice move, attacking the knight and trapping the queen.} ( 23.Nf4 {brings the knight to the attack.} ) ( 23.Rf4 {brings the rook to the attack, as Rh4 is coming.} ) ( 23.Rf2 {Prepares to double rooks on the f-file.} ) ( 23.h4 {Prepares h5, breaking the king's protection.} ) 23...Nb6 24.Rb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Qa2 25.Ra1 Qb2 26.Rfb1 {Black has no compensation for the queen, and the attack continues.} 26...c3 27.Rxb2 cxb2 28.Rb1 Nxa4 29.Nc3 Nxc3 30.f6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...exf6 31.exf6+ Kh8 ( 31...Kxf6 32.Qe5# ) 32.Qxc3 Rbc8 33.Qxb2 {The rest is simple.} 33...Rc6 34.Rc1 Rd6 ( 34...Rxf6 35.d5 Kg7 36.Rf1 {wins the rook.} ) 35.Qf2 g5 36.Rc7 Be4 37.Qg3 Rdd8 38.Re7 Bg6 39.Qxg5 Rg8 40.Qh6 Rd6 ( 40...Rxd4 41.Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...Rxe8 42.Qg7# ) 41.Qf4 Rb6 42.d5 1-0

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Fourth Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Khotenashvili, Bela"]
[Black "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2478"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[ECO "D79"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "171"]
[Beauty "5087585899538"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.d4 Nf6 5.c4 c6 6.O-O O-O 7.a4 {Only the eighth most popular move in this well-known position.} 7...a5 {A natural reaction, fixing the queenside. The b4-square is weakened, but White has an idea:} 8.cxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now if Black captures with the pawn, White gets the b5-square. If she captures with the knight, then White gets the center.} 8...cxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate. White has more chances to fight for an advantage after the capture with the knight.} ( 8...Nxd5 9.e4 Nb4 10.Nc3 Bg4 11.Be3 {with a slightly better position for White in Mamedyarov-Rapport, Aimchess 2022.} ) 9.Nc3 Nc6 10.Qb3 {A critical position.} 10...Bg4 {A new move, sacrificing the b7-pawn.} ( 10...Bf5 {is probably a better version of the pawn sacrifice.} 11.Qxb7 Nb4 12.Bf4 Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 12...Nh5 13.Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White manages to exchange queens with a slight advantage.} ) 13.Nb5 Rc2 {with compensation in Mishra-Hakobyan, Spice Cup op 2022.} ) ( 10...Nb4 {is also possible:} 11.Na2 ( 11.Nb5 {is better.} ) 11...Nxa2 12.Qxa2 Qb6 {with a good position for Black in Giri-Duda, Chess.com (blitz) 2021.} ) 11.Qxb7 {White accepts the challenge.} 11...Nb4 12.Bf4 {Necessary to avoid 12...Rb8.} 12...Nh5 13.Bc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White can look for an improvement at this point. Both 13.Qc7 and 13.Be5 are likely better.} ( 13.Qc7 {Exchanging queens is a relief for White.} ) ( 13.Be5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 13...Qd7 14.Nb5 {A strange situation has occurred. White is a pawn up, but his pieces are clumsy on the queenside. What should Black do $2} 14...Ra6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The beginning of a wrong plan.} ( 14...Bxf3 {This move avoids a possible knight jump to e5.} 15.Bxf3 Nf6 16.Rfc1 h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black can calmly start some counterplay on the kingside. If the players don't know what to do, there's always a repetition at hand with} 17.Qb6 Ra6 18.Qb7 Raa8 ) ( 14...Bf6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a curious suggestion by the computer. The idea is to play Ng7-e6.} ) 15.Rfc1 Rfa8 {The idea is Nc6-d8, but Black is not in time.} 16.Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Qe8 ( 16...Nc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] doesn't work now:} 17.Rac1 Nd8 18.Qxd5 ) ( 16...e6 17.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the advantage.} ) 17.Bxa5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A nice move, leading to an endgame a pawn up for White.} ( 17.Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] might be even better, threatening 18.Nc7.} ) 17...Rxa5 18.Nc7 Qd7 19.Qxb4 Rxa4 20.Rxa4 Rxa4 21.Qb8+ Bf8 22.Rc1 Bxf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22...Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives better defensive chances after} 23.Rxc4 dxc4 24.Nb5 Nf6 ) 23.Bxf3 Qd6 ( 23...Rxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Rxd5 25.Bxd5 Qxd5 26.Rc8 {winning material.} ) ( 23...Nf6 24.Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Nxd5 25.Rc8 ) 24.Bxh5 gxh5 25.e3 {White has a technically winning position, but chess is never easy.} 25...Rb4 26.Qa8 Rc4 ( 26...Rxb2 27.Nxd5 ) 27.Rxc4 dxc4 28.Nb5 ( 28.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} ) 28...Qb4 29.Qc6 e6 ( 29...Qxb2 30.Qxc4 h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives better practical chances, although White eventually should win after} 31.gxh4 Qb1+ 32.Qf1 ) 30.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fixing the pawn structure and avoiding h5-h4 once and for all.} 30...Qb3 31.Kg2 Qc2 32.Nc3 ( 32.Nc7 {is also good.} 32...Qxb2 33.Qxc4 ) 32...Qxb2 33.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening 34.Nf6+. This is much better than} ( 33.Qxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 33...Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with an unpleasant pin.} ) 33...Kg7 ( 33...Qc2 {Black is not in time to defend the c-pawn.} 34.Nf6+ Kg7 35.Nxh5+ Kg8 36.Nf6+ Kg7 37.Nd7 c3 38.Ne5 {The attack on f7 decides the game.} ) 34.Qxc4 {The endgame is winning because apart from the pawn advantage, the h5-pawn is very weak.} 34...Qb7 35.f3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 35...Qxd5 ( 35...exd5 36.Qd4+ ) 36.Qxd5 exd5 37.Nc3 {The d-pawn is captured, and then the knight goes to f4, winning the h5-pawn or rendering the king on h6 useless.} ) 35...Qb2+ 36.Nf2 Qd2 37.Qd3 Qe1 38.e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 38.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 38...Bd6 39.f4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 39.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39...Bb4 40.Ne4 ) 39...Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After a series of inaccuracies on White's part, suddenly Black gets drawing chances.} 40.Qb5 Qd2 ( 40...Bd2 {is also interesting.} ) 41.Qe5+ Kg8 42.f5 exf5 43.exf5 h6 44.f6 Bf8 45.Qe4 Qb2 46.Qd3 Bb4 47.Kf3 Qc1 $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows the d-pawn to advance, and the position becomes hopeless again.} ( 47...Qa1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Gives serious drawing chances, as it's not easy to advance the pawn.} ) 48.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Passed pawns must be pushed, a wise chess author once said.} 48...Qa1 49.Ne4 Qh1+ 50.Kf4 Qc1+ 51.Ke5 Qa1+ 52.Kf5 {The checks are over.} 52...Qa5 53.Qc4 Bf8 54.Kf4 Qa3 55.Qc6 Qa1 56.d6 Qf1+ 57.Ke5 Qa1+ 58.Qc3 Qa4 59.Qd3 {The position is totally winning, and Khotenashvili plays patiently and precisely.} 59...Qd7 60.Qd5 Qe8+ 61.Kf4 Qd7 62.Kf3 Qg4+ 63.Kf2 Qd7 64.Ke3 Qa7+ 65.Qd4 Qd7 66.Qd5 Qa7+ 67.Kf3 Qa3+ 68.Ke2 Qb2+ 69.Ke3 Qa3+ 70.Qd3 Qa7+ 71.Kf3 Qd7 72.Kg2 Kh8 73.Qd5 {The h5-pawn is captured.} 73...Kg8 74.Qxh5 Qe6 75.Qf3 Qa2+ 76.Kh3 Qd5 77.Qf4 Kh7 78.Kh2 Kh8 79.Qg4 Qa2+ 80.Kh3 Qd5 81.h5 Kh7 82.d7 Kh8 83.Nf2 {A nice retreat with the idea of playing 84.Qd1.} 83...Qa5 84.Qd1 Qd8 85.Qd4 Kg8 86.Nd3 1-0

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Fourth Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Shuvalova, Polina"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2535"]
[BlackElo "2484"]
[ECO "B45"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "190"]
[Beauty "3716220462627"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 {This variation of the Sicilian is very topical lately. As I understand it, Black's idea in the move order with 2...e6 is to avoid the Rossolimo Variation and other options for White and to transpose to the Sveshnikov Defense. But not everything is rosy: White, who has been stripped of his right to play the Rossolimo, can now choose to capture the knight on c6.} 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.Nf2 {12.exf6 is equally played here, and it's not clear which move is better.} 12...Ba6 13.Kf3 Ne7 14.Be3 Bc5 15.Bxc5 Qxc5 16.Qd6 Qb6 17.b3 c5 {There are still hundreds of games played in this position.} 18.Kg3 {Played after a long thought. Maybe Kosteniuk was out of book at this point.} ( 18.Rd1 {is the main move.} ) 18...g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting pawn sacrifice.} ( 18...Bb7 {is more conventional.} 19.Be2 Qxd6 ( 19...Nc8 {is also possible.} 20.Qd2 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.cxd5 Bxd5 {with chances for both sides.} ( 21...exd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a big mistake. White was winning after} 22.Bh5+ Kf8 23.Nd3 {in Hracek-Shtyrenkov, Pardubice 2002.} ) ) 20.exd6 Ng8 21.a3 Nf6 22.b4 Kf7 {with a complicated endgame. White later won in Saric-Ibarra Jerez, Gibraltar 2020.} ) 19.fxg5 h6 {Is this a kind of deferred Benko Gambit $2 If this is so, it's a much-improved version for Black, as the files are opening close to White's king.} 20.Nd3 ( 20.h4 {is probably more accurate:} 20...hxg5 ( 20...Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 21.hxg5 Rxh1 22.Nxh1 Ng6 23.Nf2 {with the advantage in Howell-Chandler, London 1992.} ) 20...Rc8 ( 20...Bb7 $3 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] is a very deep move that gives Black excellent compensation. The idea is} 21.Nxc5 ( 21.gxh6 {is better, but Black is fine after} 21...f4+ 22.Kf2 Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Qxc5 Nf5 {with the initiative.} ) ( 21.Qxc5 hxg5 {with excellent compensation.} ) 21...Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Kf2 ( 22.gxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22...f4+ {followed by 23...Nf5, winning material.} ) 22...hxg5 {with good play for Black.} ) 21.Qxb6 ( 21.gxh6 $4 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 21...Rc6 {is embarassing.} ) 21...axb6 22.gxh6 Bb7 23.Nf4 Nc6 {Black has very good compensation for the pawn.} 24.Re1 Rxh6 25.h4 Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I like this move, forcing White to advance the a-pawn, making the queenside structure worse.} 26.a4 Ke7 27.Rh3 Rg8+ 28.Kf2 Rg4 29.g3 Nd4 30.Re3 d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.exd6+ Kxd6 32.Bg2 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The game was very well played up to this point. The natural result is a draw, but now Kosteniuk makes a mistake.} 33.Nd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 33.Bxb7 {is enough for a draw:} 33...exf4 34.Rd3 fxg3+ 35.Rdxg3 Rhxh4 36.Rxh4 Rxh4 37.Rg6+ ) 33...e4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Shuvalova misses the chance to achieve a winning position.} ( 33...f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Rxe5 {The only chance.} ( 34.Bxb7 fxe3+ 35.Kxe3 Nf5+ 36.Kf3 Rhg6 {wins.} ) 34...fxg3+ 35.Kg1 ( 35.Rxg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35...Rf6+ ) 35...Bf3 $3 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] We must admit this excellent move is not easy to find. White is in serious trouble, for instance:} 36.Re3 ( 36.Rg5 Ne2+ 37.Kf1 Bxg2+ 38.Kxg2 Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 36...Bxg2 37.Kxg2 Nf5 {Black should win.} ) 34.Nf4 Rh8 35.h5 Rh6 {It's very hard for both sides to improve the position, and they will keep maneuvering the pieces back and forth until Kosteniuk makes a winning attempt.} 36.Bf1 Bc6 37.Be2 Rg7 38.Bd1 Be8 39.Nd5 Ke5 40.Re1 Bf7 41.Nc3 Be6 42.Rh4 Kf6 ( 42...Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, transposing to a position seen later in the game.} ) 43.Rf4 ( 43.g4 {White has the chance to try this move immediately, although the draw is still the most likely result after} 43...fxg4 44.Nxe4+ Ke7 ) 43...Ke5 44.Rh4 Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45.g4 Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea.} 46.gxf5 Nxf5 47.Rhxe4+ Bxe4 48.Rxe4+ Kd6 49.Nb5+ Kd7 50.Bg4 Rf6 51.Nc3 Rxg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows a nice trick for White that would be very unpleasant to face.} ( 51...Kd6 {is simpler with an equal position.} ) 52.Rxg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 52.Nd5 $3 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Black now needs to play very carefully to achieve a draw.} 52...Rgg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} ( 52...Rxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 53.Nxf6+ ) ( 52...Rf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 53.Rxg4 Nh6+ 54.Rf4 ) 53.hxg6 Rxg6 54.Rf4 Nd4 55.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black should still be able to draw with very precise moves, but the task is not easy.} ) 52...Nh6+ 53.Kg3 Nxg4 54.Kxg4 Ke8 55.Nd5 Rc6 56.Kf5 Kf7 {White cannot make progress.} 57.Nf4 Rh6 58.Kg5 Rd6 59.Nd5 Kg7 60.Kf5 Rh6 61.Nf4 Kf7 62.Kg5 Rd6 63.Kf5 Rh6 64.Ke5 Ke7 65.Nd5+ Kf7 66.Nf4 Ke7 67.Ng6+ Kd7 68.Nf4 Ke7 69.Kf5 Kf7 70.Kg5 Rd6 71.h6 Kg8 72.Nd5 Kh8 73.b4 cxb4 74.Nxb4 Kh7 ( 74...Rd4 {is much simpler.} 75.Nd5 Rxc4 76.Nxb6 Rb4 77.Nd5 Rxa4 {with an immediate draw.} ) 75.Nd5 Rg6+ 76.Kf5 Rxh6 77.Ke5 Kg7 78.Kd4 Kf7 79.Kc3 Ke8 80.Kb4 Kd7 81.Kb5 Rh1 82.Kxb6 Rb1+ 83.Kc5 Ra1 84.Nc3 Rc1 85.Nd5 Ra1 86.Kb5 Rb1+ 87.Nb4 Kc7 88.a5 Kb7 89.c5 Kc7 90.a6 Rb3 91.Kc4 Ra3 92.Kd5 Ra4 93.Kc4 Ra3 94.Nd5+ Kc6 95.Nb4+ Kc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix | Fourth Leg 2022/23"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Khotenashvili, Bela"]
[Black "Wagner, Dinara"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2478"]
[BlackElo "2417"]
[ECO "A22"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "pigle"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "7976828021281"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.g3 Bb4 4.Bg2 O-O 5.e4 {This variation of the English Opening is not very popular. White can't achieve an advantage against the plan used in this game.} 5...Bxc3 6.bxc3 c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This accurate move gives Black a good position.} 7.Ne2 d5 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.Ba3 {This move is new but not very good. The bishop is not well placed on a3.} ( 9.exd5 {This is better, although White has no advantage after} 9...Nxd5 10.O-O Nc6 ) 9...Re8 ( 9...dxe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's too much to sacrifice the exchange, but in a blitz game, you could have fun with Black's position after} 10.Bxf8 Kxf8 ) 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.O-O Nc6 {Black is already better. We can conclude that something went wrong with Khotenashvili's preparation.} 12.h3 {Both 12.Re1 and 12.Rb1 are worthy alternatives.} ( 12.Qb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The queen is not well placed here as it can later be attacked by the bishop on e6.} 12...Nb6 ) ( 12.Re1 ) ( 12.Rb1 ) 12...Bf5 {This allows White to simplify the game.} ( 12...Qa5 {is more accurate.} 13.Qb3 Nb6 14.d3 Be6 15.c4 Rad8 {with the initiative.} ) 13.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...exd4 14.Nxd4 Nxc3 15.Nxc6 bxc6 ( 15...Qxd1 {leads to a drawn endgame after:} 16.Raxd1 bxc6 17.Bxc6 Nxd1 18.Bxa8 Rxa8 19.Rxd1 Bxh3 20.Be7 {The rooks will be exchanged after 21.Rd8+ with an elementary draw.} ) 16.Qb3 ( 16.Qxd8 {is a good alternative, looking for a draw in an endgame a pawn down.} 16...Raxd8 ( {Or} 16...Rexd8 17.Bxc6 Bxh3 18.Bxa8 Bxf1 19.Kxf1 Rxa8 20.Rc1 {with a likely draw.} ) 17.Bxc6 Re2 18.Bg2 Rxa2 19.Rxa2 Nxa2 20.Bc5 a6 21.Ra1 Be6 22.Bf1 {with good drawing chances.} ) 16...Nd5 ( 16...Qf6 {is also possible. Black is slightly better after} 17.Bb2 Ne2+ 18.Kh2 Qg6 ) 17.Qa4 Qd7 18.Kh2 Re2 19.Bc5 Qe6 20.Qa6 {White prepares 21.Qb7.} ( 20.Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more precise.} 20...Rc2 ( 20...Re5 21.Bd4 Bxh3 22.Bxe5 Bxf1 23.Bxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Kxg7 24.Rxf1 {White has enough compensation for the pawn.} ) 21.Rfe1 Qd7 22.Rac1 ( 22.Bxd5 {is not so good because White has to be careful with the light squares after} 22...Qxd5 23.Qxa7 Rc8 ) 22...Rxc1 23.Rxc1 {The bishop pair offers adequate compensation for the pawn.} ) 20...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move gives some air to the king and prepares an attack with h5-h4.} 21.a4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White should not allow Black's pawn to reach h4.} ( 21.Qb7 {is also bad:} 21...Rd8 22.Qxa7 h4 {with a strong attack.} ) ( 21.Bxd5 {is not yet necessary, but this is an important defensive resource.} 21...cxd5 22.Qxe6 fxe6 {with winning chances for Black.} ) ( 21.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, stopping the h-pawn.} ) 21...h4 22.Ra3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses. White should force the queen exchange, getting drawing chances due to the presence of opposite-colored bishops.} ( 22.Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...cxd5 ( 22...Qxd5 $4 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 23.Qxe2 ) 23.Qxe6 hxg3+ 24.Kxg3 Rxe6 ( 24...fxe6 25.Rfe1 ) ) 22...Rc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking the bishop and removing the rook from the attack of the queen on a6.} 23.Qb7 Re8 24.Qxa7 hxg3+ $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows White to bring the rook to the defense. Black had two strong continuations:} ( 24...Be4 {Exchanging the light-squared bishops.} ) ( 24...Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the strongest move, cutting off the a3-rook from the game and preparing to take on g3. There's no defense.} 25.Qc7 ( 25.g4 Be4 {with a decisive attack.} ) 25...Be4 {Black has a winning advantage.} ) 25.Rxg3 Nf4 26.Re3 ( 26.Bd4 {is also possible.} ) 26...Qc8 27.Rfe1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses a pawn and allows Black to continue the attack.} ( 27.Rxe8+ {is better:} 27...Qxe8 28.Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] an important move.} 28...Qxe7 29.Bxe7 Nxg2 30.Kxg2 Ra2 {The a-pawn is going to be captured, but White has good drawing chances.} ) 27...Rxe3 28.Bxe3 ( 28.Rxe3 {offers no salvation:} 28...Rxf2 29.Re8+ Qxe8 30.Bxf2 Nxg2 31.Kxg2 Qe4+ 32.Kh2 Qf4+ 33.Bg3 Qf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The h3-pawn is lost.} ) 28...Nxg2 29.Kxg2 Bxh3+ 30.Kh2 Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong move, transferring the rook to the kingside.} 31.Qe7 Rg4 ( 31...Rxa4 {is also good.} ) 32.Bc5 ( 32.Kxh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32...Rg5+ ( 32...Re4+ {winning the queen is also not so bad.} ) 33.Kh2 Rh5+ {With a forced mate.} ) 32...Qf5 ( 32...Rxa4 ) 33.Qe8+ ( 33.Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only chance.} ) 33...Kh7 34.Qxc6 Bg2 ( 34...Bf1 {is also good:} 35.Rxf1 Qh5# ) 35.f3 Qf4+ 0-1

[Event "Grand Chess Superbet Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "A22"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "6121020491308"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

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1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.e3 {It seems that Ding has an inexhaustible amount of little ideas in the English Opening.} 3...Bb4 4.Nge2 {All very logical, and we've seen this in different forms before. White wants to play a3 and capture on c3 with a piece.} 4...O-O 5.a3 Be7 ( 5...Bxc3 6.Nxc3 d5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 {This is also playable and So had this position with Black in a blitz game against Carlsen.} ) 6.d4 exd4 7.Qxd4 ( 7.Nxd4 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black equalizes easily.} ) 7...Na6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This rare move is probably the result of home preparation. The main question in this position is whether Black will be able to play the liberating d7-d5 move or not.} ( 7...Nc6 {is the main move.} ) 8.Qd1 {The queen retreats as prophylaxis against Nc5. In case of} ( 8.Nf4 Nc5 9.Qd1 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is able to secure the knight's post before it is pushed back by b2-b4. At least, this is what I imagined before discovering that this has all been played before. See the next comment.} ) 8...c6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A new move in this position, but we will have a transposition later. The plan is to play Nc5 and then d7-d5.} ( 8...Nc5 9.b4 {I suppose this is the right way to use the earlier queen retreat.} ( 9.Nf4 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] transposes to the position I've just mentioned.} 10.b3 c6 11.Be2 d6 {with a good position for Black in Gasanov-Banusz, Zalakaro op 2017.} ) 9...Nce4 10.Bb2 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] To be honest, this also doesn't seem very inspiring for White.} ) 9.Nf4 Nc7 ( 9...Nc5 {is also good.} 10.b4 Ne6 ) 10.e4 {Ding wants to avoid the move d7-d5, which leads to easy equality.} ( 10.Be2 d5 ) 10...Re8 {The real novelty.} ( 10...d5 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.exd5 Bd6 13.Be2 Bxf4 14.Bxf4 Ncxd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Bg3 {White has a small edge due to the bishop pair. Ponkratov-Khanin, Chelyabinsk (rapid) 2020.} ) 11.Be2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 11.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. A possible variation is:} 11...d5 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.O-O dxe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Bxe4 Qxd1 16.Rxd1 Bxa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Bxh7+ Kxh7 18.Rxa3 {with an equal endgame.} ) 11...Bf8 {Now White is in trouble. Surprisingly lackluster play by Ding in an opening he probably had studied for the world championship match.} 12.Qd3 ( 12.O-O Nxe4 13.Nxe4 Rxe4 {The compensation for the missing pawn is not enough.} ) 12...Qe7 13.f3 Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 13...d5 {also looks tempting, but the move played in the game is better.} 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Ncxd5 Ncxd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Qxd5 Be6 {with excellent compensation for Black, but White should make a draw with careful play.} ) 14.Nh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] An ugly move born out of necessity.} ( 14.O-O {is a better way to fight for a draw.} 14...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.Nfxd5 Ncxd5 17.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best defense.} ( 17.exd5 Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Qd1 Nxd5 19.Qxd5 Qxd5 20.Nxd5 Rxe2 {This is an unpleasant endgame for White.} ) 17...Qe6 18.exd5 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Qxe2 20.Qxe2 Rxe2 21.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With good drawing chances for White, for instance:} 21...Be6 22.Nc7 Rc8 23.Nxe6 Rxe3 24.Nxf8 Kxf8 25.Rf2 ) 14...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Is just a dream position for Black. White has fallen behind in development, the king is stuck in the center, and his pieces are badly placed.} 15.Bf4 Qe7 16.cxd5 cxd5 ( 16...Bxh3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17.d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 17.Nf2 ( 17.exd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17...Ncxd5 {with a decisive initiative.} ) ( 17.Bxc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17...Bxh3 18.gxh3 Qxc7 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.exd5 Qf4 {with a totally winning position for Black.} ) 17...Ne6 18.Be3 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] So plays all the best moves.} 19.Bxd4 Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 19...Nf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is not convincing after} 20.Qd2 Nxg2+ 21.Kf1 ) 20.Bxf6 Qxf6 21.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best chance.} ( 21.Nd5 Qxb2 22.Rb1 ( 22.O-O Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 22...Qxa3 {with a technically winning position.} ) ( 21.Qc4 Nf4 22.O-O Be6 {Black's position plays by itself.} ) 21...Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.h4 ( 22.Qe3 Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is unpleasant.} ) 22...Qa5 23.Qb5 Qc7 24.Nd5 Qg3+ 25.Kf1 {After conducting a perfect game until this point, So hesitates.} 25...Bd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 25...Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a killer exchange sacrifice that decides the game. I imagine Kasparov would've never missed such a move, but maybe I'm just being nostalgic.} 26.exd5 Nf4 27.Ne3 a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important little move that is necessary to complete the development of the c8-bishop.} 28.Qb6 ( 28.Qc4 Bd7 {with a deadly attack.} ) ( 28.Qe8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28...Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 28...Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Followed by Re8, with a devastating initiative.} ) 26.Qa5 Nd4 27.Rd1 ( 27.Qe1 {is more stubborn.} ) 27...Nxe2 28.Rh3 {The only justification of the previous move.} 28...b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.Qa6 Bxg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Rxg3 Nxg3+ 31.Ke1 ( 31.Kf2 {loses to} 31...Nxe4+ 32.fxe4 Bxd1 ) 31...Be6 32.Qb7 Rdb8 33.Qc7 Nh5 34.g4 Nf6 35.Ne7+ Bxe7 36.Qxe7 Re8 37.Qb7 {Unbalanced positions are never easy to assess, but So surely knew that he was close to winning here. His decision to repeat moves and accept a draw makes no sense to me.} 37...Reb8 ( 37...h5 {is the most natural way to continue.} 38.g5 Nh7 39.Kf2 Nf8 {Black is ahead in material and should win this position with no particular problem since White's king is too unsafe.} ) 38.Qe7 Re8 39.Qb7 Reb8 40.Qe7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Chess Superbet Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.15"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Deac, Bogdan Daniel"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2700"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[ECO "E15"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[Beauty "7083474821152"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 {The Queen's Indian Defense, for some reason, lost popularity among the elite. Some people say AlphaZero is guilty of this, but I honestly don't know why. Anyway, this game proves that the rumors about the Queen's Indian's death have been greatly exaggerated.} 4.g3 Ba6 5.Qc2 {One of the critical modern lines, and the one where we see some of the famous QID defeats.} 5...c5 {This is the principled move, otherwise 4...Ba6 makes no sense to me.} 6.d5 exd5 7.cxd5 Bb7 {The d5-pawn is lost, but White gets dangerous compensation.} 8.Bg2 ( 8.e4 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins a pawn anyway.} ) 8...Nxd5 9.O-O Be7 10.Rd1 Nc6 11.Qf5 Nf6 12.e4 {A critical position for the theory of this line.} 12...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 12...d6 {was played by Carlsen, but it leads to a dangerous position for Black.} 13.e5 Qd7 14.Qxd7+ Nxd7 15.exd6 Bf6 16.Re1+ Kf8 17.Nc3 {Black must be very careful in this endgame, and White won a brilliant game in Giri-Carlsen, Tata Steel 2023.} ) 13.Qf4 O-O 14.e5 Nh5 15.Qc4 ( 15.Qg4 {is also a popular move, but it's known that Black gets a good game after} 15...Qb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 15...Qc7 {Black has other options, but this is the main move. Ding spent a long time on it.} 16.Bh6 Na5 17.Qe2 Rfe8 18.Nc3 Rad8 {Both players follow the most critical path. The position is still well-known to opening theory and has been debated in many correspondence games.} 19.Nd5 ( 19.Rac1 {is probably more dangerous for Black.} ) 19...Bxd5 20.Rxd5 Ng7 21.Rad1 Ne6 22.h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Finally, a new move. The somewhat mysterious} ( 22.a3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is favored in correspondence games.} 22...Nc6 23.Qc4 {The main idea of 22.a3 is, I guess, to avoid Nb4. If Black now plays the natural} 23...d6 {then} 24.Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is interesting, although the position is still balanced.} 24...Ncd4 25.Nxd4 cxd4 ( 25...Nxd4 $4 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] loses a piece to} 26.R1xd4 ) ) 22...Nc6 23.h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23.Qc4 {White should probably play in a similar way to what we analyzed in the previous move.} 23...d6 ( 23...Nb4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 24.R5d2 d5 25.exd6 Rxd6 26.Rxd6 Bxd6 27.Ng5 {with enough compensation for equality.} ) 24.Bh3 ) 23...d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black frees his pieces, and the knight lands on d4. Something went wrong with Deac's preparation for this game since he goes on the defensive as soon as the theory is over.} ( 23...Ncd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is premature:} 24.Nxd4 Nxd4 25.Qg4 {with a strong attack.} ) 24.exd6 ( 24.Bh3 {This is no longer dangerous:} 24...Ned4 25.Nxd4 Nxd4 26.R5xd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 26...cxd4 27.e6 Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Qf3 Qe7 {The compensation is not enough.} ) 24...Bxd6 25.Qc4 Ne7 26.R5d3 Nf5 27.Bc1 Ned4 28.Nxd4 Nxd4 {As a famous chess philosopher once said, The problem with sacrificing a pawn is that you end up a pawn down. Black has good winning chances.} 29.a4 Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen heads to f5.} 30.Be3 ( 30.Bg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30...Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Bxd8 Ne2+ {and the queen on c4 is lost.} ) 30...Be5 31.hxg6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Opening the h-file makes things even worse, as it's going to be demonstrated by Black.} 31...hxg6 32.Kf1 ( 32.Bxd4 {White can consider going for an opposite-colored bishops position, but it should be an easy win for Black.} 32...Bxd4 ) 32...Kg7 33.a5 Qf5 34.Bc1 {A sad move to play.} 34...Rh8 ( 34...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins on the spot:} 35.Qxc5 Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.Qa3 ( 36.Qxa7 Qxd3+ $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Rxd3 Rxc1+ 38.Rd1 Rxd1# ) 36...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] removing the protection of d3.} 37.Qxb4 Rxc1 38.Rxc1 Qxd3+ ) 35.axb6 axb6 36.f4 Rh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.R3d2 ( 37.Kg1 Rxg2+ {The simplest.} 38.Kxg2 Qe4+ 39.Kg1 Rh8 {with a decisive attack.} ) 37...Rdh8 38.Qd5 Bf6 39.Qxf5 Nxf5 40.Rd3 c4 41.Ra3 b5 42.g4 Rh1+ $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43.Bxh1 Rxh1+ 44.Ke2 Nd4+ 45.Rxd4 ( 45.Kd2 Rh2+ 46.Ke1 ( 46.Ke3 Re2# ) ( 46.Kc3 Nc2+ 47.Rd4 Bxd4# ) 46...Bh4+ 47.Kf1 Rh1+ 48.Kg2 Rxd1 ) 45...Bxd4 46.Ra1 b4 47.Kf3 Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing 48...Be3. White is paralyzed.} 48.f5 g5 {An easy win that comes as a relief to the world champion at the end of a difficult tournament.} 0-1

[Event "Grand Chess Tour: Superbet Poland Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.21"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2853"]
[ECO "A40"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7837510013962"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.d4 b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The ex-world champion is probably bored with normal openings and decided to try something spicier. Wojtaszek, however, has an exemplary opening repertoire and will punish the experiment convincingly.} 2.e4 Bb7 3.Bd3 Nf6 4.Nd2 c5 5.c3 {A good and solid way to meet Carlsen's provocative opening choice.} 5...cxd4 6.cxd4 e6 7.Ngf3 Nc6 8.O-O {White should not be distracted by the b5-pawn.} ( 8.Bxb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 8...Qb6 {with good compensation for the pawn.} ) 8...a6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 8...Be7 {is better, although the position is very suspicious.} ) 9.Re1 ( 9.d5 {We will see this idea in the next move of the game, and it would already be very good here.} 9...exd5 10.e5 ) 9...Be7 10.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A devastating advance. Black's position is already nearly lost.} 10...exd5 11.e5 Nh5 12.Nb3 {Threatening to win the knight with g2-g4.} 12...g6 13.Bh6 {Black is deprived of castling, and his h5-knight is out of the game. All of this had been played before, but I doubt either player was aware.} 13...Rg8 {The first new move.} ( 13...Bf8 {was played in Koscielski-Straeter, Germany 1996.} ) 14.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop has done its job, and now it returns to support a knight on c5.} 14...Ng7 15.Nc5 Qc7 16.Rc1 Ne6 17.Nxb7 Qxb7 18.Bf1 ( 18.Bb1 {The bishop is probably more useful on b1 than it is on f1.} ) 18...Bb4 19.Re2 Ne7 ( 19...d4 {The computer suggests this as a better defensive try, but the position is really sad for Black.} 20.Bxd4 Ncxd4 21.Nxd4 Rc8 ) 20.Rec2 Nf5 21.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good move. If Black captures the bishop, the rook is ready to invade on c7.} 21...Be7 ( 21...Nxg5 22.Nxg5 {White threatens the h7-pawn and Rc7.} ) 22.Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After the exchange of bishops, the pawn on f6 gives White attacking chances on the dark squares.} 22...Nfg7 23.Qd3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White had a wonderful winning combination.} ( 23.Ng5 $3 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The idea of the sacrifice is to get the c7-square for the rook.} 23...Nxg5 ( 23...Bxf6 24.exf6 Nxg5 {Now comes a nice winning move:} 25.Qxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Qxd5 26.Rc8+ Rxc8 27.Rxc8# {A delightful checkmate.} ) 24.Rc7 Qb8 25.Qxd5 Qd8 26.Qxa8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Qxa8 27.Rc8+ Qxc8 28.Rxc8+ Bd8 29.Rxd8# ) 23...Bxf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23...Nh5 {is more stubborn.} ) 24.exf6 Nh5 25.Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Defending the pawn and preparing Qe5 or Qb4 in some variations.} 25...Rd8 26.a3 ( 26.Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} 26...d6 27.Qe3 Nxf6 28.Rc7 Qb8 29.Ng5 {with a winning attack.} ) 26...Qb8 27.g3 {Wojtaszek calmly reinforces his position.} 27...g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 27...Qd6 {is better.} ) 28.Re1 g4 29.Nd4 {The knight is ready to go to f5.} 29...Rg5 ( 29...Rg6 {also loses after:} 30.Bd3 Rxf6 31.Nf5 {with the idea of 32.Qb4 or even 32.Ng7+.} ) 30.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 30.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] While watching the game live, I thought about this exotic move but dismissed it due to} 30...gxh3 31.Bxh3 Nxg3 {and I thought the line is bad for White. Actually, there's a nice refutation:} 32.fxg3 Rxg3+ 33.Rg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Rxc3 34.Rg8# ) 30...Re5 31.Nf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The natural follow-up to the previous move, but this gives Black some chances.} ( 31.Rce2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 31...Rxe2 32.Rxe2 {With a winning position. The king is stuck in the center, the g4-pawn is weak, and the h5-knight is out of play.} ) 31...Rxe1+ $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 31...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only move to give some hope.} 32.Qb4 ( 32.Nxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 32...Nxd4 ) 32...Rxe1+ 33.Qxe1 Nxf6 ) 32.Qxe1 Nxf6 33.Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There's no hope for Black now.} 33...d6 34.Qc3 Nd7 ( 34...d4 35.Nxd4 {offers no relief.} ) 35.Qh8+ Ndf8 36.Qf6 Ng6 37.Re2 Qc7 38.Ng7+ {A powerful display by Wojtaszek, a player with a classical positional style that I enjoy very much.} 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour: Superbet Poland Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[ECO "E48"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7564532151843"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

{[%evp 0,59,16,16,20,16,11,11,16,16,22,24,24,24,20,1,25,2,4,2,25,4,-2,-35,-11,-11,-11,-12,18,8,38,35,35,29,29,29,80,60,96,107,144,150,194,91,88,83,83,54,170,153,177,195,195,217,196,168,156,156,156,144,144,162]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.a3 Bd6 8.Qc2 Na6 {The move that led to a spectacular win for Radjabov against Ding in last year's Candidates Tournament.} ( 8...c6 {This was played by Anand in the 2022 edition of this same tournament. You can never be wrong following the footsteps of such a legend.} 9.Nge2 Nbd7 10.Bd2 Re8 11.f3 Nf8 12.O-O-O b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.e4 b4 14.axb4 Bxb4 {with a good position for Black in So-Anand, Warsaw Superbet (rapid) 2022.} ) ( 8...b6 {was played last year in a game between two future world championship contenders.} 9.b4 c5 10.bxc5 bxc5 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.Nf3 Re8 13.O-O Bg4 14.Rd1 {with an advantage for White in Gukesh-Praggnanandhaa, Reykjavik 2022.} ) 9.Nf3 ( 9.Nge2 {This was Ding's choice.} 9...c5 10.Bxa6 bxa6 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.b4 Bd6 13.Bb2 a5 {with a good position for Black in Ding-Radjabov, Candidates Tournament Madrid 2022.} ) 9...Re8 {A new move.} ( 9...c5 10.O-O c4 11.Be2 {This is one of the nuances of developing the knight to f3, as the e2-square becomes available.} 11...Nc7 12.a4 {with the idea of breaking the pawn chain with b2-b3 and fighting for the advantage. Rakhmanov-Remizov, Obninsk 2022.} ) 10.b4 c6 11.Ne5 {An interesting move for a rapid game, but it doesn't hold up against a thorough analysis.} ( 11.b5 {is the most natural attempt and should be preferred.} 11...cxb5 ( 11...Nb8 {This is the computer's favorite move, but it doesn't make a good impression on a human.} ) 12.Nxb5 Ne4 13.Nxd6 Qxd6 14.O-O {with a slight advantage for White due to the better pawn structure.} ) 11...Bxe5 ( 11...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the most accurate and it refutes White's last move.} 12.Bxa6 ( 12.bxc5 Nxc5 {with counterplay.} ) 12...cxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a good position for Black.} ) 12.dxe5 Rxe5 13.Bb2 Bg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White gets an advantage after this move. With 13...Re8 or 13...Nc7, White has enough compensation for the pawn, but not more.} ( 13...Re8 ) ( 13...Nc7 ) 14.h3 ( 14.Ne2 {is also possible.} ) 14...Bh5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 14...Bd7 {It's better to go back and keep the c6-pawn protected.} ) 15.Ne2 Re8 16.Bxa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...bxa6 17.Nf4 {White has excellent play with a better pawn structure and active pieces.} 17...Bg6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The sacrifice of the c6-pawn is based on a miscalculation.} ( 17...Rc8 {is necessary.} ) 18.Qxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...d4 19.Rd1 Rc8 20.Qxa6 Qc7 {The position remains sharp, but White is winning with a few precise moves.} 21.Rxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21.Bxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 21...Qxf4 22.Qxc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point: a well-known tactical motif.} 22...Qe4 ( 22...Rxc8 23.exf4 ) 23.Qc7 Qxg2 24.Qh2 Qf3 25.O-O {Black doesn't have enough to show for the material deficit.} ) 21...Qc2 22.Qe2 Ne4 23.Rd1 Qb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23...Bh5 $3 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is the only chance, but I guess this is already too difficult for a rapid game.} 24.f3 ( 24.Nxh5 Qxe2+ {This is the idea: the knight can't capture Black's queen.} 25.Kxe2 Rc2+ {with counterplay.} ) ( 24.g4 Bg6 25.Bd4 Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With compensation due to the weaknesses created by the g2-g4 advance.} ) 24...Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 24...Ng3 25.Qxc2 Rxc2 26.Rd2 Rxd2 27.Kxd2 Nxh1 28.Nxh5 {White is winning here. In the main line, Black achieves a much better version of this endgame.} ) 25.gxf3 ( 25.Qxf3 {is also possible:} 25...Qxb2 26.O-O {with an advantage for White, but not a winning one.} ) 25...Ng3 26.Qxc2 Rxc2 27.Rd2 Rxd2 28.Kxd2 Nxh1 {This still looks very dangerous for Black, to be honest, but he is an exchange up, and the knight can attack some pawns. The computer doesn't claim a winning advantage for White.} ) 24.O-O $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Rc2 25.Qb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking the rook on e8.} 25...Rf8 26.Bd4 Rxf2 27.Rxf2 Qxd1+ ( 27...Nxf2 28.Rf1 {is easily winning.} ) 28.Rf1 Qc2 {White is winning, but this is a rapid game, and the adventure is not over.} 29.Nxg6 ( 29.Bxa7 {This cold-blooded capture is good enough.} ) 29...hxg6 30.Qe5 f6 31.Qd5+ Kh7 32.Kh2 g5 33.Qd7 ( 33.Bxa7 {Again, it's possible to capture this pawn:} 33...Qc7+ 34.Kg1 Ng3 35.Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White should win.} ) 33...Kh6 {Both players had only a few seconds left. It's almost unfair to criticize the moves in such conditions, but I will point out where they objectively could have played better.} 34.Rf5 Rc8 ( 34...Kg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 35.Rc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35.Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 35...Rxc5 36.bxc5 Qf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Queen and knight are always dangerous when they are attacking a lonely king together.} 37.Qg4 Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.h4 gxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake.} ( 38...Nf1+ {leads to a draw.} 39.Kh3 ( 39.Kh1 Ng3+ 40.Kh2 Nf1+ {is a perpetual check.} ) 39...Qg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.hxg5+ fxg5 41.Bxg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Otherwise, White gets mated.} 41...Kg6 42.Qe6+ Kxg7 43.Qe7+ {with another perpetual check.} ) 39.Qf4+ $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queens are exchanged, and it's all over.} 39...Qxf4+ 40.exf4 Ne4 41.c6 a6 ( 41...Nd6 42.Bxa7 ) 42.Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice final move. The c-pawn is unstoppable.} ( 42.Be5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's funny to note that this is an alternative and equally pretty solution.} 42...fxe5 43.fxe5 {The knight can't stop the pawn.} ) ( 42.Bc5 Nxc5 43.c7 ) 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour: Superbet Poland Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Shevchenko, Kirill"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[ECO "B76"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7633230642191"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 {The Dragon is a rare guest at elite tournaments, but it's always fun to see it in action.} 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.O-O-O {Nowadays, this is the main line, surpassing 9.Bc4 in popularity.} 9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd4 e5 13.Bc5 Be6 14.Ne4 {All this is standard opening theory.} ( 14.Bxf8 {I remember that when I studied the Dragon as a child, it surprised me that nobody grabbed this exchange. The fact is that White's king can't have a good night's sleep with the g7-bishop looking at it. I suggest the reader study the famous Panov-Simagin game, played in Moscow in 1943, to understand how deadly the attack can be after the exchange sacrifice in similar positions.} 14...Qxf8 ) 14...Re8 15.Bc4 ( 15.h4 {is the main move.} ) 15...Qc7 16.Bb3 {The bishop is well placed on b3, protecting the king from the dangers on the b-file.} 16...Red8 17.Qf2 Nf4 18.Kb1 {The first new move. Playing Kb1 at the right moment is essential in the Sicilian.} ( 18.Bxe6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 18...Nxe6 19.Be3 f5 {Black had a good position in Waffenschmidt-Weishaeutel, Wiesbaden 2022.} ) 18...Bxb3 19.axb3 h6 {This is a good prophylactic move, giving the king some air. Of course, it's not forced, and Black has playable alternatives.} ( 19...Ne6 20.Bd6 Qb6 21.Qh4 {with some initiative for White.} ) ( 19...f5 20.Nd6 {with a complicated game.} ) 20.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A difficult move to play as a reply. Although it looks strange to play g4 when the opponent has a knight on f4, it turns out that avoiding the f7-f5 advance is more important.} 20...Ne6 21.Be3 {Black achieves equality after this move.} ( 21.Bd6 {is more dangerous, although it's not clear whether White can get an advantage after} 21...Qb6 22.Qg3 Qa5 23.Rd2 Rd7 24.Rhd1 Rad8 ) 21...a5 {Preparing the break on a4, leaving the white king in danger.} 22.Rxd8+ Qxd8 23.Nc3 Nd4 24.f4 exf4 {A good practical decision.} ( 24...a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a computer suggestion, and it's very interesting, but it's probably not a good decision to go for it when you have a solid alternative.} 25.fxe5 ( 25.b4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25...a3 {with a strong attack.} ) ( 25.bxa4 Qa5 26.fxe5 Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea. Black gets good counterplay.} ) 25...axb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Bxd4 Qa5 27.Kc1 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Bxc5 Rc8 {with a wild position.} ) 25.Qxf4 c5 {The knight is firmly placed at d4.} 26.Rd1 Qe7 27.Nd5 Qb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a mistake that lands Black in trouble.} ( 27...Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, with a likely move repetition after} 28.Nc3 Qe7 ) 28.Nf6+ Kh8 29.Bxd4 cxd4 30.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Maybe this move was missed by Shevchenko.} ( 30.Rxd4 {is much worse:} 30...Qh1+ $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Ka2 Qc6 {Attacking the knight and the c2-pawn.} ) 30...Qc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 30...hxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is also bad:} 31.Qxg5 Bxf6 32.Qxf6+ Kg8 33.Rxd4 {with a winning advantage.} ) ( 30...Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, as the queen now supports the advance of the a-pawn.} 31.Rd3 ( 31.h4 a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.b4 a3 {with counterplay.} ) 31...Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen is ready to go to e1, and Black has a good chance of surviving.} ) 31.h4 {Now the d4-pawn is doomed, and the position is nearly lost.} 31...a4 32.b4 Rc8 ( 32...a3 {is not dangerous anymore.} 33.bxa3 ) 33.Qf2 Qb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34.Qxd4 {Now White is totally winning and Vachier-Lagrave has no problem converting the advantage.} 34...Qc6 35.c3 Qf3 36.Qd3 Qc6 37.Qd8+ Bf8 38.Qd5 Qc7 39.Qd7 Qc4 40.Rd4 Qf1+ 41.Ka2 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour: Superbet Poland Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.24"]
[Round "27"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2853"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[ECO "B27"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "247"]
[Beauty "2891586735635"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 b6 {Desperately needing to win, Duda chooses an offbeat variation of the Sicilian Defense.} 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bb7 5.Nc3 a6 {This is like the Najdorf Defense, only ten times worse for Black.} ( 5...Nf6 {This move was played against me in 2005. White has many paths to achieve an opening advantage.} 6.Bg5 {I played this natural move since capturing the e4-pawn is suicide. Leitao-Limp, Sao Paulo 2005.} ( 6.e5 {is also good.} ) ) 6.Bg5 Qc7 7.Nd5 {Carlsen goes for the kill.} ( 7.Qd2 {Curiously, this move was played by Duda himself in a Titled Tuesday. Duda-Martin Duque, Titled Tuesday 2022.} ) 7...Qe5 8.Be3 e6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses on the spot.} ( 8...Bxd5 {is better, although White has a much better position after} 9.exd5 Qxd5 10.Be2 ) 9.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White wins the exchange.} 9...Qxe4 10.Nc7+ Ke7 11.Nxa8 Bxa8 12.Qd4 {The simplest, forcing a queen exchange.} 12...b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 12...Qxd4 13.Bxd4 Nf6 14.Bxb6 {Led to a win for White in Groszpeter-Berezjuk, Pardubice 2000.} ) 13.a4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 13.Qc5+ {wins the game immediately:} 13...d6 14.Qc7+ Nd7 15.a4 {White wins easily, for instance:} 15...Qb4+ ( 15...bxa4 16.Bxa6 Nf6 17.O-O ) 16.c3 Qxb2 17.Rd1 Bd5 ( 17...d5 18.Bc5+ Kf6 19.Qf4+ Kg6 20.Qg5# ) 18.Bxb5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Not necessary, but pretty.} 18...axb5 19.Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...exd5 20.O-O Nf6 21.Bg5 {with a winning attack.} ) 13...Qxd4 14.Nxd4 b4 15.a5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This gives Black time to defend the b4-pawn.} ( 15.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins without problems.} ) 15...Nf6 16.Nb3 Nd5 17.Ba7 ( 17.Bd2 ) 17...Nc6 18.Bb6 ( 18.Bc5+ {is better:} 18...d6 19.Be3 ) 18...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Bxa6 Bg7 {Now Black has serious compensation for the exchange.} 20.Ra2 Rb8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The wrong move order.} ( 20...Nxb6 21.axb6 Rb8 {Transposes to the game.} ) 21.Be2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21.Bc5+ d6 22.Be3 Nxe3 23.fxe3 Ne5 24.Be2 {White keeps the important passed pawn on the a-file and has good winning chances, even though he only needed a draw.} ) 21...Nxb6 22.axb6 Nd4 23.Nxd4 Bxd4 24.Bf3 Bxf3 25.gxf3 b3 26.cxb3 Rxb6 {Despite being an exchange down, now it's Black who's pressing.} 27.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important rule of thumb is that the defending side should try to exchange pawns in the endgame.} 27...h6 28.hxg5 hxg5 29.Ke2 Rxb3 30.Rd1 {Carlsen surrenders the b-pawn to exchange rooks.} 30...Bb6 ( 30...Rxb2+ 31.Rxb2 Bxb2 {This leads to the endgame that will show up on the board later.} ) 31.Rd3 Rb5 ( 31...Rxd3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] makes White's task much easier, as the passed b-pawn is left on the board.} 32.Kxd3 Bxf2 33.b4 ) 32.b3 f5 33.Ra4 Bc5 34.b4 Bb6 ( 34...Rxb4 35.Rxb4 Bxb4 ) 35.Rb3 Kf6 36.Ra8 {Preparing to pin the bishop with Rb8.} 36...Bc5 37.Ra5 {Finally forcing the exchange of rooks.} 37...Rxb4 38.Rxb4 Bxb4 {How to evaluate this endgame $2 Black has two pawns for the exchange, and they will soon start moving, but the rook puts up a good fight. In the comfort of my office, enjoying the air conditioning, a cup of coffee, and with the engine on, I can see it's a draw. But this is far from easy to prove with little time on the clock, as we're about to see.} 39.Ra7 d6 40.Rd7 Bc5 41.Rh7 Ke5 42.Rg7 Kf4 43.Rg6 e5 44.Rg8 Bd4 45.Rd8 Bc5 46.Ra8 g4 47.Ra4+ Bd4 48.fxg4 Kxg4 {Clearly the best chance. The pawns should remain united.} ( 48...fxg4 49.Ra8 e4 50.Rf8+ Ke5 51.Rg8 {is an easy draw.} ) 49.f3+ Kf4 50.Ra8 e4 51.fxe4 fxe4 {We have arrived at the most interesting part of this game. I can't understand why some chess players don't enjoy studying the endgame. So many treasures can be found in positions with only a few pieces left.} 52.Rf8+ Ke5 53.Re8+ Kd5 54.Kd2 Bc5 55.Ke2 Kd4 {White can't stop the pawns from advancing until a certain point.} 56.Ra8 d5 57.Ra4+ Ke5 58.Ra5 Bb6 59.Rb5 Bg1 60.Rb1 Bc5 61.Rh1 d4 62.Rh5+ Kd6 63.Rf5 Bb4 64.Rh5 Ke6 65.Rb5 Bd6 66.Rh5 Bf4 67.Rh3 Kd5 68.Rh5+ Ke6 ( 68...Kc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses the e-pawn after} 69.Rh4 ) 69.Rh3 {For now, Carlsen manages to stop the advance of the pawns, but Duda keeps maneuvering.} 69...Kd6 70.Ra3 Kc5 71.Ra5+ Kb4 72.Rd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move allows the decisive advance of the d-pawn.} ( 72.Rh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary. The rook goes to h4 and the e4-pawn cannot be protected.} 72...d3+ 73.Kd1 Kc3 74.Rh4 {with a draw.} ) 72...Kc4 73.Rf5 d3+ 74.Kd1 Bg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows White to improve the rook's position and achieve a draw again. Needless to say, it's impossibly hard to think about all these details with only seconds on the clock.} ( 74...Bd6 {is winning:} 75.Rf6 Be5 76.Rg6 e3 77.Rg2 Bc3 {The rook is tied up, and there's no defense against the plan of bringing Black's king to the kingside.} 78.Rh2 Kd5 79.Rh5+ Ke4 80.Rh4+ Kf3 81.Rh3+ Kf2 82.Rh2+ Kf1 83.Rh1+ Kg2 {followed by the advance of the e-pawn.} ) 75.Rg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Carlsen finds the only move. The rook goes to g4.} 75...Bf2 ( 75...Bd6 76.Rg4 Kd4 77.Rh4 Bb4 78.Rg4 {Black can't break the resistance, for example:} 78...Bc3 79.Rh4 Kd5 80.Rh5+ Be5 81.Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Remember this pattern: we will see it again in this game. The king approaches the pawn when it has the chance.} ( 81.Rh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 81...Bd4 82.Rh5+ Kc4 {Black wins as the pawn advances to e3.} ) 81...Kd4 82.Rh4 Bf6 83.Rg4 {with a miraculous draw.} ) 76.Rg4 ( 76.Re5 {In this case, White gets a draw even when the pawn advances to e3 due to the unfortunate position of the bishop.} 76...e3 ( 76...Kd4 {gives more practical chances.} ) 77.Re8 {Black can't make progress since the bishop cannot be used as a \"bridge\" for the king to reach the kingside.} ) 76...Kd5 77.Rg8 $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses.} ( 77.Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king approaches whenever possible.} 77...Kd4 78.Kd1 {The king can come back as now the e-pawn is pinned.} 78...Ke3 79.Rg7 {The rook gets ready for the checks.} ) 77...Kd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now it's a draw again.} ( 77...Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Wins: The pawn reaches e3 with the bishop in a favorable square.} 78.Rd8+ ( 78.Kd2 Kc4 79.Rc8+ Bc5 ) 78...Kc4 79.Re8 e3 80.Re7 Kd5 {The king starts its march.} 81.Re8 Be5 82.Rd8+ Ke4 83.Re8 Kf5 84.Rf8+ Kg4 85.Rg8+ Kf3 86.Rf8+ Bf4 {with a win.} ) 78.Rd8+ {The assessment doesn't change for a long time now. Carlsen accurately avoids the advance of the e-pawn.} 78...Ke3 79.Re8 Bh4 80.Re6 Bd8 81.Re8 Ba5 82.Re7 Bb4 83.Re8 Kf3 84.Rd8 Kf4 85.Rd7 Ke3 86.Rd8 Bc3 87.Rd7 Kf4 88.Rd8 Ke5 89.Rd7 Bb4 90.Rd8 Be7 91.Re8 Kd6 92.Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 92...Bg5+ 93.Kc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 93...Kd5 94.Ra8 Bf6+ 95.Kd2 Bg5+ 96.Kc3 Ke5 97.Rf8 Bf4 98.Rf7 Be3 99.Rf8 Bd4+ 100.Kd2 Bc5 101.Rf7 Kd4 102.Rf4 Bb4+ 103.Kd1 Bc3 104.Rh4 Kd5 ( 104...Ke3 {There is a pretty drawing variation here:} 105.Rh3+ ( 105.Rh7 {This is the easiest way to achieve a draw.} ) 105...Kf2 106.Rh2+ Kg3 107.Ra2 e3 {It seems that Black is going to play 108...Kf3 and win the game, but White has a study-like draw with the move} ( 107...Kf3 108.Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer indicates the draw, although it's still not so easy.} ) 108.Rd2 $3 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] After the rook is captured, we have a stalemate on the board. Some players are against the stalemate rule, something I could never quite understand. How many beautiful drawing variations would be lost if we had no stalemate $2} ) 105.Rh5+ $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 105.Rh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 105...Bd4 {Black manages to advance the pawn to e3.} ) 105...Ke6 106.Rc5 Bd4 107.Ra5 Kd6 108.Ra8 Ke5 ( 108...e3 {doesn't work now due to} 109.Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 109...e2+ 110.Kd2 ) 109.Re8+ Kf4 110.Rd8 Bc3 111.Rf8+ Ke3 112.Re8 Ba5 113.Re6 Kd4 114.Rd6+ Kc4 115.Re6 Kd5 116.Re8 ( 116.Re7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses. By now, you should probably understand how tricky this endgame is.} 116...Bb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 117.Kd2 Kd4 118.Rd7+ Kc4 ) 116...Kd4 117.Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} 117...Bc7 118.Rc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses again.} ( 118.Ra4+ Ke5 119.Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 119...Kf5 120.Rd4 Bf4+ 121.Kd1 Ke5 122.Rd8 {and White avoids the pawn advance.} ) ( 118.Ra7 {is also a draw.} ) 118...Bf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The last mistake of the game.} ( 118...Bb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 119.Rb8 Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 120.Rd8+ Kc4 {The pawn goes to e3, and Black wins with the march of the king, as we have previously seen in the analysis.} ) 119.Rd8+ Kc3 ( 119...Ke3 120.Rd7 {Black cannot make progress.} ) 120.Rc8+ Kb3 121.Rf8 Bh6 122.Rh8 Bg7 123.Re8 {The e-pawn is captured.} 123...Kc3 124.Rxe4 {A truly titanic battle $1} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.29"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2853"]
[ECO "D03"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[Beauty "5498900332579"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "180+2"]

{[%evp 0,152,21,17,17,17,17,0,-2,-5,17,8,12,-19,31,11,14,7,14,-15,-12,-12,-34,-33,-33,-122,-122,-111,-102,-122,-117,-123,-85,-96,-81,-81,-85,-90,-91,-95,-88,-102,-98,-97,-57,-46,2,0,-6,-21,-6,0,44,41,42,37,36,-22,0,0,0,0,0,0,102,105,105,94,116,95,104,100,104,104,125,125,72,69,106,100,139,73,111,62,62,59,54,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,-7,-23,-14,-36,-28,-20,-36,-42,-46,0,-25,-26,-46,-46,-46,-46,-46,-46,-46,-46,-46,-46,-46,-46,-46,-54,-258,-137,-266,-278,-315,-516,-516,-527,-527,-527,-527,-527,-527,-527,-537,-567,-567,-567,-567,-557,-577,-991,-577,-1036]} 
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5 Ne4 4.Bf4 c5 5.e3 Nc6 6.Nbd2 Bf5 7.c3 e6 8.Qb3 Qd7 9.Bb5 ( 9.Ne5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] was tried in a GM blitz game, but Black is much better after} 9...Nxe5 10.Bxe5 Nxd2 11.Kxd2 c4 {What's the king doing in the middle of the board $2 Cori-Bacallao Alonso Iberoamericano (blitz) 2020.} ) 9...Nxd2 10.Kxd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An optimistic capture, leaving the king in the center. The truth is that White is already a little worse, but it's better to take with the knight.} ( 10.Nxd2 c4 ( 10...a6 ) ) 10...f6 {Preventing a knight jump to e5.} 11.Qa4 Rc8 12.dxc5 e5 13.Bg3 ( 13.Bxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White has nothing to show for this sacrifice after} 13...fxe5 14.Nxe5 Qe6 ) 13...Bxc5 {With the control of the center, White's king stuck in the middle, and the g3-bishop out of play, Black has a clear advantage.} 14.Rhd1 {Preparing to bring the king to e1.} 14...a6 15.Be2 Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is not forced, but I like this decision. The queens are exchanged, and the knight goes to f5. Black can advance the kingside pawns to increase the initiative.} 16.Qxd7+ Bxd7 17.Ke1 Be6 18.h3 Kf7 19.Nd2 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Rac1 Nf5 21.Bh2 Nd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is inaccurate.} ( 21...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is very unpleasant for White. The g-pawn is ready to be pushed forward. After the natural:} 22.e4 dxe4 23.Nxe4 Be7 {Black is clearly better. The h2-bishop is shut off from the game.} ) 22.Bf3 g5 23.Nb3 Ne4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23...Nc4 {is better:} 24.Nxc5 ( 24.Bxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24...Nxb2 ) 24...Rxc5 25.b3 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Be2 Nb6 {Black still has a small advantage.} ) 24.Nxc5 Rxc5 25.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nakamura finally manages to get counterplay.} 25...g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25...Ke7 {is simpler. The position is drawn after} 26.cxd5 Rxc1 27.Rxc1 Bxd5 28.Bxe4 Bxe4 29.f3 Bc6 30.e4 ) 26.cxd5 gxf3 27.dxe6+ Kxe6 28.gxf3 Rxc1 29.Rxc1 Ng5 30.Ke2 Nxh3 31.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position becomes very risky for Black as now the knight is trapped on h3.} ( 31.Rc7 {leads to a draw after} 31...Rg8 32.Rxb7 h4 {Preparing 33...Rg2.} 33.Kf1 Ng5 34.Ke2 Nh3 ) 31...e4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 31...Kf5 {is necessary.} ) 32.Kf1 Rg8 ( 32...Kf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again this move is better.} ) 33.Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move, preventing the activation of Black's king.} 33...f5 34.Re5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 34.Rc7 {is also good, but the move played is even better.} 34...Rd8 35.Kg2 Nxf2 36.Kxf2 Rd2+ 37.Kg3 Rxb2 {In a classical game, White should win; in a blitz game, anything still can happen.} ) 34...Kf6 35.Bg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Rg4 36.Re8 h4 37.Bh2 Kg6 38.Rh8 $6 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 38.Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best move, and Black soon will have to resign, as his pieces are paralyzed. Sooner or later the king has to move, and the f-pawn is captured.} ) 38...Kg7 39.Rb8 b5 40.Rb7+ ( 40.Rb6 {is better. An interesting endgame arises after} 40...Rg6 41.Rxg6+ Kxg6 42.Kg2 Nxf2 43.Kxf2 Kh5 44.Kg2 Kg4 45.b4 h3+ 46.Kf2 Kh4 {Black is trying to set up a fortress, and it's not easy to win with seconds on the clock. The computer, as usual, is not impressed and claims White is winning after} 47.Bg3+ Kg4 48.a3 Kh5 49.Kg1 Kg4 50.Kh2 Kf3 51.Kxh3 Kxe3 52.Kg2 Kd2 53.Kf2 e3+ 54.Kg2 e2 55.Kf3 e1=Q 56.Bxe1+ Kxe1 57.Ke3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point: The pawn endgame is winning. White's f-pawn will be quicker than Black's queenside.} ) 40...Kg6 41.Rb6+ $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 41.Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, either transposing to the variation we saw earlier or paralyzing Black after} 41...Kh5 42.Rh8+ Kg6 43.Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 41...Kh5 42.Rxa6 Rg7 43.Rf6 Kg4 44.Kg2 Nxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Black's resource. The position becomes sharp and is now equal, but it's easier to play with Black.} 45.Kxf2 Kh3 46.Bg1 Rg2+ 47.Kf1 Rxb2 48.Bf2 Kg4 49.Rg6+ ( 49.a3 {is equal.} ) 49...Kf3 50.Bxh4 Rb1+ 51.Be1 Kxe3 52.Rb6 ( 52.Rg3+ Kxf4 53.Rb3 Rxb3 54.axb3 {The endgame is drawn with careful play.} 54...Kf3 55.b4 f4 56.Bh4 e3 57.Be7 Ke4 58.Ke1 f3 59.Kf1 Kd3 60.Bg5 {Black can't make progress.} ) 52...Kf3 53.Rh6 e3 54.Rh3+ Ke4 55.Rh5 ( 55.Rh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White can escape with some computer moves:} 55...Ra1 ( 55...Kxf4 56.Ke2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 56...Rb2+ 57.Kd3 Rxa2 58.Rh4+ {The e-pawn falls.} ) 56.Rc8 Rxa2 57.Rc5 Rb2 58.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 58...Rc2 59.Bb4 ) 55...b4 ( 55...Kxf4 {is also possible.} ) 56.Rh2 Ra1 57.Rb2 Kf3 58.Rh2 Kxf4 59.Rh4+ Kf3 60.Rh3+ Ke4 61.Rh2 f4 62.Rb2 Kf3 63.Rh2 Rb1 64.Rh3+ ( 64.Rc2 {White can make a draw by keeping the rook on the second rank.} ) 64...Ke4 65.Rh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses. The rook should stay on the second rank.} ( 65.Rh2 ) 65...Rb2 $6 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 65...Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate:} 66.Rh2 ( 66.Rh8 f3 67.Re8+ Kd3 68.Rd8+ Kc2 69.Rc8+ Kb2 ) 66...f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 67.Rh4+ Kd3 68.Rxb4 f2 ) 66.Bg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake.} ( 66.Rh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White still has drawing chances. With the rook on b2, 66...f3 no longer wins.} 66...f3 67.Re8+ Kd3 68.Rd8+ Kc2 69.Rc8+ Kb1 70.Re8 f2 71.Bxb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 71...Rxb4 72.Rxe3 {with a draw.} ) 66...Kf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is now completely winning.} 67.Be1 ( 67.Bxf4 Rb1# ) 67...Rxa2 ( 67...e2+ {also wins:} 68.Kg1 Rb1 69.Rh3+ Kg4 ) 68.Rh3+ Kg4 69.Rh4+ Kg5 70.Rh8 b3 71.Rb8 b2 {The pawns are too strong.} 72.Rb5+ Kg4 73.Rb4 Kf5 74.Rb8 f3 75.Rb4 f2 76.Bxf2 exf2 ( 76...exf2 77.Kxf2 b1=Q+ ) 0-1

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2535"]
[BlackElo "2701"]
[ECO "C02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7907169018436"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "600+2"]

{[%evp 0,72,25,16,41,36,32,-9,-14,-8,-14,-9,0,-13,23,24,19,19,25,44,17,6,30,-5,25,-16,19,18,31,-6,-15,-78,-36,-25,-18,-36,-37,-37,-55,-63,-63,-89,-89,-129,-105,-105,-115,-113,-119,-113,-132,-131,-171,-143,-142,-165,-154,-156,-200,-156,-213,-338,-459,-584,-734,-734,-562,-576,-622,-1079,-529,-891,-960,-1149,-957]} 
1.e4 e6 {I always get a smile on my face when I see the French Defense on the board. Who doesn't like to see the renegades and the underdogs having their moment of glory $2 Of all the great defenses against the king's pawn, none are bullied as much as the French, and I must confess that I'm also to blame for this.} 2.d4 d5 3.e5 {3.Nd2, 3.Nc3, and 3.e5 are all equally good for White. Just don't play 3.exd5.} 3...c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.Be2 f6 7.O-O fxe5 8.Nxe5 Nxe5 9.dxe5 Qc7 {Erigaisi had this position in a few recent games.} 10.Re1 ( 10.c4 {is the main move.} ) 10...O-O-O {Every opening variation where kings are castled to opposite sides is a crowd-pleaser.} 11.Bf1 Ne7 12.a4 {White prepares the development of the knight on a3.} ( 12.Nd2 {was played by the World Champion against Erigaisi.} 12...Nf5 13.Nf3 Be7 14.b4 Kb8 {with a complicated game in Ding-Erigaisi, Danzhou (rapid) 2022.} ) 12...Nf5 ( 12...Nc6 {is played most often, but it's worse.} 13.Na3 a6 14.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a strong attack.} ) 13.Na3 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop is ready to go to c5.} 14.g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A new move. The weakening of the kingside is too high a price to dislodge the imposing black knight.} ( 14.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...cxb3 15.Qxb3 Bc5 16.Nb5 Bxb5 17.axb5 Kb8 {with a balanced game. Moussard-Edouard, Paris 2022..} ) 14...Nh6 ( 14...Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a nice exchange sac.} 15.Bg5 Ng6 16.Bxd8 Qxd8 {with excellent compensation due to the weakened dark squares.} ) 15.Bg5 ( 15.Nc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 15...Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Erigaisi wastes no time moving the rook to e8.} 16.Nc2 ( 16.Bxd8 Qxd8 {The queen comes to h4 with a strong attack. This is one of the problems of the structure with the pawn on g4.} ) 16...Rdf8 17.Nd4 Nf7 18.Bf4 Nd8 $5 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 18...h5 {The knight may go to another route after} 19.gxh5 Nh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by Nf5, with pressure on the kingside.} ) 19.Bg3 ( 19.Be3 Qxe5 ( 19...h5 {is also very good.} ) 20.Nxe6 {This looks good for White but meets a spectacular refutation:} 20...Rxf2 $3 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 21.Kxf2 ( 21.Bxf2 Bxf2+ 22.Kxf2 Qxh2+ ) 21...Qxh2+ 22.Bg2 Nxe6 23.Bxc5 Nxc5 {with a decisive attack.} ) 19...Nc6 20.Nb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance to complicate the game.} ) 20...Qb6 21.Qc2 Na5 {In just 21 moves, the knight performed the following journey: e7-f5-h6-f7-d8-c6-a5. Surely a hard-working piece. Now it wants to land on b3 and finally have a well-deserved rest.} 22.Nd6+ Kb8 23.Bg2 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This breaks White's kingside.} 24.gxh5 {Necessary, otherwise Black plays h4 next.} 24...Rxh5 25.Re2 Rh6 26.Kh1 a6 {Erigaisi makes some preparatory moves before the final onslaught.} ( 26...Nb3 {is already decisive.} ) 27.f4 g6 {Solid play, avoiding any counterplay related to f4-f5.} 28.Bf3 Nb3 29.Ra2 {This is a move that one plays with tears in one's eyes. The rook is out of the game forever. Maybe it's better to part with the a4-pawn, but the result will ultimately be the same.} ( 29.Rf1 Bxa4 ) 29...Be3 {The pawn on f4 is attacked, and there's no way to defend it.} 30.Bxd5 {A desperate sacrifice.} 30...exd5 31.f5 Bxf5 32.Nxf5 Rxf5 33.e6+ Kc8 34.e7 Kd7 35.Qd1 Qe6 36.Rg2 Qxe7 0-1

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Xu, Yinglun"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2688"]
[BlackElo "2527"]
[ECO "C00"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Beauty "8042326324246"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "600+2"]

{[%evp 0,68,21,21,18,-10,-12,1,-1,8,15,-6,0,6,-1,6,6,1,23,-21,-21,-45,-38,-44,-38,-38,-30,-54,-52,-66,-47,-56,-64,-76,-65,-67,-54,-41,-42,-42,-51,-57,-53,-39,-27,-37,-28,-49,-43,-35,-47,-72,-73,-79,-80,-236,-253,-239,-253,-252,-252,-358,-428,-452,-511,-508,-551,-1126,-1155,-1218,-1107]} 
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O Be7 5.d3 O-O 6.Nbd2 c5 7.e4 Nc6 8.Re1 b5 9.e5 Nd7 10.Nf1 {All this is well known in the King´s Indian Attack. This opening became very popular especially after Bobby Fischer won spectacular games with it. It's attractive because White's moves are schematic, which makes it interesting for fast-paced games, as you know what to do. That said, the attack isn't so easy to execute.} 10...Qc7 ( 10...a5 {The immediate advance of the pawn is the most popular move.} ) 11.Bf4 Bb7 12.h4 Rfc8 13.h5 h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's important for Black to avoid the move h5-h6, which creates weaknesses on the dark squares. There's a price to pay: White can try to sacrifice a piece on h6 or to play g4-g5 at some point.} 14.Qd2 ( 14.N1h2 {is the most popular move.} ) ( 14.c3 {is interesting in order to avoid Black's next move in the game.} ) 14...Nd4 {A new move.} ( 14...a5 ) 15.Nxd4 cxd4 16.Re2 a5 {The play becomes very concrete: Black advances the queenside, and White advances the kingside. Whoever arrives first, wins.} 17.Nh2 a4 18.a3 ( 18.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} 18...Qb6 19.g4 b4 20.g5 b3 {with big complications.} ) 18...Qb6 {Getting ready to play b4.} 19.Nf3 b4 20.axb4 Bxb4 21.Qc1 Bf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good move, bringing the bishop to the protection of the king.} 22.g4 {The advance of the g-pawn is White's only meaningful plan.} 22...Ba6 {Threatening to take on d3.} 23.Qb1 Nc5 24.g5 hxg5 25.Bxg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is the first mistake of the game. It's better to capture with the knight.} ( 25.Nxg5 Rab8 26.Ra2 a3 27.Rxa3 Qxb2 28.Qxb2 Rxb2 29.Bf1 {With a more or less equal endgame.} ) 25...Rab8 26.Ra2 $6 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This allows a nice tactical shot.} ( 26.Re1 {is better.} 26...Qxb2 27.Qxb2 Rxb2 28.Nxd4 {With a slightly better endgame for Black.} ) 26...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move refutes White's play.} 27.Qd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses by force.} ( 27.Qa1 {is necessary.} 27...a3 28.Bc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is much better, but there's no immediate win.} ) 27...a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Bc1 Nc3 $3 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The second knight sacrifice in this game. Black wins material, and White's counterplay on the kingside is too late.} 29.bxc3 Qb1 30.h6 Qxa2 31.hxg7 Bxg7 32.Nxd4 Qb1 33.Re3 a2 34.Rg3 Qxc1 {The simplest.} ( 34...Qxc1 35.Qxc1 Rb1 ) 0-1

[Event "Pro Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Vokhidov, Shamsiddin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2586"]
[ECO "D38"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[Beauty "6602459466325"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[TimeControl "600+2"]

{[%evp 0,112,28,25,25,16,24,27,26,33,31,15,27,35,38,30,21,33,33,33,33,38,38,27,44,52,49,23,29,29,7,2,97,36,78,-23,-23,-15,-3,0,-33,-77,0,-30,0,0,0,0,0,0,61,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,-131,-47,-62,-49,-49,-49,-49,-49,-42,0,0,0,0,0,0,10,-30,-33,-25,-17,-52,0,-9,-9,-48,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,-50,0,-60,0,-78,0,-94,-94,-78,0,-57,-55,-814,-856,-28135,-29984]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 O-O 8.Rc1 dxc4 9.Bxc4 c5 10.O-O cxd4 11.Ne4 Qf5 {All this is well-known theory. 11...Qe7 is more popular, but the move played in the game also has a good reputation, and Vokhidov had played it before.} ( 11...Qe7 ) 12.Ng3 Qa5 13.a3 ( 13.exd4 {didn't give White any advantage in the following game:} 13...Rd8 14.Qe2 Bd7 15.Ne5 Nc6 {Abdusattorov-Vokhidov, Tashkent 2023.} ) 13...Be7 14.exd4 Rd8 ( 14...Nd7 {This is the most popular move in correspondence games, so it's probably more accurate.} ) 15.Qe2 Bd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A new move that leads to a difficult position for Black.} ( 15...Nc6 {is better.} ) 16.Rfd1 {There is an option that leads to a clear advantage for White, although the move played is not bad.} ( 16.d5 exd5 17.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Qb6 ( 17...Qxa3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18.Bxd5 {wins.} ) 18.Bxd5 Be6 19.Bxe6 Qxe6 20.Qxe6 fxe6 21.Rc7 {with good winning chances in the endgame.} ) 16...Be8 ( 16...Ba4 {is the computer suggestion, but this is the kind of move that only a machine plays.} ) 17.Bxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Caruana probably felt that he should deliver a blow before Black manages to consolidate, but he missed the right way to do it.} ( 17.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again the typical push is a good move. Black is in deep trouble.} 17...exd5 18.Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 18.Qxe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18...Nc6 {and Black escapes.} ) ( 18.b4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18...Qxa3 19.Bxd5 Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 18...Rxd5 19.Rc8 $3 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is the move that probably was missed by Caruana.} ( 19.Qxe7 {is not enough.} 19...Rxd1+ 20.Rxd1 Nc6 {Black equalizes since capturing on b7 loses the queen.} 21.Qxb7 $4 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 21...Rb8 ) 19...Rxd1+ 20.Qxd1 Kf8 {What's wrong with Black's position $2, I hear you ask.} ( 20...Qb5 {This is actually more stubborn, sacrificing the queen.} 21.a4 Qc6 22.Rxc6 Nxc6 {with some slim drawing chances.} ) 21.Qd3 $3 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Chess is truly inexhaustible; I love this game. The queen heads to h7, and there's no way to defend, for instance:} 21...g6 22.Qd4 f6 23.Qe3 {with a winning attack. Black is a piece up, but the queenside doesn´t move.} ) ( 17.Qe4 Nd7 ( 17...Nc6 18.d5 ) 18.Qxb7 Rab8 19.Qe4 Rxb2 20.d5 Nf6 21.Qe5 Qb6 ) 17...fxe6 18.Qxe6+ Kf8 19.d5 {Of course, it's still not easy to defend in a rapid game against Caruana.} 19...Qb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19...Bf7 20.Qf5 Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Ne4 Nd7 {White's compensation is not enough for the piece.} ) 20.Qe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20.d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another incredible computer resource.} 20...Rxd6 21.Rxd6 Qxd6 22.Qf5+ Qf6 ( 22...Bf6 23.Rc8 {Black's queenside is again paralyzed.} ) 23.Qc8 Qxb2 24.Re1 {with good compensation.} ) 20...Na6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 20...Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight heads to f6, and White is technically lost.} ) 21.Nd4 ( 21.Qh7 {leads to a draw after} 21...Bg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Qh8+ Kf7 23.Ne5+ Kf6 24.Ng4+ Kf7 25.Ne5+ ) 21...Bf7 22.Ne6+ Bxe6 23.dxe6 Kg8 $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 23...Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Bf6 {is better. The game might end in perpetual check after:} 25.Nh5 Re8 26.Nxf6 gxf6 27.Qg6 Qxe6 28.Qxh6+ Kg8 29.Qg6+ ) 24.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the attack is again very strong.} 24...Bf6 25.e7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 25.Rxd8+ $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is nearly winning.} 25...Qxd8 ( 25...Rxd8 26.e7 Re8 27.Nxh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Kh8 ( 27...gxh6 28.Qg6+ ) 28.Nf7+ Kg8 29.Qg6 {with a winning position for White.} ) 26.Qxb7 Nc5 27.Qc6 Rc8 28.e7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Rxc6 29.exd8=Q+ Bxd8 30.b4 {with a winning endgame.} ) 25...Rxd1+ 26.Rxd1 Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only defense.} ( 26...Re8 {loses to} 27.Nxh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27.Nxh6+ gxh6 28.Qg6+ Kh8 29.Qxh6+ Kg8 30.Qg6+ Kh8 31.Qh6+ Kg8 32.Rd3 {A daring move, refusing the draw.} 32...Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 32...Bxe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 33.Rg3+ Kf7 34.Rg7+ Ke8 35.Rg8+ $18 Kd7 36.Qxc6+ Kxc6 37.Rxa8 ) ( 32...Kf7 33.Qh7+ Ke6 34.g3 {with a tense position where my machine screams several drawing lines with perpetual check.} ) 33.Rg3+ Kf7 34.Qg6+ Ke6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 34...Kxe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35.Re3+ ) 35.Rc3 Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Vokhidov, with almost no time left, defends with great precision.} ( 35...Qd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 36.Re3+ Kd7 37.Rd3 Bd4 38.Qg4+ {and the bishop is lost.} ) 36.b4 Qd5 ( 36...Kxe7 37.Rxc5 Kd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is out of danger and can start pressing for the win.} ) 37.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Rxe7 38.Rxc5 Qf3 39.Qg8+ Kd6 40.Rc1 {Caruana keeps pushing for the win.} ( 40.Qb8+ Ke6 41.Qg8+ {is a perpetual check.} ) 40...Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With so many good defensive moves, it's now clear that Vokhidov is not going to be mated.} 41.Qb8+ Ke6 42.Qc8+ Kd6 ( 42...Ke5 {Black is the side that can push for the win, but he was happy with a draw after so many adventures.} ) 43.Qb8+ Ke6 44.Qc8+ Kd6 45.Qc2 Rf7 46.Rd1 Ke5 47.Re1+ Kd6 48.Rd1 Ke5 49.Rf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It is still possible to accept the draw.} 49...Rf6 50.a4 ( 50.Re1+ {is better.} ) 50...a6 ( 50...Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51.Qc7+ Ke6 52.Qc4+ Ke7 53.Qc7+ Kf8 {The bishop is much stronger than the pawns.} ) 51.Qd2 Kd5 52.b5 axb5 53.axb5 Re6 ( 53...Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 54.Rd1 Re4 55.Qa2+ $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake.} ( 55.Rc1 {is more stubborn.} ) 55...Ke5 56.Qd2 Bxf2+ $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 56...Bxf2+ 57.Qxf2 Qxd1+ ) 0-1

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.06"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[Beauty "5705503345188"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteTeam "France"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:39"]
[BlackClock "0:01:08"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 d6 5.c3 Bb6 {\"Fabiano [Caruana] made this move popular. He played it in Paris two years ago.\" (So). Black keeps his kingside knight undeveloped for the time being in order to avoid the pin with Bc1-g5.} ( {Relevant:} 5...Nf6 6.O-O a6 7.a4 Ba7 8.Re1 h6 9.Nbd2 g5 10.Nf1 g4 11.N3d2 h5 12.b4 h4 {Aronian,L (2745)-Grischuk,A (2745) Astana 2023} ) 6.O-O h6 7.Nbd2 {There is no need to invent anything extraordinary. The normal development is a good way to face Black's idea.} ( {So also faced} 7.a4 Nf6 8.b4 a5 9.b5 Ne7 10.Be3 Bxe3 11.fxe3 O-O 12.Nbd2 Ng6 13.Qe1 c6 14.Nh4 d5 {and Black was doing just fine in Adhiban,B (2660)-So,W (2772) chess24.com INT 2021.} ) 7...Nf6 8.Bb3 a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare move. Black wants to preserve his dark-squared bishop. Why this pawn stands better here than on a6 is somewhat of a mystery.} ( {However, the conventional} 8...a6 9.Nc4 Ba7 {enters a famous position in which it is normally Black to move (he does not lose a tempo on …Bc5-b6-a7 in the normal lines.)} ) 9.Re1 ( {Here it is $1 In case of} 9.Nc4 Ba7 10.Be3 b5 {the black a5-pawn actually stands pretty well.} ) 9...O-O 10.h3 {\"I thought I was slightly worse out of the opening, but nothing special.\" (So)} 10...Be6 {\"I like this move.\" (So)} 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.Nc4 Ba7 13.Be3 $146 {The bishop is too annoying to be tolerated.} ( {The predecessor was an email game:} 13.a4 Rf7 14.Be3 Bxe3 15.Rxe3 Qd7 16.Nh4 Rd8 17.Ng6 b6 18.Nd2 Qe8 {Achilles,E (2434)-Susedenko,V (2443) ICCF email 2017} ) 13...Bxe3 14.Rxe3 a4 15.d4 {Until here Firouzja played very quickly and confidently. This was an important moment in the game, and an important decision was taken. As it often happens, the immediate attempt to seize the center leads to relieving trades for the second player.} ( {So suggested instead to keep the pressure for the time being with} 15.Rc1 $5 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 15...exd4 16.cxd4 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] \"I equalized quickly after this.\" (So)} 17.exd5 exd5 18.Ncd2 ( {More trades can hardly scare Black.} 18.Nce5 Nxe5 19.Nxe5 Ne4 ) 18...Qd6 19.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fixes a weakness. Now White has something to play for.} 19...Qf4 {Somewhere around here So starts to hesitate and shuffles his queen around without clear aim.} ( {More purposeful is} 19...Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] initiating counterplay on his own on the kingside.} ) 20.Nb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Firouzja intends to aim two pawns at the same time.} 20...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Which of course cannot be allowed.} 21.Nc3 Nxc3 22.Rxc3 Qd6 {Admitting that the queen was more of a scarecrow.} 23.Rac1 {Whereas White brings his rooks out of slumber.} 23...Rf7 24.R1c2 Rf4 {So, too, searches for sore points in the enemy position.} 25.Re3 {Now both players start a little dance around the opponent's weaknesses.} 25...Qf6 26.Rd3 Re8 27.Rc5 Qd6 {A small tactical defense.} 28.Rcc3 ( 28.Qxa4 $4 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 28...Qxc5 ) 28...Rfe4 29.g3 {Finally White is ready to capture the pawn.} ( {Still not} 29.Qxa4 $4 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 29...Re1+ 30.Nxe1 Rxe1# ) 29...Re2 {But Black is again in time to generate counter-threats.} 30.Rd2 ( 30.Qxa4 Rxb2 ) 30...Rxd2 31.Qxd2 Qg6 {Surprisingly, this active move allows White a chance.} ( {Safer was} 31...Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Kg2 Qe2 {and the a4-pawn is out of any danger.} ) 32.Kg2 ( {Firouzja missed his chance to hit the weakness once more with} 32.Qd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now that the active black pieces are no longer around, White is really threatening the weakness, and a passive defense like} 32...Ra8 {would not work due to} 33.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...axb3 34.Qxb3 {when White is winning a pawn.} ) 32...Qb1 {Now it is back to balanced.} 33.Rc1 Qf5 34.Rc3 Qb1 35.h4 {Firouzja wants more than a draw, but as we shall see, this move is not without issues of its own.} 35...Re7 36.Rc1 Qf5 37.Qd1 ( 37.Rc5 {was stronger and safer.} ) 37...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] \"I am pretty sure he missed this move. He had little time.\" (So) The drawback of the h-push is now evident and White's position becomes too loose.} 38.hxg5 hxg5 39.Qd2 g4 {Suddenly, both the d4-pawn and the white king are in danger. Firouzja needs to switch to the defense.} 40.Nh4 ( {The machine holds somehow after} 40.Ne5 Nxe5 41.dxe5 Rxe5 ( 41...Qxe5 42.Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 42.Qa5 $3 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ( {Whereas the human move} 42.Rxc7 {with the idea to announce a perpetual check after} 42...Qf3+ ( {actually loses to the neat} 42...Qe4+ $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen needs to cover the b1-h7 diagonal.} 43.Kg1 Rh5 44.Rc8+ Kh7 45.Rc7+ Kg6 $19 {and the checks are over.} ) 43.Kg1 Rh5 44.Rc8+ Kg7 45.Rc7+ ) ) 40...Qe4+ 41.Kh2 {This turns out to be a mistake.} ( {Apparently, the king needed to defend the f2-pawn, thus} 41.Kg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been more stubborn when} 41...Qxd4 ( {Although here, too, Black can play for more with} 41...Nxd4 42.Rd1 Ne2+ 43.Kh2 Re5 ) 42.Qg5+ Rg7 43.Qh5 {provides White enough counterplay due to the Nh4-f5 inclusion.} ) 41...Qxd4 42.Qg5+ Rg7 43.Qf5 ( 43.Qh5 Qxf2+ {is out of the question.} ) 43...Rf7 44.Qg5+ Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] So kept an extra pawn and got his favorite extra-material type of position.} 45.Kh1 Qe4+ 46.Kg1 Ke8 {Out of the checking zone.} 47.Qd2 Re7 48.Rd1 d4 49.Qg5 Ne5 {The powerful centralization secures Black of any perpetual checks.} 50.Qd2 d3 ( 50...c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] looked more solid.} ) 51.Qf4 Qxf4 {This turned out to be enough for the full point.} ( {But there was an even more convincing continuation} 51...Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 52.Rd2 Nf3+ $3 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 53.Nxf3 gxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when the pawns would be unstoppable.} ) 52.gxf4 Nc4 53.Rxd3 Nxb2 54.Rc3 Rd7 55.Kg2 {Missing his last chance.} ( {Redeploying the knight with} 55.Ng2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was more resilient.} ) 55...Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black is optimally positioned to run his passers.} 56.Kg3 c5 57.Kxg4 b5 58.Nf5 Kf7 59.Kg5 Rd5 60.Rc2 Ne1 {Extra cautious play by So in the opponent's time-trouble $1} ( 60...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been stronger as there is no perpetual after} 61.axb4 cxb4 62.Rc7+ Ke8 ) 61.Rc3 Nd3 62.Rc2 b4 {Time to roll the pawns.} 63.axb4 cxb4 64.Rc7+ Ke8 65.Kf6 Kd8 66.Ra7 b3 67.Ne3 Rd6+ 68.Kf5 b2 69.Rb7 Rd4 70.Nc2 Rxf4+ 71.Kg5 Rxf2 72.Na3 Rf1 0-1

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Deac, Bogdan Daniel"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2700"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7355823558675"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 {In the earliest days of the Queen's Gambit Declined, the bishop was almost always developed to g5. For some time now, however, elite grandmasters have favored this move and it has become the main line.} 5...O-O 6.e3 c5 {The classical way of playing. 6...Nbd7 is very popular nowadays, but Nepomniachtchi is clearly using his world championship preparation.} 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.a3 Nc6 9.Qc2 Qa5 10.Rd1 ( 10.O-O-O {was played a lot in the past and there are some Kasparov games with it. But Black has already found the correct way to equalize.} ) 10...h6 {A very rare move, but one that was used by Caruana last year. Black takes prophylactic measures while waiting for White to develop the f1-bishop.} ( 10...Be7 {is the main line.} ) ( 10...Ne4 {To better understand the merits of the move played in the game, it's important to examine this more natural choice.} 11.cxd5 Nxc3 12.bxc3 exd5 13.Rxd5 Qxa3 14.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a promising position for White. Now we can see one of the reasons the pawn on h6 is useful.} ) ( 10...Re8 {was played in the famous Korchnoi-Karpov 1978 world championship match and led to a brilliant win for White. Nakamura, in modern times, popularized this move again.} ) 11.Be2 ( 11.b4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 11...Nxb4 12.axb4 Bxb4 {with a strong attack.} ) ( 11.Bd3 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.exd4 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Bxd4 14.Bh7+ Nxh7 15.Rxd4 e5 16.Rd5 Qa6 17.Rxe5 Qxc4 {was equal in Sulskis-Ssegwanyi, Batumi (ol) 2018.} ) ( 11.Nd2 {is an important move and no doubt Nepomniachtchi, his team, and his supercomputers have something to show here.} ) 11...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now is the time.} ( 11...Be7 {was played by Caruana on April 9, 2022, a Saturday. A week later, he improved his game and tried the move that must have inspired Nepomniachtchi. Following in Caruana's opening footsteps is hardly a bad idea.} 12.O-O dxc4 13.Bxc4 Nh5 14.Ba2 Nxf4 15.exf4 {with the initiative for White in Le-Caruana, Chess.com (rapid) 2022.} ) 12.cxd5 {Vidit-Caruana, Chess.com (rapid) 2022, ended in a draw here.} 12...exd5 {Officially a novelty, but there could have been a transposition if White chose a different capture on c3 later on.} ( 12...Nxc3 13.bxc3 ( 13.Qxc3 {An important point is that this move now forces the exchange of queens, something that will be avoided in the game.} ) 13...exd5 14.Rxd5 {I ask the reader to commit this position to memory, as it will soon be the subject of a philosophical inquiry. Certainly it has been carefully studied by the Nepomniachtchi team.} 14...Qxa3 15.O-O Rd8 16.Rh5 Bg4 17.Rh4 Bxf3 18.Bxf3 Bf8 {Gozzoli-Fressinet, FRA-ch 2022.} ) 13.Rxd5 Nxc3 14.Qxc3 {Note that if White had captured with the pawn here, then we have the position of Gozzoli-Fressinet again. I ask the philosophical reader: who really made the novelty, Black with 12...Nxc3 or White with 14.Qxc3 $2 The question is not easy to answer, as 12...Nxc3 is a precise move order, which gives Black one more option.} 14...Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A tactical detail that wins the exchange, although White has compensation. The computer evaluates the position as equality, but I prefer an even position an exchange up than an exchange down.} ( 14...Qxc3+ {is also possible. After} 15.bxc3 Bxa3 16.Nd4 {White can fight for a small advantage in this endgame, but my machine is not too worried.} ) 15.axb4 Qxd5 16.b5 Ne7 17.O-O Be6 18.Nd4 {The knight on d4 and the pair of bishops provide compensation for White.} 18...Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forcing the exchange of the Pegasus.} 19.Nxe6 Qxe6 20.h3 {The first thing my seven-year-old son does after castling is to advance the rook pawn so the king gets an air. I insist on telling him to think of more useful moves, but elite grandmasters complicate my life as a teacher.} ( 20.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} ) 20...Rfd8 21.Bf3 Rac8 22.Qa5 b6 23.Qxa7 {Black surrenders a pawn on the queenside to displace the white queen and begin the invasion with the rooks.} 23...g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Nepomniachtchi in his element: play with the initiative.} 24.Bh2 Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Bb7 {A bit of a sad square, but taking the bishop to c6 is not a good idea.} ( 25.Bc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 25...Rxc6 26.bxc6 Qxc6 27.f3 Qc2 ) 25...Rc2 26.Qa4 Rc4 {A difficult move, since Black had plenty of options.} ( 26...Rxb2 27.Bc7 Rdd2 28.Qa8+ Kg7 {I would be terrified of having White in this position, but the computer insists that everything is fine after} 29.Bc6 {for instance:} 29...Rxf2 30.Rxf2 Qxe3 31.Bg3 Qxg3 32.Rxf7+ Kxf7 33.Qe8+ Kf6 34.Qh8+ {with a draw.} ) ( 26...Rdd2 27.Qe4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 27...Qxe4 28.Bxe4 Rxb2 29.Bc6 {with good drawing chances for White.} ) 27.Qa6 ( 27.Qb3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27...Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and suddenly it transpires that the b7-bishop is in trouble.} ) ( 27.Qa2 {The machine likes this timid move and indicates equality.} ) 27...Kg7 {A useful move, preventing checks on the eighth rank.} 28.b4 ( 28.b3 {is more accurate.} 28...Rc2 29.Qa1+ f6 30.Qa4 {the queen can use the fourth rank.} ) 28...Rc2 ( 28...Rxb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 29.Bc6 {Now the exchange sac on c6 is no longer available.} ) 29.Qa1+ f6 30.Kh1 ( 30.e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a difficult and good move. The idea is that after} 30...Rdd2 31.Bg3 {the knight cannot go to f5.} ) 30...Rdd2 31.Bg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White is lost after this move.} ( 31.Qa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary.} 31...Ra2 32.Qb8 {Surprisingly, White's position is acceptable, although the game remains very complicated and Black is certainly better in practical play.} ) 31...Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Bc6 {The g3-bishop cannot move because the f2-pawn falls.} 32...Ra2 33.Qb1 h5 34.Qe4 Qxe4 35.Bxe4 Nxg3+ 36.fxg3 Rab2 {The endgame is easily winning for Black.} 37.Bf3 Kh6 38.g4 h4 39.Bc6 Kg7 40.Kh2 Rxb4 41.Ra1 Re2 42.Kg1 Rbb2 43.Ra7+ Kf8 44.Ra8+ Ke7 0-1

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.08"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[ECO "E73"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Beauty "8251705917473"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,45,24,23,24,1,35,2,2,0,11,13,12,5,27,25,50,50,50,57,57,50,55,40,39,43,43,47,63,65,43,40,92,85,114,122,177,177,177,177,173,173,220,152,281,241,322,294]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4 {As elite grandmasters show us in every tournament, it's possible to play anything in the opening these days, you just have to be well prepared. I guess I'm making this sound easier than it really is. The idea of this move is not so complex: White wants to play h5 at some point. This is mainly targeted against the Grunfeld Defence. I hope the reader is not offended by this spoiler, but it's curious that this pawn never managed to fulfill its destiny and stayed on h4 for the remainder of the game.} 3...Bg7 4.Nc3 O-O {Vachier-Lagrave accepts to play a King's Indian. Can this be considered Caruana's first victory in this game, or am I exaggerating $2} ( 4...d5 5.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Here it is: the real point of the daring advance on move three.} ) 5.e4 d6 6.Be2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best way to make sense of the pawn on h4. Vachier-Lagrave himself has some experience on the white side of this position.} 6...c5 ( 6...h5 {is logical, stopping the pawn once and for all. But then White can try to place either a knight or a bishop on the g5-square. There's a lot of theory on this position.} ) ( 6...e5 {This was played by Carlsen.} 7.dxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A strange choice, since 7.d5 is much more natural.} ( 7.d5 ) 7...dxe5 8.Qxd8 Rxd8 9.h5 c6 {Vachier-Lagrave-Carlsen, Carlsen Inv Prelim (rapid) 2020.} ) 7.d5 b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black chooses an improved version of the Benko Gambit.} ( 7...e6 {Vachier-Lagrave has played this move before.} 8.h5 exd5 9.exd5 Re8 10.h6 Bh8 11.Bg5 Qb6 {with a complicated game in Grischuk-Vachier-Lagrave, Paris (rapid) 2019.} ) 8.cxb5 a6 {As I was about to make fun of one more failed attempt of playing the Benko Gambit, I suddenly found out that I had played this position with Black myself. The past always comes back to haunt us. To be fair, I managed to get a pretty good position against a strong opponent.} 9.a4 ( 9.b6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The problem with the Benko Gambit is that it loses a pawn. Enough said.} 9...Qxb6 10.Nh3 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11.Ng5 Nbd7 12.O-O Ne5 13.Na4 Qc7 14.Bf4 Nh7 {I remember that I liked my position at this point. Vescovi-Leitao, Sao Paulo 2007.} ) 9...axb5 10.Bxb5 Ba6 11.Bxa6 ( 11.Bd2 {Vachier-Lagrave used this move to beat Svidler in 2021.} 11...Bxb5 12.axb5 Nbd7 13.Nf3 Rxa1 14.Qxa1 Qb6 15.O-O Rb8 16.Qa6 Ne8 {Black has a good position since the knight is going to c7 and the b5-pawn is about to be lost, but somehow White won the game in Vachier-Lagrave-Svidler, St. Louis 2021.} ) 11...Nxa6 12.Nf3 {Here we have a much better version for Black of the traditional gambit, since the pawn on h4 leaves some weaknesses on White's position. Honestly, if this position is not playable for Black, then I have bad news for Benko Gambit lovers. The question is: what's the best way for Black to explore the lead in initiative and the weakened g4-square to fight for compensation $2} 12...Qd7 {A novelty. Vachier-Lagrave aims his queen at the kingside, but his piece's only got a one-way ticket for its journey.} ( 12...Ng4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is obviously premature, as it allows the advance of the pawn.} 13.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 12...e6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13.dxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...fxe6 14.O-O d5 15.Bg5 {leads to a clear advantage for White.} ) ( 12...h5 13.O-O Ng4 {was played in Boyer-Bailet, Vaujany op 2021.} ) ( 12...Nb4 {is natural, but the queen probably will go to d7 anyway after} 13.O-O ) 13.O-O Qg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 13...Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, leaving all options open. Black can play with c5-c4, Qg4, or Ng4. The compensation for the pawn seems quite decent.} ) 14.Re1 Nb4 15.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very strong move by Caruana. It's the only move that gives White a clear edge, and it was probably missed by Black.} ( 15.e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is premature.} 15...dxe5 16.Nxe5 Qxh4 ) 15...Nh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is based on a miscalculation. The initiative is not strong enough to compensate for the missing pawns.} ( 15...h6 {This is the critical try, but White has the advantage after some precise moves.} 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 ( 16...exf6 {is not as bad as it looks if Black manages to play f6-f5 one day, but White is in control after} 17.Nb5 ) 17.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...dxe5 18.Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 18.Nxe5 {is not so convincing after} 18...Qxh4 ) 18...Qf5 19.Qe2 Rfd8 20.Rd1 {followed by 21.Nxe5 with a clear advantage.} ) 16.Bxe7 Nf4 17.g3 Rfe8 ( 17...Nbd3 {is an interesting attempt, but it's refuted after} 18.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 18.Bxf8 $4 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Blunder;persistent;true] loses to} 18...Qh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.gxf4 Nxf4 {with inevitable mate.} ) 18...Qxd1 19.Raxd1 Nxb2 20.Bxf8 {and White will be ahead after both players capture all the hanging pieces.} ) 18.Bxd6 Nfd3 19.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Nxb2 20.Qb3 N2d3 21.e5 {Black is left with a miserable position, but his agony will soon be over.} 21...f5 {A desperate attempt to complicate the game.} ( 21...c4 22.Qd1 {with two pawns up and an easy win for White.} ) 22.Nh2 Qh3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22...Qd4 {is better. Caruana could choose to repeat moves with 23.Nf3 and play something else later, or play 23.Rd1.} 23.Rd1 ( 23.Nf3 ) 23...c4 24.Qxb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Qxe3 25.fxe3 Nxb4 26.Bxb4 Bxe5 27.Kf2 {with an easily winning endgame.} ) 23.Ne2 {Black's pieces are hanging, the queen is out of the game, and he is two pawns down. The game is over.} 1-0

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.09"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[ECO "D32"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[Beauty "5842581585928"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,139,15,27,27,20,29,12,8,6,34,12,16,6,9,-14,25,3,-11,5,5,2,-1,7,6,3,10,4,0,4,-4,-4,-6,9,42,2,14,7,4,5,14,8,27,8,8,0,5,0,8,3,25,3,23,5,15,10,16,16,8,9,9,17,27,27,14,22,25,25,17,22,29,25,36,32,29,29,20,21,16,16,31,10,53,41,49,34,41,47,47,69,83,83,77,77,83,91,80,80,84,83,142,134,128,147,149,142,149,148,148,148,148,150,156,159,159,157,213,210,202,205,248,215,235,274,266,290,273,123,123,123,134,128,225,186,183,192,290,318,642,665,721,423]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 c5 5.e3 Nc6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Bb5 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bd7 9.O-O Bd6 10.Nf3 Be6 11.b3 a6 {Caruana probably didn't expect this move, since he had to take some time to think after seeing it.} ( 11...O-O {was played by Nepomniachtchi in 2022 in a Titled Tuesday game against Melkumyan.} ) 12.Bd3 ( 12.Bxc6+ {It seems that the pressure on the hanging pawns is not enough to justify this exchange. Black is fine after} 12...bxc6 13.Bb2 O-O 14.Rc1 c5 ) 12...Ne5 {All this was played fast by Nepomniachtchi. He must have studied this line during his world championship match preparation.} 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.Bb2 Rc8 ( 14...O-O {It's important to check this move as we can have a transposition to the game later on.} 15.h3 {A useful move to avoid a sacrifice on h2 or a piece going to g4.} 15...Rc8 16.Rc1 Qa5 17.Qe1 Rfd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 17...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forces an immediate draw.} 18.Nxe4 Qxe1 19.Rfxe1 Bxb2 ( 19...dxe4 20.Bxe5 exd3 {also equalizes.} ) 20.Rxc8 Rxc8 21.Ng5 h6 22.Nxe6 fxe6 {with a drawn endgame.} ) 18.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Bd6 19.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Qxe1 20.Nxf6+ gxf6 21.Rfxe1 {with a clear advantage for White in Niemann-Tari, FTX Road to Miami 2022.} ) 15.Rc1 O-O 16.f4 {If we consider that 16.h3 leads to a known position, then this is the first new move of the game. It's reasonable to assume that both players were out of book at this point.} ( 16.h3 {Transposes to Niemann's game.} ) 16...Bc7 {Black has many decent options.} ( 16...Bxc3 17.Bxc3 Ne4 18.Bd4 ( 18.Bb4 Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 18...f6 {Despite White's bishop pair, the knight is very strong on e4 and the position is roughly equal.} ) ( 16...Bb8 {This retreat seems more natural to me than the one played in the game.} ) ( 16...Bd6 {is also possible.} ) 17.Ne2 ( 17.Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move is more dangerous for Black.} ) 17...Bb6 18.Bd4 ( 18.Nd4 {It makes sense to preserve the bishops on the board, although the game remains balanced.} 18...Re8 ) 18...Bxd4 19.Nxd4 Qa5 {If the f-pawn was on f2, and this is a big \"if,\" White would have a stable small advantage, although the position is totally defensible even then. With the pawn on f4, Black has good counterplay and no problems whatsoever. This, however, doesn't mean the position is drawn. The game continuation reminds me of one of the best Karpov games. Little by little, with patience, careful play, and never agreeing to a draw, Caruana gives a masterclass on endgame technique.} 20.Qe2 Rfe8 21.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good prophylactic move.} 21...Bd7 22.Rxc8 Rxc8 23.Qb2 Qc5 24.a4 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Qd2 b6 26.Rb1 Qa3 27.Kh2 h6 28.Rb2 Qe7 29.Rc2 Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has a comfortable position.} 30.Nf3 Rxc2 31.Bxc2 Qc5 32.Bd3 Kf8 33.Nd4 Kg8 34.Kg1 Kf8 {A tacit draw offer, refused by Caruana's next move.} 35.Kf2 Ke7 36.Qb2 Kf8 37.Nc2 {An important moment, as the character of the game now changes. White wants to bring the queen to e5.} 37...Ne4+ {This is not necessary, and I think it makes the defense a bit more difficult.} ( 37...b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a logical move, but there's a pretty refutation.} 38.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...axb4 39.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The b4-pawn will be captured and suddenly White is winning.} ) ( 37...Ne8 $5 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a good move—the knight heads to d6.} 38.Qe5 Qd6 39.Qxd6+ Nxd6 40.Nd4 Ke7 {with a drawish endgame.} ) ( 37...Qd6 38.Qd4 Ne8 {is also good—in this case the knight goes to c7 and then e6.} ) 38.Bxe4 dxe4 39.Nd4 {White's knight is very strong, and his position is easier to play, but Black has an active queen and no weakness.} 39...Bc6 40.Qe2 Qc3 41.Qa6 Qd2+ $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 41...Qb2+ $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best move and leads to a draw by force after some interesting complications.} 42.Kg3 {The only winning attempt.} ( 42.Ne2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 42...Qxb3 ) ( 42.Kf1 Qc1+ ) ( 42.Kg1 Qc1+ ) 42...Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forced, but enough.} 43.Nxc6 Qxe3+ 44.Kg4 ( 44.Kh2 $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 44...Qxf4+ 45.Kg1 Qc1+ {and the knight is captured.} ) 44...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 44...h5+ {is also possible:} 45.Kxh5 g6+ 46.Kg4 Qf2 47.Qc8+ Kg7 48.f5 {Black can also achieve a draw here, but it's more difficult.} ) 45.Qc8+ Kg7 46.Qc7 Qf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47.Qe5+ Kh7 48.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's king is in danger, but there's nothing more than a draw, for instance:} 48...f5+ 49.Kh4 Qe2 50.Qe7+ {with perpetual check.} ) 42.Ne2 Qb4 ( 42...Qd8 {is more accurate.} 43.Nd4 Bd5 {with excellent drawing chances, although White can play forever.} ) 43.Qc8+ Be8 44.Qc2 {Nepomniachtchi thought for a long time here, an indication that he was not feeling comfortable with the position. He will start making mistakes now.} 44...Bd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 44...f5 {It seems to me this is the best way. The bishop might go to f7.} 45.Nd4 g6 ) 45.Nd4 {The position is already very dangerous for Black. The computer suggests giving up the e4-pawn immediately. But the computer is a machine, and humans have hearts—it's not so easy to part with what is yours.} 45...f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 45...Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46.Qxe4 Be6 47.Qd3 Bd5 48.e4 Bb7 {Black has a long suffering ahead.} ) 46.Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is winning. Strategists say that the queen and knight work well together. This is a textbook example.} 46...Qd2+ ( 46...Ke8 47.Qb8+ Kf7 ( 47...Ke7 48.Qe5+ Kf7 49.Nxf5 ) 48.Qd8 Qd2+ 49.Ne2 {Black's position collapses.} ) 47.Ne2 {The b-pawn is lost.} 47...Be6 48.Qxb6 Kf7 49.Qd4 Qa2 50.Qa7+ Kg8 51.Qa8+ Kh7 52.Qxa5 Kh8 ( 52...Qxb3 53.Nd4 {wins easily.} ) 53.Qd8+ Kh7 54.Qa5 Kh8 55.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 55...Bc4 56.Qd8+ Kh7 57.Qd1 Bb3 58.Qd7 Be6 59.Qb5 Kh8 60.Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The a-pawn is not necessary. What White needs is to get rid of the annoying pin on the knight.} 60...g6 ( 60...Qxa4 61.Nd4 ) ( 60...Bc4 {loses to} 61.Qc8+ Kh7 62.Qxf5+ Kh8 ( 62...g6 63.Qd7+ Kh8 64.Qd1 ) 63.Qg4 Qxa4 64.Qc8+ Bg8 65.Qf8 ) 61.Ke1 Kg8 62.Qd6 Kf7 63.Qd2 {There are other ways to win, but Caruana's choice is safe and good. The b-pawn is enough.} 63...Qxa4 64.Nd4 {Finally, the knight returns to its dream place.} 64...Bc4 65.Kf2 h5 66.Kg3 Qa3 67.b5 Qd3 68.Qc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 68...Bxb5 69.Qc7+ Kf8 70.Qc5+ {A brilliant technical win by Caruana, a player who never ceases to amaze me.} 1-0

[Event "TePe Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.05.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Gukesh, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2701"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7834557218856"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O {This is the least popular of the three main options, but there's still a lot of theory behind it. The problem is that it allows the exchange of knights.} ( 5.c3 ) ( 5.Bxc6 ) 5...Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 6.Nxd4 Bxd4 7.c3 Bb6 8.Ba4 {This is a prophylactic move that has been played by many strong GMs. White anticipates c7-c6.} ( 8.Na3 c6 9.Ba4 ) 8...O-O ( 8...c6 {This is a natural reaction and would probably transpose to known theory after} 9.Na3 ) 9.Bg5 {I think one of the critical positional themes in both the Ruy Lopez and especially the Italian these days is how to play these positions after Bg5. The game has a tendency to become sharper, since Black must be ready to play h6-g5, which creates weaknesses on the kingside but leaves the bishop out of play on g3. In some cases, it's Black that will start attacking with h5, g4, and so on. When I was younger, someone taught me that Bg5 was always bad, with the game Winter-Capablanca being the ubiquitous textbook example. But chess evolves, and we must be ready to challenge old assumptions and be honest enough to admit the truth: I just don't know how to evaluate these positions.} 9...h6 10.Bh4 d6 11.h3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Another prophylactic move. The idea becomes clear if we examine the more popular 11.Nd2.} ( 11.Nd2 g5 12.Bg3 Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I think the point of 11.h3 is to avoid this line. In my database, I see a lot of White wins in this position, but statistics are not everything in life, especially when we have a small sample.} ) 11...g5 {This has to be played at some point.} 12.Bg3 c6 {Gukesh decides to play at a slow pace.} ( 12...h5 {is a natural and primitive way of playing, and certainly it has been analyzed by Erigaisi in his preparation.} 13.Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best reaction.} ( 13.h4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is suicide:} 13...Ng4 14.hxg5 Qxg5 {with a winning attack.} ) ( 13.Nd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13...h4 14.Bh2 g4 15.Kh1 Kh7 {again with a dangerous initiative for Black.} ) 13...Nh7 14.Na3 {with a good position.} ) ( 12...Kh7 {This was played in a correspondence game that followed:} 13.Nd2 g4 14.Bh4 Rg8 15.Kh2 Rg6 16.f4 Be3 {Total computer play. The way Black played, allowing himself to be pinned again and creating weaknesses, is barely understandable for old-fashioned humans like me. Needless to say, the game ended in a draw, just like nearly all correspondence games. Gudmundsson-Grigoryev, ICCF email 2017.} ) 13.Nd2 Be6 14.Bc2 Re8 {Gukesh is not playing for an attack. He's just focusing on finishing his development. But the weaknesses created by the pawn on g5 will come back to haunt him.} 15.Kh1 Bc7 16.d4 b5 {This is a difficult move to play. Gukesh fights for more space on the queenside.} ( 16...Qe7 {I'd probably play something like this, although I don't like Black's position at all.} ) 17.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...a5 18.Re1 Rb8 19.axb5 cxb5 20.Nf1 {White plays natural moves and has a pleasant advantage.} 20...b4 {The game becomes very sharp. It's funny that Black advances the pawns from both flanks with equal appetite.} 21.Ba4 Rf8 22.Rc1 bxc3 23.bxc3 exd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This makes things worse, and the computer is very critical about it, but it's not easy to suggest constructive alternatives.} ( 23...Rb2 {I don't know if this move makes much sense, but it's better than the one played in the game.} ) 24.cxd4 Rb4 25.d5 ( 25.f4 {looks very tempting, but matters are not clear after} 25...Bb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25...Bc8 26.Qc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move throws away the advantage.} ( 26.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best. White's plan is to break through on the kingside with f2-f4, and there's no adequate defense against it.} ) 26...Bb6 27.e5 dxe5 28.Bxe5 {The position becomes chaotic and positional considerations are no longer important. Calculation is the only thing that matters now.} 28...Bd4 {A good human move.} ( 28...Nxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is too optimistic.} 29.Bb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Be6 30.Ba1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A deadly move, preparing all sorts of tactical ideas using the diagonals.} ) ( 28...g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A good computer move. This should not even cross a normal brain, but I should mention it even though I don't understand it.} ) 29.Bxd4 ( 29.Bc7 {While analyzing this game with a student, he suggested this move.} 29...Qxd5 30.Bc6 Qf5 31.Bd6 {I stopped the analysis with my student here, using the typical argument of authority: \"Black must have compensation for the exchange.\" Now, analyzing with an engine, I am relieved to say that I was right; Otherwise, I'd never have mentioned this anecdote in the first place.} 31...Qxf2 {with a good position.} ) 29...Rxd4 30.Bb3 Nxd5 {A bold capture, winning a pawn but opening the dangerous a2-g8 diagonal.} ( 30...Qd6 {seems to be a reasonable option.} ) 31.Qc6 {Threatening the h6-pawn.} ( 31.Red1 Nf4 {This forced move saves the position.} ( 31...Nb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32.Qg6+ ) ) 31...Nf4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is not scientifically bad, but it puts Black in a situation where he has to find some wonderful and impossible resources later on.} ( 31...Nf6 {The h6-pawn is defended, and the worst is over for Black, although White obviously has enough compensation.} ) 32.Qxh6 {This is a very interesting position that qualifies as an \"exercise level five\" of the great Russian trainer Mark Dvoretsky (which means impossible). It could also easily apply for a place in one of Ramesh R.B.'s future books, as he enjoys this type of difficult calculation. The question is: what's the only move that saves Black in this position $2} 32...Bf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 32...Rd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] First, we have to understand that this natural attempt to win White's queen fails to} 33.Bxf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Rxf7 ( 33...Kxf7 {leads to a pretty mate after some collaboration :} 34.Rc7+ ( 34.Qh7+ Kf6 35.Ng3 {is a lazy way to win.} ) 34...Rd7 35.Qh7+ Kf6 36.Rc6+ Rd6 37.Qh6+ Ng6 38.Ng3 $3 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 38...Rxc6 39.Nh5+ Kf5 ( 39...Kf7 40.Qg7# ) 40.g4# {Not bad $1} ) 34.Rxc8 {White wins a pawn and has good winning chances.} ) ( 32...Bb7 {This move is very tempting and human. None of these qualities, however, are enough to save the game.} 33.Bc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 33.Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is also good, although the win is far from easy, to say the least.} 33...Bxg2+ 34.Kh2 Bd5 ( 34...Nxh3 35.Qg6+ ( 35.Re6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35...Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 35...Kh8 36.Qh5+ $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Kg8 ( 36...Kg7 37.Ng3 {with a winning attack.} ) 37.Re6 $3 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 37...Bd5 ( 37...fxe6 38.Qg6+ Kh8 39.Qh6+ Kg8 40.Bxe6+ Rf7 41.Qg6+ ) 38.Bxd5 Rxd5 39.Rh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39...Rxc5 40.Rh8+ Kg7 41.Qh6# ) ) 33...Bxg2+ 34.Kh2 f5 35.Bb3+ Bd5 36.Rc8 $3 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This game is full of beautiful tactical resources. This is the only winning move.} 36...Qxc8 37.Qxg5+ Kh8 38.Re7 {with a winning attack.} ) ( 32...Bxh3 $3 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] When Alexander Kotov wrote the famous calculation chapter of his book \"Think Like a Grandmaster,\" he suggested that the list of candidate moves should be created methodically, before calculating any moves, never going back on the variations. Despite the importance of the ideas contained in Kotov's masterpiece, this is evidently not the way anyone should calculate in chess. Nobody can include this brilliant move in a list of candidates before understanding why 32...Rd6 doesn't work. Much more logical is the suggestion of Nunn in a later work, \"Secrets of Practical Chess,\" where he indicates that before thinking about \"candidate moves,\" you should do a quick scan of the position, analyzing some forcing variations and tempting moves, so that you understand the position better before going deeper in the analysis.} 33.Rc5 ( 33.gxh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33...Rd6 {Now Black wins because the bishop sacrifice on f7 no longer works.} 34.Bxf7+ Rxf7 35.Rc8 Qxc8 36.Qxd6 Qxh3+ 37.Kg1 Qg2# ) ( 33.Re5 Bxg2+ 34.Kh2 Nh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.Kxg2 ( 35.Qg6+ {White can always peter out with a draw if he so wishes. Black is the one trying to save his skin.} 35...Kh8 36.Qh6+ ) 35...Rh4 {The position remains fantastically complicated. Black is a piece down for two pawns, but the knight is going to f4. The machine evaluates this as equal.} ) ( 33.Bc2 {is no longer so good without the h3-pawn.} 33...Bxg2+ 34.Kg1 ( 34.Kh2 $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34...Ng6 35.Bxg6 Rh4+ ) 34...Nh3+ $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.Kxg2 Rh4 36.Qc6 Nf4+ 37.Kg1 Nh3+ 38.Kg2 Nf4+ {with perpetual check.} ) 33...Bxg2+ 34.Kh2 Bd5 35.Re5 Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.Rcxd5 Rxd5 37.Rxd5 Qb8+ 38.Ng3 Qxb3 {and although White's pieces are still dangerously around Black's king, the position is defensible, and a draw is the fair result. I had many pleasant moments analyzing these variations, but I still think I need a dozen hours more to make sense of everything and to find many more resources, as they certainly exist.} ) 33.Rc6 $1 {[%cal Bf1g3,Bc6f6] [%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A devastating move, avoiding Black's Rd6 idea for good and bringing the rook to the attack.} 33...Rd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 33...Nxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the only remaining chance.} 34.gxh3 Rh4 35.Rg6+ $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Bxg6 36.Qxg6+ Kh8 37.Qf5 {White still has work to do, but the winning chances are excellent, as the black king is still poorly defended.} ) 34.Re5 {The other rook also joins the party.} 34...Rxb3 35.Rxf5 f6 36.Rxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...gxf4 37.Qg6+ Kh8 38.Rc5 ( 38.Rc5 f5 39.Qh6+ Kg8 40.Qe6+ ( 40.Rc6 {is even better.} ) 40...Kg7 41.Qxb3 ) 1-0

[Event "E Women's Grand Prix"]
[Site "FIDE"]
[Date "2023.05.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Goryachkina, A."]
[Black "Kiolbasa, Oliwia"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2571"]
[BlackElo "2422"]
[ECO "E06"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Beauty "6323265602064"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.d4 O-O 6.Nc3 {This is only the third most popular move, but it has some poison.} 6...dxc4 7.Ne5 Nc6 ( 7...c5 {is regarded by theory as the most accurate way of equalizing, but Kiolbasa came to this game well prepared.} 8.dxc5 Qxd1+ 9.Nxd1 Bxc5 10.Nxc4 Nc6 ) 8.Bxc6 bxc6 9.Nxc6 Qe8 10.Nxe7+ Qxe7 11.Qa4 {White wins a pawn, but Black gets compensation with the strong light-squared bishop.} 11...Nd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 11...c5 {is the main line.} 12.dxc5 Qxc5 13.Be3 Qc7 ) 12.Qxc4 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing the development of the bishop on a6. Both players are following a game by Goryachkina. It's a little curious that she repeated the same moves since Black achieves comfortable equality in more than one way.} 13.Bd2 Ba6 14.Qc5 Qd7 15.f3 Rfb8 16.Rb1 Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Kf2 Rc6 18.Qa3 Rc4 {This is the novelty.} ( 18...Nb6 {was played in the mentioned game, and it's also enough for equality.} 19.Be3 Nc4 20.Qb3 Rb6 21.Qc2 Rab8 ( 21...Re8 $5 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting computer suggestion, preparing e6-e5.} ) ( 21...Nxe3 {is a good alternative:} 22.Kxe3 Rb4 23.Rhd1 Rd8 24.Qd2 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Kf2 Rbxd4 26.Qxd4 ( 26.Qe3 c5 {is also equal.} ) 26...Rxd4 27.Rxd4 Qc5 28.e3 h6 {with dynamic equality in a position of a queen against two rooks.} ) 22.b3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 22.Ne4 {is better, although the game is close to a draw after} 22...Rxb2 23.Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Qc8 24.Nxa6 Qxa6 25.Rxb2 Rxb2 26.Qd3 Qb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 22...Na3 23.Qd2 Nxb1 24.Rxb1 {White doesn't have enough compensation for the exchange. Goryachkina-Dubov, Sochi 2020.} ) 19.Rhd1 {Giving the pawn back is a wise decision.} ( 19.e3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad because of} 19...Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a dangerous initiative.} ) ( 19.Nxd5 exd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the right way of capturing, opening the e-file and freeing space for the queen. Black has good compensation for the pawn.} ( 19...Qxd5 {is worse:} 20.Bc3 {with an advantage for White.} ) ) 19...Rxd4 20.Be3 Nxe3 21.Kxe3 {An unusual square for the king.} 21...Rxd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses.} ( 21...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Qc5 ( 22.Qxa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad due to} 22...Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Protecting the rook on a8 and preparing to move the bishop.} ) ( 22.Kf2 Qh3 23.Kg1 Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has an excellent position.} ) 22...Rd8 {with good play for Black. If White gives in to the temptation of capturing the a5-pawn, she meets a pretty refutation.} 23.Qxa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23...Rd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Rxd2 ( 24.Qxa6 Qd4# ) 24...Qxd2+ 25.Kf2 Bxe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black wins.} ) 22.Rxd1 Qc6 23.Qa4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 23.Qxa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins a pawn and leaves White with a technically winning position. The point is that} 23...Bxe2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] doesn't work because of the back-rank mate.} 24.Kxe2 Rxa5 25.Rd8+ ) 23...Qb6+ $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 23...Qxa4 {is better. After} 24.Nxa4 Kf8 {White has a small advantage in the endgame, but Black has excellent drawing chances.} ) 24.Qd4 Kf8 25.Na4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 25.Qxb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This accurate move leads to a winning position.} 25...cxb6 26.Rd6 b5 ( 26...Rb8 27.Na4 b5 28.Nc5 Bc8 29.Rd8+ Ke7 30.Rg8 {This is a tragedy for Black since the queenside is paralyzed.} ) 27.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing 28.Rb6.} 27...b4 28.axb4 axb4 29.Ne4 {The b4-pawn will soon fall, and White achieves a winning position.} ) 25...Qxd4+ 26.Rxd4 Ke7 27.f4 Bb5 28.Nc5 Bc6 {The knight on c5 is strong, but it can't be protected by a pawn. The position is close to equal.} 29.Kd2 Rb8 30.b3 Rb5 31.Nd3 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing e6-e5, winning some space.} 32.h4 h5 33.Kc3 e5 34.Rc4 Kd6 35.fxe5+ fxe5 36.Nf2 Bd5 37.Ra4 Ke6 38.Kd2 Rc5 ( 38...Bc6 {is more precise, removing the pieces from potential attacks, but it doesn't change much.} ) 39.Nd3 Rb5 40.Nb2 Kd6 41.Nd1 {Goryachkina has no intention of agreeing on a draw for now.} 41...Rc5 42.Nb2 g6 43.e4 Be6 44.Nd3 Rb5 45.Kc3 c5 {This doesn't spoil anything yet, but it isn't necessary.} ( 45...Kc6 46.b4 ( 46.Nb2 Kb6 47.Nc4+ Bxc4 48.Rxc4 c5 {with a draw.} ) 46...axb4+ 47.Nxb4+ Kd6 {Black has no problems.} ) 46.Kd2 {The king needs to protect the e4-pawn before the knight moves.} ( 46.Nb2 Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 46...Bf7 47.Ke3 Be6 48.Nb2 Kc6 49.Kd3 Kb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This natural move loses in instructive fashion.} ( 49...Kc7 ) ( 49...Bxb3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a forcing way to make a draw.} 50.axb3 Rxb3+ 51.Kc2 Rxg3 52.Rxa5 Rg4 53.Kd3 Rg3+ $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important check.} 54.Kc4 Re3 {White loses all the pawns.} ) 50.Kc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 50.Nc4+ $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins after} 50...Bxc4+ 51.Kxc4 Kc6 52.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 52...Kb6 53.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53...axb4 54.axb4 cxb4 55.Rxb4 Rxb4+ 56.Kxb4 {White gets the opposition, and the pawn endgame is winning.} ) 50...Rb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 50...Kc6 {is more accurate.} 51.Nc4 Bxc4 52.bxc4 Rb1 53.Rxa5 Rc1+ 54.Kd3 Kb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 55.Rb5+ Kc6 {Black's rook is very active and ready to go to g1. The position is drawn.} ) 51.Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black has a difficult choice.} 51...Rxa4 ( 51...Rd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also possible, and I have a preference for this move, although the computer says there's nothing wrong with exchanging rooks.} 52.Nxe5 Rd1 {Preparing 53...Rg1. Black has good drawing chances.} ) 52.bxa4 Bxa2 53.Nxe5 Bb1 $2 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake.} ( 53...Be6 54.Nxg6 Kc6 {The machine evaluates this position as equal. Despite being a pawn down, the plan with Bg4-d1 is unpleasant, and Black's king is active.} ) 54.Nc4+ Ka6 55.Nd2 Ba2 56.Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This one hurts. The bishop is trapped, and the pawn endgame is lost for Black.} 56...Kb6 57.Kb2 Bxb3 58.Kxb3 Kc6 59.Kc4 Kd6 60.Kb5 Ke5 61.Kxc5 {White is far ahead in the pawn race.} ( 61.Kxc5 Kxe4 62.Kb5 Kf3 63.Kxa5 Kxg3 64.Kb5 Kxh4 65.a5 g5 66.a6 g4 67.a7 g3 68.a8=Q ) 1-0

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.05.10"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6873960939570"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.O-O d5 7.Nbd2 dxe4 8.dxe4 a5 9.Qc2 Qe7 10.a4 Nb8 {Kramnik tried this once, against Carlsen, and they are not the only world champions who have been here before.} 11.h3 {Yes, you guessed it right $1 So far both players followed a crucial game from the world championship match in Kazakhstan.} ( {In Astana, Ding faced instead:} 11.Re1 Rd8 12.h3 h6 13.Nf1 c6 14.Bc4 Na6 15.Ng3 Qc7 16.Ba2 b5 17.Qe2 Rb8 18.Nh4 Bf8 19.Qf3 bxa4 20.Bxh6 {and managed to survive his opponent's fierce attack after} 20...Nc5 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2795)-Ding,L (2788) Astana 2023} ) 11...Rd8 12.Be2 Nbd7 13.Re1 Nf8 14.Nb3 Bb6 15.Nfd2 Be6 16.Nc4 {All of this seems very logical. White gains the bishop pair.} 16...Bxc4 17.Bxc4 Ne6 18.g3 {[#]} 18...h5 $5 $146 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A move that Firouzja did not like. He felt as if his opponent is weakening too much. On the other hand, Ding is working on the creation of some outposts around the opponent's king.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 18...h6 19.Kg2 Rd7 20.Nd2 Qc5 21.Nf3 Qxc4 22.Nxe5 Qc5 23.Nxd7 Nxd7 24.Be3 Qc6 {Anand,V (2757) -Vidit,S (2722) Kolkata 2019} ) ( {Instead} 18...Nc5 {\"is just equal\" (Firouzja)} ) 19.Kg2 {That is the correct approach.} ( 19.h4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] allows the black knight too comfortable squares close to the king and after} 19...Ng4 20.Rf1 Qf6 {Black has a strong attack.} ( {Or even} 20...Nf4 ) ) 19...h4 20.Qe2 g6 {\"A terrible move, weakens his king.\" (Firouzja)} ( {Indeed, a move like} 20...Rd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] both overprotecting the vital f7-point, and preparing the counterplay along the d-file would have been in the spirit of the position. Then} 21.Nd2 Nc5 22.Nf3 Ncxe4 {would be a far inferior version of the game continuation for White and Black should do very well, say} 23.Nxh4 Bxf2 ( {Or even} 23...Rad8 ) ) 21.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very strong idea by Firouzja. The light squares are the sore points in the black camp therefore he is quickly transferring his forces towards the objects.} 21...Nc5 22.Nf3 hxg3 ( {This time} 22...Ncxe4 {does not suffice due to} 23.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 23.fxg3 Ncxe4 24.Ng5 {All of this is very straightforward and logical, but based on a miscalculation.} ( {Instead, in the studio White was very anxious about the super-idea} 24.Ba2 $3 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] \"Prophylactical move, stops Ne4-d6 which was the whole problem for me during the game.\" (Firouzja), and indeed, White would be clearly on top then after, say,} 24...Kg7 ( {And if} 24...Rd7 {this time} 25.Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] works.} ) 25.Ng5 ) ( {\"First I thought that I am winning with\"} 24.Qc2 {\"but then I saw\"} 24...Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] \"and that was the first cold shower. \" (Firouzja) Since} 25.Rxe4 Nxe4 26.Qxe4 Qf2+ 27.Kh1 Rd1+ {is mate.} ) 24...Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Definitely not self-pinning with} 24...Nxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25.Bxg5 {when both bishops squeeze Black out.} ) 25.Ba2 Re8 26.h4 ( {Unfortunately for White, he thought that he does not have} 26.Bf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 26...Nh5 27.Qxe5 {Due to the strong resource} ( 27.Rad1 $5 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] However, this move leaves the situation unclear, say} 27...Nxf4+ 28.gxf4 Kg7 29.Qxe5+ Qf6 ) 27...Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] (Firouzja)} 28.Qd5 Nxf4+ 29.gxf4 Kg7 {and Black is indeed better.} ) 26...Kg7 27.Rf1 {\"I felt I should not be worse here with this strong bishop (Ba2). But perhaps my other bishop is bad\" (Firouzja)} 27...Rad8 28.Bd2 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Ding is en route to proving his opponent wrong.} 29.Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Sharpens up the game to the maximum in the forthcoming time trouble.} ( {Rather than} 29.Rae1 e3 30.Bc1 Qe5 {which leaves White no practical chances at all.} ) 29...e3 {This pawn could have been huge $1} 30.Rad1 Nfe4 {Alas, in the heat of the battle, and in the midst of the time trouble, the world champion errs and misses a brilliant win.} ( {Ding saw the move} 30...Nde4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] but after} 31.Nxf7 {The Chinese GM missed the best continuation.} ( {White does not have} 31.Bxf7 Rxd1 32.Rxd1 Nxg5 {Due to the same in-between crafty little check after both} 33.Bxe8 ( 33.hxg5 Qe4+ $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Kg1 Rh8 ) 33...Qe4+ $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 31...Rxd1 $3 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Brilliant;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true] A move which Firouzja explained as a counterintuitive and difficult move for a human to find, as Black is giving away the open file. This is indeed true; however, it is the e-pawn that matters here and therefore the remaining black rook does a phenomenal job from where it stands. For example} ( 31...Rd2 {(Ding), \"but I don't think it is a good move. \" (Firouzja)} 32.Rxd2 Nxd2 33.Bh6+ Kh7 34.Rf4 Nh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( {Apparently} 34...Nde4 {is still unclear, at least according to the machine.} ) 35.Ng5+ Kxh6 36.Rf7 ) 32.Rxd1 Nf2 33.Re1 ( {The line} 33.Rf1 Qe4+ 34.Qf3 e2 $3 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] is particularly pretty} 35.Bh6+ Kh7 36.Ng5+ Kxh6 37.Nxe4 exf1=Q+ 38.Kxf1 N2xe4 {and Black wins.} ) 33...Qe4+ 34.Qf3 Nd3 35.Re2 ( {Or} 35.Bh6+ Kh7 36.Re2 Qxf3+ 37.Kxf3 Nc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 35...Nxf4+ 36.gxf4 Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White position burns down in flames.} ) 31.Bxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Firouzja speculated that his opponent decided to force a draw in the coming time trouble.} 31...Nxd6 32.Bxf7 Nxf7 33.Rxf7+ Qxf7 34.Nxf7 Rxd1 35.Qxd1 Kxf7 ( {Or perhaps the world champion missed that in the line} 35...e2 36.Qd7 e1=Q 37.Ne5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Is he getting mated $2 Say} 37...Kh6 38.Ng4+ Kh5 39.Qh7+ Kxg4 40.Qxg6# ) 36.Qe2 Ke7 {The last straw. \"He left the g6-pawn very weak.\" (Firouzja)} ( {Instead Black had decent chances of holding on with} 36...Kg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Kf1 Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] \"Activating the bishop.\" (Firouzja)} ) 37.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White releases the queen.} 37...Rf8+ 38.Ke1 Rf2 39.Qg4 Kf6 40.Qg5+ Kf7 41.Qd5+ Kf6 42.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And once the pawns come to help, it is all over. The problem for Black is that the pawns are moving while creating mating nets.} 42...Rxb2 43.g5+ Ke7 ( {Or else} 43...Kg7 44.Qe5+ {would win the g6-pawn with check safter} 44...Kg8 ( 44...Kf7 45.Qf6+ ) 45.Qe6+ ) 44.Qe5+ Kd7 45.Qg7+ Kd6 46.Qxg6+ {The rest was easy for Firouzja.} 46...Ke5 47.Qe8+ Kf4 48.g6 Rb1+ 49.Ke2 Rb2+ 50.Kd3 Rd2+ 51.Kc4 Rg2 52.Qf7+ 1-0

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.05.13"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7976156930098"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 {As we have witnessed earlier in Bucharest, Black may even postpone the development of this knight, in order to avoid the pin.} 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bg5 {White is happy to go for this modern line.} 5...h6 6.Bh4 d6 7.c3 a5 8.Nbd2 {White is postponing his castling for the time being.} ( {As Black wants to push king g-pawn, this seems reasonable, although there are people brave enough to go for it:} 8.O-O O-O 9.Re1 g5 10.Bg3 Ba7 11.Nbd2 Nh7 12.d4 h5 13.h3 Qf6 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Bb5 g4 16.hxg4 hxg4 17.Nh2 Qg5 {as in Erigaisi,A (2701)-So,W (2766) Chess.com INT 2023} ) 8...Ba7 9.a4 ( {Here too} 9.O-O {is inviting} 9...g5 10.Bg3 O-O 11.a3 Nh7 12.h3 h5 13.d4 g4 14.hxg4 hxg4 15.Bh4 Qd7 16.Nh2 exd4 17.Be2 dxc3 18.Nc4 cxb2 19.Rb1 Ne5 20.Rxb2 Ng6 {and Ding had positive memories from this game, Praggnanandhaa,R (2612)-Ding,L (2799) chess24.com INT 2022} ) 9...O-O $146 {Black castles first, but as we shall witness this might be too daring of a strategy against the pin.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 9...Qe7 10.O-O O-O 11.Re1 Be6 12.Bb5 Rad8 13.Qc2 Nb8 14.d4 c6 15.Bf1 Nbd7 16.Rad1 Rfe8 {Prabhu $146 (2099)-Pang,B (1818) Dulles 2022} ) ( {The natural question was asked in the studio. Why not} 9...g5 {before castling. The answer is after} 10.Bg3 {\"but then Black has to reckon with h2-h4.) (Giri)} ) 10.h3 g5 {Otherwise why did Black allow the pin $2 But now comes the forced, but good} 11.Nxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] \"I remembered that in this particular move order this sacrifice is strong.\" (Giri)} 11...hxg5 12.Bxg5 Kg7 13.Qf3 {For the piece White has a couple of pawns and a long lasting, step-by-step kingside attack.} 13...Be6 14.Nf1 Rh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A crafty move $1} ( {White knew the typical trick.} 14...Bxf2+ {and the best reply to it is} 15.Ke2 $3 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] \"I had this position in my prep in a slightly different version.\" (Giri) Now the pawn gain backfires, as the f-file is opened in White's favor and his attack is decisive after say} ( {Instead} 15.Qxf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 15...Nxe4 16.Bxd8 Nxf2 17.Kxf2 Nxd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to Black's advantage.} ) ( {Whereas} 15.Kxf2 $6 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 15...Nxe4+ 16.dxe4 Qxg5 {is approximately equal.} ) 15...Bb6 16.Ng3 ) 15.Ne3 $5 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( {Giri spotted the danger. It appears that with his last move, the world champion had actually prepared the capture on f2, as in the line} 15.g4 Bxf2+ $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.Ke2 Bh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and it is Black who is on top $1} ) ( {However, there was also a strong argument about} 15.Ng3 Kg6 16.Nf5 {The knight is immune.} ( {The Dutchman rejected this line as he spotted the nasty trick} 16.h4 Bg4 17.Bxf6 Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when the queen is trapped in the spirit of the Rubinstein French.} ) 16...Kxg5 $4 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] sends the king on a one-way journey to the moon after} 17.Qg3+ Kh5 18.Qg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and mate is inevitable.} ) 15...Qe7 {Black's defense is very difficult. He also has a vast choice of ideas.} ( {White was OK with} 15...Bxe3 16.fxe3 {\"is sort of a thing in these positions, so I was kind of going for this.\" (Giri) Then White seems to regain his material and attack for free, say} 16...Rh6 ( 16...Bxc4 17.O-O ( {Or equally good} 17.Rf1 ) 17...Rh6 18.Bxh6+ Kxh6 19.dxc4 ) 17.Bxh6+ Kxh6 18.Bxe6 fxe6 19.Rf1 ) ( {Black correctly avoids} 15...Bxc4 16.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {And the immediate} 15...Nb8 16.Nf5+ Bxf5 17.Qxf5 Nbd7 {also leads to a strong white attack after} 18.h4 ( {Or} 18.O-O-O ) ) 16.O-O-O {Another smart move, which eventually worked. Giri is preparing himself against the maneuver …Nc6-b8-d7, but misses a couple of ideas in the process.} ( {However, his other idea} 16.Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been even better, as it appears that} 16...Nb8 {does not suffice due to the computer's slow attack with} 17.Nf5+ ( {But my feeling is that White missed the idea} 17.Bxe6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 17...Qxe6 18.Qxf6+ Qxf6 19.Bxf6+ Kxf6 20.Nd5+ $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Kg7 21.Nxc7 {practically winning the exchange.} ) 17...Bxf5 18.Qxf5 Nbd7 19.f4 exf4 20.Rxf4 Qe5 21.Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black still faces problems.} ) 16...Rag8 {Whereas the world champion sees the Ne3-d5-xc7 danger and thus moves the rook out of the way.} ( {White's idea would have worked in case of} 16...Nb8 17.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...exd4 18.cxd4 Nc6 19.e5 dxe5 20.d5 ) ( {However} 16...Bxe3+ $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] might have been a more stubborn defense, when Giri intended} 17.fxe3 Nb8 18.Rhf1 Nbd7 19.Qg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] But saw at the studio that this is only a dream and Black wins with} ( {Instead} 19.Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...c6 20.Qg3 Nh5 21.Bxe7+ Nxg3 22.Bxe6 fxe6 23.Rf3 {would have most likely been holdable for Black.} ) 19...Nh5 20.Bf6+ Kh7 21.Qh4 Nxf6 $19 ) 17.Rhf1 Nb8 18.d4 {The point behind White's play.} ( {However, much better was} 18.Nf5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Bxf5 19.Qxf5 Nbd7 20.Kb1 {preparing the nasty f2-f4.} ) 18...exd4 19.cxd4 {Still, White's initiative is intimidating and the tired world champion soon messed things up.} 19...Nbd7 ( {White was more afraid of the idea} 19...Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is still calling the shots here though, after} 20.e5 dxe5 21.d5 Nd4 22.Rxd4 ( {I see nothing wrong with the prosaic} 22.Qxf6+ Qxf6 23.Bxf6+ Kxf6 24.dxe6 fxe6 25.Ng4+ {with a clear edge for the first player.} ) 22...Bxd4 23.dxe6 fxe6 24.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Rf8 ( {If} 24...e4 25.Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.Nxf6 Rxf6 26.Qxb7 {\"and I thought he might hold.\" (Giri) Even if this is the case, Black still needs to prove it.} ( {But} 26.Bxf6+ Qxf6 27.Qxb7 {might be even better for White.} ) ) 20.e5 {Breakthrough time.} 20...dxe5 21.d5 Qb4 {Ding obviously counted on this aggressive idea to save the day. However} 22.Qe2 $3 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A very nice idea $1} ( {Giri avoids the line} 22.Kb1 Bxe3 ( {But not} 22...Bd4 23.Rxd4 exd4 24.dxe6 fxe6 {(Giri) Due to} 25.Bxf6+ Nxf6 26.Ng4 $3 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] when the black king is too vulnerable.} ) 23.fxe3 Qxc4 24.Bxf6+ Nxf6 25.Qxf6+ Kf8 26.dxe6 Qe4+ {\"a beautiful perpetual.\" (Giri)} ) 22...Bxh3 23.gxh3 Kf8 24.h4 {Even better than the more solid option.} ( 24.Nc2 Qd6 25.h4 {although here, too, White should be significantly better.} ) 24...Bd4 25.Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's position collapses. The rooks are doing little to nothing and the black knights would be soon separated.} ( 25.Bb5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 25...exd4 26.Nf5 Rxg5 27.hxg5 Ne5 28.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Not only hitting the e8-square, but this bishop is preventing any perpetual checks, as pointed out by White.} 28...Nfg4 29.Kb1 Kg8 ( {Perhaps Ding should have tried his last chance} 29...Rh2 30.d6 cxd6 31.Rc1 Kg8 {Then White still had to find the nice ambush} 32.Bd3 $3 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] with a win in the line} 32...Rxf2 33.Rc8+ Kh7 34.Nh6+ f5 35.Bxf5+ Rxf5 36.Nxf5 ) 30.Nh6+ {Now it is easy, without the black knight the king cannot survive.} 30...Nxh6 31.Qxe5 Ng4 32.Qxc7 Kg7 33.g6 Rf8 34.gxf7 d3 35.Rg1 Rxf7 36.Qc3+ 1-0

[Event "Superbet Chess Classic"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.05.14"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "D14"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7147094022663"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Poland"]
[BlackTeam "France"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "POL"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 Bf5 7.Nf3 e6 8.Qb3 Bb4 9.Bb5 {After the game, Duda revealed that he was not feeling quite well prior to the game and did not object the draw. This might have been the reason for his opening choice, a calm Exchanged Slav.} 9...O-O 10.Bxc6 {Kramnik and Anand discussed this line at their WCC match in Bonn.} 10...Bxc3+ 11.Qxc3 Ne4 {An ambitious move, which was played after a prolonged thought. Firouzja was clearly in a fighting mode.} ( {Many strong players, including Anand, choose to defend instead with:} 11...Rc8 12.Ne5 Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The point: Black does not want to have a backward pawn, but chooses to sacrifice it instead for activity.} 13.Nxg4 Bxg4 14.Qb4 Rxc6 15.Qxb7 Qc8 16.Qxc8 Rfxc8 17.O-O a5 {with compensation for the pawn thanks to the active rooks. The opposite-colored bishops also point toward the draw being the most likely result as in the recent game, Bok,B (2616)-Bacrot,E (2648) Chess.com INT 2022} ) ( {Instead, what White is hoping for is} 11...bxc6 12.O-O {which is favorable for White, as the black pawn structure has been compromised.} ) 12.Qa3 bxc6 13.Rc1 {Now White has everything that he wants from the pawn structure. Both c6- and a7-pawns are weak and long-term targets. Black needs to find something concrete, right now.} 13...g5 {And what can be more concrete than this $2} 14.Bg3 {Duda is also taking his time.[#]} ( {He might have been tempted at the beginning by the idea} 14.Nxg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14...Nxg5 15.h4 Ne4 16.f3 {in order to regain the piece with} 16...Nf6 ( {However} 16...h5 {seems solid enough for Black here.} ) 17.g4 Bg6 18.h5 ) 14...Rc8 $146 {A novelty and a bad sign for Black. Passive defense is the last thing he needs.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 14...h5 15.h4 ( {However, the immediate} 15.Nd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] looks better for White as well.} ) 15...g4 16.Nd2 Nxg3 17.fxg3 Qc7 18.Kf2 e5 {which is more in the spirit of the position, Simon,H (2140)-Boehnke,M (2163) Germany 2018} ) 15.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong move that sucks the energy away from the black pieces while further weakening the dark squares.} 15...Nxg3 ( {In case of} 15...Nxd2 16.Kxd2 f6 17.Rc5 {the white king is perfectly safe, whereas the same cannot be stated about the black queenside pawns.} ) 16.hxg3 Kg7 17.Rc5 {That's the problem. There are too many convenient outposts on the dark squares.} 17...Rh8 {The only way to get some play is to advance the h-pawn and open some files for a kingside activity.} 18.Ra5 Rc7 {A rook on the seventh rank is the last thing Firouzja wants to see; therefore, he swaps it before it becomes too dangerous.} ( {If} 18...h5 19.Rxa7 h4 20.gxh4 gxh4 21.Nf3 {and it is White who attacks first after Nf3-e5 $1} ) 19.Rxa7 Rxa7 20.Qxa7 h5 21.b3 ( {Sending the knight towards the center at once might have been even more convincing for White} 21.Nf3 h4 22.Ne5 Bg6 23.gxh4 gxh4 24.Rh3 {with White's edge.} ) 21...h4 ( {For now, Black could deprive the knight of a central outpost with} 21...g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Then} 22.Ke2 h4 23.Rxh4 Rxh4 24.gxh4 Qxh4 25.Qb8 Qh1 {leads to definite counterplay for Black.} ) 22.gxh4 gxh4 23.Nf3 {Now Duda is in control, although the many open spaces always provide chances for a counterplay to the opponent.} 23...Bg6 24.Rh3 ( {Both} 24.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( {And} 24.Kf1 $5 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the idea to meet} 24...Qa8 {with} 25.Qxa8 Rxa8 26.a4 Rb8 27.Nd2 Bc2 28.Ke2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] seems more accurate for White.} ) 24...Qa8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Firouzja manages to exploit the relative weakness of the white queenside just in time.} 25.Qxa8 Rxa8 26.a4 Bc2 {In order to defend the c6-pawn.} ( {Instead} 26...Rb8 27.Ne5 Rxb3 28.Rxh4 Ra3 29.Nxc6 Rxa4 {leads Black to a gloomy position. Is this defendable or not $2} ) 27.Rxh4 Bxb3 28.Rg4+ $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nasty in-between check.} 28...Kf8 29.Rf4 Ra7 {A difficult decision and, objectively, not the best one.} ( {A better chance would be} 29...Ke7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea to meet} 30.Ne5 f6 31.Ng4 Rxa4 32.Nxf6 {with} 32...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {But not} 29...Bxa4 30.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when White wins the most important e6-pawn.} ) 30.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {The inclusion of the moves} 30.Ng5 Kg7 31.a5 Bc4 {does not help White.} ) 30...Ba4 31.a6 ( {Also good is} 31.Ne5 Kg7 32.a6 f6 33.Nd3 Bb5 34.Nc5 e5 35.Rg4+ Kh6 36.dxe5 fxe5 37.f3 {with decent winning chances for the first player.} ) 31...Bb5 32.Ng5 Bxa6 {A sad necessity.} ( {Or else Black is losing on the spot after} 32...Kg7 33.Rxf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Rxf7 34.Nxf7 Kxf7 ( 34...Bxa6 35.Nd8 ) 35.a7 ) 33.Nxe6+ Ke7 34.Ng5 f6 ( {The last try is to hold passively with} 34...Kf8 {although this should not be enough after something like} 35.Nf3 ) 35.Nh7 {Winning a second pawn, and the rest should have been easy for White, had not it been the time trouble.} 35...f5 36.Rxf5 Bd3 37.Re5+ Kd6 38.Ng5 Ra2 39.Nh3 Bc4 40.g4 {A slip $1} ( 40.Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] first would have deprived Black of the sudden chance.} ) 40...Re2+ {The fatal 40th move $1} ( {Firouzja missed the suddenly gifted chance.} 40...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would put White's win in jeopardy; for example,} 41.f4 Re2+ 42.Kd1 cxd4 43.exd4 Rg2 44.g5 Rg3 45.Nf2 Rg1+ 46.Kd2 Rg2 {and nothing is clear yet $1} ) 41.Kd1 Ra2 42.g5 {Now it is all over for Black.} 42...c5 43.g6 Bb3+ 44.Ke1 Ra1+ 45.Ke2 Ra2+ 46.Kf3 c4 47.Re8 Ra7 48.Rd8+ 1-0

[Event "Cairns Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Paehtz, Elisabeth"]
[Black "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2477"]
[BlackElo "2523"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "pigle"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7285875149840"]
[EventType "game"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 Bb7 9.d3 d6 {The game arrives at a very popular position of the Anti-Marshall Variation.} 10.c3 Na5 11.Bc2 {It's not clear whether the bishop stands better on c2, helping the advance d3-d4, or a2, pointing at the kingside.} ( 11.Ba2 {was tried by Caruana, always a good seal of approval.} 11...c5 12.Bg5 {Caruana-Dubov, Tata Steel 2022. The game ended in a draw.} ) 11...c5 12.Nbd2 Re8 13.Nf1 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an accurate move that had been played by Kosteniuk before. White probably should seek an improvement before if she wants to engage in future theoretical duels, as it seems that Black has no problems in this position anymore.} ( 13...Bf8 $6 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is not so good, as the pin is unpleasant after} 14.axb5 axb5 15.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 14.Ng3 ( 14.Ne3 Bf8 15.Nf5 d5 {Black was already better in Smirin-Kosteniuk, Chess.com (rapid) 2022.} ) 14...Bf8 {Now the pin with 15.Bg5 is no longer unpleasant, since Black can just play h6, and the bishop cannot go to h4.} 15.h3 ( 15.d4 exd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.cxd4 cxd4 17.Nxd4 g6 {We will see this same idea later in the game. This is the correct way to fight against White's d3-d4. Black's bishops will be very powerful on b7 and g7. This was played in Abdumalik-Svane, Moscow 2020.} ) 15...Rb8 {The first new move.} ( 15...Rc8 {I actually prefer this one, played in a correspondence game, as it avoids White's plan of d3-d4, since the opening of the c-file is playing into Black's hands.} 16.c4 {Such a move usually comes with tears in the eyes. It's sad for White to abandon central play in order to close the position, praying for a draw.} 16...g6 {Black is already clearly better and went on to win in a correspondence game, something rarer than meeting an arara or macaw (a colorful Brazilian bird) in the center of Sao Paulo. Brandberg-Zatko, ICCF email 2015.} ) 16.cxb4 cxb4 17.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Paehtz correctly uses her chance to get active play.} 17...exd4 18.Nxd4 g6 19.Bf4 Nd7 20.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another good move, restricting the knight on a5.} 20...Rc8 21.Rc1 ( 21.Qd2 {This move is more accurate, as it's not yet clear where the rook should go.} ) 21...Nc6 22.Nxc6 Rxc6 23.Qd2 Qa5 24.Bd3 d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 24...Rc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better chance to fight for the advantage. Black is fine after} 25.Bc4 Ne5 ) 25.Rxc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25.Rcd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now it's better to centralize the rook, as Black's pieces are a bit clumsy on the queenside. White has the better chances.} ) 25...Bxc6 26.e5 {A bold decision, since this pawn is not easily protected. But it's not a bad move.} ( 26.exd5 {Probably leads to a draw after some cautious moves by White:} 26...Qxd5 ( {Or} 26...Rxe1+ 27.Qxe1 Qxd5 28.Be4 Qe6 29.Qb1 Nc5 30.Bxc6 Qxc6 31.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Followed by capturing the knight.} ) 27.Be4 Qxd2 28.Bxd2 Bxe4 29.Rxe4 Rxe4 30.Nxe4 {A draw is the most likely result.} ) 26...Bg7 27.Rc1 Qb6 28.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Qb7 29.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Paehtz plays some good moves to justify her decision to advance the pawn to e5.} 29...Nxe5 30.Bxa6 Qa8 31.Qf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this mistake White's position goes downhill.} ( 31.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to play. White has an active position after} 31...Nf3+ 32.Qxf3 Bxb5 33.Rc7 ) 31...Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook is well placed on e6, keeping an eye on the a6-bishop.} 32.Bxe5 ( 32.Bd2 {is recommended as the best move by the computer. This indicates how difficult White's position has become.} ) 32...Bxe5 33.Bb5 Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preserving the powerful bishop. The a5-pawn is doomed.} 34.Bd7 Re7 35.Ba4 Qa7 {An interesting decision. Kosteniuk has the a5-pawn in the pocket, so she decides to create some attacking chances before deciding to capture it.} ( 35...Qxa5 {is also good. The position after} 36.Qb5 {is a technical win for Black.} ) 36.Qd3 Bd4 37.Rc2 ( 37.Qd2 {is better.} ) 37...Re6 ( 37...Re1+ 38.Nf1 Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a very difficult way to win.} ( 38...Ba6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 39.Bb5 ) 39.Bb5 ( 39.Qxd4 Qxf1+ 40.Kh2 Qg1+ 41.Kg3 Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42.Qf6 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Surprisingly, the attack is winning.} ) 39...Qxa5 {Winning a pawn while keeping the initiative.} ) 38.Nf1 Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing the advance of the d-pawn.} 39.Ne3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 39.Re2 {is more stubborn.} ) 39...d4 {White loses material.} 40.Ng4 ( 40.Nc4 Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 40...h5 ( 40...Re1+ {wins easily too:} 41.Kh2 Qb8+ 42.Qg3 ( 42.g3 Rh1# ) 42...Qxg3+ 43.Kxg3 d3 {The pawn decides the game.} ) 41.Re2 Ba6 {Probably the simplest way to win.} ( 41...Rxe2 42.Qxe2 hxg4 43.Qe8+ Kg7 44.Qe5+ Kh7 {is also good enough.} ) 42.Nh6+ ( 42.Bb5 Bxb5 43.Qxb5 Rxe2 44.Nf6+ Kg7 {White's knight is lost.} ) 42...Kg7 43.Nf5+ gxf5 44.Qg3+ Rg6 45.Qe5+ Kh7 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Aimchess Rapid 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Fressinet, L."]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2853"]
[BlackElo "2632"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[Beauty "7217847739435"]
[EventType "rapid"]

{[%evp 0,92,29,29,15,15,15,18,12,11,49,51,46,21,34,-12,2,-11,-6,-9,3,3,31,32,30,-8,-10,-10,-10,-10,-10,-10,-15,-5,0,0,-8,-20,-7,-18,-58,-70,-47,-76,-101,-64,-66,-83,-89,-300,-307,-307,-307,-640,-618,-648,-651,-651,-660,-761,-784,-827,-784,-791,-791,-791,-363,-374,-405,-400,-342,-401,-379,-413,-417,-413,-418,-463,-474,-520,-490,-484,-479,-506,-517,-545,-518,-602,-574,-645,-675,-634,-613,-608,-612] It's a well-known fact that Fressinet worked as Carlsen's second during world championship matches. I don't know if their work continues now that the Norwegian has relinquished the crown, but it would be the case to ask the boss for a raise after this beautiful game. Or, perhaps, a good reason to be fired.} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O d6 5.c3 Nf6 6.d3 ( 6.d4 {The Italian Opening has many subtleties with different move orders. Here White can try to control the center straight away, and many have tried it, although it's not enough to prove an advantage.} 6...Bb6 ) 6...a6 7.Bb3 O-O 8.Re1 Ba7 9.Nbd2 ( 9.h3 {is the most popular move, avoiding what happens in the game. This is basic knowledge for a player that is in the GOAT conversation, so of course he knows all this and much more.} ) 9...Ng4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The game becomes sharp after this knight thrust.} 10.Re2 Kh8 11.h3 Nh6 ( 11...f5 {is also possible:} 12.exf5 ( 12.hxg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 12...fxg4 {is too dangerous for White: the a7-bishop is a monster that lurks from afar.} ) 12...Nh6 13.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Nxf5 14.gxf5 Bxf5 15.Ne4 {The complications continue and I won't pretend that I know what's happening here.} ) 12.Nf1 f5 13.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate. Carlsen certainly knows all the details of this position. I saw with my own eyes him playing this as Black in Brazil. This happened in 2014, an unforgettable year for us Brazilians, due to this visit of the then world champion and for a sporting event that I prefer not to remember. The memory feats of world champions like Fischer, Kasparov, and Carlsen are well documented—they are said to be able to remember almost every game they've played. Whether it's true or not, I don't know, but based on the quality of the next moves, I believe he remembered this opening well.} ( 13.Bxh6 gxh6 {is more comfortable for Black.} ) ( 13.d4 {is a popular move. Here my computer suggests a new way of handling the position:} 13...f4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14.dxe5 g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An original move, with the idea of starting a brutal attack with g5-g4. Nobody dared to play like this: 14...Nxe5 is preferred by human minds.} ( 14...Nxe5 ) ) 13...Qe8 14.Bxh6 ( 14.Qd2 {The aforementioned game featured this move.} 14...fxe4 {14...f4 or 14...Cg8 is more precise.} ( 14...f4 ) ( 14...Ng8 ) 15.dxe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15.Rxe4 {is better.} ) 15...Ng8 {Black had the advantage in Rodriguez Vila-Carlsen, Caxias do Sul (rapid) 2014.} ) 14...gxh6 15.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's easy to notice why 12.Bg5 is a clever move: the queen is not comfortable on e8, right in the sight of white's rook.} 15...fxe4 16.Rxe4 Qg6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16...Bf5 {is more accurate, with a complicated game.} ) 17.Ng3 Bd7 18.Bc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a new and not good move. Considering that Carlsen plays the right idea with incorrect timing, I have the firm theory, totally generated by my imagination, that he confused his analysis.} ( 18.Qd3 {was played in Khokhlov-Boles, ICCF 2008, but it's not the best move either. Though this was a correspondence game, computers were not so strong as they are now.} 18...Rae8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has a good game.} ) ( 18.Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, as here the exchange sacrifice is not so good.} 18...Rxf3 19.gxf3 {White is clearly better. The pawn on d4 is not hanging, contrary to what happens in the game.} ) 18...Qg7 19.Qd2 {White prepares to bring the a1-rook to the game, but this move allows the exchange sacrifice on f3.} ( 19.Rh4 exd4 20.cxd4 Rxf3 21.Qxf3 Nxd4 22.Qc3 Rf8 {leads to big complications. From a practical point of view, the position is easier for Black.} ) 19...Rxf3 {Though objectively this move deserves a dubious mark, I won't dare criticize it as it looks so tempting from a human point of view. If I were playing against a mortal and without looking at the heartless machine's critical assessment, I might even already feel like I'm winning with Black here. Nothing is further from reality.} ( 19...exd4 {is better:} 20.Nxd4 Qg5 {with an equal game.} ) 20.gxf3 exd4 21.Kg2 {A good move.} ( 21.Rg4 {I was surprised by the evaluation of the computer after:} 21...Bxg4 22.hxg4 {The machine claims White is better here, even though he is a pawn down and the king doesn't look very safe. But the reality is that it's easy to protect the weaknesses around the king, while the black monarch is the one who will suffer through the light squares. I think one of the greatest benefits of analyzing with the computer is to try to understand its evaluation when it's very different from what you initially thought.} ) 21...dxc3 22.bxc3 ( 22.Qxc3 {is not so clear after} 22...Bd4 ) 22...Ne5 23.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move not only squanders the advantage, but it also puts White in a very dangerous position.} ( 23.Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is correct. After} 23...Rf8 24.Rf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Rg8 25.Rg1 {White's king is safe and Black will suffer.} ) 23...Ng6 24.Rae1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Losing on the spot.} ( 24.Kh2 {is more stubborn, although the position is unpleasant after} 24...Nh4 ) 24...Nh4+ $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Much better than} ( 24...Bc6 25.Kh2 ) 25.Kh1 Nf3 {Knights are tricky pieces.} 26.Qd5 Nxe1 27.Qxb7 Rg8 28.Qxa7 Bc6 ( 28...Nxc2 {Of course this is also winning.} ) 29.Bb1 Qxc3 {Total collapse. It's a rapid game and both players had around two minutes on the clock. Carlsen continues the game, although the result is never in doubt.} 30.Kh2 Nf3+ ( 30...Rxg3 {ends the game quickly:} 31.fxg3 Qd2+ 32.Kg1 Qg2# ) 31.Kg2 Nd2 32.Kh2 Bxe4 33.Bxe4 Nxe4 34.Nxe4 Qc4 35.Qb7 Qf7 36.Ng3 ( 36.Qb2+ Qg7 {The queens are exchanged and the game is over.} ) 36...Qxf4 37.Qb2+ Qe5 38.Qc1 h5 39.h4 Qf6 40.Kg2 Rf8 41.Qe3 Qxh4 42.Qd3 Qf4 43.Qe2 h4 44.Nf1 Rg8+ 45.Kh1 Qg4 46.Qb2+ Qg7 0-1

[Event "Chess 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "D45"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[Beauty "6463833550862"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Be2 {This is a fashionable move. How can the bishop be better developed on e2 than on d3 $2 The idea is that after Black's dxc4, White is not forced to capture.} 6...Bd6 ( 6...dxc4 7.a4 {This is the idea. White avoids b7-b5. Whether this is really good is another question, but it's a fresh idea. Or at least it was when it was played for the first time.} ) 7.b3 b6 {As a general rule, in the Semi-Slav it's never too bad if you just play b6, Bb7, and so on, even in worse situations than this.} 8.Bb2 Bb7 9.O-O O-O 10.Qc2 ( 10.Bd3 {is another popular move, played by many strong GMs and recommended by Shankland in one of his courses. At the risk of being a grumpy old man, I think we're going too far when White has to play the bishop on e2 and move it one square forward just four moves later just because of a few subtleties.} ) 10...Re8 ( 10...Rc8 {If Kramnik plays a move in the opening, I consider it good. I don't care if he is retired. If I played the Semi-Slav I would just follow him.} 11.Rad1 c5 12.cxd5 cxd4 13.Rxd4 Nxd5 14.Bc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 14...Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With a good position (unsurprisingly) for Black in Gukesh-Kramnik, Chessable Play In Match (rapid) 2023.} ) 11.Rad1 Qe7 {Firouzja decides to develop the rook on d8 instead of c8.} 12.Rfe1 Rad8 13.h3 ( 13.e4 Nxe4 14.Nxe4 dxe4 15.Qxe4 Bb4 ( 15...Nf8 {is also possible and was played in Bu-Ding, Yinzhou Cup 2022.} ) 16.Rf1 Bd6 {with a tacit draw offer that was played in several games.} ) 13...h6 {That's a good strategy: if your opponent plays h3, why not play h6 back $2 Isn't chess supposed to be a game of patience $2} 14.Bf1 ( 14.e4 {is always possible:} 14...dxe4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Bb4 17.Nd2 ( 17.Rf1 Bd6 ) 17...Nf6 18.Qc2 {Mamedyarov-Duda, Meltwater Final (rapid) 2021.} ) 14...Ba3 {This move was only played once in the most prestigious weekly online tournament. When I analyze the opening phase of these elite games, I'm always surprised by how well-prepared and avant-garde the Titled Tuesday crowd is.} ( 14...c5 15.cxd5 exd5 {is a critical position to assess White's opening strategy.} ) ( 14...Bb4 15.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an important resource for White.} 15...Bxa3 16.Bxa3 Qxa3 17.Ra1 {The a7-pawn is captured, with a slight advantage.} ) 15.cxd5 {A new move.} ( 15.Ba1 Bb4 {with a good position for Black in Baker-Bures, Titled Tuesday (blitz) 2022.} ) 15...exd5 {As a rule of thumb, you never want to capture with the c-pawn when the knight is developed on d7 in similar positions.} 16.Bxa3 Qxa3 17.Rb1 a5 {Avoiding the minority attack with b3-b4.} 18.Bd3 Qe7 {White probably can claim a slight advantage in this position, typical of Queen's Gambit Declined pawn structures. The plan is to advance the queenside or to break with e3-e4.} 19.Qb2 ( 19.e4 {is premature.} 19...dxe4 20.Nxe4 Nxe4 21.Bxe4 Qd6 {with an equal position.} ) 19...Ne4 20.Rbc1 Ng5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 21.Nxg5 Qxg5 ( 21...hxg5 {Capturing with the pawn is also possible.} ) 22.Na4 ( 22.b4 axb4 23.Qxb4 c5 24.Qb2 Re6 {Black's pawns are well protected, and he has an active position.} ) ( 22.Ne2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] With the idea of placing the knight on f4 is good. The knight is the best friend of the king: The monarch always feel safer with this piece near him. White has a small advantage.} ) 22...Re6 23.Qe2 {Abdusattorov brings the queen to the king's aid.} 23...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right time to play an active move.} 24.dxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Abduasattorov is not someone that shies away from complications, but here he should have been more conservative.} ( 24.Qg4 Qxg4 25.hxg4 cxd4 26.exd4 {with a safe position, although White doesn't have much after} 26...Rxe1+ 27.Rxe1 Bc6 ) 24...d4 {This is Black's idea.} 25.Qg4 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. Firouzja is in his element when playing with the initiative. 26...Ne5 is threatened.} 26.Bf5 Nf6 27.Qe2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 27.Qg3 {is better.} 27...Re5 ( 27...Nh5 28.Qg4 Nf6 {leads to a move repetition.} ) 28.c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Bxc6 29.Rxc6 Rxf5 30.Nxb6 {Here Black has a few interesting moves, but the position is more or less equal.} ) 27...Re5 28.c6 Bxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.Rxc6 dxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Kf1 $6 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 30.fxe3 Rxf5 31.Nxb6 Ne4 {Black has a dangerous initiative, but after the computer suggestion} 32.Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Rxc8 33.Nxc8 {things are not as bad as it looks.} ) 30...Rxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 30...Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} 31.Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} 31...Rxc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Bxc8 Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a very strong attack. This variation is very difficult for humans to see.} ) 31.Qxe3 Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Rcc1 $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 32.Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary. White is surviving.} ) 32...Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Qxb6 Ne4 {Black has a strong attack. Another good example of the \"a knight on the rim is dim\" rule. One knight is centralized and pointing at the king. The other is at the edge of the board, contemplating the horizon.} 34.Rcd1 $6 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 34.Kg1 {is better, but after} 34...Nxf2 35.Rxe8+ Qxe8 {the attack persists.} ) 34...Nxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This nice tactical move wins the queen and the game.} 35.Rxe8+ ( 35.Rxd7 Nxh3+ 36.Qf2 Rxf2# ) 35...Qxe8 36.Qxf2 {There's nothing better.} 36...Qb5+ 37.Kg1 Rxf2 38.Kxf2 {Black has a technically winning position, and Firouzja has no problem demonstrating it.} 38...Qf5+ 39.Ke3 Qg5+ ( 39...Qe5+ 40.Kf2 f5 {This is also very good, advancing the pawns with the queen centralized.} ) 40.Kf2 Qf4+ 41.Kg1 Qe3+ 42.Kf1 f5 43.Nb2 Qc3 44.Nc4 a4 45.Re1 axb3 46.axb3 Qxb3 47.Ne5 {I must admit I was not so sure that this position was easily winning, but after watching the game and looking at the computer's evaluation, it seems like a walk in the park.} 47...g5 48.Nf3 Kg7 49.Kf2 Kf6 ( 49...g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more precise.} ) 50.g4 ( 50.g3 {is more stubborn.} ) 50...Qb6+ 51.Kg3 Qd6+ 52.Kf2 fxg4 53.hxg4 Qf4 54.Rh1 Kg7 55.Rg1 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 56.Kg2 ( 56.gxh5 g4 57.Rg3 Kh6 {with the winning endgame of queen against rook.} ) 56...hxg4 57.Ne1 g3 58.Rf1 Qe3 59.Kh3 Qf2 {A very elegant final combination.} 0-1

[Event "Chess 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.03"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "C11"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7767448354901"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.e4 e6 {\"I surprised him in the opening for sure.\" (Caruana)} 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Qb6 {Caruana goes for the pawn grab.} 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qa3 11.Ncb5 Qxa2 {Grabbing a second pawn.} 12.Rd1 Rb8 13.Nc7+ Kd8 14.Ncb5 Nc5 15.Bd3 Nxd3+ 16.Qxd3 Bd7 $146 ( 16...Qa5+ 17.Kf2 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 Bd7 19.Rb1 Rc8 20.Nd6 {White was better here with this Nd6 move, and this was probably what Firouzja remembered from his preparation. Abergel,T (2413)-Fridman,D (2602) Germany 2014} ) 17.Nd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Caruana criticized this move. \"I was happy with a draw, and then he played Nd6.\"} ( 17.O-O Qc4 {was what Caruana intended.} 18.Qxc4 ( {He mentioned} 18.Qd2 Bb4 ) 18...dxc4 19.Nxc6+ ( {He showed some nice lines here:} 19.f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19...Nxd4 20.Rxd4 Bc5 21.Rxd7+ Kxd7 22.Bxc5 Kc6 {picks up a piece.} ) 19...bxc6 20.Nd6 {Caruana said this looked like a \"safe endgame.\"} ) 17...Bxd6 18.exd6 Qc4 19.Qd2 f6 {Paving the way for the king to f7.} ( 19...Qb4 20.c3 Qxd6 {\"I thought he wouldn't have enough\" (Caruana), although the engine says there's enough compensation for three pawns.} 21.Nb5 Qe7 22.Qf2 b6 23.Nxa7 Ke8 24.Bxb6 f6 25.O-O {and even here the engine gives an equal evaluation.} ) 20.Nxc6+ bxc6 21.Qa5+ Ke8 22.Qxa7 Rb2 23.Qa8+ {Losing, but at least White wins the rook. It's better to die with a full stomach.} ( 23.Rc1 {is already the engine's best recommendation. It's not inspiring after} 23...Qb4+ 24.Ke2 Rg8 {Defending the rook.} 25.Kf3 e5 {Black is still better. From the human perspective, nobody would go for this with White.} ) 23...Kf7 24.Qxh8 Qxc2 {Black is a full rook down, but the white king is unsafe.} 25.Bd2 Qe4+ 26.Kf1 Qd3+ 27.Ke1 c5 {Black also has three pawns for the rook. Look at that pawn chain $1} 28.h4 Bb5 29.Kf2 Rxd2+ 30.Rxd2 Qxd2+ {Black wins material. He has two pawns for the exchange and an attack.} 31.Kg3 Qe3+ 32.Kh2 Qxf4+ {Another pawn.} 33.Kg1 Qd4+ 34.Kh2 Qxh4+ 35.Kg1 Qd4+ {Four pawns for the exchange.} 36.Kh2 Qe5+ 37.Kg1 Qxd6 38.Rxh7 ( {Caruana showed:} 38.Qxh7 Be2 {Stopping Qh5.} 39.Kf2 Bg4 40.Rb1 Qc7 ) 38...Qf8 {Caruana mentioned that Firouzja looked like he missed this move, although the game was lost anyway.} 0-1

[Event "Junior Speed Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Pranav, Vijay"]
[Black "Yoo, Christopher Woojin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2608"]
[BlackElo "2606"]
[ECO "C18"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7767716794918"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]

{[%evp 0,63,18,8,31,22,22,34,34,19,19,24,39,7,7,7,7,7,11,9,9,-14,31,31,31,31,53,15,76,71,90,73,91,80,64,68,68,68,68,49,69,6,57,57,62,61,61,13,11,0,67,0,48,0,48,48,76,82,145,83,162,43,338,332,322,333]} 
1.e4 e6 {I have the feeling that the French is the chess defense with the most loyal fan-base.} 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Ba5 {I remember that this move was popular among Armenian chess players when I was in my twenties, but since then, it has lost some of its charm.} 6.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 6...cxd4 7.Nb5 ( 7.Qg4 {is the more aggressive option. It was played in the famous Fischer-Tal game in the 1960 Olympiad.} ) 7...Bc7 8.f4 Bd7 {There is strategic tension between the bishops and the b5-knight in this position. White can capture the bishop on c7 or leave the knight to be captured by the other bishop.} 9.Nf3 ( 9.Nxc7+ Qxc7 10.Nf3 {is another option. Anand played it, so it's probably the best. There's no need to get fancy in the opening. Just follow what the geniuses have played.} ) 9...Ne7 {It's better for Black to capture the knight straight away:} ( 9...Bxb5 10.Bxb5+ Nc6 {with a playable position.} ) 10.Bb2 ( 10.Nxc7+ ) 10...O-O $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a serious mistake, as the king is subject to a deadly attack.} ( 10...Bxb5 11.Bxb5+ Nbc6 ) 11.Nxc7 Qxc7 12.Bd3 {White prepares the classic \"Greek gift,\" one of the most famous sacrificial tactical themes in chess.} 12...Nf5 ( 12...Nbc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 13.Bxh7+ $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a move that you can play on autopilot.} 13...Kxh7 14.Ng5+ Kg6 15.Qd3+ f5 ( 15...Nf5 16.g4 ) 16.Qg3 {with a decisive attack.} ) 13.Qe2 ( 13.Nxd4 {is also good, but the move played is even better since White can disturb the knight with g2-g4.} ) 13...a5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This makes things even worse.} ( 13...Nc6 {is necessary.} ) 14.b5 {Now the knight on b8 is also out of the game, and White can prepare the attack on the kingside. The typical \"French nightmare.\"} 14...Bc8 15.Nxd4 ( 15.g4 {is even better. Black won't survive for long.} ) 15...Nxd4 16.Bxd4 Nd7 17.Qe3 b6 18.O-O Nc5 {Black, by a miracle, managed not to be checkmated, but the position is still a disaster. White can calmly build up the decisive onslaught on the kingside since there's no counterplay.} 19.h4 ( 19.Rf3 {Bringing the rook to the attack leads to a quicker mate.} ) 19...Bd7 20.h5 Rfc8 ( 20...h6 {This move brings no relief. White will prepare the g4-g5 break and the attack is decisive.} ) 21.h6 g6 22.a4 Qd8 23.Rf2 Qh4 24.g3 Qe7 25.Kg2 {I like how Pranav carefully prepares the advance of the pawns on the kingside without giving his opponent any chance.} 25...Rc7 26.Kh3 Rac8 27.g4 Kh8 28.f5 gxf5 29.gxf5 Rg8 30.Rf3 {Preparing to control the g-file.} 30...Ne4 ( 30...Rcc8 31.Rg1 Rxg1 32.Qxg1 Rg8 33.Rg3 {leads to an easy win.} ) 31.Bxe4 dxe4 32.Rg3 {A famous positional rule states that attacks are even stronger in positions with opposite-colored bishops.} 32...Rxg3+ 33.Qxg3 Qf8 34.Qg5 f6 35.exf6 Qf7 36.Rg1 e5 37.Qg7+ Qxg7 38.hxg7+ Kg8 39.f7+ {It's because of games like this that the French Defense is sometimes hated. But nothing is that simple. Even in this dubious sideline, it's possible to improve Black's play. I guarantee that the fans of this daring defense will remain faithful as always.} 1-0

[Event "Main Event"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Dardha, Daniel"]
[Black "Lazavik, Denis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2619"]
[BlackElo "2553"]
[ECO "D00"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7701144802832"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 d5 3.e3 c5 {This variation is considered one of Black's best options against the Trompowsky.} 4.Bxf6 gxf6 5.dxc5 e6 6.Nf3 Bxc5 7.Be2 O-O ( 7...Nc6 {is played most often, but Lazavik shows an interesting plan in the game.} ) 8.O-O Be7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A clever move, probably prepared beforehand. The bishop is useful on e7, as it can later be positioned on f6 (with f6-f5 and then Bf6). Meanwhile, Black fights against White's most active plan (c2-c4) by preparing to exchange queens.} ( 8...Nc6 9.c4 dxc4 {This position was featured in a few high-level games.} ) 9.c4 ( 9.Nbd2 {This move was tried in a correspondence game and also later in the match. White's attempts were unsuccessful in both cases.} 9...Nc6 10.Qc1 ( 10.a3 {Dardha played this later, but the result was also not good.} ) 10...b6 11.Rd1 Bb7 {with a good position for Black in Moessle-Corti, email 2020.} ) 9...dxc4 10.Qc2 Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea of not developing the knight on c6 so soon.} 11.Nbd2 ( 11.Bxc4 {After this natural move, Black is able to exchange queens after} 11...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] achieving a good position.} ) 11...Nd7 ( 11...b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is bad since Black can't hold the pawn structure after} 12.a4 ) 12.Rac1 $6 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Another case of the \"wrong rook.\" I think it was Capablanca that once gave the right advice whenever you are in doubt about which rook you should move to a given file: \"Decide which rook looks the most natural to you. Then play the other one\".} ( 12.Qxc4 {leads to an equal endgame after} 12...Qxc4 13.Nxc4 ) ( 12.Rfc1 {is better, keeping the rook on a1 in case White needs to play a2-a4.} ) 12...b5 13.a4 a6 14.Nd4 {White regains the pawn after the b2-b3 break, but Black will be better anyway.} 14...Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.b3 ( 15.axb5 axb5 16.Nxb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a piece after} 16...Qc6 ) 15...Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.axb5 axb5 17.bxc4 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A typical device that has been seen many times in similar structures. The white c-pawn is blocked while the black b-pawn is dangerous.} 18.Rb1 Na4 {The knight wants to reach c3.} 19.Bf3 ( 19.Nb5 {Here and on the next move, White misses the chance to avoid Nc3 by Black.} ) 19...Bxf3 20.N4xf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20.Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary.} ) 20...Nc3 {Now Black has a clear advantage with the monster knight.} 21.Ra1 Rfd8 22.Nd4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right plan. The bishop can go to f6, and Black can break with f5-f4.} 23.Qb3 f4 ( 23...Rxa1 24.Rxa1 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.N4f3 ( 25.Nxf5 Rxd2 ) 25...Bf6 {followed by e5-e4 and White has a miserable position.} ) 24.N2f3 Bc5 25.Kh1 Rxa1 26.Rxa1 Qb7 27.Ra5 {This is not good, but White's position was very bad anyway.} 27...Ne4 ( 27...Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins with machine-like precision:} 28.Rxc5 Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The exchange is lost since the rook has no time to move:} 29.Rb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29...Ra1+ 30.Ng1 Nxf2# ) 28.Qc2 ( 28.Ra2 {is more stubborn.} ) 28...fxe3 29.fxe3 b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Qb2 ( 30.Nxb3 Rd1+ 31.Qxd1 Nf2+ {wins the queen.} ) 30...Qb4 31.Ra1 Qxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 31...Bxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate:} 32.Nxd4 ( 32.exd4 Qxc4 {with a winning position.} ) 32...Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black wins with some pretty moves.} 33.Qxb3 Nf2+ 34.Kg1 Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening the e3-pawn.} 35.Nc2 Nc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nice geometry. White loses material.} ) 32.Qxb3 Qxb3 33.Nxb3 Bxe3 34.Re1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 34.g3 {gives more chances.} ) 34...Rd3 {Let's not forget this is a blitz game, so mistakes are expected when the players are very low on time.} 35.Nc1 $6 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35.Rb1 {is better, although White is lost.} ) 35...Nf2+ $6 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35...Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right move order:} 36.Rxd1 Nf2+ 37.Kg1 Nxd1+ {winning just like in the game.} ) 36.Kg1 Rd1 $6 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 36...Ng4+ ) 37.Rxd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 37.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] defends everything. Black has to try to win the endgame a pawn up, but it's unclear whether this is possible.} ) 37...Nxd1+ {Now Lazavik wins a piece, and the game is over.} 38.Kf1 Bxc1 39.Ke2 Nc3+ 0-1

[Event "Main Event"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Pranav, Vijay"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2608"]
[ECO "A20"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8045417218109"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]

1.c4 {This is clearly the best first move available for White, with due respect to Fischer's 1.e4 \"best by test\" fans. But maybe I'm a little biased.} 1...e5 {Once my friend GM Ivan Morovic told me that against 1.c4 Black's only possible moves are either 1...e5 or 1...c5. I must confess that I never really understood what he meant with that.} 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 c6 ( 3...d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.O-O {leads to a Dragon Sicilian with reversed colors and no attack against the king. I can't think of a better outcome for White in the opening.} ) 4.d4 ( 4.Nf3 {is an important alternative.} ) 4...e4 {The other popular moves are 4...exd4 and 4...Bb4+.} ( 4...exd4 ) ( 4...Bb4+ ) 5.d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Preventing Black from playing d7-d5.} ( 5.Nc3 {is also often played.} ) 5...Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Bxd2+ $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 6...Qe7 {is more accurate.} ) 7.Qxd2 O-O 8.Nc3 Re8 9.e3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 9.Nh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better way to develop the knight. There's a nice tactical justification to it:} 9...d6 10.dxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10...bxc6 11.Ng5 d5 ( 11...Bf5 12.Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The e4-pawn is captured.} ) 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Ngxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...dxe4 14.Qxd8 Rxd8 15.Nxe4 {White's bishop is too strong.} 15...Nd5 16.Rd1 Nc6 17.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Nxc3 18.Rxd8+ Nxd8 19.Bxa8 Nxa2 20.Kd2 {with a winning endgame.} ) 9...d6 10.Nge2 c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 10...cxd5 {is more dynamic. Black gets a good position, for instance:} 11.Nxd5 Nxd5 12.Qxd5 Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.Bxe4 Be6 14.Qd2 Bxc4 15.Bxh7+ Kxh7 16.Qc2+ Kg8 17.Qxc4 d5 {followed by d5-d4, with excellent compensation for the pawn.} ) 11.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has a simple plan: g4-Ng3 and take the central pawn.} 11...Nbd7 ( 11...h5 12.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] doesn't help Black, as it's not advisable to open the h-file.} ) 12.Qc2 {Black desperately needs to create some counterplay and it seems that a timely …b7-b5 is the way to do it.} 12...Qe7 ( 12...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This should have been played straight away.} 13.cxb5 a6 {with a complicated game.} ) 13.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...h6 14.Ng3 b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 14...Ne5 {is better:} 15.Ncxe4 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again this is the only chance to complicate matters.} 17.cxb5 a6 {White is better, but anything can happen in a blitz game.} ) 15.cxb5 ( 15.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is immediately decisive. Black loses a bunch of pawns after} 15...Qf8 16.Nxb5 ) 15...a6 16.O-O axb5 ( 16...Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better chance, protecting the f5-square.} ) 17.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Qf8 18.Nxb5 Ba6 19.Nbxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 19.Nfxd6 {is much better. Black has no counterplay for the missing pawns.} ) 19...Reb8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 19...Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Before doing anything Black should place the bishop on the wonderful square. Of course this a move that is easy to miss in a blitz game.} 20.Qc1 Re5 {Black has good play.} ) 20.Nxe4 ( 20.Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is simpler.} ) 20...Nxe4 21.Qxe4 Bxf1 22.Rxf1 Rxa2 23.d6 {The game has clarified a little. White has a pawn for the exchange, considering that the b2-pawn will fall. His pieces are very active and his chances are preferable, but nothing is lost for Black yet.} 23...Rbxb2 ( 23...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. At this point it was difficult to imagine the problems the poor king will face in only a few moves.} 24.Ne7+ Kh7 ) 24.Ne7+ ( 24.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, with the same idea of the game, but such details are impossible with little time on the clock.} ) 24...Kh8 25.Qf5 Nf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This natural move loses.} ( 25...Ra7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary.} ) 26.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...hxg5 27.Qxg5 {Suddenly White has a very strong attack on the h-file.} 27...Rd2 {In a blitz game Gukesh managed to find the only winning move in this complicated position. His calculation skills are phenomenal.} 28.Be4 $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ( 28.Qh4+ {is not good. Black defends after} 28...Nh7 29.Be4 g6 30.Bxg6 Qg7 ) 28...Ng8 {A clever move: the knight wants to go to h6.} 29.Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again the only winning move.} 29...Nf6 ( 29...g6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30.Nxg6+ fxg6 31.Qxf8 ) 30.Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very accurate again.} 30...Nh5 ( 30...Ng8 31.Ng6+ $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This shows why the queen is important on f4.} 31...fxg6 32.Qxf8 ) 31.Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final move of the queen geometry.} ( 31.Ng6+ Kg8 {White has nothing better than repeating moves with 32.Ne7+} ) 31...Rxd6 ( 31...g6 32.Bxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Qh6 33.Bxh5 Rxd6 34.Nf5 {with a winning position for White.} ) 32.Qxh5+ Rh6 33.Qxc5 Qd8 34.Nc6 {White has a winning material advantage. The game ends quickly.} 34...Qh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35.Qf8# 1-0

[Event "Main Event"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sadhwani, Raunak"]
[Black "Lazavik, Denis"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2603"]
[BlackElo "2553"]
[ECO "C00"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[Beauty "6255485657096"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.O-O d5 {A fashionable line against the Anti-Berlin.} 7.Nbd2 ( 7.exd5 {is also possible:} 7...Qxd5 8.Bc4 Qd8 9.b4 Bd6 10.Nbd2 h6 11.Re1 Re8 {as in Gukesh-So, Tata Steel 2023.} ) 7...dxe4 8.dxe4 Qe7 {Ding preferred the immediate 8...a5 in a recent game that he lost against Firouzja.} ( 8...a5 9.Qc2 Qe7 10.a4 Nb8 11.h3 Rd8 12.Be2 Nbd7 13.Re1 {with chances for both sides. Firouzja-Ding, Bucharest 2023.} ) 9.Qc2 ( 9.b4 {is possible:} 9...Bd6 {Black will play a7-a5 in the next move. The position is full of small details and it's necessary to analyze many games to understand who is favored by the different pawn structures.} ) 9...h6 ( 9...a5 ) 10.a4 ( 10.b4 ) 10...a5 11.h3 Rd8 12.Re1 Nb8 ( 12...Be6 {is also possible.} ) 13.Nf1 {All this was played in the recent World Championship match, albeit with a different move order.} 13...c6 14.Bc4 Na6 15.Ng3 Qc7 {Black's plan is Bf8 followed by Nc5.} 16.Nh4 {A new move.} ( 16.Ba2 {This strange retreat was Nepomniachtchi's choice in the game. Although he later gained a very promising initiative, Black has nothing to fear at the moment.} 16...b5 ( 16...Bf8 {is also playable.} ) 17.Qe2 {Nepomniachtchi-Ding, World-ch Astana 2023. Here Ding should have played} 17...Bf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] sacrificing a pawn. After} 18.axb5 cxb5 19.Qxb5 Nc5 {Black has excellent compensation.} ) 16...Bf8 17.Qe2 Nc5 18.Qf3 {Both sides realize their natural plans.} 18...Nh7 {White was threatening 19.Bxh6.} 19.Nhf5 ( 19.Ng6 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a double-edged game.} ) 19...Be6 20.Bxe6 Nxe6 ( 20...fxe6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is worth considering, despite the doubled pawns.} 21.Ne3 Nd3 22.Rf1 Bc5 {with an active position for Black.} ) 21.Be3 Kh8 22.Qg4 Nf6 ( 22...h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The pawn cannot be taken because 23...g6 would follow, winning material.} 23.Qe2 g6 {The knight is pushed back and Black has a good position.} 24.Nh4 Bc5 ) 23.Qh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Both sides exchange blunders at this point.} 23...Ng8 $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 23...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen is trapped and White has to give up a piece.} 24.Bxg5 Nxg5 25.Nxh6 Bxh6 26.Qxh6+ Ngh7 {Black will play 27...Rg8 next and white's compensation is insufficient.} ) 24.Rad1 Rxd1 25.Rxd1 Rd8 ( 25...b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 26.Rxd8 Nxd8 {Now we have a balanced endgame on the board.} 27.Qg4 Ne6 28.Qd1 Bc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a tactical mistake.} ( 28...g6 {It's necessary to remove the intruder first.} 29.Nh4 Bc5 {with equality.} ) 29.Bxc5 Nxc5 30.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...axb4 31.cxb4 Na6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Mistakes never come alone, a disillusioned chess player once said.} ( 31...Ne6 32.Qd6 b5 {gives better saving chances, although White has a clear advantage after creating a passed pawn with} 33.a5 ) 32.Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is in big trouble.} 32...Qxd6 ( 32...f6 33.Qf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suddenly White gets a winning attack. It's never late to write again, while looking the piece on a6: a knight on the rim is dim.} ) ( 32...g6 33.Qxc7 Nxc7 34.Nd6 Kg7 35.Nxb7 Na6 {The pawn is regained, but the passer on a5 is too dangerous.} 36.Nc5 Nxb4 37.a5 Ne7 38.Kf1 {with excellent winning chances.} ) 33.Nxd6 Nxb4 34.Nxf7+ Kh7 35.Nxe5 {Naturally in a blitz game drawing chances remain, but Sadhwani converts the advantage with good technique.} 35...g6 36.a5 Nf6 37.Nc4 Nd7 38.f4 Kg7 39.Kf2 {Remember to centralize the king in the endgames.} 39...Kf6 40.Ke3 Ke6 41.Ne2 Nc5 42.Nd4+ Ke7 43.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Time to start pushing the pawns on the kingside.} 43...h5 44.Ne5 ( 44.f5 gxf5 45.Nxf5+ Kf6 46.Ng3 Kg6 47.Kd4 {with an easy win.} ) 44...Kf6 45.g4 hxg4 46.Nxg4+ Kf7 47.Ne5+ Kf6 48.Nc4 Kf7 49.Nf3 Nc2+ 50.Kd2 Nb4 51.Kc3 Nba6 52.Kd4 Kf6 53.Ng5 Nb3+ 54.Kc3 Nbc5 55.Nd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 55.Nb6 {is more accurate.} ) 55...Ke7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 55...b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's usually a good strategy to exchange pawns when you have an inferior endgame.} 56.axb6 Na4+ 57.Kd4 Nxb6 {with drawing chances.} ) 56.e5 Nc7 57.Kc4 N7a6 58.f5 gxf5 59.Nxf5+ Kd7 60.h5 Ne6 61.Nxe6 Kxe6 62.h6 {The h-pawn cannot be stopped.} 1-0

[Event "Main Event"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Sadhwani, Raunak"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2603"]
[ECO "E95"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7633234564698"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O h6 {An interesting sideline of the King's Indian that has recently become popular. The idea, I think, is to remove White's option to move the bishop to the g5-square. 8.Be3 is not attractive now due to 8...Ng4. Apart from that, the h7-square can be useful for the knight when preparing the typical f5-break, as we will see in the game.} 8.Re1 ( 8.dxe5 {is the first move that has to be analyzed if you are an opening expert, as it's necessary to understand whether White can get a favorable version of the exchange variation. According to current theory, Black should not be worried, for instance:} 8...dxe5 9.Qxd8 ( 9.Be3 {is more ambitious.} ) 9...Rxd8 10.Nxe5 Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Bxe5 12.Bxh6 Bxb2 {with equality.} ) 8...Nbd7 9.Bf1 b6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An extremely rare move.} ( 9...Nh7 {is the most popular move. It was tested in the last Olympiad.} 10.Be3 Ng5 11.Nxg5 hxg5 12.d5 a5 13.f3 Nc5 14.b3 b6 {with a complicated game, typical of the King's Indian. Melkumyan-Yakubboev, Chennai 2022.} ) 10.d5 {Maybe White should wait a little longer before closing the center.} ( 10.Qc2 {is an interesting alternative.} ) 10...a5 11.g3 Nc5 12.Bg2 Nh7 {Preparing the typical action derived from this pawn structure.} 13.Be3 f5 14.exf5 gxf5 15.Nh4 {Both sides were probably happy with this position since it was later played again in the match.} 15...Qf6 ( 15...f4 {looks dangerous for the human eye since White gets good control of the light squares. The computer, however, is not worried about Black's position.} 16.Bxc5 bxc5 17.Ne4 Ng5 {and it says Black is fine. I'm not in a position to disagree.} ) 16.Kh1 ( 16.Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better attempt to achieve an advantage.} 16...Rf7 17.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is more unpleasant now that the d4-square is controlled.} 17...e4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 17...exf4 {is better.} ) 18.Nd4 ) 16...e4 ( 16...Bd7 {is more solid, avoiding the knight jump to b5.} ) 17.Nb5 Nd3 18.Rf1 Qxb2 19.Rb1 {Only here Gukesh deviated and chose} ( 19.Qh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] in a later game of the match.} 19...Rf7 $6 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19...Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is winning, since the queen is trapped after} 20.Qg6 Ne5 ) 20.Bh3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20...Ng5 21.Bg2 {White won the game, although evidently not because of the opening.} ) 19...Qxa2 20.Nxc7 Ra7 21.Ne6 Bxe6 22.dxe6 Qxc4 {Both players navigate the complications very well.} 23.e7 ( 23.Ng6 {is also possible.} ) 23...Rxe7 24.Ng6 Ref7 25.Nxf8 Nxf8 {The position is totally chaotic. It's impossible to play it well, even in a classical game—now imagine doing it with only one minute on the clock.} 26.Rxb6 a4 ( 26...d5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] looks natural, but White's attack is strong after} 27.Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27.Rxd6 a3 28.Bxh6 Be5 29.Rd8 a2 30.Qh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a losing mistake.} ( 30.Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way:} 30...a1=Q 31.Rxa1 Bxa1 32.Qg5+ Kh7 ( 32...Bg7 $4 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] allows a neat combination:} 33.Rxf8+ $3 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 33...Kxf8 34.Qd8# ) 33.Bxf8 Nxf2+ 34.Kg1 Rxf8 35.Rxf8 Nh3+ 36.Bxh3 Qd4+ 37.Kg2 Qb2+ {with a draw by perpetual check.} ) 30...Nxf2+ $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Kg1 Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's amazing how resourceful both players are with so little time on the clock.} 32.h4 Ng4+ 33.Kh1 Nxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this mistake, the game is even again.} ( 33...a1=Q $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Qg6+ Bg7 35.Rxa1 Nxh6 {with a winning advantage.} ) 34.Qxh6 a1=Q 35.Qg5+ Rg7 ( 35...Kh7 36.Qh5+ Kg7 37.Qg5+ {Black cannot escape the draw. He has no advantage after} 37...Ng6 38.Rxa1 Bxa1 39.h5 ) 36.Qxf5 Qaa3 {Positions with more than two queens on the board are always exciting.} ( 36...Qxf1+ 37.Bxf1 {White has enough to play for a draw due to his activity and the lack of material on the board.} ) 37.Qe6+ Kh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder.} ( 37...Kh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Qf5+ ( 38.Bxe4+ Ng6 ) 38...Kh6 {leads to a draw in many ways. One of them is:} 39.Rxf8 Qxf8 40.Qxf8 Qxg3 41.Qh8+ Rh7 42.Qf8+ ) 38.Qh6+ Kg8 39.Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Unbelievable $1 White is winning now. There's no defense against 40.Be6+.} 39...Qxg3 40.Be6+ Rf7 41.Bxf7# 1-0

[Event "Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.23"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2829"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "A36"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7422777229320"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]

{[%evp 0,73,25,-25,19,2,15,11,8,11,11,4,4,2,-1,-3,5,8,6,19,20,21,15,18,52,47,43,40,77,75,89,89,79,89,75,75,75,75,82,84,94,89,93,72,68,27,78,79,104,100,120,121,108,102,93,106,91,92,93,96,103,97,93,98,101,88,92,94,83,85,81,80,89,90,102,84]} 
1.c4 c5 2.g3 Nc6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.Qd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This looks like an ugly move, but it has a clear positional foundation. White wants to develop the bishop with b3-Bb2. After completing this plan, the queen no longer looks so silly on d2.} 6...Nf6 {Black has several plans at his disposal.} ( 6...Qd7 {He can keep copying White's moves.} 7.b3 b6 8.Bb2 Bb7 9.Nd5 e5 {Aronian-Grischuk, Norway Chess 2019.} ) ( 6...e6 {This move prepares to develop the knight on e7, while keeping the structure solid.} ) ( 6...e5 {Here Black also prepares the development of the knight on e7 while fighting for space. Carlsen chose this option as Black in a blitz game.} 7.b3 Nge7 8.Bb2 Be6 9.Nd5 Qd7 10.e3 O-O 11.Ne2 Bh3 12.Bxh3 Qxh3 {with a good position for Black in Aronian-Carlsen, Tata Steel India (blitz) 2019.} ) 7.b3 O-O 8.Bb2 Bd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a bit passive.} ( 8...e6 {is a critical move, with the idea of playing d5.} ) 9.Nf3 ( 9.e3 {is also possible, developing the knight on e2.} ) 9...Rb8 10.O-O a6 {Anand wants to play b7-b5, gaining space on the queenside.} 11.Nd5 e6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Anand was critical of this move after the game. He mentioned he should have played e5.} ( 11...e5 {with a normal position.} ) 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 13.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The players felt this position was already unpleasant for Black. White has more space and a better pawn structure. All this had been played before in an amateur game.} 13...b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 13...Re8 $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 14.Rad1 {with a big advantage for White in Shibut-Beckman, Eastern op Tysons 2019.} ) ( 13...cxd4 14.Nxd4 {The d-pawn will give Black some headaches.} 14...Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Bxd4 16.Qxd4 Bc6 17.Rfd1 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Qa5 {Black has some drawing chances, although probably not against Carlsen.} ) ( 13...Qe7 {is more stubborn.} 14.Rad1 Rfd8 {White has a pleasant advantage, but nothing serious at the moment.} ) 14.dxc5 Bxb2 15.Qxb2 dxc5 16.cxb5 axb5 ( 16...Rxb5 17.Rfd1 {with an easily winning position. Black has many weaknesses and Nd2-e4 is a possible plan.} ) 17.Rfc1 {It turns out that the c5-pawn is doomed.} 17...c4 ( 17...Qe7 18.Qc3 {The pawn is lost anyway.} ) 18.bxc4 bxc4 19.Qc3 e5 20.Qxc4 {Black has some practical drawing chances in a rapid game, but against Carlsen it's nearly impossible to escape in a technical position.} 20...Qe7 21.h4 {Not an easy move. It gives the knight support on the g5-square, preparing to meet 21...e4.} ( 21.Qc5 {is tempting:} 21...Qxc5 22.Rxc5 e4 23.Ng5 f5 24.Rd1 Rfd8 25.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...h6 26.Nh3 e3 27.Nf4 {with excellent winning chances.} ) 21...Rfc8 ( 21...e4 {is a possibility, but White keeps the advantage after} 22.Ng5 Rb4 23.Qc5 ) 22.Qe4 Bf5 23.Qe3 e4 24.Ng5 Nb4 {Anand is trying his best to complicate the game.} 25.Rxc8+ $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25.Bxe4 {The computer indicates this move as more accurate. Without the machine, it's hard to judge how big is the advantage after} 25...Bxe4 26.Qxe4 Qxe4 27.Nxe4 Rxc1+ 28.Rxc1 Nxa2 29.Rc7 {It seems however, that the endgame is easily winning. White can play h5 or g4-g5 and Black's knight is far away from the battle, apart from the pawn advantage.} ) 25...Rxc8 26.Bxe4 Nc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Anand's idea.} ( 26...Bxe4 27.Qxe4 Qxe4 28.Nxe4 Ra8 {This actually leads to a similar endgame as in the previous note.} ) 27.Bxc2 Qxe3 28.fxe3 Rxc2 29.Kf1 ( 29.Nf3 {This looks very tempting, but it seems Black can hold after:} 29...Rxe2 30.Nd4 Rxe3 31.Nxf5 gxf5 32.a4 Rxg3+ 33.Kf2 Rb3 34.a5 Rb7 35.a6 Ra7 ) 29...Bc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With resourceful play Anand has achieved drawing chances.} 30.Nf3 Ba6 ( 30...Rc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is also possible:} 31.Kf2 Ra3 32.Nd4 Be6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with drawing chances.} ) 31.Nd4 Rc3 32.Kf2 Ra3 33.Nc2 Ra4 34.a3 {Carlsen methodically prepares the advance of the a-pawn.} 34...Bb7 35.Nb4 Kg7 36.Nd3 Ra5 37.Rb1 Bd5 38.Ra1 Be4 39.Nb2 {So far Anand showed great defensive skills in a difficult position, but now he makes a mistake.} 39...Kh6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The plan to activate the king leads nowhere. It's better to exchange pawns with} ( 39...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black can still fight for a draw.} ) 40.Nc4 Ra6 ( 40...Ra4 41.Nd6 Bd5 42.Rd1 Be6 43.Rd3 g5 44.hxg5+ Kxg5 45.Rc3 {White plans the transfer of the knight to c5 and has good winning chances.} ) 41.a4 Kh5 42.Nd2 {The poor knight worked hard in this game.} 42...Rf6+ 43.Nf3 Kg4 44.a5 ( 44.a5 Ra6 45.Ra4 f5 46.Ng5 {More material is lost.} ) 1-0

[Event "Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2694"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[ECO "D43"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7697810333229"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 {A solid choice. 6.Bh4 is the most aggressive option and leads to chaotic positions if Black accepts the pawn with 6...dxc4.} ( 6.Bh4 ) 6...Qxf6 7.e3 Nd7 8.Rc1 g6 9.Bd3 Qe7 10.O-O Bg7 11.Re1 ( 11.Qc2 {Radjabov beat Firouzja in 2021 with this move.} 11...O-O 12.Rfd1 dxc4 13.Bxc4 c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 13...b6 {is better, with equality.} ) 14.d5 {White had the initiative in Radjabov-Firouzja, Paris GCT (rapid) 2021.} ) 11...O-O 12.Qc2 dxc4 13.Bxc4 Rd8 {This is a typical position from the Semi-Slav. Black has the pair of bishops while White has more space, more freedom, and attacking chances. As usually is the case, the pawn structure will dictate the plans for both sides. Always look to the breaking points in the pawn chain. White can play for h4-h5 at some point (maybe after gaining space with e4-e5). A rupture on d5 with e5-d5 is also possible. Meanwhile, Black can strive, after finishing development, for a break with …c7-c5 and in some rare cases with …e6-e5. Another pawn play is also possible for Black, as we're about to see.} 14.a3 a5 {A new move.} ( 14...b6 {is by far the most popular move, preparing to finish development.} ) 15.Ba2 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's idea becomes clear: he wants to play …b5-b4, dislodging the knight and creating active play. This is a plan typical of Wei's dynamic style.} 16.e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This allows Black to achieve a good position.} ( 16.Ne4 {is more accurate, with balanced play after} 16...Bb7 17.Qe2 ) 16...b4 17.Na4 Bb7 ( 17...bxa3 {Capturing the pawn is also possible and leads to a good position for Black.} 18.bxa3 Qxa3 19.Re3 Qe7 {Now taking the c-pawn is dangerous since Black's pieces become very active after} 20.Qxc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20...Ba6 ) 18.Qb3 Rab8 {Wei misses a few chances to play the desired …c6-c5 in this game.} ( 18...c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19.dxc5 ( 19.Nxc5 Nxc5 20.dxc5 Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.axb4 Rdb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn will be captured with the rook, and Black has a clear advantage.} ) 19...Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with an excellent position.} ) 19.Qe3 ( 19.axb4 Ba8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] preparing to capture on b4 with the rook.} ) 19...Ba6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move gives Black a clear advantage.} 20.d5 ( 20.Nxc5 Nxc5 21.Rxc5 Bxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins material.} ) ( 20.dxc5 Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight is attacked, and the b2-pawn is also a problem.} ) 20...exd5 21.Bxd5 Bxd5 22.exd5 Qd6 {The d-pawn is about to fall.} ) 20.e5 bxa3 ( 20...Bf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a clever move, since now White cannot defend the a3-pawn with the rook.} 21.h4 ( 21.axb4 Rxb4 {with advantage for Black.} ) 21...bxa3 22.bxa3 Qxa3 23.Nc3 {White has some compensation for the pawn, but not enough for equality.} ) 21.bxa3 Bf8 22.Rc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now this is possible.} 22...Bb5 23.Nc5 Nxc5 24.Rxc5 ( 24.dxc5 {This is also possible. It's hard to say without deep analysis whether it's better to capture this way or as in the game.} ) 24...Qb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 24...Qa7 25.Rc3 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again Black manages to play the typical pawn breakthrough. This time it's enough to achieve equal play after} 26.dxc5 Rbc8 27.h4 ( 27.Rec1 $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a tactical mistake since the c5-pawn is not protected.} 27...Bxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Rxc5 Rxc5 29.Rxc5 Rd1+ ) 27...Rxc5 28.h5 ) 25.Rc3 Ba6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 25...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again this move is correct:} 26.dxc5 Bc6 {with some compensation for the pawn.} ) 26.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's attack is very strong now.} 26...Qb2 27.Bb1 a4 {Preparing 28...Rb3.} 28.Rxc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White should not have diverted his attention from Black's king.} ( 28.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a strong attack, for instance:} 28...Rb3 29.Rxb3 Qxb3 30.Qe4 Qd5 31.Qg4 g5 32.Nxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a crushing attack. Capturing the knight loses after} 32...hxg5 33.Qxg5+ Kh8 34.h6 {with mate to follow.} ) 28...Bb7 29.Rc7 Rbc8 30.Rxb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An optimistic exchange sacrifice.} ( 30.Rxc8 {is objectively better:} 30...Rxc8 31.h5 Qxa3 32.Qf4 g5 33.Bh7+ $3 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] An important tactical resource.} 33...Kxh7 34.Qxf7+ Kh8 35.Qxb7 {with a complicated position that is evaluated as equal by the machine.} ) 30...Qxb7 31.h5 gxh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best way to neutralize the attack.} ( 31...g5 {is dangerous because White can sacrifice the knight on g5 at some point, maybe even now.} 32.Qd3 ( 32.Nxg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 32...hxg5 33.Qxg5+ Kh8 34.Qf6+ Bg7 35.Qg5 {A funny idea by the computer. Black is better, but not yet winning after} 35...Rxd4 36.h6 Rg8 37.hxg7+ Rxg7 38.Qh5+ Kg8 39.g3 ) 32...Bg7 33.Nxg5 {is also possible and now Black has to find the difficult} 33...Qb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] to keep the advantage.} ( 33...hxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is not good after} 34.Qh7+ Kf8 35.h6 ) ) 32.Nd2 ( 32.Qd3 Bg7 {The bishop on g7 defends against everything.} ) 32...Bg7 $6 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 32...Qb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to win:} 33.Ne4 Rxd4 34.Nf6+ Kh8 {White is unable to bring the queen to h7.} ) 33.Ne4 Qb2 ( 33...Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 34.Bd3 Qxa3 35.Nf6+ Kf8 ) 34.Nf6+ $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The losing move.} ( 34.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has compensation after the correct knight move.} ) 34...Kf8 {The attack is finally repelled.} 35.d5 ( 35.Rd1 {is not enough to save the d-pawn.} 35...Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 35...Bxf6 36.dxe6 Qxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Qxh6+ Bg7 38.Rxe5 Rd1+ 39.Kh2 Bxh6 {A very interesting, fighting game.} 0-1

[Event "Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Sindarov, Javokhir"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2596"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Beauty "7561310896137"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.d3 a6 6.Nd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The game quickly enters uncharted territory. There are only 40 games in my database with this move, which is quite a feat for move six in such a mainstream opening as the Italian.} 6...Nxd5 ( 6...h6 {was Anand's choice when facing this position.} 7.c3 d6 8.h3 Ba7 9.a4 Be6 10.a5 Bxd5 11.exd5 Ne7 12.d4 exd4 13.Nxd4 O-O {Black later won the battle of the legends. Kramnik x Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2019.} ) 7.Bxd5 {The best way to capture.} ( 7.exd5 Nd4 {leads to equality. Capturing the pawn on e5 is bad:} 8.Nxd4 ( 8.Nxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 8...d6 ( 8...Qe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is not effective since White can simply castle.} 9.O-O ) 9.Nf3 Bg4 {with the initiative.} ) 8...Bxd4 ) 7...O-O 8.O-O ( 8.Bxc6 {Of course, the e5-pawn cannot be captured due to an old trick:} 8...dxc6 9.Nxe5 $4 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 9...Qd4 ) 8...d6 9.c3 Qf6 10.a4 ( 10.b4 {This is a natural alternative, trying to gain space on the queenside.} ) 10...a5 11.h3 h6 {It's usually good to reply to an h3-move with ...h6, making clear to your opponent that you're also patient. Slow maneuvers begin, and the evaluation (equality) doesn't change for a long time.} 12.Bb3 Ba7 13.Be3 Be6 14.Re1 Bxe3 15.Rxe3 Rad8 16.Bxe6 Qxe6 17.d4 {White finally takes some concrete action in the center. Now Black has a choice: whether to keep the central tension or play ...17...exd4.} 17...Ne7 ( 17...exd4 {is also playable. This capture is attractive when the white pawn is on a4, since the knight can use b4 as a strong point.} 18.cxd4 ( 18.Nxd4 {is also natural, but I don't think Black has much to fear after the exchange of knights.} 18...Nxd4 19.cxd4 ( 19.Qxd4 b6 ) 19...f5 {with an equal position.} ) 18...Nb4 {The knight is well placed here, and the position is more or less equal.} ( 18...d5 {is also possible:} 19.e5 f6 ) ) 18.Qe2 ( 18.d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is premature. Black is ready to play ...f7-f5 after} 18...Qd7 ) ( 18.b4 {is an interesting way to create more action on the queenside.} ) 18...c6 {Black decides to avoid a queen invasion on b5.} 19.Qc2 ( 19.c4 {changes the pawn structure, but Black can play} 19...c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 20.d5 Qd7 {Followed by the ...f7-f5 push.} ) ( 19.Rd1 {doesn't change the character of the game after} 19...Ng6 ) 19...Ng6 20.Rd1 Rfe8 21.Kh2 Nf4 22.Rd2 Qc8 23.Qb3 Qc7 24.g3 Ne6 {Both players showed considerable patience during the maneuvering phase, but now the fireworks are about to begin.} 25.h4 {It's not clear what this move achieves.} ( 25.Qd1 {Maybe this is more accurate.} ) 25...exd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Praggnanandhaa changes the pawn structure at the right time.} 26.cxd4 ( 26.Nxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26...Nc5 27.Qc2 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.e5 {The only move in order to avoid being left with an isolated pawn.} 27...c5 {White has many options, all of them leading to a more or less drawn position.} 28.Rc3 ( 28.dxc5 d4 {This looks very dangerous for White, but it's also balanced.} 29.Red3 {with equality.} ) ( 28.Qb5 cxd4 29.Nxd4 Nxd4 30.Rxd4 Rxe5 31.Rxe5 Qxe5 32.Rd2 {White regains the pawn with a likely draw.} ) 28...Qe7 ( 28...c4 {This advance tends to be positionally dangerous, and a human would be afraid of playing it. White can try to break the pawn chain with b2-b3, getting a better pawn structure. That being said, the computer shows the position is also equal, for instance:} 29.Qb5 Qc6 30.Qxc6 bxc6 31.b3 cxb3 32.Rxb3 Rb8 33.Rdb2 Rxb3 34.Rxb3 Rc8 {followed by ...c6-c5.} ) ( 28...Qc6 {is a good alternative.} ) 29.Qb6 ( 29.dxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29...Nxc5 {followed by 30...Ne4, winning the exchange.} ) ( 29.Qb5 {leads to a draw after} 29...cxd4 30.Nxd4 Nxd4 31.Rxd4 Qxe5 32.Re3 ( 32.Rcd3 ) 32...Qxd4 33.Rxe8+ Rxe8 34.Qxe8+ Kh7 35.Qxf7 ) 29...Nxd4 30.Nxd4 cxd4 31.Rxd4 ( 31.Qxd4 Qxe5 {should end in a draw. I suspect Sindarov was still playing for the win and trying to avoid drawing variations.} ) 31...Qxe5 32.Rcd3 ( 32.Re3 {Again we have a draw:} 32...Qf6 ( 32...Qf5 33.Kg2 {is a bit dangerous for Black.} ) 33.Qxf6 gxf6 34.Rxe8+ Rxe8 35.Rxd5 Re2 36.Rb5 Rxf2+ 37.Kg1 ( 37.Kh3 {doesn't change the evaluation.} ) 37...Rc2 38.Rxb7 Kg7 ) 32...Rd6 33.Qxa5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is the beginning of White's problems.} ( 33.Qxb7 Rf6 34.Rd2 Rxf2+ 35.Rxf2 Qxd4 36.Qxf7+ Kh7 {with a draw.} ) 33...Rf6 34.Rd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 34.Kg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 34...Qe2 {and the f2-pawn can't be defended.} ) ( 34.Qd2 Qe2 35.Rf4 Rxf4 36.Qxe2 ( 36.gxf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 36...Qg4 ) 36...Rxe2 ( 36...Rxh4+ 37.gxh4 Rxe2 38.Kg3 Rxb2 39.Rxd5 {with a theoretical draw in the rook endgame.} ) 37.gxf4 Rxf2+ 38.Kg3 Rxb2 39.Rxd5 {with an easy draw, but I'd rather make a draw a pawn up than a pawn down.} ) 34...Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suddenly the position becomes very dangerous for White.} 35.Qxd5 ( 35.Kg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 35...Rxf2+ 36.Rxf2 Qxa5 ) 35...Rxf2+ 36.Rxf2 Qxf2+ 37.Kh3 Re3 38.Rg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The losing move.} ( 38.Qg2 {is necessary. The position is ugly, but there's no winning blow available for Black.} ) 38...Qf1+ {The simplest way to win.} 39.Qg2 Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.Qd2 ( 40.h5 {is the only way not to lose the rook, but the game will soon be over after} 40...Qxh5+ 41.Rh4 Qe5 ) 40...Re4 41.Qd1 h5 0-1

[Event "Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.26"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Sadhwani, Raunak"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[ECO "B13"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[Beauty "6598948832269"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4 {This is another Queen's Pawn sideline that's very popular in online blitz games. I have faced it countless times. What makes it so popular $2 This system leads to sharp positions where White dictates the character of the play. It quickly brings the game to positions where most players have never cared to study. Just look at my case: as I wrote, I have faced this many times online. Even so, I never studied a single line of theory here, always playing the position as Black \"by ear.\" It's a kind of prejudice: I never took this system seriously. Maybe it's time to study it and start improving my play against it in the next Titled Tuesday.} 3...c5 4.e3 ( 4.e4 {This is an interesting move that has been played by Olexandr Bortnyk, a blitz machine, many times.} ) 4...cxd4 5.exd4 a6 {Avoiding the annoying Nc3-b5 once and for all.} 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Ne5 Bd7 {This position is well-known for both players.} 8.g3 {When I was young, my first teacher told me never to play g3 when I had a bishop on f4. Chess has advanced, and childhood memories are in the distant past.} ( 8.Be2 {is a normal development move.} ) ( 8.g4 {Sadhwhani tried this aggressive move this year.} 8...e6 9.g5 Ng8 10.Nxc6 Bxc6 11.h4 Bd6 12.Qd2 Ne7 {with a balanced game in Sadhwani-Firouzja, Airthings 2023.} ) 8...e6 9.Bg2 Nxe5 {Not afraid of the pawn capture.} ( 9...Qb6 10.Nxd7 Nxd7 11.O-O $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to sharp play.} ) 10.dxe5 Ng8 {How can this position be playable for Black when on the 10th move nearly all of his pieces are in the initial position $2 I hear the curious reader ask. Always look at the pawn structure; it will usually give you all the answers for life's existence. There are no meaningful pawn breaks, and the center is closed, so Black is in time to develop the pieces without suffering major injuries.} 11.O-O Ne7 12.Re1 Ng6 13.Be3 Qc7 {Of course, taking on e5 can't even be considered with that rook on e1. But} ( 13...Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the way to go.} 14.Bd4 Ne7 15.a3 Ba5 16.b4 Bb6 {with an equal position.} ) 14.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good move to disturb the knight.} 14...Bc5 15.Bxc5 Qxc5 16.Qg4 Ne7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Clever play. The pawn on g7 cannot be captured.} 17.Rad1 ( 17.Qxg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17...Rg8 18.Qxh7 Rxg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a much better position for Black.} ) 17...Bc6 18.h5 h6 {After many adventures, we get a French-like pawn structure, something that is always somewhat scary for the player with the black pieces.} 19.Rd2 ( 19.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, immediately preparing to land the knight on d4.} 19...Qxc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is bad because now White can take on g7.} 20.Qxg7 ) 19...O-O 20.a3 a5 21.Ne2 Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Nd4 Nc6 23.Nf3 Ba6 {With some clever maneuvering, Praggnanandhaa is ready to push the pawns on the queenside and can hope for equality.} 24.c3 b5 25.Nd4 Nxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's usually difficult to evaluate changes in pawn structure. That's why this move, with its apparent simplicity, is actually not so easy to play. I suspect that Praggnanandhaa wanted to avoid any possible Nxe6 trick by his opponent.} ( 25...b4 {is a bit primitive.} 26.cxb4 ( 26.Nxc6 bxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is good for Black.} ) ( 26.Nxe6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Not necessary, but this is the first line of the computer.} 26...fxe6 27.Qxe6+ Kh8 28.Qd6 {with a complicated position where White gets three pawns for a knight.} ) 26...axb4 27.Nxc6 Qxc6 28.Qxb4 {Black has some compensation, but a pawn is a pawn.} ) ( 25...Rab8 {allows the mentioned sacrifice.} 26.Nxe6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 26...fxe6 27.Qxe6+ Kh8 28.Qxd5 Qxd5 29.Rxd5 {with a more comfortable position for White.} ) 26.cxd4 ( 26.Qxd4 {is also possible, but this is a playable fake French position for Black.} ) 26...Qc7 27.f4 b4 28.axb4 axb4 ( 28...Rab8 $5 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is interesting, sacrificing the pawn.} 29.bxa5 Qxa5 {with compensation.} ) 29.Qf3 Qe7 30.Qe3 Bc4 31.Bf3 Ra2 32.g4 Rfa8 33.g5 Ra1 {Both sides show high class in this game. Good moves are played and, better than that, moves that we can understand. In chess, however, after a calm comes a storm. The game will soon become sharp.} 34.Rg2 $6 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 34.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 35.Kh2 {is better.} ) 34...hxg5 35.fxg5 Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong move, bringing the bishop to the excellent f5-square, where it can attack and defend.} 36.Kh2 Bf5 37.Rc1 Rxc1 38.Qxc1 Qa7 39.Qf4 Rc8 40.h6 ( 40.Bxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad because of} 40...Rd8 ) ( 40.g6 {is also possible with equal chances.} ) 40...g6 ( 40...Qa1 {has the good point of preparing a heavy-piece invasion on the first rank, but White can reply} 41.Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...Rc1 42.Rf2 {and it seems he is escaping in this dangerous position.} ) ( 40...Bg6 {is a clever computer move, preparing Qa1-Rc1.} ) 41.Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...Rc4 42.Rd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 42.Bxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right move.} 42...exf5 ( 42...gxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 43.g6 ) ( 42...Rxd4 43.Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43...Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 43...Rxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 44.Qf6 ) 44.Qf6 Qxf6 45.exf6 Rxe4 46.Kg3 {White's pawn structure is so strong that he is not in danger of losing.} ) 43.e6 Qxd4 44.Qxd4 Rxd4 45.Rc2 fxe6 46.Rc8+ Kh7 47.Rc7+ {with perpetual check.} ) 42...Qc7 43.Bxf5 exf5 ( 43...gxf5 {is also interesting.} ) 44.Kg3 Rc1 45.Rg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The losing move. Black has no way to break White's defense after} ( 45.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 45...Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook comes to e4, and the game is decided.} 46.Qd2 Re4 47.Kh2 Qc4 48.b3 Qxb3 {The right snack.} ( 48...Qxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} 49.Qxd4 Rxd4 50.Kh3 {Avoiding ...Rh4+.} 50...Rd3+ 51.Kh2 Rxb3 ( 51...Re3 52.Rc2 ) 52.Rd2 {White achieves a draw in the rook endgame.} ) 49.e6 Rxe6 50.Qf4 Qe3 {The rest is easy for such a good player.} 51.Qxe3 Rxe3 52.Ra2 Re4 53.Kh3 Rg4 54.Ra5 Rxg5 55.Rxd5 Rg4 56.Rd7 b3 0-1

[Event "Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Sindarov, Javokhir"]
[Black "Bjerre, Jonas"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2596"]
[BlackElo "2535"]
[ECO "B94"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Beauty "6327317071397"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 Nbd7 {Nowadays, this move is at least as popular as the old main line with 6...e6.} 7.Qe2 {The development of the queen on e2 is the modern approach, either now or after 7.f4. This plan was analyzed extensively in Negi's 1.e4 repertoire book, in my opinion, one of the best opening books ever written.} 7...e6 8.O-O-O Qc7 9.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 9.f4 {transposes to a well-known position that can arise through a different move order. The move played is very interesting and leads to less explored positions.} ) 9...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The safest move, taking the bishop out of its menacing post.} ( 9...b5 {is also possible, but I feel that White has even more attacking options here.} ) 10.Bd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Not the most imposing square, but in chess, as in life, you can't always get what you want.} 10...b5 11.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to stop the b-pawn.} 11...Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Both players show excellent preparation.} ( 11...Bb7 {has been tested in correspondence games, with good results for White after} 12.f4 ) 12.f4 {The position is fresh, and White can look for interesting alternatives.} ( 12.Be1 $5 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] I imagine Karpov would play this prophylactic move. When he was a king's pawn player, he won many games with subtle play in dynamic positions. The idea is to avoid the b5-b4 advance.} 12...Be7 {This or 12...g6 are the best options.} ( 12...b4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is no longer good because of} 13.axb4 Rxb4 14.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight on d4 is now protected and Black loses material.} ) ( 12...g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is a typical Sicilian move and I would easily play something like this. The computer, however, is less impressed with this move, and its evaluation is more reliable than mine, I think.} 13.h4 Rg8 14.hxg5 hxg5 15.Kb1 Ne5 16.f3 {The machine is very happy with White's position.} ) ( 12...g6 ) 13.h4 {[%c_arrow h1h3;keyPressed;none;from;h1;opacity;0.8;to;h3;persistent;false][%c_highlight h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false] I prefer White. It's always difficult to play as Black with this pawn on h6 and without really having the chance to castle. White can play Rh3 to bring the rook to the game. That said, Black is not without chances and the position remains complicated.} ) ( 12.h4 {This is also better than the move played in the game.} 12...b4 13.axb4 Rxb4 14.Nb3 {The rook can be developed with style on h3.} ) 12...b4 13.axb4 Rxb4 14.Be1 {A new move.} ( 14.Nb3 {was tested before:} 14...Be7 ( 14...Nb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is weaker. White was better after} 15.Kb1 {in Christiansen-Navara, Terme Catez 2021.} ) ) 14...Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forcing the knight back.} 15.Nb3 Be7 16.Bf2 $6 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16.Bg2 {is better.} ) 16...Qc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16...Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to an unpleasant position for White.} 17.Bxc5 ( 17.Nxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17...dxc5 18.b3 Qa5 {White is helpeless against the atack with c5-c4.} ) ( 17.Kb1 Qb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 17...dxc5 {with a much better position for Black.} ) 17.g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17.Kb1 {is stronger. After} 17...Nc5 18.Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position is unclear.} ) 17...hxg5 ( 17...Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Here or on the next move Black could have taken this pawn. I suppose the players saw this, but it's not easy to evaluate White's compensation. The computer shows it's clearly insufficient.} 18.Nxe4 Rxb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 18.fxg5 Nh5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 18...Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is again the best move.} 19.Nxe4 Rxb3 ) 19.Qd2 Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right way to attack, as we've seen in the variations before. This move is strong because it removes one of the key defenders of the king.} 20.Nxc5 dxc5 21.g6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black will be the one benefiting from open f-file.} ( 21.Be3 {is better.} ) 21...fxg6 22.Rg1 O-O 23.Rxg6 Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Kb1 {Bjerre will miss many winning chances on the next moves.} 24...Bf6 ( 24...Qa3 {looks very tempting, but it's not the best.} 25.b3 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Bxc4 Rxc4 27.bxc4 Qb4+ 28.Kc1 Rxf2 29.Qxf2 Qxc3 {Black is much better and it's hard to be sad about this position, but there are easier paths.} ) ( 24...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate. Black prepares a deadly sacrifice on b2. But to play this move, you have to know what to do after:} 25.Na2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is not a problem when you the help of a silicon friend.} 25...Rxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Qxf2 Ra4 27.Qd2 Rxa2 28.Qxa5 Rxa5 29.Bxc4 Re5 {The endgame is winning for Black.} ) 25.Rxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way to keep fighting. The bishop is too strong.} 25...Nxf6 26.e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26.b3 {offers more resistance.} ) 26...Ng4 27.Bg3 Qb6 ( 27...Rxf1 $3 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] is a nice move that wins by force:} 28.Rxf1 Ra4 {This is the point. Now the queen is unprotected.} 29.Nxa4 ( 29.Kc1 Ra1+ 30.Nb1 Rxb1+ 31.Kxb1 Qxd2 ) 29...Qxd2 ) 28.b3 ( 28.Qc1 {is more stubborn.} ) 28...Rd4 ( 28...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is devastating:} 29.Na2 cxb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Nxb4 bxc2+ 31.Kxc2 Ne3+ {White's position collapses.} ) 29.Bd3 Rfd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a clear mistake and now White gets back into the game.} ( 29...Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook is better placed here and the position is still winning.} 30.Qe2 Bb7 ) 30.Qe2 {Now the position is totally unclear and chaotic.} 30...Qa5 ( 30...c4 {is interesting:} 31.Bxc4 Ne3 32.Rxd4 Qxd4 33.Bd3 {The complications continue in this balanced position.} ) 31.Kb2 Qc7 32.Rf1 Nh6 33.Bc4 {Though the machine indicates equality, the position is more difficult to play with Black because his king not safe.} 33...Qe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A natural defensive move that is a mistake.} ( 33...Rd2 34.Qh5 R2d4 ) ( 33...Qb7 ) 34.Ne4 Rf8 35.Rg1 $6 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35.Bf2 {is clearly better for White.} ) 35...Bb7 36.Nf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Kh8 ( 36...gxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses in many ways, for instance:} 37.Bf4+ Kh7 38.Qh5 Rxf4 39.Qg6+ ) 37.Bf2 Rf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 37...gxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only move to survive:} 38.Bxd4 cxd4 39.Qh5 Qh7 40.exf6 Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is not going to be mated, but White has compensation for the piece.} ) 38.Be3 R4xf6 39.exf6 ( 39.Bg5 {also wins after} 39...Rf2 40.Bxe7 Rxe2 41.Bxf8 ) 39...Qxf6+ 40.Kb1 Nf5 41.Bxc5 Rc8 42.Ba3 Bd5 43.Bb2 {White's bishops are too strong.} 43...Qh4 44.Bd3 Rc7 45.Qe5 Qf2 46.Rf1 Qc5 47.Rf4 ( 47.Rxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins after} 47...exf5 48.Qxf5 Kg8 49.Ba3 Qg1+ 50.Ka2 {with too many threats.} ) 47...Kg8 48.Rg4 Qd6 49.Qe1 Rf7 50.Rb4 ( 50.h4 {Followed by h5 is a sensible plan.} ) 50...Qxh2 51.Ka2 Qg3 52.Qc3 Qd6 ( 52...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives better hopes.} ) 53.Ra4 Bb7 54.Rg4 Qd7 55.Qb4 Ne3 56.Rh4 Nf5 57.Rh3 Qc7 58.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen comes to the attack and it's all over.} 58...Qa5+ 59.Ba3 Qd2 60.Qg6 Rf8 61.Qxe6+ {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Winner]} 1-0

[Event "Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.06.28"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[ECO "C18"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[Beauty "5841981817387"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Nc6 7.Qg4 g6 {Back in 2004, my friend GM Andrés Rodriguez visited my town and, during breaks of his main activity (playing the game \"Burnout\" on PlayStation 2), he analyzed this obscure sideline of the Winawer with the computer, trying to convince me of its correctness. Naturally my reaction was, as good friends always do, to try to dismiss the line as unplayable, at the same time nicknaming 7...g6 as the \"PlayStation Variation'. What I couldn't imagine is that my friend would be brave enough to start testing it, achieving excellent results and becoming its main specialist. Today, as I witnessed Carlsen playing it, I texted my friend to tell him that finally the PlayStation line gained the deserved spotlight and that he was almost 20 years ahead of his time.} 8.h4 {White has many attempts to refute Black's daring play. Anand goes to a very direct approach.} 8...h6 9.h5 g5 10.f4 Qa5 ( 10...f5 {is more popular and was played by Carlsen in 2022.} 11.Qg3 g4 12.dxc5 Qa5 {Giri-Carlsen, Wch Blitz Almaty 2022.} ) 11.Bd2 f5 12.Qg3 g4 {Black closes the the kingside and now creates the positional threat of closing the queenside as well with ...c5-c4. White must act.} 13.dxc5 {A natural move and the same idea that was tried in the Giri-Carlsen game, but here Anand had a tempting option.} ( 13.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Qa4 14.dxc5 Nge7 ( 14...dxc4 15.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is good for White.} ) 15.Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15...Qxb3 16.cxb3 {with advantage in the the endgame.} ) 13...Nge7 14.Bd3 Qxc5 15.Ne2 Na5 ( 15...Bd7 {is less accurate:} 16.Be3 Qa5 17.O-O O-O 18.Rfb1 {with some pressure for White, although the game was soon agreed draw in Motylev-Kruppa, Predeal 2007.} ) 16.Qf2 Qxf2+ 17.Kxf2 {The endgame is more or less equal, but maybe it's easier for Black to play. He will be doing all the pressing from now on.} 17...Bd7 18.a4 Kf7 19.Rhb1 b6 20.Bc1 {A typical maneuver in the French. The bishop goes to the a3-f8 diagonal.} 20...Nec6 ( 20...Nc4 {is also possible, for instance:} 21.Nd4 Rhc8 22.Nb5 Bxb5 23.axb5 Rc7 24.Ra4 {with a slight advantage for White.} ) 21.Ba3 Nd8 {An interesting move to maneuver the knight that took me by surprise when I was following the game.} ( 21...Nc4 {is the move I expected.} 22.Bxc4 dxc4 {The game will probably end in a draw. Carlsen probably wanted to preserve more fighting chances.} ) 22.Bb4 Ndb7 23.Nd4 Rhb8 24.Nb3 ( 24.Bb5 {is a better attempt. Black must react with} 24...Be8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24...Nc4 ( 24...Nxb3 {is a good alternative:} 25.Rxb3 ( 25.cxb3 {it's tempting to rearrange the pawn structure, but Black is fine after} 25...a5 26.Ba3 Nc5 ) 25...a5 26.Ba3 Nc5 27.Bxc5 bxc5 28.Bb5 {with a likely draw.} ) 25.Bxc4 dxc4 26.Nd4 Rc8 27.a5 b5 28.Rd1 Be8 29.Ne2 a6 30.Rd4 Rd8 31.Rad1 Rxd4 32.Rxd4 {It looks like the game will soon end in a draw, but Carlsen has this extraordinary ability of turning drawish positions into full points.} 32...Bc6 33.Rd2 ( 33.Ng3 {is a prophylactic option in order to avoid Black's next move.} ) 33...g3+ $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A very nice move, sacrificing a pawn to bring the rook to life on the g-file.} 34.Kg1 ( 34.Nxg3 Rg8 35.Rd4 Rg4 {White is in zugzwang. Any piece he moves loses material, but he is not worse.} 36.Ba3 Nxa5 37.Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Rxf4+ 38.Ke3 Rg4 39.Ne2 {with sufficient counterplay. Of course, going for this position is a very difficult choice during the game.} ) 34...Rg8 35.Nd4 Rd8 $5 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 36.Bd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This gives Black some chances.} ( 36.Re2 Be4 37.Re1 {it's difficult for Black to play for a win here.} ) 36...Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Bb4 Rd5 {Incredible precision. Carlsen wants to play Nd8-c6.} 38.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 38.Re2 Nd8 39.Re3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White is not in time to capture the pawn:} 39...Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] winning, since the knight cannot be captured.} ) 38...Nd8 39.Ke1 {Anand defends well. The king protects the rook and the d4-knight is not pinned anymore.} 39...Nc6 40.Ne2 ( 40.Nxc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 40...Rxd2 41.Kxd2 Bxc6 {The g2-pawn falls.} ) 40...Rxd2 41.Kxd2 Bxg2 42.Nxg3 Bf3 43.Ke3 Bd1 44.Kd2 Bg4 45.Ke3 Ke8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It turns out the draw is not so easy.} 46.Kd2 Ne7 47.Bxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way, otherwise the knight lands on d5.} 47...Kxe7 {This is a critical position of the game. The computer indicates a draw, but it took me a long time to understand it without turning the engine on. My conclusion is that a human can easily evaluate the position as losing for White, since the path to safety is very narrow.} 48.Kc1 $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A losing move.} ( 48.Ne2 {It's necessary to go for a pawn endgame that looks losing to humans, but it's a draw for machines.} 48...Bxe2 ( 48...Bxh5 49.Nd4 Be8 50.Ke2 {White creates a fortress. Black's king cannot reach the queenside and the king will protect everything on g3.} ) 49.Kxe2 Kd7 50.Ke3 Kc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 50...Kc6 51.Kd4 ) 51.Kf3 Kc6 52.Ke2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 52.Ke3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 52...Kc5 ) 52...Kc5 53.Ke3 b4 {I'd probably resign here as White, but the position is drawn.} 54.cxb4+ Kxb4 55.Kd4 c3 ( 55...Kxa5 $4 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] even loses:} 56.Kc5 Ka4 57.Kd6 ) 56.Kd3 Kxa5 57.Kxc3 Kb5 58.Kb3 Kc5 ( 58...a5 59.c4+ Kc5 60.Ka4 Kxc4 61.Kxa5 Kd5 62.Kb6 {transposes to the main line.} ) 59.Ka4 Kd4 60.Ka5 Ke4 61.c4 ( 61.Kxa6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 61...Kxf4 ) 61...Kd4 62.Kxa6 Kxc4 63.Kb6 Kd5 64.Kc7 Ke4 65.Kd6 Kxf4 66.Kxe6 Kg5 67.Kd5 f4 68.e6 f3 69.e7 f2 70.e8=Q f1=Q {with a draw.} ) 48...Kd7 {Now the king joins the party.} 49.Kb2 Kc6 50.Ka2 Kd5 51.Ka3 Kc5 52.Kb2 Bd1 53.Kc1 Bf3 54.Kb2 b4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The most natural move in the world, but not the best. This allows White to escape.} ( 54...Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to transfer the bishop first. The winning idea is:} 55.Ne2 Be8 56.Ng3 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 57.cxb4+ Kd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop controls the break b4-b5 and the king can safely march to the kingside.} ) 55.cxb4+ Kd4 ( 55...Kxb4 56.c3+ Kxa5 57.Ka2 {White has a fortress: he can keep waiting with Ka2-b2.} ) 56.c3+ Kd3 ( 56...Ke3 {This leads to study-like draw.} 57.Nxf5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move $1} 57...exf5 58.b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 58...axb5 59.e6 Kd2 60.e7 Bc6 61.a6 b4 62.a7 bxc3+ 63.Ka2 c2 64.e8=Q {with a miracle escape for White.} 64...Bxe8 ( 64...c1=Q 65.Qxc6 ) 65.a8=Q c1=Q {White's king is in a stalemate position. White \"only\" needs to give the queen away.} 66.Qg2+ Ke3 ( 66...Kc3 67.Qg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 67.Qf3+ Kd4 68.Qd5+ {with a draw.} ) 57.b5 axb5 58.a6 Kd2 59.a7 Bd5 ( 59...b4 60.Nf1+ Ke2 61.Ng3+ Kd2 62.Nf1+ {with perpetual check.} ) 60.Nxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Unfortunately for Anand, the sacrifice doesn't work this time. To be fair, the complications are impossible to calculate.} ( 60.Nf1+ $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a draw:} 60...Ke2 ( 60...Kd3 61.Ng3 ) 61.Ng3+ Kd2 62.Nf1+ ) 60...exf5 61.e6 b4 62.e7 bxc3+ 63.Ka2 c2 64.a8=Q Bxa8 65.e8=Q {There's only one winning move for Black in this position. What a game $1} 65...Be4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 65...c1=Q $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 66.Qe3+ {leads to stalemate.} ) ( 65...c1=N+ {is not convincing:} 66.Ka3 ) ( 65...c3 $3 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The right way $1 Black releases the b3-square so the king is not stalemated anymore. The checks soon will be over.} 66.Qd7+ ( 66.Qxa8 c1=Q {with a winning queen and pawn endgame.} ) ( 66.Qd8+ Ke1 67.Qh4+ Kd1 ) 66...Ke1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 67.Qe7+ Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 68.Qh4+ Kd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The checks are over. Fantastic.} ) 66.Qd8+ Bd3 {White has only one drawing move now. I'm speechless.} 67.Qd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 67.Qb6 $3 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 67...c1=Q ( 67...c1=N+ 68.Ka3 c3 {Compared to the game, White is in time to capture the h6-pawn..} 69.Qxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 69...c2 70.Qc6 Ne2 71.h6 c1=Q+ 72.Qxc1+ Kxc1 73.h7 Nxf4 74.h8=Q Ne2 {According to tablebase, this is a draw.} ) 68.Qf2+ Kc3 69.Qd4+ {with stalemate.} ) 67...c1=N+ $3 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 68.Ka3 c3 {The queen is unable to stop the c-pawn.} 69.Qb6 Ne2 70.Qxh6 c2 ( 70...c2 71.Qc6 c1=Q+ 72.Qxc1+ Kxc1 73.h6 {Now the knight is in time:} 73...Nxf4 74.h7 Ng6 ) 0-1

[Event "Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2023"]
[Site "Dubai, UAE"]
[Date "2023.06.22"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[ECO "B00"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7700498617391"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 {This is one of the most popular ways of playing against the Berlin Defense if you don't want to play the famous endgame. It leads to positional play and lines that are not very forcing and require an understanding of the position rather than memorization.} 5...dxc6 6.O-O Nd7 7.Nbd2 O-O 8.Nc4 Re8 9.Kh1 $5 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting and subtle move that is useful for White's attacking plans on the kingside. It's easier now to play f2-f4, and in some extreme cases, White can even go for g2-g4. It has been played by some very strong grandmasters, including Caruana and the very own Anand.} ( 9.Bd2 ) ( 9.Be3 ) 9...f6 ( 9...a5 10.a4 b6 11.Be3 Bb4 12.Nfd2 {with a complicated struggle in Anand-Kramnik, Zurich Chess Challenge 2013.} ) 10.Nh4 Nf8 11.Ne3 ( 11.Be3 {is the most natural move, and it was played in Shevchenko-Mekhitarian, Chennai (Ol) 2022.} ) 11...Ng6 ( 11...g6 {is the computer suggestion, not afraid of weakening the kingside.} 12.g3 {White prepares for the f2-f4 plan and has a more comfortable position.} ) 12.Nhf5 Bxe3 {A new move.} ( 12...Ne7 {was played in Vlasak-Pulpan, CZE-chT 2021. Here White should have played the bold} 13.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with good attacking chances.} ) 13.Nxe3 {The best way to capture.} ( 13.Bxe3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13...Bxf5 14.exf5 Ne7 {with a good position for Black.} ) ( 13.fxe3 {it's always tempting to open a file to attack but Black is fine after} 13...Ne7 ( {Or even} 13...Nh8 $5 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] followed by Nf7.} ) ) 13...Be6 14.b3 {The opening is a success for Anand. He has a clear plan: Bishop to b2 and then preparing to open the kingside with f2-f4. His position is slightly better and as good as it can get against the Berlin.} 14...Qd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15.Rb1 Rad8 16.Bb2 Qd6 17.f3 {White is not in a hurry. Maybe it's more accurate to start with 17.g3 and try to play f2-f4 or h2-h4 faster.} ( 17.g3 ) 17...c5 18.g3 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black also has a plan: to break on c4. The pawn structure usually dictates the plans for both sides.} 19.Qe2 {developing and eyeing the c4-square.} 19...Rd7 ( 19...c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's possible to sacrifice the pawn immediately. The point is:} 20.dxc4 bxc4 21.Nxc4 ( 21.bxc4 {is more accurate.} ) 21...Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with good counterplay since the knight is pinned and will be captured at the right moment.} ) 20.Rf2 ( 20.h4 {It makes sense to start advancing the kingside.} ) 20...Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Supporting c5-c4.} 21.h4 ( 21.c4 {It must be said that avoiding c5-c4 by playing this move is a typical case of a medicine being worse than the disease. The d3-pawn will be a constant source of problems for White.} ) ( 21.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is premature:} 21...exf4 22.gxf4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 21...h6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] There's no time for this prophylactic move since after} 22.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...exf4 23.gxf4 f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White has the winning} 24.Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] now that the knight is hanging on g6.} ) ( 21...Ne7 {This move comes into consideration, although it seems a bit slow. The idea is} 22.h5 h6 {Stopping the h-pawn. White can continue} 23.f4 {with the initiative in a complex position.} ) 22.dxc4 {Anand accepts the pawn.} ( 22.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more promising.} 22...cxd3 23.cxd3 Nh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 23...Ne7 24.h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the initiative.} ) 24.h6 g6 {The knight goes to f7, but White still has a promising position after} 25.f4 ) 22...bxc4 23.bxc4 Qc5 {Duda prepares the route for the knight: Ne7-c6-d4. Pinning the bishop, however, is more to the point.} ( 23...Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Rff1 Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a good position.} ) 24.Rff1 ( 24.Bc3 {is also possible. If Black chases the a-pawn, White gets a dangerous attack after} 24...Qa3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25.Rb3 Qxa2 26.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24...Red8 ( 24...Ne7 {is a logical alternative.} 25.Bc3 Nc6 ) 25.Bc3 Qa3 ( 25...Ne7 {Now White has the option of exchanging the bishop for the knight with} 26.Bb4 Qc6 27.Bxe7 Rxe7 28.Rfd1 {with a small advantage.} ) 26.Rb3 Qa6 ( {Of course not} 26...Qxa2 $4 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 27.Ra1 ) 27.h5 {The pawn finally advances.} 27...Ne7 28.h6 Nc6 ( 28...Nc8 $5 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an alternative route suggested by the computer, with the idea of Nd6 or Nb6 and capturing the c4-pawn.} ) ( 28...g6 {leaves dark squares too weak. White can immediately exploit this with} 29.f4 exf4 30.Rxf4 ) 29.Re1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Both players had only a few minutes left on the clock in this tense position. Anand wants to protect the queen so the knight can go to d5 without fearing a possible capture.} ( 29.Rfb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move:} 29...Nd4 30.Bxd4 Rxd4 31.Rb8 {with an unpleasant pressure, despite the reduced material, for instance:} 31...Qxa2 32.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's king is not safe.} ) 29...Nd4 30.Bxd4 Rxd4 31.hxg7 Rd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 31...Bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 32.Nxc4 ( 32.Qh2 {is too optimistic:} 32...Bxb3 33.axb3 Qa5 {Black wins.} ) 32...Qxc4 {with a likely draw.} ) 32.Qf1 Kxg7 33.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's not easy to defend Black's position with one minute on the clock. Duda starts making mistakes now.} 33...Qa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 33...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.gxh5 Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of playing Rh8 next.} ( 34...Rh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 35.Qg1+ Kf8 36.Rb8+ ) ) 34.Qg1 {A nice move, bringing the queen to the attack.} 34...Kg6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 34...h6 {is better.} ) 35.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen gets near the king. White has ideas connected with f4, g5, and also Qh4-h5.} 35...Qxa2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now it's over.} ( 35...h6 36.Qh4 {is a very difficult position for Black to handle. White's plan is to play Rg1 and then Nf5.} ) 36.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king is defenseless. The queen is too far away.} 36...fxg5 37.Qxe5 Qa6 38.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...gxf4 39.Nd5 ( 39.Nf5 {is also very good.} ) 39...Bxd5 40.Rg1+ {It's always a joy to watch Anand play. He's one of my favorite players of all time.} 1-0

[Event "Cairns Cup"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2023.06.10"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Krush, Irina"]
[Black "Harika, Dronavalli"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2436"]
[BlackElo "2510"]
[ECO "D36"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "165"]
[Beauty "5223888194058"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 Be7 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.Qc2 Nh5 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.O-O-O {A fascinating version of the Carlsbad pawn structure. Both sides castle on the long side. Everything turns upside down. Instead of the common plan of a white minority attack on the queenside, she might rather prefer to attack on the kingside.} 10...Nb6 11.h3 g6 12.Nf3 Ng7 {Black is ready to solve the problem of her bad bishop.} 13.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Which should not be allowed.} 13...Be6 14.Kb1 {Sending the king into safety as soon as possible.} ( {There is also:} 14.Ne2 O-O-O 15.Kb1 Kb8 16.Rc1 Ne8 17.Nf4 Nd6 18.a4 Ndc4 19.a5 Qb4 20.Qc3 Qxa5 21.Qxa5 Nxa5 22.Ng5 Rdf8 23.Bxg6 $3 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] as in the game Nakamura,H (2736)-Rapport,R (2763) Berlin 2022} ) 14...O-O-O 15.a4 {White may play on both the flanks.} 15...Qb4 16.Ka1 $1 $146 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A novelty and nice one $1 The king steps away from the possible pins along the b-file and the b1-h7 diagonal.} ( {The predecessor saw White also gaining the advantage after:} 16.Be2 h5 17.Ne5 hxg4 18.hxg4 Rxh1 19.Rxh1 Ne8 20.Nd3 {Arabidze,M (2404)-Buksa $146 (2303) Almaty 2022} ) 16...Kb8 17.Be2 f5 ( {A better way to defend would have been} 17...h5 18.Ne5 Nd7 19.Nd3 Qb6 ) 18.Ne5 {The knight is moving to a much better position.} 18...Nd7 19.Nd3 Qd6 ( {In case of} 19...Qb6 {White likely planned} 20.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Rc8 21.a5 Qd8 22.Na4 {fixing the advantage on both flanks.} ) 20.a5 {Here too, Krush manages to fix the advantage on both flanks. It is evident that the opening was a huge success for the American GM.} 20...fxg4 ( {There is no freeing} 20...c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] due to the simple} 21.dxc5 Nxc5 22.Nb5 ) ( {And} 20...a6 21.Na4 {is very grim for Black.} ) 21.hxg4 h5 22.gxh5 Nxh5 23.Na4 ( {The other way to fix the advantage was} 23.Rhg1 $5 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 23...Bf5 24.a6 b6 25.Bg4 Ng7 26.Bxf5 Nxf5 27.Nf4 ) 23...Bf5 {Harika will at least get a chance to get rid of the weak bishop. The problem is that this comes at the price of a practically undefendable pawn.} 24.Qb3 Bxd3 ( {Perhaps Black has to delay this capture and opt for} 24...Nhf6 25.Ndc5 Nxc5 26.Nxc5 Bc8 {Harika might have feared then} 27.Nxb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Bxb7 28.a6 Qc7 29.Rxh8 Rxh8 30.axb7 {However, things are not as scary as they seem for Black here} 30...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] as the knight is a very valuable defender for the second player.} ) 25.Bxd3 Nhf6 ( {A tad more resilient seems} 25...Ng7 26.Rhg1 Nf5 27.Bxf5 gxf5 28.Rg7 {it is still very difficult to play, but at least the f5-pawn is easier to defend.} ) 26.Rhg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An instructive move $1 The rooks are most valuable when fighting against pawn weaknesses.} 26...Ne4 {After this, Krush finds a way to instantly break through.} ( {Not much would be changed after} 26...Rh2 27.a6 b6 28.Qc2 Rg8 ) 27.a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...b6 28.Bxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Not just trading an important knight, but also creating another weakness.} 28...dxe4 29.Nc3 Rde8 30.Rg4 {Now we can clearly see why the rooks are priceless when fighting pawn weaknesses.} 30...Qe6 31.Qxe6 Rxe6 32.Rdg1 {The black pawns start to drop one after another.} 32...Rh6 33.Nxe4 Kc7 34.Rf4 Re7 35.b4 Nb8 36.Kb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice way to defend her pawn.} ( {There is an even nicer one} 36.d5 $3 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 36...cxd5 37.Nf6 {threatening myriad of forks} 37...Re6 38.b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Once more defending the key a6-pawn and regaining the d5-pawn instantly.} ) 36...Nxa6 ( 36...Rh5 {is suggested by the machine as best, but Black should not save herself there either.} ) 37.Ra1 g5 ( {Or} 37...Kb7 38.Nd6+ Kc7 39.Rf6 {Not only threatening the knight, but a knight fork on f5 as well.} ) 38.Nxg5 Kb7 39.Nf7 Rg6 40.Nd8+ Kc7 41.Rxa6 Kxd8 42.Rf8+ Re8 43.Rxe8+ Kxe8 44.Rxa7 {A second pawn drops, and White is starting to convert her advantage.} ( {A bit faster might be} 44.Kc3 Rg2 45.f4 ) 44...Rg2 45.Kc3 Rxf2 46.Ra6 Re2 47.Kd3 Rb2 48.Rxb6 Kd7 49.Rb7+ {Keeping both the pawns alive.} ( {The other way to convert is} 49.b5 cxb5 50.d5 {funnily reaching yet another two connected passers versus one in this tournament, as Khotenashvili had twice before.} ) 49...Kc8 50.Kc3 Re2 51.Re7 Kd8 52.Re5 Kd7 53.d5 cxd5 54.Rxd5+ Kc6 55.Re5 Re1 56.b5+ {The plan when converting two separated passers is to sacrifice one of them at a good moment and to support the other one with everything that the strong side has.} 56...Kd6 57.Kd4 {First Krush improves everything as much as she can.} 57...Rd1+ 58.Ke4 Rb1 59.Rd5+ Ke6 60.Rh5 Rb4+ 61.Kd3 Kd7 62.e4 Kd6 63.Ke3 Rb1 64.Rd5+ Ke6 65.Kd4 Rd1+ 66.Kc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The time has come.} 66...Rc1+ 67.Kb6 Rc4 68.Rc5 Rxe4 69.Kc7 Rd4 70.b6 {The pawn cannot be stopped from reaching the seventh rank.} 70...Rd7+ 71.Kc8 Rh7 72.Rc7 Rh8+ 73.Kb7 Kd6 74.Ka7 Rh1 75.Rc2 Ra1+ 76.Kb8 Kd7 77.b7 Kd8 78.Rd2+ Ke7 {And finally a bridge-building.} 79.Rd4 Ke6 80.Kc7 Rc1+ 81.Kb6 Rb1+ 82.Kc6 Ke7 83.Rd5 1-0

[Event "Cairns Cup"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.04"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Harika, Dronavalli"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2523"]
[BlackElo "2510"]
[ECO "B45"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[Beauty "6735850930202"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Switzerland"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SUI"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 {An opening surprise by Harika. Her main Sicilian weapon is the Sveshnikov.} 6.Nxc6 ( 6.Ndb5 {often transposes to the Sveshnikov Sicilian after:} 6...d6 ( {However, the genuine Four Knight Sicilian typically chooses to defend the slightly inferior position after:} 6...Bb4 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3 d5 {which by the way leads to French-type positions. And guess who is a French specialist... $2} ) 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5 ) 6...bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Bb7 ( {The main move lost some of its appeal after the following game} 8...Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Bb7 {Karjakin,S (2760)-Dreev,A (2662) FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss 2019 [Bojkov,Dejan]} ) 9.Be2 ( {White also has:} 9.c4 Nb4 10.c5 Qb8 11.f4 Ba6 12.a3 Bxf1 13.Rxf1 Nd5 14.Rf3 Be7 15.Qc2 f5 16.exf6 Nxf6 17.Rb3 Qc7 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.Be3 {Moussard,J (2686)-Grandelius $146 (2651) Germany 2023} ) 9...c5 10.O-O Qc7 11.c4 Ne3 12.Nd6+ {\"I did not remember anything in the opening, and I decided to play it safe\" (Kosteniuk).} ( {The main line is} 12.Bxe3 Bxe4 13.Bf4 Be7 14.Re1 Qb7 15.Bf1 O-O 16.Qe2 Bc6 {as in the recent game Navara,D (2703)-Nisipeanu,L (2656) Germany 2021} ) 12...Bxd6 {The forcing line quickly leads to an opposite-colored bishop endgame.} 13.exd6 Qc6 14.Bf3 Nxd1 15.Bxc6 Bxc6 16.Rxd1 O-O 17.Be3 Rfc8 18.Rd2 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] [%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An over-the-board novelty. White is protecting her b2-pawn in advance.} ( {The predecessor ended well for the second player after:} 18.f3 a5 19.Rac1 a4 20.Kf2 Ra5 21.Bd2 Ra6 22.Be3 Ra5 23.Rd3 f6 24.Ra3 Kf7 25.b3 Rca8 {Shirov,A (2647)-Grachev,B (2612) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 18...Bb7 {Not an essential move.} ( {The usefulness of White's last move is revealed in the line} 18...Rab8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Bxc5 Bxg2 20.Bxa7 {and the b2-pawn is protected.} ) ( {Black could have also started with} 18...a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] not fearing} 19.Bxc5 Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 19.Rc1 a5 {The opening was a success for Harika. Both sides have weaknesses, but the white d6-pawn is closer to the enemy pieces, thus more vulnerable. Black's plan is obvious and pleasant: centralize the king first and see later.} 20.Rc3 a4 21.Ra3 f6 22.f3 Kf7 23.Kf2 e5 {This one, however, seems inaccurate.} ( {The other push seems better} 23...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when} 24.f4 {can be met with} ( 24.h4 h6 ) 24...gxf4 25.Bxf4 e5 {And the g-file might work well in Black's hands.} ) 24.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Or else Black would go for g7-g5 and expand further on the kigside.} 24...Ke6 {His majesty has arrived at his final destination, but the few riots that take place in the city make his residence less comfortable.} ( {Safer is} 24...exf4 25.Bxf4 Re8 26.Re3 g5 27.Rxe8 Rxe8 28.Be3 Bxg2 29.Bxc5 Be4 {and as the black pawns are easier to advance, Black is better.} ) 25.g4 g6 26.fxe5 fxe5 27.Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very nice idea $1 Not only does Kosteniuk take the f-file under control, but she is also already thinking about future mating nets.} 27...Rc6 28.Rad3 Rb6 ( {The usefulness of the bishop is demonstrated with} 28...Raa6 29.Bf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {But White can also hold with} 29.Ke3 Rxd6 30.Rxd6+ Rxd6 31.Rxd6+ Kxd6 32.Bf8+ Kc6 33.b3 ) ) 29.Ke1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With the intention to use the f-file for mating purposes.} 29...Rb4 {Harika needs to keep the annoying rooks busy.} ( {Instead} 29...Raa6 {is a concession and approximately even after} 30.Re3 Rxd6 31.Bf4 Rxd2 32.Rxe5+ ) 30.Rc3 Rb6 {It is not obvious if Black wanted to force the draw or wanted to accumulate some time on her clock.} ( {If she wanted to force the draw, however, the move} 30...Ba6 {looks more to the spot. It would not hurt to glue the rooks to a weak white pawn. Harika, however, might have feared the line} 31.b3 axb3 32.axb3 Rab8 33.Ra2 Bb7 34.Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when} 34...Kxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] indeed loses to} ( {However} 34...Bc6 {instead is possible with unclear play after} 35.g5 Kxd6 36.Bf8+ Kc7 37.Rf6 Kb6 38.Kd2 ) 35.Bf8+ $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Once again this bishop $1} 35...Kc6 ( {Or} 35...Ke6 36.Bxc5 ) 36.Rf6+ Kc7 37.Bd6+ ( {And} 37.Bxc5 {wins too.} ) ) 31.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] \"I dare to play on\" (Kosteniuk).} 31...e4 {\"I am pretty safe after this; I am not in danger to lose the d6-pawn\" (Kosteniuk).} ( {Indeed} 31...Rb4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would be simpler, say} 32.Bg7 Kf7 33.Bxe5 Rxc4 {activating the rook.} ) 32.Rh3 Ba6 33.Re3 Bb7 34.Rh3 Ba6 35.b3 {Another forcing line now follows.} 35...axb3 36.axb3 Rxd6 ( 36...Bb7 $5 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 37.Rxd6+ Kxd6 38.Bf4+ Kc6 39.Rxh7 {And it has become clear that it is now Black who has to be careful to maintain the balance.} 39...Rf8 40.Bg3 Rf3 {What can be more natural than activating this rook $2} ( {And still, the passive defense might be safer} 40...d6 41.Rg7 Rf6 42.Kd2 Bc8 ) 41.Rg7 Rxb3 42.Rxg6+ Kb7 43.Rxa6 $3 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] That is the thing $1 With the black rook and king far from the kingside, the white pawns gain tremendous speed.} 43...Kxa6 44.g5 {Kosteniuk felt that this should somehow be defendable, but it's one thing to know, another to prove...} 44...d5 ( {The draw would have been achievable had Harika used her king too with the spectacular maneuver} 44...Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45.Ke2 Kb7 $3 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 46.Ke3 Kc8 47.Kxe4 Kd8 48.Kf5 Ke8 49.h4 Rb3 {and Black should survive.} ) 45.cxd5 Re3+ {Now the pawns quickly promote.} ( {During the game, Kostenuik saw the following winning line} 45...Rd3 46.d6 ( 46.g6 ) 46...c4 47.g6 c3 48.g7 c2 49.Bf4 e3 50.Bxe3 Rxe3+ 51.Kd2 Re8 52.d7 Rg8 53.h4 Kb6 54.h5 Kc7 55.h6 Kxd7 {Now instead of the move mentioned in the studio} 56.h7 ( {An easier win would be} 56.Kxc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 56...Rxg7 57.h8=Q Rg2+ 58.Kc1 ) 46.Kf2 Rd3 47.g6 Rxd5 48.g7 Rg5 49.Be5 Kb5 50.Ke3 {The pieces are perfect; the pawns are even better...} ( 50.h4 e3+ 51.Ke2 {would do too.} ) 50...Kc6 51.h4 Rg4 52.Bf6 Rg6 53.h5 Rg4 54.h6 1-0

[Event "Cairns Cup"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.05"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Abdumalik, Zhansaya"]
[Black "Khotenashvili, Bela"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2497"]
[BlackElo "2470"]
[ECO "C55"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "166"]
[Beauty "5154384395786"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Be7 5.Nc3 {What's new is well-forgotten old. What we played as children is coming back as a chess fashion.} 5...d6 6.a3 Bg4 {Dubov uses this defense quite successfully.} 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 Nd4 9.Qd1 c6 10.Ba2 O-O 11.O-O Ne6 12.Ne2 ( {Another normal move is:} 12.Re1 Qc7 13.Ne2 Rad8 14.Ng3 g6 15.c3 Kg7 16.d4 {to which Dubov sacrificed a pawn with} 16...d5 17.dxe5 Nxe4 18.Nxe4 dxe4 19.Qg4 Nc5 20.b4 Nd3 21.Rxe4 Nxc1 22.Rxc1 a5 {and later Black defended the opposite-colored bishop middlegame in Sevian,S (2687)-Dubov,D (2708) chess.com INT 2023} ) 12...d5 13.Ng3 dxe4 $146 {An obvious move and a novelty. What happens next is a beautiful concept.} ( {The predecessor is another game of Dubov:} 13...g6 14.Re1 Qc7 15.c3 Rad8 16.Bh6 Rfe8 17.Qf3 Kh8 18.Rad1 Ng8 19.Bc1 Nf6 20.d4 {and White should be better, Esipenko,A (2716)-Dubov,D (2714) Krasnaya Polyana 2021} ) 14.dxe4 Qxd1 15.Rxd1 Rfd8 {Black is ready to trade all the rooks along the only open file; therefore, Abdumalik goes for the most obvious and aggressive} 16.Be3 {which puts pressure on the a7-pawn, thus preventing the trades. And in return, Khotenashvili uncorks her real idea...} ( {In the light of what happens next, the patient} 16.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would be a better choice in order to meet} 16...Bc5 {with a calm} 17.Kf1 {when White can hope to make something out of her minimal advantage later in the endgame.} ( 17.Bxe6 fxe6 18.Bc3 {also looks somewhat better for White.} ) ) 16...Bc5 $3 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A brilliant concept $1 After the forcing} 17.Bxe6 Bxe3 18.Bxf7+ Kxf7 19.fxe3 Ke6 {White wins a pawn, but since that pawn is doubled and its only defender is a vulnerable knight, it appears that White does not have any advantage whatsoever. Moreover, it is now Abdumalik who has to play carefully to maintain the balance $1} ( 19...Rxd1+ 20.Rxd1 Ke6 {might have been a tad more accurate.} ) 20.Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way to fight for something.} 20...Rxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another spectacular idea $1 Khotenashvili does not mind even connecting the opponent's pawns. The e4-pawn is no more in danger now, but Black gets a chance to create an outside passer.} ( {Also good is the immediate} 20...g6 21.Rad1 Rd7 22.Kf2 h5 23.Ke2 ) 21.cxd3 Rd8 22.Rd1 c5 23.Kf2 c4 {This is what it was all about. Now White has to make an important decision.} 24.d4 {And she decided to keep her central pawns intact.} ( {After} 24.Ke2 cxd3+ 25.Rxd3 {The black rook would have occupied the more valuable open file} 25...Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Kd2 ( 26.Kd1 Rc6 ) 26...h5 {and Black would had still pressured her opponent.} ) 24...g6 ( 24...b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 25.Ke2 ( 25.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 25...b5 {The queenside majority is moving. Black has a lot of moves to improve her position, whereas her opponent needs to stay put. This means that Black owns the statical advantage.} 26.Rd2 Rc8 ( {Or} 26...h5 27.h4 ( 27.Kf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 27...Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27...Rc8 ) 27.Rc2 ( {The machine suggests the following ingenious defense} 27.Kf3 Rf8 28.Ne2 $3 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 28...Nd5+ 29.Nf4+ $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Nxf4 30.exf4 Rxf4+ 31.Ke3 {and claims White should hold...} ) 27...h5 {Part of the plan, now White is forced to concede the g4-square.} 28.h4 Ng4 29.Rc1 {Abdumalik waits.} ( {If White ever blocks the center with} 29.d5+ {she would concede the c5-square and after} 29...Kd6 30.Rc1 a5 {followed by Kd6-c5 and b5-b4, Black would keep expanding on the queenside without any efforts.} ) 29...Rd8 30.Rd1 Nf6 31.Rd2 a5 32.Rd1 Rd7 {Khotenashvili slows down a bit before the time control. Always a wise, practical decision, which has the additional benefit of demonstrating to the opponent that she has nowhere to go.} 33.Rd2 Rd8 34.Rd1 Rd7 35.Rd2 Ng4 36.Rd1 {And White sees nothing better but to repeat.} ( {There is also the idea} 36.Nh1 $5 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] in order to meet} 36...Rf7 {with} 37.dxe5 Kxe5 {Then} 38.Rd5+ {looks scary for Black, but if we prolong the line a bit further} 38...Kxe4 39.Rxb5 Nxe3 40.Nf2+ Kd4 {it becomes clear that White still has serious issues.} ) 36...Rd8 37.Nh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best defense $1} ( {As before} 37.d5+ Kd6 {is something Black wishes to see.} ) ( {The main question remains, How is Black going to infiltrate after a passive defense with} 37.Rd2 Rf8 38.Nh1 {$2 The answer is the stunning} 38...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Rc2 Rf1 $3 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] and Black should win after} 40.Kxf1 Nxe3+ 41.Ke2 Nxc2 ) 37...Rf8 38.dxe5 Nxe5 ( {The other capture is still possible} 38...Kxe5 39.Rd5+ Kxe4 40.Rxb5 ( {But maybe Black disliked} 40.Rd6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 40...Nxe3 41.Nf2+ Kd4 ) 39.Nf2 b4 40.Rd5 {The time-control move.} ( {Safer seems} 40.axb4 axb4 41.Nh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {Or the immediate} 40.Nh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 40...Rb8 41.Nd1 {And as it often happens, the first move after the time control is a mistake. The knight goes in the wrong direction.} ( {Instead White had two defenses, either} 41.Rxa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...bxa3 42.Rxa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Perhaps they both only calculated} 42.bxa3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 42...Rb2+ 43.Kf1 c3 {when the passer should decide the outcome of the game in Black's favor.} ) ( {The preliminary checks would not hurt either} 42.Ra6+ Ke7 43.Ra7+ Ke8 44.Rxa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 42...Rxb2+ 43.Kf1 ) ( {Or the activation of the knight from the other side} 41.Nh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] should have been good enough for the half-point as well.} ) 41...Rc8 {Missing a chance to exploit the opponent's blunder at once.} ( {Strong is} 41...c3 $3 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] winning on the spot after} 42.bxc3 ( 42.Rc5 Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 42...bxa3 43.Rxa5 Nc4 44.Ra4 Rb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 42.Kd2 Rc6 43.Kc2 Rd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The possible appearance of an outside queenside passer makes the pawn endgame won for Black.} 44.Rxa5 {And this is the final mistake.} ( {However, the machine finds an out-of-this-world defense with} 44.axb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...axb4 45.Rxd6+ $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45...Kxd6 46.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...c3 {And now} 47.Nxc3 $3 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 47...bxc3 48.Kxc3 {It is not clear at all why on earth should Black not win after} 48...Nc6 49.b4 Ke5 50.b5 Nd8 51.Kd3 Nb7 52.b6 Nc5+ 53.Ke2 Kxe4 {But a closer look after} 54.Kf2 Nb7 {reveals that in order to win the queenside pawn Black would need her king, and this would leave the kingside pawns exposed to a trade.} ) ( {Abdumalik correctly avoided the endgame after} 44.Rxd6+ Kxd6 45.axb4 axb4 46.Nf2 Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A triumph of Black's strategy, the central pawns become easy prey to the black active pieces, together with all the remaining kingside ones.} ) 44...b3+ $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black breaks through.} 45.Kc1 Nd3+ 46.Kb1 Ne1 47.Nc3 ( {Perhaps White should have tried} 47.Kc1 {when} 47...Nxg2 {allows the defense} ( {Black should activate the rook instead with} 47...Nd3+ 48.Kb1 Kf7 $3 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 49.Ra7+ ( {Or} 49.Nc3 Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 49...Kg8 50.Ra8+ Kg7 51.Ra7+ Kh6 52.Rf7 Ne5 53.Rf1 Rd2 {with a win.} ) 48.e5 Rc6 49.Nc3 Nxh4 50.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 47...Rd2 {The rook infiltrates and starts cleaning everything on the second rank.} 48.Ra6+ Ke5 49.Ra5+ Kf6 50.Ra6+ Kg7 51.Kc1 Rc2+ {The joint efforts of the black pieces will gain three pawns now.} ( {Or also} 51...Rxg2 52.Kd1 Nd3 ) 52.Kd1 ( {Or else mate after} 52.Kb1 Nd3 ) 52...Nxg2 53.e5 Nxe3+ 54.Ke1 Rxb2 55.Ra7+ Kh6 56.e6 Nf5 57.e7 Nxe7 58.Rxe7 Rc2 59.Nd1 c3 60.Nxc3 ( {If} 60.Rb7 Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] decides.} ) 60...Rxc3 61.Rb7 Rc4 62.Rxb3 Rxh4 {The connected passers are moving in a pack; there is not enough counterplay from the white passer.} 63.Kf2 Rc4 64.Kf3 Ra4 65.Kg2 Kg5 66.Kh3 Kf4 67.Kh4 Kf5+ 68.Kh3 g5 69.Rb5+ Kf4 70.Rb3 h4 71.Rc3 Re4 72.Kg2 g4 73.Rc2 h3+ 74.Kh2 Kf3 75.Rc1 Re2+ 76.Kh1 g3 77.Kg1 Rg2+ 78.Kh1 Rd2 79.Kg1 h2+ 80.Kh1 Kf2 ( 80...Kg4 81.Rc4+ Kh3 {would have been a tad faster.} ) 81.a4 Re2 82.a5 Re1+ 83.Rxe1 Kxe1 ( 83...Kxe1 84.Kg2 h1=Q+ 85.Kxh1 Kf2 ) 0-1

[Event "Cairns Cup"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.06"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Khotenashvili, Bela"]
[Black "Krush, Irina"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2470"]
[BlackElo "2436"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "163"]
[Beauty "5226035684948"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Georgia"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GEO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 {The London is still very popular.} 2...Nf6 3.e3 c5 4.Nd2 Nc6 5.Ngf3 e6 6.c3 Bd6 {This is the most straightforward way to meet this Reversed Slav.} 7.Bg3 O-O 8.Bd3 ( {Carlsen himself prefers} 8.Bb5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 8...b6 9.Qe2 ( {Another common idea is:} 9.e4 Be7 10.e5 Ne8 11.h4 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Ne8 15.h5 Bg5 16.Qe2 {as in Abasov $146 (2643)-Durarbayli,V (2612) Baku 2022} ) ( {Whereas the main move remains} 9.Ne5 ) 9...Bb7 10.a4 {A rare move, but as we shall see, Khotenashvili once more has something very deep prepared for her opponent.} 10...Qe7 $146 {A logical move and a novelty. Krush ignores her opponent's \"threat.\"} ( {The predecessor was an email game that went:} 10...Qc7 11.O-O Bxg3 12.hxg3 Rfd8 13.Rfc1 Rac8 14.b4 Qe7 15.bxc5 bxc5 16.a5 Ba8 17.a6 {Oliveira,J (2587)-Emelyanov,M (2532) ICCF email 2019} ) ( 10...a6 {has also been played.} ) 11.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Well, well, well $1 A threat it was, after all $1 After a spectacular pawn sacrifice in round three, Khotenashvili does it again $1} ( {The Stonewall play} 11.Ne5 Qc7 12.f4 {is effectively met with a Petrosian specialty} 12...Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false] followed by Ne7-f5, and later all the way to e4 $1} ) 11...c4 {Krush moves the pawn away from the vulnerable square.} ( {One point behind White's sacrifice is that after} 11...Nxa5 12.dxc5 Bxg3 13.hxg3 Qxc5 {she has the strong} 14.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_arrow d3h7;keyPressed;none;from;d3;opacity;0.8;to;h7;persistent;false,e5d7;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;d7;persistent;false] Which creates multiple threats, namely Bxh7+ $1, or Nd7 $1} ) ( {However, the ugly} 11...bxa5 {was possible as well.} ) 12.Bc2 Nxa5 ( {If} 12...Bxg3 13.hxg3 Nxa5 14.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is similar as the line from above, when} 14...h6 {does not stop the attack due to the simple} 15.g4 ) 13.Bh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false] The second point behind the sacrifice. Not only did White win a valuable tempo to pin the opponent's key defender on f6, but she is also threatening the strong Ne5 $1 again.} 13...Qd8 {[%c_arrow d6e7;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false] Working to break the pin.} ( {The retreat} 13...Nc6 {discourages Ne5, but allows} 14.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 14.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queenside pawn sacrifice accelerated the kingside attack. Isn't chess remarkably logical $2} ( {Now} 14.Ne5 {is harmless due to} 14...Be7 ) 14...Be7 {Krush follows the plan.} ( {However, it would have been even better to give her opponent a taste of her own medicine and sacrifice a pawn on the opposite wing with} 14...Nb3 $3 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 15.Nxb3 cxb3 16.Bxb3 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with counterplay.} ) 15.Bxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now White's initiative builds.} 15...Bxf6 16.h4 Be7 17.Ng5 {Forcing a concession.} 17...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best defense.} ( {Black is correctly avoiding} 17...Bxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18.hxg5 g6 19.f4 ) ( {And} 17...g6 {which would be likely met with} 18.f4 ( {And even the immediate} 18.Nxh7 {looks tempting.} ) ) 18.Nh7 $3 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Not a single step backward.} 18...Re8 {The most natural move, which strangely loses according to the machine.} ( {It made sense to insert} 18...Nb3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19.Rd1 Re8 ) 19.g5 Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Something urgent should be done.} ( {The central break is not yet possible due to} 19...e5 20.Qh5 e4 21.gxh6 g6 22.Qe5 f6 23.Qe6+ ) 20.Nxb3 ( {But, in order to find the win one needs to be as cold-blooded and play this sequence} 20.Qh5 $3 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 20...Nxa1 21.Bb1 $3 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Who cares about a queenside rook when there is a mating attack on the kingside $2 The computer says the game is over, for example} 21...Bf8 ( {Or} 21...Qd6 22.gxh6 g6 23.Bxg6 Kh8 24.Bxf7 ) 22.Rg1 Kh8 23.Qxf7 Re7 24.Qg6 Qe8 25.Nxf8 {and now it's obvious that White is winning.} ) 20...cxb3 21.Bd3 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A central counter-strike $1 Things start to heat up for White as well.} 22.dxe5 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Everything is hanging and both players are walking on very thin ice.} 23.Rg1 dxc3 24.gxh6 cxb2 {It feels wrong to name such a move an inaccuracy.} ( {Objectively, the computer indicates that} 24...Qd5 $3 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] was best, when the complications should end with peace} 25.Rxg7+ Kh8 26.Ng5 Bxg5 27.hxg5 c2 ( 27...Qh1+ 28.Qf1 cxb2 29.Rh7+ Kg8 30.Rg7+ ) 28.Rh7+ Kg8 29.Rg7+ Kh8 ) ( {Another plausible defense would have been} 24...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.e6 f6 ( {But not} 25...Kxh7 26.exf7 Bb4 {And now not} 27.Bxg6+ ( {But the spectacular} 27.O-O-O $3 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] strenghtening the threat of a capture on g6 with winning attack.} ) 27...Kh8 28.fxe8=Q+ Qxe8 {when White needs to find} 29.Kf1 $3 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] to keep he game unclear.} ( {Since} 29.Bxe8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29...cxb2+ {loses for the first player.} ) ) 26.Bxg6 Kh8 27.Bxe8 Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Anything is possible, and I personally already have a headache.} ) 25.Rd1 {The impression is that White is faster.} 25...g6 26.Qxb2 ( {Here too} 26.e6 {is very tempting, but not as effective. I do believe though that a line like} 26...Kxh7 27.exf7 Bb4+ 28.Kf1 Qxh4 29.Bxg6+ Kxh6 30.Bf5 Rg8 $3 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Clearly illustrates the amazing resources that the players had to discover over-the-bord, with very limited time on the clock. The beautiful point is that} 31.fxg8=Q Rxg8 32.Rxg8 $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( {Therefore, White needs to find} 32.e4 $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] and again anything is possible.} ) 32...Qh1+ 33.Rg1 Bg2# {is mate.} ) ( {Objectively, best was} 26.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White should prevail.} ) 26...Kxh7 27.Qxb3 Bd5 {Krush is just in time.} 28.Bxg6+ ( {Here is another beautiful hidden tactical point} 28.Bc4 {is met with} 28...Bxc4 29.Qxc4 {And now the only move is} 29...Bb4+ $3 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 30.Qxb4 Qc7 {and Black survives.} ) 28...fxg6 29.Rxd5 Qc7 30.h5 {Is a mate coming at ny moment now $2 Especially considering the severe time-scramble...} ( {One more spectacular defense was left undiscovered} 30.Rd7 Qxe5 $3 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 31.Qf7+ Kh8 32.Rxg6 Bb4+ $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Kf1 Re7 {leads to a drawn endgame by force} 34.Rxe7 Qxe7 35.Qc4 Qc5 36.Qf7 Qe7 ) 30...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Wow $1 More diagonals are opened, but at least the g-file is not a concern for the moment.} ( {Apparently, Black can also defend with} 30...Rg8 31.hxg6+ Rxg6 32.Rxg6 Kxg6 33.Qa4 Qc3+ 34.Kf1 Kh7 ) 31.e6 {Opens the adjacent diagonal, and...} ( {It was not too late to force a draw with} 31.Rd7 Qxe5 32.f4 $3 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 32...gxf4 33.Qd3+ Kh8 34.Rg7 Qxe3+ 35.Qxe3 fxe3 36.Rdxe7 Rxe7 37.Rxe7 a5 38.Rxe3 ) 31...Rad8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Krush misses the threat $1} ( {Both} 31...Rg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {And} 31...Kxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have repeled the attack.} ) 32.Qd3+ Kh8 33.Qd4+ Bf6 {Forced.} ( 33...Kh7 34.Qg7# ) 34.Qxf6+ Kh7 35.Qf5+ {Time-trouble $1} ( {White could have wrapped up the game immediately with} 35.Rd7+ $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Rxd7 36.Qg6+ Kh8 37.Qxe8+ ) 35...Kh8 36.Qf6+ Kh7 37.Qf5+ Kh8 38.Rxg5 Qc1+ 39.Ke2 Qc4+ 40.Ke1 Qc1+ 41.Ke2 Qc4+ 42.Kf3 {The time control has passed and White can start to calmly convert her edge.} 42...Qxd5+ 43.Qxd5 Rxd5 44.Rxd5 Rxe6 45.Rd8+ Kh7 46.Rd7+ Kxh6 47.Rxa7 Kxh5 48.e4 {Another coincidence with yesterday. There too, Khotenashvili had to convert a two-versus-one pawn and rook endgame.} 48...Kg6 49.Ke3 Re5 50.f4 Rb5 51.f5+ Kg5 52.Rg7+ Kf6 53.Rg6+ Kf7 54.Kf4 Rb1 55.Ke5 Rb5+ 56.Kf4 Rb1 57.Rc6 {The white pawns have advanced far enough, she is winning.} 57...Rb4 58.Rd6 Ke7 59.Re6+ Kf7 60.Rh6 Ke7 61.Ke5 Rb5+ 62.Kd4 Rb4+ 63.Kd5 Rb5+ 64.Kc4 Rb1 65.e5 {Well calculated.} 65...b5+ 66.Kc5 Rc1+ 67.Kxb5 Re1 68.Rh7+ Kf8 69.e6 Re5+ 70.Kc6 Rxf5 71.Kd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Not} 71.Kd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 71...Rd5+ 72.Kc7 Ke8 {with bitter half-point disappointment.} ) 71...Kg8 72.e7 Kxh7 73.e8=Q Rg5 74.Ke6 Kg7 75.Qe7+ Kh6 76.Kf6 Rg6+ 77.Kf5 Ra6 78.Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Excellent technique.} 78...Kg7 79.Qd7+ Kh6 80.Qc8 Ra5+ 81.Kf6 Rf5+ 82.Kxf5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Winner]} 1-0

[Event "Cairns Cup"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.07"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Dzagnidze, Nana"]
[Black "Khotenashvili, Bela"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2510"]
[BlackElo "2470"]
[ECO "A30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Beauty "7285090828810"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.b3 Bg7 4.Bb2 c5 5.g3 b6 6.Bg2 Bb7 7.O-O O-O 8.d4 cxd4 9.Qxd4 Na6 ( {White goes for the traditional small advantage after} 9...d6 10.Nc3 Nbd7 11.Ne1 Bxg2 12.Nxg2 Ne5 13.Rfd1 Qc8 14.Nf4 {Carlsen,M (2852) -Mamedov,R (2646) Chess.com INT 2023} ) 10.Nc3 Ne4 {The trade of the two pairs of minor pieces is logical, as it somewhat relieves the tension. However, it also has a serious drawback as both kingside defenders disappear.} ( 10...Nc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] might be a better try to fight for equality, for example} 11.Qe3 Rc8 12.Rad1 Re8 13.Nd4 Bxg2 14.Kxg2 Qc7 15.Qf3 Qb7 ( 15...a6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 16.Qxb7 Nxb7 17.e4 d6 {as in Edouard,R (2649)-Camacho Collados,J (2413) Daventry 2020} ) 11.Qe3 Nxc3 12.Bxc3 Bxc3 13.Qxc3 Qc7 14.Qe3 $146 {A strong novelty. Dzagnidze is sending the queen toward the weakened black kingside.} ( {The predecessor was rather short:} 14.Rac1 Nc5 {1/2-1/2 (14) Pedersen,H (2165) -Brinck Claussen,B (2345) Koge 1997} ) ( {Another interesting idea was} 14.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 14...Qc5 {This is the piece that can be sent to help the king in the quickest way.} ( {After} 14...Nc5 15.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] looks strong for White.} ) 15.Qh6 {The mate threat forces another trade.} 15...Bxf3 16.Bxf3 {The more natural recapture.} ( {And the other one also promises White a pull, say} 16.exf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 16...Rad8 17.f4 Nc7 18.Rac1 ) 16...Rab8 {Khotenashvili is overly optimistic and believes she will have the time for the b6-b5 counterattack.} ( {Better was to play for the central break instead with} 16...Rad8 17.Rad1 Qe5 {slowly trying to repel the attack and equalize.} ) 17.Rad1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queenside rook energetically enters the battle.} 17...d6 18.Rd5 ( {Here too} 18.h4 Qe5 19.h5 {looked promising for White.} ) 18...Qa3 {While the black queen desperately tries to deflect the opponent's pieces from her king.} 19.Qd2 {A small relief for the second player.} ( {More unpleasant would have been} 19.Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Then after} 19...Qb2 ( {As} 19...Qxa2 $4 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Blunder;persistent;true] is not even a threat due to the simple} 20.Rh4 ) 20.Rfd1 Nc5 21.Bd5 {White's threats are extremely dangerous, for instance} 21...Qxe2 {loses to} ( 21...e6 {looks like the best try, but that would permanently weaken the d6-pawn.} ) ( {And} 21...b5 22.cxb5 Rxb5 23.Qe3 {doesn't solve Black's problems either.} ) 22.Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Qxd1+ 23.Kg2 Qh5 24.Rxh5 gxh5 25.Qg5+ Kh8 26.Qxe7 ) ( 19.Rd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 19...Rfc8 20.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nope, the attack is not going to be stopped that easily.} 20...Rc5 {More trades are initiated.} 21.h5 ( {The rook was strong and it made sense to keep it with} 21.Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Then} 21...Qa5 22.Qh6 Qxa2 {remains Black's only move, when after} 23.h5 {Black needs to stay nimble as} 23...Qxb3 {would lead to a decisive white attack with} ( {The only try is} 23...Qb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.hxg6 fxg6 ( 24...hxg6 25.e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.Rh4 Qg7 26.Bd5+ Kh8 27.Qd2 {But White's initiative is overwhelming here as well.} ) 24.hxg6 hxg6 ( 24...fxg6 25.Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.Kg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Qc3 26.e3 {and Black is helpless.} ) 21...Rxd5 22.Bxd5 e6 {An obvious move which runs into a non-obvious refutation.} ( {It made sense to try and bring the knight into the game at last with} 22...Nc7 $5 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 23.hxg6 hxg6 {When White can keep a serious edge with} 24.Kg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Nxd5 25.cxd5 {As Black cannot fight for the open file} 25...Rc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( {The last try would be} 25...a5 {but then after} 26.Rh1 Qb4 27.Qe3 Rb7 28.Rc1 {White gains the open file and has all the chances to succeed.} ) 26.Rh1 {is mate.} ) 23.hxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...hxg6 ( {The bishop is not edible} 23...exd5 24.gxh7+ Kxh7 ( {There is nowhere to hide} 24...Kh8 25.Qd4+ $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.Kg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the black king would not survive for long} 25...Kg8 26.Rh1 Kf8 27.Rh7 ) 24.Kg2 $3 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Insisting on the sacrifice. Dzagnidze understood well that letting her rook access the open h-file was far more valuable than the bishop itself.} ( {Instead} 24.Bf3 Qc5 25.Rd1 Rd8 {would have provided valuable time for Black to consolidate.} ) 24...exd5 25.Qd4 Re8 {Black is desperately trying to shut off the white pieces.} ( {If} 25...Kf8 26.Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is strong} ( {Not letting the king out as in the line} 26.Rh1 Ke7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26...Ke8 27.Rh1 dxc4 {Now the cool} 28.bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] keeps a strong pawn alive, and this pawns prevents the black king from escaping in the line} 28...Qc5 29.Rh7 Rb7 30.Rh8+ Kd7 31.Qxf7+ Kc6 32.Qe8+ {[%c_arrow c4d5;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false,c4b5;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;b5;persistent;false]} 32...Rd7 33.Rh7 Qf5 34.Qa8+ Kc5 35.Qc8+ {and White wins.} ) 26.Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] But Black's efforts are in vain.} 26...Re5 27.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Keeping the rook out of the h5-square.} 27...Kf8 28.Rh1 Ke8 {The culmination of the game.} 29.cxd5 $4 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] A tragic blunder $1 After building a decisive attack, Dzagnidze falters just a step away from the win.} ( {White could have converted her brilliant game with} 29.Rh8+ $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Kd7 30.Qxf7+ Re7 31.Qf8 Nc7 32.Qd8+ Ke6 {And now the very convincing} 33.f4 $3 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ( {Even better than} 33.Rg8 ) 33...Qb2 34.f5+ gxf5 35.Rh6+ {wins.} ) 29...Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A shocker $1 Khotenashvili suddenly finds a narrow path out for her king, and White doesn't even have a perpetual anymore $1} 30.Qh8+ ( {Black also escapes after} 30.Rh8+ Kd7 31.e4 ) ( {And} 30.e4 Nc7 {but maybe there were still some practical chances left there for the first player.} ) 30...Kd7 31.Qa8 Nc7 32.Qc6+ Kd8 33.Rc1 ( {Or} 33.Rh8+ Re8 34.Rh7 Qc5 {swapping the queens off.} ) 33...Rd7 34.Rc3 Qa5 35.Rd3 Qc5 36.Qb7 Re7 {Nothing is left out of the attack, and the black knight is still alive. The rest was easy for Black.} 37.e3 b5 38.Qb8+ Kd7 39.Rd4 Re8 40.Qb7 Qb6 41.Qxb6 axb6 42.e4 Ra8 43.Rd2 Na6 44.Rd4 Nc5 45.b4 Na4 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Winner]} 0-1

[Event "Cairns Cup"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.09"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Mammadzada, Gunay"]
[Black "Zatonskih, Anna"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2456"]
[BlackElo "2327"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "146"]
[Beauty "5636339270665"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 {One of the oldest and most solid lines against the Catalan.} 7.Qc2 a6 {The main move.} ( {There is also the fresh approach} 7...b5 {championed by Nakamura who has cleared his opening lines to a computer perfection, one example being} 8.a4 Bb7 9.axb5 a6 10.bxa6 Nxa6 11.Qxc4 Bd5 12.Qc3 c5 {That is the whole point: White is winning a pawn, but Black manages to trade everything on the queenside and often gets something extra to add to his compensation.} 13.Be3 Ne4 14.Qe1 Nb4 15.Rxa8 Qxa8 16.Nc3 Nxc3 17.bxc3 Nc2 18.Qd2 Nxe3 19.Qxe3 cxd4 20.cxd4 Bf6 {and Black defended later in Andreikin,D (2729)-Nakamura,H (2760) Chess.com INT 2022} ) 8.a4 Nc6 {Also a modern idea.} ( {The classical approach is} 8...Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bf4 Bd6 11.Qc1 a5 12.Bd2 Qe7 13.Nc3 Na6 {as in Ding,L (2806)-Wei,Y (2727) chess24.com INT 2022} ) 9.Na3 $146 {This move, played after a prolonged thought, is obviously an over-the-board novelty. Unfortunately for Mammadzada, the combination of the moves Qd1-c2 and Nb1-a3 does not work well.} ( {White is almost always recapturing automatically:} 9.Qxc4 {and then hurries to swap the Catalan bishop with} 9...Na5 ( {But here too there is a modern try} 9...Qd5 10.Nbd2 Rd8 11.e3 Qh5 12.h3 Nd5 13.a5 Ndb4 14.Qc3 Nxa5 15.g4 Qb5 {as in Vidit,S (2726)-Firouzja,A (2749) chess24.com INT 2020} ) 10.Qc2 b6 11.Ne5 Bb7 12.Bxb7 Nxb7 13.Nc6 Qd7 14.Rd1 Rfc8 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Ra3 Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the game was soon drawn in Ding,L (2788)-Caruana,F (2764) Bucharest 2023} ) 9...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Zatonskih had spent almost an hour on the clock but found the best continuation. Or rather, refutation $1 The pawn cannot be regained now.} 10.Ne5 ( {If} 10.axb5 axb5 11.Bd2 Rb8 {preserves the extra material.} ) 10...Nb4 11.Qd1 Rb8 ( 11...Nfd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] also seems good for Black.} ) 12.axb5 axb5 {Black not only keeps the extra pawn but is ready to trade her problematic light-squared bishop.} 13.b3 {Funny, it is now White who struggles to trade as many pawns on the queenside as she can (check Nakamura's game from above.)} 13...cxb3 14.Bb2 ( {More chances for counterplay are offered} 14.Qxb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Then White does not need to fear} 14...Qxd4 15.Bb2 Qb6 {As she can soften the c6-point with} 16.Nc2 Nxc2 17.Qxc2 Bb7 18.Bxb7 Rxb7 19.Nc6 {And if} 19...Bc5 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Qe4 {and White can hope to make use of the weakened black kingside.} ) 14...Bb7 15.Qxb3 ( {If} 15.Bxb7 Rxb7 16.Qxb3 {Black can react with} 16...Nd7 ( {Or} 16...Qd5 ) ) 15...Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Rb6 {Zatonskih is carefully preparing the advance of her c-pawn. Right now she is taking the c6-point under control.} ( {The other setup is} 16...Nd7 17.Nf3 Qc8 ) 17.Rfc1 Nd7 18.Nf3 Qb8 19.Nb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White needs to use every single resource that she has to gain survival chances. The knight needs to be moved to a better position.} 19...Nd5 ( {Another way is} 19...Na6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 20.Nbd2 c5 ) 20.Nbd2 c5 21.dxc5 Nxc5 {Black frees her position and is a solid pawn ahead.} 22.Qc2 Rb7 ( 22...Rc8 $5 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would be more accurate.} ) 23.e4 ( {Instead, a better try is} 23.Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Qd8 24.Qb2 {looking for activity, as in the line} 24...Nf6 25.Bd4 Qd5 26.Bxc5 Bxc5 27.e4 Qh5 28.e5 ) 23...Nb6 24.Be5 Qd8 25.Nb3 ( {Here too} 25.Bd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] deserves attention but should not change the overall evaluation of the position after} 25...Nbd7 26.Nb3 Nxb3 27.Qxb3 b4 28.Qb2 ) 25...Nc4 26.Rd1 Qc8 27.Bd4 {Better is to trade the other knight.} ( 27.Na5 Nxa5 28.Rxa5 Nd7 {although Black is still clearly on top.} ) 27...Nxb3 28.Qxb3 Bc5 {Trading the annoying bishop is a sound plan. The only problem is that Black is getting closer to a major-piece endgame and not all of those would be won for her.} ( 28...Qc6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 29.Re1 Rc8 {to bring the rook out cannot be bad either.} ) 29.Rac1 Qc6 30.Qc3 {Alas, Mammadzada misses a nice tactical shot.} ( 30.Bxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would trade all the light pieces in a favorable way for White after the stunning} 30...Qxc5 31.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and after} 31...Qxe5 32.Rxc4 bxc4 33.Qxb7 Qb8 34.Qxb8 Rxb8 35.Kf3 {White has all the chances to survive.} ) 30...Bxd4 31.Qxd4 Qb6 {Time trouble is here, and both players have to be extremely careful.} ( 31...Qc7 $5 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 32.h4 Qb8 ) 32.Qxb6 Rxb6 33.Nd4 {This is the first moment when White has a chance to activate her rooks.} ( {And she should have grabbed it with} 33.Rd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 33...g6 34.Rc7 ) 33...h6 34.Re1 Rfb8 35.Re2 Ne5 36.f4 Rd8 37.Nxb5 {Removing the queenside pawns. It is always easier to defend on the side only.} ( {The machine suggests capturing the other pawn} 37.Nxe6 Rxe6 38.fxe5 Rxe5 39.Kf3 {but this does not make sense to the human being.} ) 37...Rxb5 38.fxe5 Rxe5 39.Rce1 {The time deficit prevented Mammadzada from finding her best chance.} ( {And it is related to the activity $1 The last chance is} 39.Rc7 Rd4 40.Rb2 f6 41.Rb8+ Kh7 42.Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the key move but not easy to be seen in advance.} ( {Instead, the obvious attack} 42.Rbb7 {is easily refuted with} 42...Rg5 43.Kf3 Rd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 39...g5 $3 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Zatonskih is in time trouble too but knows her job well $1 This move not only secures the powerful position of the rook on the e5-spot, but it also prepares the further kingside attack.} 40.Rf2 Rd4 41.Ref1 ( {Nothing changes} 41.Rfe2 Kg7 ) 41...Rd7 42.Re1 Kg7 43.Rfe2 Rd4 44.Kf3 Ra4 45.Kg2 Kg6 46.Kf2 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] In order to win the game, Black needs a second weakness, and that would be the white king itself.} 47.Kg1 g4 48.Kg2 f6 49.Kg1 Kg5 50.Kg2 Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A safe approach. One set of rooks is traded, and White is deprived of any tactical chances.} ( {The immediate} 50...h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51.Kf2 h3 52.Kf1 Ra3 53.Kg1 Rf3 54.Ra1 f5 55.Rae1 f4 56.gxf4+ Kxf4 {would win too.} ) 51.Kg1 Reb5 52.Rf1 Rb2 53.Rxb2 Rxb2 54.Ra1 ( {Or} 54.Re1 h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 54...Re2 55.Ra4 e5 56.Rb4 h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The beginning of the end.} 57.Ra4 h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fixing the second weakness. There is nothing to be done by White anymore.} 58.Rb4 Kg6 ( {Black could also grab the freshly minted weakness with} 58...Re1+ 59.Kf2 Rh1 ) 59.Ra4 Rg2+ 60.Kh1 Rd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Getting the more valuable pawn. The rest is easy for Black.} 61.Kg1 Rd4 62.Ra8 Rxe4 63.Kf2 Rb4 64.Ra2 Rb1 65.Ke3 Re1+ 66.Kd3 Kf5 67.Rf2+ Ke6 68.Ra2 Rg1 69.Ke4 f5+ 70.Ke3 Rg2 71.Ra6+ Kf7 72.Ra5 Kf6 73.Ra6+ Kg5 0-1

[Event "Cairns Cup"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.11"]
[Round "8.4"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Khotenashvili, Bela"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2523"]
[BlackElo "2470"]
[ECO "C83"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7492033577557"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Switzerland"]
[BlackTeam "Georgia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SUI"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 {The Open Ruy Lopez has been the favorite weapon of Korchnoi and Mamedyarov, but many other top players have also given it a try lately.} 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.c3 O-O 11.Bc2 f5 ( {The guru of the line once chose here:} 11...Bf5 12.Nd4 Nxd4 13.cxd4 f6 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Qb3+ Kh8 17.Be3 c6 18.Qe6 {but it did not work well for Black in Ivanchuk,V (2695)-Korchnoi, V (2615) New York 1994} ) 12.Nb3 ( {The other main direction has been tested recently too} 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.a4 {According to the same Mega Database, 13.Re1 is becoming the main line.} ( {As in the following fascinating game:} 13.Re1 Bg4 14.h3 Bh5 15.Nf1 Bc5 16.Ng3 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Qd6 18.Kg2 Rae8 19.Rxe8 Rxe8 20.Bg5 Ne5 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.f4 Ng6 23.Bxg6 hxg6 24.f5 {White took over the initiative and eventually won in Giri,A (2776)-Anton Guijarro,D (2673) chess24. com INT 2021} ) 13...b4 14.Re1 Bg4 15.Nf1 $146 {This is a novelty. Black's position looks active and aggressive, but as it often happens in the Ruy Lopez, White's hidden attacking potential should not be underestimated.} ( {Black achieved comfortable position in the predecessor after:} 15.h3 Bh5 16.Bf5 Bd6 17.Qc2 Re8 18.g4 Rxe1+ 19.Nxe1 Qe8 20.Ndf3 Bg6 21.Bxg6 hxg6 22.Be3 bxc3 23.bxc3 Na5 {followed by Na5-c4 and Black was doing fine in Firouzja, A (2749)-Fedoseev,V (2676) Chess. com INT 2020} ) 15...Bc5 {The same active policy.} 16.Be3 {Vachier-Lagrave,M (2760)-Deac,B (2627) chess24.com 2021 [Bojkov,Dejan]} ( {Nothing yields:} 16.Ne3 Bh5 {when the white pieces obstruct each other.} ) ) 12...Qd7 13.Nfd4 {This can be named the key square in the Open Ruy Lopez.} 13...Nxd4 14.Nxd4 c5 15.Nxe6 Qxe6 {If the black knight could only replace the queen in the blockade of the e5-pawn, all would be perfect for the second player.} 16.f3 Ng5 17.Bf4 {For the time being, Kosteniuk does not want to reveal her cards.} ( {The immediate trade:} 17.Bxg5 {is also possible when after} 17...Bxg5 18.f4 Be7 19.Qf3 Rad8 20.Rfd1 {White starts to attack any pawn that is standing on the way of their bishop. At the end, after some maneuvering} 20...g6 21.Rd2 Rd7 22.Rad1 Rfd8 23.h3 c4 24.b4 {Black decided to sacrifice it} 24...d4 25.Rxd4 Qb6 26.Qf2 Rxd4 27.Rxd4 a5 28.Rxd8+ Bxd8 29.a3 axb4 30.axb4 {but reached an opposite-colored bishop ending, which he held well, Dominguez Perez,L (2747)-Sevian,S (2684) Saint Louis 2022} ) 17...Rad8 18.Kh1 {An useful move. His majesty moves away from possible attacks along the a7-g1 diagonal.} ( {There is also} 18.Qd2 Nf7 19.Rfe1 g6 20.a4 b4 21.cxb4 cxb4 22.Bb3 Bc5+ 23.Kh1 Rfe8 24.Rad1 Qb6 25.Bxd5 Kg7 26.e6 Rxe6 27.Rxe6 Qxe6 28.Bxe6 Rxd2 29.Rxd2 Kf6 30.Bxf7 Kxf7 31.Bd6 {1-0 (31) Pourkashiyan,A (2322)-Tokhirjonova,G (2350) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 18...Qc8 $146 {Khotenashvili played this novelty after a heavy thought.} ( {The predecessor is another game of Sam Sevian, which went:} 18...Kh8 19.Qd2 h6 20.h4 Nh7 21.Bg3 d4 22.cxd4 Rxd4 23.Qe1 h5 24.Bf2 Rd5 25.f4 c4 {but even though Black defended at the end, his position was not completely satisfactory out of the opening, Shankland,S (2712)-Sevian,S (2684) St. Louis 2022} ) 19.Bxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight cannot be allowed access to the super-blockading square.} ( {Or else Black would be better after} 19.Be3 Ne6 20.f4 d4 ) 19...Bxg5 20.f4 Be7 21.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] One of the most typical Ruy Lopez ideas. The white rook enters the battle from its original position.} ( 21.Qf3 d4 {is nothing for White.} ) 21...d4 {Now White gains an edge thanks to a clever idea.} ( {Black should sacrifice temporarily a pawn instead with} 21...b4 22.cxb4 {And then} 22...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After} 23.b5 axb5 24.axb5 Qc5 {The pawn cannot be kept for long, and even though White keeps an advantage after} 25.b3 Qxb5 26.Qb1 cxb3 27.Bxb3 Rb8 28.Rf3 Ra8 {the trade policy should keep Black close to the piece.} ) ( {Instead} 21...Qb7 22.Qf3 Kh8 {Leads to White's advantage after either} 23.Rfd1 ( {Or} 23.axb5 axb5 24.Rae1 ) ) 22.axb5 axb5 23.Ra7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The open file starts to bring benefits.} 23...dxc3 24.Qb1 {A nice square for the queen, regardless of what the machine thinks.} ( {The other idea is} 24.Qf3 Rd2 25.bxc3 Rxc2 26.Qd3 Rb2 27.Rxe7 {and White also has decent chances for an edge here.} ) 24...Bh4 ( {That machine suggests a better defense} 24...Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] keeping the bishop where it is. Then} 25.bxc3 Rd2 26.Rd1 {can be well met with} ( {The bishop on e7 stands well in the line} 26.Bd1 Rfd8 27.Bf3 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26...Rfd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] As Black does not fear} 27.Rxd2 Rxd2 28.Bxf5 $4 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 28...Qxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.bxc3 {Black's position is very loose, and Khotenashvili sacrifices a pawn in order to create a passer of her own.} 25...b4 26.cxb4 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {And definitely not} 26...cxb4 27.Bb3+ Kh8 28.Rc1 Qb8 29.Rcc7 {when White fully dominates.} ) 27.b5 Rd2 28.Rd1 c3 ( {This time, the doubling of the rooks with} 28...Rfd8 {does not promise Black anything} 29.Rxd2 Rxd2 {due to the strong} 30.Ba4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Then in order to attack the white king, Black needs to spend a valuable tempo for} ( {But not} 30.b6 Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 30...Qc5 31.b6 Qd5 32.Qf1 Rf2 33.Qg1 Rb2 {And this is already good enough for White to attack faster with} 34.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {And also} 34.Be8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] looks enough for the win.} ) 34...Qxe6 35.Ra8+ Kf7 36.Be8+ Qxe8 37.Rxe8 Kxe8 38.g3 Bf6 39.Qc5 ) 29.b6 Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A clever idea, which almost worked.} ( {Or} 29...Qc6 30.Qb3+ Kh8 31.Rxd2 cxd2 32.b7 {and wins.} ) 30.Rd7 {Playing with fire $1} ( {The neatest win is} 30.Rxd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...cxd2 31.Qb3+ Kh8 32.Qa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] trading the queens and depriving Black of any activity.} ) 30...Qf2 {Alas, in time trouble, Khotenashvili misses a beautiful shot.} ( {There is the pretty} 30...Rxg2 $3 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] shot, which White cannot capture} 31.Kxg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( {And after the better defense} 31.R7d4 Re2 32.Qb3+ Kh8 33.b7 {Black can regroup into the attack just in time} 33...Qc6+ 34.Qd5 Qg6 35.Rg1 Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And force a draw after, say} 36.b8=Q Rxh2+ $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Kxh2 Be1+ 38.Kg2 Qe2+ 39.Kh3 Qh5+ ) 31...Qf2+ 32.Kh1 Qf3+ 33.Kg1 Bf2+ 34.Kf1 Be3+ 35.Ke1 Qf2# ) 31.R7xd2 cxd2 32.Rf1 {Now White is again in control, but the time trouble provokes more drama.} 32...Qe2 33.Bd3 Qe1 34.b7 Rb8 35.Qa2+ {An obvious check in time trouble that provides Black another chance.} ( {Immediately winning is} 35.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Bxg3 36.hxg3 Qxg3 37.Bxf5 g6 38.Bc8 ) 35...Kf8 {Khotenashvili keeps the king close to the center by pure instinct.} ( {But it turns out that it is safer in the corner} 35...Kh8 $3 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] as in the line} 36.Qa8 Qxf1+ 37.Bxf1 d1=Q {Black is in time to defend the back rank and announce a perpetual with} 38.Qxb8+ Bd8 39.Kg1 Qd4+ 40.Kh1 Qd1 ) 36.Qa8 $3 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A nice shot by Kosteniuk $1} 36...d1=Q ( {Perhaps Black had to try her last chance with} 36...Rd8 {when} 37.Qxd8+ ( {But with the black king exposed on f8, this time White has} 37.Qa3+ $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Be7 38.Qa1 Qxa1 39.Rxa1 Rb8 40.Ba6 {which should be winning for White.} ) 37...Bxd8 38.b8=Q {is still a draw after} 38...Qxf1+ 39.Bxf1 d1=Q ) 37.Qxb8+ Kf7 {For the moment, Black has more queens on the board, but White attacks first, and this is decisive.} 38.Qc7+ Kg6 ( {Or} 38...Ke6 39.Bc4+ ) ( {And} 38...Be7 {does not save either due to} 39.Qc4+ Kg6 40.Rxe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Or even faster, a mate with} 40.Qe6+ $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 40...Qxe1+ 41.Bf1 ) 39.Qb6+ Kh5 40.b8=Q {Four queens on the board, a rare feast for the eyes $1} 40...Qxf1+ 41.Bxf1 Qxf1+ 42.Qg1 Qxf4 43.Qd1+ 1-0

[Event "Cairns Cup"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.11"]
[Round "8.4"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Khotenashvili, Bela"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2523"]
[BlackElo "2470"]
[ECO "C83"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7492033577557"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Switzerland"]
[BlackTeam "Georgia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SUI"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GEO"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 {The Open Ruy Lopez has been the favorite weapon of Korchnoi and Mamedyarov, but many other top players have also given it a try lately.} 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.c3 O-O 11.Bc2 f5 ( {The guru of the line once chose here:} 11...Bf5 12.Nd4 Nxd4 13.cxd4 f6 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Qb3+ Kh8 17.Be3 c6 18.Qe6 {but it did not work well for Black in Ivanchuk,V (2695)-Korchnoi, V (2615) New York 1994} ) 12.Nb3 ( {The other main direction has been tested recently too} 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.a4 {According to the same Mega Database, 13.Re1 is becoming the main line.} ( {As in the following fascinating game:} 13.Re1 Bg4 14.h3 Bh5 15.Nf1 Bc5 16.Ng3 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Qd6 18.Kg2 Rae8 19.Rxe8 Rxe8 20.Bg5 Ne5 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.f4 Ng6 23.Bxg6 hxg6 24.f5 {White took over the initiative and eventually won in Giri,A (2776)-Anton Guijarro,D (2673) chess24. com INT 2021} ) 13...b4 14.Re1 Bg4 15.Nf1 $146 {This is a novelty. Black's position looks active and aggressive, but as it often happens in the Ruy Lopez, White's hidden attacking potential should not be underestimated.} ( {Black achieved comfortable position in the predecessor after:} 15.h3 Bh5 16.Bf5 Bd6 17.Qc2 Re8 18.g4 Rxe1+ 19.Nxe1 Qe8 20.Ndf3 Bg6 21.Bxg6 hxg6 22.Be3 bxc3 23.bxc3 Na5 {followed by Na5-c4 and Black was doing fine in Firouzja, A (2749)-Fedoseev,V (2676) Chess. com INT 2020} ) 15...Bc5 {The same active policy.} 16.Be3 {Vachier-Lagrave,M (2760)-Deac,B (2627) chess24.com 2021 [Bojkov,Dejan]} ( {Nothing yields:} 16.Ne3 Bh5 {when the white pieces obstruct each other.} ) ) 12...Qd7 13.Nfd4 {This can be named the key square in the Open Ruy Lopez.} 13...Nxd4 14.Nxd4 c5 15.Nxe6 Qxe6 {If the black knight could only replace the queen in the blockade of the e5-pawn, all would be perfect for the second player.} 16.f3 Ng5 17.Bf4 {For the time being, Kosteniuk does not want to reveal her cards.} ( {The immediate trade:} 17.Bxg5 {is also possible when after} 17...Bxg5 18.f4 Be7 19.Qf3 Rad8 20.Rfd1 {White starts to attack any pawn that is standing on the way of their bishop. At the end, after some maneuvering} 20...g6 21.Rd2 Rd7 22.Rad1 Rfd8 23.h3 c4 24.b4 {Black decided to sacrifice it} 24...d4 25.Rxd4 Qb6 26.Qf2 Rxd4 27.Rxd4 a5 28.Rxd8+ Bxd8 29.a3 axb4 30.axb4 {but reached an opposite-colored bishop ending, which he held well, Dominguez Perez,L (2747)-Sevian,S (2684) Saint Louis 2022} ) 17...Rad8 18.Kh1 {An useful move. His majesty moves away from possible attacks along the a7-g1 diagonal.} ( {There is also} 18.Qd2 Nf7 19.Rfe1 g6 20.a4 b4 21.cxb4 cxb4 22.Bb3 Bc5+ 23.Kh1 Rfe8 24.Rad1 Qb6 25.Bxd5 Kg7 26.e6 Rxe6 27.Rxe6 Qxe6 28.Bxe6 Rxd2 29.Rxd2 Kf6 30.Bxf7 Kxf7 31.Bd6 {1-0 (31) Pourkashiyan,A (2322)-Tokhirjonova,G (2350) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 18...Qc8 $146 {Khotenashvili played this novelty after a heavy thought.} ( {The predecessor is another game of Sam Sevian, which went:} 18...Kh8 19.Qd2 h6 20.h4 Nh7 21.Bg3 d4 22.cxd4 Rxd4 23.Qe1 h5 24.Bf2 Rd5 25.f4 c4 {but even though Black defended at the end, his position was not completely satisfactory out of the opening, Shankland,S (2712)-Sevian,S (2684) St. Louis 2022} ) 19.Bxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight cannot be allowed access to the super-blockading square.} ( {Or else Black would be better after} 19.Be3 Ne6 20.f4 d4 ) 19...Bxg5 20.f4 Be7 21.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] One of the most typical Ruy Lopez ideas. The white rook enters the battle from its original position.} ( 21.Qf3 d4 {is nothing for White.} ) 21...d4 {Now White gains an edge thanks to a clever idea.} ( {Black should sacrifice temporarily a pawn instead with} 21...b4 22.cxb4 {And then} 22...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After} 23.b5 axb5 24.axb5 Qc5 {The pawn cannot be kept for long, and even though White keeps an advantage after} 25.b3 Qxb5 26.Qb1 cxb3 27.Bxb3 Rb8 28.Rf3 Ra8 {the trade policy should keep Black close to the piece.} ) ( {Instead} 21...Qb7 22.Qf3 Kh8 {Leads to White's advantage after either} 23.Rfd1 ( {Or} 23.axb5 axb5 24.Rae1 ) ) 22.axb5 axb5 23.Ra7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The open file starts to bring benefits.} 23...dxc3 24.Qb1 {A nice square for the queen, regardless of what the machine thinks.} ( {The other idea is} 24.Qf3 Rd2 25.bxc3 Rxc2 26.Qd3 Rb2 27.Rxe7 {and White also has decent chances for an edge here.} ) 24...Bh4 ( {That machine suggests a better defense} 24...Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] keeping the bishop where it is. Then} 25.bxc3 Rd2 26.Rd1 {can be well met with} ( {The bishop on e7 stands well in the line} 26.Bd1 Rfd8 27.Bf3 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26...Rfd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] As Black does not fear} 27.Rxd2 Rxd2 28.Bxf5 $4 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 28...Qxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.bxc3 {Black's position is very loose, and Khotenashvili sacrifices a pawn in order to create a passer of her own.} 25...b4 26.cxb4 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {And definitely not} 26...cxb4 27.Bb3+ Kh8 28.Rc1 Qb8 29.Rcc7 {when White fully dominates.} ) 27.b5 Rd2 28.Rd1 c3 ( {This time, the doubling of the rooks with} 28...Rfd8 {does not promise Black anything} 29.Rxd2 Rxd2 {due to the strong} 30.Ba4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Then in order to attack the white king, Black needs to spend a valuable tempo for} ( {But not} 30.b6 Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 30...Qc5 31.b6 Qd5 32.Qf1 Rf2 33.Qg1 Rb2 {And this is already good enough for White to attack faster with} 34.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {And also} 34.Be8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] looks enough for the win.} ) 34...Qxe6 35.Ra8+ Kf7 36.Be8+ Qxe8 37.Rxe8 Kxe8 38.g3 Bf6 39.Qc5 ) 29.b6 Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A clever idea, which almost worked.} ( {Or} 29...Qc6 30.Qb3+ Kh8 31.Rxd2 cxd2 32.b7 {and wins.} ) 30.Rd7 {Playing with fire $1} ( {The neatest win is} 30.Rxd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...cxd2 31.Qb3+ Kh8 32.Qa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] trading the queens and depriving Black of any activity.} ) 30...Qf2 {Alas, in time trouble, Khotenashvili misses a beautiful shot.} ( {There is the pretty} 30...Rxg2 $3 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] shot, which White cannot capture} 31.Kxg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( {And after the better defense} 31.R7d4 Re2 32.Qb3+ Kh8 33.b7 {Black can regroup into the attack just in time} 33...Qc6+ 34.Qd5 Qg6 35.Rg1 Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And force a draw after, say} 36.b8=Q Rxh2+ $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Kxh2 Be1+ 38.Kg2 Qe2+ 39.Kh3 Qh5+ ) 31...Qf2+ 32.Kh1 Qf3+ 33.Kg1 Bf2+ 34.Kf1 Be3+ 35.Ke1 Qf2# ) 31.R7xd2 cxd2 32.Rf1 {Now White is again in control, but the time trouble provokes more drama.} 32...Qe2 33.Bd3 Qe1 34.b7 Rb8 35.Qa2+ {An obvious check in time trouble that provides Black another chance.} ( {Immediately winning is} 35.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Bxg3 36.hxg3 Qxg3 37.Bxf5 g6 38.Bc8 ) 35...Kf8 {Khotenashvili keeps the king close to the center by pure instinct.} ( {But it turns out that it is safer in the corner} 35...Kh8 $3 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] as in the line} 36.Qa8 Qxf1+ 37.Bxf1 d1=Q {Black is in time to defend the back rank and announce a perpetual with} 38.Qxb8+ Bd8 39.Kg1 Qd4+ 40.Kh1 Qd1 ) 36.Qa8 $3 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A nice shot by Kosteniuk $1} 36...d1=Q ( {Perhaps Black had to try her last chance with} 36...Rd8 {when} 37.Qxd8+ ( {But with the black king exposed on f8, this time White has} 37.Qa3+ $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Be7 38.Qa1 Qxa1 39.Rxa1 Rb8 40.Ba6 {which should be winning for White.} ) 37...Bxd8 38.b8=Q {is still a draw after} 38...Qxf1+ 39.Bxf1 d1=Q ) 37.Qxb8+ Kf7 {For the moment, Black has more queens on the board, but White attacks first, and this is decisive.} 38.Qc7+ Kg6 ( {Or} 38...Ke6 39.Bc4+ ) ( {And} 38...Be7 {does not save either due to} 39.Qc4+ Kg6 40.Rxe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Or even faster, a mate with} 40.Qe6+ $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 40...Qxe1+ 41.Bf1 ) 39.Qb6+ Kh5 40.b8=Q {Four queens on the board, a rare feast for the eyes $1} 40...Qxf1+ 41.Bxf1 Qxf1+ 42.Qg1 Qxf4 43.Qd1+ 1-0

[Event "Chess"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.04"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7152215263775"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e4 Bc5 {Black challenges his opponent on his own territory $1} 5.Nxe5 Nxe5 6.d4 Bb4 7.dxe5 Nxe4 8.Qf3 d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A fresh but risky line, according to the Azeri GM.} ( {Mamedyarov deviates from a line that served his opponent well in the past, namely:} 8...Nxc3 9.bxc3 Ba5 10.Bf4 O-O 11.O-O-O Qe7 12.Kb2 Rb8 13.Qe3 {Here the black b-pawn went rampant.} ( {The Amercian also resisted the opponent's initiative after} 13.Bd3 b5 14.cxb5 Bb7 15.Qh3 g6 16.Qe3 Rfe8 17.Rhe1 Bc6 18.a4 a6 19.Bg5 Bxc3+ 20.Kxc3 Qa3+ 21.Kd2 Qb4+ 22.Ke2 Qg4+ 23.Kd2 Qb4+ 24.Ke2 Qg4+ 25.Kd2 Qb4+ {1/2-1/2 (25) Carlsen,M (2876)-Caruana,F (2812) Douglas 2019} ) 13...b5 14.c5 b4 15.c4 b3 16.a3 Bb7 {and Black eventually held in Rapport,R (2745)-Caruana,F (2764) Bucharest 2023} ) 9.Be2 {The most reliable answer. White needs to complete his development ASAP.} ( 9.cxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 9...Qxd5 {only helps Black take over the initiative.} ) 9...d4 $5 {[%mdl 4] [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A promising side line.} ( {Black has also tried} 9...O-O 10.O-O Bxc3 11.bxc3 Re8 12.Bf4 f6 {But without much success in the following game} 13.cxd5 fxe5 14.Qxe4 exf4 15.Qf3 Qd6 16.Rab1 a5 17.Bd3 b6 18.Bxh7+ Kf8 19.Bd3 Bd7 20.h4 Qh6 21.Rfd1 Qxh4 22.Bg6 Kg8 23.d6 cxd6 24.Rxd6 {1-0 (24) Cornette,M (2602)-Johansson,L (2468) Germany 2018} ) 10.Qxe4 dxc3 11.O-O O-O 12.a3 cxb2 13.Bxb2 Bc5 {This has been seen just once, and Caruana's next logical move turns out to be a novelty.} 14.Bd3 $146 {There are no kingside defenders; therefore, this move is self-explanatory.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 14.Rfd1 Qe7 15.h4 f5 16.Qf4 Be6 17.Rd3 Rad8 18.Rad1 Rxd3 19.Rxd3 Rd8 20.Rxd8+ Qxd8 {and Black managed to reduce the opponent's attacking potential, Tratar,M (2461)-Zirkelbach, M (2221) Slovenia 2019} ) 14...g6 {A needed weakening, and White wants to capitalize on it at once.} 15.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15...Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] More or less the only move.} ( {Both captures lose instantly} 15...Bxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16.Qe5 ) ( {And} 15...fxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16.Qe5 ) ( {Whereas} 15...f6 {weakens the kingside further and} 16.h4 {would soon build a decisive attack for White.} ) 16.Rfe1 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Solving the problem of the a8-rook. If it stays on its initial square, White would practically always have a decisive kingside superiority.} ( {Once more, greed is a sin and} 16...Qxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] leads to problems due to} 17.Qh4 Qb6 18.Rab1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...f6 19.Ba1 {White is clearly on top.} ) 17.Qf4 {Caruana prevents the activation of the black rook. At least for the time being.} 17...f6 {Solid play by Mamedyarov. Being a great attacker himself, he most likely did not even consider pawn-grabbing as an option.} ( {White's main threat is demonstrated in the line} 17...Ra6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18.Bf6 Qd6 19.Qh6 ) ( {However, this is a moment when Black could finally deal with the annoying pawn once and for all with} 17...fxe6 {After} 18.Qe5 Bxf2+ 19.Kh1 Bxe1 {White has a choice. Either the direct attack with} 20.Qh8+ ( {Or the more unpleasant pressure-nagging} 20.Rxe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Kf7 21.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20...Kf7 21.Qxh7+ Ke8 {When the nasty computer move} 22.Bg7 $3 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] keeps the White's initiative running, say} 22...Bd2 23.Bxg6+ Kd8 24.Bxf8 Qxf8 25.Qh4+ Kd7 26.Rd1 {Although nothing is yet clear after} 26...Ra6 ) 18.Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is in time to force some concession.} 18...Ra6 19.Rad1 {But this does not look optimal.} ( {It makes sense to insert first} 19.Bd5 {provoking} 19...c6 ( {And if} 19...Kg7 20.Rad1 {seems as an improved version of the game continuation.} ) 20.Bf3 {which at least locks up the black rook.} ) 19...Rd6 {Black too could have been a tad trickier.} ( 19...Rb6 {slightly embarrasses White's coordination and leads to an improved game situation after} 20.Bc3 Rd6 21.Rxd6 Bxd6 22.Qh6 Bxa3 ) 20.Rxd6 Bxd6 {The problem of the black rook is solved; now the ball is in White's court. How to build the initiative $2} 21.Qh4 {No retreat $1} ( {The machines prefers} 21.Qc1 ) 21...c6 {Takes away the d5-square from the white bishop. Mamedyarov is ready to win the e6-pawn.} ( {The hasty} 21...Bxa3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] would have backfired instead, and after} 22.Bxa3 Qxa3 23.e7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Re8 24.Qxf6 {White wins.} ) 22.Bd3 ( {There is also the tricky} 22.c5 Bxc5 23.Bb1 {In order to support the more valuable central pawn. But since Black has won some material already, he might start thinking about counter-sacrifices, like} 23...Bxe6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 24.Ba2 Bxa2 25.Rxe7 Bxe7 ) 22...Bxa3 23.Bxa3 Qxa3 {Mamedyarov has won a pawn but, what's more, has managed to trade another light piece. White needs strong threats, and he needs them now.} 24.Qg3 {The sacrifice on g6 is White's best hope.} ( {This time} 24.e7 {leads White nowhere after} 24...Re8 25.Qxf6 Qxd3 ) 24...Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Played after a thorough thought.} ( {Black had a valuable alternative} 24...f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would have slowed White down significantly. For instance, in the line} 25.h4 Qc3 26.Rd1 Bxe6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 26...Qf6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] also looks great.} ) 27.Bxf5 {Black has the strong} 27...Qxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and if} 28.Bxg6 Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Rejecting the perpetual.} ) ( {And even if Black allows the sacrifice, he is still out of any danger and can go for the full point, say} 24...a4 25.Bxg6 Qxg3 26.Bf7+ Rxf7 ( {Or} 26...Kg7 27.fxg3 {and now the nice idea} 27...Bd7 $3 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 28.c5 Ra8 ( {Or} 28...Be8 ) ) 27.exf7+ Kxf7 28.fxg3 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] it is only Black who can win here.} ) 25.Bxg6 {What else $2} 25...Rxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The nice tactical point behind Mamedyarov's idea $1} ( {Otherwise, it could have ended in a draw after} 25...Qxg3 26.Bf7+ Kg7 27.fxg3 Re7 28.Ra1 b6 29.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26.Bd3+ Kh8 27.Rd1 Qd6 {Black solidifies his position while keeping his extra pawn. Still, since his king is permanently weak, White keeps practical chances.} 28.Qf3 Qe7 ( {The immediate} 28...Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.Bc2 Qe7 {is excellent too.} ) 29.Bf1 Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The ideal position for the rook; the black bishop is finally entering the game as well.} 30.h4 Be6 31.Rd4 Re1 {Very logical, as this move prevents the doubling of the white pieces along the d-file. But as we shall see, it allows Caruana another chance.} ( {In case of the obvious} 31...a4 {White gets a chance to infiltrate with his major pieces} 32.Qd1 a3 33.Rd8+ Kg7 34.Ra8 b5 35.cxb5 cxb5 36.Qd3 {and the exposed position of the black king would prevent him from winning, say} 36...b4 37.Qg3+ Kh6 38.Qf4+ Kg7 39.Qg3+ {with a perpetual check.} ) ( {But perhaps} 31...Bf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would be a better try.} ) 32.Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen finds another way to pair with the rook.} 32...Bg8 33.Qd2 Qe5 ( 33...a4 34.Rd7 ) 34.Rd8 Qa1 {The culmination of the game.} 35.Qd3 {And a big miss by Caruana $1} ( {The amazing study-like resource} 35.Kh2 $3 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] could have saved him. Then, accepting the sacrifice leads to a perpetual} 35...Rxf1 ( {Perhaps the American GM was afraid of} 35...Qe5+ 36.Kg1 a4 {but here too, White has a way out, thanks to his active major pieces} 37.Qh6 Qa1 38.g3 $3 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Once more this incredible idea $1 Black is capturing a piece with a check and has plenty of additional checks afterward but no win $1} 38...Rxf1+ 39.Kg2 Rg1+ 40.Kh2 {The threat is Qh6-f8 $1 and since the black queen also has obligations to defend the long diagonal, the perpetual becomes inevitable.} ) 36.Rxg8+ Kxg8 37.Qd8+ Kg7 38.Qe7+ Kg6 39.Qe8+ Kh6 40.Qe3+ Kh5 {True, White needs to foresee from afar the key move} 41.g4+ $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] which closes the deal} 41...Kxg4 ( 41...Kg6 42.Qe8+ ) ( {And not} 41...Kxh4 $4 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 42.Qh3+ Kg5 43.Qh5+ Kf4 44.Qf5# ) 42.Qe4+ Kh5 43.Qxh7+ Kg4 44.Qe4+ {and a draw.} ) 35...Qb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now everything is covered, and the black king can escape the perpetual.} 36.Rxg8+ ( {Alas} 36.Qc3 {does not work} 36...Rxf1+ 37.Kh2 Rh1+ 38.Kg3 Qg6+ ) 36...Kxg8 37.Qd8+ Kg7 38.Qc7+ ( {Or} 38.Qd7+ Kh6 39.Qd2+ Kg6 {and the checks are over.} ) 38...Kg6 39.Qg3+ Kf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A bold move, and the king escapes.} 40.Qh3+ Ke5 41.Qg3+ Ke6 42.Qg8+ Kd7 43.Qf7+ Kc8 44.Kh2 Qe4 45.Qg8+ Kc7 46.Kg1 Qd3 47.Qf7+ Kb6 0-1

[Event "Chess"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.06"]
[Round "13.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2853"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[ECO "B40"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "5499302988880"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 ( {A similar position to the one that we shall witness later in the game can be reached via the Rossolimo after} 2...Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.O-O g6 5.Bxc6 bxc6 6.d3 ) 3.Bd3 {An original move, courtesy of Mr. Grischuk. True, he only played it in blitz…} 3...Nc6 ( {In case of the straightoforward} 3...d5 {White can react with} 4.e5 ( {Or with} 4.c3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 4...dxe4 5.Bxe4 Nf6 6.Bc2 ) ) 4.O-O g5 {Nope, that is not yet a novelty.} ( {Grischuk faced:} 4...d5 5.exd5 exd5 6.Bb5 Bg4 7.Qe1+ Be7 8.Ne5 Bd7 9.Bxc6 Bxc6 10.d3 Nf6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Qe2 O-O 13.Nc3 Re8 {as in Grischuk,A (2764)-Andreikin,D (2724) Chess. com INT 2022} ) 5.Bb5 $146 {This is the novelty. Carlsen enters the Rossolimo, down a tempo.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 5.Be2 g4 6.Ne1 h5 7.c3 Nf6 8.d3 d5 9.exd5 exd5 10.Bg5 Be7 11.Nc2 Be6 12.Nd2 {and eventually emerged victorious in Firman $146 (2492)-Omelja,A (2509) Kiev 2021} ) 5...Bg7 6.Bxc6 bxc6 7.d3 {In comparison to the Rossolimo reference from above, White is indeed down a tempo. But does the move …g7-g5 really help the second player $2} 7...g4 {This is about to be determined soon.} ( {In case of} 7...h6 {White may try to use the holes in the opponent's foundation with} 8.e5 Ne7 9.Nbd2 ) 8.Nfd2 h5 9.Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The beginning of a spectacular maneuver.} ( {Carlsen is right not to attack at once.} 9.f3 {can be met instead with either of the pawn sacrifices} 9...d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( {Or first} 9...g3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 10.hxg3 {and then} 10...d5 ) 10.fxg4 hxg4 11.Qxg4 Bd4+ 12.Kh1 Nf6 {and Black has rich play for the pawn.} ) 9...d6 10.f4 {Now this is good.} 10...Ne7 {And now, ladies and gentlemen...} ( {Firouzja correctly avoids} 10...gxf3 11.Qxf3 Qc7 12.Na3 {and there is a decent chance that the black king never leaves the center.} ) 11.Bd2 $3 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] White finds a way to bring everyone out at a very low cost.} 11...Bxb2 12.Ba5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Thank you, Nb3 $1} 12...Qd7 13.N1d2 {All the pieces are out. Next, Carlsen will concentrate his efforts against the main dark-square-d6-keeper.} 13...Bg7 ( {Firouzja knows that he cannot survive without a single piece to battle for the dark squares. Indeed} 13...Bxa1 $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14.Qxa1 Ng6 15.Qg7 Qe7 16.Nc4 {is plain hopeless for the second player.} ) ( {But maybe} 13...f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was a tad more accurate.} ) 14.Qe1 ( {The immediate} 14.e5 dxe5 15.Bc3 {also looks great for White.} ) 14...Ba6 {The only chance.} 15.Rd1 {Another deep Carlsen move.} ( {Against the immediate} 15.e5 {Black has} 15...c4 16.Nxc4 Bxc4 17.dxc4 d5 {still fighting.} ) 15...f5 16.e5 Ng6 ( {Now} 16...dxe5 17.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Qd5 18.Bxe5 Bxe5 19.Qxe5 Qxe5 20.fxe5 c4 21.Nc5 {would have practically smothered the black bishop.} ) 17.Nc4 ( {There was already a very pleasant choice, like} 17.exd6 Qxd6 18.Nc4 ) 17...Bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] At least getting rid of his ugly bishop.} ( {After} 17...dxe5 18.Nxe5 Nxe5 19.fxe5 {Black's position should slowly collapse as the light-squared bishop is completely useless.} ) 18.dxc4 d5 19.Nxc5 Qc8 20.Nb3 O-O 21.Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Re8 22.Bd6 {Firouzja did everything that he could and is... dead lost. His two remaining pieces are no match for the white ones and once White coordinates his major pieces it would be over.} 22...Qa6 {At least activating a piece. And believe it or not, this almost worked.} ( {If a move like} 22...dxc4 23.Nc5 Bf8 24.Rb1 {Black has hardly any useful moves.} ) 23.Qc3 {A blip in the system $1} ( 23.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was called for, when everything was under control.} ) 23...Rad8 {Missing the tactical chance $1} ( {Black is correctly avoiding} 23...Qxc4 24.Qxc4 dxc4 25.Nc5 ) ( {However} 23...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have now worked as} 24.Nxc5 $4 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] drops a piece due to the pin} ( {Therefore} 24.Bxc5 {would have been needed but then the black pieces would have come back to life} 24...dxc4 25.Nd4 Rad8 {and nothing would be clear anymore.} ) 24...Qxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24.c5 {Now it is back to normal.} 24...Bh6 25.g3 Rd7 26.Nd4 Rf7 27.Rb1 h4 28.Qd3 Qa4 ( {Any endgame is completely hopeless for Black} 28...Qxa2 29.Ra1 Qc4 30.Qxc4 dxc4 31.Nxc6 ) 29.a3 {This square was good for the rook.} ( {Therefore} 29.Rb3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was faster and more convincing} 29...Qxa2 30.Nxc6 ) 29...a5 30.Rfd1 {Overprotecting the knight and preparing the queen trade with Qd3-b3. Firouzja has his last slim chance.} 30...hxg3 ( {Instead something like} 30...Rh7 31.Qb3 {is completely hopeless for Black.} ) 31.hxg3 Bxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And Black grabs his chance.} 32.gxf4 Nxf4 33.Qb3 {Carlsen naturally saw the desperate sacrifice but knew that the queens are traded.} 33...Qxb3 34.Rxb3 a4 35.Rb4 Rh7 {That's the last active try.} 36.Rf1 {A solid move in the time trouble.} ( {Instead} 36.Nxc6 Ne2+ 37.Kg2 f4 {looks scary for White, but if we prolong the line a bit} 38.Nd4 f3+ 39.Nxf3 gxf3+ 40.Kxf3 {we'll discover that White is still winning.} ) 36...Nh3+ 37.Kg2 Ng5 38.Nxc6 Ne4 {This knight is annoying, therefore White took care of it with} 39.Rxe4 {And allowed all the counterplay he wished to prevent $1} ( {Instead the other sacrifice} 39.Ne7+ $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have won on the spot. First and foremost, accepting it means no activity for Black all after} 39...Rhxe7 ( {And, second, if the king steps on the seventh rank} 39...Kg7 {White has a pleasant choice of winning moves, like} 40.Nxf5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Or} 40.Rb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 40...exf5 41.Rb7+ Kg6 42.Rxh7 Kxh7 43.Rxf5 ) 40.Bxe7 Rxe7 41.c6 Nc5 42.Rb5 Na6 43.Ra5 {and it should be soon over.} ) 39...dxe4 40.Nd4 Rh3 41.c6 Kf7 42.c7 {This pawn is great.} ( {If} 42.Rh1 Rxh1 43.Kxh1 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and it is anyone's game.} ) 42...Reh8 {But the black rooks are fabulous too. The white king is in huge danger.} 43.Nc6 Rh2+ 44.Kg3 Rxc2 45.Nd8+ {Just pushing the king where it wants to go.} ( {It was not too late to force a draw with} 45.Rh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45...Rc3+ 46.Kf4 Rf3+ 47.Kg5 Rg8+ 48.Kh6 Rh8+ ) 45...Kg6 46.Nxe6 ( {Or} 46.Kf4 Rh3 47.Nxe6 {which transposes.} ) 46...Rh3+ 47.Kf4 Rf3+ 48.Rxf3 {With just a few seconds on the clock, Firouzja needs to make a decision.} 48...exf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And he chooses right $1} ( {The other capture would have allowed White a chance to stop the pawns.} 48...gxf3 49.Kg3 f2 50.Nf4+ Kh7 51.Kg2 e3 52.Nd3 ) 49.Kg3 Rg2+ {The last episode of the thriller today. And perhaps not believing his luck yet, Firouzja forces a draw.} ( {Had Black had a few minutes on the clock, he might have found the pretty finish} 49...f2 $3 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] First and foremost, this is a huge threat, and White does not have the time to promote his queen with} 50.Nc5 ( {Second, the pawns cannot be slowed down by the white king} 50.Kg2 g3 51.Nc5 Rc1 52.c8=Q f1=Q+ 53.Kxg3 Rc3+ {as Black mates faster.} ) ( {Last, but not least, if White tries to bring on the reserves with} 50.Nf4+ {Then Black has the study-like} 50...Kh7 $3 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] when the black passers are unstoppable} ( {The straightforward} 50...Kg5 {does not work after} 51.Be7+ Kh6 52.Kg2 ( {And not} 52.c8=Q $4 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Blunder;persistent;true] due to the familiar} 52...f1=N+ $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53.Kh4 Rh2+ 54.Nh3 Rxh3# ) 52...g3 {As now White has the amazing} 53.Ne6 $3 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] when the pawns are stopped as both} ( {Not} 53.Bh4 Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 53...f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( {And} 53...Rc1 $4 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 54.Bg5+ {lose on the spot for Black.} ) ( {True, Black can still try} 53...Kh5 {But then White should survive after} 54.Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Or} 54.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 54...Rc1 55.Bxf2 gxf2 56.Kxf2 ) 54.Bg5+ ) 51.Kg2 g3 52.Nd3 f4 ) 50...f1=N+ 51.Kf4 ( 51.Kh4 Rh2# ) 51...Rf2# ) 50.Kh4 Rh2+ 51.Kg3 Rg2+ ( {It is too late to fight for the full point} 51...f2 {can be answered} 52.Nf4+ Kg5 {And now a choice of perpetuals} ( {And not} 52...Kf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 53.Kxh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {White, beware $1} 53.c8=Q $4 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 53...f1=N# ) 53...f1=Q 54.e6+ {when White wins.} ) 53.Be7+ {White delivers it} ( {Or Black delivers the perpetual with} 53.Kxh2 f1=Q 54.Ne6+ Kh5 55.c8=Q Qf2+ 56.Kh1 Qf1+ ) 53...Kh6 54.Bf8+ Kg5 55.Be7+ ) 52.Kh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.08"]
[Round "15.4"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Tari, Aryan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2642"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7908129539653"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 d5 3.e3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Nbd2 O-O 6.c3 b6 7.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] In this particular situation of the London this move is rare. But the whole concept is the key to fighting the Grunfeld setup nowadays.} ( {The most natural:} 7.Be2 {was played by Aronian after} 7...Bb7 8.O-O c5 {He went for a queenside expansion with} 9.Qb1 Nc6 10.b4 cxb4 11.cxb4 Nh5 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bh4 g5 14.b5 Na5 15.Ne5 gxh4 16.Bxh5 Bxe5 17.dxe5 {with a huge advantage in Aronian,L (2775)-Niemann,H (2687) Miami 2022} ) 7...c5 ( 7...h5 8.Ne5 {would likely transpose to the game.} ) 8.Ne5 Nbd7 ( {In an earlier game, White was quickly close to winning after} 8...Nfd7 9.h5 Nxe5 10.Bxe5 Bxe5 11.dxe5 Nc6 12.f4 g5 13.Bb5 {in Burg,T (2525)-Antonio,V (2404) Leiden 2018} ) 9.Be2 ( {The direct attack was also tempting} 9.h5 {Then, one of the main ideas of the line is to sacrifice the exchange after} 9...Nxh5 10.Rxh5 gxh5 11.Qxh5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 {but Gukesh might have disliked} 12...c4 {[%c_arrow f1d3;keyPressed;none;from;f1;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false][%c_highlight d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false] which blocks his kingside bishop just in time.} ) 9...h5 10.Nc6 $146 {An original way to play for domination. Gukesh is trying to buy himself a bit of time to complete the development, while stopping the freeing e7-e5 break.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 10.Nxd7 Nxd7 11.g4 {but this is less logical as it helps Black prepare his central counter-attack with} 11...e5 ( 11...cxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] first, and only then} 12.exd4 hxg4 13.Bxg4 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 12.dxe5 hxg4 13.e6 fxe6 14.Bxg4 Qf6 {Koellner,C (2142) -Meyling, L (2072) Cattolica 2022} ) ( {However, the attempt to keep the e5-point under control with} 10.Ndf3 {does not yield White anything due to the simple} 10...Ne4 ) 10...Qe8 11.b4 Ng4 {Tari does what needs to be done: e7-e5 is already on the agenda.} ( {But perhaps it made sense to add a little charge to the position with} 11...Bb7 $5 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 12.b5 a6 13.a4 {and only then} 13...Ng4 ) 12.O-O e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Consistent play.} ( {Here too} 12...Bb7 $5 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] looked neater, providing Black more resources, as in the line} 13.b5 e5 14.Bg3 Bxc6 15.bxc6 Ndf6 {when the c6-pawn is in trouble.} ) 13.Bg3 Qe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Only this move can be considered a mistake. The queen is too vulnerable in the center.} ( {Instead} 13...exd4 14.exd4 Ndf6 {would have been stronger, in order to complete the development after} 15.b5 Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {And not the obvious} 15...Bb7 {when the black queen is indeed in trouble after} 16.Bxg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...hxg4 17.Re1 ) ) 14.b5 Bb7 15.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White quickly makes use of the qeeen's misplacement.} 15...Bxc6 ( {The other captures are no better} 15...dxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {And} 15...exd4 16.cxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] both lead to White's domination in the center.} ) 16.bxc6 Ndf6 ( {Perhaps a lesser evil would have been} 16...Qxc6 {although there too, after} 17.cxd5 Qb7 ( 17...Qxd5 18.Bf3 ) 18.dxe5 Bxe5 19.Bxe5 Ndxe5 20.Qb3 {White is ready to steamroll the opponent in the center. Once this happens, the black knights would be deprived of stable squares and White would successfully organize a decisive kingside attack.} ) 17.e4 $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Alekhine would have been proud $1} 17...Nxe4 ( {Nothing changes} 17...dxe4 18.d5 Qe8 19.Qb3 {the white passers should decide the game's outcome sooner or later.} ) 18.cxd5 Qxd5 19.Nxe4 ( {Maybe Tari expected} 19.Bf3 {and hoped to defend after} 19...f5 20.Qc2 Ngf6 ) 19...Qxe4 20.d5 {The center is stabilized and Gukesh has two huge connected passers. And as the saying goes, two connected on the sixth rank beat a rook.} 20...Nf6 ( {The pawns don't need much to demonstrate their rage, one beautiful line being} 20...Rfd8 21.c7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Rxd5 ( 21...Rd7 22.Ba6 ) 22.Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Rxd1 23.Raxd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {Whereas} 20...Rad8 {would not help due to} 21.Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {But not} 21.c7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21...Rxd5 ) 21...Qf5 22.Re1 ) 21.Bf3 Qf5 22.d6 {The pawns reach the sixth.} 22...e4 23.Be2 Nd5 24.Rc1 {The simplest. White will soon find a way to support the pawns.} ( {Although} 24.Ba6 Bxa1 25.Qxa1 {was possible as well.} ) 24...Nb4 ( {In case of} 24...Nc3 {White would have likely sacrificed the exchange} 25.Rxc3 Bxc3 26.c7 Bd4 27.Bb5 {and the pawns cannot be stopped.} ) ( {Since the a6- and b5- squares are good infiltration points for the white pieces, the move} 24...a6 {deserved attention, but White can find a way to infiltrate from the other side too} 25.Qd2 Bd4 26.Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and without the queens on the board the pawns become even stronger.} ) 25.c7 {They are moving again.} 25...Bd4 26.Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The beginning of a winning combination.} 26...a6 27.d7 {One step closer.} 27...b5 28.Bxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The point $1 White gets access to the defenders of the back rank.} 28...axb5 29.Qxa8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And reduces their number.} 29...Qxd7 ( {Or} 29...Rxa8 30.d8=Q+ Rxd8 31.cxd8=Q+ {when the two pawns cost Black two rooks.} ) 30.Qxe4 Nxa2 31.Rce1 Bf6 {Tari blocks the e7-entry, but the major pieces can find another door.} ( {After} 31...Nc3 {White would have infiltrated with} 32.Qe7 Qxe7 33.Rxe7 b4 34.Rd7 ) 32.Rd1 Bd4 33.Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Embarassing the knight and practically forcing the queen trade.} 33...Qe6 ( {The knight is not moving} 33...Nc3 34.Qxc3 ) ( {Or} 33...Nb4 34.Qxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] loses at once.} ) 34.Rfe1 Qc4 35.Qxc4 bxc4 36.Bd6 Rc8 {One last petit combination at the end} 37.Bxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 1-0

[Event "Chess"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.09"]
[Round "17.3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[ECO "C58"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[Beauty "6666594551816"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3 {\"It's just sometimes fun to pull these old variations out\" (Nakamura) Whatever works should not be fixed. A few years back, Nakamura picked up this line to win the most important final game at the USA championship.} 8...Nd5 ( {That game went} 8...Be7 9.Nc3 O-O 10.O-O Rb8 $146 {Black plans a future rook lift via b4, but White simply ignores this idea.} 11.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important prohylactic move, stopping any ideas connected with Bg4.} 11...c5 ( 11...h6 12.Nf3 $16 {[%csl Re5] >e5} ) 12.b3 Rb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Consistent, but ineffective.} ( 12...Bb7 $14 ) 13.Re1 Bb7 14.Ba3 ( 14.Rxe5 Bd6 15.Re1 $16 {is probably good as well, but it gives Black more swindling chances.} ) 14...Rf4 15.g3 Rd4 16.Nf3 Rxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17.cxd3 Qxd3 18.Nxe5 Qf5 19.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Qf4 20.d4 $18 {and White soon won the game and the championship in Nakamura,H (2701)-Friedel,J (2516) Saint Louis 2009 [Stohl, Igor]} ) 9.Nf3 ( {A recent top game witnessed some wild moments after:} 9.h4 Be7 10.Qf3 f5 11.Bxf5 Rf8 12.Qh5+ g6 13.Bxg6+ hxg6 14.Qxg6+ Kd7 15.d3 {Grischuk,A (2745)-Artemiev,V (2701) Krasnogorsk 2023} ) 9...Bd6 10.O-O Nf4 {\"This did not completely surprise me\" (Nakamura).} ( {But perhaps Caruana would follow the classics next time he faces this line and opt for} 10...O-O 11.Re1 Re8 12.Nc3 Rb8 13.a3 f5 14.b4 e4 15.Nxe4 fxe4 16.Rxe4 Rxe4 17.Bxe4 Nc3 18.Qe1 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Qf6 {with Black edge in Molner,M (2456) -Bojkov,D (2544) Los Angeles 2011 ;)} ) 11.Nc3 Nxd3 12.cxd3 O-O 13.b3 Re8 14.Re1 c5 15.Ba3 Nc6 16.Ne4 Bf8 17.Rc1 {[#]} 17...f5 $146 {Caruana might have messep up something when memorizing his line.} ( {In the predecessor Black manage to defend after:} 17...Nb4 18.Bxb4 cxb4 19.Nc5 Qd5 20.d4 Bg4 21.h3 Bxf3 22.Qxf3 Qxf3 23.gxf3 exd4 24.Rxe8 Rxe8 25.Nd3 g6 {Sindarov,J (2587) -Matlakov,M (2691) Tashkent 2021} ) 18.Nxc5 Qd5 ( {\"I think Fabiano missed\"} 18...Qa5 19.Ng5 $3 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] \"and White is completely winning.\" (Nakamura) For instance} 19...Qxa3 20.Qh5 h6 21.Qxe8 hxg5 22.Qxc6 ) 19.Qc2 {Simple and effective. White is simply up two pawns. There is not enough compensation.} ( {Also good was} 19.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19...Qxa2 20.Qa4 Qd5 21.b5 ) 19...Rd8 ( {Nothing changes} 19...Rb8 20.Qc4 ) ( {Black cannot deviate from the queen swap with} 19...Kh8 {as after} 20.Qc4 Qd8 ( 20...Qd6 21.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21.Bb2 {it is the black e5 pawn that would be embarrased.} ) 20.Qc4 Qxc4 21.Rxc4 {White's pawn remain ugly, but are extra.} ( 21.dxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] would have lost one of them instead} 21...e4 ) 21...Rd5 22.Rec1 Bd6 23.Bb2 Ne7 24.R4c2 Rb8 25.d4 {Bringing the pawns into motion soon repairs them.} 25...exd4 ( {As after} 25...e4 26.Ne5 {the knight cannot be tolerated for long and} 26...Bxe5 27.dxe5 Rd8 28.d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] keeps improving for White.} ) 26.Nxd4 a5 27.Nf3 h6 {Now comes a beatiful a'la Capablanca maneuver.} 28.Na4 $3 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ( {Certainly there was also} 28.h3 Ng6 29.d4 {but the move in the game is way more effective.} ) 28...Ba6 ( {It is not the bishop that cannot avoid its trade as} 28...Bf4 29.Ba3 {leaves the black pieces too vulnerable.} ) 29.Nc3 Rc5 30.Ba3 {The point. With the disappearence of the bishop pair Black does not even have a hint of a compensation.} 30...Rc6 31.Bxd6 Rxd6 32.Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And back to a better square $1} 32...Nd5 33.Rc6 {Time to swap off a rook.} ( 33.Nc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 33...Rxc6 34.Rxc6 Nb4 35.Rd6 Bb7 ( {Or} 35...Be2 36.Nd4 Bh5 37.Nc3 {and White consolidates.} ) 36.Nc3 ( {There was also} 36.Nd4 Nxa2 37.Nxf5 Nc1 38.Nd4 Re8 39.h3 ) 36...Re8 {Caruana does not want to give up after such a wonderful tournament, but he would be forced at the end.} ( {Nothing changes} 36...Bxf3 37.gxf3 ) 37.h4 f4 ( 37...Bxf3 38.gxf3 Kf7 39.Kf1 ) 38.Rd4 Rf8 39.Ne5 Re8 40.Nc4 f3 {Last chance to create some threats.} 41.gxf3 {The simplest.} 41...Bxf3 42.Kh2 Nc2 43.Rd3 Ba8 44.Kg3 Kh7 45.Ne3 {And once that Nakamura placed all his pieces on their optimal squares after} 45...Nb4 46.Rd6 Nc6 47.Ncd5 Rf8 48.Nc7 Bb7 49.Ne6 Rf7 ( {Or} 49...Rf6 50.f4 ) 50.f4 {White finally started to push the pawns.} 50...Ba8 51.h5 Ra7 52.a3 Kg8 53.f5 Re7 54.Kf4 Ra7 55.d4 1-0

[Event "Global Chess League"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.29"]
[Round "8.6"]
[White "Sadhwani, Raunak"]
[Black "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2682"]
[ECO "D36"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "6804570381833"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 {World championship matches give a popularity boost to the lines that were explored there.} 5...c6 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 Be7 8.Bd3 O-O 9.Qc2 Re8 {The Carlsbad pawn structure has been reached, one of the most solid setups.} 10.Nge2 a5 {A useful, and flexible move.} ( {The above-mentioned WCh saw Ding defending well with the standard:} 10...Nbd7 11.O-O a5 12.a3 Nh5 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Rae1 Nf8 15.Nc1 Nf6 16.f3 Ne6 17.N1e2 c5 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2795)-Ding,L (2788) Astana 2023} ) 11.h3 Na6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Another flexible developing move. The knight is ready to proceed to the e6-square, whenever needed.} 12.a3 Ne4 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.d5 $146 {An impulsive move.} ( {The predecessor game saw White gain the advantage instead with the help of:} 15.g4 c5 16.Rd1 Bd7 17.d5 Rac8 18.Ng3 Nb4 19.Qxe4 Qf6 20.Qb1 Qf3 21.O-O {and Black did not get enough for the pawn in Rubinraut,S-Estimo,S Haifa 1976} ) ( {However, a more patient approach with} 15.O-O $5 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( {Or} 15.Rd1 $5 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would have been better for White instead of the game continuation.} ) 15...Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the thing. Raunak allowed this maneuver.} 16.O-O Nd3 {Esipenko would not miss a chance to install his knight to a beautiful outpost. Black does not experience any problems.} 17.Ng3 ( 17.dxc6 bxc6 {would have likely transposed to the game continuation.} ) 17...f5 18.Rfd1 {This is slow and allows Black a chance to consolidate his space advantage.} ( {A better try for Raunak was to try and use his lead in development with} 18.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when} 18...cxd5 19.Nxd5 Qg5 {would have led to interesting complications in which Black should have enough compensation for the pawn after} 20.Nc7 Qxg3 21.Nxa8 ( {In case of} 21.Nxe8 Be6 22.Qc7 Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] the white knight suffers.} ) 21...Bd7 22.Nb6 Bc6 {and the active black pieces compensate for the material deficit.} ) 18...Qe5 ( 18...Qf7 $5 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] also looked good for Black.} ) 19.dxc6 {After this, Black fixes an advantage.} ( {White should have fought the annoying knight at once with} 19.Nge2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...cxd5 20.Nc1 {Then a possible active try} 20...f4 {would have seen mass material annihilation} 21.Nxd3 exd3 22.Qxd3 fxe3 23.Qxe3 Qxe3 24.fxe3 {And a likely draw after} 24...Be6 25.Nxd5 Bxd5 26.Rxd5 Rxe3 ) 19...bxc6 20.Nce2 c5 {In order to support the d3-beast asap.} 21.Nf4 {At last, the knight is traded, but at the price of a pawn.} 21...Nxf4 ( 21...Ba6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] to replace the strong knight with an equally strong bishop would have been excellent too.} ) 22.exf4 Qxf4 23.Qc4+ {This also helps Black. Esipenko's king is much safer on the h7-square, avoiding any future forks or tempo-gaining-checks.} ( {Raunak is correctly avoiding} 23.Qxc5 e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {However, a better try seems to be the immediate} 23.Qc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with a small tactical point that the normal development is obstructed} 23...Be6 {Due to the cute blow} ( {Therefore, Black would have likely followed as in the game with} 23...Qg5 {but then White could have tried} 24.Rd5 {when the position of Kg8 can be beneficial for the first player in many of the lines, for example} 24...e3 25.Rxc5 exf2+ 26.Kxf2 Rb8 27.b4 Bb7 28.Rxf5 Qg6 ( {Or} 28...Rf8 29.Rxf8+ Rxf8+ 30.Kg1 Rf3 31.Qc4+ $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 29.Kg1 {And there is no} 29...Re2 $4 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Blunder;persistent;true] due to} 30.Qc4+ $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24.Qxg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Kxg7 25.Nh5+ ) 23...Kh7 24.Qc3 Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Esipenko is playing for the attack.} ( {Although the endgame should also be better for Black after} 24...Qe5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 25.Qxe5 Rxe5 26.Rd8 f4 27.Ne2 f3 ) 25.Re1 ( {Here} 25.Rd5 {is not as convincing as in the subline from above, as after} 25...e3 26.Rxc5 exf2+ 27.Kxf2 Rb8 28.b4 Bb7 29.Rxf5 Qg6 30.Kg1 {Black has the crushing} 30...Re2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25...Rb8 {An obvious and strong move.} ( {Another plausible way to attack would have been} 25...Ra6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 26.Qxc5 Rg6 ) 26.Kh2 ( {There is no easy way to protect the b2-pawn, for instance} 26.Re2 {allows} 26...Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Ree1 Bd3 ) ( {And} 26.Rab1 {is no better due to} 26...Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Qxc5 Bd3 ) 26...Qf4 27.Kg1 Qg5 28.Kh2 {After repeating the moves once, Black goes for the determined} 28...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Which prepares the decisive infiltration of the black rook along the third/second rank.} 29.Re2 Qg6 30.Rae1 Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And in case of} ( {Also good was} 30...Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea to meet} 31.Qd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31...c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 31.Qd2 {Esipenko has foreseen the crushing} 31...c3 $3 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] White loses at least the exchange and the game is essentially over.} 32.Qf4 ( {If} 32.bxc3 Ba6 33.Re3 f4 {wins a piece for Black.} ) ( {Whereas} 32.Qxc3 f4 33.Nf1 f3 {nets the second player a whole rook.} ) 32...Ba6 33.Rc2 cxb2 34.Rb1 Qf6 ( {But not} 34...Bd3 35.Rcxb2 ) 35.Qxf5+ ( {If} 35.Nh5 Qg5 36.Qxg5 hxg5 37.Rcxb2 Rxb2 38.Rxb2 f4 {and the white knight is trapped.} ) 35...Qxf5 36.Nxf5 Bd3 37.Rbxb2 Bxc2 38.Rxc2 Rec8 {The rooks have plenty of open files—there is not much to be done by White.} 39.Re2 Rc4 40.Rd2 Rc7 41.h4 Rb3 42.h5 Rxa3 43.Rd8 g6 {Avoiding any mating nets is a good idea.} ( {Although there is no mate after} 43...Ra2 44.Nh4 Rc5 ) 44.hxg6+ Kxg6 45.Ne3 Ra2 46.Kg3 Ra7 47.Rd6+ Kh7 48.Nf5 a4 49.Rxh6+ Kg8 50.Rg6+ Kf8 51.Rh6 Ra5 52.Rh8+ Kf7 53.Nd6+ Kg7 0-1

[Event "Global Chess League"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.06.30"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2694"]
[ECO "E18"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7216350404648"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "China"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 {It is quite amusing to see a KID guru fianchetto the other bishop first, but Radjabov will nevertheless get what he knows best sooner than later.} 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Bd2 Nxd2 9.Qxd2 d6 10.e4 Nd7 11.Rad1 ( {Radjabov was successful in an earlier game of his after:} 11.Rfe1 c5 12.d5 e5 13.h4 g6 14.Bh3 Nf6 15.Kg2 Re8 16.a3 Bc8 17.Bxc8 Qxc8 18.Rh1 Nh5 19.Rag1 Rf8 20.Kf1 f5 {Yilmaz,M (2633)-Radjabov,T (2747) Shusha 2022} ) 11...c5 12.d5 e5 {Here it is, Black is heading to a closed setup, typical for the KID. In doing so, however, he is risking heavily as if he does not succeed to create his counterplay in time, Black can get easily smothered.} 13.Ne1 {The knight is heading to the optimal square on d3, while opening the road for his f-pawn.} 13...a6 14.a4 {Wei wants control on the queenside in order to get a one-sided kingside attack.} 14...Bc8 $1 $146 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop belongs on this diagonal. Meanwhile, Black is opening the b-file for his rook.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 14...Bf6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15.Nd3 Qe7 16.Bh3 g6 17.Rde1 Rae8 18.Qd1 Bc8 19.f4 {Tisdall,J (2410)-Levitt,J (2295) London, Bayswater 1982, but despite winning the game later, White did not have anything to brag about after} 19...exf4 20.gxf4 Bd4+ ) 15.f4 Bf6 ( {In case of} 15...exf4 16.gxf4 Ra7 17.Kh1 {White's attack develops with ease.} ) 16.Nf3 {The knight is trying to control all the important dark squares.} ( {In case of} 16.f5 Bg5 17.Qe2 {Black can prepare for the kingside battle with} 17...Kh8 ) 16...Rb8 17.Rf2 $5 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Wei is just a step away from his optimal setup. If he got a chance to play the cementing Bg2-f1 move, he would have a solid positonal advantage. That is why Radjabov goes for} ( 17.f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] here made more sense.} ) 17...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Just in time.} 18.axb5 ( {After} 18.cxb5 Qa5 19.Bf1 {White always has to recon with the idea} 19...exf4 20.gxf4 Bxc3 ) 18...Qa5 19.Bf1 Re8 {Adding pressure to the e4-pawn, and White is practically forced to block the center with} 20.f5 Bd8 21.g4 ( {Here} 21.Qe1 $5 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] deserved attention, with the idea to chase away the queen from its active position after} 21...Nf6 22.Ra1 Qb6 {and then resume the kingside play with} 23.h3 ) 21...Nf6 22.Rg2 Bd7 {Radjabov does not want to release the queenside tension yet.} ( {White's play is easier after} 22...axb5 23.cxb5 Qb4 24.Qe2 ) 23.Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice square for the queen, eyeballing both the flanks.} ( {The push} 23.g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is definitely premature due to} 23...Nh5 ) ( {However, another prophylactical move} 23.Kh1 $5 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] deserved serious investigation as well.} ) 23...axb5 {It is time for something concrete, as otherwise, White will simply crash through on the kingside after Qe1-h4 and g4-g5 $1} 24.cxb5 ( {After the preliminary} 24.Ra1 {Black would have found similar queenside play with} 24...Qc7 25.cxb5 ( {Or} 25.Nxb5 Bxb5 26.cxb5 c4 ) 25...c4 ) 24...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] More open files and diagonals are essential for Radjabov's counterplay.} 25.Bxc4 Qb4 26.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Still, Wei seems to be in full control of the situation.} 26...Ba5 27.Qh4 {The last preparatory move.} ( {But not} 27.g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 27...Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {Nor} 27.h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 27...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27...Qc5+ 28.Kh1 Bxc3 29.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And this time it is Wei who is just in time to deliver a blow on his own flank.} ( {Otherwise, Black would have been just in time to secure his kingside after} 29.bxc3 Qe3 30.Ng1 Bxb5 31.Rg3 Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 29...Nxd5 {The only move.} ( {There is definitely no time for} 29...Bxb2 30.gxf6 ) 30.exd5 {But that is not optimal.} ( {The Chinese GM would have done better had he had inserted the nasty} 30.g6 $3 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] first. Then if} 30...hxg6 ( {And in case of} 30...fxg6 31.exd5 {White has a huge, probably decisive attack, say} 31...Bxb2 ( {Here} 31...e4 {is coming short due to} 32.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...h6 33.Nxe4 {and Black has nothing else but to sacrifice the exchange with} 33...Rxe4 34.Qxe4 Bxf5 35.Qf3 {when Black does not get enough for his material.} ) 32.Ng5 h6 {Now the most convincing win is} 33.f6 $3 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 33...hxg5 34.Qxg5 ) 31.fxg6 Nf6 ( {Nothing changes} 31...fxg6 32.exd5 ) 32.gxf7+ Kxf7 33.Ng5+ Kg8 {The black king is exposed and one defender only on f6-square should not save it after} 34.Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 30...e4 $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Played instantly, Radjabov finds a way to insert her majesty into the game at once.} ( {The alternative} 30...Bxb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31.g6 fxg6 32.Ng5 h6 33.f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have led to a mate to the black king.} ) 31.Bxe4 ( {There was still a possibility for} 31.g6 {But this time things are different and Black has} 31...hxg6 32.fxg6 exf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Annihilating the strong attacker. White's initiative is still strong enough, but likely only for a draw as this non-forcing line suggests} 33.gxf7+ Kxf7 34.Bg6+ Kf8 35.Rf2 Bf6 36.Qh8+ Ke7 37.Re1+ Kd8 38.Rxe8+ Bxe8 39.Qxe8+ Kc7 40.Qc6+ Qxc6 41.bxc6 {Here, the most convincing draw seems to be} 41...Rb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42.Be4 Bd4 43.Rxf3 Rxf3 44.Bxf3 Bxb2 ) 31...Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.bxc3 Rxe4 33.Qg3 Qxc3 {Black consolidated himself and Wei needs to try the last wave of the attack.} 34.Nd4 ( {After the immediate} 34.g6 {the safest seems} 34...fxg6 35.fxg6 h6 ) 34...Qc5 35.g6 hxg6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A risky, but perfectly playable move. Now anything is possible.} ( {Safer was} 35...fxg6 36.fxg6 h6 37.Ne6 Qxb5 38.Qxd6 Bxe6 39.dxe6 Qe8 {with a draw.} ) 36.Ne6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] And a brave reply from Wei. In the severe time scramble, both players will try their best for the win, ignoring the risk. The exclamation marks do not come for the objective strength of the move, but for the courage.} 36...Qxb5 ( {The knight is immune} 36...fxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 37.Qxg6 Qc3 38.f6 ) ( {But} 36...Bxe6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was possible when} 37.fxe6 Rf8 {is unclear, but close to even.} ) ( {However, the beautiful} 36...Qb4 $3 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] would have won for Black instead, when after} 37.fxg6 fxe6 38.Qh3 {Black can block the attacking queen with} 38...Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Or Black could have also gone for counterattack himself with} 38...Re1+ $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] which would have been equally strong.} ) ) 37.fxg6 fxe6 38.Qh3 {White's attack is big, but is it enough for the win $2} 38...Rf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Secures the king along the f-file.} 39.Rc2 ( {It was time to force the draw with} 39.Qh7+ Kf8 40.Qh8+ Ke7 41.Qxg7+ Kd8 {But the best move here is far from obvious, it is} 42.Qa1 $3 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] protecting the back rank, while opening the road for the passer. Then the machine claims a draw, say} ( {But White should definitely refrain from} 42.dxe6 $4 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 42...Rf1+ 43.Rxf1 Qxf1+ 44.Rg1 Bc6# ) 42...Ke7 43.Qg7+ ) 39...e5 {Missing another golden opportunity.} ( {A similar idea to the one from above would have still won for the Azeri GM after} 39...Qa4 $3 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 40.Qh7+ Kf8 41.Qh8+ Ke7 42.Qxg7+ Kd8 43.Qh8+ Be8 44.g7 Qe4+ 45.Rg2 Rg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 40.Qh7+ Kf8 41.Qh8+ Ke7 42.Qxg7+ Kd8 43.Qh8+ Be8 44.g7 {The last key moment.} 44...Qa4 {And the final mistake $1} ( {Radjabov could have still saved the game with} 44...Rf1+ $3 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 45.Kg2 {and now} 45...Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46.Kxf1 Qxc2 47.Qxe8+ $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47...Kxe8 48.g8=Q+ Kd7 49.Qe6+ Kc7 50.Qe7+ Kc8 51.Qe8+ ) 45.g8=Q {Now White wins.} 45...Qe4+ 46.Rg2 Kc7 47.Qhh7+ 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour  Aimchess Rapid 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2892"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6942009341959"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

{[%evp 0,101,33,33,22,26,26,21,19,22,34,8,8,8,8,15,19,10,10,10,10,10,10,10,14,9,28,34,29,28,39,2,31,31,31,30,30,9,15,11,36,32,28,24,39,21,22,15,30,28,40,16,21,21,23,18,15,15,26,34,-3,0,18,5,18,25,11,3,0,0,0,0,0,-48,-14,-27,-3,-4,0,0,0,0,39,39,42,50,114,114,114,114,114,82,190,114,435,480,727,650,931,951,983,1015,1137,1218]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 Nxe5 8.Rxe5 O-O 9.d4 Bf6 10.Re1 {Both players have a lot of experience in this important position of the Berlin Defense.} 10...Re8 11.Bf4 Rxe1 12.Qxe1 Ne8 {The most solid move. Taking on d4 is also possible although riskier.} ( 12...Bxd4 13.Bxd6 cxd6 14.Nc3 Bxc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 14...Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 15.Qxc3 b6 16.Qf3 Rb8 17.Bc4 Qe7 18.Bd5 {White had the advantage in Carlsen-Gukesh, Speed Chess (blitz) 2022.} ) 13.c3 ( 13.Nc3 {is also possible. A recent example continued:} 13...Bxd4 14.Nd5 c6 ( 14...d6 15.Bg5 f6 {is another line that should lead to equality.} ) 15.Ne7+ Kf8 16.Nxc8 Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black managed to equalize in Robson-Dominguez Perez, Berlin (blitz) 2023.} ) 13...d5 14.Nd2 c6 ( 14...Bf5 {Carlsen didn't manage to pose problems in his game against Nakamura, but he certainly has some improvement:} 15.Qe3 c6 16.Re1 Nd6 17.Qg3 Ne4 18.Nxe4 Bxe4 19.Bd3 Bxd3 20.Qxd3 Qd7 {with equality in Carlsen-Nakamura, Speed Chess (blitz) 2022.} ) 15.a4 {Carlsen had played this move before. He provokes some queenside pawn play before playing the bishop to d3.} 15...a5 ( 15...Bf5 16.a5 {Now White gains some space on the queenside. This was played in a correspondence game.} ) 16.Bd3 g6 17.Nf3 Ng7 ( 17...Nd6 {is not so accurate. White had a small advantage after} 18.Qe3 Bg4 19.Re1 {in Carlsen-So, Meltwater Tour (rapid) 2022.} ) 18.Bh6 {A new and interesting move.} ( 18.Qe3 Bf5 {was equal in Vachier Lagrave-So, Zagreb (rapid) 2022.} ) 18...Be6 {A good reply. It's too early to place a piece on the f5-square.} ( 18...Nf5 19.Bxf5 Bxf5 20.Qe3 {with a slight advantage for White due to the good control of the dark squares.} ) ( 18...Bf5 19.Bxg7 Bxd3 20.Bxf6 Qxf6 21.Qe3 {with a slight plus as the knight is about to jump to e5.} ) 19.h3 Qd6 20.Qd2 Re8 21.Re1 Qd8 22.g4 {I think White should look for an improvement here in order to fight for the advantage.} ( 22.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a natural reply. If Black plays} 22...Nf5 {then} 23.Bxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Bxf5 24.Qf4 {gives White a little pressure.} ) 22...Bc8 23.Rxe8+ Nxe8 24.Qf4 Qc7 25.Kg2 ( 25.Ne5 {doesn't change the evaluation:} 25...Bd8 {followed by f7-f6.} ) 25...Qxf4 26.Bxf4 {One more equal endgame that Carlsen is going to win. What's his secret $2 Everyone asks this question. I think the main point is the will to win, which is more difficult to learn than pure endgame skill.} 26...Be7 27.g5 Bd6 28.Ne5 Kf8 29.h4 Ke7 30.h5 Ng7 31.h6 Ne6 32.Be3 Nf8 ( 32...c5 {is also possible, exchanging pawns.} 33.f4 cxd4 34.cxd4 Nf8 {with equality.} ) 33.Kf3 Bf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] van Foreest is a brave and confident player, and he was probably looking for his own winning chances. If he wanted to simply hold a draw, this wouldn't be so difficult with solid moves.} ( 33...Nd7 34.Nxd7 Bxd7 35.Bf4 Bxf4 36.Kxf4 Kd6 {White has no way to break Black's position.} ) ( 33...Be6 {is also good.} ) 34.Bxf5 gxf5 35.Nd3 Ne6 36.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White must create play on the queenside; otherwise, he risks getting worse.} 36...axb4 ( 36...b6 {leads to equality after} 37.bxa5 bxa5 38.Bd2 ) 37.cxb4 f4 38.Bxf4 Bxf4 39.Nxf4 Nxg5+ 40.Kg4 Ne4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] van Foreest embarks on an ill-fated knight journey.} ( 40...f6 41.a5 Nf7 {is good enough for a draw.} ) ( 40...Ne6 {is also possible. The pawn endgame is drawn after} 41.Nxe6 Kxe6 ) 41.Nd3 Nc3 42.a5 Nb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The knight keeps going in the wrong direction, and now the consequences are fatal. It is not too late to come back.} ( 42...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43.f3 Nf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44.Kf5 Nd7 {with good drawing chances.} ) 43.Nc5 {White is now winning, since the b7-pawn cannot be defended.} 43...Nxd4 ( 43...Nd6 44.Nxb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...Nxb7 45.a6 {This is an old trick. The a-pawn cannot be stopped.} ) 44.Nxb7 Nb5 45.a6 {The passed pawn decides the game.} 45...Ke6 46.Kf4 Na7 47.Nd8+ $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47...Ke7 48.Nxc6+ $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48...Nxc6 49.b5 Nd4 50.a7 Ne6+ 51.Kg3 {Another endgame masterpiece by Carlsen.} ( 51.Kg3 Nc7 52.b6 ) 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour  Aimchess Rapid 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Iturrizaga Bonelli, Eduardo"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2688"]
[ECO "E62"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[Beauty "5979936666640"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

{[%evp 0,49,22,-14,-14,-15,37,17,17,16,25,25,19,37,37,8,48,44,51,35,40,27,30,11,17,11,19,19,20,2,29,28,61,63,91,82,158,206,146,146,136,157,139,147,142,156,142,142,142,93,227,216]} 
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O 5.d4 d6 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.O-O e5 {My impression is that this move nowadays is more popular than the Panno Variation with 7...a6. As a side note, in 10 days GM Oscar Panno, the Argentine legend, will celebrate the 70th anniversary of his World Junior title. Congratulations $1} 8.d5 ( 8.dxe5 {is also popular and leads to duller positions where White tries to press with a small advantage.} ) 8...Nb8 {The modern move.} ( 8...Ne7 {is the old main line.} ) 9.e4 a5 10.Rb1 {This move was also played in the first game of the match. Iturrizaga knows this line well: he faced the Brazilian GM Alexandr Fier this year but chose instead the more natural 10.Ne1.} ( 10.Ne1 Na6 11.Nd3 Nd7 12.Be3 Nac5 13.Nxc5 Nxc5 14.a3 Bd7 15.b4 axb4 16.axb4 Rxa1 17.Qxa1 Nb3 18.Qb2 Nd4 {Black was fine in Iturrizaga-Fier, Havana 2023.} ) 10...Na6 11.Re1 Nc5 ( 11...Bd7 {This was played in the first game of the match.} 12.a3 ( 12.b3 {This probably would be Iturrizaga's choice in this game.} ) 12...Nc5 13.b3 b6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] and Van Foreest won a complicated game.} ) 12.b3 Bd7 13.h3 {An useful waiting move.} ( 13.a3 {This transposes to a position from the first game of the match. Instead of 13...b6, played by Van Foreest, Black can play:} 13...a4 14.b4 Nb3 15.Bb2 Bh6 {with chances for both sides in a typical King's Indian position. Ding-Grischuk, Wenzhou 2016.} ) 13...h6 {If he plays h3, I can play h6. This is a good motto, especially in games with fast time controls. It might not be the most accurate, but certainly, it will not be very bad either.} ( 13...Ne8 14.Be3 b6 15.a3 a4 16.b4 Nb3 17.Nd2 Nxd2 18.Qxd2 f5 19.exf5 gxf5 20.f4 {with a small advantage for White in Panjwani-Kavutskiy, San Jose Mission 2022.} ) 14.a3 Kh7 {This move doesn't help Black's position} ( 14...a4 {it's a bit rushed:} 15.b4 Nb3 16.Be3 {White will play 17.Nd2 next.} ) ( 14...Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best, waiting to see White's intentions.} 15.Qc2 ( 15.b4 axb4 16.axb4 Na4 {with counterplay.} ) 15...a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now is time.} 16.b4 Nb3 17.Be3 Nh5 {The knight may go to d4 gaining tempo.} ) 15.Qc2 b6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 15...a4 16.b4 Nb3 17.Be3 {This position is worse for Black than in the notes to 14...Qe7, since the king on h7 makes the f7-f5 advance less appealing.} ) ( 15...Ne8 {is a better alternative. If White plays the same way with} 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 Na4 18.Nb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black has} 18...c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the d6-pawn is protected.} ) 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 Na4 18.Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight is stuck on a4, and Black is already losing.} 18...c6 {A desperate attempt to save the poor knight.} 19.Nxd6 ( 19.dxc6 Bxc6 20.Ra1 {is not so clear because of} 20...Bxb5 21.cxb5 Qc8 ) 19...Qc7 20.dxc6 Bxc6 21.Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only path to victory. But one, sometimes, is good enough.} 21...Qxd6 22.Nxc6 Qxc6 23.e5 Qe6 24.Bxh6 {A flashy move, although there is a simpler and equally effective path.} ( 24.Bxa8 Rxa8 25.Ra1 Nd7 ( 25...b5 26.cxb5 Nb6 27.Rxa8 Nxa8 28.Qc6 {is easily winning for White.} ) 26.Rxa4 Rxa4 27.Qxa4 Nxe5 28.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer says this is completely winning for White, but in a rapid game, the black knight still promises us an adventure.} ) 24...Nd7 ( 24...Bxh6 25.exf6 Qxf6 26.Bxa8 Rxa8 27.Ra1 {with an easy win.} ) ( 24...Kxh6 {is the best chance:} 25.exf6 Qxf6 26.Bxa8 Rxa8 27.Ra1 Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 27...Qxa1 $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28.Rxa1 Bxa1 29.Qc1+ {wins the bishop.} ) 28.Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 28.b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This tempting move is less accurate:} 28...Qf3 29.Rxa4 Rxa4 30.Qxa4 Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 28...Ra7 29.Qa2 Qa8 {Black is tied up, and White should win easily, but this gives more hope than the game continuation.} ) 25.Bxg7 Kxg7 26.Bxa8 Rxa8 27.Ra1 Nxe5 28.Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Re8 29.Qxe5+ {The simplest.} ( 29.Rxa4 Nf3+ 30.Qxf3 Qxe1+ 31.Kg2 ) 29...Qxe5 30.Rxe5 Rxe5 31.Rxa4 Re4 32.Ra6 b5 33.cxb5 Rxb4 34.Rb6 {\"All rook endgames are drawn.\" Unless you are two pawns down. Jokes aside, the endgame is easily winning for White.} 34...g5 35.Rb8 Kg6 36.b6 Rb3 37.Kf1 Rb2 38.Ke1 Kf6 39.b7 {In this position, White has pushed the pawn all the way to b7 and next can create a passed pawn on the other flank. The passer needs to be an f-pawn since g- or h- pawns are not enough to break the resistance.} 39...Kg7 40.Kd1 f6 41.Kc1 Rb6 42.Kc2 Rb5 43.Kc3 Rb1 44.Kd4 Rb5 45.Ke4 Re5+ 46.Kf3 Rb5 47.Kg4 Rb4+ 48.Kh5 Rb6 49.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 49...Rb5 50.hxg5 Rxg5+ 51.Kh4 Rb5 52.g4 Rb4 53.f4 Rb3 54.f5 ( 54.g5 fxg5+ 55.fxg5 $4 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] I'm suggesting this horrible move in order to show the difference. Here, Black can simply wait. If White has an f-pawn, then he can push it forward and win.} ) 54...Rb4 55.Kh5 Rb1 56.g5 Rh1+ 57.Kg4 Rg1+ 58.Kf3 Rf1+ 59.Kg2 Rb1 60.gxf6+ Kf7 61.Rh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A typical device.} 61...Rb2+ 62.Kg3 Rb3+ 63.Kg4 Rb4+ 64.Kf3 Rb3+ 65.Ke2 Rb2+ 66.Kd3 Rb3+ 67.Kc4 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour  Aimchess Rapid 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2903"]
[BlackElo "2831"]
[ECO "B42"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7491765149726"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Bd3 {Much less common than 5.Nc3. Carlsen usually finds his own ways to play the openings, most of the time avoiding variations that are too theoretical. Everybody recognizes his brilliant play, especially in the endgame, but I think his legacy in opening theory is no less important and usually underrated.} 5...d6 {Certainly not the way to challenge, theoretically speaking, white's previous move. Abdusattorov makes a practical choice to accept a hedgehog pawn structure.} ( 5...Nc6 {is the critical move.} ) 6.c4 Be7 7.Nc3 a6 8.Be3 O-O 9.O-O b6 10.f4 Qc7 11.Rc1 Nbd7 {Black's position became very passive and one might think that White has a comfortable position, but actually it's already winning after Carlsen's next move.} 12.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 12.b4 {is the move most people would play, but the move played in the game is even better.} ) 12...Nc5 13.Bb1 Bb7 14.Qf3 g6 15.b4 ( 15.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} 15...Nh5 ( 15...Ne8 16.b4 Nd7 17.Qh3 {followed by f4-f5 with a crushing attack.} ) 16.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's knight is far from the e5-square and this move becomes very strong.} 16...exf5 17.Nxf5 {with a winning initiative, for instance:} 17...gxf5 18.Qxh5 fxe4 19.Bd4 {and White will soon checkmate.} ) 15...Ncd7 16.g5 ( 16.Qh3 {The attack is still very strong after f4-f5.} ) 16...Nh5 {The situation is not so clear anymore.} 17.Nd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A bold sacrifice.} ( 17.Qh3 {is natural, again with the idea of f4-f5, but now Black is surviving after} 17...Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 17...Qd8 {A good decision. Accepting the knight leads to a chaotic position.} ( 17...exd5 18.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best way to attack.} ( {After} 18.cxd5 Qd8 {the compensation is not clear.} ) 18...Rae8 ( 18...gxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.cxd5 Qd8 20.Qxh5 {with a winning attack.} ) 19.Bd4 f6 20.cxd5 Qd8 {White's initiative is very dangerous, but not yet winning.} ) 18.Nxe7+ Qxe7 19.Qh3 {The worst is over for Black.} 19...Rae8 ( 19...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to start a counterplay. If White tries to keep the structure intact, then the rook becomes active after} 20.a3 axb4 21.axb4 Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20.Rce1 Qd8 21.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A subtle move.} ( 21.f5 {leads to an unclear position after} 21...exf5 22.Nxf5 ( 22.exf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 22...Ne5 {is better for Black.} ) 22...gxf5 23.Qxh5 Bxe4 ) 21...e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move is usually a mistake when White is able to reply with f4-f5. This position is not an exception.} ( 21...f6 22.Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is good for White.} ) ( 21...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to fight.} ) 22.f5 f6 23.Qh4 Rf7 24.Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Carlsen is not in a hurry.} ( 24.Ng3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] allows Black to sacrifice a pawn and achieve a good position after} 24...Nf4 25.Bxf4 exf4 26.Qxf4 fxg5 27.Qxd6 Ne5 ) 24...Qc7 25.Bd3 Ref8 26.gxf6 ( 26.Rf2 {is also possible, preparing to double rooks on the f-file.} ) 26...Ndxf6 27.Bh6 {Black needs to sacrifice something in order to complicate the game, but how $2} 27...g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black is losing, but this is an interesting practical attempt.} ( 27...Re8 {Passive play is not enough:} 28.fxg6 hxg6 29.Ng3 {with a much better position for White.} ) ( 27...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the computer's suggestion, simply sacrificing the exchange. Not an easy move to play, to say the least.} ) 28.Qxg5+ Kh8 29.Bxf8 Rxf8 30.Ng3 Rg8 31.Qh6 Qf7 {Everybody knows that White must be winning, but with little time on the clock it's not easy to demonstrate it and Black finally has an active position, at the cost of material. One thing the computer is not able to teach us is how difficult a position is to play. Maybe this is an idea for future engine development: some indication if the position is winning with many moves (easy) or if you need to play with a lot of precision (difficult).} 32.Be2 ( 32.Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The type of computer move that not even Carlsen can play with little time.} 32...Nxg3 33.hxg3 Rxg3+ 34.Rg2 Rxg2+ 35.Kxg2 Nxe4 36.Kg1 {Only a computer can play like this and I could not believe my eyes, thinking, what was the machine's idea against the capture on f5 $2} 36...Qxf5 {Now the point is:} 37.Rd2 $3 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The only winning move. The rook protects the king from the checks} ) 32...Nf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 32...Nxg3 {gives better chances.} 33.hxg3 Nxe4 34.g4 Ng3 35.Qxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Nxe2+ 36.Kf2 Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with total chaos on the board.} ) 33.Rxf4 {The human move. Capturing this knight is irresistible.} ( 33.Bf3 {is also good.} ) 33...exf4 34.Qxf4 Nxe4 35.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very accurate.} ( 35.Bf3 {is not good:} 35...Nxg3 36.hxg3 Bxf3 37.Qxf3 Qxc4 ) 35...Qg7 36.f6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting and surprising move. The machine claims that both 36.Bd3 and 36.Qe3 are winning.} ( 36.Bf3 {again is bad:} 36...Nxg3+ 37.hxg3 Bxf3 38.Qxf3 Qe5 {with escaping chances.} ) ( 36.Bd3 ) ( 36.Qe3 ) 36...Nxf6 37.Ke1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move lets a good part of the advantage slip. Both players were really short of time and it's nearly impossible to play this position well.} ( 37.Qxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 37...Qe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 37...Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance.} 38.Rxd6 ( 38.Qxd6 Ne4 ) 38...Ne4 39.Nxe4 Bxe4 {and Black has chances because white's king is vulnerable.} ) 38.Qxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...Qg7 39.Qxb6 {White just captures all the pawns.} 39...Re8 40.Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move that ends any attacking attempt.} 40...Rxd8 41.Qxd8+ Ng8 42.Nf5 Qc3+ 43.Kf2 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour  Aimchess Rapid 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.13"]
[Round "53"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Iturrizaga Bonelli, Eduardo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2860"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[ECO "A33"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[Beauty "5983988089923"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.g3 {Only the sixth most popular move against the Paulsen, it's perfectly playable.} 5...Nf6 ( 5...d5 {is a critical move.} 6.Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 6...Nf6 ( 6...dxe4 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.N1d2 f5 9.f3 exf3 10.Nxf3 {with good compensation for the pawn.} ) 7.exd5 exd5 8.Bg2 {White keeps some chances of an opening advantage.} ) 6.Bg2 d6 7.O-O ( 7.c4 {is also possible, for instance:} 7...Bd7 8.O-O Nc6 9.Nc3 Be7 10.Nxc6 Bxc6 11.a4 a5 12.Be3 O-O 13.Qe2 {with an advantage for White in Giri-Carlsen, Paris (blitz) 2016.} ) 7...Qc7 8.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 8...Be7 9.c4 O-O 10.Nc3 Bd7 11.Bb2 Nc6 12.Rc1 ( 12.Nc2 $5 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] It makes sense to keep the knights on the board.} ) 12...Nxd4 13.Qxd4 {A typical hedgehog position. Black is passive but solid.} 13...Rfd8 14.Rfd1 ( 14.Nd1 {was played by the legendary Viktor Korchnoi. The game arrived at this position by a totally different move order.} 14...Rac8 15.Ne3 Qb8 16.a4 b6 ( 16...b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17.cxb5 axb5 18.a5 {The a-pawn is dangerous.} ) 17.Rfe1 Be8 18.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 18...Bf8 19.g4 {with the initiative for White after this very creative play. Korchnoi-Bischoff, Garmisch Partenkirchen (rapid) 1994.} ) 14...Be8 15.h3 Rac8 16.Kh2 Qa5 {A new move. The queen is going to h5.} ( 16...Qb8 17.a4 b6 {was Loncar-Mandekic, Kostrena 2002.} ) 17.Qd2 Qh5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This maneuver sharpens the game.} 18.Ba3 Bf8 19.Ne2 Bc6 20.Nf4 Qh6 {A curious square for the queen, but it turns out that Black's position is playable.} 21.Qe2 e5 ( 21...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is an interesting way to play. Black has a very concrete tactical operation in mind.} 22.Nd3 Qg6 23.Re1 Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is it $1} 24.Bxe4 Bxe4 25.Qxe4 Qxe4 26.Rxe4 d5 27.cxd5 Bxa3 28.Rxc8 Rxc8 29.dxe6 fxe6 {with good drawing chances for Black.} ) 22.Nd3 ( 22.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate:} 22...Nxd5 23.cxd5 Bb5 24.Qe1 Qf6 25.Bb4 {White has a space advantage and pressure on the queenside.} ) 22...Qg6 23.Re1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 23...h5 ( 23...Nxe4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Again this tactical idea works:} 24.Bxe4 Qxe4 25.Qxe4 Bxe4 26.Rxe4 d5 27.cxd5 Bxa3 28.Rxc8 Rxc8 {with a likely draw. Black is very active, and this compensates for the loss of the e-pawn.} ) 24.h4 Ng4+ 25.Kg1 Nf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another pretty tactical move. By now the conclusion is that White's bishop is not well placed on a3.} 26.exd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 26.Bxf8 dxe4 27.Bxe4 Bxe4 28.Qxe4 Qxe4 29.Rxe4 Rxd3 30.Bb4 f5 {Black has some pressure in the endgame.} ) 26...Bxa3 27.dxc6 bxc6 ( 27...Bxc1 $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28.cxb7 ) ( 27...Qxd3 {leads to a crazy endgame after} 28.Qxd3 Rxd3 29.cxb7 Rb8 30.c5 Bxc1 31.Rxc1 Rd7 32.c6 Rc7 33.b4 {The pawns look very menacing.} ) 28.Rcd1 Re8 {with equal chances.} ) 26.Kh2 Ng4+ 27.Kg1 Nf6 28.Bb2 a5 29.Qe3 Ng4 ( 29...b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 30.Qe2 Nf6 31.Qe3 Ng4 32.Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Qh7 ( 32...Qxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33.hxg5 {The knight on g4 is lost.} ) 33.f3 Nf6 34.Bh3 Bd7 35.Bxd7 Nxd7 36.Red1 ( 36.Kg2 {is more accurate. If Black tries the same plan with} 36...g6 37.Qd2 Bh6 {White can reply} 38.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 36...g6 37.Qd2 Bh6 38.Qxa5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting exchange sacrifice.} ( 38.f4 {White's pieces are not so well placed for this move.} 38...Re8 {with counterplay.} ) 38...Bxc1 39.Bxc1 Qg7 ( 39...f6 {is probably more precise.} ) 40.Nb4 ( 40.Qd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 40...Nf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The wrong route for the knight.} ( 40...Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better: the knight heads to e6 and then d4.} ) 41.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...Rd7 42.Kg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 42.Qb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...Rcc7 43.Kg2 {White is close to winning. It's difficult to untangle Black's pieces.} ) 42...Ne8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43.Nd5 f6 44.Nb6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Getting the exchange back but weakening the king and leaving the knight far from the game.} ( 44.Be3 Rf7 {with a double-edged fight.} ) 44...fxg5 45.Nxc8 gxh4 46.gxh4 Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 46...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to attack. The game ends in a draw after} 47.Qd5+ Kf8 48.Qe6 gxh4+ 49.Kh1 Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 50.Qxd7 Qxf3+ 51.Kh2 Qg3+ ) 47.Qe1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 47.Qb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After this move, the game is over: Black has no time to bring the pieces to the attack.} 47...Qd8 ( 47...Qe6 48.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 48.Nb6 Rf7 49.Qxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] winning material.} ) 47...Rg7 48.Nb6 g5 49.Nd5 gxh4+ 50.Kf2 Qg5 51.Qg1 Qd8 52.Qh2 Nf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 52...Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is correct.} ) 53.Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53...Qa5 54.a4 Qc3 55.Qxh4 Qb2+ 56.Kf1 Rg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It is still possible to achieve a draw after} ( 56...Qxb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 57.Ke2 Kf7 58.Rxd6 Qb2+ 59.Rd2 Qa1 60.Rd6 Qb2+ ) 57.Rxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 57...Qc1+ ( 57...Qxb3 58.Ke2 ) 58.Ke2 Kf7 ( 58...Rg1 59.c5 {The knight is the king's best friend. Black is not threatening anything, and White can advance the pawns.} ) 59.Qh3 Qb2+ 60.Rd2 Qxb3 61.Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 61...Kg7 62.Qxe5 {White has a material advantage and a winning attack.} 62...Qb1 63.Nf5+ Kh7 64.Qe7+ Kh8 65.Rd8+ Ng8 66.Qe5+ Kh7 67.Rd7+ 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour  Aimchess Rapid 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2864"]
[BlackElo "2916"]
[ECO "D40"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[Beauty "7078915345417"]
[EventType "rapid"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.e3 c5 5.d4 a6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.g3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] In the post-game interview, Carlsen said that he doesn't understand why players keep choosing this line, as he thinks it's very comfortable for Black to play. In light of these words, I guess I have to label 7.g3 as a dubious move. It's hard to argue against Carlsen's chess understanding.} ( 7.Be2 ) ( 7.Bd3 ) ( 7.b3 ) 7...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Carlsen has experience with this move. He has won all the games he has played in this position.} 8.Bg2 Bb4 {This is a great square for the bishop. This piece is ready to capture the knight on c3, if necessary, followed by a knight jump to e4.} 9.O-O ( 9.Qa4+ {is not a good try:} 9...Nc6 10.Ne5 O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11.Nxc6 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 bxc6 13.O-O Bf5 14.Ba3 Re8 15.Qxc6 Re6 16.Qa4 h5 17.h3 Bd3 18.Rfc1 Ne4 {with complete domination for Black in Keymer-Carlsen, Julius Baer GenCup (rapid) 2022.} ) 9...O-O 10.Ne5 Re8 11.Bd2 Nc6 12.a3 {A new move.} ( 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.b3 a5 14.bxc4 Ba6 15.Qc2 Bxc4 16.Rfb1 Bxc3 17.Bxc3 Ne4 18.Be1 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The same plan we will see in the game. Black was fine in Artemiev-Carlsen, Aimchess (Rapid) 2021.} ) 12...Ba5 {There's no need to hurry to capture the knight.} 13.b4 cxb3 ( 13...Bc7 {is less accurate, since White can continue with} 14.f4 {and the bishop cannot capture the knight on c3, so the e4-square is well-protected.} ) 14.Nxc6 ( {It's possible to sacrifice a pawn with} 14.Qxb3 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Rxe5 16.Rac1 {although White's only hope is to equalize.} ) 14...bxc6 15.Qxb3 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Black's typical plan on this pawn structure.} 16.Qc2 ( 16.h4 {is possible, but there's always the danger that Black will place the knight on g4 and play g7-g5 at some point, opening up White's king.} 16...Bf5 ) 16...h4 17.Rfc1 h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] If there's something we've learned from AlphaZero, it is that this h-pawn can just keep going. Before that, grandmasters usually preferred, in similar positions, to keep the tension or even capture on g3 and then try to mate on the h-file.} ( 17...hxg3 18.hxg3 Ng4 19.Na4 Bxd2 20.Qxd2 Qg5 {This is a pre-AlphaZero plan. To be honest, it also looks very scary for White, but the computer finds a way to defend.} ) 18.Bh1 ( 18.Bf1 Bg4 {controlling the f3-square.} ) 18...Bg4 19.Nb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An ugly move, but So wanted to capture on d2 with the knight.} ( 19.f3 Bd7 {White's light-squared bishop is shut from the game.} ) ( 19.Na4 {is the lesser evil.} 19...Bxd2 20.Qxd2 ) 19...Bb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very accurate play by Carlsen.} ( 19...Bxd2 20.Nxd2 {This was So's idea. Black is only slightly better.} ) 20.Bb4 {Trying to place the knight on d2.} ( 20.Qxc6 {loses in pretty fashion after} 20...Bxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.exd4 Rc8 22.Qxa6 Rxc1+ 23.Bxc1 Re1+ ) 20...Ne4 21.Bxe4 ( 21.Nd2 {meets an unfortunate end:} 21...Nxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Kxf2 Rxe3 {The classic double sacrifice. 22...Qf6 and 22...Bxd4 are also winning.} 23.Kxe3 Qg5+ {with a deadly attack, for instance:} 24.Kd3 ( 24.Kf2 Bxd4+ 25.Kf1 Qe3 {followed by mate.} ) 24...Bf5+ 25.Ne4 dxe4+ 26.Ke2 Bg4+ 27.Kf1 Bxd4 28.Qxe4 Bxa1 29.Rxa1 Qf6+ {The a1-rook is captured with check.} ) 21...Rxe4 ( 21...dxe4 {is also tempting, but Carlsen's move is better.} ) 22.Nd2 Re6 {The light squares will be a constant headache for White. The computer already evaluates the position as winning for Black.} 23.Qd3 Qf6 24.Qf1 {The queen returns to make the f2-f3 push possible.} 24...Ree8 {This is a really difficult move to play. I'd have a hard time removing the rook from e6 and sending it to the queenside.} ( 24...Rae8 {is a good choice, trying to attack on the kingside. Sacrifices on d4 or e3 are in the air.} ) 25.Rab1 Reb8 26.Bc5 Ba5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Bb4 Bc7 28.Bc3 ( 28.Bc5 {Objectively, this is the best chance, but let's not forget that So desperately needed to win this game. To be honest, Black is still much better and, even in a normal game, wouldn't be forced to accept the move repetition.} ) 28...a5 29.f3 Bf5 30.e4 Be6 ( 30...Bg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The h7-b1 diagonal is even better for the bishop.} ) 31.e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 31.Rxb8+ Rxb8 32.Rb1 {is a better attempt.} ) 31...Qe7 {The a3-pawn is under fire.} 32.Ra1 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final breakthrough.} 33.Qf2 c4 34.g4 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's remarkable that all those difficult pawn moves are the best choice according to the machine: h5, h4, h3, c5, c4, f6. This game is a lesson in pawn play.} 35.Kh1 ( 35.exf6 Qxf6 {White has too many weaknesses everywhere.} ) 35...fxe5 36.dxe5 Bb6 37.Bd4 Bxd4 38.Qxd4 Qa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A key move, removing the blockade. Now Black's passed pawns are ready to roll.} 39.Qxa7 Rxa7 40.Rc2 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final combination. It's symbolic that the h3-pawn will play a key role in locking White's king.} 41.Nxc4 Rc8 42.Rac1 d3 43.Rc3 Rxc4 44.Rxc4 Bxc4 45.Rxc4 d2 46.Rd4 Rc7 47.Rxd2 Rc1+ 48.Rd1 Rxd1# {Carlsen's current form in rapid and blitz games is unreal. The chess world is privileged to watch him play so many games.} 0-1

[Event "E Women's Chess World Championship"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2564"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "B14"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "6117241389063"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 c5 5.e3 ( 5.cxd5 {is White's main option. A quick overview of this opening:} 5...cxd4 {The modern approach, trying to achieve a draw with forcing play.} ( 5...exd5 {The old Tarrasch, once a Kasparov favorite, that is now getting back to fashion again thanks to some new ideas.} ) ( 5...Nxd5 {The solid and passive Semi-Tarrasch, a reliable weapon that I can't play with Black because I used to have nightmares after reading the analysis of the famous game Polugaevsky-Tal from the former's. book \"Grandmaster Preparation.\"} ) ) 5...Nc6 ( 5...cxd4 6.exd4 {Transposes to a position that can be achieved with many move orders, including the Panov Variation against the Caro-Kann.} ) 6.cxd5 ( 6.a3 {is a clever waiting move that is very popular.} ) 6...exd5 ( 6...Nxd5 {is also possible.} ) 7.Bb5 cxd4 8.exd4 ( 8.Nxd4 {was played recently by Caruana in a classical game.} 8...Bd7 9.O-O Bd6 10.Nf3 Be6 11.b3 a6 12.Bd3 Ne5 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.Bb2 Rc8 15.Rc1 O-O 16.f4 Bc7 17.Ne2 Bb6 18.Bd4 Bxd4 19.Nxd4 Qa5 20.Qe2 {with a balanced position which later ended in a win for White. Caruana-Nepomniachtchi, Bucharest 2023.} ) 8...Bd6 9.O-O O-O 10.Bg5 Bg4 {The bishops have a curious dynamic in this variation. They are moving around all the time, pinning pieces and trying to unpin others.} 11.Be2 {The bishop comes back to help the f3-knight. Both players show good knowledge of the latest developments in this fashionable line.} 11...Be6 {The bishops keep moving. This one comes back to secure the d5-pawn. 11...Re8 is the most popular move.} ( 11...Re8 ) 12.Re1 h6 13.Bh4 Rc8 ( 13...Re8 {was played by Nepomniachtchi:} 14.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Time to go back for the pin. Is there any other opening where the bishops from both sides do so much work $2} 14...g5 15.Bg3 Bxg3 ( 15...Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 16.hxg3 Bg4 17.Bxc6 bxc6 18.Qd3 Bxf3 19.gxf3 Qd6 20.Kg2 {with an advantage for White in Mamedyarov-Nepomniachtchi, Zagreb (Rapid) 2022.} ) 14.a3 {It's not very clear what this move accomplishes.} ( 14.Qd2 {is a better way to fight for the advantage.} ) 14...Re8 {A new move.} ( 14...a6 {was played in Murshed-Roghani, Kolkata 2001.} ) 15.Bb5 {It's not so easy for White to make a useful move.} ( 15.Rc1 {is natural, but the rook is not comfortable here after} 15...Bf4 ) ( 15.Qd2 {is possible, although after a2-a3 White has to worry about Nc6-a5.} ) 15...a6 {Asking the bishop to take a decision. Considering that White's capture on c6 is unpleasant, maybe playing 15...g5 first was more accurate.} ( 15...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.Bg3 Bg4 {with a good position for Black.} ) 16.Ba4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Who says A, must say B. If the bishop goes to b5, it must be ready to capture the knight.} ( 16.Bxc6 {This makes more sense.} 16...bxc6 {This capture is necessary, since taking with the rook loses a pawn.} ( 16...Rxc6 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.Nxd5 {Black's compensation for the pawn doesn't look enough for equality.} ) 17.Qd3 {with a small advantage for White. Certainly better than what happens in the game.} ) 16...b5 17.Bc2 g5 {The bishops keep moving, for lack of a better option.} 18.Bg3 {Whenever g5 is played in the world, there's someone considering taking the pawn with the knight, sacrificing a piece and going for the glory. Unfortunately, the cases when these sacs are actually good amount to approximately 3\%, according to the latest estimate.} ( 18.Nxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18...hxg5 19.Bxg5 Kg7 {The only attack you see on the board is an attack of laughter.} ) 18...Bxg3 19.hxg3 Qb6 20.Qd2 Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another bishop move. I have lost count of how many times they went back and forth. With this pawn structure, the bishop has an unusual peace of mind on the g4-square, never having to worry what to do against h2-h3. The same peace of mind is not achieved by the d4-pawn, which needs constant protection. Black's position is more pleasant.} 21.Rxe8+ Rxe8 22.Rd1 Kf8 {These patient moves are not easy to play.} ( 22...Ne4 {is tempting, but nothing serious happens after} 23.Qd3 ( 23.Nxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 23...Nxd2 24.Nxb6 Nxf3+ 25.gxf3 Bxf3 ) ) ( 22...b4 23.axb4 Nxb4 24.Na4 Qb5 25.Nc3 {with equality.} ) ( 22...Na5 {is an interesting option, heading with the knight to c4.} ) 23.Qd3 {Anticipating Black's knight move to e4.} 23...b4 24.Na4 Qb5 25.axb4 Qxd3 26.Rxd3 Nxb4 27.Rd2 {Black has some pressure in the endgame due to her more active pieces.} 27...Nd7 ( 27...Ne4 {The aggressive knight move is again tempting, but White has no problems after} 28.Bxe4 dxe4 29.Ne5 Be6 30.Nc5 ) ( 27...Rc8 {forces White's knight to go back.} 28.Nc3 {Black's position is more comfortable, but there's no clear way to improve it.} ( 28.Nc5 {is not so good after} 28...Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with unpleasant pressure.} ) ) 28.Bb3 Bf5 ( 28...Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to fight for a win:} 29.gxf3 Re1+ 30.Kg2 Ke7 {The bishop will be placed on d6 and Black's pieces are active.} ) 29.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 29.Nc5 {is not so good after} 29...Rc8 ) 29...g4 {After this move, the position simplifies and the game peters out to a draw.} 30.Ne5 Nxe5 ( 30...Nb6 31.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] equalizing the game.} ) 31.dxe5 Rxe5 32.Nxd5 Nxd5 33.Bxd5 Re1+ 34.Kh2 a5 35.f3 h5 36.Rd4 Kg7 37.Ra4 Re5 38.Rd4 Re1 39.Ra4 Re5 40.Rd4 Re1 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's Chess World Championship"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.09"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2564"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "D24"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[Beauty "5017863986184"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is an interesting and risky variation that I like to call the \"Argentine Variation,\" as it's often played by many Argentine grandmasters. It was played by Firouzja against Radjabov in the first round of last year's Candidates Tournament. Radjabov is on Lei's team so they certainly did a lot of work on this line.} 6.e5 Nd5 7.Nxb5 Nb6 8.Be2 ( 8.a3 {was Carlsen's choice in an important game this year. The idea of this pawn move, which can be tried in different positions on this line, is to avoid ...Nb4, the usual path to reach the d5-square.} 8...Nc6 9.Be3 Qd7 10.Nc3 Bb7 11.Qc2 Na5 12.Rd1 {Carlsen-Nakamura, Airthings (rapid) 2023. Carlsen won a nice game, but it's easy to bet that Lei's team has an improvement somewhere for Black.} ) 8...Nc6 9.O-O Be7 10.Be3 O-O {The game follows the main line of the variation.} 11.Nc3 Rb8 {This is an important position.} 12.b3 ( 12.a3 {was played by Radjabov:} 12...Na5 13.Qc2 Nd5 14.Rad1 Ba6 15.Bd2 Nb3 {with complicated play in Radjabov-Firouzja, Candidates Tournament Madrid 2022.} ) ( 12.Qc1 {with the idea of 13.Rd1 that has also been tried by strong players.} ) 12...cxb3 13.axb3 Bb7 14.Qb1 {The queen frees the path for the f1-rook and also keeps an eye on the kingside.} 14...Nb4 15.Ne4 h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A novelty that was played instantly by Lei. It's the first suggestion of the engine. Black avoids a knight jump to g5.} ( 15...a6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16.Neg5 g6 17.Rc1 {led to a dangerous position for Black in Davytan-Azarov, Cattolica Primavera op 2022.} ) ( 15...N6d5 {was played in Wang-Tabatabaei, Chess.com (rapid). White is better after} 16.Neg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...g6 17.Bd2 ) 16.Rxa7 N6d5 17.Bd2 Nc6 18.Ra1 Ndb4 19.Be3 Nd5 {A tacit draw offer.} 20.Bc1 {Ju decides to play for the win. Only now Lei started to think. She is showing excellent opening preparation in the match.} 20...Ra8 {Black has good compensation for the sacrificed pawn. The reasons are the active pieces, the d5-square, which is firmly occupied by the knight, and the potential counterplay on the queenside.} 21.Rd1 Rxa1 22.Qxa1 Ncb4 ( 22...Qa8 23.Bd2 Rb8 {with an equal position. White's knight cannot go to c5 because of} 24.Nc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24...Qxa1 25.Rxa1 Nxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 23.Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Bc6 24.Bd2 Qb8 25.Qa5 ( 25.Qc1 {is a scary move to face, as the bishop sac on h6 is always a headache. But Black can defend, for instance:} 25...Qa7 26.Bxh6 Na2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 26...gxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27.Qxh6 {gives White a dangerous attack.} ) 27.Qd2 Nac3 28.Re1 Nxe2+ 29.Rxe2 gxh6 30.Qxh6 Bxc5 31.Qg5+ {with perpetual check.} ) 25...Rd8 26.Rc1 Qb6 27.Qxb6 cxb6 28.Na6 Bb7 29.Nc7 ( 29.Nxb4 Bxb4 {with an equal endgame.} ) 29...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I love these pawn moves gaining space in the endgame.} ( 29...Rc8 {doesn't fully equalize after} 30.Nxd5 Rxc1+ 31.Bxc1 Bxd5 32.Bc4 ) 30.h3 Nf4 {Concrete play. It's not easy to say goodbye to such a strong knight, but this is done with good reason.} 31.Bxf4 gxf4 32.Nb5 Bc6 33.Kf1 Kf8 34.Rd1 Ra8 35.Nc3 Na2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This nice move forces the way for Black's rook.} 36.Nxa2 Rxa2 37.Ne1 Rb2 38.Nd3 Rxb3 39.Nxf4 Ba3 {Played in order to avoid White's rook from reaching the c-file.} ( 39...b5 {Black could start advancing the b-pawn since 40.Rc1 is not so dangerous:} 40.Rc1 ( 40.d5 exd5 41.Nxd5 Bc5 {is fine.} ) 40...Bb7 {with equal chances.} ( 40...Bg5 {is also possible.} ) ) 40.d5 exd5 41.Nxd5 Bc5 {The pair of bishops and the b-pawn are good compensation for the missing pawn.} 42.Nf6 Rb2 {Threatening ...Bxg2+.} 43.f4 ( 43.Nd7+ Bxd7 44.Rxd7 {Now Black can force a draw with} 44...Rb1+ ( 44...b5 {is also playable.} ) 45.Rd1 ( 45.Bd1 Rb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 45...Rxd1+ 46.Bxd1 Bd4 47.f4 f6 48.exf6 ( 48.e6 Bc5 {The king goes to g7, and Black has a fortress.} ) 48...Bxf6 49.Kf2 Kg7 50.Kf3 Bc3 51.g4 Bd2 52.Ke4 Kf6 {White cannot make progress.} ) 43...Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44.g3 Rb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45.Nd7+ Bxd7 46.Rxd7 Rxg3 {The pawn is regained, and we arrive at an endgame with opposite-colored bishops. The position is drawn, but White can try to press a little.} 47.Bg4 Re3 48.Kg2 Be7 ( 48...Re4 49.Kg3 Re3+ 50.Bf3 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51.Rb7 b4 52.Kg2 Be7 53.Bd5 Rd3 {with a draw.} ) 49.Rb7 f6 {An interesting moment. This move is a small inaccuracy, although it doesn't spoil anything. But now White could have made a very cunning winning attempt.} ( 49...Bc5 {is bad due to} 50.Bh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] winning a pawn.} ) ( 49...Rb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 50.f5 f6 51.e6 b5 {with a draw.} ) 50.e6 ( 50.Bh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a dangerous move that would force Lei to find the only way to save the game.} 50...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forced.} ( 50...fxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 51.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is threatening 52.f6, and suddenly Black is losing.} ) 51.Rxb6 Bh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another important move.} ( 51...Kg7 {loses to} 52.Rg6+ {Improving the rook before going for the f5-pawn.} ( 52.Bg6 Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 52...Kh7 53.Rc6 Kg7 54.Bg6 {with a winning position.} ) 52.Rxh6 Kg7 53.Rg6+ Kh7 {White cannot win even with a big material advantage.} 54.Rc6 Kg7 {Black has a fortress. Finding these defensive moves is very hard, and the conclusion is that 50.Bh5 would give serious practical winning chances.} ) 50...h5 51.Bf5 h4 52.Bg4 ( 52.Rxb6 Rg3+ 53.Kh1 Rf3 {with a draw.} ) 52...Rg3+ ( 52...Rb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a good move with the plan of advancing the b-pawn immediately.} ) 53.Kf2 Bc5+ 54.Kf1 ( 54.Ke2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best winning attempt:} 54...Be7 55.f5 Rb3 56.Kd2 {Black's pawn has no time to reach b4, and White can still try to win.} ) 54...Be7 55.Ke2 ( 55.Rxb6 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 56.Bxf5 Rf3+ {with a draw.} ) 55...Rb3 56.f5 ( 56.Kd2 b5 57.Kc2 ( 57.f5 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 57...Rb4 58.f5 Rc4+ $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 59.Kd3 Rc5 ) 56...b5 57.Kd2 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the draw is clear, since White has no meaningful plan.} 58.Rb8+ Kg7 59.Re8 Bd6 60.Rd8 Be7 61.Re8 Bd6 62.Rd8 Be7 63.Re8 {Another well-played game in a very balanced match.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Gurel, Ediz"]
[Black "Ivic, Velimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2500"]
[BlackElo "2590"]
[ECO "C83"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8248082055200"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,55,22,21,21,8,25,8,18,14,14,14,24,11,21,33,95,11,11,18,18,18,26,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,11,14,13,49,20,23,20,43,58,71,71,52,0,0,429,657,657,665,678,679,686,711,680,688,716]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 Be7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare variation of the Ruy Lopez but still played from time to time by super GMs. Gurel will prove to be well-prepared against it.} ( 6...b5 {It's important to notice that the position we will see later in the game can arrive by a more normal move order of the Open Variation after:} 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.c3 Be7 10.Re1 {transposing to the game.} ) 7.Re1 b5 8.Bb3 ( 8.Rxe4 {is the critical move. The main position of this system arrives after} 8...d5 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.Rxe5 bxa4 ) 8...d5 9.dxe5 Be6 10.c3 O-O 11.Nbd2 Nc5 ( 11...Nxd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is not accurate:} 12.Qxd2 Qd7 13.Qd3 Rad8 14.Bc2 g6 15.Bh6 {with the initiative for White in Carlsen-Mamedyarov, Norway Chess 2018.} ) 12.Nd4 ( 12.Bc2 {is the other popular move.} ) 12...Nxd4 13.cxd4 Nd3 14.Re3 Nxc1 {The best move.} ( 14...Nf4 {was played by Anand, always a seal of quality, but it gives White good chances to fight for the advantage.} 15.Bc2 {I like this move.} ( 15.Nf3 Bg4 16.h3 Bh5 17.Rc3 Ne6 {with chances for both sides in Vachier Lagrave-Anand, Norway Chess 2018.} ) 15...c5 16.Rg3 Bh4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Here White played an excellent exchange sacrifice:} 17.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Bxg3 18.hxg3 Ng6 19.dxc5 {with good compensation for the exchange in Almasi-Erdos, Sibenik 2008.} ) 15.Rxc1 a5 {Black needs to create play on the queenside and avoid a future Nb3-c5.} 16.Rec3 {A good move. The rook on c3 is useful to fight against the break c7-c5.} ( 16.Nf3 {is not enough for an advantage:} 16...a4 17.Bc2 a3 18.b3 Rc8 19.Bd3 c5 20.dxc5 Bxc5 21.Re2 Qb6 {with equal play in Yu-Sevian, St. Louis 2022.} ) ( 16.a4 Rb8 17.axb5 Rxb5 18.Nf3 Qb8 {with counterplay for Black in Shirov-Anton Guijarro, Marbella 2019.} ) 16...a4 {This natural move is a novelty.} ( 16...Rc8 17.Nf3 a4 18.Bc2 {was played in Lagno-Muzychuk, Khanty-Mansiysk 2018.} ) 17.Bc2 {The sacrifice on h7, followed by a queen check on h5 and a rook move through the third rank, is looming on the horizon.} 17...a3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17...b4 {This move is better and has a fantastic idea. It seems to be simply blundering a pawn, as White can take on c7.} 18.Rxc7 ( 18.Rc6 {is more accurate. After} 18...Bd7 {White can force a draw or sacrifice the exchange.} 19.Bxa4 ( 19.Qh5 g6 ( 19...h6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20.Rxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...gxh6 21.Qxh6 f5 {Here White can play for more than a draw:} 22.exf6 ( 22.Qg6+ ) 22...Rxf6 23.Qh7+ Kf8 24.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a dangerous initiative.} ) 20.Rxg6+ fxg6 21.Bxg6 hxg6 22.Qxg6+ {with perpetual check.} ) 19...Bxc6 ( 19...Bg5 {The machine prefers to start with this move:} 20.b3 Bxc6 21.Rxc6 ) 20.Rxc6 {with enough compensation for the exchange in a balanced position.} ) 18...b3 $3 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is the point.} ( 18...Qxc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Bxh7+ ) 19.Bb1 ( 19.axb3 a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suddenly White realizes that the rook on c7 is not very stable: If} 20.bxa3 Bxa3 {Black wins the exchange.} ) 19...bxa2 20.Bxa2 a3 21.bxa3 Bxa3 22.R1c2 Bf5 {with good counterplay for Black.} ) 18.bxa3 Bxa3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 18...Rxa3 {It's better to capture with the rook to distract White's attack.} 19.Bb3 ( 19.Rxc7 Rxa2 ) 19...Ra7 {with an acceptable position.} ) 19.Rb1 c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] I think Black's position is already somewhat dangerous, but the move played makes it worse.} ( 19...Qd7 {It's possible to defend the b-pawn with a slight advantage for White.} ) ( 19...Be7 20.Rxb5 g6 ( 20...Rxa2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 21.Bxh7+ Kxh7 22.Qb1+ ) 21.a4 {with a pawn up for White.} ) ( 19...g6 20.Rxb5 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] In order to survive, Black needs to play very energetically and sacrifice some pawns in many variations.} 21.dxc5 Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Qe2 Rxb5 23.Qxb5 Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with compensation for the pawns in this complicated position.} ) 20.dxc5 {A simple and good move, but there's an alternative.} ( 20.Rbb3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a brutal and interesting move, preparing to sacrifice the bishop and bring a protected rook to h3.} 20...Bb4 21.Bxh7+ $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Kxh7 22.Qh5+ Kg8 23.Rh3 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only defense.} ( 23...Bxh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.Rxh3 f6 25.e6 {ends with mate.} ) ( 23...f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.Rbg3 {also mates.} ) 24.Qh7+ Kf7 25.Rhg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Rg8 26.exf6 Qxf6 27.Rgf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Bxd2 28.Rxf6+ Kxf6 29.Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Bf4 30.g3 {White keeps the initiative in this imbalanced position.} ) 20...d4 ( 20...Qe7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is suggested by the machine, and it's a very difficult move for a human.} 21.Rxb5 Rfc8 ) 21.Rg3 Bxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows a brilliant combination.} ( 21...d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This creative move is the best chance.} 22.Rxd3 ( 22.Bxd3 Bxc5 {Here the sacrifice is no longer so good:} 23.Bxh7+ Kxh7 24.Qh5+ Kg8 25.Ne4 ( 25.Qh6 Bxf2+ $3 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 26.Kxf2 Qd4+ {with counterplay.} ) 25...Bxf2+ $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Nxf2 Ra4 {White has no way to deliver a mating attack.} ) 22...Qc7 {with some chances to save the game.} ) 22.Bxh7+ $3 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The Greek gift strikes again $1} 22...Kxh7 23.Qh5+ ( {Of course not} 23.Qc2+ $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23...d3 24.Qxc5 Rxa2 {with equality.} ) 23...Kg8 24.Qh6 ( 24.Ne4 Be7 25.Qh6 {transposes to the game.} ) 24...g6 25.Ne4 Be7 26.Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This brilliant move is the real idea of the sacrifice. Black cannot avoid Nf6+.} 26...Bf5 27.Rxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Ra6 ( 27...gxf5 28.Nf6+ Bxf6 29.exf6 {wins.} ) 28.Rf3 {There's no defense against 29.Rh3. Gurel, just 14 years old, shows that he has the potential to join the elite in the coming years.} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.31"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kobo, Ori"]
[Black "Dragnev, Valentin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2576"]
[ECO "E06"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "319"]
[Beauty "2063194968130"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.d4 c6 7.Nc3 a5 {A curious move that is quite popular these days. The pawn advance can be useful in case of a plan with ...b6-Ba6.} 8.Ne5 ( 8.b3 b6 ) 8...Nbd7 ( 8...Nfd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is probably more accurate.} ) 9.Bf4 ( 9.e4 {is a critical attempt to gain an opening advantage. Kobo needed to win, so he probably didn't want to allow exchanges.} 9...dxe4 ( 9...dxc4 {is also possible, although White is slightly better after} 10.Nxc4 b5 11.Ne3 b4 12.Na4 Ba6 13.Re1 ) 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.Nxd7 Qxd7 13.Bg2 Bf6 14.Be3 e5 {with good chances to achieve equality.} ) 9...Nh5 {A typical idea: the knight attacks the bishop and then goes back.} ( 9...Nxe5 10.dxe5 Nd7 11.cxd5 exd5 12.e4 {with the advantage for White.} ) ( 9...dxc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 10.Nxc4 Nd5 ) 10.Be3 Nhf6 11.h3 {Of course White is in no mood to repeat moves.} 11...Nxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The wrong plan of action.} ( 11...dxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.Nxc4 Nd5 {with the idea of playing ...b5-Qb6.} ) 12.dxe5 Nd7 13.f4 ( 13.cxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate:} 13...exd5 ( 13...Nxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14.dxc6 {with a big advantage with the powerful bishops.} ) ( 13...cxd5 14.Bd4 {Compared to the game, White didn't need to waste time with f2-f4 and is ready to break on e4.} ) 14.f4 {White's plan is Bf2 followed by e2-e4.} ) 13...b6 ( 13...dxc4 {is possible, but White has compensation after} 14.Ne4 ) 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Bd4 Ba6 16.Rf2 {Preparing e2-e4.} 16...Nc5 ( 16...Rc8 {is also possible. If White continues his idea, then after} 17.e4 dxe4 18.Nxe4 Nc5 {Black's position is acceptable.} ) 17.f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move, changing the pawn structure.} 17...exf5 18.Rxf5 Bc8 19.Rf2 Bb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19...Be6 {The bishop is better placed here.} ) 20.e3 Qd7 21.Kh2 {A possible plan for White is h4 followed by Bh3.} 21...Qe6 22.Ne2 {The knight goes to f4.} ( 22.h4 {is also possible.} ) 22...Ne4 23.Bxe4 dxe4 24.Nf4 Qh6 25.Qb3 {Black's position is not easy to play, but still defensible.} 25...Bd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 25...a4 26.Qxb6 Qxb6 27.Bxb6 a3 {with good drawing chances in the endgame.} ) ( 25...Rac8 26.Qxb6 ( 26.e6 fxe6 27.Qxb6 Bd5 {Black survives.} ) ( 26.Raf1 Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26...Qxb6 27.Bxb6 Bc5 28.Bxc5 Rxc5 {with only a slight advantage for White.} ) 26.Raf1 ( 26.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better:} 26...fxe6 27.Raf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn on e6 will be captured and White wins.} ) 26...a4 27.Qc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 27.Qb4 {is correct.} 27...Bg5 28.Qxb6 Qxb6 29.Bxb6 {with some winning chances.} ) 27...Ba6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses a pawn and surprisingly there's no way to exploit the discovered attack.} ( 27...Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better and Black has nothing to worry.} ) 28.Qxa4 Bg5 ( 28...g5 {This tactical attempt doesn't work because of} 29.Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 29.Ne2 Qxh3+ $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Kxh3 Bc8+ {gives some hope for Black.} ) 29...gxf4 30.gxf4+ Kh8 31.e6+ f6 32.Qd7 {with a winning attack.} ) 29.Rc1 Bxf4 30.gxf4 Qh4 31.Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is a pawn up and Black's position quickly deteriorates.} 31...Rad8 32.Qd2 Bc8 33.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Qh5 34.Rcf1 {White is completely winning.} 34...Rfe8 35.Qe1 ( 35.Qb4 {is more active.} ) 35...g6 36.Bxb6 ( 36.Qb4 {is again interesting.} 36...Bxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 36...Rxd4 37.Qxd4 Bxf5 38.Rxf5 gxf5 39.Rg1+ Kf8 40.Qd6+ Re7 41.Rg2 {Avoiding the check on e2 and keeping a winning position.} ) 37.Rxf5 gxf5 38.Rg1+ {with a winning advantage.} ) 36...Rd3 37.e6 ( 37.Bd4 {leads to a difficult win after} 37...Bxf5 38.Rxf5 gxf5 39.Rg1+ Kh8 40.e6+ Rxd4 41.Qa5 $3 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Threateing a deadly check on e5.} 41...f6 42.exd4 ) 37...fxe6 38.fxg6 e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 38...hxg6 {is the only chance.} ) 39.gxh7+ Kxh7 40.Rf7+ Kh8 41.Rf8+ Kh7 42.R8f7+ Kh8 43.Qg3 Rd2+ 44.Kg1 Qxf7 $5 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 44...Rg8 45.Rf8 {wins.} ) 45.Rxf7 Rg8 46.Qxg8+ {A natural reaction, going for a winning endgame.} ( 46.Rf8 {is even better:} 46...Rxf8 ( 46...Rd1+ 47.Kh2 Rd2+ ( 47...Rxf8 48.Qxe5+ Kg8 49.Qg5+ Kf7 50.Qh5+ {picks up the rook.} ) 48.Rf2 Rxg3 49.Kxg3 {with an easy win.} ) 47.Qxe5+ Kg8 48.Qh5 {Black has no checks and the bishop is ready to go to d4.} ) 46...Kxg8 47.Rf2 Rd6 48.Bc5 Rc6 49.b4 {The passed pawns are too strong.} 49...Bxh3 50.Kh2 Bg4 51.Rg2 Rg6 52.b5 Kf7 53.Ba7 ( 53.Rxg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] finishes the game in style:} 53...Rxg4 54.Ba7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54...Ke6 55.b6 Rg7 56.a4 Kd6 57.a5 Kc6 58.a6 {followed by b6-b7.} ) 53...Bd7 54.Rb2 Rh6+ 55.Kg1 Rg6+ 56.Kf2 Rh6 57.Rb4 ( 57.Kf1 {is also good.} ) 57...Bxb5 ( 57...Rh2+ 58.Kg3 Rxa2 59.b6 ) 58.Rxb5 Rh2+ 59.Kg3 Rxa2 60.Bb6 {To be honest, many players would just resign in this position as Black (this is my case). As Dragnev shows, nobody ever saves a game by resigning.} 60...Ra6 61.Bc7 ( 61.Kg4 {This is the simplest. The pawns will quickly fall. I'm not sure why Kobo sends the king to the other side of the board.} ) 61...Ra3 62.Kf2 Ra2+ 63.Ke1 Ra1+ 64.Kd2 Ra2+ 65.Kd1 Ra3 66.Kd2 Ra2+ 67.Kc3 Re2 68.Bb6 Ke6 69.Rb2 Re1 70.Kc4 Rc1+ 71.Kb5 Rf1 72.Kc6 Rc1+ 73.Bc5 Rc3 74.Rh2 Rd3 75.Rh8 Rc3 76.Re8+ Kf5 {The evaluation hasn't changed: the position is still winning.} 77.Kb5 ( 77.Kd6 {is good enough:} 77...Rd3+ 78.Ke7 Rc3 79.Rf8+ Kg4 80.Kd6 {Followed by picking the pawns.} ) 77...Kf6 78.Kb4 Rd3 79.Kc4 Rd1 80.Bb6 Rd6 81.Kc5 Rd3 82.Kc6 Kf5 83.Rd8 Rb3 84.Rd6 Rd3 85.Kd7 Rb3 86.Ke7 Rb5 87.Rf6+ Kg4 88.Kf7 Kg5 89.Kg7 Rb3 90.Ba7 Rb7+ 91.Rf7 Rb3 92.Kf8 Ra3 93.Bc5 Rc3 94.Bb6 Rb3 95.Ba7 Ra3 96.Re7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 96.Bc5 Rc3 97.Rc7 {This is still winning easily.} ) 96...Kf6 97.Rc7 Rd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 97...Ra6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more stubborn, avoiding a check on the sixth rank. Suddenly it's not clear whether White can win.} ) 98.Rc6+ Kf5 99.Ke7 Ra3 100.Bb6 Rb3 101.Rh6 Rb5 102.Bc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 102.Rd6 {is the right way, for instance:} 102...Rb3 103.Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 103...Rb5 104.Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 104...Rb7+ 105.Kd6 ) 102...Rb3 103.Rf6+ Kg4 104.Ke6 {Kobo decides to try his luck in a theoretically drawn endgame.} ( 104.Bb6 Kg5 {According to the computer, White cannot win this position anymore.} ) 104...Rxe3 105.Kxe5 Rf3 106.Rg6+ Kh5 107.Rg1 e3 108.Ke4 Rf7 109.Bf4 e2 110.Kf3 e1=Q 111.Rxe1 {Once, in 2002, I asked legendary trainer Mark Dvoretsky to teach me how to play the rook and bishop versus rook endgame. He told me that it was very simple and showed me two defensive positions and Philidor's winning method. A short time later I forgot about everything he showed me and was left with the conviction that Philidor is the greatest genius in the history of chess, as he analyzed this endgame with incredible accuracy and probably without a computer, as he did it in the 18th century. I feel less bad seeing this ending routinely screwed up by grandmasters—probably it isn't that easy for someone who isn't Philidor.} 111...Kg6 112.Kg4 Rf6 113.Be5 Ra6 114.Re4 Rb6 115.Bd4 Rb1 116.Kf4 Rf1+ 117.Ke5 Rf5+ 118.Ke6 Ra5 119.Be5 Ra6+ 120.Bd6 Kg5 121.Rd4 Rb6 122.Rd3 Ra6 123.Rg3+ Kh4 124.Rg1 Rb6 125.Ke5 Ra6 126.Kf4 Kh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Mistakes are inevitable, although my fellow Brazilian GMs Vescovi and Fier boast of playing this endgame with precision and always getting the best results. I need to check their stats in the database to see if that's true or if they're just talking to impress me.} ( 126...Ra4+ ) 127.Kf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 127...Kh4 128.Bf4 Kh5 129.Rg5+ Kh4 130.Rd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 130.Rf5 {wins nicely. It would be a great irony of fate if Black lost a theoretical endgame after managing to work miracles throughout the game.} 130...Ra3+ 131.Be3 Rb3 132.Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 132.Rf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 132...Rb5 ) 132...Rd3 ( 132...Rc3 133.Ra6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 133.Ra4+ Kh3 ( 133...Kh5 134.Ra6 ) 134.Ra6 {and there's no defense against mate.} ) 130...Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] In the resulting moves White is not able to create any danger.} 131.Rc5 Rf7 132.Rc6 Rf5 133.Rh6+ Rh5 134.Rg6 Ra5 135.Rb6 Rc5 136.Rg6 Ra5 137.Rc6 Rb5 138.Rc1 Kh5 139.Rg1 Ra5 140.Ke4 Ra8 141.Rg5+ Kh4 142.Rg7 Rc8 143.Be5 Rf8 144.Rg6 Kh5 145.Rg2 Rf7 146.Bf4 Ra7 147.Kf3 Ra5 148.Rg8 Rb5 149.Ke4 Rb7 150.Be5 Rf7 151.Kd5 Rf5 152.Ke6 Rg5 153.Rh8+ Kg4 154.Bf6 Rh5 155.Rb8 Ra5 156.Rb4+ Kf3 157.Be5 Ra8 158.Kf5 Rf8+ 159.Bf6 Re8 160.Rb3+ {A dramatic game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Chess Tour: SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.06"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2829"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "B13"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6807657389064"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 e6 {This is historically not a very popular move. Usually, Black tries to develop the c8-bishop before playing e6. This move, however, was played by Carlsen and Caruana, among others.} ( 5...Nf6 ) ( 5...Qc7 ) 6.Bf4 Bd6 7.Bxd6 Qxd6 8.Nf3 Nge7 9.O-O O-O {The pawn structure resembles the London System.} ( 9...Bd7 {was played by Carlsen in the Olympiad last year.} 10.Re1 O-O 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Qb6 13.Qb3 Qxb3 14.axb3 Rfd8 15.Na3 {with an equal endgame in Vocaturo-Carlsen, Chennai (Ol) 2022.} ) 10.Re1 {The rook now supports a knight move to e5 and also allows the Nd2-f1-g3 maneuver.} 10...f6 {A good move, avoiding Ne5 and preparing e6-e5.} ( 10...Ng6 {is less accurate:} 11.Bxg6 ( 11.Nbd2 {is good enough.} ) 11...hxg6 12.Ne5 Ne7 13.h4 f6 14.Nd3 Bd7 15.Nd2 {with a small advantage for White in Carlsen-Pantsulaia, Aimchess (rapid) 2023.} ) 11.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After the slight weakness created by f6, this move becomes more attractive.} 11...dxc4 {The best move and also a novelty.} ( 11...Nb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] was played in Babiy-Popov, Chennai 2019. Here White should have played} 12.c5 {with the advantage.} ) 12.Bxc4 Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another good decision.} ( 12...Nd5 {Usually this is the best square for the knight against an isolated queen's pawn, but here White keeps an edge after} 13.Nc3 {The e6-pawn is weak.} ) ( 12...Rd8 {is also critical, although White maintains some pressure after} 13.Nc3 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Qxd4 15.Qe2 ) 13.d5 exd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White gets a clear advantage after this mistake.} ( 13...Na5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right move:} 14.Bd3 ( 14.b3 {It's clear that this move gives nothing.} 14...Nxc4 15.bxc4 exd5 16.cxd5 Bd7 {with a good position for Black.} ) 14...exd5 ( {After} 14...Qxd5 15.Nc3 {White has good compensation.} ) 15.Nc3 Nc6 16.Nb5 Qd8 {White has good play for the pawn, but it's probably not enough for an advantage.} ) 14.Bxd5+ Kh8 15.Nc3 {Anand probably underestimated the danger of this position. Even though the pawn structure is symmetrical, White has a healthy advantage with more active pieces.} 15...Bd7 16.Qb3 Qc7 17.Rad1 Rad8 18.h3 {These patient moves are always difficult to spot, and we should learn with them. White's advantage is not going anywhere, so Carlsen gives his king some useful room to breathe.} 18...Bc8 19.Qa3 ( 19.Nb5 {gives White a clear advantage after} 19...Qb6 20.Bxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Rxd1 ( 20...bxc6 21.Rxd8 Rxd8 22.Qf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Using the good old back rank mate to achieve a winning initiative.} ) 21.Qxd1 bxc6 22.Nd6 Nxd6 23.Qxd6 Rd8 24.Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 19...Nfe7 ( 19...Qb6 20.Bxc6 bxc6 21.Ne4 {is clearly better for White.} ) ( 19...a6 {in order to protect the pawn is also not enough:} 20.Ne4 {with the advantage.} ) 20.Nb5 Qb6 {This wins a pawn but gives Black some hope after the exchanges. There were many tempting moves for White.} 21.Nxa7 $6 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21.Nd6 ) ( 21.Bxc6 Nxc6 22.Nd6 ) ( 21.Bc4 {This is my favorite move, keeping all the advantages of the position.} ) 21...Nxd5 ( 21...Qxa7 22.Qxa7 Nxa7 23.Rxe7 {is completely losing for Black.} ) 22.Nxc8 Rxc8 23.Rxd5 Ra8 24.Qb3 Qxb3 25.axb3 {After this forced sequence, White remains a pawn up, but the b-pawns are doubled. Black has serious drawing chances.} 25...Rf7 $6 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25...Rfd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more precise:} 26.Red1 ( 26.Rb5 Rd7 ) 26...Rxd5 27.Rxd5 Ra1+ 28.Kh2 Rb1 29.Rb5 Rxb2 30.Rxb7 h5 {with chances of saving the game. The rook has become active.} ) 26.Re4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger, bringing the knight to the game.} ) 26...Kg8 27.b4 Rd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 27...Ra4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] offers good drawing chances after} 28.Re8+ Rf8 29.Rxf8+ Kxf8 30.b5 Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Nd2 Nb4 ) 28.Rxd8+ Nxd8 29.Kf1 {The endgame is probably lost now. White's king is coming to the game, and a pawn is a pawn, even if it's doubled.} 29...Kf8 30.Ke2 Rc7 31.Kd3 Kf7 32.Nd4 Nc6 33.Nxc6 Rxc6 34.Rc4 {This is one of the advantages of having a pawn up: Black can never exchange rooks.} 34...Rd6+ 35.Rd4 Rb6 36.Rd7+ Kg6 37.Kc4 Rc6+ 38.Kb3 b6 39.Rd2 {Preparing Ka4-b5. The rest is easy for Carlsen.} 39...Re6 40.Ka4 Re5 41.f4 Re4 42.Rf2 h5 43.f5+ Kg5 44.Kb5 h4 45.Kxb6 Rxb4+ 46.Kc5 Rb3 47.Kc4 Rb8 48.b4 {The b-pawn decides the game.} 48...Rc8+ 49.Kd5 Rb8 50.Kc5 Rc8+ 51.Kd6 Rb8 52.Rb2 Kxf5 53.b5 {White will win Black's rook, and the counterplay is not fast enough.} 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour: SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.07"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2629"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7697252487180"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

{[%evp 0,79,18,12,64,64,64,-3,27,22,47,25,25,33,33,22,17,29,60,58,88,88,76,88,78,60,50,32,61,59,71,49,64,47,48,46,36,36,36,30,41,6,3,0,-2,-2,67,-6,52,55,49,53,53,65,65,65,68,44,47,-35,0,0,0,0,12,-8,76,73,135,128,199,197,219,245,245,274,278,260,793,815,813,823]} 
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is a popular sideline in the Caro-Kann Defense. Very strong players choose it from time to time.} 3...e6 ( 3...dxe4 4.fxe4 e5 {This is a critical line. A recent game continued:} 5.Nf3 Bg4 ( 5...exd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 6.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is dangerous for Black.} ) 6.c3 Nd7 7.Be2 Ngf6 8.Nbd2 exd4 9.cxd4 Bb4 10.O-O O-O 11.Qc2 Bh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with equal chances in Erigaisi-Gukesh, Airthings Masters (rapid) 2023.} ) 4.Nc3 Nd7 {The fourth most popular move.} ( 4...Nf6 {can transpose to the French Defense after} 5.e5 Nfd7 6.f4 c5 7.Nf3 ) ( 4...Bb4 {is the main line.} ) 5.Be3 Bb4 6.Bd3 c5 {An interesting move. Good chances of equality are offered by the more conventional} ( 6...dxe4 7.fxe4 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The game can continue:} 8.Nf3 Ngf6 9.dxe5 Ng4 {with good play for Black in a complicated position.} ) 7.exd5 exd5 8.dxc5 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 {It's hard to evaluate positions with so many imbalances: White is a pawn up but he has tripled pawns. White also has the bishop pair, with the dark-squared one being particularly unpleasant.} 9...Ne7 10.Ne2 O-O 11.O-O ( 11.Bb5 {Gukesh could consider eliminating the d7-knight to secure his pawn advantage.} 11...Qc7 12.Bxd7 Bxd7 13.O-O b6 14.cxb6 axb6 15.Qd2 {with a slightly better position for White.} ) 11...Qc7 {The c5-pawn is captured, and the game is equal.} 12.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 12...Nxc5 13.a5 {An interesting plan to gain space on the queenside.} 13...Rd8 {The rook is not so useful here.} ( 13...Nxd3 14.cxd3 Re8 {is more accurate.} ) 14.Bf4 Qd7 15.Qd2 Nxd3 {The bishop has to be captured sooner or later.} 16.cxd3 Nc6 17.Ng3 f6 {The game enters a maneuvering stage.} 18.Rfe1 Qf7 19.Qf2 Be6 20.Be3 Qd7 21.Ne2 Bf5 22.Nf4 Qf7 {Black doesn't have active plans, but his position is very solid.} 23.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White must try to create some weaknesses on Black's kingside.} 23...h6 ( 23...h5 {is also possible, but then the queen is tied to the defense of the pawn.} ) 24.h5 Ne5 25.Red1 Nc6 26.Rdb1 Rd7 27.Rb5 a6 28.Rc5 Re8 ( 28...Nd8 $5 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] followed by 29... Ne6, deserved consideration.} ) 29.c4 {Gukesh forces matters, and the game gains some life. Objectively it was better to play} ( 29.Re1 ) 29...d4 ( 29...Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives good play for Black after} 30.cxd5 Nxd3 31.Nxd3 Bxd3 32.d6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 32...Rxd6 33.Bxh6 Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {But not} 33...gxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34.Qg3+ {losing the exchange.} ) ) 30.Bd2 Re5 ( 30...Ne5 {is also possible.} ) 31.Rd5 Rexd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Anand will start to make mistakes, and his position will quickly become critical.} ( 31...Rdxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to capture:} 32.cxd5 Ne7 33.g4 Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. The bishop can come back to the h3-c8 diagonal.} ) 32.cxd5 Ne7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this move, Black is lost.} ( 32...Ne5 {is necessary:} 33.Qxd4 Nxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.d6 ( 34.Nxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34...Rxd5 ) 34...Nxf4 35.Bxf4 {White is a little better with the powerful d6-pawn, but I don't think Black has problems achieving a draw.} ) 33.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Bh7 {The h7-square is an unfortunate home for the bishop.} 34.Rc1 ( 34.Qxd4 Nxd5 35.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins in style, for instance:} 35...Nc7 {An attempt to defend the rook invasion on the c-file, but now there's a nice combination.} 36.Rxc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Rxd4 ( 36...Rxc7 37.Qd8+ ) 37.Rc8+ Qf8 38.Rxf8+ Kxf8 39.Ne6+ {winning a piece.} ) 34...g5 {A desperate attempt to give his king some air.} ( 34...Nxd5 {loses to} 35.Rc8+ ) ( 34...Kh8 35.Qxd4 Nxd5 36.Rc8+ Bg8 37.Ng6+ Kh7 38.Nf8+ Kh8 39.Nxd7 Qxd7 40.Qc5 {with an easy win.} ) 35.hxg6 Bxg6 36.Qh4 {Black's position has too many weaknesses.} 36...h5 37.gxh5 Bf5 38.Kf2 Nxd5 39.Rc8+ Kh7 40.Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A beautiful finish.} ( 40.Ng6 Bxg6 41.hxg6+ Kxg6 42.Rh8 {with a mating attack.} ) 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour: SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.08"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2829"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[ECO "B04"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6460901690914"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 dxe5 5.Nxe5 c6 {This variation of the Alekhine Defense is used by strong GMs as a blitz weapon.} 6.Bd3 ( 6.Be2 {is the most popular move.} ) 6...g6 ( 6...Nd7 {is usually played. Carlsen faced this move in 2023:} 7.O-O Nxe5 8.dxe5 Nb4 9.Be4 Qxd1 10.Rxd1 {with a slight advantage for White in Carlsen-Bortnyk, Pro League (rapid) 2023.} ) 7.O-O Bg7 8.Re1 O-O 9.c3 Nd7 10.Nxd7 ( 10.Nf3 {keeping the knights on the board is also possible, although White has nothing special here.} ) 10...Bxd7 11.Nd2 Qc7 12.Nf3 Bg4 ( 12...c5 {is a natural move, breaking White's center. This was played in Michiels-Miroshnichenko, Antwerp 2008.} ) 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Qxf3 e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This opens the game and helps the pair of bishops.} ( 14...e6 {leads to a typical position: White has the pair of bishops, but Black is very solid.} ) 15.dxe5 Bxe5 16.Bc4 Rfe8 17.Bxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The first new move in the game.} ( 17.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. After} 17...Bg7 18.Bd2 {White had the advantage in Guthmann-Heumann, Germany 2012.} ) 17...Bh2+ $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 17...cxd5 18.Be3 {leads to a slightly better position for White, thanks to the isolated queen's pawn.} ) 18.Kf1 Rxe1+ 19.Kxe1 cxd5 20.g3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Carlsen certainly missed Black's counterplay.} ( 20.Be3 {leads to a more or less equal position after} 20...Re8 21.Kf1 ( 21.Qxd5 Bf4 ) 21...Qc4+ 22.Qe2 Qc6 ( {Or} 22...Qxe2+ 23.Kxe2 Bf4 {with a drawn endgame.} ) ) 20...Re8+ 21.Be3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is met by a nice tactical reply.} ( 21.Kf1 {is better:} 21...Qc4+ 22.Kg2 Re1 23.Kxh2 Qf1 {White must be careful here.} 24.h4 ( 24.Qg2 {is also possible. My machine screams equality after} 24...Qe2 {, showing some strange lines. I would be worried as White in a blitz game since Black wants to play ...Rf1.} ) 24...Qg1+ ( 24...Rxc1 $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is not enough:} 25.Rxc1 Qxc1 26.Qxd5 Qxb2 27.Qd8+ Kg7 28.Qd4+ Kg8 29.Qxa7 {Imagine what Carlsen can do with the white pieces in this endgame.} ) 25.Kh3 Qf1+ 26.Kh2 {Accepting the draw is the safest decision.} ( 26.Qg2 Qe2 ) ( 26.Kg4 $4 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 26...h5+ 27.Kg5 {I was curious to see what happens if White's king embarks on a journey. In the analysis, everything is possible.} 27...Re5+ 28.Kh6 Qa6 $3 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The only winning move and a fantastic one. These types of moves are easily missed. The threat is 29...g5+.} 29.Bg5 Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with mate to follow.} ) ) 21...Bxg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Kf1 ( {Rapport's idea is revealed after} 22.fxg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22...Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Kf2 Qxb2+ {winning material.} ) 22...Qc4+ {It's necessary to protect the d5-pawn.} ( 22...Be5 23.Qxd5 ) 23.Kg2 Be5 ( 23...Bb8 {is logical, since the a7-pawn is defended. After} 24.Rd1 Re5 25.b3 Qc6 26.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Rf5 27.cxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Qd6 28.Qg3 a6 {Black has the advantage, although drawing chances are serious.} ) 24.Bxa7 ( 24.Rd1 {is also possible and likely leads to a draw.} ) 24...Ra8 ( 24...Bg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, bringing the rook to the game through the e-file.} ) 25.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Bxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a calculation mistake.} ( 25...Rxa7 {The game is equal after} 26.Rxe5 Rxa2 27.Qf6 Ra8 28.Re7 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26.Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now White is winning.} 26...d4 ( 26...Rf8 27.bxc3 {wins a piece.} ) ( 26...f5 27.bxc3 Rxa7 28.Qe3 {with a winning attack.} ) 27.Qxb7 Rxa7 28.Qxa7 ( 28.Qb8+ {is also good:} 28...Kg7 29.Qe5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Kh6 30.Rxa7 {Now Black cannot play ...d4-d3.} 30...Bxb2 31.Qf6 {with a winning position.} ) 28...Qd5+ 29.Kh2 d3 30.bxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move allows Black to equalize.} ( 30.Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins on the spot.} 30...Be5+ ( 30...Qf3 31.Qc8+ $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Kg7 32.Qxc3+ ) 31.Kg1 Bd6 32.Qc8+ Kg7 33.Qc3+ Kg8 ( 33...Kh6 34.Qd2+ Kg7 35.Re3 {The d-pawn falls.} ) ( 33...Kf8 34.Re3 d2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35.Qh8# ) 34.Re8+ Bf8 35.Qb4 Qg5+ 36.Kh2 {Black has no checks, and the win is easy.} ) 30...d2 31.Rd7 d1=Q 32.Rxd5 Qxd5 {Although the position should be drawn with the best play, life is not easy for Black yet. Queen endgames are the most difficult to defend.} 33.Qb8+ Kg7 34.a4 Qc5 35.Qb2 Qe5+ 36.Kg2 Qd5+ 37.f3 Qg5+ 38.Kf1 Qf6 39.Ke2 Qe6+ 40.Kd3 Qd5+ ( 40...Qxh3 {is also possible:} 41.c4+ Kg8 ) 41.Kc2 Qxf3 42.c4+ Kh6 ( 42...f6 {also leads to a draw after} 43.Qd4 Qxh3 ) 43.Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Carlsen, as usual, poses the most difficult problems for the opponent in the endgame.} 43...f5 ( 43...Qxh3 44.Qf4+ Kg7 {should also be a draw with the best play.} ) 44.a5 f4 45.a6 Qe2+ $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A fatal mistake.} ( 45...Qg2+ $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the right check. The game ends in a draw after} 46.Kb3 f3 {I don't see anything better for White than perpetual check.} ) 46.Kb3 Qf3+ ( 46...f3 {Now the queen doesn't control the a8-square anymore. The variations are interesting:} 47.a7 f2 48.Qh4+ $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 48.a8=Q f1=Q {Positions with four queens on the board are always delightful. White has no way to exploit the checks.} ) 48...Kg7 49.a8=Q f1=Q ( 49...Qd3+ {The checks are over if White plays accurately:} 50.Kb4 Qd6+ 51.Kc3 Qe5+ 52.Kb3 Qe3+ 53.Ka4 ) 50.Qb7+ Qf7 51.Qxh7+ Kxh7 52.Qxf7+ {With a winning endgame, although it's still not easy to prove.} ) 47.Kb4 g5 48.a7 ( 48.Qd6+ Kh5 49.Qd7 {is also winning.} ) 48...Qb7+ 49.Kc3 ( 49.Ka5 {also leads to victory.} ) 49...f3 ( 49...Kh5 {is more stubborn. The winning variations are extremely difficult, for instance:} 50.Qd1+ $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 50...f3 51.Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by Kd3-e3.} ) 50.Kd2 Kg6 51.Ke3 {The king approaches the unpleasant black pawn, and the game is over.} 51...h6 52.Kf2 Qa8 53.Qd3+ Kg7 54.Qd7+ Kg6 55.Qe6+ ( 55.Qd6+ Kg7 56.Qb8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a primitive attempt. Always be careful with your opponent's resources.} 56...Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening ...Qe2+.} ) 55...Kg7 56.Qe7+ Kg6 57.c5 Kh5 ( 57...h5 58.Qd6+ Kg7 59.Qc7+ Kg6 60.Qb6+ Kf5 61.c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] closing Black's queen and winning the game.} ) 58.Qf7+ Kh4 59.Qxf3 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Tour: SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.09"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[ECO "D90"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[Beauty "6669413123594"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 {White has many attempts to exploit the Anti-Grunfeld move order employed in the game.} 5.Qb3 ( 5.Qa4+ Nc6 6.Ne5 Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 7.Nxc6 Qxc6 8.Qxc6+ bxc6 {with an equal endgame, despite Black's doubled pawns.} ) ( 5.e4 Nxc3 6.dxc3 {is a dull variation that tries to lure the energetic Grunfeld players into boredom, sometimes with success.} ) ( 5.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move; after all, everybody likes an early h-pawn advance.} ) 5...Nb6 6.d4 Bg7 7.Bf4 O-O ( 7...Be6 {is considered the main move.} ) 8.Rd1 ( 8.e3 {is also popular.} ) 8...Nc6 {8...c6 and 8...a5 are played more often.} 9.d5 ( 9.e3 {is better. White can fight for the advantage since it's not easy for Black to play the e5-break.} ) 9...Na5 10.Qc2 Nac4 {It's not clear whether Black actually threatens ...Nxb2 or not. Positions with three pieces against the queen are not easy to evaluate.} 11.b3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White loses the initiative after this move.} ( 11.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to play.} 11...Bg4 ( 11...Nxb2 12.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 12.Qxb2 {is not so clear:} 12...Na4 13.Nxa4 Bxb2 14.Nxb2 c6 {and it's hard to say who is better.} ) 12...N2c4 13.Bxc4 Nxc4 14.Nb5 {Black loses material.} ) 12.Be2 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 Nxb2 $6 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 13...Qc8 {is better, followed by ...c7-c6.} ) 14.Qxb2 Na4 15.Nxa4 Bxb2 16.Nxb2 {In this case, the three pieces are better than the queen. This happened in Yagupov-Canbulan, Izmir 2013.} ) 11...Nd6 12.Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 12.e4 Bxc3+ 13.Qxc3 Nxe4 14.Qb2 Nf6 {White's compensation for the pawn is not clear.} ) ( 12.Be5 {is better.} ) 12...c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has better development and is able to open the position. White is already losing.} 13.dxc6 ( 13.e4 cxd5 14.exd5 ( 14.e5 {is actually the best move, accepting to play a pawn down.} ) 14...Bd7 {Followed by Rc8, with a decisive initiative.} ) 13...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.Ndb5 {Otherwise, White loses a piece.} 14...exf4 15.Nxd6 Qc7 16.Nce4 Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Nxb7 Qxc6 18.Qxc6 Bxc6 {The exchange of queens brings no relief. White's pieces are sleeping, and the f4-pawn is annoying, as it makes it even harder for White to finish development.} 19.Nbc5 Rfe8 20.Nd2 Rad8 {This is a position to take a picture. A textbook example of advantage in piece development.} 21.Rc1 Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight is going to c3.} 22.h4 {A desperate move to develop the rook.} 22...Nc3 23.Rh3 Nxa2 24.Rc4 Bb5 25.Rxf4 Bc3 {White loses material.} 26.Rxc3 Nxc3 27.Nb7 Rd5 28.Rf3 ( 28.e3 Bxf1 29.Nxf1 Rd1# ) 28...Nxe2 ( 28...Bxe2 29.Rxc3 Bxf1+ 30.Kxf1 Rxd2 {is also good.} ) 29.Re3 Rxe3 30.fxe3 Nc3 31.Bc4 Re5 32.Nf3 Rxe3+ 33.Kd2 Re7 34.Na5 Ne4+ 35.Kd3 {Materially Black is completely winning, so his only task is not to blunder anything due to the fast time control.} 35...Nd6 36.Kd4 Be8 37.g4 Kg7 38.Ne5 Rc7 39.Nd3 h5 40.gxh5 gxh5 41.Nf4 Kh6 42.Nd5 Rc8 43.Ke5 Nxc4+ 44.Nxc4 Rb8 45.Nd6 Kg7 46.Nf5+ Kf8 47.Nf6 {Firouzja managed to fight until the end, but it's not nearly enough.} 47...Rb5+ 48.Kf4 Rb6 49.Kg5 Bb5 50.Nh7+ Kg8 51.Nf6+ Kh8 52.Nxh5 Bd3 53.Nd4 Rb4 54.Nc6 ( 54.Nf3 Rb5+ 55.Kg4 Be2 ) 54...Rb5+ 55.Kf6 ( 55.Kg4 Be2+ {wins the knight.} ) 55...Rxh5 0-1

[Event "Match Play"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.25"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Dreev, Aleksey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2685"]
[ECO "B31"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8248618920990"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "600+2"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 Nd4 {A rare move. 5...Nf6 and 5...e5 are the main lines.} 6.Nxd4 cxd4 7.c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White must remove the d4-pawn to develop his pieces to active squares.} 7...a6 8.Bf1 dxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is not a good idea since White gains a considerable lead in development.} ( 8...d5 {has been tried before, although after} 9.e5 {the bishop is shut off from the game and White is better.} ) ( 8...e6 {is a better option.} ) 9.Nxc3 d6 10.d4 {It's already difficult for Black to bring the pieces into play. White has better development and central control.} 10...Nf6 ( 10...e6 11.Bf4 Ne7 {This was played in Olaffson-Loftsson, Reykjavik 2000. Here White wins a pawn with} 12.Qa4+ Bd7 13.Qb4 ) 11.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11...Ng4 ( 11...dxe5 {also leads to disaster:} 12.dxe5 Qxd1 13.Rxd1 Nd7 14.f4 {with an overwhelming advantage.} ) 12.e6 {A natural move, but there's an even better way to play.} ( 12.h3 Nh6 13.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...d5 14.Qb3 {Black's position collapses.} ) 12...Bxe6 13.Rxe6 Nxf2 {The best attempt.} ( 13...fxe6 {doesn't help:} 14.Qxg4 ) 14.Qe2 ( 14.Kxf2 {is also possible:} 14...fxe6 15.Be3 {with the advantage.} ) 14...fxe6 15.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 15.Qxf2 $6 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] gives Black counterplay after} 15...Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.Qe3 Rc8 ) 15...O-O 16.Bxf2 {Positions with two minor pieces against a rook and two pawns are usually difficult to evaluate, but here it's clear that White has a big advantage. Black has weaknesses around the king, and the pieces coordinate well. Black would enjoy some relief with a queen exchange, but this is not easy to achieve.} 16...Qd7 17.g3 {The bishop is ready to go to a better diagonal.} 17...e5 18.dxe5 Bxe5 19.Rd1 Qf5 20.Bg2 Kh8 21.Be4 {Caruana plays safely.} ( 21.Bxb7 {Capturing the pawn is possible since the counterplay is not enough after} 21...Rab8 22.Bd5 ) 21...Qf7 22.Kg2 Rac8 23.Nd5 b5 24.b3 e6 25.Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight is well placed on f4 and cannot be captured since Black would suffer without the dark-squared bishop.} 25...Rfe8 ( 25...Bxf4 26.gxf4 Qxf4 27.Bg3 {with a winning advantage.} ) 26.h4 ( 26.Qg4 {is also very good.} ) 26...Bg7 {This loses the d-pawn, although it's hard to come up with a good move here.} ( 26...Bxf4 {is also not good:} 27.gxf4 d5 28.Bd3 Qxf4 29.Bg3 {The bishop goes to e5 and Black won't survive long.} ) ( 26...Rcd8 27.Qg4 {with a decisive attack.} ) 27.Rxd6 {The game is decided.} 27...Red8 28.Rxe6 Bd4 29.Bxd4+ Rxd4 30.Bf3 {The sacrifices on g6 are also winning:} ( 30.Bxg6 hxg6 31.Qe5+ Qg7 32.Nxg6+ Kh7 33.Qh5+ Kg8 34.Ne7+ Kf8 35.Nxc8 ) ( 30.Nxg6+ hxg6 31.Rxg6 Qh7 32.Qf2 ) 30...Rcd8 31.Qe5+ Qg7 ( 31...Kg8 32.Re7 {with an easy win.} ) 32.Re8+ {Black loses a rook after} ( 32.Re8+ Rxe8 33.Qxe8+ Qg8 34.Qe5+ Qg7 35.Qxg7+ Kxg7 36.Ne6+ Kf6 37.Nxd4 ) 1-0

[Event "SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7630546274313"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.c3 {A rare move, compared to the more popular 4.0-0 or 4.Bxc6.} 4...d5 {A critical reply.} ( 4...Nge7 {is most often played. A recent example continued:} 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d5 7.Nc3 ( 7.e5 {is also possible.} ) 7...dxe4 8.Nxe4 Nd5 9.O-O Bd7 10.Bg5 f6 11.Bd2 Be7 12.Re1 O-O 13.Nc3 {with a slight advantage for White in Carlsen-Caruana, Speed Chess (blitz) 2022.} ) 5.exd5 Qxd5 {Capturing with the pawn is equally popular.} ( 5...exd5 {It's time for a Carlsen example on the black side.} 6.O-O Nf6 7.d4 Be7 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.Bg5 O-O 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Qxd5 Bb6 {with some compensation for the pawn, although White can fight for the advantage. Anton Guijarro-Carlsen, Chessable Masters (rapid) 2022.} ) 6.O-O Bd7 7.Re1 {An almost new idea, played only in two games.} ( 7.d4 ) ( 7.d3 ) 7...Nf6 8.Bf1 {This is a theoretical novelty. With the bishop on f1, Anand is ready to play d2-d4.} ( 8.Na3 {was played in Rigo-Horvath, Hungary 1998.} ) 8...Bd6 9.d4 O-O 10.h3 {Probably played to reduce the queen's scope if it goes to h5.} ( 10.Bg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] poses some problems for Black.} ) 10...cxd4 ( 10...Rad8 {is also possible. If White tries to exploit the queen's position, he has no more than a draw after} 11.c4 Qf5 12.Bd3 Qh5 13.Be2 Qf5 ) 11.cxd4 Ne7 12.Nc3 Qa5 13.Ne5 Bc6 {On the board, we have a position with an isolated queen's pawn, one of the most important pawn structures in chess. Black has firm control over the d5-square, but his queen is in potential danger. The game is equal.} 14.Bf4 {Threatening 15.Nc4.} 14...Bb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black is in trouble after this move, thanks to Anand's excellent reply.} ( 14...Bxe5 {is the simplest way to continue. Black is fine after} 15.dxe5 ( 15.Bxe5 Nfd5 {is also ok.} ) 15...Nfd5 ) 15.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It turns out that the c3-pawn cannot be captured, and Black is now forced to give up the bishop pair and improve White's pawn structure.} 15...Bxc3 16.bxc3 Ba4 ( 16...Qxc3 {This is the critical reply, but there's a tactical problem. The queen is trapped after} 17.Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook will go to c1 and Black will have no compensation for the material loss.} ) 17.Qf3 Rac8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Another mistake in a difficult position.} 18.Qxb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Anand shows good calculation and is not afraid of capturing the pawn.} 18...Ned5 19.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Rb8 ( 19...Nxc3 {loses after} 20.Qb2 ( 20.Nc4 {is also good.} ) 20...Nfd5 21.Nc4 ) 20.Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 20.Qa6 {is also good, but the move played is better and more charming.} ) 20...Qd8 21.Qxa7 Ra8 22.Qb7 Rb8 23.Qa6 Bb5 24.Qd6 {White is two pawns up and has the bishop pair. The position is winning.} 24...Qc8 25.Qc5 Qxc5 26.dxc5 Bxc4 27.Bxc4 Rfc8 28.Bf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing to advance the c-pawn.} 28...Rb2 ( 28...Rxc5 29.c4 Nc7 30.a4 {with an easy win.} ) 29.Bc1 Rc2 30.c4 Ne7 31.a4 Nc6 32.a5 Nd7 33.Be3 Nde5 34.Ra4 Ra8 35.a6 Rb2 36.Rd1 Rb4 37.Rda1 Rb3 38.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...g5 39.Bg2 h6 40.a7 Rb7 41.f4 {This is simply Anand at his best.} 1-0

[Event "Women's Chess World Championship"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.07.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2554"]
[BlackElo "2564"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[Beauty "5567754014727"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 {In a world championship match, the Berlin is always to be expected. Nowadays it's considered the most solid and reliable way to meet the Ruy Lopez.} 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 ( {The famous Berlin endgame begins after} 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 {This position was Kasparov's downfall in his 2000 match against Kramnik. He tried to break it and became frustrated chasing a win that never came. This position was once the absolute main line of this system, but this has changed. Players with White started to think of other ways to fight for an advantage, although the endgame is still regularly seen and Vachier Lagrave is one of the elite grandmasters that still believe in White's chances. He even beat Carlsen in a recent game from this position.} ) 5...Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 Nxe5 8.Rxe5 O-O 9.d4 Bf6 10.Re1 Re8 11.Nc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This pawn sacrifice is a fresh move, much less played than 11.c3, 11.Bf4 or 11.Rxe8+.} ( 11.c3 ) ( 11.Bf4 ) ( 11.Rxe8+ ) 11...Rxe1 12.Qxe1 Bxd4 13.Bd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting and dangerous move, aimed against Black's idea of finishing development with 13...Ne8 followed by the advance of the d-pawn.} ( 13.Bf4 Ne8 14.Nd5 {has also been tried, but Black is doing OK here.} ) 13...Bxc3 ( 13...Ne8 $4 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Blunder;persistent;true] loses to} 14.Qe4 ) 14.Qxc3 Ne8 ( 14...b6 {was played recently by Gukesh in an online game, but he didn't solve the opening problems.} 15.Bf4 Bb7 16.Re1 Qf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17.Qxf6 gxf6 18.Bxd6 cxd6 19.Re3 {with a clear advantage for White in Sadhwani-Gukesh, U20 Speed Chess.com (blitz) 2023.} ) 15.b3 {This position featured in two games from GM Van Foreest, a creative and respected theoretician whose games tend to be followed closely by the chess community due to its abundance of ideas in all phases.} ( 15.Bf4 {was played in an email game where White's idea was first developed.} 15...d6 16.Re1 Be6 {Black equalized and the game was later drawn. Skowronek-Beer, email 2014.} ) 15...d5 {A new move, but hardly surprising. It's very natural and the first choice of the computer.} ( 15...d6 {is less accurate:} 16.Bb2 Bd7 ( 16...Be6 17.Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Bd5 18.Qf4 Nf6 19.Re1 Be6 20.Re3 {with a strong attack on the kingside in Van Foreest-Firouzja, Zagreb (rapid) 2022.} ) ( {If} 16...Qf6 17.Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] avoids the queen exchange and keeps the pressure.} ) 17.Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] again this strong plan gives White the advantage.} 17...Bc6 18.Qf4 Qe7 19.Bc3 {Preparing to play 20.Re1.} 19...Nf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20.Re1 Nd5 21.Bxh7+ {Black resigned in Van Foreest-Sadhwani, Chesskid Cup (blitz) 2023. After} 21...Kxh7 22.Qf5+ {Black's queen is lost.} ) 16.Bf4 {The bishop changes its destination.} ( 16.Bb2 Be6 ( 16...Qf6 17.Re1 Be6 18.Re5 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) 17.Qb4 b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Qf4 c5 {This is a much-improved version for Black compared to the games played by Van Foreest.} ) 16...Be6 17.Re1 {White has the pair of bishops and good piece play, but Black is a pawn up and has no weakness. The position is equal and the Berlin Defense survives once again.} 17...Qd7 18.a4 {Lei was still playing very fast at this point.} 18...Nd6 {Black has many other possible moves. This one is also good.} 19.Re3 {The challenger finally took some time before playing this move. The rook is heading for g3.} 19...Ne4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Giving the pawn back in order to exchange queens.} ( 19...Bf5 {leads to equality:} 20.Rg3 ( 20.Bxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] doesn't work due to} 20...Qxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and if} 21.Bxf5 d4 {wins material.} ) 20...Bg6 21.h4 Ne4 22.Bxe4 dxe4 23.Qxc7 ( 23.h5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23...Qd1+ ) 23...Qxc7 24.Bxc7 {with a draw.} ) ( 19...Nf5 {is also possible:} 20.Rh3 {The position is equal according to the machine, but it looks somewhat dangerous for Black to human eyes.} ) 20.Qxc7 ( 20.Bxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20...d4 ) 20...Qxc7 21.Bxc7 Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The game is very close to a draw.} 22.Bf1 Rc8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes Black's defensive task more difficult. Both 22...d4 and 22...Bf5 lead to an equal position.} ( 22...d4 23.Re5 b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 23...Nd7 24.Rb5 b6 25.Bd6 {is better for White.} ) 24.a5 d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.cxd3 Rc8 26.axb6 axb6 27.Bd6 ( 27.Bxb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27...Nd7 {loses material.} ) 27...Bxb3 {with a likely draw.} ) ( 22...Bf5 {is the simplest:} 23.Rc3 Ne4 ( 23...Ne6 24.Bg3 Rd8 ) 24.Rf3 Bg6 {with equality.} ) 23.Be5 Nd7 24.Bd3 Nc5 ( 24...Nxe5 25.Rxe5 {The endgame is still close to a draw, but Black will have to suffer a little with the isolated queen's pawn.} ) 25.Be2 Nd7 26.Bc3 a6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 27.Bxd4 Rxc2 {The position is more or less equal since Black's activity compensates the pair of bishops.} ) 27.h4 Nf8 ( 27...d4 28.Bxd4 Rxc2 29.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The endgame is more dangerous for Black now. The queenside structure is fixed and the b7-pawn is weak.} ) 28.g4 {A good move, preventing …Bf5. There's another good option:} ( 28.Bd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a superb prophylactic move suggested by the computer, defending the pawn and freeing the c3-bishop. The main plan now is Bd4-c3 and torture Black for a long time. But before doing that, White might also consider advancing the kingside or bringing the king to the center. The advantage is clear.} ) 28...f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A good idea with a tactical flaw.} ( 28...Ng6 29.h5 Nf4 30.Bd1 {The knight is unstable on f4.} ) ( 28...Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by 29...Ne6 is the best way to defend.} ) 29.gxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 29.Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is very unpleasant for Black.} 29...Kf7 ( 29...Bf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30.gxf5 Rxc2 31.Re7 {with a winning advantage.} ) ( 29...f4 {doesn't help:} 30.Re5 ( 30.Rc3 {is also good.} ) 30...Kf7 31.Bxf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Rxf8 32.g5 {with a very difficult endgame for Black.} ) 30.gxf5 Bxf5 31.Re7+ Kf6 32.c4 {White has excellent winning chances.} ( 32.Rxb7 {is also possible, although Black has some counterplay after} 32...Rxc2 33.Bxa6 Ne6 ) ) 29...Bxf5 30.Bf3 Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move saves Black.} 31.Bxe4 dxe4 32.Bb4 Re8 {This is somewhat passive. Black had other options.} ( 32...Rxc2 33.Rxe4 Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move.} ( 33...Ng6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34.h5 {The knight has no good squares.} ) ( 33...Kf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34.Rf4+ {wins the poor knight.} ) ( 33...Nd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34.Re8+ Kf7 35.Re7+ {game over.} ) ( 33...Rc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34.Re8 Rf7 35.h5 {Black is in a sad type of zugzwang. Her pieces can barely move.} ) 34.Re7 ( 34.h5 Nd7 35.Re7 Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a probable draw.} ) 34...Ng6 35.Rxb7 Nxh4 {Black should be able to achieve a draw, although it still looks dangerous.} ) ( 32...Ne6 {is a very interesting pawn sacrifice.} 33.Rxe4 Kf7 34.c3 ( 34.c4 Rd8 ) 34...Rd8 {Black has good compensation with the active rook and knight.} ) 33.Bxf8 {Since we all know that \"all rook endgames are drawn\", it's better to look for another move here.} ( 33.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] poses more problems:} 33...Ng6 34.Be1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 34...Rc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black shouldn't try to restore material equality since the position is horrible after} 35.Rxe4 Rxc2 36.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Nf8 37.Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Rc8 38.Re7 ) 35.fxe4 Rc8 {The compensation should be enough to achieve a draw, although a pawn is a pawn.} ) 33...Kxf8 34.Kf1 Kf7 ( 34...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} 35.axb5 ( 35.a5 b4 ) 35...axb5 36.Rc3 Re5 ) 35.Ke2 ( 35.Rc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White can activate the rook with some practical winning chances.} ) 35...Kf6 36.Rg3 ( 36.Rc3 {again this is possible.} ) 36...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.axb5 axb5 38.Rg5 Rc8 ( 38...Re5 39.Rxe5 Kxe5 {You always have to be extra careful when going for a pawn endgame, especially when it's not really necessary. That said, the computer shows a draw here as well, for instance:} 40.c3 Kf4 41.c4 bxc4 42.bxc4 Ke5 43.Ke3 g6 44.f3 exf3 45.Kxf3 Kd4 ) 39.Kd2 Rd8+ 40.Ke3 ( 40.Kc3 Rc8+ 41.Kb2 {This is a possible winning attempt, but Black is fine with careful play.} 41...b4 42.Rb5 Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43.Rxb4 Ke5 {The f2-pawn falls.} ) 40...Rc8 41.Rxb5 Rxc2 42.b4 Rc3+ 43.Kxe4 Rc4+ 44.Kf3 ( 44.Kd5 {Black's counterplay is fast enough after} 44...Rxh4 45.Rb8 h5 46.Kc5 Rh1 47.b5 h4 ) 44...Rxh4 45.Rb6+ Kg5 46.Rb7 g6 47.b5 Rb4 48.Rxh7 Rxb5 49.Kg3 Rb3+ 50.f3 Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Women's Chess World Championship"]
[Site "Chiva Chongqing"]
[Date "2023.07.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2554"]
[BlackElo "2564"]
[ECO "B19"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[Beauty "4882593484316"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 c6 {Due to the match situation, I expected this pawn moving one square more forward.} 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 {The good old Caro-Kann main line.} ( 4...Nf6 {is very popular nowadays. After the knight exchange, Black captures with the e-pawn.} ) 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 e6 {The same move Carlsen chose in his first world championship match against Anand in 2013.} 8.Ne5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Nd7 11.Qe2 ( 11.f4 {was Anand's choice.} 11...Bb4+ ( 11...Be7 ) 12.c3 Be7 13.Bd2 Ngf6 14.O-O-O O-O {Anand-Carlsen, World-ch (2) Chennai 2013. Here White's best move to fight for an advantage is} 15.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 11...Ngf6 12.O-O {As far as I know, this move has been tried just once before, in a correspondence game. Usually White doesn't castle short after playing h2-h4, but the current game shows this plan is also interesting.} ( 12.Bd2 {is almost universally played.} ) 12...Be7 13.Rd1 O-O 14.c4 Qa5 {A new move. I'm not sure this is a good square for the queen. This is a critical moment: White must decide on a plan of action, and there are several promising continuations.} ( 14...Qb6 {I think this is better.} 15.Nxd7 Nxd7 16.d5 cxd5 17.cxd5 Rad8 ( 17...Bc5 {is interesting.} ) 18.Be3 Bc5 19.dxe6 fxe6 ( 19...Qxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20.Rxd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins material.} ) 20.Bxc5 Nxc5 21.Rac1 a5 {Black managed to hold in Conte Poderoso-Homont, ICCF email 2019.} ) 15.Bf4 ( 15.Nxd7 Nxd7 16.d5 {This is a direct way of fighting for the initiative, the same idea that was played in the correspondence game.} 16...cxd5 17.cxd5 {This position is dangerous for Black.} 17...Rae8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 17...Bxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] First, I thought that Black should play this move, but the computer refutes my idea.} 18.dxe6 Nb6 ( 18...Nf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.e7 Rfe8 20.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Qxb4 21.Nf5 {wins for White.} ) 19.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Qa6 20.Qxa6 bxa6 21.Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Rfd8 22.Nf5 {with a winning initiative for White.} ) 18.dxe6 Nf6 {Not an easy way to play, to say the least. White can still fight for the advantage, but this is Black's best chance.} ) ( 15.Bd2 {A very natural move.} 15...Qc7 16.Bc3 ( 16.Bf4 {is also possible:} 16...Bd6 17.Rd3 ) 16...a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the idea of playing ...Bb4. White remains slightly better.} ) 15...Rad8 16.Rd3 ( 16.a3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a useful move to either play b2-b4 or be able to move the rook without losing the a-pawn. A possible continuation is:} 16...Qa6 17.Rac1 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Nxd7 Rxd7 19.dxc5 Rfd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 19...Bxc5 20.Be5 Rxd1+ 21.Rxd1 Be7 22.Bxf6 Bxf6 23.Nh5 {with a clear advantage for White.} ) 20.Rxd7 Nxd7 21.Bd6 ( 21.b4 {is not so good due to} 21...Qxa3 ) 21...Bxd6 22.cxd6 Qxd6 23.Rd1 {with a better endgame for White.} ) 16...Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.dxe5 ( 17.Bxe5 Nd7 {with a good position for Black.} ) 17...Nh7 ( 17...Rxd3 {This is also possible due to some computer tactics:} 18.exf6 ( 18.Qxd3 Nh7 ( 18...Rd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is elegantly refuted by} 19.exf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Rxd3 20.fxe7 {and the pawn is unstoppable.} ) ) 18...Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This saves Black from losing material.} 19.Qxd3 Bxf4 {with a roughly equal game.} ) 18.Ne4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This pawn sacrifice was played after long thought. I like this decision.} ( 18.h5 {It's also possible to defend the pawn, although it slows down White's initiative.} 18...Rxd3 19.Qxd3 Rd8 {and now it's not clear which square is best for the queen. The game is, in any case, balanced.} ) 18...Rxd3 19.Qxd3 Bxh4 20.Nd6 {The d6-knight gives good compensation for the sacrificed pawn, but not enough for an advantage.} 20...Qb6 21.Qe2 ( 21.Qc2 {is more useful, since the queen can support the c4-c5 advance.} ) 21...Rd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move leaves the bishop in a dangerous situation.} ( 21...Be7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's better to come back immediately. Black is fighting for the advantage after} 22.Rd1 Rd8 ) 22.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Qc7 ( 22...c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23.Qh5 {attacks both the bishop and the f7-pawn.} ) 23.Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Bg5 24.f4 g6 {The only defense.} 25.Qf3 {It's hard to say where the queen should go.} ( 25.Qh3 {is also tempting.} 25...Be7 26.c5 Bf8 ( 26...h5 {is possible, although this gives White the chance to open the kingside position later with g2-g4.} ) 27.b4 {with a strong initiative.} ) 25...Be7 26.c5 {White has improved her position and has the initiative.} 26...b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to look for active play.} 27.b4 bxc5 28.bxc5 Rb8 29.g4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A careless move. It's better to develop the a1-rook before going for the f5-break.} ( 29.Rf1 Rb2 ( 29...Qa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30.Qxc6 ) 30.Qg3 {with the idea of playing f4-f5 next. The computer still defends Black's position with some incredible moves, but that would be a hard task during the game.} ) 29...Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Rf1 ( 30.Qxc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30...Qc3 {wins a piece.} ) 30...Qc3 31.Ne4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 31.Rf2 {is better, protecting the second rank and leaving the knight on its imposing square.} ) 31...Qd3 32.Kg2 Rb2+ 33.Bf2 Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The situation has become critical for White.} 34.Rd1 Qxa2 35.f5 exf5 36.gxf5 gxf5 ( 36...Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a win:} 37.Nxg5 Bxg5 {Threatening 38...Bh4.} 38.Kg1 ( 38.fxg6 Bh4 ) 38...gxf5 39.Qxf5 {White has no attacking plan, and Black can start pushing the a-pawn.} 39...a5 ( 39...Re2 {is the computer's favorite move.} ) ) 37.Qxf5 Qe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A solid decision to exchange queens during time trouble, but this lets the advantage slip away.} ( 37...Nf8 {is stronger.} ) 38.Qxe6 fxe6 39.Rd7 Bh4 40.Kf1 Bxf2 41.Nxf2 {Despite being two pawns down, White has excellent drawing chances. The rook is active, and the c6-pawn can be attacked.} 41...a5 42.Ra7 Rb5 43.Nd3 ( 43.Ne4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 43...Ng5 ) 43...Ng5 44.Ra6 Kf7 45.Rxc6 Rb3 ( 45...Ke7 {gives better winning chances, but it's also not enough.} ) 46.Ke2 a4 47.Ra6 a3 48.Nf4 Rc3 49.c6 Ke7 50.Kd2 Rc4 51.Nd3 Kf7 52.Rxa3 Rxc6 53.Nf4 {White's pieces are active, and the draw is inevitable.} 53...Rc4 54.Ra7+ Kf8 55.Nh5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 55.Ra8+ Ke7 56.Ra7+ Ke8 57.Ng6 {is also enough for a draw.} ) 55...Nf3+ 56.Ke3 Nxe5 57.Nf4 Rc6 58.Ke4 Nc4 59.Ng6+ Ke8 60.Kd4 Nb6 61.Re7+ Kd8 62.Rh7 Nd7 63.Rxh6 e5+ 64.Nxe5 Rxh6 65.Nf7+ {A very interesting and hard-fought game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Women's Chess World Championship"]
[Site "Chiva Chongqing"]
[Date "2023.07.16"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2564"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "A06"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[Beauty "5775678246920"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 c5 3.b3 {Ju hadn't managed to pose opening problems with her traditional repertoire up to this point in the match, so she starts experimenting with new lines. In round seven, she tried the Caro-Kann and in this round, instead of going for the main lines of the Queen's Pawn, she decides to aim for a slower setup.} 3...Nc6 ( 3...a6 {is logical, avoiding the pin with Bb5.} ) 4.Bb2 ( 4.Bb5 {leads to a Nimzo-Indian with colors reversed and a tempo more for White.} ) 4...a6 5.g3 {It's a bit strange to play e3 and g3 in the opening, as the main idea of both moves is to free the path of the bishop. We need to understand that White is not interested in achieving an advantage right after the opening in this game. She is aiming at a long positional struggle without forcing variations.} ( 5.d4 {This position has been played many times by Nakamura in blitz games.} ) 5...Qc7 {This move looks a bit superficial.} ( 5...Nf6 6.Bg2 Bf5 {is very natural.} ) ( 5...d4 {is the most ambitious move, fighting for space in the center.} ) 6.d4 {I found no games in my database with this position. This is certainly not a common situation after move six of a world championship match.} ( 6.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most unpleasant.} 6...dxc4 7.bxc4 Bf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 7...Nf6 {is better.} ) 8.Nc3 e6 9.Nh4 {with a clear advantage for White in Almasi-Gaponenko, Douglas 2017.} ) 6...cxd4 7.exd4 Bg4 8.Bg2 e6 9.O-O Nf6 10.Nbd2 Bd6 {The bishop seems more comfortable on e7, without having to worry about the advance of c4-c5.} ( 10...Be7 11.c4 O-O ) 11.c4 O-O 12.a3 a5 {Avoiding White's plan with c4-c5 followed by b3-b4.} ( 12...dxc4 {Considering that this move will be played later in the game, maybe it's a better idea to try it immediately. In this structure, Black's pawn is better on a6 than on a5.} 13.bxc4 Rfd8 ) ( 12...Ne4 {is also perfectly playable:} 13.Qe1 f5 14.b4 {with chances for both sides.} ) 13.h3 Bh5 14.Qe2 Rfd8 15.Rac1 dxc4 {One of the most difficult strategic decisions in chess is when to release the central tension.} ( 15...Rac8 {is a good alternative.} ) 16.bxc4 Be7 17.Qe3 Rac8 18.Rfe1 Bg6 {It's time for White to decide on a plan of action. This is usually what happens after all the pieces are developed.} 19.Qb3 {The queen is well placed on this square. The pawn on a5 is not something that Black wants.} ( 19.Nh4 {is a good positional move with a tactical flaw.} 19...Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] attacking the bishop on b2 and the pawn on d4.} ) ( 19.d5 {is a very tempting forcing move, but the results are not as satisfactory for White as it seems at first sight.} 19...exd5 20.Bxf6 gxf6 ( 20...Bxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses due to the good old back-rank mate.} 21.cxd5 Rxd5 22.Qe8+ Rxe8 23.Rxe8# ) 21.cxd5 Rxd5 22.Rxc6 bxc6 23.Qxe7 Qxe7 24.Rxe7 Rd3 25.Nc4 Rc3 26.Nxa5 Rxa3 27.Nc4 Ra1+ {with a likely draw.} ) 19...Qb8 20.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good moment to advance the pawn. The knight is going to c4. Black must react quickly.} 20...Nd5 21.Nc4 a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. Black cannot stand still, for example:} ( 21...Qa7 22.Nfe5 Nxe5 23.Rxe5 Bf6 24.Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...exd5 25.Nb6 {with an overwhelming advantage.} ) 22.Qxa4 ( 22.Qb5 {It's interesting to refuse the sacrifice in order to keep pieces on the board, but Black has a strong reply.} 22...Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White cannot avoid taking on a4 for long.} 23.Qxa4 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.cxb6 Nxb6 25.Nxb6 Qxb6 {with good compensation.} ) 22...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Lei's idea.} 23.cxb6 Nxb6 24.Nxb6 Qxb6 {At the cost of a pawn, Black's pieces are finally free. This is textbook defensive technique.} 25.Ba1 ( 25.d5 {is possible:} 25...Qxb2 ( 25...exd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26.Rxc6 Rxc6 27.Rxe7 ) 26.dxc6 Qxa3 {White has some pressure due to the c-pawn, but not enough to create serious winning chances.} ) 25...Qa5 {Forcing the queen exchange and leading the game to a drawish endgame.} 26.Qxa5 Nxa5 27.Rxc8 Rxc8 28.d5 {The only winning chance.} 28...Nb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] 28...Bxa3 is much simpler.} ( 28...Bxa3 29.dxe6 fxe6 30.Rxe6 Rc1+ 31.Re1 Rxe1+ 32.Nxe1 {Black is a pawn down, but with reduced material and pawns all on the same flank, it's not difficult to defend.} ) 29.dxe6 fxe6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 29...Nxa1 {is better, although life is not so simple anymore.} 30.exf7+ Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 30...Bxf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31.Rxe7 ) ( 30...Kxf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31.Ne5+ ) 31.Rxa1 Bf6 32.Re1 Bxf7 33.Ne5 Be8 {The pair of bishops grants excellent drawing chance; the computer evaluates the position as equal. Let's not forget, however, that White is two pawns up for the moment.} ) 30.Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An accurate reply.} 30...Bxa3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 30...Nc5 {is better.} ) 31.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Bc2 ( 31...Rc1+ 32.Kh2 Rb1 33.Rc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook is activated, and White wins.} ) 32.Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 32.Ne1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer indicates a beautiful win after this move.} 32...Bd1 ( 32...Bc1 33.Nxc2 Bxe3 34.Nxe3 {with a technically winning endgame.} ) 33.Rd3 Rc1 34.Rd8+ Kf7 35.Nd3 Rb1 36.Kh2 {Even though material is equal, Black's pieces are uncoordinated, and her king as well as the pawns are subject to a powerful attack by White's remaining pieces. There's no way to defend, for instance:} 36...Nd2 37.Bc7 Nc4 38.Rd7+ Kg8 39.Nf4 Ba4 40.Rd4 Bb5 41.Nxe6 ) 32...Nxd4 33.Rxa3 ( 33.Bxd4 Bf8 34.Rxe6 Bb3 {with an easy technical defense.} ) 33...Nc6 {This loses a pawn, although the remaining position is drawn with accurate play.} ( 33...Nf5 {is a good alternative that should also draw with precise play.} 34.g4 Nh6 ) 34.Bxc6 Rxc6 35.Ra8+ Kf7 36.Ra7+ Ke8 37.Rxg7 {The endgame is objectively drawn, although Black needs to be able to defend with precise moves for a long time. The added pressure on the clock and on the match will show on the next moves. Ju will quickly gain a decisive advantage.} 37...Kf8 $6 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 37...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, since White cannot avoid a pawn exchange.} 38.g4 ( 38.Rg5 Be4 ) 38...hxg4 39.hxg4 Kf8 ) 38.g4 Rc5 39.Bf6 Be4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 39...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better again.} ) 40.Kh2 Rb5 41.Re7 {Black is in a difficult situation now. The path to the draw has become much narrower.} 41...Rb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 41...Rb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42.Kg3 ( 42.Bxb2 Kxe7 ) 42...Rb3+ 43.Kf4 Bg2 44.h4 h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an incredible computer defense. To human eyes, Black's moves are barely understandable, and it seems that White is winning, but this is an illusion.} 45.Rc7 ( 45.Rxe6 Rf3+ 46.Ke5 Bh3 ) 45...Rf3+ 46.Ke5 Bh3 47.Bg7+ Ke8 48.Rc4 h5 {Let's be honest: it's impossible to find all those defensive moves. It's still not clear to me why this should be a draw, but the computer is pretty confident in this evaluation.} ) 42.h4 ( 42.Rc7 ) ( 42.f3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 42...Bxf3 43.Rxh7 {This should be a draw with best play, but it's definitely not easy.} ) 42...Rb3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 42...Rb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again this computer resource is the best.} 43.Kg3 Rb3+ 44.Kf4 Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45.Ke5 ( 45.Kg5 Bf3 ) 45...Bd5 ) 43.Rxe6 Bf3 44.g5 {With two pawns up, the endgame should be winning. To demonstrate this, however, is not a trivial task; opposite-colored bishops always offer drawing chances.} 44...Bg4 45.Re7 Bf5 46.Kg2 Bh3+ 47.Kg1 Bf5 48.h5 Rh3 49.h6 Rd3 50.Kh2 Rh3+ 51.Kg2 Rd3 52.f3 Rd7 53.Re5 Bc2 54.f4 {Ju is playing very well. She advances all her pawns and now must find a way to break Black's light-square resistance. Without rooks, the endgame is completely drawn, but as it is, White has the chance to give up the rook for the bishop and try to advance the pawns.} 54...Rd5 55.Re7 ( 55.Rxd5 $4 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 55...Be4+ ) 55...Bf5 56.Kf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows a surprising tactical resource that saves the game.} ( 56.Ra7 ) 56...Rd2+ 57.Ke3 Rd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 57...Rd3+ 58.Ke2 Rd4 $3 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This idea was missed by both players. White must either exchange rooks or give up the f4-pawn, with a draw in both cases.} 59.Ra7 ( 59.Bxd4 Kxe7 ) 59...Rxf4 ) 58.Rc7 Rd3+ 59.Ke2 Rd5 60.Bc3 Ke8 61.Kf2 Kf8 62.Bb4+ Ke8 63.Re7+ Kd8 64.Rf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is it. White wants to sacrifice the rook for the bishop.} 64...Ke8 65.Rf8+ Kd7 66.Bc3 Bg6 ( 66...Ke7 67.Rf6 ( 67.Rxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This doesn't work yet.} 67...Rxf5 68.g6 Rxf4+ 69.Kg3 Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 67.Rg8 Rd6 68.Be5 Rd2+ ( 68...Rc6 69.Rg7+ Ke8 70.Bf6 Bf5 71.Re7+ Kf8 72.Re5 Bb1 73.Ra5 {The pawn will advance to f5, and the king is also joining the forces.} ) 69.Kf3 Rd3+ 70.Kg4 Rd1 71.Rxg6 hxg6 72.h7 1-0

[Event "FIDE Women's Chess World Championship"]
[Site "Chiva Chongqing"]
[Date "2023.07.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2554"]
[BlackElo "2564"]
[ECO "B45"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "5155705602569"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 c5 {Ju plays the Sicilian Defense for the first time in the match.} 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 {This is the critical move to exploit this move order.} ( 6.Ndb5 {may transpose to the Sveshnikov variation, or Black can try an alternative like 6...Bb4, although this is considered slightly better for White according to theory.} ) 6...bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Bb7 {As far as I remember, this line was introduced in elite play by legendary GM Peter Leko in his game against GM Garry Kasparov in 1999.} ( 8...Qc7 {is the most popular move.} ) 9.Be2 {Kasparov's choice.} ( 9.c4 {is also possible, with a lot of modern theory after} 9...Nb4 10.c5 Qb8 11.f4 Ba6 ) 9...c5 10.a3 {Once again, Lei is the first to strike with a new move. This time, however, the novelty doesn't offer much. The idea is to take the b4-square from the knight to play c2-c4.} ( 10.c4 {This move is innacurate due to} 10...Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 10.O-O Qc7 11.Nd6+ Bxd6 12.exd6 Qc6 13.f3 c4 14.Qd4 O-O 15.Bxc4 Qxd6 {was played in Kasparov-Leko, Linares 1999. Those who remember Kasparov's form in 1999 know that merely surviving in the opening with Black against such a mighty opponent was already a difficult task. Leko managed to get a draw without much trouble.} ) 10...Rc8 {Preparing c5-c4, a good move to secure the knight's post on d5.} ( 10...Qc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is not good:} 11.Nd6+ Bxd6 12.exd6 ) ( 10...Be7 {is also natural. White can try} 11.Qd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the idea of c2-c4.} ) 11.c4 Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.Bxe3 Bxe4 13.O-O ( 13.Bf3 {immediately is also possible:} 13...Bxf3 14.Qxf3 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has to be careful.} ( 14...Be7 15.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is unpleasant.} ) 15.exd6 Bxd6 {with an equal position.} ) 13...Be7 14.Bf3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 O-O {If White manages to stabilize the position, she may get a small advantage due to her better pawn structure, with pressure against Black's backward d-pawn. Black, however, is in time to avoid this, breaking with f7-f6.} 16.Rad1 ( 16.Qg3 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 16...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This guarantees equality.} 17.Qg3 fxe5 18.Qxe5 Bf6 19.Qd6 Bxb2 {The game is simplifying and quickly heading to a draw.} 20.Bxc5 ( 20.Qxd7 Qxd7 21.Rxd7 Rf7 {is also equal.} ) 20...Rf7 21.Rb1 ( 21.Bxa7 {Black can regain the pawn, and the evaluation is the same:} 21...Qc7 ( 21...Qa5 ) ) 21...Be5 {An interesting move, although not the only one.} ( 21...Bf6 {Prepares ...Be7 and also leads to a draw:} 22.Rb5 ( 22.Bxa7 Qc7 ) 22...Be7 23.Qd4 Bxc5 24.Rxc5 Rxc5 25.Qxc5 Qb8 ) ( 21...Qa5 {is also possible:} 22.Bb4 Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Qxe6 dxe6 24.Bxa5 Rxc4 {again with a draw.} ) 22.Qxe5 Rf5 {This is the point.} 23.Qd6 Rfxc5 24.Rb7 R5c7 25.Rfb1 Rxc4 26.g3 R4c7 27.Kg2 {White has compensation for the pawn since her heavy pieces are very active, but nothing more. Black can offer the pawn back to achieve an easy draw.} 27...a5 28.a4 h6 29.h4 Kh8 30.R1b2 Kh7 31.h5 Kh8 32.R2b5 Rxb7 ( 32...Kg8 {It's also possible to keep waiting. White has nothing more than either wait or accept the pawn back and go for a drawn rook endgame.} ) 33.Rxb7 Qf6 34.Rxd7 Rf8 35.f4 Rc8 36.Qd4 Qxd4 37.Rxd4 Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Always bring the king to the center in the endgame $1} 38.Re4 Rc2+ 39.Kf3 Ra2 40.Kg4 Ra3 {White has no way to make any progress.} 41.Rxe6 Rxa4 {The position is a dead draw.} 42.Kf5 Kh7 43.Ra6 Ra1 44.Ra7 a4 45.Ra8 a3 46.g4 Ra2 47.g5 hxg5 48.fxg5 g6+ 49.hxg6+ Kg7 50.Ra7+ Kg8 51.g7 Rb2 52.Kg6 Rb6+ 53.Kh5 a2 54.Rxa2 Kxg7 55.Ra7+ Kg8 56.Ra8+ Kg7 57.Ra7+ Kg8 58.Ra8+ Kg7 59.Ra7+ {A good draw for Ju, who faced no opening problems and now has two Whites in the remaining three games.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Women's Chess World Championship"]
[Site "Chiva Chongqing"]
[Date "2023.07.19"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2564"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "5705750810121"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.e3 d5 4.b3 c5 5.Bb2 Nc6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Be2 {Once again Ju tries an offbeat opening, but Lei is very well prepared.} 7...a6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A subtle move with the idea of taking the b5-square from White's bishop.} ( 7...Bd6 8.O-O O-O 9.d4 {leads to normal play where White can fight for an advantage.} ) ( 7...d4 {is very logical, gaining space. Here White's bishop goes to b5, and we can understand the move played in the game.} 8.exd4 ( 8.Bb5 {immediately is not so accurate, since Black can sacrifice a pawn for good compensation with} 8...Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 9.exd4 O-O ) 8...cxd4 ( 8...Nxd4 {is also possible:} 9.Nxd4 cxd4 10.O-O Be7 11.Na3 {White never has much, but at least it's a playable position without much theory.} ) 9.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 9...Bc5 10.Qe2+ Be6 11.Bxc6+ bxc6 12.Qe5 {White wins a pawn, but it seems that here Black also has enough compensation.} ) 8.d4 ( {After} 8.O-O {Black can play} 8...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 9.exd4 cxd4 {with a good position.} ) 8...cxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another accurate move.} ( 8...Bd6 9.O-O O-O 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Nc3 {Transposes to a well-known position that can occur from different move orders.} ) 9.Nxd4 Bb4+ $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10.Bc3 ( {If} 10.Nc3 Qa5 {the knight is unpleasantly pinned.} ) 10...Bd6 ( 10...Qa5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is not good:} 11.Qd2 Nxd4 ( 11...Ne4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 12.Nxc6 ) 12.Qxd4 Bxc3+ 13.Nxc3 {with a clear advantage for White.} ) 11.Nd2 O-O 12.O-O Re8 13.Bb2 {This move is necessary sooner or later, as the bishop is not well placed on c3. This is an excellent version of the isolated queen's pawn structure for Black. The knight on d2 is not an active piece and would be better placed on c3.} 13...Bd7 ( 13...Bc7 {is a typical plan in these positions.} 14.Rc1 Qd6 15.N2f3 Bg4 ( 15...Ne4 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Qg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18.Rxc6 {was winning for White in Lenderman-Andreikin, Titled Tuesday (blitz) 2022.} ) 16.g3 {with chances for both sides.} ) 14.N2f3 ( 14.Rc1 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.Ra1 Rc8 17.Bd3 Qe7 {with a good position for Black in Nisipeanu-Parligras, Bucharest (rapid) 2018.} ) 14...Ne4 15.Nd2 {A new and strange move: Ju offers a move repetition. It's clear that White has no advantage, and once again Lei's opening preparation has been superior.} ( 15.Rc1 Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.Rc2 Qh6 {with active play for Black in Parligras-David, ROM-ch 2017.} ) ( 15.Nxc6 {is a natural reply, although hardly enough for an advantage after} 15...bxc6 16.Qd4 f6 ) 15...Nxd4 ( 15...Nf6 {Lei could also go back with the knight, making a tacit draw offer.} ) 16.Bxd4 Re6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The rook lift through the sixth rank is a typical attacking device.} 17.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important defensive move.} ( {After} 17.Nf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17...Rh6 {the attack is very strong.} ) ( 17.Nxe4 dxe4 18.g3 Rh6 {is also comfortable for Black.} ) 17...Bc5 {Now the game simplifies quickly.} 18.Nxe4 Bxd4 19.Qxd4 Rxe4 20.Qxd5 Rxe3 21.Bc4 Re7 ( 21...Be6 {is also enough for equality.} 22.Qxb7 Bxc4 23.bxc4 h6 24.Rad1 Qe8 ) 22.Qxb7 Bb5 23.Qd5 ( 23.Qf3 Bxc4 24.bxc4 Qd4+ 25.Kh1 Rc8 26.Rac1 h6 {The c4-pawn will soon be captured, and the game will end in a draw.} ) 23...Rd7 24.Qe5 Qb6+ 25.Kh1 Bxc4 26.bxc4 Qc6 27.Rfe1 h6 {White is not able to hold the extra pawn. The best thing to do is to give it back and force a draw.} 28.Rac1 Rad8 29.h3 Rd2 30.Re2 Rd1+ 31.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 32.Kh2 Qxc4 33.Qe8+ Kh7 34.Qe4+ Qxe4 35.Rxe4 {The game is essentially over.} 35...Rd5 36.Ra4 a5 37.Kg3 g5 38.fxg5 hxg5 39.Kf3 Kg6 40.Ke4 Rb5 41.g4 f5+ 42.gxf5+ Rxf5 43.Ke3 Kh5 44.Ke2 Re5+ 45.Kf3 Rf5+ 46.Ke3 Re5+ 47.Kf3 Rf5+ {Another cautious game. The tension builds as just two games are left in the match. I think neither player will take unnecessary risks at this point.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Women's Chess World Championship"]
[Site "Chiva Chongqing"]
[Date "2023.07.21"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2564"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "D04"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[Beauty "6254432881185"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 c5 4.dxc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] By now we are used to queen's pawn sidelines in world championship matches. Both Ding and Ju showed that this is just as viable a path as fighting for advantage in the main lines.} 4...e6 5.b4 a5 6.c3 axb4 7.cxb4 b6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 10.a4 bxc5 11.b5 {I have a great friend (and a strong amateur chess player) who has always been a devoted fan of the Noteboom Variation. He felt invincible with these passed pawns. I wonder how he feels now that Ju is showing the world that it's possible to play the line with White, with an extra tempo. I also have a good friend, GM Gilberto Milos, who loves playing with central pawns: he is probably not very impressed with White's play.} 11...Qc7 {A rare move that has been played in correspondence games, but the game will transpose to a more common position later. Black has various tries here:} ( 11...Bd6 ) ( 11...g5 ) ( 11...c4 ) 12.Bb2 Bd6 13.O-O O-O ( 13...g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is critical. This is a typical move in this double-edged variation. Lei thought for a long time before castling and was maybe considering playing it.} 14.g3 ( 14.Nxg5 {is also possible:} 14...Bxh2+ 15.Kh1 Be5 16.Nc3 {with a complicated position.} ) 14...g4 15.Nh4 Be5 16.Nc3 Rg8 {The computer is happy with Black's position, and this was played in two correspondence games that ended in a draw. From a human perspective, the position is difficult to play with either color.} ) 14.Nbd2 {The game has transposed to a known position, played in nearly 30 games.} 14...Rfc8 ( 14...c4 {is the main move.} ) ( 14...e5 {is a very concrete way to pursue equality.} 15.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only reasonable move.} 15...c4 16.Qc2 Rfc8 17.Rfc1 Bb4 18.Bc3 Bxc3 19.Qxc3 dxe4 20.Ng5 Nc5 {A possible continuation now is:} 21.Qxc4 Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Qe2 Qf5 23.Ngxe4 Ncxe4 24.Rxc8+ Rxc8 25.Nxe4 Nxe4 26.b6 {The pawns are so strong that they compensate for the missing piece, but no more than that: the game should end in a draw.} ) 15.Qc2 c4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake, since now White is able to advance the dangerous pawns.} ( 15...e5 {is better, transposing to the line analyzed previously after} 16.e4 c4 ) 16.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawns are ready to move forward. It's exactly because of this that my dear friend likes Noteboom positions.} 16...Nc5 17.a5 {Only this is a new move.} ( 17.Rfb1 {is also very good for White after} 17...Nce4 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.a5 ) 17...Nb3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting attempt to muddy the waters. White's play is easy after the alternatives:} ( 17...Nfe4 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.Rfb1 ) ( 17...Nd3 18.h3 e5 19.Rfb1 ) 18.Bxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A big mistake. Ju probably evaluated the resulting position incorrectly or missed the tactical idea of giving up the a-pawn.} ( 18.Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is much stronger.} 18...Nxd2 ( 18...Nxa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Rfa1 {loses material.} ) 19.Qxd2 Ne4 20.Qc2 {The pawns are very strong, and White has a clear advantage.} ) 18...Nxa1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 18...gxf6 {loses by force after} 19.Nxb3 cxb3 20.Qxb3 Rxa5 21.b6 Qc5 22.b7 Rb8 23.Rxa5 Qxa5 24.Rb1 {The b-pawn is too strong.} ) 19.Bxa1 Qxa5 {The most natural move.} ( 19...Rxa5 {also leads to an equal position:} 20.Rb1 ( 20.Qc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is wrong:} 20...f6 ) 20...Rb8 21.Nd4 e5 ( 21...Bxh2+ 22.Kf1 Be5 23.Bc3 Bxd4 24.Bxa5 Qxa5 25.exd4 Rxb5 {with an equal endgame.} ) 22.Nc6 Rxa1 23.Rxa1 Rxb5 24.Nxc4 ( 24.Ra6 Qb7 25.Qa4 Rb1+ 26.Nf1 h6 {with a complicated position that is equal according to the machine.} ) 24...Qxc6 25.Nxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Qxd6 26.Qc8+ Qf8 27.Qd7 Rc5 28.h3 {White has enough activity to achieve an easy draw.} ) 20.Qc3 ( {After} 20.Ng5 {Black has a forced, but good enough, reply:} 20...g6 ) 20...Qxc3 21.Bxc3 Rcb8 22.Nd4 {This is an interesting endgame. It's always very difficult to evaluate imbalanced positions. With the benefit of having seen the game and being able to use the computer, it's easy to say that the position is equal.} 22...e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake that changes the evaluation. Lei wants to eliminate the b-pawn, but she pays an expensive price. Many alternatives maintain equality.} ( 22...Ra3 23.Nb1 Ra2 ) ( 22...Bc5 ) ( 22...Ra2 ) 23.Nf5 Bf8 24.Bxe5 Rxb5 {Despite the material balance remaining the same, the position has deteriorated a lot for Black. White can now organize the pieces more easily and start an attack on the vulnerable black pawns. Hanging pawns are like inseparable brothers who share the same fate: after one is gone (the d5-pawn), the other (the c4-pawn) usually doesn't take long to fall.} 25.g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better way to immediately organize the pieces, with the knight coming back to d4.} ) 25...g6 26.Nd4 Rb2 $6 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26...Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better defensive move, preparing f7-f6.} ) 27.Nb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. The knight is going to d5.} 27...Bg7 ( {An instructive endgame arises after} 27...Ra1 28.Nc3 Rxf1+ 29.Kxf1 Bg7 30.Bxg7 Kxg7 31.Nxd5 {The knights should be able to give White a win.} ) 28.Bxg7 Kxg7 29.Nc3 Ra5 30.Rd1 {With all the rooks on the board, White's task is easier. The d-pawn will be captured, and the endgame is easily winning.} 30...Rb6 31.Nde2 Rb3 32.Kg2 h6 33.Kf3 f6 34.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An accurate move with the idea of capturing the d-pawn without exchanging rooks.} ( 34.Nxd5 Rd3 ) ( 34.Rxd5 Rxd5 35.Nxd5 ) 34...Kf7 ( 34...g5 {prevents 35.Nf4 but weakens the f5-square.} 35.Nd4 ) 35.Nf4 d4 36.exd4 g5 37.Ne2 f5 {Lei tries her best to complicate the game, but Ju gives no chances.} 38.gxf5 Rxf5+ 39.Ke3 g4 40.Nf4 Rb8 41.d5 Rf6 ( 41...Re8+ 42.Ne4 {and the rook is ready to capture the c-pawn.} ) 42.Rc2 Ra8 43.Nb5 Rb6 44.Nd4 Ra3+ 45.Ke4 c3 46.Nfe2 Rb2 47.Kd3 Rb1 ( 47...Rxc2 48.Nxc2 ) 48.Nxc3 Rh1 49.f3 gxf3 50.Nxf3 Rf1 51.Nd4 Ke7 52.Kc4 Rf4 53.Rb2 {Black is unable to fight against the combined attack of the king, rook, knights, and passed pawn.} 53...Rh4 54.Rb7+ ( 54.Nb5 {leads to a mating attack after} 54...Rah3 55.Re2+ Kd7 56.d6 Rxh2 57.Re7+ Kd8 58.Kc5 ) 54...Kf6 55.Rb2 Ra8 56.Kc5 Rh3 57.Ncb5 Re3 58.d6 Ke5 59.Nc6+ Ke4 60.d7 Rd3 61.Nd6+ Kf4 62.Rb8 {The pawn's promotion is inevitable. Ju retains her world title after a tense and difficult match that was played at a very high level by both players.} 1-0

[Event "FIDE Women's Chess World Championship"]
[Site "Chiva Chongqing"]
[Date "2023.07.22"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2564"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "D04"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[Beauty "6254432881185"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 c5 4.dxc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] By now we are used to queen's pawn sidelines in world championship matches. Both Ding and Ju showed that this is just as viable a path as fighting for advantage in the main lines.} 4...e6 5.b4 a5 6.c3 axb4 7.cxb4 b6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 10.a4 bxc5 11.b5 {I have a great friend (and a strong amateur chess player) who has always been a devoted fan of the Noteboom Variation. He felt invincible with these passed pawns. I wonder how he feels now that Ju is showing the world that it's possible to play the line with White, with an extra tempo. I also have a good friend, GM Gilberto Milos, who loves playing with central pawns: he is probably not very impressed with White's play.} 11...Qc7 {A rare move that has been played in correspondence games, but the game will transpose to a more common position later. Black has various tries here:} ( 11...Bd6 ) ( 11...g5 ) ( 11...c4 ) 12.Bb2 Bd6 13.O-O O-O ( 13...g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is critical. This is a typical move in this double-edged variation. Lei thought for a long time before castling and was maybe considering playing it.} 14.g3 ( 14.Nxg5 {is also possible:} 14...Bxh2+ 15.Kh1 Be5 16.Nc3 {with a complicated position.} ) 14...g4 15.Nh4 Be5 16.Nc3 Rg8 {The computer is happy with Black's position, and this was played in two correspondence games that ended in a draw. From a human perspective, the position is difficult to play with either color.} ) 14.Nbd2 {The game has transposed to a known position, played in nearly 30 games.} 14...Rfc8 ( 14...c4 {is the main move.} ) ( 14...e5 {is a very concrete way to pursue equality.} 15.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only reasonable move.} 15...c4 16.Qc2 Rfc8 17.Rfc1 Bb4 18.Bc3 Bxc3 19.Qxc3 dxe4 20.Ng5 Nc5 {A possible continuation now is:} 21.Qxc4 Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Qe2 Qf5 23.Ngxe4 Ncxe4 24.Rxc8+ Rxc8 25.Nxe4 Nxe4 26.b6 {The pawns are so strong that they compensate for the missing piece, but no more than that: the game should end in a draw.} ) 15.Qc2 c4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake, since now White is able to advance the dangerous pawns.} ( 15...e5 {is better, transposing to the line analyzed previously after} 16.e4 c4 ) 16.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawns are ready to move forward. It's exactly because of this that my dear friend likes Noteboom positions.} 16...Nc5 17.a5 {Only this is a new move.} ( 17.Rfb1 {is also very good for White after} 17...Nce4 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.a5 ) 17...Nb3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting attempt to muddy the waters. White's play is easy after the alternatives:} ( 17...Nfe4 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.Rfb1 ) ( 17...Nd3 18.h3 e5 19.Rfb1 ) 18.Bxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A big mistake. Ju probably evaluated the resulting position incorrectly or missed the tactical idea of giving up the a-pawn.} ( 18.Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is much stronger.} 18...Nxd2 ( 18...Nxa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Rfa1 {loses material.} ) 19.Qxd2 Ne4 20.Qc2 {The pawns are very strong, and White has a clear advantage.} ) 18...Nxa1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 18...gxf6 {loses by force after} 19.Nxb3 cxb3 20.Qxb3 Rxa5 21.b6 Qc5 22.b7 Rb8 23.Rxa5 Qxa5 24.Rb1 {The b-pawn is too strong.} ) 19.Bxa1 Qxa5 {The most natural move.} ( 19...Rxa5 {also leads to an equal position:} 20.Rb1 ( 20.Qc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is wrong:} 20...f6 ) 20...Rb8 21.Nd4 e5 ( 21...Bxh2+ 22.Kf1 Be5 23.Bc3 Bxd4 24.Bxa5 Qxa5 25.exd4 Rxb5 {with an equal endgame.} ) 22.Nc6 Rxa1 23.Rxa1 Rxb5 24.Nxc4 ( 24.Ra6 Qb7 25.Qa4 Rb1+ 26.Nf1 h6 {with a complicated position that is equal according to the machine.} ) 24...Qxc6 25.Nxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Qxd6 26.Qc8+ Qf8 27.Qd7 Rc5 28.h3 {White has enough activity to achieve an easy draw.} ) 20.Qc3 ( {After} 20.Ng5 {Black has a forced, but good enough, reply:} 20...g6 ) 20...Qxc3 21.Bxc3 Rcb8 22.Nd4 {This is an interesting endgame. It's always very difficult to evaluate imbalanced positions. With the benefit of having seen the game and being able to use the computer, it's easy to say that the position is equal.} 22...e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake that changes the evaluation. Lei wants to eliminate the b-pawn, but she pays an expensive price. Many alternatives maintain equality.} ( 22...Ra3 23.Nb1 Ra2 ) ( 22...Bc5 ) ( 22...Ra2 ) 23.Nf5 Bf8 24.Bxe5 Rxb5 {Despite the material balance remaining the same, the position has deteriorated a lot for Black. White can now organize the pieces more easily and start an attack on the vulnerable black pawns. Hanging pawns are like inseparable brothers who share the same fate: after one is gone (the d5-pawn), the other (the c4-pawn) usually doesn't take long to fall.} 25.g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better way to immediately organize the pieces, with the knight coming back to d4.} ) 25...g6 26.Nd4 Rb2 $6 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26...Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better defensive move, preparing f7-f6.} ) 27.Nb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. The knight is going to d5.} 27...Bg7 ( {An instructive endgame arises after} 27...Ra1 28.Nc3 Rxf1+ 29.Kxf1 Bg7 30.Bxg7 Kxg7 31.Nxd5 {The knights should be able to give White a win.} ) 28.Bxg7 Kxg7 29.Nc3 Ra5 30.Rd1 {With all the rooks on the board, White's task is easier. The d-pawn will be captured, and the endgame is easily winning.} 30...Rb6 31.Nde2 Rb3 32.Kg2 h6 33.Kf3 f6 34.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An accurate move with the idea of capturing the d-pawn without exchanging rooks.} ( 34.Nxd5 Rd3 ) ( 34.Rxd5 Rxd5 35.Nxd5 ) 34...Kf7 ( 34...g5 {prevents 35.Nf4 but weakens the f5-square.} 35.Nd4 ) 35.Nf4 d4 36.exd4 g5 37.Ne2 f5 {Lei tries her best to complicate the game, but Ju gives no chances.} 38.gxf5 Rxf5+ 39.Ke3 g4 40.Nf4 Rb8 41.d5 Rf6 ( 41...Re8+ 42.Ne4 {and the rook is ready to capture the c-pawn.} ) 42.Rc2 Ra8 43.Nb5 Rb6 44.Nd4 Ra3+ 45.Ke4 c3 46.Nfe2 Rb2 47.Kd3 Rb1 ( 47...Rxc2 48.Nxc2 ) 48.Nxc3 Rh1 49.f3 gxf3 50.Nxf3 Rf1 51.Nd4 Ke7 52.Kc4 Rf4 53.Rb2 {Black is unable to fight against the combined attack of the king, rook, knights, and passed pawn.} 53...Rh4 54.Rb7+ ( 54.Nb5 {leads to a mating attack after} 54...Rah3 55.Re2+ Kd7 56.d6 Rxh2 57.Re7+ Kd8 58.Kc5 ) 54...Kf6 55.Rb2 Ra8 56.Kc5 Rh3 57.Ncb5 Re3 58.d6 Ke5 59.Nc6+ Ke4 60.d7 Rd3 61.Nd6+ Kf4 62.Rb8 {The pawn's promotion is inevitable. Ju retains her world title after a tense and difficult match that was played at a very high level by both players.} 1-0

[Event "E Women's Chess World Championship"]
[Site "Shanghai, China"]
[Date "2023.07.08"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2554"]
[BlackElo "2564"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[Beauty "5638084119049"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.Bg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare move, certainly well studied by Lei's team. This type of pin, once considered dubious, is now an interesting try in the Ruy Lopez and also in the Italian.} ( 6.O-O {This is a popular position in grandmaster tournaments nowadays.} ) 6...d6 {Played after long thought, indicating that Ju was surprised by 6.Bg5.} ( 6...h6 7.Bh4 Be7 {This is the major position after White's sideline.} 8.O-O d6 9.Bg3 a6 10.Ba4 b5 11.Bc2 Re8 12.Nbd2 {with a typical middlegame from the Ruy Lopez in Topalov-Nakamura, Riga 2019.} ) 7.Nbd2 a6 ( 7...h6 8.Bh4 g5 {This was played in a recent game. Though I previously wrote that the cases when the knight sacrifice on g5 work are rare, it seems this position is an exception.} 9.Nxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 9.Bg3 Nh5 {was equal in Fedoseev-Gines Esteo, Linares 2022.} ) 9...hxg5 10.Bxg5 Kg7 11.Qf3 {White will place the king on the queenside and advance the kingside pawns. Black's position is very dangerous. This was actually played in Martin Gonzalez-Vives Esmerat, Spain 2003.} ) 8.Bxc6 {This is more logical than retreating the bishop to a4.} 8...bxc6 9.d4 exd4 10.cxd4 Bb6 {A new move. It's difficult to say whether the bishop is better on a7 or on b6.} ( 10...Ba7 11.O-O h6 12.Bh4 Re8 13.Qa4 Bd7 14.e5 g5 {with big complications in Yu-Wang, Huaian (rapid) 2017.} ) 11.O-O h6 12.Bf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Basically the pin on the f6-knight is Black's only cause for concern in this position. White should have sustained it.} ( 12.Bh4 {is the way to fight for an advantage.} 12...Re8 ( 12...g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Again the sacrifice on g5 is very dangerous. Maybe those sacs work more often than I thought.} 13.Nxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...hxg5 14.Bxg5 Bxd4 15.Nf3 Bxb2 16.Rb1 {White will have a crushing attack on the kingside. The rook can go to b3 and join the attack.} ) 13.Re1 ( 13.Qa4 {leads to a similar position to the one we saw in the notes to 10...Ba7.} 13...Bd7 14.e5 g5 {with a sharp game.} ) 13...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now is the right time for this advance.} 14.Bg3 ( 14.Nxg5 {is not so convincing here, but the reason for this is very subtle:} 14...hxg5 15.Bxg5 Bxd4 16.Nf3 Bxb2 17.Rb1 Bc3 18.Re3 Qd7 $3 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The only move.} 19.Rxc3 Nxe4 {with a good position for Black.} ) 14...Nh5 {with chances for both sides.} ) 12...Re8 ( 12...Nh5 {gives Black good play.} 13.Be3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the advantage.} ) 13.Qc2 ( 13.Re1 {is more accurate, preventing Black's next move.} ) 13...Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice tactical operation using the pin on the e4-knight.} 14.Nxe4 Bf5 15.Rfe1 d5 16.Ne5 Bxe4 ( 16...dxe4 {is also possible. The position is more comfortable for Black after} 17.Nxc6 Qd5 ) 17.Qc3 Qf6 18.Bg3 Re6 19.Kh1 ( 19.Rac1 {is more natural, immediately trying to capture the c6-pawn.} ) 19...a5 ( 19...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's probably better to start some action on the kingside immediately. Black has the initiative in this case, for instance:} 20.h4 ( 20.f3 h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Bf2 h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20.f3 Bf5 21.a4 h5 22.Bf2 ( 22.h4 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the initiative.} ) 22...Rae8 23.Rf1 ( 23.Rac1 $6 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is natural, but after} 23...h4 24.h3 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.dxc5 Ba7 26.Bd4 ( 26.Qxa5 Bxh3 $3 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 27.gxh3 Rxe5 {with a winning attack.} ) 26...c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] the bishop goes to b8 and suddenly Black achieves a decisive advantage.} ) ( 23.h4 {is possible:} 23...g5 24.Qd2 gxh4 25.Qf4 {The queen comes to protect the kingside and the chances are equal.} ) 23...c5 {This move more or less forces a draw.} ( 23...Qd8 $5 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting winning attempt. The queen will go to a8 and then a6, a modern version of Rubinstein's famous queen maneuver from his 1907 game against Janowsky. The knight will be pushed back with f7-f6. Needless to say, it's not easy to play like this.} ) 24.dxc5 Qxe5 25.Qxe5 Rxe5 26.cxb6 cxb6 27.Bxb6 Re2 28.Bxa5 Rxb2 29.Bc3 Rc2 30.Rfc1 Ree2 {After mass exchanges, the only danger left is the a-pawn.} 31.a5 Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop comes to the rescue.} 32.Rxc2 Rxc2 33.Bd4 Ba6 34.Kg1 f6 35.Rb1 Ra2 36.Ra1 Rd2 37.Bc3 Rc2 38.Bd4 Kf7 39.h4 Rc4 40.Rd1 Ke6 41.Kf2 Ra4 42.Ke3 Ra2 ( 42...Rxa5 43.Ra1 Rxa1 44.Bxa1 {leads to a completely drawn endgame.} ) 43.g3 Ra3+ 44.Kf2 Kd6 45.Rb1 Kd7 46.Rb8 Ra2+ 47.Ke3 Ra3+ 48.Kf2 Ra2+ 49.Ke3 Ra3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "E Women's Chess World Championship"]
[Site "Shanghai, China"]
[Date "2023.07.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2554"]
[BlackElo "2564"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[Beauty "6119523117577"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,66,31,25,17,11,5,11,6,6,6,4,27,30,44,-6,0,-11,-4,-4,-7,-24,-13,1,7,-10,2,8,19,26,55,39,49,42,45,21,21,21,25,25,28,17,9,0,50,50,63,44,66,66,78,85,85,85,98,59,85,60,79,75,73,71,65,28,58,24,32,32,36]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.Re1 Ba7 9.h3 {The move orders in the Italian Opening are very subtle. The important point here is to note that White doesn't develop the knight on d2 too early: the idea is to be ready to play d4 quickly.} 9...Be6 ( 9...h6 {is a natural move and possibly more accurate.} 10.d4 ( 10.Nbd2 {is possible, but then White loses the option of playing d4 quickly.} ) 10...Re8 11.Bc2 Bd7 {This position has been discussed in some important games.} ( 11...d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also an interesting option.} ) ) 10.Bc2 h6 11.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This has the advantage of not developing the knight on d2 so soon. White is ready to play d4 as the pawn is protected.} 11...exd4 12.Nxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] As usual in the match, Lei displays excellent opening preparation. This is an important moment in the game.} ( 12.cxd4 {is not as good:} 12...d5 13.e5 Ne4 14.Nc3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.exf6 Nxf2 $3 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This important tactical move has never been played before.} 16.Kxf2 Nxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Nxd4 Qxf6+ {With big complications where Black is not worse.} ) 12...Bd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is not in the spirit of the position. A more dynamic move is required.} ( 12...Nxd4 13.cxd4 d5 14.e5 Ne4 {The same plan can still be tried, although in a less favorable version for Black.} 15.Nc3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Note that} 15...Nxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a big positional mistake.} 16.bxc3 {and White has a strong attack now that the center is firmly protected.} ) 16.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] the white knight goes to f4 while Black's knight is unstable. White has the advantage.} ( 16.f3 {is not good after} 16...f4 $3 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 17.fxe4 Qh4 18.Rf1 f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Rxf3 Rxf3 20.Qxf3 Qe1+ 21.Kh2 Bxd4 {with counterplay.} ) ) ( 12...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to fight for equality.} 13.Nxc6 ( 13.e5 Ne4 14.Be3 Nxd4 15.cxd4 f5 {with a good position for Black.} ) ( 13.Nxe6 fxe6 14.Be3 Bxe3 15.Rxe3 d4 {with an equal position.} ) 13...bxc6 14.Nd2 dxe4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 Bd5 {Black's activity compensates for the bad pawn structure. A possible continuation is} 17.Bf4 Re8 18.Qc2 Qh4 19.Bxd5 Qxf4 20.Bxc6 Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Rd8 22.Bf3 g6 {with a likely draw.} ) 13.Be3 {White is ready to develop the knight on d2 with a better position.} 13...Ne5 {A new move, preparing to attack the strong knight on d4.} ( 13...Re8 14.Nd2 Nxd4 15.cxd4 Bb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This led to disaster after} 16.a4 Ba6 17.Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook prepares the journey to the kingside: Andersen-Lipok, Bundesliga 2022.} ) 14.Nd2 c5 15.N4f3 Bc6 16.Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...dxe5 17.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has a clear positional advantage now due to the better pawn structure.} 17...Qe7 18.Qe2 Rfd8 19.Red1 ( 19.Nc4 {is a natural move:} 19...Bb8 ) ( 19.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best, preparing to place the bishop on b5.} 19...Bb8 20.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a clear advantage.} ) 19...Bb8 20.Qc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An unconventional move. The queen, not the knight, goes to c4.} 20...b6 ( 20...Bd6 21.Nb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The knight goes to b5.} ( 21.Nf1 Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) ( 20...Nd7 21.Nf1 {Now the knight goes to g3.} ) 21.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...axb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's better to keep the queenside closed.} ( 21...Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 22.cxb4 Bd6 23.b5 Bd7 24.Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Freeing the c4-square for the knight.} 24...Be6 25.Nc4 Bxc4 26.Qxc4 {White has a dream positional advantage, but it's not easy to break the resistance in a world championship match.} 26...Ne8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Heading the knight to the d4-square.} 27.Bb3 Nc7 28.Qc2 Ne6 29.Bd5 Rab8 30.Bxe6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A difficult decision. This move is not the computer's favorite, but for human eyes, it looks very sensible to eliminate this knight.} ( 30.g3 Nd4 31.Qc4 {with the advantage. Black doesn't have much counterplay, and White can try to break on a5 at some point.} ) 30...Qxe6 ( 30...fxe6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] controls the d5-square but leaves the pawn structure too weak.} ) 31.Rd5 Be7 32.Rad1 Rxd5 33.Rxd5 Ra8 $6 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 33...Bg5 {This is a natural move to exchange the bad bishop, but here it doesn't work so well after} 34.Bxg5 hxg5 35.Qd1 ) ( 33...Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move. Black intends to advance the c-pawn. If White blocks it with} 34.Qc4 ( 34.Bd2 c4 35.Bc3 f6 {with a much more active position than in the game.} ) 34...Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is now a very good resource.} 35.Bxg5 hxg5 {with good drawing chances for Black since it's not easy to break her position.} ) 34.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...Kf8 35.Bc3 f6 36.Qb3 {Now Black has no counterplay at all: no c4-advance and no Be7-g5 to exchange bishops, the two main ideas we saw in the analysis of 30...Rc8.} 36...Qc8 37.Qc4 Qe8 38.g3 {Lei calmly reinforces her position.} 38...Qc8 39.Kg2 Qe8 40.h4 h5 {This natural move worsens Black's pawn structure since the pawn becomes vulnerable after the f2-f4 break, as it will soon become clear.} 41.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...Rb8 ( 41...Qc8 42.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...bxa5 43.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This leads to a nice win:} 43...a4 44.Rxc5 Qd8 45.Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45...a3 46.Rxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...Qxe7 ( 46...Kxe7 47.Bc5+ Kd7 48.Qd5+ Kc7 49.b6+ ) 47.Bc5 a2 48.Bxe7+ Kxe7 49.Qc7+ Kf8 50.Qd6+ $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 50...Ke8 51.Qc6+ $18 {and the rook is captured.} ) 42.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...exf4 43.Bxf4 Rb7 44.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...g6 45.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The last moves by Lei are all very strong. White is winning.} 45...Qa8 {The alternatives don't help:} ( 45...Rd7 46.Qf3 ) ( 45...fxe5 46.Rxe5 ) ( 45...f5 46.e6 ) 46.Qf3 f5 47.Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47...Ra7 48.Qxa8+ ( 48.Bh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a quicker win:} 48...Ke8 ( 48...Kf7 49.Rxa7 Qxa7 50.Qd5+ Ke8 51.e6 Qc7 52.Qa8+ Bd8 53.Bg5 {followed by e6-e7.} ) 49.Rxa7 Qxa7 50.e6 {Black is paralyzed.} ) 48...Rxa8 49.e6 Rxa4 50.Rb7 Ra8 51.Rxb6 {The endgame is easily winning.} 51...c4 52.Rc6 Bd8 53.b6 Ra2+ 54.Kf3 Rb2 ( {If Black keeps checking, the king simply goes to the center:} 54...Ra3+ 55.Ke2 Ra2+ 56.Ke3 Ra3+ 57.Kd4 ) 55.Rc8 {The bishop is lost.} 55...Rb3+ 56.Ke2 Rxb6 57.Rxd8+ Ke7 58.Rc8 Rxe6+ 59.Kd2 Re4 60.Kc3 Kf7 61.Rxc4 {White has no technical problems to win. It's important to observe that the h8-square is of the same color as White's bishop. This detail makes the conversion easier.} 61...Re8 62.Rc7+ Kf6 63.Bg5+ Ke5 ( 63...Ke6 64.Rg7 {winning the g6-pawn.} ) 64.Re7+ Rxe7 65.Bxe7 {An excellent game by Lei.} ( 65.Bxe7 f4 66.gxf4+ Kxf4 67.Bg5+ Ke4 68.Kc4 {White's king will soon capture both black pawns.} ) 1-0

[Event "E Women's Chess World Championship"]
[Site "Shanghai, China"]
[Date "2023.07.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Black "Lei, Tingjie"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2564"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "D32"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "5704119225862"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.cxd5 exd5 4.Nc3 c5 5.Nf3 Nc6 {The Tarrasch Defense, once one of Kasparov's favorite weapons.} 6.dxc5 ( 6.g3 {is the main line.} 6...Nf6 7.Bg2 cxd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 7...Be7 {is the old move.} ) 8.Nxd4 Bc5 {This is an important position for opening theory nowadays.} ) 6...d4 7.Na4 Bxc5 8.Nxc5 Qa5+ 9.Bd2 ( 9.Qd2 {is also possible:} 9...Qxc5 10.e3 ( 10.a3 Nge7 11.b4 Qb6 12.Bb2 O-O 13.Bxd4 Nxd4 14.Qxd4 Nc6 15.Qb2 a5 16.b5 a4 17.e3 Na5 {with compensation for the pawn, as seen in many games.} ) 10...dxe3 11.Qxe3+ Qxe3+ 12.Bxe3 Nge7 {with a similar position to the one played in the game.} ) 9...Qxc5 10.e3 {The third most popular move.} ( 10.Rc1 ) ( 10.b4 ) 10...dxe3 11.Bxe3 Qb4+ 12.Qd2 ( 12.Bd2 {This pawn sacrifice is an attempt to sharpen the game, but White has no advantage after} 12...Qxb2 13.Bc4 Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.O-O Nge7 ) 12...Qxd2+ 13.Bxd2 ( 13.Nxd2 Nf6 14.Bb5 O-O 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.O-O Nd5 {with equality in Mamedyarov-Artemiev, Aimchess Rapid 2021.} ) 13...Nge7 ( 13...Nf6 {is also playable.} ) 14.Bc4 O-O 15.O-O-O a6 {A new move.} ( 15...Bg4 16.Bc3 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Rfd8 18.Rxd8+ Rxd8 19.Rd1 Rxd1+ 20.Kxd1 Nf5 {A draw was agreed in the correspondence game Bjorneboe-Senzacqua, ICCF email 2018. In an over-the-board game, the battle between the pair of knights and pair of bishops can continue.} ) 16.b3 {A good move in order to place the king on the safe b2-square.} 16...Bf5 17.Kb2 b5 18.Be2 Rfd8 {Neither player has consumed much time up to this point, but Ju now starts to think.} 19.Rhe1 Rac8 {White's hopes of winning the endgame are connected to the pair of bishops. Black's pieces, however, are very active, and this is enough to equalize the game.} 20.Bg5 f6 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Bd2 Bd3 {As is well known, the main strategy against the bishop pair is to try to exchange one of them.} 23.Bd1 Kf7 24.h4 h5 25.a3 g6 {A useful move to protect the h5-pawn.} 26.Be3 Be4 ( 26...Nd5 {is also good.} ) 27.Bb6 Rd7 {The bishop on d1 is not very impressive and Ju decides it's time to exchange it. Without the pair of bishops, White has nothing.} 28.Rxe4 Rxd1 29.Bc5 Rd5 30.Bxe7 Nxe7 {The game quickly peters out to a draw.} 31.a4 Nc6 32.axb5 axb5 33.Kc2 g5 34.hxg5 fxg5 35.Nd2 Re5 36.Rxe5 Nxe5 37.Ne4 Kg6 38.Kd2 Nc6 39.Ke3 h4 40.f3 Na5 41.Nc3 b4 42.Nd5 Nxb3 43.Nxb4 g4 44.fxg4 Kg5 45.Nd3 Kxg4 46.Ne5+ Kg3 47.Ng6 Kxg2 48.Nxh4+ {Lei, once again, got the better of the opening battle. Ju needs to pose more problems to her opponent in that phase of the game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Global Chess League"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.07.01"]
[Round "10.3"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2665"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6529424054792"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.b3 Bd6 5.Bb2 {The Reti is a chameleon opening and as such, the arising positions often represent familiar defenses with reversed colors and an extra tempo for White.} 5...O-O 6.Nc3 Re8 ( {An original way to play it was demonstrated in a recent top-GM game:} 6...Nc6 7.d4 dxc4 8.bxc4 e5 9.Be2 Re8 10.O-O exd4 11.Nxd4 Nxd4 12.exd4 Bf5 {as in So,W (2760) -Gukesh,D (2732) Stavanger 2023} ) 7.Nb5 Be7 8.Be5 Na6 9.cxd5 exd5 {Both players have entered QID waters, with somewhat unusual placement of the white pieces.} 10.Be2 $146 {This is already a novelty, although such an obvious and natural move can hardly be considered new in any situation.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 10.Nbd4 Bd6 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.Rc1 Re7 13.Bxa6 Qxa6 14.Qc2 Bd7 15.b4 Rc8 16.d3 {Nogerbek,K (2376)-Urazayev,A (2437) Nur Sultan 2021} ) 10...c6 11.Nbd4 Nc5 {The position is pretty locked; therefore, both players start to maneuver, slowly shifting their pieces for the flanks where they have an advantage.} 12.h3 a5 13.Qc2 Bd6 {The trade of a pair of bishops should be favorable for the second player.} 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.O-O Ne6 {The knight has also been shifted to a more central spot.} 16.Nf5 Qd8 ( 16...Qa3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 17.Rfc1 ( {Here} 17.Ng3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] in order to keep more pieces on board seems more interesting.} ) 17...Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Thanks to this little trick, Vidit manages to trade another light piece. Black does not have any problems at all.} 18.Bf1 Bxf5 19.Qxf5 Ne6 20.Qc2 Ne4 21.Qb2 {Erigaisi plays very logical, straightforward moves; however, they fail to pose any problems for his opponent.} ( {More cunning seems} 21.d3 N4g5 22.Nh2 $5 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] in order to keep again more pieces on board.} ) 21...N6g5 22.Nxg5 ( {It is not too late for} 22.Nh2 $5 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 22...Qxg5 23.d3 Nd6 {An ideal square for the knight in case White chooses to opt for the Carlsbad pawn structure and plays d3-d4 any time now.} ( {For the time being, Black avoids the endgame with} 23...Qf6 24.Qxf6 Nxf6 ) 24.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A typical method in the battle against the black pawn formation, which aims to challenge the root pawn on b7. White wants to play b3-b4 next, however. ..} ( {However, a more direct approach might have been better with} 24.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] then White might dislike} 24...a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when after} 25.d4 {Black may easily get the upper hand if he manages to arrange b7-b5 and Nd6-c4. The problem is that he does not have the time for this, and a normal move like} 25...Re6 {can be met with} 26.b5 {Still, Black should have enough resources to keep the balance by hitting the kingside, for example} 26...cxb5 27.Bxb5 Rh6 28.Kh2 Qf5 {With the idea to meet} 29.Rc7 Nxb5 30.Qxb5 {with} 30...Rxh3+ 31.gxh3 ( {But White can still try} 31.Kg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 31...Qxf2+ {and a perpetual check.} ) 24...Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Erigaisi might have underestimated this obstructive move.} 25.Qd2 Qh6 {Another obstruction.} 26.Ra2 ( {As} 26.b4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is strongly met with} 26...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26...Qe6 27.Rb2 ( {Once again} 27.b4 {yields White nothing due to} 27...d4 ) 27...Qe7 28.Rbc2 {Finally, White has a chance to go for b3-b4 but voted against it.} ( {It is easy to defend the relatively weak pawn, as long as the rooks are not behind it as in the line} 28.b4 axb4 29.Rxb4 Ra7 {when it is not clear which one is weaker, the b7- or a4-pawn.} ) 28...Qc7 29.Rc5 Qb6 {Vidit skillfully maneuvers $1} 30.Qc3 Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And provokes the d3-d4 push at last.} 31.d4 Nd6 {Thus, Black reaches a nearly perfect version of the Carlsbad with a beautiful knight versus bishop pair.} 32.Bd3 Ne4 {Too solid $1} ( {Instead} 32...g6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] followed by h7-h5-h4 and a step-by-step kingside attack would already be better for Black.} ) 33.Bxe4 Rxe4 34.Rb1 Qb4 35.Qxb4 axb4 36.Kf1 f5 {Black should definitely play on the kingside in the endgame as well.} 37.g3 g5 38.Ke2 Kf7 ( {Or} 38...f4 39.gxf4 gxf4 40.Kd3 Kf7 {which would have been similar to the game.} ) 39.Kd3 f4 40.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fixing some targets on the queenside.} 40...fxe3 41.fxe3 h5 {Black on his turn is trying to win the f3-square for his rooks.} 42.Rf1+ Kg6 43.Kd2 Re6 {The culmination of the game. Black has been pressing and at the end of the day, Erigaisi goes passive.} 44.Re1 {Almost never a good idea in the rook endgames $1} ( {White would be fine if he had chosen the immediate counterplay with} 44.Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Then} 44...Rf8 ( 44...Rf6 45.Ra4 ) 45.a6 Rf2+ 46.Ke1 Ref6 {Looks scary for White, but he should be fine after} 47.axb7 Rf1+ 48.Ke2 R6f2+ 49.Kd3 Rxa1 50.Rxc6+ Kf7 {as the black king can always save itself after the timely e3-e4, for example} 51.Rc7+ ( {Or also the immediate} 51.e4 Rd1+ 52.Ke3 Rdd2 53.b8=Q {And a perpetual is served on either side} 53...Rfe2+ ( 53...Rde2+ 54.Kd3 Rd2+ ) 54.Kf3 Rf2+ ) 51...Ke6 52.e4 {with a draw.} ) 44...Rf8 45.Ke2 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] That is the thing: the black rooks infiltrate.} 46.hxg4 hxg4 47.a6 {Too late...} ( {The machine suggests instead} 47.Rc2 Rf3 48.Kd3 Rxg3 49.Rh2 {but it is hard to believe that Black can miss the win here as well.} ) 47...bxa6 48.Ra5 Rf3 {And Black is winning.} 49.Kd3 Rxg3 50.Rxa6 Rf3 51.Ra8 g3 52.Rg8+ Kf5 53.Kd2 Rg6 54.Rf8+ Kg4 55.Rh8 Rf2+ 56.Kd3 g2 57.Rg1 Kg3 0-1

[Event "Global Chess League"]
[Site "chess24.com"]
[Date "2023.07.02"]
[Round "15.6"]
[White "Sindarov, Javokhir"]
[Black "Bjerre, Jonas"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2596"]
[BlackElo "2535"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[Beauty "5777137600018"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[WhiteTeam "Uzbekistan"]
[BlackTeam "Denmark"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UZB"]
[BlackTeamCountry "DEN"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nb3 {A positional approach against the aggressive Najdorf.} 7...Be6 8.f4 ( {White has also tried:} 8.Be3 Nbd7 9.g4 h6 10.Qd3 Nc5 11.Nxc5 dxc5 12.Qe2 Be7 13.Bg2 O-O 14.O-O {in the recent game between Gukesh,D (2718)-Keymer,V (2690) Dusseldorf 2023} ) 8...b5 $1 {[%mdl 4] [%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A fashionable continuation, which scores well for Black. Vachier-Lagrave plays it, which means it had passed all quality tests.} 9.fxe5 dxe5 10.Qxd8+ {Sindarov enters an endgame and a line where he already has experience.} 10...Kxd8 11.Bg5 ( {One recent game of the top French GM saw} 11.Be3 Nbd7 12.O-O-O Rc8 13.Bb6+ Ke8 14.Ba5 Nc5 15.Nxc5 Bxc5 16.Be2 h5 17.Kb1 Ke7 18.Rhe1 Bf2 19.Bb4+ Bc5 20.Ba5 Bf2 21.Bb4+ Bc5 22.Ba5 {1/2-1/2 (22) Wang,H (2744)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2750) Stavanger 2022} ) 11...Nd7 12.a4 {Endgames are generally considered to be good for the Sicilian players, unless one find something very concrete for White.} 12...b4 13.Nd5 Be7 14.Rd1 Bxd5 15.exd5 Ne4 16.h4 h6 $146 {Bjerre fires a novelty in a game of Sindarov $1} ( {That predecessor saw:} 16...Nxg5 17.hxg5 Bxg5 18.d6 h5 19.Bc4 Rc8 20.Na5 Bf4 21.Rh3 h4 {and Black successfully defended in Sindarov,J (2661)-Yuffa, D (2592) Dubai 2023} ) 17.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White needs to keep the bishop pair if he wants to have any chance of an edge.} ( {Or else Black would be way too comfortable in the line} 17.Bxe7+ Kxe7 18.Rh3 f5 ) 17...Bd6 {The white bishops are good, no doubt. But so are the black pieces; they are all having wonderful squares, blocking the enemy pawns with ease.} 18.Na5 f5 19.Bd3 Ng3 ( {Perhaps more solid is} 19...Ndf6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 20.Rh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice maneuver by Sindarov, he finds a way to use all his pieces.} 20...f4 21.Nb7+ {Snatching the second bishop.} ( {White has less than nothing in the line} 21.Bf2 e4 22.Bxg3 exd3 23.Bf2 dxc2 ) 21...Kc7 22.Nxd6 Kxd6 23.Bf2 Nh5 24.Be2 Nhf6 25.Rb3 a5 ( {And here more accurate is} 25...Rhc8 26.Rxb4 Rxc2 {which seemingly maintains the balance.} ) 26.c3 {Sindarov pins his hopes with dynamics.} 26...bxc3 27.Rxc3 Rhc8 {Now all Black needs is to trade a pair of rooks in order to prove that the opponent's pawn structure is horrible.} 28.Rc6+ $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] But this would never happen $1 It is better to sacrifice a pawn than to trade the rooks $1} ( {Indeed} 28.Rxc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28...Rxc8 29.Rb1 Ne4 {would have led to a positional disaster for White.} ) 28...Rxc6 29.dxc6+ Kxc6 30.Bb5+ {The two bishops are developing enormous strength, and Bjerre has to survive a lot of unpleasant moments.} 30...Kc7 31.Ke2 e4 ( {If} 31...g5 32.Be1 {switching to the better diagonal.} ) 32.Bd4 ( {Here} 32.Be1 Ne5 33.Bc3 {is not as effective due to} 33...f3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 32...Rd8 {Alas, the most obvious move is not the best.} ( {Strong is the study-like idea} 32...Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and if} 33.Bxg7 Ndf6 {locks and trades one of the nasty white bishops, thus inching close to the equality.} ) 33.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now White gets all he wants, his pieces are optimal.} 33...Ra8 34.b3 {Solid.} ( {But instead} 34.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would be even stronger} 34...axb4 35.Bxb4 g5 36.a5 {with total domination of the white pieces.} ) 34...e3 ( {Here} 34...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would spare Black a lot of trouble in order to untie his pieces a bit after, say} 35.hxg5 hxg5 36.Rh1 Kd6 ) 35.Kf3 {A very human and good move.} ( {However, that is an even better moment for} 35.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...axb4 36.Bxb4 g5 37.a5 {when Black has barely anything to move.} ) 35...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.hxg5 hxg5 37.g3 {Again, very sensible. White destroys the enemy pawn chain and regains the pawn. The only drawback of the move is that it trades White's only kingside pawn.} 37...fxg3 38.Kxe3 g2 39.Rc1 ( {In case of} 39.Kf3 {Black would have likely answered as in the game with} 39...Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.Bd2 Ne5+ 41.Kxg2 {when Black should likely hold after} 41...Nf4+ ( {Or} 41...Kd6 ) ) 39...Nd5+ 40.Kf2 Kd6 {Complicates matters.} ( {Safer is} 40...Nxc3 41.Rxc3+ Kd8 {as Black needs not to fear the pin} 42.Rd3 Ra7 ) 41.Rd1 Kc5 {A blunder $1} ( {A nice equalizer instead is} 41...Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42.Bc4 Ng4+ 43.Kg1 Ne3 ) 42.Bd4+ {Sindarov misses in return.} ( {There is not} 42.Bxd7 Nxc3 ) ( {But the preliminary} 42.Rxd5+ $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...Kxd5 43.Bxd7 {would win enough material for White.} ) 42...Kd6 43.Bb2 Nb6 44.Kxg2 Ke6 {Wrong direction $1} ( 44...Kc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is called for.} ) 45.Kg3 Rc8 46.Re1+ ( 46.Rh1 $5 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 46...Rc2 47.Rh6+ Ke7 48.Bd4 ) 46...Kf7 {Bjerre continues to move the king and the wrong direction, and this almost costs him the point $1} ( 46...Kd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is mandatory here.} ) 47.Rf1+ ( 47.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] at once is possible, of course.} ) 47...Ke6 48.Re1+ Kf7 49.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Sindarov finds the right path $1} 49...Rc2 50.Re5 {But here White misses two golden opportunities in a row.} ( {There is another study-like solution. After} 50.Be8+ $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 50...Kf8 51.Bh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] the black king is suddenly in a mating net and} 51...Rc8 52.Re5 {wins a pawn for White while keeping all other positional advantages for him.} ) 50...Rd2 51.Bxb6 ( {This is the second good moment for} 51.Be8+ $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51...Kf8 52.Bc5+ Kg7 53.Rxg5+ Kf6 54.Rg6+ {with a win.} ) 51...Nxb6 52.Rxg5 {White wins a pawn here as well, but the lack of the bishop pair prevents him from converting it. Still, there is nothing wrong to play for a win without any risk, right $2} 52...Rb2 53.Rf5+ Ke6 54.Rf3 Ke5 55.Rd3 Nd5 56.Kf3 Nb4 57.Re3+ Kd4 58.Bc4 Nc6 59.Rd3+ Kc5 60.Rd5+ Kb6 61.Ke4 Rh2 62.Rb5+ Kc7 63.Ke3 Rh3+ 64.Kd2 Rh2+ 65.Kc3 Rh3+ 66.Kb2 Rh2+ 67.Ka3 Rd2 68.Rh5 Kb6 69.Rb5+ Kc7 70.Bd5 Nb4 {Until the unthinkable happened...} 71.Be4 ( 71.Rxa5 Nxd5 {would still be a draw.} ) 71...Ra2# 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Baku, Azerbaijan"]
[Date "2023.08.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Lagarde, Maxime"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2599"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[ECO "C60"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7769373290574"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7 {This opening choice probably came as a surprise to Lagarde.} 4.Nc3 {The third most popular move and one with a good reputation. 4.0-0, 4.c3 and 4.d4 are also usually played.} 4...Ng6 5.d4 Nxd4 6.Nxd4 exd4 7.Qxd4 c6 8.Be2 Qb6 {This position has occurred in many games of strong GMs.} 9.Qd3 ( 9.Qd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting idea in order to play with b3-Bb2 while keeping the queen on a safer square.} 9...Be7 10.b3 O-O 11.Bb2 {This was played in Aronian-Sadhwani, Chess.com (rapid) 2022.} ) 9...Be7 ( 9...d6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] was tried in Dominguez Perez-Carlsen, St.Louis (blitz) 2020. Now White could play} 10.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a strong initative.} ) 10.f4 {A new move and probably a result of over-the-board inspiration.} ( 10.O-O {As I like to say: \"Whenever in doubt, just castle.\" No wonder this is the move played most often...} ) ( 10.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's interesting to sacrifice the h-pawn in order to attack.} 10...Bxh4 11.g3 {with a complicated game in Howell-Erwich, Leiden 2012.} ) ( 10.Qg3 {is not dangerous:} 10...Bh4 11.Qe3 O-O {with an equal position in Mrva-Pechac, Slovakia 2021.} ) 10...O-O {Praggnanandhaa follows the aforementioned principle and decides to castle.} ( 10...d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The computer mentions this interesting and thematic move.} 11.exd5 Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with excellent compensation for Black in this messy position.} ) 11.h4 ( 11.Bd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a possibility, sacrificing a pawn:} 11...Qxb2 12.Rb1 Qa3 13.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with compensation.} ) 11...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Every schoolboy knows that against an attack on the flank, you should strike on the center. This is easy on paper, but difficult to replicate in our games. This is a textbook example.} 12.h5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 12.exd5 {is necessary. Black has a good position, but all results are still possible.} 12...Rd8 ( 12...Bxh4+ 13.g3 Bf6 {is also good.} ) 13.h5 Nh4 ) 12...dxe4 13.Qg3 {The only way to justify White's previous move.} ( 13.Qxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 13...Bh4+ ) ( 13.Nxe4 Nh4 ) 13...Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I believe the French GM underestimated the strength of this move.} 14.Rxh4 Qg1+ 15.Bf1 e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. The rook should not be taken yet. Black is threatening 16...Qf2+.} 16.Nd1 {The only defense.} ( 16.Rh2 {is refuted by} 16...Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black wins in all variations, for instance:} 17.Ne2 ( 17.Ne4 e2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Kxe2 Re8 ) ( 17.Nd1 e2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] again this nice pawn sac to open lines.} 18.Kxe2 Re8+ 19.Be3 Bf5 {with a decisive attack.} ) 17...Qf2+ 18.Qxf2 exf2+ 19.Kd2 Rd8+ 20.Kc3 Rd1 21.Ng3 Bd4+ 22.Kb3 Be6+ 23.c4 Re8 $19 ) 16...Re8 {A strong and cold-blooded move, simply protecting the e3-pawn.} ( 16...Bxh4 17.Qxh4 Re8 {is also good, but it's more subtle to keep the dark-squared bishop.} ) 17.Ke2 Be6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black completes development while threatening a deadly check on c4. The e3-pawn cannot be captured.} 18.b3 ( 18.Bxe3 Bc4+ ) ( 18.Nxe3 Bc4+ ) ( 18.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best practical chance, although Black is still winning.} 18...Bxh4 19.Qxh4 Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An accurate move.} ( 19...Bxf5 {is not clear after} 20.Bxe3 ) 20.Bxe3 ( 20.Nxe3 Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Qf2 Bc4+ 22.Ke1 ( 22.Kf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22...Rf4+ ) 22...Qh1 {with a strong attack.} ) 20...Bxg2 21.Bxg2 Qxg2+ 22.Nf2 Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White will be unable to defend this position.} ) 18...Rad8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook joins the battle and the army is complete.} 19.Nxe3 ( 19.Bxe3 {also loses in style:} 19...Bc5 ( 19...Bxh4 {is another way:} 20.Qxh4 Bg4+ $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Qxg4 Rxd1 22.Kxd1 ( 22.Rxd1 Qxe3# ) 22...Qxf1+ 23.Kd2 Rd8+ 24.Bd4 Qf2+ 25.Kc1 Qxd4 {with a winning position.} ) 20.Qf2 ( 20.Bxc5 Bg4# ) 20...Bxe3 21.Qxg1 ( 21.Nxe3 Rd2+ ) 21...Bxg1 {White's king is still in danger even after the queen exchange.} ) 19...Bf6 ( 19...Bxh4 {This also leads to a win, but I prefer the move played in the game.} 20.Qxh4 Bf5 21.Kf3 Be4+ 22.Kg3 Bxc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20.Rb1 Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Qf2 ( 21.Rb2 Rd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the idea of doubling rooks on the e-file. White is completely paralyzed.} ) 21...Bxh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Qxh4 ( 22.Qxg1 Bg4# {What a nice checkmate $1} ) 22...Bxc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Qxd8 Rxd8 24.Nxc2 Qc5 {Finally the fireworks are over and we can evaluate the position. White has three minor pieces against queen and pawn, but another pawn will soon be captured, the pieces are uncoordinated and the king is in danger. Black is winning.} 25.Ne3 Re8 {It's impressive how Praggnanandhaa continues to play the most precise moves. 26...Qc2+ is threatened.} 26.Kf3 Qd4 {27...Qe4+ is threatened.} 27.Ke2 Qc5 ( 27...Qxf4 {is also winning.} ) 28.Kf3 Qxh5+ 29.g4 ( 29.Kf2 g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] There are other ways to win, but this looks very convincing.} 30.fxg5 Qxg5 {White will lose material, for example:} 31.Bd3 Qf4+ 32.Ke2 Qg3 {The g2-pawn cannot be defended.} ) 29...Qh1+ 30.Kg3 Re6 ( 30...h5 {is also good, immediately opening lines.} ) 31.Bd2 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.gxh5 Qxh5 33.Re1 Rg6+ 34.Kf2 Qh4+ 35.Kf3 Qg3+ 36.Ke4 ( 36.Ke2 Qxf4 {is easily winning.} ) 36...Rd6 37.Re2 f5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is definitely one of the best games I've seen this year.} ( 37...f5+ 38.Kxf5 ( 38.Ke5 Qg6 39.Nxf5 Qe6# ) 38...Qg6+ 39.Ke5 Qe6# ) 38.Ke5 Qg6 39.Nxf5 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Baku, Azerbaijan"]
[Date "2023.08.21"]
[Round "7.5"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "C55"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[Beauty "6253875039242"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Be7 {Caruana played this line before in the tournament, against Dominguez, when he saved a lost position.} 5.O-O O-O 6.Nc3 d6 7.a4 Bg4 ( 7...Nb4 {is a new move in grandmaster-level play and was seen in the aforementioned game.} ) 8.h3 Bh5 ( 8...Bxf3 {is another plan of action, though exchanging this bishop always breaks a player's heart.} 9.Qxf3 Nd4 10.Qd1 c6 11.Ba2 {with a slightly more pleasant position for White.} ) 9.Be3 Nd4 10.Bxd4 exd4 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.Bxd5 c6 13.Bb3 {White now is threatening 14.g4 followed by the capture of the d-pawn.} 13...Bxf3 ( 13...Bf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is exactly what White wants:} 14.g4 Bg6 15.Nd2 {followed by the advance of the f-pawn.} ) ( 13...d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14.exd5 Bd6 {This is an optimistic pawn sacrifice that doesn't work well against best play, but at least it spices up the game.} 15.dxc6 ( 15.g4 Bg6 16.Nxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is bad, since Black has good compensation after} 16...Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 15...bxc6 16.g4 Bg6 17.Nxd4 ( 17.Qd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17...Rb8 {gives good compensation.} ( 17...Qf6 {was played in Jones-Bailet, Chartres 2022.} ) ) ( 17.Ne1 $5 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also interesting, with the idea of pushing the f-pawn.} 17...Kh8 18.f4 f5 19.Ng2 {with a slight advantage for White.} ) 17...Qf6 18.Nf3 {Black has insufficient compensation for the pawns, although this looks playable for a blitz game.} ) 14.Qxf3 g6 {A new move. This type of position resembles some variations of the Ruy Lopez, where there is a battle in the middlegame with opposite colored bishops. White's position is a little more comfortable as his bishop is more active, and his plan is clearer (to advance the pawns on the kingside). However, as Caruana is the best-prepared player in the world and the move 7...Bg4 practically forces this position, he must have studied it very deeply with computers and come to the conclusion that it's not dangerous.} ( 14...a5 15.g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15.g3 ) 15...g6 16.Qg2 Kg7 17.Rae1 Bh4 18.Re2 f6 19.f4 Qb6 {Black's position was good in Chigaev-Stevic, Hungary 2022.} ) 15.Qg4 {A logical idea, preparing to advance the f-pawn.} 15...Kg7 16.f4 Qc7 17.Rae1 Rae8 18.Qf3 Qd7 {White's play has been very logical so far, and now he must choose a course of action.} 19.Re2 ( 19.g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is too rushed.} 19...Bh4 20.Re2 f6 ) ( 19.Kh2 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Caruana certainly had this idea in mind, as it's happily pointed out by the computer.} 20.exd5 c5 {The bishop comes to d6 with excellent compensation for the pawn.} ) ( 19.Qf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, forcing Black's bishop to defend the pawn.} 19...Bf6 20.Kh2 {Now the idea with d6-d5 is not available, and White can reinforce the position with g3-h4 and so on, but it's really hard to break Black's position.} ) 19...Bd8 ( 19...d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is again possible.} 20.exd5 c5 21.Rfe1 Bd6 {with sufficient compensation.} ) 20.Kh1 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another version of the pawn sacrifice.} 21.exd5 ( 21.e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a horrible positional mistake, as it kills the b3-bishop.} 21...f6 ) ( 21.Qf2 Bb6 22.a5 Bc5 {with an equal position.} ) 21...Rxe2 22.Qxe2 Re8 23.dxc6 bxc6 {Black has excellent compensation for the pawn.} 24.Qf2 Qd6 {There are good options.} ( 24...Re3 25.Re1 Qe8 26.Rxe3 dxe3 27.Qe2 Bf6 {regains the pawn with a draw, since} 28.c3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad due to} 28...Qb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking the bishop and the f4-pawn.} ) ( 24...Bc7 {is unpleasant to face since now g3 is not possible, and if White fights for the e-file, the f4-pawn is taken. If White does nothing, the rook comes to e3.} 25.Re1 ( 25.f5 {is the machine's suggestion, but this is a difficult move to play, as it opens the bishop's diagonal.} ) 25...Rxe1+ 26.Qxe1 Bxf4 {Black has some pressure in this endgame.} ) 25.g3 Re3 26.Re1 Bb6 {This endgame should be a draw without much trouble.} 27.Kg2 Qf6 28.Bc4 a5 29.Qf1 Bc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A big mistake, allowing White to change the pawn structure to his favor.} ( 29...Qe7 30.Rxe3 Qxe3 {leads to an easy draw after the exchange of queens.} ) 30.Rxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...dxe3 31.c3 {Now, things are different: the position becomes very dangerous since White is not forced to exchange queens, and the pawns are mobile. Praggnanandhaa converts the advantage convincingly.} 31...Bb6 ( 31...Qe7 {is more stubborn:} 32.Kf3 Qb7 33.Qe2 Ba7 34.d4 c5+ 35.d5 Bb8 {with the idea of} 36.Kxe3 Qd7 {with saving chances.} ) 32.Qf3 Qe7 33.Kf1 Ba7 34.Ke2 Qb7 35.b3 ( 35.Bb5 {is probably even better:} 35...Qc8 36.Bxc6 Qxh3 37.d4 Qh2+ 38.Qg2 {with a winning position.} ) 35...Qe7 36.d4 c5 ( 36...Qa3 {is an interesting practical attempt to save the game.} 37.Qxe3 Qb2+ 38.Qd2 ( 38.Kf3 Bb8 {with drawing chances.} ) 38...Qb1 {Black should lose this as well, but at least the queen is active.} ) 37.d5 ( 37.Qxe3 {It's always difficult to evaluate the pure opposite colored bishop endgame, but it turns out it's winning for White, for instance:} 37...Qxe3+ 38.Kxe3 cxd4+ 39.cxd4 Kf8 40.Ke4 Ke7 41.Kd5 Kd7 42.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...axb4 43.a5 {The a-pawn decides the game, but it's totally understandable that Praggnanandhaa decides not to go for this.} ) 37...Bb8 38.Qxe3 Qf8 ( 38...Qxe3+ {This version of the endgame is simpler for White to convert.} 39.Kxe3 {The king goes to the queenside, and it's over.} ) 39.Bb5 Qd6 40.Bc6 {The stage is set for the king march.} 40...Bc7 41.Kd3 Qf6 42.Kc4 Bd6 43.Qe4 g5 {Trying to get some counterplay.} 44.fxg5 Qf1+ 45.Qd3 Qxh3 46.Kb5 Qg4 47.Kxa5 Qxg5 48.Kb5 Bxg3 49.a5 Bd6 50.a6 Qe7 51.Qf3 Bb8 52.Qg4+ Kh6 53.Qc8 Bf4 54.Qd7 Qe2+ 55.Kb6 c4 {Caruana desperately seeks counterplay, but Praggnanandha's calculation is excellent, and he gives his opponent no chances.} 56.b4 Qe3+ 57.Kb5 Qxc3 58.a7 Qd3 59.a8=Q c3+ 60.Kb6 Qe3+ 61.Kb7 c2 62.Qf8+ Kg5 63.Qg7+ 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Julius Generation Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.31"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2936"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[ECO "C78"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6529021385755"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 {Caruana is a big specialist in the Arkhangelsk, one of the most dynamic choices for Black in the Ruy Lopez.} 7.c3 d6 8.d4 Bb6 9.Be3 {This is a popular move in 2023.} ( 9.a4 {is the old main line.} ) 9...O-O 10.Nbd2 Re8 ( 10...h6 {is the most popular move.} ) 11.Re1 h6 {Always a useful move, avoiding the unpleasant Ng5.} ( 11...Na5 {I found two examples from Anand's games in this position, one with each color. He won both games.} 12.Bc2 c5 13.d5 ( 13.h3 cxd4 14.cxd4 Nc6 15.dxe5 dxe5 {with an equal position in Giri-Anand, Paris (blitz) 2019.} ) 13...Ng4 14.Nf1 ( 14.Bg5 {is better.} ) 14...Nxe3 15.Nxe3 c4 {Black was fine in Anand-Santos Latasa, Leon (rapid) 2022.} ) 12.h3 exd4 13.cxd4 Nb4 {The threat of ...Nd3 gives Black time to play the desired c7-c5.} ( 13...Nxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Of course not} 14.Nxe4 Rxe4 15.Bd5 {winning material.} ) 14.Qe2 c5 15.a3 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] All this has been played before. They not only play well; they also have a great memory. That's another impressive thing about Carlsen: he can play the opening casually, simply taking it to an even position and without theory, but he's also capable of playing the trendy variations up to move 20.} 16.axb4 cxb3 17.d5 {A novelty.} ( 17.Qd3 {was played in an important high-profile game.} 17...Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Bxh6 Bf5 19.Rxe4 Rxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 19...Bxe4 20.Nxe4 gxh6 {leads to a complicated position with chances for both sides.} ) 20.Nxe4 d5 21.Bg5 Qd7 22.Nc5 Bxc5 23.Qxb3 {with a clear advantage for White in Dominguez-Keymer, Berlin 2022.} ) 17...Bxe3 18.Qxe3 Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Qd4 ( 19.Qxb3 Nf4 {also leads to an equal position.} ) 19...Nf4 ( 19...Nf6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The knight is well placed here, pressing the e4-pawn together with the bishop that is about to go to b7.} ) 20.Nxb3 Be6 21.Na5 Qd7 22.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White needs to be careful with the Bxh3 tricks.} 22...g5 {It's always difficult to weaken the pawn structure around the king, but Caruana wants to keep the strong knight on f4. The alternative is to just sacrifice this piece.} ( 22...Nxg2 $5 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 23.Kxg2 Bxh3+ 24.Kh1 ( 24.Kh2 {is less accurate:} 24...Qg4 25.Rg1 Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Rg3 Bf5+ {taking the e4-pawn and keeping the queens on the board.} ) 24...Qg4 25.Rg1 Qxe4 {Black has three pawns for the piece, and the computer evaluates the position as equal, but it seems to me that it's easier to play with White.} ( 25...Qh5 {doesn't work now:} 26.Nh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 23.Nd4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Qg3 fxe4 25.Rxe4 Qf7 $6 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25...Kh7 {is safer with equality.} ) 26.Nb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A brilliant move that poses practical problems for Black.} 26...Qxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 26...Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the correct way, but only a computer can find such a move in a rapid game.} 27.Rxe8+ ( 27.Nxd6 Rxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point.} 28.Nxf7 Kxf7 {The knight on d4 cannot be defended because of the knight double on e2. Black is fine.} ) 27...Qxe8 28.Nxd6 Qf8 29.N6f5 Bxg2 30.h4 Qf6 {The position is balanced.} ) 27.Rxf4 Qg7 28.Re4 {White has stabilized the position and now has a great knight on d4 as well as a better pawn structure.} 28...Bxh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The losing move.} ( 28...Bd5 {is the best chance.} ) 29.Qb3+ $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Kh8 ( 29...Kh7 30.Rxe8 Rxe8 31.Qxh3 Qxd4 32.Qd7+ {wins the rook.} ) 30.Rxe8+ Rxe8 31.Qxh3 Qxd4 32.Qxh6+ Kg8 33.Qxg5+ {Now the technical phase begins.} 33...Kf8 34.g3 ( 34.Rc1 {is also good.} ) 34...Re2 35.Qf5+ Ke7 36.Rxa6 ( 36.Rc1 {brings the rook to the attack and finishes the game quickly.} ) 36...Re1+ 37.Kg2 Qe4+ 38.Qxe4+ Rxe4 39.Ra3 Rxb4 40.Re3+ Kf6 41.b3 {The rook endgame is winning since White has two passed and connected pawns.} 41...Rd4 42.f4 Rd1 43.Kf3 d5 44.b4 ( 44.Ke2 {prepares to bring the king to the center and also wins easily.} ) 44...Rb1 45.Re5 Rxb4 46.Rxd5 Rb1 47.Rd6+ Ke7 48.Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Rook behind the passed pawn, as the old saying goes.} 48...b4 49.Kg4 Kd7 50.Kf5 ( 50.f5 $18 ) 50...Kc7 51.Re6 b3 52.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Rook at the side of the passed pawn. Although there is no \"old saying\" with this rule, it's good in cases where the rook is not allowed to go behind the passer. The important thing is that Black's rook can't move.} 52...Kd6 53.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Passed pawns must be pushed. I apologize for bringing another ancient sentence of deep knowledge.} 53...Kd5 54.g5 Kd4 55.Rg3 Kc4 56.g6 Ra1 57.g7 Ra5+ 58.Ke4 {Another superb game by Carlsen.} 1-0

[Event "Division I"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Tabatabaei, M Amin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2928"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7082803734033"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 {Carlsen has plenty of experience with this flexible move that avoids the Open Variation (where Black takes the e4-pawn).} 5...Bc5 {The problem with 5.d3 is that Black can develop the bishop to this active square.} 6.c3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.Bg5 {This pin usually sharpens the game as Black is invited to play h6-g5.} ( 8.O-O {Carlsen chose this move in one of his games against Keymer in the World Cup.} ) 8...h6 9.Bh4 Bb6 {A useful prophylactic move, anticipating White's d-pawn advance.} 10.Nbd2 ( 10.a4 {was played in an important game in 2022:} 10...Rb8 11.axb5 axb5 12.Na3 g5 13.Bg3 Na5 14.Bc2 b4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 14...Bd7 {is better.} ) 15.cxb4 Nc6 16.Ba4 {with an advantage for White in Praggnanandhaa-Carlsen, Chessable Masters 2022.} ) 10...g5 11.Bg3 Qe7 ( 11...Na5 {is also possible:} 12.Bc2 Nh5 13.a4 Rb8 14.b4 Nxg3 15.hxg3 Nc6 16.Nf1 Qf6 {with a balanced middlegame in Carlsen-Ding, Norway Chess (blitz) 2019.} ) 12.a4 Rb8 13.axb5 axb5 14.Nf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] One advantage of not being castled yet is that the knight can be maneuvered immediately to the e3-square.} 14...Be6 15.Ne3 Bxe3 {A good and practical decision, getting rid of the problems that this knight can generate. That said, it's possible to delay this capture as well.} ( 15...O-O 16.O-O Bxb3 17.Qxb3 Qe6 18.Qc2 Ne7 {with an acceptable position.} ) 16.fxe3 O-O ( 16...Bxb3 {is more accurate:} 17.Qxb3 Qe6 {Now if White exchanges queens, Black's king is already in the center.} 18.Qc2 O-O {with chances for both sides.} ) 17.O-O Ra8 $6 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17...Bxb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 18.Qxb3 Qe6 {Here White can try to exchange queens:} 19.Qxe6 fxe6 20.Ra6 {with a slight pressure in the endgame.} ) 18.Rxa8 Rxa8 19.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong move, using tactics to bring the knight to f5.} 19...Bg4 ( 19...gxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The knight cannot be captured due to the pin.} 20.Bxh4 ) 20.Qe1 Na5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20...Kg7 {is the lesser evil, although White keeps the pressure after} 21.Nf5+ Bxf5 22.Rxf5 ) 21.Bd1 Bxd1 {The f5-square becomes very weak now. Maybe it's better to retreat the bishop, although after} ( 21...Bd7 22.Nf5 Bxf5 23.Rxf5 {White will follow with h2-h4 and a lot of pressure on the kingside.} ) 22.Nf5 Qe6 23.Qxd1 Kh7 24.h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is Carlsen's only inaccuracy in the game.} ( 24.d4 {is better, immediately putting pressure on the center. The e4-pawn cannot be captured:} 24...Nxe4 ( 24...exd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is also bad:} 25.Nxd4 Qe7 26.Qc2 {with a winning initiative.} ) 25.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Qf6 ( 25...Qg6 26.Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26.Qc2 {Black's position collapses.} ) ( 24.Qa1 $5 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also very interesting, pinning the knight on a5.} ) 24...Rg8 $6 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Tabatabaei misses the chance to come back to the game.} ( 24...Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Prepares both ...Ra1 and the knight maneuver back to the defense with ...Nc5-d7.} ) 25.hxg5 Rxg5 ( 25...hxg5 {doesn't help:} 26.Qf3 Rg6 27.Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook enters the game with decisive effect. A nice variation continues:} 27...Nc6 28.Ra6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Ne7 29.Bxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Qxe5 30.Qh3+ Kg8 31.Ra8+ {winning for White.} ) 26.Bh4 Rg6 27.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Nc6 28.Qf3 Ng8 29.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Carlsen conducts the game with his typical precision. Black has too many weaknesses, and his pieces are passive.} 29...exd4 30.exd4 Qc4 31.Ng3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice repositioning of the knight.} 31...f6 32.Nh5 Qf7 33.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking both the f6-pawn and the c6-knight.} 33...Nce7 34.e6 ( 34.exf6 {is also good.} ) 34...Qxe6 ( 34...Qf8 {Here a nice winning line is} 35.Nxf6+ Nxf6 36.Bxf6 Ng8 37.Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Nxf6 38.e7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...Qf7 39.Rxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the pawn promotes.} ) 35.Nf4 Qf7 36.Nxg6 Kxg6 37.Qd3+ Kg7 38.Qxb5 {The rest is trivial for the world's best player.} 38...Ng6 39.Qh5 Qc4 40.Rf3 Qe2 41.Kh2 Qe4 42.Bf2 N8e7 43.Re3 Qf4+ 44.Kg1 c6 45.c4 d5 46.c5 Nf5 47.Rf3 Qc1+ 48.Kh2 Nfe7 49.Be3 1-0

[Event "E Women's World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.17"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Muzychuk, Anna"]
[Black "Salimova, Nurgyul"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2504"]
[BlackElo "2403"]
[ECO "B15"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[Beauty "8251059747883"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6 {A fashionable line of the Caro-Kann Defense.} 6.c3 Bd6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.Qc2 Re8+ 9.Be3 ( 9.Ne2 {is much more popular, but Muzychuk wants to develop the knight on f3.} ) 9...h5 10.Nf3 Nd7 11.O-O-O {I think this is the most combative and better choice. It's also possible to place the king on the other side of the board, but after} ( 11.O-O Nf8 {Black sometimes is able to exert pressure on the kingside after Bc7-Qd6. This position was played in Shimanov-Mitrabha, Titled Tuesday 2022.} ) 11...b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A new move and a blunder. It's clear that Salimova was not familiar with this position.} ( 11...Nf8 {is better, with an unclear fight after} 12.h3 Be6 13.Kb1 b5 {as played in a few games.} ) 12.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This refutes Black's play, winning a pawn.} 12...c5 {Forced.} ( 12...cxd5 {loses to} 13.Bh7+ $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Kf8 14.Rxd5 {threatening the bishop and the h-pawn.} ) 13.Bxb5 Rb8 14.Bc6 Re7 {A good move, freeing the d7-knight. Black has some practical compensation, especially in a rapid game, but White can keep a healthy advantage with careful play.} 15.h3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is not very useful.} ( 15.Rhe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more to the point.} 15...Ne5 ( 15...Nb6 {leads nowhere after} 16.c4 ) 16.Nxe5 Rxe5 17.Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of playing 18.Bf4.} ) 15...Nb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15...Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer indicates the right way, but and it's not an easy one. The position is difficult to play for both sides.} 16.Nxe5 Rxe5 {This is the point: the bishop is coming to f5.} 17.Rhe1 Bf5 18.Qa4 Qb6 {with compensation for the pawn.} ) 16.Nd2 ( 16.Qd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, avoiding Nc4.} ) 16...f5 {A natural human move, threatening to trap the bishop with ...f4.} ( 16...Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is also possible, again with the idea of developing the bishop on f5. The game becomes very sharp after} 17.g4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 17.Nb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This allows black's knight into the dangerous c4-square.} ( 17.g3 {is a normal reaction, although Black is totally in the game after} 17...h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 17.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a surprising move that only the machine would play.} 17...f6 18.Bh4 {The computer insists that this is the best way for White and after analyzing a bit I think I understand why. The pawn on f6 is not desirable, since now Black loses the plan of ...f4 followed by ...g6 and ...Bf5. And if Black chases the bishop with g7-g5, than weaknesses are created. Of course all this explanation is done after knowing which is the best move - a commentator's life is much easier than a player's $1} ) 17...Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Rhe1 ( 18.Bxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 18...Bxc5 19.Nxc5 Rxb2 ) ( 18.Bd2 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of playing g6-Bf5.} ) ( 18.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best move and the reasoning is similar to the last note: the pawn on f6 gets in Black's own way, as the g6-Bf5 plan becomes difficult to execute.} 18...f6 19.Bd2 ) 18...Nxe3 ( 18...f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a tempting and good move, but there's a hidden detail of surprising beauty in the main line.} 19.Bxc5 ( 19.Bd2 g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the usual plan of Bf5 and a dangerous initiative.} ) 19...Bxc5 20.Nxc5 {Here there is a beautiful and difficult winning move, what I like to call \"a Dvoretsky exercise level 5\" - in other words, nearly impossible to solve $1} 20...f3 $3 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A fantastic idea to open the c1-h6 diagonal, inviting the queen to g5.} ( 20...Rxb2 21.Qd3 {is not clear.} ) 21.gxf3 {Now we can finally understand the point of Black's play:} 21...Rxb2 22.Qd3 Rxe1 23.Rxe1 Qg5+ {with a winning attack.} ) 19.fxe3 g6 {Black has excellent compensation for the pawn with good dark square control and attacking chances on the queenside. Though equality is the objective assessment, I think Black's position is easier to play.} 20.Nd2 Bg3 21.Re2 Ba6 22.c4 Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop returns to this excellent diagonal.} 23.b3 Bg7 24.e4 ( {Maybe} 24.Kb1 {with the idea of playing a3 and Ka2 is a safer option.} ) 24...Bc8 25.Rde1 fxe4 26.Rxe4 ( 26.Nxe4 {is more accurate:} 26...Bf5 27.d6 Re5 28.Bd5 {with a slightly better position for Black.} ) 26...Rxe4 27.Qxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 27.Nxe4 {is better. Black keeps the initiative with} 27...Bf5 ) 27...Qa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 27...Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more precise: the queen joins the attack and White's counterplay is avoided.} ) 28.Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suddenly the game becomes unclear again.} 28...Qc3+ 29.Kd1 Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A great move, probably born out of necessity: sacrificing the rook is the only chance.} 30.Qxb8+ $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Who can resist taking a whole rook with check $2 Unfortunately for Muzychuk, however, this is the losing move.} ( 30.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the way to go.} 30...Qa1+ 31.Ke2 Rf8 {with a chaotic position where I still prefer Black.} ) 30...Kh7 {White's king is unable to survive the attack of queen and bishops.} 31.Qf4 {The queen tries to return home, but it's too late.} 31...Bh6 ( 31...Bd3 {is also winning.} ) 32.Qf2 ( 32.Qxh6+ Kxh6 {White has no chances as, despite from the material advantage, the attack continues.} ) 32...Bc2+ {Mate is inevitable.} ( 32...Bc2+ 33.Kc1 ( 33.Ke2 Qd3# ) 33...Bd3+ 34.Kd1 Qc2# ) 0-1

[Event "E Women's World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Salimova, Nurgyul"]
[Black "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2403"]
[BlackElo "2557"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "236"]
[Beauty "3029025747463"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 O-O 8.Bd3 Re8 9.Nge2 c6 10.O-O a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The new way of playing the Queen's Gambit. Black is the one advancing the pawns on the queenside. This is surprising for those of us who grew up seeing White advance on this side of the board, the so-called \"minority attack.\" But if you think about it, isn't it more logical for the side with a pawn majority to move forward $2} 11.f3 {White, on the other hand, tries to advance on the center, but this is not so easy to achieve, especially with the knight on c3 about to be attacked by Black's b-pawn.} 11...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.Qc2 {I suspect this is not the most accurate move since Black will soon achieve a pleasant position. The plan I like the most is to play 12.Bf2 immediately, with the idea of playing Ng3 and trying to push the e-pawn.} ( 12.Bf2 Nbd7 13.Rc1 Nb6 14.Ng3 Bd7 15.h3 {Protecting the g4-square so the knight cannot use it after a possible exchange of pawns on e4. This was played in Van Foreest-Bluebaum, Eu-Cup Online 2021.} ) 12...Ba6 13.Rae1 Nbd7 14.Bf2 a4 {A new move, preparing to play Qa5 and then b5-b4. There are good alternatives as well.} ( 14...Bf8 ) ( 14...Qb6 ) 15.Kh1 ( 15.e4 {This is premature:} 15...dxe4 16.fxe4 Ng4 {White doesn't want to exchange the precious dark-squared bishop.} ) 15...Qa5 {Now b5-b4 is threatened.} 16.Nf4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's important to secure the knight on c3. The position is balanced after} 16...b4 17.axb4 Bxd3 18.Qxd3 Qxb4 19.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 16...b4 17.Nce2 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The opening was a success for Black.} 18.Bxa6 Qxa6 19.Qf5 ( 19.dxc5 Nxc5 {Black has a good version of the isolated queen's pawn formation, for example:} 20.Nd4 Qc4 21.Qb1 b3 {with the initiative.} ) 19...Nf8 ( 19...Bf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a good move, opening the path for the rook. The pawn on d5 should not be taken since after} 20.Nxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20...Nxd5 21.Qxd5 Nb6 {The knight goes to c4, and Black has a much better position.} ) 20.dxc5 Bxc5 21.Ng3 g6 ( 21...Ne6 22.Nxe6 Rxe6 {with a slightly better position for Black. The pawn on e3 is actually weaker than the pawn on d5.} ) 22.Qd3 Ne6 23.Qxa6 Rxa6 24.Nd3 {The exchange of queens favored White, who managed to equalize the game.} 24...Rc8 25.Rc1 Rac6 26.Ne2 Ne8 {A double-edged plan: Black tries to activate the knight, but the d5-pawn becomes weak.} ( 26...Bf8 27.Rxc6 Rxc6 28.Rc1 {The endgame is more pleasant for White.} ) ( 26...Nd7 {is possible:} 27.Rfd1 Bf8 28.Rxc6 Rxc6 29.Rc1 Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an improved version for Black of the previous variation since the knight is ready to go to c5.} ) 27.Rfd1 Nd6 28.Ne5 R6c7 29.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An unpleasant move to face.} ( 29.Rxd5 Nf5 {The attack on e3 and the pressure on the c-file gives Black good play.} ) 29...Ne8 {The errant knight goes back. The alternative is to play} ( 29...Kg7 {but after} 30.Bg3 {the position is difficult to defend from a human point of view, although the machine is not too worried.} ( 30.Rxd5 Nf5 {with good counterplay.} ) ) 30.Bg3 Rc6 {Now White must choose which pawn to take.} 31.Nxh6+ ( 31.Rxd5 {Black has active pieces and good drawing chances after} 31...Bb6 32.Rxc6 Rxc6 33.Be1 b3 34.axb3 Rc2 35.Rd2 axb3 ) 31...Kf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The wrong square.} ( 31...Kg7 32.Ng4 Bb6 33.Be1 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Ne5 Rc2 {Here we see a clear benefit of the king on g7: the g6-pawn is protected. Black has excellent drawing chances.} ) 32.Ng4 Ba7 ( 32...Bb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33.Rxc6 Rxc6 34.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With a possible knight check on d7.} ) 33.Be1 b3 34.axb3 axb3 35.Bb4+ Kg8 36.Bc3 {White has consolidated the position and is a clean pawn up.} 36...f5 37.Ne5 R6c7 38.Rxd5 Bxe3 39.Rcd1 g5 40.g3 {Preparing the path for the king.} ( 40.g4 {is also good.} ) 40...N8g7 41.Rb5 Nc5 42.Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's bishop has no squares.} 42...f4 {White is completely winning at this point, and I can only imagine the pressure Salimova felt. There's nothing as difficult in chess as converting a won position against a strong opponent.} 43.gxf4 ( 43.Nxe3 {It's technically more precise to leave as many pawns on the board as possible when you have an advantage in the endgame.} 43...fxe3 44.Rd5 Nge6 45.Re5 {The e3-pawn falls, and the one on g5 remains weak.} ) 43...gxf4 44.Nxe3 fxe3 45.Rd5 Nge6 46.Re5 Kf7 47.Rxe3 {White is two pawns up, but dealing with a pair of knights is always tricky.} 47...Rd7 48.Rb4 Nd3 49.Rh4 ( 49.Rxb3 {It's possible to capture the pawn. After} 49...Rg8 50.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is unable to generate threats.} 50...Ndf4 51.Nxf4 Nxf4 52.Re4 Rd1+ 53.Re1 {with a winning position.} ) 49...Rg8 50.Ng3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 50.Rh7+ {is more accurate:} 50...Ke8 $5 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting resource, but it doesn't work.} ( 50...Ng7 51.Kg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 51.Rxe6+ Kd8 52.Bf6+ Kc8 53.Rc6+ Kb8 54.Be5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54...Nxe5 55.Rxd7 Nxd7 56.Rc3 {The b3-pawn falls.} ) 50...Ndf4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 50...Nf2+ {creates more problems:} 51.Kg1 Nd1 52.Rh7+ Ng7 53.Bxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53...Kg6 ( 53...Nxe3 54.Bd4+ ) 54.Rh6+ Kxg7 55.Ree6 Nxb2 56.Reg6+ Kf8 57.Rb6 {White should be able to win.} ) 51.Re1 Rgd8 52.Rh7+ $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 52.Ne4 {leads to victory after} 52...Rd1 53.Ng5+ $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53...Kg6 ( 53...Nxg5 54.Rxf4+ ) 54.Nxe6 Rxe1+ 55.Bxe1 Nxe6 56.Kg2 ) 52...Kg6 53.Rxd7 Rxd7 {Surprisingly, Black has good counterplay now. It's not easy for White to defend the f3-pawn.} 54.Ne4 Kf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 54...Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn should be attacked immediately.} 55.Rf1 Ne2 {with drawing chances.} ) 55.h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 55.Nf2 {avoids ...Rd3 and keeps winning chances.} ) 55...Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 56.Ng3+ ( 56.Rf1 Ne2 {with activity enough to save the game.} ) 56...Kg6 57.h5+ ( 57.Rf1 Nd4 58.Bxd4 Rxd4 {is also a draw.} ) 57...Kh7 58.Rf1 Kh6 59.Kh2 Ng5 60.Nf5+ Kxh5 61.Nd4 Nd5 62.Rf2 Nxc3 63.bxc3 Rxc3 64.Kg2 Rd3 65.Ne2 Kh6 66.Nc1 Rc3 67.Nxb3 Rxb3 {In a dramatic turn of events, Black is the one pressing in the end. The endgame of rook and knight against rook is not difficult to defend, and you don't need theoretical endgame knowledge to do so—you can achieve a draw using only common sense. Of course, a player miraculously wins this endgame every once in a while, as we have witnessed in this own Women's World Cup. In the game, Salimova defends well, and not much happens in the final moves.} 68.Rf1 Kg6 69.f4 Ne4 70.f5+ Kg5 71.f6 Rb2+ 72.Kg1 Nxf6 73.Rf2 Rb3 74.Kf1 Ne4 75.Rf8 Rb2 76.Ke1 Nf6 77.Kd1 Kf5 78.Kc1 Rh2 79.Rf7 Ke5 80.Rf8 Nd5 81.Re8+ Kd4 82.Rd8 Rg2 83.Kd1 Ra2 84.Rd7 Ke4 85.Kc1 Ne3 86.Rd8 Nf5 87.Rd2 Ra3 88.Kb2 Rh3 89.Rd8 Nd4 90.Rc8 Rb3+ 91.Ka2 Kd3 92.Rd8 Rb6 93.Rc8 Ne2 94.Ka3 Nc3 95.Rd8+ Ke4 96.Rd4+ $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 96...Ke5 ( 96...Kxd4 {is a stalemate.} ) 97.Rh4 Ne4 98.Rh5+ Kd4 99.Rh4 Rb8 100.Rg4 Kd3 101.Rh4 Rb1 102.Rg4 Kc3 103.Ka4 Rb4+ 104.Ka5 Kb3 105.Rg8 Rb7 106.Rg4 Nd6 107.Ka6 Rd7 108.Rh4 Nc4 109.Kb5 Ne3 110.Rh3 Rd3 111.Kc5 Kc3 112.Rg3 Rd5+ 113.Kc6 Re5 114.Rh3 Kd3 115.Kd6 Rg5 116.Kc6 Ke4 117.Rh4+ Rg4 118.Rxg4+ Nxg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.15"]
[Round "47.4"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[ECO "D78"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Beauty "6806336217129"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.d4 Nf6 5.O-O O-O 6.c4 c6 7.Qa4 {A relatively rare move, championed by Oparin.} 7...Nfd7 {Erigaisi played this without much hesitation. The text move initiates a nice regrouping by Black.} ( {More common are the natural} 7...Nbd7 ) ( {As well as} 7...dxc4 ) 8.Qb3 {This and the next few moves were played practically in a blitz tempo by Praggnanandhaa.} ( {A recent top game saw instead:} 8.cxd5 Nb6 9.Qd1 cxd5 10.Nc3 Nc6 11.e3 Bf5 12.b3 Rc8 13.Bb2 Qd7 14.Qd2 Bh3 15.Rfc1 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 e6 {with equality in Grischuk,A (2745) -Martirosyan,H (2675) Astana 2023} ) 8...a5 $146 {A novelty, although the advance of the a-pawn is a common theme in the Grunfeld.} ( {The predecessor saw:} 8...Nb6 9.c5 N6d7 10.Nc3 b6 11.cxb6 axb6 12.Bf4 Ba6 13.Rfe1 e6 14.e4 Nf6 15.Ne5 dxe4 16.Nxe4 Nd5 {Reshef,O (2484)-Chandra,A (2466) Dallas 2018} ) 9.cxd5 a4 {The point.} 10.Qd1 cxd5 11.Nc3 Nb6 12.Bf4 Nc6 {This is why Arjun held his knight on its initial position. Black is harmoniously regrouped now.} 13.Rc1 Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Not only does Black stop the Nc3-b5 threat, but this is another nice regrouping.} ( {Apparently, Arjun felt his position was loose in case of} 13...f6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14.Nb5 e5 15.dxe5 fxe5 16.Bg5 ) ( {However, something solid like} 13...Bf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14.Nb5 Qd7 {was perfectly playable.} ) 14.b3 ( {There is not much for White after} 14.h3 Bf5 ) 14...axb3 15.axb3 Bg4 16.Ne5 {The only try for an advantage by Praggnanandhaa.} 16...Be6 17.Qd2 ( {Or} 17.Nxc6 bxc6 18.b4 Ra8 {with equality.} ) 17...Qa8 {The slightly mysterious …Ra8-a5 move starts to yield Black dividents. An open file, in this case.} 18.e3 Rc8 19.Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] If the knight can make it to the c5-square White can claim some edge. However} 19...Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] blocks any queenside activity.} 20.h3 ( {The tactical point is that} 20.Nc5 {is refuted by the strong} 20...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {But perhaps} 20.Rfd1 {was a more useful way of preparing for the trade} 20...Bxd3 21.Qxd3 e6 {for then} 22.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] followed by h4-h5 might loosen a bit the light squares in the black camp.} ) 20...Bxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Since the pawn structure represents the Exchange Slav (or rather the Schlechter Slav to be more precise), the knights often become more valuable than the bishops. This bishop in particular is something that Black would definitely not cry about. And a grand specialist like Kamsky would have definitely approved Arjun's approach.} 21.Qxd3 e6 {Now all the pawns are perfectly located, a'la Capablanca.} 22.Rfd1 Bf8 {And Black brings another piece into the game.} 23.Bf1 {So does White, although the career of this bishop seems less bright.} 23...Nb4 24.Qe2 {A tricky move by Praggnanandhaa.} ( 24.Qb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was definitely more solid.} ) ( {A more natural retreat like} 24.Qd2 Na2 25.Nxa2 Rxa2 {allows Black a chance to enhance his queenside pressure.} ) 24...Ra3 ( {As Peter Leko explained during the live broadcast, White's idea was to meet} 24...Na2 25.Nxa2 Rxa2 {with} 26.Qb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.Qb2 ( {Here} 25.Qb5 {is less effective due to} 25...Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25...Na2 {Time to try and seize the initiative on the queenside.} 26.Nxa2 Rxa2 27.Rxc8 ( {Nothing changes} 27.Qb1 Qa3 ) 27...Nxc8 28.Qc3 Ne7 {Erigaisi tries another beautiful regrouping. The objective this time is to swap off the dark-squared bishops.} 29.b4 {An ambitious move. Praggnanandhaa uses the chance to grab some space on the queenside.} ( {He could have also tried to control the knight with his own bishop as in the line} 29.Rb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 29...Qa3 ( 29...Nf5 30.Bd3 ) 30.Bb5 Nf5 31.Bd3 Ne7 32.Bb5 {with equality.} ) ( {Please, notice that the knight may always change its mind, as in the line} 29.Bd3 Qa3 30.Rc1 Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 29...Nf5 30.Rc1 Bd6 {That was the purpose of Black's latest regrouping. A good knight versus a bad bishop is definitely something Black cannot resist.} 31.Be5 {But Praggnanandhaa believes that his bishop is in fact better $1} ( {Otherwise he would have forced a draw with} 31.g4 Bxf4 32.gxf5 Bd6 33.Qc8+ ( {Or even} 33.fxe6 fxe6 34.Rc2 ) 33...Qxc8 34.Rxc8+ Kg7 35.fxe6 fxe6 36.b5 ) 31...Bxe5 32.dxe5 ( {Here} 32.Qc8+ {is not as effective as after} 32...Qxc8 33.Rxc8+ Kg7 34.dxe5 Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.Rc7 Nc6 36.Rxb7 Nxe5 {the black knight becomes furious.} ) 32...Kg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Anticipating the check in advance.} 33.b5 {Praggnanandhaa is consistently trying to restrict the knight.} ( {Now} 33.Qc8 {may be met not only with} 33...Qxc8 ( {But with} 33...Qa3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 34.Rxc8 Ne7 ) 33...Qd8 {Whereas Erigaisi is directly preparing a decisive central breakthrough. The game enters the most exciting, time-trouble part.} 34.Qb4 ( {The break cannot be stopped with} 34.Rd1 {due to} 34...Qg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( {Or} 34...h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ) 34...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is ready to rip the opponent's kingside into pieces.} 35.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An only move.} ( {For} 35.Rd1 {loses to} 35...Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.exd4 Nxg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 35...Nxg3 $3 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] And a fantastic try in the time-trouble.} ( {There was no way back, by the way, Black apparently had seen this well in advance for} 35...Ne7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 36.Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is plain bad for the second player.} ) 36.fxg3 d3 37.Bg2 {Played with only 10 seconds left on the clock. And... a losing mistake $1} ( {The only defense was} 37.Kh1 $3 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] anticipating Black's check when} 37...Qb6 $4 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] even loses to} ( {Therefore, Black should have gone for} 37...Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Qd6 Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when after} 39.Rc8 $3 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] White's strong threats would have once again saved him after} 39...Rxf1+ 40.Kg2 {Black can force a perpetual in three different ways} 40...Rg1+ $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 40...Rf2+ $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 40...Qd2+ $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 38.Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and it is Black who is checkmated first.} ) 37...Qb6+ 38.Kh2 Qf2 39.Rg1 {And now comes the study of the day, the cool} 39...Re2 $3 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A grandiose move to find, after which Black's d-pawn is unstoppable.} ( {Apparently, Praggnanandhaa only expected} 39...d2 40.Rd1 Qe2 41.Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...Qxd1 42.Qf6+ Kh6 43.Qf4+ $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a perpetual.} ) 40.Qe7 {The only try.} ( {There is no time for} 40.Qd6 d2 ) 40...d2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn is so strong and well supported that Black can exchange the queens.} 41.Qf6+ Qxf6 42.exf6+ Kxf6 {The king marches quickly toward the passer.} 43.Rf1+ ( {Alas,} 43.Rd1 {cannot save White} 43...Ke5 44.Kg1 Re1+ ) 43...Ke5 44.Kg1 Kd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {But not} 44...Re1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 45.Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 45.Bf3 Ke3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final touch. White is helpless.} 46.Bg4 ( {Or} 46.Bxe2 Kxe2 47.Rf2+ Kd3 48.Rf1 Kc2 {and Black wins.} ) 46...h5 47.Bxe2 Kxe2 48.Rf2+ Kd3 49.Rf1 Kc2 50.Rf2 Kc1 51.Rxf7 d1=Q+ 52.Rf1 e5 53.b6 Qxf1+ {A fabulous painting by Erigaisi $1} 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Sanal, Vahap"]
[Black "Kozul, Zdenko"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2585"]
[BlackElo "2532"]
[ECO "B63"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7767448365093"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 Qb6 {Kozul is a great expert in the Classic Sicilian Variation. He used to play a line that, for some reason, became known as the \"Suicide Variation.\" This time he decided to try something more solid.} ( 7...a6 8.O-O-O Bd7 9.f4 b5 {From what I know, this is the unfairly named \"Suicide Variation.\" Despite the scary nickname, many elite grandmasters play it nowadays. Kozul tried this line in the third game of the match but was defeated.} ) 8.Nb3 {This is considered the most dangerous move, avoiding exchanges.} ( 8.O-O-O {This is also possible, although the queens are exchanged, and this is usually not desired by an attacking player.} 8...Qxd4 9.Qxd4 Nxd4 10.Rxd4 a6 ) 8...a6 9.O-O-O Be7 10.f3 O-O {We have a typical English Attack fight on the board. The two players will start to advance the pawns toward their opponent's king, and the question is who will get there first.} 11.h4 ( 11.Kb1 {I like to stick to the principle of playing Kb1 right after castling unless I have a good reason not to.} 11...Rd8 12.Be3 Qc7 13.Qf2 Nd7 14.h4 {I prefer White. This position has been tested in many important games.} ) 11...Qc7 12.h5 h6 13.Bf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 13.Bxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance to fight for an advantage. It's difficult to part with this bishop, but White wins a pawn to compensate.} 13...Bxf6 14.Qxd6 Qb6 15.f4 ( 15.Qc5 Qc7 ) ) ( 13.Be3 {is also not enough:} 13...d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 13...Ne5 {is a good option.} ) 14.exd5 Rd8 {with an equal position.} ) 13...Ne5 14.Kb1 b5 {Black's attack is much faster.} 15.Ne2 Nc4 16.Qc1 e5 17.Bg3 Be6 18.Bh4 a5 19.g4 a4 20.Na1 {Black has achieved everything he could dream of. The knight on a1 makes a sad impression. Indeed, it will take a long time to get it out of the corner of the board.} 20...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.g5 ( 21.Bxf6 {loses after} 21...Bxf6 22.exd5 Bg5 23.f4 exf4 24.dxe6 f3 ) 21...hxg5 ( 21...Bc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] wins by force with some accurate moves:} 22.Nd4 {The best chance.} ( 22.gxf6 {loses the queen after} 22...Be3 ) ( 22.c3 Be3 23.Qc2 hxg5 {is easily winning.} ) ( 22.Rd3 dxe4 ) 22...Nxe4 23.fxe4 Bxd4 24.Rxd4 exd4 25.gxh6 dxe4 {White's attack can be parried.} 26.hxg7 ( 26.Rg1 g6 ) 26...Kxg7 ) 22.Qxg5 Rfe8 {A good move, protecting the e7-bishop and preparing a discovered attack on the queen.} 23.h6 ( 23.Rg1 Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 23...g6 24.h7+ $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Nxh7 $6 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 24...Kg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger:} 25.Qh6+ Kh8 {White's attack is over and Black has an overwhelming advantage.} ( {Of course not} 25...Kxh6 $4 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 26.Bxf6+ ) ) 25.Qh6 Bf8 26.Qxh7+ $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Kxh7 27.Bd8+ ( 27.Bf6+ $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] doesn't work:} 27...Bh6 28.Bg2 {Threatening 29.Rxh6 followed by Rh1, but Black has time to give his king an escaping square.} 28...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27...Kg8 28.Bxc7 dxe4 {Even though White is a piece up, Black is still much better. The knight on a1 doesn't count much.} 29.Nc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 29.f4 {is the best chance.} ) ( 29.fxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29...Rac8 {regains the piece.} ) 29...Ne3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 29...exf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Nxb5 e4 {Black's pieces and pawns are very strong, and the position is winning.} ) 30.Re1 Nxf1 31.Rexf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 31.Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, with the advantage.} ) 31...Bc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 31...exf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 32.Bxe5 ( 32.Rxf3 Bg7 ) 32...Bg7 33.Bxg7 Kxg7 {with an excellent position for Black.} ) 32.Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Bxf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake.} ( 32...Bg7 {is not enough:} 33.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Bxf1 34.Nxe8 ) ( 32...Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance. White needs to find some strong moves to keep the advantage:} 33.Bd6 Re6 34.Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A difficult move.} ( 34.Bxf8 Bxf1 ) 34...f5 ( 34...Bxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35.Rfh2 {wins material.} ) 35.Bxf8 fxe4 36.Bc5 exf3 37.c3 {The passed pawns can be blocked, and White is better.} ) 33.Nf6+ Kg7 34.Nxe8+ Rxe8 35.Rxf1 f5 36.c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight finally prepares to return to the game.} 36...Kf6 37.Nc2 Bc5 38.Rd1 Ke6 39.Nb4 {It's ironic that the poor knight makes the last move of the game, a much deserved outcome after surviving so many misfortunes.} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Tin, Jingyao"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2573"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7631888457300"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 a6 {A modern way of playing the Queen's Gambit.} 4.Bg5 ( 4.Nc3 dxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This shows the idea of playing ...a7-a6: the pawn can be defended now with …b7-b5.} ) ( 4.cxd5 {is the main move:} 4...exd5 5.Nc3 Nf6 {with a lot of opening theory.} ) 4...Be7 5.Bxe7 Qxe7 6.e3 ( 6.Nbd2 {It's always possible to prepare the development of the bishop on g2 with} 6...Nf6 7.g3 ) 6...Nf6 7.Nbd2 ( 7.Nc3 {gave nothing for White in this high-profile blitz game:} 7...O-O 8.Rc1 Rd8 9.Qc2 dxc4 10.Bxc4 c5 {with equality in Nakamura-Carlsen, Abidjan (blitz) 2019.} ) 7...O-O 8.Rc1 Nc6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Usually this is not a good square for the knight in similar pawn structures, but Black has a specific idea: to prepare …e6-e5.} 9.cxd5 {This avoids Black's plan at the cost of giving freedom to the c8-bishop.} ( 9.Bd3 {is critical:} 9...e5 ( 9...Rd8 10.O-O e5 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Rxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A typical exchange sacrifice.} 12...bxc6 13.Nxe5 {with excellent compensation.} ) 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Be4 Rd8 12.Rxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12...bxc6 13.Nxe5 {White has compensation for the exchange in this complicated position. This was played in Krush-Avramidou, Chennai (Ol) 2022.} ) 9...exd5 10.Qb3 {A new move that doesn't offer anything special for White.} ( 10.Be2 Na7 $5 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A typical idea: Black wants to play c6 and then Nb5-d6.} 11.O-O c6 {Sychev-Vallejo Pons, Moscow 2015.} ) 10...Qd6 {Not the best reaction.} ( 10...Na7 $5 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The same plan can be tried here as well.} ) ( 10...Bf5 {is also good:} 11.Be2 ( 11.Qxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is dangerous after} 11...Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 11...Nd8 {followed by c6 and Ne6, with equality.} ) 11.Bd3 Rb8 12.h3 ( 12.Qc3 {is a good move, preventing the c6-knight from moving and preparing Ne5 or Qc5.} ) 12...Ne7 13.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A typical move of Mamedyarov's aggressive style. He starts play on the kingside even though his king cannot go to the other flank anymore.} 13...c6 14.Ne5 ( 14.Qc2 {is possibly even better, forcing Black to create some weakness due to the threat of g5.} ) 14...Nd7 ( 14...b6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is an interesting move, preparing …c6-c5 with counterplay.} ) 15.f4 Kh8 $6 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15...b6 {is necessary as Black needs to react quickly.} 16.Qc2 Qh6 {with complicated play.} ) 16.Qc2 ( 16.Bb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even stronger, preparing to bring the queen to d3 with a strong attack.} ) 16...f6 ( 16...Nxe5 {It's difficult to play this move, since White's pawns look very menacing. The computer, however, is not so scared.} 17.dxe5 Qh6 {A possible continuation is:} 18.Qc5 Re8 19.f5 b6 20.Qd4 c5 21.Qf4 Nc6 22.Nf3 ( 22.g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad due to} 22...Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 22...Qxf4 23.exf4 {with a strange endgame where I prefer White.} ) 17.Nef3 g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A brave (or crazy) move $1} ( 17...g6 {is objectively better, although White has a clear advantage.} ) 18.O-O $6 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White has many tempting options.} ( 18.Bxh7 {is not clear after} 18...gxf4 ) ( 18.fxg5 Qg3+ 19.Kd1 fxg5 {and now capturing on g5 allows counterplay after} 20.Nxg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20...h6 21.Ne6 Rf2 ) ( 18.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate. If White manages to play h3-h4, the attack is decisive.} 18...b6 ( 18...Qg3+ 19.Kd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's plan is Be2-Nh1 and then h4. His position is much better.} ( 19.Kf1 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.dxc5 Nc6 {gives Black some hope.} ) ) 19.Nf1 c5 20.Qf2 {[%cal Bh3h4]} ) 18...gxf4 19.exf4 Qxf4 20.Rce1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20.Kg2 {gives good compensation for the pawn after} 20...Qh6 21.Rce1 ) 20...Rf7 ( 20...Qg3+ {is also possible:} 21.Kh1 Rf7 ( 21...Qxh3+ $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is too greedy:} 22.Nh2 Rf7 23.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing g4-g5.} ) ) 21.Rf2 ( 21.Kg2 ) 21...Nf8 22.Nf1 Rg7 {It's clear that Mamedyarov didn't conduct the initiative in the best way.} 23.Qd2 Ne6 ( 23...Qxd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is a mistake:} 24.N3xd2 Rf7 25.Ng3 {with a good position for White. The f6-pawn is weak.} ) 24.Re3 Qd6 25.Bc2 ( 25.Nh4 {is the best move, according to the computer. This is a sign that the position is already difficult to play for White.} ) 25...Bd7 {Black has a big advantage.} 26.Nh4 Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Kh1 b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Tin prepares c6-c5. He is a pawn up and White has many weaknesses.} 28.b4 c5 29.bxc5 bxc5 30.dxc5 Qxc5 31.Rxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 31.Qc3 {White's best chance is to seek salvation in an endgame a pawn down.} ) 31...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Rb3 Rc8 33.Bd3 ( 33.Bb1 {is also losing after} 33...Be6 34.Rg3 Nd5 35.Rf2 Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 33...Nxh3 34.Bxa6 Bc6+ 35.Ng2 Rxg4 $4 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] A blunder in time trouble.} ( 35...Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to win. The rook has no good squares.} 36.Rh6 Nf4 {winning material.} ) 36.Bxc8 Bxg2+ ( {After} 36...Rxg2 {White is saved by} 37.Rxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the game ends in a draw, for example:} 37...Rg1+ 38.Kh2 Qxc6 39.Qxd4+ Kg8 40.Rg3+ Rxg3 41.Nxg3 Qxc8 42.Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...Nf5 43.Qg4+ ) 37.Kh2 Qxc8 38.Ng3 $4 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] The last mistake in this dramatic game. It's certainly not easy to find the only saving move with little time on the clock.} ( 38.Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position is totally chaotic, but the machine indicates equality. The pieces are in almost random positions and it's very difficult to play when there are no recognizable patterns.} 38...Ng8 39.Rf8 Qc7+ 40.Rg3 {Somehow there are many drawing variations here. Let's see one of them:} 40...Bxf1 41.Qf6+ Rg7 ( 41...Qg7 $4 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 42.Rxg4 Qxf6 43.Rgxg8# ) 42.Qxg7+ Qxg7 43.Rxg7 Kxg7 44.Rxf1 Ng5 45.a4 Ne7 46.a5 Nc6 47.a6 ) 38...Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is winning again.} 39.Qe2 ( 39.Kxh3 Rg6+ ) 39...Rh4 40.Qe5 Nf4+ {Mate is inevitable:} ( 40...Nf4+ 41.Kg1 Qc1+ 42.Kf2 ( 42.Nf1 Rh1+ ) 42...Rh2# ) 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Karthik Venkataraman"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2565"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[Beauty "7014776341037"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 e6 3.c4 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.g3 Nc6 6.Bg2 Nf6 7.O-O Be7 {It's nice to see the Tarrasch Defense, an old Kasparov favorite, back in chess fashion.} 8.dxc5 ( 8.Nc3 O-O 9.Bg5 {This is the old main line. Now modern computers showed that the best move for Black is} 9...c4 $1 ) 8...Bxc5 9.a3 O-O ( 9...Ne4 {is an important alternative and probably the best move.} ) 10.b4 Bb6 11.Bb2 Bg4 12.Nc3 Re8 13.Na4 {Something went wrong for Nakamura in the opening. This position has been played by some strong GMs, but the computer already indicates a clear preference for White.} 13...Bc7 ( 13...Qe7 {didn't solve Black's problems after} 14.Nxb6 axb6 15.Re1 {Gukesh-Abdusattorov, Berlin (blitz) 2023.} ) 14.Nc5 Rb8 ( 14...b6 {is played most often.} ) 15.Rc1 Ne5 16.Bxe5 {A new move.} ( 16.Re1 {was played in Kobalia-Eljanov, Ubeda 2001.} ) ( 16.h3 $1 {was suggested by Nakamura in a post-game interview and it's the best.} 16...Bd7 {The best chance.} ( 16...Bh5 $2 {loses a piece to} 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Bxe5 Rxe5 19.g4 Bg6 20.f4 ) ( 16...Nxf3+ $6 17.exf3 Bf5 18.f4 {The powerful bishops give White a clear advantage. The d-pawn is doomed.} ) ( 16...Bf5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Bxe5 Rxe5 19.g4 $1 {Black's pieces are poorly placed.} ) 17.Nxd7 Qxd7 18.Qb3 {White has a clear positional advantage with the bishop pair and a possible attack on the isolated queen's pawn.} ) 16...Bxe5 17.h3 Bxf3 {Nakamura said he thought he should be completely fine here.} ( 17...Bh5 $2 18.g4 ) 18.exf3 $5 {A thematic move to play f4 next.} ( 18.Bxf3 {is also possible, with a slight edge.} ) 18...a5 19.Qb3 ( 19.f4 $2 Bb2 ) 19...axb4 20.axb4 g5 $5 {What a difficult move to play. Nakamura was critical about it, but it's one of the top choices of my computer! The idea is to avoid f3-f4, but at the cost of weakening the f5-square and the kingside in general.} ( 20...Bd4 {is safer:} 21.Rfd1 Bxc5 22.Rxc5 ( 22.bxc5 Qc7 ) 22...Rc8 {with good drawing chances.} ) 21.Rfd1 Bd6 22.Qd3 Qe7 23.Qd2 {Preparing Re1, fighting for the open file.} 23...h6 24.Re1 Qf8 25.Qd4 Rxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Qg7 $2 ( 26...Re8 $1 {is the best move and the machine shows that Black is able to achieve a draw.} 27.Rxe8 ( 27.Rd1 Qe7 {is not dangerous.} ) 27...Nxe8 28.Qxd5 ( 28.Nxb7 Bxb4 29.f4 Qe7 30.Bxd5 Nf6 {White's knight is badly placed on b7.} ) 28...Bxc5 ( 28...b6 {is also playable.} ) 29.Qxc5 ( 29.bxc5 Ng7 30.Qxb7 Qxc5 {with a drawing position.} ) 29...Qxc5 30.bxc5 Ng7 31.f4 Ne6 32.fxg5 hxg5 33.Bxb7 Nxc5 {With pawns on the same flank, Black's path to a draw is not difficult.} ) 27.Bf1 h5 28.Bd3 $6 ( 28.Rd1 {is more accurate, protecting the queen and avoiding tricks that we will see in future variations.} 28...h4 29.g4 {with the advantage.} ) 28...h4 29.gxh4 ( 29.g4 {Now things are not so clear:} 29...b6 30.Na6 Re8 31.Rd1 Nh5 $1 {An important detail that gives black counterchances. This is why it's so important to have the queen on d4 protected.} 32.Qxd5 Rd8 $1 {with good chances since} 33.gxh5 $2 {loses the queen to} 33...Bh2+ ) 29...Qh6 $6 ( 29...gxh4+ $2 {is bad:} 30.Kh1 {with a strong attack on the g-file.} ) ( 29...Nh5 $1 {is the right way to go. Black has enough counterplay:} 30.Qxg7+ Kxg7 31.hxg5 Nf4 32.Bf5 b6 33.Nd7 ( 33.Nd3 Nxd3 34.Bxd3 Rh8 35.Kg2 Rh5 $1 {with a draw.} ) 33...Rh8 34.Nxb6 Bxb4 {Black's position is active and the draw is likely.} ) 30.Bf5 $1 ( 30.hxg5 $2 Qxh3 ) 30...gxh4 31.Kh1 Re8 32.Rg1+ Kf8 33.Nd3 Qh5 {Nakamura shows his usual resilience. It's impressive the amount of chances he is able to create in difficult positions.} 34.Bg4 ( 34.Qxf6 {leads to a draw after} 34...Qxf3+ 35.Rg2 Qd1+ 36.Rg1 Qf3+ ) 34...Qh6 35.Bf5 Qh5 36.Bg4 Qh6 37.b5 {White goes for the win. He has good reasons for optimism.} ( 37.Qb6 {is very tempting.} 37...Ng8 {The only move.} 38.Qxb7 Ne7 {Preparing f7-f5. White is a pawn up, but it's not so simple to win.} ) 37...Re7 38.Bc8 $5 Rc7 39.Bf5 Rc4 $2 {This move loses.} ( 39...Qh5 $1 40.Bg4 ( 40.Qxf6 {is again a draw:} 40...Qxf3+ 41.Rg2 Qd1+ 42.Rg1 Qf3+ ) 40...Qh6 {It's still not easy to break the resistance.} ) 40.Qb6 $2 ( 40.Qa1 $1 {The queen is ready to go to a8 and the attack is decisive, for instance:} 40...Ne8 41.Re1 $1 {Black is not surviving this. The bishop on f5 plays an important role, preventing Black's rook from coming back to the defense using the c8-square.} ) ( 40.Qa7 {is also tempting and good, although the machine believes 40.Qa1 is even better.} ) 40...Ne8 $1 {Great defense and counterattack. The game quickly turns around now.} 41.Qxb7 $2 ( 41.Bg4 {Maybe it's better just to come back with the bishop. The game has become double-edged.} ) 41...Qf6 $1 {This is the idea. The bishop is in trouble. It seems White is losing now, but there's still a chance.} 42.Qd7 $2 {The last mistake.} ( 42.Bg4 {It's actually not easy for Black to win the game after this move.} 42...Rxg4 ( 42...Rd4 {White also has chances after this move, if he finds some computer moves:} 43.Qc8 Rxd3 44.Re1 Be7 45.b6 $1 {with a complex position, since the pawn cannot be taken:} 45...Qxb6 $2 46.Bd7 {and Black no longer can take the f3-pawn with the queen.} ) 43.Rxg4 Qxf3+ 44.Kg1 Qxh3 ( 44...Qxd3 45.Rxh4 {also keeps the game going.} ) 45.Qd7 $1 {Surprisingly Black is not mating with 45...Bh2+ and after} 45...Qxd3 46.Rxh4 {the game is not yet over.} ) 42...Rc7 43.Rg8+ Kxg8 44.Qxe8+ Kg7 45.Bg4 Qe7 46.Qa8 ( 46.Qxe7 Rxe7 {followed by ...Rb7 and capturing the b5-pawn.} ) 46...Qe2 47.Qa1+ Kg8 48.b6 Rc3 49.Qg1 Kf8 50.Nc1 Qc2 {A fantastic comeback by Nakamura.} 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2688"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[ECO "B95"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[Beauty "8247545179656"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qe2 {A common square for the queen, but not very popular without playing 7.f4 first. Svidler had tried this move before in 2023.} 7...Be7 8.h4 {It becomes clear that White has no intention of playing f2-f4 and is aiming for a new way of playing against the Najdorf. This is a flexible move that fulfills many functions: It defends the h4-bishop, starts the kingside pawn advance, and paves the way for the rook development on h3.} 8...h6 ( 8...b5 {is also a very sensible move and was played against Svidler:} 9.a3 Bb7 10.O-O-O Nbd7 11.g4 Rc8 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.g5 Bxd4 14.Rxd4 Rxc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 14...h6 {is the computer's suggestion.} ) 15.bxc3 Qa5 16.Kb2 Nc5 {with a complicated game in Svidler-Hakobyan, Aimchess (rapid) 2023.} ) 9.Bd2 ( 9.Be3 {has also been played before.} ) 9...Qb6 {A typical move in the Sicilian, forcing the knight back.} ( 9...b5 {is also playable when White must play} 10.a3 {preventing b5-b4.} ) 10.Nb3 h5 {The first new move of the game. Van Foreest avoids the advance of g2-g4.} ( 10...Qc7 11.g4 {was played in Bakre-Sriram, Mumbai 2003.} ) 11.O-O-O Qc7 12.Rh3 {One of the main ideas of White's setup is this typical rook lift on the third rank. The rook is now able to attack and defend at the same time.} ( 12.f3 {is a serious alternative, followed by g4.} ) 12...Nbd7 {It's also possible to develop the knight on c6, for instance:} ( 12...b5 13.a3 Nc6 {The knight is useful to support the b5-b4 advance.} ) 13.Rg3 g6 ( 13...O-O {This shows the difference between computer chess and human chess. My machine is not afraid of castling with this scary rook on g3 and many attacking ideas for White. This is a move I'd not even consider in this position with the pawn still on g7.} ) 14.Bg5 {The bishop is back to an attacking post.} 14...b5 15.a3 {A necessary move to avoid b5-b4.} 15...Bb7 16.Qe1 {White has other possibilities, and in general Svidler got exactly what he wanted from the opening: a double-edged fight without theory.} ( 16.Kb1 ) ( 16.f4 ) 16...Rc8 {A good move, developing the rook. Castling on the queenside is not really an option.} ( 16...O-O-O $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is very dangerous with this rook on g3 possibly going to the queenside. White has many winning continuations:} 17.Bxb5 ( 17.Nxb5 axb5 18.Nd4 {is good enough for a winning attack.} ) ( 17.a4 b4 18.Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...bxc3 19.Rxc3 Nc5 20.e5 dxe5 21.Rdc4 {is also very good for White.} ) 17...axb5 18.Nxb5 Qb6 19.Qb4 {with a decisive attack.} ) 17.Bd3 Nc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It turns out this move is not very useful for Black.} ( 17...d5 {is an option, although it looks crazy to open the game with the king in the middle. But after} 18.exd5 Nxd5 {the computer finds nothing clearcut for White and evaluates the position as equal.} ) 18.Kb1 {The good old Kb1 is always necessary in the Sicilian.} 18...O-O {This move was criticized by Svidler in the post-game interview, but it's not so bad according to the machine. The problem is that it's not easy to play with Black: He has no clear way of developing the attack on the queenside, and the king has no safe place to hide.} ( 18...Nxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Rgxd3 O-O 20.f3 {followed by g4 with a strong attack.} ) ( 18...Nxb3 19.cxb3 O-O {is possible, but Black will face a strong attack.} ) 19.Nxc5 dxc5 ( 19...Qxc5 {Svidler expected this capture. White keeps the initiative with} 20.f4 ) 20.e5 Nd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a big mistake.} ( 20...Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way to survive. After} 21.Bxe7 Qxe7 22.f3 Nh6 {it seems that Black's position is not as bad as it looks. Even so, White keeps fierce pressure with the accurate} 23.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The game may continue:} 23...c4 24.Bxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...fxg6 25.Rxg6+ Kh7 26.Rg5 {Followed by Ng3 and capturing the pawn on h5 with the advantage for White.} ) 21.Nxd5 Bxd5 22.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] All of White's pieces take part in the attack now, while Black's king is unprotected. Even the rook on d1 will play a key role, as the game will show.} 22...c4 23.Bxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The deadly blow.} 23...fxg6 24.Bxe7 Qxe7 25.Rxg6+ Kh8 26.Rh6+ ( 26.Qh6+ {also wins:} 26...Qh7 27.Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...exd5 ( 27...Qxh6 28.Rxh6+ Kg7 29.Rxe6 ) 28.Qg5 {Followed by 29.Rh6.} ) 26...Kg7 ( 26...Kg8 {loses to} 27.Qg3+ Qg7 ( 27...Kf7 28.Rh7+ ) 28.Rg6 ) 27.Rxh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has no defense, and van Foreest didn't bother to check Svidler's accuracy.} ( 27.Rxh5 Rg8 ( 27...Rh8 28.Qg3+ Kf7 29.Qf4+ Kg7 30.Rg5+ Kh7 31.Rxd5 exd5 32.Qf5+ Kh6 33.Qg6# ) ( 27...Kg6 28.Rh6+ Kg7 29.Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook joins the attack, and the game is over.} ) 28.Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...exd5 29.Qh6+ Kf7 30.Qh7+ Rg7 ( 30...Kf8 31.Qf5+ Kg7 32.Rh7# ) 31.Qf5+ {Picking up the rook on c8.} ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Narayanan, SL."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2656"]
[ECO "C81"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7903813588508"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 {The Open Variation of the Ruy Lopez is a defense with an excellent reputation and played from time to time at the elite level.} 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Qe2 Be7 10.Rd1 O-O 11.c3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] 11.c4 is played in the vast majority of the games. Moving the pawn only one square forward is a fresh idea that quickly takes the game out of well-known paths.} 11...Nc5 {Narayanan took more than 10 minutes to play this, indicating he was surprised by Gukesh's previous move.} ( 11...f6 {This is a typical break in this line, and it's a critical move. An important correspondence game continued:} 12.exf6 Bxf6 13.Be3 Ne5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5 {and eventually ended in a draw in Grabliauskas-Novikovas, ICCF email 2018.} ) 12.Bc2 Bg4 13.h3 {Gukesh was probably out of book as well, since he thought for nearly 20 minutes before playing this.} ( 13.b4 ) ( 13.Nbd2 ) 13...Bh5 14.Nbd2 {This position has never occurred before in a grandmaster game.} 14...Re8 ( 14...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again this break is a good option.} 15.e6 ( 15.exf6 Bxf6 ( 15...Rxf6 {is also possible with a complicated game after} 16.Nb3 {It turns out that the capture on f3 is not so dangerous as it seems at first sight.} ) 16.Nb3 Re8 17.Be3 Ne4 {with chances for both sides.} ) 15...Qd6 {Black is close to equality.} ) 15.Nb3 Bf8 {A new move.} ( 15...Bxf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] was played in a blitz game, but it's a losing move.} 16.Qxf3 Nxe5 17.Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Ng6 18.Rxd5 {with a winning position for White in Mazur-Zanette, Titled Tuesday 2021.} ) 16.g4 {Necessary since the e5-pawn is attacked.} 16...Bg6 17.Nxc5 Bxc5 ( 17...Bxc2 18.Qxc2 Bxc5 19.Bf4 {leads to a small advantage for White.} ) 18.b4 {This move is typical of the Ruy Lopez, preparing Bb3 or a4 next, but it's not the best here.} ( 18.Bxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives more chances of an advantage.} 18...hxg6 19.Bf4 f6 {Black must strike in the center to create counterplay.} 20.e6 ( 20.Qd3 {leads to an endgame with good drawing chances for Black after} 20...fxe5 21.Qxd5+ Qxd5 22.Rxd5 Bxf2+ 23.Kxf2 exf4 24.Rc5 Na5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Rxc7 Nc4 ) 20...Qc8 21.Rxd5 Rxe6 22.Qd3 {White has some pressure.} ) 18...Bb6 {A good move, although there are options.} ( 18...Bf8 $6 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is not good:} 19.Bb3 Be4 20.Bf4 {with advantage for White.} ) ( 18...Bd6 {Tactics make this move possible.} 19.Bxg6 ( 19.Rxd5 Bxc2 20.Qxc2 Nxe5 {is good for Black.} ) 19...hxg6 20.Rxd5 ( 20.Bf4 Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Bxe5 Bxe5 22.Nxe5 f6 {with equality.} ) 20...Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Nxe5 f6 {with good equalizing chances, for instance:} 22.Bf4 fxe5 23.Bg3 e4 ) ( 18...Nxe5 {Even this move is interesting:} 19.Nxe5 Bd6 20.f4 ( 20.Bxg6 hxg6 {followed by f7-f6, transposing to the lines seen previously.} ) 20...f6 21.Bb3 fxe5 22.Bxd5+ Bf7 23.Bxa8 Qxa8 {with good compensation for the exchange.} ) 19.Bf4 ( 19.Bb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19...Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Nxe5 Qf6 {with a good position for Black. Taking on d5 even loses after} 21.Rxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21...c6 ) 19...Qd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The beginning of Black's problems.} ( 19...Qf6 $3 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] is a fantastic resource that solves all the problems and gives Black a good game.} 20.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 20.exf6 Rxe2 {is excellent for Black.} ) ( 20.Qd2 Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Nxe5 Bxc2 22.Nd7 Qg6 {with a good position.} ) 20...Qe6 21.Bb3 Nxe5 ( 21...Be4 {is also possible:} 22.Bf4 Rad8 {with chances for both sides.} ) 22.Bxd5 Nxf3+ 23.Qxf3 Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Bxe4 Qxe4 {The game will likely end in a draw.} ) 20.Bb3 Ne7 21.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now White finally has the typical Spanish pressure.} 21...c5 ( 21...c6 {is more solid but also more passive.} 22.Nd4 {with the possible plan of Bg3 followed by the advance of the f-pawn.} ) 22.bxc5 Bxc5 23.Nd4 {A natural move, but the machine indicates two alternatives that are more promising.} ( 23.Bg5 {wins the d5-pawn, although it simplifies the position.} 23...Qc7 24.Bxe7 Bxe7 25.Bxd5 Rad8 26.axb5 axb5 ) ( 23.Nh4 {is the computer's favorite move, with the idea of capturing the bishop at some point or playing Kg2-Bg3 and f2-f4. It's not an easy move, since we learn from an early age that the knight should go to the center, exactly what Gukesh played.} ) 23...b4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23...Bxd4 {The knight should be captured.} 24.Rxd4 {with a slight advantage for White.} ( 24.cxd4 Rac8 ) ) 24.cxb4 Bxb4 25.Rac1 {The knight is very strong on d4; White has a better pawn structure, more active pieces, and all sorts of tactical possibilities.} 25...Ba5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25...Qb7 {is more stubborn, but the position is very difficult to defend after} 26.e6 ) 26.Nc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This looks like a deadly blow, and I was really impressed by it. The computer, unfortunately, sometimes takes away our illusions.} ( 26.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger, with the idea of taking the knight and playing Nc6 next. White has a winning advantage.} ) 26...Nxc6 27.Bxd5 {In order to survive, Black has to find a series of incredible moves from now on.} 27...Nb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 27...Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] keeps the game going:} 28.Bxa8 Nd3 29.Qf3 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move, avoiding a potential attack by White's a8-bishop and removing the queen from the pin.} 30.Rxd3 Bxd3 31.Qxd3 Rxa8 32.Qd5 Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another forced move. Black still has a long defense ahead, but it's still possible to dream with a draw.} ) 28.Bxa8 {White is an exchange up for no compensation.} 28...Qxa4 29.Ra1 Qb3 30.Be4 Bxe4 31.Qxe4 Qxh3 32.Be3 ( 32.Bg3 {is also winning, keeping the e5-pawn protected.} ) 32...Bc7 $5 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting trap.} 33.Rac1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 33.Qxb4 $4 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] allows a surprising attack after} 33...Bxe5 ) 33...Bb8 ( 33...Bxe5 34.Qxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...Qxg4+ ( 34...Rxe5 35.Rc8+ ) 35.Kf1 Qh3+ 36.Ke1 Qh1+ 37.Ke2 {The checks are over.} ) 34.Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Defending the e5-pawn.} ( 34.Qxb4 $4 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 34...Bxe5 ) 34...h5 35.Rdc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Precision until the end. The rook is going to c8.} ( 35.Qxb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 35...Bxe5 36.Rxe5 Rxe5 {This is also winning, but the move played in the game is much better.} ) 35...Qxg4+ 36.Qxg4 hxg4 37.Rc8 {Another powerful display by Gukesh. In my opinion, he is the most promising young player in the world and a very likely candidate to become world champion in the coming years.} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Abbasov, Nijat"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[ECO "D53"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7563168973359"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 dxc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This same variation was played in the second game of the match.} 7.e3 c5 8.Bxc4 cxd4 9.exd4 {More ambitious than} ( 9.Nxd4 Bd7 {that usually leads to easy equality. Let's not forget Abasov needed to win in order to survive in the match.} ) 9...O-O 10.O-O Nc6 {Giri played this position in an important classical game in 2023.} 11.Re1 ( 11.Rc1 {was Abdusattorov's choice, but he got no advantage:} 11...b6 12.a3 Bb7 13.Bg3 Bd6 14.Ne5 Rc8 {Black was fine in Abdusattorov-Giri, Norway Chess 2023.} ) 11...Nh5 {A typical device in such positions, played in order to exchange bishops and simplify the position.} 12.Bxe7 Nxe7 13.Ne5 ( 13.d5 {is not enough to play for a win. This was played in the second game of the match and the position was equal after} 13...exd5 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.Bxd5 Nf4 16.Be4 Be6 ) 13...Nf6 14.a4 {This mysterious pawn move is a prepared opening novelty.} ( 14.Qd3 Bd7 {was played in Sarana-Lysyj, Titled Tuesday 2020.} ) ( {White can start the bold attacking plan immediately with} 14.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] as well.} ) 14...a6 {What's the meaning of the last two moves $2 It's not so easy to explain, although the computer likes both. White's a4 is useful to gain space with a4-a5 in some lines and maybe a rook lift with Ra3, heading to the kingside. Giri's move is also not easy to understand at first sight. One subtle point might be that now the a7-square is available for the rook in case Black plays ...b6 and White replies with Qf3.} ( 14...b6 15.Qf3 {with the pawn on a6 Black can play ...Ra7 here.} 15...Rb8 16.Qg3 ) ( 14...Nc6 15.Nxc6 bxc6 16.a5 {A plan like this might be an explanation for Abasov's a-pawn push.} ( 16.Ne4 {is probably more accurate.} ) ) ( 14...Bd7 15.Qb3 {Giri probably didn't like this position, although Black still has enough resources to equalize.} ) 15.h4 {Another surprising pawn push on the flank $1 Abasov's play has a very modern feel. The point of this move will soon become clear.} 15...Bd7 {Of course Black has other options.} ( 15...Nc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is not the best:} 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Ne4 {with a slight advantage for White.} ) ( 15...b6 {is a critical option, justifying Black's previous move.} ) ( 15...Nf5 16.d5 Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is computer play: strange but good.} ) 16.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] That's it. A plan that is not very common in positions with an isolated queen pawn, since the attack is most often developed with pieces and not with pawns. Classical rules state that usually the center needs to be closed in order for a pawn storm to be successful. That's why I think Abasov's idea has a modern feel. Or maybe this is just the bravery of someone who desperately needs to win.} 16...Nc6 {A good move, although Black needs to follow with utmost precision. White also has a dangerous attack after other natural moves:} ( 16...Nfd5 17.g5 hxg5 18.hxg5 ) ( 16...Bc6 17.g5 hxg5 18.hxg5 ) 17.g5 hxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This already leads to disaster. Black shouldn't exchange pawns.} ( 17...Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.dxe5 ( 18.Rxe5 Nh7 {with complicated play.} ) 18...Nh7 19.gxh6 {Now comes computer precision:} ( 19.Ne4 hxg5 20.hxg5 Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black is fine.} ( 20...Nxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21.Qh5 {gives White a strong attack.} ) ) 19...Qxh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 19...gxh6 20.Qh5 {is better for White.} ) 20.Re4 Qxh6 21.Qxd7 {It seems that Black is lost, but the counterplay is enough to save the game after} 21...Qg5+ 22.Kf1 Rfd8 23.Qxb7 Rab8 {For instance:} 24.Qa7 Qh5 25.Kg2 Qg5+ 26.Kf1 Qh5 {with a draw.} ) 18.hxg5 Nxe5 19.Rxe5 Nh7 20.Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has a decisive attack.} 20...Rc8 21.Bd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The wrong square, allowing Black to breathe.} ( 21.Ba2 {Black is paralyzed. White only needs to find a way to bring a rook to the h-file.} 21...Bc6 ( 21...f5 22.Rxe6 {wins.} ) 22.Rd1 {with the idea of Rd3-h3.} ) 21...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The worst is over for Giri.} 22.gxf6 ( 22.f4 Be8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The d-pawn falls.} ) ( 22.g6 Qg5+ {with a queen exchange.} ) 22...Nxf6 23.Qh4 Kf7 {A sensible move that will work well, but it's not the most accurate.} ( 23...Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 24.Rae1 {24.Qg3 or 24. d5 (both moves transpose to the same variation) are very dangerous for Black.} ( 24.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Rh8 ( 24...exd5 25.Nxd5 {with a strong attack. The point is:} 25...Nxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26.Qh5+ ) 25.Qg3 Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 25...exd5 26.Rae1 {with a strong attack.} ) 26.dxe6 Bc6 27.Ne4 Nxe4 28.Bxe4 Bxe4 29.Rxe4 Rh5 {An unbelievable defense from the computer. I doubt any human would play this. Maybe Carlsen, but he doesn't count. If} 30.e7 Qd5 31.e8=Q+ Rxe8 32.Rxe8+ Kf7 {and Black escapes by a miracle.} ) ( 24.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Rh8 25.d5 {transposes.} ) 24...Rh8 25.Qg5 ( 25.Qf4 Rh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the plan of bringing the queen to h8.} ) 25...Rh6 ( 25...Bc6 {is also possible:} 26.d5 Nxd5 27.Qg6+ Kf8 28.Nxd5 Bxd5 29.Rh5 Rxh5 30.Qxh5 {White's compensation is enough for equality, but not more.} ) 26.R1e3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White is in trouble now. 26.Ne4 or 26.Be4 keeps the game equal.} ( 26.Ne4 ) ( 26.Be4 ) 26...Bc6 27.Kf1 ( 27.f3 Qh8 {with a strong attack.} ) 27...Nd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 27...Qxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins the game:} 28.Rxe6 ( 28.Rg3 Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight cannot be captured.} ) 28...Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack, for instance:} 29.Re7 Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 28.Rg3 Qxg5 29.Rexg5 {The position is equal, but not drawn. White can still pose some problems.} 29...Rg8 ( 29...Rh1+ 30.Ke2 Rg8 {is possible.} ) 30.Bg6+ Kf6 ( 30...Ke7 {is probably a better square for the king.} ) 31.Be4 Ne7 ( 31...Nxc3 32.Bxc6 Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an important intermediate move.} ( 32...bxc6 33.bxc3 {with lasting pressure for White in the endgame.} ) 33.Kxe2 bxc6 {The d-pawn can be attacked and Black has good drawing chances.} ) 32.Bxc6 Nxc6 33.Ne4+ Kf7 34.Rf3+ ( 34.R5g4 {is also interesting.} ) 34...Ke7 35.Rb3 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Giri defends very well.} 36.Rc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 36.axb5 Nxd4 ) 36...Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another forced move.} 37.axb5 axb5 38.f3 Nxd4 39.Rc7+ Kf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder that immediately loses the game.} ( 39...Kd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is correct. Black has a narrow escape after} 40.Rgc5 {Threatening mate in two.} 40...Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} 41.Nd6 Re7 ) 40.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...Rf4 {The only way to avoid mate.} 41.Rg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...Rxf3+ ( 41...Rxg4 42.Rf7# ) 42.Kg2 {Black loses material: the knight is protecting the rook and the rook has to protect the f7-square.} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.09"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2701"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[Beauty "6530095125000"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Bb4 {Another recent opening trend, spicing the game a bit compared to the more solid 5...Be7.} 6.e3 h6 7.Bf4 {A rare move that has been played by Keymer before.} ( 7.Bh4 {is the most natural} ) ( 7.Bxf6 {has also been played many times.} ) 7...Bf5 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 c6 {Carlsen improves Black's play compared to the earlier Keymer game.} ( 9...O-O 10.Ne2 c6 11.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Starting an attack on the kingside, exploiting the pawn on h6. White has the initiative. This was played in Keymer-Gukesh, Biel 2022.} ) 10.Ne2 Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 10...O-O {Transposes to Keymer's game against Gukesh.} ) 11.Be5 Nd7 12.h3 {Creating a retreat route for the bishop.} 12...Nhf6 ( 12...Nxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad because the knight on h5 is in danger after} 13.dxe5 ) 13.Bh2 O-O {Carlsen's opening play was a success: the position is equal. Compared to normal Queen's Gambit Declined positions, the light-squared bishops have been exchanged and this clearly favors Black: the position is simplified and the c4-square is weakened after White's typical plan of advancing the pawn minority on the queenside.} 14.a3 Ba5 {It's hard to say where the bishop is better placed. Another option was to retreat it to e7.} ( 14...Be7 ) 15.O-O Re8 ( 15...Bc7 {can be played immediately in order to exchange bishops.} ) 16.Rac1 {It's not so clear that the rook is useful on c1. The more natural option is to start the advance of the pawns on the queenside immediately.} ( 16.b4 Bc7 17.Bxc7 Qxc7 18.b5 Nb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Exploiting the weak c4-square.} ( 18...c5 {is less accurate:} 19.dxc5 Qxc5 20.Rfd1 Nb6 21.a4 {with some slight pressure for White.} ) 19.bxc6 bxc6 {with equal play.} ) 16...Qe7 ( 16...Bc7 {Again this natural move is playable. The position remains equal after} 17.Bxc7 Qxc7 18.b4 Qd6 ) 17.b4 Bd8 18.Ng3 {The knignt heads to f5.} ( 18.b5 {loses the a3-pawn:} 18...Qxa3 ) 18...Bc7 ( 18...g6 {is also very natural, protecting the f5-square.} ) 19.Nf5 Bxh2+ 20.Kxh2 Qe6 21.Ng3 Qd6 {We're not used to Carlsen losing a chess game, let alone in this kind of technical position where he has no problems.} 22.Kg1 a5 23.Qb1 ( 23.bxa5 {is a decent option, with equality after} 23...Rxa5 24.a4 ) 23...Nb6 {This looks very good, but Keymer finds a tactical way to simplify the position.} ( 23...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is an interesting way to set practical problems. The plan is clear: Nb6-c4. White must act quickly.} 24.bxa5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 24...Qxa3 ( 24...Rxa5 25.Qb4 Qxb4 26.axb4 Ra6 {The endgame remains equal, although I think it's easier to play with Black.} ) 25.Na2 b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 25...Rxa5 26.Nb4 Ra4 27.Nxc6 Rc4 {is also possible.} ) 26.Rxc6 Reb8 27.Nc1 Qxa5 {with a slightly more comfortable position for Black.} ) 24.bxa5 Nc4 25.Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 25.Qxb7 $4 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] The queen is trapped after} 25...Reb8 ) 25...Rxa5 ( 25...Qc7 {if Black avoids the queen exchange, then} 26.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives White counterplay.} ) 26.Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very important resource to avoid a worse position.} 26...Nxd5 ( 26...cxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27.Rxc4 {is bad for Black.} ) ( 26...Qxb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27.Nxf6+ gxf6 28.axb4 {wins material.} ) 27.Qxc4 Rxa3 {Black has a passed b-pawn but White has a mobile center.} 28.Qc5 {A solid decision, forcing the queen exchange.} 28...Qxc5 29.Rxc5 Rea8 ( 29...g6 {is natural, restricting the knight's mobility.} ) 30.Nf5 h5 {Improving the pawn structure and getting ready to play ...g7-g6. Black has other options that don't change the evaluation.} ( 30...Kf8 ) ( 30...Rb3 ) ( 30...Ra2 ) 31.g4 hxg4 32.hxg4 Ra2 33.Rb1 Ra1 34.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 35.Kg2 Kf8 36.g5 {Both sides played natural moves and we arrive at the critical moment of the game.} 36...Nc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] An unfortunate blunder by Carlsen. Black loses a pawn and the game. From now on he doesn't have a chance.} ( 36...g6 {is necessary. After} 37.Nd6 Rb1 {The game must likely would end in a draw.} ) 37.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suddenly Black is lost. White threatens not only the b7-pawn but also 38.Rf5.} 37...g6 ( 37...Rb1 {offers no salvation after} 38.Rf5 f6 ( 38...Ke7 39.Nxf7 ) 39.gxf6 gxf6 40.Rxf6+ Ke7 41.Rh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 41.Ne4 {is less accurate due to} 41...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42.dxc5 Rb4 43.Rf4 Ne6 {with some drawing chances.} ) ) 38.Nxb7 Rb1 {Keymer said he had many tempting options at this point and that it was difficult to judge which was the best. The way he played is quite good.} 39.Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39...Rb5 40.Rxb5 cxb5 41.Nc6 Ke8 ( 41...Nd5 42.Kf3 b4 43.Na5 Ke7 44.e4 {White has a monster center and the king is coming to the queenside.} ) 42.Nb4 {The knight is very well placed here, blockading the passed pawn. Black has no counterplay. There's an endgame rule that states that knight endgames are the closest to king and pawn endgames: usually a pawn advantage is enough to win. Another important detail is that there are pawns on both flanks and this helps White.} 42...Ke7 43.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's pawn chain makes a good impression.} 43...Kd6 44.Kf3 Ne6 45.Ke2 Ng7 46.e4 Nh5 47.Kf3 Ng7 48.Nd3 Nh5 49.Ke3 Ng3 50.d5 {The pawns are ready to go forward.} 50...Kc7 51.Kd4 Kb6 52.Ne5 b4 53.Nxf7 b3 54.Ne5 Ne2+ 55.Ke3 Kb5 ( 55...b2 56.Nc4+ {picks up the b2-pawn.} ) 56.Nd3 Nc3 57.d6 Kc6 58.e5 {All of White's pawns are protected and he can calmly go after the b3-pawn if he wants.} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2701"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[Beauty "6254546156552"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 Bc5 6.Bg5 {It seems there's much left to discover, even in such heavily studied openings like the Ruy Lopez. There are not many games in this position, and in a couple of moves, the game will leave theoretical territory.} 6...h6 7.Bh4 d6 8.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A new one in this position. I'm not sure whether this was preparation or not, but it's the computer's first choice. White doesn't get an advantage, but it's a new position with a lot to play for.} 8...exd4 9.Nxd4 Bd7 10.Bxc6 ( 10.Nxc6 {This capture is also possible.} 10...Bxc6 11.Bxc6+ bxc6 {with a balanced position.} ) 10...bxc6 ( 10...Bxc6 {is also possible.} ) 11.Nc3 O-O 12.Qd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Carlsen wants to send the king to the queenside to sharpen the game. This is more dangerous than castling short.} 12...Bb4 ( 12...Qe7 13.O-O-O Qe5 {This is the computer's choice, and we will see a similar plan in the game. To be honest, it's not a very human way to play when the queen can be attacked by both the knight and the bishop.} 14.Bg3 ( 14.Nf3 Qe6 15.e5 Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Despite some strange moves, Black's position is ok.} ) 14...Qg5+ ( 14...Qxd4 15.Qxd4 Bxd4 16.Rxd4 {with a slightly better endgame for White.} ) 15.f4 Qg6 {The computer is not afraid to send the queen to this strange place.} ) 13.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A necessary prophylactic move.} ( 13.O-O-O $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad because Black can shatter White's pawn structure with} 13...Bxc3 {since} 14.Qxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a pawn after} 14...Nxe4 ) 13...Qe7 14.O-O-O Rfe8 15.f3 Qe5 {On the board, we have a complicated middlegame fight with chances for both sides, which is not a bad situation for Carlsen. His next move, however, is a blunder.} 16.a3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White has a few options:} ( 16.f4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is premature because it's not easy to defend the e4-pawn:} 16...Qe6 17.f5 ( 17.e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17...Nd5 18.Nxd5 cxd5 19.Qxd5 Qxd5 20.Rxd5 Bc6 {is good for Black.} ) 17...Qe5 18.Bg3 Qe7 19.Bh4 {with a move repetition, something that doesn't suit White.} ) ( 16.Kb1 {is natural, defending against a possible check on f4. But the king is not very safe after} 16...Rab8 ) ( 16.g4 {is interesting, starting an attack immediately. Black must strike on the center:} 16...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a complicated position.} ) ( 16.Rhf1 {is useful to prepare f3-f4 under better circumstances. The game can continue} 16...Bxc3 17.Qxc3 Qxc3 18.Nxc3 {with an endgame similar to the one played in the game.} ) 16...Bxc3 17.Qxc3 ( 17.Nxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17...Qf4+ {wins the h4-bishop.} ) 17...Qxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Keymer returns the favor.} ( {The match would essentially be over after} 17...Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Qxe5 ( 18.fxe4 Qxe4 {attacks both the knight and the bishop.} ) 18...Rxe5 {Black is a solid pawn up and has good winning chances. Even better, he only needed a draw. If} 19.fxe4 Rxe4 {Black regains the piece and will be two pawns up.} ) 18.Nxc3 {The position is more or less equal, but having realized that he was granted a second chance after his big mistake, Carlsen must have felt it was time to show his true chess.} 18...Nh7 19.g4 f6 20.h3 Nf8 {Nice maneuvering by Keymer.} 21.Bg3 ( 21.Bf2 {When watching the game, I thought Carlsen could try a plan sending the bishop to e3 and then playing h4-g5, but it's not dangerous, for instance:} 21...Ne6 22.h4 Kf7 23.Be3 c5 24.Rhg1 Bc6 25.g5 hxg5 26.hxg5 Rh8 ) 21...Ne6 22.h4 Kf7 23.h5 Rad8 ( 23...c5 {is possible:} 24.Nd5 Bc6 {with equality.} ) 24.Rhe1 Bc8 ( 24...c5 {Again, c5 is a good option. Keymer's last two moves are a bit passive, but the position remains equal.} ) 25.Rd3 Bb7 26.Nb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 26...c5 27.c4 Bc6 28.b3 Rb8 29.Bf2 Rb7 30.Nd2 {Both sides continue playing well, and the evaluation doesn't change.} 30...Reb8 31.Be3 Kg8 {Freeing the f7-square for the knight.} 32.Kc2 Nd8 33.f4 a5 {Carlsen mentioned that Keymer shouldn't have allowed e4-e5. From what I understand, he thinks 33...Nf7 is better, and the computer agrees.} ( 33...Nf7 {keeps the game equal and without much danger for now.} ) 34.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 34.a4 {Maybe Keymer thought White had to play this to avoid a5-a4.} 34...Nf7 ) 34...fxe5 35.fxe5 Nf7 36.Bf4 {The position is still equal, but it's more difficult to play with Black now.} 36...dxe5 37.Bxe5 a4 ( 37...Re8 {is a decent option.} 38.Rde3 ( 38.Bg3 Rxe1 39.Bxe1 a4 ( 39...Ne5 40.Rd8+ Kf7 41.Bf2 a4 {should also be ok for Black.} ) 40.Bg3 {with an equal, but not yet drawn, endgame.} ) 38...a4 ) 38.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...axb3+ 39.Kb2 {The b3-pawn will be captured sooner or later.} 39...Re8 40.Rxe8+ Bxe8 41.Rd5 Bc6 42.Rxc5 Bd7 {The g4-pawn falls. Keymer is defending very well, but Carlsen keeps pressing.} 43.Bd4 Bxg4 44.a4 {The a-pawn is very dangerous.} 44...Ng5 {Threatening 45...Ne6.} ( 44...Nd8 {is an alternative route:} 45.Rd5 Nc6 ) 45.Be3 Nf3 ( 45...Ne6 {This is an important alternative.} 46.Rd5 Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47.Ka3 ( 47.a5 Ra4 ) 47...Rb8 48.Nxb3 Bf3 {with good drawing chances.} ) 46.Nxf3 Bxf3 47.a5 Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move. The rook must go behind the pawn.} 48.Bd2 ( 48.a6 Ra4 ) 48...Ra4 49.Kxb3 Bd1+ 50.Kc3 {The endgame is still dangerous for Black.} 50...c6 ( 50...g6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 51.hxg6 Kg7 {is a possible alternative. A possible outcome is that Black somehow sacrifices the bishop for White's queenside pawns and has to defend the theoretically drawn endgame of rook and bishop against rook.} ) 51.Kd4 Bf3 52.Bc3 Bg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The losing move, ruthlessly exploited by Carlsen.} ( 52...Be2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way to defend.} 53.Rxc6 Kf7 {with drawing chances. A possible variation is:} ( 53...Bxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 54.Kc5 ) 54.a6 {This is not forced, but it illustrates a possible outcome of the endgame:} 54...Bxc4 55.Rxc4 Rxa6 {With a position that is drawn with best play.} ) 53.Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king marches to the queenside, and the game is over.} 53...Bh3 54.Rf4 Be6 55.Kc5 Ra3 56.Kb4 Ra2 57.Kb3 Re2 58.a6 {The pawn finally moves forward.} 58...Bh3 59.a7 Re8 60.Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 60...Ra8 61.Re7 c5 62.Rb7 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.11"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vasyl"]
[Black "Sanal, Vahap"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2672"]
[BlackElo "2591"]
[ECO "D78"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[Beauty "7150181028907"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.Nf3 {Ivanchuk played 1.c4 and 1.e4 in his two previous games with White in the match. He has always been a very versatile opening player with encyclopedic knowledge.} 1...d5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.d4 Nf6 5.O-O c6 6.c4 O-O 7.b3 Bf5 {The most common move.} ( 7...Bg4 {Sanal used this move to beat Korobov earlier in the World Cup.} 8.Bb2 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 e6 10.Nc3 Nbd7 11.e3 a6 12.Rc1 {with a typical position where White has a slight advantage and Black is solid.} ) 8.Bb2 Nbd7 9.Nbd2 Ne4 10.Nh4 Nxd2 11.Qxd2 Be6 12.e4 {The opening is a small success for White: a comfortable position without risk.} 12...Nb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a positional mistake, allowing White to gain space.} ( 12...dxe4 {is necessary. A recent game continued:} 13.Bxe4 Bh3 14.Rfe1 {with a slight advantage for White in Artemiev-Narayanan, Julius Baer Generations Cup (rapid) 2023.} ) 13.c5 {This is very tempting, but maybe not the most accurate. There are two delicious alternatives.} ( 13.exd5 cxd5 14.c5 Nd7 15.b4 {with a clear advantage due to the strong pawn majority on the queenside.} ) ( 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.e5 {is also good. The knight is poorly placed on b6.} ) 13...Nd7 14.e5 f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This makes things worse. Black is too passive and strategically lost after this move.} ( 14...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better chance.} 15.f4 fxe5 16.fxe5 b6 {Trying to break the pawn chain and exchange as many pawns as possible. Black is still worse, but this is much better than the game continuation.} ) 15.f4 {White has a huge space advantage and can maneuver at will. Ivanchuk plans a pawn advance on the queenside.} 15...Bf7 16.Rfc1 e6 17.Bf1 h6 18.Nf3 Re8 19.b4 a6 20.a4 Bf8 21.b5 Be7 22.Bc3 {White's play is very natural. The bishop may go to a5 in some lines.} 22...Rf8 23.Rcb1 ( 23.bxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is even better, since Black cannot even exchange rooks. After} 23...bxc6 24.Ba5 Qc8 25.Rcb1 {White prepares to double or even triple pieces on the b-file. Black's counterplay with g7-g5 is too slow.} ) 23...axb5 24.axb5 Rxa1 25.Rxa1 g5 {It is understandable that Black tries some activity, but the computer prefers a more passive defense with} ( 25...cxb5 26.Bxb5 Qc7 ) 26.Be2 {There are many tempting continuations. Ivanchuk decides to play safely.} ( 26.bxc6 bxc6 27.Ra7 {This looks bad for White due to} 27...Nxc5 {but there's a refutation:} 28.Ba5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Followed by 29.Qb4, winning material. It is not recommended to choose this type of line when it's possible to maintain the advantage without as much calculation.} ) ( 26.fxg5 Bh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 26...hxg5 27.Ba5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The g5-pawn falls.} ) 27.Bg2 Bxf3 28.Bxf3 hxg5 {White is still much better, but at least Black has some space on the kingside now.} ) 26...gxf4 ( 26...g4 {is an option, although there's still a lot of suffering after} 27.Ne1 cxb5 28.Bxb5 Qc7 ) 27.Qxf4 ( 27.Ba5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true] is more accurate. Black's queen has to move, then White captures on f4 with the queen, and the g5-square is no longer protected.} ) 27...Bg5 28.Nxg5 hxg5 29.Qf2 Bg6 30.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop has an eye on the kingside.} 30...cxb5 31.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White opens the game in order to exploit the dark squares around black's king.} 31...f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best chance, opening the diagonal for the g6-bishop.} 32.gxf4 gxh4 ( 32...gxf4 33.Kh2 {The rook goes to g1 and White wins easily.} ) 33.Kh2 Rf7 34.Rg1 Rg7 ( 34...Nf8 {The same device used in the game also works against this move:} 35.f5 $3 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 35...Rxf5 36.Qg2 {The dark-squared bishop may go to h6, while the other bishop is ready to land on d3. It's impossible for Black to cope with the bishop pair.} ) 35.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final breakthrough.} 35...exf5 ( 35...Bxf5 {is more stubborn, but still not enough:} 36.Bh6 Rg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Bh5 Nf8 38.Bxg6 ( 38.Bxf8 $4 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Blunder;persistent;true] is a horrible mistake that even loses after} 38...Rxg1 ) 38...Nxg6 39.Qa2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move: the queen goes to a7 and White wins easily.} ( 39.Bg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 39...Qa5 {is not so clear.} ) ) 36.Bh6 Nf8 37.Bxg7 Kxg7 38.Qxf5 {The rest is easy.} 38...Kh7 39.Qf3 Qe8 40.Bxb5 ( 40.Bd3 ) 40...Qxb5 41.Qxf8 Qe2+ 42.Rg2 Qe4 43.Qe7+ Kh6 44.Qg5+ Kh7 45.Qg4 Kh6 46.e6 Qxg4 47.Rxg4 Kh5 48.Rg1 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Gukesh, D."]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[ECO "E35"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7769193186824"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 {This is one of the best options for White in the Nimzo-Indian. What can be more logical than preparing to capture the bishop with the queen $2 The problem is that the variations are so deeply studied that it's hard to fight for an advantage against a well-prepared opponent.} 4...d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 ( 7.Bxf6 {is also possible and leads to a duller position after} 7...Qxf6 8.a3 Bxc3+ 9.Qxc3 ) 7...O-O 8.e3 c5 9.dxc5 Be6 10.Nf3 Nbd7 {This position is considered to be fine for Black, and this game doesn't challenge the evaluation.} 11.c6 {A rare move whose idea is to give back the pawn immediately in order to close the c-file.} ( 11.Be2 Rc8 12.a3 Bxc3+ 13.Qxc3 g5 14.Bg3 Ne4 15.Qc2 Ndxc5 {with a fine position for Black.} ) ( 11.a3 Bxc3+ $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 11...Bxc5 {This is not so good, and White has chances of an advantage after} 12.Bd3 Rc8 13.O-O ) 12.Qxc3 g5 13.Bg3 Ne4 14.Qc2 Ndxc5 {with a likely transposition after} 15.Be2 Rc8 ) 11...bxc6 12.Be2 Qa5 {This move was played only once before, in a Titled Tuesday game from 2016.} ( 12...c5 {is also OK for Black. The hanging pawns cannot be easily attacked.} ) 13.O-O Bxc3 {The natural continuation and a new move.} ( 13...Bd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 14.Nd4 c5 15.Nf5 {with a clear advantage for White in Holt-Moiseenko, Titled Tuesday 2016.} ) 14.bxc3 {This is better than exchanging queens.} ( 14.Qxc3 Qxc3 15.bxc3 Ne4 16.Rfc1 Rfb8 {followed by ...Rb2 with a good endgame.} ) 14...Ne4 ( 14...c5 {is also possible. The position is balanced after the natural continuation} 15.c4 dxc4 16.Bxc4 Bxc4 17.Qxc4 Nb6 18.Qc2 Nfd5 ) 15.Rfc1 ( 15.c4 {seems more to the point, although maybe he should go with a rook to c1 after 15...c5 anyway.} 15...c5 {The alternatives are worse:} ( 15...Nc3 16.Nd4 Nxe2+ 17.Qxe2 {with advantage for White.} ) ( 15...Qc3 16.Rfc1 Qxc2 17.Rxc2 g5 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.Bg3 {The computer is not concerned, but White's position looks better from a human point of view.} ) ) 15...c5 16.c4 Rab8 17.Ne1 {The idea is to play f2-f3. Gukesh said in the post-game interview that he didn't like this move.} ( 17.Bd3 {is very natural. Black can reply with the difficult} 17...Rfe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 17...f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] weakens the position too much.} 18.Bg3 ) ( 17...Rb4 {is also playable but seems riskier.} ) 18.Bxe4 dxe4 19.Qxe4 Rb2 {The a-pawn will fall, and Black achieves equality.} ) 17...Qa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding f2-f3 and preparing ...Rb2.} 18.cxd5 Bxd5 19.Qd3 Qxd3 20.Bxd3 g5 21.Bxe4 ( 21.Bg3 {is also possible:} 21...Nxg3 22.hxg3 Be6 23.Bc4 {with a likely draw.} ) 21...Bxe4 22.Bg3 Rb7 23.f3 Bg6 {The endgame is equal.} 24.Rd1 {This move is not a mistake, but it looks strange to remove the rook from the protection against the c-pawn advance.} ( 24.e4 {is natural:} 24...f5 25.exf5 Bxf5 26.Rc3 {with equality.} ) 24...Rc8 25.e4 c4 {Passed pawns must be pushed.} 26.Nc2 c3 27.Rd6 ( 27.Ne3 {is a good alternative.} 27...c2 28.Rdc1 Rb2 29.Kf1 {and White should be able to get a draw.} ) 27...Nf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Gukesh plays the endgame superbly and maximizes his chances.} ( 27...Rb2 {leads to only a draw after} 28.Rc1 Nb6 29.Ne3 Rxa2 30.Be5 Rd2 31.Rxd2 cxd2 32.Rxc8+ Nxc8 33.Bc3 ) 28.Rc1 ( 28.Be5 {is replied in the same way:} 28...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 28...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another excellent move, opening the diagonal for the bishop.} ( 28...Ne6 {is a mistake:} 29.Be5 ) ( 28...Rb2 {is also not dangerous after} 29.Be5 ) 29.Rd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The turning point of the game.} ( 29.exf5 Bxf5 {The position is dangerous, and White must find some difficult computer moves to escape.} ) ( 29.Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way:} 29...fxe4 30.Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...exf3 31.Rxc3 Rxc3 32.Bxc3 fxg2 33.Kxg2 {White has a lot of activity for the pawn, and the game will end in a draw.} ) 29...Ne6 {There are two stronger alternatives.} ( 29...fxe4 30.fxe4 Ne6 31.Rd6 ( 31.Rb4 Rxb4 ( 31...Rd7 {is also good.} ) 32.Nxb4 Bxe4 {with an easily winning position.} ) 31...Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Rxb6 axb6 {The e-pawn falls and Black wins.} ) ( 29...Rb2 {is also quite good.} ) 30.Rb4 ( 30.Rd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance, for instance:} 30...Kf7 31.Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Rc5 32.Rd5 fxe4 33.Rxc5 ( 33.fxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33...Rxd5 34.exd5 Nf4 {with a winning advantage for Black.} ) 33...Nxc5 34.Ne1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very precise defense.} ( 34.Bxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a piece after} 34...Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.Rf1 Rc7 36.fxe4+ Kg8 ) 34...exf3 35.Bxc3 fxg2 36.Nxg2 {with drawing chances in this pawn-down endgame.} ) 30...Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook invades the d-file, and White's position can no longer be saved.} ( 30...Rxb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is not good after} 31.Nxb4 fxe4 32.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 31.Ne3 ( 31.exf5 {doesn't change much:} 31...Bxf5 32.Ne3 c2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with an easy win.} ) 31...fxe4 32.fxe4 Rd3 {It's amazing how well Black's rook and knight coordinate in the next moves.} 33.Bf2 Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Rc2 Rd2 35.h3 Nd3 {White loses material.} 36.Rxd2 ( 36.Ra4 Rxf2 37.Rxf2 Nxf2 38.Kxf2 c2 ) ( 36.Rb1 Bxe4 ) 36...cxd2 37.Rd4 Rc1+ 38.Kh2 Nxf2 {Another powerful performance by Gukesh, who at the age of 17 is already a serious contender for the next world championship cycle.} 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Berkes, Ferenc"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2615"]
[ECO "C02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7080253635659"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3 Bd7 {Berkes had played this line in his World Cup match against Vitiugov.} ( 6...c4 ) ( 6...Nh6 ) 7.b4 cxd4 8.cxd4 Rc8 9.Bb2 {The development of the bishop on e3 is also very popular.} ( 9.Be3 Nh6 10.Bd3 Ng4 11.O-O Be7 12.Nbd2 Nxe3 13.fxe3 O-O 14.Nb3 Nb8 15.Qe2 a6 16.Nc5 Bb5 17.Bxb5 axb5 {with a slight advantage for White in Vitiugov-Berkes, World Cup Baku 2023.} ) 9...Nge7 ( 9...Na5 {is an important alternative that was also played in the World Cup.} 10.Nbd2 Nc4 11.Nxc4 dxc4 12.Rc1 Qa6 13.d5 exd5 14.Qxd5 Ne7 {The game later ended in a draw in Yu-Bacrot, World Cup Baku 2023.} ) 10.Nc3 Na5 11.Bd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A new move at the grandmaster level. It certainly was prepared especially for this game.} ( 11.Na4 {was played by Vitiugov:} 11...Qc6 12.Nc5 Nc4 13.Bc1 b6 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 {Black later won in Vitiugov-Berkes, World Cup Baku 2023.} ) 11...Nc4 12.Bc1 a5 {A critical move to challenge White's opening idea.} ( 12...Nxe5 {This is a move no one would dare to play without preparation.} 13.dxe5 Rxc3 14.Be3 {with good compensation for the pawn.} ) ( 12...Ng6 {is an important and maybe better alternative.} 13.Na4 Qa6 ( 13...Qc6 14.Nc5 b6 {allowing White to take on d7 is dangerous since the position is generally difficult to defend.} 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.h4 {with the initiative for White.} ) 14.Nc5 Bxc5 15.bxc5 ( 15.dxc5 Qc6 16.Qe2 ( 16.Nd4 Qc7 17.f4 b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is in time to fight for counterplay.} ) 16...Qc7 {with a complicated game.} ) 15...b6 16.cxb6 Qa5+ 17.Bd2 Nxd2 18.Qxd2 axb6 19.Qxa5 bxa5 20.Kd2 {with a slightly better endgame for White.} ) 13.O-O $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...axb4 14.Rb1 {I suspect this was still preparation by Praggnanandhaa.} 14...Qa7 ( 14...Ng6 {it's a critical move, but it's necessary to play like a machine.} 15.axb4 Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A fantastic idea.} 16.Nxh4 {White has other interesting alternatives, but to analyze them would take us too far. The position is very complicated.} 16...Qxd4 {Black will regain the piece, and apparently his position is playable.} ) 15.axb4 b5 {A good plan: Black prepares to return the queen to b6 and maybe play the knight to c6 later.} 16.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Useful prophylaxis against ...Ng6 and also a natural move to attack on the kingside.} 16...Qb6 17.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I like this move a lot. The idea is to play Re2-a2.} 17...h6 {A defensive move that is necessary sooner or later.} ( 17...Nc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is premature:} 18.Bxc4 bxc4 ( 18...dxc4 19.d5 {with a deadly initiative.} ) 19.b5 {with a big advantage.} ) 18.Re2 Bc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is too slow. The problem with Black's position is that it's impossible to defend without going for razor-sharp variations.} ( 18...Ra8 {Challenging the a-file is a natural choice.} 19.Bxc4 dxc4 ( 19...bxc4 20.b5 {is good for White.} ) 20.d5 Nxd5 ( 20...exd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a winning attack.} 21...Bxe6 ( 21...fxe6 22.Ne5 ) 22.Nd4 ) 21.Nxd5 exd5 22.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Bxe6 23.Bb2 {with a strong initiative.} ) ( 18...Nc6 {This is the best move.} 19.Bxc4 dxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.d5 exd5 21.Nxd5 Qb7 {The computer holds Black's position, although it looks very dangerous for a human game, for instance:} 22.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Bxe6 {White has many tempting continuations, but the machine (and maybe only it) defends the position.} 23.Bb2 ( 23.Qc2 ) ( 23.Qe1 ) ) 19.Ra2 {White has a big advantage now.} 19...Bb7 20.Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another great move. The rook cannot be captured. On the board, we have a typical \"French nightmare.\"} 20...Bc6 ( 20...Nxa5 21.bxa5 Qxa5 22.Nxb5 Nc6 23.Nd6+ ( 23.Bf4 {is also good.} ) ( 23.Bd2 Qd8 24.Na7 {with the initiative.} ) 23...Bxd6 24.exd6 Ba8 25.Bf4 O-O 26.Bc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by Qd3 with monster compensation for the exchange.} ) 21.Qe2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is White's only mistake in the game.} ( 21.Rba1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger.} 21...Nxa5 22.bxa5 Qb8 {Now White has many ways to improve the initiative:} 23.Bd2 {with the idea of playing Rb1 next.} ( 23.Nxb5 Bxb5 24.Rb1 Bxd3 25.Rxb8 Rxb8 26.Qxd3 {with the advantage.} ) ( 23.Rb1 b4 24.Na2 {is also strong.} ) ) 21...g6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This gives White time to correct the mistake on the previous move.} ( 21...Nxa5 {is critical:} 22.bxa5 Qxa5 23.Nxb5 Bxb5 24.Bxb5+ Nc6 {I couldn't break Black's position while analyzing with the machine. It seems White has enough for the exchange but not more.} ) ( 21...Nf5 {also deserves consideration, but this is a more machine-like idea.} 22.Bxf5 Nxa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.bxa5 Qxa5 24.Bd2 b4 25.Nd1 exf5 26.e6 {with great complications.} ) 22.Rba1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Nf5 ( 22...Nxa5 23.bxa5 {leads to a decisive initiative for White.} ) 23.Ra6 Qd8 ( 23...Nxd4 24.Qd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Nxf3+ 25.Qxf3 Qb8 26.Ra7 {Black's position cannot be saved, for instance:} 26...Rc7 27.Nxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Praggnanandhaa said in the post-game interview that this is the critical moment of the game. The cold-hearted computer already evaluates White's position as winning and also offers an alternative:} ( 24.h5 Bxb4 25.Qc2 {The machine, somehow, is very happy with White's position here.} ) 24...Nxh4 25.Nxh4 Qxh4 26.Bxc4 {White is winning by force now.} 26...bxc4 ( 26...dxc4 27.Rxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Rxc6 28.Ra8+ Kd7 29.d5 exd5 30.Qf3 {attacking both d5 and f7.} ) 27.Rxc6 Rxc6 28.Ra8+ Kd7 ( 28...Ke7 29.b5 Rc7 30.Ba3+ {wins.} ) 29.Qf3 {The f7-pawn is attacked, and a knight sacrifice on d5 is coming.} 29...f5 30.b5 Rc8 31.Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Qxg4+ {The most stubborn defense. The alternatives lose immediately.} ( 31...exd5 32.Qxd5+ ) ( 31...Rxa8 32.Nf6+ ) 32.Qxg4 fxg4 33.Nb6+ Kc7 34.Nxc8 Kb7 35.Ra6 Kxc8 36.Rxe6 {After his brilliant previous game, White has achieved an easily winning endgame. Black's pawns are very weak and about to fall.} 36...Kb7 37.Rxg6 c3 38.Rc6 Bb4 39.Bxh6 Rd8 40.Rc4 Ba5 41.e6 Kb6 42.e7 Re8 43.Bg5 Kxb5 44.Rc5+ Kb6 ( 44...Ka4 45.d5 {The pawns decide the game.} ) 45.Rd5 Bb4 ( 45...c2 46.Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 46.Rd8 Rxe7 ( 46...Bxe7 {doesn't change anything.} 47.Rxe8 Bxg5 48.Rc8 ) 47.Bxe7 Bxe7 48.Rc8 g3 49.Rxc3 {Another great performance by Praggnanandhaa. He has played the two best games of the World Cup so far.} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[Beauty "6395898370098"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 d4 5.O-O Nc6 ( 5...c5 {is the most popular move.} ) 6.d3 Bc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 7.Nbd2 ( 7.Bg5 {gave nothing for White after} 7...h6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.Nbd2 Qd8 {Duda-Carlsen, Warsaw Superbet (blitz) 2023.} ) 7...O-O 8.Nb3 Be7 9.e3 dxe3 10.Bxe3 Ng4 11.Bc5 Bxc5 ( 11...a5 {transposes to Nepomniachtchi-Carlsen, World-ch match 2021 (9). Carlsen won this game when his opponent blundered a bishop.} ) 12.Nxc5 b6 {This position has been discussed in four important recent games that I will mention in the comments.} 13.Nd2 {A new move.} ( 13.Ne4 {was Vidit's choice when playing with White.} 13...Bb7 14.d4 Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.Re1 Nf6 {with an equal position in Vidit-Keymer, Berlin 2022.} ) ( 13.Nb3 Bb7 14.h3 ( 14.Qe2 a5 15.h3 Nf6 16.Ne5 Qd6 17.Nxc6 Bxc6 18.Bxc6 Qxc6 {Black was fine in Vakhidov-Aditya, Sharjah 2023.} ) 14...Nf6 15.d4 Qc8 16.Qe2 a5 {with chances for both sides in Gelfand-Keymer, Julius Baer GenCup (rapid) 2022.} ) ( 13.Nh4 Nge5 14.d4 Nxd4 15.Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 15.Bxa8 bxc5 $13 {/=} ) 15...Nxb3 16.axb3 Rb8 17.Rxa7 Bd7 {with equality in Suleymanli-Nguyen, Sharjah 2023.} ) 13...Nge5 14.Ncb3 Bb7 15.d4 Ng6 {Black's plan is connected with the a5-a4 advance.} 16.Re1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This doesn't stop the plan, and White ends up worse.} ( 16.Ne4 {is best.} 16...a5 17.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...exd5 18.cxd5 Nce7 ( 18...Nb4 {is not convincing after} 19.Nc3 a4 20.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 19.d6 ( 19.Nc3 {also leads to equality:} 19...a4 20.d6 Bxg2 21.dxe7 Qxe7 22.Kxg2 axb3 23.Qxb3 ) 19...Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 19...cxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20.Nf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...gxf6 21.Bxb7 {White has a better position since Black's pawn structure is too weak.} ) 20.dxc7 Qxc7 {with a balanced game.} ) 16...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Nf3 a4 18.Nc1 ( 18.Nbd2 {is also better for Black after} 18...a3 ( 18...Nxd4 {is not enough for an advantage after} 19.Nxd4 Bxg2 20.Nxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...fxe6 21.Kxg2 ) 19.b3 Nb4 {The a-pawn guarantees an excellent outpost for the knight on b4.} ) 18...a3 19.b3 Qd6 ( 19...Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best, with the advantage after} 20.Ne5 ( 20.Ne2 Rad8 ) 20...Ngxe5 21.dxe5 Qe7 ) 20.Nd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a surprising move since it goes for a tactical line that leads to a very dangerous position for White.} ( 20.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary, and White achieves an equal position. The point is} 20...Rad8 21.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The capture on d4 is not dangerous for White.} 21...Nb4 ( 21...Nxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 22.Nxd4 Bxg2 23.Ncb5 Qc5 24.Kxg2 c6 ( 24...e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a piece due to some nice tactics:} 25.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Qxc4 26.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.Qe2 cxb5 26.Nxb5 {White has the advantage since the a3-pawn is now a weakness.} ) 22.Nb5 Qe7 23.Nxa3 Qf6 {Black will soon capture the d4-pawn, and the game is more or less equal.} ) 20...Nxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Nxd4 Bxg2 22.Nxe6 fxe6 23.Kxg2 Rad8 24.Re3 {The only move to avoid losing immediately.} 24...Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very strong maneuver. The knight heads to d4.} 25.Qg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This loses by force, but White's position was very difficult.} ( 25.Qe2 Nf5 26.Rf3 Rfe8 {followed by 27...Nd4 with a big advantage.} ) 25...Nf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25...Qc6+ $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins:} 26.Kg1 Nf5 27.Rf3 Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Qh5 {All of White's moves are forced.} ( 28.Nf4 e5 ) 28...g6 29.Ne5 {The only chance.} 29...Qd6 30.Nxg6 hxg6 31.Qxg6+ Ng7 32.Rxf8+ Qxf8 {with an easy win for Black.} ) 26.Rf3 Qc6 27.Ne5 Qa8 28.Kg1 Rd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this move, Nepomniachtchi is back in the game.} ( 28...Rd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger, with a clear advantage.} ) 29.Rf4 Rd2 30.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Rb2 31.Ng5 {Both sides have attacking chances now. The game becomes sharp.} 31...Qc6 32.Re1 Rf6 {Another critical position in the game. White makes a few mistakes in the next moves. There are interesting possibilities here.} 33.Qd1 ( 33.Ne4 {is a straightforward draw after} 33...Rf8 34.Ng5 ) ( 33.Rxf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] leads to some funny complications:} 33...Rxf5 ( 33...exf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 34.Qh5 ) 34.Nxe6 Qg2+ $5 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This nice move forces a draw by perpetual check.} ( 34...Rf7 35.Rd1 Rd7 {The only move.} 36.Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a chaotic position that ends in a draw according to the machine, for instance:} 36...g6 ( 36...Rxa2 37.Qf5 h6 ( 37...Ra1+ 38.Kg2 Rf7 39.Qe4 {is dangerous for Black.} ) 38.Qf8+ Kh7 39.Qf5+ Kg8 40.Qf8+ {with a perpetual check.} ) 37.Qd4 Rb1+ 38.Kg2 Re1 39.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39...Re2+ 40.Kg1 {and it seems Black has no more than a draw.} ) 35.Kxg2 Rfxf2+ {with a draw.} ) 33...h6 ( 33...Rxa2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad due to} 34.Nxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 34.Ne4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 34.Qd8+ $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White had to go for a queen sacrifice:} 34...Rf8 35.Qxf8+ Kxf8 36.Nxe6+ Kg8 37.Rxf5 Rxa2 38.Rf8+ Kh7 39.Rc8 {Again, a draw is the correct result:} 39...Kg6 40.Nf4+ $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...Kh7 ( 40...Kf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 41.Nd5 Rb2 42.Re7+ Kg6 43.Rg8 {and the king is caught in a mating net.} ) 41.Ne6 ) 34...Rf8 $6 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 34...Rf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.g4 Nd6 36.Rxf7 Nxf7 {This is an improved version for Black of the position seen in the game.} ) 35.g4 Nd6 36.Rxf8+ Kxf8 37.Nxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 37.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to play.} 37...Nf7 38.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another important move, taking the g5-square away from Black's knight. The position remains double-edged.} ) 37...Qxd6 {The a3-pawn is a monster in the endgame. I don't think White can save the game.} 38.Qf3+ Ke7 39.Qc3 Kf7 40.Qf3+ Ke7 41.Qc3 Kf7 42.Qf3+ Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Correctly rejecting the draw.} 43.Rd1 Qf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Vidit had to foresee this strong move. The king turns out to be safe from the attack of White's heavy pieces.} 44.Qe3 Rxa2 45.g5 {Desperately trying to find some counterplay.} ( 45.Qxe6+ Kh8 46.Qe3 Rb2 {The a-pawn decides the game.} ) 45...Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46.Rd8+ Kh7 47.gxh6 Ra1+ 48.Kg2 Qg4+ 49.Qg3 Qxg3+ 50.hxg3 Kxh6 {It's all over after the queen exchange.} 51.Ra8 e5 52.b4 a2 53.c5 b5 54.Kf3 Kg5 55.Ra7 e4+ 56.Kg2 ( 56.Ke2 {loses to a well-known tactical operation:} 56...e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 57.fxe3 ( 57.Kxe3 Re1+ ) 57...Rh1 58.Rxa2 Rh2+ ) 56...Kf6 {White is paralyzed, and the king calmly goes to the queenside.} 57.g4 g5 58.c6 Ke6 59.Kh2 Kd5 60.Ra6 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2707"]
[ECO "B22"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "150"]
[Beauty "5567682708510"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.c3 {It's interesting to note that both players that needed a draw with White in this round, both of them with a broad repertoire and capable of playing any opening, chose the Alapin against the Sicilian. To be fair, one of them lost and the other saved a worse position.} 2...Nf6 ( 2...d5 {This was Arjun's choice against Carlsen.} ) 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Nb6 8.Bb5 {This is one of the main lines of the Alapin.} 8...Bd7 ( 8...dxe5 {Praggnanandhaa avoids the most popular move. He is trying to play a variation that offers winning chances.} 9.Nxe5 Bd7 10.Nxd7 Qxd7 11.Nc3 e6 12.O-O {It's hard to imagine White losing as the theory goes many moves ahead.} ) 9.Nc3 ( 9.exd6 {is answered by} 9...e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 9...dxe5 10.dxe5 ( 10.d5 {leads to sharp play, for instance:} 10...Nb4 11.Nxe5 ( 11.Bxd7+ Qxd7 {and now White cannot take on f5, due} 12.Nxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 12...Qf5 {attacking the knight and preparing ...Nc2+.} ) 11...Bxb5 12.Nxb5 N4xd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move, interestingly, has never been played.} 13.Qf3 f6 14.Qh5+ g6 15.Nxg6 hxg6 16.Qxh8 Qd7 {with compensation for the exchange.} ) 10...g6 11.O-O Bg7 12.Qe2 O-O 13.h3 ( 13.Rd1 {is the most popular move.} ) 13...Be6 {A novelty.} ( 13...a6 ) ( 13...Qc7 ) 14.Rd1 Qc7 15.Bf4 Rad8 16.Rac1 {Both sides played normal moves. White has no advantage, but at this point it was hard to imagine him losing.} 16...Nd5 ( 16...Rxd1+ 17.Rxd1 Rd8 {This would be a natural sequence in normal circumstances, but Black has to keep some tension in the position.} ) 17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.Nd4 Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 18...Nxd4 19.Rxc7 Nxe2+ 20.Bxe2 {and White is close to the desired draw.} ) 19.Nxc6 ( 19.Bxc6 {is another possible capture:} 19...bxc6 20.b3 c5 21.Nf3 {with an equal position.} ) ( 19.Be3 {This move is also interesting to exchange pieces later on.} 19...Nxd4 20.Bxd4 Qe6 21.Bxa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The game is equal, but not yet drawn after 21...Bxa2 or 21...Bxe5. The point is that} 21...b6 {is not as dangerous as it seems.} ( 21...Bxa2 22.f4 ) ( 21...Bxe5 22.a4 ) 22.a4 Ra8 23.Bxb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 19...bxc6 20.Bc4 Bxc4 21.Qxc4 Rxd1+ 22.Rxd1 Qxb2 {At this point I was pretty sure Arjun would find a way to steer the game toward a theoretically drawn endgame, but chess is full of resources and surprises.} 23.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate.} 23...Qf6 24.Be3 ( 24.exf7+ Qxf7 25.Rc1 {Black has some hopes after} 25...Qxc4 26.Rxc4 Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Ra4 a5 {although this should also be easily drawn.} ) 24...Qxe6 25.Qxe6 fxe6 26.Bxa7 ( 26.Rd7 {looks more natural.} 26...Kf7 27.Rxa7 {A draw will soon be agreed.} ) 26...Ra8 27.Rd7 Kf7 28.a4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Arjun surely regrets this move. The match would be over after 28.Kf1.} ( 28.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] If Black tries the same idea, then} 28...Be5 ( 28...e5 29.Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 29.Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a draw.} ) ( 28.Bc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28...Bf6 {is also dangerous for White:} 29.a3 Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 28...Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. The bishop goes to d6 and suddenly White's pieces are clumsy on the queenside.} 29.Kf1 ( 29.Bd4 Bd6 30.Ra7 Rxa7 31.Bxa7 Bc7 {followed by …e5-Ke6-d5 and it's not clear if White's position can be saved.} ) 29...Bd6 30.Ke2 e5 31.Kd3 Ke6 32.Rb7 Kd5 33.f3 {White's pieces are stuck, none of them can move. The a-pawn is not such a big threat. But Black still needs to find a way to break the resistance.} 33...c5 34.a5 Rf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A big mistake, releasing White's rook.} ( 34...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, fixing the kingside. Black has excellent winning chances, similar to what happens later in the game.} ) 35.a6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 35.Rb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White finally gets counterplay with the rook going behind the pawn. The position is equal.} ) 35...Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is tied again.} 36.Kc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 36.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] offers more chances, stopping black's pawns.} ) 36...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Kd3 h5 {Now Black is close to winning.} 38.Kc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake, after which there's no salvation.} ( 38.g3 {is the only chance, not allowing Black to play e5-e4. It seems that Black can win with some precise maneuvering:} 38...h4 39.g4 Rf8 40.Ke3 Rd8 41.Kd3 Ra8 {Black's moves seem pointless, but he is waiting for the best moment to strike.} 42.Ke3 ( 42.Ke2 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 42...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Only now.} 43.Rb5+ Ke6 {winning, since} 44.Rb7 {loses a piece after} 44...Rxa7 45.Rxa7 Bc5+ ) 38...e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.fxe4+ Kxe4 40.Kc4 {The counterplay is not fast enough.} 40...Kf4 41.Kb5 h4 42.Rd7 Kg3 43.Bb6 ( 43.Kc6 {There are many winning ways here.} 43...Kxg2 ( 43...c4 44.Kb7 Rf8 {is also good.} ( 44...Rxa7+ $4 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 45.Kxa7 c3 46.Rd8 Bc5+ 47.Kb7 c2 48.Rd3+ Kxg2 49.Rc3 ) ) 44.Kb7 Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 44...Rg8 $4 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 45.Rxd6 exd6 46.Bb8 Rg7+ 47.Bc7 Rg8 48.a7 c4 49.Bb8 Rg7+ 50.Bc7 {with a draw.} ) 45.Rxd6 ( 45.Bb6 g4 ) 45...exd6 46.Bb8 Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47.a7 Ra2 {The passed pawns decide the game.} ) 43...c4 ( 43...Rxa6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an alternative way to win.} 44.Kxa6 Kxg2 {Followed by 45...Kxh3 and White is unable to stop the pawns.} ) 44.Bc7 Bxc7 45.Rxc7 Kxg2 46.Rc5 Rg8 47.a7 Kxh3 48.Ka6 g4 49.Kb7 g3 50.Rc8 Rxc8 51.Kxc8 g2 52.a8=Q g1=Q {The queen endgame is easily winning.} 53.Qf3+ Qg3 54.Qh1+ Kg4 55.Qe4+ Qf4 56.Qe2+ Kh3 57.Qxe7 c3 58.Qe1 Qf3 59.Qc1 Kh2 60.Qc2+ Kg3 61.Qc1 Qc6+ 62.Kb8 Qd6+ 63.Kc8 Qc5+ 64.Kb7 c2 65.Qe1+ Qf2 66.Qe5+ Kh3 67.Qe6+ Kh2 68.Qe5+ Qg3 69.Qc5 h3 70.Ka6 Qd3+ 71.Ka7 Qd2 72.Qe5+ Kh1 73.Qe4+ Qg2 74.Qf4 Qg1+ 75.Ka6 c1=Q {A dramatic game and an exciting match.} 0-1

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Abbasov, Nijat"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[Beauty "7494986375719"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.b3 d6 6.e5 dxe5 7.d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Carlsen strikes with a prepared novelty. Previously White captured automatically on e5. The move played in the game is a new plan, but it's also the computer's first choice, so probably Abasov knew about it.} ( 7.Nxe5 {was played against Abasov in the previous round of the World Cup.} 7...Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 7...Qd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] looks like a winning double attack, but actually White has two moves that lead to the advantage.} 8.Nc4 ( 8.Bb2 {is also good. The bishop cannot be captured:} 8...Qxb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 9.Nc3 Qa3 {Otherwise 10.Nc4 traps the queen.} 10.Qf3 {attacking f7 and c6.} ) 8...Qxa1 9.Nc3 ) 8.Ng4 Nh6 9.Ne3 Nf5 10.O-O Nxe3 11.fxe3 Bd6 {The game was later drawn in Vidit-Abbasov, World Cup Baku 2023.} ) 7...f6 8.Nbd2 {White has long-term compensation for the sacrificed pawn. The c5-pawn is weak and will hardly escape a capture, while Black's structure makes his main asset, the bishop pair, not so useful at the moment.} 8...Nh6 9.Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An extraordinary plan that is certainly part of Carlsen's home preparation. White intends to advance the kingside and castle on the queenside.} 9...Ba6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The computer considers this move an inaccuracy. I believe that Abasov had his eye on the typical c5-c4 advance, returning the pawn to open the game.} ( 9...Nf5 {is a natural move. The game can continue} 10.g4 Nd4 11.g5 {with complications. This is probably still part of Carlsen's analysis.} ) ( 9...Be7 {is also possible:} 10.g4 Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11.Kf1 {Necessary, otherwise Black returns the pawn in a favorable way with c5-c4. The game remains unclear.} ( 11.Bb2 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is good for Black since the pawn cannot be captured by the knight.} 12.dxc4 ( 12.bxc4 Rb8 13.Rb1 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.dxe4 e5 {Black is the one with the better pawn structure now.} ) 12...e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 10.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10...Nf7 {Here and on the next moves Carlsen had the option of playing g4-g5, gaining space on the kingside before finishing development.} 11.Qe2 ( 11.g5 Qc7 12.Bb2 ) 11...Be7 12.Bb2 ( 12.g5 ) 12...Qa5 13.c4 {This is a small inaccuracy. Maybe Carlsen wanted to avoid c5-c4 once and for all.} ( 13.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is correct. Now both castling and playing c4 are insufficient for Black.} 13...O-O-O ( 13...c4 14.dxc4 {with a clear advantage for White.} ) 14.gxf6 gxf6 15.Rg7 Rdf8 16.O-O-O {Black's position is passive and if he takes on a2, he won't survive long after} 16...Qxa2 $6 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17.Qe4 ) 13...g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move, avoiding g4-g5.} 14.h4 h6 15.Rh1 O-O-O 16.O-O-O Qc7 ( 16...Qxa2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 17.Kc2 Qa5 18.Ra1 Qb6 19.Bc3 {followed by the doubling of rooks on the a-file.} ) ( 16...Kb8 {is nearly always a good move after long castle.} ) 17.Ne4 ( 17.Rh2 $5 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is possible in order to double rooks on the h-file.} ) 17...gxh4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An excellent practical choice. It's necessary to change the trend of the game and look for active chances.} ( 17...Kb8 18.hxg5 hxg5 19.Qe3 {and White keeps pressing.} ) 18.Nxh4 Rhg8 19.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Carlsen said in the interview that he didn't see a good alternative to this move. First he wanted to play slowly with 19.f3, but Black can play 19...Kb8 with the idea of ...Bc8 and then f6-f5.} ( 19.f3 Kb8 ) 19...exf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Otherwise White can play f4-f5 with the advantage.} 20.Nxf6 Bxf6 21.Qxe6+ Kb8 22.Qxf6 Bc8 ( 22...Rxg4 {is possible, but dangerous:} 23.Nf3 ( 23.Rde1 {is also interesting:} 23...Rd6 24.Qf5 Bc8 25.Qxc5 ) 23...Rd6 24.Qf5 Bc8 25.Qxc5 {with advantage for White.} ) 23.Rde1 Rd6 24.Qxf4 Rxg4 25.Qe3 {It's not clear if this is the best square for the queen. White keeps some pressure after 25.Qf2 and 25.Qd2.} ( 25.Qf2 Rxd3 26.Rhf1 ) ( 25.Qd2 ) 25...Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Qd2 Ne5 27.Kc2 ( 27.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a more useful move and Carlsen regretted not playing it.} ) 27...Kb7 ( 27...Rg3 {also keeps the game equal, for instance:} 28.Qxh6 $5 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 28.Bxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 28...Rxe5 29.Rxe5 Qxe5 30.Qxh6 Qd4 {with excellent play for Black.} ) 28...Rxh6 29.Bxe5 Qxe5 30.Rxe5 Rg4 31.Re4 Rg5 {with a likely draw.} ) 28.Re3 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.Nf5 Qg5 30.Bxe5 ( 30.Rxe5 {is not enough for an advantage:} 30...Rxe5 31.Qxg5 Re2+ $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Kd1 hxg5 33.Nd6+ Kc7 34.Kxe2 Kxd6 ( 34...Rg2+ {is also good.} ) ) 30...Rg2 31.Re2 Rxe2 32.Qxe2 Qxf5 33.Rh5 ( 33.Re1 {is safer, but Black's position cannot be broken after} 33...h5 34.Qe3 Qf8 ) 33...Qf7 34.Qh2 $4 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Blunder;persistent;true] A rare blunder by Carlsen.} ( 34.Kc3 {keeps the game balanced.} ) 34...Rg6 $4 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] Abasov certainly will remember this moment for a long time. After advancing to such a distant stage and knocking out several big names, he had a forced win against the world's number one.} ( 34...Qf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A difficult move to spot, but the idea is easy to understand. Black wants to play 35...Rg6 and start an attack with the heavy pieces.} 35.Qd2 ( 35.Rxh6 {loses the bishop after} 35...Rxh6 36.Qxh6 Qe2+ ) 35...Rg6 36.Rh2 {A desperate attempt to cover the second rank.} 36...Rg1 37.Bb2 ( 37.Kb2 Qa1+ 38.Ka3 Qxe5 ) 37...Qb1+ 38.Kc3 {It looks like White has escaped the worst, but the attack persists.} 38...Bf5 {Threatening 38...Rd1.} 39.Qc2 Qe1+ 40.Qd2 Qe5+ 41.Kc2 Bxd3+ $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final detail.} 42.Kxd3 ( 42.Qxd3 Qxh2+ ) 42...Rg3+ 43.Kc2 Qe4+ 44.Kc1 Rg1+ {winning the queen and the game.} ) 35.Bf4 {The position is equal again.} ( 35.Rxh6 {leads to a draw after} 35...Rxh6 36.Qxh6 Qf2+ 37.Qd2 Qxd2+ 38.Kxd2 a5 ) 35...Rf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 35...Qg7 {is better:} 36.Bd2 Qa1 37.Bc1 Qxa2+ 38.Bb2 {This variation was mentioned by Carlsen in the post-game interview. A natural continuation is} 38...Bg4 39.Rxh6 ( 39.Rxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} 39...Bd1+ $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop cannot be captured:} 40.Kxd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 40...Qb1+ $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41.Bc1 Qxd3+ 42.Bd2 Rf6 {with a winning attack.} ) 39...Rxh6 40.Qxh6 Bd1+ {with a draw.} ) 36.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Everything is protected and the c5-pawn finally falls.} 36...Bf5 37.Bxc5 Qg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 37...Re6 {is more stubborn.} ) 38.Kc3 Re6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 38...Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives more chances.} ) 39.Rh4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 39.Bxa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins on the spot:} 39...Kxa7 40.Qf2+ {followed by capturing the f5-bishop with an easy win.} ) 39...Bg4 40.Bxa7 $4 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] Carlsen takes the pawn at the wrong time. It's rare to see one blunder from him, let alone two blunders in the same game.} ( 40.Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, with good winning chances.} ) 40...Qf6+ $4 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] The final mistake in this tense game.} ( 40...Qg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41.Bd4 Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black now threatens Qa5 or Qe1 and the position becomes sharp and even dangerous for White.} 42.Bb6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 42.Rxg4 {is maybe the safest way to stop the attack.} 42...Qxg4 43.Qf2 {The machine evaluates this imbalanced position as equal, although Black has practical chances.} ) ( 42.Be5 {is also possible, but White's position is risky after} 42...h5 ( 42...Rxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 43.Rxg4 ) ) 42...Qc1+ ( 42...Kxb6 43.Qb8+ {with perpetual check.} ) 43.Kb4 c5+ $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44.Bxc5 Qe1+ 45.Kb5 Bf3 46.Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...Bc6+ 47.Kc5 {Luckily White is not mated, but it's close.} ) 41.Kb4 Re5 42.d4 Qe7+ 43.c5 {Carlsen summarized his feelings about this game very well: \"I'll probably throw away the game, but I'll keep the result, for sure\".} 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "6392924609031"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,70,31,-10,-7,2,-20,-14,-11,-17,-5,-13,-30,-8,3,-16,-2,-2,-9,-3,-3,-19,-3,-9,1,3,7,14,14,14,28,32,39,14,11,2,-2,-8,5,6,6,-22,-23,-26,-24,-37,-10,-18,-4,-25,-4,1,0,-31,-27,-42,-37,-4,0,0,0,0,11,18,18,13,16,7,5,13,25,19,14]} 
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nf6 {This interesting and less common move was played by Svidler in the World Cup.} 7.b4 {I could only find two games with this move, but one of them was Nepomniachtchi-Carlsen, so both players know the position.} ( 7.O-O h6 8.Qc2 Bc5 9.a3 a5 10.d3 O-O 11.Nb5 Bb6 12.Nd2 Re8 13.Nc4 Be6 {and Black was fine in Puranik-Svidler, World Cup Baku 2023.} ) 7...Bd6 {This natural move is already a novelty.} ( 7...Bxb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 8.Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A thematic idea.} 8...Nxe5 9.Qa4+ {regaining the material, with an advantage.} ) ( 7...e4 8.Ng5 Bxb4 9.Ngxe4 O-O 10.O-O {with some chances of getting an advantage for White. It's usually good to exchange a flank pawn for a central one. Stremavicius-Unneland, Stavanger 2021.} ) ( 7...a6 8.a3 Bd6 9.Bb2 O-O 10.d3 Re8 11.O-O {with a normal English Opening middlegame in Nepomniachtchi-Carlsen, Legends of Chess (rapid) 2020.} ) 8.b5 Nd4 9.Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 9.O-O Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is good for Black.} ) 9...Nxf3+ 10.Bxf3 O-O 11.O-O a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move to solve the problems on the queenside.} 12.d3 h6 13.Ba3 {Praggnanandhaa said in the post-game interview that he remembered this position from his analysis and that after 13...Bh3 Black can get a draw with some precise moves. Carlsen decides to play another move, which also turns out to be good.} 13...Rb8 ( 13...Bh3 14.Bxb7 Bxf1 15.Rxf1 axb5 16.Qxa8 Qxa8 17.Bxa8 Rxa8 18.Bxd6 cxd6 19.Rb1 {Maybe this is the variation that the Indian prodigy meant in the interview. Objectively it's a draw, but Black still has to defend for a little while.} ) 14.Bxd6 {Maybe it's better to postpone this capture, but White doesn't have much anyway.} ( 14.bxa6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad due to} 14...Bd7 ) ( 14.Rfc1 ) 14...cxd6 15.Rab1 axb5 16.Qxb5 Bd7 17.Qb6 Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has solved all his problems.} 18.Qxd8 ( 18.Bxc6 bxc6 {The point is that the c6-pawn cannot be captured:} 19.Qxc6 $4 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 19...Rc8 {winning a piece.} ) 18...Rfxd8 19.Bxc6 bxc6 20.Kg2 ( 20.Rxb8 Rxb8 21.Rb1 {is possible and the draw is close.} ) 20...Ra8 21.Rb6 Rdc8 22.Rc1 d5 23.Rc2 Nd7 24.Rb1 Nc5 {This is an invitation to a draw as this move allows simplification.} ( 24...Kf8 {is a natural move, bringing the king to the center. From a practical perspective, the position is more comfortable for Black, with his powerful center. The computer, however, says it's completely equal.} ) 25.Rbc1 Ra5 26.Nb1 Ne6 27.Nd2 ( 27.Rxc6 {should also end in a draw.} 27...Rxc6 28.Rxc6 Rxa2 29.Nc3 Rc2 30.Nxd5 Rxe2 ) 27...Rca8 28.Nf3 e4 29.dxe4 dxe4 30.Nd2 e3 {All the roads lead to equality.} ( 30...Nd4 31.Rc4 Nxe2 32.Re1 Rxa2 33.Nxe4 ( 33.Rxe2 Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) ( 30...f5 31.Rxc6 Rxa2 32.Rxe6 Rxd2 33.Rc7 Rxe2 34.Ree7 e3 {This is also a draw, but there's no need for Black to play like this.} ) 31.Nc4 Rxa2 32.Nxe3 Nd4 33.Rxa2 Rxa2 34.Rc4 c5 35.Rxc5 Rxe2 {A quiet game that ended with a result that suited both players. Carlsen gains more time to recover from food poisoning, and Praggnanandhaa can rest from his tense tie-break from the previous day.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Abbasov, Nijat"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[Beauty "8247008301065"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,51,25,15,30,17,27,-7,-11,-25,8,-7,14,5,14,0,3,-11,-14,-14,1,-5,0,0,14,-13,11,2,11,5,9,-14,2,7,5,11,10,24,28,25,51,28,17,11,67,46,36,-6,14,37,32,36,39,264]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bg5 Nbd7 11.Nc3 h6 {This is one of the main lines of the Catalan Opening. The next move is a small surprise, as it is much less common than taking the knight on f6.} 12.Bf4 ( 12.Bxf6 {is the most popular move and was played a couple of times against Caruana in 2023.} ) 12...Bd6 13.Qd3 {Played only once, in a correspondence game.} ( 13.Bxd6 cxd6 {with an equal position.} ) ( 13.Bd2 {is also possible.} ) 13...Bxf4 14.gxf4 a5 {A novelty. Fixing the pawn structure this way is typical in the Catalan. Black has many alternatives:} ( 14...Qe7 15.e4 Rad8 16.Qe3 {with some pressure for White in Kornyushin-Oren, email 2018.} ) ( 14...Nd5 {is interesting, to exchange the knights and give Black some relief.} 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.e4 Bc6 17.Qe3 Nb6 {with chances for both sides.} ) ( 14...b5 {is also interesting, a dynamic move to gain space on the queenside. If White takes the pawn, the position simplifies after:} 15.axb5 axb5 16.Nxb5 Rxa1 17.Rxa1 Qb8 {The b2-pawn will be captured, with a likely draw.} ) 15.Kh1 Bxf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] I don't think this capture is necessary.} ( 15...Nd5 ) ( 15...Qe7 ) 16.Bxf3 c6 {With a good pawn structure and the g-file ready to be used, it's clear that White's position is more pleasant.} 17.Rg1 ( 17.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, avoiding ...Nd5.} ) 17...Kh8 ( 17...Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.e3 N7f6 {Followed by Kh8-Rg8, and it's harder for White to attack since the e4-e5 advance is impossible.} ) 18.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Qe7 19.Rg3 ( 19.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even stronger. White already has a clear advantage, for instance:} 19...Nd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20.Bxd5 cxd5 21.f5 {with a strong attack.} ) 19...Rad8 20.Rag1 Rg8 21.e5 Nh7 ( 21...Nd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a more natural square, but a mistake.} 22.Nxd5 ( 22.Bxd5 {is also good.} 22...cxd5 ( 22...exd5 23.f5 ) 23.Nb5 {with a winning positional advantage.} ) 22...cxd5 23.f5 {with an overwhelming advantage.} ) 22.Qe3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not very convincing.} ( 22.Ne4 {is the most natural move:} 22...Nb6 23.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 23.Nd6 Nc8 {doesn't give much to White.} ) 23...exf5 24.Nd6 {Now Black has to sacrifice the exchange.} 24...Rxd6 25.exd6 Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The game becomes double-edged: it seems Black has decent play.} ( 25...Qxd6 {is bad:} 26.Qxf5 Nf6 27.Qxa5 Qxd4 28.Qa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a big advantage for White.} ) ) ( 22.Ne2 {is a difficult move to find, and the computer's suggestion. The plan is to follow up with 23.Qc3 attacking the a-pawn.} 22...Nb6 23.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now this move is possible since the knight cannot take on e5. White has the advantage.} ) 22...Nb6 ( 22...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The advance of the f-pawn is an important resource for Black. It gains space, and if White captures en passant, his structure is weakened. Black's knight would also be able to reach d5 more efficiently.} 23.Bd1 ( 23.exf6 Ndxf6 {with a good position for Black.} ( 23...Nhxf6 ) ) 23...Nb6 24.Bb3 Nf8 {with an equal position.} ) 23.Be4 Qb4 $4 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] A blunder that loses the game immediately.} ( 23...g6 {was suggested by Abasov in the post-game interview.} ) ( 23...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate. Black is not worse.} 24.exf6 ( 24.Bb1 Nf8 {with a solid position.} ) 24...Nxf6 25.Bb1 Qd6 {with counterplay.} ) 24.Bxh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Kxh7 25.Ne4 {There are too many pieces on the attack.} 25...Qe7 ( 25...Qxd4 26.Ng5+ ( 26.Nf6+ {also wins.} ) 26...Kh8 ( 26...hxg5 27.Rh3+ Kg6 28.Rxg5# ) 27.Nxf7+ ) 26.f5 {The attack cannot be stopped. A shocking defeat for Caruana and another great game in Abasov's memorable tournament.} ( 26.f5 exf5 ( 26...Nd5 27.f6 Nxe3 28.Rxg7+ Rxg7 29.Rxg7+ Kh8 30.fxe7 {winning.} ) 27.Nf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...gxf6 ( 27...Kh8 28.Qxh6+ gxh6 29.Rxg8+ Rxg8 30.Rxg8# ) 28.Qxh6+ Kxh6 29.Rh3# ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Abbasov, Nijat"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[ECO "B45"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6460167696930"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 {Abasov chooses this move order probably to avoid the fight in the Rossolimo Variation (2...Nc6 3.Bb5).} 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Bf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] As I have written many times, I believe Caruana is the player with the best opening preparation in the world. He always comes with all sorts of ideas, be it a new plan, a forgotten move, or the 10th choice of the computer. Coupled with that, he has a fantastic memory and is able to replicate his analysis during the game.} 6...Bb4 ( 6...d6 {is the choice to invite White to the Sveshnikov with 7.Ndb5, an invitation that Caruana would certainly refuse, although the position is playable for Black against the alternatives.} 7.Bg3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is probably the most cunning move.} ( 7.Ndb5 e5 8.Bg5 {leads to the Sveshnikov.} ) ( 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.e5 Nd5 9.Nxd5 cxd5 {doesn't look very dangerous for Black.} ) ) 7.Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 7...Nxe4 {Abasov chooses the most critical line.} ( 7...O-O {is known to lead to a better position for White after} 8.Bc7 Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 ) 8.Qf3 d5 9.Nc7+ Kf8 {An interesting and double-edged position that has been discussed in important games in 2023.} 10.O-O-O $5 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's possible that Abasov was caught by surprise by this move, which is not the most popular choice.} ( 10.Nxa8 {is the beginning of a long forced line that has been played in several games, including an important grandmaster meeting in the classical time control this year.} 10...e5 11.Bd2 Nd4 12.Qd1 Qh4 13.g3 Qf6 14.Nxe4 Nf3+ 15.Qxf3 Qxf3 16.Bxb4+ Kg8 17.Nd6 Qxh1 18.O-O-O Be6 19.Nc7 Qxh2 20.Nxd5 Bxd5 21.Rxd5 Qxf2 {Believe it or not, there are 12 games in this position, including the big clash Grandelius-Gelfand, Malmo 2023, which ended in a draw.} ) 10...Bxc3 11.bxc3 Qe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Only the fourth most popular move. 11...g5, 11...e5 and 11...Rb8 are better. Of course it's easier to know this with the engines on and with access to the databases. Without having studied it beforehand, the position is very difficult to play.} ( 11...g5 12.Bg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 12.Qxe4 Qxc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.Bxc7 dxe4 {is a level endgame and a big relief for Black.} ) 12...Rb8 13.Bb5 {with a complicated game. Caruana's analysis certainly continues much further.} ) ( 11...e5 12.Nxd5 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong computer move.} ( 12...Ng5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is the main move, but this leads to a strong attack for White after} 13.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...exf4 14.Qc5+ Ke8 ( 14...Kg8 15.Ne7+ $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15...Qxe7 16.Qxe7 Nxe7 17.Rd8# ) 15.Bb5 Ne6 16.Rhe1 Bd7 17.Qd6 Rc8 {The line after the piece sacrifice was relatively easy to understand, but now I ask the reader's attention to the following move, considered the clear best by the machine:} 18.g4 $3 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A sublime novelty and one of the best moves I've seen in my life. The idea is to prevent h5-Rh6. If Black captures en passant, then the f-pawn is ready to be advanced. The analysis of this position would take us too far, but White has very good compensation for the piece.} ) 13.Bg3 ( 13.Be3 {is also possible:} 13...Qa5 14.Bc4 {with a complicated fight in Dotzer-Kharitonov, Batumi 2022.} ) 13...Qa5 14.Bc4 {with an unclear game.} ) ( 11...Rb8 12.Nxd5 {Caruana likely had a sharper move prepared.} ( 12.Bc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 12...exd5 13.Qxe4 dxe4 14.Rxd8+ Nxd8 15.Bxb8 a6 {The position is close to equal. Nunn-Andersson, London 1984.} ) 12.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12...Qf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 12...Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better attempt.} 13.cxd5 ( 13.a3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13...Na2+ 14.Kb2 Nac3 15.Rd3 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with good play for Black in this chaotic position.} ) ( 13.Kb2 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.Nxa8 exf4 {with a total mess on the board.} ) 13...Nxa2+ 14.Kb2 Nac3 15.Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15...e5 16.d6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 16.Rc4 exf4 17.Nxa8 Bd7 18.Rxc3 Qb4+ 19.Rb3 Qd4+ {with good counterplay for Black.} ) 16...Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 16...Nxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17.Qxc3 ) 17.Rxe4 Nxe4 18.Bc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Qxf3 ( 18...Qxd6 19.Nxa8 ) 19.gxf3 Nxf2 20.Rg1 Rb8 21.Bc4 {and after this cat-and-mouse fight we arrive at an endgame that is equally complicated, but White's chances are preferable.} ) 13.c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Caruana blitzed this move as well and mentioned in the interview that it had been played before in a girl's under-14 tournament where White played a great game. This is his level of preparation and memory.} 13...g5 ( 13...Qe7 {This move was played in the aforementioned game.} 14.Kb2 g5 15.Bg3 Nxg3 16.Qxg3 Rb8 17.cxd5 {with a winning position for White in Yu-Schulz Wch U14 Kemer 2007.} ) 14.Bd6+ $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Caruana also considered taking on d5, but the move played is much better.} ( 14.cxd5 gxf4 15.dxc6 ( 15.Qxe4 Qxc3+ 16.Kb1 exd5 ) 15...Nxc3 {and matters are not so clear.} ) 14...Kg7 15.Qxf6+ Kxf6 16.Nxa8 Nxd6 17.cxd5 exd5 18.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An accurate move, taking the e4-square from Black's knight.} ( 18.Nc7 Ne4 ) 18...Nf5 19.Nc7 d4 20.Bb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An inaccuracy that gives Black saving chances.} ( 20.cxd4 {should lead to a technical win, for instance:} 20...Nfxd4 21.Bc4 Bf5 22.Kb2 Rc8 23.Nd5+ Kg7 24.h4 h6 25.Ne3 Bg6 26.h5 Bh7 27.Rhe1 {and Black won't resist for long.} ) 20...Ne3 21.Rd2 Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing 22...Rc8.} ( 21...dxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22.Re2 Nf5 23.Bxc6 bxc6 24.Rd1 {Black's bishop is stuck and White has an easy win.} ) 22.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Rc8 23.Rxe3 Rxc7 24.Re4 dxc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes White's life easier.} ( 24...Bf5 25.Bxc6 Rxc6 26.Rexd4 Rxc3+ 27.Kb2 Rc5 {It's hard to say whether White can win this endgame, but he always has chances due to Black's pawn on g5.} ) ( 24...Be6 {is also possible.} ) 25.Rd6+ Kg7 ( 25...Be6 26.Bxc6 bxc6 27.Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26.Re3 ( 26.Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger:} 26...h6 27.Rc5 a6 28.Ba4 {with excellent winning chances.} ) 26...a6 ( 26...Be6 27.Bxc6 bxc6 28.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Bd5 29.Rd8 Rb7 30.Rxc3 Rb4 31.Ra3 {with good winning chances.} ) 27.Ba4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Be6 28.Bxc6 bxc6 29.Rxc3 ( 29.a3 {Caruana mentioned the following variation in the interview:} 29...Bd5 30.Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Rb7 31.Rxc3 Rb5 32.Ra8 Ra5 {with drawing chances. A shockingly accurate variation and assessment.} ) ( 29.a4 {also deserves consideration.} ) 29...Bxa2 30.Rcxc6 Re7 31.Rxa6 Re2 32.Rd2 Re1+ 33.Kb2 Be6 {It's hard to say if this endgame is winning or not. Even Caruana couldn't tell it for sure. The problem for Black is this pawn on g5 and the fact that he can never trade rooks.} 34.Ra1 Re5 35.Kc3 h6 36.Kd4 Rb5 37.Ke3 Rb3+ 38.Kf2 Rb4 {Abasov probably waited too much. The computer suggests 38...g4 in this position.} ( 38...g4 39.fxg4 Bxg4 {I believe White should eventually win this endgame, but it will take some time.} ) 39.Ra5 Rh4 40.h3 Rb4 41.Kg3 {Caruana felt happy after the king went to the kingside. He is now ready to prepare h3-h4.} 41...Kf6 42.Re2 Bf5 43.Ree5 Bg6 44.Reb5 Rc4 45.Rb6+ Kg7 46.Rab5 Rc2 47.Rb2 Rc4 48.R2b4 Rc5 49.R6b5 Rc2 50.Rd5 Ra2 51.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Finally $1} 51...gxh4+ 52.Rxh4 h5 53.Rb4 Rc2 54.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54...Kf6 55.Rg5 Rc6 ( 55...Rc1 {is more stubborn, preparing a check if the king goes to h4.} 56.Ra5 Rc2 57.Rb6+ Kg7 58.f5 Bh7 59.Rb7 {Followed by 60.Raa7. Of course this endgame could still be analyzed many moves more, but for now it suffices to say that White is winning.} ) 56.Kh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 56...Re6 57.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 57...Bxf5 58.Rf4 Re5 59.Rxh5 ( 59.Rxh5 Ke6 60.g4 Bg6 61.Rxe5+ Kxe5 62.Kg5 {The king goes to g7 and White wins easily.} ) 1-0

[Event "E World Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7148167757833"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.a4 {Just the 10th most popular move in this position. All sorts of move orders are possible in the Italian Opening.} 5...d6 6.O-O a5 7.Be3 Bxe3 8.fxe3 O-O 9.Nbd2 Ne7 {This natural move is a novelty. Black wants to move the knight to g6 and play …c6-d5.} ( 9...Be6 10.h3 Bxc4 11.Nxc4 Qe7 12.Rf2 b6 {was equal and soon finished in a draw: Aronian-Giri, Wijk aan Zee 2023.} ) 10.Nh4 $1 {The standard reply.} 10...c6 ( 10...Ng6 {is also possible.} 11.Nxg6 ( 11.Nf5 c6 {is not dangerous.} ) 11...hxg6 12.Nf3 Nh7 $1 {an important move to avoid Nf3-g5. Black is ready to continue with Qe7 and Be6, with a roughly equal position.} ) 11.Qe1 {The queen goes to g3, supporting the attack.} 11...d5 12.Bb3 Qd6 $6 {This is a small inaccuracy that gives White the initiative.} ( 12...Be6 {is correct:} 13.Qg3 Nd7 $1 {with an equal game.} ) 13.Qg3 {The e5-pawn is now pinned and White is ready to make use of this by playing d3-d4.} 13...Nh5 $1 {A good defensive move, removing the queen from its unpleasant position.} 14.Qg5 ( 14.Qf3 {is also possible and Black's best is to return the knight to f6.} 14...Nf6 ) 14...g6 $6 {This is a dangerous choice. It was better to return the knight to f6.} ( 14...Nf6 15.h3 $5 h6 16.Qg3 Nh5 17.Qh2 {with some pressure for White.} ) 15.Nf5 $6 {This is a rushed move that closes the f-file and allows Black to level the game again.} ( 15.d4 exd4 16.exd4 f6 17.Qh6 Be6 {White has a small advantage with good central control and active pieces, but Black is holding.} ) ( 15.Nhf3 $1 {This is the best move.} 15...f6 16.Qh4 Ng7 {Now White has several tempting continuations.} 17.Rae1 {is the simplest, leading to a very unpleasant position for Black.} ( 17.d4 {is a creative idea:} 17...exd4 18.e5 $5 {The point is that after} 18...fxe5 $6 {White achieves a strong attack with} 19.Ne4 $1 Qc7 20.Nfg5 ) ( 17.c4 {is also very good:} 17...Be6 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.d4 {with the advantage.} ) ) 15...Bxf5 16.exf5 Kg7 {The f-file is closed and the bishop on b3 is no longer so dangerous. Black has a fine position.} 17.Kh1 $6 {This move is not very useful.} ( 17.Rf2 ) ( 17.Rae1 ) 17...Qf6 $1 {Forcing a queen exchange.} 18.Qxf6+ ( 18.Qg4 $2 {loses a pawn after} 18...Nxf5 19.e4 Ne3 ) 18...Nxf6 19.fxg6 hxg6 $1 {The best way to capture, opening the h-file.} ( 19...fxg6 20.e4 {with an equal position.} ) 20.e4 dxe4 ( 20...Rad8 {keeping the central tension was more unpleasant for White. Black's plan is Nd7-c5.} ) 21.dxe4 ( 21.Nxe4 {is also playable:} 21...Nxe4 22.dxe4 Rad8 23.Rad1 f5 {with some slight pressure for Black.} ) 21...Rad8 22.Rf2 Rd4 {Not the best, since now the e7-knight will be forced into an awkward square.} ( 22...Nd7 {is a good alternative, although White defends after} 23.c3 Nc5 24.Bc2 ) 23.Raf1 Neg8 ( 23...Nxe4 {leads to a draw after} 24.Nxe4 Rxe4 25.Rxf7+ Rxf7 26.Rxf7+ Kh6 27.Kg1 Nf5 28.Rxb7 Re2 ) 24.c3 Rd7 25.Re2 {Protecting the pawn and preparing Nc4.} 25...Re7 26.Bc2 ( 26.Nc4 {is possible:} 26...Ra8 ( 26...b5 {This is the machine's favorite move, sacrificing a pawn in order to achieve activity and a draw.} 27.Nxa5 Rc7 {with enough compensation.} ) 27.Nb6 Rd8 28.Bc2 {with a slight advantage for White.} ) 26...Nd7 27.Nc4 Ra8 28.g4 $6 {A compromising move that weakens the dark squares, although this mistake was not immediately exploited by Carlsen.} ( 28.Ref2 {is better, with an equal position.} ) 28...f6 $6 ( 28...Ngf6 $1 {is stronger:} 29.h3 ( 29.g5 Nh5 {White has created weaknesses in his own camp.} ) 29...Nc5 {with advantage for Black.} ) 29.Rg2 {White's g-pawn advance is now justified.} 29...Nh6 30.g5 fxg5 31.Rxg5 Nf7 32.Rg2 ( 32.Rg3 $1 {The rook is more useful on this square, since it has more scope on the third rank.} 32...Re6 33.Ne3 Rf6 34.Rfg1 {with a small advantage for White.} ) 32...Re6 $1 33.Rd2 ( 33.Ne3 Rf6 34.Rfg1 Nf8 35.Bb3 {with equality.} ) 33...Rf6 34.Rxf6 Nxf6 35.b4 axb4 36.cxb4 Kf8 {Black wants to play Ke7-Rh8 and start an attack with rook and knights.} 37.Kg2 ( 37.Nb6 $1 {In hindsight, it makes sense for White to exchange one of the knights.} 37...Re8 38.Nd7+ Nxd7 39.Rxd7 Re7 40.Rd2 {with a likely draw.} ) 37...Ke7 38.a5 Rh8 $1 {Praggnandhaa was very low on time and the position is not easy to defend, although still objectively equal.} 39.Re2 $6 ( 39.Bd3 $1 {I like this move, preparing to bring the bishop to f1 to help the kingside against Black's knights, for instance:} 39...Nh5 40.Bf1 Nf4+ 41.Kf3 ) 39...Nh5 $1 40.Kg1 Nf4 41.Rd2 Rh3 $1 {Watching the game live and observing White with only seconds left I was sure at this point that Carlsen would win the game.} 42.a6 $2 {The losing move.} ( 42.Bd1 $1 {According to the computer, this difficult move is the only chance. The bishop controls the f3-square and may go to g4 in some lines. If Black tries} 42...Rc3 {then} 43.Rc2 $1 Rb3 44.Rb2 $1 {with chances of survival.} ) 42...bxa6 43.Ba4 Rc3 ( 43...Ng5 $1 {is even stronger.} ) 44.Na5 ( 44.Rc2 {is the only chance.} ) 44...Ng5 $1 45.Rc2 Ngh3+ $1 {Carlsen quickly spotted the winning continuation.} 46.Kf1 Ra3 $1 47.Nxc6+ Kf6 {The bishop is lost and White's king is caught in an amusing mating net. With this World Cup victory, Carlsen completes every possible title in chess. As a fan, I'm happy for him, but a little worried too: I hope he still has the motivation to keep playing classical tournaments.} 0-1

[Event "Women's Rapid"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.31"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vantika, Agrawal"]
[Black "Ushenina, Anna"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2307"]
[BlackElo "2384"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7218501792782"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 h6 {Some strong players have tried This strange little move. The idea is to stop White from developing their bishop to g5. Of course, it's not better than more natural moves, but it has the benefit of side-stepping more well-known opening theory.} 4.g3 Nf6 5.Bg2 Bd6 6.O-O O-O 7.b3 {A good move, protecting c4 and preparing to develop the bishop.} 7...b6 8.Bb2 Bb7 9.cxd5 {Interestingly, no one has captured the pawn in this position before, although we will have a transposition later.} ( 9.Nc3 {If you want to learn how to play these classical pawn structures, few things are better than studying a game played by GM Boris Gelfand.} 9...Nbd7 10.Rc1 a6 11.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11...Re8 12.e4 {with a clear advantage for White in Gelfand-Nihal, Wch Rapid Warsaw 2021.} ) 9...exd5 10.Nc3 Nbd7 11.Rc1 a6 {A necessary move to avoid Nc3-b5. Now, White must decide on a plan of action.} 12.Nh4 {The knight heads to f5.} ( 12.Qc2 Re8 13.Nh4 Rc8 14.Rfd1 Bf8 15.e3 g6 16.Nf3 {with a slight advantage for White in Lazavik-Kovalev, Titled Tuesday 2023.} ) ( 12.e3 {is a typical idea, with the plan of playing Nc3-e2-f4-d3.} ) 12...Re8 ( 12...g6 {is possible, avoiding the knight jump at the cost of weakening the kingside slightly.} ) 13.Nf5 Nf8 $6 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] But this is a strange decision—there's no need to let the bishop go.} ( 13...Bf8 {This is the logical follow-up for Black's previous move. The position is equal.} ) 14.e3 ( 14.f3 {is the computer suggestion, and it's better than it looks. The idea is to prepare the e2-e4 advance at some point.} 14...Ne6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is not possible now:} 15.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with an overwhelming advantage.} ) 14...Ne6 ( 14...Bb4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] it's interesting to exchange the bishop for the other knight, for instance:} 15.a3 Bxc3 16.Rxc3 Ne4 17.Rc1 a5 {with a balanced game.} ) 15.Nxd6 cxd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A dubious positional decision, as the pawn becomes weak.} ( 15...Qxd6 {is safer.} ) 16.a4 {Played to hinder Black's play on the queenside.} ( 16.h4 {is interesting, taking the g5-square from the knight.} ) 16...Ng5 ( 16...b5 {can be played anyway, since the pawn cannot be captured.} 17.Ba3 {with a slight advantage for White.} ( 17.axb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17...axb5 18.Nxb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18...Ba6 ) ) 17.Ne2 {A typical knight journey.} 17...Nge4 18.Nf4 ( 18.f3 {It's also good to send the knight back immediately.} 18...Ng5 19.h4 Ne6 20.Qd2 ) 18...b5 ( 18...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, with the plan of activating the bishop with ...Ba6.} ) 19.f3 ( 19.axb5 {it makes sense to exchange the pawns immediately.} 19...axb5 20.f3 Ng5 21.Qd2 {with a clear advantage.} ) 19...Ng5 20.h4 ( 20.axb5 {this move is not good now since Black can take on e3.} 20...Rxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20...Ngh7 ( 20...Ne6 {seems more logical.} ) 21.Qd2 bxa4 22.bxa4 a5 ( 22...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] sharpens the game. We will see this same idea later.} 23.hxg5 hxg5 24.Nh3 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a double-edged position.} ) 23.Ba3 Nf8 $6 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24.Rc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing to double rooks on the c-file.} 24...g5 {This move is not that effective now.} 25.hxg5 hxg5 26.Nh3 g4 ( 26...Ne6 27.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The g5-pawn is fixed and Black is in trouble.} ) 27.fxg4 Nxg4 28.Nf4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] There are better options.} ( 28.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's position quicky collapses after this strong move.} 28...dxe4 29.Qf4 Qd7 30.Qg5+ Ng6 ( 30...Kh8 31.Rf5 ) 31.Nf4 {with a winning attack.} ) ( 28.Rf5 {is also very strong.} ) 28...Qg5 29.Bf3 ( 29.Bxd6 {The pawn can be taken. The point is that after} 29...Qh6 {White defends with} 30.Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 29...Nf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 29...Rac8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better chance to try to stir up some confusion.} ) 30.Bxd6 Qxg3+ 31.Qg2 Qxg2+ 32.Kxg2 {The endgame is a nightmare for Black: too many weaknesses and an exposed king.} 32...Ra6 33.Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate.} 33...N8d7 34.Rb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...Bc6 ( 34...Ba8 {is a better attempt, although the position remains difficult.} 35.Be2 Ra7 ( 35...Rc6 36.Rxc6 Bxc6 37.Bxf6 Nxf6 38.Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...Rc8 39.Bb5 Bxb5 40.Rxb5 {with a winning endgame.} ) 36.Bxf6 Nxf6 37.Rb6 Ne4 38.Rc2 {Black still has practical chances, but objectively, the position is lost.} ) 35.Be2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White wins the exchange.} 35...Ne4 ( 35...Nxe5 36.Bxa6 Nc4 37.Bxc4 dxc4+ 38.Kg1 {with a technically winning position.} ) 36.Rcc1 Rea8 37.Bxa6 Rxa6 38.Bc7 Nd2 39.Rb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very clever move, offering the exchange back.} 39...Nc4 ( 39...Bxb5 40.axb5 {The b-pawn decides the game.} ) 40.Rc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This gives Black one last hope.} ( 40.Kf3 Ra7 41.Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...Bxd5+ ( 41...Nf6 42.e4 ) 42.Rxd5 Rxc7 43.Ke2 Kf8 44.Rxd7 Rxd7 45.Rxc4 ) ( 40.e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( 40.Kf2 ) 40...Nf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 40...Ra7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and it's not clear whether White is still winning, for instance:} 41.Nxd5 ( 41.Bd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 41...Bxb5 42.axb5 Ndb6 ) 41...Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42.Rxc4 ( 42.Bb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is probably the best move, but not easy to play when your opponent is taking on d5. The machine, however, is not afraid of these things.} ) 42...Bxd5+ 43.Rxd5 Nxd5 44.Bf4 Nb6 {with drawing chances.} ) 41.Rb8+ Kg7 42.Kf3 {The king frees the g-file to be used on the attack.} 42...Ne4 43.Rc1 Ng5+ 44.Ke2 f6 45.Rh1 Bxa4 46.Rhh8 Nf7 {This leads to mate, but there was no salvation.} 47.Rbg8# 1-0

[Event "World Rapid Team Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.28"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "C34"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[Beauty "8251034891327"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]

1.e4 e5 2.f4 {The King's Gambit is not a good choice for White in standard super grandmaster play, but in rapid games or amateur tournaments it's possible to have some fun with it.} 2...exf4 3.Nf3 Ne7 {Only the seventh-most popular move.} ( 3...g5 {is the main move.} ) 4.d4 d5 5.Bd3 {Nepomniachtchi had played this move before.} ( 5.Nc3 ) ( 5.e5 ) 5...c5 ( 5...dxe4 {is also possible:} 6.Bxe4 Ng6 7.Qe2 Be7 8.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 8...O-O 9.h5 Nh4 10.Bxf4 Nxf3+ 11.Qxf3 Qxd4 12.Nc3 Nc6 13.h6 g6 14.Rd1 Qb4 15.O-O {with good compensation for the pawn in Nepomniachtchi-Hansen, Chess.com (rapid) 2022.} ) 6.Nc3 cxd4 7.Nxd4 dxe4 {A good move and also a novelty.} ( 7...Nbc6 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.exd5 ( 9.O-O $6 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 9...d4 10.Ne2 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 10...Ng6 {was played in Zeller-Hecht, Germany 2004.} ) 11.g3 f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.Rxf3 Ng6 {followed by ...Ne5 with a clear advantage for Black.} ) 9...Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Qe2+ Be7 12.Bxf4 Be6 {with a roughly equal position.} ) 8.Nxe4 ( 8.Bxe4 {is also possible, with a complicated game after} 8...Ng6 ) 8...Ng6 ( {Of course not} 8...Qxd4 $4 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 9.Bb5+ {winning the queen.} ) 9.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong move, preparing to disturb the knight's position on g6.} 9...Nc6 ( 9...Nxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The pawn cannot be taken; White's initiative is too strong after} 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Qe2 Be7 12.Bxf4 {All the pieces are playing and Black is lost.} ) ( 9...Be7 {is playable:} 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.h5 Nh4 12.Qe2 O-O 13.Bxf4 Nf5 14.Nxf5 Bxf5 {with a balanced game.} ) ( 9...h5 {is also an interesting alternative, avoiding the h4-h5 advance in the most primitive way.} ) 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Qe2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 11.h5 {is better:} 11...Ne5 12.Bxf4 Nxd3+ 13.Qxd3 ( 13.cxd3 Bb4+ {with a good position for Black.} ) 13...Qxd3 14.cxd3 Bb4+ {with an equal endgame. Needless to say, this type of position is not what Nepomniachtchi wants when he plays the King's Gambit.} ) 11...Bb4+ $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 11...Be7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger, leading to a good position for Black after} 12.h5 Ne5 13.Bxf4 Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.Qe3 Nxd3+ 15.cxd3 ( 15.Qxd3 Qxd3 16.cxd3 O-O {is also preferable for Black: a safe endgame with the pair of bishops.} ) 15...O-O ) 12.Bd2 Bxd2+ 13.Qxd2 O-O 14.O-O-O Bg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] After this move the position becomes very dangerous.} ( 14...Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is safer:} 15.h5 Bxe4 16.Bxe4 Qxd2+ 17.Rxd2 Ne5 18.Rf2 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.hxg6 fxg6 ( 19...hxg6 {is also fine.} ) 20.Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White manages to win the pawn back, but this is only enough for equality.} ) 15.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15...Ne5 ( 15...Bxd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16.hxg6 {wins.} ) 16.Qxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has only one move to keep fighting now, but does not find it.} 16...Qb8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 16...Bxd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17.Qxe5 {followed by h5-h6 with a decisive attack.} ) ( 16...Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only chance.} 17.Be2 ( 17.h6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is not so dangerous now:} 17...Bxd1 18.hxg7 Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the rook comes to the rescue.} ) 17...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An interesting variation goes:} 18.Qg5 ( 18.Bxg4 $4 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 18...Nd3+ {wins the queen.} ) 18...Bxe2 19.Nf6+ Kf8 ( 19...Kh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 20.h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20.Nxh7+ Kg8 21.Nf6+ {with a draw.} ( 21.h6 {is a winning attempt, but Black is not worse after} 21...Ng6 22.hxg7 Qf4+ 23.Qxf4 Nxf4 24.Nf6+ Kxg7 25.Nxe8+ Rxe8 ) ) 17.Nd6 $3 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Svidler certainly missed this beautiful move, which leads to a winning attack.} 17...f6 ( 17...Qxd6 18.Bxh7+ Kxh7 19.Rxd6 {wins the queen.} ) ( 17...Bxd1 18.Qxe5 Bg4 19.h6 {with mate soon to follow.} ) ( 17...Nxd3+ 18.Rxd3 {followed by h5-h6, destroying the king's protection.} ) 18.Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...g6 ( 18...Nxd3+ 19.Rxd3 {is not much help.} ) 19.hxg6 hxg6 20.Rh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook is ready to capture the g6-pawn.} 20...Qxd6 21.Bc4+ Kg7 22.Rxg6+ ( 22.Rxg6+ Nxg6 23.Rxd6 {White is a queen up and the attack continues.} ) 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.09.12"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2659"]
[BlackElo "2722"]
[ECO "B53"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7838986422814"]
[EventType "game"]

{[%evp 0,74,27,22,42,42,69,44,44,35,36,37,25,31,30,-1,2,-2,-2,-6,21,21,20,-8,2,-4,-4,7,3,8,17,21,33,19,41,45,75,35,35,36,31,35,36,29,24,33,53,32,29,27,27,3,27,9,13,13,13,8,8,-58,8,4,75,-101,-108,-157,-157,-324,-239,-239,-250,-395,-395,-433,-432,-417,-437]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 5.Bb5 Bd7 6.Qd3 {An interesting alternative to the more popular 6.Bxc6.} ( 6.Bxc6 ) 6...g6 7.c4 Bg7 8.O-O Nf6 9.Nc3 {White has the traditional Maroczy structure (pawns on e4 and c4) but with somewhat strange pieces: the queen on d3 and the bishop on b5.} 9...Ng4 {A rare move. The idea is to place the knight on e5, but it backfires against precise play.} ( 9...O-O {is played most often.} ) 10.Bxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10...Bxc6 11.Nd4 {A new and not very effective move.} ( 11.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11...Ne5 12.Nxe5 Bxe5 13.Bh6 {avoids castling and gave White the initiative in Socko-Sutovsky, Eu-ch playoff Rijeka (rapid) 2010.} ) 11...O-O ( 11...Qa5 {is very interesting, since Black wins a pawn if White plays the most natural move:} 12.h3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 12...Ne5 13.Qe2 Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 12.h3 Ne5 13.Qe2 Rc8 ( 13...Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to play, planning to attack the c4-pawn before White can stabilize the position.} 14.Be3 Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.Nd5 Bxd5 16.cxd5 Rfc8 {with equal chances.} ) 14.Be3 {Now White gets the kind of position he wants with this system with more space and no counterplay for Black.} 14...Bd7 15.b3 a6 16.Rac1 e6 {Vachier-Lagrave is a very active player and has his eyes on all the possible pawn breaks: b5, d5, and f5.} 17.Rfd1 Qe7 18.Qd2 ( 18.f4 {is natural and good:} 18...Nc6 19.Nf3 {White can start pressing the d6-pawn and has a clear advantage.} ) 18...Rfd8 19.a4 Be8 20.Nde2 Nc6 21.Bb6 Rd7 22.Qe3 h5 23.a5 g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is how Vachier Lagrave plays and that's why he has so many fans around the world. He advances the kingside in order to create some chances, even if this creates weaknesses in his position.} 24.Nd4 {The start of a dubious knight maneuver. White should probably break on f4, now or after the preparatory 24.Rf1, with the advantage in both cases.} ( 24.f4 gxf4 25.Nxf4 ) ( 24.Rf1 ) 24...Ne5 25.Nf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25.Nde2 {It's not too late to revert to the plan with f2-f4.} ) 25...f6 26.Ne2 ( 26.Nxe5 {is possible, but doesn't bring big dividends after} 26...dxe5 ( 26...fxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is dubious, since the d5-pawn becomes a target.} 27.Rd3 ) ) 26...Bg6 27.Nfd4 Bh6 28.f3 Kh7 {In the last moves, Gukesh wasn't able to show a clear plan, while Vachier-Lagrave has improved his position considerably.} 29.Qf2 $6 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 29.g4 {It's interesting to avoid the advance g5-g4 in a radical way. The position is even.} ) 29...Rg8 ( 29...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger:} 30.cxd5 Rxc1 31.Nxc1 exd5 {with excellent counterplay.} ) 30.Rc3 ( 30.g4 ) 30...g4 {Sharpening the game. We arrive at the game's critical moment.} 31.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 31.hxg4 {It's necessary to capture before pushing the f-pawn.} 31...hxg4 32.f4 Bxe4 33.Ng3 {Compared to the game, Black doesn't have the option of taking on h3 now. After} 33...Bg6 34.f5 exf5 35.Ndxf5 Bxf5 36.Nxf5 {White has good compensation for the pawn.} ) 31...Bxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.fxe5 ( 32.Qh4 {is the only chance according to the computer, but no human plays like this.} ) ( 32.Ng3 gxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins for Black.} ) 32...dxe5 {The knight on d4 cannot move. White's position collapses quickly.} 33.Ng3 gxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Kh2 exd4 35.Bxd4 e5 {Another piece is pinned on the d-file.} 36.Bc5 Rxd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Bxe7 hxg2 {White cannot defend the threat of 38...Rh1+.} 0-1

[Event "Levitov Chess Week 2023"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "2023.09.22"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[ECO "C11"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[Beauty "8246739910186"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NED"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 Be7 8.Qd2 a6 9.dxc5 {Anand releases the central tension immediately. Carlsen chose another move in a recent game.} ( 9.Bd3 c4 {A commital decision.} ( 9...b5 {is more flexible.} ) 10.Be2 b5 11.f5 ( 11.a3 {is more accurate.} ) 11...Nb6 12.fxe6 fxe6 ( 12...Bxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 13.O-O {with an advantage for White in Carlsen-Firouzja, Julius Baer (rapid) 2023.} ) 9...Nxc5 10.a3 {A good, useful move against Black's b5-b4 advance. Castling immediately is also possible.} ( 10.O-O-O ) 10...O-O 11.Qf2 b6 {A difficult choice. Black has two other important moves.} ( 11...Qa5 12.O-O-O {was played in Huschenbeth-Vallejo Pons, Bundesliga 2022.} ) ( 11...Nd7 {looks strange, but Black wants to break with f7-f6.} 12.Nd4 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.exf6 Bxf6 15.Bxf6 ( 15.O-O-O {is a good alternative.} ) 15...Qxf6 16.g3 g5 {with a very complicated position in Karjakin-Adhiban, Tata Steel 2017.} ) 12.O-O-O ( 12.b4 {Kramnik, who is also playing in this tournament, won a spectacular game with this move. The idea, however, is refuted by modern computers.} 12...Nd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 12...f6 $3 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] is the brillitant refutation, sacrificing a piece. After} 13.bxc5 bxc5 {Black has adequate compensation. Here's one of the most interesting computer lines:} 14.Bxc5 Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.Bd4 fxe5 16.Nxe5 Nxd4 17.Qxd4 Rxf4 18.Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The game follows an incredible sequence of creative tactics.} 18...Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Qxg7+ Kxg7 20.Nxa5 Bd4 21.Kd2 Rf2+ 22.Be2 Bxc3+ 23.Kxc3 Rxe2 24.Rae1 {with an equal endgame.} ) 13.Bd3 f6 14.Qg3 {with a clear advantage for White in Kramnik-Meier, Baku Olympiad 2016.} ) 12...Qc7 {Removing the queen from the d1-rook's x-ray is useful.} ( 12...f6 {is an alternative.} ) 13.Bd3 {A new move.} ( 13.Kb1 {is the standard reaction and leads to a double-edged position after} 13...f5 14.exf6 Bxf6 15.Qe1 Bd7 16.g3 Rac8 {Haubro-Hjartason, Helsingor 2019.} ) 13...Bb7 {This is not the most accurate.} ( 13...f5 {is dubious since White can prepare the g2-g4 break with} 14.Rhg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 13...Nxd3+ 14.Rxd3 b5 {leads to an unclear position: Black's counterplay on the queenside looks fast enough.} ) ( 13...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best, according to the machine.} 14.exf6 ( 14.Qg3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is an improved version for Black.} ) 14...Bxf6 {with counterplay.} ) 14.Qg3 ( 14.Kb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. When in doubt, play Kb1. This irrefutable piece of advice once again proves true.} ) 14...f5 15.Kb1 {It is always difficult to decide whether the pawn should be captured en passant or not.} ( 15.exf6 Rxf6 {The position is roughly equal.} ) 15...b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this error the position becomes very difficult to defend.} ( 15...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary:} 16.Bxe4 fxe4 17.Ng5 ( 17.Nd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17...Nxd4 18.Bxd4 b5 {Black's attack is coming faster.} ) 17...Bxg5 ( 17...Bc8 {is also possible.} ) 18.Qxg5 Ne7 {with a balanced position.} ) 16.Bxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. The knight is removed from the board before it can land on e4. It's not easy to exchange the important dark-squared bishop, but this is done for a good reason. White's attack with g2-g4 comes very quickly.} 16...Bxc5 17.Qh3 {White is threatening 18.Ng5 and also prepares the advance of the g-pawn.} 17...g6 ( 17...Bc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance, although White's attack is still very dangerous:} 18.g4 b4 19.gxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...bxc3 20.f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There are some crazy and interesting computer lines here. Let's continue for a little bit:} 20...gxf6 21.Rhg1+ Kh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 21...Bxg1 $2 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22.Rxg1+ Kh8 23.Qh6 Bb7 24.exf6 {with a decisive attack.} ) 22.Qh6 Rb8 23.exf6 Rxb2+ 24.Ka1 Qb7 25.Qg7+ Qxg7 26.fxg7+ Kg8 27.gxf8=Q+ Kxf8 28.Bxh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Bxg1 29.Rxg1 {White has the advantage, but the game keeps going.} ) 18.g4 {The attack is decisive, and Anand plays superbly to demonstrate it.} 18...b4 19.gxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...bxc3 ( 19...gxf5 {The opening of the g-file gives White many options.} 20.Na4 {There are other winning moves, but this is simple and good.} ( 20.Nxd5 {is interesting, but not the best way.} 20...exd5 21.Bxf5 ) ( 20.axb4 Nxb4 21.Ng5 {also results in a very strong attack.} ) 20...Ba7 21.Rhg1+ $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Bxg1 22.Rxg1+ Kh8 23.Nc5 {Black will not resist the combined attack of queen, rook, and two knights.} ) 20.fxg6 {Black's defense is destroyed.} 20...Rae8 ( 20...hxg6 21.Rhg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Bxg1 22.Rxg1 {with a winning attack.} ) 21.Rhg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Bxg1 22.Rxg1 Rxf4 23.Qxe6+ $3 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] What a wonderful move. This is vintage Anand.} 23...Kf8 ( 23...Rxe6 24.gxh7+ Kf7 25.h8=Q {followed by mate.} ) 24.gxh7 1-0

[Event "Levitov Chess Week 2023"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "2023.09.26"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "D03"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[Beauty "8249713631828"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bg5 Ne4 4.Bh4 {The real battle in this game will unfold over the next four moves, so we need to pay special attention to what happens in this interval. Dubov is known for his original opening ideas and for analyzing them in great depth.} ( 4.Bf4 {is the alternative.} ) 4...h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Nepomniachtchi chooses a rare line, but it's the computer's first choice, which certainly did not go unnoticed by the renowned theorist who leads the white pieces. The idea is to play 5...f6 followed by g7-g5. The bishop on h4 doesn't have an easy life.} 5.h3 {A good reaction, freeing the h2-square for the bishop.} ( 5.Nbd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a natural move that shows the dangers of the position. Black is already much better after} 5...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 6.h3 g5 7.Bg3 Nxg3 8.fxg3 Qd6 ) ( 5.e3 {is possible, but White needs to be armed with computer analysis to find the right way to play on the next move.} 5...f6 6.Ng1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only acceptable continuation.} 6...g5 7.f3 gxh4 8.fxe4 dxe4 9.Nc3 {with a complicated game.} ) 5...Rg8 $6 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The first step in the wrong direction.} ( 5...f6 {is still possible but not so dangerous anymore:} 6.Nfd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 6...g5 7.Nxe4 {White stands slightly better after both captures.} 7...gxh4 ( 7...dxe4 8.Bg3 ) 8.Ned2 e5 9.Nf3 ) ( 5...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move and was tested in the blitz game Grischuk-Sadhwani, Krasnogorsk 2023. There's a lot to be discovered in this position.} ) 6.Nbd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 6.Nfd2 {Black gets a better version with the rook on g8 instead of the pawn on f6.} 6...g5 7.Nxe4 gxh4 ) 6...g5 7.Nxe4 gxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black is left with a miserable position after this move.} ( 7...dxe4 {is the only way to make sense of the previous moves.} 8.Nxg5 Qd5 9.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} 9...f6 10.e3 Bf5 {with a double-edged position where I prefer White.} ( 10...fxg5 11.Qxh5+ Qf7 12.Qxf7+ Kxf7 13.Bxg5 {The e4-pawn is very weak, and White has the advantage in this unbalanced position.} ) ) 8.Nc3 e6 9.e4 {Black has nothing to show for the weakened king and pawn structure.} 9...Bh6 ( 9...Nc6 10.Qe2 {is also very unpleasant.} ) 10.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's position collapses quickly.} 10...Qg5 11.exd5 Kf8 12.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Dubov likes to sacrifice pieces. This move must have come easily for him.} 12...f6 ( 12...Qxg2 {loses after} 13.Qxh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Qxh1+ 14.Ke2 ) 13.dxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...fxe5 14.Qf3+ Kg7 15.Qf7+ Kh8 16.e7 Be6 {A desperate try to muddy the waters.} ( {After} 16...Bd7 {White wins with} 17.Qxg8+ Qxg8 18.Bxg8 Kxg8 19.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] threatening to capture on c5 and also a check on f6.} ) 17.Qxe6 Nc6 18.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Qg7 19.Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Qxg2 20.Bd5 Qxh1+ 21.Bxh1 Rg1+ 22.Ke2 Nxd4+ 23.Kd3 Nxe6 24.Rxg1 {The e7-pawn cannot be stopped.} 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour AI Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[ECO "E16"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[Beauty "6736945641480"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "600+2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 {The old main move of the Queen's Indian Defense.} ( 4...Ba6 ) 5.Bg2 Bb4+ {The second most popular move.} ( 5...Be7 ) 6.Bd2 Bxd2+ {There are various alternatives to this move.} ( 6...Qe7 ) ( 6...Be7 ) ( 6...a5 ) ( 6...c5 ) 7.Qxd2 O-O {The same players faced each other in this position this year, but in that game Andreikin decided to castle straight away.} 8.Nc3 ( 8.O-O d6 9.Nc3 Ne4 10.Qc2 Nxc3 11.Qxc3 Nd7 12.Rfe1 f5 13.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] We will see a similar trick in the main game.} 13...Qxg5 14.Bxb7 {Andreikin went on to win this game as well. Andreikin-Nakamura, Chess.com (blitz) 2023.} ) 8...Ne4 9.Qc2 Nxc3 10.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The game takes on a forceful character.} 10...Ne4 11.Nxe4 {This move is rarely played.} ( 11.Bxe4 {is critical, but Black has compensation for the exchange after} 11...Bxe4 12.Qxe4 Qxg5 13.Qxa8 Nc6 14.Qb7 Nxd4 ) 11...Nc6 12.Qc3 Na5 {A new move.} ( 12...d5 13.cxd5 exd5 14.Nd2 {with a slight advantage for White: Fluit-Ressler, ICCF email 2014.} ) ( 12...f5 {is possible:} 13.Nd2 Qf6 14.e3 Nd8 15.Bxb7 Nxb7 {with a balanced game.} ) 13.O-O f5 14.Nd2 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 c5 16.dxc5 bxc5 {White is slightly better due to the more stable pawn structure; Black's pawn on f5 is too advanced.} 17.Rad1 ( 17.a3 {and the idea of playing b2-b4 is a more incisive plan.} ) 17...Qc7 18.Nf3 ( 18.f4 {is more aggressive, with the idea of playing e2-e4 without allowing the option of ...f5-f4.} ) 18...Rad8 19.Rd3 d6 20.Rfd1 Nb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is too passive.} ( 20...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better; the knight will go to c6.} 21.Rd5 Nc6 {with chances for both sides.} ) 21.Ng5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Andreikin starts an interesting journey with his knight.} 21...Rde8 22.Nh3 {This is the point: he wants to play Nf4. But Nakamura avoids this.} 22...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Rd5 Rf6 24.Ng5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The knight goes back, but this is not dangerous for Black.} 24...h6 25.Nf3 Nd8 ( 25...Na5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate. The knight heads to c6, but now after} 26.b4 {he can play} 26...cxb4 27.Qxb4 Nxc4 {winning a pawn.} ) 26.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...cxb4 ( 26...Ne6 {leads to an equal position after} 27.bxc5 Nxc5 ) 27.Qxb4 Nf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The knight chooses the wrong way again.} ( 27...Nb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is correct. White has only a small advantage after} 28.Qa4 Rff8 ) 28.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White breaks the pawn chain and achieves a clear advantage since his major pieces have become very active.} 28...dxc5 29.Rxc5 Qe7 30.Qc4 Qe6 31.Qxe6 Rfxe6 32.Rd7 a6 33.Rcc7 {A dream situation for White's rooks. But Nakamura is famous for his defensive capabilities.} 33...Rf6 34.h4 e4 35.Nd4 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best chance.} 36.g4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This gives good escaping chances for Black.} ( 36.gxf4 Rxf4 37.Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Rf6 38.Ne7+ Kf8 39.Ra7 {Black is not yet lost, but the position is very uncomfortable.} ) 36...g6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 36...f3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] offers excellent drawing chances.} 37.exf3 exf3+ 38.Nxf3 ( 38.Kg3 Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 38...Rxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Kxf3 Ne5+ 40.Kg3 Nxd7 41.Rxd7 Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook goes to a4, and Black is fighting.} ) 37.a4 ( 37.Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is winning for White: the knight is heading to e7 and then d5.} ) 37...f3+ 38.exf3 exf3+ 39.Nxf3 ( 39.Kg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, protecting the g4-pawn before taking on f3.} ) 39...Rf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake.} ( 39...Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.Kg3 Rxa4 41.Rc8+ Kg7 42.g5 hxg5 43.Nxg5 Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44.Rcc7 Raf5 45.f3 Kg8 {Despite White's imposing rooks, material is reduced and Black keeps fighting for a draw.} ) 40.Kg3 Ree4 41.Rc8+ Kg7 42.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A deadly blow, probably missed by Nakamura. White forces a winning rook endgame.} 42...Rf6 43.Rxf7+ Rxf7 44.Nxf7 Kxf7 45.Rc7+ Kf8 46.Rc6 Rxa4 47.Rxg6 {The rest is easy for as good a player as Andreikin.} 47...h5 48.f3 a5 49.Ra6 Kg7 50.g5 Ra3 51.Kf4 a4 52.Ke4 Ra1 53.Kf5 a3 54.Ra7+ Kf8 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour AI Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.25"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[ECO "B97"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7629631689258"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

{[%evp 0,80,26,18,44,53,50,50,46,30,32,33,46,46,38,18,25,11,19,3,3,3,3,-3,-3,-5,24,-18,-23,-25,-17,-16,28,-7,42,32,36,31,11,14,0,16,24,18,29,29,47,47,32,28,35,17,17,0,0,0,-15,0,0,-61,-64,-84,-33,-33,29,-48,-88,-108,-141,-114,-70,-83,-79,-124,-138,-138,-138,-170,-103,-181,-160,-29993,-29994]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 {The Poisoned Pawn Variation of the Najdorf was Fischer's and Kasparov's favorite. Computers are not capable of proving an advantage for White, but it takes courage and a good memory to play this line with Black, qualities that Vachier-Lagrave certainly isn't lacking.} 8.Nb3 {What should we call this: an Anti-Poisoned Pawn Variation $2} ( 8.Qd2 Qxb2 {has been tested in thousands of games, including one victory for Spassky against Fischer in the Match of the Century.} ) 8...Nbd7 9.Qe2 {The development of the white queen on e2 is a relatively recent invention, and many players now prefer this square and not the old but also pleasant f3.} 9...Qc7 10.O-O-O b5 11.a3 Be7 12.Kb1 {All these moves are very natural for both sides. Being the greatest living expert on the Najdorf, Vachier-Lagrave should have all this very well prepared.} 12...Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing the typical pawn break with b5-b4.} ( 12...Bb7 {The Frenchman chose this move last year, but White gained a dangerous initiative after} 13.Qe1 Rc8 14.Bd3 Nc5 15.Nxc5 dxc5 16.e5 {in Maghsoodloo-Vachier Lagrave, EU-Cup Mayrhofen 2022.} ) 13.Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Excellent prophylaxis.} ( 13.g4 {is not convincing:} 13...b4 14.axb4 Rxb4 {with good counterplay for Black.} ) 13...Bb7 ( 13...b4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move doesn't work now:} 14.axb4 Rxb4 15.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The role of the queen on e1 becomes clear.} ) 14.Bd3 h6 15.Bh4 Nc5 {All this has been played before. The theory of the Najdorf goes very deep, especially in the 6.Bg5 variation.} 16.f5 {An interesting move, played in a correspondence game.} ( 16.Nxc5 {doesn't give White much:} 16...dxc5 17.e5 Nd5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Bxe7 Qxe7 20.Be4 b4 {with good counterplay for Black in Nepomniachtchi-Giri, Carlsen Inv KO (rapid) 2021.} ( 20...Bxe4 {is also possible:} 21.Qxe4 O-O 22.Rd6 b4 ) ) 16...exf5 ( 16...Nxd3 17.Rxd3 O-O {is the continuation favored by the computer. No wonder it was played in the email game mentioned before. This game, unsurprisingly, ended in a draw: De Andres Senra-Boudey, EU-ch email 2020.} ) 17.Nxc5 ( 17.exf5 O-O 18.Nxc5 dxc5 {transposes to the game.} ) 17...dxc5 18.exf5 {White has an interesting alternative:} ( 18.Nd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black needs to walk a tightrope, but eventually escapes.} 18...Bxd5 19.exd5 O-O 20.d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Bxd6 ( 20...Qxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 21.Bxf5 Qc7 22.Bg3 {picking up the b8-rook.} ) 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.Qh4 Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] although the position looks dangerous, the machine shows that Black can hold.} ) 18...O-O 19.Bxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Both players are up to the challenge.} ( 19.Bg3 {leaves White empty-handed after} 19...Bd6 ) 19...Bxg2 ( 19...axb5 {is a good alternative, although very hard to find without the computer's help.} 20.Bg3 Qc6 21.Qxe7 ( 21.Bxb8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The point is that this obvious move gives Black a winning initiative after} 21...Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] for instance:} 22.Bg3 b4 {The attack more than compensates for the exchange.} ) 21...Rfe8 22.Qd6 Rbc8 {The activity of the pieces compensates for the missing pawn.} ) 20.Rg1 axb5 21.Rxg2 b4 22.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best chance.} ( 22.Bxf6 Bxf6 23.Nd5 Qd6 {offers no advantage for White.} ) 22...Nxe4 ( 22...Qe5 {is also possible:} 23.Nxf6+ Bxf6 24.Qxe5 Bxe5 {with a roughly equal position.} ) 23.Qxe4 Bxh4 24.Qxh4 Kh7 ( 24...f6 {is possible, avoiding the advance of White's pawn. But after} 25.a4 {it's still possible for the first player to fight for a win.} ) 25.f6 g6 26.Rd3 {Preparing the queen sacrifice on h6. The position looks really dangerous, but Black can survive with a series of forced moves.} 26...Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Rh3 ( 27.Rxg6 {is not enough for the advantage:} 27...Kxg6 ( 27...fxg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28.Rd7+ ) 28.Rg3+ Qxg3 ( 28...Qg5 {is also possible.} ) ( 28...Kf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29.Rf3+ Ke6 ( 29...Kg6 30.Qg4+ Qg5 31.Qe4+ Kh5 32.Rh3+ {followed by mate.} ) 30.Qh3+ Kd6 31.Rd3+ Kc6 32.Qd7+ Kb6 33.Rd6+ {and White wins.} ) 29.Qxg3+ Kxf6 {with a likely draw.} ) 27...h5 28.Rg5 Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.Qf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Probably frustrated at having come so close to mate, Firouzja makes a serious mistake.} ( 29.Rxh5+ {finishes the game with a pretty draw by perpetual check:} 29...gxh5 30.Qg5 Qf1+ $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Ka2 Qc4+ 32.Kb1 Qf1+ ) 29...Qe1+ $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Ka2 ( 30.Qc1 Rfe8 {is also very bad for White. Usually when an attack goes wrong, the endgame is bad because you create weaknesses trying to attack.} ) 30...Qe6+ 31.Rb3 c4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( {The simple} 31...bxa3 {opens lines to decisively attack White's king.} ) 32.Rbg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White is back in the game after} ( 32.Rxb4 Rxb4 33.axb4 c3+ 34.Kb1 {it seems Black has no more than a draw.} ) ( 32.Re3 {is also playable:} 32...b3+ 33.cxb3 cxb3+ 34.Kb1 ) 32...b3+ 33.cxb3 cxb3+ 34.Kb1 {Now the queen can move forward on the e-file, and the game is over.} 34...Qe1+ ( 34...Qe2 {is also good.} ) 35.Qc1 Rfe8 36.Rc3 Qe4+ 37.Ka1 Rbc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Using the theme of the back-rank mate.} 38.Rg1 ( 38.Rxc8 Rxc8 39.Qxc8 Qe1+ ) 38...Qd4 ( 38...Rxc3 39.Qxc3 Qd5 {followed by ...Re2 and a decisive advantage.} ) 39.Rgg3 ( 39.Qd1 {is the only chance.} ) 39...Rxc3 40.bxc3 ( 40.Rxc3 Qf2 ) 40...Qf2 {Threatening mate on a2 and also a rook invasion on e1.} 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour AI Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.26"]
[Round "51"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[ECO "A03"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Beauty "8250363770896"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.b3 d5 2.Bb2 c5 3.e3 Nf6 4.f4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] At the risk of earning the enmity of Dutch Defense supporters, I have to say that I'm not a big fan of advancing the f-pawn in the opening.} ( 4.Nf3 {leads to a Queen's Indian with a tempo up for White.} ) 4...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best development to demonstrate the problems of White's opening.} 5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.Bxd7+ Qxd7 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Qe2 O-O 9.d3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move makes things worse.} ( 9.O-O Nc6 10.Ne5 {with only a slight advantage for Black.} ) 9...Nc6 10.Nbd2 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11.e4 b5 {Something went very wrong with White's play. Black has a clear advantage. The b2-bishop doesn't make a good impression.} 12.O-O Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight heads to the delicious e3-square.} 13.Rfe1 Bh6 14.g3 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.fxe5 ( 15.f5 {is the best chance to create some confusion, although Black is much better after} 15...gxf5 16.Nh4 fxe4 17.dxe4 Ne3 ) 15...Rae8 {A natural move, bringing the rook into the game. The computer indicates an intricate winning method with 15...f5.} ( 15...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] opens the kingside and grants Black a winning attack.} 16.exf5 ( 16.exf6 Rxf6 {followed by ...Raf8} ) 16...Be3+ 17.Kg2 Bxd2 18.Nxd2 ( 18.Qxd2 Qxf5 {the f-file proves decisive.} ) 18...Ncxe5 {with a total destruction of White's position.} ) 16.a4 a6 {A solid move. There's a more incisive option available.} ( 16...Be3+ 17.Kg2 Ncxe5 18.axb5 ( 18.Nxe5 Rxe5 19.axb5 Rh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Nf1 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true] All of Black's pieces take part in the attack.} ) 18...Bxd2 19.Nxe5 Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Qxd2 Rh5 21.h4 f5 {The bishop on b2 is the symbol of White's problems.} ) 17.axb5 axb5 18.Bc1 ( 18.Ba3 {is a better chance.} ) 18...Be3+ 19.Kg2 Nf2 ( 19...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is again a sophisticated path to victory.} 20.exf5 ( 20.exf6 Rxf6 21.Rf1 Nb4 ) 20...gxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] a counterintuitive move, closing the f-file but taking the e4-square away from the knight. The queen comes to d5 sooner or later to decide the game.} ) ( 19...Ncxe5 {is also good.} ) 20.Ng1 $2 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 20.Nf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only chance. Needless to say, it's scary to let the black queen go to h3.} 20...Qh3+ 21.Kg1 Nxd3+ 22.Nxe3 Nxe1 23.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black needs to play some accurate moves now.} 23...Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Ng4 Kg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Nxh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 25...Qxh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26.Bh6+ ) 26.Qxe1 ( 26.cxd3 Nd4 {wins.} ) 26...Qxg4 27.Nf6 Qf3 28.Qd2 Nxe5 29.Nxe8+ Rxe8 30.Bb2 dxc2 31.Qxc2 {Maybe I went too far in this line, but one gets carried away analyzing crazy variations sometimes. Black has a clear advantage, but many things could happen before this position arrives on the board.} ) 20...Nxe5 21.Nf1 Bxc1 22.Raxc1 {Now Giri executes a brilliant combination to wrap-up the game.} 22...f5 $3 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Everything is working for Black after this sacrifice.} 23.Qxf2 fxe4 24.Qd2 ( 24.Qe2 {doesn't change anything. Black wins by either taking the pawn on d3 or advancing his pawn to e3.} 24...e3 ( 24...exd3 25.cxd3 Ng4 {wins as well.} ) 25.Nxe3 dxe3 26.Qxe3 {A possible winning line follows:} 26...Ng4 27.Qxc5 Qb7+ 28.Kh3 Rxe1 29.Rxe1 Nf2+ 30.Kh4 Qd7 {White's king will soon perish.} ) 24...e3 25.Nxe3 Qc6+ 26.Kh3 dxe3 27.Rxe3 Qe6+ 28.Kg2 Qd5+ {A nice queen triangulation.} 29.Kh3 ( 29.Re4 Nxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.cxd3 Rxe4 {wins material.} ) 29...Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 29...Ng4 30.Rxe8 Qh5+ 31.Kg2 Qxh2# ) 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour AI Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.27"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2940"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[ECO "B80"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[Beauty "7011936833576"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 {Carlsen decides to enter a theoretical battle in the Najdorf Defense.} 6...Ng4 7.Bc1 Nf6 8.f3 e6 9.Be3 b5 10.Qd2 Nbd7 11.g4 b4 12.Na4 ( 12.Nce2 {is another critical move and it was played by Topalov against Vachier-Lagrave.} 12...h6 13.Nf4 Bb7 14.Qxb4 Qc8 {with an unclear position in Topalov-Vachier-Lagrave, Riga FIDE GP 2019.} ) 12...h6 13.O-O-O Ne5 14.b3 ( 14.Qxb4 Bd7 {gives Black good compensation for the pawn, as several games have demonstrated.} ) 14...Bd7 15.Nb2 d5 16.Bf4 {This line was fashionable for a while, until players with White started looking for other ways to fight for the initiative.} 16...Nxf3 {An interesting piece sacrifice first played by Topalov, but there's a better way to play.} ( 16...Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move and was played in many correspondence games.} 17.Bg3 ( 17.e5 Nxf4 18.Qxf4 Ng8 {with a good position for Black.} ) 17...dxe4 18.Nc4 Nd5 {with good chances for Black in a complicated middlegame.} ) 17.Nxf3 Nxe4 18.Qd4 Rg8 $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A new move and not a good one. Vachier-Lagrave probably forgot his preparation. The idea is to defend the g7-pawn and prepare ...Bc5.} ( 18...f6 {was played in Anand-Topalov, Sofia MTel Masters 2005.} ) 19.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has other good moves, but I like Carlsen's choice.} ( 19.Nc4 Bc5 ( 19...dxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20.Qxe4 ) 20.Qe5 {The computer proves an advantage, although it's far from easy to replicate the moves in a human game. For instance:} 20...f6 21.Qh5+ g6 22.Qxh6 Bf8 ( 22...dxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23.Qh7 ) 23.Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...dxc4 24.Bxc4 Qa5 25.Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move that gives an advantage. Not very easy.} ) ( 19.Nd3 {is also good.} ) 19...Bc5 20.Qxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point.} 20...dxe4 21.Nxd7 Qxd7 ( 21...Qe7 22.Bc4 {with a clear advantage for White.} ) 22.Rxd7 Kxd7 {Positions with a material imbalance are difficult to evaluate. White has the advantage, but the position is tricky.} 23.Nc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 23.Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 23...Bf2 ( 23...Bd4 24.Bxa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins a pawn:} 24...Rxa6 25.Rd1 ) 24.Bc4 {with an advantage.} ) 23...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Be5 Ke7 {The position is unclear now. Black's pawns are dangerous.} 25.h4 Rad8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25...gxh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Rxh4 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Rxh5 ( 27.gxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27...Rg1 28.Rf4 f5 {with a winning advantage for Black.} ) 27...Rxg4 {The position is balanced.} ) 26.hxg5 Rxg5 27.Be2 Rg6 28.Bf4 Bd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 28...f6 {prevents the knight from going to e5 and leaves White with only a small advantage.} ) 29.Ne5 ( 29.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better:} 29...Rb8 ( 29...Bc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 30.Bxc3 bxc3 31.Ne5 {with a double attack.} ) ( 29...Bc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30.Ne5 {is the same.} ) 30.Na5 Kd6 31.Rd1 e5 32.Nc4+ Kc5 33.Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight heads to f5 and White is much better.} ) 29...Bxe5 ( 29...Rf6 {is interesting. The idea is:} 30.Nc6+ ( 30.Bg3 Bxe5 31.Bxe5 Rf2 {with drawing chances for Black.} ) 30...Kd7 31.Nxd8 Rxf4 32.Nb7 Bb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with good chances, since the extra knight is out of play.} ) 30.Bxe5 f5 31.gxf5 exf5 32.Bf4 ( 32.Bc4 {is also possible.} ) 32...a5 ( 32...Rh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 33.Rh5 Kf6 {Although the position visually appears better for White, the computer indicates equality.} ) 33.Bxh6 Rg2 $6 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 33...Rh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 34.Bg5+ ) ( 33...Rc8 {is interesting, with the idea of ...Rc3.} ) 34.Bf1 Rg6 35.Be3 {The bishop pair is deadly in open positions, but the game will still have some adventures.} 35...Kf6 36.Bc4 Ke5 37.Rh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...f4 38.Rh5+ Kf6 39.Bb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 39.Bxf4 $4 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] loses after} 39...Rg1+ 40.Kb2 Rdd1 {with a mating attack.} ) 39...Rd7 40.Bxa5 ( 40.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...Re7 41.Bxa5 {The bishops are stronger than the pawns.} ) 40...Rg1+ 41.Kb2 f3 ( 41...Rg5 {forces White to find a difficult win:} 42.Rh6+ Kg7 43.Ra6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 42.Bxb4 f2 43.Bc3+ $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 43.Rh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 43...Rf7 44.Re8 Kf5 45.a4 f1=Q 46.Bxf1 Rxf1 47.a5 {The e4-pawn is well controlled and the queenside pawns decide the game.} ) 43...Kg6 44.Re5 Re1 ( 44...Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a fantastic resource and leads to a crazy position:} 45.Rxe4 f1=Q 46.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...Qg2 47.Bxd3+ {A curious imbalance: two bishops and three pawns against a queen. The machine shows that White is winning, but this would be difficult to prove with little time left.} 47...Kf7 48.Bc4+ Kf8 49.Bb4+ Kg7 50.Re7+ Kf6 51.Rh7 {The king is under attack and the pawns can march in case they are needed.} ) 45.Re6+ ( 45.Bb4 {is a good alternative, with the idea of Bc5, chasing the pawns.} ) 45...Kg5 46.Rf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White had to find a nearly impossible winning move.} ( 46.Ba5 $3 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 46...e3 47.Bb6 {The pawns are stopped.} ) ( 46.Bb4 {doesn't work:} 46...e3 47.Bc5 Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black escapes.} ) 46...e3 47.Rf8 Rc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The last mistake.} ( 47...Rdd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48.a4 f1=Q 49.Bxf1 Rxf1 50.Re8 Kf4 {with a complex endgame that can be analyzed for many more moves. For now let me just say that the computer shows equality.} ) 48.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This was certainly missed by Vachier-Lagrave.} 48...Rxc4 49.Bxe3+ Rxe3 50.bxc4 {The rook endgame is completely winning for White.} 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour AI Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.28"]
[Round "54"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2850"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Beauty "6877316385289"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

{[%evp 0,103,24,21,21,22,22,29,29,26,21,21,21,5,21,-15,14,14,17,4,30,-41,21,2,2,-1,-1,-21,3,-46,-11,-8,16,1,5,14,5,20,20,-22,-8,-11,0,0,14,20,16,22,22,4,51,49,40,29,27,17,17,17,28,30,59,64,63,55,62,49,104,77,130,130,136,146,146,146,146,128,128,133,133,67,98,91,163,160,165,165,179,207,329,349,348,354,378,306,306,312,334,338,344,344,349,357,385,395,396,400]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nd3 {The rarest of the knight retreats in this position of the Petroff Defense. White's idea is to exchange queens and press an endgame that is close to equality. Honestly, it's a choice closer to Carlsen's style than Vachier-Lagrave's, but the French GM will show that he can play technical endgames with the same skill he plays dynamic middlegames.} 4...Nxe4 5.Qe2 Qe7 6.Nf4 Nf6 7.d4 Qxe2+ 8.Bxe2 {Examining the results of the games played by strong grandmasters in this position, I get the impression that White's performance is much better than the computer's evaluation indicates. This shows that it's not so simple to defend the endgame.} 8...Nc6 9.c3 d5 10.f3 {A useful move, freeing the f2-square for the king and taking the e4-square from Black's knight.} 10...Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. The knight is not doing much on c6, so it's repositioned and the pawn moves to the square, reinforcing the center.} 11.Kf2 {Already a new move.} ( 11.g4 Ne6 12.h4 Bd6 13.Nxe6 Bxe6 {with a good position for Black in Deac-Li, Changsha 2019.} ) 11...Bd6 12.Na3 c6 ( 12...Bxa3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a big positional mistake. The bishop is much more important than the supposed weakness in White's pawn structure.} 13.bxa3 ) 13.Nc2 Bf5 ( 13...Ne6 {also leads to an equal position.} ) 14.Nd3 h5 {It's not clear that this move is better than the more timid pawn advance to h6.} ( 14...h6 ) 15.Bg5 ( 15.h4 {is interesting, fixing the kingside structure.} ) 15...Nd7 {Black doesn't need to be too worried about the capture on f6.} ( 15...Ne6 16.Bxf6 gxf6 {despite the damaged pawn structure, Black is active enough.} ) ( 15...h4 {is also possible.} ) 16.Ne3 Bh7 17.Bf4 Ke7 18.Bxd6+ Kxd6 19.Nf4 h4 20.g3 {White tries to open the h-file to put pressure on the kingside.} 20...g5 21.Nfg2 {A critical moment.} 21...h3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move creates long-term problems for Black, as the h3-pawn becomes a weakness that will be a constant headache. There are two good alternatives.} ( 21...Ne6 {is an interesting pawn sacrifice:} 22.gxh4 gxh4 23.Nxh4 Nf4 {with good compensation.} ) ( 21...hxg3+ {is a more solid choice that is also better than the move played in the game.} 22.hxg3 Ne6 ) 22.Ne1 Ne6 23.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Controlling the f5-square.} 23...Raf8 ( 23...Ng7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better defense, preventing a white piece from going to f5.} ) 24.Bf5 ( 24.Bxh7 {is also possible:} 24...Rxh7 25.Nf5+ Kc7 26.Nd3 {And White has an advantage.} ) 24...Bg8 $6 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not all ugly moves are bad, but this one is. It's better to capture the bishop.} ( 24...Bxf5 25.Nxf5+ Kc7 ) 25.Nd3 Ng7 26.Bxd7 {White has many tempting options and it's not easy to play in the most accurate way.} ( 26.Rhe1 {keeps the initiative after} 26...Bh7 27.Bxh7 Rxh7 28.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26...Kxd7 27.Ng4 {It's probably better to bring the rook to e1 or start advancing the queenside in order to create weaknesses in Black's position.} ( 27.Rhe1 ) ( 27.a4 ) 27...f6 ( 27...Kd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 28.Nc5+ ( 28.a4 {This is the plan that White has to adopt sooner or later. Now is a good time to start.} ) 28...Kc8 29.Rhe1 Rh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a clear mistake. The knight should be attacked immediately.} ( 29...b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Nd3 ( 30.Re7 {is not dangerous after} 30...Rf7 ) 30...Kd7 31.a4 Bh7 {with good chances of equalizing.} ) 30.Re2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 30.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more incisive. The idea is to push the pawn to a5, breaking up Black's position, since sooner or later he will need to play b7-b6 to expel the knight.} 30...b6 31.Nd3 {followed by a4-a5. If Black tries to avoid this with} 31...a5 {then} 32.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] opening the queenside.} ) 30...b6 31.Nd3 Kd7 ( 31...Be6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more stubborn.} 32.Rae1 Kd7 {with a defensible position.} ) 32.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...a5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The fatal mistake. There's no way to defend the queenside now.} ( 32...Kd6 33.a5 Nf5 {offers more chances of resistance.} ) 33.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...axb4 34.Nxb4 {a4-a5 is coming and Black's king is very insecure. Black's pieces are poorly placed on the kingside. Vachier Lagrave achieves the type of position he loves so much, with initiative and an attack.} 34...c5 ( 34...Kd6 35.a5 bxa5 36.Rxa5 {and the attack persists.} ) 35.Nd3 ( 35.dxc5 {is also winning:} 35...bxc5 36.Na6 Kc6 37.Rb1 {Preparing to double rooks on the b-file or take the knight to b8.} ) 35...cxd4 36.cxd4 Ne6 37.Rb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Nxd4 38.Rxb6 {All the white pieces are able to participate in the attack.} 38...Re7 39.Ra2 {A solid and practical choice for a rapid game, preventing the black rook from going to e2.} ( 39.a5 {is good enough, simply pushing the passed pawn.} ) ( 39.Nxf6+ $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is wrong:} 39...Rxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.Rxf6 Re2+ 41.Kg1 Ke7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suddenly Black achieves counterplay.} ) 39...Be6 40.Ne3 Ra8 ( 40...Rc8 {creates more practical chances and requires precise play by White.} 41.a5 Nxf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A tricky idea.} 42.Kxf3 d4 43.Rxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43...Rxe6 ( 43...Kxe6 44.Nc2 ) 44.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a winning advantage.} ) 41.a5 Ke8 42.a6 Kf7 43.Nc5 {Black has fallen into tremendous passivity. There is no longer any doubt about the final result.} 43...Raa7 44.Rd2 Rec7 45.Nb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice way to finish the game. White wins material.} 45...Nc6 46.Rxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...Rxc6 47.Nd8+ Kg7 48.Nxc6 Rxa6 49.Nd4 Bf7 50.g4 Kg6 51.Kg3 Ra3 52.Nef5 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour AI Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2920"]
[BlackElo "2867"]
[ECO "D20"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6533719022147"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

{[%evp 0,114,27,27,27,-4,35,2,-10,-9,44,44,44,52,52,44,61,47,58,58,45,79,117,97,102,91,66,72,72,0,0,0,0,0,0,-7,-11,0,76,73,57,44,42,42,70,65,65,70,78,62,86,77,84,58,58,39,42,34,58,62,62,4,133,-109,-97,-124,-122,-98,-83,-123,-130,-177,-177,-177,-201,-199,-113,-109,-85,-93,-112,-118,-117,-120,-120,-268,-255,-472,-579,-579,-579,-593,-595,-595,-595,-595,-603,-611,-602,-605,-446,-475,-487,-600,-635,-668,-671,-687,-687,-1469,-1776,-28123,-29970,-29977,-29978,-29979,-1489]} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 e5 4.Nf3 Bb4+ 5.Nc3 Nf6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A modern alternative to the more popular 5...exd4.} 6.Nxe5 b5 7.f3 O-O 8.a3 Ba5 9.Be3 {This natural move is a theoretical novelty.} ( 9.a4 {was discussed in two important classical games this year.} 9...a6 ( 9...c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 10.dxc5 Qe8 11.axb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11...Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Qxe5 13.Qd4 {A beautiful position in which the pawns are stronger than the piece. White has a clear advantage. Maghsoodloo-Van Foreest, Tata Steel-A Wijk aan Zee 2023.} ) 10.Be2 Nfd7 {This transposes to a position that will be mentioned in the next comment.} ) 9...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This same position was played in the third game of the first match between them. On that occasion, Vachier-Lagrave chose 9...Nfd7, a move that is not quite in his spirit. I wonder if he had time to check the sharper variation with 9...c5 to play this game.} ( 9...Nfd7 10.Nxd7 Nxd7 11.Be2 a6 12.O-O Bb7 13.a4 c6 14.e5 {with an advantage for White in Carlsen-Vachier-Lagrave, Champion Chess Tour AI Cup 2023 (3rd match game).} ( 14.Qe1 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with counterplay in Firouzja-Mamedyarov, Norway Chess Stavanger 2023.} ) ) 10.dxc5 Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way to justify Black's play.} 11.Qd6 Be6 {Both players were blitzing their moves in what was obviously preparation. Not only that: recently reviewed preparation.} 12.O-O-O Qc8 {The dance with the queen has a good justification. Black has prepared both ...Bc7 and ...Rd8.} 13.Nxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a queen sacrifice.} ( 13.Qd2 {is just too passive.} ) 13...a6 14.Nd4 Bc7 15.Nxe6 Bxd6 16.Rxd6 fxe6 17.Bxc4 Re8 18.c6 {This is incredibly long preparation by both sides, since the players had more time here than when they started the game.} 18...Re7 {A curious material imbalance appears on the board: queen against bishop and three pawns. You don't need to be good at math to know that Black has the material advantage, but his pieces are not playing. Vachier-Lagrave always looks for the most active solution and decides to return part of the material. He still had this prepared.} 19.Bb6 Nbd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.cxd7 Nxd7 21.Nc6 Re8 $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Vachier-Lagrave finally forgets his preparation. At least it's good to know that he is (sometimes) human.} ( 21...Kh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the computer suggestion. The game remains totally unclear after} 22.Ba5 ) 22.Be3 Qc7 23.Rhd1 Nf8 24.Kb1 {The white pieces are very active and superior to the queen, but it's clear that the position remains very complicated.} 24...Kh8 25.h4 {Carlsen decides to calmly advance the kingside pawns.} ( 25.e5 {reinforces the position and in future the maneuver Bd3-e4 can be played, improving the position further. White has the advantage.} ) 25...h6 26.g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26.e5 {again is possible.} ) 26...Qf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I'm impressed by the French GM's ability to calculate quickly in very complicated positions, always fighting for the initiative and looking for active options. When I broadcast his games, I often expect the evaluation to fluctuate after a risky move, only to be shocked when I realize he made the move recommended by the machine. This happened many times in these two final matches against Carlsen.} 27.Ne5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 27.Be2 {is better, but it's difficult to play such a move instead of attacking the queen.} ) 27...Qf6 {Attacking both the knight and the h4-pawn.} 28.Bd4 Qxh4 ( 28...Rad8 {is a worthy alternative, but why not just pick up the pawn $2} ) 29.Bxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Carlsen is up to the challenge. This is possible due to the fork on g6.} 29...Qh2 ( 29...Rxe6 {is also interesting:} 30.Rxe6 Kh7 ( {Of course not} 30...Nxe6 $4 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 31.Ng6+ ) 31.Rd6 Re8 {with a chaotic position.} ) 30.Bd5 Kh7 ( 30...Rac8 31.Nf7+ Kh7 32.Ka2 {The white bishops, both centralized, make a nice impression. The e-pawn is ready to be advanced. In practice I find White's position easier to play, but having an extra queen on the board always offers hope.} ) 31.g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Carlsen rightly regretted this move.} ( 31.Nf7 $5 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 31...Rac8 32.Ka2 {leads to the position seen above.} ) ( 31.Bxa8 {is a safe option.} 31...Rxa8 {With rook, bishop, and two pawns for the queen, White feels safe. It's difficult to prove an advantage, however.} ) 31...Rac8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This was certainly missed. Black threatens 32...Qc2+.} 32.Rc6 Rxc6 33.Nxc6 hxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A serious innacuracy.} ( 33...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, when it's impossible for White to cope with the advance of the h-pawn.} ) 34.Bf7 ( 34.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives better chances.} ) 34...Rc8 35.Be5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 35.Bd5 {The bishop has to go back.} ) 35...Qg2 {White's pieces were uncoordinated now.} 36.Nd4 g4 {I was certain that Vachier-Lagrave would play this move, as it fits his style perfectly.} ( 36...Nd7 {It's important to keep this plan in mind, as it seems to be the best way for Black to convert the advantage.} 37.Bd6 Nb6 {The knight heads to c4.} ) 37.fxg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Qxe4+ {It's nearly impossible to resist the temptation of capturing this pawn with check.} ( 37...Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most precise move, according to the machine.} 38.Bd6 Nb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a winning position.} ) 38.Ka2 {The bishop on e5 cannot be captured since White's rook can go to h1 in this case. Both players had just a few minutes left in this utterly complicated position.} 38...Rd8 ( 38...g6 {gives the king some air and clinches the game. A possible continuation is} 39.Bf6 Nd7 40.Ne6 Qc4+ 41.Ka1 {Now Black must play the pretty} 41...Qc1+ $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 43.Ka2 Nxf6 {with a winning endgame.} ) 39.Rf1 ( 39.Bb3 {is an interesting try, but Black should win the endgame after} 39...Qxe5 40.Nc6 Rxd1 41.Nxe5 Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 39...Qg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Not even these calculating geniuses can find all the best moves with little time.} ( 39...Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is winning for Black. The threat is to capture the bishop on f7.} 40.Nf3 Rxf7 41.Ng5+ Kg6 42.Nxe4 Rxf1 {The g4-pawn will soon fall.} ) 40.Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...g6 41.Rf6 Qxg4 42.Nf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The decisive mistake. After this, Carlsen stands no chance.} ( 42.Nc6 {is necessary. A possible variation is} 42...Rd3 43.Rf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43...Qh3 44.Rf2 Rf3 45.Rh2 Qxh2 46.Bxg6+ $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...Kxg6 47.Bxh2 {with a draw.} ) 42...Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight has no good squares.} 43.Bd5 Rxd5 44.Rf7+ ( 44.Rxf8 Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45.Nxe5 Qe6+ ) 44...Kh6 45.Bg7+ Kh5 46.Rxf8 Qc4+ 47.b3 Qe2+ 48.Bb2 Kg4 ( 48...g5 {is also good.} ) 49.a4 Qxf3 {The simplest way.} 50.Rxf3 Kxf3 51.b4 g5 52.Kb3 g4 53.Kc4 Ke4 54.b5 axb5+ 55.axb5 g3 56.b6 g2 57.b7 Rd8 {I was deeply impressed with Vachier-Lagrave's play in this game and in the match as a whole. He is in exuberant form and his dynamic style makes his games a delight to watch.} 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Julius Generation Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.01"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2931"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Beauty "7289633254988"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

{[%evp 0,76,16,16,51,51,77,41,66,25,30,36,55,-1,43,32,45,37,44,34,30,51,53,53,40,50,143,45,78,78,72,72,72,77,77,72,98,107,98,95,95,95,93,92,147,137,158,196,196,163,161,164,196,213,359,319,319,322,322,293,338,339,334,325,325,342,494,502,513,505,506,501,478,323,364,386,415,434,479]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Rg1 {This is a relatively modern move that is unmistakably intended to put a pawn on g4, a strategy that White normally begins with f3 or h3. But why not support this advance with the rook $2 Several of the best chess players in the world have attempted this ambitious idea, including Carlsen a few times previously.} 6...h5 {Firouzja has played 6...Nc6, 6...g6 and 6...e5 before. Now he tries a fourth move. Black stops g2-g4 in the most primitive way.} 7.Bg5 {The g5-square was offered and the bishop accepts the invitation.} 7...Nbd7 {Considering that Firouzja's position quickly becomes lost, it's worth seeking some improvement to his play right now.} ( 7...b5 {was played by Giri against Carlsen.} 8.a3 Bb7 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.f4 Nc6 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Qd4 e6 13.O-O-O Rb8 {with chances for both sides: Carlsen-Giri Miami (rapid) 2022.} ) 8.Bc4 ( 8.Qd2 {is a natural developing move that has been played a few times.} ) 8...g6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A new move and not a good one. White's attack unfolds very quickly.} ( 8...e6 {should be preferred, even if there are scary sacrifices looming on the e6-square.} ) 9.Qd2 Bg7 10.O-O-O {White is ready to start the attack with Rge1 and f2-f4. Now Black regrets the advance of the h-pawn, since this created weaknesses on the kingside.} 10...Qc7 11.Bb3 b5 12.Rge1 O-O $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses material.} ( 12...Bb7 {is better, although White's attack is still very strong after} 13.f4 ) 13.f4 ( 13.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is simpler:} 13...Nxd5 14.Bxd5 Bb7 15.Bxe7 Rfe8 16.Bxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Qxd6 17.Bxb7 {Black is two pawns down for no compensation.} ) 13...Nc5 ( 13...Bb7 14.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a strong attack.} ) 14.Bxf6 exf6 ( 14...Bxf6 15.Nd5 {and Black's position is collapsing.} ) 15.f5 Kh7 16.Kb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The good old Kb1 move always comes in handy, especially here when Bh6 was threatened.} 16...Bb7 17.Nd5 Nxb3 18.axb3 Bxd5 {A sad necessity.} 19.fxg6+ fxg6 20.exd5 {Now a monster knight is coming to e6.} 20...Rfe8 21.Ne6 Qf7 {At this point, White only needs to break the king's protection.} 22.g4 ( 22.Qf4 {followed by g4 is also very good.} ) 22...hxg4 23.Re4 Bh6 24.Qf2 f5 25.Rxg4 Qa7 ( 25...Rxe6 {Maybe it's better to just take this knight and stop the nightmare, although the position is also easily winning for White after} 26.dxe6 Qxe6 27.Rh4 ) 26.Rgd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...a5 27.Qh4 {Preparing a pretty mate.} 27...Qe7 ( 27...a4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28.Qxh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Kxh6 29.Rh4# ) 28.Qh3 Qf6 29.Rh4 g5 30.Rh5 g4 31.Qd3 Kg6 32.Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White wins material.} 32...Kxh5 ( 32...Rf8 33.Rfxf5 Qxf5 34.Rxf5 Rxf5 35.Nd4 {with an easy win.} ( 35.Qxb5 ) ) 33.Rxf5+ Qxf5 34.Qxf5+ Kh4 35.Qf2+ Kh5 36.h3 Rg8 ( 36...gxh3 37.Qg3 ) 37.hxg4+ Rxg4 38.Qh2+ Rh4 39.Qxd6 {Queen and knight are a powerful combination, especially when attacking the opponent's king with two pawns up. Further comments are unnecessary.} 39...a4 40.Qe5+ Kg6 41.Qg3+ Kh5 42.Qf3+ Kg6 43.d6 Ra7 44.Qd3+ Kf6 45.d7 Rh1+ 46.Ka2 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Julius Generation Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.02"]
[Round "53"]
[White "Lazavik, Denis"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[ECO "D94"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7834963804198"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 g6 {This variation is named after Carl Schlechter, a player who almost became the world champion and drew the most mysterious match in chess history, against Emanuel Lasker in 1910.} 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be2 O-O 7.O-O {Black has many choices in this position.} 7...Be6 ( 7...Bg4 ) ( 7...Nbd7 ) ( 7...dxc4 ) ( 7...a5 ) ( 7...b6 ) ( 7...e6 ) 8.b3 {White can also fight for the advantage with other moves.} ( 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.Qb3 Qb6 10.Qxb6 axb6 {with a slightly better endgame for White.} ) ( 8.Ng5 Bf5 9.Qb3 Qb6 {with a solid and passive position for Black.} ) 8...Ne4 9.Bb2 Nd7 10.Rc1 Ndf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 10...Nxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's more accurate to exchange knights and avoid White's next move.} 11.Bxc3 Nf6 {as played in Ragger-Rapport, Szombathely 2011.} ) 11.Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A new and excellent move. White prepares Ne5 followed by f2-f3, expelling the knight and keeping pieces on the board, something useful for the side with a space advantage.} ( {This idea was played in a slightly worse version in a previous game:} 11.cxd5 {I don't think White should rush with this capture.} 11...cxd5 12.Na4 {Hoeschele-Roesner, Deizisau 1998.} ) 11...Rc8 ( 11...Bg4 {Maybe it's useful to exchange bishops, although Black's position is still unpleasant after} 12.Ne5 Bxe2 13.Qxe2 ) 12.Ne5 Nd7 ( 12...dxc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 13.bxc4 b5 {This is an interesting pawn sacrifice suggested by the computer.} 14.cxb5 cxb5 15.Rxc8 Qxc8 16.Bxb5 Nd5 {with some compensation due to Black's active pieces. I think this way of playing is better than what happened in the game.} ) 13.Nd3 {The knight is ready to go to f4.} 13...Bf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 13...Re8 {is probably the lesser evil.} 14.Nf4 Nf8 ) 14.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...Be6 15.Nf4 {Everything has gone wrong with Black's opening. But in a rapid game, unexpected chances can occur, as we shall see.} 15...Bh6 16.f3 ( 16.Bd3 {is also very good for White.} 16...Bxf4 17.exf4 ) ( 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Qd3 {followed by f2-f3 also doesn't look bad.} ) 16...Nef6 17.h4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake that puts Black back into the game.} ( 17.Nc3 {keeps a big advantage.} ) 17...Bxf4 18.exf4 {The problem with 17.h4 is that after ...h7-h5, it's not easy to support White's pawn structure, a problem that would easily be solved with a pawn on h3. Black should try to exploit this.} 18...dxc4 ( 18...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Qd2 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has good counterplay.} ) 19.bxc4 b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this mistake, White gets a big advantage again.} ( 19...Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 20.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move was certainly missed by Abdusattorov. His idea would work well after 20.cxb5.} ( 20.cxb5 cxb5 21.Bxb5 Bxa2 {with a good position for Black.} ) 20...cxd5 21.cxb5 {White now has a huge positional advantage. The dark-squared bishop is too strong, and the pawns are dangerous on both flanks.} 21...Rxc1 22.Qxc1 Qa5 ( 22...h5 {is more stubborn.} ) 23.Qd1 {The queen is heading to d4.} 23...Rc8 ( 23...Qb4 24.Qd4 Qxd4+ 25.Bxd4 {The endgame is technically winning for White.} ) 24.Qd4 {Now g4-g5 is threatened, winning a piece.} 24...Rc2 25.Bd3 ( 25.Bc3 {is very good, too.} 25...Qc7 26.Bd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Rxc3 ( 26...Rc1 27.Bb3 Rxf1+ 28.Kxf1 {There's no way of stopping g5.} ) 27.Nxc3 {with a winning material advantage.} ) 25...Rd2 26.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 26.g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is too rushed. White even loses after} 26...Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26...gxf5 27.g5 Rxd3 ( 27...Rxb2 {I think this gives more chances for saving the game, but White is winning after} 28.Nxb2 Nh5 29.Rc1 ) 28.Qxd3 Qxa4 29.gxf6 Qxh4 30.Rf2 Nxf6 31.Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is unable to create any chance of perpetual check with the lonely queen. The game is over.} 31...Qh6 32.Qxa7 ( 32.Rh2 {wins the queen:} 32...Qg7+ ( 32...Qf8 {is even worse.} 33.Rg2+ Kh8 34.Qxf6+ exf6 35.Bxf6+ ) 33.Rg2 ) 32...Kf8 33.Bxf6 exf6 ( 33...Qxf6 34.Qb8+ Kg7 35.Rg2+ Kh6 36.Qh2+ Qh4 37.Qxh4# ) 34.Qc5+ Ke8 ( 34...Kg7 35.Rg2+ ) 35.Rg2 Kd7 36.Rg8 Qh4 37.Qc6+ Ke7 38.Re8# 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Julius Generation Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.03"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2945"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[ECO "C84"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "pigle"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Beauty "6323399830025"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Nc3 {As far as I know, this is the first time that Carlsen has played this move. It is not as popular as 6.Re1 or 6.d3, but many strong grandmasters have tried it.} 6...b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.d3 Na5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] I wonder whether this is a sacrifice or a blunder. In any case, Black has no compensation for the pawn.} ( 8...d6 {is the main move.} ) 9.Nxe5 Nxb3 10.axb3 b4 11.Ne2 Re8 12.Nf3 {In the normal lines in which Black sacrifices the e5-pawn, he usually already has well-developed pieces and is playing d5 quickly, something that doesn't happen here.} 12...c5 13.Nf4 d6 14.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good way to close the game and bury the d5-break.} 14...Bf8 15.h3 a5 16.Re1 g6 17.Nd5 Nxd5 18.cxd5 Bg7 19.Bg5 f6 20.Bf4 {White has consolidated his position and is a healthy pawn up. Firouzja, however, continues to fight.} 20...g5 21.Be3 g4 22.hxg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows counterplay for Black.} ( 22.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger:} 22...gxh3 23.Nc4 hxg2 24.Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Ra6 25.Qh5 {followed by Re3-g3 with a winning position.} ) 22...Bxg4 {The pin turns out to be unpleasant for White.} 23.Qc2 {Now Black can disrupt the pawn structure.} ( 23.d4 {is a good alternative. Black should play} 23...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] to keep the game complicated.} ) 23...Bxf3 24.gxf3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has some compensation for the pawn now.} 25.Kf1 {The king must go to a safer place.} 25...Qf6 26.Rab1 ( 26.Ke2 {Maybe White should let the pawn go and try to win the endgame after} 26...Qxb2 27.Qxb2 Bxb2 28.Ra4 ) 26...fxe4 27.fxe4 Qf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Firouzja tries to avoid White's king walk, but Carlsen's reply refutes his plan.} ( 27...Kh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, for instance:} 28.Ke2 Rf8 29.f4 Qh4 30.Rf1 Bd4 {with a good position.} ) 28.Qd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Qxd1 {Otherwise, the king marches to e2, but the endgame is winning for White.} 29.Rexd1 a4 {Necessary to create some activity in the queenside.} 30.bxa4 Rxa4 31.Bf4 ( 31.Ke2 Ra2 32.Rd2 {followed by f4-Kf3 and White should convert the advantage.} ) 31...Rd8 32.b3 Ra6 33.Ke2 Rf8 34.Be3 Be5 35.Rd2 ( 35.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a difficult move and the cleanest way to win:} 35...Bxf4 36.Rg1+ {Black's king is cut from the game, and this is the decisive factor.} 36...Kh8 37.Bxf4 Rxf4 38.Ke3 Rf7 39.Rbf1 Rxf1 40.Rxf1 Kg7 41.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...dxe5 42.Ke4 {White's passed d-pawn decides the game.} ) 35...Rf7 36.Rc2 ( 36.d4 {is strong:} 36...cxd4 37.Bxd4 Bxd4 38.Rxd4 Ra2+ 39.Kd3 Rfxf2 40.Rxb4 {with a winning endgame.} ) 36...Kf8 37.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...cxd4 38.Bd2 ( 38.Rc8+ {wins by force:} 38...Ke7 39.Bg5+ Kd7 40.Rbc1 d3+ {The only way to avoid mate.} 41.Kxd3 Bc3 42.Rb8 Rxf2 43.Rb7+ Ke8 44.Rh1 Rf3+ 45.Kc4 Ra5 46.Re7+ Kf8 47.Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 38...h5 39.Rc8+ $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This gives Black drawing chances.} ( 39.Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing f2-f4.} 39...Bf4 40.Rc8+ Kg7 41.Rg1+ Kh7 42.Bxf4 Rxf4 43.Rc7+ Kh8 44.Rc6 Ra2+ 45.Kd3 {The rook checks are not dangerous, and White wins.} ) 39...Kg7 40.Rc2 {It's clear that Carlsen regrets his last move.} 40...Raa7 $2 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 40...Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This endgame is difficult to play, and it's not surprising that both players make mistakes without much time on the clock. According to the computer, this move is the only way to save the game.} 41.Bxb4 Ra8 {Black will double rooks on the f-file with counterplay.} ) 41.Rg1+ Kh7 42.Rg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The h-pawn is doomed.} 42...d3+ 43.Kxd3 Rxf2 44.Rxh5+ Kg6 45.Rg5+ $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 45.Rh6+ Kg7 46.Rh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move prevents a check on the third rank and threatens Bh6+.} ) 45...Kh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 45...Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives good drawing chances, for example:} 46.Rf5+ Rxf5 47.exf5 Kf6 48.Bxb4 Rb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 49.Rc4 Kxf5 ) 46.Rf5 ( 46.Rh5+ $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...Kg6 47.Rh6+ Kg7 48.Rh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 46...Rh2 47.Be3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 47.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 47...Rh3+ 48.Kc4 Rc7+ 49.Kb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {But not} 49.Kxb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 49...Rb7+ ) 49...Rxc1 50.Bxc1 Rxb3 51.Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with excellent winning chances.} ) 47...Rh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 47...Rxc2 {is the only chance:} 48.Kxc2 Rc7+ 49.Kd2 Kg6 ) 48.Rh5+ $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48...Rxh5 49.Bxa7 {Carlsen is now completely winning, but both players had only seconds on the clock.} 49...Rh3+ 50.Kc4 Rh4 51.Re2 Kg6 52.Kxb4 Kg5 53.Kb5 Kf4 54.b4 Rh3 55.Bb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 55.Kc6 {is the best.} ) 55...Rb3 56.Bc7 Kf3 ( 56...Rc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 57.Kb6 Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 58.b5 Kf3 {with good drawing chances.} ) 57.Rc2 Kxe4 58.Kc6 ( 58.Kc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the correct move.} ) 58...Rxb4 59.Bxd6 Bxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 59...Kd3 $3 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 60.Rc1 Bb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black has chances of reaching a drawn rook and bishop versus rook endgame.} ) 60.Kxd6 Rb6+ 61.Kc7 1-0

[Event "Levitov Chess Week 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[ECO "E42"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7908108540994"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 c5 5.Ne2 d5 6.a3 Ba5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rarer move than the capture on c3, but one that is fashionable and has been played by several strong grandmasters, including Nepomniachtchi himself.} ( 6...Bxc3+ {is the main line.} ) 7.dxc5 dxc4 8.Bd2 {Caruana preferred to exchange queens but got no advantage.} ( 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Bd2 Nbd7 10.Nd4 Nxc5 11.Bxc4 Bxc3 12.Bxc3 Nce4 13.Bb4 a5 14.Bd2 Nxd2 15.Kxd2 Bd7 16.f3 Ke7 {with an equal position: Caruana-Nepomniachtchi, Zagreb (blitz) 2023.} ) 8...O-O 9.Ng3 b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10.Bxc4 ( 10.cxb6 Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 10...Qxb6 {is also possible, but White can still fight for an advantage after} 11.Bxc4 Qxb2 12.O-O $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and if} 12...Bxc3 13.Ra2 Qb6 14.Bxc3 {with a clear advantage due to the pair of bishops and better development.} ) 11.bxa7 Rxa7 {The rook can go to d7, and the knight is ready to enter the game with Nc6-e5. Black has excellent compensation.} ) 10...bxc5 11.O-O Nbd7 {The position has stabilized, and the middlegame begins. White has a better pawn structure, but Black has free piece development. The game is balanced.} 12.Qc2 Bb7 {The eternal question \"Which rook to play $2\" is always difficult to answer. It's natural to place the rooks on the d- and c-files, but the rook on f1 also fulfills a defensive function at the moment.} 13.Rfd1 ( 13.Rad1 {was played by Nihal in 2021:} 13...h5 {A typical advance that aims to upset the g3-knight.} 14.Nge4 Qc7 15.Nxf6+ Nxf6 16.f3 Qe5 {with equality in Nihal-Keymer, Biel 2021.} ) 13...Qe7 {A natural move that turns out to be a novelty.} ( 13...h5 14.Nge4 ( 14.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better chance to fight for the advantage.} 14...h4 15.Nge4 ) 14...Bxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 14...Rb8 {was played in Giri-Duda, Meltwater Tour (rapid) 2022.} ) 15.Nxc3 Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now we understand why the rook is sometimes useful on f1.} 16.f3 ( 16.h3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16...Nxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Kxf2 Qh4+ {Capturing the bishop on c4 and winning a pawn.} ) 16...Nde5 17.Be2 Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.gxf3 Qh4 19.fxg4 Nxg4 20.Bxg4 Qxg4+ 21.Kf2 Qh4+ {with a draw by perpetual check.} ) 14.Be2 {A good move, removing the bishop before it's attacked by a knight on e5. It also avoids a possible ...Ng4.} 14...Bc7 15.Nb5 Bb8 16.Ba5 {Grischuk plays creative chess, a trademark of his style.} ( 16.Rac1 {This simple move is also possible.} ) 16...Ne5 17.Rac1 Rc8 18.Qd2 {This is White's idea: the bishop on a5 plays an important role and may even go to d8. White also prepares a possible knight jump to d6.} 18...Bd5 {Nepomniachtchi blocks the d-file and prepares the bishop path to b3.} ( 18...Nc6 {is a good alternative and neutralizes White's initiative attempts.} 19.Bf3 ( 19.Bc3 Nd5 {is good for Black.} ) 19...Nxa5 20.Qxa5 {with equal play.} ) 19.Nc3 Bb3 20.Bd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop fulfills its destiny.} ( 20.Re1 {is harmless. Black is fine after} 20...Nc6 ) 20...Qf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This mistake allows White to achieve a dangerous attack.} ( 20...Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is correct, since White cannot escape a queen exchange.} 21.Bxf6 Bxd1 22.Rxd1 Qxd2 23.Rxd2 gxf6 24.Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White regains the exchange.} 24...Bc7 25.Bxc8 Rxc8 {with a slight plus for White in the endgame.} ) 21.Bxf6 gxf6 ( 21...Bxd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses material after} 22.Bxe5 Bxe2 23.Bxb8 ) 22.Rf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Grischuk misses a good chance.} ( 22.Nce4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a winning position.} 22...f5 ( 22...Bxd1 23.Nxf6+ Kh8 24.Rxd1 {The compensation for the exchange is more than enough, for instance:} 24...Bc7 25.Qc3 {with the idea of playing f2-f4. Black's king is helpless.} ) 23.Nf6+ Kh8 24.Rf1 {White prepares Qc3 and f2-f4, with a winning advantage.} ) 22...Rd8 23.Qe1 f5 {It's important to keep the knights from going to e4.} 24.f4 Nd3 25.Bxd3 Rxd3 26.e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A natural move, trying to break Black's pawn structure and bring the knights to the attack. Nepomniachtchi's superb play, however, will show the problems with this attempt.} ( 26.Nh5 {is the most natural, preparing to bring the rook and queen to the attack. The game is very complicated, and a possible line is:} 26...Bd6 27.Nf6+ Kh8 28.Rf3 Qh6 29.Nxh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Kxh7 30.Rh3 Qxh3 31.gxh3 Rg8+ 32.Kh1 Rg6 {with good compensation for the queen.} ) ( 26.Qe2 {is an improvement compared to the game, since the queen is better placed after} 26...c4 27.e4 ) 26...Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking the f4-pawn.} 27.Qf2 ( 27.Qe2 {White has no time for this anymore:} 27...Bxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] winning a pawn.} ) 27...Bc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook is finally ready to participate in the game. Black also has an eye on c4 followed by Bb6.} 28.exf5 Rad8 ( 28...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate:} 29.Kh1 Bb6 30.Qe1 Re3 {All of Black's pieces are active, although the game remains complicated.} ) 29.Nce4 ( 29.fxe6 Bxe6 {Black has enough compensation for the pawn since all his pieces are very active.} ) 29...c4 30.Qxa7 $2 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder that loses the game.} ( 30.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is correct because the queen can go to g4. The position may be considered \"irrational,\" a useful term for positions that are so complicated that generic concepts are not sufficient to make decisions. All moves are based on concrete calculation.} 30...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best. Anything can happen.} ) 30...Bxf4 {The bishop joins the attack and removes the important f-pawn. The rook on c1 is attacked, as well as a deadly check on e3.} 31.Nf6+ Kh8 32.Ng4 Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move, but one is enough. The knight and the rook are attacked, and White loses material.} 33.Qxf7 Bxc1 34.fxe6 c3 $3 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is my favorite move in the game. Nepomniachtchi has a tremendous talent to find creative tactical solutions. The b3-bishop is given its freedom and avoids the advance of the dangerous e6-pawn.} 35.Nf5 Rd1 36.h4 Rxf1+ {Grischuk resigned since there's a forced mate.} ( 36...Rxf1+ 37.Kxf1 Rd1+ 38.Kf2 ( 38.Ke2 Bc4+ 39.Kf3 ( 39.Kxd1 Qd2# ) 39...Qf4# ) 38...Qf4+ 39.Ke2 Qf1# ) 0-1

[Event "Levitov Chess Week 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.25"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2711"]
[ECO "C60"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Beauty "8249692662362"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7 {This is called the \"Cozio Variation.\" It's currently in vogue, being used by dynamic players who want to spice things up a bit when playing as Black. The white player needs to be ready for a large number of sub-variants when he places the bishop on b5 and chooses the Ruy Lopez (the best chess opening).} 4.Nc3 Ng6 5.h4 {Anand, as always, chooses a critical and sharp variation. He had recent experience against the Cozio as he faced his talented countryman Erigaisi last year, when he chose 5.d4.} ( 5.d4 Nxd4 6.Nxd4 exd4 7.Qxd4 c6 8.Bc4 ( 8.Be2 {is more accurate.} ) 8...b5 {with an acceptable position for Black in Anand-Erigaisi, EU-Cup 37th Mayrhofen 2022.} ) 5...Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 5...h5 {is also possible, but now White gets a slightly better version of the d4 pawn advance.} 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 Nxd4 ( 7...Nxh4 {is dangerous:} 8.Nf5 Nxf5 9.exf5 {with the initiative.} ) 8.Qxd4 c6 9.Be2 Qb6 10.Qd3 {with advantage for White.} ) 6.Bc4 ( 6.h5 {is also critical, but Black seems to get a playable position. A recent example followed} 6...Nf4 7.Nxd4 exd4 8.Qf3 Bd6 {Tomczak-Pechac, POL-chT Ekstraliga Bydgoszcz 2022.} ) 6...h5 7.Ng5 ( 7.d3 {was Carlsen's choice in a blitz game, always something to take into account. Now Black should play} 7...c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] in order to play ...d5 or ...b5, with counterplay.} ( 7...Be7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] was played in Carlsen-Tari, Norway Masters blitz 11th Stavanger 2023. Here White could have achieved an advantage with} 8.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ) 7...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A spectacular move that already poses a serious practical problem for White. It's no surprise that in every game I found in the database a losing move was now played, incidentally the same chosen by Anand in this game. Even against best play Black manages to get a decent position, which means that Mamedyarov's choice was not a pure and simple bluff, but an interesting and well-studied line that bore fruit.} ( 7...Ne6 {is the pragmatic move, but White gains the advantage after} 8.Qf3 f6 9.Nxe6 dxe6 10.d3 ) 8.Bxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is already a decisive mistake.} ( 8.Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is required. Complex variations follow, in which it's impossible to guide yourself without having studied with the computer.} 8...Nxh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 8...Bg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 9.f3 Nxh4 10.d3 {with a decisive advantage for White.} ) ( 8...f6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 9.Nf3 {is bad for Black as well.} ) 9.d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 9...Nxg2+ 10.Kf1 Bg4 11.f3 ( 11.Qxg4 {is also possible:} 11...hxg4 12.Rxh8 b5 {I won't pretend that I know what's happening here, but the computer evaluates the position as balanced.} ) 11...Nf4 12.Nxf4 exf4 13.Nxf7 Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.Nxd8 Bxd1 15.Nf7 Rh7 16.Bxf4 Bxc2 {and the complications continue.} ) 8...Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 9.Bxf7+ ( 9.f3 {Initially, when I was analyzing the game without the machine, I thought this direct move might be better, but it also loses.} 9...Nxh4 10.d3 Be7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move.} ( 10...Nxg2+ $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses::} 11.Kf2 Nf4 12.Bxf4 exf4 13.Nxf7 ) 11.Nxf7 ( 11.Bxf7+ Kf8 {doesn't help White.} ) 11...Nhxf3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.gxf3 Bh4+ $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.Kd2 ( 13.Kf1 Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.Rxh4 Qxh4 15.fxg4 Qh1+ 16.Kf2 Qh2+ 17.Kf1 O-O {with a winning attack.} ) 13...Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And now a nice final position arises after} 14.fxg4 Qf4# ) 9...Kd7 10.f3 Nxh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This knight thrust is the point of Black's play.} 11.d3 ( 11.Rxh4 Qxg5 12.Rh1 Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.gxf3 Qg2 14.Rf1 Be7 {with mate soon to follow.} ) ( 11.fxg4 Qxg5 {with a decisive advantage.} ) 11...Nxg2+ 12.Kf1 {Only this is a new move.} ( 12.Kf2 Nf4 13.fxg4 Qxg5 14.Kg3 Bc5 15.Rh4 Raf8 16.Bc4 Nfe2+ {White resigned in Szpar-Nasuta, Warsaw Szansa Rapid op 2021.} ) 12...Nf4 {The knight comes back and serves another purpose: to attack its g5-colleague.} 13.Bxf4 ( 13.fxg4 Qxg5 ) 13...exf4 14.Ne2 ( 14.fxg4 Qxg5 {also leads to a winning position.} ) 14...Nxe2 15.Qxe2 Qxg5 16.fxg4 Bc5 ( 16...f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even more incisive:} 17.Qxf3 hxg4 18.Rg1 Bc5 19.Rxg4 Rh1+ 20.Ke2 ( 20.Qxh1 Qxg4 ) 20...Rh2+ 21.Kf1 Qe5 {with a completely winning position.} ) 17.gxh5 Ke7 {White's king continues to suffer a merciless attack and, as is well known, the presence of bishops of opposite colors makes things worse.} ( 17...Raf8 {is also good.} ) 18.d4 ( 18.Bb3 f3 19.Qh2 Bb6 {The result would be the same. Black just needs to double rooks on the h-file and capture on h5.} 20.Qh4 Rxh5 21.Qxg5+ Rxg5 {the attack continues even without queens.} ) 18...Bxd4 19.Bb3 f3 20.Qh2 Bb6 21.Qh3 ( 21.Qh4 Rxh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] again works.} ) 21...Rh6 22.Rd1 Rd8 {Exchanging an important defender of White's precarious position.} 23.c3 Rxd1+ 24.Bxd1 Qd2 {Brilliant opening preparation by Mamedyarov.} ( 24...Qd2 25.Qxf3 Rf6 ) 0-1

[Event "Main Event"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Black "Sarana, Alexey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "3145"]
[BlackElo "3063"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7905159693342"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

{[%evp 0,73,20,20,20,21,28,27,26,33,18,9,0,-3,-3,2,18,16,16,2,-7,-28,-22,-26,-3,-10,4,5,14,5,19,-20,0,0,26,29,52,52,52,27,57,40,45,43,43,42,40,47,54,54,57,43,63,44,47,47,72,64,83,69,83,83,74,165,165,165,195,192,331,330,340,168,494,598,29999,-29999]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 {The good, old London System. Innocent in appearance, dangerous in essence. One day, the chess world will recognize its true value. Until then, my job as a commentator is to criticize it every time it is played.} 3...e6 4.e3 Bd6 5.Nbd2 O-O 6.c3 c5 7.Bd3 b6 ( 7...Bxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a critical test of White's opening.} 8.exf4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 ( 9.cxd4 Nc6 {followed by Qb6, with a good position for Black.} ) 9...Qc7 10.g3 e5 11.fxe5 Qxe5+ 12.Qe2 Qc7 {with a good version of an isolated queen's pawn position for Black, as played in Nihal-Ding, Chess.com (blitz) 2022.} ) 8.Bxd6 {Other moves are possible:} ( 8.Qe2 {avoiding the immediate bishop exchange with ...Ba6, although Black can prepare it with a7-a5 first.} ) ( 8.Ne5 {keeping the dark-squared bishops on the board.} ) 8...Qxd6 9.Ne5 Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10.Bc2 $5 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An aggressive and double-edged move. White keeps the dangerous bishop on the board, pointing at Black's king. This, however, comes at a cost: Black's a6-bishop is also very powerful and hinders White's ability to castle kingside.} ( 10.Bxa6 {has been played a few times. The position is equal after} 10...Nxa6 11.O-O Nb8 12.f4 Nc6 ) 10...Nfd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black decides to close the opponent's bishop diagonal with f7-f5, but this is not the best plan.} ( 10...Nc6 11.f4 Rac8 {is better. This was played in Asadli-Durarbayli, WCh Blitz Almaty 2022.} ) 11.f4 f5 12.Qh5 {The queen is not so useful on h5.} ( 12.Ndf3 {This is a natural and good move:} 12...Nc6 13.Nxc6 Qxc6 14.Qd2 {White can prepare the g4-advance with a better position.} ) 12...cxd4 {The change in the pawn structure helps White. It's better to keep the tension and move the knight to c6 immediately.} ( 12...Nc6 ) 13.exd4 Nc6 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.Nf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This gives Black a tactical opportunity to improve his bishop.} ( 15.Qf3 {is better, followed by Qe3 and Nf3.} ) 15...Rac8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is strong. This move attacks the f4-pawn and prepares Nc6-b4.} 16.g3 ( 16.Ne5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16...Nxd4 ) ( 16.Qh4 Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of playing Rh6.} ) 16...Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Bb1 Nd3+ 18.Bxd3 Bxd3 {The bishop goes to the excellent e4-square, and Black is fine.} ) 16.a3 Qd6 17.g3 {White now has a clear advantage. His pawn structure is better, and the pawn break on b4 (essentially Black's only plan) is very hard to achieve. Truth be told, it's also not so easy to break Black's solid position.} 17...Bc4 18.Kf2 Rf6 19.Ne5 Ba6 {The bishop going to c4 and coming back to a6 is proof that Sarana was having a hard time finding a plan.} 20.Rad1 Qc7 21.Nxc6 Qxc6 22.Qf3 Qb5 23.Rb1 Kh8 24.Rhe1 Rg8 25.h4 {Avoiding any g7-g5 attempts by Black, although now White cannot play g4 anymore.} 25...g6 26.Re3 Qd7 27.Rbe1 h5 28.Re5 Kg7 29.Qe3 Kf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The decisive mistake. White's plan is to break the position with c3-c4 at some point, and there's a way to avoid this for the time being.} ( 29...Bc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Bb3 Qc6 {It's not clear if White will be able to open the position successfully. Anyway, he can maneuver for a long time before taking action.} ) 30.Bb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening 31.Bxd5.} 30...Bb7 {The only defense.} 31.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Opening the game decisively.} 31...dxc4 32.Bxc4 Qc6 33.Bd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This looks pretty and works as a charm in the game, but it's actually not the best.} ( 33.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger. After} 33...Qxc4 34.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black cannot move the queen due to 35.Rc7 and there's no fortress in sight after} 34...Qxc1 35.Qxc1 ) 33...exd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake.} ( 33...Qc2+ $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only chance. Black can still fight to save the game after} 34.Re2 Qxe2+ 35.Qxe2 Bxd5 ) 34.Re7+ Kf8 35.Qe5 {A beautiful position, showing the strength of major pieces on an open file. The threat is (among others) 36.Rc7.} 35...Bc8 36.Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Qd6 37.Qe8# 1-0

[Event "Main Event"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "3093"]
[BlackElo "3046"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7353118228999"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 Bf5 7.Qf3 Bg6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.Qxf6 gxf6 {An important endgame that has occurred in many Queen's Gambit Declined games. Black has a poor pawn structure, but it's unclear whether White can exploit the weaknesses to gain an advantage.} 10.Nf3 Nd7 11.Nh4 Nb6 ( 11...Be7 {is the most popular move.} ) 12.Be2 ( 12.f4 {Carlsen preferred this move when playing this position.} 12...f5 13.Bd3 Nc4 14.Bxc4 dxc4 15.Kf2 {with a small advantage in Carlsen-Sharafiev, Chess.com (rapid) 2017.} ) 12...Be7 ( 12...Nc4 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Bxc4 dxc4 15.Ke2 f5 {was equal in Giannetto-Palladino, ICCF email 2015.} ) 13.g3 Nc4 14.Bxc4 {A new move.} ( 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.Bxc4 dxc4 16.h4 Kd7 17.Ke2 f5 {led to equality in Bescos Anzano-Manso Gil, email 2015.} ) 14...dxc4 15.e4 {White's idea is to play f3, castle queenside, maneuver the knight to f4, and then push the central pawns.} 15...b5 ( 15...O-O-O {It's better to castle since White can try to exploit the rook on the a-file after the move played in the game.} 16.O-O-O b5 ) 16.f3 ( 16.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more dangerous for Black.} 16...b4 17.Nxg6 hxg6 18.Ne2 {followed by Rc1.} ) 16...h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move doesn't seem right. Black has a good position after} ( 16...O-O-O 17.O-O-O f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Nxf5 ( 18.exf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18...Bh5 {Black will capture the h4-knight and get the advantage.} ) 18...Bxf5 19.exf5 Bf6 ) 17.O-O-O ( 17.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better now.} ) 17...Rd8 ( 17...O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Once again, the principle \"when in doubt, castle\" should be followed.} ) 18.Ne2 Rg8 19.Nf4 {White has completed his plan and is ready to play Rhe1 followed by e4-e5 or d4-d5. Andreikin tries to confuse his opponent.} 19...f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 20.exf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is much better: the bishop on g6 is paralyzed and White has a bid advantage.} ) 20...Bxh4 21.gxh4 ( 21.fxg6 Bg5 {with an acceptable position for Black.} ) 21...Bxf5 22.Rhe1+ Kf8 23.Re5 Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Andreikin defends very well.} 24.Nxd3 cxd3 25.Rxd3 Rg2 {Black has enough activity to equalize the game.} 26.Rxh5 Rxh2 $6 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26...Rd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate:} 27.d5 Rxh2 {with equality.} ) 27.d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 27.Rh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move threatens the c6-pawn and poses difficult problems for Black.} ) 27...cxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder.} ( 27...Rd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary, with a likely draw.} ) 28.Rh8+ $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Ke7 29.Rxd8 Kxd8 30.Rxd5+ Ke8 {This leaves the queenside unprotected, but the game also cannot be saved after} ( 30...Kc7 31.Rxb5 Rxh4 32.Rf5 Rh7 33.Kc2 {The number-one factor to fight for a draw in a rook endgame a pawn down is rook activity, something that Black is definitely lacking.} ) 31.Rxb5 Rxh4 32.Rb8+ Ke7 33.Rb7+ Ke6 34.Rxa7 Rh1+ 35.Kc2 Rh2+ 36.Kc3 Rf2 37.Ra6+ Ke5 38.Ra5+ Kf4 39.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's pawns are much faster than Black's lonely warrior.} 39...Rxf3+ 40.Kc4 Rf1 41.b5 Rb1 42.Kc5 Ke5 43.b6 Rc1+ 44.Kb5 Kd6 45.Ra8 1-0

[Event "Main Event"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "3117"]
[BlackElo "3161"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8249692663303"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

{[%evp 0,57,22,24,22,28,24,-16,14,9,1,13,24,-1,21,18,6,-25,5,-30,8,8,20,25,40,49,45,47,44,47,53,50,51,46,54,30,54,47,70,75,81,82,107,109,109,87,91,87,178,181,284,282,275,295,312,313,481,482,482,482]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c3 c6 4.Qc2 {A curious little move that Nihal has played before. The idea is to avoid the development of Black's bishop on f5.} 4...g6 {Preparing the to develop the bishop on f5 anyway. The problem is that Black's dark-squared bishop won't be so well placed on g7. To be honest, developing the light-squared bishop to f5 is not such a great idea either since there's a pawn on g6. That said, the move is still perfectly playable.} ( 4...Bg4 {is a natural alternative and was played against Nihal in a rapid game.} 5.Ne5 Bh5 6.Bf4 Nbd7 7.e3 e6 8.Qb3 Qb6 {with equality in Nihal-Harikrishna, ESP-chT Toledo (rapid) 2022.} ) 5.Bf4 Bg7 6.e3 Bf5 7.Qb3 Qb6 8.c4 {A new move.} ( 8.h3 {with the idea of playing g2-g4, disturbing the bishop, was played in Ter Sahakyan-Sarana, Olympic E-sports (blitz) 2023.} ) 8...Nbd7 ( 8...Na6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's also possible to develop the knight here. A knight on the rim is not always dim, especially when it can soon go to a more active square (in this case, b4).} ) 9.Nc3 O-O 10.h3 h5 {A natural reaction, trying to take the sting out of the g2-g4 push. There was a better move, however.} ( 10...Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] exploiting the e1-a5 diagonal and the pin on the c3-knight gives Black an excellent position.} 11.Rc1 ( 11.Be2 dxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.Bxc4 b5 13.Be2 Be6 14.Qc2 b4 15.Qa4 Qb6 {followed by c6-c5.} ) 11...dxc4 12.Bxc4 b5 13.Be2 Be6 {with good counterplay.} ) 11.Be2 Qxb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A positional mistake. It's better to capture on c4 before exchanging queens.} ( 11...dxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.Bxc4 Qxb3 13.Bxb3 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a good position.} ) 12.axb3 {Now White has a more comfortable position. The a-file is open for White's rook, and Black cannot capture on c4 since it leaves White with a much better pawn structure.} 12...a6 13.O-O Rfc8 14.Rfc1 {White's moves are natural and easy.} 14...Be6 {A strange move and proof that it's not easy for Black to find a plan.} ( 14...Ne4 {is a possibility in order to exchange pieces.} 15.cxd5 Nxc3 16.bxc3 cxd5 {with a slight advantage for White due to the better pawn structure: one pawn island against two.} ) 15.c5 {A natural reaction in a blitz game. Nihal has a clear plan now: he wants to play b3-b4, followed by the Nd2-Nb3-Na5 maneuver, all very thematic in these types of positions.} ( 15.Ng5 {forces the bishop back, but it's not such a big deal.} 15...Bf5 ) ( 15.Ra5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] My computer is very happy with this move, indicating a good advantage for White. The machine is saving Nf3-g5 for later. The rook presses the d5-pawn from the side.} ) 15...Nf8 ( 15...Bf5 {Black should consider returning the bishop immediately to play ...Ne4.} ) 16.b4 N6d7 17.Nd2 {Black's last moves look a bit passive, but there's a way to make sense of them: he should now play 17...f6, followed by Bf7 and e7-e5.} 17...Bf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses precious time.} ( 17...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Nb3 Bf7 19.Na5 e5 20.Bg3 Rcb8 {followed by Nf8-e6, although White is better.} ) 18.g4 hxg4 19.hxg4 Be6 20.Nb3 {White completes his plan and has a winning positional advantage. Black's pieces will be tied to the defense of the b7-pawn.} 20...Nf6 21.f3 Bd7 22.Na5 ( 22.Na4 {is even better.} ) 22...Ra7 23.Kf2 {It's always good to bring the king closer to the center, especially when your opponent is paralyzed.} 23...Ne8 {Allowing a pretty finish.} 24.b5 $3 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A decisive break.} 24...axb5 {This loses an exchange, but the alternative doesn't help.} ( 24...cxb5 25.Nxd5 ) 25.Nxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] this is the point of White's previous move.} 25...bxc6 ( 25...Rxa1 26.Nxe7+ ) 26.Rxa7 f6 27.Bxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The demolition of Black's pawn structure continues.} 27...cxb5 28.Nxd5 Kf7 29.Nb6 {The c-pawn is ready to march up the board, and Vachier-Lagrave decided enough was enough.} 1-0

[Event "Nepomniachtchi vs. Arjun | Speed Chess L"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7080522032673"]
[EventType "game"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]

{[%evp 0,97,28,-10,-11,-14,-10,-10,-16,2,6,2,2,4,19,18,18,24,24,18,18,14,14,13,18,17,33,14,49,42,41,52,58,59,53,49,78,82,80,60,84,53,51,42,66,65,66,64,70,57,59,51,51,30,26,14,63,20,24,27,43,4,32,4,41,-25,-14,-40,-41,-41,80,-41,120,118,160,177,180,85,85,108,40,53,228,267,267,320,320,320,312,62,423,410,442,480,502,368,497,471,514,382]} 
1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.Nf3 d4 5.O-O Nc6 6.d3 Bc5 {A popular line among the elite nowadays. Nepomniachtchi was knocked out of the World Cup by Vidit in this variation.} 7.Nbd2 O-O 8.Nb3 Be7 9.e3 dxe3 10.Bxe3 a5 ( 10...Ng4 {was Vidit's choice in the mentioned game.} 11.Bc5 Bxc5 12.Nxc5 b6 {Nepomniachtchi-Vidit, FIDE World Cup Baku 2023.} ) 11.h3 {A useful move, preventing ...Ng4.} 11...a4 12.Nbd4 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 ( 13.Bxd4 {is also interesting. White can fight for a small advantage after} 13...c5 14.Bc3 ) 13...c6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A new move and not a very good one, since it's a bit passive.} ( 13...a3 14.b3 e5 15.Nf3 {was better for White in Tomashevsky-Fressinet, Aimchess Rapid 2023.} ) ( 13...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better with the pawn still on a4.} 14.Nf3 e4 15.dxe4 Qxd1 16.Raxd1 Nxe4 {with chances of equalizing.} ) 14.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight returns and makes way for the advance of the d-pawn.} 14...Qa5 15.d4 {White has a dream position from the opening. He has more space and his bishops are much better than Black's.} 15...Rd8 16.Qc2 h6 ( 16...c5 {Black should play this break to fight for some space.} ) 17.Rad1 Bd7 18.Ne5 Be8 19.a3 {A typical blitz move: it's not clear if it's useful, but it doesn't compromise anything. 19.Rfe1 is very natural and the more direct 19.c5 is also good.} ( 19.c5 Nd5 20.Nc4 {with a clear advantage.} ) ( 19.Rfe1 {is more useful in case Black advances c6-c5.} ) 19...Rac8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better chance again.} 20.d5 ( 20.Bxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} 20...cxd4 21.Bxd4 Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black wins material.} ) 20...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.f4 exd5 22.cxd5 Bd6 {with an acceptable position for Black.} ) 20.Bd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 20.Rfe1 ) 20...Qa6 21.Bc3 b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This leaves Black without any counterplay.} ( 21...c5 22.d5 exd5 23.cxd5 {The position is better for White, but at least Black has something to play for.} ) ( 21...Nd7 {keeps the status quo.} ) 22.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This gives away the d5-square, but White has a big space advantage and can prepare an offensive on the kingside.} 22...Nd5 23.Rfe1 Rb8 24.Nd3 Bf6 25.Kh2 Qa7 26.Qc1 {Nepomniachtchi is not in a hurry.} 26...Bd7 27.Nb4 Be8 28.Be4 {White's idea is to play, at some moment, Bb1-Qc2.} ( 28.Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is very good, since Black is forced to take with the c-pawn, leaving White with a monster passed pawn.} 28...cxd5 ( 28...exd5 {loses to} 29.Rxe8+ $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Rxe8 30.Nxc6 ) 29.Rd3 {followed by Bd2-f4, with a winning positional advantage.} ) 28...Nxb4 29.axb4 Qe7 30.Bb1 Qf8 ( 30...g6 {Black can play this immediately, since the h6-pawn cannot be captured:} 31.Qxh6 $4 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 31...Bg5 ) 31.Rd3 Rd5 32.Re4 Rbd8 33.Qc2 g6 34.Ba2 R5d7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake, and now White wins by force.} ( 34...Bd7 {is necessary. In this case White should not take the rook immediately.} 35.Bxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 35...exd5 36.Rf4 Bg5 37.Rff3 Qg7 38.h4 Bf6 {followed by ...Bf5 or even ...g5 with good compensation.} ) 35.Rf4 ( 35.Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even cleaner:} 35...Bg7 ( 35...Qg7 36.Rxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Qxf6 37.d5 {with a decisive advantage.} ) 36.Bxe6 {Black's position falls apart.} ) 35...Bg5 36.Rff3 Qe7 ( 36...Rd5 {sacrificing the exchange, gives better practical chances, although they are clearly insufficient.} ) 37.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Bf6 38.Rxf6 ( 38.d5 {is also winning:} 38...Bxc3 39.d6 Qf8 40.Qxc3 Qg7 41.Rf6 {Black is completely paralyzed.} ) 38...Qxf6 39.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39...Qf5 40.d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's position is worthy of a picture. Black's dark squares are very weak and the bishops point to the opposing king. The material disadvantage is not felt, as the black rooks can barely move. The plan is Qe2, followed by Rf3.} 40...f6 41.Qe2 Bf7 42.Rf3 {The f-pawn is lost.} 42...Qg4 43.Bxf6 Re8 44.Be5 Qxb4 45.Qe3 Kh7 46.Rf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Sending the queen away.} 46...Qa5 47.Bb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop keeps pointing at the king.} 47...Qd8 48.h5 Rg8 49.Rf6 {Arjun decided to resign instead of trying to find a move in this sad position. A possible continuation is} ( 49.Rf6 Qe8 50.Be4 Ra7 51.Qf3 {followed by the capture of the c-pawn.} ) 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "3054"]
[BlackElo "3056"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7699668437030"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c6 3.Bf4 {The London System is always present, especially in blitz matches.} 3...Qb6 4.Qc1 Bg4 5.e3 Nf6 ( 5...Bxf3 {is possible, to disrupt the pawn structure.} 6.gxf3 {With chances for both sides.} ) 6.c4 {A new position on the sixth move already.} 6...Nbd7 7.Nc3 e6 8.c5 {Pushing c4-c5 in these positions is always a difficult choice, since White loses central control.} ( 8.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] this move first is more accurate, leaving c4-c5 as a possibility for later.} ) 8...Qd8 9.Nd2 {White's idea is to play b4 without Black having the option of capturing the knight. This piece can later go to b3 and the pawn breaks are well controlled. Black must strike now in order to fight for equality.} 9...Nh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 9...Be7 10.h3 Bf5 11.b4 {with advantage for White.} ) ( 9...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black gets a playable position after this strong move.} 10.dxe5 Nh5 11.h3 ( 11.b4 a5 12.a3 Nxf4 13.exf4 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with excellent counterplay.} ) 11...Nxf4 12.exf4 Be6 {with a double-edged position.} ) 10.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White gets the advantage now.} 10...Nxf4 11.hxg4 Ng6 12.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good prophylactic move, avoiding …e6-e5.} 12...Be7 13.Bd3 O-O ( 13...Bh4+ {The check is not dangerous, since White's king doesn't feel threatened in the middle of the board.} 14.Ke2 ) 14.Qc2 ( 14.f5 {is tempting, but Black can sacrifice the knight to achieve practical compensation:} 14...exf5 15.gxf5 Nge5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 15...Nh8 {is too ugly.} ) 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.Qc2 Bxc5 ) 14...b6 15.cxb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is very good now, since the knight sacrifice is not so good anymore.} ) 15...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.f5 Bh4+ $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 16...cxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives Black adequate counterplay:} 17.fxg6 ( 17.exd4 {now the knight gets the f4-square:} 17...exf5 18.gxf5 Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 17...dxc3 18.gxf7+ Kxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a complicated position.} ) 17.Kd1 c4 ( 17...cxd4 {This doesn't work now for tactical reasons:} 18.exd4 exf5 19.gxf5 Nf4 20.f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] we can see now the problem with the bishop on h4.} ) 18.Be2 exf5 19.gxf5 Nh8 {A sad fate for the knight.} 20.Nxd5 ( 20.b7 {is even better:} 20...Rb8 21.Nxd5 Rxb7 22.Qe4 Bg5 23.f6 {winning material.} ) 20...Nxb6 21.Nxb6 axb6 22.Bxc4 Bg5 23.Rh3 Re8 24.Qd3 {White has consolidated and is two pawns up.} 24...Qe7 25.Kc2 ( 25.f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins immediately, here and on the next move.} ) 25...b5 26.Bxb5 ( 26.f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26...Rec8+ 27.Bc4 Qb7 28.g4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows a surprsing tactical chance for Black.} ( 28.Rah1 {is better, followed by Kb1 with an easy win.} ) 28...Qg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 28...Rxc4+ $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is very strong:} 29.Nxc4 ( 29.Qxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29...Rc8 ) 29...Qg2+ 30.Kc3 Qxh3 {The game becomes sharp, although White is still better.} ) 29.Rah1 h6 30.Kb1 {White is winning again.} 30...Rab8 31.Bb3 Re8 32.Nc4 Rbd8 33.Qc2 Qxg4 34.Ne5 Rxe5 35.dxe5 Kh7 36.e6 fxe6 37.fxe6+ Ng6 38.R3h2 Qb4 39.Rf2 Qb7 40.Qxg6+ $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice finishing touch.} ( 40.Qxg6+ Kxg6 41.Bc2+ {with mate.} ) 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "3076"]
[BlackElo "3025"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8178288820239"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

{[%evp 0,65,24,24,12,12,30,24,19,55,45,16,17,17,25,10,16,0,0,0,45,-8,-12,-35,-28,-28,-38,-57,-52,-58,-53,-73,-54,-59,-47,-57,-35,-35,-13,-26,-26,-18,-12,-24,-14,-14,-21,-15,-24,-22,-1,-18,-22,-26,-9,0,5,-42,1,13,26,26,111,72,29989,29990,29991,334]} 
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.Nf3 c5 4.e3 e6 5.Nbd2 Qb6 6.Rb1 {This position has been tested in several games of strong grandmasters in 2023.} 6...Bd7 {Black's plan is to exchange bishops with ...Bb5, a very common plan in the French Defense that is carried over to the London System. It was not easy, but I managed to find something in common between these two variations.} ( 6...cxd4 7.exd4 Bd7 8.c3 Bb5 9.h4 {A curious move that has the computer's approval. The machine is not shy about advancing the pawn to h4 in various openings.} 9...Nc6 10.Bxb5 Qxb5 11.Qb3 a6 12.Qxb5 axb5 13.a3 Nd7 {with a roughly equal endgame in Tabatabaei-Keymer, FIDE World Cup Baku 2023.} ) 7.c3 Bd6 ( 7...Bb5 {immediately is also possible:} 8.c4 dxc4 9.Nxc4 Bxc4 10.Bxc4 Qb4+ 11.Nd2 cxd4 12.exd4 Nc6 13.O-O Rd8 14.a3 Qb6 15.Be3 Qc7 {with chances for both sides in Gukesh-Nakamura, Airthings Masters (rapid) 2023.} ) 8.Bg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's also possible to exchange and play the normal plan with Ne5-f4, but the move played in the game is more dangerous. It's hard for Black to complete development without trading bishops, but opening the h-file brings the rook to the game.} ( 8.Bxd6 Qxd6 9.Ne5 ) 8...O-O ( 8...cxd4 9.exd4 Bxg3 10.hxg3 Bb5 {This completes Black's initial plan, but Abdusattorov, understandably, refrains from the capture on g3.} ) 9.Bd3 Qc7 10.Bh4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The plan of capturing the knight on f6 is not effective.} ( 10.dxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10...Qxc5 11.e4 {This creates an unpleasant situation for Black since the pawn is ready to go to e5 but cannot be captured. In case of 11...Bxh3, Black's king feels unsafe.} 11...Bxg3 ( 11...dxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 {Black's position collpses.} ) 12.hxg3 ) 10...Nc6 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.O-O ( 12.Nh4 {is better, but only enough for equality after} 12...f5 13.Qh5 ) 12...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.Be2 f5 {Black has controlled all of White's pawn breaks and is ready to advance the pawns on the queenside.} 14.g3 b5 15.Nh4 Kh8 16.Ng2 Rg8 ( 16...b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, with an advantage for Black.} ) 17.b3 Qa5 18.Qc2 Rgc8 19.bxc4 bxc4 20.Rb7 Rc7 21.Rfb1 Qa6 22.Rxc7 Bxc7 23.Nf4 {The worst is over for White, who managed to stabilize the queenside and can count on equality.} 23...Rb8 24.Rxb8+ Bxb8 25.Qb2 Bd6 26.Bd1 Kg7 $6 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The king goes the wrong way, and this will lead to defeat.} ( 26...Ba3 27.Qc2 Qb6 {followed by ...Qb2, with equality.} ) 27.Nh5+ Kg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 27...Kh8 {It's better to go back.} ) 28.h3 {The plan is to play g3-g4, undermining the black king's defenses.} ( 28.Nf3 {is also interesting since the knight cannot be captured.} 28...f6 ( 28...Kxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29.Ne5+ Kh6 30.Nxf7+ Kg7 31.Nxd6 {winning a pawn.} ) 29.Nh4+ Kf7 30.Qd2 {with the idea of playing e3-e4 and bringing the queen to h6.} ) 28...Qa3 29.Qc2 Bc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] played to bring the queen to the defense, but it's already too late.} ( 29...f6 {is a better try.} 30.g4 Ne7 ) 30.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Ne7 31.Nf3 {There are other ways to win:} ( 31.gxf5+ Nxf5 32.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...dxe4 33.Nxe4 {with a decisive attack.} ) ( 31.f4 {with the idea of Nf3-Qg2.} ) 31...Bc8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 31...f6 {is the only chance.} ) 32.Nh4+ Kh6 33.f4 ( 33.g5+ {also leads to mate:} 33...Kxg5 34.f4+ Kh6 ( 34...Kxh4 35.Qf2+ Kxh3 36.Qg3# ) 35.Qg2 ) 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "3070"]
[BlackElo "3091"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7701992058430"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O O-O 6.a4 d6 7.Be3 {All kinds of ideas are possible in the Italian Opening, but the combination of a4 with Be3 produces a very rare position here.} 7...Bb6 8.Nbd2 h6 {Always a useful move for Black and one you can play in a blitz game without too much thought.} 9.c3 Ng4 {Somewhat superficial, but it doesn't change the character of the game. There are good alternatives.} ( 9...Re8 ) ( 9...Ne7 ) ( 9...Be6 ) 10.Bxb6 axb6 11.d4 Re8 12.Re1 Nf6 {Both sides play solid and conventional moves for now.} 13.Bb5 Bd7 14.h3 Ne7 15.Bxd7 ( 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.Nxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses a piece:} 16...Bxb5 17.axb5 Rxa1 18.Qxa1 Qxd2 ) 15...Nxd7 16.Nf1 Ng6 17.Ng3 Nf6 {A typical position out of the Italian. For now, it looks a bit boring, but fireworks always happen sooner or later.} 18.Qc2 Qd7 19.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good plan, improving control of the center and avoiding either b6-b5 or d6-d5.} 19...Nh7 {Firouzja probably planned Ng5, exchanging pieces.} 20.Qd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move drops a pawn and is probably a blunder, not a sacrifice.} ( 20.Nf5 {is normal, with a slight edge for White after} 20...Ng5 21.Nxg5 hxg5 22.b3 ) 20...Rxa4 21.b3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21.dxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to fight for compensation:} 21...Rxa1 22.Rxa1 Nxe5 23.Nd4 {with the idea of placing the knight on f5 and playing f2-f4.} 23...Nxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is too greedy:} 24.Qc3 Ne5 25.f4 {with a strong attack.} ) 21...Ra6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21...Rxa1 22.Rxa1 Nf6 {White doesn't have enough compensation for the pawn.} ) 22.dxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Nxe5 23.Nd4 {Now White does have some interesting compensation.} 23...Nf6 ( 23...Rxa1 {I think it's more practical to exchange a pair of rooks to release some of the pressure.} 24.Rxa1 Nf6 ) 24.Rad1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Ng6 25.Ndf5 Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very good defensive move. The rook helps the king from the fifth rank.} 26.f4 ( 26.Nxg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The standard sacrifice doesn't work now:} 26...Kxg7 27.Nf5+ Rxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This variation makes clear why the rook is so useful on a5.} 28.exf5 Rxe1+ 29.Rxe1 Qxf5 {with a winning position for Black.} ) 26...Qc6 {The computer suggests 26...Qe6 or 26...Rea8, two difficult moves, specially in a blitz game.} ( 26...Nxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This tactical trick doesn't work:} 27.Nxh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...gxh6 28.Nxe4 {and White wins.} ) ( 26...Qe6 ) ( 26...Rea8 ) 27.Kh2 ( 27.Nxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is now the right way to continue the attack, although it's very difficult to evaluate the sacrifice with little time on the clock.} 27...Kxg7 28.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Rh5 {The best defense.} ( 28...Raa8 29.Qc3 {and the pin on the f6-knight is decisive.} ) 29.Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Defending the f4-pawn and preparing 30.Qc3, with a strong initiative.} ) 27...Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Qd4 ( 28.Qb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger, since from there the queen protects the g2-pawn and prevents a potential rook invasion on a2.} 28...Nf6 29.Nxg7 {Now this move works.} 29...Rxe1 30.Rxe1 Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] a great counterattacking move.} 31.N7f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 31.b4 {looks good, but Black has a defense:} 31...Qxg2+ $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Qxg2 Nxg2 33.Kxg2 Ra2+ {followed by the capture of the g7-knight.} ) 31...Nxf5 32.Qxf6 Nxg3 {as is usually the case, the computer shows some interesting drawing variations, for instance:} 33.Qd8+ Kg7 34.Re8 Nf1+ 35.Kh1 ( 35.Kg1 $2 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35...Qc5+ ) 35...Ng3+ ) 28...Nf6 29.Rxe8+ ( 29.Nxg7 {loses after} 29...Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Rg1 Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 29...Qxe8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The wrong capture.} ( 29...Nxe8 {is necessary:} 30.Re1 Nf6 {with the advantage for Black.} ) 30.Nxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Kxg7 31.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point of the sacrifice, forcing Black's key defensive rook off of the fifth rank.} 31...Ra2 32.Nf5+ ( 32.Nh5+ $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] allows Black to escape:} 32...Kf8 33.Qxf6 Rxg2+ $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Kxg2 Qe2+ 35.Kg3 Qe3+ {with perpetual check.} ) 32...Kf8 ( 32...Kh7 {is the only chance:} 33.Qxf6 Qg8 ) 33.Qxf6 Qe2 ( 33...Rxg2+ 34.Kxg2 Qe2+ 35.Kg3 Qxd1 36.Qd8# ) 34.Qd8+ Qe8 35.Qf6 Qe2 36.Qd8+ Qe8 37.Qxc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is completely winning.} 37...Rxg2+ 38.Kxg2 Nxf4+ ( 38...Qe2+ 39.Kg3 Qxd1 40.Qd8# ) 39.Kg3 Nh5+ 40.Kf3 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "3242"]
[BlackElo "3186"]
[ECO "A06"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Beauty "6323173329974"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.b3 Nf6 3.e3 g6 4.Bb2 Bg7 5.c4 O-O 6.d4 {Nakamura has many games in this position.} ( 6.cxd5 {is also possible but doesn't give anything special after} 6...Qxd5 7.Nc3 Qd8 ) 6...c6 ( 6...c5 {was played against Nakamura in a Titled Tuesday game this year.} 7.dxc5 Qa5+ 8.Nbd2 Bg4 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Bxg7 Kxg7 11.Bc4 Rd8 12.Qc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 12.O-O {is better.} ) 12...Bxf3 13.gxf3 Nc6 14.a3 Qxc5 {with a good position for Black in Nakamura-Timofeev, Titled Tuesday 2023.} ) 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nbd2 Nbd7 ( 8...c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is the move recommended by the computer.} ) 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Nxf3 e6 ( 10...Qa5+ {leads to a slightly better endgame for White due to the bishop pair:} 11.Qd2 Qxd2+ 12.Kxd2 Ne4+ 13.Kc2 {Nakamura-Rakhmanov, Titled Tuesday 2019.} ) 11.Qc2 Qe7 {A new move.} ( 11...Re8 12.O-O a6 13.Rfd1 {with a slight advantage for White: Nakamura-Dubov, Titled Tuesday 2022.} ) 12.O-O Rfc8 {A curious development for the f8-rook. It seems more natural to bring the other rook to c8 and this one to d8. Vachier Lagrave wants to play ...c5 quickly.} 13.Rac1 c5 14.cxd5 {Nakamura plays a little hastily and loses the advantage.} ( 14.Qb1 {is natural, removing the queen from the c-file and keeping a slight advantage.} ) 14...Nxd5 15.Ba3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a clear inaccuracy: Nakamura certainly missed Black's ingenious reply.} ( 15.Qb1 ) 15...Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen is going to a5.} 16.dxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A serious mistake. White's position becomes very dangerous.} ( 16.Qd2 {The game remains equal after} 16...cxd4 17.Nxd4 ) 16...Qa5 17.e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17.Bb2 {is the lesser evil.} 17...Nb4 18.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} 18...Bxc3 19.Qxc3 Rxc5 20.Bc4 Nxa2 21.Qxa5 Rxa5 22.Ra1 b6 {with a clearly better endgame for Black.} ) 17...Nf4 ( 17...Qxa3 {is also good, but the move played in the game is even stronger.} 18.exd5 Rxc5 19.Qb1 exd5 {with a healthy pawn up.} ) 18.g3 Nxh3+ 19.Kg2 Nxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Qxf2 Qxa3 {Black is winning, but Nakamura creates an imaginative tactical trap.} 21.Rc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 21...Rxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Vachier-Lagrave falls for it. One needs to be always alert when facing Nakamura.} ( 21...Nxc5 {is winning.} ) 22.Nd4 $3 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A brilliant move, threatening to take on f7 and also to trap the queen with 23.Ra4.} 22...Rxc4 {Black has no time to defend the f7-pawn.} ( 22...Ne5 23.Ra4 {wins the queen.} ) 23.Qxf7+ Kh8 24.Nxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Rg8 25.Qxd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This lets Black off the hook.} ( 25.Bxc4 {is better, sustaining the pressure. The main idea can be seen in the following variation:} 25...Ne5 26.Qxb7 Nxc4 27.bxc4 Qxa2+ 28.Rf2 Qxc4 29.Nxg7 Rxg7 30.Rf8+ Rg8 31.Qb2+ $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is mated.} ) 25...Rc3 26.Ng5 ( 26.Nxg7 {leads to a chaotic position after} 26...Qxa2+ 27.Kh3 Qxb3 ) 26...Rf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 26...h6 {is necessary.} 27.Nf7+ Kh7 28.e5 ( 28.Ng5+ Kh8 {with perpetual check.} ) 28...Rxd3 29.Qxd3 Qxa2+ 30.Rf2 Qa6 {with equality.} ) 27.Nf7+ Kg8 28.Qd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 28.Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way. This avoids Black's defense in the game and is also useful against the advance of the h-pawn, since now g6 is hanging.} 28...h6 ( 28...h5 {loses to} 29.Ng5+ Kh8 30.Qxg6 ) 29.Ne5+ Kh7 30.Qxg6+ Kg8 ( 30...Kh8 31.Nf7+ Rxf7 32.Rxf7 {winning.} ) 31.Bc4+ Rxc4 32.Rxf8+ Qxf8 33.Nxc4 {with a winning endgame a pawn up.} ) 28...Qe7 {28...h6 and 28...h5 are also possible.} ( 28...h5 29.Ng5+ Kh8 30.Nf7+ {with a draw.} ) ( 28...h6 29.Ng5+ ( 29.Nxh6+ {is also a draw:} 29...Kh7 30.Rxf8 Qxf8 31.Nf7 Rxd3 32.Ng5+ Kh6 33.Nf7+ Kh7 ) 29...Kh8 30.Nf7+ Kh7 31.Ng5+ {with a draw. Taking the knight is bad:} 31...hxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32.Rh1+ Bh6 33.Qd7+ Kg8 34.Rxh6 {and White wins.} ) 29.Bc4 Rxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 29...Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best defense. Black prepares to take the f7-knight.} 30.e5 Rc2+ 31.Kh3 Qxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Qd3 Rxc4 33.Rxf6 Rc7 34.Rxf7 Rcxf7 {with a slight advantage for Black, although White should be able to make a draw.} ) 30.Nh6+ Kh8 31.Rxf8+ Qxf8 32.Nf7+ Kg8 33.Nd6+ Kh8 34.bxc4 {Queen and knight combine very well attacking the king. Furthermore, the passed e-pawn is very dangerous.} 34...b6 35.e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The wrong time to advance.} ( 35.Nf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Kg8 36.Ne5+ Kh8 37.Nd7 Qe8 38.e5 {with a clear advantage.} ) 35...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.e6 Bf6 37.Ne4 Be7 {The bishop controls both the pawn and the knight.} 38.Qe5+ Kh7 39.Qc7 Kh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.Nc3 ( 40.Qxa7 Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a draw.} ) 40...Qf6 41.Nd5 Qb2+ 42.Kf3 Bc5 43.Qf4+ g5 44.Qf6+ Qxf6+ 45.Nxf6 Kg6 46.Nd5 {The game steers into a drawn knight against bishop endgame.} 46...Bd6 47.g4 h4 48.a4 Bc5 49.Kg2 Bd6 50.Kh3 Bc5 51.Nc3 {One last winning try.} 51...Kf6 {Black can also wait since White has no plan to improve the position.} ( 51...Be7 52.Ne4 Bb4 ) 52.Ne4+ Kxe6 53.Nxg5+ Ke5 54.Kxh4 Kd4 $4 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] A blunder that finally decides this dramatic game.} ( 54...Be7 55.Kh5 Kd4 56.Ne6+ Kxc4 57.g5 Bxg5 58.Kxg5 Kb4 59.Kf4 Kxa4 60.Ke4 {with a draw.} ) 55.Ne6+ Kxc4 56.Nxc5 bxc5 57.g5 {White's g-pawn is too fast.} 57...Kd5 58.Kh5 c4 59.g6 Ke6 60.Kh6 c3 61.g7 1-0

[Event "Speed Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "3229"]
[BlackElo "3093"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7559142440967"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 Bc5 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 d6 8.d4 {A move that Carlsen employed against Keymer in the recent World Cup in a game where he was in a must-win situation.} 8...exd4 9.Nxd4 Bd7 10.Bxc6 Bxc6 {A new move.} ( 10...bxc6 11.Nc3 O-O 12.Qd3 Bb4 13.Ne2 {with a complex middlegame in Carlsen-Keymer, Baku 2023.} ) 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Nd2 O-O 13.Qf3 Re8 {Black is not so worried with the capture on f6, since his activity compensates for the damaged pawn structure in the endgame.} 14.Bxf6 ( 14.O-O-O {is a possibility in order to keep queens on the board. Black must play} 14...Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] protecting the knight. The position is equal.} ) 14...Qxf6 15.Qxf6 gxf6 16.O-O f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black takes advantage of this resource to improve the pawn structure. White should not capture the pawn, since} 17.Rfe1 ( 17.exf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17...Re2 18.Rad1 Rb8 19.b3 Kg7 {gives Black an excellent position.} ) 17...Rab8 18.Rab1 {This ugly move is necessary in order to keep fighting for the win. Black has no problems after} ( 18.Nb3 fxe4 19.Nxc5 dxc5 20.b3 Rbd8 ) 18...fxe4 ( 18...Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's more accurate to delay the capture on e4.} 19.c3 Bf6 {Black has no problems.} ) 19.Nxe4 Bd4 20.b3 {The type of endgame that is Carlsen's bread and butter. But let's not forget that So also has excellent technique.} 20...Kg7 ( 20...Re6 {is possible. White has only a small plus after} 21.Ng3 Rf6 22.Re2 ) 21.Ng3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Kg6 22.Rxe8 Rxe8 23.Kf1 {White has a better pawn structure and a more comfortable position. It's not so easy to defend this in a blitz game against Carlsen. It's impressive how he knows which types of endgames are equal, but difficult to defend, and keeps pressing without rushing and playing the moves considered best by the computer even though he spends little time on them.} 23...a5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more precise:} 24.Re1 Rxe1+ 25.Kxe1 f4 26.Ne2 Be5 {with good defensive chances.} ) 24.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Ra8 $6 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 24...Rxe1+ 25.Kxe1 {The endgame is very difficult to defend. White's knight will give Black a hard time protecting all the pawn weaknesses.} ) ( 24...Re6 {is interesting, but White can keep provoking the rook exchange after} 25.Re4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 25.Re4 ( 25.Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better with a clear advantage.} ) 25...c5 26.Rg4+ Kf6 27.Ne2 Be5 28.Ra4 Ke6 ( 28...d5 {should be considered immediately.} ) 29.g3 ( 29.Nf4+ {is good for White, since the rook endgame after} 29...Bxf4 30.Rxf4 {is very unpleasant to defend, due to White's better pawn structure and more active rook.} ) 29...d5 30.Rh4 Bg7 31.Kg2 d4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move creates more weaknesses.} ( 31...c6 {is necessary, reinforcing the d5-pawn.} ) 32.Nf4+ $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 32.Rh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate:} 32...Kd6 33.Rf5 Rf8 34.Nf4 {with a winning advantage.} ) 32...Kd6 33.Rh5 a4 {Black gets a glimpse of hope, although the position remains difficult.} 34.Nd3 axb3 35.axb3 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.bxc4 Ra2 37.Rd5+ Ke7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The last error.} ( 37...Ke6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is correct. Now the c2-pawn cannot be defended, and 38.Nb4 is not as strong. Black has some drawing chances, for instance:} 38.Nc5+ ( 38.Nb4 Ra4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 38.Rc5 Kd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 38...Ke7 39.Rd7+ Ke8 40.Rxc7 Rxc2 ) 38.Nb4 Ra4 ( 38...Rb2 {is a better choice, but the rook endgame is winning for White after} 39.Nc6+ ( 39.Rb5 {is also possible.} ) 39...Ke6 40.Nxd4+ Bxd4 41.Rxd4 Rxc2 42.Rh4 f6 43.Rxh6 Rxc4 44.Rh8 ) 39.Nc6+ Kf6 ( 39...Kf8 40.Rd8# ) ( 39...Ke6 40.Nxd4+ ) 40.Rxd4 Ke6 41.Rf4 Ra2 42.Nd8+ {The knight is really a dangerous piece in a blitz game.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Savitha Shri, B."]
[Black "Divya, Deshmukh"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2236"]
[BlackElo "2216"]
[ECO "B15"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7904887310927"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 {This was once the undisputed main line of the Caro-Kann Defense. Nowadays the advance variation (4.e5) is also very popular.} 4...Nf6 {The fashionable move, supplanting 4...Bf5 and 4...Nd7.} 5.Nxf6+ exf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There was a time when capturing with the g-pawn was considered the best move, but today's computers have a clear preference for taking with the e-pawn. Despite having doubled pawns and granting White a dangerous pawn majority on the queenside, it seems that Black's free piece development is a good compensation.} 6.c3 Bd6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.Qc2 Re8+ 9.Ne2 {The critical position of this opening system.} 9...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A somewhat surprising move, as it seems dangerous to advance the pawn two squares when White can still castle on the queenside. But practice has shown that White's attack doesn't arrive so quickly.} 10.Be3 {White decides to go for queenside castling. There are over a thousand games in this position.} ( 10.O-O {This is another natural move. Now the h-pawn continues its journey and we can understand Black's idea.} 10...h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Taking the g3-square from the knight.} 11.h3 Nd7 {There's a lot of theory here, but Black has good results.} ) 10...Nd7 11.O-O-O b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black advances on the queenside and prepares Nb6.} 12.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The critical test. A similar position was played in the recently finished Women's World Cup, but in the game Muzychuk-Salimova, white's knight was on f3. As the machine points out, this small difference is helpful for White.} 12...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong pawn sacrifice, well known by opening theory. We're following (among others) the famous game Duda-Carlsen, which ended a long undefeated streak by the world's number one.} 13.Bxb5 Rb8 14.Ba4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move immediately lands White in trouble.} ( 14.c4 {is necessary, as played in Duda-Carlsen, Norway Chess 2020.} ) 14...Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] If you were wondering why the computer thinks this position is better for White with the knight on f3, this is one of the reasons: the e5-square cannot be used so easily. But with the knight on e2, Black has this move, with the plan of Nb6 followed by Bf5.} 15.Nf4 {A new move. White is already losing.} ( 15.Ng3 Nb6 16.Bf4 ( 16.Bc6 Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 16...Rxd5 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 {with a decisive advantage for Black in Eden-Alsina Leal, Paleochora 2021.} ) 15...Nb6 16.Bb5 {The bishop must cover the c4-square.} ( 16.Bc6 Nc4 {is very strong.} ) 16...c4 ( 16...a6 17.Be2 c4 {with the idea of playing Bf5, is also winning for Black. To be honest, it doesn't look so ugly at first sight, but I can't argue when the computer shows a four point advantage for Black.} ) 17.Bc6 Bf5 18.Qd2 Nc8 {A good move, paving the way for the queen. There are good alternatives as well.} ( 18...Qc8 {with the idea of ...Qa6.} ) ( 18...Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] even this spectacular move is winning.} 19.Bxa4 Qa5 {The attack cannot be stopped, for instance:} 20.Bc2 Ba3 21.Bxf5 Rxb2 22.Qxb2 Qxc3+ 23.Bc2 Qxb2+ 24.Kd2 Bb4+ 25.Ke2 Qxc2+ ) 19.g4 {White desperately tries to distract Black from attacking the queenside.} 19...hxg4 20.a4 a6 {Taking the b5-square from the bishop and preparing ...Ba3. There are many winning moves.} ( 20...Qa5 ) ( 20...Ba3 21.Bb5 Qa5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the idea} 22.bxa3 Qxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Bxa4 Rb1# ) ( 20...Ne7 21.Bb5 Rxb5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 22.axb5 Qa5 23.Qe2 Qa1+ 24.Kd2 Qxb2+ 25.Ke1 Qxc3+ 26.Kf1 {The king has escaped to the kingside, although White's position is still losing.} ) 21.b4 {A dramatic way to avoid ...Ba3.} 21...cxb3 22.Kb2 Nb6 23.Bxb6 Qxb6 {Now Black is a pawn up, has the bishop pair, and continues the attack. The rest is easy.} 24.Nd3 Bxd3 25.Qxd3 Qxf2+ 26.Rd2 Qc5 27.Ra1 Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Qd4 Qxd4 29.cxd4 Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Winning more material.} 30.Rad1 Bc3+ 31.Kb1 Bxd2 32.Rxd2 b2 33.Rxb2 Rxb2+ 34.Kxb2 Kf8 35.d6 Rd3 36.d5 Rh3 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Gukesh, D."]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2651"]
[ECO "D04"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[Beauty "6875168933933"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 c6 4.h3 Bf5 5.Nh4 ( 5.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a natural way to make sense of the previous move and pose problems for Black's bishop.} ) 5...Bd7 {A curious square for the bishop.} ( 5...Be4 {is more natural.} ) 6.Bd3 c5 7.c3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 7.c4 {is more active. A strange opening, for sure.} ) 7...Nc6 8.Nf3 Qc7 9.Nbd2 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A thematic break that gives Black an excellent game.} 10.e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes the situation worse. White should accept a slightly inferior position after} ( 10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.Nxe5 Qxe5 12.Nf3 Qc7 ) 10...cxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 10...exd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is very strong. The idea is:} 11.cxd4 Nb4 12.Bb1 Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White's king is stuck in the center.} ) 11.cxd4 Nb4 12.Bb1 $2 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows the same idea with ...Bb5.} ( 12.Nxe5 {is better:} 12...Nxd3+ 13.Nxd3 dxe4 14.Qe2 O-O-O 15.Ne5 {Black's position is preferable, but this variation is better for White than what happens in the game.} ) 12...dxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 12...Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a crushing advantage.} 13.a3 ( 13.dxe5 dxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.Nd4 ( 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Bxe4 Rd8 16.Bd2 Qc4 {with a decisive initiative.} ) 14...Qxe5 15.Nxb5 Nd3+ $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.Bxd3 exd3+ 17.Kf1 Qxb5 {with a winning position for Black.} ) 13...Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 13.Nxe5 Rc8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 13...Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] again was very strong, althought not decisive.} 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Bxe4 Bd6 {with a strong initiative since White's king is insecure.} ) 14.Nxd7 Kxd7 {The king is not afraid of going to d7. Strange things happen in rapid games $1} 15.Nxe4 {This move leads to a position with a material imbalance that is difficult to assess.} ( 15.O-O $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger, giving White the initiative. For instance:} 15...Nc2 16.Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Nxe4 ( 16...Nxa1 $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17.Nxf6+ gxf6 18.Bf5+ {is winning for White.} ) 17.Qg4+ Kd8 18.Qxe4 Nxa1 19.Qd5+ {with a strong attack, even though White is a rook down at the moment.} ) 15...Qxc1 16.Nc5+ {This is White's idea.} 16...Rxc5 17.Bf5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Rxf5 18.Rxc1 Bd6 19.O-O {I find positions with three minor pieces against queen difficult to evaluate. On the one hand, the pieces can be very dangerous if they get good coordination, but on the other hand, coordination is not easy to achieve and the queen is always a dangerous piece. The computer evaluates this position as equal.} 19...Rb8 ( 19...Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] it's important to blockade White's pawn.} ) 20.Re1 ( 20.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is an excellent sacrifice in order to activate the queen. If} 20...Rxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 21.Qb3 {the position becomes dangerous for Black.} ) 20...Nc6 21.Rc3 ( 21.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21...Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn is now blocked, and Black is fine.} 22.Rf3 Rd8 23.Rxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A typical blitz decision. Harikrishna sacrifices material in order to create chances for his queen to perform, but Gukesh defends well.} ( 23.Qb3 {is better, with a balanced position. A possible variation is:} 23...Kc8 24.g3 {Threatening 25.Rxf6.} ( 24.Rxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24...gxf6 25.Qxd5 Bh2+ ) 24...Nxd4 25.Qc4+ Bc7 26.Rxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...gxf6 27.Re7 Nc6 28.Rxf7 {and anything can happen.} ) 23...gxf6 24.Qf3 Kc7 25.Qxf6 Rd7 26.g3 Nxd4 27.Kg2 Nc6 {Black has stabilized the position and has a material advantage.} 28.Re2 Be5 29.Qh6 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Rc2 ( 30.f4 {is more stubborn, avoiding Black's next move.} ) 30...f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.g4 ( 31.gxf4 Rg7+ 32.Kf1 Rd1+ 33.Ke2 Rd6 {White's king is in danger and Black's pieces will soon start a decisive onslaught.} ) 31...Kb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Starting a nice plan to get the king into a safe position.} 32.f3 a6 33.h4 Ka7 34.g5 Nb4 {Gukesh decides to grab the a-pawn, but he could start an immediate mating attack with} ( 34...Rd1 {and the knight possibly going to d4.} ) 35.Re2 Nxa2 36.Qe6 Bc7 37.Qf6 Nb4 {White is unable to create any meaningful counterplay.} 38.Kh3 ( 38.h5 Bd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] picking up the g5-pawn.} ) 38...Nc6 39.b4 Ne5 40.Qxf4 Ng6 {Further material losses are unavoidable.} 41.Qe3+ Bb6 42.Qc1 Rd1 43.Qc2 Rh1+ 44.Rh2 ( 44.Kg2 Rg1+ 45.Kh2 Nxh4 46.Qe4 Rd4 {winning easily.} ) 44...Rg1 45.Rd2 Nf4+ 46.Kh2 Rxd2+ 47.Qxd2 Rg2+ 48.Qxg2 Nxg2 49.Kxg2 Be3 50.Kg3 b6 51.f4 a5 52.bxa5 bxa5 {0-} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.09.08"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2641"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[ECO "E54"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Beauty "8248241185331"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "180+2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 c5 8.O-O cxd4 9.exd4 b6 {This is one of the main positions of the Nimzo-Indian, and it can actually occur after other move orders as well. There are thousands of games here.} 10.Bg5 {The most popular move.} 10...Bb7 11.Qe2 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Nc6 {This is a very rare move. The knight usually goes to d7.} ( 12...Nbd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 13.Ne5 Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good and thematic maneuver. The knight goes to the kingside, and Black is not worried about the doubled pawns after 14.Bxf6.} 14.Rad1 ( 14.Bxf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 14...gxf6 15.Ng4 Ng6 {The kingside is very solid, despite the doubled pawns.} ) ( 14.Bd3 {is natural and probably the best move, avoiding ...Ne4.} ) 14...Rc8 ( 14...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] threatens the bishop and the pawn on c3. The game becomes very sharp, and White has to find the strong} 15.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] to avoid ending up in a worse position.} ( 15.Bh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 15...Nxc3 16.Qg4 Qd6 {was better for Black in Girones Barrios-Rodrigue Lemieux, Charlotte Summer 2022.} ) 15...Nxg5 ( 15...exd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16.Qxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins material.} ) ( 15...Bxd5 16.Nc6 $3 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] wins the queen.} ) ( 15...Nxc3 16.Qg4 Nxd1 17.Bf6 {with a decisive attack on the dark squares.} ) 16.dxe6 Bd5 17.exf7+ Nxf7 18.Bxd5 Nxd5 19.Nxf7 Rxf7 20.Qe6 Qd7 21.Qxd5 Qxd5 22.Rxd5 Rc8 {After all the fireworks, White is a pawn up but a draw is the most likely result.} ) 15.Rd3 ( 15.Bxf6 {It's better for White to start concrete play with this move:} 15...gxf6 16.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point.} 16...Rxf7 17.Bxe6 Bd5 18.Bxf7+ {Positions with ф rook and two pawns against ф bishop and knight can be hard to evaluate.} 18...Bxf7 ( 18...Kxf7 19.Rfe1 {with a complicated game.} ) 19.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Qd6 20.c4 {White has some initiative in this complex position.} ) 15...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black achieves a good game.} 16.Bh4 Qc7 17.Rh3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17.Bxe7 {is objectively better, although it's probably not the best for a blitz game, as Black's play becomes easy and risk-free.} 17...Qxe7 18.Re3 Nxc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19.Rxc3 b5 {with a slight advantage for Black.} ) 17...Nf5 ( 17...Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate:} 18.Nxg6 hxg6 19.Bd3 Nxc3 20.Qg4 Nd5 {Black is in time to avoid mate on the h-file, but this is easier to conclude when you're sitting comfortably in a room with air conditioning and Stockfish instead of the tournament hall across from your opponent.} ) 18.Bd3 Nxc3 19.Qh5 {Black has a fine position, but he needs to defend very precisely.} 19...h6 20.Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 20.Bxf5 {is also possible, but Black defends after} 20...exf5 21.Bf6 Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} 22.Bxg7 Kxg7 23.Rg3+ Kf6 24.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] to play 25.Rg6+.} 24...Ne2+ $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Qxe2 Rxf7 {and the danger is over.} ) 20...Be4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20...Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 21.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 21.Bxg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21...Nf4 {wins for Black.} ) 21...Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen comes to the rescue and Black is able to defend.} ) 21.Bxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Bxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder.} ( 21...Kxg7 22.Qg4+ Kh7 23.Bxe4 Nxe4 24.Qxe4 Qd6 {White has only a slight advantage.} ) 22.Bxh6 {The attack cannot be stopped now.} 22...Be2 23.Qg5+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Köln"]
[Date "2023.09.07"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2651"]
[BlackElo "2703"]
[ECO "D04"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Leitao,Rafael"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7355534158931"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 c5 4.dxc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This interesting opening was recently tested in a decisive game of the Women's World Championship match.} 4...e6 5.b4 a5 6.c3 axb4 7.cxb4 b6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 10.a4 bxc5 11.b5 {The main strategic theme for this fun position is well defined: two passed pawns on the queenside against a flashy central majority. Which one is more important $2 As usual in top-level chess, the two factors balance each other out to create a dynamic equality. But it's the type of equality that requires a lot of precision from both players and in which the cost of a mistake tends to be very high.} 11...Bd6 12.O-O Qc7 {The queen is well positioned here, supporting the e-pawn advance and looking to the kingside. Of course, there's nothing wrong with castling first and deciding the queen's course later.} ( 12...O-O ) 13.Bb2 e5 {Surprisingly, this is already a new move.} ( 13...O-O 14.Nbd2 Rfc8 15.Qc2 c4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15...e5 {is better.} 16.e4 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Rfc1 Bb4 18.Bc3 Bxc3 19.Qxc3 dxe4 20.Ng5 Nc5 {and the computer shows equality in all variations.} ) 16.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] supporting the advance of the a-pawn with advantage for White in Ju-Lei, World-ch (Women) Shanghai/Chongqing 2023 (12).} ) ( 13...g5 {is an interesting move that I also mentioned in my analysis of the game between Ju and Lei.} 14.g3 g4 15.Nh4 Be5 {with a good position for Black, at least this is the conclusion drawn from correspondence games.} ) 14.Nfd2 ( 14.e4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a mistake, since after} 14...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] the other pawn is ready to go to c4.} ) 14...e4 15.f4 ( 15.h3 {This is a good alternative and the computer's first choice. The game remains very complicated after} 15...O-O 16.Nc3 Rfe8 ) 15...O-O {An interesting and difficult topic in chess is when is it worth capturing \"en passant\" and when is it better to leave the structure in tact. Interestingly, this is not well studied in chess literature, but it's a problem that occurs frequently and I must admit that I often make the wrong decision.} ( 15...exf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It seems that this move is a mistake here:} 16.Nxf3 O-O 17.Nc3 {The central pawns come under attack and the tactics work well for White.} 17...Nb6 18.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Nc4 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Qxd5 Nxb2 21.b6 Qd8 22.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] avoiding ...Bxh2+. The advanced pawns more than compensate for the missing piece.} ) 16.Nc3 Rfe8 ( 16...c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an important possibility, preparing Nc5-d3.} 17.Ndb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] attacking the d5-pawn.} 17...Qb6 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.Qxd5 Qxe3+ 20.Kh1 Qe2 21.Nd2 Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with big complications, for instance:} 22.Nxc4 Nc5 23.Bxg7 $5 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's always nice for the commentator to finish a variation with a pretty perpetual check.} 23...Kxg7 24.Qg5+ Kh8 25.Qf6+ {with a draw.} ) 17.Re1 {Possibly not the best way to fight against d5-d4. White has two good alternatives.} ( 17.Qc2 ) ( 17.Ne2 ) 17...d4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 18.exd4 e3 ( 18...Bxf4 {is more accurate:} 19.Ncxe4 Bxh2+ 20.Kh1 Bg3 21.Nxg3 Qxg3 {with a balanced position.} ) 19.Nf3 Bxf4 20.Ne2 Bd6 21.dxc5 Bxc5 22.Bd4 {With the danger of the advance of Black's central pawns gone, the position is easier to play for White, although the computer still evaluates it as equal.} 22...Qb6 ( 22...Ne4 {is a good option.} ) 23.Qd3 Bxd4 24.Qxd4 Qa5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 24...Nc5 {is easier:} 25.Rec1 Nfe4 26.Qxe3 Nxa4 {with a likely draw.} ) 25.Ng3 Nb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 25...Rad8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way to fight for equality. The position becomes chaotic and the computer lines are impossible for humans to analyze during a rapid game.} 26.Rxe3 Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Qc3 {Now Black has two equally interesting moves.} 27...Qb6 ( 27...Qa7 28.Nxe5 Nd5 29.Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Nxc3 30.Nxa7 Rxe3 31.a5 {The pawns are menacing, but Black's position can be saved:} 31...Red3 32.b6 Rd1+ 33.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 34.Kf2 Rb1 35.Nc6 Nd5 {followed by ...Nxb6 with a draw.} ) 28.Nxe5 Nd5 29.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Qxe3+ ( 29...Qxb5 30.Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Qb2 31.Ree1 Rxe5 32.a6 {The a-pawn still poses some dangers.} ) 30.Qxe3 Nxe3 31.Nc6 Rd2 32.a6 Rxg2+ 33.Kh1 Rb2 {and the machine indicates equality after all these adventures.} ) 26.Nf5 ( 26.Rxe3 {is even better. After} 26...Rxe3 27.Qxe3 Nxa4 28.Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's not easy to untangle Black's pieces on the a-file.} ) 26...Nbd5 27.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A surprising journey to the other flank.} 27...Re6 28.Nc4 Qb4 ( 28...Qc7 {is a better chance:} 29.Nxe3 Nxe3 30.Rxe3 Rd6 ) 29.Reb1 Qe7 30.b6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The pawns finally start moving, but it's actually the wrong time for that.} ( 30.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins on the spot, since the rook has no good squares.} ) 30...Re4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 30...e2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives Black good chances of escaping, since the advance of the pawns is not yet winning:} 31.a5 ( 31.b7 Rb8 ) 31...Rd8 ) 31.b7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Rb8 32.Qa7 Qc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 32...Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only chance to defend. A possible variation goes:} 33.a5 Rxc4 34.a6 Rb4 35.Rxb4 Qxb4 36.Qxb8+ Nxb8 37.a7 Qxb7 38.a8=Q Qb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Qa2 Qxa2 40.Rxa2 Nd7 {This endgame is probably defendable.} ) 33.a5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 33.Nce5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is decisive, with the idea of playing Nc6.} ) 33...Ree8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 33...Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the correct move:} 34.a6 Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The chaos continues, but Black isn't lost anymore.} ) 34.a6 Nc3 35.Rb4 ( 35.Qxb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best path to victory:} 35...Rxb8 36.a7 ) 35...h6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35...e2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only practical chance, as White has to find a difficult move in order to win.} 36.Ncd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This machine suggestion prepares Rc4 and gives White a winning position.} ( 36.Qxb8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] no longer works:} 36...Qxb8 37.a7 e1=Q+ $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Nxe1 ( 38.Rxe1 Qxa7+ ) 38...Ne2+ 39.Kh1 Qxh2+ $3 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A fantastic resource $1} 40.Kxh2 Ng4+ 41.Kh3 Nf2+ {White must accept a draw by perpetual check, unless he wants to be mated after} 42.Kh4 $4 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 42...Re4+ 43.Kg5 f6+ 44.Kf5 Nd4# ) ) 36.Qxb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...Rxb8 37.a7 Nd7 38.a8=Q {White is now a rook up, and the rest of the game requires no comment.} 38...Nd5 39.Rba4 e2 40.Qa5 Qxb7 41.Qd2 Nc5 42.Ra7 Qc6 43.Qxe2 Ne6 44.Nce5 Qc3 45.Ra8 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Kalkata"]
[Date "2023.09.03"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Vantika, Agrawal"]
[Black "Batsiashvili, Nino"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2267"]
[BlackElo "2231"]
[ECO "E06"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Leitao,Rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8043672380967"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[TimeControl "180+2"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O a5 {A rare move that has been played a few times by Carlsen. Its greatest merit is to avoid the more theoretical lines, but it's not a useless move since the pawn on a5 is helpful for Black in some variations, either advancing it to a4, as we will see in this game, or else making the a6-square more comfortable for the black bishop after b7-b6.} 7.Qc2 {A natural reaction.} ( 7.Nc3 {is also possible.} ) 7...Nc6 {Placing the knight in front of the c-pawn in Queen's Pawn structures is always strategically dangerous.} ( 7...c6 {with the idea of b6-Ba6 is safer.} ) 8.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Necessary prophylaxis against 8...Nb4.} ( 8.Rd1 $4 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Blunder;persistent;true] ends in tragedy:} 8...Nb4 {and Black is already winning $1} ) 8...dxc4 9.Qxc4 a4 {This move justifies the development of the knight on c6. It can now go to a5 and b3.} 10.Nc3 Bd7 {Defending the a-pawn and getting ready for ...Na5.} 11.Qd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] When your opponent has a move that she is clearly going to play and that move attacks your piece, remove the piece in advance and only then think about what you're going to do. This is a practical and effective strategy, especially in blitz games.} 11...Na5 12.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I'm generally not a big fan of exchanging a bishop for a knight, but here the strategy is typical of the Catalan and fully justified, as White gains central control and solves the problem of the bishop, which didn't have a nice square.} 12...h6 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Rad1 {White has practically completed development (only the f1-rook needs to be placed on e1) and is ready to advance the center, where he has one more pawn (d- and e-pawns against an e-pawn).} 14...Qb8 {A good move, removing the queen from the x-ray with the d1-rook and preparing to advance b7-b5, gaining active chances on the queenside.} 15.e4 Rd8 ( 15...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, immediately starting the counterplay.} 16.e5 Be7 17.d5 Qb6 {with a double-edged position.} ) 16.Rfe1 ( 16.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I'm not sure this preparatory move is necessary. White can start advancing immediately with} 16...Be7 17.d5 ) 16...Be8 ( 16...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 17.e5 Be7 18.Qe2 {A solid blitz move, removing the queen from any potential attack by Black's rook.} ( 18.d5 {is also good.} ) 18...Bc6 ( 18...Qa7 {with the idea of playing ...Qa6 is a better chance, although White is better after} 19.d5 ) 19.h4 ( 19.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move could be played immediately:} 19...Bxd5 ( 19...exd5 20.e6 {with a decisive attack.} ) 20.Nxd5 Rxd5 21.Rxd5 exd5 22.e6 {Black is unable to defend.} ) 19...b5 {It's hard to suggest anything for Black.} ( 19...Bxf3 20.Qxf3 c6 21.Re4 {White brings the rook to the attack.} ) 20.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The decisive blow.} 20...Bxd5 21.Nxd5 exd5 {In positions with opposite-colored bishops, attacking the king is more dangerous than usual. Furthermore, Black has several pieces away from the king, isolated on the queenside, as is the case with the knight, rook, and queen. When you don't have time to calculate too much, as is the case in a blitz game, these strategic factors, which are intuitively evaluated by an experienced player, help you make the right decision.} 22.Nd4 {The knight heads to f5. 22.e6 is equally good.} ( 22.e6 {with a decisive attack. In this case, the knight may also go to e5.} ) 22...c6 23.Nf5 ( 23.e6 {destroys Black's defense.} ) 23...Bf8 24.e6 fxe6 25.Qxe6+ Kh8 26.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing Nh4-g6.} 26...Qc8 ( 26...Nc4 {is possible, but Black loses here too, for instance::} 27.Nh4 Qd6 28.Ng6+ Kh7 29.Be4 $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 29...Qxe6 30.Nxf8+ Kg8 31.Nxe6 ) 27.Qg6 Nc4 28.Bh3 Qc7 29.Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White wins material, and the attack continues.} 29...Qxe7 30.Nxe7 Bxe7 31.Bf5 Kg8 32.Re1 Bf6 33.Qh7+ Kf8 34.Qh8+ Kf7 35.Bg6# 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Kalkata"]
[Date "2023.09.02"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Koneru, Humpy"]
[Black "Divya, Deshmukh"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2461"]
[BlackElo "2216"]
[ECO "E15"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Leitao,Rafael"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[Beauty "6942298769428"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.Nbd2 {A positional choice against the Queen's Indian. I played this move several times during the most active years of my career. Nowadays 5.b3 and 5.Qc2 are the most popular.} 5...c5 {A good move, but 5...Bb4, 5...Bb7 and 5...d5 are more popular.} 6.Bg2 ( 6.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the critical test.} 6...cxd4 7.e5 Ng4 8.h3 Nh6 9.Bg2 {I think White has more chances of an opening advantage in this position.} ) 6...Nc6 7.dxc5 bxc5 8.O-O Be7 9.b3 O-O 10.Bb2 {We arrive at a typical middlegame for the Queen's Indian pawn structure. Black has a free game and a pawn more in the center, something that I learned to appreciate with my former coach, GM Milos.} 10...d5 ( 10...Qc7 {is also possible, delaying central activity.} ) 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Rc1 {On the board we have hanging pawns, one of the most important pawn structures in chess. This is a good version for Black because his pieces are well-developed and White's position is a bit passive.} 12...Qb6 13.Re1 Ne4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] There's nothing wrong with this move, although it's more natural to bring the rooks into the game. Should the rooks go to c8 and d8, d8 and e8, or somewhere else $2 As usual, this is a difficult question, and if you are below 2700, it's probably better to just toss a coin to decide.} ( 13...Rfd8 ) ( 13...Rac8 ) ( 13...Rad8 ) 14.Ne5 {A good move, exchanging a pair of knights.} ( 14.Nxe4 {is not very good:} 14...dxe4 15.Nd2 {Here Black achieves a good position with the typical pawn sacrifice:} 15...e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] disrupting White's pawn structure.} ) ( 14.Qc2 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Black's idea: the knight is held in an active position on e4.} ) 14...Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Rad8 16.Qc2 ( 16.Nxe4 {Maybe it's time to finally remove this annoying piece.} 16...dxe4 17.Qc2 e3 18.fxe3 Rfe8 {with an equal position.} ) 16...f5 17.e3 Qe6 18.Bb2 Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Nf3 Rfd8 ( 19...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a good time to advance one of the hanging pawns, a strategy that always needs to be considered. Black takes advantage of the rook's x-ray with the white queen.} ) 20.Qb1 Bf6 ( 20...h6 {An interesting plan is to advance the g-pawn:} 21.Qa1 g5 22.Ne5 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Securing the knight's position. Black has the initiative.} ) 21.Qa1 Kf7 {A prophylactic move, anticipating the exchanges on f6.} 22.Ne5+ ( 22.Bxf6 Qxf6 23.Qxf6+ Kxf6 {This is the point of bringing the king to f7.} ) 22...Kg8 23.Nf3 Kf7 24.h4 h6 25.Ne5+ Kg8 26.Nf3 Kf7 27.Ne5+ Kg8 28.Nf3 {A draw is a sensible result, but Divya needs to win and decides to keep fighting.} 28...Bxb2 29.Qxb2 g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A risky move, but Black is trying to complicate the game.} 30.Red1 ( 30.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better way to get counter-chances.} ) 30...Kh7 $6 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 30...Bb7 ) ( 30...Qe7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting move to fight against White's plan of b3-b4.} ) 31.hxg5 hxg5 32.Qe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 32.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This definitely should be played now, especially as Black's king is not comfortable on h7. White has the advantage.} ) 32...Qxe5 33.Nxe5 Kg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king is going to be well-placed now.} 34.Rc2 Kf6 35.Nf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is the wrong path for the knight. White should choose either one of the computer moves (objectively best), 35.Bxe4 and 35.f4, or the human move (not so good, but easier to play and understand) 35.Nd3.} ( 35.f4 Nxg3 36.Bf3 {The rook may go to g2 or h2, and somehow the machine defends White's position.} ) ( 35.Bxe4 {Another very difficult move, parting with such an important bishop.} 35...dxe4 ( 35...fxe4 36.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 36.Rxd8 Rxd8 37.Rxc5 Rd1+ 38.Kh2 Be2 39.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move, otherwise Black plays g5-g4. White escapes.} ) ( 35.Nd3 {A more natural choice, but here Black is better after} 35...g4 36.Nf4 d4 ) 35...g4 36.Ne1 ( 36.Nd2 {leaves White in a terrible bind:} 36...Bd3 37.Rcc1 Rh8 38.Bf1 c4 {with a winning position for Black.} ) 36...c4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 36...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is much stronger:} 37.exd4 cxd4 38.Rxc8 Bxc8 {The knight can go to c3, and the d-pawn is very dangerous. Black's position is winning.} ) 37.Bf1 ( 37.Bxe4 {is again difficult to play but possible to defend with the help of the machine.} 37...dxe4 ( 37...fxe4 38.Ng2 ) 38.Rxd8 Rxd8 39.bxc4 Rd1 40.Kf1 Ra1 41.Ke2 Rxa2 42.Kd2 Bxc4 43.Kc3 {with a drawn endgame.} ) 37...Ke5 ( 37...Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, preventing the capture on c4:} 38.bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 38...Ba4 ) 38.Rdc1 ( 38.bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary.} 38...dxc4 39.Rxd8 Rxd8 40.Bxc4 Bxc4 41.Rxc4 Rd1 42.Kf1 {White survives.} ) 38...Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Be2 ( 39.bxc4 {The c-pawn cannot be captured:} 39...dxc4 40.Bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 40...Bxc4 41.Rxc4 Rxc4 42.Rxc4 Rd1 43.Kf1 Nf3 ) 39...cxb3 40.Rxc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a blunder that abruptly decides the game.} ( 40.axb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...Rxc2 ( 40...Bxe2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 41.Rxc8 ) 41.Rxc2 {with good drawing chances for White.} ) 40...Rxc8 41.Rxc8 bxa2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's all over. The a-pawn decides the game.} 42.Re8+ ( 42.Rc1 Bxe2 43.Ra1 Bc4 {with an easy win.} ) 42...Kd6 43.Nc2 Bxe2 44.Ra8 Nf3+ 45.Kh1 Ne1 ( 45...a6 {is also good.} ) 46.Na1 ( 46.Rxa7 {is the only chance, but the endgame is easily winning for Black after} 46...Nxc2 47.Rxa2 Bd3 ) 46...a6 47.Rc8 Bd3 48.Rc1 Nc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice finishing touch.} 49.Rxc2 ( 49.Nxc2 Bxc2 50.Ra1 Bb1 ) 49...Bxc2 50.Nxc2 Kc5 51.Kg2 Kc4 {Black's king played a decisive role in this game.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Kalkata"]
[Date "2023.09.06"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[ECO "C45"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Leitao,Rafael"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[Beauty "6807120512549"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 {Vachier-Lagrave is a principled chess player, and he rarely deviates from his favorite Ruy Lopez, but there's a time for everything. The Scotch Opening is a very good alternative and has been played many times by Kasparov, no less.} 3...exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 {This is the most ambitious move. The more solid 4...Bc5 is equally popular.} 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.h4 {The second most popular move. This curious pawn push supports a possible Bg5 and also a rook lift on h3.} ( 8.c4 {is the main line.} ) 8...Qe6 {There are three alternatives that are nearly as popular. The move played in the game opens the path for the dark-squared bishop.} ( 8...d6 ) ( 8...a5 ) ( 8...f6 ) 9.Nd2 Nb4 {This is probably not the most accurate.} ( 9...a5 {prepares 9...Ba6 and is considered a critical move.} ) 10.Nf3 Ba6 11.c4 c5 {Vacating the c6-square for the knight.} ( 11...d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] leads to an advantage for White after} 12.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12...Bxc4 13.Qd1 Bxf1 14.Kxf1 Na6 15.b4 ) ( 11...Qg6 {is interesting. A recent game continued:} 12.h5 Qc2 13.Nd4 Qxe2+ 14.Bxe2 c5 15.a3 cxd4 16.axb4 Bxb4+ 17.Bd2 Bxd2+ 18.Kxd2 Bb7 19.Rh4 c5 20.Ra5 Rc8 {with a slight advantage for White in Stevic-Csonka, Ajka 2023.} ) 12.a3 Nc6 13.Bd2 {The bishop heads to c3, supporting the e5-pawn.} 13...Be7 14.Bc3 f6 {A new move.} ( 14...Rb8 {was played in Vasquez-Sanner, email 2008.} ) 15.O-O-O O-O-O 16.exf6 Qxe2 17.Bxe2 Bxf6 18.Bxf6 gxf6 {The endgame is slightly better for White due to the better pawn structure. As a general rule, the fewer pawn islands you have, the better.} 19.Rhe1 ( 19.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a good option. The idea is to develop the rook on h4, where it can go to f4 or g4.} ) 19...d6 20.Kd2 {Always remember to centralize the king in the endgame. The monarch is going to be well placed on c3.} 20...Bb7 21.g3 a5 {Useful prophylaxis against a future b2-b4 advance.} 22.Kc3 Ne5 23.Ng1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White correctly avoids the exchange and heads with the knight to the f4-square.} 23...Rhg8 24.Nh3 Bc6 ( 24...Bf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting concept would be to exchange bishops before White plays Nf4-d5. The position would be more or less equal after} 25.Nf4 Bxe2 26.Rxe2 Kb7 27.Nd5 Rdf8 {followed by ...Rg4.} ) 25.Nf4 Kb7 26.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...h6 {Of course, Black doesn't want to exchange his proud knight on e5.} 27.Bf5 a4 {It's always difficult to decide on pawn advances in the endgame. This pawn may become a weakness later on.} ( 27...Bd7 ) 28.Nd5 Bxd5 29.cxd5 Nf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The first real mistake, and one that lands Black in a difficult position.} ( 29...Ka6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, with the idea of defending the pawn with the king on a5 and occupying the b-file with the rook.} ) 30.Re4 Nd4 31.Rdxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This cannot even be called a sacrifice since the a-pawn falls, and White is not down material. The light-squared bishop becomes a very strong piece.} 31...cxd4+ 32.Rxd4 c6 ( 32...Ra8 33.Rb4+ {picks up the pawn anyway.} ) 33.dxc6+ ( 33.Rxa4 {is possibly even better:} 33...cxd5 34.Be6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by Bxd5.} ) 33...Kxc6 34.Rxa4 {Black's position is very difficult to defend: all the pawns are separated, and White's queenside is ready to go forward.} 34...Rge8 35.Rf4 Re5 ( 35...Re1 {is more stubborn.} ) 36.Bd3 Rf8 37.b4 Re1 38.a4 ( 38.b5+ {is even stronger:} 38...Kb6 39.Kb4 {followed by 40.a4 with a winning position.} ) 38...d5 39.a5 Kd6 40.a6 Rc1+ 41.Kb2 ( 41.Kd4 {is natural and good. The king is a monster on d4 and the threat is 42.Rf5.} ) 41...Rd1 42.Rf3 Kc7 43.Kc3 {The king is ready to return.} 43...Rb8 ( 43...Kd6 {is a better defensive attempt. If White plays} 44.b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 44.Kd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 44...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with some drawing chances.} ) 44...Kc5 45.Be2 Ra1 46.Kb2 Re1 47.Rc3+ {with a winning position.} ) 44.Rxf6 d4+ 45.Kc2 Ra1 46.b5 {White has a material advantage, and the pawns are too advanced. It's all over.} 46...Rb6 47.Rf7+ Kd6 48.a7 Ke6 49.Rh7 Ke5 50.f3 {With the idea of moving the bishop to e4.} 50...Ra2+ 51.Kb3 Ra1 52.Kb4 Ra2 53.Kc5 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India women's blitz tou"]
[Site "Kalkata"]
[Date "2023.09.04"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Vantika, Agrawal"]
[Black "Harika, Dronavalli"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2267"]
[BlackElo "2429"]
[ECO "E73"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7905289961994"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[EventCountry "IND"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 O-O 5.Be2 c5 6.d5 d6 7.h3 e6 8.Nf3 Na6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is too slow, and White gets a comfortable advantage.} ( 8...exd5 {is the main move.} ) 9.O-O Nc7 10.a4 {A good move, avoiding any chance of b7-b5. The alternatives also lead to an advantage.} ( 10.Be3 ) ( 10.Re1 ) 10...Na6 {The knight returns in order to go to b4.} ( 10...exd5 {is better, although White has a good version of the Benoni after} 11.cxd5 ) 11.dxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent moment to change the pawn structure.} 11...Bxe6 12.Bf4 Ne8 {A sad move, but the d6-pawn requires protection.} ( 12...Qb6 {doesn't work, since after} 13.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Qxb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14.Na4 Qb4 15.Bd2 {the queen is trapped.} ) 13.Qd2 {White has a clear advantage, but what is most important in a blitz game $2 Her moves are natural and easy. The pawn on d6 is a weakness; White has a space advantage and a nice square for the knight on d5.} 13...Nb4 14.Rad1 Qb6 15.Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The dark-squared bishop is Black's best piece, and it makes sense to exchange it.} 15...Nc6 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Nd5 {Forcing a change in the pawn structure.} 17...Bxd5 18.cxd5 Ne7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 18...Na5 {is better. Incredibly the knight on the corner is better than on e7 in this position.} ) 19.Qc3+ f6 {This move loses by force.} ( {After} 19...Kg8 {White can reinforce the position in many ways. The simple 20.Rfe1 is possible, with an eye on the advance of e4-e5. Another good move is 20.Nd2 followed by 21.Nc4.} 20.Rfe1 ( 20.Nd2 ) ) 20.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Nc7 21.Ne6+ ( 21.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better:} 21...Qb4 22.Qxb4 cxb4 23.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point.} 23...fxg5 24.Rxc7 {The queenside falls apart.} ) 21...Nxe6 22.dxe6 {The e6-pawn is a monster.} 22...Rfd8 23.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very strong move and not an easy one to spot in a blitz game. The plan is to play the bishop to d7.} 23...d5 ( 23...Nc6 24.f4 Nd4 25.Qc4 {In a blitz game, it is of the utmost importance that you remove the queen from possible double attacks by the opposing knight. The bishop is now ready to go to d7, and White is winning.} ) 24.exd5 Nxd5 25.Qe1 {A sophisticated move that works well.} ( 25.Qb3 {is also good:} 25...Ne7 26.Rd7 Rxd7 27.exd7 a6 28.Re1 {with a winning advantage.} ) 25...Qc7 26.Qe4 Qe5 27.Rfe1 ( 27.Qf3 {is also good, preparing 28.Rfe1. The pawn cannot be taken:} 27...Qxe6 28.Bc4 {the knight is trapped.} ) 27...Qxe4 28.Rxe4 Ne7 29.Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Rxd7 ( 29...Kf8 30.Rxb7 ) 30.exd7 Kf8 31.Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...a6 ( 31...Kf7 32.Bc4 Rd8 33.Rb6+ Kg7 34.Rxb7 ) ( 31...f5 32.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Rd8 33.a6 b6 34.f4 Kf7 35.Re5 {Black is completely paralyzed, and White has all the time in the world to bring the king to the game and prepare the decisive assault.} ) 32.Rxf6+ Kg7 33.Re6 Kf8 34.Bc4 Ng8 {Losing the knight, but the result is not in doubt.} 35.Re8+ $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Rxe8 36.dxe8=Q+ Kxe8 37.Bxg8 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel Chess India Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Kalkata India"]
[Date "2023.09.10"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2632"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[Beauty "7146959801360"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[TimeControl "180+2"]

{[%evp 0,94,32,13,13,13,13,13,42,8,20,15,22,8,7,-22,-24,-13,-19,-26,-24,-24,-19,-21,-9,-25,-18,-32,-16,8,5,12,12,10,13,-24,-15,-41,-35,-35,-46,-32,-38,-41,-37,-31,-48,-60,-81,-93,-81,-83,-53,-70,-83,-67,-73,-73,-62,-73,-52,-52,-9,-43,-43,-27,-28,-14,-14,-65,-52,-239,-80,-226,74,-291,-313,-357,-397,-397,-432,-432,-495,-512,-493,-512,-536,-536,-724,-821,-821,-1032,-1135,-1185,-1252,-1621,-2026]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3 {One of the many plans available for White in the Italian Opening.} 5...h6 6.a3 d6 ( 6...a6 {is logical, freeing the a7-square for the bishop.} ) 7.Na4 Bb6 8.h3 {Preventing ...Bg4.} 8...Be6 9.Bxe6 fxe6 10.O-O Qd7 11.c3 g5 {It was clear from the previous moves that Grischuk wanted to sharpen the game and castle queenside.} ( 11...O-O {There's nothing wrong with this solid choice.} ) 12.Nh2 {Necessary prophylaxis against the advance of Black's kingside pawns.} 12...O-O-O 13.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Qg7 14.Ng4 ( 14.Nxb6+ {It's possible to start an immediate attack on the queenside:} 14...axb6 15.a4 {with the initiative for White.} ) 14...h5 15.Nxf6 Qxf6 16.Nxb6+ axb6 17.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong defensive move, famously used in a similar way by Petrosian against Spassky in the seventh game of the 1966 World Championship match. If Black advances the pawn to h4, White plays g4. If Black plays g4, White goes h4.} 17...Rdf8 18.Kg2 $6 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 18.a4 {is stronger:} 18...h4 19.g4 Qf3 20.Qxf3 Rxf3 21.Be3 {with an advantage for White in the endgame.} ) 18...g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.h4 Qf3+ 20.Qxf3 Rxf3 21.Rd1 d5 {White has to be careful in the endgame, since Black's rook is very powerful on f3 and can help with attacking the pawns on the third rank.} 22.Be3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 22.b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way:} 22...Na5 23.exd5 exd5 24.Rb1 {White maintains approximate equality.} ) 22...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.cxd4 ( 23.Bg5 dxc3 24.Rac1 Nd4 25.Rxc3 Kd7 {with a clear advantage for Black.} ) 23...exd4 24.Bf4 {This is played in order to deny Black's knight the e5-square.} 24...e5 25.Bg5 {Let's not forget this is a blitz game and it's impossible to work out such details like whether Black should avoid the exchange of the bishop for the knight or not.} 25...Nd8 ( 25...Rhf8 {is also possible:} 26.Rd2 Kd7 {with good winning chances.} ) 26.Bxd8 Rxd8 27.a4 Kd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 27...Rd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to convert the advantage:} 28.b5 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.bxc6 bxc6 {with a winning endgame. The rook on f3 is a great piece, tying down White's rooks.} ) 28.Rd2 Ra8 29.Kf1 b5 30.a5 b6 31.Ke2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows Black's pawns to advance.} ( 31.Rda2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is correct and White is able to draw the game:} 31...Rxd3 ( 31...bxa5 32.Rxa5 Rxa5 33.Rxa5 Rxd3 34.Rxb5 ) 32.axb6 Rxa2 33.Rxa2 cxb6 34.Ra7+ Kc6 35.Re7 {with enough activity.} ) 31...bxa5 32.bxa5 ( 32.Rxa5 {also loses:} 32...Rxa5 33.bxa5 c5 34.Ra2 Rf8 {The rook comes to deal with the a-pawn.} 35.a6 Ra8 ) 32...c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 32...Ra6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to block the pawn from advancing. Black is planning Rf8-a8, with a winning position.} ) 33.a6 c4 34.Ra5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The losing move.} ( 34.dxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Surprisingly White can fight for a draw against two opposing pawns on the third rank after} 34...bxc4 35.a7 c3 36.Rda2 d3+ 37.Ke1 ) 34...c3 {Now the position is easily winning for Black.} 35.Rd1 Kc6 36.Rb1 Raf8 37.Rf1 Kb6 38.Raa1 Ra8 39.Rfb1 Rxa6 40.Rxa6+ Kxa6 41.Ra1+ Kb6 42.Ra8 b4 43.Re8 Kb5 44.Rxe5+ Ka4 45.Rd5 b3 46.Rxd4+ Ka3 47.Rd8 c2 0-1

[Event "Collegiate Chess League: Fall 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.04"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Antipov, Mikhail Al"]
[Black "Kevlishvili, Robby"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2963"]
[BlackElo "2954"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Beauty "7834959905826"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

{[%evp 0,75,20,18,42,34,58,39,52,43,48,24,26,20,22,-6,9,3,5,5,5,5,5,3,13,2,2,2,2,1,12,-18,-11,-10,-10,-10,-10,-10,0,0,-8,-25,-18,-9,-9,-19,45,53,42,42,97,99,98,113,177,199,221,39,44,62,84,70,145,56,69,104,148,165,309,302,328,102,605,605,1699,1859,1864,1914]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.O-O a6 5.Bd3 Ngf6 6.Re1 e6 7.Bf1 ( 7.c3 {is the main move. The plan is to move the bishop to c2 and play d4.} ) 7...b6 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bb7 10.f3 Be7 11.c4 O-O 12.Nc3 {A typical \"hedgehog\" pawn structure. However, instead of long maneuvers, we will have an original game and a lot of action quickly.} 12...Rc8 {A good move to disrupt the natural development of the white pieces.} ( 12...Qc7 {It makes the game easier for White, not that this is a guarantee of victory.} 13.Be3 Rac8 14.Rc1 Qb8 15.Qd2 {with a typical position: Kovalev-Harsha,B Wch Rapid Warsaw 2021.} ) 13.Qd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A creative move. The idea of Qd2 with the bishop on c1, followed by b3-Bb2, is known in many positions, but I admit that I had never seen this plan in a hedgehog structure.} ( 13.Be3 Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Black's idea.} 14.Qb3 ( 14.b3 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Taking advantage of the fact that the c3-knight is unprotected.} ) 14...Nfd7 {With a balanced position. White's queen position is not ideal.} ) 13...Qc7 {Black prepares to answer 14.b3 with b5, as now the white knight is unprotected on c3.} ( 13...Ne5 14.b3 {Here ...b5 no longer works.} ) 14.b3 b5 {The critical move.} ( 14...Rfd8 15.Ba3 Bf8 16.Rac1 Qb8 {leads to slow play: Kovalev-Martinez Alcantara, Chess.com Rapid 2022.} ) 15.cxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_arrow c7c3;keyPressed;none;from;c7;opacity;0.8;to;c3;persistent;false][%c_highlight c3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c3;persistent;false,b5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b5;persistent;false,a6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a6;persistent;false] This is White's idea, an interesting piece sacrifice that leads to a very sharp position. All of this had already been played before by GM Kovalev.} 15...Qxc3 16.Qxc3 Rxc3 17.bxa6 Ba8 18.Ba3 {White has two pawns for the piece, including doubled pawns on the a-file, but the passers are very dangerous. The position is difficult to play as Black, especially in a blitz game, despite the computer's assessment as equal.} 18...Ne5 {A logical move, improving the knight's position.} ( 18...Re8 {was played in the original game.} 19.Rec1 Rxc1 ( 19...Rec8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20.Rxc3 Rxc3 21.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...d5 22.Bxe7 dxc4 23.Nb5 {with advantage for White.} ) ( 19...Rcc8 {is interesting.} ) 20.Rxc1 Bd8 21.Nb5 Bb6+ 22.Kh1 d5 {with a complicated position in Kovalev-Donchenko, Wch Rapid Warsaw 2021.} ) ( 18...Rc7 {is the computer's suggestion.} ) 19.Rec1 ( 19.Nb5 {is not dangerous:} 19...Rc6 ) ( 19.Red1 Rd8 {transposes to the game.} ) 19...Rfc8 20.Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best chance for an advantage.} ( 20.Rxc3 Rxc3 21.Nb5 Rc6 {Black is fine.} ) 20...Rd8 {The d6-pawn must be protected.} 21.Bb4 Rcc8 22.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This seems slow, but actually it's quite interesting. White simply advances the pawns.} 22...Nc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake is fatal in a position as unbalanced as this. Black had to quickly seek counterplay.} ( 22...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best, with the idea of playing g4, creating some targets.} ) 23.Nxc6 Bxc6 24.Ba5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Opening the way for the b-pawn.} 24...Re8 25.b4 {White's position is already winning, as the pawns cannot be controlled.} 25...d5 26.b5 Bd7 27.e5 Nh5 28.Bb6 ( {The crude} 28.b6 {is already enough.} ) 28...f6 29.exf6 Nxf6 30.a7 e5 31.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate.} ( 31.a5 {is also winning, but Black gets some practical chances after} 31...d4 ) 31...Bg4 ( 31...exf4 32.Bd4 {Followed by the advance of the queenside.} ) 32.Rdc1 Nd7 33.Bf2 d4 34.Rxc8 Rxc8 35.Rc1 {White has many ways of winning.} ( 35.fxe5 ) ( 35.a5 ) 35...Nb6 ( 35...Ra8 {is more stubborn. A possible variation is} 36.Bc4+ Kh8 ( 36...Kf8 37.Bd5 Rxa7 38.Rc8+ {wins material.} ) 37.h3 Bf5 38.Bd5 Rxa7 39.Rc8+ Nf8 40.b6 Rxa4 41.b7 Rb4 42.b8=Q Rxb8 43.Rxb8 exf4 44.Bxd4 {with an easy win.} ) 36.a5 Nd5 37.Rxc8+ Bxc8 38.a8=Q 1-0

[Event "Collegiate Chess League: Fall 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Batsuren, Dambasuren"]
[Black "Balakrishnan, Praveen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2848"]
[BlackElo "2861"]
[ECO "E20"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[Beauty "5434228365855"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

1.d4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 1...Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2.c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2...e6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 3.Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 3...Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 4.f3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4...d5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 5.a3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 5...Be7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 6.e4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 6...dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 7.fxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7...c5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 8.d5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 8...exd5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 9.exd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 9...O-O {[%emt 0:00:02]} 10.Be2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 10...a6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 11.Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 11...Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 12.O-O {[%emt 0:00:05]} 12...h6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 13.h3 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 13...Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 14.Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 14...Bxd3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 15.Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 15...Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 16.Be3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 16...Re8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 17.Rae1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 17...Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 18.Re2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 18...Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 19.Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 19...Nf8 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 20.Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 20...Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 21.Rxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 21...Rxe4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 22.Qxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 22...Ng6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 23.Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 23...Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 24.Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 24...Re8 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 25.Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 25...Bb8 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 26.Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 26...f5 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 27.Qh5 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 27...Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 28.Nxc5 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 28...Qc8 {[%emt 0:01:25]} 29.Rxf4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 29...Qxc5+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} 30.Kh1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 30...Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 31.Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 31...Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 32.Rxf5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 32...Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 33.Qg4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 33...Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 34.Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 34...Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 35.Be5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 35...Qxc4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 36.Bxb8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 36...Rxb8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 37.Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 37...Qd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 38.Qf5+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 38...Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 39.Qe6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 39...Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 40.Qf5+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 40...Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 41.Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 41...Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 42.Qe6+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 42...Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 43.Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 43...Rxf7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 44.Qxf7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 44...Qd1+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 45.Kh2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 45...Qd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 46.Qf5+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 46...Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 47.Qe6+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 47...Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 48.d6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 48...Qf4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 49.Kh1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 49...Qf1+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 50.Kh2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 50...Qf4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 51.Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 51...Qc1+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 52.Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 52...Qxb2+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 53.Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 53...Qxa3+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 54.Kh2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 54...Qb4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 55.Qf5+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 55...Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 56.Qd5+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 56...Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 57.Qf5+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 57...Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 58.Qe6+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 58...Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 59.d7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 59...Qf4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 60.Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 60...Qd4+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 61.Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 61...Qd3+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 62.Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 62...a5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 63.Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 63...Qd4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 64.Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 64...Qc4+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 65.Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 65...Qd3+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 66.Kf4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 66...Qd2+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 67.Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 67...Qc3+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} 68.Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 68...Qd2+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 69.Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 69...Qd3+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 70.Kf4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 70...Qc4+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 71.Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 71...Qc3+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 72.Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 72...Qe3+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 73.Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 73...Qb3+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 74.Qe6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 74...Qb8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 75.Qe4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 75...Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 76.Qe8+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 76...Qxe8+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 77.dxe8=Q+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 77...Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 78.Qg8# {[%emt 0:00:00]} 1-0

[Event "Collegiate Chess League: Fall 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Raja, Harshit"]
[Black "Lee, Linden"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2574"]
[ECO "B11"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "146"]
[Beauty "5635802431047"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

{[%evp 0,146,30,24,60,55,55,41,47,47,47,38,44,50,58,30,58,55,46,46,46,46,48,48,48,19,45,42,46,46,45,36,45,30,32,27,27,22,21,4,7,-8,-8,-26,20,23,65,65,35,9,128,-64,-64,-72,-105,-351,-381,-381,0,0,0,-278,-278,-278,-278,-278,-278,-278,-278,-278,-280,-280,-280,-280,-277,-273,-262,-275,-216,-216,-216,-216,-227,-249,-192,-210,-31,-207,-177,-201,-215,-240,-240,-240,-226,-229,-226,-224,-228,-227,-184,-184,-184,-184,-195,-190,-175,-225,-225,-226,-236,-335,-234,-338,-244,-244,-232,-232,-244,-244,-244,-337,-337,-342,-327,-1012,-1015,-1027,-771,-751,-751,-952,-502,-693,-646,-1019,-1020,-1069,-1185,-1327,-1356,-1295,-1741,-1422,-1972,-29967,-2886,-29987,-29988]} 
1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.d4 {White has many alternatives here.} ( 6.d3 ) ( 6.g3 ) ( 6.Be2 ) 6...dxe4 7.Nxe4 {A pawn sacrifice that is suitable for blitz but maybe not for a game in classical control.} ( 7.Qxe4 {is safer.} ) 7...Nd7 ( 7...Qxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I believe Black should take this pawn, and once I did it in a rapid game against my friend, GM Felgaer. It followed:} 8.Bd3 Nd7 9.Be3 Qd5 {and my opponent was unable to gain compensation. Felgaer-Leitao, Santos (rapid) 2005.} ) 8.Bd3 Ngf6 9.c3 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 ( 10.Qxe4 {is more accurate. After} 10...Nf6 11.Qe2 {The queen is better placed on e2. We will find out the reason when analyzing the game continuation.} ) 10...Nf6 11.Bc2 Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. White would prefer to keep queens on the board, so Black's move is unpleasant to face.} 12.Qg3 ( 12.Qxd5 {Of course, it's not the end of the world to exchange queens when all three captures are possible. In all cases the position is close to equality.} 12...Nxd5 ( 12...cxd5 ) ( 12...exd5 ) ) 12...Nh5 ( 12...g6 {is more natural, and it was played in a GM game.} 13.O-O Bg7 14.Bb3 Qd7 15.Re1 O-O 16.Bg5 {with a slight advantage for White in Safarli-Solak, Antalya 2013.} ) 13.Qe3 Nf6 14.O-O Bd6 15.Bb3 ( 15.Re1 O-O 16.Qd3 {is possible, setting up the well-known queen and bishop battery. White is slightly better.} ) 15...Qh5 16.Bd1 Qf5 17.g4 {It's always difficult to decide on the advance of the kingside pawns, especially when you have more solid options.} ( 17.c4 {This avoids the knight jump to d5 and should always be considered.} ) ( 17.Bf3 Nd5 18.Qe2 {also leads to a slight plus for White.} ) 17...Qa5 ( 17...Qg6 {is an interesting alternative, but in a blitz game, a player certainly has fears regarding queen safety.} ) 18.Qf3 Qc7 19.Kg2 $6 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This invites Black's plan.} ( 19.c4 {is better, avoiding ...Nd5.} ) 19...Nd5 20.c4 Nf4+ 21.Kh1 ( 21.Bxf4 {is reasonable. The position is a bit more comfortable for Black after} 21...Bxf4 ) 21...Ng6 ( 21...g5 {is a solid alternative, reinforcing the knight's position.} ) 22.Bc2 Nh4 ( 22...Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to preserve the initiative. The bishop now can retreat to a better diagonal after c4-c5, and the queen is looking at the kingside.} ) 23.Qe4 h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 23...O-O-O {is better.} ) 24.c5 ( 24.g5 {is also unpleasant:} 24...Nf5 ( 24...Ng6 25.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.c5 Be7 26.g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The e6-pawn will suffer, and Black has problems on the light squares.} ) 24...Bh2 $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This bold move would never cross my mind, although it worked well in the game.} ( 24...Be7 25.g5 Nf5 ( 25...Ng6 26.Bb3 ) 26.g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the initiative.} ) 25.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The game turns around immediately. White actually has three winning alternatives.} ( 25.g5 {is a very sophisticated win:} 25...Nf5 ( 25...Ng6 26.f4 ) 26.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A difficult move.} 26...cxd5 27.Qa4+ {This is the idea.} 27...Kf8 28.Bxf5 exf5 29.Re1 {The computer proves that White is winning, but this assessment is not immediately clear.} ) ( 25.gxh5 Rxh5 ( 25...Nf5 26.Qg4 ) 26.f4 Bg3 27.Qe3 {The bishop cannot be saved.} ) ( 25.Bg5 Ng6 ( 25...hxg4 26.Qxg4 ) 26.f4 hxg4 27.Kxh2 Rxh3+ 28.Kg2 {Compared to the game, the knight is in a worse position, and Black has no compensation for the piece.} ) 25...hxg4 26.Kxh2 ( 26.hxg4 {doesn't help:} 26...Ng6 27.Kg2 O-O-O {with a winning attack. White's king is without shelter, for instance:} 28.Be3 Rh4 29.Qf3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.gxf5 Bxf4 ) 26...Nf5 {Surprisingly, White is lost. The h3-pawn falls, and the attack is too strong.} 27.Qe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 27.Rh1 {is objectively the best move, but things look ugly after} 27...O-O-O ) 27...Rxh3+ 28.Kg1 Rg3+ $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black had a beautiful winning combination. I feel bad giving this move a question mark, as the right one is really difficult to see in a blitz game.} ( 28...Qd8 $3 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] 28...Qe7 is the same.} 29.Bxf5 Qh4 30.Be4 Qg3+ 31.Bg2 Qh2+ 32.Kf2 Rf3+ 33.Ke1 Qg3+ $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Kd1 Qxg2 35.Rxf3 gxf3 {After this forced sequence, Black wins material.} 36.Bd2 Qg1+ 37.Qe1 f2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 28...Qe7 ) 29.Kf2 Rf3+ 30.Ke1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Too optimistic.} ( 30.Kg1 {finishes the game in perpetual check.} ) 30...Qa5+ 31.Bd2 ( 31.Ke2 {loses (among others) to} 31...Ng3+ ) 31...Rxf1+ 32.Kxf1 Qxd2 33.Bxf5 g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final touch: Black regains the bishop and achieves a winning material advantage.} 34.Qe2 Qxf4+ 35.Kg2 Qxf5 36.Rf1 Qd5+ 37.Qf3 Qxf3+ 38.Rxf3 f6 ( 38...Rd8 {is probably simpler.} ) 39.Rxg3 Kf7 40.Rb3 Rb8 ( 40...b5 {is good enough:} 41.cxb6 axb6 42.Rxb6 Rxa2 ) 41.a4 b6 42.Kf3 Rh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder that throws away the game.} ( 42...f5 {followed by Kf6, g7-g5 with an easy win.} ) 43.Kg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder in return.} ( 43.cxb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins a pawn back.} 43...axb6 ( 43...Rh3+ $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Both players certainly missed that this move is not possible:} 44.Kg2 Rxb3 45.bxa7 {There's no way to stop the a-pawn.} ) 44.Rxb6 ) 43...bxc5 {Now Black is winning again, and this evaluation remains unchanged.} 44.dxc5 Re8 ( 44...Rh5 {is also good.} 45.Rb7+ Kg6 46.b4 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 45.Rb7+ Re7 46.Rb8 Rc7 {Black is ready to advance the three passed pawns.} 47.b4 e5 48.Kf3 Ke6 49.Rd8 Rb7 ( 49...Kf5 {is simple and good.} ) 50.b5 cxb5 51.c6 Rc7 52.axb5 {The c6-pawn is not good enough to save White.} 52...f5 53.Ke3 g5 54.Kd3 g4 55.Kc4 Rg7 56.Re8+ Kd6 57.Rd8+ Kc7 58.Ra8 Kd6 59.Rd8+ Ke6 60.Re8+ Re7 61.Rg8 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 62.Kc5 e3 63.Rh8 f4 {Three passed pawns are too much.} 64.Rh6+ Kf5 65.Rh5+ Ke4 66.Kd6 Rg7 67.Re5+ Kf3 68.c7 Rxc7 69.Kxc7 g3 70.Kb7 g2 71.Rg5 e2 72.Kxa7 e1=Q 73.b6 Qe7+ 0-1

[Event "E Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Jumabayev, Rinat"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2712"]
[BlackElo "2585"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[Beauty "5982621008436"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 d5 6.exd5 Qxd5 7.Bc4 Qd6 8.b4 Bb6 9.Nbd2 ( 9.a4 {is played more often.} ) 9...Bg4 {A new move. Jumabayev had used a lot of time already, so I doubt it was prepared beforehand.} ( 9...Bf5 10.Ng5 O-O 11.Nde4 Nxe4 12.dxe4 Qxd1+ 13.Kxd1 Bg4+ {with a balanced game, the theory goes much deeper.} ) ( 9...O-O ) 10.a4 {Judging by the continuation of the game, it's possible to say that castling immediately is more accurate.} ( 10.O-O ) 10...e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very strong pawn sacrifice.} 11.dxe4 ( 11.Qe2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] leads to catastrophe:} 11...O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12.dxe4 Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight gets ready to go to f4. Black's huge development advantage is going to tell.} ) ( 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.dxe4 Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with excellent compensation for the pawn.} ) 11...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to give some air for the bishop.} ( 11...Ne5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 12.Be2 {is better for White.} ) 12.bxa5 ( 12.b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 12...Ne5 {This is a much more favorable version for Black, since he doesn't have to worry about the bishop on b6.} ) 12...Nxa5 13.Bb5+ c6 14.Be2 O-O-O 15.O-O {For the sacrificed pawn, Black has an advantage in development and attacking chances. But his next move allows White to simplify the position.} 15...Rhe8 $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15...Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to play.} 16.Bxf3 ( 16.Nxf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16...Qxd1 17.Bxd1 Nxe4 ) 16...Bc7 17.g3 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with good attacking chances on the kingside.} ) 16.e5 Qe6 17.exf6 Qxe2 18.Qxe2 Rxe2 19.fxg7 {Changing the queens must have been a great relief for Erigaisi.} 19...Rg8 20.Nd4 Ree8 ( 20...Bxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 21.cxd4 Rxg7 22.Ra3 Be6 {Black is very active and should hold the endgame.} ) 21.Ba3 Rxg7 22.Rfe1 {Now White has a serious advantage. The compensation for the pawn is not adequate anymore.} 22...Rd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22...Rgg8 {gives better chances.} ) 23.Rab1 Bc7 24.Re7 ( 24.Bb4 {is strong, putting pressure on Black's knight that is out of play.} ) 24...Bh3 25.g3 b6 {Jumabayev tries to play c6-c5, but he has no time.} 26.Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Nb7 27.Nc4 Rg6 {Defending the c6-pawn but leaving f7 to its fate.} 28.Rxf7 c5 29.Nb5 Rd7 30.Rxd7 Bxd7 31.Ba3 {White is two pawns up, and we could think that the game is decided, but we will still have an almost inexhaustible amount of adventures.} 31...Be6 32.Ne3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 32.Na7+ $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] closes the game immediately, since another pawn falls.} 32...Kd8 33.Nxb6 ) 32...Bf4 33.Bc1 Na5 34.Ng2 ( 34.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] uses a tactical idea to simplify:} 34...Bxd5 ( 34...Bxc1 35.Ne7+ {wins material.} ) 35.Bxf4 {with a winning endgame.} ) 34...Bb8 35.Bf4 Bb3 36.Bxb8 Kxb8 37.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Passed pawns must be pushed. This saying never gets old.} 37...Bxa4 38.f5 Rg8 39.Ne3 Rd8 40.Na3 ( 40.f6 {White can keep pushing the pawn, but the move played in the game is also good.} ) 40...Bb3 41.Kf2 ( 41.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is indicated by the computer as a more precise way.} 41...Kc7 42.Re1 {followed by the advance of the kingside.} ) 41...Kc7 42.Kf3 Kc6 43.g4 ( 43.c4 {again is good.} ) 43...Rd2 ( 43...b5 {deserves consideration.} ) 44.f6 Kd7 {The king must come to the defense.} ( 44...Rxh2 $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 45.Rxb3 Nxb3 46.f7 {The pawn promotes.} ) 45.Re1 Rxh2 46.c4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move throws away the win, but Black's task is far from easy.} ( 46.Nf5 Ra2 47.Nb5 {White has an easy win with the active knights, the rook ready to go for the seventh rank, and the passed pawn about to queen.} ) 46...Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only defense.} 47.Nb5 ( 47.f7 Ke7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 47...Nxc4 48.Nxc4 Bxc4 49.Re7+ Kc6 50.Na7+ Kd6 51.Nc8+ Kc6 52.Rxh7 {Both sides have passed pawns, but the white ones are more advanced.} 52...Ra8 ( 52...Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to make a draw.} 53.g5 Rg1 54.Rg7 Rf1+ {It's not easy for White to advance the pawns. The computer indicates equality.} ) 53.Ne7+ Kd6 54.Kf4 b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses.} ( 54...Ke6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary.} 55.Kg5 ( 55.g5 Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a draw.} ) 55...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is able to save the endgame.} ) 55.Nf5+ Kc6 56.g5 b4 57.g6 b3 {This is one of the most extraordinary endgames I've ever seen. A fight of attack and counterattack, pawns against pawns, similar to a study with incredible moves popping up at all times. The reader will do well to analyze this position carefully without rushing, as the delight with the moves played and those that remained hidden is the true reason to love chess. Like a John le Carré spy thriller, the twists and turns take place until the last moment, when the plot is finally unraveled with a surprising outcome.} 58.f7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is the first mistake, but the players were dealing with a superhuman task.} ( 58.Rh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn must be stopped on b3.} 58...Rb8 59.Rb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 59...Kd7 60.Kg5 {The white king joins the party, supporting the pawns.} ) 58...b2 59.Rh1 Ba2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 59...Bxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This leads to a pretty draw:} 60.gxf7 Rf8 61.Nh6 c4 62.Ke3 Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This fine detail was probably missed by Jumabayev. The king is cut, and White will lose the f-pawn, leading the game to a theoretically drawn endgame.} ) 60.Ke5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 60...Kb5 ( 60...b1=Q 61.Rxb1 Bxb1 62.g7 {and White queens.} ) 61.Nd6+ $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 61.Rf1 $3 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This extraordinary move, which is even hard to explain, is the only way to win.} 61...Kb4 62.Ne7 {White wins in all lines, for example:} 62...Bxf7 63.gxf7 c4 64.Nd5+ $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 64...Kb3 65.Rf3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 65...Kc2 66.Nc3 b1=Q 67.Nxb1 Kxb1 68.Kd4 ) ( 61.Kf6 Kb4 ) 61...Kb4 62.Ne8 {It seems like the f-pawn is going to promote, which is true, but the game isn't over.} 62...Bxf7 63.gxf7 Ra1 $3 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A remarkable resource $1} 64.Rh4+ {The best chance.} ( 64.f8=Q Rxh1 65.Qf4+ c4 {Surprisingly, White has no more than a draw.} ) 64...Ka5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only square. One has to admire Jumabayev's play in this endgame.} ( 64...Kb3 65.f8=Q b1=Q 66.Qf3+ {with a decisive attack with the heavy pieces.} ) 65.f8=Q b1=Q $2 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A slip at the last moment.} ( 65...Re1+ $3 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] is the way to force a draw.} 66.Kd5 b1=Q {The exchange of positions between Black's queen and rook is essential, as the rook now controls more important squares. If the c5-pawn is captured, then Black forces the exchange of queens.} ) 66.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A study-like move that clinches the game. Black's checks will soon be over, and White will be ready for the decisive onslaught.} 66...Qb2+ ( 66...Qe1+ 67.Re4 Qc3+ 68.Kd5 Qd3+ 69.Kc6 Qa6+ 70.Kd7 Qa7+ 71.Ke6 {No more checks.} ) 67.Ke6 Qe2+ 68.Kd7 {Black resigned before Erigaisi began the sequence of deadly checks. The Indian GM's games seem like magnets for adventure. They always guarantee lots of fun.} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.30"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Black "Sindarov, Javokhir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2698"]
[BlackElo "2658"]
[ECO "A10"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[Beauty "8250632194100"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,46,21,-27,32,24,15,36,38,31,27,13,39,27,34,25,50,24,5,-33,-30,21,11,12,12,6,-8,-31,5,0,54,16,11,11,76,-106,-106,-219,-191,-288,-89,-612,-647,-656,-665,-833,-833,-870,-951]} 
1.c4 g6 2.e4 e5 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nc3 O-O {An interesting variation that I didn't know about. Black has an improved version of similar King's Indian lines, as the pawn can move to d5 in one go. This will be the main theme of the opening: how White should react to the break on d5.} 7.Be3 ( 7.Be2 {is more popular, which Black reacts to with the typical plan:} 7...Re8 8.f3 c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by d7-d5.} ) 7...c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate move.} ( 7...Re8 {is natural, but gives White chances for an advantage:} 8.Bd3 c6 9.O-O d5 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.Bb5 Rf8 12.exd5 Nxd5 13.Nxd5 Qxd5 {This was played in Tomashevsky-Sutovsky, EU-Cup Ohrid 2009. White has many possibilities and a risk-free position.} ) 8.Qd2 {This is a new move.} ( 8.Be2 {has been played before.} 8...Re8 ( 8...d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is bad due to} 9.e5 ) 9.Bf3 d6 10.O-O Nbd7 {White's bishop is uncomfortable on f3.} ) ( 8.e5 {is an interesting novelty.} 8...Ne8 9.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A pawn sacrifice that leads to a double edged position.} ( 9.Nf3 d6 {is good for Black.} ) ( 9.Qd2 d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is fine.} ( 9...Bxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 10.O-O-O {followed by h4-h5, with a strong attack.} ) 10.exd6 Nxd6 ) ) 8...Re8 ( 8...d5 {is also possible:} 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.e5 Ne4 ( 10...Ng4 11.Bg5 {with unclear play.} ) 11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12...Bxe6 13.Nxe6 Qxd2+ 14.Kxd2 fxe6 15.Bc4 {with equality.} ) 9.f3 d5 10.exd5 ( 10.cxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 10...cxd5 11.Bb5 Bd7 {with advantage for Black.} ) 10...cxd5 11.O-O-O Nc6 12.Nxc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black achieves a strong initiative after this move. White has many better alternatives. The analysis of all of them is impossible, so I'll limit myself to listing the moves and their ideas.} ( 12.g4 {Avoiding the always unpleasant Bc8-f5, which pops up in many lines.} ) ( 12.h4 {Preparing the typical attack with h4-h5.} ) ( 12.Kb1 {Playing the king to b1 after castling queenside is never too bad.} ) ( 12.Nc2 {This one is more difficult to find and explain, but the computer likes it.} ) 12...bxc6 13.Bd4 {Fighing for the important a1-h8 diagonal.} ( 13.cxd5 {is answered by a thematic sacrifice:} 13...Rxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Kasparov would call this \"a matter of chess culture\".} ( 13...Nxd5 {is also tempting, but no as convincing:} 14.Bd4 Nxc3 15.Bxc3 ( 15.Qxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 15...Qg5+ 16.Kb1 Bf5+ 17.Ka1 Rad8 {with an easy win.} ) 15...Qxd2+ 16.Kxd2 Bh6+ 17.Kc2 Bf5+ 18.Bd3 Re2+ 19.Kb1 Bxd3+ 20.Rxd3 Rxg2 21.Rhd1 {with drawing chances for White.} ) 14.Qxe3 Nxd5 {The g7-bishop is a monster and White can hardly survive this.} ) 13...Rb8 14.cxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Sevian probably missed Black's next move.} ( 14.Bd3 {is a better try, but Black is still clearly better.} ) 14...c5 $3 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This brilliant move is devastating. White is forced to either exchange the bishop and suffer on the dark squares, or capture the pawn and suffer with a lack of development.} 15.Bxc5 ( 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 {With a dream-like King's Indian type of attack.} ) 15...Qa5 16.Bd6 ( 16.Bd4 {loses by force as well:} 16...Bf5 17.g4 ( 17.Bd3 Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Bxf5 Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] winning the queen. This a thematic idea.} ) 17...Rec8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.gxf5 Qxa2 19.Qc2 Bh6+ 20.Rd2 Qa1+ 21.Qb1 Bxd2+ 22.Kd1 Qxb2 23.Qxb2 Rxb2 {with a totally winning position.} ) 16...Bf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Chess is a difficult game. Sindarov plays the initiative move par excellence, sacrificing the exchange. Here, however, it's better to move the rook and continue the attack calmly.} ( 16...Rb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With many tactical ideas. In the worst case, Black can play Bd7-Rc8 and sacrifice later. The computer evaluates the position as completely winning.} ) 17.g4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now White is completely lost.} ( 17.Bxb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Rxb8 18.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the only defense.} ( 18.g4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses in style:} 18...Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Qxd5 {Here Black has a pretty finish that fits well in a tactical exercise.} ( 19.Nxd5 Bxb2+ 20.Qxb2 Rc8+ $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with mate soon to follow.} ) 19...Qxc3+ $3 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The only way $1} ( 19...Bh6+ $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] seems to be the same, but gives White an extra chance:} 20.Rd2 Qxc3+ 21.Kd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20.bxc3 Bh6+ 21.g5 Bxg5+ 22.f4 Bxf4+ 23.Rd2 Rb1# ) ( 18.Bd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18...Nxd5 ) 18...Qb4 ( 18...Rc8 19.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White escapes.} ) 19.Bb3 Rc8 20.Bc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Nxd5 21.Qxd5 Bxc3 {It still looks winning for Black, but not with the computer turned on.} 22.bxc3 Qxc3 ( 22...Qa3+ {is not enough:} 23.Kd2 Bxc2 ( 23...Qxc3+ $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.Ke2 {and White even wins.} ) 24.Ke2 Bxd1+ 25.Rxd1 {with equality.} ) 23.Qb3 Qxc2+ 24.Qxc2 Rxc2+ 25.Kb1 Rxg2+ 26.Ka1 Be6 {The endgame is still more pleasant for Black, but White has drawing chances.} ) 17...Rbc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Starting a cascade of sacrifices.} 18.gxf5 Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.fxg6 ( 19.Qxd5 {loses after} 19...Rxc3+ $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Kb1 ( 20.bxc3 Qxc3+ 21.Kb1 Qb2# ) 20...Qxd5 21.Rxd5 Re1+ 22.Rd1 Rxd1# ) 19...hxg6 ( 19...Nxc3 {is also decisive, but why bother analyzing it $2} 20.gxf7+ Kxf7 21.Qf4+ Kg8 22.Bc4+ Kh8 ) 20.Bh3 Nxc3 21.Bxc8 Rxc8 22.Qd3 ( 22.bxc3 Rxc3+ 23.Kb1 Qb5+ 24.Qb2 Rc1+ 25.Rxc1 Qxb2# ) 22...Qxa2 23.Bc7 Nxd1 0-1

[Event "E Women's Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.27"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Vaishali, Rameshbabu"]
[Black "Garifullina, Leya"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2448"]
[BlackElo "2402"]
[ECO "B23"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[Beauty "8249424243742"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,49,25,22,48,48,74,42,30,22,6,19,18,7,12,-5,11,-9,9,-30,-23,-43,-35,-101,-86,-90,-79,-86,-30,-25,17,-47,-47,-36,42,42,42,129,261,268,372,352,379,327,736,688,736,736,846,886,871,952]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bb5+ {This move begins a more subtle way of playing the Grand Prix Attack, one of the most dangerous lines of the Sicilian.} ( 5.Bc4 {is the traditional Grand Prix move.} ) 5...Bd7 {Clearly the best way to block the check.} ( 5...Nc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 6.Bxc6+ bxc6 7.d3 {leads to a strategically dubious position for Black, as proved in many games.} ) ( 5...Nd7 {is a bit strange.} ) 6.Bc4 {I'm not a great expert on the Grand Prix Attack and its subtleties, so I'm afraid I'd need a few hours to understand exactly what reasons lead White to leave Black's bishop on d7. Even without in-depth analysis, I will give a clue in the following moves as to what I believe to be the reason.} 6...Nc6 7.d3 Na5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move makes good use of the bishop on d7, since now White cannot return with the bishop to b5 (because of 8...Bxc3+).} ( 7...e6 8.f5 exf5 ( 8...Nge7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 9.Ng5 {Here we see a problem with the bishop on d7, as d6-d5 is not possible.} ) 9.O-O {This has been played in a few games and I believe, though I'm not sure, that it is the reason for provoking the bishop into d7, since there are some possibilities with Bc1-f4 attacking the d6-pawn.} ) 8.Bd2 {Necessary to avoid ...Bxc3 and to prepare White's following plan.} 8...e6 9.Qe2 Ne7 10.O-O-O {Vaishali had played all this before. To be honest, this whole line, exchanging the light-squared bishop and castling on the queenside into the middle of the fire, seems to me to be extremely dubious for White. But, as they say, \"fortune favors the bold.\" Nihal has also played this position, so maybe the Indian players have analyzed it together.} 10...a6 {I don't like this move, although it's one of the top options of the computer. I think it makes Black's subsequent play difficult in a practical game.} ( 10...O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a very natural reply: Black should not be afraid of castling in the Sicilian. The game becomes a race.} 11.h4 d5 ( 11...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate. Black has a fine position.} 12.Bxb5 Bxb5 13.Nxb5 Rb8 14.Nc3 Nac6 {with excellent compensation.} ) 12.Bb3 {Extremely risky. Now Black has many tempting moves.} ( 12.exd5 {is more sensible:} 12...exd5 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.Bxd5 Bg4 15.c4 Nc6 {with chances for both sides.} ) 12...d4 {Nihal-Petrov, Cappelle la Grande 2022.} ( 12...Nxb3+ ) ( 12...b5 ) ) 11.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White must be fast.} 11...b5 ( 11...exf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} 12.exf5 Nxc4 ( 12...Bxf5 13.Bxf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop sacrifice leads to a decisive attack.} 13...Kxf7 14.g4 Bd7 15.Ng5+ Kg8 16.Ne6 Qe8 17.Nc7 {and White wins.} ) 13.dxc4 {White has a clear advantage since capturing the f-pawn is bad.} 13...Bxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 14.Rhe1 {with a winning initiative.} ) ( 11...Nxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is also wrong:} 12.dxc4 gxf5 13.Bf4 {the d6-pawn is attacked by the rook now that the d-file has opened.} ) ( 11...O-O {Again castling is a good option.} 12.Bg5 {White has other attempts and they look dangerous in a practical game, but the computer is not scared.} 12...h6 13.f6 hxg5 14.fxg7 Kxg7 15.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15...gxh4 16.Rxh4 Rh8 17.Rdh1 Rxh4 18.Rxh4 Ng8 {Black has defended the immediate threats and is a pawn up, but White still has some tricks.} ) 12.f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 12.Bb3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is too slow.} 12...b4 {Black's counter-attack is faster.} ) 12...Bxf6 13.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Bg7 ( 13...bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is wrong due to} 14.exf6 Nf5 15.dxc4 {with a big advantage for White.} ) ( 13...dxe5 {is an important alternative and leads to total chaos.} 14.Ne4 Nec6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move. The position is scary for Black and I doubt it's possible to survive in a practical game, but the computer considers it equal, as always. The analysis would lead us too far afield, so I'll only mention that both 15.Nfg5 and 15.Nd6 demand inhuman precision from Black.} 15.Nd6+ ( 15.Nfg5 ) ) 14.Ne4 Nb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The move that deviates from Vaishali's previous game in this line is actually a losing mistake.} ( 14...O-O 15.Bg5 dxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 15...bxc4 {is necessary. I'll copy the same comment from above: the computer thinks this is playable, but Black is never going to survive this in a real game.} 16.Nf6+ Bxf6 ( 16...Kh8 17.h4 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.g4 {This looks totally losing for Black, but according to the machine, it's equal.} ) 17.Bxf6 {Black will suffer on the dark squares.} ) 16.Nf6+ Kh8 17.Nxe5 {with a big advantage for White in Vaishali-Assaubayeva, FIDE Grand Swiss (Women) Riga 2021.} ( 17.h4 {is also very tempting.} ) ) 15.Bg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15.exd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move.} 15...Nc6 ( 15...bxc4 16.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins for White.} ) ( 15...Nf5 16.Bg5 f6 17.Bxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The same trick from our main line, with similar variations.} ) 16.Bg5 f6 17.Bxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to foresee this move when playing 15.exd6.} 17...Bxe6 ( 17...fxg5 18.Bd5 {with a deadly attack on the e-file.} ) 18.Nxf6+ Kf7 19.Rhf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black loses in all lines, for instance:} 19...Bxf6 ( 19...h6 20.Ne5+ Nxe5 21.Qxe5 hxg5 22.Ne8+ $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with mate.} ) ( 19...Qxd6 20.Ne4 {Followed by a winning discovered check.} ) 20.Bxf6 Qxd6 21.Ng5+ {with an easy win.} ) 15...Bc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 15...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only possible defense, where White still has a strong initiative, but the game remains unclear.} 16.Nf6+ ( 16.exd6 Nxd6 17.Nf6+ Kf8 ) 16...Kf8 17.Bb3 ) 16.Bxe6 $3 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] An excellent sacrifice that leads to a winning attack.} 16...Bxe4 ( 16...fxe6 17.Nf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point of the sacrifice.} ( 17.exd6 {Also a tempting continuation, but wrong:} 17...Nxd6 18.Nxc5 Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black manages to survive.} ) 17...Kf8 ( 17...Bxf6 18.exf6 {is easily winning for White.} ) 18.Rhf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the king cannot escape from the f-file.} 18...h6 19.Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...gxh5 ( 19...hxg5 20.Nxg5+ Kg8 21.Nf6+ Bxf6 22.exf6 {and White wins.} ) 20.Nd4+ Ke8 21.Nxc6 $18 ) 17.exd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A big mistake, giving Black one more chance to get back into the game.} ( 17.dxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] closes the curtain:} 17...fxe6 18.exd6 Nxd6 19.e5 {with a totally winning position.} ) 17...Nxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake.} ( 17...Qxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way.} 18.Qxe4 Qxe6 19.Qxb7 O-O $3 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This move, which leaves the knight with only one defender, was certainly missed by both players. Now White must be careful.} 20.Rhe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 20.Qxe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20...Qxa2 {Now Black is the one attacking.} ) ( 20.Bxe7 Rfb8 21.Qc7 Qxa2 {again with the initiative.} ) 20...Qxa2 21.Bxe7 Qxb2+ 22.Kd2 Rfe8 {Anything can happen now, but Black is not worse anymore.} ) 18.dxe4 Qb6 ( 18...fxe6 19.e5 $18 ) 19.e5 {The game is over.} 19...Ndf5 20.Bd7+ Kf8 21.g4 Nd4 22.Nxd4 cxd4 23.Qf3 Ra7 24.Rhf1 Nf5 25.gxf5 ( 25.gxf5 Rxd7 26.Qa8+ ) 1-0

[Event "I'M Not A GM Speed Chess Championship 2"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Trent, Lawrence"]
[Black "Shuvalova, Polina"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[ECO "C47"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[Beauty "6322749707294"]
[EventType "game"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.a3 {One of the ways to fight in the Four Knights.} 4...Bd6 {Temporarily blocking the other bishop to finish the development.} ( {White's main idea is that after:} 4...d5 5.Bb5 {White is playing as if he is Black, but with an extra tempo. Carlsen managed to make the most out of it in the recent game} 5...dxe4 6.Nxe5 Qd6 7.d4 exd3 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.Bxd3 Be7 10.O-O Ng4 11.g3 O-O 12.Bf4 Qd8 13.Qf3 {Carlsen,M (2835)-Firouzja,A (2777) Chess.com INT 2023} ) 5.Bc4 O-O 6.O-O h6 7.d3 Re8 8.Ne2 Bf8 9.Ng3 {And it is an Italian now.} 9...d5 10.Ba2 dxe4 11.dxe4 Bg4 {Shuvalova's play is plain and strong.} 12.Be3 $146 {A normal development move, and a novelty.} ( {White got less than nothing in the predecessor:} 12.Qxd8 Raxd8 13.Be3 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Nd4 15.Bxd4 Rxd4 16.Rad1 Red8 17.Rxd4 Rxd4 18.Re1 b5 {Nagy,L (1989)-Exler,V (2109) Austria 2013} ) 12...Nh5 13.Qxd8 ( {Objectively better was} 13.Nxh5 Bxh5 14.Qxd8 Rexd8 15.c3 {was approximate equality.} ) 13...Raxd8 14.h3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting, albeit dubious idea.} 14...Nxg3 ( {Better would have been to swap the other light piece} 14...Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.gxf3 Nf4 {when Black seizes full control over the dark squares.} ) 15.fxg3 Be6 16.Bxe6 Rxe6 17.Rfd1 Red6 18.Rxd6 Rxd6 19.Kf2 {White's pawn structure has been somewhat damaged, but since the pawns are compact, they can be useful for the knight. Trent plans g3-g4 and then Nf3-h4-f5} 19...f6 20.Ke2 Nd4+ {A tad rushy. Such knights are always very useful.} ( {Stronger was the flexible} 20...Kf7 21.g4 Na5 22.b3 b6 23.Nh4 Rc6 24.Kd3 Nb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when the black knight might become very useful, say} 25.Nf5 g6 26.Ng3 Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21.Bxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now that the pawn chain is fixed, the knight can enjoy jumping around, and choosing different attacking setups.} 21...exd4 22.Rd1 c5 ( {Better was} 22...Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.b3 Bxa3 24.Nxd4 Bf8 {breaking further the symmetry- something that the bishop loves.} ) 23.a4 Kf7 24.Nd2 Ra6 25.b3 h5 26.Nc4 Re6 27.Kf3 {Defending the g3-pawn.} ( {Although} 27.Kd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was possible as after} 27...Bd6 28.Rf1 Bxg3 29.Rf5 {White regains material with interest.} ) 27...Bd6 28.g4 hxg4+ 29.hxg4 {White is pressurizing but there is nothing decisive yet.} 29...Bc7 30.Rh1 Kg8 31.Rh5 g5 32.Rh1 Kg7 33.Rd1 {Trent is once more changing the attacking setup, and is looking for a breakthrough.} 33...b6 {Shuvalova, on her turn, defends everything, just in case. Always a great strategy in blitz.} ( {A neutral move like} 33...Re8 {was possible as well, to which White would have likely played} 34.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( {Rather than} 34.c3 dxc3 35.Rd7+ $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35...Kf8 36.Rxc7 c2 {and the pawn cannot be stopped.} ) ) 34.Na3 Be5 35.Nc4 Bc7 36.Nb2 Re7 37.Nd3 {Another change of the angle of the attack.} 37...Kg6 38.Re1 Be5 39.Rh1 Kg7 40.a5 Rc7 41.Ra1 {And the final preparation for the infiltration.} ( {The immediate} 41.axb6 axb6 42.Ra1 {looked stronger, but Black is still fine after} 42...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43.bxc4 Rxc4 44.Ra2 Rc3 ) 41...b5 {The a-file is locked.} 42.a6 {But Trent hopes to attack along the fifth rank.} 42...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Alas, Shuvalova starts first.} 43.Nb4 {And this loses $1} ( {It was not too late to bail out with} 43.bxc4 bxc4 44.Nxe5 fxe5 45.Rb1 ) 43...d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The decisive break $1} 44.Rd1 ( {Nothing changes} 44.Rc1 dxc2 45.Rxc2 cxb3 ) 44...Bc3 ( {Or also the simple} 44...dxc2 45.Nxc2 cxb3 46.Nb4 b2 ) 45.Nd5 dxc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawns are stronger than the pieces.} 46.Rc1 cxb3 47.Nxc7 b2 {Good enough for the win, of course.} ( {Since every pawn is a potential queen here, it made sense to keep them rather than the bishop} 47...Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 48.Rxc2 b1=Q 49.Rxc3 Qd1+ 50.Ke3 Qe1+ 51.Kd3 Qf1+ 52.Kd4 Qf2+ 53.Kd3 b4 {And Shuvalova quickly converted her advantage.} 54.Ne6+ Kf7 55.Nd8+ Ke8 56.Rc8 Qf1+ 57.Kd4 Qxa6 58.Ra8 Kd7 59.Nf7 Qb6+ 60.Kc4 Qc6+ 61.Kxb4 Qxa8 0-1

[Event "I'M Not A GM Speed Chess Championship 20"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Zhou, Qiyu"]
[Black "Rozman, Levy"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2334"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[ECO "C13"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Beauty "8248082038792"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

{[%evp 0,58,23,13,34,34,34,33,47,56,46,25,26,8,8,13,11,4,20,6,13,11,47,4,3,15,7,8,40,21,21,-2,-4,-26,-10,-49,-45,-42,-72,-78,-42,-34,-54,-66,-54,-76,-100,-144,-149,-164,-122,-167,-182,-188,-194,-189,-189,-233,-220,-991,-985]} 
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Bg5 Be7 6.Bxf6 gxf6 {Morozevich brought this line into the spotlight a few years back, and ever since it has become a favorite of the Indian GM Harikrishna and the German GM Bleubaum to name a few.} 7.Nf3 f5 {The \"irregular\" pawn structure makes the situation extremely tricky as the asymmetry helps the bishops big time.} 8.Ng3 {Not a good spot for the knight.} ( {White needs to orientate her play towards the d4-d5 break, therefore} 8.Nc3 {is the most common reply, when the game may continue} 8...a6 9.Qd2 b5 10.O-O-O Qd6 11.Kb1 Nd7 12.Bd3 c5 13.d5 c4 {with sharp battle in Maze,S (2582)-Harikrishna,P (2737) Berlin 2015} ) 8...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] In the spirit of Steinitz. Rozman is cramping the knight with his rook pawn. [#]} 9.c3 $146 {This solid move is a novelty, after which Black is better already $1} ( {As we know, better is to search for a central play with:} 9.Qd2 h4 10.Ne2 c5 11.O-O-O Nc6 12.Qc3 Qa5 13.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Qxc3 14.Nxc3 exd5 15.Nxd5 Bd8 {when the white knights look good, Abdrlauf,E (2455)-Grischuk,A (2742) Chess.com INT 2022} ) ( {Or} 9.h4 {stopping the pawn instantly, although Black was doing great nevertheless after} 9...c5 10.Bb5+ Kf8 11.c3 cxd4 12.Qxd4 Qxd4 13.Nxd4 f4 14.Nge2 e5 15.Nf3 f6 {Kosteniuk,A (2550)-Sutovsky,E (2647) Caleta 2016} ) 9...h4 {The knight is almost trapped $1} 10.Ne2 c5 ( {Also good is} 10...Nd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] sending the knight towards the juicy e4- and d5-squares.} ) 11.Qd3 ( {This is the last moment when White got a chance for} 11.d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] and it should have been taken $1 After} 11...Qxd5 ( {Although Black can remain in control with} 11...Qd6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 12.Qxd5 exd5 13.Nf4 d4 14.cxd4 cxd4 15.O-O-O {White is back in the game.} ) 11...Nc6 12.O-O-O cxd4 13.Nexd4 {The knight made a whole circle to return to the center...} 13...Bd7 {A small slip.} ( 13...Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been better instead.} ) 14.Kb1 {Zhou misses her chance.} ( 14.Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been good, gaining counterplay against the enemy king after} 14...a6 ( {Black would do better with} 14...e5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15.Nd6+ Bxd6 16.Qxd6 Be6 {with approximate equality.} ) 15.Nd6+ Bxd6 16.Qxd6 Qe7 17.Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White is now in charge.} ) 14...a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now everything is back in order. It is quite a deceptive position, as it seems as White is active and can enjoy her knights in the center. But if we have a closer look, we see that it is only Black who has improvement moves from here on, whereas the white knights are stuck and do not have aggressive outposts near the enemy king.} 15.Be2 Qc7 16.h3 {Only helps Black.} ( {Maybe} 16.Rd2 O-O-O 17.Rhd1 {hoping for some trades along the d-file is an option.} ) 16...O-O-O ( {Or} 16...Rg8 17.Rhg1 O-O-O ) 17.Qc2 Rhg8 18.Rhg1 Bf6 {The black bishops start to aim at the enemy camp.} 19.Nb3 Qb6 ( {Here and on the next moves} 19...Ne7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] followed by Ne7-d5 and Bd7-a4 (c6) would have been a nice reorganization.} ) 20.Nfd4 ( 20.Bd3 Ne7 ) 20...Kb8 21.Bf3 ( {White should have at least tried the desperate counterplay with} 21.Nxc6+ Bxc6 22.Bf3 Rxd1+ 23.Qxd1 {Then if Black is greedy} ( {Not} 23.Rxd1 Bxf3 24.gxf3 Rg2 {when Black crashes through.} ) 23...Qxf2 24.Bxc6 bxc6 ( {True, Black can repel this with} 24...Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.Qd6+ {White would get what she wants.} ) 21...Ne5 {Now the black pieces quickly take commanding positions.} 22.Be2 Ba4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Poor knights...} 23.f4 Ng6 ( {Another way to exploit the difference in the strength of the bishops and the knights is} 23...Nc6 24.Nf3 Na5 25.Nfd2 Be7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the unstoppable Be7-c5 $1} ) 24.Qd2 Ne7 ( {Rozman could have already forced} 24...Bxb3 25.axb3 Bxd4 26.cxd4 Ne7 ) 25.Bf3 Bxb3 {Time to use the bishops and advantage and trade them for the knights.} 26.axb3 Bxd4 27.cxd4 Qxb3 {And the pawn.} 28.Rge1 Nd5 29.Rc1 Nb4 {And for mate.} 0-1

[Event "I'M Not A GM Speed Chess Championship 20"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kavutskiy, Konstantin"]
[Black "Trent, Lawrence"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2626"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[ECO "B06"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Beauty "8044746139226"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]

1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 Bg4 3.e4 g6 {A tricky blitz opening. White might quickly lose control over the d4-square if he acts naively.} 4.Be3 Bg7 5.Nbd2 {Kavutskiy is solid though.} 5...Nf6 ( {Another way to play it is to put pressure on the pawn directly with:} 5...Nc6 {It did not bring luck to Black in this game though} 6.h3 Bd7 7.Bc4 e5 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.Nxe5 dxe5 10.Qe2 Nf6 11.O-O-O O-O 12.Bc5 {with an edge for White, Ragger,M (2668)-Skoberne,J (2562) Austria 2021} ) 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.h3 Bd7 8.c3 e5 9.d5 Ne7 {Now White can enter a KID defense at once if he wishes so.} 10.a4 $146 {Nope, he postpones for the time being.} ( {In the predecessor, White chose to enter the KID waters at once:} 10.c4 Nh5 11.g3 b6 12.Qc2 O-O 13.O-O-O a6 14.Kb1 {as in Maatman $146 (2394)-Vlasenko,M (2431) Chess.com INT 2020} ) ( {Another interesting, restrictive idea was} 10.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 10...c6 11.c4 ) 10...Nh5 {Of course $1 Every KID knows that.} 11.a5 a6 {Correctly stopping White on his light-square quest.} ( {Otherwise, Black may experience serious difficulties, say} 11...Nf4 12.Bxf4 exf4 13.a6 b6 14.Qb3 ) 12.c4 O-O 13.c5 {Very natural play for White, he plays on his flank.} 13...f5 {Ditto for Black.} ( {Although there was also} 13...Nf4 14.Bxf4 exf4 15.O-O Bb5 {fighting for gradual equality.} ( {Please note that White is not losing a pawn after} 15...dxc5 16.Qc2 b6 17.axb6 cxb6 18.Rxa6 ) ) 14.cxd6 cxd6 15.Bb6 {But this impulsive decision presents Black a couple of important tempi.} ( {Kavutskiy would have done better after} 15.O-O Nf4 16.Bxf4 exf4 {with a pleasant position for White after either} 17.Qb3 ( {Or} 17.Re1 ) ) 15...Qe8 {The queen was forced where it wanted to go $1} 16.O-O Nf4 {And there is no one to swap off this annoying steed $1} 17.Bc4 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Trent is already having a decisive attack, all his pieces arrive at the final destination kingside with ease.} 18.exf5 Bxf5 19.Nh2 ( {Certainly not} 19.Nxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19...Qg6 ) ( {But perhaps} 19.Be3 $5 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the intention to chop off the knight in a good moment was a chance.} ) 19...h5 20.Re1 Qg6 21.Ndf3 ( {Here} 21.Qb3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 21...Bc2 22.Qa3 {to transfer the queen to an active position made sense. Her Majesty also defends the kingside along the third rank.} ) 21...Be4 {Straightforward and strong.} ( {But there was also a case for throwing in} 21...Rac8 $5 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] for example} 22.Rc1 e4 23.Nd4 Bxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.gxh3 Nxh3+ 25.Kg2 Rxf2+ 26.Kxh3 Bxd4 27.Bxd4 Qf5+ 28.Kg3 h4# ) 22.Rc1 {It ws time for tricks, as White's position is lost anyway.} ( {Therefore, the solid, dull-looking, but cunning} 22.Bf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] made sense, when} 22...Rf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] as in the game fails to} ( {And if} 22...Bd3 23.Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and it is the rook that can defend the kingside.} ) 23.Rxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Qxe4 24.Nxg5 ) 22...Rf7 23.Rxe4 ( {It is a tad late for} 23.Bf1 $5 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 23...Bxd5 ) ( {And} 23.Nxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] simply loses after} 23...Qxg5 ) 23...Qxe4 24.Bf1 ( {Now} 24.Nxg5 {does not impress} 24...Qxg2# ) 24...Qf5 25.Rc7 Raf8 {The most consistent way.} ( {Many roads lead to Rome, like} 25...e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Nd4 Bxd4 27.Bxd4 Rc8 28.Rxb7 Qxd5 ) ( {Or} 25...Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 26.Rxb7 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Time to make it to the king $1} 27.Nd4 Nxh3+ $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most artistic way $1} ( 27...Qxd5 {is prosaic win.} ) 28.gxh3 Qxf2+ 29.Kh1 e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another nice move.} ( {Trent does not fall for a trap with} 29...Be5 30.Ndf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 30.Qxh5 {Mate was inevitable anyway, but this move allows a beauty.} ( {Black has too many threats, say} 30.Ne6 Nf5 ( {Or} 30...Be5 ) ) 30...Qxf1+ $3 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 31.Nxf1 Rxf1+ 32.Kg2 R8f2+ 33.Kg3 Be5+ 34.Kg4 Rg1# 0-1

[Event "Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Rozman, Levy"]
[Black "Shahade, Gregory P"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[ECO "A45"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7220913772551"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 {The Trompowsky will always remain an excellent choice for a blitz game.} 2...c5 3.Nc3 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 5.Qh4 e6 6.O-O-O Be7 7.e4 {And now we are suddenly in a Classical Sicilian type of position, with a white queen mysteriously teleported to the kingside instead of retreating to the d2-dquare.} 7...O-O ( {Black has better chances to defend if he throws in the move …d7-d6 at some point, and this is a good point:} 7...d6 8.f4 Qb6 9.Nf3 h6 10.e5 dxe5 11.fxe5 Nd7 ( 11...Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 12.Bxe7 Nxe7 13.Kb1 Nf5 14.Qe4 ( 14.Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...Ne3 15.Rd6 ) 14...Qe3 15.g4 ( 15.Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 15...Qxe4 16.Nxe4 Ne3 17.Nd6+ Ke7 18.Rd4 {Hakobyan,A (2613)-Vokhidov,S (2568) Chess.com INT 2022} ) ( 7...h6 {would not chase the bishop away after} 8.f4 ) ( {A good way to meet White's plan was demonstrated by Adhiban in the following game} 7...a6 8.Nf3 Qc7 9.Bd3 d6 10.Rhe1 Bd7 11.e5 dxe5 12.Ne4 Nd5 13.Bxe7 Ncxe7 14.Ng3 f6 15.Nh5 O-O-O {Rapport,R (2702)-Adhiban,B (2653) Wijk aan Zee 2017} ) 8.f4 h6 9.Nf3 {[#]} 9...Nh7 $146 {A novelty and a strategical resignation...} ( {White was also better in the predecessor after:} 9...d5 10.exd5 ( 10.e5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 10...Nxd5 ( 10...exd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Bxe7 Nxe7 13.Bd3 Bf5 14.Rhe1 Bxd3 15.Rxd3 {but there was a lot to play for, Salgado Lopez,O (2095)-Sharapov,E (2375) Chess. com INT 2023} ) 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.Qxe7 Nxe7 12.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Once the d7-pawn is fixed, Black gets a typical Kann/Taimanov failure. His queenside is left workless, the huge hole on d6 is a wonderful spot for the white pieces, and the pawn on d7 itself becomes an eternal weakness.} 12...f6 {The only active try.} ( {Black is positionally lost after} 12...Rd8 13.Nb5 ) 13.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most solid continuation. Rozman understands well that in such a position all he needs is to improve slowly.} ( {There was a more concrete approach too, like} 13.Nb5 fxe5 14.Nxe5 Rxf4 15.Nxd7 ) 13...fxe5 14.Nxe5 d5 {This is the worst French structure Black can ever get.} 15.Bh3 {Now that the d7- pawn made a move, it is the -e6 one that is desperately weak.} 15...Nf6 ( {Shahade's position is so vulnerable that he may easily stumble into concrete problems.} 15...Nf5 16.Ng6 Rf6 17.Bxf5 {and White wins.} ) 16.Rhe1 {Obvious and strong.} ( 16.Nb5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would be excellent as well.} ) 16...Re8 ( {The white queenside knight cannot be stopped.} 16...a6 17.Na4 ) 17.Nb5 Rd8 18.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Power-play by Rozman again $1} ( {He could have won prosaically with} 18.Nc7 Rb8 19.Bxe6+ Bxe6 20.Nxe6 ) 18...Nf5 19.Bxf5 exf5 20.Nc7 {Not only winning the pawn but keeping all his positional advantages.} 20...Rb8 21.Nxd5 Nxd5 22.cxd5 Bd7 23.b3 {Another instructive no-rush maneuver, which improves White's position to the maximum and leaves Black without a single chance.} 23...Be8 24.Rd2 ( 24.d6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would do as well.} ) 24...Rbc8+ 25.Kb2 Rd6 26.Nc4 Rd7 27.Re5 {Breakthrough time.} ( 27.d6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 27...Bf7 ( 27...g6 28.d6 ) 28.Rxf5 Rcd8 29.Ne3 g6 30.Re5 Kg7 31.h4 {Searching for a second weakness on the kingside.} 31...Kf6 32.g4 Rd6 33.g5+ hxg5 34.hxg5+ Kg7 35.Re7 R8d7 36.Rxd7 Rxd7 37.Kc3 {The king enters the battle, and White's win becomes inevitable.} 37...Rd8 38.d6 Be6 39.Nc4 Rf8 40.Rd4 Rd8 41.Ne5 Rc8+ 42.Kb4 b6 43.Kb5 Rd8 44.d7 Kf8 45.Kc6 Ke7 46.Kc7 Rf8 47.d8=R 1-0

[Event "Knockout"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Shuvalova, Polina"]
[Black "Rozman, Levy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2653"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7218095199784"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]

{[%evp 0,93,30,25,73,73,70,70,60,61,64,42,35,30,19,10,9,6,27,27,23,19,21,18,18,5,23,23,24,7,11,0,-1,0,0,0,0,-12,11,12,12,9,34,34,34,17,17,6,19,17,17,0,0,-15,-15,-15,58,33,58,58,165,165,174,112,85,82,179,27,35,9,9,9,4,-63,-40,-20,34,-29,65,43,118,133,133,131,131,46,86,20,72,95,227,265,277,293,321,308]} 
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 {This is a popular alternative to the more solid 3...Bf5. The absence of the pawn on e6 gives prospects of a happier life for the bishop on c8.} 4.Nf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6 ( 5...Nc6 {is played more often.} ) 6.Bd3 ( 6.Nd2 {is a good plan for White, bringing the knight to f3. A recent example followed:} 6...Ne7 7.N2f3 Nbc6 8.c3 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 Nf5 10.Qf4 {with the advantage for White in Navara-Movsesian, Czech Republic 2022.} ) 6...Ne7 7.Nd2 Nbc6 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.Nf3 Rb8 ( 9...Ba6 {is a clever move to exchange bishops. The point is} 10.Bxa6 Qa5+ $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 10.O-O Qc7 11.c3 c5 12.Re1 h6 {Black has fallen into an uncomfortable position. His pieces are not playing, and the king will not find a suitable refuge.} 13.b3 ( 13.b4 {is interesting, trying to open the game. After} 13...Nc6 14.bxc5 Bxc5 15.Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen goes to g4, and Black is in danger.} ) 13...Bd7 14.c4 d4 ( 14...dxc4 {is better, opening the diagonal for the light-squared bishop.} 15.bxc4 ( 15.Bxc4 Bc6 ) 15...Bc6 {with a playable position.} ) 15.h4 Nc6 16.Bf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows Black to close the kingside with a typical device. Let's not forget this is a blitz game.} ( 16.h5 ) 16...Be7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 16...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn cannot be captured, and this brings enormous relief to Black's position, since the attack on the kingside is neutralized.} ) 17.h5 Nb4 ( 17...f5 {This is not good anymore:} 18.exf6 Qxf4 19.fxe7 ) 18.Be4 a5 ( 18...Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 19.a3 Nc6 20.Bc2 a4 {Black tries to get some counterplay; otherwise, what to do $2} 21.bxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The open file is actually helpful for White.} 21...Na5 22.Qd3 ( 22.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better, since the queen can go to g4.} ) 22...Bc6 23.Rab1 Kd7 24.Nd2 ( 24.Rb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White can use immediately the idea that will be seen later in the game. This exchange sacrifice is even better in this version, since White is left with another rook to attack.} ) 24...Rxb1 25.Rxb1 Rb8 26.Rb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A pretty exchange sacrifice in order to unite White's pawns.} 26...Bxb5 27.axb5 Nb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 27...Bg5 {is a better chance, although White's position is much better after} 28.Bxg5 hxg5 29.Qg3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Qxg5 Qxe5 31.Nf3 Qf6 32.Qf4 ) 28.Qf3 ( 28.Qh7 {is also very good for White:} 28...Bf8 29.Qg8 Ke7 30.Be4 {Black is paralyzed.} ) 28...Nd8 29.Ne4 Qa5 30.Bd2 Qc7 31.Qg3 Ra8 32.a4 {The pawns start rolling, and it seems the game is over. But in blitz, many things can happen.} 32...f5 33.exf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 33.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is cleaner:} 33...Bxd6 34.exd6 Qxd6 35.Qxg7+ {with an easy win.} ) 33...Qxg3 34.fxg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This leaves Black with two dangerous passed pawns.} ( 34.Nxg3 {is correct, and White is still winning after} 34...gxf6 35.a5 ) 34...gxf6 {Black is ready to play f5 and later e5. Suddenly the game becomes sharp.} 35.Bxh6 {A pawn is a pawn.} ( 35.a5 f5 36.Nf2 Nb7 37.a6 Nd6 {The c4-pawn is attacked, and the f5-pawn protected, so Black can play e5 next. Anything can happen.} ) 35...Nf7 36.Bd2 f5 37.Nf2 Bg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black deviates from the right plan.} ( 37...Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Bb3 e5 {With a crazy endgame where the pawns are advancing all over the board.} ) 38.Bf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 38.Bxg5 Nxg5 39.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This important move breaks the pawn chain and leaves White with a winning position.} ) 38...Ke7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 38...Bxf4 {is necessary:} 39.gxf4 Nd6 40.Bb3 Kc7 41.Nd3 Kb6 {The king blocks the pawns, and the endgame is balanced.} 42.Ne5 ) 39.Nd3 {White is on command again.} 39...e5 {A desperate attempt to complicate the game.} ( 39...Bxf4 40.gxf4 Nd6 41.Bb3 Ne4 42.Ne5 {White's pawns will soon crash through.} ) 40.Bxg5+ ( 40.Nxe5 {is more accurate:} 40...Nxe5 41.Bxe5 ( 41.Bxg5+ Ke6 42.Bb3 {is also winning.} ) 41...Ke6 42.Bc7 {Followed by the advance of the queenside.} ) 40...Nxg5 41.Nxe5 Ne4 ( 41...Kd6 {is the only chance.} ) 42.a5 Kd6 ( 42...Rxa5 43.Nc6+ ) 43.Nc6 Nd2 ( 43...Nxg3 {leads to an interesting variation:} 44.h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...Rh8 45.a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45...Rxh6 46.a7 f4 {White must be careful now.} 47.Kf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 47.a8=Q $4 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 47...Rh1+ 48.Kf2 Rf1# ) 47...Rh1 48.Kf3 Ra1 49.Kxf4 {with a winning position.} ) 44.Bd3 Nb3 45.a6 Nd2 46.h6 Ne4 47.a7 {There are too many passed pawns advancing.} 1-0

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.28"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gazik, Viktor"]
[Black "Budisavljevic, Luka"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2927"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[ECO "C00"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Beauty "8247683376670"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

1.e4 e6 2.d3 {The King's Indian Attack is always an interesting option in a blitz game.} 2...d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3 Nc6 5.g3 Nf6 6.Bg2 Be7 7.O-O O-O 8.Re1 b5 {This is the main variation of the King's Indian Attack and the play is very characteristic, with well-defined plans for both sides after the center is closed with e4-e5.} 9.e5 ( 9.exd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a more sophisticated way of playing and has been tried by strong grandmasters.} ) 9...Nd7 10.Nf1 a5 11.h4 h6 {I don't really like this move, as I prefer to wait for White to play h4-h5. Perhaps the intention was to prevent Bc1-g5, but that's not so dangerous.} ( 11...b4 ) 12.N1h2 Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A prophylactic and thematic move, the idea of which is to bring the bishop to f8, securing the h6-pawn against possible sacrifices.} 13.Ng4 Bf8 14.c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a new move.} ( 14.Bf4 {had been played before.} ) 14...bxc4 15.dxc4 Nb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A fatal mistake. The knight was needed on d7 to defend the f6-square.} ( 15...Bb7 {is possible. The position remains complicated and with chances for both sides after} 16.cxd5 exd5 17.Bf4 ) 16.Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The sacrifice on h6 appears anyway, even with Black's bishop on f8.} 16...dxc4 ( 16...gxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 17.Nf6+ Kg7 18.Qc2 {Threatening 19.Qh7 mate.} ) ( 16...Nxc4 {is another try, but the attack is decisive after} 17.Bg5 ) 17.Bd2 {A simple and good move. Without the h6-pawn, Black cannot defend the position. White only has to stack the pieces up against the black king.} 17...Bb7 18.Ng5 Be7 19.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A pretty final sacrifice.} 19...Kxf7 20.Nh6+ gxh6 21.Qh5+ Kg8 22.Qg6+ Kh8 23.Be4 {White mates on the next move.} 1-0

[Event "U.S. Championship"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.07"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Robson, Ray"]
[Black "Mishra, Abhimanyu"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2592"]
[ECO "E01"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[Beauty "6601498972715"]
[EventType "game"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.g3 dxc4 6.Bg2 Nbd7 7.O-O b5 8.e4 Bb7 9.e5 Nd5 10.Ng5 {One of the many aggressive attempts to gain more than positional compensation for the pawn in these lines.} 10...h6 {Mishra reacts in the most principled way.} ( {Black is, of course, not forced to go for the knight and may choose instead:} 10...Be7 11.Qh5 g6 12.Qh6 Bf8 13.Qh3 Be7 14.Qh6 Bf8 15.Qh3 Be7 16.Qh6 {1/2-1/2 (16) Andreikin,D (2729)-Sarana,A (2662) Chess. com INT 2022} ) ( {Whereas according to Megabase, the first game of the line saw} 10...Nxc3 11.bxc3 Nb6 12.Qh5 g6 13.Qf3 Qd7 14.Qf6 Rg8 15.Nxh7 {and White went on to win in Malich,B-Bisguier,A Munich 1958} ) 11.Nxe6 fxe6 12.Qh5+ Ke7 13.Ne4 {The black king is in danger, and therefore Black needs to give back a portion of the material.} 13...Qe8 14.Bg5+ hxg5 15.Qxh8 Kd8 16.Nxg5 {This line has returned to the spotlight thanks to the efforts of Russian GMs Andreikin and Sarana.} 16...Qe7 {Galkin's approach.} ( {The main move is} 16...Kc8 17.Qh3 Nc7 18.Rfc1 Nb6 19.b3 c5 20.bxc4 bxc4 21.Rab1 {as in the recent game Andreikin,D (2728)-Xiong,J (2700) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 17.Qh5 {Robson is in turn blitzing out his moves.} ( {Bu reacted worse in the predecessor game and after} 17.f4 Kc7 18.Bh3 c5 19.a4 cxd4 20.Nxe6+ Kb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] the black king was perfectly safe and White did not get adequate compensation. Bu,X (2565) -Galkin,A (2566) Lausanne 2000} ) 17...Kc7 18.Qg6 Re8 {White needs open files for his rooks, and therefore the next move comes to mind.} 19.a4 {This was also practically blitzed out, and then Mishra uncorked a novelty.[#]} 19...Kb8 $146 {This is practically forced. Black is not only solidifying his queenside, but also freeing up the c7-square for his knight.} ( {A previous game saw Black suffering at once after:} 19...a6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20.axb5 cxb5 21.Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] That's the point—the e6-pawn drops.} 21...Kb8 22.Nxe6 N7b6 23.Nc5 {Tsolakidou,S (2377)-Ezra,P (2198) Lichess.org INT 2021} ) 20.Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It turns out that Robson intended not only a queenside attack. This rook lift puts tremendous pressure on the black kingside, whereas the e6-pawn is once again in a delicate situation. Not everything is as one-sided as it seems though.} ( {Here} 20.Bh3 {does not yield anything to White due to the simple} 20...Nc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20...Nc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice move that aims to protect everything.} 21.Rf3 bxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A modern, concrete approach. And an even nicer reaction by Black $1 Mishra should definitely have known this idea. The capture looks ugly, indeed, but it significantly speeds up the counterplay on the queenside, in a situation where every tempo counts.} 22.h4 {A correct decision $1 White needs to improve as much as he can on his own flank before forcing matters.} ( {Black's main idea is revealed in the line} 22.Rf7 Qd8 23.Nh7 a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when the \"ugly\" pawn clears the road for the other \"ugly\" one.} 24.bxa3 Bxa3 25.Rxg7 c3 {and Black is faster.} ) 22...Qd8 23.Rf7 Re7 ( {Here} 23...a3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] only helps White and after} 24.bxa3 Bxa3 {White has a lot of pleasant choices, such as} 25.Rxg7 ( 25.Rb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( 25.h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ) 24.Rf4 {Robson keeps his opponent's pieces in their overcrowded house, stepping on their toes.} ( {There was a direct attempt instead with} 24.Rxe7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 24...Qxe7 25.Rc1 Nb6 26.Rc3 Qb4 27.Rf3 Nc8 28.Nxe6 Be7 29.Nxc7 {when} 29...Kxc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} ( {However, Black has a nice refutation instead} 29...Qxb2 $3 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 30.Rf7 c3 31.Rxe7 c2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when White is badly missing his rooks on the back rank.} ) 30.Rf7 Qxb2 31.Rxe7+ Nxe7 32.Qd6+ Kb6 33.Qc5+ Ka6 34.Bf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24...Qe8 {Aiming to relieve the pressure with trades.} ( {White is better after} 24...Nd5 25.Bxd5 cxd5 ( {Or} 25...exd5 26.Nh7 ) 26.h5 ) 25.Qh7 {Quite a good move again.} ( {And the alternative} 25.h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 25...Qxg6 26.hxg6 {also looked good for White.} ) 25...g6 ( {The machine instead suggests} 25...Nd5 {as a stronger defense and claims equality after say} 26.Bxd5 exd5 27.Qg8 Kc7 28.Nf7 Re6 29.Ng5 Re7 ) 26.Rf7 {One inaccuracy $1 That's all it takes to turn a favorable position into a bad one in such extreme, irrational situations.} ( {So far White was avoiding trades and nicely executing a limiting strategy against the opponent's army. This same strategy could have been successfully followed with} 26.Nf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Nb6 ( {In comparison to the game} 26...c5 27.Bxb7 Kxb7 28.Nd6+ {definitely does not look good for Black.} ) 27.Qxg6 Nbd5 28.Bxd5 Nxd5 29.Rf3 {when} 29...c5 {remains Black's best chance but White seems faster on the kingside after} 30.h5 ( 30.Qg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] might be even better according to the machine.} ) 30...cxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Qxg6 ( {Or} 31...Qd8 32.Qg8 ) 32.Rxf8+ Re8 33.Rxe8+ Qxe8 34.Nxe8 ) 26...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The white center falls apart and he needs to retreat.} 27.Bxb7 ( {It changes nothing to play} 27.Qxg6 Bxg2 28.Kxg2 cxd4 ) 27...Kxb7 28.Qxg6 ( {Or} 28.dxc5 Nxe5 ) 28...Rxf7 ( {But not} 28...cxd4 29.Qe4+ $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when White is back in the game.} ) 29.Nxf7 cxd4 30.Qe4+ ( {Maybe it was worth trying} 30.h5 {to which Black needs to find the beautiful prophylaxis} 30...Ka6 $3 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] when} 31.h6 {does not work due to} 31...Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and there is no saving check on e4 $1} ) 30...Nd5 {The tide has turned in Black's favor.} 31.Nd6+ {And this only makes things worse.} ( {The last chance was} 31.Ng5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 31...Bc5 32.Nf3 Qh5 {and then the sharp} 33.g4 Qh6 34.Nxd4 {when Black should be better, but anything is still possible.} ) 31...Bxd6 32.exd6 Qh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black consolidates. What's more, he is ready to start moving his pawns.} 33.Rd1 ( {In case of the direct} 33.Rc1 {Black has} 33...Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Qxe5 Nxe5 35.d7 Kc7 ) 33...Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Small tactics ensure Black has an edge.} 34.d7 ( {As} 34.Rxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34...Nf3+ {drops a whole rook.} ) 34...Nxd7 ( {Even stronger might have been} 34...Kc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.f4 Nc6 36.Qxe6 Nb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 35.Qxd4 Qxd4 36.Rxd4 a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The decisive breakthrough. It is that ugly b5xa4 move that wins the game after all $1} ( 36...Ne5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 37.Rd1 a3 {would have been great as well.} ) 37.bxa3 c3 38.Rd1 Nc5 39.h5 Nd3 {The rook is lost, whereas the white passers are too slow.} 40.h6 c2 41.Rf1 Nf6 42.g4 Nh7 43.Kg2 c1=Q 44.Rxc1 Nxc1 45.f4 Kc6 46.Kf3 ( {Or} 46.g5 Nf8 ) 46...Kd5 47.g5 Nf8 48.Kg4 Nd3 49.f5 Ne5+ 50.Kf4 Nfg6+ {The simplest solution.} 51.fxg6 Nxg6+ 52.Kg4 Ke4 53.a4 a5 54.h7 Ke5 55.Kh5 Kf5 56.Kh6 e5 0-1

[Event "U.S. Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Black "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2698"]
[BlackElo "2667"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[Beauty "6118587500105"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,128,20,15,26,15,14,-6,-4,-6,10,10,3,11,11,-1,-8,-1,-9,-9,-9,-11,10,12,-1,18,10,13,5,-17,-30,-23,-23,-25,-17,-39,-9,-1,-28,-25,-19,-29,-30,-35,-28,-30,-24,-24,-21,-36,-38,-40,-32,-24,-29,-44,-35,-33,-32,-47,-47,-13,-25,-24,-12,-9,-25,-9,-14,-14,-13,4,88,73,127,113,118,100,107,107,108,142,142,123,242,62,90,90,102,71,70,70,81,70,70,70,86,50,103,96,142,119,174,35,32,0,0,0,0,0,0,-173,-151,-173,-158,-334,-334,-554,-440,-608,-608,-609,-609,-1249,-1249,-1249,-1435,-1508,-1633,-29999,-29999]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qa4 a6 8.Qxc4 b5 9.Qc2 Bb7 10.Bd2 Ra7 {This move is much rarer than 10...Be4, but it hardly came as a surprise to Sevian, as Niemann had played it in 2023. This is a subtle move that delays the development of the knight, and the rook on a7 fulfills its function by defending the c7-pawn and freeing the a8-square for the queen, which will be useful after Nbd7.} ( 10...Be4 ) 11.a4 {Black will quickly get a great position, so possibly this move is not the most accurate.} ( 11.Rd1 {was Duda's choice, but Black achieved an excellent position after} 11...Nbd7 12.Ba5 Qa8 13.Qxc7 Rc8 14.Qf4 Rc2 {in Duda-Niemann, AI Cup rapid 2023.} ) ( 11.Rc1 {is an important move with a lot of theory after} 11...Be4 ) 11...b4 12.Bg5 Nbd7 13.Nbd2 Qa8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is one of the ideas of 10...Ra7. The queen goes to a8, and the other rook can come to c8, supporting the thematic c7-c5 advance.} 14.Ne1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A new move.} ( 14.Rac1 h6 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 {with an equal position in Ronat-Zakharov, ICCF email 2014.} ) 14...Bxg2 15.Nxg2 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's position is already more comfortable.} 16.Bxf6 gxf6 {White can always try to bother the kingside after this capture, so it's preferable to take it with the bishop.} ( 16...Bxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.dxc5 Rc8 ) 17.Nb3 ( 17.dxc5 {is simpler with an equal position after} 17...Nxc5 18.Nb3 ) 17...cxd4 18.Rac1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Controlling the c-file.} ( 18.Nxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 18...Rc8 {with the initiative for Black.} ) 18...Ne5 19.Nxd4 Rd8 20.Nb3 Rad7 21.Nf4 {The position is more or less balanced, but Niemann will show a fighting spirit to try to unbalance the game and fight for victory.} 21...Kg7 $5 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 22.Nh5+ $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is an almost irresistible check, but it doesn't help White's position.} 22...Kh6 {A curious square for the king, but White can't exploit it.} 23.Nf4 f5 24.Ng2 {Sevian was probably worried about the move Be7-g5.} 24...Kg7 25.Qb1 {This move is a bad sign for White, as it clearly shows that he is unsure of what to do.} ( 25.Nf4 Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25...Bf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a very unpleasant move to face. Black wants h5-h4 and after} 26.h4 Kh7 {There are many attacking chances on the kingside.} ) 26.Rc5 Ng6 27.Rc4 Be7 28.Qc2 h5 29.h4 {White has managed to organize his pieces.} 29...Qb8 30.Qc1 Bf6 31.Na5 ( 31.Nc5 {also possible. The computer shows many equalizing variations after} 31...Rd2 32.Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] For example:} 32...Rxe2 33.Ngf4 Nxf4 34.Nxf4 Bxb2 35.Nxe6+ $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...fxe6 36.Rc7+ Kf6 37.Qg5+ Ke5 38.Qf4+ Kf6 39.Qg5+ {with perpetual check.} ) 31...Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Nb3 ( 32.Nc6 {is good for Black after} 32...Rc8 ) 32...Qb8 33.Na5 Qb6 34.Nb3 Kh7 ( 34...Be5 {is the most accurate way of fighting for a win, avoiding White's next move.} ) 35.Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Ne5 {Black is ready to leave the h5-pawn to its fate in order to avoid the knight exchange.} ( 35...Nxf4 36.Qxf4 {is safe for White.} ) 36.Rc5 ( 36.Nxh5 Be7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to an unclear position. The knight will go to g4, and there's enough compensation for the sacrificed pawn.} ) 36...Qb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 36...Ng4 {is better:} 37.Nxh5 Be7 38.Rc6 Qa7 {with compensation.} ) 37.Nxh5 Bh8 38.Qc2 Rg8 39.Nf4 Ng6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this, all chances of compensation for the pawn fade away.} ( 39...Rgd8 ) 40.Nxg6 Rxg6 41.Rc1 {White has a winning position with a full pawn up, but many adventures lie ahead.} 41...Qb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes things worse.} 42.Rd1 $6 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 42.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most clearcut way of winning.} 42...f4 43.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43...Kh6 44.Kh2 {Black's bishop is shut out for the game, his king is insecure, and White is a pawn up.} ) 42...Rxd1+ 43.Qxd1 Bxb2 44.Qd7 Rg7 45.e3 {The position is still much better for White, but it's not so easy to convert it.} 45...Qb8 46.Kg2 ( 46.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king should be heading to e2, where it will feel safer.} ) 46...Qa8+ 47.Rc6 Be5 48.Qc8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 48.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 48...Qa7 $6 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 48...Qxc8 {The computer shows drawing chances for Black in this endgame, although it looks a bit depressing.} 49.Rxc8 Rg8 ) 49.Rxa6 Qe7 50.Ra8 $6 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 50.Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger, leading by force to a difficult endgame for Black after} 50...Bxg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51.Qxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 51.fxg3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 51...Qxh4 52.Qd6 Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53.Nd4 Rg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54.Ra7 Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 55.Qxd4 Qe2+ {with perpetual check.} ) 51...Bxh4+ 52.Kf1 Bxe7 53.a5 ) 50...Rg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] All the checks are prevented.} 51.Kf1 $6 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 51.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most dangerous move, preparing to bring the knight to f3.} ) 51...Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position is still very complicated, but the machine already indicates a draw with several obscure variations.} 52.Qb7 {A daring move, sacrificing a knight. Although objectively the game is still balanced, White has to find difficult moves in order to prove this evaluation. There are safer alternatives..} ( 52.Ke2 Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53.Nd2 Bc3 54.Qd8 Qa2 {with enough counterplay to save the game.} ) ( 52.Qd8 Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is also equal.} ) 52...Qd1+ 53.Kg2 Qxb3 54.Qxf7+ Kh6 {The best chance.} ( 54...Rg7 $4 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 55.Qh5# ) ( 54...Bg7 $6 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] leads to a tense position with many possible moves for White, for instance :} 55.Re8 $5 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 55.Qf8+ $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 55.Ra5 $3 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] is the only way to make a draw.} 55...Bxg3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 55...Bg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 56.Rxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins.} ) ( 55...Rg7 56.Qf8 Bc3 57.Qh8+ Rh7 58.Qf8+ Rg7 {with a draw.} ) 56.fxg3 Rxg3+ 57.Kxg3 Qxe3+ {with perpetual check.} ) 55...Bg7 56.Qd6 Qc4 {Black has an extra piece, and the rest is easy.} 57.Re8 b3 58.Rxe6+ Kh7 59.Qd7 b2 60.Rb6 Qe4+ 61.f3 Qc2+ 62.Kh3 b1=Q 63.Rxb1 Qxb1 64.fxg4 Qh1# 0-1

[Event "U.S. Women's Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.10.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Paikidze, Nazi"]
[Black "Eswaran, Ashritha"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2316"]
[BlackElo "2273"]
[ECO "E01"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[Beauty "6465062464080"]
[EventType "game"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,117,19,34,29,4,4,-19,-19,-14,20,21,7,20,14,27,8,16,8,3,8,15,6,-6,-16,-15,-8,-22,-28,-31,-27,-29,-39,-38,-47,-62,-30,-48,-34,-54,-37,-50,13,9,28,14,38,39,41,41,42,34,39,39,57,50,57,57,65,18,28,55,45,45,85,84,118,116,110,110,579,629,547,454,701,812,884,458,458,457,467,477,477,468,468,490,1381,1264,1308,358,362,348,347,263,275,251,258,269,262,240,237,253,250,211,271,266,327,323,336,313,484,499,1110,1246,1418,1438,2194,2194,28763,28753]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Nf3 h6 {A mysterious move that seeks a slightly different piece development than what we normally see against the Catalan Opening.} 5.Bg2 Bd6 {The bishop is developed on this unusual square, without Black needing to worry about the move Bc1-g5, if I understood correctly the idea of the move h7-h6.} 6.Nc3 Nc6 {Another curious move, since Black normally doesn't like to place the knight in front of the c-pawn in queen's pawn structures. The main idea here is to exchange on c4 and then play e6-e5, when Black's development starts to make sense.} 7.O-O O-O 8.Nb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A rare and not very good move. 8.b3 is more common.} ( 8.b3 dxc4 9.bxc4 e5 {and here White has many different attempts to fight for an advantage.} ) 8...dxc4 9.Qc2 a6 {The best way to achieve a good position.} ( 9...e5 {was played in a high profile game, but it's not accurate.} 10.dxe5 Bxe5 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Rd1 Qe7 13.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White had the initiative in Cheparinov-Van Foreest, ESP-chT Linares 2020.} ) 10.Nxd6 cxd6 11.Qxc4 Bd7 {Although White has the pair of bishops, Black's position is pleasant, with easy development and good control of the central squares.} 12.Bd2 {A new move.} ( 12.Bf4 Qe7 13.Rfc1 Rfc8 {with equality in Mendonca-Boyer, Sitges 2020.} ) 12...Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move, freeing the c6-square for the bishop.} 13.a4 Bc6 14.Qd3 Be4 15.Qa3 Qd7 16.Bb4 Nf5 ( 16...Rfd8 {This is more flexible, since it's still not so clear that the knight should go to f5.} ) 17.Rfd1 Rfd8 ( 17...b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is an idea that will be present during the next moves. Black opens up space on the queenside and secures the b7-square for the queen.} ) 18.Rac1 ( 18.Bf1 {is better, with the idea of playing 19.Nd2 without allowing the exchange of bishops.} ) 18...Rac8 ( 18...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is again the best way for Black.} ) 19.Bc3 b5 20.axb5 Qxb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a positional mistake, as this is not the pawn formation that Black is looking for.} ( 20...axb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a slightly better position for Black.} ) 21.Bf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White prepares Nd2 followed by e3 or f3-e4. The a6-pawn becomes a target.} 21...Qd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21...Qb7 {This is the best square.} 22.Nd2 Bc6 23.e4 {Maybe Eswaran was afraid of this move, but in this case Black has excellent compensation for the exchange after} 23...Nxe4 24.Bxa6 Qd7 25.Bxc8 Rxc8 ) 22.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 22.Qxa6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad since the queen is in danger after} 22...Ra8 23.Qc4 Rdc8 24.Qb3 Rcb8 ) 22...Bb7 23.Ba5 ( 23.d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] poses some interesting tactical problems.} 23...Nxd5 24.Ba5 Nc7 {Forced, otherwise White forks the knights with e2-e4.} 25.e4 Nd4 26.Qb4 Ndb5 27.Nc4 {with a dangerous position for Black. The pawn is more than compensated.} ) 23...Rxc1 24.Rxc1 Rc8 25.Rxc8+ Qxc8 26.Qc3 {White tries to exchange queens and go to an endgame in which the presence of the bishop pair guarantees lasting pressure.} 26...Qd7 27.e3 Qa4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This activity backfires since it allows White's queen to create more dangerous threats.} ( 27...Ne7 {is more prudent. White has a slightly better endgame after} 28.Qc7 Qxc7 29.Bxc7 Ne8 ) 28.b3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 28.Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. Black's compensation for the pawn is not enough after} 28...Bd5 29.Qc8+ Kh7 30.Qxa6 ) 28...Qa2 29.Qc7 Bd5 30.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A courageous move.} ( 30.Qc8+ Kh7 31.Qxa6 {Now Black has enough activity for a draw.} 31...Ne4 32.Bb4 Qxa6 33.Bxa6 Nxd2 34.Bxd2 Bxb3 ) 30...Nxg4 ( 30...Nh4 {is safer:} 31.Qd8+ Kh7 32.Bd3+ Ng6 {with equality.} ) 31.e4 {This is the idea of the previous move.} 31...Nxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A miscalculation that decides the game.} ( 31...Bxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32.Nxe4 Nxd4 {The position is totally chaotic and anything can happen.} ) 32.exd5 Nf3+ 33.Kg2 ( {Of course not} 33.Nxf3 $4 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 33...Qxf2+ ) 33...Nxd2 34.Bd3 {The attack on the king by the bishop pair is too strong. The a5-bishop is currently out of play, but is ready to go to c3 if needed.} ( 34.Qc8+ Kh7 35.Bd3+ {also leads to a win.} ) 34...f5 ( 34...Ne4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an attempt to complicate the game, but White wins the endgame after} 35.Qc8+ Kh7 36.Bxe4+ f5 37.Bxf5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...exf5 38.Qxf5+ Kg8 ( 38...Kh8 39.Qf8+ Kh7 40.Bc3 ) 39.Qxg4 Qxa5 40.Qe6+ Kh7 41.Qxd6 {The d-pawn decides the game.} ) 35.dxe6 ( 35.Bc3 {is the simplest way to win.} 35...Ne3+ 36.Kh3 ) 35...Ne3+ $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.fxe3 ( 36.Kh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is not good now:} 36...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Bxe4 Qxf2 {Black surprisingly escapes.} ) 36...Ne4+ 37.Bc2 Kh7 38.e7 ( 38.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a strong computer move to avoid Black's following move.} ) 38...Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.e8=Q Qxc2+ 40.Kh3 Qd3 {This is the most interesting position in the whole game. Three queens on the board and Black is threatening perpetual check with 41...Qf1+. There's only one winning move.} 41.Kh4 $3 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Paikidze finds it. The king moves away before the check.} 41...Qc2 ( 41...Qe2 {Here White has time to execute a mating combination, since the queen no longer controls the c3-square.} 42.Qxg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...Kxg7 43.Bc3+ Kh7 44.Qf7# ) 42.Qxd6 {There's no perpetual check and the game is over.} 42...f4 43.Qd2 Qf5 44.exf4 ( 44.Qe7 {is also good.} ) 44...Ne4 45.Qxe4 {The simplest method to convert the advantage.} 45...Qxe4 46.Kg3 Qg6+ 47.Kf2 Qh5 48.Ke1 Qf3 49.Bc3 Qh1+ 50.Ke2 Qxh2+ 51.Kd1 Qh1+ 52.Kc2 Qc6 53.Qd3+ Kh8 54.Kb2 Qe6 55.f5 Qb6 56.Qg3 Qa7 57.f6 gxf6 58.Bxf6+ Kh7 59.Qd3+ 1-0

[Event "E Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Douglas, Isle of Man"]
[Date "2023.10.28"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Tabatabaei, Amin"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2685"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[ECO "D30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7358352719897"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]

{[%evp 0,88,30,30,23,-5,6,6,32,33,27,14,28,28,28,30,28,30,30,16,21,16,10,7,11,-10,-8,-18,-13,-13,-13,2,17,17,17,17,17,18,23,18,29,-1,29,0,-6,4,4,0,35,25,22,12,8,-35,29,21,25,0,8,8,0,-8,-7,-41,-66,-69,-63,-63,-71,-120,-110,-110,-142,-133,-131,-132,-117,-133,-132,-132,-125,-128,-145,-137,-137,-139,-165,-165,-158,-242,-223]} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 {The Tarrasch Defense, considered somewhat dubious until recently, has experienced a resurgence in the hands and minds of strong grandmasters.} 4.cxd5 exd5 5.g3 Nc6 6.Bg2 Nf6 7.O-O Be7 8.dxc5 {A popular move for the elite nowadays.} ( 8.Nc3 O-O 9.Bg5 {This is the former main position of the Tarrasch Defense.} 9...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is now considered the best move.} ) 8...Bxc5 9.a3 Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate way of playing.} ( 9...O-O 10.b4 {leads to a small advantage for White.} ) 10.Nfd2 ( 10.b4 {Tabatabaei played this move in a very important game last year.} 10...Be7 11.Bb2 Bf6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Qxd5 Be6 14.Qxe4 Qxa1 15.b5 Nd8 {It seems that White's compensation is not enough for an advantage, and the game later ended in a draw. Tabatabaei-Van Foreest, Chennai Olympiad 2022.} ) 10...f5 {I understand that playing with an isolated pawn and still having to weaken the structure with this move is not to everyone's taste, but the e4-knight somewhat compensates for these weaknesses. Truth be told, the position is not an easy one to play as Black, anyway.} 11.b4 {This is already a new move.} ( 11.Nc3 ) 11...Be7 ( 11...Bd4 {This alternative route to f6 makes a lot of sense, since it forces White to move the rook.} 12.Ra2 Bf6 ) 12.Bb2 Bf6 13.Bxf6 ( 13.Nxe4 {is possible, but it doesn't offer much:} 13...Bxb2 ( 13...fxe4 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Nd2 O-O 16.Nb3 {with hopes of a positional advantage.} ) 14.Ra2 dxe4 15.Qxd8+ Kxd8 16.Rxb2 Be6 {with a roughly equal endgame.} ) 13...Qxf6 14.Nb3 O-O 15.e3 Be6 {This is not the only path for the bishop.} ( 15...Rd8 {is a cunning move, with the idea of replying to} 16.N1d2 {with} 16...b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the bishop can be developed to the more active f1-a6 diagonal.} ) 16.N1d2 Ne5 17.Nf3 {The position has stabilized and White has a small advantage, although Black has chances with the strong knights.} 17...Nc4 18.Qd4 ( 18.Nc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 18...b6 19.Nxe6 {It's a typical mistake to consider Black's bishop \"bad\" and, therefore, avoid exchanging it. As has been seen in many cases (the most famous of which is Fischer vs. Petrosian, game seven of the 1971 match), capturing the bishop in similar structures weakens Black's position, since the piece is important for defending the pawns.} 19...Qxe6 20.Nd4 Qf6 21.Rc1 $14 ) ( 18.Nfd4 {is also possible.} ) 18...Qe7 19.Rfc1 ( {White can also maneuver the knight immediately with} 19.Ne5 Rac8 20.Nd3 ) 19...Bf7 20.h4 {I don't like this move very much as I don't see a situation in which the pawn on h4 would be better for White. With the pawn on h2, it's possible to expel Black's knight on e4 with the move f3 in some cases. Furthermore, when Black plays g7-g5, the h-file will not be opened if the pawn is on h2.} 20...a6 ( 20...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, avoiding Nf3-g5.} ) 21.Ne1 ( 21.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] To be fair, the h4-pawn is useful now.} 21...h6 ( 21...Nxg5 22.hxg5 Rad8 23.Qf4 {with a clear advantage for White.} ) 22.Nxf7 Qxf7 {with a small advantage for White. I really like capturing Black's light-squared bishop.} ) 21...Rad8 22.Nd3 h6 23.a4 b6 {Nakamura decides to protect the queenside.} ( {It's possible to start kingside play immediately with} 23...g5 ) 24.a5 b5 {If we just look at the pawn structure, it might seem like White has the advantage, but this is not the case. The black knights are very strong and can hardly be exchanged. Black also has a plan (to play g7-g5), while it's not clear what White can do.} 25.Rc2 Rd6 26.Bf3 Qe8 ( 26...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, with a dangerous initiative after} 27.hxg5 hxg5 ) 27.Re1 Bh5 28.Bg2 $6 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] As I wrote before, Black's bishop is not as bad as one might think. It's important to prevent the g7-g5 advance, and this can be achieved with the exchange.} ( 28.Bxh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Qxh5 29.Nf4 Qg4 ( 29...Qf7 30.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fixing the pawn structure.} ) ( 29...Qf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 30.Qa1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of playing Nd4.} ) 30.Rf1 ( 30.h5 {is not so good anymore due to} 30...Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 30...Qf3 31.Qd1 ( 31.Qa1 $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31...Nxe3 ) 31...Qxd1 32.Rxd1 g5 {with an equal endgame.} ) 28...g5 29.hxg5 hxg5 30.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Tabatabaei rightly complicates the game before Nakamura can improve his pieces.} 30...Qg6 31.Ne5 ( 31.Bh1 {This extremely subtle move, with the idea of bringing the rook into the game, is the computer suggestion. The game is equal.} ) 31...Qg7 32.Nxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a big mistake after which White never gets back into the game.} ( 32.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's position remains more pleasant, but White can hold.} ) 32...dxc4 33.Qxg7+ Kxg7 34.Nd4 ( 34.Bxe4 cxb3 35.Rc7+ Kf6 {with a winning endgame, thanks to the b3-pawn.} ) 34...Nxg3 35.fxg5 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's pawn structure on the queenside is wonderful, with a protected passed pawn on c4. This is practically a guarantee that the endgame is winning.} 36.Kf2 {There are other ways of winning:} 36...Bg6 ( 36...Nf5 37.Nxf5+ Rxf5 38.exf4 Rxf4+ {The g5-pawn will fall, and then Black can go to work on the queenside.} ) ( 36...fxe3+ 37.Kxg3 Rxd4 38.Rxe3 Rg4+ 39.Kh2 Bg6 {with a winning position.} ) 37.Rc3 Nh5 38.Nf3 Ng3 {There are other moves, but Nakamura chooses the most practical solution. For now, he repeats the position.} 39.Nd4 Ne4+ $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] But now he executes the simplest path to victory.} 40.Bxe4 Bxe4 {I warned you: look how strong Black's bishop is $1} 41.Nf3 {This loses by force, but it's hard to recommend anything.} 41...Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop has fulfilled its role in this game.} 42.Kxf3 fxe3+ 43.Kg4 ( 43.Kxe3 Re6+ 44.Kd2 Rd8+ {wins the rook.} ) ( 43.Ke2 Re8 44.Rxe3 Rxe3+ 45.Kxe3 Re6+ 46.Kd2 Rxe1 47.Kxe1 Kg6 {Here we can see how important the c4-pawn is for Black.} ) 43...Rd4+ 44.Kh3 Re8 0-1

[Event "E Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2023.10.26"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Niemann, Hans"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2667"]
[ECO "C65"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Beauty "7630814708241"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]

{[%evp 0,81,23,23,15,17,17,17,17,17,17,14,12,4,24,24,24,20,20,18,23,14,14,16,16,19,26,19,21,18,18,6,34,23,31,27,26,24,28,32,38,35,48,26,26,27,96,96,96,96,177,181,175,175,201,228,256,256,256,256,251,248,256,256,265,269,314,314,319,299,347,189,271,284,313,296,523,246,1057,1181,1212,1276,1264,1289]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 {Caruana is an expert in this variation. The resulting positions are often simple in appearance and complex in essence, with many strategic details.} 5...dxc6 6.h3 {6.Nbd2 and 6.0-0 are more common, but Caruana has played this move already in 2023.} 6...Nd7 ( 6...Bd6 {was played in the mentioned game.} 7.Nc3 h6 8.O-O Nd7 9.Nd2 {The same plan we will see in the main game.} 9...O-O 10.Nc4 {with a slight advantage for White in Caruana-Van Foreest, Chess.com (rapid) 2023.} ) 7.Nc3 {This move, which seems trivial, is actually a little surprising. In most games in this line the knight is developed to d2, from where it can go to b3, c4 or f1. Caruana has another plan in mind.} 7...O-O 8.Be3 Bd6 {As I had warned, this variation is made up of small positional details. Who is favored by the pawn structure after the exchange of bishops on e3 $2 Should Black avoid exchanging bishops or can he play a move like 8...Re8 $2 Unfortunately, I don't have the answer to these questions. Neither does the computer: it just keeps evaluating the position as equal. Let's say, therefore, that all these moves are playable.} ( 8...Bxe3 9.fxe3 ) ( 8...Re8 ) 9.O-O Re8 10.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good plan. The knight goes to c4 and White can then think about d3-d4 or f2-f4. Caruana had already played all this previously.} ( 10.d4 {leads to nothing:} 10...exd4 11.Nxd4 Nc5 {with equality in Sivuk-Paravyan, Batumi 2016.} ) 10...Nf8 11.Nc4 Ng6 ( 11...Ne6 {also looks like a natural move, although the computer doesn't like it so much. A recent game continued:} 12.a4 a5 13.Ne2 {with the idea of Qd2 and later f2-f4: Starostits-Sakun, Morshyn Saint Charbel Cup (blitz) 2023.} ) 12.d4 {A new move. Caruana had used some time by this point, so I'm not entirely sure that he expected this position before the game.} ( 12.a4 {was played in Caruana-Aronian, Zurich Chess Challenge (blitz) 2015.} ) 12...Be6 {A natural and good move. Black has many possible alternatives, ranging from the simple to the extremely subtle.} ( 12...exd4 {is an automatic reaction.} 13.Nxd6 ( 13.Qxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13...Bb4 {is good for Black.} ) 13...cxd6 14.Qxd4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of playing f5-f4, with an acceptable position.} ) ( 12...f5 {It looks strange to create so much tension without finishing development, but this is totally ok.} 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nxd6 cxd6 {with chances for both sides.} ) ( 12...Qh4 {This is a complex choice.} 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nxd6 cxd6 15.f4 Nc4 {with complications that are hard to assess, but it's certainly risky for Black.} ) ( 12...Bb4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The most creative of all the candidate moves. I don't think it's necessary to be so avant-garde when there are simpler moves available.} 13.Nxe5 ( 13.dxe5 Be6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 13...Bxc3 14.bxc3 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a good position. The idea is} 16.f4 Bxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 13.Nxd6 cxd6 ( 13...Qxd6 {is inaccurate because the pawn structure is somewhat inferior for Black in the endgame.} 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Qxd6 ( 15.b3 {is also good.} ) 15...cxd6 16.Rad1 {with lasting pressure.} ) 14.d5 ( 14.dxe5 dxe5 {doesn't offer much for White.} ) 14...cxd5 ( 14...Bc8 {looks ugly, but actually it's a decent alternative. If White captures on c6, the pawn structure is not so bad for Black. If White stands still, than Black plays c6-c5 and will try to break with f7-f5 later.} 15.dxc6 ( 15.Qd3 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 15...bxc6 ) 15.Nxd5 Qd7 ( 15...Rc8 {is a bit more accurate. The point is that taking on a7 is not possible:} 16.Bxa7 $2 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16...Bxd5 17.Qxd5 b6 {The bishop is doomed:} 18.Qb5 Rc5 19.Qxb6 Qd7 20.Rfd1 Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Qxd6 ( 21.Rxd6 Qe7 ) 21...Qxd6 22.Rxd6 Rxa7 {The knight is much stronger than the three pawns.} ) 16.Qd3 ( 16.c4 {is a natural move from a positional point of view, but Black can force a draw with:} 16...Bxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.gxh3 Qxh3 {White has nothing better than} 18.f3 Qg3+ {with perpetual check.} ) 16...Bxd5 {Not an easy decision at all. With bishop against knight, White has some pressure, although it remains unclear whether it's enough for any serious advantage.} ( 16...Ne7 {tries to exchange knights, but Black is left with an unpleasant weakness on d6 after} 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.c4 ) ( 16...f5 {is another attempt.} 17.f3 Qf7 {Black has some counterplay on the kingside, but White's position remains more pleasant after} 18.Rad1 ) 17.Qxd5 Ne7 18.Qd3 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has to play this before White can play c2-c4.} 19.exd5 Qxd5 20.Rfd1 Red8 ( 20...Qc6 {is also playable.} ) 21.Qe2 ( 21.Qa3 {is a computer alternative.} 21...Qxd1+ 22.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 23.Kh2 Nc6 {Positions with a queen against two rooks are not always easy to evaluate. The machine insists on a small advantage for White, but I'd never go for this line.} ) 21...Qa5 {Necessary, since the a7-pawn needs protection.} ( 21...Qe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a pawn:} 22.Rxd8+ Rxd8 23.Bxa7 ) 22.Qg4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move, activating the queen and posing practical problems for Black, who must find the only way to avoid falling into a disadvantage.} 22...Qa6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this mistake, the game is over.} ( 22...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only move to keep the game more or less balanced.} ) 23.Rxd8+ Rxd8 24.Rd1 {Black is unable to protect his weaknesses.} 24...Ra8 {This is a really sad move, but it's difficult to suggest anything.} ( {After} 24...Rxd1+ 25.Qxd1 {Black cannot avoid a decisive queen invasion.} ) 25.Rd7 Ng6 {From now on, White has many winning continuations. Caruana plays with his usual precision.} 26.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking both f7 and b7.} 26...Qxa2 27.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Nh8 {Another curious move, played out of necessity.} 28.Qxb7 Re8 29.Qc6 h6 30.Rxa7 Qb1+ 31.Kh2 Rf8 32.Qc4 {Preparing to advance the b-pawn.} 32...Rd8 33.b4 Rb8 ( 33...Rd1 {doesn't create any threats. White wins after} 34.Qc8+ Kh7 35.Qf5+ Ng6 36.Qxf7 Rh1+ 37.Kg3 ) 34.c3 Rd8 35.Qa2 Qe4 36.b5 Kh7 37.b6 f5 38.Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Careful play.} 38...Qb1 39.Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39...Rd6 40.Qe7 Rg6 41.Qxe5 {The queen finishes the game with some beautiful geometry.} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Isle of Man"]
[Date "2023.10.25"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Idani, Pouya"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Beauty "8246739896391"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "FID"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,63,19,-1,14,14,14,9,31,24,24,22,33,33,33,23,18,23,23,14,26,16,51,51,53,53,53,53,64,67,73,67,69,49,41,27,120,92,131,104,155,123,161,207,207,207,207,207,207,207,218,164,207,171,492,492,492,492,508,514,541,541,541,541,549,560]} 
1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 h6 {A curious move that has become popular recently. The idea is to avoid the development of the white bishop to g5.} 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bf4 ( 5.g3 Bd6 6.a3 O-O 7.g4 {This almost random sequence was played in an online game between Gukesh and Carlsen. Of course, knowing how to make mysterious moves with pawns is a secret to playing chess well nowadays. Gukesh-Carlsen, Chess.com (blitz) 2022.} ) 5...Bd6 6.Bxd6 Qxd6 7.c5 {Duda played this move quickly, so I assume it's home preparation. It's usually difficult to decide on this pawn advance because we instinctively want to maintain greater control of the center with the pawn on c4. Additionally, White needs to keep an eye on Black's breaks with e6-e5 and b7-b6. I emphasize again the importance of the pawn play, which will be the central positional theme in this game.} ( 7.e3 {is the main move.} ) 7...Qe7 8.e3 O-O 9.b4 {An important moment. Black must choose a plan of action.} 9...c6 ( 9...a6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a deep and interesting move. The idea is to develop the knight to c6.} 10.a4 ( 10.Be2 Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Black's point: the knight now cannot be attacked by b4-b5.} 11.Qb3 {Here Black has several interesting continuations. 11...Rd8, preparing e6-e5; 11...e5, sacrificing the d5-pawn, or 11...b6, opening the queenside, when the queen on b3 might be the subject of an attack after ...Rb8.} ) 10...b6 11.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preventing a6-a5.} 11...Nc6 12.axb6 cxb6 13.b5 Na5 14.Rxa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...bxa5 15.b6 Nd7 16.Be2 Nxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.dxc5 Qxc5 18.Qd4 Qxd4 19.exd4 Rb8 {This was Lokander-Van Foreest, Germany 2022. Both sides played with accuracy and imagination. Black later went on to win the endgame, although the computer evaluates the position as equal.} ) ( 9...b6 {is a natural choice, followed by a7-a5. This can also be played on the next move.} ) 10.Be2 a6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black simply wants to put the knight on d5 and then play e5-e4 and attack the kingside.} ( 10...b6 {is a standard, although passive, plan.} 11.O-O a5 12.a3 Ba6 {White has a small advantage in a position typical of the Queen's Gambit Declined.} ) ( 10...Nbd7 11.b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This gives White extra chances since the queen can use the a4-square.} ) 11.O-O Nbd7 12.a4 e5 13.Qc2 ( 13.b5 {is a little rushed.} 13...exd4 14.exd4 Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with counterplay, in Narayanan-Ghosh, Dhaka 2022.} ) 13...e4 14.Nd2 Nh7 15.b5 f5 {This natural move turns out to be a novelty.} ( 15...Qh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It's not clear what the queen is doing here.} 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.f3 {with a clear advantage for White in Beydullayeva-Basso, Novi Sad 2022.} ) 16.Nb3 {The knight is ready to go to a5. The position is complex and it's not clear that this is the best plan.} ( 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.a5 {is possible, when White can play Na4-b6, or Qa4, attacking the c6-pawn. The question is who is going to be faster, White on the queenside or Black on the kingside.} ) 16...a5 {Idani, for now, takes the a5-square from the knight.} ( 16...Qd8 {is possible, but it's difficult to retreat the queen like this.} ) ( 16...Ndf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move. Black has adequate counterplay. The knight on a5 is not as dangerous as it looks.} ) 17.Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Duda's intentions become clear on the next move.} 17...g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is too optimistic. Black needed a more subtle move.} ( 17...Ndf6 {is best. Now the knight sacrifice is no good.} 18.f4 {White needs to gains some space on the kingside.} ( 18.Na2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The primitive attack against the a5-pawn is too slow.} 18...Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The attack is already decisive, for instance:} 19.h3 Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.hxg4 fxg4 {Followed by a sacrifice on f3.} ) 18...exf3 19.Bxf3 Ng5 $13 ) 18.Nxa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Duda thought for more or less 15 minutes before executing this excellent move.} 18...Rxa5 19.Nxd5 cxd5 ( 19...Qd8 {doesn't help:} 20.Ne7+ $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Qxe7 21.Bc4+ Kh8 22.Qxa5 Ndf6 23.Qb6 {with a position similar to the game.} ) 20.Qxa5 Ndf6 21.Qb6 {There are alternatives, but Duda's plan is good and straightforward. He prepares to advance the a-pawn and the queen can help in defense, if needed, with Qb6-d6.} 21...f4 22.a5 ( 22.Qd6 {is also good.} ) 22...f3 23.gxf3 Bh3 {Idani desperately tries to create attacking chances, but the a-pawn is too fast.} 24.a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...exf3 25.Bxf3 bxa6 26.bxa6 {The natural human reaction. The pawn is two steps from paradise.} ( 26.Rxa6 {is a computer suggestion.} 26...Bxf1 27.Kxf1 g4 28.Ra7 Qe8 29.Qb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Qg6 30.Bxd5+ Kh8 {With the engine on we can see that White is winning, but during the game I'd still be afraid of the queen and two knights looking at my king.} ) 26...g4 ( 26...Bxf1 27.a7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Bh3 28.a8=Q Rxa8 29.Rxa8+ Nf8 30.c6 {The c-pawn is decisive.} ) ( 26...Qd7 {is the best practical chance.} 27.Qd6 {This is probably the simplest, but there are other good moves.} ( 27.a7 $2 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] But not this one, since after} 27...Qf5 {Black has serious threats.} ) 27...Qf5 ( 27...Qxd6 28.cxd6 Bxf1 29.Kxf1 Ra8 30.a7 {with a winning endgame.} ) 28.Be2 {White is able to defend the king.} ) 27.Qb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Qe6 ( 27...Qxb7 28.axb7 gxf3 29.Ra8 {The b-pawn promotes.} ) 28.Bh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Ng5 ( 28...Bxf1 29.a7 {wins.} ) 29.a7 Nf3+ 30.Bxf3 gxf3 31.Qb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move.} ( 31.Qc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is no good:} 31...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 31...Bxf1 32.a8=Q 1-0

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Lusail"]
[Date "2023.10.11"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Srihari, L R"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2839"]
[BlackElo "2438"]
[ECO "D11"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Beauty "8247008334374"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]

1.c4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 dxc4 {A solid opening choice. In return for the bishop pair Black fixes a couple of excellent central outposts for his knights.} ( {Harikrishna prefers to try and keep the bishop instead with} 6...Be4 7.f3 Bg6 8.Qb3 Qb6 9.c5 ( 9.Nxg6 {is always possible, of course.} ) 9...Qxb3 10.axb3 Na6 11.Bf4 Nd7 12.e4 Nb4 13.Ra4 a5 $146 {as in Salem,A (2679)-Harikrishna,P (2701) Prague 2022} ) ( {And} 6...Bg4 {is perfectly playable too, for example} 7.h3 Bh5 8.Qb3 Qb6 9.c5 Qc7 10.Bf4 Qc8 11.g4 Bg6 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.Bg2 Nbd7 {as in Inarkiev,E (2682)-Karjakin,S (2750) Nazran 2019} ) 7.Nxf5 exf5 8.e3 Bd6 ( {Last year Carlsen live-witnessed how Topalov gained counterplay in Norway after:} 8...Nbd7 9.Bxc4 Nb6 10.Bf1 Bd6 11.Bg2 O-O 12.Qd3 g6 13.Bd2 Re8 14.O-O-O Qe7 15.f3 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Mamedyarov, S (2759)-Topalov,V (2730) Stavanger 2022} ) 9.Bxc4 O-O 10.Qf3 g6 11.h3 {[#] There are a few opening lines in which one of the sides parts with one of the bishops early on and builds the pawns on the color of that bishop (for instance, the Caro-Kann, Scandinavian, and, of course, the Slav). This whole strategy depends heavily on the stability of the pawns. Will they manage to stand where they are $2 Or will they be blown away, thus opening the road for the \"extra\" bishop of the opponent $2 With his last move, Carlsen announces his intention to \"brickwall\" the opponent's pawns with g3-g4 $1} 11...Qe7 $146 {A good developing move, and a novelty.} ( {In an email predecessor, Black strengthened the control over the light squares immediately with:} 11...Bb4 12.Kf1 Nbd7 13.g4 Bxc3 14.bxc3 Qa5 15.Bd2 Ne4 16.Be1 Ng5 17.Qg2 Nf6 {Nyvlt,Z (2426)-Laffranchise,L (2477) ICCF email 2017} ) 12.O-O {White believes that he is not ready just yet.} ( {The immediate} 12.g4 {can be countered with the central counter-strike} 12...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.dxc5 Be5 14.Bd2 Qxc5 15.Bb3 Nc6 16.gxf5 Na5 {and seems to provide plenty of play for the pawn for Black.} ) ( {As for the idea of castling on the opposite side with} 12.Bd2 {Black would likely do the same} 12...Nbd7 13.g4 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 12...h5 {This looks like pouring oil while smoking a cigarette...} ( {Safer was to finish the development with} 12...Nbd7 {when} 13.g4 {can be met with} 13...b5 14.Bd3 b4 15.Ne2 fxg4 16.hxg4 c5 ) 13.Re1 Ne4 {And the cigarette suddenly drops...} ( {For good or bad, Black had to go for} 13...Nbd7 {then} 14.e4 fxe4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Rxe4 Qf6 17.Qe2 {is better for White, but there is a lot to play for.} ) 14.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With all conveniences $1 There are only positives about a move like this-the diagonal for the white bishop is extended, the black knights are deprived of secure squares, and then—the black king is getting exposed.} 14...hxg4 {Srihari decided to try his chances in an open battle.} ( {Maybe it was worth trying} 14...Ng5 15.Qg2 hxg4 16.hxg4 f4 17.e4 {although White is significantly better here too.} ) 15.hxg4 Bb4 ( {After} 15...Nxc3 16.bxc3 Qe4 {White can easily lift the blockading attempt with} 17.Qxe4 ( {Or} 17.Qg2 Qxg4 18.Qxg4 fxg4 19.e4 ) 17...fxe4 18.f3 exf3 19.e4 {with close to a decisive advantage for White.} ) 16.gxf5 Nxc3 17.bxc3 Bxc3 {Black wins material...} 18.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] ...but lacks defenders for his king. The long-range white pieces do not need lengthy maneuvers before creating mortal threats. White's last move is attacking prophylaxis. The threat is to capture on g6.} ( {But White also prevented the black queen from helping after} 18.fxg6 Qg5+ $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {And not} 18...Bxe1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Qh5 ) 19.Kf1 Qxg6 ) 18...Kg7 {Now and in the next few moves Black does not find the time to capture any of the white rooks.} ( {For if} 18...Bxe1 19.Qxg6+ Kh8 20.Qh6+ Kg8 21.f6 ) 19.e4 $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 19...Bxa1 ( {Nothing is changed after} 19...Bxe1 {can be met as in the game} 20.Bg5 f6 21.Bh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Kxh6 ( 21...Kh8 22.fxg6 ) 22.Qxg6# ) 20.Bg5 {The white pieces travel with the speed of light.} 20...Qb4 ( {Or the same old mate after} 20...f6 21.Bh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21.f6+ Kg8 22.Rxa1 Nd7 ( {Or mate after} 22...Qxc4 23.Qh4 ) 23.Qh3 ( {The end might have been} 23.Qh3 Qd6 24.Qh6 Nxf6 25.Qxg6+ ) 1-0

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Lusail, Qatar"]
[Date "2023.10.12"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Suleymenov, Alisher"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2512"]
[BlackElo "2839"]
[ECO "E12"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8250766447632"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteTeam "Kazakhstan"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "KAZ"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.a3 Ba6 5.Qc2 Bb7 6.Nc3 c5 7.e4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5 9.Nf3 ( {Relevant:} 9.Nb3 Nc6 10.Nxc5 bxc5 11.Be3 Nd4 12.Qd1 e5 13.Bd3 O-O 14.b4 d6 {Matlakov,M (2674)-Hakobyan,A (2601) Chess.com INT 2022} ) 9...Nc6 10.b4 Be7 {Carlsen knows everything, but after a few moves it will become clear that his opening strategy is too daring.} ( {According to Megabase 10... Bd6 is the modern continuation.} 10...Bd6 11.Bb2 Qb8 12.Nb5 Bf4 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Be2 a6 15.Nc3 Ne5 {as in Esen,B (2563)-Kovalenko,I (2650) Iasi 2015} ) ( {Whereas the main move is} 10...Nd4 {when after} 11.Qd2 Nxf3+ 12.gxf3 Be7 13.Bb2 a5 14.b5 Rc8 15.Rg1 g6 16.O-O-O {White started to exert serious pressure in Matlakov,M (2699)-Shcherbakov,R (2527) Moscow 2019} ) 11.Bb2 Qb8 12.Rd1 O-O {[#]} 13.Be2 $146 {A solid move. The happy Suleymenov admitted that he was dreaming of a draw before the game.} ( {The predecessor saw White fighting for an edge with:} 13.Bd3 d6 14.O-O h6 15.Rfe1 Ng4 16.Bf1 Nge5 17.Nd4 {Frey Beckman,K (2393)-Alba Martinez,J (2130) Mexico City 2006} ) 13...d6 14.O-O Rc8 ( 14...a6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( {Due to Nc6} 14...Qc7 {is almost never a good idea because of} 15.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Although here} 15.Nb5 {might be even stronger.} ) ) 15.Rfe1 {Another solid, and good, move. Black's Hedgehog is anything but impressive. The knight on c6 in particular does not feel \"happy\", it typically belongs on the d7-square.} 15...Bf8 16.Bf1 Ne7 {It seems it doesn't matter much how this knight maneuvers to g6, but there is a catch.} ( {In case of} 16...Ne5 {White has a pleasant choice between} 17.Nxe5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( {and} 17.Nd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 17...dxe5 18.Qb3 ) 17.Nb5 {A simple one-move threat, and an awkward situation for Carlsen.} 17...Ne8 ( {In hindsight, Black should have tried} 17...Ng6 {although here too, White's position is very promising after} 18.Qd3 Rd8 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.Qe3 {followed by the h-pawn advancing.} ) 18.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With the clear intention of capturing on f7 $1 The black pieces are so poorly coordinated that Carlsen cannot react well to the attack from both sides.} 18...Ng6 {The annoying knight cannot be chased away that easily.} ( {As} 18...h6 {invites} 19.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Kxf7 20.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Rd8 ( 20...dxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21.Bxe5 ) 21.exd6 Nxd6 22.Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack.} ( {Or the spectacular computer idea} 22.Qh7 $3 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 22...Nxb5 23.Be2 $3 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ) ) 19.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suleymenov's play is impeccable $1} 19...d5 ( {Not} 19...dxe5 20.Bxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when the black queen is trapped.} 20...Nxe5 21.Qxh7# ) 20.Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The same energetic approach. White knew what he would do next. The queen is lifted to an optimal position.} ( {There was nothing wrong with the solid} 20.f4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 20...Be7 {\"I already felt I am just winning. The only thing I had to care about was to calculate the variations properly.\" (Suleymenov)} ( {Nothing is changed by} 20...h6 21.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Kxf7 22.cxd5 ) ( {Or} 20...dxc4 21.Qh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...h6 22.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Kxf7 23.Rd7+ Kg8 ( 23...Be7 24.Nd6+ Nxd6 25.exd6 ) 24.Qxe6+ Kh7 25.Nd6 {when Black can barely move.} ) 21.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The logical has happened, and the better prepared army opens files and diagonals for its pieces.} 21...Kxf7 22.cxd5 Bxd5 ( {Or} 22...exd5 23.Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] which transposes.} ) 23.Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Gaining full control of the light squares.} 23...exd5 24.Qxd5+ Kf8 25.Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Nf4 ( {Suleymenov also saw the beautiful line} 25...Nc7 26.Qf3+ Kg8 27.Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] trapping the queen} 27...Qb7 28.Nxe7+ Nxe7 29.Qxb7 ) 26.Qf3 Kg8 27.Qxf4 {Now the attack runs with a material advantage for White, and he quickly finishes the job.} 27...Qb7 ( {The problems are everywhere} 27...Qc7 28.Ba6 Rcb8 29.Rc1 Qd7 30.e6 ) 28.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The imminent threat is Bf1-a6 $1} ( 28.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been good enough too.} ) 28...b5 29.Bxb5 Bf8 30.Bc4+ Kh8 31.Nh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {The end could have been} 31.Nh6 Nc7 32.Qf7 Bxb4 33.Qg8+ Rxg8 34.Nf7# ) 1-0

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Lusail, Qatar"]
[Date "2023.10.13"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Rasulov, Vugar Ural Oglu"]
[Black "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2560"]
[BlackElo "2712"]
[ECO "B85"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Beauty "7629896161809"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]

{[%evp 0,80,19,29,40,54,37,36,25,40,29,32,88,88,88,87,70,73,83,61,62,52,48,44,53,21,67,60,66,11,10,-6,10,10,-4,13,21,6,37,32,46,22,0,-9,26,10,-9,-9,-9,-67,-50,-48,-13,-67,-35,-31,-31,-98,-98,-98,-94,-78,-101,-73,-105,-105,-105,-105,-95,-95,-111,-113,-88,-115,-91,-238,-238,-447,-441,-454,-454,-452,-457]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.Be2 Nf6 8.O-O Be7 9.f4 d6 {The Scheveningen has not been a common guest at the top level of late. Perhaps it's time for a change $2} 10.Qe1 Bd7 11.Qg3 O-O {Arjun does not hesitate and transposes into the main line.} ( {With the move order chosen Black might also have opted for} 11...g6 ) 12.Rae1 b5 13.a3 Rab8 {Played after some thought.} ( {Another way to play it was} 13...Nxd4 14.Bxd4 Bc6 ) 14.Bd3 {Rasulov continues to improve his positon. The white bishop is often ideally positioned on the b1-d3 diagonal.} ( {But the principled continuation was} 14.e5 {with the idea to meet} 14...dxe5 {with} ( 14...Ne8 $5 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 15.fxe5 Nxe5 {And now not the timid} ( 15...Ne8 $5 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 16.Kh1 ( {but the aggressive} 16.Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Ne8 17.Bf4 f6 18.Ne4 {with an interesting attack and full compensation for the pawn for White.} ) 16...Rbc8 ( 16...Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 17.Bf4 Bd6 18.Bxb5 Nh5 19.Qe3 Nxf4 20.Qxf4 Nc4 21.Qh4 axb5 {and Black won later in Bindrich,O (2173) -Vernay,C (2442) Caleta 2010} ) 14...b4 15.axb4 ( {Black did not experience any problems in the recent top-GM game after:} 15.Nce2 bxa3 16.bxa3 d5 17.e5 Ne4 18.Qh3 Nxd4 19.Nxd4 Bxa3 20.Bxa6 Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Rd1 Bc5 22.Bd3 Rb4 {Caruana,F (2786)-Mamedyarov,S (2734) Chess.com INT 2023} ) 15...Rxb4 $146 {A logical and strong move. And a novelty.} ( {The predecessor saw White apply pressure after:} 15...Nxb4 16.e5 Nh5 17.Qh3 Nxd3 18.cxd3 g6 19.Rc1 Qd8 20.Ne4 Rxb2 21.exd6 Bf6 22.Nxf6+ Nxf6 23.Nc6 Bxc6 24.Rxc6 Nd5 25.Bd4 {Gazik,I (2435)-Orsag,M (2415) Czechoslovakia 1992} ) 16.Nb3 a5 {This pawn might be a weakness or a strength in the Scheveningen. It all depends on whether it threatens to go forward or stands still, waiting to be captured.} 17.Ra1 Rfb8 ( {After} 17...Ra8 {White is in time to parry the threat with} 18.Ra3 a4 19.Rfa1 ) 18.Qf3 ( 18.Kh1 $5 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 18...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice maneuver $1 Arjun is ready to fianchetto his dark-squared bishop, but his knight might also enjoy the h5-square.} 19.Kh1 {White has to watch out for the central breaks.} ( {As in the line} 19.Ra3 d5 20.e5 Nh5 ) 19...Bf8 20.Bg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important prophylactic move.} ( {The immediate attack of the a5-pawn with} 20.Ra3 {is tempting, but it will once again backfire due to} 20...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.e5 ( {Or} 21.exd5 exd5 22.Nxd5 Nxd5 23.Qxd5 Be6 {when Black's initiative is too strong.} ) 21...Nh5 {with the threat of d5-d4.} ( {Or maybe even better, the immediate} 21...d4 22.exf6 dxe3 23.Qxe3 Qd8 24.Ne4 a4 25.Nbc5 Nd4 {when Black once again has more than enough compensation thanks to his full control of the dark squares.} ) ) 20...Bg7 21.Ra3 Bf8 22.Raa1 {After some thought, Rasulov decided to test his opponent's intentions.} 22...Bg7 23.Ra3 e5 $3 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] And Arjun chose to play for the win $1 The move in the game is a typical fight for the center, but here it's connected to an interesting positional exchange sacrifice.} 24.Be3 {A concession.} ( {To start with} 24.f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is wrong due to} 24...gxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true]} 25.exf5 a4 26.Nd2 Ne7 {when the black center is ready to roll.} ) ( {The principled line was} 24.Na2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when after} 24...R4b7 25.Ba6 {the rook is trapped. This apparently did not worry the second player as he has} 25...Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] winnng the more important of the white bishops, and after} 26.Bxb6 Qxb6 27.Bd3 exf4 28.Qxf4 Ne5 {Black's compensation for the exchnage would have been obvious. Still, this would have been White's best chance.} ) 24...a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Energetic play $1 It is also a small tacticthat helps Black establish firm control of the center.} 25.Nd2 ( {Naturally not} 25.Rxa4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true]} 25...Rxa4 26.Nxa4 Nd4 ) ( {Whereas} 25.Nxa4 {would have promised Black the same old dark-squared domination/compensation after} 25...Nd4 26.Bxd4 exd4 27.Rfa1 Ng4 ) 25...exf4 26.Bxf4 Nd4 27.Qf2 Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The point behind Arun's play. He is once again pressing for full control over the dark squares.} 28.Bh6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] And after this, Black succeeds.} ( {It made sense to keep the bishop alive with either} 28.Bg3 {when} 28...Bc6 29.h3 Nh5 30.Bh2 {still leads to problems after} 30...Be5 ( {Or even better, the in-between} 30...Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Qe1 Be5 ) ) ( {Black would definitely have been more active in case of} 28.Be3 Bc6 29.Qf3 Nc5 ) 28...Bxh6 29.Qxf6 Bc6 30.Nc4 Bg7 31.Qf2 Nc5 {In comparison to the exchange sacrifice above, Black has all the dark squares now for free.} 32.Qf4 Rd8 {Arjun maneuvers, as he knows that his bishops will only get stronger with the time.} ( {And if he wishes, Black can even afford to sacrifice a bit of material with} 32...Qe7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 33.Nxd6 Be5 34.Qxf7+ Qxf7 35.Nxf7 Bg7 {with a clear edge for Black, despite the two-pawn deficit.} ) 33.h3 Qe7 34.Na5 Ba8 35.Bc4 Ne6 36.Qd2 Rxb2 37.Nxa4 {A blunder $1} ( {The other capture was needed} 37.Rxa4 {when Black can preserve an edge with either} 37...Rc8 $5 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( {Or} 37...Qg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ) 37...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This strike again $1} 38.Rd3 ( {Or} 38.Nxb2 Bxb2 ( {Or} 38...Qxa3 39.exd5 Bxb2 {with a win.} ) ) 38...dxc4 39.Rxd8+ Nxd8 40.Nxb2 c3 0-1

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Lusail, Qatar"]
[Date "2023.10.14"]
[Round "4.6"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Yilmazyerli, Mert"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2533"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[Beauty "6736521990187"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Turkey"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "TUR"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nd3 {One of the many attempts to get \"a game\" against the Petroff.} ( {Carlsen in his turn recently tried another well forgotten line:} 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Qe2 Qe7 6.d3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Qxe2+ 8.Bxe2 Be7 9.Bd2 O-O 10.O-O-O a6 11.Rhe1 Re8 12.d4 h6 13.Bd3 Bg4 14.h3 Bxf3 15.gxf3 {Carlsen,M (2839)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2771) Chess.com INT 2023} ) 4...Nxe4 5.Nf4 d5 6.d4 Be7 7.Bd3 O-O 8.O-O Nf6 9.h3 Re8 10.Re1 $146 {This obvious move is a novelty and was played after lengthy thought.} ( {White did not get much in the predecessor game:} 10.Be3 Nc6 11.c3 Bd6 12.Qf3 Ne7 13.Nd2 c6 14.Rfe1 Ng6 15.Nh5 Nxh5 16.Qxh5 Bd7 {Fedoseev,V (2704)-Nihal,S (2652) Riga 2021} ) 10...Bd6 11.Rxe8+ Qxe8 12.Nc3 {Neither did White get anything out of the opening here. The full symmetry suggests approximate equality, despite the extra tempo for White and the slightly improved position of his kingside knight.} 12...c6 13.Bd2 Nbd7 14.Qf3 Nf8 15.Re1 {Yes, White got the open file, but how can you use it when there are no infiltration squares $2} 15...Qd8 16.Nce2 Bd7 {Many people would have thought about shaking hands already, either here, or after a few more maneuvers and trading along the only open file.} ( {Also good and solid is} 16...Ng6 17.Ng3 Bd7 ) 17.b3 {Gukesh, however, has another opinion on the matter. For starters, he finds a plan.} ( {White does not want to allow an isolani.} 17.c4 dxc4 18.Bxc4 ) 17...Qb6 18.Rb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] White is further preparing the c2-c4 advance.} ( {The immediate} 18.c4 {would have been met with} 18...Bb4 ) 18...Re8 19.c4 Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The same idea is best here as well, and Yilmazyerli is correctly trying to seal the queenside.} 20.Be3 {Continuing to play for imbalances.} ( {Instead, trades such as} 20.Bxb4 Qxb4 21.cxd5 cxd5 22.Nxd5 Nxd5 23.Qxd5 {have a tendency to completely dry up a position, and this is no exception after} 23...Qd2 24.Qf3 Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 24...Qxa2 25.Nc3 {is less convincing.} ) 25.d5 Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Qxd5 Rxe2 {with total equality.} ) 20...Qa5 21.a3 $3 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Wow $1 That's what great mastery is all about. Any position may become dull or may turn into a fantastic opportunity when played by a creative genius $1} 21...Bd6 {Yilmazyerli is once again very cautious.} ( {It seems as though the pawn could have been taken by either of Black's pieces. However, in both lines Black needed to avoid the automatic captures, for example} 21...Bxa3 22.Ra1 Qb4 23.cxd5 {would be strongly met with} 23...Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {It's less strong to play} 23...cxd5 24.Nxd5 Nxd5 25.Qxd5 {when White gets what he wants.} ) ) ( {And} 21...Qxa3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] should be fine for Black after} 22.cxd5 Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 22.b4 {There is no longer a way back, and Black needs to accept the challenge.} 22...Qxa3 23.c5 Bc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black is creative and brave $1} ( {Objectively, however, it would have been better to play} 23...Bxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Bxf4 ( 24.Nxf4 Ne4 ) 24...Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] tying down the opponent's pieces.} ) 24.Bc1 Qa2 25.Nc3 {The queen is trapped, but...} 25...Re1+ 26.Kh2 Qxb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Yilmazyerli has foreseen all of this.} 27.Nxb1 Rxc1 {Black has enough material for her majesty.} 28.g3 {His rook is in trouble, though; therefore, Black rushes back home.} 28...Re1 ( {White is better after} 28...Bxf4 29.Qxf4 Re1 30.Nd2 ) 29.Ne2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] With the clear intention of trapping the black rook now for a change after Qf3-e3-d2 $1} ( 29.Na3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 29...Ng6 30.Nc2 {might have been an option too.} ) 29...Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Yilmazyerli finds powerful counterplay, and in the process, he sets a nasty trap.} ( {Instead} 29...Ng6 {would also have set up the same idea, but White there has} 30.Kg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {But not} 30.Qe3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30...Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Nd2 Bxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 30...a5 31.Qe3 {when the black rook is still in danger.} ( {Or} 31.bxa5 Bxa5 32.Qe3 ) ) 30.Qe3 h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move in Black's plan.} 31.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Gukesh is careful, and the rook is still trapped.} ( {The trap would be revealed after} 31.Qd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31...Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when it is suddenly Black who is trapping the white pieces.} ) 31...g5 $3 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Brilliant;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true] And that was Black's additional counterplay $1 He gets powerful compensation on the dark squares.} 32.Qd2 Rxe2+ $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Bxe2 ( 33.Qxe2 {is perhaps a tad more accurate.} 33...gxf4 34.Kh1 fxg3 35.Qe3 ) 33...gxf4 34.Nc3 fxg3+ 35.Kh1 {The position has undergone another metamorphosis. Black now has just two minor pieces for the queen but also three pawns. And what pawns they are $1} 35...Bf4 {In time trouble, a player may not be able to determine on which square which piece belongs.} ( {It turns out that the knight needed it for the time being, and after} 35...Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36.Qe3 ( 36.Bf1 Bf5 ) 36...Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black could have supported the g3-passer with his h-pawn. Here, too, lies a small trap} 37.Qxh6 $4 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 37...Bf4 ) 36.Qd3 Ng5 37.Bf1 Nfe4 {Black is trying to lock the queen in.} 38.Nxe4 dxe4 ( {Not much is changed after} 38...Nxe4 39.Qf3 Bc7 40.Kg1 {White would still need to find a way to infiltrate the opponent's camp.} ) 39.Qe2 Be6 40.Bg2 f5 {Ahhh, the dreadful 40th move $1} ( {Yilmazyerli correctly avoided} 40...Bd5 41.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {But the study-like} 40...h5 $3 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] would likely have built a fortress after} 41.Qxh5 e3 42.Qe2 Nxh3 43.Bxh3 Bxh3 44.Qf3 e2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45.Qxe2 Be6 {and, as the bishop supports the passer, White should find a way through.} ) 41.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Gukesh finds entry points for his queen.} 41...Nf7 {After this, Black stood no chance.} ( {I am very curious to find out if} 41...Kg7 $3 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 42.hxg5 hxg5 {is an incredible fortress or not. White can certainly try} 43.b5 Bd5 44.bxc6 bxc6 45.Qa6 {but whether White is winning after} 45...Be3 {I do not know. It would be very interesting to hear the readers' opinions on the matter $1} ) 42.Bh3 e3 43.Kg1 Kg7 ( {If} 43...Bd5 44.Bxf5 {wins for White.} ( {Or} 44.Bg2 ) ) 44.Qf3 e2 45.Qxe2 Kf6 46.Bg2 a6 47.Qd3 h5 48.Bf3 {Gukesh slowly finds his way in.} 48...Nh6 49.Bxh5 Ng4 50.Bxg4 fxg4 51.Qe4 Bc7 52.h5 {White has broken through and deserves the win.} 52...Bf5 53.Qe3 Be6 54.Qh6+ {A fantastic game by both players $1} 1-0

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Lusail, Qatar"]
[Date "2023.10.15"]
[Round "5.14"]
[White "Vaishali, Rameshbabu"]
[Black "Vokhidov, Shamsiddin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2448"]
[BlackElo "2578"]
[ECO "B41"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8042326261769"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Uzbekistan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "UZB"]

{[%evp 0,69,19,38,40,41,41,32,28,27,81,26,50,40,30,26,29,21,31,27,33,20,37,37,36,23,37,24,19,21,14,17,35,27,30,-5,-8,-20,13,-14,27,19,67,58,61,88,96,92,119,144,146,146,183,180,186,194,194,216,216,202,205,214,236,245,259,264,298,274,305,300,306,309]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.h3 {Well, players can move like this, evidently $1 When I was a kid, they taught us that White can never afford to lose tempi in the opening, especially in the Sicilian. But since the main lines have been explored too deeply, and some even started to get exhausted by the machines, the humans decided to adopt the fresh approach of making small, useful moves, rather than entering the computer jungle at once.} 5...Nc6 {Played after some thought. Black has plenty of moves to choose from.} ( {The original move order of the game Warmerdam-Sprenger is} 5...Nf6 6.Bd3 Nc6 ( {There is also} 6...e5 {to which White needs to avoid} 7.Nf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( {However} 7.Nb3 d5 8.exd5 Qxd5 9.O-O {seems good for the first player.} ) 7...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.O-O d5 {(see below).} ) ( {The immediate central strike does not worry White} 5...d5 6.exd5 Qxd5 7.Be3 {promises the first player an edge in a position more common for the French Defense.} ) ( 5...d6 {now or a bit later to switch to a Scheveningen is definitely an idea.} ) ( 5...b5 {might be checked in future as well.} ) 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 Nf6 8.O-O d5 9.Nd2 Be7 {So far both players have followed the only GM game played in the line.} 10.b3 $146 {And here Vaishali deviated after some thought.} ( {The predecessor game saw:} 10.c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] which is a more typical way to play in the line} 10...O-O 11.e5 Nd7 12.Nf3 a5 13.Qc2 h6 14.Bf4 Ba6 15.Rfd1 {Warmerdam,M (2600)-Sprenger,J (2483) Germany 2022} ) ( {Another standard move is} 10.Re1 $5 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 10...O-O 11.Bb2 a5 12.a4 {Completely deviating from Warmerdam's plan.} ( {There is still a possibility for} 12.c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 12...Ba6 13.Qe2 ) 12...Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A common but nevertheless nice maneuver for Black.} 13.Re1 Bf6 {This is why the previous move was played.} ( {However, there is an argument for the central approach with} 13...Nc5 14.Bf1 f6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 14.Bxf6 ( {With the inclusion of the a2-a4 and a7-a5 moves, the locking of the center} 14.e5 Be7 15.c4 Ba6 {is not too appealing for White. The b3-pawn would remain a palpable weakness.} ) 14...Qxf6 15.Nf3 Ba6 16.exd5 cxd5 17.Bxa6 Rxa6 {It is time to summarize the situation. White did not achieve any advantage from the opening. In fact, if she allows Black a chance to consolidate, it would be Vokhidov who would enjoy the better prospects, provided he places his rooks on the b- and c-files.} 18.c4 {That is why Vaishali opts for pawn trades.} 18...Rd6 {The impression is that Vokhidov is trying to unbalance the position in order to play for a win.} ( {If Black was good with the draw, he could have chosen} 18...Nc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19.cxd5 Rd6 20.Re5 Rfd8 21.Ra2 Rxd5 22.Rxd5 Rxd5 23.Rd2 Qd8 ) ( {Instead} 18...Nb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19.Rc1 dxc4 20.bxc4 Raa8 21.c5 {would only have led Black into trouble.} ) 19.Qd2 Nc5 {Complicating further...} ( {Safer is} 19...Qd8 20.b4 axb4 21.Qxb4 Qb8 22.Qxb8 Rxb8 23.cxd5 Rxd5 {with a likely draw.} ) 20.Qxa5 {Vaishali accepts the challenge.} 20...Nxb3 ( {The computer claims that Black could still have held with} 20...Nd3 21.Red1 dxc4 22.bxc4 h6 {but that was not what Black was aiming for.} ) 21.Qb4 Nxa1 ( {The other principled forcing line is} 21...dxc4 22.Qxd6 Nxa1 {to which White had} 23.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] threatening both Re1xa1 and Qd6xf8+ $1 (or Ne5-d7 for that matter) when} 23...Rd8 {is more or less forced, but after} 24.Qc7 Nc2 {White has the fantastic resource} 25.Nd7 $3 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Self-pinning $1} 25...Qe7 26.Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] but counterattacking thanks to the X-ray power of her pieces. The threat of Nd7-f6+ can be stopped with} 26...Kh8 {but then} 27.Qxc4 {highlights the problems of Black's back-rank weakness, as well as the excluded knight.} ) 22.Qxd6 Nc2 {The knight is out, but...} ( 22...dxc4 23.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have transposed to the line above.} ) 23.Rb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Highlighting the back-rank weakness. This means that Vokhidov needs to lose more tempi.} 23...Qd8 ( 23...dxc4 24.Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {Or} 23...h6 24.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] doesn't help either.} ) 24.c5 Na3 25.Rb7 Nc4 {And what is more important, the queens are traded.} 26.Qxd8 Rxd8 27.c6 {Thus the white passers are far enough advanced and well enough supported to wrap up the game.} 27...Kf8 ( 27...Rc8 28.c7 Kf8 29.Rb8 ) 28.c7 Rc8 29.Rb8 Nd6 30.Nd4 Ke7 31.Nb5 d4 ( {Or} 31...Kd7 32.Nxd6 ) 32.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] No rush. The opponent is not going anywhere.} ( {No need even for the slightest complication.} 32.Nxd6 Rxc7 33.Nb5 Rc1+ ) 32...f6 ( {Or} 32...Kd7 33.Nxd6 Rxc7 34.Nxf7 ) 33.a5 Kd7 34.Nxd6 Rxc7 35.Nb5 1-0

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Lusail, Qatar"]
[Date "2023.10.17"]
[Round "6.4"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Makarian, Rudik"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2712"]
[BlackElo "2548"]
[ECO "D15"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Beauty "7562229467176"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "FID"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]

{[%evp 0,83,17,-9,42,36,42,42,35,35,35,44,51,57,61,22,22,22,22,-8,62,60,62,62,61,35,44,28,32,18,12,21,10,5,7,-31,-48,-33,-3,19,13,9,85,1,3,-72,-16,-69,-67,-75,-36,-36,13,-56,-42,-54,-6,1,40,45,91,102,102,110,101,107,126,121,188,189,174,150,157,168,300,253,278,171,375,329,546,497,532,532,737,794]} 
1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 {The Chebanenko Slav, named after a prominent Moldovan coach, is one of the most important opening discoveries of the second half of the twentieth century.} 5.d4 Bf5 6.Qb3 b5 7.c5 a5 8.Nh4 Bc8 {The bishop is far from shy about moving back to the initial position in many lines of the Slav.} ( {And sometimes, it uses tricky ideas to remain active, as in the following game:} 8...Be6 9.Qc2 g6 10.Bd3 Bg7 11.O-O O-O 12.Bd2 Nfd7 13.Ne2 Bg4 14.f3 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.g3 ( 15.fxg4 Qxh4 ) 15...Be6 {Moussard,J (2680) -Mastrovasilis,D (2599) Vrnjacka Banja 2023} ) 9.f4 {All of this has been seen in a game from the 2018 Batumi Olympiad, which both opponents should definitely have known. After a long think, Makarian set up the board for a new game...} 9...Ng8 $5 $146 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Jokes aside, there is a serious threat behind this retreat. Besides, the move prepares the optimal development of the black pieces.} ( {Black actually did well in the predecessor game after:} 9...g6 10.Bd3 Nh5 11.Nf3 Bf5 12.e4 a4 13.Qc2 dxe4 14.Bxe4 Bxe4 15.Nxe4 Bg7 {Gelfand,B (2703) -Grandelius $146 (2655) Batumi 2018} ) 10.Nf3 {Erigaisi also spent a good amount of time on the clock before retreating himself.} ( {The threat is revealed in case of the simple-minded development} 10.Bd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 10...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when Black, without a single developed piece, is suddenly almost winning $1} ) 10...a4 {Apparently also a necessary pawn move.} ( {The immediate development} 10...g6 {allows a powerful sacrifice} 11.Nxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11...cxb5 12.Bxb5+ Bd7 13.Qxd5 Bxb5 14.Qxa8 {and White wins material.} ) 11.Qc2 g6 {Quite a picturesque position $1 Black has played \"beginner's chess,\" using only his pawns instead of developing the pieces. Still, since his pieces are about to occupy their optimal squares, and since, of course, the position is locked, he can afford to play like that $1} 12.Ne5 {White prefers to preserve his light-squared bishop from a possible trade.} ( {It was also possible to play against his opponent's light-squared bishop with} 12.Bd3 Bg7 13.h3 {but Black dodges that with} 13...h5 14.Bd2 Nh6 15.O-O-O Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 12...Bg7 {Black also keeps his light-squared bishop on its initial square for the time being.} ( {The immediate} 12...Bf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was also possible, when Black does not need to fear} 13.e4 Bxe4 14.Nxe4 dxe4 15.Qxe4 Nf6 16.Qf3 Qd5 ) 13.Bd2 Nh6 ( {Makarian is correctly avoiding} 13...Bf5 14.Qd1 h5 {when White can sacrifice at once with} 15.Nxc6 Nxc6 16.Bxb5 Qd7 17.Nxa4 {which would be an improved version of the sacrifice in the game.} ) 14.Be2 {White has to lose a tempo for starters.} ( {Here} 14.Nxc6 Nxc6 15.Nxb5 Bd7 {is not as convincing for White.} ) 14...O-O 15.O-O Bf5 16.Qd1 f6 {Played without much hesitation.} 17.Nxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This sacrifice was always in the air, but in this particular case it seemed more or less forced.} ( {The retreat allows the freeing break} 17.Nf3 e5 {which, at a glance, looks dubious for Black in the line} 18.fxe5 fxe5 ( {However, the beautiful pawn sacrifice} 18...Nd7 $3 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 19.exf6 Nxf6 20.Ne5 Qe8 {leads to a pleasant position for the second player.} ) 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.dxe5 Nf7 21.Be1 {with an edge for White.} ) 17...Nxc6 18.Bxb5 Bg4 {This only helps White.} ( {Two ideas made more sense. The sharp} 18...Na5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19.Nxa4 Nc4 ) ( {as well as the immediate} 18...Na7 19.Bxa4 Rb8 20.Qc1 {Black can use the tempo saved for something creative, like} ( {Amazingly, even here the computer finds tactics.} 20.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Rxb4 21.Bb3 e6 22.Nxd5 Rxb3 23.axb3 Qxd5 24.Rxa7 Be4 25.Qe2 Qxb3 {This is still unclear.} ) 20...e5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 19.Qc1 Na7 20.Bxa4 {Did I actually say sacrifice $2 Erigaisi has three pawns for the piece, and with the help of some tempi will quickly be able to rush them up to the queening squares.} 20...Kh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Necessary prophylaxis.} ( {The immediate} 20...e5 {is refuted by} 21.Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21.Bb3 {With his next maneuvers, White tries to deprive his opponent of any active counterplay in the center.} ( {The immediate} 21.b4 e5 22.b5 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] might have led to a total mess.} ) 21...e6 22.Na4 Nc8 23.Bd1 {Or else the black bishop might switch to the a6-f1 diagonal.} 23...Bxd1 24.Qxd1 Qd7 {Obvious, but since White has lost a few tempi, it feels as though Black should have something more.} ( 24...e5 {is always a candidate, for example} 25.b4 exd4 26.exd4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by a knight transfer to the e4-outpost.} ) 25.b3 {A do or die moment for Black.} 25...Qc6 {And he maneuvers...This is too slow $1} ( {Two other options are more tempting:} 25...e5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] when Black need not fear} 26.fxe5 fxe5 27.Rxf8+ Bxf8 28.dxe5 Qe6 ) ( {And} 25...Nf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 26.Bc3 {Now e6-e5 no longer seems to be a good idea.} 26...Ra7 {Makarian sends all the reserves to the kingside, but who will stop the passers on the other side of the board $2} ( {However, Black had another way to search for kingside counterplay} 26...Nf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 27.Qd3 g5 ) 27.Qd2 Raf7 28.Nb2 e5 ( {It was not too late for} 28...g5 29.fxg5 fxg5 30.Rxf7 Nxf7 ) 29.b4 {Time for Erigaisi's pawns to steamroll.} 29...exf4 30.exf4 Re7 {Clearly the counterplay has not achieved its aim.} ( {Here} 30...f5 {is already too slow due to} 31.a4 Ng4 32.Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 31.a4 {The pawns are moving too fast.} 31...Re4 32.b5 Qe6 33.Rfe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The trade of the heavy pieces deprives Black of any hopes.} 33...Qf5 ( {Or} 33...Re8 34.Nd3 ) 34.Rxe4 dxe4 35.Nc4 Ne7 36.a5 Nd5 37.a6 Ng4 38.h3 {A small subtlety.} 38...e3 {This loses, but...} ( {The retreat was not an option.} 38...Nh6 39.a7 ) 39.hxg4 exd2 40.gxf5 Nxc3 41.b6 d1=N {A little pre-resignation humor.} 42.Rxd1 1-0

[Event "Masters"]
[Site "Lusail, Qatar"]
[Date "2023.10.18"]
[Round "7.8"]
[White "Kaidanov, Gregory S"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2554"]
[BlackElo "2707"]
[ECO "D47"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8249021579299"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "Netherlands"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NED"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 d5 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Be7 {A rare move. Van Foreest had prepared something...} ( {The main line of the Meran runs} 5...Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 Bb7 {when the common white replies are} 9.O-O ( {Or} 9.e4 ) ( {Or} 9.a3 ) ) 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 {It was Bent Larsen who figured out that this pawn can be advanced without the necessity of preparing it with a7-a6.} 8.Bd3 b4 {Apparently Black wants to prevent the e3-e4 advance.} ( {Which is still possible after} 8...Bb7 9.e4 b4 10.Na4 Nbd7 11.e5 Nd5 12.O-O Rc8 13.Bd2 c5 14.Nxc5 Nxc5 15.dxc5 Bxc5 16.Rc1 {as in Delchev,A (2543)-Yordanov,L (2259) Sofia 2020} ) 9.Ne4 {The most common reply.} 9...Nbd7 10.Nxf6+ Nxf6 11.e4 {And this is played anyway $1 Always a dangerous move against the Slav.} 11...Bb7 12.O-O O-O 13.e5 {Once the black knight is removed from the f6-spot, all kinds of tactics start to lurk.} 13...Nd7 {Van Foreest does not blink and keeps blitzing.} 14.Be4 Qb6 {It was only here that Black started to think, and he spent almost twenty-five minutes on the clock for his last move. Alas, without the queen in Her residency, Black's kingdom is in a horrible state.} ( {Black managed to hold on in the following game:} 14...Rb8 15.a3 bxa3 16.b4 h6 17.Bb1 Re8 18.Qd3 Nf8 19.Qxa3 a5 20.Qxa5 Qd7 21.Qa3 Ra8 22.Qb2 Rxa1 23.Qxa1 Bxb4 24.Be4 c5 25.Bxb7 Qxb7 {½-½ (25) Flear,G (2420)-Novikov,I (2551) Prague 2020} ) ( {I guess Van Foreest's choice of opening was a failure, as his opponent definitely knew a couple of important games in the line. First is the following one:} 14...f5 {Why Black is pushing this pawn will become evident from the game continuation.} 15.exf6 Nxf6 16.Bc2 c5 17.Bb3 Bd5 18.dxc5 Bxc5 19.Bg5 Qb6 20.Bxd5 Nxd5 21.Qd3 Rf5 {Tal,M (2600) -Sveshnikov,E (2535) Sochi 1986} ) 15.Bg5 {A normal positional idea $2} 15...Bxg5 {Blitzed out in a flash, and probably Kaidanov could not believe his eyes. After a thorough check, he executed a famous tactical idea.} 16.Bxh7+ $3 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The Greek gift sacrifice at the very top level $1} ( {It promises White nothing to play} 16.Nxg5 h6 ) 16...Kxh7 17.Nxg5+ Kg6 {The only move, but as we shall see, Van Foreest has missed an important detail.} ( {There is no way back} 17...Kg8 18.Qh5 Rfd8 19.Qxf7+ Kh8 20.Nxe6 Rg8 21.Qh5# ) ( {Whereas} 17...Kh6 {would have finished the game even faster after} 18.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...f5 19.Qh4+ {Check $1} 19...Kg6 20.Qh7+ Kxg5 21.f4+ Kg4 22.Qh3# ) 18.Qg4 f5 19.Qg3 Qxd4 $146 {This was the move that Black was hoping for. Believe it or not, this is a novelty. Which, however, changes nothing.} ( {I strongly suspect that Kaidanov was aware of the predecessor game:} 19...Rh8 20.Nxe6+ Kf7 21.Qb3 ( 21.Nxg7 $5 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 21...Rhg8 22.e6+ Kf8 23.Qd6+ Kxg7 24.Qxd7+ ) 21...Ke7 22.Nxg7 Rag8 23.Nxf5+ Kd8 24.Nd6 Kc7 25.Rac1 Kb8 26.Nxb7 Qxb7 27.Qf3 Rg6 28.Rfe1 Nb6 29.e6 Qc7 30.g3 Rc8 31.e7 Qd7 32.Re5 Nd5 33.Qxd5 {1-0 (33) Grigorian,K (2475)-Dobosz,H (2385) Yerevan 1980. A game which was likely published in at least one of the major chess magazines in the USSR at that time.} ) 20.Ne4+ $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Black sank back into deep thought, but there was no way back for him anymore.} ( {It looks tempting to play} 20.Nxe6+ Qg4 21.Qd3 Nxe5 22.Nxf8+ {hoping for the obvious line} 22...Rxf8 ( {But instead Black has the stunning} 22...Kh5 $3 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] when nothing is clear at all.} ) 23.Qd6+ Rf6 24.Qxe5 {When White wins.} ) 20...Kh7 {At least trying to slightly worsen the position of the white queen.} ( {As if} 20...Kf7 21.Rad1 Qxe4 ( {Or} 21...f4 {to which the simplest is} 22.Qf3 ) ( 21...Qxe5 22.Rxd7+ {and the black queen drops.} ) 22.Rxd7+ Ke8 23.Qxg7 {is inevitable mate.} ) 21.Qh4+ Kg6 ( {Not} 21...Kg8 22.Nf6+ ) 22.Qg5+ Kf7 23.Rad1 {Now Black can take the pawn.} 23...Qxe5 24.Rxd7+ Kg8 25.Rxb7 {But White won a piece nevertheless and quickly finished the job.} 25...Qxb2 26.Nc5 Rf7 27.Rxf7 Kxf7 28.Rd1 Qe5 29.Rd7+ Kg8 30.h4 Re8 31.Qg6 {Shoutout to the good-old-well-forgotten $1} 1-0

[Event "Masters 2023"]
[Site "Lusail, Qatar"]
[Date "2023.10.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Kevlishvili, Robby"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2521"]
[ECO "A46"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8251726928912"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 e6 3.e3 c5 4.Nf3 Be7 5.h4 {A surprising advance and a theoretical novelty, according to my database. It's not shocking that the calmer pawn advance to h3 is the most popular move. I'm not sure if this move was part of his home preparation or the result of over-the-board inspiration, but Gukesh's courage and creativity must be praised. Compared to 5.h3, the move played also opens up space so that the bishop is not attacked with Nf6-h5. However, White already indicated that his plans involve castling queenside and advancing pawns on the kingside.} 5...b6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Choosing a move is hard when there are so many options. Gukesh's strong reply shows the flaws with Black's move.} ( 5...d5 ) ( 5...O-O ) ( 5...Qb6 ) 6.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another move that ignores aesthetic prejudices. The knight heads to b5 and also supports the d4-d5 advance.} 6...cxd4 {The alternatives are not enough to equalize. White retains pressure in all following alternatives:} ( 6...Bb7 7.Nb5 ) ( 6...a6 7.d5 ) ( 6...O-O 7.Nb5 Na6 8.Nd6 ) 7.Nxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way to fight for the initiative. The queen will be developed on f3. White's pieces are very active.} 7...O-O ( 7...a6 {avoids the knight move to b5, but after} 8.Qf3 d5 9.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White starts advancing on the kingside.} ) 8.Ndb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a tempting move, but objectively it's stronger to prioritize development with} ( 8.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 8...d5 9.O-O-O {with the idea of g4-g5. If Black tries to win the exchange, White gets more than enough compensation after} 9...e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 10.Bxe5 Bg4 11.Qg3 Bxd1 12.Nxd1 ) 8...Ne8 9.Qf3 Nc6 {Black can complete his development now.} 10.O-O-O Bb7 11.h5 ( 11.Qg3 {is more natural. Maybe Gukesh wanted to avoid the d7-d5 advance.} 11...d5 12.e4 d4 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.Be5 Bc5 15.Nb5 Qe7 16.Bxd4 Bxe4 {White can still fight for an advantage here.} ) 11...a6 12.Nd6 Nxd6 13.Bxd6 f5 {In many positions, Black will have the chance to play h7-h6, and he should have done so at some point.} ( 13...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding h5-h6, with an acceptable position.} ) 14.Qg3 b5 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 ( 15...Nxe7 {is also possible.} ) 16.Qc7 Bc8 ( 16...Rfd8 {is more accurate. The bishop cannot be captured since the queen is trapped. Meanwhile, Black prepares d7-d6 with a queen exchange.} 17.Qxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17...Ra7 18.Qb6 Rb8 ) 17.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Opening the g-file to create attacking chances.} 17...b4 ( 17...fxg4 {In hindsight, it's better to leave the knight on c3. A possible continuation is:} 18.h6 ( 18.Qg3 Bb7 {Black is fine.} ) 18...d6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19.Qxe7 Nxe7 20.Rxd6 Rxf2 {with a complicated endgame.} ) 18.Na4 fxg4 19.Qg3 {It's never quite clear whether White should insert h6-g6, but the computer normally likes to do so.} ( 19.h6 g6 20.Be2 {with the initiative.} ) 19...d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This shuts down the bishop's diagonal and creates problems for Black.} ( 19...Bb7 {is better:} 20.Rg1 Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Qc7 ( 21.Qxg4 Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21...d5 ( 21...d6 {is also good.} ) 22.Qxe7 Nxe7 {with a roughly equal position.} ) 20.Be2 Rb8 $6 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20...h6 {Now it's definitely a good time to avoid h5-h6.} ) 21.Rhg1 ( 21.h6 g6 22.Bxg4 {White has a clear advantage, with more active pieces and better pawn structure.} ) 21...Bd7 ( 21...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again this is recommended.} 22.Bxg4 Rf7 ) 22.Bxg4 Kh8 23.Kb1 ( 23.Be2 {clears the g-file for the heavy pieces and is a good alternative.} ) 23...Na7 $2 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move will be exemplarily punished.} ( 23...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24.Nc5 $3 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A brilliant combination, which will certainly find its way into future tactics exercise books.} 24...Qxc5 25.Bxe6 Qe7 26.h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point of the sacrifice.} 26...gxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 26...g6 {is the best chance, but White has a winning endgame after} 27.Qe5+ Qf6 ( 27...Rf6 {Chess games often hinge on small details: if the rook were on a8, the combination wouldn't work.} 28.Qxb8+ ) 28.Qxf6+ Rxf6 29.Bxd7 Rxf2 30.Be6 {The d5-pawn falls, Black's king is still unsafe, and the bishop is much better than the knight.} ) 27.Qe5+ Qf6 28.Rg8+ $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 1-0

[Event "Masters 2023"]
[Site "Lusail, Qatar"]
[Date "2023.10.20"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Black "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2712"]
[ECO "D31"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7083474824276"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 c6 4.e4 {This variation is known as the \"Marshall Gambit.\" This is the only case of a player who has two excellent gambits named after him, one with White and one with Black.} 4...dxe4 5.Nxe4 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 {The most critical move.} ( 6.Nc3 {is not very dangerous after} 6...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 6...Qxd4 7.Bxb4 Qxe4+ 8.Be2 ( 8.Ne2 {also has tons of theory.} ) 8...Na6 9.Bd6 ( 9.Ba5 {This move was played against Erigaisi in 2023. This information is important to understand the story behind this game, as Abdusattorov expected this opening and did an excellent job with his opening preparation.} 9...b6 10.Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10...e5 ( 10...Bd7 {is a good alternative.} ) 11.Bc3 Ne7 12.Qxe5 Qxe5 13.Bxe5 f6 14.Bc3 Nc5 15.O-O-O Kf7 {with an equal position in Wei-Erigaisi, Dubai (rapid) 2023.} ) 9...Qxg2 10.Bf3 {This move had already been played by Abdusattorov before.} ( 10.Qd2 {is the most popular choice. I prepared this move before facing GM Shulman in the 2007 World Cup. My conclusion at the time was that White was better, but computers have advanced a lot since then.} 10...Nf6 ( 10...e5 {is an important alternative.} ) 11.Bf3 Qg6 12.O-O-O e5 13.Bxe5 Be6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's position is acceptable. An important game continued:} ( 13...O-O $6 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] was the move chosen by my opponent.} 14.Ne2 Qf5 {Here I missed a big chance.} 15.Bd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 15.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives White a winning advantage, according to modern computers.} ) 15...Rd8 {with equality in Leitao-Shulman, FIDE World Cup Khanty-Mansiysk 2007.} ) 14.Ne2 Qf5 15.Bf4 Qc5 16.Nc3 Qxc4 17.Be2 Qb4 18.Bxa6 bxa6 19.Bd6 Qb7 {with chances for both sides in a complicated position: Yoo-Burke, Saint Louis 2022.} ) 10...Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate retreat. The difference is that on g5, the queen can go to a5 in some lines.} ( 10...Qg6 {was the move played against Abdusattorov in a 2021 blitz game.} 11.Ne2 Nf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 11...Ne7 {is better.} ) 12.Rg1 {White already has a decisive advantage: Abdusattorov-Smirnov, Chess.com (blitz) 2021.} ) 11.Ne2 Ne7 12.Ng3 {The knight is ready to go to the strong e4-square.} 12...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent novelty and the first choice of the computer. Both players are well prepared, but now Abdusattorov plays a move that his opponent was probably not expecting.} ( 12...Qa5+ {was tried in Gandrud-Nezad, Gibraltar Masters 2014. Now White can achieve a much better position after} 13.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Nxb4 14.O-O ) 13.Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 13.Ne4 {Erigaisi probably expected this natural move. Black is fine after} 13...Qf4 ) 13...O-O $6 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The Indian GM thought a lot before playing this move. It's impossible to navigate the complications without a prepared analysis.} ( 13...Ng6 {is the computer's favorite move. Obviously, Abdusattorov has a lot of analysis here.} ) 14.h4 Qf6 15.Ne4 Qe6 16.O-O-O {White has a very dangerous initiative, but the opening preparation goes further.} 16...Re8 17.Rhg1 Nf5 18.Bh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Abdusattorov was still playing very quickly. This very strong move is the computer suggestion. Clearly, Erigaisi was caught in a prepared line, and his situation is now very difficult. White attacks the f7-square and threatens 19.Ng5. Another idea of this move is to force ...h6 or ...g6, cutting off the queen's path to the h6-square.} ( 18.Bg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is premature. Black is better after} 18...Qh6+ 19.Kb1 Nd4 ) 18...Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black's position becomes very dangerous after this natural move.} ( 18...g6 19.Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 18...h6 19.Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 18...Qh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way:} 19.Kb1 Nxd6 20.Rxd6 Qf4 21.Nf6+ Kf8 22.Nxe8 Kxe8 {This chaotic position is better for White after the prophylactic} 23.Ka1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 19.Qd3 g6 {White had a big time advantage at this point.} 20.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Finally, a move that was played after some thought.} 20...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best chance. I am amazed at Erigaisi's enormous skill in finding resources to complicate a difficult position with a huge disadvantage on the clock.} 21.fxe5 ( 21.Bxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] turns the game around. A beautiful finish is possible:} 21...Nb4 22.Qf1 Nxa2+ 23.Kb1 Nb4 24.Nf6+ Qxf6 25.Bxf6 Bf5+ 26.Kc1 Nb3# ) 21...Nb4 22.Qf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only square.} 22...Qf5 ( 22...Nxa2+ {is not enough:} 23.Kb1 Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...cxd4 25.Bf3 {The knight is trapped and White is winning.} ) 23.Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...cxd4 24.Nf6+ Kh8 25.Bxb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 25.Qxf5 {leads only to equality after} 25...Bxf5 26.Bxb4 gxh5 27.Nxe8 Rxe8 ) 25...Rxe5 26.Bd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After all the complications, the situation finally became a little clearer. White has a great advantage since the two pieces are stronger than the rook—especially the powerful dark-squared bishop.} 26...Be6 27.Bd6 Bxc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting tactical try. White replies with a mistake.} 28.Ng4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After playing the opening and middlegame with magnificent precision, Abdusattorov finally makes a mistake and loses most of his advantage.} ( 28.Qxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] doesn't work because the queen is pinned after} 28...Rc8 ) ( 28.Bxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right move, leading to a winning position.} 28...Bxf1 ( 28...Qxe5 29.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White keeps the extra piece, which is much stronger than the three pawns.} ) ( 28...Qxf1 29.Rxf1 Bxf1 30.Bf3 {The position is winning for White, as Black's pawns are going to fall.} ) 29.Ng4+ Qxe5 ( 29...Kg8 30.Nh6+ {wins easily.} ) 30.Nxe5 Rc8+ 31.Kd2 Bc4 32.Nxc4 Rxc4 33.Bb3 Rc7 34.Rg4 {The d4-pawn falls and White wins, although I don't believe that converting this position over the board is as easy as the computer says it should be.} ) 28...Qxf1 ( 28...Bxf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29.Bxe5+ Qxe5 30.Nxe5 {transposes to a variation analyzed in the previous move.} ) 29.Bxe5+ Kg8 30.Rxf1 Bxf1 31.Nf6+ Kg7 {The endgame remains complicated, but now Black has good drawing chances.} 32.Kd2 ( 32.Bf3 Rc8+ 33.Kd2 b6 {surprisingly, White is not able to create dangerous threats even with such great pieces.} ) 32...Bg2 33.b4 h6 34.Bb3 Kf8 35.Bxd4 Ke7 ( 35...b6 {is a bit more accurate.} ) 36.Ke3 ( 36.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] creates good practical chances. Black needs to find} 36...Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The point is} ( 36...h5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 37.Bc5+ {followed by 38.Ne5, with a winning advantage.} ) 37.Nxh6 Rd8 38.Ke3 Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with equality.} ) 36...b6 37.Ng4 Bh3 38.Kf4 ( 38.Bf6+ {leads to perpetual check after} 38...Kd6 39.Be5+ Ke7 ) 38...g5+ ( 38...Bxg4 {is also possible:} 39.Kxg4 Rd8 40.Be3 f6 {Black is not at risk of losing anymore.} ) 39.hxg5 hxg5+ 40.Kg3 Bxg4 41.Kxg4 Rd8 42.Ba1 Rd3 43.Kxg5 a5 44.bxa5 bxa5 {Material is greatly reduced, and a draw seems inevitable.} 45.Bc4 Rd2 46.Kf4 a4 47.Bc3 Rh2 48.Kf5 Rh4 $4 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] It's a pity that such a well-played game ends with a blunder.} ( 48...Rh5+ {with an easy draw.} ) 49.Bf6+ 1-0

[Event "U.S. Championship"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2023.10.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Swiercz, Dariusz"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2620"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "159"]
[Beauty "5360924491786"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6 7.a4 h6 8.Nbd2 O-O 9.h3 ( {White has many ways to approach this line, one being:} 9.Re1 Ba7 10.Nf1 Be6 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.Ng3 Qe8 13.b4 Ne7 14.Ra2 Ng6 15.Qb3 Kh8 16.d4 {as in Yu,Y (2735)-Amin,B (2694) Biel 2023} ) 9...a5 10.Re1 Be6 11.b3 Re8 12.Bb5 {For the next three moves White spent a significant amount of time on the clock, apparently trying to figure out how to pose problems to his well-prepared opponent.} 12...Bd7 13.Nf1 Nb8 {Swiercz too, spent a good amount of time for this retreat. Both players are slowing down at the end of the opening, although this position has already been tested in practice.} 14.Bxd7 Nbxd7 {[#]} 15.Ne3 $146 ( {The predecessor game witnessed an uninspired draw after:} 15.Ng3 d5 16.exd5 Nxd5 17.Bd2 Ra6 18.d4 exd4 19.Nxd4 Bxd4 20.Rxe8+ Qxe8 21.cxd4 Nf8 22.Qg4 Qd7 23.Qxd7 Nxd7 {1/2-1/2 (23) Roques,P (2326) -Kibaljnichenko,S (2387) LSS email 2017} ) 15...Bxe3 16.Bxe3 d5 17.exd5 Nxd5 18.Bd2 c5 {\"I played the opening in a terrible way as I often do in the Italian. I do not know why I keep playing it... I got a slightly worse position.\" (Caruana)} 19.Qc2 Qc7 20.Re2 Re6 {Indeed, in a reversed Maroczy-bind type of position Swiercz has extra space and the opportunity to build a kingside attack, whereas Caruana needs to sit passively and wait.} 21.Rae1 Rae8 22.Qb1 N7f6 {The knight is heading to the f4-square. The only problem for the second player is that he is making his moves far too slowly. This impractical approach will have dire consequences in the end.} 23.Nh4 b6 24.Nf5 Qd7 25.Nh4 Nh5 26.g3 ( {It looked safer to play} 26.Nf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] when White should not worry about the direct attack} 26...Rg6 {with the brilliant idea of} 27.Nxe5 $4 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} ( {But instead White can trade one pair of rooks with} 27.Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Rxe5 ( {Or} 27...Rxg2+ 28.Kxg2 Ndf4+ 29.Bxf4 Nxf4+ 30.Kg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 28.Nxe5 {and the attack would not work} 28...Rxg2+ 29.Kxg2 Nhf4+ 30.Bxf4 Nxf4+ 31.Kf3 Qxh3+ 32.Kxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {But not} 32.Ke4 $4 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 32...f5+ 33.Kxf4 g5# ) 32...g5+ 33.Ke4 {and the king escapes.} ) 27...Rxg2+ $3 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 28.Kxg2 Nhf4+ 29.Bxf4 Nxf4+ 30.Kf3 Qxh3+ 31.Kxf4 g5+ 32.Ke4 Rxe5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Kxe5 Qe6# ) 26...Nhf6 {A pity for Swiercz.} ( {Black could have fixed his advantage instead with} 26...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Nf5 Rf6 28.g4 {and now} 28...Ndf4 $3 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 29.Bxf4 Nxf4 30.Rxe5 {with the fine point} 30...Rfe6 $3 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ( {Instead} 30...Nxh3+ 31.Kf1 Rxe5 32.Rxe5 Re6 {is also an edge for Black, but a very small one as the rooks leave the board.} ) 31.Rxe6 ( {Not} 31.Nxh6+ $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31...Kh7 {which self-traps the knight.} ) 31...fxe6 {and Black is much better.} ) 27.Nf3 R6e7 {\"A dubious decision, which I understand. He wanted to release the tension because he had thirty seconds.\" (Caruana)} ( {Indeed, better was} 27...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] keeping the tension.} ) 28.Rxe5 Rxe5 29.Rxe5 Rxe5 30.Nxe5 Qxh3 31.Qd1 {\"I am definitely not worse anymore. He allows me a pretty risk-free position.\" (Caruana)} 31...Qf5 32.Qe2 Qe6 33.Qe1 Qf5 34.Kg2 h5 {Black's pieces are powerful and therefore he can afford to advance his pawns in front of his own king.} 35.c4 Nc7 36.Qe2 Ne6 37.Nf3 Kf8 38.Bc3 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Nd2 h4 40.Ne4 Nxe4 {Swiercz made it to the time control, and Caruana admitted in the short after-match interview that he assessed his winning chances as very low (\"one percent\".)} 41.dxe4 {\"His knight is so good, I cannot create any threats, and my king is vulnerable.\" (Caruana)} 41...Qh7 42.Qg4 hxg3 43.fxg3 Ke7 44.Qf3 Qg6 45.Qd3 Qh5 46.Be5 Ke8 ( {\"The easiest way to force the draw was\" (Caruana):} 46...Nd4 {for example} 47.Bxd4 cxd4 48.Qxd4 Qe2+ 49.Kh3 Qh5+ {with a perpetual.} ) 47.Kg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now that White dominates in the center, it is Black who has to prove equality. And, as before, he is very short on time.} 47...Qg4 48.Bf6 Kf8 ( {It was not too late for} 48...Nd4 49.Bxd4 Qd7 50.Kf2 cxd4 {although here White assesed the position as unpleasant for his oponent after} ( {But not} 50...Qxd4+ 51.Qxd4 cxd4 52.Ke2 {and White wins the pawn ending (Caruana)} ) 51.e5 ) 49.Kf2 Kg8 50.Qd5 Qh5 {An important moment. Black allows the transition into a pure minor piece endgame where the bishop will be significantly better than the knight.} ( {Caruana knew the better defense} 50...Qh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when} 51.Qa8+ Nf8 52.Be7 {pins the knight indeed, but due to the vulnerable position of the bishop White cannot win in the line} 52...Qh2+ 53.Kf3 Qh1+ 54.Kg4 Qd1+ 55.Kxg5 ( 55.Kf5 $4 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 55...Qd7+ ) 55...Qd2+ 56.Kh5 Qe2+ 57.Kh4 Qh2+ ) 51.Qa8+ Kh7 52.Qh8+ Kg6 53.Qxh5+ Kxh5 54.Be5 {A few more pawns were traded in the coming moves.} 54...Kg4 55.Bb8 f5 56.exf5 Kxf5 57.Ba7 Nd4 58.Bxb6 Nxb3 59.Ke3 {And it's all come down to a position which might still be a draw, but where very precise play is required.} 59...g4 {\"This is how it kind of starts to snowball. It is draw, it is a draw, then you suddenly have to make one good decision, and suddenly it is not a draw anymore.\" (Caruana)} ( {Black could still have saved the game with} 59...Kg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 60.Bc7 Kh3 61.Kd3 g4 62.Kc3 Nd4 63.Bxa5 Kxg3 64.Bb6 Ne6 65.a5 Kf2 66.a6 g3 67.a7 g2 68.a8=Q g1=Q ) 60.Bc7 Ke6 61.Ke4 {Both White pieces dominate the board, while Caruana also dominates on the clock.} 61...Nd2+ 62.Kd3 Nb3 63.Bf4 Kf5 ( {Somehow the machine insists that Black can still hold with the strange maneuvers} 63...Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 64.Ke4 ( 64.Be3 Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 64...Nf3 65.Bc7 Nd2+ 66.Kd3 Nf3 67.Bxa5 Ne5+ 68.Kc3 Kd7 {but this does not sound right.} ) 64.Be3 Ke5 {The last instructive moment of the game.} 65.Bh6 $3 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Caruna is perfect $1 White realises that his bishop belongs on the c3-square, from where it fully dominates the knight.} 65...Kf5 ( {Or} 65...Kf6 66.Ke4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 66...Nd4 67.Kd5 Ne2 68.Bd2 Nxg3 69.Bxa5 Ke7 70.Bc7 {and White wins.} ) 66.Bg7 Nc1+ 67.Kd2 Nb3+ 68.Ke3 Kg6 69.Bb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 69...Kf5 70.Bc3 {Zugzwang.} 70...Kg5 71.Ke4 Kg6 72.Kf4 Kh5 73.Kf5 {Zugzwang again.} 73...Nc1 74.Bxa5 Ne2 75.Bc7 Nd4+ 76.Ke4 Nc6 77.Bd6 Na5 78.Kd5 Kg6 79.Bxc5 Kf5 80.Bb6 1-0

[Event "U.S. Championship"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2023.10.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Mishra, Abhimanyu"]
[Black "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2592"]
[BlackElo "2698"]
[ECO "E15"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "169"]
[Beauty "5087388764680"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.b3 Bb4+ {A solid opening quickly leads to a typical QID setup.} 6.Bd2 Be7 7.Nc3 d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Bg2 O-O 10.O-O Re8 11.Ne5 {The main move. This might have taken Sevian by surprise, as he started to think a lot from here on. 11.Rc1 is the modern continuation.} 11...Bb7 12.Rc1 Nbd7 13.Bf4 ( {Instead:} 13.Rc2 h6 14.Bf4 Nf8 15.Bc1 Ne6 16.Bb2 c6 17.e3 Bd6 18.Ne2 Rc8 19.Nf4 Rc7 20.Qa1 $5 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was Yilmaz,M (2639)-Caruana, F (2782) Baku 2023} ) 13...Nf8 14.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A move that was played in just one over-the-board game, and this game was one of Mishra's games $1 Somehow Sevian missed it (or forgot about it).} 14...h6 ( {Two email games saw} 14...Ne6 15.e3 c5 16.dxc5 Bxc5 {when White tried both} 17.Rc2 ( {and} 17.Nd3 Ba3 18.Rb1 Ne4 19.Nb5 Bf8 20.Rc1 {Schmidt,J (2262)-Cardoso,S (2249) LSS email 2019} ) 17...Rc8 18.Qd3 Qe7 19.Nb5 {in both cases with complex, interesting play ahead, Gromotka,H (2356)-Gonzalez Gigato,J (2210) ICCF email 2019} ) 15.e3 Ne6 {[#]} ( {The immediate} 15...c6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] also makes sense in order to meet} 16.g4 {with} 16...N6d7 ) 16.g4 $146 {A novelty upon his own game $1 White is obstructing the opponent's central counterplay.} ( {The predecessor was a very, very fresh game which went:} 16.Ng4 Nxf4 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.exf4 c6 19.Qd2 Qd6 20.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Qb4 22.Rd1 {and the game eventually ended with a draw, Mishra,A (2550)-Bok,B (2607) Saint Louis 2023} ) 16...c6 ( {Now} 16...c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is not possible due to} 17.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...hxg5 18.hxg5 Ne4 19.Nxe4 dxe4 20.Qh5 {when Black's position collapses.} ) 17.Bg3 {But this retreat spoiled White's opening idea.} ( {The principled continuation was} 17.g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] when after} 17...hxg5 ( {In case of} 17...Nd7 18.Qh5 {might transpose into the main line.} ( {But White has an additional and good choice} 18.gxh6 Nxf4 19.exf4 Nxe5 20.dxe5 ) ) 18.hxg5 Nd7 19.Qh5 Nxe5 {White has a fantastic computer-like attack with} 20.Bxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Bxg5 21.f4 Bh6 22.Bh3 $3 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Then after} ( 22.Rf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also liked by the machine.} ) 22...f6 23.Kh1 fxe5 24.Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] the comp promises White more than enough for the piece. In fact, it claims a decisive advantage.} ) 17...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Sevian grabs his chance. Now that g4-g5 is not a threat, this had become possible.} ( 17...Nd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] to remove the important knight made perfect sense too.} ) 18.dxc5 Bxc5 19.Qf3 Qe7 {Black has equalized.} 20.Nd3 {Now Black even gets a chance to play for an advantage.} ( 20.Rfd1 $5 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] looked more appropriate.} ) 20...Rad8 ( {It made sense to keep the bishop alive with} 20...Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Rcd1 Rad8 {when Black's position seems more pleasant.} ( {Or} 21...Ne4 ) ) 21.Nxc5 {Taking the chance to get rid of the strong piece.} 21...bxc5 {Black too, is happy to modify his pawn structure.} 22.Be5 Nd7 {The knight is transfered to a safer square.} ( {However, there was a strong argument for} 22...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when after} 23.Nxe4 dxe4 24.Qg3 {the sudden retreat} 24...Nf8 $3 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ( {Even better than} 24...Ba6 25.Rfd1 Bd3 26.f4 ) 25.Bc3 Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives a big advantage to Black.} ) 23.Bg3 Nb6 24.Rfe1 Rd7 {Unfortunately for him, Sevian chooses the wrong plan. His idea is correct, and the d5-d4 break should be prepared, but his execution fails concretely.} ( {The suprising, concrete, and totally inhuman idea} 24...Ba8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have prepared the break better, as after} 25.Qf5 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Bxa8 Nxa8 $3 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] the black rook supports the d-passer and this is decisive in the line} 27.exd4 cxd4 28.Ne2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28...d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.Qf5 {Aiming at the pawns.} 25...Red8 ( {Alas} 25...d4 {no longer works due to} 26.Bxb7 Rxb7 27.exd4 cxd4 28.Ne2 ) 26.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very deep play by Mishra $1} 26...Re8 {It might have been here that Sevian realised his plan would not work.} ( {Once again} 26...d4 {is principled, but unsound due to} 27.exd4 cxd4 28.Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27.Red1 {The loss of time starts to tell and the hanging pawns are under pressure.} 27...Red8 28.Nf4 {And Black decided that the center would collapse anyway and sacrificed a pawn.} 28...Nxf4 29.Qxf4 d4 30.Bxb7 Rxb7 31.exd4 cxd4 32.Rxd4 Rxd4 33.Qxd4 Rd7 34.Qe5 {There is not enough compensation, and Mishra should win.} ( 34.Qf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] looked good as well.} ) 34...Qb4 ( {There is nothing for Black after} 34...Qxe5 35.Bxe5 Rd2 36.a4 ) 35.g5 hxg5 36.hxg5 Qd2 37.Bf4 Qd5 {Or else White's attack becomes unstoppable.} ( {As in the line} 37...Qd3 38.Rc3 Qd1+ 39.Kh2 Rd8 40.g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 38.Qxd5 Nxd5 39.Bd2 Kh7 40.Kg2 Kg6 41.Kf3 Ne7 42.Bf4 Nf5 43.Kg4 ( {Faster was} 43.Rc6+ $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 43...Kh5 44.Ke4 ) 43...Ne7 {The question is which endgame $2 The rook one, or...} 44.Rc7 {The minor-piece one it is.} ( {Although White also wins after} 44.Rc5 Nd5 45.Ra5 Nxf4 46.Kxf4 ) 44...Rxc7 45.Bxc7 Nd5 46.Bb8 a6 {A solid extra pawn, superior bishop, and a more active king. What could possibly go wrong for White $2} 47.f4 {Now Sevian gets a hidden chance.} ( 47.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have done the job neatly instead.} ) 47...f5+ {Which remained hidden.} ( {The tricky knight could have saved the day with} 47...Ne3+ $3 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 48.Kf3 Nd5 $3 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Black is threatening a blockade with Kg6-f5, a blockade which cannot be stopped as} 49.Ke4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 49...Nc3+ {drops the vital pawn which did not move on the previous move.} ) 48.Kf3 Nb4 49.a4 Nc6 50.Be5 {Now everything is back in order for Mishra and he never lets the win slip away.} 50...Kf7 51.Bc3 g6 52.Ke3 Ke6 53.b4 Kd5 54.Kd3 Ne7 55.Bd4 {Once the white pieces are improved to the maximum he can push his passer.} 55...Nc6 56.Bc5 Na5 ( 56...Nd8 57.Be3 {changes nothing.} ) 57.Bf2 Nc4 58.Kc3 {A good move, of course.} ( {The most convincing line was} 58.b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 58...Nb2+ 59.Kc2 Nxa4 60.bxa6 Kc6 61.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 58...Nd6 59.Bd4 Ne4+ 60.Kd3 Nd6 61.Bg1 Nc4 62.b5 axb5 63.axb5 Nd6 64.b6 Nb7 65.Be3 Nd6 66.Kc3 {The infiltration of the white king is inevitable.} 66...Ke4 ( {Or} 66...Nb7 67.Kb4 Kc6 68.Kc4 Nd6+ 69.Kd4 Nb7 70.Bf2 {and again everything will end with a zugzwang.} ) 67.Bc1 Kd5 68.Kb4 Kc6 69.Be3 Kd5 70.Bc5 Nb7 71.Be3 Nd6 72.Ka5 Kc6 73.Ka6 Nb7 74.Bd4 Nd8 75.Bf6 Ne6 76.Be7 {The final zugzwang. The pawn is unstoppable.} 76...Nxf4 77.b7 Nd5 78.b8=Q Nxe7 79.Qe5 Kd7 80.Kb7 f4 81.Qxf4 Nf5 82.Qa4+ Ke7 83.Kc7 Ng7 84.Qd7+ Kf8 85.Qd8+ 1-0

[Event "U.S. Championship 2023"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2023.10.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Robson, Ray"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[ECO "C43"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Lenovo"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Beauty "8251705937960"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.Bd3 d5 5.Nxe5 Nd7 {A solid line, which has been used by the likes of Kramnik and Gelfand, to name a few.} 6.O-O Nxe5 7.dxe5 Nc5 8.Be3 ( {In a recent game White got less than nothing after:} 8.Be2 Be7 9.c3 O-O 10.Be3 b6 11.c4 Ba6 12.cxd5 Bxe2 13.Qxe2 Qxd5 14.f4 Qd3 15.Nc3 Qxe2 16.Nxe2 f6 {Sindarov,J (2659)-Fedoseev,V (2676) Abu Dhabi 2023} ) 8...Be7 9.f4 Nxd3 10.Qxd3 {White gave up the bishop pair, but intends to advance his kingside majority fast.} 10...g6 11.Nc3 c6 12.Ne2 O-O {Gelfand also dared to castle in this position.} ( {A more solid approach is} 12...Bf5 13.Qb3 Qd7 14.Ng3 Be6 15.Qd3 Bf5 16.Qb3 Be6 17.f5 gxf5 18.Qd3 c5 19.Nxf5 O-O-O {and a draw was soon agreed in Idani,P (2627)-Bogner,S (2574) Sharjah 2021} ) 13.Ng3 ( {Black's position cannot be taken with brute force just yet. After} 13.f5 Bxf5 14.Rxf5 gxf5 15.Bh6 Kh8 16.Bxf8 Bxf8 17.Rf1 Qb6+ 18.Kh1 Qxb2 19.Nd4 Re8 20.Nf3 Qb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Qd1 Kg8 22.Nd4 Qc4 23.Rxf5 Bg7 {Black repelled the attack and went on to win in Polgar,J (2680)-Gelfand,B (2758) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009} ) 13...Bh4 {A fierce battle is going on around the f5-square.} 14.Bc5 Re8 {[#] And the fierce battle leads once again to a direct skirmish.} 15.f5 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] [%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Played after prolonged thought. \"This was very committal.\" (Robson) And it hapened to be a novelty.} ( {The predecessor game saw Black equalize comfortably after:} 15.Rad1 b6 16.Bd6 f5 17.Ne2 a5 18.Rd2 Ba6 19.Qf3 Be7 20.Bxe7 Qxe7 21.Rfd1 Bxe2 22.Qxe2 a4 {Adams,M (2709)-Sandipan,C (2579) Caleta 2018} ) ( {\"Obviously I could have played\"} 15.Rae1 {\"and I thought I am just better.\" (Robson)} ) ( {The prophylactical} 15.Kh1 {has also been tried, but without any success in the battle for an opening advantage} 15...Bxg3 16.Qxg3 Bf5 17.c3 h5 18.h3 Kh7 19.Kh2 b6 20.Bf2 Be4 21.Qh4 Qxh4 22.Bxh4 f5 23.exf6 Kg8 24.Rad1 Kf7 25.Rd2 Bf5 26.Kg1 {1/2-1/2 (26) Adams,M (2728)-Gelfand,B (2751) Plovdiv 2010} ) 15...Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Xiong needs to accept the challenge.} ( 15...Bxg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16.Qxg3 {is not just timid, it is going to be mate on the dark squares in the near future.} ) 16.fxg6 hxg6 17.Bd4 Re8 ( {Robson saw a beautiful trap in the line} 17...Re6 {A logical move which defends the vital g6-pawn.} 18.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...gxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( {However, Black has the excellent defense} 18...Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] \"which was not clear\" (Robson) For instance, after} 19.h4 Re4 20.hxg5 Bxf5 {White has full compensation for the pawn, but Black has managed to repel the strongest wave of the attack.} ) 19.Qxf5 Rf6 20.Qh5 $3 {[%cal Gf1f4,Gf4g4,Gg4h4] [%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] \"There is no immediate threat of a capture on h4, but White is planning the unstoppable Rf1-f4xh4 $1\" (Robson) Fantastic stuff $1} ( 20.Bxf6 $4 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 20...Qb6+ ) 20...c5 21.Be5 ) ( {Even} 17...Rg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was an option here, based on the tactical line} 18.Bf6 ( {However, White can achieve more with} 18.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 18...Rxg3 19.Bxd8 Rxd3 20.Bxh4 Rd2 {when Black is just fine.} ) 18.Rxf7 Kxf7 19.Rf1+ Ke7 20.Qxg6 {All of this was well calculated by White, who knew that he has a guaranteed perpetual, but was not sure if there was anything more.} ( {Apparently, White was debating between the move in the game and} 20.Bc5+ Kd7 21.Rf7+ {which should be met with the only move} 21...Re7 $3 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] when the game remains approximately equal (according to the computer assessment, at least $1) after} ( 21...Be7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to the spectacular} 22.Ne4 $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ) 22.Qxg6 ( 22.Bxe7 Bxe7 23.Qxg6 Qb6+ $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Kf1 Qxb2 ) 22...Rxf7 23.Qxf7+ Be7 24.Nf5 Qf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Qh7 Ke8 26.Nxe7 Be6 $3 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Although here the game may definitely continue further with} 27.Qh5+ ( 27.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( 27.h3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 27...Kd7 28.Qe5 Qh6 29.Qd6+ Ke8 30.h3 {in all cases with serious compensation for the exchange.} ) 20...Be6 {And yet, solving concrete, practical problems turned out to a difficult task even for an exceptional calculator like Xiong $1} ( {Black should have switched back to the line from above with} 20...Kd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Rf7+ Re7 22.Nf5 Rxf7 23.Qxf7+ Be7 24.Bc5 ) 21.Qg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now a forced line follows in which Robson had seen everything right.} 21...Kd6 22.Be5+ Kc5 23.Bd4+ Kd6 24.Be5+ Kc5 25.Bc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Bf6 ( {If the queen moves} 25...Qd7 {it is mate in three} 26.Qc3+ Kb5 27.a4+ Kxa4 28.Qa5# ) 26.Rxf6 Rg8 ( {Whereas here} 26...Qd7 {is met with another spectacular clearance} 27.Rf7 $3 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 27...Qxf7 28.Qc3+ ) 27.Ne4+ $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] All of this was seen by White, including the mate $1} 27...Kb5 ( {As after} 27...dxe4 {there comes the last spectacular clearence sacrifice} 28.Rf5+ $3 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 28...Bxf5 29.Qc3+ Kd5 ( 29...Kb5 30.a4+ Kxa4 31.Qa5# ) 30.Qe5+ Kc4 31.b3+ Kb4 32.Qa5# ) 28.a4+ Kb4 29.Qh6 {With a dual threat against the queen and the king.} ( {The end could have been} 29.Qh6 Qxc7 30.Qd2+ Kxa4 31.Nc3+ Ka5 32.Nxd5+ ) 1-0

[Event "U.S. Championship 2023"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2023.10.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Tang, Andrew"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2496"]
[ECO "C41"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Beauty "7767985241117"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

{[%evp 0,76,31,36,67,61,69,64,87,59,54,48,45,40,29,51,60,44,41,34,62,51,55,41,67,54,84,54,87,97,87,45,46,58,84,61,56,57,58,58,75,50,71,47,116,47,50,42,40,42,66,49,89,48,107,118,98,98,128,90,127,108,105,100,251,251,251,260,313,226,226,226,308,308,308,308,308,308,322]} 
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 {Tang decided to surprise his well-prepared opponent and deviated from his usual open games.} 4.Nf3 Nbd7 5.Bc4 Be7 {\"The Philidor was a surprise, but not a very unpleasant one, because White gets a nice position most of the time.\" (Dominguez)} 6.a4 O-O 7.O-O c6 8.Re1 h6 {A relatively rare continuation.} ( {Both} 8...a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( {and} 8...b6 {are more common, and give more chances for Black.} ) 9.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Whenever possible, White should grab as much space as he can on the queenside. This move not only deprives the black queen of active posts on the queenside, it prepares a timely destruction of the opponent's pawn chain.} 9...Qc7 ( {Rapport decided to save on this move against Duda and went directly for:} 9...Re8 10.h3 exd4 11.Qxd4 Ne5 12.Be2 Ng6 13.Be3 Bf8 14.b4 Qc7 15.b5 Be6 16.a6 {with very sharp play, Duda,J (2732)-Rapport,R (2752) Berlin 2023} ) 10.h3 Re8 11.Ba2 {Both sides are making useful moves, with the bishop moving away from a possible d6-d5 and/or Nd7-e5.} 11...Bf8 {This one is perhaps not as useful, as Black may need the f8-square for the rook at some point.} ( {As in the line} 11...Rb8 $5 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 12.Be3 b5 13.axb6 axb6 14.d5 cxd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Qxd5 Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 12.Bd2 $146 {A careful move, and a novelty.} ( {The predecessor game saw White trying to capitalize on the weakened d8-h4 diagonal with the direct:} 12.Nh4 {but after} 12...exd4 13.Qxd4 {Black missed the strong} 13...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Instead} 13...Nc5 14.Bf4 Ne6 15.Bxe6 Bxe6 16.e5 {gave White some pressure, Slizhevsky,A (2426)-Petrova,I (2087) Chess.com INT 2020} ) ) ( {The more natural move} 12.Be3 {was completely possible, to which Black likely intended} 12...exd4 13.Bxd4 Ne5 ) 12...Rb8 13.d5 {The pawn structure now changes and it will look more like a Najdorf/Ruy Lopez Yates line than anything else.} 13...b5 ( {Somewhat more cautious was} 13...cxd5 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.Bxd5 {avoiding the creation of extra queenside weaknesses for the time being.} ) 14.dxc6 Qxc6 {Dominguez was happy with the outcome of the game, which he considered advantageous and risk-free.} 15.Nh2 ( {White also considered the restricting move} 15.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] which would have deprived the black Nd7 of any squares, but then decided that the b5-b4 advance is nothing to be afraid of.} ) 15...Bb7 ( {The immediate} 15...b4 {was also possible, when the evaluation of the position does not change much after} 16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.Bxd5 Qc7 18.Qf3 ) 16.Ng4 b4 {The only active try.} 17.Nxf6+ {And Dominguez decided to play slowly.} ( {From afar White believed that in the line} 17.Nd5 Nxd5 18.Bxd5 Qc7 {he will have a decisive blow with} 19.Nxh6+ gxh6 20.Qg4+ {but once b5-b4 happened on the board, Dominguez realised that this line is not clear. For instance} 20...Kh8 21.Bxf7 Nf6 22.Qg6 Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Bb3 Bg7 24.Bxh6 Bxh6 25.Qxh6+ Nh7 {and Black defends.} ) 17...Nxf6 18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.Bxd5 Qc7 20.Bb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move—this bishop is far superior to its counterpart. Actually, both white bishops are.} ( {White's advantage would have decreased in case of} 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 21.a6 Qc7 ) 20...Bc6 21.a6 Be7 {A blunder.} ( {Perhaps Tang had to try to free himself with d6-d5 with} 21...Red8 22.Qf3 Qd7 23.Be3 {True, White is still better here.} ) 22.Qh5 {And a miss.} ( 22.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] instead would have put Black in an awkward situation. It's not clear how to defend against the simple threat of Bd2xh6 $1} 22...Kf8 23.Qf5 Bd8 24.Qh7 {looks winning for White.} ( {Or also} 24.Rad1 {with the idea of} 24...Kg8 25.Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...gxh6 26.Qg6+ Kf8 27.Qxh6+ Ke7 28.Bxf7 $3 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 28...Kxf7 29.Rxd6 {and a winning attack.} ) ) 22...Bf6 23.Be3 Red8 24.Qg4 Kf8 ( {More resilient was} 24...Qd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 25.Qf3 Qe7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] intending to swap off the dark-squared bishops.} ) 25.Red1 {White's play is straightforward and strong—he simply aims at the weak points in the enemy camp.} 25...Bb5 ( {Here too} 25...Qd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 26.Qf3 Qe7 {was better.} ) 26.Qf3 Bg5 {So finally Tang managed to swap off the weaker of his two bishops.} 27.Bxg5 hxg5 28.Qh5 {But this swap came at the price of a pawn.} 28...Bc4 ( 28...f6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29.Qh8+ ) 29.Qxg5 Bxb3 30.cxb3 Qc2 {A desperate counterattack in time-trouble.} ( 30...Rb6 {should not have changed the outcome of the game.} ) 31.Qe3 Qxb2 32.Qxa7 Qxb3 {Tang restores the material balance.} 33.Rxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A simple trick, but effective.} 33...Rdc8 34.Qd7 ( 34.Rc6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] looked good too.} ) 34...Qc3 35.Rad1 b3 36.a7 Ra8 37.Qb7 Kg8 ( 37...b2 {changes nothing due to} 38.Rd7 ) 38.Rd7 Qc2 {And while making his last move, Black lost on time.} ( {Nevertheless, Black's position was plain lost, as after} 38...Qc4 39.Rb1 {he was dropping another pawn.} ) ( {Or} 38...Qc2 39.Rf1 Qc4 ( 39...Rf8 40.Rxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 40.Rb1 {transposing to the line above.} ) 1-0

[Event "U.S. Championship 2023"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2023.10.16"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Tang, Andrew"]
[Black "Swiercz, Dariusz"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2496"]
[BlackElo "2620"]
[ECO "A40"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[Beauty "6599619939369"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

{[%evp 0,113,32,33,41,22,13,13,83,4,13,15,14,12,19,-5,6,-2,-4,-16,-16,-4,-4,-1,-6,-12,-10,-2,-8,-22,-22,-34,-34,-35,-23,-23,-29,-25,-23,-23,-19,-25,-33,-42,-13,-27,-27,-30,-17,-18,-15,-28,-13,-39,-19,-61,-39,-52,-8,-8,-5,-4,0,-10,0,-20,-20,-12,-19,-8,36,52,52,-29,-28,0,0,0,67,128,158,48,135,134,126,141,141,154,180,66,61,39,58,0,22,9,17,586,652,645,688,720,1154,1206,1206,1228,1241,1241,29977,29978,29979,29980,29981,29982,29983,29984]} 
1.d4 e6 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3 Qb6 {As Tang explained in his short post-game interview, he does not have the time for extensive home preparation, and his openings are not as top-notch as those of his opponents. Therefore, he is only hoping to get \"a game\" out of the opening, not necessarily an advantage. Here too, as early as on move four, he is deep into the think tank, contemplating what his opponent might have prepared.} 4.b3 {That's what Black hopes for when hopping with the queen to b6—that White's queenside will be weakened.} ( {The main move nowadays is:} 4.Na3 {as played on a few occasions by Gata Kamsky, for example} 4...d5 5.Nb5 Na6 6.c3 Bd7 ( {And} 6...Nf6 7.a4 Be7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Be2 Ne8 10.O-O Nd6 11.a5 {Kamsky,G (2657)-Nabaty,T (2645) Chess.com INT 2022} ) 7.a4 Nf6 8.Nf3 Be7 9.Ne5 O-O 10.Nxd7 Nxd7 11.Be2 Rfc8 12.O-O Nab8 13.a5 {Kamsky,G (2665) -Vallejo Pons,F (2712) Chess.com INT 2023} ) ( {Whereas the older move} 4.Nc3 {might also lead to fascinating postions, as this game proves.} 4...a6 5.a3 Nf6 6.Nf3 Nh5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.Na4 Qa5+ 9.c3 Be7 10.b4 Qd8 11.Bd6 b5 12.Nc5 Qb6 13.Bxe7 Kxe7 14.g4 {Jones,G (2683)-McShane,L (2677) London 2019} ) 4...Nf6 5.c3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Nh5 7.Bg5 d5 8.Nbd2 h6 9.Bh4 {So far so good for Swiercz— he does not have any problems out of the opening. He might even start thinking about the advantage himself, but there is something that Tang can be happy about-his opponent is out of prep.} 9...cxd4 $146 {A novelty.} ( {Although it made sense to complete his plan of gaining the dark-square bishop, as in the predecessor game:} 9...g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 10.Ne5 ( 10.Bg3 Nxg3 11.hxg3 g4 {is great for Black.} ) 10...cxd4 11.Nxf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] An unsound sacrifice.} 11...Nf6 12.Nxh8 dxc3 13.Bd3 cxd2+ 14.Kf1 gxh4 15.Bg6+ Ke7 16.Bd3 Ne5 17.Qxd2 Bg7 {0-1 (17) Chval,Z (1949) -Postny,E (2562) Teplice 2022} ) 10.Nxd4 Nf6 11.Bg3 Be7 {Simply proceeding with development.} ( {Somewhat more subtle seems} 11...Nxd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the idea of} 12.exd4 ( {Or} 12.cxd4 Bd7 {followed by Bd7-b5, when Black is doing more than fine.} ) 12...Ba3 ) 12.Be2 O-O 13.O-O Bd7 14.Qc2 {The queen side-steps the opponent's rooks.} ( {In case of preparing c3-c4} 14.Nxc6 Bxc6 15.c4 ( 15.Rc1 $5 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 15...Rad8 {might be awkward for White.} ) 14...Rac8 15.Qb2 Nxd4 {Now Swiercz takes, but Tang has an extra choice.} 16.exd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The correct recapture.} ( {Black is better in the symmetrical position after} 16.cxd4 Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Bxb5 Qxb5 18.Rfc1 ( 18.Rac1 Qe2 ) 18...Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 16...Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This same idea is good here as well.} 17.Bxb5 Qxb5 18.a4 Qa5 ( {Here too, it made sense to play the subtle} 18...Qd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] in order to provoke the white rooks to occupy their optimal squares, as in the line} 19.Rac1 Rfd8 20.Rfe1 Qa6 ) 19.Rfc1 {White starts to prepare for queenside expansion. A complicated Carlsbad pawn structure has emerged, in which both sides have something to be happy about. Black-that he's swapped off his light-squared bishop. White-that he's stopped the minority attack with b7-b5 $1} ( 19.b4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] falls for a small provocation, and after} 19...Qa6 {the hole on c4 will start to tell.} ) 19...Rfd8 ( 19...Nh5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 20.Rc2 {More preparation is needed.} ( {Not yet} 20.c4 Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20...Qa6 21.Rac1 Nh5 ( {The other plausible try was} 21...Ne4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 22.Nxe4 dxe4 23.Rd1 f5 {aiming to get the kingside pawns into motion.} ) 22.Be5 Bg5 23.Re1 Nf4 ( {There is not much of a difference after} 23...Bf4 24.Nf3 Bxe5 25.Nxe5 Nf6 ) 24.Bxf4 Bxf4 25.Nf3 Qd3 {Swiercz is sending his queen to the kingside, anticipating an attack, but this might also help White.} ( {Better was} 25...Rd7 26.g3 Bd6 ) 26.h3 Rd7 27.Ne5 Bxe5 28.Rxe5 {White is definitely happier now, since his kingside attack is running more smoothly.} 28...Rdc7 29.Re3 Qf5 ( {A risky, but seemingly sound strategy was to keep the queen active, holding the white pieces back in the line} 29...Qd1+ 30.Kh2 Qf1 $5 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 30.Rce2 a6 31.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now that everything is stable on the queenside, Tang can concentrate on his grand plan of a piece attack on the opposite wing. The machine assesses the situation as equal, but the reality is that Black's defense is extremely difficult, especially in the time-trouble that ensues.} 31...Rc6 32.b4 Qf4 33.Rg3 Rd6 34.Ree3 {The black queen is now assisting the opponent's attack.} 34...b6 ( {The silicon defense is} 34...Rdc6 35.Ref3 Qc7 36.Qd2 Kh7 ) 35.Ref3 Qh4 36.Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A smart idea, especially in time trouble $1} ( {Even stronger would have been} 36.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the threat of Qe2-e5, for example} 36...Rdc6 37.Qe5 g6 38.axb6 Rxb6 39.Rf4 {and White is clearly on top.} ) 36...bxa5 37.Rg4 Qh5 38.Qf4 Rd7 {Short of time, Swiercz makes the most obvious move.} ( {And misses the beautiful defensive idea} 38...e5 $3 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 39.dxe5 ( 39.Qxe5 Qxe5 40.dxe5 Rdc6 {is no problem at all for Black.} ) 39...Re6 40.bxa5 Rc4 41.Qd2 Qxe5 {with a likely draw.} ) 39.Rfg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is in huge trouble $1} 39...f5 ( {If} 39...g6 40.Rh4 Qd1+ 41.Kh2 {and Black's kingside collapses.} ) ( {Whereas} 39...g5 {loses at once to} 40.Rxg5+ $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 40.Rg6 {Time-trouble prevents White from winning instantly.} ( {The beautiful idea} 40.Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...Qd1+ 41.Kh2 {and now if} 41...Kf8 {White has the stunning} ( {White's task would be easier after} 41...Kf7 42.Rxg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...Kxg7 43.Qxh6+ Kf7 44.Qh7+ Ke8 45.Qh8+ Ke7 46.Rh7+ ( {Or the simple} 46.Qxc8 ) 46...Kd6 47.Qe5+ {and wins.} ) 42.Rxh6 $3 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 42...gxh6 43.Qxh6+ Ke7 44.Qg7+ Kd8 45.Qe5 $3 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A gorgeous silent move to crown the attack $1} ) 40...Kh7 {And the same time-trouble prevents Black from finding the study-like defense.} ( {That was} 40...Rxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41.Rxh6 Qd1+ 42.Kh2 Rxg3 43.Rxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Not} 43.Qxg3 Qxd4 ) 43...Rc3 44.Qb8+ Kh7 45.Qe8 {It seems as though Black is doomed, but he has} 45...Rc8 $3 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] and if} 46.Qxc8 ( 46.Qxd7 Rf8 {should also be defendable, although White preserves a lot of practical winning chnaces.} ) 46...Qxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47.Qxd7 Qf4+ {with a perpetual.} ) 41.Qe5 Rcc7 42.Rxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right capture.} ( {Correctly avoiding} 42.Qxe6 Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 42...axb4 43.cxb4 Rb7 44.Re8 {The most obvious and straightforward attempt brought Tang a quick victory.} ( {However, from the objective viewpoint, the a la Carlsen complex prophylaxis} 44.Kh2 $3 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] would have been the neatest win.} 44...Rxb4 45.Re7 ) 44...Rxb4 45.Rc3 ( {Here} 45.Re7 Rxe7 46.Qxe7 Qd1+ $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Check $1 That's the point behind the Kg1-h2 idea $1} 47.Kh2 Qxd4 {does not work.} ) 45...Qg6 ( {The last chance to organize a defense was connected with} 45...Rb6 46.Rcc8 Rf7 47.Qxd5 {although here too, Black should not hold.} ) 46.Rcc8 {The attacking phase will be conducted in a spectacular fashion by Tang.} 46...Rb1+ 47.Kh2 Qd6 48.Rh8+ Kg6 {The impression is that Swiercz will manage to escape in the endgame.} 49.Rc6 $3 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] But there will be no endgame at all.} 49...Qxc6 50.Qe8+ {As Rd7-f7 is not possible, the black king needs to flee.} 50...Kg5 ( {Or} 50...Kf6 51.Rf8+ Kg5 52.f4+ Kxf4 53.Qe5+ Kg5 54.Qxf5+ Kh4 55.g3# ) 51.f4+ $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] All of this had to have been seen by White in advance.} 51...Kxf4 52.Qe5+ Kg5 53.h4+ $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53...Kxh4 ( {And if} 53...Kg4 54.Qg3+ Kh5 55.Qg5# ) 54.Qf4+ Kh5 55.Qxf5+ g5 56.Qh3+ Kg6 57.Rxh6+ 1-0

[Event "U.S. Championship 2023"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2023.10.17"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Mishra, Abhimanyu"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2592"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[ECO "E61"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7357413220360"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

1.d4 {For this game, Mishra decided to surprise his opponent with the left-pawn move.} 1...Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O 5.Nc3 {White also revealed after the game that he expected his opponent to go for the KID. After yesterday's win, Aronian got a chance to fight for medals in case of a win, therefore such an assumption was extremely logical.} 5...Nc6 6.e3 d6 7.Nge2 e5 8.d5 {Fixing the center at once.} ( {Mamedyarov preferred instead a more flexible approach} 8.O-O Re8 9.b3 exd4 10.exd4 Ne7 11.Re1 d5 12.Nf4 c6 13.Ba3 dxc4 14.bxc4 Nf5 {but Black was doing well after the opening in the blitz game Mamedyarov,S (2764)-Wagner,D (2581) Chess.com INT 2020} ) 8...Ne7 ( {The knight may also move to the opposite side:} 8...Na5 9.b3 c5 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.Ba3 Ne8 12.O-O Qc7 13.Qd2 Be6 14.Rac1 {as in Ghaem Maghami,E (2596)-Niemann,H (2632) Almaty 2022} ) 9.b3 $5 {[%mdl 4] [%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] [#] An interesting sideline. It should be noted that both players are practically still blitzing.} 9...Nd7 $146 {Aronian also blitzed out this novelty, not that it is a totally unexpected move in the KID...} ( {The predecessor game witnessed a relatively short draw after:} 9...Nf5 10.Bb2 e4 11.Qc2 Re8 12.h3 Qe7 13.O-O-O Bd7 14.Rhg1 h5 15.Kb1 a6 16.Nc1 b5 17.cxb5 axb5 18.b4 c5 19.dxc6 {1/2-1/2 (19) Smejkal,J (2520)-Stohl,I (2560) Ostrava 1994} ) 10.Bb2 f5 11.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] \"I think this was quite a good decision.\" (Mishra) Indeed, by locking the center White deprives his opponent of interesting knight outposts. As for his light-squared bishop, Mishra knew he can always bring it back into the game via the f1-square.} 11...e4 12.Nd4 Nf6 13.O-O c5 14.dxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Also a good and necessary decision.} 14...bxc6 15.Qd2 a6 16.Rfd1 {The pressure along the d-file ties Black's hands, thus making his kingside play unlikely, at least for the time being.} 16...Qc7 ( {The immediate} 16...c5 {can be met with} 17.Nde2 Ne8 18.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when White seizes the initiative.} ) 17.Nde2 Rd8 18.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another powerful decision. Mishra was correctly afraid that after the possible c6-c5 his pieces would lack air.} 18...Ne8 ( {If} 18...d5 19.Na4 {when the white pieces can make very good use of the outposts on the d4- and the b6-squares, as well as the long diagonal.} ) 19.Na4 Bxb2 20.Qxb2 {The more powerful of the black bishops has been swapped off, and Aronian has to think about his own king safety.} 20...Nd5 {If anything, Black can activate his knights.} 21.Qc1 Nef6 22.Nd4 {Mishra had already seen his next move.} ( 22.h3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] made sense as well, when Black would have likely played} 22...h6 {followed by g6-g5.} ) 22...Ng4 {It seems as if White needs to retreat into defense.} 23.Nb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nope, he is instead swapping off the more active black knight.} 23...Nxb6 24.cxb6 Qxb6 25.h3 Nf6 {The decisive mistake, according to the younger player.} ( {He suggested instead} 25...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] as Black's best hope, when after} 26.hxg4 cxd4 27.Rxd4 {White is somewhat better, and has a clear plan of trippling his piecces along the d-file, but nothing is decided yet.} 27...Be6 ( 27...d5 28.g5 ) 28.g5 ) 26.Qxc6 Qxc6 27.Nxc6 Rd7 28.Rac1 {The endgame is very difficult for Aronian, or perhaps just strategically lost.} 28...Bb7 29.Na5 {White has the better pieces, the better pawn structure, and the possibility to gradually improve his position.} 29...d5 ( {Perhaps} 29...Bd5 30.Bf1 Bf7 31.Kf2 {was somewhat more resilient.} ) 30.Bf1 Kf7 31.b4 Rg8 {The last chance to do something.} 32.Kf2 {White simply ignores his opponent's try.} 32...g5 33.a3 gxf4 34.gxf4 Rg6 35.Nb3 Rh6 36.Nd4 Rh5 37.Rc5 {Many roads lead to Rome.} ( 37.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would also suffice.} ) 37...Ng8 38.Rdc1 Ne7 39.a4 Rh6 40.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Creating a more distant outside passer.} 40...Kf8 41.b5 axb5 42.Bxb5 Rdd6 43.Rc7 {The decisive infiltration.} 43...Ba6 44.Bxa6 ( {Or} 44.Rxe7 Kxe7 45.Nxf5+ ) 44...Rxa6 45.Rb1 ( {The end could have been} 45.Rb1 Rxa5 46.Rb8+ Kf7 47.Rxe7+ $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47...Kxe7 48.Nxf5+ ) 1-0

[Event "U.S. Women's Championship"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2023.10.11"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "Zatonskih, Anna"]
[Black "Yu, Jennifer"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2363"]
[BlackElo "2294"]
[ECO "D31"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8045547510824"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 {Yu decided to surpise her opponent in the opening and, strictly speaking, the outcome was well beyond expectations.} 4.Qb3 {\"This was already no preparation.\" (Zatonskih) She remembered that four years ago at the Cairns Cup Harika had also opted for 3...Bb4 against her, but that was all...} ( 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c6 6.Qb3 Nf6 7.Bg5 Nbd7 8.e3 O-O 9.Bd3 dxc4 10.Bxc4 Nb6 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Nf3 Nd7 13.O-O b6 14.Rad1 Bb7 {Zatonskih,A (2428)-Harika,D (2471) Saint Louis 2019} ) ( {Actually, that same year Zatonskih faced the opening twice, and it seems she didn't remember the second game at all.} 4.e3 dxc4 5.Bxc4 a6 6.Nf3 b5 7.Bd3 Bb7 8.a4 c6 9.O-O Nf6 10.e4 Nbd7 11.e5 Nd5 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.axb5 {and White later won in Zatonskih,A (2420)-Zawadzka,J (2400) Wroclaw 2019} ) 4...Nc6 {Yu also started to think deeply from here onwards, and the result of this strategy of trying to outwit your opponent was serious mutual time-trouble at the end.} 5.Nf3 a5 ( {Black can also develop with:} 5...Nf6 6.Bg5 dxc4 7.Qxc4 O-O 8.e3 Qd5 9.Bxf6 Qxc4 10.Bxc4 gxf6 11.Rc1 a6 12.a3 Bd6 13.Ne4 {and after} 13...f5 {White employed an excellent strategic concept with} 14.Nxd6 cxd6 15.d5 Ne7 16.Bb3 Nxd5 17.Bxd5 exd5 18.Nd4 {Yilmaz,M (2630) -Gritsenko $146 (2309) Chess.com INT 2021} ) 6.e3 Nge7 7.Bd2 O-O {[#]} 8.a3 $146 {A logical move, and a novelty. This is a good moment to trade the strong bishop.} ( {The predecessor was an email game:} 8.Be2 b6 9.O-O Bb7 10.a3 Bxc3 11.Bxc3 a4 12.Qc2 dxc4 13.Bxc4 Nd5 14.Bd3 h6 15.Bd2 Nce7 16.e4 Nf6 17.Ne5 Rc8 18.Be3 Ne8 19.Nf3 {1/2-1/2 (19) Von Rosenberg,C (1352)-Tranquillo,M (1204) IECC email 2004} ) 8...Bxc3 ( 8...a4 9.Qc2 {would have forced the trade anyway.} ) 9.Bxc3 b6 10.Bd3 ( {Instead} 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Bb5 Ba6 {equalizes for Black.} ) 10...Ba6 11.O-O {For a while, White considered immediate play in the center, but as a strong classical player she decided to finish her development first.} ( {Rightly so $1} 11.e4 {would have backfired after} 11...a4 12.Qa2 Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when White's position is loose.} ) 11...a4 ( {It was also possible to play for a light-square blockade with} 11...dxc4 12.Bxc4 Bxc4 13.Qxc4 Qd5 14.Qe2 f5 {(Zatonskih) White thought that this would be a better version for her opponent, with the black pawn on a5 rather than a4. In any case, White can hope for some advantage in the future by preparing f2-f3 and the e3-e4 break, whereas Black is practically forced to stick to a sit-and-wait strategy.} ) 12.Qa2 dxc4 13.Bxc4 Bb7 {Starting a risky approach. Yu allows her opponent to seize the center.} ( {As mentioned earlier} 13...Bxc4 14.Qxc4 Qd5 15.Qe2 f5 {was again an option for Black (Zatonskih)} ) 14.e4 Na5 15.Bd3 Ng6 {But then Black quickly counter-attacks it. Now everything will depend on the ability of White to hold on to the strong center. If it collapses, it will be Black who seizes the initiative on the kingside.} 16.Rfe1 Nf4 17.Bc2 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Time is key here, and this aggression is fully justified.} ( {But there was another interesting try} 17...Qf6 {with the idea of meeting} 18.Ne5 {in a computer-style} 18...Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Bxb3 axb3 20.Qxb3 Qg5 {Although here} 21.g3 Nh3+ 22.Kg2 Nf4+ 23.Kh1 {does not yet seem to yield Black anything concrete.} ) 18.Bd2 fxe4 19.Bxe4 Bd5 {Suddenly, the game has opened up and now any mistake might be the last. White hopes that her central control will be enough to repel any counter-attack, whereas Black in turn believes that the opponent's pieces might be a little too far to come to the assistance of the white king.} 20.Qb1 Nb3 {A very logical idea, to get this piece back into the game, but not the best one....} ( {Yu would have done better had she concentrated on the enemy king with} 20...Nh3+ $3 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 21.gxh3 Rxf3 22.Bxf3 Bxf3 23.Qd3 {Black has full compensation for the exchange thanks to her total light-square dominance. In fact, it is extremely difficult to repel the attack even without time-trouble, and Black can try a few things, for example:} 23...Qf6 {When the machine finds the best defense to be} ( {Or} 23...Bd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] in response to which White needs to reduce the attacking potential of the opponent with} 24.Bxa5 Rxa5 25.Re3 ) ( {Or} 23...Bb7 24.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] In all these lines, White's decisions are far more difficult to execute.} ) 24.Rxe6 Qxe6 25.Qxf3 Rf8 26.d5 Qd7 27.Qe4 Nb3 28.Rd1 Nxd2 29.Rxd2 Qxh3 {with a likely draw.} ) 21.Bxf4 ( {White decided to avoid the line} 21.Bxh7+ Kh8 22.Bxf4 {due to the strong} 22...Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Bg3 ( {Apparently} 23.Be5 {is stronger, when nothing is clear after} 23...Qh4 24.Bg6 Nxa1 25.gxf3 Nb3 26.Qd3 ) 23...Nxa1 {(Zatonskih)} ) 21...Rxf4 22.Bxh7+ Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the king moves to a safer square.} ( {After} 22...Kh8 23.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Nxa1 {White would have a pleasant choice between a material advantage with} 24.Ng6+ ( {or a decisive attack with} 24.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24...Kxh7 25.Nxf4+ Kg8 26.Qxa1 ) 23.Ne5 {The culmination of the game.} 23...Rxd4 {And a blunder $1} ( {The only move was} 23...Rf6 24.Qd3 Nxa1 25.Rxa1 $13 {/= (Zatonskih) when it is easier to play as White with the initiative, but nothing is yet decided.} ) ( {Weaker is} 23...Qg5 24.Ng6+ Kf7 25.Nxf4 Qxf4 26.Qg6+ $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Kf8 27.Rad1 {with an edge for White.} ) 24.Qg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Yu might have missed this strong intermezzo.} 24...Qe8 25.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the thing—now Zatonskih keeps both her material and the attack.} 25...Ra7 ( {As there is no time for} 25...Nxa1 26.Ng6+ {when the black queen takes away the e8-square from her king.} ) 26.Ng6+ Kf7 27.Rad1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another powerful move.} 27...c5 ( 27...Rxd1 28.Qf4# ) 28.Rxd4 Nxd4 29.Qf4+ Nf5 30.g4 {Winning the knight and the game.} 30...Qd8 31.gxf5 Qf6 32.fxe6+ Bxe6 33.Nh8+ Ke7 34.Bf5 g5 35.Qe4 1-0

[Event "U.S. Women's Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "St Louis"]
[Date "2023.10.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Tokhirjonova, Gulruhbegim"]
[Black "Paikidze, Nazi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2350"]
[BlackElo "2316"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7356071023112"]
[EventCountry "USA"]

{[%evp 0,89,36,13,65,62,62,59,54,44,38,34,39,60,54,33,50,43,72,44,51,51,60,57,69,43,37,46,72,80,104,60,104,96,116,116,113,135,112,117,158,158,210,235,215,215,215,218,214,210,206,128,211,159,190,196,235,220,249,249,290,249,249,284,282,362,358,356,354,376,398,442,525,568,589,595,597,619,607,629,662,636,636,679,851,839,1148,1148,1416,1360,29989,29990]} 
1.e4 {It is rare to comment on a first move, but the opening choice of Tokhirjonova had a huge impact on the game. Paikidze said after the game that she did not expect the move at all.} 1...c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 {Nigel Short can be named the Godfather of this line, which at first sight looks like an improved version of the French Advanced due to the active light-squared bishop for the second player. Tournament practice, however, has showed that things are far from clear regarding that bishop.} 5...Ne7 6.O-O h6 7.Nbd2 ( {There are various ways to play the position for both sides, one example being:} 7.c3 Nd7 8.Nbd2 Bh7 9.Nb3 Ng6 10.Bd3 Be7 11.Re1 O-O 12.g3 c5 13.Bc2 cxd4 14.cxd4 Rc8 {Firouzja,A (2777) -Carlsen,M (2835) Chess.com INT 2023} ) 7...g5 8.Nb3 Qc7 9.Bd2 Nd7 10.a4 {\"I think I was already better after the opening as she started to think a lot and to mix the ideas.\" (Tokhirjonova) She also added that she has always been an e2-e4 player, even though she did not play it for a long time, and that she knew \"all the ideas\" against the Caro-Kann.} 10...Bg6 ( {More common is} 10...a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] to stop the annoying pawn once and for all, when play might continue with} 11.Ne1 Bg7 12.Nd3 b6 13.Qe1 $146 ( 13.Rc1 O-O 14.f4 f6 15.exf6 Bxf6 16.Be3 Ng6 17.Bg4 Be7 18.Ne5 Ndxe5 19.fxe5 Bxg4 20.Qxg4 {Vachier-Lagrave,M (2727)-Magem Badals,J (2576) France 2010} ) 13...c5 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.Bxa5 Qc8 16.Ndxc5 Nxc5 17.Nxc5 Qxc5 18.Bb5+ Kf8 {with wild, double-edged play in Paravyan,D (2617)-Donchenko,A (2599) Chess.com INT 2022} ) ( {Another plan is} 10...Bg7 11.Bb4 a5 12.Bd6 Qd8 13.Bd3 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 Nf5 15.Ba3 Bf8 16.Bxf8 Nxf8 {Hammer,J (2632)-Howell,D (2698) Heraklion 2017} ) 11.a5 Nf5 {[#]} ( {Here too} 11...a6 {is more in the spirit of the position} 12.Rc1 {when Black can try} 12...O-O-O ( {Or} 12...c5 ) ) 12.Rc1 $146 ( {The predecessor game saw White doing well after the immediate:} 12.a6 b6 13.c4 dxc4 14.Bxc4 Rc8 15.Rc1 Qd8 16.Qe2 Ne7 17.Bb4 {with a clear edge for White in Sunyuktha,C (1815)-Thipsay,B (2093) Managiri 2019} ) 12...Be7 13.c4 {A timely advance, now that Black does not have the Nd7-b6-d5 maneuver.} 13...dxc4 14.Bxc4 O-O 15.a6 {White decided that inserting this move would weaken her opponent's position even more.} ( {Although} 15.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15...Ng7 16.h4 {at once might have been more accurate.} ) 15...b6 {Now everything goes according to Tokhirjonova's plan.} ( {Instead} 15...Rab8 $5 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is ugly-looking, but at lest promises Paikidze some queenside counterplay.} ) 16.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After fixing some weaknesses on the queenside, White starts to play where she needs to play anyway thanks to her superior pawn structure-the kingside.} 16...Ng7 17.h4 Qd8 18.hxg5 {The most powerful move.} ( 18.h5 Bh7 {was also considered by White.} ) 18...hxg5 ( {As Seirawan suggested in the commentator's booth} 18...h5 {playing for a blockade, might have been a try for the second player. Tokhirjonova also calculated this option and intended to meet it with} 19.Nh4 Bxg5 ( {Or} 19...hxg4 20.Nxg6 fxg6 21.Qxg4 ) 20.Nxg6 fxg6 21.f4 {followed by Qd1-c2 and f4-f5 in the near future, which should give a large advantage to White.} ) 19.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An accurate move. The queen is optimal in the center, discouraging Black from any f7-f6 counterplay while ready to attack the vital g5-pawn.} ( {The immediate kingside attack with} 19.Kg2 {would have allowed} 19...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Ba5 Nb6 21.Bd3 Qd5 {when Black gets some serious counterplay.} ) 19...Re8 ( {Here} 19...b5 {is not dangerous at all due to the simple} 20.Bd3 Bxd3 21.Qxd3 ) 20.Qe3 {White creates decisive threats with simple moves.} ( 20.Kg2 $5 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 20...b5 21.Bd3 Nb6 22.Bxg6 fxg6 23.Qe4 {Again, the most practical.} ( {There were many ways to capture the pawn, including} 23.Rxc6 ) ( {Or} 23.Na5 {but the move in the game was even better.} ) 23...Qd5 24.Qxd5 cxd5 25.Bxg5 {That is the thing—White not only wins a pawn, but trades the important black bishop.} 25...Nc4 26.Bxe7 Rxe7 27.Rb1 Rf8 ( {Paikidze suggested instead} 27...Rf7 {as a better try, with the idea} 28.Ng5 Rf4 29.f3 Ne3 30.Rfe1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( {But this can be easily refuted with} 30.Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 30...Nxg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 28.Ng5 Ne8 29.Kg2 {The game is practically over. After some final preparations White infiltrates along the h-file.} 29...Kg7 30.Nc5 Nc7 31.Rh1 Rh8 32.Rxh8 Kxh8 33.Rh1+ Kg8 ( {Nothing is changed by} 33...Kg7 34.Rh7+ Kf8 35.Nd7+ Ke8 36.Nf6+ ) 34.b3 Nb6 35.Rh6 Kg7 36.Rh7+ Kf8 37.Rh8+ Kg7 38.Rb8 Kh6 39.f4 b4 40.Rb7 Nc8 41.Kg3 {With the threat of a capture on e6.} 41...Nb6 {The last desperate try.} 42.Rxa7 Nc4 43.bxc4 dxc4 44.Rb7 c3 45.a7 1-0

[Event "European Team Chess Championships 2023"]
[Site "Budva, Montenegro"]
[Date "2023.11.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Andersen, Mads"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2612"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7839389062203"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,74,30,26,26,15,30,21,22,18,37,21,29,-20,-17,-42,-29,-28,-18,-33,-33,-22,-20,-2,0,-11,-3,11,-7,0,0,-7,-7,0,-7,0,-22,-7,0,0,0,-4,50,46,52,37,34,55,125,106,105,109,109,41,-4,-17,-26,-125,-127,-169,-172,-172,-112,-153,-104,-228,-214,-232,-235,-311,-311,-300,-287,-670,-687,-686,-704]} 
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 e6 5.Nbd2 Qb6 6.c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Mamedyarov, of course, plays the London System in an enterprising way. This dynamic move is rare, but has been played a few times by Erigaisi recently.} ( 6.Rb1 {is the main move.} ) 6...Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best reply. Accepting the pawn is too risky.} ( 6...Qxb2 $6 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 7.cxd5 exd5 ( 7...Nxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 8.Rb1 Qxa2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move in order to pose problems against Black's king.} 9.Bxb8 Rxb8 10.Bb5+ {with a strong initiative.} ) 8.Rb1 Qxa2 9.dxc5 {This was played in the correspondence game Heilala-Sundqvist, F $146-ch email 2021. In a real-life tournament Black is in a lot of danger. The normal capture of the c5-pawn, for instance, is already bad:} 9...Bxc5 10.Be5 {with excellent compensation for the two sacrificed pawns.} ) ( 6...cxd4 {is possible, but not the most accurate.} 7.exd4 dxc4 ( 7...Nc6 8.c5 Qd8 ( 8...Qxb2 {Maybe it's time to accept the pawn and suffer the consequences.} 9.Rb1 Qa3 10.Bb5 Bd7 11.O-O {with the initiative.} ) 9.a3 Be7 10.b4 {with a clear advantage for White in Erigaisi-Priasmoro, Hangzhou rapid 2023.} ) 8.Nxc4 Bb4+ $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 8...Qd8 ) 9.Bd2 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 Qd8 11.Qb4 {White was already winning in Erigaisi-Xiong, chess24.com 2022.} ) 7.Bd3 {Played after a long think. This is an important position for opening theory.} ( 7.cxd5 {gives nothing:} 7...Nxd5 ( 7...exd5 {is also possible.} ) 8.Nc4 Qd8 ( 8...Qb4+ $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is elegantly refuted:} 9.Nfd2 cxd4 10.Bd6 $3 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A brilliant move to trap the queen.} 10...Bxd6 11.a3 dxe3 12.axb4 exd2+ 13.Nxd2 Bxb4 14.Bd3 {with a big advantage for White.} ) 9.Bg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] was Erigaisi-Abdusattorov $146 Tata Steel India blitz Kolkata 2023. Here Black is already much better.} ( 9.dxc5 {is better.} ) 9...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 7.dxc5 Bxc5 {Black is fine: Erigaisi-Moussard, Biel Blitz 2023.} ) ( 7.Be2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a novelty and a pawn sacrifice similar to the one in the game. Opening specialists can study this move as a surprise weapon in a game. The computer, of course, indicates the paths for Black, but they may not be so easy to find during the game.} 7...cxd4 8.exd4 Nxd4 9.Nxd4 Qxd4 10.Be3 Qe5 ( 10...Qxb2 {takes a lot of courage.} 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Rb1 Qxa2 13.Bb5+ Bd7 14.Bxd7+ Kxd7 15.Rxb7+ {Surprisingly the machine still thinks this is equal.} ) 11.cxd5 {with interesting complications.} ) 7...cxd4 8.exd4 {The real novelty.} ( 8.O-O {was tried in an amateur game.} ) 8...Nxd4 9.O-O Be7 ( 9...Nxf3+ {is possible, since the bishop can be developed on d6 after} 10.Qxf3 Bd6 {and Black has no problems.} ) 10.cxd5 Nxf3+ 11.Qxf3 exd5 {A solid move, taking the squares from White's knight and opening the diagonal for the bishop.} ( 11...Nxd5 {is also possible, but it leads to more or less equal play, for instance:} 12.Nc4 Qd8 13.Rad1 O-O 14.Be4 Bd7 ) 12.Rfe1 Be6 13.Nb3 O-O 14.Be3 Qd6 15.Bf4 Qb6 16.Be3 Qd6 17.Bc5 {Mamedyarov decides to keep the game going, instead of accepting a draw by repetition. It's a bold decision that will pay dividends, since he will achieve a winning position later in the game.} 17...Qd8 ( 17...Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] looks more natural to me.} 18.Bd4 ( 18.Bb5 Qd8 {Compared to the game, white's bishop is worse on b5.} ) 18...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black should always think of returning the pawn to achieve a safe position.} 19.Bxe4 dxe4 20.Rxe4 Rfd8 {with a comfortable position.} ) 18.Bd4 b6 {A rather ugly move, but it's not very easy for Black to find a plan. Now he can try something like Rc8-Bc5 or Qd7-b7 in some positions.} ( 18...Ne4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] No longer works:} 19.Rxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...dxe4 20.Qxe4 g6 21.Qe5 {and White wins.} ) 19.h3 {Mamedyarov takes his time to improve the position. This move avoids Bg4 and thus prepares Rad1.} ( 19.Bc3 {with the idea of Nd4 is also possible.} ) 19...Rc8 20.Rad1 Qd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black gets into trouble now. It must be said that the position is not easy to play.} ( 20...Re8 {is an improvement. If White tries the same plan with} 21.Bc3 {Then Black can play} 21...Bd7 22.Nd4 Bc5 {with an acceptable position.} ) 21.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight is going to d4.} ( 21.Be5 {is also possible, with the same plan.} ) 21...Qb7 ( 21...Ne8 {This is the computer's suggestion. Whenever a very difficult defensive move is suggested by the machine, we know that the position is close to collapse.} 22.Nd4 Bf6 {with many tempting continuations for White.} ) 22.Nd4 Ne4 {[%c_arrow e1e4;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;e4;persistent;false][%c_highlight e4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e4;persistent;false]} ( 22...Bc5 {is not enough to solve the problems:} 23.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Bxf5 24.Bxf5 {with a clear advantage.} ) 23.Rxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An easy move for a gifted attacking player like Mamedyarov.} 23...dxe4 24.Bxe4 Qc7 ( 24...Qd7 {doesn't save Black:} 25.Nf5 Bxf5 26.Rxd7 Bxd7 27.Bxh7+ ( 27.Qd3 {is also good.} ) 27...Kxh7 28.Qe4+ Kg8 29.Qxe7 $18 {with a winning advantage. The attack on Black's king is stronger due to the presence of opposite-colored bishops.} ) 25.Nxe6 fxe6 26.Qh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move throws away the win, and from now on White loses control of the game.} ( 26.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the way to go, with some nice variations.} 26...Bf6 ( 26...Rf7 27.Qxe6 {Black is unable to cope with the pair of bishops.} ) ( 26...Bc5 27.Qxe6+ Qf7 28.Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A recurring theme.} 28...Bxf2+ 29.Kh2 {with a winning advantage.} ) 27.Qxe6+ Qf7 ( 27...Kh8 28.Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice touch. It's impossible to defend the pawn on h7.} ) ( 27...Rf7 28.Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Bxc3 29.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move that leaves White in a completely winning position.} ) 28.Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Qxe6 ( 28...Bxc3 29.Qd7 {wins the queen.} ) 29.Bxe6+ Kh8 30.Bxf6 gxf6 31.Bxc8 Rxc8 32.b3 {After all these adventures, White achieves an easily technically winning endgame with a pawn up.} ) 26...g6 ( 26...h6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 27.Bxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27.Qg4 ( {After the natural} 27.Bxg6 {Black is saved by} 27...Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27...Kf7 {The game remains very complicated but objectively equal.} 28.Rd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Mamedyarov pushes too hard for a win.} ( 28.Qf3+ Kg8 29.Qg4 {leads to a draw.} ) ( 28.h4 {is not very good:} 28...Bf6 29.h5 Bxc3 30.hxg6+ Ke7 31.g7 ( 31.bxc3 Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 31...Bxg7 32.Qxg7+ Rf7 33.Qg5+ Kf8 34.Qh6+ Kg8 {The attack is repelled.} ) ( 28.Re1 $5 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is possible with complicated play.} ) 28...Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king will go to g7, and Black has a material advantage for not enough compensation.} 29.Bb4 ( 29.Rf3 Kg7 ) 29...Rfd8 30.Rg3 Rg8 {Defending against the sacrifice on g6.} 31.Rf3 Kg7 ( 31...Qc1+ {wins:} 32.Kh2 Qxb2 ) 32.h4 ( 32.Rxf6 Qc1+ 33.Kh2 Kxf6 {The bishops can't create much trouble for the black king.} ) 32...Bxb2 ( 32...Qc1+ {is also good.} ) 33.h5 ( 33.g3 {gives more practical chances, although White is still losing.} ) 33...Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening mate on c1 and capturing the h5-pawn.} 34.h6+ Kh8 35.Bd2 Bc1 36.Bb4 Bxh6 37.g3 Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Further material losses are unavoidable.} 0-1

[Event "European Team Chess Championships 2023"]
[Site "Budva, Montenegro"]
[Date "2023.11.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Martirosyan, Haik M"]
[Black "Saric, Ivan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2659"]
[ECO "D35"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "pigle"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[Beauty "7904618880090"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,72,21,23,20,19,19,18,18,15,35,33,36,2,15,21,21,16,40,43,43,52,52,46,56,56,52,52,23,7,7,9,49,42,31,25,25,-29,68,59,61,21,70,0,0,-133,0,-106,-102,-102,-117,-177,-145,-264,-166,-165,-182,-149,-270,-445,-297,-356,-381,-393,-391,-447,-447,-622,-637,-622,-642,-1357,-1411,-1456,-1482]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Nbd7 {An interesting move which leads to typical Queen's Gambit positions, but with a little more spice than the traditional 4...Be7.} 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Qc2 {The immediate development of the c1-bishop is more popular.} ( 6.Bg5 ) ( 6.Bf4 ) 6...c6 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 {Martirosyan had played this position in a blitz game against none other than Magnus Carlsen.} 8...g5 {This risky move has become popular in similar positions in the 21st century. Probably the computer has something to do with it.} ( 8...Be7 {This was the choice of the former world champion.} 9.e3 Nh5 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.O-O-O Nb6 {with chances for both sides in Martirosyan-Carlsen, World Blitz Championship, Warsaw 2021.} ) 9.Bg3 Nh5 10.O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most combative choice.} 10...Nxg3 11.hxg3 g4 {Only played before in two games, but the first choice of the computer. Saric was still in his preparation.} ( 11...Nb6 ) 12.Nd2 {A new move. It looks timid, but the knight is helpful on d2 when White plays e4.} ( 12.Nh4 {is more natural and certainly Saric was ready for it.} 12...Nb6 13.e4 dxe4 {with an unclear game: Alshameary Puente-Stella Figueira da Foz 2020.} ( 13...Be6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 14.e5 {led to an advantage for White in Kramnik-l'Ami, Isle of Man 2018.} ) ) 12...Bg7 13.e3 ( 13.e4 {is a critical move, but Black is fine after} 13...O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.e5 ( 14.exd5 cxd5 15.Nxd5 Nb6 {with good compensation for the pawn.} ) 14...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with counterplay.} ) 13...Qf6 {The computer is not very impressed with this move.} ( 13...Nf6 {is a good alternative.} 14.Bd3 O-O {Black's plan is Rc8 followed by c6-c5.} ) 14.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...O-O ( 14...gxf3 {improves White's pawn structure after} 15.gxf3 ) 15.Bd3 {Developing pieces is never too bad. There is an interesting alternative, however:} ( 15.e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15...Qxd4 16.Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move.} 16...Qc5 17.exd5 cxd5 {With a rich position that creative minds would love to play. A possible continuation is} 18.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A daring sacrifice to gain time.} 18...Qxb4 19.Nxd5 Qc5 20.Rh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another delightful move. White has the initiative, but Black also has his chances.} ) 15...b5 {I wouldn't call this typical move a mistake, but it looks slow. The plan is to support Nb6-c4.} ( 15...Nb6 {is a good alternative. The bishop takes part in the game and the plan is Bd7 followed by c5.} ) 16.Kb1 ( 16.e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is again a critical attempt.} 16...Qxd4 17.e5 {with the initiative for White.} ) 16...Nb6 17.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Everybody knew this was coming sooner or later.} 17...Qxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black is in trouble now, but the position is not easy to play.} ( 17...dxe4 {is necessary, although it looks scary.} 18.Ndxe4 Qd8 ( 18...Qxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 19.Bxb5 ) ) 18.e5 ( 18.Nb3 Qb4 19.e5 {is also better for White.} ) 18...Na4 {Black tries to open lines on the queenside, but his queen is in trouble on d4.} 19.Nxa4 bxa4 20.Nf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Martirosyan has got an excellent position with the initiative, but he stumbles now and Black turns the game around.} ( 20.Nc4 {is interesting, but not the most accurate.} 20...Qc5 21.Bh7+ Kh8 22.Nd6 Qxc2+ 23.Bxc2 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black has good chances of escaping.} ) ( 20.Bh7+ $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Kh8 21.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the most unpleasant continuation.} 21...Qc4 22.Nf6 {White is a pawn down at the moment, but Black has doubled pawns, many weaknesses and his king is in trouble, despite the queen exchange.} ) 20...Qb6 21.Bh7+ Kh8 22.Ng5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This looks tempting, as White now prepares the deadly 23.Bg8, but it's tactically refuted.} ( 22.Nd4 {is better, but Black still has the initiative after} 22...a3 23.b3 ( 23.Nf5 {is the computer suggestion.} ) 23...c5 24.Nf5 Bxf5 25.Bxf5 Rfd8 ) ( 22.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate move. The position is still balanced after} 22...a3 23.Bf5 ) 22...Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pressure on the b2-pawn helps Black defend against the threats on the other side of the board.} 23.Rd2 {Defending the b2-pawn.} ( 23.Bg8 $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 23...Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Qxf5 Qxb2# ) 23...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.exf6 Rxf6 {White's pieces on h7 and g5 are stuck, as the threats are no longer dangerous. The counterattack will be merciless.} 25.Re2 Rf8 ( 25...Ba6 {is also winning.} ) 26.Bg6 a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Opening the diagonal.} 27.b3 Qd4 28.Re5 {A desperate attempt to block Black's powerful dark-squared bishop.} 28...Rb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. The rook is useful to protect the seventh rank.} ( 28...a5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is not so precise:} 29.Rd1 Qb2+ 30.Qxb2 axb2 31.Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is still alive.} ) 29.Bd3 ( 29.Rd1 Qb2+ 30.Qxb2 axb2 {Now Black is winning:} 31.Re2 hxg5 {The bishop can be captured.} 32.Rh1+ Kg8 33.Bh7+ Kf7 ) 29...a5 ( 29...c5 {followed by c5-c4 is also very good.} ) 30.Kc1 Qa1+ 31.Qb1 Bxe5 32.Rxh6+ Kg8 33.fxe5 Qc3+ 34.Kd1 ( 34.Qc2 {loses to} 34...Qe1+ 35.Qd1 Qxe5 ) 34...Rf2 35.Rg6+ Rg7 36.Be2 Bf5 {A very interesting game that shows the strength of counterattacks in chess.} 0-1

[Event "European Team Chess Championships 2023"]
[Site "Budva, Montenegro"]
[Date "2023.11.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Tsolakidou, Stavroula"]
[Black "Buksa, Nataliya"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2389"]
[BlackElo "2377"]
[ECO "B33"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7976831954512"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,71,17,10,47,41,44,15,15,15,31,31,30,30,22,28,28,28,28,20,52,35,26,24,46,24,18,20,55,46,57,22,47,40,26,26,54,57,57,48,54,28,51,51,64,-9,-22,-30,0,0,148,188,161,189,218,220,210,217,227,227,227,229,228,228,367,382,374,376,386,374,472,480,29995,29996]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Nd5 {A move that became popular after being used by Caruana in the match against Carlsen, in 2018. It leads to an unbalanced pawn structure and dynamic positions.} 7...Nxd5 8.exd5 Ne7 {Currently 8...Nb8 is more popular, but the move played in the game has been chosen several times by Carlsen.} ( 8...Nb8 ) 9.c4 Ng6 10.Qa4 Bd7 11.Qb4 {This is all well-established theory. Now, Black has a choice.} 11...Bf5 ( 11...Qb8 {is played more often. The game can continue:} 12.h4 h5 13.Be3 a6 14.Nc3 Be7 15.Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with better chances for White, if you know what to do later.} ( 15.g3 {is not accurate:} 15...O-O 16.Be2 b5 {Black had good counterplay in Karjakin-Carlsen, Norway Chess Stavanger 2021.} ) ) 12.Qa4 Bd7 13.Qb4 Bf5 14.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Of course, White is not interested in a draw so early, especially in a team tournament.} 14...h5 {Black avoids h4-h5.} 15.Bg5 Qb8 16.Be2 ( 16.Qa4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was tried by Caruana. When preparing openings, a good rule of thumb is: \"If Caruana played it, I should play it too.\"} 16...Bd7 17.Qc2 Bxb5 18.cxb5 Be7 19.Bd3 {with some initiative for White in Caruana-Carlsen, Grenke Chess Classic 2019.} ) 16...a6 17.Nc3 Qc7 18.g3 Be7 19.Be3 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Freeing the e5-square for the knight. I think White should try to improve at this point.} 20.O-O ( 20.Qb6 {gives nothing:} 20...Qd7 21.c5 dxc5 22.Bxc5 O-O {with a good position for Black.} ) ( 20.Qa4+ {is critical and better than the move played in the game.} 20...Bd7 ( 20...Kf8 {is possible as well, but not desirable.} ) 21.Qd1 O-O 22.Nxe4 Rfe8 {Black has compensation, but White can study this: Pranesh-Lagunow, World-chT Rapid Dusseldorf 2023.} ) 20...O-O ( 20...Ne5 {is natural, but White can fight for the advantage with the typical} 21.Qa4+ $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Bd7 22.Qd1 ) 21.Bxh5 Ne5 {All of this has already been played before in a very important elite game, but I have the feeling (judging by the time spent) that the players didn't remember this game well.} 22.Bd4 {A new move.} ( 22.Be2 Qd7 {Black has excellent compensation and won a great game in Karjakin-Carlsen, Gashimov Memorial Shamkir 2019.} ) 22...Nd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black has so many interesting options that it's hard to choose just one. The move played is certainly very interesting.} ( 22...Nxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Taking the c4-pawn is bad, in both versions.} 23.Rac1 {with an unpleasant pin.} ) ( 22...Qxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 23.Qxc4 Nxc4 24.Rfe1 {with the better endgame for White.} ) ( 22...Nf3+ $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is premature, although we will see this idea in a better version later on.} 23.Bxf3 exf3 24.Rfe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Followed by Re3. Black does not have time to bring the queen to h3.} ) ( 22...Rac8 {is natural, reinforcing the pressure on c4.} 23.Bxe5 dxe5 24.Qb3 Qxc4 ( 24...Bc5 {is also possible.} ) 25.Qxb7 Qc5 {with a balanced position.} ) ( 22...Bf6 {is solid and gives good compensation for the pawn after} 23.Be2 Rac8 ) ( 22...Bg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This creative move is my favorite. It's a very subtle choice.} 23.Bxg6 ( 23.Be2 Nf3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Bxf3 exf3 {This is a much better version for Black, since the queen is coming quickly to the kingside after ...Qd7.} ) 23...Nf3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Kg2 fxg6 25.Be3 Qd7 {with excellent attacking chances on the light squares.} ) 23.Qb3 Bxh4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A good piece sacrifice.} ( 23...Rac8 {is possible. Now, White must find the precise} 24.Nd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Bh3 ( 24...Qxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses material after} 25.Qxc4 Rxc4 26.Ne3 Rxd4 27.Nxf5 ) 25.Ne3 Bxf1 26.Rxf1 {with good compensation for the exchange.} ) 24.gxh4 {The position becomes extremely complicated. White is not forced to accept the gift on h4.} ( 24.Be2 {is natural, with complicated play after} 24...Qe7 ) ( 24.Nxe4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting hidden resource.} 24...Bxe4 25.Be2 {White regains the piece.} 25...Nf4 ( 25...Nc5 {is also good enough for equality after} 26.Bxc5 dxc5 27.gxh4 Qe7 28.Qg3 Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.cxd5 Qxe2 ) 26.gxf4 Qd7 {with chances for both sides.} ) ( 24.f3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This likely poses the most difficult problems for Black.} 24...e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best option.} ( 24...Bxg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25.fxe4 {is much better for White.} ) 25.gxh4 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The game peters out to a draw by perpetual check after} 26.Ne4 Bxe4 27.fxe4 Qxh4 28.Qxd3 Qg3+ 29.Kh1 Qh3+ ) 24...Qe7 {This is the point of the sacrifice. The pawn on h4 will be captured, and the queen, knight, and bishop create dangerous threats against White's king.} 25.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight must come to the king's rescue.} 25...Qxh4 26.Ng3 {We arrive at the critical moment of the game.} 26...Nf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move meets a beautiful refutation. Black has several alternatives.} ( 26...Qh3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 27.Rfe1 ( 27.Nxf5 Qxh5 28.Ng3 Qh3 29.Nxe4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with good attacking chances in this chaotic position.} ) 27...Nf4 28.Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way to defend mate.} 28...exf3 29.Qxf3 g5 {with equal play.} ) ( 26...Rae8 {Black can simply bring the rook to the game. White must do the same, and the position requires a lot of analysis to be understood. The computer thinks it's equal.} 27.Rfe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 26...Bd7 {This looks less precise than the other bishop move, although it's also possible.} ) ( 26...Bh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This strikes me as the most human choice. The bishop is not attacked anymore, and the path is cleared for a pawn push with ...f5.} 27.Rfe1 ( 27.Be2 Rae8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the initiative.} ( 27...Nf4 {is not so good after} 28.Be3 ) ) 27...Nf4 28.Be2 Nh3+ 29.Kg2 Nf4+ {with perpetual check.} ) 27.Nxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Qxh5 28.Qg3 $3 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true][%c_arrow b3g3;keyPressed;none;from;b3;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false] This brilliant move certainly was missed by Buksa. White is winning.} 28...Ne2+ 29.Kg2 Nxg3 30.Ne7+ Kh7 31.fxg3 {The idea becomes clear: Black cannot prevent 32.Rh1.} 31...Kh6 ( 31...Qe2+ {doesn't help:} 32.Rf2 ) 32.Rh1 Qxh1+ 33.Rxh1+ Kg5 34.Bxg7 {White is ahead in material, and the attack continues.} 34...Rfe8 35.Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice final touch.} 35...e3 ( 35...Rxe7 36.Bf6+ ) 36.Bf6+ ( 36.Bf6+ Kh5 37.Rh1+ Kg4 38.Rh4# ) 1-0

[Event "European Team Chess Championships 2023"]
[Site "Budva, Montenegro"]
[Date "2023.11.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Theodorou, Nikolas"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2619"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "C43"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Beauty "8250099255327"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,37,23,7,2,-3,2,8,0,-11,-22,-37,-37,-73,0,0,0,-55,-55,-55,-55,-137,-4,-220,-231,-104,-92,-40,0,0,15,144,1179,1246,29991,29992,29993,29994,29995,29996]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.dxe5 Bc5 ( 4...d5 {is a more solid choice, but there's nothing wrong with the move played by Radjabov in case you like adventures and have a very good memory.} ) 5.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most dangerous move, although 7.Qd5 is also possible.} ( 5.Qd5 Bxf2+ 6.Ke2 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is able to defend both pieces due to this tactical resource.} 7.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 7.exf6 {is not dangerous:} 7...Nxf6 8.Qe5+ Kf7 {Black is fine, since the bishop cannot be captured due to a knight fork on g4.} ( {or} 8...Kf8 ) ) 7...c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 7...Bb6 8.Nxe4 fxe4 9.Qxe4 {With the initiative.} ) 8.Nxe4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 8...cxd5 9.Nd6+ Kf8 10.Kxf2 {With a very complicated position.} ) 5...Nxf2 6.Bxf7+ ( 6.Qd5 Qe7 {defends everything.} ) 6...Kxf7 ( 6...Kf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is inaccurate:} 7.Qd5 Nxh1 8.Bh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 8...Qe7 9.Bg5 Bf2+ 10.Ke2 Qe6 11.Nc3 {with the better position for White. The h1-knight will be captured and the attack persists.} ) 7.Qd5+ Kg6 8.Qxc5 Nxh1 9.Nc3 {A strange position, which has already been debated in some important games. At the moment, Black has an extra rook, but the knight on h1 will be captured at some point and the king is in danger. As normally happens, the advantages are equivalent and the position is equal.} 9...h6 {Giving a much-needed square for the king on h7.} 10.Nd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A fresh idea, although not a novelty.} ( 10.Qc4 {White usually plays this move first.} 10...Kh7 11.Nd5 ( 11.Qe4+ Kg8 12.Qd5+ {is a perpetual check.} ) 11...Re8 {Black has demonstrated in some games that his position is viable.} ) 10...Re8 {A new move.} ( 10...Kh7 {This is the first move that should be analyzed. White can transpose to theory after 11.Qc4, but can try a new idea as well:} 11.Bxh6 $5 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Now Black has to walk a very narrow path to escape.} ( 11.Qc4 Re8 ) 11...gxh6 ( 11...Kxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 12.O-O-O {with a winning attack.} ) 12.Nf6+ Kg7 13.Nh5+ Kg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has some dangerous attempts now.} ( 13...Kh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 14.Qd5 Qe7 15.Qe4+ Kg8 16.O-O-O ) 14.e6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 14.Qd5 Qe7 15.Qe4+ Kf7 ( 15...Kxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16.g4# ) 16.Qf4+ Kg8 {with no more than a draw for White.} ) 14...dxe6 15.Qe5 Rg8 16.Rd1 Qf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 16...Qe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17.Rd4 {wins for White after} 17...Nc6 18.Rg4+ Kh7 19.Qe4+ Kh8 20.Rxg8+ Kxg8 21.Qg6+ ) 17.Rd4 Nc6 18.Rg4+ Kh7 ( 18...Kf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Qxc7+ ) 19.Nf6+ Qxf6 20.Qxf6 Rxg4 21.Qf7+ Rg7 22.Ng5+ hxg5 23.Qh5+ Kg8 24.Qe8+ {with perpetual check.} ) ( 10...d6 {is possible, but again Black must be very accurate.} 11.Qc4 c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 11...Kh7 $4 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 12.Nf6+ gxf6 13.Qf7# ) 12.Nf4+ Kh7 13.Qd3+ Kg8 14.exd6 Na6 15.Qc4+ Kh7 {with a draw in Volodarsky-Boehnke, EU-ch 2017 ICCF email.} ) 11.Qd4 Kh7 {The king must run for shelter.} 12.Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_arrow c1h6;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false] There's only one saving move now.} 12...gxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 12...Kxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White has many ways of winning against this move.} 13.Qe3+ {The most accurate.} ( 13.O-O-O {is also good.} ) ( 13.Qf4+ g5 14.Qf7 Rf8 15.Nxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is winning as well.} ) 13...g5 ( 13...Kh7 14.Ng5+ Kg8 15.Qf4 {With a decisive attack.} ) 14.h4 {Black's material advantage doesn't count; the pieces are still in their initial positions.} ) ( 12...Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary, with a forced draw.} 13.Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 13...gxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 14.Nf6+ ) 14.Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...gxh6 ( 14...Kxh6 {is also a draw:} 15.Qh3+ Kg6 16.Qg4+ Kh6 ) 15.Qe4+ Kg7 ( 15...Kh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16.Qg6 ) 16.Qg4+ {with perpetual check.} ) 13.O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is ready to put the knight on f6. Theodorou was certainly still in preparation, but the game is already over.} 13...Re6 ( 13...Nc6 14.Qe4+ Kg7 15.Qg4+ Kh8 16.Qg6 Re7 17.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...hxg5 18.Nf6 Qf8 19.Qh5+ Kg7 20.Qh7# {A pretty finish.} ) 14.Nf6+ Kh8 15.Nh4 {Black is helpless against the combined attack of the queen and two knights.} 15...d6 16.Qf4 Kg7 17.Qg4+ Kh8 18.Ng6+ Kg7 19.Nf8+ ( 19.Nf8+ Kxf8 20.Qg8+ Ke7 21.Qg7# ) 1-0

[Event "European Team Chess Championships 2023"]
[Site "Budva, Montenegro"]
[Date "2023.11.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2829"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[Beauty "6666862989321"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,111,23,23,22,22,20,19,19,16,38,0,0,7,2,1,9,17,22,19,13,15,7,1,27,20,13,20,20,23,23,20,20,24,10,15,15,13,36,38,50,46,41,40,47,37,28,23,30,0,29,25,28,34,25,23,22,33,33,26,5,27,46,45,45,45,45,61,51,52,50,50,52,52,59,57,64,46,63,63,73,76,74,71,79,75,80,84,80,75,80,83,81,99,100,84,84,84,98,98,131,122,111,122,132,134,186,189,210,185,409,418,413,406]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.a4 {Carlsen has many small weapons he successfully employs to create practical problems against the solid Berlin Defense.} 6...Be7 7.Nc3 a6 8.Bf1 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Considered by opening theory the best way to equalize.} 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Rxe4 d5 11.Re1 d4 {Another good move, gaining space in the center.} ( 11...O-O 12.d4 {Here White can fight for a small advantage.} ) ( 11...Bg4 {is also considered good enough for equality.} ) 12.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A clever way to improve the bishop's position.} 12...Be6 13.Be4 Bd5 14.d3 O-O 15.Bf4 {Among the many things that Carlsen masters, the ones that cause me the greatest admiration are knowing how to take the game to positions that are equal but not drawn and knowing in which of these positions he can put pressure on the opponent. This is a textbook example. No one can disagree that the position is equal at the moment.} 15...Bb4 16.Re2 Rc8 {Defending the c-pawn. This move is a novelty.} ( 16...Bxe4 {is simple and good. For example:} 17.dxe4 ( 17.Rxe4 Qd7 ) 17...Qe7 {with equality in Dudley-Annoni, W-ch email ICCF 2022.} ) 17.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Necessary to develop the queen and double heavy pieces on the e-file.} 17...Be7 18.Qe1 ( 18.Qf1 {is also possible, with the idea of playing Rae1.} ) 18...Bxe4 19.Rxe4 f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This pawn advance is questionable since there's no need to weaken the position.} ( 19...Qd7 {is better. Maybe Van Foreest was worried about the tactical possibility of Nxd4, here or later, but Black has enough resources.} 20.b4 ( 20.Nxd4 Nxd4 21.Rxe7 Qd6 {is similar to the main line,} ) 20...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding b4-b5.} 21.axb5 axb5 22.Nxd4 Nxd4 23.Rxe7 Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea. Black threatens the c2-pawn and also ...Ne6, winning the exchange.} 24.Qe5 Qxe5 25.Rxe5 Nxc2 {with an equal endgame.} ) 20.Re2 Bf6 21.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing the unpleasant b4-b5.} 21...Qd5 22.h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A classic move, gaining space on the kingside. However, there is an even more accurate move.} ( 22.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The exchange of bishops weakens Black's position. After} 22...h6 23.Bxf6 Rxf6 24.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position is more difficult to defend, as the e5- and e7-squares have become more vulnerable.} ) 22...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding the bishop exchange.} 23.Bf4 Kh7 24.Qd2 Rfe8 {A move that has a tactical idea to recover the pawn that is sacrificed on c7.} ( 24...Rf7 {is a good defense, since doubling rooks on the e-file is not dangerous after} 25.Rae1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 25...Be7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Bxc7 Be7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Black's idea.} 27.b5 ( 27.Rb1 Qa2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by the capture of the a4-pawn.} ) 27...axb5 28.axb5 Qxb5 29.Qf4 Bf6 30.h5 {White still maintains some pressure, as Black potentially has three weaknesses: the f5-, d4-, and b7-pawns. However, it's not easy to exploit them.} 30...Kg8 ( 30...Qd5 {is also possible.} ) 31.Qd6 {Considering the difficult move that Black could have played, which I'll discuss next, we can understand that the machine's move 31.Qc1 is more accurate, with the idea of exchanging queens after Qb1 and pressing in a similar way to what we will see later in the game.} ( 31.Qc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 31...f4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 31...Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a very strong defensive move, likely leading to a draw after} 32.Nxd4 Qb2 33.Rf1 Qxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.Qxd4 Nf3+ 35.gxf3 Bxd4 {White is a pawn up, but Black is very active.} ) 32.Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Qxh5 33.Bxf4 Qf7 34.Qxf7+ ( 34.Qg4 {can also be considered, keeping the queens on the board. But it's hard to disagree with Carlsen's choice.} ) 34...Kxf7 35.Rb1 {I have said and written many times that, to me, Carlsen seems to be a modern version of Karpov. He is also an intuitive player but with even better calculation. The most striking quality, and the one that unites these very similar players, is the ability to win endgames easily, making their opponents wonder where they went wrong.} 35...Re7 36.Kf1 ( 36.g4 {is more accurate, preventing the advance of Black's pawns.} ) 36...g5 37.Bh2 Rd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 37...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's essential to avoid White's next move.} 38.Nd2 Rd7 39.Ne4 Be7 {with a difficult but defensible position.} ) 38.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fixing the pawns on the same color as the bishop. To circumvent this, Black will have to play h6-h5, creating an additional weakness.} 38...Kg6 39.Rb5 h5 40.gxh5+ Kxh5 41.Kg2 Kg6 42.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight prepares to go to c4 or e4.} 42...Na7 $6 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 42...Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives Black more chances to defend.} 43.Ne4 Nd5 ) 43.Rb2 Nc6 44.Nc4 g4 45.Rb5 Re7 46.Bd6 Rh7 47.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A calm, \"Karpovian\" move. The knight changes direction.} 47...Na7 48.Rb1 Kf5 49.Ne4 Be5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] As usually happened against Karpov and now against Carlsen, the opponent breaks under pressure. The position is already very difficult.} ( 49...Bd8 ) 50.Bxe5 Kxe5 51.Kg3 {The g4-pawn is doomed, but the other pawns are weak as well.} 51...Rg7 52.Rb6 Rc7 53.Kxg4 Rf7 54.f3 Rf4+ 55.Kg3 Rf7 56.f4+ {The final touch. Black either loses material or is mated. This game is a masterpiece that rewards repeated analysis.} ( 56.f4+ Rxf4 ( 56...Kd5 57.Rd6# ) ( 56...Kf5 57.Nd6+ ) 57.Rxb7 ) 1-0

[Event "Collegiate Chess League: Fall 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Yaskolko, Maxim"]
[Black "Dudin, Gleb"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2509"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[Beauty "8250632175650"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

{[%evp 0,64,24,24,66,47,62,47,39,26,26,26,42,30,30,30,30,30,31,22,44,12,61,68,49,44,49,49,49,45,49,29,12,17,55,52,52,11,-2,-26,-7,-26,3,-25,-18,-42,-13,-18,-43,-43,-44,-45,-38,-103,-93,-473,-193,-517,-364,-583,-632,-585,-591,-629,-561,-825,-828]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.f3 Be6 9.Qd2 h5 10.Nd5 Bxd5 ( 10...Nxd5 {is considered better by opening theory.} 11.exd5 Bf5 ) 11.exd5 Nbd7 12.Na5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a typical move in the Sicilian, as the knight can hardly be expelled with the move b6, thanks to the c6-square. But here Black has good counterplay.} ( 12.O-O-O {is the best attempt for an opening advantage.} ) 12...Qc7 13.c4 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is it. Black must play fast and bring the knight to e5.} 14.Be2 Ne5 15.f4 {A difficult decision. I wouldn't hurry with this move. I prefer} ( 15.O-O {although Black is fine after} 15...O-O {with the idea of Rfe8 and Bf8.} ) 15...Neg4 16.Bd4 O-O 17.O-O Rfe8 18.h3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is a mistake because Black naturally wants to play Nh6-f5. It's better to reinforce the knight's position on a5, taking that burden off the queen on d2.} ( 18.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 18...Nh6 ( {Better than} 18...e3 19.Qb4 ) 19.b4 ( 19.f5 {White has no time to take the square from the knight, since Black can play} 19...e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Bxe3 Ne4 {and White's position is on the verge of collapse.} ) 19...Nf5 20.Bb2 Bd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good maneuver. The bishop prepares to go to the g1-a7 diagonal.} 21.Kh2 h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding g2-g4 forever.} 22.Rac1 Qd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A tactical mistake, something that is almost inevitable in a blitz game.} ( 22...Qe7 {is better, preparing ...Bb6, with a clear advantage.} ) 23.Nb3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White misses the chance and the position deteriorates quickly.} ( 23.Bxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Bxf6 24.Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. The knight is pinned and White is back in the game.} ) 23...Ng3 24.Rfe1 Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.Qe3 Qg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight is coming to f5. Black's play is easy and good.} 26.Nd4 Bb6 27.Bd1 a5 ( 27...Nf5 {wins immediately, just like in the game.} ) 28.a3 axb4 29.axb4 Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Qg1 Bxd4 31.Bxd4 Nxd4 32.Qxd4 Qg3+ {The e1-rook is lost.} 0-1

[Event "Grand Chess Sinquefield Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[ECO "E83"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Beauty "7904887308328"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,73,25,-25,-8,-16,32,15,34,33,33,20,25,14,23,33,27,20,13,4,45,26,50,45,41,46,46,63,46,57,45,-2,0,13,20,30,65,54,103,64,69,58,134,141,133,155,128,175,189,190,198,206,132,202,188,182,184,199,198,204,252,255,287,297,304,242,270,266,270,266,270,274,290,290,294,280]} 
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.e4 d6 4.d4 Bg7 5.f3 {The Saemisch System is one of the most reliable and principled options against the King's Indian. White solidifies his center and relies on the space advantage to achieve an opportunity.} 5...O-O 6.Nge2 {This move is a good alternative to the more popular bishop moves to e3 or g5.} 6...Nc6 {Black has many possible plans. This one, Nc6 followed by a6, Bd7, Rb8, and b5, was one of Kasparov's favorites and is used in several King's Indian lines.} 7.Be3 a6 8.Qd2 Bd7 ( 8...Rb8 {Many start with Rb8 right away.} ) 9.Rb1 {White also has many possible plans: this opening is rich in strategic ideas. 9.g4, 9.h4, and 9.Nc1 are the most obvious paths. White's idea is to play b2-b4 and maybe also g2-g4 with a commanding pawn army.} ( 9.g4 ) ( 9.h4 ) ( 9.Nc1 ) 9...h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A recent idea. The h5-move, avoiding g4, is one of the discoveries of modern strategy, as it has been validated by engines in the most varied defenses from the King's Indian to the Sicilian Najdorf. I also briefly mention other options.} ( 9...b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is too optimistic.} 10.cxb5 axb5 11.Nxb5 {Now} 11...Rxa2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] fails to} 12.Na3 {and the rook is trapped.} ) ( 9...Rb8 10.b4 Re8 {is also recommended by the engines. They clearly have incorporated Nimzowitsch's idea of \"Mysterious Rook Moves.\"} ) ( 9...e5 10.d5 Ne7 {is a King's Indian classic.} ) 10.b4 Nh7 {A new move. It looks strange, but it's not bad. Black is getting ready to play e5 and later f5, while waiting for White to show his cards.} ( 10...e6 11.g3 {was played in Novikov-Shabalov, USA-ch Seniors Saint Louis 2022.} ) 11.d5 {White decides to advance the center to free the d4-square for the knight.} ( 11.g3 {is another way of developing, but Black has interesting counterplay.} 11...e5 ( 11...h4 {is also interesting.} ) 12.d5 Ne7 ) 11...Ne5 12.Nd4 Rc8 {It's also possible to advance the c-pawn immediately.} ( 12...c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a positional mistake:} 13.bxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...dxc5 14.Nb3 b6 15.Be2 {with a big advantage for White with the powerful center.} ) ( 12...c6 {is possible with a double-edged position after} 13.dxc6 bxc6 ) 13.Be2 c5 14.dxc6 ( 14.bxc5 {Now Black can take with the rook with good counterplay.} 14...Rxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 14...Bxc6 ( 14...Nxc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 15.Nxc6 {leads to a comfortable advantage for White. Black should not exchange his active knight.} ) ( 14...bxc6 {is possible with balanced play. The idea is} 15.c5 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with counterplay.} ) 15.Rc1 {A difficult move. So wants to protect the c4-pawn.} ( 15.Nxc6 {is possible, but after} 15...Rxc6 16.c5 {Black has many interesting possibilities. The game is equal.} ) 15...Bd7 16.Nd1 b5 {A pawn sacrifice that totally fits the King's Indian spirit.} 17.Nb2 {Solid play.} ( {After} 17.cxb5 {Black has good compensation for the pawn:} 17...Rxc1 18.Qxc1 axb5 19.Nxb5 Qb8 20.a4 Rc8 ) 17...Nxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] After this inaccurate move, White achieves a better position.} ( 17...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better with equality after} 18.O-O Qb8 {It's important to keep the pawn on b5, since it takes away some of the potential of the white pieces.} ) 18.Nxc4 e5 ( 18...bxc4 19.Bxc4 {is also better for White, since the queenside is weak.} ) 19.Nb3 ( 19.Nxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is enough for a clear advantage.} 19...axb5 ( 19...Bxb5 20.O-O ) 20.Nb6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Maybe not the best objectively but calmer than} ( 20.Nxd6 Rxc1+ 21.Qxc1 Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Nxf7 Rxf7 23.gxh3 Qh4+ 24.Bf2 Qxh3 {which leads to some chaotic play, although White is better.} ) 20...Rxc1+ 21.Qxc1 {White has a clear positional advantage.} ) 19...bxc4 20.Bxc4 Rxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Rapport gets carried away by the previously mentioned \"King's Indian spirit.\" He sacrifices the exchange to avoid castling, but it turns out that the compensation is not enough.} ( 20...Bb5 {is better with a slight advantage for White after} 21.Bxb5 Rxc1+ 22.Nxc1 axb5 ) 21.Rxc4 Bb5 22.Rc1 d5 {More sacrifices are necessary in an attempt to justify the previous play.} ( 22...f5 {doesn't work:} 23.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Bxa4 24.Qa2 {with a winning advantage.} ) 23.Qxd5 ( 23.exd5 {Here probably Rapport's idea is to continue sacrificing pawns with} 23...e4 {Despite the machine's pessimistic assessment, it's clear the Black has practical chances.} ) 23...Qh4+ 24.g3 Qf6 ( 24...Qh3 {is probably more stubborn. The idea is} 25.Kf2 ( 25.Rc2 {is the computer's favorite.} ) 25...g5 {with the idea of playing g4 and creating something recalling an attack. It shouldn't work, to be honest.} ) 25.Kf2 Rd8 26.Qb7 Rd3 27.Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now it's over. Everything is defended, and the rook is ready to go to d1. White has a decisive material advantage.} 27...Qxb6 ( 27...Qe7 28.Rhd1 {wins easily.} ) 28.Bxb6 Ng5 29.h4 Rxf3+ ( 29...Nxf3 30.Rhd1 ) 30.Kg2 Rxb3 31.axb3 Nxe4 32.Rhe1 Nd2 33.Rc8+ Kh7 34.Rc7 Kg8 35.Rc8+ Kh7 36.Rc7 Kg8 37.Re3 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Sinquefield Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "E21"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[Beauty "5978997136904"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,133,39,17,27,6,6,10,26,26,26,13,15,-6,-6,-6,-3,-3,19,-9,-12,-12,-4,-3,12,11,24,24,43,44,49,38,44,30,30,50,41,41,55,42,42,72,76,46,42,54,54,18,76,62,62,50,134,64,64,47,74,74,65,65,92,95,118,114,113,120,118,84,77,78,85,76,76,70,76,55,55,55,59,59,60,54,101,99,92,87,87,89,93,87,87,92,92,87,87,87,90,68,116,83,115,98,127,126,121,129,121,93,102,105,88,70,67,58,63,62,62,70,181,164,164,133,125,170,314,172,178,178,387,397,431,362,346,306,1402,1536]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 b6 5.Qb3 a5 ( 5...c5 {is the most popular move. A long time ago I played an interesting game with big complications right at the opening:} 6.a3 Ba5 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Bg3 g4 10.Nd2 cxd4 11.Nb5 Ne4 12.O-O-O Bxd2+ 13.Rxd2 Nxd2 14.Kxd2 O-O {with a good position for Black in Disconzi da Silva-Leitao, BRA-ch Sao Paulo 2001.} ) 6.g3 Bb7 7.Bg2 d6 ( 7...O-O {A recent game followed:} 8.O-O Bxc3 9.Qxc3 d6 10.b3 Nbd7 11.Rd1 Qe7 {with a typical middlegame position from the Queen's Indian Defense. Mamedyarov-Tabatabaei, Chessable Masters rapid 2023.} ) 8.O-O Nbd7 {It's no surprise that this move is a novelty. Players with Black are often terrified at the prospect of losing the bishop on b4 and capturing the knight on c3 as soon as it's no longer pinned.} ( 8...Bxc3 9.Qxc3 Nbd7 {with a typical position. White has the pair of bishops, and this should be enough for a slight advantage.} ) 9.Qc2 {Aronian decides not to try to exploit the possible defects of Black's previous move. This can be tried with 9.Nb5 or 9.Na4; the latter seems to be the most promising.} ( 9.Nb5 {is not too dangerous:} 9...c6 ( 9...d5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 10.Bf4 ) 10.a3 ( 10.Nh4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a curious computer suggestion.} ) 10...cxb5 11.axb4 ( 11.cxb5 Bc5 12.dxc5 Nxc5 {Black follows up with a5-a4, and the knight is strong on c5.} ) 11...bxc4 ( 11...a4 {is also good.} ) 12.Qxc4 O-O {with a good position.} ) ( 9.Na4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 9...d5 {Forced, otherwise the bishop is lost.} 10.Ne5 ( 10.c5 {is possible, but Black has a playable position after} 10...bxc5 11.Nxc5 Bxc5 12.Qxb7 Bd6 ) 10...O-O 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 13.Rac1 {with chances of a slight advantage.} ) 9...O-O {Playing with fire.} ( 9...Bxc3 {is more prudent.} ) 10.Rd1 ( 10.Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now this is really the best move.} 10...d5 ( 10...Be4 11.Qd1 d5 12.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12...b5 ( 12...bxc5 {loses the bishop for insufficient compensation after} 13.a3 ) 13.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...bxa4 14.axb4 {Black's queenside is very weak: the bishop is not well placed on e4.} ) 11.c5 b5 12.Nc3 ( 12.a3 {is also possible:} 12...bxa4 13.axb4 Bc6 14.bxa5 Rxa5 {with a slight advantage for White.} ) 12...Bxc3 13.Qxc3 b4 14.Qc2 {With more space and the pair of bishops, White has the advantage.} ) 10...Qe7 ( 10...Bxc3 ) 11.b3 c5 {I don't like the plan of advancing the central pawns. I prefer the slower} ( 11...Bxc3 12.Qxc3 Be4 ) 12.Bb2 {White prepares d4-d5.} 12...d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 12...Rac8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] doesn't fight against White's plan:} 13.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Bxc3 14.Qxc3 exd5 15.cxd5 Qxe2 16.Re1 Qa6 17.Nh4 {with a winning initiative.} ) ( 12...Rfe8 {is more subtle. If White tries the same, there's an extra possibility for Black.} 13.d5 Bxc3 14.Qxc3 exd5 15.cxd5 Qf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Defending the g7-pawn and attacking e2 and d5 with an unclear game.} ) 13.cxd5 Bxc3 ( 13...exd5 {leads to a passive position with a few weaknesses, especially with the bishop on b4. White has many tempting continuations.} ) 14.d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A typical intermediate move in similar positions. Pattern recognition is very important in chess.} 14...Qxd6 15.Qxc3 Qe7 16.dxc5 Nxc5 17.Ne5 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 {White has a clear advantage. The b2-bishop is strong and Black's queenside is weak, especially the pawn on b6.} 18...Qb7+ 19.Qf3 Nfe4 ( 19...Qxf3+ 20.Kxf3 {leads to a dream endgame for White.} ) 20.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good plan. White gains the chance to capture the knight on c5, which will be useful in many positions.} 20...f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes things worse.} ( 20...Rac8 21.Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a lot of pressure on the queenside.} ) ( 20...Rfd8 {is relatively best, although White is much better after} 21.Bxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 21.Nc4 {is not so good after} 21...Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21...Nxc5 22.Qxb7 Nxb7 23.Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...b5 24.Rac1 Rac8 25.Ne5 ) 21.Nc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21.Bxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger:} 21...bxc5 ( 21...Nxc5 {loses a pawn after} 22.Qxb7 Nxb7 23.Nd7 ) 22.Rd7 {with a clear advantage.} ) 21...a4 22.b4 Nd7 23.Kg1 $6 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White needed to avoid the move b6-b5.} ( 23.b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a nice prophylactic move. White is better after} 23...Rac8 24.Rac1 ) 23...Ndf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 23...Rac8 24.Rac1 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This gives Black counterplay after} 25.Na5 Rxc1 26.Rxc1 Qd5 ) 24.Bxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Exchanging the bishop for a knight at the right time is the mark of a strong chess player.} 24...Rxf6 25.Qe3 Rc8 ( 25...b5 26.Na5 {leads to an overwhelming advantage. White's rooks will occupy the two open files.} ) 26.Rac1 $6 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26.Qxb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's not clear to me why Aronian didn't capture this pawn. The computer evaluates the position as completely winning for White.} ) 26...b5 27.Ne5 Rff8 $6 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 27...Rxc1 {is a better chance:} 28.Qxc1 ( 28.Rxc1 Qd5 29.Nc6 Rf7 {with some hope.} ) 28...Rf8 29.Rd7 Qb6 {Black is still fighting.} ) 28.f3 ( 28.Rxc8 {is more accurate:} 28...Qxc8 ( 28...Rxc8 29.Rd7 Qb8 30.Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice touch.} 30...Rxc6 31.Qd4 {threatening mate and Rd8, winning the queen.} ) 29.Qb6 {with a winning position: Black has too many weaknesses.} ) 28...Nf6 29.Rxc8 Qxc8 30.Rc1 Nd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 31.Rxc8 Nxe3 32.Rc5 Rb8 33.Nc6 Rb6 {The endgame is still very difficult for Firouzja, but he soon will have some chances.} 34.Nd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 34.Kf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 34...Nc4 ( 34...Nd5 35.a3 {Black is completely tied up.} ) ( 34...Nd1+ 35.Ke1 Ne3 36.Kd2 Nf1+ 37.Kd3 Nxh2 38.Ne5 g5 39.Rc1 {The knight is in trouble.} ) 35.Nd4 {This should be winning for White.} ) 34...a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.Nxb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35.Kf2 {is better again:} 35...Nd5 36.Nc6 {with winning chances.} ) 35...Nd5 36.Nxa3 Rxb4 37.Nc2 Ra4 38.a3 g5 {Despite being a pawn down, Black has enough activity to achieve a draw.} 39.Kf2 h5 40.Rb5 Rc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This frees White's knight.} ( 40...g4 {is better. Black is close to a draw.} ) 41.Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...Nxb4 42.axb4 Kf7 43.Ke3 Rc3+ 44.Kd4 Rc2 45.Kd3 Rb2 {This is a very interesting and difficult endgame. It would be possible to write an entire article about it. Not having time for this and it not being the objective of this analysis, I hope to at least show what the critical moments are so that readers can continue their analytical journey if they so wish.} 46.Rb7+ $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This lets the win slip after extremely precise play by Black.} ( 46.Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. White essentially wins a tempo, as the rook is needed on b8. Black cannot wait passively.} 46...Kf6 ( 46...Kg7 47.b5 Kf7 {White has a simple winning plan in this case.} 48.b6 Kg7 49.b7 Rb1 50.Kd4 Rb2 51.f4 gxf4 52.gxf4 Rb5 53.Kc4 Rb2 54.Kc5 {followed by Kd6.} ) 47.b5 Ke5 ( 47...e5 48.b6 {and Black is not in time.} ) 48.b6 Kd6 49.b7 Kc7 50.Re8 Kxb7 51.Rxe6 {with an easy win. Black's pawns cannot be protected.} ) 46...Kf6 47.b5 Ke5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 47...e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way. This might lead to a drawn position after} 48.b6 g4 49.fxg4 hxg4 50.Rb8 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51.b7 Kg7 {White cannot make progress.} ) 48.b6 Kd6 49.Rb8 Kc6 50.b7 g4 ( 50...Rxb7 {The pawn endgame is easily winning:} 51.Rxb7 Kxb7 52.Kd4 Kc6 53.Ke5 Kd7 54.Kf6 ) 51.Ke3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king marches to the kingside.} 51...gxf3 52.Kxf3 Rb6 53.Kf4 Rb4+ 54.Kg5 Re4 55.Rc8+ Kxb7 56.Rc2 {Black's king is cut, and this is the determining factor of White's victory.} 56...h4 57.gxh4 Rg4+ 58.Kf6 Rg2 ( 58...Rxh4 59.Kxe6 Rxh2 60.Kxf5 {With a winning position, as the tablebase indicates.} ) 59.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 59.Kxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It's never too late to misplay a winning position.} 59...f4 60.Rc4 Rxe2+ 61.Kf5 f3 {with a draw.} ) 59...f4 60.Rc4 Rxe2 61.Rxf4 e5 62.Rc4 Re3 63.h5 e4 ( 63...Rxh3 64.Kg5 {Followed by h6 and Rh4.} ) 64.Kg5 Kb6 65.h4 Kb5 66.Rc8 Re1 67.h6 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Sinquefield Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.28"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[ECO "E42"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[Beauty "8251705921553"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,49,25,25,27,24,24,24,24,20,34,18,31,39,48,43,50,29,33,25,63,66,58,66,63,63,127,127,127,93,93,107,127,131,131,131,132,132,124,124,124,124,172,187,285,307,307,307,383,388,360,388]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 c5 5.Ne2 d5 6.a3 Ba5 {A fashionable move in the Nimzo-Indian Defense. Historically 6...Bxc3 is more popular.} 7.dxc5 dxc4 8.Bd2 ( 8.Qxd8+ {Caruana played this endgame in 2023, but the position is more or less equal after} 8...Kxd8 9.Bd2 Nbd7 {Caruana-Nepomniachtchi, Zagreb SuperUnited Blitz 2023.} ) 8...Nbd7 ( 8...O-O 9.Ng3 b6 {It's possible this was the line So really wanted to play.} 10.Bxc4 ( 10.Qf3 {is not working so well because the queen is trapped on a8 in most lines.} 10...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 10...bxc5 11.O-O ( 11.Qf3 {Again this is not effective:} 11...Bd7 12.Qxa8 $2 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 12...Bc6 13.Qxa7 Bb6 {The queen is trapped.} ) 11...Nbd7 12.Qc2 Bb7 {with a normal position in Grischuk-Nepomniachtchi, Amsterdam Levitov Rapid 2023.} ) 9.Ng3 b6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move is a theoretical novelty. Far from being preparation, the move is probably the result of So confusing his analysis.} ( 9...Nxc5 10.Bxc4 Bc7 {is better, with only a slight advantage for White in Wojtaszek-Moranda, POL-ch Kruszwica 2022.} ) ( 9...Ne5 {is also not good, since there's not enough compensation after} 10.Bxc4 Nxc4 11.Qa4+ Bd7 12.Qxc4 ) 10.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Played after long deliberation, this is the most accurate reaction.} ( 10.cxb6 {This is not enough, since Black has good compensation for the pawn in more than one way.} 10...Ba6 ( 10...Nxb6 {is also possible:} 11.Bxc4 Nxc4 12.Qa4+ Qd7 13.Qxc4 Bb7 ) ) ( 10.c6 Ne5 {is also not very convincing.} ) 10...Rb8 {So also took a long time to play this move. He probably realized something went wrong.} ( 10...Ba6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 11.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point of White's play. Black loses a piece for insufficient compensation after} 11...cxb3 12.Bxa6 ) ( 10...Nd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is also not good after} 11.Bxc4 {with a clear advantage for White.} ) 11.c6 Ne5 12.Qf4 Bxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is the equivalent of resigning the game.} ( 12...Nxc6 {is much more stubborn.} 13.Qxc4 Bb7 14.b4 b5 {Black still has some hopes with a pawn down.} 15.Nxb5 ( 15.Qd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also good, forcing a queen exchange.} ) ) 13.Bxc3 Nxc6 {Black's position is painful to watch. White has the pair of bishops, an active queen, and many ways to win the game.} 14.Rd1 {Caruana finishes the game with computer-like precision.} ( 14.Bxc4 {is simple and good.} 14...O-O 15.Rd1 Qe7 16.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Bb7 17.Bxc6 Bxc6 18.Bb4 {winning the exchange and the game.} ) ( {Even} 14.Qg5 {is interesting.} ) 14...Qe7 15.Bxc4 b5 ( 15...O-O 16.Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins the exchange:} 16...Bb7 17.Bxc6 Bxc6 18.Bb4 ) ( 15...e5 16.Qf3 {leads to an easy win, for instance:} 16...Qc5 17.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black can resign.} ) 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 ( 16...gxf6 17.Ne4 {with a decisive attack. A pretty line is:} 17...bxc4 18.Nxf6+ Kf8 19.Qh6# ) 17.Qd6 e5 18.Bxf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final touch.} 18...Kxf7 ( 18...Qxf7 19.Qxc6+ Bd7 20.Qd6 {The e5-pawn falls as well.} ) 19.Qc7+ Qe7 ( 19...Kg6 20.Rd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20.Qxc6 Bb7 ( 20...Rb6 21.Qd5+ {also brings no hope, although it can prolong the resistance a little bit.} ) 21.Qxb5 Bxg2 22.Qc4+ Kf8 23.Nf5 Qf6 24.Qc5+ Kg8 25.Qc7 {Nerves certainly played a role in this rare, crushing defeat for So. He is playing not only for tournament victory but also for a spot in the next Candidates cycle.} ( 25.Qc7 Re8 26.Nd6 {With the material advantage and a decisive attack.} ) 1-0

[Event "Grand Chess Sinquefield Cup 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.30"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[ECO "D94"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7701992048150"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,79,15,20,44,-9,33,29,22,9,43,42,74,76,83,88,69,64,72,37,37,35,27,19,31,30,31,-9,-9,1,0,19,8,9,0,10,15,3,0,-6,-7,-21,9,12,49,59,86,81,81,59,79,84,104,96,144,85,102,108,120,118,235,241,236,164,273,221,250,265,255,272,228,246,244,259,274,259,261,262,267,258,387,377]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 g6 {This move leads to a passive position of the Schlechter Defense with the pawn advancing to e6. Of course, advancing the pawns to e6 and g6, especially at the beginning of the game, is not so logical. Both moves have the same main objective: to free the bishop's path. The great merit of this move, and to be honest perhaps the only one, is taking Caruana out of his usual high-level preparation. It must be admitted that Rapport's strategy will have some success.} 6.Bd3 ( 6.b3 {is a direct attempt to refute Black's play, since White can try} 6...Bg7 7.Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Evidently Rapport had something prepared in this case, and Caruana decided to play it simple.} ) 6...Bg7 7.O-O O-O 8.e4 {It's also possible to play a slower, more maneuvering game with 8.b3. It's hard to say which is better.} ( 8.b3 ) 8...dxe4 9.Bxe4 {At first glance, this move seems very clever, provoking the exchange of the knight for the bishop in a favorable situation for White. Rapport's next excellent move, however, shows the shortcomings of the bishop capture.} ( 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 Qc7 {White can fight for an advantage here with better development and more space.} ) 9...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A creative resource and the best move.} ( 9...Nxe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 10.Nxe4 {is bad for Black, as the knight will soon land on d6.} ) 10.Bd3 ( 10.cxb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is bad, since now the light-squared bishop comes to play after} 10...Nxe4 11.Nxe4 cxb5 ) 10...bxc4 11.Bxc4 Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The exchange of bishops is desirable for Black.} 12.Bxa6 Nxa6 13.Qa4 {My impression is that this is not the most precise move, since the queen is not doing much on a4, a square better suited for the knight.} ( 13.Na4 ) ( 13.Qe2 ) 13...Qb6 14.Bf4 Rfd8 ( 14...Qxb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is horrible and loses in many ways.} 15.Bd6 {is the simplest.} ( 15.Qxa6 Qxc3 16.Bd6 {is also good.} 16...Rfd8 17.Rfc1 Qb2 18.Rab1 {trapping the queen.} ) ) ( 14...Nd5 {is also bad:} 15.Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15...cxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16.Rac1 Rac8 17.Rxc8 Rxc8 18.Rc1 Rxc1+ 19.Bxc1 {This position is much worse for Black than it seems at first sight, since he cannot prevent White's queen from deciding the game.} ) ( 14...c5 {is natural and good. I was expecting this move here and on the next move.} 15.Be5 ) 15.Be5 Nb4 ( 15...c5 {Again Black has the chance of changing the pawn structure. I think this is the simplest way to equalize.} ) 16.Rfd1 Nbd5 17.Qc2 {The position is a little trickier now. White is preparing Na4, preventing c6-c5, and leaving Black with a passive position.} 17...Bf8 ( 17...Nxc3 {is interesting.} 18.bxc3 ( 18.Qxc3 Nd5 {is not dangerous for Black.} ) 18...Nd7 {Black is very close to equalizing.} ( 18...c5 {is also good, although White still retains some very slight pressure after} 19.c4 ) ) 18.Ng5 {A somewhat surprising move. The knight is going to e4, but it looks a bit superficial.} ( 18.Na4 {is natural, although nothing terrible is happening after} 18...Qb5 ) 18...Ng4 ( 18...Nd7 {is even better. Black is perfectly fine after} 19.Bg3 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 19.Bg3 Bg7 {Here and on the next moves, Black must seriously consider the subtle 19...Nh6 with the intention of going with the knight to f5.} ( 19...Nh6 $5 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 20.Nf3 ( 20.Na4 Qb5 21.Nc5 {is slightly better for White.} ) 20...Rac8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Too slow.} ( 20...Nh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 21.Ne4 ( 21.Na4 {is again better for White.} 21...Qb5 22.Nc5 ) 21...c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true] This is the last chance to maneuver the g4-knight to f5. Objectively Black may still be able to escape here; a draw is the likely result in a computer game from this position. But in human terms, the position is almost a losing one: Black will need to find a sequence that borders on the impossible in a few moments.} ( 21...Nh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 22.dxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most dangerous reaction.} ( 22.Nxc5 Nge3 {I probably wouldn't even consider this move, but it's stronger than the more natural 22...Bxd4.} ( 22...Bxd4 23.Nxd4 Qxc5 {with equality.} ) 23.fxe3 Nxe3 {The variations are too complicated from now on; suffice to say that Black remains on top.} ) 22...Qxb2 23.Qxb2 Bxb2 24.Rab1 Bg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 24...Ngf6 $3 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is the almost impossible move mentioned before. The next move is also quite difficult.} 25.Nd6 Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Impressive.} 26.Nxc8 Rxc8 27.Rxb2 Nxd1 28.Rb8 Rxb8 29.Bxb8 {Even after all this, the black position still looks dangerous. The computer miraculously manages to defend after} 29...Nd5 ) 25.Rdc1 {The c-pawn is ready to move forward. Black's position is critical.} 25...Bh6 ( 25...Bf8 {is more stubborn, but it still looks pretty bad after} 26.h3 Ngf6 27.Nxf6+ Nxf6 28.c6 ) 26.Rc4 Bf8 {The rook on c4 is actually better than on c1.} 27.c6 ( 27.h3 {is also very strong:} 27...Ngf6 28.Nxf6+ Nxf6 29.c6 Nd5 30.Rb7 {with a decisive advantage.} ) 27...f5 28.Neg5 Re8 29.Rb7 Ne7 {Now Black's position collapses, but it's hard to make recommendations.} 30.h3 Nf6 31.Nd4 {The e6-pawn is falling.} 31...h6 32.Ngxe6 Nxc6 33.Nxf8 Nxd4 34.Rxc8 Rxc8 35.Nxg6 Rc1+ 36.Kh2 Nc6 37.Bf4 Rc2 38.Bxh6 Ne8 39.Ne7+ Kh7 40.Be3 {Another confident performance by Caruana, in my opinion the best chess player of 2023 so far.} 1-0

[Event "Julius Women's Speed Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Black "Priyanka, Nutakki"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2854"]
[BlackElo "2597"]
[ECO "C01"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8248082041925"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

{[%evp 0,61,30,13,29,29,40,18,18,18,33,18,30,30,57,41,40,40,30,28,30,8,38,5,40,25,111,70,69,10,48,-2,28,64,74,51,53,53,49,-81,140,141,179,193,259,274,288,280,439,465,540,574,562,583,592,502,29987,29988,29989,29990,29991,1368,29997,29998]} 
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3 Bd6 5.Bd3 Ne7 6.O-O Bg4 7.Re1 Nc6 8.c3 Qd7 9.Nbd2 O-O-O $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is bad but very popular. My impression is that, nowadays, those who play the Exchange Variation against the French are often misunderstood—they are not as looking for a harmless way to make a draw as the previous generations of players. Placing the king on the queenside is a dangerous provocation, as White's attack comes quickly.} ( 9...O-O ) 10.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10...Rde8 ( 10...Ng6 {ended in rapid disaster in the following recent game.} 11.b5 Na5 12.Qa4 Nf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 12...b6 ) 13.Bf1 b6 14.Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...Bxe5 15.dxe5 {White is already winning: Yu-Kravtsiv, Airthings Masters rapid 2023.} ) 11.a4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A bit slow.} ( 11.b5 {immediately is more accurate.} ) 11...f6 {Black wants to protect the e5-square against a knight jump, but 11...Ng6 also avoids this while also creating play on the kingside.} ( 11...Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 12.a5 Kb8 13.b5 Nd8 14.b6 a6 {The first new move. Theory goes very far these days, even in not-so-good opening lines.} ( 14...Ndc6 15.bxa7+ {was clearly better for White in Prieto Aranguren-Buchenau, Titled Tuesday blitz 2022.} ) 15.bxc7+ Qxc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The wrong capture. Black has no problems after} ( 15...Bxc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.Qb3 Ka8 ) 16.Qb3 g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This offers the a-pawn for the h-pawn, but this exchange favors White.} ( 16...Ka8 17.Ba3 {is only slightly better for White.} ) 17.Bxa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Bxf3 18.Nxf3 g4 19.Nh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move has a tactical flaw due to the backrank problems. Let me remind the reader that it's very difficult to calculate in a blitz game.} ( 19.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. After} 19...Bxh2+ 20.Kf1 {White's attack is faster.} ) 19...Bxh2+ $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The automatic move and very tempting in blitz, but there's a more subtle continuation.} ( 19...Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The move puts fire on the board, and anything can happen. A possible line is:} 20.Rxe8 Rxe8 21.g3 ( 21.Nxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The knight cannot be captured:} 21...Re1+ 22.Bf1 Bxh2+ 23.Kh1 Rxf1# ) 21...Nxh4 22.gxh4 g3 ( 22...Bxh2+ {is also good:} 23.Kg2 Re1 24.Bf1 g3 {with a messy position.} ) 23.hxg3 Bxg3 {with adequate counterplay. The computer evaluates the position as equal.} ) 20.Kf1 Bd6 21.Bb5 {The attack is too strong, and Black can't create counterplay.} 21...Nec6 22.Rxe8 Rxe8 23.a6 Qb6 ( 23...b6 24.a7+ Ka8 25.Qxd5 {is easily winning.} ) 24.Qxd5 Bc7 25.axb7 Qxb7 26.Ba6 Qb6 27.Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A deadly blow.} 27...Re7 28.Qc8+ Ka7 29.Bb7+ Qa5 30.Rxa5+ Nxa5 31.Qa8+ 1-0

[Event "Julius Women's Speed Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Shuvalova, Polina"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "B12"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Beauty "7975485870621"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

{[%evp 0,71,19,11,70,70,70,70,58,33,28,28,28,22,45,45,67,29,44,28,28,15,23,2,30,16,40,37,36,22,29,21,21,12,10,19,27,30,33,48,44,36,36,42,42,45,45,38,38,39,42,63,155,150,191,6,224,211,241,232,250,74,276,260,263,243,295,116,619,618,1472,1275,1886,1932]} 
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 {This system is one of the most interesting ways of facing the Caro-Kann nowadays and is recommended for attacking players.} 4...h5 5.Nf3 ( 5.Bd3 {is the move order generally used by White.} ) 5...e6 6.Bd3 Bxd3 ( 6...Bg4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting way to exploit White's move order.} ) 7.Qxd3 Qa5+ 8.Nbd2 Qa6 {A typical maneuver in this variation.} ( 8...Ne7 9.O-O Nf5 {This critical position has been discussed by strong GMs. A recent game by one of my favorite players continued:} 10.Nb3 Qb5 11.Qd1 c5 12.a4 Qb6 13.dxc5 Bxc5 14.a5 Qb5 15.Nxc5 Qxc5 16.b3 Nc6 17.Ra4 {And Shirov went on to win this complicated position in his explosive style: Shirov-Abdrlauf FIDE Grand Swiss 2023.} ) 9.c4 Nh6 10.b3 ( 10.O-O {It's more accurate to castle immediately, but these details are too subtle for a blitz game.} ) 10...Nf5 ( 10...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is interesting for Black.} ) 11.Bb2 Be7 ( 11...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 12.g3 {The h-pawn is defended so White can castle.} 12...Nd7 13.Qc2 {A new move.} ( 13.O-O {has been played before.} ) 13...g6 {A solid move, defending the knight. This gives Black the option of capturing with the e-pawn after cxd5.} 14.a4 b6 ( 14...O-O ) ( 14...c5 ) 15.O-O O-O 16.Rfc1 Rfc8 17.a5 {This is a critical position. Black has the dream position of every Caro-Kann player.} 17...Qb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 17...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger and Black is the one with the initiative.} ) 18.a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This pawn on a6 creates inconveniences for Black and will be one of the plusses that lead to White's victory.} 18...Qb8 19.Qd3 Rc7 20.cxd5 ( 20.Nb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Followed by Nc3 deserves consideration.} ) 20...cxd5 ( 20...exd5 {is possible and probably better.} ) 21.Rxc7 Qxc7 22.Rc1 Qd8 23.Qc2 {White has the c-file, but it's not enough for a win.} 23...b5 24.Qc6 Rb8 25.Qc7 {The a-pawn is under attack. Black needs to play accurately.} 25...Nb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 25...Ra8 $2 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is insufficient after} 26.Qb7 {with the threat of Rc7.} ) ( 25...Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right defense.} 26.Qxd8+ ( 26.Qxa7 $4 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] loses the queen after} 26...Ba5 {followed by ...Bb6.} ) 26...Rxd8 27.Rc7 Nb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Rxa7 Nc6 29.Rb7 ( 29.Rc7 Nfe7 ) 29...Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has enough counterplay.} ) 26.Qxa7 Na8 {White's queen is stuck on a7, but Black can't really attack it.} 27.Ng5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The wrong path for the knight.} ( 27.Ne1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, followed by Nd3.} ) 27...Qe8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake in return.} ( 27...Bxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.hxg5 Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the queen is in real trouble. Black is preparing Ne7-Nc6. White is saved by computer play:} 29.b4 Ne7 30.Nb3 Nc6 31.Qb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Rxb7 32.axb7 Ne7 33.Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33...Qxc8 34.bxc8=Q+ Nxc8 {with a likely draw.} ) 28.Ndf3 b4 29.Rc2 ( 29.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a move that can be played here or on the next few moves.} 29...Kxf7 30.Ng5+ Kg8 31.Nxe6 {Black's position is shattered.} ) 29...Kg7 30.Bc1 ( 30.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 30...Kg8 ( 30...Rd8 {Threatens ...Rd7, but White is in time:} 31.Qb7 Rb8 32.Qc6 Qxc6 33.Rxc6 {with good winning chances.} ) 31.Bd2 Kg7 32.Kg2 Kg8 33.Rc6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 33...Bf8 ( 33...Rd8 34.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...Qxf7 ( 34...Kxf7 35.Ng5+ Kg8 36.Rxe6 Rd7 37.Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is winning.} ) 35.Qb7 {White prepares a7 and Rc8 and Black is unable to defend everything.} ) 34.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The sacrifice has finally landed.} 34...Qxf7 ( 34...Qxc6 35.Qxb8 Kxf7 36.Qb7+ Ne7 37.Bxb4 {with an easy win.} ) 35.Qxb8 Kg7 36.Qxa8 1-0

[Event "Julius Women's Speed Chess Championship 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.21"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Harika, Dronavalli"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[Beauty "6941472458246"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

{[%evp 0,101,16,12,12,25,35,10,10,10,7,7,24,27,30,16,32,-8,6,11,-2,16,29,15,35,28,31,20,19,29,27,30,31,31,20,20,20,25,25,35,35,41,53,66,59,62,84,76,59,61,84,63,59,50,65,56,82,41,38,38,42,42,46,21,20,17,20,20,16,20,52,45,45,18,25,0,49,45,45,42,77,79,55,55,114,55,118,15,108,19,60,34,120,120,122,125,669,800,1002,1022,1022,1022,1030,1032]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 h6 {A solid move to avoid the always-unpleasant pin on g5.} 6.c3 d6 7.a4 a6 8.Re1 Ba7 9.Nbd2 O-O 10.h3 {The positions of the Italian Opening are made up of small subtleties. What's the best plan for Black here: to put the bishop on e6 $2 But is it necessary to place the rook on e8 first, or is it unnecessary $2 What if we move the knight from c6 to g6 $2 These are difficult details that need to be understood.} 10...Ne7 ( 10...Be6 {This is my favorite move, but players on the white side try to demonstrate that they have an advantage after the bishop exchange on e6.} ) 11.Nf1 c6 12.Ng3 Ng6 13.Bb3 d5 14.exd5 Nxd5 {This is still well-established opening theory.} 15.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 15.Nxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] falls into an old trick:} 15...Nxe5 16.Rxe5 Bxf2+ $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.Kxf2 Qf6+ ) 15...exd4 16.Nxd4 Re8 ( 16...Be6 {is also popular.} ) 17.Rxe8+ Qxe8 18.Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop is exchanged for the knight for a good reason. Now Black has an isolated queen's pawn and White's knight is already in its ideal blockading position.} 18...cxd5 19.Be3 Bd7 {The first new move of the game.} ( 19...Bb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} 20.Qd2 ( 20.Ndf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 20...Bxg3 21.fxg3 Qe5 {with equality in Mareco-Kravtsiv, Sharjah Masters 2017.} ) 20.Ndf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Bxe3 ( 20...Bxf5 21.Nxf5 Bxe3 22.Nxe3 Rd8 23.Qd4 $16 ) 21.Nxe3 Rd8 22.Qd4 {They say that the queen is not a good blockader, but whoever wrote about that certainly did not refer to this position. It's hard to suggest a better square for the queen than d4.} 22...Bc6 23.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Qe5 24.Rd1 Re8 $5 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting idea, sacrificing the isolated pawn.} 25.Ngf5 {This is better than accepting the gift.} ( 25.Nxd5 Qxd4 26.Rxd4 Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.c4 Re1+ 28.Kh2 Rb1 {with good activity.} ) 25...Qxd4 26.Nxd4 Ne5 ( 26...Nf4 {with the idea of ...Ne6 is interesting.} ) 27.Kf1 {It's always useful to move the king closer to the center when queens are exchanged.} ( 27.Ndf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better. It's not easy to protect the d5-pawn.} ) 27...g6 ( 27...Kf8 ) 28.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Nxg4 29.hxg4 {A classic knight versus bad bishop endgame. It's unclear whether it's objectively winning for White, but the defense is very difficult.} 29...Kg7 30.f3 Bd7 31.Re1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's better to keep the rooks on the board.} ( 31.Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of playing Ra3-b3.} ) 31...Rxe1+ 32.Kxe1 Kf6 33.Kd2 Ke5 34.Ke3 h5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 34...f5 {The computer suggests this as the best defense. The point is that after} 35.gxf5 Bxf5 36.Nxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 36...Kxf5 {White cannot win the king-and-pawn endgame.} ) 35.gxh5 gxh5 36.Ne2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 36.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is important, holding the pawn on h5. White is easily winning in this case.} ) 36...h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Nf4 Be6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 37...Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Keep the bishop active and Black gets the draw immediately.} 38.Nh3 Bf1 39.Kf2 Bb5 ) 38.Nd3+ Kd6 39.Kd4 h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.gxh3 Bxh3 41.Nf4 Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The king-and-pawn endgame is losing, a fact that both players missed due to lack of time.} ( 41...Bf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 42.Nd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 42.Nxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins in an instructive way.} 42...fxe6 ( 42...Kxe6 43.Kc5 {White is ahead in the race.} ) 43.f4 Kd7 44.Ke5 Ke7 45.b3 Kd7 46.Kf6 Kd6 47.b4 Kd7 48.Kf7 Kd6 49.Ke8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point.} 49...e5 50.f5 {and the pawn promotes.} ) 42...Kc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 42...Bh3 ) 43.Nc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 43.Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 43...Bc8 ( 43...Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 44.b4 Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 45.Nd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 45.Nxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is again winning.} 45...fxe6 46.Ke5 Kd7 47.Kf6 Kd6 48.f4 Kd7 49.Kf7 Kd6 50.Ke8 ) 45...Kd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The last mistake. Black can still defend after} ( 45...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46.Nf4 Bf7 ) 46.Nf4 Kc6 47.Ke5 Kb5 48.Nxe6 fxe6 49.Kxe6 Kc4 50.f4 Kxc3 51.Kxd5 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Robson, Ray"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2596"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[ECO "E71"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7426937979464"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]

{[%evp 0,87,18,23,24,6,32,29,42,42,29,20,21,13,43,34,19,26,25,13,35,26,40,40,55,54,54,54,32,13,33,41,41,31,38,-2,-2,17,11,0,0,0,28,24,6,37,37,39,28,77,70,35,120,98,127,97,241,232,373,437,463,463,463,461,712,502,502,498,498,534,534,556,598,606,720,728,689,736,904,936,956,956,985,1026,1124,1124,1124,1124,1124,1124]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3 {A topical variation against the King's Indian.} 6...Nc6 7.d5 {Interestingly, on this date, Carlsen also simultaneously had this position as Black. He chose to play the knight to the corner of the board.} 7...Ne5 ( 7...Nb4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 8.a3 Na6 9.Bd3 Nc5 10.Bc2 Nfd7 11.Nge2 a5 {with a slight advantage for White in Schitco-Carlsen, European Team Championship 2023.} ) 8.f4 Ned7 9.Nge2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Not so popular, but this development move is strong.} ( 9.g4 ) ( 9.Nf3 ) 9...c6 ( 9...e6 {leads to a difficult position for Black after} 10.dxe6 fxe6 11.g4 {The pawn advance to g4 is the basis of White's plan.} ) 10.g4 cxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not active enough.} ( 10...Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move. Black has good counterplay after} 11.Ng3 ( 11.Bg2 {This is a possible improvement.} ) 11...Nc5 {Kazakouski-Jones, ISL-chT Reykjavik 2022.} ) 11.cxd5 {It's because of this type of position that the King's Indian is considered a strategically risky defense. White has a great advantage of space and free play for the pieces.} 11...b6 12.Nd4 {This is a small inaccuracy.} ( 12.Bg2 {is simpler.} 12...Bb7 13.O-O {with a big advantage in Suleymanli-Yakubboev, Wch Rapid Almaty 2022.} ) 12...Nc5 13.Nc6 Qe8 {The queen must leave the d7-square for the knight.} ( 13...Qd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14.e5 ) 14.Bg2 Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point: White cannot castle so easily. The c5-knight has to be captured before it goes to d3, and this gives Black some relief.} 15.Bxc5 bxc5 16.Qd2 {White prepares long castling. He still has the better position.} 16...e6 {Firouzja tries to gain some space.} ( 16...Nd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an alternative plan, first improving the knight's position.} 17.O-O-O Nb6 18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 Rc8 {with a complicated game.} ) 17.O-O-O exd5 18.exd5 Qd7 19.Rhe1 Rae8 20.Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good move, preparing g4-g5 followed by Bg4.} 20...h6 21.g5 {It turns out that this move is not so good due to an insane computer resource.} ( 21.Rg1 {is more patient, keeping the initiative.} ) 21...Nh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this move, White gains a considerable advantage.} ( 21...hxg5 22.fxg5 Qxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With brilliant tactical play, Black is able to keep the game alive.} 23.Bg2 {This looks winning, but it is an illusion.} ( 23.gxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23...Bh6 {wins the queen.} ) 23...Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Ne7+ ( 24.gxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black's idea becomes clear now.} 24...Bxf6 {Black threatens 25...Bg5.} 25.Kb1 ( 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Kb1 Bxc3 {regaining the piece:} 27.bxc3 ( 27.Qxc3 Qxg2 ) 27...Re2 ) 25...Rxe1 26.Rxe1 Bg5 {Black is winning since} 27.Qc2 {loses to} 27...Bd3 ) 24...Rxe7 25.Rxe7 Nh5 {The game becomes sharp. This exchange sacrifice is the dream of every King's Indian Player: He gets out of a cramped position and achieves a chaotic one with chances of attack and with the pride of the KID, the g7-bishop, full of energy.} ) 22.Bg4 Qc7 23.h4 {Black has no counterplay now.} 23...h5 24.Bh3 f5 25.gxf6 {Robson is an attacking player, so for him it's natural to open the lines to hunt the opponent's king.} ( 25.Re3 {is a more \"Karpovian\" move. White tries to gain control of the e-file and doesn't allow any freedom for the opponent's pieces.} ) 25...Bxf6 ( 25...Nxf6 {offers more hope.} ) 26.Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Kh8 27.Rxg6 Bxh4 28.Be6 Bf6 29.Rdg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Good calculation.} 29...Rxe6 30.dxe6 Qxc6 31.Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is unable to sustain the position.} 31...Bd4 32.Ne7 ( 32.Rg8+ {is also easily winning:} 32...Rxg8 33.Rxg8+ Kxg8 34.Ne7+ {with a decisive material advantage.} ) 32...Qe8 33.Rg8+ Rxg8 34.Rxg8+ Qxg8 35.Nxg8 Kxg8 36.Qg2+ {The queen goes to a8 to pick up some pieces.} 36...Kh8 ( 36...Kf8 37.Qg6 {followed by Qf7 mate.} ) 37.Qa8+ Kg7 38.Qxa7+ Kg6 39.Qf7+ Kh6 40.f5 Kg5 41.Qxh7 h4 42.Qg6+ Kf4 43.e7 Bb5 44.f6 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[Beauty "7078643012141"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]

{[%evp 0,97,19,12,17,17,17,13,17,17,17,0,0,-21,-2,-2,-10,-2,0,-23,2,1,-1,0,-2,-9,6,11,17,9,21,0,0,0,7,0,7,3,13,3,12,13,37,18,29,34,34,20,32,39,36,45,37,38,38,38,38,30,30,45,45,30,30,40,27,21,29,-5,58,36,53,38,45,40,40,31,156,142,115,97,97,94,128,132,132,130,136,61,113,113,194,180,466,490,1428,29972,29973,29986,29987,29988]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Nc6 4.Nf3 Bc5 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 Be7 {A solid way of meeting White's opening play. This is the move of choice if Black doesn't want to sharpen the game with g7-g5.} 7.Bg3 d6 8.a4 O-O {Caruana deviates from the game he played in the recent Grand Swiss, although the ideas remain similar.} 9.a5 ( 9.Nbd2 g6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Supporting the move Nf6-h5.} 10.a5 Rb8 11.h3 b5 12.axb6 axb6 13.Bh2 {with a complex middlegame fight: Caruana-Najer, FIDE Grand Swiss 2023.} ) 9...a6 10.Nbd2 Be6 {There are many possible plans for Black.} ( 10...g6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is similar to the game mentioned above.} ) ( 10...b5 {gains space at the cost of slightly weakening the pawn structure.} 11.axb6 cxb6 ) ( 10...Kh8 {prepares the typical plan of moving the knight followed by f7-f5.} ) 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.O-O Nh7 ( 12...Qe8 {is a possible alternative with the idea of playing ...Nh5.} ) 13.c3 Ng5 {Only now Caruana started to think. His opening preparation is always very good.} 14.Qb3 Qd7 15.Rfe1 Rab8 16.h3 {The problem with Black's position is that it's difficult to make a constructive plan, as pawn breaks undermine the position.} 16...Bf6 17.Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move, preparing to gain space on the queenside with b2-b4.} 17...Rbd8 ( 17...Rf7 {It's possible to double rooks on the f-file, although it's not clear what this accomplishes.} 18.b4 Rbf8 ) 18.b4 Ne7 {The knight goes to g6, but now it's easier for White to play d3-d4.} 19.Qb3 Ng6 20.d4 Kh7 21.Rad1 exd4 ( 21...Qf7 {It's probably better to wait with this move, without committing the pawn structure. White has a slight advantage.} ) 22.cxd4 Be7 23.Qc2 Nxf3+ 24.Nxf3 Nf4 25.Re3 Kg8 26.d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move gains control of the light squares and emphasizes the problem of the c7-pawn.} 26...e5 27.Rc3 Rc8 28.Rc1 Bd8 {An ugly move but necessary to defend the pawn.} 29.Bxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent positional decision, eliminating Black's most active piece. The white knight is superior to the black bishop, which is passive.} 29...Rxf4 30.g3 Rf7 31.Kg2 Qb5 32.Rb1 c6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Both players omit a tactical detail that can decide the game immediately.} 33.Qb3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 33.Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins on the spot. The queen is lost after} 33...dxe5 34.Rc5 ) 33...Rcc7 34.dxc6 bxc6 35.Rd1 Be7 36.Rdd3 {The third rank is an excellent place for the heavy pieces. The rook may go to f3 at some point.} 36...Bf8 37.Nh4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 37.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is very strong. White plans h5-Nh4 with dominance of the light squares and a strategically winning position.} ) 37...Kh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 37...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is now possible and offers good saving chances.} 38.exd5 e4 ( 38...cxd5 39.Rxc7 Rxc7 {is also possible.} ) 39.d6 Rd7 ) 38.Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now White manages to organize a decisive attack.} 38...d5 ( 38...Rxf3 39.Rxf3 {followed by a queen invasion.} ) 39.exd5 Bxb4 40.Rxc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Both players were low on time, and this partially explains the mistakes that follows.} ( 40.Qb1+ {is the simplest way of winning:} 40...Kg8 41.Rb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41...c5 ( 41...Rxf3 42.Rxb4 {wins material.} ) 42.Nf5 {with a decisive attack.} ) 40...Bxa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 40...e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leaves Black with drawing chances in the endgame a pawn down after} 41.Rxf7 Rxf7 42.Qc4 Qxc4 43.Rxc4 Bxa5 44.Rxe4 Rd7 ) 41.Qc2+ Kg8 42.Rxc7 Rxc7 43.Qe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 43.Qg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is decisive:} 43...Qxd5 44.Nf5 {All of White's pieces surround the king, and the attack is lethal.} ) 43...Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suddenly a miraculous counterplay on the first rank appears.} 44.Rd3 {Otherwise, White might be the one getting mated with ...Qf1.} 44...Re1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The final mistake. Black should try to exploit the first rank either with 44...Qb1 or with 44...Ra1 followed by 45...Qb1.} ( 44...Qb1 45.d6 Rg1+ 46.Kf3 Re1 47.Qd5+ Kh7 {The position remains tense, but the computer evaluates it as equal. Both kings are insecure.} ) ( 44...Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate. The attack is stronger with the queen in front of the rook. A possible continuation is} 45.d6 Qb1 46.Kf3 Qh1+ 47.Ng2 Rg1 {and White has no more than perpetual check.} ) 45.Qg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen finally goes to the right place.} 45...e4 ( 45...Qb1 {is no longer dangerous:} 46.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46...Rh1 47.Nxe5 Qf1+ 48.Kf3 {The king is well protected on f3.} ) 46.Nf5 Bc3 47.Nxh6+ Kh8 48.Nf7+ Kg8 49.Ng5 {Queen and knight combine very well when attacking the opposing king.} 1-0

[Event "WSCC Main Event"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vaishali, Rameshbabu"]
[Black "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2701"]
[ECO "C77"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[Beauty "8248354428450"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

{[%evp 0,60,26,19,19,19,19,17,26,14,14,6,18,1,8,-14,-5,-39,-46,-25,-25,-35,-25,-21,-14,-23,-17,-23,-17,-17,-8,-23,-23,-23,-23,-15,-10,-30,-33,-33,-35,-40,-25,-97,-98,-171,-149,-170,-174,-188,-92,-92,-84,-90,-82,-90,-100,-101,74,-1368,-1412,-29999,-29999]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bc5 ( 5...b5 {is more popular.} ) 6.a3 {A curious move, with the idea of opening the way for the bishop on a2. But it seems a bit slow.} ( 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.Nxe5 {This is actually possible and was played in a high level.} 7...Bxf2+ 8.Kxf2 Qd4+ 9.Kf1 Qxe5 10.d3 Be6 {with equality: Maze-Adams, Gibraltar Masters 2020.} ) ( 6.O-O ) ( 6.d3 ) 6...O-O 7.d3 Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Kosteniuk reacts very well. This refutes White's opening play.} 8.Nxd4 ( 8.Nxe5 {is bad for several reasons: capturing pawns like this is against the principles of opening play.} 8...d5 {with the initiative.} ( 8...d6 9.Nf3 Bg4 {is also quite good.} ) ) 8...exd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 9.Ne2 d5 10.exd5 {This is forced.} ( 10.e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a pawn after} 10...Ng4 11.Bf4 Qe7 ) 10...Qxd5 11.O-O {Black has a space advantage and free development for her pieces.} 11...Bg4 ( 11...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, since the bishop is more dangerous in the h1-a8 diagonal.} 12.Bb3 Qc6 {followed by Bb7, with the advantage.} ) 12.h3 Bd7 13.Bxd7 Qxd7 14.Ng3 {White has managed to equalize.} 14...Rae8 15.Bg5 Nd5 16.Qf3 f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Taking the e4-square from the knight.} ( 16...Re6 {is equal.} ) 17.Rae1 c6 18.Bd2 g6 19.Ne2 ( 19.Rxe8 {is a natural plan:} 19...Rxe8 20.Re1 {with equality.} ) 19...f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Qg4 ( 20.Nxf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses material after} 20...Rxe1 21.Rxe1 Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.g3 g5 ) ( 20.Nc1 {is possible:} 20...Ne3 {This looks very dangerous, but the machine proves the game is balanced after} 21.fxe3 fxe3 22.Qd1 ) 20...Qf7 ( 20...Qxg4 {Exchanging queens leads to a balanced endgame.} ) 21.c4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Vaishali misses her opponent's tactical idea.} ( 21.Nc1 {is necessary.} ) 21...dxc3 22.Nxc3 Ne3 $3 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A brilliant move that gives Black a winning advantage.} 23.fxe3 fxe3 24.Bxe3 ( 24.Rxf7 exd2+ {This is the point.} ) 24...Bxe3+ $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This throws away the win.} ( 24...Rxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right move.} 25.Rxf7 ( 25.Kh2 {ends in mate:} 25...Rxe1 26.Rxe1 Bd6+ 27.Kh1 Qf1+ 28.Rxf1 Rxf1# ) 25...Rxe1+ 26.Kh2 Rxf7 27.Ne4 Bg1+ 28.Kg3 Re3+ 29.Kh4 Rf5 30.Qd1 Bh2 {White's king won't survive long.} ) 25.Kh2 Qxf1 26.Rxf1 Rxf1 27.Ne4 Bg1+ 28.Kg3 Bd4 29.h4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder.} ( 29.Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is correct. Anything can happen after} 29...Be5+ 30.Kh4 Rf4+ 31.g4 Rff8 32.Qxb7 ) 29...Be5+ 30.Kh3 Rh1# 0-1

[Event "WSCC Main Event"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[ECO "A00"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7701950103566"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.d3 {I must say that this is a rather curious system to employ against the Caro-Kann Defense. Followers of this solid variation are usually happy exchanging queens with a safe position.} 3...Qc7 {Kosteniuk is an attacking player, so she doesn't want the boring ending after 3...dxe4.} ( 3...dxe4 4.dxe4 Qxd1+ 5.Kxd1 {Incredibly, some strong chess players occasionally win this position with White, although sometimes they lose it too.} ) 4.g3 e5 5.Bg2 Nf6 6.O-O dxe4 7.dxe4 Be7 ( 7...Bc5 {is another development option.} ) 8.Nbd2 Be6 {I am a follower of the \"when in doubt, castle\" principle, which will once again prove its worth, considering that this was the most accurate choice here and in the following moves.} ( 8...O-O {It's not clear that Black really wants the bishop on e6. Play may continue:} 9.b3 Re8 10.Bb2 Bf8 11.Nc4 Nbd7 {with a fine position for Black.} ) 9.b3 {The bishop is developed in the excellent a1-h8 diagonal.} 9...Nbd7 10.Bb2 h6 {This move is understandable: Black wants to avoid Nf3-g5. However, the knight move was not yet such a worrying threat.} ( 10...O-O {If} 11.Ng5 {Black has} 11...Bg4 ) 11.Qe2 {Preparing Nd2-c4.} 11...b5 ( {White has a small advantage due to the pair of bishops after} 11...O-O 12.Nc4 Bxc4 13.Qxc4 ) 12.Ne1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. The knight goes to d3 and the f-pawn is ready to go.} ( 12.Nh4 {is tempting, especially in a blitz game. White can advance the f-pawn or bring the knight to f5. But the advantage is not clear.} 12...O-O 13.f4 ( 13.Nf5 Bc5 {Black is fine.} ) 13...exf4 14.gxf4 Bg4 ( 14...Nxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 15.Nxe4 Bxh4 16.f5 Bd5 17.Qg4 Bg5 18.Nxg5 hxg5 19.Bxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 15.Qe1 Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with counterplay.} ) 12...O-O 13.Nd3 c5 {Preparing counterplay with …c5-c4.} 14.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...bxc4 15.Nxc4 Bxc4 16.bxc4 Bd6 {White has a clear advantage with the pair of bishops and the plan of attacking on the kingside.} 17.f4 Rfe8 18.Rae1 Nh7 19.Bc3 ( 19.Bh3 {is a possibility, activating the bishop.} ) ( 19.h4 {is also interesting, advancing the pawn before playing Bh3.} ) 19...Nhf8 20.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good practical decision.} ( 20.Bh3 Ne6 21.Bxe6 Rxe6 22.f5 {This plan makes sense, exchanging the so-called \"bad\" bishop on g2 before playing f4-f5. The problem is that I don't think the bishop is actually bad.} 22...Ree8 {with a slight advantage for White.} ) 20...Nh7 21.Nf2 Nb8 ( 21...Nhf6 {is better, preparing to exchange the knights in case of Nf2-g4. But White is still clearly better after} 22.h4 ) 22.Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Nc6 ( 22...f6 {is a sad move. Black's position is very bad affter} 23.Ne3 ) 23.f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight g7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g7;persistent;false,h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false,g8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false]} 23...h5 24.Ne3 g6 ( 24...Nxf6 25.Rxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...gxf6 26.Qxh5 {is crushing.} ) 25.Nd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is not the most incisive.} ( 25.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] open lines on the kingside and should be winning.} ) 25...Qd7 26.Rb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26.Qe3 {I prefer to remove the queen from the attack of the d4-knight immediately and later prepare h4-Kh2-Bh3.} ) 26...Nd4 27.Qe3 Rab8 28.h3 Bf8 {Black should try to attack the queenside with the queen. Kosteniuk probably didn't want to separate the queen from the king and leave it unprotected, but this measure was necessary.} ( 28...Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 29.Kh2 Qd6 ( 29...Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 30.Qf2 Rxb1 31.Rxb1 Qc6 32.h4 Qd6 33.Bh3 Rb8 34.Rf1 Rb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This was the last chance to create counterplay on the queenside. From now on, it's too late.} ( 34...Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 35.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's king is in severe danger now.} 35...hxg4 36.Bxg4 Qb8 37.h5 gxh5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 37...g5 {is the only chance, keeping the kingside closed.} ) 38.Bxh5 Rb1 39.Qg2+ ( 39.Qg1+ {picking up the rook is good as well.} ) 39...Kh8 40.Bxf7 1-0

[Event "WSCC Main Event"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.11.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Black "Harika, Dronavalli"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2875"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "C70"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Beauty "8249692657159"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "300+1"]

{[%evp 0,62,16,8,8,16,16,20,24,6,14,10,18,31,50,23,42,39,44,27,27,26,38,-5,26,16,16,16,16,3,6,-15,-15,-19,-27,-22,2,2,2,-12,0,1,51,6,-1,-5,43,0,-7,-295,-295,-295,-300,-306,-312,-311,-319,-306,-300,-329,-307,-303,-311,-332,-351]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Bc5 {One of the many possible sidelines of the Ruy Lopez.} 5.O-O ( 5.c3 {is also very popular.} ) 5...d6 6.c3 Bg4 {In a blitz game like this one, pinning the knight is always interesting. For a classical time control, however, 6...Bd7 or 6...b5 are preferable.} ( 6...Bd7 ) ( 6...b5 ) 7.h3 ( 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4 Ba7 {is better for White, who has several possible plans. This was played in Hou-Grischuk, Astana Satty Zhuldyz Rapid 2023.} ) 7...Bh5 8.d3 {A little shy, but perfectly playable.} ( 8.g4 {is more aggressive:} 8...Bg6 9.d4 Ba7 10.d5 b5 11.Bc2 Nce7 12.a4 {with the advantage for White in a complex position.} ) 8...Ne7 9.Be3 O-O 10.Nbd2 Kh8 {A logical move to prepare the coming f7-f5 pawn push.} 11.Re1 b5 12.Bc2 Bxe3 13.fxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right way to capture.} ( 13.Rxe3 f5 {gives Black easy play.} ) 13...d5 14.exd5 Nxd5 15.Nf1 f5 16.Ng3 Bg6 17.e4 {This is not the best, as it allows an interesting tactical resource for Black.} ( 17.Qd2 {is safer, with an equal position after} 17...f4 18.exf4 Nxf4 19.Nxe5 Nxe5 20.Rxe5 Bxd3 ) 17...fxe4 ( 17...Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is an unpleasant surprise for White. The idea is} 18.Rxe3 f4 {When the rook and knight are forked and Black's pawn is a dangerous attacking force. If White tries to capture it on g3, then after} 19.Re2 fxg3 20.Qe1 Bh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Qxg3 Bxf3 22.gxf3 Rf4 {Black has excellent compensation.} ) 18.dxe4 ( 18.Nxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is weaker, since the pin is dangerous after} 18...Bh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 18...Nf4 19.Qxd8 Raxd8 {The queen exchange brings some relief for White.} 20.Kh2 Nd3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20...Bf7 {is better, with an equal position.} ) 21.Reb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 21.Bxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a clear advantage for White after} 21...Rxd3 22.a4 {The knights are strong in this position, and it is difficult for Black to defend the queenside.} ) 21...Nc5 22.b4 Ne6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22...Rxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best, although in the game it was even better one move later.} 23.gxf3 Rd2+ 24.Kh1 Rxc2 25.bxc5 Rxc3 26.Rb3 Rxc5 {with a good position.} ) 23.a4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Lagno probably missed the coming tactical resource.} ( 23.Bb3 Nf4 24.Rd1 {Followed by a2-a4 and White is better.} ) 23...Rxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.axb5 $4 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] This is the real losing move, however.} ( 24.gxf3 Rd2+ 25.Kg1 Rxc2 26.axb5 axb5 27.Ra8+ Ncd8 28.Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...h5 29.Rdxd8+ Nxd8 30.Rxd8+ Kh7 31.Rd5 {with a likely draw.} ) 24...Rxc3 {Black is just a piece up now.} 25.Bb3 Ned4 26.bxc6 Rxb3 27.Rxb3 Nxb3 28.Rxa6 Nd4 29.Ra7 Nxc6 30.Rxc7 Nxb4 31.Rc5 Nd3 0-1

[Event "E Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Douglas, Isle of Man"]
[Date "2023.11.01"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Sindarov, Javokhir"]
[Black "Vidit, Gujrathi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2658"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6530766221891"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[WhiteTeam "Uzbekistan"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UZB"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 ( {The position that was met a bit later in the game can be also achieved after} 3...Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 d6 6.O-O O-O 7.a4 a5 8.Be3 Bxe3 9.fxe3 {The only difference is that here it is Black to move and he is typically making use of the extra tempo with either} 9...Be6 {as in Donchenko,A (2659)-Kollars,D (2598) Lichess.org INT 2021} ( {Or with the direct central break} 9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Qe2 Nb6 {as in Heika,M (2375)-Lauer,M (2403) Bayern 2018} ) ) 4.d3 d6 5.c3 Bb6 6.O-O Nf6 7.a4 a5 {The combination of the moves a7-a5 and Bc5-b6 does not seem logical, but it took Sindarov by surprise, and he spent a bit more than half an hour on the clock for his next move.} 8.Be3 {Now White reaches the position above, but with an extra tempo (see move 3).} ( {Sindarov definitely knew the game of his teammate from just a few days ago, which went:} 8.Na3 h6 9.Bb3 O-O 10.Nc4 {This is the most logical way to try and exploit the strange looking a7-a5 and Bc5-b6 setup. Black, who incidentally happened to be a teammate of Vidit's, did well here too after} 10...Ba7 11.Be3 Be6 12.Re1 Re8 13.Bxa7 Rxa7 14.Ne3 d5 15.exd5 Nxd5 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.Bxd5 Qxd5 {with approximate equality in Abdusattorov $146 (2716)-Narayanan,S (2651) Doha 2023} ) ( {Another route for the knight is} 8.Nbd2 ) 8...Bxe3 9.fxe3 O-O 10.Nbd2 Ne7 $146 {Concretely a novelty, but not a new maneuver at all.} ( {The predecessor was:} 10...Qe7 11.Qe1 Be6 12.Nh4 Bxc4 13.Nf5 Qe6 14.Nxc4 Ne7 15.Qg3 Nxf5 16.exf5 Qd5 {with some slight pressure for White in Nytra,O (2202)-Kusa,J (2373) Olomouc 2022} ) 11.Nh4 {White's plan is very typical—bring the queen to the g3-square, jump to f5 with the knight, and/or sacrifice an exchange on f6. The question is, does he have time for all of this $2} 11...d5 {An instant reaction in the center. Black definitely needs to create counterplay asap.} ( {The other way to do it was} 11...c6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 12.Qe1 d5 {but Vidit wants to play along the d-file.} ) 12.exd5 Nexd5 13.Qf3 Nb6 {Very concrete play by Vidit again. He immediately hits the c4 and d3-spots.} ( 13...c6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( 13...Be6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 14.e4 ( {Black has nothing to complain about after} 14.d4 Nxc4 15.Nxc4 exd4 16.exd4 Qd5 {with equality, which would have been a fair result.} ) 14...Qd6 {With the intention of putting pressure on the d3-pawn.} ( {It makes little sense to push the white pieces where they want to go with} 14...Nxc4 15.Nxc4 Qe7 16.Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 15.Qe2 ( {Black would be happy with} 15.Bb3 Be6 {but, in hindsight, this might have been a better idea for White.} ) ( {But the prophylactic} 15.Kh1 $5 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] made sense.} ) 15...Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Vidit's play is very natural and effective.} ( {Black can sometimes make use of the in-between check, as in the line} 15...Qc5+ 16.Kh1 Nxc4 17.Nxc4 Be6 18.Ne3 Nd7 ) 16.Nhf3 Rad8 {The outcome of the opening is clearly favorable for Black, who has managed to put the opponent's center under serious pressure before White has managed to create kingside threats.} 17.h3 Bh5 18.g4 {A committal move.} ( {However, play like} 18.Rfd1 Nfd7 19.Kh2 {only postpones the decision-making about the d3-problem as well as the pin along the d1-h5 diagonal.} ) 18...Bg6 19.Rfd1 Nfd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice maneuver, after which it becomes clear that Black is already in charge.} 20.Bb3 {Sindarov is trying to swap off at least one set of minor pieces, which might relieve the central tension.} 20...Nc5 21.Nc4 Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Vidit is very accurate.} 22.Ba2 ( {But not} 22.Nxb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22...Qxb6 ) 22...Rfe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A simple, but surprisingly powerful move. The center is protected and White finds himself struggling for constructive ideas. All the black pieces are beautifully positioned.} ( {The immediate} 22...Nxc4 23.Bxc4 {was also good for Black, when he has various way of improving, like} 23...Rd6 ( {Or} 23...Ne6 ) ( {Or} 23...h6 ) ) 23.Kg2 ( {If} 23.Nxb6 Qxb6 {White has to reckon with b2-point accidents, as in the case of} 24.Kg2 Nxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 23...Nbxa4 24.h4 {The only chance for something concrete, but as mentioned before, Black is fantastically well-prepared for the battle.} 24...Qf4 {Well calculated. Now White will start regretting pushing the kingside pawns prematurely.} ( {Also good was} 24...Ne6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 25.Qe3 Nf4+ 26.Kg3 {with the main idea of} 26...Nxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Rxd3 Rxd3 28.Qxd3 Qf4+ 29.Kf2 Nc5 {and Black has an excellent attack.} ) 25.Ncxe5 Rxe5 26.Nxe5 Qxe5 27.h5 {A do-or-die moment. It seems as though White has managed to outsmart his opponent.} ( {If} 27.d4 {then the simple} 27...Qxe4+ 28.Qxe4 Bxe4+ 29.Kg1 Nd3 {wins for Black.} ) 27...Rxd3 $3 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Nope $1 Vidit had seen it all. This explosive central sacrifice opens the floodgates for the better-prepared black pieces.} 28.Bxf7+ ( {Black's win is easier after} 28.Rxd3 Nxd3 ) ( {Or} 28.hxg6 Qg3+ $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.Kh1 Qh3+ {when in order to avoid mate, White has to part with his rook in the line} 30.Qh2 Rxd1+ 31.Rxd1 Qf3+ ) 28...Kf8 {Black chooses the most solid path.} ( {There was an alternative win.} 28...Bxf7 29.Rxd3 Nxd3 30.Qxd3 Nxb2 31.Qd8+ Be8 ) 29.Rxd3 Nxd3 30.Qe3 Qxe4+ {Again, a practical, safe choice in the coming time-trouble.} ( {There was nothing wrong with} 30...Bxe4+ $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Kg1 Naxb2 32.Rf1 Ke7 {when the white king is weaker than its counterpart.} ) 31.Qxe4 Bxe4+ 32.Kg3 Kxf7 ( 32...Ndxb2 {would have sufficed as well.} ) 33.Rxa4 Bc6 34.Rxa5 Nxb2 {Without queens on the board, White has fewer chances for random tricks.} 35.Rf5+ Ke7 {A useful repetition to get closer to the time control.} 36.Re5+ Kf7 37.Rf5+ Kg8 38.Re5 Na4 39.c4 Nb6 40.g5 ( {If} 40.Re7 Nd7 {followed by Kg8-f8, would expel the rook.} ) 40...Kf7 41.Rf5+ Ke7 42.Re5+ ( {Or} 42.g6 hxg6 43.hxg6 Be8 {and the counterplay is over.} ) 42...Kd8 43.Rf5 Ke7 44.Re5+ Kd6 {The time-trouble is over and Vidit has enough time on the clock to formulate a winning plan.} 45.Rf5 Ke6 {Forcing matters.} ( {Also good was} 45...Nxc4 46.Rf7 Be8 47.Rxg7 Bxh5 48.Rxh7 Bg6 ) 46.Rf8 Nxc4 47.Rh8 Nd6 48.Rxh7 Be4 {All of this was clearly foreseen by Black.} 49.g6 ( 49.Rxg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 49...Nf5+ ) ( {Objectively more resilient, but still losing, was} 49.Rh8 Kf5 50.Rg8 Kxg5 51.Rxg7+ Kxh5 52.Rxc7 ) 49...b5 {And the b-pawn quickly decides the outcome of the battle.} 50.Kf4 b4 51.Rh8 b3 52.Rb8 Bd5 53.Ke3 b2 54.h6 gxh6 55.Kd4 ( {Or} 55.g7 Kf6 ) 55...Nf5+ 56.Kc5 c6 57.Rxb2 Kf6 0-1

[Event "E Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Douglas, Isle of Man"]
[Date "2023.11.02"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2683"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[Beauty "6667689275942"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[WhiteTeam "FID"]
[BlackTeam "Germany"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

{[%evp 0,109,24,13,17,-11,4,-17,-19,-12,8,10,6,4,-3,15,21,-56,-75,-79,-72,-36,-44,-44,-44,-55,-57,-30,-78,-91,-45,-25,-25,-28,-28,-23,-23,-23,-5,0,-19,-36,-30,-30,-37,-51,-2,-4,53,30,121,132,89,73,90,103,93,71,67,67,66,67,66,65,71,74,44,58,58,58,121,119,118,119,104,115,131,115,152,131,168,172,173,163,158,159,143,150,143,148,169,145,178,166,188,188,188,180,195,205,217,198,210,186,179,227,233,234,233,240,314,314]} 
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 d4 {One of the popular ways of meeting the Reti these days. Black enters a reversed Benoni, down a couple of tempi.} ( {Esipenko himself prefers} 4...Be7 ) ( {Or} 4...dxc4 {which are the main continuations.} ) 5.O-O Nc6 6.e3 {The most direct approach. White wants to make the most of his lead in development and needs open files.} ( {Whereas:} 6.d3 {remains the main continuation, for example} 6...Bc5 7.Nbd2 O-O 8.Nb3 Be7 9.e3 dxe3 10.Bxe3 a5 11.h3 a4 12.Nbd4 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 c6 {as in Nepomniachtchi,I (2771)-Erigaisi,A (2712) Chess.com INT 2023} ) 6...e5 {Keymer enters a forcing line.} 7.exd4 e4 8.d5 $1 $146 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And here comes a star novelty $1} ( {The predecessor game saw an extremely interesting and complicated battle after:} 8.Ng5 Nxd4 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 h5 11.Nc3 c6 12.d3 Bg4 13.Re1 Be7 14.f3 Be6 15.Be3 O-O 16.Kg2 Bc5 17.Ne2 Re8 18.b4 Nxe2 19.Bxc5 Nd4 {Daneshvar,B (2401)-Idani,P (2588) Teheran 2021} ) 8...exf3 {Keymer took the knight quickly, but sank into deep thought after} 9.Qxf3 ( {Not} 9.Bxf3 Nd4 {when the knight establishes itself in the center.} ) 9...Ne5 {Self-pinning. There was a lot to think about, since the knight is not safe anywhere.} ( {The ideal spot} 9...Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is not accessible due to} 10.Qe3+ ) ( {Whereas the active} 9...Nb4 10.a3 Nc2 11.Ra2 {leaves the knight trapped.} ) 10.Re1 Qe7 {The X-ray threats along the open file makes Black's previous move possible.} 11.Qd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An only move $1 Esipenko blitzes his moves out.} ( {Definitely not} 11.Qe2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 11...Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when Black not only escapes the pin, but wins.} ) 11...Bg4 {Played after another long think. The game is forced again.} ( {It also made sense to escape the pin with one of the pieces with} 11...Kd8 {when the immediate attempt} 12.d4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] would backfire after} ( {But White can play instead} 12.d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12...Bg4 13.Qd2 {when the pin remains an issue.} ) 12...Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13.f3 ( {Or} 13.Qd2 Nxc4 {when the capture of the black queen comes without a check.} ) 13...Nxf3+ 14.Bxf3 Bxf3 {and Black wins.} ) 12.f3 Bxf3 13.Qa4+ Kd8 14.d4 Bxg2 15.Rxe5 ( {Not} 15.dxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 15...Bh3 {when Black wins.} ) 15...Qd7 16.Qxd7+ Nxd7 17.Kxg2 Nxe5 18.dxe5 {White has a pawn for the exchange, and what a pawn it is $1 The powerful central duo makes Black's task extremely difficult. Add to this White's advantage on the clock, multiply it by the psychological impact of the surpise, and we can only guess what was Keymer's state of mind at this moment.} 18...f6 {The most direct attempt to deal with the white center, but a risky one. Only here did Esipenko start to think $1} ( {There were two other logical attempts to fight for the center:} 18...c6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is the most straightforward one, when White has at least full compensation after} 19.Nc3 cxd5 20.cxd5 ( 20.Nxd5 Kd7 ) ) ( {Or} 18...Kd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] which does not seem fast enough, and which allows White the time to consolidate his center.} ) 19.e6 {This is the issue—now the pawns become really scary.} 19...c6 20.Bf4 cxd5 21.cxd5 Rc8 {A small trap.} ( {However, more resilient was} 21...Bc5 22.Nc3 Ke7 23.Ne4 Rac8 {when White's chances are higher, but there is plenty to play for.} ) 22.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding the temptation.} ( {As} 22.d6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22...Bxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Bxd6 Rc1 {sees Black's trap work well.} ) 22...Bb4 23.Ne4 {The white pieces have occupied commanding posts and the pawns are ready to roll.} 23...Rc4 {Active defense.} ( {The greedy} 23...Rc2+ 24.Kf3 Rxb2 {would not work due to} 25.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Re8 26.Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {But perhaps playing for a blockade was still possible, say with} 23...Ke7 24.a3 Rc4 25.Kf3 g5 26.b3 Rd4 27.Bc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's prospects seem dire, but the machine claims that he can keep on playing with} ( {White needs to avoid} 27.Be3 g4+ $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27...Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Nxc5 Rxd5 ) 24.Kf3 Rd4 25.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the problem—the black pieces lack air.} 25...Rd3+ {The only try.} ( {If the bishop retreats} 25...Ba5 26.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to multiple forking threats.} ) 26.Kg2 {Esipenko decides to avoid the possible pins.} ( {In case of} 26.Ke2 Rxd5 27.axb4 {Black has} 27...Re8 {although here too, White is significantly better with} 28.Be3 ( 28.Rxa7 $2 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28...Rxe6 ) 28...Rxe6 29.Nc5 ) 26...Ba5 ( {Here} 26...Rxd5 {does not help due to} 27.axb4 Re8 28.Rxa7 ) 27.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Once again, threatening multiple forks. This is even more unpleasant due to the time-trouble.} 27...Ke7 ( {Maybe} 27...Rxd5 {was a try. Then after} 28.Nf7+ Ke7 29.Nxh8 g5 30.Be3 Kxe6 31.b4 Bc7 ( {But not} 31...Bb6 32.Bxb6 axb6 33.Re1+ {when the knight is out for good.} ) 32.Rc1 Be5 33.Rc8 Rd3 {Black may hope to harvest enough pawns while White brings his knight out.} ) 28.Nf5+ Kd8 29.Nd6 {A useful time-gaining repetition.} 29...Ke7 30.Nf5+ Kd8 31.d6 g5 {A sad necessity, which makes the white knight an eternal force.} ( {If} 31...g6 32.Nh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins for White.} ) 32.Be3 Re8 33.e7+ Kd7 34.Bxa7 {White is not only winning a second pawn, but also threatening to trap the black bishop.} 34...Rxd6 {Desperation, but what else $2} ( 34...b6 35.b4 {loses at once.} ) ( {There is nothing to play for after} 34...Rb3 35.Bd4 ) ( {whereas} 34...Rd2+ 35.Kf3 Rxb2 36.Bd4 {would soon witness decisive infiltration of the white pieces.} ) ( {As for} 34...Rd5 35.g4 {this only confirms the permanent status of the white knight.} ) 35.Nxd6 Kxd6 36.b4 Bc7 37.Bc5+ Kc6 ( {Or} 37...Ke6 38.Re1+ Kf7 39.b5 ) 38.Rc1 Kd5 39.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A neat move that wins a second pawn.} 39...Rxe7 40.Bxf6 Rf7 41.Rc5+ Ke4 42.Bxg5 {The game is practically over.} 42...Bb6 43.Rb5 Bd4 44.Bd8 Rd7 45.Bb6 Be5 46.Kh3 h5 47.Rc5 Rd3 48.Bc7 Bd4 49.Rxh5 Rc3 ( {Or} 49...Rxa3 50.Rb5 ) 50.Bd6 Rxa3 51.Bc5 Be5 52.Rh7 b5 53.Rb7 Kf3 54.Rxb5 Ra1 {With the threat of Be5xg3...} 55.Ra5 {Which is not meant to be $1} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Douglas, Isle of Man"]
[Date "2023.11.03"]
[Round "9.5"]
[White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"]
[Black "Sarana, Alexey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2682"]
[ECO "E53"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[Beauty "6256962052643"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[WhiteTeam "Iran"]
[BlackTeam "Serbia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IRI"]
[BlackTeamCountry "SRB"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 {A solid opening choice—the Nimzo-Indian Defense is likely to remain one of Black's best options for years to come.} 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 c5 9.Nf3 Qc7 10.Be2 {The opening quickly leads to a classical and complex pawn structure.} 10...b6 11.Bb2 $5 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] \"is recently more successful than 11.0-0\" comments my Megabase.} 11...Bb7 12.O-O Nc6 13.c4 {Heading to the hanging-pawns formation.} ( {White can also try to keep the pawn structure more flexible with:} 13.Rc1 {to which Black would surely prepare counterplay in the center with} 13...Rfd8 14.Re1 Rac8 15.Bd3 e5 16.e4 Ne8 {as in So,W (2760)-Deac,B (2700) Warsaw 2023} ) 13...Rfd8 14.Rc1 Ne7 {A typical maneuver. The knight makes space both for the light-squared bishop and for the heavy pieces along the c-file.} ( {Using the alternative square also makes sense} 14...Na5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 15.Nd2 cxd4 ( {Perhaps} 15...Ne4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is more in the spirit of the position.} ) 16.exd4 Qf4 17.Re1 Nc6 18.Nf3 Rac8 {as in Sciarretta,R (2239)-Pazderski,L (2121) LSS email 2011} ) 15.Ne5 $146 {A novelty, and an obvious move at the same time. Black retreats, so White occupies the space that's been conceded.} ( {The predecessor game saw:} 15.h3 Ng6 16.Re1 cxd4 17.exd4 Qf4 18.Qb3 Rac8 19.a4 {Eljanov,P (2694) -Vokhidov,S (2583) Chess.com INT 2023} ) 15...Ng6 {The most logical end of the maneuver.} ( {But it also made sense to ask his opponent about his intentions with} 15...Nc6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Certainly, White can repeat once with} 16.Nf3 ( {Or, White may decide to swap the knights off with} 16.Nxc6 Bxc6 {and go for} 17.f3 ( {Or even something more pointed like} 17.Bd3 Be4 18.d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ) ) 16.Nxg6 hxg6 {Sarana has managed to free his position a bit and trade off a pair of pieces, which should generally be useful in the upcoming hanging-pawns battle.} 17.Qb3 Bc6 {An interesting plan.} ( {However, there were a couple of worthy alternatives. The first is} 17...Ne4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] intending to meet} 18.Rfd1 cxd4 19.exd4 {with} 19...Qf4 {Now} 20.Bf3 {can be answered with} 20...Rac8 ( {Or even the more forcing} 20...Nd2 21.Rxd2 Bxf3 ) ) ( 17...Rac8 $5 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 18.Rfd1 cxd4 19.exd4 Qf4 ) 18.Rfd1 Qb7 19.f3 Qa6 {The point behind Black's play.} 20.Rd2 ( 20.Qc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 20...cxd4 21.exd4 Qa5 22.Bc3 ( {It's funny that the machine suggests trading queens with} 22.Qc3 {a move which both players probably did not even consider.} ) 22...Qg5 {And, in a roundabout fashion, the queen ends on the kingside.} 23.Qd1 {Maghsoodloo in return starts to prepare the typical central break d4-d5.} 23...Rac8 {Stopped.} 24.Bf1 ( {As} 24.d5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is tactically refuted after} 24...exd5 25.Bxf6 gxf6 26.cxd5 Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Rxc8 Rxc8 28.Rxd5 Qe3+ $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24...Bb7 {Sarana, in turn, targets the hanging pawns, trying to provoke the c-pawn to move.} ( {Forcing, rather than provoking, might have been the better way $1} 24...b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] looks good for Black. He might have feared the pin that arises after} 25.Ba5 Re8 26.Rdc2 bxc4 27.Bd2 Qd5 28.Rxc4 {but the pin can easily be broken with} 28...Bb7 ) 25.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another typical idea for this structure.} ( {However} 25.Rf2 $5 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is prophylaxis suggested by the machine.} ) 25...Rc7 ( {The machine suggests Rf2 because it believes that Black is doing fine after} 25...Nd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 26.cxd5 Qe3+ 27.Kh1 Rxc3 28.Rxc3 Qxc3 29.dxe6 fxe6 {This is not obvious for a human being (at least for a human being like me). The black king seems too iffy.} ) ( {The immediate} 25...Ba6 {would likely have been met with the calm} 26.Bb2 ) 26.a5 {The point behind White's play. He gets rid of an isolated pawn, while creating one for his opponent.} 26...Ba6 ( {The pawns along the a-file would become easy prey for the white heavy pieces after} 26...bxa5 27.Ra2 ( 27.Qe1 ) ) 27.axb6 ( 27.Rdc2 $5 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 27...axb6 28.Rdc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Tactically defending the c4-pawn.} 28...Qf4 ( {Perhaps the best chance was} 28...Qe3+ 29.Kh1 g5 ) ( {Maghsoodloo not only stopped the immediate capture of the pawn, he also prevented the promising exchange sacrifice with} 28...Rxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] when after} 29.Bxc4 Qe3+ ( {Not} 29...Bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 30.Kh1 Bxc4 31.Bd2 Qxd4 32.Rxc4 Qxd2 33.Qxd2 Rxd2 {Black has to defend a difficult endgame.} ) ( 28...Bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 29.Bd2 ) 29.Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another nice maneuver, spiced up with tactics.} 29...Qf5 ( {Not} 29...Bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30.Bd2 Qxd4+ 31.Be3 ) 30.Bb2 Rdc8 31.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It all becomes clear now. Maghsoodloo's incredible maneuvering deprived his opponent of any counterplay, while it's now the black queen who feels the tension.} ( {More natural seemed} 31.Qb4 {when the black b6-pawn seems to be in trouble, but then it would be Sarana defending tactically after} 31...Qg5 32.Qxb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32...Bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.Bxc4 Qe3+ $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when White loses after both} 34.Kh1 ( {Or} 34.Kf1 Rxc4 35.Rxc4 Qd3+ ) 34...Rxc4 35.Rxc4 Rxc4 36.Rxc4 Qe1# ) 31...Qh5 {The queen needs to take care of herself.} ( {No time for} 31...b5 32.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 32.Qa3 {And White gets what he wants on the queenside under more favorable circumstances.} 32...Bb7 33.Qb3 ( {It's amusing to see the machine suggest another prophylactic consolidation with} 33.Bc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 33...Qg5 34.Bd2 ) 33...Qg5 34.Re1 {The black queen is a target again.} 34...Nd7 ( {Or else Re1-e5 would be an issue, as in the line} 34...Ba6 35.Re5 Qh6 ( 35...Qh4 36.g3 ) 36.Bc1 Qh4 37.Be3 ) 35.Bc1 ( {The cunning attempt to benefit from the knight retreat with} 35.Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] intending d4-d5, can be stopped in an even more cunning way with} 35...Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 35...Qf6 ( {Maybe it was worth trying} 35...Qf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 36.Bd3 Qf6 37.Be3 e5 38.d5 Nc5 ) 36.Be3 Ra8 37.Ra2 {A very concrete approach. Maghsoodloo starts his queenside infiltration.} ( {Also good was the nagging} 37.Qb4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 37...Rcc8 38.Rb2 ) 37...Rcc8 ( {Or else the queen would soon wreak havoc on the queenside after} 37...Rxa2 38.Qxa2 Rc8 39.Qa7 ) 38.Rea1 Qd8 39.Qb4 Rxa2 40.Rxa2 Ra8 {That's the best that Sarana can do—reduce the attackers.} 41.Rxa8 Qxa8 42.Qd6 Qc8 43.Bf4 {The problem is that the remaining white pieces completely dominate their counterparts.} 43...Bc6 {It's clear that White is in full control, but how should he best prepare for the inevitable breakthrough $2 Maghsoodloo is impressive again.} ( 43...Ba6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] might have been more resilient.} ) 44.h4 $3 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Classy $1 The white king not only finds a good shelter against any counterplay, but is ready to join the battle himself. Meanwhile, White ups the pressure on the kingside, playing for another weakness.} 44...Qa8 45.Kh2 Ba4 46.Bd2 Bc6 47.Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is almost in zugzwang $1} ( {It is too early for a breakthrough} 47.d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 47...exd5 48.cxd5 Ba4 ) 47...Kh8 ( {If the queen leaves the back rank with} 47...Qb7 {then White would use it for his own benefit.} 48.Qd8+ Kh7 49.Qe7 ) ( {Sarana avoids} 47...Kh7 {due to} 48.Bd3 {with the threat of h4-h5 $1} ) ( {If the previous line was not enough to convince you how strong and useful the h2-h4 move was, then check this line} 47...Qa2 {is Black's only active try. True, after} 48.Qxc6 Qxd2 49.Qxd7 {he drops a piece. But now imagine for a moment that the white pawn is back on h2. Then Black would save himself by constantly attacking the white king from the e3-square and the back-rank $1} ) 48.Kg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48...Kg8 49.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Provoking a weakening.} 49...f6 ( {After} 49...Kh8 {White may already consider the liquidation into a queenless endgame due to his active king (again, thanks to the h2-h4 maneuver $1)} 50.Qd8+ ( {Or continue to apply pressure with} 50.Be7 ) 50...Qxd8 51.Bxd8 Kg8 52.Kf4 ) 50.Bf4 Ba4 51.Bd3 Kf7 52.Be4 {The domination is complete. Black's position starts to fall apart.} 52...Qa5 {Now Sarana will badly miss his queen on the kingside.} ( {Or else after} 52...Qe8 53.Qa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White would win thanks to the pin in the line} 53...Bd1 54.Bc6 Ke7 55.Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 53.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The game is crowned by some neat technical calculation.} 53...e5 ( {The attempt} 53...Qe1+ 54.Kh3 Qh1+ 55.Bh2 {leads Black nowhere.} ) 54.c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54...exf4+ 55.Kh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( {Not} 55.Kxf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 55...Qd2+ 56.Kg3 Qe1+ {with a perpetual.} ) 55...Qh5 56.Qxd7+ Kg8 57.Qe6+ $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The last finesse.} ( {The immediate} 57.Qg4 Qxg4 58.fxg4 {is not convincing after} 58...Kf7 ) 57...Kh7 58.Qg4 Qxg4 59.fxg4 {Now h4-h5 is a decisive threat.} 59...Kg8 60.c7 Bd7 61.Bxg6 Bxg4 62.d5 ( {The end could have been} 62.d5 Kf8 63.d6 b5 64.Be4 Bd7 ( 64...Ke8 65.Bc6+ ) 65.Bc6 ) 1-0

[Event "E Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Douglas, Isle of Man"]
[Date "2023.11.04"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[ECO "C47"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Beauty "7697944560672"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[WhiteTeam "United States"]
[BlackTeam "United States"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

{[%evp 0,69,30,9,15,23,54,21,14,-4,-10,2,2,5,19,9,20,5,15,0,0,15,21,15,8,8,33,34,28,3,3,16,-4,-4,32,1,34,0,72,37,81,71,111,100,117,154,143,114,114,0,171,86,83,-4,103,83,83,84,138,138,185,215,212,167,186,173,173,180,180,180,229,222]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {Caruana switches to the Petroff after the painful loss that he suffered in Norway earlier this year.} ( {Half a year ago, the same players met in a crucial game for the final standings in Norway. That game saw} 2...Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3 {\"It's just sometimes fun to pull these old variations out.\" (Nakamura) Whatever works should not be fixed. A few years back, Nakamura picked the same line to win a crucial final game at the U.S. Championship.} 8...Nd5 ( {That game went} 8...Be7 9.Nc3 O-O 10.O-O Rb8 $146 {Black plans a future rook lift via b4, but White simply ignores this idea.} 11.h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important prophylactic move, stopping any ideas connected with Bg4.} 11...c5 ( 11...h6 12.Nf3 $16 ) 12.b3 Rb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Consistent, but ineffective.} ( 12...Bb7 $14 ) 13.Re1 Bb7 14.Ba3 ( 14.Rxe5 Bd6 15.Re1 $16 {is probably good as well, but it gives Black more swindling chances.} ) 14...Rf4 15.g3 Rd4 16.Nf3 Rxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17.cxd3 Qxd3 18.Nxe5 Qf5 19.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Qf4 20.d4 $18 {and White soon won the game and the championship in Nakamura,H (2701)-Friedel,J (2516) Saint Louis 2009 [Stohl, Igor]} ) 9.Nf3 ( {A recent top game witnessed some wild moments after:} 9.h4 Be7 10.Qf3 f5 11.Bxf5 Rf8 12.Qh5+ g6 13.Bxg6+ hxg6 14.Qxg6+ Kd7 15.d3 {Grischuk,A (2745)-Artemiev,V (2701) Krasnogorsk 2023} ) 9...Bd6 10.O-O Nf4 {\"This did not completely surprise me\" (Nakamura).} ( {But perhaps Caruana will follow the classics next time he faces this line and opt for} 10...O-O 11.Re1 Re8 12.Nc3 Rb8 13.a3 f5 14.b4 e4 15.Nxe4 fxe4 16.Rxe4 Rxe4 17.Bxe4 Nc3 18.Qe1 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Qf6 {with an edge for Black in Molner,M (2456)-Bojkov,D (2544) Los Angeles 2011} ) 11.Nc3 Nxd3 12.cxd3 O-O 13.b3 Re8 14.Re1 c5 15.Ba3 Nc6 16.Ne4 Bf8 17.Rc1 f5 $146 {Caruana might have messed up something when memorizing his line.} ( {In the predecessor game Black managed to defend after:} 17...Nb4 18.Bxb4 cxb4 19.Nc5 Qd5 20.d4 Bg4 21.h3 Bxf3 22.Qxf3 Qxf3 23.gxf3 exd4 24.Rxe8 Rxe8 25.Nd3 g6 {Sindarov,J (2587)-Matlakov,M (2691) Tashkent 2021} ) 18.Nxc5 Qd5 ( {\"I think Fabiano missed\"} 18...Qa5 19.Ng5 $3 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] \"and White is completely winning.\" (Nakamura) For instance} 19...Qxa3 20.Qh5 h6 21.Qxe8 hxg5 22.Qxc6 ) 19.Qc2 {Simple and effective. White is simply up two pawns. There is not enough compensation and White went on to win, 1-0 (55) Nakamura,H (2775)-Caruana,F (2764) Norway Chess 2023 [Bojkov,Dejan]} ( {Also good was} 19.b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19...Qxa2 20.Qa4 Qd5 21.b5 ) ) 3.Nc3 {Nakamura prefers to stay clear of the main lines. Just like in Norway, he has prepared something nasty for his opponent, but this time in the Four Knights.} 3...Nc6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5 8.exd5 O-O {Considered to be the most accurate move-order nowadays.} 9.O-O cxd5 10.h3 ( {The main plan is to double Black's kingside pawns after say:} 10.Qf3 c6 11.h3 Re8 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Qxf6 gxf6 15.Ne2 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2779)-Amin,B (2684) Chess. com INT 2023} ) ( {Although White typically starts with} 10.Bg5 ) 10...Be6 11.Qf3 c5 {Logical and obvious play. So far both players are playing fast and confidently.} 12.Rd1 {But now Caruana needs to take some time on the clock. How to lower the central tension $2} 12...Bxc3 {With trades, Black decided.} ( {Both players no doubt were aware of the other idea} 12...Qe7 {when White can again pin the black queen.} 13.Bg5 Bxc3 14.bxc3 h6 15.Be3 {Recently, Jeffery Xiong won a convincing game in the line after} 15...Rab8 ( {Black's best chance might be related to the blockade after} 15...c4 16.Bf1 Ne4 {as in Haring,F (2298)-Kriebel,T (2516) Slovakia 2020. Still, a powerful white bishop on d4 cannnot easily be tolerated.} ) 16.Rab1 c4 17.Bf5 Bxf5 18.Qxf5 Qe6 19.Qf4 Rxb1 20.Rxb1 Qa6 21.Rb8 {Xiong,J (2688)-Svane,R (2649) Chess.com INT 2022} ) 13.bxc3 Qa5 {This is Caruana's idea, avoiding the pin.} 14.Bg5 {Nevertheless.} 14...Ne4 ( 14...Qxc3 $4 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 15.Bxh7+ ) 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] All of this has been seen, and Nakamura clearly knew what he was doing. White's pawn structure doesn't look great, but the comparison of the bishops is clearly in his favor. And whoever has the better opposite-colored bishop in the middlegame has the long-term, static advantage.} ( 16.Qxe4 Qxc3 {is about equal, with little to play for.} ) 16...Kh8 {Played after serious thought.} ( {The other way to defend was related to} 16...f6 17.Bh6 Rf7 18.Rd6 {but in this line the e6-bishop is deprived of stability, which leads to different problems.} ) 17.a4 $1 $146 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Practically blitzed out. The novelty only emphasizes White's long-term advantage. Thanks to his superior bishop he has full control over the dark squares and need not rush. Now start your computers. They will tell you that White's advantage is insignificant. What they will not tell you is how to defend. Or rather how to defend in a concrete way. Nakamura's opening choice was yet another huge success story after Norway. He got a one-sided position with no counterplay for Caruana, with clear ideas of how to attack and improve.} ( {The predecessor game saw White force matters with:} 17.Rab1 Qxa2 18.Rb7 {But Black found a good way to strike back} 18...e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Qxe3 Qxc2 20.Rd6 a5 21.Qxc5 Qf5 22.Qxf5 Bxf5 23.Be3 a4 {and the game ended in a draw later, Lugovskoy,M (2405)-Aleksandrov,A (2585) St Petersburg 2018} ) 17...Rfe8 {Black is again trying to avoid any committal moves.} ( {His main problem is that he cannot start relieving trades along the d-file with} 17...f6 18.Bf4 Rfd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] As} ( 18...Rfe8 19.Rd6 {is similar to the game.} ) 19.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a nasty double-attack.} ) 18.Rd6 {White keeps improving, but what can Black do $2} 18...h6 {Expelling the bishop, but on a dark square the pawn is now a target.} ( {But what advice can Black be given $2 A solidifying move like} 18...Qc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is met with} 19.Rxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( {And if the other pawn moves} 18...f6 19.Bf4 Re7 {White has a ton of ways to improve, such as} 20.Qe3 {A double-attack.} ( {Or} 20.h4 {followed by a pawn march all the way to the h6-square.} ) ( {Or} 20.Rc6 {basically paralyzing Black.} ) ) ( {Perhaps Black needed to prepare Qa5-c7 with} 18...Rac8 $5 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] although here too, White is clearly better.} ) 19.Bf4 Re7 ( {The rooks still cannot be traded as} 19...Rad8 {can be refuted tactically with} 20.Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...f6 21.Rxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And Black drops a pawn, while weakening his king, as} 21...Rxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21...fxe5 22.Rxe5 ) 22.Bc7 {loses on the spot.} ) 20.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The first lengthy thought by Nakamura leads to a great move, with a great idea.} ( {But perhaps even more useful was} 20.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when White's game plan would be executed even more ruthlessly in case of} 20...Qxa4 21.Bxh6 $3 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] with a winning attack, e.g.} 21...gxh6 22.Qh4 Rd7 23.Qxh6+ Kg8 24.Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Rxd6 25.Rg3+ Bg4 26.Qxd6 ) 20...Rc8 {Covering the c6-spot.} ( {A more resilient try seems to be} 20...Rae8 {to overprotect the rook instead. Then} 21.Bxh6 {does not seem to be as effective due to} ( {But as we know, there is no need to rush. White can choose instead} 21.Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] patiently waiting for his window of opportunity. Then} 21...Rc8 {can be met with} 22.Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a clear mating intention after} 22...Rxc6 ( {When the best defense is} 22...Kh7 23.Qxe4+ Kg8 {But White still wins material thanks to} 24.Bxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Rxc6 ( 24...Kxg7 25.Rxc8 ) 25.Bf6 {Nevertheless, this might be Black's most resilient choice under the circumstances, as he gets a chance to at least trade the queens with} 25...Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Qxe7 Re6 27.Qd8+ Qxd8 28.Bxd8 ) 23.Qxh6+ Kg8 24.Qxg7# ) 21...gxh6 22.Qxh6+ Kg8 23.Re1 Bf5 {and Black defends.} ) 21.Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The point behind Nakamura's previous move. He starts a huge kingside attack.} ( {However, even stronger was} 21.Be5 $3 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] with the main point to meet} 21...f6 {With another stunner} ( {If} 21...Kh7 22.Qxe4+ Kg8 23.Qd3 {when White has both the extra material and the attack.} ) ( {Whereas} 21...Kg8 22.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leaves Black completely defenseless on the dark squares} 22...g6 23.Qh4 ) 22.Bxf6 $3 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 22...gxf6 23.Qxh6+ Kg8 24.Rad1 Rf8 25.Rxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Rxe6 26.Rd7 {and White wins.} ) 21...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Caruana is as resilient as ever.} ( {He could not accept the sacrifice} 21...gxh6 22.Qxh6+ Kg8 {due to the familiar maneuver} 23.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Rd8 ( 23...Qxc3 24.Re3 ) 24.Re3 {and White mates.} ) ( {The other defensive attempt was} 21...Rd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] in order to swap some heavy pieces. Then after} 22.Qg5 ( 22.Bf4 Rxd6 23.Bxd6 ) 22...Qxc3 23.Ra3 Qf6 24.Qxf6 gxf6 25.Ra6 {Black's position is ugly, but perhaps not yet lost.} ) 22.Qxe4 Qxc3 23.Rad1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After prolonged thought, Nakamura finds a way to break in.} ( {The machine finds an alternative idea worth mentioning} 23.Re1 Rce8 24.Re3 Qa1+ 25.Kh2 gxh6 26.Qf4 Kh7 27.Rdxe6 Rxe6 28.Qf5+ Kg7 {Most likely both players came to this point and assumed that after the obvious} 29.Rxe6 ( {The machine, however, does not need to calculate only the most logical moves and can find exceptions like this one:} 29.Qg4+ $3 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] when White somehow manages to get a couple of pawns before gaining the rook back, for example} 29...Kf7 30.Qh5+ $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Kg7 ( {If} 30...Ke7 31.Qxc5+ $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Kf7 32.Qh5+ Ke7 33.Rxe6+ Kxe6 34.Qxe8+ {and wins.} ) ( {And} 30...Kf8 31.Qxh6+ Ke7 ( 31...Kf7 32.Qh7+ Kf8 33.Rg3 {is mate.} ) 32.Qg7+ {transposes to the main line.} ) 31.Rg3+ Kf8 32.Qxh6+ Ke7 33.Qg7+ Kd8 34.Rd3+ {when in order to avoid mate Black needs to part with his queen.} 34...Qd4 ) 29...Rxe6 30.Qxe6 Qxa4 {The game should end in a draw.} ) 23...Rce8 {Black is trying to defend every single square.} ( 23...gxh6 24.Rxe6 {is simple.} ) 24.Rd8 {But the white pieces keep entering.} 24...Bg8 ( {There was also the idea} 24...gxh6 25.Rxe8+ Rxe8 26.Qg6 Bf7 $5 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the point of meeting} ( {If the rook leaves anywhere along the eight rank} 26...Rb8 27.Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is decisive.} ) 27.Qxf7 {with} ( {But White can still win with the accurate} 27.Qxh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Kg8 28.Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27...Re1+ 28.Rxe1 Qxe1+ 29.Kh2 Qxf2 {and Black escapes.} ) 25.Qh4 {This provides Black an additional chance.} ( {Definitely not} 25.Rxe8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25...Rxe4 26.Rxe4 Qxc2 ) ( {But} 25.Qg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...Re1+ 26.Kh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been more accurate.} ) 25...Qxc2 {The queen hurries to the king's rescue.} ( 25...gxh6 {loses as always, this time due to} 26.Rxe8 Rxe8 27.Qxh6+ Bh7 28.Rd7 ) 26.R1d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] But the audience with the king is not granted.} 26...Bh7 ( {Black cannot swap any of the annoying white rooks} 26...Rxd8 27.Bf4+ Bh7 28.Rxd8+ ) 27.R3d7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] No rush $1 The attack can be finished off at a better moment.} ( {Black can defend after} 27.Bxg7+ Kxg7 28.Rxe8 Rxe8 29.Rd7+ Kg8 30.Qxf6 Qg6 ) 27...g5 ( {If the other rook is captured} 27...Rxd7 28.Rxe8+ $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Bg8 29.Bxg7+ {is an instant win for White.} 29...Kxg7 30.Qg3+ ) 28.Qg3 Qb1+ {The check only makes things worse.} ( {The last chance was} 28...Rxd7 29.Rxd7 Qxa4 30.Qc7 Qa1+ 31.Kh2 Qe5+ 32.Qxe5 fxe5 33.Bxg5 {although here too, White should be able to convert.} ) 29.Kh2 Qf5 {The queens are traded, but this is too little, too late.} ( {Or} 29...Rxd8 30.Rxd8+ Bg8 31.Qd6 ) 30.Rxe7 Rxd8 31.Qc7 Qf4+ 32.Qxf4 gxf4 33.Bg7+ Kg8 34.Bxf6 {Nakamura won material and converts quickly.} 34...Bb1 35.Rg7+ Kf8 36.Bxd8 Kxg7 37.Bg5 f3 38.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...c4 39.Kg3 Be4 40.Bd2 {The white passers will soon cost Black the bishop.} 1-0

[Event "E Grand Swiss 2023"]
[Site "Douglas, Isle of Man"]
[Date "2023.11.05"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Predke, Alexandr"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2661"]
[ECO "D27"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7216887243784"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,93,17,17,17,6,22,22,22,31,43,29,47,33,36,36,55,48,48,48,47,44,57,28,46,28,28,36,41,45,46,35,47,50,63,63,68,68,68,62,81,81,83,83,102,95,117,125,163,107,110,65,74,66,77,77,77,77,85,77,73,66,115,115,112,119,117,117,126,112,176,176,203,199,182,176,201,209,399,399,392,389,494,489,732,737,737,757,762,762,762,762,778,771,779,791]} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 a6 6.O-O c5 7.dxc5 {An excellent opening choice considering the state of the tournament. Since the Kramnik vs. Kasparov match, we know that this endgame from the Queen's Gambit Accepted is not as innocent as it seems. In a final round in which it's difficult to weigh how much risk is necessary; there's nothing better than a safe position, but with a chance of playing for victory.} 7...Bxc5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Be2 {This bishop move is necessary sooner or later. It frees the c4-square for a knight and the bishop can go to f3 in many lines.} 9...Ke7 10.Nbd2 Bd7 11.Nb3 Bb6 12.Bd2 Nc6 13.Bc3 {So far we are following theory. Although both sides had options, we can say that the moves were natural. The game starts to get more subtle from now on.} 13...Rhg8 $5 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move, very much in the style of the creative player with the black pieces, although it had already been tried before, so perhaps it was still preparation. The idea of the move is less about advancing the g-pawn, which we will see later, and more about protecting this pawn so that the knight can move to d5 or e4.} ( 13...Rhd8 {is the natural move, but now White can try} 14.Nfd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by Nc4. Whether this is enough for an advantage is another matter.} ) 14.Rfd1 ( 14.Nfd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Now this move is clearly inaccurate, and we can see the point of Black's play:} 14...Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with an excellent position.} ) 14...Rad8 {A new move. The eternal problem of where the rooks should go. It's the 21st century and we still don't know the answer.} ( 14...Rac8 {seems more flexible. The g8-rook can be repositioned in due time.} 15.Rac1 ( 15.Ng5 Rgd8 16.Bf3 Be8 {with equal play in Kozul-Topalov, Sarajevo 2001.} ) 15...Ne4 16.Be1 Rgd8 {With good chances of equalizing.} ) ( 14...Nd5 {is untried, but also possible.} ) 15.Rac1 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Time to move the pawn. It's not an attacking move, of course. What Black really wants is to get the rook into play with g4-Rg5.} 16.Nfd4 Nxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A slight inaccuracy.} ( 16...Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better way to fight for equality.} ) 17.Bb4+ $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king has to go to an uncomfortable square.} 17...Ke8 18.Nxd4 g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black follows the plan, but here it would be better to play} ( 18...Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Bc5 Bxc5 20.Rxc5 Rc8 21.Rxc8+ Bxc8 22.Bf3 Nf6 {with good drawing chances.} ) 19.Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight prepares to go to c5.} 19...Rg5 ( 19...Rc8 {gives better chances, although Black is somewhat worse after} 20.Rxc8+ Bxc8 ) 20.Nc5 Bc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move has an interesting tactical point, but Vidit finds a very deep refutation. 20...Bxc5 and 20...Bc8 leads to suffering, but might be better, objectively.} ( 20...Bxc5 ) ( 20...Bc8 ) 21.Nxa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Of course, both players saw this tactical theme instantly, but the question is more difficult than that.} 21...Nd7 {The a6-knight is suddenly a problem, but Vidit finds a superb solution.} ( 21...Bf3 {This is Black's main counterplay idea and has to be calculated precisely.} 22.Rxd8+ Kxd8 ( 22...Bxd8 23.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The same idea we will see in the main line, but this is a worse version for Black.} ) 23.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A wonderful idea that justifies White's play.} 23...Bxe2 ( 23...Rg8 24.Bd1 $3 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Another fantastic move that gives White the advantage. The point is that now White finally threatens to take the bishop and, if they are exchanged, the rook goes to d1 with check and White keeps the extra pawn.} ) 24.hxg5 Nd5 {The fight continues.} 25.Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 25.Nc5 {is not so convincing:} 25...Nxb4 26.Nxb7+ Ke7 27.a3 Nd5 28.Nc5 Bb5 {with drawing chances.} ) 25...Bxa6 26.Bxb6+ Nxb6 27.Kh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king marches to g3 and the endgame is difficult for Black.} ) 22.Bf1 $3 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is such a brilliant move, my favorite of the game. It's so beautiful because we don't expect a simple bishop withdrawal in a position like this. Furthermore, it shows how attentive Vidit was to his opponent's resources. It's the best move according to the machine, which makes it even more stunning. The idea is prophylaxis directed against the tactical ...Bc6-f3.} ( 22.Be1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] We first think: Why not just move the b4-bishop so the knight can go back $2 After all, if it's taken, we can capture the c6-bishop. But then comes the shocker} 22...Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the tables are turned $1} ) ( 22.Bd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is met with the same idea.} 22...Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 22.Kf1 {is a sensible way of avoiding Black's trick, but it's not so good because the king is not well-placed on f1.} 22...Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Bd6 bxa6 24.Bxa6 Bb5+ $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the difference.} 25.Bxb5 Rxc1 26.Rxc1 Rxb5 27.Rc8+ Bd8 28.Bc7 {White is still better, but the endgame is not so clear after} 28...Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.Rxd8+ Ke7 30.Rc8 Rc1+ 31.Ke2 Rc2+ {with drawing chances.} ) 22...Ra8 ( 22...Rc8 {This no longer works:} 23.Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...bxa6 24.Bxa6 {White wins material as there's no check on b5.} ) ( 22...h5 {is the best attempt according to the computer, but I find the move hard to understand.} 23.Bd6 Nf6 24.Nb4 Ne4 25.Nxc6 Rxd6 26.Rxd6 Nxd6 27.Nb4 {with good winning chances for White with an extra pawn.} ) 23.Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight is ready to go back.} 23...Ba4 24.Bf4 ( 24.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better:} 24...bxa6 ( 24...Bxb3 25.axb3 bxa6 26.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a nice idea that shows up in some lines. The bishop goes to the powerful h1-a8 diagonal.} ) 25.bxa4 {With a winning position, thanks to the pair of bishops.} ) 24...Ra5 ( 24...Bxd1 {is a better chance, although the endgame is difficult after} 25.Bxg5 Ba4 26.Nb4 ) 25.Nc7+ ( 25.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is good again:} 25...Bxb3 ( 25...bxa6 26.bxa4 Rxa4 27.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is not an easy move to see, but after the bishop goes to g2, White is simply winning.} ) 26.axb3 bxa6 {Here White has many tempting continuations. The position is easily winning for a player like Vidit.} ) 25...Bxc7 26.Bxc7 Bxd1 27.Bxa5 Rxa5 28.Rxd1 {White wins a pawn, since the rook cannot capture on a2.} 28...Ne5 ( 28...Rxa2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29.Bb5 {and the knight is lost.} ) 29.a4 Rc5 {Black activates the rook, but White finds a strong reply.} 30.Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook is going to b4.} 30...Rc1 31.Rb4 ( 31.Re4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a subtle move that maybe makes the task easier.} 31...f6 32.Rb4 {The pawn on f6 worsens the seventh rank, and this is an even better version of the game.} ) 31...Rb1 ( 31...Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only chance.} 32.b3 Ke7 33.Rxb7+ Kf6 {Despite being two pawns up, the position is not so easy for White to win. Black's pieces are very active.} ) 32.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the conversion is smooth.} 32...gxf3 33.gxf3 Nxf3+ 34.Kg2 Nd2 35.Bd3 Re1 36.Kf2 Rh1 37.Kg2 Re1 38.Rxb7 Rxe3 39.Bb5+ Kf8 40.a5 {The pawns cannot be stopped. The rest is agony.} 40...Re5 41.a6 Rg5+ 42.Kf2 Ne4+ 43.Ke3 Nd6 44.a7 Re5+ 45.Kf3 Rf5+ 46.Kg2 Rg5+ 47.Kh1 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2023.11.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[ECO "A22"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8250095362097"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]

{[%evp 0,59,14,-11,3,-11,-23,-32,-12,-9,-9,-28,-3,0,21,20,41,17,17,22,71,43,31,34,14,21,13,24,38,43,38,36,51,94,75,84,163,147,214,203,123,133,133,140,140,132,140,140,140,141,146,138,405,405,405,397,405,405,407,407,407,406]} 
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.g3 Bb4 4.Bg2 O-O 5.e4 {An interesting sideline of the English Opening.} 5...Bxc3 6.bxc3 c6 {Black's plan is to play d5 quickly.} 7.Nf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A fresh move that has been played by strong GMs.} ( 7.Ne2 {is the most popular choice.} ) 7...d5 {Nepomniachtchi is, as usual, very well-prepared.} ( 7...Nxe4 {is an important alternative.} 8.O-O ( 8.Nxe5 Re8 9.d4 d6 ( 9...Nxc3 10.Qf3 d6 11.Qxf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11...Kh8 12.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12...Qd7 13.Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...dxe5 14.Qxd7 Nxd7 15.Kxc3 exd4+ 16.Kxd4 {leads to a slightly better endgame for White. A good illustration that you don't have to worry so much with a centralized king when the queens are not on the board.} ) 10.Bxe4 dxe5 {with equal play in Jones-Gupta, Reykjavik op 2016.} ) 8...d6 9.Nxe5 dxe5 ( 9...Nc5 10.Ng4 {was played in Svidler-Aronian, Candidates Tournament Moscow 2016.} ) 10.Bxe4 {with equality.} ) 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.O-O Nc6 11.Re1 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong opening novelty.} ( 11...Re8 {was played by Caruana:} 12.d4 exd4 13.Bg5 Rxe1+ 14.Qxe1 Qd6 15.Nxd4 Nxd4 16.Rd1 {Here Black has to find the excellent} 16...Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 16...Qe6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17.Bxd5 Qxe1+ 18.Rxe1 {with a clear advantage for White in Xiong-Caruana, Saint Louis Rapid 2022.} ) 17.Rxd4 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Qc6 {with an equal position.} ) 12.Nd4 Nxd4 13.cxd4 Bf5 ( 13...Nf6 {is a good option: Black has no problems.} ) 14.d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Much better than} ( 14.Bxe4 Bxe4 15.Rxe4 {when Black has excellent compensation for the pawn, since the d-pawns are doubled and the d5-knight is a great piece.} ) 14...exd3 15.Qf3 ( 15.Ba3 {leads to a draw after optimal play:} 15...Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.Qd2 Ne2+ ( 16...Qxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 17.Bb2 ) 17.Rxe2 dxe2 18.Bxf8 Qxf8 19.Qxe2 Qd6 {with many drawing lines.} ) 15...Qa5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The best formation for Black is to have the bishop on e6 and the queen on d7, so he should have gone for it immediately.} ( 15...Be6 16.Qxd3 ( 16.Re5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] doesn't work after} 16...Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The point is that the advance of the d-pawn is not dangerous:} 17.d5 Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.Rxd5 ( 18.Qg4 {is a better chance.} ) 18...Qxd5 19.Qxd5 Nxd5 20.Bxd5 d2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Bxd2 Rad8 {winning material.} ) 16...Qd7 {The pair of bishops compensate for the strong knight. The computer assessment is equality, although my feeling is that it's more comfortable to play with Black.} ) 16.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Protecting the rook and developing the bishop.} ( 16.Re5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is refuted by} 16...Qc3 ) 16...Be6 17.Qxd3 h6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true][%c_arrow g5h6;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false] The losing mistake.} ( 17...Rfe8 {is better. After} 18.Re5 f6 19.Bd2 Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has many tempting choices, but none leads to an objective advantage.} ) 18.Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true] The good old sacrifice on h6, probably one of the oldest tactical themes in chess.} 18...gxh6 19.Rxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...Nb4 ( 19...fxe6 {loses easily since the knight is captured after} 20.Qg6+ Kh8 21.Qxh6+ Kg8 22.Qxe6+ ) 20.Rg6+ ( 20.Qe4 {is also good enough:} 20...fxe6 21.Qg6+ Kh8 22.Qxh6+ Kg8 23.Re1 {with a winning attack.} ) 20...fxg6 ( 20...Kh7 21.Ra6+ $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Nxd3 22.Rxa5 {with a technically winning endgame.} ) 21.Qxg6+ Kh8 22.Qxh6+ Kg8 23.Qg6+ ( 23.Re1 {is indicated by the machine as a strong alternative.} 23...Rfe8 24.Qg6+ Kf8 25.Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move. White prepares Re3-f3 and is winning in all lines.} ) 23...Kh8 24.Be4 {Bringing the bishop into the attack.} 24...Qc7 25.a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's important to remove the knight so that the bishop gains the important d5-square.} 25...Nc6 ( 25...Qf7 {is the best practical chance.} 26.Qh6+ Kg8 27.Qg5+ ( 27.axb4 {looks tempting, but somehow Black is still surviving after} 27...Qxf2+ 28.Kh1 Qf7 ) 27...Qg7 ( 27...Kh8 28.axb4 Qxf2+ 29.Kh1 Qf7 {Now White wins easily:} 30.Qe5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Qg7 31.Qh5+ Kg8 32.Bd5+ ) 28.Qxg7+ Kxg7 29.axb4 {The endgame is winning for White, but at least Black has managed to exchange queens.} ) 26.Qh6+ Kg8 27.Bd5+ Rf7 28.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final touch. The rook joins the attack.} 28...Ne7 29.Bxf7+ Kxf7 30.Qe6+ {A great game by Sevian.} ( 30.Qe6+ {White wins material:} 30...Kf8 ( 30...Ke8 31.Qg8+ ) 31.Qf6+ Ke8 32.Qh8+ ) 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2023.11.17"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[ECO "C88"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7354481381942"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.Nbd2 Nd7 11.c3 Nc5 12.axb5 axb5 13.Rxa8 Qxa8 14.Bc2 b4 15.d4 Nd7 {All of this is theory known to both players, but now comes a new idea.} 16.h4 {An interesting move for a blitz game. The advance of the h-pawn is typical in the Ruy Lopez and guarantees chances of attacking on the kingside.} 16...bxc3 17.bxc3 Qa1 {A natural move, activating the queen.} ( 17...Bf6 {is a good and solid move.} ) 18.d5 Na5 19.c4 {Black needs to be careful with the queen. White prepares Re3-a3.} 19...Nb6 20.c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A little too optimistic.} ( 20.Bd3 {forces Black to play precisely, but equality can be achieved:} 20...Ba6 21.Qc2 Nb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Bb2 Qa4 23.Qc3 Qa5 ) 20...dxc5 21.Nf1 {As compensation for the pawn, White has a good pawn structure and chances of an attack on the kingside.} 21...Nac4 {Activating the knight before White plays 22.Ne3.} 22.Bd3 Nb2 23.Bxb2 Qxb2 24.Re2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A natural move in order to capture the e5-pawn but 24.Ne3 gives better chances for compensation.} ( 24.Ne3 ) 24...Qb4 25.Nxe5 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Bc2 Bxh4 {This pawn seemed somewhat forgotten in the corner of the board, but why not capture it $2} 27.Nf3 Be7 28.Ne3 Rd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An unlucky square for the rook, which will be attacked later.} ( 28...Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, when Black has the advantage after} 29.Nf5 Bf8 30.Qc1 Bc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] since 31.Qg5 no longer threatens the rook.} ) 29.Nf5 Bf8 30.Qc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen is coming to attack and the position becomes dangerous.} 30...Bc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 30...Re8 {It's better to fix the position of the rook.} 31.Qg5 g6 32.Nh6+ Bxh6 33.Qxh6 Qf8 {when Black is not worse.} ) 31.Qg5 f6 32.Nh6+ Kh8 33.Ne5 $3 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This beautiful move is the point of White's play and was probably missed by So. He reacts very well and finds the only defense.} 33...Rd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 33...fxg5 34.Nef7# ) 34.Nef7+ Rxf7 35.Nxf7+ Kg8 36.Nh6+ Kh8 37.Qf4 {Vachier-Lagrave is not interested in perpetual check.} 37...gxh6 38.Qxf6+ Bg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake, but the correct sequence is impossible to find in a blitz game.} ( 38...Kg8 39.Re3 Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move, but now Black survives.} 40.Qf4 ( 40.Rg3 h5 {The pin cannot be exploited.} ) 40...h5 {with big complications where the chances are balanced.} ) 39.Qd8+ Qf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 39...Bf8 40.Qxc7 Qd6 {offers better chances of survival.} ) 40.Qxc7 Bg4 41.Re3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 41.f3 {is necessary:} 41...Bd4+ 42.Kh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only good square for the king.} ( 42.Kh2 $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 42...Qf6 ) ( 42.Kf1 Bxf3 43.gxf3 Qxf3+ 44.Ke1 Bc3+ 45.Rd2 Qe3+ 46.Kf1 Qxd2 47.Qd8+ Kg7 48.Qc7+ {with a draw.} ) 42...Qf6 ( 42...Bxf3 {doesn't work since there's no perpetual after} 43.gxf3 Qxf3+ 44.Rg2 Qh3+ 45.Qh2 ) 43.Qg3 Bh5 44.e5 Qg5 45.Qxg5 hxg5 46.d6 {with a winning position for White.} ) 41...Nd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 41...Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has to play this active move. After} 42.e5 Nd7 43.e6 Bxe3 44.fxe3 Nf6 45.Qxc4 Qa3 {he is not in danger of losing anymore.} ) 42.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawns march forward.} 42...Qf4 ( 42...Qa8 {gives some practical chances, but isn't enough to save the game.} 43.Bd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate.} ( 43.Qxc4 {should also be enough after} 43...Nxe5 44.Qe4 Kg8 45.Qxh7+ Kf8 46.Qe4 ) 43...Qa1 ( 43...Bxd1 44.Qxd7 {The pawns are unstoppable.} ) 44.Qc8+ Bf8 45.Re1 Qc3 46.Rf1 {with a win for White.} ) 43.Qd8+ Nf8 44.e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...Bh5 45.e7 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2023"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2023.11.18"]
[Round "27"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[ECO "D47"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[Beauty "4953171045908"]
[EventType "blitz"]
[TimeControl "600+5"]

{[%evp 0,128,20,23,27,15,22,22,15,30,29,38,35,20,20,20,20,18,16,19,14,-4,-6,-6,-6,-2,25,25,25,25,27,32,32,11,24,23,26,0,0,0,30,29,27,30,30,17,17,21,31,31,32,16,16,0,24,-24,20,8,30,16,17,8,16,23,17,25,19,19,18,19,24,30,18,11,13,16,5,0,0,0,44,0,0,0,15,0,6,6,17,-33,-31,-42,-38,-35,-40,-48,-50,-53,-43,-47,-35,-70,-74,-62,-63,-90,-86,-83,73,-74,-69,-102,-92,-167,-174,-167,14,13,12,13,15,13,12,17,19,18,19,18,19,0,0]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 c6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Be2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] I wouldn't call this move a \"sideline\", but it's much less popular than 8.Bd3.} ( 8.Bd3 ) 8...a6 {Black has many ways to play and I leave the subtleties of move orders to the Semi-Slav experts. Some possibilities:} ( 8...Bb7 9.O-O a6 ( {Or} 9...b4 10.Na4 Be7 11.b3 O-O 12.Bb2 {when the position is close to equality.} ) 10.e4 c5 11.d5 exd5 12.e5 Ne4 13.Nxd5 {Along these lines we begin to observe the advantage of having the bishop on e2 and not on d3: the queen has an expanded range of action on the d-file.} 13...Nxe5 14.Nxe5 Qxd5 15.Qxd5 Bxd5 16.Rd1 Be6 17.a4 {Practice has shown that the position is equal, but Black must still be accurate.} ) 9.O-O ( 9.e4 {is an important alternative.} 9...b4 ( 9...c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 10.e5 cxd4 11.Qxd4 {With a clear advantage for White. Again we see the plus side of having the bishop on e2.} ) 10.e5 bxc3 11.exf6 Nxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 11...cxb2 $6 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 12.fxg7 Bxg7 ( 12...bxa1=Q $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 13.gxh8=Q {The human imagination is always drawn to positions with four queens on the board, but they are usually more fun if enjoyed from afar rather than on our own board. Here White has a decisive advantage.} ) 13.Bxb2 {with the better position.} ) 12.bxc3 Bd6 13.O-O O-O {with good chances of equalizing.} ) 9...c5 ( 9...Bb7 10.e4 {transposes to the lines seen above.} ) 10.d5 exd5 ( 10...e5 {is positionally dubious, as the pawn on d5 is very strong and White can create a path on the queenside with the move a2-a4 at some point.} 11.Nd2 ) 11.Nxd5 Bb7 12.Nxf6+ Nxf6 ( 12...Qxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, with a balanced game after} 13.a4 b4 14.e4 h6 ) 13.a4 b4 14.b3 {A new move. Caruana's game is a little passive at this point, perhaps influenced by the fact that he just needed a draw.} ( 14.Ne5 Bd6 15.Nc4 Bc7 {is slightly better for White: Maghsoodloo-Xiong, Aimchess Rapid 2023.} ) ( 14.Qxd8+ Rxd8 15.Ne5 {led to a win for White in Aronian-Donchenko, Meissen 2013.} ) 14...Bd6 15.Bb2 O-O 16.h3 {White has an excellent square for a knight or bishop on c4, but Black has a potent pair of bishops pointing at White's king, plus free development. The position is balanced.} 16...Ne4 17.Qc2 Qe7 18.Rad1 Rad8 19.Bc4 Ng5 ( 19...Bc7 {is simpler.} ) 20.Nxg5 Qxg5 21.f4 Qe7 22.Qe2 ( 22.Rde1 {give some hope of fighting for the initiative. For instance:} 22...Rfe8 ( 22...Be4 23.Qe2 ) 23.Qf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] followed by 24.Qg4.} ) 22...Bc7 23.Rfe1 Kh8 $6 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Vachier-Lagrave wants to place the pawn on f6 to reduce the strength of the white bishops—an understandable decision. The machine, however, prefers} ( 23...a5 24.Qg4 g6 ) 24.Qg4 f6 25.Qe6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 25.Rxd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives White a comfortable advantage after} 25...Rxd8 26.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the move that White is always looking for, and here it is possible since a capture leads to defeat.} 26...Bxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27.f5 Re8 28.Re3 {The e4-bishop is pinned forever (until the moment it will be captured).} ) 25...Qxe6 26.Bxe6 Be4 {The position is equal again.} 27.Bc4 a5 28.Kf2 h5 29.g3 Kh7 30.Ke2 Kg6 31.Bd3 Bxd3+ 32.Rxd3 Rxd3 33.Kxd3 Rd8+ {We will have some interesting adventures in this endgame, which can be explained by the importance of the game and, mainly, by the little time on the clock.} 34.Ke2 ( 34.Kc4 {is also possible.} 34...Rd2 35.Ba1 ( 35.Bc1 Rc2+ 36.Kb5 Rc3 ( 36...Kf7 ) 37.Bb2 Rxb3 38.Re2 Rd3 39.Kxc5 {with equality.} ) 35...Rc2+ 36.Kb5 Kf7 {with a likely draw.} ) 34...c4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A bold decision. Needing victory, Vachier-Lagrave sacrifices a pawn in an attempt to complicate the game.} ( 34...Kf5 35.Rc1 Bd6 36.Kf3 Ke6 37.e4 {should end in a draw.} ) ( 34...Re8 35.Kd3 ( 35.Rd1 h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 35...Rd8+ 36.Ke2 {with a move repetition.} ) 35.bxc4 Bb6 36.c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] There is no need to return the pawn.} ( 36.e4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.e5 Kf7 {Black is OK.} ) ( 36.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, saving e4 for the moment when Black cannot play f6-f5. White has a clear advantage.} ) 36...Bxc5 37.Rc1 Bf8 {Again the endgame is equal. There are many possibilities for both sides in the next few moves, but I will advance the analysis to the next moment of emotion.} 38.g4 hxg4 39.hxg4 b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40.Rc3 Rb8 41.Rc4 Bb4 42.Kd3 Rh8 43.Rc1 Rh4 44.Bd4 Rxg4 45.Rb1 Rg2 46.Rxb3 Ra2 47.e4 Rxa4 48.Rb1 {White has lost a pawn, but has enough activity for a draw.} 48...Kf7 49.Rc1 Ra3+ 50.Kc4 Bd2 51.Rf1 Rh3 ( 51...a4 52.f5 {with the idea of Rb1-b7.} ) 52.Ra1 ( 52.f5 {is also possible.} ) 52...Bxf4 53.Rxa5 Be3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This allows an immediate draw.} 54.Bc3 ( 54.Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a draw in many ways, for example:} 54...Bxd4 55.Rxh3 Be5 ) 54...Bf2 55.Ra6 Re3 56.e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now White is losing.} ( 56.Ra7+ Kg6 57.Re7 {This is necessary, with excellent drawing chances.} ) 56...fxe5 57.Bd2 Re2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] An unfortunate square for the rook.} ( 57...Rf3 58.Bc3 Rf6 {keeps the two-pawn advantage and a winning position.} ) 58.Kd3 {The rook is trapped and the game quickly ends in a draw.} 58...Rxd2+ 59.Kxd2 Bd4 60.Kd3 g5 61.Ke4 Ke7 62.Rg6 Kf7 63.Rxg5 Ke7 64.Rxe5+ Bxe5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Chess Tour | Sinquefield Cup 2023"]
[Site "St Louis USA"]
[Date "2023.11.21"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[Beauty "4880848656905"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,129,22,24,48,50,62,48,48,21,37,34,41,19,19,19,19,39,17,17,42,20,22,29,29,29,33,36,46,44,40,36,79,57,48,34,48,20,20,11,11,11,16,16,33,14,14,9,8,0,0,0,0,0,0,-7,43,43,36,43,65,65,79,44,65,44,79,52,50,49,49,48,42,40,40,40,44,44,44,38,38,32,36,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,-24,-16,-6,-8,-9,-9,-35,0,0,0,-18,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3 Be7 9.Qd2 h5 {When I was a child, I studied the Najdorf Defense to the point that I almost memorized the fantastic book \"The Najdorf for the Tournament Player\" by John Nunn. Back then, this type of move, moving a pawn on the side that your opponent is going to attack, was unthinkable. But chess strategy advances and each generation learns something new. The move h7-h5 has become one of Black's main options against the English Attack and the idea was even carried over to other variations of the Sicilian Defense.} 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.exd5 Bf5 12.Be2 a5 {It's not a very pretty move, but this is part of the Najdorf players' arsenal, played in several similar positions.} ( 12...Bh4+ {was played twice against Dominguez this year.} 13.g3 Be7 14.O-O-O Nd7 15.Kb1 Rc8 16.Rc1 {Both games arrived at this position.} 16...O-O ( 16...Nb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17.Na5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...Qc7 18.Ka1 Bd8 19.c4 Nxd5 20.Qxd5 Qxa5 21.Qxb7 O-O 22.Rhd1 {With a clear advantage for White in Dominguez Perez-Perez Ponsa, Airthings Masters Chess.com rapid 2023.} ) 17.Ka1 {White can play c4 and also g4 later. I prefer his position, although the game is complicated: Dominguez Perez-Le, Aimchess Rapid Chess.com 2023.} ) 13.a4 Bh4+ 14.g3 Be7 {This position has been tested in many correspondence games. The idea of inserting a5-a4 is, I imagine, to prevent the white knight jumping to a5.} 15.Bb5+ ( 15.Bd3 {is also popular.} ) 15...Bd7 16.Qe2 O-O 17.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move to reposition the knight at the best moment.} ( 17.O-O-O Bxb5 18.Qxb5 Qd7 {Black is fine.} ) 17...Bxb5 18.Qxb5 Bg5 ( 18...Qd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black has no time for this move anymore, since after} 19.Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's idea becomes clear.} ) 19.Bxg5 Qxg5 20.O-O-O Rc8 21.Kb1 {When in doubt, play Kb1.} ( 21.Qxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Of course you don't face the Sicilian with the intention of capturing this type of pawn.} 21...Na6 ) 21...Na6 {A new move. It's redundant to say that Caruana is well-prepared.} ( 21...Qe7 22.f4 Qc7 23.Rc1 Nd7 24.fxe5 Nxe5 25.Qe2 Qc5 {later ended in a draw in Hild-Baranowski, EU-ch 2020 ICCF email.} ) 22.Ne4 Qd8 23.f4 Nc5 24.Rhe1 Nxe4 25.Rxe4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Re3 e4 {The last moves from both sides were very logical.} 27.Qe2 ( 27.g4 {This move is a critical idea that must be analyzed on every move for White. Here it still doesn't work well after} 27...Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 27...hxg4 28.h3 {with a dangerous attack on the kingside. This is the idea behind the pawn sac with g4.} ) 28.gxf5 Qxh2 {With equal chances.} ) 27...Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very accurate move and the only one to equalize. Black should not passively defend the h5-pawn.} ( 27...g6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] leads to tragedy after} 28.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...hxg4 29.h3 {The computer already considers the attack winning.} ) ( 27...Qe8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There's a big difference between the placement of the queen on d7 or e8.} 28...hxg4 ( 28...fxg4 29.Rxe4 {This is the problem: the queen is badly-placed.} ) 29.h3 {With a strong attack.} ) 28.Qxh5 ( 28.b3 {Black must be fast, before White can stabilize the position with c2-c4 and play g4.} 28...Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With the idea of playing b5 now that the white queen is unable to capture the pawn.} 29.c4 Qb6 30.Ka2 Qb4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 30...Rc7 {is also possible.} ) 31.Qxh5 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is in time. The game ends in perpetual check after} 32.Qxf5 bxc4 33.Qe6+ Kh8 34.Qh3+ ) ( 28.g4 fxg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the big difference.} 29.Rxe4 Rf8 {With a fine position for Black.} ) 28...Qxa4 29.Rd2 Rf8 $6 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is inaccurate.} ( 29...Qb5 {is better, with a probable draw:} 30.Qxf5 Qf1+ 31.Ka2 Qc4+ ) 30.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Qe8 31.Qg5 Qd8 32.Qh5 ( 32.gxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move.} 32...Qxg5 33.fxg5 Rxf5 34.Rxe4 Rxg5 35.Re7 {With an unpleasant defense ahead for Black.} ) 32...Qe8 ( 32...Qf6 {is indicated by the machine, with the idea} 33.g5 g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with equality.} ) 33.Qh3 ( 33.Qg5 ) 33...Qg6 34.Rg2 Qh7 35.Qxh7+ {Keeping the queens on the board is also possible, but it doesn't guarantee White any special advantage.} ( 35.Qg3 Rf7 ) 35...Kxh7 36.gxf5 Rxf5 37.Rxe4 Raf8 38.Rg4 ( 38.Re7 {is met by} 38...R8f7 ) 38...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's important to prevent c2-c4.} ( 38...Rxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 39.Re7 ) 39.b3 b4 {Black finally manages to equalize the game.} 40.Rd4 {It's clear that such a move is harmless, but there's no adequate winning attempt.} ( 40.Re6 R8f6 ) ( 40.Re7 R8f7 ) 40...Rh5 41.h4 Rf6 42.Re4 Rxd5 43.Rg5 Rdf5 {Everything leads to a draw.} ( 43...Rxg5 44.hxg5 Rf5 ) ( 43...Rd1+ 44.Kb2 Rf1 45.Re7 Rg6 ) 44.Re7 Rxg5 ( 44...Rf7 {is also equal.} ) 45.fxg5 Rf4 46.h5 {An interesting drawing variation occurs after:} ( 46.Rd7 Rxh4 47.Rxd6 Rg4 48.Rd5 Kg6 49.Rxa5 Rxg5 50.Rxg5+ Kxg5 51.c3 bxc3 52.b4 Kf4 53.b5 Ke5 54.Kc2 {and the pawns will soon be exchanged.} ) 46...Rf5 47.h6 Rxg5 48.hxg7 Rxg7 49.Re1 {White ends up a pawn down, but this is temporary. His active rook ensures that the material will be recovered.} 49...Rg5 ( 49...d5 50.Rd1 Rd7 51.Kb2 Kg6 52.Ra1 Ra7 53.Rd1 Rd7 {with a draw.} ) 50.Rd1 d5 51.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51...Kg7 52.Re6 Kf7 53.Ra6 d4 54.Rd6 Rg1+ 55.Kb2 Rd1 56.Rd5 d3 57.cxd3 ( 57.Rxd3 {Even this move is a clear draw.} 57...Rxd3 58.cxd3 Ke6 59.Kc2 Kd5 60.Kd2 {Let's play a bad move for White, just for curiosity's sake. Is Black winning now $2} 60...Kd4 61.Kc2 Ke3 62.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 62...Kxd4 63.Kd2 {No. It's still a draw.} ) 57...Ke6 58.Rxa5 Rd2+ 59.Kc1 Rxd3 60.Ra4 Rxb3 61.Kc2 Rc3+ 62.Kb2 Rc4 63.Kb3 Rd4 64.Rxb4 Rxb4+ 65.Kxb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Chess Tour | Sinquefield Cup 2023"]
[Site "St Louis USA"]
[Date "2023.11.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "174"]
[Beauty "3986824378892"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,174,19,-18,16,13,13,14,14,18,23,23,23,31,31,17,9,-12,11,3,-13,-4,-4,-10,12,12,12,16,31,15,11,-33,-33,-25,-22,-33,-33,-33,-33,-32,-34,-34,-22,-35,-28,-23,-15,-48,-12,-42,-48,-66,-51,-88,-90,-190,10,2,14,18,29,23,73,73,82,64,67,72,72,72,68,68,64,67,67,64,78,64,87,74,90,84,105,94,116,135,136,135,142,139,135,135,142,135,136,136,141,136,136,131,136,136,136,128,133,136,153,140,155,146,158,147,156,150,143,136,158,175,175,182,163,163,163,158,158,165,163,154,163,163,161,152,151,163,140,180,210,200,204,118,144,147,144,64,109,74,65,29,35,20,20,17,40,35,39,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 
1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 g6 7.Ne4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting idea, played in a few games, but almost all at the highest level. Dominguez already knew it from a blitz game played in 2016.} 7...c4 ( 7...Qb6 8.O-O Bg7 9.d3 {was played in Ding-Dominguez, China Elite Mind Blitz, Huaian 2016. White's idea could be to exploit the not very comfortable queen position on b6 with the Nd2-c4 maneuver or to attack the c5-pawn with Qc2.} ( 9.Qc2 $5 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 9...Bf5 10.d3 Bxe4 11.dxe4 Ndb4 12.Qb1 {with an interesting and unbalanced position.} ) ) ( 7...b6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Here White's idea is made clear after} 8.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 7...e5 {is possible, but after} 8.d3 f5 9.Nc3 {Black has to suffer the consequences of excessive pawn advances.} ) 8.Qc2 b5 ( 8...f5 {is also possible. A blitz game continued:} 9.Nc3 Bg7 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.O-O O-O 12.d3 cxd3 13.exd3 {with chances for both sides in Svane-Vidit, Titled Tuesday Chess.com 2020.} ) 9.b3 {White tries to break up the pawn structure, but Black has resources of his own.} 9...Bg7 10.Bb2 Ndb4 11.Qc1 Bxb2 12.Qxb2 O-O 13.O-O {A new move. White quickly went downhill in the only game played before, which went} ( 13.a3 Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.Nh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14...Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a winning position for Black: Firouzja-Erigaisi, Airthings Masters Rapid 2023.} ) 13...Rb8 14.a3 Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.Nh4 Bxe4 16.Bxe4 Nd5 17.bxc4 {This exchange helps Black, as the rook on b8 becomes active. It is more prudent to start with} ( 17.Nf3 {since after} 17...Na5 {White can play} 18.b4 ) 17...bxc4 18.Qc2 Na5 {Nepomniachtchi's opening experiment was clearly unsuccessful.} 19.Rab1 Nf6 20.Bg2 Qd6 ( 20...Rb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is unpleasant to face. If White captures the rook, the b3-pawn becomes dangerous. Otherwise Black plays ...Qb6 and takes control of the b-file.} 21.Nf3 ( 21.Rxb3 cxb3 ) 21...Qb6 ) 21.Nf3 Rxb1 ( 21...Rb3 {is again interesting.} ) 22.Rxb1 Qxa3 23.Nd4 ( 23.Ne5 {It seems that White has enough compensation to make a draw after this move, for example:} 23...Rc8 24.Qc3 Qxc3 25.dxc3 ) 23...Rc8 24.h3 {A somewhat mysterious move, but it gives air to the king and may be speculating on g3-g4 in future.} ( 24.Qc3 {is possible again:} 24...Qxc3 25.dxc3 {with enough play for a draw.} ) 24...e5 25.Nb5 Qc5 26.Qa4 Nb3 27.Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 27.Nxa7 {is natural, but doesn't solve all the problems:} 27...Rc7 ( 27...Nxd2 {is bad due to} 28.Rb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 27...Rd8 {is also possible.} ) 28.Nb5 Nxd2 29.Nxc7 Nxb1 {with winning chances for Black.} ) 27...Rb8 $6 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows White to capture the c-pawn.} ( 27...Kg7 {is better. White still has to defend a long endgame after} 28.Nd6 Rd8 29.Nxc4 ( 29.Nb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 29...Qc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 29...Nxd2 30.Nxd2 Rxd2 31.Ra1 ) 28.Na3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Kg7 29.Nxc4 Rb4 30.Ne3 ( 30.d3 {leads to a draw.} 30...e4 ( 30...Nd4 31.Rxb4 Qxb4 ) ) 30...e4 {Black starts to get into trouble after this move, which opens the a1-h8 diagonal.} ( 30...Nxd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a piece after} 31.Rxb4 Qxb4 32.Qxf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32...Kxf6 33.Nd5+ ) ( 30...Rb5 {is the best way to make a draw.} ) 31.Qa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31...Qb6 32.d3 ( 32.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] creates some serious practical chances. Black has to play very accurately to survive.} 32...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.h4 Rb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34.g5 hxg5 35.hxg5 Ne8 36.Nc4 Qb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Qe7 {Even after playing all those forced moves, Black still has problems to solve.} ) 32...exd3 33.exd3 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to protect the rook on b4, even though this loses a pawn.} 34.Nc4 Qb5 35.Nxa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...Ra4 36.Qxb3 Qxa5 {Who would have imagined that after suffering so much in the opening and middlegame, White would achieve an endgame with an extra pawn $2 It should be drawn without any major problems, it's true, but I have the impression that this residual memory affected the remaining play, since they both made more mistakes than expected.} 37.Qb5 Qa7 ( 37...Qxb5 38.Rxb5 Rd4 39.Bf1 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer is very confident that Black will make a draw here, although I'd still be worried.} ) 38.Qe5 Ra5 39.Qe3 Qc7 40.d4 {White manages to advance the pawn. The evaluation of the game won't change for a long time. Let's fast forward to a critical moment.} 40...Ra7 41.Rc1 Qd8 42.d5 Rd7 43.Qd4 Kg8 44.Rc5 Ne8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight is known as an excellent blockader.} 45.Rc6 Qe7 46.Bf3 Nd6 47.Kg2 Rd8 48.h4 h5 49.Ra6 Nf5 50.Qa1 Rd6 51.Ra8+ Rd8 52.Ra2 Qd6 53.Be4 Re8 54.Ra8 Ng7 55.Ra6 Qe7 56.Bd3 Rd8 57.Ra7 {Here the drama begins again.} 57...Rd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 57...Qd6 {is necessary, with excellent drawing chances.} ) 58.Rxd7 Qxd7 59.Qa8+ {The important detail is that the white queen can use the c6-square as support.} 59...Qe8 ( 59...Kh7 60.Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by the advance of the pawn.} ) ( 59...Ne8 60.Bc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This nice move, with the idea of Ba4, wins.} ) 60.Qc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 60.Qxe8+ {The bishop-versus-knight endgame is winning. This surprised me at first, as I thought a defense would be possible with the knight blocking the pawn on d6 and the h-pawn's queening square a different color from the bishop. But the computer relentlessly shows victory.} 60...Nxe8 61.Kf3 Nd6 62.Kf4 Kf8 63.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 63...Nb7 64.g4 hxg4 65.fxg4 Nd6 66.Ke5 Ke7 67.Kd4 {Kc5 will follow, and Black is unable to sustain the defense.} ) 60...Kf8 61.Qc5+ Kg8 62.d6 Qa8+ 63.Kg1 Qa1+ 64.Kg2 ( 64.Kh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, retaining some winning chances after} 64...Ne6 65.Qd5 ) 64...Qa8+ 65.Kh2 Ne6 66.Qc4 Qa7 $2 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 66...Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has a pretty draw after this move.} 67.Kg1 Qd1+ 68.Kg2 Nf4+ $3 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is the point.} 69.Qxf4 ( 69.gxf4 Qg4+ {with perpetual check.} ) 69...Qxd3 {The queen endgame is drawn since White's king cannot easily escape from the checks.} ) 67.Kg2 Qd4 68.Qxd4 Nxd4 69.d7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this mistake, Black is able to escape.} ( 69.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way, preparing Kf2-e3. Play may continue:} 69...Kf8 70.Kf2 Ke8 71.Ke3 Ne6 72.Bb5+ $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 72...Kf8 73.Ke4 {with a winning position for White.} ) 69...Nc6 70.Bb5 Nd8 71.Kf3 Kf8 72.Ke4 Ke7 73.f4 Ne6 {The knight performs miracles and saves Black.} 74.Bc6 Kd6 75.Ba4 Nc5+ 76.Kd4 Nxd7 77.Bxd7 Kxd7 78.f5 Ke7 79.Ke5 f6+ 80.Kf4 gxf5 81.Kxf5 Kf7 82.Kf4 Ke6 83.g4 hxg4 84.Kxg4 Kf7 85.Kf5 Kg7 86.h5 Kh6 87.Kxf6 Kxh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Chess Tour | Sinquefield Cup 2023"]
[Site "St Louis USA"]
[Date "2023.11.23"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[ECO "C42"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Beauty "6393864165907"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 {This simple move is one of my favorite lines against the Petroff. White's play isn't very difficult and although he doesn't have an objective advantage, I can say that nothing gives him an advantage against this solid defense anywway.} 5...Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Bf4 O-O 8.Qd2 Nd7 9.O-O-O Nb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A rare move, never played by a GM before. The b6-square seems a little strange for the knight, as it doesn't have a very large range of action.} ( 9...Nc5 {is played in the overwhelming majority of games.} ) 10.Bd3 ( 10.Kb1 {The classical prophylactic move is also possible, following the principle \"whenever in doubt, play Kb1\".} ) 10...d5 ( 10...Be6 {has been played before, but White has the initiative after} 11.h4 ) 11.h4 c5 {Big complications start from now on. Instinctively we can see that the position is very promising for White, with several attacking possibilities against the black king. The central theme of this game is \"Candidate Moves\", the term created by GM and renowned author Alexander Kotov and which is so debated to this day. Both sides will have plenty of options on almost every move during the middlegame.} 12.Ng5 {A tempting attacking move, but possibly not the best. I'll briefly mention other ideas:} ( 12.Kb1 {is always there for us.} ) ( 12.Bg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] using the g5-square for another piece.} 12...f6 13.Bf4 {It can be argued that the move f7-f6 undermines Black's position.} ) ( 12.Be5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 12...f6 13.Bg3 {is a slightly improved version for White of the same idea.} ) ( 12.h5 {is the machine's favorite move and a difficult one for a human being, since we want to use the pawn on h4 as support for a piece on g5. But here it's not a question of arguing with the computer, but of learning from it.} 12...Bf6 ( 12...Bg4 13.Rde1 {with the idea of Ne5 and, if Black captures on f3, then the pair of bishops and the g-file give White an advantage.} ) 13.h6 g6 14.Be5 {followed by Qf4, with strong pressure on the kingside.} ) 12...h6 13.c4 {A creative move by Rapport and one that will work well in the game, although it's not objectively enough for an advantage. As usual, there are many options.} ( 13.Nh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is clearly wrong.} 13...c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.Nxf8 cxd3 {with a winning advantage for Black.} ) ( 13.Nf3 {is too slow:} 13...c4 14.Be2 Bf5 {with a good position.} ) ( 13.Rde1 $5 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( 13.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( 13.Qe3 $5 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] All these last three moves lead to a complex middlegame with chances for both sides. They show that White doesn't need to bother withdrawing the knight from g5, since its capture usually ends in mate on the h-file.} ) 13...f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 13...hxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14.hxg5 {Black won't survive the attack on the h-file.} ) ( 13...dxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 14.Bh7+ Kh8 15.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is stronger than} ( 15.Qxd8 Bxd8 16.Rxd8 Rxd8 17.Nxf7+ Kxh7 18.Nxd8 Nd5 {when Black holds.} ) 15...Qe8 16.Be4 {with a strong attack.} ) ( 13...Nxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the right move for Black.} 14.Bxc4 ( 14.Qe2 {is not dangerous since White doesn't have threats.} 14...b5 {with the advantage.} ( 14...Nxb2 {Even this move is possible:} 15.Kxb2 Bf6+ {with counterplay.} ) ) 14...dxc4 15.Qe3 Qe8 16.Rde1 {Now the game peters out to a draw after} 16...Bxg5 17.hxg5 Qxe3+ 18.Rxe3 hxg5 19.Bd6 Rd8 20.Bc7 Rf8 21.Bd6 {with a move repetition.} ) 14.Qe3 {This leads to a big advantage, but 14.cxd5 is even better.} ( 14.cxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...Qxd5 ( 14...hxg5 15.hxg5 {leads to the typical attack on the h-file.} ) ( 14...c4 15.Be2 c3 16.Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...cxb2+ 17.Kb1 {with a much better position for White. His king is safe behind Black's pawn.} ) 15.Qe2 Bf6 16.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing Bc4. White is winning.} ) 14...Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Firouzja fights with all his creativity in an attempt to save the game.} ( 14...hxg5 15.hxg5 {is winning.} ) ( 14...d4 {doesn't help:} 15.Qg3 ) 15.Ne6 ( 15.cxd5 {no longer works so well:} 15...Qxd5 16.b3 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen is not well-placed on e3 and if} 17.Bxc4 Nxc4 {Black is fine.} ) 15...Bxb2+ $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea.} 16.Kb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 16.Kxb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16...Qf6+ {regains the knight.} ) 16...Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best chance.} ( 16...Qf6 {doesn't work:} 17.Nxf8 Na4 {Other moves are insufficient as well:} ( 17...Bd4 18.Qe8 Qxf8 19.Qxf8+ Kxf8 20.cxd5 {with a winning position.} ) ( 17...dxc4 18.Qe8 Qxf8 19.Qxf8+ Kxf8 20.Kxb2 cxd3 21.Rxd3 {White remains an exchange up.} ) 18.Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Nc3+ 19.Kxb2 Nxd1+ 20.Kc1 {Black's counterplay is over.} ) 17.Nxd4 Re8 ( 17...cxd4 {is also much better for White after} 18.Qxd4 Be6 19.c5 Nc4 20.Rhe1 ) 18.Bc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move leads to an endgame and wastes all of White's advantage.} ( 18.Qg3 cxd4 19.Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 19.Bxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19...Qf6 20.Bg5 Qf8 21.c5 Qxc5 22.Bf6 Qb4+ 23.Kc1 Qa3+ 24.Kb1 Qb4+ {with perpetual check.} ) 19...Qe7 ( 19...Rxe5 20.Qxe5 dxc4 21.Be2 {The pawn on d4 cannot be defended and White wins.} ) 20.Bxd4 Be6 ( 20...dxc4 21.Rhe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Qb4+ 22.Ka1 {with a decisive attack.} ) 21.Rhe1 Qf7 22.c5 {White's position is far superior and effectively winning in the hands of a skilled attacking player like Rapport.} ) ( 18.Be5 cxd4 19.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] transposes.} ) 18...cxd4 ( 18...Qd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is playing with fire:} 19.Bxf5 Qa4 20.Be6+ $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Bxe6 21.Nxe6 Nxc4 22.Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White wins material.} ) 19.Bxd8 dxe3 20.Bxb6 axb6 21.cxd5 exf2 22.Rhf1 Ra4 {Activating the rook. Black has no problem achieving a draw.} 23.Rxf2 ( 23.g3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23...f4 {Now Black is even better.} ) ( 23.c4 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with counterplay.} ) 23...Rxh4 24.Bxf5 Rb4+ 25.Ka1 ( 25.Kc1 Bxf5 26.Rxf5 Ra4 {also leads to a draw.} ) 25...Bxf5 26.Rxf5 Rd8 27.d6 Rd7 28.a3 Rc4 29.Kb2 Rc6 30.Rfd5 Kf7 31.R5d3 Ke6 32.Re1+ Kf7 33.Red1 Ke6 34.Re1+ Kf7 35.Red1 Ke6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Chess Tour | Sinquefield Cup 2023"]
[Site "St Louis USA"]
[Date "2023.11.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[ECO "C58"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[Beauty "7356071039059"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,88,23,23,25,25,25,17,7,-11,-11,-11,-16,-16,-1,-1,-1,-7,4,0,0,0,11,0,0,-9,-21,-43,-43,-43,-19,-5,-7,-19,-21,-29,-16,-21,-9,-21,-15,-15,-6,-6,21,-39,-22,0,43,0,-5,10,65,0,52,58,55,61,61,49,29,0,7,0,0,0,0,0,14,27,38,0,48,-396,-291,-291,-299,-304,-304,-304,-312,-337,-337,-337,-337,-337,-337,-334,-329,-332,-261]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 {A sharp line that indicates Firouzja's aggressive intentions. Caruana had a painful defeat against Nakamura in this line this year, in the last round of Norway Chess.} 4...d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3 Nd5 9.h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A surprising choice, as this is a move that doesn't have a good reputation and leads to chaotic positions.} ( 9.Nf3 {is the main line.} ) 9...h6 10.Qh5 Qf6 11.Ne4 {Firouzja recently had to face this line with the black pieces. Perhaps this inspired him to try playing the position with the other color.} ( 11.Nh7 {is also possible, with unclear play in a position that seems to me more difficult for White to handle after} 11...Rxh7 12.Bxh7 g6 13.Qe2 Nf4 14.Qf3 ) 11...Qe6 ( 11...Qe7 {may be played if Black wishes to avoid a draw by repetition.} ) 12.b3 ( 12.Ng5 {White can force a repetition with this move.} 12...Qf6 ) 12...g6 13.Qe2 f5 {In the post-game interview Caruana said that he couldn't remember his analysis of this variation and that if you don't check a line for a week or two the details fade very quickly. On the one hand, it's good to know that even a chess player of his stature has problems remembering the analysis. On the other hand, this gives an idea of the amount of work required at the highest level, even if it's simply reviewing your notes.} 14.Nec3 Bg7 ( 14...Nf4 {is recommended by Jan Gustafsson in his opening course and was played by Firouzja when he had the black pieces.} 15.Qf1 Bb7 ( 15...e4 16.Be2 Bg7 17.Bb2 Nd3+ $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 18.cxd3 exd3 {was Nepomniachtchi-Firouzja, AI Cup Chess.com rapid 2023. Now} 19.Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives White an advantage.} ) ) 15.Bb2 {This natural move is a novelty.} ( 15.Nxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 15...cxd5 {with the advantage for Black.} ( 15...Qxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16.f3 {was better for White in Poetsch-Eichler, Schwarzach op 2017.} ) ) 15...O-O 16.Na3 e4 17.Bc4 Nxc4 18.Qxc4 Rb8 {After this move, Firouzja started to think, an indication that his opening analysis ended at this point.} ( 18...Rf7 {is recommended by Gawain Jones in a recent opening course.} 19.O-O-O a5 {with the idea of playing ...Ba6. The game might end in a draw after} 20.Qc5 Bf8 21.Qd4 Bg7 ) 19.O-O-O {A natural move, but here it's more accurate to play} ( 19.Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with chances of an advantage.} ) 19...Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the problem for White—his queen can no longer go to d4.} 20.Qe2 ( 20.Qc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20...Bd4 21.Qa5 Bb6 {The queen is lost.} ) 20...a5 {The advance of the a-pawn is the natural plan to create a queenside attack.} 21.Rhe1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Caruana said he felt this was a very strange move.} ( 21.f3 Nf4 ( 21...a4 {is also interesting.} ) 22.Qf2 Bd4 23.Qg3 Be5 {with a good position for Black, who can accept a draw or play for more after 24.Qf2.} ) ( 21.Nxd5 {is possible:} 21...cxd5 22.Bxg7 ( 22.d3 d4 {with good compensation.} ) 22...Kxg7 23.d3 Qe5 24.Kb1 Be6 {with enough compensation for the pawn. The knight on a3 makes a bad impression.} ) 21...a4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21...Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate and actually winning.} 22.Qf1 a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The attack is too strong now: the knight is ready to be sacrificed on d3 in many lines, destroying the king's protection.} 23.d4 ( 23.Nxa4 Rxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.bxa4 Bxb2+ 25.Kxb2 Qf6+ 26.c3 ( 26.Kb1 Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.cxd3 Ba6 {with a decisive attack.} ) 26...Nd3+ 27.Ka1 Be6 {followed by ...Ra8, with a winning attack.} ) 23...axb3 24.axb3 c5 {[%cal Bc8a6]} ) 22.g3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22.Nxa4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses due to the exchange sacrifice:} 22...Rxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.bxa4 Bxb2+ 24.Kxb2 Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A beautiful move.} 25.c4 ( 25.Qxa6 Rb8+ {followed by ...Nb4 with a winning attack.} ) 25...Qd6 {White is unable to protect the king.} ) ( 22.f3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is also bad:} 22...Nf4 23.Qf1 axb3 24.axb3 Nd3+ $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25.cxd3 ( 25.Qxd3 exd3 26.Rxe6 Bxe6 {with a material advantage.} ) 25...Qxb3 26.Nc4 Ba6 {with mate soon to follow.} ) ( 22.Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance. It's necessary to exchange off the dangerous knight.} 22...cxd5 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.d3 {with a double-edged position.} ) 22...axb3 23.axb3 ( 23.cxb3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This \"ugly\" capture can also be considered.} ) 23...Qd6 ( 23...Qf7 $5 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is another route for the queen.} 24.f3 Qa7 {with many complications.} ) 24.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Qc5 ( 24...Qxg3 {It's difficult even to see that this pawn is hanging, as Caruana evidently had his sights set on the other side of the board. The computer, however, indicates this as equality after difficult play for both sides.} 25.Rg1 exf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Qd3 Qxh4 27.Rxg6 Rg4 28.Rxg7+ Rxg7 29.Nxd5 cxd5 30.Bxg7 Kxg7 31.Qxf3 ) 25.Nab1 {An ambitious choice.} ( 25.fxe4 {is possible, simplifying the game a little bit.} 25...Nxc3 26.dxc3 Rxe4 ( 26...Bxc3 {is also possible, with a slight advantage for White.} ) 27.Qd2 {with a balanced position.} ) 25...Re8 26.fxe4 ( 26.Ba3 {It looks more natural to go after the rook immediately.} 26...Qa5 27.Nxd5 cxd5 28.Bxb4 Qxb4 29.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black must prove his compensation.} 29...Bf8 $5 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is the computer's suggestion, with adequate counterplay.} ( 29...Bxd4 {was mentioned by Caruana, but here White achieves an advantage after} 30.Qd2 Qxd2+ 31.Rxd2 Bc5 32.Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The move he missed, with good reason: it's anything but easy.} ( 32.Rxd5 Bf2 {with compensation.} ) 32...d4 33.Nd5 Kg7 34.b4 Ba7 35.c4 {and apparently Black's pawns are not as dangerous as they look.} ) ) 26...fxe4 ( 26...Rbxe4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is interesting, likely leading to a draw:} 27.Nxe4 ( 27.Qf1 {keeps the tension in the game.} 27...Nb4 ) 27...Qxc2+ $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.Kxc2 Nb4+ 29.Kc1 Na2+ {with perpetual check.} ) 27.Ba3 Qa5 28.Bxb4 Nxb4 {It's clear that Black has good compensation: the g7-bishop is too strong and White's king is insecure.} 29.d4 ( 29.Qc4+ {is an interesting choice.} 29...Kh7 ( 29...Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30.Qxe4 ) 30.Rxe4 Rxe4 31.Qxe4 Bf5 32.Qe7 Bxc2 {I'd prefer to play with Black, but the computer evaluates this as equality.} ) 29...e3 30.Kb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This puts the king in a dangerous spot.} ( 30.Qf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] also fails:} 30...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea} 31.Rxe3 Bh6 ) ( 30.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a curious prophylactic move to prevent Black's h6-h5 move.} 30...c5 31.Qc4+ Kh8 32.Qxc5 Qxc5 33.dxc5 Bxg4 {with good compensation for Black.} ) ( 30.Qc4+ {is possible:} 30...Kh7 ( 30...Be6 31.Rxe3 $3 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 31...Bxc4 32.Rxe8+ Kf7 33.Rde1 {The computer surprisingly assesses this position as equal.} ) 31.Qf7 Rf8 32.Qe7 {is an improved version of what we will see in the game, although it still looks dangerous for White.} 32...Bg4 ( 32...Rf2 ) ) 30...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] My favorite move of the game. The bishop is ready to go to g4.} ( 30...Kh7 $5 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Anticipating Qc4+ and preparing c6-c5 is also very good.} ) 31.Na3 Bg4 32.Qc4+ Kh7 33.Qf7 {A desperate attempt to create counterplay.} 33...Rf8 34.Qe7 Bxd1 35.Rxd1 Rf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This lets the win slip away.} ( 35...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to go. Black wins by force.} 36.Nc4 ( 36.Qxc5 {leads to a pretty finish:} 36...Qxc5 37.dxc5 e2 38.Re1 Nd5 39.Nb5 Nxc3 40.Nxc3 Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There's no defense against ...Re3.} 41.c6 Re3 42.c7 Bxc3+ 43.Kc1 ( 43.Kb1 Re8 44.c8=Q Rxc8 45.Rxe2 Ra8 {followed by mate.} ) 43...Bxe1 44.c8=Q Bd2+ {The e-pawn promotes.} ) 36...Qa8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37.Qxc5 e2 38.Re1 ( 38.Rc1 Na6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is unable to protect the d4-pawn after the queen is chased away.} ) 38...Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Rxe2 Qa1# ) 36.Ne4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 36.Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] saves the game. Black even has to be careful now.} 36...Rxc2+ 37.Kb1 Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Nxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move was missed by Caruana.} 38...Qf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39.Qxb4 Rb2+ 40.Ka1 ( 40.Kc1 Bh6 41.Qb7+ {with perpetual check.} ) 40...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41.Qa3 ( 41.Qxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 41...Rxb3 ) 41...Rd2 {Black manages to save the game. A possible finish is:} 42.Rxd2 Qxd2 43.Ned5 cxd4 44.Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...dxc3 45.Nf6+ Kh6 46.Ng8+ {with perpetual check.} ) 36...Rxc2+ ( 36...Nd5 {is also winning.} ) 37.Kb1 ( 37.Nxc2 Qa2+ 38.Kc3 Nd5+ 39.Kd3 Qa6# ) 37...Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook must come back to rescue the king from the checks.} 38.Ng5+ Kh8 39.Qe8+ ( 39.Qxe3 Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate move, with a decisive attack.} ( 39...Qxa3 {is unclear:} 40.Qxf2 Qxb3+ 41.Kc1 ) ) 39...Rf8 40.Qxg6 Qf5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41.Qxf5 Rxf5 {The e-pawn is ready to advance.} 42.Re1 Bxd4 43.Nc2 Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice winning move.} 44.Nxe3 ( 44.Rxe3 Rf1+ 45.Ne1 Rxe1+ 46.Rxe1 Bxe1 {wins a piece.} ) 44...Rxg5 ( 44...Rf2 {is also easily winning.} ) ( 44...Rxg5 45.Rc1 Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move to protect the bishop, but good enough.} ) 0-1

[Event "Grand Chess Tour | Sinquefield Cup 2023"]
[Site "St Louis USA"]
[Date "2023.11.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "5226975203335"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,114,23,7,7,6,8,7,55,7,7,6,20,20,26,-19,9,9,9,0,0,0,14,-35,11,11,11,8,27,2,-5,-2,-2,3,6,-28,-2,-7,3,3,10,-5,-5,1,0,0,-8,-11,-6,-34,-5,-37,-6,-6,-14,-8,-8,-3,11,12,8,15,15,14,15,8,11,11,17,17,15,10,10,12,12,12,13,13,12,12,12,12,12,8,5,7,7,7,12,7,7,7,7,-7,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Nc3 {One of the many possible ways to play the Italian Opening. Usually this square is reserved for the pawn, so that White can fight for the center with c3-d4, while the knight is maneuvered via d2 to f1 and g3. To make sense of the knight's positioning on c3, White must maneuver it to g3 via e2, place it on d5, or chase the black bishop with Na4 at some point.} 4...Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.Bg5 {The good old pin.} 6...h6 7.Bh4 Be7 {The most solid way to play. Black doesn't need to commit to g7-g5 while it's possible to end the pin in a more relaxed way.} 8.a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare move in this exact position, but gaining space with a2-a4 is an Italian classic.} 8...d6 ( {The tactical} 8...Nxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses material after:} 9.Bxe7 Nxc3 10.Bxd8 Nxd1 11.Bxc7 Nxb2 12.Bd5 {since the knight is trapped.} ) 9.Bxf6 {Why White captures the knight now instead of castling is something that will become clear in the next few moves. White still hopes for an attack on the kingside.} 9...Bxf6 10.Nd5 g6 {The first new move.} ( 10...Nb8 {is another way of playing. The knight frees a path for the c-pawn to advance.} 11.O-O Be6 12.Ne3 Re8 13.a5 c6 14.Bxe6 Rxe6 15.c3 Na6 16.Qc2 Qd7 17.Rad1 {With a tiny advantage for White. Michael Adams, one of my favorite players, went on to win in his beautiful positional style: Adams-Kaidanov, WchT Seniors 50 Acqui Terme 2022.} ) 11.h4 {This move is necessary to justify White's play, otherwise Black can play Bg7 and then Ne7, with a comfortable position.} 11...Bg7 {The right way to deal with h4-h5 is to ignore it.} ( 11...h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is worse, since White's knight will go to g5 with dangerous threats.} 12.Qd2 ) 12.h5 g5 13.Ne3 Ne7 {Black prepares c6-d5 or Kh8-f5.} 14.Nd2 c6 15.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fixing the pawn structure on the kingside in order to prevent the liberating f7-f5. Now White can try to play against the bishop on g7, which becomes a piece with limited mobility. The computer is not very impressed with all this, but to play at a high level nowadays you need to ignore some of the machine's evaluations and think about whether the position is comfortable for playing - that's enough. Rapport was still in preparation, as he played all of this quickly.} 15...d5 16.Bb3 Kh8 {Now Rapport started to think.} 17.Ndf1 {Considering Black's next move, it makes a lot of sense for White to start with a4-a5 first.} ( 17.a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 17...Qa5+ ( 17...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer is pretty happy with this move.} 18.Nf5 Bxf5 19.exf5 ( 19.gxf5 Ng8 {An important maneuver, taking the knight to f6.} ) 19...Nd5 {with a good position for Black.} ) 18.Qd2 ( 18.Ke2 {This move is actually possible, to avoid exchanging queens, but maybe too much even for Rapport's creative style.} ) 18...Qxd2+ 19.Kxd2 Rd8 20.Ng3 ( 20.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, preventing what happens in the game. White may fight for a small advantage since Black has no active plan available and White can try to create some play on the queenside.} ) 20...dxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Taking the chance to activate the pieces.} 21.Nxe4 f5 22.gxf5 Nxf5 23.Nxf5 Bxf5 {With the strong knight on e4, White can argue that his position is a little more comfortable, but not enough for real pressure.} 24.Rae1 a5 25.Nc5 {Seeking to take the game to a position of bishops of opposite colors.} ( 25.f3 {is an alternative, but there's no clear plan for White to improve his position.} ) 25...b6 26.Ne6 Bxe6 27.Bxe6 Rf8 28.Rhf1 Rad8 29.Re4 Rd4 30.c3 Rd6 {A difficult decision. Capturing the rook on e4 leaves the light squares weakened, but what must be calculated is whether Black can set up a fortress, the typical strategy for those defending in opposite-colored bishop endgames.} ( 30...Rxe4 31.dxe4 Rd8+ 32.Ke2 Bf8 {White is unable to create dangerous threats. One plan is to go Rb1 followed by b4, but Black is able to neutralize it.} 33.Rb1 Kg7 34.b4 axb4 35.cxb4 Kf6 36.Bf5 c5 {with a likely draw.} ) 31.Bg4 Rfd8 32.Be2 c5 {Another difficult move. Aesthetically it's ugly, as it weakens more light squares, but Aronian wanted to fight against the b4-advance.} 33.Kc2 Kg8 34.Kb3 Kf7 35.Kc4 {White has a beautiful position, but this is no guarantee of anything when we have bishops of opposite color in the endgame.} 35...Rf8 36.Re3 Ke7 37.Rf3 Kd8 ( 37...Rdf6 {is also possible:} 38.Rxf6 Rxf6 {with a fortress.} ) 38.Rxf8+ Bxf8 39.Bg4 Rf6 40.f3 Bd6 41.Re1 Kc7 42.Kd5 Kb7 43.Re4 Kc7 {White has improved his position practically to the maximum. There are only two pawn breaks available, on d4 and b4, and neither guarantees a path to an advantage.} 44.Rc4 ( 44.d4 {ends in a draw after} 44...cxd4 45.cxd4 exd4 46.Rxd4 Bc5 ) 44...Kb7 45.b3 {A clever idea: Black has to move the bishop and White can play b3-b4, but this is not enough due to a nice counter-attacking move.} 45...Bc7 46.b4 cxb4 47.cxb4 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point. Black creates a passed a-pawn and is out of danger.} 48.axb5 a4 49.Rc6 {The game quickly ends in a draw.} 49...Rxc6 50.bxc6+ Kb6 51.Kc4 Kxc6 52.Be6 Bd6 53.Kc3 a3 54.Bc4 Kb6 55.Be6 Kc6 56.Bc4 Kb6 57.Be6 Kc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2023.12.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Sjugirov, Sanan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2691"]
[BlackElo "2703"]
[ECO "A07"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[Beauty "6185558227980"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 c6 4.O-O Bg4 5.h3 Bh5 6.d3 e6 7.c4 {Eljanov has a classic, positional style and these slow variations usually work well for him.} 7...dxc4 8.dxc4 Nbd7 ( 8...Qxd1 {Exchanging queens is a good alternative. Black has no particular problems after} 9.Rxd1 Nbd7 ) 9.Nc3 Qc7 10.Bf4 e5 11.Be3 Bc5 12.Bxc5 ( 12.Qc1 {is an interesting alternative.} ) 12...Nxc5 13.b4 Ne6 14.Qc1 O-O 15.Nd2 a5 16.a3 {Black has a good position, but it is possible to improve on his next moves, as White will get a small advantage.} 16...axb4 {Opening the a-file is not that advantageous for Black.} ( 16...Rfd8 17.Qb2 Nd4 18.e3 Ne2+ 19.Nxe2 Bxe2 {with equality.} ) 17.axb4 Rxa1 18.Qxa1 Qb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 18...Rd8 {is better.} ) 19.Qb2 Ra8 20.Rc1 Qa6 21.e3 ( 21.b5 {leads to a small advantage for White after:} 21...Qb6 22.Ra1 Rxa1+ 23.Qxa1 ) 21...Bg6 22.Nf3 Nd7 23.Rd1 Nef8 24.Nh4 {[%c_arrow a6c4;keyPressed;none;from;a6;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false] This pawn sacrifice is not bad, but I believe that the best White can do is recover it and achieve a draw. The alternatives likely lead to a draw:} ( 24.b5 Qa3 ) ( 24.Nd2 ) 24...Qxc4 25.Nxg6 hxg6 26.Bf1 ( 26.b5 {offers enough compensation for equality.} ) 26...Qe6 27.Ne4 Nb6 28.Ng5 ( 28.b5 {is again possible, with enough compensation after} 28...Nd5 29.bxc6 bxc6 ) 28...Qe7 29.h4 Nh7 30.Nxh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake and now White is in danger.} ( 30.Ne4 {is better:} 30...Nf6 31.Ng5 ) 30...Kxh7 31.b5 c5 {The c-pawn becomes very dangerous.} 32.Qc2 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's important to close the b1-h7 diagonal and take the e4-square from White's queen.} 33.Qd2 Qe6 ( 33...Qe5 {is more accurate.} ) 34.Qd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 34.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a great move by the computer, offering drawing chances. The idea is very hard to understand at first.} 34...gxh5 35.Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now if Black continues as in the game, we can understand why h5 was important:} 35...Qxd6 36.Rxd6 c4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 37.Bg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening to capture the e4-pawn with check.} 37...f5 38.Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with counterplay.} ) 34...Qxd6 35.Rxd6 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move, but good enough. Now Black wins the exchange after a forced sequence.} 36.Rxb6 c3 37.Rxb7 Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38.Ra7 c2 39.Ra1 c1=Q 40.Rxc1 Rxc1 41.Kg2 {With the b-pawn it would be possible to think that White has good chances for a draw, but the pawn structure on the kingside is very unfavorable. Black can endeavor to attack the f2-pawn, and if White moves the pawn before this happens, then his structure remains bad.} 41...g5 ( 41...Kg8 {It's hard to say without detailed analysis which move is better and whether this actually makes any difference.} ) 42.hxg5 Kg6 43.b6 {White decides not to wait passively.} 43...Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move.} ( 43...Rb1 $2 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 44.Bc4 Rxb6 45.Bd5 {with a draw.} ) 44.b7 Rb6 45.Ba6 Kxg5 {The bishop is badly placed.} 46.f4+ $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes things worse, but the endgame should be lost anyway.} 46...exf3+ 47.Kxf3 Kf5 48.Bd3+ Ke5 49.Be4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 50.Bc6 Kd6 51.Be8 Rxb7 {White is not in time to exchange the e-pawn for the f-pawn.} 52.Kf4 Ke6 53.e4 Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54.Bc6 Kf6 55.Kf3 Rb3+ 56.Kf2 Rb6 57.Ba8 Rb8 58.Bc6 Rb2+ 59.Kf3 Rc2 60.Bb7 Rc7 61.Ba8 Rc3+ 62.Kf2 Kg5 63.exf5 Kg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The last accurate move.} ( 63...Kxf5 $4 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 64.Bf3 {leads to a draw, since White has a fortress.} ) 0-1

[Event "Grand Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2023.12.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Black "Predke, Alexandr"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[ECO "B33"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "141"]
[Beauty "5773799208505"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Nd5 Nxd5 8.exd5 Ne7 {8...Nb8 is much more popular, but this is also commonly played. Arjun faced this move in 2023 in a game against Dubov.} 9.c3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 9.c4 {is the main move:} 9...Ng6 10.Qa4 Bd7 11.Qb4 Qb8 12.h4 h5 13.Be2 Be7 14.g3 a6 15.Nc3 b5 16.cxb5 axb5 17.Nxb5 O-O $13 {/= with good compensation for the pawn: Arjun-Dubov, Global Chess League Dubai rapid 2023.} ) 9...Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best route for the knight now.} ( 9...Ng6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a clear mistake. White can now use the c4-square for the queen.} 10.Qa4 Bd7 11.Qb4 Bf5 ( 11...Qb8 12.Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is also bad.} ) 12.Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] creating the annoying threat of Nc7+.} ) ( 9...f5 {is also possible, but looks risky.} ) 10.a4 Be7 11.Bd3 O-O 12.O-O {This is well-known opening theory, with more than 200 games played in this position.} 12...Nh4 {A good move, but there are alternatives. The plan is to push the f-pawn and start to move the kingside majority.} ( 12...a6 13.Na3 Bg5 {is insufficient for equality after} 14.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...exf4 15.Bxf4 ) ( 12...Bd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a flexible move, completing development and leaving the knight a little longer.} ) 13.f4 a6 14.Na3 exf4 15.Bxf4 Ng6 16.Bxg6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This exchange makes things easier for Black. It's better to preserve the bishops with 16.Bg3 or 16.Be3, when White can fight for the advantage.} ( 16.Bg3 ) ( 16.Be3 ) 16...hxg6 17.Nc4 Qc7 18.b3 b6 {A new move. Predke probably wanted to prevent a4-a5. He could, however, ignore White's idea and activate his bishop instead:} ( 18...Bf5 19.a5 Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with equal chances.} ) 19.Be3 {This move doesn't look very good, since the bishop was already well-placed on f4. Getting it to d4 isn't so important for the position. Anyway, it's difficult to prove an advantage for White.} ( 19.Re1 Bf5 {A difficult move. At first I thought 19...Rd8 was forced, but then White has some initiative.} ( 19...Rd8 20.Qf3 ) 20.Rxe7 Qxe7 21.Bxd6 Qa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.Qd4 ( 22.Bxf8 {is bad due to} 22...b5+ $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Kh1 bxc4 24.Ba3 cxb3 25.Qxb3 Re8 {with good counterplay} ) 22...Rfe8 23.Nxb6 Re4 24.Qc5 Rae8 {with a tense position where both sides have chances.} ) ( 19.Qd4 {is also possible:} 19...Rb8 20.Rfe1 Rd8 21.Qe3 Bf8 22.a5 bxa5 23.Nxa5 Bd7 {Black is close to equality.} ) 19...Rb8 20.Bd4 Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Activating the bishop.} 21.Nd2 {The knight was ready to be attacked by b6-b5. Now it can go to e4 or f3.} 21...Re8 22.c4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White's position becomes unpleasant now. It's important to fight for control of the e-file with} ( 22.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 22...Be3+ 23.Bxe3 Rxe3 24.Re1 Qc5 25.Kh1 Bf5 26.Nf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move loses a pawn.} ( 26.Rxe3 Qxe3 27.Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 27.Nf1 Qc3 $15 ) 27...Qd3 {with the initiative for Black.} ( 27...Re8 {is not very accurate:} 28.Qxe3 Rxe3 29.a5 bxa5 30.Kg1 {with an equal endgame.} ) ) 26...Bg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now White achieves a comfortable endgame.} ( 26...Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is much better. White has some practical compensation after} 27.Qe2 Rxb3 28.Qe7 Rf8 {but here it's more a question of whether Black is able to win or White has enough counterplay for a draw.} ) 27.Rxe3 Qxe3 28.Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Qxd4 29.Nxd4 Bd7 30.a5 {I believe this move was played in order to prevent a6-a5, when it's difficult to crack Black's position, but this decision is double-edged.} ( 30.Kg1 {Black can choose between a5 or g5.} 30...a5 ( 30...g5 ) ) ( 30.h4 {This is the typical move that would please the late coach Mark Dvoretsky. He loved pawn moves to prevent counterplay in the endgame. Black cannot now play g6-g5, so he should move the other pawn:} 30...a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Re1 Re8 32.Rxe8+ Bxe8 {The computer says White is slightly better and maybe Carlsen is able to win this endgame, but it seems really difficult to make progress.} ) 30...b5 31.cxb5 Bxb5 32.Kg1 Bd3 33.Ra4 {Preventing Rb4 and Be4, but the rook is misplaced.} ( 33.Kf2 {likely ends in a draw after} 33...Be4 34.Rc1 Bxd5 35.Rc7 ) ( 33.Rc1 {is also equal:} 33...Rb4 34.Nf3 f6 35.Rc6 Rxb3 36.Rxd6 ) 33...Re8 $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 33...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] prepares Be4, when Black has the initiative.} ) 34.Rb4 Re1+ 35.Kf2 Re5 ( 35...Ra1 {is more accurate:} 36.Rb6 Rxa5 37.Rxd6 Be4 38.Rd8+ Kh7 39.d6 Rd5 {with equality.} ) 36.Nc6 Re2+ 37.Kf3 Ra2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 37...g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary:} 38.Rb8+ Kh7 39.Rd8 Rb2 40.Rxd6 Rxb3 41.Ke3 Bb5+ 42.Kd4 Rb2 {with good drawing chances.} ) 38.Rb8+ Kh7 39.Rd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This gives Black hope again.} ( 39.Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 39...Be2+ 40.Ke3 Rb2 41.Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with excellent winning chances.} ) 39...f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 39...Bf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawns should be attacked immediately.} 40.Rxd6 Bxg2+ {Black should escape with accurate play.} ) 40.Rxd6 Be4+ 41.Kf4 Rxg2 $6 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 41...Bxg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, although the position is quite difficult to defend. The idea is to have more space for checks with the rook and a clear path for the f-pawn to advance.} 42.Rd8 Rf2+ {with good drawing chances.} ) 42.Rd8 g5+ 43.Ke5 Rxh2 44.Nd4 {The d-pawn is ready to advance and Black is lost.} 44...Ra2 45.b4 g4 46.d6 g3 47.d7 {A simple and human way of winning. The computer indicates an alternative that leads to a much more difficult win.} ( 47.Rc8 g2 48.Rc1 Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 49.d7 Rf1 50.Rc3 $3 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The only way to win.} ( 50.d8=Q $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 50...Rxc1 51.Ne2 Bf3 {Black escapes with a draw.} ) 50...g1=Q 51.Rh3+ Kg6 52.d8=Q {Black has no checks and White's attack will prove decisive.} ) 47...g2 48.Rh8+ Kxh8 49.d8=Q+ Kh7 50.Qg5 Ra1 51.Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight prevents the g-pawn from promoting.} 51...Rb1 52.Ke6 Rxb4 53.Qh4+ Kg8 54.Qd8+ Kh7 55.Kf7 Rb7+ 56.Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king crosses the whole board and helps the attack.} 56...f4 57.Qh4+ Kg6 58.Nxf4+ Kf5 59.Nxg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With the capture of the g-pawn, victory becomes a matter of time.} 59...g5 ( 59...Bxg2 60.Qf2+ {Black is unable to set up any kind of fortress.} ) 60.Ne3+ Kf6 61.Qh6+ Ke5 62.Qxg5+ Kd4 63.Qf4 Rb5 64.Ke7 Kd3 65.Ng4 Bd5 66.Ne5+ Kc3 67.Qe3+ Kb4 68.Kd6 Rxa5 69.Nd3+ Kc4 70.Nb2+ Kb4 71.Qd2+ 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Finals 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[Beauty "7839393011243"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "15+3"]

{[%evp 0,74,21,13,21,13,10,10,6,17,10,16,24,23,19,-5,16,12,22,3,-13,3,8,25,30,10,10,2,0,-5,12,-19,-7,-22,15,9,39,0,60,47,61,7,79,82,94,45,95,-10,-31,-14,-21,-34,-44,-85,-19,-19,-18,-75,-103,-414,-28,-219,-219,-108,-209,-267,-309,-323,-314,-324,-308,-312,-306,-322,-322,-29997,-29996]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O d6 6.c3 O-O 7.h3 a6 8.a4 Ba7 9.Re1 h6 10.Nbd2 Re8 11.b4 Be6 12.Bxe6 Rxe6 {This is a critical position of the modern Italian Opening theory.} 13.Bb2 {This move is suggested by Giri in one of his opening courses.} ( 13.Qc2 {is the most popular and was played by Caruana in a blitz game this year.} 13...Qd7 14.Rb1 b5 15.Ra1 Ree8 16.Nb3 {Caruana-Anand, Zagreb SuperUnited Blitz 2023.} ) 13...Nh5 ( 13...Ne7 {immediately is the main line.} 14.Nf1 Ng6 15.c4 c6 16.a5 Qe8 17.Ng3 d5 18.Qb3 Rd8 {when the game is close to equality.} ) 14.Nf1 Ne7 15.c4 Ng6 16.g3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A new move. Caruana probably got his preparation mixed up, which is very rare.} ( 16.Ne3 {is Giri's suggestion.} ) 16...Ngf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The idea of the knight sacrifice on f4 is thematic. It's also possible to place the other knight on this square.} ( 16...Nhf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 17.Kh2 ( 17.gxf4 Nxf4 {likely transposes to the game after} 18.Kh2 Rg6 19.Ne3 ) 17...Bxf2 18.gxf4 Bxe1 19.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an important detail.} 19...Bxb4 20.fxe6 fxe6 {with an unclear position where Black has three pawns for a knight.} ) 17.gxf4 ( 17.Kh2 {is an important alternative:} 17...Bxf2 18.gxf4 Bxe1 19.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This intermediate move justifies White's play.} 19...Bxb4 20.fxe6 fxe6 {again with a position that is difficult to evaluate. I should mention that the computer assesses it as equal.} ) 17...Rg6+ ( 17...Nxf4 18.Kh2 Rg6 19.Ne3 {transposes to the game.} ) 18.Kh2 ( 18.Kh1 $5 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also possible. White uses the h2-square for his knight in order to shield the king.} 18...Nxf4 19.d4 Qd7 20.N1h2 Qxh3 21.Rg1 {White is not going to be mated, but Black maintains undeniable compensation for the piece.} ) 18...Nxf4 19.Ne3 Qd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This tempting move is a mistake.} ( 19...Bxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a forced draw.} 20.fxe3 ( 20.Rxe3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses:} 20...Rg2+ 21.Kh1 Rxf2 22.Bc3 Nxh3 {with a winning attack.} ) 20...Rg2+ 21.Kh1 Qd7 22.Ng1 Rxg1+ $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Kxg1 Qxh3 24.exf4 Qg3+ {White cannot escape perpetual check.} 25.Kf1 Qh3+ 26.Ke2 Qg2+ 27.Ke3 exf4+ 28.Kxf4 ( 28.Kd4 $4 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 28...Qxb2+ 29.Kd5 Qe5# ) 28...Qf2+ 29.Kg4 ( 29.Qf3 $4 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 29...g5+ 30.Kg4 h5+ ) 29...Qg2+ ) 20.Ng1 $2 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Mistake;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true]} ( 20.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right move.} 20...Bxf2 ( 20...Rg2+ 21.Kh1 g6 {This was probably the continuation that worried Caruana, as it looks good for Black. But White not only manages to defend himself but gains a decisive advantage after} 22.Bc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Rxf2 ( 22...gxf5 23.Bxf4 {the rook is hanging on g2.} ) 23.Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Kh7 24.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is winning in all lines, for instance:} 24...gxf5 25.Bxf4 exf4 26.Ng5+ $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is the one attacking now.} ) 21.Rf1 Bg3+ ( 21...Rg2+ 22.Kh1 g6 23.Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...dxe5 24.Bxe5 {with a winning position.} ) 22.Kh1 Nxh3 23.Qd2 {White's king is protected and the f5-knight is very strong.} ) 20...Rxg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Kxg1 Qxh3 22.c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 22.Qg4 {is the only chance. It looks completely losing, but there are still drawing hopes after} 22...Bxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Qxh3 Nxh3+ 24.Kg2 ( 24.Kh2 Nxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 24...Nf4+ 25.Kf3 ) 22...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preventing Qg4. Black is ready to play Re8-e6 with a decisive attack.} 23.Re2 Re8 24.Qf1 Nxe2+ 25.Qxe2 Re6 26.Ng2 Rg6 27.Qf1 h4 28.Rc1 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Firouzja plays perfectly. This move guarantees that the bishop on a7 will take part in the attack.} 29.Bc3 ( 29.bxa5 Bxc5 30.Rxc5 dxc5 {Black is completely winning.} ) 29...Qg4 ( 29...Qf3 {wins easily as well:} 30.Kh2 Rxg2+ $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Qxg2 Qf4+ {picking up the rook on c1.} ) 30.Kh2 h3 31.Ne3 Qf4+ 32.Kh1 Qf3+ 33.Kh2 Qf4+ 34.Kh1 dxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35.bxc5 Qf3+ 36.Kh2 Bxc5 37.Qh1 {This leaves f2 unprotected, but other moves lose as well.} ( 37.Re1 Bxe3 38.Rxe3 Qf4+ 39.Kh1 h2 {followed by Rg1.} ) 37...Qxf2+ 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Finals 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2818"]
[ECO "B00"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7700897333797"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

{[%evp 0,78,18,5,28,33,36,18,28,20,18,6,21,21,52,16,29,14,22,-7,50,9,8,12,5,-1,-1,-1,-1,-1,-1,-9,-1,0,0,0,0,0,44,-40,-42,-11,-43,-31,-42,-43,-49,-26,-17,-36,-97,-139,-92,-149,-184,-192,-210,-210,-212,-223,-261,-262,-278,-295,-338,-332,-328,-332,-405,-430,-430,-358,-232,-232,-231,-329,-252,-347,-343,-462,-493]} 
1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 {The principled choice.} ( 2.Nf3 {is generally played by those who aren't in the mood to criticize the Nimzowitsch Defense.} 2...d6 {Carlsen has tried this before.} ( 2...e5 {is the best move, we all know it.} ) ( 2...f5 {Even this has been played by Carlsen, but I doubt he would try it against Caruana.} ) ) 2...d5 3.e5 Bf5 {A well-known pawn structure. Black's knight is badly placed on c6, but it's not such a big deal.} 4.Nf3 ( 4.c3 {is a popular move.} 4...e6 5.Bd3 Nge7 6.Ne2 {was played in Aronian-Carlsen, Meltwater Tour Final rapid 2021.} ) 4...e6 5.Bd3 Bxd3 ( 5...Nge7 {is a good alternative. Black doesn't look in danger.} ) 6.Qxd3 Qd7 7.c3 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Breaking the center and giving life to the pieces.} 8.O-O fxe5 9.dxe5 a5 {A new move but not the best one.} ( 9...Nge7 {is better with the idea of playing Ng6.} ) 10.Re1 ( 10.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White can try to break in the center immediately. This is the best chance for an advantage.} ) 10...Bc5 ( 10...Nge7 {is good again.} ) 11.Nbd2 a4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is too slow.} ( 11...Nge7 ) 12.b4 ( 12.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate way to exploit Black's previous mistake.} 12...Nh6 13.Ndf3 Ng4 14.Nd4 {with a clear advantage.} ) 12...axb3 13.Nxb3 Bb6 14.Be3 Bxe3 15.Rxe3 ( 15.fxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a great dynamic move. The idea is} 15...b6 16.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the advantage.} ) 15...b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preventing Nc5.} 16.Ng5 Nge7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has to sacrifice the pawn.} ( 16...g6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17.Rh3 {is a tragedy for Black.} ) 17.Nxh7 Nf5 18.Rh3 Kd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 18...Nxe5 {Black should take the pawn, since 19.Nf6 is not as dangerous as it looks.} 19.Nf6+ ( 19.Qe2 Nf7 {with chances for both sides.} ) 19...Ke7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea.} 20.Nxd7 Nxd3 21.Nxb6 Nf4 22.Nxa8 Nxh3+ 23.gxh3 Rxa8 {with a fine endgame for Black.} ) 19.a4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] There's no need to give the pawn back.} ( 19.Ng5 Rxh3 20.Qxh3 Kc8 {is slightly better for White.} ) ( 19.f4 {with the advantage for White.} ) 19...Nxe5 20.Qe2 Ng6 21.Qg4 Ne5 22.Qf4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22.Qe2 {would probably end in repetition, although Black can still play for a win with} 22...Nf7 ) 22...Nf7 23.a5 Kc8 24.Re1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Sacrificing another pawn.} ( 24.axb6 Rxa1+ 25.Nxa1 cxb6 {is already slightly better for Black but much better than what happens in the game.} ) 24...bxa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] From now on, Carlsen exploits his advantage mercilessly.} 25.Qd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's clear that Caruana has lost control of the game.} 25...e5 ( 25...a4 {is also good.} ) 26.Ra1 Qb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Qc2 N7d6 28.Nd2 a4 29.g4 Ne7 30.Nf3 Nc4 31.Nfg5 a3 {The pawn marches to glory. There's nothing White can do.} 32.Nf7 Re8 33.Nhg5 Qb2 34.Qd1 a2 35.Ne6 Qb6 ( 35...Ng6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 36.Nxg7 Nf4 {is easily winning.} ) 36.Nfg5 e4 37.Kg2 Ra5 38.Nxg7 Rf8 39.Qe2 Qb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White loses material.} 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Finals 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2818"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[Beauty "6461128200758"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

{[%evp 0,118,25,24,46,36,36,36,32,42,64,64,72,45,62,30,30,30,46,31,35,38,38,38,52,51,51,-35,-32,-32,0,0,0,0,-53,-114,-22,-49,-44,-44,0,0,39,0,0,0,232,243,340,340,388,350,388,361,361,361,361,361,361,361,361,367,367,367,367,367,367,360,360,360,368,359,359,359,361,316,337,316,316,293,362,367,396,396,430,442,442,440,732,371,392,392,400,392,373,394,423,413,418,417,450,452,471,486,626,543,570,570,570,513,534,521,578,570,592,597,620,547,553,561,635]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 e5 4.Bc4 g6 ( 4...Be7 {is the most common development for the bishop.} ) 5.d3 h6 6.h3 {A rare move, setting up the plan with Nh2-g4.} ( 6.O-O {Carlsen faced this move in 2021:} 6...Bg7 7.a3 d6 8.b4 Nge7 9.bxc5 dxc5 10.Be3 b6 11.Nd5 Be6 12.Nxe7 Qxe7 13.Bd5 Rc8 14.c4 {with a balanced position: Grischuk-Carlsen, Opera Euro Rapid 2021.} ) ( 6.Ng1 $5 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This curious knight retreat is one of the suggestions of the computer and was tried in a correspondence game. The idea is to play f4 next.} 6...d6 7.f4 {White can fight for the advantage: Stein-Pirs, ICCF email 2017.} ) 6...d6 7.Nh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 7...Bg7 8.O-O ( 8.Ng4 {was played by Abdusattorov in a blitz game this year.} 8...h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 8...Nge7 ) 9.Ne3 Bh6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 10.O-O {White has a clear advantage: Abdusattorov-Gukesh, Berlin blitz 2023.} ) 8...Nf6 {Carlsen decides to develop the knight to f6 and not g7, thus protecting himself against Ng4.} 9.f4 exf4 10.Bxf4 O-O 11.Qd2 Kh7 {Only this move is a novelty.} ( 11...g5 {has been played before, but it's a very committal move.} 12.Be3 Be6 {White could have played} ( 12...Ne5 {is better.} ) 13.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] breaking up the kingside and achieving a strong attack.} ) 12.Nf3 Be6 13.Ng5+ {A bold sacrifice, in the style of Tal. So has a classic and solid style, but in this game he shows that he knows how to push the pieces forward when necessary. Is the sacrifice correct $2 Let's face it, if not even Carlsen can defend himself, who cares about \"science\" $2} ( 13.Bxe6 {doesn't offer much.} 13...fxe6 14.Rf2 {With equality.} ) 13...hxg5 14.Bxg5 Ne5 ( 14...Kg8 {likely transposes to variations we will see later, but it is worth highlighting that the white queen needs to follow an alternative route.} 15.Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 15.Qf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 15...Bxc4 16.dxc4 Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 15.Qf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 15...Nh5 ) ) 15.Qf2 Ned7 16.e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Opening more lines of attack. This move brings back memories of the famous Kholmov vs. Bronstein game, one of the best in the history of chess.} 16...dxe5 ( 16...Nxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses:} 17.Qh4+ Kg8 18.Ne4 Ned7 19.Rxf6 {with a decisive attack.} ) 17.Ne4 ( 17.Bxe6 {leads to a curious situation after:} 17...fxe6 18.Qh4+ Kg8 19.Ne4 Qe7 ( 19...c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is possible.} ) 20.Rf3 Rf7 21.Raf1 Raf8 {White is a whole piece down, but Black's pieces can barely move. The computer indicates a positional draw.} ) 17...Qb6 ( 17...Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate defense.} 18.Qh4+ Kg8 19.Rxf5 gxf5 20.Ng3 Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Nxf5 Nh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The situation is still not clear and anything can happen in armageddon, but Black is a rook up and this helps.} ) 18.Qh4+ Nh5 ( 18...Kg8 $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Rxf6 Qxb2 20.Bxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...Qxa1+ 21.Kh2 {Black cannot defend, for instance:} 21...fxe6 22.Rxg6 Rf7 23.Bh6 Re8 24.Bxg7 Rxg7 25.Rh6 {with a decisive attack.} ) 19.g4 Bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move leaves Black in a bad spot.} ( 19...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is best:} 20.gxh5 ( 20.Bxe6 Qxe6 21.Ng3 {leads to a very complicated position.} ) 20...fxe4 21.hxg6+ Kxg6 22.Kh2 Bxc4 23.Qxe4+ Kxg5 24.Qg4+ Kh6 25.Qh4+ Kg6 26.Qe4+ {with perpetual check.} ) 20.gxh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right capture.} ( 20.dxc4 {is not clear after} 20...f5 21.gxf5 Kg8 22.Rad1 Rf7 ) 20...Bd5 {The attack remains very strong after 20...f6 or 20...f5.} ( 20...f6 21.Ng3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Rh8 ( 21...fxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22.hxg6+ Kxg6 23.Qh5# ) 22.hxg6+ Kxg6 23.Qxc4 ) ( 20...f5 21.Ng3 ) 21.Nf6+ ( 21.hxg6+ {This is an alternative way of playing, based on the difficult next move.} 21...Kxg6 22.Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Bxf6 23.Rxf6+ Qxf6 24.Nxf6 Rh8 ( 24...Nxf6 25.Rf1 {Black's king is too exposed.} ) 25.Qg4+ Kxf6 26.Qxd7 Rag8+ 27.Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White should win, but this whole sequence is not easy to find, to say the least.} ) 21...Nxf6 22.Rxf6 Qxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The decisive mistake.} ( 22...Bxf6 {is the only chance.} 23.hxg6+ Kxg6 24.Qh6+ Kf5 25.Rf1+ Ke6 26.Rxf6+ Kd7 27.Rxb6 axb6 {with a clear advantage for White, but still some fight left.} ) 23.Bxf6 g5 24.Qxg5 Bxf6 25.Qf5+ Kg7 26.h6+ Kxh6 27.Qxf6+ {White is totally winning now, a queen up and still attacking. Carlsen demonstrates his incredible resilience in the following moves, but So never lets the advantage slip.} 27...Kh7 28.Qf5+ Kh6 29.Qf6+ Kh7 30.Kf2 Rg8 31.Qh4+ Kg6 32.Rg1+ Kf5 33.Qh7+ Rg6 34.Rxg6 fxg6 35.Qd7+ Be6 36.Qxb7 Rh8 37.Kg3 g5 38.Qg7 Rh4 39.b3 a5 40.a4 e4 ( 40...Rf4 41.Qf8+ Kg6 42.Qxc5 ) 41.dxe4+ Kxe4 ( 41...Rxe4 42.Qf8+ {followed by capturing the c5-pawn.} ) 42.Qg6+ Bf5 43.Qc6+ Kd4 44.c3+ ( 44.Qd6+ {is more accurate:} 44...Ke4 45.Qe7+ $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45...Kd5 46.Qxg5 Rxh3+ 47.Kf4 {winning the bishop.} ) 44...Ke5 45.Qxc5+ Kf6 46.Qb6+ Be6 47.Kg2 Re4 48.b4 axb4 49.cxb4 Re2+ 50.Kg3 Ra2 51.Qd4+ Kf5 52.Qd3+ Ke5 53.a5 Bd5 {Threatening mate. Carlsen tries his last trick.} 54.Qe3+ ( 54.h4 $4 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] It's always possible to lose a winning game.} 54...Rg2+ 55.Kh3 g4# ) 54...Kf5 55.Qd3+ Ke5 56.Kg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 56...Rg2+ 57.Kh5 Be4 58.Qc3+ Kf4 59.a6 Rc2 {A brilliant win by So $1} 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Finals 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2818"]
[ECO "B82"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Beauty "7697252486737"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 {This variation is a curious case of a defense that is known equally by two names: some call it the Kan, some call it the Paulsen. It's a daring choice for someone who just needs a draw, but Carlsen knows what he's doing. He doesn't play it too often, although he has tried it a few times.} 5.Nc3 {This, and 5.Bd3, have always been the main lines, but 5.c4 is also very popular.} ( 5.Bd3 ) ( 5.c4 ) 5...Qc7 6.Bd3 Nf6 7.Qe2 d6 8.f4 Nbd7 9.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A typical Sicilian fight is on the board. None of the kings have their safety guaranteed.} 9...Nc5 10.g5 Nfd7 11.a4 {A theoretical novelty. White's idea is to prevent b7-b5, but this move is very compromising: when the queenside advances, White's king has no refuge.} ( 11.Bd2 {is a cunning move, with the idea of replying to} 11...b5 {with} 12.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when White has the advantage.} ) ( 11.h4 b5 12.a3 {is also possible.} ) 11...Be7 12.h4 b6 {Black prepares to complete development in a more restricted way.} 13.Be3 Bb7 14.h5 Rc8 ( 14...O-O {is the computer's suggestion, proving that the machine fears nothing.} ) 15.Rg1 ( 15.O-O-O Nxd3+ 16.cxd3 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with counterplay for Black in a position that remains very complicated.} ) ( 15.f5 Ne5 {with chances for both sides.} ) 15...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16.Rh1 e5 17.hxg6 fxg6 {A critical position. Both sides have played very well up to this point.} ( 17...exd4 $4 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 18.Bxd4 ) 18.Nf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] In the Sicilian Defense, usually the first one who blinks loses the game.} ( 18.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way go, sacrificing a piece. After} 18...exd4 19.Bxd4 Ne5 20.fxg6 {anything can happen, but it's certainly more fun to play White.} ) 18...exf4 19.Bxf4 Nxd3+ 20.cxd3 Ne5 ( 20...O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate. White's attack is not so strong when the rook goes to f7.} ) 21.Be3 ( 21.Bxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...dxe5 22.Qh2 {Now Black can no longer castle and the position is dynamically balanced.} ) 21...O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Not afraid of any ghosts $1} 22.Nd4 Qd7 ( 22...Rf7 {Placing the rook on f7 is a good measure to avoid any surprises.} ) 23.O-O-O ( 23.Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better chance.} ) 23...b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 23...Qxa4 24.Kb1 {is not so clear.} ) 24.axb5 axb5 25.Kb1 b4 26.Na2 {A sad move.} ( 26.Nd5 Bxd5 27.exd5 Qa4 {with a winning position for Black.} ) 26...d5 ( 26...Rf7 $5 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is very solid.} 27.Nxb4 d5 28.Nxd5 Bxd5 29.exd5 Qxd5 {followed by Ra8, with an easy win.} ) 27.Rxh7 $5 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A desperate attempt.} 27...Kxh7 28.Qh2+ Kg8 29.Rh1 {The attack looks dangerous, but Carlsen defends with his characteristic precision.} 29...Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30.Bf4 ( 30.Qh8+ Kf7 31.Rh7+ Ke8 32.Rxd7 Rxh8 33.Rxd6 Rh1+ 34.Nc1 Nxd3 {White loses more material.} ) 30...Qg7 {Technically a mistake, but let's not forget that Carlsen needed only a draw. For this reason, I won't put a question mark on this move, as it gets the job done.} ( 30...dxe4 {leads to a win:} 31.Bxe5 ( 31.Qh8+ Kf7 32.Rh7+ Ke8 33.Rxd7 Rxh8 {with a win for Black.} ) 31...exd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 31...Bxe5 {leads only to a draw, a good result for Carlsen anyway.} 32.Qxe5 Qg7 33.Qxg7+ Kxg7 34.Ne6+ Kg8 35.Nxf8 exd3 36.Rd1 Kxf8 37.Nxb4 ) 32.Qh8+ {The showy check continues to be supremely useless for White.} ( 32.Bxd6 Bxh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 32...Kf7 33.Rh7+ Ke8 34.Rxd7 Rxh8 35.Rxd6 Rh1+ 36.Nc1 Be4 {White can resign.} ) 31.Ne6 Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea.} 32.Nxg7 ( 32.Qh3 {leads to a draw by perpetual check. Since this amounts to losing the match anyway, I won't attach a question mark to Caruana's choice.} 32...Bxf4 33.Nxg7 Nd2+ 34.Ka1 Nb3+ ) 32...Nxh2 33.Bxd6 Rf1+ 34.Rxf1 Nxf1 35.Bxb4 Kxg7 {Black is a rook up.} 36.Bc3+ Kf7 37.Nb4 dxe4 38.dxe4 Bxe4+ 39.Ka2 Ne3 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Finals 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[ECO "C45"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[Beauty "6121444087383"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bb4+ {This move also has considerable theory, but is played much less often than the two main lines with 4...Bc5 and 4...Nf6.} 5.c3 Bc5 6.Nf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 6.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is considered the best option by opening theory and has, in fact, being played in a game by those same players.} 6...Bb6 7.Nf5 Bxe3 8.Nxe3 Nf6 9.f3 d6 10.c4 O-O 11.Nc3 {with a slight advantage for White: So-Abdusattorov, Aimchess Rapid 2023.} ) 6...d6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black already has several interesting options.} ( 6...g6 7.Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with chances of an advantage for White.} ) ( 6...d5 {is very interesting:} 7.Nxg7+ Kf8 8.Qxd5 ( 8.Nh5 Qh4 {gives Black a dangerous initiative.} ) 8...Qxd5 9.exd5 Kxg7 10.dxc6 Nf6 {with excellent compensation for the two pawns.} ) ( 6...Qf6 {is also playable.} ) 7.Nxg7+ Kf8 8.Nh5 Qh4 9.Ng3 Nf6 {Black sacrificed a pawn and has the king in the center but achieved a big advantage in development.} 10.Be2 Ne5 ( 10...Nxe4 {is possible, but White manages to castle and has easier play after} 11.Nxe4 Qxe4 12.O-O ) ( 10...Ng4 11.Bxg4 Bxg4 12.Qd2 h5 {leads to a complex position.} ) 11.f3 Rg8 ( 11...Nh5 {looks very tempting, but White escapes with some forced moves. The feeling is that this whole opening variation is very dangerous for White.} 12.Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 12...Nxg3 13.Qh6+ $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ) 13.Kd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13...Nxg3 14.Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...Nf5 15.exf5 Qxe1+ 16.Rxe1 Bxf5 17.Nd2 {Black is better, but White at least is not going to be mated.} ) 12.Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move $1 It seems almost impossible to play like this, but it was chosen using the method of elimination. No other move is able to avoid ...Rxg3.} 12...Be6 {Believe it or not, this is the first new move of the game.} ( 12...d5 {is also good for Black and was played in Luetke-Berndt, Nordrheinwestfalen 2018.} ) 13.Kc2 Rd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A natural move, but now White, surprisingly, is able to fight for an advantage.} ( 13...Nxe4 {This is the best option, according to the machine, evaluating the position as equal. This is just too much for my brain to understand, but I'll show some variations.} 14.fxe4 ( 14.Nxe4 Rxg2 15.Nbd2 Bf5 {Threatening ...d5.} 16.Kb3 Be6+ 17.Kc2 {A random move repetition is the safe heaven of the commentator.} ) 14...Rxg3 15.Bh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 15.hxg3 Qxe4+ {leads to a winning attack.} ) 15...Qxh6 16.hxg3 Qg6 17.Nd2 d5 {with good compensation for the exchange.} ) 14.b4 ( 14.Qd2 {This seems to me to be the most natural move, preparing Qh6+.} 14...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with unclear play.} ) ( 14.Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best:} 14...d5 15.Nb3 Be7 16.Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...dxe4 17.Nxe6+ fxe6 18.Qf1 exf3 19.gxf3 {and White can fight for the advantage.} ) 14...Bb6 15.Bb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 15.Qd2 {is better.} ) 15...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has a dream position. White's king is very insecure.} 16.Na3 c5 {There are many good alternatives.} ( 16...c6 {Preparing ...dxe4.} ) ( 16...Nxe4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The computer always comes up with a move that is good and impossible to find.} 17.fxe4 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.cxd4 Rxg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.hxg3 Qxe4+ {with a strong attack.} ) 17.bxc5 dxe4 18.cxb6 Rxd1 19.Raxd1 exf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Based on a miscalculation.} ( 19...axb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to an easy win for Black.} ) 20.Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move certainly was missed by Abdusattorov. It's important to cut Black's queen from the fourth rank so that ...Qa4+ is not possible.} ( 20.bxa7 $2 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20...Qa4+ $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20...Qg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The queen is badly placed on g5.} ( 20...Qh6 {is better:} 21.bxa7 Kg7 22.gxf3 Ra8 {with chances for both sides.} ) 21.bxa7 Qg6+ $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses.} ( 21...Kg7 {is a better option, although White is better after} 22.gxf3 ) 22.Bd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 22.Kc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is winning for White after} 22...Kg7 23.gxf3 {There are too many assets in White's position: the a7-pawn, the g-file, the strong bishop on b2.} ) 22...Nxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.a8=Q+ Kg7 24.Qa5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 24.Qxg8+ $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 24...Kxg8 25.Rd8+ $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] an important intermediate move.} ( 25.Rxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25...Ng4 {is winning for Black.} ) 25...Ne8 ( 25...Kg7 26.Rxd3 fxg2 ( 26...Ng4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] no longer works with the king on g7:} 27.c4+ Kf8 28.Bd4 {everything is controlled, and White wins.} ) 27.Rg1 Kf8 28.Rxg2 h5 {with an unclear endgame or middlegame, I don't know how to call it.} ) 26.Rxd3 {with the knight on e8 White has a fine position.} ) 24...Nf2+ 25.Kc1 Nxh1 26.gxf3 Nxg3 27.hxg3 Qxg3 28.c4 {The dust has settled, and Black has the advantage thanks mainly to the h-pawn. That said, anything can happen.} 28...Kg6 ( 28...h5 {is a natural move, when White must play} 29.Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] to fight for survival.} ) 29.Rd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now this is wrong, as the f3-pawn can be captured.} ( 29.Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} ) 29...Rc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 29...Qxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black should take the pawn without fear.} ) 30.Kb1 $2 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 30.Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is again necessary.} ) 30...Qxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Rg1+ Ng4 32.Ka1 h5 ( 32...Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, not allowing white's next move.} ) 33.Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Creating dangerous threats.} 33...Rg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black protects the g7-square.} 34.Nb5 Qf2 35.Qe4+ Bf5 36.Qh1 Re8 $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 36...Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger.} ) 37.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37...Re2 38.Nxf5 Rxb2 39.Rg2 $5 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A beautiful defensive move.} ( 39.Nh4+ {is also possible:} 39...Kg5 40.Rg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40...Rxa2+ 41.Kb1 Qxh4 {The only way to fight for the win.} 42.Qc1+ Kg6 43.Kxa2 {The game keeps going, but objectively the position is equal.} ) 39...Rxa2+ ( 39...Qxg2 $4 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 40.Nh4+ ) 40.Kb1 Rb2+ 41.Ka1 Ra2+ 42.Kb1 Qxf5+ {Black has to fight with his queen and knight.} 43.Kxa2 Qe4 44.Kb3 ( 44.Qb1 {According to the computer this leads to a draw, but I must admit it looks pretty scary for White.} ) 44...f5 45.Rg1 Qe3+ 46.Kb4 h4 {It's not easy to defend White's position.} 47.Re1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] An unfortunate square for the rook.} ( 47.Rb1 ) ( 47.Rd1 ) 47...Qd2+ 48.Kb5 Kg5 ( 48...h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. It becomes clear why the rook is poorly placed on e1, as now the queen cannot capture on h3.} ) 49.Rb1 Qd7+ 50.Kb6 Qe6+ 51.Kb5 {The players had seconds on the clock, so it feels unfair to criticize their decisions in this difficult endgame.} 51...Qe4 52.Qxe4 fxe4 53.Kb6 Ne5 54.Kc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 54.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a draw.} 54...Nd3 55.Kxb7 ( 55.Kb5 {is even simpler, but the main variation is more didactic.} ) 55...Nxc5+ 56.Kc6 Nd3 57.Kd5 Nf2 58.Kd4 Kf4 59.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 59...h3 60.Re2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} 60...Kf3 61.Re3+ Kg2 62.Re1 h2 63.Ke3 {White has a fortress.} ) 54...h3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 54...Kf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is winning, similar to what we will see later in the game.} ) 55.Kd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This natural square is a bad one.} ( 55.Kd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a draw:} 55...Kf4 56.Rh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The difference is that Black no longer has the idea with ...Nf3+.} 56...e3 57.Rxh3 e2 58.Rh1 Nd3 59.Kd6 ) 55...Kf4 {Black is winning again.} 56.Rxb7 e3 57.Rb1 e2 58.c5 h2 59.Kc3 Ke3 60.Rh1 Nc6 ( 60...Nf3 {is winning. It took a few moves, but Abdusattorov eventually found it.} 61.c6 Ng1 ) 61.Kc2 Ne7 62.Kc3 Nc6 63.Kc2 Nd4+ 64.Kc3 Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 65.c6 Ng1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen is promoted with check.} 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Finals 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2818"]
[ECO "B53"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[Beauty "6392253516809"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6 {The O'Kelly variation of the Sicilian Defense. I don't remember Carlsen playing it with Black. Once again he shows that he can play absolutely any opening.} 3.Be2 {A timid move. 3.c3 and 3.c4 are the natural attempts to seek an advantage.} ( 3.c3 ) ( 3.c4 ) 3...d6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 ( 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nc3 e5 {Surprisingly we have a transposition to the Najdorf Defense.} ) 5...Nc6 6.Qd3 {The queen looks better placed on e3.} ( 6.Qe3 {is the most popular.} ) 6...g6 7.O-O Bg7 8.Nc3 ( 8.h3 {it makes sense to play this move in order to avoid ...Bg4.} ) 8...Nf6 ( 8...Bg4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is possible, solving the problem of the c8-bishop.} ) 9.Nd5 O-O 10.c3 b5 {A double-edged move. Now White gains the chance of playing a2-a4.} ( 10...Bg4 {is again an interesting alternative.} ) 11.Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11...Nxd5 {Relatively best.} ( 11...Nd7 12.Nd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 12...Nde5 13.Nxc6 Nxc6 14.a4 {gives White the initiative.} ) 12.exd5 Ne5 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 {White has achieved a slight advantage thanks to the better pawn structure.} 14.h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White wants to play h4-h5, creating threats on the kingside, but this is a superficial move. It's better to remove the queen from d3 immediately and decide which plan to try after Black has developed the bishop.} ( 14.Qd2 ) ( 14.Qe3 ) 14...Bf5 15.Qd2 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent positional move, preventing the advance of White's h-pawn.} 16.Bd3 Qd7 17.Rae1 Rfe8 18.Re3 Rac8 19.Rfe1 Bxd3 20.Qxd3 Rc4 ( 20...Bf6 {likely leads to a draw after mass exchanges.} ) 21.g3 ( 21.Rxe5 {White has the option of sacrificing the exchange, but this turns out to be good enough only for equality.} 21...dxe5 22.Rxe5 Rcc8 ) 21...Rec8 22.Re4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Too passive. Overall, So played this game without sufficient aggression.} ( 22.Rxe5 {is interesting:} 22...dxe5 23.Rxe5 Re8 ( 23...e6 {is the computer's favorite, but it's very courageous to leave the dark squares so weakened.} ) 24.b3 Rc7 25.c4 bxc4 26.bxc4 Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has enough counterplay to keep the game balanced.} ) ( 22.Bxe7 {leads to a draw after:} 22...Qxe7 23.f4 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.fxe5 bxc3 25.exd6 Qxd6 26.bxc3 Rxc3 27.Qxc3 Rxc3 28.Rxc3 Qxd5 ) 22...Kg7 23.Kg2 {No other chess player has won as many endgames close to equality as Carlsen. This is another one of them.} 23...a5 24.a3 R8c5 25.f4 ( 25.Be3 {is better:} 25...Rxe4 26.Qxe4 Rc4 27.Qd3 {with equality.} ) 25...Rxe4 26.Rxe4 Bf6 27.Bxf6+ exf6 28.Rd4 Rc8 29.Re4 Rb8 30.Kh2 Qf5 31.Re3 Qxd3 32.Rxd3 {The rook endgame is drawn, but Black's rook is more active and his position is more pleasant.} 32...Re8 33.Rd2 g5 34.Kg2 ( 34.hxg5 {is more accurate:} 34...fxg5 35.fxg5 Kg6 36.Rf2 {with a probable draw.} ) 34...gxh4 35.gxh4 Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most unpleasant move.} ( 35...Kg6 36.Kf3 Kf5 37.Rd4 {White is ready to play a4 and has no problems.} ) 36.f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 36.Kf2 {is enough for a draw.} 36...Rh3 37.Kg2 Rxh4 38.Rd4 {followed by a4.} ) 36...Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another very precise move. Carlsen is not in a hurry to win the f-pawn.} ( 36...Re5 37.Kg3 Rxf5 38.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38...bxa4 39.c4 {White is time to create counterplay.} 39...Kf8 40.Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Followed by Ra3.} ) 37.Kf2 Re5 38.b4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes things worse.} ( 38.Rd4 {is a better chance.} ) 38...axb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This lets the win slip.} ( 38...Rxf5+ {is better, keeping the option of closing the queenside with a5-a4, for instance:} 39.Ke3 Re5+ 40.Kf4 ( 40.Kd4 axb4 41.axb4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by Re4+.} ) 40...a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's rook is deprived of activity now.} ) 39.axb4 Rxf5+ 40.Ke3 Re5+ 41.Kf4 Ke7 42.Rd4 Kd7 43.Rd1 Re2 44.Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44...Rd2 45.Ra7+ Ke8 46.Kf5 {White has enough counterplay. With both players with seconds on the clock, the game will be decided by a blunder.} 46...Rf2+ 47.Ke4 f5+ 48.Ke3 Rc2 49.Kf4 Rxc3 50.Kxf5 Rc4 51.Kg5 Rxb4 52.Rb7 Rb1 53.Kxh5 ( 53.Kf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is simpler:} 53...b4 54.Rb8+ Kd7 55.Kxf7 Kc7 56.Rb5 {Followed by Kg6 and a draw.} ) 53...b4 54.Kh6 f5 55.h5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The decisive mistake. There was a forced road to a draw.} ( 55.Kg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 55...b3 56.h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way $1} ( 56.Kxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 56...b2 ) ( 56.Kf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 56...f4 ) 56...b2 57.Kf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 57...f4 58.h6 Rh1 59.Rxb2 Rxh6+ 60.Kg5 {with a draw.} ) 55...f4 56.Kg5 f3 {The pawns cannot be stopped anymore.} 57.h6 f2 58.Rb8+ Kd7 59.Rb7+ Kc8 60.h7 Rg1+ 0-1

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Finals 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2818"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[ECO "D41"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Beauty "8250766393864"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

{[%evp 0,61,34,23,20,20,15,17,13,24,54,42,43,40,40,54,57,42,46,39,49,31,48,33,53,53,53,40,48,50,71,78,60,45,44,41,63,73,73,55,61,61,88,96,88,88,148,165,169,176,176,176,170,185,167,188,265,265,265,258,265,260,359,263]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.cxd5 cxd4 {Carlsen called this defense \"The Berlin against 1.d4,\" a very interesting view. It's a solid line whose main variations leads to an endgame that is hard to break. Every now and then, however, the Berlin and its associates are defeated.} 6.Qxd4 exd5 7.e4 ( 7.Bg5 {is the other attempt at an advantage.} ) 7...dxe4 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Ng5 ( 9.Ne5 {Carlsen tried this move in one of his games against Caruana in the tournament.} 9...Be6 10.Bg5 Bd6 11.O-O-O Ke7 12.Nc4 Bb4 ( 12...Bc7 {is an alternative.} ) 13.Nd5+ Bxd5 14.Rxd5 Nc6 15.a3 Be1 16.Rf5 {with the initiative.} ) 9...Be6 10.Bd2 {A rare move.} ( 10.Nxe6+ fxe6 11.Bg5 {is the main line.} ) 10...Nbd7 ( 10...Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a possible improvement:} 11.Nxe6+ fxe6 12.Nxe4 Bxd2+ 13.Nxd2 Nc6 {led a close-to-equal endgame in Radjabov-Van Foreest, EU-chT Terme Catez 2021.} ) 11.Ncxe4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 h6 {This move prepares f7-f5, driving the knight out of its great position. The plan, however, weakens the black position.} ( 12...f6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the idea of playing Ke8-f7.} ) 13.Bc3 Rc8 ( 13...f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14.Ng3 Ke7 {Sarana-Tabatabaei, Chess.com Rapid 2022. Here White wins a pawn with} 15.Bd3 ) 14.Bd3 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best chance. The king is heading to f7.} 15.O-O ( 15.O-O-O {is possible, but allows} 15...Bb4 16.Kb1 Bxc3 17.Nxc3 Ke7 {when Black is close to equality.} ) 15...Ke8 {White's position looks very promising, but apparently Black can defend. Carlsen tries an interesting plan.} 16.Be2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 16.Rfe1 Kf7 17.Rad1 {Placing the rooks on the open files is natural, but Black equalizes with} 17...Nc5 ) ( 16.f4 {is the same plan tried later in the game. Here Black can try} 16...Bc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 16...Kf7 17.f4 {The critical position of the game. Black needs to find a very precise move.} 17...Bc5+ $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This grants White the pair of bishops and a safe advantage.} ( 17...Nc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is also bad:} 18.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Nxe4 ( 18...Bxf5 19.Nxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19...gxf6 20.Rxf5 {with a clear advantage.} ) 19.fxe6+ Kxe6 20.Bg4+ Kf7 21.Bxc8 Bc5+ 22.Kh1 Rxc8 23.Be1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has some compensation for the exchange, but White is better.} ) ( 17...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, preventing the check on h5 and preparing Bg4 in some variations.} ) 18.Nxc5 Rxc5 19.Rad1 $6 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} ) 19...Nb6 20.Bd4 Ra5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 20...Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Bf3 Rd6 {gives Black good chances of surviving.} ) 21.b4 Rd5 ( 21...Rxa2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 22.Bh5+ g6 23.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] opening the king's position.} ) 22.Bf3 Rb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 22...Rd7 {is the only chance.} ) 23.Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook is trapped.} 23...Na4 ( 23...Bxa2 {loses in pretty fashion:} 24.Bh5+ g6 25.Be2 Bc4 26.Rd7+ $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Nxd7 ( 26...Ke6 27.Re7+ Kf5 ( 27...Kd5 28.Bf3# ) 28.g4# ) 27.Bxc4+ {winning a piece.} ) 24.Be2 Rxc5 25.bxc5 Nc3 ( 25...Nxc5 26.f5 Bxa2 27.Bh5+ {with a winning attack.} ) 26.Bh5+ $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...g6 27.Rd3 Bc4 28.Rd7+ Ke6 29.Rd6+ Kf7 30.Rc1 Ne4 31.Rd4 {White remains an exchange up.} 1-0

[Event "Grand Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2696"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[ECO "D50"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Beauty "6324070921226"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,121,30,30,35,15,15,20,12,11,34,40,52,30,30,30,30,14,30,6,4,13,13,16,21,22,19,25,19,19,16,27,69,65,82,86,114,112,118,120,114,124,137,142,141,110,110,102,102,100,109,109,109,104,105,104,104,104,109,104,107,103,103,103,105,103,97,97,97,75,96,96,96,93,105,109,131,131,130,157,144,144,144,144,144,144,144,144,144,144,144,139,189,189,169,183,232,238,205,61,52,25,261,261,251,261,283,261,371,371,427,376,787,787,935,992,1002,1002,1002,992,897,952,992,654]} 
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5 dxc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 5.e3 c5 6.dxc5 {The game quickly takes a path with little opening theory. I don't like the move played in the game, since Black has no problems in this endgame. 6.Bxc4 and 6.Bxf6 is more ambitious.} ( 6.Bxc4 ) ( 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.d5 ) 6...Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 Bxc5 8.Bxc4 a6 9.Nge2 Nbd7 10.Bd3 b5 {Black has easy equality already.} 11.Ne4 {A new move.} ( 11.Be4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] was played before, but Black was much better after} 11...Nxe4 12.Nxe4 Bb4+ 13.N2c3 f6 {in Rodrigue Lemieux-Stremavicius, Wch U18 Mamaia 2022.} ) 11...Bb4+ 12.N2c3 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Ra7 14.O-O f6 ( 14...Bxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the right time to capture the knight, as we will see.} 15.bxc3 ( 15.Rc1 Rc7 ) 15...Bb7 {with comfortable play for Black.} ) 15.Bf4 Bxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Arjun clearly missed White's surprising next move.} ( 15...Ke7 {is better, with a good position.} ) 16.Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move, changing the character of the game. White is better now due to the pair of bishops and good pawn structure.} 16...e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Mistakes never come alone.} ( 16...Nb6 17.Rxc3 Kf7 {is better, although Black's position is unpleasant.} ) 17.Rxc3 Ke7 18.Bg3 Nb6 19.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Opening the position for the bishops.} 19...exf4 20.exf4 Kf7 21.Rfc1 $16 Re7 22.Rc7 Re8 23.Bxh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very well calculated . This is not an easy move, since everybody fears losing the bishop after g7-g6.} 23...g6 24.R1c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...Kg7 ( 24...Rxc7 25.Rxc7+ Nd7 26.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop escapes the trap.} ) 25.Rxe7+ Rxe7 26.Rxb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A very instructive moment.} ( 26.Bh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate move. It's all a matter of achieving the best possible pawn structure in the opposite-color bishops endgame.} 26...Kxh7 27.Rxb6 Re6 ( 27...Re4 28.Bxf6 Rxf4 29.Rd6 {with excellent winning chances.} ) 28.Rxe6 Bxe6 29.Bxf6 Bxa2 30.b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With this pawn structure White is winning. A possible plan is to bring the king to g5 and then play f5 or h5 in order to achieve two passed and united pawns.} ) 26...Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Rb8 ( 27.Rxe6 Bxe6 28.Bxg6 Kxg6 29.a3 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with this pawn structure the endgame is a draw, since White cannot break the fortress. Yes, chess is a difficult game, and that's why we like it.} ) 27...Rc6 28.Bxg6 Kxg6 29.Be1 Kf5 30.Bc3 Kxf4 {Black has drawing chances now, but the endgame remains difficult to defend.} 31.Kf2 f5 32.a3 Ke4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The king goes the wrong way.} ( 32...Kg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's not easy for White to push the h-pawn.} ) 33.a4 ( 33.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better.} ) 33...Rc5 ( 33...bxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Exchanging pawns is usually the way to go if you are defending an endgame.} 34.Rb4+ Kd5 35.Rd4+ Ke6 36.Rxa4 {Black still has a lot of suffering ahead, but there are drawing chances.} ) 34.a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34...f4 35.Rb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 35.h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger.} ) 35...Rc4 36.h4 b4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 36...Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only defense $1 The h-pawn has to be stopped. Black has excellent drawing chances.} 37.Rxa6 {is not dangerous due to} 37...b4 ) 37.Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is winning now.} ( 37.Rxb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 37...Rxb4 38.Bxb4 Bg4 {leads to a fortress.} ) 37...Kf5 ( 37...Bg4 38.b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move.} 38...Rd4 39.Be1 {There's no adequate defense for the a-pawn.} ) 38.h5 Rc2 39.Ke2 ( 39.Ke1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] allows} 39...Rxb2 40.h6 Rb1+ $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the rook is back into the game.} 41.Kf2 Rh1 ) 39...Kg5 40.h6 Bg4+ 41.Ke1 Rxb2 42.g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42...Bf5 43.gxf4+ ( 43.Bxf4+ {is also easily winning:} 43...Kg4 44.Be5 ) 43...Kg4 44.Bxb4 Kf3 45.Kd1 Bd3 46.Bd2 Rb1+ 47.Bc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 47.Rxb1 $4 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 47...Bxb1 {with an easy draw.} ) 47...Be4 48.Rxa6 Rb5 49.Ra7 $4 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] A dramatic blunder $1} ( 49.f5 {is the easiest way, securing the pawn on h6.} 49...Rxf5 ( 49...Bxf5 50.Rf6 ) 50.Bd2 {White keeps both passed pawns and achieve the win.} ) 49...Rh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 50.f5 Rxf5 $4 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] The last mistake.} ( 50...Rh1+ $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51.Kd2 Rxh6 {leads to a draw, since the f-pawn also falls.} ) 51.a6 {The rest is simple.} 51...Rf6 52.Bg5 Rd6+ 53.Kc1 Bg6 54.Ra8 Kg4 55.Be3 Re6 56.Rg8 Kf3 57.a7 Be4 58.h7 Rc6+ 59.Kb2 Rc2+ 60.Kb3 Rh2 61.h8=Q 1-0

[Event "Grand Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Predke, Alexandr"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7425327366164"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e5 4.O-O Be7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare idea in a well-known position.} 5.Re1 ( 5.Bxc6 {This is a critical move. After} 5...dxc6 6.Nxe5 Qd4 7.Nf3 Qxe4 8.Re1 Qg6 9.Ne5 {White scored three wins in three correspondence games, not a bad feat.} ) 5...Nd4 {Already a new move. A novelty on the fifth move of such a mainstream opening as the Rossolimo is an impressive accomplishment.} 6.Nxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is not the best way to fight for the advantage.} ( 6.Bf1 {Is not very dangerous either:} 6...Nxf3+ 7.Qxf3 Nf6 8.Nc3 O-O {with equality.} ) ( 6.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance. After} 6...Nxf3+ 7.Qxf3 Nf6 8.Nc3 O-O 9.d3 {White can fight for the initiative, although the weakness of the d5-square is not as worrying as it was thought in the pre-Sveshnikov era.} ) 6...cxd4 7.c3 Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Black's excellent idea: to play with doubled pawns and follow up with the …d7-d5 advance. I imagine this was well-studied beforehand by Predke, since at first glance it seems positionally dangerous for Black.} 8.cxd4 exd4 9.d3 O-O 10.Nd2 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11.e5 Nd7 12.Nf3 Qb6 {The black pieces have good potential and the bishop on b5 is in an uncomfortable situation, all of which compensates for the doubled pawns. Black can even sacrifice one of these pawns, as we will see.} 13.Ba4 ( 13.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better move. After} 13...a6 14.Bxd7 Bxd7 15.a5 Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 15...Qa7 $6 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16.Qb3 {with the advantage for White.} ) 16.Bd2 Qb5 17.Nxd4 Qxd3 18.Bc3 Qxd1 19.Raxd1 Rac8 {Black is close to equality.} ) 13...Nc5 14.Bc2 {The white bishop is horrible on this square, but he will still have his redemption in this game.} 14...Bg4 ( 14...Ne6 {is also perfectly playable and Black is fine.} ) 15.h3 Bh5 16.g4 {White can´t live with the pin on the f3-knight.} 16...Bg6 17.Nxd4 Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move is the justification for the pawn sacrifice.} ( 17...Nxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a pawn without any counterplay after} 18.Bxd3 Qxd4 19.Bxg6 Qxd1 20.Bxh7+ Kxh7 21.Rxd1 ) 18.Nf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White's position starts to become dangerous after this move.} ( 18.Nxe6 {is also good for Black:} 18...fxe6 19.Be3 Qxb2 20.Rb1 Qxe5 ) ( 18.Nf5 {is a better alternative, keeping the game balanced.} 18...Bc5 ( 18...Bxf5 {is also possible:} 19.gxf5 Nd4 20.Be3 Bc5 {with equality.} ) 19.Be3 {with an even game.} ( 19.d4 {is also playable.} 19...Nxd4 20.Nxd4 Bxd4 21.Be3 Bxe3 22.Rxe3 Qxb2 23.Bxg6 hxg6 24.a4 {White's compensation should be enough for a draw.} ) ) 18...Rac8 {Black has two tempting alternatives.} ( 18...Bc5 19.Be3 ( 19.d4 Bxc2 20.Qxc2 Bxd4 {with a slight advantage.} ) ( 19.Re2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This thematic push gives Black the initiative.} ) 19...Bxe3 20.Rxe3 d4 21.Re1 Qxb2 {Black regains the pawn and has a comfortable position.} ) ( 18...f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also very interesting:} 19.exf6 Bxf6 {with excellent compensation.} ) 19.Bb3 Qb5 {This is an inaccuracy. Black has several interesting alternatives, all of which offers compensation for the pawn.} ( 19...Rfd8 ) ( 19...Bc5 ) ( 19...Qa6 ) 20.d4 Bb4 {I'm also not a big fan of this move.} ( 20...Be4 {This seems to me to be the natural continuation.} 21.Be3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.exf6 Bxf6 {with an unclear game.} ) ( 20...Rc7 {is another possible plan, doubling on the c-file, but it seems a bit slow.} ) 21.Re3 ( 21.Bd2 Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The d4-pawn becomes weak after the exchange of dark-squared bishops.} ) 21...Nf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21...Be4 {is the best continuation.} 22.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This difficult move is White's best; we will see this idea later in the game as well.} 22...Qb6 23.Nf5 g6 24.Ng3 Nxd4 25.Nxe4 dxe4 26.Rxe4 Bc5 27.Be3 Nxb3 28.Qxb3 Qxb3 29.axb3 Bxe3 30.Rxe3 a6 {White is a pawn up, but Black has good drawing chances.} ) 22.Bd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is enough for an advantage, but not the best.} ( 22.Kh2 {is fine, but there's an even better move.} ) ( 22.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best. White defends the pawn on h3 and prepares to land the knight on f5. After} 22...Bd3 23.Bd2 {Black has no compensation and the computer already considers white's position winning.} ) 22...Nxh3+ 23.Kg2 Nf4+ 24.Kg3 Ne6 ( 24...Bxd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more precise:} 25.Qxd2 Ne6 26.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the initiative for White.} ) 25.a4 ( 25.Bxb4 {immediately is also possible.} 25...Qxb4 26.Bxd5 ) 25...Qa5 26.Bxb4 Qxb4 27.Bxd5 Rc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows White to stabilize the bishop.} ( 27...Qxb2 {is not so good:} 28.Rb3 Qc2 29.Qxc2 Bxc2 30.Rxb7 {with a clear advantage.} ) ( 27...Rfd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance.} 28.Rb3 Qf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.Bxe6 fxe6 {The light-squares offers Black some compensation.} ) 28.b3 Rd8 29.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Nxd4 {A tactical attempt to recover material, but it doesn't work.} 30.Nxd4 Rd2 31.Qe1 R8xd4 32.e6 {This natural move is practically irresistible, but one thing I learned from analyzing with the computer is not to underestimate the power of candidate moves.} ( 32.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is too slow:} 32...Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 32.Rd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] looks natural as well, but there's a fantastic refutation:} 32...Qxc4 $3 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 33.bxc4 Rxd1 34.Qb4 Rg1+ {Black suddenly has counterplay enough to equalize the game.} ) ( 32.Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a brilliant move and the most accurate way of winning.} 32...a5 33.e6 fxe6 34.Rxd2 Qxd2 35.Bxe6+ Kh8 ( 35...Kf8 36.Rf3+ Ke7 37.Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack.} ) 36.Rf3 h5 37.Qxd2 Rxd2 38.gxh5 Bxh5 39.Rf5 {the a5-pawn falls and White has an easily winning endgame.} ) 32...Qd6+ ( 32...fxe6 33.Rxe6 Kf8 {Here White wins with:} 34.Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack.} ) ( 32...Rxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance:} 33.bxc4 Qd6+ 34.f4 fxe6 35.Rxe6 Rd3+ 36.Re3 h5 {The game keeps going, but White should win with careful play.} ) 33.Kh3 h5 ( 33...fxe6 {is the last chance:} 34.Rxe6 R2d3+ 35.Bxd3 Rxd3+ 36.Kg2 ( 36.Re3 {is also possible.} ) 36...Qf4 37.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a winning position.} ) 34.e7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White promotes another queen and black's attack is not fast enough.} 34...Rxg4 35.e8=Q+ Kh7 36.Bxf7 Qf6 37.Bxg6+ Kh6 38.Qh8+ Kxg6 39.Re6 Rh4+ 40.Kg2 Rg4+ 41.Kf1 Rxf2+ 42.Qxf2 Qxe6 43.Re1 Qa6+ 44.Re2 1-0

[Event "Grand Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Predke, Alexandr"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Beauty "7425327366164"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e5 4.O-O Be7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare idea in a well-known position.} 5.Re1 ( 5.Bxc6 {This is a critical move. After} 5...dxc6 6.Nxe5 Qd4 7.Nf3 Qxe4 8.Re1 Qg6 9.Ne5 {White scored three wins in three correspondence games, not a bad feat.} ) 5...Nd4 {Already a new move. A novelty on the fifth move of such a mainstream opening as the Rossolimo is an impressive accomplishment.} 6.Nxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is not the best way to fight for the advantage.} ( 6.Bf1 {Is not very dangerous either:} 6...Nxf3+ 7.Qxf3 Nf6 8.Nc3 O-O {with equality.} ) ( 6.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance. After} 6...Nxf3+ 7.Qxf3 Nf6 8.Nc3 O-O 9.d3 {White can fight for the initiative, although the weakness of the d5-square is not as worrying as it was thought in the pre-Sveshnikov era.} ) 6...cxd4 7.c3 Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Black's excellent idea: to play with doubled pawns and follow up with the …d7-d5 advance. I imagine this was well-studied beforehand by Predke, since at first glance it seems positionally dangerous for Black.} 8.cxd4 exd4 9.d3 O-O 10.Nd2 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11.e5 Nd7 12.Nf3 Qb6 {The black pieces have good potential and the bishop on b5 is in an uncomfortable situation, all of which compensates for the doubled pawns. Black can even sacrifice one of these pawns, as we will see.} 13.Ba4 ( 13.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better move. After} 13...a6 14.Bxd7 Bxd7 15.a5 Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 15...Qa7 $6 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16.Qb3 {with the advantage for White.} ) 16.Bd2 Qb5 17.Nxd4 Qxd3 18.Bc3 Qxd1 19.Raxd1 Rac8 {Black is close to equality.} ) 13...Nc5 14.Bc2 {The white bishop is horrible on this square, but he will still have his redemption in this game.} 14...Bg4 ( 14...Ne6 {is also perfectly playable and Black is fine.} ) 15.h3 Bh5 16.g4 {White can´t live with the pin on the f3-knight.} 16...Bg6 17.Nxd4 Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move is the justification for the pawn sacrifice.} ( 17...Nxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a pawn without any counterplay after} 18.Bxd3 Qxd4 19.Bxg6 Qxd1 20.Bxh7+ Kxh7 21.Rxd1 ) 18.Nf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White's position starts to become dangerous after this move.} ( 18.Nxe6 {is also good for Black:} 18...fxe6 19.Be3 Qxb2 20.Rb1 Qxe5 ) ( 18.Nf5 {is a better alternative, keeping the game balanced.} 18...Bc5 ( 18...Bxf5 {is also possible:} 19.gxf5 Nd4 20.Be3 Bc5 {with equality.} ) 19.Be3 {with an even game.} ( 19.d4 {is also playable.} 19...Nxd4 20.Nxd4 Bxd4 21.Be3 Bxe3 22.Rxe3 Qxb2 23.Bxg6 hxg6 24.a4 {White's compensation should be enough for a draw.} ) ) 18...Rac8 {Black has two tempting alternatives.} ( 18...Bc5 19.Be3 ( 19.d4 Bxc2 20.Qxc2 Bxd4 {with a slight advantage.} ) ( 19.Re2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19...f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This thematic push gives Black the initiative.} ) 19...Bxe3 20.Rxe3 d4 21.Re1 Qxb2 {Black regains the pawn and has a comfortable position.} ) ( 18...f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also very interesting:} 19.exf6 Bxf6 {with excellent compensation.} ) 19.Bb3 Qb5 {This is an inaccuracy. Black has several interesting alternatives, all of which offers compensation for the pawn.} ( 19...Rfd8 ) ( 19...Bc5 ) ( 19...Qa6 ) 20.d4 Bb4 {I'm also not a big fan of this move.} ( 20...Be4 {This seems to me to be the natural continuation.} 21.Be3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.exf6 Bxf6 {with an unclear game.} ) ( 20...Rc7 {is another possible plan, doubling on the c-file, but it seems a bit slow.} ) 21.Re3 ( 21.Bd2 Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The d4-pawn becomes weak after the exchange of dark-squared bishops.} ) 21...Nf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 21...Be4 {is the best continuation.} 22.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This difficult move is White's best; we will see this idea later in the game as well.} 22...Qb6 23.Nf5 g6 24.Ng3 Nxd4 25.Nxe4 dxe4 26.Rxe4 Bc5 27.Be3 Nxb3 28.Qxb3 Qxb3 29.axb3 Bxe3 30.Rxe3 a6 {White is a pawn up, but Black has good drawing chances.} ) 22.Bd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is enough for an advantage, but not the best.} ( 22.Kh2 {is fine, but there's an even better move.} ) ( 22.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best. White defends the pawn on h3 and prepares to land the knight on f5. After} 22...Bd3 23.Bd2 {Black has no compensation and the computer already considers white's position winning.} ) 22...Nxh3+ 23.Kg2 Nf4+ 24.Kg3 Ne6 ( 24...Bxd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more precise:} 25.Qxd2 Ne6 26.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the initiative for White.} ) 25.a4 ( 25.Bxb4 {immediately is also possible.} 25...Qxb4 26.Bxd5 ) 25...Qa5 26.Bxb4 Qxb4 27.Bxd5 Rc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows White to stabilize the bishop.} ( 27...Qxb2 {is not so good:} 28.Rb3 Qc2 29.Qxc2 Bxc2 30.Rxb7 {with a clear advantage.} ) ( 27...Rfd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance.} 28.Rb3 Qf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29.Bxe6 fxe6 {The light-squares offers Black some compensation.} ) 28.b3 Rd8 29.Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Nxd4 {A tactical attempt to recover material, but it doesn't work.} 30.Nxd4 Rd2 31.Qe1 R8xd4 32.e6 {This natural move is practically irresistible, but one thing I learned from analyzing with the computer is not to underestimate the power of candidate moves.} ( 32.f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is too slow:} 32...Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 32.Rd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] looks natural as well, but there's a fantastic refutation:} 32...Qxc4 $3 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 33.bxc4 Rxd1 34.Qb4 Rg1+ {Black suddenly has counterplay enough to equalize the game.} ) ( 32.Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a brilliant move and the most accurate way of winning.} 32...a5 33.e6 fxe6 34.Rxd2 Qxd2 35.Bxe6+ Kh8 ( 35...Kf8 36.Rf3+ Ke7 37.Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack.} ) 36.Rf3 h5 37.Qxd2 Rxd2 38.gxh5 Bxh5 39.Rf5 {the a5-pawn falls and White has an easily winning endgame.} ) 32...Qd6+ ( 32...fxe6 33.Rxe6 Kf8 {Here White wins with:} 34.Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack.} ) ( 32...Rxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance:} 33.bxc4 Qd6+ 34.f4 fxe6 35.Rxe6 Rd3+ 36.Re3 h5 {The game keeps going, but White should win with careful play.} ) 33.Kh3 h5 ( 33...fxe6 {is the last chance:} 34.Rxe6 R2d3+ 35.Bxd3 Rxd3+ 36.Kg2 ( 36.Re3 {is also possible.} ) 36...Qf4 37.Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a winning position.} ) 34.e7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White promotes another queen and black's attack is not fast enough.} 34...Rxg4 35.e8=Q+ Kh7 36.Bxf7 Qf6 37.Bxg6+ Kh6 38.Qh8+ Kxg6 39.Re6 Rh4+ 40.Kg2 Rg4+ 41.Kf1 Rxf2+ 42.Qxf2 Qxe6 43.Re1 Qa6+ 44.Re2 1-0

[Event "Survival"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[ECO "C95"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[Beauty "6257633132551"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[TimeControl "900+3"]

{[%evp 0,123,25,8,18,21,17,34,32,6,2,11,19,14,17,20,16,-20,-14,-17,16,-4,-4,2,11,9,31,21,33,33,38,26,43,34,38,13,26,21,38,4,21,-7,0,-2,3,0,-5,12,2,27,0,-23,-19,-43,-26,-12,-16,-16,22,19,33,28,45,8,20,-2,12,19,9,-32,-41,-41,41,42,87,85,97,85,123,119,119,122,125,118,151,158,146,97,145,100,151,145,171,158,169,158,197,192,235,229,285,308,293,311,271,303,308,308,315,315,603,620,628,459,452,659,739,739,1131,1131,789,789,1201,1218,29975,29982]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.h3 Nb8 {The good old Breyer Variation of the Ruy Lopez remains popular to this day. At one point it was one of Magnus Carlsen's favorite defenses.} 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 Re8 13.Nf1 Bf8 14.Ng3 a5 {A very rare plan. The overwhelming majority of games continue with 14...g6. Black advances the pawn to a4, gaining some space and preventing White from playing the typical a2-a4.} ( 14...g6 ) 15.Bd2 a4 16.Bd3 c6 17.Qc2 Qb6 18.Be3 Qa5 19.Bd2 ( 19.Bf1 {was played in a GM game in classical time control this year. White was slightly better after} 19...Qc7 20.Rad1 h6 21.b4 axb3 22.axb3 {Ivic-Demchenko, Ankara 2023.} ) 19...Qb6 20.Rad1 {This natural move is a novelty, but now Black is able to solve the opening problems.} 20...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.dxe5 {It's always a difficult decision for White in the Ruy Lopez, whether to play d5 or to take the e5-pawn.} ( 21.d5 c4 22.Bf1 Nc5 {with an equal position.} ) 21...Nxe5 ( 21...dxe5 {It's also possible to capture with the pawn, since the knight is ready to go to d4.} 22.c4 b4 23.Nf5 Nb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Ne3 Qd6 25.Nd5 Nc6 {with a balanced position.} ) 22.Nxe5 dxe5 23.c4 b4 24.Nf5 Qc6 {A good move to prevent Ne3.} 25.Bg5 ( 25.Ne3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25...Nxe4 ) ( 25.f3 {is possible so that the knight can go to d5.} ) 25...Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.g3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26.f3 {is again possible.} ) 26...Qg6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The queen is not well-placed here.} ( 26...g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, exploiting the position of the bishop on g5.} 27.Be2 ( 27.Ne3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27...h6 {and the bishop is trapped.} ) ( 27.Nh6+ $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 27...Bxh6 28.Bxh6 Ng7 29.Bxg7 Kxg7 {with a clear positional advantage for Black.} ) ( 27.Qe2 Nf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 28.gxf4 gxf5 {with good counterplay.} ) 27...Nf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 27...gxf5 28.Bxh5 fxe4 29.Rd5 Qe6 30.Qxe4 {leads to an unclear position.} ) ( 27...Qxe4 28.Qxe4 Bxe4 29.Nd6 Bxd6 30.Bxh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with equality.} ) 28.gxf4 gxf5 {with good chances for Black, but the position remains very complicated.} ) 27.Qc1 h6 28.Be3 Nf6 29.f3 ( 29.Nh4 {is also possible.} 29...Qh7 30.f3 {Black's queen is in a funny position, but it's not a big deal.} ) 29...Nh5 ( 29...Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, preparing the maneuver to d4.} ) 30.Kh2 ( 30.g4 {is tempting, forcing the knight back.} 30...Nf6 ( 30...Nf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} 31.Bxf4 exf4 32.e5 {with a big advantage for White.} ) ) 30...Qf6 31.Rf1 Red8 {The big question is whether White will be able to place the knight on the ideal d5-square.} 32.Qd2 ( 32.Be2 {invites exchanges on the d-file, with an equal position.} ) 32...a3 33.b3 Rd7 34.Bg1 Rad8 35.Qe2 Re8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this Caruana places the knight on the dream square and Abdusattorov is never back in the game.} ( 35...g6 36.Ne3 Qe6 37.Nd5 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an interesting plan. Black gets counterplay on the kingside as compensation for the strong knight.} ) 36.Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36...g6 37.Nd5 Qd8 38.Be3 {[%c_highlight d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false] This is a positional tragedy for Black. If the knight is captured then White captures with the c-pawn and works on the c-file to capture Black's pawn on c5. Furthermore, the bishop gains the c4-square and it's possible to play on the kingside with the f4 break.} 38...Kh7 39.Qf2 Qa5 40.Bc2 Bc6 41.Rd2 Bxd5 42.cxd5 Bd6 43.Bd3 ( 43.Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate, protecting the g3-pawn and thus preventing any attempt of counterplay with f7-f5.} ) 43...Rc7 ( 43...f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black should try to create some play with this move. The pawn cannot be captured:} 44.exf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 44...e4 {Attacking the bishop and the g3-pawn.} ) 44.Rc2 Nf6 45.Rfc1 Rec8 46.Qd2 {It's one-way traffic now.} 46...Bf8 47.Qe2 Ne8 48.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's position can no longer be sustained.} 48...Bg7 49.Qf2 Nd6 50.Rxc5 Rxc5 51.Rxc5 Qd8 52.Rxc8 Qxc8 53.Bc5 Qb8 54.Qd2 {The b4-pawn also falls.} 54...exf4 55.Qxf4 Bf8 56.e5 Nf5 57.Bxf8 Qxf8 58.Bxf5 gxf5 59.Qxf5+ Kg8 60.d6 Qd8 61.d7 Qb6 62.Qf6 1-0

[Event "Vugar Gashimov Memorial 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Abbasov, Nijat"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "C24"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[Beauty "7493665162263"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "600+10"]

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 {The Bishop Opening is an interesting option for those who want to play the Italian and avoid the Petroff. Of course, with the absence of the black knight on c6, new possibilities appear.} 2...Nf6 3.d3 c6 4.Nf3 d5 5.Bb3 a5 6.a4 Bb4+ 7.c3 Bd6 8.exd5 cxd5 9.Bg5 Be6 10.Na3 {Of course, there are many possibilities for both sides in the previous moves, but so far we have well-known theoretical moves.} 10...h6 11.Bh4 {A question arises here: where should Black develop the knight: on d7 or c6 $2 It seems both moves are playable.} 11...Nbd7 ( 11...Nc6 12.Nb5 Bb8 13.O-O O-O 14.Re1 {with a roughly equal position.} ) 12.Nb5 Bb8 {One of Black's advantages with this formation is that the rook has a greater scope if it is developed on a6.} 13.d4 {Played quickly by Rapport. He clearly knew what he was doing.} ( 13.O-O {is also possible, when Black should castle as well.} 13...O-O ( 13...g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 14.Bg3 Nh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This fails tactically:} 15.Bxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15...Bxe5 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important detail that wins the game.} ( 17.Qxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17...Bg4 {loses the queen.} ) ) ) 13...e4 14.Nd2 O-O {Black needs to look for improvement in the next moves, as he will be in an uncomfortable position in the game.} ( 14...Bf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) ( 14...Ra6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 15.Nf1 Re8 16.Ne3 g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16...Nb6 {is better.} ) 17.Bg3 Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A new move and the only way to justify the advance of the g-pawn.} ( 17...Nf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18.Bxb8 Qxb8 {was played in: Nagy-Slepov, Ceske Budejovice op 2021.} 19.h4 {with a clear advantage.} ) 18.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This forces Black to exchange the important dark-squared bishop.} 18...Bxd6 ( 18...Rf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Ndf5 {Black cannot allow the knight to reach this square.} ) 19.Bxd6 Nf8 20.Be5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Rapport plays in his typical creative style, but there are two solid moves that offer an advantage.} ( 20.Bxf8 $5 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 20...Rxf8 21.h4 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Otherwise, the h-file is opened, and White's attack is strong.} 22.g3 {with a better pawn structure for White.} ) ( 20.Bg3 {This is my favorite move. White will play h2-h4 next with the advantage.} ) 20...N6d7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to challenge the powerful bishop.} 21.h4 {White has many alternatives.} ( 21.Bxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 21...Bxd5 22.Nxd5 Nxe5 23.dxe5 Rxe5 24.c4 {leads only to equality.} ) ( 21.Nxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 21...Bxd5 22.Bxd5 Nxe5 23.dxe5 Rxe5 24.Bxb7 Qxd1+ 25.Rxd1 Rb8 {with a good position for Black.} ) ( 21.Bd6 Ng6 {is not convincing.} ) ( 21.Qh5 {At first, I thought this move is very strong, but the computer shows the defense.} 21...Nxe5 22.dxe5 Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23.Qxh6 Nxe5 {with adequate counterplay.} ) ( 21.O-O {Maybe this is the best shot at an advantage, although Black has an acceptable position after} 21...Nxe5 22.dxe5 Ng6 23.Nxd5 Nxe5 24.Qd4 Bxd5 25.Bxd5 Nd3 26.g3 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preventing f2-f3.} ) 21...Nxe5 22.dxe5 gxh4 ( 22...Ng6 {is also interesting:} 23.hxg5 Nxe5 {with counterplay.} ) 23.Qh5 {White could consider taking on d5:} ( 23.Bxd5 {is not dangerous:} 23...Bxd5 24.Qxd5 Qxd5 25.Nxd5 Rxe5 26.Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with equality.} ( 26.O-O-O $6 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 26...Ng6 ) ) ( 23.Nxd5 Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a difficult move.} ( 23...Bxd5 {is normal, but then White has a tiny advantage in the endgame after} 24.Qxd5 Qxd5 25.Bxd5 Rxe5 26.O-O-O Ng6 27.Bxb7 Rb8 28.Rd7 ) ( 23...Qg5 {is a creative try:} 24.Nf6+ Kh8 25.Nxe8 Qxg2 26.Rf1 Bh3 27.Bc4 Rxe8 {with a chaotic position.} ) 24.Qh5 Bxd5 ( 24...Qg5 {is also possible.} ) 25.Bxd5 Nxe5 26.O-O-O Qg5+ 27.Qxg5+ hxg5 28.Bxb7 Rab8 29.Bxe4 Ng4 30.Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Nxf2 ( 30...Rxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 31.Rxg5+ Kf8 32.Rxh4 ) 31.Rxg5+ Kf8 32.Rxh4 Nxe4 33.Rxa5 {The endgame with three pawns against a knight is equal.} ) 23...Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24.Rxh4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 24.Qxh4 {is simpler:} 24...d4 {This is Black's main tactical resource.} 25.Bxe6 dxe3 26.Bb3 {Now all roads lead to equality.} 26...Qxh4 ( 26...exf2+ 27.Qxf2 Re7 28.O-O Qxe5 29.Bxf7+ Kg7 ) ( 26...Rxe5 27.Qxg5+ Rxg5 28.fxe3 {with a likely draw.} ) 27.Rxh4 exf2+ 28.Kxf2 Rxe5 29.Rxh6 {with an equal endgame.} ) 24...Ng6 25.Rh2 $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a losing move.} ( 25.Qxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25...hxg5 26.Rh5 {This is similar to the game, but in a much-improved version for White.} 26...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.Bxe6 dxe3 28.Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...exf2+ 29.Kxf2 Rxe5 ( 29...e3+ 30.Kg3 Rxe5 31.Rxg5 {with equality.} ) 30.Bxg6 fxg6 31.Rhh1 {with a draw.} ) 25...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now White's position goes downhill. The rook is too passive on h2.} 26.Bxe6 dxe3 27.Qxg5 hxg5 28.Bf5 exf2+ 29.Kxf2 e3+ $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A fine detail.} 30.Kg3 ( 30.Kxe3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30...Rxe5+ {loses the bishop.} ) 30...Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31.Bc2 Rad8 {Black has an overwhelming advantage.} 32.Rd1 e2 33.Re1 Rd2 34.Bb1 Rxb2 35.Kf2 Rxe5 {White's pawns fall like ripe fruit.} 36.g3 Nf5 37.Bd3 Ne3 38.Kf3 Nd5 39.Bxe2 Re3+ 40.Kg4 Nxc3 41.Bc4 Rxe1 42.Rxb2 Re4+ {The bishop is lost.} 0-1

[Event "Vugar Gashimov Memorial 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2691"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[ECO "A13"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Beauty "8250363760654"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "600+10"]

{[%evp 0,58,27,21,26,20,13,-9,-5,5,13,4,16,6,16,20,18,4,14,7,17,9,9,-19,15,8,5,0,5,-9,-12,-12,-18,-18,-16,-22,0,-37,0,-54,-54,-54,-54,-106,-103,-103,-119,-149,-191,-627,-649,-661,-671,-677,-677,-677,-684,-29989,-29990,-29991,-29992]} 
1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.b3 e6 4.Bb2 Bd6 5.c4 O-O 6.d4 b6 7.Nc3 Bb7 8.Be2 Nbd7 9.O-O a6 {The game arrived in a typical Semi-Slav Defense type of position with the advantage that Black didn't play c7-c6 and can advance the pawn to c5 in one go.} 10.Rc1 Qe7 11.Qc2 {Radjabov had already played this position with White this year. In the other game, he preferred to exchange on d5 immediately.} ( 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Qc2 Rac8 13.Rfd1 Ne4 {with equality in Radjabov-Malakhov, Chess.com rapid 2023.} ) 11...Rac8 {Black prepares the c7-c5 advance without disguise.} 12.Rfd1 Rfe8 {Van Foreest decides to wait a bit more before pushing the c-pawn.} ( 12...c5 {is also possible.} ) 13.h3 ( 13.Qb1 {is natural, hiding the queen from the x-ray with the c8-rook. Now Black can play} 13...dxc4 14.bxc4 c5 {with a good position.} ) 13...h6 {If your opponent can play h2-h3 in the middle of nowhere, you can usually do the same.} 14.a4 {An interesting opening novelty. In addition to preparing a4-a5 and attacking the queenside, White prevents the advance of the pawn to b5 in some lines.} ( 14.Qb1 ) 14...c5 ( 14...dxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 15.bxc4 c5 16.d5 exd5 17.cxd5 {The idea of 14.a4 is clear here: White has an advantage because Black cannot play ...b5.} ) 15.cxd5 exd5 ( 15...Nxd5 {is inaccurate, as the exchange of knights favors White.} 16.Nxd5 exd5 17.Qf5 {with a small advantage.} ) 16.Qb1 ( 16.Bd3 {This somewhat obscure move is the computer's favorite.} ) 16...Nf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Maneuvering the knight at e6, where it will exert pressure on the center.} 17.a5 {Radjabov decides to create contact on the queenside.} ( 17.Nh4 {is a possible alternative:} 17...g6 18.Nf3 {The opening of the a1-h8 diagonal gives some possibilities for White, but Black has a good position after} 18...Ne6 ) 17...bxa5 ( 17...b5 {is also interesting. Black is slightly better after} 18.dxc5 Bxc5 ) 18.dxc5 ( 18.Na4 {keeps the game balanced. A possible variation is} 18...Ne4 19.dxc5 Nxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.cxd6 Qxe3 21.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Nxh3+ 22.Kh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 22.Kh2 $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 22...Qf4+ 23.Kxh3 Rxe2 {Black's attack is too strong.} ) 22...Nf2+ ( 22...Qxe2 23.Re1 ) 23.Kg1 {with perpetual check.} ) 18...Bxc5 19.Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This allows Black to unleash the full power of his position.} ( 19.Na4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is also bad after} 19...Bxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) ( 19.Bf1 {keeps the game more or less equal.} ) 19...Bxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20.Rxd4 ( 20.exd4 {loses material after} 20...Rxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21.Bxc3 Qxe2 22.Re1 Qb5 ) 20...Ne6 21.Rd2 ( 21.Rdd1 {doesn't change much. The attack is equally strong after} 21...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22.exd4 Nf4 23.Bf1 Ne4 ) 21...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The typical advance of the isolated pawn is fatal.} 22.exd4 Nf4 23.Bf1 Ne4 {The black knights are very menacing.} 24.Rdc2 {The white queen is completely out of the game.} 24...Nxh3+ $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Destroying the white king's protection.} 25.gxh3 Qg5+ 26.Kh2 Qf4+ 27.Kg1 Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28.d5 ( 28.Bg2 {ends in mate after} 28...Bxg2 29.Kxg2 Qf3+ 30.Kg1 Nxh3+ 31.Kh2 Nf4 ) 28...Nf3+ 29.Kg2 Rxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An elegant finish. Black removes the defense of the d5-pawn.} ( 29...Qg5+ {is the same:} 30.Kxf3 Rxc3+ ) ( 29...Rxc3 30.Rxc3 Qg5+ 31.Kxf3 Bxd5+ ) 0-1

[Event "Vugar Gashimov Memorial 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.12.10"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Suleymanli, Aydin"]
[Black "Abbasov, Nijat"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2517"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[ECO "B51"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Beauty "8179362627157"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[TimeControl "600+10"]

{[%evp 0,65,25,16,58,58,77,55,76,53,47,52,50,35,38,30,24,16,7,-5,-3,-3,11,-20,21,-43,-32,-50,-40,-46,-43,-13,-13,-40,13,-84,-50,18,14,69,48,60,268,250,479,420,364,372,372,388,384,349,381,224,483,519,528,546,544,360,684,622,708,732,732,661,779,1024]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.O-O a6 5.Be2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A currently fashionable move.} ( 5.Bd3 ) ( 5.Bxd7+ ) 5...Ngf6 6.d3 {Black has to make a common decision for Sicilian players: where to develop the f8-bishop.} 6...g6 {The most popular choice but Carlsen played 6...e6.} ( 6...e6 7.a4 b6 8.Nfd2 {Perhaps this plan by Nepomniachtchi served as inspiration for Suleymanli.} 8...Be7 9.f4 O-O 10.Bf3 Bb7 11.Nc3 d5 12.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has the initiative: Nepomniachtchi-Carlsen, AI Cup Div 1 Chess.com rapid 2023.} ) 7.a4 ( 7.c4 {is a good way of playing. A possible continuation is:} 7...Bg7 8.Nc3 O-O 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 {with the advantage.} ) 7...b6 {A good move, preparing development and preventing a4-a5.} 8.Nfd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The same plan Nepomniachtchi tried against Carlsen.} ( 8.c4 {followed by Nc3 is also possible.} ) 8...Bg7 9.f4 Bb7 10.Qe1 b5 {A good move, but castling is also perfectly possible.} ( 10...O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's attack doesn't seem so dangerous.} 11.Qh4 e6 ) 11.Nc3 ( 11.Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of playing e4-e5, which is the best way to fight for the initiative.} ) 11...Qb6 ( 11...b4 12.Nd1 {The knight will be put back into play on e3.} ) 12.a5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This looks like a strange move, but White wants the queen in a worse position. The problem is that he loses the option of capturing on b5 and opening the queenside.} ( 12.Bf3 e5 13.g4 c4+ 14.Kh1 cxd3 15.g5 Nh5 {leads to a total mess.} ) 12...Qc7 13.Bf3 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14.g4 ( 14.f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14...gxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15.exf5 d5 {Black has a decisive positional advantage with such a strong center.} ) 14...exf4 ( 14...h6 {is also possible:} 15.f5 ( 15.g5 Nh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's pawn structure can collapse.} ) 15...gxf5 16.gxf5 h5 {Followed by long castling with the advantage. We can now see the problem of White having closed the queenside with a4-a5.} ) 15.g5 Ng8 16.Nd5 Qd8 ( 16...Bxd5 {is enough for the advantage:} 17.exd5+ Be5 ) 17.e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This risky move will work very well, but objectively it's bad.} ( 17.Nxf4 Qxg5+ 18.Bg2 {White has some practical compensation for the pawn.} ) 17...Bxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The two other captures are superior.} ( 17...Nxe5 18.Nf6+ Nxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 18...Bxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Bxb7 {with the advantage for White.} ) 19.Bxb7 ( 19.gxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses:} 19...Bxf3 20.fxg7 Qg5+ 21.Qg3 ( 21.Kf2 Qg2# ) 21...fxg3 22.gxh8=Q+ Kd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White can resign.} ) 19...Nh5 20.Bxa8 Qxa8 {with a big advantage for Black.} ) ( 17...dxe5 18.Nf6+ Bxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19.Bxb7 Ra7 ( 19...Bxg5 {is also good.} ) 20.gxf6 Rxb7 {White doesn't have enough compensation.} ) 18.Nb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 18.Nf6+ {is bad:} 18...Ngxf6 19.Bxb7 Rb8 ) 18...Qxg5+ $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Another inaccurate move.} ( 18...Nxb6 19.Bxb7 Ra7 20.axb6 Rxb7 21.Ne4 {with complicated play.} ) ( 18...Rb8 19.Bxb7 Rxb7 20.Ne4 Nxb6 21.axb6 Qxb6 22.Bxf4 {with compensation for the sacrificed material.} ) ( 18...Bxf3 19.Nxf3 Ne7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a good practical choice, offering the exchange in order to complete the development.} ) 19.Kh1 Rb8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses.} ( 19...Bxf3+ 20.Nxf3 Qd8 21.Nxd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 21.Nxa8 Qxa8 22.Bxf4 Ne7 {is very comfortable for Black.} ) 21...Qxd7 22.Nxe5 dxe5 23.Qxe5+ Qe6 {Black surprisingly survives.} 24.Qxh8 ( 24.Re1 Qxe5 25.Rxe5+ Ne7 26.Bxf4 Kd7 {with an equal endgame.} ) 24...Qd5+ 25.Kg1 Qg5+ 26.Kf2 O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with counterplay that is enough for a draw, probably by perpetual check.} ) 20.Bxb7 Rxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 20...Nxb6 {is the last chance.} 21.axb6 Rxb7 {White has many tempting continuations now.} 22.Rxa6 {This is the simplest with a clear advantage.} ( 22.Ne4 ) ( 22.Nf3 ) ) 21.Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Qh5 ( 21...Qe7 22.Nc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This was probably missed by Abasov.} 22...Qe6 23.Ncxd6+ ) 22.Nxd6+ Kf8 23.Nxb7 Nxb6 24.axb6 {White is a rook up, and the game is over. He will finish it in style.} 24...f3 25.Qf2 Nf6 26.Bh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Kg8 ( 26...Qxh6 27.Qxc5+ {followed by capturing the bishop.} ) 27.Rae1 Ng4 28.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...f6 ( 28...Bxg3 29.Re8# ) 29.Rxe5 fxe5 30.Bd2 ( 30.Nd8 {is very good, followed by b7.} ) 30...f2 31.h3 Nf6 32.Rxf2 Kg7 33.Bg5 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2023.12.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Tabatabaei, M Amin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2661"]
[BlackElo "2692"]
[ECO "C50"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[Beauty "7216350365193"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,93,20,9,9,9,14,7,7,7,6,14,14,5,9,7,8,-9,-9,-14,-7,-17,-21,-20,-17,-17,-13,-18,-10,-10,34,23,34,43,53,32,81,77,86,68,48,61,104,109,172,103,85,91,141,141,148,139,144,144,144,144,137,136,193,193,193,193,203,203,205,193,196,193,193,194,214,214,220,220,220,147,153,157,157,157,155,155,160,149,163,163,217,216,220,228,232,232,229,239,239,226]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Nc3 {This Italian Opening with the knight on c3 was played a few days ago by Rapport. Adams had already played it a few times. Many different plans are possible in this opening and this is one of its attractions.} 5...h6 ( 5...O-O {Aronian simply castled in the aforementioned game against Rapport.} ) 6.O-O O-O 7.h3 d6 {I don't like this move very much, as it allows White to exchange the knight for the bishop, giving sense to the play with Nc3.} ( 7...a6 {is logical, opening the path for the bishop.} ) ( 7...Re8 {is also possible.} ) 8.Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 8...Bb6 9.a3 {A necessary move to open the way for the bishop and not allow a similar maneuver for Black with ...Na5. The exchange on b6 does not need to be done now, as the bishop has nowhere to run. In chess it's good to be flexible.} 9...Be6 {Other moves were tried recently:} ( 9...Bd7 10.Nxb6 axb6 11.Re1 Re8 12.c3 Be6 13.Bb5 Bd7 14.a4 Ne7 {with an equal position in Saric-Nihal, FIDE Grand Swiss Douglas 2023.} ) ( 9...Re8 10.b4 Be6 11.Bxe6 Rxe6 12.c4 {White is better: Esipenko-Nakamura, Chess.com rapid 2023.} ) 10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.c3 Qe8 12.b4 Ne7 13.Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This plan has become traditional in the Italian, especially after an exchange of bishops on e6. The rook is very useful on the second rank, defending White's king and also putting pressure in the opposite position, going to c2 or d2.} 13...Kh8 {A new move. Tabatabaei has a dubious plan in mind.} ( 13...Nh5 14.Nxb6 axb6 {Van Foreest-Giri, NED-ch KO Utrecht 2023. Here the best move for White is} 15.a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preventing the move b6-b5 and keeping a small advantage.} ) ( 13...Ng6 {is perfectly normal.} 14.Re1 ) ( 13...c6 14.Nxb6 axb6 15.Be3 b5 16.a4 bxa4 17.Rxa4 {with some pressure for White.} ) 14.Re1 g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This plan is incorrect and is the main reason for Black's defeat. The position becomes very difficult to defend. It's a bit strange to play like this, considering that White has the supremacy of the dark squares and the king becomes a target on the a1-h8 diagonal.} ( 14...Ng6 {is better.} ) 15.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The good old adage: against an attack on the flank, counterattack in the center.} 15...Ng6 ( 15...exd4 16.cxd4 {is not good for Black either.} ) 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.Nxb6 cxb6 {Another strange move, although I can understand that Tabatabaei wanted to use the c-file.} ( 17...axb6 18.c4 {Preparing Rd2 followed by Bb2.} 18...g4 {Black must create some kind of attack.} 19.hxg4 Rd8 20.Rd2 Nxg4 {Here White has many paths to the advantage, but the most clear-cut is:} 21.Nh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Nxh2 22.Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...Rxd2 23.Bxd2 Ng4 24.Qxg4 {with an overwhelming advantage.} ) 18.c4 Qc6 ( 18...g4 {The same variation we saw after 17...axb6 can happen now, in an even worse version for Black.} 19.hxg4 Rd8 20.Rd2 Nxg4 21.Nh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21...Nxh2 22.Qh5 ) 19.Rc2 {Adams is the co-author of an excellent book I read recently titled \"Think Like a Super GM.\" In this book, the GM, who is one of my favorite chess players in history and with whom I had the honor of playing twice, shows his decision-making process. One of the pieces of advice he gives that is useful for players of all levels is not to complicate a position that is already very favorable. He follows his own advice in the game we're analyzing. At times the computer suggests a sharper, possibly better move, but Adams prefers to control the game without adventures.} ( 19.Rd2 {is the machine's suggestion, sacrificing a pawn.} 19...Qxc4 ( 19...Nxe4 20.Rd3 Qxc4 21.Bb2 {Black's position is about to collapse.} ) 20.Bb2 {White firmly controls the d-file and the e5-pawn will soon be captured.} ) 19...Rad8 20.Qe2 Qa4 ( 20...Nf4 {improves Bllack's pawn structure a little, but the position remains horrible after} 21.Bxf4 exf4 22.c5 ) 21.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Bringing the rook into the game.} 21...Nh5 {This loses by force, but good advice is difficult.} ( 21...bxc5 22.Rxc5 ) ( 21...b5 22.c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 22.Rc3 {A solid choice, but here I really think Adams should have struck .} ( 22.Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins on the spot.} 22...Nxe5 23.Bb2 {The knight on e5 is pinned and the other one is attacked.} ( 23.Qxh5 {Even this is winning, in this case with a bit of adventure.} 23...Qxc2 24.Qxh6+ Kg8 25.Qxg5+ Kh7 ( 25...Kf7 26.Qxe5 ) 26.Qxe5 Qxf2+ 27.Kh2 Qxe1 28.Bb2 {Black cannot defend mate.} 28...Rd7 29.Qh5+ Kg8 30.Qg6+ ) ) ( 22.cxb6 {is also pretty good.} 22...axb6 ( 22...Nhf4 23.Bxf4 Nxf4 24.Qc4 {with an easy win.} ) 23.Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a totally winning position.} ) 22...Nhf4 23.Bxf4 Nxf4 ( 23...exf4 {Black is left without a weak pawn on e5, but also without any shadow of initiative.} 24.Rec1 {with a nearly winning position for White after the invasion on the c-file.} ) 24.Qe3 Rd1 25.cxb6 ( 25.Nxe5 {is very tempting.} ) 25...axb6 26.Kh2 {Typical Adams play: solid and effective.} 26...Rxe1 27.Qxe1 Qd7 28.g3 Nh5 ( 28...Ng6 {doesn't help:} 29.Qe3 {Sooner or later White will take one or more pawns. Weaknesses abound.} ) 29.Nxe5 Qg7 30.Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate.} 30...Rxf3 31.Nxf3 Nf6 32.Qe3 {As they say, the rest is a matter of technique, a skill that Adams isn't lacking.} 32...Qc7 33.Qd4 Kg7 34.Ne5 h5 35.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35...g4 ( 35...Kg6 36.Qd3 {wins easily as well.} ) 36.hxg4 hxg4 37.e5 ( 37.Ne5 {is also good.} ) 37...gxf3 38.exf6+ Kf7 39.Qg4 Kxf6 40.Qxf3+ Ke7 41.Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's always good to centralize the queen. Black continues to have problems preventing the exchange of queens and defending the pawns, in addition to the material disadvantage he already has.} 41...Qb8 42.Qh4+ Kd7 43.Qd4+ Kc6 44.Qc4+ Kd6 45.Qf4+ e5 46.Qf6+ Kd5 47.Qxb6 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2023.12.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Bartel, Mateusz"]
[Black "Moussard, Jules"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2659"]
[BlackElo "2635"]
[ECO "A17"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Beauty "8247276746283"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,59,19,22,24,11,17,23,29,3,17,9,21,-3,-27,-27,-24,-35,-9,-1,0,0,0,-33,-33,-78,-64,-37,-37,-62,-69,-90,-90,-75,-18,-21,-26,-64,-65,-78,-56,-100,-9,-36,62,61,77,60,106,106,115,36,28,29,141,142,242,299,1340,1339,1372,1372]} 
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qb3 ( 4.Qc2 {is the most popular move.} ) ( 4.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Even this is possible, a pawn advance we will soon see on the board.} ) 4...c5 5.a3 Ba5 ( 5...Bxc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is a positional error, as it simply hands the pair of bishops to White.} ) 6.g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A thematic move in the English Opening but rare in this specific position. The computer isn't impressed, and the feeling is that this is a bad version of the g-pawn advance. It's important to highlight that the first chess player to try this move is the legendary grandmaster and World Champion Maia Chiburdanidze.} 6...h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best reaction, stopping g4-g5.} ( 6...Nxg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is playing into White's hands.} 7.Rg1 {followed by the capture of the g7-pawn.} ) ( 6...Nc6 {is also possible but less accurate.} 7.g5 Ng4 8.Ne4 Qe7 9.Rg1 f5 10.gxf6 Nxf6 11.Qe3 {with a complicated game in Chiburdanidze-Razuvaev, Palma de Mallorca 1989.} ) 7.Rg1 Nc6 {A new move and a good one.} ( 7...d5 {is also better for Black.} 8.cxd5 ( 8.h4 {is the best try:} 8...d4 9.g5 {with a slightly better position for Black.} ) 8...exd5 9.g5 hxg5 10.Rxg5 Be6 ( 10...Kf8 {is even better.} ) 11.Qxb7 Nbd7 {with excellent compensation for the pawn in Naoum-Paravyan, Wch U16 Al Ain 2013.} ) 8.h4 Nd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 8...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best reply, giving Black a clear advantage after either 9.gxh5 or 9.g5. This move (h5) is common in Sicilian positions when White commonly plays g4 and h4. Yet another proof that chess patterns repeat themselves even in very different openings.} 9.gxh5 ( 9.g5 Ng4 {The kingside is closed, and White's plan loses meaning.} ) 9...Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another very precise move with the idea of playing d7-d5. Black has a clear advantage.} ) 9.Nxd4 cxd4 10.Nb5 d5 {The position is complicated, but it's still better to be in Black's shoes, both practically and objectively.} 11.c5 {An understandable reaction, so the center doesn't open up.} ( 11.Nxd4 e5 {with good play.} ) ( 11.g5 hxg5 12.hxg5 Ne4 {with good counterplay for Black.} ) 11...Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking the pawns on c5 and h4.} 12.Nxd4 {This is probably not the best. White could take the queen from b3 so the capture on c5 would no longer be possible due to the fork with b2-b4.} ( 12.Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the computer recommends an extremely sophisticated maneuver to secure the initiative.} 12...Qd7 ( 12...Nxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 13.b4 {loses a piece.} ) ( 12...Bxd2+ $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 13.Bxd2 Nxd2 14.Kxd2 Qa5+ 15.b4 Qxb5 16.e4 dxe3+ 17.Qxe3 {with unclear play.} ) 13.Nxd4 Bd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A subtle move, attacking the h4-pawn and preparing to place the bishop on f6.} ) 12...Nxc5 13.Qb5+ Nd7 14.b4 Bb6 15.Bb2 {Both players don't seem to be very interested in the h4-pawn for some reason. The computer is a little greedier.} ( 15.Nf3 {is relatively best, although Black is better after} 15...Qf6 ) 15...a6 ( 15...Qxh4 {There's nothing wrong with putting this pawn in the pocket.} ) 16.Qa4 O-O $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White is back in the game now.} ( 16...Qxh4 {Black is simply a pawn up and has the safer king. The computer already evaluates the advantage as winning.} ) 17.g5 Ne5 ( 17...h5 {is a safe move, keeping the kingside closed.} 18.Nf3 {with an equal position.} ) 18.gxh6 g6 19.Qb3 ( 19.h5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad due to} 19...Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] attacking the d4-knight and the pawn on h5. There's also some pressure on the f2-pawn.} ) 19...Qxh4 {The pawn is finally captured.} 20.h7+ Kh8 {Black has to decide between opening the h-file or placing the king on the dangerous diagonal of the b2-bishop.} ( 20...Qxh7 {is possible with complicated play. White has enough compensation for the pawn.} ) 21.Qe3 ( 21.Qg3 {is better, keeping the game equal.} 21...Qxg3 22.Rxg3 {The point is that the tempting 22...Nc4 doesn't work so well:} 22...Nc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22...Kxh7 ) ( 22...f6 ) 23.Nxe6+ $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...Nxb2 24.Nxf8 Bf5 25.Bh3 Bxh3 26.Nxg6+ fxg6 27.Rxh3 {with a slight advantage for White in this unbalanced endgame.} ) 21...f6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A losing mistake. Black has two good alternatives.} ( 21...Nc4 {A dangerous move, but it's tactically justified.} 22.Nf3+ Nxb2 23.Qe5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 23.Qxb6 Qf6 {with a good position.} ) ( 23.Qc3+ d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 23...f6 24.Nxh4 Bxf2+ $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} 25.Kxf2 fxe5+ 26.Ke1 Kxh7 27.Rc1 Bd7 28.Rc7 Rad8 {with a balanced position.} ) ( 21...Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate move when Black keeps the better position.} ) 22.Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A beautiful move, clearly missed by Moussard.} 22...Nxf3+ ( 22...Bxe3 {loses material after} 23.Nxh4 ) 23.Qxf3 {Sadly for Black, there's no way to defend the important g6-pawn.} 23...e5 ( 23...Kg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24.Rh1 Qg5 25.h8=Q+ Rxh8 26.Rxh8 Kxh8 27.Bxf6+ ) 24.Rxg6 Be6 25.Rc1 ( 25.e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, immediately preparing Bd3.} ) 25...Rf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.e3 Re8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The rook is not very useful on e8. It's better to move it to f8, defending the f6-pawn and making the e5-e4 advance a possibility.} ( 26...Raf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 27.Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop comes to play at the right time. Now it supports the pawn on h7, frees the path for the plan with Ke2-Rh1, and can also go to f5.} 27...Bd8 {This loses on the spot.} 28.Bxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice tactical solution.} 28...Rxh7 ( 28...fxe5 {loses to} 29.Rxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Rxf3 ( 29...Rxe6 30.Qxf7 ) 30.Rxe8+ Kg7 31.Rg8+ {followed by the promotion with h7-h8.} ) 29.Rxf6 Qh1+ 30.Ke2 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2023.12.03"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Gukesh, D."]
[Black "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2659"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Beauty "8250921590329"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,55,35,-14,-14,-9,22,1,25,25,25,25,58,29,22,18,11,23,19,19,82,14,14,-16,-1,-38,17,17,47,-38,-44,-44,-33,-51,-23,-23,-23,-40,-9,-9,-6,-35,23,23,23,23,326,184,247,227,435,478,500,522,534,521,794,816]} 
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 c5 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2 Nc7 6.b3 {A rare choice.} ( 6.Nf3 {is the main move.} ) 6...e5 {Black's natural reaction, achieving a pawn formation known as the \"Maroczy Bind.\"} 7.Bb2 Be7 8.Rc1 {White's game is very concrete and based on a quick attack on the \"Maroczy's pawns,\" even if this comes at the price of neglecting the development of the kingside.} 8...O-O {The best reaction. When in doubt, just castle.} ( 8...Ne6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move gives the d5-square to White.} 9.Nd5 Bd6 10.e3 O-O 11.Ne2 {with the advantage in Spraggett-Fier, Linares 2015.} ) ( 8...f6 {is a solid choice, protecting the e5-pawn.} 9.Nh3 Be6 10.f4 Qd7 11.Nf2 Nc6 {with chances for both sides in Spraggett-Umetsubo, Famalicao op 2022.} ) 9.Ne4 {This natural move is a novelty. Gukesh came well-prepared to this game.} ( 9.Na4 {Has been played a few times, although it's curious to place the knight at the edge of the board.} 9...Nd7 ) ( 9.Nf3 {has also been tried.} 9...f6 {with equal chances.} ) 9...b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent reply. Volokitin is a very strong player, especially when he has the initiative. Sacrificing material for development is not a problem for him.} ( 9...Nd7 {is also possible, preserving material equality.} 10.d3 b6 ( 10...f5 11.Nd2 {Black has advanced the pawns too quickly and is overextended.} ) 11.Nf3 Bb7 12.O-O f6 {Here White can try a variety of plans. In general, I think he has a slight advantage.} ) 10.Bxe5 {Black's previous move was both a pawn sacrifice and an exchange sacrifice. It's better to accept the former than the latter.} ( 10.Nc3 {The rook on a8 will be captured, but it's hard to believe that Black has no compensation after this back and forth with the knight.} 10...Qd7 11.Bxa8 Nxa8 {The light-squared bishop is certainly worth a rook.} ) 10...Bb7 11.Ba1 {Black was threatening to play f7-f5, forcing White to lose more time before developing the pieces.} ( 11.Nf6+ $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] doesn't work:} 11...Bxf6 ( 11...gxf6 12.Bxb7 fxe5 13.Bxa8 Nxa8 {is also winning.} ) 12.Bxf6 Qc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black wins material.} ) 11...Qc8 {Protecting the b7-bishop and renewing the threat of f7-f5.} 12.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 12.Kf1 {is the other option, but Gukesh's choice is more dynamic. It's hard to play with the king stuck in the middle.} ) 12...Ne6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Here Gukesh finally started to think. Excellent preparation in a variation with not too much theory. 12...Nc6 and 12...f5 are better attempts to demonstrate compensation for the pawn.} ( 12...Nc6 13.g5 Qd7 {Followed by Rad8.} ) ( 12...f5 13.gxf5 Qxf5 14.d3 {Black has managed to weaken the white king's position, but it's difficult to say whether the compensation is sufficient for the pawn.} ) 13.Nh3 {Now White can complete the development, and the pawns on the kingside are ready to advance.} 13...Nc6 14.e3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A prophylactic move, preventing the knight from going to d4. This subtlety, however, is unnecessary.} ( 14.O-O $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...Ncd4 15.e3 f5 {I suppose this is the line Gukesh wanted to avoid.} 16.gxf5 Nxf5 17.f4 {White has a clear advantage with a pawn up and the monster bishop on a1.} ) 14...Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 14...Ba6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is another natural move, but after} 15.a3 Qd7 16.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White wants to play f4-Kf2. Black certainly still has a few tricks here, but further sacrifices are necessary.} ) 15.O-O Nxa2 16.Rb1 {Black has managed to recover the material but needs to be careful: the plan with f4-f5 is very dangerous.} 16...Nb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 16...Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better chance, followed by Rad8. It's not yet time for the knight to come back.} ) 17.f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17...f6 18.Qf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White had a forced win, but it's easy to find it with a cup of coffee and the computer on.} ( 18.f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18...Ng5 19.Nhxg5 fxg5 20.f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...gxf6 ( 20...Bxf6 21.Nd6 {An important detail.} ) 21.Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An accurate move. Now Black either captures on e4 and suffers on the light squares, or loses the pawn on f6. The machine evaluation is ruthless: White is winning.} ) 18...Bc6 19.f5 Nc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The decisive error, after which Gukesh executes a forced destruction sequence on the black king.} ( 19...Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary. The game is not clear after} 20.Nhxg5 fxg5 ) 20.g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20...fxg5 21.Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White's bishops cross the board with lethal force, especially the one on a1.} 21...h6 22.f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22...gxf6 ( 22...Bxe4 23.fxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the black position collapses.} ) 23.Bxf6 Bxe4 ( 23...Bxf6 24.Nxf6+ {Followed by a knight sac on g5.} ) 24.Nxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The decisive blow.} 24...Bxf6 25.Rxf6 Rxf6 26.Nxe4+ Kh8 ( 26...Kf7 27.Nxf6 Kxf6 28.Rf1+ {The king will soon be mated.} ) 27.Nxf6 Qf5 28.Rf1 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2023.12.04"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Black "Royal, Shreyas"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2667"]
[BlackElo "2438"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[Beauty "7358352741927"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,89,26,31,20,20,12,19,19,19,10,19,8,8,8,8,8,-17,7,0,0,0,7,5,7,-24,-24,-24,7,2,1,-33,-16,-47,-28,-28,5,-31,-14,-7,6,-19,-11,-17,-1,0,4,7,19,27,23,25,42,22,25,-63,-63,-63,-52,-80,-93,-126,-77,-156,-160,-146,-160,-160,-156,-177,-68,-75,139,120,185,226,232,226,651,672,833,858,901,918,875,877,877,885,884,883,885,890]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a5 7.Re1 O-O 8.h3 h6 9.Nbd2 Be6 10.Bb5 Qb8 11.Nf1 Qa7 {This is one important position for the line with a7-a5 in the Italian.} 12.Re2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A modern idea, keeping the bishops on the board.} ( 12.Be3 Bxe3 13.Nxe3 Ne7 {Followed by Ng6.} ) ( 12.d4 {leads to a complicated position where Black has good chances after} 12...exd4 13.Bxc6 dxc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14.Ba4 Bxf2+ ) 12...a4 13.Ng3 Qa5 14.Bxc6 bxc6 {Both players were still clearly in book, having played all these moves quickly.} 15.Rc2 $5 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move has been played before, and it's a difficult one to play, to say the least. It seems strange to take the rook off e2 and place it behind a pawn. The continuation of the game will offer some hints about the hidden idea of this move, but we can still take the opportunity to remember Nimzowitsch's concept: the \"mysterious rook move.\" Being a precursor to the concept of prophylaxis, we can suspect that this concept holds the key to White's idea: the fight against the d6-d5 move. In fact, after White plays c4, the move d6-d5 becomes, perhaps, less attractive as it opens the way to the rook.} ( 15.Nh4 Rfe8 {with the idea of playing d5 followed by Bf8, controlling the center and protecting the king.} ) ( 15.d4 Bb6 ) 15...Rfb8 $6 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a new move. Speaking of \"mysterious rook moves,\" I really don't like this one. The rook seems to be too far from the king and does not fulfill a very important role here. The computer, naturally, disagrees with everything I wrote and considers the move to be ok.} ( 15...Kh7 16.Bd2 Bb6 17.c4 Qa7 18.Bc3 c5 19.Bd2 c6 {with a good position for Black in Santos Ruiz,-Meskovs, Bundesliga 2022.} ) ( 15...Rfe8 16.Nh4 d5 17.Qf3 Nh7 18.Nhf5 Bf8 {with equal play: Yu-Le, Aimchess Rapid 2023.} ) ( 15...Bb6 {is very useful, anticipating d4 and preparing the c6-c5,c7-c6 plan: Dabrowski-Annoni, EU-ch 2022 email.} ) 16.c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...Qb6 17.Qe2 Kh7 ( 17...Nd7 {is better, with the idea of playing d5.} ) 18.Rb1 ( 18.Bd2 {It's more accurate to start with this move, as it's not clear whether the white rook should go to b1 or directly to f1 to prepare for the f2-f4 advance.} ) 18...Qa7 ( 18...Nd7 {This is again the correct move.} ) 19.Bd2 Bb6 {The impression one gets is that Royal didn't know what plan to execute. Not having a plan is a chess player's worst nightmare.} 20.b4 ( 20.Nh4 {with the idea of playing Rf1-Kh2 and f4 is very promising.} ) 20...axb3 21.axb3 c5 22.Nh4 Ng8 $6 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 22...c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's time to bring the queen to the defense.} 23.Nhf5 Qd7 ) 23.f4 exf4 24.Bxf4 {White has achieved a very comfortable position, with a space advantage and attacking prospects on the kingside, with Black's heavy pieces dangerously far from the king.} 24...Re8 25.Bd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Niemann brings the bishop to c3, but this is more sophisticated than the position requires.} ( 25.Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is simple and good.} ) 25...c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26.Ngf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This leaves the knight in an awkward position on h4.} ( 26.Nhf5 {is better.} ) 26...d5 ( 26...Bd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more precise, preparing Qd7 or g6.} ) 27.Bc3 ( 27.Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right way to fight for the initiative.} 27...Red8 28.e5 {with chances for both sides.} ) 27...d4 28.Bd2 {A hard-working bishop.} 28...Bc7 ( 28...Qb8 {The computer is very happy with Black's position.} 29.Qf3 Bc7 {The queen can help the defense by going to d8, and the rook can help in the counterattack by going to a3.} ) 29.Qf3 ( 29.g4 {immediately looks better.} ) 29...g6 ( 29...Qb8 ) 30.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Bd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 30...Qb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is again the right move.} ) 31.Ng2 gxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] There's no need to capture the knight, no matter how uncomfortable it is.} ( 31...Qb8 {The rook might go to a7, helping to defend from the seventh rank.} ) 32.gxf5 Bc8 33.Kh1 {I've always admired chess players who still manage to play calmly even when they are down a piece.} 33...Qe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 33...Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This very difficult move is necessary.} 34.Bxg5 ( 34.Nf4 {is also possible.} ) 34...hxg5 35.Qh5+ Nh6 36.Qxg5 Rg8 37.Qh4 Qc7 38.Nf4 Qd8 39.f6 {My machine believes the position is equal. I must admit that, without its guidance, I wouldn't have a clue about the evaluation.} ) 34.Rg1 Bc7 35.Qh5 {The white attack develops slowly and steadily. The fate of the black king already seems inevitable.} 35...Be5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 35...Qf8 {is the only chance.} ) 36.Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight joins the attack.} 36...Ra7 37.Nf3 Bg7 38.Bf4 {The rook is ready to participate, and White officially has all the pieces attacking.} 38...Bf8 39.Rxg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most clear-cut.} ( 39.e5 {is also winning.} ) 39...Kxg8 40.Rg2+ Bg7 {Other moves lead to mate.} ( 40...Kh8 41.Bxh6 ) ( 40...Kh7 41.Qg4 ) 41.Rxg7+ ( 41.Bxh6 {is also winning.} ) 41...Kxg7 42.Bxh6+ Kh7 43.Bg5+ ( 43.Ng5+ {ends in a pretty mate:} 43...Kg8 44.Bg7 Kxg7 45.Qh7+ Kf6 46.Qh6+ Ke5 47.Nf3# ) 43...Kg8 44.Bxe7 Rexe7 45.f6 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2023.12.05"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Royal, Shreyas"]
[Black "Bartel, Mateusz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2438"]
[BlackElo "2659"]
[ECO "D94"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[Beauty "6533358292526"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,114,25,27,27,10,45,34,27,27,49,49,50,38,35,35,36,39,34,34,44,44,60,47,57,29,43,20,40,36,36,29,51,32,26,34,47,49,44,26,30,30,44,-24,33,35,18,2,36,36,32,28,34,23,34,30,15,10,17,-96,-86,-97,-97,-103,-97,-99,-98,-101,-102,-109,-106,-104,-104,-104,-104,-105,-97,-97,-94,-144,-144,-144,-144,-144,-144,-107,-107,-107,-103,-211,-228,-225,-231,-289,-289,-323,-323,-323,-323,-323,-329,-323,-329,-321,-196,-232,-217,-242,-254,-305,-291,-306,-317,-565,-573,-532,-520]} 
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 g6 {The Schlechter Variation is passive and leads to an advantage for White without any major problems or risks. But it's still a playable line, as will be demonstrated in this game.} 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be2 O-O 7.O-O Be6 {Not the most popular choice, but it was played recently by Abdusattorov in a rapid game. Bartel has also played it in November, so it was probably not a big surprise for Royal.} ( 7...Bg4 ) ( 7...a6 ) 8.b3 {A natural choice. Many moves are playable and almost all of them offer a small advantage to White. We have a long positional battle ahead and Bartel probably counted on that.} ( 8.h3 {is a useful move for White normally, to prevent Bg4. To play it after Black has placed the bishop on e6 seems provocative.} 8...Ne4 ( 8...dxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most challenging move.} ) 9.Qb3 {with a slight advantage for White in Keymer-Abdusattorov, Tata Steel India rapid Kolkata 2023.} ) ( 8.Ng5 Bf5 ) ( 8.Qb3 Qb6 ) ( 8.cxd5 cxd5 {This is the idea: by inviting White to capture on d5, the knight is ready to go to c6. Anyway, White is slightly better.} ) 8...Ne4 9.Bb2 Nxc3 ( 9...f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] was played by Bartel in a rapid game.} 10.Rc1 {White has the advantage: Moranda-Bartel, POL Superleague Rapid Final Bydgoszcz 2023.} ) 10.Bxc3 h6 {Played in order to prevent Ng5.} ( 10...Bg4 {is possible:} 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 e6 {This is vintage Schlechter Defense. White has the pair of bishop's and more space, but Black is utterly solid. We have at least fifty moves of maneuvering ahead.} ) 11.Qc2 ( 11.h3 {is good prophylaxis against Bg4 or even g5-g4. This later idea seems absurd at the moment, but don't hurry with your conclusions.} ) 11...Bf5 {This natural move is a novelty.} ( 11...Nd7 {allows White to play e4 and achieve the advantage.} 12.e4 dxe4 13.Qxe4 {Andersson-Engqvist, Sweden 2015.} ) 12.Qb2 e6 {Bartel reinforces the center and now has the option to capture on d5 with the e-pawn. Of course, the bishop is in an uncomfortable position and this will need to be resolved with g5 or h5.} 13.Rfc1 ( 13.Ne5 {forces} 13...h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] But this is still not a big problem for Black.} 14.h3 h4 {With the typical and unavoidable slight advantage for White.} ) 13...g5 {Freeing some space for the bishop.} ( 13...Nd7 {is possible.} ) 14.Nd2 {This is probably not the best plan.} ( 14.b4 {immediately is possible:} 14...dxc4 15.Bxc4 Nd7 ) ( 14.cxd5 {is interesting:} 14...cxd5 ( 14...exd5 15.b4 {with the minority attack and a slight edge.} ) 15.h3 {Avoiding g4. If Black's knight is developed on c6, White can chase it with b4-b5.} ( 15.Ne5 Nd7 16.Nd3 {is also possible.} ) ) 14...Nd7 15.b4 Rc8 ( 15...dxc4 16.Nxc4 {This is good for White, as the knight becomes active.} ) ( 15...g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This surprisingly primitive plan is suggested by the computer.} 16.b5 h5 {Black just starts pushing the pawns as well, apparently with good counterplay, if my machine has not gone mad.} ) 16.a4 {The advance of the queenside pawns is the natural plan.} 16...Re8 17.b5 ( 17.c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the most accurate way of playing. White has the advantage after} 17...e5 18.b5 ) 17...c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18.cxd5 exd5 19.dxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 19.Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to fight for an advantage.} 19...Be6 ( {or} 19...cxd4 20.Bxd4 Rxc1+ 21.Rxc1 Ne5 22.Be2 {with the advantage.} ) 20.dxc5 ( 20.h3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also possible.} ) 20...Bxc3 21.Qxc3 Rxc5 22.Qd4 {with a small advantage for White.} ) 19...Bxc3 20.Qxc3 ( 20.Rxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is tactically flawed:} 20...d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 20...Nxc5 21.Qb4 ( 21.Qd4 {leads to an equal endgame after} 21...Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 21...b6 22.Bf3 ) 22.Rxc8 ( 22.Qxa7 $2 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses the queen after} 22...Ra8 23.Qxb7 Re7 24.Qc6 Rc7 ) 22...Nxd4 23.Rxd8 Nxe2+ 24.Kf1 Rxd8 25.Kxe2 Rc8 ) 21...b6 ( 21...Qf6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ) 22.Nf3 Qf6 23.Qa3 {Probably played to avoid ...Bd3, although he shouldn't have worried too much.} ( 23.Nd4 Bd3 24.Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 23...Ne4 ( 23...Ne6 {is a good way of playing, controlling d4 instead of attacking f2.} ) 24.Nd4 Bg6 25.Bf3 Nxf2 {[%c_arrow e4f2;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;f2;persistent;false]} ( 25...Rc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a good alternative.} ) 26.Kxf2 ( 26.Rf1 $5 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] leads to equal play:} 26...Nd3 27.Bxd5 Qe5 28.Bxf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28...Bxf7 29.Qxd3 Qxe3+ 30.Qxe3 Rxe3 ) ( 26.Rxc8 {is also possible:} 26...Rxc8 27.Rf1 Nd3 28.Bxd5 Qe5 29.Bxf7+ Kg7 30.Kh1 Qxe3 31.Ne6+ Kh7 32.Nf8+ Kg7 33.Ne6+ {The game surprisingly ends in a draw. I love random perpetual-check variations.} ) 26...g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 26...Rxc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's better to exchange rooks first.} 27.Rxc1 g4 28.Qc3 ( 28.Rc6 Qh4+ 29.g3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29...Qxh2+ 30.Bg2 Be4 {This is the difference: there's no way of protecting the g2-bishop.} ) 28...gxf3 29.Nxf3 ) 27.Rxc8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 27.Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is very unpleasant for Black. The key to finding this type of move is to use the \"Candidate Moves\" technique. As suggested by respected author and GM Jacob Aagaard, this is only possible by calculating slowly and looking for ideas that are not immediately apparent.} 27...Rxc6 ( 27...Qh4+ $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 28.g3 Qxh2+ 29.Bg2 Be4 30.Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 28.bxc6 gxf3 29.gxf3 {Here Black has to fight for survival. An important variation goes:} 29...Qh4+ 30.Kg2 Qg5+ 31.Kh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and now Black cannot take on e3, as after} 31...Rxe3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32.c7 {White is winning.} ) 27...Rxc8 28.Rc1 ( 28.Rf1 $5 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] White has many alternative routes for this rook and this is one of them.} 28...gxf3 29.gxf3 {with a balanced position.} ) 28...Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This strong move was probably missed by Royal.} 29.Ke2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 29.Rxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29...dxc4 {leaves Black with a dangerous passed pawn.} ) ( 29.Rf1 {is still possible.} ) 29...gxf3+ 30.Nxf3 ( 30.gxf3 Qh4 31.Rh1 Qh3 32.Kf2 Kh7 {White's pieces are tied up.} ) 30...Bc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This subtle move wins the a-pawn.} 31.Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 31.Qa1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only chance, when white's position is difficult, but not lost.} ) 31...Rxa4 32.Qb2 Be4 33.Qb3 Rc4 ( 33...Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. Black has a winning position: the rook is not as bad as it seems.} ) 34.Rxc4 dxc4 35.Qxc4 Bxg2 36.Qc8+ Kh7 37.Qc2+ Qg6 38.Qc7 Be4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This lets the win slip.} ( 38...Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better. In case Wihte captures the a-pawn, Black is winning after} 39.Qxa7 Bc4+ 40.Kf2 Qf6+ 41.Kg3 Qe5+ {The queen and bishop coordinate very well in the attack against White's king and pawns.} ) 39.Kd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 39.Qxa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to a likely draw after} 39...Qg2+ 40.Ke1 Qg1+ 41.Kd2 Qxh2+ 42.Kc3 Qf2 43.Qxb6 Qxe3+ 44.Kb4 ) 39...Qg2+ 40.Ke1 ( 40.Kc3 {is not enough:} 40...Qf2 41.Qf4 Qxf4 42.exf4 Kg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a winning endgame.} ( 42...Kg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This looks natural but it's a mistake:} 43.Nc6 a5 44.Ne7+ $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the difference.} 44...Kh5 45.Nc8 {with a draw.} ) ) 40...Qg1+ 41.Ke2 Bg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 42.Qe5 ( 42.Qxa7 Qxh2+ {The h-pawn will eventually decide the game.} ) 42...Qg2+ 43.Ke1 Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 44.Nc6 ( 44.Qxe4 Bxe4 {This endgame is hopeless for White. The important detail is that the knight cannot go to c6:} 45.Nc6 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 45...a6 {is also good.} ) ) 44...Qb1+ 45.Kf2 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final detail. Black drastically improves his pawn structure and creates a passed pawn.} 46.Ne7 ( 46.bxa6 {loses the knight after} 46...Qc2+ ) 46...Bd3 47.Nd5 Qf1+ 48.Kg3 Qg1+ 49.Kf3 Qf1+ 50.Kg3 Qg1+ 51.Kf3 Qg5 52.Qd4 Bxb5 53.h4 ( 53.Nxb6 Qf5+ 54.Qf4 ( 54.Kg3 Bc6 ) 54...Qxf4+ 55.Kxf4 a4 56.Nd5 a3 {with an easy win.} ) 53...Qf5+ 54.Kg3 h5 55.Nf6+ Kg6 56.Qxb6 Qe5+ 57.Kg2 Bf1+ 0-1

[Event "Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2023.12.07"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Black "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2659"]
[BlackElo "2667"]
[ECO "C67"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[Beauty "7767179926537"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,77,25,17,13,19,19,19,22,22,34,34,51,51,60,60,54,58,63,54,67,54,55,54,54,54,62,60,60,26,52,5,34,34,68,82,69,70,91,91,92,92,92,-102,-102,-103,-103,-106,-61,-66,-45,-64,93,93,90,91,80,2,91,44,51,69,95,107,103,103,138,132,140,142,148,142,146,132,118,78,391,399,1225,1276]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 {As a somewhat experienced player, I remember that, when I was young, I witnessed the rise of the Berlin Defense, which I could never have imagined would become what it has become today. First I saw the Hungarian GM Zoltan Almasi popularize it, and I even faced him in this line. I also saw Kramnik use it as the weapon that neutralized Kasparov, who simply could not imagine that this defense was correct. In those times, entering the endgame was automatic and considered the natural attempt at refutation. This position, to me, never seemed easy to play for Black, but eventually White gave up and looked for other ways. From time to time, however, some strong GM is still able to break the solidity of the Berlin endgame.} 9.h3 Be7 10.Nc3 {There are so many possible plans for both sides in this endgame that it doesn't make much sense to mention them all. I'm going straight to the first moment that caught my attention.} 10...Nh4 11.Nxh4 Bxh4 12.Be3 h5 13.Ne2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is the first of several subtle moves Volokitin played in this beautiful game, which the reader should pay close attention to. Although we're not yet talking about a theoretical novelty, this move is anything but obvious, and the Ukrainian GM thought for a long time before executing it. Alternatives include:} ( 13.Ne4 ) ( 13.Rad1+ {is the most popular move.} 13...Ke8 14.Ne2 Be7 {There are many important games at this position.} ) 13...Ke8 ( 13...Be7 {The commentator has the advantage of knowing what happened in the game. Knowing the plan executed by White, I can suggest Be7 immediately, since then the move f3 can always be answered with ...h4.} 14.f4 f5 15.exf6 gxf6 16.Rad1+ Ke8 {with equality in Vachier Lagrave-Karjakin, Olympiad Batumi 2018.} ) 14.f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move is the theoretical novelty. It's probably not a big deal; certainly the computer will show equality for Black. But what matters in chess is to create practical problems for the opponent. White wants to play the g2-pawn to g4, gaining space on the kingside. After all, the Berlin's biggest problem is that White gains a pawn majority on that side of the board.} 14...Be7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Niemann plays according to the traditional plan, moving the bishop back to then push the f-pawn. However, here it is dubious.} ( 14...Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is an important alternative.} 15.Rac1 ( 15.Nd4 Bh7 {with equal chances.} ) 15...Rd8 16.g4 Be6 {Black's position is easier to play than what happens in the game.} ) 15.g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White manages to carry out his plan.} 15...f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 15...hxg4 {first is more accurate:} 16.hxg4 f5 17.exf6 gxf6 {with an improved version of the game, even though White retains a small advantage.} ) ( 15...a5 {The computer simply ignores White's plan and prepares the advance on the queenside.} ) 16.exf6 gxf6 ( 16...Bxf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's well-known that when your opponent has the bishop pair, a possible plan is to try to exchange one of them. White now achieves this and has the advantage thanks to his better pawn structure. Of course, it's still not easy to break Black's defense.} ) 17.Nf4 hxg4 18.fxg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] For this reason it was better for Black to have captured on g4 earlier, when White was still forced to recapture with the h-pawn.} 18...f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move opens the game to White's rooks, which is fatal to the black king, it being trapped in the middle of the board—let's not forget that Black can no longer castle.} ( 18...Kf7 {is necessary. White is just slightly better, according to the computer.} ) 19.Rae1 ( 19.Bd4 {leads to a winning position:} 19...Rg8 20.Rae1 Kf7 21.Ng2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of playing Ne3 and capturing the f-pawn.} ) 19...Kf7 {The only move.} 20.Bd4 Rd8 {[%c_arrow e1e7;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false]} ( 20...Bf6 21.Bxf6 Kxf6 {It's clear that Black's position is horrible. A possible variation is:} 22.Kg2 Bd7 23.Nh5+ Kg6 24.Re7 fxg4 25.hxg4 ( 25.Nf4+ {is of course also good, but let's not spoil my variation.} ) 25...Bxg4 26.Rg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26...Kxh5 27.Rh1+ Bh3+ 28.Rxh3# ) 21.Rxe7+ {This move seemed completely brilliant to me when I first saw the game. The computer, unfortunately, is not so impressed. Objectively I should put a $6 or even $2 for this exchange sacrifice, but I refuse to do it. The idea is too beautiful to deserve punishment by this commentator for \"simply\" being incorrect from a scientific point of view.} ( 21.Be5 {leaves White with a nearly winning position, but without spectacle. When I analyzed the Adams-Tabatabaei game, I mentioned that the English GM, who currently leads the tournament, recommends not complicating games that are following a favorable path. For him, 21.Be5 would be automatic. But that doesn't mean this will always be the right decision; after all, every person thinks in a different way and each player must follow their heart.} ) 21...Kxe7 22.Bc5+ Kf7 23.g5 {Volokitin prepares the advance of the g- and h-pawns. His positional compensation for the exchange is considerable and Black needs to play with great precision.} 23...Rg8 $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 23...Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is also insufficient:} 24.g6+ ( 24.Re1 {is also good.} ) 24...Kf6 25.Re1 Re8 26.Bd4+ {winning the bishop.} ) ( 23...b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way to defend. If Black finds all the computer moves he can somehow keep his head above water, even with White's pawns advancing.} 24.Be3 ( 24.Bb4 c5 25.Bc3 Ba6 26.g6+ Kg8 27.Re1 Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with saving chances.} ) 24...Ba6 25.Re1 Rd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way. Black has to rush to exchange rooks.} 26.h4 Rad8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27.h5 Rd1 28.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 29.Kf2 Kg7 {and apparently it's possible to save this position.} ) 24.h4 Be6 ( 24...b6 {is the only chance.} ) 25.Kf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White prepares the simple Rg1 followed by h5. There's no longer any salvation for Black.} 25...Rg6 26.Rg1 Rag8 {Black manages to avoid the h4-h5 advance, but his pieces can barely move.} 27.Re1 Re8 28.Rg1 Reg8 29.Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White improves the position of the bishop. There's no need to hurry.} 29...Bd5 30.Be5 b5 31.Bxc7 Be4 {A desperate attempt to create some counterplay, but now Volokitin exploits the d-file.} 32.Rd1 Bxc2 33.Rd7+ Ke8 34.Rd8+ Kf7 35.Rd7+ Ke8 36.Rd2 R6g7 ( 36...Be4 37.Nxg6 Rxg6 38.Bf4 {followed by the advance of the pawns, with an easy win.} ) 37.Be5 Rh7 38.Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate.} ( 38.Rxc2 Rxh4 ) 38...Rf8 39.Rd8+ {A brilliant game by Volokitin.} ( 39.Rd8+ Kf7 40.g6+ ) 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2023.12.08"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Tabatabaei, M Amin"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2692"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[ECO "B93"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[Beauty "6394308733529"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,119,28,16,35,32,71,63,54,26,26,45,50,24,12,36,43,7,0,-33,-21,-42,-57,-56,-56,-64,-57,-83,-68,-70,-46,-85,-93,-87,-87,-87,-24,-73,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,228,0,143,216,275,339,85,61,61,61,70,70,85,105,114,114,114,147,123,154,152,221,225,245,242,242,242,242,249,238,253,452,138,225,224,196,123,123,123,103,105,105,114,114,111,139,139,657,794,28681,31,209,233,835,1322,1330,1322,1860,1322,28022,29960,29961,1292,29959,29960,29961,29962,29963,29964,29979,29980,29985,29986,29987,29988]} 
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 {This old move still has some venom, it seems.} 6...e5 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.a4 Qc7 {Preventing the development of the bishop on c4.} ( 8...Be7 9.Bc4 {with many theoretical variations.} ) 9.g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A fresh idea, played only once before, but by a renowned theoretician.} 9...d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A novelty that was played quickly by Vitiugov, who was prepared. I'd like to know how top GMs manage to remember so much.} ( 9...exf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 10.g5 {White is already winning: L'Ami-Yilmaz, Tata Steel-B Wijk aan Zee 2023.} ) 10.g5 d4 11.gxf6 dxc3 12.fxg7 Bxg7 {All these moves are the first choice of the computer.} 13.f5 {Now Vitiugov started to think.} ( 13.Rg1 {is also possible, with a complicated position after} 13...Bf6 14.b3 exf4 15.Bh3 ) 13...cxb2 {Black has many candidate moves.} ( 13...Nc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is possible and requires accurate play by both sides.} 14.Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14...cxb2 15.Bxb2 Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with chances for both sides.} ) ( 13...Nf6 14.Rg1 Bf8 {with unclear play.} ) ( 13...b6 {This is very logical and it's my favorite move. Black simply prepares development.} 14.Rg1 Bf6 {with a messy position.} ( 14...Bf8 {is also playable.} ) ) 14.Bxb2 Qb6 {A risky decision, going after the e4-pawn. This is playable, but not very practical.} ( 14...b6 ) ( 14...Nc5 ) 15.Ba3 Qe3+ 16.Be2 Qxe4 17.Rg1 {It's hard to imagine that Black can survive this position, but the computer actually evaluates it as equal.} 17...Bf8 {After this move Tabatabaei finally started to think. Excellent preparation.} ( 17...Bh6 {is weaker: the bishop on a3 is too strong.} 18.Rg3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 18...Qxf5 19.Nd2 {The knight goes to c4 with a winning attack.} ) 18.Qd2 {Very logical.} ( 18.Bxf8 Rxf8 19.Qd2 Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black is surviving.} ) ( 18.Ng5 Bb4+ $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} ( 18...Qxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to disaster.} ) ( 18...Qh4+ 19.Rg3 {is also winning for White.} ) 19.Bxb4 Qxb4+ 20.Qd2 Qxd2+ 21.Kxd2 Nc5 {Exchanging queens is a huge relief for Black.} ) 18...Nc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses. There's only one acceptable continuation for Black.} ( 18...Qxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19.Bb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a strong initiative.} ) ( 18...Bxa3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] brings White's rook into the attack:} 19.Rxa3 Qxf5 20.Re3 ) ( 18...Qxa4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19.Bb2 {Black can just pick up pawns.} ) ( 18...Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the way to go.} 19.Bxf8 Rxf8 20.Qd6 Nd5 21.Rd1 Qb4+ 22.Qxb4 Nxb4 {Exchanging queens and surviving.} ) 19.Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Tabatabaei conducts the attack with enviable precision from here on.} ( 19.Rd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19...Bxf5 {Forced, but good.} ) 19...Qh4+ ( 19...Qxf5 {loses in many ways.} 20.Bh5 ( 20.Rf1 ) ) 20.Rg3 h6 {Other moves are no better:} ( 20...Qxh2 $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21.Bb5+ {loses the queen.} ) ( 20...Bxf5 21.Qd5 {attacks everything.} ) ( 20...Qd4 21.Qxd4 exd4 {Black exchanges queens, but cannot protect f7.} 22.Bh5 ( 22.Bc4 {is also good.} ) ) 21.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's necessary to destroy the king's protection.} ( 21.Qd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is very tempting, but doesn't work:} 21...hxg5 22.Qxe5+ Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black escapes.} ) ( 21.Bxc5 {is also winning, but it looks more difficult:} 21...hxg5 ( 21...Bxc5 22.Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 22.Bxf8 Kxf8 ( 22...Rxf8 23.Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ) 23.O-O-O Qf4 24.Qxf4 exf4 25.Rd8+ Ke7 26.Rxh8 fxg3 27.hxg3 {with a winning endgame, since Black's queenside cannot move.} ) 21...Ne4 {The best chance.} ( 21...Kxf7 22.Qd5+ {loses on the spot.} ) ( 21...Rg8 22.Nd6+ Bxd6 23.Qxd6 Rxg3 24.Qxe5+ {Black can resign.} ) 22.Qd5 Nxg3 ( 22...Bxa3 {leads to mate after} 23.Qxe5+ Kxf7 24.Bc4+ ) 23.Qxe5+ Kxf7 24.hxg3 Qh1+ ( 24...Bb4+ 25.Bxb4 Qxb4+ 26.c3 {Black cannot defend the rook and the checks on c4 or h5.} ) ( 24...Qf6 {There's a pretty win here:} 25.Bc4+ Kg7 26.Qc7+ Be7 27.Bb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Qxb2 28.Qxe7# ) 25.Kf2 Qc6 ( 25...Qh2+ 26.Kf3 {The checks will soon be over.} ) 26.Bh5+ ( 26.Qxh8 {also wins, but in a more complicated manner:} 26...Bxf5 ( 26...Bc5+ 27.Bxc5 Qxc5+ 28.Kg2 Bxf5 29.Bh5+ $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29...Ke6 30.Qxh6+ {with a decisive attack.} ) ( 26...Bxa3 27.Bh5+ Ke7 28.Re1+ {with checkmate soon.} ) 27.Bh5+ $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27...Bg6 28.Qh7+ Bg7 29.Rf1 $3 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Fantastic $1 Discovering moves like this is why I love analyzing chess games.} 29...Bxh5 30.Ke3+ $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 30.Kg1+ $2 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30...Bf3 ) 30...Ke8 ( 30...Ke6 31.Qf5# ) 31.Qg8+ Kd7 32.Qxg7+ Kc8 33.Rf8+ Be8 34.Qe5 {winning.} ) 26...Kg8 27.Bxf8 Rh7 28.Bg6 Rc7 29.Bxh6 Qc5+ ( 29...Qxc2+ {doesn't save Black:} 30.Kf3 Qc3+ ( 30...Rc3+ 31.Kg4 Rc4+ 32.Kh3 ) 31.Qxc3 Rxc3+ 32.Kg4 Bd7 33.Re1 {and the rook goes to e7.} ) 30.Qxc5 Rxc5 31.g4 {By a miracle, Vitiugov has managed to avoid mate in the middlegame, but his king remains in danger even after the exchange of queens.} 31...Rxc2+ 32.Kg3 Bd7 33.Re1 Rc6 34.Re7 Be8 ( 34...Rxg6 35.fxg6 Bxa4 {Black's king is still suffering:} 36.Rg7+ Kh8 37.Rh7+ Kg8 38.Bg7 {followed by Bf6.} ) 35.Bh7+ Kh8 36.Bf4 Rc5 37.f6 Bxa4 38.Bg6 Rf8 39.g5 ( 39.Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] forces immediate capitulation.} ) 39...Rc3+ 40.Kf2 Bc2 41.Bxc2 Rxc2+ 42.Kg3 Rc5 43.Rxb7 ( 43.Kg4 {is also good.} ) 43...Rb5 44.Ra7 Kg8 45.Rg7+ Kh8 46.Kg4 a5 47.Bd6 Rd8 48.Be7 {This doesn't spoil the game, but there's a simpler move.} ( 48.g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48...Rxd6 49.Rh7+ Kg8 50.f7+ Kf8 51.Rh8+ Ke7 52.f8=Q+ ) 48...Rc8 ( 48...Rg8 49.Rxg8+ Kxg8 50.g6 {followed by f7.} ) 49.Kh5 Rg8 50.Rg6 $3 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The only winning move $1} ( 50.Rxg8+ Kxg8 51.Kg6 Rb6 {leads to a draw.} ) 50...Rxg6 51.Kxg6 Rb6 52.Kh6 ( 52.Kf7 {is also winning:} 52...a4 ( 52...Rb1 53.g6 Rg1 54.Bf8 a4 55.Bg7# ) 53.g6 Rb8 54.Bf8 Rb7+ 55.Ke6 Rb6+ 56.Bd6 {followed by the march of the f-pawn.} ) 52...a4 53.g6 Rb1 54.f7 Rh1+ 55.Kg5 Rg1+ 56.Kh5 Rh1+ 57.Kg4 Rg1+ 58.Kh3 Rf1 59.Bf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move again $1} ( 59.f8=Q+ $4 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 59...Rxf8 60.Bxf8 a3 61.Bxa3 Kg7 {with a draw.} ) 59...Rg1 60.Bc5 {A wonderful game.} 1-0

[Event "Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2023.12.09"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Moussard, Jules"]
[Black "Royal, Shreyas"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2438"]
[ECO "D02"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[Beauty "5914841070628"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

{[%evp 0,136,26,16,20,-14,28,28,42,33,35,17,17,13,15,14,13,13,23,23,27,8,21,17,24,24,24,17,-5,10,-5,2,18,-1,31,24,53,59,61,74,74,58,58,58,58,58,58,67,83,67,71,64,67,54,55,35,44,108,151,150,175,175,172,186,199,195,188,188,201,169,197,206,193,187,188,193,205,217,221,209,218,173,199,82,74,53,41,52,55,-131,-140,-187,-41,-51,-51,-55,-55,-232,-243,-243,-243,-250,-250,-248,-248,-270,-274,-274,-271,-297,-300,-304,-305,-305,-302,-302,-325,-353,-382,-381,-378,-418,-442,-498,-504,-507,-507,-504,-524,-618,-638,-622,-634,-660,-670,-722,-706,-719,-761]} 
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nd7 3.d4 Nb6 {A strategically creative system: the b6-square is not the knight's natural habitat. The advantage is that it's more difficult for White to play the pawn to c4.} 4.Bg2 Bf5 5.b3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Not so much to fianchetto the bishop, but rather to play c4.} 5...e6 6.O-O h6 7.c4 c6 8.Nbd2 {I don't really like this square for the knight, I think it could go to c3, either now or after c5.} ( 8.c5 Nd7 9.b4 Ngf6 10.Nc3 ) ( 8.Nc3 ) 8...Nf6 9.Bb2 Be7 10.e3 {A thematic move, making way for the queen on e2.} 10...O-O 11.Qe2 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Advancing the pawn to a4 is a good plan that shows the advantage of the knight on b6 and the disadvantage of the knight on d2.} 12.Ne5 Nbd7 13.Nd3 {A new move.} ( 13.Nxd7 Qxd7 {was equal in Krysa-Fedoseev,Titled Tuesday blitz 2020.} ) ( 13.Rfd1 {is also a possible move.} ) 13...a4 {A natural continuation. 13...Ne4 and 13...Qb3 are good options, with equality in both cases.} ( 13...Ne4 ) ( 13...Qb6 ) 14.Rfc1 ( 14.e4 {is a normal break, but here Black is fine due to the queenside counterplay.} 14...dxe4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 Bxe4 17.Qxe4 Qb6 ( 17...Bf6 {is also good.} ) ) 14...Qb6 15.c5 Qa6 ( 15...Qb5 {is more accurate. The difference is that after} 16.Bf1 b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White cannot play 17.b4 due to the pressure on the b2-bishop.} ) 16.Bf1 b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a clear positional mistake. Black shouldn't close the queenside.} ( 16...b6 {is better:} 17.b4 Rfb8 {with equal chances.} ) 17.f3 {Now White can prepare to advance in the center without any major worries.} 17...axb3 18.axb3 Qb7 19.e4 Bh7 20.e5 {White has achieved a clear advantage.} 20...Ne8 21.Rxa8 Qxa8 22.Ra1 Qb7 23.b4 g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A difficult move, as it creates more weaknesses, but Black tries to generate some activity.} ( 23...Nc7 24.Nb3 {is sad for Black.} ) 24.Nb3 Ng7 25.Na5 {The knight on a5 fulfills an important function, pinning Black to the defense of the c6-pawn. It can come back when needed.} 25...Qc7 26.Nf2 h5 {Probably played with the idea of taking away the knight's g4-square, but this creates even more weaknesses.} 27.Re1 ( 27.Nb3 f6 28.Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a very strong plan, suggested by the computer. White prepares total dominance of the a-file. To do this, he simply needs to place the queen behind the rook.} ) 27...Re8 ( 27...f6 {is a better chance to create some play.} ) 28.Qd2 Nf8 29.Nh3 {Black loses a pawn on the kingside.} 29...g4 30.fxg4 hxg4 31.Nf2 Bf5 32.Be2 ( 32.Qd1 {is also good.} ) 32...Nh7 33.Nxg4 {White has a winning position, with an extra pawn and well-placed pieces. There are many ways to play in the next few moves, but I will focus on the critical moments that made the game change hands.} 33...Bg6 34.Qf4 Nf5 35.h4 Kh8 36.Ne3 Nxe3 37.Qxe3 f5 38.Qf4 Rg8 39.Kf2 Be8 40.Ke3 ( 40.Bc1 {White's best approach is to bring this bishop back into the game, avoiding any tactical issues and maintaining a decisive advantage.} ) 40...Bd8 41.Kd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 41.Kf2 {White can return the king and keep maneuvering.} ) ( 41.Bc1 {allows} 41...Ng5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] White has a big material advantage, but the win still has to be demonstrated after} 42.hxg5 Bxg5 43.Rh1+ Qh7 44.Rxh7+ Kxh7 45.Kf2 Bxf4 46.Bxf4 ) 41...Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_arrow h7f6;keyPressed;none;from;h7;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false] Suddenly Black is back in the game due to this tactical shot.} 42.Rg1 ( 42.exf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses the queen after} 42...Rxg3+ ) ( 42.Qh6+ {is a good practical choice, since after} 42...Qh7 43.Qxh7+ Nxh7 {the knight at least doesn't arrive on e4, although the g3-pawn cannot be protected.} ) 42...Ne4 {The knight, which was previously a sad piece with no prospects, suddenly becomes a monster on e4.} 43.Kc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 43.Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only chance, bringing the bishop to e1 to protect the pawn chain.} 43...Qh7 44.Be1 ) 43...Qh7 44.Kb3 Bxh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 45.Bc3 Nxg3 ( 45...Rxg3 {is an easier way to convert the advantage.} 46.Rxg3 Bxg3 47.Qf3 Qh4 {with an easily winning position.} ) 46.Bf3 Rg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 47.Rg2 Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 48.Bd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 48.Qxh6+ {is the only move.} 48...Rxh6 49.Bd2 Rh7 {White has drawing chances.} ) 48...Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This was certainly missed by Moussard.} 49.Qxg3 Bxd2 50.Qh2 Rxg2 51.Qxh6+ ( 51.Qxg2 Qe3+ ) 51...Bxh6 52.Bxg2 Bd2 {The rest is very easy: the king enters the game and the knight is unable to help.} 53.Bf1 Kg7 54.Nb7 Kg6 55.Kc2 Bxb4 56.Kd3 Be1 57.Be2 Bf2 58.Bd1 Kg5 59.Be2 Bg1 60.Bd1 Kh4 61.Be2 f4 62.Nd8 Bd7 63.Nf7 b4 64.Bd1 Be8 65.Nd8 Bg6+ 66.Kd2 Bxd4 67.Nxe6 Bc3+ 68.Kc1 Bxe5 0-1

[Event "Chess Classic 2023"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2023.12.10"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Niemann, Hans Moke"]
[Black "Gukesh, D."]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2667"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[ECO "C54"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Beauty "8042192044041"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{[%evp 0,69,18,18,18,18,14,19,20,20,18,9,24,26,29,31,30,-6,9,2,10,3,29,34,34,34,39,15,15,-25,4,-14,20,9,77,23,16,9,54,28,28,-5,160,160,152,153,171,174,195,177,177,191,192,206,193,187,187,186,177,185,185,171,213,166,285,287,286,290,296,262,305,293]} 
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6 7.a4 Ba7 8.Re1 h6 $5 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A very interesting plan that has been used many times in this position. Black simply wants to start the pawn advance on the kingside.} 9.a5 {A rare move. White will have some problems in the next moves, so Italian Opening theoreticians should probably analyze the main line with 9.Nbd2.} ( 9.Nbd2 g5 {with big complications.} ) 9...g5 10.Be3 {Neimann decides to exchange the dangerous a7-bishop.} 10...g4 11.Nfd2 Bxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An obvious move and also a novelty.} ( 11...h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 12.Bxa7 Rxa7 {Yu-Ju, Danzhou rapid 2021. Here White should play} 13.Nf1 {with the advantage.} ) 12.fxe3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's curious to take on e3 with the pawn when the rook is no longer on the f-file, but now White looks more solid against the advance of Black's pawns. It's a difficult choice, but objectively it's better to take with the rook, although I still like Black's position.} ( 12.Rxe3 h5 ) 12...Nh7 $5 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A subtle move. The knight can go to g5 if necessary, protecting the f7-pawn.} ( 12...h5 {is natural and also possible:} 13.Rf1 Rh6 {with a complicated game, but Black has easier play.} ) 13.Nf1 ( 13.Rf1 Ng5 {The knight is very well-placed here.} ) 13...h5 {Black is the winner of the opening battle, having achieved a clearly better position.} 14.Ng3 Qg5 ( 14...h4 {is simpler:} 15.Nf5 Bxf5 16.exf5 d5 17.Bb3 Nf6 {Black has a clear advantage. The duet of pawns in the center and also on the kingside draws attention.} ) 15.Nd2 Ne7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows for an excellent counterplay chance that Niemann doesn't waste.} ( 15...O-O {is better.} ) 16.Qa4+ $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16...c6 ( 16...Bd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a pawn after} 17.Bxf7+ ) 17.Qb4 h4 18.Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is White's idea.} ( 18.Ngf1 {is too passive. Black is much better after} 18...Qf6 ) 18...Bxf5 ( 18...Nxf5 {is an important option. The game can become insanely complicated.} 19.exf5 d5 20.Qd6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting option.} ( 20.Bb3 h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leaves Black with the initiative.} ) 20...f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate.} ( 20...Qf6 21.Qxf6 Nxf6 22.Bb3 Bxf5 23.Rf1 Rh5 24.e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24...dxe4 25.dxe4 O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} ( 25...Nxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26.Nxe4 Bxe4 27.Bxf7+ ) 26.Bxf7 Rh6 27.Nc4 Bxe4 28.Nxe5 {with equality.} ) ( 20...Qe7 21.Qxe7+ Kxe7 22.Bb3 Bxf5 23.e4 dxe4 24.Nxe4 {with good compensation for the pawn.} ) 21.e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ( 21.Bb3 {is also possible, but the piece sacrifice is more interesting.} ) 21...dxc4 ( 21...Qxd2 {leads to perpetual check:} 22.exd5 h3 23.Rxe5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23...fxe5 24.Qxe5+ Be6 ( 24...Kd7 25.dxc6+ bxc6 26.Be6+ {This apparently also ends in a draw.} ) 25.Qxe6+ Kd8 26.Qd6+ Kc8 27.Qe6+ ) 22.Nxc4 {White prepares Nb6 or d4 and has good practical compensation for the piece.} ) 19.exf5 d5 20.Bb3 ( 20.Qxb7 O-O 21.Bb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 21.Bxa6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 21...Rfb8 22.Qc7 Rxb2 $19 ) 21...Nxf5 {This transposes to a position that could occur later in the game.} ) 20...O-O $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow a1a4;keyPressed;none;from;a1;opacity;0.8;to;a4;persistent;false,b4g4;keyPressed;none;from;b4;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false,g4h4;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false] A blunder that immediately leads to a losing position.} ( 20...O-O-O {is the simplest:} 21.Bd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best defense: White attacks the g4-pawn and prepares Nb3-c5.} ( 21.Ra4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21...g3 22.Qxh4 Nxf5 23.Qxg5 gxh2+ 24.Kxh2 Nxg5+ 25.Kg1 Rdg8 {with a winning position for Black.} ) 21...Nxf5 22.Qxg4 Kc7 {with equal play.} ) ( 20...Nxf5 {is also possible:} 21.Qxb7 O-O 22.Qxc6 Nf6 {Black's queen and two knights look menacing near the white king.} ) 21.Ra4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Gukesh certainly missed this pretty move, attacking pawns on the fourth rank.} 21...g3 ( 21...Nxf5 22.Qxg4 {is also winning for White.} ) 22.Qxh4 Qxh4 ( 22...gxh2+ 23.Qxh2 {Here White quickly creates a winning attack, for instance:} 23...Nxf5 ( 23...Qxf5 24.Rh4 ( 24.e4 {is also good.} ) ) 24.Nf3 {with an easy win.} ) 23.Rxh4 gxh2+ ( 23...Nxf5 {Here either 24.Rg4 or 24.Rh5 wins.} 24.Rg4+ ( 24.Rh5 ) 24...Kh8 25.hxg3 ) 24.Rxh2 f6 ( 24...Nxf5 25.e4 {This pawn break is an important resource, opening the diagonal for the bishop and bringing the rook to the attack.} 25...dxe4 26.Rxe4 Rae8 27.Rg4+ Kh8 28.Ne4 {All of White's pieces are well-placed.} ) 25.e4 Rf7 26.Nf3 Rg7 27.d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is a clean pawn up and also has the positional advantage. Niemann wins the game without any problem.} 27...exd4 28.Nxd4 Ng5 29.exd5 Nxd5 30.Rh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30...Kf7 31.Kf1 Rag8 32.c4 Nc7 33.c5+ Nd5 34.Bxd5+ cxd5 35.Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ( 35.Ne6 Nxe6 36.Rxe6 Rxg2 37.Rhxf6+ ) 1-0

